C17: The Engagement (Part 2)

It was the night of the engagement ceremony, and Richard stood at the entrance of the grand hall, dressed in a tailored black suit, his shirt open at the neck, exposing a hint of the dark tattoo that adorned his chest. His piercing gaze scanned the crowd, anticipation building within him as he waited for Kaede's arrival.

The guests milled about, whispers and hushed conversations filling the room. They all waited, eager to witness the union of two notorious figures – Richard Edwards, the enigmatic and dangerous crime lord who had captured their fascination, and Kaede Nishihara, the most notorious and beautiful crime lord, rumored to hold the key to his soul.

Finally, the doors opened, and Kaede appeared. Clad in a revealing red dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, she was a vision of seduction and power. The fabric clung to her body, accentuating her figure in a way that left no room for doubt. The low-cut neckline revealed a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage.

Richard's breath caught in his throat as she approached, her heels clicking against the floor, her eyes locked on his. Every man in the room turned to watch her pass, their eyes drinking in the sight of her, but she paid them no mind. It was only Richard who mattered, and the connection they shared.

As Kaede reached his side, the guests parted, making way for the couple. Their eyes met, their mutual understanding unspoken, their passion and secrets hidden beneath the facade of the ceremony. They clasped hands, their fingers intertwining, and walked towards the altar, the room falling silent as they took their places.

As Richard and Kaede stood at the altar, the guests watched with bated breath, their anticipation palpable. The ceremony was unlike any traditional engagement, reflecting the unconventional nature of their relationship. They stood facing each other, their hands locked tightly, their eyes filled with unspoken promises and dangerous secrets.

An older woman, a high-ranking member of their syndicate, stepped forward to officiate the event. "Tonight, we gather to celebrate the union of Richard Edwards and Kaede Nishihara," she announced, her voice booming through the room. "Two individuals who have defied convention and expectations, united by their passion and ambition."

Richard squeezed Kaede's hand, his gaze never leaving her face. She returned the gesture, a slight smile playing on her lips. They exchanged vows, their words dark and intimate, a testament to their twisted love.

As they exchanged rings, symbolic of their union, the guests whispered amongst themselves, their eyes wide with fascination and intrigue. The rings were simple bands of black iron, etched with intricate designs that bore witness to their dark bond. Richard slipped the band onto Kaede's finger, and she did the same for him.

With the exchange complete, the officiant declared them engaged. Cheers erupted from the crowd, but the true celebration would not begin until later. For now, Richard and Kaede stood at the center of their world, their passion and power on full display.

After the ceremony, Kaede stepped away from Richard, making her way through the crowd. She approached Zhang Xingwei, a prominent figure in their circle, and offered him her hand. He kissed it gently, the scratch mark on his cheek standing out in stark contrast to his otherwise polished appearance.

"Xingwei, how is your cheek? I hope it hasn't been causing you too much trouble," she inquired, her tone casual but laced with concern.

He smiled, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "It's fine, Madam Nishihara. Just a minor incident. Nothing to worry about."

Kaede's eyes twinkled, her gaze lingering on the scar. "I'm relieved. You're too valuable to lose." Then, without missing a beat, she added, "And I'd miss your company."

Zhang's eyes flicked towards Richard, his smile unwavering, but there was a hint of caution in his gaze. "If you become Mrs. Edwards, shouldn't I address you as 'Madame' instead of 'Madam'?" he replied, returning her flirtation with a measured response.

Kaede laughed softly, the sound carrying a hint of mischief. "We're engaged, Xingwei, not yet married. Let's wait until the ceremony is complete before we start calling each other 'Madame' and 'Sir, besides, I won't be becoming Mrs. Edwards, I don't plan on changing my last name, it'll be just, Mrs. Nishihara, I suppose.'"

Their eyes met, their banter carrying an undercurrent of tension, a subtle reminder of the power dynamics at play. Zhang nodded, his gaze drifting back to her, taking in the seductive dress and the way it hugged her curves.

"I see, Madam Nishihara," he murmured, his voice low and smooth. "Then, I wouldn't want to make any missteps."

Kaede smiled, her eyes flashing with amusement. "You'd better not. This is a night to remember."

"By the way, Xingwei, where is Kaiteng? I invited him, but I haven't seen him," Kaede remarked, her gaze scanning the crowd for the missing guest.

Zhang's expression grew serious, replacing the earlier flirtatiousness with concern. "Chen was unable to attend tonight's ceremony, Madam. He said his brother and sister-in-law were eager to meet you, so he decided to bring them along. They should arrive shortly."

Kaede's eyes narrowed, her curiosity piqued. "Interesting. Tell me more about his family."

Zhang hesitated, his expression guarded. "Chen's family has been in the business for generations, though they've kept a low profile. His brother is highly skilled in strategy, while his wife handles their finances. Both are eager to strengthen our alliance."

Kaede nodded, her interest piqued by the mention of Chen's siblings. "It's always good to have strong allies. I look forward to meeting them."

As their conversation ended, Zhang discreetly excused himself, leaving Kaede standing alone, her thoughts turning to what lay ahead. The night was far from over, and the true celebration was yet to come.

Just as Kaede was about to turn away, Park Jae Sung, accompanied by his wife Choi Seona, approached her. Both were dressed in elegant attire, every inch the powerful couple. Jae Sung bowed slightly, his eyes on Kaede, while Seona offered a polite nod, her gaze assessing.

"I'm Park Jae Sung, and this is my wife, Choi Seona," Jae Sung said, gesturing to his partner. "We've heard much about you, Madam Nishihara, and we're honored to finally meet."

Kaede smiled, her gaze taking in the couple. "A pleasure to meet you both. I've heard wonderful things about your family's skills and connections."

Seona's eyes flickered to Richard, her expression tightening slightly. "Our family has always valued strong partnerships. We hope to forge a lasting alliance with yours."

Kaede returned her gaze, her smile never faltering. "I'm certain we'll have many opportunities to work together in the future."

Jae Sung leaned in, his voice low and smooth. "May I ask you something, Madam Nishihara? I'd like to speak with you privately for a moment."

With a nod, Kaede allowed him to place a hand on her waist, and they began to walk through the crowded room, away from prying eyes. As they navigated the sea of guests, Jae Sung began to flirt with her, his eyes never leaving her face.

"Your beauty is legendary, Madam Nishihara. I can see why Richard was drawn to you. And I must admit, I'm not completely immune to your charms either."

Kaede's smirk deepened, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "You're very bold, Mr. Park, flirting with me at my own engagement ceremony. But I appreciate your honesty, and, I like bold men."

Their eyes locked, the silent challenge between them palpable. Kaede leaned closer, her voice low and sultry. "What else would you like to discuss with me, outside of your attraction?"

Jae Sung's breath hitched, but he recovered quickly. "Business, of course. Our families could benefit from a closer alliance."

Kaede's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she pulled away, a devious glint in her eye. "I'm sure our families will find a way to strengthen our connection, in more ways than one."

Kaede bit her lip, her eyes never leaving Jae Sung's. "Perhaps, after the ceremony, we could discuss this alliance further, in private?"

His eyes flickered, but he recovered quickly. "I'd be honored, Madam Nishihara."

As they walked, Kaede began to seduce him, her body moving fluidly, her gaze lingering on his. She leaned in close, a soft moan escaping her lips as they brushed against his ear. "You're very bold, Mr. Park. Your wife must love that about you."

Jae Sung's breath hitched, his eyes narrowing as he responded. "Not as much as she loves watching me with other women."

Their gazes locked, the tension between them palpable. Kaede arched an eyebrow, intrigued by Jae Sung's response.

"Do tell, Mr. Park. How does your wife feel about your indiscretions?"

Jae Sung leaned in, his voice barely audible. "She enjoys them, Madam Nishihara. In fact, she prefers it. She wants me to taste what I bring her."

Kaede's breath hitched, her eyes widening slightly. "Interesting. I've never met a woman who enjoys such... unconventional pleasures."

Jae Sung's grip tightened on her waist, his voice low and smooth. "Perhaps she's more adventurous than you think."

"Enough about her, Madam Nishihara, I have my own ideas of how our families can strengthen their connection."

Kaede's eyes widened slightly at his boldness, but she didn't retreat. Instead, she returned his gaze with a hungry stare, a challenge clear in her expression.

"Oh, really, Mr. Park? Enlighten me."

He took her hand, leading her to a secluded corner, the crowd parting before them like waves. "I believe our families can benefit from a more direct alliance. Wouldn't you agree?"

Kaede bit her lip, her breath catching as he pulled her close. "Perhaps, but only if it benefits both our families equally."

He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. "I think we can arrange something mutually beneficial."

Their bodies pressed together, the heat between them palpable. Jae Sung's hands traced the outline of her body, his advances unabashed. Kaede returned the gesture, her fingers tracing the contours of his chest. They danced around the line, their flirtation bordering on the edge of something more.