A Pandora's box

"Mom isn't here?" Akie asked, surprised to find Chiyo, Fumiko Suzuki's friend, at home.

"Don't you know about your mom? She rarely comes home this early. I don't know what task is so demanding that she forgets to eat or drink just to complete it," Chiyo said.

"By the way, why are you late? Aren't you supposed to be home by five o'clock in the evening? Where have you been, young man?" Chiyo asked, pulling Akie close to her.

"Oh, I went to a friend's house, so I lost track of time," Akie explained.

"Do you know what would happen if you arrived home after your mom? She'd be worried sick," Chiyo said, pinching Akie's cheek.

"Yes, yes, I know. But I'm home now, so you don't have to worry," Akie reassured her, heading towards his room before stopping and turning back.

"Aunt Chiyo!" Akie called.

"Can I ask you something?" he added.

"What is it? You usually don't ask permission before speaking. What's changed today?" Chiyo inquired.

"Oh, nothing really, but do you know who my dad is and why Mom never talks about him?" Akie asked curiously.

"Akie, I've told you this before. If your mom hears you asking these questions, she'll be very upset. I honestly don't know anything about your father, so please don't ask me again," Chiyo said, keeping her lips sealed.

Meanwhile, Akie reached his room and muttered, "Finally, I'm back at Mom's place. Akie will be having fun with Dad, so I'll stay with Mom."

"Akie, don't leave your room for a while," Chiyo shouted from outside. Her words further confused Hiro, who peeked through the curtains from his hiding place.

A woman entered the house, and Chiyo confronted her, "What are you doing here? What do you want?"

"Calm down, why are you so worked up? And what are you doing in my sister's house?" the woman retorted.

"What I'm doing is none of your business. And why would I answer a gold digger who lives off sugar daddies and has no money of her own?" Chiyo replied sarcastically.

"At least I have money and a home. What about you? Why should I even ask about someone who's nothing to me? Maybe I should ask about my sister, living in this small house because she has no money," the woman said with a laugh.

"Akane!" Chiyo exclaimed.

"What? Did my words about your friend hurt? I didn't know you were such a good friend, or maybe you're just playing a good supporting character again? You take her money, so of course you're willing to play this role repeatedly," Akane taunted.

"For goodness sake, I have my own money! I don't need to be some supporting character or villain to get money like you," Chiyo countered, making Akane growl in anger.

"Yeah, yeah, say whatever you want, but it won't change the fact that my sister got pregnant before marriage, in a one-night stand," Akane said, mocking Fumiko.

"Akane, shut your mouth, or I'll rip that tongue of yours out," Chiyo threatened. But before she could do anything, Fumiko entered the house, glaring at Akane.

"Who opened the door for this trash?" Fumiko asked calmly, placing her bag on the table.

"Of course, no door is locked for me, but for you, everything is locked tight. Just like how your own father threw you out on the street in the middle of the night," Akane taunted with a laugh.

"Did I ask you? Why are you so eager to talk? Did you chew on some itchy leaves? You can't seem to keep your mouth shut," Fumiko retorted.

"You! Still with that same attitude?" Akane gritted her teeth.

"No, and you have no right to object. Leave now, before I call the police for trespassing," Fumiko said, holding her phone in her hand.

"Fine, fine, I'm leaving. But don't think this is over. It's just the beginning. I'll ruin your life even further, just like I did that day," Akane threatened as she walked out of the room. Her eyes fell on a picture placed with other documents.

"Where did you get that picture?" Akane questioned.

"Do I need to tell you where I get my work documents?" Fumiko replied coolly.

"Ha! I don't care about your work," Akane scoffed and left. But deep down, she thought, "How on earth did she get a picture of Hiroto Anzai? If this keeps up and she finds out what happened in the past, I won't be able to stop her. No, I have to stop this."

Akane muttered to herself before calling a taxi. "Take me to this address," she instructed.

"As you wish, madam," the driver responded, driving the taxi towards Hiroto Anzai's house.

In a few minutes, the car stopped, and Akane got out. She gazed at the grandeur of Hiroto Anzai's house and attempted to enter.

"Where are you going? Don't you know Mr. Anzai doesn't allow anyone inside without his permission?" the guard stopped Akane.

"Okay, if he doesn't allow anyone, then go inside and tell Mr. Anzai Miss Akane has come to see him. He'll allow it," Akane instructed. The guard went in to inform Hiroto of her arrival.

"Master, a lady named Akane wants to see you. I tried stopping her, but she's persistent," the guard reported.

"Let her in," Hiroto said, closing his files and walking down to the hall.

"I knew it, Mr. Anzai. I knew you'd let me in, but I didn't expect it to be so soon," Akane said, looking around the mansion.

"Don't talk nonsense. Tell me why you're here and what you want. I've already done enough of your so-called 'good deeds,'" Hiroto said coldly.

"Oh, Mr. Anzai, why are you so angry? I did such a good thing for you! If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been able to meet your son that day. Don't you think you owe me a little gratitude?" Akane said with a laugh.

"I compensated you handsomely for your actions. And you clearly promised not to show your face to me again, a promise you've broken. Is this why I paid you all that money?" Hiroto countered, his voice laced with annoyance.