Room One Hundred and Twenty Nine (Club Sin: Seattle Session 2)

Chapter 20

Parker

“How do I look?” Nick asks as I drive us to the restaurant where Elijah, Haruko, and Simon are having dinner. He slides his hand over his navy-blue tie. He put on a suit because he thought that would be respectful, but then thought it was too much, so he ditched the jacket and is now wondering if he should have.

“You look amazing,” I say, taking his hand that was smoothing over his tie. “Why are you so nervous?”

“Why do you think? We’re going to tell Simon we’re dating his daughter. His only daughter. Three guys. Her bosses. You know he knows Karate, right? He might kill us dead.”

I chuckle. “Listen, according to Elijah, he’s a sweetheart. He loves his daughter a lot, so he may not call you ‘son’ the moment you meet him, but it should be fine. Relax.” I kiss the back of his hand, then turn onto the street that’ll take us to The Prairie Falcon.

“You’re so cute when you’re nervous,” I say, attempting to calm him.

“Is that right?” he asks as the city lights flash in his eyes.

“Yeah, you’re all flushed like you got caught thinking dirty thoughts.”

He chuckles. “No dirty thoughts this time. Just plain old regular nerves.”

After a moment of silence, he asks. “Weren’t we going to have a meeting tomorrow to discuss this before we told Simon?”

“Yeah, but maybe things changed. Haruko told me that her and her father share everything and if she’s with him and Elijah is sitting right next to them, maybe she can’t handle not telling him.”

“True,” Nick remarks.

Our conversation seems to have calmed him, and we drive the rest of the way, just listening to the rumble of the engine. I hold his hand the whole way, running my thumb over his knuckles and occasionally bringing it to my lips for a kiss.

It’s so nice to act like a couple now that we’re on the same page. Before, most of our intimacy came from sex and a sense of friendship, but not as people who are in love with each other. It’s freeing and I’m so glad Nick figured out where his feelings lay. We’re so close to having everything we want. All we need is to have a conversation that’ll hopefully go well with Haruko’s father. Then a team meeting over what our future looks like and we’ll be home free.

We park and I take Nick’s hand as we enter the restaurant. We get a few looks as we tell the hostess we're looking for Simon Kaswell, who’s with his daughter and friend. But I ignore them. I look at Nick, who seems on edge about the looks. It’s easier to be like this at Club Sin where we know no one is judging us. They don’t look at us like something they’ve never seen before or disapprove of us. I hold his hand tighter, letting him know it’s okay, and he squeezes me back, giving me a thankful smile.

When we get closer to the table, we see Haruko and light up. She looks stunning in her dress, and I notice her hair looks a touch messy and she’s lipstick free. I look to Elijah, who has a very satisfied smile on her face.

Oh, yeah. He fucked her. And by the look on both of their faces, it was great.

“Hello, everyone,” I say, and Simon turns around in his chair, a look of surprise on his face.

Ah, they didn’t tell him we were coming.

“Hello, Sir,” I say, freeing my hand from Nick’s then sticking it out to shake Simon’s.

“Hello gentlemen,” he says and then shakes Nick’s hand.

“Mind if we join you?” I ask. We’ve met Simon a couple times so he’s familiar with us so hopefully he’ll say yes.

“Not a problem at all. Please find a chair and take a seat.” Simon waves to the table and we ask the hostess if we can take a couple of chairs from a free table. Thankfully, she says yes, so we don’t have to stand like idiots.

I notice as we sit down that Haruko is biting her nail. She’s nervous. This is it. This is more important than dealing with the HR violation issue. This is a moment between a father and a daughter, whether that relationship will last and whether Elijah will stay friends with Simon.

I give her a reassuring smile. Silently trying to give her some calm and confidence. She smiles back, releases her nail from her teeth and gives me a nod, signaling that she’s easing up a bit.

“Still doing the nail-biting thing I see,” Simon says, and she chuckles nervously. “Anyway, so what have you boys been up to?”

“Um, Dad?” Haruko interrupts.

Okay, she’s ready like now, now. Yup, rip the Band-Aid off. That’s my girl.

I shift in my seat, suddenly feeling nervous.

“Yes, sweetie?” he asks.

“Uh, the boys—I mean, men—I mean, my bosses. Ugh . Nicholas and Parker are here because we have something to tell you.”

Elijah is a statue. Nick shifts in his seat and I just smile at Simon, trying to tell him telepathically that we’re nice guys. We’re nice guys and care very much for his daughter. That we’re falling in love with her. Hell, that we’re already in love with her.

“Okay, what is it?” Simon says slowly, leaning towards his daughter.

“Well,” she clears her throat. “See, there’s this situation that has arisen. I’d like to start with it’s not what you think and it’s amazing.”

“Okay. What is it, sweetie? You’re kind of freaking me out here.” He looks around the table as if looking for someone to spill it. But it should be Haruko. This is her father, and she should tell him the way she feels is right. Plus, if we, as her bosses, were to come in and tell Simon, it‘ll be harder to convince him that this isn’t some creepy arrangement where we’re manipulating Haruko.

“Sorry, Dad. There isn’t a great way to say this that doesn’t involve a lot of explaining, but… here it goes.”

Haruko takes a deep breath.

“I love my bosses.”

Different reactions spring from all of us. Haruko looks both relieved it’s out and shocked. I think because she just admitted for the first time she’s in love with us, not just starting to. Nick and I look shocked, probably because this is the first time we’re hearing that she loves us. Elijah looks proud and Simon's jaw is on the floor.

We’re all silent. Even the restaurant is silent. At least that’s what it feels like to me. Like the whole place is frozen, and it’s just us in this moment where we all try to wrap our brains around Haruko’s admission.

“I’m sorry,” Simon says. “Did you say you’re in love with your bosses? Like plural?”

She nods. “Yeah,”

He looks at all three of us. “These two?” He points to Nick and me.

“And him,” she points to Elijah, who’s sporting a guilty as charged look on his face.

“Elijah, seriously? She’s your assistant.”

Simon seems to be flip flopping between what he’s most shocked about. That we’re her bosses or that it’s more than one person.

“I didn’t plan this, Simon,” Elijah says, keeping his voice down. “It just happened. I tried to stay away. We all did. But you know your daughter. She’s amazing. Smart, beautiful, funny. And she’s perfect for us. I couldn’t tell you because I didn’t think it was my place. We also haven’t discussed our future yet. But Haruko didn’t want to lie to you anymore. So, I called Nicholas and Parker here so we could tell you together.”

Simon turns to his daughter.

“Sweetie. They aren’t manipulating you or anything, are they?”

Haruko shakes her head. “No, Dad. I really do love them. All three of them. So much. I didn’t mean to, honest. But I have, and I don’t want to let them go.”

Simon looks at the three of us again before he turns back to his daughter. “You’re sure?”

Haruko nods.

“Yeah, Dad. I’m sure.”

Simon rubs his eyes. Digesting what his daughter told him. It’s several moments before he uncovers his eyes. “This… is… shocking. Is this why you got silent when I asked you if you were seeing anyone?”

She nods.

“And you’re telling me now because you don’t want to hide this from me?”

She nods again.

“Well, I’m flattered you care so much. This is a lot, and I mean, the three guys thing I think I can get over but Haruko, they’re your bosses—”

“I know, Dad.”

“This is not okay.”

“I know,” she says and covers her hand with his. “We’re going to talk about it tomorrow. I’m going to find another job and it‘ll be okay. It’s not like they can find other jobs. It was always going to come to this. If this…” she waves her hand to us, then to her, “was ever going to happen I was going to find another job.”

Simon takes a deep breath. “Well, my company is looking to hire some assistants soon. Maybe you can find a job there.”

The smile on Haruko’s face sets the table at ease. That’s how powerfully happy she is.

“Thanks, Dad.” She reaches over and hugs her father.

The smile and colour returns to Elijah’s face. Nick and I have calmed down quite a bit.

Simon looks at us. “My priority always has and forever will be, making sure my daughter is happy.” He leans over the table towards us and whispers, “So if you hurt her, I’ll use every Karate move I know to kick your asses. Especially you.” He points to Elijah and who holds up his hands in surrender, nodding his head.

“I figured.” Elijah says. “So, seeing that I don’t have any plans to hurt Haruko, are we good?” he asks his friend.

Other than with Haruko, I’ve never seen Elijah this vulnerable. Never thought it would take another person entering our lives to see another side of him. Mostly because I didn’t think there was another side. I thought he was a grump through and through. That he was hard as stone and that was just who he was. But Haruko has cracked open his shell and now he’s more open than before.

“Yeah, Elijah. We’re good. Just remind me not to ask how your love life is going ever again.”

Laughter echoes around us, and I can tell an immense weight has been lifted. It’s only the technical side of this situation that needs to be worked out. As well as telling Haruko that we love her. Out loud.

I never thought getting involved with Haruko could lead to more than just finding the missing piece to our group. But it has. Nick and I are stronger, and Elijah is happier for sure.

Thankfully, we have forever to show Haruko how much we appreciate everything she’s done for us and how much we love her for making us one big, happy family.