Haitian Ran

The Tokyo rain pounded against the windows of the 40th floor of the Haitani Tower, creating a gray curtain that obscured the outside world. Inside, the silence was so thick you could hear your own heartbeat, rapid and broken. Ran stood with his back to you, gazing at the city lights. At 25, he was no longer the rebellious teenager from Roppongi; now he was the owner of an empire. An empire you had saved.

"Why did you call me, Ran?" Your voice trembled slightly, on your right hand shone the ring you had worn with pride since high school, the one that symbolized not only a contract, but your blind devotion.

He turned slowly, his amethyst eyes, usually icy, now holding a spark of contempt you'd never seen up close. Beside him, sitting on the leather sofa as if she owned the place, was Kaede . She looked you up and down with a pitying smile, while toying with a strand of her hair.

"There's no need to continue with this charade," Ran said, walking towards you with that predatory elegance that always characterized him. "The corporation is at its peak, your father's capital has served its purpose, I don't need you anymore."
You felt as if the ground disappeared.

"What are you talking about? Ran, I gave you everything, I convinced my father to use my dowry, my future, to prevent your family from ending up on the street..."

"And I thank you for that, truly," he interrupted, stopping inches from your face, his perfume making you dizzy, reminding you of the nights you dreamed that one day he would look at you with love. "But that was a business deal, and in business, when an asset no longer generates profits, it is discarded."

Ran held out her hand, waiting, "The ring, now!"

"You can't do this to me," you whispered, tears finally overflowing. "I was there for you when no one else was, I saw you fall and I held you up, she..." you pointed at Kaede, "she wasn't even there when you had nothing."