1700, HQ.

I've never had a fire lit under me to paint like the time I got the text from Yahiko. I was probably done with them all, no sleep, melon bread, and energy drinks, by 0200 the day of the meeting. Then I sat, waited, and daydreamed until I heard a knock at my door.

I shockingly sprang up.

"Niko, open up."

It was Ray.

I sprinted over to my dirty mirror in my bathroom, splashing water on my face and attempting to look semi-decent. I then skipped over to put on some pants, hopping around as if it was the first time I have ever put clothes on.

The knocks continued. "Don't make me ask again."

The agitation was real.

"I'm coming!" I called, literally throwing on a shirt.

When I opened the door, I was faced with the handsome devil. He wore dark glasses, so I couldn't see his eyes, but he was still dressed like a million bucks. And here I was looking like a dollar...maybe a penny.

I couldn't tell if he was looking over my disheveled look or was thinking of a smart comment, but instead he pushed past me: walking into my apartment.

I keep forgetting that he did as he pleased.

I turned, watching him stray over to my canvases: eyeing them with interest. In the meantime, I was attempting to straighten my clothes.

"These are even better than the last, you really are something."

My breath caught. For some reason, every time he praised me...it made me want to do better. Or maybe it was just my hopes that he'd stop seeing me as a pup waiting for a bone.

"Mind if I come over the next time my brother gives you an assignment?"

Ok...he's joking right? Why would he want to watch me paint?! Like...for entertainment? Does he really just see me as a pawn...or maybe...

"Ha," I smirked, leaning on the door railing, "you're not from my world. You wouldn't understand anything and then you'd just be disinterested."

He gawked at that, but smiled without any comeback. Instead, he started to pick up some of the paintings as he headed my way.

He leaned down, awfully close, whispering in my ear. "Try me, I'm a quick learner."

His voice reverberated in my ear, making my chest heat. Something about those words...it was like I heard them before.

"Plus, with you, I doubt I'll be bored."

My face turned several shades of red after that comment, maybe because I took them too far. He wasn't interested in me...he wasn't interested in me in the slightest.

"Come on, we're going to be late." He called, walking out of my door.

Right.

I got the rest of the paintings, closed my door, and followed Ray down the rickety stairs to my apartment. When we got to his car, we placed them in the back seat as I sat shotgun. When I saw the seats glowing in a blood-red hue, I almost lost it. Even sitting down on the leather seemed like I was in heaven. When I felt the engine roar beneath me, I almost lost myself in pure ecstasy. His car was freaking amazing!

I'm sure hearts were coming out of my eyes as Ray exhaled, jokingly, as a smirk crossed his face.

"Want to give her a spin later?"

I think I almost asked him to marry me after those words.

"Re-really?!"

As he turned away from my apartment, heading towards the HQ, he couldn't wipe the grin from my excitement.

"Yea, why not. One of these days I may need a DD. Might as well get used to her."

Yep, I was a kid in a candy store!

"This is gunna be so cool!"

I didn't care that I sounded like a child, I was beyond thrilled to drive something so sexy! Ray shook his head, entertained, as he started pointing out features of his car on the way to HQ. He answered all of my questions, ran a million red lights, showed up half of Tokyo, and IT WAS THE BEST! Honestly, that alone allowed me to push aside any resentment I had for him. Instead, it made me want to get to know him more.

When he arrived, two large guys swarmed us, opening our doors. Hell, five of them even grabbed my paintings as Ray motioned for me to head inside. I guess being the brother of the boss meant you get some mad perks. 

This time, no one looked at me like a lost boy as we walked to the elevator. Instead, everyone was bowing, not even sneaking a peak as we walked by! Somehow, even though I was a nobody, I felt empowered just to be in the same shadow as the yakuza. I knew I'd never get that kind of respect, but if I had to tag-team with Ray and his brother for the rest of my life just to get a glimpse of it, I might be down for that.

When the elevator door dinged, one of the goons with the painting, opened the door to Yahiko's lair. Ray took the lead, as I followed close behind.

"Oh, big bro!" Ray smiled, placing his hands in his pockets. "I've come bearing gifts."

"Ray."

Yahiko sat nonchalantly behind his desk, taking the glasses of his face and pushing away papers. He wore a black button down that revealed his muscular form, with a designer black vest. 

"And Niko, nice to see you again."

I bowed, "Good evening, sir."

I regained my posture as Yahiko's men placed my paintings before him. A silence ensued as he looked over each piece, his intense gaze still making me sweat. Even during our last encounter, I was unsure whether he was pleased or pissed off. It seemed like his hard expression never changed.

"They're good, aren't they." Ray said, breaking the silence.

"Yes," he said, shooing his men away and locking eyes with us, "really good."

Whew...hearing that was a relief.

He turned to me then, lighting a cigarette. His golden eyes latching onto their prey. "I looked up your tuition for Tokyo University of the Arts."

Well shit...there goes my bargaining pitch! He paid me a rich hand just to draw me in...but I guess paying for my tuition isn't a bad deal.

"It's $6,000 this year for your tuition. That's not including books and what have you, so I'll make it an even ten upfront to knock out the costs for your first year. Every week onward, I'll pay you $1000 a week to do with as you please."

Ok...the man definitely his homework. 

I thought on his offer as he smoked. Paid tuition for year #1, sweet! With the extra cash, I'd have enough money to put towards a bike...or even a scooter! Hell, I could stock up on canvases and materials...or if I use my money wisely, by the end of summer break, I will have enough cash to pay for the next year as well. But...at this rate, I'd be locked in for working for the VG until I graduated. Even if Ray said he'd make sure I was safe...that's a long time to be dedicated to the mob. So...with that in mind.

"2," I said, latching onto Yahiko's eyes, "two thousand a week, and since you said my paintings are better than the last, I want all four years of my tuition paid upfront."

Yahiko removed his cigarette, eyeing me intently.

"If you agree to that, then it's a deal."

Ray chuckled, sighing a "shit" under his breath. Yet, he let me have my fun without interrupting.

Yahiko smirked, it honestly was a handsome sight. "Ray was right about you."

The scent from his cigar filled my nostrils as he drew nearer, "You've got a lot of spunk. However, let me forewarn you. If I agree to that, that means I own you until you graduate from college: not a day less. Is that understood?"

I looked up at him, trying not to gulp, feeling like a mouse compared to a lion. Four years...that's a lot easier than the sixteen that I spent with my druggy family, and they gave me no benefits.

"Think about his offer, Niko." Ray said, eyeing me.

I couldn't help but glance over at him, the worry was there...and I remembered our first down-to-earth conversation. He said I didn't fit into their world...but what I've always wanted, and never had, was respect. I'd always been shackled, tamed, used, and I was tired of it. 

My father was a drunk. Growing up with him made me wish I was never born. My dad would waste his money gambling, but he was indebted to some local thugs who acted as our tax collectors. Whenever my father needed money, they'd give him a loan that they expected to be paid back plus interest: but the money never came. So, I decided to do my dad's job for him.

I noticed, the night prior, my dad came home excited. He was never a happy man, so I knew it meant that he had won a lot of cash because he was ranting and raving about the drugs and material objects he would buy. So, when he was hung over, I took his winnings. He was right, he did win the jackpot: it was enough to pay off our debt and some. So, I left a few thousand yen for my father and took the rest to our debtors. At the time, I thought it was the right thing to do. I knew my father would not be happy with me, hell I was even ok with receiving a beating. What I did not expect was my father's attempt on my life.

When he finally came too, I avoided him like the plague and ignored his derogatory statements. Yet, when my father tried to find his money, he realized most of it was gone. He blamed me for using it and amongst his yells, I explained that I paid off our debt. I expected him to hit me, and he did. Yet, as my scrawny body slammed to the ground: he latched onto my throat. My eyes bulged and I pleaded for him to stop but over and over again, all I heard was:

"You're better off dead!"

My mother, through it all, did nothing. Nothing to save her son. All she did was watch and it was at that time that I realized my worth to my parents. So, when I came home during my junior year, and saw that she overdosed on the floor, I didn't shed a tear or wait for the cops to come. I did what I've always done, found a way to survive. So, if by taking this deal, I could finally write my own story, I'm not going to back down.

"Deal." 

Yahiko chuckled, removing his cigar and turning away from me. "Great."

He took out his hand, which I took.

Make sure to not disappoint.