Jade Lotus

Chapter 2

Kendal awoke the next morning refreshed and ready to start work on the Tokyo deal.  He wanted to view the construction site and get a feel for the lay of the land.  He also wanted to stop by get a listing of possible apartments.  He didn’t mind hotels, but it wasn’t practical to stay in one for several months.  Finding a reliable assistant was also on his list of priorities. 

His driver was waiting in front of his hotel as he had directed the night before.  As he climbed in the black sedan he gave the man the address for the property he wanted to buy.  The driver pulled into the crazy traffic and once again Kendal was speeding through Tokyo. 

He checked his email on his phone while they were in the car.  His amazing assistant back home had sent him a list of qualified candidates to fill her role in Tokyo.  If Jane continued her stellar job performance Kendal would have to give her a promotion.  He scrolled through a list of possible candidates and picked out three names he would like to interview.  He sent Jane a return email with the names so she could set up meetings with the candidates.

As he finished sending the email the driver pulled to a stop.  Kendal climbed out of the car to get a closer look.  To the naked eye the nondescript grey building in front of Kendal looked like a fairly useless property.  The building itself was useless, but the property it sat on was extremely valuable.  The property had been owned by a man who had run a successful family business out of the building for forty years.  Unfortunately when the man died the property became embroiled in a nasty probate battle.  The probate issue had finally been settled and now the property was available. 

Few people in America realized that Japan was making leaps and bounds in medical research.  Several large pharmaceutical companies in the United States had noticed and wanted to establish corporations in Tokyo.  There had recently been promising breakthroughs in treating Parkinson’s disease and the drug companies wanted a piece of the action.  This location was the only property really large enough to accommodate what the pharmaceutical companies wanted to accomplish and it was in close proximity to the medical research facility and the University.  Kendal knew at first sight that it was perfect.  He could already imagine a towering office building gleaming in the Tokyo sun. 

As he walked back towards his car another black sedan pulled to a stop in front of the building.  He grinned expecting Mr. Atsuko to step out of the vehicle.  He was taken back when a woman stepped out instead.  Calmly walking towards him was a rare beauty.  She was impeccably dressed in a tailored gray suit.  The dark pencil skirt hugged her body and showed off the delicate curves of her hips.  He paused to admire the subtle hint of cleavage peeking out of her red camisole.  This was a woman who knew how to dress.  Kendal’s gaze meandered slowly up her frame until he was looking at her face.  Truly she was lovely.  Her shiny jet-black hair hung straight down past her shoulders.  Her almond shaped brown eyes were alluring in their darkness.  Last but not least he admired her lush red lips.  She wore only enough makeup to enhance her appearance.  Kendal rarely had such an instant attraction to a woman.

As the clip of her stilettos grew closer to him Kendal was forced to stop thinking about unbuttoning the two buttons that held her smart jacket closed.  She offered no smile as she approached which led him to believe this wasn’t going to be a friendly visit.  He gave her a polite bow as she stood directly in front of him.  He addressed her in Japanese but she held up a hand to stop him.

“There’s no need, I speak English.”

Kendal was surprised to hear an American accent.

“Indeed you do.  Are you American?”

She gave a slight nod of her head, “I was raised in America, but I’ve lived in Japan for many years now.”

“I’m Kendal Archer.  To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I’m Jade Atsuko.  I’m the attorney representing this piece of property.”

“Atsuko, are you his daughter?”

“No, I’m his niece.  My Uncle has made a generous offer to the seller.  I came to inform you that the property is off the market.  We sign the paperwork this afternoon.”

“Well Mrs. Atsuko, I would like to counter offer.  I’m sure your client would like to obtain the best price for their property.”

“It’s Ms. Atsuko, and I you haven’t even heard what my Uncle is offering.  Are you sure you want to offer more?”

“Ms. Atsuko, I came to play ball.  If your uncle thought he would put down an offer and make a quick sale he was sorely mistaken.  I will raise his offer by twenty percent, and I’m willing to pay cash.”

“That’s quite an offer Mr. Archer.”

“Indeed it is.  Why don’t we go have lunch and discuss the details?”

“Lunch won’t be necessary.  I will bring your offer to my client.”

Kendal quickly produced a business card from his wallet and handed it to her.

“All my information is on the card.  You can reach me day or night.”

She took the card from his outstretched hand.  For the briefest of seconds their fingers touched.  That mere brush of skin sent shock waves through Kendal’s body.  How ironic.  The first woman he had been attracted to in months was his rival’s niece.  She obviously wasn’t interested in him in the least, but that hadn’t stopped him from asking her to lunch and making himself available day and night.

What was wrong with him?  He rarely if ever dated.  He found the distraction women created detrimental to his business.  He had worked hard for years to amass a fortune and make a name for his self.  He was well known in New York and this made him wary of woman who sought his attention because of his financial standing. 

None of that mattered with her.  He was miles away from his real life.  Maybe he could afford to be a little careless while he was in Tokyo.  With a smile he thought of Mr. Atsuko.  He was sure he would incite the old man’s anger if he made a play for his niece.  Good.  Maybe that would be sufficient payback for the Atsuko’s underhanded deal earlier in his career.  He watched as she slipped into her car and drove away with a polite nod as she passed.  He instantly felt like an ass.  It wasn't her fault her uncle was his rival.  He wouldn't be the guy that tried to seduce a woman for revenge.  He would just seduce her.  

As Kendal walked back to his car he continued to think of the lovely Jade.  For a moment he pondered what would happen if they did have an affair while he was in Tokyo.  He had the biggest deal of his life coming up, and all he could think of were Jade's red lips.  He didn’t enjoy the love ‘em and leave ‘em mentality that some men did.  He wondered if Jade would be hurt if he left her in the end.  The idea of hurting her repulsed him.  Reality jolted his brain like lighting.  He was worried about hurting a woman who showed no interest in him and was the niece of his competition.  He was putting thoughts of seduction before business.  He must still be jet-lagged.  Time to shake it off and focus.