Chapter 11: Solution

"Yes, ma'am, we need an answer!"

A lot of reporters surrounded Narumi, cameras flashing and flash going off, their microphones thrust in her face as she tried to move backwards, away from the camera flashes. The reporters all yelled questions at once, making her feel like a turtle stuck under an elephant's foot trying desperately to escape its grasp.

"Back away from Miss Narumi." Daiki stood between the cameras and the reporters, his arms crossed over his chest, frowning sternly at them.

"Tell us sir, are you sleeping with your boss?" A reporter shouted, pushing forward to jab a microphone at Daiki's nose.

"Are you two dating?" Another reporter cried, jumping right in front of Daiki.

One of the cameras flashed again.

"Enough, please all your question will be answered, later but for, now please give them space." Akiko stepped around Daiki, blocking him from any more journalists.

"The party is over." Akiko said firmly. She took her elder sister's hand and lead her out of the party while Daiki helped Yuki out as well.

"Please let's go home now." Akiko said.

"I need to answer those questions or else I won't be able to sleep tonight." Narumi said anxiously, tugging on her sister's arm, "My reputation... my career...."

"What will you tell them? This is a perfect conspiracy that was planned to destroy your image. We need to sit down and think about a strong solution." Akiko sighed. She understood that her sister was in a bad shape and the last thing she wanted was a panic attack to occur.

"Get into the car, sis." Akiko guided her sister to their car as usual. A chauffeur was standing next to it. He opened the door and helped them inside before taking a seat behind the wheel and starting driving.

"Where's mom?" Narumi asked.

"Relax, she is with Daiki." Akiko rubbed her head soothingly. "He will bring her home."

Narumi looked outside the window. It was supposed to be a beautiful celebration for her, but instead it turned out to be a horrible one.

"Sis, we need to find out who planned all of this. For them to have all those pictures means someone was spying on you." Akiko said.

"I know, but we need to focus on fixing the problem at hand. If not, by tomorrow the entire country will believe a lie and my hard work will be in vain." Narumi leaned back against the headrest, closed her eyes and sighed, her hands resting in her lap.

"Calm down, sis, we will find a way." Akiko squeezed her hand reassuringly.

They were silent, lost in thought, until the car stopped at their house.

"I'm going to wait for mom and Daiki. You can go inside." Akiko said as they got out of the car.

"Alright. Thank you, Sis." Narumi smiled weakly before walking towards the front door. Her mind was still racing even as she entered the house.

'I need a solution quickly.' She thought, 'I need to find out who did this and fix it.'

Meanwhile, Akiko was still waiting for her mom and Daiki to return home. When they finally showed up, she went straight up to her mom and hugged her, then looked at Daiki.

"You guys had me worried." She said.

"Sorry, my dear, mom had an asthma attack." Yuki told her as she patted her shoulder reassuringly.

"Oh, my! Are you alright?" Akiko asked.

"I'm alright thanks to Daiki," Yuki said, fondly looking at Daiki, who was standing next to her.

"Thanks Daiki but right, we need to go inside and help Narumi think of a solution to the issue so she doesn't explode like a balloon." Akiko said.

The three of them headed inside and found Narumi sitting down on the couch, deep in thought. There was a cup of tea next to her and a plate of cookies on the table.

"My dear child," Yuki muttered, gently placing a kiss on Narumi's cheek, "Are you okay?"

Narumi sighed before laying on her mother's laps, "Not really mom. I haven't found a solution to my problem."

"You will, my dear." Yuki whispered.

She continued to pet Narumi's hair lovingly, and the girl melted, leaning into her embrace.

"I really don't understand why everyone is making a huge scene about it. Most male CEO sleep with their secretary and assistant. Why is everyone reacting over a few pictures which were clearly edited?" Akiko sat down next to her sister and took one of the cookies. "It makes no sense."

"Your sister is an unmarried woman who is extremely successful. Rumors like this will always follow her." Yuki said.

Akiko rolled her eyes as she nibbled on her cookie. "So mom you believe that if Narumi was married there wouldn't be so much gossip, right?"

"Maybe." Yuki shrugged. "Maybe not."

Narumi raised her head and stood up. Her mother's words got her thinking a lot. "There's only one solution to this problem." Narumi said. She couldn't believe this was the only solution she had come up with to solve this dilemma.

"What's that?" Her mother asked.

"Marriage. Daiki and I will have a contract marriage. This way, my reputation will not be ruined, and he doesn't have to go through trouble with the press."

Narumi explained. "It's an excellent idea."

Yuki stood up and for the first time she raised her hands and slapped Narumi across the face, causing her to wince in pain.

"That is unacceptable! Didn't I teach you anything? Since when did marriage become a transaction to save yourself?" Yuki exclaimed angrily and grabbed both Narumi's shoulders. "What good does marriage do? Marriage is a partnership, not a deal that has to be upheld just for the sake of others. It is sacred!"

"Mrs Yuki, please calm down." Daiki tried to diffuse the situation.

"Mom, calm down." Akiko begged.

Yuki shook her head and took several calming breaths.

"I understand why you are angry, mom but this is the best solution." Narumi said. "If I remember, you said that Daiki is like a son you."

"But marriage is another matter entirely." Yuki growled. "No one should force a marriage to anyone."

"Mom, this isn't like you. You're usually very understanding." Narumi frowned, confused. "Besides, it's a contract marriage for a year and two months."

"That's the problem." Yuki said. "You can't turn marriage into a deal."

"Mom, but this is the only solution." Akiko pleaded. "The media will calm down if they believe that she is married to Daiki."

"And I will pay him for his service." Narumi muttered.

Yuki stared at her daughter for several minutes. Her eyes narrowed, before dropping her hands to her sides.

"Fine," Yuki gave in, "But if Daiki doesn't agree, nobody will force him. What do you say Daiki?"

Daiki glanced at Narumi and sighed. He never expected to get involved in such a thing.

"I agree but I refuse to accept any money." Daiki mumbled, averting his gaze.

"What?" Narumi widened her eyes. She was shocked.

"You are free to add it to the contract, but I won't accept any payment." He insisted.

"Alright then." Narumi. "I'm going to call my lawyer and get the documents ready for signing tomorrow."

"No problem." Daiki muttered.