The Minister and his companions turn their attention to us, having heard Chai speak. I busy myself trying sandwiches and placing the ones I think he will enjoy on a small plate, not straying too far away from him.
“Ah, I finally get to meet you, Mr. Akiyama,” the Minister says in a squeaky voice, plastering on a politician’s smile. “I hear you came from Japan to personally oversee the security arrangements in place of your father?”
They shake hands, the Minister picking a glass of wine and handing it to Chai.
“Yes, I did.” Chai refuses the glass with a business smile. “I’m afraid I can’t enjoy the wine. I just stopped by to check how things are going and grab something to eat. I don’t drink while I’m working.”
“Commendable, but also a waste. This wine is exquisite. I personally insisted for this particular brand and year.”
Chai is more of a whiskey and gin guy, though even then, he doesn’t always drink. I kind of like that about him.
“I will take your word for it, Minister Kasem. Perhaps I’ll grab a bottle as a gift to my father on the way back,” Chai says smoothly, impressing me with the way he knows how to butter up to people when needed.
The Minister nods, swirling the wine before he takes a sip. He smacks his lips and makes an appreciative sound. “So rich. You are truly missing out. But, well, appreciating wine is not why you approached me, is it?”
Chai smiles one of those charming ones he uses when he wants to get on the good side of a client. “You see right through me. I wanted to extend Herald Security’s gratitude and offer you our services at a discounted rate for any size event you might hold in the coming months. I heard your vote tipped the auction in our favor.”
I don’t really know much about how the Akiyama Group landed the job, but Chai makes it sound like it was close.
“It might’ve been my vote that won you the contract, but I don’t back anything I’m not confident in, Mr. Akiyama.” The Minister pats Chai on the shoulder, humming to himself as his smile grows. He’s clearly amused by whatever is going through his balding head, his eyes crinkling in the corners as he studies Chai’s face. “Besides… Let’s say that I’ve been looking to update my security arrangementsand thought this might be a good test-run. I have to say that I’m impressed with what I’ve seen and very keen to work with you on a more personal level.”
Something in his tone doesn’t sit right with me. I can’t pinpoint what it is, but it gives me the creeps. When I peek at Chai, he’s maintaining his professional mask, but there is a spark of apprehension in his gaze that matches the way his shoulder tense a little when the Minister’s hand lingers there.
Just as I am about to pretend trip and drop the plate with food on the Minister’s suit so he can get his hands offmy man, Chai steps away and dips his chin. “I am grateful for your kind words and looking forward to discussing this in more detail once the conference is over. Perhaps I can arrange for you to visit the Herald Security headquarters in Nagoya? I’m sure my father wouldn’t want to miss the chance to meet you in person.”
I have to force myself not to gawk like a fanboy. Chai is good at this and just like everything else that he excels at, it’s a massive turn on for me. I don’t let myself get carried away however; I know when to take my job seriously and when I can allow myself to get distracted. The former is in effect until the event is over.
The two men exchange a few more words, and I can tell Chai is fishing for something. I’ve absolutely zero idea why, but I’ll find out the first chance I get.
“I’ll leave you to have lunch in peace,” Chai says, placing the plate I handed him on the trolley with dirty silverware. “Though I was hoping you’d humor one last question.”
“Of course, Mr. Akiyama. We’re practically friends already.”
Yeah, no. This guy ain’t no friend to Chai, and won’t be one either. I don’t like him and his vibe and the way he keeps looking at Chai in that calculating manner as if Chai is some chess piece he needs to get to a specific part of the board. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who noticed it since Chai has kept his distance. Their relationship will definitely remain strictly professional.
Folding his arms, Chai casts his gaze around the room. “I realize it’s none of my business, but I was wondering what exactly these workshops are about. All Herald Security was told is that it has to do with some kind of medical development?”
“Hmm… I’m afraid I can’t disclose any details just yet other than the fact that it’s a new drug we believe will help a lot of people, but there will be a press announcement in the coming months. Maybe when I drop by for that visit to Nagoya, we could discuss more. I’m confident what I have to say will be of further interest to the Akiyama Group. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Once we are alone and I’ve lost the Minister among the crowd of important people, we head for the next person Chai has to talk to. “The guy was suspicious. And what the hell did he meanfurtherinterest? I thought your father hasn’t met him yet?”
“He hasn’t.” Chai takes out his phone, shooting a message to someone. The reply comes a few seconds later. “Aran’s looking into him.”
“Didn’t he do that already? I thought he’s the one that put together the document with people you must talk to?”
“That was based on the assumption that the Minister didn’t know who we are. He clearly does.”
The rest of the conference brings no surprises. When lunch is over, we begin our rounds, checking all the floors where workshops are held to make sure there are no issues. We could technically do it from the control room, but I also get why Chai prefers to check in on things himself.
It’s not until the event finishes and people begin leaving that we hear back from Aran. We’ve claimed a couch at one of the open lounges on the upper floors, the glass layout allowing us to observe the line of people trickling out the building through the main entrance.
“What have you got?” Chai asks, putting Aran on speakers.
I walk over and lean against the armrest, glancing at the screen where their chat from earlier is loaded.
“It took me a lot of digging, but it seems like Minister Kasem unofficially visited Kobe six months ago. At first glance, it looks like a personal trip, at least until I dug up his dinner reservation on the last day.” A screenshot of a booking displaces the last few messages.
“Isn’t that one of Goro’s izakayas?” Chai asks, frowning at his phone.
