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CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR:
The Port Mafia Annual Gala.
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The day had arrived.

The Port Mafia Annual Gala landed on a Friday evening. Rain was drizzling from the sky, falling over the bustling city of Yokohama. Every light in the Port Mafia Headquarters was on, making a golden glow pour from the building. Aki stood in front of her floor length mirror, smoothing out her chosen dress for the night. It was a skin-tight silk dress, the colour of the red wine Chuuya liked so much. There was a slit from the thigh, the material flowing down to the ground in a small trail. She wore gold jewellery, which had been waiting for her on her dressing table—the note was addressed from Kouyou, a gift from her to Aki. Her feet were clad in black heels that wrapped around her ankles in criss-crosses, just like the black ribbon around her neck.

"Fucking hell," A voice breathed out from behind her. It was Chuuya. She had already sensed him behind the door before he opened it—hell, she had sensed him from down the hall. She turned her head, the curve of a smile on her lips. "It should be illegal for you to look this fucking good. I might just have to get you arrested." He said in a throaty voice, his eyes taking in the sight of her in the dress. She had picked it herself—and it had been for him. She'd worn the colour he adored. It was a cheesy notion, but it had received the exact reaction she'd hoped for. A completely different reaction from the first time he had stepped in her room, seeing her dressed in a fancy dress.

Aki looked him up and down, taking a step towards him, "I could say the same about you," She said, her eyes sucking him in. "I just wanna handcuff you to my bed and never let you leave." She possessively told him, making his heart flutter in his chest—but he'd grown used to that, accepting it was the effect the woman in front of him had on him. At first, he hadn't understood what it meant for his stomach to flutter, but he'd come to the realisation pretty soon that it was butterflies.

Aki licked her lips as she looked at him. He was wearing a black silky shirt, a red waistcoat over the top with black stitches detailing it in swirls, a pocket-watch hidden under the pocket on his waist, the silver chain linked with the first button of the waistcoat. A black leather belt, the buckle silver, a black suit-jacket over the top sitting square on his broad shoulders. Black dress-trousers, black shiny boots. His usual choker adorned his neck, along with the hat on his head. He was beautiful—so fucking beautiful. He dressed himself so well, always looking like a proper gentleman. It made Aki weak in the knees.

"Don't say shit like that or we're not leaving this bedroom," Chuuya warned her, his eyes soaking her in. That damn waist of hers. He took a few steps towards her, wrapping his arms around that damn waist, pulling her into him and hooking his arms behind her. "You're beautiful. I should have told you the first night I came into your room and saw you in that dress for our mission. I wanted to say it—it physically hurt not to but I was being stubborn. I didn't want to admit it." He told her before pressing a long kiss to her forehead. He was just taller than her to place his lips directly between her eyes without having to reach or lower himself. She was the perfect height for him—just pocket-sized.

"I wanted you to say it too," She confessed, her hands splayed on his chest, fiddling with the material of his waistcoat. She laughed a little before continuing. "I had poor Gin and Higuchi go through so many dress options trying to find the right one. I wanted to hear it so badly—even if I didn't realise it."

Chuuya leaned in, lowering his head to kiss directly below her ear, "I've said it now," He said against her skin. "And I'll never stop saying it." He promised her, bringing his face back to hers, taking her face in his hands and pressing a long, lingering kiss to her lips. Aki could already taste the hint of wine on him. She was coming to adore that taste.

Aki exhaled against him before breaking away, "Remember, Chuuya, if I see you dancing with any other girl tonight I'm murdering them—and then I'm murdering you." She sweetly told him. There it is, he thought to himself, the crazy bitch I've come to—

"And you remember," Chuuya drawled out, tightening his grip on her. "If you dance with any other man. I'm dismembering their bodies and throwing them in the canal." He chirped, making her smirk widely. They'd had this conversation previously in the car. It was unclear which of them was more prone to jealousy than the other, but regardless, it was clear that neither of them liked the idea of their attention being stolen away by someone else.

Aki leaned in against him, her lips brushing against his, "Then we better not dance with anyone else." She concluded, capturing his lips in a kiss.

His arms lowered to snake around her waist, pulling her harder against him. Aki lowered her lips to his neck, kissing just above the collar of his shirt before biting down a little, making him close his eyes and groan, "Aki," He warned her as she grinned against his skin. "You keep doing that and we're definitely not leaving this room." He assured her, his hand snaking up her back to tangle in the back of her hair.

She pulled back, looking up at him, her eyes sparkling mischievously, "We've got some time," She countered. The Gala had already began, but there was always time for him. She trailed her finger against his chest. "Actually, I was thinking... you've done so much for me recently, why don't I do something nice for you?" She suggested, her eyes locked on his, shimmering.

Chuuya licked his lips and then swallowed, "What do you have in mind?" He was intrigued, he couldn't deny it. He wanted to know what she was thinking—he wanted to know what she thought she could do for him.

"Well," She began, lowering her fingers to the belt buckle around his waist. "You said these Gala's always stress you out. What if I reduced some of that stress?" She whispered, her fingers undoing the buckle, making his back straighten out in anticipation.

The buckle came undone, making her fingers expertly undo the two buttons on his trousers whilst she held his eyes, "Tell me, Nakahara. Do you want me to take some of that stress from you?" She wickedly asked him. It was rhetorical, because of course he did. He would be fucking insane not to want that—especially whilst she looked as stunning as she did, standing in front of him, offering to lift some weight from his shoulders.

Chuuya nodded once.

Aki smirked, lowering herself onto her knees in front of him. He watched her the entire time, unable to look away as she reached into his boxers. She pulled him out, her delicate hand stroking over him, making him harden in her palm. He watched as she licked her lip, wetting them. Her eyes flickered upwards, catching onto his as she leaned herself forward, her tongue slipping out of her mouth to lick around his tip. His body tensed, his hand immediately reaching out to grab onto her hair, taking a fistful. She wrapped her mouth around his tip, sucking ever so slightly, making a shaky breath leave Chuuya's mouth as he tipped his head back, allowing his hat to slip to the floor.

Aki stared up a him, her hand stroking his length. Slowly, she began taking more of him in her mouth, making a hiss of pleasure leave his lips. She kept going until he reached the back of her throat—taking his entire length in her mouth, her eyes watering slightly. Once she knew she could take it, she began moving back—and then forward again, and then back. She found a rhythm, her head bopping, mouth sucking him off as her hand pumped him into her mouth.

She momentarily pulled the full way back, her tongue licking up the pre-cum around his tip, making him shiver, "Fuck." He breathed out, his hips buckling against her as she took him back in her mouth. This should be illegal, he thought. It should have been impossible for her to be sucking him off with such expertise. She wasn't sloppy in a bad way—in fact, he was loving every moment of it as her spit soaked him. He found himself grinding ever so slightly against her, his hands bunching up hair hair into a ponytail on the back of her head as she picked up the pace, still watching him, tears coating her bottom lashes.

She kept going, never once breaking the perfect sync she had mastered within seconds. Chuuya felt himself losing control as he stood there, a whimpering mess above her, bringing her much satisfaction, "Fuck, Aki, I'm gonna—" He tried warning her, but she didn't care. She took him fully in her mouth, swallowing him down the moment he finished with a shudder, throwing his head back with a moan, his fingers gripping her hair even tighter.

He was panting heavily, his knees weak as Aki licked him one last time before standing to her feet, a pleased smile on her wet lips. He immediately reached out for her, taking her face in his hands, crashing his lips onto hers. Aki gasped against him, crumbling against his chest, kissing him back. They were all over each other like they'd caught a fever and the other was the cure before they both broke away for air.

Chuuya leaned his forehead against hers, exhaling shakily, "You're un-fucking-believable." He breathed out, a grin on his lips. Her plan had worked, because he suddenly felt like he could take on the world.

Aki smirked up at him, "Go get them, tiger."

The Gala was in full swing. Everyone had dressed appropriately—new tailored suits and pretty dresses. Like Mori had said before at one of their previous meetings, he had directed Aki to certain people—and she had watched as they literally quaked in their boots. She had greeted them with a wide smile, shaking their heads and being as polite as possible—as if she was someone who wasn't capable of the things she was. It had only chilled those that shook her hands as they came to realise that not only did Mori have the Gravity Manipulator, but the woman that could rival him. It was a terrifying show of power and they quickly came to realise their places. Mori owned everyone in that room, no one would dare deflect him or backstab him, not as long as he had a duo just as deadly as the previous Double Black.

Aki was sipping on a glass of champagne, leaning against a pillar in the ballroom. She hadn't even been aware the Port Mafia had a ballroom, but there it was, full of those Mori had invited. There was a quartet playing on a stage, carrying a beautiful tune across the ballroom. Couples were dancing in the centre, waltzing around the room so gracefully it looked like something straight out of a Jane Austen novel. Sometimes, Aki forget the Port Mafia were the elite of the elite. They had a large amount of wealth and status and they displayed it beautifully at the Gala, reminding those in attendance that they were better than them in every single way possible.

Aki shifted her gaze to where Chuuya was standing, speaking with a man and a woman, both of them appearing a few years older than them—though, there backs were turned to Aki. Feeling her eyes on him, Chuuya perked his head up, though he was still paying attention to what the annoying woman in front of him was badgering on about, her hand on his arm as she spoke and batted her lashes.

The moment their eyes connected, Aki offered him a sweet smile before pointing at the woman and then driving her thumb across her neck in a slicing motion, "You're crazy." Chuuya mouthed at her, though there was a hint of a smile on his lips. Aki smiled in content, pressing her back further against the pillar she was supporting herself against.

"Akira, have I told you how lovely you look tonight?" A voice said to the right of her, making Aki turn her head to look at Mori who had slid up beside her. Elise was right beside him, dressed in a baby-pink frilly dress, her hair tied back in a white-ribbon, matching the frills on the dress.

Aki put a smile on her face, turning herself to face the Boss of the Port Mafia, "You're always flattering me, Boss," She said, putting her hand to her chest in a gesture to show she was flattered. She glanced down at Elise who looked bored out of her mind. "You're looking very cute tonight, Elise." She said, sending the young girl a smile who looked up at her, her lips pouted.

"I look like a fancy curtain." She grumbled, folding her arms at her chest. She did look like a fancy curtain, but Aki felt like she had to complement the girl in Mori's presence—given she had heard the girl fussing over how much she hated her dress to Mori earlier that morning whilst he begged her to wear it.

"A very pretty curtain," Mori quipped before turning his full attention to Aki. "How are you finding your first Gala? Are you enjoying yourself?" He asked her, his fingers wrapped around his champagne glass that was almost empty.

Aki shrugged, "The string quartet isn't really my thing—but I am a big fan of the endless champagne." She told him with a grin, gesturing with said champagne before taking a sip of the bubbles.

Mori smiled to himself, "As am I—though, I can't say the same for Chuuya," He said, glancing across at the man just as he took a sip of the champagne, his nose crinkling in distaste. "It seems he would much prefer his wine." Aki stifled a laugh, knowing it to be true.

"Perhaps you should accommodate to your Executive and open the bar." She suggested with a smile, watching as Chuuya spoke with his hands, his lips moving. It was clear he was negotiating something with the man and woman in front of him—and they were holding onto his every word. Damn that charismatic bastard. She was sure his pretty face could talk someone into joining a fucking cult. Probably a wine worshiping cult.

"Perhaps, I should." Mori agreed, giving a nod of his head.

Elise tugged on his trouser leg, looking up at him, "Can we find Tachihara? I want to dance." She whined, a big frown on her lips. Aki felt for the girl. She herself was bored stiff, she couldn't imagine how unappealing the Gala would be to a child.

"Of course, sweetie," Mori agreed. He turned to Aki, giving her a closed smile. "I want to see you on that dance floor later, Akira." He said, giving her a pointed look. Aki wanted to roll her eyes. She wasn't exactly slow dancing material.

But despite that, she nodded, "Got it, Boss."

Mori left with Elise, leaving Aki to scan her surroundings. She found Tachihara on the opposite side of the room, wearing a black tuxedo that fit him like a glove. Elise had spotted him and made a beeline straight for him, slamming into him and knocking the glass of champagne out of his hand. He began scolding the young girl, making Aki laugh to herself. Next, she found Gin and Higuchi—the women were dressed beautifully. Gin was wearing her hair down, one side clipped back with a golden clasp, a dress the shade of emeralds hugging her body. Gin was wearing her hair down also, a stunning purple dress flowing out at her hips, stopping just above her knees. They were having a conversation, smiling at one another.

Akutagawa was speaking with Hirotsu, looking bored out of his mind. He was wearing his usually ruffled shirt but with a black suit jacket over the top. He didn't look pleased as he spoke, scanning the room, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but there. Hirotsu had a hand to his head, massaging his temple, wearing a simple but well put together white tuxedo. It seemed they were enjoying themselves the least—though, that was only because Hirotsu had to work instead of enjoying the string quartet playing on the stage. Meanwhile, Akutagawa was just straight up miserable. Socialising with people he didn't want to socialise made him borderline homicidal.

In a corner, Kouyou was scolding Kajii—who was quite clearly drunk. Her pinkish-red hair had been put up into an elaborate up-do, a gorgeous red and white kimono on her body. She looked absolutely stunning—ethereal, even as she scolded Kajii who had quite clearly already had too much to drink. He was wearing a white shirt tucked into black dress trousers, his bow tie loose around his neck—which was also adorned by his usual green scarf flung over his shoulder. What a whacky combination, Aki thought.

That was everyone.

Aki's gaze flickered between the most trusted and respected members of the Port Mafia. Part of her felt proud, that she'd got to work alongside such a powerful group of people. It was such a foreign feeling, since she was so used to despising her coworkers—but she didn't hate any of them. Mori, she hated. But the rest of them... She really cared about them. She couldn't pinpoint when it had happened, but it had. Somewhere along the way, she had grown very fond of the people she worked alongside—even those she hadn't interacted much with. What she'd said to Chuuya was true. If she had the choice, she would choose the Port Mafia. She'd work under a man with an even uglier soul than Katsu's just to be with them.

Aki smiled, heading straight for Gin and Higuchi, passing Tachihara that was spinning Elise in circles. She gave his shoulder a pat, earning a thumbs up and a grin from the man, "You ladies look stunning." Aki announced as she approached the two women, basking in their beauty for a moment.

Higuchi looked at her with wide eyes, "Us? What about you! Look at you!" She exclaimed before taking a step closer to the woman. "How Chuuya has managed to keep his hands off of you, I'll never understand." She said. Aki had told the two women the night before about her and Chuuya. The pair had been confused at first, since the last time they had seen each other, they had been at each others throats—ready to go in for the kill. But they knew better than anyone how the pair felt about each other, they could see it in every fleeting glance they spared each other.

Aki put her hand on her chest, sighing, "I know. It must be torture." She whined, making both Gin and Higuchi laugh.

Gin smiled, catching sight of Chuuya from over Aki's shoulder, "He's looking right at you, you know." She pointed out, watching how even though he was conversing with the guests of the Gala, his eyes were solely focused on Aki—as if he couldn't bring himself to tear his gaze from the black-haired beauty.

A soft smile crossed Aki's lips, "I know."

AUTHORS NOTE.

i wanna be at this gala so bad😤

— taylor xx