Akio, the second generation Japanese American was out shopping with very influential friends. The twenty-six-year-old heiress had a perfect life, she was privately schooled for high school and college and frankly didn't pay much attention to either of her so-called schools, why should she, she was rich.
Five foot five and one hundred twenty-five pounds her shape was nearly perfect. Deep black eyes and hair that went nearly to her waist were two of her best traits, in the changing room of the expensive lingerie store she palmed both of her A-cupped breasts with a tedious sigh. If only daddy would allow her to get that boob job she wanted then she would be perfect. Nodding into the mirror she let her hands drop while affirming to herself she would talk him into it, after all, she was his only child and heiress to the entire shipping empire her family had built and well he never really could tell her no if she pouted just right.
With a happy smile, she got dressed assured her new plan would work as she gathered up the many outfits and naughty undergarments she had picked out. Her friends of course were waiting, each of them from a wealthy family though none as rich as hers, she had to be the queen of her circle after all.
Giggling girls strolled through the shop, walking side by side in the isles forcing anyone else to huddle to the side or get out of their way, Akio simply hated people that were beneath her. Approaching the counter she let all her friends make their purchases first assuring there would be no distractions when they saw the total price of her own.
Once Akio's items were run up the display flashed well over three grand, even with her friends smiling happily and talking amongst themselves she did see the jealousy in nearly every eye except for Margarite, she looked to the ground knowing she could never afford so much. Something would have to be done about her, she was beginning to make Akio look bad in certain circles.
With a smug smirk towards Margarite, Akio handed the cashier her credit card to make the purchases, a moment later the register made an awful beep with the word 'DECLINED' appearing on the screen. Before the cashier, even spoke Akio's voice could be heard above the gasps of her friends. "You fucking idiot, did you slide it the wrong way? Jesus Christ, I can't believe the level of low brow's this store is hiring anymore. I should take my business elsewhere."
The highschool cashier blushed hotly as she ran the card again with the same effect 'Declined' flashed on the screen. "I'm sorry miss, this card won't work do you have another way to pay?"
Akio ripped the card from the young girl's hand while roughly shoving another card in its place. "I swear these idiots and their faulty machines." By now Akio's hysterics had drawn the attention of quite a few other customers in the store just in time for another beep from the machine as it declined that card as well.
There was a little huff from Margarite as she said under her breath just loud enough to hear. "What's wrong, daddy finally cut you off?"
Anger and embarrassment spread across the pretty Asian girls' features. Looking around first at her friends then to the other customers shame won out. Akio darted from the store leaving her friends and the embarrassment behind her.
As the tears dried from her eyes and anger replaced them she scanned up and down for her driver. Finding him Akio stomped down the sidewalk nearly throwing herself into the back seat. " Take me the fuck home." Daddy was going to get a piece of her mind.
The rest of the trip was in silence as the black lincoln drove through the city, pulling through the security gate of the high-end apartment building, Akio barely waited for the car to stop before she was out and pressing the button for the private elevator. Once inside she mashed the button several times for the penthouse stewing in silence while she ascended.
Stepping out of the lift directly into the front room she was inhaling to start her tirade when she heard a strange man's voice coming from the living room. Growling she stomped in that direction her designer heels echoing across the elaborate stonework floors. Akio was just about to smash through the door when she heard it, her fathers words almost cutting her to the bone. "I don't have the payment Leo, I'm completely broke the company is folding, we're being evicted there's nothing I can do."
Akio burst through the door to see her mother sitting on the couch her head in her hand's silent tears running down her face. Her father behind his desk with a man, presumably Leo sitting in one of the high backed leather chairs. "What do you mean we are broke! How could you let this happen?!?!" The words escaped her mouth before she could stop them.
Her father steeped in old traditions stood instantly as his spoiled brat of a daughter burst into the room. "Akio!" Anger boiled across his face hot enough that it stopped the young girl in her tracks, she knew not to push her father too far. Clearing his throat he continued in a much more reserved tone. "Akio, you have been told countless times to knock and announce yourself before entering my office.
The blood drained from Akio's face when she saw the anger and shame of her father's expression. He was a proud man her bursting in was more than enough to give him shame not counting the fact he was bankrupt and apparently could not pay off debts his family owed. Her eyes flashed to the stranger in the room as he stood from the chair, short-cropped brown hair, blue eyes, just enough of a beard scruff to be fashionable, and from what she could see from a glance a body that was used to spend at least some time in the gym.
Her father cleared his throat drawing Akio's attention back, with a sigh the aging Japanese man continued. "Leo, this is my daughter Akio, Akio this is Leo, one of our companies...investors."
