the speakerphone.
Satoshi hoped they weren't entertaining other dignitaries.
"Yes."
His mother squealed. "Bring her. We can have dinner together."
"See you shortly," he told her. He disconnected the call and got back to Cristal. "They're expecting us," he said. "And wear a dress. My father is a leg man."
"Hum, now I see where it comes from. I'll be ready in thirty minutes."
"I'll meet you in the foyer," Satoshi said feeling a bit nervous. He'd never brought a girl home to meet his parents before. What did it mean?
Cristal tore through her closet trying to find something appropriate to wear to meet the ambassador and his wife.
Pants were definitely out, and she didn't want to be too dressy especially at this late hour. What had she been thinking? Meeting a man's parents was a big step in a relationship.
Cristal chose an outfit and eased her freshly painted toes into her high-heeled sandals. She decided to wear her shoulder-length hair down. Lucky she had just gone to the hairdresser earlier that day. She walked down the stairs thirty minutes later and found Satoshi waiting.
"Oh my God, look at you," she teased. He looked simply angelic in a rust-colored double-breasted suit. He wore his hair loose and combed back from his forehead. He had accessorized his outfit with a silver tie tack and rust colored shoes.
"I'm too busy looking at you," Satoshi replied. He held out his hand to her. "You are simply gorgeous."
Cristal hoped she had selected correctly. She wore a two- pieced yellow skirt set, accessorized with a white pearl necklace and earrings. She added white sandaled pumps and a matching clutch to complete the look. "Do I look okay?" she asked.
Satoshi nodded. "My folks are going to love you. Come on, let's go."
Cristal nodded and accepted his hand.
Satoshi's red sports car waited out at the curb. If she wasn't mistaken, it was the first time that the two of them had ever been somewhere together alone without Kenshin, Takumijo, or the bodyguards. "Where do your parents live?"
Cristal asked.
"Fine time for you to ask," Satoshi said. "For all you know they might live on the moon."
"I didn't bring an overnight bag," she replied.
"No need. They live here in Osaka."
Cristal chucked. "Are they afraid to cut the apron strings?"
"Yes. I am their baby. They keep me near so I'll keep out of trouble. It's much easier than flying in from the United States to bail me out of jail."
"I hope you're kidding."
Satoshi just smiled at her but did not answer.
The little red car had a lot of get up and go, and Satoshi wheeled it like an expert.
They drove up to what could only be described as a Japanese version of an American mansion. "Is this your home?" Cristal asked Satoshi.
"No. It's my parents' home. I live with you, remember?"
"You know what I mean," Cristal said admiring the stately home. It was white with a slanted red roof, awnings, and window shutters. There was a huge porch and outer buildings.
It reminded her of a place she'd seen in a magazine once.
What was it? Oh yes, the Imperial Palace.
Satoshi turned off the car, got out, and came around to help her out.
"Wow," Cristal said as they walked past a Japanese fountain filled with tiny bonsai trees and water lilies. "This is gorgeous."
"It doesn't take much to impress you, does it?"
"Aw, come on, don't say that. This place is beautiful."
Satoshi shrugged, took her hand, and led her to the front door. He rang the bell.
Odd, she had a key to her parents place to let herself in and out.
The door was quickly answered. She expected to see a butler but instead a handsomely dressed older Japanese woman appeared.
"Satoshi," the woman squealed.
Satoshi bowed. "Mother."
The woman had her arms around him before he could straighten up. He towered over her. "What's with the formal greeting?" she asked squeezing him tightly. "I'm still your Mommy."
Satoshi eased her arms from around him. "Mother, this is Cristal Gentry. Cristal, this is my mother."
Mrs. Hayashi took her attention off her baby and peered over at her. A big smile appeared. "She's gorgeous," she told Satoshi, pushing him aside. She pulled Cristal in her arms and hugged her.
Cristal looked to Satoshi for help but he just smiled and ignored her.
Mrs. Hayashi finally released her. "Here, let me look at you." She turned Cristal around slowly. "Where are you from, my dear?" she asked as she linked arms with her and led her in.
"Los Angeles, California," Cristal replied. Satoshi was left to close the door