Foreign Affair "God this is boring." Amanda McIntyre thought to herself as she reached for another drink. For the hundredth time, she cursed Jim Peterson for getting sick two days before the trade delegation was to leave for Osaka. Then she cursed her boss, Bill O'Hare who had volunteered her to take Jim's place. Nine days in Japan and she hadn't been included in any discussion of importance. Every day they would hold meeting after meeting where nothing was really accomplished. Then at night, the men on both sides would go out and survey Osaka's night life. And of course she wasn't included in this male-bonding ritual. Never mind that it was during these hedonistic forays that the real deals were made. She had considered telling Bill to go to hell, but then she'd be looking for a new job by now. Ever since she had come out last year, Bill O'Hare had made no secret that he didn't want that "dyke", as he always referred to her in private, in his department. He never said or did anything in public that Amanda could prove, but the signs were always there. Looking at her watch, the 24 year old blonde decided she'd done her bit for the company and started to make for the door. The cocktail party was already gearing down and she knew she wouldn't be missed. Besides, the men were probably already gearing up for their next pornographic excursion. As she neared the door, she ran into Pete Wilson, the head of their delegation. Her luck was really running in the red today, Pete's view of her was only slightly less antagonistic than Bill O'Hara's. "Leaving already?" The tall gray bearded man said. "I have a little headache, I was going to lay down." She lied. "I see," Wilson said in a disapproving tone. "Well I'm not surprised. It's not like you've been much of a team player on this trip. When we go home tomorrow without the trade agreement, I'm sure your lack of cooperation will be noted." "Lack of cooperation...?" She asked. "That's what I said." He replied. "There's not a man on our delegation that wouldn't put it all on the line to get the Japs to sign. Yet when Hitanuma asked you out for drinks, you insulted him by refusing. He's not the type of man who forgives or forgets." "Wait a second ,buster." Amanda shot back. "No way you're going to pin this one on me. You've never even looked at all the position papers I've submitted. If you did and followed some of their advice, the people here at Hiraizumi Industries might've been more willing to deal. If this agreement falls through it's become of your hard nose non-cooperative negotiation stand. Not because I wouldn't roll over for Mr. Hitanuma. If you wanted a corporate whore, you should've brought your secretary." With that she turned and walked away. She could feel his eyes burning into her back. Of course Wilson and the others had already agreed to put the blame on her. They'd report that if only she'd have been a little friendlier to the Japs, they'd have gotten the agreement. "I've been set up." Amanda noted. "It had all been a set up." Jim Peterson had never been sick. It had all been arraigned beforehand. If the mission went sore, it was all that dyke's fault. Her face flushed with anger as she reached the elevator. "Well fuck them all." She said out loud as she hit the call button. "I'm better off leaving this lousy job anyway." Amanda took the elevator to the rooftop gardens instead of her room. She needed the night air to clear her head. After about a half hour, she began to regret her earlier outburst. She should've quit this job months ago, at least then it would've been on her own terms. Now as a fired employee, one which was blamed for the failure of a important trade deal, her future prospects would be few. Lost in thought, she hadn't heard the soft footsteps behind her. When the new arrival finally spoke, Amanda nearly jumped five feet. "Konbanwa, Amanda san." A soft fluid voice said. Amanda whirled about to find herself facing a rather attractive Japanese woman. She stood a few inches shorted than Amanda's own five foot six. Her short black hair showed the slightest touches of gray and Amanda guessed her age to be about mid- forties. Of course it was always hard to tell with some oriental women. They looked pretty much the same from thirty to sixty. She wore a bright green cocktail dress which accented her small breasts. Searching her temporarily hazy memory, Amanda tried to place where she had seen the woman before. She had to have been some executive or other's wife. How else could she have known her name. Try as she could, the young woman just couldn't place her. The older woman just smiled for a moment, then made a hand motion leading to a large glass door off to the left of the garden. "Yokoso oide kudasareta, Amanda san." She said as she made an inviting gesture with her hand. Now seeing that there was an apartment beyond the glass doors, Amanda realized that she had just been invited in. The woman must be married to one of the corporate big wheels to rate a home like this. Reaching the door, she stopped and gasped in amazement at the decor. It was totally western. It could've been a Penthouse on Park Avenue. "Dozo." The woman said as she again motioned for Amanda to enter. Once inside, Amanda took a moment to take in her surroundings. Most apartments in Japan were tiny affairs yet just this living room could house an entire family. A large screen TV occupied the far wall, surrounded by a state of the art stereo system. On the nearby piano was a photograph of a younger version of the woman standing next to a much older Japanese man. She didn't recognize the man, he hadn't taken part in any of the trade talks. The woman said something else that Amanda didn't quite catch. She felt a little foolish not being able to understand. Yet it wasn't her fault that she didn't speak Japanese. Searching her memory for what she hoped were the right words, Amanda said the only Japanese phrase she had been able to memorize. "Gomen nasai nihon goa hanase masen" She said, hoping that she'd just said she didn't speak Japanese and not some other ridicules remark. The woman just smiled again and pointed to herself. "Mariko." She said simply. Amanda breathed a sign of relief. At least she hadn't insulted her. "Amanda." She replied. "Then I guess you already knew that." Mariko moved over to a small wet bar and asked with her hands if Amanda wanted a drink. "Why not," Amanda said as she indicated acceptance with a motion of her hand. Silence reigned for a few minutes as both women tasted their drinks. Amanda kept asking herself, what did she do now. There was only so much she and Mariko could do with hand gestures. "This is good." She noted out loud as she sipped more of her drink. "Hai!" Her host agreed. "Well, thank you for the drink, but I guess I really should be going." Amanda finally said as she placed the glass on a small table. Mariko seemed agitated as the American woman started to turn in the direction of the door. She reached out and took hold of Amanda's hand. The smaller woman's grip was quite strong and surprisingly warm. Amanda looked into her dark eyes and smiled. "If only we spoke the same language," Amanda mused as she enjoyed the touch of Mariko's hand in hers. "Then I'd be able to tell you what an attractive woman you are. Back home I might even try to entice you back into my bed." She paused a moment then went on, knowing that the Japanese woman didn't understand a word she was saying. "I don't even know if they have such a thing as lesbians in Japan." She concluded. Mariko's eyes suddenly lit up at the word lesbian. Her grip grew stronger and she seemed to pull Amanda closer. "Les-bins." She repeated, again looking deep into Amanda's blue eyes. A confused look covered Amanda's face. Was Mariko asking if she was a lesbian? Had some member of the delegation made a remark identifying her as one? Or was Mariko trying to say that she too was a lesbian? The tall blonde didn't have a lot of time to ponder the questions as Mariko took her hand and pressed it firmly against her small breasts. As the naked palm pressed against the exposed flesh at the top of her dress, the Japanese woman let out a soft sigh. If she wasn't a lesbian, Amanda said to herself, she was at least curious enough about girl sex to have brought her here. However she had heard about Amanda, she must have decided to take advantage of her sudden appearance on the roof. If only to satisfy her curiosity. To respond was very tempting. Amanda had always been very careful to keep her business and personal lives very separate. Back home, a husband might head straight for the divorce court if he found his wife with another woman. Over here there was no telling what could happen. From what she'd seen of Japanese husbands, they were so conservative that they made Jesse Helms look like a bleeding heart liberal. Then again, there wasn't much more she could do to screw up her career. Mariko was very beautiful, and it had been so very long since she'd broken up with her last girlfriend. Maybe it was time to throw caution to the wind. Mariko then took the decision out of Amanda's hands. Pulling the American closer, she leaned forward and kissed her. So fluid had been her motion, Amanda was surprised by the sudden touch of her lips. She opened her mouth to respond and felt a soft touch as Mariko's tongue entered her mouth. "It seems like you've done this before." Amanda said as their tongues caressed each other. Finally the kiss ended and the two women separated, each stepping back about a foot. Mariko reached out and placed her outstretched hand on Amanda's large breast. Running it across the blonde's blue dress, she stopped when she reached the large nipple. Her smile grew with wider as she found it already hard. "I guess they're a little larger than You're use to." Amanda grinned. Cupping both of Amanda's breasts, Mariko stepped closer and kissed the exposed flesh of each one. Then she lifted her head higher and kissed Amanda's lips again. This time, Amanda was ready and returned the kiss with all of the passion she could. She pulled the older woman against her, so that their breasts pressed against each other. As her tongue again explored the inner reaches of Mariko's mouth, Amanda slid her hand down the Japanese woman's back and then pulled up her dress. Then continuing downward, her hand slipped beneath the elastic of Mariko's panties and finally came to a rest on her smooth buttocks. Amanda squeezed the soft flesh and was rewarded by a small sign from Mariko. They stood there a few minutes, holding each other tightly. Then Mariko motioned for Amanda to follow her into another room. Taking hold of Mariko's offered hand, Amanda willingly followed. Entering one of the side room, Amanda found herself confronted by a bathroom of immense proportions. In the center of the room was a large tub, big enough to easily fit four people. Next to the wall length vanity stool a large glass enclosed shower, with water nozzles on all three of the interior walls. All in all, the bath was larger than Amanda's bedroom back home. Letting go of Amanda's hand, the older woman began to disrobe. Her bright green dress soon draped a small stool against the wall, and her panties quickly followed. Amanda couldn't help but be impressed. Whatever her age, Mariko was in excellent shape. Her breasts, though small, were round and firm, capped by small brown nipples. Her skin was smooth and hairless, even the area around her womanhood was nearly bare. Suddenly feeling a little awkward, Amanda quickly followed Mariko's example and dropped her clothes onto another chair. She knew Mariko's eyes were riveted on her as she reached behind and undid the latch of her bra. One hand held her 38d bra against her breasts as the straps came undone. Then with an erotic slowness, she let the heavy material also fall to the floor. The sudden freedom from constraint caused Amanda's breasts to bounce, much to Mariko's vocal delight. Next came the thin white panties, revealing a hairy blonde bush. Amanda always preferred to let her hair grow wild in that region, as a mark of independence. From the reaction in Mariko's eyes, she could tell that the Japanese woman also approved. Standing naked on the smooth tile floor, Amanda rubbed her large breasts, bringing circulation back to them as well as causing the nipples to harden even more. She had always been proud of her breasts and spent at least an hour a day working out. Mariko moved to Amanda and ran her hands all over the taller woman's body. The immense smile on her face made words unnecessary. She stoked each breast with girlish joy. Then moved down to the curly mound of blonde hair. She was fascinated by it's size. She looked down at her own sparse mound and looked a little disappointed. "No, its beautiful." Amanda said with a smile as she reached down and stroked the Oriental woman's pearl." Mariko's smile returned and she took Amanda's hand and led her to the large shower on the far side of the room. Once inside, Mariko closed the glass doors and hit a bright green button on a wall panel. In response, all three shower heads came alive, sending a warm drizzle all over the two women. From a small shelf in the corner, Mariko produced a bar of soap and began to massage Amanda's back with it. Normally, Amanda preferred to be the aggressor in a situation, but this time she felt different. Mariko's small hands felt so good as they moved up and down her back that she was content to just follow where ever the dark haired woman led. Finishing with Amanda's back, Mariko reached around and began to cover her breasts with soap. Her laughter filled the small chamber as she played with the large globes. Then she slid her hands down to the hairy bush and covered that as well with a soapy lather. She slid her soapy finger inside Amanda, quickly following it with a second. Then she began to slowly pump the fingers in and out. Amanda turned around to give Mariko better access to her charms. Now face to face, Mariko wasted no time in bringing her mouth to Amanda's melon sized tits. Her tongue outlined the large nipples as her fingers reentered Amanda. Then she began to suck in earnest, bringing a small squeal of exuberance from Amanda. As her fingers glided faster and faster in and out of the American woman, Mariko tried to take more and more of Amanda's breast into her mouth. The water from the overhead showers continued to cover their bodies, washing away the growing scent of girlsex. Amanda braced herself against two poles build into the shower wall, wondering if they had been installed there for exactly this purpose. The lithe Japanese woman continued to slide her fingers in and out of Amanda's now dripping cunt. With each thrust of her hand, a new wave of delight swept through Amanda's body. Finally, having had her fill of suckling at the American's large breasts, Mariko moved her attention to between her legs, replacing her cum covered fingers with her soft probing tongue. The soft touch of the woman's tongue proved electric as Amanda spread her legs wider to give her greater access. If it weren't for the handgrips on the wall she'd fall flat on her ass. Like a surgical instrument, Mariko's tongue covered every inch of Amanda's inner walls. The waves of delight now crested at more than twice the previous level as spasms racked Amanda's body. "God, this woman is fantastic!" Amanda thought to herself. "No way this is her first time." She continued, remembering former lovers who had a lifetime of lesbian sex behind them, yet still had nothing near Mariko skill with her tongue. Continuing her onslaught on Amanda's sex, Mariko slid a soapy finger into the blonde's anus. Lubricated by the soap and water, it slid in easily and it wasn't long before she was finger-fucking Amanda's ass as furiously as she had her pussy. "Eat me!" Amanda yelled as yet another spasm roared through her. "Suck my pussy!" She didn't know if the Japanese woman comprehended a word she said, but the intent was certainly understood. Mariko doubled her efforts and it wasn't long before Amanda felt herself on the threshold of an incredible orgasm. Letting go of her handholds, she grabbed the back of the Japanese woman's head and pulled her deeper within her. Just in time to receive an eruption of cum. Mariko scooped it up with her tongue as fast as she could, but so intense was Amanda's climax that she couldn't keep up. Amanda meanwhile was totally lost in estacy, grinding her cunt into the Japanese woman's face. She didn't care if she suffocated, as long as she continued to delight her with that magic tongue for just a few more seconds. Finally, she began to regain control of her shaking body and she eased off a little. Panting, she leaned against the tile wall. Mariko slowing removed herself from between Amanda's legs. She also removed her fingers from both Amanda's ass and her own pussy, which she had been masturbating as well. Rising to her feet, she kissed Amanda hard. The American loved tasting her own cum on another woman's tongue and sucked it deep within her. It had been one of the most dynamic climaxes of her life. She couldn't wait to return the favor. Surprisingly, Mariko hit another button on the panel and the torrid of water abruptly stopped. She slid the glass doors open and led Amanda out of the shower. Handing Amanda a towel. she quickly dried herself off. Then she motioned the blonde to follow her into yet another room. The third room turned out to be a bedroom, as large and expensively furnished as the other rooms. In the center was a large oval bed, covered with red satin sheets. Mariko quickly moved to the center of the bed and invited Amanda to join her. Sliding up to her, Amanda immediately began to kiss her small breasts, taking the tiny brown nipple into her mouth. As she worked on one breast, her nimble hand worked the other. Then she would switch. Mariko clearly enjoyed the attention, moaning softly with closed eyes. Amanda moved down the soft golden body, kissing her way to the small black triangle that covered Mariko's still wet cunt. Parting the lips with her fingers, she kissed the small bump of her clitoris. Then she began to lick the dried cum off it, mixing it with her own saliva. She felt a little silly thinking that an Asian woman might've tasted different. Of course it would be different, not because she was Asian but because everyone's body chemistry was different. Long minutes passed as Amanda worked her own magic on Mariko's garden. The older woman mimicked Amanda's earlier actions as she held her by the back of the head and matched the white woman's rhythm with each thrust of her pelvis. Every lurch forward was met by Amanda's ready tongue. Sweat covered Mariko's body as she began to rock with a series of mini-orgasms. Amanda was determined to give as good as she had received. Mariko was shouting something in rapid fire Japanese. So rapid was her speech, burst of words between gasps, that Amanda would've been hard pressed to understand her if she knew the language. Finally, with hand motions, she made Amanda understand that she wanted something in the night table. Rolling off her, Amanda slid open the draw and reached inside. Grasping a long slim object, the American lifted it into the light. Crafted of a pure white ivory, it couldn't simply be called a dildo. Ten inches long and two inches thick, it was a work of art, painstakingly crafted by an artist's hand. Every line, every vein had been recreated. Amanda had seen a similar object d'art in a museum. If this was genuine, and there was no reason to believe it wasn't, it had to be at least three hundred years old "Is this what you wanted?" She asked as she moved back to Mariko. "Hai!" The Japanese woman replied as her eyes opened wide. "Harigata!" "All right, what ever makes you happy." Amanda answered as she gently ran the antique cock over Mariko's womanhood. It had been a long time since Amanda had used a dildo on another woman. She didn't use one herself and few of her lovers did either. They were usually the province of bisexual woman who still enjoyed being penetrated. Smearing the head of the artifact with Mariko's lubricating cum, Amanda positioned it's head at the entrance of Mariko's tunnel of love. With a slight motion, she lid the head of the harigata inward, until it disappeared between the pink lips. Then she slid it back an inch, before moving it forward two inches. She repeated the gesture a dozen more times, until she was sure the Japanese woman was good and lubricated. Mariko had been calling out words of encouragement, again in rapid fire Japanese. Amanda knew she was going too slow, but was afraid that she would hurt the smaller woman. Then in a quick movement Mariko grabbed the base of the harigata and pulled it within her. The cry of joy and look of rapture on her face told Amanda that she was dealing with one determined lady. So be it. She grabbed hold of the ivory phallic and began to frantically slide it in and out of her host. Amanda never understood other women's obsession with being fucked. She herself had only one experience to compare it against almost seven years before. Watching the volley of emotions running across Mariko's face as she greeted each new thrust, Amanda wondered if perhaps she was missing something. It wasn't long before Mariko's body grew suddenly tense and her face grew filled with a determination to hold off orgasm as long as she could. Amanda increased her powerful thrusts, having added her tongue to the effort a short time before. Mariko suddenly let out a loud yell as she gripped the headpost above her and exploded in a burst of passion. Amanda continued her efforts, trying to make it last as long as she could. It seemed like an eternity, then the room became deadly silent. Slowly, carefully, Amanda withdrew the harigata. It was covered she noted with a glossy film, the result of her efforts. Unable to resist the temptation, she lifted it to her mouth like an ice cream pop and began to lick it clean. Mariko laid there quietly, her body exhausted. Amanda lifted herself higher into the bed and snuggled up against her. The two women embraced and Amanda smiled. It wouldn't hurt just to lay there for a little while, she thought. The next thing Amanda knew, the room was filled with sunlight from the overhead skylight. It was morning. She looked to the other side of the bed, only to find it empty. "What time is it?" Amanda asked herself as she jumped up and looked for a clock. "How could I have spent the night? At least on the bright side, her husband never came home." Surprised to find her clothes laid out neatly at the base of the bed, Amanda began to quickly dress. A chime from across the room drew her attention from to a small clock on a dresser. "Nine O'clock!" She exclaimed. "The final meeting is scheduled for ten. I have to get out of here." Just then, Mariko entered the room, carrying a tray with tea and a collection of small breakfast pastries. She was wearing a dark blue robe that was loose enough to give a splendid view of her small breasts. "Anata wa yoko nemutla ka?" She asked as she placed the tray on a small table. "I'm sorry, but I have to run." Amanda replied as she pulled on her shoes. "I hope you understand enough to know how incredibly special last night was. I'd stay if I could, but I have to try and save what little is left of my career." With that she jumped up and started to head for the door. She paused just long enough to kiss Mariko good-bye. "I really do want to thank you again." She said before reluctantly turning to leave. "Do itashimashite." The Japanese woman said just before Amanda disappeared out the door. By the time Amanda made it back to her room, showered and then changed, it was ten to ten. She arrived at the conference room only a few minutes before the meeting was called to order. "Wilson's been furious that you weren't at the breakfast meeting this morning." Jim O'Rourke whispered to her as she sat down next to him. "I told him that you were ill but would be at this meeting in time. I was beginning to worry that you wouldn't" "Thanks Jim, I really appreciate it." She whispered back. Jim O'Rourke was one of her few friends at the corporation. Most of the men, and not a few of the women had taken a long step away from her last year when she had gone public with her lesbianism. Jim had stood fast, telling her that it was no ones business who she shared her bed with. The meeting progressed quickly. Every once and a while, Wilson would send an angry glance in her direction. Finally, Mr. Hitanuma took the podium and all eyes fell on him. As his speech progressed, it became obvious that the trade deal had fallen through. Amanda could feel the other members of the delegation moving away from her in spirit if not in fact. They all knew where the ax would fall. "I think that maybe you'd better distance yourself as well, Jim." She whispered to her friend. "I'd hate to take you down with me." "Sorry love," Came the reply. "I don't work like that." Amanda smiled. If she could have ever been interested in a man, Jim would've been a perfect choice. He was definitely good people. The meeting soon broke up and Pete Wilson made a beeline for Amanda. The look on his face told it all. He'd do whatever he had to do in order to salvage his career, no matter what the cost to hers. "We're leaving on the 5:30 flight to San Francisco." He said coldly. "See if you can try and be on time for that at least." With that he stormed out the door, followed by all her associates except Jim. None of them would even make eye contact. "I guess that's it then, so much for the short great career of Amanda McIntyre." Jim muttered some words of encouragement and started to head for the door. Amanda was about to follow when a familiar figure in the far right of the room caught her attention. Her face turned pale as she saw Mariko talking with Isoruko Hitanuma. Had she spent the night with Hitanuma's wife? Had she wrecked the negotiations after all? "Jim," She said as she pulled him back into the room. "Who's that woman talking to Hitanuma? Is that his wife?" Jim O'Rourke looked at the woman across the room and shook his head. "Old man Hitanuma wouldn't let his precious wife get within a half mile of a business meeting. No Japanese husband would. " Jim replied. "That's Mariko Takeshita!" He added as if Amanda should know the name. "Who?" She said hesitantly. "Takeshita," He repeated. "You really have to pay more attention to the briefings, and not just those about corporate finance. Mariko Takeshita is the daughter of Kiyoshi Hiraizumi, as in Hiraizumi Industries. " "Oh shit!" Amanda said to herself. "I didn't fuck the boss's wife, I fucked his daughter!" An hour later, a dejected Amanda was alone in her room packing. In her mind she was reviewing her options. There didn't seem to be many. "Too bad I'm not Japanese." Amanda said to herself. "They have an old tradition here of seppuku - ritual suicide." Realizing that she wasn't even laughing at her own bad jokes, Amanda felt even more depressed. A soft knock on the door interrupted her musings. "Must be Jim trying to cheer me up again." She thought as she went to answer the door. "No one else wants anything to do with me." She was surprise when she opened the door. Instead of finding the round middle aged Irishman she expected , Amanda found herself standing face to face with a beautiful young Japanese woman. "Ms. McIntyre." The young woman said in perfect English. "My name is Tamiko Hiroko, I'm the personal assistant to Mrs. Takeshita. May I speak with your for a few minutes?" "Of course." Amanda stammered, unsure what to make of this sudden appearance. The tall woman gracefully entered the room. Amanda put her age at about 22. She had very short black hair and a nearly classic figure. In another time and place, Amanda would've found herself attracted to her. For now, her hormones had gotten her in enough trouble. "I been asked by Mrs. Takeshita to speak to you about a matter that she feels needs explaining." Tamiko began in a crisp clear tone. "You are most likely now aware of Mrs. Takeshita's relationship to Mr. Hiraizumi and in turn Hiraizumi Industries." Amanda nodded accent, wondering where this was leading. "What you may not be aware of, because it is not greatly publicized, is that for the last two years, Mrs. Takeshita has been operating as the de facto Chief Operating Officer of Hiraizumi Industries. Mr. Hitanuma occupies the position on the board due to the Japanese reluctance to deal with a woman in a position of authority, but the real power rests with Mrs. Takeshita. I wanted to make this clear to you before I go on." "I understand, please continue." Amanda lied. "What the fuck is going on here?" She asked herself. "The proposals put forth by your Mr. Wilson were totally unacceptable." Tamiko continued. "As such, they were rejected. Mrs. Takeshita is aware that Mr. Wilson plans to place the blame for this rejection on your shoulders. In fact he has already sent a wire to your own CEO to that effect." Amanda just continued to nod, wondering where this was all going. "Mrs. Takeshita is also aware that you yourself drafted a series of alternate proposals. Proposals which she feels would provide the basis for a new discussion of a possible trade agreement. This belief has also been wired to your CEO, along with Mrs. Takeshita's amazement that such a disreputable man such as Mr. Wilson would be placed in charge of such an important mission." "Wait a second......" Amanda cut in. "Those proposals were never discussed outside this room. "How could anyone else know about them?" Tamiko hesitated for a few moments. She looked around the room as if searching for someone. Then she continued. "This hotel, is owned by Hiraizumi Industries." She said quietly. "There is little that occurs within it that escapes Mrs. Takeshita's attention." "Damn! The room is bugged!" Thought Amanda as she repeated Tamiko's survey of the room. Amanda's face flushed red for a second as she wondered if the surveillance was limited to audio or included video. Her thoughts were of the many nights she'd laid naked atop the bed, masturbating herself to orgasm. " Mrs. Takeshita wanted you to know that all of these decisions were made prior to last night." The young lady continued, ignoring the signs of Amanda's embarrassment. "It is important to her that you understand that these were all business decisions, and had nothing to do with your, how shall I put it, ....liaison with her last evening." "She told you about that?" Amanda asked. "There was no need to tell me." Tamiko replied. "I have my own room in the penthouse, and I was at home last evening. Rest assured that what happened between the two of you was a genuine coincidence. Mrs. Takeshita had no way of knowing that you would be out on the terrace when she went out for some night air." Amanda had a lot to absorb. From what she could tell, not only wasn't she going to get fired, it was very likely that Wilson would. Couldn't happen to a nicer prick. Yet right now she was wondering something else. "Tell me, Tamiko," Amanda asked, her voice now once again filled with confidence. "Is it only the Penthouse that you share with Mrs. Takeshita?" Tamiko gave no reply, but from the expression on her face, Amanda knew that this beautiful young woman had also felt what it was like to lay naked beneath the satin sheets of that colossal bed. "Finally, I have been instructed to present you with this." She said as she held out a small envelope. "In light of these developments, we felt that it would be somewhat awkward for you to return to San Francisco with Mr. Wilson and his fellows this evening. Inside you will find a first class ticket for tomorrow's mid-morning flight to San Francisco. I hope this is to your satisfaction." "I guess another night here wouldn't be so bad." Amanda said. She pretended not to notice that Tamiko's references had changed from "Mrs. Takeshita felt" to "we felt" to "I hope". "Wonderful!" Tamiko beamed, her face coming alive for the first time. "I would hope that since you will be staying this last night that you will allow me to take you to dinner. Perhaps I can show you some of the Osaka night life you might have missed staying in at night." "Definitely video." Amanda said to herself as she watched Tamiko's eyes light up when she mentioned that Amanda had stayed in at night. "I wonder if I could get a copy of the tape as a souvenir?" "Are you sure, Mrs. Takeshita wouldn't have a problem with you and I....." "Most definitely not." Tamiko interjected. "In fact it was her suggestion that I ask you. She said that I would find knowing you a unique and very rewarding experience." Amanda returned the girl's smile and reached for her coat. As they exited into the hall and Amanda locked the door behind her, she turned to Tamiko and asked..... "You don't happen to own a harigata, do you?"