A/N: Hi GUUUYYSS! Please be aware that I changed the Rating from T to M ;) This chapter contains Lemon, which isn't really heavy, but I'll indicate it in case. You can read the chapter even without the lemon scene. :D

CHAPTER 3

Weeks passed as Karma familiarizes himself with the job. Frankly, he expected more from his job –what with the numerous assassination attempts he heard on his current boss in the past years. But noticeably on the short length of time he's been there no encounters of assassination, no death threats, or even just a bit remorse were heard by him. He doubted the attempts stopped and wasn't complaining if it makes his job so much easier though he expected a little more action.

But man he honestly finds no reason as to why his boss won't be assassinated.

The guy was filthy rich, good-looking, and influential. On top of that, he owns the surname of one of the biggest corporation in the whole Japan. It's all good except that probably the whole Japan media (if not the whole world) could fill itself with enough showbiz news to last for a century with just his boss. He run his company well, disregarding the fact its condition was fairly stable even before he took over all thanks to his deceased father; but the constant partying, illegal businesses under the table, sudden disappearances, even his recent fiasco that made the paparazzi bursting with curiosity earned him quite a handful of equally filthy rich haters.

If he was not the boss, Karma would have killed him himself.

He didn't mind it, really. Karma had her on his bed first, thank you very much, and he was positive Manami was not involved with anybody after their brief separation. He checked, of course. Even these past weeks, they were somewhat back together like the separation didn't happen that Karma finds it hard to believe at first. All was good. He knew kidnapping her that night of his first day at work to his hotel room was the right choice. Inwardly grinning to himself, he allowed the images of their rendezvous flow through his mind.

God knows if he can distance himself anymore after that.

Getting on the good side of everybody in the company made it possible to interact with her every day. He didn't find it surprising but she was practically protected by her coworkers, nobody allowed him near her at first. Even his boss. Especially his boss.

The b**tard has a f***ing crush on Manami.

He wanted to punch something.

Preferably, him.

He didn't want to believe the rumors (hell, he refuse to kill his boss on his first week in the job), but witnessing it with his own two eyes was agonizing and annoying as hell. The b**tard was damn too close. Everywhere Manami was he's suddenly there. Talk about sudden disappearance, all you need to do was walk through the Chemistry Lab and you'll find him no sweat. What Manami wanted, he gives. She can basically say it and he'll grovel on the ground for her. In short, Manami had him around her finger and she didn't even know it.

Karma smirked, knowing why exactly she does not. She had them both around her finger and well, it's obvious who had the winning streak. If by the blushes and secret kisses he keeps on receiving these past weeks aren't enough evidences of her attraction to him, he did not know what else. It pretty much stroked his ego that Manami wanted nothing to do with her boss of two years other than their usual office relationships- even with his irritatingly open flirting, and kept (he hoped) her affection for him. He wouldn't deny how good it felt having her in his arms again with very minimal effort.

Damn, he's whipped.

So what was the problem if the boss proved to be less than an obstruction? His b**tard of a boss just had to take advantage of his ever growing paparazzi and announce to the whole Japan that he was "involved" with. his. secretary. And guess who this so-called secretary is?

"Manami"

"Hm?, Manami answered, cocking her head a little to the side. For the past minutes she witnessed as Karma's expression shifted from irritation, to arrogance, then back to irritation and wondered whatever was running through his head.

They are currently in her apartment because Karma insisted on eating with her and her cooking and frankly, she was too tired to eat out. For reasons unknown to her, he wanted to leave office earlier than usual. It bothered her slightly that she didn't have the chance to bid her boss goodbye, which she usually does before she leaves. Stirring the soup in front of her, she quietly waited for Karma's reply, adjusting to his sudden drop of mood.

Releasing a deep sigh, Karma stood and approached Manami by the stove. Wrapping her arms around her waist, chuckling when she felt her flinch in surprise, he settled his chin on her shoulder, satisfied with watching her cook.

Manami still was not used to his sudden advances but sensing the distress from Karma and her worry far surpassed her anxiousness.

"Karma, is there something wrong? "she asked, tilting her head over her shoulder to look at him. She stood frozen as burning embers stared back at her.

Instead of replying, Karma broke the eye contact and buried his face further on her shoulder. Manami felt him shake his head indicating there was nothing wrong. Of course, she finds it hard to believe but if it meant he did not want her to worry, she won't pry.

It bothered Manami. Karma never seemed to tell her anything anymore other than his usual words of affection. Don't get her wrong. She loves them with all her heart but she feels anxious -bordering fear, that maybe his silence rooted from their past relationship. It didn't really end in a good note and if summed, it was due generally to misunderstanding and unstable emotions. That's why she makes an effort to urge him to let out what he feels even with her hesitation in pursuing yet again the then-ended relationship. They both had the tendency to mask what they feel, but in their current case, Manami feels it's just because he didn't want her to worry.

She does not want that. If they want to make this relationship work, they should learn from past mistakes.

"I forgot to tell you earlier. I'm going away with Sasaki for a week." Karma said as they both finish their meal.

Manami nodded, "Mm. I think Sasaki-san mentioned it to me this morning. Tomorrow is your departure, was it? Are you the only one going with him?"

Karma inwardly smirk. Sasaki-san? Ha.

"Probably. He didn't mention anybody else."

"I see. You're more than enough anyway, Karma."

Seriously this girl. How the hell he lived these seven years without her he would never know.

"Oh? Is that a compliment?" he answered, twirling the knife with his fingers. "Flattering will get you nowhere Manami. Now that I know you've been pretty active these past years too."

Manami blushed. "It-" She nervously shifted her eyes to the side and started twiddling with her utensils. She didn't expect he was keeping tabs on her. "..was an… accident?"

Chuckling darkly, Karma leaned closer. "Don't think I don't recognize death by poison Manami. Those assassination attempts ended similarly."

Manami pouted and snatched the knife from Karma's hand. "They're not dead! A-all I did was give them slightly potent poison to knock t-them out...A-and it's to protect Sasaki-san. "

Shrugging, Karma leaned back. "I'm not worried. To tell you the truth it's good that you still got the skills, Ms. Poison Glasses. It'll come in handy."

Manami nodded slightly, eyes softening at the familiar nickname. "Those skills failed to eliminate all of them though."

"Yep. That's where I come in", he answered, smirking on the sense of challenge.

"Partners again are we, Mr. Chuunihan?" she giggled.

"Just like the old times," he snickered.

Comfortable silence settled between them as similar warm memories threaded on each mind.

"Be careful on your mission."

"I will."

LEMON! LEMON!

"K-Karma- ahhh! W-wait!" Manami moaned, hastily covering her mouth with her hand in an effort to cover up her voice as she felt hands crawl up her thighs. Her other hand was wrapped on his shoulder and try as she may, it was impossible to stop him what with the intense pleasure his mouth on her neck was giving her. Another moan threatened to come out but before it did, Karma was suddenly attacking her lips with his, their tongues fighting for dominance; Manami was uncharacteristically not willing to give. Karma smirked in amusement as he watched Manami resisting with her eyes tightly shut. How cute. With his one hand, he travelled further in her blouse just beneath her bra and caressed the skin there, watching in amusement as she blushed deeper red. His action proving to be a distraction, Karma won in their brief tongue session and she mewled in embarrassment and ecstasy as she felt his mouth devour hers in untamed hunger and desperation. She didn't understand where his sudden roughness, if there was a word more fitting, came from but the mixed sensations all over her body prevented her from thinking further of his actions; his actions which spoke nothing but need, hunger, and carnal lust.

Not aware of her hand all of a sudden on his hair, Manami unconsciously pulled him downwards, deepening the kiss even more; much to Karma's delight. Karma's hand ventured on her thighs outwards of her skirt up until it reached the hem. Letting go off her mouth, his lips made a path downwards, loving the feel of her hands gripping his hair tightly and pulled her skirt by sliding it over then under her hips. He heard Manami squirm and moan as he trailed kisses on the skin the skirt reveals, all the while watching with wanton the lust building up in his girlfriend's eyes.

Karma groaned. He had to take her, now.

Manami gasped as Karma suddenly grabbed her hands previously buried in his hair, and placed them around his shoulders. She let out a small scream as she was carried up, her thighs around Karma, and blushed at Karma's hands on her bum, realizing that she was just in her panties. Tightening her arms around his shoulders, she shivered once the familiar cold air from the AC hit her bare legs, suddenly grasping that they were in her bedroom and sighed as Karma settled her gently on the bed. Having the urge to cover her face, Manami felt her ears heathen as she watch her boyfriend roughly tug off his necktie and loosen the buttons on his cuff, all the while piercing her eyes with his, refusing to let go of her stare. She didn't know what overcame her when she sat up, making Karma cease in his actions, and lightly pulled him back between her thighs to continue undressing him herself by unbuttoning his front buttons. Moaning lowly on lips trailing kisses on her jaw, Manami clumsily pushed his top off and then she was shoved gently to lie beneath Karma.

"Manami.." Karma growled huskily as he peppered deep kisses on her neck. 'do that again and I won't be responsible to what will happen to you on the next minute on this bed, by me."

Manami blushed. She didn't mean it but once she felt Karma's hand brushed a particularly sensitive part on her belly, her hips bucked, hitting the noticeable bulge on her partner. She felt mortified and wanted to push him off in reflex if not for the sudden hand from Karma, clamping her hands on her sides.

They can't do this! They both have work the next day and God knows the last time they did it, both had to file a day of leave. And it was his first day at work!

"Ka-Karma, y-you have a-ah a trip to ah get ready for." Her hips bucked traitorously again as Karma pulled open her buttons and nibbled on her breasts. " K-Karma!"

Lifting his head up in level with her ear he answered, "You're not really telling me stop Manami."

Pulling her arms off from their cages, Manami pushed his shoulder, creating a distance between them. Huffing in exertion, Manami let go of his shoulders and placed her hands on his face with one on his cheek and the other on his forehead, pushing his bangs to the side. Karma grinned. Manami's cheeks were puffed like tomatoes and her eyebrows knotted. Ah, she was too cute and it was definitely not helping his libido.

"W-we need to stop Karma. We both have work tomorrow a-and…umm.."

If possible, Manami blushed even more at the look he was giving her. Maybe looking directly at his eyes was a bad thing. She can see directly the unbidden lust and promise of long, sensual love-making. If it was not slightly scary, it was equally arousing.

"What is it Manami?" He chuckled as she flinched, seemingly been brought out of her stupor. Yet she did not release her stare at him.

Damn his girlfriend was a vixen. Karma watched animatedly, as the doubtful look in her eyes shifted into something he recognizes well: hunger and sweet sweet submission.

F*ck, her wish was his command.

Karma chuckled huskily at the weak pushes her hands do on his shoulders. Grinning in anticipation, his hands trailed sensually from her waist, then her shoulders, up to her hands. By now, Manami was combusting red and in heat, which Karma felt very much from his now exposed abdomen. Ah, so those blushes can go lower than the shoulders huh. Softly, he grabbed her shaking hands and moved them downwards up to the belt of his pants, purposedly slowing and skimming his chest. After successfully urging her to loosen his pants, Karma balanced on his one arm and whispered on her ear.

"Do you want to continue?"

He only needed one answer. One answer and whatever it is, he will adhere to.

However, his girlfriend proved to be a vixen -his vixen when instead of a reply, he was surprised by a kiss on his neck then her reply.

"...P-please.."

Both their control flying out of the window, the rest of their clothes were hastily thrown off, as heated and desperate kisses were exchanged, their hands roaming with abandon. No words were exchanged anymore rather names thrown to the air as they both ride their high, refusing to stop. Manami's soft cries beside Karma's ear fueled his thrusts as he felt his growls equally brought shivers on her body. Hands clutching tightly on his back as he welcomed the glorious pain, reminding him how he loved the feel of her and how he openly worshiped this body. Karma refused to stop spreading kisses on her body, each welcomed with a soft sigh or a mewl encouraging for more.

END LEMON! END LEMON!

As they both felt close to their peak, Karma gave a tender kiss on Manami's lips, no tongue, no hunger. She blushed at the uncharacteristically soft kiss, it sent everything she wanted to hear and he wanted to convey. Once their brief kiss end, their foreheads connected as both stare lovingly on each other's eyes.

"I love you too Karma."

She should have said but did not.

Instead, an equally tender kiss was sent back, a single drop of tear from her eyes unnoticed.

In that night reaching till morning, Karma relished on her flesh for more times he didn't bother counting.

"Take care of yourself", Manami said, tucking a stray strand around her ear.

Karma disliked transportation by air with reason, but somehow she managed to convince him that 'Sasaki-san' hated land transportation for he didn't want to be delayed by paparazzi that were bound to follow. Whose fault was it, really?

"Mm. You sure you're going to be fine alone for a while?"

Manami nodded. "Yes. Kayano and Nagisa plan to visit for the week so I'll probably be busy touring them around. Besides, it's not like-"

"Manami-san! What a pleasure to see you this morning. Came to wish me good luck?" Sasaki suddenly announced, catching the attention of everybody in the room. He made a move to place himself uncomfortably close to Manami, not noticing the glares he was getting from the redhead.

"U-uhm, I came to see you off, sir. But good luck!" she answered, fidgeting on the little distance they have. Slightly stepping out of the close contact she gasped as her boss place an offending hand on her lower back.

"S-sir?!"

Sasaki snickered. "That's too bad, really. I was hoping to bring you but the very thought of endangering your life does not really sit well with me. I hope you understand."

Karma scoffed. The butt really knew how to say the corniest and most cringe-worthy things. This idiot clearly had no idea where she came from. He fought off a laugh as he watched his girlfriend push his arm away, deftly avoiding his attempt to bring it back, and grinned widely once she walked his way to settle herself beside him.

Ahhh. Sweet sweet victory.

With a noticeably fake smile, Sasaki made a small laugh before he turned and stomped his way up the helicopter. "Karma-san let's go."

Manami giggled nervously before she looked Karma's way only to find him already looking back at her, smirking.

"Can't make the boss wait. Send my regards to Nagisa and Kayano", Karma said, lightly patting Manami on the head.

"Ah wait", Manami frantically called. "U-uhm, please carry this with you. It's… It's something that I made which I know you're quite used in."

She fumbled on her bag as she hears Karma walked back to her position. Handing him a small clear bottle, she let out a sigh once she heard a small 'thank you' from Karma.

Karma smirked widely. "Cyanide, huh."

She shrugged lightly. "Just to help you out while I'm not near."

"Heehhh, this makes everything more interesting."

She smiled as she heard the familiar thrill in his voice. As far as she knew, cyanide was his favorite in all her concoctions that's why she felt particular confidence entrusting the chemical to him. That did not seem to ease the worry in her though, and before she knew it her arms were wrapped on Karma's waist tightly, bidding him a brief heartfelt 'be very careful' then let go to push Karma lightly.

"I'll see you in five days. Have fun, Karma!"

Recovering from his shock, he answered "Hn."

"And...", she added.

If they want to make this relationship work, they should learn from past mistakes.

"Please tell me what's bothering you once you come back."

A/N: Steamyyy~ First attempt on a lemon. I hope it wasn't crappy. I feel like I wrote them both quite out of character in this chapter so I apologize if you think so too :D

And that's about it! Thank you so much for the reviews, favorites and follows I got on this story. I hope you'll like this very overdue update (One year from the previous chapter omg). Again, no promises on the next update but if you continue to support this story, I am eternally grateful :)

Love y'all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARMA BOY

and

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!