Chapter 1: His life
"Good morning Mr Hyuuga."
"Good morning Sr. "
People in black suits, gray vests, and women in corporate attire all greeted as Mr. Natsume Hyuuga walked by. Some even slightly bowed their heads as a sign of respect.
"Shouda. What's my schedule?" Natsume said as he snapped his fingers signaling Sumire Shouda, his assistant, to come follow him
"You have a conference meeting in 30 minutes. And at 12 you need to attend a meeting regarding the stock holders and the likes. And at 3 pm you have a one on one video call with the pending partner associate according from New Zealand regarding their investments in our company." Sumire said as she looked intently on her clip board
"Anything else?"
"Oh! And Mrs. Hyuuga called, she wanted to know if you and Miyuki will be having dinner at her place."
"Return her call and say that we'll be there around 7. That's all." Natsume dismissed Sumire and proceeded to his office.
He walked over to his long mahogany table and sat on hi swivel chair. Piles of paper work welcomed his eyes as he ruffled his head in irritation.
He took a deep breath and turned his chair around to the wide glass windows overlooking the city.
"I wonder what you're doing right now…"
Natsume quickly shook off the thought that was once again creeping into his mind. Nope. That was a big no. He needed to concentrate. So he walked up and proceeded to his meeting.
Long locks of brown hair curling at the ends, a pair of crimson eyes, and skin as white as milk with a faint touch of blush sprinkled with her bubbly personality, she was truly the epitome of beauty and wit. Miyuki Cerise Hyuuga scrunched her face in concentration as she looked at her blank sheet of paper. Their teacher told them to draw their family and write a reason why they love their family. Miyuki, being the cheerful and smart girl, quickly proceeded to draw her family and showed it to her teacher. Sadly, her teacher told her to draw only her basic family- not the extended family. m
"Huh? What do you mean?" Miyuki asked her teacher in confusion. Her teacher smiled at her and ruffled her hair.
"What I'm trying to say is, you can only draw your main family. Your mother and your father. And if you have any siblings."
"But… teacher! I don't have any siblings. I'm the only baby." Miyuki said in a sad tone
"Well, in that case, draw your mother and your father" Her teacher smiled
And that is why Miyuki is still dealing with her paper. She drew her dad and herself. But she knew it was still incomplete.
"Okay class! Time's up. Pass your papers!" The teacher said excitedly. Quickly as that, the children began passing their papers and excitedly discussed with one another how well they drew their family.
"I drew my daddy with a cape! Because he's super man!"
"I drew my mommy with a spoon! Because she loves to cook!"
"Yeah mine too!"
Miyuki sadly listened to her classmates' voices. Soon, the bell rang. The children hurriedly ran out the door excited to meet their mothers and fathers.
Miyuki was left behind in the classroom. She stayed put in her desk, staring at her paper. She barely remembers her mother. And, her father barely talks about that issue.
Miyuki started crying. The teacher, who accompanied the other students to the gates, saw Miyuki crying alone in the room.
"Hey. Shh. Shh. Dear. Don't cry now." The teacher said while hugging Miyuki
"It's-It's just that, I'm not finished with my drawing!" Miyuki said between sobs.
"Let's take a look, shall we?"
Miyuki showed her teacher the now crumpled paper
"Well isn't that a beauty!" Her teacher exclaimed
Miyuki beamed. She was now smiling
"I c-can't picture my mommy." Miyuki said with her head down
Her teacher smiled sadly. "Okay. How about this. You draw what you pictured your mom to look like, isn't that good?"
Miyuki suddenly brightened up.
After 30 minutes, Miyuki passed her paper. Her teacher held her hand as she accompanied Miyuki to the gates.
"Daddyy!" Miyuki ran screaming to Natsume who was leaning against his car.
Natsume kneeled down to Miyuki's level and kissed her forehead.
"Why are you late baby?" He asked
"I did art!" Miyuki said. Natsume chuckled and opened the passenger door.
"Natsume." Miyuki's teacher called him
"Yea Anna?"
"She's late because she didn't finish her art in time." Anna started
"And so? Is that reason to keep a 5 year old girl in class? It's beyond their school hours Anna. You, as the owner of the school, should know that." Natsume glared
"I know. But, I just wanted to tell you that that work was to draw her family. She got stuck drawing her… mother."
Natsume's face changed. His face now hard.
"I think you should…" Anna struggled to find the right words
"She's my daughter. I perfectly know what to do. Thanks for your concern anyways." Natsume cut her off.
Anna sighed. "Okay. Goodbye Natsume." Natsume nodded and got into his car.
Anna waited for their car to leave. She sighed. She used to be friends with Natsume and… her. And she knew the whole story.
"Nana!" Miyuki shouted as soon as she arrived at her grandparents' mansion. Her nana smiled and quickly hugged her grandchild. Natsume placed Miyuki's stroller bag by the couch and kissed his mother on the cheeks.
"How are you son?"
"I'm fine." Natsume replied
Her mother smiled. But Natsume didn't fail to notice that sympathetic smile his mom gave him. This was what he hated the most. Pity.
"Hey my dear baby girl!" A voice chirped by the stair case
Miyuki quickly ran towards the stair case and into the arms of Aoi Hyuuga.
"Aoi!" Miyuki said as she clung onto Aoi
"Miyuki! Stop running!" Natsume hollered. Miyuki quickly went to her dad beside the couch, and kissed his cheek. "Sorry daddy." Natsume smiled and ruffled Miyuki's hair.
"So, are you ready for dinner?" Mr. Hyuuga, Natsume's father, asked.
Everyone was concentrated on eating. It was truly a feast since Natsume barely goes here because of his workload.
"So, son.." His father started "How's the company?"
"It's doing fine." Natsume said in a bored tone.
"Just fine?" His father laughed. Natsume glared at him.
"Hey big bro! You'll attend my graduation right?" Aoi said as her eyes sparkled with expectancy
Natsume smirked "Let's see." Oh how she loved teasing her sister
Aoi's eyes became wide "What the- You promised! You promised! You promised!"
Miyuki nudged Aoi "Psst. Eat your dinner."
Everyone laughed. Miyuki was truly a mature 5 year old. Maybe even more mature than a 17 year old Aoi.
"Tss. A 5 year old kid told you to shut up. Have shame." Natsume chuckled
Aoi stuck her tongue out at her brother playfully.
After dinner, Natsume and his father were outside by the pool, smoking their cigarettes, while Miyuki fell asleep on one of the recliners by the pool.
"So when do you intend to tell your own daughter?" His father started
"Tell her about what?" Natsume shrugged
"Son. You know what I'm talking about."
"Tss."
"Have you tracked her?"
Natsume chuckled. "You think that tracking the current it girl is hard for me?"
"Well why have you made no action?"
"Because she doesn't deserve it." Natsume's eyes sparked with anger. He threw his cigarette on the floor and stepped on it. He carried the sleeping Miyuki and waved goodbye to his dad.
