A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS WITH THE DEMON LORD
SUMMARY: Kyouya/OC. "This is eternal damnation," she had said as Kyouya enjoyed making her life a living hell. But an unexpected turn of events happens. France is a place of romance after all.
DISCLAIMER: Credits for Ouran belongs to someone else.
CHAPTER 1: Don't Play Games with an Ootori
START:
As I sat on one of the Victorian plush chairs beside Takashi, I glared at him and had the urge to punch him squarely on the face, along with his glasses breaking and the fragments digging on his perfect face. But since every prominent structure on Japan was there, and Mori was holding my hand, I couldn't no matter how much my blood thirsted to. And regardless of my sadistic nature, there were so many witnesses around and I didn't want to slaughter him right there in case I wanted the press to stick their noses on my apartment. No, I wasn't that scandalous.
Anyway, this party was an engagement party and the one I wanted to kill was Kyouya Ootori. But he wasn't the one I was engaged to—like that would ever happen! I was engaged to the man I'm sitting with—Morinozuka Takashi, and by the start of the winter season, I'd probably be Katsumi Morinozuka. And I still have three months to get on with the arrangements and remain single.
Katsumi was more known as Odette Arkwright from the orphanage she came from. Odette's parents had abandoned her on the asylum when she was about three and she could even hardly remember her past and the reason why she was left alone. Two years after that, the Morinozuka couple had started visiting the orphanage to volunteer, along with their seven-year-old son, Takashi. And since then, for the first time that Odette could remember, she was happy that finally, she had a friend. And since, the Morinozuka couple had seen their son very fond of this little girl; they took care of her release papers and took Odette in. That was the day that Odette Arkwright turned away from her past and became Katsumi Miyamoto.
"Katsumi?" Takashi squeezed my hand tighter. "You look tense. Do you want me to get you some tea?"
"I'm fine," I assured his concerned face gave a curt smile.
"Do you want to rest for a bit?"
Normally, Takashi wouldn't speak more often like this if he didn't seem like it. He's the silent type of guy but with years of expertise, I've learned how to understand his 'mn's' and 'ah's'. But then again, he was unusually talkative tonight.
"No," I replied with my usual smile. "Don't worry about me."
"Mn."
Anyway, on with my story… I never knew that my best friend—the one I loved the most would fall for me in a special way. It was creepy at first because we lived in the same house for years until now and I've always seen him as a brother. It caught me off guard when I heard him confess his feelings for me and I knew that those words were sincere. I was moved—to be loved like that and I was thankful. But his feelings were unrequited. I have always seen him as an older brother that I can't even remember I had and I wanted to treasure that bond no matter what. But seeing this tall stupid guy in front of me, revealing his emotions with those sparks on his eyes, I had no right to break his heart. I started to go out with him.
A couple of years and several 'but's' later, he kneeled down in front of me in the middle of a certain company's (stress on certain company's) anniversary party and asked the stupidest question a man could ever ask. The marriage proposal would have driven me insane if I just didn't know that it was in front of different prominent people, over the sight of his parents and with the whole world knowing. Yes, who wouldn't go crazy with that? It almost gave me a heart attack!
I didn't want to say no. I didn't want to say sorry and watch his horrified face. My conscience would kill me, to think that his family had given everything they had to give me my life back. I can't even thank them enough. So Katsumi said yes thus, the result of this engagement party.
"Are you bored?" Driven back to the present time and away from my thoughts, I looked at him.
"Hn." It was a habit I got from him. I cocked my head thoughtfully and added, "A bit, I think."
Then, with a smile that he rarely showed anybody but me, he suddenly stood up and pulled me with him. "Then I'll introduce you to my friends back in high school."
With that, he dragged me along, the hem of my dress rushing with our pace. When we reached their table, four handsome men greeted me with pleasing smiles almost similar to Takashi's. Plus, a cute brunette lady with large brown eyes who looked more interested with the food than our arrival.
The guy with the same hair as mine caught my attention. His golden locks looked swept but in a casually gorgeous way. His purple eyes were mesmerizing. Yup, his looks were breath-taking. Two orange-haired doppelgangers with tawny eyes and strong jaw were sitting beside him, their arms wound around each other. They were equally beautiful, yes, if only they wouldn't have shown me my first impression of incest. Or maybe they were just so close, like any other normal twins, I wouldn't know. The last person I noticed was Mitsukuni. He was munching his cake before we came over. I guess there were some habits that you can't easily take away. I've known him since we technically grew up together—him, Takashi and I. He was still cute, with his large golden eyes and caramel hair. He hadn't changed a bit; even his height was still remarkably short for his age (knowing that he should be twenty-seven).
Takashi introduced them to me one by one (and Mitsukuni almost toppled me over when he hugged me) as I shook their hands as they were named. The blonde was Tamaki Suoh, the twins were Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin (I've heard their name was on to fashion design) and the food-obsessed lady was Haruhi Fujioka.
"…and here's Kyouya." I remembered Takashi was still speaking. "Kyouya Ootori. He's my best friend."
"Oh—eeh!"
Kyouya Ootori. Uhm… Am I really getting this correctly or my brain isn't functioning very well tonight? Because that happens, you know… when your fiancé tells you that your most loathed person was his best friend, to think of it was hilarious. I must be hallucinating.
I gave a nervous chuckle as I slowly turned my head to the person he was pointing his hand at. I took a mental note to tell him not to point at people. It's rude.
And as I saw a glint of clouded glasses, a hue of neat jet-black hair and an etched smirk that seemed to be knocking me off my feet in terror, my whole body froze. How could this man be Takashi's best friend? Where has God gone when the world plot to have them cross paths? Of all people I hated, why this particular guy? I groaned inwardly. I'm the unluckiest person alive.
---
Katsumi Miyamoto, the moronic, unintelligent, dull, brainless, witless Katsumi Miyamoto met the vile, sinister, nasty, chance-taker, Kyouya Ootori a couple of weeks ago right before Takashi Morinozuka confessed his rightful desire of marriage to the, once again, stupid Katsumi Miyamoto inside a bar where the very careless, inconsiderate and reckless Ayame Harada took Katsumi Miyamoto once for a girl's night out.
It was just supposed to be a simple girl-date that unexpectedly turned out to be a horrifyingly scary nightmare (for me).
"You should chill at least once in a while, you know," Ayame said while pulling the innocent Katsumi to her Seraph and ordered her to strap herself to her seat. "I'll bring you to this newly opened bar. You'll like it there."
Sighing in total defeat, Katsumi rolled her window down to get some fresh air as her friend started the engine.
"You know I don't drink," Katsumi complained as she swerved the steering wheel to the right.
The red-haired driver merely ignored her and changed the topic. "If you would feel really depressed about the marriage, why did you agree to it?"
Katsumi sighed heavily and Ayame added, "You've been looking totally stressed out after the proposal."
"You know I have no choice," she finally said as they ran past a coffee shop and Ayame turned right. "I owe them a lot. And Takashi is my best friend. I don't want to hurt him and I want to maintain our current relationship."
"And you think if he found out that you don't love him the way he does, he'll jump in joy?" Katsumi turned to look at her friend as if she stabbed her on the throat. In a way, she had a point. If Takashi found out that his love wasn't reciprocated, it'll break his heart.
"Ah, we're here." The car came to a halt in front of a newly established bar that seemed to reek of bastards. Ayame didn't even bother to park the car properly; she just killed the engine and pulled Katsumi out of the car to the bar's entrance.
---
Anyway, I ended up sitting by the counter because that stupid Ayame was busy flirting with some young folks and as far as I'm concerned, I didn't want to mess up with anyone. I ordered for something to drink (at random) when I noticed a guy with fairly-kempt black hair was playfully smirking at me, a glass with green liquid in his hand.
Raising my eyebrow in alarm, I snapped, "What?"
"Hello." The smirk was still there.
I cleared my throat. What the heck! "If you're gonna toy with me, just so you know, I'm not in for that kind of entertainment."
Did I tell you that he was wearing glasses? Well he was and he took them off and stuffed them in his breast pocket, his grey eyes showing me some deep kind of mystery that I won't be willing to solve.
He chuckled and lightly took a swig from his drink. "I was merely wondering what a girl like you might be doing in this kind of place." My beverage arrived and it was blue. I wondered what kind of drink it was since I wasn't used to these kinds of things and the only alcohol I ever drank were spiked punch, wine and champagne. With sheer curiosity, I lifted the glass to my lips and swallowed a mouthful. And as soon as the fluid got passed my throat, I choked back. Damn the stupid drink that had my gorge burn relentlessly.
The guy beside me laughed into fits. Dammit. He's making me his laughing stock. I gave him a stop-if-you-want-to-stay-alive glare that feebly worked. Men nowadays were more difficult to scare. I sighed inwardly.
"What the heck is funny?"
"You're not a regular roisterer, are you? I mean you're not used to these kinds of things."
What was with this guy? Is he trying to pick a fight with me? Well then, bring it on.
"Of course I do."
He raised his eyebrows as if asking me if I was sure about what I was talking about.
"Why not challenge me to a drinking game and see whose better?" Damn. My nonsensical and careless blabbering is getting me to deep trouble once again and I wasn't even drunk yet. This must be the side effect of the blue liquid I drank a while ago.
His smirk widened and said, "Then it's a game."
Why did he accept?! If he dismissed the challenge, I would have accepted that. But the case is, he did not! What am I supposed to do? I'm not a very good drinker. Last time I got drunk was at Mori's birthday party. The first part of it was blurry but I remembered that I drank a lot of punch that I didn't know was spiked and was knocked out in a table. I was unconscious half-way through the party and (as Ayame had told me), he carried me to his room and threw up on his suit. According to Ayame's report of the incident, I just had a couple of glasses that would equal to the effects of water to a normal person. My body wasn't just strong enough to deal with alcohol.
Should I just retract? No, he was already ordering a couple of bottles for the both of us. Dammit. I'm definitely in deep shit. Oh well, I don't care anymore. Ayame's here anyway and she'd just bring me home if I was knocked down. And, this guy was a total stranger anyway. It wouldn't hurt if I let my guard down since I'm not going to see him again. And I don't even know his name. Right, it's better to stay this way. After tonight, I'm never going back to this place and I'll never see him again. It's fun to fool around once in a while and I'm getting married soon so, yeah.
Next thing I knew, I was gulping bottles of beer after bottles of beer. I lost track of how many bottles I had finished, I just kept gulping everything that went down my throat. It surprised me that I could stand so much.
Opposite me was the guy that led me to this stupid game. We kept eye contact between every swig but how come he didn't look even just slightly abashed with all the alcohol we've consumed? I was tipsy already.
A small crowd has already gathered around us. How could I let this stupid thing happen in front of everybody else?
"Are you sure you can still do it? You seemed to be swaying your balance." How could he mock me like this?
"Just shut up." I barked as I slammed the empty bottle on the counter with enough force to make a loud thump but soft enough for it not to break the glass. In annoyance, I got hold of the collar of his shirt and pulled him closer so I'd see his damn face and rub out that stupid smirk.
But when I felt his warm breath brush against my lips, I realized that our faces were mere inches apart. And if I moved a little more closely… I shut my eyes as I leaned further and closed the remaining space between us. He kept still at first but as soon as he did, he already recovered by parting his lips and sweeping his tongue against my bottom lip. I made a moaning sound and he took advantage by slipping his tongue inside my mouth. I can't believe that I'm letting myself get carried away by the situation.
I delighted in the taste of his mouth. It wasn't alcohol but something else that was sweet. I can't exactly tell what it was but it was a distinct flavor…
I felt myself jump out of my stool as he draped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him, settling me between his thighs. I breathed in his scent as I ran my fingers across his hair, tousling it in the process.
Everything else didn't matter as long as I enjoyed the taste of him and the exotic scent of his hair…
Click. Flash.
Damn. We're getting photographed. I pushed him rather harshly away from me and I noticed that every eye on the vicinity was boring holes on us. Out of confusion, I planted a hard slap on his face. I felt naked, as if I was violated by some kind of criminal, and exposed me to the world.
Ayame came to my rescue at once, pulling me out of the crowd's gaze and pushing me back to her car. I swear I'll never gonna listen to any suggestions she'll be giving me in the future regarding bars, whether new or old. I swear I'll never set foot on any of those establishments ever.
---
"Are you sure you can handle yourself alone?" Ayame asked, with a concerned look. I know, I looked a bit harassed (meaning quite literally) and she didn't want to leave me yet to look after me for a while. She knew by experience that I wasn't a normal twenty-one-year-old drunk.
"I'll be fine. I don't want to burden you anymore. Sorry."
"I'm supposed to be the one to say that, you know."
I laughed. It was one horrible experience that I won't allow to happen again. And, by the way, the whole stripped-naked-and-exposed-to-the-world thing was quite an exaggeration. I couldn't compose myself at that point.
I waved her goodbye and watched her car turn right and disappear.
When I reached my apartment, I settled on the bathroom and emptied the contents of my stomach. What I feared the most is the major hangover tomorrow when I wake up. I guess I have to call Takashi to tell him I'm skipping work.
"Mn?"
"Am I allowed to miss out work tomorrow?"
"You really shouldn't drink. I'm on my way to your place."
Click.
---
The infuriating sound of the buzzer woke me up next morning. And I had to hold the post of my bed for support so I won't stumble down. I was right about the after effects of drinking. My head was killing me. I felt like seven hundred twenty-one cymbals and four hundred thirty-two sets of drums were thundering against my head. I can't even remember how I got on the bed on my own… and who changed my drenched clothes.
Anyway, I had to cling on the wall for support as I struggled my way to open the wretched door. Groaning in annoyance, I wrenched the door open.
And when I saw the one in front of it I gave out a loud gasp. Now, I must still be dreaming. These were one of the effects of the hangover, right. I slammed the door right back. Before I know it, I was catching for my breath. I can't even tell if I was still breathing. This can't be real.
Knock.
When I open the door, it would be the cleaning crew. Yes, that must be it. I remembered calling them yesterday to clean my unit. It must be time for them to do their job.
Knock. Knock.
The nightmarish image I saw when I opened the door was just an aftermath of what happened yesterday. These images might be appearing on my mind so I have to prepare myself for the horror. I'll be able to go over it in time.
Kno—
I hauled the door once again. And the hangover was replaced by sudden nausea. The worst sudden nausea.
"Did you just shut the door on my face?" The terrifying face of the guy from last night asked with severe fury.
"Uh—" All right, think of an excuse why you did what you just did. "It's the door. I'll ask the Management to replace the hinges."
Okay, I admit that it was the lamest excuse I've ever made. But I was cornered and I have no one else to turn to…at the moment.
He walked past me and settled for my loveseat. What the heck—a stranger barging inside someone else's home.
"What are you doing inside my house?" I questioned him with authority, as the owner of this condominium unit.
"I don't think it was just proper to keep a visitor standing on your front door when you've already slammed the piece of furniture across his face, do you?"
"No. And besides, you're not a visitor. You're just a mere stranger."
"You won't allow strangers in your house but you'd rather kiss them out of the blue and slap them after you've finished—"
"No."
"Very well," he cleared his throat and crossed his legs. What's with the attitude? "Here." He tossed a piece of photograph on the glass center table. "I'll get this over with, quick."
It was the picture of both of us. Frenching. I flinched and gawked with my jaw hanging open in sheer horror. I can't believe I did it in that sleazy position. It didn't look romantic and it didn't look good. Gross.
"It cost me a couple of hundred-thousand yen just for the memory card. The rascal wouldn't hand it over with just a couple of bills."
Who would want a picture like this be printed? Is he out of his mind? If I were him, I would have just burnt the tiny piece of technology and I'll be able to breathe comfortably again.
"You're not leaking this out, are you?"
"If I leaked this out, what profit would I gain?" He sounded like a rich businessman of hell. "Oh, how rude of me not to introduce myself—" he added as he got up.
"No, I'd rather not hear. Just leave." Because your presence inside my house irritates me. "And I also don't want to know how you even found me." Just thinking about it totally creeps me out.
"I'm Kyouya Ootori." He walked up to me and poked my forehead with his thumb. "Till we meet again, Katsumi Miyamoto-san." And with that, he left.
---
I strongly wished from above that I would not be unlucky enough to meet him ever again. The world is so small, I know, but if the Guy Up There would just grant my simple wish and prevent us to cross paths, I'd be happy and content.
But here I am, staring at the hand of the guy I asked the heavens to run out of my life. I guess there were just some things that are simply impossible to happen. This must be retribution.
I took his hand and shook it once; his smirk was almost reaching his ears. How could he be so evil to ruin my life? Life wouldn't be as easy as I thought it would be.
---
Luckily, after the engagement party, I haven't gotten to see much of that Ootori around. I was glad that even though he was Mori's best friend, they weren't spending much time together, because if they did, that would be my end. I guess we were just born like that, like oil and water, impossible to be mixed together.
I walked in the elevator as the silver doors slid open. It was a normal work day once again. The Red Blizzard won their game last night and, even though I was a complete stranger to them, I felt like celebrating for their victory. I won the bet Ayame and I had for the game. What could possibly ruin my day?
"Good morning, Hiro-san," I greeted at the man in a dark suit at the corner. He looked up from his watch and smiled at me. I pushed the button to the 38th floor.
"The Red Blizzard had their way last night, huh?"
"Yeah," I agreed cheerfully. "I'm so glad."
He gave a sudden laugh. "It's not as if they don't win every year."
Yeah. That's true. Dammit. That means Ayame lost because she didn't realize the consistent victories of my favorite foot ball team? I had to sigh in defeat. I can't believe that somebody's already ruining the best day of my life.
This must be a bad omen.
---
I arrived at Takashi's office on the 38th floor with another warm smile. Fortunately, I already regained my energy and beamed at everyone in the elevator after Hiro-san got out on the fourteenth floor. God, I just realized that this building is such a skyscraper like those you see in movies where superheroes would most likely to show off and save someone hanging on the top floor. Why the hell the victim was hanging on the top floor, I wouldn't know.
"Takashi," I chimed as I pushed the glass office doors. "I have something to tell you."
He was busy with his computer but then he gave me a kind smile and gestured the plush chair across his desk, urging me to seat down. Then, he went back to his work.
"What is it you want to talk about?" he finally asked as he turned to look at me with curious look on his face. Normally, I wouldn't barge in like this if have no business with him but today, I'm just so happy.
Raising the blue envelope I was holding on my way in, I piped, "This is my art school application for Paris!"
"Uh-huh."
"It's approved! Aren't you glad? I'm going to Paris!"
I waited for his reaction with a hopeful smile on my face. He should be happy for me, right? Art school has always been my dream ever since I was a kid and surely, he knows that. But why wouldn't he sound--or at least look--a bit more enthusiastic about it? I've waited for this opportunity for so long.
His brows creased slightly as he leaned back on his chair and looked at me. "But we're getting married."
Oh, crap. I haven't considered that situation just yet. The preparations for the marriage had already started and Takashi had already hired the best wedding organizers from around the world. He was even excited when the Hitachiin brothers offered their services to get my wedding dress done and they already started my measurements. When they showed me the design of the dress, it was breathtakingly pretty and it would definitely look better if it was finished. Mitsukuni also proposed that he would make our wedding cake. But I doubted right after I agreed. He might end up devouring the cake himself with his unusual super-powers.
But this art school is my dream.
"I would only be away for just a few weeks," I pouted as I dropped the envelope on his table so he'd have a look at it and reconsider.
"Our wedding would be in a few months plus the preparations." He didn't take the envelope.
"It won't be too long." I hate it when I whine like a stupid dog. But he didn't budge. The crease on his forehead got more crumpled as he eyed the envelope that now covered the documents he might supposed to be reading before I, without a warning, bursted in.
"I'll be back before you know it. I promise," I supplemented, hoping it would help me change his mind. Besides, he has a lot of work to do and he wouldn't even notice I'd be gone!
"But you'd be alone." Yeah, I'd be alone. I nodded vigorously with a hint of a smile. I know I'm winning already. Insert evil laughter here.
"I don't think that'd be a good idea," he said, frowning.
Of course I know that it wouldn't be a good idea for me to travel half across the world alone. I have a poor sense of direction, for Christ' sake and Takashi didn't trust me with that because he knows how stupid I am when it comes to traveling. I could still remember how furious he was at the police officer (even though it wasn't the officer's fault) when I was separated from him on our trip to Switzerland with Mitsukuni's family (that was basically Takashi's family as well because they're cousins). He rapped at the table that almost split into two and knocked the chairs on the wall when they said it would take some time for them to find me. Then, when he had calmed down, he marched out of the station, leaving the dumbfounded officers and prisoners (who got terrified after seeing his black side) and took some random route. He finally found me after a couple of minutes. Sometimes his instincts give me the creeps.
But then again, I think it would be exciting to get lost somewhere in Paris. Thrill! Bring it on!
"That's fine," I said as I tried to convince him further more. But I already know, with one look on his frown, that he wouldn't let me go just yet. Besides, the wedding was enough of a reason to stop me. But this is my dream! Far beyond dreaming of a married life. (No offense, Takashi but I love you a lot.)
The silence was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. I didn't bother to see who it was and kept eye contact with him to prove that I am really, really serious about this.
"Mori-san, I apologize for the interruption but--"
I froze. That was the voice of--heavens, please tell me this isn't real and you're not punishing me for being such a brat. It was that Ootori all right. I didn't turn to look at him nor bothered to greet him a pleasant good morning when Takashi welcomed him with a you-can't-even-tell-that-it-was-a-smile.
"Oh," I heard Kyouya say as I feasted my eyes with Takashi's choice of books on the shelves, even though I didn't find any of them interesting. "I didn't realize Miyamoto-san was here."
You saw me sitting here before you even entered the office, you jerk! I bet Takashi is already frowning at my stubbornness and he'd probably blame himself that I was ignoring both of them. After all, he was denying my chance to Paris.
"Sorry Kyouya," Takashi's polite voice started as I ran my eyes through the titles of the books. Takashi, don't be sorry for that bastard!
"I really won't be surprised if she hated me so much," Kyouya replied coolly. "My aura is evil, after all."
Ha, bet you know that!
My eyes trailed along the spines of the top shelf and notice a thin one, appearing very different from the rest because it was slightly jutting out. So I stood up, ignoring them both (I don't care if they were watching me) and walked up to pull the book out. It was rather familiar, not to mention, old.
But when flipped the cover open, I was surprised to see that I was looking down at the recognizable sketches and drawings I signed as my own. They were my own. I smiled further as I lifted each page. And then, I looked at Takashi. "You kept this?"
He gave sheepish chuckle as he ran his hand at the back of his head. Well, it was probably his first time to chuckle in front of someone else.
"Don't mind me," I told them (even though I looked directly at Takashi) as I settled down a soft, Victorian couch and drowned myself with the memories that came with the pictures I drew out. I almost forgot that Ootori was even there.
As far as I could remember, I dumped this old sketchpad back then because I was furious that the art school I applied to refused to take me in. They reasoned out that I was too young and I didn't qualify their standards. They said that if I grew a few more years, my talent would further improve and I'll try again. I was crying the whole time and locked myself in my room.
When Takashi came knocking, I opened the door and he comforted me. He said that I was the best artist he ever met, not that he had met so many artists before. And that I was far better than da Vinci and Bernini. I know he was just trying to cheer me up so paid no attention to the irrationality of his words.
"Art school isn't the only place where you could showcase your talent," he had said. "We appreciate your works--I, mom, dad, Satoshi, Mitsukuni and I bet there would be a lot more. You don't have to sulk here and look like it's the end of the world. It's just the beginning."
When I realized how stupid I was for crying like a child who was deprived of candy (Mitsukuni style), I ran back down to the trash bin where I dumped it and searched for my sketchbook. When it found out that it was gone and was probably crushed in the junk compactor, I went to the nearest bookstore and bought another one and started replacing the pictures I had lost with new ones. Takashi motivated me a lot.
And then, after that, he set me a small art gallery where my works were displayed. He said that it was my sixteenth birthday gift. Too much for a birthday gift, huh?
I reached the last page and smiled. It was a portrait of Takashi's crouched form with a little kitten resting on his arms. And the warm smile on his face was plastered there permanently. This was one soft side of Takashi that people rarely had a chance to see. I was glad, and honored, that I was one of those people that he was gladly opening up with.
I closed the sketchbook with a content smile on my face when I realized Ootori was talking.
"...and I have a flight for Paris this week. I'd be away for a while but I'll try to get myself back in time for your wedding. I'm your best man after all."
Yay! He'd be gone!
"How about your work?" Takashi asked, concerned.
"I won't fail the company no matter where I am. And besides, the trip was merely for business."
"You're pushing yourself too much."
"I'm not."
My fiancé (yeah, I'm using it already) was enveloped with silence, deeply absorbed by something I can't say what.
"Katsumi." I jumped at the sound of my name and turned my head sharply at him. "When did you say your flight for Paris was again?"
Does this mean he's allowing me to go? "You're allowing me to go?" I sounded more curious than excited with his sudden change of heart.
"Uh-huh. As long as you'd be going with Kyouya. He's going to Paris next week and I'd be much more relieved if you go with him."
When did Ootori say he's going to Paris next week?! I glowered at the bespectacled evil monster as she displayed his wide smirk at me, baring his sharp fangs to casually piss me off.
"I'm going to Paris the day after he goes to Paris," I told him informally as I gave him an affectionate smile as I tried my best to shrug the idea off him. Even though I know it wasn't working.
"And how do you know when I'm flying off to Paris?" Ootori interrupted as he turned to look at me with the usual evil grin. I bet he's enjoying the look of horror in my face.
"I just know."
---
I can't even remember how many times I cursed him inside my head that day as we both left Takashi's office at the same time and took the elevator together. I can't tell if he was annoying me on purpose. Suddenly, I had a growing hatred for skyscrapers and wished they wouldn't have been made. When we reached the thirtieth floor, I don't know why no one seemed to be so busy to take the elevators and join us so I wouldn't be suffocating. When I turned to look at him, his evil smirk gave me goose bumps. Have the stairs been really the best way to move from one floor to another? We've been through eight floors already, for goodness' sake!
And then, suddenly, the lift came to a sudden stop. I would have jumped with joy if only, IF ONLY, the lights didn't go off.
"Curse it!"
I'm not playing with the demon, so why am I suffering so much! Then, suddenly I remembered that the demon wasn't the literal demon we used to know. The demon was here, right here in the darkness, just behind me with a glow-in-the-dark smirk on his face.
"We're stuck," he said.
"I know we're stuck! I'll kill the maintenance crew right now if this goes on!"
"Easy...it's not their fault." How could he be so cool? And his coolness was pissing me off.
All of sudden, I felt him move to my side and I took a step away from him. Why does it have to be pitch-black? And then, I felt his arm brush against mine and I jumped.
"What the hell are you doing?" I shouted as I stood there frozen, in case he was so close that I'd touch him when I moved. I don't want skin contact with a devil! I swear I'll disinfect my arm when I get back to my apartment.
Then, the power went on and my head shot up automatically to see the lights.
"We're lucky," he stated coolly.
I stood motionless on the spot when the closeness of his voice made the hairs on the back of my head stand on end. He was crouching slightly on my back, leaning closer as he tried to reach the buttons of the control panel.
"You smell nice," he complimented as he breathed in my scent. Curse him to the pit of hell!
"What are you doing, you pervert!" I yelled at the top of my voice as the doors slid open and the employees on the other side stepped back a bit, looking slightly aghast. Kyouya pulled away immediately as I bursted out of the lift. I don't mind taking the stairs.
---
When I thought I was already halfway through, I would be greeted by yet another flight of stairs after another flight of stairs after another one. It seemed like an endless one-way maze and that it was getting me more and more tired and my heels are starting to hurt. That was when I decided to slip my shoes off and proceeded barefooted.
After a couple of glorious years and unending nights of famine and thirst, God granted my wishes and moved the sign 'EXIT' to where I wanted it to be. Or so I thought. But whatever, I'm already on my way out...just a few steps.
Finally, some fresh air! I slipped on my shoes and went to my car which--God must hate me--being towed by a large truck.
"Hey! That's my car!" I shouted for the third time that day and pointed an accusing finger to a nearby policeman who possibly was behind all this.
"I know, ma'am. But this isn't a parking space. I'm sorry." He pointed at the large sign just in front of where my car was parked as he handed me a ticket. Apparently, I missed the sign because of my giddiness. My mouth hung slightly open.
"You can get your car back at the station." With that, he left. Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.
A sleek, black Porsche stopped abruptly in front of me and the window rolled down to reveal that demon, Ootori! Why is he always present when I'm sent to my inferno? Oh, right. He was the devil.
"Want a ride?" he asked casually.
"I'm sorry?" I raised my eyebrow smugly and continued with a, "What are taxis for?"
---
After seven white cabs that passed me with fast speed without them even bothering to stop in front of me, I slumped my shoulders helplessly and gave the black Porsche a disgusting look. My stomach was growling already and I'm thirsty. If I was a normal person, I would have died of starvation but luckily, I managed to survive. Because I really wasn't a normal person. Would you call a human haunted by a demon normal? Of course not.
Sighing in defeat, I made my way to his car and propped myself in the passenger seat. I hate to admit that I let my ego down. Curse it.
"This is eternal damnation," I said more to myself but I intended to let him hear as he started the car and drove forward.
"Thank you."
"That isn't a compliment," I snapped a look at him. And then, I looked away in an instant when I saw his smirk. I hate his smirk.
"Why don't you clip your seat belt on? Or do you want me to do it for you?"
"I'm in hell right now so what worse is there to happen?"
I swore I heard him chuckle.
Hiro-san was definitely a bad omen.
---
to be continued.:)
"Review this story," Ootori Kyouya pleaded (seems more like he was forcing) his fangirls. "Do you have a passport?"
