Chapter 1
"Miss Bara? Miss Bara where are you? your father requests your presence!" sighing softly, I closed the book I held gently in my hands, and asked in my emotionless voice "Yes Sally?" my servant bustled up to me in a flustered rush, and told me with her cheeks flushed "I was running around the entire mansion looking for you!" rolling my eyes internally, I kept my face a mask of blank emotion and responded "Perhaps you should have checked where I spend most of my time perhaps? That would be the first place you would look. Now, where is my father located?" my servant blushed with embarrassment at her folly, and told me "In his office madam." I inclined my head in thanks, and then stood up from my spot by the window in my large library. Handing her my book 'great expectations' by Charles Dickens, I walked past her and through the halls of my family's mansion. Arriving in front of my father's study quit quickly, considering it was just down the hall from the library, I knocked softly twice, then entered when my father's deep and commanding voice admitted me entrance. I stepped inside, and noticed two people sitting across from my father at his desk.
One of the guests was blonde, and about my age. The other, whom I assumed was his father, had darker hair, but similar facial features. I did a quick curtsy, and then asked "You called for me father?" I have never had the closest relationship with my father, and constantly felt like I was being talked down to when in his presence. He was stuck in older times, believing that women should be seen, but not heard, and we were not good for much except taking care of the household, and baring children. It was probably this treatment from him that made me hide most of my emotions, and made me the closed off person I am today. I disagreed with his beliefs, so I was no stranger to being backhanded every once and a while. But so far, he acted as the loving father in front of others. Looking towards me, my father replied "Yes. Please sit down. I have some news to inform you of." Obediently, I sat in a chair located by the side of his desk, and folded my hands in my lap. "Sensaina, from this day forward, you are engaged to Tamaki Souh. This has been arranged since a few years ago, so I will have no objections, and you will do as you are told" Standing up, I frowned, and said coldly "I see. If that's the way things are. Then as of now, you're not my father." And with a swish of skirts, I left the room.
He was furious. I could tell. He didn't say anything as I left, but I had embarrassed him in front of guests. I would most definitely get a slap later. Better start packing now. It was safe to assume that I'd be moving in with my new 'hubby to be'. But I would continue giving my father the cold shoulder. Yes, he liked women to be silent, but he feels it degrades his importance when they don't respond when spoken to. He feels like their ignoring him. Which they usually are. My father is in charge of the most famous spa's and beauty industries in the world. So looking pretty is everything. He'll sometimes have me come with him to meetings just to sit there and look pretty. Now, because it benefited his business, he was practically selling me off to the richest person in Japan. I hate my father. So even though he is one of the richest men alive, not many people like him.
The maids came in and packed my clothes, while I packed my personal items that held sentimental value for me. Once we were finished, I walked silently downstairs, and found the two guests standing by the door apparently waiting for me. "It's safe to assume that you know you'll be moving in with us, to get to know Tamaki before you get married." I nodded my head, and walked past them. "Sensaina." My father called to me. I stopped and turned around, and saw him with open arms like he was waiting for a hug. He was obviously still trying to keep up appearances. Like I would ever hug him after this. So instead of answering, or moving from my spot towards him, I simply narrowed my eyes, and then turned towards the car, climbing in without a word when I reached it. He gave a fake chuckle, and said "Ah, Sensaina has never been much for public affection. And I think she's still a bit sore about this." I rolled my eyes, and thought you think? When the two entered the car, I had my mask in place, and was staring ahead of me. Tamaki smiled warmly at me, and said "Hello Sensaina-chan! My name is Tamaki, and I hope we can become great friends!" glancing at him, I snorted, then went back to staring into space.
He looked crestfallen, but then brightened up again, and started talking on and on about the school I'd be transferring to, considering I was currently attending Lobeilia academy, and about this club he was president of. About three sentences in, I sort of shut him out, only catching a phrase here and there. Mostly, I was having internal thoughts about the ways I'd find to calm my inner fury once I got to the Souh's mansion. I finally decided on some painting, and when we arrived, I grabbed my painting items I had put in a bag right away. A maid showed me my room, and I was content with it, considering it was the same size as mine back home, and it was a calming purple colour. There was even a balcony right outside of my room, off to the side, with large glass doors. It had some pretty woven seats, and a table in front of them. My frown lightened a bit when I saw the easel waiting outside for me. Father probably told them about my painting habit. But then my frown went deep again. Sighing, I sat down, and placing my paints on the table, carefully setting out the blues, greens, yellows, reds, and browns, as well as my carefully cared for paint brushes.
I got to work in my current painting of some beautiful scenery with a field of flowers and trees in the background that had a small cottage in the distance. I took extra care with the smaller details, and used tiny brushes to get the smallest of flowers. That's how Tamaki found me, sitting at my easel, with paint splotches on my face, and on my hands. He stood in the doorway, as if he was tentative about coming closer to me. but in the end, he chose to sit in the seat beside me. "I didn't know… that you liked to paint." I looked up at him, then lowered my brush, saying "Your father knows, so I'm guessing that my father- I mean, Mr. Bara told him. It helps… relax me." he smiled brightly at me, I assumed because he was happy that I told him something of myself, and he then asked "Do you mind… being engaged to me?" I kept my face emotionless as I responded "To early to tell." Before going back to painting.
From my peripheral vision, I could see him having a mental battle, but then standing up, he told me "Well, It's been a long day, and you've been here a while, would you like some dinner? That's the reason I came up here, to tell you." raising an eyebrow, I asked "Why didn't you ask a maid?" he got a sheepish look on his face, and poking his pointer fingers together, he said "Well… I wanted to get to know you. And maids can't do that for you." I was honestly surprised by this. Why was he trying so hard? If it were anyone else, they'd probably just ignore me most of the time, and then expect me to have heirs for them. I would have to be the perfect little house wife. But he was different. This made him a bit better in my books. But he was still way to chatty. Putting down my brushes, I stood up, and said "Lead the way." before following him out of my room. He brought me to the dining room, and held a chair for me, then pushed the chair in. Mr. Souh was already there, and smiled at me from across the table. I nodded at him, and then turned my attention towards my dinner plate.
Dinner was awkward, and I didn't say much of anything, but I retired early, due to a large headache that had developed during the day. I quickly brushed my teeth, and washed my face, then changed into my pyjamas which consisted of a pair of comfortable shorts, and a tank top. Walking over to my bed, I picked up the medicine bottle off the side of my bed, and unscrewed the cap. Shaking out two pills, I tilted my head back, and swallowed them. After taking a swig of water from the glass that was beside my medicine bottle, I set it back down, and then crawled into bed. Closing my eyes, I snuggled closer into my pillow, and then drifted off to sleep.
When I awoke the next morning, two maids were looking down at me, and they were saying "Time to wake up Miss Bara! It's already seven, and you need to get ready for school. You were transferred yesterday." Then they produced an absolutely hideous yellow dress. I frowned then sighed, and shooing the maids out, I showered and then pulled the monstrosity over my head. My already tiny waist was made even smaller by the dress, and it made my hour glass figure stick out. I applied a light amount of eye-liner on my eyes, and then walked out of the room. Tamaki was standing by the door, school bag in hand, waiting for me. He smiled brightly at me, and said "You look stunning in that dress princess." I just rolled my eyes and walked past him. "I'll be in the same class as you." I stated, rather than asked. He followed after me like a lost puppy, and said "yep! You'll also be with Kyouya. He's my best friend." "hmm. How interesting." I said with plenty of sarcasm. He didn't catch on though, and exclaimed "I know! And you'll even meet Haruhi! He's a new recruit we just took on yesterday."
I nodded in acknowledgement that I heard him, but he didn't notice the movement and kept barrelling on.
"You should visit the club after school! Then I can introduce you to everyone!" not really paying attention, I just said "Sure, sure." Without thinking. He beamed at me, and I wondered what had gotten him so happy. Oh well. We had arrived at the school. Tamaki got out first, and held out a hand for me to take. I lifted my skirt out of the way, and let my sleek black high-heeled feet touch the pavement. I was never one for those horrid school shoes the other girls were required to wear. Or the tights. So I wore these heels instead. I stepped out, and heard several girls start to whisper. "Who's that with Tamaki-Senpai?" "Wow, she's really beautiful. She looks very important too." "Hey… isn't that Sensaina Bara? Her father owns all the best quality beauty industries in the world! Maybe that's why she's so pretty." "No, I heard that Miss. Bara has never visited one of her spas her entire life. It's all natural for her." "Hah! Yeah right. That can hardly be natural." The whispers went on, but I just ignored them, and continued walking. Tamaki had placed my hand on the crook of his elbow, and we were walking towards the school building at the moment.
He kept talking on and on about the different classes there were, and how my schedule was going to be the same as his, which he thought was good, cause he couldn't wait to show me around. I just kept my face blank and emotionless, while listening to him. The bell rang just as we entered the first class for the day, and we quickly found some seats. Tamaki introduced me to a black haired boy with glasses, and I nodded in greeting. "She's not very talkative." The blonde told his best friend, Kyouya Ootori. "But she's a great listener." I gracefully sat down in the seat next to my fiancé, and folded my hands on the desk, as well as crossing my legs over one another. Class soon started, and went by quickly. Considering I already knew all of the math being taught, and had read ahead in all the lessons, class was rather boring. But I listened anyway, sitting straight, and being a good girl. I never went against the rules after that one time at Lobeilia, where I wasn't paying attention, and got smacked around at home for it. I did not want to risk it again, even though I wasn't living with Mr. Bara anymore. The rest of the classes flew by, and the end of the day arrived quickly.
As soon as the last class ended, I needed to visit the ladies room, so Tamaki told me to go to this place that was on the other side of the school, and up two flights of stairs. I must say, I was quit winded when I reached my destination. It was an unused music room, music room three, to be exact, and he told me to just go ahead and open the door. I did, and had my hair blown back with a gust of wind, and many flower petals. Now I looked like some kind of fairy princess with flower petals in my hair. I walked in, and many male voices said "Welcome!" at the same time. I raised an eyebrow, and when the blonde saw me, he jumped up and ran to give me a hug. I stopped him by outstretching my arm, and making a stop sign with my hand. It caught his forehead, and he was frozen in place, his arms still trying to reach and wrap around me. "Who's this?" a small blonde boy asked. Kyouya's glasses glinted, and opening his laptop, he said
"Sensaina Bara, meaning delicate rose is heiress of Bara beauty industries. She is seventeen, in the same class as Tamaki and myself, and has a reputation of being confessed to everyday, even though she attended Lobeilia before transferring here. And although very beautiful, she has scared many boys away with her personality which is cold, distant, and not very talkative. Had no friends at her previous school, and her hobbies are painting, playing the piano, harp and flute, as well as some singing. Loves the colour black, red and royal purple. Dislikes physical contact, country music, and saying things unnecessarily. Usually only talks when it is something important." I narrowed my eyes at him, and he just smirked, saying "Some of my people are paid to read other people." Turning my attention back to Tamaki, I told him "We may be engaged, but I prefer personal space." That's when we heard girls outside the door. The rest of the Clubs eyes were bugged out, except for Kyouya's, but they had hosting to do at the moment. "Hey, where's Haruhi? He's supposed to be here by now." The twins asked. Just as the door opened, and a boy with shaggy brown hair and rumpled clothes stumbled into the room. "Ah, there you are." They said. The guests streamed in, and found their tables with their designated hosts.
Tamaki led me over to his table, and sat me down beside him. I was handed some cake, a rich chocolate one, and some tea. Apparently Haruhi was serving everyone. Soon the host club king sent Haruhi away to do some shopping for more coffee. The blonde's guests sat around him, with adoration in their eyes, and one of then asked "Tamaki, what's your favourite song?" he smiled, and said "What song? The one that reminds me of you, of course." I rolled my eyes internally, and another girl asked "I baked you a cake today. Would you like to taste it?" he took her chin, and getting in close, he said "Only if you feed it to me." I resisted the urge to snort at how ridiculous it sounded. "Oh wow, your so dreamy." She started giggling, and the girl sitting to the left of me said "May I have a word with you Tamaki." A snotty tone was in her voice, and I didn't like it one bit. "I heard the host club is keeping a little kitten without a pedigree." Chuckling, Tamaki said "I don't know if I'd call him that." Just as Haruhi approached us. "Speak of the devil. Thanks for doing the shopping little piglet. Did you get everything on our list?" Both the brown haired girl (Yes, I could tell she was a girl) and I sweat dropped.
"Piglet?" we both asked. Spotting something, Tamaki asked "Hey, wait a minute. What is this?" while pulling out some instant coffee. "It's instant coffee Tamaki." He looked over at me, and beamed, exclaiming "You're so smart Sensaina-Chan!" I rolled my eyes, and he went back to the coffee. What kind of Idiot is this?