Chapter 1
Raindrops Keep Falling in Prague
Feb 26, 11:36am Czech RepublicJust when I was about to leave a coffee shop, tiny drops of water started to trickle over my head. I looked up at the sky and noticed the dark clouds gathering over Prague. It looked like there's going to be a heavy downpour, any minute now. I smiled to myself knowingly. It does pay-off to be prepared, I thought while reaching inside my tote bag for my trusty four-fold umbrella.
"Strange," I whispered. "I know I have it with me."
But then, I remembered, it was yesterday when I had it with me, not today! I annoyingly exhaled and headed back inside the coffee shop and ask 'Kaasan if her bodyguards could pick me up instead.
"All right. They'll be there in half an hour." Mom said in the other line.
"Great. Thanks, 'Kaasan."
"Take care, honey."
"You too, 'Kaasan. And sorry about this."
As I was about to hang-up, she called out, "To-chan,"
"Hai?"
"I'm the one who should be sorry, sweetheart. This is supposed to be our vacation. I'm sorry it turned out that you have to spend the rest of the week all by yourself." I could hear the sadness in her voice.
'Kaasan and I planned this vacation six months ago aligning it with the week when both of our schedules are free. My mother was so excited that she already had made an itinerary three months in advance. She couldn't stop talking about it. Even her executives knew about our vacation and they couldn't be happier for us and maybe for themselves too because for a full week, Daidouji Sonomi won't be breathing down their necks. But then, when the branch in Czech Republic heard we would be here, they jumped at the chance to get on her good side by presenting their increase in profits and new product ideas. Of course, 'Kaasan was furious when they called, telling them she was on vacation and not business trip. But they insisted up to the point begging down on their knees and promising it will just be a quick look. She reluctantly agreed and threatened to fire each executive of the Czech Republic branch if it turns out to be a waste of her time. As I have expected, the quick look became a three-day meeting.
"We've been through this 'Kaasan, there's no need to apologize." I laughed. "I'll be just fine. Besides, I need a new inspiration for my new collection. Maybe wandering around Prague can give me some bright ideas."
She paused for a moment. "Are you sure?"
"Hai." I cheerfully told her.
"Okay you win, To-chan. I'll see you tonight at dinner. Stay safe."
"I will, 'Kaasan," and I hung-up. The heavy shower had most of the people running for shelter. It seems I'm not the only one who didn't expect the sudden rain. The coffee shop was starting to be filled with wet patrons. Lucky for me, I was still here when the shower began.
"Pardon me, miss, do you mind if I share a seat with you?" a drenched customer asked, referring to the empty chair across me.
"Not all." I answered kindly.
"Thanks." And immediately sat down as he sighed in relief.
Since he was busy trying to dry himself with his hanky, I decided to give a quick but thorough glance. Damp messy brown hair, deep green eyes, aristocratic-looking nose, thin but rosy lips contrary to his pale skin, I have to admit it, he looks...cute.
"Miss? Excuse me?" I realized he was waving his hand in front of me. "Is there something in my face?" he suddenly asked.
"What?" I dumbly muttered.
"Is there something in my face?" he repeated good-naturedly. "I noticed you've been staring at me for quite sometime."
I stammered, "N- no. There's nothing..." I felt embarrassment creeping up my cheeks. It was supposed to be a glance not a full analysis! Kami-sama, tell me this is not happening!
"Sorry." I told him. "You must've been freaked out."
He shook his head. "I just thought I still might have mud in my face after a car that ran across a puddle splashed muddy water all over me." Now it was his turn give me a fleeting look, a successful one too! Then he turned red as well, "But it's quite nice to be stared at by a pretty girl."
I was definitely taken aback by his candid remark. I mockingly whined, "Just pretty?"
The crimson hue of his face deepened. "I- I meant beautiful!" He was adorably flustered!
I laughed louder. "I'm kidding."
He sighed in relief. "I'm Hayden Phillip by the way," and offered a handshake.
After recognizing the western tradition during an introduction, I automatically gave my hand for it. "Tomoyo Daidouji. You're English right?" Noticing the accent.
He nodded. "And you're…"
"Japanese."
While we shook hands, he practiced pronouncing my last name. He was very determined to perfect it but it kept on sounding like Day-dow-jee. I had to stop him before he embarrassed himself any further. "Why don't you just call me Tomoyo instead? That's easier to say."
"Right." And blushed again. "Then Hayden would be fine too." After that he smiled. Oh, did I mention that he's cute? Oh, I already wrote that one down. Well then I'll just say that he is even more attractive when he's smiling.
"So why are you here all alone in Prague?" I inquired, flirted would be more accurate. What am I thinking? Oh what the hell, it's not as if I'll be seeing him again right? So I went ahead and flirted all the way.
"I'm not actually. I have to meet some friends at Franco's but I got lost."
Franco's, my favorite Italian restaurant in Prague! And every night since we got here, 'Kaasan and I have been there. I wouldn't be surprised if the maitre'd already recognize us. It is a personal requirement to try every dish they have on the menu. Just thinking about the heavenly scent of the rich sauces made my mouth water.
"I know that place. It's just four blocks from here." I told him.
"It is?"
"M-hmm. Just go straight ahead and you won't miss it."
"That's a relief. And here I thought I was going around in circles. It looks like this isn't your first time here. You know exactly where you are. It's that or I have no sense of direction."
I chuckled, "My second time, to spare you of the embarrassment. So what brings you to this wonderful city?"
"Vacation. A gift for myself after the four mindless years of torture in that horrible place where people say you can get," then raised his fore and middle finger of both his hands to gesture quotation marks and continued, "a higher form of education."
I was utterly delighted with Hayden. Even though he lacked a sense of direction, he certainly made up for it in his humor. "Well then let me congratulate you for getting out unscathed!" I cheered. "It goes to show that the maxim, 'What doesn't kill you will make you stronger' is true."
He raised his left forefinger, "Hold that thought," and began to squeeze his arms trying to feel his biceps and deltoids. "Nope, still scrawny as a ten-year-old." He sadly declared.
"Not physically, silly!" I jokingly chided. He had an infectious laughter, in addition to his many desirable traits.
"Hey the rain's gone."
I followed the direction of his gaze. I felt a tinge of disappointment because it meant we were about to go our separate ways.
"Tomoyo, would like to have lunch with me and my friends? I'm sure they'd be delighted to get to know you as much as I did." He looked nervous again.
I was on the verge of accepting his offer when I saw the company car pull over in front of the coffee shop. I had completely forgotten all about them. "I wish I could, but my ride's already here."
I noticed a hint of disappointment in his green eyes. "Oh, I understand."
"But it's been nice talking with you, Hayden. I really had a good time." I offered my hand first for another handshake.
"So did I, Tomoyo. I hope we could see each other again soon."
On our way back to the hotel, my publicist called, informing me that my vacation has to be temporarily interrupted to my dismay. It seems my slave-driver a.k.a. publicist agreed on my behalf and without my consent to perform in London three weeks from now.
"Tomoyo-san, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You have to agree."
"But Ryou-san, I'm on vacation right now. Can't this wait when I get back?"
Ryou-san exclaimed eagerly, "She specifically asked for you! There's no other choice but to oblige!"
"She?"
"The Queen Mother herself!"
Did he just say the Queen? Of England? "Excuse me?"
"The Queen! The Queen! The freakin' Queen of England!" he yelled. I winced in pain and distanced the phone from my ear a foot away. He doesn't seem to notice he was about to damage my eardrums as he kept shrieking in excitement. "She knows who you are! I can't believe this! I can't fucking believe this!"
"Ryou-san, save your profanities after I've hung-up," pretending to censure him.
It somehow worked for he calmed down immediately. "Okay, okay." And I heard him take a deep breath on the other line. "I'm very sorry I have to cut your vacation short but please say yes, Tomoyo-san. This is a very important charity ball for the Queen. Charity, Tomoyo-san! You have a heart of gold, you understand this! Look, you don't even have to worry about your accompaniment. You'll be teamed up with their most sought after pianist in all of England to make it even more momentous. I'll even be with you there in London so you won't get lonely. After this performance, I promise I won't do this again. You can take a break for three months, I swear."
I waited for a full minute before answering, "Fine, Ryou-san. E-mail me the details."
He screamed again. "I love you, Tomoyo-san!"
To be continued