AUTHOR'S NOTES: My first! Introductions are always hard for me. Please review and rate. I'd appreciate it.
Who doesn't love Atobe Keigo?
DISCLAIMER: I don't own PoT.
THE RULES OF SINGLES AND LOVE.
CHAPTER 1
The Morning of Reika, Ruined
SATURDAY: EARLY MORNING
"Reika!"
Knock, Knock, Knock.
"Reika! Are you up?"
Kaneko Reika turned fitfully in her bed and threw a glance at the clock.
6:45.
Hell no I'm not up. But just to be sure, "What's today?"
"Saturday."
Right. Saturday. She fell back into her pillow and threw the covers over her head.
"...Reika! You have to get up! Did you forget I have a meeting with the Atobe Directorate this morning?"
Reika groaned through her pillow. "Nooo. What I have forgotten is how this affects me." This was her Saturday morning and she wasn't about to let Atobe Keigo cut into her plans without a damn good reason.
Her father was silent behind the door for a moment, as if trying to put his answer into the appropriate words. "Your presence was requested." He finally said with a sigh.
Reika sat up in her bed, a frown tugging at the corners of her mouth. She made no effort to conceal her obvious annoyance. "Requested?" She repeated expectantly. Although if it's Atobe they were talking about she knew that "requested" was the equivalent of "demanded".
Her father apparently knew this as well because he found no need to respond. Instead, he shook his head, a gesture which Reika could imagine, and said, "We leave in 30 minutes. Put on a nice dress." The footsteps faded as he went down the stairs.
Reika threw her head against the backboard and growled. Damn Keigo. I might as well give up now because you're making it clear that Saturdays are no longer mine to enjoy. She forced herself out of bed. What else was there to do? She wasn't being presented with many choices either way.
She made her way into the bathroom, stopping to look at herself in the full-length mirror. Her long black hair was tousled from sleep, feathery bangs pinned up to prevent them from falling into her face. Gray eyes were red and tired from staying up late the night before and her lips were sealed in a constant pout. She grimaced at her own reflection and began her morning ritual.
"Reika! Are you almost ready?" Kaneko Hitoshi called from upstairs.
"Right here." Came a reply full of spite. Reika appeared from the stairs, looking considerably more refreshed than she had half an hour ago. Her hair was brushed and cascading over her shoulders, bangs let down and falling just below her eyebrows, eyes bright and clear thanks to concentrated eye drops and a strappy, red dress etched in embroidery and lace stopped before her knees. The expression she wore, however, remained unchanged. She was undeniably miffed at the way things were turning out.
Hitoshi ignored the tone of her voice and made a gesture towards the door.
Reika grudgingly complied.
SATURDAY: MORNING: ATOBE MANSION
There was nothing between Hitoshi and Reika but silence the entire drive, each lost in their own thoughts.
8:00.
Perfect timing. They pulled into the cul-de-sac of the Atobe mansion and were met by the doorman. Another employee drove their car around to a holding area and they were led inside. The foyer was massive and anyone else would have been overwhelmed by the sheer extravagance and luxury. But to the Kaneko's it was nothing new.
"Ah, the Kanekos. We have been expecting you. Atobe-sama is waiting in the conference room."
"Thank you, Keiji."
The man looked over at Reiko. "And the Miss. Kaneko is looking quite nice today."
Reiko managed a thin smile in thanks.
"Aki! Miya!" Keiji called and two youthful looking maids quickly hustled over.
"Sir." They answered simultaneously.
"Aki, take Kaneko-sama to the conference room. Miya, please take Miss. Kaneko to the Young Master." They both nodded in reply.
"This way if you please, Kaneko-sama." Aki prompted politely and Hitoshi began to follow.
Reika paused. "Hold on, I'm not attending the conference with you?" Hitoshi narrowed his eyes in a warning. Miya smiled sympathetically.
"This way Miss. Kaneko." Reika scoffed and once again, had no choice but to comply.
SATURDAY: MORNING: ATOBE POOL
Reika followed Miya through endless hallways, all decorated in the same, extravagant manner as the foyer. Finally, the maid stopped at a door leading to an outdoor sanctuary. She bowed slightly and motioned to the door. "Young Master Keigo is right outside these doors, Miss."
Reika felt the anger rising in her chest as she walked out.. If this area was what she believed it to be...
"Oi. Reika. Right on time." Atobe sat up from his reclining chair beside the pool, lifting designer shades from his face. He eyed her up and down before replacing them and leaning back in his recliner. "Aren't you overdressed?"
Reika seethed. "Aren't you underdressed?" She retorted hotly. Atobe had discarded his shirt and his well-toned chest glistened with water under the sun. He dared meet me in such a casual way? She wanted to punch his pretty face.
"Am I? This is how I always dress for the pool."
"I was informed I was attending a conference."
"You're father is attending a conference." Atobe corrected pointedly.
"Well I'm sorry. If I'd known this was a pool party I would have dressed accordingly."
"Take a seat."
Reika moved to the chair beside Atobe and lowered herself into it, crossing her legs tersely. Perfect. If she had been here for her fathers sake in the conference she would have been able to let this slide. But this was too far. Atobe did things like this to purposely annoy her. She was only here for his entertainment.
"Why so tense?" He cooed as he stretched out in pure contentness. And as he did, every muscle in his body called for attention, for adoration. Reika held face. Oh what girls wouldn't give to be me right now.
"I'm not tense." She insisted flatly.
Atobe looked at her through his shades and smiled winningly. "You're right." He said. "You're just upset you had to get up early on a Saturday morning."
"That's one reason." Reika agreed.
Atobe laughed and stood up. Reika refused to let her eyes wander as he moved to the diving board with impeccable grace and lithe. "Can't childhood friends visit each other every now and then?" Reika snorted.
"Childhood, yes. I'm skeptical about the friends part though."
"Ouch. You're words hurt."
And you're cutting into my sleep. She grinned with her mouth. Her eyes remained steely. "I mean, I'd love to see your face everyday of my sorry life."
"Che." Atobe smirked and dove perfectly in.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: That's it for now. Hope you liked. Remember to review!
Kindly, r.