Serendipity [Edited]

Disclaimer: Samurai X is not mine.

Chapter 2 – Mistake (Kenshin's POV)

Experience, as they say, is the best teacher. You'll always learn from your mistakes, those fools in the world added.

What a load of bull crap.

Mistakes, even learned can be repeated over and over again. It's seems that humans are masochist in nature; we just like getting hurt over and over again. We love being fools. And I for one am the perfect example. Who would have known that I would have to defend my actions to that grouchy bunch that did nothing for the company, over and over again? Laughable isn't it? I, who was trained very young by my oppressive and manipulative father and spent half my life working for the company still needed to defend my actions to them. I should just quit. But no, I had to stay and do this nonsense over and over again. What do I have to prove?

I made my way to my office, still pissed from the distrust of the stockholders. Until now, even if she was dead and the incident long gone, they still blamed my wife from the pull out of half the investors after we got married. I was foolish, they told me, and investors love Kaoru Kamiya. And marrying Tomoe Yukishiro would just disillusion them. It might cause a pullout from our investors, they added. At that time I laughed. I see no reason for that to happen. But I was mistaken. They loved Kamiya too much, no not Kamiya but the love we portray in public. Hah! Love!

I was too preoccupied with the company, the need to establish back the trust that I lost that I couldn't even protect my wife from the critics around her. I heard their ill gossips but as hard as I tried to curb them, it still reached Tomoe. And my lovely Tomoe bear it all.

And again the word mistake slapped into my face. Haven't I learned from experience? Marriage was dumb, a prison and a cage. But I insisted. Because I love her too much to let go. But it wasn't enough and I was hurt all over again. Where did my insistence and love got me? Back in the four walls of my office. I sigh and place the documents on my table. I sat down on the swivel chair and open the application Excel to work again on my graph. The numbers appeared and I picked up the documents in the table to trace their existence. I was at it for hours when my secretary buzzed and told me that it was already four in the afternoon. I stopped typing and I looked up at the clock to double check. I muttered and expletive when I saw the time. I save the document, closed the laptop, grabbed my coat and hurried towards the door. I stopped by my secretary and told her a few instructions and I ran out of there.

There were shouting, a speeding ticket and a few fuck you sign before I reached my daughter's pre-school. I looked at my watch and sighed with relief when I saw I was only thirty minutes late. A new track record I might add. And she's probably still with her classmate at this time. The thought placate me because the last time I've fetched her, she was all alone waiting for me. I'm still berating myself for that.

Maybe I should just let her nanny come and get her. But then, I would not be the first one to hear about her day at her school. But then again she would be alone and lonely waiting for me. What a dilemma.

I combed my fingers through my hair in frustration and with a slammed closed the door behind me. I was still thinking ways to fix the problem when I caught sight of my daughter. She was in the playground playing with that red head kid. She saw me and she waved gaily. I waved back. I was about to call her when someone tapped me in the back.

"Mr. Himura?" The person asked and I nodded in affirmation. She looked flustered when she smiled politely at me and said, "I'm Tomoe's teacher. Can I talk with you for a little bit?"

I frowned and apprehensively asked, "Is something the matter?"

"Well, how about we talk about it in the classroom? Follow me."

I looked back at the playground and found Moe looking back at me worriedly. I smiled at her and signalled for her to wait. She nodded and I followed her teacher towards the classroom. Her teacher, a woman in her fifties, sat down in her chair and pointed at the little chairs for me to sit. I looked at it dubiously, wondering if I could ever fit myself in there. It was…tiny and…pink. I looked around for another chair to sit and found none.

"Mr. Himura?" The teacher inquired and I smiled stiffly as I forced myself to sit in the chair close to the table. I was right, it was tiny and uncomfortable. I just hope that when I get up, the chair won't be stuck on my butt.

"Is something the matter?" I asked again after I got around the idea of sitting in the pre-schoolers chair. The teacher, who looked like a twig, fixed her glasses and looked at me seriously. She looked constipated.

"I'm afraid," she started and it got me all worried again. Did Moe gotten into a fight? Was someone bullying her? Is she alienating herself? What is it? What's the problem? And I looked up at the teacher in charge seeking for some answers. She continued not noticing the worry I was experiencing, "It's about Tomoe's grade."

Grade? Moe is fucking smart! What the hell is wrong with her grades? I tutored her when I'm sometimes free and I know for a fact she's awesome in all subject. But then…I composed myself and asked, "Is her grade slipping? Is she failing?"

"Tomoe is a wonderful child Mr. Himura. She is very intelligent when it comes to academic subjects. But unfortunately, the child is not musically gifted."

What?

"She is failing her music class." She finally said with a sigh as she noticed my confusion. She intertwined her hands together and looked at me sharply. I sat rigidly as the horrible memories of my teacher back in grade school resurfaced in my brain. She reminded me of one of my teachers, a person personally hired by my father to teach me some manners and etiquette that I 'desperately' needed. He was a nasty little son of a bitch.

"As you know, we are a prestigious school." She said and stopped as she noticed me drifting away. I nodded absently to show her I was listening. Satisfied that she got my attention wholly she continued, "And it is very unfortunate that one of the students here can't even identify their notes. Piano is very basic and I find it very sad that one of our star pupil is failing this subject. I want you to help her Mr. Himura. I know of some very good pianist that can help you."

She said and gave me a piece of paper with names and contact numbers contained in it. I looked at it and guessed that this were the list of the pianist she knew and recommend to tutor my daughter. I folded the paper and gently and carefully I stood up from the chair. Relief spread over me as the chair didn't get stuck on my butt.

"I'll see to it that she get someone to tutor her." I said and I stretch my hand to shake hers, "Thank you for telling me this Ms.?"

"Ms. Andrews. And no need to thank me, it's my job. Tomoe is an exceptional student and I don't want her point grade average to drop down just because she can't get the hang of playing the piano." Ms. Andrews commented pleasantly and I nodded at her while thinking that my idea of preschool and hers was way too different. I thought preschool would be enjoyable not that I was speaking from experience, mine was more horrible than this. But I was told on some help books that pre-school would be the best time on a kid's life. Not forced them to learn piano at such young age.

"Thank you again Ms. Andrews." I told her and I went out of her classroom, not missing the blush that formed in her face. I hurried towards the playground, conscious of the fact that Moe's playmate might have gone home by now. But my worries dissipated when I saw a familiar figure talking to Moe. Relieve and yet confuse, I hurried towards them.

"Daddy!" Moe shouted happily and it caught the other two's attention. The red head kid and Aoshi looked at my way and I smiled to them. Moe ran at my side and hug me fiercely before whispering worriedly, "Am I in trouble?"

I ruffled her hair and said, "Let's talk first before I decide if you are in trouble."

"Ok." Was her despondent response.

"Cheer up. We'll have all your favourite food for dinner." I asked just to get a smile out of her. I love her too much that it hurts to see her sad. And what better way to do that but to let her eat her favourite food?

She smiled and said, "Really?" I nodded and she jumped happily towards her red head friend. I straightened myself and met Aoshi's reprimanding gaze.

"You spoil her too much." He said as he watched the kids play with each other. I did not comment as I was still wondering what on earth he was doing here. I looked at the kid behind him and up at him again. He's kid?

"No."

I smiled and said, "I didn't say anything."

"It's obvious. You're way too transparent these days."

"Guess having kids change you." I answered. I looked at Tomoe and said, "We're going home darling."

"Already?"

"Yes."

"Aww…"

"Don't worry; we'll go with your uncle Aoshi until the parking area. You can play with your friend till then." I said and she happily pulled her friend ahead of us. The kid whispered something to her ear that made her laugh and looked back at Aoshi. She smiled impishly at us and then turned back her attention towards her friend.

"Who's the kid? Your girlfriend's?" I asked as the image of the kid's mother came to mind. Is she Aoshi's girlfriend? I never pegged him to accept another man's responsibility or dating blonds. And he hates kids.

"No." Aoshi immediately denied, "My girlfriend is the friend of the mother. Misao was supposed to fetch him but she's busy so she asked me to fetch him instead."

Ah…so the mystery woman is name Misao, "How about the mother? Workaholic?"

He shrugged and said, "Misao told me she's terminally ill."

Poor kid.

"Pity isn't it?" Aoshi asked his eyes boring at the back of the kid. His eyes widen for a moment before he turned to looked at me. He looked confused when he looked at me and then a moment later he turned his attention back to his ward. Wryly he said, "If I don't know any better, I would have thought that, that kid is a result of a one night stand between you and a stranger. He strangely looks a little bit like you."

I laughed at his strange comment before I looked at the kid to see what he saw. But I only saw my daughter's friend and nothing that look like me. He was a red head, yeah, but that doesn't mean anything. I just smiled and changed the topic, "So this Misao, when will you introduce her to us?"

"What did the teacher wanted to talk about. Is everything okay?" He asked instead. I let him go this time but I don't think Megumi would never leave him alone. Misao brought a big change to our dear friend. And I know everyone; especially the nosy Megumi wanted the scoop and all the nitty-gritty details. After all, only a special someone could make Aoshi laughed so hard when he's in the phone. I knew this because last Christmas party, he was on his own world when his girlfriend called. And that began Megumi's mission to get to know her.

"Moe's failing her music class. Ms. Andrews gave me a list of pianist that can tutor her. But I'm thinking of just hiring a tutor and interview them one by one." I told him, "Do you know anyone that you can recommend?"

He looked absorbed in his own thoughts for awhile before facing me and said, "Unfortunately no. But I'll call you if I can find someone to tutor Moe."

"That would be good." I said. I took the keys out of my pocket as I saw the car up ahead. The kids were waiting beside it as they talk gaily at each other. They were whispering something and the red head kept pointing at Aoshi and both of them would laugh. I smiled as I said, "What do you think they're talking about?"

"Nothing good, I guess." Aoshi muttered darkly and waved at the kid and pointed to their car. He looked at me and said, "Bye Kenshin. And please don't forget Moe's vitamins."

"Yes honey." I said jokingly. But his stare meant business and I nodded at him. After all he was my other half after Tomoe died. He helped me raised the kid, no, everyone did. I was too immersed in my sorrow at that time that I left Moe to stranger's care. My friends were there to help whenever they can. And Aoshi was the one who punched me in the face. Yup, a big help.

"Bye Kenji! Bye Uncle Aoshi!" Moe shouted as she waved goodbye.

"BYE TOMOE! BYE UNCLE HIMURA!" Kenji shouted and my mouth lifts amusedly. Uncle Himura?

I open the passenger side and waved my hand towards the inside of the car. She gave me her bag and got in the car. I put her bag beside her and before closing the door I said, "Now, we'll talk about why you didn't tell me that you're failing your music class."

That was…

"I thought if I told you that I'm failing you'll be so angry. Nanny said that you have so many problems at work that I should not disturb you. And me telling you that I don't know how to play piano will just disturb you."

Ouch.

I lean my head in my chair and sigh. The towel I held half covered my face. Am I really that busy? Moe is too young to understand about this things but she still notice and believed about what her nanny told her. I was so guilty when I heard her explanation in the car that we made an impromptu stop in the toy store. And when we arrived home I was with her until she fell asleep. I'm really very bad at this fathering thing.

I stared at the photo in the left side of the table and picked it up. I traced Tomoe's laughing face and said, "Help me Tomoe. I'm not getting this fathering thing right. I can't seem to balance my work and my duties as a father."

But there was no response and the picture still remained the same that I wanted so much to cry. I miss my wife and it gets worst at night. I sigh and put the frame back in its proper place and went to the walk in closet to grab a shirt. I hang the towel in the towel rack to dry and went back to my study that was adjacent to my room to do some work. I opened my email and reviewed the files my secretary sent me. It was something to do with the take-over the company planned to do. I reached out for the documents that was needed and began to type, revised and re-read everything. I put my attention wholly to my work that I began to forget every worries and problems outside work.

Work was my drug. Addiction. My alcohol. My anti-depressant pill.

I was too absorbed that I almost jump when the phone rang. I looked up at the clock and saw it was already two in the morning and I deduced that the phone call was business related. It might be the branch in Asia that needed my attention. Rubbing the tiredness away from my eyes, I lifted half the documents in the table to look for the phone that was buried underneath. I beamed happily as I found it.

"What is it?" I asked groggily, my eyes succumbing to sleep.

"Kenshin!"

Startled from the unexpected caller, my eyes widen awake. Is something the matter? He never called this late!

"Aoshi?" And was that a girl shouting in the background?

"I found someone that can tutor Moe." He answered excitedly, frantically, nervously? Aoshi seemed unsure and excited. As if he had discovered something big. Or I might just be low on sleep and my imagination went to overdrive. But why on earth is he calling so late?

"Ok. Who is it?" I asked, "And you can call this morning about this you know."

"It is morning." He replied sarcastically and thoughtfully continued, "And if I waited later in the morning I might decided not to tell you."

"Why?" I asked my curiosity peaked. I heard some scuffling in the background and a voice that I was so sure was Sano shouted death threats. Call it instincts but I have a bad feeling about this.

"Never mind that." Aoshi answered almost…guiltily? "Her name is Christine Weiss and I know her personally so I'm sure she can take care of Moe splendidly."

Still curious, I typed her name in google search but was disappointed to find that she was not in any social networking site. Can I even trust this woman?

"Yes you can."

Did I say that out loud?

"Yes. Yes." He said impatiently and continued, "When can you interview her? She's available this Monday."

"Is she available this Saturday?" I asked as I looked at the schedule in my blackberry.

"Yes. She'll be a perfect candidate Kenshin." Aoshi sales pitch and I lifted my eyebrows in curiosity. I could still hear Sano (I'm 100% sure it's him) shouting in the background albeit more muffled and distant. The more I'm curious and I'm still ignoring the other part of me telling me that this was something bad, the more I wanted to meet this woman. She got Aoshi this excited and unsure.

"I'm sure she is." I answered him as I clicked my files closed and put the Mac to sleep. I yawned and asked, "Hey, Aoshi, is Sano with you?"

There was dead silence in the other side and I heard someone kicked in the background. And finally Aoshi answered, "What are you talking about? Well, I'm going to sleep. Goodnight Kenshin." And he disconnected. I looked at the phone in utter bewilderment. What the hell was that about?

I chuckled and put the phone back in the receiver. Whatever was that about I'll still be able to know about it sometime in the future. If persuasion doesn't work then blackmail Sano. I yawned and I walked tiredly towards my bed. The big bed looked so inviting that I just fell in the middle and drifted to sleep.

This is the nice thing about being a workaholic. I'm too tired to notice I was all alone in the big, spacious bed. And I'll stop missing Tomoe Yukishiro. And so maybe this is the reason why I still insisted on working in that damn company. It made me a workaholic monster. And again and again I do this. Mistake? Yes. But I am happy.