Chapter 2
"What!" both muttered shocked.
"Len, she is the answer to our problem." Ryoutarou patted his cousin's shoulder.
"What do you mean she is the answer to our problem? We need someone who can convince mother and she is nothing of the sort." His voice was bitter.
"Well, excuse me, I won't even agree on this matter if I knew in the very first place that you're that guy." Kahoko huffed, standing up from her seat.
Nami, her friend, stood as well, stopping her friend for any more commotion. Spectators have seen enough argument; they already needed to fix it peacefully.
"Just take a sit, cousin and you as well Kahoko." Ryoutarou cleared his throat. "We're going to talk about this."
He signaled for the waiter for their order and returned his attention at his now livid cousin beside him, and annoyed redhead in front of him. They had decided to at least keep the two away from each other until they had explained everything. Ryoutarou leaned closer the table, sighing for a moment before he sustained.
"It's already done. Kahoko already signed the contract—"
"I haven't yet." Len cut.
A little grin formed on Ryoutarou's face. Len shivered; he knew something fishy would happen whenever his cousin does that kind of expression. He frowned, hard and firm. "I haven't signed any contract yet, so it means I do not agree yet." Len elaborated.
"Sorry to say this, cousin, but…" Ryoutarou held the white document and shoved it in Len's face. "You already signed this a week before the ad was published."
"What?" Len's calm voice crashed into a yell. Another batch of spectators looked at them.
His sharp eyes pierced at Ryoutarou. "How did you do it?"
"I have a brain, Len."
"Oh really?" his voice was laced with sarcasm.
He snorted. "Cousin, you're too engaged in signing those documents that you haven't noticed I put it there." Ryoutarou glanced at Kahoko and back at his cousin. "You're brainy, my cousin but not as clever as I. Anyways, I'm just doing this for you. You should be thanking me by now."
"It's your fault why she asked about this marrying matter." Len responded, saying how his mother became keyed up to know his wife even though he doesn't have one.
"I didn't know she will believe me. Besides, it was already in the past, we have our solution. What are you fretting about?" Ryoutarou tried to close the topic but it seemed his cousin wasn't in the mood to close it yet.
Len glared back. "I do not like this solution of yours."
"No other option, just be it."
"I do no—"
Len's word cut off by the waiter with their orders in his hold. The young man placed their orders in the table, strawberry cake for Kahoko, a tea for both Nami and Ryoutarou, and a black coffee for Len.
"I'm not sure if Mother will believe her. She's not on par with those girls that mother would be acquainted o—" he tried to sip his coffee but some of its content spilled on his shirt when the said redhead kicked his feet under the table. "H-hey, what the…."
"Is that mouth of yours only capable of speaking insults?"
"No, I'm merely telling the truth," he muttered, grabbed the handkerchief and wiped the coffee stain on his shirt. He hissed; he knew it wouldn't come off as he mentally took note to throw it away when he got home, besides he had hundreds of shirts at home.
"Can we talk about the job instead? When will she begin and how long it'll take?" Nami interrupted but her friend kept on kicking the lad's feet, in which he did as well.
"W-wait! Will you two stop this childishness of yours?" Nami hit the table, accumulating the attention of the others.
Ryoutarou laughed aloud, his cousin made an audible grunt, and a loud huff came from Kahoko.
Len cleared his throat, pinching the bridge of his nose before talking. "Fine, I'm already tired. Can we finish this conversation quickly?"
"So, do you agree?" Ryoutarou asked.
"I don't want to argue anymore Tsuchiura. All I hope is that this stupid plan of yours would work."
"Surely, it will. We still have two weeks to prepare."
Len glanced at his cousin, his eyes already tired. "What do you mean two weeks?"
"You see, your parents will be here two weeks from now."
"What? Why didn't you tell me?"
"You're too busy, so I planned everything for you. They can't come to your wedding so they scheduled the nearest time to know your wife." Ryoutarou sipped his tea and looked at the window.
"Wait, what do you mean w-wedding?" Kahoko startled.
"It's just for publicity, Kahoko. We need to make your wedding known and also for you to be recognized as his wife." Ryoutarou explained.
Len cupped his chin, letting his cousin explain everything; he still believed that the lady couldn't process any explanation.
As though she read his mind, she mechanically glared at him. The guy looked back, face bored and uninterested. Flashback of their first meeting came to her mind, her face unconsciously turned warmer. Before she knew it, she was blushing.
She couldn't believe that she developed a feeling for this rude guy when they first met. When he started talking, all those sentiments overwhelmed with anger. She'd rather want to be alone than to be with this guy. But now?
I'm going to be his wife, the counterpart of him, the person who will be at his side forever. No, it's just temporary but still, can I handle being with him?
"The wedding will be this Sunday at the Tsukimori's Mansion."
She heard Ryoutarou but his words failed to register in her mind. What made her to get her attention back was the blue haired guy's comment.
"Did she understand what you said?"
Her blood boiled. "Of course I did!"
"You're not responding." Nami nudged her friend.
Kahoko looked at her and back at Ryoutarou.
"So, Kahoko, you'll be staying with us – I mean with him – until auntie believes both of you. It'll be for two weeks, is that fine?"
She nodded. "I don't have a choice, right?" she mocked bitterly.
"Then it's all finished. May I go now?" Len asked.
"You haven't even participated in this conversation." Kahoko shot.
"I'm too tired. Besides, if you let me talk, can you guarantee me that you will understand every word I'll say?"
"What do you mean by that?" She frowned, clenching her teeth.
"See, you don't understand. Tsuchiura, I'll be going now. I've wasted enough time for you, so be sure this plan of yours will work." He called the waiter and paid the bill. "For now, you may move into the mansion with your friend." He turned to Kahoko and sustained his leave.
Ryoutarou invited them to join him home but they had to get their things first. They let him wait for them in the living room while they prepare their things upstairs.
"I swear, Nami! If it's not because of that debt I wouldn't have agreed!" Kahoko huffed.
"Look on the bright side Kahoko. We paid the debt, you have a house and a handsome husband." Nami chuckled.
Blood rose to her cheeks. She annoyingly sighed. "I hate him. I hate him so much."
"The more you hate the more you love as they say." Nami turned around, whistling.
"That wouldn't happen; it's just for two weeks and nothing more. It's not like I will know everything about him in two weeks. And for your information, I don't have any interest in knowing him more."
"Ok."
~NeKo Meow~
The day came. Rolling drums started to churn in her chest. A harmonic pace of 'tad' could be imaginatively heard in her ears. The difference was it was coming inside her and not from her surroundings.
People came walking, passing and muttering about this special occasion. For her, of course, it was nothing especial but for the guests it was. It was just the time for the son of the President of the Tsukimori Company, and her nuptials.
She straightened her dress. Her light blue wedding gown was freely flowing just above her ankle. It was simple yet the design was firmly detailed. Darker shade of blue under the light one, it wasn't dark but rather lighter in color. It availed a cool expression in her pale skin. The upper part was a sleeveless with darker blue with detailed embroidery on the side.
Her hair was braided up, letting a little amount of her red locks to curl just in front of her ears. A pair of diamond earrings were on her ears, a golden necklace with diamonds decked on it was on her neck, which were all bought exclusively for her.
She couldn't stop thinking what would be the look of the real lucky girl when the blue haired found his right counterpart. If the preparation for her was luxurious what would be if it is a true wedding?
A knock pulled her out from her stupor, she turned around.
"Kahoko, you're gorgeous. I love it!" Nami approached her and hugged her, careful not to crumple the dress.
"Thank you, Nami."
"Let's go. They're waiting."
Kahoko's throat suddenly dried. "Nami, I'm nervous." She held her hand tightly against her chest.
"It'll be alright Kahoko. Don't feel nervous, I'm getting uneasy as well. Just relax."
They went to the garden. It was planned to be a garden wedding as suggested by Nami. She reasoned out that a garden wedding is unique and different from other weddings. It would make great commentaries. She was not just invited as the bride's friend but also as a professional journalist to peek at the wedding of the son of the owner of the top Company in Japan.
They found Ryoutarou and Len talking. When they were noticed, Ryoutarou approached them.
"It will start now." He whispered.
Kahoko gulped, a new wave of harmonic tad in her chest started to play.
Guests sat on their chairs as the music began playing.
Ryoutarou went closer to Nami, leaning closer to whisper something. "Change of plan."
Nami turned around, surprised. "What do you mean?"
"Do you see the lady over there?" Ryoutarou secretly pointed at the woman sitting in the first row. She had brown hair cascading below her shoulder, her skin pale and her demeanor was stern.
"Yeah, so?"
"Parents' assistant."
"Huh?" Nami asked as she didn't understand.
"She's here to examine the wedding. She is the secretary of auntie; she's here to tell auntie about what happens during the wedding."
"W-wait, does he know?"
Ryoutarou grunted. "He has a plan. However, I don't know if she will agree with it. They need to convince Miss Kanon that everything is true." Ryoutarou explained, naming the unknown lady as Kanon.
"What will we do now?"
"Just stay here and hope this wedding works." Ryoutarou rubbed the nape of his neck before looking at Miss Kanon again.
~NeKo Meow~
The wedding started. Kahoko wrapped herself with thoughts full of 'what ifs.' What will she do now? If she becomes his wife, so does it mean she can't have another relationship unless their contract finished? What if it doesn't finish that early? What if his parents don't believe them? It's hard to lie; can she handle it for a longer time?
Her heart beat fast. She was staring at the priest but she couldn't hear him talking. She could see how his mouth made words but she couldn't distinguish it. His hand swayed side by side and pointing back and forth from her and to her groom.
She glanced sideways, looking at the blue haired and saw his mask of calmness. She couldn't stop but think how he could be calm while she was unruly. She mentally thanked the make up for masking the paleness of her face, as though blood went low and heat left her whole body.
She heard him say I do as he looked at her.
She gulped and looked at the priest. It was her turn but no word drew from her lips. Len nudged her lightly. "Ah-Ah…I-I do…I do." the words forcefully drawing out from her mouth.
She closed her eyes tight, calming her heart but it wouldn't comply. It'll be finished soon…She was just starting to calm a bit when she heard the priest again.
"You may now kiss the bride…"
What?
He held her waist, pulling her closer to him before leaning forward…
"Wai—"
Too late, her words came to halt as his lips settled over her own. His other hand lazily rested on her cheek as the other one pulled her closer.
Shock painted her face; thoughts couldn't process in her brain as all became cluttered. Her knees felt like jelly and her hands rested on his shoulder gaining support.
She mechanically closed her eyes as she couldn't control herself. Butterflies started to flutter in her stomach and her heart intensified its beating. As though everyone could hear it but that moment she forgot they were in front of the guests.
She opened her eyes as the link between their lips broke. Her cheeks turned red. She should be inhaling for air but she still held her breath. She glanced at her counterpart. At first, she was in shock but once she saw his impassive expression, she frowned.
She readied herself for a confrontation but it was stopped by claps of the guest. Kahoko forcefully looked back, she should be more patient. If the plan fails, she would take longer time with the guy, which was the least she wanted.
The reception began. The guests made themselves comfortable in the garden, wandering in the place and eating their meals.
Kahoko silently went out of the crowd.
"Where are you going?" a cold voice muttered behind her. She didn't need to look back to know it, she knew who it was and the word hate was before his name.
"I'm staying in my room…"
"No, it's not yet finished, you have to be present until this celebration is finished."
"Argh!" She looked back, eyes sharp. "Why did you do that?"
"It's a part of the contract."
"It's not," she muttered under her breath.
"It is. Do you not understand that we have to convince them?"
"Them? I thought this was just to publicize. You don't have to do such thing," Kahoko trailed, talking about the past incident.
"There are people who my mother paid to witness this occasion, you should be aware of that. Everything we do is part of the contract and nothing in concern of personal matters. If you can't handle these things you should not have signed the contract."
Kahoko scrunched her fist. "I won't meet this guest of yours."
"Is that so?"
"That's fina—"
Her words cut short as a strong arm caught her and lifted her as though she was a sack of rice.
"W-what are you doing! Put me down!"
"Hey, Len, where are you two going?" Ryoutarou asked.
"We'll be back later. Accommodate the guests first." Len responded with his impassive tone.
Ryoutarou smirked. "Ok then." He winked at his cousin.
"You're contaminated with nonsense." Len glared back, struggling to hold the girl properly.
"Put me down! Ryoutarou-kun, help me!" Kahoko hitting everything she could but the guy remained intact.
"Sorry, Kahoko, I'm busy. Have fun!" Ryoutarou laughed and joined the guests.
He kept on walking until they stopped at Kahoko's room. He threw her in the bed.
"What the heck? You should at least be careful in putting me down. Stupid!"
His forehead crumpled, trying his best not to get mad at the girl, he sighed. "I just followed you." His tone mixed with mock.
His sweat flowed down his neck, damping his shirt as he started unbuttoning it. The woman was small yet she was heavy compared to her size.
"W-What are you doing?" she asked, looking agitatedly as her companion almost unbuttoned all his buttons.
He knelt down, holding her feet. She gasped with the contact. His hand was soft yet was cold beneath her skin. She watched as he took her shoes off her feet, after he finished with the task he stood up.
His next word made a light halt of her heartbeat. "Take off that gown…"
If it was possible she fainted right away, she couldn't say he was joking judging how his face looked impassive.
Her lack of response made him to move closer to her. "Do I need to take it off for you?"
~NeKo Meow~