Chapter 2: Game over
By: Zaywrites
Author's note: Zaywrites is back and in need of a beta reader. If you are interested, just tell me. I learned that asking help from someone to proofread and check over my work is a lot of help. Please help me for free. Sorry for asking too much. Anyway, as usual, read, rate and review. I will be updating my other stories soon.
I do not own anything.
Rein woke to the small creaks the windows are making. She snuggled beneath the covers and threw her arms on her side, wanting to feel her husband's warmth. However, she just felt the soft pillow instead of him. Her eyes slowly opened and a deep sigh escaped her lips after noticing the empty space beside her.
"He left without even telling me." The young popular actress grumbled as she darted her eyes on the digital clock as it flashed 7 am. She tediously moved out of bed and fixed herself in the bathroom.
Minutes passed and she proceeded to the kitchen clad in a simple white t shirt and fitted jeans. Her long blue hair is neatly tied up and her face is applied with simple make up, giving emphasis to her natural beauty.
The sound of the utensils clattering and microwave oven beeping snapped her out of her thoughts. Her gaze softened after noticing her husband cooking breakfast for her. He looked extremely serious as he moved to and fro in the kitchen. Rein knows that he always puts his heart in anything that he does. She felt her heart flutter after he flashed his signature smile.
"Good morning honey. Have you dreamt of your beloved husband last night?" Shade teased as he pulled a platter from the cupboard. Rein just returned a small smile and tangled her arms around him. Shade caught himself smiling ear to ear after he felt his wife's warmth.
She is Rein Ishida, actress, 20 years old married.
This guy with striking dark blue hair is someone who can complete her day by his warm smile and little yet meaningful surprises. He is Shade Ishida, 21 years old, actor and singer, her arrogant yet caring husband.
"Did you add red peppers there?" She softly asked whilst burying her face on his back.
"Veggies are essential to keep the skin healthy my love. You want to be flawless right?" Shade smilingly asked as he turned and placed a kiss on Rein's forehead. His wife pouted like a child being forced to eat.
"I thought you left early." She mumbled as she made her way towards the dining area. Shade almost dropped the platter in his hand. His warm smile was pulled back to a frown.
"What kind of husband would leave his wife alone?" He replied with a forced smile on his face.
The young handsome actor knows that his wife still doubts his love for her. It is normal for her to feel that way. They were just forced by the management to be married after all.
Two popular celebrities getting married in the midst of promoting their upcoming movie was spontaneous but to their fans' viewpoint, it was merely fascinating. No wonder that the supposed celebrity couple act cold towards each other.
Seeing each other every second of the day, eating together, talking about simple things and going to work has always been their daily routine. No one made effort to make little surprises for the other. It is nothing like a couple who are truly in love normally does. It was just a balmy idea that their agency pulled out.
They do not have feelings for each other. Everything was plainly an act. Starting from the proposal which is twice as romantic and magical someone could ever dream of, scripted engagement and almost heartwarming wedding…everything were cleanly an idea of a talented writer and director.
An awkward silence filled the atmosphere as they began digging on the newly prepared breakfast. A bowl of steaming rice with sumptuous side dishes and freshly brewed coffee has always been their arbiter.
Minutes passed and the bell rang, releasing them out the deafening silence, much to their relief. Rein automatically rose from her seat and headed towards the front door.
Though they are both popular artists, they chose to live in a simple apartment located in a quiet neighborhood. Their house is consists of one master's bedroom, guest room, two sleeping quarters, built in kitchen, shower room, living room and a simple veranda which always creates a rejuvenating atmosphere.
It exactly resembles a traditional Japanese style house. The rooms are partitioned with sliding shoji screen doors plus tatami mats covering the wooden floor and circular soft flat cushions near the wooden tables.
Rein noticed a newspaper and letter inserted on the mail box. She tore the envelope and scanned letter inside it.
"What is it?" Shade calmly asked as he leaned back on his chair and stirred his coffee.
"The talent agency summons us." Rein answered as her brows quirked.
"They are going to scold us. We made quite a scene in the press conference after all." He answered as he flipped the newspaper and read the banner news exhibiting a picture of them running after each other like grade school students.
"What are we going to do?" Rein asked as she slumped on the chair beside him.
"Give it to me." Her husband requested as he stretched his hand and smiled widely.
Rein hesitantly gave him the letter. Shade hastily snatched the paper from her grasp and tore it apart.
"Wh-what are you doing?!" Rein screamed as she tried to stop her husband on tearing the letter to pieces.
"Problem solved." He simply answered as he tossed the tiny pieces of paper.
"What is the matter with you Shade Ishida?!" Rein screeched as her eyes brimmed with tears. She bent down to collect the particles of paper on the floor.
"I already informed your manager that you will not make it to the contract signing today." Shade said as he tasted his coffee.
"Wha-? How?" Rein whirled and looked at him with a quizzical look on her face.
"He surprisingly complied and did not retaliate." Shade answered with a grin.
"You did not threaten him right?" Rein asked as she eyed him suspiciously.
"I did not. Trust me." He emphasized every word and raised his hand in the air to prove that he is innocent.
Rein sighed and threw the fragments of paper on the dust chute.
"Hanazawa…" Shade began as his voice trailed off. He still has his habit of calling his wife by her maiden name.
"Hm?" Rein hummed and looked at him directly.
"Are you still thinking that I just married you to increase my popularity? Have you ever thought that perhaps we truly belong together? Or if I…I really love you." He faltered to ask. The words slipped from his mouth and his eyes refused to look at the blue haired girl.
"I admit that until now, I am not convinced that you love me. We both know that we are just married to boost our popularity." Rein blandly spoke. Her eyes turned dull and expressionless.
It has been a year since their wedding was held. The plan went smooth and it was not hard for the two of them who are both regarded as talented artists to portray their role that they are in love with each other. Though they already spent years together working under the same management, living together is on a new different level. They know that it is not something to be underestimated.
After the magazines were flooded with Bright Yasuhiro's magical proposal to Fine Kojima, their managers immediately thought of bringing them together. Simply to draw the attention of the spectators to them.
"I will go to work." Rein motioned as she grabbed her hand bag and placed a kiss on her husband's cheek.
"Be careful on your way." He simply stated as he continued flipping the pages of the newspaper.
"I might not be able to make it back right after the contract signing. Yasuhiro-kun and Kojima-san invited me to join them in a formal dinner." Rein spoke in a soft tone as she slipped her feet on a pair of simple flats.
She whirled to witness his reaction but he simply nodded, plopped on the chair, returned on reading the newspaper and shrugged. Rein felt her blood boil as she glanced at his nonchalant façade. He did not even bother to ask what time she will arrive home or if she will be all right alone.
"Prepare your own dinner." She breathed deeply to restrain herself on bickering with him.
They are both tired of their petty fights and she must leave early for work. Her lips parted but she can't find the right words to say. It felt awkward as she walked out of the house and slammed the door behind her.
Rein kept her cold stare on the ground and began stomping and kicking the innocent pile of leaves near their doorstep.
Shade, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes on the newspaper and threw it on the trash bin as soon as his wife left. He clenched his teeth and messed his hair due to frustration.
"That Yasuhiro, he had the nerve to invite my wife to eat dinner with him." Shade snarled as he grabbed the cushions and threw them on the wall with much force.
Everything was just a game. They will be divorced soon and live their lives separately like nothing happened. The first one who falls in love losses. Nonetheless, Shade already admitted that he lost.