HI EVERYONE, I REALLY DIDN'T THINK I WOULD GET SO MUCH FEED BACK. IT REALLY MAKES ME HAPPY TO KNOW THAT SO MANY OF YOU ENJOY MY WRITING. SO AS REQUESTED HERE IS CHAPTER 2 :) I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY
CHAPTER 2
Both women stood still while staring at one another. The silence was deafening.
'Seriously! Out of all the people here, Haruka had to be with Mei!?' Yuzu internally screamed. Meanwhile, she remained petrified in front of the raven haired beauty.
"Look Mama, your favourite!" Haruka grabbed Yuzu's hand and placed a cherry blossom in her palm, pulling Yuzu out of her trance. Giving Haruka a warm smile Yuzu spoke in a soft loving voice as she felt the flower in her hand.
"Thank you sweetie." Yuzu leaned down and kissed the girl on the forehead.
Haruka beamed with happiness as she smiled at her Mama. Then, with a twinkle in her eye, Haruka added, "Mama, did you know that cherry blossoms symbolize fleeting beauty and the brevity of life?"
"Well, I do now." Yuzu moved a few strands of hair that seemed to be out of place on Haruka's forehead. She felt a knot in her stomach as her daughter pointed toward Mei.
"The pretty lady over there told me."
Mei watched as Yuzu's hand froze, she took the chance to glance over both Yuzu's hands, she couldn't see a ring on any of the blonde woman's fingers. Mei couldn't help but let a small smile form on her lips.
The smile didn't last long as she felt eyes on her, slowly moving her eyes from Yuzu's hand she met those bright emeralds that she had missed so much. Yuzu's eyes were always a hidden sanctuary for Mei, those soft, caring, and loving emeralds could melt any of her problems away.
Mei felt a lump in her throat when she sensed something different coming from those same eyes. They were no longer looking at her softly with care or love. Instead, the eyes and expression Yuzu wore at the moment were hard and distant. Mei wondered, 'Is there a hint of anger in those emeralds?'
Both women took in the sight of each other, time had been good to them both. Yuzu had noticed from the moment she had laid eyes on Mei in the restaurant that her beauty was still second to none. Mei's long, silky, black hair, slim body and pale skin were still all just as Yuzu remembered. She also saw the difference in Mei's eyes, that sad expression that she had tried so hard to keep off the younger girl's face, when they were school girls, was now imprinted all over the raven haired woman's face. It looked like it was there permanently now.
Mei had also taken note of her ex lover. The way that Yuzu's presence could just light up a room in an instant. It was something that seemed like a very distant memory or even a dream.
Yuzu was still a fraction shorter than herself, but it also seemed as though Yuzu had toned down her makeup. Mei still couldn't deny how breathtaking Yuzu appeared. Still wearing accessories with a simple black dress that showed off Yuzu's figure nicely, certain thoughts started to make Mei's throat dry.
"Thank you for helping me Miss."
Both Mei and Yuzu were pulled back to reality as they realised why and where they were at the moment. Plus, they were not alone. Both women looked down to see Haruka bowing respectfully as she thanked Mei. Mei copied the gesture as she replied in a strained voice.
"You're very welcome."
"Mama always says to be respectful and thank people when they help you." Haruka grabbed her Mama's hand as she gave both women a wide smile.
Mei could see nothing but love in Yuzu's eyes as she looked down and smiled back at her daughter.
"You have a really great Mama." Mei spoke as she tried to smile at the pair in front of her but Yuzu could see straight away how hard the younger woman was struggling.
"Mei I….-"
"Oh my god, here you are! Sorry Yuzu I only turned my back for a second." Ume had come running around the corner apologising for letting Haruka wander off.
"Granny!"
"Thanks Mama, I should really get back and make sure the last plates are being served promptly."
Yuzu went to leave as she gave her mum and daughter a quick hug when…
"Y…..Yuzu."
Yuzu stopped in her tracks with her back facing the three. Ume could feel the strained tension in the air between Yuzu and Mei. She went to speak but Yuzu managed to speak first as she slowly turned to face her ex lover.
"Thank you for looking after Haruka, I need to get back to work."
Yuzu quickly left, leaving a confused Haruka and a concerned Ume.
Yuzu had just avoided her twice, Mei couldn't help but feel as though she truly had lost everything, was Yuzu just going to treat her like a stranger?
Mei could feel the tears coming. She couldn't risk being seen by anyone. Quickly bowing Mei excused herself as she made her way back inside. She swiftly made her way upstairs and into her old room. Locking the door and leaning back on the wall she slowly slid to the ground.
Hugging her knees to her chest, Mei finally let her tears fall as she quietly sobbed.
Mei wasn't sure how much time had passed since she locked herself in her room. She felt so childish, she hadn't done something like this since Sho had told her that he was leaving and wanted her to go with him.
'I'll stay here until everyone has left.' Mei thought to herself as she held her knees as close to her chest as she could.
-knock knock-
Mei jumped in her spot as she closed her eyes and wished to be someplace else. It would probably be Udagawa checking up on her. He had always been so considerate of Mei and her feelings, it was something that she thought she never deserved.
"Mei?"
The sound of a concerned mother's voice came through the door, Mei looked up at the door handle as she waited to see if the person had anything else to say, or maybe they would think that she wasn't there and just leave.
"Open the door please." Ume's voice was laced with concern as she spoke.
Mei slowly cracked the door open to see her stepmother standing in the doorway with a sad smile plastered on her face.
"May I please come in?" She asked softly as she waited for her raven-haired stepdaughter to let her in. She didn't have to wait long as Mei opened the door and waited for her to enter before closing the door behind her.
Ume went to the window and opened it slightly, a warm breeze blew through the room.
Mei stood still as she waited for Ume to speak. She had no idea what the older woman was going to say. Was she going to yell at her for abandoning her daughter and leaving her a complete wreck? Was she going to tell her how much of a failure she was?
So many different thoughts ran through Mei's mind. Suddenly, she felt herself being pulled into a hug and being squeezed tightly. Mei felt something in her chest, it was a warm sensation, something she hadn't felt in years.
Ume didn't say anything as she held Mei and started to rub circles on her back.
"It's ok Mei, let it out." Ume's voice was so calm and soft, Mei's eyes widened. When she first had met Ume she honestly thought that she was an airhead and a drunk.
Mei felt so much guilt wash over her as she realised that Ume was neither of those. She was actually a very intuitive woman who knew the feelings of her daughters' quite well.
A few more tears started to fall and before Mei could even register what was happening she was already returning the hug.
A few minutes passed and Mei was finally able to recompose herself.
Ume pulled back and gave a wide grin to Mei as she spoke.
"Feeling better?"
Mei was so grateful to have this wonderful woman in her life. She simply nodded as she wiped the last few tears that had left her eyes.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble I have caused Mother." Mei had her head low as she spoke.
But Ume made her look into her eyes as she spoke.
"Don't be silly Mei. We all have things that we think we have to do. No matter what, we will always be family."
Ume noticed how Mei looked back down at the word family. In a lower tone she spoke again.
"Just give Yuzu some time, a lot has happened in 10 years."
Mei was only able to speak one word.
"Haruka."
As she looked up she could see a proud smile on Ume's face and nothing but love in her eyes as she spoke.
"She must have been a surprise for you, I'm sure. She is exactly like Yuzu when she was young but she does find school a lot easier then Yuzu did. I think you have a lot in common, she loves to read just like you Mei."
So many questions were running through Mei's mind, she didn't know where to start. Taking in a deep breath Mei asked, "How has she been Mother?"
Ume knew that Mei was asking about Yuzu, in all honesty she knew that this was going to happen and lucky for her she was somewhat prepared. She made her way to the door before she answered the raven beauty.
"I think Yuzu would be the best one to answer that."
Mei could see the sadness in Ume's eyes as it seemed as though she was taken back to a place and time that she didn't want to revisit.
Ume's phone dinged with a text message, she quickly checked it before bursting out laughing and showed the phone to Mei. It was a picture of Haruka and Yuzu covered in what looked like chocolate sauce. Both were wearing wide grins with the caption, 'Like mother, like daughter.'
"Harumin just sent it, I better go get Haruka and make sure Yuzu is alright."
Opening the door Ume spoke one last time, "She will come around Mei."
A FEW HOURS LATER….
Mei watched as the cars started to leave. She noticed only the limo that she and Udagawa arrived in and her father's car remained. After checking herself in the mirror Mei slowly walked downstairs.
The mansion was completely silent, everything had been cleaned up and returned to its rightful place and yet there were no signs of Sho nor Udagawa.
-Smash-
The sound of broken glass echoed throughout the huge mansion. Mei quickly made her way to the kitchen….
"Shit, great one Yuzu!" Yuzu reprimanded herself as the glass had shattered all around her feet.
"Yuzu are you ok?"
Yuzu turned around to see Mei giving her a concerned look.
"Sorry Mei, it slipped out of my hand and…-"
Yuzu looked around at the broken glass before she spoke again.
"I'll make sure to replace it."
"I don't care about a plate Yuzu. You didn't get hurt did you?"
Mei looked straight at Yuzu as she spoke.
'What does she mean she doesn't care? What is she trying to say?' Yuzu felt like she was back in highschool, trying to figure out the mystery that was Mei Aihara. But she wasn't an Aihara anymore. Mei was married, which meant she was now an Udagawa.
Carefully moving around the broken glass Yuzu grabbed the broom and started sweeping the broken pieces into a dustpan. Mei offered to help but Yuzu insisted on cleaning it on her own. So, Mei took a seat on a nearby stool, leaving the two former lovers in their third awkward silence of the day.
"Papa and Udagawa went down with some of Gramp's colleagues for a couple of drinks, if you wanted to know where they went." Yuzu's voice broke the silence.
Mei didn't take her eyes off Yuzu once as she watched her every move.
Mei didn't know what to say. She was never any good at conveying her feelings and the last few years she had bottled up her emotions even more. She was brought out of her daydream as Yuzu stood right in front of her.
"I think that's the last of it. I'll see you around Mei."
Yuzu couldn't stand being anywhere near Mei, it felt like someone was squeezing her heart tighter and tighter as every second passed. Even with a decade gone, Yuzu still found that just being in the same room as Mei was too painful to bear.
She started to leave but a soft, gentle hand gripped onto her forearm holding her in place.
The touch of Mei's skin was like a jolt of electricity running through her body. Suddenly, images of her daughter ran through her mind and all the pain and suffering she had to deal with alone because Mei wanted to walk her path of destiny.
"Mei…."
Mei felt her heartbeat quicken as Yuzu spoke her name. Just being able to touch Yuzu was making Mei's face flush red. She wanted to say so many things to the blonde like, I'm sorry, please take me back, forgive me, I should have never left and I love you.
Those last words rung in Mei's head on repeat as each second passed she found herself trying to say them aloud. Unfortunately, the next words that left Yuzu's mouth made Mei speechless.
"Please, don't touch me."
Yuzu freed her hand as she walked to the front door.
'I won't let you hurt me again Mei.' Yuzu thought to herself as she pulled her phone out and dialed a number.
TO BE CONTINUED….
WELL WHAT DID YOU THINK? :) PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT IF YOU HAVE TIME.
HAVE A GREAT DAY WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD
