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I don't own -Man and Cruel Temptation. Enjoy!
All she remembered was that they were drunk.
Tyki…
At the thought of that, Lenalee shot up like she had woken up from a nightmare when she was young. She looked around and saw many exquisite things that made her stared for seconds. Then she realised the situation she was in. She looked at her body, which was naked, lying in a king-size bed made out of silk. Panicking, she tried to find her clothes and get out of this unknown place as soon as possible. However, it was vaguely familiar to her.
After dressing up, Lenalee found a small letter on the study table, which read:
My Lenalee, I have gone out to work and will not come back until tonight. You can get yourself some food and clothes. Would you kindly wait for me? But if you are bored while doing so, you can take this money I've attached on the letter you're reading now and use it on anything you wish for. Love, Tyki.
She read the cursive handwriting and everything flooded back into her. She froze on the spot, and without a second thought, sped out the house. No one was in.
While going there, something hitched at her throat and made her heart race. She was frightened. What would happen if her family, and Lulubell, knew? Lenalee shook her head and decided not to tell them until it was necessary, but her conscience was gnawing on her..Still, she could not help taking her time walking up to the old house and slowly knocked on the door, and almost immediately, the door swung open and a worried-looking woman stared at Lenalee.
"Where have you been all night? I was worried sick!" Miranda cried, wrapping her thin arms around Lenalee, who remained frozen at the spot.
When Lenalee found her voice back, she replied, "I... My battery went flat, and the bar was filled with fighting, all of a sudden. We spent a lot of time calming them down. I volunteered to clean up the mess the customers made, and when I was done, it was already around six in the morning."
Miranda raised an eyebrow, "Really?" She turned to face Lulubell, who looked a little sceptical, but still nodded.
The day proceeded on normally, Tyki did not appear in the bar, but he called.
"Lenalee, where are you right now? Why did you leave?" Tyki questioned at the other end.
"Tyki, I need to go to work. I can't stay at your house… But, what happened last night, was it…"
"Yes." Right after Tyki's words, Lenalee almost fainted. "Tyki, what were you thinking? What were we thinking?!"
Tyki sighed. "I don't know either. But no one must know, alright?"
"…I understand."
"Well, see you. Bye, love." The call ended.
It stopped Lenalee in her tracks. No one told her that before. In a romantic sense. It felt… so good, to be loved by someone. By Tyki Mikk.
"Lenalee."
The said female turned around. Lulubell stared at her, arms crossed.
"Yes, Lulubell?"
"Where were you at night, the day I called in sick?"
Lenalee swallowed. "I told you, I was at – "
"You can't lie to me! I asked the staff members, and I asked Skinn Bolic. There was no fight that night, and no one stayed behind. When all their shift ended, they didn't see you, which means you weren't there till morning."
No. She couldn't tell Lulubell. She couldn't. "W-What are you talking about? I-I – "
"Lenalee, it's not that hard to guess what happened." Said Lulubell. She hit the nail.
Lenalee couldn't help it. She burst into tears, much to Lulubell's astonishment, who put her arms around her without hesitation. Lenalee told her what happened that night, and how bad she and Tyki felt, but promised not to tell anyone.
Miranda went into the kitchen and came out with some bread and fish. "We will be having bread and fish for breakfast! I hope the fish came out nice!" Miranda stated, smiling.
When they almost finished their meal, a wave of nausea hit Lenalee and she covered her mouth with her hand, looking sick. Everyone else in the room turned in her direction.
"Something wrong, Lenalee? Is it the fish?" Miranda panicked and apologised continuously. Lenalee did not reply, or rather, she could not. She immediately ran for the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Miranda stared at the food. "Did I put something wrong inside?"
Marie shook his head. "Don't worry, you didn't. Lenalee must have overworked herself, that's why she felt ill. Perhaps she needs a day off or two."
"I'll bring her to the doctor after she comes out," said Lulubell. She was worried. Very worried.
Lulubell brought her ill friend headed to a nearby clinic. After some questioning and scanning, the doctor, "Ms Lee, I suspect there is something in your womb, so I'm afraid you'll have to see the gynaecologist." With a discomforted Lenalee, they went to the nearest hospital.
After scanning Lenalee's womb, the gynaecologist concluded, "You have a fertilised foetus in your womb, which is a few weeks old. Congratulations, you're officially pregnant." Although the gynaecologist congratulated her, those words were nightmares to Lenalee. Pregnancy? She wanted to blame Tyki so much, but it occurred to her that she was at fault as well.
They stepped out of the hospital slowly. Lenalee tugged her hair and made it messy. "No, it couldn't be! H-How am I going to face my p-parents?" Then the poor girl started sobbing.
Lulubell didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry, really. I shouldn't have called in sick. Do you want to go to work or back home?"
Lenalee shook her head feverishly. "I can't go home! M-Mother and F-Father will find out! I-I don't want it!" Lulubell looked at the ground, thinking, before nodding her head hesitantly, earning a half-relieved, half-worried look back. They then head to the bar.
"Lulubell, Lenalee! You're finally here! You forgot it's the holidays and many more people are coming? Quick, we need a hand here, more like several hands!" The impatient manager shouted to the waitresses. The said girls swiftly changed into their uniforms and got ready for customers. In the middle of serving them, Lenalee felt something rushed up to her mouth and sped to the restroom. She let everything out with discomfort.
After she had thrown up, she half-staggered back into the counter, leaning herself against the wall. The people were either too thirsty or too busy about the drinks to notice her actions, all except her close friend. "I think you better go home, Lenalee, you don't look too well," suggested Lulubell, scanning her friend's face. It was horrifying to see Lenalee in this state. She had a deathly pale face and lips and a half-dead look on her eyes, just like a corpse. She was not taking it well.
Nodding meekly, Lenalee made her way to change her clothes with difficulty. She came out, barely managed to wave Lulubell goodbye and left. Lulubell wondered if she could make her way home. She sighed and went back to work, but a familiar face stopped her.
Tyki Mikk.
Thinking of it made the blonde's blood boil. "Hello, my friend. Where's Lenalee?" he asked innocently putting his bag beside him. "Lenalee is pregnant, because of you," Lulubell said through her teeth.
Tyki froze. He did not expect that. "What?"
Lulubell scowled. "I sure hope you remember that night. You caused her to be pregnant."
"It wasn't entirely my fault. Both of us were drunk."
Lulubell pursed her lips. He was correct, but she was still siding with Lenalee. "Then, what are you going to do?"
Tyki rubbed his chin. "Either she aborts the foetus, or we get married."
Lulubell froze. "What? Oh, I get it, you think marriage is all just a game.Well, I'll tell you what is currently going on in this... game. Lenalee's carrying your unborn child, and is suffering because of it. And you dare to say that?" Lulubell snapped at the surprised Tyki. But he kept his cool and smirked.
"I'm not a man who runs away from his own responsibility. If she requests for an abortion, I can provide the money. Well, do you have any better idea?"
Lulubell was so furious at him, but she tried to calm down. She was entirely not herself today.
"Girl, I think you're too emotional. I'll tell you what I'm going to do, I'm going to tell my parents about my plans for the marriage and you are going to tell Lenalee's parents the exact same thing, alright?" And he left. Lulubell rubbed her temples, trying to cool down. Of all people, why did he had to do that to her?
Back at home, Lenalee slowly and reluctantly told her family everything. Miranda was shocked and became jittery, Komui was angry – no, fuming mad and outraged at Tyki that he swore that one day, Tyki would die at his hands. Marie was shaking his head disapprovingly, but was silent. At that moment, Lulubell rushed home, sweat pouring down her face, panting.
"That idiot... Tyki Mikk said... he wants... to marry Lenalee. Or she could abort it."
Miranda almost fainted. "This man impregnated Lenalee, now he wants her hand in marriage, if not get rid of the baby? H-How could he do that?!"
Marie turned to Lenalee. "Then Lenalee, do you love this man? You have to be sure." He asked in a firm tone. Lenalee closed her eyes, swallowed before taking a deep breath.
"Yes, I love him."
Miranda broke into tears, with Marie holding her in his arms. Komui swore under his breath. Lulubell holding Lenalee's wrist, who started sobbing again.
Tyki's house
Tyki walked into the huge living room and saw his half sister, Road Kamelot. Though already at her teenage years, Road had a mind of a child, but a cunning one.
"Hi Tyki!" She went to greet Tyki with a hug, but was pushed off.
"Mom, Dad, I've to talk to you!" The Millennium Earl and his wife, Janis, walked down the staircase so grand you would thought they were the king and queen. "What is it, Little Tyki?" Janis asked in a sweet voice.
Tyki frowned at the 'Little' word (which was so commonly used by her and the Earl) but dismissed it. He wouldn't want to announce it with a scowl. "You remember the girl I had been talking about?"
Road clasped her hands. "You're getting married, right?"
Tyki stared at her. Her guesses had always been somehow creepily accurate. Road simply giggled.
Janis cleared her throat. "It's time, Tyki. But, I have to meet her." The Earl nodded. "You'll bring her home, won't you, Little Tyki?"
Lenalee was weeping on the floor, resting her arms on her propped-up knees. That guilt and sadness clenched at her heart, which brought out more tears. She had let her family, and Lulubell, down. How would she ever look at them in the face again?
The ringing of her phone brought her back to reality. Lenalee took a deep breath and answered. "Hello?"
"Hi, it's Tyki."
"Oh… hi, Tyki."
"My parents agreed to let us get married. What about yours?"
Lenalee looked at her upset family, hesitated, and then returned to the phone, "They objected to having abortion, and only allowed engagement. Nothing more."
"Oh," came the reply, "Then I'll inform my parents, then. Please hold on."
There was a deafening silence as Tyki left the phone. Lenalee stared at the ground. If she hadn't told Marie she loved Tyki, Marie wouldn't have let her be married to Tyki. She would have to become a single mother. She didn't want her child to be fatherless, not ever. If she had a choice, she wouldn't want to get married. She had a life. There were so many things she could do, but now she couldn't.
But if it's for her child, she would do anything.
Tyki came back to the phone. "Lenalee, you still there? …Um, my parents agreed. They wanted to see you tomorrow afternoon, if it is allowed."
"Alright, but-"
"Lenalee, are you crying?" Tyki interrupted.
"Just... happy," Came the lie.
"Okay then, well, see you tomorrow. Love you."
Slowly, Lenalee stood up and made her way to her parents' room. She knocked on the door. A muffled reply came and she entered with hesitant steps.
"Mother, Father, I'm going to Tyki's house tomorrow to see his parents… Is it alright?" Lenalee asked timidly.
Miranda bit her lower lip. She wanted to disallow this marriage and keep that darn Tyki away from her family. However, she knew Lenalee loved Tyki, she couldn't stop her.
"Go on, y-you don't want to make a bad first impression."
Marie added. "I would like Tyki to come as well, and pick you up." He wanted to see Tyki, and made sure Tyki would take good care of Lenalee.
Lenalee nodded and went back to her room. Lulubell entered as well. Lenalee avoided eye contact; she knew what her friend was going to say.
"See what I told you, Lenalee? From the start, I never had a good feeling about that man. Look what he had done to you! You've lost your future! Why did the two of you get drunk? You knew you were working, but you just had to-"
"I knew I was wrong, alright?" snapped Lenalee. "I can't turn back, can I?"
Lenalee stared and crossed her arms. "No."
"Then stop talking about the past and complain, and try to make the best of what is and will happen!"
Lulubell shifted uncomfortably. "I know… but, I just…"
Lenalee put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry anymore, Lulubell. What's done is done. It's not your fault either. You're right, it's mine."
"And Tyki's." added Lulubell. "Now, let's get you ready for tomorrow. You wouldn't want them to overlook your beauty."
The next day, Lenalee got ready. Her family all gave her their good luck.
"Make a good first impression, alright?" said Miranda.
"Don't fret. You worry a lot." Said Lulubell.
"Lenalee, make sure when you see him, you better give him a good punch-"
"Ignore Komui, he's a little worried for you. He means well. Good luck." Interrupted Marie as he patted Lenalee on the arm.
Tyki was waiting outside with his car. "Good afternoon, Lenalee. And you look stunning today." He complimented with a wink. Fighting a blush, Lenalee greeted him back and entered the vehicle. They then drove to Tyki's house.
It was large. Lenalee wondered how much would the gate even cost. Tyki opened the car door for Lenalee and led her to a door with complicated carvings.
"Welcome to my home." said Tyki as Janis entered the room, with the warm lights of the chandelier reflecting of her. Her silk dress flowed behind her. "Ah... this is my mother."
"My sister." Road let out a small giggle and waved.
"My father." The Millennium smiled at her, though he always smiled. Lenalee bowed and smiled back. "Good afternoon, I'm Lenalee Lee."
"Come have a seat," Janis gestured to the leather chairs in the living room. When everyone was seated, Lenalee was asked to offer tea to everyone, excluding her. And she did that without messing anything up, even making the effort to wash up everything.
They chatted for a long time, and Lenalee felt that they were very nice, they would actually make great in-laws. When they finished, it was already dinnertime. Janis offered to let Lenalee stay for dinner, who politely denied.
"Alright then," said Janis, smiling, "I hope to see you soon. Be sure to come by for dinner."
Tyki drove Lenalee home. He gave her a kiss on the lips before she exited his car. "Next week?"
Lenalee nodded and pecked him on the cheek.
"How did it go?" Marie asked, once Lenalee stepped into the house. Lenalee just smiled, and everyone knew the answer. The parents just sighed in defeat, and looked at each other. Komui cussed and looked away. Lulubell congratulated her friend, though inside, she felt just the same as the rest of the family.
When Tyki returned home, his family was still in the living room. Road welcomed him with a wide grin.
"Tyki dear, why that woman?" Janis turned to the said man. Tyki shrugged. "What? She's pretty, polite and nice to all of you. You were also looking for girls who could help you in housework."
Janis nodded with a sigh. "Indeed, a married woman is required to be able to do housework. And based on your personality, I'm sure you would marry a beautiful lady, and she's quite good. She works at our bar, so it's still safe. But I just did a check on her background."
"Mom!" Tyki exclaimed. Whenever he brought girls home, Janis would ask for their names and she would do a background check. Who knows how she did it.
"She's not from a well-to-do family, I hope you realise that," continued the woman.
"I do," Replied Tyki carelessly, "But I do love her. I could feel that she's… special."
Janis pursed her lips. Yes, somehow, she felt important to the family, but in a bad way. Still, all the previous girls were a definite no-no, even if they were rich. Lenalee would have to do. She was impatient when it comes to the children's marriage. Though she'll have to continue to see her for the next few meetings.
Lenalee and Tyki continued to visit each other's parents. Lenalee and Road grew fonder, and Janis liked Lenalee more, with many plans forming in her head. The Earl was ever accepting, as long as 'Little Tyki loves her~'. Marie was protective at first, but eventually did he fully accepted Tyki as a son-in-law. Miranda was happy for Lenalee, and kept telling Tyki to take good care of Lenalee. Lulubell hadn't said anything, but she kept thinking Tyki was senting her winks. Perhaps it was just her.
A package arrived for Lenalee a week later, revealing a marvellous engagement dress. It was snow white, with laces and pearls decorating it and it sparkled under the light. Lenalee squealed in delight and tried it on. The end of the gown ruffled and trailed behind her.
Miranda smiled, finally, commenting that Lenalee was very beautiful, saying that her parents in heaven would be more than happy to see their daughter getting engaged in such a splendid dress. Komui had to let it go. After all, it's his sister's life, Komui may not like Tyki, but Lenalee did. More like loved him. Marie and Lulubell were at work, but they still got the news. Marie and Lulubell were both happy and excited, they couldn't wait to see the dress.
"Good luck, my girl, you can do it," encouraged Miranda as Lenalee left for the beauty parlour to the engagement hall, Lenalee came out with the magnificent dress on and make-up, smiling all the way as happiness oozed out from her.
"Welcome to the engagement ball! Now let's..." The hostess started off the celebration. When it was finally time for Tyki to come out, the hostess spoke once again. "Now let's put our hands together and welcome the fiancé for tonight's engagement... Tyki!"
Thunderous applause echoed in the hall as Tyki walked down the aisle towards the hostess. Everyone followed his every step, his charm was simply alluring. "Now, let us welcome the fiancée, Lenalee!" The woman stepped out and took everyone's breath away. She stood beside Tyki, and the hostess said again.
"Tyki, would you allow yourself to love Lenalee as your fiancée?" Tyki nodded his head with confidence, his gelled hair unmoved.
The hostess turned to Lenalee. "Then Lenalee, would you allow yourself to love Tyki as your fiancé?"
"I do," Lenalee replied with a beam. The guests sighed in happiness as they watched the lovely scene. "What a splendid scene! Well then, let us bring out the engagement rings and let them be put on."
The wooden doors swung open and a man walked up, carrying a pearl white pillow made of silk. On the pillow, were two silver rings with a large diamond on it. Tyki put it on Lenalee's finger, then vice versa. "Now you are officially fiancé and fiancée, I wish you two a happy engagement!" The hostess cried and cheers were heard. "We're engaged now," said Tyki hugging his fiancée. Lenalee smiled at herself, she felt she was in paradise. Finally, she met her other half of her life.
"Goodbye, see you again." The parents of the two families shook hands with the leaving guests. "Well, we're a family, aren't we?" Janis asked Miranda, smiling sweetly. Miranda agreed, smiling back. Tyki drove Lenalee to his house in his car. "We're going to sleep in the same room tonight." Lenalee looked at his with widened eyes, "You sure? We're engaged, not married!" Tyki gave her back a cool smirk, certain of his decision.
They went into the house and greeted the family members who were back. "You were SO great, ya know, Sister?" Road cheered, hugging Lenalee tightly. "Now, now, let the couple have a good night's sleep, they've gone through a lot today, and they must be tired. Go to sleep, you two," said Janis calmly. The said couple bowed in respect before getting ready for bed time.
"Good night, my love," hummed Tyki as he cuddled Lenalee in bed. He was wearing a loose blue shirt and gray pants while she had a purple nightdress on her. They were exhausted, so they fell asleep immediately just moments after their heads touched the pillows.
The next day, they went down and found breakfast ready. Janis greeted them, "Good morning. I'm making breakfast for today. From tomorrow onwards, you are going to do house work here, Lenalee. Understand?" Lenalee nodded confidently. Then the whole family began their scrumptious meal. After that, Tyki brought Lenalee to see the doctor on her pregnancy again before he drove himself to work. The doctor said that the baby was growing healthily and it has a strong heartbeat.
When Lenalee heard that, she was overjoyed. She brushed her thumb over her belly. She wondered what gender her baby would be. It doesn't really matter, though. All she wanted was a healthy and happy baby. A baby that could bring a genuine smile to Tyki's face.
She didn't do a lot that day, just listening to Janis speak and Road chatting away. Janis sure had a load of rules, while Road was keeping Lenalee entertained, and she began to understand and like Road, though she was a little hyper.
Lenalee looked at her alarm clock. She quickly went to the kitchen and made breakfast. Omelette, coffee, milk, bread, etc. When the others went down, the food was ready. "Well done, again, Lenalee." Janis praised, glancing at the food on the table. They had an exquisite breakfast and did their own things again.
However, something was different today. Janis was treating Lenalee more like a maid now. She was stricter to Lenalee and would tell her off, even hit her at times, at the slightest mistake. Janis took no notice and showed no concern to her pregnancy.
Because of this, Lenalee had no time to spend with Tyki, let alone romantic talk. With all the tiring housework. Lenalee gave lesser attention to her appearance and looked more like a housewife than a young fiancée. Now what Tyki had always wanted from Lenalee was beautiful and ready for his romantic talk and such, like how it was in the past. But with her looking like that, how could he? He wanted a gorgeous fiancée, not a haggard housewife. Tyki was put down by that, and a little disgusted.
One night, Tyki went to the Noah's Ark and saw Lulubell busy working away, perspiring all over, sweat glistening under the dim bar light. Slowly, he walked up to her.
"So, busier than ever?" Tyki raised an eyebrow at Lulubell and leaned against the bar counter.
"Why do you care?" Lulubell did not look up as she went on with her work. "It's not like you know my schedule... though it gets lonely now. Anyway, aren't you going back to spend time with her?" Lulubell asked.
"If you forgot, I'm a womaniser, my Lulubell."
I don't know, it seemed out… I think I rushed too much.
And about Tyki mentioning that Lenalee was special, I don't know, it reminded me of Lenalee being the Heart.
Well that's my second chapter alright, I hope you're satisfied.
I've a question:
1) Can I post a reply publicly at the reviews' page of my stories?
2) How can I join Beta Readers?
I hope my questions can be answered. Till then!