Chapter 2
"You look stunning as always, Michiru."
"Thank you. You're looking good yourself."
"Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, I am."
"We'll meet Setsuna-san and Hotaru-chan there, right?"
"Yes, Setsuna's going to drive there."
Harima Somaki. The son of a business tycoon and is a pianist. We met in a charity event that we both performed in. He was nice and polite but what caught my attention are his eyes. I have never been attracted to someone. Maybe, I did. What a funny thought. If I had been attracted to someone, I would have remembered, right? But somehow those eyes. Those green eyes captivate me. Pulling me in. It looks familiar but at the same time different.
"Shall we?" offering his elbow to me.
I took his elbow and we walked out of the door.
-0-
This charity event is a unique one. It's a masquerade charity event. The organizers planned this event quite well. It is held in a ballroom hall that is spacious and extravagant. A huge chandelier hanging on the ceiling, an orchestra at the front and a dance floor, on the sides are mini bars and tables. We put on our masks as we walk down the stairs of the ballroom. Harima has his hair back with a Phantom of the Opera Mask and he's wearing a suit. I am wearing a strapless Aquamarine long gown with a blue and white mask with gold studs on the sides. As we reach the bottom of the staircase. I see the Setsuna and Hotaru. Hotaru envelopes me in her small arms and I hug her back. Setsuna just smiles and I smile back.
"Michiru-mama, you look beautiful."
"Why thank you, sweetie. You look beautiful too and you, Setsuna looks fabulous."
Hotaru is wearing a violet cocktail dress that reaches up to her knees and a purple mask with flowers and feathers on the side. Setsuna, on the other hand, is wearing a green long gown that shows off the back and a black mask with gold studs on the sides.
"Likewise." Setsuna smiles.
"Harima-san." Setsuna acknowledges.
"Setsuna-san" He nods.
Harima met her family a few weeks back. He met Hotaru, who he completely adores and he also met Setsuna, who he is still trying to decipher. I never introduced to them a person I dated before. I was quite nervous at the time. After he left, they said he was a nice guy and that they were happy that I found someone but somehow I see something else in their faces. Disappointment? Disapproval? Every time I ask them about it, they just shrugged it off and that they were tired at the time. I just let it go.
"How have you been, Hotaru-chan?"
"I'm good. A bit hungry though."
"You're always hungry." Setsuna murmured.
"It's cause I'm a growing girl!" Hotaru exclaimed.
"I'm sorry Hotaru-chan, I would come with you to grab something to eat but there are some people I need to talk to. Sorry." He looks at Hotaru then at me. I just smile and let go of his elbow and he leaves.
"Come on. Let's get you something to eat." I say to Hotaru.
I look up at Setsuna who isn't moving but looking at something or someone from far away.
"Sets!" I grab her attention.
"Yes?" she answers and now she looks like that she's looking for something.
"I said would you like to grab some food with us?"
"I'm not really hungry and I kinda need to use the toilet." She leaves in a rush.
-0-
We joined the inner's table. They have been there quite a while now. Eating. Someone is playing with the piano. I remembered the events on my birthday. It's been three months now but I can still feel the longing that I felt that time. The piano, the music and the voice. I still don't know who that person is. I asked Makoto but she doesn't know who it is.
"He just told me that he knew you and that he prepared a song for you. I don't know him but somehow I trusted him, like I've met him before. So, I let him play for you. He told me that he wanted it to be a surprised so I turned off all the lights as he asked. He's very talented, yeah? Must be a devoted fan of yours."
Nobody knows who that person is but I'm sure that the person who left the yellow Chrysanthemum at the dressing room is the same as pianist. Does that mean he was at the concert? Is he some sort of stalker? Now, I'm totally confused.
"Michiru-mama!" I broke out of stupor.
"Yes?"
"I'm just going to the toilet." she says.
"You want me to come with you?"
"No, I'm good Michiru-mama. Stop worrying about me, I'm old enough. Just enjoy yourself, okay?"
"Okay." I answered. I'm so proud of Hotaru. How much she's grown; from being a fragile kid to a smart young lady. I stayed and chat with the inners for a while.
-0-
The organizers plan a little game. A game where they would turn off all of the lights and a person needs to find a partner to dance with for a whole song. Of course, they wouldn't know who that person is cause it's dark. The organizers use it as a get to know other charity attendee's kind of thing.
The hosts of the night explain the rules to the people. Most people were ecstatic, some were scared and a few just didn't really care.
Michiru was standing by the inners on the dance floor. She was forced by the inners' puppy dog eyes to join the game. They were happily chatting away when the lights turns off. Some people screamed out of excitement.
Michiru felt a tap on her shoulder. She turns around but still couldn't see the person. Her eyes are still trying to adjust to the darkness. As her eyes adjust, she sees a silhouette of a tall person wearing a mask. She hears of someone clearing their throat.
"Can I have this dance?" a husky voice asked her. She knows this voice but who?
"Ahm…Sure."
Then a hand on her waist brings her close to a body, she let her left hand rest on the other's shoulder and someone grabs her right hand, holding it softly. Electricity. When their hands touched together for the first time that's what Michiru felt. Does she feel it too? Or was it just me?Michiru thought. Her hand is warm and somehow they fit perfectly with my hand. I don't let anyone touch me but I let this person. Why? She notices something that broke her train of thought. Why is she shaking? Is she ok? The music started playing.
You give your hand to me
Then you say hello
I can hardly speak
My heart is beating so
And anyone can tell
You think you know me well
But you don't know me
"Are you ok?" voicing her thoughts.
"Yeah, I'm fine. How about you? Are you ok? The voice asked.
"Yeah, I'm good but I feel like I know you. Do I know you?" she asks.
"What do you think?" the voice answers.
No, you don't know the one
Who dreams of you at night
And longs to kiss your lips
And longs to hold you tight
Oh I'm just a friend
That's all I've ever been
'Cause you don't know me
"I think I know you but I just can't remember. Maybe, if I see your face I'll remember."
A strained laugh was all she got as the reply.
I never knew
The art of making love
Though my heart aches
With love for you
Afraid and shy
I've let my chance to go by
The chance that you might
Love me, too
"Are you happy with your life?" the voice asks
"I'm quite fine with my life, I wouldn't say happy but I'm trying to be." Michiru didn't know why she felt the need to answer the question truthfully, but she did.
"Good." Was the curt reply.
You give your hand to me
And then you say good-bye
I watch you walk away
Beside the lucky guy
You'll never never know
The one who loves you so
Well, you don't know me
"I'm sorry about this but I kind of need to get going." The owner of the voice let go of her.
"Wait. Who are you?" she asks before the person gets too far.
"Whoever you want me to be. Thanks for the dance, Kaioh-san."
You give your hand to me, baby
Then you say good-bye
I watch you walk away
Beside the lucky guy
No, no, you'll never ever know
The one who loves you so
Well, you don't know me
The lights turn back on. The hosts thanks everyone who participated and wished them all a good night. Michiru stay rooted on her place where the person left her. The only thought running through her mind is that person knows who I am. Who are you?
Author's Note: Still don't own anything. Oh wait, probably Harima Somaki but I don't want him.
Harima Somaki: Whaaat? My own creator hates me?
Just kidding. Haha. I'll make myself like you (someday or never). HAHA.
This version is still a BETA version so, I MIGHT still edit this if
a) I have time and life doesn't get in the way and
b) if I overcome my laziness. Haha.
The song is "You Don't Know Me" by Michael Buble. It's a great song.
Thanks for the reviews peaprince, Keeper Aki & James Birdsong
InChemistryWeTrust: Let's see if your guesses are right. ;) Is that a threat? HAHA. Just kidding. I'll try to make it a happy ending. TRY being the key word. :P
Reviews, comments, suggestions & violent reactions are much appreciated. :D
Thanks for reading. :)