I am so sorry about the really late update! O levels just suck.. anyway, i hope u enjoy this chapter. I'll be sure to update frequently! By the way, whatever is italic means they're speaking in english. Bold is flashback.

Chapter 3: The Meaning Of True Love

"Well that was a well done, Ms. Sakura", said Natsume. They were now on their way back to the office. "I did not expect you to obtain such.. classified information like that."

"Well done? it was their own mistake. I didn't expect them to be so.. trusting", replied Mikan, rolling her eyes.

"Well.. in business, One Man's Loss is Another Man's Gain."

"Doing business like this, I'll soon be a swindler", whispered Mikan.

"From the way I see it, you seem to have a special talent for deception."

"Huh?"

"That's a compliment, from me."

"Alright, then how about this kind of business?-" smiling hopefully, "Since I scored one today, let's forget about the car issue." Her smile widening.

Natsume smirked, "Absolutely not. That's personal. Nothing to do with business."

Her smile fading as she cursed him 'stingy bastard'.

*ring ring* *ring ring*

"Ah! My phone!" Mikan started fumbling through her treasure-filled purse.

She beamed, eyes sparkling, when she read the name on the receiver. "Hello. Ruka?". But to her dismay, the only sound that came through was the dialing tone.

"Boyfriend?", asked Natsume. Though, judging by her expression, he already knew the answer.

"Shh! This is personal" She replied while dialing Ruka's number. "Privacy"

Surprisingly, there was no answer. So, being Mikan, she tried again and this time she got an answer, "The number you dialed is unreachable. Please try again later." She let out a very frustrated sigh, attempting to try again when she was so rudely interrupted.

"You know, if he calls and hangs up but doesn't answer when you call, he's hiding something." informed Natsume.

"On what basis are you saying that?" said Mikan, glaring.

"That's what I do when I cheat", replied Natsume, giving Mikan a 'duh!' look.

Mikan then gave him her 'Oh.. Right..' look.

"If you don't believe me, why don't you try again."

Before Mikan could, they unfortunately, arrived back at the office.

"Why don't you get out? I don't want advice from a man who has had affairs across the globe but has never experienced true love." She placed her phone in the jungle she calls her purse, then stepped put of the car with her head held high.

"Tch. True love, huh?", said Natsume, placing both both hands in his pockets, "What exactly is this 'True Love' you're referring to?"

Mikan sighed.

She walked up to him and made a gun out of her fingers. She shot his heart and said, 'Bang!'. Then, she blew the tip of her index finger, to make it look more realistic.

"Its like being hit in the heart by a bullet.. do you know that feeling?"

"A bullet? I was hit by a bullet once, but from a real gun." stated Natsume. Though the tone of his voice held sadness, his expression remain unchanged.

Mikan smirked,"Oh yes, of course you were! I mean who hasn't."

Natsume knew she was being sarcastic. Oh how clueless she was of the truth behind his words.

"True love means to share your hearts, and not be lonely. To be warm, happy, that sort of thing." She explained.

Natsume leaned in closer to her ear, "There's no such thing". Then, stood up straight again.

"There is so!" Mikan was starting to get really annoyed.

"Where is it then?"

Placing a steady hand to her heart, chin up (Natsume is very tall) , she said, "Here!"

He smirked again, "Then why is it, Ms. Sakura, that when i look at you, I see anything but a happy person."

Mikan was utterly shocked.

"Let's go! I'll buy you dinner as a job well done"

"Thanks, but i have a very important date. Have a nice evening." Glaring at him once more before walking away.

Natsume just stood there. A smile lingering on his luscious lips.

They were both back in their own apartments.

Since it was Ruka's birthday, Mikan decided to tidy up her apartment. It was already 9:15pm and Ruka was supposed to be there at 9. "Maybe he got caught up at work." said Mikan to no one in particular. Natsume's words were haunting her.

"If he calls and hangs up but doesn't answer when you call, he's hiding something."

In the mean time, Natsume was ordering chinese food. He had to finish his work before he called it a night.

Everything was set. The candles on the cake were lit and Mikan was preparing the wine. She stopped to admire the pictures of her and Ruka on the wall. She was smiling yet she did not look happy.

Natsume put his chopsticks down and looked at a picture of a young boy and his grandfather, who was clad in a blue uniform. He smiled. A glint of happiness in his crimson eyes.

She sat in front of the cake and waited. Pushing all thoughts of Natsume's words aside.

11:15pm and still no sign of Ruka. Not a text nor call.

Why is she always the one waiting? Why is it that she is the only one that's trying? Why is her heart constantly betrayed? Poor Mikan..

Mikan had fallen asleep by midnight, phone in hand and eyebrows furrowed in frustration.

Her beautiful face was illuminated by the glow of the candles, and with that, the tear stains were clearly visible.

How was that?

Let me know what you think!

Sorry again for the late update!

~"Happy New Year"~

Thank You For Reading.

Love,

Pekopon Pudding