Chapter 3: First Day
Normal POV
7 AM
It was a beautiful morning today at the Yukihara manor. The Sakura trees were in full bloom, pink leaves swirled with the wind as it fell down to the earthy soil. Sunshine welcoming the entry of a new great day as it passed through the huge windows of Mikan's room. At least that was what Mikan expected of a morning if she hadn't met that jerk yesterday who mysteriously got her number.
"Mikan-nee! Wake up already!" Her little brother, Youichi Hijiri – Yukihara shouted outside the huge double doors of her room.
Mikan groaned in irritation at the noise. She forgot to set up an alarm late last night before she fell asleep – and now her plans of waking up at six-thirty in the morning to cook breakfast was ruined. It was a plan to surprise Youichi too.
Annoyed by Yoiuchi's shouting, she grabbed a pillow and slid her head underneath it, hoping it would lessen the volume of his voice. She always wondered why her dad never asked the contractor to build sound-proof rooms except for the Music Room.
"Go away Youichi," She mumbled tiredly, forcing herself to go back to sleep. Her body didn't want to move yet because of the bed's soft mattress. "One more hour,"
"It's your choice! If you don't wake up now, I'm not going to give you a ride to Uncle's SUG! I have some errands to do at nine!" Her little brother banged on the door, the loud sound echoing throughout the whole room. Even covering your head with a pillow won't work since a boy is banging on the door.
Youichi sighed deeply at his sister. She's always like this when he went over to Paris to visit her. Mikan usually wakes up at eleven or ten in the morning.
There's only one way to deal with this.
At that thought, he snapped his fingers. A few seconds after doing that, Nika was running towards him – waiting for his command. Youichi bent down at Nika's height and whispered something into her ear as Nika nodded obediently.
"Wake her up, okay Nika?" He whispered silently and stood up, opening the door silently as Nika slipped herself in.
Meanwhile, Mikan was hearing whispering outside and snapped her eyes open. She knew Youcihi and what he'll do in this situation. He always did this when she's all grumpy and stubborn in waking up in the morning.
Quickly and swiftly, she lifted herself off the bed and watched as Nika crouched and walk slowly and silently towards her. Mikan took a deep breath then closed her eyes while she shouted the words: "I'm up! I'm up!"
But unluckily, Nika was too excited and tackled Mikan to the bed. Nika continuously licked her face with her slimy tongue. Mikan waited till Nika was done and patted her head softly. Our poor little heroine was used to this though.
She sighed then stood up heading to the bathroom. She took a shower, dried her hair and put on some of her brand new clothes – not commoners. She grabbed her purse, her phone and the key which she got from a branch of Savory yesterday. Before going down, she tied her hair into a tight bun and put on her shades just for safety. Indeed right now, she looked like the daughter of the wealthiest couple in Japan.
She went down the staircase hurriedly but carefully because of her 2 inch high heels. On the way, she passed by Sophie. It reminded her of something.
Mikan turned to call over Sophie. "Sophie!" She shouted. Sophie turned around to face her master and bowed politely.
"Hai, Mikan-sama?" She asked waiting for Mikan's request. Mikan shrugged a bit then answered her softly.
"Can you pack up some commoner clothes for me? I'm staying at a new friend's house starting today until next, next weeks ball. I'll leave it too you, Sophie. I'll be back later to pick it up. See you later, guys!" Mikan waved and smiled at her as Sophie nodded then went to do the specified request. Mikan walked over to the garage where Youichi was waiting in his shiny dark-blue Ferrari.
She opened the door to the passenger seat beside her brother and sat herself inside, taking deep breaths. Youichi turned to look at his sister from toe to head.
Mikan raised her brows in confusion. "What?" She asked.
"You look different today than yesterday, sis." He said, his eyes narrowing a bit. Mikan rolled her eyes, not visible because of her shades.
"Don't worry. If you miss that look, It'll return when I get home. I'll change into it," Youichi started driving out of the mansion as he nodded. The two of them watched as the gates automatically opened up to let them out. While driving, Mikan watched and observed every turn her brother made and memorized it inside her head. That way, she wouldn't get lost again.
Youichi started speeding up to one-hundred forty kilometers per hour. Not that anyone really cared though. Mikan just wanted to get there as fast as possible. Alas, at the current speed they were at, they reached the so called SUG by fifteen minutes instead of thirty.
Reaching their destination, Mikan went out of the car together with Youichi. They both stared at the abandoned-looking place in front of them.
Mikan shrugged and breathed in dirty air that the place had. "Seriously, this place is creepy." She mumbled, kicking the metal gates open.
"Do you have to do that?" Youichi exclaimed, not getting an answer from his sister. Obviously, Mikan was disgusted by the place. It was always their Uncle's habit to put secret places such as this place underground or something. He guessed that nobody would be surprised if a Ferrari just went out of the garage of this creepy place.
There was one thing though. If you look at the yard of the place, it's all dirty and rusty – but if you walk to the backyard, it was the opposite. At the backyard, their two guards of their family's private police were guarding a huge metallic door and a key hole. The guards bowed at the two of them as they neared the key hole.
"Good morning, Mikan-sama! Youichi-sama!" The guards chorused as Mikan smiled at them. Yoiuchi followed closely behind his sister and watched as she put the key into the key hole. When she turned the key, the huge metallic door began to slide upwards revealing a shiny red Ferrari.
Mikan grinned widely then went running for the car. She slipped herself inside and rolled the widow down.
"You-chan!" She shouted while starting the engine. "I'll race you back home!" She continued as the two of them smirked.
"Thirty thousand yen?" He bet as both of their engines growled. Youichi went inside his car while Mikan aligned hers with his. He rolled down the window then stared at his sister's smirking face.
Mikan chuckled then gripped the stirring wheel tightly. "You're on,"
Both of them stepped on the pedals and zoomed off heading towards the main mansion. The outcome wasn't really much of a surprise though – since it was always Mikan who won.
"I beat you again, lil bro!" She grinned in triumph while Yoiuchi handed her thirty-thousand yen in cash, frowning.
"Yeah, yeah! That cost me one day allowance! I swear I'll get my revenge on you someday!" Youichi grunted then climbed back to his car. Mikan stared in confusion for a few seconds and was replaced by a surprised look.
She shrugged then called over her brother. "Hey You-chan!" She shouted.
Youichi turned to look at his sister questioningly. Mikan took a deep breath then hoped this excuse would work. "I'm staying over at a friends' house for two weeks. I'm telling you because you might make a fuss over it. I'll see you again in two weeks! I'll meet you at the ball!"
Her little brother nodded then sped off leaving Mikan smiling widely as she stared off the space where she left.
It all concludes with a smile. That reminds me what time is it - ? 10 AM? Maybe I woke up too early…
Shrugging the thought off, Mikan walked back inside the mansion to check out if Sophie was done packing things up. When she reached her room, she saw two suitcases – probably filled with commoner clothes – but Mikan wasn't a careless person so to be sure, she checked all the contents.
Sliding the zipper and opening the bag wide open, she scavenged through the contents neatly and checked if there were some clothes that didn't qualify for 'commoner'. Though, she didn't find anything unusual so she closed it again. After a few minutes, she changed her clothes from rich to average.
She was now wearing a black tube top topped with a black leather jacket, a striped black and red skirt that reached 4 inches above her knees while a purple rope braided belt hung loosely on her waist. For her shoes, she wore a pair black leather boots that had 3 inch hells on them. Her hair was tied into a pony tail by a red ribbon; her bangs fell down into a wavy line. Just to finish off the average but stylish style, Mikan wore a checkered newsboy cap, her face shadowed by the visor. For the final touch, to carry her wallet, phone and some other things, she carried a small JanSport messenger bag. Nodding to herself, she grabbed the two black suitcases on her bed then went running downstairs.
"Lily, can you call for a cab?" She asked a passing maid. Lily nodded then called a cab. In a few minutes, a yellow cab was waiting outside. The driver was of course, a trusted one. Mikan went outside – her suitcases being carried by a butler – heading for the cab and climbed into the passenger seat. She waited till the butler was finished putting her luggage inside the trunk and when he was done, Mikan ordered the driver to drive.
"Where to Ma'am?" The driver asked.
Mikan sighed then answered smoothly. "The Hyuuga's,"
The driver nodded then went for the u-turn ahead. Mikan stared outside the window. She wasn't used to riding cabs. In fact, this ought to be her first time riding such a car. All she could do right now is keep her hopes up.
Time Skip
30 minutes later…
"Here you go, sir. Keep the change," Mikan smiled as she handed the surprised driver one-thousand yen. The driver of the cab smiled then nodded as he drove off.
"Here we go again," She gulped and stared as the gates slowly opened for her to pass through. Behind those opening gates, Natsume Hyuuga stood there. His hands were inside the pockets of his black pants.
Mikan's POV
Oh it's him again. I've always hated those gorgeous crimson eyes and shiny black hair of his. That stare that they say could kill any woman with a glance and his body that could surpass any model. Surpass any model my butt.
I shrugged. Somehow, there was something wrong with that paragraph. Nonetheless, I didn't care much.
"You're one hour early. Didn't you look at the time before you left you idiot?" I heard him say as I passed by him. I clutched my two suitcases tighter in my hands, annoyed.
I groaned and rolled my eyes without facing him. "Afternoon," I ignored him. "Nat-su-me,"
"Tch. Whatever." I stared after him with rage as he walked back inside the mansion. "Oh and by the way – Make me something to eat will you?"
"But I thought I was just a bodyguard?"
"Don't defy your masters' orders. I don't care what you are or what you do just make me something to eat," I stood there, mouth hung open. How dare he! That wasn't on the rule book! Oh wait… Is there even a rule book?
I sighed then pushed the doors open. No one welcomed me of course – since they don't know me. Well, almost no one actually.
"Good Morning, Mikan-sama!" Nao chirped in her soft voice. I smiled at her then greeted her back.
"Nao, can you do me a little favor?" I asked. She turned to look at me, confused.
"And what may that be, hime?" It was that old nickname again. She always called me 'hime' or 'princess' during those times when she still served the Yukihara Family.
"Can you carry these to my designated room? Hot head ordered me to make him something to eat. Oh and if you don't mind can you point where the kitchen is?"
Nao tilted her head a bit then nodded. "Hai, hime! The kitchen is over there, hime. Use every ingredient if you must." Nao pointed at the left side of the mansion. I nodded then sighed.
"Thanks, Nao. I'll be off now." I walked off, frowning. I have a bad feeling that the chefs won't approve of me. After all, I'm just a nobody to them.
As I entered the kitchen, all chefs and maids turned to look at me, serious. I stopped walking for a bit then shrugged.
I sighed then raised my hand as a gesture. Though, they ignored me and went back to their work.
"Ano… Excuse me but may I please use the kitchen for a while?" I asked, a bit shakily. I was afraid that they might explode at me.
One chef stopped what he was doing and turned to look at me – seriously and it was kinda creepy.
"Clean up your mess if you're done. Let's go everyone." Was all he said. They all walked out, leaving me alone in the kitchen.
Geez, everyone here treats me so cold. It's like they inherited their attitude from that jerk.
Ignoring what that chef said, I went to raid the fridge for some ingredients.
I've learned so many home-made recipes from mom. She taught them to me when she still had free time unlike now. She taught me everything she knew so I could use them when I'm in need. It's useful even thought I barely touch or look at the kitchen back at home.
I had all the ingredients I needed from the fridge. I nodded to myself then began to do my job.
What did I make? It's Basil Salmon Terrine. Its recipe is one of my favorites. In additional knowledge, a Terrine is a French forcemeat loaf that is served at room temperature. It mainly consists of chopped ingredients – and I love using the knife.
In about 15 minutes, I was done and the Terrine was in a plate. Shrugging, I removed the apron, cleaned my mess – as the chef told me to do so – and grabbed the plate, the smell from the Terrine still roaming around the kitchen. I went to 'my masters' current location as Nao pointed out – again – then sighed.
I was in front of his door now. I couldn't hear anything inside so he must be doing some paperwork – like we usually do. Before entering, I knocked then pushed the door open. When the room came into view, it was like – wow. I was speechless.
Two bright chandeliers hung from the room, brightening it. The floor was marble and the rays of light were reflected by it. Instead of walls, it was replaced by shelves filled with thousands of books. At the center of the room, two cream colored couches that had the shape of the letter 'L' were facing each other; a square glass coffee table between it – not to mention the red and orange pillows on the couch looked comfortable. But what surprised me most was the floor to ceiling window at the far end of the room – at least about fifty three meters from where I was standing now. The view was magnificent. If you look at it here, you can see the front yard of the Hyuuga mansion – and it was stunning. Especially when you see the rays of the sun high light the flowing waters in the fountain. Sparkles could be seen every where when you look at the water.
"I have your request, Natsume-sama." Normally, I wouldn't call him 'Natsume-sama' but it can't be helped.
I walked towards him like a waitress, my brows twitching on every step I take. This is getting annoying. Especially after he looked up from his paperwork and stared at me with those crimson-red eyes of his. It was just too much.
He was sitting in a desk filled with papers. Curious of what he was doing, I took a glance at the papers. Yep, they were all about business thingy.
"Hey," I put the plate of food down beside his paperwork then pointed at a mistake he made. He stared at me then dropped his pen on the table. "You made a mistake over here," I continued, pointing at the paper he was working on. I grabbed the pen he dropped then explained, hoping that in the end he wouldn't be smacking me with that had of his. Thought it doesn't really matter if he will smack me or not 'cause I could always sense him and dodge away.
"You're supposed to be looking for the commission not the rate 'cause the rate is already given. So instead of dividing, try multiplying the commission rate to the total amount of sales. The answer should be two hundred twenty two thousand not your answer. Yours is too far away from the correct one," I explained while writing down the process. He stared at me, coldly as usual.
"And how am I going to be - ?" Natsume spoke but was cut off when someone spoke instead.
"She's right, Hyuuga." Hotaru butted in. Who wouldn't believe in Hotaru if the problem is math or business?
"I agree with you Hotaru," And suddenly, the world came crashing down.
"Oi! When did the two of you get in here?" I shrugged. I guess I have nothing to do with this anymore since Persona and Natsume are the ones having a conversation. Might as well greet him eh?
I put on a wide smile and a happy expression on my face to be respectful at least. "Konnichiwa, Persona-sama." I bowed politely. Hotaru went to stand beside me as Persona glanced at me. Please don't let him familiarize me.
"And who is this girl? I thought I told you not to bring anymore of your girls into my house? You know your mother will be disappointed in you if she found out!" Natsume's father said sarcastically. I secretly rolled my eyes. I expected Natsume to be like that. How uncool.
Natsume frowned then looked at his 'damned father' as he calls it. "She's the bodyguard you hired. Isn't it obvious?"
"No because she's a girl and a beauty too in fact. It's hard to imagine a girl being a bodyguard. Nonetheless, it's a benefit that she's a girl. Though, you have to be careful when you're going outside. They might think she belongs to you." Persona was right. I am a benefit. Hah! Take that Natsume!
"She is mine," I twitched at his reply. Is he saying that…?
"Excuse me? Did I hear it right?" Sorry, but I couldn't afford letting my thoughts go to waste. I mean did he just say that I'm his property?
Hotaru, Persona and I all turned to look at him in shock. Well not exactly Hotaru because she was filming. And may I remind you that Natsume didn't bother to eat the Basil Salmon Terrine I made for him! What a waste of food! He's just too ruthless!
I myself in fact, is very disappointed. I didn't even get like 3 reviews in Princess of Tennis and Our Love Style! Ughh, It's like I'm being pulled down! **sobs** Waaah!
From now on, there are rules! I won't update until I get at least three to five reviews! That's a promise! **sobs again**
See you until I get three to five reviews ;-; Adieu !~~