Chapter 4
Misaki had enough of it. Not only was the plane trip long, Usui kept teasing her like anything. And the airhostesses kept on coming to catch a glimpse of Usui. Seriously, what did they see in him? But it soon stopped when he called Misaki "my love" in their faces.
But all her worries were gone when she stepped out of the plane. Maldives seemed amazing. It was late evening. They headed straight to their hotel. After a lot of arguments, Usui had got them separate rooms. She then retreated to her bed. But then the worst possible thing that could happen had happened. A thunderstorm occurred. Shit, she had not expected this. She had been frightened of thunderstorms ever since she was young.
She could still remember that day. It was her birthday. But as usual her parents were busy in their work. They were serious workaholics. A quality they passed down to her. She could remember the way she was all alone. It was very dark and a thunderstorm had started. She had no one near her; all she could do was cry herself to sleep. She was five then. It was her only phobia in life. The only constant in her life beside work. But 20 years had passed since then. She felt she had gotten over her fear. She went over to shut the window but the clouds roared again. She collapsed on the carpet. Her body was still in shock. She couldn't get up.
Meanwhile Usui wanted to clarify something with her. He knocked at the door. No one answered. He was starting to get worried. He peeped through the peephole to see the faint outline of a figure lying on the floor. His heart skipped a beat. he rammed into the door breaking it open. His eyes turned to Misaki immediately. He lifted her up and laid her gently on the bed. Her face was deathly pale. As he stood up he realized she hadn't let go of his hand. When he tried to pull away his hand afraid of the future consequences, she murmured "Please don't leave me. Stay." He smiled and held her hand tight. He said "Don't worry Misa-Chan, I'll never let go of you."
The next morning Misaki woke up with a smile on her face. She was surprised she slept so soundly. When she tried to get up she realized she couldn't because of pair of strong hands that had wrapped around her body. When she realized who it was, she screamed.
Usui woke up with a start. He could see that Misaki was furious. As he tried to explain, the thoughts of last night came flooding to her. She became mortified that she let him see her so weak. As if he could read her thoughts, he held her hand and said "It's okay to be afraid, you know." She drew her hand away, her face red with embarrassment.
He then asked her to freshen up and meet him for breakfast and left. He seemed like he was upset. She freshened up and wore a lilac dress. She was thinking, was she harsher than needed with Usui. It wasn't exactly wrong what he did. She remembered his remorseful eyes as he left the room. It was actually rather nice of him to comfort her like that. Maybe she was wrong about him. Maybe he wasn't the super pervert she thought him to be. But then did he have to sleep next to her? Or maybe it was because she didn't let go of his hand. Her thoughts then drifted to his nice muscular arms with which he hugged her. Those strong arms which made her feel so safe. His emerald eyes which made her so calm. His blond hair which was so soft. Oh my god, what was she thinking? Was this his perverted influence on her? She needed to forget that incident. But it was too hard to forget that incident considering the fact that the broken door was still lying on the floor. "Just forget about this, Misaki, just go and have breakfast. Don't let this interrupt your vacation." She thought to herself.
She entered the restaurant and found Usui waiting for him. Damn it, why was he so hot? Was Aoi right when he told her that day she was falling for Usui. No, it's just nonsense, she thought. He smiled at her warmly. "No, Misaki. You can't be in love with him. You don't have time for love". She thought. "You are not capable of love. You only love your work and your company. That's why I am leaving you." Tora's last words ringed inside her brain. She cringed at the thought of that horrible day. Usui asked her "Is everything all right?" His eyes filled with concern. That's right. She wasn't capable of love. She didn't want to burden such a nice guy like Usui. Friendship was better than love. Keeping all these thoughts to herself she began eating her breakfast.
A few minutes later she found herself admiring the roses outside the hotel. Usui had gone to fetch a cab for them.
"Misaki!" She heard a voice that was way too familiar to forget. Filled with dread she turned to see the lime green eyes of the guy she hated the most.
Tora Igarashi.
