A/N: I'm back. Okay, I know, I know. I updated too long so don't bash me, okay? Hehehehe. Been busy for a while and I seem to have a writer's block but it's all good now. :) So enjoy this chapter! I decided to cut the wedding day into two parts so watch out for the next one soon! :D
And don't worry, I promise to finish every fic that I have so don't fret. Okay? Lots of love.
Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine but OMG I wish Atobe is real so that I could marry him! XD
Operation: Make that Arrogant Monkey King Love Me!
Chapter 4: Part 1
The next day, Keigo's mother, Atobe Kiara went to the Echizen's house to fetch Ryumi. Today, she was scheduled to fit her wedding dress that Keigo's mom picked for her. It was done without her knowledge for she wasn't talking about their marriage and was so shocked when the Atobe's went to their house yesterday and talked about their wedding, much to the disgust of Keigo. She could feel that he was giving her some dirty looks because she agreed not to pursue their wedding as they had agreed yesterday afternoon. But she did resist though. It was just her father that was itching for her to be married with Keigo since he said that he violated her, his little princess whom he treasured so much. Well, that was partly true though, but she did enjoy some part of it. But the consequences were paid in such great amount.
And her brother, Ryoga, didn't make the situation easy either. He kept on seconding to whatever their father would say. She had never seen her brother agreed to their father 101%. It's very rare, actually. But just as before, her mother was still as calm as ever.
And now, she was on the fitting room; Atobe Kiara and Echizen Rinko were outside, waiting for her to come out. There were two sales ladies inside the fitting room who were assisting her to fit her wedding gown.
"Yosh, that should make it." The first lady said.
"Now, Ryumi-san, you can look at your reflection at the mirror now, just turn around." The second one said gently, smiling; as if she was satisfied with the way the dress came out from her.
"A-ah, thanks." She muttered before she turned around and looked at her reflection on the mirror.
The gown looked perfect. It was a simple gown but definitely looked good on her. It was a tube top wedding dress ball with some sequences and silver stones aligned on the left side of the dress; from the chest down to the waist. She was being mesmerized by the reflection in front of her. But still, she couldn't help but feel a stinging pain in her heart. She stared at her reflection once more with sadness engulfing her system.
Yes, she dreamed of wearing a wedding dress with Keigo as her husband-to-be. He would be the one who would be waiting for her at the altar and solemnly swear that he would love her for eternity. Together, they would hold hands as they were saying their vows.
But that was just a dream that would never come true. It's given that part of it did come true, getting married to him in a few days but she could never have his heart, which she had been waiting to claim ever since they were young. She was restraining herself because she didn't want their friendship to be ruined. But that onemistake, just that one and everything; all of it had gone to waste.
She should be happy because at last, she could claim him as her own in a few days.
She should be.
But knowing that she could never have his heart, it seemed that she'll be stuck in Sahara Desert waiting for a snow.
~Wedding Day~
Atobe woke up because his cellphone had been ringing like mad for a while. Since he didn't want his sleep to be disturbed, he ignored it. But the ringing was getting on his nerves and decided to reach for his phone at the bedside table. He didn't bother to see the name of the caller so he just answered it.
"Do you know how precious my sleeping time is?" He said groggily.
"But the day today is more precious than your sleeping time, Atobe." The voice on the other line said and he recognized it. It was one of his best friends, Sanada Genichirou.
He slowly elevated his body up and rested his back with all those pillows on his bed. His head was hurting like hell. It felt as if it would crack at any moment now. The reason? Well, he just got himself drunk last night. He went solo drinking since his best friends didn't want to accompany him saying that he should have some rest because he would have a wedding, that he wouldn't want to show up with a massive hang over at the wedding and blah, blah, blah.
"Ah-n? What are you talking about? The only precious day in my life is the day when ore-sama was born!" He defended. Heck. He really didn't want to talk about the wedding. He knew that he couldn't escape anymore that's why he drowned himself with his expensive alcoholic drinks and drank all night, trying to forget that today, he would become a married man.
"Tarundoru, Atobe! Get your ass off your bed and get ready! Your wedding ceremony will start soon. Tezuka and I have been calling you for a while now." Sanada exclaimed. He could imagine Sanada pulling a really sour face. Both of his best friends couldn't believe what he did with Ryumi, and he was blaming those two 'cause if they hadn't let Ryumi take him home, then, there would be no wedding today, none at all.
"Sanada, if you're that excited on my wedding, why not get married in my place instead?" He said while getting up from the bed, but heck, his head hurt like hell. He palmed his head with his free hand and walk toward the window.
"I'm not impressed by your joke, Atobe. Your mother is getting hysterical because the main character isn't here yet."
"Okay, fine. As if there's any way to escape this wedding." He exclaimed and pressed end button and proceeded to the shower. Yeah, that's right. He couldn't escape now. He knew that his father sent two bodyguards to go with him wherever he went and they were outside his room now.
As he was under the rash coldness of the shower, he kept on thinking on why it ended up like this. At one moment, he and Ryumi had a normal life to live but now, he would never live the normal life that he used to have. He couldn't go out until late at night, drink until he dropped, play around with girls and the list would go on and on. He sighed.
This is your entire fault, Ryumi!
He punched the shower walls hard that his knuckles went numb. He couldn't feel the pain. All that he could feel was the water that was streaming down the shower; the coldness of the water that was engulfing his system. He kept on thinking about the things that should have happened; the things that would change once they were tied in marriage, everything.
Another thing was that his supposed to be fiancé, Kajima Kanna. He couldn't stand her teary-eyed and the sad look on her face and when he said that he had to break off their engagement a few days ago.
Kajima lowered her head when he said what he had to say. Slowly, he went closer to her. They were currently in his office. It was noon – lunch break so his secretary was out and they could have some privacy and just in case Kajima would cry loud, it's safe.
"I'm sorry. Ore-sama is just forced into the situation." He said. He could hear her gasped a bit and looked up to him, but just for a second.
"But you don't love the girl, do you?" She asked.
Without any hesitation, he answered, "Yes. But I do love her as a childhood friend. Nothing more, nothing less."
Somehow, Kajima's face lit up upon hearing his answer. "You really mean that?"
"Yes."
"You'll get divorce soon, right?" She suddenly muttered.
Then, it struck him! Why not get a divorce after the sixth month of their marriage? Especially when he knew that Ryumi couldn't stand his carefree and flirty attitude. He could show her what lies within his pretty face and make her regret the decision for falling for him. He let a small smile out of his lips. Yes, he could use that against her. But the question was, would their parents allow them? Knowing the Echizens, Nanjirou-san might beat him to death. He gulped upon thinking of that possibility.
For now, he'd just settle with the safest answer, "When the opportunity arises."
Damn. He was facing a lot of complications in his life now. He didn't want this. Not this kind.
Why must Ryumi have to fall in love with me of all people?
~o~
Ryumi was sitting on her bed, wearing her wedding gown. She's all dressed up, from head to foot. There's a light make-up on her face which enhanced her beautiful features. Her gown was simple yet elegant, everything in the preparation was perfect; except for the fact that her soon-to-be husband and she wasn't meant to love and to be with each other. Her heart seemed to falter for every minute that passed by, where it's getting nearer to their wedding and she didn't know how to face him. She sighed. Starting today, she'd be living at the house that Keigo's parents gave them as a wedding gift. She laid herself on her bed one last time and closed her eyes. She stayed motionless for a while until she heard a knock from her door and it revealed her father, dress in a black tuxedo. She got up from the bed and sat up straight as his father was coming near her. They hadn't got a serious talk after the incident happened, more like she avoided having the "talk" with her father. She knew she disappointed him. She felt shame through her entire body.
"Ryumi," Nanjirou called.
"O-oyaji," she said reluctantly, not meeting his gaze. She heard him sigh and sat beside her in her bed.
"My baby is so beautiful." His father said gently.
"Oyaji…" She felt her eyes became all watery and at any moment, she knew she'd cry.
"No, don't cry, Ryumi, it'll ruin your make-up." Her father said in a Nanjirou-ish manner, making her feel at ease.
"Oyaji, I'm sorry."
"Tsk. How dare that Keigo-kun steal away my precious daughter?" He said grumpily, making her smile. "Ryumi, it's in the past right now. We can't redo what's already done. Let bygones be bygones. I did get angry because I didn't think that it was this early. You still have your studies to finish.." Ryumi couldn't help but let a tear fell from her eyes. It's just too painful to hear her father talk like that. "…and you're too young. I knew all along that you love Keigo-kun but I didn't think that this would happen so fast. I really push through the wedding though both you and he are totally against it because I don't want to see my daughter being hurt by her own feelings."
She hugged her father tightly. "I'm really sorry, Oyaji." She felt Nanjirou's hand patting her back.
"All right, all right. Forgiven. But, once Keigo-kun hurt you, I promise I'll beat him so hard." He threatened.
"Oyaji!" She exclaimed as he chuckled. She was glad that they were back to normal.
"This house will miss you, Ryumi."
She pouted, "Only the house? What about yo-" Her sentence was cut in mid-air when her Mom and brother were at the door since her father didn't close the door at all.
"You guys ready? We have to be at the cathedral now." Her mother reminded them as she averted her gaze to her, "My daughter," she said, teary-eyed. "you're so beautiful."
"Thanks, kaa-san."
"So, chibisuke, you are having a wedding ahead of me, huh?" He teased.
"Tch, Shut up, aniki." She growled.
"Ryumi! Don't make that face, smile, okay." Her mother said.
Her father stood up from the bed and walked over but stopped in midway and turned to them, "We will miss you, Ryumi." He said, wearing a rare smile.
"Yeah, we will." His brother seconded, "Cause I won't have anyone to tease early in the morning." They all laughed except her as they exited their house.
Ryumi pouted but let out a smile when they turned their back on her. She knew she would miss times like this. She should cherish it while it lasted.
~o~
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