A/N: Please review. :D

Memories of the Heart

Chapter 3: Atobe Keigo

Syuurei made a glance on her wristwatch. She was waiting for someone. After the meeting had ended, she got a call from that someone and immediately proceeded to the nearby convenience store that was just beside their company. She took a quick glance to herself at the glass walls of the store to check out her appearance. She was wearing a puffed sleeve white shirt which she matched with a beige skirt that flow freely that barely reached her knees. And the white 2 inches heels with strap completed her outfit. She once heard a shoe designer in Paris (since Paris is a world of fashion) commented that 'beautiful shoes take you to beautiful places' that was why from that time on, she began collecting beautiful shoes.

Satisfied with her appearance, she looked back and faced the streets. She was observing now the people that walked passed by her. She then noticed a middle-aged man got off the car. He had a great psych and was walking toward the convenience store. The man suddenly smiled at her when he passed by her. He must have noticed that I was observing him, she thought. But then, she also gave the man her sweetest smile. The man nodded, still had that smile on his face and went inside the store.

She glanced once again on her wristwatch. What's taking him long? She muttered. But she gasped when someone hugged her from behind. She then suddenly recognized the perfume that he was wearing. That was his signature smell.

"Keigo." She called his name softly as she turned around and saw her closest friend standing there.

"Syuurei." Atobe spoke softly. Not his usual tone. "How is my beautiful friend, huh?" he added.

Syuurei quickly jumped at Atobe and gave him a tight hug. How she missed this man! That would be given for she hadn't seen him for the last few months since they graduated from college. While she studied photography at École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Atobe studied at École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Paris (A top business school in France). After they graduated, Atobe went back to Japan to be the heir of the Atobe Directorate. And thus, he became a busy person and they would only communicate through their mobile phones. Atobe would call her at least twice a week when he was not busy with work.

"Oi, oi, ore-sama can't breathe from your tight hug, Syuurei. I know you miss me so much but please, my fan girls would wail when they know that ore-sama will die of suffocation from a hug." Atobe complained as he was suppressing his laugh from the reaction of Syuurei upon seeing him.

"Saa, you're fan girls wouldn't know if your paparazzi would keep this a secret between us, ne?" Fuji teased him then she finally let him go and then flashed her sweetest smile.

"Heh, yare, yare, Syuurei-chan doesn't change, huh?" Atobe said while he succumbed himself with a king's laugh. (King, because Atobe often addresses himself as the KING.)

"So, how are you now, Keigo-bocchama?" Syuurei asked Atobe, grinning.

"Maa, I'll answer all your questions while we are eating our lunch. I know you are hungry now." Atobe said as he grabbed her hand and placed it in his. She didn't take back her hand, for she was used to that habit of Atobe. Pulling and grabbing her hand whenever and wherever he wanted. He pulled her toward the white limousine as his driver opened the door of the limousine for them.

Tezuka's eyes narrowed as he watched the scene between Atobe and Syuurei. He felt his chest twist. And his face felt as if the blood escaped from it. There were many questions running through his head.

How could that Atobe touch his Syuurei? Yes, he knew that Syuurei was not his anymore, but he couldn't help being possessive of her.

Since when did they become so close? As far as he could remember, Syuurei loathed Atobe for destroying his shoulders during their middle school.

Are they together? No, that's impossible. Syuurei would never like that cocky attitude of Atobe.

That questions where now circling his thoughts. But he couldn't deny the fact that Syuurei looked so beautiful than ever. Yes, she was so beautiful that he couldn't take his eyes off her. As he saw the scene between Atobe and Syuurei, he couldn't help but felt jealous. An extreme jealousy, he could say. Standing there, watching those two happily hugging each other. He smiled bitterly. Just when he thought he would work things out with Syuurei now that he's back. It seemed that he was a second too late.

Tezuka felt a tap on his shoulder surprised to see Mr. Kruz in front of him, holding two bottles of water. Mr. Kruz followed the gazed where Tezuka was looking at before he spoke.

"Tezuka-kun, here is your water."

"Ah, thank you, Mr. Kruz." He thanked him politely.

"We should hurry now, before you attract more attention from your fans." Mr. Kruz reminded him and that made him back to reality. True, he was attracting more attention as he was the famous Tezuka Kunimitsu. He followed Mr. Kruz to where their car was parked. He paused for a while and took a quick glance at Atobe and Syuurei who were now talking happily.

They were in the car now.

"Tezuka-kun, do you know that beautiful lady standing outside the store? I saw you looking at her." Mr. Kruz asked suddenly.

"Ah, we attended the same middle school, a schoolmate. We're at the same year." Tezuka chose not to mention that Syuurei was his ex-girlfriend. For sure, Mr. Kruz would ask him more questions. And this was not the time for that now that he had been so distracted and restless.

"I see. I can't help staring at her earlier. She seems kind and she is a real beauty. She smiled at me." Mr. Kruz said dreamily. "I wish I had a daughter like her." He added, his voice filled with hope. Mr. Kruz was 45 years old, he was so busy with his work and because his work requires a lot of travels, he neglected the idea of being a family man.

Tezuka chose not to comment.

Again, silence overcame. And Tezuka was still drowned in his thoughts, the thoughts of his Syuurei.

It's been so long since I saw that sweet and innocent smile of yours.

I longed to see you, but why do I have to see you in this way?

I should be the one hugging and touching you and not him.

Syuurei, you're so close and yet so far.

After a few moments, they arrived at his house. They were welcomed by his family. His mother, Tezuka Ayana hugged him tightly the moment she saw him. He missed the warmth of her mother. Her Grandfather and Father, Kunikazu and Kuniharu respectively, looked at him with proud visible in their eyes for his achievements. He tried to erase the thoughts that made him anxious as he enjoyed his time he spent with his family, for now. He was sure once he was alone, her memories would circle his mind again.

As they were having their lunch, Ayana would ask her son all of his escapades in Germany. While his Father and Grandfather would just listen and they would also made some comments from time to time. They talked happily as they were eating.

After that delicious lunch that his mother prepared, Mr. Kruz bid them goodbye.

"Jya, Tezuka-kun, I'll go ahead. You're interview will be three days by now. So rest well." Mr. Kruz said. He was like a father figure to Tezuka while he was in Germany.

"Ah, thank you, Mr. Kruz. Take care."

"Ayana-san, Kuniharu-san, Kunikazu-san, I'll go ahead. Thank you for that delicious lunch." He said, now turning to the other Tezukas.

"That's nothing compared to the care and guidance that you have given to our Kunimitsu." His father, Kunikazu, said courteously.

Mr. Kruz smiled and finally left.

Atobe brought Syuurei to a first-class French restaurant for lunch. They talked mostly about their lives and how they missed their college friends in Paris while they were eating. Right after eating, he dropped Syuurei to their house because she said she had to start her work now since she was the newly appointed Creative Head in the photography section in their company. And he would have to go back to the office to deal with those endless documents.

How he missed being with her, time flew so fast whenever he was with her. Even though they would still talk over the phone these past few months that they were away from each other, he was still not contented. He wanted to be with her, only with her. She still looked beautiful than ever. The way she called his name by her sweet voice, felt like he was being called by an angel.

And yes, he knew that she had twins. When he knew that Syuurei became pregnant at 15, eight years ago, he was so anxious and at the same time, furious at Tezuka for he saw how hurt Syuurei was when he left her. How she cried so much for him and how he envy Tezuka for winning the heart of Syuurei. He didn't have the nerve to let Syuurei alone; he couldn't stand seeing her crying every time. So when he heard that her family was going to migrate at Paris, France, he followed her. He was afraid, yes; ore-sama was afraid, he, the great Atobe Keigo, was afraid that he would lose Syuurei again.

He kept close to Syuurei and they shared a close relationship, for most people who knew them, would think that they were lovers, but they were not. Apparently, Syuurei was still not over of that damn Tezuka. And now that she was in Japan, he knew that one of these days, the path between Syuurei and Tezuka would cross, no matter how they change the course of their paths. And that's what making him worried. He had to move, he really had to. For eight years, he just watched Syuurei, waiting for her. And now, he had to make some actions before it's too late.

A/N: All right! :D I'll make the regulars appear in the proceeding chapters. What can you say about Atobe's thoughts? Hmm. Jya, till the next chapter. How is the story going so far? Good or bad? Please do leave a review. Thank you! :D