Chapter 3

I looked up, staring at the white clouds and the blue sky, sighing. How did I end up in this mess ? The time when I used to train and have matches on this tennis court seemed so far away now, long gone, and yet... I just couldn't let go. I've worked so hard, fought different opponents, enjoyed those moments when I'd found someone as strong or even stronger than me. The feeling of hitting so many tennis balls, the sweat rolling down my forehead, the anxiety that the silence on the tennis court brought me each time I was about to serve, and of course the thrill and the joy I got every single time I won. It was amazing. It had been my life, and now it was over. Now, I couldn't even run for too long or too far, I had to give more rest to my body and stop the hardcore training. Now the only thrill I could get was from drinking until I was drunk enough to have sex with a woman that I'd be sure to forget the face the morning after. And from now on, I'd share my worthless and miserable life with a woman who got on my nerves since day one.

I could still remember that day, a week ago, how she manipulated me, or should I say threatened me, by implying that she wouldn't hesitate for even one second to make our miai public and create an all scandal about it, which would have been fine by me ( I was used to deal with reporters) but not for my family, and making it hard for them in any way was the last thing I wanted. So I complied. Grudgingly, but I did. When we sealed our deal and came back to my parents I told them that we'd give it a try ( well, even it was a marriage ) and my mother just burst into tears, holding me (choking me?) saying that she was sure I'd find happiness with Ryuzaki and that I'd be able to move on with my life...well, I highly doubted that. I felt like she was more the trigger of my damnation than anything else. Since we were kind of engaged now, she and my mom spent the rest of the lunch discussing about a date for the wedding, the place for the reception, which flowers would be part of her bouquet and other stuff like that. They also talked about the fact that she'd be living with me from now on, something that I had to object.

'' Why would she live with me?! We're not even married yet!'' I said slightly angry

'' Well you'll be wedded anyway, so sooner or later what's the big deal?'' my mom answered innocently

'' Then later.'' I stated,'' and why my apartment? She's a CEO right? I bet she lives in a mansion or something, why am I not the one moving in?''

'' I'd rather not...'' she sighed, '' and I do not live in a mansion...well, not anymore.''

'' But you did.'' I smirked

'' Yes but I'm not the kind of person to dwell in the past.'' she replied emphasizing on the 'I'. I frowned.

'' Whatever...'', I grumbled, '' just be sure not to invade my place.''

'' I'll keep that in mind.'' she stood up and bowed before my parents, '' well then, I guess we'll call it a day. I'll be moving in soon, next week probably.'' she turned to me with that smile that I knew now was definitely fake, '' I'll see you then Echizen Ryoma-san.''

'' Oh come on Sakuno, you can call him by his first name now, right sweetie?'' my mom said cheerfully

'' Yeah, you can even give him sweet nickname like hubby ! '' Nanjiroh smirked mischievously

'' Shut up you perverted old man...''

Ryuzaki laughed. I glared at her and her grin widened.

'' Alright, I'll take my leave now,'' she headed to the door which was kept open by her two intimidating bodyguards but stopped midway. '' oh, I almost forgot. I would like Ryoma-san to give an interview. ''

I arched an eyebrow. Why should I do that? Surely she got my silent question and smiled.

'' I'd like you to make an official announcement about your retirement, you know, before our wedding, so we won't have to deal with some eventual mess. It's supposed to be the best day of our life after all, wouldn't want reporters and scandals to ruin everything right? '' she explained, '' And I'm sure your fan would be relieved and delighted to see your face again.''

'' What-Hey wait..!''

She had disappeared before I could/was even able finish my sentence. Damn it! Why the hell was I in this mess? What did I do to the heavens ?! I crushed the ponta in my hand before throwing it in the trash can next to me. Remembering that day annoyed me, just like the one she suddenly arrived at my apartment, standing in front of my door with an extraordinary amount of luggage and a man in his fifties, dressed in the formal attire that only butlers wore with a silver crest on the right side of his jacket where the letter 'R' was engraved.

'' Finally...I stood here for at least one hour, where have you been wandering?'' she asked frowning.

'' I was on an errand, '' I answered bluntly glaring at her, '' What the hell are you doing in front of my door anyway?''

She ignored my question and glanced at the plastic bag I carried. Following her eyes I quickly hide it behind me and she chuckled before crossing her arms on her chest.

'' Errand huh?'' she come closer, startling me before snatching the plastic bag. I grunted and tried to take it back but she ran next to her butler. '' So what do we have here...'' She took a look inside then made a disgusted face before facing me again, staring at me like I was the most pitiful man she has ever seen. I blushed and turned my head to the side. How embarrassing...

'' Oh...you miserable pitiful freak...you call this an errand...'' she muttered softly

'' What is it to you anyway?!'' I yelled even more embarrassed.

'' Naveen, could you get rid of this later please?'' she demanded her butler who bowed before taking the bag she was handing him

'' Yes oujou-sama. ''

'' What the hell?!'' I shrieked '' what gives you the right to do that?! ''

'' Don't worry, if you want to have a drink that much I brought some fine wine and high quality alcohol with me, '' she sighed, '' but if you'd rather drink crap like these at least buy them when I'm not around or hide them well, the sight of it disgust me, so the packs of condom and...those blue pills.''

'' What are you, nine? Just call them via-''

'' Whatever.'' she cut off blushing a bit. '' well now, will you open the door?''

'' What are you doing here?'' I asked beyond pissed

'' What do you think? I'm moving in.'' she pointed at her luggage, '' Can't you see?''

'' I thought that you wouldn't invade my house...''

She shook her head.

'' I said that I'd keep it in mind, not that I'd comply. If we're going to share our lives and stick together then I want to feel at home. But do not worry, it's not like I'm going to redecorate, at least not the shared places like the living room or the kitchen, just my bedroom.''

I arched a brow.

'' We won't be sleeping together?'' her eyes widened then she grinned.

'' Were you hoping we would?'' I cleared my throat.

''Of course not...'' I frowned, '' actually, it's better this way since I'm rarely alone at night.'' I smirked but weirdly enough she didn't react, at least not like I expected her to. She just shrugged.

'' Sure, I thought so. You know in spite of everything I'm still considerate.'' she winked at me

I froze. Was she serious? I just basically told her that I would be with other women, and that we would certainly not have tea or chat in my bedroom...she knew and yet, she seemed fine with it. I frowned.

'' Hey.''

She turned around.

'' Why are you doing this? I mean, it's nice and all to uphold your grand-mother's last wish but...''

'' But?'' she cut off waiting for me to continue

'' But, wouldn't it be better to marry someone you...who actually loves you?'' I corrected at the last moment, '' I mean, girls tend to wish for that right? ''

She gave me a neutral look before looking at the ceiling, deep in though.

'' I don't know really...to be honest, I've never once considered having my own family, less marriage...but, my grand-mother was my everything, and I'd do anything for her. Even this.''

I didn't reply. She laughed.

'' It's not like I'm sacrificing anything you know...I'm neither happy nor unhappy about this...I didn't wish for this but I'm fine with it. That may seem weird for you and others, but it's pretty normal for me. ''

I frowned.

'' And about what girls are used to wish...well, I have no idea. I'm just not like them.''

'' You're a weirdo...'' I said chuckling

'' I'd prefer the word different or even special but...as you wish...'' she smirked, '' so, will you open now?''

After that, she started to unpack her belongings, and I was kind of relieved that she meant it when she told me that she wouldn't change the shared-spaces, and actually, she was pretty fine with the way things were. I had the typical bachelor's apartment but it was tidy and clean. My furniture were pretty normal, a black leather couch, a Persian gray carpet and a glass table at the center, a flat screen TV with a home cinema. There was also a bay window with long cream colored curtains on each side, which gave a stunning view of the skyscrapers of Tokyo and the sunset on the horizon, flooding the city with an explosion of warm colors. The kitchen was directly opened to the living room and fully equipped, even if I rarely used it, unless it was to heat up soup, or prepare coffee or even just take a can of ponta out of the fridge. She seemed to like her bedroom, which was until now a mere guest room downstairs while my own room was on the second floor with my own bathroom, and she was delighted about not having to share hers. With the help of her butler she managed to finish unpacking in only one hour and a half. It was late and I thought that she would have liked to eat something so I decided to order pizza but she snatched my phone before I could even dial the number and pointed at her butler.

'' I'm not eating that so late at night...Naveen will make something diet and light.''

I couldn't really complain since the meal that night was pretty great...and also weird, but in a good way, I guess. I was used to eat alone, from morning until night time, even before my accident. Being a professional tennis player, I didn't really take my time to eat or even prepare something, cooking. I couldn't remember when was the last time I actually enjoyed a meal with someone, not even my family, and let's not talk about my state after the accident. Sure, she wasn't the best company ever but, it felt nice anyway, and watching her eat too. She was so gracious and flawless even while eating her meat and salad, sitting straight with her butler standing next to her. After the silent meal I offered to do the dishes but 'Naveen' already started to clean the table, while she was wiping her mouth before excusing herself to go to her bathroom, leaving me with the fifty years old man.

'' She isn't really talkative is she?'' I asked when I heard her close her door

'' Really? Well I thought that she was pretty talkative today.'' he answered softly while heading to the kitchen sink. I followed him.

'' Is that so? How come?'' I took a bottle of water out of the fridge. He turned to me and smiled.

'' Well, she is usually alone at home and at work you know...And she's not the kind of person to talk for nothing.''

'' But what about her parents?'' I asked leaning on the island that separate the kitchen to the living.

'' Well her father is on business trip most of the time, he hardly come home and when he does they just exchange a few words and greetings.'' He explained while washing a plate

'' Are they on bad terms?'' I arched an eyebrow. He stopped to look at me then smiled.

'' They do no bicker.''

That was no answer...or hardly...but I didn't want to pry, even if I became kind of curious about Ryuzaki's life. I yawned and thanked Naveen-san for the meal before wishing him a good-night.

'' Young master?''

I was slightly startled when he called me like that, but faced him anyway.

'' Yes?''

'' She might be hard to deal with sometime but...please, do take care of her.''

My eyes widened. The old man in front of me smiled warmly before bowing, and seeing like that gave me no other choice but to comply.

'' I will.''

What was I thinking, lying to an old person like that?! Like hell I could take care of her, I barely could take care of myself! Plus, all this marriage crap was an act! Nothing was true and that old man knew it! I mean, it was an arranged marriage, we weren't in love, we couldn't even get along, and yet she agreed with this and for what? A stupid promise she made to a dead person! And no matter how you look at it, this was wrong! What her grand-mother wanted for her was to settle down and have a family but certainly not with a man she wouldn't like! She got it all wrong, and now I was a victim too! I ended up unwillingly in this mess!

I sighed and hold my head. I really didn't know what to do with that girl, with my life. I thought that after my accident I would keep on living no matter how hard it would be and how I would live it but...now, she was a part of it and she was a real pain in the butt. Being considerate, I even stopped bringing women at home knowing she would be there, even if I was sure she wouldn't mind which, strangely enough, annoyed me.

'' Seishounen.''

I turned to look behind me. My dad was standing there, his hands in his pocket with a bored look.

'' They're here. You're ready?''

I nodded before standing up from the bench and heading toward him. He put a hand on my head and messed with my hair.

'' Cheer up brat.''

I didn't say a thing and kept on walking in the corridor that led to the locker room. While reminiscing the last few days ever since Sakuno Ryuzaki came to my life I almost forgot the reason why I came here today. Was I ready? Of course not...I still couldn't accept the fact that my career was over and yet they're asking me to prepare myself to announce it? Who were they kidding?! With each step I made I felt my resolve waver, this was the last time, the last step I'd make here. This was my final match, my goodbye to my old life, no matter how much I didn't want this. I didn't want to stop playing tennis, I didn't want to go home and do nothing, no training, no travels or tournaments, and most of all, I didn't want to marry a woman I didn't even love...I hated this but...I couldn't make it hard for my family any longer...I didn't want them to worry, not anymore...and if this was the solution then...

I was watching it. From the moment he entered the room filled with reporters who kept on taking pictures of him, drowning him in the flashlight of their camera, until his exit after announcing his official retirement from the tennis court and Grand chelem. He has been stoic the all time, answering with short and precise responses, and I had to admit that he did look appealing with that serious face of his. His dark wavy locks, slightly tanned skin, nicely chiseled chest and wide shoulders fitting perfectly in his black tux, and white shirt a bit unbuttoned, leaving a tantalizing view on his neck. I smirked, that man was fine...really not bad on the eyes. I crossed my legs keeping my eyes on my computer's screen. I knew he hated this, and I enjoyed seeing him so frustrated and yet not showing it in front of the camera. He explained slowly what had happened to him during those last two years, about the accident and his legs. Of course he didn't mentioned his depression something that I learned from his parents before our miai and confirmed the day I saw him with those bottle of tequila and vodka. I sighed...really, what was my grand-mother thinking? What was so great about that man? Sure he got the looks but his personality sucked as hell... well, as long as I'm respecting her wish I guess everything is fine.

I laughed at his embarrassed and annoyed face when a reporter asked him if he was really engaged. Well, I just wanted to tease him and hired that man to ask him that single question, I would have never thought that it would cause such a ruckus.

'' Oh well, I guess it's fine.''

'' My lady, was it really fine to announce your engagement at the same time?'' Naveen asked from the little window that separated the driver side from the back inside the limo. I closed the computer placed on my laps.

'' Probably not...at least not until the wedding and a bit later after that...'' I smirked, '' but, I really enjoyed teasing him...''

'' You do like him, don't you?'' I arched an eyebrow before looking outside

'' I do not dislike him completely.'' I answered.

Naveen smiled then close the single way of connection between us, living me alone inside my luxurious limo waiting for my soon-to-husband that would come any minute now, so we could go home together. I had to admit that living with him wasn't that bad, not at all actually. Waking up in the morning with his greeting and messy-bed-hair, his gorgeous face and smirk while he answer my teasing, really it wasn't all that bad, and even if this marriage was fake and all, at least we would work together to make it bearable, by becoming pal, or something close to that.

I startled a bit when I heard the limo's door open and Ryoma-san enter with a frown before glaring at me. I grinned before arching an eyebrow.

'' Something wrong?'' I asked innocently

'' Was that your doing?'' He hissed coldly

'' I have no idea what you're talking about...'' I responded while taking the newspaper on the side of my door and feigning to read it.

'' How the hell would that reporter know about us getting married then?!''

'' How should I know?''

'' You promised you wouldn't tell!''

'' I never promised anything. That was only to threat you if you were to refuse this marriage,'' I paused. '' And did you honestly think that we could get engaged without them founding out? If so then, you're really naive.''

'' Then, from the beginning I didn't have a choice?!''

'' Well, if you want to put it that way then..yes, pretty much.''

'' Screw you.'' he hissed darkly

The sight of him being so angry was entertaining but I also knew that my plan of making this a friendly relationship was now ruined. Oh well, It can't be helped I guess, it was more enjoyable when we try to piss each other off, while the teasing would be for a little break from time to time.

I do not dislike him completely...yes, those words fitted perfectly our relationship. I didn't hate him - proof was the fact that his mother would go shopping without hearing the neighborhood old hags gossiping about her failed and neglected ex-tennis player son, which was thanks to me who dragged him to make his retirement official before our wedding, and that meant less mess and no scandals. But, I didn't like him that much either. I had to bear with him, appreciating his presence sometime, just like he had to tolerate me. I smiled at him. He frowned.

'' Happy now?!''

'' I'm not unhappy.'' I whispered softly while he chuckled before cursing for the umpteenth time.