Author's Notes: Sorry for not making the two-week time-limit. I'm hopeless at deadlines but I'll try to update two chapters a month.

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Chapter 7

Pucca could feel the smooth, cool water enveloping her as she plunged into the pool. With graceful strokes and swift kicks, she crossed its other end then rolled her lithe body to do yet another lap.

Three weeks had passed since she stumbled upon her bizarre condition. Her body had healed and she was feeling stronger every day. The only visible reminder of what she'd been through was the white scar just above her temple.

Pucca wasn't giving up hope that she could get her memories back. Far from it, she was feeling hopeful.

Ironically, when she wasn't thinking about her how to get her memories back, they would flash in her mind, notably in the most unusual places. She didn't care if they were just little things, like her favorite food was jajangmyeon, she styled her hair with two buns, that she likes red, and that she did eat ice cream when she was upset. It just gave her a sweet rush of relief that she was a whole person, not just a blank sheet of paper to be rewritten.

So far, Jian was right. When she was feeling her most calm, memories flow through. Calm though, didn't mean it was clear of distractions and Tobe was without a doubt one magnificent distraction.

She couldn't help the sigh that escaped her, feeling it bubble past her lips.

She opened her eyes amidst the water and saw the refracted sunlight coursing through it. She kicked her legs against the tiled floor and broke through the water's surface, gasping for sweet air. She looked around and saw the object of her thoughts standing over the sliding doors, leaning his back against its frame as he talked on his phone.

Even dressed in white long-sleeved shirt and black slacks, his urbane attire couldn't disguise Tobe's untamed masculine aura. The savage air was only emphasized by the mysterious scar on his chiseled face. His shirt was open three buttons down from the neck, hinting at the tanned and muscled chest. Pucca saw him balance the phone between his ear and shoulder as he rolled the sleeves up to his steely forearms.

He was powerful and dominant and devastatingly sexy, she'd give him that because lately, he kept inserting himself in her thoughts.

Sometimes she would remember the way his unnerving eyes would lock on hers, remember the way his lips would curl in his familiar smirk.

There were even times she could even envision him as a rascally kid, often being beaten up by her. The thought made her smile.

Daydreams, maybe even wishful thinking, Pucca thought.

Compared to their volatile start, they had been getting on quite well. But that was not to say they didn't bicker, which oftentimes resulted in one of them storming off.

Pucca swam towards the edge of the pool and pushed herself up. She picked up her towel then draped it over one shoulder. As she squeezed the water from her hair, she saw from the corner of her eyes that Tobe was looking at her.

Pucca turned to face him and saw the heat in his frank appraisal of her body. She met Tobe's eyes, unmindful of the similar fire reflected in hers.

She squared her shoulders and walked towards him.

"Tobe," she greeted, her voice sounded husky. She coughed. "Hey," she added her voice now noticeably clearer.

The corner of his lips twitched in a smirk. "Now, don't you look sexy in that number?" His tone was teasing and she had to repress a little quiver of awareness when his eyes slid insolently over her. She thought that the black one-piece suit was the most modest she could find but the Lycra clung to her body and emphasized her soft curves, showing off the smooth skin on her sides.

Pucca rolled her eyes. "You should know. You picked it."

After his week-long absence, he had pushed a large paper bag at her declaring, "Bought you clothes. Wear them."

Pucca stared at him, incredulous at his sudden kindness and generosity. The bag was heavy in her arms and strangely, the clothes were predominantly red and black.

"You didn't have to spend so much money on clothes. I can wear whatever's available."

"And by that, you mean you prefer to wear mine?" He raised an eyebrow at her. "Flattering," he said, his eyes glinting humorously.

"It isn't that!" Pucca blushed. "It just seems like a waste when I'll give these back to you once… once this is all over," she muttered awkwardly. She didn't want to be more indebted to him.

The idea of Tobe choosing clothes and even lingerie to buy for her was doing devastating things to Pucca's equilibrium. It just seemed incredibly intimate.

Did he picture her wearing each outfit, each piece of clothing then decided which would look best on her? Did he gently caress the fabric, feeling the texture with his hands and picked those he believed would feel nice and soft against her skin—

Hell!

Lost in her thoughts, she was too late to comprehend the dark emotion that briefly shadowed his features.

The teasing note in his voice was replaced by sarcasm when he said, "Yes, because your clothes are exactly my type." He sneered. "Sorry, but I don't get my kicks that way."

Unable to get passed the scarlet flush that tainted her cheeks, she marched away in a huff.

Such was a common sight in the household.

"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?" Tobe pointedly arched an eyebrow at her.

Pucca mentally dragged herself back from her reverie and tried to focus on Tobe. "Nope," she said childishly, liking the way his arrogant, condescending expression turned to annoyance.

"Bottom line is, we're having some guests over in four days so you'd better be ready."

"Why? What's the event?"

Tobe smirked. He leaned his face closer to hers and tilted her chin up with a crook of a finger. "Why don't you figure that out for yourself."

"Ugh! I'm not coming out of my room when his guests arrive," Tara buried her face on a pillow, muffling her voice, though it couldn't hide the sneer in her voice when she said 'guests'. "Tobe had been on the phone with them all afternoon. I doubt he told them to go away like I told him."

"Why would they be coming, anyway?" Pucca questioned as she leaned on the headboard of Tara's bed.

Tara sat up cross-legged as she faced her clueless friend. "Tobe runs a large security agency. He trains guards from handling weapons to teaching them necessary fighting skills."

"What's that got to do with his guests?"

"Juru owns a company that specializes in creating advanced weaponry and technological security. In addition to that, he has connections in major companies. Tobe's been trying to win his influence for business purposes." Tara looked thoughtful. "I'm guessing that's why they think they can just show up in such short notice."

"So what's so wrong with him?" Pucca frowned.

"He creeps me out. He looks at me like I'm a piece of meat." Tara shrugged. "But it's not so much about him than it is about his sister. She's really, really mean! And about as creepy as her brother. Really!"

Pucca chuckled.

Tara shook her head. "You're going to agree with me once you meet her. She's a real… bitch," she whispered the last word as if it would lessen the vitriol in her tone. "She has nothing to do with her brother's company. I'm guessing she just tagged along to see Tobe. I don't like how she would suddenly plaster herself on him and…" She shuddered.

Pucca's humorous outlook suddenly disappeared as ice flooded her veins. Her stomach seemed to churn more acid than normal.

"Why?" she asked, she gritted her teeth.

Tara hesitated then pursed her lips, "Tobe and Jing-jing share a history."

"Jing-jing." The name seemed to leave a bitter taste on her tongue.

Tara's sweet face contorted in a sneer, "They actually have the gall to invite themselves here and presume they'll be welcome automatically. I wonder why Tobe just let her come and go as she pleases when it's been over between them."

"What do you mean? And how come she knows this place? I thought that aside from Jian and the few ninjas Tobe brought with him, only family members knew about this place." Pucca felt more irritated than she'd like to admit.

Tara bit her lip, looking at her uncomfortably. Pucca wondered why Tara suddenly adopted a careful tone with her when she said, "That's seems about right." She shrugged. "It pains me to admit it but… she was. She's Tobe's ex-wife." For Pucca, time seemed to stand still as she absorbed that piece of news.

Her heart seemed to be ricocheting inside her ribcage. Tara was still speaking but the blood drumming in Pucca's ears was so loud she couldn't hear.

"Whatever connection they still have now, I know Tobe doesn't really care that much for—"

"Um, how long?" Pucca asked, interrupting Tara's words. "How long have they been married?"

"I don't know, Pucca. There was a time when Tobe… well, he went away for several years. I've never known what he'd been up to until he came back to Kalaya village. He was already married at that time."

Why was Tara looking at her like that? So soft and apologetic, as if she regretted telling her? Pucca looked away.

"Tobe filed for divorce a year after that."

"Oh." It was all she could say.

Later that night, Pucca was lying in bed tormented with thoughts that should not even affect her.

Does Tobe still care for Jing-jing? Is that why, as Tara said, he lets her come and go as she pleases?

Why is he so secretive about the time he went away?

And what happened to his decision to 'punish' me?

They had been sleeping together night after night. At first she protested and slept in her own room anyway but when she woke up, she was beside him on his bed. So rather than go through the process of sleeping in her bed only for Tobe to carry her back to his room and face his wrath in the morning, she went to his room every night after everybody else was asleep. If anybody in the household believed there was something going on between Tobe and Pucca every night, they didn't show it.

Well, the funny thing was, nothing was going on. He hadn't made a move on her even though they both knew she was physically well now.

Does he want someone else?

Pucca tossed and turned in bed. She wanted to sleep before Tobe comes out of the shower. She tried to ignore the questions bouncing in her head so she could have peace of mind but it was a hopeless cause.

The door to the bathroom opened so Pucca laid still and closed her eyes. In her mind's eye, she could see water droplets beading his skin before they would slide down his chiseled form. He would be standing in his boxers rubbing his hair dry with a towel that he draped over his neck.

Then he would crawl on the bed and lay beside her like he always did.

Just then, Pucca felt the mattress dip in his weight as Tobe settled beside her. Pucca could feel the heat emanating from him. Pucca stifled a sigh when she felt him wrap an arm around her waist then nuzzled her hair.

He always did that too but nothing more.

Why? It was another question that rose to torment her.

"Tobe?" She spoke softly like she always felt she was compelled to do when they were in bed. She didn't want to spoil anything when they were like this.

"Pucca?" Even the way he said her name was different. It was low and rough and she always had to suppress the quivering response his sexy drawl evoked.

They talked about the little things that came on their minds like they often did.

It was as if they were different people during the night. Where the garish light of day irradiated their incomprehensible relationship and made them awkward and distant in each other's company, the moonlight temporarily lent the atmosphere a surreal quality that let them pretend for a moment that things between them was as easy and natural as breathing.

"Tara mentioned you train your men how to fight," Pucca mentioned drowsily.

"Yeah?"

"They're very good." Pucca's lips stretched in a small self-effacing grin but Tobe merely grunted. "Your sister told me your skills are famous through out the region. I don't know whether that's true or that she was biased because she adores you." she teased.

"Tara is prone to exaggeration and drama," he drawled. "But there are a number of companies who would all too eagerly approve of my demands so my men would work for them." Pucca smiled inwardly at his arrogant tone.

"Oh yeah? Prove it," Pucca challenged mischievously. "Why not teach me to fight then so I could judge for myself?"

Pucca felt Tobe go rigid behind her. "No."

Pucca stilled. It was amazing how one word uttered with contempt could reduce her to a cold shell.

She turned around. He looked guarded and wary. She realized that after all this time, he still couldn't trust her. Disappointment, sharp and bitter, overwhelmed her. "Why not?" Her voice shook.

He sat up and looked away from her. "You know why not."

Pucca sat up too and stared at him, quelling the hurt his words caused. She didn't really care whether he taught her or not. But she wanted to know what he was thinking underneath his cold, dark eyes. And right then, his silence wounded her.

At times like this, she felt the extent of the power he held over her. The first time she felt it was when she was bruised, beaten and helplessly immobile in his basement. But now, it was less about his physical dominance and more about how a few of his chosen words could produce lancing pain through her.

"Tell me," she commanded. The strength in her voice did not match how she felt inside. "What do you think I'd do to you? To Jian? To Lori? To Tara?"

He didn't answer. His head was turned away from her and she wished she knew what he was thinking, what he was feeling.

She laid back down in bed, her back facing him. She grumbled, "Forget what I said Tobe. It was just a stupid suggestion."

She felt him lie back down on his pillow but he made no move to get closer to her.

Pucca felt cold and even with just a few inches away from him, she felt very alone.

She closed her eyes, waiting desperately for the deep abyss sleep could give her.

Pucca needed another dose of coffee. It was just that she was too tired and too lazy to get up from her seat and make another pot. She looked at her empty mug disdainfully, half-wishing it would magically refill.

It had been a long time before she slept. And at that time, she was also painfully aware of Tobe's every movement. Apparently, he had a hard time sleeping too.

"Hey." Jian snapped his fingers repeatedly in front of her face. When she turned to glare at him, he tossed her an apple. "Eat it." Pucca fumbled to catch it. Her reflexes were shot since she seemed to be still half-asleep. "It's healthier than coffee and a better way to start the morning."

Pucca grunted, "What is it with doctors and apples?"

Jian winked at her before walking away humming a lively tune, probably to irritate the rest of the household with his brand of cheeriness.

What's he so happy about?

"Morning people." Pucca grumbled before taking a bite at the fruit.

After some time was spent on munching on what was left of the apple, she thought she was provided enough energy to go to the kitchen to brew a cappuccino.

She was at the door when she saw Tobe pouring himself a cup of coffee from a fresh pot. She was tempted to just turn around and leave but decided against it.

I wasn't the one being offensive, he was. He should be the one doing the avoiding or even better, trying to apologize for his terrible behavior last night.

The idea of him cowering from an argument or apologizing for his actions to her seemed implausible seeing as he believed his actions to be justified. Nevertheless, she was no coward either.

Pucca set her chin stubbornly and walked towards the pot of coffee beside him. She picked it up and poured its contents in her mug. She added her preferred amount of milk and sugar, all the while studiously avoiding any form of contact with him.

She was about to turn and go back to her table and drink her coffee in peace when he called her name. She haughtily glanced at him from over her shoulder waiting for him to continue.

"Come find me when you finish your coffee," he ordered, his voice aloof, "I'll teach you what you have to know. But we'll do this my way."

Pucca blinked torpidly in surprise. She silently nodded in acknowledgement then walked away, hiding a giddy smile. As she was leaving, she heard him drone, "This is gonna be fun."

Moments later, Pucca saw him in the front yard taking out some kick pads and other tools from a bag.

"I'm ready," Pucca declared.

Tobe glanced at her with a bored expression. "Not quite," he said.

He walked towards her, prowled was most likely, she stood her ground despite his unnerving stare. He stopped in front of her.

He seemed to be evaluating her appearance as he looked her up and down, taking in her clothes. She was wearing a red shirtdress and black leggings, the ones he bought her.

He reached a hand and cupped the back of her head. Pucca could only gape at him, her eyes alight with curiosity and anticipation. Her heart was drumming in her chest when he pulled at the ribbon holding her hair in a tight ponytail.

"What are you—" she started but he held her ribbon between them and snapped it in half. "Hey! What was that for?"

"Turn around," he ordered.

"Why'd you do that?" Pucca ignored him, still fixated on her ribbon.

Impatiently, Tobe walked around her until he was behind her. Pucca was about to turn to face him when his fingers combed the silky strands of her hair. "Stay still."

She subdued.

The fingers sensuously caressing her skull sent her nerves humming with pleasure. She stood rigid yet oddly, her body seemed to be relaxing against her will from his ministrations.

"There," he said then stepped back. She turned round to face him as she felt her hair. He styled it with two buns on top of her head. "Now, you look like you're ready for anything." He grinned at her. His eyes were so warm and tender that Pucca's heart lurched in her chest.

"So what now?" she asked brightly, masking the indefinable emotion constricting her throat.

"Do some warm-ups."

After ten minutes of light activity, she had already broken a sweat.

"Let's do some stretching. I'll assist you." He held out his hand to her. Pucca hesitantly placed her much smaller hands on his.

"Bend over," he ordered already placing a hand over the small of her back.

"Excuse me?!" She resisted. Pucca tugged on her hand but Tobe held it firmly.

"I said I'll assist you, didn't I? So just do as I say. This is for your benefit anyway."

Pucca grumbled but complied. Tobe placed a hand over her back and gradually pushed her arm up, letting her muscles adjust. After some time, he repeated the process with her other arm.

"Now, stretch up your arms and bend your body to your left." Pucca did just that but she stiffened when she felt him trail a hand up her ribcage before holding her by the shoulder to bend her down. "Relax, Pucca," he seemed to purr her name. "Now count to thirty."

She almost stumbled with her arithmetic, distracted by the heat of his other hand on her waist. And after repeating the process on her right side, she felt a bit breathless. And not from the exercise itself.

"Now lie back on the mat. Good." He was hovering her. "Lift up your foot. That's right…" He kneeled in front of her and caught her leg. He placed her foot on his shoulder before slowly bending his body, along with her leg, towards her.

This little game he was playing on her went on for some time. Pucca tried to act as casual as she could during their exercise. She ignored the way her skin tingled when his hands lingered on her, ignored the way his face always seemed to get too close to hers, ignored the way his low and breathy voice counted softly a few inches from her ears.

She didn't know why he was doing it. Maybe he was extracting his own brand of punishment from last night. She believed she didn't do anything that night to deserve punishment but it must be. This was just… sweet torture.

She thought that after they've moved on from their stretching exercises to basic martial arts techniques, he would lighten up. But things only got more… touchy. After two hours of being subjected to his… unique method of teaching, she was done.

"Don't move," Pucca froze in place as Tobe evaluated her position. She had her leg high up in the air in a side kick.

Tobe reached out and held her by the ankle. "This needs to be straighter." He swept his other hand from her calf, to the back of her knee then the back of her thigh, putting pressure to properly set her position. The hot current of desire that rushed through her veins shocked her, making her wobble in place. "A bit of pressure and you lose your balance. If you had the proper stance, your position would be sounder."

He let her go of her leg. "Now go back to your basic position." Pucca did the horse stance, spreading her legs widely and slightly bending her knees. "Keep your back as straight as possible and your knees bent," Pucca heard him remind her from behind. Then in a low voice, he murmured in her ear, "Didn't I tell you to make sure that you position their legs slightly wider than your shoulder width? And you should push your chest out and keep your hips forward."

Pucca suppressed a shudder when he placed his hands low on her hips and adjusted her position. Tobe tugged her towards him and pulled her shoulders back, pushing her chest out. He linked a leg with hers and dragged it to one side.

"Again. This time, mind your stances. Footwork is one of the most underrated skills you must possess in order to effectively execute your defenses and attacks. You may have the strength to take on two men, but you don't have the skills to defend yourself."

Tobe's casual voice contrasted to the mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

That devil knew what he was doing to her!

Pucca swallowed and straightened, feeling hot and bothered. "Tobe, I'm done. I don't know how your men put up with you throughout their training," she muttered sarcastically.

He raised a brow at her, as looking at her all innocent and confused. So Pucca looked at him with a Yeah right expression on her face.

"Pucca! Master Tobe!" They turned to see Lori calling them from the door. "You've been out in the sun for too long. Come inside for a while. I made otap biscuits and lemonade."

"Go on," Tobe told her, "I'll just pick up our things."

Pucca stepped inside the welcome shade of the porch. When she walked inside the house, she felt an elbow nudge her.

Pucca looked at up and saw a playful grin on Jian's lips and the naughty glint in his eyes. "Enjoy your training?" He waggled his eyebrows.

Pucca felt her cheeks burn when she realized he had seen them.

Not knowing how to answer, she chose to ignore his question. "Where's Lori with the refreshments? It's hot out there."

"I agree. " Jian smiled slyly before bending down to whisper in her ear, "I could've sworn I felt the heat from here." He ruffled her hair and turned to go. "Tell Tobe we'll be at the dining room."

She choked and stared wide-eyed at his retreating back.

When Tobe reached her, she mumbled that they were waiting for them in the dining room.

"So, let's go," Tobe declared, settling a hand on the small of her back as they walked together. Pucca wondered if Tobe even noticed how pink she had been ever since she walked into the front yard and had yet to return to her usual coloring.

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Author's Notes: Pucca and Tobe had come a long way, haven't they? Just a little fluff before we go into something heavier.

This chapter's really long so I cut it into two. The other half would be read next chapter that's why this one seems to end abruptly. The good news is that I might be able to update in a matter of days, not weeks... hopefully.

Oh, yeah and thank you for your suggestions, I'll consider putting it in later chapters. Just PM me or type a review if you have anymore ideas:)