Disclaimer: I don't own skip beat or any of its characters.
Crazy For You-Chapter-06-Conditional Marriage
The rain came crashing down heavily. Kyoko stood there, frozen in place while shielding herself with an umbrella clasped in her hand, her eyes glued at her mother's grave stone. Chilling breeze was hitting her nostrils but she didn't seem to care. She didn't know how long she had been standing there in the cemetery but it was the only place that seemed to give some peace to her devastated heart. A week had passed since her mother died but Kyoko couldn't get the courage to go back to Tokyo just yet so with Lory's permission, she stayed for a week. Before her departure, she wanted to pay her mother a visit.
It hurts mother. It hurts to know how lost and lonely I am without you. My heart aches just to see your face again. I want to feel your warmth. I feel so empty inside mother. I'm torn. I'm going to be a mother soon but I don't know what to do. I'm scared. Please give me your strength and watch over me. I'll be the best mother for my baby. I'll love my baby more than my own life. I promise you and myself.
Kyoko was pulled out of her thoughts when someone placed a hand on her shoulder.
She tilted her head to the side to see Sho standing next to her.
He took off his jacket and covered her with a quick moment and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"C'mon Kyoko, you can't stand here all day or else you'll catch a cold. Shoko is waiting. We need to leave."
She nodded and wiped her tears away. I'll come to visit you every month OK? Please be happy mother. You have gone through a lot. Now it's time for you to rest in peace and joy.
During her stay in Kyoto, Sho had treated her nicely which was so unusual of him. She thought that he might be taking pity on her due to her loss but she was dumbstruck when Sho apologized to her for his past mistakes. She had never imagined him apologizing to her. It was truly unexpected that she couldn't believe it for a while but when he remained persistent and sincere, Kyoko forgave him because she realized that it was never his fault that Kyoko had devoted herself to him. He had never asked her to love him. She was the one who had imposed her feelings on him, giving herself false hopes of being his beloved when he had always been neutral towards her.
Her attempts to seek revenge on him were futile. Her anger was meaningless. She was the one responsible for her heartbreak due to her exaggerating expectations towards him. He had never forced her to follow him and become his maid. She was the one who had done it willingly. She was foolish to waste her life hating him for breaking her heart when she had never been the one occupying his mind or heart in the first place. He had never seen her in that way. She was the one who had considered him her prince charming. She realized her fault too late but when she did, she accepted his apology and forgave him.
"Let's go" Sho said as he led her out towards his parked car. They got in quietly and Shoko drove them away to Tokyo.
Kyoko suddenly felt nervous when she approached the door of President's office. Her brain was clouded with fear again and hurt consumed her entire being.
What if he's there? What if he got a clue about my pregnancy? How am I going to handle everything?
For some reason, Kyoko was reluctant to go inside. She wanted to hide the truth of her pregnancy but for how long?
After few months, everything would be obviously visible to everyone.
Her morning sickness, ill-mood, strange food cravings and fatigue were enough to make anyone suspicious about her. She didn't want anyone to find out, at least not yet. What if he found out and questioned her? What would she do then? All those questions were depressing her to the core, turning her already delicate condition even more vulnerable.
She sucked in a deep breath, trying to pull herself together and knocked at the door lightly.
After getting the permission, she entered Lory's office who greeted her with an affectionate and comforting hug.
Little pain in her heart spread further, seeing his face brought back the stab of betrayal. Looking at him hurt her more than she had thought, she didn't know why but it infuriated her.
Ren's eyes followed her but her ignorance stabbed him. The moment she entered and spotted him sitting beside his manager, she averted her eyes and focused all of her attention to Lory.
Her behavior was indifferent and it hurt him but he was forced to put a mask, in order to hide his pain. He needed to look like a professional not a love-struck, heart broken fool.
"She came here with Fuwa. I saw him dropping her outside the LME building. Did she reconcile with him? Am I really out of the picture?" Ren thought as the similar pain gripped his heart and squeezed it harshly.
His heart was bleeding. He wanted so desperately to talk to her but they had company.
"Please be seated Mogami-Kun" Lory spoke as he sat down on his chair, folding his hands over the desk.
Kyoko took her seat on the chair across him.
Lory felt sad for the young girl but he was helpless to go against the law of nature. He knew Kyoko was in pain but he could do nothing but to console her and pay her his heartiest condolence on her mother's death.
"Are you sure you want to resume working Mogami-san?" he asked politely.
Kyoko nodded.
With a heavy sigh, he opened his drawer and dug out a folder for her.
"This folder contains the script and all other details of the drama that you would be shooting next week along with Ren. You couldn't attend the meeting so director Ogata asked me to give it to you." Lory told her as he handed her the folder. "If you need anything else to know then don't hesitate to ask me"
She took the folder and bowed to him humbly.
"I'm really sorry Sir but I had to stay. I apologize for causing you trouble. I didn't mean to cause any intentional delay. I know as a professional actress, I shouldn't let my personal matters get in the way of my work but-" Kyoko tried to explain but Lory cut her off.
"It's alright Mogami-Kun." He smiled at her.
Kyoko had to deal with her mother's property which she had left for her before dying that's why she had to extend her stay in Kyoto but Kyoko didn't want money. It was all pointless for her. All she ever needed was her mother's love. Money was never her priority so Kyoko did what she thought was right. She transferred the property under the ownership of an orphanage and donated all the deposited cash as well in charity so that her mother's soul could get salvation.
"Thank you Sir for informing me in time. I got to see mother one last time. I got all of my answers. Now I can finally move on. I owe you a lot" she looked up at Lory with gratitude.
Lory gave her a sad smile."I'm glad you are feeling better Mogami-Kun"
Lory's gaze roamed around and fell upon Ren. He saw his face changing colors. He looked broken and it hurt Lory to see him suffering but he couldn't bring up that topic, not when Kyoko already had enough to deal with. Lory kept the discussion of that topic at bay considering that it wasn't the right time to dig up that graved topic which was the root cause of his beloved children's destruction but he couldn't do anything to stop Ren who jumped up of his place and followed Kyoko outside when she left after being dismissed by Lory.
"Oh God, please help my poor kids." Lory silently prayed in his heart.
Kyoko could feel footsteps quickly approaching her. She picked up the pace and stalked down the corridor of LME. She wanted to get way before those footsteps could catch up to her. Just when she was about to flew away; someone caught her arm in midway and spun her around.
Her heart fell into her stomach when Ren's face came into her sight.
"Kyoko, I… we need to talk. I'm sorry to hear about your mother. I…. I really didn't know I… Boss told me but I…" he trailed off.
She remained indifferent, even though her heart was slamming against her chest. It was too soon for her to face him after that terrible incident.
She needed to go far away before he found out she was expecting his child. She didn't want to have any connections with him. She had sworn to herself. She had vowed, never to be weak again. She had already decided to let him go. She didn't want him to feel obligated to bear her burden just because of the baby.
She had no place for love and relationships in her life anymore. She wanted to concentrate on her career only. She needed to let go and move far away from him. She wanted to be nothing but a colleague for him at work.
"Everyone's born to die. You don't have to console me. Now please excuse me, I need to go." She said curtly, turning her head away.
"Wait Kyoko!" he let out aloud as she walked away again, paying no attention to the person behind her.
"I'm sorry" he whispered softly and flinched when she stopped in her track and turned around to pin him with her deep gaze.
Kyoko sighed, trying to get her arm out of his grip and with one harsh twist; she managed to break it free.
"It's OK. I have nothing to forgive and you have nothing to apologize for." Her tone was flat and perishing.
His hand fell back to his side and he lowered his head, feeling the heartache rushing back again.
"Please stop following me. We are nothing but co-workers from the same agency. I don't want to have anything to do with you out of work. I don't want to hurt you by being rude again and again so please…"
Ren's heart sank. "Do you hate me that much?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Hurry up and leave already Kyoko. Don't be fooled again. He's a liar. He didn't trust you to share anything that you deserved to know. Let him go. You don't have time for fooling around. Build up a strong wall around yourself. Be brave. You can do this. You can't let your guard down. You have to act with him in a movie. Remember your vow and pull yourself together. You are a professional so be one.
"No, I don't but I don't love you either, not anymore because I have recognized my value in your life. I can't be angry with you when I know that I never was your compatible. We aren't meant for each other even if you are innocent. Please I just want to be alone."
Ren expelled a low sigh and closed his eyes feeling disdained as sorrow overtook him. His heart seemed to stop because he couldn't feel it beating. He couldn't feel himself breathing. He had turned into grief-struck statue.
He watched her walking away. It hurt him. It hurt so badly.
He wanted to scream and stop her but she didn't want to be with him.
His fate was indeed cruel to put him through all this mess. He felt himself like a handicapped against his bitter fate that was playing with him like he was its favorite toy.
Then he saw her stumbling and falling backwards. His instincts reacted faster. He ran to her side and caught her in his arms before she could hit the floor.
"KYOKO!" he called out worriedly as he slapped her cheeks lightly to get any motion from her but she had already fainted.
Panicked, he scooped her up in his arms bridal style and took her to hospital.
Kyoko woke up to find herself lying on the soft bed. She shifted uncomfortably and looked around while rubbing her eyes. Her head was still dizzy.
"W-Where…" Kyoko tried to speak but her throat went dry when she saw Ren sitting on a chair beside her bed and looking at her with a blank face.
"Ren, why am I here in your apartment? I told you to leave me alone!" she spoke rigidly as she felt the fit of anger consuming her once again.
He leaned forward to lock his eyes with her. "Yes you did Kyoko, but I didn't listen, not when I need my answers. I couldn't leave mother of my child alone, now could I?" His voice was soft but he sounded hurt.
She whined. Oh God, he knows. What do I do?
She avoided his intense gaze and looked away to the other side, as she got up into a sitting position.
"You are pregnant and you didn't even bother to let the father know. Why Kyoko?" He wanted to punch something so hard. She wanted to stay away, cutting all her connections with him but how could she cut that bond? She was expecting his baby so didn't he deserve to know?
Kyoko remained silent, pushing him over the edge.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked frustrated at her coldness. He knew she was angry but she could at least answer something that was related to him.
He felt furious but held himself from bursting his anger out on her.
"I know it's my child. It can't be of anyone else. Tell me why Kyoko?"
Kyoko bit her lower lip as she fetched the right words to answer him.
"It's none of your business Ren. I didn't tell you because I didn't want to"
Ren clenched his hands and gritted his teeth, feeling stabbed of being abandoned by her once again.
"It's my child. I have all rights to know. It's my own blood and flesh." His voice started to pick up the volume.
"It doesn't matter Ren. Even law gives the liberty of being a single parent. You can't barge into my life just because you want to take responsibility for the upbringing of the baby. I don't want to put the load of my unrequited existence on your shoulders. I don't want to be with you, not anymore."
That's enough Ren, don't try to enter in my life again. I don't deserve a person like you. You are too good for me. I was a fool to think that I could ever find love in Japan's most desirable man. You don't belong to me. I'm your mismatch. Find yourself a decent wife who can make you happy. I'm not the one for you. Let me go before I break completely.
Ren's eyes went dark with ire and pain. She was practically shoving him out of her life when he didn't even get the chance to prove his innocence yet. He wasn't going to give up, not when he found out the greatest secret which could help him to retrieve everything he had lost. The baby was a hope for him to repair his broken relationship with her. There was no way he could let her go now, not when she needed him and he needed her more than anyone.
"Marry me" he stated but his statement made her jump in place.
"I don't want to. You can't force me against my will. I won't stop you from seeing the baby but I refuse to accept any financial help from you either" Kyoko answered tonelessly.
Ren's heart thumped painfully. For a moment, he forgot to breath and stared at her in disbelief.
I'll have you in my life Kyoko. I'm innocent. I won't give up until I prove it to you. I'll have you in my life either by hook or by crook. I'm sorry. I just can't let you go. You are my salvation. You are the one I live for. If you left, I'd die. This is the only way for me to persuade you. I'm sorry but I'm crazy for you.
"Do you want the baby to suffer in the same way you did Kyoko? Do you really want to give birth to another Kyoko? Did you forget about your past, the way you begged your mother for your father's identity? Do you want your child to have your fate?"
I'm sorry Kyoko. I'm so sorry for tricking you. I know I am hurting you but you aren't listening to me. You aren't giving me any chance to explain. You are pushing me away and I'm scared of losing you. I don't have anything else to make you listen to me.
The way Kyoko's face turned sad made him want to kill himself. The way her eyes pooled with tears, made him want to tear himself apart. He didn't want to hurt her not when she already had enough of pain but he had no other way to convince her. She wasn't ready to listen and he wasn't ready to let go and leave the things unsettled either.
"I see…" she gulped back the urge of crying and put on the mask of a rigid rock.
So that's it. You can't let me go because of your blood.
Her face became emotionless and her eyes turned blank.
"Fine. But I have some conditions"
He jumped up in hope.
"What kind of conditions?" he exclaimed.
Kyoko inhaled deeply and took a long pause before speaking again.
"We will be married in names only. No real couple relation. No ceremony. No celebrations. No public announcement. No wedding rings. This marriage will only be a secret paper marriage. If you want then you have the exception to inform President, your manager and your parents only. I'll never interrupt in your life and same goes for you. No manhandling and no obstacles in the way of my career. You'll keep yourself at arm's length from me at home. In other words, this marriage will only be fake, just for the baby until the little one gets old enough to make his/her own choice of the guardian." Kyoko declared sternly before the dumbfounded Ren.
He stared at her stunned with his open mouth and wide eyes filled with disbelief.
Her cruel and heart-squeezing conditions had shut him up. He couldn't utter a single word as his face fell in despair.
What was he supposed to do?
Just with the force of her words, she had managed to kill him, hammering his heart over and over again. He felt himself being grilled alive at the lowest level of hell.
He was at loss but didn't have any choice but to agree. He was ready to do anything for her sake, even if it meant to enter in a conditional, meaningless and cruel marriage with her. Her presence in his life was the only thing that mattered the most to him. He didn't care if it killed him in the process. He was ready for any sacrifice just to have her with him. If he had enough luck then he could always try making her fall in love with him again.
He heard her sighing and came back to being himself.
"Do you accept the conditions or not?"
"Yes, I do" he muttered, ignoring the pinch of pain in his heart.
"Then we'll get married in three days. Good Bye." she declared before climbing off his bed and grabbed her things to walk out of his apartment. Ren was left behind to feel the sting of her jagged words penetrating his heart.
Great! I managed to make her hate me more than before.
That's it. Please read and review. Lots of love and gratitude to those who love and appreciate this story.
I hope you all enjoy the chapter. See you next time.
