Summary: I'm Mikan Sakura, 24 years old. Wanna know what's my outlook in life? Oh, I just hate it. Why'd you ask? Well, I lost everything that I had in just ONE FREAKING DAY. Unfortunately, when I woke up one morning, I wasn't at home. But on a king-sized bed and a fascinating room. Then, I saw a raven-haired guy walked out of the bathroom, HALF-NAKED! What the? Oh God, please help me…
Chapter 9: "Meet the Hyuugas!"
RECAP:
"Your real job starts here."What did he mean? Am I supposed to meet one of his clients and try to close a deal with him/her?
"Hey, mom." Natsume greeted, and that made me snap out from my trance. I looked up, and saw Mrs. Hyuuga, who I think is in her early forties. He hugged and kissed his mother's cheeks.
"I'm glad you were able to attend your mother's birthday." Mrs. Hyuuga said with glee then turned to look at me. I smiled warmly at her and she returned back the gesture.
"I see you're with a beautiful lady, Natsume. Do you mind introducing her to me?" I wasn't sure if it was amusement or sarcasm I heard in her voice. I winced. Mrs. Hyuuga doesn't like me? Oh, well, does it even matter if she likes me or not? But I ignored it, and grinned nonetheless.
"Pardon me for being rude, Mrs. Hyuuga. I'm Mikan Sakura, Natsume's—" I wasn't able to finish my sentence because he beat me to it. And what he said really shocked the life out of me.
"Mom. She's Mikan, my wife." he declared.
"Mom. She's Mikan, my wife."
"She's Mikan, my wife."
"My wife."
"My wife."
"My wife."
Oh. My. God. Have I heard it right? Natsume just said that I am his wife? Why, oh, why is fate being so harsh to me? What have I done wrong to deserve this? Well, I've got to admit, he's the ideal husband a normal girl would want. I'd be a hypocrite if I'd say he isn't my type. Oh, I can't believe I just said that! But, he sure has got everything. Oh, why am I stating the obvious? I'll add the fact that he's the most arrogant, egoistical, and heartless living creature on earth. And that's the reason why I wouldn't want him to be my husband! If only he wasn't that, I might reconsider. Oh gee, I think I'm getting crazy. But, no, I can't accept this! I do believe in the sanctity of marriage, and that marriage isn't a job or a business matter. And marriage is only for two perons who truly love each other, who are bound to spend their lives forever together! I wouldn't want to marry someone I do not even love! Sometimes, I don't even get the riches way of thinking. They'd force their child to marry someone they want(because of his/her wealth), not thinking of their child's feelings. Seriously, money isn't everything, right? Oh, well, why am I even talking about all these? I stared at him, disbelievingly, and when he turned to look at me, he smirked. Oh, how I hate that smirk of his! I want to erase his smirk and pinch and slap his oh-so-handsome face! If only we weren't infront of his mother, I'd be doing that just now! UGH!
"Why, sweetheart, you looked so surprised. And would you please close your mouth? You wouldn't want a fly to get inside of that lovely mouth of yours, hmm? Compose yourself." he said, which I guess, was meant only for me. I never noticed that my jaw dropped and was staring at him for a minute now. I closed my mouth, and gulped. This ought to be bad. I closed my eyes and took a deep breathe. Kami, please, just please, help me get a hold of myself. I might strangle this guy beside me in no time!
When I turned to look at Mrs. Hyuuga, she was incredulous. Oh, I can't blame her. I mean, who would want a daughter-in-law who...doesn't fit in?
"Uhm, M-Mrs. Hyuuga. What Natsume is saying—" and again, he beated from saying anything. Natsume Hyuuga, do you even know that you're making things so complicated for me? I suddenly felt like a nervous-wreck, my knees are wobbly that any minute, I might fall down.
"I guess we surprised you, mom. My dear wife doesn't want to let anyone know yet. She's very secretive." his grip on my waist tightened, sending shivers on my spinal cord. Now that's just hideous!
I kept on staring at Mrs. Hyuuga. The emotion written on her face didn't change one bit. I sighed and lowered my head, as I felt my heart being squeezed out, and it hurts. Crap! Why am I so affected now?
"Where are your rings?" I heard Mrs. Hyuuga said after a while. I looked back at her, and now, she was smiling. A genuine one, which kind of confused me.
"R-Rings?" I voiced out. And it was too late for me to change what I just said. What an idiot!
"Rings, sweetie. Our wedding rings. I hope you didn't lose yours, 'cause I'm wearing mines now." he bluffed, but raised his right hand to show me a silver ring on his ring finger. How impressive! Had he been planning this without even telling me? I tried to calm and stop myself from glaring at him. He's such a big fat liar!
"And you'll have to pay me dearly if you lost yours!" he added, not missing to emphasize the word 'dearly'. How dare you, Hyuuga? How dare dare dare you!
"I...I uh..." Crap, what do I have to say now? I panicked.
"What's your name again, my dear?" I heard Mrs. Hyuuga's voice, it was gentle. I looked at her and the animosity that I felt earlier was gone. Or was it just my imagination that she was being hostile towards me?
"M-Mikan. Mikan Sa—Hyuuga." I stammered. I felt Hyuuga's hand, gently running it up and down on my side. Maybe it was to soothe me, and to lessen my anxiety. It was a good thing that his hand didn't travel down there! 'Cause if it did, I'd punch him! I won't just let him take advantage of me!
"Natsume, your wife's tensed." she grinned, as she looked at me intently.
"You're scaring her, mom." was all that Hyuuga said.
"Mikan, dear. Welcome to the Hyuuga family. And stop calling me Mrs. Hyuuga. Start calling me 'mom'. I'm gald that my son had found you, a decent lady, and now you're his wife!" she beamed, like it was the best way to ease the tension I felt. Well, somehow, it worked.
"I...I don't know what to say." I voiced out, feeling rather shy. And I felt so out of character by being shy!
"You don't have to say anything, dear."
"Where's dad?" Hyuuga asked, his hand stopped moving. I sighed inwardly and in relief. Thank goodness he stopped doing it.
"He's...Oh there he is!" She exclaimed and approached Mr. Hyuuga. He hugged and kissed his wife's cheeks, just like what Natsume did earlier.
I suddenly felt...envious. Well, I've never seen my dad being that sweet to my mom. He was always distant, and occupied with work that he had no time for us, till that dreadful accident which caused his life. I never had the chance to talk to him for the last time, nor did my mom.
"So who could this beautiful lady be? Natsume?" Mr. Hyuuga's deep voice caught my attention. I guess he's in his early forties too. Like Mrs. Hyuuga, he doesn't look that old. He also had that blood-shot eyes, which Natsume had. His height is about...5 foot 8?
"Dad, she's Mikan. My wife. Mikan, he's my dad." Natsume introduced. I suddenly felt my heart leaped, with glee when he said that I am his wife. Oh great. What is this I'm feeling? This is so strange!
"Uh, g-good evening, sir." I said, and grinned nervously.
"Wife? That fast, huh?" Mr. Hyuuga said, like it was some kind of joke. But it is a joke! A prank!
"Can't help it." was what I heard from Natsume. Can't help it? Are you f*cking kidding me?
He looked at me intently, and after a while, he smiled at me.
"So you're that girl Natsume's being obsessed with." he chuckled. That kinda caught me off guard. Natsume? Obsessed? With me? What is he saying?
"O-Obsessed?" I stammered, and when I looked up at Natsume, he looked away. Wait, why is his cheek turning pink? OMG! Is he blushing?
"C'mon dad. Spare me this time." Natsume said, his voice stern. Mr. Hyuuga continued to laugh, and I could sense that Natsume's being irritated by it.
I still don't get it though. Natsume's obsessed with me? Oh, really now? I think I must be dreaming. This is not happening at all. I am just asleep and this is just a nightmare. Maybe if I pinch myself, I'd wake up. I did, surreptitiously. When I felt the pain, and saw the Hyuugas in front of me, I felt disappointed. It's real. This is happening. I let out a sigh, as I continued listening to their conversation. So, my real job is to be his wife, not a secretary. But...why me? Why did he hire me? I even thought that he already had a fiancee. Luna Koizumi. Thinking about Luna makes me feel guilty. I mean, she is his fiancee after all, not me. And she's nice. But why would Natsume introduce me as his wife to his parents if he already had Luna? And why did Mr. and Mrs. Hyuuga took all these lightly? Something strange is going on here. I wonder what that is.
"Hi Mikan-nee!" a high-pitched voice of a girl greeted, and my train of thoughts has been stopped...again. I looked at the girl who called me. She was smiling too, her raven hair is fixed into a messy bun(which looked formally decent), and she, too, had those blood-shot eyes.
"A-Aoi?" I blurted out, as I guessed who it was. She grinned.
"The one and only!" she giggled, then gave me a bear hug. I hugged back.
"I'm glad that you're now my official sis." she beamed after letting go of me. Official sis? What is she talking about? Wait, oh no. Aoi is Natsume's little sister?
"Oh, I haven't told you that Natsume-nii is my aniki. Gomene." She said apologetically.
"Yeah, you haven't. But it's okay, Aoi-chan." I smiled, and she did too. Aoi is my little brother's girlfriend, which is why I know her. We got along from the first time we met. She even told me stories about how close she is to her big brother, and that she likes me for him. She tried matchmaking us, but I refused because I was dating Kyou during those times. But I didn't know that Natsume is her big brother!
"Gee, I can't believe that you guys are now married! Tell me more about it Mikan-nee, pretty please?" she pouted, and I just can't resist her.
"Well...I...we..." I stuttered. What the hell should I say to her? That Natsume just said it without even me knowing? That it was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing? That I don't even know what this guy is thinking when he said that? That my real job is to be his wife and not a secretary? Oh, my head is starting to ache!
"C'mon, Aoi. Give her a break. She'll tell you the whole story one day." Natsume butted in. Whew! Thanks for saving my butt!
"Yeah right, nii-san! If I know, you're trying to manipulate Mikan-nee!" Aoi fought back. And she's damn right about that! He is manipulating me. From the very start! And I have no idea why I can't resist him! Crap! Crap! Crap!
"Shut up, Aoi." he said, sternly.
"Whatever." she srugged and rolled her eyes. See the reason why we get along? We're so alike, and that's it.
"Excuse us. We'll be heading off to somewhere." my so ever-great-boss said as he pulled me again to him.
"Mikan-nee, beware of Natsume-nii." I heard Aoi said, and made a funny face at Natsume. I tried to stiffle a laugh, but I failed.
"It's not funny. Come on." he whispered to me darkly and started dragging me off to somewhere. Right. It is not for you, but it is for me! Hah!
A little while later, we reached the hotel's garden. But because it is winter, I can't appreciate the beauty of it. It is snowing. And I feel cold. Who wouldn't be? If you're only wearing a red spaghetti balloon cocktail dress, with no thick jacket, no shawl, and there's noting to cover your feet because the only footwear you're wearing are heels? I walked inside of the hotel again, but I felt Hyuuga's hand, stopping me from going inside. Is he trying to kill me from the cold now?
"I-I'm cold. Let's just get inside, please?" I asked, my voice was shaky. He didn't say anything but looked at me. Then, he nodded and we went back inside. Ah. Relief. Thank goodness the halls had heater.
"Excuse me for a while." I told him and was about to walk away from him but he stopped me again.
"Where are you going?" he asked me.
"Ladies' room." and with that, he let go of my hand. I made my way to the ladies' room and washed my hands. After doing so, I went out of the room. I was a bit surprised when I saw Natsume standing right in front of me.
"What are you doing?" I inquired. And I noticed that we are all alone. I wonder.
"Waiting for you? What else?" he said, sarcastic. His hands inside his pocket. I almost bit my lip because, well, he's oozing with...sex appeal? Mikan, get a hold of yourself.
"Right. Waiting for your wife." I countered back and rolled my eyes.
"But you are my wife, Mikan." he said seriously. He jusy called me Mikan, not Polka, which means, he is serious.
"Since when Hyuuga? I can't even remember when or where our wedding was held. Our wedding vows, our wedding reception, our honeymoon. And especially, your wedding proposal! So how did I became your wife? Tell me, Hyuuga. How!" I exclaimed, and I simply can't stop myself from saying those. Like seriously, how dare he say that I am his wife when I'm practically not? I don't even have a ring on my ring finger to begin with. I stared at him, and he stared back. We stared at each other for who-knows how long. I took in a deep breath and let it out again.
"Look, I don't know what the hell were you thinking back there. But you could've at least tell me this in the first place. You're making things hard me, for your information. And what do you think will Luna say to this?" I added when he remained silent. Still, he kept on staring at me, like it didn't matter what the hell am I telling him.
"Are you just gonna stand there and act as if like nothing happened?" I practically screamed at him. He is getting on my nerves and I feel like crying now!
"So you didn't remember." he said, almost in a whisper. I looked at him, incredulously, and I could see sadness in his eyes.
"W-What? What is it that I didn't remember?" I asked, obviously bombarding him. Like I care now.
"That you are to be my wife." he answered. And I still didn't get what he said. Me? To be his wife?
"Would you please stop talking in riddles?" I told him, my hands turned to fists. Instead of answering me again, he just smiled. But it didn't even reached his eyes and I know that it was not real.
"I can't believe you. And I even thought you're a girl of words." he whispered, his voice sounded like he was defeated. Girl of words? Well, yes, I am. I keep my promises, if that is what he mean. But what is it that I promised him? Why can't I remember any of it?
"What are you talking about?" now he's confusing me. He looked up again, and this time, he was back to the business-like, cold, Natsume.
"Forget it. It doesn't even matter anyway." He told me, emotionless.
"How can I even forget it? You told your parents that I am your wife. And you were talking about something I can't even understand. And you're telling me it doesn't matter? Seriously, what is your problem and what the hell is wrong with you?"
"It's you! You are my problem!" he answered. I see. So it is me. I am his problem. But why? I opened my mouth to say something, but I ended up closing it again. What am I supposed to say to him? Then again, that strange feeling went on me again. My heart's being squeezed out. Why does it hurt so much? I looked down, and I felt my eyes were about to emit tears. Hold it, Mikan. You can't afford to lose your face infront of him, can you?
Unexpectedly, I felt someone touched my chin and made me look up to him. I saw his hypnotizing crimson eyes, and for a moment, I was lost. Then, I felt something soft on my lips. It was then that I realized, it was his lips. He's kissing me and I'm kissing him back.
-tbc-
I've made a quick update for y'all! Ha-ha-ha. So guys, tell me how is it? Thanks for all the reviews and alerts. Reviews again please? :] I think I need a beta-reader.
