How the Grinch stole Christmas

part 1

After the dinner last night, my mind is finally at ease and I can enjoy what little time I have around Kotoko , still hate the idea of those two living together,it's another weight added on my chest,there might not be something between them now but it might be in the future. I hate it because I have no control of it whatsoever.

What amazes me the most is that you'd think after all this time I know her,after all the crazy things we've been through I would be used to her presence by now,but I discovered that I'm still pending on every word that fall from her lips,she still keeps me on my toes like she once promised me , I still find new things to love.

I'm still falling for her.

I tried to be as close as possible to her,without raising any suspicious looks,no more than I alredy do,that is. Everywhere she went I was there,near her, like a satellite,always revolving my self around her. She washed the dishes, I dried them,she watched tv, I was there on the couch reading,never participating,never interfering. I think once I over deed it because I sow everybody's questioning looks when I agreed to help with the Christmas decorations. I shrugged it of. I might as well do it for Sahoko's sake,right? I don't think I fooled Yuki though. My mother just continued on her plan to make me see the obvious differences between Sahoko and Kotoko and why Kotoko is way better for me,like always praising her for her liveness and dedication. She never gets a reaction from me. Those are things that I alredy knew and already love about her. I just wish she would back off already . She is making things harder than already are. It is for all of them,including my mother,that I make this sacrifice,to marry Sahoko. I wish she could see that already.

I almost told her the truth today. Almost told her I too see Kotoko like she sees her,the brightest of them all,the only one who can make my cold heart beat.

Kotoko never said a word to me,throughout the day, and it saddens me so much,I miss being the center of her universe.

The day went by almost in a heartbeat and now I stand in my room trying to decide between a silver tie and a dark blue one when I hear someone knock at the door.

"Come in." I turn and see Sahoko with a little wrapped box in her hands.

"I got this for you. First I thought to put it under the tree but I guess you can use it now." This is a little awkward. I didn't buy anything for her. She opens the box and takes out a silver tie and puts it around my neck. It's decided then, silver tie it is! Her hands lingers a moment on my shoulders before sliding down my arms.

"You look very handsome tonight, Naokie." She tries to sound seductive and not succeeding .

"Thank you. You look very beautiful too. " and it is the truth. She looks beautiful in a tight short black dress, with silver earrings pending at her ears and silver shoes,to go well with my tie, I guess. Her hair is pinned up in loose bun. Perfect makeup.

" Onii-chan! We are ready to go!" I hear my mother calling. Sahoko takes my arm and we leave the bedroom.

I am so grateful for that hand of her that is holding me right now because if it wasn't for it I would just turn around and run back into my room,making a fool out of myself,the moment I set ayes on Kotoko. Why did I ever agreed for tonight's dinner? Why do I complicate things that are already complicated? This night is going to be my undoing.

I see Kotoko with her back at me,helping her father put on his jacket. My ayes turning twice of their natural size. Her back is all I see for a second, her bare back,that's all.. There is nothing there, no other piece of cloth covering it,nothing!. There are just two stripes in a crisscross holding her dress together. A red dress that begins from her hips and down,gathering in a pool around her feet. And she is taller too. Is she wearing high heels? I get my answer when she turns to take her purse making the light material fly around her and I can see almost all of her leg sticking through a high cut of the dress. The dress is hugging her waist and falls loosely on the floor. All of her hair is hanging in curls on one shoulder leaving a splendid view from her shoulder and all the way up to her neck and her blushing cheeks,matching her dress,no makeup.

Perfect. She just gave a new meaning to the word beautiful.

I try to swallow but my mouth is dry,maybe because it hangs open,I quickly close it. A flash of my mother's camera wakes me up from my daze. Wait! Did she just cought that on camera?

I feel Sahoko's gaze burning through my left side of the body. I don't even want to think what goes on her mind right now. My mother practically glows with glee,her plan is working,yes,she is wearing down my defenses.

"Aren't we a little overdressed for a family party?" I try some lame cover up

"No. Jason called this morning and said that the party got bigger and sent me the new address. I think we are fine, dressed like this. " the tiniest smile appears on her lips,like she was remembering something "Luckily I received this from your mother,if not, I'd have nothing to wear"

Yes,we are so lucky to have my mother to think about everything . I hear her extremely loud sigh for the third time now. That look of contempt,holding her hands together under her chin,looking into space with dreamy eyes,I've seen it before. That time when she found out about the first kiss I shared with Kotoko,she had the same knowing expression.

"Aren't you forgetting about something?"she says pushing Kotoko toward me

"Ahhhh,that's right ,this is a must have for to night." She hands me a gold ,Christmas shape pin. I look at it and I wonder why would we need that for and I'm about to say no to it when she takes a step closer.

"Here,just let me help you with this..…" She is to close. I have a suddenly intake of air,filling my lungs and I freeze. I refuse to exhale. I can't. Her face turns upwards ,two wide ayes looking up at me with uncertainty. My gaze falls on to her mouth, her lips are moving,she's saying something but I can't hear,all I hear is my heart thumping into my ears,it's to loud,it's not normal. She hold up her hands,I can feel her light touches,her fingers hovering over my chest. She turns around. I exhale. That was close.

I say nothing,my blunt refusal just gone out of the window. My mind is numb,turned to mush again, must be from the lack of air. We start moving. Outside are two cars waiting for us.. I take Sahoko by the arm and start walk faster. I welcome the cold air. With the corner of my aye I see Kotoko get in the first car. I turn quickly for the second before my mom can trick me again. I close the passenger door. Safe.

I look outside the car window and I see that we are already out of New York City. Just where exactly are we going? I remember the pin. I take it out and hold it in my hand to look more closely at. It is pretty heavy,is this real gold? It can't be. He wouldn't afford one and less likely seven of them. After an hour and a half the car finally stops in front of two huge iron gates that were opening onto a country road. Someone at gates waves us to go in. We continue driving for another ten minutes when we stop in front of this immense,beautiful villa. It goes up three floors I think,with columns that goes all around it. It looks old and aristocratic. I pull on Kotoko's arm.

"Did you gave the right address? "She takes out her phone and checks it

"Yes,this is the right one." around me everyone has the same puzzled look.

The front door is open and as we go in a hostest comes and takes our coats and then a waiter offering champagne. I take one glass.

It takes me a full minute to assimilate my surroundings. We are standing in a huge ball room with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, round tables are line up near the walls,in a corner I see a band playing live music,waiters are swamping the place with trays of the finest food, I see a photographer taking picture of the couples dancing around a very gran Christmas tree, I see luxury,I see money and then I hear the most annoying laugh in the world, Jason. I turn around and there he stands next to an older man,his father I guess.

"There you are! Ohh Kotoko you are beautiful!" He takes one of her hands and kisses it. I drink all of what its left of my champagne .

"Irie! Long time no see old friend! Let me tell you when I heard that Kotoko's family is coming all the way from Japan to visit I just had to invite you all at our party."

Jason's father comes toward us rubbing his hands. I see my father trying to recover from the initial shock. They know each other?

"Robert Donovan. Thank you for having us." my father answers shaking his hand.

It hit me. Now I remember. My blood turns to ice.

Of course! Robert Donovan, Donovan, the Donavan Enterprise. This company is the reason for our company's down fall. First he took us out of the American market which provided us with the seventy per cent of our intake. Now he is threatening us on the Japanese market. He plays dirty,his company takes our product changing the features and offering it at a lower price. I even heard he deals with espionage,placing workers in other companies to steal ideas .I came across some files and I remember it well because those were part of the reason I decided to take over in my father's place.

I remember it because it contained a proposal for buying our company.

I remember it because it is why we needed the merger with the Oizumi company in the first place.

He was no friend of my father,he was our number one enemy.

We should get out of here. I don't know what game are they playing at but I don't want to stay and find out. I see my dad changing colors,he is going from red to purple. I go beside him afraid he might have another heart attack.

" Is he your son? " he points at me " I don't think I had the pleasure to meet him yet. I heard he alredy took your place at the company. At such a young age! I'm impressed! I wish I was that lucky,but that son of mine is still tailing after girls!" he laughs gesturing to his son but he is nowhere to be seen. Well,he won't be tailing after my Kotoko for long,that's for sure. Where is that clown,anyway?I don't care! We are out of here!

" Come dad,let's go home." I don't even bother to look at the man. He makes me sick. He is taking this way to far,this is not about business,this is personal. If he thinks he can get to me through Kotoko…

"What? Leaving so soon? " I hear that Jason laughing behind me. Aren't these two merry little men ?Ohh how I wish to wipe that grin of his the moment I see it. "I'm sorry but I can't let you do that right now,you are my special guests tonight and I have a surprise for you Kotoko!"he takes her hand" Come with me for a minute"

There is no way I'm gonna let THAT happen. I put my hand on Kotoko's shoulder,stopping her from leaving.

"I think we had enough of your surprises" I look at Kotoko "We are leaving,now" I try to put enough force into my voice to make her understand .

"Irie-kun,we just arrived here. Don't be rude. What's wrong anyway?" she whispers back at me,oblivious to the tense atmosphere and shrugs my hand away..

"Yes Naoki,my father shall see you all to your table. Don't worry,we'll be back in a second." He looks over his shoulder to me and winks. I can't believe the nerve of that guy!

This night is turning into a nightmare. I close my ayes and pinch the bridge of my nose. I must think of something to get us out of here. We are all sitting at our table,in silence. I see my mother is not happy with this turn of events. If I wasn't so angry I could have laughed at her expression. Guess this is what happens when meddling with other people lives,ehhh,mom? Dad seems to have calm him self a a little. Kotoko's father is in no better shape, even though he must be a stranger to the rivalry between the two companies,I bet he is wandering why that pubnk,if so rich, needs to split the bills with Kotoko for that apartment? I see his fits closing and opening repeatedly.

A headache makes my temples throb with pain,I try to push it away with my hands when I see them, Jason and Kotoko coming towards us but stoping in the center of the room. He waves at the band and they stop playing ,in one hand he is holding a microphone and the other is wrapped around Kotoko's neck. I am gonna break that arm of his! The room silences down,everybody waiting.

"Ladies and gentlemen,thank you all for coming tonight,as you know this is a fund raiser party and I want to introduce you the person who inspired it all. This beautiful lady I have next to me,her name is Aihara Kotoko!" a waiter puts a tray on the table,I don't look to see what it is. I'm using all of my energy to stay seated and not going after the guy. "She is the author of the book you're holding right now. It's the first edition to a series of children books. They are not out on the market but I took the liberty to make some copies and with purchasing one you would be helping the fight against AIDS in Africa. Thank you"