Author's Note: SO SORRY! I thought I had some free time to write but I was wrong. I might take some time to update now and then. Thanks for your patience. Here's another chapter dedicated to all fans and readers. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Nothing in POT belongs to me. All OoC-ness, OCs, events, situations, venues and tournaments are just figments of my imagination.
"xxxxx" Conversation
'xxxxx' Thoughts
xxxxxxx Flashback
: xxxxxxx : Text Message
Summary: What Would You Do If You Were Given A Second Chance In Life And In Love?
Chapter 9
4 YEARS 8 MONTHS AGO (Part 2)
New Year's Day – Narita Airport
The elegant and luxurious waiting lounge was much quieter compared to the hustle and bustle of the human activities in the other section of Narita Airport.
Atobe Kazuki and his son Keigo stood together as they watched with small smiles at the newlyweds accepting the enthusiastic best wishes from Oshitari Yuushi's parents and relatives.
"I still can't believe my little girl is now a married woman." Kazuki whispered in a loving quiet tone.
"Don't start crying, Otou-sama." Keigo warned uneasily when he noticed his father's wet eyes.
"What? Can't I act like a loving father?"
"Ore-sama will not be responsible for anything that should happen if you start crying."
"You hurt me, Keigo!"
"Otou-sama, Keigo, what are you two doing?" Oshitari Kana suddenly appeared beside them.
"Nothing." Both men said together causing Kana to raise her eyebrows. She was not convinced but she kept quiet.
"We can leave now, Kana." Yuushi walked over and wrapped an arm around Kana's slender shoulder with a smile.
Kazuki and Keigo took turns to give Kana a kiss on her cheek and shook Yuushi's hands.
"You two take care now. I hope there'll be some good news by the time you two return." Kazuki said cheerfully and gave them a knowing wink.
"Otou-sama!" Kana turned red while Yuushi smile bashfully. Keigo smirked at his father's teasing.
"Keigo," Kana turned to Keigo with a worried frown, "tell Sakuno to be strong and that we are sorry for what happened that night."
The cheery atmosphere immediately dampened.
"Hai, Nee-chan." Keigo nodded with a grim nod. Kazuki and Yuushi wore similar grim expressions.
"Don't worry, Kana." Kazuki patted his daughter on her shoulder, "Go now with Yuushi. Otousan will be here to help Keigo with Sakuno."
Kazuki and Keigo left and headed home after the Ohshitari private jet became a speck in the sky and the Ohshitari clan left in a jovial mood.
"How is she doing, Keigo?" Kazuki asked quietly. Ten minutes had passed since they left the airport in Kazuki's limo.
"Ore-sama is worried about her, Otou-sama. She was completely in shock when Ore-sama sent her home that night. She had stayed silent and went about like a zombie ever since."
"I'm glad you stayed with her these few days."
"Ore-sama does not want to leave her alone at all. Not after she had received such…." Keigo's eyes began to burn.
"Keigo?" Kazuki was a bit worried, seeing such hatred and anger in his son's eyes.
"How could SHE do that to poor Sakuno? Such atrocious verbal slashing from that woman is totally unforgiveable!"
Kazuki watched the rare display of emotion on his son's face. He felt sad because he knew exactly what his son was going through. He had been in that position before; feeling of anger and helplessness when you see a loved one getting hurt because of your existence in her life.
"Sakuno was quiet for the first 2 days. Ore-sama was glad she doesn't have any classes until next week. Then she started to…" Keigo gulped uneasily, "to talk nonsense about ending our relationship."
Kazuki was not surprised. He was used to his wife's tactics to scare off people deemed to be beneath her station.
"What did you do then?"
"There's nothing much Ore-sama can do besides staying with her. Ore-sama tried explaining to her what that woman is really like." Keigo tightened his grip on his knees.
Kazuki stayed silent.
"Ore-sama tried to assure her that Ore-sama's feelings for her would never change. But Ore-sama can see the doubts in her eyes. Ore-sama doesn't know what to do, Otousama."
Kazuki's eyes narrowed when he saw the uncertainty and doubt in Keigo's eyes. 'I need to do something for Keigo. I promised Otou-sama (Kazuki's father) that I will keep the children from following my own footsteps. Now that Kana is settled with the love of her life, it's Keigo's turn to do the same.'
"Keigo, keep on re-assuring her. Sakuno-chan will believe you when you continued to show just how much she meant to you."
"Hai, Otou-sama."
"In the mean time, I will put my plans on hold."
Keigo's head shot up in surprise. "But..but Otou-sama, you wanted to.."
"You and Kana always come first, Keigo." Kazuki gave him a fatherly smile. "Now that Kana has Yuushi, Otousan will help you with Sakuno. I'm sure Ayano-chan..I mean Kirimi feels the same way and would agree with me."
After a few moments, Keigo nodded with a lump in his throat.
"What should we do now, Otou-sama?" Keigo asked quietly.
"You go and spend time with Sakuno. The office won't be opened for another week because of Christmas and New Year holidays. Otou-san would talk with Kirimi first and do something to handle your mother."
"Arigato, Otou-sama."
New Year's Day - At Sakuno's Apartment
The small apartment was somewhat quiet except for the faint humming of the refrigerator. A huge pile of laundry occupied the couch in the living room. Sitting on the floor next to the couch was Sakuno, who was slowly folding her laundry with absentmindedness.
Her heart fluttered when she thought of Keigo sleeping over at her place. He had acted quite gentlemanly even though he insisted on sleeping next to her in another futon on the first night. The next morning, she had awakened to find Keigo's sleeping face next to hers. 'Wow! He looks so different. His face is like a young boy. He is much more relaxed now than when he is awake.'
Sakuno blushed harder when she remembered how Keigo had caught her studying him. He had smiled lazily before leaning over to wrap his arm around her. He had trapped her within his strong arms and snuggled against her underneath their warm covers.
And, despite her protests, he had stayed with her for the past few days, talking to her about his mother and their relationship. Sakuno was touched by his attention but wished she had some time to think by herself. She felt guilty for being a bit relieved that Keigo had gone off early this morning to send off Yuushi and Kana at the airport.
Sakuno felt helplessly raw, hurt and confused from her extremely unpleasant encounter with Keigo's mother, Atobe Mara. A lot of things have been on her mind ever since that Christmas party.
'Why did she say those things?'
'She doesn't even know me.'
'I…I know I'm different from all the girls from their world.'
'But Keigo and I just started to know each other.'
'Who does she think she is?'
'Keigo is the one who ask me out.'
'This has nothing to do with her.'
'Why am I so scared?'
Sakuno's hands stilled and rested on her laps. Her thoughts went back to the Christmas party.
ooooFlashback Beginsoooo
Sakuno was perplexed. Yuushi had stopped smiling and stiffened after fixing his eyes on something behind her. His expression had even changed. Confused, she looked over to Keigo next to her and found him looking behind them. Like Yuushi, Keigo wore a harsh expression and his body was frozen.
'And why is there such fear in Keigo's eyes?' Sakuno wondered before turning around to see what had caused these two men to change so dramatically.
An elegant woman, in her late forties and dressed in a silver gown, was walking toward them. Sakuno immediately recognised her as the woman from the Parisian restaurant. 'Why, that's Keigo's mother!'
"Keigo. Yuushi." Atobe Mara greeted them with her honeyed voice while wearing a smile, "Are you two enjoying yourself tonight?"
Sakuno couldn't help shivering for a moment. Somehow, the smile from Atobe Mara seemed cold and her voice sounded sharp. Intuitively, Sakuno felt Atobe Mara was a hard woman.
"Hai, Mara-san. Thank you for giving Kana and I such a lovely reception." Yuushi deftly stepped forward to bow respectfully before his mother-in-law. Mara accepted Yuushi's thanks with a regal nod.
Sakuno noticed that Keigo clenched his jaw when Mara ignored him (Keigo) and turned her eyes on her (Sakuno). Sakuno tried not to shrink back. Though she was standing in front of Mara, she was glad Keigo and Yuushi were flanking her sides.
"And who…" Mara studied Sakuno from head to toe with disdain eyes, "is this young lady?"
Sakuno quickly bowed and greeted Mara, "Hajimemaste. My name is Ryuuzaki Sakuno. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."
"Indeed." Mara answered with a sniff and tilted her nose up even further.
"Oka-sama," Keigo spoke up and drapped an arm around Sakuno's shoulders making her blush, "Sakuno is Ore-sama's girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?" Mara smiled condescendingly, "So kah? Ryuuzaki-san, what do you do?"
"Oka-sama…"
"Be quiet, Keigo." Mara gave her son a hard stare. "I am talking to Ryuuzaki-san."
"_" Keigo fumed silently.
"So, what do you do, Ryuuzaki-san?"
"I'm working as a teacher, Atobe-sama."
"A teacher, you say? Do you have any families?"
"Ano, my parents passed away when I was still young. I was raised by my grandmother."
"So you are an orphan. How sad!" Mara said with a slight sneer. Keigo and Yuushi bristled with irritation while Sakuno turned red with embarrassment.
"I am curious, Ryuuzaki-san. How did you manage to catch my son's attention?"
"Eh?"
"When you looked around this ballroom," Mara swept her hand toward the crowded ballroom, "there are many rich young ladies who are much lovelier and suitable to be with Keigo, compared to you. Yet, he chose you."
"That's enough, Oka-sama." Keigo placed himself in front of Sakuno.
"Keigo, you can't blame me for being curious. This is the first time you have shown any interest in a female. Okasan wants to know how she managed to…"
"Sakuno has done nothing. Ore-sama is the first one to pursue her because Ore-sama is the one who is attracted to her." Keigo declared hotly.
Sakuno blushed even further. Her hand came up to grip Keigo's elbow and leaned her forehead on his back.
"Really? Such a plain creature such as her would attract your attention? I find that hard to believe, Keigo."
"Believe what you want, Okasama." Keigo eyed his mother warily while placing a hand to cover Sakuno's on his elbow. Sakuno felt better when Keigo's hand warmed her cold ones.
Sakuno peeked out from the side to find that Mara had noticed Keigo's gesture. Her professional made-up face (Mara's) had grimaced with contempt.
"Keigo, it is most inappropriate to show such familiarity in the public."
"Why not, Oka-sama? Ore-sama is not ashamed of Sakuno."
Sakuno was glad to hear Keigo's declaration. But she was startled to find Mara walking around Keigo to stand next to Sakuno.
"Remember, Ryuuzaki-san," Mara whispered in Sakuno's ear, "that Keigo is the heir of a vast business empire. He is just having some fun with you at the moment."
Keigo turned around flustered by his mother's claim. "That's not true, Sakuno. Ore-sama is…"
"One day Keigo will choose a wife who will benefit not only the Atobe family but the Atobe business empire as well." Mara continued, ignoring her son's explanations.
Sakuno swallowed apprehensively as Mara was giving her a barracuda smile. Her grip on Keigo's elbow tightened.
"Oka-sama, stop this…"
"I don't mind if Keigo wants to sow some wild oats while he is still single."
"That's nonsense, Oka-sama…"
"But don't think you can become more than being a well-paid w-h-o-r-e in his life."
"OKA-SAMA/MARA-SAN?" Keigo and Yuushi nearly shouted. Some guests were already looking over their way.
Sakuno gasped in shock.
Mara smiled triumphantly.
"She is not THAT! She is NEVER THAT to Ore-sama." Keigo objected with fiery eyes.
"Think about it, Ryuuzaki-san. You still have a grandmother to take care of. What would she say if she knew about your part in Keigo's life? She might hate you in the end."
Sakuno's eyes watered at the thought of her obaasan hating her.
"Mara-san, I think…" Yuushi tried to interrupt. Two persons were approaching their corner. Kabaji and a few men in black were keeping some curious-seekers at bay.
"What about your school? Would they let someone like you stay on as a teacher? The teachers and students would be shocked by the news that you are a ….."
Sakuno closed her eyes and willed herself not to hear anymore.
"STOP THIS, MARA!" A male voice ordered.
Sakuno looked up. Keigo and Yuushi relaxed a bit for help had arrived.
Mara had whirled around to find her husband and daughter standing behind her. She put on a brave front when a furious Atobe Kazuki and a displeased Ohshitari Kana confronted her.
"What do you think you are doing? Have you forgotten that this is Kana's and Yuushi's wedding reception, Mara?" Kazuki hissed.
"_" Mara stayed silent with a haughty look on her face.
"Oka-sama, how could you do this on my happy day? The guests will be talking about your behaviour." Kana added icily.
"My behaviour?" Mara looked affronted.
"That's enough for tonight, Mara." Kazuki gave his wife a no-nonsense look.
Mara had given Sakuno another contemptuous glance before walking off into the crowd without a word.
Kazuki looked over them with a weary sigh. Sakuno was still in shock and Keigo had his arm around her shoulder. Yuushi was comforting his wife at the same time.
"Keigo, I think it is best to take her home." Kazuki looked pointedly at Sakuno.
"Hai, Otou-sama."
"Sakuno, I am sorry for what had happened." Kazuki gave an apologetic bow.
Feeling drained, Sakuno nodded tiredly. It was not long before Keigo put them into a limo to take her home.
"Sakuno, daijobu?"
Sakuno found a worried Keigo watching her intently. She tried to put on a calm face but she crumpled and started to cry.
All she remembered on the way home were her crying real hard and the pair of masculine arms pulling her into a tight hug.
"Cry as much as you want, my love. Ore-sama will be here."
ooooFlashback Endsoooo
EEEEEEEEEE
To Be Continued
EEEEEEEEEE