Please review! AND...Announcement: I thought of a plot for this story! ^_^

Chapter 10: Enlightenment

"Misaki!" Julian greeted. A bright white smile lit his face.

Misaki dropped her gym bag onto a bench. "How here comes my torturer..." Misaki teased. "I was so sore yesterday I even went to get a full body massage!"

"That's what I'm here for," Julian said. "But today shouldn't be too bad," he said, winking.

Misaki hopped onto a treadmill and began her warm up.

"Do you prefer fast and intense or slow and mild?" Julian asked.

"I can handle either," Misaki said confidently. "Throw me what you've got,"

"How about lunch after this...?" Julian asked.

Misaki almost fell off the treadmill. "Lunch...?" she asked.

"Yeah," Julian said. "At the cafe here. It will be my reward to you for working so hard."

Misaki laughed. "Alright," she agreed. "I was going to eat lunch there anyways."

"Perfect," Julian said. "Now let's do some pull ups!"

Misaki groaned and walked over to the bar.

"Up you go," Julian said hoisting her up.

Misaki still felt sore from yesterday but pulled her chin over the bar.

"Today's pain is tomorrows gain," Julian encouraged.

"Easier said than done!" Misaki said through her teeth.

"Alright then," Julian said, grabbing onto the bar next to her. "Let's do this together, One! Two! Three!"

Julian made it look a lot easier...then again, his biceps were huge. "Gimme three more, Misaki!" Julian said. "Three...two...one, done,"

Misaki dropped from the bar and rubbed her arms. "Ouch..." she muttered.

"How about some kick boxing kicks," Julian suggested.

"You're the trainer," Misaki said, sipping her cold water.

Julian set up a punching bag and gave it an experimental punch. "We'll only do kicks," Julian said.

Misaki spun around and kicked the punching bag as hard as she could.

"Keep that knee bent," Julian reminded her.

Misaki felt it rather hard to kick these days. She didn't even have anything to vent about! No stress, no work, no annoying people...

"Wow..." Misaki thought to herself. "This is sure the easy life..."

"Alright hit the shower," Julian said. "See you in an hour?"

Misaki snorted. "I take a twenty minute shower, thank you very much."

Julian smiled and nodded.

Misaki took a hot shower and changed into a navy blue skirt and white button down blouse. A few brushes through the hair and she was done. She met Julian in front of the cafe and they sat at a booth.

"Drinks?" the waitress asked.

"Green tea," Misaki said.

"Just water," Julian told her. "I've only been here a few times...usually when I got free coupons..." he muttered, opening up a menu. "So any big plans soon?"

Misaki sighed. "Nope,"

"What's a pretty lady like you do home all day?" Julian asked. "Knit...?"

Misaki snorted. "Come to the gym, shopping, buy groceries, so on,"

"Don't you get bored...?"

"Sometimes..."

Julian gave her a look.

"Okay, most of the time," Misaki admitted.

The waitress came back with drinks and a notepad. "What can I get you?"

"Chicken garden salad and crab cakes," Misaki ordered.

Julian scanned the menu and cleared his throat. "Uhh..." he said.

"Can I suggest?" Misaki asked.

Julian nodded. "Shoot for it,"

"Crab cakes are the best here," Misaki told him. "And for an entree, I love a mushroom ravioli."

"Alright," Julian said. "I'll go with that."

"So, where were we?" Misaki asked.

"Why don't you get a job?" Julian suggested. "You went to college right?"

"Tokyo University, law school," Misaki said, proudly.

Julian whistled. "And you're a housewife?! You could be making thousands of dollars!"

Misaki laughed. "I could but my husband doesn't want me to work."

"What a waste of a degree," Julian muttered. "Man, if I was half as educated as you...I'd be satisfied."

"What about you then?" Misaki asked.

"A small college majoring in finances," Julian said. "Nothing compared to a Tokyo Law graduate. I bet you were the top of your class," he said.

Misaki blushed. "I just work hard..." she said.

"So you actually were the top of your class..." Julian sighed. "You could bench press your own weight with your brain."

Misaki laughed. She'd never heard that expression before.

"What was high school life for you like?" Julian asked.

The waitress came back with their food. "Enjoy," she said, flashing a smile at Julian and a bow to Misaki.

"It was normal," Misaki said. "I went to a school that had been an all boys school. There were a few girls."

"Did boys swarm around you...?"

Misaki laughed.

"What?" Julian asked.

Misaki wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Quite the opposite. I was known as the demon prez. Boys would cower as I walked down the halls."

"That's hot..." Julian said.

"What?"

"Nothing. So student council president huh? Wow...you're the most amazing woman I've ever met," Julian said.

"Thanks," Misaki said. "But most of my success was due to hard work. I was never extremely talented. I was just determined."

"Either way, it's still pretty cool," Julian said.

Lunch was relaxing. Misaki told Julian a little about herself and Julian shared some stories too.

"Check!" Julian called when they finished their frozen yogurt with fruit toppings.

"I can pay," Misaki offered.

"No no, I'm a gentleman. I have to pay,"

"Or your male ego," Misaki joked.

Julian smirked. "All men have one," he said. "Why do you think your husband won't let you work? Feeds his ego knowing that he's the sole breadwinner."

Misaki paused. "His ego?" she asked.

"Yeah," Julian said. "Isn't that why he keeps you at home?"

"I-I don't know..." Misaki admitted.

"Well, not all women but a lot of women here at this gym are trophy wives. They don't work nor do they ever want to," Julian explained.

"Am I a...trophy wife...?" Misaki asked.

"Naw, you're pretty cool," Julian said, picking up his bag and the check book. "See you tomorrow," he said.

"Bye," Misaki said waving. Misaki slung her bag over her shoulder and walked out to her Lamborghini.

"Trophy wife..." she said. She looked at her lavish car, designer clothes... Did people really see her as a gold digger? A trophy wife? A woman incapable of raising herself?

Misaki slid into her car and called Sakura.

"Hello?"

"Hey Sakura, are you busy?" Misaki asked, pulling out of the parking lot.

"No, Ruri and I were thinking of going to Rose Latte. Want to come?"

"Sure," Misaki said.

She met her friends at the cafe and they got their favorite table. Misaki was full and only ordered a earl gray tea.

Today was a rather slow day. The excitement of Misaki's one year anniversary wore off by the 2nd week. Sakura aimlessly stirred her tea while Ruri played a game on her phone.

"What are we doing?!" Misaki demanded, setting down her cup.

Sakura and Ruir both looked up from their distractions. "What?" Ruri asked.

"What are we doing everyday?" Misaki asked. "We tear our hair out trying to find something to do. All of us have great degrees yet we just let it go to waste."

Sakura thought about it. "But our husbands don't want us to work," she reminded Misaki.

"Since when are they the boss of us?" Misaki asked. "We are strong independant women. What do people think of us? Trophy wives who married for money?"

"You're right..." Ruri said, setting her phone down. "I studied so hard in university. I could get a great job. I don't need Tora to support me!"

"Exactly," Misaki said. "During kick boxing today, I realized how unmotivated I was... I couldn't even vent. I don't even remember what its like to stress!"

"Wow..." Sakura said. "You have a point. We are completely wasting our lives..."

"We can choose whether or not we want to work," Misaki said.

"And we choose TO work," Ruri added.

"What if they say no?" Sakura asked.

"We won't be asking," Misaki said. "We'll tell them that we will start working."

"But I don't want to fight with Kuuga again," Sakura said.

"Fine," Misaki decided. "Let's come up with a plan so they have to agree..."

"Fight fire with fire..." Ruri said. "I mean since we're already labeled as bratty divas...let's not let them have what they want...unless what we get what. I have an idea..."

After Ruri finished explaining, Misaki and Sakura both laughed. "Really?" she asked.

Ruri nodded with a smirk. "The Housewife club will band together so we can stop being housewives."

Misaki raised her cup. "To the Housewife Club, soon to be the Working Women's club,"

"Here here," Sakura and Ruri said, clinking cups.

Misaki drove home and changed into something nicer. She wore a knee length black pencil skirt with a violet tank top and blazer. Misaki sat at her vanity table and dabbed some concealer on her face. Misaki uncapped her favorite peach lipstick and applied it to her lips. Misaki even took the time to dust on some gold eyeshadow and carefully outline her eyes. To finish the look, Misaki wore a pair of black pumps and wore her hair up in a french twist.

Misaki, with a full face of makeup, drove up to a giant building. "Walker Corporations" was written in big letters on the building. Misaki couldn't remember the last time she had been here.

She took a deep breath and got out of her car. She walked into the busy building with her head held high. The lobby secretary looked up from the computer. "Do you have an appointment with someone?" she asked.

"Nope," Misaki said. "But I'd like to see Mr. Walker."

The lady sighed. "Ma'am, you have to have an appointment."

"I'm sure Mr. Walker will have time for his wife..." Misaki said. "I'm Misaki Walker," she said, holding out her hand.

The lady dropped her pen. "Mrs. Walker!" she gasped. "I hardly recognized you," she said with a nervous laugh. "You look so good! You look so in shape- not that you weren't before!"

Misaki simply smiled. The lady got up and immediately showed Misaki to the elevator. "Please, go right up," she said.

"Thank you," Misaki said. "You were most helpful," Misaki stepped into the elegant elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. Misaki laughed and shook her head. She could scare people nowadays without her demon aurora.

The elevator doors slid open and everyone paused and stared. Misaki confidently stepped out of the elevator and walked to Takumi's secretary's desk.

"Himeji," Misaki greeted.

The thin red head's face lit up. "Mrs. Walker!" she greeted, shaking hands with Misaki. "Long time no see. How have you been?"

"I'm been great. You?"

"Excellent. Thank you for asking."

"Is Takumi free?" Misaki asked.

Himeji checked a sheet of paper. "He has five minutes left of a meeting," she told Misaki. "Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Tea? Wine? Water?"

"I'm fine," Misaki said, taking a seat in the waiting area. "I'll just wait for him."

Himeji nodded and went back to working. A few minutes later, she got a cup of coffee and was heading to Takumi's office. "Mrs. Walker, Mr. Walker finished his meeting."

Misaki put down the magazine. "Great," she said. "I'll take the coffee," she offered.

"Very well. You know the way?"

Misaki nodded and took the tray. She walked through the halls and people parted like the red seas. Many had never actually met her but Takumi had a large picture of them together in his office, right behind his desk. It was one of the many wedding pictures blown up to an obnoxious size.

Misaki walked up to the door and knocked.

"Come on!"

Misaki walked in. Takumi was bent over his desk, writing something. "Just put it on anywhere, Himeji," he said, not looking up.

"Yes, Mr. Walker," Misaki said.

Takumi's head jerked up. "Misaki?" he asked, his face breaking out into a smile. "What are you doing here?"

"You don't seem very happy to see me," Misaki teased.

"No, this is just a little unexpected," Takumi explained.

Misaki set the tray down on his desk and walked over. "Can't your wife visit you during work?" she asked.

"Anytime," Takumi said, pulling her into his arms. "What's up, sweetheart?"

Misaki sat on his lap and pushed his hair out of his eyes. "I came to invite you to another meeting," she said.

"Meeting?"

"At Sakura's," Misaki said. "If Mr. Walker could grace us with his presence...it would be most helpful."

Takumi raised an eyebrow, amused. "You're a tease today, aren't you?" he asked. "What are you planning?"

"You'll have to wait and see," Misaki said, getting up. "Mind if I hang around?" she asked.

"Yeah, do anything you want," Takumi said, taking a sip of his coffee.

Misaki smiled and started to head out. She paused and then decided to turn around. She gave Takumi a quick kiss on the lips.

Takumi raised his eyebrows. "I'm kind of scared now," he said, kissing her cheek.

"You don't even know half of this..." Misaki thought to herself. She pressed her index finger to her lips and pressed it onto his notepad, leaving a lipstick stain. "See you later," she whispered, walking out of his office.

"Whew..." Takumi said, loosening his tie. "I am so in for it later..." Takumi muttered, shaking his head. "Maybe I should write my will..."

Misaki looked around the company. She almost forgot what a work environment even felt like. Many people showed her around and Misaki enjoyed the tours. When Takumi was finishing up, Misaki went to go meet up with him. Takumi was working late today. It was already dark out.

"Hello, sweetheart," Takumi said, holding out his arm.

Misaki smiled and took his arm. They walked out together. Everyone greeted Takumi with utmost respect.

"So Kuuga's?" Takumi asked.

Misaki nodded.

The three men sat on the couch and looking curiously at their wives who were dressed in formal attire.

"I'm glad you could come," Sakura said, taking out a piece of paper.

"This is kind of my house..." Kuuga joked.

The three women didn't react.

"We have a petition and you will grant it to us," Misaki said, in her most business like tone.

Takumi ran his hand through his hair. "This sounds really intense..." he said.

"We have come to an agreement," Ruri began. "We no longer want to spend every day trying to find new things to entertain ourselves,"

"We will be apply for jobs and put our hard earned degrees to use!" Misaki said, firmly.

"No," Takumi said. Somehow he knew this was coming...

"I don't agree either," Kuuga added.

"Not happening," Tora said.

Misaki frowned. "We're not asking. We're telling you."

Takumi sighed. "Misaki, we went over this a hundred times. I make enough to support the both of us. You don't need to work,"

"Why would you want to work anyways?" Kuuga asked.

"I don't want my woman to have to worry about money," Tora stated.

Misaki planted her foot down. "Ruri, Sakura and I have had enough of being housewives. We want jobs."

"What's wrong with being a housewife?" Tora asked. "Why work when you don't need to? Ruri, honey, I thought you liked doing all your spas and shopping."

"I do but I want to work," Ruri said. "Here's the contract," she said holding out a paper.

"Can we talk about this at home...?" Takumi asked.

Misaki shook her head. "We will stand together and fight with you. I am getting my way this time, Takumi Walker."

"Exactly, you will not divide then conquer!" Sakura said.

"What if I want all of you out of my house...?" Kuuga asked.

"No!" Sakura said. "They are staying until you all sign the contracts."

"Misaki..." Takumi said.

"Takumi,"

"Ruri!"

"Tora?"

"Kuuga!"

"Sakura!"

"Are you going to sign or what?!" Misaki yelled, slamming the paper into the coffee table.

Takumi wasn't amused. "No, I don't want you to work. You spent almost all your life working, studying, and planning. I just want to give you the easy life that you deserve."

"How honorable," Misaki said. "But if you want me to me to be happy...you will let me work."

"How about charity work?" Kuuga suggested. "You can go volunteer in the library or something,"

"Kuuga!" Sakura snapped. "I have a masters degree in business! I don't need to 'volunteer' in some dumb library!"

"I went to law school!" Misaki continued. "I can get a great job with good pay,"

"But why...?" Takumi asked. "We don't need more money."

"Just agree!" Misaki said, getting impatient.

"No,"

"Agree or else you will regret it!" Misaki yelled.

Takumi motioned for Misaki to come over. Misaki ignored him and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Can we talk about this at home?" Tora asked. "This is a personal issue."

"I agree," Takumi said. "Misaki, let's go home."

Misaki shook her head. Takumi stood up. "I'm not leaving until you agree," she said.

Takumi picked up her purse. "I'm going to ask you one more time to come with me,"

Misaki stomped her foot, not caring if it's childish. "No one is going anywhere until you agree!"

"Sorry baby..." Takumi said dumping her over his shoulder. "Bye Kuuga!" he called over his shoulder. "Great chat today."

"Put me down!" Misaki screamed, smacking his back.

Takumi carried her out of Sakura's house and deposited her into the car.

"Put your seatbelt on," he said, gently.

Misaki angrily buckled herself in and looked out the window. "You don't love me..." she said childishly.

"I do love you,"

"No, you don't!"

"Yes, I do,"

"Prove it,"

"I'm proving it right now. It's a cutthroat world out there and I'm protecting you from it," Takumi said, calm and composed as ever.

"But I feel so guilty spending your money," Misaki said.

"It's not my money," Takumi explained. "It's our's. As a couple, what's mine is yours and what's yours is mine."

"But I don't have anything!"

"You have your love which is worth more than any amount of cash in this world,"

"Don't sweet talk me..." Misaki muttered. "I'm not falling for it."

The car pulled up to their driveway and Takumi parked in the garage. Misaki swung her door open and slammed it shut. Takumi held out her purse and Misaki snatched it from him.

"It's late..." he said casually. "Get ready for bed."

Misaki ignored him and unlocked the door. She kicked off her shoes and stormed up to the living room. Takumi followed. Misaki walked around, threw a few pillows and stormed upstairs. Takumi heard the door slam upstairs. He gave her 5 minutes before going upstairs. Misaki was leaning against the doorway of their bedroom.

"Do you understand why I don't want you to work...?" Takumi asked, standing before her.

"I know your reasons but do you know mine?" Misaki asked.

"I do... I understand you, Misaki," Takumi said, solemnly. "But I would never look down at you for not working. You mean so much to me. You mean even more than my own life. I love you with my entire existence,"

"But working would make me so happy," Misaki argued.

"You don't understand some people out there. They'll crush anyone in their way without a blink of an eye."

"But I'm not a child," Misaki reminded Takumi. "I can stand my ground."

"All I want is to take care of you," Takumi said. "I swore I'd make sure you never had to worry about money again and have to overwork yourself until you break. I just love you so much,"

Misaki smiled. "I love you too," she said softly.

"Am I forgiven?"

Misaki sighed. "I guess..."

Takumi held out his arms to hug her but something flew into his arms. It was a pillow...

"Good night, Takumi," Misaki said with a smirk. "Enjoy sleeping in the guest room," she said, slamming the door in his face.

Takumi heard the door lock and for once in his life...he was utterly speechless.

"Are you serious?!" he exclaimed. He tried turning the doorknob. The door was definitely locked. "Misaki...?" he called.

The only sound he heard was the bath running. Misaki actually threw him out of their bedroom. He took his pillow and slowly trudged to the guest room. Why did he have to sleep by himself in the guest room?!

His phone vibrated in his pocket. Takumi pulled it out and looked at the screen. It was a conference call from Kuuga with Tora.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Takumi..." Kuuga said. "Did your wife just throw you out of your bedroom...?"

Takumi paused. "Yeah, how did you- oh..." he said, realizing what was going on.

"I need a drink..." Tora muttered. "Women are just too much..."

Takumi sighed as he unbuttoned his shirt and threw it on a chair. "How long is this going to go on...?" he asked.

"No idea," Tora and Kuuga said at the same time.

"Well good luck, gentlemen..." Tora said. "I have to go crash in our guest room now..."

"I'm so glad we are rich..." Kuuga muttered. "Or else we'd be sleeping on couches for a month."

"This is going to last a month?!" Takumi exclaimed. "I already can't stand it..."

"Sucks to be the newlyweds..." Tora teased.

Takumi hung up and tossed his phone on the bed. He looked at his new bed for the time being... This wasn't looking too good.

Misaki and her friends burst into peals of laughter. Misaki's phone was on at arms reach from the tub and on speakers.

"You should have seen Takumi's face when I threw him his pillow!" Misaki said, laughing.

Sakura giggled. "I didn't even give Kuuga his pillow. I just slammed the door and was like 'have a nice life'."

"You girls should have seen Tora. I don't think anyone's done that to him in his life. His jaw literally dropped!"

Misaki scrubbed her arms and couldn't help laughing again.

"What were your departing statements?" Sakura asked.

"Alright Mr. Working man, from now on there will be no more nightly distractions so you can get your rest. Then I slammed the door..." Ruri whispered.

The girls laughed.

"I was hardly witty..." Misaki said leaning back in the tub. "He said I love you and I was like I love you too. He thought this was over but then I threw his pillow at him and told him to enjoy the guest room."

"I think I said something along the lines of you'll regret this but Kuuga tried to argue but I was like no. Have a good life." Sakura snickered.

"Do you think we were too hard on them...?" Ruri asked. "Tora and I have never actually spent a night apart under the same roof."

"Do you want to be a trophy wife...?" Sakura asked.

"You're right," Ruri said. "Serves them right,"

Sakura laughed. "They think not sleeping together is bad...? Wait till we starve them for real..."

Misaki laughed. "Sakura has got an evil plan..." she sensed.

"You bet!" Sakura said.

Misaki climbed out of the tub and wrapped a robe around herself. She picked up her phone and carried it out of the bathroom.

"So what's the battle plan tomorrow?" Misaki asked. "This is going to be a long weekend," she observed.

Sakura pretended to do an evil laugh. "Ladies..." she whispered. "Listen close..."