"Solomon stop the car!" Saya shouted.
Solomon was driving slowly, but he kept his foot steady on the pedal, softly shaking his head. "Can't do that princess."
"And why the hell not?"
"Because the first time I've met up with that guy he kicked my ass, and the time after that he refused to let you go to speak to me. Our night has just started, and I've seen you with him. The second he gets his arms around you and tells me to go, you're gonna side with him."
"You're not being fair Solomon! Did you see his face?"
Solomon grimaced, almost empathetic of that splay of emotions over Haji's face, that was still fresh in both their minds, even though the car already turned the corner. "Yes… I did… but, he's just going to have to trust you."
"But Solomon I didn't tell him that I was going to be with you. I lied! Why would he trust me if I lied?"
Solomon sighed, and turned his head to look at Saya. "Let me ask you something Saya. Whatever it is you planned to do with me tonight, would it be something that could be considered cheating? Did you call me because you wanted to get back together? Or kiss me? Did you want to see me because you're in love with me?"
Saya looked down and minutely shook her head no.
Solomon softly chuckled "Don't worry, I wasn't expecting a yes. My point is you do deserve trust because you're not doing anything wrong. People freak about their partners visiting their ex's because there's always the assumption that they're re-kindling the old flame. But you're doing nothing of the sort dear. Besides, who knows if there's trust in your relationship without testing it? It's easy for the two of you to say you trust each other when you spend almost every waking minute together. It's not like either of you can do anything behind each others back when you're with him all the time. But it's times away, in suspicious situations like this, that tests partners' faith in each other. Honestly, how would you feel if Hagi has so little faith in your love in him, and the relationship that you have together, that'd he assume the worse just because you're merely in the same car as me?"
Saya sighed, her mind piecing the situation together while Solomon made his speech. "I get what you're saying, but I feel like I should call him, and explain."
"And what explanation would you give to him Saya? You know I pay more attention than you think. I knew the second you called to ask a favor, it wasn't a favor for you. I know you, you're the type of girl that'd rather drown than ask me for a boat. Whatever favor it is you want, it's for his sake, and it's something you don't want to tell him. If you call now he'll tell you to come home, or at the very least, ask to come with us. You'll be cut off before you could get the ball rolling."
Saya sighed, and looked straight ahead through the windshield. Her voice was laced with frustration and venom, not exactly directed at Solomon, but the situation in general. "So why'd you agree to help me if you knew it was for him?"
"Because he makes you happy, if I do him a favor, it's the same as helping you."
Saya turned her head to look at the side of Solomon's face, her venom slowly soothing out into soft smile in almost awe of Solomon's kindness.
While Saya was just starting to calm down, Haji's panic was just starting. The shock overtook him so much the place mat he was beating outside slipped out of his hands. He quickly picked it back up, and furiously re-beat the dust out of it before re-entering the restaurant. His face couldn't begin to recompose itself, so when the rest of the family looked over to Haji they thought the boy felt sick.
"Something wrong Haji?" Gorge asked, leaning over the bar.
"No! err… yeah. I think I need… I need…"
"Saya, Saya, Saya, Saya! I need to follow Saya! I have to go with her. I have to make sure she's safe. I have to be with her. What's she doing? Is she happy? Why'd she leave? Why would she lie? Why did she need to get away from me? To get away… from me." Haji's mind went blank for a moment, as a large wave of self loathing crashed onto him, and filled him to the very core. "She's angry at me. I did something wrong. I failed her. I can't follow her… I can't follow her. I must not follow her. Because she left, and didn't tell me where she was really going, because she didn't want to be followed. She's angry at me. She's angry at me. And I need to figure out why."
Gorge watched Haji's previously panicked face twist to sorrow, and then show a hint of frantic energy, till Haji finally regained the ability to speak again. "I'm sorry. I know it's inconvenient with Saya taking the day off, but may I please be excused for the rest of the evening? There's some very important research I need to do."
Gorge slowly nodded and reached over to softly grasp Haji's wrist. "It's fine Haji, just take care of yourself, and stay safe okay?"
Haji nodded, and politely broke Gorges grasp, grabbing his wallet and rushing out the doors. He came back ten minutes later with four different newspapers, and went straight upstairs to his room. He spread the help wanted sections of each newspaper flat against the floor, sitting in the middle of the pile with a highlighter and phone in hand. "I'll be sure to be able to offer her anything Solomon can. Cars, fancy clothes, whatever. I may not have inherited any money, but I can make it! I'll take up a second job, a third if I need to. I'll quit school, I don't care. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll be able to give her everything she ever wanted. Whatever she desires, she'll get. I should get a job no issue. I work hard, I got previous experience, better than most candidates my age already. Whatever she wants… whatever she wants." Haji furiously circled ads, prepared small speeches to try and get himself an interview, and left messages on machines. Most offices are closed at this time of night so he couldn't do much else at the moment. After the fifth call he made there was a small tap on the door and Riku peeked in.
"Haji, we're about to clean up the restaurant, would you like anything else to eat tonight?" He asked, looking straight in Haji's eyes, as Haji simply sat there in his chicken coop of newspapers. Haji's eyes were less crazed, but he was still as edgy as before.
"Oh no, I'm good, thanks Riku." He said about as politely as possible.
Riku nodded but didn't move from his spot. "Hey Haji… what's wrong anyway?"
"Oh nothing, I just feel like I should consider a second job. It's a little unfair that Saya has given me a place to stay, and a family that's willing to provide me such good food and clothes, and yet I haven't given her all that much in return."
Riku tilted his head, and then his voice lowered in understanding. "Saya's not really with Nathan, is she?"
Haji nodded. He should of figured Riku was onto the whole situation. Maybe it's just Haji's silent stance and power of observation, but he figured no one else really notices how bright Riku really is. He's got a grasp on social situations that's much more advanced than most people his age. In fact Riku was much more mature than most people Haji and Saya's age. "Yeah… she's not with Nathan."
"Don't worry, I won't tell the others. Saya wouldn't ever do something that'd get her in trouble. You shouldn't worry either though Haji."
"Oh, I know Saya won't get in trouble." "Or… at least I hope."
"Oh no, I don't mean that. I mean I don't think she'd do anything to get in trouble with you. You shouldn't worry if you're good enough. Because you are. If you ever pay attention to her expression when she looks at you, you know you are. Did you guys get in a fight recently?"
"No, we've never fought actually."
"Then I wouldn't worry about it. I know Saya. If something's really irritating her, she'd let you know. After all, look how she treated Solomon."
"I wasn't around when Saya was dating Solomon."
"Yes, you were."
Haji raised his eyebrows suspiciously and Riku just winked. It seems even Haji underestimated Riku's power of observation. The kid has been watching him, while he's been watching Saya. "Come on Haji, I really think you could use some food." Riku said offering his hand.
"Haji finally dropped his phone and highlighter, and took Riku's hand. They went downstairs to have some ice cream. And with Haji's mind, -mostly—cleared, he was able to stay and help clean up afterwards. Though his mind was still chewing at him about the possibility that Saya was having issue with his libido. "Maybe I shouldn't of been so cautious around her. Maybe I should of reacted more on my attraction on her. Why did I interrupt her with all my worries when she tried to make a move on me? I should of accepted that she was ready. Her body was SCREAMING readiness. Stupid Haji, stupid, stupid, stupid! Well if that's what's bothering her I could fix that. I could never keep my hands off her again."
His mind would go through near a million more scenario's, and near a million more self curses throughout the sleepless night. Without Saya's room to escape to, without her arms to hold him to keep him calm throughout the night.
Saya's night wasn't so strenuous despite her initial guilt. Solomon just being Solomon was attention consuming enough, let alone the people, and the surprises waiting for her when she entered the Goldsmith mansion.
"Welcome back Ms. Otonashi" A woman answered as she opened the door, before Solomon approached it. She was a servant, Saya presumed, but her work dress was so lavished and elegant. It looked more formal than the clothes 'normal' people wear going out. Her tone was too pleasant, she was too inhuman. Surely everyone in the Goldsmith mansion knew that Saya was the one to break the dear prince's heart. Only to show up again on short notice and she's greeted with smiles, and polite tones again, like nothing at all happened. This kinda irked Saya till her mind wandered to the fact that every time she entered the mansion there was someone to greet her, and there was someone to there to wish her a pleasant evening every time she left. She wondered if there were any designated hours, or if, by hypothetical chance, that if she walked up to the front door of the Goldsmith mansion at two in the morning, there would still be someone to open the door and pleasantly greet her before she would have a chance to knock.
"I wonder how much a third shift door greeter makes." She wondered out loud in a soft voice only audible to Solomon, as he guided her through the hallway to his room.
Solomon softly chuckled, "I couldn't tell you off the top of my head, but if you're interested in a position, I can see what I can do for you."
Saya shook her head and laughed a little too. "A job here? No thank you. Knowing you I could probably sleep on a couch and you'd still pay me twice the salary of anyone else."
Solomon smiled "True… what a pity. All those stray cats, dogs, and homeless people that won't be greeted properly. Oh hey, I wanna show you something." He said as he lead her to an entrance two doors down and across the hallway from his bedroom. There was a sturdy maple door, and made out of ornate twigs was the name "Saya" hard glued into the door. Solomon pulled out a key from his pocket and softly placed it in Saya's hand.
Saya looked at him in a puzzled expression, and stuck the key in the black iron knob, slowly unlocking it, almost scared to see what waits on the other side. She had a right to be scared, because on the other side was the most lavished bedroom that she'd only use once. The walls were painted with detailed tree's with rays of sun escaping through the branches. There was a huge round canopy bed with brown sheets and pillows and sheer forest green drapes surrounding it thick like a tent. There were two full sized dressers, no doubt completely stuffed with changes of clothes. She hoped, at least that Solomon himself didn't pick out her spare undergarments stocked in there. On a table there was a TV, hooked up with a cable box, and a high sound quality radio.
"You love nature colors don't you?" Solomon's smile undeterred by Saya's shock, as usual.
Saya just silently nodded while mentally grasping for words. "Solomon… why… why… why do I have this?!"
"Well I had it built when we were together, because if we lasted past high school you'd want a place to stay away from your family…"
"If it took only a few weeks to build, then you should be able to have it disabled in a month and a half. Or at least take my name off it and turn it into a guest room." Saya thought.
"I know you're probably wondering why it's still here. Trust me we have plenty of spare unused rooms if someone comes up with a creative idea of a room we don't already have yet, or a room we actually have and forgot about, letting it collect dust on the end of some hallway or in a spare bungalow…" He softly chuckled, but then sighed. "To be honest, I just couldn't take it down… I know you must find that silly, or maybe even scary, but hey now you have a place of your own here every time you visit."
"But Solomon…"
"I know, you don't plan to visit often, or maybe not at all after tonight. But, consider it? The crew here loves you, and you don't even have to come to see me, bring Haji if you like. Spend a few nights every now and then in the world's most luxurious hotel where everything is free."
Saya decided to derail from the main point Solomon was trying to make. "How can you tell if your crew loves anyone? Don't they have the same polite robotic tone if they were greeting the devil himself?"
Solomon softly chuckled "Good one, hey why don't I get us some tea to drink? Just stay here." Solomon guided her to sit on her bed and then flitted out the door.
Saya just sighed and laid back, staring at the green sheer drapes trying to grasp a feeling of normal. Even without Solomon's high happy energy buzzing into her space, she still couldn't help but feel strained and alien in this high class room that supposedly belonged to her. "A place to vacation huh? I wonder what kind of vacations Haji would enjoy?" She wondered to herself. Of course she wasn't seriously considering this place. There's no way in hell Haji would set foot in the house, and even if by some reasoning he did (probably to bust Saya out) he'd never be anywhere near comfortable in here. "Haji busting me out… oh god what if he tries that? He knows where I am now… and I wouldn't put it past him. Or he'd at least try to follow me. WHAT IF SECURITY CATCHES HIM? Will they call the cops. Well surely he'd mention he came to find me… I'm sure they'll just call me to go talk to him and explain the situation. I hope."
Saya heard someone walking thru the hallway, so she sat up, looking at the small open crack of her door. On the other side of the door she could immediately notice a blue set of eyes with a stare as cold as ice looking straight at her, punching an emotional hole in her stomach.
"What you doing in the place like this?" Diva's bewitching menacing shrill voice cut into Saya's ears. "You know Solomon may be happy go lucky tonight but don't think you're the charming queen again just because you're still allowed in the palace."
Saya rolled her eyes and sarcastically smirked. "Oh don't worry Diva, you'll always been the queen. I don't really have the high and pompous attitude required. As long as you remember that you're better than everyone else, I'm sure you'll be just fine."
Diva laughed. She was sincerely humored with the comment but even her laughs had a way of sounding sinister. "But seriously, dear Saya, I'm getting rather tired of my cousin moping around about the stupid girl that got away. I don't really care if you get back together with him or leave forever, just do me a favor, and make up your mind. Your kind has nothing to do with my family, but it's even worse when you dare string a boy like Solomon around your finger."
Saya sighed, it seemed tonight she couldn't do anything without hurting one person or another. Sure, Solomon might be all cheers and laughter right now. But she knew that she was hurting him. Would he suffer missing her all over when she leaves tonight? She could ask Solomon, but she knew he would deny it. Anything to make her feel welcome to come again. "Look Diva, I have no intention to be stringing anyone along."
"Then I'll ask again. What, pray tell, are you doing here?"
"That's none of your business Diva." Solomon's rarely used stern voice came through the hallway as he approached his cousin.
Diva seemed undeterred from Solomon's expression. "Ah dearest cousin, I see you brought me something to drink." She said picking one of the two glasses off the tray he was carrying.
Solomon slipped into Saya's room for a moment to put the tray down and then turned to the hall to softly bap at Diva's hand and take the drink away. "If you want one go ask someone else to get you one. At your own home."
"But Solomon…" she softly whined.
"Go. Now."
Diva harrumphed, and quickly strode away. Solomon deeply sighed, and hung his head before turning back into Saya's room and walking over to sit beside her on the bed, handing her the iced tea in his hand. "My dearest apologies Princess. You called in such short notice, and my aunt and 'dear cousin' were having dinner with us. I honestly expected they'd be gone by the time I came back with you."
Saya shook her head "Nah, it's fine, sisters will be sisters after all." She said somewhat sarcastically.
Solomon's eyes widened for a moment, but then he just chuckled. "So you figured it out eh? I guess with the resemblance it'd make you wonder."
Saya smiled sheepishly, not wanting to admit that what should have been obvious, was a rather recent discovery for her. "Actually that brings me to my favor. I was wondering if you could tell me about the past."
Solomon's face switched back to slightly worried, and the usually polite tone of his voice became edgy. "Your past?"
"No, not mine. I mean, that's not what I came here for, but now that you mention it…"
"No. I can't tell you."
"What?" Saya's face looked puzzled. She wasn't very conceited, but it seemed very strange for Solomon to say no to her. About anything. "Look, fine, it doesn't matter. I didn't come here for that, but I wanted to know about Haji. If you could find anything about him. Maybe, if it's not so much trouble, find out where his relatives are now."
Solomon bit his lower lip as he considered the risks of speaking any further. He looked at Saya and deeply sighed. "He seems perfectly happy being with you now, I doubt he cares whether he see's his family or not." He said, trying to avoid the subject of information.
"Look Solomon if you don't want to do me the favor, fine. But could you imagine what it'd be like to be dropped off at a doorstep and trying to make it on your own for most the life? I had it lucky, I got a real family that loves me, and I don't need anything past that. But I'm sure he's still left with a million questions about his parents, and why'd they do something so cruel, if they miss him, if they're ever sorry for what they did! He has the right to ask them!"
Solomon deeply sighed and hung his head. "You're right, I'm just worried what it would do to you."
"To me?" Saya asked, puzzled again.
"Yeah, you see, I already have information on Haji, cept, I wasn't really looking for it. I was looking for information on Diva's past, which is how I learned yours, and some of his."
"Wait, what does Haji have to do with my past?"
"He's connected to you Saya, but I can't explain how. You have to remember on your own. Even then I'm not sure if it'll be healthy for you. But I'll get some people to research on where Haji's folks are now. In the meantime if you want answers, you'll have to go to the zoo."
"The zoo? What good will going to the zoo be?"
Solomon shook his head "I'm not talking about the place with all the animals. The zoo used to be an estate to a very wealthy man. I'll write down the address and give you enough for bus fair there and back. Take Haji with you, he'll fill in the blanks."
There. Now ya'll don't have to kill Saya, see, she was trying to help! Poor Haji though, his mind running him ragged when he didn't do anything wrong. But that's the life of the perfect romantic eh, always thinking how they can be better for their mate. R&R thank you.
