XI. Dinner for Four
For whatever reason, the whole day has been a little unnerving for the Ogasawara heiress. Something, she just can't pin point what, doesn't feels right. She spend her evening getting ready to dress up because Suguru has said times and times again how important this dinner are. Even though Sachiko didn't particularly have any inclination of feeling towards her husband, she still respects him enough to do her part as a supportive wife.
"Sa-chan, are you ready?"
"Yes, stop being so jittery Suguru-san. You are getting on my nerves."
"I'm not jittery."
"Yet, you act like one."
He just groans in respond and lend his hand to escort Sachiko towards the awaiting car. The car ride was uncomfortable for the heiress, especially with the way her husband so out of his character for the whole day. It was not like him at all to lose his composure. Whoever they are meeting must have struck some nerve on him.
"Are you really not going to tell me who we are meeting?"
"We're here already, why don't you see for yourself who we are meeting inside."
And for some reason, her stomach twisted into a knot. Something just doesn't feel right. So, when she sees the familiar backside of the brunette, she gives her best death glare to her husband. She should have known it. She should have known that he would do this to rub a salt on her wound. She felt like running away, or hide somewhere, ultimately she would do anything to get out from the place she is standing.
"I'm sorry that we're late Hanazawa-san."
The later smile softly and gesture the couple to take a sit. "It's fine, Kaname is also running late."
"Oh, Suou-san is joining us?"
"Yes, I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not, the more the merrier, right Sachiko?"
For a moment Sachiko feel like she couldn't breath when the attention was shift to her and the brown pair of eyes settle on her.
"Yes, definitely." She forced a smile and was relieved when they continue talking about other trivial thing, shifting the attention away from her.
The Hanazawa heiress is truly beautiful. Sachiko can't help but stare and compare the girl sitting across her to her dear Yumi. Will Yumi look like her if she didn't disappear all those years ago? Would the latter blush if someone complimented her? Did she like drinking her tea with slight sugar, just like how Yumi does? Did she slightly snore when she sleep because she is to tired? Oh how Sachiko wanted to asked a million things to the person sitting across her, yet she can't. She can't ask without sounding like a crazy psychopath.
"Hello, sorry I'm late. The meeting ended later than usual." The sudden voice behind her, startle Sachiko from her reverie.
"We haven't waited long, Suou-san." Kashiwagi replied, which ultimately was ignored by the said man.
The tension so palpable on the air it become slightly stifling to breathe and Sachiko wonder what kind of trouble her husband have done to receive the wrath of the Suou heir. "Kaname behave. They are my guest and you will treat them like one." The man scowls in response before muttering a soft apologies and everything seems back to normal. The dinner was civil enough as both men tried their best to be friendly towards one another, much to the chagrin of the Suou heir.
"Is the food not to your liking Ogasawara-san?" Both man stop their conversation and suddenly everyone's attention was on her.
"Not at all Hanazawa-san, and please, just Sachiko is fine."
"Really? You barely touch your food, Sachiko-san."
"I don't have too much appetite nowadays Hana-"
She stops short in forming her sentence when a hand was raised and a head was shake.
"Ruka is fine. I feel old when people called me by my surname."
"Well, Ruka-san it is."
The dinner went more smoothly than Kashiwagi Suguru imagine it to be. Sachiko is civil enough, she's quiet, but it's better than her throwing a tantrum. He and Suou also have act civil enough to produce a conversation. All in all, it wasn't such a bad night and he hopes that Sachiko realized and accepts that the Hanazawa heiress is not Yumi. She's too elegant and refined to be Yumi, she didn't blush when someone compliments her and she definitely could intimidate people to her biding. Yes, Yumi is definitely not Ruka, but some part of his twisted brain still couldn't accept the fact.
Nothing except her outer appearances is similar to Yumi. Yet, sometimes when he could see past beyond the facade the heiress put up, he gets a glimpse of the familiar old Yumi. Maybe from the way she sometimes frown and her eyebrow scrunch together, or when she's trying to be sarcastic, or perhaps when she is just being polite and laugh at his dry joke even though it's not funny. But, of course, Ruka could not be Yumi. He is sure of that after the dinner. Ruka love to be the dominant one, especially with Kaname. He could see how the Suou would do anything to please the woman. She is intimidating and prideful; she didn't turn down compliment but accept it with pleasure. Yes, they are too different to be the same person. He should have known, because Yumi died. She died because of him.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LOST HER!" He shouts at the top of his lung.
"I-I-I'm s-so-sorry sir. We look away for a second and suddenly she vanish."
"PEOPLE DON'T JUST VANISH!"
"B-Bu-But-"
"ENOUGH! IF SOMETHING HAPPEN TO HER, I'LL KILL YOU PERSONALLY!"
He punch down a number on his cellphone, all the while cursing all kind of words.
"Hello-"
"She's gone."
"Pardon?"
"Yumi's gone. Those idiots could not even keep an eye on her and she's gone."
Suguru heard a loud sigh on the other side of the phone, "I'm sorry, I-"
"Suguru it's fine. I'll meet you at the mansion and we could talk our plan."
"Alright."
Even until today, he still remembers the damn conversation from years ago. Yumi died and it's all because of him. How could he ever face Sachiko properly? Maybe all he can do is just try his hardest to be there for her. After all, he robbed away her chance of happiness.
"I love to discuss the proposal again Suguru-san. Perhaps, we could have another meal together?"
Both couple stood outside the restaurant, ready to leave. "Yes, it'll be my pleasure Ruka-san. I'll be looking forward hearing from you."
Sachiko watch wearily as the Hanazawa - Suou couple departed first. She hate to admit, but they do look good together and she curse under her breath when she imagine how it could be her and Yumi being intimate like that. Looking at Ruka just bring back a painful memories for her. Reminding her the best thing that could have been in her life, before she destroys the very chance of happiness herself.
She felt herself being dragged towards the awaiting car by her husband and she absentmindedly allowed herself being dragged. She watched as the scenery change outside the car, where darkness quickly enveloped the road as they stir away from the crowded city. Her mind drifted back towards the what if question. What if she is stronger back then? Maybe she wouldn't back down so quickly from the pressure of her family. What if she continues to try instead of giving up? Maybe her family would gave in. What if she talks patiently instead of blowing up on her parent? Maybe they would have understood her choice better. God, there are so many things she wish she could change. So many mistakes she wish she could undone. But of course, who is she trying to fool, Sachiko know, everything is her fault. So this is her sin. Her sin to carry down to her last breathes.
Yumi… Will you ever forgive me?
Author Notes: Hello, it's been awhile since I update this story. I will not abandon this story, but it's been getting harder and harder to update. I appreciate all the comments and will try my best to write an interesting story. I'm not sure when I'll be able to update again, but hopefully it'll be soon. This is relatively short and rush, because I just felt that I need to get it out here. Thank you for reading!
