A/N: I am so sorry for the late update, I have been very busy with school. Anyway, this is going to be a long chapter, I hope you guys wont get bored reading it haha. This is especially for Kimi Ayuzawa who has been requesting for a longer chapter, thanks for your awesome and encouraging reviews :). Of course this is also my way of thanking everyone who made it possible for me to reach 100+ reviews. Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed/favorited/followed this story and to those who still continues to read my story.
Shout out to violet167 who is my 100th reviewer haha. Thank you for reading and for all of your reviews :)
padfootstarfyre: I actually like your idea, thank you. I will try to include that in the story line in the future chapters. Thanks for always giving me your feedback.
Chapter 13: The One Where Misaki Met Her Ex
Staring back at my reflection in the mirror, I could see the dark circles forming under my eyes. Consumed with thoughts and never-ending scenarios playing in my head, I wasn't able to sleep a wink last night. It seemed like life was playing a prank on me and all I wanted to do was to wake up from this horrible nightmare. Seeing him again, I feel confused, terrified and nervous. I took a deep breath and cupped some cold water to splash it to my face. Feeling more refreshed and awake, I dried my face and headed to the break room to take a rest.
I took a seat on one of the tables near the back wall, away from the door entrance where the other employees will be walking in and out. All I needed at that moment was peace and quiet. The clock strike at 1 pm and the other nurses began pouring in, including Hinata and Yukimura who found me and joined me on the table as they chatter away.
"Misaki, are you okay?" Yukimura asked as he took notice of my pale appearance. I snapped out of my reverie and tilted my head up.
"You look so pale,"
I gave them a weak smile," I am just tired."
"Here we can share my lunch," Hinata moved a Tupperware full of cut up fruits towards me. I grabbed a few strawberries and popped it into my mouth.
"Guess what?" Yukimura changed the topic, "I finally found out who is in the VIP room."
I silently listened while Hinata showed interest and smiled in excitement, "Who is it?"
"Ryuu Igarashi,"
"Doesn't he own one of the biggest corporation in the country?"
My heart sank after hearing his news, I already had a hunch that the reason Tora was here was because of a sick family member but after confirming my greatest fear, my anxiety increased even more. The world is just too small for us.
"He is one of the executive of the hospital too, a large sum of money coming into the hospital for charity works and funds comes from his own pocket,"
"What happened to him?" Hinata inquired.
"He had a heart attack and Dr. Walker will be operating on him," Yukimura replied.
"Heart attack?" I mumbled to myself.
"Dr. Walker better bring his A game, they are capable of taking his career if something goes wrong during the surgery," Hinata added
I hastily stood up from my chair. This was all getting too much for me to handle.
"Where are you going?" they asked in surprise.
"I need some fresh air."
-xx-
Lost in thought I walked along the corridors without a care of my surrounding.
"Misaki,"
"Misaki," I jumped back a bit from the sound of my name,
Takumi was making his way towards me, "Takumi," I casually nodded at him
"I am doing an angioplasty tomorrow. Do you want to assist me?"
I snapped my head to his direction and perked up, "Really? You will let me?"
He grinned at my reaction, "Why not? Its for the patient in 601,"
My eyebrows furrowed, "The VIP patient?"
"So you've heard,"
"um," I looked away, "It's okay, I will pass,"
The last thing Mr. Igarashi would like to see is my face right before he goes under a very dangerous surgery. He might actually have another heart attack if he sees me again. Coming from a poor and broken family, he never approved of me as someone worthy of his only successor.
"Are you okay?"
I exhaled, "I am fine,"
"You have been off the whole day," he watched me carefully.
"I am sorry. I'm just tired,"
Noticing my foul mood, he opted to not probe anymore. "Are you going out for your break?" he pointed at the sweater I was carrying.
"Yeah. No, I mean I am planning to go outside for some fresh air," with the winter slowly approaching, days were becoming much colder.
"Let me walk you out,"
"Its alright" I protested.
"I am heading the same way," he showed me his charming smile. Not having enough energy to argue, we continued walking.
"So, what are you doing tonight?"
"Why do you need to know?" I gave him a side glance
"As your neighbor, I need to know this stuff,"
I raised a brow, "I don't see the correlation between the two,"
"What if you went missing? At least I know what you were doing and where you were,"
"I swear you are a perverted stalker," he chuckled, "Why would I go missing?" I asked curiously.
"You might have another handsome stalker planning something towards you, aside from me of course."
I chortled, "That must be stupidest thing I have ever heard,"
"It made you laugh," he grinned as he glanced at me,
My lips broke into a smile, "That's true."
"Well, if you really must know, I am planning to stay in. I am going to have some wine and a well needed bubble bath,"
"Mind if I join you?" he asked
My face reddened, I brought up my fist and punched him on the arm.
"I didn't know you are a boxer as well," he nursed his arm
I faked a concerned look, "Sorry, did I punch you too hard?"
"Yeah." He rubbed a spot on his arm
"I didn't know you are such a baby,"
He raised his eyebrow and smirked, "-Will you take care of me then?"
I tried to hide the blush forming on my cheeks, "Shouldn't you be checking on your patients?"
"Since when did you become concerned of what I am doing?"
"Dr. Walker," someone called out from behind us
We stopped on our tracks and I felt my heart skip a beat. I recognized that voice.
"Mr. Igarashi," Takumi turned back to face the person.
"Do you have some time? I need to ask you a few questions," he requested.
"Alright, we can go to my office," remembering about me, he glanced back, "Misa, this is Mr. Tora Igarashi. I am doing a surgery on his father tomorrow,"
"Don't be too formal Dr. Walker, you can call me Tora," I could already imagine a smirk forming on his lips.
I felt my heart beating erratically and my hands were becoming sweaty from nervousness. I wanted to make a run for it but my feet were glued to the floor. My hold on my sweater tightened as I slowly turned around to finally face him. I locked eyes with his golden pools and the conceited smirk on his face disappeared as he recognized me. Time mush have come to a halt as we stared at each other for what felt like hours.
Finally seeing him in person, the tension and fright I was feeling was slowly replaced with disdain and fury. All I wanted to do was slap him across the face to make him feel my wrath.
"Misaki," he mumbled, his face scrunched up in disbelief.
"Tora," I acknowledged him and tried to act aloof. I wasn't planning to make a scene at my work place. I wasn't going to let him see how much his presence affected me. I will not make a fool out of myself for him again. I have learned my lesson and I wasn't going to make the same mistake again.
"H-how are you?" he looked me up and down, "I-I didn't know you were working here," he stated as he took in my appearance.
"I've been better," I replied in a cold tone, I didn't wait for his reply instead I faced Takumi to immediately excuse myself.
"If you'll excuse me, I will leave you two on your own,"
"Misaki. Wait," Tora grabbed my arm, "Can we talk?"
I harshly pulled it back, "Please," his eyes were full of earnestly.
He glanced to Takumi, "Dr. Walker, I will need a few minutes with her,"
Takumi pressed his lips together as he eyed the two of us in puzzlement. I could already imagine the number of questions in his head. I stared at his emerald pools, hoping he would understand the situation. I wasn't ready to talk to him in a civil manner, I know myself and this will end badly.
His face was hard to read as he looked back at me, even if I was in his position I wouldn't want to meddle in with something this complicated. I internally readied myself for the possible outcome of our meeting.
"I have a consultation right now and Misaki will be accompanying me," he said out loud, without breaking away from his stare.
My eyes widened in surprise at his sudden announcement. He took out his calling card and passed it to Tora.
"You can reach me in this number if you have any questions regrading your father's surgery, I will be happy to discuss it with you over the phone. Have a good day,"
Takumi walked past me and without looking back I followed him when a hand stopped me once again.
"Misaki. Please," his voice was laced with despair, I knew he wanted to make this right. I knew he wanted to explain himself. But am I ready to hear the truth?
Another hand reached and tugged on my left hand, I darted my eyes to it's owners. Takumi's face remained unreadable but his eyes were solemn.
"Lets go Misaki," he pulled me towards him.
"If you will excuse us, Mr. Igarashi," he curtly nodded before pulling me along with him.
His hand securely held mine as he led us away. My thoughts were in total disarray to pull back, I only realized that we were out of the confinement of the hospital when I felt the cold breeze blew on my face. Our view was of the skyscrapers and tall buildings of the city.
I scrunched my forehead, "Are we allowed here at the rooftop?"
"Is he your ex-boyfriend?" he asked, disregarding my previous question.
"Yes."
"I thought you were over him,"
I sighed, "I am but seeing him again after all these years, its like everything just came back to me. I am very mad and confused. I wanted to hurt him and yell at him but at the same time I wanted to ask him all of the questions I wasn't able to ask before," he crossed his arms while listening intently.
"But I don't know if I wanted to hear his answers. Will anything change if I learn the truth?" I closed my eyes in frustration.
"Do you still want to know the reason why he left?" he suddenly asked
I opened my eyes to look at him, "I don't know,"
"What should I do?" I asked him
"If I am being selfish I would tell you to never talk to him again and avoid him. But if I was in your position I would like to know the reason why my ex left me too. I still have many unanswered questions, if this is the only way I will get my answers then so be it,"
"You are right," I nodded my head and forced a smile, "Thanks."
He brought up his hand to the top of my head and patted it gently, I was slightly taken a back by his sudden gesture but feeling of warm and comfort enveloped me.
"I will be here for you if you need me. I am only one door away," he smirked and I felt a small flutter in my stomach
-xx-
It was past five in the afternoon and the sky was just clearing up from a slight drizzle. With the gloomy sky and chilly weather, there were only a few people standing outside the hospital including myself. A few staff was waiting for their rides while a few was out for some fresh air. Not caring about the wet benches, I sat on one facing the side of the building.
My phone rung a minute later and I received a message: 'He is on his way -T'
Anxiety curled into my stomach at the thought of finding out the truth from his own mouth. Isn't this what I deeply wanted three years ago?
I looked up and saw him walking towards me, I could feel my pulse quickening from anticipation and nervousness. He still looked the same as before, the only difference was his polished look. Dark suit and neatly swept back hair, I would be very intimidated to approach him if I didn't know him.
He gingerly took a seat beside me and I caught a whiff of his intoxicating scent. Just like that his scent slapped me in the face, engulfing me with memories of our past.
"How are you?" he asked once again.
I wanted to shove to his face how I have moved on from him. That I picked myself up despite leaving me broken. I wanted to burst at him and yell at him for everything he has done. But looking at his desolated face, I could only say three simple words.
"I am okay,"
"Good," he replied.
"How about you?" I mentally sneered at my question. I don't want to hear about his life after breaking up with me. How it was so easy for him to move on or how awesome his life still is. I wanted to ask why he never called me back. Why he never bothered to check up on me to see if I was still alright. And the question that kept me up countless of nights before: why did he leave me?
"I feel miserable," I was slightly taken a back. That was not the answer I was expecting.
"That makes two of us then," I laughed, bitterly.
"I didn't know you were going to be a nurse," he said.
"Lots of things changed after you left," -me
"When did you move to Tokyo?"
"A few months ago,"
He nodded his head and we stayed in an uncomfortable silence. I never expected I would feel this way with him. He was the person I could spend every day, every seconds of my day, stay in silence and never feel uneasy. I could just stare into his golden eyes and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but in his arms. But now, the silence was deafening it was a very unpleasant feeling.
"I am sorry," the words escaped his lips in a flash.
"Why?" I replied. It was the only word I could muster and the only word that could describe my feelings at the moment
"I had my reasons," he mumbled.
I remained quiet, waiting for his answers that was long due
"I didn't want to leave you, Misaki,"
I scoffed, "Then why?"
"I had to."
"Tora, I don't have all day to wait for you. I already waited for you before and I am not planning to make the same mistake again,"
I was about to stand up- "My father's business went bankrupt four years ago," I stopped.
I looked at him in confusion. Why was I hearing this now?
"Nobody knew about it, my parents tried very hard to keep anyone from finding out. The only solution they had was to marry me off to someone and merge our companies to save our business. He wanted me to break up with you, if I didn't do it he told me that he would get your family involved. You know he is capable of doing anything," he faced me.
I looked at him in disbelief, "You showed up in my door steps and told me that you never loved me. I tried to reach out to you and give you the benefit of the doubt because I trusted you so much. I knew you were never going to break my trust and I believed you but in the end you still did. Why didn't you tell me all of this before?" I shook my head, my eyes welling up with tears.
His lifted his right hand to wipe the tears on my cheeks but I swatted it away, "How the hell do you expect me to forgive you after doing that to me?"
He winced at my action and looked down dejectedly, "I know you would do anything for me, you would drop everything and risk yourself just to help me. I also knew there was no way out of my arranged marriage and I didn't want you to suffer because of me so I decided it was best to just leave you but it wasn't the best decision since I am still regretting it every single day,"
"You don't know how much it broke my heart listening to your messages," his voice quivered, "I wanted to run back to you and beg for your forgiveness but I also had my responsibility to my parents. I admit I was wrong, I chose to help my family instead of fighting for what we had."
"My fiancé backed out of our engagement a year later but her family still decided to merge with our company and were able to get back on our feet. I wanted to find you again but I haven't had the courage to face you,"
I wiped the tears streaming down my face. I never felt more confused in my life. How the hell does he expect me to process all of this new revelation, "I don't know what to say?"
He reached for my hand, "I am very sorry."
"All these years I thought you never loved me," I closed my eyes as I recalled that moment that was etched into my mind.
"You don't know how much I regretted saying that." He tightened his hold on my hand
"I still love you, Misaki," I opened my eyes and stared at his golden pools. He reached for my face and wiped the tear stain on my cheeks, he slowly inched closer and I was enthralled by his spell once again. I closed my eyes as his face moved closer, once his lips pressed against mine, sense of familiarity and longing consumed me and at that moment, I realized, even after all these years…. I still love him….
A/N: *hides behind a wall* I am so excited and scared to read your feed backs. What do you guys think of where the story is heading? Are you on #TeamTakumi or #TeamTora? hahaha. BTW I will be very busy with school for the next few months so the updates will be very irregular but I will try my best to write every chance I get and update every few weeks. For now I will leave you with this sneak peak. Thank you for reading :)
-Takumi's POV-
I knocked on the door and I heard the person behind the door stumbling around, a moment later the door opened with a Misaki in an old tshirt and pair of sweats. Her eyes were a little swollen
I brought up the plastic bag I was holding and she raised an eyebrow
"What do you want?"
"Need some company?" I asked
She eyed the brown bag I was holding
"Is that alcohol?"
"Ice cream and chocolates for a broken-hearted lady?"
"I am not broken-hearted," she eyed the bag once again, "Ben and Jerry: Cherry Garcia?"
"Yup."
She opened the door wider, "Come in,"