Next chapter, finally!

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Mikan quietly enjoyed the meal. Even though with the very high price, it was worth it was the first thing that came to her mind as she took a first bite.

They were already on their way out but the feel and taste of the food still lingered in Mikan's tongue. It was that delicious.

"Are you okay?" Natsume asked, as soon as they were out of the restaurant after noticing that Mikan was so quiet.

She just nodded in reply.

They arrived at the parking lot. Natsume ushered her to get in.

"Ummm…I think I can just get home on my own." Mikan said.

Natsume gave her a questioning look before saying, "Do you even know where you are?"

Mikan started to look around and realized that Natsume was right. She didn't know where she was and she didn't even see a single taxi or bus around.

She looked at Natsume and saw him smirking.

"Arrogant" Mikan thought then she pushed Natsume a little then reached for the car door and only to find out it was still locked.

Natsume chuckled. Mikan gave him a glare then stomped her foot but after a little while, she smiled.

"So you actually know how to do prank, huh." Mikan said as she went closer to Natsume.

Natsume stopped chuckling, "Fine. I'll open the door." Then he clicked the car remote and he quickly stepped away.

Mikan then went in the car, sure that it was already opened.

Natsume then went to the driver's seat and then turned the engine on. He noticed that after a while, Mikan got in.

He drove off. No one was talking while listening to the slow music in the radio and the DJ speaking in a soft voice to match the peaceful night.

"By the way, where are we going?" Mikan finally asked, noticing that they were going in no particular direction.

"Just going around. You wanna go home?" Natsume asked, giving a short glance at the sides.

At first, Mikan really wanted too but after dinner, it changed. Maybe it won't be so bad, enjoying the night and the good mood of his boss for awhile.

"Not really. I'll be alone anyway" was what Mikan decided to say.

With what Mikan said, a conversation started. She was sharing about living with her best friend and why she is alone. She also shared a bit of her school life but mostly was about her best friend.

Natsume just stayed quiet and listened, for the first time, he was interested in someone else's life. Maybe it was just curiosity that strike or maybe it was something much bigger.

"You are really a talker, aren't you?" Mikan said with sarcasm, after saying everything she wants to say and Natsume just kept quiet.

"You are really not bad when you're not being sarcastic." Natsume commented.

"Wh-a-t?" Mikan stammered.

Natsume stopped the car.

"Why are we stopping?" she asked curiously, looking out a bit.

Natsume got out; Mikan just poked her head out the window.

"Get out" Natsume demandingly said.

"Why?" Mikan retorted.

"No questions. I'm your boss."

Mikan sighed and realized how right Natsume was, he was still her boss. She got out, closing the car door softly. She suddenly felt a cold air tingling her whole body especially her lower part since she was wearing a skirt but at that moment it wasn't the cold air that caught her attention, it was the view.

She moved forward to get a clearer view.

"Wow!" was all she can say but wow wasn't even enough to describe her awe at that moment.

She was about to say something to Natsume but she decided not to when she saw the look on Natsume's face staring into the darkness and the lights.

"Maybe this place means something to him." Mikan thought as she stared back into the lights.

"What do you think?" Natsume finally said something.

"It's…" Mikan paused to think for the right word, "…amazing."

"Hn" was his reply.

"Is this your favorite place?" Mikan asked.

"Hn" was his reply again.

"It seems like he doesn't want to share." Mikan thought, making a face.

"It used to be." Natsume suddenly said still looking ahead.

"Used to?" Mikan asked to continue the conversation.

"Yeah. Things change." That was it. No explanation.

"What do you think of it now?" she asked.

"It's the same…but I have a feeling something will change now or maybe it already did." Natsume said, looking at Mikan.

Mikan felt her cheeks burn. She looked away.

"What time is it?" Mikan asked, trying to change the topic.

"Let's go. It's late." Natsume just said, going inside the car.

Mikan gave a heavy breath then followed.

After a few turns and few traffic lights, Mikan finally arrived home.

When Mikan got out, Natsume did too.

"Thanks for the ride." Mikan said, gratefully, bowing her head a bit but when she looked up, they were only a few inches apart.

"And for the meal." She smiled, not feeling a bit self-conscious. She was getting used to it.

"I don't want to be in debt." Natsume smirked.

On impulse, Natsume touched her smiling face with his palm. That was something Mikan never easily gets used to.

Mikan suddenly stepped backward, she almost stumbled.

Natsume placed his hand on his pocket, feeling conscious of what he did.

"Good night, sir." Mikan gave an emphasis on the last word then she hurried into her empty home.

Another day has arrived and Mikan went to work with dark circles around her eyes. It was because she didn't get proper sleep due to the lot of impulses last night. She slumped herself on her chair, wiping her desk.

TING!

The elevator sounded. Mikan quickly got up and fixed her skirt.

A familiar figure got out with the same arrogant walk and prideful steps.

"Morning sir" Mikan greeted with a smile.

He walked ahead like as if he didn't hear anyone. Mikan just sighed not out of relief but of disappointment then she sat down again. Maybe yesterday was just yesterday.

As soon as Natsume got inside his lair, he sighed.

"Not bad" Natsume thought.

He went to his desk and found that it was already cleaned and arranged. Then, he saw a cup of coffee in his desk.

"She's early today" he said as he sat down.

He slowly reached out for the cup then before he drank it, he can't help but smile. Smile because of the thoughtfulness.

"No!" He mentally slapped himself.

He placed the cup down and leaned his head on his chair.

"I'm just getting confused." He assured himself.

Somebody knocked. He quickly fixed his tie and cleared his throat before he said, "Come in." Yeah, right! Confused.

"Sir, I'm just wondering if the coffee is still hot. If it isn't, I can change it." Mikan said, keeping a straight face as possible.

"It's okay. Is there anything else?" Natsume asked, keeping a straight face too. The air felt awkward.

"That's all sir" with that Mikan left, slowly closing the door.

"Smile still suits you best" was what Natsume first thought after Mikan left without a single smile in her face.

Then, he busied himself with his laptop.

Mikan tried to avoid him most of the day. She doesn't know why but it seemed like that was what Natsume wanted. He spoke to her less and less. It could have been better if he just insulted her than ignoring her. So to pay him back, she ignored him too.

It was lunch break and Mikan was on her seat, filing the recently finished file. Natsume came out. He didn't tell Mikan where he was going but she didn't care.

"Maybe out for lunch." Mikan thought.

She ate her lunch in silence and before she knew it, it was already the last five minutes of her break.

She hastily cleaned her desk and fixed herself. In perfect timing, the elevator opened. Natsume Hyuuga has arrived.

"Good afternoon sir" she greeted first.

He just went straight ahead.

"Excuse me sir" Mikan said.

Natsume stopped and looked at her.

"May I just ask if you're still taking your medicine?" she asked.

"Well, I thought you were going to ask something sensible. Whatever the answer it is my business" was his mean answer.

"I'm sorry sir" Mikan replied. "I didn't mean to…I was just trying to be thoughtful."

"Don't have to be" and he went to his office.

Mikan just made a confused expression, not really knowing what she did.

"Maybe" she thought, "we are going back to the old times." She thought sadly.

She continued in her task for the rest of the afternoon. Only going inside the lair when Natsume's signature is needed and while she was doing that, she only says a word or two.

But too bad for Mikan because the afternoon seemed longer than it was supposed to be. The clock seemed to have ticked slower than it did yesterday or maybe it was just her. Along with the time, she did her work slower than before. She took her time or maybe it was just her mood.

"Why am I acting like this?" Mikan wondered.

Ever since, she never had a mood like this especially when it comes to work, a first time experience.

"Stupid Natsume Hyuuga. This is his fault. If he was in such a foul mood, he shouldn't have infected me with it." She thought.

It was already time for her to leave, working hours were over and she was the happiest. Her lonely home was better than this awkward office.

"Hey!" somebody called her as she was about to leave.

She turned around to face the owner of the familiar voice.

"Yes?" she asked.

"You're going home?"

"Well, I thought you were going to ask something important. Whatever maybe the answer is my business." Mikan repeated these familiar words.

Natsume sighed before he said, "Stop being sarcastic with me."

"I'm not sir. I'm just being honest." Mikan replied, straight forwardly.

"What did I do?" Natsume asked.

"What?" Mikan asked.

"Think about it." She said, before Natsume could even say something.

Mikan sighed and grabbed her bag. She went in front of the elevator door and pressed the down button.

"Hey! I'm not yet done talking." Natsume said almost angrily, moving closer to Mikan.

Mikan turned around only to found out they were only in an arm's reach from each other. But she didn't mind.

"Sorry sir. But I think there is nothing to talk about it." Mikan said.

Natsume groaned in angriness. He stroked his hand through his hair. He faced her.

"Do you even know that it is your damn fault that I'm like this? HUH?" Natsume almost yelled.

Mikan looked at him in shock. She gave a sarcastic sigh.

"Now, it's my fault? I didn't even know what I did." Mikan retorted. This time, her face was flushed with anger and she wasn't trying to hide it anymore. She was near trying to crying.

She was suddenly grabbed in the arm and in a split second, her lips were taken by his lips. She closed her eyes and the tears that were kept, started falling. But there were only a few drops.

He kissed her. Took possession of her lips without her permission. But he didn't care at that moment. What he did was something he wanted. It was his impulse.

TING!

The elevator bell rang. They pulled away. Mikan bit her lip and she ran inside the elevator and quickly closed its doors.

How was it? They kissed! Anyway, don't forget to review.

-ECO