Chapter 20: Surprises Both Good and Bad

*Wednesday morning, May 21st, 2014*

I sweep the walkway outside of Sunrise Residence and close my eyes against the warmth of the summer sun. Today, the schools were out for a long weekend and the Asahina family had planned a trip to the beach within that time. Even I, who would not be participating, could feel the excited energy that charged the morning air. Everyone in the family would be going, including Natsume, Yuusuke, and Hikaru; it was to be a full-out family vacation.

"Morning, Melissa-senpai."

"Good morning, Yuusuke." I wave as he carries his suitcase past me, followed by a struggling Wataru.

"Melissa" Subaru greets, carrying a duffel bag and pulling a suitcase.

"Melissa!" Tsubaki waves excitedly at me as Azusa walks calmly alongside his brother. They too, are each carrying a piece of luggage. Louis walks past me quietly, avoiding eye contact. Hikaru follows behind and winks at me, causing me to avert my gaze.

"Good morning, Little One." I jump at the sudden voice in my ear.

"Kaname! You scared me!" I scold, playfully shoving at his arm. He grins broadly.

"My sincerest apologizes, Ms. Melissa." He takes my hand in his, plants a soft kiss on my knuckles, then walks off. I shake my head at him, knowing all too well that I can't be too mad; he is who he is, after all.

"Good morning!" Ema smiles sweetly at me, clutching tightly at her bag.

"Thank you! And good morning to you." I return the smile as she walks past me.

"Eh? What are you doing just sweeping there?" Fuuto says, lazily dragging his suitcase behind him. "You should be busy saying goodbye to me."

I smirk. "Only in your dreams."

"Melissa." The soft, airy voice can only come from one person. I turn to see Iori standing behind me.

"Oh! Iori, good morning" I say, a bit surprised. He hands me a flower with the meaning of joy and excitement, and I accept it graciously. Ukyo walks past the two of us, his head down.

"Good morning, Melissa." Masaomi says, taking Iori's place beside me as Iori leaves. I smile up at the tall man.

"Good morning, Masaomi."

"Will you walk with me?" I feel my cheeks warm slightly.

"Sure…?" I follow him down to the curb just in time to see Natsume pull up in his car.

"Melissa" he greets warmly, smiling slightly. He gets out and begins to load luggage into his vehicle.

"Ah, this is going to be fun!" Tsubaki remarks, sticking his hands in his jeans back pockets and staring up at the sky. He and Azusa load into Natsume's car while the others join Masaomi.

"I'll be sure and take good care of the mansion while you guys are gone" I tell Azusa, who is sitting in the front seat.

"Eh? And what makes you think you're staying home?" Tsubaki asks through the open backseat door as Iori moves to stand behind me.

"I hadn't been invited, so I just assumed that - Kya!" Tsubaki reaches out and grabs ahold of my hand, yanking me into the car before Iori climbs in and closes the door behind me.

"What are you doing?!" I ask as Natsume begins to drive away. "I can seatbelt myself, at any cost" I add as Tsubaki reaches across me for the seat belt. I push his hands away as I quickly click the metal buckle into place.

"I said it before; this is going to be fun!" Tsubaki laughs merrily.

"Yeah, I just didn't know I'd be involved in it" I reply sullenly.

"Are you upset?" Iori asks me, looking genuinely concerned. I shake my head and smile vaguely.

"Not especially; I'm just really, really startled. I didn't even pack anything, so -"

"No need to worry about that" Azusa cuts in. "We've got that covered."

"Huh?!"

*Wednesday early afternoon, May 21st, 2014*

"The scenery is beautiful!" I exclaim as Natsume parks his car at the Asahina's beach house. My eyes glimmer with excitement as I climb out of the car. I gaze off towards the horizon as the sun glints off the sea, causing the water to sparkle hypnotically. Waves lap against the sandy shores, and I close my eyes as a salty breeze blows into my face.

"It's lovely, isn't it?" I jump at the sound of Kaname's voice next to me.

"Ah, yes" I stammer, fighting to regain my composure. "I was just commenting on its beauty."

"You, yourself, complement the view wonderfully" he says, his voice a slow, deep drawl. I roll my eyes and pout a little.

"Don't you go starting on the stupid love-sickness thing too" I say, looking up at him. "I don't think my nerves can handle much more of that stuff." I follow the others inside the beach house, leaving him alone outside.

"Here you are." Masaomi hands me the duffel bag which I had seen Subaru carrying earlier. "We took the liberty of getting you some things."

"You really didn't need to do that" I say, smiling as I accept the bag. "But, thank you." He bends down and places his lips near my ear.

"Consider this as a going away party in your honour." Standing up straight, he walks away, leaving me feeling a bit disheartened. I go to my designated room and close the door behind me. Placing the bag onto the bed, I unzip it to find a fashionable, two-piece bathing suit and a ruffled cover up; both of which are in my favorite shade of blue.

I quickly change into the articles of clothing and blush a bit as I look at myself in the mirror. The blue was very flattering on me, and I can't help but wonder which of the brothers were responsible for the purchase. I find a beach towel, beach bag, and a pair of sandals in the duffel bag as well as other necessities. I pack the beach bag before heading out of my room and joining the others.

*Wednesday early dusk, May 21st, 2014*

"That was so much fun!" I exclaim as we file back into the beach house. "I've always wanted to go to the beach." I giggle a bit at the memory of the water fight that we had had.

"I told you that you'd have fun" Tsubaki says, smirking triumphantly. I smile up at him.

"You were right. It was great knocking you over with the volleyball!"

"She's got you there!" Yuusuke says, laughing heartily as Tsubaki pouts.

"Dinner's ready" Ukyo calls out from the kitchen. My once joyous mood seems to fade slightly at the sound of his voice. The lawyer had stayed behind to prepare the meal and do some work which he said needed to be done. Of course, none of us believed him, but nobody said anything to him about it either.

After everyone sits down and begins to eat, Masaomi - who I am sitting next to - looks at me with meaning in his eyes. He leans down and whispers something in my ear, causing me to bite my bottom lip in fear. I knew it had to be done, and I also knew that I wouldn't get any better time to do it than now.

I glance up at Masaomi, meet his steady gaze with one of my own, and nod. He understands my response and clears his throat loudly. The chatter around the table stops, and all eyes are on him.

"Melissa has something she'd like to say to you all" he says with very little emotion in his voice and expression. Everyone turns to look at me as I stand, and I blush as my heartbeat echoes loudly in my ears. I take a deep, calming breath before speaking.

"I'd like to thank you for welcoming me as an unofficial member of your family" I say, smiling kindly. "I really enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you. Your warmth and kindness has done more for me than you could possibly understand." My voice starts to choke up as tears form in my eyes.

"I've had a pretty rough time of it, lately" I say, looking down at my hands. "But please, don't think that it's any one of your guys' faults." By now, tears have begun to stream down my cheeks.

"I've thought this through, and I wasn't going to say anything until much later. But I guess now is just as good as any."

"Everyone" I say, looking up at each of them in turn, "I have decided to resign from my position as maid for the Asahina and Hinata household."

Please don't kill me! /hides in a corner/

How many of you saw that coming?

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~Melissa-Disney99