"Revenge"
"I'm sorry Haruna, but she was my childhood friend... I still love her."
Aido looked apologetic, not aware of the damage he just caused in her heart. With this, she can move on now, right? There was no reason to stay when there was a better woman suited for his tastes. Then why? Why couldn't she just turn around and walk away?
There was no faking it; his presence in her heart was permanent. How do you forget the person who taught you how to love? So much regret and unspoken words; she never even told him she loved him. "That's good," she finally managed to hoarse out. "I never said this, but congratulations on getting married." That wasn't what she wanted to say. She wanted to tell him her true feelings, but that would prevent her from being able to leave, wouldn't it?
Their marriage started out as a 'deal,' and in the end they both managed to fall in love. She hoped that for Aido and Misha's 'deal,' they too would fall madly in love as well.
Aido clutched his pants in anger, "Did you really think I was going to say that?" Haruna froze. "Do you honestly believe I still like that demon? That was kiddy love! I started hating her guts ever since she ruined my sand castle."
Haruna couldn't believe what she was hearing, "Then why does she make it sound like you two had something going on?"
Aido laughed with frustration, tapping his chin while pretending to be thinking thoughtfully, "Hm, I don't know, maybe because she's obsessed! My childish crush for her used to be one-sided until just recently I suppose. Too bad she gets nothing but the finger now!" He cackled, clearly fantasizing about strangling her, again.
He stopped dazing once he saw the relieved smile on her face. "If you were so scared of me possibly having feelings for her... then why did you want to entrust me to her? You know it pains me when you don't care about us." Haruna panicked, not wanting him to get the wrong idea.
Of course, she did initially want him to have feelings for Misha, that way it'd give her an excuse to run away. However... She wavered just thinking about Aido loving another woman. "I'm always a burden to you because I'm the reason why you and father argue. I don't like to see you hurt for my sake."
Aido rubbed his temples in irritation, "Your absence from my life would make me more hurt, don't you get it?" She blushed, "Don't get conceited!" He pulled her ear, "Besides. If you were to leave me behind with father and Misha, I'd go insane." No matter how many times she would threaten to break up with him, he always knew he'd be able to get her back to his side.
"Thank you for being patient with me. However... I'm afraid I won't change my mind this time."
What? At first he was too confused to say anything, but then an awkward came out. "What do you mean? Weren't you the one who was afraid of me leaving you behind?"
Haruna could only nod, hating to see him in a miserable state. "I am, but this is my choice to leave you behind." He was so frustrated with her. What was she asking for? "Knowing that you love only me still... I think I can leave without much worry."
"After clarifying that I don't love the witch, you're happy just leaving everything behind like that?" She nodded. "You just didn't want to leave with worries, is that it?"
She nodded. "You don't care about my feelings?" He asked.
Her nod wasn't as quick to come. She hesitated, but finally managed to say yes. Aido couldn't believe that underneath the innocent look... she was a cruel person - a maneater. "Don't give me that look-"
"What look? The look that's saying you're being..." He couldn't bring himself to say it. No matter how much he tried, he could never say anything bad about her.
"The look that's saying I'm being a selfish person." Aido watched her shrug, as though he didn't matter to her. "In the beginning, my choices have always been selfish. I only married you for the money-"
"You did it to protect your family!" He tried so hard to tell her- no, rather, he was trying to fool himself into believing that she was his ideal treasure. He didn't want to believe that she was some moneysucking 'whore.' "If it's money you want, you can have all of it, just stay..."
Haruna crossed her arms, unsatisfied with his proposal. "You'd really be fine being with someone pretending to love you?" The look on his face said it all. "You're really pathetic." She wanted him to hit her, to show her that he wasn't some doll that could be toyed around with. He didn't make a move. "You really do take me as a fool. Thanks for a memorable time; I really appreciate experiencing the rich life."
Aido cursed beneath his breath, "If you're just being mean to make me let you go..!" She kept walking, not bothering on listening to another word. "How can I make you stay!" He kicked the grass in anger, "No... I can't be angry, not at you," he clenched his fists, but there was no lying out of it. He hated her for leaving so suddenly. He hated her for being so spineless. He trembled in fear for having thoughts of wanting to hurt her...
Later
"You what!" Her mother screamed, jumping up from her seat while the article she was reading tore in two. Haruna couldn't face her mother in the eye. "I thought you loved him?" Haruna and Aido had decided last time not to tell her the entire truth. They forgot to mention that their marriage too was a deal.
Haruna kept the lie going on. "Irreconcilable differences I guess," she whispered. Her mother prayed that they would last. Aido was such a handsome, wealthy, and well-mannered man - he practically came in as prince charming on a horse to save her daughter! She figured it was just the witch's doing. Haruna thought her mother would scold her for losing such a good man, but she never did.
"I know, it must be hard. From here on, family is the priority. No more men in our lives!" Haruna laughed a little, nodding. She regretted not listening to Aido when he wanted to split back then when they learned about his possible marriage with Misha.
If they had done it then... she wouldn't be hurting as much. "You've gotta stay strong Haruna," her mother hushed, drying Haruna's tears.
Next Day
"If there's anything that can heal a broken heart," Haruna swung the grocery bags in her hand, "it'd be food." The first thing she thought about when she woke up was having a table decorated with all sorts of cuisines. She looked up at the sky; the sun had not risen yet. She couldn't help but wonder what Aido might be doing at the moment... Not to be conceited, but she was amazed that he didn't chase after her.
Usually, he'd be more stubborn. "Perhaps he hates me-...!" Her thought was disrupted at the sound of a loud crash.
Haruna dropped the bags, staring in horror as her family's house was being torn down. "Haruna, Haruna!" Her mother came to her side; a mere glance at her and it'd be obvious that she was still sleeping when the construction began. Her little sisters, Cara (8) and Sakura (9), cried at the scene. "What's happening - why are they doing this?"
It couldn't be... "Did father- I mean, Mr. Aido... did he do this?" She was pushed back by the constructors as they tore down the last bits of their home. Rubble. It was all but dust and rubble. "Why are you doing this? We didn't even get the chance to take our belongings!"
"It was an order from Mr. Aido ma'am. He's right there if you want to talk to him."
Haruna couldn't stand it anymore! Whether she was with Aido or not, he would never leave her alone-... "Aido?" She came to see none other than the man she loved. He smiled without remorse, looking at the scene with satisfaction. "Mom," she held back her mother when she raised her fist, "I'll handle this."
"Beautiful scene, isn't it?" He laughed tenderly, "It's amazing how it can be destroyed in seconds, just like how you destroyed me in seconds." Haruna couldn't find the right words to say - it seemed like he changed overnight. She was paralyzed; he leaned in, kissing her on the cheek. "I'm sure with your skills as a whore, you can find someone to give you another home-"
The burning pain only came once he realized that she punched him across the jaw. Aido wondered why her face was stricken with pain. Shouldn't she be angry instead? "You really are pathetic. I'll find a way to make money, the right way this time."
He watched her storm off with her family, never looking back. "Mr. Aido, the building is demolished-"
The worker slowly backed away when he received a harsh glare. "Don't state the obvious, moron." He was not in a good mood. He thought that getting revenge on her would feel satisfying... So then why did it make him feel disgusted? "Damn it all... damn it!"
Later
"Here. This was all I bought at the store," Haruna gave a few crackers and fruits for her sisters to eat. Her mother bit her nails, worried about the future. She was frightened by how scary Aido looked.
Haruna could only blame herself. She knew that the only reason he was being so immature was because she broke his heart. "What are we going to do? Where will we sleep?" Her mother was always the one to make their anxiety grow. Honestly, Haruna had no idea.
"It's still early. I can probably find a job around here-"
"But you won't get paid until weeks! How will we manage?"
"Mom, calm down." She could see her mother falling into despair. It was just like last time when her father left, and soon after... "Please don't go gambling mom." Her mother looked up, afraid of her past. "We'll manage."
"Please don't go back to that place." Haruna's ears rung at what her mother said. "You don't have to make any more sacrifices." She gripped tightly onto Haruna's clothing, afraid that she might do something drastic.
She pulled away, wanting to cry again when she recalled Aido's old face. If it weren't for him, she might have still been stuck at that place. If he hadn't taught her how to love herself, she might've returned to that place. She was at least thankful for her memories with him, "Don't worry mom. I promise I won't."
Throughout the rest of the day, Haruna tried her best to find a job. However, wherever she went, jobs were scarce. "I don't mind if it's cleaning the toilets or going in the basements to exterminate rats; I'm fine with any job position!" She bang her hands on the window, pushing her nose up against it. "Please, sir-" The manager closed the blinds.
Haruna only realized it was dark out when the streetlights came on and when the cold began to get to her. She'd been pampered for so long by Aido, she had forgotten what it was like to be in such conditions like this. "It's getting late... I'd better find them shelter before," she cringed in fear, "before the vampires come out." She never encountered any level E vampires, however, she heard stories about them from Aido.
Earlier, she passed by a church. Perhaps they would be so kind as to lend a helping hand to the poverty-stricken people.
Later
"We're sorry, but we are already providing for so much families; please come earlier tomorrow and perhaps we'll have a spot for you." Haruna watched the doors close on her; it must've been the hundredth time that it happened in that one day. Her mother called out her name in worry when she fell to her knees. She heard her little sisters crying in fear of the dark - everything was so hopeless. "Come on... let's go." She walked ahead.
"Haruna," her mother called, "are you alright?"
She looked over her shoulder to see her family crying. "How can I be alright in such circumstances?" In the end, they all huddled together under a streetlight on a bench.
"Momma... we're hungry," her sisters whined nonstop. Haruna noticed her mother glancing at her for help, as though expecting her to miraculously pull money out from nowhere like she did before. Haruna would look away, ashamed that she did this to her family. If she hadn't let her emotions get to her and left Aido, this wouldn't be happening.
"Did you want to ask me something?" Haruna finally asked, surprising her mother.
"Why would you think that?"
"Because you keep glancing at me with curiosity."
Her mother turned red at being caught. "I-I..." Haruna heard her sigh, giving up on her clueless act. "Why did you break up with Hanabusa?" She said it with almost some hint of accusation in her words, "Surely with the way he looked at you today, you caused it right?" Haruna stared in disbelief. She grabbed her shoulders, shaking Haruna, "Why, Haruna, why?"
"You don't really want to know do you?" Haruna asked, stunned that her mother could be so greedy for money, "You're angry with me because now that I'm not with him, you can't get your money, is that it?" She turned quiet, ashamed of herself for blaming her daughter for their predicament. "That's fine. I know the perfect way to get you your money."
"Haruna, no! I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that!" Her voice couldn't reach Haruna, who stormed away in anger.
Later
Everyday, Haruna would stare at the ceiling for the past months wondering if it was fair that she got to escape hell on earth when the other girls were still suffering behind. Now, it was time to make everything right... "Little Missy, I knew you'd be back. Our old friend who your boyfriend assaulted especially wants to see you," he snickered, opening the door with welcoming arms.
Haruna stared up with little choice. There was no going back now. "Sorry for intruding," she stepped foot inside the place she hated most. The girls looked at her, whispering her name, wondering why she would come back.
"Yer boyfriend dumped you? Aw, you know we'll always be here for you," she could see the men already unbuckling their belts. "I bet yer skin is real soft now." They surrounded her with big grins; she couldn't escape. "Ya aint scared?"
Haruna didn't budge. While they cornered her, all she could really think about... was him. Without him, she felt so lost. "The only way that (divorce) would happen is if you ever stop loving me," that was what Aido said the day before their supposed wedding. However, the truth why Haruna broke up with Aido was because she felt that he stopped loving her.
Yesterday
Haruna snuck into the room to check up on Misha after everyone had left the room. Her father-in-law had left for a minute to make a phone call to Aido about Haruna's and Misha's 'fight.' Haruna gulped, trying to come up with the right words to say. She wasn't sure how to apologize, she usually doesn't make mistakes. "Misha, I-"
"Don't come near me you insane woman!" Haruna panicked as she started yelling and flinging her arms around, "Mmff!" Haruna covered her mouth. 'Great,' she thought, 'if father walks in on us, he's going to think I'm suffocating her...!'
She quickly told her to stay calm and quiet, "I promise, I'm not trying to hurt you. I was thinking on how to at least apologize, and if you really want me to ask Aido if he still likes you, then... then I'll do it." Misha instantly became quiet, a sly smile curving from her lips.
Once calm, Haruna let go. "Let me just say though, you'll be devastated once you hear the truth."
Haruna couldn't help but be curious. She didn't know if it were some trap, but she just knew she didn't like the idea. "Can I at least know your side of the story?"
Misha blinked a few times, pulling something out of her purse. "I think this is all you need to know my side of the story." She handed her a picture, to which Haruna couldn't help but stare in disbelief. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"
Haruna slowly shook her head, "Nothing... It's fine." She handed the photo back.
"It was taken at a ball-"
"The one from about eight months ago, right?" Haruna asked. Misha raised a brow, nodding. "Ah... don't mind me, I'm just a little... psychic." She quickly left the room, breathing heavily. She slid to the ground, feeling overwhelmed.
The picture was of Aido and Misha together; the look on his face was the same look he'd give her. The same day Aido met her, he was still in love with Misha.
Present
Haruna felt numb to the point where she couldn't feel the men tugging at her clothes. Would she sleep with these men just to try and feel something again? Would she fall so low just to feel some type of emotion?
The moment Aido lied to her about hating Misha since his childhood days was the moment she realized that indeed, he still loved her.