—A flash update for my lovelies ;)
— Intentions —
25# - Do Tell
—
"Because even the smallest of words can be the one to hurt, or save someone."
― N. Takaya
—
— A. Misaki
Finally done with Gerald Walker's demands that morning, I moved onto my next client whom I had scheduled an appointment with, in one of the Court House's interview room. Difficultly striding through the corridors, I straightened my back, the simple gesture already straining my injured spine.
A couple of representatives passed by. I forced myself to look casual.
Casual.
My stiff legs tried to relax as much as they could, despite the fact that my heels bit on my sprained ankles with each steps.
Casual, I internally winced, wanting to cry.
I held the tears back, clenching my teeth together.
The past days had been so heavy, both physically, and on the mental aspect. The altercation had left me so many bruises. I wasn't sure I could possibly withstand them with my daily routine. All for a phone that didn't give me a name to blame upon; only a single and unclear hint: Keys.
And it expectedly took Suzuna a great deal of effort to tend to my wounds, —wounds she cursed herself for.
Always the guilty one, wasn't she?
I just couldn't bear showing her my shattered mind. Thus, instead of crying in her arms, I held her in mine.
Then, came Gerald Walker and the requirement he expected from his witnesses. Should he have noticed my current state, he paid no heed to it.
I bitterly chuckled, my eyes downcast to the timbered floor.
Nonetheless, what hurt me the most wasn't the throbbing bruises sprawled on the top of my left spine, running down to my midriff. It wasn't my dislocated left shoulder either —or the sharp cut on my lip.
It merely was the overwhelming humiliation of worrying —desperately— for absolutely nothing.
He was fine. He was alright. And he didn't think that I was worthy of knowing so.
As though my crushed body wasn't enough, he made my spirit fall apart, leaving me with nothing but my own troubles. Over the past months, Usui Takumi had become my constant support.
How nice was it, to find out that your safe ground just cracked open under your feet, when you were already down on your knees?
"Misaki!" came a voice I'd probably never forget.
How long had it been since I last heard it?
I kept on walking, the door to the appointment room scarcely feet away.
"Misaki," he called out once more, the sound of his steps faltering as he reached closer. He tentatively motioned to pull me by my shoulder.
I could feel his presence from miles away.
I whirled around before he could. My heart swelled at his sight; sharp jawline, fresh and messy blonde hair, and seemingly shining green orbs. He was still looking as good as ever. Almost, if it weren't for the concealed dull spark in his eyes.
"Don't touch me."
His hand fell at my warning, the faint smile he wore sharing the same fate. When he noticed my bruised lip, his fingers came up to pull my chin into view. I brushed his hand away with a dismissive whisk.
"Mind your own damn business." I derisively said, angling my head away from his touch.
Emerald slits narrowed at my tone. His voice was like melted honey, though his expression turned hard and was barely contained. Nowhere as sweet and smooth as his voice hinted it to be.
"Your business is mine, too."
I gave him a mocking chuckle. "How can my business be yours when yours is none of my concern... huh?"
He slightly jerked back, his jaw clenching.
I continued. "I have something for you." I fumbled in my bag, retrieving his apartment's keys before shoving them against his chest. He confusedly looked at me. I shrugged. "Be careful of your surroundings, you never know what people would do for those damn keys," I warned him, before pacing away.
Like assaulting someone's family in order to get those.
He wrapped his hand around my wrist, dragging me to another room, doors away.
"—Usui... Usui! Stop!... " I tried to break free of his hold, but my body was too sore to fight back. Figuring that I'd hurt less by getting dragged along, I just followed him with fretting retorts. "Are you out of your mind?" I ushered, giving out quick glances at the surrounding people.
I scowled, wanting to hit him, to beat him up for his ways. I missed him so much and all he had done was thoroughly ignore me until today. And now, he was acting like he owned me, when clearly, he had forsaken me.
Tossing me in the small room without a word, he quickly followed after me, blocking the door with his frame. It was empty, save for a table and a set of chairs taking up the enclosed space.
He folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against the door, waiting. Seconds ticked in heavy silence, the overflow of unspoken contempt drowning us.
"I need explanation, Misaki," he reminded me through gritted teeth. "Who hurt you?"
It had been a long week without you, and yet... I didn't think we'd talk under such circumstances... The faint smile curling my lips was sheer bitterness.
I stepped in the middle of the room, to the wooden desk.
"What is there to say..." I slowly worded, facing him. The bitter feeling turned into full-ledged anger. "You just go on and ignore me just like you've been doing the past week. You were doing a great job at it!"
My taunt didn't go deaf on his ears. His jaw wound tight, he ran a hand through his thick, blonde hair in a gesture I came to know too well.
Quiet frustration.
"Now, move, I have business to attend." I spat, pacing to the door he obstructed. He unwrapped his arms, ready to manhandle me.
"... Don't you dare touch me." I stepped back to my initial spot.
My reactions were tugging hard on his patience —it seemed— because a tight smile lined his lips with difficulty. He very slowly exhaled a long, long and heavy sigh.
"Can't you just tell me what's wrong with you?"
"I can," I simply stated as he studied me.
His eyes stopped on the base of my neck, then knowingly reverted to mine. "But you won't."
"I won't, indeed."
Shifting, he cleared his throat. "Who hurt you?"
Damn him...
I leapt and tackled him against the door. All the while the sudden move prickled my sore muscles, his body slammed on the door's wood, a short gasp escaping him. Despite it all, his gaze never strayed from mine.
"You hurt me." I choked out.
One of his hand came up, and he held me close. I fisted his shirt's collar. Instead of constricting the hold, I found myself lost in the depth of his forest's gaze. His thumb firmly smeared the make-up that concealed the bluish red bruise on my cheek. My eyes dampened on the spot.
He saw through the cheap attempt I made to seem alright.
"I hurt you," he slowly repeated, his voice unsteady. He bent down, his mouth softly pressing on my trembling lips.
His eyes were searching, and he pulled back only inches away from me.
"Is it still hurting?" He murmured, his breath faning on my skin.
I slapped him. But apparently, I wasn't fast enough. He caught my hand mid-air before it could clash against his head. His temper broke right then.
"Don't you think that you hurt me too?" He asked, the emerald of his eyes darkening. "Don't you realize I've felt betrayed too, when I saw you on that damn list?! You testified against me!" He stormed, his face revealing the frustration he had kept inside.
Funny how we both fought each other when all we needed was a semblance of peace.
His hand shot out, firmly holding my shoulders. "You were supposed to always stand by me, Misaki..." He shook me, pain flooding all over my upper-body. "Why are you siding with him, out of all people?..."
He froze, realizing his forceful manners when I couldn't stifle the wince that tore out of my throat. All that was left of his voice was a low murmur. "Let me see."
His hands frantically came to open my blouse, popping the buttons open. I stopped him in his track, my hands tightly gripping his.
"No! Stop, Usui!... I told you tha—..."
His hot mouth fell on mine, drowning my next words.
"If you won't shut up, I will make you," he growled, his fingers resuming their path down my blouse.
"You know what... You're a—..." My swear got interrupted by his hands cupping my cheeks, locking me into an urgent and binding kiss. Biting. Licking. Taking.
Giving.
When he tore away, I could faintly taste my own blood on my lips. I shakily exhaled, and he slipped his tongue inside. Taking control of my mouth, he burned hot and needy; the tense anger and week worth longing only making the fire grow brighter.
But in contrast, when he slid my jacket off, unwrapping my shirt down my arms, his hands were so gentle. Ever so carefully, as to not hurt me.
"Tell me. Where did they touch you?"
"Why do you even care," I hissed, yanking on the shirt fabric to cover my bare and bruised skin.
"Won't you stop running your smart mouth, Misaki?" His thumb skimmed on my lower lip, before he pulled my chin to him, dropping a wet kiss on my mouth. "I'm going to murder the bastard who did this to you, and when the time comes, you will be my lawyer," he quietly chuckled with dark humor.
"I already beat them up," I retorted with defiance.
His eyebrows lifted with surprise. "...And you didn't tell me?"
"How the hell could I tell you when you wouldn't answer to my call?!" I gasped, astounded by his words. I pushed him off me. "Take your goddamn keys and leave me alone, they almost killed my sister!"
"...What?..." he worded, cut short in his passionate embrace. "My keys... Suzuna... Your family?... Because of... Me.. you..."
"Who else?..." I swiftly buttoned back my clothes. He was still rooted to his feet, similar to a Greek statue frozen in elegance, stupor sculpted on his features. Eventually, he came back to life in a flash. A last roared word clearly resounded in my head before he took off the room, the door slamming behind him.
Akin to a furious whirlwind.
"Gerald!"
—
Author's note:
Thank you for the feedbacks!
I am very pained to hear that my plotline is getting confusing. I came to the conclusion that it's because of the time gap between when Misaki got into the brawl and when she saw Usui, days later after it. I shouldn't have done such a transition, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience... I will see that I (try to) correct it when I will be doing minor editing to the completed story.
In the meantime, bear with me, and I hope it is getting clearer. May you still follow the plotline without too much struggle.
Thank you for reading, my fellows!
PS: Next update on Tuesday :)