Another chapter! YEY!

THIS IS A NEW CHAPTER AND NOT JUST RECHAPTERED CHAPTER. (If that even makes sense. HAHA.)


What bombarded Mikan, when her phone was finally alive, were 28 messages and 13 missed calls from Natsume. "Oh no. He's going to get really mad. And he really has a bad temper." Mikan was worried because they just admitted their feelings and now, they would be fighting because she forgot to turn on her damn phone.

She took a deep breath, preparing herself as she dialed Natsume's number. It started ringing and on the second ring, he answered. "So you finally decided to turn on your phone?" was his sarcastic greeting.

"It's supposed to start with a hello you know." Mikan retorted.

"Why are you getting mad at me like that? You were the one who didn't reply and whose phone couldn't be contacted?" Natsume, on the other line, retorted back.

"Okay. I'm sorry." She apologized. "I just forgot to charge it and I was rushing this morning and things got busy and I just completely forgot." Mikan explained. "I'm really sorry. You're not mad, are you?"

Mikan heard a sigh. "I'm not mad. I was just worried." Was his honest reply. "I'll pick you up later."

"No, it's okay." Mikan was quick to say. She was sure that seeing Natsume Hyuuga in the building would cause a ruckus and people would start asking questions and all unnecessary rumors might happen. "Let's just meet up somewhere else." She suggested.

"Why? Are you trying to hide something there?" he paused. "Is Arata there?" Natsume assumed.

"Huh? Of course not." Mikan defended. "Let's meet somewhere else, okay? Please?" she asked sweetly.

"Fine. Just text me the place." With that they ended the call.


Right after the clock hit 5, Mikan was already on her way out not wanting to make Natsume wait. She was kind of excited to see him. Oh love!

She decided to meet him in the nearby pastry shop. By the time Mikan arrived at the shop, Natsume had not arrived yet so she went in to buy her favorite strawberry cake and checked her phone and saw that Natsume texted that he was on his way so she waited just outside the pastry shop.

Standing there with the cake in hand, brought a smile to Mikan's lips. This was actually the first place they had ever met, although at that time, Mikan was unaware who he was and that she going to fall in love with him. It wasn't a very good first impression but nonetheless, it was unforgettable.

She heard a honk of a car. "Mikan!" She heard him call her name through the rolled down window of his car. Mikan smiled at him.

She got in quickly before the cars behind could even glare at her. "Sorry, I got off a little late." Natsume apologized.

Mikan shook her head, "I did not even wait for long."

"Is that a strawberry cake?" he eyed the box sitting on Mikan's lap.

"Yeah. I bought one. Reminds you of something?" She grinned.

Natsume watched the road ahead and pretended to be thinking hard. "Not really."

"Oh." Mikan said, feeling a bit disappointed that he has forgotten. Well, it could have just been another day for Natsume Hyuuga.

He smirked, seeing Mikan's smile disappear from her face. His teasing did actually work.

"By the way, don't call my boss ever again for personal reasons, okay?" She said, remembering her boss' reaction. "Just call me on my phone."

"Then better make sure that your phone's on and with you." He commented back.

"Okay. It won't happen again." Mikan promised, raising her right hand. "So where are we going today?" she asked, as she noticed that they were driving around for almost 10 minutes.

"Not really sure." Natsume replied. "Do you have anything you want to eat?"

Mikan shook her head and got a wonderful idea. "Why don't I cook something for you? Then we could have this cake for dessert." she happily offered. She may not look like it but because of the years of independence, she had learned how to cook quite well.

Natsume took a quick glance at her. "You won't poison me, are you?"

"Hey, I'm a better cook than I look." She proudly said, punching Natsume on his arm.

"Okay, okay." He surrendered. "My place is closer than yours, let's just have dinner there."

"His place?" Mikan thought, feeling a bit nervous. She has never been to his place.

"Mikan?" he called her when she didn't respond.

"O—f course but are you really sure?" She gave her reluctant answer. It was a great that he was bringing him to her place but it felt too early for Mikan.

Natsume furrowed his eyebrows at her question. "Why not? You're my girlfriend and bringing you to my place is not really unusual." He casually answered.

Mikan stayed silent the rest of the drive, only giving Natsume a nod or a shake of the head in response. She didn't know what to expect and she was scared that she might disappoint him.

"We're here." Natsume announced, as he parked his car on a designated spot just for him in the basement parking. He got out first to open Mikan's door which she gratefully accepted since she had a cake on one hand and her bag on the other.

They went inside the elevator and Mikan can already tell that Natsume lived in a high-end residence with complete security and fancy elevators. Well, he was Natsume Hyuuga and he was a CEO of a multi-billion dollar company so this was really expected.

She was awfully quiet, still a little uneasy because it reminded her once again that she was dating such a rich guy while she doesn't even have a bank account that has more than 6 zeroes. Of course her silence didn't escape Natsume.

"You're really quiet." he observed as he pressed the floor to his pent house. As soon as the elevator doors have closed, Natsume faced Mikan. He slowly lifted her chin to let her look at him straight in the eye. Mikan feigned a weak smile.

DING! The elevator door opened, stopping their moment. Mikan stepped out first and Natsume followed.

They went inside the pent house and it was beyond what Mikan had expected. She was standing in a floor that could have cost more than her apartment. He had the most majestic view any of Japan could ask for. The living room was something that came straight out of a magazine and his kitchen was as majestic.

"Wow. This is a really beautiful home." Mikan exclaimed, unable to hold her amazement.

"Yeah, I guess." Natsume replied nonchalantly, scanning his 'home'. "So, what will you be cooking?" he asked her, trying not to expound Mikan's obvious awe. He was terrified of pushing her away.

She quickly turned around and faced him with a smile, more cheery now than the one on the elevator. "Where can I place this?" she gestured to the cake still in her hand.

Natsume took it and placed it inside the refrigerator while Mikan was behind him. "Hmm, you have a lot of ingredients here than I expected." She said as she peeked in.

"You can use whatever you need." Natsume told her. "Just don't burn down my kitchen." He smirked.

"I told you, I'm not as bad as you think." Mikan remarked. Having already chosen what she needed, she placed it on the counter.

"She seemed to have returned to her usual self." Natsume thought as she followed Mikan with his eyes, working her way around the kitchen.

Natsume just watched her cook because she insisted that she do it by herself and didn't need any help. "She looks good in an apron too. I could look at her everyday of my life." Natsume can't help but think as he watched her.

After about 30 minutes, Mikan was already finished cooking and Natsume had already prepared the table. They sat down.

"So, I hope you'll enjoy the meal." She happily said. "And there is no poison." She added teasingly.

Natsume chuckled and took a spoonful, giving it an initial taste. "It's really good." He admitted.

"Really?" Mikan can't hide the grin from her face. "See? I told you I'm not so bad in the kitchen." She confidently said.

He can't help but admire the woman across him more. Everyday that he spends with her, she just keeps surprising him with her hidden skills and loving yet strong character.

"Maybe I should hire you as my personal cook instead." Natsume said as he continued eating.

Mikan giggled at his remark and ate as well.

When they finished their meal, Natsume took the cake out and they both shared a slice. Or was it more?

"Polka dots" he whispered loudly enough for Mikan to hear, smirking.

"Wha—" she looked at him in startled. "So you do remember."

"Of course, how could I forget?" Natsume rhetorically answered, a smile plastered on his face.

"Did you know, that I really didn't know who you were at that time?" Mikan shared, laughing. "Only to find out later that you were one of the richest man in Japan." She took another bite of cake, her eyes staring down at the table.

"Is something wrong?" Natsume had to ask as he noticed Mikan's sudden change of emotion.

"I'm okay. Just in awe of how rich you really are." She honestly replied, albeit short of what her thoughts were running on about. She stood up, taking the empty plate to the sink.

Natsume had an obvious worry on his face. He was worried that Mikan might be pushed aback by his wealth and grandeur. Yes, he had always tried to live his life as normally as he could and he never tried to shove it into people's faces how rich he was but in reality, he wasn't just an ordinary person and even without saying it, people just know and that usually has two effects. First, it might magnet greedy and ambitious people to him or second, it scares the hell of others because of intimidation and societal class level difference. Growing up he had been honed to live a life in the society of businessmen, celebrities, and politicians. The work just draws him all to it despite not liking it.

"It makes me wonder why you're going out with me. You're rich." There. She said it. The thing he feared the most, doubt and insecurity. He didn't want Mikan to feel any of that. He doesn't care about all that stupid standards the society has set, all he knows is that he loves her and that is more than enough. Mikan was way too special for him and he didn't want to lose her.

He went to her and turned her around to face him. He held her gaze in place and caressed her cheek with his thumb. "Does it really matter that I'm rich?"

Mikan was at daze by Natsume's display of affectionate. "I think so." She looked away. "You already have everything you could ever need and want." She stared at him again, smiling a sad one.

"You're right. I do have it already." Natsume said, keeping Mikan in his touch. He slowly pulled her in for a hug. "I love you and please don't ever wonder why again." He assured her, still caging her in a hug.

He felt Mikan's arms snaked around his waist as she hugged back. "I love you too." She whispered softly. He pulled away, smiling. Natsume lifted her chin up and lowered his head to take those soft luscious lips to his.

The kiss was not needy nor lustful. It was simple and sweet. A kind of kiss that people can see was full of love and reassurance. It wasn't the possessive kiss but more of 'you'll always have me' kiss. There wasn't jealousy nor anger, just pure romance and feelings.


How was it?

This story is probably coming to its end soon and the next chapter would probably be its last. So, keep the reviews coming and please continue to be my inspiration! Thank you.

-ECO