A/N: Hello! I'm back again. And now that we have peeked into Naru's playful little world inside his brain, let's move on to the second part of the date. Who are they meeting and what will be the outcome? I got inspired today so I updated sooner than planned.
Please keep in mind that this chapter and the previous one are flashbacks. Mai isn't yet aware of Naru's affection for her and still treat him as her cold and emotionless boss and a friend. Some may find that Naru had suddenly switched to being OOC but that's just how he is behind his cold facade. The previous chapter had shown us bits of Naru's 'circus' mind. And no, Mai isn't in love with Naru yet. She greatly respect him and look up to him as her superior and friend. Hehe I hope you understand.
Hope you you enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Ghost Hunt.
[Not Edited]
"Aaah."
Mai tried not to blush as she opened her mouth and accepted the strawberry Naru is feeding her. She thought he would be awkward and ruin the act she had laid out but here he is! He's much more collected that her, who made the plan!
Wearing the couple shirt, matching bracelets and the pair of black cat ears on his head that they bought while touring around! Of course she had those too but...
'He's so cute! Oh my gosh! This is the first time I'm proud Naru's my friend! I'm sure that bastard would feel insecure once he saw this big beauty I dragged to slap his ego!'
Mai look at Naru again and noticed how calm he is. He's so reluctant in wearing those accessories and matching stuffs but he still agreed to wear it after a few persuasion. Mai noticed it now but Naru has his own way to be gentle despite his cold personality. He may complain and say so many hurtful words but he can be soft sometimes like right now. Mai smiled gratefully at him as she opened her mouth to be fed. She saw Naru's collected temperament as he went back to eating his chocolate parfait.
Before entering the snack house, they saw a couple feeding each other so they thought it would be better to imitate them to look more like a couple. They look so awkward at the beginning but they got the hang of it after a few tries. Mai's face is as red as a tomato but the young man with her stayed collected. Mai almost screamed at him that it's unfair that he remained unaffected while she was blushing like a fool! Mai just restrained herself thinking that this narcissist will tease him again if she made a commotion.
Mai checked her phone and it was way past their meeting time. Mai fumed again thinking how they dared to make her wait. Her brows are furrowed and she's biting her lips while pouting. Mai didn't like waiting for worthless people but she want something from that bastard so she had to be patient until she gets what's she wants.
Th butler found out that the black jade she saw in her dream was one of the crafts of her father. Mai was a bit stunned because all of his father's works are stored in England but now she learned that there is a pair of Black Jade Crafts that's not in her possession. One is submerged in an unknown lake together with a body while the other one is in the possession of a bastard who made fun of her. Her father's works will be for her and her alone. No one can get it from her.
Mai didn't remember anything about that Black Jade Crafts and how on earth did one of them end on that bastard's hands but she needs to get it now. The moment she learned what happen, she immediately sent message to Anthony Jiang after he said he wanted to meet up. She wants all of the things that the Xia Main Family gave to him— including that other craft. Of course she didn't specifically said she wanted that craft. She just want it all.
So when that bastard said that he wanted to meet, she demanded all of the gifts the Xia Family gave him. That bastard didn't agree the first time but after sending him some pictures of his infidelity, he agreed to meet up and gave her all of it. That engagement agreement will be terminated if they found out he cheated. He might have gotten away last time because the woman he cheated with is from the Xia Family but it's a different issue when he cheated with someone outside the Xias. What Mai didn't expect is he dared to bring that cousin of hers. Mai scoffed in annoyance as she play with a flash drive.
'Show me what you've got, Couple of the Century.'
Mai's eyes lit up menacingly as she saw two people entering the snack house. It's been a few years since they last met but Mai still recognized them— the Mainland China's Perfect Couple. Mai mockingly scoffed as she remembered their nickname. The media in that country is currently hailed them as such when the male is such a scumbag and the female is a man thief. Mai don't like Anthony Jiang but she still don't want to be cheated by some fools. It really hit Mai's pride that it almost drove her nuts. She thought that she can spare that jerk since he don't have anything to do with the Xias but he cheated on her with her cousin. Well, that's unacceptable.
"Here, take it. It's a translator. We speak in Chinese to you need this one. Just press the red button and it will automatically translate Chinese to English for you." Mai quickly said as she leaned in and put an earpiece on Naru's right ear.
In the eyes of others, she was hugging him. They didn't noticed but some people were paying attention to them because they look so perfect for each other. Some girls even squealed while watching Mai and Naru. Mai felt Naru's nod after activating the translator. Mai smiled at him and asked.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes."
With that cue, Mai smiled even wider and acted like she did not noticed the other couple walking near their table. She leaned on Naru and wrapped her arms around his left arm. She coquettishly beamed at Naru and opened her mouth to ask for more food. She was a bit nervous but seeing Naru's collected face, she calmed down and enjoy the service her boss is giving her.
'It's rare for Naru to do this so I must enjoy this. I'm sure he'll get back at me by overworking me once this whole affair is finished.'
Mai nodded in agreement as she chew on the strawberry Naru fed her. Naru spoon-fed her a few times before they heard a light cough beside their table. Both Naru and Mai looked up to them— both of their expression are cold unlike before they came.
Xia Meixin stared blankly at the handsome young man who is feeding that orphaned bitch. He's more handsome and cooler than her current fiance. Xia Meixin gritted her teeth in anger and clenched his hands hard. Her acrylic nails are digging on her palms. From childhood, this fatherless tramp is always stealing her spotlight from other people and Grandpa Xia.
Before she came, she was the Xia princess but this bitch stole it all away from her! She and her widow mother didn't come to visit Grandpa Xia not even once but after they came, all that they had worked for were given to them! She need to teach this orphan a lesson or else, she will not be satisfied her whole life. Their family is already planning their move to destroy this orphan once she was 18 but she still need to personally torture her! And seeing that handsome guy beside her, she might as well start her torture by stealing that man away from her!
Anthony Jiang noticed Mai from a distance the moment they entered the snack house. She was very cute with her white shirt and cat ears. If he knew she would grew up this beautiful then he wouldn't have canceled the engagement that quick. Then he would've a taste of her before abandoning her. Seeing that eyesore feeding her, anger and jealousy bubbled inside of her as he interrupted their lovey-dovey moment.
Anthony Jiang and Xia Meixin wasn't surprised when the two of them suddenly went cold after seeing them. Anthony Jiang shamelessly pulled a chair for Xia Meixin and sat in front of them without Mai telling them to sit down. Mai was, again, but she controlled her temper.
"Did you bring all of it?" Mai asked Anthony Jiang coldly while looking at them with disgust. She fluently spoke in Chinese as Naru listens to the translation the earpiece is giving him. He was a bit puzzled since Mai didn't explain it thoroughly to him but he did not speak.
"Yes." Anthony Jiang answered and showed them a small suitcase.
"It all fits in that small suitcase? In case you didn't know, I have a complete list of them." Mai challenged h as she brought out a long very long paper that contains the list.
"Some were broken by the workers while some was given away." Anthony Jiang answered him while looking at Mai with lust. That gaze disgusts Mai even more as she sneered at the man. She was about to scream in anger when she felt a gentle tug from her side.
"Aaah." Naru let out a sound as he calmly placed a spoonful of ice cream in front of her mouth. Mai was distracted and subconsciously opened her mouth as Naru gently fed her the ice cream. Mai calmed down a bit with the feeling of something cool and sweet in her mouth.
"Sister, who is this man?" Xia Meixin finally asked, her voice is unnaturally sticky as she stared at Naru. Mai glared at her while Naru didn't even have Xia Meixin a glance. Mai can see jealously and hatred in her eyes. Xia Meixin always had that look whenever they faced each other.
"This is my boyfriend, Naru. And don't call me sister, I am the only child of my parents." Mai answered her with hostility evident in her tone.
"Where did you find this boy toy? Is this your type now?" Anthony suddenly asked making Mai angry. Naru also glared at the man and lowered the temperature as soon as he heard the translation.
'How dare he..'
"Humph! He is much more handsome than you so you called him boy toy! My boyfriend is much decent than you!" Mai retorted as she picked up a chocolate and raised it to Naru's lips.
Naru offered her a smile and ate the chocolate in her hand. His tongue gently brushing her fingertips. Mai stiffened at the weird sensation and stared at her fingertips. Recalling his pinkish tongue, Mai suddenly blushed a little and coughed. Of course, their interactions were watched by the other two. Anthony glared at Naru while Xia Meixin seethed in anger as she look at Mai. Mai and Naru are conscious of their stares but they didn't care. This was their plan from the very beginning anyway. Mai turned her head and her face turned emotionless again.
"Take it all out. I want to see all of it." She said making Anthony Jiang flinch a little.
"Why do you have to see it?"
"Because I wanted to know how much will you compensate me for those broken gifts and also those you have given away." Mai answered him bluntly making Anthony angry.
"You—"
"What? You think I'm generous? Mother and Grandfather have you so many things and benefits but you just gave it away? You think I'm a vegetarian?! The Jiang Family benefitted from Grandfather all those years but you can't even return all what you get after you broke your promise?!" Mai interrupted him. Her voice is slowly raising as she slapped the table.
Whether if it's because of her menacing have or the dropping temperature, Anthony quickly got the suitcases and placed all the gifts on the table. Mai smirked when she saw the Black Jade box being laid out on the table. As she check the missing items, she also calculates the money Anthony owed her for compensation.
Xia Meixin tried to attract the attention of the handsome young man but he is obviously ignoring her and played with Mai's phone. Xia Meixin stretched her neck out and saw him looking at the photos on the screen. And Xia Meixin hated Mai even more when she saw the pictures Naru is seeing. It is all of their pictures while dating! Xia Meixin trembles on her seat as she forced herself not to scream.
'Everything this Bitch have is Mine! I will steal it all away from you!'
"You owe me 5 million USD and also the shares that Grandfather gave you when we're engaged." Mai told them after calculating. Anthony heard it and angrily slammed the table.
"Taniyama Mai! You're going to far! That shares were given to me because I was engaged to the XIA FAMILY and not because of you—"
"Grandfather included my name when he transferred the shares to you so you were given that shares because of ME, Anthony Jiang. And not because you were engaged with the Xia Family. Do you really think Grandfather would go far as to give you 15 percent of company shares because you're engaged with an outsider woman as lowly as Xia Meixin?" Mai mocked him and showed him a copy of that year's share transfer. And all that Mai said to him is true. Mai also brought out a contract and pointed at the lower part of the contract.
"Sign that to transfer the company shares back to me."
"Taniyama Mai!" Anthony screamed at her without restraints. People are already looking at them but they didn't care. Mai wants this to be over soon.
"Sign it. Do you really think I'll easily let you off?" Mai coldly asked but her voice contains superiority. It's been a long time since Naru witnessed this side of Mai.
"I'm not giving it to you! The late Patriarch already gave it to me!" Anthony still refused. They have been earning so many money after they got that shares. He can't let go of that money now!
"Fine. I'll just send this matter to my Grandfather's lawyer to handle. I will get that shares no matter what." Mai answered him as she gathered the items on the table and put them back to another bag.
"You! Do you really have to do this?! We were once engaged! Can't you just let it off?!"
"No. I'm very petty, you see? So I'm going to get everything you have received from me. Since you dare to betray me and Grandfather, you have to suffer all of the consequences. I have let you off these past years but you delivered yourself to me. To what? To shamelessly inform me of your upcoming wedding?! Ah. You two are really scumbags. Transfer the 5 million USD to me and gave me the shares or else we'll see each other in court." Mai gave them her most disgusted face as she held Naru's hand to leave. But before they even stood up, Xia Meixin suddenly spoke.
"You think you can live once you've come of age?! I'll tell you, Taniyama Mai. My father will make sure you'll be left with nothing even before you step into the Xia's Ancestral House!"
"Che. You think I'm afraid? You must remember that even if your father really became the Xia Family Patriarch, he couldn't get the 60 percent of shares from me. It is clearly stated in Grandfather's will that I, Taniyama Mai, will inherit it alone and no one else. Even if I die, do you really think you'll get it? Dream on." Mai answered giving her a deadpanned look. Naru already held the shopping bags and reciprocated the grip on Mai's hand.
"Hey you! How much did this orphan bitch pay you? I can double it as long as you ditch her right now. Come to me and I'll give you what you want. She's just a fatherless child with a dead slut mother!" Xia Meixin suddenly said to Naru while the latter took a moment to hear the translation.
It suddenly turned cold as soon as he heard her insult him and Mai. She's telling him that he's a boy toy and that Mai's a what?! Naru glanced at her for the first time and glared. Naru is very angry. No one is allowed to insult the girl he set his eyes on. Mai, who couldn't tolerated her insults, suddenly stood up and slapped Xia Meixin ok both cheeks. They can insult Mai all they like but not her parents. She will make the pay the price if they do.
"You dare to insult my parents! How dare you!"
Naru also stood up and captured Mai's hand to calm her down. Naru rubbed his thumb at the back of her palm and turned his ruthless glare to the two. Xia Meixin and Anthony suddenly felt a chill and cowered at Naru's glare. Naru, who had been staying silent all this time, slowly spoke to them— eerily spitting out his words one by one.
"You dare to anger my girlfriend, are you that carefree? You think I will let her go just because she's an orphan? Do you think I'm lowly as you? Are you better than her? You're not even worth carrying her shoes so just scram!" Naru answered angrily as he hugged Mai closer to his chest. Mai blanked out for a second before calming down and wrapping her arms around Naru waist. He said that in English and they couldn't understand him but the two knew of Naru's rejection and rage.
"Naru dear, let's go." Mai coquettishly mumbled while smiling.
"He's just a boy toy! And you only knew her for what? Two months? Five months? Two years? You two will break up some day! And with that skinny body of his, do you think he can satisfy you! Are you blind?!" Anthony Jiang suddenly interrupted, disgusting both Mai and Naru. The two of them even thought of the same thing.
'What is this bastard saying? We're just teens, did he really think we do... THAT? Is she crazy?!'
Mai and Naru controlled themselves from blushing and coldly stated at Anthony Jiang like he's an idiot. Though they can't deny that their brains formed a picture after this man said those words. Mai and Naru silently cursed her after realizing their dirty thoughts. Seeing the list on his eyes while looking at Mai, Naru fumed in anger as he shielded Mai from the pervert.
"I will never leave her. She's the woman I've set my eyes on and I will do anything to do make her stay with me. I love her and nothing can change my mind. Now then, goodbye." Naru spat out some cringey words he never expected himself to utter. He didn't know if they understood him but he didn't care and pulled Mai away from the snack house.
There are people staring at them but they just passed by. The two of them were silent all the way as they reached a quiet park. It was the work they had investigated in the past. They sat on a bench as Mai calm herself down. Mai closed her eyes and hugged Naru. She really hates them and the mention of her parents made her even more angry and sad. She might have acted pretty well but her heart felt like it was gripped tightly after that woman mentioned her parents.
Mai hugged Naru even tighter as she buried her face into his chest. Naru hesitated for a while before caressing Mai's soft hair. He had noticed how her eyes changed when that woman mentioned her parents. Mai must have been so sad after the death of her parents and thinking that Mai had suffered more then him, his heart aches more. Mai's shoulder shook for a second and that made Naru even more panicked.
"Hush. It's okay. I am here."