The subtle scent of roast coffee gently pried her eyes open. An array of morning meal inviting. Amber eyes scanned the room when she felt alone on the bed. Natsuki?...
She leaned up on her elbow to grab the small note by the bedside table, smiling as she read the notes. But then a look of confusion as she thought of the scent no doubt coming from the kitchen. Does she mean breakfast outside the house then?
She grabbed her silk robe and walked down the dining area to meet a dark-haired woman standing by the sink, occupied with slicing a piece of cheese.
She smiled, silently crossing the distance between them, idly wondering why Natsuki looked a little shorter. Did I grow taller overnight? She snaked her arms around the other's waist and gently kissed the side of the raven head who seems to have gone stiff, causing her to get confused even more when her lips felt a temple of an eyeglass.
"Good morning! Haven't seen you wearing glasses before?"
She asked, only to go struck dumb at the older version of Natsuki.
"I sure haven't seen you before too…" said Saiko, looking at the chestnut-haired woman before her with veiled critical observation. "I take it my daughter is not here, then?"
Feeling like her brain suddenly had a short circuit, Shizuru was gawping for the very first time in her life.
"I… She left a note… um… breakfast outside" she answered, pointing gawkily at no particular direction. Saiko frowned, trying to make sense of what she heard.
"I mean she left a note we will be having breakfast outside" she amended, trying to remain calm and collected albeit the very awkward and embarrassing situation. Oh how much she wished she had dressed better!
"I'm sorry I didn't know you were coming… uh… do you want me to call her?"
"You can call Natsuki to come here?"
Shizuru tilted her face in minute confusion. "Yes? I don't think Natsuki has the impudence to be discourteous to you, maám"
"Of course…" Saiko smirked, smiling in at something Shizuru had apparently failed to catch on. "Well, that is fine. I find this a good circumstance still" She looked at the undeniably beautiful face before her.
She smiled, taking a seat with such natural air of sophistication. She waved a hand invitingly towards the opposite seat "I think this is a favorable time to talk to the reason of my daughter's odd behavior lately."
"You're out of your mind" Nao deadpan, handing back a small black velvet box to Natsuki. "Aren't you guys rushing this a little bit?"
"Nah… I'd like to seal the deal Nao… The sooner the better"
"Scare of losing the prize, eh?" Nao leered.
"Maybe…" Natsuki chuckled. "Am I so pathetic?" she asked removing her lab gown and dumping it on a corner for utility staff to pick up later. Nao noticed she seems to be on a hurry.
"No, of course not! You're simply a paragon of lunacy!" she said, exasperated. Natsuki laughed. "Marriage? Just after knowing the woman for a such a short time?! No, of course you're Not crazy"
But Natsuki only laughed. She picked her phone and dialed a very familiar number. Only to have no answer again.
"What's wrong?"
"she's not picking up. Been a while…" Natsuki frowned.
"Maybe she's changing her mind?" Nao snickered at the dry glare.
They walked a few paces towards the exit of the building. Nao taking out her car key from her purse.
"That's odd. Maybe she's not up yet…" Natsuki mumbled in passing and putting the phone back in her pocket. It was the third time in the early morning she called Shizuru. She has been a ball of anxiety and excitement.
Nao looked at her from the corner of her eye. The news from today coming to her mind. She knew about it first, and knows that it will get to Natsuki soon, anyway or another. She took few steps ahead of the other girl, speaking casually.
"Oh, forgot to tell you. The Queen is here"
That stopped the biker in her tracks.
"What?"
"Yeah, I was thinking…" she paused, conveying a knowing look at the pair of wide emerald eyes. "Maybe, she came to see you?"
"No…" Natsuki whispered, dawning apprehension in her eyes.
Nao snickered lightly "Yes"
"Why didn't you tell me?!" Natsuki asked, alarmed.
She rushed out of the exit, leaving Nao. She got to her bike in seconds and speed up towards home.
Saiko poured a cup of freshly brewed coffee to Shizuru's cup and one for her own before taking her own seat. The pair of red eyes looking at it with veiled repugnance trying to finish it without looking constipated. She doesn't drink coffee.
"I will get straight to business" Saiko said, taking a seat opposite. "Fair enough?"
Shizuru nodded, her intelligent eyes levelled to that of the older woman. "About Natsuki"
"Yes. I know you and my daughter are together. As a couple." Saiko paused, taking a calm sip of her coffee. The aroma wafting through her condescending nose. "Now, I don't have anything against it or against you for that matter. She seems happy again lately"
Again? Shizuru wondered silently."
"but… I am still a mother" Saiko continued, reaching out to a her bag and magically produced some crisp papers. "Please understand, this is not intended to be an insult. This is to protect my daughter"
They stared before the pair of crimson eyes scanned down through the content of the document. Saiko regarding her covertly trying to decern any hint of displeasure. But the Shizuru signed it without any trace of enmity on her undeniably pretty face. No wonder Natsuki is utterly smitten with her… the girl is a looker!
Shizuru slid the papers back to the Kuga matriarch. Saiko wondered why she suddenly looked anxious? She looked at the document and found Shizuru's clearly affixed signature on the paper.
"Thank you" she nodded, placing the papers back in her bag. "I must say I'm surprised. I hope I am not making you uncomfortable"
Uncomfortable was far from how Shizuru exactly feels at that moment. The Non-disclosure agreement she had just signed got nothing to do with it. She never really cared of Natsuki's bank statements. Somehow, she had long before discerned something like this could happen when getting involved with someone as influential and powerful as Natsuki's family. Or Natsuki herself? She must admit it hurts the pride a little not to be trusted, but totally understandable from someone of Saiko Krugers' social repute.
No, what's causing Shizuru's cold sweats is not even the coffee, but somehow in connection to the agreement she had just signed. She wouldn't mind having to sign more if it means having the woman who has become the fulcrum of her life.
She valiantly picked the lamentable cup of coffee and took a gulp instead of a sip. Saiko blinked in bafflement. Who drinks coffee like a juice?
"Trust me, I understand why you are doing this. Whether with or without Natsuki's knowledge. However…" Shizuru heaved a sigh and looked straight at Saiko's eyes "There is something greater than all of this that I want"
As I thought… Saiko guessed a little disappointedly she's no different from anyone else… They all want something. I wonder how much would this one demand?
She waited, and those pair of amber eyes looked anxious yet determined. She took a long sip of her coffee while watching Shizuru making her resolve.
"I want to marry your daughter ma'am"
This time, a mouthful of hot coffee accidentally slid down Saiko's aged throat.
It is not that Natsuki intends to keep this form her mother but knowing her mom might probably be speaking to her fiancée first before she could even have the chance to introduce them both in a proper manner is a little disconcerting.
She came home to an unprecedented scene. Her ever gorgeous Kyoto-ben, looking seductive in her silk robe and tousled golden morning hair hastily tied while standing and bowing politely to her mother who was about to get in the car. The squeal of her tires skidding through the driveway made the formidable Kruger matriarch halt from getting in the driver's seat and looked at her daughter disapprovingly.
"Mom? Why did you come here?" Natsuki panted, less politely causing Saiko's brows to rise up questioningly. Even Shizuru's face was patent with stunned incredulity at the question giving the biker a look of warning. Who questions a mother like that?!
"Excuse me?" Saiko asked, raising a perfectly shaped raven brow.
Natsuki caught herself and uttered a quick apology. "I'm sorry. It's not like that… I'm just surprised is all" she explained walking up to the two women of her life. "You didn't tell me you were coming."
"And I need approval before I could visit my own daughter?"
"No! I said it's not like that!"
"You're raising your voice at me?!"
"Wha?! No! it's just… well!" Natsuki flailed her hands trying to come up with better words until she caught sight of Shizuru's amused look. Natsuki looked at her with a blank face. But Saiko could see otherwise. Oh, she's thoroughly conquered by this one…
Natsuki rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I'm sorry mom" she walked up to her mother and placed a gentle kiss on one cheek "I mean I'm glad to see you"
"You seem happy" Saiko whispered
Natsuki looked at her mother, gleaming. "I am" She heaved a sigh, determined. "I believe you have met my fiancée" she turned a little on her heels and stretched a hand towards the other woman. "Shizuru"
Shizuru walked towards Natsuki and took her hand.
"I had the pleasure. Should I expect dinner with the family later then?" Saiko turned to her daughter after nodding at Shizuru in acknowledgement.
"Yes" Natsuki confirmed before any of them could be hesitant.
Saiko nodded "alright. Give me a call"
And she got into the car, Natsuki and Shizuru watch her easing out the driveway.
"That went well" Natsuki said and faced the woman next to her, assessing "sorry… I didn't know she was coming. Are you alright?"
After all that had happened in the early morning, and so unexpected, Shizuru couldn't help reveling in the comfort that finally arrived. She leaned in to kiss the sweet familiar lips so longingly.
"Good morning to you too" she exhaled, their nose touching. "Nothing to worry. I managed not to pee myself"
A strong slender arm snaked around her waist and the other gently holding her cheek. It finally feels home
" hey…" Natsuki cooed "I know my mother can be a little bit intimidating, but I'm sure you'll get along fine. Please give it some more time?"
Shizuru only shook her head. A thought of the document, would Natsuki be upset if she finds out what she had agreed to? All that matters to her is to have Natsuki, her love, her woman. And that's all. She couldn't care less of what else would come and go.
"I'm not worried about that. I only hope I can keep up with the expectations"
Natsuki chuckled "I could hope the same with your parents. Speaking of… I think I should go talk to them"
"Now? Why?"
Natsuki gently took the hand clutching on the side of her shirt and fiddled with the slender porcelain fingers. Her mind running on all the things she had planned out, although with a little bit of changes with her mother's sudden attendance. She already made reservations at a nearby resort, she would bend a knee, and when she gets the sweet big Yes, she already have people at a ready to bring out the most fabulous pyrotechniques. Shizuru would certainly love it. Now if only she could get rid of all the butterflies in her stomach each time her mind runs through it.
"To ask for your hand, of course" she placed a soft kiss on Shizuru's knuckles.
"Are you trying to make me swoon Kruger-sama?" Shizuru teased, although thoroughly beguiled by the pretty face and luminescent greens adoring her.
"I like the sound of my name on your lips…" Natsuki whispered, pulling the tiny waist underneath the silky robe towards her again. "but I like it more attached to your name"
Shizuru melted in her arms, her own arms came around Natsuki's neck and their lips met in sweet kiss.
After having a quick breakfast, they decided to skip class for the day and headed towards Shizuru's home where her parents are currently staying. The anxiety building up as they near the place. Natsuki in particular is internally apprehensive, coming up with the best ways to spring this up to Shizuru's parents without giving them a stroke. But there is no better time than now that both of their parents are in town.
Unknown to her, Shizuru had been observing her and she almost let slip a chuckle. She had been enjoying herself glancing at Natsuki fidgeting from the driver seat looking like a young handsome girl preparing for her toughest job interview yet.
They finally pulled over, Natsuki walking around the passenger side, opening the door for Shizuru.
"You sure about this?"
Deep amber eyes glanced at her front door and to the pair of calm emeralds that didn't fool her the least. She drew her face close to Natsuki's taking in her lovely scent, noticing how it almost sighed at the smallest contact.
"More than anything" she reassured, taking Natsuki's hand. They walked past the gate and Shizuru opened the door taking in a deep breath, Natsuki gently squeezing her hand.
However, they were a little put out by the scene that greeted them when they came in. Shizuru's parents hunched over a few papers spread on the living room table a small audio player on the side. But the most unexpected was Yasuda sitting on the single seater, hands steepled over his crossed legs.
"How great of you to join us" he greeted, staring critically at the young Kruger in particular. His eyes fell on their linked hands. "Fortuitous"
His jaw tensed and there is no mistaking at the derision in his eyes.
"What is this?" Shizuru asked, running her eyes at all the documents laid out before all of them on the table. Yasuda leaned over and pressed a button. The audio started to play. There was a static sound, two voices speaking on the recording, one was very familiar to everyone present in the room.
"you turned a skint into a big time Hotel and Casino President? Dude you must be loaded?!"
"I should be if I get to keep that woman! You knew she's the money maker in the company, why bring Mr. Fiancé when you could cut a deal with me?"
"Mr. Aldenberg is an heir to a big business in Poland, while you are not. The Krugers adopted a young girl before. And you are the youngest. So I did the math"
There was only silence. Shizuru felt before she had seen the sudden shift in Natsuki's stance. She turned her face to see the green eyes were unlike how she had seen it before. Unseeing. Cold. She couldn't explain exactly why, but Shizuru felt an unease at this sudden change rather than the secrets Yasuda has spilled on them.
"I'm sorry Kruger-san. The whole family needs to know" Yasuda said. Patronizing.
Shizuru's father straightened his back calmly and stared up at the woman holding her daughter's hand.
"What did you come here for, Kruger-san?"
Natsuki looked lost for a second, yet the emptiness in her eyes never left as she bent her knees in such fluid motion kneeling in front of the Fujino patriarch.
"I came to ask for your daughter's hand, sir"
Akemi gasped, a confused and worried look on her face. Yasuda groaned, disconcerted "My god, have some dignity, Kruger-san"
Shizuru's father gave him a long look that stopped his mutterings. He turned his face again to the woman kneeling before her, his eyes flicked to his daughter then back at Natsuki. Deliberating.
"If you are sitting on my place now, I am kneeling there instead, what answer would you give me?"
The pair of empty green eyes did not look up. The silence stretched on.
"I have asked for Shizuru's hand before, Kruger-san" Yasuda spoke in such genteel and patient way "and I intend to honor that promise. I know I had been away a while and would understand if she had lost affection on me, but I would fight for her. I would not lose her to someone…"
"Someone what?!"
Natsuki growled lowly, almost inaudible. Her eyes so dark keeping them on Yasuda as she slowly got back on her feet.
"Shizuru deserves to be with someone capable and decent"
A corner of Natsuki's lips turned up, dark amusement. Something menacing, the part of her Shizuru had never seen before and somehow it is making her even more unease. Her stance had never been this intimidating.
"Unless you have a better explanation for…" Yasuda waved a hand indicating the papers on the table "all of this?"
"Enough!" Shizuru intervened, stepping in front of Natsuki, her glare on Yasuda. Her fear of something unknown is growing as she watched how fast the pretty face she loved so much morphed into something so dark and baleful. But she hasn't cleared everything up with her parents yet between her and Yasuda, and now, working up a way on letting them know about her and Natsuki.
"Mother, Father, I'm sorry I haven't told you yet, but I am not marrying Yasuda anymore"
"Shizuru!" Yasuda stood from his seat "don't do this to your parents please. Just for someone like her"
The scarlet glare was baleful "You've spoken enough Yasuda!"
"Wait, what's going on here?" Akemi asked, alarmed at the hostility on her daughter's eyes.
Shizuru's father stood to try and diffuse the brewing conflict, but Natuki turned away instead.
"I should leave" she said, her tone hard and repressed.
"What?" Shizuru turned, worry eminent at her tone. Something is wrong with Natsuki but before she could even try to find out, the biker bowed to her parents and turned to leave. It was so quick that Natsuki was already out the door before Shizuru could snap out of her confounded state and ran after her girl.
"Wait! Natsuki!" She tried to reach for her arm, but Natsuki refused to turn. "Where are you going?"
"You should go back inside"
"Not without you"
Shizuru anxiously waited, but Natsuki's intimidating back never turned. She got in her car, drove away without another word.