Feeling herself going weak in the knees , Misaki grabbed the counter to support herself as her mind slowly processed what Takumi had just told her.
"Girls like you are meant to be loved"
She didn't know why her heart went into overdrive which could surely land her into the hospital because of a cardiac arrest. She also didn't like the heat creeping up her neck and toward her cheeks which made her lower her face involuntarily.
How she hated him for making her feel this way. She hated everything about him. His stupid smirk , his stupid teases , his stupid million dollar smiles , his stupid confident cat walks , his stupid pick up lines , his stupid playboy ways , his stupid gorgeous emerald eyes , his stupid ability to be the only one to make her go crazy , his stupid self. Him.
Oh but she knew she didn't.
Takumi closed his eyes and heaved in heavy breaths. He wasn't able to comprehend why exactly and what exactly was making him say things he would have never told a girl. Wherever she went with , whoever she went with was none of his concern. But he couldn't stop himself. He couldn't stop himself from wanting to know where she was and who she was with. He couldn't stop himself from getting angry when she smiled at other guys. He couldn't stop himself from wanting to knock down teeth of every guy who laid eyes on her down his throat.
She was driving him crazy without realizing it.
His gaze fell on her and he knew she was beyond uncomfortable. He straightened and glanced at her lowered face one more time before turning around and walking out.
Her knees finally giving out from beneath her , Misaki slid down on the floor with her face burning. There was a part of her , a part that was getting really hard to control , which wanted to grab Takumi by his collar and kiss him till he forgot his own name. The other part , however , was equally defiant of the same decision and wanted to wait till she heard him leave.
It was taking every part of Takumi's willpower not to turn around , lift her up and do her right then and there on the island counter. As he slowly closed the door behind him , he exhaled and caught the door frame to steady himself.
He hated how his self control was lost. No girl had ever disarmed him the way she had. Even Rhea hadn't had such a devastating effect on him. An effect that was slowly driving him beyond the line of sanity.
And he despised it.
Wait. Who was he kidding?
Four days. It had been four days since the last time Misaki had bothered interacting with Takumi or his squad. Infact , she was maintaining so much distance that she even told Sakura and Shizuko off.
She was frustrated. No doubt about it. But she didn't know who she was frustrated at. Were it her Professors? The people who wouldn't stop gaping at her ever since she had started putting effort into dressing up? Ryusuke? Sakura and Shizuko? Chiyo and the others? Or was it...Takumi?
Rolling her eyes as she unlocked her car , she was pretty sure she just wanted to blame someone. Most of it was her fault. One. Because she let herself get so affected. Two. Because she couldn't stop herself from getting so affected.
Everytime Takumi and her crossed ways or were forced to be around each other because of the growing friendship between their groups , they blandly ignored each other as if they had never been introduced to the other in the first place. Misaki didn't want to be in such an awkward position for even though she would never admit it to him she genuinely enjoyed being in his company. He had the correct amount of humor and charm required in a guy. Besides that he was also charismatic and definitely every bit of the gentleman people claimed he was.
Misaki's hand stopped midair as she was strapping her seat belt on. Why was she counting all the good values of a guy she had vowed to herself she wouldn't interact with again after that night?
Sighing slowly she folded her arms on the steering wheel and placed her forehead on it. What was wrong with her? Where was her heartbreaker self? Why was she so scared to get involved with Takumi Walker?
Her phone buzzed and she straightened as she took it out. Sakura's name flashed and exhaling , she lifted it.
"Hey!" She spoke , trying and failing at sounding cheerful.
"H..i?" Came back the reply and Misaki facepalmed internally "Are you okay?"
"Yeah I just choked" She lied.
"I see" Clearly Sakura didn't buy it "Shizuko and I are coming over in half an hour and together we'll go for the musical okay?"
"Yeah. I'll get ready till then-"
"-Oh and Chiyo is also coming" When there was a pause , Sakura proceeded to speak "That's okay right?"
"As long as she's invited"
"All of them are" Sakura informed them "Not like that surprises me. Oh and we have to dress formal. You have a formal dress right?"
"I ..guess?"
After hearing some shuffling on the other side , a different voice spoke "Hello?"
"Chiyo?"
"Hi there" She replied "It's absolutely alright if you don't have anything formal to wear. However .." There was a pause "If you wouldn't find it offending , I can lend you one of my unused dresses..?"
Misaki smiled. Chiyo was definitely awkward with people but then again she was absolutely adorable "Thank you" She replied earnestly "That'll be extremely helpful"
The amber eyed beauty couldn't see her but she was positive that the turquoise eyed girl was definitely beaming "We'll see you in half an hour then"
"Got it" Hanging up , the ravenette started the car.
She would get through. She had to.
"Why are the three of you looking at me like I am the living example of the biggest disappointment you could have ever encountered?"
"Oh Misaki" Sakura smiled sarcastically "You took the words right out of my mouth"
"Gee thanks. Now , what's wrong?"
"Just that.." Chiyo started.
It was when Misaki rose an eyebrow that Shizuko decided to open her mouth "After the way you had been dressing up these past few days , we didn't expect to find you sitting on the dining table clad in worn out shorts , a faded shirt with your hair ..up in a messy bun for the lack of a better word ..gulping down an apple"
"Judgemental takes inspiration from you guys. Besides , these are the most comfortable clothes in the Universe" Misaki said , looking at herself proudly.
"Right" The salmon hair girl sighed "Well. Let's get you ready"
Twenty minutes later when Misaki finished locking the door to her house , her three friends were looking at her as if she was their most prized possession despite the look being a complete opposite of what they had felt before.
The dress she was wearing was an off - shoulder with full sleeves that were loose only at the wrists. The upper part of her dress including the part around the arms was wrapped entirely like a skirt whereas the lower part was body fitting and stopped just above her knees. While it accentuated her curves , it was modest at the same time. Topped with black pumps and a black fur stole , that was hung only at her lower back in the crook of her elbows , her face was stripped off any makeup save for her scarlet lips and gorgeous curly lashes.
"Exactly how formal is this event?" Misaki asked unconsciously patting her raven hair that had been curled only at the tips as she walked toward the elevator with the rest , silently admiring the three of them , the way she had been doing ever since they first stepped inside her penthouse.
Sakura was draped in a velvet dress whose sleeves hung at the bend at her shoulder and had a sweetheart neckline. Topping it with kitten heels , she had curled her hair and pinned it to one side.
Shizuko on the other hand was clad in a three piece suit. The slit in the loose ends of the pants came up till her knees and the blazer and shirt were more body fitting than strictly formal. Paired with lace boots , Shizuko looked like an important executive of a well off company.
Chiyo had decided to compliment her eyes by putting on a blue chiffon dress that ran over the front part in different shades. The skirt was loose and a little puffy , stopping just above her knees. With her hair pulled into a loose bun and matching stilettoes , Chiyo looked every bit of the beautiful fiancee of Igarashi Tora and the heiress to the Sakurai Empire.
"This isn't the first time Ryusuke is performing a musical. Besides , he is well known around and is even in the process of putting together a mini album. He was recruited by four leading music companies , out of which two were international ones" Chiyo paused as they stepped into the elevator "The fact that his parents are international sensations themselves helps him getting a kickstart in the same career"
And I am going to be playing him. God save me. Misaki thought as they walked out into the basement garage and she unlocked her car.
"What are you doing?" Chorused three voices at once as Misaki's brows furrowed.
"Uh..unlocking my car?"
"We aren't going in your car"
"Does that mean we have to walk down?"
As if it was straight out of a movie script , Kuuga's SUV came to a stop behind Misaki "No" Chiyo laughed "We are all going together"
The fact of being so close to Takumi for an entirety of forty five minutes till they reached the seven star hotel on the outskirts of the City made Misaki instinctively reach for her car door "I am good I guess. I'll drive there by myself"
The salmon haired girl saw right through her and grabbed her friend's arm "Don't be a spoilsport Misaki. What has gotten into you?"
"Takumi has already left for the musical around an hour ago 'cause he needed to stop by his studio where he'd change and directly show up at the venue" Chiyo stated quietly "If that's what you are worried about"
"Th-That's not what I was-"
"-Well then?" Shizuko rose an eyebrow as she gestured toward the car.
"Fine" Feeling dejected , Misaki opened the car door and Hinata and Kanou got out , looking entirely different in a three piece suit "Oh! Hi"
"Hello , Misaki chan~" Hinata sang and then fully took their appearance in "Woahh all of you look so pretty!"
"Indeed" Kanou agreed , as he gave way for them to get in.
Tora who was sitting next to Kuuga on the passenger seat , leaned in so that only he could hear him "Takumi's losing his eyesight tonight" He whispered.
"I don't know about Takumi" Kuuga whispered back , his gaze following the salmon haired girl entering the car "I think I already lost mine" Once he couldn't see her anymore , he turned to Tora and purposely spoke loudly "But how come your sight is still in tact?"
"What do you mean?" Tora narrowed his eyes at Kuuga's conspiratory look.
"Oh! Don't act so dense" With his head he gestured toward his Cousin who was entering last and closing the door behind her.
Tora turned to look , just as Chiyo settled down in her seat and turned her gaze forward and locked it with her fiance. In that one moment , the rest saw a miracle happen. For the first time , Igarashi Tora's face turned into one of complete surprise mixed with admiration and awe as he took in his fiancee's gorgeous appeal.
Sitting straight in his seat and fastening his seatbelt , something he never bothered with , he turned his gaze out of the window but Kuuga had already confirmed the faintest tint of pink on his friend's cheeks "We are gonna get late" Tora muttered.
"Ofcourse not" Kuuga retorted , pressing on the accelerator.
"Late" The blonde gentleman stated , checking his watch as he walked toward his friends. Turning to the only three girls he saw and thought had showed up , he smiled "All of you look gorgeous" He turned toward the guys "However , you guys look like the idiots you always were"
Slapping his friend's arm after tossing the car key to the valet , Kuuga smirked "Right back at you. You are one of us after all"
"Shall we?" Tora asked , looking at all of them before offering his arm to Chiyo who placed her palm in the crook of his elbow , walking forward with him.
The rest started walking behind them just as the valet drove the car away "Yes Ryusuke. I am here"
Brows furrowing over emerald orbs , Takumi stopped walking , staring at the back of his friends for a moment before turning around and staring at the slender back of the raven haired beauty.
As if sensing someone's presence , the amber eyed heartbreaker turned , still speaking into the phone "I'll come once it's ...done.." Her voice faltered in her throat as amber clashed with emerald.
Misaki felt the breath being knocked out of her as she took Takumi's three piece tuxedo look in. With his hair gelled back and tux sewn only to fit him , he looked every bit of the sexy Greek God that girls could have only dreamt about. He looked so handsome that it was a crime. From his scrutinizing emerald eyes till his pointed nose , it spoke of haught. From his chiselled jawline till his firm lips , they spoke of arrogance. From his posture and self radiant aura , he screamed of confidence . She knew that she couldn't look at him without her heart going paranoid with her entire head spinning. The expression on his face was an exact replica of hers. The blank look he gave her showed her that he had seen way better and what she had wasn't even one fourth of it.
While the truth was that Takumi had indeed seen a lot , he hadn't ever seen anyone looking so gorgeously appealing and innocently alluring at the same time. The beauty Misaki exuded was on another level altogether. Every curve of her body was enticing. Her eyes so dangerously shaded that he could surrender to them. Her lips so inviting and romantic that they were only meant to fill his. She could disarm any man with just a glance and she was giving Takumi her entire gaze. He had never felt such an appeal toward any woman , neither the ones he had had flings with nor with the ones he had bothered initiating. Misaki Ayuzawa was on an other wordly level and she was slowly driving him beyond sane reasoning.
"I'll see you later" Misaki hung up , lowering her gaze momentarily before walking forward and toward him.
Takumi waited till she reached him before opening his mouth but Misaki walked right past him not even bothering to greet or at the very least acknowledge his presence.
Confusion gave way to anger and then nonchalance. She was right where she was. Not like he had been a sport and tried to talk to her normally. He was also the reason that they were acting like they hadn't ever known each other.
Shrugging lightly , he followed her into the ballroom where he'd initially been waiting for his friends. Placing his hands into the pockets of his tuxedo pants , he looked around trying to locate the said group. First he noticed Tora and Chiyo speaking to Ryusuke's parents who were the ones hosting this semi formal musical on the occasion of their anniversary. Finally locating his other friends , he started toward them only to realize that the ravenette still hadn't found them.
Sighing , he placed his hand on her lower back and felt her stiffen at the touch. Without meeting her gaze , he slowly led her toward their friends and once confirmed that she saw them too , pulled his hand back.
Nodding at Kuuga he turned and walked toward Tora and Chiyo. Ryusuke's parents saw him approach and smiled at him just as Tora and Chiyo turned toward him.
"Ah! Takumi - kun!" Tatsuya Shou exclaimed , clasping his hand in Takumi's outstretched palm and pulling him in for a hug "I am so glad you came. How have you been?"
"Thankfully still in one piece" The emerald eyed model laughed , pulling away , smiling at the couple "I could miss anything in the World except my favorite couple's anniversary"
"Thank you" Tatsuya Kyoko replied , beaming at him " ' Thankfully still in one piece' cause' of the endless line of girls throwing themselves at you?"
"You bet"
"That's what brought him to the cover page of the latest edition of Vogue again , no?" Shou questioned , grinning.
"Really?" Takumi asked back good humoredly making , them all laugh. A moment later , he caught hold of Chiyo's shoulder "Would you mind if I took her away for a while?"
"You don't ask us that question" Kyoko gestured toward Tora with a wink.
"Who's asking him?" Takumi winked back at the couple who laughed as he led Chiyo away , smirking at a frowning Tora.
"Bet he was talking business?" Takumi questioned once they were out of earshot.
"How much do I owe you for getting that right?" Chiyo laughed.
"Next time we go out drinking , you better bring your card. Oh and you owe Kuuga too" Takumi said , leading her towards their table.
"I still don't understand how you guys could possibly be best friends. Only Tora - san never realizes anything about me" At this her voice fell and she shrugged.
"Maybe if you drop the honorifics and play around a little he'll learn not to take you for granted"
"Not everyone can pull it off , Takumi"
"You can always learn. Tora is probably the smartest and also the densest of us all. Besides.." Takumi's voice dropped as his eyes turned gleeful "Once he knows that he's not the only one who can get away with changing partners as fast as they change clothes , he'll come after the one girl who could be responsible for his cardiac arrest"
Kuuga pulled a chair out for his Cousin once he saw them approach "Bet he was talking business"
"How are all of you so sure?" Chiyo whined , seating herself next to Kuuga with Misaki on the other side "Spoke to Ryusuke?" She questioned the ravenette who was sipping her drink.
After gulping , Misaki nodded "Yep. I'll go meet him after he's done for today"
"That's great" Chiyo smiled , accepting the drink Kanou offered her.
"I didn't know all of you were such good friends with Ryusuke" Sakura commented , twirling the contents of her cocktail.
"Oh we aren't" Hinata laughed "At least Kanou and I aren't. We are more of acquaintances"
"Ryusuke , Takumi , Chiyo - san and I are childhood friends" Tora interrupted , signalling a waiter for another chair "Takumi likes Ryusuke's family more than his own"
"It's a different story that Ryusuke and he absolutely hate each other's guts" Kuuga laughed.
"Right" Tora laughed , pouring himself a drink "They are the bestest of friends"
Misaki was struggling to keep the question within her but thankfully Chiyo elaborated when she noticed the questioning look on Sakura and Shizuko's faces.
"Takumi has always been brains with looks while Ryusuke has always been the delinquent type. Ofcourse" She added "That's only putting it subtly"
"Ryusuke's girlfriends always drooled over Takumi so I guess that only added up to the list of reasons as to why Ryusuke hated him" Kuuga stated "He's actually pretty chill. In fact we agreed on writing and composing a song together"
"That way Kuuga is also pretty similar to Ryusuke. He got no brains either" Tora laughed , dodging the punch that was aimed at him "But then again , Ryusuke's going to get annoyed at Takumi again" He looked right at Misaki who returned his look with a raised brow.
"Possibly-"
"Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen" Interrupted a smooth voice and the hall immediately hushed as Ryusuke walked in the centre of the hall , the spotlight on him as the rest of the lights dimmed.
Ryusuke wore his blue dapper suit effortlessly. Misaki noted how perfectly he pulled off his rugged and formal appearance. While he was wearing a tailored suit he hadn't bothered styling his hair or taking his piercings off to finish the look. To top it all off he wasn't even wearing his tie properly as it hung loosely around his neck. Weirdly enough , he still seemed to look completely handsome. But he still didn't match Takumi who didn't even try and still looked mercilessly handsome and knocked her breath away even when -
What in God's name is wrong with you? Misaki slowly chided herself as she grit her teeth and lifted her glass to her lips , tuning in.
"Thank you all for coming today" Ryusuke was saying "Even though we all know that Anniversary is just a subtle way of reminding every married couple the number of years they have been chained together. No Mom glaring at me won't help" This earned him chuckles and snorts , agreements and shouts of encouragements mostly from men whose wives were nudging them in good humor "But then again , it's all thanks to the immense love my parents share that has brought them here" He paused as his parents lifted their glasses to toast him "And me as a matter of fact" At this he lifted his glass at them and winked as the entire hall laughed.
"On a more serious note , there isn't enough I can dedicate to them except doing what I am good at. Not surprising that that is also something they have passed down to me. And so , here's a song I have dedicated to them. Mom. Dad. This one's for you. It's an original"
A moment later he was seated on a bar stool , a guitar around his neck and a mic placed on a stand that he was adjusting to suit himself.
Misaki noticed the cameras that were being put up along with additional hearing devices used for recording here and there. She also saw several people who didn't look like they were here for the purpose of attending Ryusuke's parent's anniversary. They looked more professional.
And then she remembered how Ryusuke had been recruited by several companies and how this was a semi musical set up for him.
Trying to stall time , Ryusuke kept fidgeting with the mic , eyes rapidly going over people as if he were searching for someone. Every now and then he made eye contact with someone or the other he knew and flashed a charming smile at them for a moment before looking around once again. As soon as his eyes landed on Misaki , the mic slipped from his hand and his other hand caught it a heartbeat later. Suddenly the entire room was suffocating him and he felt the need for an oxygen cylinder. He smiled at her trying to cover up his shock and as soon as she grinned back , he averted eye contact as he arranged his mic properly and adjusted his guitar.
I can't look at her without wanting to kidnap her! God forbid she's so beautiful! He thought as he blinked rapidly and tried to concentrate. Get yourself together! Don't let Mom and Dad down on their anniversary!
Closing his eyes and inhaling , he pushed thoughts of Misaki out of his head. As he exhaled and opened his eyes , smiling at everyone , he accidently made eye contact with his arch enemy who had been looking right at him. No. He was glaring at him. Those emerald eyes were definitely shooting arrows at him. Smiling to annoy him , he then got down to testing his guitar.
Flashing one last smile at his parents as he started strumming lightly and then broke into a song.
I'll tell the world, I'll sing a song
It's a better place since you came along
Since you came along
Your touch is sunlight through the trees
Your kisses are the ocean breeze
Everything's alright when you're with me
And I hold my favorite thing
I hold the love that you bring
But it feels like I've opened my eyes again
And the colors are golden and bright again
There's a song in my heart, I feel like I belong
It's a better place since you came along
It's a better place since you came along
I see the whole world in your eyes
It's like I've known you all my life
We just feel so right
So I pour my heart into your hands
It's like you really understand
You love the way I am
And I hold my favorite thing
I hold the happiness you bring
But it feels like I've opened my eyes again
And the colors are golden and bright again
And the sun paints the skies and the wind sings our song
It's a better place since you came along
It's a better place since you came along
Now I'm alright
Now I'm alright
Everything's alright
'Cause it feels like I've opened my eyes again
And the colors are golden and bright again
There's a song in my heart, I feel like I belong
It's a better place since you came along
It's a better place since you came along
There was silence for a moment until only the clink of Tatsuya Kyoko's heels were heard as she wrapped Ryusuke in a hug , tears streaming down her eyes and that was when the entire hall broke into applause and cheering. A moment later , Tatsuya Shou also hugged his son and wife and then laughed at something Ryusuke said.
Grabbing the mic , Ryusuke looked around "I didn't think so many of you would cry. Please hand out extra tissues to anyone who needs it" He joked "The next song will be more light hearted"
By another hour and a half , Ryusuke had thoroughly entertained the crowd and displayed his talent enough as he walked around with the mic after his first few songs and sang with compassionate men , soft hearted women , excited children and dreamy ladies.
"I have one last song for all of you before I wrap it up" By now , he had a mic over his ear and one attached on his shirt as he finally sat down again and picked his guitar up "This is one of my latest songs"
He started strumming lightly as the band set up for him behind , followed suit.
.
I won't lie to you
I know he's just not right for you
And you can tell me if I'm off
But I see it on your face
When you say that he's the one that you want
And you're spending all your time
In this wrong situation
And anytime you want it to stop
His gaze snapped to Misaki.
I know I can treat you better
Than he can
And any girl like you deserves a gentleman
Tell me why are we wasting time
On all your wasted cryin'
When you should be with me instead
I know I can treat you better
Better than he can
Takumi hated Ryusuke.
I'll stop time for you
He hated how he looked at Misaki.
The second you say you'd like me too
He also hated how she looked right back.
I just wanna give you the loving that you're missing
He hated how they didn't break eye contact.
Baby, just to wake up with you
And he would happily volunteer to swing Ryusuke's Guitar at him.
Would be everything I need and this could be so different
Lifting his glass for another sip , he glared a thousand shards at the guy who wouldn't break eye contact with the ravenette.
Tell me what you want to do
"Takumi , what are you doing?" Chiyo hissed.
'Cause I know I can treat you better
"What?" He snapped , turning to her as five people gave him matching puzzled looks.
Than he can
Chiyo gave him a confused look but proceeded to gesture at the table.
And any girl like you deserves a gentleman
Looking down , emerald orbs widened as he noticed what Chiyo was referring to.
Tell me why are we wasting time
Five empty wine glasses were set in front of him.
On all your wasted cryin'
And he was responsible for it.
When you should be with me instead
Lifting his gaze and locking it with Hinata , who was already signalling a waiter for a refill , Takumi smacked himself internally.
I know I can treat you better
He needed to pull himself together.
Better than he can
He couldn't let her drive him crazy.
Better than he can
He wouldn't allow it.
Give me a sign
But somehow. For the very first time , he was failing.
Take my hand, we'll be fine
Reaching for his glass as the waiter poured wine again , his gaze lifted and his breath caught in his throat.
Promise I won't let you down
Emerald was clashing with Amber.
Just know that you don't
They could set the room on fire.
Have to do this alone
All the emotion displaying on her face with shaded concern below those long lashes ruling above all -
Promise I'll never let you down
-Takumi knew he had conquered this time as well.
'Cause I know I can treat you better
And he wasn't going to let her get away.
Than he can
And any girl like you deserves a gentleman
Tell me why are we wasting time
On all your wasted cryin'
When you should be with me instead
I know I can treat you better
Better than he can, oh oh
Better than he can
Better than he can
Not anytime soon anyway.
"Ma'am , you aren't allowed in here"
"No but I-"
"Let her in. She's my guest"
From behind the two burly bodyguards , emerged Ryusuke , smiling at the girl he was slowly falling for.
"Hi" She grinned.
"Hey" He smiled back at her , moving aside so she could further enter the room he had booked solely for the purpose of changing into different clothes.
Misaki noticed his change in clothes from the dapper suit to a formal tuxedo whose jacket was hung over a chair as she walked inside the room , Ryusuke trailing behind her whilst adjusting his waistcoat.
She looked around at the heavily furnished room with its wooden floorboards , beige walls , king sized bed and other furniture decorated solely to serve the Kings. To top it all off there was also a mini chandelier hanging right above the canopy of the bed.
"Well?" Ryusuke asked and she turned to face him.
"Well?" The ravenette questioned back.
"How did you like my performance , Milady? Was it to your liking?" He winked at her , as he reached for his tie.
"I am afraid it lacked your sense of arrogance , Milord. I think that was what made it more enjoyable. However , now I need to rethink my judgement" She played along , smirking at him.
"In that case" Drawing an arm around her waist , Ryusuke pulled Misaki to him and smirked right back at her "I can make up for what it lacked"
"Oh yeah? And how do you plan on doing that?" But Misaki knew. She knew it as certainly as the fact that despite having played this heartbreaker game this way several times like this before , her mind wasn't usually preoccupied with other things. Or other guys.
"Definitely" His smirk widened and he pulled her closer to him , his lips descending meaningfully toward her a moment before his cellphone rang interrupting the moment. Sighing , he let go of her and received the call "Yes Mom?"
A few moments of pause as his Mother told him whatever she had called to tell him and the knot of uneasiness grew tighter inside Misaki's stomach as her breath quickened.
She liked Ryusuke. And she knew it. Plus , she wouldn't have minded the situation if it was the normal her. Not the one going paranoid over small things. The setting was right , so was the timing and the mood but it wasn't ruined because of the phone call.
She knew in her heart that despite all the things that were in her favor , despite the situation being entirely in her favor , despite it all going right , she knew that the person she wanted to share it with was wrong.
"Hate to leave you again , Sunshine" Ryusuke sighed , picking his tuxedo jacket up "I have to go meet some of Mum's 'close' friends and then we can sneak out for dinner together"
"You sure you can leave the party like this?"
"My own parents are leaving in half an hour or so , so nope. No worries" He smiled at her , shrugging into his jacket and walking toward the door "I'll see you in the lobby in fifteen minutes?" He asked , turning to her.
"Alright-" She cut her sentence off and strode up to him. Adjusting his tie and the collar of his jacket , Misaki patted his chest lightly in a motherly way as she beamed at him "Now you can go. I'll see you in a while"
Not trusting himself to sprout intelligent vocabulary at the moment , Ryusuke managed to nod as he walked out and closed the door behind him.
The four guards who were posted outside his room were witnesses to his face which was ablaze as he walked toward the elevator.
We are all going for drinks and people who drink 8 glasses of wine aren't invited. Take aspirin when you get home. Considering you won't want to come with us and are going home to sleep , I'll give you a 'Good boy' certificate later.
And so you are responsible for taking Ayuzawa home! Kudos - Sakurai Kuuga
Takumi rolled his eyes and scoffed. Like she'd go home with him. She won't even look at him , let alone acknowledge what he would tell her.
Ignoring Kuuga's message that told him to carpool with the amber eyed beauty , Takumi made his way out of the hall trying to gather as little notice toward himself which was becoming harder by the minute.
People all around him wanted to tighten their relationships with him for the sole purpose of gaining favors when he finally sat at the throne of the the Walker Empire. All he wanted was peace at the moment and he was going to chase it relentlessly.
Just as he made his way past the slightly crowded lounge , he couldn't help but notice the ravenette standing by the corner , idly turning the phone in her hand , looking around. By the looks of it , he wasn't the only male who couldn't take his eyes off her.
Takumi stopped looking at her like a long lost lover and acted like he was checking his own phone. If everyone else left , was she even informed about it? She didn't look like she had come in her own car. And Kuuga hinting they carpool , confirmed it.
It was none of his business how she got home. He could shrug the blame off saying he saw the text only after he got home. Besides , she could always ask Ryusuke to drop her off.
Walking past the lounge , he made a beeline for the reception and asked the woman to have his car called out at the front entrance. He wasn't going to bother describing his car to the valets.
"Sir , your car is waiting for you at the main entrance" The receptionist gave him a coy smile which only earned a polite nod from the emerald eyed gentleman.
Walking right up to the ravenette , with absolutely no clue why he was bothering with it , he cleared his throat which made her look up in surprise followed by the arch of an eyebrow.
"We are going home together"
"Why?"
Atleast she's talking "The rest have left for drinks"
"I see.." A moment's pause as Misaki tried her best to sound indifferent "I am going for dinner with Ryusuke , so I guess he'll drop me afterwards"
Takumi nodded , surprised at how annoyed he felt and how hard he had to work to keep it out of his voice "Well then. Goodnight-"
"Misaki , is that you?"
Emerald eyes looked up just as the raven haired girl's body went rigid. Focusing on a red haired guy around the same age as them with a gorgeous leggy brunette hanging off his arm smiling flirtatiously at Takumi , emerald orbs narrowed , an eyebrow arched at the guy. His scarlet hair was way below his shoulder , his brown eyes fixed on Misaki in a gaze Takumi would have never approved off , his face...slightly familiar.
"H-Hi.." Misaki breathed , taking a step back as Takumi's gaze fell on her.
"Hey" He checked her out shamelessly "Wow. You have become such a beauty" Taking a step forward the man wrapped Misaki in a hug , running his hand up and down her back in a way that jumped over the boundary of what was polite "What am I saying?" He chided himself "You have always been a beaut" He pulled back , not before letting his hand linger on her arm a moment longer.
"Th-Thanks.." Misaki replied , gulping as she ran her palms over her arms.
Where have I seen him? Takumi thought frantically as he looked from Misaki to the guy and the effect he had on her. The shine in Misaki's eyes spoke about how she was fighting off tears and the fear in her eyes made Takumi crumble inwardly.
Who was he and how did he have such a devastating effect on Misaki?
"How have you been?" He made a move to touch her arm again but as soon as Takumi saw her recoil , he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him making the stranger finally acknowledge his presence.
"Oh" He drawled "And you are?"
"Misaki's boyfriend" The blonde haired gentleman replied without missing a beat "And you might be?" He asked in turn , unconsciously pulling Misaki closer to him. I am sure I have this bastard somewhere.
"Misaki never told you about me?" He asked in feign surprise as Misaki flinched when he leaned his face closer to the ravenette only for Takumi to grab it in his palm and push it back , none too gently.
Oh but he knew know. He remembered.
"No , she didn't"
He was the guy in the photograph.
"Takumi-" Misaki tugged on his arm in desperation , shaking her head.
"I am-" The guy started , an edge to his voice
Takumi waved him off "I don't care" He gave him one of his most cold glares , silently asking him to back off.
Oh but he did.
"Takumi-"
He was the same guy who deserved to get hit in the face. With a chair. Twice. Hard.
Misaki's ex boyfriend.
Hello to all my louves out here! This chapter has been due for a long long time now so here it is and I increased the length just for ya'll! Yep! It's a 6K long chapter!
Thank you so much for 12K reads , all the follows and favorites and wow we are on 100 reviews already! Congratulations to 'Hopleshiper' on being my 100th reviewer!
The two songs mentioned in this chapter are - 'Better Place' by Rachel Platten and 'Treat you Better' by Shawn Mendes. Two songs I really appreciate and admire!
Honestly , I can't thank you guys enough for all the love and support you give me despite my late and very unpredictable updates. I love each and every one of you out there and thank you so much!
Do tell me your views on it!
XOXOXO
~Tear