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Disclaimer I do not own Ouran Host Club.
Back in our world by Alimackatjac
Chapter 28. 8 hours difference.
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Hikaru's POV
My stunned golden eyes glance down at a familiar hand lacing through my fingers, leading me forward. A lighthearted giggle calls my attention, lifting my searching eyes to the back of a familiar brunet. Her twirled chestnut ponytail bounced freely, just above the back of her pristine white eyelet lace sundress. She gracefully leads me through a windswept field of tangerine cosmos and purple wall flowers.
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With the blazing sun slowly slipping behind the field, my burning eyes linger on the delicate feminine silhouette, just hidden under the simple flaring cotton dress. Unable to control my dire need to wrap her in my arms, my feet stumble to a stop. Quickly catching her off guard as I playfully tug our happily entwined fingers back in my direction. Her soft petite body gently crashes into my speeding heart. Somewhat surprised, her wide chocolate eyes peer up at me adoringly, causing my elated chest to beat against hers, that much harder.
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With a teasing smile, Haru easily wiggles from my capturing arms. Her fiery brown eyes hold mine as she lowers herself onto a red tasseled blanket, spread over patches of wildflowers. Seeing the brunette of my dreams sprawled out beneath me, wantonly reaching out for me. My giddy golden eyes cautiously scan the field for any future interruptions. With not another living soul in the endless field, I wordlessly accept her tantalizing invitation, and slowly sink into the concealing grasses.
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I gently cup the side of her soft cheek while my molten golden eyes wordlessly burn into hers. Visually warning the intoxicating woman of my imminent intentions. A sudden smirk curls at the side of my lips with the occurrence of Haru's fingers sliding in the back of my ginger head. Just before, I gradually dive in, intermingling our shared breaths, roughly arresting her alluring lips with mine.
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"Hitachiin-sama." The brunet beauty passionately breathes between searing hot kisses.
I begin to playfully tease, with a soft chuckle, while pressing hungry kisses against her delicate patch of pulsating skin. "Aww Haru, you naughty girl, you know what I want from those lips."
Another breathy "Hitachiin-sama," causes my heated lips to freeze at her sensitive neck. Somewhat displeased hearing that particular name, heated or otherwise, spilling from those particular lips causes me to instantly push against the rumpled red blanket.
"Come on Haru, call me by my given name and..." Slightly begging, with half lidded molten eyes I lean down to take in her delicate glossed skin before lightly trailing small impassioned kisses to her ear. "I promise you, I'll make it so you never…. Forget it." I softly tease in her ear. The brunet beauty runs her wandering fingers, under my light blue button up, gingerly tracing my stressed muscles along the curved plains on my broad back. Deeply immersed in her mind altering touch my head whips back in profound pleasure.
"Hitachiin-sama." Haru whispers out.
I abruptly push away, "Haru, quit messing around. If it's all the same to you, I never want that name to come from your sweet lips….. Anyone else, but not you….. I don't think my heart can take it. " Balancing on one arm, I tenderly sweep my thumb across her bottom lip. "Now please just say it," I lower my head down to teasingly brush my heated lips against hers. "Say my given name." Leaving barely enough room to speak.
She remains silent through our shared impassioned kisses, causing me to slowly peel away and push against the lumpy ground to see the confused brunette blink up at me. "Kaoru?"
My tense muscles suddenly jerk, causing my amber eyes to flash open to my dark deserted office. Noticing my body curled on its side, laying on my black leather couch. With half my face smashed into a pillow, while my constricting arms wrapped tightly around it. My panicked heart practically leaps from my chest as I quickly turn on my back. I roughly toss the pillow to the floor, while glancing around the dimly lit room.
However my heart quickly sinks, realizing I have awaken to my lonely reality…. Nothing has changed, except for the fact…
…I'm now, oceans apart from my twin, and the brunette beauty.
That is, until my startled eyes catch sight of a pair of dangerous emerald green eyes peering out of the darkness.
"N…n…Nadia?" With my mouth hanging agape, I openly stare at the supermodel's feminine curves shifting in slow-motion, under the alluring, thinly vailed white silk dress. She gracefully falls to her knees next the couch. A slow seductive smile curls on her glossed crimson lips as she teasingly finger walks down my wet perspiring shirt. Slowly passing each button, until her fingers linger on my leather belt.
"Oh my darling Hitachiin-sama, you're finally awake." Her lustful green eyes gaze into mine. "Are you ready for some fun? I almost started without you." All I could do is gasp out loud, and watch the blonde supermodel come perilously close to crossing my leather boundary, into my lower, more excitable region,
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…and more importantly breaking my word to the woman of my heart.
End of Hikaru's POV
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Kaoru's POV
Meanwhile…
Standing off stage, beside a silvery metallic stage curtain, my golden eyes meticulously study the flow of a certain troublesome green dress. Noticing, below the bodice wasn't hanging just right. Once the overly confident model strutted off stage, I quickly raised a hand to wave the model over. I let ot out a frustrated sigh, before speaking in an indifferent tone. "The dress isn't hanging right from the bodice down. You haven't added anything since your last fitting, have you?" I lifted my head to look her straight in the eye. That's when a familiar deep seated feeling drew my attention to the color of her eyes.
The young brunet model, teasingly chuckles, while sticking out her chest. "No, if you don't trust me, go ahead and take a better look."
Knowing the brunet was obviously expecting more, my eyes accidently fell to the girl's chest as the dangerous feeling began to rage deep inside of me. My eyes nervously bounce back to hers causing me to awkwardly swallow. "Aw…al…alright." The brunet's coffee colored eyes practically sparked with excitement as my shaky hand pulls the tape measure from my shoulders.
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That is until my assistant catches my eye, "Todd." I suddenly call out, quickly pushing the crumpled tape measure into my surprised assistant's chest. "Measure the green dress. Pay close attention to the bust measurements…I'll ask for them later." Then without another word, or looking back at the pouting brunet I stumble off in the opposite direction. Quickly slipping around a corner, away from curious eyes. Only to collapse against a wall, with my chest heaving. Trying desperately to tame the all too familiar rising feeling inside of me.
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After a long calming moment, my tense muscles relax, as my back slowly slips down the wall. Raising a hand to my stunned head, wondering what the hell just happened? With Haru now found, there's no reason to be still having that feeling….and what's even stranger is, just now, it felt like it was…..uncontrollable.
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I suddenly feel a slight buzzing against my thigh causing me to slide my hands in my linen pants pocket, and pull out my stainless steel phone. Wearily lifting my phone to my eyes, before sliding my thumb across it, and accepting the call. "Looks like someone is burning the midnight oil." I lift the inside of my wrist to my eyes, glancing down to the shining titanium diving watch, noticing the rather late hour in Japan, "Actually, well past midnight."
"It's not that late. Since its Friday, I decided to work a little later than usual." He chuckled.
"Working late? Just before the weekend? Who are you, and what have you done with my normally irresponsible twin?" Concerned with my brother's odd behavior I let out a sigh," So what seems to be the problem, Hika?" Noticing my brother is speaking somewhat out of breathe.
"Problem? Why would you say there's a problem? Can't a twin call his other half without there being a problem?" Hika, seems a bit nervous.
"Ssssure…. But, I'm the one usual being called at all kind of weird hours. Hika, its 5:35 in the afternoon. It's practically 2 am in Japan. By the way I can tell by your voice, you sound somewhat on edge." I let out a frustrated huff, before speaking. "Just tell me, already."
"It's nothing really. I, uh just ran in someone, I wasn't ready to see….and my head, is a bit off…..that's all."
Hearing my brother's odd tone caused my head to shift closer to my phone, "Okay Hika, now I know there's something wrong, don't try, and keep secrets from your little brother. Just spit it out, already."
"Uh, well you see Kao, um Nadia just paid me visit, a little bit a go…and well."
My mouth fell open shocked, hearing the name of the Ukrainian supermodel. Knowing far more influential and affluent men then myself and my twin, have fallen victim to the blonde's undeniable charms. Unfortunately, while slumming, the blonde supermodel found two twin ginger CEO's rather intriguing….and well let's just say we quickly fell into the blondes cluches….one by one. "Nadia?" My hand anxiously slides in my ginger hair, "I'm not sure I want to know ….how did that go?"
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When Nadia comes to visit all rational thought flies out of your head, when her damn green eyes lock on to you. ….However Hika, was especially proven weak against the woman's troublesome advances, disappearing for days, sometimes weeks at a time. I was always called by my panicked mother days after Nadia flew in to town…..wondering where the hell my twin had disappeared to, as the company spiraled out of control.
"Nothing happened! If that's what you think." Hika snapped back, before letting out a long breath, "I mean, I'll admit it was close, a little too close, but I firmly sent her away… she wasn't happy in the slightest."
It wasn't that Hika was in love…far from it. After, Nadia's leather boots sashayed out your door, you always woke up with what felt like the worst hang over of your life. But once she zeroed in on you again, you were mindlessly her puppet once more. Spending yen like it was water.
"Knowing Nadia, I'm sure she wasn't." I let out a nervous chuckle.
On the other end of the phone, everything grows silent for a long moment, before Hika lets out heavy sigh, "Kao, now that we finally found Haru, I'm not about to screw it up any further…. I mean she's not even speaking to us, and nothing been set officially, well at least by Haru…but after everything, I just couldn't do that to her." Hika's voice turns a bit somber.
"Well I'm impressed, when it comes to Nadia your brain wasn't exactly driving the car. Hell, your brain wasn't even in the car." I playfully tease my twin.
"Hey, I'm not the only one." Hika snaps back.
There were couple of times, I walked into Nadia's cross hairs. Once I was mistaken for Hika and the second time, she "bumped" into me during my travels. Both times my head just kind of shut off.
"Fine, I won't argue with that. So other than your close call, what's up, Hika?"
"I was just …uh checking to see if you've made any progress. You know with…um Haru?" Hika tone turned somewhat somber, once more.
My stomach twisted with a thought …A thought I didn't want to share with my twin. I let out a frustrated sigh, allowing my head to tilt back, in the wall behind me. "No, I'm afraid not. I've been swamped with work."
"Kao, it's been three days, what happened to your promise?" Hika tone grew angry and well…desperate, "Damn it Kao, In order for me to keep any kind of sanity here, you have to keep your word." He lets out long breath, "Look Kao, I'm counting on you, little brother."
I can't stand hearing Hika's mood decline any further, I begin to repeatedly smack the back of my head, against the wall. "Yeah, yeah, I know Hika, I haven't forgotten about it. In fact, it's hard to think of anything else."
"I'm sorry for hanging this all on you. There's just not much, I can do from here….I mean, I could try, and call …, but, I doubt she'd even pick up."
With my brother's words, I stop smacking the back of my head, lifting my hand to my forehead, "No, you're right, Hika, something like this needs to be handled in person. It's just we might only have one shot at fixing this…. I figured it wouldn't hurt to give her some time, to acclimate to her new surrounds." My stomach twisted sharply, "Possibly forget about what happened in London." I let out heavy defeated sigh, "Besides, Haru isn't use to jetting this way and that."
"Fabulous, I'm stuck with even more waiting." Hika grumbles, "You know how much I like doing nothing."
"Yeah, I know Hika." I let out a humorless chuckle, "The idea of waiting much longer, isn't palatable for me either." I begin to roughly rub across my forehead with my four fingers, "Look Hika, its Friday. I'm finally caught up enough, that I can spare a weekend break. I'm planning to go home tonight and convince her to go out with me." My heart sinks, even though my tone is upbeat.
"You think she'll agree to it?" A glimmer of hope shines through Hika's question.
"Well, I'm hoping." My teeth shortly bite down on my bottom lip, "I mean…..I mean sure, she didn't make any kind of fuss, when we flew out. She was at least, polite to everyone…. else." I let out a small sigh, "Of course she didn't say anything to me… But that could be because I kept my distance, and let Jake arrange everything." I try and recover from my small slip, and remain upbeat for my twin.
"Damn it Kao! You know how much I dislike the blonde look-alike being around Haru. I thought you were going to talk to your P.I. about him." Hika sharply snaps out.
"I know, I know, I said I would," whining to my twin, "I just haven't had the chance yet. I've been busy with the show, that's just how life can be living out of a suitcase." I hated to bring up my traveling ….knowing how much it hurt my twin. "Besides, you took my only backup. It's not like dad can give me a hand with this. Mom really helped me out, back in New York, when I found Haru. Now, I'm just playing catch up." I didn't want to make excuses to my twin and It's not like I expected to find anything …it's just , I needed Jake to be my go between….and well I was avoiding making that simple call ,because of it.
"Yeah, and you can't even imagine, how truly grateful I am, for that. It's just…" Hika concerned voice trails off.
My head falls back, into the wall, with my amber eyes staring up to the ceiling, "Hika, would you rather me check out the completely innocent driver or try and patch things up with Haru? I can't do both. It's your choice, Hika?"
"No, no, continue with your plan. I guess Jason can wait."
A frustrated breath blows pass my lips, "Its Jake, Hika."
"Who?"
"Never mind, Hika," I let out a chuckle, "Anyway …call me clairvoyant, but that's what I thought you would say."
"Cute. Little brother. Real cute." My brother grumbles.
"Well I try to be, after all I'm the cute one." My eyes fall from the ceiling, staring out ahead, as I begin to tease my brother.
"Alright laughing boy," Hika grumbles, "How is she?" Hika voice grows soft.
I blew out a long breath, from puffed out cheek, as I thought, "Well let's see…..Oh, Actually, once we arrived she finally managed to leave her damn room."
"Well, that's some progress... In the right direction." Hika's tone begins to pick up.
"Who knows, maybe she's more comfortable at the villa, rather than staying at hotel. She's been freely roaming the estate, since we arrived…and from what I've been told. She's somewhat normal," My tone turns soft, even cautious, "So ….uh Hika, how's things going, back home?"
Hika pauses to think before speaking, "Slow, but forward."
I could tell my twin was holding something back, "Really Hika, then why is my brother still at the office, at this time of night, Or should I say morning?"
"You really need to ask that?" Hika bluntly answers with no humor in his voice.
"Well."
"Fine." He lets out heavy sigh, "What else is there to do? With my two most favorite people 1000s of miles away, I'm doing what I can, to get back as soon as possible." A determination wraps around Hika's lonely words. "I'm Sorry Kao, it's not like I don't trust you, I'm just not going let her slip through our fingers again….not like last time."
After hearing, Hika continue to blame himself, I grew irritated and hissed back in my phone, "Hika, you gotta stop doing that, there's enough blame for all three of us. It wasn't just you." I let out a sigh, as I attempted to calm down, "We found her, that's what's important."
"You found her. I just gave up and tried to forget." Hika's tone was thick with self- hatred.
My fist tightly clinched at my side, before I slammed it down on the carpeted floor, next to me. "Damn it stop doing this, it was no one's fault… I hate it when you get like this!" My head fell towards my bent knees, with my arm draped over my head. I let out a frustrated sigh, before calming down. "Hika you were angry, it was your way of coping. I was coping in my own way. We didn't know about the blackmail, or Suoh or the Shadow King or any of it….We…. We just assumed, since we weren't exactly hiding, she didn't want to reach out to us…and well that was incredibly painful to deal with."
"Yeah I guess, it's just now that I know …there so many things I would have done differently…Continue to look for her ,would have been one of them….I wasted so much time trying to forget."
My arm slides from the back of my head, before lifting it, allowing it to tilt back, "I know Hika, but we can't keep regretting the past," My hand slides over my twisting stomach, "We just have to accept it, and move on."
My brother's gloomy voice grows honest, and sharp. "Yeah but Koa, in order for us to do that, we need to help Haru through whatever this is ….and unfortunately ,like it or not, it has something to do, with the members of that Damn club… and you know that. So we can't just shove everything behind us, and slap on a happy face."
"But you know Hika, I've been thinking and from what we know about Tama-"I hesitantly mention the club president's name."
Hika bluntly cuts me off, "Don't Kao! Don't even mention his name." My brother hissed out, "Just don't!"
"Fine, the blonde," I begin to verbally struggle, "I mean the Prince… the King… no damn! The ….France…No Ahgg! The damn french poodle!" Boisterously erupts from my lips, "Better, Hika?" My head whips around, checking to see if anyone noticed my sudden outburst.
A/N Just a little something for the "Lifetime Continues" readers. ;)
"Hmmm, let's see a yappy pink cotton ball, mindlessly balancing on a ball ….yeah that sounds like him." My brother chuckles to himself.
"Pink? Really Hika?"
"Hey, it's your idea. I just call it the way I see it."
"Fine." I let out a frustrated sigh, while rolling my eyes, "The French Poodle, we use to know would have never considered blackmail, not with anyone and certainly not with her. Not with Daddy, this and Daddy that, the entire time," I shake my head, "It's just not in him. Sure, the Shadow King… but him?"
"We don't know that, Kyoya was always doing his dirty work." Hika, defensively snaps back.
"No, not really, Kyoya always did it, and happily I might add, but always behind his back. He never once acted out of malice, or revenge. The French Poodle just doesn't think in those terms."
"So what are you saying, Kao? Was this too something the Shadow King executed, behind that bubblehead's back?" Hikaru scoffs over the phone, "There's just no way I'll believe that. No, not when Haru won't even say his name. The French Poodle has to be involved somehow."
"It's true Haru avoids saying his name, but I think it's for different reason then you think. Besides Hika, you won't even say his damn name, so that really doesn't prove anything."
"I already have my own reasons for being pissed, that doesn't mean this was all the Shadow King's fault and the French Poodle is free in clear!"
"Hika, if you go by just what we already know about him ..."
Hika becomes angry, and abruptly cuts me off, "Stop it Kao, I don't want to hear it! He should have never freaking left her .I don't care if it turns out it was totally the Shadow King's fault. He swore his heart to her, right before he freaking abounded her. I don't care what the reason." Hika lets out a defeated sigh, "He shouldn't have left her alone …..If he wanted to leave, he could have called us…..he could have called me…. I made my feeling perfectly clear to him."
"That may be true, but from what we know, Hika, just stop and think about this," I cautiously add
"No, I think you're blinded by the time we spent in that damn club. You know his grandmother and father, when it comes down to it, they can be as ruthless as the damn Shadow King and that was too their own flesh and blood. I don't even want to think about what they would do to commoner, like Haru."
"So you do think his family had something to do with it. That it wasn't just the two of them? That it really was how the Shadow King had said? Haru was an ….embarrassment?"
"Who knows? All I know, is as dark as the Shadow King is, I never thought either one of them could pull something like this on Haru…but now, I have to wonder about our time spent in that damn club….was any of it real? Or were they there just amusing themselves, fulfilling some kind of sick and twisted fantasy, of controlling a commoner…. I mean Kao, I hate to admit it, but there once was a time…" Hika trails off.
I quickly cut my brother off. "Yeah, yeah, I know, we called her our damn toy, but that quickly changed…it's in the past Hika, we just need to accept that, and move on."
"Well, maybe that damn Poodle didn't ….What if he just wanted more time to play house." Hika hissed out.
I pulled my head away from the wall, "House? Oh wait, you mean her, and him …, and they-" I vaguely trailed off, unable to stomach the rest.
Hika grumbled, "Well, they were in a damn relationship, when they left Japan. It's not unheard of. Maybe he grew bored, after fulfilling his crazy daddy fantasies….. And the Freaking, Shadow King stepped in, like usual. Relieving the French Poodle of his burden. …or maybe this time he felt trapped, and is more like his family members, then you want to believe?"
"Not that this jaunt down memory lane, wasn't touching, but just spectating what actually happened won't get us any closer to the real reason." My stomach sharply twisted, "We need to get Haru to open up, and trust us again….Then maybe we can get her back to Japan."
"Don't get me wrong, I would love the company, but she freaked out the last time we even mentioned going back. No offense Kao, but the way I see it, now. I just don't see that happening." Hika lets out a heavy sigh, "She won't even talk to us." Hika's tone turns miserable.
While my stomach is twisting, I begin to playfully tease my twin, "Aww Hika, has anyone ever told you, you can be such a pessimist, at times? I've got everything planned out."
"Yeah, then what's the plan? Wait, on second thought don't tell me …Being back, without you guys and picturing you two on some kind of romantic date …I don't think I can handle something like that….no scratch that, I know I can't handle it….but you do have a plan, right?"
I force an upbeat tone. "Well yeah, I'm in Italy, I have an entire county Haru's never experienced at my disposal."
"Like I said, don't remind me…..If you get Italy, I get the next the country."
"Are you going to be back in enough time for that?" I cautiously ask my twin.
Hika stumbles with his words, "Uh yeah, sure, it's going slow, but there's no way, I'm letting Haru have, yet another experience without me."
"Slow huh? Then why do I think there's something you're not telling me?" I ask Hika in an incredulous tone.
"Now, who's being the pessimist?" Hika sarcastically grumbles.
"Hika?"
"Everything is fine, really Kao. …and as much as I would love to continue receiving the third degree from my little brother, I really should be heading home. It's late, and I should get some shut eye, before my dinner with Honey-sempi."
"Wait, you didn't say anything about that."
"Oh, I didn't. Did I?" Hika spoke casually, I could tell he was attempting to change the subject.
"No, I would remember something about my recluse brother having dinner, with someone…This is huge."
"Oh, knock it off! It's just dinner. I've had plenty of business meetings arranged around a meal. This is nothing different."
"Yeah, but it's not business, it's personal. This is a huge step for you."
"No, it just fulfilling a prior arrangement. So I guess you could say it's a small step, if you have to call it anything. I'm just not sure if I want it to be more than just the three of us…. I mean If we can bring the stubborn brunet around."
"If? You mean, 'when'. Don't you Hika?"
"Fine, Kao. When… When Haru finally comes around, I have so some many plans for us. Plans that only revolve around the three of us ….no one else. That's why I wanted this dinner out of the way …Well that and Honey wouldn't stop hounding me. He kept asking, about Haru."
"Well, that's to be expected…. Honey-sempi considers himself to be a close friend."
"No, it wasn't like that. He kept asking how Haru was acting the next morning…..if there was any kind of difference in her behavior. I tried to tell him, I left long before she even woke up, so I wouldn't know….but he kept asking….and while I was trying to convince him of that, I agreed to the meeting."
"Okay well in that case, I'll let you get to bed. Be careful traveling home."
"Relax Kao, there's a driver on duty. Listen, text me as soon as you finish talking with Haru."
"Sure Hika, I figured you want to know her answer."
"Yeah, just not anything else. Like I said, I can't handle the fact, I'm basically hoping you land another date with her, before I can even go out on one."
"Hika, it's not going to be like that. If she agrees, it's probably going to be awkward and tense."
"Sounds like my first date with her. Do you have any idea how much I want that with her? Being stuck here, knowing she's in Italy with you. It's taking everything I have to not throw my hands in the air, at the whole damn mess, and hop on my jet."
If I was being perfectly honest, there was more than a small part of me, that wished Haru and I could continue our London date.
"Just be patient, you'll wrap things up, and be here before you know it." I reassured my older brother.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Well good night little brother."
"Good night Hika. We'll talk soon."
Yeah right, and the award going to the most conniving twin, well that would be me. I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to pull this miracle feat off. I know I said I was giving her time to get use to a new country while I catch up on work …and technical, that was true. I have been busy …..But busy enough not to even speak to her? That would be a big fat lie.
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To be honest, every night I would stop by her door, but I could never build enough courage to knock ….. I know I've talked all big and bold to my twin, but that was mostly for his benefit. I know my twin, if I didn't say, what I had said, he wouldn't have been able to get on that plane. As is, I pretty sure negotiations are not turning out like he predicted. Just the fact my mother was brought in, tells me that much.
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Truth is, I've been racking my brain, to come up with some way to explain …My damn guilty pleasures. How do you explain something that makes you sick just thinking about it ….and thanks to that bastard mobster, not just the act, but the pictures, as well. Sure Hika takes the gold, silver, and bronze for sleeping with women. But the more my guilty pleasures looked like Haru the better…..of course they just had to have brown eyes, and I would get all freaky….I mean for once in my life, I wish she couldn't tell us apart…in those damn photos. I mean they just scream, "I want to you so badly, I'll screw anything that remotely looks like you!" Not exactly, the message you want to convey…
To the woman, you want as your one and only.
End of Kaoru's POV
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Hikaru's POV
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Japan…..Hours later.
Vaguely aware, drifting in and out of a shallow sleep, I could feel my entire body throb as I laid with my tense arms swung over my exhausted eyes. That is until something small plops down in the middle of my chest and the intoxicating aroma of maple and coffee attack my senses.
"Tsk, Tsk, I see you're at it again." I can feel the rays of the warming sun slowly climbing up my twitching face as my automatic blinds slowly slide open. My free hand sleepily feels around on my chest until my fingers clumsily find a paper bag. With the bag balanced in one hand, I attempt to peel my aching head off my pillow. My arms shake while pushing against the couch to roughly sit upright, as I blink at the glaring light spewing from my office windows.
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With my free hand I blindly reach into the paper bag, and cautiously pull out a Grande sized coffee cup from its crinkled depths. "Sometimes it really sucks having the corner office." I grumble to myself as I lift the marron cup to my lips, takeing a few tentative sips of the almost scolding liquid.
Once my eyes adjust to the light, a pair of red leather heels strut across my polished office floor, stopping in front of my desk. "Well, it wouldn't be like that, if you'd go home, every once in a while."
"Huh, says the queen of all workaholics, I seem to recall you being absent for most of mine and Kaoru's childhood." I sarcastically speak under my breath, quickly earning a well-placed smack with a rolled up report, on my already mussed head. Showing little reaction, I continue to drink the maple nut blend.
A pair of golden cat like eyes, surrounded by long chocolate eyelashes sharply flashes in my direction, from under a large brimmed hat. "Well, anyway." A small smirk tugs at her glossy red lips before clearing her throat, "My poor Baby Blu has been pulling all-nighters ever since he came back."
A/N Yep, something for "Hikaru's doodles'" readers. Enjoy ;)
I carefully set down my marron coffee cup, on a glass table as I let out a frustrated sigh. "Mother, I'm a co-CEO of a worldwide conglomerate, which you just happened to bestow on me. Please don't call me my baby name at work." My hand greedily reaches in the bottom of the white handled bag, pulling out a freshly baked cinnamon roll surrounded in a clear plastic container. My mouth practically salivates as I pop the cover, releasing small wafts of sweet vanilla in the air. Not wasting any time, I slowly sink my white plastic fork in the caramelized covered pastry, while blindly replying to my mother. "I can't really manage things properly when my employees snicker behind my back. Last time you just popped in, the conference room was secretly filled to the brim with fuzzy blue teddy bears and small pumpkins. It took my assistant quite some time to clear it out,"
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The elder ginger headed woman stands in front of my desk, with her arms gracefully folded at her chest. She shakes her head in a disappointed fashion, "I'm serious, these all-nighters, can ravage your health. Sure, occasionally, it might be nessicary …But night after night, it wears a body down quicker than you might think. Take it from someone who only lived to just simply work. You miss so much, Baby Blue."
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"Mother, please, I'm begging you. You have no Idea what it takes to get rid of thousands of little tiny pumpkins, surprisingly you can't eat them." Giving my mother a pleading look, while quickly sucking the warm sticky glaze off my thumb and two fingers.
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"Fine. But remember this, I'm a member of the board and your grandmother, well, no need of reminding you of her position." She unfolds her arms, pointing towards the double frosted doors, "If I wanted to, I could so easily display it on your office door." She lifts a long gracefully finger to the side of her face, before tapping it in an obvious thoughtful manner, "Hmm, Co CEO Baby Blu, and Co CEO Lil Pumpkin, has a rather nice ring to it. Don't you think?" She raised a teasing eyebrow.
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The filled plastic fork stops just before entering my frosting smudged lips as my golden eyes sharply snap up towards the smug fashionista, "Mother!"
She adamantly shakes a finger at me, "Then don't temp me Hikaru Hitachiin," She swings an arm out, pointing to the door. "Go home every once in a while. Noting is worth your health."
I quickly swallow my bite, "That's what I'm trying to do….. Don't you see mother, I'm working this hard so I won't miss anything." A deep sadness, strikes my chest as my woeful lonely eyes fall back on my sticky breakfast. Only now, I've suddenly lost my appetite. "So I won't miss her…..I've already missed so much."
It's been like this ever since I flew back home. At first, I would lie there for hours, with my eyes closed, occasionally shifting my body, or rolling over to get comfortable. But once, I would finally drift off, it wasn't an hour later I would wake up, from something usually unnoticeable to me, like my ticking wristwatch … a bathroom faucet dripping or more recently, a needy super model. To make matters worse I kept having vivid dreams, where I'm consistently running, I don't even know what I'm chasing ,only that every fiber in my being is screaming for me to reach out …..And catch it.
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So instead of aimlessly struggling against the ominous digital numbers, fortuitously glaring in my bedroom. I would drag myself out of bed after a few hours of restless sleep, to tackle my increasing work load ….or in my actual case, it wasn't my king size bed back at our penthouse, but my lumpy couch, in my office.
My mother, dressed in a form fitting black and white, Polk dot silhouette dress, casually leans back on the front of my desk, with her red stiletto heels crossed at her ankles. Her red polished fingers wrap around the edge, while shrugging her shoulders. "Okay, then what?"
I quickly pull the white paper napkin away from my lips, giving my mother a confused look, "What do you mean, then what?"
Her wide brimmed hat tilts down, towards her red high heels, obscuring her face. After a long pause, she lets out a heavy sigh, "Listen son, don't get me wrong, when Kaoru, first called me about finding Haruhi, I was over the moon. ….but to be honest a part of me grew concerned." She lifted her attention from her shoes, revealing concerned golden eyes, "Hikaru, your responsibilities are here. Sure, your dad and I can cover for you, for a while. But from what Kaoru has said, the poor dear refuses to return to Japan….I won't lie to you, the rest of family is growing concerned, that maybe you're taking on, too much."
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"In other words the family is afraid of a ….relapse." The last word comes out uncomfortably, until my expression turns determined, roughly throwing the crumpled napkin down on the table, and motioning to my tablet, resting next to my half eaten breakfast. "I'm fine, If need be, I'll work twice as hard as I am, right now. I'll make it work."
She swings an arm out, in my direction, "Honey, just look at yourself now, your exhausted." My mother lets out a long breath before cautiously speaking. "Maybe, it's a good thing she refuses to come back." My mother awkwardly cross her arms at her chest, turning her head, and refusing to look at me.
I couldn't believe my ears, snapping my head in my mother direction. "What, how can you say that, after all these years?!"
My mother quickly unfold her arms, throwing them out in defense. "I know, I know, but Hikaru, hear me out. I'm well aware, both my sons have deep feelings for our beautiful China Doll, but remember, she is only one woman." The fashionista cautiously speaks, stepping away from my desk. "Honey, wouldn't it be better for all involved, If …if maybe you stepped aside, for Kaoru? I mean he does spend most of his time traveling. They could both be, really happy….I mean after all, didn't Kaoru step down for you …back at Ouran?"
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My perplexed head falls with my mother's request, for a long moment the tense room grows silent, while my eyes gaze at the table in front of me ….that is until a pair of green eyes flash in my occupied head, the same dangerous green eyes, from last night.
The image causes my insides to boil, "Wait, that's why Nadia is back." My angry face jerks up in my mother's direction, stopping her dead in her tracks, "I kept trying to figure out why she just all of sudden popped up. When I talked to Kao, he seemed just as surprised, as I was, that she was back. I thought it was some kind of mistake. But now, that I think about it, you would be the only other person who could authorizes Nadia's fee…..and you knew I've been staying late, all this week."
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Frustrated, I fell forward, resting my forearms against my thighs, "Damn it mother, you know how that freaking woman affects me. " I adamantly pointed to her. "You, hired her back, because of this! You were hoping, with me unable to think clearly, it would be easier to convince me to hand Haru, over to Kaoru."
My mother stood in the middle of room, and stiffened her back, "Baby Blu, I just wanted, to give you another choice, or possible remind you of what you're risking, with your brother."
My concerned mother begins to walk forward, I quickly hold both my hands out, in front of my turned down head, "Stop, Just stop, you're not going to get anywhere with me on this…If you knew how I really felt about Haru we wouldn't even be speaking about this!" After a moment I calm time, letting out a frustrated sigh . My golden eyes slide to meet hers, while I speak honestly. "You know….I stepped down, once before too …and well, you know what happened, after that ….I just can't do that….not again. I won't." My back flops back into the couch, "Not even for, Kao."
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"To be honest ….That's what I thought you would say." She stepped in front of me, patting me on the head, revealing a loving concerned expression.
"I lifted my eyes to my mother, "Then why bring it up, if you knew I wouldn't accept it? Do you have any Idea how badly it hurts me, for you to even suggest something like that?"
My mother tenderly hugs my head to her waist before letting go, and not so gracefully flopping down next to me. She reaches over and takes my hand in hers, "Ah my sweet Baby Blu, I may not been around as much as either of us liked, but I have watched you both personally struggle with this. I have a pretty good idea how both of you feel."
She fondly pats my leg, before lifting to her feet, and purposely stepping away, as her tone turns cold. "However, I wouldn't be a very responsible mother, if I didn't at least raise some of the possible pitfalls, you'll be facing …. Society isn't just going to look the other way on a commoner being involved with two brothers, from an aristocratic family, at the same time… Say nothing of what this could possible do to you and Kaoru's relationship." She anxiously stands in the middle of the room, starring down at her fidgeting fingers.
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Seeing my well-meaning mother, consumed with worry, I let out a heavy sigh, as I slowly lift up from my couch, stepping closer, "Please mother, just stop… I understand what you're saying," Hovering over the shorter woman, my hands gently stop her fidgeting hands while I tenderly wait for her to lift her concerned eyes to mine, "but Kao, and I have already come to an understanding ….This time ….neither one of us, can step down. So were going to make the best of the situation, we've been given."
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"And the rest?" Her incredulous tone comes out in almost a whisper.
A frustrated sigh blows pass my lips, "As for society, I don't give a damn about that. Kao and I never cared about any of that."
She nods her head, but slips her hands away from mine, "Yes, that's true, but aren't you forgetting about someone? What about Haruhi, and ….your children? Do you think they'll be able to happily live in that bubble you're trapping them in?" My mother folds her arms in front of her, turning her back on me.
I ignore my mother theatrics and walk to my desk, flopping roughly down in my leather office chair. I immediately swipe my thumb across the security scanner, causing all my screens to flash to life. "Mother, I haven't even went on a proper date with her, since Kao found her .I think it's a little early to be thinking about the tip toeing of little feet or whatever you call it…..As for Haru, she was a modest scholarship student, who showed enough fortitude to not only attend, but flourish at an elite academy, full of rich bastards." I lifted a pen from my desk, swinging it towards my mother. "Incidentally, those are her words, not mine." My hand begins to explore various screens, with my mouse. "I think after a while she'll be fine….and both Kao and I will be there, every step of the way…, so you need not be concerned."
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My mother gracefully strolls to the front of my desk. She teasingly leans on two outstretched hands, while raising a knowing eyebrow, "Oh, my dear sweet boy, that's what your father and I once thought, but what felt like a blink of an eye, we were holding two precious bundles of our own ….you'd be surprised how quickly things develop, when long held feelings, especially the ones your speaking of, are not only acknowledged, but shared. "
"Yeah, well that maybe true, but I wouldn't be pulling out the sketch book, just yet." I blindly respond, in a distracted tone as my mouse flies from screen to screen.
My mother lifts her hands to her chest, whirling around to sit on my desk. "Oh my dear sweet boy, you must be joking." She playfully giggles, "As soon as I heard my Lil Pumpkin found her, I can't put it down. The ideas are just flooding in." My mother wiggles her long fingers on either side of her head, "Bridal wear, maternity wear …..Layette wear, adorable baby clothes. It's some of my best work, yet. "
My eyes bounce from screen to screen, taking notes, speaking in a distracted tone. "I have no doubt, you've already designed an entire high school wardrobe, for my future offspring. Just do me a favor, don't show anything to Haru. She already has enough to deal with, without you freaking her out about your expectations….Grandma." Being sure to teasingly emphasize the last word.
"Grandma!" Her infuriated eyes grow wide, while madly searching my desk, grabbing a stack of papers, before tightly rolling them up, and smacking me on the head. Her fiery eyes, glare across my desk, shaking the coiled paper towards me. "Watch it, I've left much more experienced CEO's, cowering in a corner, for far less….Don't push me, little boy."
"Little, what? " Throwing up my hands in defense, "Uhg, never mind, all right, alright truce."
She tosses the crumpled contracts to my desk, crossing her arms at her chest, "Fine." My mother's expression turns mischievous, with the all too familiar sight of scheming golden eyes, "Hmm, for that to be a problem, I would have to take a sudden trip to…Hmmm, I don't know, say…Milan?" A devious smirk curls at her glossy red lips.
My eyes slide from my screen, "Forget it Mother, I know what you trying to do. Kao, and I already told you, you're just going to have to be patient. Once everything is settled, you'll be able to visit," Giving her a sharp warning look. "Not before!"
The fashionista pouts, waving a dismissive hand in the air. "Fine, but you know how much I detest waiting."
With my eyes intently trained on my screen, I sarcastically speak to myself. "Yeah, I have no Idea where I inherited that from."
My mother intentionally clears her throat, before her heels begin to click across my office floor, "Well if you need me, I'll be in my office, collecting more proxies."
"Oh good, and here I thought you would continue to beat me over the head, with more of my paperwork." I grumbled from behind my screens.
"Oh my, you do get snarky when you're tired. Well, just remember Baby Blu, now that it looks like I'm only going to get one daughter in law, out of this little arrangement of yours….I damn well expect an heir from each of my boys…Be sure you tell Lil Pumpkin for me." She blindly wiggles her polished fingers in the air, while walking towards the door.
My golden eyes sharply flash to my office door, catching sight of the irritating fashion icon confidently strutting out of the glass doors. "Mother!"
"Oh, and Hikaru, go home. Before I have you forcedly removed from my building...Rest assured, Baby Blu the company is back in mama's hands, now." Her causal demand echoes from the swinging door.
With no sight of my whirlwind of mother populating the glass door, my throbbing forehead crashes to my desk..
...with the distinct feeling my ass has just been handed to me….by my own mother.
End Hikaru's POV
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Kaoru POV
Earlier in Milan...
"Naples?"
"Florence"
"There's the Colosseum."
Somewhat resembling my twin with my face practically stuffed in my tablet, madly swiping my finger every couple minutes. Unlike my twin, I hardly ever use the thing. After my little phone conversation with Hika, I've been racking my head with possible ideas, and the tablet just seem more effective, then piles of paper brochures …. And with the long weekend, not only all of Italy is available, but large parts of Europe, as well.
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Facing the sheer magnitude of never ending possibilities, I decided to narrow my selections to Italy. With the breathtaking scenery and the historic structures, the decision is practically imposable even with me significantly pairing down my choices. Sure, I could have assigned this to one of my assistants, but since I only have one shot at this, I didn't want to risk it. So I have been flipping through web pages like crazy, hoping something would just pop out at me. There were helicopter tours, Segway way tours, heck there were even eating tours. But nothing seemed to fit. Although I had two rather obvious choices before I could even consider our destination… public or private?
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Would our most likely forced, and awkward time together, be better suited in accompaniment of other fellow tourists in a tour group? Where I could silently walk next to her, hopefully allowing the pissed off brunet more time to get comfortable with my twisted presence….of course I run the risk of her demanding an explanation of private matters ,in front of gawking spectators . The very idea of explaining my Guilty Pleasures cause my nauseous stomach to flip. I know Haru will want an explanation to my past….So then there's private. Just the awkwardly silent, two of us.
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It's not that I'm not familiar with the countryside. In fact, during my lonely travels, I've become somewhat of a connoisseur of sorts, to various countries, including Italy. Whatelse can you do, alone and on your time off, but see the sights. Of course, it would most likely revolve around a bottle, seeing how depressed I was. My brief adventure usually ended in the morning with me peeling my pounding head from some strange hotel bed, I managed to pay for, while I was drunk.
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Somewhat distracted I make my way pass the hand carved olivewood door. Only to enter into the grey marbled foyer, before seeing my blonde driver, who looks more like an off duty rock star, then one of the help. He confidently strolls from the vicinity of the kitchen, with a half-eaten sandwich wrapped in a paper towel. "Hey boss, you're early." He stops just before the polished marble staircase, wearing an original Hitachiin black and red silk, hand tailored button-down. He thoughtlessly wears the fully open garment with a grubby black tank top, and a pair of shredded common blue jeans.
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The sight causes me to inwardly cringe, but I remain silent on his offensive fashion choice. Choosing not to waste my breath on explaining the destroyed garment, he's so carelessly wiping his mayonnaise covered fingers on, is worth three times as much as his yearly salary….and should be invoking feelings of envy at the more trendier hot spots. Not lazily hanging around the house, while scarfing down chips and binge playing video games.
"Oh hey Jake, where is she? " I lift a white take out bag up to my head, giving it a little shake in front of the blonde.
He struggles to swallow down his massive bite of sandwich, before snapping his fingers at the bag, with a chuckle. "I gotcha, you're going to bribe her with food, like you did back in New York."
After hearing my driver's blunt words, my hand falls, giving the white sack a questionable look, "Well I guess it is a little predictable, but I'm desperate."
He reaches out, acting like he's about to take my coat, but instead slaps me on the back. "Wow, Boss, how does it feel to be like a regular guy?"
Use to my driver's informality I blindly struggle with the removal of my tan caramel haired coat while replying. "Sometimes I really do miss the fact, that you're not formally trained." My hands juggle the white handled bag, while pushing up the sleeves on my unbuttoned cholate blazer, and burnt orange button up.
Jake impolitely wipes his face with his sleeve, "Aw, but then I wouldn't be as much fun. "
A teasing smile forms on my lips, as I hand a passing maid my coat, "You also wouldn't bat an eye at my occasional nakedness."
Jake abruptly shivers with the thought I wickedly placed in the blonde's head, "I wouldn't call every day, occasional. Boss, I think I see more of your birthday suit then you actually do. …Anyway, she's in the library, she's been there pretty much all day…Lucky for you, I haven't brought her dinner, just yet."
"Don't worry about tonight, I brought dinner in for the two of us. Please see were not distributed," I begin to walk pass the staircase, with the white take out bag carefully at my side.
Jakes rests his arms on the cast-iron railing, as he lets out a chuckle, "Rii-ght that way there's less witnesses to your impending groveling."
His blunt words cause me to stop, but then I just let out a defeated sigh before continuing to walk, "Yeah, something like that….wish me luck, Jake."
"Break a leg boss. You're going to need it."
A little bit later….
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Standing at the door, I take in a long shaky breath, while reminding myself, for the three of us to begin to move forward, from our pained past….We all needed this to go well.
….especially, the brunette beauty, who unfortunately at the time doesn't know it, just yet.
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With a somewhat trembling unsteady hand, I quickly slip my arms out of my single breasted cholate blazer, and adjust the vibrant fall button up to be folded around my forearms… While carefully rolling my sleeves an odd notion of preparing myself, for battle crosses my thoughts. With one last measured breath, I swing my jacket over my shoulder and casually stroll into the library, like it was any other day.
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Realizing my fashionably flawed driver was right, as I see a fully immersed Haru sitting on the far side of the library. She's curled up in crimson winged back chair, in front a massive pictorial stained glass window. I casually walk across the polished travertine floor, paying little attention to the wide chocolate eyes curiously peeking over a leather-bound book. I stop at a nearby table, resting the white takeout bag, in full view of the brunet beauty.
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I then begin to silently arrange small take out dishes of Cioppino, and Fresh tomato shrimp pasta and tea on the polished wood table. Once finished I awkwardly clear my throat, in an attempt to gain the brunette's attention. "So…. um Haru, I think it's time we talk." I motion to my little fish dinner, set out on the table, and pull out a chair. "Care, to join me?"
I awkwardly stood next to the offered chair, until her only reply is an almost silent turn of a page.
"Very well." I leave the offered seat and take mine, I gracefully pick up my paper napkin, and place it on my lap. "I'm utterly famished, so if you don't mind, I'll start, before it gets cold?"
The only answer to my invitation, is another turn of a page.
I lift my cup of green tea to my lips, and nervously take a quick swig, before resting it back on the table. "Look Haru, I know you're your still pissed at me right now…but this can't keep going on. I know you have questions….about the past …and those …pictures, "Feeling the sharp twisting in my stomach, my eyes fall to my full plate, as my tone quiets. "I know after you've seem those damn things, I personally have quite a lot to explain to you, about, about … my …..Guilty Pleasures."
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I uncomfortable sat in the chair, starring at my bowl of uneaten seafood stew, as I suddenly suffer a loss of appetite. Only to flinching, when the now deafening turn of the page shattered the silence of the still library.
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Having very little interest in eating, I mindlessly stir the spoon into the stew as I blindly speak to the brunet behind the damn book. "By the way Haru, that's what Hika called them, my shared moments….The ones that are …..Um…Similar….to um-"I trail off unable to verbally admit to her look a likes, "Look Haru, I swear, I'll answer everything, the best I can." I awkwardly clear my tightened throat, "No matter how humiliating it might me." I openly stared at the brunet, praying for some kind of verbal, or physical response other than the damn book. As my twisted soul pathetically confesses my dark secrets.
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However, the distinct sound of page turning … was her only reply.
With a loud screech across the stone floor, I quickly stand from my chair, to adamantly stand before the curled up brunet. "Okay, I've had enough, you could at least talk to me." Placing my hand on my hips,"Just based on our pass friendship alone, I deserve at least a chance to explain myself." I let out a frustrated sigh, gently pulling down the book in her hands, revealing my pleading golden eyes, "Come on Haru….go out with me, tomorrow? You've been cooped up for weeks… You barely saw much of London, and now you're going to miss out on Milan, as well?"
Her chocolate eyes blink back at me, before she lets out a long breath. She closes the book, resting it on her lap, and lifts her hands to her ears, pulling out her ear buds. "Alright Kao…..tomorrow." She nods her head once, and silently returns to her book. With her simple response, I nod my head and leave the room, allowing her to dine alone.
Once out of the room I find myself leaning on a door, with my heart beating madly in my chest. I quickly pull my phone from my pocket and begin to text my twin with nervous fingers.
After all, the real task would be tomorrow.
End Kaoru's POV
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Hikaru's POV
Back in Japan….
My extended fingers brushed against the chilled drops of water, slowly sliding down my stemmed water glass. The small chunks of bubbled ice clink against the sides of the chilled glass, as I blindly take a sip. The burst of icy water sliding down my throat causes my tired eyes to suddenly widen and clear. I quickly shake my head, with my eyes trained on my tablet, in a vain attempt at increasing the cold water's effect.
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Despite my mother's best effort of confiscating my bag and laptop on my way out, and instructing the company driver to escort me home, "forcefully, if nessicary". Again, her words, not mine…I really shouldn't have tested her, with that last email. Anyway, I was still able to sneak what I needed off the company's network, once I arrived home. Honestly had she forgotten I'm the son of an IT genius, within minutes I remotely VPNed onto my office's PC and was off to races with proxies and shareholders. Of course, I wasn't completely irresponsible, once my brain began to compose incoherent sentences I literally crashed on my bed. Only stopping to set my alarm clock and my phone, for back up before sliding my exhausted eyes shut.
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Of course, the same thing happened, I tossed and turned the entire time. Waking to not only my alarm but my phone's alarm going off, as well. Apparently, after checking the glaring neon numbers, on my blaring alarm clock they had been going off for quite some time. With my tired eyes fighting to stay open, the sudden realization of every muscle in my body, is now throbbing. Feeling my body almost consciously sink itself further into my cushioned mattress, silently rebelling against the shrieking alarms. But after a few minutes of staring out my skylight window, watching the last few glimpses of light slip into darkness, I reached out with an achy arm and turned off the two boisterous alarms, warning me of my potential tardiness.
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After willing myself out of bed, I managed a quick shower, and with the help of a very large cup of coffee, I was able to arrive a bit early for my appointment. After all, there are somethings you just don't dare be late for. After witnessing first hand at Mori –sempi's refined demolition capabilities, I would say showing up, on time, for a promised dinner, with Honey-sempi, is one of those occasions. Besides, I really just wanted my obligation to payed in full, and over with.
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Since I arrived early, I sat at the pristine white tablecloth with my eyes focused on my tablet. To say the takeover was going slow would be an incredible exaggeration, it was at a virtual standstill. I felt bad for lying to my twin, but I honestly needed him to concentrate on the brunet beauty. Besides, he couldn't do anything from the other side of the ocean. Every move had to be meticulous, all being done by several small shell companies within other shell companies. Slowly buying stock, in no particular pattern that would raise any unwanted awareness, until my trap is ready to be sprung.
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Plus, since the damn Shadow King expected us, my mother had to use her years of society contacts to discreetly research major shareholders, who were considered adversarial to the Shadow King's abrupt takeover. Secretly gathering proxies without raising any eyebrows or falling into any of the Shadow Kings intricate traps.
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It was tediously slow, and the more I stayed in Japan the more I realized this wasn't about a punishment for searching for Haru….no, this was a well-planned distraction, and a sinister one at that. From our years in that club, Kyoya obviously learned when it comes to myself and my brother there isn't much we can't obtain by working together.…..but when were apart, that's when our effectiveness plummets.
Sure, over the years of forced separation, by our work, we've learned to somewhat compensate. Treating the company like a massive puzzle, both working at our assigned opposite ends, but still managing to work on the same puzzle, together. It was a weird way of thinking about it, but it worked for us.
Little did Kyoya know, that's exactly what Kao and I are doing, working on the same problem, oceans apart. One of us, in Japan working on a good defense. While the other one of us is slowly, covertly, repairing a relationship, that will hopeful, in time, spill his secrets, and his down fall.
Noticing the trendy restaurant teaming with hungry costumers, my eyes glance down at my platinum linked watch, noticing the hour, I anxiously whip my head around the room. However, I quickly take full advantage of the precious extra time I've been granted. Allowing my golden eyes to fall back into next season's production reports.
That is until someone, I'm not the least bit surprised to see, slides in the seat across from me.
With my eyes trained on my tablet, I blindly speak in a distracted manner. "So, are you here to try the restaurant's specialty?"
The man casually picks up the tall burgundy menu, from the table. He quickly scans it with his coal like eyes, causing the corners of his smug lips to turn down, before tossing the menu to the side. ."No, I find it a bit too common for my refined pallet…..Although, I'm sure you'll find it more to your current tastes."
With a raised eyebrow, my confident golden eyes peer over my tablet. "Funny, I've heard even though it's a simple dish, the intense infused flavors makes it something that should be treasured, and only a true culinary connoisseur can fully appreciate the masterful dish."
The arrogant man lifts a fork to his discerning eyes, while slowly rotating it in his fingers, "Well, I guess just like, with most things, were compelled to disagree." He gives a disapproving look at the silver utensil, before sliding it back on the burgundy linen napkin.
"So tell me, if you're not here for the special, to what do I owe this dubious… pleasure" My jaw tightened with the last spoken word.
My one time friend lifts a hand, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose, causing the glaring light to obscure his cold eyes. "Hitachiin, do I look like a fairly naive person, to you?" With a wicked knowing smile lingering on the Shadow King's lips, he leans closer. Before softly speaking.
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"Hikaru, I know about London."
End of Hikaru's POV
End of chapter
Yes, I know, it's been sometime since I last posted an update (Jan). I just finished up "Lifetime Continues" and I'm only one chapter away from finishing another story. So I should have more time to dedicate BIOW….And It's a good thing too, because things are about to get quite interesting ;)
