The Story of Us

Chapter 12:- A White Lie

If the words don't add up, its usually because the truth was not included in the equation

"Hey have you heard the rumour?"

"What rumour?"

"That master is having an affair with his secretary."

"Yeah, yeah I've heard it! Not going to lie they kind of look good together."

"I feel bad for mistress though. She's so nice."

Misaki sighed. She did not mean to eavesdrop but when every maid in the house were talking about the same thing it was hard not to listen. But as they just said it was just a baseless rumour and Misaki wanted to believe in her husband. She knew Takumi, how every girl wanted to throw them at him. It has been the same since high school.

But what if it was not a rumour? After all she was pregnant and in her third trimester. She looked big and horrible, her feet looked terrible. Soon, her belly would be covered in stretched marks too. She felt her eyes moisten.

"Damn these hormones!" Misaki cursed under her breath. Suddenly, she craved for chocolates and made her way to kitchen.

She noticed how the maids stopped talking as soon as they saw Misaki. Misaki frowned at their pitiful gaze.

Why was she having such a hard time believing in him?

Why could not she just tell those maids to shut the fuck up?

Was she afraid?

After all, she was about to give birth to her kid, to their kid but he was not here beside her. Moreover they were expecting twins! Misaki remembered how elated she and Takumi were when they got this news but now he was not beside her when she needed him the most. He was at some fucking business meeting far away too busy to even call her. Misaki winced at the profanities in her mind. She knew who was behind it all.

She knew these rumours were not true and decided to believe in him because she loved him. She knew he would rush back as soon as possible when his kids would be born.

Maybe she believed in him a little too much and that's why her heart broke so much when she received that letter. Her worst nightmare came true at the night before she gave birth. Undoubtedly it was his writing but still somewhere deep in her heart she still believed in him. Maybe all these, the letter were some kind of sick joke. After all he loved joking and teasing her.

Giving birth was a bitter-sweet feeling for Misaki. The sudden shock she felt made her go into labour and complicated her pregnancy leading to lose one of her child, but the other one was born healthy. She felt on cloud nine when she held her kid on her arms for the first time. How he had blond hair just like Takumi, how his smiling face looked like him in every way- She was sad for loosing a child but she was thankful for the little bundle of joy in her arms.

Her heart was completely broken when Takumi didn't come to visit. She was sure that the news had reached him though. Did he hated her for losing his child or worse…did he not care at all…?

Misaki was overwhelmed by the next events which occurred. The head duke paid her visit and told her to leave immediately. She expected this much. She was surprised when that old man wanted to have her child though. Without batting an eyelash, she refused. It must have pissed the duke very much because he just left without saying anything.

But she knew the Walker; they would try everything to take her son away from her. Misaki had already lost so much, she could not bear to lose more. No matter how scared she was she needed to run.

Relief washed through her when the walker family doctor came to help her. Misaki knew Dr James, he was a nice guy. Due to his help, she took her little kid and went to Japan.

Her misery did not end there. Everyday she was scared that someone will take her little boy from her but she was determined to protect him at all cost. Job, part-time, taking care of a kid- she did everything alone. No matter how lost, lonely, miserable and scared she felt she never let her boy feel like he missed his father.

Misaki chuckled bitterly as the past flashed in front of her eyes in few seconds. Her blood boiled in anger. Her grip on her boy tightened when her eyes met with his emerald ones.

Takumi stopped dead on his tracks as his face paled. He blinked- once twice before he could even decipher what he was seeing. Was that really her..? No how is that even possible! Maybe a look-alike… but those eyes- those determined fiery amber eyes were the same ones he had fell in love with all those years ago.

After what felt like an eternity he finally found his lost voice, "M-Misaki…?"

Misaki smiled bitterly at him. Finally after knowing him for nearly three decades, she had heard him stutter. She won't lie- it felt good to see his paled face as if he had seen a ghost. Served him right!

Misaki gulped before she spoke in an even tone surprising herself too, "Hello to you-"

Before she could finish her sentence, much to her surprise, Takumi was in front of her and pulled her in a hug. Her eyes widened as she felt him crush her in his tight embrace. Too shocked to even say anything, she feebly tried to push him away but stopped when she felt his body shake slightly. Her shoulder felt wet. Wait… was he crying? But why?

:::

Ryuu did not know how he felt about a stranger suddenly showing up and hugging his mother in front of a crowd. Well, he definitely did not like it but he could not break them apart. They seemed…close. He was at a loss of words and so was Shinichi. Shinichi felt more lost than Ryuu. He was sure that he saw his father sobbing softly. Both Ryuu and Shinichi, even though did not know what was happening, could definitely feel the tension their parents had around each other.

And so they were at the rooftop- probably the only deserted place in the whole school in such a busy day. It seemed like the best idea to talk here as the corridor seemed too crowded to even have a decent conversation and Ryuu thanked the other boy, who proposed that they should come here, in his mind.

If someone asked Shinichi what was the most awkward moment of his life, he would definitely say- the small walk he had from their corridor to the roof on this day. He did not even know if he should come along or not! But Ryuu seemed determined not to leave his mother with some other guy, so he just tagged along. The adults seemed too preoccupied with their thoughts to even protest. Even now, after standing there for the past ten minutes, nobody spoke a word.

Shinichi, being the kind of guy he was, was about to break the silence when Misaki spoke.

"I don't want anything, just leave me alone." She spoke softly.

Ryuu frowned. What did she mean by leave her alone? So she really must have known Takumi Walker before. This thought shocked the boy. He has expressed his wish to be like a great businessman like him many times, but his mother never said anything to him! Not to mention, she looked really uncomfortable standing there in front of that man. Ryuu took a deep breath, determined to take her out of there at once if the other man tried anything funny.

Takumi, on the other hand, did not know how to respond. Shocked should be an understatement about how he was feeling. He looked up at her. Yes, it was her. Misaki, his Misaki he dared to say. But why was she here? Why did she leave him alone?

"Why did you leave me?"

Misaki felt her brow twitch as she took in his words. They had met after so many years; she didn't want anything but maybe, somewhere deep in her heart, she hoped for an apology. An apology for leaving her when she needed him the most. But now here he was accusing her of leaving him. How dared he!

Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her nerves, "Excuse me but I don't know what you mean."

Takumi opened his mouth but closed it. For the first time in his life he felt loss of words. One thing for sure, she left him by her choice. He looked at Shinichi who had a confused face. Anger rushed through his veins, that boy had suffered a lot for her selfish choice.

"Do you know how much that kid suffered for your selfish choice?" he spoke

Misaki frowned. She was confused, what did he mean by suffering..?

Noticing her confused face, Takumi shook his head. He went closer to her. His eyes softened, she was still so short. The desire to embrace her again emerged in him but he tried to shake that away. It felt like a dream, a dream where she was in front of him. Again. Even if it was a dream, he wished that it never end. He knew his Misaki; she must have had her reasons for whatever she had done. He slowly took her hand in his, making the other stiffen with his soft touch.

"My son-" He muttered, "-I mean our son needs you."

Misaki frowned, "What?"

The man in front of her, who somehow seemed too tired of everything, shrugged, "Shinichi is your son too. Maybe-"

"What?"

Takumi stopped. He frowned, "What?"

"What are you talking about?"

Thinking for a moment, he spoke, "Have you lost your memory?"

It took a lot of endurance for Misaki to not to smack this guy on his head; crazy how after all this years he could still make her so annoyed. She cleared her voice as she pushed him away before taking two steps behind, she won't admit but his touch was making her soft inside. "Look-" She started in a determined voice, "I don't know what you are talking about. You left me alone with a freaking note!"

Takumi frowned in confused, "I did what?!"

"Have you lost your memory?!" She shot back.

Takumi chucked, "Damn this takes me back."

Misaki let out an exasperated sigh. This guy was impossible to handle after all. Why did she even fall for such a guy in the first place?! She was about to walk out when he grabbed her hand.

"He-" Takumi pointed at the confused brunette boy, "-is our son whom you left alone."

Misaki frowned at his words before shaking her head. "No." she looked at her boy who looked equally confused, "He is my son."

Takumi followed her gaze and yes it was that boy; that boy who had the same eyes as her. He kind of expected Misaki to tell him that he's her son. But what he heard next shocked him more.

"Well, since you never once visited and completely left me when I needed you the most-" Misaki took a deep breath, "Meet Ayuzawa Ryuu. My son. Unfortunately, your son too."

Takumi could not believe his ears. He ran his hands through his blond locks, a sign that he was unsure what to do. Misaki tried to free her hand from his grip, but she stopped struggling when he did not let go. Misaki sighed, somehow she did not want to have this conversation in front the kids.

"Let her go." Ryuu finally spoke catching everyone's attention, "You are hurting her."

Takumi looked at the blond boy before taking a glance at the brunette boy.

"I went to your funeral." Takumi muttered.

"You went to my what?!"

He sighed, "I am sorry. I am sorry I went to a stupid meeting and no I never wrote you any letter. All my means of communications were taken. As soon as I got to know that you have given birth, I-I rushed back but…" Misaki winced at how his voice broke, "…but everyone told me you were already dead. Some accident caused the whole hospital to be burnt down-"

"Wait-"

"The doctor. He… he told me that I had a son. He handed me my little boy saying it was our son." Takumi took a deep breath, "I don't know what is happening anymore."

Misaki stared at the man before. She did not want to believe a word he said and yet she believed every word he said. She wanted to run away and yet she was glued to her spot looking at him.

"I thought you cheated on me." She muttered.

"How could I ever?!" He finally lost his composure, his voice louder than his usual.

"You left me a note!"

"Why did believe a note without meeting me?!"

"Well were you there?!"

This made Takumi stop. Yes, he was not there. It was his fault that they were in this mess today. He screwed up. He totally screwed up.

"Are you done taking the blame?"

He looked at his love, still not believing she was there in front of him. He smiled at how she could still guess what was in his mind, "I am not dreaming right?"

Both teens gasped when a slap landed on Takumi's face.

"Did it hurt?"

"It did."

"Congrats, you're not dreaming."

Shinichi and Ryuu did not know what was going on at all and the adults seemed to have forgotten about their presence as they were too busy talking to each other. Funeral, note, twins- everything just way too much to take all at once.

Ryuu took a short glance at Shinichi, who had an unreadable expression on. Usui Takumi Walker was his father? So the guys he hated and admired the most were same? Ironic. But then again those adults were saying something along line leaving each other and twins. What does that mean? Ryuu took a deep breath, the day had taken a deep turn for him.

"Can you two just stop?" Shinichi finally spoke, catching everyone's attention. "Stop bickering like kids."

"I hate to say it but I agree." Ryuu sighed, "Mom, calm down."

"He deserved it." Misaki easily shot back.

Takumi chuckled and nodded. It felt refreshing somehow to have two kids scolding them. "I deserved it."

"Now can you two please solve my identity crisis?" Shinichi joked, hoping it will somehow loosen the mood. Even though he joked, he seriously wanted to know the answer of the question. Was he even his or theirs son or not? If not, who were his parents? These questions were clouding on his mind.

"You are definitely his son." It was Misaki who cleared his doubt, "You two have the same eyes."

"And he's yours as well." Takumi added, "You two are very similar." He stopped for a moment and stared intently at the two boys in front him, "I think these two look quite similar actually and we were expecting twins. So, I'm pretty sure you both are our kids." He looked at Misaki and spoke in a serious voice, "Plus I've never once slept with anyone else other than you."

Much to his amusement, she blushed red at his comment. How he had missed that blush! And yes just as he had guessed, he was smacked hard by her.

Ryuu cleared his throat, clearly getting embarrassed looking at the adults. It did not affect the other boy though as he was pretty amused by what was happening in front of him.

Takumi thought for a moment. He took out his phone and dialled someone's number; he needed to know exactly what happened on that very day. He put the call on speaker. The phone was answered after the third ring.

'Mr. Walker'

Misaki's eyes widened as she recognised voice. It was Dr James- that family doctor of the Walkers who saved her and Ryuu's life. Indeed, he must have all their answers.

Takumi cleared his voice, "Doctor, I met with Misaki."

'I see. Then you must have met her soon too.'

"Yes and I'm very confused. Maybe you need to do some explaining."

The person on the other part of the phone chuckled, 'Well, I did say a white lie.' He continued when Takumi didn't speak for a while, 'I was told to deliver her kids safely and hand them to the walkers. I also knew that they were planning something to harm her and they wanted my help. Now don't get me wrong, I liked Misaki a lot but I could not say no to the walkers. So I told a white lie- that she gave birth to one child. I gave the youngest one to Misaki and helped her to get out of there. Then I gave the eldest child to the walkers. You know the rest.'

"I see."

'I am really sorry but that was my only choice.'

"No, thank you for your help. If you had not helped her, I might have lost her already."

'I hope you two solve your misunderstanding now.'

And the line was cut. Everyone was silent for a moment, probably taking in all the information they just heard.

Takumi was the first one who broke the silence, "Well Shinichi, I hope that solves your identity crisis."

Misaki took a deep breath and rubbed her face with her hands. She needed to sit down. It was too much for her. Was it all a lie? She spent the past sixteen years, hating on someone, because of a lie? The child she had always thought to be dead was alive and for the past few days she was trying to push him back to the prison of walkers. Misaki felt guilty. So guilty that she felt like throwing up.

"Mom, are you okay?"

Ryuu's voice made her look up at him. Worry was evident in his eyes. She shook her head and admitted truthfully, "I'm not. I feel like throwing up."

Takumi was quite amazed how protective her son, or his son, was. As soon as those words left her mouth, he was there beside her, rubbing her back.

"That's it. I'm taking you home." Ryuu spoke. "This conversation can wait later."

Misaki chuckled. There she was again. Running away. Leaving her other kid behind. She ruffled Ryuu's hair, "I messed up real bad."

"You did not."

Misaki looked at the brunette who just spoke, "I sure did. I knew you were his child and I tried to keep you away from Ryuu."

Shinichi took a deep breath, "In other words, you tried to protect your son from the Walkers which seems pretty fair to me. And don't feel sad for me-" he shrugged, "-even though my father never spoke that much, he still was a great dad to me. No matter how busy he was, he was always present at my every important day."

Takumi chuckled and spoke in his usual monotonous voice, "My my, I feel so blessed to hear such good things about me."

"I've yet to forgive your father." Misaki said, completely ignoring the hurt look on the other adult, "And I have no intention of playing a family with him. But come to my house today. I think I need to have a talk with you."

She went towards him and patted that boy's head with a content smile before turning towards Ryuu, "I'm going back."

"But Misa-chan"

Misaki stopped and glared at the speaker. He looked chill with his hands in his pocket while she was in no mood for a joke.

"I do not have a place to stay, you know."

She did not like where this was going.

"Can I stay at your house?"

Her glare deepened.

"I can take the couch. After all this is not the first time I've crashed at your couch, right?" He winked.

A little cheesy? Yeah maybe. It was by far the hardest chapter to write- I wrote and deleted a lot of times because I wasn't satisfied. Finally, this is the result I went with. Do not forget to tell me your thoughts on this one.

Thanks for the encouraging reviews on the previous chapter. They always make me sit tight and update faster.

Also, I published a new story called 'The R.H Case'- make sure to check that out as well. :D

Thanks for dropping by!

Stay safe.