chapter 19: The witch is back yet again
Ren was busy looking for ways to ruin Kyoya's life and take the girls away from him. It was obvious that her threats were not scaring him, so she had to dig deeper than just that. Maybe looking for some deep dark secrets might help. Worth, at least the try.
She looked through photos and documents, but nothing was good enough for her. Then she remembered how she sent Yoshio to pay his son a "visit". She does not need the details to know that it did not end well. She was perfectly aware about what a disappointment Kyoya was to his father- that's why she sent Yoshio to Greece in the first place. Before her, Kyoya pretends to be an invincible stoic, but when he is around his family- it's an entirely different story. In other words, she must send someone else. But this would not be enough. She needed information, juicy details, to know where is her ex-husband's weak spot. Back when she reminded him of never having an interest in parenthood seemed to have such an effect, and she really enjoyed the view. She loved seeing him so vulnerable.
Now, she had two options- she can either simply call Yoshio again (she knew he would cooperate), or she could call someone else, someone more naive. Someone like Fuyumi.
- Tell me the phone number of Fuyumi Shido, right now!- Ren ordered her assistant.
- Sure, boss!- he answered.
- Don't worry, Ms. Priti!- Fuyumi promised to Priti.- I will not let anything happen to you, Kyoya or the children.
- Thank you so much, Mrs. Shido!- Priti bowed.
- Oh, and I hope everything between my brother and his daughters will be alright, but if there is anything, you guys need help for, don't hesitate to call me.
- Of course, madam!- Priti said before closing the door after Fuyumi left.
Fuyumi was currently distancing herself from the mansion, happily smiling that she finally met her nieces. Simran and Nandini were both very pretty. Of course, they were. They were identical twins, after all, she thought and giggled. However, it was a pity that she could not spend more time with them. Thus, she could not wait until she sees them again.
Her excitement was suddenly interrupted by the ring of her phone. When she checked to see who could be calling her, she was surprised to see that it was none other than Ren, her former sister-in-law. Fuyumi was hesitating about what she should do next- should she answer or not. She has never actually had a conversation with Ren, even back when she and Kyoya were still married. Also, the things that both Kyoya and Priti have said about her were not a good impression fuel. But what if Ren wanted to tell her something important? There was only one way to find out, but it must not take long.
Fuyumi finally accepted the call:
- Hello?- she said hesitantly. - Ren?
- Hello!- Ren answered with a tone that had a mischievous vibe to it.- Fuyumi?
- Yes, it's me.
- I am so glad we can finally talk like a sister to sister. Unfortunately, we are not family anymore after I and your brother divorced. Sad, isn't it?
- I guess.- Fuyumi had no idea where this conversation was going to. Her answers, so far, have been caused by uneasiness.
- Not to mention, that I have not seen my daughters in years and I miss them so much. But Kyoya will not let me see them.
- Um, Ren...
- But why waste time talking on the phone, when we can just meet in person and talk face-to-face.
- What?- Fuyumi was very surprised.
- Come on, Fuyumi. What's wrong with two women socializing. Especially, two family members who have barely talked.
- I guess so.- Fuyumi could not believe she was doing that.
- Excellent! How about tomorrow, at 1 PM.- Ren did not even wait for an answer.- Deal!- and hang up.
The result of this phone call left Fuyumi very confused and feeling very guilty. What did she just do?
The next day, at 1 PM, Fuyumi and Ren met exactly as planned. They met in a random cafe. They both took their seats and after ordering two cups of tea for each. While waiting for the waiter's return, Ren started talking:
- Isn't it good we finally had the chance to talk, Fuyumi.
- Ren.- Fuyumi interrupted.- Before continuing, let's just make something clear- I am doing this for my brother, my nieces and the nice maid working for them.
- Ah, the maid!- Ren got an idea.- I know her. Little Miss Wisecracker vixen.
- It doesn't sound to me like your are her fan.
- Well, I am not fond of the idea of a young girl working for my 30-year old ex-husband. They are so fragile that age. And Kyoya is quite a looker- this can be very distracting for a young naive mind.
- Not Priti.- Fuyumi disagreed and was quick to defend Priti.- She is smarter than that.- although Fuyumi barely knew Priti, she doubted her brother would hire just anyone.- And she takes her duties seriously.
- Are you sure?
- 100%.
- Apparently.- Ren said sarcastically.- How much do you know about her?
- To be honest, not so much.
- "Not much", eh. Well, what is there to know? Typical for a servant.
Fuyumi did not know why, but there was something about Ren, that she strongly disliked. She doesn't recall finding someone else's company that...unpleasant. It was almost like an aura. Was this how Kyoya felt when he first met her? She dared to ask:
- Ren! Why do you hate her so much? Has Ms. Priti actually done something wrong to you?
"Ms." Priti, Ren thought. It was still hard to listen to someone calling her that. Fuyumi was right- Ren indeed hated that maid. It was Ren who married Kyoya and gave a birth to their children, and yet Priti appeared out of the blue, and now she was their favorite person. There must be an explanation for this nonsense. What did the little mongoose had, which Ren didn't? Ren hated to admit it, but both she and Priti were very attractive young women with a sharp mind, but that's where the similarities ended. While Ren had money, career, experience, potential, influence, connections, hotness (despite being the mother of two) and maturity, the little girl had...a job (as a servant)...she lived in the mansion, and that's all.
The waited returned, carrying a plate with teacups on it.
- Do you think that Kyoya pays her enough?- Ren asked, loud enough so that the waiter can hear them.- The bill, young man?- she told the waiter. He nodded politely and went to fetch the bill.
- I am certain. Otherwise, she would not have been so happy working there.- Fuyumi answered.
- Very happy?
- Very happy.
This made Ren think. So, the maid was "very happy" working for Kyoya. Then she remembered suggesting the dangers of Priti being infatuated with Kyoya.
When the waiter returned to Fuyumi and Ren's table, with the bill in his hands, Ren asked Fuyumi, loud enough again:
- So, you say that she is "very happy"? Do you think that the relationship between Kyoya and his maiden is normal?
Fuyumi did not like where this was going:
- None of them are doing anything wrong.- she said sternly.- Leave them both alone.
"Doing anything wrong"? "Both alone?" Ren got a few ideas.
- Thank you, Fuyumi!- Ren said with a sly smile on her face.- Thank you for sharing all of this!
After paying for the tea, Ren stood up and left the cafe, leaving Fuyumi sitting on the table by herself. She finished drinking her tea and left as well.
While walking, Fuyumi had the unexplainable sense of guilt in her. She was not that stressed even on her wedding day. Although, she never mentioned Priti's crush on Kyoya, she was still feeling that she had betrayed her. It looked that Ren got something, during the conversation. She should have never agreed to this meeting, but she just wanted to see personally what kind of a person Ren was, and also if whether she had any plans about Kyoya. Fuyumi now knew why Ren was such a black sheep.
If Ren actually knew something about Priti's feelings for Kyoya, then what was she planning to do with that information? Whatever it was, Fuyumi had to seek help from someone. What was she going to do now? Should she tell Kyoya and Priti? Should she tell someone from the former host club? Should she just ask her husband?
Back in the Ootori mansion, Kyoya was mentally preparing for apologizing to his daughters:
- Ms. Priti!- he called his maid.
Priti ran as fast as she could to her boss' office:
- Yes, sir!- she said after arriving.
- Could you, please tell me your opinion about this?- he gave her a piece of paper with what seemed to be his speech for the twins written on it. In it he mentioned how sorry he was about the way he treated them and how much they meant to him. Although, Priti was unsure about her next action, she knew it was the necessary thing to do.- Um, sir, you see, it's really sweet, but don't you think that just talking to your daughters is the best thing to do.
- Intriguing! Haruhi told me the same thing.- he said.
- Then, what's stopping you from trying?- she asked him.
Kyoya sighed and after a few seconds of thinking, he finally gave her an answer:
- What if they reject me?
Priti hated seeing her boss like this. It was always so strange to her to see the intelligent, charismatic and stable Kyoya Ootori show such vulnerability. Maybe she had to remind him of this:
- Mr. Ootori, sir, don't worry about this! You are the parent here. You are the one who must guard Simran and Nandini, make sure they are healthy and safe, and give them advice when they need it. This will never change.
Priti's words seemed to have made Kyoya think:
- Besides- she added- since when do you have a problem with pulling the strings?
- You do have a point, Priti.- Kyoya couldn't argue with her.
- Come on! What did Mrs. and Mr. Suoh tell you?- she asked playfully.
- That a family is family and that parenthood is not a job, but a chance.
- And when you take a chance, you just need to listen to your heart.- Priti advised him.
- You are right, Ms. Priti!- Kyoya smiled.- You, Haruhi and Tamaki are all right.
He finally reached the door, on his way to leave the office, but before leaving he turned to Priti and told her:
- While I'm in the girls' room, Ms. Priti, call the Suoh and tell them "Thank you!" on my behalf.
- Of course, sir!- she bowed.
- And thanks to you too!- after that, he left the room. After shutting the door, Priti blushed and could barely hold her squeal. She has never felt so proud of herself- for the first time she was feeling that she had actually helped her employer.
