Thank you, all so much for your patience and your support!
chapter 20: What now
Kyoya went to his daughters' room and knocked on the door. After he heard a brief "Come in.", he opened the door and entered the room:
- Girls, we really need to talk!- he said in a strict and cold voice. While Simran was worried, Nandini did not pay much attention- she was used to it.
Kyoya sat on the bed and gestured to the girls to sit beside him, to which they both obeyed. Simran was the first to ask:
- Is there something wrong, father?
- As a matter of fact, yes, there is.- he said in his usual stern tone, which changed slightly in his following sentence.- I am so sorry! To both of you!- after which he placed his hands on the girls' shoulders, embracing them both in a warm hug. Although both twins were surprised, Nandini was still not ready to change her mind.- I know I am not a great parent. I never even knew what was necessary to be one either, but I promise that I will do anything for you two.
- I know.- Simran responded, and hugged her father.
- And you, Nandini?- Kyoya turned to Nandini, waiting for her answer, but she did not say anything. She did not believe a word he was saying. Despite that her mouth was not saying anything, her body language made her anger obvious- she had her hands in fists, which were shaking heavily and she was refusing to look her father in the eyes.
Kyoya took her hands and gently said:
- Nandini, please!- he placed one of his hands on her cheek.- I know you are mad at me, and you are probably right. You can tell me. Tell me everything.
Nandini could not hold it anymore, and she finally lost her temper:
- Everything?!- she said sardonically.- You want to know everything?- her tone was getting louder and louder.- Who do you think you can deceive?! You think you can simply ignore us for so long, treat us like extra baggage, and that some nice words and money spent on expensive holidays can make up for it. Your tricks don't work on me. I am not stupid. I AM NOT! But I am sick and tired of waiting for you to start caring about us. When you saved Simran from the bully and took us to Greece, I thought that maybe you have changed. I thought that you actually want to be with us, like a true family. But that's not what you wanted, right? At least, not with me in the picture. Simran is the one you want- I am here simply because we are twins.
Even though he knew the whole time that this was what was bothering his daughter, it was still very hard for Kyoya to listen to her heartbroken voice. It sounded so betrayed and lonely.
He kneeled before her, so they can see each other eye-to-eye, took her hand gently and said:
- Nandini, I know that I did a lot of mistakes as a parent. I know that I have said things I should have thought twice about. But don't suffer because of my mistakes.- then he took Simran's hand as well.- Girls, listen to me! I love both of you and I don't prefer neither over the other. I promise I will give you anything you need and I will not let anything prevent me from doing so ever again.
Simran smiled and Nandini started to cry saying:
- I just want my daddy back!- after which they both hugged him.
Fuyumi was under a lot of pressure right now. She did not know who else to call who would understand the situation, so she simply called Haruhi:
- Hello?- Haruhi picked up the phone.
- Hello, Haruhi! It's Fuyumi.
- Fuyumi? What's the matter?
- I did something awful.- there was worry in her voice, which did not escape from Haruhi's ear.
- Don't worry!- Haruhi tried to comfort the woman.- Whatever it is, we'll find a solution.
- It's about Ms. Priti and Ren.
After Fuyumi told Haruhi everything about what happened, Haruhi found herself confused, unaware of what to do, so she just asked:
- Are you sure that Ren might try to use Ms. Priti's secret against her?
- I swear I did not say anything about Ms. Priti's feelings, but I am afraid that Ren probably figured it out herself and she might try spreading rumors or something else that might affect either Kyoya or Priti's reputation. This would be the last thing they'd both need. What are we going to do?
- I guess, first, Kyoya needs to know that you have been with his ex-wife, so he can have more time to prepare before it's too late.- Haruhi suggested.
Fuyumi knew Haruhi was right. After all, it was Fuyumi who accepted Ren's offer and it is her who must protect Priti's dignity:
- You are right!- she said.- It is my mess and I must take responsibility for it. Thank you for listening, Haruhi!
- You're welcome!
Ren was back to her own mansion, thinking about how to use what she had learned from Fuyumi as a way of ruining her former husband and taking the children away from him. What exactly did she learn? Ms. Priti had no complaints and adored working for Kyoya. She always got his back, ingratiated him by cooking, prasing him and acting like a foster mother for the twins. Not to mention, that she was also very young, in her late teens. An age when young ladies have little control over their emotions (and sometimes even their bodies). Kyoya was a pretty attractive man, whom women tend to easily fall in love with. What if this had something to do with Priti's special treatment? Besides, it would not be the first time when something like this has ever happened. How many teenagers had fallen in love with teachers, bosses or co-workers?
However, before doing anything, she must first investigate herself and get some proof. She phoned her assistant, ordering him to get her a camera, one which can be easily hidden, and with a sound-recording function installed.
There was a knock on the door, and Miss Priti was in a hurry to open.
- Just a second!- she shouted. She opened the door, and much to her disgust, to see Ren on the other side.- Yuck!
- Nice to see you again too, Ms. Priti!- Ren said in response with her usual sly smile.
- Who is at the door, Miss?- Kyoya's voice was heard.
- A reason for a heart attack, sir.
Kyoya knew that his maid was talking about Ren- nobody else was such a regular victim of Priti's sarcasm. He went to the door and was now face-to-face with his ex-wife. "Killing a tardigrade would be easier than getting rid of that woman.", he thought.
- Hello, dear!- Ren greeted him casually.- May I enter?
- Should I fetch a bucket of water, sir?- Priti asked sarcastically.
- Not yet, Miss!- he answered.- I want to put an end of this, once and for all.- he turned to Ren.- Okay, Ren!- he pushed his glasses.- Let me put it in this way. You can either stop bothering us for good, or keep doing it and risk thousands of agents coming after you. It's your choice.- he smiled.
Ren did not give any other reaction, besides a chuckle. She was not afraid of Kyoya, but she will make him scared of her. And she knew how:
- I just want to talk to Miss Priti for a while, can I?
Her suggestion surprised both of them. Since when Ren wanted to know more about Priti? However, if that evil woman had any malicious plans, they better be informed:
- Don't worry, sir?- Priti asured her boss, before he had the chance to say anything in her defense.- I can handle this.
It was not that Kyoya did not trust Priti, but he was worried about what Ren might do to her. He placed a hand on his maid's shoulder:
- If you need anything, anything, call me!- after which, he left the two women alone, but he had no intention of leaving them completely alone- he hid behind a wall, in order to eavesdrop.
- Miss Priti-Ren began.- I was wondering- do you like working for my ex-husband?
- I think the answer is pretty clear.
- I guess, it must be a rollercoaster working for him. What kind of a girl would not enjoy being close to such a handsome man? Not to mention, one who is single.
Priti blushed a little, but tried not to show it to Ren:
- That does not matter.- she said.- He is my employer and I appreciate everything he does for me.
- So it is mutual?- Ren asked, confusing the maid.
- What do you mean?
- The respect, of course. Mutual respect. What did you think I was referring to?- Priti did not give her an answer. Ren continued.- Anyway, tell me about the job. I want to know.
- Why do you want to know so suddenly?
- Is it wrong to know about what kind of conditions my daughters live in?
- No, but...- Priti could not finish, because Ren quickly interrupted her.
- Relax, child! Just share.
- Well, I...- Priti did not know what to say. She was suspicious that Ren might be on to something, but she did not know what. Was she trying to get evidence for something?- I will say only that I like my work here, because of the the great conditions. Nothing else. This is my final answer!
Ren was starting to get impatient. She hoped that the girl did not catch her and found out what was actually happening here. If that was the case, then this maid might be smarter than she had previously thought. How could she make Priti reveal what was necessary? Asking about the job, obviously, was ineffective. Maybe she should ask about Kyoya himself:
- You know!- Ren began.- From what I heard so far, Kyoya is not on good terms with the girls. I heard about Yoshio's disappointment in his son's parenting. Just how dreadful you have to be, to the point that your own father critisizes you?
It seemed that Ren managed to push a button- Priti got angry by these oblivious words.
- If that really is the case, then my children will be much happier living somewhere else.- Ren pretended she got an idea.- I know. Maybe they should live their own mother. Seriously?! With who else?- and she chuckled.- I am certain Kyoya cannot look after them all by himself. He is all alone here. One teenage maid and a lot of paperwork do not help much either.- she looked at Priti.- I mean, do you seriously believe that you could ever replace me? That Kyoya would ever consider you a proper mother figure?
Priti snapped:
- SHUT UP! SHUT UP! YOU... YOU...- she did not have the strength to say something too vulgar.- Of course, I can replace you. I am here with Mr. Ootori, after all. I am the one who supports him when he needs it, while you are never around. I won't let you say anything bad about us anymore. WHY WON'T YOU LEAVE US ALONE!- after saying those final words, Priti immediately stopped yelling or talking and covered her mouth, scared by what she just said.
Ren smiled- more widely than ever, and said:
- Thank you, Ms. Priti! I knew I can count on you.- after which, she turned in the direction of the door and left the house.
Priti rushed to lock the door. She collapsed on the floor and started to cry loudly, not knowing that she is not alone.
After she heard footsteps, she looked up to see her boss looking at her with sympathy in his eyes. "Oh, my gods! Does he know?", she thought. Kyoya did not say anything. Instead he kneeled before her and patted her head fatherly:
- Calm down!- he told her.- I know. Thank you!
Oh, no! He knew. What other explanation? Priti tried to defend herself:
- Sir, about what just happened...- she began sheepishly.- I am so sorry! I can explain.
But Kyoya had other plans:
- No, don't worry, Miss!- he said.- For now, relax! I know how emotionally draining talking to Ren can be. Why won't we have some tea?
- Okay, sir.
Kyoya was all alone in his office, when his phone rang. It was Haruhi:
- Haruhi!- he answered.- What is the matter?
- Kyoya there is something I think you should know. It's about your sister Fuyumi and Ms. Priti.
- Hold your thought, Haruhi! It would be much better if the entire club comes here in my house. Fuyumi too.
- What? Why?- Haruhi was confused.
- Just come here. I will call the others.
After that, Kyoya shut the phone and prepared to call the other members of the host club and his sister. "This ends now!" he thought.
