A/N please read and review my story. One now on with the good stuff!
"...You make me want to be a better man..."
"Aw, that's so sweet!" Mina's eyes filled with hearts as she watched the movie with her friends at Ami's house during their regular Tuesday movie night.
All the girls were gathered in Ami's room watching "As good as it gets". Mina and Usagi was laying on their stomach on Ami's bed while eating popcorn and seemed thoroughly engrossed in the film. Meanwhile Makoto was sitting up with her back against the head board along with Ami. Rei sat in front of the bed on the floor, with Mina on one side and Usagi at the other.
"Why can't real men be like that?" Makoto slouched back on the bed.
"Because there are no real men" Mina answered as she cowed down a handful of popcorn.
"Try talking with eating something, I swear you're turning into Usagi" Ami reprimanded.
"Hey! I resent that" Usagi humphed.
"Along with everything else" Rei muttered.
"I heard that Hino Rei! I happened to exceptionally good hearing" Usagi tilted her nose into the air in with a as-matter-of-fact attitude positively radiating from her.
"Since when?" Mina poked Usagi. Usagi groaned, her self-esteem for the week was now washed away.
"Hush up. I want to watch" Ami shushed.
By the time the movie was over the girls got ready to go out and load up with junk food. Ami was the first one ready and was waiting outside for the rest of them. Mina had been applying make-up and forced the others to also. Ami was the only one who was lucky enough to escape such a death.
"I'll drive" Ami offered. "Let's get in" The girls all got in and began chatting away.
It was a mindless chatter, nothing of any importance. It was only about weather, health, favorite color, where to eat, clothes, and movies. That of course was put a deadly halt and Finally Ami couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out the information.
"Rei I know someone who's worth six million in a simple alimony. It took a lot of digging and searching, but when I turned the TV on this morning I found my answer"
Rei's eyes widened at the statement, as if she almost couldn't believe it.
"Who on earth would have six million dollars to spare in a divorce?" she ran her hand through her long raven hair and sighed.
"His name is Jadeite Wilkins. He's an American. According to some web sites, he has old money from his family from way back, and he has new money from the stock market. He's quite a risk taker and gambles his money on investments. He's no fool of course. He knows how to handles business, according to the news today he's as intelligent as he is charming.
"And it's very convenient because he happens to be in town. I saw him on TV today as he was being interviewed on the morning news. He's young and quite handsome" Ami hinted.
"I'm going to have to meet him!" Rei's eyes began to lit up as her luck began to change.
"So I guess life doesn't hate you that much huh?" Makoto nudged Rei.
"At first I thought I could win the bet, But then I begun to think and found it impossible that any man would have six million to spare. I thought my father tripled the amount just so I would lose and marry Frederic. But now I can prove him wrong and get my freedom now" Rei smiled and hugged Ami.
Ami's eyes widened and swerved to the right and then back on the road again.
"Rei's-choking-me" Ami coughed out.
"Oops, sorry" Rei flushed as she back off and relaxed her body. Strange, she didn't even know it had been so tense.
"You guys want to eat at McDonalds?" Ami asked.
"Sure" Mina quickly begin to add lip gloss. Rei rolled her eyes at the blonde sitting besides her.
"Hi can I help you?" the lady behind the counter smiled as they walked up.
"We want two number threes, medium. A nine piece chicken McNugget with a small chocolate shake. And finally a number nine, small. To go, please" Ami smiled.
When they got their food and paid they drove off to the nearest bar and game room to play some pool as they eat and joke around.
By the time they got to the bar it was already eleven o'clock. It was very fortunate for them that the bars closes at two.
Usagi, Mina, and Makoto rushed to get some pool sticks and were eager to start. Ami on the other hand was more eager to fill her growling stomach. Rei was too busy laughing at Usagi and Mina fighting over the pool stick which they both claim was their 'lucky' one.
"Act you age" Makoto shook her head at the two.
"Or at least look like you're trying" Ami suggested.
This only caused Rei to laugh even harder. The two stopped arguing and gave Rei a bewildered look. Rei doubled over when she saw their faces. For some reason it was just so funny. It felt good to be able to laugh again.
Ami raised her eyebrow at Rei. Makoto could only roll her eyes. Mina couldn't help but giggle.
"You've done it Mina! You turned Rei into a clown. I always knew you would but this time-" Usagi scolded Mina in mock anger.
"Hello ladies. May I buy you beauties a drink?" The girls stopped talking and rei stopped luaghing and turned to face about Average height with wrinkles covering every inch of any visible skin. His teeth were yellow and his breath smelled of rotten beer and moldy cigarettes.
"No thank you" Ami replied politely.
"Then forget you Miss goody two shoes. How about you ladies" He grinned and cocked his eyebrow up.
"Listen old man river we said no! Now beat it or I'll hurt you!" Rei threatened.
No one, no matter what age or gender insults any of her friends without a good reason for it. Or else they would meet her wrath, which she was more than happy to bring out.
"Feisty, I like that" He rubbed his hands together.
Re rolled her eyes. Men truly were impossible, especially when they were old pathetic lechers who had nothing better to do than feel up a women when she wasn't looking.
Just then the men was lifted a few inches off his feet. Rei looked behind and saw who was stepping in. When she saw who she groaned.
"Listen here old man. They said no, now scram if you don't want to end up in the grave!" Jadeite dropped the man. Then quickly scurried away. Then he turned his attention back to the girls,
"Are you girls okay?" he asked.
"We're fine, thank you very much for asking" Ami replied more politely than ever.
"I'm going to the bathroom. And vomit" Rei glared at the man and rushed off.
"What's wrong with her?" Makoto asked.
"Who knows" Mina shrugged before turning back to the man. "My name is Aino Minako, but you can call me Mina" Mina held out her hand and shook his.
"I'm Makoto" she said dryly.
"Nice to meet you-"
"I'm Tsukino Usagi" Usagi interrupted. "And that over there sitting by the table is Mizuno Ami"
"I'm Jadeite Smith" he announced.
Almost immediately the girls jaws dropped to the ground except for Ami's. Hers was dropped when she first saw him.
"What's wrong? You look like you saw a ghost" he began to look even more concerned.
"Um, I'll be right back" Mina ran off to find Rei.
The girls giggled nervously and twiddled their thumbs. The silence was so unbearable that when Usagi broke the silence they all sighed.
"So, you're the Jadeite Wilkins" Usagi grinned.
"So, you're the Usagi Mamoru keeps talking about" at the mention of that name Usagi turned scarlet red.
"What!" Rei shouted when Mina explained who the man was.
"It's true!" Mina sighed exasperatedly as she rubbed her temples. It appears that nothing was getting through to Rei.
"He can't be. I've met him twice. And never did he mention it, If someone was that rich I'm sure that they would blabber it to everyone" Rei tried to convince Mina that the man out in the bar is a liar.
"Ami saw him on TV and she didn't deny it" she splashed her self with water, hoping to relieve some stress.
"So?" Rei folded her arms. It wasn't the best come back but she had ran out of excuses.
"Has he ever told you his name?" Mina looked up at her friend who only shook her head.
"Have you ever asked?" and again she shook her head.
"Do you have any proof that he is not who he says he is?" Rei looked up and shook her head in silence.
"Then why won't you believe me?" Mina asked pleadingly.
"Because if he is who he claims to be. Then I ruined my chances with him long ago" Rei was on the verge of tears.
"Oh, Rei" Mina hugged her friend.
"Just when I thought everything was turning for the better, it turns out that life screwed me over again. I hate the hope it made me feel and only to be let down again"
"Rei, don't cry. You're stronger than that. The art of conning is to be swift, seductive, and keen. You can bounce back from this. This is your only chance. Take it or marry Frederic" Mina left those words lingering as she left.
Rei looked in the mirror and brushed the tears away and forced on a smile. She cleaned herself up and marched out of the bathroom. And hopefully he might still be there.
When Rei came into view Jadeite couldn't turn his gaze away from her. Beautiful was just not enough to describe her. Everything from her flimsy black top to her tight dark blue jeans made him want to ravage those lips again. She had the curves in all the right places and had the clothes to accent them more than what was necessary.
Her hair flew softly behind her back, wild and unbridled. Her lips were pink and soft just like the way he remembered. It would take more than self-control for him to not try to touch her tonight.
Rei took in the sight of him, and she had to admit he was pleasing to the eye. More than pleasing, perhaps even breathtakingly perfect.
Her eyes roamed all over his body and stopped at his eyes. She swore those eyes grew more beautiful each day. His eyes displayed the richest blue from the calmest waters. It was more than enchanting, more than words could say. She would love to wake up every morning looking into the depths of those kind cerulean eyes, but then what was she thinking? Dreaming never solved anything. It was a waste of brain cells.
Rei shook her head of those thoughts and walked up to him.
"Hi, sorry about running of before, but the man repulsed me so much-"
"Say no more. I understand. By the way I never caught your name" he smiled down at her.
"Oh my name! I guess I never told you. It's Kimura Rizu" Rei lied right between her teeth. But it was a part of conning. Her friends had nothing to worry about since they had no part in this and could give their name freely.
"It's a pleasure to finally know your name Rizu" He smiled softly at her.
"And your would be?"
"Jadeite Wilkins" His grinned at her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you" she smiled seductively.
Then he began to chuckle. For no reason at all. Rei was beginning to get annoyed but kept her patience in check, after all it is a virtue.
"What's so hilarious?"
"You!" he burst out laughing. Rei had a mind to punch him right here and now, but she reminded herself that if she did she'd have to marry Frederic. Even the mere thought of it was hell enough for her.
"What's so funny about me?" she began to show her annoyance in her voice.
"I liked you better when you were mad. It's so ridiculous to see you acting nice and proper" he began to calm down from his laughter.
By now Rei was fuming inside. But on the outside it was barely noticeable. Her teeth was clenched tightly, her lip were pulled thin and tight. Her eyes flared with fire.
"Are you insinuating that I can't be kind and proper?" Rei glared at him while Mina was silently mouthing for Rei to stop, but she couldn't not now at least. Her pride was damaged.
"Exactly, it does not suit you. I rather have you run wild with that viper tongue of yours than act kindly" He sighed heavily and walked past her.
"Are walking out on me?" She set her hands on her hips and watched him turn around and face her.
"Yes," His answer was curt and simple. He turned around once more and began to walk away.
"No one insults me and walks off unscathed" The once serene amethyst glow was now a deep violet blaze of indignation.
"I'll be the first then" Jadeite said as he left the bar.
At that moment Rei couldn't care less if he was a King. Her pride had been hurt and it demanded justice. It was always one of her bad traits. But at that moment she didn't even care about ruining her chances with him. She stormed through the bar and flung the door opened and saw him walking across the half empty parking lot towards his car.
As soon as she saw him she quickly walked after him. She ignored her friends as they told her to stop. When she was an arms length away she pushed him with all her strength, but that only caused him to stumble a few steps.
He quickly turned around and faced her. His expression showed raw anger and resentment. His faced darkened as he scowled at her. Rei wasn't a least bit faded by any dark looks he threw at her.
"I don't know who you think you are. I don't care if you're a millionaire. No one insults me and leaves without a earful from me!" Her whole entire body was trembling with anger as she shouted.
"I didn't realize I was insulting. I'd guess from what you're normally insulted with that this would be a compliment" He sneered back at her.
Enough was enough. Her breathing became heavier. Her chest rose as she inhaled and gone down when she exhaled. She was insulted beyond damaging just her pride. It also touched her soul and that had stung the most. Her own self-worth diminished.
Jadeite knew that this time he had gone far enough. The hurt was in her eyes. But before he could make amends a sharp sting came across his cheek. Rei had slapped him. then almost immediately she burst into tears and ran away.
Rei's friends had saw what happened from a few feet away. They begun to chase after her but Jadeite stopped them.
"Don't, it's my fault. You guys can leave. I'll make it up to her and take her home. I'm sorry" And he really did feel sorry. Never in his life had he ever insulted any woman and he regretted deeply that he did.
"Okay, just have her call us when she's home okay?" Usagi said sympathetically.
"Sure" he answered with much depression in his tone. When the girls had left, Jadeite ran in the direction of where she had ran off to.
After much searching as well as thinking about his words he finally found her. She was curled up against a wall with her legs drawn up to her chest and with her arms hugging her legs. Her black raven hair and strewn everywhere. Her head was rested in her arms. Sobs could be heard from a few feet away.
The clouds had cleared and the moon shed light on her. She looked so lost and without a soul, without anyone, without ever knowing happiness. Could she be the same women he had known before? Could somewhere within all that fury be buried a lost little girl?
The sight that he was presented with truly made his heart sink. At that moment in time he hated himself more than anything.
He carefully approached her and halted when he was at least a few inches away. He then kneeled down besides her. He tried to pat her arm but she'd always flinch away from his touch.
"Rizu, please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"Don't even try to apologize. You hurt me so much" Rei finally lifted her head and faced him. Her eyes were puffy and red with tears still brimmed around the edges. tears stains were clearly visible on her ivory white cheeks.
"It was just that you made me so angry in that bar that I couldn't-"
"How? H-How on earth did I upset you? I-If I recall correctly... y-you started it all by insulting me" Rei choked out in between sobs. Just the thought of it made her tears renew itself all over again.
Jadeite grabbed her and pulled her to him. His arms circled around her lithe and small body. He rocked back and forth and shushed softly as she cried in his arms.
"Rizu, I never intended to ever hurt you intentionally. I was mad at you because when I told you my name you became so nice to me all of a sudden and I thought it was because I'm wealthy.
"My whole life people have treated me with fake kindness because of my money. They'd even tell me it was sunny when it's raining if they were given the chance. They'd just say what I want to hear. When I met you. You were different. You told me the exact opposite and showed me that I won't always get everything my way.
"I thought you were someone who could be straightforward and look beyond my money and notice a person on the other end. And Then when I told you my name you started to be like everyone else I knew. For once I'd like to have someone who wouldn't" Jadeite explained.
The two stayed there in silence, never moving a muscle. The wind blew past them and lifted a few strand of hair, clearing them away from her face.
Jadeite pulled away far enough for him to see her face. Her tears were gone, but the sorrow was still there.
"Please, forgive me. Talk to me at least" he pleaded with her.
In her mind she argued back and forth about ignoring him or talking to him. She certainly understood how he must've felt now that he told his reasons for why he done what he did. However that did not help with what pain she still felt in her heart. The words were harsh and still clung to her.
"I said those words out of anger. It was a spur of the moment. The words I spoke were empty and held no truth. I now realize you are not that person" He stroked her hair.
It stung her harder then it had before. Because she knew she was exactly what he had said. It didn't matter if he didn't think it. It did matter that she knew it. It was never his fault, only hers. But her pride blocked her from seeing it.
"I'm sorry" Rei stated. "I'm so sorry" a single tear slid down her cheek. Jadeite gently wiped it away with his thumb.
"It's okay Rizu" he assured her with his dashing smile.
"No, I feel so-"
"Shush, you don't have to explain. I can tell my your actions earlier outside that you could care less. If you did care would you have hit me?" He interrupted her sentence
"I'm sorry-"
"Stop apologizing. It's me who should be, not you. I'm sorry Rizu" He smiled. Rei managed to give a small smile and that was all he needed to be reassured.
"I better go. My friends are probably worried and sick of waiting" Rei got up and straightened her clothes and brushed the dirt off.
"Actually I told them to leave. I said I'd see to it that you were taken home. After all it was my fault that you ran off" Jadeite explained as they began to walk back.
When they reached his car. Jadeite act the part of the perfect gentlemen by opening the door and helping her in. Rei almost felt sorry for what she was going to do to him, but she didn't.
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