Of Kith and Kin-Chapter 2
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Teaser: It all started when a gutsy young nurse met an elderly patient: an eccentric old
millionaire with a cantankerous temper. A story about family, social class and an unlikely
but ardent love. Rating....about PG to PG-13...nothing serious, just a few instances of
adult language....^^;
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello, here we go with Chapter 2!! How do you like it so far? Thanks for anyone who has
e-mailed me recently (alas, not too many:(...) and keep up the support! You people are the
best! Anyways, as usual, all discliamers apply...blahblahblah....e-mail me with feedback
at smart_sweetlady@yahoo.com. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!! All right, I won't blab
any more. Enjoy!!
~Thalia;)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ami, holding Sard Greenleaf's arm with one hand and a small navy blue valise in
the other, approached the sleek silver Rolls Royce. The chauffeur, a tall, middle-aged man
with reddish hair and a luxuriant moustache, took her valise and opened the door for her
and his master. After they had sat in, the chauffeur, Mr. Waters, drove off sedately in
the direction of Sard Greenleaf's estate, Aquamyste.
After about an hour of driving, they had reached a long, tree-shadowed lane, and
soon, a rugged yet elegant Victorian mansion covered with rambling roses and clinging ivy.
The mansion was surrounded by a manicured, proper, lush green park with strong, tall oaks
and poplars, slender white birches and silvery green weeping willows. A marble fountain of
a girl draped with flowing Grecian robes, holding a pitcher, stood in the middle of the
courtyard. A wrought iron gate, violet with wisteria bloom, was opened by remote, and the
car drove down the circular cobblestone drive right up to the house. Ami and her patient
got out of the car, and Waters followed carrying Ami's valise.
The door opened to reveal several curious but honest faces of various servants of
various stations and ages. All of them gazed at Ami with interest and Sard Greenleaf with
welcome. Sard told them to get in a line, and started to introduce each to Ami.
"This here is my butler, Mr. William Neveson. He takes care of general things in
the house and oversees the other servants." He gestured to a serious, gray-haired but
kindly old man dressed in an immaculate white shirt and black trousers with a gray vest,
who bowed.
"This is his wife, Mrs. Cecily Neveson. She helps keep house and is the cook. Try
some of her apple strudel sometime, and you will never be able to live with out it again."
Mrs. Neveson, a plump, smiling woman with snow-white hair, squeezed Ami's hand gently.
"These are Mary Wells, Beth Witting and Elsa Hyde. They are the chambermaids. They
clean the house." Three women just slightly older than Ami waved and bobbed curtseys.
"These are Martin Ellis and his sons John and Davy. They keep the grounds." A man
in the middle age, his hair bleached blond by the sun and his skin a deep bronze, gave Ami
a hearty smile, and his two sons, one about 20, tall and wiry, with brown eyes and hair,
another one a boy of 13 with wide hazel eyes and a button nose, his face freckled and full
curiosity, nodded at Ami. Ami smiled, and the boy smiled back. Ami knew that she had made
a friend.
"This is Emily Moore. She is going to be your personal maid." A pretty young girl
of 18, with a head of curly ash-blonde hair, her eyes the color of bluebells, smiled an
ingenuous smile at Ami and curtseyed. Ami caught John Ellis stealing longing glances at
her, and then, the girl smile back at him, causing him to blush slightly.
"And you have already met my chauffeur Mr. Edward Waters." Sard finished. He then
turned to his servants. "This is Miss Ami. Treat her like you would treat me." They nodded
collectively, and Sard Greenleaf told all to begone to their duties, and Emily to show Ami
her rooms.
"Please follow me, Miss Ami." Emily said. Ami followed her up the stairs into one
of the Victorian mansion's "turrets". There, she found three rooms, cool and inviting, in
blues and greens and violets, a bedchamber, a sitting room and a study, awaiting her. The
deco was artistic and tasteful, but not too ornate. Sard Greenleaf had been very generous
with providing her with anything that she could possibly need for her amusement. But the
most interesting thing in the room was a photograph of a serene, seraphic woman with long
golden tresses and soulful aquamarine eyes, dressed in a blue-green blouse. In her lap she
held a young boy, who had hair just slightly darker than hers, cool, alert green eyes and
a beatific smile on his handsome little face. Ami recognized the boy, he was none other
than Zoisite Greenleaf! She mentally pictured the present-day Zoisite and compared him to
the boy in the picture: now, he was brooding, his eyes were stormy, he was still handsome,
but his face held none of its old ingenuous charm and happiness: it looked jaded. Ami felt
a strange sense of sympathetic commiseration for him, almost as acute as for his father.
She wished that she could do something about both men's sadness.
She could not imagine what a vital role she would play in each man's life.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ami soon grew accustomed to her life at the mansions. The servants all treated her
very respectfully and cordially, Sard Greenleaf continued to enjoy their daily tart, witty
exchanges, and she meticulously took care of his health. Soon, he was on the way to the
recovery of his right hand, and very happy about it. Seeing how the sharp-witted nurse had
become a favorite of the old man's, the servants were extremely happy, and tried to get to
know her better.
Ami's best friends in the mansion were Emily, Davy and Mrs. Neveson. Emily soon
made the older girl her confidante, and, as Ami suspected, told her of how she and John
had grown up in the household, starting as kids pulling each other's hair and growing up
to realize that they were in love. The two were tacitly engaged, although John did not get
enough money to buy a ring just yet. Davy was curious and clever, and spent hours showing
Ami proudly about the grounds. Ami had taught him the best way to fold a paper plane, and
that amazing feat had won her his admiration and respect forever. Whenever Ami was done
with her duties and he with his, he would follow her around, asking about everything. Mrs.
Neveson gloried in how the young woman had brought some happiness back into the house, and
treated her like a daughter. Sard Greenleaf, too, delighted in the girl's intelligence and
candour, and affectionately called her "lass".
A few months passed. Spring gradually became summer. One day, Sard Greenleaf gave
a snort as Ami walked in, wearing her nurse's uniform. "Lassie, for the love of God go and
buy some decent clothing!"
"I beg your pardon?" Ami asked.
"You wear that blasted uniform day in and day out. I feel like my house is being
turned into a clinic!" The old man rung a bell and immediately Mr. Neveson appeared at the
door. "Yes, sir?"
"Tell Waters to get the black Mercedes ready. And call for Emily. I have decided
to have Miss Ami spend a day at the shops and get some normal clothing before my house
becomes an infirmary." Sard Greenleaf said autocratically.
Mr. Neveson inclined his head and in moments, both Waters and Emily were standing
at the entrance of the room. Sard Greenleaf handed Ami a wallet filled with cash. "If this
is not spent, you need not return this evening." He declared in a voice that brooked no
argument.
Ami allowed herself a slight grimace, which Sard Greenleaf caught. He smiled and
sat back. Silently, Ami followed Waters and Emily out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Four hours later, Ami, dressed in a short, simple but chic blue satin dress with a
white voile sash, which was form-fitting without being clingy, with a skirt that came up
to mid-thigh, walked towards the car. A pair of cat's eye tortoise-shell sunglasses that
darkened and lightened relative to the light sat on her nose, a silver and blue lacquer
caduceus pin graced the lapel of the white raw silk blazer that she wore over her dress, a
pair of sapphire studs adorned her earlobes, a platinum Cartier watch encircled her slim
wrist, she wore a pair of fine Italian leather blue pumps, and carried a classy Gucci
purse. Walking behind her, Emily and Waters both carried a few bags and boxes. Soon, they
were home again.
Sard Greenleaf nodded with approval when he saw her come in. "That is better. Get
ready for supper, lass. Mrs. Neveson made her decadent chocolate mousse and chicken cordon
bleu tonight."
Ami nodded and led Sard Greenleaf to the washroom and helped him wash his hands.
Then, she helped him to the table and went to wash her own hands.
Soon, they were sitting across from each other, the only people sitting at a round
mahogany table that could seat 12. The crystal chandelier shone above them, and a bouquet
of white-gold Madonna lilies and lush, feathery ferns in a blue handblown glass vase was
placed in the center of the table. They sat eating in companionable silence.
Suddenly, there seemed to be some disturbance at the door. Ami and Sard Greenleaf
could hear Mr. Neveson give an exclamation, and Mary the maid shrieking. Then, quick, sure
footsteps could be heard walking towards the dining room, and all of the sudden, a tall,
lean form appeared at the entrance of the dining room. A young man, his head crowned with
dark golden hair that gleamed in the light of the setting sun. As Sard Greenleaf stared at
him transfixed, his eyes bugging out of his head, the young man removed his sunglasses and
smiled at him and Ami. A pair of brilliant green eyes on an incredibly handsome face held
slightly mischievous sparkle. After 5 years of self-imposed exile, Zoisite Greenleaf had
finally returned home.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dead silence. For a moment, time seemed to have been frozen. Mrs. Neveson, who was
in the process of bringing in chocolate mousse, stood stock still in shock at the entrance
of the dining room. Zoisite gave her a charming smile and said, "My, Mrs. Neveson, your
mousse looks as luscious as ever. I've gone all around the world, and I've never seen any
half as good."
"M-master Z-zoisite?" Mrs. Neveson stammered, incredulous.
"The one and only. I've returned." Zoisite said lightly, though his green eyes had
a serious look to them, and he glanced meaningfully at his father. So far, Sard Greenleaf
had not said a word. Neither had Ami.
Mrs. Neveson hurriedly set the mousse on the table, then bustled off back to the
kitchens, muttering, "The young master had always liked my chicken soup...and...yes!...the
very thing...pastries with creme de menthe...beef tea and honey biscuits...another place
at the table...and of course, that bottle of red wine that had been in the cellar for 10
years..."
Sard Greenleaf glared at Zoisite. "Where the Hell have YOU been?"
Zoisite shrugged nonchalantly, "Oh, here and there. I originally did not have any
type of job, then I met up with a nice lady one day, named Rei Hino. Turned out that she
was the girlfriend of my old friend Jadeite Somerset. You remember Jade, right, the blond
boy who always played pranks? Well, I met up with Jade, and we formed a duo. At first, we
just played for coffee shops and such, but one day, this big rich producer found us, and
before we knew it, we were the latest "hit group"...got pseudonyms...I am called Zanth
Winters and Jade, Jay Summers. Our group is known as 'Fire and Ice'. Now, we've been out
in public for about 2 years...we have earned a tidy little sum of money and we get fan
mail every day...besides that, though, I have not been doing much."
Sard Greenleaf listened to this astonishing narrative with a straight face. Then,
he snapped, "So, you have been happy for the past 5 years?"
Zoisite became serious. "I had thought so, until someone changed my mind."
"Who? How? What happened?"
"I met up with this stubborn but smart little woman who told me that I was just
kidding myself. That I was eaten up with 'abominable pride'. That I belonged back here,
and if I kept on denying that, I was the world's biggest fool."
Sard Greenleaf chuckled. Ami suddenly seemed very interested in her fingernails in
her lap. "Whoever that lassie is, I hope to meet her someday. Sounds a bit like Ami over
here."
Zoisite looked piercingly at Ami, whose eyes were still cast downward, and forced
down a wolf-whistle. Wow! That woman really cleaned up well!! But he put on a wide smile.
"Good evening, Miss Mizuno. It is a pleasure to see you once again."
"You have met before?" Sard Greenleaf asked curiously.
Zoisite nodded, respect and admiration for her in his eyes. "Whom do you think I
was talking about who gave me a piece of her mind?"
Sard joined his son in scrutinizing Ami, who looked down, slightly embarrassed.
She was about to excuse herself from the table, when Zoisite grabbed her wrist gently, but
firmly enough to prevent her escape, "Stay with us, if you please. Come, have a drink with
us."
Sard Greenleaf nodded in agreement, and Ami consented. Zoisite released her wrist
and smiled, "That's right. Say, father, if I had known that this lovely young thing would
be staying here and that she looks so gorgeous dressed up, I would not have left."
Sard Greenleaf laughed heartily as Ami blushed in consternation. "My boy, your bad
habits have not been improved, I see. Lass, ignore him, he has always been an incorrigible
scoundrel."
Zoisite pouted slightly, "What do you say, father? I have not been here an hour
and you have already begun to ruin my reputation, and in front of a lady too!"
Ami's face broke into a small smile, and Sard Greenleaf laughed again. Father and
son talked animatedly and intimately for the rest of the evening, and Ami just sat back
and listened to them, content. The snappish old man had never been so happy, and his son
was just as glad. Gradually, she felt her eyelids get heavy, the chandelier's light looked
like a golden cloud. But she still sat there and listened to the soothing sounds of the
conversation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoisite stopped laughing and glanced at the dark gold filigree clock on the wall.
Good heavens, it was already midnight! He glanced at Ami, and his eyes softened despite
himself. There she sat, fast asleep, her beautiful blue head leaning slightly on her left
shoulder, her long eyelashes resting on her blossom-pink cheeks. Her face was pure and
gentle in its repose. He walked over to her and softly called her name. She did not stir.
Sard Greenleaf watched his son intently as he bent over Ami. Zoi's eyes had always
mirrored his soul, and now was no exception. But for both his and Ami's sakes, Sard knew
that he should make sure that those two would not just fly off on their emotions without
any sense of committment. The last thing he wanted to see was the two of them having a
casual fling without any true feelings. "Zoi, she seems to be fast asleep. Why don't you
take her to her room?"
Zoisite's face, now serious and contemplative, looked from his father to Ami, and
silently nodded. Gently, he picked up Ami and carried her up the stairs. Emily was waiting
in the hall, and after greeting Zoisite, led the way to Ami's room. Zoisite followed her,
Ami nestled in his arms. He was surprised at how light she was, and how perfectly she fit
in his arms. But soon, they had reached her room. Gently, he laid her on her bed, and as
Emily closed the curtains, he tenderly brushed away a lock of blue hair that had fallen on
Ami's face. Emily watched him expectantly, and, noticing her eyes on him, Zoisite left the
room without a word.
His father was waiting downstairs. "Do not get any ideas about her, my boy."
Zoisite looked at his father. "What? Why?"
Sard Greenleaf's steady eyes never left Zoisite's face. "She seems to be very good
friends with my doctor, Darien Chiba. They seem pretty close, and he is a very worthy man.
He is a very successful doctor and good man."
"Oh." Zoisite's reply was monosyllabic and toneless, but his father, scrutinizing
his face, saw everything he wanted to see.
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Duhn-duhn-duhn!! And ze plot thickens!! There it is, Chapter 2!! Did you like it? Did you
hate it? E-mail me at smart_sweetlady@yahoo.com and tell me!! More in a week or two!! Look
for it!! Hope you enjoyed, and hope to hear from you!!
-Thalia;)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Teaser: It all started when a gutsy young nurse met an elderly patient: an eccentric old
millionaire with a cantankerous temper. A story about family, social class and an unlikely
but ardent love. Rating....about PG to PG-13...nothing serious, just a few instances of
adult language....^^;
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello, here we go with Chapter 2!! How do you like it so far? Thanks for anyone who has
e-mailed me recently (alas, not too many:(...) and keep up the support! You people are the
best! Anyways, as usual, all discliamers apply...blahblahblah....e-mail me with feedback
at smart_sweetlady@yahoo.com. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!! All right, I won't blab
any more. Enjoy!!
~Thalia;)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ami, holding Sard Greenleaf's arm with one hand and a small navy blue valise in
the other, approached the sleek silver Rolls Royce. The chauffeur, a tall, middle-aged man
with reddish hair and a luxuriant moustache, took her valise and opened the door for her
and his master. After they had sat in, the chauffeur, Mr. Waters, drove off sedately in
the direction of Sard Greenleaf's estate, Aquamyste.
After about an hour of driving, they had reached a long, tree-shadowed lane, and
soon, a rugged yet elegant Victorian mansion covered with rambling roses and clinging ivy.
The mansion was surrounded by a manicured, proper, lush green park with strong, tall oaks
and poplars, slender white birches and silvery green weeping willows. A marble fountain of
a girl draped with flowing Grecian robes, holding a pitcher, stood in the middle of the
courtyard. A wrought iron gate, violet with wisteria bloom, was opened by remote, and the
car drove down the circular cobblestone drive right up to the house. Ami and her patient
got out of the car, and Waters followed carrying Ami's valise.
The door opened to reveal several curious but honest faces of various servants of
various stations and ages. All of them gazed at Ami with interest and Sard Greenleaf with
welcome. Sard told them to get in a line, and started to introduce each to Ami.
"This here is my butler, Mr. William Neveson. He takes care of general things in
the house and oversees the other servants." He gestured to a serious, gray-haired but
kindly old man dressed in an immaculate white shirt and black trousers with a gray vest,
who bowed.
"This is his wife, Mrs. Cecily Neveson. She helps keep house and is the cook. Try
some of her apple strudel sometime, and you will never be able to live with out it again."
Mrs. Neveson, a plump, smiling woman with snow-white hair, squeezed Ami's hand gently.
"These are Mary Wells, Beth Witting and Elsa Hyde. They are the chambermaids. They
clean the house." Three women just slightly older than Ami waved and bobbed curtseys.
"These are Martin Ellis and his sons John and Davy. They keep the grounds." A man
in the middle age, his hair bleached blond by the sun and his skin a deep bronze, gave Ami
a hearty smile, and his two sons, one about 20, tall and wiry, with brown eyes and hair,
another one a boy of 13 with wide hazel eyes and a button nose, his face freckled and full
curiosity, nodded at Ami. Ami smiled, and the boy smiled back. Ami knew that she had made
a friend.
"This is Emily Moore. She is going to be your personal maid." A pretty young girl
of 18, with a head of curly ash-blonde hair, her eyes the color of bluebells, smiled an
ingenuous smile at Ami and curtseyed. Ami caught John Ellis stealing longing glances at
her, and then, the girl smile back at him, causing him to blush slightly.
"And you have already met my chauffeur Mr. Edward Waters." Sard finished. He then
turned to his servants. "This is Miss Ami. Treat her like you would treat me." They nodded
collectively, and Sard Greenleaf told all to begone to their duties, and Emily to show Ami
her rooms.
"Please follow me, Miss Ami." Emily said. Ami followed her up the stairs into one
of the Victorian mansion's "turrets". There, she found three rooms, cool and inviting, in
blues and greens and violets, a bedchamber, a sitting room and a study, awaiting her. The
deco was artistic and tasteful, but not too ornate. Sard Greenleaf had been very generous
with providing her with anything that she could possibly need for her amusement. But the
most interesting thing in the room was a photograph of a serene, seraphic woman with long
golden tresses and soulful aquamarine eyes, dressed in a blue-green blouse. In her lap she
held a young boy, who had hair just slightly darker than hers, cool, alert green eyes and
a beatific smile on his handsome little face. Ami recognized the boy, he was none other
than Zoisite Greenleaf! She mentally pictured the present-day Zoisite and compared him to
the boy in the picture: now, he was brooding, his eyes were stormy, he was still handsome,
but his face held none of its old ingenuous charm and happiness: it looked jaded. Ami felt
a strange sense of sympathetic commiseration for him, almost as acute as for his father.
She wished that she could do something about both men's sadness.
She could not imagine what a vital role she would play in each man's life.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ami soon grew accustomed to her life at the mansions. The servants all treated her
very respectfully and cordially, Sard Greenleaf continued to enjoy their daily tart, witty
exchanges, and she meticulously took care of his health. Soon, he was on the way to the
recovery of his right hand, and very happy about it. Seeing how the sharp-witted nurse had
become a favorite of the old man's, the servants were extremely happy, and tried to get to
know her better.
Ami's best friends in the mansion were Emily, Davy and Mrs. Neveson. Emily soon
made the older girl her confidante, and, as Ami suspected, told her of how she and John
had grown up in the household, starting as kids pulling each other's hair and growing up
to realize that they were in love. The two were tacitly engaged, although John did not get
enough money to buy a ring just yet. Davy was curious and clever, and spent hours showing
Ami proudly about the grounds. Ami had taught him the best way to fold a paper plane, and
that amazing feat had won her his admiration and respect forever. Whenever Ami was done
with her duties and he with his, he would follow her around, asking about everything. Mrs.
Neveson gloried in how the young woman had brought some happiness back into the house, and
treated her like a daughter. Sard Greenleaf, too, delighted in the girl's intelligence and
candour, and affectionately called her "lass".
A few months passed. Spring gradually became summer. One day, Sard Greenleaf gave
a snort as Ami walked in, wearing her nurse's uniform. "Lassie, for the love of God go and
buy some decent clothing!"
"I beg your pardon?" Ami asked.
"You wear that blasted uniform day in and day out. I feel like my house is being
turned into a clinic!" The old man rung a bell and immediately Mr. Neveson appeared at the
door. "Yes, sir?"
"Tell Waters to get the black Mercedes ready. And call for Emily. I have decided
to have Miss Ami spend a day at the shops and get some normal clothing before my house
becomes an infirmary." Sard Greenleaf said autocratically.
Mr. Neveson inclined his head and in moments, both Waters and Emily were standing
at the entrance of the room. Sard Greenleaf handed Ami a wallet filled with cash. "If this
is not spent, you need not return this evening." He declared in a voice that brooked no
argument.
Ami allowed herself a slight grimace, which Sard Greenleaf caught. He smiled and
sat back. Silently, Ami followed Waters and Emily out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Four hours later, Ami, dressed in a short, simple but chic blue satin dress with a
white voile sash, which was form-fitting without being clingy, with a skirt that came up
to mid-thigh, walked towards the car. A pair of cat's eye tortoise-shell sunglasses that
darkened and lightened relative to the light sat on her nose, a silver and blue lacquer
caduceus pin graced the lapel of the white raw silk blazer that she wore over her dress, a
pair of sapphire studs adorned her earlobes, a platinum Cartier watch encircled her slim
wrist, she wore a pair of fine Italian leather blue pumps, and carried a classy Gucci
purse. Walking behind her, Emily and Waters both carried a few bags and boxes. Soon, they
were home again.
Sard Greenleaf nodded with approval when he saw her come in. "That is better. Get
ready for supper, lass. Mrs. Neveson made her decadent chocolate mousse and chicken cordon
bleu tonight."
Ami nodded and led Sard Greenleaf to the washroom and helped him wash his hands.
Then, she helped him to the table and went to wash her own hands.
Soon, they were sitting across from each other, the only people sitting at a round
mahogany table that could seat 12. The crystal chandelier shone above them, and a bouquet
of white-gold Madonna lilies and lush, feathery ferns in a blue handblown glass vase was
placed in the center of the table. They sat eating in companionable silence.
Suddenly, there seemed to be some disturbance at the door. Ami and Sard Greenleaf
could hear Mr. Neveson give an exclamation, and Mary the maid shrieking. Then, quick, sure
footsteps could be heard walking towards the dining room, and all of the sudden, a tall,
lean form appeared at the entrance of the dining room. A young man, his head crowned with
dark golden hair that gleamed in the light of the setting sun. As Sard Greenleaf stared at
him transfixed, his eyes bugging out of his head, the young man removed his sunglasses and
smiled at him and Ami. A pair of brilliant green eyes on an incredibly handsome face held
slightly mischievous sparkle. After 5 years of self-imposed exile, Zoisite Greenleaf had
finally returned home.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dead silence. For a moment, time seemed to have been frozen. Mrs. Neveson, who was
in the process of bringing in chocolate mousse, stood stock still in shock at the entrance
of the dining room. Zoisite gave her a charming smile and said, "My, Mrs. Neveson, your
mousse looks as luscious as ever. I've gone all around the world, and I've never seen any
half as good."
"M-master Z-zoisite?" Mrs. Neveson stammered, incredulous.
"The one and only. I've returned." Zoisite said lightly, though his green eyes had
a serious look to them, and he glanced meaningfully at his father. So far, Sard Greenleaf
had not said a word. Neither had Ami.
Mrs. Neveson hurriedly set the mousse on the table, then bustled off back to the
kitchens, muttering, "The young master had always liked my chicken soup...and...yes!...the
very thing...pastries with creme de menthe...beef tea and honey biscuits...another place
at the table...and of course, that bottle of red wine that had been in the cellar for 10
years..."
Sard Greenleaf glared at Zoisite. "Where the Hell have YOU been?"
Zoisite shrugged nonchalantly, "Oh, here and there. I originally did not have any
type of job, then I met up with a nice lady one day, named Rei Hino. Turned out that she
was the girlfriend of my old friend Jadeite Somerset. You remember Jade, right, the blond
boy who always played pranks? Well, I met up with Jade, and we formed a duo. At first, we
just played for coffee shops and such, but one day, this big rich producer found us, and
before we knew it, we were the latest "hit group"...got pseudonyms...I am called Zanth
Winters and Jade, Jay Summers. Our group is known as 'Fire and Ice'. Now, we've been out
in public for about 2 years...we have earned a tidy little sum of money and we get fan
mail every day...besides that, though, I have not been doing much."
Sard Greenleaf listened to this astonishing narrative with a straight face. Then,
he snapped, "So, you have been happy for the past 5 years?"
Zoisite became serious. "I had thought so, until someone changed my mind."
"Who? How? What happened?"
"I met up with this stubborn but smart little woman who told me that I was just
kidding myself. That I was eaten up with 'abominable pride'. That I belonged back here,
and if I kept on denying that, I was the world's biggest fool."
Sard Greenleaf chuckled. Ami suddenly seemed very interested in her fingernails in
her lap. "Whoever that lassie is, I hope to meet her someday. Sounds a bit like Ami over
here."
Zoisite looked piercingly at Ami, whose eyes were still cast downward, and forced
down a wolf-whistle. Wow! That woman really cleaned up well!! But he put on a wide smile.
"Good evening, Miss Mizuno. It is a pleasure to see you once again."
"You have met before?" Sard Greenleaf asked curiously.
Zoisite nodded, respect and admiration for her in his eyes. "Whom do you think I
was talking about who gave me a piece of her mind?"
Sard joined his son in scrutinizing Ami, who looked down, slightly embarrassed.
She was about to excuse herself from the table, when Zoisite grabbed her wrist gently, but
firmly enough to prevent her escape, "Stay with us, if you please. Come, have a drink with
us."
Sard Greenleaf nodded in agreement, and Ami consented. Zoisite released her wrist
and smiled, "That's right. Say, father, if I had known that this lovely young thing would
be staying here and that she looks so gorgeous dressed up, I would not have left."
Sard Greenleaf laughed heartily as Ami blushed in consternation. "My boy, your bad
habits have not been improved, I see. Lass, ignore him, he has always been an incorrigible
scoundrel."
Zoisite pouted slightly, "What do you say, father? I have not been here an hour
and you have already begun to ruin my reputation, and in front of a lady too!"
Ami's face broke into a small smile, and Sard Greenleaf laughed again. Father and
son talked animatedly and intimately for the rest of the evening, and Ami just sat back
and listened to them, content. The snappish old man had never been so happy, and his son
was just as glad. Gradually, she felt her eyelids get heavy, the chandelier's light looked
like a golden cloud. But she still sat there and listened to the soothing sounds of the
conversation.
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Zoisite stopped laughing and glanced at the dark gold filigree clock on the wall.
Good heavens, it was already midnight! He glanced at Ami, and his eyes softened despite
himself. There she sat, fast asleep, her beautiful blue head leaning slightly on her left
shoulder, her long eyelashes resting on her blossom-pink cheeks. Her face was pure and
gentle in its repose. He walked over to her and softly called her name. She did not stir.
Sard Greenleaf watched his son intently as he bent over Ami. Zoi's eyes had always
mirrored his soul, and now was no exception. But for both his and Ami's sakes, Sard knew
that he should make sure that those two would not just fly off on their emotions without
any sense of committment. The last thing he wanted to see was the two of them having a
casual fling without any true feelings. "Zoi, she seems to be fast asleep. Why don't you
take her to her room?"
Zoisite's face, now serious and contemplative, looked from his father to Ami, and
silently nodded. Gently, he picked up Ami and carried her up the stairs. Emily was waiting
in the hall, and after greeting Zoisite, led the way to Ami's room. Zoisite followed her,
Ami nestled in his arms. He was surprised at how light she was, and how perfectly she fit
in his arms. But soon, they had reached her room. Gently, he laid her on her bed, and as
Emily closed the curtains, he tenderly brushed away a lock of blue hair that had fallen on
Ami's face. Emily watched him expectantly, and, noticing her eyes on him, Zoisite left the
room without a word.
His father was waiting downstairs. "Do not get any ideas about her, my boy."
Zoisite looked at his father. "What? Why?"
Sard Greenleaf's steady eyes never left Zoisite's face. "She seems to be very good
friends with my doctor, Darien Chiba. They seem pretty close, and he is a very worthy man.
He is a very successful doctor and good man."
"Oh." Zoisite's reply was monosyllabic and toneless, but his father, scrutinizing
his face, saw everything he wanted to see.
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Duhn-duhn-duhn!! And ze plot thickens!! There it is, Chapter 2!! Did you like it? Did you
hate it? E-mail me at smart_sweetlady@yahoo.com and tell me!! More in a week or two!! Look
for it!! Hope you enjoyed, and hope to hear from you!!
-Thalia;)