AN: My dear readers – thanks so much for all your lovely comments! I have read each and everyone of them carefully and am grateful for all the constructive suggestions. Sorry for not answering each and everyone of you individually this time round – I'm rushing a deadline – but rest assured that I will do that next time! Thanks again and I hope you like this new chapter!
Chapter 32 – We Meet Again
Tsukushi slowly flourished again under our care - mine in particular. Those bright smiles that lit up her entire face made their appearance more regularly and she started to laugh again. However, the shadows still lingered. There were times when she withdrew into herself, when the brightness in her eyes would dim and be darkened by pain and sorrow, and she would force a ghost of her former smile on her lips. If I happened to be around, I would either distract her by teasing her out of those moods or simply hold her hand quietly as I remained by her side. However, she was almost back to being as normal as she could be under the circumstances, studying and working her head off as always.
She told me once, looking at me with those candid eyes of hers, "life goes on, Rui. We don't know when he will recover his memory … …" The words "if ever" remained unspoken as she paused for a moment. "I can't wallow in depression or self-pity forever – I don't want to live this way, I refuse to. Since my presence is unpleasant to him, I'll just keep away from him and put the memories of our times together aside for the moment." I was speechless with admiration as she ploughed right ahead, proceeding courageously to accomplish what she had set out to do with determination as always.
The bond of friendship between us which had been relatively strong to start with, became practically unbreakable. I knew she was neither wanted nor was ready for anything more than a platonic relationship. I respected her wishes and kept my distance accordingly. Yet occasionally when I caught her off guard, I would see a sparkle of some elusive emotion in those dark eyes before they shifted quickly away – a hint of wistfulness, yearning, tenderness, sorrow, guilt and regret. There was always guilt and regret. However, when she looked at me subsequently, she would be smiling brightly again. It made me wonder sometimes if it was simply my overactive imagination at work, until that fateful night … …
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"No, I'm not free this weekend." I looked at J whose eyebrows were raised high – an expression that appeared on his face only when he was extremely surprised.
"You've never really refused an assignment before, Rui." He looked at me with a calculative glean in those shrewd eyes. "Protested yes, persisted in refusing no."
"There's always a first," I shrugged nonchalantly.
His reply hit me with the force of a hammer. "If it's because you yearn to be in the company of a certain delightful young lady, I can assure that she will be able to cope without your presence for the weekend. She does not appear to be in as fragile a state as you and your friends seem to think so."
"How … …" I began but then immediately shut my mouth, not wanting to make a fool out of myself for asking such an obvious question. Of course, he had his sources. My anger started to simmer at this uncalled for invasion of my privacy.
"I never knew that you were one of those who would fall for a pretty face, Rui … …." He held up a hand as I opened my mouth to provide a blistering retort, "fine, she is a bit more than a pretty face, but surely not your type." That presumptuous, arrogant bastard! A muscle twitched in jaw as I clenched my teeth and shoved my tightly balled fists into the pocket of my jeans, continuing to stare into the empty space above his head to reduce the temptation of throwing a punch at him.
"We've received some intelligence that there will be an attempted assassination against one of our more prominent political figureheads."
"Well, excuse me for failing to see the connection sir, since I was still NOT a field agent the last time I checked," I countered sarcastically. "Or perhaps I could refresh your memory regarding my duties which incidentally are restricted to sitting at a computer or a desk and coding, decoding or translating messages."
"Precisely," he said dryly. "We need you to help in transmitting information that our field agents are trying to glean, and also to communicate our action plans to them."
"Why me?" I bit out.
"Professor retired." My eyes opened wide as I contemplated the possibility of having developed a hearing problem.
"Sorry?" Not only was that man a genius who loved his job, but he was practically a workaholic – I could practically see him working on his deathbed.
He continued ignoring my interruption, "and one of our agents resigned. So our capacity has been severely reduced."
"Why would Professor retire? It's not like him." For a moment, I thought caught a flicker of emotion in those icy blue eyes. However, they were as expressionless and calm as the surface of a mirror when I looked again.
"He's dying of lung cancer." I stiffened and was sudden caught up in a whirlwind of emotions – shock, sorrow, pity and regret.
"He deserves better." I said softly.
"So now what about your help?" He changed the subject abruptly. Talk about having a one-track mind. I conjured up several new adjectives on the spot that fit the cold and unfeeling pathetic excuse of a man.
"I'll work at home in my own time – more days, shorter hours … …"
"Security reasons … …" he began.
"Come off it, J. Get Ace to fit up some connections." The way his eyes narrowed as he contemplated me for a moment sent chills down my spin. I hate it when people try to analyse me and the intensity of his stare left me feeling totally exposed and somewhat violated.
Finally he gave in, "just this time, but you need to change that attitude."
"Thanks," I actually mumbled before striding out of the room as fast as I could.
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The weather was exceptionally hot that evening. I pulled at my tie, loosening it a little before throwing a wry glance to Tsukushi who was standing next to me, "how are you hanging in there?"
She smiled at my expression as she slipped her arm through mine in easy companionship, "I should be asking you that question." I gave her an extremely tortured look and she laughed. "Well, at least Akira and Soujirou appear to be enjoying themselves." I turned to look in the direction of her finger only to see the two playboys surrounded by a gaggle of giggling girls (okay they remind me of geese).
"Thanks for being my bimbo repellent," I gushed with excessive gratitude. "I wouldn't know what to do without you here."
She swatted at me playfully, "to think I always thought you were so cool and emotionless. Who would have thought that a clown lurked behind that cold and handsome exterior?"
"I'm … …" I started and she rolled her eyes.
"Okay, I got it. You've told me hundreds of times. You put up an appearance for everyone and only allow a very selected few to see beneath that. I promised I wouldn't blow your cover, so relax! But I really don't see the need to be so mysterious … …"
"Thank goodness my father is only sixty years old once in his lifetime," I swiftly changed the subject as I turned to look at the entrance where my father was welcoming the guests. My eyes fell on the new arrivals and my breath caught in my throat as I stiffened in shock. Recognition flooded through me the moment I saw the tall, slim and graceful brown hair beauty talking to my father.
Shizuka! I could not believe my eyes. What on earth was she doing here, wasn't she across the oceans in France? Tsukushi had turned at the sound of my gasp and I could feel her eyes on me. My mask quickly fell in place and just in time too as I saw my father making a gesture in my direction. Shizuka turned her head and my eyes clashed with a pair of familiar brown orbs. I marvelled at her wonderful acting skills as a smile of recognition and joy at meeting an old friend appeared on her face. She said something to my father and started making her way towards us. I straightened up and maintained a smile as she approached, my face betraying nothing of my inner turmoil, or perhaps it was simply that the numbness of the shock had not worn off completely.
"Rui, it's so good to see you again. How have you been?" There was nothing to do but to return her warm embrace in order to keep up appearances. However, when she tiptoed to kiss me on the lips in our customary greeting, I quickly bent down and deliberately offered my cheek to her.
"Shizuka, you're looking well," I said. "What are you doing back here? How are your parents?"
"Oh, they're fine. And here's Tsukushi – you're looking lovelier than ever." Both girls embraced although Tsukushi was a little stiff – she was never good at hiding her feelings. I knew the playboys had told her the little they knew - that Shizuka had hurt me - and was probably not feeling very charitable towards her at the moment.
"How is Tsukasa? Oh sorry, or are you with Rui now?" I wanted to kick her for the tactless question as Tsukushi flinched although it was natural given the circumstances.
"Tsukasa left early because he had something on. He's still got partial amnesia and Tsukushi's one of my best friends." I quickly cut in. Something flickered in Shizuka's eyes for a moment – was that hurt or ridicule?
"Shizuka, is that you?"
"Shizuka, great to see you!" I was extremely relieved as the two playboys appeared and greeted Shizuka warmly with an embrace and a kiss.
"Oh, I'd like you guys to meet Bernard," Shizuka gestured to a young man in a suit who had been standing politely a little distance away. I noticed that he was a personification of the expression "tall, dark and handsome". He came forward when she looked at him and slid a possessive arm around her waist. "Bernard is my fiancé. He's a fellow lawyer whom I met at court."
"What Shizuka really means is that we were adversaries. I was mesmerised by her but she wasn't exactly what one would consider a good sport and really had a hard time trying to get her to even look at me a second time after beating her and winning the case." We laughed at the anecdote as Shizuka threw him a half-annoyed and half-amused glance.
"Don't forget that I whipped your ass the next time."
"Only because I realised that it was the only way to get you to agree to go out with me on a date."
I saw her watching me closely when she introduced him to each and everyone of us. However, she did not get a rise out of me as she probably expected because I simply shook his hand firmly as I congratulated both of them. He thanked us politely and then spoke to Shizuka in French as they left to mingle. The moment he reverted to French, I realised that he was not the person who had driven me away from Shizuka in France. The sound of that deep voice speaking fluent French was forever seared in my memory. I did not know what to think, what to feel. Disgust at Shizuka's infidelity? Relief that she was not sleeping with the enemy? Bitter at the fact that she found someone to replace me whilst the only potential candidate I had for my girlfriend was in love with my best friend? Confusion at seeing her again and her acting as if nothing had happened between us at all? I was woken out of my deep reprieve by a small hand tugging on my sleeve.
"Rui?" I looked down to see Tsukushi staring at me anxiously. Akira and Soujirou were also looking at me with similar worried expressions on their face.