The Lonely Widow, Not so Lonely Anymore
Misao ran across the wet CBD main road jumping the puddles hoping not to ruin her one and only good pair of black dress shoes and headed for the restaurant she was meeting Megumi at. The rain had come down heavily, Misao thanking the gods she brought her beige overcoat with her to protect the black evening dress she wore underneath. Misao never thought it would rain this heavily though, it was unusual for this time of year, but obviously there was a change in the air. She entered the restaurant greeting the man behind the counter and passed her damp overcoat to him so he could hang it up, amongst the other coats and marking her name on a piece of paper pinning it to the coat.
"Its okay, she's just over there." Misao spoke kindly waving the young man off and headed towards the table Megumi had booked for this evening.
"Good evening Megumi." Misao spoke happily and sat down, her back to the main doors as Megumi had already taken the other seat.
"You look lovely Misao-chan." Megumi spoke noting the dress she wore was one that she had bought for Misao a couple of months ago. It was plan black, but cut low down the back, showing off Misao's slender form from behind. There was a silver clasp holding it together, just at the base of her neck and then the dress gaped open in an upside down arch stopping at the small of Misao's back, making sure not to show the waistband of her underwear she wore. The sleeves were long and tight against her arms as was the top half of the dress, the bottom flowing freely from her hips and down. Misao had placed her hair in a simple loose braid, the end brushing her firm yet pert bottom as though tempting men to stare and maybe even grope it but they would be pounded into the ground and hospitalised before getting a second glance or grope for that matter.
Megumi had seen it in one of the finest fashion stores she went to and knew it would look good on Misao. She wore an elegant black choker with a small silver flower on the front and yes, her silver chain with her wedding band was still around her neck, hidden underneath the material of the dress. It fell to her ankles, a split riding up her right leg and stopping half way up her thigh showing of her shapely legs which are covered with sheer black stockings.
"Thank you Meg, but you looking pretty damn good yourself." Misao replied smiling at her friend. Megumi too wore a plain elegant dress, which fell to her ankles, but hers was deep red in colour, skin tight and strapless showing off her womanly curves to all those who wanted to see, but no one was allowed to touch. Misao knew how much Megumi loved to tease the men and she didn't mind that they ogled her either. She wore long black silk gloves reaching up past her elbows with a gold bracelet on her right wrist and her gold locket around her neck, a photo of her family hidden inside. A black shawl, which she brought with her, not predicting the weather either rested behind her on the chair she sat in.
Megumi smiled her own thanks at Misao and sipped her water waiting for someone to come over and take their order.
"Excuse me ladies, have we made a decision on what we wish to order this evening?" The woman spoke in a professional manner. Misao quickly scanned the menu as Megumi had already decided for herself.
"I'll have the fish this evening and Misao will have…" Megumi trailed off as Misao placed down the menu having come to a decision.
"The chicken salad."
"Lovely choices. Could I interest you ladies in a glass or bottle of wine?" The waitress spoke taking the menus and writing down the names of the meals Misao and Megumi had chosen.
"Please bring us your sweetest bottle of red wine if possible." Misao had spoken cutting in over whatever Megumi was going to say. The waitress walked off placing the food order on the counter for the chefs and requested a bottle of wine from the bartender.
"Wow Misao, you are happy tonight. So I gather yesterday went well…do tell me all about it." Megumi spoke up after taking another sip of her water wanting to find the ins and outs of what Misao thought of her brother. She knew it was wrong of her to not say anything about them being related, but really there was no harm in wanting her close friend to be happy was there?
"I was a nervous wreck to begin with, always staring at the clock wanting to know when he was coming, but as we sat down, looking through the folders in silence I was so comfortable and at ease with him it was quite strange. He didn't seem to notice at all, which was a good thing. I choose three designs but now its down to two because the black was awful. I knew he thought he was explaining things really stupidly to me, but it really made perfect sense. I'm deciding between green and blue. I'll see him tomorrow since he'll have samples then and I'll take them home and have a look to make the final decision."
"What about what I talked about the other day? About getting to know him that little bit extra?" Megumi questioned giving a small thanks to the man that came over to pour Misao and herself a glass of red wine.
"Actually that went quite well. Just like you said, ease into it and everything will be fine. He spoke about family and dropping out of school to help his father's business and how he runs it, well the Kyoto one anyway. He spoke of how much he misses his deceased mother and I could relate to that about my parents and Soujiro too. He spoke so lovingly and passionately at having an older sister whom he loves very much."
"H-He said that?" Megumi spoke in a soft voice, her head bent trying to hide her glistening eyes. Aoshi really wasn't one to show or talk about affections and yet what Misao said was true. She always spoke the truth to Megumi so she couldn't doubt it at all. Perhaps this was the person that Aoshi would open up to more. He still has his teenage self in him, opening up to a couple of people, but not fully like Megumi wished he would.
"Megumi? Is everything alright?" Misao spoke worriedly to the older woman across from her. Megumi raised her head, no trace of shock or unshed tears in her eyes as she smiled happily over at Misao. Yes, Misao would be the one that Aoshi opened up to…she could feel it…
"Of course I am Misao. Its just nice that he loves his sister so mu- Please excuse me Misao I must go to the bathroom!" Misao watched with slightly wide eyes as Megumi completely changed topic and watched as she raced off with her handbag and shawl rushing for the ladies restroom. Misao sat in silence looking around the restaurant at families spending an evening together or couples who took bits of desserts from the others fork. All that mushy stuff made Misao cringe.
Minutes had passed and Misao's chicken salad and Megumi's fish came out, the waiter refilling Misao's wineglass once more. Misao began eating not wanting the chicken to go cold and she knew Megumi wouldn't mind. Misao thought it strange she was taking so long but her train of thought left her friend when someone else entered her mind.
"Misao?" Misao's eyes widened and she nearly choked on the lettuce at hearing that soft masculine voice. Misao half turned in her chair to see Aoshi a meter behind her. A small smile was etched on his lips as he moved closer Misao eyeing the clothes he was wearing. She had thought he was nice in work clothes but now…as he walked closer towards her, he had taken her breath away.
Aoshi wore black dress trousers, neatly pressed and a button down silky white shirt that wasn't tucked into the waistband of his trousers. It rested comfortably and loosely at his hips hiding the black belt with a silver buckle he wore underneath. A black dinner jacket rested over his left arm while his right hand was tucked in his trouser pocket. His hair glistened in the restaurant lights, obviously wet from the rain.
"I thought it was you, I wasn't too sure though…you look…different from seeing you yesterday." Misao placed on a small smile, her hand covering her mouth to finish chewing the large mouthful of food she had in her mouth. Once finished she placed her fork on the table.
"Oh, don't stop eating on my account, I just came over to say hello. Misao this is Sano by the way." Aoshi spoke introducing the electrician Misao to his electrician friend and roommate. Misao turned around to see a man the same age as Aoshi. He was wearing white baggy trousers with a plain black shirt which outlined his muscles underneath as it clung to his upper body and a white jacket tied around his waist. His brown hair spiked up everywhere, he having set it that way with some gel, or so Misao assumed. He gave her a lob-sided grin and a small wave, which Misao returned kindly.
"Um…Hey Aoshi, I just realised I've got to be on-call tonight. Yeah I swapped with a mate at work, he having to go to his daughters school play so I better not go out drinking with you. Um, you go ahead and uh…have fun all right. See you later." Aoshi blinked a couple of times watching his friend walk out of the restaurant.
"Um…okay…see you later then." Aoshi spoke absently to himself. He stared down at Misao to see she was looking up at him, her head tilted as though thinking about something. Aoshi cleared his throat and finally spoke.
"Can I keep you company while you wait for your date to come back from where ever he went?"
"D-Date? Oh no you've got it wrong, I'm here with a friend. She went to the restroom." Aoshi's mouth was parted into a small 'o' and observed as Misao waved him to sit down where Megumi once sat.
"I'm sure she won't be long, you could meet her as well, she's such a lovely person." Aoshi nodded his head and they fell into comfortable silence, Misao eating her dinner.
* * * *
(Up at the Bar…)
"Excuse me Sir, could you do me a huge favour?" Megumi spoke in a whisper as she made her way towards a blocked end of the bar which Misao or Aoshi couldn't see. She was slouched slightly the young man walking over as she waved some money getting his full attention and to use him for his services.
"See that couple over there? The young woman wearing the black evening dress with her back to you?" The bartender nodded his head in affirmation.
"Could you please recite this message to her for me…I'd really appreciate it very much." Megumi spoke in a low voice the bartender nodding every now and then making sure he understood it word for word.
"No problem Ma'am." The bartender watched shocked as Megumi climbed under the counter as their was a gap for the bartender to go under when he needed to bring champagne or wine to a table.
"Don't mind me…I just have to go this way. You have a job to do remember…" Megumi spoke absently making sure she was slouched low heading for the register to pay for the dinner and to escape without being caught.
The young man behind the register counter gave Megumi a strange face expression but she waved him off handing him the money and left in a hurry out the door before Aoshi could make accurate eye contact or sight of who she was. The man behind the counter was about to correct the young woman but found no one in sight and smiled at having receiving a nice tip.
* * * *
(Outside the Restaurant)
Megumi sighed against the wall outside, her head moving around to look inside the glass door to see Misao eating her meal while listening to whatever Aoshi was talking about.
"What have your fox eyes caught sight of? A bit of prey?" Megumi squealed in shock, her head jerking around to come face to face with beautiful chocolate brown eyes. They stared innocently into her dark eyes not portraying the hunger that was hidden deep within for the young doctor woman. Megumi placed on a sly grin, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly as she stared up at the taller but younger man in front of her.
"You mean you wish you were my prey youngster." Megumi replied in a heartbeat.
She grabbed his wrist twisting it slightly to read the time and spoke once more dropping his hand.
"Oh look at the time, I'm going to be late for dinner at my boyfriend's mansion. I best call Alfred and tell him to bring the limousine to come and pick me up. See you around rooster boy." Megumi quickly turned around, her long hair swishing in all directions and falling back down to her waist. She wrapped her shawl around her shoulders tying it up lightly and undid the umbrella as she began walking off down the street in the pouring rain, her hips swinging just that little bit extra for the young man who she ran into a couple of weeks ago. Megumi wouldn't admit it, but he stirred wild emotions within her, he being the man to excite her as he had bickered with her the first time they met. He challenged her all the way and didn't mind that he actually lost either.
Sano continued to stare at Megumi's disappearing figure watching her hips sway and made a small groan and cracked his neck at the intense feelings he felt rushing within him.
"Who are you?" Sano mumbled to himself and thrust his hands in his trouser pockets walking off in the other direction heading for his car to go home.
* * * *
(Inside the Restaurant again…)
"Excuse me for interrupting Miss, but the young lady you were dining with had an urgent appointment to attend to and she is sorry she cannot eat dinner with you tonight. She said she'll call you tomorrow morning."
"Um…thank you…" Misao replied, the bartender moving away and greeting a customer who wanted to order another bottle of wine.
"Sorry about your dinner being ruined Misao. Perhaps you'd like to come have coffee with me after you finish? No strings attached, just friends." Aoshi placed up his hands, making sure Misao knew he was only being a gentleman with no hidden agendas. Misao stared silently at him for a moment but shook her head negatively and explained why.
"No, I really should get an early night tonight. I have a few children I must look after tomorrow, but thank you for the offer." Aoshi nodded his head and shrugged his shoulders.
"It was worth a try. If you happen to change your mind, I'll be a couple of blocks away, down at the Aoiya Café." Misao nodded her head and blinked surprised when Aoshi was chewing on a piece of the chicken from her dinner. She didn't even see him take a piece from the plate.
"Have a pleasant evening Misao." Misao nodded her head and turned around watching as he walked away. He placed on his jacket and grabbed his umbrella from the young man at the register and walked out the door heading down the street, the umbrella protecting him from the rain falling even heavier. Misao watched him walk past the large windows, to young women from another able commenting on his tight butt and good looks. Misao watched as rain sprayed on the window the wind having picked up. Misao bent her head and grabbed her glass hoping she wasn't blushing at the comments those two women made about Aoshi.
Misao ate in silence, looking over at the empty space in front of her and began hating the silence that enveloped her. She was missing the fact that Aoshi had been sitting there and casually talking to her about her home and her kitchen.
Misao shook her head of thoughts and pushed her plate away not having any more room in her stomach for the chicken salad and gulped down the rest of her red wine, which happened to be her third glass and got up heading for the main entrance. Misao was fishing through her purse to get out her visa card but the man stopped her and shook his head.
"The young lady already paid and forgot her change." He spoke honestly as he stared into Misao's deep pools of blue, which were known as her eyes. Just staring at the young woman he knew he couldn't stiff her friend and had to speak truthfully to her. Misao smiled kindly at him and spoke grabbing her beige coat from him.
"Keep it, she would have given you a tip like that anyway." He nodded his head bidding Misao a good evening and sighed as she left the restaurant. She was definitely one fine specimen of woman.
* * * *
Misao began walking down the street, close to the other restaurant and closed shop windows not wanting to get too wet by the rain. She was walking in the opposite direction Aoshi had been walking in.
After many minutes of walking, Misao probably thinking it was about 15 or 20 minutes she had suddenly stopped walking altogether as though her legs froze her in that one spot. Misao turned to stare in one of the shop windows looking at her dark reflection in a television set. Her hands clenched the front of her beige overcoat in nervousness, but her heart thumped in her chest with new life.
'If you happen to change your mind, I'll be a couple of blocks away, down at the Aoiya Café.'
Misao placed on a smile, her face brightening as she finally came to a decision. Yes, she could do this; after all it was just casual coffee. Misao turned swiftly around racing back down the street and passed the restaurant she had eaten in. She hadn't run so hard in her life and secretly hoped he'd still be at the café. Misao ate their all the time, knowing the owner and so she received small discounts on the side.
Misao's shoes pounded on the wet sidewalk, her hair wet from the rain, small bits sticking to her red cheeks as she ran out of shelter but still Misao kept running for the Aoiya Café. What seemed like forever to Misao, she finally saw a group of people coming out of the café and sighed in relief stopping her running.
Misao stopped before reaching any of the windows trying to straighten out her damp hair and eased out of her drenched coat not liking the heavy weight it created on her shoulders. Finally Misao thought it wise to look inside to see whether he was still there and surprisingly enough she found Aoshi actually sitting in the booth at that very window she stared into.
Misao looked at him for a few minutes and noticed he held a small smirk on his lips and was staring over at the empty booth in front of him. He was slightly slouched, his long legs resting on the opposite seat, one ankle crossed over the other. A slice of rich chocolate mud cake and a hot cappuccino rested on the table. The cappuccino untouched, Aoshi probably waiting for it to cool down before he actually drinks it. Misao was quite intrigued now, wanting to know what that smirk was for and wanted to know what was rolling around in his mind but instead opted to tap the window.
Aoshi's head whipped around, surprised at the disruption and slightly angered as well but that was all forgotten as he stared up into sparkling blue pools as Misao stood outside the window. Her cheeks were flushed red and her chest heaved slightly as her lungs demanded air.
Aoshi silently wondered how long she had been there, whether or not she had to tap more then once to grab his attention but watched as she mouthed 'hello' and pointed to the entrance saying she was going to come in. Aoshi sat up straight, one hand ruffling through his damp hair in slight nervousness. Aoshi watched as Misao made her way to the counter to order a hot drink and pointed to some cake she'd like to try and then walked over.
Aoshi's mouth slightly parted as his eyes glanced down at the split in Misao's dress as it gapped open when she walked towards him. Damn she was gorgeous to him, especially in a dress that clung to her body like that one did. He smiled over at her hiding his "ogling" and waving for her to sit down opposite him.
"I thought I'd take you up on your offer of coffee. I hadn't had dessert either so I thought…why not." Misao spoke shrugging her shoulders and placed her damp coat over the spare side of the table hoping it would dry.
'"I'm glad…" Aoshi spoke absently and Misao's eyes lifted up trailing over to make contact with his. Aoshi cleared his throat feeling like an idiot but thanked the gods when the waitress came over placing Misao's hot chocolate and what looked like a slice of caramel tart on the table.
"Arigatoo Tai-san." Misao spoke and picked up the two white marshmallows and dropped them into her hot chocolate. Aoshi took a deep breath, the gods truly smiling down on him as Misao had changed her mind. This was going to be a very interesting evening and he began to get excited hoping the outcome would blossom into a great friendship…for now that is…
* * * *
To be continued…
* * * *