Chapter Fourteen

You just want to possess me

"Yippee, Shopping." Sano drawled for the umpteenth time that afternoon. Here he was, carrying all groceries little missy bought, calling him in the midst of his catnap just to do the grocery with her. This, by all intents was Sano's least favorite thing to do.

Kaoru turned and glared on her brown-haired, drag racing addict, lame excuse for a student, best friend, "Geez… cut it out, Sano. It's irritating!"

"What?" he innocently looked down at her.

"You've been doing it since we got here, baka!"

"Can you blame me, jou-chan?" Sano melodramatically cried, "I'm a man. A man, jou-chan! My passion is for men stuff! Not shopping… damn it, why drag me into this?"

Kaoru narrowed her eyes and then replied, "Megumi got other things to do… probably another boring practicum, Tae and Yumi's had other plans today, Kenshin… well, he's probably with Tomoe…"

"And I'm the last one on the list?"

She grinned and nodded, "Obviously."

Sano snorted and shrugged his shoulders, "Figures."

"With that attitude of yours… you're the last person I'd ever call, baka!"

"Why do the groceries now, jou-chan? Why not join Tae and Yumi and do the girly stuff you all used to do?" Sano would give everything to escape this task. It's not that he dislikes spending time with Kaoru. In fact, he's quite delighted when she asked him out… not until she mentioned the grocery part.

Kaoru gave a dry laugh and poked him hard on the side, "You seem to forget that I'm living the simple life right now, ne?" with a shook of her head she said, "I can't waste all the money I've earned for some petty luxuries. The old Kaoru would most likely do that but not me. Every penny in my pocket is important. I've learned my lesson well and hard." She laughed again, trying to lighten up the mood before Sano feels sorry again.

But it was too late since the look of guilt started to spread all over his face. "Oh, sorry."

"No, don't be!" she patted him on his shoulder, smiling genuinely as much as possible, "I mean… yeah, I still miss spending time with Tae and Yumi doing all the shopping and stuff…" she noticed his head droop from the corner of her eyes, "BUT that doesn't mean that I blame you for it or anything… it's just that…" he shoulders sagged and with a sigh she said, "Being left out—I dunno… it's kinda…"

"Depressing?" Sano supplied with a lopsided smile.

"Yeah." Kaoru said in defeat.

Sano looked at her, reminiscing the night where he and Kaoru sat in their living room, receiving lectures from her parents.

The moment they learned about what she did with all her money, Sano profusely apologized, telling her them that they should not put the blame on her alone and be mad at him instead. He tried to save her out of the punishment. He really did. But the moment Mr. Kamiya gave his word; Sano couldn't do anything else but to help her find a job and a place to live in. He felt so damn guilty, up until now. Kaoru's so forgiving that she couldn't find herself getting mad at him, which made it much harder for him. She's the nicest girl I've ever met in my entire life. If he ever gets the chance to choose a little sister, he'd choose her.

"Jou-chan?"

"Hm?"

The brown-haired drag racer grinned, "It's been a while since we watched a movie together, ne?"

Kaoru smiled back and nodded, "Since the day you started courting, Megumi, yes. Why do you ask?"

"It's been that long?" He sheepishly looked down and said, "Wanna watch a movie with me, jou-chan?"

Kaoru's eyes sparkled in delight and happily nodded. "I'd love to!" she reached up (which was quite difficult since he's too tall) and ruffled his hair, "You're the bestest BFF ever!" she's quite touched for the fact that Sano tried his best to cheer her up through watching a movie together.

"I know." The two laughed and went along, arm in arm.

After speaking to the relatives of his last patient, Aoshi walked towards the reception where a nurse announced a phone call for him. Who else would call him through the hospital's phone? Kaoru, of course. His Kaoru. Oddly, he was slightly smiling at the anticipation of hearing his housemaid's voice on the other line.

He grabbed the receiver and tried to sound nonchalant as much as possible. Well, just enough to irate her of course.

"Shinomori speaking."

"Aoshi! How are you?"

Aoshi winced at the squealing voice and slightly moved the receiver away from his ear before it bleeds. "Who is this?" and here he thought it was Kaoru who's calling him. Kaoru would never squeal on you like that. She knows the consequences…

"Aww… how can you easily forget my voice? It's me, Shinomori-san. Asako!"

Damn. He thought she finally gave up on him. After the things he and Kaoru did on her party, she's still on his heels, pursuing him? And why was she calling the hospital's phone? "Yes, I remember you. What do you want?" Aoshi didn't mean to be rude. It just comes out naturally to irritating girls like her.

Asako giggled, "Are you free tonight? I'm planning on asking you out for dinner, if you don't mind." She said, shamelessly trying to sound flirtatious as much as possible.

"I can't. I'm busy tonight. Maybe next time." Or probably never. He mentally added.

"Oh, is that so?" there was silence for a moment then she spoke again, "Well, can you join me for tea this afternoon?"

"Why do you want to see me, Asako-san?" Aoshi asked, sounding quite irritated.

"I have something to tell you, Aoshi-san." She sarcastically returned, "It's very important."

"…"

"Well?"

"Fine."

Asako giggled again, "I knew you'll say yes!"

Aoshi fought the urge to roll his eyes especially when Lisa, the receptionist continuously gaping at him. "Where shall I meet you?"

He knew he's going to regret this later, that's for sure.

Tomoe was surprised that afternoon when she received a message from Kenshin asking her out for a late lunch. Yes, she has still loads of paperwork to do but thankfully, Enishi volunteered to do the rest of her work despite of the fact that he's doing Kenshin a small favor as well. She arrived at the said restaurant and found Kenshin sitting on one of the center tables, waiting.

With a smile, she strode in elegance, which caught some of the men's attention. Kissing her fiancé, Tomoe took the empty chair in front of him.

"You're early. Have you waited too long?" Tomoe took off her coat and neatly placed it on the arm of her chair.

"I just got here." Kenshin smiled as he and Tomoe took the menu the waiters offered.

After ordering, Tomoe turned to her fiancé and curiously eyed him, "What's wrong, koishii? I know there's a reason why you asked me out."

Kenshin guiltily smiled and nodded, "It's about Kaoru…"

"Ah," Tomoe nodded. She half-expected this lunch would be about Kaoru. She probably told him about her new-found relationship with Aoshi. And as her best-friend, Kenshin would ask tons of questions of what, why, how and when it all happened.

His brows furrowed, "Have you heard about her and your—"

"Yes, yes, I knew about them."

Kenshin questioningly narrowed his eyes, "Why do I get the feeling that you've got something to do about this?"

The beautiful woman guiltily smiled, "Well…"

"Well?" he pressed.

"I just did a little push, that's it!" she defensively spoke.

Her red-haired fiancé sighed, "Why do you have to interfere?"

"I did not interfere!" she can't believe he's accusing her of something she had never done in her entire life. Yes, she did slightly interfered but the whole falling in love thing was not her fault. "Kenshin, all I did was… well actually, all Enishi and I did was…"

"Enishi's involved too?" Kenshin asked out of surprise.

"Yes." She nodded, biting her lower lip.

Kenshin closed his eyes and crossed his arms, "Explain."

And explain what she did. She can't let Kenshin hate her for interfering. She just helped two people who sucks at hiding their blossoming love for each other. Tomoe had seen it all through them. And in the end, she was right. Kaoru and Aoshi are together now. She told him everything from the night at Asako's party until the day Enishi told her about Aoshi's jealousy.

"Honestly, Kenshin, I don't see any mistake on what I did. My intentions are good." She saw him eyeing her out of disbelief. She frustratingly sighed and said, "Alright, alright. I did it too so she'll get over you. But the rest is all for the sake of my cousin, alright?"

"But her parents…" Kenshin shook his head, "This can't be good."

Tomoe arched her brows and asked, "Why?"

Kenshin looked at her, "Aoshi's not aware about the punishment. And as what I have heard, your cousin hates a lot of things. If he learns about Kaoru's true identity, what do you think would happen?"

Tomoe suddenly realized the problem at hand. She then remembered how Aoshi dislikes dishonest people. This reminds her of the day when Aoshi and his parents ended up in a car crash years ago. He was unconscious when he was rescued out of the car, not knowing that the rescuers failed to save his parents. The moment he woke from a coma a few weeks later after the accident, the doctor told them not to mention anything about his parents until he's fully healed. All those days in the hospital he believed he'll see his parents again, completely wondering why not one of them was visiting him. She and Enishi were prohibited to visit their cousin until he comes out of the hospital. Their parents did everything to keep Aoshi from knowing the truth. And their biggest mistake was to lie about his parents being alive and stationed in a hospital far away from his. From a mild age, Aoshi believed this. He trusted Tomoe's parents and never asked any question despite of the fact that he's starting to wonder why his parents should be stationed away from him. Not until Aoshi came out of the hospital and taken straight into his uncle and aunt's house. For days he asked about his parents. But none of them told him anything. Not until an attorney came and handed Aoshi the wealth he inherited from his deceased parents. Out of shock and pain, Aoshi refused to talk to anyone since that day. But that doesn't stop Tomoe and Enishi from trying to reach out and talk to him. Somehow, Aoshi felt much closer to his cousins but never to their parents. They lied to him and because of this, he hated them. Yes, he was thankful that they offered him shelter, food and everything a child could ever ask. But still, Aoshi dislikes them.

A few years later, he finished a medical degree in Tokyo University and got a lot of job offerings in Japan and from other countries. Tomoe's father suggested that he should start working in New York since Yukishiro's main business was situated in the big apple. But of course out of hatred and pride, Aoshi refused the offer and decided to work in Tokyo instead. Heck, he even moved out of the house and started living independently in his apartment.

Kenshin's right… what would Aoshi do if he learns that Kaoru's lying to him? Tomoe thought, her face looked deeply in thought. "This is serious." Tomoe frowned, a flicker of distress crossing her eyes.

"I thought so too." Kenshin said, frowning as well. "Maybe Kaoru could break it out to him slowly so he wouldn't be too surprised."

Tomoe shook her head, "No, that's not gonna work." She pinched the bridge of her nose and softly muttered, "She should have told him much earlier."

"Kaoru's too afraid. In fact, the day before Asako's dinner party, she's dealing with the same dilemma of whether to tell him about it or not." Kenshin leaned in close to the table, "Luckily, he's not aware of Kaoru's surname. Well, Asako mentioned it too many times that night. Funny, she herself didn't recognize it as well."

"Aoshi has nothing to do with my parents business... As for Asako… well, she's just plain clueless."

"You're starting to sound hopeless, koi." He reached out and touched her hand to console her.

Tomoe forced a smile, "Those two… I don't know, Kenshin but I think they perfectly suit each other. Aoshi… he's different when Kaoru's around. And as for Kaoru, I could tell that you're noticing some changes from her as well."

Kenshin smiled back and nodded, "Aa." He remembered how her eyes would flicker in glee whenever she's ranting about how irritating Aoshi could be. Yes, she may appear angry but he knew she's just enjoying herself. It seems pointing out Aoshi's ill behavior and mistakes amuse her. Kenshin loved seeing her like that. It'll be a shame to take that happiness away from her.

Tomoe was about to open her mouth when the waiter suddenly arrived and placed their ordered meal on the table. Both decided to put all problems aside and eat their lunch. They'll think of something later, at least something that would help the Aoshi and Kaoru maintain whatever relationship they're having.

"How are you, Aoshi-san?" Asako asked, her eyes shining in pure admiration.

"Fine." Aoshi responded in a dreary tone. The moment he arrived in the said coffee shop and sat in front of her, all she did was gape at him and smile. He looked at her, finding himself strangely repulsed by her appearance. Any man couldn't deny how beautiful she looked in that red halter dress she wore. But Aoshi found the outfit distasteful.

Asako blushed, her wide smile never fading, "Aren't you going to ask how I'm fairing?"

Aoshi tried as much not to be rude and forced himself to ask, "How are you, Asako-san?"

The girl happily squealed and giggled, "Oh, fine, Aoshi-san. I'm so glad to see you." Her smile suddenly vanished into a pout, "You left daddy's party too early. I never got the chance to talk to you."

"I was not feeling well. I had to go home." He replied dryly.

"Is that so?" a flash of anger suddenly appeared on her eyes, "And I believe that girl you went with left the party as earlier as well." She tried to deny the thought that they both intended to leave the party together. That Aoshi left because he went after her. The thought alone makes her blood boil. "Oh, what's her name again?"

Aoshi dangerously narrowed his eyes on her. "Kamiya Kaoru."

"Ah, yes. Kamiya Kaoru." she faked a laugh and said, "I'm sorry, I just tend to forget unimportant names…"

All he wanted to do right now was give this little girl a harsh, cold punishment for even insulting Kaoru like that. This girl's not aware of the offensive words coming out of her mouth. "Enough with the familiarities, Asako-san. What do you want?" was he too straight forward? Well, who cares?

The brunette blushed again and shyly smiled, "Actually… I… well…." She stammered.

"What?" the doctor impatiently spoke.

She took a long deep breath and finally replied, "Aoshi-san, I love you." She giggled and fanned herself with a hand, "There you go! Oh, you don't know how much will-power it took me to say that to you."

It's practically obvious by now. Aoshi mused, quite expecting her to confess something like that.

"Aoshi-san, I liked you ever since that night we met at Tomoe-san's party!" she looked up to him, flushing and apparently admiring each perfect contours of Aoshi's face. "I tried everything for you to notice me and maybe learn to like me as well. But I think the competition for your heart is too tough that I have to resolve with confessing my true feelings for you." Her eyes glazed and her face gave a dream-like expression, "You're every girl's dream, Aoshi-san. You're handsome, intelligent, a great achiever… everything a girl could wish for a man. I told daddy about you and he thinks a guy like you would perfectly fit a girl like me! You and me… Everybody will envy us. The perfect couple…" she looked as if she could actually picture it right now.

Aoshi knew he should be flattered with all these compliments. But it seems he's feeling the exact opposite of it. He's appalled. He never thought a girl could get this obsessive and even get too full of herself at the same time. The perfect couple? Strangely, Aoshi found himself laughing out loud, a wholehearted laugh that caused the girl in front of him to wonder and the rest to stare curiously at him.

Asako looked at him, a frown crossing her face. "What's so funny, Aoshi-san?"

"The perfect couple…" he said and then started laughing again.

Asako's face reddened out of embarrassment and irritation. She's not really sure whether she should feel insulted or delighted hearing him laugh like that. She looked around and saw all eyes focused on them. She looked back on the doctor, who's slightly recovering from his mirth. "Aoshi-san, I don't think this is the appropriate time for you to prove that you can laugh."

Aoshi's laughter died down and stared straight at her. The look of coldness returned on his face again. "I'm sorry, Asako-san. But I think you," he pointed at her, "and I," he pointed at himself, "will never happen."

"What?" she asked out of shock. She let out a nervous laugh and said, "I don't understand…"

"I can't love you back."

"What? W-why?"

"You don't love me, Asako-san."

Asako shook her head, "N-no, I do love you, Aoshi-san! I love you!" she repeated again, this time a bit louder.

"You don't. You just want to possess me."

"Aoshi-san…" Asako spoke, looking desperate.

"You said it yourself. I am everything a girl could wish for. That you think we'll be a perfect couple and everybody will envy us." He shook his head and said, "You wanted me so you could brag to anyone that you successfully got yourself a boyfriend whom every girl desires. To me, I think you just wanted to possess me. You don't love me, Asako-san. You must understand that." He doesn't want to sound too vain though he wanted to prove his point to her.

Asako looked as if she was about to cry and beg him, "B-but…"

"There are a lot of men out there who'd be lucky to have you. It's just that that man could never be me, Asako-san. I can't love you."

Asako clenched her fists on her lap and lowered her head in shame. She can't believe he just dumped her. How dare him! She felt tears forming on her eyes in frustrated anger and devastation. "It's that Kamiya girl is it?"

Aoshi didn't answer.

She raised her head and loudly exclaimed, "Tell me!"

He closed his eyes, sighed and replied, "I do believe my relationship with her is none of your business. Now, if you'll excuse me, I got other important things to attend to." He stood up, grabbed his coat and said, "It is nice seeing you again, Asako-san." He didn't say any goodbye. Just a nod of his head and he went out of the café without as much of paying Asako a glance.

Asako remained there, her fist still clenched, her chest tightening in anger. "I can't believe it." She breathed, closing her eyes, denying the fact that she was just dumped by Shinomori Aoshi. She, Asako Tachibana was never dumped by any guy before! Heck, he's the first one she ever confessed her feelings to. Usually guys do that to her and not the other way around. "How dare you…" she muttered in gritted teeth. Despite of her anger towards the doctor, all she could think of was the girl he's with at her daddy's dinner party. Kamiya Kaoru… at the mere thought of her name, something flashed into her mind, W-wait… Kamiya? The name sound so oddly familiar.

She took her phone inside her purse and quickly dialed her father's cell no.

"Hello, daddy? It's me…"

Sano drove Kaoru home after enjoying a dog movie together. Sometimes they just couldn't keep the child in them. Granted, the dog movie was good despite of the fact that they're sharing the whole room with a bunch of kids crying over the part where the dog was about to get killed by a big, fast train.

"That was fun." Sano said, stepping on the breaks as they stopped in front of Kaoru's apartment.

"Yeah." Kaoru nodded, feeling much rejuvenated from the bonding time she had with her other BFF. She looked at him and ruffled his hair, "You made my afternoon worth while. Thanks, Sano."

He laughed and nodded, ruffling her hair back, "Just for you, jou-chan.."

Kaoru nodded and smiled, "I'd better get going now." She leaned in and kissed his cheek before grabbing her groceries and stepping out of the car. "Bye."

Sano opened the window of his car as she waved at him. She turned on her heels though before she could proceed to the apartment, Sano called out, "I'm sorry, Kaoru."

She stopped and looked back. She saw him looking sincerely at her, his brown eyes showing guilt all-over them. For the last time she smiled and waved back. Sano grinned in return and nodded. She stayed there and watched him drove off. You should not blame yourself, Sanosuke… with that thought, she turned on her heels again and went inside.

Kaoru went straight to the kitchen and arranged all the groceries. Then the phone started ringing. She reached for the wireless phone and answered.

"Hello?"

"This if my fourth call, Kamiya. Where have you been?" the familiar deep voice spoke on the other line.

Kaoru rolled her eyes and started arranging the goods she bought, "I went out to do the grocery."

"Are you done with your chores?"

Even if both officially confirmed their relationship were more than friends or rather… more than a housemaid, boss relationship, Kaoru still had to do the chores and earn money for it. And Aoshi's still his old self, ordering her around. "Yes, sir."

"Good."

"..."

"…"

"Is that all?" Kaoru asked tauntingly while placing all the vegetables on the fridge.

"No."

Kaoru smiled, feeling him smirking on the other line. "Well?"

"Have you eaten dinner yet?"

Kaoru stopped, her brows arching as she replied, "No, not yet. Why?"

"Get dressed, I'm picking you up."

"Are you asking me out?" The girl skeptically asked though cannot help herself from smiling like an idiot as she unconsciously fumbled on the loose thread of her coat.

A long sigh, Aoshi replied, "You're making this much harder for me."

Kaoru scoffed, "It's not that hard to ask!"

"Then say yes and get dressed. I'm giving you thirty minutes."

But before Kaoru retort back, Aoshi rudely hung up. She glared on the phone and irritably placed the receiver back. Crossing her arms, Kaoru muttered to herself, "The first time he asks me out on a date he messes it all up!" she rolled her eyes and threw her hands in the air, "I don't know why I ever fell for that guy!"

Any girl who's asked out on a date would practically fuss over of what she should wear on a special night like this. Kaoru was no different. The moment he hung up on her (Despite of the rudeness), she ran up straight to her room and started scanning her wardrobe. Two dresses, including the one Aoshi bought her… that's all she had. Darn it! If she had known this coming, she could have brought a couple more from her wardrobe back from home. The two dresses were secretly packed by her mom, which by now she was thankful for her intervening.

She had used the other one from her previous date with Enishi. Now all was left was her vintage dress she bought from France while spending her last summer there. It was a wonderful beaded ensemble by Christian Dior, Paris. Off-white crinkly textured silk gown trimmed and decorated with chartreuse green bugle beads and silver metallic thread in polka dot design all over. It has a matching short bolero jacket with short sleeves too.

If she wears this… Doc would be suspicious for sure! She wildly thought. He'll be wondering how she had managed to buy a dress as expensive looking as this. Mother, I could kill you! Now she's stuck in a dilemma. What was she supposed to do now? There's two more left. Her subconscious reminded her. Kaoru shook her head, this night is special! I can't go wearing something he had seen before. Her rich girl viewpoints kicked in.

"Mou! I can't believe this!" she blatantly stomped her foot and desperately skimmed her clothes. She only got thirty minutes! FYI, you only got twenty-five minutes left. She said to herself after deliberately throwing a glance over to the clock on her bedside table.

Twenty-five turned to twenty as twenty turned to fifteen.

Kaoru gave up and decided to wear the stunning vintage dress despite of her self-protests.

Questions, be damned! At least she tried to look good for him.

The rest was no problem. She put a small amount of cosmetic on her face and unbounded her usual high pony-tail.

She wore not too flashy jewelries to prevent more inquisitions from her date.

By the time she was finished, the clock struck 7:30. She heard the familiar beep of his car and quickly she took her purse, applied perfume and went down to the stairs in a flash.

She now stood forth the apartment's front door. This is now or never. She took a long, deep breath before she reached out for the cool, metal knob.

The moment she opened that door, Aoshi couldn't take his eyes off of her. She was stunning, as what he had expected. Simple yet very elegant. Just as what she looked in Tachibana's party a few nights ago. He bet he wouldn't even recognize her from afar.

Kaoru's heart was beating so fast that she could even feel it jumping up and down her throat. The way he's looking at her making her self-conscious and flattered at the same time. Do I look that horrible? She asked herself, still receiving neither compliments nor insults from him… which was highly odd.

She had to admit, he's not too shabby himself. Yeah, formal or not, he still looks incredibly handsome but something made him look so different tonight. Much good-looking… if that was possible. This made her wonder if she looks good enough to stand next to him. She could picture it clearly in her mind, girls giving her distasteful glares, slurring at her in hushed tones as she strode along with him. How embarrassing!

Finally, Aoshi found his voice. But the words that came out of his mouth were unintended. He meant to compliment her on how lovely she looked in that dress and how the vintage look suited her well. Instead he said, "You look… different." Can you blame him? He was no suave when it comes to wooing women. This was Enishi's caliber, not his.

Kaoru half-heartedly rolled her eyes, "How romantic." She commented with a laugh that earned a small smile from the other.

"At least now I could tell the difference between primate and an evolved human being." He shot back, his smile turning into a self-aggrandizing smirk.

Livid fire flared within Kaoru's blue eyes, "What did you say?" as veins started popping on her head and on the fist she pointed at him.

Ha! He knew he'd receive such a reaction from her. That's why he couldn't get enough of teasing her. Her anger makes her much livelier and lovelier than anybody else.

Kaoru's eyes slowly narrowed, "I did not wear this dress just to be insulted for the whole night."

Aoshi simply shrugged his shoulders, "I was not insulting you. Just stating a fact, that's all." Much to Kaoru's horror, his eyes drifted from her face towards her dress. "By the way, where did you get that?" the dress looks so familiar to him.

Then it dawned to him, remembering when he and Tomoe visited Paris last year, having his cousin fawning over the Christian Dior dress. How could his housemaid possess an expensive belonging such as this?

She knew she would stutter if she'd try to answer. But there was no other choice but to do so. "This? Well… umm…" she gave out a nervous laugh as her mind began working its wheels just to think of a better reason to give him. Think of something! Anything! A lie! Kaoru can't believe she had to lie to him… again! But she can't just go and tell him everything just because of a petty dress. She had to do something quick! "M-my friend—yeah! My friend, Megumi. Remember her? She lent me this dress!" her voice was a notch-higher than the usual—almost a squeak.

"In such a short time you managed to borrow a dress from your friend ten blocks from here?" he skeptically asked, finding her excuse quite indefinite.

Nice try, smart-ass! Kaoru nervously crackled laughter and shook her head, "Who said I borrowed it today? Of course I borrowed it a few days ago, silly!" she waved a dismissive hand, wishing this conversation would end.

Realizing that they were running late from the dinner he had promised her, Aoshi dropped the subject and insisted that they should get going before the restaurant decides to drop his reservation.

Kaoru sighed in relief and stepped inside his car.

As soon as the engine started and they drove off, she prayed that a conversation like that would never happen again for the rest of the evening.

Asako dropped on the chair in front of her father's desk as she watched him flip into files. He may have acknowledged his daughter's presence but most of his attention's focused on the papers he's signing.

"So, daddy." The brunette started, crossing her legs as she looked around her father's office.

"What brings you here, sweetheart?" his father asked, not even paying her a glance, "Daddy still got tons of work to do. Have you eaten dinner yet?"

Asako sighed, "I know and yes, I have." She examined her fingers and said, "I just came here to ask you a few things."

"Shoot." Her father said, finishing a folder and then moving to another one.

"You told me you're familiar with the Kamiya's, right?"

"But of course." Her father replied, "Kamiya-san had been one of my business partners before I became CEO. Why do you ask?"

A satisfied smile appeared on her thin lips, "How much do you know about them?"

Her father shrugged his shoulders, "Enough, I guess." This time he raised his head and looked at his daughter squarely in the eye, "Why?" he asked again, his eyes suspiciously peeking above his glasses.

Asako pouted, "I was just wondering if they had a daughter, that's all!" she's curious and she wanted to know everything about the girl who took her Aoshi-sama away from her.

"They have."

The brunette suddenly felt ecstatic, "Really? What's her name?"

Mr. Tachibana stopped his signing and thoughtfully looked up, "Hmm… I'm not really sure…"

"Is it Kaoru?" his daughter supplied.

He nodded, "Yes, yes, Kaoru. I have met her once. She's just a child back then. Pretty girl, she is. I heard she's studying in Tokyo University right now."

Asako ignored the fact that her very own father complimented the girl she loathed since she's too overwhelmed from the information she's getting. "Ah, did you know she's at your party a few nights ago?"

"Is she?" he laughed, "No, I couldn't have noticed. It's been years since the last time I saw her."

"She even played the piano."

"Is that true?" her father smiled at the thought, "Oh so, that's why she looked so familiar." He then turned towards his daughter and asked, "Is she a friend of yours, sweetheart? Is that why you wanted to know more about the Kamiya's?"

Asako forced a smile on her face, mentally erasing the fact that she'll befriend a bitch like her, "We're acquainted." That was a safe answer.

"Why don't you invite her over for dinner, then?"

Asako leaned back against her chair and replied, "Good idea, daddy. I'll do just that…"

When her father turned his attention back to his work, Asako let a cruel smirk slip her face. "I think I'll go pay Kaoru's parents a visit. I'll inform them 'bout the dinner. What do you think?"

"Sounds great." Her father replied in equal enthusiasm, at least that's what he thinks.

Definitely… Now the trump card's on her hand.

The next thing to do is to move into action.

The dinner didn't turn out as bad as she had thought. True, there had been numerous times when they would argue a few trivial things. But the way Aoshi's looking at her, giving his precious smile towards her, seeing girls swoon and irked in jealousy surged her pride. She's the one sitting in front of him. She's the one who's having this dinner with him. She's the one who's receiving all those teasing smiles. She's the only one who gets to hear his voice. Annoying at times but can be romantic if he wants to. She wanted to laugh at those who envied her. They would think she probably don't deserve a man like him. Of course, Kaoru could only care less.

She may not have noticed it, but he knew most of the men around this restaurant admired her striking beauty. Furtively he glared some of those who dared to stare too long at her, wrapping an arm around her waist in a possessive manner just to state that this girl was already taken. She's with him and only him.

His eyes never left hers as she opened her mouth to taste the wonderful Pork chops with orange-honey mustard sauce and how she deliberately set all the broccolis aside. He arched his brows and commented, "You hate broccoli?"

Kaoru only shrugged her shoulders and replied, "I hate broccolis just as much as a six-year old do."

"Now I know some of the stuff that you don't like. You could have told me before." Aoshi suddenly realized that he knew nothing much about Kaoru. He knew nothing of where she came from, if she still has parents, or how she ended up studying in Tokyo University. He was clueless about her past and she knows nothing about his past as well. This immediately egged him to do something to fix that gap between them.

She saw the frown that crossed his face and this suddenly frightened her. She knew that look. Aoshi's curious about something and she knew she wouldn't be able to escape that unless she gives him the answer he desires.

Kenshin's words suddenly rang into her mind.

"The wisest thing to do is to tell them."

She knew he's referring to her parents. But Kaoru couldn't find the courage to tell them just yet. She can't just walk into her father's office and tell him that she's in-love with her employer. That's suicide!

His words refer to her situation with Aoshi as well. Kaoru knew she should tell him. She wanted to open her mouth, to speak, to tell him everything she had been hiding.

That's easier said than done.

What if he gets mad? There are a million possibilities that he'd get furious and burst out of the restaurant's door. Telling him would be too risky. But you can't keep up this lie forever! She told herself as her chest started constricting from tons of conflicting emotions. I have to tell him!

"Aoshi, I—" she started but was cut-off when Aoshi spoke.

"Let's go somewhere else."

That suggestion suddenly brought curiosity on Kaoru's eyes. "E-excuse me?"

He only smiled. It may only be a little but at least he still managed to pull the straight line of his lips. "Let's finish this dinner. I want to take you somewhere else."

What's he up to? Kaoru still inquisitively looked at him. Just to cover this up, she pouted and said, "You mean we have to skip desert?"

This earned her a chuckle. A deep throated one. "I'll make it up to you next time." She looks so adorable. But he knew something's bothering her. That's why he suggested that they should go somewhere else, a place much quieter, much peaceful where he could ask all the questions bothering him and so as for her to relate whatever's troubling her mind.

I wish there'd be a next time after I tell you about the punishment. She forced a smile and nodded, "Okay."

TBC