Chapter 1: Passing Over to Luxury

'Toot-toot-toot-toot….'

"Aww… Come on….I need more sleep…"Hitomi hit the snooze of her alarm clock. 6:00 am. "Gosh… I can't believe I have to wake up this early just to get to school which actually starts at 8:40 am…" Still lying in bed, her eyes, once open, was now closed.

'Toot-toot-toot-toot….' 6:10 am… Snooze

'Toot-toot-toot-toot….' 6:20 am…Snooze

It was now 7:00 am and the girl has hit the snooze button for 6 times. She opened her eyes droopily, looking at the time. "Oh my! It's 7:00 am! I'll be late for school!" She quickly got out of bed, her short brown hair in tangles. She ran into the kitchen, then tripped over a leg of the dining chair semi-blocking the hallway. Her face met the cold marble floor with a loud thud. "AGGHHH! MY NOSE!" Hitomi complained.

"You alright dear?" Hitomi's mother, asked as she was busy preparing breakfast. The smell of bacon was hovering around the kitchen.

"Why didn't you wake me up? I'm going to be late for school!" Hitomi stood up lazily, one hand massaging her nose.

"Dear, it's Saturday. I guess you've got the habit of setting your alarm clock." Hitomi's mother finished cooking and started setting the table.

"Seriously? Woohoo! I'm going back to bed!" Hitomi started walking towards her bedroom, looking forward to more hours of sleep.

"Honey, dear, there's no point going back to bed. Jose will be here in an hour to pick you up."

Hitomi stopped walking and disappointment was clouding her mind. "Why can't dad pick me up himself?"

Hitomi's mother heard the tone of dismay in her daughter's voice. "You have to ask you dad yourself, honey. Wash up and have some breakfast."

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Hitomi went back to her room thinking. One whole month in daddy's house, well it's actually a mansion. Every other month I'm always pampered and treated like a princess with dad's numerous maids. After this month I guess I'll be back in this nice looking apartment, constructed with only 2 floors. Two small bedrooms and one bathroom situated at the top floor. A small kitchen and lounge area at the bottom floor. Pampering for this month, doing endless chores on the next, well I guess it's pretty balanced up.

Hitomi took a shower and packed up some of her stuff to take to her dad's house, her second home.

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All packed up Hitomi went downstairs to eat breakfast.

The doorbell rang.

"Jose has arrived, honey." Hitomi's mother called out to Hitomi. "Continue eating breakfast and I'll let him in."

Hitomi's mother approached the door and opened it. "Good morning young man. What can I do for you?" Hitomi's mother was surprised to see a teenage boy, probably nearing the age of 20, in a black outfit, about one and a half metres tall with stark red eyes, standing in her doorstep.

"Good morning Ms. Kanzaki. My name is Van Fanel. Jose is on vacation, so I'm here to pick up your daughter." Van spoke in a dull tone with respect towards Hitomi's mother.

"Oh I see. Well, come in, dear, have a sit. Hitomi will be down shortly." Van stepped inside the house and took a seat in the nearby couch. Hitomi's mother looked out the door and saw the luxurious stretched black limousine, parked in front of her apartment. "Here goes the nosy neighbours." Hitomi's mother hissed under her breath as she saw her neighbours looking out at their respective windows. She stepped outside the apartment, gave her neighbours a wave and went back in.

Hitomi climbed downstairs, all ready, carrying her suitcase and a back pack.

Van looked at Hitomi. His eyes filled with intrigue and anticipation. Van quickly stood up and walked towards Hitomi. "Let me help you, Miss Kanzaki."

Hitomi handed her suitcase. "Oh thank you. Uhh. Ummm. Where's Jose?" She was surprised to see a guy a bit older than her offering to help her.

"He's on vacation, Miss Kanzaki. My name is Van Fanel. I'm filling up for Jose while he's away." Van gave Hitomi a slight nod. He opened the door, waited for Hitomi and her mother to pass then headed for the limousine.

Hitomi saw the limousine and thought to herself. I guess the pampering starts now. Why does daddy have to do all these things for me? It's so unnecessary.

"Bye mum." Hitomi gave her mother a hug. "I guess I'll see you next month. Keep in touch mum!"

"Have fun sweetie. Take care always."

Van opened the door of the limousine for Hitomi. Hitomi gave her mother one last hug then slid inside the limousine. Van closed the door, said his goodbye to Hitomi's mother, and then headed to the driver seat. The engine started and the limousine drove off leaving the neighbourhood looking all normal again.

Hitomi's mother went back inside the apartment thinking. I hope she'll be alright. She's about to go through a hard ordeal anytime soon.

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Having 2 places, which I consider homes, isn't so bad. I guess I'm pretty lucky to have divorced parents who are getting along well, I think. I wonder what it would be like having the family back together again. I'm not so certain for myself finding comfort between parents who pass me around every month. I guess I just have to accept things the way they are now.

Hitomi looked around the interior of the limousine, trying to find something to do. She saw her driver, Van, looking at her through the mirror. She gave him a smile and he gave her a slight nod in return. Ever since she caught a glimpse of Van, she's been having this indescribable feeling. She thought to herself, he's got really weird eyes. I've never met someone with red eyes before. By the way, why the hell this guy so young, be driving for my dad?

"For how long will Jose be on vacation?" Hitomi bored during the travel, decided to talk to Van.

"For a couple of weeks I guess, Miss Kanzaki."

"Could you please stop the formality and just call me Hitomi, okay?"

"That's fine by me."

"Good. Are you by any chance related to Jose? Well, you are filling up for him."

"Oh… umm…. I'm his nephew." Van was caught off guard with the question that he answered with a bit of a stutter.

Hitomi was puzzled by the way he answered her question. "Oh I see."

Hitomi looking out the window noticed the limousine came to a halt. She opened her door and stepped out of the limousine. She's standing in front of huge imposing edifice about three storeys high, surrounded by gardens with trimmed hedges, fountains, flower beds and sculptures.

Van stepped outside the limousine and unloaded the luggage.

"Miss Hitomi! You've arrived!" Clarence, Mr. Kanzaki's butler, welcomed Hitomi. He picked up Hitomi's suitcase and headed to Hitomi's room.

Author's note:

First fic ever written…. I know it's a boring and slow chapter. I haven't had the hang of writing stories yet…so yeah…. Hope it'll get better as the story progresses. Well any criticisms are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading it, if u do read it. I review will be great!

PS. Flame me by all means…I don't mind really since creative writing is not my area of expertise.