Chapter 6 – Bewilderment Arises

A nice fancy dinner with Dryden couldn't stop Millerna thinking about Hitomi's situation. She can't believe she took not much notice and care during the time she met Van. She didn't ask anymore questions. She simply agreed on keeping Van's identity a secret. She regretted not taking the situation seriously. What kind of friend am I, letting the situation smoothly go off in its intended course? Why am I so blind? If Allen hadn't told me about it, I would've forgotten. Do I actually believe Allen about Van? It seems so wrong. There has to be another reason for Van's actions! Millerna looked down at her plate and started cutting up her food into pieces. She felt Dryden's gaze full of worry upon her.

"What's wrong Millerna?" Dryden has been really concerned about Millerna ever since he picked her up for dinner. The smile that she bore as he greeted her started to deteriorate.

Millerna looked up to Dryden. Her mind went into a sudden jolt. How come I never thought of asking Dryden? I'm so stupid! Millerna ignored his question and instead asked, "Do you happen to know the Fanel family?"

"There's only one Fanel family within Gaea so I can say that I have met them myself years ago. My father and Mr. Goau Fanel have had successful business deals in the past. Why do you ask?" Dryden felt a bit more apprehensive.

Miller ignored his question once again. "It is true that the Fanel's business is nearing bankruptcy?"

"Yes. Mr. Fanel has been unlucky with business deals nowadays. Profits have run out and he's been facing heavy debts. No one dares to invest. I heard the family is living off family savings which would eventually run out." Dryden looked into Millerna's eyes. "What's going on? You never asked me these questions before."

Millerna needed answers, telling Dryden the situation felt right. She followed her intuition and told Dryden everything Allen had told her.

"Van Fanel is after Mr. Kanzaki's money!" Dryden was shocked upon Millerna's recount. "That's highly unlikely! I'm pretty sure that Goau Fanel and Mr. Kanzaki are best friends!"

Millerna eyes widened with shock. "What! Is this for real?" She saw her fiancée nod his head in agreement. Oh no…Please Allen…I hope you haven't done anything to make things much more complicated. Millerna reached for her bag. "Excuse me Dryden. Sorry, but I have to make a very important phone call. I'll be back in a bit."

"I understand."

Millerna stood up and headed for the restaurant's patio, walking briskly. Shit! Knowing Allen, he told Hitomi by now. I better call Hitomi before it's too late. She dialed Hitomi's phone number. The phone rang so many times. She's not answering. Shit! I'm too late! She quickly dialed Yukari's phone number. After a couple of rings Yukari picked up. "Yukari, it's Millerna. Something's up." Millerna told Yukari everything.

Yukari gasped, as she couldn't believe what she's hearing.

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Hitomi sat still on the couch. Within the living room, the atmosphere was filled with urgency and agitation. Hitomi was waiting for Van to arrive. She told her father that she needed to go to Yukari's house for school work. Her father apologized for not being able to take her himself and called Van to drive her instead.

The living room was dimly lit, having only one light source from one corner. Hitomi was surrounded by silence. She heard footsteps approaching. Van's here.

Van entered the living room. He looked around and saw Hitomi sitting with a sturdy posture, staring at him. He felt uncomfortable, but he approached Hitomi calmly with thoughts buzzing in his head. What the hell is this all about! Despite the eerie atmosphere, looking at Hitomi in her striped off-shoulder tank top and her hipster micro-mini skirt, van felt a tinge of provocation. He had a slight urge to taste Hitomi's smooth, porcelain-like skin accentuated by the dim yellow light. He slapped himself mentally, let out a bit of a laugh and asked Hitomi, "Why is everything so grim? Are you sure you're Hitomi? You seems like you're possessed or something."

Hitomi simply smiled and stood up. "I'm ready to go."

"Uh…Okay…Let's get going."

Van walked next to Hitomi heading towards the main front door. Words were not spoken and only footsteps could be heard. His senses perked up as he caught Hitomi's alluring sweet, flowery scent. He tried complimenting her but no words came out from his mouth. He couldn't decipher what he is feeling at that moment. His senses felt the sudden need of intimacy. Having his heart and mind in a complicated state, his senses took over.

While walking in the middle of the semi-dark hallway, Van took hold of Hitomi's arms and pinned her against the wall facing him. He looked into her eyes and saw no indication of being shocked, instead her eyes were expressionless.

Hitomi looked into Van's eyes and saw infatuation. Her head was filled with so much thoughts but she let her senses guide her. She held Van's face with both her hands, placed her lips upon his and they shared a passionate kiss.

Van was taken aback by Hitomi's actions but it didn't stop him from devouring her with kisses. He placed his arms around her, one hand on her nape and the other at her back. He deepened the kiss seeking entry into Hitomi's mouth. Hitomi parted her lips and there went the clicking of tongues. Van took hold of Hitomi's head, his hand caressing silky soft hair. He broke the kiss and started kissing Hitomi's cheek traveling down to her neck.

Hitomi, free to speak, uttered the words with deep disdain loud enough for Van to hear, "Leave me, my family, and my dad's money alone."

Upon hearing the words, Van's senses froze. The words struck him hard. Still holding Hitomi in his arms, he looked into her glistening emerald eyes. Playing dumb won't work and he surely didn't need any clarification. He closed his eyes and took a few steps backward letting ago of her slowly. The plan didn't work. He took a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket. He turned around and started walking towards the main front door. "I believe you're left with no choice. I'm going out for a smoke. Go out when you're ready to go."

Hitomi, still leaning against the wall looked at Van with building fury and shouted "Stop right there! What the hell are you talking about? What do you mean I have no choice? Will you threaten to kill me to get what you want?"

Van stopped walking. "You'll soon find out." On the windows, a car's headlights have been reflected. Van heard the car door open and close. He heard footsteps coming closer to the front door and stopped. The doorbell rang. He looked back at Hitomi. "Are you expecting company?" Van walked towards the door, turned the knob and pulled the door open. He saw the blonde guy named Allen, the one he met this afternoon, standing on the doorstep. Van spoke in a cheerful tone to greet Allen. "Oh hi! Allen, isn't it? What a pleasant surprise! Are you here to visit Hitomi? Good thing you came right on time. She's just about to leave."

Allen gave Van a remorseful look. "I'm here to beat the hell out of you!"

Van continued on with his cheerful tone. "Oh are you now? Why don't you come in?" he pulled the door open wider and gestured for Allen to enter.

"Don't play games with me. I know what you're up to."

"Do you now? Let me guess, you told Hitomi what you thought my intentions are."

"Keep Hitomi out of this."

"How can I? You're well aware that Hitomi plays a big part on this. Let me ask you, where exactly do you come in?"

Allen walked further into the house towards Hitomi's direction. "I come in exactly where I'm standing, in between you and Hitomi."

Clarence, hearing the doorbell, walked towards the front door to answer the door. He suddenly stopped at his tracks as he caught sight of the unknown visitor already welcomed inside. He sensed confusion and rage within the atmosphere. "Excuse me, but is everything alright?" He looked at Hitomi with deep concern.

Van spoke to Clarence calmly. "Clarence, would you kindly call Mr. Kanzaki and tell him that, I think, it's time for an explanation for Hitomi and her friend here, he would know what to do."

"Yes, Mister Van." Clarence turned back and ran to get Hitomi's father.

Silence broke out as Clarence left. Not one person uttered a word. With just their mere eyes, the pent up feelings within themselves have been portrayed. Confusion hovered into the air and has enraged Hitomi greatly. Sliding down the wall, Hitomi slumped down on her knees. Both Van and Allen looked at Hitomi, who hasn't spoken much, with deep concern.

Hitomi remained silent, her eyes locked on the cold marble floor. I'm so confused. Who am I going to believe?

"Allen…" Hitomi broke the silence and finally spoke but she got cut off by two girls running and screaming her name. Millerna and Yukari, followed by Dryden, entered the house without welcome as they spotted the front door left opened.

Millerna looked around and saw Hitomi's solitary figure. Oh Hitomi… I'll help you any way I can. She cast a furtive glare at Allen. "Oh God, Allen… Look at the mess you made."

"Mess I made? It is him who created this mess!" Allen pointed to Van.

Van made no remark and decided to let the blonde girl speak. The plan may have been disrupted, but it is still not his task to explain the arrangement.

Millerna took steps towards Allen and stood directly in front of him. "Stop being stubborn, Allen! You're wrong! I know you have realized that by now. You're just too thick to accept you're wrong!"

"You stay out of this Millerna!" Allen said grimly.

"I will if you do."

Yukari, who ran straight towards Hitomi as she saw her slumped on her knees, was now hugging Hitomi tightly. Hitomi didn't return her hug but she understood. She could feel her dear friend trembling.

Mr. Kanzaki arrived at the scene with Clarence behind him, apprehensive. It is much too early for this. At the middle of the hallway, he stopped walking and stood still, hands in his pockets. He looked around and cleared his throat. The bickering between Allen and Millerna stopped. All turned to face Mr. Kanzaki except Hitomi, whose gaze is still locked on the cold marble floor. Mr. Kanzaki cleared his throat once again and spoke. "I invite all of you to go to the living room. We will be waiting shortly for the new visitors."

Everyone, except Mr. Kanzaki, Yukari and Hitomi, started walking to the living room led by Clarence.

Mr. Kanzaki addressed Yukari. "Miss Uchida, food and drinks will be served in the living room if you would like to have some."

Yukari looked at Hitomi's father with hesitation and was about to turn down the offer. She couldn't leave Hitomi. She spotted Mr. Kanzaki's pleading eyes and in turn, stood up and headed for the living room. She got the idea that Mr. Kanzaki wanted to talk to Hitomi alone.

Mr. Kanzaki waited for Yukari to enter the living room. When she did, he sat down next to Hitomi. "I'm so sorry honey for putting you into this kind of situation. I should have expected that things would get more complicated. It has been my intention to make these occurrences easy to accept for you. I guess I have encountered a miscalculation of facts. I am deeply sorry. When the visitors arrive, which include your mother, please make sure that you're going to be in the living room. I really want you to hear it all for yourself." Mr. Kanzaki kissed Hitomi on the forehead. He stood up and walked away sulking since Hitomi didn't react to his apology in any way.

When Mr. Kanzaki's steps died away, Hitomi leaned her head against the wall. There is no way I'm going to school tomorrow! Giving her remark some thought, a small smile emanated from her lips. I can't believe I'm actually thinking of school right at this moment. Well, come to think of it, I'd rather think about school rather than this messed up situation. Hitomi's confusion started to subside a little. She told herself not to act in any way until she hears the whole story. She tried to get rid of thoughts regarding her father's arrangement.

During the process of eliminating those thoughts, her encounter with Van suddenly came into mind. Hitomi's face flustered. Deciding to go to Yukari's house was just a scheme to talk to Van privately and take the truth out of him one way or another. Hitomi was desperate for answers ever since Allen called her. When her father told her he couldn't take her and instead called Van to drive her, she felt lucky that her plan was to be made possible. But now she realized that there was a definite reason behind her father's actions lately. Her mind trailed off to thoughts about her father, but she stopped herself. Not now. Later will be the time to think about that. My head really needs a rest.

However, her mind refused to give her a rest. Hitomi couldn't refrain herself from thinking about the kiss she had shared with Van. That was uncalled for! Why the hell did I do it? When he pinned me against the wall, he only looked at me. It was I who started the kiss. Why did I kiss him when my mind is occupied by Allen's accusations about Van's true identity? When I looked into his eyes before I kissed him, there was obvious passion and lust but I didn't sense anything evil at all. Maybe the kiss was just for assurance of my beliefs regarding the situation. It was merely a piece of evidence. Am I denying the fact that I am attracted to him? Do I feel something more than a mere attraction? Could it be that the kiss actually meant something? Hitomi was struggling greatly with her thoughts. She finally stood up and headed to her room. She needed some time alone before the visitors arrive.

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Overwhelming tension filled the living room. The beautiful landscape paintings, portraits and bouquet of flowers which have the power to enhance the aesthetics and atmosphere of the living room, took no effect to the people present in the room. There was sheer gloom in the air. No one dared to speak. All noises that could be heard quite clearly were the clinking of cups, as it is placed back on the saucers, and the howl of the wind outside the window. Every person in the room had their thoughts concentrated on one thing. Hitomi. There were thoughts of grief and pity.

One person turned his attention to another thought. His mind became preoccupied by his complicated personal love life. Van suddenly remembered his intimate encounter with Hitomi. She kissed me. There was I leaning her against the wall, my senses telling me to indulge the feast to which my eyes have laid on. While our gazes locked, she was the one who acted first and kissed me. Why? Her eyes showed no sign of any expression. Or it is that I just couldn't comprehend it? What I can't comprehend is why the hell my senses acted that way. I just saw Julianne, for the first time since our break- up, hours ago and I told her I am still not over of the relationship we have shared.. Ever since I ended our relationship upon hearing my betrothal to the daughter of my father's best friend, I only thought about my obligation towards my family and avoided regrets. My mind might have worked with the unexpected news quite well but my heart repelled my mind at a great extent. Deep inside, I suffered great pain. I admit it. I do still love Julianne but what the hell are my senses telling me? Did my senses act accordingly to provide assistance for the truth about my real desires to surface?

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Hitomi heard the doorbell rang several times indicating the visitors, including her mother, have arrived. She's still lying on her bed, struggling to keep her mind clear. Daddy asked me to be there. Mom is there, too. It would be nice to see her. It would be nice to finally hear of it all for myself.

Hitomi slid out of her bed and left her bed room. She was definitely taking her time as she was walking slowly. Her feet finally brought her to the living room. She took a deep breath and entered.

Everyone in the room looked at her as she entered.

Mr. Kanzaki was pleased on seeing his daughter. He gave her a smile. "Hitomi, it's great you've decided to join us."

Hitomi found herself in the arms of her mother and hugged her back. They both sat down on the chairs that Clarence pulled out for them.

Mr. Kanzaki cleared his throat. "It is time to begin."

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A/N: Phew! Longest chapter I've ever written. Nearing climax! Sorry if I just stopped there…. I was thinking of continuing on but for me it feels just right to end the chapter that way…. U know…to give the revelation of the terms of the agreement of Van and Hitomi being engaged a big impact…. Well if you guys don't like it that way and you think that it's better to continue…then…I'll be happy to repost the chapter…well the thing is I haven't written the continuation…so….its going to take long…yup : ). Hope ur enjoying my story if u did read it! Thanks heaps!

Review Replies:

Chisakami Saiyuki – you better have come up with a different death threat this time! LOL! Okie…this chapter answered your question. I think.

Chocolate-Covered-Coffee-Beans – aww…thanks for the compliment… :) u liking my story so far?

Fran – im so sorry for not including u. I tot u weren't reading my story nemore…but since u are I would like to thank you so much! I love u fran! About Van and Hitomi being young and about to be engaged…the next chapter will answer ur question…oh yeah…u'll get a cameo… but rili sorry if its only small…really want this story done.