Chapter 11 – Disheartened Souls

"Julianne, what exactly is your relation to Van?" Mr. Kanzaki asked after swallowing his food. Ever since he saw Van and Julianne meet awhile ago, he started to feel concern. He then decided to shake off his curiosity by asking Julianne about it over dinner. He sensed a dismal connection between the two.

"Oh…" Julianne became uncomfortable. She saw that her real father's eyes bore utter curiosity. Deciding that she is bound to tell him anyway sooner or later, she answered in a soft voice. "He's my ex-boyfriend."

"Is that so? Do you mind me asking you why you two decided to end the relationship?"

"Umm… Not really… Well…Van was the one who broke it off between us, when his parents betrothed him to someone." Julianne remembers well the night they broke up.

"Oh…" Mr. Kanzaki was surprised, at the same time sad, upon hearing this. He realized that he had brought misery to both his daughters as well as Van. He became engulfed with guilt. Van, Julianne, and Hitomi sacrificed their happiness. "I am deeply sorry for that."

Julianne meekly smiled as she looked at Mr. Kanzaki.

It was evident in her eyes that the pain still lingers. Mr. Kanzaki couldn't bear to see his daughter hurt. He decided that he will not make the same mistake in terms of his relationship with his daughters. He will thoroughly listen to their silent plea and try to bring back the happiness he snatched away from their lives. "Do you know why the betrothal of Van and Hitomi occurred?"

Julianne shook her head.

Mr. Kanzaki explained the reason behind the betrothal. He outlined the financial downfall of the Fanel's business, his friendship with Van's father and his plans to offer support to his dear friend.

Julianne listened tentatively. Van never told her the reason behind the betrothal. He just simply left her life.

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It was well after dinner. Julianne and Francesca have already left, leaving the manor with its usual mild atmosphere when the night turns in.

Hitomi entered the manor followed by Clarence who was carrying all Hitomi's purchases. She turned back to Clarence. "Do you happen to know where Daddy is?"

"I believe your father is in his study." Holding up several shopping bags and boxes, Clarence said, "I'll be taking this to you room, Miss Hitomi." He excused himself and left.

"Thanks so much Clarence." Hitomi called out. She turned and started heading to her father's study. Reaching the door, she knocked a few times. After hearing her father's reply, Hitomi opened the door slightly and poked her head through the small opening. "Dad, I'm home. I'm sorry I missed dinner."

"Hey, honey. Come in. I'll be just a minute, okay? I'll just finish this phone call."

Hitomi opened the door wider and let herself in. She closed the door behind her and settled herself in one of the chairs near her father's desk. Overhearing her father's conversation a bit, she knew that it was Van's father who he was talking to over the phone. Hitomi decided that the reason why her father welcomed her in and wanted to talk to her is, there is another plan that is yet to be undertaken. Judging by the way how her father was talking to the person on the other line, reassuring something at a great extent with his eyes bearing such determination, Hitomi thought that her prediction was correct.

And it was.

As soon as Mr. Kanzaki hanged up, he looked at Hitomi intently. "Hitomi, I've got good news. There have been changes with the agreement with your betrothal with Van."

Hitomi gulped. She thought to herself, here we go.

Mr. Kanzaki was smiling when he continued. "I know I have forced you to marry. I know that I caused you your happiness because of that. Now, you can have your happiness back. Worries would no longer be a burden for you. I'm happy to tell you that you are longer required to marry Van."

Hitomi's eyes widened with shock. "What! Are you serious, daddy! But…How about the Fanel family? What is going to happen now?"

"You don't have to worry about a thing, honey. It's been settled that Julianne will take your place." Looking at Hitomi's questioning look, anticipating the question whether Julianne has agreed to the agreement, Mr. Kanzaki said, "And yes, she has agreed quite happily, if I say so myself."

"Why?"

Mr. Kanzaki held a confused look on his face. "Who wouldn't agree to marry Van? He is such a fine and respectable man. According to Goau, ladies pretty much swoon over him."

"Not that dad. Why the sudden change of plans?"

"Oh, that. Well…" Mr. Kanzaki explained to Hitomi how Van and Julianne were old flames and how the betrothal forced them to break apart. He explained how the two still carry feelings for each other, which brought the new agreement to surface.

Hitomi couldn't say anything else. She certainly didn't know what to feel about the situation. After her father's explanation, she told her father that she's tired and excused herself. She left the room somewhat downtrodden.

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The school bell has rung and all students scampered out of their classrooms feeling relieved that the school day has ended. Hitomi, however, was moving rather slowly than usual. She was last to leave the classroom.

"Hitomi! Wait up!" Someone called out to her.

Hitomi looked back and saw Allen catching up to her, dodging the students along the way. She waited for him.

Allen reached Hitomi and the two were now walking together. "Thanks for waiting. So how are you now?"

"Hmm…I'm okay, I guess."

"You guess? That's not very reassuring." Allen didn't hear a reply, so he continued. "I heard what happened."

"Oh… Millerna told you I bet."

"Who else would?" Allen said jokingly, laughing a bit. Seeing that it didn't affect Hitomi in any way, that she just stared blankly ahead, he continued, changing his tone to a more concerned one. "So what are you plans now?"

"Umm…To get things back to normal I guess."

"I see… would you consider us continuing on where we left off and start dating again as getting back to normal?"

Hitomi wasn't expecting to hear that from Allen. It has been months since they broke up. Surely he has met someone else by now. Hitomi replied, "I don't know about that… Come on, Allen. I'm sure someone new and special has entered your life."

Allen had to admit that he missed Hitomi terribly. He couldn't let her go from his heart. Allen merely answered, "Nah…."

"Oh I see…" Hitomi wasn't able to continue the conversation.

The two walked out of the building in silence. Allen has disrupted this when he asked rather abruptly, "You love Van, don't you?"

Hitomi couldn't figure out an answer. She didn't know how to respond. She contemplated hard.

Allen continued, "You might not have an answer right now, but you will really soon." Looking ahead, he said, "Look's who's here."

Waiting at the school gates, stood Van. Hitomi's heart shrieked and her insides churned.

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Hitomi sat on the front passenger seat feeling tense. She surely didn't want to be in this situation right now. She actually felt like opening the door then jumping out of the car. Of course, that is a very dumb thing to do and running away surely doesn't solve anything. Hitomi gathered up her courage. "You didn't have to pick me up, Van. I don't want to be a bother."

Van grew concerned with the tone of Hitomi's voice. It wasn't the usual cheery one. Instead it held this intensity of fierceness and coldness. Van answered cheerfully, dismissing the thought thinking that he might have heard it wrong. "Well I want to pick you up. This has sort off become a routine for me, since I've been doing it for months. You're definitely not a bother to me."

"If you say so; it's your time that you're wasting." Hitomi still held the coldness of her voice. "You could have been spending time with Julianne or something. The change of plans surely has new agendas to cover. Actually, if you think about it, the plans are less tedious since you already know her and you still love her. It won't be much of problem since you don't have to pretend to be someone you're not." Realizing what she has said, Hitomi grew surprised the she actually blabbered that out. Her emotions got hold of her words again. How can it be that she couldn't control her words in situations like these? She didn't want to hurt Van's feelings but she had no choice. She has to let it out and speak her mind like what she promised to her mother. Feeling horrible and devastated, she looked at the window and refused to look at Van. Tears started to form in her eyes.

For Van, what Hitomi had said felt like his heart has been stabbed. He had to admit that she was right. However, she made it seem that she's the only one hurting. This angered him so. His mind was in rambles and he certainly despised it. His grip on the steering wheel hardened. He's nearing the state emotional outburst but he refrained himself, thinking that answering back would make things worse. He was utterly disappointed to the outcome of him deciding to see Hitomi. For the past months, Hitomi had always shed light into his life whenever it was dull. He thought that seeing Hitomi will liven up his dampened spirit. He was wrong.

Van not uttering a word made the tears pooling under Hitomi's eyes roll down her cheeks. She spoke meekly. "How come you never told me about Julianne? You still love her. Why did I have to hear that from my dad instead of hearing it from you?"

Van couldn't fathom what Hitomi was actually feeling. Unbeknownst to him, neither could Hitomi. Van's feeling of anger faltered, although it was replaced by misery. He couldn't get himself to answer Hitomi's question.

Deciding that Van won't answer her question, she spoke out and broke the momentarily silence between them. "Van, please stop the car."

Hitomi's words surprised him. He now found the words to speak. "Why?"

"Van, please just stop the car." Hitomi reiterated.

With growing concern, Van stopped the car at the side of the road. He saw Hitomi open the door and quickly got out of the car. "Where are you going?"

"I'm walking home from here. It's only few blocks away." Before closing the door, she whispered, "I'm sorry Van. I'm really sorry."

"Hitomi! Wait!" Van called out after her.

Hitomi started walking off, not looking back.

Van got out of the car and ran after Hitomi. He reached Hitomi and stood in front of her, trying to stop her from walking. Hitomi fidgeted, trying to get passed him. Van then took hold of Hitomi's arms.

Hitomi avoided Van's gaze. Tears were streaking down her cheeks. She muttered, "I don't deserve you Van. You're so good to me and here I am treating you harshly."

"That's not true. Please, Hitomi. Get back in the car." Van tried to console her.

"I ask that you leave me alone. I just can't bear this anymore. Go and be with Julianne. Be happy." Hitomi felt Van's grip slackened. She struggled free and ran as fast as she could away from him, hoping that he wasn't running after her. She has finally realized her true feelings. I do love him.

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Van sat still in the driver's seat with his arms leaning onto the steering wheel cradling his head. His mind was bombarded with thoughts. He has been trying so hard to answer Hitomi's questions. Why didn't he tell Hitomi about Julianne? Was it because he wanted to let go of the past? Was it because he wanted to deprive himself with emotional pain? Now that he was being betrothed to Julianne, what exactly did he feel upon hearing the news? Sure he still loves Julianne; well at least a part of his heart tells him so. Breaking up with Julianne caused him so much pain. Julianne had always been at the back of his mind to remind him always of the pain he endured. He hated this. Now that Julianne reentered his life and they were given a chance to be together again, isn't he supposed to be happy? Hitomi, herself thinks that being with Julianne would bring him joy. But will it? It is his desire to help his family. Marrying Julianne will be a means of helping. If being with Julianne does indeed bring happiness, wouldn't that be perfect? The Fanel family will overcome their hindrances and Julianne will no longer be depressed. It seems like a happy ending but it's surely far away from it. Hitomi's hurt and Van held an ache in his heart.

Julianne had reentered his life. Why did it have to drive Hitomi out? It is true that he is crushed when Hitomi doesn't want to see him at all; but won't having Julianne back compensate for this? Is he bound to go through the excruciating process all over again? Will he be with one and try to forget the other?

Van couldn't get himself to move and continue on with the rest of the day. It seemed that he won't be moving for a long while.

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A/N: Yay! Another chapter done! Once again, I'm sorry it took a while for me to update… u know same old reason…school…but hey I updated and it's the most important thing! And it's my birthday today too (dec.7)! This chapter is like my gift to people who read my story! LOL! It's backwards!

Thanks so much for all the people who read my story! Of course thanks especially to the people who review! Love you guys!

About 2 more chapters left (or sumthin) before the story ends! Hope you guys stick around! PLS. REVIEW!

Review Replies:

Inda – Julianne has now officially caused problems between Van and Hitomi. Hope its okay... about Julianne getting together with Folken…big NO NO for me…I don't see Julianne as the right girl to replace Celena in Folken's life… Thanks so much for reviewing:D

Kathya – I'm really sorry about switching fiancées! I just couldn't resist! XD Thanks so much for reviewing!

pbee – is the story becoming soap opera-ish? Well, I'm not making Julianne as a money-hungry antagonist…I've no intentions of doing that since my story will definitely be longer…I just want to finish this… well what do you think about Julianne, being Van's new fiancée? Also, what do you think about how Hitomi got hurt? Hope its ok! Thanks so much for reviewing:D

tigger093061 – here's the update! Sorry it took so long… hope you're doing fine with your schoolwork! Thanks so much for reviewing!

Chocolate-Covered-Coffee-Beans – Thanks for the compliment! I really appreciate it! XD! hope this chapter is okay! Thanks so much for reviewing!

Take care people!

elena-maria