Disclaimers: Standard ones apply

VI. Running Away

"Did he send you?" She asked again, this time with more venom in her voice.

Youji's look of admiration turned into a look of confusion. "What do you mean 'Did he send you'?" He asked back.

Rei assed the man before her scrupulously, judging by his clothes and his overall appearance, he wasn't one of her father's cronies nor was he one of her father's bodyguards, they would always be in black suits, looking more like penguins than protectors of a known politician. Still judging by the same criteria, she was sure he didn't come from the party. Despite not knowing him, she felt an odd sense of déjà vu around him. Where have I seen you before?

She returned to her original position- with her back to him- and asked softy, "You don't work for my father do you?"

"I'm unemployed." He silently cursed as soon as the words left his mouth. Perfect intro. He silently muttered. Just what every woman wants. An unemployed bum.

She stood quietly, not saying anything after his answer.

Men… wherever she was, they were there too. When was she ever going to be spared a few moments to be alone? Was a little privacy too much to ask? Her amethysts eyes were cast to the heavens as she muttered her silent plea.

As if her life wasn't bad enough, her father decided to throw her a party- much to her disappointment. The party reminded her of everything that made her bitter and her life miserable. Politics, politicians- matters her father considered more important than her. Then there was Kaidou- the man she once wanted… loved even. But he was with his wife, his beautiful, pregnant wife. When she was a teenager, when she was in love with him, she imagined herself to be just like his wife- happy and bearing his child. But she knew his child would grow up to be just like her, resentful and full of hate; ignored by a father who would be too engrossed in his politics.

Of course, he was there. The party wouldn't be complete without him. It was their party after all-

-their engagement party.

And what would an engagement party be without the would-be groom? He was probably the only person she hated as much as her father- but her hatred for him was on a different level. Her disdain was carefully intertwined with an emotion she dare not name; it wasn't love, that she was sure.

He was the manipulative man who always knew what to say to irk her, he was also able to see through her pretense and above all, he was the man she was going to get married to. The Prime Minister's top assistant- the PM's political successor… Who else but her father would play matchmaker?

"Who do you think you are!" She screamed angrily. "You have no right to decide my future!"

The back of his hand connected with her porcelain cheek, the sound reverberated throughout the small and empty room. "I'm your father, in case you've forgotten. I'm doing this because it is best."

She touched her cheek, it stung- like it always did when he hit her. "Father?" She scoffed at the word. "Don't, for even a second, think that you know what is best for me. You are not and never will be my father. You're merely the man who impregnated my mother- nothing more." Her father's face went grim, his mouth now a straight line.

He raised his hand again, ready to deliver another slap- it never came. Hino Jun dropped his hand at the look his only daughter sent him.

She didn't flinch. Her eyes locked with his and she continued, "Best! Best for who? For me or for you? You're a selfish bastard. You would jeopardize the happiness of your own daughter just to further your political career?"

A pregnant silence fell. For once, Hino Jun was at loss for words.

"But I should have seen that coming, right?" She asked sarcastically, "I mean, what else could I expect from a father who abandoned me?"

"Rei, I loved you and your mother." He said softly, looking away from his daughter's piercing glare. She had her mother's eyes and it pained him deeply to look at her. He could see his wife in her eyes. That and her daughter's palpable hate.

"You love politics- not me, not mama, not anyone."

That night, she thought she saw a ghost of remorse grace his features but she thought nothing of it. If he were truly remorseful that night, there would have been no party- no lavish celebration to celebrate her upcoming wedding. In fact, there would have been no wedding at all if he had truly been remorseful. But of course, there was going to be a wedding. At the engagement party, everyone who was anyone attended. Everyone knew about the engagement.

"Miss?"

"Please go away." She said stiffly. "You have no business with me and I would really like to be alone."

TBC

A/N

Didn't see that one coming, did you? Yeah well, I decided to stray from our original plot and do things my way. I'm bored and tired and extremely pissed that I am still flat-ass broke.

Comments/suggestions/flames and whatnots… Say them all via review, okay?

SHAMELESS PLUGGING: Chap 2 (technically chap. 3) of Ominous Whispers is also out. Read it too, okay?