** Hi everyone! Sorry for the late post and shorter chapter, it's been hard to find free time to write when I'm actually motivated. There are days when I know exactly what I want to write but I cant get the words right and it takes forever to get in the groove. Thank you as allways for the wonderful reviews and follows/likes! **
Chapter Twenty-Five
Oliver bowed his head as he waited patiently. Blue eyes studied the device that he held in his hand. It had been nearly twelve hours and he hadn't heard anything from the brunette. He had been staring at his mobile for nearly thirty minutes now, trying to decide whether or not to call the woman that had been plaguing his mind all morning.
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Suddenly the device began to vibrate and his eyes quickly darted to read the name on the screen. His brows furrowed in frustration when it wasn't the name he expected to see.
"What?" he answered impatiently.
"If you're all done staring at your phone, I'd appreciate it if you opened the boot. We've been standing here for a while now," the sound of his brother's amused voice reached his ears.
Looking over, he saw Gene and his fiancé standing next to his car expectantly. He quickly put his phone down and unlocked the doors. Gene placed their luggage in the boot as a loud rumble reached Oliver's ears. The car began to shake as an aeroplane descended overhead.
Masako took a seat in the back. "Hello, Oliver."
"Miss Hara," he nodded in greeting. "The flight went well, I assume?"
"As well as a twelve hour flight can be," she replied. "Thank you for giving us a lift," she said politely.
"Good thing he's not not a real chauffeur though. I don't think customers would appreciate being locked out for so long," Gene remarked smartly as he took a seat next to his fiancé.
Oliver rolled his eyes and began to drive away from the Heathrow Airport. "You should be glad I even came in the first place."
His twin feigned offense. "Well that's a fine 'how do you do.'"
"How have you been Oliver?" Masako asked.
Oliver grunted in reply.
Gene laughed. "Be nice. And just so you know, Masako promises not to touch you inappropriately again."
"Gene! It was a year ago and I thought it was you!," she hissed, smacking his arm.
"You're getting stronger, my dear," he said with a wink as he rubbed his arm. "I'm kind of into it."
"Will you stop saying such things around people? You're such a child," she muttered through a ferocious blush.
Gene reached out and took her dainty hand in his, giving it a quick kiss. "Alright, alright, I'm done," he conceded. He leaned forward between the front seats to get a better look at his brother. "So, Noll. What had you so preoccupied anyway?"
"It's none of your concern," Oliver replied shortly.
Gene rolled his eyes but stopped when something in the front seat caught his attention. He couldn't help the scandalous smirk that spread across his lips. At his brother's silence, Oliver looked in the mirror to see what had caught his brother's attention so quickly. His jaw clenched as he remembered the pair of beige high heels laying on the passenger seat. His left hand reached over and hastily pushed the shoes onto the floor. By the time he looked back into the mirror his brother was giving him a suggestive smile.
Not wanting to be the target of his brother's pestering, he changed the subject. "How long will you be in London this time, Miss Hara?" he asked.
"Oh...Unfortunately I can only stay for two weeks. I thought I was done but my company just informed me that we will be doing a bonus episode over in America. And please, call me Masako. We're going to be family soon, there is no need to be so formal," Masako replied.
Oliver nodded but his brows furrowed when he saw the expression his brother wore. At Masako's words, Gene had retreated back into his seat. The smile that had just been there had faded along with the luster that constantly shone in his eyes.
Masako had noticed as well and turned away sadly, looking out the window. The air in the car grew uncomfortable and Oliver wanted nothing more than to be at his parent's house already. He wasn't typically fond of being stuck in the middle of other people's problems, especially lover's quarrels.
The next ten minutes of the drive felt like an eternity in the silent car. Once he pulled into his parent's drive Oliver swiftly made his escape, leaving his brother and soon to be sister-in-law alone to talk.
Nearly as soon as he entered the large brick building, he was pulled into a tight embrace.
"Noll, darling! Thank you for being such a doll and picking up your brother," she beamed, absentmindedly smoothing her son's hair. "Your father was called into the lab and I had to finish getting the house ready for them. Speaking of...where are they?" she wondered, peering around the dark haired man curiously.
As if on cue, Oliver's look-alike came walking through the door with his usual big smile.
"Mother!" Gene said happily as he placed his luggage on the ground and scooped up the blonde woman into a large hug.
"Welcome back, dear. But let me down, I saw you just a week ago. Let me see that beautiful bride of yours!" she smiled in excitement.
Masako bowed politely to the woman as Gene put his mother down. Luella quickly made her way to Masako and hugged her tightly. "So glad to see you again, sweetheart! Come, come! Let's get you settled in. Would you like some tea? Maybe a warm shower? Oh! Your gown arrived the other day! I can't wait to see you try it on! Oh, I'm so excited you're here!"
The twins watched as their mother ushered the smiling Masako out of the room with a whirlwind of questions. Oliver looked over at Gene and raised a brow.
"Everything alright?" he wondered, thinking back to his brother's previous behavior in the car.
Gene smiled softly and motioned towards the door to their right, hinting he would prefer this conversation to stay private. Gene closed the large wooden door behind them once they entered the study and took a seat on a leather chair.
"The wedding is only six months away so Masako and I have been trying to figure out when she can finally move to London…" Gene paused and his eyes grew dull momentarily. "She's been acting really off these past couple of months. Something always comes up with work and we have to keep postponing the move. Hell, she wasn't even supposed to film this year but suddenly she told me she had a new series to film. I understand work is important and her family has been a nightmare during everything but...I can't help the feeling that she isn't telling me something."
Oliver looked at his brother awkwardly. "Do you think…" he began hesitantly.
Gene's eyes widened. "What? That she cheated? Of course not. She's a saint." His expression fell again. "I'm more concerned that, well, what if she doesn't want to get married anymore?"
"Have you talked to her about this?" Oliver wondered.
"Of course. She always says she can't wait to get married, but then she gets really quiet when I try to ask what's happening," he sighed. "Other than that she's been just as wonderful to be around as always. We actually just did this brilliant case out in Tokyo. This chocolate factory had been experiencing these really odd phenomena. Things moving, moaning in the middle of the night, and whatnot. We figured out what happened to the spirit, you see, and let me tell you, I don't think I'll ever be able to eat chocolate again! The body that belonged to the spirit had drowned in a tank of liquified chocolate and sat there for a week! It was rank, I tell you."
"Sounds appetizing," Oliver drawled sarcastically.
Running a hand through his hair, Gene looked back up at his brother. "Anyway, that's enough about me. I was surprised to get a text from you so late last night. What is it that you want to talk to me about?"
Oliver leaned against a bookshelf that covered one of the walls. "It's about Mai."
"Oh?" Gene asked with a suggestive smirk.
Shooting him an unimpressed look, Oliver continued. "Her abilities seem to be rapidly increasing. During our case in Bridgewater, she was pulled into visions even while she was awake." His eyes narrowed as he thought back to the previous night. "Furthermore, her landlord's deceased wife pulled Mai into the spirit realm in order to tell her he was having a heart attack. In just a matter of months she's gone from only experiencing post-cognitive dreams and seeing spirits, to being pulled into the astral plane."
Gene's eyes grew wide. "Really? That's impressive."
Oliver frowned. "When she's pulled into visions, she loses consciousness and falls wherever she is. Luckily this time she was only on the sidewalk, but who's to say that next time it won't happen while she is crossing the street or on a dangerous case?"
"I see...That could be problematic," Gene nodded in concerned understanding. "I wonder if being a part of BSPR and having more first-hand experience with the paranormal has triggered the growth in her abilities. You need my help?"
"Seeing as Lin is at home with Madoka, and Father is keeping me busy with paperwork, it would be appreciated if you could begin mentoring her sooner than we anticipated," Oliver agreed. "At this rate I'm unsure of how rapidly her abilities will continue to grow. It would be beneficial if you could teach her to gain some control."
"You know, I won't be able to do it overnight, and maybe not at all," Gene said cautiously. "Every medium is different and some things that work for one may not work for another. On top of that, I've also never really done this before. Either way, I'll try my best. If you'd like, I can start by spending more time with her this week as I study up."
Oliver gave his brother a soft look. "Thank you, brother."
"Glad to help." Gene reached out to clap his twin's shoulder before a playful grin pulled at his lips. "So now...How about in return you tell me whose shoes were in your car?"
Oliver refrained from rolling his eyes and brushed his brother's hand off of his shoulder before making his way to leave the study.
"Oh, come on," Gene laughed, trailing after his brother. "The first sign of a woman in your life and you're leaving me in the dark? Don't think I didn't see those circles under your eyes. You barely got any sleep, am I right? So who was the lucky lady?"
"Stop jumping to conclusions and drop it," Oliver sighed in annoyance.
"Sure, sure," Gene relented with raised hands as he watched his twin stride off down the hall. "But they better belong to who I think they belong to," he grinned happily to himself before following his brother.
Mai yawned as she tiredly made her way down the stairs of her building. After finally getting some well deserved sleep, she decided to go search for her shoes once again. When she had returned that morning, they were nowhere to be found to her dismay. She looked up once she made it to the bottom of the stairs and paused when she saw the hall was filled with boxes. Tilting her head curiously, she made her way over to the boxes and looked around the empty hall, wondering who they belonged to. Before she could get a good look, Bertel's door opened to reveal his grandson.
"Oh, hello Phillip," Mai greeted warmly.
The blonde looked up in surprise and grinned. "Mai! Did you just wake up? You look exhausted."
She nodded with a chuckle. "Well, it was a long night last night."
His eyes softened. "I can only imagine. Again, I can't thank you enough for what you did for Pops. You're our guardian angel."
"No need to thank me," she waved her hands in dismissal. "What are you doing with all these boxes?"
"I'm actually going to be acting as landlord in my grandfather's absence so I'm moving in for a bit," he explained. "Mum is always so busy with her nursing job at the A&E and since I am the only other relative nearby I'm the only option. She called this morning and said Pops had an irregular heartbeat so the doctors are keeping him for a few more days before sending him to a rehabilitation center. He's going to need some physical therapy before coming home."
Mai gasped. "Is he okay now?"
Phillip nodded. "He's okay. They just want to make sure he is strong enough before coming home, especially since he lives alone."
"That's understandable," Mai nodded sadly. "It's odd without him around."
"You're telling me," the blonde agreed. He reached up and ran a hand through his hair and looked at Mai. "Hey, um, I was wondering, if you're not doing anything, would you be able to help me bring these boxes in? I'll treat you to some food at the pub down the street."
The brunette smiled warmly. "Of course, but you don't have to take me for food."
"It would be my pleasure," he said with an exaggerated bow, flashing his dimpled grin.
"Well, if you insist. I am feeling rather peckish," she laughed. "Oh! Phillip, have you seen any shoes around here? I seem to have lost them last night."
The man shook his head. "Sorry, haven't seen any lying around but I'll keep an eye out."
She sighed and placed her hands on her hips. "No need. I rarely wear them anyway so don't worry about it. I just could have sworn I left them out here," she muttered to herself.
Not much time had passed before all the boxes were inside the flat and Mai stretched her arms above her head.
"That looks like it's everything," she said happily, clapping her hands together.
The blonde man turned to her and smiled. "Thanks, Mai. Let's see, I believe I said I'd take you for a bite to eat to show my appreciation," he said with a wink.
She chuckled. "I won't turn down free food. I have been craving some fish and chips."
"Fish and chips it is then," Phillip grinned and opened the door for her.
It didn't take long for them to walk to the pub just a few streets over. They wasted no time placing their order and within minutes Mai was happily staring down at the plate of freshly fried fish and chips the barman placed in front of her.
"Itadakimasu," she whispered to herself before taking a large bite. Phillip laughed and handed her a napkin, causing her to blush in embarrassment.
"Thanks for joining me," he said with a smile. "It's not as fun to come to the pub alone. And I don't have many friends out here, well actually, I guess I should say I don't have many friends at all."
The brunette looked over at him in shock. "I find that hard to believe."
His smile slowly faded and he looked at the food in front of him. "I wasn't lying last night when I said I'm not proud of the person I am."
Mai looked over at him in sympathy. "Well, I haven't known you for long but you seem nice enough to me."
"You can thank Pops for that. He's been helping me get back on track." Phillip looked thoughtfully at her. "You know what? Maybe it's a coincidence but things have been getting better in my life ever since I met you. Well, aside from Pops having his heart attack, but you were the one to save the day. Maybe you're my good luck charm," he laughed and took a bite of a chip.
Mai didn't know what to say and laughed awkwardly at the praise. "Um, so, what were all those boxes back at the building filled with?" she asked, changing the subject.
Phillip's eyes widened. "Oh, just some clothes and art supplies. I told you I'm an artist right? I fell off of it for a while but painting helps keep me in a better state of mind."
"What types of things do you paint?" she wondered.
Phillip picked up his cup of water and twirled it absentmindedly in his hands. "Lots of things, it depends on the day. Things that are plaguing my mind, landscapes, portraits, you name it. It's therapeutic. Why? Interested in modeling for me?" he smirked.
"No need to mar your paintings with my face," she laughed off his offer. "I was just curious. It's nice you're getting back into painting though. I'm not sure what you have been going through but I bet painting is a nice outlet."
"It is," he smiled and stared at her again. "This is nice. It's refreshing talking to someone who gets me."
The brunette smiled back and continued eating her dinner. The two continued to chat as they ate. Phillip had paid the check and they made their way back to their building.
"Well," the blonde began, standing in front of his grandfather's flat. "This was fun, we should do it again."
"It was fun," Mai agreed. "It's nice getting out. I've been working so much since I arrived in England that it's nice to be making new friends."
Phillip smiled warmly before unlocking his door. "Thank you for the company and the help moving the boxes."
Mai nodded and gave a small wave. "You're welcome. Have a good night," she said before turning to make her way up the stairs.
"See you," Phillip whispered, green eyes following her disappearing figure.