Thanks to everyone that reviewed! It got almost twice as many as a I asked for! I know I said I would post as soon as I got the 10th review, but I didn't check my email until today, and I'm posting this minutes after I checked my email. All goes to show that there are a lot of people reading this fic that aren't reviewing…well, Tala's not dead! After all, I have said before that this story will be around 50 or so chapter so yeah…he can't exactly die halfway through. But thanks a bunch for all of you that took your time to review, and you should do it more often!
"Stupid! What are you being so noisy for! Is that the kind of attitude that you would show to your savior!" Tala's suddenly opened his eyes.
Suddenly Enrique and Johnny burst out loud laughing while Kira stares at them.
As Johnny continues to laugh his head off, Kira finally realizes that they were playing a trick on her. (A/N nice friends huh?)
"Don't die… Tala… Ha ha ha ha ha… Hurts… Stomach…" Johnny mocked as he pretends to be Kira.
Kira looked at Tala and he quickly looks away as if to say it wasn't his idea at all.
"Kira, you're expression just now… was really… Ha ha ha ha… very brilliant!" Enrique gasped for air.
Even Kai who was standing aside couldn't help laughing.
"Detestable! I'm going to kill you!" An angry Kira climbed on the bed and straddled Tala. Putting both of her hands around Tala's neck and starts to strangle him.
There was lots of commotion as B3 tries to get Kira off Tala who she's trying to strangle to death.
"You guys must all be thinking of murdering me! All my ribs are broken! And you are still weighing down on me like this! Are you out of your mind!" Tala yelled as Johnny lifted Kira off of him and set her on her feet,
"Who told you to do something so low!" Kira demanded as she sat on the bed beside him.
Tala complained "It hurts!"
Enrique laughed "Sorry. It's all our fault."
"We were wrong, ok? Don't be mad."
But B3 couldn't help but start laughing again.
"It's not bad. We should go now."
"You take a good rest here. Leave the rest of the things for us."
B3 starts walking toward the door when Tala remembered something and called out.
"Eh, Kai, wait a minute. If you find them, remember…" He nodded his had as the blue haired boy turned around to take the piece of paper that's dangling form his hands.
"Ok, I know what to do. You rest." Kai nodded.
Tala nods his head and Kai puts the paper in his back pocket and walks out of the room followed by Johnny
Outside the room…
"Take it out and see." Johnny urged Kai.
Kai takes out the piece of paper that Tala gave him and B3 looks at it.
They all look at it in disbelief. On the paper is a rough drawing of the 3 guys and next to their pictures, Tala has listed the number of times that they have hit him and kicked him.
"The number of times that these people hit him, kicked him, he's written it all down! And here I thought that he has matured a bit." Enrique laughed.
"I don't think so. He can't even speak English right, actually he can't do anything right, and remembers nothing important. But yet he managed to remember how many times each guy hit him, and with concussion. too" Johnny shakes his head.
"Hey, what's this? Tyson Kinomiya, leave him for me to take care. That's it." Kai laughed and continued to read from the paper
Johnny smirked and pounded his right hand against his left palm. "Let's get them, this is for Tala."
Back inside the room, Tala is lying there staring at Kira who's sitting on the side of the bed silently.
"Hey, why aren't you talking at all? What kind of attitude is this! You think you are so great! Why do I have to be like this, risking my life and being beaten until I have injuries all over? It's all so that I could save you, this ungrateful virgin." Tala shouted and sat up.
"Aren't you a virgin yourself? And you dare to talk." Kira answered quietly.
"Shut up! All day long, you just know how to start a fight. Don't you know how to say something that would console a sick person?" Tala lectured and then he moves his legs so that he's sitting on the side of the bed next to Kira.
"Because…" Kira turned to him and a tear fell down her face.
"What?" Tala asked and confused of the tears.
"Because I had a dream. I dreamt that you died. I felt very scared. And I was thinking did you really die already? I thought that after I said those words to you, then you wouldn't come to save me. Didn't think that you are still like an idiot and came to save me. Being kicked and hit by those jerks, beaten up so badly, and you're still deceiving me. I really thought that you were dead." Kira shouted angrily as Tala inched closer to her.
"Sorry." Tala softly said. He reaches out gently and brushes her hair away from her face, pulling it back over her ear. "Stop rubbing your eyes already. You're ugly enough. Moreover, didn't I say, even if you went to hell, I would still chase after you? So you should stop with your matter of resistance." Tala gave her a shy smile
Kira laughed and said "Idiot."
At this moment, someone reaches out a hand to the doorknob and opens the door to the room.
"What do you mean matter of resistance? What you should say is meaningless resistance. Dummy. You're English is wrong every time. Are you really an English person? I think it would be better if you read more books."
"What are you smiling at?" Tala looked suspiciously at her as she had a hug grin on her face.
Unknown to them, someone has started walking into the room.
"I'm thinking that it could have been because you are so dumb, that's why you have that birdbrain head of yours in the past. So whenever you learn something it goes into your brain and slips out through the two tips."
Tala looks up and notices someone else's presence in the room.
"What's wrong?" Kira asked.
She turns to see what he was staring at and finds Tyson standing there behind them.
Tala quickly stands up to face him. Seeing that Tala got up, Kira also quickly stands up and places herself in front of Tala as though shielding him from any danger that Tyson might do.
"Tyson, isn't this enough already? What more do you want?" She asked coldly.
Tala pushed Kira to the side gently. "Kira, step aside. What are you doing here?" He directed the latter coldly to Tyson.
"Don't worry. I didn't come here to do something to you." The navy haired boy sneered at the red head.
"You're here to apologize? It can't be." Tala replied dryly.
"Apologize? I don't feel that I've done you wrong in anyway. Compared to those people that you've beaten up at Bakuten University, the injuries that you have on your body right now is nothing at all. It is nothing compared to theirs." Tyson snorted.
"This person… how is he now?"
"He changed to a school in the south." Tyson replied curtly.
"He's still alive? Aren't you satisfied?"
"Satisfied? Even though using Kira to strike against you is not some sort of gentleman behavior, but for those that are living underneath your violent shadow – giving you a good lesson, even if I'm called a low person, I'm very happy about that."
"Then you can leave now? You've said all that you should say. I would advise you not to do such things again – for your own good." Kira warned.
"Kira, actually I came today to apologize to you. I did something that was very wrong to you. Please forgive me." Tyson begged bowing slightly in Kira's direction.
Kira looked away. "Apologizing now is too late already. You better leave now."
Tyson smiled slightly. "Kira, if you weren't the person that Tala likes, I really wish that we could have become friends under different circumstances. Friends who could really understand each other. But I think that there won't be a chance anymore."
He turns to leave and then stops to look back at Kira.
"Kira, I really regret it."
He turns and walks out of the room. But Tala, despite his numerous injuries, reacted faster, and gave Tyson a nicely dealt punch on his right cheekbone, along with the infamous glare of his. Kira and Tala both stood there as they watched Tyson scramble out of the hospital room clutching in cheek whimpering slightly.
'Tyson, even though the things that you've done this time has fallen into the top three most vicious things that I've ever experienced in my life… but Tala has also done something that he shouldn't have. So actually I can understand what you are feeling. But at this moment in time, I really can't forgive you.' Kira thought to herself before getting Tala to lie back down again.
'Maybe there would be a day when time has eroded these scars, that we could forget about the past together and become friends again.' Kira thought smiling shyly.
The next day…
"Well? Amusing?" Johnny handed Tala a photo.
"Let me see. Such an exaggeration! How did you guys do this?" Kira took it and saw 3 guys brutally beaten up in the photo.
"With their kind, we only wasted 10 minutes! And they were crying out for mercy already."
"Too modest! Moreover it's extra modest! Tala, did you really get beaten up by them?"
Kira smiled "Yeah! He got beaten up so badly that he couldn't even lose his
temper!"
Tala glared at Kira with a warning tone. "Kira…"
"I couldn't imagine, Tala, who has never lost in a fight, would be willing to get beaten up!" Johnny started laughing all over again.
"Right. Originally we had thought that with his kind of personality, sooner or later he would become a criminal. I couldn't imagine that he would be willing to do this for you. Even though we can't understand it, but the power of love is really very amazing!" Enrique changed the subject as a glare from Tala was shown.
"I… I just had my check up. The doctor says that my health is fine now. So I'm leaving the hospital today. Bye." Kira blushed and starts to walk out the door, but was blocked by Enrique.
She turns and finds the blonde holding up his finger, shaking it back and forth, blocking her way of escape.
"Don't run away each time that we get into this subject, alright? Tala's qualifications are not bad. No matter what is said, he still has a couple billions of assets. To you, this is a chance in a lifetime! Can you just give it some serious thought, ok?" Johnny added form the couch.
"I'm not someone who loves money." Kira replied.
"What's wrong with money? Just think about your family, ok? Moreover, someone as devoted as he, he definitely won't have other girlfriends." Johnny laughed.
"Between the 4 of us, he's the one who can fight the best!" Enrique added.
Kira sighed "That shouldn't be a good point."
Enrique was getting exasperated "Can you guys just make do and get together? Us guys on the side are getting so anxious just watching the two of you!"
"Furthermore, when you meet with danger, no matter what, he will definitely go to save you." Kai stood up walked over and added.
"I didn't ask him to come save me. And… and…"
"And what!" Tala got up also.
"And… Tala reminds me of a dog." Kira shyly said.
"A DOG?" Tala yelled obviously mad.
B3 have puzzled looks on their faces.
"You said that I'm like a dog!" Tala yelled.
While everybody is still pondering on what she said, Kira quickly runs past Enrique to get away.
Kai turns to look at Tala and staring at him, suddenly with the image of Tala as a dog pop up in his head he to starts shaking with laughter.
"What the hell are you guys laughing about!" Tala demanded.
"Ha ha ha! dog!" Johnny snickered.
As Tala walks away from the crazy bunch, B3 couldn't stop laughing and continue on.
At home Kira is using two puppets to talk to each other.
"Stop playing around. He's the kind of guy that's whole body is filled with hormones – that type of wild beast! If his brutish nature explodes, then I… it's too dangerous!" A bear was used to play the deviled version of Kira.
The cow was used to play the angel said "Eh, eh, eh. That kind of thing cannot happen. He has a lot of good points! No matter what is said, he has so much money. Also, when he came to save you, weren't you feeling very touched? If it's not because he really likes you, Tala, he wouldn't do something like that."
'I really am feeling very touched. This Tala who has so much pride, for me, he was humiliated like that.' She paused to think.
"This thing is different with that thing. Besides, you don't like the other person and you still date with him, then that is really not right. Furthermore, do you really think that I like Tala? Do I feel for Tala the same heart thumping feeling that I have for Kai? There so different from each other." The bear stuff animal said.
"You are such an idiot! If you don't like him, then just break up with him later." The cow yelled.
"No! I can't so easily betray myself!"
"Aye. Just see it as a repayment to him."
"There are lots of ways to repay! So I'm supposed to give myself to him! That cannot happen!"
"My head is about to explode with all this!" Kira shouted.
At the Ivanov mansion Tala is sitting at a table eating when B3 comes looking for him.
Enrique walked up to him "Tala, you left the hospital already?"
"Your ribs are joined back together again?"
Tala nods his head as he continues eating.
"Your recovery rate is like that of a dog." Johnny couldn't help it and teased.
With that being said B3 bursts into laughter "HA HA HA!"
"Dog?" Tala crossed his arms and looked annoyed.
"Don't mind it. Kira must have meant that you are as cute as a small dog, right? HA HA HA HA!" Johnny tried to explain but went back to laughing.
"Right! That's what it is!"
Kai looks at Tala with an expression as though he's trying hard not to laugh.
"Can you guys stop talking about small dog left and right, ok! Take care that I will beat you up!"
"It looks like the shock that you got this time seems to be very serious!"
Tala pouted "You guys won't understand. The girl that I tried to protect with my life tells me that I remind her of a dog! Like a dog! That stupid woman."
Tala gets angry just thinking about it and throwing down his fork gets up from the table.
"Eh, you're going to sleep? Good night."
"But Kira is really very stubborn."
"This type of girl that always emphasizes that a virgin is extremely troublesome. Because they always have these non practical dreams for a relationship." Enrique yawned.
"I've also thought of that. If not then how come she would fall for someone like Kai?" Johnny replied.
Kai glared at him "What's that suppose to mean? I'm a lot hotter than Tala." B2 laughed.
" She fell so hard for you too. But I guess you were too boring for her." Johnny teased. "Being in a relationship is to get that instantaneous feeling then that would make one feel pleasure." Johnny continued.
"Instantaneous feeling? Is that what it is? But the things between Tala and Kira, why did you guys pull me into it?" Kai asked.
"Wasn't it published in the magazine? That French guy that proposed to MingMing seems to want the matter to take its own course. What do you and her have planned?"
Enrique changed the subject.
"What do you guys think? Let's just sit quietly and see how things turn out. Destiny is a funny thing?" Kai shrugged.
"You are also a strange person."
"The character for loving is quite similar to the character for change."
"I remember. When Tala was a kid and taking the English class in school, didn't he mixed those two characters around?"
"Anyways, there's nothing we can do. We can only slowly, slowly force this idiot Kira to succumb."
Enrique and Johnny chatted among them self while Kai continues to think about what they have said.
The next day….
Kira is sitting aside eating fries when Kai shows up.
"Kira!" Kai said and walking over.
"Kai!" Kira smiled.
"Well? Are your injuries any better?" He took a seat beside her.
"Yeah." She replied offering Kai her plate of fries.
"It was very hard on you this time." Kai replied and took some fries and stuck them in his mouth.
"It was ok, where's Tala?"
"He left the hospital yesterday night already. But he took the day off today cause the injuries on his body is not all healed yet."
"He's left the hospital? That's great."
"Kira… Even us, the group of friends that grew up with him since we were young – this is the first time that we saw him like this. It is obvious that he is serious towards you. You should have noticed it. Do you understand my meaning?" Kai said in monotone.
Suddenly Tala shows up.
"Kai! You two seem to be very happy. Meeting here alone behind my back, you two…" Tala called out.
"You are ridiculous!" Kira scowled at him.
"Weren't you taking the day off today?" Kai leaned back on the bench chair.
"All that sleeping at home makes me lose my strength, so I came out for a walk."
"The injuries on your body are not fully healed yet. Why are you moving around so carelessly?" Kai looked at him.
Tala snickered and he took a seat beside Kira. "Someone said that my recovery rate is like that of a dog." He said smugly.
With that Kai started to laugh once again.
"I told you! That was just a phrase!"
"What a wonderful phrase." Kai teased.
"Did I ask for your opinion, Kai?" Tala asked getting annoyed.
"Fine. Then I'm leaving first. Oh right, I still haven't told her what you wanted me to say to her. You tell her yourself. I'm leaving first. Bye bye." Kai gave him a nod before walking off.
"Bye bye. What do you want to say?"
"Do you know what day the 31st of this month is?" He asked grinning.
Kira thinks for a moment before shaking her head." I don't know."
"You don't know? It's my birthday!" Tala told her loudly.
"Oh. Then happy birthday to you."
"But every year on that day someone would throw a birthday party for me. So, you have to bring a present with you."
"Present? Who opens up their mouth and asks for a present! Besides, I don't have the money to buy you a present." She retorted.
"Can you stop talking about money, money, money each time!"
"But that's what it is!"
"Then you can come empty handed! Anyhow, just show up! Because it's your entire fault what happened to me this time. Just treat is as a repayment. Also, my mom will be there at that time. I want to introduce you to my mom."
"Your mom?" Kira asked surprised.
"My dad has to work so he can't come back. My mom is the only one that is coming back."
"Introduce me to your mom?" Kira asked in disbelief.
Tala nods his head at her while Kira has this weird look on her face.
At the pastry shop that night…
"God! Tala almost got beaten up to death because of you? That seems to be something out of the movies." Salima gushed.
"Actually I'm not wooden, so I, of course, am very touched. But I'm not so sure myself what kind of feelings I have for Tala. With everything that he does – he does what he wants with that dominating look of his. I feel that the pressure is just too big. Also, the thing that is making me worry the most right now is his birthday at the end of this month. He said that he wants to introduce me to his mom." She told Salima worriedly while wiping the counters.
Salima stops what she is doing and turns to look at Kira with a stunned look, "Are you for real! Wow, a rich family like theirs, when they introduce their girlfriends to their moms, then it must be very important. I think that it's almost like an engagement." Salima got a dreamy look on her face.
"Huh?"
Salima puts her arm around Kira's shoulder and plays around, "Mom, this Miss Kira, she's a girl that I want to spend the rest of my life with. Not bad, right?" She laughed.
"Salima! What are you talking about! We haven't even dated yet! How can we spend the rest of our lives together! You are so sickening!"
"Congratulations Kira! You are going to become a part of the upper class society soon!"
Kira pushed Salima playfully. "You're still talking! Stop talking already! Things are not as you have thought it is. The thing I'm worried out the most right now is his birthday present."
"Right. Present. Do you have it ready yet?" Kira shook her head. "I really want to lend you some money, but this month is almost over and the money that I make from the job is almost gone."
"Me too. I only have $20 left for this month. But if I really go empty handed that just doesn't seem right."
"Hey! You can make it yourself. The important thing is that it came from the heart. Why don't we bake some cookies after work? What do you think?" Salima suggested.
"Cookies?"
After work…
Kira opens up the oven and pulls out the pan of burnt cookies, "It's burnt! Who's going to eat it now?"
"It's ok. Anyway, we have 2, 3 more days till the end of the month. You'll get it by then." Salima reassured.
Later…
Salima was cutting up thin square cookie dough, "Is that enough?"
Kira was trimming each of the pieces of dough to make it look like Tala, "Hm, almost. Salima, take a look and see if this looks like it." She asked holding a picture for Salima to compare it to.
Salima nodded her head. "Very much! How many did you make in total?"
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5. I think there's about 5 or 6. If we add this to it…"
"Enough?"
"I'm not really sure."
"It doesn't matter. I'll help you make more."
"Thanks." Kira replied grateful for all of Salima's help.
On the day of the party, B3, all dressed very formally in suits, comes to pick up Kira as she is leaving her house.
Kira stops when she sees them walking up the road, "Why did you guys come here?"
B3 stares with disbelief look at Kira's outfit.
"We came to pick you up." Enrique informed her.
"Why are you guys all dress like that?" Kira asked laughing, they were all wearing formal three-piece suits that probably cost them a few thousand dollars.
"This is the Ivanov family's son's birthday party!" Johnny told her as if she were retarded.
"What are you wearing underneath your outerwear?" Enrique asked worried.
Kira looked down at her dress. "My mom's dress when she was young."
B3 all has an exasperated expression on their face as if to say 'what is she thinking about?'
"Thank God, you thought of coming here to pick her up. Or else, we would have been in trouble." Enrique and Kai exchanged a look of disbelief.
"Right. Hurry up and think of something." Johnny urged.
"What can we think of? If we prepare now, how we will be able to make it in time?"
Enrique thinks for a few seconds and then suggests, "Go to Tala's house."
"For what?" Johnny asked frowning.
"Kateena's room should definitely have some clothes."
Making up their minds, B3 walk toward Kira with as if they are on a mission.
Kira looks at them coming towards her in full speed, "What are you guys doing?"
Johnny grabs hold of the right side of Kira's arm.
"What's going on? HEY, HEY, HEY!" She yelled.
Enrique grabs hold of the left side of Kira's arm as he and Johnny both started carrying her along quickly toward the car.
"How can it be like this!" Kira cried out.
At the Ivanov mansion, Enrique is laying out dress after dress on the table.
"Can't believe that you were able to think that Kateena's room would have some modern clothes. But if you don't tell her, isn't that not so good?" Johnny asked.
Kira is sitting aside while a lady is putting on make-up for her.
"No. Don't worry. Kateena really likes Kira too. Besides, she knows her mother's personality much better than us. So she shouldn't blame us." Kai reassured.
Enrique picks up a very sexy red dress, "Kira, what do you think of this one? Auntie seems to really like this brand of clothing."
"I don't think that's suitable. If Kira wears that, she'll look too sophisticated for her age. Hurry up with your make-up." Kai replied.
Enrique picks up another beige dress, "What do you think about this?"
"Or this one?" Johnny picks up a black sexy dress.
Kai got up from his seat on the sofa, "I don't think it's suitable. It could be that in Auntie's eye, she would think that Kira is not a respectable girl."
'Why is the atmosphere so strange? Why is Enrique and them so nervous? The auntie that they keep mentioning about, are they pointing at Tala's mom?' her head was filled with questions.
"Um, I think I should just wear my own clothes. You guys don't have to go through all this trouble." She started.
Kai picked up a small black dress," I feel that this small black formal dress is not bad."
"Wasn't that made when Big Sis was in high school? Would Kira be able to wear it?" Enrique asked him.
"Isn't Kira's figure a size smaller than Kateena's? So the time when Kateena was in high school, if Kira wears that, it should be just right." Johnny observed.
Kira stops the lady that is doing her make-up, "Sorry, hold on just a minute. I want to ask you guys, why do I have to dress up so pretty? Is there something extra special about today's birthday party?"
"We haven't told you that Tala's mom is an extremely scary person." Enrique shuddered at the thought.
"Huh?"
"That's right. She is someone who is very hard to get along with. Especially the attitude that she has towards girls. If she finds out that you were brought home by Tala… Also, Tala is their family's heir. With regards to your future…" Johnny paused.
"Future?"
"Future is pointing out to marriage life. You are the first girl that he is bringing home. His mom would definitely look at you in the concept of a fiancé." Kai explained to the confused Kira.
Kira's eyes widened. "Fiancé? Sorry, I have to go back." She quickly got out of her seat.
Enrique puts down the dress and grabs Kira's arm as she walks past, "HEY! Stop playing around!"
"I'm only here to attend his birthday party! If you guys do this, then there would be a big misunderstanding! I'm not going." She pouted.
"Kids in corporate families like ours, are all the same! The reason why our parents send us to Bakuten U. is so that their heirs will not meet other girls outside. My family is the same thing. If my parents find out that I'm seeing some other girl secretly, then a family war would definitely break out. Our marriages have all been arranged as political marriages. Much less Tala's. His is Ivanov Corporation's one and only heir! Just think how important his future would be." Enrique explained exasperatedly to Kira.
"Political marriages?"
"Right. Each and everyone of us is the same thing." Kai told her.
"Why do you think that we love to play around so much? Because in the end, for the sake of our family's image, we could be married to a woman that we don't love. When we think about that, we would of course take advantage of now and play all we want." Johnny smirked.
"So for Tala, can you please just dress up and pretend as a rich girl for today? Please? You know how highly Tala thinks of you." Enrique pleaded.
"Even though it is fated that there is no hope for you two, but you have to do your best." Johnny pointed out smirking.
Kira arrives at the party wearing Kateena's formal black dress. She stands by the doorway looking in and not moving.
Enrique comes up behind her, "What are you standing here for?"
"Let's go in." Johnny came to her other side.
B3 walks in with Kira and seeing them, Tala quickly walks over to greet them.
"Why were you so slow? You just arrived?" He asked straightening out his formal black suit.
"No. I've been here for a bit." Kira told him.
Tala glances at her up and down. "Hey, you're dressed very refined today." He smiled.
"It was Enrique them who helped me prepare." She told him not meeting his gaze.
Tala folded his arms across his chest, "Enrique has finally done something very smart."
"Just as long as you are happy." Enrique laughed punching Tala's arm softly.
"You seem very much like a rich girl today." A grin graced Tala's handsome face.
"It's an imitation of a rich girl."
"Imitation?"
"Happy Birthday!" Enrique interrupted handing Tala his gift.
Tala reaches for the wrapped gift, "Thanks."
"Tala, Happy Birthday." Kai also hands him an expensive looking gift bag stuffed to the brim with colorful tissues.
"Thanks."
"Have a Happy Birthday!" Johnny also handed over a small box to the red head.
"It's very heavy. What is it?" He asked.
Kira searches in the bag for the cookies that she baked.
"You'll know when you open it up." Johnny smirked.
"Why are you being so secretive?" Tala asked.
A guy comes up behind Tala, "Hello, Tala sir. I am Ferrari Company's commissioner. Happy Birthday! I sincerely represent our company to give, as a birthday present, to you a car." He held out a small box, no doubt containing a key.
Hearing that Tala is getting a car as a birthday present, a Ferrari no less, Kira quickly puts her hand-made cookies back in her bag.
"The car is just parked out front. Whenever you go out, you would be able to see it." The guy informed him.
"Thanks."
"Happy Birthday." The guy bowed.
"This car should be at least more than half a million dollars." Johnny laughed.
Tala shrugged indifferently before turning to Kira, "What about you?"
"I… wish you a happy birthday." Kira turned red, embarrassed about her gift.
"What do you mean wish me a happy birthday! Where's my present!" He demanded pouting.
"I forgot."
"You forgot! You came to attend my birthday party and forgot to bring my present?"
"Sorry. I forgot then I forgot."
"If apologies are useful, what's the use of having the police! Stupid woman! Forget it. I'll introduce my mom to you." He reached out to grab her hand.
Kira's eyes widened as she turned away quickly. "There's no need! There's so many people, if I mix in together with them, your mom won't be able to see me!"
Tala kept his grip tight on Kira's arm. "What are you afraid of! It's not like I'm introducing you as my fiancé to my mom. Let's go!" He pulled her forward.
"IDIOT! What are you talking about! I don't want to go!" Kira complained resisting.
"Just come with me!"
Kira tried to grab onto Kai, "No! Your mom doesn't know me! Let me go!"
"What kind of joke is this? Let your hand go!" He told her trying to get her to loosen her grip on Kai's elbow.
"Kai Hiwatari! Save me!" She cried out desperately.
"Let's go!" Tala kept on pulling.
"I don't want to! It's so frightening!" She yelled keeping her grip firm on Kai's arm, while Kai just stood there watching the scene with utter amusement.
She finally manages to pull her hand out of Tala's grasp, but in the process of using all that strength, Kira bumps into the waiter behind her, knocking down all the plates and falling to the floor. All those plates falling made a huge noise and all the guests are looking over to see what was going on. Kai and Enrique quickly walk over to Kira to help her.
"Are you ok?" Enrique asked helping her up.
"Such a loud commotion! What has happened! What exactly is going on here?" A tall woman with flaming red hair that was pulled up in an elaborate twisted French braid asked. She carried herself with absolute grace and authority. She was obviously beautiful in her earlier years, though the years have taken a toll on her, and she had a few wrinkles lining her face, though with her elaborate make up (no doubt costing a few hundred to thousand dollars) she looked much younger then she actually was.
"Get up… Tala's mom." Enrique whispered quietly to Kira.
"Eh, Auntie. Long time no see. This is…" Johnny started trying to get Mrs. Ivanov's attention away from Kira.
"Johnny, now is not the time for you to talk." She interrupted the red head with a commanding tone. "Miss, who are you?" She asked Kira, raising one of her perfectly plucked eyebrows.
Kira stares at Tatiana Ivanov and thinks to herself 'She is Tala's mom? She's so frightening! Such a strong oppressing feeling!' "Sorry. I… I am…" She started.
Tatiana Ivanov glared at her son, "Tala. She is your friend?"
"Yes." Tala answered with a slight bow.
Tatiana Ivanov glared at Kira through her heavily darkened eyelashes, "Then can you please ask her to leave."
Tala looked from his mom to Kira and back again.
"Tala Did you not hear what I said?" She asked in a sickeningly sweet tone.
"Ma. She is someone who is very important to me."
Tatiana Ivanov remained silent as she registers the words that her son just said. She looks over at Kira and Kira stares with wide eyes.
'Tala, what are you talking about! You would actually dare to say this kind of words to your mom! There must be something wrong with your brain! Under this kind of circumstances, with you saying words like that, have you even thought about where I stand? God!' She thought desperately to herself.
"Tala, you said that she is very important to you. Do you know what that stands for?"
"I know."
"Please wait a minute! Auntie, this miss, is a schoolmate of ours at Bakuten University. She's also very good friends with us." Enrique explained nodding at Johnny.
"Right! She's definitely not some disreputable girl." Johnny added.
"You two be quiet! What do you mean by disreputable! I wasn't asking the two of you something that vulgar! I just want to know if her family background is well matched in social status with our Ivanov family." Mrs. Ivanov interrupted them coldly.
"Sorry." Both Enrique and Johnny replied in unison hanging their heads in apology.
"Miss, what is your name?" Tatiana asked turning towards Kira with a fake smile.
"I… I'm Kira Tagoshi." Kira stuttered, terrified by the red haired woman who was glaring down on her.
"Miss Kira. May I ask what business your father does?"
"Eh, my father is… this…"
"Starry Nights Entertainment Enterprise Group's CEO. Her father is a CEO." Kai interrupted her.
Enrique, Johnny and Kira all staring at Kai with wide eyes at his announcement.
Enrique adapted himself quickly before nodding. "Right, right. Underneath this group, they also possess a combination of golf courses, forest baths, aromatherapy, etc." Enrique added hesitantly, not noticing Tatiana Ivanov's mouth quirk into a small smile at the lies that are coming out of Enrique's mouth. "These different kinds of natural forest set ups are for relaxing entertainment."
"Their stock just appeared on the market recently. Haven't you heard of it yet?" Johnny asked innocently.
'Why did you guys throw out such a lie that could be so easily exposed!' Kira thought to herself worriedly.
"Really? Then a daughter with such a background, you should at least know how to play an instrument or two." Tatiana smiled mirthfully.
B3 all turns to look at Kira desperately.
"Do you know how to play any instruments? Piano?" Johnny asked quietly.
"Then let's have this Miss, play a piece for such a special event today." Mrs. Ivanov announced.
"Auntie, she still has some family things to take care of so in a little bit I will…" Enrique started.
Tatiana Ivanov gave Enrique a long stare with cold eyes and looking over at her, Enrique's voice quickly trails off. Kira could see where Tala had obviously learned that, and even though Tatiana's blue eyes were much darker and duller then Tala's bright turquoise eyes, they made a much stronger impact, having been perfected for numerous decades, and made one shudder to the bone.
Mrs. Ivanov walked over the Kira and linked arms with her, "You don't have to be so courteous. Just play a piece for us."
As Tatiana Ivanov led Kira off toward the magnificent ebony grand piano, the guests all started clapping their hands in anticipation of Kira's performance.
R&R please! And I know there are a lot of you!
