A/n: In response to Papayagrl review, hmm... actually yes, I've written fanfictions before, using a different penname. Try and find out. The reason for the change, is to embrace a new beginning.
I learnt writing fictions from all those romance books I've read, not to mention those twisted dramas.
I myself have a rather twisted mind, which causes twisted story to develop, haha.
Don't expect any updates to be fast after this, I still need to study for that supplementary exam, and I'm grouchy after Germany lost this morning. Bloody freaking Azzuris scored the goal 2 minutes before the match goes into Penalty Shootout!
Chapter 11
Domyouji mansion
Tsukushi's apartments
Rui woke up to find Tsukushi asleep. He gazed at the sleeping face of Tsukushi. True, Tsukushi may not be as beautiful as Shizuka, but Tsukushi has a certain charm in her that makes her more beautiful inside.
"Akira's too blind and dumb to be with you," he said to the sleeping Tsukushi. "I hope you realise it before it's too late."
Seeing that Tsukushi looked a bit uncomfortable on the couch, Rui picked her up and brought Tsukushi to her bedroom.
He laid her down gently, and was about to leave the room when he heard Tsukushi whispering his name and Akira's.
He did not wish to leave Tsukushi alone. He doesn't know exactly what's the nature of his feelings towards Tsukushi. Is it love or platonic love?
He dropped himself on the chaise lounge near Tsukushi's bed, and gazed at Tsukushi.
He didn't notice the time when he fell asleep.
Domyouji mansion
Tsukasa's apartments
Tsukasa just got back from clubbing with Soujiro and Akira, Soujiro left to be with a girl, while Tsukasa left Akira to brood in the club alone.
He was surprised to see Rui's car parked at the guest garage near their garage at the mansion.
He thought Rui came to see him, only to be surprised that Rui's not in his apartments, and thus led Tsukasa to assume that Rui's with Tsukushi.
'Your coming home create trouble, Domyouji Tsukushi,' he thought. 'I wonder what okaasan and otoosan would think if they saw Rui in your room.'
With that thought in mind, Tsukasa went back to the main entrance, waiting for his parents' arrival from the office.
Amakusa mansion
Kin walked towards his father's study and knocked.
"Come in," called Mr. Amakusa and was surprised to see Kin.
"Senosuke, why are you here at this late hour?" asked Mr. Amakusa.
"Father, if I want to renege my promise to marry Akiko, is it possible?" asked Kin.
"You mean dissolve your engagement with Usami Akiko?" asked Mr. Amakusa.
Kin nodded.
"No," answered Mr. Amakusa, loud and clear.
"What if I found a replacement for Akiko?" asked Kin. "Like, for example, Domyouji Tsukushi?"
"But, Senosuke, will Domyouji Tsukushi want to be with you as Akiko does?" asked Mr. Amakusa.
Kin didn't know how to respond to his father's question, at first.
"She's my best friend," answered Kin.
"But she's not your girlfriend," replied Mr. Amakusa. "What if she do not want you?"
"Why would you think she do not want me, father?" asked Kin.
"Her parents have requested her to find the person she likes, and won't approach her with an arranged marriage," answered Mr. Amakusa. "Does that not provide you with a clue that she's not interested in you?"
"It's not that I don't approve of your decision, Senosuke," said Mr. Amakusa. "But you should stick to the person who wants to be with you."
"But father, Akiko and I are engaged from birth," reasoned Kin.
"That's true, but Akiko has repeatedly said she wants to be with you, Senosuke," said Mr. Amakusa again. "Do you have problems with Akiko-chan?"
Kin nodded, and added, "She's jealous of Tsukushi,"
"It's no wonder she's jealous, Senosuke. Everybody would think you and Domyouji Tsukushi's an item if they see the two of you," reasoned Mr. Amakusa.
"Just look at these," said Mr. Amakusa and motioned Kin to see the photographs taken by Kin's personal bodyguards.
"What the?" asked Kin. "What are these, father?"
"Photos taken by your bodyguards," answered Mr. Amakusa. "I'm sure Mr. and Mrs. Domyouji has some too,"
"Father, the bodyguards are an invasion of my privacy!" reasoned Kin.
"They are there for your safety, I assume you knew that Domyouji Tsukushi has them as well, so, what's the difference?" asked Mr. Amakusa.
"Yes, I know Tsukushi have bodyguards, I never knew I have them too," answered Kin.
"Now you know," replied Mr. Amakusa. "Enough. I don't want to ruin your friendship to Domyouji Tsukushi, as I know the youngest Domyouji will not do anything to destroy whatever there is between you and Akiko, so don't ask me that absurd question anymore."
"Yes, father," answered Kin and left the study.
Hanazawa Mansions
Mr. Hanazawa's study
Mr. Hanazawa called the butler in charge of Rui's apartments to ask whether Rui's in.
"Hello, is Rui in?" asked Mr. Hanazawa.
"I'm sorry, sir, the young sir went out, and hasn't returned," answered the butler.
"Did he say he's going anywhere?" asked Mr. Hanazawa.
"No, sir, he just left," answered the butler.
Thinking that Rui's probably just amusing himself outside, Mr. Hanazawa hung up and continued his work.
Domyouji Mansion
Main Entrance
Domyouji Tsukasa waited at the main entrance for the arrival of his parents from work.
He kept glancing at his watch. Surely his parents don't stay this late at the office.
No sooner than that, a limo was seen arriving from the long Domyouji Driveway.
Mrs. Domyouji stepped out first from the limo and immediately saw Tsukasa at the front door.
"What do you want, Tsukasa?" asked Mrs. Domyouji tiredly.
"You should find something interesting in Tsukushi's rooms," answered Tsukasa and left his parents.
"Something interesting, Tsukasa?" asked Mr. Domyouji. "Are you sure?"
"Just look at the guest garage," answered Tsukasa.
"So, that's Hanazawa Rui's car, he's your best friend and I heard from the bodyguards and servants, a frequent visitor to the mansion," replied Mrs. Domyouji.
"Except tonight, he's not visiting me," stated Tsukasa.
"Never mind, let's go and check out Tsukushi's apartments, Kaede, and Tsukasa, do join us," said Mr. Domyouji, and together, they went to Tsukushi's apartments.
As the doors to the Tsukushi's apartments were locked, Mrs. Domyouji had Tsukushi's head maid, Maria, to open the door for them.
"By the way, Maria, did a Hanazawa Rui enter the apartment just now?" asked Mrs. Domyouji.
"I'm not sure, Madam," answered Maria, as she's not the one who greeted Rui.
"You are dismissed, Maria," replied Mrs. Domyouji and proceeded to enter the apartments.
They found the sitting room to be empty.
"He's not in the sitting room," said Mrs. Domyouji. "Are you sure Rui didn't go to your room after that, Tsukasa?"
"Of course I'm sure mother," answered Tsukasa heatedly.
They walked to the bedroom and upon their sight, Tsukushi on the bed while Rui on the chaise lounge.
"I told you so," said Tsukasa smugly to his mother.
"There's nothing wrong with this sight, Kaede, Tsukasa," said Mr. Domyouji. "It's not as if they are on the bed together."
"Tsukasa, wake Rui up and or if you can manage it, carry him to your room," answered Mrs. Domyouji. "It's not nice seeing a guy in a girl's bedroom, no matter how it looks like, Tetsuya."
"Yes mother," answered Tsukasa.
With that, the Domyouji parents walked out of Tsukushi's apartments to have discussions in their own apartments.
Domyouji parents' apartments
"What do you think?" asked Mr. Domyouji. "Should you bring Tsukushi to New York or should we send her to London to be with Tsubaki and her fiance?"
"If Tsukushi's in London, I know Amakusa Senosuke will follow her there," answered Mrs. Domyouji.
"Unless his father refused his request to go to London," replied Mr. Domyouji. "Three good suitors for our youngest daughter."
"The first one's engaged, the second one's a playboy who loves to be with older women, the third one, I don't understand the third one," reasoned Mrs. Domyouji, referring the first one to Kin, the second one to Akira and the third one to Rui.
"Rumour has it that the third one's engagement to Todou Shizuka was cancelled," stated Mr. Domyouji. "So, the Hanazawa will probably merge with us, Kaede."
"But Tetsuya, Tsukushi's not our doll, she's not Tsubaki," cried Mrs. Domyouji. "Tsukushi has to find her own love, that's what we agree on."
"All right, let's have it this way then," said Mr. Domyouji. "Bring Tsukushi with you to New York, and we'll see who chases her."
Mrs. Domyouji nodded.
Domyouji Mansion
Tsukushi's apartments
"Damn, Rui, why do you have to be so heavy?" muttered Tsukasa who can't carry Rui on his own.
In the end, he had no choice but to call the butler to help him carry Rui to his apartments at the opposite wing.
The next day
Domyouji Mansion
Tsukushi's apartments
"Rise and shine, Kushi dear!" chirped Mrs. Domyouji.
"Mother, what are you doing in my bedroom this early?" asked Tsukushi and yawned.
"Oh, I just want to tell you that your things are packed, you are going to accompany me to New York today," answered Mrs. Domyouji.
"Today? New York?" asked Tsukushi. "But what about Eirin?"
"Your father will send a letter to Eirin explaining your one month absence," answered Mrs. Domyouji. "C'mon, go and prepare yourself, Maria has already packed your suitcases."
Tsukushi wearily went to have a quick shower before donning her clothes.
Much later
Breakfast
"Mom, where's my mobile phone and wallet?" asked Tsukushi.
"Here," answered Mrs. Domyouji, and handed Tsukushi's bag which contained her mobile phone and wallet. "By the way, I took your passport."
Tsukushi nodded.
"Is daddy joining us?" asked Tsukushi.
Mrs. Domyouji shook her head, and answered, "Your dad has something to do in Tokyo."
Tsukushi nodded again.
"C'mon, finish your breakfast, we got a plane to catch," motioned Mrs. Domyouji.
"Mom, we are using a private plane," reasoned Tsukushi.
"Time waits for no one, Kushi," reasoned Mrs. Domyouji.
"At least let me say goodbye to Rui first, mom," said Tsukushi. "I know he's at aniki's apartments."
"All right," replied Mrs. Domyouji.
Tsukasa's apartments
Rui was sleeping in one of the guest rooms in Tsukasa's apartments and Tsukushi didn't waste any time at figuring out which one's Rui's.
Rui was sleeping in the fetal position at the side of bed.
Tsukushi smiled seeing Rui's content face.
"Hey, I'm going to New York for a month, if you miss me, see you there," whispered Tsukushi.
Tsukushi was out of the door when Rui whispered her name.
That night - Tokyo time
As usual, Rui slept 14 hours a day or more, so when he woke up, Tsukushi's already in New York.
"About time you wake up," muttered Tsukasa.
"You have a nice bed for me," answered Rui.
"You slept better on Tsukushi's chaise lounge," muttered Tsukasa.
"Oh, where is she?" asked Rui.
"Mother dragged her somewhere," answered Tsukasa. "Don't ask me where she is, I don't know."
Rui's face was expresionless, so Tsukasa's not sure whether Rui really does have feelings for Tsukushi or not.
"C'mon, let's go clubbing," motioned Tsukasa. "You got clothes here anyway."
Rui silently nodded sleepily.
The next day, New York time
The flight from Tokyo to New York City took nearly 24 hours, but since they were crossing the International Date Line, they arrived in New York at the time they departed from Japan.
Tsukushi mostly slept at their penthouse overlooking Central Park West just after they arrived, while Mrs. Domyouji headed over to the Domyouji Corporation Building for her meetings.
"Good morning, Miss Kushi," said her maid, Sally who woke her up. Sally's also some sort of a manager to Tsukushi, telling Tsukushi what to do everyday while Tsukushi's in New York City.
"Morning, Sally, what time is my tutor arriving?" asked Tsukushi.
"She won't be in today, Miss Kushi, your classes will start tomorrow," answered Sally.
"My tutor is a woman again?" asked Tsukushi.
Sally chuckled.
"Your mother wouldn't want you to fall for a penniless teacher now, Kushi," replied Sally.
"Yeah, I know, so, what's my schedule for today?" asked Tsukushi.
"Well, your mother is going to have a corporate lunch today with her new merger partnership and she wants you to join her," answered Sally.
"That's nothing new," yawned Tsukushi. "Is this a Japanese or US firm?"
"It's a US firm," answered Sally. "Your mom texted it to your cellphone, but you didn't reply, so she left the message to me, after all, that's my job, Miss Kushi."
"I know, Sally, and then, what else?" asked Tsukushi.
"Umm..." Sally hesitated.
"Don't tell me that the Corporate lunch involve me having a lunch with the merger partnership's son," guessed Tsukushi.
"No, but he is going to accompany you to the opening of the new Broadway show," answered Sally.
"Darn, I knew there's a catch when mother didn't tell me about the corporate lunch herself," muttered Tsukushi. "What should I wear, Sally?"
Japan, Tokyo time, the next day
"Good morning, Akiko-chan," greeted Kin.
Akiko didn't respond to Kin's morning greeting.
The teacher entered the class a while after that.
"Amakusa, Usami, please do arrange for homeworks to be sent to Domyouji Tsukushi's family mansion, she will be missing a month's worth of school to accompany her mother in New York City," announced the teacher.
Both Kin and Akiko answered 'Yes'.
Words are now flowing, tongues began to wag. Tsukushi leaving coincided with Kin and Akiko's troubles.
Later that day, Akiko denied that Tsukushi must have left due to problems between herself and Kin.
"She always leave every two weeks in a month, Yuri, so there's nothing surprising in her leaving for a full month," reasoned Akiko.
Shimizu Yuri just nodded.
New York
Tsukushi arrived at the Corporate Lunch at the Maple on time.
"This is my daughter, Kushi," her mother introduced her to the partners.
Kushi smiled and nodded politely at their guests.
The guests consisted of the US firm, Lighthouse ltd, represented by their vice-president and heir, who Tsukushi can't help but find cute.
"And I'm James Andrews," introduced the US firm's representative, a tall man of about 6'5'' with ice blond hair and deep green eyes. "It's nice to meet you, Kushi."
"It's nice to meet you too, James," said Tsukushi.
The lunch consisted of them talking about business, well, mostly Mrs. Domyouji and Mr. Andrews, sr. were doing most of the talking, while Tsukushi and James talked about school, future plans and interests.
"There's a new show opening on Broadway later," hinted Tsukushi.
"No way, you love the theatre too?" asked James.
"I take performing arts as an extra subject," answered Tsukushi.
"Hey, same here," replied James. "Why not we go there and check out the new show?"
"Why not?" asked Tsukushi.
Later that evening
Tsukushi had fun going out with the tall, handsome James, but neither did she and James noticed that photos of them were taken by an unidentified photographer.
Later that night
"Mrs. Domyouji, here's the photos that you want, triple copies," said her secretary.
"Thanks, Martin," answered Mrs. Domyouji and looked at her own copy of the photos, Tsukushi looked so cute on camera.
"Time to send you to the two people that should be looking at these," said Mrs. Domyouji, and resealed the copies of the photos in separate unnnamed envelopes.
end of chapter 11 - please read and review.