And I've lost who I am, and I can't understand
Why my heart is so broken, rejecting your love
Without, love gone wrong, lifeless words carry on
But I know, all I know, is that the end's beginning
Who I am from the start, take me home to my heart
Let me go and I will run, I will not be silent
- Shattered (Trading Yesterday)
Kyoko snapped her eyes open when she felt a hand on her waist. She looked around at the foreign room.
Her clouded mind recalled everything that transpired the last 24hours.
Kyoko sighed. That's right... I'm a married person.
She slowly lifted Kuon's arm from her and tiptoed towards the bathroom.
She hurriedly showered. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her new face is indeed beautiful... but Kyoko can't help but feel disappointed.
She shook off the unwanted thoughts.
She wore a simple cocktail dress. She pondered for a while, glancing at the suits in the closet.
Kimiko didn't tell me about their morning routine. Did she always prepare a suit for him?
Sighing, she went to his closet and chose a suit for her still sleeping, husband.
After, she went to the kitchen.
The maid and Maria's nanny were horrified seeing their madam cooking!
"Kimiko-sama! Please, leave the cooking to me." The maid, Inui, said... or more likely, pleaded. Taking the ladle from her.
"What? No, it's alright." Kyoko insisted.
"But... the last time you attempted to cook, you almost burn down the house." Kyoko froze hearing the maid. "And Kuon-sama punished us for letting you enter the kitchen."
Kyoko nervously chuckled. "Don't worry. I secretly studied culinary arts with Ruriko-chan..."
"I-Is that so?" Inui sighed. "Then I will trust you with it."
"Shoko-san, can you wake up Maria-chan for me please?" The nanny was surprised at her polite words and tone.
"Yes, Kimiko-sama."
Kuon woke up five minutes before his alarm, he rubbed his eyes, he raised his eyebrow seeing Kimiko no longer in bed.
Strange... He thought. She usually woke up past ten.
He yawned, heading to the shower. After, he was surprised at the prepared suit on his closet.
He can't help but smile. This is the first time Kimiko did something... wifely.
He wore the suit and prepared himself for the day.
"Good morning, daddy!" Maria cheerfully greeted at their door, already wearing her uniform.
Kuon kissed her head. "Good morning, baby."
The two went downstairs when the smell a fragrant aroma.
"Wow, ~ Inui-san cooked something delicious!" Maria exclaimed as she hurries to the kitchen.
The father and daughter stopped when they saw Kimiko, wearing an apron, while Inui was setting the table.
"It's Kimiko-sama who cooked for breakfast," Shoko said behind them.
Sensing their presence, Kyoko looked up.
"Good morning, baby girl!" She greeted cheerfully, hugging, kissing her on the cheeks. She glanced at her husband, she was pleased seeing him wear the suit she prepared.
"G-Good morning, Kuon."
The man raised his eyebrow at the timid act towards him.
What the hell is she playing now? Well, whatever. He mentally shrugged. Leaning down, he kissed her cheeks.
"Good morning."
Inner Kyoko blushed furiously. Oh my god! It should be illegal to be this good looking!
Kyoko cleared her throat before she placed the food she prepared on the table.
"Japanese food?" Kuon asked, raising his eyebrow at her.
"Yup~"
"I thought you hate Japanese dishes 'cause it reminded you of your poverty-stricken past?"
Kyoko stiffened. Is that so? Gods! Kimiko didn't tell me about it!
"W-Well... you could say... I suddenly miss my mother... This is her favourite food." She said truthfully as 'Kyoko'.
Kuon hummed and didn't comment and further. The three starts having their breakfast in silence, Kyoko asked Maria about school.
The girl rolled her eyes. "Since when did you concern yourself about it? You didn't even attend my graduation, remember?"
"That's..." Kyoko didn't know what to say. She glanced at Kuon, hoping he will defend her, but he's busy with his food.
"I promise... that would be the last time I will disappoint you."
Kuon snorted. "That was the tenth time you said that to her."
Kyoko was rendered speechless by father-daughter pair. She continues her breakfast awkwardly.
There are lots of things that Kimiko didn't tell her about her family. Maria is such a cute kid, and Kuon seems like a considerate and loving husband.
And she chose to cheat on them?! The hell's wrong with that woman!
She mentally sighed. Every girl would envy such a girl.
Kuon left for work, Maria for school, and she's alone... and bored.
Kyoko was lying on her bed. She missed her mother... after the operation, she only sees her once... and she's still unconscious. And she still hasn't got a chance to communicate with her friends who are looking after her mother.
She was startled when her phone gone off.
"Hello?"
"Meet me in Sho's mansion, now," Kimiko ordered.
"But I can't leave." She hissed. "Your husband gave Inui-san a stern warning before he left."
Kimiko rolled her eyes. "Duh! Tell her you will meet Ruriko."
Kyoko sighed, helpless. "Alright."
She didn't change her clothes, she just wore a wool overcoat. The maid was cleaning the living room when she saw her.
"Kimiko-sama!" She gasped. "Kuon-sama -"
Kyoko raised her hand, stopping her. "I'm going to meet at Ruriko-chan. I told you I started studying Culinary Arts with her, right?"
The maid nodded. "I will be back later. You don't have t worry."
Inui can only sigh as she watches her madam left.
Kuon was working diligently when a knock interrupted him. Opening, he saw Kana entered.
He acknowledges with a nod before going back to his work. The woman sighed, seeing him working hard. She placed the folder on his table and took a seat on the couch.
"You should spend time with Maria-chan more, Kuon." She suggested.
"I'm spending my free time with her." He said, skimming thru the contract.
"Is your wife giving you trouble again?"
"She broke her promise to attend Maria's graduation ceremony last time."
"I told you to divorce her already." Kana sighed.
"I won't." Kuon shook his head. "I don't want Maria to live in a broken home."
"But Kimiko's not doing a good job as her mother!" The woman exclaimed. "I really wonder what you saw in her." Kana flipped her hair. "I mean, she's only pretty, she even used to date, Hiro." She rolled her eyes. "The first time I saw her I already knew she's a two-faced scheming woman." Kana wanted to say 'bitch' but she's don't want Kuon to get mad at her.
Kuon sighed. "No matter what you say, she is still her mother and my wife."
The man failed to see the glint of sadness flashed in the woman's eyes. Oh, how she wished he was hers! Kana remembered how Kimiko overtook her from gaining the man's love and affection.
Kana thought that Kimiko was just one of Kuon's fling, a passing girlfriend, nothing serious. But her dream to become his wife crushed when Kuon kneeled down and proposed to that woman with no background and poor upbringing!
"Kana give these documents to Hiromune." Kuon handed her a folder. The woman snapped out from her thoughts and took the file. "Tell him it's urgent."
"Sure~" Kana smirked. Being in the mood to tease him, she leaned down and smack a kiss on his cheek. "Cheer up, okay? Don't always frown or you will become an old balding man soon."
Kuon scoffed at her.
Kyoko was nervous when she entered Fuwa Sho's mansion. She blushed deeply when she saw them making out in the living room. She squeaked, covering her eyes.
Kimiko rolled her eyes. "Whatta virgin." She muttered, chuckling, as Sho continue nibbling her neck. "Did Kuon slept with you yet?" She casually asked.
Kyoko gulped, she doesn't know why but she has a bad feeling about this. "Yes..." She lied.
"What?" Kimiko pushed Sho away.
"Well... Seeing your attitude, you are not the kind of person who will say no to it... right? Especially with your own husband."
"And he didn't say anything?" Kimiko raised her eyebrow at her.
"Uh nope..." She shook her head. "I-I'm no longer a virgin, o begin with... so can't tell the difference."
Kimiko stared at her before she burst out laughing. "Oh my god! You made me worry over nothing, girl!"
Sho lit a cigarette. "Psh! So it I will no longer sleep with her?"
"Yup~" Kimiko grinned at him. "It seems our Kyoko-chan is quite naughty herself."
So this is the reason why they called me here?! Kyoko's blood turned cold. Thank god I lied!
"Uhm... Can I go home now?" She asked at the two.
Kimiko waved her hand. "Sure~ Sure~ I honestly thought you are still a virgin, so I asked Sho to take of it so Kuon won't notice anything when he decided to sleep with you."
Kyoko's heart tightens with her words. How can this girl treat her husband like this?! Life is indeed unfair.
Kyoko can only smile. "Don't worry... I can handle it."
"Ah wait!" Kimiko called. "I need to tell you about my preferences in sex." Kyoko's mind almost exploded when Kimiko told her everything about it, in front of a man no less!
She felt dizzy after she left the house. She can't believe the distinguished Hizuri Kimiko is such a wild woman!
She didn't want to go home yet, she decided to call Kanae.
"Hello?"
"Moko-san?"
Kanae gasped. "Kyoko? Is this you?!"
"Yes..."
"Oh my god! Your mother asked you the moment she woke up! She was released from the hospital already, and I am living with her now! But she kept asking about you!"
Kyoko wiped her tears. "I am fine... I got work that pays well. I will be sent to my account, to the ATM that I left with you."
"Are you really alright?" Kanae asked in concern.
"Yeah..."
"Is your employer strict? Did they allowed you to have a day off?"
"I..." Kyoko choked back her tears. "I haven't asked them yet."
"Then ask for a day off and meet us, okay?" Kanae said. "We wanted to make sure that you if you are alright!"
"Yes, yes..." Kyoko chuckled. "Tell mother not to worry about me... I am doing fine."
"Alright."
Kyoko sighed. She slightly felt better after talking to Kanae.
Inui sighed in relief seeing Kyoko arrived early, she doesn't know what to say to the master he arrived before her.
Kyoko baked a cake for Maria to eat later after school.
"Uhm... Kimiko-sama... Maria-sama doesn't like chocolate cake... remember?" Inui reminded her after seeing the ingredients that she took. Kyoko stopped from mixing them and stare at the maid. "She... prefers cheesecakes."
Kyoko clapped her hands. "Of course I remember, the chocolate cake is for me!"
"But you hate it either..." The maid mumbled. "You said it will make you fat."
Then why the hell you have stocks of cocoa powder?! She mentally exclaimed. Kyoko's lips twitched, smiling. "I have a sudden craving for sweets."
The maid gasped. "Maria-sama is now a big sister?!"
"No!" Kyoko exclaimed, blushing. She put away the ingredients she took earlier and get a new one, she will make a cheesecake for Maria. The maid went back in the garden, seeing her madam's improvement in the kitchen, she can entrust it to her now.
The van used as Maria's personal car arrived around thirty minutes later.
"Hi baby!" Kyoko greeted her in the doorway. Kyoko was surprised that it's not only Maria who came out, but there's also a boy around Maria's age appeared.
Maria rolled her eyes. "I'm no longer a baby! Stop treating me like one, it makes me cringe!" She turned and introduced the boy. "My classmate, Uesugi Hiou, we have a group project, and he will stay for a while."
Kyoko smiled at her. "Of course! Come inside, I prepared your favourite cheesecake!"
Maria was stunned for a moment. "Did Inui-san told you about?"
"Yup!" She answered, but Kyoko immediately knew it was a mistake on her part.
"I knew it." Maria rolled her eyes. "I mean, since when did you even concern yourself to me?"
"Maria..." Kyoko wanted to explain but she already grabbed her classmate to the garden.
"I think your mom is cool," Hiou commented. They sat on the stone table working on their project when he decided to talk about it. Kyoko sent them their snacks personally, and as Hiou sees it, she's a good mother.
"You can say that because you are not me." She stated. "She only acts nice towards me so dad won't punish her."
"Are you still mad at her for not coming to our graduation?"
Maria halted. "She promised me!" She reasoned out. "She promised she will go if I will get the top spot."
The boy sighed. "Wanna go out from here? Let's unwind for a while."
Maria eyed him warily. "Okay... how?"
"I know how to drive." He said. "We can use your mom's car." He grinned at her.
Maria glanced at her nanny. "Shoko-san, where's mommy?"
"She's in her bedroom."
Maria winked at Hiou. "Let's go." She mouthed.
The two escaped from Maria's nanny's watch and went to the garage.
In her bedroom, Kyoko opened the windows to let the fresh air in. She kept on sighing thinking about Maria. She wanted to improve her relationship with her. At least, when the real Kimiko comes back, they will have a stronger and closer relationship.
She sighed again. She jumped when she heard something crash and a commotion. She hurriedly comes down, and in the garage, her eyes widened seeing her car crashed in the bushes, while Maria kept blaming Hiou for being careless.
"Wha–!" Kyoko wanted to ask what happened when they heard Kuon's car honked outside. Her heart starts beating fast, she grabbed Maria behind her.
"What the hell happen here?!" Kuon yelled the moment he came out from the car and saw the scene. Everyone was scared to answer, Inui and Shoko can't tell that it was Maria and her classmate's fault, can they?
"Are you all deaf?!" They all flinched at Kuon's shout. "I'm asking what happened!"
"I-It's me!" Kyoko's voice trembled. Mari felt her mother's cold and trembling hand. Her mother is obviously scared, but she's still covering her up from her father.
Kuon glared at her. "And where the hell are you going this late in the afternoon?"
Kyoko racked her brain for excuses. "Groceries!" She blurted out. "I want to buy some groceries for tonight's dinner!"
The girl yelped when he suddenly grabbed her arm. "Do you think I will believe you?! You never went for groceries ever since!"
"Ouch! Wait, you are hurting me!" Kyoko exclaimed. Kuon dragged her inside the house.
"I don't believe in your bullshit! What? Are you going to meet with your lover? Huh?! Too bad I came home early!" He yelled.
"I'm telling the truth." Kyoko cried. She's scared, this is the first time he saw him so angry! He kept dragging her to the kitchen. Her heart trembled when she saw a door.
"It seems you really missed the basement." He unlocked the door and dragged her inside.
Her heart trembled to see the dark place. "No! No! Please! I'm sorry!" She screamed.
She falls on the ground from his slap. Kyoko cried from the pain. Kuon slapped her again before he grabbed her face, making her stare at him.
"Listen, I will not hesitate to kill you and that man if I caught you on the act! So treat this as me, saving you!"
Kyoko grabbed his leg when he was about to turn and leave. "Please, don't leave me here! I'm afraid of the dark! Please!" She pleaded.
"Afraid of the dark?" Kuon scoffed. "And yet you are not afraid of meeting that maniac in the dark! Nice acting Kimiko, nice acting!"
"I'm not your wife!" She finally blurted out. "I'm not Kimiko!" She wailed, not wanting to let go of his leg.
She's really afraid him, damn it! Kimiko didn't tell her about the things her husband capable of doing whenever he's angry.
Kuon stared at her. He heaved a sigh. "What kind of play are you up to now?!" He shook off his leg from her grasp. "Reflect on your mistakes here." He said before turning his heels at her.
"Wait! Hizuri-san, I'm telling the truth!" She yelled, but the man didn't listen.
The room filled with darkness after he closed the door, only the gap of the small window faintly illuminates the room. Kyoko heard the lock clicked before she heard his footsteps walking away.
"I'm not your wife! I'm not your wife!" Kyoko kept screaming the phrase, crying, banging the door. "Let me out of here!"
After they saw the master dragged the madam inside, Inui and Shoko already knew that he will lock her up in the basement again. Maria was rooted on the ground. Usually, when her parents fight, her father always asked her nanny to bring her upstairs. Thus, this is the first Maria saw her father's angry face, and it was scary!
Her mother took the blame, 'cause she knows how scary her father when he gets angry. She can even still hear her mother's voice as her father dragged her in the house.
"I-I'm sorry..." Hiou managed to whisper after he recovered from the shock. "I caused trouble for your mother."
"Just go home, Hiou-kun., Shoko advised the kid. The nanny asked their driver to send the kid home, and he obliged.
"Daddy will not go overboard from hurting mommy... right?" She asked the two women. Maria didn't know about the basement room, and it's better if she didn't know about it.
The two didn't know how to answer the child. They only patted her head, knowing their master, their madam will probably sustain few bruises.
"Maria, get inside." Her father's stern voice made him tremble. "Inui-san, prepare her dinner, Shoko-san, have the driver take care of the car." He gave them orders before he went upstairs to rest.
"Yes, sir."
Kyoko opened her phone, thankful that the room has one bar signal. She immediately emailed Kimiko.
"I don't think I can survive another day here! Your husband is a scary person! She locked me up in the basement! Please, Kimiko-san... come back already!"
It took a while for Kimiko to reply. "What did you this time?"
Kyoko told her about how she covers maria from Kuon's anger.
"Then it's your fault stupid! You should've rather out and have her punished instead!"
"I can't do that to a child!" She hurriedly replied. "Please come back already, Kimiko-san! I want to leave!"
"Sorry to tell you dear, but we are already on our way to the airport. Think about your mother, I will increase your pay, counting on Kuon's physical abuse."
Kyoko can only cry. For her mother... she needed to endure this.