We'd always go into it blindly
I needed to lose you to find me
This dance, it was killing me softly
I needed to hate you to love me, yeah
- Lose you to Love me (Selena Gomez, 2019)
Kimiko blew the smoke from her cigarette in the balcony of their hotel in Paris. She's getting bored touring around. She already missed Kuon, Sho can't even be compared to him, whether in looks, money or in bed.
Kimiko took her phone and send a message to Kyoko.
"I might go home sooner than planned. I already missed my husband."
She didn't wait for Kyoko's reply remembering the time zone.
Kimiko pondered for a moment, Kuon treated her well, his mother, an international fashion designer, saw thru her that she only dated Kuon because of his money, and didn't like her. Thus, when they decided to get married, Julie forced her to sign a pre-nuptial agreement in exchange for showing up in their ceremony.
At first, Kimiko felt like a queen, having servants to boss around, have everything she wanted on the tips of her fingers. From living in the slums to an extravagant mansion.
Kimiko still remember the first time they fought as a married couple, it was when Kuon discovered that she's taking a pill. He wanted to have a child, but she doesn't. Having a kid means more responsibility, and Kimiko knew that she's won't become a good mother.
And so, after the second year of their marriage, she got pregnant with Maria. She hate the changes in her figure when she gained weight and the stretch marks.
It took her months to return to her original figure.
Kimiko snapped from her thoughts when Sho's arms snaked around her waist.
"What's wrong?" He softly asked.
Kimiko sighed. "I want to go back soon."
Sho frowned at her. "What? But there are still lots of countries we planned to visit."
"I'm getting bored." Kimiko admitted, flipping her hair.
Sho gripped her arm. "So you just made me waste my money?"
"Hey, you are hurting me!" Kimiko yelped.
"I forbid you to get bored while being with me."
The woman heaved a sigh. "We did nothing but shopping, eat, sex, and sleep." She stated. "Sho, I want to have an adventure! And not to be locked up in this damn hotel waiting for sundown!"
Sho smirked at her, scooping the woman and tossed her on the bed.
"You should've told me... I will give you an adventure."
Kimiko protested. "No, no!" She tried kicking him but Sho caught her legs.
"Oh? Are we having a role-play now?" Sho smirked.
"Bastard!" Kimiko spat. She tried to resist when he tied her hands on the headboard.
Kimiko can only scream when he forced himself at her.
Kyoko read the message over and over again. Relief washed over her.
Finally! I can go home sooner.
She replied to her with a simple 'Okay'.
Kuon was on a business trip to Kyoto, leaving her and Maria in the mansion.
During dinner, Maria kept glancing on her.
"What is it, baby?"
"It's my classmate's birthday tomorrow..." She mumbled. "And she invited me."
"Sure, but I will come with you, okay?"
Maria frowned. "Mom... It's embarrassing."
Kyoko raised her eyebrow at her. "You are still a kid, and I want to monitor the parties that you are going."
The kid clicked her tongue and slammed the utensils. "Then what's the point of obeying you these last few days? Aren't I a good child?"
Kyoko widened her eyes at her. "So... All of those... Is just because you have a favor to ask?"
"Duh!" Maria rolled her eyes. "What else could it be?"
"I thought..." Kyoko mumbled softly.
"You thought I'm making peace with you?" Maria laughed. "I just did that 'cause you covered me up from dad's anger." Kyoko shivered when she smirked at her, identical to her fathers. "Let's see... If you cover me up again this time, I might act closer to you again, and I will tell dad that you are being a nice mother. He will trust my words more than yours."
"Maria!"
The two spun around and saw Kuon, glaring at the kid.
Isn't he supposed to be on a business trip for a week?! Kyoko mentally exclaimed. It's only the fourth day!
He reached at her side with just two strides and gripped her small arm.
"How can you talk to your mother like that? Apologise!"
Maria whimpered, this is the first time her father scolded her from how she talks back to her mother.
"Hey, stop it. You are hurting her."
Kuon shook his head. " I spoiled her too much and starts disrespecting you. I'm sorry."
Kyoko mentally widened her eyes. Did he just... apologised?! What's gotten into him? Is he sick? Or starts treating Kimiko-san well? She smiled internally. Isn't this great? Kimiko-san will be glad if Hizuri-san will start treating her well the moment she comes back. Isn't this what I am supposed to do?
Kyoko saw Maria struggling on her father's hold.
"I will not apologise! Did she even apologise when she couldn't keep her promises? She didn't, so why should I?"
Kyoko hurried to their side when she saw him raised his hand, and a slap is coming. She knew the strength of that hand.
Maria closed her eyes, bracing herself from the pain.
Kyoko caught his hand on time. "Don't hurt her." She scolded. "You think a child can bear the strength of your hand? Think about it! I don't care if it's me."
Kyoko saw a glint of sadness in his eyes when she said the last sentence. Kuon put down his hand.
"Go to your room, Maria. And you are grounded." The kid ran upstairs as she starts crying.
Kyoko got worried and wanted to follow her, but Kuon stopped her.
"This is the most that I can do as her punishment."
"I see..."
Kyoko felt conscious when he stared at her. It looks like there is something he wanted to say but prevented himself from doing so.
"A-Are you alright?" She nervously asked.
"I'm hungry." He said, and dragged her back to the table. "I haven't eaten yet."
Kyoko scoffed. "You should've told me so I can prepare."
"Next time." He said, smiling at her. "I will inform you next time whenever I'm coming home."
Kyoko can't keep the blush on her mind, outside, she's blushing lightly seeing his genuine smile.
Seeing that there is still enough amount of food on her plate, he sat down on the chair she vacated earlier and starts eating her leftovers.
"Hey, that's mine! I will prepare you a new one!" Kyoko protested and was about to take the plate from him but Kuon stopped her.
"It's fine... Just join me..." He softly mumbled.
Kyoko stared at him like he sprouted another head. She sighed, there's no use of stopping him.
She took Maria's plate and ate her leftovers. She glanced at him once in a while, he has this tiny smile on his face as he ate his food.
And Kyoko suddenly felt nervous.
This is not what they usually say 'calm before the storm', is it...?
She gulped.
Five Days Earlier
Ruto arrived in Japan a few days ago and started investigating Kuon's wife's activity these last few months.
With his skills and connections, he finished it within two days.
Kuon told him to meet in his ancestral house in Kyoto, he wanted to hear his report personally and not through phone.
Kuon lied for having a business trip and left for Kyoto.
"Sir." The man bowed at him, handing him his report. "None of Kimiko-sama's friends named Ren, and..." He showed him a document. "She flew to Europe a month ago with Dr Fuwa Sho, and haven't come back yet."
Kuon widened his eyes. "What?!"
Reading the document, he indeed saw her name on the list of passengers, counting the date, it was when he locked her up in the basement.
"If she went abroad during that time... Then who is the Kimiko that stayed with us?" He wondered out loud.
Ruto was silent, he only investigated his wife actions and nothing else.
Kuon gave him Kimiko's bank statement record. "I want you to investigate that woman, Mogami Kyoko." He ordered. "Kimiko sent a large sum of money to her account every week. I want to know her whereabouts, what's her job, and when did she meet my wife."
Ruto bowed at him. "Yes, sir."
After the man left, Kuon was in deep thought, thinking back the time when he sent Kimiko to her OB-gyn.
"Kimiko-san always has her period every first week of the month, and she's regular. I don't understand why she's having her period again." The doctor was baffled too as she prepared the ultrasound machine.
"This is also the first time I saw her fainted in pain." Kuon added.
The doctor performed an ultrasound on (the still unconscious) Kyoko. Seeing the doctor's reaction, he knew something's not right.
"This is…"
"What is it?"
The doctor looked at him curiously. "Kimiko-san's uterus went back to normal… it was as if she never gave birth before." Kuon stared at the black and white figure in the monitor. "And I ligated her tubes few years ago."
Kuon stared at her in horror. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
The doctor sighed. "Kimiko-san didn't want to get pregnant again, and she doesn't want to get caught by you, taking contraceptive pills."
Kuon glared at the unconscious woman on the bed.
"Hizuri-san, what I mean is…" She pointed at the monitor. "I didn't see any bindings in either of her fallopian tubes." She said. "The outer appearance can be changed, but not the inside. Kimiko-san is already my patient for a long time now, so I knew her well enough… and judging from the changes in her womb, I can tell that she's not the Kimiko-san that I know."
Kuon was speechless. The doctor patted his shoulder, giving him space to be with her.
Kuon clenched his hand.
Just… who are you? Are you working with my wife to make a fool out of me?
Two days later, Ruto came back, he anticipated his report.
"Mogami Kyoko, twenty-nine, she used to live here in Kyoto, but she sold their ryokan and moved to Tokyo after high school when her mother needed further treatment."
Kuon abruptly stood up. "What did you say?!"
Ruto repeated his earlier words.
Kyoko... and she's from Kyoto... Kuon widened his eyes. Kyoko is a common name so he didn't give any thought of it, but when he learnt that she's from Kyoto, his heart starts beating quickly on his chest.
"Continue." Kuon calmed down and went back to his seat.
"Her mother's surgeon is Dr Fuwa Sho, and it was him who paid the surgery and bills."
Kuon frowned at him. "What? Why would he do that?"
"Kyoko-sama worked four jobs but it wasn't enough to pay for the surgery." He informed.
Four jobs... Kuon felt his chest tighten, remembering the crying girl he met on the clearing when he was ten... If he searched for her earlier... could this be avoided? Could he marry her instead of Kimiko?
"And Dr Fuwa Sho sent her to the states to have plastic surgery." Ruto showed her Kyoko's picture before her surgery.
Kuon eyes widened when he recognised her. That's the woman in the elevator when he visited his mother in the hospital. Kuon mentally slapped himself for being stupid, for not recognizing her... but who knew, she's the one who pretended to be his wife now.
Kuon mentally smirked. Fuwa Sho really has good eyes in choosing the right person to become Kimiko's replacement.
After all, Kuon chose Kimiko because she slightly resembled the girl that he once met.
Kuon was conflicted whether to get mad or thanked his wife, but he chose to (mentally) thank her, after all, she and that lover of hers brought him the girl that's forever be special to him.
Kuon stared at his sleeping wife closely, remembering the things he did to her thinking that she's Kimiko.
"Kyoko-chan..." The girl twitched, reacting to her name being called, and Kuon found it amusing. He did again, this time, Kyoko slightly opened her eyes.
"Ren..." She mumbled.
Kuon grinned, knowing that she might be sleep talking. "Yes, Kyoko-chan?"
"I didn't cry myself to sleep this time... why did I even dream of you?"
"You dream of me whenever you cry?"
Kyoko softly nodded.
"Come here, let me comfort you like old times."
Kyoko snuggled closer to him. Kuon patted her head.
"I miss you, Kyoko-chan..."
Kyoko hummed. "I miss you too, Ren..." She mumbled before drifting back to sleep.
She woke up in Kuon's embrace, and last night, she dream of Ren, and it felt so... real. Her body felt the warmth of his body when he's comforting her.
Kyoko blushed. Gods! I haven't even seen that guy after such a long time! I didn't know how he looks like right now.
She slowly moved, rising up from the bed. She went to the bathroom, she made sure to lock it this time.
As she showered, her phone rang, Kuon stirred at awake at the tone. Looking around, he saw Kyoko's phone under her pillow.
He opened it, frowning when he saw who the caller is, it was none other than the real Kimiko.
Irritated, Kuon cancelled the call. He went thru her messages and saw Kimiko's message that she will be back sooner than planned, and he didn't like it a bit.
Just spend time with that bastard and don't come back! He mentally gritted his teeth.
He put the phone back when he saw her coming out from their walk-in closet.
"Good morning." Kyoko almost has a heart attack seeing his serene smile.
"G-Good morning." She stuttered. "You are early, today."
Kuon hummed. "I love seeing you when I wake up."
Kyoko widened her eyes. What's gotten into him? Is he possessed or something?!
Kuon mentally chuckled seeing her reaction.
"What's plan your plan for today?" He asked casually, getting up from the bed.
Kyoko shrugged. "Staying at home?"
"If you want..." Kuon said, slowly approaching her. Kyoko stiffened when he got close and brushed her bangs. Staring at her eyes, Kyoko felt he can see thru her. "You can visit Mogami-san..."
"W-What...?" She whispered in disbelief. "Really...?"
Kuon smiled at her. "Yes... You heard it right."
Kyoko grinned at him. "Thank you!"
Kuon coughed to hide his blush. "You can spend a night in her place if you want."
"A-Are sure?" Kyoko asked nervously. "What's gotten into you? Before you forbid me to go out, now you want me to spend a night outside?" She raised her eyebrow, voicing her earlier thoughts.
"I trust you..." He simply stated. "I will trust you no matter what you do."
Kyoko starts fidgeting. He finally regained his trust to Kimiko-san...
She took a deep breath, gathering some courage, looking up, she tiptoed and planted a kiss on his lips.
Kuon froze on the spot, feeling her trembling lips. It was obvious that she has no experience in kissing, and he was glad thinking that this might be her first kiss. Kuon closed his eyes and held her head, taking control of the kiss.
Kyoko was shocked, but she fluttered her eyes close, throughout the years, she only focused on her mother and didn't have time for relationships.
She never thought that a kiss can be this... intoxicating.
Don't get carried away. He is somebody's else's husband. Her angel whispered.
Psh! Such a spoilsport! Who cares? In his eyes, she is his wife! The demon grumbled.
The two separated when the maid knocked in their door.
Kuon silently cursed when Kyoko ran to answer the door.
"Kana-sama is waiting downstairs." Inui informed her.
Before Kyoko can say anything, Kuon appeared behind her and said with a stern voice.
"Tell her to wait, and that, we are busy."
The maid slightly blushed, bowing at them.
Maria gasped when she saw Kana in the living room.
"Onee-sama!"
Kana smiled when she saw the girl. "Maria! It's been a while!" She hugged the kid, kissing her on the cheeks. "How are you?"
The woman noticed the kid's mood plummeted.
"What's wrong?" She softly asked, patting her head.
"Daddy got mad at me last night." She mumbled.
"What? Why?"
"He heard me talking back at mommy, and he punished me for it."
Kana frowned. This is not the first time Maria talked back at Kimiko... How come he decided to punished Maria now?
"Onee-sama... can you please convince daddy to lift my punishment? I don't want to be grounded!" Maria cried.
Kana patted her head. "Of course leave it to me!"
"Kana-sama." The woman raised her eyebrow at the maid's blushing face. "The master and the madam are busy. Kuon-sama said to wait."
Kana was stunned by what Inui has said. Kuon and Kimiko are... busy?
The woman glared at the second floor. It took her whole willpower not to go and banged their door.
In the bedroom, Kyoko waited for Kuon to finished preparing. After Inui left, she pushed him to the bathroom to take a shower.
Hearing his footsteps, she looked up. Kyoko gaped at him.
Damn! He really looks good no matter what he wears!
"Are you in the mood to annoy Kana?" He smirked at her.
Kyoko returned the smirked. "Yeah~"
"Then... you should flirt with me." Kyoko almost chokes from her own saliva at his suggestion. Kuon raised his eyebrow. "What? Are you shy? Did you forget the times where we make out in front of her?"
Kyoko felt her head burst. M-M-M-Make out?!
Kyoko scoffed. "Hmph! Fine!"
Kuon internally smiled when she held his arm as they descended from the stairs. It gives him an excuse to touch her.
Kana jaw dropped seeing Kuon kissing Kimiko face, while she giggled cutely.
"Oh Kana-san, good morning." Kyoko greeted with a smile. Then she kissed Maria's cheeks. "Good morning, baby." Kuon did the same to his daughter, where she grumbled a 'Good morning too' under her breath, Maria head to the dining hall first, leaving her parents with Kana in the living room.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting Kana-san, as Inui-san informed you, Kuon and I were... busy." Kana gritted her teeth at her suggestive tone. "Are you here to talk about business with my husband? Go ahead and talk while I prepare for breakfast."
Kuon hummed. "What's for today's breakfast?" He asked, snuggling his face on her neck.
"Guess?"
"I want you..." He bit her neck, which made her skin crawl.
"Ha! Later, lover boy~" She winked at him and disappeared to the kitchen.
Kana was beyond speechless at the scene playing before her.
Kuon hates PDA. He wanted Kimiko to act formally and respectable in public, thus, he hated it when she openly flirts with him in front of someone.
But now... not only Kimiko... but Kuon acted like that!
"Kana." Kuon's stern voice snapped her from her musings. The flirting image he displayed earlier is gone, replaced by a serious-looking Kuon.
"Yes? What is it?"
He frowned at her. "I should be the one asking you that." He stated. "What are you doing here so early in the morning where we see each other in the office?"
Kana smiled at him. "I want to have breakfast cooked by Kimiko." She said cheerfully. "I doubted it when you told me that she packed your lunchbox, so I want to see it myself."
"That's it?" Kana shivered when he glared at her. "You disturbed us so early in the morning so you have breakfast with us?"
Kana looked down on the floor. "Y-Yeah..."
Kuon scoffed before standing up. "Since you are already here, it would be rude to send you away, so come and join us."
Kana silently followed him to the dining hall. She was surprised seeing Kimiko wearing an apron while preparing the table.
The woman noticed the enamoured expression on Kuon's face while watching her wife pacing in the kitchen.
Kuon was totally charmed by this bitch! She mentally cursed.
"I never thought that you are really serious when Kuon told me that you are studying Culinary Arts."
"Yeah..."
Kana smirked at her. "But did you know? Kuon never ate those lunchboxes that you prepared." She felt satisfied when Kyoko suddenly stopped to look at her. "Right, Kuon?"
The man grumbled an excuse when he saw her being unhappy.
"I see..." She mumbled dejectedly. "Then, I will no longer –"
"No!" Maria and Kana were surprised when Kuon interjected. "I promise... I will not give it away anymore. Please... Don't stop preparing those."
Kyoko blinked at him.
"Okay..."
During breakfast Kana almost her appetite seeing Kimiko and Kuon flirting each other on the table.
She cleared throat. "I heard you grounded Maria?" She asked.
He stopped to glance at her. "Yeah... What is with you?"
"She's just a kid!" Kana exclaimed. "Of course, kids love to attend parties, why won't you let her go instead?"
"I didn't forbid Maria to attend parties." Kyoko stated. "I want her to be safe by going with her."
Kana rolled her eyes. "What's with you? Before you let her do what she wanted, now, you want to monitor her activities?" She said, glaring at her. "Aren't you a little bit excessive?"
"I just want my daughter to be safe." She defended.
Kana scoffed. "As if there's a danger in attending a children's party."
"Kana!" Kuon exclaimed. "How dare you intervene Kimiko's way of handling our daughter?"
Kana widened her eyes at him. "What the hell happened to you? You never punished Maria before! You sided with this woman more than your daughter?!" She asked in disbelief. "Did you forget the times where you told me that she's not doing a good job as a mother?! Now that she acts like one, you were easily fooled?!"
Kuon slammed his utensils on the table. "I won't let you insult my wife in my own house." He sent her a bone-chilling glare. Even Kyoko shivered from it. "Leave!"
Kana didn't need to be told twice, she gritted her teeth before leaving the house.