Disclaimer : I do not own GALS nor any characters from its Manga/Anime.

Chapter 6

AYA

Two months had gone very fast. Exams were over just like that. This was supposed to be a time for a breather, but not for me, not for us.

We had our last fitting last week. It was rather awkward. I haven't said a word to him since that night. He was rather persistent, trying to get me into conversation whenever we had a chance to meet, which I try to avoid.

"Aya-sama, what do you think?" the tailor asked me as Rei stood in front of me wearing his coat for the wedding. A dashing black color makes him look mysterious more than what he already is.

Our moms were supposed to accompany us today, but low and behold they suddenly had an emergency to attend to. And Yuuya, who was supposed to be his best man was called by his dad to look after the coffee shop that we dearly love. So we ended up being stuck with each other.

"It looks good," I responded.

"You have to be more specific. Is it the coat or me?" Rei butted in.

"Can you try adjusting more on the neck and make it tighter?" I told the tailor. Rei eyed me. He knew what I was aiming for.

"But my Lady-"

"I was just joking." then beamed him with a smile trying to hide my irritated mood from my face.

"Lady Aya," the tailoress called for me. "It's your turn," she smiled.

"Should I go with you?" Rei asked. Good thing the assistant stopped him by saying.

"I'm sorry my Lord. But as per old tradition, grooms are not allowed to see their brides in their wedding dress prior to the wedding day. It's bad luck."

He nodded in confirmation that he understood. But he sat down with arms enclosed near his chest and annoyed face while he replied, "Fine, I'll wait here."

He's becoming clingy now a days. Or maybe it's just me and my wild imagination. He must just be trying to compensate with his act.

He's been sending me sms and emails from time to time with reminders of our schedule and where he will be on that days. I never replied to any of it.

Two more weeks...

"Aya, honey. Why don't you go fix yourself. We'll meet the Otohatas outside," my mom said. Again? Can we stop with the sudden meetings and let us have some rest?

But I cannot say that. So I went up to change. Upon opening the door of my closet, a dress was already hanged prepared. It is beautiful. A midnight blue off shoulder dress that would reach just a little above my knee. It is a tight fitting dress but the size was rightly picked that it wouldn't hug me that much. Enough to allow me to move as I want to. I went near and touched the fabric. It must have cost something. This is the first time I saw this. I don't have this kind of dress. Maybe mom bought it?

"Rei-sama sent that over," Mari-chan appeared at my back answering my unspoken question. "Here's the note that came with it." It's still sealed.

"My mom didn't read this one?" which is unusual. All letters that are addressed to me goes through my mom first for checking. But not this one.

"The delivery guy was instructed to hand it over to me and no one else."

I opened the letter. He does have a neat handwriting for a guy.

I hope you'll like this one. The color reminds me of the one you wore during your birthday. - R.O

Nothing else. What was I hoping anyway?

"What does it says?" Mari-chan looked over my shoulder to take a peek of the letter. She pouted when read that it was nothing special. "He should learn to write you better than that." she complained. "Anyway, are you going to wear that now or should we get another dress?"

"I'll use that." she nodded in agreement.

As soon as I was dressed up, wearing the dress at the bracelet he gave me, I went down to meet my parents who were patiently waiting at the foyer. My mom, fixing my dad's collar.

"Fina-," my dad stopped as he looks at me from head to toe. Then softened his expression. "My little girl now all grown up. I'm beginning to regret handing you over this early, my darling."

My mom went near me and tuck some strands of my hair away from my face. She took the beautiful ornament she's wearing and placed something on my hair. "Mom-" she loves it dearly.

"I'm about to give to you anyway," she smiled. I know I'm about to tear up again. "Anyway, let's get going. We have a little surprise for you." I know when they say little it doesn't really mean that little.

REI

"Sit up straight," my mom correcting my relaxed posture. "You're not supposed to sit like that."

"Mom-"

"Don't make me repeat myself young man." So I did what she told me without saying another word. This is why Ren had decided to leave the family. Sometimes they are just too controlling. It's tempting, really, to follow his path but I can't bear to see the hurt feeling from my parents faces, especially my mom.

"Now now, don't be too harsh on him, my dear."

"He's to become a man of his own family. At least he'd learn this type of stuff."

"And he did, right?" my dad looked at me asking for confirmation which I gave with a nod. "Smile now, they're coming."

I stood up as I saw them approaching but my eyes were stuck on her. She's wearing the dress I sent and it fits perfectly. The color really suits her. I knew it. And her hair, she just let it down as it is. The ornament giving it enough accent, not attention seeking, just enough.

"Rei?"

What?

I looked at my mom. I think she called me.

"You're staring at the lass too much, honey."

Really? I am?

Just then I realized that they are now in front of us. All eyes were on me. I heard my dad chuckle. "She's too beautiful isn't she, son?" The rest of the adults followed him.

I have never been humiliated like this my whole life. I immediately looked at the opposite direction hiding my now blushing face, my hand at the back of my head. She's looking at me. I can feel it.

"Well then, why don't we proceed with what we have today?" mom said, now taking away the attention from me. Thanks Mom. "Lady Sayu and Lord Kei will be joining us at the car. Aya, sweetheart, Rei will be driving for you."

"Where are we going?" I asked. And why are you deciding on the car arrangement?

"That's a secret. Just follow us," Aya's dad said.

What else can we do?

We entered the car and follow as were instructed. I started the car and fastened my seat belt. I heard her do the same.

"Thank you," I looked at her direction the moment she said a word. She was looking at her hands placed above her lap. Her knuckles turning white as she held them tighter and her face showing a slight hue of red. Probably nervous of starting the conversation.

"About the dress, I mean," she added when I didn't respond.

"Thought you're not going to talk to me until the wedding." I'm not dumb. I knew she was avoiding me this whole time. Giving me that cold shoulder as a response whenever I ask for her opinion. I've been sending her several messages but she didn't respond to any of those. I just kept on doing it.

This time it was her turn not to respond. "And you're welcome by the day. It fits you really well."

I placed a hand over hers to stop her from gripping her dress. The gesture made her looked at me. "You'll ruin it you know. You might also hurt your hand." After feeling her relaxed a bit, I started to drive to our way. Again, not another word throughout the trip. It was becoming natural between us.

It wasn't a long drive anyway. We passed by the university and minutes later entered an exclusive village. Few turns and we stopped in front of a modern looking house.

We went down the car as our parents ushered us to come in. We were greeted by a lady in about her fortys. We bowed at her to show some courtesy.

"What do you think?" my mom asked us the moment we entered the foyer of the house.

"Neat," I said.

"It's a few blocks away from the university and with high security in the area. So walking wouldn't be a problem," Wait, what is happening again?

"I'm sorry?" It was Aya's turn.

Her mom placed a hand over her shoulder and said, "This my dear is our little surprise for you." I don't see this as little. "This is where you and Rei will be living after the wedding."

My eyes widened. I seldom show facial expressions but lately they've been more visible.

"We'll be selling Rei's place after he moves out. That place is no home for the both of you," My mom definitely knew what I was thinking. And yes, I am living in my own place without anyone around to assist me. I was independent.

"But isn't this too big?" well not as big as my parents house, but too big for just the both of us.

"Well, you'll have two maids, and four bodyguards around. You have five rooms, maids' and bodyguards' quarters excluded from the count. Two floors as you can see. A garden, a gym, a pool." Mom placed a finger under her chin thinking of what she might have left out." Oh! And an office, with a library of course."

This is their definition of little. I shook my head in amazement.

"Uhmmm… Can Mari-chan move with us?" she asked them. "She is my lady-in-waiting and I'm not that conformable for others to help me aside from her. I trust her that much."

Ah yes. Mari.

"I have nothing against that," I added. If that would make her more comfortable then I don't have any reason to say no. "I trust her too."

"Well then, we could probably arrange the extra room for her. She'll be here just to help Aya, but for the rest of the chores leave it to Shoko-san care," The lady in her forty's bowed again as my mom referred to her.

"About your sleeping arrangements," my dad spoke.

Sleeping arrangements?

"You two are old enough. We are not going to intervene with whatever you'd agreed upon, whether you share a room or not."

Really? We're talking about this here? Now?

"But just so you know, we're not getting younger. We want some little kids playing around here. One or two would do," Aya's dad added.

Aya's turning redder than I have ever seen her.

"We're only NINETEEN," I told them. They might have forgotten that we are still young.

"Hey, I had Ren when I was only eighteen." Do you really have to mention it here?

"I had Aya when I was nineteen. So that's not unusual for us," and that was Aya's mom.

"Really, Lady Sayu? You look younger than your age."

Oh please. Just give me a break from all of this!

End of Chapter 6