Chapter Seven

An Unexpected Visitor

Fay walked into her home, and was surprised to see a woman standing in the foyer. She was a tall and beautiful older woman dressed in a knee-length dress that had long sleeves. Her hair was poised up gracefully, and was adorned beneath a hat.

"Umm… Hello?" Fay said.

The woman turned around, and looked at Fay. Her eyes turned hostile, and she raised an eyebrow. "You're her, aren't you?" she asked in a voice dripped with hatred.

Fay looked stunned. "Her? As…'

"Akiko!' Mitsuru said sharply, walking into the foyer. "Keep that tongue in," he said in a low threatening voice.

Akiko turned her head away.

Fay looked curious, "Father. I'm sorry, am I interrupting?"

"Father?!" Akiko snapped. "You even let her call you father. I'm surprised Mitsuru that you've been rather friendly considering…"

"Akiko!" he interrupted.

Akiko looked at Fay and walked towards her. "Don't ever call him father in my presence. It's because of you that Keigo was not brought up between loving parents. To think that you're even here living with them," she said haughtily.

Fay looked stunned.

Mitsuru stood between Akiko and Fay. "Akiko, enough. Please leave."

Akiko looked at him with a gasp. "Oh, so now you're choosing her over me? Why did it have to be this way, Mitsuru?!" she yelled in anger.

"We were already having problems. Don't blame Fay for our divorce," he said calmly. "Now I ask you to leave."

She swore out loud, and left angrily slamming the large door shut. Most of the chandeliers in the foyer shook from the force of the slam.

Mitsus clenched his jaw, and looked at Fay who stood there quietly. She was looking at the floor. He walked towards her, and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Fay…"

"Is this maybe why Keigo hates me?" she asked.

Mitsuru looked at his daughter. "Keigo…"

"Was that mother?" Atobe asked, walking into the lobby. "Why was she here?" Very weird. She rarely visits, and… Hmm… I heard shouting. I wonder what's going on.

Mitsuru looked at him, and then at Fay, "Come with me both of you," he said, walking towards the study. "It's time I tell you the full story."

They both followed him, and sat across him as he took a seat behind his desk. "Fay that was Keigo's mother."

Wow… she really is beautiful, Fay thought. She waited for her father to continue.

Mitsuru looked at his son, "I'm not sure what your mother has told you, but its time you heard my side as well. Before I had any of you, Akiko and I were having problems. We really weren't getting along."

Both Atobe and Fay kept quiet.

"We were about to divorce but then I found out she was pregnant, so we decided to try counseling," he explained, "however, it still didn't work. Your mother is not an easy person, Keigo…"

Atobe was quiet, but then finally said, "I know that," he said, surprising his father. Not easy is not even the right word for her, for he knew what a self centered person his mother was.

"During our counseling, and while your mother was sick because of her pregnancy, I met Fay's mother. It was wrong of me to get involved with a woman when my own wife was pregnant, but it happened. We had an affair, and then she just disappeared from my life.' Mitsuru felt a pain in his chest, for he really did love Fay's mother. "I had no idea why she disappeared."

Fay tightened her fists, "it's because of me, isn't it? She was pregnant with me that made her leave."

Mitsuru nodded. "Fay, I didn't know about you until you were born. Keigo was already three months, and I only knew about you because your mother died a week after giving birth to you," he said.

"So you took her in, gave mother the shock of her life, and here we are today," Atobe mumbled. I still don't blame mother for hating Fay, but… I just can't bring myself to like Fay instantaneously. My pride's been hurt as well.

Fay looked at her elder brother. "No wonder you hate me," she said, teary eyed.

Atobe didn't comment. I don't hate you, but I don't like you either.

Mitsuru looked at his son. "Keigo, your mother will always fight Fay. She is part of your life, but she is no longer a part of ours. Your mother was very bitter because she got written off my will. I cannot have her interfere in our lives or yours if her intention is to always hurt Fay."

Atobe still remained silent. So mother still pretends to care so she can have more money? Interesting… I guess she really is as selfish as I thought, but…

Out of the blue, he laughed loudly causing Mitsuru and Fay to look at him. "Father, it took guts to cut her off. You will never hear the end of it." Knowing 'mother' she'll do all she can to get what she wants.

Mitsuru looked wryly at his son. How true he is, but I've made my precautions…

Fay stood up, "Father, after hearing all this… I can't help but ask if I was a mistake?" she asked.

Mitsuru stood up, "don't be stupid. I cared for you since the day you were brought into my life. You're not to be blamed for anything. In fact, you've always been a part of our lives."

Atobe cross his arms and leaned against the chair. I never thought about it that way. She's the result of an affair, but that doesn't mean it was her fault either. She was born at the wrong time. I have to admire father thought that he took responsibility for her rather than throwing money her way and putting her up with foster parents… How come I never thought about it that way?

Fay nodded half heartedly. She still seemed to look a bit worried about it. After they were done conversing, Fay excused herself leaving her brother and father alone. Mitsuru watched his son carefully, "I'm surprised that you had nothing to say."

"I'm not stupid. Mother is not an easy person to deal with.. However, if she really cared then she would've taken more efforts to get to know me. I was always with the nanny when I went to visit her," he said standing up. "At least you're trying to get to know me," he said, walking away.

Mitsuru didn't know what to make of his son's statement. I still can't tell if he's acknowledging his sister or not… I'll still keep having dinners with them. If they won't talk to each other, at least they can hear each other through me.