Chapter Ten

Preparing for the Trip

Just before their weekend beach day, Fay reached the mall after university, and looked around. All around her she could see group of friends walking along, having coffee, or just hanging out. Hmm… I really should start making friends, but… Argh! Then they'll be all over Keigo and forget me… oh never mind! Now's not the time to think about it.

She walked into a swimsuit wear and was awed by the huge selections. Her fingers caressed most of the pieces as she browsed. Shall I opt for a one-piece? Bikini? Or tankini? Too many choices and too many colors.

She quickly took a few pieces and went to the dressing room. The first thing she tried was a firm control crisscross shaping one-piece. It looked good on her and was a multicolored piece. She was thankful that she was slim and toned for she tended to exercise regularly.

She took it off, and tried the second piece. It was an abbie sequin triangle top bikini. It was aquatic blue and had a low-rise matching bottom that had a ruffle edge. Oh I love this fabric, but it's a bit too daring… she thought checking herself out in the mirror. I'm not sure if I can pull it off. Hmm… maybe if I wear a caftan on top of it then I won't be showing a lot of skin. I'm sure I saw a printed one on the racks outside.

She left the dressing room, and looked at a few more items. Finally she left buying the bikini she had tried on earlier with a caftan, and beach slippers. Since she was at the mall, she decided to do some more shopping.

After being there for hours, she decided that her last stop would be the bookstore. She wanted to check what new magazines were there. She wasn't a big fan of reading, but she knew getting to the beach would be a long ride so she needed something for the limo.

She walked into Kinokuniya and loved the aura. There's just something interesting about a bookstore and the people in it. She noted a lot of people in the corner reading, browsing through the shelves, or flipping through the pages.

She walked over to the magazine section and began looking through the fashion sites. Cosmo? Vogue? Hmm… Maybe I should try a different genre. She walked over to the interior design section, but couldn't find anything interesting. As she walked to the sports section, she found a familiar person seated on the floor flipping through the Harvard Business Review. Takeda?

Fay wanted to avoid him, but she found herself walking towards him. She leaned down and looked at him. "Hello,"

Takeda looked up, and smiled lazily. "You ruined my thoughts," he said amused.

Fay straightened up. "I just found it weird to see someone sitting on the floor reading in the business section," she admitted.

"I'm researching," he explained, standing up. "I have a business strategy paper due."

"Research?" Fay asked confused, "shouldn't you be taking notes?" so he just reads?

"No need to," he said, placing the journal back in its place. "I only need to read it once."

Wow. I wish I had that gift. "I see," she said.

Takeda stretched his arms above his head, and shook his hair slightly. Some strands fell on his eyes, and the others were messed up all over his head. "I didn't think you were a reading type of girl," he remarked.

"I'm not," Fay said, not feeling insulted. "I just came by to pick a magazine," she walked back to the fashion section as he tagged along, while she picked up the latest issue of cosmopolitan.

Takeda followed her still as she paid, and walked out with her. He lifted his arm to look at his watch. "Six already? Have you eaten? Want to grab a bite? I'm hungry."

A bite? Fay looked at him baffled. "Umm… I…"

He waited for her to answer.

Fay felt embarrassed. What the hell am I supposed to do? Accept? But father… Oh… This is not a date? So it should be alright, no? But… ARGH!

'Was my invitation uncalled for?" Takeda asked, confused s he scratched his jaw lightly.

"No, its fine. It's just my father told me something about being out and I'm thinking about it," she said, annoyed.

"Oh, what was it?" he asked curiously.

"It doesn't matter," Fay said flatly. "Let's go eat." She turned to walk towards the restaurants.

Takeda caught her wrist. "Atobe-san, you shouldn't do anything to anger your parents or have them mistrust you. If grabbing a bite with me might cause problems for you, then it's not worth it."

Fay's eyes widened. She noticed that he was still holding her wrist. He's right. My father's been nothing but great with me. She took a step back from him. "You're right," she said quietly. "I can't eat with you. I'm sorry."

Takeda let go off her wrist. "Don't be sorry. Everyone has circumstances. Family first always," he said with a smile.

Fay nodded, however she couldn't help but notice that there was a hidden sadness to that smile. She crossed her arms, "I have to admit that it can be annoying sometimes. I feel like I don't have any freedom in this."

He stuffed his hands in his pockets, "parents can be silly at times, but they have their reasons. Want to tell me why you're annoyed?" he asked.

Fay hesitated again, but felt comfortable to do so. "My father wants to meet anyone I'm planning to spend time with outside campus, I still don't know why, but I don't want to be caught lying either. I only have him." she explained.

Takeda began walking with her across the mall as she walked towards the exit. "You'd think it's silly, but it's not. I don't blame your father. You're from a rich family, and he only wants to ensure that your friends are not taking advantage."

"True," Fay said with a nod, "but sometimes, a person needs to make mistakes to understand," she said. She reached the exit, and bowed slightly. "I'm off. It was good to bump into you, and I'm sorry I couldn't eat with you," she said, waving her hand.

Takeda waved back and watched her go.