Chapter Thirty Two

Winter Ball

Mitsuru was seated at the back of the limo in his evening suit. He was dressed fitly in a black Armani suit and a gray branded tie. He sensed something different today. It was less tense than usual between his children. It's the same vibe I felt when I was at the hospital. This reminds me, Keigo still hadn't told me what happened between them and Tarou.

His son was seated across from him in the limo also in a dark Valentino suit and a green tie, while his daughter was seated next to his son with a frown on her face.

Fay was dressed lovingly in a glamorous floor-length blood red dress. It had a sheer panel with glittering, contrasting accents stretches down the back, and it was framed by soft material that flared out to form a chic cap sleeve. It was complete with a broad, rouched waistband that gave way for the skirt to flow prettily to the floor. She had only diamond earrings on, and her hair was gathered neatly on the side.

He glanced at his own sister, Akari who was seated next to him, and smoking a cigarette. When will she quit this bad habit of hers? he thought to himself. His sister did surprise him though. He rarely sees her dressed up, and tonight she was wearing a very eye-catching black lace layered gown. It had a high neckline bodice that sparkled with an elegant lace that clinched at the waist to create curves. The skirt of the dress fell at full length in an elaborated ruffled layer for a stunning a-line silhouette. Even his sister had jewels on.

"This is the first time I'm able to go to a public gathering with all of you together. Watch out, people will be amused that we're all here," Mitsuru remarked.

"You sound excited," Fay said with a smile.

"I am actually," he said. "I've got my beautiful sister and my gorgeous children with me tonight."

"Ho! Ho! I'm not beautiful tonight, I'm sexy," she said with a wink. "I sent my husband a photo of me, and he told me to stay at home."

Mitsuru sighed.

"Gorgeous?" Atobe muttered. "That's not even right for me, I am magnificent," he said arrogantly.

Fay rolled her eyes, and then looked at him. "Are you okay?" he seems a bit paler than usual, she thought glancing at her brother's face.

Atobe was going to snap YES, but then remembered the conversation that he had with her earlier. There's no point in being rude all the time, he loosened his tie. "Honestly, I don't think so. I'm feeling feverish."

This is interesting, he answered his sister civilly. Mitsuru observed. He glanced at Akari who gave him a thumb up. "Just don't overdo it," Mitsuru said. "Maybe it's not that bad."

Atobe felt a hand on his forehead. Fay had one hand on his forehead, and the other on hers to compare the warmth. "Father, it is bad. He has a fever."

Atobe tensed at Fay's hand on his forehead. He moved slightly away from her. Why is she touching me?! I know she's trying, and I'm trying…

Mitsuru frowned. "We still have a half an hour drive. Close your eyes a bit, and rest. I'm sorry to drag you here, but…"

"I know. I know. I'm not complaining about being there. I want to be part of this. I'll take it easy…" Atobe interrupted.

"How's the setting, Mitsuru?" Akari asked.

Mitsuru turned his direction to his sister. "It's a formal Christmas ball. So round tables, dinner, and a dance floor. The typical stuff. Also, there's a small exhibition for ill children at the adjacent ballroom. Proceedings go to their charity."

Akari nodded, and then remembered something. "Will Tarou be there?"

Mtsuru shrugged, "who knows."

Atobe felt Fay flinch at the mentioned of their uncle. If Tarou's there, then that ass is probably there as well. Fay shouldn't stray off too far.

Fay tried not thinking of what will happen if she saw Kentarou, but she was curious about what her aunt said before when they were together at dinner. "Do you not like uncle Tarou either, aunty?"

"No," she said in a huff. "He never approved of my choice of husband. I told him once he divorces that wicked witch of his, then he can judge my husband."

Fay giggled slightly, but Mitsuru gave her a stern look.

"Regardless, they're family so I don't want anyone not being uncivil. We still have to show the public that we all get along." Mitsuru explained.

Everyone groaned out an okay.

Finally, they arrived and were escorted into the ballroom. Fay stared in awe at the decorations. Wow, everything is so white. It's like it snowed in here, she thought her eyes shining at what she was seeing, and so crowded! How many people are here? 500?!

Mitsuru held Atobe's elbow slightly, causing him to stop and look at him. "Since you're too sick to be doing anything stupid like flirting around, I suggest you keep an eye on your sister. Every rich playboy in this city is in here tonight."

"I'm not babysitting, she's old enough." He remarked.

"All I'm asking if for you to keep an eye on her," he said, walking towards their reserved table.

Atobe followed his father, and sat down next to him. His aunt was nowhere to be seen, and Fay seemed nervous sitting next to him. He ordered a black coffee from one of the waitresses, and looked at his sister. "You're not going to mingle?"

Fay hesitated, "I'm not sure how I should mingle. I've never been in such events before."

She has a point. "Well, for a girl I guess you should wait for someone to chat you up or ask you to dance."

"I don't want to dance," she said in a tiny voice.

"You can't ignore every request, father won't like it," he said, noticing that his father was already talking to a lot of business men. This is so boring… then his eyes caught something. Hmm… So he is here. I really don't like that guy. "I just spotted Kentarou, so don't stray off that far. Who knows what he will say to you, he might be bitter from last time."

"I'm staying here, I'm really uncomfortable." I don't want to be anywhere near Kentarou.

Fay continued observing her surroundings and was still in awe. Everyone was dressed at their best. There were a lot of young girls and boys her age. This is a different world, she thought.

"Enjoying Fay?" Mitsuru asked.

Fay nodded. "It's interesting. Nothing I've experienced before."

Mitsuru was going to ask his son something, but was interrupted when his own brother and son showed up at the table. Fay frowned, and turned her face away from them. She noted that Atobe had the same frown on his face as well.

Mitsuru noticed that his children were ignoring Tarou. Now this is weird, he thought. He saw Kentarou standing while looking bored, and he thought of something. "Kentarou, why don't you dance with your cousin?"

Fay paled, and looked at her father. "It's alright, my feet hurt from…"

"I don't mind," Kentarou said with a smile. "Shall we, Fay?" he extended his hand towards her.

Fay didn't know what to do. If I ignore him, I'll be disrespecting father. If I say yes, then I'll hate myself.

Atobe stood up, "I mind," he said, surprising them all. "I asked her to dance before you." He held Fay's upper arm, and made her stand. "Come on, Fay," he said, leading her to the dance floor.

If anyone was shocked at the table, it was Mitsuru more than anything.

Atobe dragged Fay all over to the dance floor, and held her lightly. He noted that a lot of people started looking at them, and were murmuring something about beautiful, gorgeous, etc…

"You didn't have to do that," Fay said, her cheeks heated at being at the centre of attention of the dance floor.

"I didn't do it for you. I don't like that guy either, and he better think twice if he can do anything like that arrogantly in front of me," Atobe said with a determined look. "Now dance, we're Atobe's and people need to see us at our best."

Fay decided to enjoy the moment, and danced with her brother to the ballroom music. Although she never indulged in such affairs, but she did know how to dance properly. Her father had made sure that she took lessons when she was young.

Also, she was starting to see another side of her brother. He really is a handsome devil all dressed up, and I don't think I've ever felt his presence so close before. She exhaled his scent and began analyzing; his scent is different, rich yet umm… Powerful? Not too bad for a brother.

Atobe was thinking the same thing. He never had his sister so close before, and she was having a different affect on him. He felt like he needed to protect her. Could it be that I'm actually starting to care now? He thought to himself. "What are you doing?"

"Analyzing you," she admitted.

He looked down at her and then surprisingly smiled, "what's the verdict?" he asked.

Fay raised an eyebrow, so he's going along with me. "I think you passed for now."

Atobe was going to retort, but his eyes settled on something else behind Fay. "We'll continue later, someone's about to cut in," he said, twirling Fay lightly, and handing her over to…

Takeda Ren was surprised at how Atobe handed Fay to him through the dance. "I trust that you won't upset her anymore," Atobe said, then he leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "and don't you dare let Kentarou anywhere near her," he said, walking away from them.

Fay was frozen in spot as she found herself in almost between Takeda's arms. Oh my! Oh my! I'm going to kill Keigo! She thought.

Takeda placed one arm on her hip, and held her hand with the other. He began waltzing to the music without saying anything. "Who's Kentarou?" he asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them.

Fay wasn't looking at him. "My cousin," she answered meekly.

Takeda continued dancing, and then remembered his conversation with Fay a while back. "That cousin?"

Why would he ask me about Kentarou? Did Keigo tell him something? Fay looked up in surprise at him. "You remembered?" he's so handsome upfront… I shouldn't have looked up.

Takeda held her a bit closer, and spoke. "I told you I remember everything read and said to me," he said quietly in her ear.

Fay felt a bit embarrassed as she was dancing really close to him. She was quiet as they danced until he broke the silence between them again "I was wondering all night if I should come near you or not. You're really mad at me, aren't you?"

"I'm not mad," she answered truthfully. "I just…I just can't look at you. It hurts."

Without asking, Takeda broke the dance, took her hand and walked forward pulling her with him. Fay was so surprised that she didn't even get the chance to protest. She found herself being dragged until they reached a lavish garden outside. Wow! I didn't even know that this hotel had such a beautiful garden. Then she stopped admiring the scenery, and realized her situation. "Why did you bring me here? People will talk."

Takeda looked around the quietly dim garden, and then back at her. He could sense the light breeze of the night, and the serene sound of the lake that was built around the garden home. "I just thought we could talk here. Last time, you didn't even give me the chance to say anything."

Fay crossed her arms. "You can call you know. Last time was almost a week ago."

He smiled sideways and gave her a straight glare. "I doubt you would've answered my call."

He's right; I don't think I would've picked up. Fay hugged herself a bit, and sighed. "You're right. I don't think I would've." she glanced at him, and noted a different mood off him. He seemed different. Is he angry? Frustrated? What's this vibe I'm getting? I can't tell…

"At least you're honest," he remarked.

Fay looked at the situation, and realized that she really did have to listen. There literally was no one there. It was dimly lit, and eerily calm. She was starting to freak out a bit.

Takeda could tell from her body language that she was a bit scared. "I'm not going to attack you, Atobe Fay."

Fay hated it when he said her name like that. She sensed that he was doing it on purpose. Teasing her or more yet maybe toying with her. She brushed the dust off her dress, and began walking towards the exit. "I think I should go back inside then."

Takeda stood in front of her. "You really can't stand me anymore, can you?"

Fay pursed her lips. "It's not that. It's just."

"Just what?!" he demanded. "All you have been doing is avoiding me, and running off the minute you see me. Life is full of shit. If I didn't return your feelings then that doesn't make it the end of the world. Things should go back to normal."

What the hell? He rejects me, and then expects me to act normal?! "Get out of my way, Ren. I'm going back inside,' she said in a very quiet but serious tone, sidestepping him but he stood in front of her again.

"Didn't I tell you not to let anything change? It's bothersome." He said in a harsh tone.

Bothersome? What an idiot. He really doesn't get it. Fay looked away, and decided to walk off without saying anything, but he caught her wrist tightly, and pulled her close. Takeda put his arm around her, and held her wrist with the other hand.

"It's rude to walk away without saying anything. You're not the type of person that ignores people," he said quietly.

Fay felt her heart beat fast again. Why does it always beat like this when he's around? I am eventually going to have a heart attack. "Ren…' she began, but froze in her place when he placed his lips over hers.

Takeda held her closely, and angled his head to the right so he can claim her lips fully. He gave her baby kisses until she responded lightly, and kissed him back. Fay was cocooned between his arms, and her whole scent engulfed him. He trailed his lips away from hers, caressed her cheeks, nestled against her neck, and went back to her lips again.

After a few minutes, he finally pulled back slowly and let her go.

[SLAP]

Takeda stood stunned at the impact. He clenched his jaw, and rubbed his cheek. "I guess I deserved that."

Fay was flushed at what he did, but angry at the same time. "How dare you kiss me, yet you don't want a relationship with me. I don't kiss boys who treat me like a toy."

Takeda had never seen her so angry. "I'm sorry, I …"

"I know what you want to say. I was caught in the moment. Stop using that as an excuse!" Fay snapped.

Fay held his suit jacket, and pulled him closer. "Listen to me very well, Takeda Ren." She stressed against his lips. "You want to taste these lips again; then you better stop toying around with me. You can't ask me not to let things change between us when you keep doing stupid things like that," she said, letting him go. "I'm going back inside."

Takeda was still stunned as Fay walked back inside. He finally relaxed, and whistled. Damn… Damn…

"Hmm… What's with you boys always playing about? Just ask her out already."

Takeda saw Atobe Akari walk out from behind the bushes with a cigarette in her hand. Shit! Did she witness that?!

She chuckled, "Honestly. I was curious, so I followed you two.' She stood in front of him, and poked his forehead. "But seriously… What are you doing lip locking with her if you already rejected her?"

And exactly what do I say here? He rubbed his face again, and swore quietly, for it stung. That's going to leave a bruise in the morning, he thought.

Akari sat down on the bench, and crossed her legs. She inhaled, and then puffed slightly. "So you're not going to answer me?"

Takeda stuffed his hands in his suit jacket, and seemed embarrassed. "I don't know what to say." He admitted.

Akari laughed. He really is honest, she thought eyeing him. He's quite handsome and sexy too. Hmmm… I remember young boys in my days, she thought with a chuckle. Akari stood up, and looked at him sincerely."Life's not that complicated, also Fay's far more understanding than you think she is." She walked away from him. "You better do something before you lose her!" she shouted, then disappearing back inside.

Ay yai! He thought, feeling lost.