Chapter Thirty Nine

New Year's Eve

Fay was alone in the limo going to the masked ball at the Takeda's. Her father had gone earlier with her aunt, and Keigo had declined the invitation as he was spending New Year's Eve with his mother. I didn't know Keigo spent it with his mother. Must be nice, she thought sadly.

The limo arrived, and she got out. She smoothed her dress, and fixed her hair. Tonight she was dressed completely in black. It was a long dress with a bit of fluff skirts, and a low back that exposed her whole back. A black petite glitter mask covered half of her face and she had let her hair loose for once.

She entered the mansion and was in awe. Wow. I knew he was well off, but this is on another level. They're almost as rich as us. She thought admiring the amazing décor, and crystal chandelier.

The ballroom was filled with people behind masks. She couldn't tell who's who as she walked amongst the crowd. Hmm… I can't even find my father.

She kept walking, bumping into people, dodging left and right as waitresses kept passing Champaign trays. As she walked, she recognized someone. Is that… That's An? An?! "AN?!" Fay exclaimed.

An immediately turned and gave her a smile behind her mask. She was dressed fully in green and adorned a golden eye mask. "Fay? Wow. You look so… mysterious!" she shouted over the loud music.

Fay laughed at the comment. "How are you? I don't recognize anyone."

An grinned. "That's what makes it fun. Everyone's here. Have you seen anyone yet?"

Fay shook her head.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you will. I have to go. I promised someone a dance. I don't even know who he is," she said with a bubbly smile, running off.

Fay sighed. She looked around until she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Yo. Girlfriend."

Fay turned and found Takeda's striking eyes watching her through a Venetian style silver and black eye mask. He was dressed in a black suit, including his tie. His messy hair really completed his look. I love seeing him… "How'd you recognize me?" she asked.

Takeda grinned. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "Did you know that you have a tiny mole right here at the back of your shoulder?" he said, placing his finger there. "I noticed when we gathered at the beach barbecue a long time back."

Fay shivered at the touch. "Your hand is cold," she said, moving away. Hmm… So he's a flirty type around his girlfriend. I wonder how different he will be as a boyfriend rather than a friend.

Takeda smiled. "What shall we do first? Mingle? Dance? Introduce you to my mother? Or make out?"

"Ren!"

"I'm joking. I'm joking." He said, clasping her hand in his. "At least let me take you to Aya. She'll watch over you. Way better than that An," he muttered annoyed.

He doesn't like An? She thought surprised at his comment. "Umm… You don't like An?" she asked, walking along his side. I thought she was his friend.

"No," he answered straightforwardly. "Her brother is my friend, her, I don't like or know."

Before Fay could probe more into the subject, they had already reached Sawada.

Sawada was dressed in a deep red dress that suited her short hair. She was wearing a golden mask where her clear eyes could be seen right through them. "Hello, Fay."

Fay smiled at her, as Takeda let her go. Sawada hugged Fay tightly with a squeal. Why does this woman always hug me? Fay thought embarrassed.

Sawada let go off her and winked. "You know… Ren's been extremely over happy since Christmas. I'm sure you're the reason.

Takeda narrowed his lips, and seemed embarrassed. He coughed, and excused himself to check on something.

"He does embarrass easily, no?" Fay joked, looking at Sawada.

She laughed. "Not all the time, but when you're around it seems so. Well, I guess you're officially part of our gang now. You know how long we've been pushing him to see someone?"

Fay shook her head.

"It doesn't matter," she said. "He's happy now, and it's a blessing that the twins got a nanny. It really helped him," Sawada said.

Hmm… She seems to really know a lot about him. I'm actually jealous. Fay thought. Well, it can't be helped, she knew him way before I even came into the picture.

Sawada spent some time with Fay until Sakamoto joined them. As he joined, Sawada left and Sakamoto was with Fay now.

Fay wondered about him. He looks too serious, yet, there's a semi mischief for in him… Hmm… I wonder what it is. "So how long are you seeing Tanaka-san?" Fay asked.

Sakamoto's eyes showed surprised behind the white mask. "Tanaka-san? Shigeru? I'm not seeing him."

"Oh," Fay said, embarrassed her cheeks heating up. "I'm so sorry," she said, bowing. "I just assumed…"

"You didn't have to assume anything," he said. "Tanaka's bisexual anyway. One day he's with a man, then the next with a woman. I don't go for people like that."

"I'm sorry," Fay kept repeating.

"It's alright, Atobe-san. You didn't know." Sakamoto replied. He put his hands in his pockets, and just stayed quiet while Fay felt mortified. A few seconds later, he raised his head and spoke. "By the way, congratulations. I heard that you're seeing Ren now."

Fay whispered thanks.

Sakamoto spent more time with her until he finally excused himself, and left leaving Fay alone.

Fay frowned. What am I supposed to do now? I can't even find my family. She thought, walking amongst the crowd. Wow… I think there's like five hundred people here. She looked some more and began noticing who was who a bit. It's funny once you get used to a certain behavioral pattern, no mask can conceal your identity.

Finally after mingling, and looking around she found Takeda talking to a woman. "Ren!"

Takeda turned, and smiled at her as she approached him. "I'm overwhelmed," Fay said breathlessly.

Takeda put a hand on her back, and pushed her forward. "Fay, this is Takeda Michiko, my mother."

Fay froze in her place.

Takeda Michiko produced a smile beneath the half-face mask, and held Fay's hands. "Are you Ren's girlfriend? I don't even remember when the last time I met one of his girlfriends was."

Well, technically I'm not even an official girlfriend yet. We haven't gone out yet, and he only asked a couple of days back. "Yes, I am Atobe Fay."

"Mitsuru's daughter. How nice. He is a wonderful man," Takeda Michiko said lovingly. "I can't wait to see him tonight. It's been such a long time."

"He is a wonderful man," Fay said, bowing. "It was so nice to meet you."

Takeda Michiko nodded, and then looked around the ball. "Hmm… Ren, I can't find your sister, Emi. Please introduce her to your girlfriend as well."

Is this what Ren meant by clinical depression? Fay thought feeling aghast. She hasn't acknowledged Emi's death. Fay felt unease now; she looked at Takeda who wasn't looking back at her. He simply took her hand, and stepped back. "I'm going to mingle with Fay a bit, mother," he said, leaving not giving his mother the chance to say anything.

Takeda walked towards the hall, and out of the ballroom. He looked left and right, and then grinned at Fay. "We're going to make a run for it."

"A run?" Fay asked surprised.

"Yes… Now," he said, running to the bottom of the hallway and then beneath the stairwell.

Fay was surprised to see a lift hidden there.

Takeda quickly pressed the button, and it opened. They got in, and then as soon as the elevator opened, he ran again across the corridor that was above the ballroom until they reached a room. He pushed her into the room, and closed the door. "Phew…"

Fay was trying to steady her breathing. "What was that?" she demanded, out of breath.

Takeda was leaning against the door, trying to catch his own breath. He sat down, and took off his mask. "I can't just bring a girl up to my room in front of everyone."

"Your room?" Fay asked, realizing where she was. It was a room as big as Atobe Keigo's. The colors were dark and mysterious. It was wood with shades of Green and Yellow everywhere. It was so Takeda Ren. "It's a nice room," she said, taking off her own mask and walking around. Being in his room like this… It feels right, yet… Isn't it too soon for me to be in his room? Ha! Ha! What am I thinking? she chuckled lightly

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing,' she said, quietly embarrassed at her own thoughts. She walked back towards him, and leaned forward. "You look tired," she said, noticing the stress on his face.

Takeda stood up, and held both of her wrists surprising her. He turned her around and backed her up against the door. He leaned forward, "Can I?" he asked. "I need to ask. You slapped me last time."

Fay was dead shocked by this. "Umm…" she whispered. Shit… he's so close. It should be fine now. He's my boyfriend. It should be fine. She closed her eyes and nodded.

Takeda bent down, and claimed her lips carefully.

It's like my heart is inside my ear, Fay thought. Its beating really fast and loudly, as his lips caressed hers softly. She opened her eyes again, and wanted to move away so she could calm down, but he was already swooping down, hands catching at her shoulders as mouth pressed down on hers. He was firm at first, so that she stiffened under the pressure, but the mouth against hers softened, lips parting to let the coaxing tip of tongue out to play against her own lips. Hands came up to cup her head as tongue teased her sealed lips, exhorting them to part, to allow it inside.

He placed his arm at her lower back. The feel of his hand on her bare skin sent a wave of coolness into Fay that made her shiver. "Cold," she whispered against his lips.

He moved his hand even lower, and pulled her closer. Finally, he backed off, and his thumb rubbed her lower lip lightly. In a second, his mouth was on hers again and harder this time. Before she knew it, she was following him in the same fast pace.

She had her arms around his neck, as he was grinding against her. A few minutes later, Fay pulled away slightly, and looked at him as she placed a hand on his lips. "We're going to lose control if we keep this up," she said.

"Is that too bad?" he asked, grinning.

Fay moved out of his arms. "Everything has a place and time," she said, I better keep my cool. I almost lost control. I'm so overwhelmed. She thought, sitting on his bed.

Takeda nodded. "You're right." He agreed. "Let's stay here for a while. We can go down later." He sat down next to her.

Fay looked around his room. "By the way, why do you have so many futons on the floor?"

"The gang sleeps here. We have so many guests room, but they like to stay here." He explained.

Fay hesitated, "even Aya?"

Takeda laughed. "You're already jealous?" he asked, then shook his head when he noticed the frown on her face. "No, Aya stays with the twins. They like to sleep in the same bed as her when she's here."

"I see," she said quietly. Why is my heart beating so fast? Hmm… I wonder if this is what it means to be close to someone yet you don't want anyone else get close to them.

Takeda lied down on his back with his hands behind his head. "This is nice. Comforting… I don't think I've felt like this in a while," he admitted.

Fay watched him while he slept like that, and felt the same way. It is a nice feeling. I haven't felt about someone like this in a while. It's good to be in this situation. She hesitated, but touched his hair lightly. "Soft," she said quietly, caressing it.

Takeda touched her hand, and kissed it lightly. He then sat up, and looked at his watch. "Damn. It's almost twelve, we should head back down. We'll miss the fireworks." He put on his mask, and adjusted hers.

"Fireworks?" she asked, as he led her outside, and they went down the same way.

"Yep, every year. It's grand. Father always does his best to impress," he said proudly.

And I thought we were the only vain people on this street, Fay thought sarcastically.

It was ten minutes to twelve by the time they got downstairs. Takeda took her out to the garden where everyone else had gathered.
"The tradition is to take off your mask at midnight," Takeda told Fay.

Fay nodded upon hearing that. It all sounds so exciting… she thought, and then she caught a glimpse of someone familiar. "Father!" she exclaimed, "I'll come back," she said, walking towards her father.

Mitsuru noticed his daughter, and hugged her lightly. 'There you are, where have you been? Really thought you didn't come."

"I was mingling." Fay explained, looking at him. "I'm having fun."

Mitsuru conversed with Fay some more, until Takeda showed up. "Hello, Atobe-san," Takeda bowed. "I hope that you're enjoying the ball."

"I am, your father always outdoes himself." He replied with a smile, "and it was nice to see your mother after such a long time."

Takeda smiled in return, "yes, it is good."

Mitsuru raised an eyebrow and then sipped his Champaign, "so… Takeda Ren, I assume that I don't need to worry about you seeing my daughter."

Wha!? How did… Fay thought. I didn't want him to know. Now, he'll keep teasing me.

Takeda surprised Fay even more. He extended his hand for Mitsuru to shake. "I intend to keep her happy at all cost, Atobe-san."

The boy's got guts, Mitsuru thought, taking Takeda's hand and shaking it firmly. "I'll make sure you keep that promise."

Takeda nodded while Fay was even more embarrassed.

Mitsuru looked at his daughter who was still confused. "If you must know, his mother told me," Mitsuru said with a grin. "I told you before that we go way back."

Fay crossed her arms, and then nudged him lightly. "Just don't go telling Keigo and aunt Akari for now."

"Oh, your aunt knows. She was there too," Mitsuru added.

Before Fay could acknowledge her frustration, the countdown to the New Year, and then the fireworks started. Everyone went quiet and gazed at the amazing display in the night sky. I've never seen something so beautiful.

Fay was so mesmerized that she never noticed the single red rose in front of her.

"Happy New Year," Takeda said quietly, then kissed her forehead softly. "It should get interesting this year." He winked.

Fay was really embarrassed because her father was standing there with them. She took the rose, and blushed. "You too, Ren," she whispered.

Mitsuru was pretending that he wasn't listening, but was somewhat happy. I think this would be a good change for Fay.