Got a girl with California eyes

And I thought that she could really be the one this time

But I never got the chance to make her mine

Because she fell in love with little thin white lines

London girl with an attitude

We never told no one but we look so cute

Both got way better things to do

But I always think about it when I'm riding through

Bad At Love- Halsey


Carly found her boss cradled in a ball in the middle of her office the next day. It was supposed to be her week off too, but upon Yusei's insistence, there she was, helping her boss up from the floor instead of sipping margaritas on the beach next to her husband.

Or at least she was trying to help her boss up from the floor. However, Aki wouldn't budge, so Carly sat down and guided Aki's head to her lap. Aki didn't acknowledge her, so Carly patiently weaved her fingers through her messy hair untangling what she could. Carly hummed soothingly.

"You better not tell Jack I lent you his favorite napping place." Carly mumbled.

"Carly?" Aki finally looked up.

"Hey boss lady."

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on vacation?"

"Don't worry about me." Carly shook her head.

"I know you're selfless, but your husband must hate me enough as it is…" Aki sat up only to bring her knees to her chest and wrap her arms around them.

"Let me worry about my husband."

Aki sighed before resting her chin on top of her knees, her eyes beginning to glaze over back to the empty Carly saw before.

"Oh Aki, what did you do?" Carly sighed.

"I messed up Carly. Really bad, but I was scared. I'm still scared."

Carly couldn't help the chuckle escape her lips.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh no reason. I know you have your reasons, but Miss Aki Izayoi scared? That must be a joke? It's unheard of. Don't you know? Aki Izayoi takes no one's shit and is a total badass. She raised her business on her own and she is a successful, sought out wedding planner. She did all this without the help of no man including her own father. She stepped out of her family's shadow and screamed at the world to look at her. She set out to make a difference and to make the world her bitch. All on her own."

"You…you don't know the whole story. Carly you're missing a piece… a big chunk that my father helped me disappear."

"Oh my God…you didn't kill anyone did you?!"

"NO! Of course not."

"Oh, what a relief. I mean your dad is a politician…" Carly trailed off upon seeing Aki smile just a fraction.

"Not all politicians are bad Carly. Don't be such a conspiracy theorist. Remember a good reporter always checks her facts."

"Okay then lay it on me."

"It's not so simple, bringing up the past opens old wounds, Carly. I didn't hurt anyone…it was the other way around actually."

"Aki that doesn't matter. Don't you get it? You survived…well you did more than survive…you achieved impossible goals and you strive to grow and get better. You just need a push and a shoulder to cry on when things get overwhelming."

Aki gave her a look and Carly shook her head.

"Not my shoulder sweetie. Don't you know? I'm simply an assistant that books all the appointments and makes all the teas."

"Not anymore."

"What? A-am I fired? Seriously?"

"Kind of…Carly I read your blog and your photos are phenomenal. Your skills are amazing and here you're not living up to your full potential. I-I wanted to tell you this after you got back from your vacation, but as I ruined it…I feel the need to make it up to you. You have an interview in a month with that news channel with the blonde, annoying girl?"

"Wait, you're talking about Angela?! Oh my! No…I have an interview with the Daily Duel?! Oh, but what about you? Who will book your teas and heat up your appointments?"

"Carly relax and breathe. I've got that covered already." Aki smiled.

"Really?"

"Well, no not exactly, but I can manage. How hard can it be?"

"Aki, I know someone who would be perfect! Well not as an assistant, but as a partner."

"Oh?"

"You know him too! You both work great together and he's super responsible…"

"No. Not Yusei. Especially not after…he has a company to look after, you know. He is an engineer."

"Oh, come on! He would find a way to make it work. You don't know Yusei when he sets his mind on something- "

"Exactly Carly! I don't know Yusei. I couldn't possibly ask him to pick up his life and ask him what, exactly?"

"From my understanding, he offered you the world Aki. Why would you turn that down? Why would anyone turn that down?"

"He isn't the first to make that offer." Aki said sadly.

"Talk to me?"

"I'm late. I have to finish making arrangements for Sherry Leblanc's weeding." Aki finally shut down and got up.

"You can go home. I can handle things here." Aki walked into her office bathroom and closed it behind her.

"B-but I ship you guys so hard…and even Jack does too. Even though he would never admit it publicly." Carly said to the closed door and into the otherwise empty room.


Carly was worried, so she stayed and tried to organize Aki's office. Aki stepped out of her bathroom a few minutes later. Showered, clean, and ready to take on the world. No trace of the broken woman from before.

"Carly? What are you still doing here? Go home to your husband."

"Aki I was worried…can you blame me?"

"I suppose not, but don't worry. I'm going to work from home. Not my house…my parent's house, which means I'm not going to be alone, okay? Now go home. Don't worry. I'm closing up and you can't be here, and you are not invited to my parent's house unless you want to deal with my mom?" Aki asked knowingly.

"A-alright I'm going! Good luck!" Carly stuttered.

Carly turned red and got up from the floor in a hurry. She literally ran from Aki, but before closing the door behind her she looked back at Aki, giving her a worried smile. Aki returned it, but it didn't quite reach her sadden eyes.

Aki watched as Carly climbed into her little car and drove off before locking up her office. She sighed as she tucked her keys into her pocket. She walked towards her car, but as she got near it, she felt a painful pang in her heart. She gripped the key to her car tightly before sighing.

"I can't do this." She whispered before shoving the key into her pocket alongside her office keys.

She turned away from her beloved car and began walking towards her parent's house. She knew if anyone would understand her it would be her father and maybe even her mother. She walked alone taking in deep breaths trying to concentrate on the sidewalk before her rather than the thoughts threatening to overwhelm her.

"I love you Aki Izayoi…it would be my greatest joy in life if I could share the rest of mine with yours."

"I love your smile, your eyes, your heart, and everything about you."

"It would be an honor to take you as my bride."

"Let's grow old together. You and I forever. With a whole lot of children and even more grandchildren."

"You're the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on."

"I consider myself to be a lucky man with you by my side."

"Will you marry me, my love?"

Aki's tears rolled down her cheeks in a steady stream as she hugged herself and walked unsteady towards her parent's home. Her first and until recently, only love. The man who broke her heart and left her a shell of what she used to be. Aki sobbed as all her memories began to flow back to her. The memories she tried so hard and desperately to forget.

"You're mine and only mine Aki. Get that through your thick skull damn you."

"You make this dark part of me lose control, why do you do that, huh?"

"Do you enjoy looking at other men?"

"Why do you make me hurt you, baby?"

"Do you like to make me beg?"

Aki tried to focus on putting one foot in front of the other as she relived every second of her short-lived love. If she wasn't careful she would soon find herself hyperventilating. She somehow managed to make it to her childhood home. She furiously wiped the tears from her face as she punched in the code to the garden door. It was the only entrance unknown to the staff and to anyone else who wasn't her or her parents.

She wanted to avoid her parents, so she quietly closed the door behind her and secretly made her way to her old room. Luckily for her, her room was close to the garden and all she needed to do way climb the vine wrap up to her window. Maybe she used to sneak out to have a late-night rendezvous in her youth, but that was a lifetime ago.

She easily climbed the vines and into her balcony. She prayed her window door would be open as she jostled the knob. To her surprise it clicked and then it opened. She slowly maneuvered her way into her unknown room, but just as she quietly shut the door behind her, the lights to her room turned on.

She quickly turned towards her door to see both her parents frowning at her from her doorway. Aki sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck and coughed.

"Um hey mom and dad. What's up?" Aki tried to give them a smile, but barely managed to hold back a sob.

They were at her side before she could take another step comforting her. Aki collapsed into her parents embrace. Finally letting all the feelings and memories overwhelm her. She doesn't know how long they are there for, but eventually with the help of her father, she is placed in her bath. Her mother bathes her like a child with rose-scented bubbles and all.

Eventually, she finds herself cuddled up in between her mother and father watching comedy movies like when she was a child. Only this time her father is having a difficult time staying on the bed with one leg on the bed and the other dangling off her bed. The whole time she laughs when her dad laughs, but she doesn't pay attention to the movie. She doesn't even notice when it's over and her father tucks them in.

She does notice her mother's warmth as she cradles her against her body like a child. Eventually her mother's even breathing lulls her to a restless and dreamless sleep.


Aki woke up to breakfast in bed with all her favorites, but with zero appetite. Still Aki sat up in her bed and ate slowly while her parents watched her curiously. When she finished, her parents began to talk at the same time.

"Aki what's wrong baby?"

"Did that boy break your heart? Did he hurt you?"

"My little rose, he was nowhere near good enough for you and I always said as much."

"Mom and dad! Are you two going to let me speak?"

They quit talking as soon as spoke up.

"His name is Yusei, and no he did not hurt me, I promise. It was more like the other way around. Oh, and mom, I'm the one that isn't good enough…for anybody…not in my current state. I appreciate you guys letting me stay here and for nursing me like when I was a child. Now if you don't mind I'd like to get dressed on my own. I do still have a wedding to plan for this weekend. No time left for me to waste." Aki got out of bed with a jump hoping to convince her parents she was fine.

Her mother and father shared a worried look before leaving her room. Aki got dressed and was ready to get started with the planning...until she remembered she left her planning journal in her office. She groaned. She really didn't want to go back there. She really didn't need her journal...she could make due with her phone. Since all her contacts were in her phone anyways. She looked around her room before realizing she left it back at her office. She groaned, just her luck. As she climbed down the stairs to the foyer, she noticed both her parents waiting for her.

"Hey, mom and dad."

"My little rose, do you need help?" Aki's mother asked.

"We can both help you. We cleared our schedules for today." Her father chimed in.

"Um I appreciate it guys, but I think I got it. I just need to pick something up from the office, so..." Aki trailed off.

"I'll get the driver."

"And I'll get my purse."

Aki's mom and dad took off in different directions leaving her alone and confused.

"What just happened?" She said to no one in particular.


Meanwhile...

Yusei was busy trying to keep busy. He was in his garage blaring his music and taking his frustration out on the runner in front of him. He knew he was being rough, but he couldn't help it he was so damn angry. He didn't understand...he was usually the cool level-headed guy. Dependable and responsible and wanted by most women...except for one.

He had poured his heart out to her and she basically threw it back to him. The worse thing out of all was the fact that he couldn't just forget about her. Even as he worked on the engine all he could think of was how badly he wanted to slide his roughened hands down her soft creamy fair skin. He wanted to tangle his legs with hers and hold her tightly to his harden chest.

Her scent...it was intoxicating. More than the smell of gasoline or synthetic oils. Maybe the fumes were starting to get to him...he really didn't care if he could see her face. Even if it was only in his head.

"Yusei!"

Yusei fell as he was ripped away from his daydream...by his friends. All. Of. Them. Just standing there watching him. His loud music no longer drowning out the rest of the world.

Jack, Crow, and even Kalin was laughing at him from where they stood. The rest of the group looked at him with pity and worry in their eyes. Bruno, Misty and Carly chastised the others while Sherry helped Yusei up.

"You guys shouldn't have come. I'm fine. Totally fine. Busy by the way." Yusei went back to work.

"Dude you're like totally bumming everyone out. We are so worried about you since you know we've never seen you like this." Crow pointed out.

"Should I punch him?" Jack asked out loud.

"No!" Mostly everyone yelled.

"He might have a point though." Kalin crossed his arms in front of him.

Misty lightly hit her boyfriend's shoulder.

"Ow."

"Carly told us about Aki, so you know we came to make you feel better or whatever." Sherry stated.

"I appreciate the effort guys, but I'm fine really."

"Bruno and I were thinking of firing her as our planner." Sherry began.

"No, no don't do that. She's the best in the industry and all that. You guys deserve the best. I promise there won't be any drama it's not like we even dated. We barely knew each other."

"Oh really?" Sherry gave him a pointed look.

"Is that why Blister sent these over?" Bruno held out some certificates, which Yusei quickly snatched.

"Fake real wedding license and certificates? According to them you have been married for about two years now." Carly piped in.

"Yeah, I guess our wedding invitations were lost along the way, huh?" Crow teased.

"Since when do best mates not ask each other to be their best man?" Jack continued.

"Why haven't we meet your loving wife Yusei?" Misty picked up.

"Are you ashamed of us? Is that it?" Kalin continued the onslaught.

"So, you've all seen them I take it?" Yusei sighed.

"Yup, Mr. And Mrs. Fudo. Yusei how far were you thinking of taking this farce?" Sherry asked the obvious.

"Just leave me be. I don't need to hear it." Yusei said rolling up the papers and sticking them in his back pocket.

"Yusei we're just worried man." Jack stated.

"Well, as you all can see I'm doing just fine." Yusei stated in frustration.

"Is-is that why...you just threw your wrench?" Bruno asked nervously.

It wasn't until he watched as his friends visibly took a few steps away from him that he realized what he had just done. He had lost his temper. The wrench he once held tightly in his grip...so tightly that his knuckles turned white, was now laying in front of an indented garage door.

"Um I'm so sorry I-I don't know what came over me." Yusei apologized.

"I think you need a break." Sherry pointed out.

"Y-yeah I think you're right. Sorry guys, but I really do want to be alone for a bit. I-I just need to think through some stuff." Yusei explained before rubbing the back of his neck shamefully.

His friends watched as he visibly slumped and dragged himself out of the garage and into his house, which was too big for a single man to live in. If you were to ask his opinion anyway. Yusei slumped onto his couch face first and groaned.

"You know cher, feeling sorry for yourself isn't going to solve anything."

Sherry's voice echoed throughout his living room and it annoyed him that she was right. He forced himself up and simply took out the certificates from his back pocket. He held them in his hands and just stared. Maybe he should burn them? He should probably call Blister to void or annul their so-called marriage.

"Are you going to tell her?" Sherry asked not really expecting an answer.

"I don't know if I should." Yusei mumbled.

"You have no idea how badly I want to keep these. How badly I want this to be the truth. I know I barely know her, but I want to be selfish for once in my life and take it. I want to make my life with her. Her, probably the only woman who doesn't throw herself at me, and I want her. She's just incredible. She doesn't need anyone to defend her, but, even though she would never admit it, she needs a partner. And I want to be that person. I want to stand by her side and celebrate her accomplishments as her husband." Yusei confessed.

"Then tell her. Fight for her." Sherry insisted.

"I don't think I could stand for her to deny me again. It was painful the first time around."

"Do you need me to talk to her?"

"No. Just leave it alone Sherry." Yusei sighed.

"Should I cancel?"

"No. Not on my account. I promise no wedding drama on my part. I'll behave." Yusei gave her a small smile.

"You're such a sweetheart, Yusei. Anyone would be lucky to have you, mon ami. Now enough of the mushy stuff, yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Good." Sherry gave him one last smile before taking off to join the others.

Yusei stared at the papers in his hands before making up his mind.


Later on...

Aki was exasperated with her parents. She knew that they meant no harm, but they were really starting to get on her nerves. Her mother questioned every single detail and mostly her father was the victim. She questioned everything and then asked her father's opinion hoping he would back her up.

Her father, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with being in the middle of the argument. Aki had all morning and the most she had managed to get done was get a venue for the ceremony and the actual reception...barely. It didn't help that Sherry was avoiding her and Bruno simply gave her the, 'surprise us' response. At least, she managed to get him to send her a guest list.

Aki gave up on asking the bride and groom's opinion, but the only other help she could get would come from the one person she needed to avoid above all...Yusei. Aki took her phone and her planner while she avoided being seen by her mother, who was in the middle of an intense argument about why carnations were the cheap whores of the flower family, with her poor father. Aki left her office and decided to sit cross-legged outside her office door.

She unlocked her phone and went into her contact list. She scrolled over her saved numbers and stopped at the familiar name. She simply stared at it before groaning in frustration. Why couldn't she have the courage to press the call button? What if he answered? What would she say then? Um hi it's the girl that broke your heart, sorry to bother you, but uh I need your help to plan your childhood friend's wedding cause she's totally ghosting me?

"Tough day, huh?" A shadow lingered above Aki, but she was so deep in thought she barely registered the sentences meant for her.

"You have no idea." Aki mumbled back a response not totally paying attention.

"Maybe I can help?"

"Nor unless you know the likes, dislikes, and all-around preferences of a French woman that slightly terrifies and at the same time amazes me." Aki still wasn't really paying the stranger any mind.

"You'd be surprised."

Suddenly the shadow shifted, and Aki felt the stranger's presence besides her.

"Her color scheme should be royal blue and gold. The cake should be French vanilla and chocolate layers alternating with Chantilly, mascarpone cream and fresh fruit."

Aki finally snapped out of her daze and looked at the man sitting beside her. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Hey."

"H-hi. W-what are you...? I mean I thought after you know...that you wouldn't want anything to do with me." Aki stuttered in disbelief.

"Well, I decided that I might have rushed some things, so I wanted to start over. If you want to I mean? as friends..." Yusei trailed off.

"R-really? I-I would like that actually." Aki smiled.

Aki stood up from her spot to face Yusei as he stood.

"B-but I would actually like something more..." Aki trailed off.

Yusei's heart sped up in anticipation.

"Wh-what would you say to be my p-partner? M-my business partner? You know something part time or whatever?" Aki offered.

"What do you say?" Aki held out her hand.

Yusei got up and stood before her and took her hand. He lightly shook it in agreement.

"I would like that."

Aki let out a sigh of relief.

"T-there's actually something I need to show you." Yusei took out a folder and handed it to her.

Aki took it and opened it. She froze as she looked over the folder's contents.

"A-a marriage license and proof of marriage certificate? Did you really do this for me?" Aki gave him a shocked look.

"Are these-"

"Legit? Yeah. Mrs. Fudo."

"W-why would you do this? I mean I'm a stranger and you gave up your marital status for me I don't understand." Aki continued.

"I don't have an answer you want to hear." Yusei responded.

"Are you really okay with playing my pretend husband? What if you fall in love?"

"I already have."

"No seriously-"

"We can get divorced it happens." Yusei proposed.

"I suppose this is my fault. We can figure it out later. Now we can focus on planning this wedding."

"Sounds good to me."

"Oh, um fair warning, my mother, not exactly your biggest fan right now and she and my father are inside. Let me just go talk to them first. Just wait here for a bit, ok?" Aki said.

Yusei stood outside trying to keep himself from eavesdropping. He could hear Aki and her mother arguing and her father trying to keep them calm. A few minutes later, the office door opened, and Aki's parents stepped outside. Aki's mother saw him and gave him a glare.

"You aren't good enough for her. I don't care that your family is top of the social class. Aki can never be with the likes of you-"

"Mother!" Aki interrupted.

"That's enough, honey. Let's go home. Aki is an adult you know." Aki's father guided her mother away towards their limo.

"Young man, do make sure to take good care of our little rose. It's in your best interest to do so." Aki's father said before climbing into his limo.

Then they were gone leaving behind an embarrassed Aki with a nervous Yusei. The tension was thick between the two, but their embarrassment kept the situation awkward.

"S-sorry about my parents. W-we should probably finish up some...things...f-for the wedding I mean." Aki struggled to speak.

"Yeah." Yusei nodded in agreement.

Aki and Yusei went into her office and worked together for the rest of the day.


Aki yawned as she finished sealing the last invitation envelope.

"It's gotten pretty late Aki. We should probably call it a night." Yusei suggested.

Aki nodded.

"Yeah, you're probably right." Aki stood and stretched before stifling another yawn.

"I should call my parents to let them know I will be staying at my place tonight." Aki said.

"Wait." Yusei got up and made his way towards Aki.

As he got closer to her, Aki involuntarily took a few steps back.

"U-um what are you doing?"

"Hold on."

Yusei stood in front of her only a breath away. Aki felt her heart race as she watched Yusei take off his gloves. She gulped as his fingers grazed her cheek. Her face felt warm and she could tell she was obviously blushing. Aki closed her eyes as Yusei's face got closer.

Aki expected...something, but nothing happened. Aki opened her eyes as she felt Yusei step away from her.

"You had a sticker stuck in your hair." Yusei said chuckling.

He moved away and put his gloves back on. Meanwhile, Aki could only watch his back and clutch her fist to her chest. She tried to will her heart to stop racing and her cheeks to cool down.

"Can you get home on your own okay?" Yusei asked.

"Y-yes. My keys are on my desk."

"Okay. I guess I'll see you tomorrow. Unless you want me to stay until you lock up?"

"No. That's okay I need to gather the invitations to send them first thing tomorrow morning." Aki shook her head.

She crouched down to her spot on the floor and began to pick up her finished envelopes.

"I can help." Yusei said as he crouched down beside her.

"No that's okay really." Aki picked up the pace in trying to gather the invitations.

The last envelope and they touched hands. Aki snatched her hand back as if she had been burned. Yusei on the other hand, ignored her reaction and stood up. Aki stood back up before him and he handed her the rest of the envelopes.

"Um thanks. I should close up."

"Sure. Do you need a hand?" Yusei asked.

"N-no I think I got it." Aki shook her head.

She placed the invitations in her bag and grabbed her keys off of her desk. She opened the door to her office and waited as Yusei switched off the lights and stepped outside after her. Aki closed the door behind him and locked it. She turned around to see Yusei standing behind her, waiting.

"Let me walk you to your car."

"I-it really isn't necessary."

"I know, but it'll give me piece of mind. Besides I'm parked next to you, so it's on my way." Yusei explained.

"Fine." Aki gave in.

They walked in awkward silence until they reached her car.

"So tomorrow drop by whenever you get done with your other business. I'll be in a little later since I'll be dropping off the invites first thing." Aki explained.

"Okay sounds like a plan." Yusei agreed.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Aki climbed into her car and turned her engine. She pulled out of the parking space and headed home.


The next few days, both Aki and Yusei worked tirelessly together. They started working well together, but never strayed from keeping their relationship professionally. Yusei was a patient man, but even he was starting to feel antsy with their close quarters and strained relationship. However, every time he tried to stray away from their work conversations, Aki quickly shut him down.

"Hey, Aki."

"Yeah?"

"We pretty much have everything covered and tomorrow is the big day."

"Yup. Finally, I can take a small vacation after this." Aki nodded.

"Yeah, but before you do. We need to talk." Yusei began.

"Yes of course, but we're at the final stretch here and I can't shift my focus now." Aki shut him down again.

"S-sure. Anything you need me to do?"

"Nope. As of right now, you are to be responsible for the best man duties you were assigned. You are now part of the wedding posse and I will be working directly with the bride. Remember tonight is the rehearsal dinner at the reception venue. I'll see you then." Aki said before answering her ringing phone.

Yusei sighed as he watched her hurry off on the other direction.


That night...after the rehearsal dinner...

"Hey. Nice rehearsal dinner. You were right about keeping Aki as our planner." Sherry stated as she walked up to Yusei.

"Yeah."

"You don't seem so happy. I thought you were working with Aki and that you had a partnership going on." Sherry pointed out.

"I don't want to bother you with my drama the night before you're supposed to get hitch." Yusei joked.

"You nervous?" Yusei asked.

"No, not really. I'm excited, but I can't help but worry about you." Sherry said.

"That's nonsense."

"You seem so distant even working alongside her."

"Yeah work is awesome, but she no matter how close we work together, she's kept me at an arms-length. You know we haven't even talked about our marriage thing."

"Well, I can't tell if that's a bad or a good thing." Sherry answered honestly.

Yusei gave her a smile.

"No worries. You need to get some sleep for tomorrow." Yusei placed his hand on her shoulder to reassure her.

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow. I'll be the one in white." Sherry winked.

Yusei waited until everyone else filed out leaving him behind with a busy Aki. She was busy cleaning up their table.

"Hey."

Aki looked up to see Yusei before her. He was dressed in formal wear and Aki felt a blush forming.

"W-what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be getting some rest?"

"I should be asking you the same thing. Why are you doing the clean up?"

"I made the mistake of not hiring a clean-up crew for tonight, but don't worry tomorrow is totally covered." Aki smiled as she moved along the table gathering up the trash left behind.

"So, you're doing this by yourself?"

"Yup it happens. I miss something small and I take care of it. It really isn't a bother. I will be done promptly, so you can go home. Don't worry about me." Aki gave him a smile.

"I want to help." Yusei followed her opening a trash bag behind her.

"Alright. Thanks."

They worked swiftly and silently and were done in no time.

"Thanks. Now I'll just take the bag out back and lock up."

"Nope. I'll do that, and you lock up, so we can walk out together." Yusei said.

"Fine." Aki agreed.

Yusei took out the trash while Aki shut the lights off and locked the doors. She kicked off her heels as she waited for Yusei to show up.

"Alright. Done."

"I'll see you tomorrow then." Aki spoke the last words he had been hearing every day that week and it annoyed him.

"Let me walk you."

"Thanks, but I'll be okay. Ow!" Aki grabbed her foot and felt a wet slippery substance.

"Damn I stepped on a piece of glass." Aki grumbled.

"Here, let me see."

"No. I can get it."

"Seriously. Aki I'm getting sick of this. Let me see."

Yusei picked Aki up and held her in a bridal style embrace. Aki gasped and quickly wrapped her arms around his neck in fear of falling.

"Yusei! Let me down."

"No, I can't see since it is dark out here and I don't want you stepping on your injured foot. I'll carry you to your car and use that light to dig out the piece of glass." Yusei reasoned.

"Fine." Aki grumbled.

Yusei carried her to her car and Aki opened her car door. He placed her on her seat and picked her foot up to his eye level. Aki on the other hand blushed as her dress rose up to her waist. She kept her hands on the fabric in an attempt to cover herself while Yusei was focused on getting the large glass shard out of her foot without it breaking.

Yusei placed his bare hand on her calf to keep her steady and Aki bit her lower lip and tried to fight off the flush threatening to give away her body's reaction. He took the glass out gently and made sure to look over her wound to ensure all the glass was taken out. He stopped the bleeding with his handkerchief and sighed in relief as the blood stopped flowing.

"You'll be fine. Your shots are up to date, right?"

"Mhmm." Aki mumbled.

Yusei looked at her and realized something. Aki was flushed red from the tips of her ears down to her neck. Yusei realized how they were positioned. Aki was trying to keep her dress from going over her hips and Yusei was literally in between her legs. His tanned hand a stark contrast to her creamy fair skin. Then he did the unexpected and placed a small kiss on the calf he was holding causing Aki to shiver.

"All better." he murmured against her skin.

Aki moaned in response. Yusei placed his hands on her waist and picked her up and sat her on the passenger seat and climbed in after her.

"W-what do you think you're doing?" Aki managed a response.

"I'm taking you home." Yusei said before closing the door behind him and turned on the car.

"W-what about your runner?"

"I actually rode here with Jack, so I would have needed a ride anyway." Yusei chuckled.

"So, this was your plan to get me all alone?" Aki asked.

"Not before the wedding but knowing you...you would run off before we could talk." Yusei stated as he pulled out of the parking spot.

"I just need to be focused...and to think some things through first." Aki said.

Aki crossed her arms in front of her and looked out her window paying no attention to Yusei. Yusei was beyond frustrated, so his next actions were out of complete desperation. He pulled over on the side of the empty road surprising Aki. He put the car on park and turned off the engine.

"W-what do you think you're doing?!"

"We're having this talk Aki. You've been avoiding me-"

"Nonsense! We literally work together."

"No, you've been avoiding me as a man. Aki I can't just put my feelings for you aside and especially if we're married. I want to be your husband in every aspect of the word. I want to have a family with you-"

"St-top it."

"No not until you hear me out."

"Y-you don't understand!"

"I love you damnit!" Yusei froze as he saw Aki flinch at his tone of voice.

"A-aki?"

Aki felt the tears fall before she could stop them. She began to sob.

"I-I can't give you what you want." Aki covered her mouth before turning her face away and kept looking outside her window totally shut down.

"I-I just want you, Aki."

"N-no you want a family, which I can't give you. Don't you understand what I'm trying to say to you?" Aki looked over to him.

"i don't understand." Yusei looked at her painfilled eyes.

"I can't have children!" Aki cried out sorrow in each word.

TBC...


Holy crap that was long… and a long wait. Sorry about that. Um cliffhanger I know and I'm sorry. The next chapter will go into Aki's backstory and her struggle and I think that one will be short maybe… then the last chapter and maybe an epilogue dunno yet. Let me just tell you guys i kind of make stuff up as i go. also all of you are awesome and beautiful and mean the world.

-MMXX