CHAPTER 6 revision done!
Sorry if I'm taking so much time. T.T I'm doing it one chapter at a time.
But anyway, it's here so read and enjoy!
Now, they were standing in front of the wide revolving glass doors of the building to meet its owner. The building truly presented itself as the label the country has given the company, "Japan's Greatest", they call it and Mikan was sure that it wasn't an understatement. That scared Mikan, she was sure a lot would probably think that she was after the money or fame but she doesn't need or want any of that. This was a chance for her son to know his father.
"We shouldn't be here." Mikan thought, nervous now as the intimidating structure stands before her. "We should just go back home." She turned around.
"Mommy? Is something wrong?" Natsuki asked, still holding on to her hand.
"Natsuki?" she called out, thinking of how to subtlety cancel the meeting. "Is it fine if we cancel this for today?" Mikan asked, stooping down to reach her son's level.
"But…you said… we could see him." Natsuki was on the verge to tears now. He was too excited and it felt like a rock is crushing all his hope.
Seeing Natsuki's sad face made Mikan felt guilty. She was the only one scared and she just hoped to delay this but she shouldn't be selfish because this concerns a big part of her son's life. "Okay. Okay." Mikan sighed in defeat. "We're going. So don't cry, okay?"
Natsuki smiled and have easily forgotten his short term sadness. "Let's go!" he excitedly said, pulling Mikan to the building.
They went inside the building and truth to be told, Mikan walked with heavy legs. Although she agreed, it still doesn't eliminate the face that she was still scared and nervous coming unannounced.
And she was right, she should have called first. The lady in the reception area told her that they needed to have an appointment with Natsume Hyuuga. She excused herself.
"Natsuki, let's just go next time okay?" she explained, feeling that the water wells were soon coming.
And it did. He started to cry quietly, covering his face with his palms. "I'll try again so stop crying." She told her son who was trying to stop the tears.
"Can you please try again? My name's Mikan Sakura, I think he'll want to see us." Mikan said to the lady. The lady looked at Mikan then Natsuki and seeing the cute little boy in tears obviously worked. The lady directed them to where Natsume's office floor was and told them in advance that she wasn't able to get through and maybe his personal secretary will allow them to see him.
As they arrived at the highest floor where his office was located, they were greeted by a woman in her late 20's, whom Mikan assumed was Natsume's secretary.
"Good morning, ma'm. How can I help you?" she asked politely. "What department are you looking for? I could ask someone to guide you there." Oh. The secretary was assuming that she was lost.
"Umm…We're not really lost." Mikan started, smiling. "I am Mikan Sakura and this is my son. Can we see Mr. Natsume Hyuuga?"
"I am so sorry, ma'm but he told me that he doesn't want to see anyone. And an appointment is usually required to see him." She explained, still polite as ever. "He has been quite in a bad mood for the past days, really and unannounced visits might just blow him up." She said the last line like a whisper.
Mikan understood and didn't want to push more since she didn't want the nice secretary to get fired because of her persistence. Mikan said her thanks and went to her son who was so busy exploring the room, jumping from one seat to another.
"Natsuki?" Mikan called. Her son looked at her straight in the eye. "The secretary said that we can't see him, for now." Mikan explained.
"But why? We're already here." Natsuki cried.
"Maybe his busy and we can't force to see him." Mikan tried to reason with the little boy.
"Ask again. Ask again." Natsuki pouted, acting like a spoiled child.
"Fine. But only once." She told him, specifically pointing out the only once.
Natsuki nodded directly, hopeful.
Mikan approached the secretary again. "Excuse me. I know you already said we can't see him and I don't really want to cause any trouble for you but can you please ask Mr. Hyuuga? Please?" she pleaded. "Just say that it's Mikan Sakura."
"But…" the secretary hesitated but when she looked at Natsuki with his beaming face, she changed her mind. "Alright. I'll give it a try."
She dialed a number in the telephone. Mikan just waited patiently, watching her. In less than a minute, she placed the phone down and gave Mikan and Natsuki a thumbs up. She stood up. "Follow me."
"She walks so gracefully and she pretty too." Mikan observed, following behind, momentarily forgetting her anxiety.
They went inside the office, the CEO's office. It was well-decorated and neat. He had collections of awards, plaques and miniature-cars. Perfect for an office. Very Natsume Hyuuga.
"Hyuuga-sama, they're here." She announced.
Natsuki was quiet once they were inside. His eyes were busy going from shelf to shelf, to the floor, walls and ceiling. He was fascinated by the fanciness the room eluded.
"Leave us alone." Natsume spoke, gaining Natsuki's attention.
When the secretary was about to leave, Mikan thanked her softly and the secretary graciously smiled in return. She then left without another word.
There was a few seconds of awkward silence until Natsuki spoke out loud. "You are Uncle Ruka's bestfriend, right?" he asked, too close to Natsume, closely observing his father's face.
Natsume was stunned by the little boy's action and he can't help but noticed the similarities. "He looks a lot like me. Especially the hair and the eyes." He thought as he stared back at the curious boy.
"Natsuki, come back here. That was so impolite." Mikan said giving her son a stern look.
Natsuki hurriedly went back to his mother's side.
"Hyuuga, I'm sorry about that. He can really be so rude at times." She apologized. "Sorry too, for the sudden visit. It is just that, that this little boy wanted to see you." Mikan rumbled on.
"So? He knows?"
Before Mikan could even respond, Natsuki did the honor of telling him the answer. "Mommy told me that you are my father. I am so happy." Natsuki said with a wide smile, staring with his wide eyes.
"Natsuki" Mikan called his attention again. "What did I say about interrupting on an adult's conversation?" she raised an eyebrow. Then turned back to Natsume with her face serious and all. "Don't worry, Hyuuga. I am not asking or after anything from you. He just wanted to see you, that's all." Mikan said, before Natsume can say anything that might crush the little boy's joy.
She just stood there with Natsuki beside her. Natsume didn't say anything except he stood up and gave Mikan a glance asking for permission.
Mikan was startled with his sudden action.
Natsume approached his son and bent down to Natsuki's level. He looked at him. He simply just looked at him without saying anything. He was trying to see clearly how much of the 3 years he had missed. Natsuki flashed Natsume with a smile and he reached out slowly, touching Natsume's face. He smiled again, much wider now.
"You are really my daddy." Natsuki affirmed and hugged him directly. Natsume couldn't do anything but hug his son back.
Mikan just stood there, watching them both in their father and son moment. She was in total awe. She couldn't move. The scene before her was too touching that she got teary eyed from the scene before her. "I totally didn't expect this but I am happy that we visited." Mikan smiled to herself.
Mikan sat down right across where Natsuki and Natsume was talking. "Mommy! Mommy! Daddy is going to treat us to an ice cream." Natsuki said happily.
"Natsuki" was all Mikan could say. Reminding him again with a look to behave.
But that didn't seem to faze her son because Natsuki just pulled her hand. "Let's go."
Natsume and Mikan didn't talk much still. It was always Natsuki who was breaking the silence and talking. They went to a nearby playground where Natsuki played, leaving Natsume and Mikan, alone.
"Hyuuga, I am really sorry about Natsuki calling you daddy so comfortably and suddenly visiting you. You may have some suspicions of why we suddenly visited but I assure you none of…." Mikan said not really thinking of what she was saying.
"Its fine, Mikan. And call me by my first name just like you used to." Natsume said cutting Mikan off. "This is really an advantage, you know. We can clear some things up." Natsume added.
"Hyuuga, I have a favor to ask. Don't make Natsuki too eager about you being his father. He might get hurt."
"We still haven't started and yet, it is like you are asking me to stay away from him." Feeling a little hurt at how Mikan thought so lowly of him.
"It is not like that." She regretted what she said, she didn't mean it that way. "It's just that he was looking forward to meeting you and children can have these crazy expectations."
"Expectations? What did you expect from me then?" Natsume queried.
"From you?" she fell silent for a while, thinking. "Maybe just don't disappoint him."
"How can I not disappoint him then?" he asks again.
"Now that he knows, he expects you to act like his father. And don't disappear so he can always have a father? I guess." Mikan just said, without really thinking how the statement appeared to have a double meaning.
"Then, how about we settle it? So Natsuki will always have a father." Natsume said.
Mikan shot him a questioning look.
"Marry me, Mikan."
How was it? What did you think about Natsume proposal? If it were you, would you say yes? HAHA. Because I would! HAHA.]
Anyway, don't forget to review to inspire me to update quicker so please? Thank you for all who read my story. Love you all!
-ECO
