Chapter 12: Tryst in the Tavern
"It's nearing 1800 hours. Have dinner with me," he says as he pulls out of the school parking lot.
I nod to his command and ask, "Do you think anyone has ever seen us leave the school together?"
"In case you haven't noticed, my car is always the only one left on campus save for those of the janitors. I'm sure they are more interested in their own affairs."
He speeds up on the on ramp and merges into the freeway. In contrast to my stiff posture when I first sat in his car, I stretch out my legs and lean my head against the window. My fingers trace the stitches that hold the leather seat together, and with nothing to talk about I focus on the effects of the myosotine. I bring into light different memories; still fascinated over the absolute rule I wield over the control panel in my mind. These images cannot play on their own accord. The auto-play switch is duct taped off allowing me to pause, stop, rewind, fast forward, and repeat with anesthetized emotions.
I will the images to move in my head and cautiously move from fabricated memories to ones I sealed away brick by brick. Every true vision—no matter if it was pleasant or distressing—makes me feel sadness in the end. I can only tell because I feel it strike at the protective shield making it crack then crumble and prick at my heart. I slowly regain feelings, and use what is left of the myosotine's strength to stop the playback. I bring my focus to the present: in Sesshomaru's car with him and heading somewhere for dinner, together. It is just the two of us.
By the time I start to feel giddy he parallel parks between two muscle cars from the United States.
"Take off your uniform."
"What?" I ask dumbfounded.
"Your school uniform blazer. Take it off," he pauses and smirks at my stunned expression, "and wear this."
He holds out his coat. I mentally face-palm as I realize that I am still in school uniform and about to grab dinner with my teacher. I look down to hide my burning cheeks as I slip off my blazer and pull on his coat. He quietly chuckles at my refusal to look at him while I turn and face the door.
"I'll get the door for you," he says to me when I reach for the handle.
I pull my hand back and watch him exit and round the car to the passenger side. He opens the door offering me his hand to help me out. I look at it inquisitively before finally placing my hand in his when he raises his eyebrows at me. The last stand of myosotine is defeated when a melting pot of emotions hit me because he does not release my hand once I am out. The emotions escalate when his grip tightens at my struggle to unclasp our palms. I just let it be as he leads me down the sidewalk and into a quiet tavern.
Although the place is nearly full with people the noise level remains low. The hostess from the station at the left of the door leads us to a booth in the back of the room when Sesshomaru asks for a private spot. I slide into the seat across from him and look out on the tavern. The walls are painted a deep brown color to give the place a dim but cozy feeling. Small lights are aimed at places of interest such as tables and pictures. Behind the bar is a wall of various liquors that are evenly spaced atop glass shelves and illuminated from behind by a glowing yellow panel. A waitress comes to take our order smiling brightly at Sesshomaru and looking upon me with resentment. I give her an honest smile in return acting oblivious to her hateful eyes. I pray that my kindness gives her a reason to not sneeze on my salad and stick her tongue in my water after she leaves.
"From here I can tell if she will sabotage your dinner," Sesshomaru coolly responds after reading my mind.
"But would you tell me, I wonder."
"It wounds me that you think I would be so dishonorable."
"I'm sure it does. It's written all over your face."
"I see that your medicine has worn off."
"I see that you're back to playing this game."
I finally manage to look him in the eyes with raw hurt in my own. He looks at me impassively, and just when he opens his mouth to speak the waitress comes back with our drinks.
"Water for the lady, and Syrah for the gentleman."
Much to her displeasure, Sesshomaru ignores her and continues to stare at me. I kindly thank her for the drinks, and she finally softens a little bit for me. "Yes, I am dealing with an asshole. Can you have him? No, he's my asshole." She leaves after telling us our food will be done in a moment, and then I turn my attention back to Asshole-sensei.
"So, Asshole-sensei," my eyes briefly widen when that comes out. "Good job, Mind-to-Mouth Filter."
His eyebrows rise in amusement, and one corner of his mouth quirks up signaling for me to continue. I clear my throat and fold my hands over the table, "What are your intention with me?"
He takes a sip of his wine without taking his eyes off me before responding, "My intentions?"
"Yes, what are your intentions with me this time?"
"This time?"
I roll my eyes at his mock innocence before looking back at him, "Unlike many girls my age, I refuse to play games. It is a waste of my time, and you can never know when you will run out…" I trail off. "So if you will accompany me to the point that would be great."
"Uematsu, you are a diamond among rhinestones."
"And you are a thorn at my side as of right now. Do you want anything to do with me, or are you just bored waiting for someone more interesting to come along? I can't predict what you are going to do next, and it's like I'm blindfolded in a dicey tango with you; stuck to follow as you lead on. Don't give me that blank stare like you have no clue what I am talking about. First, you stalk me. Then, you tease me. After, you take me out. Next, you blow me off. Finally, you ignore me. And now you're back to being tender with me. It's like a cycle minus the stalking. Unless, you have been following me around which I wouldn't put below you."
I bite my lip once I finish my rant.
"Don't cry, Uematsu. This is nothing to be sad about."
"My eyes aren't watering because I'm sad! They're watering because I'm frustrated!" I blink away my frustrated tears. "Or are you being like this now because of my Doctor's orders?"
It is a small thought, but I am worried that he is acting like this because Yuzuki-sama said something to enforce it. The timing does fit, however.
He sighs before answering, "Your therapist did say that she noticed you relax during one of your episodes when I held you in my arms. She asked if there was anything going on between us after promising to not report it. Yuzuki-sama must care about you a great deal to put your well being before moral standards. I didn't tell her that we've seen each other a few times outside of school. I've led her to believe that you've grown comfortable around me for being the teacher of your favorite subject."
"She's very cunning. There's actually a 96% chance that she saw right through you. She is a therapist after all; reading people like headlines is what she has doctorates in."
"I can be very convincing."
"I've figured that out," I spit back.
We engage in a tense glaring contest that is finally broken when the waitress arrives with our food. Sesshomaru does not move a muscle, but I turn to thank her. She smiles back to me, and I know that I have won her over. After she leaves, I turn my attention back to the angry version of Michelangelo's David. I square my shoulders and prepare to fire more bouts of fury.
"I cannot fathom why you are so upset," he begins before I could. "You gave me your answer after I took you out to dinner. You rejected me and then you sought my attention. You claim that you refuse to play games."
"I wasn't playing a game. I needed a moment to cool off after you pissed me off. It was our first date and you decided to move too fast after being an asshole after dinner."
"Heh," he chuckles more to himself with his eyes closed. "I was angry because I felt jealous towards my associate. You just met him that evening and he got to kiss you before I did. It may have just been on your hand, but regardless his lips touched your skin before mine." He slowly opens his eyes to look at me. "Jealousy is a petty emotion that I haven't felt since I was a boy, and no woman has ever made me jealous before. I made a rash decision in order to put myself at ease."
I cannot help myself but feel giddy that I am able to spark jealousy in him; a feat that no other woman has accomplished. I look down and draw my lips between my teeth to stifle a grin. Regaining control over myself, I look back up at him with my lips pursed. I stir my water with the black straw as I figure out how to word my next question.
"Well, that sheds light on one thing, but why didn't you come over that day?"
He releases a sigh before taking another sip of his wine. Finally, he answers: "There was plenty riding on that evening; a challenge that I was ready to rise up to. I planned on sweeping you off your feet like a gentleman, and going at your pace this time. I made arrangements with people I know at the Museum of Art and Science to have the place open late for just the two of us. When I saw you there months ago you picked specific areas to spend time in, but you still seemed rushed. It was evident that there was so much more you wished to see. I wanted to grant that wish for you, and we would've headed there after dinner. Unfortunately, I ran into trouble upon leaving my place…"
"What happened?" I ask eager to know the cause of ruin to what would have been a perfect night.
"My ex broke into my building. She threatened to expose you and I if I didn't take her back."
It takes a moment (and a few flutters of my eyelids) to finally understand what he just said.
"But… How does she know?"
Hello!
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter as much as I loved writing it! At 5 in the morning... Over one cup of coffee... On four hours of sleep... Haha, just kidding! I truly enjoyed writing this one even though the former is 100% true.
Special thanks to Kitty Nikole for being the first to review! This chapter is dedicated to you, my friend! :)
Be well!