Updated 12th July 2005 AN: Finally got off my lazy ass and replied the last set of comments for chapt 15! Pls scroll to the end … …
Author's Note: I have to confess I don't even dare to look at the date when I last updated. I am sooooooooo soooooooo sorry and I really, really am sooooooooo thankful to all of you loyal readers out there who have generously withheld any word of reproach, which is admittedly well and truly deserved. The only thing I could do to repay your kind and constantly encouraging comments is to write a longer chapter than usual. I took the opportunity of writing this story when I caught a cold under the pretext that I should naturally be less productive with a mild flu (which is not true of course ;) ! But it is a good excuse for taking a break and writing a new chapter though!).
As always, I need to thank all my wonderful reviewers for your kind reviews, for your patience and understanding. I have read every single review carefully and taken them to heart. As I am anxious to get this chapter out as soon as possible, please forgive my tardiness again and to my dear reviewers – thank you more than I can say :
X-Zai, swtangel, Ming-Chan (thanks sooo much for your kind review! I can't tell you how motivating it was …), polabear, Lian, just a teen, I-Smiles-U, sonydjsnmix, Zen Nat (wow, thanks again for all your thoughts!), mike, kimmers11, .: Stacey :. (it was soooo heartwarming to see your review, thanks for sticking with me for the ride J !), Sunigirl (thanks!), kensingtonkid (so good to see you!), sweetpeakit (oh dear, is the plot too disappointing? J), KyouFan17, curdled-milk (You totally made my day – if my stories were half as though provoking and interesting as your comments, I would be one happy camper. Thanks so much!), Thread-Spool (thanks so much for all your comments! I really enjoyed reading them!), Dangerously Sweet.
I really hope I didn't miss anyone out and thank you so much for all the encouragement. I deeply appreciate all your comments and I hope you enjoy this new chapter!
88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Rui (with his lip curling in disdain): So what is all this pretense about being ill?
Sheen (purposely sniffing and coughing loudly): What do you mean "pretense"? I am sick.
Rui (rolling eyes): Yes, you are so sick that you can bounce around and whip out new chapters that you have been putting off for months? (arches an eyebrow) Yeah, a real farce of being sick.
Sheen (to herself): Darn, and I thought I was alone when I did all that aerobics.
8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Recap of story to date:
Tsukushi's parents died in a car accident and she was left to bring up her younger brother who was diagnosed with kidney problems. She bumps into Rui (a gigolo) and Tsukasa. She has certain feelings for the former but is blissfully unaware of his profession. On the other hand, Tsukasa is attracted to the feisty Tsukushi and hires her as his personal assistant after taking over the firm she works in. Tragedy strikes when Tsukushi is informed that her brother's illness is terminal and there is a need for an expensive kidney transplant. Because of financial difficulties, Tsukushi is forced to moonlight as a dancer in a club. Part of her duties, unfortunately, includes entertaining VIPs.
Both Rui and Tsukasa discover Tsukushi's part-time job and react differently, the former with sympathy whilst the latter becomes jealously. As events unfold, the truth about Rui's profession comes to light and his tragic past is revealed to Tsukushi, however, this only serves to make their relationship closer. In time, his façade cracks and he expresses his more than brotherly feelings for Tsukushi, but tells her that they can never be.
On the other hand, a series of events lead to Tsukasa misunderstanding the nature of Tsukushi's role in entertaining the clients and she becomes subject to his fits of jealously. In the meantime, Tsukasa also finds out that one of his best friends – Soujirou is having an affair with a gigolo (Akira) whom he claims to be in love with. He is also pressured into continuing a loveless marriage with Shigeru in order to support the merger of their parents' businesses. His misunderstanding worsens when he rescues Tsukushi from being propositioned by a "prospective client".
Last chapter:
After "rescuing" Tsukushi from the client, a furious Tsukasa drives her to his estate. After an internal struggle, he cracks and offers Tsukushi an indecent proposal to be his mistress as a solution to both their problems – her need for money and his obsession with her. Tsukushi is left to make her final decision and as he waits for her, Tsukasa finally calls his mother and consents to an "announcement" being made … …
88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Chapter 15 – Lost
A polite knock on the door sent Tsukushi to her feet as her heart was instantly filled with dread. However, the door swung open only to reveal the elderly butler.
"Ms Makino, I believe it's almost time for your appointment with Mr Doumyouji. I will bring you to him if you would please follow me." He bowed slightly and held the door open for her as she nodded and stepped past him into the corridor. She had to suppress the sudden urge to burst into hysterical laughter at his unfailingly polite and formal manner when he closed the door quietly behind her, his body still bent in the slight bow.
Tsukushi wondered wildly for a moment if this dignified old gentleman knew of the manner of "business" that his young master was intending to conduct with her, and whether his almost solicitous treatment of her would change if he did. With a mental shake of her head, she dispelled that naïve thought immediately. It was impossible that an incredibly wealthy businessman of Tsukasa's standing would not have at least a dozen mistresses tucked away in all corners of the world. However, she had to admire his ability to be discreet about his numerous affairs and maintain a low profile in spite of the relentless paparazzi.
She realised that she was trying hard not to think about what was to come as their footsteps echoed hollowly in the empty passageway. However, with every faltering step, her heart grew steadily heavier. It only seemed all too soon when she found herself standing in front of the increasingly familiar oak door. The old man knocked politely twice on the door before pulling it open and announcing, "Ms Makino is here, sir."
There was a pause before Tsukasa's deep voice growled, "send her in. I'll ring when I need you."
"Yes, sir."
Before Tsukushi knew what had happened, she was gently but firmly pushed into the room. Her knees were shaking and her heart was thudding violently against her ribs as she kept keep her head lowered and her eyes firmly fixed on the intricate design of the carpet. There was a terse silence in the room.
"Your decision." Tsukushi almost leapt out of her skin when Tsukasa's deep baritone came from the spot right next to her. In her distracted state, she had not observed him slowly making his way to her. Her head jerked up and her heart almost stilled when they met his dark gaze in a carefully maintained poker face. She swallowed nervously as her throat suddenly went dry.
"I … I have a …" Her trembling lips formed the words, but only a few unintelligible sounds escaped from her throat.
"I do not lip read," his expression was now almost bored as he turned away and poured himself another brandy and started sipping it slowly, as if he did not have a single care in the world. His blasé attitude brought on a rush of anger and Dutch courage that succeeded in loosening her tongue.
"I have a request," much to Tsukushi's relief her voice was actually steady. To her anger and utter humiliation, Tsukasa's upper lip curled in disdain as he raised a single sardonic eyebrow.
"So, what do you want?" Tsukasa drawled out as his body seemed to relax. "No wait," he stopped her before she could speak as he pulled out a document that he had hastily amended during his wait. "Let me tell you first what I have prepared for you in case our requests coincide." He proceeded to list the accommodations that he would be providing for her and her brother, the hired help, the cars, the generous allowance and an almost unlimited credit at a large number of stores. He observed her heightened colour and a most suspicious moisture in her eyes at the end of his speech. He figured that she was probably overwhelmed by his generosity.
Tsukushi clenched her hand into fits and tried not to erupt as the self-satisfied bastard continued listing the assets that he will be paying her for her services. Humiliation was burning through her entire being and she only endured the ordeal by focusing on the thought that this was the only way to save her brother. She wanted to sink through the floor with shame when she realised that her request still had to be made. After a couple of attempts, she managed to say in a rather strangled voice, "that is most generous of you. However, I'm afraid I need a rather large sum of money upfront. You can deduct it subsequently from my allowance."
"How much do you need?" His eyebrows rose at the sum of money that was mentioned. Tsukushi's heart was in her throat and there was an almost pleading look in her eyes as she stared at him, waiting for his response.
It was considerable amount although definitely well within his means, and it was not considered unreasonable in such cases to be asked for a large sum upfront prior to the provision of any services. However, Tsukasa could not help but feel a sharp pang of bitter disappointment and an emotion akin to disgust that for all her apparent innocence, Tsukushi was no better than one of the common streetwalkers in striking a hard bargain for her body. He caught the unspoken plea in her eyes and silently pulled out his cheque book and a pen. Within moments he was done.
"I also have some requests," he said as he tore out the cheque and replaced his cheque book. "This arrangement will continue until there is mutual consent to terminate. And remember that you have willingly consented to this and will keep to your side of the bargain." At her nod, he added two lines to the document and rang the bell for his butler.
"You will read this document in his presence and you will sign here," Tsukasa pointed to a space under his signature. "You can start reading now."
With trembling fingers, Tsukushi accepted the pen from Tsukasa and tried to concentrate on the words that were swimming before her eyes. She gathered that the gist of the document referred to her being a "paid companion" to Tsukasa, her willingness to undertake her duties, her remuneration and benefits which had been outlined by Tsukasa, and the last termination condition that Tsukasa had added. Her hand was shaking so badly that she barely managed to sign on the dotted line. Then the pen was whisked from her fingers and the butler was signing the document as a witness. A copy of the contract and the cheque was placed in her hands. She found herself staring wide eyed at the sum written clearly on the cheque numbly. She had achieved her goal at last, but at what price?
"You may return to your quarters, I will not need your services for the rest of the night." She raised her head in disbelief only to see the retreating back of the butler and realise with a sinking heart that Tsukasa had not been speaking to her. She stiffened as two large hands landed on her shoulders and she was pulled back against a hard chest. She froze when one hand lifted her hair from the nape of her neck and a pair of warm lips started nuzzling the back of her neck. After a few moments, there was a muffled curse before the lips and hard presence behind her were abruptly removed.
"Can you relax for goodness sake?" She jumped at the frustration in Tsukasa's voice. He swore again when he saw how jittery she was. He strode to his bar and poured another glass of brandy.
"Drink this," he commanded as he placed the glass against Tsukushi's lips. Ignoring her grimace at the medicinal taste, he forced her to swallow its contents. The fiery liquid burned a path down her gullet, leaving a pleasant warmth in its trail. Without any further words, Tsukasa took her hand and pulled her out of the room down another corridor.
He opened another of the nondescript doors after they climbed two set of stairs and Tsukushi found herself in a huge room that was evidently his bedroom. There was a huge desk at one corner of the room, a huge TV and stereo set, and a couch. However, her attention was fixed on the huge king-size bed in the middle of the room with what looked like satin sheets of a dark colour that was difficult to distinguish in the dim lighting. Her heart started racing as she stared at the bed, the dreamlike quality of the night's events suddenly becoming all too real. As she stood there motionless, something silky was suddenly thrust into her hands and she was pushed towards another door.
"This is the bathroom. I expect you would want to change into something more comfortable. If you take more than ten minutes, I'm coming in to get you," Tsukasa left with the parting shot and Tsukushi found herself standing in the most luxurious bathroom she had even seen in her life. There was even a spa and a mirror span the entire length of one wall.
Looking down, her hands started shaking when she realised that she was holding onto a piece of lacy lingerie and a miniscule throng. Almost on autopilot, Tsukushi started washing up and brushing her hair and teeth. She debated on putting on any makeup and simply sprayed a bit of perfume before slipping into the little scrap of material that clung to her almost non-existent curves and barely managed to cover up anything vital. With a sigh of relief, she pulled on the huge bathrobe that she found behind the door. Barely managing to hold back hysterical laughter, she looked at the comic pale faced girl who was almost buried in the bulky bathrobe that trailed behind her like a cape when she moved. She carefully folded her clothes and left them on a shelf together with her purse that contained the precious cheque and contract. Realising that she was simply procrastinating, she decided that it was time to face the music before Tsukasa got too impatient and made good his threat of coming in for her. Tsukushi took in a deep breath and kept her mind carefully blank as she opened the door and stepped out on knees that felt as though they would be giving way any moment.
He was leaning against the bar with his shirt unbuttoned all the way down his chest, pouring champagne from an opened bottle into two wine glasses. At the sound of the opening door, his head shot up and Tsukushi sucked in a sudden breath at the hunger in his eyes as they fell on her. For a moment they widened in surprise as he took in her attire before his mouth twisted in wry amusement.
"Thwarted at every single attempt," there was a trace of humour in his voice as he toasted her mockingly, "only you Tuskushi have been able to achieve that … Come here." There last words were spoken with an authority that she did not dare defy.
"Have a drink with me," he handed her one of the glasses and she took a sip. It was surprisingly sweet and tasted delicious. Unaware of its potency she drank it all up. He refilled her glass and she emptied it again before putting it down. The alcohol hit her bloodstream as her head grew heavy and her sense dulled. This time, she almost did not register his hands untying her bathrobe and pushing it off her shoulders.
She heard his sharp intake of breath and looked up to see his eyes darkening with a certain emotion that sent shivers down her spine as they devoured her creamy white flesh that was barely covered by the red lace. Before her sluggish body had time to react, she was crushed against him in an iron-like grip and his lips were on hers, firmly moulding the contours of her lips to his. The shock of the sudden intimate contact and the hardness that pressed insistently against her stomach was enough to sober her up. He took advantage of her startled gasp to slip his tongue between her parted lips to taste her – she tasted of the sweet champagne that they had just drank. His hands gradually grew more unruly and as he begin to explore her body. His mouth had moved down her jaw and he was nuzzling her neck when one of his hands slid up her stomach and closed daringly over her barely covered breast. Although he felt her jerk, he continued to stroke the soft flesh as his thumb rubbed repeatedly against the hardening nipple, whilst the other anchored her hips firmly to his as he ground against her. A lazy, satisfied smile appeared on his lips as he looked at her dazed expression.
With another tender yet demanding kiss, he commanded, "say you love me, sweetheart." Those words were like a splash of cold water and succeeded in partially dispelling the sexual haze that Tsukasa had woven around Tsukushi. He felt her entire body tensing at his request. With a slight frown, Tsukasa pulled back a little to observe Tsukushi better before he repeated in a harsher tone, "say you love me."
This was not part of the bargain, her brain was screaming in protest. You demanded for my loyalty and for my body, but you never demanded for my heart. I would not have agreed otherwise, could not have agreed otherwise. It would completely destroy me if I loved you but you only lusted after me. Her lips parted but she could not force the lie out as a beloved face came to mind.
Tsukasa looked at Tsukushi as she remained silent, refusing to say those words that he longed so much to hear from her. For a moment, there was panic on her face, then her thoughts seemed to turn inward and the panic was replaced by a gentle look in her eyes. His face hardened and the almost tender light in his eyes disappeared as his gaze turned glacier. Jealousy burned like acid through his veins when he realised that she was probably thinking of another of her lovers. For the first time that night, he was rough with her as he grabbed her chin forcefully and turned her face to his. Her eyes widened in shock as she was rudely awaken from her daydreams.
"I don't care how many lovers you have brought to your bed previously," he lied through gritted teeth, ignoring her suddenly look of shock and outrage. "However, in future there will only be me. And I will make sure you do not forget that it is me who is in your bed." Her blood turned to ice at the dangerous tone in his voice and the glitter in his eyes as he reached for her. There was a sound of tearing fabric followed by a loud snap and her lingerie was suddenly on the floor in two pieces, together with the small scrap of material that passed for a throng. Her startled cry was muffled by his lips and she tried to frantically cover her nude body as he picked her up easily and dropped her onto the bed. She scrambled to pull the covers over herself as he quickly shrugged off his clothes before climbing onto the bed. Within moments, he had flung the covers off and she shrank before the predatory gleam in his eyes. Before she had time to blink, she found herself held tightly against a hard masculine body as his mouth ravished hers and he gradually acquainted himself with every inch of her body … …
In his semi-conscious state he realised that there was something different this morning before his eyes flew open and he came awake with a jolt. His brows furrowed when he observed the dim light that was filtering through the window and glanced at the clock. It was already 6am. For a moment he wondered why his alarm did not go off at the usual 5.30am and why his body was aching slightly as it usually did after a good workout, then he realised that there was something or rather someone in bed with him. Glancing down, his eyes softened when he spotted the slight figure huddled under the covers that he had pulled over them before finally falling asleep after the last passionate clinch. Dark brown shoulder length hair lay tousled on his pillows and one corner of the covers had slid down, exposing a slender white shoulder and part of her bare back. Bending down, he placed a light kiss on the smooth skin, not realising how telling the tender gesture was, before quietly slipping from the bed and replacing the covers over her. The movement brought him near her face and he could see traces of dried tears on the cheek that was facing him. His heart clenched painfully and he hesitated for an instance before hardening his heart as he stood up resolutely and walked into the bathroom.
He strode over to the porcelain bowl to relieve his aching bladder, pondering over the mystery of her tears and wondering if he had been overly rough with her after all … … his thoughts were interrupted when he looked down and noticed the reddish brown stains on himself that looked strangely like dried blood. One of them came off his body when he touched it and he brought it closer to his face. The coppery smell of blood was faint but still distinct. He watched the brown stain dissolve into a reddish stain when he wiped his finger on a damp towel. It was blood. Given the part of him that was stained with blood that was obviously not his, it could only mean one of three things – that Tsukushi was having her period (which he discounted immediately knowing that it was not true), that he had hurt her very badly (which he also discounted knowing that he had been eager but not that rough), or that she had been a virgin … …
His entire thought process screeched to a sudden halt as the single thought hit him as he tried but failed to reconcile this new evidence of Tsukushi's innocence with the last image he had of her – still skimpily clad in her revealing costume as the oily bastard tried to proposition her. When his mind finally started functioning again, thoughts and memories from last night raced furiously through his head, trying to make up for the temporary shutdown … the way she had instinctively shrank away at first from his touches almost in spite of herself … the tension in her body when his lips and hands covered her chest … the way she jerked and a startled cry escaped from her lips when his hand boldly moved down her stomach and finally caressed her intimately … … He realised that what he had deemed in his blind prejudice to be subsequently eager responses to his advances had been the uncontrollable, instinctive reactions of a totally unschooled innocent at being touched for the very first time.
With a groan, he sank down onto the toilet seat as he held his head in his hands, remembering the straightforward manner with which he had gone about to seduce and arouse her, not holding anything back and expecting her body to quickly response to the usual stimulus. The poor girl had probably been overwhelmed by the sensations and being treated in such an efficient manner. He winced as he recalled his initial enthusiasm when he first plunged into heaven. She had been so hot and so tight … so exquisitely tight … the wavering cry that was torn from her lips and the way her back arched as her hips bucked helplessly against his as he rocked against her … He had thought that she was experiencing the same pleasure, only to realise now with dawning horror that it had to be intense pain. He had been so gone that nothing else had registered with him and he had not realised that it was her first time. And then he had taken her again and again, wrung cry after cry from her helpless body until she finally shuddered violently in his arms and then practically fallen unconscious … …
Tsukasa felt himself turning cold with horror when he went further back down memory lane and recalled the insults that he had thrown at her. "… …I have a proposition for you. I want you. Exclusively. You will stop working at the Den and you will stop seeing those men. You will only have one client in future – myself … …" "Of course I will pay you well. Why sell yourself for a miserly $20,000?" "I don't care how many lovers you have brought to your bed previously … However, in future there will only be me. And I will make sure you do not forget that it is me who is in your bed … …"
All the time she had been innocent. He had tainted that innocence, forcing her to sleep with a married man. He had not thought that it would matter to her then, but now he realised that she would probably hate him if she knew. Yet his mind reminded him that he did not really force her – she came with a price. However, why did she agree to sleep with him for money? It went against everything he had known of her before the so-called hard facts after which he had rationally convinced himself that he had been totally mistaken about her. Finding the atmosphere suddenly extremely oppressive, Tsukasa showered as quickly as he could, threw on a new suit and left the house, eager to find some answers. Reaching for his phone as soon as he stepped into his car, he dialled a familiar number.
"What may I do for you, Mr Doumyouji?"
"I need you to find out something for me. Why would she possibly be in need of a huge sum of money?"
The other party understood his strange request immediately, "I call you back as soon as I have the answer." The phone was disconnected and Tsukasa drove distractedly to his office, not knowing what to think or what to hope for.
88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Dangerously Sweet: Thanks so much for your encouragement and I'm really glad you like this story!
Thread-Spool: Wow, thanks so much for leaving so many comments for the different chapters. Let me proceed to answer them.
7 and 9 – glad you enjoyed the yaoi! I guess the manga always has Soujirou and Akira fooling around and teasing couples by pretending to act like them. I was just thinking – how if they were both sexually repressed and this was the only way that they could indulge in … er hm … their fantasies? ;)
10 – When you mentioned about the chapters getting shorter and shorter, I tried to go back to check the length of each chapter, but I actually didn't know how to manoeuvre my way around the "new" log in. However, from memory, I think it was getting gradually longer?
11-15 – Ah I can see the Doumyouji-fan in your surfacing ;)! Wonder how you will take the T&T combination in this chapter then? I guess that's always a question lurking in everyone's mind. Will the prudish and exceptionally moral Tsukushi succumb and take the easy way out? To me (or at least I tried to hopefully portray this in the story as well) this is not the easy way out for Tsukushi. This is the only way out … …
kensingtonkid:Thanks so much for this incredibly long and heartwarming review ! Extremely sad and emotional? Wow thanks so much – I guess that was the overall effect I was trying to achieve especially in POV ! What if Rui's life did not fall apart? I would think he would probably be a lot more like Tsukasa and Soujirou, unless he had the guts to break away from his family business and become a musician. That thought is worth contemplating. Perhaps another story in future ;)? Just kidding – I think it'll be great if I could finish this asap!
Curdled-milk: I actually took some time off to carefully reread all your comments and to ponder over them. Your insight (which is obvious in all your stories) again takes the cake. I find it really humbling to see someone who writes as brilliantly as you taking notice of this … …
11 – the tormented Rui – I think it's my bias that makes me want to torment him and make everyone feel sorry for him. Like you say – bully the strong and silent type (although I agree that he's not exactly THAT strong or silent in the manga). I guess looking at all 4 boys, Rui does fit in the role of a tragic figure more easily than Tsukasa, and he appears to be more interested in Tsukushi than either of the two playboys. Or perhaps because he is meant to be a musician, he just comes across as being more sensitive and the type to fall into a deep depression. Again, my bully instincts kicking in – no point in making miserable people who would just quickly recover and brush the moment aside or continuously put a brave face to it (e.g. Soujirou and Akira).
12 – I find in life that some of the worst times are when you suddenly find yourself in the most compromising situations and the only way to get out of it is if others would simply trust you blindly based on what they know of you. And it's amazing how small misunderstandings would strangely keep happening with specific people, making them cumulatively difficult to resolve. Taken as separate incidents, they are really not worth mentioning, yet together they can create a totally different picture from reality.
13 – As you highlighted I find that human beings inherently have doubled standards. Or perhaps, it would be unfair to classify it as such. How can one person react to two different people in exactly the same way when circumstances can never be the same? Yes, the scenario may be similar, but the way Person A feels about B vs C, the boundary conditions that apply at time t vs time t + x can never be the same. Just as although Tsukasa may care for Soujirou as well as Tsukushi, but the way he cares is completely different for both of them. He enjoys the former's company, he lusts/loves (?) after the latter.
"Jealousy is a terrible thing. Jealousy plus lack of communication ability is even worse."
That is absoooooooolutely brilliant – love these little gems that you keep sprouting even in just a normal review.
"I had this sudden random vision of Tsukasa raping Tsukushi in jealous rage over her perceived prostitution" When I read this, I just had to wonder if you were psychic – this was just a bit too close to what I had planned for my chapter 16. You probably realised that by now too.
14 – I have actually forgotten that I said this fic was going to be only about 3 chapters longer. Hmm … … I have to reconsider that – like you said, I have created such a mess in the relationships that I don't think I would be able to sort out the tangle in another 2 chapters!
15 – "Is that how this ends? Rui continues his prostitution, and Tsukushi joins his ranks? Destroying what precious naivete she has left. and dragging tsukasa down into the morally ambiguous muck as well." Your psychic powers are confirmed. I guess the only thing is the sequence needs to be reversed. Rui continues his prostitution, Tsukasa falls into the morally ambiguous muck, inevitably being selfish enough to force Tsukushi to join Rui's ranks as a result. There was something you wrote in this comment that sent shivers down my spine because it was exactly what I had thought of and what I had intended to portray in the next chapter. However, didn't want to repeat that comment here in case it gives the plot away. But really, that comment so closely describes in my mind Tsukasa's action … you're really astute!
KyouFan17: Ah fairness in my stories? That's a new angle that I have to consider – have to admit that I've never thought along those lines before !
sweetpeakit: Really love the way you saw the crossroads in this situation ! Like you, I see that many situations in story can be viewed as the crossroads in one's life, the only difference being whether they are major or minor!
Sunigirl: Wow, thanks so much for your generous praise! Really, really glad you like this story. Though I have to admit that I honestly was a bit ashamed of POV and thought that was really raw.
.: Stacey :.: So glad to see your name here! Ah so you liked the intensity in the previously chapter? Am I wrong in thinking that this chapter is even more intense? ;) I think this chapter answered your question about whether Tsukasa was "toying" with Tsukushi? In a way, I think that as he grows older, although his control over his temper would improve, the explosions would also be more earth-shaking and the consequences would also be far worst! Thanks so much for your kind comments!
kimmers11: So glad you liked it!
mike : Ah, you also like angst! Lots more in this chapter, I think!
Zen Nat: Wow, thanks so much for your comment! Mills & Boons? Cool! I have never read M&B before, at least now I know what it's like J! You hit the nail on the head with Tsukushi's dilemma! That's exactly what she's struggling with – morals vs temptation (or need). Very, very good prediction about Tsukasa's reaction to the truth as well! Another mind reader;)!
Sonydjsnmix: Thanks so much!
I-Smiles-U : Thanks for your comment! Phew, finally remembered to write about whether Tsukushi accepted the proposal or not!
just a teen: Sorry to put you through so much shock and torment! I hope this chapter is in line with what you expected ?
Lian: Hi hi! How are things? Hope your kids are well and no this is definitely not the end ;)!
polabear: Thanks for your kind comment! Hope you like this next chapter!
Ming-Chan: Thanks for being so encouraging and motivating! I'm glad that you find the twists quite unexpected – I have tried to spring surprises when I can ;)!
swtangel: Definitely won't abandon this – not will all of you rooting for it! Thanks again for the support!