AN: Phew, finally done.. sorry about the wait… not only did the last scene kill me, but I had finals, and my parents were here and I'm sick blah..
Ok there are some major things I have to say, so yeah listen up:
First up: If something happens in this fic, chances are it IS real and its not going to change, case and point: Kai and Liika siblingship. They siblings, that will not change, though there will be some twists yet for them ;) They will not be paired together, I'm sorry, but that's the way it goes. I actually don't like Kai and Liika together, and I think you'll see soon that they weren't really meant for each other. They are too different in some ways and too alike in others…'
Merodi: Yes I am a Bryan/Liika fan, but I wouldn't count on any pairing being solid yet ;P I haven't decided 100 on the pairings (well there ARE a couple), but I think you'll be surprised wahaha
Queen Phoenix: Um… have you not heard that incest is a taboo? I won't write it… sorry "
Oracle: I'm sorry to hear that, oh well, good luck in other reading P
chikaitou-411: lol I blame my best friend points at Rynn-sama Actually I just have a very twisted mind…and needed an excuse to break them up wahaha.. and this just makes it interesting D
I want to thank all of you who supported me, even after the last chapter It was surprising how many of you actually liked the plot twist! It made me really really happy! Shouts out to the following people for their awesome support, this chapter's for you!: Naitheas, Marochre Iatrone, Kayla, Araciel, Rynn-sama, Miss Wright, Jacci, Ruby Gloom, grand admiral chelli, artemis347, psycobunny, SailorofTears, Euphrosyne, Redex, Reese, Blue-Savage, Carzla, Jaded Rena, Leina, The Terminaisha, artificial misfit, MeilinII, SilverLastsForever, aLeng, Bloody-Shadows
Thank you everyone for reading! bows
xxxxx
A tense silence settled over the large office, one man staring angrily out the skyscraper window into the busy city below, while the other sat perched regally on one of the plush chairs that were situated in front of the large desk before the window.
"You didn't actually expect her to be overjoyed did you?" The older of the two men stated dryly from his position in the chair. "Surely you've come to realize that women are highly over emotional, irrational creatures."
Kevin Hiwatari turned slightly to glare at his father. "I do not need lectures from you on the workings of the female mind," he snapped, snorting derisively. "And no I did not expect her to be "overjoyed.""
"Then why do you fume so much? If you expected the reaction you got, you should not be in such a temper." Voltaire replied, his calm visage never breaking.
"My temper has little to do with what effect the news that I had an affair some nineteen years ago had on my wife."
Voltaire rolled his eyes discreetly. "I'm sure. Then, if Katherine's reaction to your news is not what is bothering you, would you care to enlighten me why you frightened our clients so badly this morning?"
The younger man was silent, turning away from his father to stare back out the window. Truth be told, he wasn't angry about his wife's expected reaction, it was more at his wife's unexpected reaction. He had expected her to get angry at the fact that he had been unfaithful. But she wasn't. She was more angry at the fact that not only had he sired a child he hadn't even bothered to look for—incase she had existed—but now that he had found out he had told her in a heartless way, told his son in a heartless way, and that he had little respect for anyone's feelings but his own.
What a bullshit reason to be angry.
His father was right, women were overly emotional and irrational. Stupid woman.
She had thrown him out. She had actually thrown him out of 'her' house. He hadn't expected that. Katherine had never actively gone against his wishes. Sure she had pushed their son's relationship with his new daughter in the first place—which angered him in itself—but generally, she was a good wife. She rarely spoke against him, rarely did things that went along with the 'modern woman'. She knew her place.
But now, it was if she had gained a backbone. He sneered. It was probably his son's doing. Kai had an unreasonable hatred for him, and showed a ridiculous amount of disrespect for him, and his grandfather Voltaire. He obviously did not realize that what Kevin did was for his own good. He was making him stronger, grooming him for the business world. He should be grateful.
Suddenly the door slammed open, then slammed shut, drawing both men's attention to the new arrival. Kevin rolled his eyes.
"What do you want old man?" Kai spat, sneering as he glared from the back of the room.
"A little respect," Kevin replied calmly, yet with a snide undertone. "You will not refer to me as such again Kai. Come closer and sit down."
"Whatever," Kai retorted, striding forward and flopping into the chair beside his grandfather.
To say that Kai looked like crap would be an understatement. He was a mess. His eyes were swollen, red-rimmed and bloodshot. His hair was in chaotic disarray, as if he hadn't brushed it when he had gotten up that morning—that is to say if he even slept, which was debatable. His clothing was baggy, jumbled and mismatched, totally unfit for the high class business office of his father. Not that he cared. He didn't care about anything anymore.
Another tense silence fell over the room. Voltaire merely watched the interaction of his son and grandson. It was obvious that things were worse than ever, worse than he had ever seen things between the two. He found it rather amusing that the worst of their fights seemed to revolve around one little girl. A little girl that turned out to be his granddaughter.
His opinion on that was rather neutral. He was as surprised as anyone to find out that his son had sired another child—and that that child was mothered by the strong willed woman that had been a junior partner in the important malpractice suit against BD almost nineteen years before. However, unlike everyone else, he was under no illusion that the child was conceived by an affair, which is what his son had more than likely told everyone.
No, the little lawyer wasn't the type to have an affair, especially considering she was newly married, and barely liked Kevin Hiwatari. Kevin on the other hand had taken quite a liking to her, she was pretty, and he was frustrated with his wife's paranoia about her new pregnancy. This of course led to an extremely compromising situation that led to a substantial amount of money being paid to keep certain parties mouth's shut.
Too bad it resulted in a child.
Voltaire could have sworn that the woman would have been smart enough to get a morning after pill or something. Apparently not. But then, as he remembered vaguely—very, very vaguely—she and her husband were trying to get pregnant. She probably didn't even have a clue that her baby—a baby that she didn't even get to enjoy—actually belonged to another man. He would bet that the husband didn't know either.
"How is your mother?" Kevin asked at long while, turning away from the window and sitting at his desk.
"Pissed." Kai snarled, eyeing his father with complete contempt. "She hates you, and so do I."
Kevin didn't even blink, her merely folded his hands together on top of his desk and leaned back in his plush chair. "I will ignore all of your comments today, as you have been through a traumatic experiences. However, I will not always be so generous, keep that in mind." He was tired of the constant battle he had to fight with his son—soon he would teach the insolent boy his place.
"Generous? That's a fucking laugh," Kai snorted, his voice an audible sneer. "You've never been generous, and I doubt you ever fucking will be. Don't delude yourself into thinking that I will fall for your pathetic rhetoric." He shifted in his seat, his legs spread, and looking even more insolent. "Now tell me why the fuck I'm here or I'm going to leave the way I came."
Kevin's knuckles turned white as he squeezed his hands together, struggling not to smack his impertinent brat. "If you would cease your excessive, and unneeded vulgar language, I would tell you."
However, before Kevin could say anything else the door burst open and David Granger appeared, Kevin Hiwatari's secretary hot on his heels.
"Sir! Mr. Hiwatari is busy! You can't just burst in here without an appointment!" She cried.
David Granger—mostly known as Grandpa to a lot of the teens in Bakuten—ignored the harried secretary and strode in, his eyes centered on the man behind the desk. He stopped beside Kai, who looked up in surprised, especially when the older man placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"How exactly did you get in this building?" Kevin asked calmly, his eyes narrowing. "And who are you?"
Voltaire remained quiet, merely watching the spectacle that was being performed in front of him. He had a very good idea who the man was. His son really was narrow sighted.
"How I got into this building is not important," David growled, stepping forward and slamming his hand down on the desk. "And you should know who I am. I got your papers; I can't say I'm surprised that you didn't think I'd show up here."
So, this was his daughter's maternal grandfather. Kevin eyed the older man with no emotion.
He was dressed in a pressed navy suit, with white, collared dress shirt and matching navy tie. His facial expression was stormy. Overall he looked professional, and he looked like he was ready to fight.
"Mr. Granger I presume?" He replied, standing. "If you wished to talk to me, you should have made an appointment. I am a busy man."
"Screw your busy schedule!" David bellowed, glowering at Kevin. "My granddaughter is more important than some stupid schedule."
"Perhaps you should have your lawyer contact me," Kevin said rationally, unmoved my David's anger.
"I don't think that will be necessary," David countered, willing his anger down. "You won't win. I will fight you; I won't let you take the only piece of my daughter I have left."
Kevin snorted. "You won't have a choice. I employ the best lawyers in the world. I never lose."
"Wait a minute!" Kai cut in, jerking to his feet. His eyes were trained on his father. "You're not saying…" He was incredulous, his gaze dark. "You're suing him for custody of Liika aren't you?"
"Indeed, I sent him the paper work yesterday," the middle aged Hiwatari replied, shifting his gaze to Kai. "It should be obvious. Unlike you, she has never had a proper upbringing and she desperately needs to be educated in etiquette." He sniffed. "After she finishes high school she will attend a private girl's college in North Carolina."
"The hell she will!" Kai cried angrily. "You can't just dictate her future!"
David ground his teeth, his dislike of the man behind the desk growing with every second. "Where Liika goes to school is her choice, and her choice alone. However, that is not the point at the moment. The point is that Liika is happy where she is. She doesn't want to live with you—she doesn't even want to see you." He said, his voice calming down a touch, even though the anger burned even greater in his body. "I don't know what my daughter could have seen in you, but you will not destroy my baby girl's life."
"He's right father," Kai sneered the honorary title, "You won't win. Both mom and I will make sure. Liika's seventeen; the judge will take her wishes into account. Just because you have money doesn't make you the right choice of a guardian."
Voltaire watched his only son's face turn a mottled purplish-red as he realized that the two men were right. With so many—including the girl in question—against him, he had little hope of a judge supporting him. His only hope was to settle, try and gain some concessions from the angry grandfather before he squandered away everything trying to gain custody.
"They are right son," Voltaire spoke at last, pulling himself regally to his feet. He strode forward then, motioning for Kevin to come to him.
Kevin did so, knowing his father had something to say to him that he did not want to say in front of the other two men.
Voltaire lowered his voice. "If you settle out of court you may gain concessions. Do not antagonize either of them further. Kai may be young, but his mother—and himself for that matter—hold a lot of power. If they testify against you, you will lose everything. If you truly wish to be involved in her life, tread carefully. Try for visitation rights. If they fight you on that, then take them to court. The judge will give you that."
"I cannot bend her to my will with visitation rights." He sneered.
"It's a start my son." Voltaire replied. "You cannot have your way at all if you cannot see her at all."
Kevin sighed heavily, his eyes flashing irritation. His father was right, as was his son. He couldn't push for custody—he couldn't believe he hadn't seen it before. He hadn't counted on his wife's reaction, nor had he counted on the old man fighting him so hard.
Damn it.
He turned from his father to face is his son and his daughter's grandfather. "Very well. I will concede my custody plea. However, I must instead demand visitation right. If you fight me on this as well, I will take you to court, and I will win. The judge will more than likely be sympathetic to a father who has been deprived of his daughter than you are."
David's lips pursed, his eyes narrowed to slits. Kevin stared back, a challenging look in his expression. It was a battle of wills, and the tension in the room mounted higher and higher as the seconds flew by.
Finally David sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Fine. You're right of course," he frowned. "You would gain visitation rights anyway. Once a week, for two hours. That's my offer."
Kevin thought for a moment. "Five hours. Over two days."
"Three. Once."
The blue haired man's fists clenched. He realized he was getting nowhere. He wasn't going to get as much time as he wanted, but he would work with what he could. "Fine." He conceded. "Saturdays, after her beyblade practice. Tomorrow, I will pick her up at 5 o'clock. I will have my lawyers draw up the paper work and will have it to you tomorrow morning."
David nodded, unhappy, but resigned. Liika was not going to be pleased either. "Alright." He nodded his head, turning on his heel. "Good day Mr. Hiwatari." He nodded at Voltaire as well. He patted Kai on the shoulder as well on his way out.
"Mr. Granger?"
David stopped, looking over his shoulder at Kai. "Yes?"
"How is she?" Kai asked, his expression anxious, his hands wringing the edges of his frumpy t-shirt.
The older man sighed, looking sad. "She'll live I suppose. She's upset, and she cried most of yesterday. Enrique stayed with her." He smiled a bit. "Come see her on Sunday, I think she'd be happy to see you."
Kai nodded, fresh tears wetting his eyes.
David then disappeared, closing the door quietly behind him. Kevin slumped down in his chair. He was suddenly sick of dealing with the whole situation, and sick of dealing with his son. "You may leave Kai. I'll deal with you next week."
Kai shrugged, only too happy to leave the stuffy office.
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"Are you sure you want to do this? We can just wait outside for Grandpa to come back."
Liika nodded, opening the heavy glass door of the rehabilitation center. "I'm sure." She replied, her voice desolate.
Enrique sighed, following her. He knew it was only the day after the traumatic news, but he was really starting to worry about her. She was…depressed, for lack of a better word. He really hoped she'd get over it eventually. He hoped she got better and saw that true she'd lost a boyfriend, but she had also gained a brother, and that that was a good thing too. Having more family was always a good thing.
Forgetting the fact that she was family of one of the biggest scum bags on the face of the planet.
They made their way through the small lobby towards the reception desk. Enrique trailed behind, not really wanting to be there. He didn't think it was healthy for her to see Bryan so soon after something so traumatic, but she wouldn't hear anything different. She had made up her mind to see him, and see him she would.
Enrique hoped Bryan wasn't so self-centered that he couldn't see the obvious pain in her eyes. He hoped that he had gained some form of sensitivity in his three weeks in rehab.
Just as they were nearing the reception desk they were hailed from further down the hallway. Riley waved, motioning them towards her. Liika shrugged and passed the reception desk without as much as a look at the secretary. Enrique threw an apologetic look at the older woman who did not look overly surprised.
As they approached Riley's smile dropped a bit, concern edging its way into her eyes. "Are you ok Liika?" She asked as they reached her.
"No." Liika replied ambiguously, summoning a weak smile for the pale haired girl. "But thanks for asking."
Riley threw a confused look at her boyfriend, who grimaced and shrugged. "What's wrong?"
"I'd rather not talk about it. Which room is Bryan in?"
Enrique stepped forward, placing a hand on Liika's shoulder, and shooting Riley a look that said "I'll explain when she's gone."
Riley nodded. "He's just down the hall in room 11. My parents just went out to get coffee figuring that you might like some when you got here."
"Why don't you go talk to Bryan," Enrique suggested, hugging Liika from the side. "I'm sure he'll react to you better if you go alone and he doesn't think he'll be embarrassed."
Liika shrugged, pretending she didn't notice that they were trying to get rid of her so that they could talk about her. Not that she overly cared. Everyone would know eventually and would get over it. She struggled with the large surge of pain that tore across her chest. She just didn't know if she'd get over it.
She walked the few feet down the hall to where the door with number 11 on stood. Sighing she raised her hand and knocked quietly on the door.
She knew no one thought it a good idea to see Bryan. Especially not now. But she was determined. Contrary to what everyone believed, she believed seeing Bryan was good for her. Little did everyone know that at that moment in her life she felt the closer to Bryan than to anyone else. He knew what it was like to hurt. To want something you couldn't have. His case of course was far less severe.
She was also the only one that knew Bryan wasn't quite as heartless and insensitive as everyone thought him.
A muffled grunt sounded through the door, obviously indicating her right to enter. She took a deep breath and grasped the door handle, opening the door slowly.
She peeked her head in the doorway, smiling weakly. "Hi."
Bryan shot to his feet, from his position on his bed. His eyes widened, incredulous, and his eyebrows furrowed. "Lii-Liika? What the hell are you doing here?"
Her eyebrow arched, stepping fully into the room and closing the door behind her. "Visiting you obviously." She replied quietly, leaning against the closed door.
He stared at her, a confused look on his face. His eyes washed over her, taking in every detail about her appearance. There was something wrong, he realized instantly.
Her eyes were red for one, as if she'd been crying. Her long hair was pulled back hazardously into a pony tail, and was messy, and her clothing looked as if they had been chosen carelessly. Purple bags circled darkly under her eyes, and she looked tired. Tired and upset.
"What's wrong?" he demanded, frowning darkly. "What happened?"
Liika was silent for a moment, staring hard at the floor. She was conflicted. He had enough problems; he didn't need hers as well. On the other hand…she felt that maybe he'd understand what she was going through. After all…she wasn't blind and/or stupid to his feelings towards her. She knew he liked her, more than liked her maybe, and he had gone through the loss when she dated someone else. She was selfish. A horrible person to put him through what she did. Using him. Tears burned her eyes.
What was she doing here?
Suddenly a hand landed on her shoulder, and another brushed her chin, tilting it upwards. She opened her eyes to meet Bryan's lavender gaze, her eyes tearing. She had wanted to be there for him…and now she was breaking down! Maybe coming to see him so soon after… it wasn't such a good idea.
"Tell me," he commanded softly, his thumb smoothing over her skin from her chin along her jaw.
She sniffled once before throwing herself and him, wrapping her arms around his wide chest and beginning to sob.
Bryan was alarmed, his arms came around her awkwardly, hugging her close to his body. He had never seen her cry before…never. It scared him. She was always so strong – it was something he had always admired about her. She wasn't weak like other girls, she didn't cry all the time for no reason. What could have happened that made his normally strong Liika sob so heavily?
"Liika?" He murmured cautiously when her sobbing began to slow. "What…?"
"He came," she whispered, her hands clenching the fabric of his t-shirt, her face burying into his chest, "To practice yesterday. He…" her voice faltered. "He told me I was his daughter…he had a paternity test. It said I was."
Bryan frowned in confusion. "Who?"
"Ke-Kevin Hiwatari."
Bryan's blood ran cold. His hands, which had been rubbing soothing circles on her back stilled. She couldn't be saying what he thought she was saying.
"Wha-what?" He countered in bewilderment.
"Hiwatari," Liika repeated, pulling away a bit and looking up at him. "Kai's my brother."
The pale haired boy blinked, trying to comprehend the information. Kevin Hiwatari had given her a paternity test and told her that he was her father. That made Kai her half-brother. Which made it impossible for them to be a couple.
He tried not to be too happy.
"I…" he truly didn't know what to say. To be honest, he was thrilled. He didn't have to break them up because paternity did it for him. His world just got a whole lot better. "Sorry."
She began to laugh then. It was slow to build and it was quiet, but it was there, and it cause Bryan to blink, his eyebrow quirking. "No you're not," she said, a half smile on her face. "You're thrilled aren't you? I know you hate him."
He shrugged. "I can't say I'm overly depressed about it." But I am sorry that it has hurt you.
Liika shook her head, leaning back against him. "I'm very selfish you know. I always come back to you when I'm down and then leave when I'm not down. I don't understand why you don't hate me."
Bryan looked down at the top of her head, which barely reached his breastbone. Truth be told he didn't overly know why he let her come back to him every time either. By rights he should hate her. After the break up with Robert she had practically ran to him, getting his hopes up, and then, when he was going to make his move – properly this time – she decided she was in love with Kai, ditching him as fast as she could.
However, he couldn't just leave her… he could see the pain she was in…like he saw it when Robert broke it off – it was in fact worse this time. It was a testament to how strong he felt for her. No matter what she did… he always let her come back.
"Why don't you hate me for that night?" He countered, instead of answering her directly. "I hit you…I hurt you. You have every right to hate me for that."
Liika chuckled softly, smiling into his shirt. "I suppose we're even then. I couldn't hate you for something like that… what kind of friend would I be if I just gave up on you?"
He smirked, squeezing the back of her neck. "And what kind of man would I be if gave up because of a minor set back?"
"Touché."
Liika was warmed by his presence. She was glad to see that rehab had done wonders for him. He looked and sounded 100 time better than he had been when admitted three weeks before. She once again pulled away, this time all the way away and stepped around him, plunking herself down on his bed, bouncing up and down a bit. "Wow this is comfortable," she remarked dryly, her lips twitch.
"Try sleeping on it."
She took the opportunity to study him more closely. His hair had grown just a bit, now brushing the collar of his t-shirt, and slightly obscuring his eyes – it had been getting too long at the time of his overdose. His eyes weren't nearly as dark as they had been, their normal flare of cynicism and ill-humor lighting them once more. He had gained weight – which she was really glad to see – and so his clothing didn't hang off him as it had. Over all he looked healthy, and though he never had looked truly happy, he looked a lot less miserable.
"Do I pass with you approval?" he quipped sarcastically, sitting in the lone chair that obviously matched the desk that sat beside the bed, in front of her. He leaned back, stretching his legs out so that they brushed hers, and settled his half-lidded gaze on her.
"You'll do, I suppose," she replied, flopping backwards onto her back and staring up at the ceiling. "How have you been? Horribly bored I imagine."
Bryan shrugged, folding his arms behind his head. "Fuck yeah. You try sitting around doing nothing other than going to 'I have a problem' and 'lets be happy' groups for three fucking weeks. I think if I have to say "My name is Bryan and I have a problem" one more time I'm going to bust some heads."
Liika laughed quietly. She could just picture Bryan being made to stand up in front of a group of people and telling them all his problems. Not. "But you do have a problem…or did. You don't have that problem any more do you?" She lifted her head and looked at him suspiciously, narrowing her eyes.
He said nothing, just stared back at her for a few moments before shifting from the chair to stretch out on his side beside on her the bed. His arm hooped around her waist, tugging her towards him.
Liika stiffened, panic flowing through her. He doesn't think… "Bryan…" she said in a warning tone, trying to push away from him.
However, she couldn't move in his tight grip. He grumbled, his head moving so that his breath brushed her ear. "I'm not going to abuse or molest you." He snapped quietly, snuggling closer to her. "I just… sometimes… the need is bad. Particularly when you're around. You… you make life difficult." His lips brushed the skin just beside her ear as he nuzzled her temple. "Can't I just…hold you? You know how I feel Liika…I just…I need this."
Liika squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ebb the flow of tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. She felt horribly guilty. Not only was she…cuddling with another guy so soon after her tragedy – she felt like she was betraying Kai – but also…Bryan was only in this situation because of her. She had practically led him on and then stomped on his heart, for which she felt horrible. The things you figure out in retrospect.
Instead of fighting him further, she relaxed, sighing. Why did life have to be so difficult?
They stayed like that for some time, silent, but fairly comfortable. Gradually a sleepiness settled over them and they both drifted off, Liika turning onto her side and curling into Bryan, tears tracking down her cheeks. She wondered why she had to live…why wouldn't the pain just go away?
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Riley and Enrique listened at the door some forty-five minutes after Liika had entered. It was silent inside and it made them wonder.
"Should we go in?" Riley whispered, looking at her boyfriend.
Enrique's face screwed up. "They've been quiet for a while," he looked up and down the hall to see the two Wakeman parents coming down the hall, holding a box of what looked like doughnuts and cups of coffee. "I say yes."
Riley shrugged and nodded, turning the handle and opening the door.
Neither of the teenagers were prepared for the sight that confronted them upon entering the small room. Both stopped short, blinking rapidly. Riley smiled gently, her heart happy at the sight of her brother curled up asleep with the girl he was in love with, looking the closest to happy she had ever seen. Enrique, however, was a completely different story.
White hot jealousy seared through him. He scowled instantly, his fists clenching.
How could she just run to Bryan? He had been there for her hadn't he? Every step of the way since she found out the day before. He had skipped school that day, he had stayed the night with her as she sobbed all night. Then at the first opportunity she got she glued herself to someone else! No wonder she wanted to visit Bryan so badly.
"What is your problem?" Riley asked, frowning at Enrique.
"Nothing." He snapped, grinding his teeth. "Nothing at all."
She sent him a look. "No really, you look really pissed off about something. What's the matter?"
He glared at her. "I said nothing and it's nothing."
Riley opened her mouth to reply but the arrival of her parents cut her off, she closed her mouth, shooting him a confused look.
"Aww, how sweet!" Kelly Wakeman exclaimed as the elder Wakeman's peered over their daughter and her boyfriend's shoulder at her son. "Should we wake them?"
Her question was unneeded however, as Bryan's eyes snapped open at the noise in the doorway. His awakening was followed shortly by Liika who came to a lot slower than he did, which probably had to do with the fact that she hadn't slept the night before. She looked groggy and disoriented, blinking and rubbing her eyes.
"Wha…?" She moaned, sitting up and pulling away from Bryan.
"It looks like you could use a coffee after all," Kelly chirped brightly, pushing past Enrique and Riley, holding a tray of cups. "Here you go sweeties." She pulled two of the cups out of the tray and handed them to her son and Liika.
"Thanks," Bryan grunted, opening the plastic lid and sipping at the black liquid in the cup. So like him to like his coffee black.
"I'm sorry Liika, I didn't know what you like in your coffee, but I have some sugar and creamer here if you like."
Liika followed Bryan example, not really paying attention to what she was doing. "Thank you."
However, before she could bring the cup to her lips it was snatched out of her hand by a glaring Enrique. "You can't drink coffee, it makes you sick." He growled, handing the drink back to Mrs. Wakeman. "Pay attention to yourself."
He was contrite instantly at his tone of voice when he saw her reaction. Her eyes blinked rapidly and she looked stung. "Aw, I'm sorry Iki," he moaned, slumping down beside her and wrapping his arm around her.
Bryan glared at him, but said nothing. Riley watched him very carefully, a frown on her face. What was going on with him?
Only seconds before he had been hostile, bristling and glowering. He had been angry…apparently with both Liika and Bryan, which would have caused the snapping outburst. Then, as soon as he realized that he might have hurt her feelings, he was contrite, swooping in to comfort her. Weird.
"Oh well, I'm sorry Liika, I didn't realize that you couldn't drink coffee. I would have brought you something else." Kelly said apologetically.
Liika waved off the concern, leaning into Enrique, sniffling. "It's ok, you didn't know."
"Are you ok?" Enrique asked quietly, noticing her even more drained appearance. "You don't look well."
Liika bit back a sarcastic reply, knowing he was only trying to help. She was so tired it wasn't even funny. She was emotionally and physically drained, but she was also very angry and it made her want to lash out at the world. Her best friend included.
"I think…I need to go home. What time is it?" she asked blearily, blinking her eyes rapidly trying to clear them.
"Almost five o'clock. Grandpa should be here soon, why don't you go out to the lobby and see if he's here, I'll be right behind you." Enrique said softly, helping her to her feet.
"Ok," she replied, stretching her arms over her head. She sent a weak smile at the Wakeman's and at Riley, then turned around and gave Bryan a hug. "Sorry I couldn't stay longer…I just… I'm really tired."
Bryan shook his head, frowning. "You'll be fine." He said somewhat sharply. However, there was an underlying meaning in his words. Being Bryan, he couldn't just tell her he wished her well, he had to say in a convoluted, insensitive way.
Yet Liika understood, and it brought a smile to her face. She could tell that he was worried and that he did, indeed, care a great deal. "Thanks." She replied, disappearing from the room.
Kelly and James Wakeman watched the girl go, confused looks on their faces. "Did something happen?" James asked, frowning.
"I'll tell you later," Riley said quickly, her eyes sad. She leaned up and kissed Enrique's cheek as he was making for the door. "I'll call you tomorrow?"
"Yeah… I might be at Iki's house, but I'll call you later." Enrique said, distraction evident in his voice.
"Sattiay."
Enrique paused in the doorway, glancing over his shoulder at Bryan, who was standing, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes narrowed. "Take care of her." Until I get back.
"Of course." Enrique replied as if there was any doubt before disappearing out the door.
"Well that was odd. Would either of you like to inform me as to what's going on with Liika?" Kelly stated shortly, a frown on her face.
Riley sighed. "It's kind of a long story."
"Try me."
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"I'm afraid there's no easy way to tell you this, my little home girl," Grandpa said mournfully, looking in the review mirror.
"Tell me what?" Liika said, shifting a bit. She was lying across the backseat, her head cradled in Enrique's lap, her eyes drooping. She was slowly being lulled to sleep by Enrique's fingers running through her hair, toying with the blue strands in and idle, comfortable manner.
"I'm afraid my meeting with Mr. Hiwatari did not go as well as I hoped." He replied, turning down the soft rock music that had been permeating the car. "In fact it went rather bad I'm afraid."
Liika struggled to sit up, but Enrique pushed her back down gently, murmuring that it was better that she remain lying down. She gave up quickly, not really having the heart to fight him and not really wanting to move. "What do you mean grandpa?" she asked wearily, half-afraid of his answer.
Grandpa coughed, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. "Well you see, he sent me papers yesterday. Papers that said he was suing me for custody of you."
"What?!" She screeched, bolting upright, her eyes wide and incredulous, anger flashing in the turquoise depths. Enrique too looked shocked.
"That's pretty much what I said," Grandpa returned, his voice darker than normal. "That's why I went in to have a chat with him. I wasn't about to let him take you away from me."
"And he actually thinks he has a chance at custody?" Liika cried, her eyebrows furrowing. "After his past record? Not bloody likely!"
"No, after I told him that, and your …ah brother… told him that he backed down and conceded not to sue."
She sighed in relief. She really didn't want to fight a whole long, convoluted court battle that would not only hurt her, but many others as well. "Well…then how could it possibly have gone that badly?"
At this Grandpa sighed, anger and sadness washing over him and surrounding him like an aura. "He then demanded visitation rights."
"What?!" This time it was Enrique who spoke, his sapphire eyes darkening to a sort of navy color. "I don't understand…why would he want to see her? It doesn't seem very…him-like."
"To control me," Liika realized suddenly, "If he has custody then he can control my actions and therefore ensure I don't make him look bad. It's the same with visitation rights…but what I don't understand is why bother in the first place? Even if he now knows who I am…why should he care? If he buried it no one would ever be the wiser."
"Yeah well, in case you haven't noticed Iki, the guy's a nutcase."
"I had."
Grandpa coughed again, recalling the two teen's attention back to him. "No matter what his motives are, I wasn't able to fight him on it. If he took me to court for visitation he would win, there's no doubt of it."
Liika was silent, her eyes glued to the somewhat dirty, shaggy, beige carpet of her grandfather's station wagon. "When then?" she whispered, trying not to break out into a fresh batch of tears.
"Tomorrow, and every Saturday after at 5, after your beyblade practice for three hours. He will pick you up."
"Great," she replied sarcastically, settling back down and laying her head in Enrique's lap. "I can hardly wait."