Heloooo! It's been a while, I suppose? Sorry for this late update, things in life were bugging me for so long… But I'm not here to tell my issues and making excuses for this delay.
I want to thank all of the readers and reviewers for reading and reviewing my previous chapters, and that also goes to the people who put me on their favorite author's list as well as those who's kind enough to put my story into their favorite story's list. I always get this really nice feeling when I read your reviews and that's what keeping me writing. Thanks a lot for all of the supports!
I am dedicating this chapter for my dear friend, Ofe-san… Just to cheer her up and as a way of telling her how I appreciate your deep concern for this cyber friend of yours :) I hope you like it ^^
Have a pleasant reading, everyone~
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Disclamer: I am only borrowing the characters in Maid-sama to create my own story, so I'll give them back to the rightful owner of Maid-sama after I finish with them, although I dunno when will I ever be able to let it happen, because they're too adorable!
Flashback to the night when it all revealed…
"…Ayuzawa-san… I really need you to keep this between us…" Takumi said pleadingly while looking at Minako.
Minako didn't reply immediately as she wasn't really recovered from the unexpected news he just received from Takumi. He told her about his family background and the situation he was facing. She knew that there must be something behind that mysterious boy's exceptional ability and natural elegance, but she had never thought that his bloodline was actually originated from a distinguished family from another country. It was really out of her expectation.
As she saw the look on his face, she realized that she was keeping him unoccupied for a few moments and thus she abruptly replied to him. "Ah… I'm sorry… I understand, Usui-kun… But is it okay for you to tell me all this? Isn't it supposed to be a secret?" Minako asked, wondering why all of a sudden Takumi revealed such a big secret to her.
Takumi smiled slightly, revealing his charming features. "It is okay, Ayuzawa-san… But in the mean time, I should ask you to keep it to yourself until everything settled."
Without holding her curiosity, she asked him exactly the question that was stirring in her mind the whole time they had that conversation. "Why are you telling me all this all of a sudden, Usui-kun?"
"Ayuzawa-san… I came here tonight to say goodbye… I will be leaving Japan on the first flight to England tomorrow, but before that, I need to explain everything to you…"
"Leave? What do you mean, Usui-kun?" Minako was startled by his sudden announcement while looking at him with confusion in her eyes.
"I had a deal with my grandfather about my family matters, I mean, my English family… That's why… I will go to England with him tomorrow."
"Did you talk about this with Misaki?"
"…Yes… Although I didn't go into details… I'm not allowed to tell anything to Misaki, it's part of the deal, and I don't think it will be wise to tell her even if I am… it will only be a burden for her, knowing her character…"
"I guess you are right, Usui-kun… But how did she take it when you tell her about it?"
"Unexpected, if I may say… She said that she's going to wait for me even before I tell her how long I'll be gone… Honestly, Ayuzawa-san… I had prepared myself for the worst, but… Your daughter is amazing… I've never been so amazed by anyone before..." Takumi said earnestly, reminded to the conversation that he and Misaki had that morning, which made him smile gracefully as he remembered her yelling at him and said that she would never give up on him. It was so moving that he didn't even have a word to describe how he deeply touched he was, but it was all showing in his face.
Minako looked at Takumi and smiled to herself, admiring that gentle expression he always had whenever he was talking about Misaki. "That's expected of Misaki, you know how stubborn she is, Usui-kun… But for the same reason, she is the most honest and loyal person I've ever known… I'm very proud of her…"
"You are indeed right, Ayuzawa-san…" Takumi smiled sincerely to that warm-hearted woman.
"Then… When are you coming back, Usui-kun?" Minako asked.
"To be honest, Ayuzawa-san… I don't know when I will be able to come back here, because I'm not sure about my family's intention and how exactly the situation there… but I told Misaki that I won't be here for three years, because that's when everything will be decided, whether I can go back immediately to Japan, or…." He paused while taking a deep breath for a while, and then he continued speaking. "If… In some circumstances, I can't be back within that period, please give this to her, Ayuzawa-san…" He gave a letter to Minako, hoping that she wouldn't have to give it to her daughter, because if the day ever came, he would break her heart, completely.
Minako observed Takumi's change of expression, and she could feel the complicacy of the things that were going on in his mind. She felt sorry for him, because at that age, he was already being forced to deal with such complicated situation. Although she knew that he wasn't an ordinary person to begin with, but still, it was definitely a very difficult situation to be involved with.
"I understand… May I ask you the reason why did you agree to go to England with your grandfather even though you know he might not allow you to come back to Japan?"
"It's because I know what kind of person he is, he would do anything to take me to England, that includes using my relationship with Misaki to threaten me… I can't let him drag Misaki and your family into this matter. I will never forgive myself if anything bad should happen to any of you… That's why… I have to leave her side, at least until I'm able to ensure your family's safety… But I hope you will believe me when I say that my feelings for Misaki is true, I have no intention of playing with her feelings whatsoever… I promised her that I will come back to her no matter what happens, and I will fulfill it no matter how hard it will be..."
Minako's face softened when she heard the last part of Takumi's speech. She could feel the seriousness in every word he said, and she was deeply touched by his pure feelings for Misaki. "Usui-kun… I understand your situation and I don't blame you for anything… I believe that you really care about Misaki… If you're not, you won't be here explaining things to me right now, will you?"
"Thank you for your understanding, Ayuzawa-san..." Takumi smiled by the time he heard her soothing words, it was such a relieve hearing those words coming from her.
"You're welcome, Usui-kun… That's the least I can do for you after what you've done for Misaki all this time…"
"You are very kind, Ayuzawa-san… I'm sorry for asking for this, but I have some things to give Misaki, and it should be given after I left, can you please give them to her in place of me?"
"Of course, just tell me what I should do, Usui-kun…"
Takumi then took out a dark-red colored box from his bag, and gave it to Minako. "Please give this to Misaki after I left, I hope it will make her smile when she sees the message I wrote for her inside…"
"I'm sure she will, Usui-kun… After all you always manage to make her smile somehow, don't you?" Minako said teasingly, earning a very attractive smirk from the perverted outer space alien.
Then he took out a letter and handed it to Minako. "This is a letter from a university in Tokyo that Misaki wanted to enter, although she didn't try to apply because it's too far and she didn't want to trouble you, Ayuzawa-san… You know how she always thought about everyone else first before herself…"
"She didn't tell me about it at all… That kid…" She shook her head, wondering how her daughter's lack of self-awareness could be worse than it already were. "Thanks for telling me this, Usui-kun… But what's inside the letter? I thought you said that she didn't apply."
"…Yes, that's why I applied for her, and with some recommendations from the people I know, the University decided to give her a full scholarship in the faculty of her choice..."
"Oh my God… really? Thank you, Usui-kun… I don't know how you did that, but I'm sure she will be very happy! Thank you so much!" Minako said with bright smile plastered on her face, feeling so happy for her daughter.
"It's her effort and good grades that got her the scholarship, I'm just helping her to show it to them, that's all… So no need to thank me, Ayuzawa-san… But you know, even though she got a full scholarship, you need to persuade her to take it, because I know she wouldn't leave you two here, unless you convince her…"
"I will… Don't worry about it, Usui-kun…"
"Then I'll leave the rest to you, Ayuzawa-san… But before I leave, can I confess to you about something?"
"Oh… Sure… You can tell me anything, Usui-kun…"
"Thank you, Ayuzawa-san… You probably already knew about my feelings for Misaki, and how grateful I am to have her by my side for this one memorable year… She is the only one who sees me for who I really am and it's everything that I could ask for… I don't know what will happen in the future, but what I know is I already can't imagine my life without her… That's why, Ayuzawa-san… I've decided… If I've resolved everything with my family and if by that time Misaki still give me the chance, I would like to ask her to marry me and I'm here today to ask you for your blessing…"
Minako was speechless. It came as a complete shock for her, even though she knew that Takumi's true feeling for Misaki was unquestionable. She was really impressed by the solemnity that was emitted by those beautiful green eyes before her and suddenly she felt warmth filling her heart. Then a sincere smile slowly plastered on her face while she took his hands and covered it with hers. "Usui-kun… I'm so thankful for your feelings towards Misaki, and I've never seen her any happier than when she's with you… The decision is on her hand, but you've already earned my blessing…"
"I'm very happy to hear that, Ayuzawa-san… Thank you so much…" Takumi held her hands and smiled gracefully to Minako. He couldn't be more thankful to her than he already was. At that very moment, he told himself that he would do anything in his power to fulfill his promise to Misaki, no matter how long would it take.
End of flashback…
"Mr. Walker… Sir…" The middle-aged man said repeatedly to a very fine young man who was sitting comfortably in his chair without paying attention to his surrounding. He looked like he was drowned in his own thought. "Mr. Takumi…" The man called again.
The young man suddenly made a movement as he reverted back from his memory by the call of his first name that hadn't been used for so long. He then lowered the piece of paper that caused the nostalgic memory to come rushing back into his mind. He moved his gaze to the man who was standing in front of him. "I'm sorry, I was too occupied… What is it, Edward?"
"I'm sorry for disturbing you, Mr. Walker… I come to tell you that the jet will be landing in a few minutes…" The older man said politely.
Takumi smiled to his personal assistant, and nodded. "Thank you, Edward…"
"My pleasure, Mr. Walker…" Edward said while bowing politely to Takumi and walked back to his seat.
Takumi looked back at the picture that he was holding on his hand for the entire flight. Seven years had passed from the day he left the woman he was holding dearly in that picture when the cold malicious fate separated them in their younger days. And there he was passing the time, counting the hours to see her again.
His life had been hard, real hard for the past seven years, many things had happened. His family name had changed, marking his debut in the business world. His path had changed, he was no longer an illegitimate child that was abandoned by his rich family, but he is now the backbone of the Walker Corp since he became the new CEO of the company. His pace had changed, the person who always had all of the time in the world to be anywhere he wished for was having difficulty to squeeze in just a little time for himself.
It was inevitable as he is now the only successor of the Walker family since his grandfather and his older brother passed away. He was able to survive the chaos that followed after the loss of the two most influential figures in the company and the family itself. His leadership had changed the image of the company and brought it to a whole more successful path. Nobody could deny his real competence now, although when he was appointed as the new CEO by his grandfather before he passed away two years ago, many people questioned his ability and readied themselves to watch him fall.
Everything in his life had changed, except for one thing. His love for a certain demon president, the first and only person he ever loved, and the precious days they had together, stay deep within his memories. Those memories of carefree days he had with her, the trials and survivals they went through together, the lovely moments they shared, her beautiful face, her gentle touch, and the feelings he had by the thoughts of her were always dear to his heart.
Misaki… I can't wait to see you again… I hope that I'm not too late to fulfill this promise…
To be continued….
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Yeayyyy, I've FINALLY finished this chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it. You know what, I've went through a lot while writing this chapter. I've thought and re-thought its topic and changed it a few times. Now I know the meaning of "Writer's block" because I experienced it for a few days before I finally able to finish this chapter.
I really hope that you guys like it though :) And as usual, if you have any doubts or questions about this chapter, feel free to ask me, I'll try to reply as soon as I can… Thanks so much for reading, please forgive me for the mistakes in the story and if it's not too much, please tell me your opinions about this story by clicking the review button below.
The end of the story is near if you guys didn't notice it already I can't promise that the next chapter will be up very soon, but I'll definitely finish it as soon as I got free time from work. Many people asked me about some details of what Misaki is doing now and how her life had been, so I'm going to leak out some spoiler, you will know the answer to that question in the next chapter ^^ Thanks for reading my work, I hope you guys will be with me until the end.
Thanks again, and see you all in the next chapter!
Good days to you all,
-Fin-
July 11, 2011.
