Chapter Three: Two Different Worlds
I know this girl, she's always on my mind
She lives in her world and I live in mine
I should forget about her and I've tried, oh Lord knows I've tried
But I want to know her and here's the other side
-x-
It was yet another social event Monday. Nights filled with backhanded insults, phony charm, awkward pleasantries and insincere compliments. A charity event, the unveiling of a new building, donations towards the creation of a hospital, money invested in a private school or honoring a member of their society.
None of which interested Matt in the least.
And the requirement of being accompanied by a female was also one that became tedious, especially tonight. He had no interest in any of these women at the moment, none of them even registered on his radar.
His mind was occupied by a girl he barely knew.
And no one else seemed to be able to push her out.
But that fact was neither here nor there.
"Hey, it's a party. Lighten up…won't you?" His date nudged him playfully.
"Hn."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh come on, I don't remember you being so high strung last event. And that one was for Women's Country Club and Spa." She mentioned.
Finally, he let out a sigh, turning to the blonde beside him.
Zoe Orimoto, daughter of Jenshi Orimoto, owner of the largest bank in the financial sector of Tokyo. The man was as close to royalty as this city had seen in decades. He had more money than most of Japan combined and it was his company that financed Ishida Industries.
Making Jenshi and Hiro very close friends.
And the relationship between Hiro's oldest son and Jenshi's only daughter almost a betrothal.
Before Mimi entered the picture, Matt was strangely okay with this arrangement. He'd have his fun now, and sometime in his thirties he'd marry the beautiful and talented Zoe Orimoto, the girl that every man on Nihombashi(1) would give their left arm to just take out on a date.
And until recently, they had a covert on and off type fling. Zoe would come over, they would release some stress and then act as if nothing ever happened…till the next night. It worked well, she was someone Matt trusted, they were friends, and he knew if any feelings we ever unearthed between the two of them that it wouldn't end too badly.
Zoe was something out of a fairytale or a story book, with unrivaled grace and unparalleled beauty. Silver blonde hair, that touched her back as she walked, pretty pink bow shaped lips that smiled when she talked, skinny and tall like a runway model with charisma and charm for days.
She was everything he'd looked for in a woman and he really thought they'd eventually have a future. No other girl had ever been able to capture his attention for so long and keep as Zoe had.
Until a few days ago…
"It would be futile to ask you to dance, huh?" She raised an eyebrow playfully.
He didn't bother responding, Zoe knew full well there would be none of that. He only ever owed her a dance at the annual Christmas party, when he was feeling particularly generous.
She laid a hand over the balled up fist in his lap. "Where's your head at, Ishida?" She asked, concern in her bright blue eyes.
He pulled his free hand through his unruly hair, "No where, really." He responded.
She gave him an unconvinced glance. "I've known you a while now. You can't exactly pull one over on me that easy." She said reproachfully. "Is something the matter? Is it work? Is Hiro giving you too much—
He shook his head at her, motioning for her stop. "I just don't wanna be here, Zoe." He answered shortly. "To be frank, I'd rather be just about anywhere else."
A small frown graced her otherwise flawless face. "I know you hate these things but you're usually not so terrible." She clicked her tongue, "If you want to leave, by all means, go. Don't stay on my account," With that, she slammed her napkin on the table and pushed out of her chair, with out so much as a cool blue glance backwards.
Matt just shrugged a shoulder, Zoe had a flair for the dramatic, one thing he didn't really appreciate about her. She would get over it in an hour, probably realize she was being impossible and then come to his condo to make it up to him.
He grinned at the thought of that, Zoe had a marvelous body.
But the second he tried to think of anything remotely fun to do with the blonde, an image floated to the forefront of his mind. Almost like a still life picture, a glimpse into a very recent past. Him and Mimi, standing in that ever so familiar parking lot, and the small smile she had saved for him.
Right then, the blonde knew there would be no "fun" tonight.
Not until he got this mess resolved with Mimi.
-x-
"No! No bath!"
Mimi ran the back of her hand across her forehead, for the past twenty minutes she'd been chasing around her toddler through their apartment. And even though it was small, there were a lot of places for a tiny girl like her daughter to hide.
Mimi crouched under the table, "Mari, come on, sweetheart. Please?" She asked.
The girl shook her long brown mane. "No!" She crossed her arms over her chest defiantly.
Mimi tried squeezing under the table behind her, but it was becoming increasingly difficult as Mari began crawling deeper and deeper underneath.
"Mari, please?"
"No. Bath."
Mimi let out a sigh, "Amara Rei, you have three seconds to come out from under here. Otherwise, I'm turning out the lights and you can sleep in here." She said firmly, crawling back out from under the table.
"Like a sweep over?" Her tiny voice called.
Mimi rolled her eyes. "Nope. No toys, no bed and no mommy." Mimi tapped her foot impatiently.
"Aunt So?"
Mimi shook her head, "No, no Aunt Sora either. Only you and the monsters." She called.
It took about two seconds after the mention of monsters for Mari to scamper out from under the dining table.
Though, she didn't come willingly and had the pout on her face to prove it.
Mimi just gave her an unimpressed look, before holding out a hand.
"Bawbies?" She looked up at her mother.
Mimi face softened. "Two, no more than that." She held up two fingers.
"Um…thwee?" Mari mimicked her mother's hand motions, holding up three fingers.
Mimi couldn't help but smile at the hopeful look glittering the in the baby's brown eyes. "Fine, but no splashing." Mimi instructed.
The girl nodded happily, stopping to hug Mimi's leg.
Mimi felt her heart melt, she reached down and picked up her daughter in her arms. "Who taught you to be so cute anyway?" She murmured.
The little girl just giggled, burying her face in Mimi's neck.
-x-
The ride back was abnormally quiet, considering Zoe was anything but that. She just stared out of the window pensively, chin resting in her palm, her elbow propped against the window.
Matt would glance at her every now and again, but only out of habit. Truth be told, he didn't really care much for Zoe's moods. She'd usually get over it on her own time. And when it came to being professional, she always was, which was one thing he liked best about their…whatever this was. It never affected their work environment.
After all, it very well couldn't. Considering how closely their companies worked together and how often they had joint projects.
It wasn't until they were almost to the condo complex that she spoke. "You were really cold today." She mentioned, her tone controlled and formal, the one he'd heard her use countless time when she was speaking to a client or partner.
Not usually with him, though.
He didn't respond.
"What was that all about?"
Matt just let out a sigh, as the car halted at a red light. "It was about nothing, Zoe." He said, exasperated. "I'm just tired."
"We get out of the office by three on Fridays, so I doubt that." She disagreed ruefully.
He gave her a dark look, but said nothing.
"I'm just saying, you could have been a little nicer to me. It's not like I did anything except care about you. You could show me a little bit of appreciation once in a while—
"For what?" He cut her off.
"For putting up with all this." She gestured to him. "You're so spoiled and you think you can act however you want whenever you want with out thinking of anyone else. And you know what? It sucks, Yamato. It really sucks." She glared at him.
"Then don't deal with me then."
She rolled her eyes. "Easy for you to say." She snorted. "You think the entire world revolves around you and your moods. Can't you for once think of anyone but yourself?"
"I cant believe you're being this dramatic about a freaking dinner, Zoe. I really can't." He stated incredulously. "I don't like these stupid charity events, that's nothing new to you. Why are you blowing this out of proportion tonight?" He demanded.
Zoe shook her head. "It's not just tonight, Yama. It's most nights." She said, most of the edge disappearing from her voice, leaving just sadness. "I mean, am I just here for the physical stuff. Don't you feel anything for me…at all?" She practically begged.
Matt put two fingers up to his temple, this wasn't a conversation he wanted to have. Not tonight, probably not ever.
"I mean, we've always been close. We talk and listen to each other, you've been there for me through some of the worse times in my life and we get each other." She continued. "I've seen you go through so much and grow and become so successful and I'm so proud that I could have been there for it all. But now you're settled and you're making a name for yourself and—
"Zoe?" Matt interrupted. "I'm sure there's a point to all this?" He asked as politely as possible.
Her face fell. "I just…I want more, Matt." She finally said. "And I want it with you."
That was something he wasn't expecting.
Zoe had always been more than willing to keep their relationship casual. They were friends…with benefits. And it was just so much easier that way, because when emotions were involved things got messy and neither of them could afford that. Not when they had such high profile careers.
"You know we can't Zoe." Matt said after a minute.
"Why not?"
He rubbed a hand over his face, "The media, for one." He said. "The press would have a field day with this, and do you really want that kind of publicity for us right now?" He stared at her in disbelief.
To this, Zoe had no answer.
"And our dads." He brought up. "If they ever found out, it would mean getting married. Seriously, Z, they wouldn't let us out of this thing if we wanted to."
"And if I don't want to?" She challenged.
He shook his head. "Way too early for that. We both want to do things with our lives way bigger than marriage and kids, let's be serious." He said firmly.
"And we couldn't do them as a couple?"
Matt just squeezed his eyes shut, he was getting a splitting headache from this rather redundant conversation.
"I'm serious." She took his hand between hers. "We could be really great."
Matt took his hand away, "You're being ridiculous. Neither of us are ready for marriage." He said, his voice detached and emotionless.
Zoe stared at him, her eyes filled with grief, as if she was mourning something she never really had to begin with, "I think I'm in love with you, Yamato Ishida." She said, blue eyes welling up. "Doesn't that mean anything?" She whispered.
It was one of the few times he'd ever seen Zoe Orimoto cry, the last time had been when she was sixteen and at her mother's funeral.
This was a different circumstance all together, and Matt couldn't help but feel his heart break because he seemed to be the one who caused it. Because in all entirety, the blonde beside him meant a lot to him. They had been through a lot together and she was one of the most important people in his life.
At one point, he even thought he'd someday marry this girl, only because it seemed like the most logical thing to do.
And whether he admitted it or not, he still had some of those feelings for her.
He reached over, wiping his thumb across her cheek. "I'm sorry." He apologized, cupping her cheek.
She leaned into his hand.
"I get we're in a tough position right now, things are…" He gestured with his hands, "Complicated." he decided.
She just nodded, shielding her tears from the man beside her.
Matt rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, someday, maybe, this could all sort itself out. But right now, there's just no room for a relationship." He admitted.
She silently nodded, sucking back a sob.
"I care about you, Z." He said simply. "A lot, I never wanna see you hurt. Let alone be the one doing the hurting. But the timing is all wrong for us, we both have things we want to see and do before committing to something so big. Don't you think?" He asked genuinely.
She shrugged a shoulder.
Matt shook his head. "You're gonna be great one day, Zoe. I know it and I can't be the one to hold you back." He put a hand over her shoulder.
"But you never would, Yama." The blonde disagreed. "I've got all these goals and dreams but…they won't mean anything with out you."
"I'm not going anywhere, Z." He told her. "I'll always be here for you, haven't I proved that much?" He peered down at her.
Slowly, she nodded. "No, no you have. I know." She said softly. "I feel silly about all this." She gestured to herself. "Crying over this and making you feel bad. It's not how I am. All these emotions and stuff, it's uncharted territory." She blushed, looking away.
Matt gave her a small grin, "Don't worry about it." He swept a soft kiss across her forehead.
She leaned over, laying her head on his shoulder. It was a small moment, fleeting and miniscule, but it was something they didn't get very often. The world laying mercifully still before them, neither one uttering a single word, for a second just blocking out all the white noise like the future of their "relationship" and the stress of work tomorrow.
"Don't cry for me, baby." He muttered into her soft, blonde hair. "I'm not worth it."
She gave a small laugh. "I know you don't want to hear this right now, but you are." She said simply. "You're everything to me."
Honesty. It was trait he loved best about the woman beside him. She was never one to play games or beat around the bush like most girls he knew. She said what she thought and never regretted it.
Usually, he thought that was incredibly sexy.
Tonight, however, the same trait made his blood run cold. She said the few words that were enough to send him running in the opposite direction.
Tonight, Zoe Orimoto professed her love (not in so many words) for Yamato Ishida. And the fact alone was enough to scare the shit out of the twenty three year old business man.
I've got someone waiting for me every night
She's the only thing I've ever known
It's been that way for the longest time
And it tears me in two because I think she knows where I'll be tonight
-x-
"Hey."
The simple utterance was enough to make Mimi jump, she was so lost in thought she didn't notice her roommate come home.
"Hey." She said, still a little dazed.
The redhead took her coat off, throwing it beside Mimi on the couch. "You looked like you were thinking about something heavy." She mentioned.
Mimi shrugged a shoulder. "Everything's heavy these days, Sor." She said.
Sora rolled her eyes. "You're in one of those moods, huh?" She nudged the brunette. "Cryptic and existential."
"You believe me to be more philosophical than I am, S." She said with a small laugh.
"Oh stop it." Sora smiled. "You want ice cream?" She asked. "I just picked up some choc-chip cookie dough."
Mimi laughed. "Well, since you're dangling an offer I can't refuse. Yes please."
Sora patted her knee before getting up. "Baby asleep?" She called from the small kitchen across the living room.
"Yeap, took forever to get her in the bath though." Mimi sighed.
Sora came back with two bowls and chocolate syrup tucked under her arm. "How was your day off?" She asked.
"Went by way too quick. I never get enough time with Mari."
Sora frowned. "Yeah, that's hard." She agreed. "She gets it though, Mari's gotta be the smartest three year old I've ever met." Sora said honestly.
Mimi smiled subconsciously, that little girl meant the world to her. "She's amazing." She agreed. "I just wish…" She didn't finish.
"Nuh-uh. Don't go there." Sora shook her head. "Have you heard from —
Mimi gave her a cutting glare.
Sora let out a small sigh through her nose. "Mari's dad recently?" Sora amended.
Mimi shook her head firmly. "He'll call." She said confidently. "Always does, at least once every two weeks. Thinking that provides enough of a paternal role in her life."
"He's not perfect, but I'm sure he's trying…"
Mimi gave Sora an unimpressed look. "It's been three years, S. I've stopped making excuses for him, you should too."
Sora pulled a hand through her hair. "I just, I know he means well. He just has other stuff—
"Priorities, Sora. They're everything in life. He has his, I have mine. I never begrudged him for the choices he's made, but I refuse to sit here and act as if he made right ones." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"Hey, M. I'm on your side here." Sora back peddled slightly. "If there's anyone who knows how much of an asshole this guy is, it's me. I'm just saying, I also remember who he was when you guys first met, he's still in there somewhere." She said sympathetically.
Mimi just shrugged. "At this point, Sor, it makes no difference." She stated honestly. "None of this is salvageable. Mari's gone this far with out having him in her life, I think it's safe to say she'll go the rest of it with out him as well." It was that part that broke her hear the worse though.
She knew what not having a stable father figure in her life could do to a girl, Mimi wished her daughter didn't have to go through it. But some things were out of her hands, this was one of them.
Sora put a hand on Mimi's shoulder. "She's got you though, Meems. And speaking from personal experience, you're amazing to have around."
Mimi gave the redhead a grateful smile. "I don't have to tell you how much having you around means to me, right?" She raised an eyebrow playfully. "Because you should already know how much I appreciate you being around. I know I'll never be able to—
"Don't." Sora cut her off. "We're sisters, M. Practically. Believe me when I tell you, I can't imagine being anywhere but here."
Mimi threw her arms around the girl. "Love you, S."
Sora laughed. "Love you too, Meems."
-x-
A/N: Lost count of how many months it's been, I apologize for the lengthy absence, hope there are some of you still reading this, can't say I'd blame you if you gave up. Anyway, this is a bit filler-ish, I know, but I thought I'd give you guys some background as subtly as I could. Also, I wanted to kind of show how different Matt and Mimi really are in this story and how separate their lives are.
How do you guys feel about the introduction of Zoe? And the insight into the ever mysterious baby daddy?
Let me know!
Oh yeah and…I'm gonna try and get the next chapter up soon. I'm trying to make it a slow build up, but at the same time, I'm trying to contain this to like 10 chapters max, so if it seems like things are going too fast it's only because I don't want to draw this out too much. This isn't very well proof read, it's midnight and I've got class in the morning so I'm currently half dead. Sorry for any and all mistakes!
Songs: Two Different Worlds by Foreigner
Side note: I'm obsessed with Drake's new album. Just thought I'd put that out there!
Anyway, thank you all for reading. You guys are so special to me! I hope you guys like this chapter and I will see you soon!
Ciao!
-Chris