Chapter 4 – Pierre and Ivan

After the bell rang, all of the students barged out of the school on this miraculous Friday afternoon.

"Vexen, hey, Vexen!" I heard a voice and turned around.
"Marluxia?" He smiled at me as he stopped running.

"Hey. I was wondering, what are you doing tonight?"

I blinked, grabbing my elbow, "Well, Xigbar invited me to a drinking party.. But I really don't want to go. Why?"

"I was wondering if you would like to come over to my house today," He said, "Instead of usual. I'd like you to meet my parents. I thought for a moment, "Why not? Sure."

He grinned more, "Great. Follow me." He said, dragging me to his car. I stopped and gaped as I saw a red Ferrari in front of my eyes.

He looked at me and smiled at my reaction, "Like it?"
"I can't sit in that. I can't touch that!" I protested. He rolled his eyes and opened the door for me, "Just get in."

I slowly walked up to it and sat down, trying not to touch anything with anything except for the seat with my ass. Holding my breath, I rested my hands in my lap and he closed the door, walking from the other side.
"How big is your house?" I asked.

A smirk was my reply, "You'll see."

I couldn't help but stare at the numerous landscapes and beautiful gardens that painted his neighborhood. He passed them as if without notice, but I'd figure he got used to it.

"Can you guess which one's my house?" he asked as we turned into an other alley.

I thought for a moment and pursed my lips, trying to figure it out. I noticed a house which sides were covered by roses and a big balcony blooming with different kinds of flowers.

"That one." I smiled as I pointed to it.

I heard him chuckle, "Impressive."

He pulled up into the driveway that could probably fit three cars in width. The engine halted and he got out. Before I could move, he was already opening my door.

I sighed and got out, "Thank you, but you really don't have to do that."

He smiled mysteriously, "But I want to." I got out and he closed the door behind me, leading him to his house.

I took small, cautious steps, trying not to touch anything. He rolled his eyes, "Stop being so cautious – relax!"

I glared at him, "I'd rather not – I seem to break everything I touch."

He began laughing, leading me by my shoulder, just like the day we first spoke.

"Ready? You seem nervous." He chuckled as we reached the door. I gulped and shook my head, "Just open he door already." I murmured as he smiled and swung it open, leading me inside.

I gaped.

The living room was decorated with various lights and it seemed that walls were covered by dark red velvet. The carpet looked soft enough to sleep on, and the furniture fit together with the interior nicely. Paintings hung from the walls and sculptures stood on the shelves and desks. What was also quite a sight was the grandfather clock standing by the black stone fireplace.

"Like it?" he asked, and I realized how close he really was. I felt his breath on my ear and his fingers on my shoulder, and wondered just how much closer he could get.

"It's fascinating." I whispered and my face flushed. I made best effort not to face him because I knew he's be too close. I heard the smile in his voice, "I'm glad you like it."

I heard the lock click. Gasping, I felt him push me by my waist and I made it to thr couch.

Why was I so nervous?

"Would you like anything to \drink?" he smiled, sitting by me.

"Like what?" I wondered.

He grinned, "Anything."

"Lemonade?" I inquired. He nodded and stood up, later coming with a glass of lemonade and a diet coke with straws in them.

I raised an eyebrow took the offered drink, "What are you, magical?"

He laughed his deep laugh and sat back down, "May be."

I tolled my eyes and sipped the lemonade through my straw.

The door sprung open as I saw a man in a brown leather coat and a handbag on his shoulder standing in the doorway. He had black hair and bright blue eyes, and a small moustache. When he spoke, I could hear his French accent, "Marluxia~ My son~! How are you today?!"

Both of us froze, straws in mouth, and I rose an eyebrow in question.

The man's eyes traveled to me and he slammed the door, gasping. "Oh my…"

He made his way towards me and took my hand, planting a kiss on it. I felt quite disturbed as I looked at Marluxia in question and a look in my eyes that screamed Help me!

"Pardon me, fair lady… I was so overtaken by the beauty of your emerald eyes that I forgot to introduce myself." His voice was soft. "My name is Pierre Gustaeu, I am Marluxia's father and a fashion designer. What is your name?"

Marluxia hid his eye behind his palm and sighed, "Dad, his name is Vexen."

Pierre kind of skipped the 'he' part and moved onto my name, "Vexen? Vexen Auburn, you mean, whose efforts helped my son gain so much knowledge?" he kissed my hand again, "How old are you, Vexen?"

"Er… Seven..Teen….?"I stated, trying to pry my hands away.

"Seventeen… What a wonderful age! Everything, absolutely everything about you is wonderful, ma petite."

I knew French. Apparently, so did Marluxia, because he growled and pulled my hand to his chest.

"Dad, that is enough." He said with a glare that meant something to his father, because he smirked ad backed away.

"Well, Marluxia, why don't you show Vexen your room?"

My host's eyebrows rose and my face flushed on its own accord. I mentally kicked myself for it, but Marluxia stood up and pulled me up with me, his drink still in his hand. Pierre sighed and turned away,

"You never bring me girls…"

"Why should I?" Marluxia raised an eyebrow.

"Because!" Pierre said dramatically and turned back to him, "Your mom is boring."

Marluxia rolled his eyes and lead me to his room.

The door had a slight pink hue to it when we finally located his room. He threw the door open and I heard the odor of flowers clouding around me.

I walked in.

The room was a light pink with a black trim on the walls. It looked like a French girl's fantasy, All of the furniture was elegant and royal, with red and white roses painted everywhere. A humungous king-sized bed sat draped in a white silk canopy. T was opposite to the two glass doors that opened to an upstairs porch. Marluxia had figures of glass women on the shelves left of his dresser. They interested me for a moment, for they looked so fragile, and I briefly wondered about where he got them from.

"Wow." I mumbled, "It's enormous!" Almost the size of my whole apartment.

"I know." He smiled and I walked over to his bed, sitting down. It was really soft and I tried not to fall over. He closed the door and ran, jumping full-speed on the bed beside me. He laughed as I lost my balance and fell over by him, my hair over my face.

"Stupid." I mumbled as I put my hair back. He rested his head on his elbow and looked at me. I laid my head down on my crossed arms,

"Your dad is a nut."

"I Know."

"Does he seriously think I am a girl?"

He nodded, smiling slightly. I groaned and flopped on my back, covering my face with my hands. He laughed, "It will be fine."

"Right…" I mumbled and sat up, "So, what should we do?"

An interesting expression crossed over his face, "Can I show you my garden?"

He talked about it a bunch and I actually was interested. I briefly wondered if he grew herbs or decorative flowers only.

"Sure." I stood up, "I'd like that."

He sprung up, "Great. Cone with me." He led me to his balcony and my eyes widened a fraction.

A million of flowers weaved all around – roses, daisies, chrysanthems, lilies, and even some baby breath made a small fence around us. Out of the abyss, the branches of a cherry tree reached out to the balcony, swaying slightly in the warm wind. It already began to get small, green buds for the leaves, since the sun was out longer and it was early March. The weather was surprisingly holding up.

"It's beautiful." I let out my breath and he smiled, leading me farther.

"There is something I grew for you As a thank you for all your hard work." I raised my eyebrows as I followed him. He stopped abruptly and got some branches and leaves out of the way.

I gasped again at the sight of a blue rose.

"These are incredibly rare!" I let out a surprised yelp.

He scoffed, "Nothing I couldn't find. I thought they'd fit you."

"Thank you.." I mumbled, blushing again, "No one has ever done something like this for me."

Vexen, just shut up! I thought to myself.

""Well," he stood up smiling, "There is a first time for everything, right?"

He chuckled as I nodded.

"When more will grow, I'll cut them down and bring them to you." He said.

"You really don't have to-"

Vexen." He cut me off, "I want to."

He looked rather serious and I really didn't feel like arguing. Sighing in defeat, I mumbled, "Ok, ok…"

He grinned and kept comments to himself.

We talked about absolutely nothing, forgetting that we actually needed to work, and playing chess.

It was a logical game with strategies, and I liked to figure things out, and he was quite the strategist, in a way. Neither of us could beat one another.

Pierre sat on the soft couch, sketching something on his pad and butting into our conversations every now and then.

That is, until Marluxia's mother came home.

Ivan was a woman in her early 40's, but she looked like she was still in her early 20's. Her eyes were a burning brown and her hair was strawberry brown. It curled around, forming her face and slightly out. Her lipstick was light pink and the clothing she wore were from Gucci.

She looked at me skeptically as she closed the door and I immediately stood up.

Everyone was looking in her direction and she raised her finger, pointing it at my chest, "Who is she?"

I was about to bash my head against something heavy when Marluxia spoke, "Mom, this is my friend and tutor, Vexen Auburn."

She scoffed, "The poor creature that keeps you in her crumpled little apartment all night long?"

If Xigbar was here, he's make a remark, but he wasn't so I backed away.

Pierre and Marluxia exchanged glances and the French man gracefully arose, strolling up to his wife.

"Ivan dear…" he began, "Vexen is our guest. Please do not be harsh."

"Poor guests are unwelcome at this house. It is absolutely ridiculous to even invite this broad over."

I froze, and felt anger rush through me. Marluxia's eyes became stone as he rose up too and stood by my side.

"I'll take you home." He said softly and took me by the shoulders, leading me out the door.