Chapter three
The ninth was an old man in need of a retirement. Even though he looked exhausted he still had a compassionate aura that surrounded him, making him seem livelier than his age. We-as in Xanxus, the ninth, and the next successor the tenth- all sat at in a living room. There were only three exquisite small couches, and Xanxus refused to be anywhere near the tenth, so he made him stand at the borders of the room door. I wanted to tell him how much of an ass he was being but the ninth was here and I didn't want to appear inappropriate.
"So how has my son been, miss Mana. He hasn't been treating you too harshly" I knew he didn't mean any harm by his ironic joke, and Xanxus laughed along as well-only making him more of an ass.
"If you must know ninth, he has made my life a living hell" I tried to sound sarcastic like the ninth, but it came out too bitter. Instantly he knew there was something wrong, you can't ever fool old people (especially when it comes to emotions). Xanxus was still chuckling, and the ninth gave him a serious glare-making him become quiet and irritated. The tenth coughed lightly, letting us know he was still present.
"Is that so?" the ninth said calmly and wisely. I could feel Xanxus staring at me, there's no way I'd want to know what his dark, cold eyes read.
"What'd you call me here for old man" Xanxus practically demanded. The ninth sighed, and stared at his successor, who nodded as if approving something. The ninth's expression shifted to sadness.
"I was wondering when I'd expect grandchildren" I swear my heart stopped and my soul slipped from my body before being violently thrust back into me. I shuddered in rejection. There was no way I'd ever, I repeat EVER, have this man's kids.
"Its just, that I have been diagnosed with cancer and if this surgery does not go well, I'll only have a year to live, so I was hoping to at least see my grandchildren before I die" I wasn't thinking about what I was saying, I just wanted to make the old man feel better.
"You will get to see them and you won't die" the ninth's eyes brightened.
"Well I'm glad you feel that way, I suppose that makes me feel better" suddenly Xanxus just burst out laughing. I turned to glare at him,
"What the fuck makes you think I care if you die" my eyes widened,
"What the hell is wrong with you!" I shouted, he bared his dark eyes into mine.
"Stay out of this" he growled, but there was no way I was going to let him talk to his father that way.
"No I won't! You're always so cruel and demonic, are you even fucking human! I can't believe you'd disrespect your own father-
-that bastard is not my father" Xanxus snapped, and his bitter crimson eyes shut me up. I stared at him in disbelief. With a grieving sob, I ran from the room. There's no way he's human. Which brought me back to the time he saved me. Why would he do something so selfless yet still remain so heinous and merciless. I didn't pay attention to where I was going, I just ran until I was out of breath. And then I started crying. I wanted to leave that monster so badly, but if I did he'd kill me. I was so scared and frustrated that I just backed against the wall, fell on the floor, holding my knees, and sobbed until my eyes grew too sore for more tears. I hid my head in-between my arms, if only I weren't so weak I could leave him.
"Excuse me miss, is it alright if I carry you" I looked up to see this tall nicely tanned guy with messy black hair and such gentle harvest eyes that I've never knew existed. He was wearing regular clothes: a simple t-shirt, jeans, and flip-flops. I wondered if he was a part of the Mafia.
"Carry me?" he smiled. Oh god his smile was so beautiful and kind and carefree; I felt my cheeks become warm.
"When a damsel is in distress, doesn't the knight in shining armor carry her away to paradise?" he said and taking me completely by surprise so I gawked (very unattractively).
"I...I guess" and before I could blink the man had swept me off the floor into his strong arms and held me against his chest.
"Doesn't that feel better?" he said, that smile never faltered.
"Why are you doing this?" He laughed again, as if what I said was a joke.
"Don't you like being carried like a princess?" there was a time when I was carried like this, but that was so long ago.
"I'm Yamamoto Takeshi, by the way" Yamamoto Takeshi, I let that name fill my mind as I saved his appearance into my consciousness.
"I'm, uh..." I didn't know if I wanted him to know my name. I belonged to Xanxus after all, the last thing I needed was attending another man's funeral cause he took a liking to me.
"Mana, right? I already know who you are" he said so cheerfully. How could someone emit such positivity?
"You shouldn't cry Mana, it's not good for a woman's soul" too late to save my soul, I wanted to say. Xanxus had been corrupted and broken my very being. Takeshi began to carry me down a hall,
"Where are you taking me?" I did not want to see that bastard again.
"To the kitchen, ya know milk makes everything better" I cocked a brow,
"Really?" he let out a short laugh,
"They say frustration comes from a lack of calcium" I was dumb enough to actually think about it. Obviously that's not the case, but I'd believe anything that would help relieve the heavy stress on my shoulders.