Author's Note: Sorry for the late updates. I've been busy during the New Year's Eve lately. So, this will be an addition to my readers. Hope you'd like it! Please read and review! Thanks! :D

Chapter 11: Desires Of The Heart

The next day, Rika was already in her office and she was back to her normal routine. She could not help but relish all what had happened during the Okinawa trip: how she opened up, how she and Henry made up, and best of all, how she and Henry kissed and slept with each other in one room without anything happening much. She smiled as those events gave her the idea to finish her story as well during that vacation.

Gosh… Rika thought as she remembered to forward her entire story to her boss. I'm back in the publishing scheme once again.

At that moment, she felt a hand touch her shoulder. When she looked up, she saw that it was the smiling Zoe who was standing next to her.

"Soooo? How's your vacation?" she asked, wanting to know details with what happened to her.

Wow… Thank God for busybody officemates, Rika thought sarcastically. "It's good."

"It seemed that you didn't have a tan!" Zoe commented, noticing that Rika still had a fair skin despite having gone on a vacation earlier.

"Well, the weather was really irritating. Sun's shining and rain's pouring…" Rika answered, recalling how erratic the weather was when they were in Okinawa.

"That's nice," Zoe commented. "How I wish Koji would drag me to a vacation just like that!"

Rika snorted. "Why don't you do it if you want to?" she asked. "Probably he just wanted you to voice out what you really like."

Zoe thought for a moment. "Hmm… I wish I could do that… I'm a writer and I can't just go on leaves like those!" she added.

"Oh, Zoe…" Rika mumbled as she smacked her head. She had nothing more to say with Zoe around. Sometimes, if she could do comparisons, she would tell that Alice was way smarter than Zoe and Mimi combined.

"What?" Zoe asked as she heard Rika calling her.

"Just get back to writing, will you?" Rika asked in an almost demanding tone.

"Yes, Ma'am!" Zoe answered with a smile and gave Rika a salute.

Rika only nodded as she saw the picture of her and Henry taken during the vacation in Okinawa. She felt as if she was reliving the sweet memories that she had with him once again.

Not long after, Henry mischievously ran towards Rika and carried her in a bridal style. Rika was surprised with what Henry just did.

"What the… Henry!" Rika exclaimed as Henry carried her in the bridal style.

While carrying her, Henry's feet eventually reached the ocean. With this, he mischievously threw Rika on the water causing Rika to shout as she got inside the water with a splash.

"Henry Wong!" she exclaimed as she fell to the water. "What do you think you're doing?!"

With that, Henry only laughed while Rika smiled dryly. She wanted to get back for what Henry did to her.

"Two can play at this game!" she replied deviously in which Henry only laughed.

While he was laughing, Rika shoved the water towards him using her hands. Henry stopped laughing when the salty water splashed into his mouth and Rika only laughed at him. Henry smiled at Rika and he stepped forward causing Rika to jump back to the water and swim with her arms paddling forward. But when Rika rose to the surface and stood up, she did not see Henry.

Where could that Blue Hair be? she thought as she tried to find Henry.

However, Rika felt that a hand grabbed her foot so he sank into the shallow water. It was actually Henry who then raised her from being sunk in the sea. Rika coughed a bit after accidentally drinking the salty water.

"You idiot!" Rika berated Henry and smacked his arm.

Henry laughed and hugged Rika tightly. Rika eventually did the same to him and hugged him back.

"I wish time would stop and let me be with you every day," he whispered seriously in Rika's ear.

Rika stopped because she did not expect that he would say that to her. Henry broke a bit and placed his hands on Rika's shoulders while looking into her violet eyes.

"Don't leave me again, okay?" he said with his grey eyes looking at Rika's. "And if there's a problem, please tell me. You can confide me."

Rika smiled and nodded. This time Henry hugged her even tighter with Rika returning it as well.

"Thank you for making me happy, Henry," Rika said. "You're the best person I wanted to be with."

"I told you that I can be your friend!" Henry answered with a smile and broke away from Rika.

He's my friend… and at the same time, my boyfriend, Rika thought. At that time, I wasn't ready to get into a relationship once again because I feel that something might be wrong if we continued it. But there he was… still trying to give me strength and comfort.

At that very moment inside Henry's office, he was smiling at himself because he felt accomplished. That was because of two things: he was successful in his career and at the same time, successful in winning his lady love back. Even if they were not the usual and conventional couple, at least both of them were already in each other's arms again.

I am very much in love with you, Rika, Henry thought and smiled.

His thoughts bring him back to the day they became together once again.

"I'm sorry, Henry… I'm sorry for leaving you… I feel as if I don't deserve your love anymore," Rika said and she was amazed with herself since she did not let herself cry anymore.

Henry only kissed her head and embraced her again. "It's alright… I understand why you have to do it. Please don't be mad at yourself… You deserve all the love in the world. I love you, Rika, and that's all that matters right now."

Rika looked at her former boyfriend as she got lost in his grey eyes once again. "I…"

"It's okay if you're still sorting your feelings…" Henry answered reassuringly. "I'm not pressuring you to answer me. At least you knew how much I love you and I still do."

Rika let out a sigh. "Oh… Henry… In reality… I still love you too… You're the reason why I couldn't move on. My memories with you always remind me of why I left you. My heartbeat may have ceased when I died but nothing will replace you inside there. I'm sorry, Henry, for being afraid to let you know how I felt."

Henry only smiled as he knew that his love also loved him that much. "Oh, Rika… You made me happy with what you just told me."

Rika wore a look of confusion. "I did?" she asked.

"Of course!" Henry smiled. "You made me happy once again now that I know you still love me too."

Rika let out a devious grin as she realized that she could make other people happy despite her cold personality. "Okay."

With this, Henry took one of her hands and kissed it, making Rika turn pink with the gesture. As he returned Rika's hand to her direction, he decided to ask the final question now that both feelings were mutually reciprocated.

"Will you let me again show how much I love you?" he asked sincerely. "I want to start again with you."

Rika only pinched Henry's cheeks. "I don't want to start again…"

"Why?" Henry sounded almost disappointed.

"Because I want to continue where I left off, you idiot!" Rika answered with a smug grin.

At least she made an effort to make me happy once again, Henry thought as he saw the picture of him and Rika both wearing their normal clothes while standing on the beach.

With this, he began to type something in his laptop. It may have been a narrative report but still, he got the inspiration to work even harder. He actually had the plan to settle down but because of his parents, they wanted him to tie down to someone else being that Rika mysteriously disappeared without a trace. Now that he found Rika once again, he was sure that he would end up with her someday. And he had hoped that someday would come sooner.

Then, he dialed Rika's number once again so he could see her by just having lunch with her. Ever since they got back to where they were last time, he could not help but be happy whenever he was with her.

"Hey, Rika!" Henry greeted pleasantly.

And from the other line, Rika's face was tainted with surprise and at the same time happiness. She was surprised since it was Henry who called her once again. Her heart had increased its beating since it was her special man who was calling as well.

"H-Hi, Henry…" Rika stammered and tried herself not to blush. "Why'd you call?"

"I just want to ask invite you for lunch again," Henry answered. "If you won't mind!"

Rika looked at the clock in front of her. It was already 11:15 A.M.

"What time?" Rika asked, trying her best to make herself available for him.

"Twelve noon?" Henry answered. "Please?"

Rika finally agreed to Henry's invitation. "Okay. I'll see you. Where are we having lunch, anyway?"

"It's a surprise," Henry answered. "I'll meet you up later."

Rika's eyes went wide with what she heard. What if I might get seen? I even told some that I'm not ready for a relationship yet.

"Oh… Okay. I'll be there," Rika answered, ending the call.

"Okay. I'll see you, Rika," Henry answered and hung up as well.

When she heard that he hung up, Rika had absolutely no idea on what she would do with her life. The more that she would be spending time with Henry, her heart would beat in an abnormal way once again. And there was no turning back. She was still and definitely in love with him.

Henry had a smile on his face after his conversation with Rika was over. However, his thoughts were ruined when he heard someone knocking on his door. He called out so they could hear him.

"Yes?" Henry called out.

The knock continued. "Henry, it's me, Takato. We need important files for the partnership with the other companies."

Eventually, Henry stood up from his seat and went towards the doorway. When he opened the door, he saw Takato standing there with his white buttoned down shirt and a pair of black slacks together with black shoes.

"Takato, the papers are in my desk. You can get them," Henry answered.

Takato was actually Henry's secretary because he had the complete trust on the former goggle-headed boy. However, he noticed that his employer was smiling more than yesterday. Something must have made Henry's morning really good as a chocolate.

"Hey, Henry! Nice morning we got, huh?" Takato taunted his friend.

"Yeah!" Henry agreed as he helped his friend acquire all the documents needed. "It's more than nice. It's excellent!"

"What's behind it, Sir Henry?" Takato asked deviously.

"Let's just say I'm going on a date with my girlfriend later at lunch," Henry replied with a smile.

Takato looked at Henry intently. "Henry, you do absolutely remember what Rika did to you, right?"

Henry stroked his chin. "Of course, I do, Takato."

"But what if she leaves you again just like that?" Takato asked seriously. He sensed that Rika and Henry would not stay longer this time.

"Rika never dumped me or left me for another man. She only disappeared from my life," Henry answered seriously. "And I'll be the one telling you that story in the future. The topic's too sensitive."

"Okay," Takato answered, somehow intrigued with what Henry just said. "At least, you're assured that Rika's still single."

"Not anymore." Henry smirked.

Back at Rika's office, the entire territory was getting ready for lunch so a few people remained inside. Zoe saw Rika busy sorting her files in one desk.

"Are you free this noon?" Zoe asked.

"Nope," Rika replied. "I'll be having lunch with someone else."

"Oh my gosh! You're going on a date with a guy! How romantic!" Zoe exclaimed. "And pretty! Hope that it would be a way for you to have a love life someday!"

I don't see the difference between Jeri and Aimi! Rika thought. "Yeah romantic…"

"Okay! I'll ask Mimi!" Zoe replied with a smile and told Rika that it was okay that she had a date with someone else. "Okay! Enjoy your date!"

Rika smiled dryly and got her bag. "Zoe, I have to go now. I'll see you later!"

"Sure, Rika! Have fun!" Zoe said and bid Rika goodbye. She waltzed off.

Rika went outside her territory and found an empty elevator going down. When she got inside, she pressed "G" for ground floor. The elevator went down until she reached the ground floor. When it opened there, she went out and saw the blue-haired Henry standing not too far away from the reception desk.

"Sir Henry!" Rika said as she walked towards him.

"Miss Rika!" Henry grinned. "What took you so long?"

"I just finished sorting all the galley proofs in my desk. It was a mess!" Rika explained. "Sorry I'm late!"

"Hungry?" Henry asked, sensing that Rika was pale from all the things that she did inside her office.

"Yeah!" Rika answered simply. She was too hungry to explain anything.

When the two were far away from their building, Henry's left hand grasped Rika's right hand and walked so they could scout for a nearest restaurant. They saw a Japanese restaurant from afar.

"Want Japanese?" Henry asked, while holding Rika's hand still.

"Sure!" Rika answered again. Those words were the only things that Rika could say due to her hunger.

The two walked towards the restaurant. When they got inside, they felt that a warm aura surrounded them. They saw an empty table for two and sat on it. A waitress went towards them and handed them separate menus while she stood there to take note of their orders.

"I'll have yakitori," Henry said. "What will you order, Rika?"

"Same as yours, Henry!" Rika said.

"Okay!" Henry smiled. "Two orders of yakitori."

"Okay, Sir!" the waitress said and went off.

When the waitress was truly gone, Henry began to scan Rika thoroughly.

"You seem like you're not eating this days, Rika," Henry said seriously. "Are you sure that you're fine?"

Rika snorted. "Of course I'm fine! It just happens that I don't easily eat too much, you know?"

"But you have to be careful with your body, Rika…" Henry reprimanded her as if he was her boyfriend once again. "You don't want to be dealing another purgatory busting experience, do you?"

"Okay, Henry… You win," Rika answered in surrender. "I'll eat so I can be healthy once again."

"That's my girl." Henry smiled.

The two walked towards the main door of the restaurant. When they got out and began walking, Rika was unusually quiet. She had finally released all of her troubles already to her former boyfriend but she was not sure of what they really are now.

While they were walking, Henry's arm was still around Rika's shoulder.

The couple continued walking towards Rika's building. When they got inside the building, they separated because there were many employees even in the front desk.

"I'll see you later, Rika," Henry said as the young woman walked towards her office already.

"You too, Henry," Rika answered warmly and proceeded to walk again towards the elevators.

As he saw that Rika was almost entering the elevator, Henry decided to fix again his interrupted relationship with her. He had an idea to treat Rika on a date tonight.

"Rika, are you free at five onwards?" he asked before Rika could board the elevator.

Rika was surprised because she definitely heard this when Henry told her about their lunch last time. But she wanted to make sure what this trick was this time.

"Yes. Why?" Rika answered.

"Well, I was wondering if we could go out on a date tonight…" Henry replied.

Rika was definitely surprised. I'm not hearing things, am I? Henry's asking me out on a date?! Not a lunch or dinner?!

"Are you asking me out, Henry?" Rika asked to make sure.

"This time, it's yes, Rika…" Henry answered with a smile. "Just the two of us… Nothing business…"

Rika's eyes went wide as she heard Henry's answer.

Oh gosh… It's reality alright! Rika's first half thought.

Rika! Henry needs an answer, you know?! The other argued.

"So, is it okay for you? If it isn't, just pretend I never said anything…" Henry replied wistfully, noticing that Rika was not saying anything.

Rika broke from her thoughts and turned to face Henry directly. "Okay… I'm in!" she replied.

"Really?" Henry asked with genuine happiness.

"Yeah! You want me to take it back?" Rika smirked.

"N-No! I'm just happy because you said yes… I'll pick you after work…" Henry answered. Yes! She said yes!

"Okay…" Rika said, feigning happiness after Henry asked her, and went to the elevator. "See you later!"

Henry smiled as Rika boarded the elevator. With that, Henry felt happy with himself as he realized that the spark to his relationship with Rika was back again.

Meanwhile, Rika had arrived at her office and she was still smiling because of what Henry said earlier. as she was walking towards her cubicle, Zoe noticed that Rika was smiling somehow.

"What's with the smile, Rika?" Zoe asked curiously. "You never smiled like that before!"

"It's nothing, Zoe!" Rika denied as she sat down in her cubicle.

"Okay! Whatever you say, Nonaka!" Zoe shrugged. "Anyway, Ma'am Naomi sent some papers for you to be signed…"

Oh great! Rika thought and started with the papers.

Later that afternoon, Henry saw many employees going outside Rika's office and he could see that the room was almost empty. He had access to Rika's office because of a visitor's pass.

I wonder where her cubicle is! Henry thought as he walked around.

When some employees went away, Henry went inside and headed straight to Rika's cubicle. As he was walking, he noticed the auburn-haired woman fixing her things on her desk.

"Hey, Rika!" Henry said enthusiastically.

Rika looked up and saw Henry. She was surprised to see him here in her office.

"Henry! Why so early? I was just about to go down, you know?" Rika remarked because she was seeing Henry here. "And how did you get in here?"

"Well, I finished early so I took the liberty of going down and seeing you," Henry answered with a wink. "And, I got a visitor's pass."

"Okay…" Rika replied and returned to fixing her piles of folders.

"How's your day?" Henry asked, wondering what happened to Rika after they parted earlier.

"Fine… Papers here and everywhere…" Rika narrated. "You?"

"Same as yours…" Henry said and noticed that Rika was getting her bag already. "You done?"

"Yes…" Rika answered. "So where are we going?"

"I thought you'd never ask!" Henry jested.

The two went to the elevator and they go inside. When the elevator reached the ground floor, they discreetly separated because there were other employees who were still there. They rejoined each other when they reached the basement where Henry's car was parked. When they hopped inside, Henry started the car and it moved outside the parking lot and they were traversing the busy road of Shinjuku.

"Seriously, Henry, where are we going?" Rika asked as she had no clear idea to what Henry was doing or where they would go.

"It's a surprise…" Henry grinned.

Rika shrugged since she could not make Henry spill the beans. She became silent and sat up straight in her seat.

I wonder where we are going… Rika thought as she saw the orange-colored dusk scenery of the city from her window. There are only two places I know here in Shinjuku…

Henry glanced at Rika for a moment. He mentally laughed for Rika could not figure out where they were going.

After an hour of travel, Henry and Rika arrived at their destination. When they got outside of their car, they were actually seeing the park where they first met as teenagers. Rika could not believe her eyes because of what she saw.

"Is this Shinjuku Park? Where we saw the digimon years ago?" Rika asked. The mere fact of her and Henry in this park sent shivers to her spine.

"Yes…" Henry replied with a smile.

"Wow! It sure changed a lot!" Rika remarked, noticing that the park also had cherry blossoms with it. "Those flowers are beautiful… I loved these flowers… I always stock my house with these things!"

"I know. When I first saw this place once again, the first thing that came into my head is that this is the place where I'll bring the woman I love," Henry said in awe. "And that's you, Rika Nonaka…"

Rika felt her cheeks blush. Then they both returned their gaze to the sunset.

Not long after, Rika began to yawn. "I'm getting bored…" she said.

"What do you want to do?" Henry asked, trying to divert Rika from her boredom.

"Run like crazy!" Rika replied with a grin and started sprinting from Henry. "Catch me if you can, Henry!"

Henry dusted himself and ran as well. "Two can play at this game!" he said with a grin.

Even if she was wearing a skirt, Rika was running as fast as a cat while Henry was gaining on her. While running, Rika could not help but laugh and enjoy the moment she was with Henry. She was lost on her thoughts about him that she failed to realize that Henry had caught her already and his arms were encircled around her waist while lifting her.

"I got you, Rika!" Henry grinned while spinning in circles. And I hope that I got your heart once again…

"Sto-HAHAHA!-op!" Rika exclaimed while blushing. "Okay, Henry! You win already!"

Henry placed Rika down and she sat on the grass. They rested because they were losing their breaths. Henry decided to get the food that he brought so they could have the date in the park. Rika was busy fixing herself because she was tired from her running earlier. When Henry returned with the food, Rika was astounded.

"Wow!" Rika said in amazement.

"Sushi and tempura!" Henry chuckled. "Your favorite!"

"Thanks! I'm famished!" Rika said with a grin and took a piece with her chopsticks.

"Me too!" Henry answered with a smile and ate one as well.

As they were eating, Henry looked at Rika in the eye.

"So how do you find this little date of ours?" he asked her.

"So much fun!" Rika giggled. "I wish we could repeat this someday…"

Henry pulled Rika close to him and laid his arm on her shoulder. "We will repeat this…" he assured.

"Really?" Rika asked innocently.

"For your happiness, I will…" Henry replied with a smile and Rika smiled as well. "Rika, I will do everything for us to return to normal. I don't care if we won't be like lovesick teenagers but it matters to me that you're here with me."

"Thanks, Henry, for understanding." Rika sighed.

Then Rika laid her head on Henry's shoulder. Sure it would take time for her to recover and return back to normal but as long as they were together, nothing would stop them from being with each other.