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V: The Games We Play

The ocean splashing against the breakwater and the chirping of crickets were the only sounds that could be heard that night. The park was empty, save for a lone woman sitting on one of the many benches, smoking.

Rei sat and watched the raging water splash against the breakwater. She closed her amethyst eyes and smiled as trickles of ocean water occasionally misted her face. She took a long drag of her cigarette and wondered briefly how her husband would react if he found out she smoked.

Probably wont care.

Stop it!

Why was she even thinking about him again? She shook her head and rid her mind of thoughts of him. The night was far too precious to be wasted on him.

The gentle night breeze carried the distinct smell of the ocean- that and the smell of smoke coming from her newly lit cigarette.

Her eyes wandered from the water to the many trees that lined the serene and secluded park. The place was still as pristine as before- immaculately clean and dreadfully quiet, just the way she liked it.

Resting her head on the back of the bench, Rei watched the luminescent moon-it shined in all its radiant glory and she couldn't help but smile. It had been such a long time since she'd seen a full moon.

"I didn't know you smoke."

She turned her head in the direction to the all-too familiar voice, her smile now gone. She silently cursed her bad luck. Of all the people in the world, he was the second person she did not want to see, first of course would be her husband.

Why don't you just leave me alone?

Her mind briefly drifted to eight years ago, when she thought she was in love with him, when she thought he returned her love, when she thought he'd never leave like her mother and father did.

To be young and ignorant…

Her thoughts grew dark and she mentally shook herself.

No use thinking about the past.

Of course he didn't know. She had gone to great lengths to make sure her secret was safe. Settling comfortably into the bench, she chose not to respond and resumed looking at the moon.

"You know, those things could kill you." He said as he sat beside her on the bench.

Yes, I'm hoping they do.

Again, she chose not to respond. Maybe her silence will drive him away… Maybe.

"You're risking lung cancer, you know."

Apparently not.

Exasperated, Rei turned to face the blonde and glared.

"What do you want?"

What do I want?

He grew somber for a while, his face looking serious as if he was conscientiously contemplating the answer. He looked at her irritated profile and closed his eyes. What did he want? Tangible, material possessions and the occasional happiness and success- those were what the ton wanted. But he didn't care for material things; they offer only brief satisfaction. He wanted more than that. He wanted something he knew he could never have. Something he knew he didn't deserve.

What he wanted was something only Rei could give. Something he knew she would never give him.

I want… I want another chance even if I don't deserve it.

"What do people usually want, Rei?" he asked despondently. It was safer than telling the truth. Had he told her what he truly wanted, she would not have believed him- and justly so. And even if she believed him, she would never give him another chance. He, as much as he hated to admit it, didn't deserve her trust, he didn't deserve another chance… and most importantly, he didn't deserve her. He looked at his clasped hands and sighed.

I don't deserve her…

But, he thought, Jared didn't deserve her either. She deserved someone better.

"That doesn't answer my question!" She snapped. Rei never snapped at him before, never used that biting tone, never even raised her voice at him. Kaidou looked at her and sighed. His Rei has changed and he knew he was partially at fault.

My Rei…

"I thought it was rhetorical."

She was silent for a moment, staring blankly at him. "I started smoking after I found out about the engagement," her voice was even, her face unreadable, "Stress, I suppose. No one knows and I intend to keep it that way."

"I see."

"Do you?"

"You're killing yourself because of him."

"You give him too much importance."

"Isn't he?"

To this, she didn't respond. Instead, she took a long drag and closed her eyes. He noticed then, even when smoking, how graceful, how impeccably perfect she looked- with her neck slightly arched back and her luscious lips blowing noxious fumes into the night air. When she opened her eyes to look at him, he found himself lost in her intense stare.

"Maybe I just want to die?"

"Maybe... maybe not."

"Why does it have to be about him?"

"Why not?

"Maybe I'm just sick of life."

"Maybe…"

"Why are you here, Kaidou?" She stared at him so intensely that he couldn't help but finally look away. Her eyes, he surmised a long time ago, was his kryptonite. They read his mind, his soul, they see past all his lies and pretense- she could see him. Him- not the politician or political prodigy but the real him.

"I just came here to think."

"I see."

Without thinking, he asked, "How was the honeymoon?"

She smiled at him cynically, "What do you think?"

From where he stood, he couldn't hear what they were talking about, but he had a clear view of Kaidou. He could clearly see the softening of his eyes as he spoke to his wife. His wife. Jared didn't like that look- it was the look of a man in love. But what he didn't like more was the predatory gleam in his deceitfully innocent eyes- it was the look of a man who had a plan.

He had known beforehand that his father-in-law's protégé and his lovely wife had a history. It was something he had discussed with the older Hino, but he quickly dismissed it and said it was nothing that should concern him, as it was only a childhood crush.

"That was nothing, boy! She was just a child. As for Kaidou, well, Rei was like a sister to him." Jun Hino's words echoed in his mind. "That was a long time ago, it meant absolutely nothing."

But looking at them now, chatting, enjoying their little midnight rendezvous, Jared knew it wasn't 'nothing' and he knew that Kaidou didn't see Rei as a little sister.

Little sister indeed.

He continued to watch as they continued to talk, oblivious of his presence. His eyes narrowed as his gaze fell on her, specifically, the back of her gorgeous little head.

You little minx. You wont get away with this.

He thought she was beyond cheating and lowly little games. Apparently, as he looked at her and Kaidou talking, she wasn't. She was just like them- a dirty player playing a dirty game. He could very easily walk in on them and their little conversation and demand what was going on, claim what was rightfully his and even beat Kaidou to a pulp if necessary but that would be un-Jared of him- it wouldn't be cool. No, he had special plans for his dear wife when she got back home. As for Kaidou, he would have to keep a watchful eye on him.

I didn't come this far to loose to someone like you.

TBC

A/N

Late again. I apologize. But yeah, no more interludes.

Fast forward, right?

Tut-tut… don't fret. The gaps shall be filled! And yes, they are done with their honeymoon, I planned to write it in a linear fashion but figured that would be too boring so I changed the timelines and all. So yeah, bear with me okay.

This will all make sense eventually.

NOTE: I haven't read this through yet so it might be revised/ typos might be found and removed so yeah. I just want to submit this chap.

In other news, I was hospitalized. Well, only for 2 days. Still. Me had a boo-boo. Lol.

Thanks to the reviewers. Please don't be fed up with me just yet.

Review/pelt/donate money/ whatever. D Me loves you all!