Misconceptions

Chapter Seventeen:
Lost

"I just feel . . . like my whole life has been a lie. I grew up in a poor orphanage only to discover that I have the amazing, rich long-lost-father—I'm okay with that. I'm okay with the fact that I know for sure my mother is dead. I can even deal with the fact that he does a few illegal things . . . but this is a whole other story."

Kouga ran his fingers through Ayame's soft waves as she cuddled into him. "He was trying to protect you," he added.

"Protect me from what?" she snapped. "I'm just so over this whole things. Everything is just too much. This Verona . . . she was his daughter—my sister."

"So was wanting to find me because you love mea big lie?" Ayame bit out as she fought back the tears.

"Not at all," Burke argued. "I searched for you because you're my daughter—because you have my blood running through your veins."

"Are you sure it just wasn't because you lost one daughter, and you might as well replace her with another? I'm not sure I know what to think."

"I have been looking for you even before Verona died. Do you believe that?"

Ayame suddenly growled into Kouga's side. "I hate these rare moments where . . . you're actually right."

Kouga smirked. "I'm just going to take it as if it were a compliment."

"Good because few more might come your way later," she teased. She turned her impatient glance toward the midnight sky and immediately sat up. "I better go,"

"Where are you going?"

"Home," she reminded him. "I have to tuck the kids in—I promised I wouldn't miss another weekend and I refuse to let this whole drama series get in my way."

"I'll drive you," he offered.

Ayame shook her head. "Its fine—it's only down the street. Plus, I could use the time."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

.o0o.

"Nakatani-sensei," Ayame whispered as she let her head slip into the room. She looked around for the counselor.

"Come in," the woman greeted slowly as she turned around toward her desk in a large black-leather chair. She hadn't bothered to look at Ayame. Ms. Nakatani looked like one of those women who were so perfect. She had to have a bar code on her. Not a hair was ever out of place. Her outfits consisted of Chanel blazers and skirts and her heels were always high.

Ayame nervously sat down in the chair in front of her set her books on her lap.

Ms. Nakatani suddenly smiled and set the file she had been looking at on her desk. "It seems like you're a very accomplished girl, Ayame. What you plan on doing with your life after college?"

Ayame shrugged. "I haven't exactly pin-pointed anything yet. My options are pretty open."

"A little birdie told me you have a knack for art, is that true?"

She shrugged again. She was so nervous that she feared she might snap her finger off if she played with her hands any longer. "It's more of a hobby. I don't exactly have the money to study art yet, but studying different business aspects gives me a better chance at succeeding in life."

Ms. Nakatani nodded as she leaned bag and fingered the pearls on her neck. "That's good to hear. Well, I bet you're wondering why I called you to my office, eh? Don't worry, dear, you aren't in any trouble. I call all the students to my office at this time of the year to just check up on them."

Ayame tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear. "That's refreshing."

"I sure hope so. You have absolutely no disciplinary record, which is an amazing thing. Now, I see that you've missed a few tuition payments."

Ayame looked at her confused. "That's impossible. I'm here on a scholarship."

Ms. Nakatani flipped through a few papers in Ayame's file as she wiggled on her reading glasses. "Oh, I seem to be mistaken—your tuition was paid in full last week."

She raised a brow. "Does my scholarship do that?"

"Actually, it was paid by a man by the last name of Burke." Her gaze at the file deepened. "It also seems we have to change your schedule."

"Did I get kicked out of one of my classes?"

"Oh, no honey. Mr. Burke paid your tuition in full but only for a few art classes of your choosing . . . hm, I wasn't aware you and Landon were related."

"It's . . . complicated. Are you sure he paid."

"I have a copy of the personal checks and payments. If you like, you could have a look."

.o0o.

Ayame knocked on Burke's office door. He had seemed to spend more time in there than anywhere in the house. "Come in," he allowed.

Ayame cautiously stepped inside.

"Ayame, how are you?"

"Good . . . I guess. I mean, as good as I can be under the circumstances. I just found out that a year ago I had a sister that I looked so much like . . . and now she's not here any more."

He nodded sadly. "I assume you're mad. I want you to know straight off, that Vorena had nothing to do with me wanting to find you. I've been trying to track you down since before you were born! It's just a coincidence that she . . . died . . . before I could find you."

"I can understand that. I just don't understand why you didn't tell me I had a sister."

"Vorena isn't exactly an easy subject to touch upon—at least not for me."

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to be rude. I just would have liked to know that I had a sister—a blood related sister, who happened to look like me—or maybe I looked like her. Does my face bring up bad memories for you?"

Burke smirked and shook his head. "Not at all. I know the difference between you and Vorena. I have to admit . . . at first I thought my old mind was playing tricks on me when I saw you. I thought I was seeing what I wanted to see . . . but I know that you are Ayame. You might look like your sister, but you aren't her."

Ayame nodded. "At least you understand that, but I can't speak for Bin. He's hurting inside and I don't think me being around has helped him at all. I think it opened up old wounds."

"Bin . . . he's a confused young man."

Ayame knew to think twice before going further into the conversation, but the longer she talked to Burke, the more she became curious of Vorena and her life that she had led with Bin. Was Burke against it—what did he even think of Bin? Every question began fluttering into her mind and burying its self deep into her every thought.

"Fine . . . but I want to know what you're only paying my tuition so long as it has to do with majoring in art."

Burke nodded and shifted in his seat. He was expecting more questions about Vorena but was relieved with the change of subject. "You're good at art. I thought it's what you wanted."

She stared down at her feet. "I like art, it's a hobby. But I've been studying business for two years now—"

"Yes, but it's only because it had a promising future. That was when you didn't have money."

"My money problems still haven't changed," she butted in.

"Ayame . . . whether you like it or not, your money problems don't even exist anymore. I have more money than I need and I refuse to be greedy with it when I have you—my daughter—to share it with."

"I just . . . I don't want you to think I want to build on relationship because of your status. I want to know more than what's in your bank account, Dad."

"Alright, then we're both on the same page. I know you don't want my money, Ayame—but so long as I'm in your life, I'll be here to help."

Ayame nodded dramatically. "Good, so will you just . . . stop . . . for a while or something?"

"Fine—so long as you major in art instead of business."

"That's not f—" She was interrupted by the thrill of her phone that vibrated against her leg. She dug into her pocket and read the caller ID only to find that it was an unknown number. She flipped it open.

'Meet me outside.' The text read.

.o0o.

"I was wondering if you'd come." Bin stepped out from behind a batch of bushes.

Ayame stared at him wide eyed. "What are you doing here—I mean, I thought you'd be on a plane back to Korea by now. Haven't you stirred up enough trouble?"

He winced at the low blow. "I deserve that," he noted honestly. "Believe me, I didn't want you to find out this way, but I just thought—"

"What did you think, Bin?" she interrupted almost bitterly. "Did you think that this little secret would make me hate my father and cause me to run into your arms or something, because that isn't the case? Look, I'm really sorry that . . . my sister passed away and caused you so much pain, really, I am."

"Thank you, but that is not at all what I wanted."

"Well, how did you even find out?"

"Let's just say I have connections."

She eyed him curiously. "Do you have connections with the mafia too?"

"Too?" he questioned.

Ayame shook her head and chuckled softly. "Never mind. Look, I'm not mad—in fact I hate to admit this, but I'm truly thankful that this is all out in the open."

"Good, 'cause I know Vorena would have loved to see her sister. She really wanted to know you."

Ayame nodded slowly. "It would have been nice to know her too. But it's a little late for that, don't you think?"

"Not at all. It's never too late to get to know your sibling."

"What was she like . . . I mean my Dad told me a lot but . . . I think it's obvious that kids aren't themselves around their parents? How was she really?"

Bin shrugged. "She was just . . . breath taking. She was very caring and . . . soft. It was strange because she was such a free spirit. Sometimes when I was with her I felt like a child again."

The two had been walking for an hour now—just talking about Bin and his life with Vorena. Ayame had longed to hear things about her sister. Burke hadn't said much. She knew it hurt him to talk about Vorena, but Bin was different. He almost lit up when he talked about Vorena. It was a change for him. Jin cared about him, but it sort of hurt her to even think of Vorena. They had such a strong friendship in the past.

Ayame listened obediently to every word Bin spoke. His Japanese sounded so native. She was happy that she didn't have to talk in Korean since she felt the need to brush up on it a little more. She suddenly brushed his cheek with her finger tips. She could tell her touch stunned him. "Forgive me," she apologized in one breath. "It's just . . . you have a bruise. Are you alright?"

He smirked. "Yes, I'm fine. Don't be startled I'm a . . . K-1 fighter."

Her eyes went wide. "Truly?"

Bin nodded modestly. "Yea, well . . . don't get me wrong. I work for a production company. I help produce and direct films . . . but I just got into."

Ayame looked at him confused. "I'm not sure I understand," she admitted.

"That is how I met Vorena in the first place. I had to go to California on business to look at a few locations for a film. After Vorena . . . died . . . I took my aggression out and became a K-1 fighter. I'm not exactly proud of it, but it is what it is. I haven't gotten out of the habit, but a few months ago I went back to my production company."

Ayame smiled nervously. "Well, at least you are trying. Her . . . star would be proud of you."

"Star?"

She smiled again. "Sorry, it a stupid childhood fable or whatever."

Bin suddenly broke into a fit of laughter. "I'm sorry," he let out between laughs. "It's just . . . Vorena told me the story about that. She believed that when people die, they return to their original star. It's . . . a beautiful theory."

"A lot of people say that, but they just say it to make it seem as if it affected them."

"What makes you say that?"

"If people really thought it was a beautiful theory then it wouldn't just be a theory to them. It would actually mean something to them." Ayame suddenly froze when Bin reached out and tucked a loose lock of wavy hair behind her ear. She broke into a small blush—the only guy that had ever done that was Kouga, and she even blushed when he did it.

"Who is this guy?" Ayame heard Kouga growl protectively from behind her.

.o0o.

"I just . . . I 'm not good with this stuff, okay?" Kouga sighed angrily.

Ayame smiled and rolled her eyes. She set her chin on his shoulder. "He's barely an acquaintance," she whispered softly in his ear. "Kouga, I'm a one guy kind of girl. I'm not the type to just go around with anyone I meet. Bin might be my only connection to my sister. I want to at least know who she was."

"Fine, but I have to tell you: I don't like him. There's something fishy about him."

"You met him for a few seconds and spent most of the time insulting him—what could you possibly find about him to be curious about?"

"Don't you think it's just a bit strange that be wants to spend time with you?"

She shrugged. "No . . . he was married to my sister—"

"Who just so happened to look a lot like you. I think the least of his expectations are friendship. I don't trust—let alone with you! I don't like it. And I don't like you sending time with him."

She suddenly laughed and slapped her hand over her mouth. "Sorry," she giggled. "But . . . your jealousy is just a bit too much. Kouga . . . I wouldn't be around Bin if I thought he'd hit on me or something."

"When I saw him, he was touching you," he argued.

"That's what you saw. He was really sweeping a piece of hair out of my face. That's all."

"I should know, I'm a guy. Everyone knows I use that move when I want something."

Ayame rested her hands on her hips. "Do you?"

Kouga rolled his eyes. "That's not the point!"

"Look, Kouga . . . Bin isn't going to be here for long. I respect how protective you feel you should be . . . but you're wrong. And even if Bin did like me, I don't like him back. I want to be with you. I wouldn't sneak around to be with anyone else. I'm sorry you're so concerned. Please understand . . . I never met Vorena. I don't know anything about her . . . but Bin is changing that."

.o0o.

"Boss . . . you called?"

Burke point to the chair in front of him. "Sit, Sang-Min," he offered.

Sang-Min did as he was told. He knew better than to disobey Burke. Besides, he respected the guy like a father. Sang-Min grew up in a harsh background. His mother died when he was fifteen and he was a bastard along with six other bastard brothers and sisters. Because of Burke, he was able to keep his brothers and sisters in school, fed and clothed. He was a very grateful.

"No, what do you have for me."

Sang-Min sighed. Snitching was his least favorite part of the job. "Well . . . I did as you were told. It seems that Ayame has been seeing Kouga for weeks now. They've been seeing much of each other."

Burke nodded calmly. "And why haven't you tagged along with her?"

"She uh . . . usually just goes to her apartment with a little friend of hers. Her friend tends to . . . hurt my feelings sometimes. I'd really rather not."

He laughed and sat back in his chair. "I assume this friend is Carissa, right? That girl is very smart at the mouth. It's a very good trait of hers. You can't tell me you let a little girl like her hurt your . . . feelings.

Sang-Min cleared his throat. "I'm sorry for disappointing you, sir. I just don't like when people call me things like . . . faerie."

Burke sighed and shook his head. "Don't be sorry, Sang-Min. Following my daughter isn't in your job description. I only wanted a small favor. But you can stop as of now. Well . . . what did they do while they were together?"

He shrugged. "They mostly hugged and talked."

"And from that . . . do you think they could possibly serious."

Sang-Min nodded.

"Good . . . you can go."

It had been hard for Burke. The last thing he wanted to do was ask Ayame to give up something that made her happy. How could he confront her about Kouga, again? It was hard for him the first time, but he couldn't possibly ask her a second time. He could tell Ayame was one to please people, but maybe it was too much.

Maybe his small surprise would help the situation . . . or maybe not.

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

A/n:

Okay, thanks for waiting. Sorry it took me so long. I've been so busy. But Tayanese is here now!

Spoilers…sort of: Okay, Burke confronts Ayame about seeing Kouga, but she gives him a small surprise of her own. Burke also surprises her with news a new living situation. Ayame has big news for her friends…but how will they react? And why is Kouga so down? Could it be that everything isn't okay with the happy couple? And Bin reveals a few things to Ayame . . . but could it be too much for her to handle? Hana is also happy, but what's got this witch in a spell casting mood? And an accident could leave paradise in danger.

Not only are these spoilers for next chapter but not all are for next chapter. Some are also for future chapters. Stay tuned and thanks so much for your support. Keep me up with comments!