The Melancholy Schmaltz

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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: THE UNTOLD TRUTH

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"He left you for your own good."

Miyabi's words kept ringing inside Kahoko's head as she stared at Miyabi. She then turned to her right. She was muddled, so confused. The revelation penetrated her. She couldn't even understand what she was feeling. The truth, which was all this time hidden from her, made her feel bad… It was unfair. So unfair.

Miyabi had explained everything. The entire scheme that occurred.

"That's the only thing that I wanted you to know." Miyabi mumbled. "I just hope you won't be mad at my brother anymore."

"I-I see." She rose to her feet. "I think I should go."

"I thought you are lost. Let me help you." Miyabi offered. Kahoko mad no reply. "Please?"

With that, Kahoko had no other options but to permit her to help.

"Thank you." She said before she went down Kenji's car.

"Take care of yourself." Miyabi bid her.

Kahoko closed the door and went inside the hotel. She entered the elevator and pressed the 10 button. When the elevator opened, Kanazawa met her.

"Oh my goodness! Where were you?" He told her.

Kahoko went out. "I was lost."

"What?" He noticed her blank expression. Something had happen. If she was well, she would have at least scolded him and had blamed him for being lost. "Did something happen?"

"The lightning struck me." She went inside her room and closed it before she could enter.

"Hey!" Kanazawa said.

•••••

Inside Kenji's car.

"Ken, did I do something wrong?" Miyabi asked.

"Frankly speaking, you should have not meddled with your brother's business." He gave him honest opinion.

"But if I did not tell her, who would?" She responded.

Kenji did not respond. He just held her hand and continued driving.

•••••

"Suzuma, what do you think about this?" Leina, Yunoki Suzuma's girlfriend asked.

"I don't really think it would benefit the company." He answered.

"Really? I made some research about this and it would. When our companies will merge, it would be a big hit in the market." She turned to Azuma. "What do you think Azuma?"

Azuma examined the plan. "It's a pretty convincing plan. I think it will be great once we tried it."

"You believe so? I am glad. You are so unlike your brother. He doesn't believe everything that I say." Leina smiled.

Yunoki Suzuma is the head of the Yunoki clan and he is due to be married the next year to the daughter of a wealthy businessman.

"I believe I must go." Yunoki stood up.

"Why so soon?" Leina wondered.

"To give you some quality time together." He nodded.

"Oh, there is no need for that. Your brother is very busy." She shook her head gracefully. "He will be going anytime soon."

"I see, but I must leave. I have something important to attend to." Yunoki bowed. "Thanks for inviting me over here."

"No problem, Azuma. You can come anytime you like." She smiled. "Take care of yourself."

Yunoki then left.

Meanwhile, the two couple stayed quiet.

"So, when would you leave?" She placed the cup down then turned to him. She met his gaze. He had those gaze that told her he was displeased. Leina sighed secretly.

"Who doesn't believe in who?" He sternly asked.

"You never actually believe in me. Unlike your brother." She straightened her back.

He caged her on the couch. "And you compare me to my brother?"

She looked deep into his eyes. "I was just saying that…"

"What?" He wanted a straight answer.

"Nothing." She averted his gaze.

"Turn to me." He demanded.

And she slowly did.

"I'm also very busy, you say?" He added.

"Yes, you are." She pressed her lips.

"Well then." He moved back then launched his lips on hers.

He kissed her tenderly.

"Suzuma," She said between kisses. "Someone might come in." She was pushed down.

"Where is your room?" He mumbled on her neck.

"You had been there." She pressed her lips.

"First corner from the right?"

"Yes." She nodded.

"Let's spend the entire evening together." He whispered.

"Your meeting?" She asked.

"I moved it this morning. It would happen first thing in the morning, tomorrow." He stood up and carried her. "Won't your father know?"

"He wanted us this way." She answered.

"How do you know?" He turned to his right.

"He kept pushing me to you ever since we were in out on our first marriage interview." She explained. "Remember when he left me in a hotel room with you?"

"How could I forget?" He answered. "You were unexpectedly wrapped in a towel when I came."

"Yeah, right. How can a father do such thing to his very own daughter?" She shook her head.

"Anyway, why is Azuma here?" He pushed the door open.

"He wanted to talk to me so I asked him to come over, but eventually, you came over too." She shrugged.

"About what?" He wondered.

"About the musical concert that I am going to sponsor."

"So, he's still into music?" He laid her on the bed.

"It's not that bad though. But I can sense that he has his eyes on the lead violinist that I took." She sat down as he did the same.

"Violinist?" He noted.

"Hino Kahoko. That's her name." She propped her arm to her side.

"I heard something about her. She was his lover way back in high school."

"I see. I made a partnership with him on that concert." She patted him. "He wanted to."

"Where will it be held?"

"In Germany. This Sunday." She smoothened his collar. "You should come."

"It intrigues me. I should know who she is, as the head of the clan."

"You should be there to be my date too. Want me to go with someone else?"

"As if I will allow you too." He pulled her to him. 'Hino Kahoko?'

"Oh my goodness! I have a meeting now!" She went down the bed.

"What?" He held her hand. "Didn't I tell you that we'll be spending the night together?"

"You forgot to have it on schedule." She frowned.

"You won't be going anywhere." He was demanding.

"Oh Honey. It's very important." She cupped his face.

"What is it about?"

"It's about the Charity Ball that I'll be hosting next month in London." She sighed.

"Reschedule it. I'll back you up." He pulled her down.

"You sure?" She doubted. "I'm meeting two people today who will help me with it. They are a very important partners of mine."

"I'll pay up for three people." He was determined. "Make it four if you desire."

"Wait. I'll think it over." She took her phone out of her pocket then dialed someone. "Jamie, it's me, Leina, please cancel out my meeting today okay?"

'Don't worry Miss.' Her secretary said.

"You'll be paying a million pounds for this night Yunoki Suzuma." Leina shook her head.

"Billions if necessary." He said.

"You are a waster." She sat down beside him.

"Gallant, as I should say." He kissed her.

"No, you just love me. That's all." She teased.

"Could you just be quiet?" He laid her down.

•••••

Yunoki rode his car and drove. He pulled his phone out then called her secretary.

"Alexandra, could you book me a flight to Germany tonight or this dawn." He instructed. "I need to be there as soon as possible."

"Yes, Sir." She answered.

Yunoki eyed the rode. He was thinking on how he would get her back. He was not being unfair. Indeed, Kahoko has Len but she is supposed to be his. Len may have helped her but she belongs to him. They should be together. Sharing the world's wonder, walking hand in hand and sharing life's bitterness and sweetness, but that could never happen if she is with another man.

He remembered the way she looked at him. There was surprise and longing, but within those orbs, he saw bitterness and pain.

"We'll restore everything. I promise." He thought to himself.

•••

GERMANY

•••

"That was a good performance but you seemed distracted." Kanazawa mumbled. "Are you all right?"

"I am." She lied.

She wasn't comfortable at all. Yunoki was watching her as if he could see her entire being. His composed feature was mixed with his dark side.

"I have a question." She said.

"What?" Kanazawa sipped his wine.

"Why did you not tell me that Yunoki is a sponsor here?"

"If I tell you, would that matter? You usually don't ask, so I don't feel oblige to tell you about it. You actually said that you trust me, so you don't have to be bothered." He shrugged.

"You should have told me." She muttered.

"Why do you seem so troubled?" He said. "Don't you want him to be here?"

Kahoko looked up to him. "That's not it…It's just that…"

"Mister Kanazawa!" Leina neared them with Yunoki Suzuma beside her.

"Miss Schneider." He bowed.

"I am so glad that you gladly made business with me." She smiled. "Miss Hino thanks for that fabulous performance. It was awe-striking."

"Thanks for inviting me." Kahoko smiled back.

"Anyway, this is my fiancé, Yunoki Suzuma." Leina introduced.

"Nice to meet you." Suzuma bowed.

Kahoko stared at him. He resembles Azuma himself. Those eyes were golden brown, just like his. She was sure that she never met him before but Azuma told her something about his brothers.

"Same here." She bowed back.

"Sister," Yunoki Azuma came, making Kahoko cringe in her place.

"Azuma," Leina greeted him blissfully. "I bet you know them already. They were your comrades when you were high school, right?"

"Indeed, they were." Yunoki nodded. He took a tantalizing glance at Kahoko without making others see it. "Kanazawa-san, it's great to see you."

"You too." Kanazawa grinned.

"Hino-san, I am very pleased to see you tonight." He held a hand out for her to take. Kahoko stared at it and was left with no choice but to shake it. She did not wish to embarrass him in front of his soon to-be sister in law, but unfortunately, he did not let her hand go. "You look beautiful tonight." He kissed her hand.

"…Th—thank you." She mumbled.

"Would you mind if I ask you to dance?" He politely asked.

'No.' She thought. She was not in the mood for dancing. More on that, she does not want to be with him, because he'd been inside her mind these past few days ever since Miyabi told her about the reason why he left. She doesn't even know what to tell him. "I think that is not a good idea." She thought of slapping herself for such stupid excuse.

"And why not?" Leina wondered.

"I… don't really dance." That was a lie.

"Azuma is a good lead. He will take care of you." Leina said.

"I am afraid, that compliment is too much, Sister." Yunoki smiled.

"It's not." She returned his smile.

Yunoki then turned to Kahoko. "Shall we?"

Of all the luck in the world, Kahoko felt trapped. She had accepted his offer because she had no choice. It was as if there are no choices left for her to choOse from that night.

Yunoki brought her to the dance floor. Kahoko could not look at him so he brought her hands to his shoulder and placed his hands on her waist. Slowly, he began. She easily followed. She then felt him bringing her closer to him.

She looked up.

"You look immaculately beautiful tonight." He whispered to her ears.

"What—what are you talking about?" She stuttered.

"You." He smirked. "You know, I always think that white suits you."

She did not mind responding.

"I heard your flaws tonight." He said. "You were out of your mind."

"Az-Yunoki." She looked at his shoulders. She was too close to him so he was not able to meet her face.

"Hm…?"

"Why did you leave me?" She mumbled.

Yunoki's smirk left his lips but after a minute, it came back.

"Because…" He began.

Kahoko was anticipating his answer.

"Because you and I don't belong together." He whispered.

Kahoko fell into a sudden shock. She was not expecting that. She knew he was lying. But hearing that, made her feel bad.

She stopped dancing.

"I thought you love me?" She lowered her gaze.

"I never told you that." He said it firmly.

"You know, I've always thought that you are a liar." She looked up to him. He returned her gaze.

"Really?" He responded.

"You were the worst person that I have ever met." She said.

"As if I care about that?" He grinned menacingly.

"You live in two world, deceiving people that you are wonderful. Many looked up to you, they idolize you, but-" Her voice was getting higher so Yunoki grabbed her out of there.

"Let me go!" She tried to break free but she couldn't.

He dragged her out of the venue and brought her to the roof top.

"Let me go!" She used all her force and at last, she broke free. "Why are you like that?"

"Like what?" He said.

"You always lie about things! You always deny the truth. Why do you love deceiving people?" Her voice was loud enough. "Are you having fun making people dance around your palms? I loved you… but what did you do to me?" She was crying but she did not mind that. "You made me dream that everything was real. You made me think that there were us. That you and I belong together. But I was stupid. So stupid." She shook her head. "If only I followed what my mind told me, about mever getting myself involved with you, I wouldn't have cried for these past few years. Lying to myself that you will come back to me." She paused. "What an idiot! I couldn't forget about you despite of me, cursing you for leaving. But I think you were right since before, I am an idiot. Because when I heard that you left because of me, I thought about what we could have been if only you did not leave. Will we survive, beating all the odds?" She placed her hand on her mouth then brought it down. "Upon hearing that you left me because you did not want me to get hurt… I thought that, you loved me. But asking you to tell why you exactly left me, to confirm what I've heard, you said the opposite. So what I heard was a lie after all? You did not love me. I was only your toy, as you always claim me to be."

"How did you know?" He calmly asked.

"It does not matter how." She turned around. "From this day onwards, I will think of you as my senior just like before. I will bury our past to the grave, as if we were never together. In time, I am sure; my love for you will fade just like the foams of the ocean."

"But foams in the ocean comes back again and again." He answered. "It is easier to hurt someone for their sake than seeing them being her by others."

Kahoko was stopped.

"That was what they told me and that was what I tried to believe in…the saying that, you and I don't belong together." He snorted. "But I came back. I came back thinking that I have gotten over you, but I was wrong. I tried to check whether I truly was over you so I made you play on my party, but when I saw you… I recalled everything. I don't know why but I told myself, that you are mine."

She turned back. Yunoki was eyeing the floor.

"You know, I don't really care if you call me a liar because I already knew who I am. A deceiver." He looked at her straight. "And about being the worst person that you have ever met? I think I don't give a damn about that, because I want you and I will do everything just to make you mine again."

Kahoko's knees trembled. She fell on the floor, thinking of nothing else but the man in front of her.

Yunoki gazed deep into her eyes and neared her. "Be mine?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Oh my goodness, I feel so bad now. I promised that the update won't take too long but it took me years to accomplish it! Sorry for that. Actually, I was very busy. I had too many practice and school works. I am also very busy with my stories which I had written a notebook. The title of it is "Mister Playboy and Miss Playgirl". I focused on it so much that I did not mind other stories. (Oh goodness…) My classmates-slash-readers are always "DEMANDING" me to write updates right away so I have no choice but to obey. (They complain to much you know.) But I got to thank them too for their support.

Truly, forgive me for breaking my promise. Anyway, back to the story. Yunoki said it. And now my question is... do you have any suggestions, or reactions?

Thanks for your undying support. Take Care and much Love

Whispering Angels : Thank you for your support. You've been with me since before. I love your comments. Thanks for reading. By the way, new nice name.

jiyu22 : I am confused too. I don't want to hurt Len but I just had hurt him… I am still hesitating though. Thanks for reading!

The Phoenix Feather : Yes! School is killing me! But what can we do? We are just students. I am glad that you have come to meet the characters. Hahahaha La Corda is awesome. I haven't had time to read any of your updates now but probably, I will. School is too hectic for me. Thanks for liking the piano piece. And for reading.

zenophobiaz : You guessed it right! She's troubled. As troubled as I am. Len and Yunoki are two interesting characters and they differ from any ordinary characters… I wish you luck too. Thanks for you support.