Me: Hey! I'm back again! Thanks to my 8 reviewers on the last chapter! Oh and SolemnPassive...I updated, I updated! Please don't sent 50 spirits to haunt me!
Mai: *comes in* Hey sorry it took 4 chapters, but I finally got him here! *Naru comes in*
Me: *gasp* NARU! *latches onto him*
Naru: ...
Mai: She doesn't own Ghost Hunt!
Gene's POV
Noll stared at the floor for a second, probably trying to make up more lies to cover up this one whole big lie, before answering, "It was on a case." He stated simply. 'No, it wasn't.'
"Which case?" Ayako asked immediately after hearing his answer. 'Noll, you'd better think of a case carefully or you will be caught out.'
I saw Noll take a deep breath.
"The Kobayashi's case. Their son kept flirting with Mai." He spat 'flirting' out like it was venom, which startled Mai a bit. 'Let me see… that's one… two months ago now and Noll said they've been together for that length of time… Hmm, okay! Makes sense. Good thinking!'
Monk, Ayako, and Yasu started shouting about how they remembered that case while John just slightly nodded and said he remembered too. The three loud-mouths quieted down but then smirks formed on their faces. 'Ooh, this looks to be interesting. I wonder what they've thought of.'
"So you were jealous! We thought you were, but you never did anything to stop the guy from talking to Mai..." Monk recalled. 'Really?!'
"Well, he did order Mai to make tea if she and that guy talked for too long!" Yasu mentioned. 'Hahaha, typical Noll!'
"Now wait a minute, you guys. You keep saying 'that' guy. What's his name?" Madoka inquired. 'Yeah, I'd like to know too so I can go check him out.'
Monk rubbed his chin and furrowed his eyebrows. "Yeah, what was his name, Mai?"
She shifted in Noll's lap a bit, uncomfortable. She thought of how she didn't like this guy whoever he was and still doesn't as he seemed too loose. 'I don't like him already. Maybe I'll haunt him, hang his underwear somewhere public or something.'
"Oh, um, Natsuki."
Monk snapped his fingers. "Yeah, that's it!" 'Right, I'll have to look into him. Thanks for the info!'
"Oh, and remember that one time Natsuki was about to ask Mai to go have dinner with him? Naru had told him that Mai was working and to leave because he was distracting her from her work." John said. 'He didn't! Well, I guess that is like Noll.'
Mother and Father stared at Noll in disbelief. It's understandable though. I mean Noll usually tries to be polite to clients even when he tells them off as that is how they taught us to be.
"Oh yeah!" Ayako laughed. "The look on Natsuki's face was hilarious!" 'Damn, wish I could've seen it!' Mai was wondering whether Noll was actually jealous as it seemed that way to the others, but she just couldn't believe that herself.
"So, Mai, where has my stick-in-the-mud of a son taken you on dates?" Mother asked gleefully, her eyes sparkling. 'Nowhere, Mother, because this is all fake.'
"Oh, mostly just to dinner." Mai waved my hand, like I was trying to blow this conversation away. "Once or twice I got him to go somewhere else. But we really haven't been out that much." She continued, only for Mother to frown. "Oh, but don't worry, Mrs. Davis! I don't mind at all!" Mai assured quickly. 'Like hell you don't! If any of this were real, you would be complaining like there was no tomorrow and making Noll smirk a lot into the bargain!'
"Well, as long as it's alright with you, dear... And again, call me Luella!" She smiled lovingly, and Mai smiled slightly in return. Mai thought how lucky Noll was to still have a mother, adopted or not. 'Noll, if only you could see into Mai's heart like I can, you wouldn't be doing this to her.'
Mai nodded.
"Of course... Luella." This time her smiled widened. Little did anyone else know that Noll had a small smile on his face too. 'OMG! I think a ghost was just exorcised judging by that smile!'
Mai was idly contemplating how relaxed she felt in place of the tenseness she had started with.
"So have you two kissed yet?" Madoka and Yasu asked in sync. 'Excellent question! The answer obviously is no, but I sure wish it wasn't!' Mai blushed deeply and even Noll started to look uncomfortable with the situation he had trapped himself in. 'This just got more interesting!'
"You know, I have a lot of filing to do that's calling me so why don't I just—" Mai only got to stand up half way before Noll slammed her back down on his lap. He gave her a look that said 'if I have to go through this then so do you'. 'Oh, Noll, you big meanie! Give the girl a break!'
"Now, you two, I think that's private information that Noll and Mai doesn't want to talk about in front of anyone." Father proclaimed. Noll calmed down.
"Yes, thank you, Father." He said flatly, but I could tell he was just as relieved as Mai was. I guess whichever answer they'd have gone with they'd have been made to kiss. 'Damn! Father, why'd you interrupt?!'
"Or if you want to answer..." 'Ooh, maybe there could still be entertainment!' Noll glared at Father. "No, of course you don't..." Father rambled. Madoka and Mother pouted. 'So, they wanted to see them kiss too! Interesting.'
All of a sudden we started hearing this ringing. Monk dug in his pocket and pulled out his phone. He looked at it and groaned.
"Well as much as I would love to find out more about Mai and Naru's not-so-secret-relationship-anymore, I can't." Mai gave him a questioning look and he replied, "Band practice." Mai nodded her head in understanding. 'Ooh, can I come? Actually no, I think I'd get more entertainment sticking with Noll.'
He put his phone back in his pocket.
"Come on, you three." He said to Ayako, John, and Yasu.
"And why would we have to go with you?!" Ayako asked testily. I sighed along with Mai. Do they always have to be this loud?
"Because I'm your ride! Or did you just forget in your old age?" Monk teased. Ayako stood up and whacked Monk in the side of the head.
"O-of course I didn't forget, you stupid monk!" Mai really wanted to hide somewhere—preferably Noll's arms. 'I don't think Noll will object, try it!' She was thinking how embarrassing they were, even though they aren't her parents.
I took a peek at Mother and Father. They were trying to hold back a smile. Well, at least they're not annoyed with Monk and Ayako like most people are when they fight. Like Noll, who's annoyed right now. Madoka and Yasu are laughing and John's still sitting on the sofa. Looks like he's trying to pretend he doesn't hear them fighting. One time Monk and Ayako were arguing a lot, so John tried to break it up. He got in the middle of them and Ayako accidently hit him with her purse... he's never bothered them while they fought again. Can't say I blame him. I, on the other hand, could probably do it without being harmed if I chose to.
I sighed. I'm gonna have to break this up. I was about to move when Mai tried to leap off of Noll's lap only to get jerked back. I forgot Noll still had an iron grip around her stomach. 'Well, if she wants to deal with this then I'll let her.' Thankfully everyone's attention was on the two idiots fighting so they didn't see her struggling to get off Noll.
Noll let her go after realizing she was trying to stand up.
"Monk, didn't you say you had to leave, like, now?!" Mai asked, trying not to sound too eager to get them to leave. 'If I were you, I'd be pushing them out the door by now!'
They both stopped arguing and looked at her. They blinked.
"Oh yeah, thanks, Mai! Come on you guys! Bye everyone!" Monk walked out the office with John and Yasu following behind.
"Later!" Yasu yelled.
"Nice meeting you, Mr. and Mrs. Davis and good seeing you again, Madoka. Bye Mai, Naru." John said politely. 'Poor John. He has to ride home with those people. Oh well, at least I don't. I get to stay here and watch Noll squirm!'
"Bye guys!" Mai waved. I saw Ayako started picking up their empty cups. Mai helped her carry them to the kitchen.
"Mai, why didn't you tell is about you and Naru, really?" She asked once they got in there.
"Ayako, you know how Naru is. He just didn't want anyone to know right now." Mai lied. 'Mainly because none of it is true!'
"Well, alright then. I better go before that stupid monk comes back up here." She grumbled.
"Bye, Ayako. See you later." Mai hugged her before she left.
Mai took a deep, calming breath preparing herself before going back in there. She still couldn't believe she'd agreed to help Noll.
She walked in the main room. Mother and Madoka were saying something about dinner. Mai sat down on the end of the sofa closest to Noll. She thought about how weird and embarrassing it would be to sit on Noll's lap again. 'No it wouldn't, it would be funny. At least I think so, if only to see the look on Noll's face.'
"So, Mai, where's your favorite restaurant?" Mother suddenly asked her.
"Uhh..."
"What Luella means is that we were just talking about having dinner together. So we decided we'd go to your favorite restaurant." Father explained. 'You never asked me mine!'
"Oh! Um... I'm not sure..." Mai began then remembered a place. "Well, there is this one place... we ate there one time coming back from a case. Madoka was there with us."
"Oh yes! You said and I quote 'This place is great! It's my new favorite!'" Mai blushed. She wondered why she hadn't eaten there often then remembered. It's like an hour away! 'I don't think Mother and Father will be up for that.'
"Oh, Luella, you'll love it! I'll give you and Martin the address!"
"Wait it's—!"
"Oh, that will be great, Madoka!"
"But wait—!"
"Yes, you'll love the food! It's amazing!"
"BUT IT'S LIKE AN HOUR AWAY!" Mai accidentally shouted too loud. They all stared at her. She looked down, embarrassed, and fiddled with her skirt. "I-I mean, I don't want to cause you the trouble of driving that far just because it's my favorite restaurant." She said a lot more quietly. 'Well, they probably wouldn't want to go that far anyway.'
Mother smiled and said, "Oh, don't worry about that, dear!" She stood up, dragging Father with her, and headed towards the door. "Well, we'll go back to the hotel to get ready! We'll see you at six! Oliver, meet us at the restaurant!" She shouted at the front door and left. 'WHAT?! They'd never go to those lengths for me, dead or not!'
Madoka laughed and shook her head, ready to walk out the door too. Then Mai remembered what she said earlier before she yelled.
"Madoka." She called. "Are you not coming with us to dinner?"
"No, I'll let you get to know Martin and Luella without me there. I'll just eat with Lin." She winked before leaving. 'Yeah, I bet you will 'just eat' too!'
Mai was thinking about having dinner with Noll and our parents before realizing she already had a date with that Hiro guy tonight. 'I still kinda wish it was me they were making this kind of fuss for.'
Mai's POV
My date! Oh my gosh, I completely forgot about it! What am I suppose to do now?!
"Mai." The sound of Naru's voice snapped me out of my mental panic. I turned around only to find him right behind me. He stared into my eyes for a second before turning his head to the side where I could hardly see his face. "Thank you... for doing this." He said before heading back to his office.
Naru just said... thank you.
Then Naru paused in his doorway. "Go ahead and go home, Mai. I'll pick you up in an hour and a half so be ready." I nodded. He went in his office and the door shut with a soft click.
The way Naru said it, it didn't sound like he was ordering me. More like he was... sugguesting it?
Nah, couldn't be. He was probably just tired from having everyone here and what was going on.
As Naru said, I decided to go home and get ready. On the walk home I thought about what I should do. I guess I have to go with Naru and his parents. I don't want to get in another arguement with him and make him mad at me again. Though I did plan my date first... but I already told Naru's parents I'd go. I can't just say 'Sorry, I forgot I had a date tonight that's not with your son.' Ugh!
I sighed as I reached my apartment. Do I even really want to go on my date? I mean, sure, Hiro's a nice guy, but I love Naru. Even if I said I need to get over him, I just can't! I love Naru and I guess I always will. I just wish he felt the same way. And besides it'll kinda be a date! Even though it's fake... and his parents will be there... Okay, so not really a date.
I opened the door to my apartment and went in. Placing down my bag, I sat on my couch and just stared at my phone. 'Come on, call him! It won't be that hard. Just tell him you can't go!'
I took a deep breathe before picking up the phone and dialing his number.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Hiro... it's Mai."
"Oh, hey Mai! Is something wrong? I mean I'll see you tonight..."
"Uh, yeah... about that." I hate doing this! He's been nothing but nice to me and so understanding!
"Let me guess, your boss is making you work overtime again?" He asked. No.
"Yeah. I'm really sorry but..." I'm lying a lot here lately! Curse you, Naru!
"It's alright. I understand, you need your job."
"Thanks, Hiro. I'll see you later then. Bye." I said apologetically. I'm a horrible person!
"Bye, Mai." We hung up and I set my phone down. Now to get ready!
I looked at the clock an hour later. 'Naru should be here anytime now...' Just as the thought passed through my mind, I heard a knock at the door. 'Ah, Naru!'
When I opened my door, my eyes widened in shock. Naru stood there looking as handsome as ever, but that's not the shocking part. It was Naru wearing a dark blue dress shirt. I mean yes, his pants and jacket are still black... but his shirt really does bring out his eyes...
"Mai." I snapped out of my reverie and blinked up at Naru at the sound of his voice. "Are you ready?" He asked, all emotion gone. I guess when he was being—kind of—nice at the office was a one time thing. I nodded.
"Yeah, let's go." I walked out the door, closing it behind me. When we got to the car Naru opened the door for me.
"By the way, Mai," He began, and I paused to look at him. "You look nice."
I blushed, gazing away from him and looking down at my dark purple dress that's sleeveless and ties around my neck with my back bare.
"T-thanks." I stuttered as I got into the car. A few minutes later after we started driving to the restaurant, I turned my head to face Naru. "Can I ask my questions now?" He looked at me from the corner of his eye and gave a short nod. "Why are you lying to your parents about this?"
Naru sighed. "My mother... she has always had this obsession of trying to get me to date someone. In fact, when I still lived in England, she always tried to secretly set me up with someone. And of course I always walked away and went to my room. I'd let Gene deal with the girl." I listened attentively. I'm surprised he's sharing this much with me. "Everytime Mother calls she just has to make a comment about me not being in a relationship. I thought that if I told her I had a girlfriend then she would leave me alone about it. Obviously I was wrong; I didn't know she'd fly all the way to Japan to see you."
"But why did you say I was your girlfriend?" I questioned.
"You were the first person that came to mind." I started to blush but then he continued. "Mainly because when Mother asked who my girlfriend was, you yelled because you tripped."
"I'm guessing she was the one you told me to say hello to on the phone last week then?"
"Yes. Any more questions?"
I thought about it for a moment.
"Yes... a few actually. What are we going to tell the others after your parents leave? I mean they think we're actually d-dating." Crap... I hope he didn't notice I stuttered on 'that' word. I couldn't help it. "And what are we suppose to do after they leave? I know that just because they go back to England doesn't mean this will be over. Of course they're probably going to come visit again or they'll call to see how we're doing. This can't go on forever, but if you tell them we broke up, they'll think it's weird that I'm still working for you. And I am not going to get fired because of this Naru! Have you even thought this through?!" I ranted.
Naru sighed heavily. "Relax, Mai. You're not going to get fired. We'll figure that out later. For now, just play along."
Though I still felt frustrated on the inside, I nodded meekly, knots in my stomach from how wrong all of this felt. "Fine."
I know I should be mad at Naru at least somewhat but nope, here I am, agreeing to play along with his lie. I mentally sighed. I don't know... I guess I'd probably do the same thing if I was in his situation. I'd be annoyed if someone always tried to set me up with someone too. But I know Luella's just doing it because she loves him and wants him to find happiness, but if he's happy being a workaholic then she should let him be. Though if he ever falls in love... I'm going to envy that girl...
We finally arrived at the restaurant and his parents were already there, waiting for us outside. Luella waved at us when we got out the car. I smiled and waved back, glad to finally escape the car—the silence was killing me.
We all went into the restaurant together, and the waitress led us to our table. But on the way to it, I caught a glimpse of someone that made my eyes go wide and I started panicking again. I made sure I walked right beside Naru, hoping he would hide me... well, he can't know he's hiding me though... 'I'm in so much trouble.' I thought as we walked passed the boy I was avoiding.
I can't let Hiro see me!
Haha poor Mai. I can't gave her a break, can I? I think she has more lies going around than Naru! Anyways, Happy Easter everyone (In two days of course)!