Chapter 22: Make Him Feel Loved

"Uhh can somebody tell me how did we end up stalking Mai?" Cyril asked

"Well, somebody here is going through a protective streak and apparently, the guy didn't bring his driving license so I ended up being a driver." Alexis had his head leaned on the steering wheel, bored and somehow amused by his friend's unusual side. Though he had to admit, if he had a little sister, he'd also stalk her on her first date. Good thing he was an only child.

"And how did I get into this situation again?" Cyril scratched his head. He was about to enjoy the day with his favourite Xbox but somebody had to drag him away before he could even turn it on.

"Well, he asked Anise to be the offensive in case the "genius prat" needed to have his balls fried- don't look at me like that! That's exactly how he said it! Now let me finish, well Anise was interested in something else than frying the kid's balls, she declined and walked away with her makeup kit." Alexis sighed.

"But I can't fry!" Cyril protested

"Well you can freeze" Cyril groaned, looks like he can't play the newest Just Dance CD that he just bought this afternoon!

Mai's POV

Okay, how did this happen again? Ohhh, right. Naru asked me out…

NARU ASKED ME OUT! Is that even real?

"Calm down Mai, if you keep on squirming I'll end up ironing you ear with platinum curlers. Jesus Christ you've been so moving around like there's no tomorrow, granted if you aren't in a chair right now, you'd be rolling all over the floor" Anise said exasperated. She's been fixing me up all afternoon for tonight's dinner…with my boss…with my narcissistic boss. I still can't get over it.

~Flashback~

I was sitting in one of the hospital benches drinking a cup of tea. Alexis said that I should go and rest and he'll watch over my brother tonight. I teared up at the thought. My memory is still a little hazy but I knew deep down in my heart that he's Senri onii-chan. As to how we got separated, the only thing I remembered was our parents separating us. Mom had me and dad had my brother. Then after so many years he shows up with me not even remembering him and now that I do he's in the hospital unconscious and in critical condition.

I wipe the tears that escaped my eyes and ran out of the hospital. God how I hate hospitals, I don't have a single good moment inside there. I sat on the one of the benches outside and took a sip of my tea in hopes that it will calm me down. Why do the people I love leave me? Mom, dad, my brother…

Hopefully not permanently now.

I couldn't hold back the sob and choked at my own tears. Why?

Even the only man I learned to love left me…rejected.

"Mai?" I heard a voice that I knew at heart. Gosh, of all the times to find me why does it have to be now. I sniffed and wipe the mess in my face and turned to face a certain greek god incarnate with midnight hair and blue eyes.

"Geez Naru, I must say you have impeccable timing as always." I laughed through my tears.

"Always?" he asked

"Yeah, like how you managed to stop me from having my head split open in that well once, from getting me out of a collapsed clinic filled with formalin, finding me in god knows where ever I end up when the ghosts kidnap me, for entering that classroom while me and my friends were telling ghost stories, for hiring me as your assistant when I badly needed a new job, for turning my whole world upside down, for rejecting me at the time I was most vulnerable…for leaving me at the time I was loneliest" by the time I finished my speech I was crying so hard I was grateful that the street was empty and only Naru and I were standing there.

"Mai…"

"But you know, you came back when I needed you the most. If you weren't there on my birthday…the day my parents got killed…I-I couldn't take the loneliness anymore Naru…my life sucks!" I sank on the asphalt ground and cried my heart out. I have never complained about my life until now. Mother always reminded me to be optimistic through bad times…but now, I think even my memories were a lie. I felt his strong arms engulf my little frame. He didn't say anything and I just kept crying. When my sobs ceased and reduced to sniffling I felt him carry me all the way to the car. He gently put me on the front seat and buckled my seatbelt and he went to his seat and drove back to his condo. Neither of us said a word.

After I felt better spending minutes in the tub, I brushed my teeth and tried to do something about my red swollen eyes. Giving up I exited the bathroom wearing the nightgown Anise bought for me the other day since I ran out of PJs. The first thing I saw was Naru sitting on the edge of the bed facing me. The lights were out and the only thing illuminating the room was the light of the moon. Naru wasn't wearing any shirt and it made his pale skin glow against the moonlight and accentuating his blue irises that seemed to match the night sky.

He looked sad….

No,

Sorrowful

It's the first time I saw Naru look like that. He's always looks either smug, condescending, arrogant or emotionless. It's the first time I've seen him so sad.

"My birthmother hated me" he said

"The night me and Gene became orphans was the night she got killed by a local policeman. She…." He took a deep shaky breath and in an instant I wanted to stop him from talking and hold him.

"She tried to suffocate me" I gasped

"She was telling me how we ruined her life and that we should not have been born. That we were the devil's spawns…that we were the children of the man who raped her." He looked away slightly

"After the policeman shot her and that she was DOA when she got to the hospital, me and Gene were put into an orphanage. That time, my powers were fluctuating possibly due to the trauma and the nightmares I keep on having. Gene was always by my side but the kids in the orphanage were scared of me…detested me. They liked Gene instead saying that he was the better twin, he smiles more, talks more nicely, that he was the angel and I was the devil. I kept on getting into fights and accidentally injuring some of the kids in the orphanage due to my PK, and because of that we kept on being transferred into different orphanages. Gene could have stayed, hell he could have been adopted way long before we met Martin and Luella, but he stayed with me. He refused the huge amount of requests to be adopted so we could stay together. He was my rock then, my big brother. We only had each other. When we finally had parents willing to take us both we were extremely happy. They even gave us a name, while our own mother didn't. I wasn't affectionate like my brother, I still had a lot of trust issues and thankfully Luella understood that because she's a psychologist. She made me see a therapist and helped me with my issues. They said I had PTSD and that Gene is the only person who could come into contact with me. If I was touched against my will my PK will spike subconsciously. That's where Lin came. He thought how to deal with my emotions and mask them. In school a lot of people will compare us twins and as usual, I get the negative side. I tried to excel in academics to please my parents and I got a PhD at the age of fifteen but people still preferred Gene over me. Before Gene went to Japan we had a huge fight, our first real fight. He wanted me to come to Japan and get me to socialize but I was sick of people comparing me to my angel brother and pointing out what an ass I am. And so he went to Japan by himself. I wish I had just played along with it like I always do and ignore those people. Maybe Gene wouldn't have died, or maybe it would have been me who was killed that night." I see something glisten in his cheek and I couldn't help but cry, Naru's crying.

"And so when you told me that you liked me and that I recently found out that my brother had been guiding your dreams all along. I couldn't help but think that all the while he's the one you've admired, calms you after a nightmare, holds your hand in the astral plane, and that he's the one your muttering in your sleep but you only thought it was me"

"For the first time in my life I was genuinely interested in a person….attracted! Screw the girls who were trying to get me because of money, fame, and sex. From the moment you looked at me strangely when I lied about my age to the first time you actually went against my will, every time you put yourself into danger just save other people, every time you wait impatiently for a 'thank you' after getting me tea, every time you argue about my plans, every time you smile despite the burdens life throws at you…it breaks the walls I've been building since Gene died…since my mother tried to kill me. But how could I? Everybody loved Gene more than me!" he screamed the last part and it made me jump.

"NO!" I screamed back

"Gene might be kinder, friendlier, gentler, nicer, or better like what you've been trying to point out, but whenever you prioritize the other's safety shows how kind you are. When you try and provoke people using smug remarks shows that you try to be friendly in another way. When you used that coin to cheer me up in the well instead of screaming at me why I walk alone when you've always told us to stay together shows how gentle you are. When you accept my harsh words whenever I accuse your plans as wrong and then turn out to be for the good of many shows how nice you are. Gene smiles all the time but because you rarely do it makes your smiles even more special." I reach out and hug him, drowning his bare chest with my tears. Did Naru always felt this unloved…?

"It's always been you Oliver Davis, nobody and not even your brother can make my heart beat like this. Just you, narcissistic. Smug. Arrogant. Tea-addicted Jerk!" I punched his arm with every word and did something I thought I would for a lifetime.

I kissed Naru…hard.

I was gripping his hair in my fingers and crushing my lips to his as further as I could. The impact itself made Naru fall back on the bad and me on top him, kissing him. When I pulled back I looked deep into those blue eyes, and caressed his cheek.

"I love you Oliver"

In a flash our positions reversed and this time he's the one on top of me, my hands were pinned by my sides and he was kissing me like there's no tomorrow. I closed my eyes and felt his hands release mine and travel to cup my face. I dug my fingers into his hair and pulled him closer to me and relished the feeling of having him this close. I feel his tongue trace my lips as if begging for entrance and I gladly gave him access. Every part of our bodies were entwined and I could not help but feel that it is what's supposed to be. We broke the kiss for air and stared at each other's eyes. Even if there were no words right now, I know what he was trying to say.

"I love you Mai"

And he buried his face in my neck while I caress his midnight locks and soon, we fell into a peaceful slumber.

The next morning I woke up with my face inches to his handsome face. I rarely saw Naru sleep, It's usually I fall asleep first and he wakes earlier than me. Today is one of those moments where I get to watch his serene face. His breathing is even , lips parted and his blue orbs staring straight into mine. Wait what?

"You know its creepy being watched while you sleep" he gave me a smug grin and I immediately blushed fifty shades of red.

"Good morning Idiot" oh he just picks this time to destroy the moment! But all the nasty retorts that I came up shrivelled back into the parts of my brain when I see him genuinely smiling. I swear I could die right there and then. He smoothed my cheek with the back of his hand and caressed my brown locks.

"Are you free tonight?" he asked out of the blue.

"Uhh….yes. My brother's foster parents are arriving in the afternoon and I thought that I should give them some alone time with their…uhm, son" I swallowed the lump in my throat and felt the need to snuggle into Naru. He welcomed me into his arms and I breathed his scent. This made me remember that he had no shirt and I blushed again.

"Good, so Mai I'm going to explain this for you sake" he smirked, he always said that when he thinks I can't comprehend to something.

"I'm asking you out."

"Ohhhhh myyyyy goooooddddd! You look amazing!" Anise was cheering up and down marvelling in her masterpiece.

"Not even Oliver Davis can walk away with a raging *aherm*, without being mesmerized Mai" she blushed at her almost slip-up.

"You're exaggerating Anise!" I chastised her

"No seriously!: she put her hands up in the air in a surrender-like fashion and giggled.

"Het Mai are you rea- Wow, you look fantastic!" Ayako said which made me blush. Again.

"Naru better treat you right or else I'll skin him."

Noll's POV

I am staring at my reflection in the wine glass. It's only been five minutes yet it feels like an hour. Why can't Mai hurry up?

You're just nervous! Gene snickered

"Shut up Gene" I mumbled

I'm so proud of you Noll

"What's that about?"

I'm sorry if you always felt that way because of me.

"Gene?"

But I'm happy somebody's been able to love you like I did, possibly even more.

"What?"

"I said turn around! Idiot scientist"

The moment I did all the oxygen seemed to leave my body. I couldn't move, talk, breathe and I thought time stood still.

There she was in a white dress. It was short in the front and flowed longer in the back. It was strapless and showed the right amount of her creamy skin, but I seemed to ask for more. Her hair was down and curled at the ends. She wore a simple silver headband with diamonds adorning it. I've never seen her look so good and I'm glad I rented this place all to myself. She's mine.

"Oliver" I smiled, I like it when she says my real name. It's like she's talking to the real me and not that alias that's looking for some random lake.

"You look beautiful" I had to thank the dim lights or the light dusting of red is evident in my face, I took her hand and lead her to her seat.

"Ummmm, thanks Naru" I am internally grateful that she's clearly flustered. At least I'm not the only one who's nervous here. We took a sip wine as a wave of silence passed over us. Awkward

Eisen's POV

I can't believe how much I've reduced.

Before I departed to Japan I was the President of the student council.

Now I'm a mere stalker wearing an obvious disguise and hiding behind a certain bush with a clear view of the restaurant Oliver Davis rented for the night.

"AlePsshhh, I could've rented a five star hotel for our first date. Cheap"

Wait what! I'll have his balls if he ever rents a hotel!

"Uhh, Eisen? You know he has a condo…in a hotel…and Mai is currently staying with him. So whatever is the reason you ripped the poor bush for, it's useless"

"Ugh" I groaned.

"Let's look for another bush Alex"

So far he treated my sister okay and was being a gentleman. But I'm still a little bitter since he didn't ask for my permission to date my sister. I was unconscious yeah but that's still not an excuse.

"Seriously man, it doesn't look like I'll have to freeze his balls you know. I mean look at him, he's treating Mai like a princess. Except that it does look like a little awkward there though." Cyril reasoned but I know he just wants to go home so bad and try his new Just Dance tape. Bitch. I glared at him and he behaves like a good boy.

Mai's POV

I stared at Naru and noticed him occasionally sipping some wine. It's obvious he's having a hard time starting a conversation. I don't mind though, I know Naru rarely talks about things not related to business…and tea.

"Uhm" We both spoke at once.

"Sorry you go first" we said simultaneously again. I giggled while he pinched the bridge of his nose. Seeing Naru so uncoordinated is new for me.

"Look Mai, I'm not a romantic person so-" I silenced him by raising my finger in front of his face.

"Look Naru, I'm not expecting you to change just because you…uhh….we have mutual feelings for each other. Remember that I fell in love with you narcissistic side" I smile.

"Though I would like to get to know you more" I fiddled with the wine glass feeling shy

"What do you want to know then" He placed his hands on the table and leaned his chin on the back of his hand.

"Uhm, simple things Naru, your favourite color, hobbies and anything your willing to share with me." I smiled at him, I see him think for a minute

"I like blue" he said.

"Eeeh? Then why do you always wear black?" Actually I was convinced before that it was his mourn clothes, but now that Gene is found and buried I don't know why he still wears it.

"It's Gene's favourite color" he stated.

"Ohh, why don't you wear it more often then…it uhm brings out your eyes.." I bit my lip

"I thought you preferred me naked. I mean seeing how much you like to snuggle with me last night"

"Hey!" I blushed "It's not like you didn't enjoy it either. You looked really completely comfortable in the crook of my neck" I narrowed my eyes at him

"I did, I declared that it was my special spot from now on" he smirked and I blushed again. How can he manage to tease me and make me blush at the same time? Jerk. I was startled when he took my hand and slipped on a silver bracelet. It had intricate designs and surrounded by tiny diamonds that make it sparkle against the dim light.

"My mother said that when man gives a woman a bracelet, it means that he's committed and in it for the long haul, especially if he buys diamonds. I didn't understand at first since it's just a piece of jewellery and it doesn't define anything. Now I know why" he looks into my eyes and kissed my palm.

"I don't trust easily Mai, that hinders me from forming relationships with people, yet there's something that here that I don't understand but I can help but reach out to you…I need you." He tightens his grip on my hand

"I know that I don't deserve someone like you Mai but please agree to stay with me" He draws my hand to his face covering his eyes in the process. I can't believe he just said that

"Oliver…you don't not deserve me or anyone for that matter. You're a good person I know that, you just don't show it openly." I cupped his face in my handsad looked into those beautiful blue eyes and smiled. I decided.

"I never knew that behind that cocky confidence lies a lost, insecure little boy" I smiled "But it's okay, from now on, I'll make you feel more loved." I kissed his nose and giggled and he smiled at me affectionately.

A/N: Happy new year everyone! I didn't want to beat around the bush anymore. Besides, a near death experience changes the whole outlook of a person. I hope you liked this chapter, I was seriously banging my head on the wall since I don't know what goes on in a date ( I am NBSB :P). Anyway, school starts again and well, don't expect me to update in a few weeks sorry. I hate my schedule.

Oh and about the part II for chapter 21, I'll write it some other time hahaha

Please leave a review, I'll consider it as a Christmas gift :D I'm from the Philippines and we celebrate the longest Christmas in the world