A/N: I suppose to put the dinner part here in this chapter but then it'll take a quite LONG story for this chapter alone. So, yeah, I've decided to put it in the next chapter, hopefully! Haha - oh well, you find a few changes here about certain characters or should I say A character. It's fun though, writing something like that ;)
WARNING:
BETA-less | Corrected with Office Word - So before you read this story, I am terribly sorry for all the errors, here and there. I'll try my best to find a beta-reader and improve myself with my English. Other than that, please do read the bottom A/N and please ENJOY the story! :)
"Stay"
"Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that." -Michael Leunig
Chapter 18: Interest & Jealousy!
"She came and asked for your room but I said you weren't in and decided to left a message."
"What could have been the issue until she came to look for me? Or rather..." Before finishing her thoughts, the elevator let out a noise and the door opened automatically. Ritsu stepped out of the elevator and made her way to her apartment. She felt a little hesitant to open the door - or to be more precise, hesitate on how to tell her fiancee about it. I can't keep it a secret, Mio needs to know. Ritsu finally made up her mind.
She reached for the door knob and pushed it open. "Mio?" She quickly calls out for the girl while entering her living place, she glanced on her right and hearing the sound of showers. Is she taking another one? Shaking her head, Ritsu began to walks to the couch and taking off her tux all in the process. Ritsu being Ritsu, she tossed her tuxedo lazily on the couch as well.
Sighing heavily, Ritsu put her arm over to cover her face. Seriously, I'm not done with one thing and there comes another one already. She felt herself feeling a little light-headed. Ritsu thought it's probably lack of sleep she's been having, but the headache seems to stay there for quite some time now. She took off her arm off her face and let it fell on her side.
"Tonight's dinner, huh?" Her mind was thinking how would she handle the dinner tonight with the Akiyamas. She was unaware when a certain someone already finished her bath until she felt the couch moving slightly. Ritsu turned her head just to find her companion, Mio, sitting next to her only wrapped in bathrobe. Just like the sight she saw this morning, too. "Mio, are you trying to seduce me with that?" She teased and the smirk came along with it.
"Baka," Mio had that worried look on her face and Ritsu doesn't like it very much. She felt Mio's palm made its way to Ritsu's forehead, she sighed. "Let me get you your medicine, okay?"
Ritsu didn't argue this time, she felt too powerless to argue. The headache she felt had made her body feel weaker than usual. It didn't take Mio long to take Ritsu's medicines and puts everything on the table. Ritsu watched the other girl, she found herself smiling. "Here," She heard Mio said and once again, Ritsu obey in no time. Taking all the pills Mio gave her.
It feels horrible, Ritsu hated it so much. "Ah," A soft groan escaped the brunette's lips while shutting her eyes close to hold out the horrible taste of those pills. "I hate them."
Mio couldn't help but smile at her sight, she caress Ritsu's head gently and put a light kiss on her forehead. "You did well, Ritsu." The reward Ritsu received made her feel a lot better and think that it really is worth it. Still, she could taste the bitter on her tongue even in the slightest. "Are you still going to work?" Mio asked, resting herself on the spot between Ritsu's shoulder and chest.
"Yeah," The brunette said, feeling a little annoyed. "They need me to be present today and besides, I need to go and talk to that Mio before tonight's dinner." Mio nodded while hearing the other girl, but Ritsu is feeling a little worried about Mio. "Will you be okay?"
Mio is smiling and Ritsu feels more than surprised seeing her smiling at her concern. "Of course," She felt Mio's arms around her middle. "I'll be okay, as long as you're still mine... But if you're really that worried, then," There's a little pause to that and Ritsu waited for her to continue. "Will you do one thing for me? It might seem a little selfish of me -"
"Mio, I'll definitely tell you about how your mom's been doing."
There, another way of Ritsu's mind-reading thing. Although, Mio knew she was just a type that could easily be read through emotion and don't even start with the fact that Ritsu is the closest person to her. It's just fair whenever Ritsu could always think ahead of her at times. "And one more thing, please?" Mio pleaded and Ritsu replied her with that obedient look. "Don't forget to take your medicine again in the afternoon. Hans will also come along to keep a close eye on you."
"Ah, that Hans." Ritsu pressed her tone a little with that name. She had totally forgotten the guy who keeps on following her and she had promised Mio that she'll obey every time Hans ordered her to take her medicine and of course, following her everywhere she goes while at work. "Let me guess, he's already outside that door." Pointing at the front door, while looking at Mio with that knowing look.
Mio heard Ritsu's soft groan, so she leaned in to catch Ritsu's attention. Putting both of her palms on Ritsu's cheek and bring her face to Mio's own face. Ritsu was a little taken aback by this act, but as she watch Mio leaning even closer to her, she knew what comes next. Mio kissed Ritsu on the lips, slow and tender and out of command, Ritsu had her arms on Mio's waist and caressing it gently.
She felt Mio smiling while kissing her and then pulled back. "Mind telling me what's on your mind?" Ritsu asked softly. The black-haired girl was acting quite different and it might only be her imagination, but she just had to ask.
"No, but do you mind telling me yours?" This again, the ability to read each other's mind.
Has it always been this way? Both mentally asked, but didn't mind it at all.
Still caressing Mio's waist and staring into those beautiful gray-orbs, Ritsu smiles.
"You got me, but I was actually intend to tell you this."
Tainaka Big Company.
This is not good. The girl sighed, she was looking out her car window as her car stopped in front of the building. Too many of them. She rested her back on her seat again, "Just drop me straight to Ritsu's floor through the parking lot." She turned her head to the other side and take a good look at a certain jacket next to her. Looking away from it, she brushes off her thoughts before it travels around it. "I'll go see him after this is all over."
It didn't take that long until the car stopped and thank goodness Ritsu's security is pretty tight on her floor to prevent any unwanted things. She made her way into the office, and she can't really ignore all the people around her. Whispering, gossiping, spreading rumors about her and Ritsu and it almost gets on her nerves at times. "Ah, it's Akiyama-san... The news said she's engaged with Tainaka-san!"
"Really? But that's good, right? Tainaka-san has never dated anyone else since the last breakup with Wakouji-san."
"True, true, but isn't it a little weird? Although they are partners, I never really seen them together and all."
"It's not like Tainaka-san would want anyone to see him being lovers in public. You know how strict he is!"
"I find it odd too..." It stopped abruptly when they received a soft glare from the girl they've been talking about. She sighed, "Troublesome." She muttered and quickly entered Ritsu's room. "She's not here yet? Seriously, this is such a troublesome rumor to begin with." Frustrated by almost everything, she groans. "Why would everyone -"
The door swung open all in a sudden, "Oh, you're here already." Says the owner of the company, Tainaka Ritsu.
Mio shot her an oblivious look, then look at the clock on the wall. "You're pretty late, Ritsu-san."
"Yeah, yeah, I know..." She watch Ritsu as she took her seat on the big chair.
"Are you taking a rest? You know we have an important meeting to attend."
"Ah, damn..." She stood up again from her chair and fixed her tie a little. "Let's just get to it already." As the two walking out of Ritsu's room, two guys won't stop following on Ritsu.
The black-haired girl just had to tease a little, remembering what Ritsu said to her the last time she commented on her new bodyguard. "So much for protection, huh?"
"Shut up."
Mio tried to hold her laugh, she's currently having fun with a pissed-off Ritsu. Her partner glared at her because she won't stop laughing at her. It gets even more annoying for Ritsu to hear her surrounding started having conversations about her and her partner-in-business. She stopped in a sudden, eyeing the other workers.
"This is already crossing the line. I don't want to hear a single topic about me and Akiyama-san. The news is troublesome enough." Everyone could really see how bad the boss' mood today. "If I hear any more of it from this office, no one is allowed to take lunch outside the office. This is my last warning." Having that said, she resumed her journey to the meeting room.
Feeling a little worried, Mio the decided to throw a little question out of curiosity. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Just a little annoyed with those stupid rumors." And here she thought that she's the one who feel bothered with those rumors, but seeing Ritsu's point of view, it must be harder and tougher on her side. Ritsu's partner took a quick glance at Ritsu's facial expression and she looks pretty tired. "Please, just pretend and play along." Ritsu said without even bother to look at her partner.
The next thing she knew was when one of Ritsu's bodyguards opened the meeting room's door, allowing both of them to enter the room. As soon as they entered, the rest of the people inside rose up from their seats and bowing down in a respective manner.
"I'm sorry," Ritsu bowed in an apology manner and so did her partner. "There are a few things I need to finish before getting here."
"That's okay, Tainaka-san. We all understand your circumstances." One of the men said, turning his gaze at the partner. "Anyway, I also want to congratulate you, Tainaka-san... for your engagement with, Akiyama-san."
"When will you hold the ceremony, Tainaka-san?" Asked the other man.
Ritsu gave out a weak smile at that, Mio saw that smile. "Thank you... and about um, the ceremony, you all will be notified once it's decided." She then takes her seat and everyone in the room motioned her. "So, shall we start the meeting?"
"Yes, of course."
Cafe.
"Ahh, too bad, I was glad when I knew he's single."
"It doesn't take that long until he decided to get married."
"Mhmm... but that girl, I think I've seen her before..."
Sighing, Mio couldn't keep her concentration with her surroundings. Even when she takes a little walk, everyone won't stop talking about the newly-engaged couple. She was about to gather her things from her table and ditch somewhere else until a voice stop her. "Are you leaving already, Mio-san?" Mio is pretty surprised someone actually recognized her since she's trying to look a little different than usual just in case those paparazzi following her way.
She turned around to see that familiar look. "Ui? You're Yui's sister, right? Hirasawa Ui?" The girl nodded as a sign of approval.
"Mind if I join you here?"
"Of course not, please do." Mio cleaned her table from her stuff and put them back into her bag. "So, what brings you here? Come to think of it, this place is not that near from your university, right?"
"Yeah, I'm actually here to apply a job, at this cafe. Not long ago my sister told me that this place needs a new worker, so I decided to try and apply here." Mio smiles at her confession, it was really a mature thing to do, finding a part-time job while also attending her college. "So, how about you, Mio-san?"
"Well, I was trying to get a place where I can relax and do some of my assignments, but..." Mio gave a little pause, checking her surrounding and the Hirasawa girl noticed this. Everyone seems to be all over Tainaka Ritsu and her new fiancee and to think that the girl is not even the actual girl Ritsu proposed to, it's a little annoying on Mio's side. "...I guess there's no quieter place than Ritsu's apartment."
Ui nodded in agreement, "That girl who is rumored engaged with Ritsu-san... She has the same name with you, right?"
Ah, she noticed. Mio was pretty sure how obvious it is for Ritsu's friends who attended Christmas Eve party at Mugi's villa days ago. She tried to find a good excuse because explaining this would be far too complicated. "Well, she is..."
The brunette caught a little hint of something that she shouldn't be asking more about. She quickly apologize, "Oh, I'm really sorry if I asked too much... I can understand and seeing how it happened it must have been really complicated." Ui gave one of her sweet smiles at Mio. "But Mio-san, I'm really happy for you and Ritsu-san... She changed a lot since you came and I'm saying this because my sister also admitted it and she really is glad you came for Ritsu-san."
Mio chuckles a little, but not in a mocking way. "More like, she came to me." The two shares sweet laughter for a moment and Mio continue, "But honestly, I'm really glad she came to me and introduced to her friends. It's just really wonderful to have friends who will always be there for you."
The two smiles - again - then someone else approached them. "Ui!" Mio looked back and saw the curly-haired girl, Suzuki Jun. "Eh? Mio-senpai is here, too? Why don't you tell me, Ui?"
"Oh no, we just happen to meet here. That's all."
"I see," Jun took a seat next to Ui by instinct and turned her head to the black-haired girl. "Then you're here all alone? Why not going here with Azusa, she attend the same uni as you, right?"
"She is, but she had to leave early after she finished her classes. Yui seemed to keep a close eye on her the whole time and in the end of her last period, Yui took Azusa with her."
Jun sweat-dropped, "Yui-senpai... She probably took everything I said to her a few days ago."
"What did you said to my sister?"
"I'm not lying to her or anything though, just saying that Azusa has been really popular at her university and some of my friends are actually a fan of her. I mean, she's a famous guitarist to begin with." The curly-haired girl put her elbow on the table, looking out the glasses window. "I was just going to pay her back when she pranked me about Ui back then."
"I thought you starting to become a little mature." Ui said with a bit of threaten.
Mio smiled at the two girls in front of her. "Don't worry, you know Yui is and I'm pretty much sure Azusa could handle her just fine." Then her cellphone rang, it was an alarm showing that she should head back to class for the next period. "Well, Jun, Ui, I think I need to excuse myself first -" Mio stood up from her seat but Jun stopped her.
"Wait, I bring my car here to pick Ui up, since Ui is also done, why don't you let me drive you?"
"Jun's right. We're about to leave as well now."
Mio thought for a bit then agrees after a short thinking. It'll be less annoying too if she took the bus or have to bother walking until the university. The distance is not that far but walking would take quite some time, too. "Okay then if you guys insist."
Akiyama Resident.
"Ma'am, Mr. Akiyama has arrived." One of the maids said from outside of the bedroom and what a good-timing, the woman just finished preparing herself. "I'll be there." She answered and have one last look at herself on the mirror. Then the door suddenly opened, revealing a figure of a man, a familiar figure. "I thought I said I'll be downstairs." She said while not bothering smiling all the while.
The man wasted no time and gave a lovingly hug at the woman. "Minoru, I missed you so much." His voice sounded a little desperate. He pulled and hold the woman by her shoulders gently. "Why don't you inform it to me? The doctor is not even telling me anything. If you just told me you were coming back today, I could skip today's job to pick you up at the hospital."
Minoru smiling at his concern. "No, you have to attend work and besides, I recovered already so you don't have to worry that much. You already have much enough to think about, I can't have you worry about me. You can easily get distracted when it comes to me, Haruka."
Akiyama Haruka was more than happy to see his wife - Akiyama Minoru - finally recovered completely. "Such a considerable wife, you are." He gave her another hug not for long, remembering they still have an important dinner tonight. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. We won't be having dinner alone, Mio and the Tainaka family are going to join us. Well, it might be a little odd if I tell you this but since this is a pretty short notice too, even for me, I thought you should've known this as well."
"If it's about her engagement with Tainaka Ritsu, then I wouldn't be too surprised."
"Ah," Taken aback at how his wife knew it before he even tell her about any of it, he laughs awkwardly. "I guess it's not a secret anymore." He had learned that Tainaka Ritsu was quite a popular businessman and she's been appearing on TV quite often these days. It's only normal if a lot of people have known Ritsu and took interests in that girl's love life.
"Mm, how should I say this... The TV seems to make a huge deal out of it, maybe because it's Tainaka Ritsu we're dealing with."
"But, you'd be surprised seeing her now. I mean, as a businessman, she looks pretty attractive."
Tainaka Big Company.
"Thanks for the cooperation," The CEO took her seat back and laid her back on the chair. "This meeting is over for now and when is the next meeting will be held?" She asked.
"It's next week, sir. We will give you further notice about the details."
"Send it to my office or my secretary." Ritsu stood up from her chair, "Alright, gentlemen and of course ladies, too" Flashing her charming smile at a few ladies in the meeting room, she continue. "I deeply apologize that Akiyama-san and I must leave early now. We have a planned dinner and she also needs to prepare herself. Once again, thank you for your cooperation. I'll see everyone in out next meeting." She bows down and excuses herself to leave the room. "Have a good day."
And so the two so-called couple left the meeting room. "Were you giving them a show just now?" Asked the black-haired girl, walking by Ritsu's side.
"Maybe," Ritsu sighed for the countless times already. "Anyway, I need to make this as believable as possible and about you, you also needs to prepare yourself before going to the dinner." Again, the brunette doesn't bother looking at the girl on her side, she just grabbed the girl's hand in hers suddenly. "I'll accompany you and we can talk about our plan for tonight."
Mio remembered the time when Ritsu said to her to just pretend and play along. This must be what she really meant. "I'll play along with you, Ritsu-san." She muttered under her breath as she let herself being dragged by the company's CEO.
Ritsu ignores everyone around her. Those glances, those whispers, those phone flashes, she needs to make this as real for everyone as possible. She had decided to take the front entrance of the building, this caught lots of attentions and those reporters outside the entrance are more than entertained to see the two engaged couple walking out of the office - hand in hand.
The car has been waiting for them and the way has been cleared for them to pass by without getting held by any of the reporters. Soon as they are about to reach the car, one of the reporters pushing other reporters and it became a little ruckus there. A guy among those reporters extended his hand to reach Akiyama Mio and accidentally touched the girl's chest.
"Wha - !" Mio quickly responded to the touch and is very angry at whoever did that inappropriate thing.
Ritsu notice this and it'll be a quite mess letting Mio threw her anger now. She groaned and pulled the other girl in for a tight protective hug. "Get out of our way." She said, with a hint of threatens in her voice. Mio, on the other side, was too shock at the sudden act of Tainaka Ritsu.
Ritsu-san... She mentally called out her partner's name. It was then she felt how secure it is and how much of a protective person Ritsu can be. Ritsu began to walk as their way began to cleared up a little, and opened the door for Mio enter the car ahead of her. Mio couldn't stop her mind from trailing off with thoughts of things Ritsu does. I know this was only pretending and I said to her I'd play along, too...
"Are you okay?" The brunette asked, concerned about what had happened back there.
But this side of Ritsu-san... Making me feeling weird, somehow... Mio shook her head, still looking away. She's feeling weird now, not being able to face Ritsu, she could even feel her face getting a little hotter than usual.
Noticing something is off, Ritsu presses on. "Really? Because your face wouldn't turn so angry like that if nothing happened."
"It's really nothing." Still, the brunette did not buy it easily. She's being too close! Mio screamed mentally as she watch Ritsu from the window's reflection, inching towards her.
"Your face's all read. Are you not feeling well?" She then felt the brunette's palm on her forehead, checking her body temperature to make sure that Mio is really okay.
At this rate, Mio sighed in annoyance. "Ritsu-san, please, I'm fine." She pushed Ritsu's hand off of her forehead, not so forcefully. "Besides, don't you think it's a little too much for worrying me like that? What would your fiancee do if she knew you acted like that towards other girl? Well, I would surely be jealous."
"For one, my Mio would probably be worrying you just as much as I do, maybe even more." Ritsu rested herself on her seat. "I know what happened, but maybe it's a little embarrassing to talk about. I'd be as angry as you and probably lose control at the moment, too. Well, I'm sorry for hugging you out of the blue like that. It's a reflex, I think... If you burst out angry there, it'll be another hell of rumors around and we both sure don't want any more of that."
There it is, that feeling come over her mind and chest again. "It's okay," She simply said, but then going for a little more. "Thank you."
"Tainaka-san, we're here." The driver said from the front seat.
Ritsu took a little peak by the window and just as she thought, those reporters are still on their chase. "There are still reporters out there, probably more or maybe less. Stay close with me, okay?" Ritsu got out of the car first without waiting for the other girl to respond. She then waited for the other girl to come out as well. "Stay close." She whispered, repeating the two words she said in the car.
The partner only nodded in approval. She quickly clinging to Ritsu's arm as they entered the store. It didn't take long for them to prepare as everything have been prepared for them to wear tonight. Ritsu obviously finished first since male's attire is not as complicated as female, but Mio also finished a few minutes after. She walked out with the simple dress, red dress.
The dress surely showing off a figure's curves and is very attractive. Ritsu being Ritsu, she compliments the other girl as she walks up to her, smiling. "You look very beautiful."
"Ritsu," She felt a glare from behind and there she is, the owner of the store. Yamanaka Sawako. For one thing, Sawako knows about Mio and Ritsu and of course she also knows about the other Mio, too. "Stop acting like that, seriously, you're enjoying this. Don't you forget that your Mio is waiting for you at home."
"No, of course - well, a little, but still!"
"Ritsu-san, I think we should leave now."
"Wait, Akiyama-san, I think you should start calling Ritsu as 'Ritsu', without using any '-san' behind it." Sawako suggested, looking at both Ritsu and Mio. "You guys are appearing as couple - heck, an engaged couple. It's only normal if you call each other with first name basis and without being too formal around each other outside work."
Nodding in agreement, Ritsu speak up her thought. "She's right. Start calling me 'Ritsu' from now on."
"I'll manage, so now, we'll excuse ourselves." Turning to the owner, she bows down. "Thank you for helping us."
"Thanks, Sawa-chan! We're leaving now!" Ritsu waves her hand at Sawako and rushed to the entrance door, opening it for the other girl. "They're still here, so please stay close."
"I get it." She did what Ritsu told her to do and they are now back in the car. Sighing contently, Mio once again rested herself. She glanced at the girl on her right, Ritsu, who was quite busy with her cell phone. "R -" She remembered to start calling her 'Ritsu', especially for tonight's dinner. She took one deep breath and exhaled softly. "Ritsu."
The brunette only replied her with a soft 'hmm' and still busy with her cellphone. Apparently, trying to get a hold of someone on the phone. "Don't you forget that your Mio is waiting for you at home." The voice of Sawako echoed in her mind, looking at Ritsu, she's again having that worried look on her face. She's probably trying to call Mio...
"C'mon... Pick it up..." She could hear Ritsu muttering, quite desperately. "Mio?" Mio turned her head to Ritsu by instinct, then she realized Ritsu was still on the phone.
"Ritsu? What happened? You sounded so panic just now."
"No, no, I was just worried, you know. I've called you like five times already and you didn't answer. I thought you were mad at me."
"I was just taking a shower and why would I be mad at you?" Ritsu heard Mio sighs on the other line. "Anyways, aren't you supposed to have family dinner?"
"Well, I'm on my way there and I thought of giving you a quick call. Also, I kind of miss you already."
"Stop that, Ritsu. Have you drink your medicine properly?"
"Hehe, don't worry about that, Mio. I drink it properly and Hans is doing his job perfectly well."
"Good, um... Ritsu?"
"Yes, Mio?"
"Have fun tonight." It made Ritsu frowns, not the sentence but the way Mio saying it. It's as if she doesn't mean for Ritsu to actually have fun tonight. "When will you come back home?" She smiles at the question, that was the issue after all. "I- I mean... It's just that -"
"Mio, I'll be home as soon as I can. Don't worry, okay?"
"I miss you, Ritsu."
"I know and I miss you more, Mio." Ritsu noticed that the destination is nearing already, she need to hang up the call soon. "Uh, I'm almost arrived. I'll call you later, okay?"
A/N: Ah, too bad it needs to end here. I almost write 5K+ words again in one chapter but I stopped at 4,9XX (without A/N and bottom A/N) or so. I guess the announcement will be on the next chapter, hopefully! :D
Oh, in case you're wondering, I have a little habit of updating my stories. I have an order on when or what to update next after the other. For now, the list is: Stay Destiny or Fate Letter - and so on in a loop until one of the stories ended. I will need to finish all these three stories I've been left out first and then start to work on my Upcoming Stories - which includes a sequel of the story I've done and a completely new story(s).
CielRz-Jr - iDachii - iDutchman | Signing Off