I'm still sleepy but I guess I need to keep my promise. :D

Chapter 19-Exchange

Mikan stared at the ominous building in front of her, feeling her resolve waver for a bit. But it was too late to back out now, especially when they had already seen her arrive. So she gathered all her courage, and walked towards the entrance, with determination filling her.

The moment she stepped inside, she was temporarily blinded by the bright lights. As so, she didn't see where he was, but she only heard him say, "Ah, welcome, Miss Mikan Yukihara, to my humble abode."

When her eyes finally adjusted, she let out a derisive snort, which didn't go unnoticed by him. He raised an eyebrow, to which she replied, "Humble abode? What part of this is humble? It makes me think if you really are financially incapacitated."

"Be careful with your words, Yukihara. You are on enemy's ground," he replied coldly. Indeed, she was on enemy's ground, which was lavishly furnished. But his reminder was enough to make her drop the façade and adopt a very serious look.

"Where are my twins?" she asked, in a voice laced with anger. It only made him smirk, as he replied, "You do not need to worry, they are fine. I still have my virtues; I do not hurt those who are innocent."

Her brown eyes turned into slits, as she retorted, "If you still have your virtues, then you wouldn't have kidnapped them in the first place, let alone touch them."

His smirk got wider. He replied, "Sometimes it's good to break those virtues, you know. Just how you two did, three years ago. So long as I achieve my goals."

"You sick bastard…" she muttered angrily, prompting him to laugh. She shouted, "Don't you dare compare me and Natsume to you, corrupt bastard!"

He didn't say a word. He only watched her stand in front of him, her whole body shaking in anger, her fists clenched tight, and her eyes burning. He tried to suppress the laughter, and he succeeded, just as easily as he had succeeded kidnapping those twins and forcing her to come there.

"So," he said, finally breaking the tension-filled silence, "obviously, now that you're here, I'll give you two choices. Go back to your beloved Natsume, leaving your twins here, and let them figure out what to do. But then, I am not reassuring you that your children won't be hurt. After all, I am an impatient man."

He paused for a few moments, letting his words sink in. he let out a derisive laugh when he saw her lips trying to form words that could not be formed. Then he continued, "The other option is that you will take the position of your children as captive. You will stay here, and the twins will be taken to their father safe and sound. However, I do not guarantee you a painless stay."

He watched her closely, and his smirk grew wider, as he saw the reaction he expected show on her face. But he still wasn't finished bursting her bubble of hope. He said, "If you are thinking that you being held captive rather than the twins will give Hyuuga lesser pain, I'm telling you now, you are very wrong."

"What makes you think that?" She asked, surprise evident in her voice, as she never expected those words. She continued, "I am not his girlfriend anymore. The only things that tie me with him are our friends, and the twins, now that he knows about them. I believe you know he's getting married, as you attacked his fiancée once already."

"Oh, so you don't know that they already broke the engagement?"

Her eyes widened for a moment, but they turned into slits once again. "That doesn't mean he still loves me."

"Well, why don't you choose the second option, so that we'll see?"

She looked straight into his eyes, and saw nothing but evil intent. She gritted her teeth. Not because of what he said, but because of what she said and did and thought. Because her words didn't entirely conceal the hope that she felt. And she didn't have time for feelings like that, did she? Well, she needed to find out.

"I was really going for the second option the moment you uttered it, bastard."

"Why does she always decide on her own?" Natsume muttered angrily. Hotaru let out a weary sigh, while Ruka paced across the room. Koko looked at his friends, worry also written on his face. He was about to say something, when suddenly, a maid entered.

She said something, and what she announced made the four of them rush out of the room, and to the main gate. The moment they arrived, they all froze.

Because in front of them were the twins, who were crying. When they saw Koko, both simultaneously ran towards him and wailed, "Uncle Koko! Mommy was…mommy is…mommy…"

Natsume watched his own children crying in the arms of another man. The knot in his stomach tightened, and his knuckles turned white. Then he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He reached for it, and when he saw the number, he immediately pressed answer.

Hell had totally broken loose.

Short once again, but I just can't make it longer. SO that I'll have no more worries about this story (:P) I'll be updating again later (tonight here in my country).

Please review! :D