The door bell rings and Luella stands up from the couch with a giddy laugh, "They're here!" She practically sprints out of the room.
Martin, Luella, Naru and I had all been sitting in living room (or as they call it, the sitting room) while waiting for the caterers that they had hired to finish up the table and the room for the dinner party. Naru was reading a book while I say next to him with a book of my own. Luella and Martin had been engaged in a conversation of their own.
"It's only six." I say, curiosity and confusion leaking in to my tone, "I thought the party began at six-thirty."
"It does." Naru and Martin say at the same time, "That would be her parents." I raise an eyebrow at their freaky word play, but then look up as the doors swing back open with a happy looking Luella and two people. Two males, to be exact.
"Dads," Luella says, looking at the two men, "This is Mai. Oliver's friend."
They both smile at me, but it's the man with the brown eyes that speaks first, "Hello, Mai. My name is Kerry, and this is my partner Elliot."
It takes me only a split second to realize what he means by 'partner' and a goofy grin breaks out on my face. I close my book and place it on Naru's lap (who ignores it completely), before standing up quickly and holding out my hand, "It's very nice to meet you!" Kerry shakes my hand (he has a strong grip) and then Elliot (such a light grip) with his pretty blue eyes sparkling.
"Mai, refrain from shaking their hands off." Naru's sarcastic voice says from the table.
I ignore him, though, "Are you two in the parapsychology business as well?"
Kerry and Elliot both smile in return for my own, however, it's Kerry that answers me, "No. I'm afraid we both retired a few years ago." They move towards the couch and I take my seat again. Naru glances up from the book he was reading through and nods at both his grandparents. I roll my eyes at him and grin at the couple in front of me.
Luella grins, "You're taking this so well, Mai."
I laugh, "Well, my mother always said that only the honest are different." I cross my left leg over my right, and grin at the older people in front of me, "Plus, I like different." All the men smile at me while Luella giggles.
"Mai, you're 'different' yourself." Naru's voice comes from my left and I look to see him looking up at me with that look again, but with amusement mixed in to it.
I laugh, "I know and I'm okay with that." Everyone is silent for a moment, before I break it again, "Anyway, Luella do you have any brothers or sisters?" Luella grins, and the atmosphere becomes light as we talk about trivial things. However, I felt Naru's leg move in the mist of our talking. Everywhere that our legs touch grows hot, and I can feel his energy pulsing through that simple touch.
Satisfied. My instincts never fail to help me.
What's he satisfied about? I look over at him to see his eyes still trained on the book in his hand, but I see the small smile. I grin, and lean back in to the couch.
It doesn't matter. If he's happy, I'm happy.
—
I watch as all of the people conversant. Luella is flirting from person to person, while Martin sits on the couches with some other people. Naru is talking to a group of people the same age as him. There's not a lot of people here, but enough to make me nervous all over again.
Naru's eyes swing my way, and they meet my own. He smirks, then makes a beckoning motion with his hand. The entire group of people turn and looks at me as I walk towards them.
"This is Mai Taniyama. She's a psychology major, a parapsychology major, an English major, and she's also majoring in Criminal Justice." Naru says, all in one breath. He tosses them all a dazzling (and completely fake) smile, "She's also my preferred secretary."
"Miss Tanyuma, it's very nice to meet you. I'm Chloe." A small girl with large brown eyes and brown hair says with a innocent smile. She looks familiar.
Not to be trusted. My unconscious mind whispers at me, in correspondence with my instincts.
I pull a smile, "My name is actually pronounce tan-E-ya-ma. But you can just call me Mai. It's very nice to meet you, ma'am." I hold out a hand. She shakes it with the same smile.
I toss Naru a look, and although his facial expression doesn't change, I can see the mirth in his eyes. He knows what kind of girl Chloe is. He knew my alarms would go off. Why would he call me over—
Realization sets in, and I glare at him. It's then he smirks.
He's using me as his own personal reverse cock-block.
Chloe follows me around all evening. The entire time the party is going on, I feel like she's analyzing every move I make. However, I also notice that she's too close to Naru. I don't mean in a jealousy way (even though I am completely jealous), she's able to touch him.
Chloe brushes up against his arm, and he smiles down at her. Even if I know the smiles are fake, she thinks they're real. Her touching to him is familiar… why would they be so familiar.
It's after dinner that I realize why. She's grinning at him flirtatiously while we're all having tea. She gives him a sultry look, and my instincts scream at me. Somehow, and someway, during the time that Naru and I weren't around each other, these two must have been in an intimate relationship.
The thought makes my stomach heave, and I duck awake when no ones looking. It isn't long after I crash through my room door that I'm running to the bathroom to empty my stomach in to the toilet. The very thought of ANYONE having sex with MY Naru makes me vomit… literally.
'Oh, Mai…' Gene whispers to me, his voice full of sorrow, 'You don't know for sure that they did that.'
'Explain it all to me, then.' I say, my voice sounding weak in my own head, 'Explain why she can touch him, and why she's allowed in his personal space! My instincts are never wrong, Gene!' Then tears flow down my eyes.
Why do I always end up crying over him? Naru is just one guy! I shouldn't care this much that he had sex with her!
I get a flashback of my mother's kind voice, "There are plenty of reasons why I loved your father, and him being handsome wasn't one of them. Your father was a kind, instinctual person. He went by what his gut told him, and most of the time he was right. He cared for me in his own special way. I hope that when you find the right man, Mai, that you'll recognize his efforts for what they are. I want you to grow to love the person that they are, and judge them on their personality. I want you to love people for who they are, Mai."
I wipe my nose on the back of my hand, and the door opens. Dark blue eyes grow darker when he sees me sitting on the floor by the toilet. I probably look gross. A snotty nose, running mascara, and I probably have dried vomit on my mouth. However, Naru kneels in front of me, "What's wrong?"
The way his hand brushes against my forehead to check for a temperature and the way his eyes are gazing at me so gently make me realize that he would never look at anyone else like this. He's so worried about me, because I'm his Mai. Whether he knows it or not, this idiot scientist has me for life.
"Upset stomach." I lie smoothly with a shake of my head, "I think I don't agree with something on the menu."
He sighs, "Get in the shower, idiot. I'll go get some clothes for you."
"What about the party?" I ask, "And Chloe?" I can't help the distaste in my voice when I say her name.
He turns and raises an eyebrow, "What about her?" He suddenly smirks, "Do you want her phone number or something? I didn't know you swung that way, Mai."
My jaw drops, and I giggle, "No way! Naru is actually acting his age! Someone call the mental hospital."
He laughs adorably, "Get in the shower, idiot." With that he leaves.
'Okay, I officially hate him.' Gene murmurs.
'Why?' I ask curiously.
'Because he didn't need to apologize for upsetting you or anything! You got over it all on your own!' Gene groans. I grin to my self and shake my head. I stand and strip quickly, before getting in to the shower.
I'm awoken by the sound of fireworks. I open my eyes to see a figure being dressed in the reds, yellows, and blues. I sit up and push the covers off. He turns, and before I know it he's next to me, "What's wrong with you?" I look up at him as confusion fills me. Is he talking about me throwing up?
"I told you—"
"And you lied." Naru's voice is rough, but not necessarily harsh. I think he's just annoyed because he figures I didn't tell him the truth. He sits on the edge of the bed, "If I have to find out that you're upset from my dead twin, then we obviously lack communication skills."
Is this really Naru?
I've gotten used to the sweet gestures every once in a while. I've gotten used to him smiling and laughing. I've even gotten used to sleeping in the same bed as him. However, never once have we had this type of conversation. I think my face turns a nice shade of red.
"I'm going to kill him…" I mutter, hiding my burning face in my hands, "It's really nothing, Naru."
"If it was really nothing, it wouldn't have made you sick, Mai. When something bothers you that much, I want you to tell me. No matter how embarrassed it makes you feel." I peek through my fingers to see intense blue eyes staring at me. My hands fall away as the utter handsomeness of this man stuns me once again.
That look settles over his face again and his expression softens. He leans forward slowly, his eyes never leaving my. The coolness of his lips press softly against the tip of my nose, then his hands reach up and cup my cheek. He gently tilts my head away from him, and places a soft kiss right under neath my ear. My eyes close involuntarily as a sigh escapes me.
"Did you have sex with her?" The words are whispered and barely spoken. I didn't even want them to escape my mouth, but I knew he really wasn't going to give me a choice.
He's quiet, before saying in a gentle voice, "Yes. When I was nineteen."
My head turns down as I stare at the floor, "She was your first."
"No." Naru tells me, his voice quiet, but rough again, "She wasn't."
My eyes sting and I want to throw up again. Why is this effecting me so much? Yes, I love him, but we aren't dating. I shouldn't care who he has sex with.
"Chloe was just a stress reliever, and she looks exactly how I want her to look." He mutters to me. I can feel his eyes burning a hole in to the side of my face, "Please don't get angry."
"I'm not an-gry." My voice cracks, and my eyes water, "I'm just upset, Naru."
"I know." He says, "I can feel it. Everywhere I touch you is drumming with heat." He grasps my elbow, trying to pull me closer again, but u continue to back up. Eventually, I'm laying on the bed and Naru is on top of me. A hand is on either side of my head, and he leans down so his lips are even with my ear. His warm chest is adding pressure to my own as everything in me tightens. Naru kisses me just below the ear again, "Just forget about, Mai. All if it meant nothing."
How could he ask me to just forget about this? I didn't expect Naru to be a virgin, but it makes me wonder just how many girls have seen him naked and are able to touch him. How many girls are just like me? Am I really as special as I think?
"Mai." His voice is low and dangerous, "Stop thinking."
"I can't help it," My voice sounds loud in the quiet room. The booming of the fireworks is still going off. The room lights up in a variety of colors.
"I know." Naru says. He moves so he's lying next to me. His arm stretches across my stomach, and he kisses my hair while pulling me against him. He weaves his arms around my waist, "You're the only person I've ever slept in the same bed with."
The admission is astonishing, and I can't help myself from saying, "What about Gene?"
"Gene and I never really shared beds." Naru tells me, looking out the window at the fireworks. He looks down at me, and smiles, "Gene hogged the covers."
I laugh and he looks relieved. His chin touches the top of my head, and I fold myself in to him. Even if I'll be embarrassed about this entire thing tomorrow, I don't want to ruin it right now. I look out the window and watch the fireworks, until my eyes close on their own, and I'm asleep.
"Are you sure this is okay, Mai?" Luella asks me, walking on the other side of me as we make our way to the banquet hall of the building. Naru and I had agree to stay an extra week in England for New Years, and Luella was ecstatic. However, it seemed the ball was required because of her job, and since I was technically part of the company, it was required for me since I was in England.
"She'll be fine, mother." Naru grumbles from my other side, looking as handsome as I've ever seen him in his expensive suit. The dark blue tie makes his eyes look that much deeper, and I'm nearly positive that the ass knows he looks good.
I glare at him, "I think I can speak for myself." Naru and I aren't on good terms right now.
While I was reading in my room earlier that day, he'd walked in and took the book from me. While I was demanding my book back, he threw a shoe box at me, and a dress, and told me to get dressed. However, the idiot didn't think to take the price tags off.
"I can't believe I'm even wearing this!" I hiss at him, switching to Japanese in my anger, "Who pays three grand for a dress, and then a whole other grand for a pair of sparkly shoes?!"
"The party is formal, you idiot." Naru hisses back at me, his eyes flicking to his mother. The woman is pretending to ignore our argument, but both Naru and I know that she's secretly listening.
"Naru, I can get a dress that looks exactly like this for twenty bucks! And the shoes I could get for ten!" I hiss back, "What's the point of spending money on stupid things?!"
"Because it's for you." He murmurs in my ear. On cue, I turn scarlet and I stop walking to look at him in wonder. Luella continues walking, but I can see her shoulders shaking from silent laughter. He turns to me, "When are you going to get that money isn't an object with you, Mai? All you need to do is ask, and anything you want is yours."
"Naru, why would you…" I trail off. My eyes are watering and my voice is stuck in my throat. Sometimes, Naru just surrenders me speechless. Ever since he returned from England, he's been a completely different man. At first it was showing emotion here and there, and now it's full blown sweetness coming from his mouth every time we're alone. I'd thought that I was getting used to it, but I don't think it'll ever fail to astonish me that Naru would show this side of himself to me.
The girl he thinks is trying to substitute him for his dead twin brother.
"Because you're Mai." He says simply, as if he was saying that the sky is blue. His eyes flicker up and down my body, "It's not like you look bad, anyway. So stop being an idiot and let's go." My blush runs deeper as it connects that Naru just underhandedly told me that he likes the dress on me.
I breathe in deeply, closing my eyes for a millisecond before releasing the breath and opening my eyes at the same time. Naru stands in front of me with his hand held out. I smile softly at him, before walking forward and taking his hand.
—~—
Chloe's Point of View:
Where is he?
I smile at the old skank and she grins back, "Chloe. Don't you look lovely tonight."
"You too, Mrs. Davis. That dress looks wonderful on you!" My dog would wear it better. "Where's Professor Davis?"
Luella giggles at the thought of her son, "Oh, just talking to Mai in the hallway."
Mai.
The sound of her name make my vision turn red and I suddenly wan to claw the eyes out of everyone in this place.
How dare that bitch steal him from me?!
The door opens and the professor walks in looking as gorgeous as I've ever seen him. I smile to myself as I remember that passionate night that we shared a few years back. At first I was just doing it because he was hot, but now, I want to do it over… and over… and ov—
How is it that she's ten times more beautiful than the last time I seen her?!
The little dark blue dress looks so soft and seems to caress her skin as the bottom moves with her walking. The bottom of the dress brushes her thighs and I envy her ability to wear something that short and not look slutty. The middle squeezes her tight to show off just how wonderful her waist line is. The sparkly black heels have thin straps to hold around her tiny ankles, and I can see the perfectly painted black toe nails from this far. Her brown hair is wavy, and it falls gently down her back as her entire face lights up with her smile. The big brown eyes on her face are already popping out because of the make up, but with her smile they seem to sparkle with a happiness that I'll never be able to explain.
I hate her so much.
The professor looks over at the girl and smirks, but I see the tenderness that he only ever displays around her. Both the girl and I look so much alike, but how is it that he pays more attention to her than he ever did to me?!
"Beautiful, isn't she?" Luella says, smiling as Mai takes the professors arm and he leads her to the open bar.
"Absolutely stunning." I say, trying my best to smile at her, "Where is she from again?"
"Japan." Luella tells me, taking a small sip of her wine, "Truth be told, she was an ordinary girl at first sight. However, just the way that Oliver treats her makes me adore her, but she's such a caring and gleeful person by nature, that I can't help adoring her that much more. Even if she wouldn't make Oliver happy."
"She makes him happy?" I ask, my astonishment ringing true even in my ears. Luella smiles at me, and then changes the subject.
What does she have that I don't?
—
Nearly to the end of the party, I see her finally pull away from the professors side and head to the powder room. I take my chance and follow her with out much thought.
She jumps when I slam the door behind me and turns. Surprise etches itself in her face, before she smiles at me, "Oh, hello Chloe."
"What do you have that I don't?" I spat, more malice than I'd originally intended coming out in my tone.
The confusion is apparent in her face and voice, "I'm not sure I know what—"
"He's happy with you!" I shout, speaking with out thinking now, "How could he be happy with you?! You're annoying, you're probably failing all those classes you're so proud off, and to top it off, you aren't even that pretty, so I don't get what the big deal is!" The hurt shines brightly in her eyes, but I don't really care. I hate her.
"I think it's time for you to leave." A deep voice says from behind me. I whirl around to see an extremely handsome and pissed off professor glaring at me.
"But—" I begin, only to be interrupted.
"Now!" He growls, practically shouting at me. I jump back on instinct and the room gets cooler.
"Naru!" Mai says from behind me, her voice raised, "You're scaring her!"
He ignores her, "Go." He moves out the way and I dash out the door with tears burning in my eyes.
"Wait!" Mai calls, and I freeze turning to look at her. She moves pass the furious professor to hand me some of the brown paper napkins from by the sink, "Here. Your make up is running."
I take them, wiping my eyes and then blowing my nose with a heavy heart. It suddenly all clicks. I smile a real smile up at the woman, "Thank you." She grins back and I continue to make my way out of the building.
I get it now.
Mai's Point of View:
The shoes make a thumping noise as I toss them away. Naru follows in behind me and sheds his jacket and tie. He collapses on the bed and I giggle at his tired sigh. His grins at me, before sitting up quickly and grabbing my hand, yanking me on to the bed with him.
"I need to go take a shower, Naru." I murmur, loving the way his warmth automatically envelops my entire body. I don't know why I'm always so cold.
"In a few minutes." He says quietly, and I grin to myself, before snuggling back in to his chest.
"Mai!" Madoka yells from the other side of the airport. She takes off running with an amused Lin behind her.
"I don't miss that." Naru grumbles from behind me as I giggle and wave to my best friend.
"I did." I grin at him, before I'm tackled and wrapped in Madoka's familiar embrace. I hug her back with a squeal of my own.
She pulls away and looks down at my clothes with surprise. Luella had forced me to go shopping with her (again) before I left, and she wouldn't let me leave the mall until I'd chosen an entire outfit for myself to bring back to Japan. Which is the reason I was now sporting black jeans, leather winter boots, a comfortable caramel brown button up shirt with a black rather jacket and a scarf the same color as my shirt.
Luella then proceeded to compliment me on my 'simple' style.
"Luella got to you, didn't she?" Madoka grins.
I laugh, "Yeah, but that's okay. I love her for it." Madoka smiles her knowing smile and she giggles.
"Welcome back." Lin tells me when I finally pull away from his wife. I dart forward and wrap my arms around his waist. He chuckles and pats me on the head like an affectionate uncle. I love Lin just as much as I love Madoka.
Naru clears his throat loudly, "We should probably get going." I unwind my arms from Lin and roll my eyes at his snippy tone. What the heck is wrong with him?
We leave the airport soon after.
—
My face breaks out in to a wide grin as I see everyone sitting in Naru's office on the couches. Presents that I assume are from Christmas are stacked on the table and I see plenty of food laid out on Naru's desk. As Ayako and Yasu make a b-line for me, I can feel Naru's agitation at his office being treated like a café again. I hug the two of them back quickly with a kiss on Ayako's cheek. Suddenly, I'm swept up in a huge hug and I snuggle in to Monk's comforting embrace.
He sets me down and I hug my favorite medium, before hugging the blonde-haired priest. John blushes (like he always does) but hugs me back, nonetheless.
"I missed all of you guys!" I gush, joy filling me at being around my make shift family once again, "And I've got your presents!" The next hour is filled with presents being handed out by all of us. I had to hand out Naru's presents as well. It turns out the idiot loves to shop, but has no idea how to wrap presents. So I ended up having to wrap all of the presents before we left for England.
After the small belated Christmas party, everyone began to go home. Lin and Madoka left to go upstairs before Naru and I.
"You do realize that you're still sleeping in the same bed as me, correct?" Naru's deep voice chimes from behind me as I wipe off the top of his desk. Large hands grab my hips and I stand up straight as Naru molds my body to his.
"But what about—" I stop as his lips brush the spot under neath my ear. It makes my skin crawl, but instead of being disturbing, it's oddly satisfying.
"I don't care. You're staying with me." His voice low and husky in my ear, and I can't help grinning. I turn in his arms and, in a random act of boldness, lift my arms around his neck.
I brush my nose against his, "What ever you say, professor." He glares at me, but it's gently. I know he's only kidding (that's as good as it's gonna get with Naru, and I giggle.
Oh, how I love this man.