I remained chatting with them for a while longer when I noticed approaching footsteps.

'Huh. Who is coming?'

I turned in the direction they were coming from and just then the last person I'd hope to see entered the room.

"Ack." I gasped and jumped off my seat.

'What is Kat doing here?!'

Luckily, she hadn't seen me yet, as she stopped at the entrance talking with one of the Villa's servants.

I was frantic, I had to get away. She wasn't allowed to see me here. The guys seemed to catch on to my distress and Eisuke grabbed my hand, "Follow me." He whispered, and quickly led me away, while the others stood up and approached Kat as if to shield me from sight.

Eisuke stood in front of a door that connected to the room, "You can hide in here for now." He said and opened the door.

"What's in here?" I asked curiously and he immediately shushed me and shoved me inside, closing the door behind me.

"Hmmph. He didn't have to be so rough." I huffed and walked further in.

'What...'

The room I was in was a complete mess. With empty wrappers and drinks cans strewn about. You could hardly tell there was a table and couch underneath.

"This must be where they relax I guess. Though how one relaxes in this mess..."

'They are like animals, sheesh.'

I then noticed more rooms in the back and saw each one had a name on it.

"This must be where they sleep." I looked at the nameplates on the doors.

I turned my attention back on the mess on the room and sighed in disbelief.

"Someone needs to clean this up." I looked for something I could put the garbage in, "Hmm. ...Perfect." I grabbed a garbage bag from the kitchen area and started to clean up the mess when I heard the door start to open.

"Wha? Who's coming in?" I felt my body tense up as I began to panic. I ran to hide behind one of the couches and watched on as someone entered the vicinity.

"Again with the mess? They never change."

'Huh. Who's that?"

I saw a tall slender woman standing just a short distance away from me shaking her head at the garbage filled room.

I felt relieved it wasn't someone else coming in the room, still I had no idea who this was. She had started to march down the hallway when I accidentally stood on something making a loud crunching sound.

'Oh no.' I tried to remain out of sight but it was too late. She had seen me.

"Who's there?" She called out and headed in my direction. I quickly stood up from my hiding spot and bowed my head, "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to spy on you." I said and she laughed.

"I never thought you were trying to spy. Though if you were trying to hide from someone you might have wanted to find a better spot." She grinned pointing at my clothes.

I looked down and gasped, "Ack." I quickly tried to brush off all the trash that my clothes had picked up. "S-Sorry." I smiled nervously and she leaned towards me as if to get a better look.

"You...you are Elli, correct?" She asked and I was momentarily surprised she knew my name before nodding my head, "That's right."

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Ariana, 'Tres Spades' manager." She smiled holding out her hand to me.

'Wait. I remember now.' I recalled seeing her a couple times in the past but this was the first time getting to talk to her.

I shook her hand with a smile, "It's nice to meet you too."

"I see you don't get along well with the girls. That's a shame." She casually remarked and I was slightly taken aback.

'Is it that obvious? It must be...' I inwardly sighed.

"Yeah...they don't like me." I responded solemnly.

"Sorry if I'm sticking my nose where it shouldn't be, but why do you put up with that kind of treatment?" She asked somewhat seriously.

"Because one of those girls is the only friend I have. The school I go to is full of rich kids but it's a great place to learn at. You can only get in if you have the money or you are exceptionally gifted." I answered and my shoulders slumped. Ariana laughed as if it was humorous to her.

"Why look so sad? You just said only two kinds of people can get into that school. You aren't rich, correct?" I nodded my head to her question, I had no idea what she was getting at with this. "Then you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. It's their fault they don't see your potential." She clasped a hand on my shoulder and smiled kindly at me.

"My...potential?" I muttered trying to understand what she's talking about.

"Of course. You must be special to be in that school. Though the rich kids might have their heads stuck up in the clouds and too self-absorbed to notice. Just keep doing your best and don't let anyone change who you are. Be yourself and I'm sure you will find happiness." She smiled, trying to encourage me with her words.

I felt a warmth in my heart from her words. It was the first time anybody had ever told me that. Usually I'd be told I'm a waste of space but to hear I'm special. ...Those words meant a lot to me.

'I'm special. ...me.' A look of relief floated across my face, and I smiled happily at her. She doesn't realize just how much those words lifted the painful weight in my heart.

'Even though I might be bullied at school there really was people who cared about me...'

"Well, I must be going now. I need to get through this paperwork." She said raising her hand that held a large folder. She grinned at me and vanished down the long hallway.

Filled with a gentle glow after that uplifting conversation i returned to cleaning the trash in the room.

"Phew. Finally." I wiped the sweat from my brow and looked proud at my work. The room was now spotless though I was sure it'd be messy again in no time. I giggled a little at the thought.

Suddenly the door opened again and i quickly spun around to see It was Eisuke standing before me. He looked around the room and was surprised to see it clean.

"Did you clean it?" He asked, still checking the surroundings.

"That's right." I said placing my hands on my hips looking proud.

"Heh, look at you. Being happy just because you cleaned. If that excites you so much how about I hire you to be my maid?" He said with a sly grin as he slowly got closer to me.

"No thanks. This was a one time thing. Sorry, but, I don't work for animals." I shrugged my shoulders as I spoke teasingly.

"Animals? Is that what you think of me..." He breathed and a devilish smirk crossed his face. He stood just centimeters away from me when he took hold of my chin.

"Hey, let go!" I tried to remove his hand but he wouldn't budge. "I should really punish you for calling me something so disgraceful but I'll let it slide this time. Consider this a warning, I might not be so tolerant next time." He said, his piercing eyes gazed right into mine, I was unable to look away.

"O-Okay." I frantically nodded my head that i understood. I just wanted him to let me go.

'My heart is going to leap out of my chest if he doesn't back off!' I could feel my heart beating a mile a minute and my face was burning up.

Suddenly, he started to laugh and let me go. I was dumbstruck by what was so funny.

"You really are fun to tease. That look on your face is priceless." He continued to laugh and i began to pout, "You are so mean. Stop messing with me." I exclaimed, folding my arms and looked away.

"Sorry. No can do. I can't help it you are so cute, it just makes me want to tease you." He said, a mischievous look on his face.

'What, me...cute?' I was speechless. I can't believe he called me cute. I felt my heart skip a beat and my face was even hotter than before. 'How exactly do you see me. I wonder...' I glanced at his face, he was still grinning after having teased me and I could feel a happy feeling bubbling within.

'Hehe, he can be cute himself when he laughs.' I thought and looked away to hide the smile on my face.

"Oh." I saw the clock on the wall and noticed it was getting late. "I better go now. Thank you for everything." I bowed my head. I was so grateful I bumped into him earlier. I felt more at ease now than what I would have been if i went home and was left to wallow in my misery and mistakes. I felt like as long as I had them- Eisuke around things would be okay no matter what i faced in the future.

I started to walk out of the room when Eisuke grabbed hold of my arm.

"Wait."

"Huh?" I spun around to meet his gaze and saw a longing in his eyes.

'What's going on...?'

His expression quickly changed back to his usual sarcastic teasing self and he began to speak, "You are welcome to visit anytime. I'm always ready to mess with you." He smirked and I furrowed my brows.

"Jerk!" I exclaimed but for some reason I didn't mind him holding onto my arm this time. It was almost as if I liked it. If I'd miss his touch when I left.

'No, no. He's a jerk! Yet... what is wrong with me.' I remained standing there frozen to the spot locked in by his intense gaze. I waited for him to let go. He must have realized what he was doing as he suddenly left go in a hurry and turned away.

"I'll see you later." He mumbled, raising his hand in the air with a little shake and then proceeded to walk off towards his room never showing his face, though i could have sworn his ears were redder than usual. He stopped at his room and said one last thing, "Thanks for cleaning." Before disappearing into his room.

A smile lit up my face. At that moment I was truly happy.

'He even thanked me...' A warmth filled my heart. After visiting the guys that day I found myself wanting to spend more and more time with him, with Eisuke.