Hello, Stranger

a/N: I'm thankful and very grateful about the feedback on my first chapter of this story. Glad, I got your interest. The plot just popped out of the blue and Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone became the inspiration. But nonetheless, because of the great feed backs, I'll immediately post this second chapter. Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice/Alice Academy.

Chapter 2

Graduation Gift

Tap. Tap. Tap. My eyes twitched when I heard that this stranger in front of me, who was sitting comfortably on my favorite spot in our lounge, has been tapping his fingers annoyingly on the center table. If you just forgot, this stranger just stepped in our door way looking oh-so handsome and the next thing I know, he introduced himself as my husband—husband!

Is he on drugs or something? What was he running on his mind for saying such ridiculous thing like that! For Pete's sake I just turned 20 and now he's claiming that he's my husband. I don't even know why I allowed him to enter inside our house. I should just have punched him right on the face so he'll know who he's messing with.

But no, before I could react about what this Natsu—whatever just said, my mom walked inside the living room and believed me her eyes became wide as dining plates when she saw this stranger! And with that she ordered me to let this man enter house as she hurriedly called my father upstairs with no explanation said.

Tap. Tap. Tap. That's it! "Will you stop doing that tapping of fingers?" I snapped as I stopped walking back and forth and shot this man a death glare. "Your presence is already irritating me to hell and your tapping of fingers make everything worst!" I said in annoyance.

He looked amused on what I just did and nodded. "Very well." He said and leaned on the sofa. He gave me a look and his eyes never left me.

The hell I care about his stares, I glared at him once more and continued walking back and forth, biting my newly polished nails. I'm sure Nonoko will kill me for this but I just can't help it! I feel frustrated and angry! I glanced at the stairs, hoping my mom and dad would just go get downstairs and call the cops to kick this man out of our house.

"Will you stop walking back and forth and just relaxed?" the man's throaty voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked at him and he was leaning at our sofa, with his arms resting on top of the sofa and raised one of his brows. "I'm getting dizzy with those walking back and forth."

My eyes twitched as how he arrogantly said those words to me. This man is getting on my nerves! If I could just punch him right now! Who does he think he is telling me what to do! I glared at him once again and sat on the sofa but I made sure I was not close to him. This man might look handsome but we never know, he might some drug lord or rapist.

Silence was filling the air making everything so uncomfortable. My mom and dad haven't come down yet and this stranger is giving me weird stares. I looked at him and furrowed my brows. "Will you stop looking at me?" I asked. "You're making it uncomfortable."

He let out a smirk, the same smirk he showed to me when he introduced himself. "I'm sorry. I can't help it. It's been years since I last saw you." He calmly said as his attention was now in to me.

Last saw me? What the hell is this man talking about? I don't even know him or I have never seen him in my life! Not even once! I sneered on what he said making his smirk disappear. "Last saw me? Are you on drugs or something?" I let out a mocking laugh and added. "I don't even know you and you claimed that you are my husband, Mr. Hyuu—something." I said.

He again had the amused expression on his face. I just want to scratch that face and kick his ass out of the house! To my amazement, he let out a throaty laugh. I twitched hearing his laugh. Sound so robotic, maybe he's some kind of alien and he's about to abduct me! "It's Natsume Hyuuga and its Natsume to you." He said and winked at me. Gross! "And yes, you've just heard me right; I claim to be your husband."

I was surprised on how confident he said those words. It sounds like he's very sure that he is my husband. I shook my head lightly and looked away. "There is something wrong about this. I'm sure of it." I surely said.

Natsume didn't respond. He clicked his tongue and looked away from me. There was silence. I didn't start a conversation; I decided to wait as my thoughts were as deep as the ocean. And as I look at this man beside him on the side of my eyes, I can tell that he is in deep thought as well. I sighed silently. Where the hell is mom and dad—

"Mikan!" my mom's angelic yet sweet voice interrupted my thoughts. I almost jumped in surprised and so is Natsume and I could tell we were both startled. Her sweet voice didn't match her face. Worry was clearly seen on my mother's face right now. She and my dad walked hand in hand downstairs.

I immediately stood up and Natsume followed my gesture. Before I could ask questions, he decided to speak. "I'm so sorry for disturbing you, Mr. and Mrs. Sakura." He apologized and his cocky voice turned in to a polite one making me look at me. "It's nice to see you." He added.

Surprisingly this was my mother's reply, "It's okay, Natsume." She sweetly said as her face was plastered with a sweet smile. "You could have informed us that you're about to arrive." My mouth formed an O when I heard my mother's response. She calls him Natsume! That means they know each other! And, and—

But before I could over react, my father decided to speak, "Let's sit and explain everything to…" he paused for awhile and his eyes looked straight to me. His blue eyes didn't look as calm as Ruka's. His eyes were serious, telling me that is something important—very important. "Mikan," he continued and plastered a small smile easing the tension between us four.

"About time!" I mockingly responded. I know I should still have my manners but everything doesn't make sense to me and manner isn't the thing that I needed now. I need answers! I sat immediately back on my seat and all of them followed my gesture. Natsume leaned back on the sofa. I stared at my mother eyeing her, and telling her I'm hungry—hungry for answers.

My mother cleared her throat and flashed me a small smile, "Mikan, as you know, this is Natsume—"

Before she could explain further, I snapped right away. "I already know he is mom! He is Natsuke Hyuuga—"

"Natsume," I heard the moron beside me interrupted me on my supposed to me dramatic speech as he corrected me about his name.

I glared at him and turned my attention back to my mother. "He is Natsume whatever Hyuuga and he just claimed awhile ago that he is my husband!" I hysterically shouted making my mom looked at me in shock. "I need to know what the hell—"

"Mikan Sakura!" I heard my father sternly shout. Uh-oh. Yes, maybe I still need my manners. I stopped babbling as his face turned hard and his blue eyes were looking at me, telling me to shut up and listen.

I sighed in frustration, "I'm sorry," I mumbled under my breath.

"Shall I continue, honey?" my mother calmly said to me. I let out a quick nod and she cleared her throat once again. "Mikan, dear, I know you're confused right now." More than confuse, mom! "You weren't supposed to know this in this way. Your father already planned everything so you can know all of this in the right time and in the right place."

I still don't understand what they're trying to tell but I'm sure about the claiming that this red eye freak is my husband is somehow true. My mother continued, "The Hyuuga once dominated Japan especially Tokyo because of their riches." She started to explain. I did glance at Natsume but he was looking calm and emotionless. Hyuuga? Never heard of them. "When Kaoru Hyuuga died because of assassination a long time ago. All of the Hyuuga left Japan, sold their businesses here to their closest clan and left for America."

Assassination? My eyes somehow twitched on this word. "Kaoru?" I mumbled her name unconsciously. Then in hit me! "She was your best friend, mom! You've been telling stories about her since I was a kid and about her son—" I paused and I gasped. I looked at the unknown man beside me, who still looked emotionless, but his crimson eyes were telling me something. "You're Kaoru's son?"

Instead of Natsume answering my question, my mother answered it. "Yes, he is Kaoru's only son." I gasped. So this man was the son that my mother kept telling me that one day I'll meet someone, a man that is close to her heart. I just can't believe this. When I was still little and naïve, my mom would tell me stories about her best friend named Kaoru. She told me the friendship that they have was like me and Hotaru. They were opposite but the friendship was real.

Fortunately, when Kaoru got married, she married the richest man in Japan and my mother did married Narumi, the next in line. My mom explained that even though they were married, their friendship was close than ever. But one day, Kaoru was missing and when daylight comes; her body was seen floating on the river, dead and cold. The Hyuuga was furious about this and with the power they possessed, they immediately found out who killed Kaoru and put him 12 feet under the ground.

My mother also told me that all Hyuuga moved to America and started a new life. I still looked confused but little by little I started to grasp the details my mom trying to tell me. I looked at her, urging her to continue. She nodded and said, "During Kaoru's burial, his husband approached me and told me Kaoru's wish before she died." She looked at Natsume and then to me. My heart started to pound loudly. Telling me that the next thing that my mom would tell me will be my nightmare. "She wanted that only son would marry my only daughter."

I gasped—a loud gasped. Natsume didn't seem to have any reaction about it. My father shook his head slightly and my mom tried to have a smile to encourage me that it was actually a good thing. I covered my mouth, trying to understand everything but then a thought popped in to my head. It was still a wish. Yes, yes! Everything can still be changed! "But," I swallowed my throat and said, "It was still a wish, mom. Natsume and I haven't got married, yet. We could still change everything, right? Right?" I said, tears on the tips of my eyes, hoping everything can still be changed.

But with the expressions of my parents' face, I'm guessing I was wrong. My mom shook her head slightly, "I'm afraid not, darling."

My father took out an envelope on his back and handed it to me. My hands were shaking as I tried to reach the envelope. Once it was in my possession, I stared at it, feeling scared and nervous. I stared at my mom and she smiled at me, urging me to open it. I slowly opened the enveloped and it was a… "Marriage certificate?" I said in disbelief.

"We're already married?" I asked them. I looked at Natsume who was still stoic. Damn, like he's not even shock or something! I bet he already know all of these schemes. "We're married?" I asked him.

He nodded slowly and said, "I was 10 back then and you were still at the age of 6, naïve." He explained. My eyes widen. And he was already at the right age and he didn't protest? As if reading my mind, he said. "I didn't protest nor question my father."

I ignored what he said and turned my attention back to my mom. "How come I don't remember anything? And is age of 10 and 6, legal?" I shouted at them. Cursed manners! Curse everything! All of this!

My father snickered making me look at him in skepticism. "If you're a powerful as a Hyuuga and Sakura, Mikan, darling, everything is legal." He boastfully said and I heard Natsume snickered as well.

I looked at them in disbelief. These two men, as if everything was a joke, they even have the guts to snicker while I'm here very frustrated about everything! My mother gasped when I tore the certificate and threw it on the floor. "I'm not married!" I protested loudly.

And then the moron said something, "It's okay, Aunty Sakura." What happened to the Mr. and Mrs. Sakura now, Hyuuga? "I have two copies here and some copies back in America." He said with a big, annoying, ugly smirk on his goddamn pervert face! And I still want to punch his face!

My father let out a chuckle, "I still have tons of copies in my office, Natsume." And then both of them let out their manly, robotic laugh.

I can't believe this! They're treating like everything was just a joke! I stood up, glaring at the all of them, each of them, "I hate you! And I'm not married!" and before I left, I walked towards the damn Hyuuga and gave him a good punch.

Right on his damn face.

xxx

Tears, sobs, and cries were the things filling the silence in the brunette's room. She just couldn't believe things happened this fast. Early morning she was rejoicing that finally in no time she'll be stepping out in college, graduating with honors, made her parents proud, will be an heiress in no time and would actually receive a graduation gift and now, someone just stepped in their home, claiming that he is her husband and now she knew everyone has planning her life without her knowing anything.

She just hated everyone now. She felt like she was betrayed. How could her parents agree on such idiotic wish! She wiped the tears on her eyes but it just continued flowing freely down on her hazel eyes. She lay down on her bed and grabbed the bear that was her best friend since her 7th birthday.

It was a tangerine color bear that is already size as a toddler. It was a gift to her on her seventh birthday. She still hasn't found out the one, who gave this to her but whoever he or she was, she's thankful she gave this little comforter to her. This bear has been Mikan's shoulder to cry on ever since she was a child. Whenever she has problems, this teddy bear has been always there for her. She hugged the bear tight and sobbed loudly.

Then she wiped immediately the tears when she heard her door slowly opening. She sat up and put the bear aside. It was her mother, her eyes wear looking at her in sadness and her face was filled with worry. She watched as her mom closed the door quietly and approached her.

"Mikan," she softly said and sat in front of her crying daughter. She reached for Mikan's face and wiped her tears away. "I'm sorry,"

Mikan looked away, "Why didn't you tell me this before?" she asked.

"We don't know how to explain everything to you, Mikan." She explained. "I know that it's not easy as it seems but you need to accept this."

Tears started to fall on the Mikan's eyes, "But I wanted to marry someone I love, mom! And not some stranger!" she sobbed.

"You'll learn to love, Natsume, dear." She held her daughter's hands. She stared at her hazel eyes and a thug was felt on her heart as she watches her daughter cry in pain and in frustration. "He's a nice guy. I've known him since he was a kid and trust me, he's a good guy. He'll be a great husband. Trust me, okay?"

Mikan's sobbed has vanished and looked coldly at her mother. "How can I trust you if I already felt betrayed mom?"

Yuka was lost of words. She didn't know what to say to make her daughter feel okay. She knows planning Mikan's life without any of her consent was the worst thing a parent could do but she needs to this. She has to. Ever since Kaoru died and she found out about the death wish of her best friend, she knew that this was the best thing. She has this feeling that this choice was the best decision she ever had. "I'll leave you now, darling." She whispered.

"Mom," Mikan called her before she could stand up. "I'm sorry for my reaction, I just can't believe everything." She bitterly apologized and looked down.

Yuka couldn't help but feel happy. She hugged her daughter tight and Mikan hugged her back. Once she let go, "Thank you, Mikan." She happily said.

"But," Mikan added. "Knowing I'm already married, can I now know my graduation gift?"

Yuka knew this wasn't the right time but I guess Mikan already know enough so she already have the right to know her graduation gift. "Give me your iPad." She requested. Mikan walked towards her study table and grabbed her iPad. She handed it over to her mom once she was sitting in front of her.

She looked at her curiously as her mom did something on her iPad. "Look," Yuka said with a bright smile. Yuka handed over the iPad and Mikan grabbed it and looked at what Yuka's trying to show her. Her face turned puzzled, "A condominium?" she looked up at her mom. "Don't tell me…"

Yuka smiled excitingly to her and beamed in happiness, "You'll be staying with Natsume in that condominium after your graduation!"

"Mom!"

xxx

I had my one last puff of my smoke as I threw it on the ground. This day didn't turn out as what I expected. I let out a heavy sigh. It's already late in the evening and I'm guessing my hysterical wife has already fallen asleep and so is her parents. I inhaled the cold breeze of Tokyo and closed my eyes.

It's really been awhile since I've smell the refreshing air of Japan. I opened my eyes when I heard footsteps towards me and I'm guessing who that person is.

"Nice to see you, mate." I heard the person approaching me said. I turned my upper body and let it face him. It was the same blonde man I met back in high school.

"Ruka," I recognized him with a curt nod and looked away.

He stepped beside me and stared at the cigarette in the ground. "I thought you already stopped smoking."

"I just needed it." I answered.

"You met my sister?" he asked as his hands were now in his pocket.

I did the same gesture and nodded. "Wasn't a good start but at least she knows me now."

"She recognized you?"

I shook my head, "Nope." I faced him and smirked. "She punched me."

Ruka's blue eyes widen. "What?" he almost shouted. "Why did she punch you? What did you do?"

"Pissed her off, I don't know." I simply answered and looked away.

"What was her reaction?" he curiously asked.

"Hysterical,"

"I bet," he said and chuckled.

Ruka was my best buddy. We're in the same age though. We studied in the same university back in college. I left for America but the friendship didn't vanish since he updates me about Mikan.

Silence fell and Ruka glanced at me. I know what he was thinking right now and I just waited for him to drop the bomb.

"Still love her?"

And the bomb was dropped.

"I never stopped loving her,"

And it explodes.

Review pretty please? :)

Thanks for the encouraging words in the first chapter. My heart flushed in happiness. I'm so thankful! :) Sail on!