Chapter 15 Living with fear
Next few weeks were like torture. Miyu kept waiting for Seiya to jump out of the crowd wherever she went, she was jumpy, scared, anxious and every other synonym you could think of along these words. The irony of the situation hadn't lost on her either as she remembered how Kanata had lost his first girlfriend and that made her shiver to the bone.
"What if I end up like her" she asked herself as she sat in her room working on her assignment, she had even asked her maid to move in who, thank god had been more than happy to oblige. But what else could she do. Having no evidence was a big trouble, no one would believe her just because she said so, she could tell Kanata though but what would she say 'that her past is finally back in the race' this is what she had been dreading all along.
Besides Seiya isn't just anybody, he's the most influential person she knew. With just 5 years on her he's already well known among the elites of the world being the youngest and most influential lawyer who dealt with everything from government matters of veto nations to the mafias of underworld. It's going to be absolutely impossible for her to go up against him he's too smart to lose no matter what she does. Just her luck that she had to go against one of the most intelligent minds human race had ever produced.
He used to be her idol when she was young she was always trying her best to match up to him, oh if only she had known what was on the inside. The fact that Seiya was in the town somewhere is what scared her the most. He's here and only one person was in the town who could actually match up to his skills even if he was younger than him. Seiya knew about their relationship. Could it be possible that he was here because of her? Maybe she's really unlucky and he stumbled on her while he was here for whatever reason. Could it be that he was here because of Kanata? She was losing her mind and she was not even legally an adult yet.
"God what should I do?" she pulled at her hairs in frustration. Unable to concentrate on her assignment she went off to bed thinking it better to catch some sleep instead.
Next day in the class she was awfully quiet though that was not unlike her- she was actually more of a listener and less of a talker. But this was too much even by her standard. She looked around they had math and for a change she was in the class not playing hooky but no one has arrived yet and the class was about to start. Kanata wasn't there, neither was Aya or Nanami not even others...where are they she thought. Here she was waiting for her friends who didn't show up. When only 3 minutes were left for the class to start she started to panic. No one had called her back not even Kanata who always returned her calls. Fear gripped her as she watched the door to the classroom slide open while she stood to greet her teacher but who strode in wasn't her math teacher but Nouzumo followed by Santa, Chris, Mizuki and then finally Kanata.
As she saw him all fit and fine standing in the front looking at her relief overcame her anxiety and she sagged with relief catching the edge of her chair for some support. She was glad to find that her friends were all unharmed and they were all watching her intently and then she frowned thinking what's going on and wait Nanami and Aya were still missing.
She was about to ask when she saw her best friends walk in pushing a food cart carrying a huge b'day cake. It took her 30 long seconds to register the situation and then she was stunned.
'This is so not possible, how can I forget my own b'day. They must have got it wrong' and her eyes darted to the date on the blackboard and yup it was her b'day today. She couldn't believe she had forgotten her own b'day. Just then her friends started singing the trademark b'day song for her and rest of the class joined in while she stood there watching them dumbstruck. Kanata walked over to her held out his hand. As she took his hand in her he pulled her closer to himself.
"Happy b'day my princess, sorry about not returning your calls that was Nanami's idea" hearing his beautiful voice realising he was unharmed and standing in front of her drained her completely and she hugged him tight bursting into tears.
"Hey" Kanata stroked her back gently as she calmed down. When she was calm enough to talk she looked at him beaming happily.
"I've never…I mean no one has ever done anything like this for me. I never expected anything…I never…I just…thank you…thank you so much" she was really overwhelmed by the fact that her friends had actually cared to surprise her because this was clearly a first for her. She had had b'days before but they were just like any other day with usually her parents wishing and her celebrating with an enthusiasm of a non athlete for a sports activity.
He led her to where the cake was and she was wished one by one by all of her friends' then rest of the class. After all the cake cutting and smudging each other faces with it which was a ritual she really had the time of her life. The best part was that Seiya didn't even cross her mind not even once during that whole day. This was clearly her best b'day in years and she was enjoying each and every moment of it.
'She looks happy for the first time in weeks' Kanata thought as he looked over to his girlfriend laughing out loud at Nanami's joke. Watching her laugh like that, carefree and no pretence made his heart beat faster. He really loved her and he had missed that laugh. She had been acting weird and he was still waiting for her tell him whatever it was that was making her anxious like that but for now he decided to concentrate on her, trying to memorise her as she was now, beautiful and happy.
He felt a strange ache in his chest and for no apparent reason he had an unpleasant thought that he didn't have much time with her. Bullshitting that thought he walked over to where she was and pulled her closer to him. He just wanted to touch her, make sure she was there as she eased into his arms still talking with her friends.
"So what about tonight…we should have a b'day party" Nanami asked.
"Actually I've already arranged for that" Miyu looked to Kanata in surprise.
"You didn't have to...""I want to" he cut her in mid "besides you've never been to my house…in fact apart from Santa no one's ever been there and you are not going to say no. I'll pick you up at 6"
"Are you telling me you actually want everyone to come to your house?" Nanami asked shocked. Kanata shrugged whatever in response.
Miyu smiled at him and after thanking him once again cleaned up the mess with the help of her friends.
Watching her reflection in the mirror for nth time she couldn't decide what to wear. She really didn't want another party, she had had a great time at school and she really didn't want to jinx the day with another party. That would be wishing for too much and she really wasn't the luckiest girl on the planet. Besides for some reason her instincts were on fire telling her something was off or maybe that was paranoia talking. As she contemplated to change into that skirt again she heard a car stopping in front of the house. She walked over to the window to see Kanata stepping out from the driver's seat and as always he was simply gorgeous. She checked her in the mirror again that she looked smart enough in her jeans and top casual but smart and then she was wearing boots that meant she wouldn't be dwarfed by his height. Picking up her purse she ran to the front door just as Kanata was lifting his hand for the doorbell.
"Hey"
"Hi"
"Ready for the evening" he asked. She nodded and turned to lock the door, her maid had spare keys. She walked to the car with him and he held the door open for her.
"You know I really do know how to open that door" she told him as she got into the car.
"And I never doubted that for a second" he flashed his beautiful smile at her as he settled into the driver's seat next to her.
"Everyone's already there" he informed her as he started the engine.
"Okay"
"You okay"
"Yes"
They drove in silence and 20 minutes later he was pulling into the garage of a mansion which was huge like white house kind of huge. Okay maybe not that huge but you get the picture right.
"You live here with whole town" she asked him as she got out of the car.
He chuckled at her reaction and walked over to her heading to the front door "nope just me and Wanya my caretaker. And servants lots of servants"
She was expecting to walk into an 18th century decor but everything was modern on the insides. A huge foyer like you find in the 7 star hotels. There was a grand piano perched on her left and Jada's American cowboy was blaring through the speakers and she frowned, there was an open bar on her right.
"My father's I don't drink" Kanata told her. She nodded at him and looked across searching for her friends.
"How many people did you invite and be honest Kanata"
"Not many, I just sent a mail to everyone in our school and I'm not sure everyone came or not but who cares. With just the 8 of us it would be boring so I called as many people as I could"
"Really you didn't have to"
He shrugged and they walked over to her friends.
"Hey Miyu, you came. I was starting to wonder if you would ever show up"
"He would have thrown a fit like 4 years old if I hadn't so there was no choice"
Kanata rolled his eyes at her but smiled anyway and walked over to the middle of the room "Guys thank you all for coming here tonight. Please enjoy the evening".
He didn't look anything like an 18 year old. Handsome as he was but life had thrown some serious rocks at him that made him look older than he really was as he walked over to where she was.
"Care for a dance"
"I suck at it" she smiled at him as they walked over to the middle and he took her in his arms.
"Somebody once called me an alien so I can pretty much do anything"
"That's true"
They whirled around the floor in silence with the rhythm of the music and it felt like they were all alone.
"Miyu when we graduate this year, have you thought about it"
"No not much, what about you" she asked him hoping he wouldn't catch her lie. She had already decided to intern at his company but he didn't have to know about that. She wanted that internship based on her talents and not because she was dating CEO's son.
"Actually my father has asked me to join the company soon after I graduate. He says I don't need any degree and that I'm skilled enough to succeed him. I'll have to move back to Tokyo"
"Okay but what about you, do you want to study further? Maybe opt for higher studies"
"Honestly I have no idea because I really don't know. I've always known that one day I'll have to succeed my father and I don't really have any problem with that but what about us. Where does it take us have you thought about that?"
She went silent for the moment. She had never thought about that and now it became apparent. They'll have to part ways or not assuming she get that internship. She wanted to say that they'll be together but to be honest even she didn't know if they'll be or not. There is a huge gap between their lives; he is like an ocean where she is merely a drop in it. She had never been intimidated by the social status before but what about the future. He'll be one of Japan's or probably world's most eligible bachelor once he takes after his father but what about her she was practically a nobody.
"I don't want to hurry but you know I was thinking that…" his phone rang and after ending the call he pulled her with him eagerly walking away from the swaying bodies of others. "I want you to meet someone, this guy is amazing. I'll be working with him in future. He's my father's- hence my future- legal adviser and he just got here"
As she walked with him to wherever this guy was a feeling of dread came over her and she didn't want to meet this guy whoever he was. Her instincts were screaming run away.
"Hi, Miyu I want you to meet Seiya Yaboshi"
"Seiya this is Miyu Kouzuki, my girlfriend" as Kanata introduced them she couldn't help but stare at the familiar revolting face.
"Oh it's a pleasure to meet you finally. He talks a lot about you and a very happy b'day" Seiya extended his arm at her but she kept staring at him.
No fucking way, this has to be a dream. Seiya in front of her acting all like a gentleman. She took a step back involuntarily and Kanata caught her before she could trip over her own feet and fall down.
"You okay"
"Yes…I mean no, I feel like I'm going to be sick"
"Let me take you home I'm sorry Seiya but I have to go"
"Oh please don't mind me and Miss Kouzuki please do take care of yourself and my best wishes for the day"
As Kanata took her to the door she shook her head "I want to stay here, can I stay here". Looking confused he guided her to his room and settled her in his bed. As he turned to walk away she grabbed his hand "please stay" and he did.
how was it? terrible?okay?good? let me know!
sneek peek into next chapter
"where's Kanata?"
"Good question, I was wondering the same and he's never late"
"Yeah, do you have Wanya's number? Kanata is not picking his phone"
"Hey let me call him don't worry I'm sure he's just late"
Santa pulled his phone out of his pocket and fired a number. He frowned and dialled again "pick up the damn phone Wanya" he muttered under his breath while Miyu watched him in anticipation as he gave her a don't-worry smile again.
"Hey Wanya hi…" his face turned grave and Miyu felt her heart sinking, she had that feeling of dread again. 'Oh god please let him be okay, please let Kanata be okay'
"What happened?"
"He had an accident, he's in hospital. Wanya says he's okay but he won't be coming to school for few days. Lucky for him its winter holidays, hey Miyu are you okay?"