Chapter Three

DAY 1

"I still couldn't believe that I saw Naru cuddling a girl." Ayako told her while walking to the parking lot. "That is the last thing I expected to see."

"He is not cuddling, Ayako… he was just helping her to calm down." Mai protested.

"Yeah right, he was helping the client to calm down while hugging her." Ayako told her while rolling her eyes. "Pretty convenient, really convenient…."

Ayako kept on her ramblings as they walked towards the SPR van parked on the hospital parking area. Mai could see the others and was about to call out when she heard Bou-san's voice.

"You didn't see how Masako's face drained when she saw Naru hugging the client." Bou-san told John and Yasuhara. "He's really hugging her tight and he seems to be stroking her hair."

"This happened in front of Lin?" Yasuhara asked. "That's odd."

"Yeah, odd." John said quizzical.

"It might be but still he hugged that ultra hot girl." Bou-san commented. "If that is the type of girls he likes, then, no wonder he's not even looking at…"

BANG!

"Ouch!" Bou-san cried out loud. "Why did you that, Ayako?"

"That is because you're an insensitive jerk." Ayako growled before looking at her. "Mai, I'm sure that's not the case." Ayako told her that she returned with a smile.

"Mai-chan, I promise that I will be there for you, always." Bou-san told her while resting his hands on her head. "You don't have to worry... she may be ultra hot but you're cuter."

Geez thanks! Mai thought.

"Bou-san…" Mai looked at them with a fake cheerful face. "That's nothing to be worried about."

"B-but Mai…" Ayako tried to call her when she speeds up her pace. "Baka!" Ayako addressed the monk before running after her.

Bou-san looked at John and Yasuhara who just shook his head and the latter smiled at him before leaving him alone.

"Why did I have to be insensitive today, Buddha-sama." Bou-san asked him.

"Why do we have to be here?" Ayako asked while trying to disguise herself. "If my parents found out that I went here, I'll be dead."

"How so?" Mai asked Ayako who is still trying desperately to hide herself.

"This is on the Ootori's hospital." Ayako started explaining. "Meaning they are my family's rival in business…"

"Ohhh…" Mai stared at her bemused.

"Good Morning…" Everyone was shocked to hear Hara Masako greeted and bowed. "Aren't we leaving yet?"

"Masako?" Mai approached her. "Are you alright?"

"Do I look alright?" Masako scowled. "I still don't understand why Naru get you to be his assistant when you are so dumb!"

"Hmmm…" Ayako looked at Masako then made a squeal of triumph upon seeing those dark circles around her eyes. "She didn't get to sleep after seeing that small incident yesterday."

FLASHBACK…..

BANG… CHINK…CLING (tray dropped and cups shattering)

"You guys better be sure to clean that up!" Naru said with his death glare. "And Mai make sure to bring us tea right at this moment."

Lin approached the door and closed it. After a few seconds they heard Lin lock the door. They are all surprised with what they saw but what surprised them more is seeing Masako's body crumpled like a ghost shrinking. "Hoy Masako… get hold of yourself." Bou-san called out but Masako didn't even budge. "Masako!"

End OF FLASHBACK…

As if reading her mind Masako just gave him another "hmmp!" 'I didn't do anything. I'm not even the one he's hugging. I'm also jealous here.' Mai self loathed before they heard Ayako grunting.

"Why do I have to see him here?" Ayako said while looking at a guy wearing a white coat. "I told you this is a bad meeting place." Mai stared at Ayako who is trying to hide at Bou-san's back who's currently not complaining.

"We are leaving." Everybody turned to where the voice is coming from and saw Lin and Naru standing. "John you are going to go with Lin, the rest will take Bou-san's ride." Naru was about to go when Masako interrupted.

"Ummm… Naru..." Naru stopped and looked at Masako who is currently staring at her sandals. "It will be uncomfortable for Lin if John will be accompanying you guys. Maybe a petite girl would make it an easier ride."

Mai could see Naru's stare at Masako. It is really unreadable but she could sense some amusement with it. A few seconds passed before he spoke again. "Okay, John, you will be with Bou-san."

Mai could see a triumphant smile forming on Masako's lips before she started to follow Lin. Just when she's about to ride the SPR van, a black Mercedes Benz stop in front of Naru.

"Naru, I'm ready to leave." The girl from yesterday suddenly showed up. 'Oh right, she's the client so she's supposed to accompany us. Great!' Mai thought sarcastically, still feeling jealous because of that incident.

Naru approached Lin and gave him something and then he approached Bou-san and handed him a map. "It is a sketch of where we are supposed to go, if you suddenly hadn't been able to follow Lin you could refer to that."

"Wakata!" Bou-san said before starting the van.

"Let's go." Naru told them.

"Ne, Naru aren't we going?" Masako asked him. Naru looked at Masako before answering her. "We are going Hara-san, didn't I just say so." With that Naru opened the door of the BMW and seated beside the client. "Anika is my base ready?" They heard Naru asked before entering the car not letting them miss the familiarity he is directing her.

"I already fixed it up." The girl who happens to be Anika and their client answered. "Let's go." And the BMW is already gone.

"Hara-san…" Lin called Masako's attention. "I won't mind sitting with Brown-san." Lin told Masako before hopping in his van.

"Let's switch places Hara-san." John told her before loading Masako's luggage on Takigawa van. Masako sit beside Ayako who is giggling while looking at Masako who looks like a ghost. This can't be happening. Masako exclaimed to herself.

After a long ride, they stopped in front of a western style mansion that stood on top a hill. 'This looks just like a palace on a hill. God, she's truly a princess if she gets to live here.' Mai thought.

"Irashai…" an old woman with two more girls who seemed to be on their mid twenties greeted them.

"Anika Oujo-sama told us that you will be arriving soon." The old woman told them. "I'm shinou and these two girls will be attending to whatever you will need, just tell them what it will be and they will get it for you."

The old lady turned his back from them and the two lady's bowed to them. "This way please." The girl on left told them.

"We are supposed to take our things to our base…" Mai started when the old woman, shinou, looked back.

"I understand." She said. "But the other helpers will be doing that for you. I was told by Shibuya-sama that a certain Takigawa and Lin will be supervising our helpers the rest will be following me."

"But how about our luggage?" Ayako asked. "Are we supposed to bring them?"

"As I have told you, these ladies will be doing those for you." Shinou referred to the two maids. "So if you will please follow me." Then she proceeded to enter the mansion.

They just entered the main entrance when a not so old but not so young man approached them. They presumed that he is the butler from the way he is dressed. "Shinou-sama, Anika Oujou-sama told me to tell you that Shibuya-sama will be waiting for our guests at the first receiving room after they got their lunch."

"I understand." Shinou acknowledge. "Travis-san, is ojou-sama eating?"

"Yes." The butler looked pleased when he answered. "Shibuya-sama said that they will take their lunch at the patio outside the music room." Mai could clearly hear Masako's gasped. 'This is too much for her.' She thought.

"Thank goodness." Shinou silently prayed. "I will be bringing their food along with the cooks. You take care of our guests."

"Hai!" Then shinou left them to the butler. "So if you please follow me."

"Ano…" Mai was surprised to hear Masako. "Where is Shibuya-san? Isn't he dining with us?"

"Um, no." The butler told them. "He will be joining Anika ojou-sama. I am personally grateful for his presence; at least we are assured that he will make sure that the little princess will take her meals."

'Damn, Masako is more tortured than me with this much of information.' Mai contemplated while eyeing Masako at the corner of her eye. 'What could be the relationship Anika-san and Naru really have? They are too close.'

They walked and passed several doors and rooms when they reached a huge room that they presumed the dining area. Several table wares are already set on the table. The butler gestured for them to take their seats and so they did. 'Gosh, this is like eating on a hotel or a five star restaurant.' Mai thought.

"I was told that the two of you who is supervising our helpers will dine after they finished setting up, so…" The butler took a small bell and shook it. Just after that a group of maids entered the dining area and serve them. Each one of them is assigned with a maid who serves particularly them.

"Taniyama-sama, are you requesting for more?" the maid asked her.

"No, I'm fine." Mai told her. The maid then took her plate and replaces it with another. This time, the maid serves her a small bowl of assorted fruits and a plate of a sponge cake with a slice of kiwi on the top. "Are we supposed to eat this way all the time?"

"Ahh… I'm not sure on the arrangement of Shibuya-sama." The maid told her. "We were told of what to do today by Anika ojou-sama but she also said that the arrangement for preparations for all of you will be base on what Shibuya-sama will decide on."

"I see." Mai said. "Where are we supposed to go after these?"

"We were told that the Travis-sama will accompany you." The maid told her politely, she's not even looking on her eyes directly. "We are just concerned on the kitchen here. Other things are to be related to the other servants, Taniyama-sama."

'A bunch of maids just to serve food and regulate the kitchen and the dining area. How many servants are in here?' Mai thought while taking a bite of her cake. Wow, this is delicious. "Who baked this?"

"Ummm… We have a professional baker, Taniyama-sama. But that cake was bake by the Obou-chan." She could sense that the maid sobbed a little while telling it to her. "I'm sorry Taniyama-sama. If you'll excuse me." The maid bowed to her before running away.

"Mai?" Ayako called her. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything…" Mai said while staring at the door where the maid runs to. "I just asked her who baked this cake."

"I apologize, Taniyama-sama." The Butler named Travis bowed to her for a sign of apologies. "I'm sorry for my underling's behavior." Mai didn't understand what he meant but when he looked around she saw that almost every servant on the area are quietly sobbing.

"W-why?" Mai's question was suspended when she saw the butler also got a little teary eyed. "Travis-san?"

"Suminai…" The butler composed himself. "It is just a difficult time on the household these days."

"What do you mean?" John asked after handing the maid assigned to him his own handkerchief.

"The current head of this mansion is at the hospital." The butler started. "Tamaki obou-sama is a very dear lord to us. He is too gentle and kind hearted that is why every single servant on this mansion is willing to give their whole life to him and his only sister, Anika ojou-sama." Mai stood up and offered the butler a seat. At his old age she doubted he could handle such a strong feeling.

"Thank you." The butler told her after taking a seat.

"What happen to Tamaki-sama?" Mai asked.

"He suddenly got sick but the doctors couldn't find out why…" The butler continued. "He pretended to be okay in front of us especially in front of his sister, but Anika ojou-sama would not believe him so to make his pretentious act that he is fine, he will then cook or bake for her."

"Little by little Anika ojou-sama got a little better and started to believe that he just got a terrible cold and will soon get better until one afternoon, while they are taking an afternoon break at the master's balcony outside his room, he passed out and sent to the hospital. And now the master is currently considered to be under coma."

END OF THIS CHAPTER

AN: REVISING and PROOF Reading