IMPORTANT NOTE: I do not own anything
CHAPTER 8: It must be fate, don't you think?
Osaka, Rochefort Holiday House…
Knock, Knock…
It was morning but still Lili Rochefort's room was still dark. The curtains were covering the sun from entering the room to lighten it up. She was usually awake this time of the day, drinking her tea and when she was in Monaco sharing it with her father before he was ready to leave for work. Since the time, Steve and Hwoarang entered her everyday routine, she wanted them to be there with her but, in the end, she couldn't, since this was a moment between only her and her father…
Knock, Knock…
The knocks on the double white door of the girl's room were heard again. She shifted a little on her bed and a frown appeared on her sleepy face…
"Miss Lili?" a composed voice was heard from the outside of the door. Lili recognized her butler's voice. She sighed and with the help of her hands she rested her upper body on her elbows. She turned her head to her right and saw the time on her carousel styled clock. It was a present from Sebastian on her twelve birthday. Her eyes widened when she saw what time it was…
"Already ten?!" she said in the inside…
"Miss, are you alright?"
She sighed and tried to stand up, until something happened that froze her completely. A man with a childish frown above his eyes grabbed her hand and kept her from going and open the door. Her mouth was wide opened and the only thing the man did was to smile teasingly at her. She heard once again Sebastian knocking on the door. He saw her panicked expression. It was so cute that he wanted to keep seeing it but well…He wasn't a sadist and Lili seemed pretty embarrassed. He let go of her hand and witnessed the girl making the big distance between her bed and the door in just two seconds…
"I'm worried, Miss…I'll let myself in."
"No, you won't!" she said and brought her whole body on the door. Sebastian heard the loud thud on the door and that made him make some steps back. She breathed out and said from the other side of the door…
"What is it?"
"Except that I was worried about you since you're usually awake till now, you have a phone call."
"Is it father? Tell him I was going to call him myself." Lili asked and relaxed herself getting slightly away from the door. This time the young man, who was next to her on the bed appeared in front of her rubbing his eyes…
"It's not him. It's a girl called…Asuka Kazama. She said that she called for "you know what"."
Lili looked at Steve with a smile but in the same time, she felt a hint of worry. She didn't think of that yesterday. What if, in the end, happens for Steve to like her rival? She had to do something about this. The man raised an eyebrow seeing her smile. He heard her previous proposal and yes he remembered that he was equally confused back then. What was her busyness with that girl, anyway?
"Ask her where she lives and send one of our drivers to fetch her, ok?"
"Yes, Miss!" said Sebastian and Lili heard his footsteps fading away…
Suddenly, the sun entered her room. She turned her head and saw Steve opening the curtains. He was breathtaking. His soft blond hair…It felt like they were caressed by the light of the sun. Her mind went back to when she saw him lying on her bed. A blush appeared on her face, which she tried to cover by placing her hand in front of it. She raised her blue eyed gaze to his direction. He was wearing only his underwear…
"This is bad!" she thought in the inside… "But why can't I remember anything? It would be my first time…for obvious reasons, I would painfully remember it."
In the same time, without noticing him, Steve touched gently her shoulders. She was taken aback by this and made some steps back, that she bumped onto the door once again. His eyes widened and she was surprised as well by her reaction. A confused frown appeared on his face. He had his arms extended like he was waiting for her to come into his embrace but seeing her like that, he let them fall at each side of his body. But he couldn't leave it like that…
"I'm sorry, Lili…Did I do anything to upset you?"
For some time, she ignored his question. She looked down at her body and noticed that she was wearing her pajamas. All started coming straight in her mind. Thankfully, she remembered. Nothing happened…Leaving aside the fact that she got drank. She sighed in relief and walked close to him. She took his hands with hers and smiled at his clueless expression…
"No, you didn't do anything." She said and shook negatively her head. A smile appeared on his face and he squeezed her hands gently… "Sorry, for worrying you, I just thought of something." She added…
He released her and relaxed himself on one of Lili's couches inside her room… "Good…I guess it has to do with that girl. Am I right?"
"Good thing sometimes what they say about men is really true…They can be completely clueless. Was it that obvious? As it seems when it comes to Asuka Kazama I can't hide my feelings. By the way, I have to do something about it or else…we won't be having any fun."
Steve raised an eyebrow and Lili blinked sweetly a few times her eyes at him. She walked close to him and touched his shoulders… "Since we're having a guest why don't we prepare ourselves?"
He stood up and walked to the door… "I see, you won't me gone."
"Don't get it that way, ok?" she said and crossed her arms…
"It's ok!" Steve raised his hand and walked outside the room…
The young girl turned away from the door, when Steve left. She walked at her wardrobe and chose one of her new-bought clothes. With a smile she set the outfit on her bed and made her way to the bathroom…
…
Steve, making his way out of Lili's room, walked to his own and opened it with a sigh. Yesterday was a complete waste. If only, he knew that she can't handle even a single drink, he wouldn't open that damned bottle of wine. Even though, it was delicious, he added in his mind. He didn't even manage to kiss her…At least that! But no…And in the condition she was in, he would never attempt to take advantage of her. He closed the door behind him and stretched his arms as he was walking further inside…
"Tired after a night full of passion? I see…"
"What the hell do you want here?! You damned startled me."
Hwoarang stood up from Steve's bed and exhaled some smoke. Steve rolled his eyes at him… "It's early morning and you're already smoking?"
"I felt like smoking, what's your problem?"
The blond man shrugged his shoulders and started undressing himself… "Mine?! Absolutely none. Ask your lungs…I bet they care."
Hwoarang ignored his friend's last comment and before he was ready to walk away, his friend approached him slowly with a concerned frown above his eyebrows. With his finger he pointed at Hwoarang's lips… "Hey…Did you get into a fight? What's this?"
He had almost forgotten what happened last night. A smile wanted to appear on his lips but he managed to repress it. He touched the place, where that girl bit him and felt a very small hint of pain… "If I was to get into a fight, I wouldn't have a single wound."
"Then?"
The Korean man, noticing that he finished his cigarette, placed it on an ashtray and licked slightly his wound… "Use your imagination, Stevie. I'm going."
"Wait, Hwoarang!"
The door closed after Hwoarang left the room and Steve sighed at his friend's difficult-to-deal character. He started to get him curious. It was impossible for him to fall from his bike, since we're talking for this guy, and anyway, if that was to happen the last injury he would expect to see would be a wound at the corner of his lips. The young man nodded at his thoughts and feeling a slight chill on his body, he realized that he was naked. In the end, he made his way to the bathroom…
…
Osaka, Kazama Residence…
"This stupid old man!" said Asuka Kazama angrily and closed the phone… "What does he mean when he says: We'll come to take you from your house" That would be totally embarrassing…and not to mention humiliating! Just tell me the address and I'll be there, damn it!"
"Asuka, why are you talking to yourself?" asked her mother as she popped her head out of the kitchen…
The young girl made her way there. She saw her mother washing the dishes after they had breakfast. Her father had already left and they were just the two of them inside the house. Asuka sat on one of the chairs and set her legs on the table. The older woman was done with washing the dishes and took a towel in her hands to dry them. She turned her body away from the sink and her eyebrow twitched at what she saw… "Asuka! Get your legs of the table! And what are you doing there, scratching y-your…What are you, a man?!"
"What an irritating woman?" she mumbled and lowered her legs off the table…
"What were you talking about? Was it about that job you were talking about yesterday? What's with it?"
Asuka started walking to the living room with her mother following her. She made her way to the window and opened slightly the curtain. The moment she would see the car, the same time she would be inside it. If the neighbor was to see it, it would be bothersome. She felt her mother's finger on the corner of her lips and she felt the small pain. She had completely forgotten this jerk… "I get it, you don't want to talk about that, let's say I trust you but what's with this wound?"
She snapped her mother's hand away and looked annoyed at her face… "Didn't I say it yesterday? I fell from my bike."
A smile appeared on the woman's face and crossed her arms… "You're my child, I know you better than anyone. Since your father was present, I decided to let it slide but now…Did you may be…with someone…"
"Don't tell me…It can't be that she found out the reason of this scratch's existence, right? As expected of the woman calling herself my mother."
Asuka closed her eyes tightly fearing that she had figured everything out. How was she supposed to explain to her mother that she was making out with a stranger? On the other hand, she could say that she was raped…but what kind of normal girl would let a rape slide so easily and act like nothing happened? She shook her head negatively on that. Her lips turned downwards as she was ready to accept the older woman's lecture…
"Did you get into a fight with someone?" said the woman having an accusing expression on her face
"H-Huh? Is that all? She didn't find out? Phew…"
The young girl opened her eyes and a relieving smile escaped her mouth. Good thing… "Well…you know, since I have your looks…He was trying to hit on me."
"This kind of guys is like breakfast to you, how come you got hit?"
Asuka walked away from the window as she noticed a big black limousine arriving at the entrance of her house. Her mother tried to follow her with quick steps but her daughter was already outside the house. She stood at the door way and yelled at her…
"Asuka?! Who are these people?"
The Japanese girl watched the chauffer walking outside the driver's seat and two other "big guys" opening the back doors of the car. They were wearing black suits and black sunglasses. Yeah, a typical bodyguard like appearance, thought Asuka in the inside. The two men appeared beside her and the big height difference was quite obvious. For an unknown reason it was irritating…
"Ugh…It's not I…Don't tell me that I'm gonna wear this kind of bullshit. Are you guys the idiot's bodyguards?"
The two nodded without saying anything. She raised an eyebrow suspiciously and asked them placing her hand under her chin… "Prove it."
One of them pointed at the card, which was pinned on his suit's outer pocket above his chest. She walked closer to him and read it carefully. They were sent by her. She looked at her mother and said loudly… "They were sent to fetch me. They're working for that woman I have to take care of."
"I see. Do your job nicely, ok?"
Asuka nodded and waved goodbye to her mother, who walked inside the house. One of the men opened the door for her and after giving him a glance she went inside the car. The other one was already sitting at her other side and suddenly she felt herself being closer to her as the other man entered the car and positioned himself at her right side. The chauffer looked at them and said…
"We're going?"
"Yes. Miss Rochefort is waiting."
The man nodded and looking in front of him turned on the engine…
"Let her wait a little…It's not like she's busy or anything. And for an unknown reason…I have a bad feeling about this."
…
Osaka, Rochefort Holiday House…
"Hwoarang…Won't you eat anything? Having only coffee is not good for your health."
Lili Rochefort was having her breakfast alongside Steve and Hwoarang, who by the way was dragged here by his friend. He didn't know why but he didn't want to be alone with the young girl now. He had said that to Hwoarang and the guy just gave him a disgusted expression. Once again he was right. Yeah, Steve knew that but he couldn't help it. As it seemed, he was more impulsive than Hwoarang. In the end, he accepted to tag along, because he actually felt bad for Lili, who was a stupid lovestruck girl. She didn't do anything wrong in contrast to Steve, who was only thinking of his self…
"Hwoarang?" said Steve his name while looking at his direction…
Remembering that, he took his gaze away from Steve showing him, in the same time, that he was still angry at him. He looked at Lili and shook his head… "I know and thanks for being considerate but I'm not usually hungry in the morning."
"I see…" Lili said and took a sip of her orange juice. She placed the glass on the table… "By the way, what's this on your mouth?" she added…
A sigh escaped his lips… "Forget it…It's old news already."
"I just made a question, you don't need to get angry."
Hwoarang stood up and placed the cup of coffee on the table… "Who's angry? Anyway…I'm going to the garden. If you need anything…you know where I'll be."
The two nodded and a smile appeared on Lili's face, who, on the contrary, was happy that she was left alone with Steve…
"Steven?"
The blond man looked unsurely at her and raised an eyebrow… "Hm?"
"Did I do anything wrong? You haven't even talked to me from the time you left my room." She raised her gaze at him… "Am I bothersome in the end?"
Steve's eyes widened and the glass of water he was holding fell on the red carpeted floor. He ignored it and she did the same. He grabbed tightly her warm hands and said in a low voice… "Please, don't say that ever again! I couldn't be happier."
"Then?"
A smile appeared on his face… "I'm just a little confused and think about how I am supposed to handle our relationship."
"What do you mean? I don't have any experience but…It's not like we have to think of it. Or is it that you think that we don't have anything in common?"
Steve waved his hands. It was true that they didn't actually but he didn't care. He only cared about their feelings. Don't they say that opposites attract…sometimes? He brought his right hand to her head and patted it… "Who cares about that kind of thing? And maybe you're right. We should let it work out on its own, right?"
Lili gave him a nod with a big smile on her face. With her hand, she dismissed the staff from the room. For a minute, she wondered where Sebastian was but she released the thought quickly. She was way too "busy" to care about that. The maids walked outside the dining room and Lili brought her face close to Steve's…
"Lili?"
The young girl closed her eyes and gave him a light kiss…on the cheek…
"That's enough for now." She said and stood up leaving Steve dumbfounded sitting on his chair… "What about going to the garden, as well?" she asked extending her hand at him…
He took her hand with his and nodded…
...
A black limousine entered the entrance of the Rochefort Holiday House. The girl inside it was looking awed around her. The place was damn huge and too extraordinary for her. The car stopped and the man on her right opened the door, he walked outside and waited for her to come out as well. She nodded thanking him but she was ignored. When all of them were outside, the chauffer took the car away. Without Asuka noticing it an old man dressed in a butler's outfit appeared in front of her…
"You're Miss Kazama, I assume." He said with a kind smile on his face…
Her eyes widened when she saw him in front of her. She placed a hand on her chest and started breathing in and out… "You damned startled me!" she said when she found her composure…
"My sincere apologies."
She gave him a nod… "Where's your beloved princess?"
"Miss Lili is currently at the garden but she will see you soon. For now, please, follow me."
"Why?"
Sebastian took out of his pocket a card and gave it to her… "This is the card with your name on it, showing that you're a member of the Rochefort's family staff."
She took it in her hands without bothering to look at it. The man motioned once again for her to follow him and this time she did without saying anything. They entered the mansion and she was again surprised…well, not exactly surprised, since she expected such a sight, but still…it was too much for her. The place felt anything but a home to her. Every person would be unsure if he or she should touch anything in fear that they may broke it with even a slight touch. She looked again at the butler, who was standing by the stairs waiting for her. She sighed and followed him…
"This is the floor, where you're going to stay. Here, is also Miss Lili's room in case she needs something from you. Two other members of the staff have their rooms on this same floor. Follow me, I'll show you to your bedroom."
Asuka nodded. The man led her to a white door. He took a key out of his pocket and unlocked the room. He stepped aside and asked from her to walk inside first. Having her hands behind her back she started looking around the room. What the hell? This thing was the same size as both the kitchen and living room of her house. So uselessly big. Her gaze fell on the bed and her eyes widened. So big…Four people of her size would be able to sleep on it comfortably. She smiled and threw herself on it. Sebastian was pleased in the inside as he was watching the young woman's excitement. She was going to be a great friend to his dear mistress. He cleared his throat to gain her attention and she stood up. He walked to the drawer opposite the bed and took an outfit, which was folded on it. Asuka was confused thinking of what he was holding but everything came clear when he handed her the outfit. She looked curiously at it but she raised her gaze when she heard the butler talking…
"Please change into this. I'll wait for you downstairs."
"I get it…" she said back seeing him bowing at her…
"I'll be leaving then. I'll place your key on the desk next to the door. Be sure to keep it safe."
Asuka nodded and watched him walking away from her room. She sighed when she heard the door closing. She had no damned clue of what was happening. She unfolded the outfit and took a better look of it. Her eyes took notice of some black high heels standing next to the bed…
"She surely just wants to mess with me…That witch!" she thought in the inside and crossed her arms… "If it wasn't for the money…I would never…Ugh…W-Whatever…"
…
Hwoarang cursed his luck when he noticed the happy couple walking to his place. The last thing he wanted was to be the third wheel. He watched Lili hugging lovingly Steve's arm and him smiling at her. As it seemed, they made it official. He lighten up another cigarette thinking that if they didn't want him to talk, and he had a lot to say, he should better have something to keep his mouth busy. He started getting shivers when Steve touched his shoulder. So irritating…
"Get your hand of me."
The blond man glanced at Lili with a confused expression and realized that she felt the same way. She approached him and he saw her standing in front of him. She had her arms crossed under her chest… "What's with that attitude?"
"Listen you two…I…"
Hwoarang stopped when he heard his cellphone's ringtone. It wasn't his own phone more like one of those, Sebastian gave to him and Steve. In other words, to communicate with them when they were on duty. He sighed and picked up the phone. Lili and Steve watched him as he gave just two nods and dropped the call. He placed the phone inside his pocket and finished his cigarette…
"I'm going, the old man asked me to find someone. You didn't say anything about guests."
A playful smile appeared on the young girl's pink colored lips… "My apologies…Umm…Let's say that she's your new co-worker. I mean for our time here. I bet you don't want to be around me and Steve, right?"
"Say better that you don't want me around."
Lili cleared her throat ignoring the fact that Hwoarang saw right through her… "It's the same thing. Anyways, Sebastian said that you must go and find her. You should have left already."
"And how am I supposed to know how's she like?"
A sigh escaped her lips and Steve touched gently her shoulders… "Easy, Hwoarang…Except from other things…umm…She's the only Japanese member of the staff."
"Exactly! Beat it now."
Hwoarang gritted his teeth and walked away in annoyance. The other two laughed slightly at his reaction and continued their walk…
…
Asuka Kazama had already changed her clothes and walked outside her bedroom. She remembered to lock the door and placed her key inside one of the pockets. She sighed irritated as she started making her way downstairs. This thing she was wearing was so damn difficult to move in. The outfit was something like a business suit. The skirt was reaching her knees while hugging her thighs. In other words, the only possible move she could do was "to walk". What was this airhead thinking? No, no…airheads cannot think. She just wanted someone to be her new toy. That's all! Climbing the stairs down was like a great achievement to her. Who would have guessed? She remembered the old man's words that he was going to wait for her here. Where the hell was he? Did he die already? Well…he was somehow…close, wasn't he? Anyway, him being dead made sense for Asuka Kazama…
"Ugh…I'm not going to stand here doing nothing. It's weird! But where should I go? Oh yeah! I remember the long gone old man saying something like she's in the garden. I'll go there."
…
"Where the hell is that girl? The old man said that she was going to appear next to the stairs."
Hwoarang sighed and made his way further inside the mansion. There was no sight of the staff as well. True…They were all cleaning now or preparing lunch. For a moment, he heard a voice coming from the living room. He slowly walked there and saw a young girl dressed in a black suit trying to open the double window's door. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow…
"I think I've seen this butt before…but where? And what is she doing with the window? There are plenty of doors."
A smile appeared on his lips when he heard her voice as well…
The girl gave up on trying to open the door with her hands and decided to break it with a kick of hers. As she was ready to raise her leg, she felt the skirt getting in her way. She didn't have any problems in destroying clothes or anything but this thing seemed really expensive. Even she could tell how soft and tender the cloth felt…
"Damn it! This skirt thing is so annoying. I can't land a single move." She said giving slight punches on the door…
…
"What about we shorten it a little, then?"
A chill went through her spine, when she felt a big hand caressing her butt. However, his obvious familiar voice created much more chilliness inside her…
"Don't tell me…He's that pervert from yesterday, isn't he? I was right when I said that I had a bad feeling. Take your hand off my butt, you pervert! Is this like a hobby to you?" she said without turning to look at him…
"Hey! Look at me." He said back trying to make her face him…
"Hell no! If I see you, I'll be cursed…Even though I already am."
"See? Please, now…I'm here to fetch you anyway."
"Fetch me?" she asked him…
Hwoarang took his hand away and made a step back. Sensing that he got away, she slowly turned behind and saw him… "Yeah! The princess hired you as I learnt, right? As it seemed we're gonna be co-workers."
"HUH?! Co-workers with a pervert like you? I better reconsider."
"Hey? I'm not a pervert." He said been slightly offended… "Your butt is just unbearably seductive!"
"What am I hearing?! How dare you?"
"Seriously now, I just gave you a compliment."
Asuka dropped her hands at her sides and walked closer to him. He was confused by that. Didn't she want him to go away? Not that he was going to make her the favor. Suddenly, a smirk appeared on his lips when he saw the bruise he gave her on her mouth. What a lovely memory? But then he remembered that he had one as well. This is what you call fate, right? Actually not really, but let's let him believe that for now… "The bruise on your mouth is so cute." He said…
She rolled her eyes… "I wouldn't say the same for you. It looks pathetic, I should have bitten you harder."
"That sounds great! I couldn't tell you could be so forward."
Asuka was confused by what he meant. When she actually realized it, a blush covered her face and she tried to run away from him. Hwoarang let her do as she wanted. Who would have guessed that Lili actually did something good? However, poor Asuka couldn't run in the way she was dressed and with the shoes she was wearing and the only thing she managed to do was to trip over herself. She stood there being both helpless and hopeless. The man turned his head and saw her being on the floor. He chuckled. He walked to her place and took her in his arms…
"Put me down! I was happy being on the floor."
Hwoarang threw her on the big couch and he immediately found himself on top of her…
"This scene is so awfully familiar! This time I'm gonna get violated for real." She had her eyes close tightly to avoid any possible eye contact with him…
"Say…" he started saying while grabbing her wrists… "We haven't introduced ourselves, yet. I'm Hwoarang…What about you?"
"Why do you care?! And release me already, I believe I entertained you a lot, yesterday. You can stop making fun of me now."
"Hm…Of course, I care…And I would never make fun of you. So? Will you tell me?"
Asuka opened slightly her eyes… "Why?"
A sighed escaped his lips… "You haven't realized it, yet? Our intimate meeting yesterday and now that we're gonna live under the same roof…"
"KYAA! I haven't thought of that. I'm definitely leaving!"
Hwoarang ignored her words and brought his face closer to her own… "In other words…Us meeting…It's kind of fate, don't you think? So? Your name? I'm gonna find out eventually, anyway."
"Will you shut up, if I tell you?"
He gave her a nod and before she was ready to open her mouth…
"Here you are, Asuka Kazama." Said Lili having her snobbish smile on her face. Steve was standing by her side, even though he felt bad for the girl being found like this. And especially with Hwoarang on top of her. He would definitely go to help her but with Lili's issues with her, he didn't have the courage to do it. He apologized to her in the inside. He raised his gaze from the white floor and looked at Hwoarang, who had a dumbfounded expression on his face. So he finally found out. He must feel humiliated. Serves him right…
"Hwoarang?"
The red haired man sighed and stood up. He scratched the back of his head and extended his hand for Asuka to help her stand up. She snapped his hand away and walked in front of Lili. The younger girl looked at her upside down. She placed her hand gently under her chin and smiled… "I was right once again! The outfit suits you perfectly."
"Don't joke with me! I can't move a single muscle." Said Asuka back pointing at the skirt. Lili understood her. Maybe she should have chosen something else. She dismissed the thought thinking that this was a very small issue. She shook her head and before she was ready to say something, Steve said…
"Lili's right. You look lovely."
"Nobody asked you, Steve!" said Hwoarang and Lili in unison…
A blush appeared on Asuka's face and smiled at him… "Thank you! You're really kind. Unlike that pervert behind me."
Steve smiled nervously back at her, since he was sensing Lili's negative vibes next to him. He brought her closer to him and kissed her head…
"Anyway, Lili…Asuka is going to be working here for now. Why don't we have a feast to welcome her?"
Lili raised her head and looked at Steve's light blue eyes. Just then, she realized that she was just a selfish girl. This man's eyes were always kind. Maybe, he was just friendly towards Asuka Kazama and not seeing her differently. She had to get over her jealousy, thinking that if she continues, she was going to lose him. On the other hand, she noticed Hwoarang's obvious interest in her rival. This man is way too bold. He was definitely going to keep her busy…and away from Steve. She gave a small smile at her boyfriend and nodded… "Sure! You're right, Steven! Except from that we can, also, celebrate our newfound…feelings, right?"
"This girl is protecting her precious "territory", isn't she?" thought Hwoarang and nodded to himself…
Lili gave her rival a sharp glance and saw her having a dreamy face expression. Did she completely ignored her and started dreaming of how a relationship between her and Steve would be like? Unforgivable!
She gritted her teeth and started shaking nervously her shoulders. Steve noticed this and lowered his gaze concerned at her face…
"When…When you say feast…"
Lili looked annoyed at her rival as she started saying something… "What?"
She brought her hands together and smiled… "You mean lots of food!?"
"Well…That's the reason you look like that?"
Asuka nodded and waited for her response. Lili sighed relieved and nodded… "Yes, that means food."
"And booze?!" said Hwoarang appearing out of nowhere…
"You startled me!"
"Just say it!" he demanded…
"Ugh…that too."
Thanks for reading!