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— Intentions —
6# - Insight
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"If there's no struggle, there is no progress."
— F. Douglass
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— A. Misaki
I LIED WHEN I SAID that I was engaged.
I lied because that was my first and last resort against pushy people. And God, that man was such a push-over.
Sure, he was good-looking, and not totally like all the boys and men that tried to bother me, but it was exactly why I didn't trust him. His good look were shady to me; everything about him was. His intentions, his mindset, his actions... It was just too suspicious.
Was the odd catching back to me? No less than on Monday morning, I thought it was him at the appointment. But once again, I was wrong. I felt like I was followed by some kind of ghost. And I made sure to just let this living ghost disappear into thin air by brushing him out of my mind.
That was why at the café, when he stood just in front of me, all cozy with his coffee in his hand and his face adorned with that bright smile, the smile that made girls swoon over to his feet, I just thought my subconscious was playing things on me. Whoever cursed me was truly gifted, because it worked like hell: I was seeing ghosts, spirits, or even aliens... whatever he was.
Little did I know that it was when the summit of the jinx struck. Because he really was standing there.
And he was damn infuriating. To say that would be an understatement, but I just didn't want to dwell further on the language's lack of words to convey such feeling. The first thing that came to my mind was to find the filthy sorcerer that cursed me, and beat him senseless.
And it was in the middle of imagining beating up the scoundrel that I realized that someone was standing in front of the elevator.
With a broad smile plastered onto his face, his fresh and messy sandy hair, he was taunting me with his stare. By wearing a simple faded blue dress shirt tucked into black slacks, it seemed like guys could easily pull off an elegant look. And I envied them for that, along with their tall height and their muscular build. But as for the specimen right in front of my eyes, not only did he look classy; he was also off-handedly glorious.
As soon as my awestruck mind recovered from his sudden appearance, I just switched onto my survival mode.
Quickly reaching the control panel of the elevator, I frantically pushed the button to close the doors. Praying that it would work in time, my heart sunk when his foot came in between the semi-shut automatic door, making it open back.
As he started moving to get inside, my sense were tingling. I had to get out of here. Being locked in a closed space, alone, with the enemy? No thanks. People could be dumb, but not that much. Besides, I had already pushed the button to my floor and, as smart as he was, he also proved himself to be a skilled stalker. Therefore, he would notice and learn on which floor I lived. And that only made the first reason so much more legitimate. There was no way I would get into an elevator with that shady and infuriating stalker.
But before I could step away, he was already inside. Each of his steps were calculated, leaving no room for escape as he invaded my space. Since I didn't want to come into contact with his body, his action forced me backward into the corner of the elevator. He towered over me, his pace not stalling until I bumped against the cold surface.
His voice was only a soft rumble when he spoke.
"We meet again, beautiful."
It was so close to my ears that I felt a shiver run down my spine. Eyeing me down from his height, a devilish glint was sparkling in his forest eyes along with the mischievous grin that tugged at his lips. So many evidences that gave away how much he reveled in my uneasiness. And when the door closed on us, I couldn't help but let a shaky and desperate exhale escape my lips. He chuckled.
I looked away to the side as I backed as hard as I could into the wall, hoping to increase —even if a tiny bit— the distance between us. But that proved to be counter productive as he slightly leaned toward me, making his warm breath fan against my ear.
It was... distractful.
His cologne started to invade my sense as I slowly slid to the side, trying to bypass his frame by the side. But as if he were aware of my motive, his hands quickly slammed onto the mirror behind me, trapping me against it.
"Ah..." he exhaled, looking around before reverting his gaze on me. "It's kind of crowded in here, isn't it?"
I frowned as my eyes surveyed the empty elevator.
He definitely was a crazy perverted freak.
I had to get out of here.
Hoping to catch him off-guard, I quickly smashed my palms on top of his hard chest and shoved him back, using the wall to propel myself.
Maybe I was too predictable. Maybe he could read mind.
His hands came to hold mine before I could move him away. And once again, I had just fallen into his trap as he pulled me into his arms, his hand resting on the small of my back as he flushed me against him. I struggled in his grasp, but he quickly let me go as the elevator's door opened to my floor.
He stepped aside, letting me stride past him. My shoulder brushed against him as I walked out of the lift. I shot him a glare before I snapped, my voice clipped and slightly shaky. "I'll report you for trespassing and stalking, expect trouble." My eyes caught his. They were sparkling. He was amused by the threat. Amused.
He only stared back, a smirk playing on his lips before he pushed the top floor button on the elevator panel.
"Try me," he simply countered, before the door shut back between us.
Top floor. The residence's penthouses.
He got me good on that one apparently.
Still in a haze, I stomped to my apartment. Kicking off my heels and throwing my jacket on the closest chair, I made my way to the couch, dropping onto it with a sigh.
Anger management.
Self control.
Closing my eyes, I felt Nero jump into the sofa, pocking his head in my palms. My eyes fluttered open as I contemplated his wide eyes boring into mines. He played with my hand, his white and little paws soothingly patting my hand as if he wanted to comfort me.
"Thanks, Nero..." I muttered as I picked him up into my arm, nudging my nose into his fur and collapsed on my side on top of the couch. He was now bumping his head against my cheek, softly meowling in my ear. I closed my eyes, finally relaxing, and slowly drifted to slumber.
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— U. Takumi
IT WAS ONLY CURIOSITY, back then. But now, I was downright interested.
Why such an attraction? I had no clue. Was it the way she dismissed me?
Was it the way her eyes followed my every motion?
The way her breath hitched when I leant upon her?
No clue.
And I didn't mind not knowing, as long as I was feeling it. And it felt so real.
—
Next morning came in a breeze. I was waiting in the residence's lobby, leaning back against the wall facing the elevator when she appeared. Black business suit, light blue dress shirt and pants covering her long legs, finished with decent heels. Classy.
"Hey," I voiced. She gazed at me, before recognizing me and taking a step away from where I stood. Did I scare her that much?
"Listen, I'm sorry about how I acted, yesterday." I rose on my feet, my hands in the air as if I was surrendering in the cold war we were implicitly fighting. Her frown slightly faded.
"Really?" She said sarcastically, seemingly delighted but still doubtful of what I had just said.
I gave her a strained smile, before running my hand in my hair. No rushing. Be sweet.
"I was wondering if... we could start over?" My head tilted to the side as I spoke. She seemed to hesitate, unconsciously playing with the damn ring that endorsed her finger.
"Please?" I pleaded, a small smile and honest eyes aiming for her heart. She loudly exhaled, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips when she slowly shook her head, welcoming what I had just said. I was taken aback when she paced next to me, leaning back against the wall as she casually crossed her arms.
"You're less conceited, that's already a good start," she murmured, her gaze unfocused in front of her. "I don't do relationships with strangers like you, though."
Her tone was bittersweet, yet, I could've sworn seeing a quick grin on her lips a second before, telling me she wasn't being completely honest here. She was adorable. I couldn't help the relieved smile tugging at my lips.
"Then, let's get to know each other?" She shifted when I finished speaking, her arm brushing against mine as she turned to face me.
Eyeing me skeptically in return, her eyebrows were raised when she chided. "Do you even listen to what others say?"
"I meant that as..." I hesitated, knowing that my choice of words would be critical at this point. "Just spending some time together, no label, no expectations?"
Her eyes lit up as she looked up at me, though I guessed she didn't want it to show.
"Okay, then," she agreed, her arms clenching on her handbag.
Good. Next step.
"Let me drive you to work today?"
She laughed, a heartily laugh that made my heart flutter and my eyes stare at her expression before she caught my gaze and quickly recovered from the sudden outburst.
"Are you kidding me?"
No, I wasn't. Why? I didn't know the answer so I voiced my thought.
"No, why?"
"Do you expect me to willingly get inside the car of a stranger, who could drive me to God knows where?" Valid point, I could admit that much. Seeing that I did not have a come back to her reasonable argument, she probably took pity of me because she suggested an interesting alternative.
"I will drive, you do the talk, Mister." She dared me, glad to be at advantage as key in hands, she motioned me to where her car was parked. She activated the car, unlocking it with the device and opened the door to the driver's seat.
"Hop in," she nodded towards the opposite seat before sliding into hers. When I got into the car, she already had her seatbelt locked and was switching on the ignition.
"I hope I will be alive to see tomorrow's light..." I exhaled, eyeing her warily. She only chuckled at my plea before pulling the car back with expertise, driving away from the residence.
The conversation flowed in easily afterwards, though I feared for my life now and then, making her know that and earning only chuckles or laughs from her. I had never been driven to work by a women, no less a women that wanted me dead a few hours earlier. Yes, because she told me that. She was that direct with me, and I appreciated it. I could tell I liked being with her, and the way she was relaxed right then, I hoped maybe it was mutual. The attraction I felt for her only sank deeper. Not in the passionate way but in a refreshing kind. I just wanted to spend some time talking to her, hoping that the drive to the redaction would last longer than it did.
When she pulled in front of the building, her smile faded faintly, before she turned to look at me. Eyeing the brown paper bag sitting on my laps, she quirked an eyebrow, the unspoken question crystal clear.
"It's for you, actually." I admitted before leaving it on my seat as I got out of the car.
It was a mocha coffee and some muffins. Nothing extravagant.
She leant upon it, eyeing the content before her gaze searched for my eyes. I was already up the stairs to the building's entry door when her car honked. The window on her side was down as her face was pocking out, facing me, one hand bringing the paper bag up for me to see it.
She silently mouthed "Thank you," a shy smile displayed on her face as she pointed to the bag with her free hand. Before she could say anything else, some taxi man yelled at her for taking too much time, making her quickly pull the car from the sideline and drive away with a final wave at me.
I smiled at her clumsiness, before making it to the door, my hand covering my jaw as I didn't want the reception to see how happy I was.
I think it was the first time I ever enjoyed being stuck in the morning traffic jam.
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Author note:
I feel like they're slightly out of character,
perhaps more mature than in the manga.
I don't know... But I like it better that way?