Dear readers, thanks for supporting this fic. Just a minor clarification on the last chapter - the part on platonic love was a general/factual statement (i.e. not specifically from their pov) Ichigo's view was that what he felt for Rukia was different with Orihime, currently he's physically (sexually) attracted to his wife. The development will explore different types of love, what he thought love was vs what he was feeling. Let's get on with it, shall we? (As always, italics are flashbacks/thoughts)
Love Me Chapter 8
"Yosh!" Exclaimed the auburn beauty in victory as she clicked {send} to submit her report.
Glancing at the clock, she quickly started packing, wanting to leave on time and get home soon. After all, Ichigo would be leaving in just a few hours' time.
"So you are working here,"
Orihime's eyes widened, surprised by the guest, but she recovered quickly and greeted the old lady who just appeared before her.
The aura from Ichigo's aunt displayed power, authority, it demanded respect and sometimes even fear.
All dressed in designer, Madam Yukiko Kurosaki was a force to be reckoned with, she was well educated, and successful in her own right, working her way to the top in Blut Corp, being the one in control since Ichigo's grandfather's death.
After exchange of pleasantries, there was no beating around the bush.
"Not pregnant yet?" Without waiting for a response, she continued. "Surely you know the expectation after getting married is to produce an heir - so that the Kurosaki name lives on along with Blut empire."
"If you can't..." there was a deliberate pause.
"Arrangements will be made," with that, Madam Kurosaki turned to leave.
"Arrangements?" Orihime asked.
"Why, obviously my dear, there are plenty of other women who can,"
Her back facing the young wife, she stated as a matter of fact.
"You look like shit"
"Shut up,"
Uryu and Ichigo entered the airline lounge, settling for some drinks at the bar.
"Judging from thy cheerfulness, things aren't going well with Orihime?"
"It wasn't my fault, she was being..." he groaned in frustration.
"Being?"
"Look, it doesn't matter,"
"Well Tatsuki was telling me you guys were making progress," he pushed his glasses up. "I guess not,"
It bothered Ichigo, it bothered him more than he care to admit.
The foreign feelings were not welcomed, not one bit.
"Do you guys have nothing better to do than talk about our marriage?" the ex-shinigami gritted his teeth.
"You know we care, about the both of you, and we want you to be happy,"
"Hn. You're a nag,"
The PA system announced that it was time for boarding. Finishing their whisky on the rocks, they made their way towards the departure gate.
After Ichigo was shown to his seat, he was looking forward to finally getting some rest.
And, to get his wife out of his mind.
The recent development between the orange heads had been a surprise. On the surface, they looked every bit like the golden couple who had it all. But behind closed doors, there were cracks.
Orihime couldn't have picked a worse time to set the bomb off.
As Ichigo was getting ready to leave for the airport, Orihime contemplated how to bring up what was bothering her. But she failed to formulate something tactful before blurting out to her husband.
"Are you packing rubber for your business trip?" She tried to joke.
"No!" Ichigo scowled. "Woman, are you actually serious?"
"I-I was just saying," she bit her lip, regretting what she started.
"You were insinuating something," Ichigo shook his head, fuming by then.
He had been accused before. She said that he'd 'fucked every girl who spread their legs for him'.
Orihime lowered her gaze and said quietly. "It's not like you haven't slept around before,"
He froze. He felt wronged.
So that's what his wife thought of him. It hurt him so much that she saw him as such as person.
Since attending university, Ichigo had been very popular with the girls, he had good looks and a great body. Sure, he was no prude around pretty women, and many pretty women flocked to him since he become known as the young heir and future CEO of one of the biggest companies in Japan. After work, he would be at hot spots in town, with clients or colleagues, entertaining or networking - all so he could avoid going home to an almost stranger of a wife. But that was awhile ago, he thought the recent development showed her that he's changed. Couldn't she see that?
"Jesus! Wow," he shook his head in disbelief. "I don't get you Orihime, I thought we-... I thought last few months meant something!"
"No, that's not what I meant, Ich-"
[Ding dong]
The ring of the door bell signaled that the driver had arrived to pick him to the airport.
"Ichi-"
Raising his hand to cut her off as anger consumed him, he hurried out of the house without a further word, slamming their house front door behind him.
It would have been easier if this f*cked up marriage only existed on paper. It would save him a lot of confusion. He shouldn't have allowed this to happen. He shouldn't be worrying about what she thinks. He shouldn't have gotten close to her.
Man, was he glad to leave the house.
Ugh!
The next morning, Orihime stayed in bed.
Stretching her arms to the bedside table for her phone, she began browsing aimlessness, but her mind was on one person. Memories of the day before flashed back.
Yesterday she was completely taken aback by what Madam Kurosaki had said, it bothered her. It felt like she was thrown back to her 13 year old self - young and insecure.
She was insecure when it came to Ichigo. Perhaps it started with her one-sided love, and eventual arranged marriage, for good reasons. However, the way Ichigo reacted like he was wounded really hurt her as well.
Feeling restless she didn't hear from Ichigo, she decided to reach out.
{Hey... I hope you arrived safely.} 9.34 am sent
Perhaps he was still asleep? There was time difference after all.
{I'm sorry about that night. Anyway, how are you?} 10.17 am sent
Ichigo was starting to pay her attention and acting like a husband just recently. They were making progress on their marriage, finally getting close, but now, everything good they built over the last few months seemed to be crashing down like a house of cards.
Right now she's convinced she'd just ruined her marriage.
I didn't even get to say goodbye...
Orihime realised what Madam Kurosaki said didn't matter.. she shouldn't have let it bother her. She should have more trust in Ichigo. She should have kept her mouth shut.
Ugh!
That noon, the arrival of her sisters-in-law brought some comfort, the auburn haired was relieved and thankful for a distraction. Besides, Orihime loved hanging out with Ichigo's sisters, they had been close since high school.
The younger girls had called earlier to ask if they could come over to bake for the upcoming valentines. Given Orihime had all the fancy professional equipment because of her online cupcake store it made sense to do it at her house. The baker was more than happy to, since she started working at Blut Corp, she hasn't been baking as much.
What Orihime didn't know was that the twins came over on their brother's invitation.
In a city a couple of thousand miles away in a lavish conference hall, the ex-shinigami's phone kept buzzing as he received message alert. Swiping the phone to turn it off, he returned to his attention to the guest speaker as they moved on to the next topic.
After the measuring, mixing, whipping, the lovely aroma of vanilla and freshly baked goods filled the whole kitchen. The three young ladies had fun bonding, chattering away while decorating the cupcakes.
"Baking is so much fun!"
"Let's take more photos,"
"They look so delicious!"
"And smell delicious,"
"Oyaji is looking forward to these,"
"Too bad Ichi-ni is missing out,"
"Let me send him some photos."
Orihime felt her heart sank at the mention of her husband.
Why wasn't her husband replying to her?!
He obviously read it, why was he ignoring her?!
It was already evening by the time they were done with cleaning up. Before bidding the twins farewell, Orihime helped pack the baked goods into fancy clear see through boxes tied with some ribbons. There were more than enough for the twins to hand out at school on Valentine's and also some for Isshin.
Exhausted, Orihime took a nice long bath.
She still hadn't heard from her husband since he left. It was starting to drive her mad.
So she gathered up all her courage and pressed dial.
It went straight to voicemail.
Just her luck.
"Moshi mosh?"
"Hi Tatsuki-chan,"
"Oh hey, Hime, how are you?"
"I'm well, thanks. Uh, I was wondering if you're free tomorrow?"
"Sure am! We should catch up... Is everything ok?"
"Yup, I'm alright... Let's catch up please! How about brunch?"
"Sounds great! I'll gather the girls. I'm excited to see you,"
Tatsuki managed to get Chizuru and Keiko, and promptly set up a group chat to confirm details of the meeting time and venue.
Sunday morning at a brunch spot with lush decor that made it look like an indoor garden, four ladies were delighted when the waitress served up their coffee with adorable latte art (*note 1) Not long after, their food arrived.
The quartet haven't caught up since Tatsuki's engagement party. They looked impeccably stylish, it seemed they took girls' day out seriously - sex and the city style.
"Hime, congrats on starting your new job! Tell us all about it!"
Tatsuki came dressed in a sleek long white jumpsuit, paired with ankle boots. Chizuru wore a blush pink turtle neck dress and knee length boots. While Keiko had a striped printed two piece ensemble and red heels.
"Thanks ladies, it'll be my shout today!"
Orihime beamed, she was in a classy yellow polkadot dress, the sleeves reached her elbow, and similar to the A-line skirt, they were adorned with frilled hem. She wore white strapped heels and a white handbag to match.
"Cheers to that!"
All four of them were young working adults fairly new to the work force. They updated each other about the work they do and the kind of people they worked with. Orihime kept mum about the encounter with Ichigo's old aunt.
Over pancakes and eggs, it was revealed that the red head and the brunette were planning a vacation to Singapore. The island had everything a city could offer, delicious food that came in wide variety of cuisine, shopping malls after shopping malls, rooftop bars, modern skyscrapers and old heritage architecture. Like Japan, it was clean and had efficient infrastructure for convenience, making it a perfect destination for the girls' short getaway.
Tatsuki would have gone along (and dragged Orihime with her) but it clashed with the upcoming world karate tournament in Canada.
Orihime secretly envied them. They were free do to whatever they want, they were gorgeous, fun, independent and enjoying every moment to the fullest.
Before the auburn beauty was married, she didn't have the financial means, now that she was married and had access to the money, she didn't feel that she could just use the Kurosaki money and jet off. Imagine what Madam Kurosaki would say. No, the money wasn't really hers. Plus, now that she's working, she will start saving.
"Oi! Hime? Are you there?"
Orihime was surprised all eyes were on her, embarrassed that she had trailed off in her thoughts.
Tatsuki had just mentioned to their friends that her fiancé and Orihime's husband were travelling too.
"Ohhh ~ boys trip?"
"It's not like that, more of a business trip,"
"Have you heard from Uryuu?"
"Yeah he called last night between the conference and some party, did Ichigo call?"
Orihime merely shook her head and stared at her plate of food.
Sensing her best friend's change in mood, Tatsuki quickly added not to worry about that numbskull.
"Yeah Hime it doesn't matter, he's probably tired or just forgot,"
"Don't worry about it, you can always reach out - instead of waiting for him to make the first move,"
"Actually... I did reach out," Orihime finally spoke.
"Good on you H-"
"But he hasn't replied," she confessed, her voice didn't hide her disappointment.
She wasn't comfortable with sharing all the details, she didn't have to. To her surprise, they didn't ask for more but instead just assured her that it was normal and continued their chatter.
"Doesn't matter if he doesn't reply, let him be,"
"I don't text Uryu for days sometimes. I don't care if he doesn't text either."
"Either they're busy or they just don't want to engage,"
"I have my life and he's got his,"
"Agreed Tatsuki, there's nothing worst than sending multiple texts..."
Orihime's ears perked at this, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden.
"-... it kinda reeks of desperation,"
Crap. Was she crazy to have sent those texts to Ichigo? Was she that desperate?
Stealing a glance at her phone, she regretted her actions instantly. Feeling sheepish, she tossed the phone into her bag, and tried to change the subject.
"Sorry, we're supposed to be enjoying girls' day out. Let's not talk about boys."
"But it's fun to talk about boys," Keiko whined.
"I disagree!" Chizuru retorted, because she was more interested in girls.
"Hime is right, I'm sure we can find something better to talk about,"
"Better yet, let's pamper ourselves,"
This time, they agreed in unison.
After Orihime settled the food bill, they went from the massage parlour to the hair salon.
Finally, a free morning.
Was he wrecked or what?
After full on seminar and an after party that kicked on till 3am, Ichigo was glad they didn't have an agenda in the first half of the day.
He would be able to fit in some exercise and then check out the busy city.
Switching his phone on, Ichigo was shocked to see his home screen.
[15 new messages]
As he scanned through the texts, most of them from his wife, he went from being worried to wary, from being delighted to dumbfounded. Receiving multiple texts is overwhelming for any guy, let alone one who is tired and busy from attending work related events overseas.
On the verge of losing his cool, he carefully chose to hit the gym for a good work out instead of replying his wife instantly, while he wasn't in a good mood.
Later that day, he caught up on other messages received in the group chat that he shared with his sisters.
The twins had sent photo messages - which were mostly selfies - the first shot showed the twins making silly faces while posing with baking equipment, the next one with their finished products, and another one with Orihime wearing an apron. His heart warmed at the sight of her.
Yuzu and Karin had kindly captioned the photos too.
Had so much fun baking! #cake emoji
Orihime is such a good teacher! She reminds me of mum. #heart emoji
She will make such a good mum Ichi-ni-san #wink-wink emoji
Don't forget our souvenirs Ichi-ni! #evil grin emoji
He couldn't help but smile at the heartwarming pictures. He had told his sisters that he would be away for a few days and if they wanted, they could hang out with Orihime, you know, keep her company. He was relieved that they did, especially after the way he had left the house.
Getting souvenirs for his family was definitely on his to-do list before returning home.
He can understand why his sisters said that. She was warm, kind, and gentle and took good care of them. He started to miss his family, and yes, that included his wife.
Without thinking twice he selected her name on the contact list and pressed dial.
It went straight to voicemail.
Just his luck.
Orihime felt wonderful when she got home after a relaxing day with her friends.
She completely forgot about checking her phone because she was busy having fun.
It was, quite frankly, liberating.
Rummaging through her handbag, she finally found her phone.
{1 missed call, 1 voicemail}
Instantly recognising the voice of her husband when she played the recorded message, she couldn't help the wide smile that took over her entire face.
"Orihime, hi, is everything alright back home?"
"The seminar was full on, plus networking in between. So my phone was off,"
"Anyway I fly back tomorrow. So, I'll see you then okay? Good night."
.
.
End xoxo
happy valentines i hope you enjoyed the long chapter
(*Note 1) pictures were shared on madamewordsmith :) remember to follow me for more lovin'
Next chapter - "Let's spice things up baby,"