"Well all I can tell you is it's not yet a widespread rumor. Since mom and dad haven't said anything, I can only assume they haven't heard it yet. So, is it true? Are you really going to marry that witch?" Bakura asked.
Ryo was shocked that Bakura called her that. He had the feeling he didn't like her, but still. "No, I'm not going to marry her. In fact, when she called here the other day I was thankful it was me that got to the phone and mom and dad were busy. I told her then we were not engaged. She came up to me on my way home after I picked up Mokuba, I wanted to tell her then."
"So, you've heard this rumor."
"No, I haven't. I'd kill her if I knew she was intentionally spreading it after I warned her not to. Truth is, I wanted to tell her when I saw her earlier that I'm considering breaking up with her."
"Really? So you think she's cheating on you?"
"No, I doubt that." Ryo sighed. "No, it has nothing to do with Duke or anyone else. Do I still believe she really cheated on me? I don't know anymore. But every time children or especially Mokuba are brought up, she changes the subject or just- I don't know, it's hard to explain. But it's almost like she thinks she has to compete with Mokuba for my love. Like it's Mokuba's fault I don't think I'm in love with her anymore. I guess it's really about the fact that, every so often, she'll throw Nosaka at me saying I still love her."
"Really? And all this time I thought you loved Shizuka."
Ryo gave a deep sigh. "I think I did once. But at the time we met, the only girls or women I ever knew were from school; classmates, their mothers, the teachers. But even then, it was very limited. The school I went to, I didn't have that many classes with the girls. Master Pegasus allowed four girls into the school only because they passed his test. Shizuka, well, she was really the first girl I'd ever actually dated. I never had a serious date before her. So, when she betrayed me…it was a major heartbreak. Since I've returned and we've been together." Ryo paused to think of the right way to say it. "I've tried, I've really tried, but with Nosaka…if I told her I couldn't go to something with her because of Mokuba, she'd insist we take Mokuba with us. She was so good to him and for him. I'm sure Mokuba doesn't like Shizuka. I mean, he even ran away without coming to me first because of her!"
"I wouldn't have thought Mokuba would tell you that he hates her."
"He didn't, but every time Mokuba's around us, it's like she has to force a smile and always wants to either leave or us to leave without him. She doesn't like it when I mention him; I've seen a snarl on her face once or twice when she doesn't think I'm looking. She has mentioned marriage a time or two, and I told her that someday I'd like to have one, possibly two kids of my own."
"Let me guess: she ran as far as she could?" Bakura asked with an almost smile.
"Well, sorta. She changed the subject quickly enough. It's almost like she doesn't want kids."
"If she hates kids so much, then why does she work in a toy store?" Bakura asked, confused.
"Your guess on that is as good as mine." Ryo told him.
x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x
At the same time, Shizuka was still sulking about the way Ryo treated her when the bell on the door rang. She gave a frustrated, angry sigh and got up to answer the door.
'Just what I don't need right now are a couple of little brats!' Shizuka walked up to the front and was surprised to see a couple of girls that appeared to be a year or two older than she was and more sophisticated.
She approached them asking, "Excuse me, may I help you?"
"Do you work here?" the first girl asked.
"Um, yes, as a matter of fact, I do. Can I help you find something?"
"No, we're new in town and we're just passing through looking in random stores here and there." the first girl said.
"Why do you work here? You don't exactly seem like the type that would." the second girl stated matter-of-factly.
"I don't have a lot of choices." Shizuka said, irritated.
"Might we inquire as to why?" the first girl asked.
"My mother ran off with some man, abandoning me and my father." Shizuka said.
"Do tell. I understand. My mother left us, too. My father soon followed suit, dumping me off in an orphanage. Ange's father eventually adopted me. I'm Angelia Cooper, but my friends call me Angel, and this is my sister Angela."
"My friends call me Ange. What may we ask is your name?" Ange asked.
"My name is Shizuka. My mother left almost 5 years ago, and six months ago my father dumped me here to take care of my grandfather. I love my grandfather, but, personally, I hate kids! I hate them with a passion. But my grandfather is a very kind person. He didn't have to take me in when my father dumped him here. He could have kicked me out on the street."
"I understand your reasoning, but how can you stand to stay here if you hate kids so much?" Ange asked.
"What choice do I have?" Shizuka asked. "How can I abandon my grandfather after all he's done for me? This shop is his life! I mean, his health is good for the most part, but the stress from the day of working here- it sometimes gets too much for him, and he can't work. He counts on me to help him. I can't disappoint him! I tried to leave when I first got here, but I felt so guilty leaving him that I had to return."
"Totally understandable." Angel said. "Is he aware of your hatred for children?"
Shizuka bowed her head. "I don't think so. I don't want to be a disappointment to him, so I do my very best at my job so that, hopefully, he won't suspect."
"Are you close to him?" Ange asked.
"Well, we're fairly close. As close as we can be, I guess."
"Is there anything to do in this town?" Angel asked.
"No, not really. I was hoping to spend time with my boyfriend, but it doesn't seem like that will happen anytime soon." Shizuka said.