Capitolo 14 :: 14

Pubblicato: 25-03-06 - Ultimo aggiornamento: 05-04-06

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The next morning Ryo sat on his usual stool at Cat's Eye drinking his third cup of coffee and hoping it would vanquish the almost debilitating hangover he had. He’s never gotten more drunk in his life, than he had last night. He’s never wanted to get more drunk than he had last night.  

Last night he had sat in one of his usual bars, drinking glass after glass of the finest whiskey in the joint, not even tasting it. He’d just wanted to forget, purge his mind of the image of his Kaori smiling at Mick, caressing his cheek, wearing his ring… writhing naked under him.  

There was a cracking sound and the cup of coffee shattered in his fist.  

He smiled sheepishly at the woman behind the counter. »Sorry, Miki. «  

She patted his hand. »It’s okay, Saeba. It was an old cup, anyway. « Her eyes widened, seeing a streak of blood on his fingers. She smiled sympathetically. He tried not to show it, but she could clearly see he was suffering as hell. »Let me get a band-aid for that. «  

»Thanks, « he murmured as she tended to his hand. His head lifted…  

Miki looked over his shoulder, sighing wistfully. The guy was so tuned to that woman, it was scary.  

The tiny bell above the door tinkled and Mick and his fiancée entered, grins perfectly in place, chatting amiably.  

As soon as she noticed the familiar figure seated in front of the counter, Kaori fell quiet and the brilliant smile disappeared.  

Miki sighed slightly, shaking her head. This was worse than a soap opera. But just like the soaps it was damn addictive. She hoped no other guests were planning to have a cup of coffee at her place. She wanted to watch this.  

Mick, noticing the direction of Kaori’s stare, clenched his teeth. Yes, they’ve spent the entire night talking – they had to redo every conversation they ever had – and he woke up with her in his arms, smiling slightly up at him, but still. It felt like a punch, when she seemed to completely forget about him, when she saw his best friend.  

Ryo didn’t even turn. He couldn’t. He heard her laughing and he knew Mick was the cause of her merriment. And on one hand he was glad she was happy – he never made her happy – but on the other hand, he was furious, because he wanted to be the one, the only one, to make her laugh.  

Seeing he wasn’t inclined on turning, Kaori closed her eyes briefly, releasing a small sigh. Yes, she and Mick had talked all night and she finally got to know the real him, but in the process, she learned some other things about Ryo. She just didn’t seem to escape him. He haunted her even, when he wasn’t near her.  

She shook her head. She shouldn’t be thinking along those lines. She was still wearing Mick’s ring and she was probably going to move it to its right place pretty soon. So, if she still had her mind set on marrying Mick, the man who loved her and wasn’t afraid of showing it, she shouldn’t be thinking about her future husband’s best friend.  

»Well, hello, Ryo. « She waved at the woman behind the counter. »Hi, Miki-san. «  

Hearing her greet him, made Ryo flinch, but he was damned if he’d let it show. Before he’d gotten totally thrashed, he came to a decision. He wasn’t going to do anything. He was going to leave her be. She agreed to marry Mick? And he’d let her. He’d suffer, but he’d let her. She deserved to be happy.  

»Hi, « he mumbled, staring at the new cup in front of him.  

Kaori lifted an eyebrow as she hopped on a stool. He didn’t look good. Actually, he looked like hell. »Are you drunk? «  

Ryo chuckled. »Not anymore. «  

Her lips tightened into a thin line. »Let me guess… A usual round of the cabarets, right? «  

»You know how I am, Kaori-kun. «  

She narrowed her eyes at him. He seemed worse for wear than he ever did in the four years they’ve lived together. Was it really just the usual routine, or was it something deeper this time?  

Mick watched her watch Ryo with sad eyes. Even angry, she’s never looked at him the way she was looking at his friend. He sighed. This trip to Japan has definitely been the biggest mistake he’s made in his life. But at least, he had had his answers. Although, the biggest question still hung in the back of his mind, but he was planning to learn the ultimate truth very soon.  

»Mick? « Kaori cocked her head. »Are you listening to me, honey? «  

Miki shook her head, noticing Ryo pale, hearing the endearment. She had to correct her earlier statement. This was much better than the soaps. She frowned, noticing a silhouette outside the door. And like all things it would have to end. Customer at twelve o’clock. Damn!  

Mick shook his head, smiling at his fiancée. »Sorry about that. I was woolgathering. Could you repeat that? «  

She grinned. »I was asking you, if you wanted coffee. My treat. «  

»You buying? I think I’ll have a muffin with that, lover. «  

Ryo choked on his coffee.  

Kaori arched an eyebrow. »Are you okay? «  

»It’s hot, « he whispered, hoping not to succumb to the urge to pull his gun on Mick.  

Miki chuckled. »I’ll get right to that muffin, Mick, but first I have to see to my guest. «  

The bell tinkled.  

»Hello and welcome to Cat’s Eye. «  

»Cory?! «  

Kaori turned on her stool. »Bridget? «  

Her best friend was at her side in a second, pulling her into a tight hug. »Hey, girlfriend. «  

Kaori awkwardly returned the hug, meeting Mick’s eyes.  

He shrugged.  

»Uhm, Bridget… What are you doing here? «  

Bridget straightened, placing her palms on Kaori’s shoulder. »What do you mean?! After that phone call last night and what you told me… I had to come! «  

Kaori nudged her. »Bridget. «  

»I need to see…«  

»Bridget! «  

»… that hunk of yours with my own eyes and…«  

»BRIDGET! «  

Bridget blinked under her friend’s glare. »What? « Then she noticed Mick's expression. »What did I say? « Then she followed Kaori's head movement and… »OH, MY GOD! «  

Ryo noticed the last was probably directed at him. He was the only one in that direction. »Hi, « he murmured.  

Bridget just stared at him with her mouth hanging open.  

He arched both his eyebrows. »Is something wrong? «  

She shook her head, her mouth still open.  

Kaori elbowed her in the ribs.  

As Ryo turned back to his coffee, Bridget finally emerged from her trance, turning to her best friend. »Holy guacamole, Corster, « she hissed. »You sure know how to pick them. «  

»Bridget, « Kaori bit out from between clenched teeth, covering her friend’s mouth with her hand. »Shut the hell up! «  

Bridget nodded. This was not the place or the time for girl-chat about hunks. But damn! Then she frowned. There was something weird on Cory’s hand over her mouth.  

Grabbing her wrist, she turned it. Cory’s beautiful engagement ring was on her right hand. »What the hell?! «  

Kaori noticed the faux pas when it was already too late. »Bridget! «  

»Why do you have your engagement ring on your right hand?! «  

Ryo’s head snapped up. Turning, his eyes met Mick’s. His friend didn’t move his gaze. Sky-blue eyes bore into his.  

Mick sighed internally. He wanted some proof from his bud and he got one so big it almost poked his eye out. Ryo could act all indifferent when it came to Kaori and his feelings toward her, but this morning’s hangover and the relieved look in his eyes now were telling a different tale.  

»Bridget! « Kaori looked over her friend’s shoulder, her gaze colliding with eyes the color of midnight. »I just moved it temporarily, until I get to know the real him. After that, you can be sure it’s moving right back to where it’s been. «  

She spoke to the whole room, but they both new, she was saying it to him. She was still intent on marrying Mick.  

Ryo slowly nodded, drinking the rest of his coffee. »Thank you, Miki. You’re a lifesaver. «  

She smiled slightly. Poor fellow. »Any day, Saeba, « she muttered as he strode out of her café. 

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