Capitolo 16 :: 16

Pubblicato: 08-04-06 - Ultimo aggiornamento: 08-04-06

Commenti: Nothing much going on, yet. It's boring, I know, but I promise there will be something in the next chapter. Did I say too much? ^^ Enjoy!

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Kaori and Mick have been in Tokyo for over a week now, but she still hasn’t gotten the chance to talk to Ryo in private. Or talk to Ryo in public. Ryo was almost never around.  

On this cloudy Saturday morning, she was sitting alone at Cat’s Eye, staring at her Frappuccino with sad eyes. It was obvious it wasn’t fated between the two of them. What was she even thinking, considering the possibility…  

She shook her head vehemently. She was so not going to think about any possibilities between her and Ryo. She left that life behind four years ago. She had a great man who loved her unconditionally and was suffering greatly because of this situation.  

Mick tried to hide it. He smiled, he laughed, he teased her, acted all friendly… but she knew deep down inside he was suffering. And she didn’t want him to suffer. She needed to get a grip on herself, on her emotions…  

She loved Mick, didn’t she? She got to know the real him, didn’t she? Then why was she getting cold feet?  

Because she still had feelings for Ryo, too. But what if those feelings were just residue of an adolescent infatuation? She didn’t even know the guy, not really. She’s always thought him a churlish, insulting man with no consideration for her feelings or those of others…  

But now, after all Mick told him about his friend and the tiny part of the past they shared… she came to know him, too. And she came to understand him… and the reasons for his behavior.  

He has always been alone. Not used to love and caring. Not used to kind words. Not used to having people who cared about him or loved him. In some ways, he was still the boy who grew up in the jungle…  

At times in the past week, she even suspected Mick told her about Ryo on purpose… But why would he do that?  

She shook her head. She was done with trying to understand men.  

Her eyes narrowed. And she was done with trying to find ways to talk to Ryo. He obviously didn’t want to have anything to do with her anymore. The first day she came back, when they talked at the cemetery, he only talked about how much Mick loved her…  

She fiddled with her ring.  

Miki smiled at the woman in front of her. She was still sipping through the straw, but she has finished her drink minutes ago.  

»Want a refill? «  

Kaori lifted her eyes, spitting the straw out of her mouth. »Wouldn’t mind if I do. «  

Miki winked. »Coming right up… « Her eyes twinkled. »As is your quasi-fiancé. «  

The bell above the door tinkled and Mick whistled. »Hello, foxy-lady! All alone today? «  

Kaori turned on her stool. »You’re in a jolly good mood today. «  

He grinned, but the veil of sadness in his blue eyes didn’t lift. »Indeed, I am. Miki, whatever she’s having. «  

»It’s a Frappuccino. «  

Mick grimaced. »Argh. Plain coffee’s cool for me. «  

The bar owner chuckled. »You got it, Angel-boy. «  

Mick looked at Kaori, saying: »You got up early today. You weren’t there when I woke up. «, as the little bell tinkled again.  

Ryo’s eyes were dark, fathomless pools of fury and rage as he stared at the couple at the counter. So she came to know Mick enough, again, to start sleeping with him.  

He knew he should be glad for her, he knew he should wish her all the best in her new life, but he still felt just a murderous anger boiling up inside him.  

»Hey, « Reika whined behind him as she slammed against his back. »Why did you stop on the door? «  

His jaw locked. »Sorry, baby, « he drawled.  

Reika blinked. »Huh? «  

He reached behind him, pulling her against his hip, draping an arm over her shoulders. »I didn’t mean to. But I just can’t bear not to feel you against me. «  

She blinked again. Was he nuts? »Huh? «  

Then she noticed the couple in front of the counter. »Oh… «  

She mentally shook her head. Ryo really was an idiot. If Kaori chose Mick what did he hope of accomplishing letting her think they were an item.  

Kaori stared at the two with eyes wide as saucers. So that’s why he wasn’t anywhere to be seen lately. He’s been humping his assistant!  

Ryo managed a really fake grin. »Why, hello, Kaori-kun! «  

»Hi! « She turned her back on him, her eyes brimming with tears and her hands shaking terribly.  

Mick stared at her. »Are you okay? « He whispered.  

»Never been better. « She was looking at her right hand.  

»Kaori? «  

She tugged at the ring.  

Ryo slipped on a stool. »Coffee, Miki. Black, plenty of sugar. «  

»I hope your teeth rot, « Kaori mumbled.  

He turned, an eyebrow arched. »Did you say something? «  

She flashed him a brilliant smile. »Not a thing. « She turned to Mick. »Honey… «  

Ryo lifted the cup to his lips… He stilled.  

Mick blinked. »Yeah? «  

»I have a great idea… « She slammed her hands on the counter. »Why wait? Let’s get married! «  

Ryo barely avoided choking on a mouthful of coffee. Sliding a glance across the counter, he noticed her hands. Mick’s ring was shining on her left hand.  

Mick almost fainted. »What? «  

She patted his shoulder. »Oh, I don’t mean right away. But why should we wait to go back to the U.S.? We could get married here. What do you think? With all… your friends… present and all that. «  

Miki and Reika exchanged glances, shaking their heads. The girl was so transparent, she could be used as a food-wrap.  

Ryo fought for breath, hiding his panic behind the coffee cup.  

Mick turned fully toward Kaori. »Are you sure? «  

She nodded… a little too fast. »Couldn’t be more certain. «  

He noticed her hands were shaking. He sighed. »What about Bridget? «  

»I could call her… « Her voice rose. »I’m sure she and Luke would be thrilled to come to Japan to be at our wedding. «  

»Kaori… «  

»Oh, shut up! « And she threw herself at him, capturing his lips in a fierce kiss.  

Ryo has had it. Slamming the cup on the counter, he jumped off his stool, letting it topple on the floor. Striding outside, he slammed the door closed with such force, that the upper glass shattered.  

Miki huffed, rolling her eyes. »He’s at it again, « she groaned.  

Reika smiled sheepishly. »I’ll torture him until he pays for damage. «  

»It’s okay. I’m insured. « She paused slightly. »I hope it covers pissed off sweepers. «  

Kaori relinquished Mick’s lips, lifting her head. »That’s that, then, « she murmured.  

Reika cleared her throat. »Congratulations you two. «  

Kaori turned, glaring at the woman. »Thanks, « she spat, jumping off her stool.  

Mick caught her by the wrist. »Where are you off to? «  

»I’ll take a walk, « she said, without looking at him. »I’ll see you later. « And she stormed out, slamming the door. The lower glass shattered, too.  

The three people left in the bar just blinked.  

Umibozu came through the back door, glancing at the wreckage of the door over his glasses. »Saeba and Kaori were here, huh? «  

The three turned to him.  

He shrugged. »I’ll go get the broom. « 

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