Bittersweet Life

Chapter Seventeen

Atobe woke up with a groan. He rubbed a hand wearily through his hair and opened his eyes. Where am I? Oh! I have a terrible headache! He thought as he tried to move from the uncomfortable position he was in. He threw the blanket that was on top of him away and moved, but groaned slightly when he felt a muscle spam. I know I’m definitely not on my bed… This is not comfortable.

He sat up and held onto his probing head, why do I have this distinct feeling that I’ve done something stupid?

“You kiss well.”

Atobe looked up sharply and suddenly swore out loud because the fast movement hurt his head even more.

giggled and looked down at him. She had been embarrassed last night because he caught her off guard, but she knew that he was too hazed to even realize who she was. “Don’t worry, I forgive you.

He smirked and leaned back on the sofa. “I’m sorry if I did anything to offend you.”

“Don’t be troubled.”

“And I’m sorry for intruding on you both last night.”

sat opposite him on the table. “It’s alright, but you really did look beat. told me to throw you out, but I could never do that,” she admitted with a giggle. “Seriously Atobe Keigo, what are you doing to yourself?”

Again, he rubbed a tired hand through his hair and massaged his face as well. “I wonder the very same thing myself.”

frowned. “You know, you can drag yourself down to hell, but why do that to your colleagues? They barely have a life.” I hate how he monopolizes ’s time.

I can’t believe I’m being lectured. He looked at her grimly. He wanted to stand up and leave, but he was too exhausted to do so.

crossed her legs and grinned. “You can’t even stand up, so you’re forced to listen to my lecture.”

My god… Are both of these women stubborn and always voice their opinions out loud?! he complained to himself, closing his eyes.

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A couple of hours later

busied herself in the kitchen when Atobe left. Stupid unhealthy man, she thought, taking out a bowl from the cupboard. They’re always thinking about nothing, but work.

Yesterday’s party really exhausted me, but I seriously have no energy to sleep, she walked out of the kitchen and looked around the clean living room, we’re seriously good. She giggled amazed at how fast she and managed to clean up last night.

She walked past the living room and went back to her room. She brushed her hair and her eyes fell on the business card on the dresser. Picking it up, she looked at it again, “I wonder…” she murmured as she studied the name. I wonder if I’m good enough to be a singer. I know that’s my dream, but…

She remembered the conversation she had with Saeki the night before.

“, just make sure you get a lawyer involved, these talent agents can be greedy and might take advantage of novice singers.” Saeki’s voice rang in her thoughts.

Maybe I’ll ask Haru to help me out, but first I need to research the company the agent’s from, hmmm… she looked at the card once more. “Oh… Is this…?” she frowned, staring at the logo on the card carefully. “They’re part of Atobe Industries?!” I must talk to about it!!! She thought excitedly.

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Weekday - Work

“, go home.”

looked up from her PC and saw Atobe standing by her door. He was leaning against it with his arms crossed. She glanced at the time on her PC and realized that it was 8 in the evening.

“Are you listening to me?” he asked, walking into her office. “Go home.”

let out a sigh. “Go home to what?” she muttered sarcastically.

Atobe raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you have life?”

She stood up and looked at him with a sigh. Leaning against her desk, she shook her head. “I just want to be in the office these days,” she admitted. “I’m too depressed staying at home.” I don’t want to go home these days… After breaking up with Niou, I don’t want to go home anymore, she thought, placing her hand on her beating heart.   doesn’t even know yet.

“Not much social life?”

looked up at him as he made that remark. She placed her hands on the table and leaned her back on it. “Not really,’ she admitted, looking down. ‘I broke up with my boyfriend and it was a disaster.” And the one before him wasn’t something that ended happily… let out a heavy sigh. “And you, your highness? Why are you here at this hour?”

“Just like you, the last place I’d like to go to is home,” he muttered, sitting on the chair across her. “I’m sick and tired of all these weird women who are sitting innocently next to my mother when I come back home.”

chuckled. “Arranged marriage?” She smiled, looking at him. “Somehow, you don’t seem to fit the arranged marriage type.”

“I don’t.”

“You’re the type who would spoil and love a woman,” she added, bending down to look at him. “A bit arrogant on the side, but I know she’ll feel special,” she said, tapping his nose.

Atobe chuckled, looking away. He decided that it was time to change the subject. “You’re in love, , aren’t you?”

paused.

“You get this distant look in your eyes sometimes. One minute you smile happily, the next you look like you’re about to cry and then… You’re just plain moody.” He watched her as her expression softened. “Are you in love with someone you’re not supposed to be with?”

straightened herself up and walked to her pc. She shut it off, picked up her bag and jacket and looked at him. “Let’s go for coffee,” she said, not answering his previous question.

Atobe raised an eyebrow.

“Think of it this way, me or a stranger at your home?”

He let out a sigh wryly and stood up. “Fine, but just coffee. I don’t want rumors to spread that I’m dating someone from within the company.”

“And I’d rather die than date you,” she muttered, walking to the door. I doubt I’d be dating anyone for a long time… As much as I had fun with Niou, I think this time I really am in love with someone and as much as a beautiful feeling it is, it hurts more than I want it to.

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Next day / in the evening

“That’s peculiar, ’s not home again,” muttered, walking into the apartment followed by Sanada. took off her jacket and placed her bag on the coffee table. Walking to the kitchen, she pulled two cans of soda from the fridge and handed one to Sanada.

“Maybe she’s with Masaharu.” Sanada took the soda from her.

nodded, pulling out her cell phone from her bag. “I’ll give him a call; maybe they’d like to have dinner with us.”

Sanada waited for her to dial as he leaned by the wall.

waited for Niou to pick up; it took a while until he finally did, “hey Haru,” she said cheerfully, sitting on a chair.

“Hey,” he answered gruffly, “how are you, ?”

tucked her knees under her legs and smiled. “Goody good as usual. Say Haru, will you and join us for dinner?”

Niou paused.

looked at her cell phone in surprise when he didn’t reply. Did I lose reception, she thought, shaking her phone. “Haru?” she called out making sure that he was on the other line.

Niou cleared his throat. “, and I broke up.”

“What?!?” snapped, jumping up. “When the hell did you two break up?” she demanded.

Sanada looked at in astonishment when he heard that.

“At Oshitari’s engagement,” he replied emotionless, “we both decided to do it.”

“What the…? HARU!?” All this time and she didn’t breathe a word to me?!

“Don’t yell at me, ,” he muttered exasperated, “what’s done is done, it wasn’t working for us, babe. I need to go now, so I’ll talk to you later.”

‘Don’t hang up on…”

[Click]

stared at the phone hatefully and then looked up at Sanada. They’ve been broken up all this time and… “Did you know?”

He shook his head.

was about to say something when they heard the door lock turn and walking in.

“YOU!” stood in front of , pointing her finger at her. “How DARE you breakup with Haru and not tell me?” she asked fuming.

was taken aback by her friend’s outburst. “What?” she asked a little bit shocked.

“I can’t believe you would breakup with Haru.” continued her monologue. “He loved you, and all you did was caused him gri…”

“Do NOT finish that sentence ,” burst out when she regained her posture. “You of all people knew how difficult this relationship was.”

pursed her lips looking at with tears in her eyes. “You should have at least told me,” she said crying and then stomped off towards her room.

sighed helpless. “Seriously that kid over-reacts.” She sat on the couch and took off her shoes. “Hi Sanada, I’m sorry you have to be a witness to our everyday drama.” She smiled tiredly.

Sanada sat on the armchair opposite . “It’s nothing. Everyone goes through some drama in their lives.”

stopped massaging her foot and looked at him. “I guess you’re right,” she said softly. “I think you should go to . She is probably crying the whole Atlantic Ocean.” She laughed and lay on the couch to rest her body. I’m so tired…

Sanada laughed at her comment. “Probably,” he said keeping his gaze on her for a few more minutes before he stood up and walked off towards ’s room. He paused for a few seconds, “?”

“Hmm?”

“Will you be alright?”

felt her heart ache. She hugged the sofa pillow. “Yes… Thank you.” why can’t you come and comfort me too?

Sanada seemed satisfied with her answer so he just walked into ’s room.

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Sanada placed his hand on top of ’s head and rubbed gently. “If she’s not upset then you shouldn’t cry.”

looked at him teary eyed. She clutched the front of his shirt and pulled him forward. “That’s the problem, she will never cry about it. After , she’s bottled herself up and she would never cry for a man – especially in front of me.”

Sanada frowned, I’ve seen cry many times after her fights with Masaharu, but what ’s saying doesn’t make sense then… Could it be?! Sanada shook his head and concentrated on , “it’s alright,” he said quietly, hugging her. “Don’t worry about her, I’m sure she’s fine and Masaharu’s been good at home, even I didn’t notice the break up.”

nodded calmly.

He held her close and could feel her heartbeat.

finally pulled away and looked up at him with a smile. “You really are the best,’ she whispered truthfully.

He kissed her forehead and stood up, walking towards the door. I’m more restless than I want to admit. I should be worried about , but I’m more anxious about . Why do I feel like holding her tight right now? Did her breakup with Masaharu make me feel that way?

“Genichirou?”

Sanada snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her from the doorway. “Yes?”

got off the bed and walked towards him. “I think I overreacted, how about we take out? Maybe we can both cheer her up, no?”

“Let her sleep,” he said, holding ’s arm lightly. He also decided that it was now time to change the subject, “what did you decide to do about the talent agent?” I personally cannot handle a vulnerable at the moment.

looked at him puzzled by the sudden topic change. She raised an eyebrow, but then decided to answer him. “I talked it through with friends and they suggested I see a lawyer when I get the contract.”

“What about an Agent?”

“I’m going to ask Saeki,” she said, walking out with him back to the living room.

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Later at night

returned at home a bit late. She opened the apartment door slowly and slipped inside without a sound. She took of her shoes and tip toed towards her room but she never made it there because opened the lights as she stood in the living room door.

“Sneaking in?” asked scratching her head.

stopped and turned to face her friend. “You’re like my mother,” she said and started laughing when she saw the state was in. “You… hehe… you look ghastly!”

placed her hands on her hips and glared at . “Thank you very much,” she spat and walked in the living room plopping herself on the couch she was previously sleeping on.

followed her and sat on the couch beside her. “Have you seen the state you’re in?” she asked trying hard to stifle her laughs. She lay on the couch and rested her head on ’s lap. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I knew you would get upset,” answered as she played with ’s hair. “It wasn’t meant to be.”

sighed. “You never tried to understand him,” she said softly hugging ’s knees.

“You idolize the man . He wasn’t the one trying,” said exasperated, “besides, I could never trust him.”

“It’s not his fault that you can’t trust men after what did to you.” She straightened her body and looked directly into her friend’s eyes.

“I am over and what happened,” sighed, “it’s hard to explain why it didn’t work with Niou.” She lifted her legs on the couch and hugged her knees. “I wish it was different, but the truth is that we don’t like each other. Our relationship was only physical.”

got up from the couch. “I don’t believe that. Obviously you were the one that didn’t like him because I know that he liked you. He still does.” She clenched her fists. “If you didn’t like him than you should have told him earlier before he spent so much time and effort trying to make Valentine’s a special day for you.” She glared at her friend who was looking at her stunned. “I don’t like you when you use people,” she said and walked to her bedroom.

What the…? thought trying to absorb everything that was telling her. She got up from the couch annoyed and stomped towards Aya´s room for another confrontation. “Don’t walk out on me when you make an accusation like that! How dare you say that I’m using people?”

froze for a second and then glared at her best friend. “But it’s true!!!”

“How can it be true? How the hell do you expect me to tell you that I broke up with someone you like?!” demanded, shouting.

“You were not patient with him!” accused.

“He wasn’t patient with me,” fired back, her anger rising even more.

crossed her hands. “You are selfish and a drama queen. You are not satisfied with anything.”

opened her mouth to retort but she didn’t. She stood there looking at annoyed. I am too tired to argue with her, she thought sighing inwardly. “I can’t be bothered with you at the moment, I’m going to bed.” She turned around and left ’s room.

“IDIOT!!!” shouted annoyed. How dare she say she can’t be bothered with me, she thought fuming as she followed into her room for a rematch. “How…” she was cut off abruptly when a cushion hit her face. She looked at wide-eyed and then at the cushion at her feet. “Oh no, you didn’t!” she said and picked up the cushion. She aimed and threw it at .

The cushion hit on the shoulder. “Your throwing skills suck, just like your judgment,” she said as she launched another cushion at her friend.

“You are a selfish BRAT!!!” spat throwing two cushions at both hitting her on the head. “That’s for saying I suck at throwing things.”

jumped on the bed and picked one of her pillows. She jumped off the bed and ran towards . She hit her friend on the chest with the pillow before could get out of the way. “That’s for calling me an idiot,” she said and hit her again on the head, “and that is for calling me a selfish brat.”

pushed away from her and ran towards the bed. She jumped on it and took a pillow but didn’t have time to do anything because had already attacked her. They fought like that for a good thirty minutes before they both plopped on the bed breathing heavily.

“I… can’t… believe… we played… pillow-fight!” said panting heavily.

laughed. “I know… It’s been… years,” she said as she lifted her body to rest on her elbows. “It was fun though.” She pushed her tongue out.

“Yeah!”

“…” said as she lay back on the bed. “I seriously meant what I said.”

turned her head and looked at her friend who was gazing at the ceiling. “That’s why I said your judgment sucks,” she sighed. “I know that he did a lot of things for me and I loved Valentine’s Day, but…” she closed her eyes, “…it’s difficult to make you understand how I feel.”

“Try me.”

“Yeah, right.” chuckled. “It’s easier to make a kid understand than you!” she ruffled Aya´s hair.

turned her head and looked at . “You never told me what happened on Valentine’s!” she smiled.

“Well, you never asked,” smiled back. “It was wonderful. He was a gentleman. I wished he was always like that but… Anyway, he had organized that date perfectly. Hiroshi´s house was absolutely fantastic.” She sat up and hugged the pillow she used for the fight.

“Go on.” grinned.

“We ate at a big dining room that was filled with lots of candles. He also brought live musicians. They played the violin and accordion.” She hugged the pillow tighter covering her face. “We danced most of the night and then we went to the bedroom…”

sat up excited. “Come on… Tell meeee!”

chuckled. “Well, before we went to sleep, we bathed in a huge bathtub. Can you believe that he had filled it with flowers?” she asked her friend.

“He what? He never told me that part.” crossed her hands.

“He told you what he had planned?”

beamed proudly. “Of course. I helped him organize the whole thing, but I think he intentionally didn’t mention to me the good parts.” She winked.

A faint blush painted ’s cheeks. “Did he tell you about…” she couldn’t continue at the thought that Niou might have told her best friend about their intimate time together.

“Three Times!”

looked at shocked. He… he told her? She though feeling embarrassed that her ex-boyfriend would talk about her in that way with her best friend. “Let’s go to sleep,” she said and lay on her side.

“Eehh? Why?” whined disappointed.

“Go to sleep. I’m tired.” She closed the light from the switch next to her bed. She felt shifting on the bed. “Goodnight,” she said to who left the room only to return a few minutes later.

felt shifting again in the bed and a pair of cold feet touching hers. “What are you doing?” she asked getting up.

“Nothing.” said innocently as she lay in bed looking at .

rubbed her temples. “You actually call this nothing?” she asked and lay back down facing .

“My night-light doesn’t work again.”

“Your feet are cold.” rolled her eyes at Aya´s excuse. “So, since we are discussing about dates, how did your Valentine’s date go?”

“Isn’t it weird that we’re talking about our dates after so long?” asked thoughtfully.

closed her eyes and thought about her friend’s question. It’s true; we never did discuss about the dates. “I guess we got caught up with the plans for the engagement party.”

“I guess…”

pinched ’s nose. “Tell me now.” She laughed.

“Umm… we went to his apartment; we ate dinner and watched a movie. After that we made out,” said sincerely.

“Made out?”

giggled. “Yes. Actually we were close to having sex, but I stopped him.” She blushed and hid her face.

“Oh?” said not knowing what else to say.

“Yeah. He actually took me by surprise.” giggled. “I panicked so I told him to stop. You should have seen his look.” She laughed, “he thought that he did something wrong.”

closed her eyes. “I see. Now let’s sleep because we work tomorrow.” She turned around and covered her body. What the hell is wrong with me? She thought feeling annoyed. Why do I feel so jealous all of a sudden?

“You are happy for me, right?”

froze upon hearing what her friend asked her. “Of course, baby. I’m just tired,” she said without turning. “Tell you what. Pick me up after work tomorrow and we will go for dinner just the two of us. Okay?”

“Yay! That’s the best plan. Goodnight,” said and hugged ’s waist.

“Goodnight Pooh!” whispered. I must stop thinking about it; it doesn’t bother me, she thought sighing inwardly. Oh hell, who am I kidding; of course it’s bothering me. She closed her eyes and forced herself to sleep.

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Next Day

was at work, looking at her desktop. She was flipping through a website for baby clothes and couldn’t help, but feel broody over it. How can tiny little things be so cute? she thought enviously. I can’t wait to spoil Arisa’s little angel, she grinned, clicking on her purchases.

As she browsed the website, she suddenly stopped when she remembered her conversation with last night. I…  It felt weird. Has he decided to back off as well because he’s dating ? But… Do I need to hear the gory details? How can he tell me that he loves me when he’s happily making out with someone else?!

“!”

looked up and found Atobe scowling at her. He was next to her desk and could clearly see what she was doing. “Yes?” she asked nonchalantly.

“If you’re not busy working,” he said sarcastically, “I would appreciate it if you would free your schedule to attend this with me.” He placed a card on her desk.

She looked at the card and then gave it back to him. “I have plans, boss, you need to find someone else.” will kill me if I ditch her tonight, especially since I was the one that suggested having dinner together.

Atobe put the card back on the desk. “Be ready by 8 PM, , it’s a semi-formal event,” he said, walking away, “and that’s an order,” he added before she could protest. 

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“You’re ditching me!?” demanded. “What the hell? Even Genichirou did so!”

“What?” shouted on the phone, “You made plans with him already?”

“Well, I had a feeling that you might ditch me so I had to find a back up.”

“Was it really him the back up or me!?” snapped, hanging up.

looked at the phone and swore, I can’t believe she hung up on me!!!!!!

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Back at home

“Why are you even going if you don’t want to?” demanded, watching as she got ready.

Because the bastard ordered me… but out loud, she said, “It’s important for me to attend and I had totally forgotten about it,” lied, fixing the hem of her dress.

frowned, it just doesn’t sound right, she thought, as turned in her black lace-trim jersey dress and looked at the mirror. It had long sleeves and ended at her knees. “How come you’re playing it down? The dress looks gorgeous on you, but you’re not trying to look sexy?”

rolled her eyes as she tied her hair. “I’m going with Atobe and the last thing I want to look… is sexy,” especially since he forced me… ARGH!

nodded as she stretched to lie down on her stomach. She rested her chin on her hands and kept her elbows on the bed. “How are you feeling?" 

“What do you mean how am I feeling?” sat on the bed next to and put her sandals on.

“You don’t miss Haru at all?” asked curiously, she must be missing him.

sighed at the mention Niou. She stood up and walked to the dresser, picking up her earrings and putting them on. “I do miss him, but at the same time, I am relieved that we’re not together anymore, it was a nightmare most of the time.” At the same time, my mind is so focused on Sanada, I can’t think of anyone else.

sat up, crossing her legs. “I see,” she mumbled. You didn’t love him even a little bit? She thought thwarted, “I’ll give him a call and spend some time with him.”

“You do that,” said, applying lip gloss on. She picked up her purse and walked to the door. “I love you babe, take care.”

“Yeah… Yeah…” mumbled, rolling on the bed so she could reach for her cell phone.

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In Atobe’s car

“Look… I know we’re friends and everything, but you have no right to order me to come with you when you don’t want to go with one of those clingy women you hang around with! I am not back up!”

Atobe didn’t say anything as he put the car in gear and drove. “Tonight is more about the both of us than just you,” he finally spoke. “You looked like you’re going to cry for the past days at the office.”

“I am fine.”

“Not to me,” he said softly. “You were especially upset this morning,” he added.

didn’t say anything. She just turned her head and looked outside the window.

They drove in silence until they reached their destination. The informal event was at a yacht club and already there were a lot of people there. Atobe valet parked his car and helped out. Lightly, he put his hand behind her back and led her to the yacht. Not a lot of people knew this, but the two had become really good friends since their coffee outing. “What’s the occasion?”

“Beats me,” he muttered.

looked at him sharply, “seriously?”

“I really don’t know,” he admitted.

muttered unintelligent things under her breath.

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At a restaurant

“I never expected you to say yes,” said, taking a seat across from Niou.

“A friendly and beautiful girl will never hear a ‘no’ from me,” he teased, picking up his menu.

blushed and picked up her menu as well. She peeked behind the menu and glanced at him. He seems happy, but…  “I’m mad at you.”

“I know,” he replied without looking at her.

placed her menu down and looked at him. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked curiously.

He looked at her and frowned a bit. He sighed and pulled out a cigarette. “I want to enjoy my evening with you, . I’d rather not discuss unpleasant things,” he said, lighting the cigarette.

glared at him, but then sighed as well. I will ask him another time. “How have you been?”

“Not bad actually, I had a date last night and it went well.”

Already?! She thought flabbergasted, but didn’t say it out loud. “I see,” she said quietly.

“Eat your food, ,” he said softly.

rolled her eyes, “we haven’t ordered yet,” she hissed, picking up her menu again.

He laughed and watched her curiously. “How are things with the brick?” he asked referring to Sanada.

looked at him annoyed. “Brick? Do you refer to all your best friends as bricks?”

“No, just Sanada,” he answered. “Yagyuu’s the stiff, Marui’s the…”

“Okay! Okay! I get the point!” she interrupted. “Genichirou is good; we’re doing very well together.”

“I see.”

studied him and realized that the Niou Masaharu in front of her was acting differently. “Haru?”

“Hmm…” he said, applying butter on some bread.

“Are you alright?”

“Always,” he answered automatically.

This will be a long dinner, thought.

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At the party

“Oh…” whispered as she stood by Atobe’s side. Did I just see… she thought, but then shook her head; I’m overreacting.

“‘?”

looked at him and smiled sheepishly. “Its nothing, I’m going to rest a bit,” she said, leaving his side. I really thought I saw Sanada, she thought going to a quiet side at the far end of the yacht.

She stood by the railing and began feeling depressed. I hate this feeling. I hate wanting someone so bad and I can’t have him. It hurts… Eh?! She froze when she felt a pair of arms around her waist.

“Long time no see, -chan.”

“Let go,” said firmly when she heard the voice near her ear. She tried to glare at him, but couldn’t move because he had her locked in his arms tightly.

“You were going to fall.”

“Bullshit, ,” answered, moving his hand off her waist but he caught it with his other arm and kissed her cheek lightly.

“I missed you,” he murmured in her ear.

didn’t move. Without thinking, she raised her left leg and stomped hard on his toe with her high deadly heels.

“Son of a …” swore jumping back, letting her go. The move surprised him and it was so unexpected that he ended up falling forward. fell against the rail with him on top of her. Without any warning, the railing loosened and they both fell into the sea.

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A.C. & DeveliCious

Edited by Butterfly