Loveless (Book 1) [Completed]

SNEAK PEAKS.

Surrounded by the beautiful view of the island and the rippling water of the sea, Kyoko couldn't help thinking, this must be heaven. She breathed in the fresh scented air, her eyes feasting on the sight around her as people enjoyed themselves on the sunny beach.

Taking in the splendid view of the sea as it shimmered blue below the sun, like a thousand twinkling sapphires, Kyoko kicked the water and giggled, enjoying the blazing heat and the coolness on her feet.

Being on a beach for the first time, she was reminded of the fantasies she used to have as a child, about how she'd get to meet a mermaid. She would thrust out of the water with her sparkling tail, and it's scales would be gilded with jewels.

Kyoko would have stood there dreaming all day, if she weren't interrupted by the noicy squealing of the other people enjoying there. The girls were flashing themselves in their indecent yet gorgeous bikinis, cheering for the shirtless guys playing volleyball.

Finding herself a secluded corner, Kyoko sat down on the sand, watching the tides go up and down. She tried to recapture her fantasies, imagining her mermaid friend, when all of a sudden, she heard the sprinkling of the water as someone did thust out of the sea.

To Kyoko's dismay, it wasn't a mermaid. But when she paid enough attention to notice, she realized it was someone much better. A tall foreigner probably in his early twenties. What made Kyoko's heart suddenly jump out of her chest was his blazing blond hair, which he swept back squeezing the water out of them, and his emerald eyes as he slowly lifted them up. Recognition sparking on his face when he saw her.

His hair glinted under the sun making them look even more yellow. And his eyes, those eyes were as fresh and alive as a forest. Their playfulness reminded Kyoko of someone who was really dear to her. She stood their staring in awe at how beautiful he was, until the recognise finally sparked upon her face as well. It was him!

After all these years, he finally came back to her. It had to be him because Kyoko could never mistake those emerald eyes. He might've grown up, but those eyes were still the same.

Fighting back the tears of happiness, Kyoko called out to him. Her voice thick with love and sentiments as she tried to speak his name without breaking down. "Corn!"

***

This was a mistake! What was she thinking coming here all this way?

"Wait! Mr Todoh, stop the car," Kyoko said. "I change my mind. I don't wanna see her after all."

"What? Really? Such a shame, because we have already arrived." He pointed at the far end on the other side of the road. "There she is, getting out of her car. Rolling down his car window, he called out to her. "Saena!"

Panic welled up inside Kyoko. Following her instincts, she immediately ducked below so she wouldn't be seen, but it was too late. Her mother had already started making her way towards the car. It was a only a matter of time before she gets caught.

Saena Mogami arrived at the car, and her eyes narrow disappointedly at her co-worker. "Todoh, I thought I asked you wait in my office. I was going to bring a very important client with me. Do you have any idea how..." She paused, narrowing her eyes. "Is someone else in there?" Frowning, she bent down a little to catch a glimpse of the person sitting beside Todoh on the passenger seat.

Her face froze at the sight of her daughter. Kyoko could see her shock. At least she recognized me, she chose to count that as a win, looking on the bright side of the situation.

Yet, neither mother nor daughter uttered a single word as the two looked at each other.

***

Ren agreed to have a drink with Kijima at their usual bar which was mostly reserved for VIPs, after he insisted a lot. Now that they weren't working on any project together, they didn't get nearly enough time to just hang out.

The night ended up being a lot more fun for not only Kijima but also Ren and they drank more than a few drinks. Just like old times.

The party turned even better when one of their mutual acquaintance, Cana Kusonoki, an actress in her late twenties who pretty much ruled the japanese film industry showed up at the bar and ended up joining them.

At some point, all three of them had worked with each other, and so the actors reminisced about the past treating themselves to a few more drinks.

When it came time to settle the bill, all of them insisted to pay, but Ren won the match.

"Well, I don't let guys who're younger than me pay for me," Cana smirked at Ren, her tone obviously flirty. Even Kijima felt a little disappointment, because Cana being a goddess in terms of beauty, he had definitely tried to reel her in through his charms, but she was someone who lay on the other end of the spectrum and was beyond his reach.

"To be fair, it should be my turn to pay," Ren answered. "Specially since you treated me last time when we came here. It's time for me to repay your kindness."

"I did?" She blinked. "Can't remember. Anyway, say Ren?" She winked at him. "Why didn't you repay me for the Valentine's chocolates I sent you? Am I getting something?"

Cana was only having fun messing with Ren, but Kijima noted how she said she sent him chocolates, specially on Valentine's day. Damn! How does he always get the girls?

"White Day is long gone," Ren smiled politely. "Isn't it?"

"Indeed it is."

Without saying anything, Ren chugged down the last of his drink and walked towards the counter to pay the bill. Kijima staring at Cana the whole time as she stared at Ren in turn.

"I'll be back," the actress announced and ambled after Ren. Her hips swaying as she walked off.

Looking at her, Kijima sighed. It was such a shame she never saw him that way. They would have made one hell of a power couple.

Leaning back in his seat, Kijima saw Ren waiting at the counter as Cana joined him. The two talked for a while, chuckling every now and then, when all of a sudden, Cana grabbed the collar of Ren's shirt and pulled him into what turned into one of the longest and steamiest kisses he had ever seen.