Ellie-chan (COMPLETED)

Thirty Five - Rika's Scheme

I was so engrossed with making a decision between two different designs of baby cart when I felt like someone was staring at me. Instinctively, I looked behind my shoulder. There she was, arms folded across her chest, and looking at my back intently. Our eyes met and she flipped her hair and left the store.

Although Rika-san is no longer an issue between me and Hayato because the immigration officials had stopped coming but her presence still makes me uncomfortable. Whenever she's around somewhere and I knew about it, it gives me a weird feeling. I guess, I have been classically conditioned to associate her with something unpleasant. I tried to shrug her off my mind but she keeps on creeping back.

When I got home that night, I was surprised to see her in our condo. She was talking intently to Hayato. I felt kinda funny again. I felt my baby moved. Perhaps, he sensed my apprehension.

"Oh, there you are," Hayato said and he took the shopping bags that I was carrying. He put them aside and helped me with my jacket.

I glanced over at Rika-san who was looking at us. I caught the coldness in her stare. I wonder why she's in the house. I don't trust her.

"Rika-chan is planning to go to the US to study," came Hayato's reply. Perhaps, he read my mind.

"Oh, really?" I asked. I was not able to hide my excitement at the thought that she'll be out of Japan soon - and hopefully out of our lives. "Is that why she's here?" I turned to Hayato again. This time my voice was low. Just enough for him to hear.

He smiled and nodded. "For old time's sake. She wants to say goodbye in person."

After some pleasantries, I excused myself and brought the stuff that I bought to our bedroom. I went to the kitchen and started preparing dinner. From time to time, I glanced at the living room and checked on Hayato and his ex. They seemed to be enjoying themselves because I could hear them laughing. I raised one of my eyebrows. After a few minutes, Hayato came to the kitchen to tell me that he has invited Rika-san to have dinner with us.

"What?" I asked incredulously. "Are you sure? You know how she feels about me? Would she eat what I have cooked?"

"Of course," came Hayato's quick response. He put his arms around me and caressed my bulging tummy. "Don't worry. She has changed. She's no longer the Rika-chan that reported us to the immigration."

I smelled beer in Hayato's breath. I frowned. They've been drinking. I just hope that girl wouldn't make being drunk an excuse to stay in the house.

"Okay, if you say so," I said reluctantly.

Hayato left the kitchen again but not before getting four cans of beer from the fridge.

"Don't make her drink much. I hope she doesn't get herself drunk."

"She won't," Hayato replied and gave me a noisy kiss on the cheek.

Almost half an hour after, I went to the living room and told them dinner is ready. I saw Rika-san's face and I didn't like it. She gave me a sleepy look. Oh my! Please don't tell me you're drunk!

"Hayato," I said in a hushed tone. "I think she's drunk now," I whispered to him.

He glanced at Rika-san and called the girl's name. "Don't worry. She's fine."

I think Hayato was just trying to reassure me. I know that he knew that Rika-san was already drunk. I think that anybody could tell just by looking at her that she is wasted. When Hayato told her dinner is ready, she just groaned and leaned on the sofa. Before we can say another word, she closed her eyes.

I looked at my husband with the "I told you so" expression.

"Why did you even give her beers?"

"We've drank more than four cans of beer before and it had never made her drunk. i think she's just tired. Don't worry."

Then, it hit me. Rika-san is up to something. Maybe she's just pretending to be drunk. What is she up to this time?

Hayato went to our bedroom and got some blanket. He put it around the girl. Then, he told me to proceed to the dining area so we can start our dinner. I glanced over my shoulder at the girl who is now sound asleep. Perhaps, I am just paranoid. Maybe, she was just trying to end things between them peacefully.

Seeing Hayato devoured my cooking made me forget about his ex sleeping in our living room. I felt a sense of pride that my husband loves my dishes. He always made it worth my time and effort. As usual, he ate with gusto.

I was already cleaning the table when we heard something from the living room. It sounded like something fell or was thrown away that it made a loud bang. Hayato hurriedly checked on Rika. I also tagged along. There it was. Our broken glass ash tray is scattered on the floor. It only took me one look to know what happened.

"Hey, what's wrong? Are you okay? What happened?" he asked Rika-san.

She touched her forehead and got up groggily.

"I'm sorry. I accidentally hit the ash tray."

Pretty lame! Accidentally hit the ash tray? C'mon! The poor thing was on the center table, away from the sofa. How could she hit it accidentally?

But Hayato seemed to be okay with the excuse. He told Rika to just lie down.

I knew that she intentionally threw the ash tray away because if she just accidentally hit the poort thing, it would have just fell on the wooden floor with some cracks maybe but it will not be broken into several pieces.

"I want to go home," she said. "I think I have a headache. I don't want to bother you and your wife here. You guys might have other plans."

She tried to get up again and then she fell back on the sofa. C'mon! If you can threw the ash tray with a full force then she's just pretending to be drunk.

"Why don't you rest for a while? I'll drive you home later."

"No. I'll just take a taxi," and she tried to stand up. She looks kind of dazed.

Hayato explained to her that it is dangerous to take a taxi alone knowing her condition. He asked her again to take a rest. But she insisted. In exasperation, my husband told her to wait while he gets his car key. I stared at Hayato in disbelief. How could he not sense it? The bitch was just pretending to be drunk!

When Hayato left, I caught a glimpse of triumph in her face. I knew it!

"You're not drunk," I said in a cold voice.

She just looked at me and smirked.

Hayato said he will just drive Rika to her condo and he will be back right away. Although I didn't feel good about it, I just nodded. I told him to take care.

Two hours had passed. I began to worry. Rika's condo is ust twenty minutes away by car. What is taking Hayato from coming back right away? He should have been here an hour ago. I tried to text his cell phone and then, when he didn't answer I called his phone. He didn't answer.

A few minutes after, my phone rang. Then I heard Rika's cheerful voice from the other side. I put the cell phone away from my face and looked at the screen. it says it was from Hayato Kozuki. I began to feel something funny in my tummy. Without saying a word, I hang up.