The City Didn't Make Me Fall (OHSHC)

Chapter 6: The Horrible Girlfriend?!

Tamaki and I were finally all alone again. It was ultimately the perfect time to give him the note from his mother, but I was too scared. So, I decided to ask him about his girlfriend.

"So... you're girlfriend is a foreigner, is she not?" Actually, she looked like she could be from France.

He simply nods. "Why yes, Éclair is her name. I met her last year... on an expedition... in Paris..."

"W-What were you doing in Paris?!"

My eyes slowly follow his hand as it slowly snakes across the table, grasping my own. His thumb slowly caresses my knuckles, sending sparks through my body.

"I was looking for you... I honestly couldn't stand not seeing you."

All of a sudden, I feel myself tearing up. "Tamaki..." My voice is a mere whisper.

"What is it, my dear?" He still hasn't removed his hands.

"You have a girlfriend, you aren't allowed to make me feel like this."

"Feel like what?"

"Feel like I could do anything as long as I had you there at my side. Like I want you to love me..."

His eyes meet my gaze for a split second as my eyes fall to the ground. Then he forces me to look into his eyes once more.

"If you want me, I am yours."

I force myself to pull away rather than lean in. "But you have a girlfriend... one who wants you... more than I can say I want you..."

"But I don't want her. It's you, Kasumi. It's always been you. Ever since high school, you were the one for me..."

"But I promised Kyoya!" I shut my eyes tightly.

"You promised him you'd wait for him...?"

"I told him I would not make any final decisions without him able to love me, as well... I refuse to make either of you cheaters..."

A smile crosses Tamaki's face. "I'll do it. Whether you pick me or not, I'll get rid of Éclair. As long as there's a chance at a lifetime with you, it'll all be worth it."

"Do you have no affections for Éclair at all?"

"None, actually. She's tried to control every move I've made in the last year, but I've kept her around because Shizue adores her. I'm starting to believe that me meeting her was planned."

I've heard all about Tamaki's grandmother before. If it was solely up to her, Tamaki wouldn't have any stake in the family business; thank God for Yuzuru Suoh.

My eyes met his again, and I finally realized warmth was enveloping my hand. "Why do you believe that?"

He sighs, gently caressing my hand. "Because Éclair wants me to move back to Paris with her, and that's where Shizue wants me, as well. My grandmother doesn't want me to have you."

A red blush of anger crosses my face. "Why not?!"

"My grandmother wants me with a girl like Éclair because Éclair wants me to be happy with her and want nothing more. She doesn't want me with you because you're the one who will encourage me to fight for what I want; the business, my freedom from her, whatever it may be."

"Love?" It was a simply suggestion from me, but enough to draw a smile from Tamaki.

"Oh yes, my dear. Especially love. Especially yours."

Another blush crawls up my neck, over my ears, and settles on to my cheeks; this one much fainter than the last.

"Two days from now, Yuzuha is hosting a party to promote her new line-"

"I know, Éclair told me. She's a model, as well. It'll be the first time I've seen Hikaru or Kaoru in three months!"

"I'm guessing Éclair is why your visiting is limited."

"You are correct, my dear."

"You should really remove your hand, before people begin noticing that I'm not the caramel-haired girl they see you prancing about with." My eyes travel to our hands; his overlapping mine.

He picks up his cup and takes a sip, holding it there after. A devious smirk was hidden behind the cup. A gorgeous devious smirk.

Without my consent, my free hand moved up and pulled down the hand that was blocking his lips. Thin, soft lips that I take joy in looking at.

Lips that have never kissed mine.

For a brief moment, I wish to reach over, pull him closer by his tie, and smash my lips onto his. But that's not professional. At all.

Shaking away all that I felt in that moment, I slowly began pulling my hand away. My eyes drift down to my half-full coffee cup, and I get lost in the deep brown colour.

"Who are you taking as your date?" Tamaki's question snapped me out of my daydreaming.

I didn't quite recall the question. "Hmm...?"

He tries again. "Who's you're date? To the party?"

"Oh! Hikaru! Yeah. When I realized I had no friends in town or at work, I was a little upset, but Hikaru was really nice about it. There was one person I wanted to see if they were free, but I have no idea what he's up to anymore."

"Who would that be?"

"Masa."

Confusion crosses Tamaki's eyes. "Masa...?" It honestly seemed as though Tamaki was skimming through his mind, as if he remembered the nickname, but couldn't apply it to a face.

"Masato Kumori. Soccer player extraordinaire? We kind of... well, I don't know if you'd call it dating, but we hung out for a little while during 2nd year."

The recognition shone far and wide on Tamaki's face; it wasn't a happy one. "I have enough people trying to keep me away from you. Please don't add an athlete into the mix."

"Tamaki! He could have a wife for all I know!" I chastise the blonde.

Tamaki simply shrugs. "Masa was never fully over you either, Kasumi. And being married hasn't stopped Kyoya yet."

"You six boys are going to be together for one whole night, Tamaki. And you. Will. Get. Along."

The sigh that escapes Tamaki is long and unsatisfied. "I can't make you any promises, Kasumi."

The aroma of the coffee shop had finally started to come to me; the caffeine, all the mundane office workers on their breaks. It's actually quite depressing when you think about.

"Oh, Tamaki! Please! It's only one night ! I just want to see the boys I left in high school one more time... the ones I was deprived a year with..."

His violet eyes finally soften. "Okay, my dear... I can tough it out for one night. Just for you."