It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

Secret Message

"Athena-"
"Don't." Though she meant to speak with malice, the auburn's word was weak as she stared out the kitchen window. Cold sunlight swamped the clean, blooming garden, making small birds land upon the small, stone fence. It was mid-May now, over halfway through their honeymoon together. Had their relationship improved? There was a tolerance between them but neither one was fond of the other. Over the past four months, Athena had grown distant and nonchalant. Why, you may ask? Her brothers had yet to reply to her letters.

It's true that she'd received a letter that day she'd awoken from her deep slumber on that comfortable couch. However, it was not from her brothers or even her father - it was from Reiji's brother: Laito. A disgusting letter - of course. It had filled her with rage and she'd burnt the letter as soon as she'd made Reiji read it - unaware of the actual message Laito had sent. Reiji, being his intellectual self,had memorised this letter and studied it whenever Athena was meeting with Malory - who'd recently had a baby and was rarely free - or whenever she was painting. Had he figured it out? Only some of it. It irritated him to no end - was it a warning? Were they in danger? Was she in danger?

Athena had sent at least 50 letters by now, each one addressed to Carla and Shin. Neither had been replied to and neither returned to the sender. She leaned against the window solemnly, her sage dress hugged her tightly, allowing little room to breath.
"Mrs Jacobson will be here soon," Reiji said, "do stop moping and sort yourself out. You look-"
"Tacky?" She fired back, stormy eyes snapping to his fuschia pair, "Tell me something new."
"I was going to say pale." He returned, "The baby will be with Mrs. Jacobson - we do not want her thinking that you are sick. Freshen up, now."

Athena had made progress on her little mission given to her by Reiji. Snooping around the Jacobson house, she'd discovered letters sent by Karlheinz - something she hadn't expected but Reiji had. The Jacobsons were working for Karlheinz - spying on the Sakamakis, no doubt. Why? Neither quite knew yet - not that Athena cared to know. It was characteristic of Karlheinz to get involved. Reiji had laughed at her when she'd said that, telling her to respect his father - she didn't, of course... and neither did he.

"She's bringing Casper?" Athena's eyes sparkled, the only sign of life that Reiji had seen in a while. Reiji sighed, not understanding his wife's obsession with the baby. It was ugly and loud and smelly - he never wanted a child... though he'd have to have one. As an heir to the throne - seeing as Reiji was now the next in line.
"Do I have to tell you again?" Annoyance laced his words as Athena grumbled, pushing herself up and sauntering to the stairs.

Athena was beautiful, cradling a baby, Reiji would admit as he glimpsed at his wife who'd been sitting in the garden with her neighbour, holding the woman's chubby infant. Reiji Sakamaki hated the feeling his stomach made whenever Athena would smile at that baby - it made him sick. He continued to stare down at the parchment before him, Laito's message copied onto it, annotations decorating the cursive words.

"A-thë-na,
You're beautiful, sexy and angry - a perfect mix. My favourite mix. I cannot wait to be nëighbours with you. I want you - do you want me? You arë such a beauty with a perfect body. Your round eyes make you so vulnerable. Oh how I wish to test that vulnerability. It's like you aren't even tryiñg tö make me like you. I may even kïll to be with yöu. Haha, just kidding! I hope thïs letter reaches you well, Athena darling. How ïs my brother, by the way? I'd hate to be stuck alone with him. If he treats you wrong, feel free to punch hïs face - it turns me on when you do that. Let me know how you are döing!
Your Sincerely,
Laito. S"

Why were there hyphens between the syllables of her name? What were those dots and squiggles drawn above some letters? Reiji was sure there was a message concealed within. Laito wasn't stupid, he'd never send a letter without meaning... and if he'd longed to send a dirty email, it would have been much more graphic. Reiji's eyebrow twitched. He looked up suddenly, just as Athena's soft laugh sounded from the back door. Reiji glimpsed from her to Malory, the pair were smiling, Casper was reaching up, tugging on Athena's bright strands. Reiji felt his cheeks heat up.
"I must be sick," he concluded, staring at the letter, "delusional, even."

Dinner was silent as the pair sat at the table. Athena was slowly eating her pea soup, her eyes casted towards the thick liquid as she stirred it with her silver spoon. "You are staring," she finally said, eyes looking up at the vampire, "what do you wish to ask?"
"Do you want a child?"
The question was sudden and shocking - Reiji himself was mortified at the forwardness. Athena choked on her soup, dropping her spoon.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I apologise." He gulped, looking away, "As future King and you future Queen - it will be expected." She went pale, teeth gnawing at her bottom lip.
"Families fall apart when children are involved."
"We aren't a family - we are a business contract."
"Oh," she let out a cold, bashful laugh, "I was beginning to think of you as such." This wasn't a lie. He cared for her - not emotionally... but he wasn't capable of emotions, she'd concluded. He fed her too and made sure she stayed hydrated. He bandaged her wounds and td her when she'd been awake too long... he was like a mother really.

"Nevermind that," she finally said, refusing to glimpse at the red-cheeked Reiji as she played with her soup, "I'd like to stop investigating the Jacobsons. Yes, they're spies for Karlheinz - but that was expected." She didn't want to admit that Malory had become her only friend in this madness.
"This is for that baby's sake, isn't it?" He asked softly, "You've grown attached."
"Is that so bad?"
"It could end badly."
"Casper can't kill me. Anyways, Malory asked if I can go to theirs tomorrow evening and babysit Casper whilst she and Mr Jacobson go on their date. I won't be home until late."
"Be careful."
"Since when do you care about my safety?"
Since when indeed...?