Warcross 3

Chapter 7

Ever since that one day, I've started working from home. We even used a voice com in Hideo's house to instantly communicate. Hideo spent a whole day making an office just for me in the spare room. He was completely sent on having me sleep with him in his room. And I wasn't complaining. I'm 20 and he 23. We need to take our relationship up to some level, right? I don't even know. I've never thought about love before until I met Hideo. I was almost homeless so how would I have time for anything? I sigh looking out the window of my office, enjoying seeing the trees and nature. We live in an area a bit far from the city. It's nice to have a sense of reality. Arms wrap around my waist. "I made breakfast..." I turn my head to look up at him. "You didn't have to." He holds me close kissing my cheek. "I wanted too." Sighing I relax into his touch and turn back to the window. "It's almost March. We'll have Warcross up and ready in no time." He nods. Something in me fills with rage. I've done all this not just for the world but for him. I repaired everything and I did it all with the thought that he would be thanking me and extremely grateful but all I got was a nod? I turn around placing my hands on his chest and glaring at him. "Is that it? No thank you. I'm so grateful?" He raises a brow at me. "Would you like me to say that?" I love this man, but he can be an asshole without knowing. "It's too late now..." I try to walk away, but he searches my eyes and keeps me in his hold. "Emika...tell me...what did you want?" I scoff at him. "Isn't it obvious? I wanted your reaction! Like something more than a nod...I mean I did all of this mainly for you! So, I could save what you worked so hard to create and all I get is a nod?"   "What...? I thought you did this...for yourself...Emika...yeah, I worked years on Warcross and I'd be lying if I said I didn't care about it but...honestly...I was ready to let that go...if it meant being with you."

He says and thinks in ways I don't understand sometimes, this being one of those times. "But you worked your whole life! I mean...how could you let that go?" He kisses my cheek. "Because I have you, and that's enough for me. But that doesn't mean I'm not proud of you...you still amaze me every day." I blush at his words and clear my throat before speaking. "What did you make today?" He still holds me close. "American pancakes, bacon and eggs." I chuckle at his words. He takes my nationality into account quite often. "I wouldn't have minded miso soup and salmon, but I appreciate the gesture." I kiss his lips before talking his hand and walking with him to the kitchen. As we eat, I notice he's lost in thought. Talk to me. I take a bite of the pancakes and look at him as he sips his tea. He looks up at me. What do you want to talk about? I shake my head. I mean tell me what's wrong. I may not have these set on so I can feel you, but I know somethings wrong. He leans back looking out the glass window. It's a nice day. We should go on a walk. He's losing my patience. Hideo. He takes another bite of his food. Basically, doing everything to avoid a conversation. I love this man but, he's so irritating, though I understand he has a hard time talking. I place my hand on his. "Hideo. Please. I just want to know you're okay." He looks at me and holds my hand in his. "I'm fine. Just thinking..." I wait for him to speak but he simply kisses my hand and gets up to put his dishes away. I never though living with this man would make me so enraged, but if I left now I know I would miss him. His gentle touch and kind soul.

Sometimes its just to much for me. I mean how did I get to lucky to have a man just like him? My phone rings and I answer it, picking up my plate and cup, bringing it to Hideo washing the dishes and kiss his cheek before walking away. "Emika. It's done." Divya. "What?"
"We did it. We have a few weeks so we can still monitor and make sure very thing goes smoothly but...we finished it." My heart paces. We actually did it. Well...they did really. "Could you set up a meeting? We'll run through everything and...start planning for the opening ceremony."
"Alright. See you later Miss. Chen." Hanging up I breathe a sigh of relief. It's done. It's finally done. The NeuroLink. "Emika..." Hideo is washing the dishes. Taking a a moment to relax I admire his smooth movements and calm demeanor. "I'm sorry..." Then I see guilt written all over his face. Why does he keep apologizing? "I...I know my words won't ever erase what I did." It's now I see sorrow in everything. His movement, breathes, even the color of his now pale skin. My eyes wonder to his silver streak of stress. It only takes someone who's seen him everyday of their life to notice the new length added to it.

It's now I realize, he's never, not even for one second. Forgave himself for what he did. My heart breaks. "I love you. And I'm sorry, for the pain I've brought into your life..." He wasn't hiding anything, well he was but not what I thought. He wasn't hidden some secret like he did 2 years ago. He was hiding his guilt and pain from his mistakes. If anything, his suffering hurt more than the pain I endured that day. Without wasting a second I wrapped my arms around him from behind. "Maybe...we can just relax in bed today." He finished washing the dishes and washed his hands before turning around to face me. My lips connected with his instantly. "Come on." I hold his hand but he's stuck in place. "Why aren't you mad at me?" I scoff at his words. It's idiotic to me. "Because I love you. And I'll keep reminding you until you find it in yourself to forgive your past mistakes."

I can't believe I'd been so blind to this. How long was he suffering? In the depths of his guilt and mistakes. His mother's words rush through my head. "Promise me. You'll take care of my son. Please." The man I love. The man I've admired my whole life. Of course. I'd make sure to live up to be the woman for him. If I truly am his woman as he is my man.