Can You Keep a Secret?

Chapter 8 "Fencing"

I tried to stand upright and confident by my eyesight was failing me. Never in my whole life have I experienced being the center of attention – not this way at least.

I felt Natsume's arm around my waist as he pulled me close to him. He walked his way pass the reporters inside the hall expertly with me, half dazed, at his side.

When we reached the front, I noticed the intense glare between Natsume and a woman. I looked at her intently. This must be his mother, I presumed. I could greatly see the resemblance between them. They both had raven hair and blood-red eyes. Only, Natsume's mother's hair was shoulder-length.

"Well, as I was saying," Natsume's mother said, with her firm and composed voice. "I would like to announce my son's engagement to his girlfriend," – her red eyes turned to glare at me for about a second, then to Natsume, "Sakura Mikan."

My heart pounded like hammer in iron. What the – wait a minute, I thought Natsume said girlfriend. 'Pretend to be my girlfriend', not fiancée!

I looked up to have a clear view of Natsume's face, my eyebrows knitted together in confusion, but as usual, he wore his emotionless mask. Natsume's hand tightened around my waist, as if telling me to wait 'till later for my questions.

Almost immediately, as if it took a little while longer for it to sink in, I heard a gasp from behind from Mrs. Hyuuga and I suddenly remembered that Sumire was present in the scene, her face struck with horror, dismay, anger and disappointment.

"But, Kaa-san –" she started in a low, angry voice, but Mrs. Hyuuga signaled her to keep quiet.

Natsume's mother turned to the crowd, who seemed unaware of what was happening in front of them. She looked from left to right before she spoke. "You are all dismissed," she simply said and the body guards I never noticed from around the huge hall gathered to lead the crowd to the exit.

We waited until everybody left before the four of us moved or spoke – well, that is, except for Sumire who glared icicles at me the whole fifteen minutes.

When the hall was empty, I could've sworn I heard Sumire let out a hiss. "Kaa-san! I thought I would be the one engaged to Natsume-kun!" she debated, partly raising her tone at the superior before her.

Natsume's mother nodded once, her expression unreadable. "That is what I have planned," – she slowly turned her head to Natsume and me – "until my son began another ruckus."

"Tch," Natsume spat. It was obvious he was holding back his anger. I could feel his hand shaking.

I decided to speak before the fire between the mother and son became bigger.

I bowed. "N-nice to meet you, Mrs. Hyu – "

Natsume's mother didn't allow me to finish. "Igarashi," she stoically said. "Igarashi Kaoru. That's my name. I do not want to be called Hyuuga-what-so-ever. I do not want to bear that man's name." Her tone sent shivers down my spine.

I nodded frantically at her right after. "Y-yes, Igarashi-sama," I said with a shaking voice. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Sakura Mikan." I bowed at her again.

"Natsume's so-called 'girlfriend'," she said, smirking partially. "Since when did you get a girlfriend, son?"

Sumire, by this time, already got fed up, waiting for her turn to speak. She stomped one of her heels unto the wooden platform. "Kaa-san! What about my engagement!" she yelled.

Natsume finally spoke as he glared at Sumire. "That was never official. You and I were never going to get engaged," he said.

Sumire crossed her arms and scoffed. "Oh yeah? Last time I checked, Pig here was just your freaking secretary!" I couldn't believe my ears – Permy just called me a PIG! – and raised her voice at Natsume for the first time – BUT! What she said about me was unacceptable!