Ellie-chan (COMPLETED)

Twenty-Six - Grip

        I still couldn't believe it.  Everything seemed surreal. It had never occured to me that I will end up as Mrs. Hayato Kozuki. It's just in name but it feels the same.

        After our 5-minute wedding in the city hall, he escorted me to our 'love nest'. He apologized for the bareness of his mansion (condo).  He said he will give me all the power to decorate it the way I want it to look like. Afterall, he said, it's also mine now.

        "If you need something, just give me a ring. I have to return to the office now. Please wait for me for dinner.  I'll take you somewhere special."

        "You don't have to," I replied.

        "It's the least I can do for my pretty bride," he said smiling.

        I blushed.  To hide my embarrassment, I pretended to look around the place. So there are only two rooms in the mansion.  That's good. Each of us can have our own room. But when I peeped inside the other room, it was full of gym equipment. 

        "I do my workouts here. I have no time to go to gym so I bought these equipments so that I can still stay fit even with my busy schedule."

        "So which room should I use then?"

        I went to look at the other room which is just on the opposite side.  There was a huge bed inside.  The decor looks so manly. Obviously, this is his room.

        "Yeah, you can use this room," he said behind me.

        I turned back and asked what about him.  He just smiled. 

        "We're now married."

        I was about to protest when his phone rang. He turned his back and answered the phone.  After a few minutes, he told me to make myself comfortable and left.

        I sat on the bed - his bed. It felt good. I lied down.  It felt even better. I am in his bed now. Who would have thought that I would be lying in my train man's bed?  I closed my eyes and imagined him beside me. I never intended to sleep but before I knew it, I was in dreamland.  I only woke up when I felt the bed moved and a warm hand touched my cheek. 

        "I hate to wake you up but I promised to take you to dinner. I know you haven't eaten since lunch.  I don't want to leave you hungry on our wedding night."

        "Oh! What time is it?"

        "Half past seven."

        Shit! I slept for five hours! Gosh. I tried to get up but he put his leg on my tummy. I looked at him, a little confused. I thought he wanted me to get ready now?

        "Let's savor the moment," he murmured in my ears.  Immediately, I felt my heart missed a beat. I even blushed again. He looked at me like he wanted me.  Did he or was I imagining things? Our gaze locked for a few seconds, then, he moved away.  I was disappointed.  When he got up, I was saddened.

        "Get ready. I will wait for you in the car," he said.

        I sighed. I thought things would change between us. But I guess, I'm not that lucky enough. I'll just take everything in stride.

        I looked at myself in the mirror. I thought about wearing the same dress but I don't want to look so dressy for the ocassion.  I looked at my suitcase for something casual.  I chose an above-the-knee black dress which hugged my chest like a second skin but was loose below the waist down. It was short-sleeved so it exposed a bigger portion of my arms.

        Hayato looked at me with admiration in his eyes. But he didn't say anything.  We were quiet inside the car. I can even feel the tension.  I wanted to say something but I couldn't think of anything good to say. We reached our destination without saying a word to each other.

        We were already walking towards the restaurant when suddenly the twins appeared. They seemed surprised to see their brother and me together. We didn't tell them that we got married today. I told Hayato to keep it a secret. I didn't want them to ask questions. I don't want to make them think that I will do anything just to stay in Japan. I don't want them to think their favorite sensei is desperate to live and work in Japan. It was Hiroki who said something first.

        "Bikkurishita (I'm surprised). Why are you guys together?"

        "It's none of your business. Why are you and your brother still out in the streets? Didn't I tell you to go home straight from school?" Hayato replied.

        "We were on our way home," Hiroki replied.  "Are you guys ----- dating?" he asked sheepishly. He looked at me and his brother.  And he smiled... We couldn't fool the boy. He knew there's something going on between his brother and me.

        "As I said, it's none of your business. Go home," Hayato said to them.

        "Okay," they said and went away. But they both turned back to look at us and I saw them smile.

        I sighed. There goes my secret. For sure, people in school would know about it soon. I know I should not worry because I only have a few days left before leaving the school for good but...

        "Let's go," Hayato said and grabbed my hand.  His grip was firm. I looked at our hands. It was the first time he held my hand. It feels so good.