"Once you truly believe you're worthy of love, you will never settle for anyone's second best treatment." - Charles J. Orlando

XXXV.

A few days have passed after my mother's confession. I'd always filled the gap inside me by distracting myself with studies, music and books but they all just contribute to the emptiness inside my heart. Right after I confronted my father about everything, he just maintained that deadpanned expression he always wore. He dismissed me immediately, as if he didn't want to feel my existence. And that stung my heart, big time.

Through that impassive facade, I've always wondered if he had ever known of the word love.

My heart broke when my mother told me these exact words. "No matter how hard you try, it's way out of your league. We can't help him, you can't help him."

"I love him, mother," I pointed out. "And I'd give anything just to make him feel that."

"Sometimes, love is just not enough."

I understand now why he did that. It's for the welfare of the company. He didn't have a choice, he wanted a good life for me. Even if that means choosing my fate for me, he'd take the risk... because he loves me. All of these wishful thinking was giving me disillusioned hope. I should open my eyes and see reality that he'll only see me nothing than an employee. And that sucks.

We are now business partners with the Akashis and father was professional about that. They talked normally about business but behind those pair of hazel eyes, I see nothing but pure hatred and resentment. And I didn't dare to look him in the eyes after that. He was extremely intimidating.

He still didn't approve of our relationship though he just let us do as we please. In our second year, father let me come back to Rakuzan and finish my studies there with Akashi-kun's help. People welcomed me back and I started to build a new relationship with them. I became happy once again, though there was still some gap left in my heart, and that gap was the love and attention of my father. The space that's been vacant for a long time and hoping to be occupied someday.

I did nothing but to pray to God to guide and enlighten my father's heart.

Akashi-kun graduated as the class' valedictorian while I was the salutatorian. I was very proud and happy for him. Mother was truly happy for me even though I didn't graduate at the top of my class. As for my Father? I honestly don't know, it really frustrates me that I don't know what he felt that day... I'm completely clueless if he was really proud of his daughter that time.

As for the current moment, Akashi-kun and I are having our dinner because he wanted to make up for his absences. He became very busy for the past few days and the same goes for me. We barely had any time for each other.

"Let's dance, Yurika," He beckoned and offered his hand to me. I looked at his hand that was extended to me and back to his gorgeous face. He then gave me an encouraging smile and I smiled back, accepting his warm hand.

There was no music echoing through the dim, silent room. However, we created our own music inside our hearts and minds. The feelings were very mutual.

"I missed you..." I muttered with a smile as we sway to the inaudible music.

"I missed you too." He said then matched my smile.

Do you know why we were so busy for the past few days?

"So, how did your day went?" I asked him softly while my arms around his neck was tightening too.

"Nothing new. Negotiate, win, study. The cycle goes on." He said nonchalantly. I chuckled at how bored his faced looked and that made him smile at me. "You're the only part that's exciting."

I frowned. "Am I some sort of entertainment?" I asked and detached my arms from his neck to put on my hips, pouting at him.

He smirked. "Maybe."

"Gosh, I hate you."

"No, you don't." He said with a chuckle.

"We barely had any time for each other." I pointed out which made him arch an eyebrow in response.

"So?"

"When we're together, you do nothing but to tease me."

"And you love it." He added with a smug tone.

My mouth went ajar for a moment. "I am not!" I exclaimed and it sure echoed through the room.

Who loves getting teased by Akashi-kun?

Definitely you, stupid.

Oh, hi subconscious. What an unpleasant surprise.

Akashi-kun shook his head at me in amusement. "There's nothing wrong with being honest with yourself, Tsunrika."

"Akashi-ku--"

"And stop calling me by my surname."

"Why? I like Bakashi," I smirked at him to which he rolled his eyes on.

"You like my surname? Fine, I'll give it to you then."

Right after that moment, I froze on my spot. I stared at the man in front of me with blank eyes and he did nothing but to give me his trademark tight-lipped smirk. The smirk that says he has accomplished something.

When I regained my composure, I shrugged then smiled. "We already married back when we were first years, right?"

He snorted. "Marriage is only a piece of paper, Yurika." He stated then his hand went up to tenderly hold my cheek. I smiled at the sweet gesture then nodded as agreement.

"Because even without a marriage contract, I'm already married to you." I finished for him.

But then my smile faltered when a thought crossed in my mind. There is really a reason as to why we had dinner tonight. We had to talk about something... the life that awaited us.

"I still couldn't believe that this is happening..." I whispered as I just noticed that tears pricked my eyes and soaking his hand.

He sighed then wiped my tears away with his fingers. "I told you not to cry."

"I told you I'll try... Besides, can you really blame me?" I continued to sob.

"You know that this is the best for both of us."

"I know that... but... but I don't want to be away from you..."

"We've been through each other's backs for years now and I'd noticed that you've becoming more and more dependent on me. There's a big life waiting for you out there, and the same goes for me as well. I want us to grow individually, with no commitments. I want you to do everything that you want to do without holding back because of me."

It's true that there were many various schools that offered us opportunities and I turned them all down because I didn't want to be away from the man I love. And seeing him encouraging me to do this... it's hard. It's so hard to decide... and I feel like this was the biggest decision that I'll ever make. It's going to change the course of our lives forever.

I closed my eyes and just let the hot tears escape from my eyes, I couldn't take everything in. I feel like I'm going to explode with all of these emotions lingering inside me.

"I want you to catch your dreams, Yurika. And when the right time comes, I'd be very honored to have you as my wife." He gave me a gentle smile and took my hand then gave it a warm squeeze.

I smiled back and wiped my tears away. He was right, I had to be strong and go on with my life even if I live without him.

"When the right time comes? I think I already had so many achievements than you." I chuckled as I continued wiping the tears away.

"Good luck with that." He smirked at me.

Silence filled the whole room.

"Los Angeles for college?" I asked him.

He gave me a single nod. "Yes,"

I huffed out a breath. "And I will be in Melbourne..." I muttered the words.

Silence filled the room once again.

"Um, Aka--" He gave me a sharp look and I sweat-dropped. "I mean Seijuro, do we really need to do this?"

"What do you think?"

"I don't want to do it." I pouted.

"Do it," He ordered. There goes the emperor side of him. I'm really sure gonna miss that.

"No," I crossed my arms then looked away.

"Or do you want me to do it?"

My eyes shot up in panic. "What? No! No! Okay, I'll do it!"

He smiled in satisfaction. I took a deep breath then let it all out.

I looked deeply into his crimson eyes. "Let's take a break."

Then to my surprise, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a tight embrace. After a few moments, my arms slowly moved to wrap it around him. How I'm going to miss this intoxicating scent...

When you break up, your world should have crumbled to the ground. But surprisingly, I felt relieved because we can finally go on our own. We can never do long distance relationship anyway and I knew that. We barely had any time for each other here in Japan so what do I expect when we're a thousand miles away?

But as I said for the thousandth time, my heart was already carved by him. Because even though we don't talk or see each other for years, our hearts will always find their way back home. And I know that love will lead us back to each other.

And I will gladly be waiting for that day to come.

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I'm pretty inspired today so tadaaaah, an update for you guys! Hihihihi

Any guess on what the ending would be? Don't be afraid to share your thoughts! :)

So I introduced GOM and Kagami to mom and you wouldn't believe on her comments. //cries And her comments are pretty hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time as well. Want me to share it? :3

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