Chapter 23

CAFÉ

Aya was at the kitchen monitoring all the work in the kitchen while Risa is seated at the couch near the counter.She was spacing out and didn’t even realize Emi was already there,sitting infront of her.

Emi : HELLO

Risa : (shocked)

Emi : What is wrong with you?

Risa: Nothing.

Emi : Don’t lie.

Risa : Nice hair by the way.

Emi flipped her dark bronze hair before tying them into a messy bun.

Emi : Probably gonna put my nerdy image for a rest on this wonderful Sunday!

Risa : When did you arrive?

Emi : Like 5 minutes ago?

Risa : Driving?

Emi : (showing her keys)

Risa : Right…

Emi : Come on,what happened?

Risa : I saw Senri.

Emi : WHAT THE HECK?

Risa : Seriously Im not even joking.

Emi: Out of all people,him? Well at least it was not Shohei.

Risa : (rolling her eyes)

Emi : Whats up with him?

Risa : Nothing,just it bugs my mind to actually bump into him.

Emi : Come on Risa,sweep it off. You are just making your life miserable thinking about him.Think about your dashing boyfriend instead (winks)

Risa : What dashing boyfriend.

Emi : Come on,please Risa.Please.

Risa : My life is a mess.I feel like going back to the states right now.

Emi : If you ever gonna do that,Im gonna kill you right here right now.Dont start Risa.

Risa : Whatever.Im fine fine.

Aya came to them and placed 3 cups of coffee before taking a seat beside Risa.

Aya : Nice hair Emi.

Emi : My pleasure (grins)

Risa : Anyway,something is not right with Kaname.

Emi : I thought everything about him is not right? (sipping her coffee)

Aya : I second that.(laughing)

Risa : NO seriously. Last Friday,we met his parents.

Emi : And?

Aya : That fast?(surprised)

Risa : It was just a casual late lunch meet up.But the thing is,before we actually go and meet his parents,we went to a jewelry shop.

Aya : Buying a gift for the mother I suppose?

Emi : And then?

Risa: Kaname being Kaname,he asked me to choose one for his mother.So I did,and went I got home that night,I found the ring in my bag instead.

Emi and Aya whom were sipping their coffee accidentally spurted their coffee out at the same time.They quickly reached for tissues and wipe their mouths.

Emi : What the heck?

Aya : Wait what? He misplaced it or?

Risa : I don’t even know.I called him and he told me keep it.

Emi : ………..wow…..

Risa : The thing is,why and why and for what reason I need to keep his mother’s ring.

Aya : I don’t understand this guy at all.

Emi : Guys are just being guys.

Risa : And the fact that I still have 55 days to go.My mind is just corrupted to even think about anything.

Aya : Come on Risa,we are here.Its just 55 days.Why not? Its not like you have to work or do anything?

Emi : but still,she would need to accompany Kaname everywhere he goes. Showing to the world that she is Kaname’s girlfriend .I hate the medias.I seriously hate them.Whatever news,true or not true,they just write them without even checking the validity of it.

Aya : (nods)

Risa : And another thing is.His father knows me.

Aya : What do you mean by that?

Risa : His father,knows my dad.And he knows that I am his daughter.And how he knows about me,I don’t even know.

Emi : Have you called your dad?

Risa : I haven’t. Probably gonna wait till he gets back maybe.

Emi : Probably business partner?Wait, crap so he knows you are bilingual?

Risa : yes. He even pointed out the fact that I can speak English.

Aya : Kaname does not know you can?

Risa : He knows nothing about me.

Emi : But at least he knows you are alive?

Risa : (laughing)

Aya : What a life you have Risa.

Risa : A messy life you can say.Its been messy since years ago.Forever will be.

Risa lay backward and closed her eyes. Her brain cant literally think rationally with everything that is happening to her.But for sure,she need to get through everything.

Emi : Speaking of forever. Im going for a shooting with Forever 21 Japan tomorrow.

Aya : You got a call ?

Emi : That fast I know but my sister managed to sell my email to all the producers.

Aya : You are making Arisa sounded so evil (laughing)

Emi: My sister as always.Being the only sister,let her be (rolling her eyes)

Suddenly Emi’s phone rang and she quickly answer it.

Emi : Yes?

Arisa : I need you to pick me up at the station in 10 minutes. Can you make it?

Emi : Im on my way.

Emi put her phone into her pocket and turn to both Risa and Aya.

Aya : Arisa?

Emi : She’s at the station.I need to go and fetch her.I’ll see you tomorrow?

Aya : (nodding)

Risa : Ride safely Emi (waving her hand)

Emi swiftly shaked her keys and took her blue helmet from under the table.

Emi turned around and walked towards the door,as she was walking she saw Akira was about to enter the café. Akira saw her and his eyes were locked on her. What kind of guy wouldn’t be struck looking at this other side of Emi. A tall and lean girl with her grey lenses on, dressed in a black sleevless turtle neck and a black leggings with black boots. Such a presence can never fail to turn heads. And that is just Emi. When she enter the café itself,many head has turned to just look at her.

Akira hold the door for her and Emi just gave him a slight bow gesturing a “thank you” for the door.Akira turn his head to look at Emi while she was putting on her jacket.

Akira : (smiling at himself) What am I thiking anyway.

Akira walked straight to the counter to place his order,not realizing Risa and Aya are at the table beside him.

Aya : Do you want me to send your number to Senri?

Risa whom were leaning her head on the couch abruptly lifted her head and that the moment she actually spotted Akira at the counter.

Risa : Eh?

Akira whom were focusing at the menu didn’t realize Risa was looking at him .But after a while,he seem to realize somebody was looking at him and he turn to Risa’s direction.

Akira : Risa?

Risa : (smiling)

Akira took his coffee and went straight to Risa and Aya.

Aya : Konbawa Mizushima-san (smiles)

Risa : Konbawa.

Akira : Konbawa my ladies( smiles)

Aya : Would you care to join us?

Akira : How can I reject this golden offer(laughing)

Akira took a seat beside Aya and placed his coffee on the table.

Akira : What are you guys doing here on a Sunday?

Aya : Work?

Akira : IM sorry,I forgot that you own this café .(rubbing the back of his neck)

Risa : You have work too,today?

Akira : No,not really.I was planning to meet Isane here actually.

Risa : (shocked)

Aya : Meeting? Work related-meeting?

Isane : More like,non-related meeting.

All head turn to look at Isane whom suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Risa cant  help but to realize that this is her first time looking at Isane in casual clothes. All black from top to toe but he still look charming and neat she thought.

Risa : (speechless)

Isane : Konbawa Risa,Aya,and you’re early Akira.

Akira : Not that early (looking at his watch)

Isane sat at the empty seat beside Risa and he ran his fingers through his dark wavy hair.

Isane : I am surprised to see you both here at the café. Are you guys meeting up?

Akira : She owns the café Isane.If you have forgotten.

Isane : …oh wait.I almost forgot about that.

Aya : (laughing)

Risa : Well,this is such a coincidence.

Aya : (smiling)

Akira : While we are at it.We can grab lunch together after this?

Isane : Sounds good.

Risa : (looking at both of them)

Isane : Are you fine with that,ladies?

Aya : Im fine as long there is food.

Risa : Me too.

Akira : I like you both already (laughing)

Aya : But don’t rush,enjoy your drinks first!

Isane : Im gonna go get my coffee.

Aya : Its okay.I’ll order them for you.

Isane was already standing and she gestured Aya to not stand.

ISane : Thank you Aya,but its okay.I’ll get it (smiling)

Akira : Isane is just being Isane indeed.

Aya : He is like that?

Akira : Well,he is like the gentleman of the family.

Risa : NO wonder.

Akira : No wonder indeed.

Aya : The genes?

Akira : I wouldn’t say the genes but I’ll take that as a compliment .

Aya : (laughing)

Risa : (nodding)

Akira : Arent you gonna ask about your boyfriend,Risa?

Risa : He is not my boyfriend.

Akira : He is ,at least on the papers.

Risa : Whatever it is.

Akira : Don’t get me wrong.Im glad that you clearly dislike the idea. (winks)

Risa : Nobody likes that idea.

Akira : So,while we are here.I have a lot of things to ask about you.

Aya : Excuse me for a while,I need to go to the kitchen for a while.

Risa : Becareful Aya (waving)

Akira : Cooking?

Aya : No,just checking my girls at the back.I’ll be right back.(smiles)

Akira smiles at Aya before shifting his attention back to Risa.

Akira : Tell me about you Risa.

Risa : What do you want to know?

Akira : You have a boyfriend? I mean a real boyfriend.

Risa : I don’t.

Akira : You don’t  or you don’t want them?

Risa : I don’t think I can even answer that.

Akira : Alright,I completely understand that.

Risa : What about you? Don’t you have girlfriends?

Akira : Girlfriend? No . Girl friends,yes.A lot of them.

Risa : Why are these girl friends are not your girlfriend? (lifting her eyebrows)

Akira : IM very picky when it comes to getting a girlfriend.

Risa : Picky?

Isane : Akira loves all girls Risa.He cant pick.

Isane placed his coffee on the table before taking his seat back.

Risa : (laughing)

Akira : Do you have to spoil the atmosphere here Isane.

Isane : Cant let you lead the way through Akira.

Akira : (annoyed)

Isane : So,what are your plans for today Risa?

Risa : Nothing,probably just gonna accompany Aya through out the day.

Akira : Why not we go dine at my favorite restaurant? They have great sushi there.

Isane : I like that place too.

Risa : I don’t mind at all.

Akira : My treat (winks)

Isane : (coughing)

Risa : …

Akira : But Risa.

Risa : Yes?

Akira : Are you sure you are safe going out without Kaname ? I mean the paparazzi and all

Risa : I don’t give a damn about them.Write whatever they want.

Isane : (looking at Risa)

Isane cant seem to hold back looking at Risa,with that long black hair of hers falling around her shoulder,he has never seen someone as bright as her. She seems to be so charming that he knows he cant get up if he fell for her.Or probably,he is falling for her already.At that moment.

Risa : Isane?

Isane : (shocked)

Risa : You don’t look good.Is everything okay?

Isane : Eh no,everything is cool.Just having some thoughts.

Akira : Some thoughts (grinning)

Isane : Is just that I have never seen someone like you in my life.

Risa : Are you talking to me?

Isane : Nevermind,scrap that.

Akira : Are you drunk Isane? (laughing)

Isane : Well,then.Shall we make a move for lunch?

Risa : I’ll  go get Risa.

Risa quickly heads to the kitchen to get Aya leaving both Akira and Isane alone at the table.Akira lay backward and stared at the window infront of him.

Akira : Going one step ahead aren’t you?( serious tone)

Isane : Like I said,cant let you lead the way.

Akira : Are we even fighting about this.

Isane : Not a fight Akira.

Akira : (laughing)

Isane  : Man don’t fight for girls.

Akira : Except that Risa is not a normal girl.She’s a gem.

Isane : We’ll see how things go Akira.

Akira : As if you don’t know me I always get the girl I want .

Isane : As if you don’t know me,girls always come to me.

Akira let out a smirk before finally sipping his almost empty cup of coffee.The atmosphere were a bit cold and none of that said anything until Aya and Risa came out of the kitchen.

Akira : Shall we?