A few hours later, the clouds weren’t making any sign that the rain will stop anytime soon. Anna could swear she was back to England. Having nothing to do that day, Anna started to clean the mess she has done and the mess Nao has done earlier that day. Truthfully, now that she started to take a closer look, the apartment was actually neat except the books and papers thrown randomly.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRgMl2lSpv
She finished cleaning the kitchen rather fast but it left her with a small amount of agreeable and comestible food. Anna had to go out and shop for groceries. Also, since she didn’t bring many clothes with her in that extraordinary and very unenthusiastically adventure in Japan she had to buy some more. She knew exactly where to go and who to call for help on that matter.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIMBGujAXW
“So you want me to come and accompany you shopping?” Takeshi asked, fondling with a piece of paper he found on the ground, next to the couch. “And why would I do that?”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodwjPTtWjr
“Because you are a highly respected fashion prodigy whose mother is an excellent fashion designer. That’s one point why you should come. The second would be the fact that you love to play dress-up with me, on me actually.”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R5H6qC3xV
Takeshi rubbed his chin and raised an eyebrow. For one second he was reluctant but in the next one, he smiled happily.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdji3CURh1G
“You know me too well.”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0AdpTEc2e
Anna shook her head and laughed. That, until she realized the piece of paper Takeshi was playing with. She tilted her head to the side, like she usually does when she is confused or curious, and grabbed it from him.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaiYvbnVaG
“What is this…”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt71xrrsB4
She unfolded it, quite hard actually since Takeshi practically messed with it badly, and started to read out loud.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpWOY0D3OM
“Mister Naoki Watanabe, I am honored to have you working on the cover of our magazine. However, I have to inform you that the project we are currently running for New World Magazine is shortly running out. You have to send us the pictures immediately. There is one week left until the close up. Please, keep in mind that it is just the first round. Best wishes and good luck, President of New World Magazine, Isaac Morin.”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsEbiJhoYh
At the same time, both artists made a sound of comprehension.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwxozgdgwF
“New World Magazine is a French magazine for environment. They usually try to show their readers the beautiful places in the world that are still intact. And people. They put a lot of accent on the way people live. He must be really good if they chose him to work on their cover.” Takeshi concluded.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo5dab3GK8
“But he has just one week left to take the pictures he needs and all he’s done until now is…”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb9wLjxPAA
Takeshi smirked and wiggled his eyebrows.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcPCu5Q2vw
“Follow you around?”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiMd1M0KB8
She glared harshly at her friend and walked into her room. Takeshi followed closely and leaned against the doorframe. He watched as she dressed really fast into a pair of pale green pants and tucked her large cream shirt in. She brushed her hair one again and grabbed her glasses.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TSETpctcc
“We're going shopping?”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBrCCX0nxZ
While she ran around, looking for the house keys and an umbrella, she shot him a sarcastic smile. Takeshi watched as she grabbed her small leather jacket and tied her shoelaces. She looked quite badass now that he looked better. Not noticing, Anna walked closer to him and patted his chest.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLjPrjuCMF
“You’re going shopping.” She grabbed a list from the counter and gave it to him, or more like threw it into his hands. “We’ll meet at the groceries shop across the street after I’m done.” She smiled really cutely and walked out her apartment, leaving a dumbstruck Takeshi behind. He sighed and shook his head.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh01ItJxBh
“She’s such a child…”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgluUcHI70y
Even though he was annoyed because she just let him do her chores, he couldn’t help but also get amused by her twisted personality.
“This was such a bad idea.”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UPDYWcfT0
After she left the apartment, she originally wanted to take a taxi to Chris’s hotel, where probably Nao was. The only thing she ignored until then was that…965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71yL82kyK0
“I don’t have any idea where the hotel is…” She puffed her cheeks, annoyed, in the middle of the street while it was raining heavily. Trying to contain her anger, she closed her eyes and bit her lower lip.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEUhRgxCof
“What are you doing?”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrcrOFfy1l
Sensing that whoever spoke was probably referring to her, because no one was that dumb to stand in the middle of the road except her, she sighed heavily and turned to face the stranger. Surprisingly, it was Kyoya. He was dressed in a way that made him look like a host, which wasn’t something unexpected since he did work as one before.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuPLX5DwYP
“I wanted to get somewhere but I forgot I don’t know the address.”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqJlsXkSXb
Kyoya had the same habit as her: he tilted his head to one side and pouted, confused.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sC8soL6sB
“Where is that?”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ3DlMdMlH
She shrugged. She didn’t even know the name. Maybe Nao wasn’t even at Chris’s hotel for all she could know. It was all really messed up. 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUEGQdLInD
“Well what’s the name?”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF39G0vnhEY
“I think it’s called Riverview -or something- Hotel.” Kyoya raised an eyebrow, making him look even cuter than before. “Well? Do you know where it is?”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLukjP7f0NP
Kyoya shook his head, making Anna drop hers in shame.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS2pWupDLx
“Come on. Let’s go get coffee. You look like a lost puppy.”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibEpn8Ogeh
Anna rolled her eyes and playfully pushed him. Surprising was the fact that he actually stumbled, trying to regain his balance.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJtqAxgbZL
“You’re such a girl.” 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBrDIlqhnR
He scoffed and started to walk in front of her, making her chuckle. 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIb7oEV6RO
They ended at Kyoya’s workplace: the bohemian coffee shop. It was really warm inside and granted to the weather, there were many customers. The place wasn’t big enough therefore it was quite crowded.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbtEK5JXiC
“I thought you said we’re going to drink coffee?” 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXpIgJYdn1
Kyoya nodded and led her to the stairs. That was a place made especially for customers that also helped the small coffee shop throughout time. Anna, by herself, helped a lot by always coming with new customers. She also helped promote it in other countries, therefore having an honorable seat already prepared.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDdxpAxrjg
The upper part of the shop looked bigger and had just three people wandering around. It looked like a flat, from what she could see. There was a large hall, where they were standing, with a lot of colorful cushions and small tables, with big glassy windows that didn’t show the outsiders what was there, a lot of posters with musicians and a huge white piano next to one of the windows. It was beautiful and not even Anna, who was rarely amazed, could be so ignorant and unappreciative. 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvteys3MTz6
Being entranced by the room, she didn’t see the person walking in from a different room. He was amused to see her there but also, he knew how special that place was for her.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoD7cI53xg
“Ah, Nao! You’re here?”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuvmIDuzKi
That three letters name was enough to get Anna back to reality. She blinked a few times while the subject simply stared at her, a taunting smirk playing on his lips. 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lteUFUAQI
Kyoya backed off, sensing how the atmosphere got very tense. 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EWntkNRel
“You know each other?”
“Yes.” Both responses came on the same tone. “What are you doing here?” Again, they asked at the same time. 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5r1tpeqcD
Anna narrowed her eyes suspiciously but Nao seemed pretty neutral.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLr7WyyLLl
“Actually, I wanted to see you.” 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsaSToHsnv
Anna’s words got the older man almost suprised. Almost. He wasn’t sure if he should back off or stand still when he saw her walking closer. When she finally stopped in front of him, she grabbed something from her pocket and showed it to him. 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBrqgspwoq
“It seems you have just one week to send the pictures.” 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMLvETV5QB
For a moment he looked dumbstruck. He was still registering her words. When he finally caught on what was the information about, he nodded and took the paper from her hand.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh6CI92n3B
“Thanks” 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7HyUygbCS
With a one word answer he turned his back on her. He could still hear, though. Her scoff didn’t go unnoticed but neither his facial expression. She could see his reflection in the window. He was smirking smugly.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb9FKvECVR
“You’re an annoying brat.” She commented but it didn’t seem to affect him. 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX4sp0Yw1p
Moreover, it just urged him to piss her off. With a graceful turn, he walked closer to her, occupying the space that was earlier between them and leaned in. Their faces were very close and even though she was trying really hard to be calm, she was mesmerized by his eyes. Not as much as him, though. Her green orbs were definitely the cause he couldn’t sleep multiple nights after he left her apartment 4 years ago.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGvTyTBg4Y
“Who came all the way to see me?” 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32lmZe06Gx
She puffed her cheeks childishly but didn’t respond. He definitely caught her without a comeback. It sincerely made him happy to see her acting like a normal woman instead of a smartass.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZqbhpRLOh
“Back off…” She mumbled, pushing him slightly.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTxP2d0oP3
She couldn’t really face him in that moment. Every piece of courage left in an instant. It pissed her off but she couldn’t negate how weird it felt when he was too close.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBa2r6rOnn
It was amusing therefore he started to chuckle, making her feel innocent in front of him. It was a feeling she never felt before. It was a weakness and she had to get rid of it as fast as she could.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIFIlOga8m
Trying to ignore him, she walked towards the table in the middle of the room. It was round and really big. Right in time, Kyoya entered the hall again with two cups of coffee. Sensing that the atmosphere changed in better, he smiled boyishly at Anna and sat next to her.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUoWkMJqQr
“So, do you like this place? It’s been a while since you had last seen it, it improved a lot huh?” Kyoya’s excitement was contagious. 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7ZYUr9wmg
Anna forgot about the older male quickly and moved her attention on the youngest.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7cxTOIqoa
“Indeed. It was just an abandoned place before. It really looks amazing.” 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uBTg3iIF4
Kyoya nodded happily.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1u5nqy8UG
“And do you know who’s responsible?” The young male pointed at Nao even though he was not paying attention. 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAoQG7F9S5
He was looking at Anna’s reflection on the mirror. Seeing her again, being playful around her, pissing her off wasn’t actually his intention. In his mind, the whole scenario was romantic. Reality was harsh and it came like a slap on the face. He was stupid to think that she would simply run to him and share her unconditional love for him. That didn’t happen and he was sure it won’t happen in the near future either.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonDz9XPCjn
“Him? But I brought him here just once; 4 years ago. Did he come by often after I left?”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfywHpQFF2
“Seriously? Often? Maybe almost every day in the next year or so! After that he left too and eventually got married. He never brought his wife here though.” Kyoya sais before he rubbed his chin, thinking deeply about something. “Right. Naoki-san! Why didn’t you bring Ai-chan around?” 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y8Npsqi9B
Nao sighed and rubbed the back of his head. He didn’t know how to explain himself with the reason being right there.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsdG88EZiC
“She’s a busy person.” His response was vague. 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn5qNijMg8
Anna chuckled silently, trying not to grab attention. That coffee shop was something she introduced to Nao. Naturally, it meant something for their relationship. His wife didn’t have any place in the equation so she understood Nao’s emotions.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRehfAcBqSG
“Then,” She started. “I should thank you for helping this little place, right?” She tilted her head to one side and smiled softly. For her, it didn’t mean much. It was just a sign of respect. For him, though, it meant the world. His heart started to beat faster and he felt himself sweating. It was quite a big gesture.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW3bytCdZT
While Nao started to think about a response for her, the door opened again and the three pairs of eyes turned in sync to see who entered. It was a man that Anna hadn’t seen in quite a long time. She still remembered him, though. His eyes looked more tired and his whole appearance was better than in college; he actually looked like a business man.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANetiesP3a
“Well, well, look who came to visit my humble home,” 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMK38xVBLx
Anna started to chuckle and flipped him off. The man started to laugh and walked closer to her. They hugged and he kissed her cheek. Nao and Kyoya didn’t expect the two to know each other and they just remained perplexed in their seats.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPjXFTjsbn
“I honor you with my presence, Ayumu. Like always.” 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR68Gso4Mx
They let go but Ayumu still had a tight grip on her shoulder.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5QoAgFRnc
“Old habits die hard, little princess?”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5gAuguirq
She stuck her tongue at him and pouted.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvNLlTAKfh
Nao and Kyoya were still surprised, though. The interaction between the café boss and the author was more than friendly. Nao could see in Ayumu’s eyes that he was looking differently at her than most men.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2TTy41H0H
“How do you know each other, boss?”965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp9eJp7eDf
Kyoya was one talkative boy. He didn’t like to be left out of something and he definitely didn’t have any patience. He was very forward with his words and very sincere. That was a good point for him but it also meant that he felt the need to tell people the truth. That was how he got fired from his last job as a host.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjLo8WxClf
“We went to the same university. Believe it or not, the little princess here majored in Business and Management. We were classmates.” Ayumu answered with a smile.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58dX9bvPlK
It was obvious that Ayumu looked up to the woman even though she was younger. They were classmates which meant Anna had spoken to him about a lot of things before. Ayumu started to ramble about how they met and the whole history of their friendship. It ticked Nao off that Anna used to hang around so many boys and didn’t really have many friends who were girls.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJykOliR0yg
Brushing off his possessiveness, he remembered what he wanted to ask the café boss in the first place.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zB8nq5F2E
“Ayumu-san, that other room at the end of the hall,” The man nodded as a sign for Nao to continue. “I heard it is unoccupied?” 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28KZqB8UPX
The man nodded again but he knew were that was going. He smiled happily and let go of his friend. He walked towards Nao and stuck his hand out. The older man stared at his hand, a little taken aback.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL0g8n1kEV
“Consider it yours. You have done a lot for this coffee shop, Naoki-san. This is my way to repay you. You can use it for how long you want.” 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicrgJzvywg
Nao smiled politely and shook hands with the boss. Ayumu’s grip on his hand, though, hardened at some point and he pulled Nao closer.965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSICSbSj27
“Girls are not allowed up here without my approval.” 965Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUoppdFJgV
The older man nodded and Ayumu let his hand go.
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