I’M A BRAT AND I’M IN LOVE
(That awkward dinner)
Chapter 7
Rika scanned through her closet, her mind racing. What was her dad thinking? Why had he invited Levi over? What was he planning to do? Maybe she shouldn’t have been so rash when answering them that morning. She stood before her vanity mirror and held up her hair. Should she do something with her hair? Should she put on some make up?
Aargh!
She was totally freaking out!
She eventually settled with a simple black dress and tied her hair up in a bun, donned some earrings, and gave herself one final look in the mirror.
It would have to do.
She ran to her bedroom window and peered out. Her room was at the top floor of their mansion, so it overlooked the compound below.
She spotted a black SUV pulling up into their driveway and her heart raced.
They were here!
She dashed out of her room, down the steps and into the huge dining hall. The mansion had three dining halls and it looked like the dinner was to be held in the fanciest one.
As she arrived Into the hall, she noticed that it had been elegantly decorated, the chandeliers that hung above the room were lit beautifully and a vast array of dishes lay set on the dining table. If she didn’t know better, she would’ve thought they were having a party.
Rika took her seat quickly and tried to calm herself. Her mom was seated two seats away from her, and Greta was adding the finishing touches to the dining table. She glanced at Rika and winked, giving her a thumbs up on her outfit.
Rika waited, fighting the urge to Chew her fingernails.
Her mind was not at rest.
She was desperately trying to figure out why her dad had suddenly invited the Akabanes over for dinner out of the blue. She was sure it had something to do with the fight earlier that morning.
Mr Joshua Akabane, Levi’s dad finally walked in with her own dad. Levi trailed silently behind them. He wore a black button up tuxedo with a cravat wrapped neatly at the neck. He also wore a long trench coat which one of the maids collected and hung on the coat rack.
Rika blushed a bright shade of red.
Levi was illegally and effortlessly handsome.
His eyes scanned the room and fell on hers. He held his gaze on her for awhile before looking away.
Rika blew out a puff of air.
If she survived this dinner, she would give all glory to God.
Joshua Akabane was a lively man, the exact opposite of his son Levi. He had aged well, and one look at his toned features and bright eyes, you would know where Levi got his good looks from. But he smiled so brightly and laughed so easily, sometimes it was hard to tell that he and Levi were related.
“Rika! Look at you!” He said as he walked over to her side and gave her a big hug. Rika smiled and embraced him. His hugs were warm.
“I was just telling Jinro here that it’s been ages since I saw your beautiful face.” Jinro was Rika’s dad’s name.
“It’s good to see you too Mr Akabane.”
“Oh stop being so formal. Call me what you’re used to eh?”
Rika laughed and replied, “Okay Joss.”
When she had first met Joshua Akabane, she was almost two years old and had yet to grow her two front teeth, so she couldn’t pronounce his name properly. She had ended up calling him ‘Joss.’ They had laughed at it and decided that that would be her nickname for him.
Joshua Akabane laughed heartily. “That’s right!” He said loudly.
It was amazing how his presence alone was enough to brighten up a room. Everyone finally took their seats, Mr Sato sitting beside his daughter and Levi taking the seat opposite her.
They all dug into the delicious three course meal and discussed several topics, Joshua Akabane usually giving the most input.
They talked about politics, the company, and other minor things.
Rika was already getting bored.
She began to wonder if her father had really just invited the Akabanes over because he missed them.
Rika occasionally stole glances at Levi. He hardly spoke, and he honestly looked like he would rather be at home than at this dinner. He only spoke when th questions were directed at him. Other than that, he was silent.
“Ah, that was delicious.” Joshua Akabane said as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Wow. It’s been so long since we had dinner like this together. We really should do this more often Jinro. What prompted you to invite us over? Did you really just miss us that much?” He asked, giving Mr Sato a silly smile.
Rika’s dad smiled back, carefully wiping his lips with his own napkin. “Well, that was partially the reason, but also the fact that our children were growing closer to each other right under our noses. I figured we needed to rekindle our friendship since our children were already showing us the way to go.”
Rika almost dropped her fork. She knew it.
Joshua Akabane threw a puzzled look at she and Levi. “Hm? Rika and Levi? Getting close? Whatever do you mean?” He asked, and Rika looked at Levi. He was casually sipping a glass of wine.
Her father continued, “Well as it happens Joshua, Levi and Rika have grown really close in the past few months. So close in fact, that she spends late hours with him when we, her parents aren’t aware.”
Rika closed her eyes. Oh God.
Josh Akabane gave a confused laugh. “Jinro, I’m afraid I don’t really understand.” He said.
Mr Sato directed his gaze at Levi. “Well maybe Levi can explain things better for us.”
Mrs Sato placed her hands on Mr Sato’s. “Honey, let it go.” She muttered quietly, but Mr Sato gently removed his hands from under hers, ignoring her. “Go on Levi.” He said again.
Rika glanced at Levi. He was quietly studying her father. He threw a quick glance at her, before looking back at her dad. He then sighed.
“Yesterday Rika came to see me at my office. However, it got so late before I had the chance to bring her home. I tried calling but both your numbers were either switched off or busy.” Levi explained.
“Yes daddy. I told you this already.” Rika said, trying to sound as pleasant as possible.
Mr Sato didn’t relent. “And why was she at your office?”
Levi stared at him, slowly appraising him with calculating eyes. He threw another accusing look at Rika, and she wished the ground would open up and swallow her.
“I think you should ask your daughter that.”
He replied curtly, and Rika felt the anger emanating from her father.
The room was silent, the tension so thick you could cut through it with a knife. Her father was staring daggers at Levi, and she knew if someone didn’t intervene, all hell would break loose. Her father placed his hand on hers and smiled, while she cringed in disgust.
???????
Levi watched the scenario unfold before him. When he had gotten the call that the Satos had invited he and his father over for dinner, he had been perplexed.
He wasn’t a people person and he absolutely loathed social gatherings, where one had to put up appearances, and he much preferred the comfort and isolation of his own home.
But the Satos were long time family friends, so he grudgingly accepted the invitation.
Now here he was, seated at what others would call a normal family gathering, as Mr Sato interrogated him.
Levi restrained himself from saying something rude or sarcastic, as he knew that wouldn’t end well. He occasionally cast glances at Rika, looking for some sort of explanation for her father’s behavior, but she only looked distressed and scared.
This was the second time he was seeing her that way.
He watched as Mr Sato placed a hand on Rika’s own, and smiled, much to Levi’s surprise.
“I don’t care how much you think you know Rika, Levi, but she’s my daughter and I will protect her.” Mr Sato said through his smile.
Something was not right.
Mr Sato’s words and actions weren’t giving off the aura of an overprotective father, but rather that of a jealous man protecting his lover.
Levi stood up.
“I’ll be in the car dad. Meet me outside when you’re ready to go.”
He said as he grabbed his coat and made his way to the front door.
??????
Rika watched as Levi stood up and left the hall. She stood up instinctively to follow him, removing her hands from her father’s hold.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Her father called out, his voice laced with malice and anger, sending shivers down her body. She turned around and smiled.
“I want to see him off.” She said.
“Maybe you should see yourself to your room instead.” Her dad said and she narrowed her eyes.
“Yes Daddy.” Rika replied quietly, as she walked out of the dinning room.
???????
Joshua Akabane was at a loss for words. The whole thing had happened so fast that he was hardly able to get a word in. When Levi and Rika finally left the hall, he found his voice.
“Jinro……”. He began. “Did Levi offend you in some way?” He asked, unsure of what to expect as the answer.
Mr Sato smiled at his friend. “Of course not Joshua. How could he ever offend me?”
Joshua narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
Something was definitely going on, and he was going to get to the bottom of it.
After bidding them an awkward goodbye, he made his way out of the mansion and into the car, where Levi was already waiting.
He got into the passenger seat as Levi started up the car and they began to drive in silence. He finally spoke up.
“Son. Would you mind telling me what’s going on? Your old man is a bit confused here.” He asked jokingly. He watched Levi’s grip tighten on the steering wheel.
“H.ell if I know dad.” Was his reply.
“Come on son. Did something happen between you and Rika?”
“If something did, then I’m not aware of it.”
Joshua sighed. “Well whatever’s going on, I trust you to make the right decision Levi. I would hate to see our friendship with the Satos go down the drain because of poor judgement.”
Levi didn’t reply. He was silent for the rest of the drive.
???????
Rika didn’t see Levi again for the next week. After that dinner, she wasn’t even sure if he would want to see her anymore.
She had no way of explaining away what had happened, it was easier to just try to forget it.
But forgetting meant avoiding him, and she could only stay away from him for so long.
Not to mention the fact that her father now watched her like a hawk.
She knew if she didn’t get out of that house, she would go insane.
She finished up at school and found herself at the law firm. She lingered around for a while before deciding to call Levi. His phone rang for awhile before going to voicemail. She tried it a few times again but the same thing repeated itself.
She was just about to give up and head home when it occurred to her to try his office line.
“Akabane law firm, this is Patricia speaking. How may I help you?” Came the Secretary’s cheery voice from the phone.
“Uh, hi, this is Rika Sato. I wanted to know if Mr Akabane is in the office?”
“I’m afraid Mr Akabane didn’t come to work today Miss Sato. He called in sick earlier today and took the day off. Do you want to leave a message that I should relay to him?”
Levi was sick?
“No nevermind. Thank you.” Rika said as she quickly ended the call, her mind racing.
????????
Levi lay shirtless on his bed. He had come down with some kind of flu two days after that dinner at the Satos’ house.
At first he tried to power through it and get to work, but yesterday his fever had been so high that he had to call in sick today.
He then tried to do some paperwork, but he had gotten so dizzy and his fever had risen again, so he just lay in his bed, trying not to faint.
Why did he have to be so stubborn?
He heard his doorbell ring and he ignored it. Then it rang again.
And again.
And again.
He cursed silently and got up, not bothering to put on a shirt as he made his way to the front door and yanked it open. His eyes widened as he came face to face with Rika.
“What the h.ell are you doing here?”
Rika smiled.
“What do you think? I’m here to take care of you.”
??????
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