I’M A BRAT AND I’M IN LOVE
Chapter 9
Levi sat at the kitchen table sipping the soup Rika brought in silence. It had been about twenty minutes since Rika had left his apartment. He was confused as h.ell.
What on Earth had just happened?
Well, he knew he had let his guard down around Rika for awhile now, but had he really lost his sense of reason completely? No wonder. His dad was right to be concerned about his relationship with Rika. He was making a lot of poor judgement.
Letting Rika into his house was the first red flag which he had ignored. Then he let his emotions get in the way just because he felt grateful to her, and he almost let her kss him? He ran his hands through his hair in frustration.
He was supposed to be the adult here. He had the responsibility to be the mature one. But, it wasn’t like Rika was innocent either. She was a cunning girl, and she probably saw his weakness in that moment and exploited it.
But it was his fault for letting her get too close. He knew the kind of person she was, yet he still felt like he was smarter than her. Did he think she would have changed her nature just because she claimed to be in love with him? Well obviously from tonight’s events it showed that Rika had the upper hand over him.
How the hell did things get so complicated?Seishun satsbasaron
He had only allowed Rika to get so close to him because he had grown fond of her, and because of the gut feeling he had that he needed to protect her, right? Maybe that decision in itself was another mistake.
He would never have been able to forgive himself he had kssed her tonight. And with yhe mixed emotions he was feeling currently, things might have not ended with just a kss. How would he have been able to face her father if he had done something to her? Mr Sato was already on edge because of Levi’s relationship with Rika, and now Levi could see for himself that Mr Sato had every right to be uncomfortable.
Rika had chosen the perfect moment, and he had fallen right into her trap. This was the kind of poor judgement his father had warned him against, but then maybe he had just thought he could handle her, no matter how hard she tried to win him over. Turns out he was wrong.
In that moment, when Rika had tried to kss him on the l!ps, if not for the microwave that beeped, he knew he would have let her kss him. He sighed and got up to do the dishes.
His relationship with Rika Sato was complicated, too complicated to the fact that it was almost getting dangerous. He needed to put his guards back up or to cut her off completely.
Perhaps it was time to end things with her.
But….as he thought more and more about cutting her off, the more reluctant he felt to doing it.
Why?
Why was he so confused?
All he felt for Rika was fatherly love right? There was no way it could be anything more. He wasn’t that weak. If it was anything more, then it was lust and not love, he was sure. He was still a red blooded male by nature, and Rika was a beautiful young girl, and far too se.ductive for her age. He grit his teeth in anger.
What had this girl done to him?
She had come into his life and thrown him off balance completely, to the point that he was now questioning his own self control.
What the h.eck was going on?
Maybe he really needed to stay away from her, more for his sake than hers.
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The Sato mansion was bustling. People were coming in and out, and Rika was irritated.
She had just arrived home from school to meet the house as busy as a market place. She groaned in frustration, and began to head up to her room.
“Hey wait for me.” Hunter called out as he walked in behind her. “Whoa.” He gaped as he took in the busy house.
“You didn’t tell me there was a lot going on here.” He said, following Rika up the steps.
“The 50th anniversary Gala is four days away Hunter. What did you expect?” Rika replied harshly.
“Yikes. I mean I know the Gala is usually so extravagant but this is a lot! You think we’ll be able to study properly here with all this noise?”
Rika didn’t answer, but instead began opening her room door.
“Rika darling!” She heard her mom’s voice calling out and her hands paused over the door knob.
“You just got home right? Oh, Hunter dear how are you?” Mrs Sato asked, directing her questions at Rika and Hunter. Hunter smiled brightly and Rika rolled her eyes.
“I’m doing great Mrs Sato! Rika suggested that I should come over so we could study together.” He answered.
Mrs Sato placed a hand on Hunter’s shoulders, her eyes twinkling. “Oh did she now? My my, you two make such a cute couple!” She said cheerily.
Hunter flushed red and began to stutter.
“C-couple? No- no it’s not like that….” He began but Mrs Sato laughed heartily, interrupting him.
“You two have been friends for so long. You always used to come here as a child Hunter, I don’t think I’ve seen Rika as close to anyone as she is to you. Don’t you think it’s a waste of many years of friendship if you both aren’t dating?” She said again, smiling brightly.
“Mommy dearest,” Rika said, stepping into the conversation. “Hunter has a girlfriend. Did I forget to mention that?”
Mrs Sato’s eyes narrowed in displeasure. “Oh does he now? How unfortunate.” She smiled at Hunter. “I thought you at least had more taste than your parents, but it looks like you still have a long way to go.” She said, with a big smile on her face.
Hunter gave her an uncomfortable smile. Rika picked at her nails, bored and irritated.
“Mommy, our final exams are tomorrow. Are you going to hold us here all day?” She asked, her voice as sweet as possible.
Mrs Sato quickly removed her hands from Hunter’s shoulders.
“Forgive me children. I’ll release you now. Oh that’s right,” she said as she began to walk away. “Don’t forget to go down to the boutique tomorrow and pick out your gown Rika. And make sure to set out the clothes that you want the maids to pack for you. We leave for the Tenji Mountain resort Friday morning and not a minute more.” She said fury and finally walked away.
Rika opened her room door and pulled Hunter in. He laughed awkwardly as he sat in her plush bed.
“Gee, I almost forgot how intense your mom is. Especially when it comes to you.” He said.
“Yeah she’s the perfect mother isn’t she?” Rika answered sarcastically. Hunter smiled kindly at his friend.
“She’s been trying to pair the two of us up since we were five. You’d think she’d have forgotten about that idea by now. It’s so silly.” He said, laughing.
Rika just hummed in response. She wasn’t paying attention to anything Hunter was saying and she couldn’t really care less about what her mother wanted or didn’t want.
Her mind was full of much more important things. She was especially excited about the fact that she would soon be taking the college entrance exam, and in no time she would be out of this prison she called a home.
Then maybe, she would kick things into high gear with Levi. She was going to escape from this house and be happy with him, she had made up her mind to. It had been two weeks since that day at Levi’s house, and she had had a lot of time to think.
This was the first time in her life that she desperately wanted to be happy, she wanted the happiness she had found in Levi, and she planned on chasing that happiness as far as she could. She laughed silently to herself. Just a few months ago she would have never imagined herself thinking such lovey dovey thoughts. Levi Akabane had come into her life and confused it in the most amazing of ways.
She heard Hunter’s voice and it brought her out of her thoughts. Was he still talking? She rolled her eyes.
“But don’t you think it’s amazing that the 50th anniversary Gala is going to be held at a mountain resort this year? We get to spend two whole days in a luxury hotel on a mountain. Your parents are really going all out this year!” He said excitedly. Rika sighed.
Hunter was really so simple minded. He got excited by the littlest of things. Maybe that was why she kept him around as her friend for so long. His feelings were genuine, and he reminded her of what it was like to be a normal teenager. “Yeah I’m sure it’s going to be super exciting Hunter.” She replied dryly.
The annual anniversary Galas only got more extravagant as Rika aged, and she was used to it. It felt as if her parents were raising the bar for her to meet up to when she eventually took over the company. She hated it.
But at least this time she would see Levi there, so she figured she could endure it. Once she got into the University, she wasn’t going to attend any one of those parties again. She giggled. Her parents would definitely raise hell when that happened.
She couldn’t wait.
She couldn’t wait to be free.
?????
Levi sat staring at the 50th anniversary invitation on his laptop.
This year’s ceremony was going to be held at a mountain resort, and everyone of the guests would go there and lodge for two days and one night, during which the festivities would take place.
He sighed. The Satos were very influential and very popular people. He was sure the party would be packed with all the elites in the country. Just great.
His office door opened and Yuri walked in.
“Hey there stranger. Aren’t you going to sign out for the day?” She asked.
Levi sighed.
“Figured I’d just stay and do some more paperwork.” He answered.
Yuri rolled her eyes. “Since you obviously have no social life whatsoever, why don’t you tag along with me? I’m going to pick out an outfit for the Sato Enterprises’ 50th anniversary Gala.”
Levi rubbed his neck. “Why does it feel like that Gala is everything everyone’s been talking about these past few days?” He muttered.
Yuri laughed. “Because it is! You know the Satos are always constantly the talk of the Town. Everyone always wants to get a piece of them. Being one of the richest families in the nation has it’s own perks you know.” She said.
Rika’s face came to Levi’s head. “Some perk.” He muttered sarcastically under his breath.
“Come on.” Yuri said, pulling on his arm. “When last did we do something together?” She asked sweetly.
Levi rolled his eyes.
That was how he found himself standing in the midst of beautiful and expensive women’s clothing, at an equally expensive clothings store, while Yuri tried on outfit after outfit, constantly asking for his opinion, which he gave in Gruffs and grunts.
“Geez Levi. You would make a terrible boyfriend. Don’t you know how to compliment a girl?” Yuri grumbled as she walked back into the dressing room to take off yet another outfit.
“I’d compliment you if you finally settled on one outfit so we can leave. It’s not like you’re getting married.” He responded casually and Yuri laughed from behind the dressing room door.
Yuri had a bubbly personality, quite unlike Rika’s. Levi grunted in frustration.
Why on Earth was that girl coming to his mind again?
“I’m going out to get some air Yuri. You’d better have settled on an outfit before I get back.” He mumbled as Yuri again gave another hearty laugh.
He began to make hus way out of the clothings store, not oblivious to the shy stares and whispers he got from the sales girls. A young petite girl walked up to him shyly.
“Excuse me, but you’re totally my type. Could I have your number?” She asked.
Levi appraised her for some seconds before answering, “Sorry, I don’t give my number out to strangers.” And he began to walk away.
He heard the girl squeal behind him and mutter something like, “Omig0sh he’s so h0t!”
He finally reached the entrance of the store but stopped in his tracks at who was standing a few meters before him.
It was Rika.
He blinked a few times to make sure that he hadn’t finally gone cr@zy and was imagining her.
She ran up to him cheerily.
“Levi! Fancy meeting you here!” She sounded so happy.
He saw the light in her eyes but closed his mind to them.
“What are you doing here?” He asked coldly, but she didn’t take notice.
“I’m here to pick out a dress for the Gala on Friday. You?” She answered.
Levi scratched his head. “Uh, same here.” He finally replied.
Rika smiled shyly. “You know, ever since that night at your house, seeing you here now doesn’t feel like a coincidence anymore.” She said quietly, referencing Levi’s own words to her.
He was right. His weakness that night had given her false hope. He had to end things, right here, right now.
“That night was all you Rika. You know that.” He said casually.
Rika smiled, confused. “What do you mean?”
“You saw that I wasn’t in my right mind that day and you took advantage of that. You manipulated me into a vulnerable situation, just like you always do. Am I right?”
The look on shock and hurt that crossed Rika’s face was enough to throw him off balance. She was silent for a long time, before she rose her head up and stared him dead in the eyes.
She didn’t say a word to him. She didn’t need to. The message was loud and clear. He had hurt her. Again.
As she finally broke her gaze from him and walked away, Levi thought conflictedly to himself;
Mission accomplished.
??????
When Rika had seen Levi at the clothings store, she was not prepared for the coldness in his voice. She had heard it but ignored it, even though it had bothered her. But however when he had said those words to her, “You manipulated me.” , Her heart broke.
She manipulated him?
What a joke.
She had been sincere the whole time! She was sincere….. She wanted to be as real as she could with Levi, but he still called her manipulative?
Why then had he been so nice to her if she was such a bad person? Had he been playing her for a fool this whole time? Did she look helpless and stupid in his eyes?
Why had he shown so much affection? He had made her so happy. Why had he….?
She felt tears choking her words, and this time she didn’t hold them back. She sat before her vanity mirror and wiped her eyes.
She would show him. If he thought he was being manipulative in trying to kiss him, then he had no idea just how manipulative she could be. She would show him exactly what she was made of.
She picked up her phone and dialled the clothings store. “Hello? I want to change my outfit. Give me the most revealing gown you have.” She said with determination and ended the call.
Rika smiled at her reflection.
Let the games begin.
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