Chapter 107

THE NEXT DAY

MORNING

Caroline was wide awake by 6 in the morning since its already getting a lil bit bright that day. Mika and Haruna were still asleep when she woke up.Caroline got up and went to the window and slide them open.

Caroline : (inhaling)Good morningggg.

Suddenly her phone vibrated and Caroline reached for her phone and unlocked it.

Caroline : Heh? A mail? Early in the morning.From an unknown number though.

Caroline checked the mail and she never guessed whats the content

//From : rion@softbank.co.jp

Ohayou Jean! I am sorry if I frightened you by sending this sudden email even though we didn’t exchanged mails! Just want to tell you that our flight is at 8.15 a.m. Checking in would be around 7.45 like that! Hoping that I can meet you before I leave for France! Do come if you are free! Much love and hugs! -Rion.

Caroline : (shocked)

Caroline stared at her phone and did nothing at all.

Caroline : Oh my god.

Mika : What?

Caroline : Heh!you are awake?!

Mika : Well,I don’t even know why am I awake at this hour though.What time is it now?

Caroline : Aaaa almost 7.wait.omg its already 7!?

Mika : (confused )

Caroline : Oh well,nevermind.

Mika : What?

Caroline : Nothing..nothing.Im gonna shower and go down after this.

Mika : Im gonna wake this lazy bump up (eyeing on Haruna)

DOWNSTAIRS

Caroline were in the kitchen after cleaning herself and making herself a cup of hot green tea.But then suddenly Mika came running from the stairs and throw a jacket at her.

Mika : Put that on.

Caroline : (shocked)

Mika : His flight is at 8.15 and you didn’t even tell me?Put that jacket on and lets go.

Caroline : Wait,what?

Mika : Last call Caroline.Put it one and lets go.

Minami whom were drying the laundry quickly walked inside when she saw Caroline and Mika.

Minami : Why,why whats wrong?

Caroline : (confused)

Mika : Im taking this stupid dumbass to the airport.

Caroline : But its already 7.30 Mika.We wouldn’t make it

Mika : Are you kidding me?

Caroline : Are you gonna ride your bike?

Mika : What else?

Haruna : Caroline!!You better go !GO NOW BEFORE I KILL YOU GO!

Mika was already on her bike when Caroline was still busy putting on her helmet and wearing her jacket.Minami and Haruna just watch them and both of the just laughed when Mika kept nagging to Caroline to move faster.

Caroline : Im gonna kill you after this Mika.After all of this ends.

Mika : Deal then.

Minami : Becareful Mika,Caroline!

Haruna : Go chase your Takeru  Caroline!!!!

Mika quickly rode off and she was gone in a flash and the screeching sound of her bike was so loud that Minami just laughed when Haruna complaint about it.

Haruna : Mika always rode very fast (annoyed)

Minami : Like you don’t know her,haruna.(laughing)

AIRPORT

Mika rode past through all the waiting cars at the departure exit and stopped exactly in front of the main entrance and quickly as Caroline to get inside.

Caroline : I’ll call you!

Mika : Hai hai.

Caroline walked quickly inside leaving Mika outside alone.Mika hoped down her bike and let out a sigh before removing her helmet.

Mika : Its gonna take forever then .Its already 8.30 though (looking at her watch)

INSIDE

Caroline looked around the departure hall and checked the infomatoin board on the boarding lists.

Caroline : Airfrance airfrance ANA ..wait there is only one to France at 8.15 and…. departed.(shocked)

Caroline stared at the board really long ,not sensing the eyes that had been looking at her because she looks a bit unarranged and she is the only one standing in the middle of the crowd at the hall.

Caroline : Damn it.Oh damn it damn it.Now what,do I have to board a plane to France?(sigh)

Caroline tried to arrange her hair nicely with her fingers while stabling her breathing after the nerve wrecking moment of trying to meet Shiki before he boarded the plane.But then,she seems to lost all her might when she found out that the plane has departed before she got there.

Suddenly there was a voice behind…

????? : Jean Marie?

Caroline : (shocked)

Caroline was a bit shocked to heard that familiar voice that called her name that she abruptyly turned around to look for the person.

Caroline: Eiji…

Eiji : Jean-Marie,Caroline Jean-Marie?

Caroline : I know you remember my full name but I see no point of repeating it again and again.

Eiji :  I apologize but Im sorry for doing that.I was stricken to see you here.

Caroline looked at the tall black haired guy infront of her,Eiji from 12 years ago was a different Eiji.Because the guy infront of her was finely dressed with black suit,white shirt and black pants and everything about him seems different now.Caroline cant almost recognize him at first but then only Eiji has that pair of eyes tha she loved before.Everything about him seems to make her anger arises that moment but getting mad in the middle of the crowd does not sound like a good idea.

Caroline : Im leaving.

As Caroline was about to turn around and walked away,Eiji was faster to grab her right hand and asked her stop.

Eiji : wait.

Caroline: (shocked) What?

Eiji : Can we talk?

Caroline : Only if you are buying me coffee and doughnuts.Im in a rush.

Eiji : I’ll buy two for you then (smiles)

CAFÉ

Caroline stares at the guy ordering the food for her at the counter.It is almost surreal that Eiji is right infront of her,looking so different compared to before.It is almost seeing another version of Eiji.Eiji seems to be speaking in a very different manner and he seems to be very polite and well spoken compared to before.

Eiji : Here you go,your hot latte and your very own fav sugar doughnuts.Two of them.

Caroline put her phone in her jacket after telling Mika she would be a bit late.

Caroline : What are you doing here?

Eiji : Im working here Marie.Its been 5 years since I have moved here and changed my citizenship .

Caroline :Are you married?

Eiji :As a matter of fact yes.

Caroline : Congratulations.I hope its not too late

.

Eiji : (smiles)

Caroline : I don’t see your wife..(looking around)

Eiji : She is in Tokyo,taking care of Ena.

Caroline : Your daughter?

Eiji : (nodding)

Caroline : How old is she?

Eiji : turning 3 this year.

Caroline : Lucky you…

Eiji : But that’s not the reason I dragged you here,Marie.

Caroline : It feels weird having people calling me Marie nowadays.

Eiji : Nowadays?

Caroline : I met Takeru.

Eiji : Actually that’s the reason why I dragged you.

Caroline : (staring at Eiji)

Eiji : I know you may hate me because of what had happened between us.

Caroline : I can just grill you on the hot burning charcoal if I am mad.

Eiji :Well,would you let me explain something?

Caroline : Go ahead.I hope it matters to me.

Eiji : Well,it does matter for us three.

Caroline : Three?

Eiji : You,Me and Takeru.

Caroline : Why Takeru is included?

Eiji : You know right,Takeru and Me known each other for so long,since little.We have been like brothers since I don’t even know when.Nothing  can tear us apart.

Caroline : Precisely.

Eiji : But not until you showed up

Caroline : What..?

Eiji : When I got together with you, I got to know that Eiji has been liking you all these time. I didn’t know at first,when I told him about you.He went completely berserk and warn me not to make you sad or do anything that will hurt you.

Caroline : Are you not creating stories Eiji (annoyed)

Eiji : Jean-Marie..

Caroline : Go on go on.

Eiji : This may sound weird but I didn’t called off our relationship because I have another girl.

Caroline whom were sipping her coffee almost spilled her drink and she quickly put her cup on the table and look straight at Eiji.

Caroline : (shocked)

Eiji : To make it simple.I broke up with you,I lied to you about having another girl while I didn’t.It was because I know Takeru loves you more than I loved you that time. I had to treat you like that so that you wouldn’t get a glimpse of what was really happening. Im sorry if I made you feel so lost that time,but things you do for your loved ones,right?

Caroline just stared at Eiji and suddenly she cringed when she was trying hard to digest every word that came out from Eiji’s mouth.None of them make sense at all she thought.

Eiji : I guess making me looked like the bad guy really worked that time.You may not realize but you do have feelings for Takeru.

Caroline :…..

Eiji : Jean-Marie,I apologize for what had happened.Im sorry it took almost 13 years to say this.But I really did loved you and I didn’t cheat on you. I knew you would be better off without me.Takeru deserves you more. He loves you and I know,you didn’t know that you actually have a mutual feelings for Takeru.

Caroline : (speechless)

Eiji : The way you ignored him when he asked for something,the way you looked at him when he was presenting,the way you ditch him when he followed you just when he was actually going the same way. The way you described him to me,the way you sneakily looked at him when I was talking to him. You didn’t realize it don’t you?

Caroline : ….. Why must you be so accurate on this Eiji..

Eiji : trust me when I told you  I know you better than anyone else.One look into your eyes,I can see everything about you Marie.

Caroline : There is one thing I should have told you though. I had have this feelings towards him before I even met you. But then,I tried to disclose everything and pretend that it was just a mere like-hate feeling.But then,when you came.everything became so blurred out and I don’t even understand a thing at all.I kept it quite until now.

Eiji : I told you ,you are quite weird in the inside.You understand people but you failed on understading your ownself.

Caroline : Oh shut up Eiji.(annoyed)

Caroline let out a big sigh,more like relieved sigh because she felt a bit at ease after knowing all these hidden secrets from Eiji and her herself too.She knew,there is only one person that can see right through her,a deeper in sight of her.

Eiji : So,why are you at the airport actually?

Caroline : ha…ha..ha..

Eiji : Why?

Caroline : I was actually trying to meet Takeru before he leaves for France.but then it was too late.

Eiji : (shocked)

Caroline : Im not joking you brat.

Eiji : He was here?

Caroline : Yes.

Eiji : And you didn’t get to see him?

Caroline : No.

Eiji : That sucks.

Caroline : what the heck EIji,you haven’t changed even though you are married(annoyed)

Eiji : Im still the Eiji though.So,what are you planning now?

Caroline : Maybe hang myself at the Tokyo tower.

Eiji then suddenly  took out a paper and a pen .He then began writing something and pushed the paper to Caroline.

Eiji : Here,keep it and don’t forget to read the address carefully.DOnt get lost.

Caroline : (looking at the paper)

Eiji : Keep it.Safe.

Caroline : What is this?

Eiji : The place you would need to head first when you arrived in France.

Caroline : What?When am I even going to France?

Eiji : Anytime you feel like to.

Caroline : What place is this?

Eiji : Takeru’s studio

Caroline whom who were reading the address lifted her head quickly and look at Eiji.

Caroline : This aint April Fool Eiji.

Eiji : I swear I am not joking.

Caroline : I find it hard to believe you.

Eiji : its been 13 years Jean-Marie(laughing)

Caroline  But you still look the same.

Eiji : How many times have you changed your hair color?

Caroline : I lost count.

Eiji : You shouldn’t make you friend wait any longer Jean-Marie.I’ll walk you there.