Theme #7: Tangled Up

Chapter 8: The Harsh Truth

At the end of the day or at least by the time the two o’clock hour rolled by, Aurora had made friends with just about every member of the staff…besides Adam. He had insisted on acting like she didn’t exist and she, for her part, did all she could to ignore him as much as possible. But it was incredibly hard to keep it up since they both worked in the same office space. She wondered how she was going to survive being here with him without losing her mind.

“Ah, Freewill sensei,” Fujiwara said loudly as he sat beside her with a sheepish grin. “Perhaps you’d like to join us for a drink tonight at the restaurant. It will just be a celebration for the new teachers.”

“Oh, that’s really nice of you,” she replied with a small smile, while doing her best not to grimace at the faint odor permeating off him. He was beginning to sweat…a lot. “But I don’t want to stay up too late. I have to be back here in the morning…”

“Don’t worry, you won’t be out for long,” Fujiwara reassured her with a wink, leaning even closer. “If we leave now, we can just make it in time for the three o’clock happy hour.”

Happy hour in the middle of the day?! Aurora blinked at the grinning visage before her, desperately trying to think of some excuse to escape having to sit beside Fujiwara for the rest of the afternoon.

“Leave the girl alone,” Sakura cut in with a light tap on the man’s shoulder. “She wants to go home after having a long day.”

“But…”

“But nothing,” Sakura said with a scowl, although she flashed a quick wink in Aurora’s direction. “You go on home to your wife…oh yeah, you don’t have one, do you? Well forget getting yourself all tangled up with Freewill sensei. She’s definitely not your type.”

“Oh and what’s her type then?” Fujiwara asked feeling quite petulant and put off. Even Aurora had to feel a bit sorry for him.

“Her type?” Sakura replied slowly. She eyed the other teachers in the room before nodding towards Adam, who was beginning to pack up his briefcase. “Hayakawa sensei for one. He’s just perfect for Freewill sensei.”

Adam must have overheard them because several sheets of paper fell from his fingers and to the floor while Aurora felt her cheeks flame with heat. No way in hell was she going to date a guy like Adam. She could create a list of things she despised about him but she was afraid it would take up the rest of her time here in Japan.

“I had better be going if I hope to catch the next bus,” she finally said as she rose to her feet with a warm smile. Yunta had been nice enough to get her a bus schedule and the next one arriving at the Stop would be in about thirty minutes. Although it would kill her feet to walk all the way there…

(she cursed her bad choice for wearing high heels)

… it was a sacrifice she was willing to make at least for now. She made a mental note to wear tennis shoes or at least flat soled ones tomorrow.

“Oh, let me take you home,” Fujiwara offered quickly as he too rose to his feet. “I have a car and it should be…”

“I’m taking her home like we agreed, remember?” came the sudden deep voice that had the three teachers turning around to gape at its owner in surprise. No one had heard him walk up to them and standing next to Fujiwara, Aurora was made even more aware of just how good-looking Adam was. In the white shirt and khaki pants, the dark-haired man managed to look professional as well as (and much to Aurora’s chagrin) incredibly sexy.

But what was all this talk about taking her home anyway?

She met his dark blue eyes, which seemed to dare her to refuse or deny his statement. She gritted her teeth, now knowing she was at a disadvantage. Saying ‘no’ would only fuel Fujiwara’s attention and the last thing she wanted to do was spend the rest of the afternoon getting drunk with him. On the other hand, driving home with Adam…

What’s the worst that could happen?

“Yes,” she finally blurted out, smirking inwardly as she caught the quick look of surprise in Adam’s eyes. She supposed he hadn’t expected her to agree that quickly and even Sakura looked a bit surprised and amused at the sudden turn of events.

“Thank you again for the offer,” Aurora continued. “I almost forgot about it. Let’s go, shall we?” She hooked an arm around his, waved to a stunned Fujiwara and smiling Sakura before tugging Adam towards the door and out of the building.

---

For the one millionth time, Adam kicked himself inwardly for what he had just done. What in the world had possessed him to offer Aurora a ride home? Sure there was enough room for her to ride pillion, but it still didn’t make it any more reasonable. The very idea of having that body pressed against his as they drove back to their apartments was going to be extremely hard to deal with. So why the hell had he extended the invitation?

You were just jealous, that’s all, came the taunting voice within his head. You couldn’t stand to see a guy like Fujiwara get too close to her.

You’re wrong! He shook his head lightly, now more aware and conscious of the sweet scent of jasmine from her close proximity. She was still holding on as they walked down the hallways and he could feel every curve of her shapely body pressed gently against him. Dear gods, she was going to drive him insane! Why wouldn’t she release him yet? He was sure she couldn’t stand his guts as well and yet…

I don’t want her to let me go either.

His cheeks flushed with color and he struggled desperately within himself. He had to get a grip on the situation before he made a mess of things. He told himself that it was just physical attraction and nothing else. It was a natural thing, wasn’t it? She was beautiful, he’d give her that, and so any and all reactions to her were purely instinctual. He really didn’t have any real feelings for her.

“You can let me go now,” he said quietly but firmly, quite surprised to find that his voice did not betray the tumultuous emotions swirling within him. They were outside again and the hot afternoon air clung to them like a long lost lover. He could already feel his shirt sticking to his back with sweat.

He felt her stiffen for a moment, before wincing inwardly as she removed her arm and walked away. However, she stopped and turned to look at him, those hazel eyes now filled with mild irritation.

“You had no intentions of letting me ride with you, did you?” she accused in a tight voice, quite glad to be speaking English again. “Why did you even bother? What was that all about up there?”

He shrugged and reached for his helmet, buying time as he tried to think of some reasonable excuse. “If you’d rather spend the rest of the afternoon with Fujiwara-sensei, then that’s fine with me. You don’t have to come.”

He straddled the machine and began to rev the engine, peering at her from the hood of his helmet. “And what’s with that anyway?” He pointed towards her black Gucci pumps, a small and almost cruel smirk on his lips. “Did you really think you could come to school dressed like that? This isn’t a fashion show, Freewill sensei.”

She visibly flinched at the deliberate sarcasm but held her ground, even though her cheeks were dark with barely concealed anger.

“What’s the matter?” Adam teased, his lips curling up with derision. “Are you upset that I’m right after all?” A part of him warned him to stop what he was doing. He could see the light shimmer of unshed tears in her eyes and he hated himself for doing this but yet he couldn’t stop. He could hear his father’s voice in his head, telling him that this woman deserved to have a few home truths drilled to her.

“What did you really come here for, Aurora?” he asked coldly. “Did you have some romanticized idea of teaching over here? Or maybe you’ve watched too many anime shows or dramas, hmm? Well, this is real life, sweetheart and definitely not a place for a rich little girl who would be better off in Daddy’s lap of luxury…argh!”

His hand flew to his right shoulder, eyes widened beneath the safety of his helmet as he felt the sharp flare of pain from her sudden punch. He was sure if he hadn’t had the head gear on, his cheeks would have suffered a much more painful treatment.

(Damn! She’s strong!)

“I can’t believe I got to meet an asshole like you,” she said tightly, her voice trembling a little as she fought to hold back her tears. “I wish I had never met Seki or honest to goodness, I’d never get tangled up with a guy like you!”

Adam was faintly aware that they were garnering a few looks from other teachers but neither paid much attention. He could only stare into her hurt eyes and feel his stomach churn with disgust at his antics.

“So guess what, Adam sensei.” To his even greater surprise, she lifted her hands to give two middle finger salutes. “I hope you remain a miserable man who will never find someone to love because you’re nothing more than a fucking asshole!”

She tossed her head and held on tightly to her bag. “Have a fantastic day, jerk. And thanks for the offer, but I can and will walk all the way home if I have to!”

And kicking off her heels, she held them in one hand and strode out of the school grounds with her head held high and never looking back.