Chapter Four: In which Hiiro is Enraged

 

            *The car pulled up to the house and Andrew took the opportunity to step back. Looking at his job and the position he had been thrown into, he nearly laughed. Here he was, a homeless panhandler, suddenly dressed and gussied up to be the driver to some punk kid who didn’t know shit. Correction. The kid knew a lot. Oh yes, the man who had dragged him off the streets that cold night had told him of Hiiro Yui, the Perfect Soldier- the Gundam Pilot. So the kid knew about computer hacking, infiltration, bombs and weaponry, but he was still the stupidest boy he had ever met.

When Andrew had first seen Serena he had ogled her up and down a god five to six times before offering to help her. He had been taken breathless by her beauty. Hell, anyone would be. But Hiiro? No. He had stood there like a lump. He hadn’t even reacted when Andrew had pointed out her looks. So now, here they were, the ‘guest’, Hiiro, and himself, all in this car, going to meet a gorgeous woman, and Hiiro was still rock solid with seriousness.

That doctor who had hired him had done a good job stripping the humanity from this kid. Andrew wondered if the doctor would be able to do his job this time and give the missing emotions back to the kid. Well, that was why they were all here, so he might as well try to help out. He stepped out of the car and went around the side to open the door for Hiiro and his guest.

“Thank you very much Andrew.” Taliesin thanked him. Hiiro simply nodded to him and shut the door behind himself.

“I’ll get the luggage.” Andrew sighed to himself. Taliesin seemed like a nice, well bred and cheery man. What did that old coot of a doctor have up his sleeve in sending him to see Hiiro? As they all walked to the door, the housemaid opened it exactly as they reached it.

“Welcome home sir.” She bowed her head slightly in a small sign of reverence. Molly smiled as best she could. She couldn’t help it. Hiiro Yui, her ‘master’ was the sexiest man she had ever met. If she could drool over him she would, no question. But if he was supposed t be married in front of this man, then her ‘drool’ would have to wait until later.

“Hnn.”

“Thank you Miss?”

“Molly sir. Welcome to Rainsquall Manor sir.” She giggled and bowed again, this time more deeply. This new guest was polite!

“Rainsquall? What an enchanting name! However did you manage to decide upon it for this estate?” Taliesin questioned.

“It came with the place.” Hiiro muttered an excuse. He hadn’t known there was a name to the place either. Who names houses? What was the point? They were eventually knocked down and destroyed anyway. A name just created more sentimental attachment to the inanimate object. He turned to the maid. “Where’s Serena?”

“The Mistress is outside in the back sir.” Hiiro frowned. What the devil was that woman doing outside? She was supposed to come in all nice and dressed pretty- the way those women do when they have a fancy party to go to.

“What is she doing out there?” The maid, deciding from his tone, skipped over what Serena was doing and spoke.

“Allow me to go get her, Sir.” She scampered away.

“ Oh, if your wife is busy, I see no reason to disturb her.” Taliesin tried to assure Hiiro.

“Mom wasn’t that busy. Besides, she wanted to meet you.” Looking down and over  a bit, Hiiro narrowed his eyes, while Taliesin widened his.

“Where did you come from my dear girl?” Taliesin asked her, his eyes sparkling with laughter. He noticed Hiiro’s face still held no expression. His eyes, however, told a different story.  That was what made him so happy. Hiiro Yui was the most amusing character he had yet to meet. No emotion yet every emotion. How entertaining.

            “My name is Rini. I came from outside with my Mom. We were playing. Well, I was playing. Mom was working.” Rini giggled and adjusted the towel around her waste; bringing it up around her small shoulders. “It’s cold in here. Come outside!” She cried, dragging Taliesin’s hand as she tried running back outdoors. Taliesin allowed the child to drag him around the corner. Just as they reached the door, a figure walked through.

            Hiiro was mad. No, that was the wrong word. He wasn’t mad. No, not at all. He was livid with rage. He had told this woman to dress her daughter nicely. And here her daughter was, dressed in a small, pink swimsuit, dripping wet, hair matted to her forehead, and dripping water on the clean, dry floor.

            “Oh, you’re back.” The figure spoke. Hiiro hadn’t noticed it since he had been staring at Rini’s messy appearance. He looked up just in time to nearly choke. There was his ‘wife’. Going from foot to head, he studied her wonderful appearance. Barefoot and  dressed in the shortest, most ragged shots he had ever seen. The shorts barely covered anything- and they were so full of rips and tears he wondered why she bothered wearing anything at all. Moving up, he found her wearing a pristine white dress shirt. It looked strangely familiar, minus the dirt and mud that covered his initials of the front pocket… his initials… his rage increased. Her hair was shoved back in a messy, tight bun and her makeup and jewelry were non-existent. She couldn’t have even worn makeup. Not even a smug of lipstick.

            “Ah! And you must be Hiiro’s wonderful wife! Mrs. Yui, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Taliesin, I’ll be your house guest for the week.” Taliesin exclaimed. Inwardly, he was laughing. He was sent to change Hiiro. Yet this woman was having such a mind blowing effect on his charge that he considered leaving so she could do the work for him. Then an idea hit him. Why not stay and not do any work for a few days. He would simply observe the interaction between Serena, Hiiro, and Rini. The perfect starting point for his work. He would have to remember to thank his older brother J for sending him on this job- it was going to be the job of a lifetime.

            “Yes, hello! My name is Serena! I’d shake your hand, however, I’m afraid mine’s covered in mud.” She smiled and laughed. She liked the look in Hiiro’s eyes. He was mad. Furious even. Served him right. She felt empowered. But the look Hiiro was giving her was starting to send chills up her spine. He was really, really mad… maybe she shouldn’t have gone so over board so soon… naw… he’d get over it.

            “That’s fine, that’s fine my dear. My, my, what ever were you doing?” Taliesin asked her merrily. Serena smiled. She already liked this man. He didn’t look down upon her immediately the way Hiiro had. And Rini liked him too, otherwise he wouldn’t have lasted this long…

             “I was gardening. You see, this house has a glass covering over the gardens- I can garden even in the snow.” She smiled.

            “Wonderful.” Taliesin exclaimed.

            “Serena, my I see you?” Hiiro asked her calmly.

            “Oh, of course dear. Rini honey, why don’t you get Mr. Taliesin something to drink? I’m sure he’s thirsty after his long flight.” Serena smiled at her daughter and Taliesin, the turned and walked out the door, Hiiro following. He closed the door behind him and recklessness ensued.

            “What are you wearing?” He asked her.

            “My gardening outfit. You like?” She spun around for him.

            “That is my good dress shirt. My only good dress shirt.” He replied coolly, keeping his rage bottled in for now.

            “Oh, is it? I’m sorry. Molly put it in my room and I thought I was meant to wear it. Feels very nice, they used good material; though it is a bit big.”

            “I requested you dress nicely.”

            “You requested we dress well. Requested and well are the key words in the sentence. You requested well. I felt like not following you request, so I simply dressed. I let Rini do as she saw fit herself.” Serena smirked.

            “You know that was not what I meant.” Hiiro snarled.

            “Yes. But then, you are a rude person, why should I do as you meant?” She had the urge to stick her tongue out at him.

            “Rude? You didn’t even have the decency to wear something that covers you, and you call me rude?” Hiiro yelled. He couldn’t explain why she had such an effect, but he was madder than he had ever been. Ever. “Not to mention, the wind is blowing, it is snowing, and it is below zero outside! You could have died!”

            “Didn’t you hear me when I said the gardens are covered by ‘glass’?” She retorted, matching his rage. If he wanted to play with the big girls,  was going to get crushed.

            “I heard you. You and your stupidity! And she’s out there swimming? Honestly. Pick up your act and gain some class! I don’t like this arrangement anymore than you do, but it’s for one week. Now grow up and act!”

            “Oh, I’ll act. Right as soon as you do. You have to do something to get something you know! I want you to start act first. Acting nice! You didn’t even have the decency to introduce your guest. He had to tell me his name himself! I’ll bet you’ve hardly spoken to the poor man so far! He’s probably scared of your little death glares, but I’m not! Get over yourself or I quit! And when I say quit, that means Rini and I leave. For good! You can’t order me around; I don’t work for you, I work for your boss. Now either you grow up and stop complaining, or find a new wife! Good day!” With that, she opened the door and stomped out. Hiiro ran his hand through his hair. This was definitely going to be a week in hell.

            Serena stood just inside her bedroom door. She wanted to cry. But she wouldn’t She would stick this out. And who knows? Maybe the creep would change. She doubted it, but maybe… so she would try for just a day more. Sighing, she began to undress. This week, no matter what the results were, was definitely going to be hell.*

 

~~How’s it going? Any questions? Or is the Cryptic message going through alright?~~