Entrapment

Chapter Nine

Silly Distractions

"Who's driving?" Pirika asked once she saw the faded blue BMW parked before them.

Ren grunted, and as if to answer her question, he turned to unlock the driver's door and got in. From inside, he unlocked the other door, and motioned for the blue-haired girl to get in.

Pirika merely stood still.

Ren glared at her as he rolled down the car window. "If you are expecting me to be a perfect gentleman and open the door for you, then you can dream on, young lady."

Pirika crossed her arms and glared back. Her mouth slightly opened to retort that Ren was never a gentleman to begin with, much less perfect, but decided against it. Not that she did expect him to open the car door for her, anyway.

They remained like that, the dark haired man glaring intensely, and the blue-haired girl, more than eager to return the look with equal fervor, engaged in a fiery battle of wills.

He didn't have time for this. Ren cursed as he got out of the car, and heavily held the door ajar for Pirika. He reminded himself that this would be the last time that he would bend to the wishes of the girl with lovely blue eyes, and that they were in a truce, he might as well honor it.

The said girl didn't even budge, and to add fuel to his brewing rage, Ren saw, unmistakably, a hint of amusement, or surprise, or both, that graced Pirika's lovely blue eyes, before they settled back to glaring at him.

Right. He just said Pirika's eyes were lovely. Twice. Again. Why couldn't he just ignore them?

Focusing all his energy to the task at hand, and that was, to bring Pirika to his sister's party, honor a month-long truce, with no distracting emotions attached, Ren once more glared at Pirika.

"Get. In. The. Car. Now!"

If Pirika had any idea what was going on behind those flashing amber eyes, she did not show it. She was, after all, wise enough to just keep her lips firmly sealed, and not do anything about it.

"Pirika," Ren spoke exasperatedly, as he finally had an idea of what was really going on. "I'm 18, which makes me driving legal enough. I learned to drive well before I was 14, and I could assure you that my professors taught me well." Before he could continue rambling that he passed the driver's examination last year with flying colors, he noticed a figure brushed lightly before him.

Pirika, finally, got in the car.

Ren breathed a sign of relief, and he closed the door, gently this time, before he himself got in.

The tense silence that followed was consummating.

Ren opened his mouth to speak, but already felt a pair of eyes on him, and barely heard the issued statement.

"I thought we were in a hurry."

Ren nodded, and started the ignition. After a while, he turned to look at the girl sitting beside him. "You could have asked me you know."

The statement came softer than expected. Ren had every right to be angry. They wasted precious time back there, not to mention that those darn eyes distracted him, and now, the girl had enough guts to say that they should hurry. Pirika should have just asked whether he was capable and responsible enough to drive, should have trusted him enough, rather than wasted time glaring back at him.

It was your fault too, a soft voice inside his head said.

You should have asked Pirika what was wrong instead of intimidating her into glaring back at you. After all, you assumed that it was because of "gentleman" duties. The girl was sick, for goodness' sake, and you did persuade her to come with you, and the least thing you could do is to open the door for her, and explain perfectly that you are to be trusted enough to drive.

Ren was spared from further "inner admonishment" when Pirika shrugged and answered him.

"Sorry." There was a hesitant pause. "But I did ask, you know…"

Pirika turned to look at him, and once more, he found himself staring back, and being distracted, again, by those lovely blue eyes. Not to mention that this time, Pirika was smiling at him.

Enough! Ren turned away. "Whatever." He stepped on the pedal. Enough time was wasted.

But Pirika wasn't done. "Thanks, anyway…"

"For what?" Ren asked, resisting the urge to turn his eyes away from the road, to look back once more, at Pirika.

"For opening the car door for me. Honestly speaking, I never expected you to."

Even though, he was concentrated on the road, he knew that Pirika was grinning at him. He grinned back. "I could be a perfect gentleman if I want to, you know."

"Whatever. Nice car, anyway."

"Thanks."

And that was it…

The rest of the trip passed in silence. Pirika, for her part, was contemplating the events that had happened recently. So many things had happened, in so little time. Like the fact that here she was, sitting in silence, in the car of the man she promised to avoid at all cost…

Avoid, before things took a nastier turn…

But for the last 48 hours, she had spent time with him more than ever, as if to compensate for the last five or so years that she had not seen him. Damn it, Ren even kissed her hard on the lips yesterday. Nor did she expected him to barge into her apartment, demanded her to go to Jun's party, and formed a truce with her in desperation, after she punched him last night.

Pirika didn't like to admit it, but she was enjoying the attention. She enjoyed his company, especially yesterday, and she wasn't supposed to enjoy it. She avoided him for five years, and then this? All those escapades turned to waste because of this?

She wouldn't allow that. After all, she did know that prolonging moments like these would bring her back to square one. The way she felt whenever those amber eyes would somehow turn to look at her was evidence enough. She knew. She noticed. Her defenses were slowly crumbling down.

Nor did she fail to notice that Ren, somehow, was avoiding her eyes. He would look at her, yes, but he would turn away, looking as if he regretted looking at her. Ren seemed edgy, and distracted, lately. And whenever she did have the chance to properly look at him, she could see something hidden beneath those orbs. Something even she couldn't read, or refused to read.

Like now… Ren was looking at her, like that… Then he turned away.

Pirika gulped. It seemed like for a second, she saw something she refused to understand.

Was it because of her? Was he distracted because of her? Did he feel the same way?

No. Get a grip on yourself, Pirika, she told herself. She remembered what had happened five years ago.

Ren didn't feel the same way.

He was distracted because of the party. Yes, everything was because of the party. They were running late. She, meanwhile, was distracted because of… the paper… Yes, the paper both of them had been working on… She had time to read it last night, and found out that they had overlooked some details. Minor details, but crucial nonetheless to the topic.

What they were feeling right now wasn't because of that…

"Are you okay?"

Pirika quickly turned her head to look at him. "Huh?"

Ren grunted. "I was asking if you are okay." He quickly looked at her, before turning his eyes back to the road. "You looked feverish or something. Was it the fever again?"

There was it again. Pirika breathed in. "I'm fine… I was just thinking…"

The traffic light turned red. Pirika barely had time to continue what she had been saying when she felt warmth on her forehead. It seemed like she forgot to breathe. Then, it was gone.

"Then don't think a lot. It seemed like thinking is bad for you."

Pirika opened her mouth to retort, but none came. The fact that Ren put his hand on her forehead didn't sink in just yet… But damn it, why was she feeling this way? Her pulse was racing, heat filled her cheeks, and her heart felt like pounding against her ribcage. Ren merely put his hand on her forehead to check if she had a fever. There was absolutely nothing special about it.

She heard a faint snicker.

"You are allowed to breathe, Pirika."

Pirika felt herself blush, and thank god, Ren didn't see it. The traffic light just turned green, and Ren's eyes were back on the road, as he made a left turn…

A left turn? Wait a minute…

"Where are we going?" Pirika pointed on the right side of the road. "Ren, the hotel's that way."

"Do you honestly think I would let you burst into my sister's party wearing just that?" Ren grunted. "We needed to buy you a dress, remember?"

"You don't have to." Pirika replied as she straightened her skirt and adjusted her blouse. "What I'm wearing is…"

"Decent, yes, but not appropriate." Ren finished for her. "Pirika, we're supposed to wear something formal, and what you're wearing doesn't even meet half of it."

"But I don't have enough money to buy a dress. Plus, we don't have much time."

"I'm picking up my suit, and we could buy something appropriate from there. I supposed it would only take us half an hour." Ren checked his watch. "Nee-san expected us to be late anyway, and don't start on the dress. It's on me, okay?"

For the first time in his life, Ren Tao was wrong.

They had arrived at the Victorian mansion at exactly 5 pm, and after brief introductions, Ren left Pirika to the care of Madame Rose. He instructed the blonde woman to go "easy" on Pirika, and clearly said that he expected them to finish in half an hour or so.

Ren, meanwhile, was led to another room, where he found his suit waiting for him. After he was sure that the suit met all his expectations, he changed. A young girl then came in, and politely led him to the patio, near the pool, where he was to wait until Pirika was done.

But that was an hour ago…

Ren paced back and forth as he checked his watch for the umpteenth time. They were extremely late, damn it. His watch showed that the party already started thirty minutes ago, and from the looks of it, it seemed that he would be missing a great deal of it.

To say that Pirika took long enough to pick up a dress was an understatement. Pirika took ages to pick a dress that she would wear for a maximum of four hours, and Madame Rose wasn't helping much either. The woman had sent word that they would be delayed, as Pirika was a tricky customer.

He would welcome a fifteen-minute delay, or perhaps even a half-hour, but an hour of delay simply wasn't tolerable.

Ren grunted. He beckoned for the young attendant to come to him. "Could you please tell them to hurry up?" He said in his most impatient voice. "The party just started half an hour ago! Tell Pirika that I don't give a damn what she wears, just tell her to finish it off already!" The young woman nodded and disappeared, eager to get away from the irate man.

He took another drink. He had requested a bottle of light wine earlier to calm his nerves. He then stared at the pool, and was distracted enough that he did not notice that there was someone standing beside him.

When Pirika realized that Ren was not due to look at her anytime soon, and that the dark-haired man was dimly aware of her presence, she coughed to get his attention.

Ren turned.

And to his dismay, he found himself looking at the most beautiful woman in the world.

His breath constricted in his throat, as he took in the image of a deity standing close to him.

It wasn't about the hair. Pirika, or Madam Rose for that matter, had curled it, before it was elegantly twisted at the back of her head, loose strands of which were carefully tucked in her ear.

It wasn't even about the dress. Pirika wore a simple periwinkle gown, the cut too familiar, and too modest to reveal anything, but the silk fabric that clung to her body failed to hide her curves, and the womanly figure beneath it.

Nor was it about the jewelry. The gown was off the shoulder, forcing Pirika to wear a silver necklace, the stone probably sapphire. Her earrings would not also attract attention, as they were small, and simple enough. She wore light make-up, a pale red lipstick, and light blush-on.

It was the way she carried herself that made the difference. Pirika's poise was calm and confident, and she kept her head high as she looked back at him. That, plus the hair and the dress, with the loveliest pair of eyes he'd seen, made her glow.

Pirika squirmed under the scrutiny of Ren's gaze, as he studied her from head to foot. She felt extremely uncomfortable, as those amber orbs bore into her, as though she wore nothing. She expected colorful curses once he saw her, and if she was lucky, a compliment or two, but certainly not this.

Ren looked dazed, just by the mere sight of her.

And she did what her mind told her to do… Pirika stared back.

Ren downed the remaining wine in his glass and walked nearer to the pool. He immediately felt the cold air brushed against his warm face. He then looked at Pirika once more. "Do you know how to dance?"

Pirika blinked. "What?" Dance? What was Ren on about?

"I was asking you, if you know how to dance…"

There was it again… Pirika gasped. The intensity of that gaze simply left her breathless. Those amber eyes stared at her, as if trying to tell her something.

As if trying to make her understand…

"No, I don't." She finally admitted.

There was a soft chuckle. "Do you want to?"

That was the time, Pirika knew, when she stopped to breathe. "Do I want to what?" She asked softly, not meeting his eyes.

"Did that dress mess up with your hearing or something?" Ren chuckled once more. He took a step closer. He cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. He then asked, ever so softly. "Pirika, do you want to dance?"

The moment her eyes met his, her defenses crumbled. Yes, her mind screamed. Yes, she wanted to dance with him. "But the party…"

"It doesn't matter…"

"But there's no music…"

Ren smiled. "Pirika…" He asked once again. "Do you want to dance?"

Her eyes closed as she finally submitted herself to what she really wanted, to what she had desperately avoided. She knew that sometime later she would regret this. But her mind blocked all coherent thoughts, as it told her that this was okay, that this was fine. "Yes…" Pirika softly replied. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. "I want to dance with you."

"First lesson." Ren took a step away from Pirika. "The guy holds out his hand, and the girl takes it." He grinned at Pirika as he held out his hand, and she took it. "Then, the guy does this." He bowed, and kissed Pirika's hand.

Pirika lightly blushed. "Do you have to do that?"

"Of course. Tradition says so." Ren once more stepped close to Pirika. "Your left hand here." He put Pirika's left hand on his neck, "My left hand here." He put his left hand on her waist and drew her closer. "And your right hand, with mine. Got everything so far?"

Pirika nodded.

"Good. And now, we dance." Ren slowly stirred her around. "Just follow my lead." He whispered in her ear.

"Pirika, relax."

It was a moment close to perfection, as though nothing else mattered… There was no party to attend, no distractions to mind, no five years to look back to, as they held each other and danced. Ren carefully guided her around, but Pirika soon got the rhythm, and twirled against Ren with ease. Pirika even started to hum a song, as she leaned her head forward against his chest.

Ren looked surprised, but responded by drawing her even closer. "I think you're getting the hang of it…"

They remained like that for seemed like eternity, holding each other, as the spell of love had been cast.

"He's not answering his phone." Jun said worriedly, as she once again tried to contact her brother.

"What?" Horo-Horo paced back and forth. "What if something happened to them? Damn it…"

Tamao merely looked at Horo-Horo and smiled. "Relax, Horo-Horo. Just enjoy the party."

"How can I relax?" Horo-Horo snapped. "Relax, when they are supposed to be here half an hour ago? Relax, when I don't even know where the hell my sister is, or what the hell she's doing with my best friend! Oh my god…" He then glared at Hao and to the rest of his friends. "Don't tell me… Is this part of your ridiculous matchmaking plans again?"

Hao smirked. "Nope." But I can assure you; they are having a good time…

"Pirika."

Pirika looked up, and smiled, as she once more met Ren's gaze. "Hmmm?"

Ren caressed Pirika's cheeks, and tucked in a loose strand of hair in her ear. "You look beautiful tonight…" Ren spoke softly, and before he could control himself, he was leaning in…

Pirika closed her eyes, as she anticipated the inevitable.

And in the process, she instinctively took a step backwards.

Right into the slippery tiles of the pool…

Pirika's eyes widened as she felt herself slipped, and as her other hand was still on Ren's neck, on impulse, she tightened her hold into him for the sake of balance…

Ren realized what was happening, or what was about to happen, and as he was leaning in to Pirika, he lost his balance just as Pirika slipped and held him tight.

Splash!

The sound of two figures hitting water was heard, and Madame Rose came to investigate.

End of Chapter

Finally! I was inspired enough to finish this chapter! Yes! Be kind, and leave me a review!