Chapter 7
As the coach brought Tomoyo closer to the Obake's house,she
finalized her plans.She realized she had the upper hand in the
situation.The English toad surrendered his ace to her
already,leaving her the chance to just leave him and lose
nothing.Yet she knew that the stranger is shrewd and would not
let her easily off the hook after he spent so much on her.So that
means she had to make the obake WANT to get rid of her..by acting
rottenly.
"Penny for your thoughts."said Eriol with a chuckle.He
could already sense the lady's mind working.
"My thoughts are priceless."she countered."Because
I was thinking of you."
"Oh really?"he asked,amused."Perhaps
you'reflecting on my dashing looks."
She shrugged."Typical buta."
"Typical what?"
"Typical pig."
"Nakuru,this is my geisha.."He looked at
her."What's your name again?"
It struck Tomoyo that she never bothered to know the real name of
the english obake and vice-versa."T-Tomoyo.Daidouji
Tomoyo."
The tall woman smiled."It's a pleasure to meet you.Master
Eriol has told me so much about you."
Eriol threw his servant a warning glare.
Tomoyo bowed."Likewise,Ms.Nakuru."She felt comfortable
with the woman.Something about her was too homely for a
stranger.She smiled.At least her stay in the obake's house
wouldn't be so bad after all.
"I am the cook,laundrywoman,maid and gardener.In short,I'm
the slave."Nakuru laughed good-naturedly.
"I will be glad to help you out."Tomoyo volunteered
eagerly.The less opportunities to be with the obake,the better.
"Oh no,you have a full-time job already.Besides,I don't
think my master would share you to anyone at all."said the
maidservant.
Before Tomoyo could react,Eriol was dragging her up the winding
grand staircase already."Let me show you your room."
She withdrew her hand from his grasp."Why the hurry?"
He refused to glance her way."Because."he said the word
as if it was the reason itself.
"yes,Your Majesty."she sighed.
Tomoyo gaped at the spacious room with a large satin-sheeted
bed,brass mirror,a study desk and a huge cabinet."I-Is this
really my room?"she asked in awe.
He nodded.
She excitedly plopped down the soft bed and ran her fingers
across the rich pale pink beddings.She then sauntered towards the
windows and opened one of them.Her eyes widened in delight.The
whole town looked so panoramic from her window.
Eriol stood beside her and took in the fresh air that mixed with
the lady's flowery scent."Beautiful,isn't it?"He didn't
tell her how much more beautiful the view was in his eyes even
though he saw this countless times already just because of her
mere presence.
Tomoyo nodded."beautiful..I guess the world is more
beautiful when you're up here surveyingthe land enclosed in your
four concrete walls rather than down there toiling on a land you
do not own."she said bitterly.
Eriol was silenced.He was stung by her remark.
Tomoyo left the window quietly."Shall I prepare your dinner
or shall I draw your bath?"
"Dinner first."he said.
As Tomoyo systematically put away the dirty plates,Eriol watched
her intently,not saying anything.She was starting to feel
self-concious by the way he stared at her so intensely so she
hurried her work.She got up,finished with her work."See you
tomorrow."
"Bijin,wait!Don't leave yet.The night is still young.Please
keep me company."he begged.
She looked at him with much hesitation.She didn't relish the idea
of overstaying in a man's room especially at night.
"Why are you staring at me,Bijin?Is my face dirty or
something?"he asked,his voice laced with teasing amusement.
She turned pink."N-No,your face is immaculately clean,but
the dirt accumulated in your mind unfortunately."
He laughed."Oh yeah?Between us,who's got a dirtier
mind?"
He read her thoughts!Her face turned into a deeper shade
ofpink,bordering on crimson."Oooh,I hate you!"she
hissed.
He chuckled."Prove it.Stay awhile and trade insults with
me."His eyes softened."Don't leave me alone yet."
By some force of unexplainable origin,she lost the power to say
no.She placed her tray down and sat on the
floor."Alright."She took her flute out."Instead of
engaging in worthless bickering,I shall play for you."
Eriol sat up straighter.
A soft,melancholic music filled the air.Tomoyo,her eyes
closed,didn't see how Eriol's eyes slowly warmed.She didn't see
the small genuine smile creeping on his face like the daylight
breaking the darkness.
After the music ended,Tomoyo glanced at her lone audience.
He was speechlessly staring at her,but his blissful smile said
all of the admiration in the world.It spoke louder than all the
applauses people gave her in her entire lifetime.
"Thank you,Bijin."he said softly."Goodnight."
"Oyasumi nasai too."she said before she left his
room,feeling strangely good.