Beautiful Disasters- Hawks x OC

Chapter 91

             Mariko woke up a few hours later, the sun already streaming through the car windows. Glancing at Keigo, she saw the blonde was still fast asleep. Despite the fact that he'd slept through half the trip, he was still exhausted. "How long has it been since he got a good night's sleep?" she wondered. She lifted her hand that'd been resting on his shoulder and tucked a strand of his hair back. She didn't move, for a few moments, giving herself the opportunity to admire her boyfriend's sleeping face. He looked so peaceful; it was almost hard to believe he could be so energetic.

             After a while, he began to stir. He opened his eyes slowly, and Mariko couldn't help but smile a bit as she met his gorgeous golden eyes.

              "G'morning," he greeted. His raspy, low morning voice combined with the lazy smile he flashed was enough to make her heart skip a beat.

             "Morning. How'd you sleep?" she asked as he snuggled closer, burying his head in her chest. He sighed contentedly as her hands instinctively began combing through his hair.

             "I feel like I should be asking you that Chickee. You were the one that was driving all day yesterday."

            "I slept good, but I always do when I'm with you," she said sweetly.

           "Me too Mari. I feel... at peace when I'm with you."

             The brunette sighed contentedly, as much as she would love to spend the rest of eternity just like this, they had a mansion to secure. "Come on, we need to check out the house."

            Keigo groaned in protest when he felt her hands stop, and squeezed her waist tightly. "I don't wanna," he muttered grabbing her hand and placing it back on his head, encouraging her to continue what she'd been doing.

           "The sooner we get that done the sooner we can get food. If we get done fast enough we can continue in an actual bed," she told him.

            He wanted to say no. He really did. All he wanted to do was continue holding her just like this and whispering sweet things to her while she pet his hair. He knew they had to get up though, so after groaning in protest a little while longer, he sat up and crawled out of the car before helping Mari out as well.

          They still had some snacks leftover from the trip. So, breakfast that day was just a couple of granola bars and a bottle of water. Tossing the wrappers into the car, Mariko grabbed the keys and walked towards the mansion's front door, unlocking it while Keigo quickly searched the perimeter.

            If it hadn't been obvious the place was abandoned, it was now. The foyer was dark when she walked in, only the light from the door and windows illuminated the space. She walked over to the light switch, flicking it on, she wasn't surprised when nothing happens. The crystal chandelier that hung overhead remained dark, cobwebs hanging around it like a veil.

             As she walked through the house, her feet left footprints in the layer of dust that had accumulated on the floor. White tarps had been pulled over all the furniture; some had fallen off over the years, leaving a random chair or table exposed.

              "Mari?" Keigo called out. His voice echoed in the otherwise silent home.

             "Here," She called back softly, still taking in their surroundings. Her heart grew heavy the longer she looked around. This was where she was supposed to live with Mineko, after all. It was a physical reminder of the sister she'd lost, and the childhood dreams she'd abandoned.