Chapter THIRTY
The next morning, Ni-ki and I decided to have a casual date. We go to places and just probably window shopping too. We're at a park at bright sunny day, walking in intertwined fingers when I spot a small kiosk selling cookies and pastries.
I immediately pulled Ni-ki to the kiosk and scanned the goodies being sold.
"Good morning, how can I help you today?" The seller greeted with delight.
"Hi, what are your best sellers?" I asked.
"Our best sellers are chocolate wallnut cookie, peanut butter oatmeal cookie and dark chocolate brownie."
I looked at Ni-ki and asked, "What would you like to have, Ni-ki?"
"Maybe I'll have the strawberry cream bread."
"Okay. We'll have 1 chocolate wallnut and 1 strawberry cream please."
The seller took note and then we paid for our order before she proceeds to prepare for it. After few minutes, she handed us our order and told us to enjoy eveything.
I pulled Ni-ki to a bench to seat on while we watch the kids playing around. The weather is fine today I can say.
I took a bite of my cookie and as soon as my tastebuds were able to to taste the gooeyness of the chocolate, my eyes widened in surprise, "This is good."
"Mine's okay. You make the best strawberry cream bread. And the strawberries' not warm."
I playfully tapped on his leg as I chew on the cookie. My heart sank to my gut when I realized my bakery. How I missed it and how I missed baking.
"Ni-ki..." I trailed off before looking at him, "I want to return to my bakery."
Ni-ki's expression wasn't amused and I understand because he might be thinking of my safety but he didn't say anything. He waited for me to continue.
"...I understand that you are looking out for me but I was wondering, until when am I going to live like this?"
"So you think living with me is not a good idea? Are you starting to regret everything?" He looked dissappointed but that was not my intention.
"No, Ni-ki. Of course, meeting you, living with you and doing all these things with you make ma happy and I have no regrets. But, I can't always depend on you. You pay for everything and I can't even pay for the groceries."
"But it's not a prob--"
"Yes, I know what you will say but, the bakery was my dream. It was my home. It's been there for months so it's either I go back or sell it but thinking of selling it, makes my heart shatter."
He took a deep sigh before speaking, "And what if Yoshi comes back?"
"Then I'll tell him that we do not have any contact at all. You can't visit the bakery neither the boys. We will act like we have never met each other. I'll live like my previous life."
"Yoshi has eyes that you can't see. He might be nearby, watching your every move."
"You said that you attached an alarm that will pre-detect any potential danger nearby right? Then I will let you know if something happens right away. Just trust me on this, please. I miss my bakery." I looked at him straight in the eyes and pleaded.
His eyes speaks 'I don't want to but I want you to be happy' so loud. He let out another sigh and then looked down before replying, "If it will make you happy, then okay."
A smile crept on my face as I excitedly wrapped my arms around his neck, "Thank you, Ni-ki. Thank you so much!"
He wrapped his arms around my waist, "If it will make my baby happy, then I am happy. We'll do something to keep you safe."
niki.
Serena and I have been dating for 3 months. Those 3 months were the most wonderful days of my life. Everyday, I have a reason to wake up and live my life because of her.
Serena has been understanding at everything I do so when she requested to come back to her bakery, I gave in. I know I can't take away something that she built herself and I don't have the right to control her life.
For the past week, my family's been texting me to come home sometime. At first, I couldn't since I need to look out for Serena's safety but I've been thinking about this for awhile now.
"Serena." I called out while she's washing the dishes. I came towards her, wrap my arms around her waist from behind and rest my head on her shoulder.
"Yes love?" She tapped my face first acknowledging my presence.
"There's something I want to request from you before you go back to your bakery."
She wiped her hands on a dried towel as she finishes washing the dishes, "Hmm?"
"I want you to come with me to Okayama and meet my family."
I noticed that she stopped at what she was doing and turned around to face me, "What?"
"I want you to meet my family."
"In Japan?"
I nodded, "I have never brought a girl home and you will be the first but you're very special to me so they deserve to meet you."
She avoided eye contact me with me with a frown, "I..I don't know Ni-ki. I'm kind of scared, what if they don't like me?"
"Of course they will. My family are very kind people and they will really love to meet you. There's no reason for them to dislike you."
She looked at me once again and said, "Are you really bringing me to Japan?"
"Yes. Are you okay with meeting them? Of course I will not force you but I just want you to know they will love you and it would really mean to me if they will know who you are."
She thought for a second before taking a deep breath, "Okay. For you."
My smile reached ear to ear, "Really?!"
"Yes. When are we leaving?"
"Maybe next week. I'll check the flight schedule tomorrow. We'll stay there for a week yeah?"
She shrugged, "As long as you're happy, just don't leave me when we're there okay? And you better take me to a delicious katsu curry place, I've been dying to try it."
"I'll take you anywhere you want my love."
She smiled and I pecked her cheek. See? Our relationship's not so bad is it?
