Over the weeks Mio learned a lot from Ayase, more than she thought she would. Ayase was quite knowledgeable about men but not only men, people in general.
" See how she turns her body away from him, when he's speaking". Ayase said and Mio nodded.
" That is a clear sign she doesn't like him. So you need to watch a person's body language to find out how they feel about you".
Mio and Ayase were 'people watching' as Ayase described it. Mio was fascinated by this as she had always heard of body language but never put it into practice. Ayase even had her go out on mini-missions, to try and get a guys number.
Of course, Mio found this extremely tedious.
" See that guy over there" Ayase pointed to a cute boy with a blue checkered shirt.
" Try flirt with him".
Mio pulled a face and Ayase smiled her usual ambience smile, but Mio couldn't help but think that Ayase was taunting, behind that smile.
Picking up her bag Mio sauntered over. She had perfected a walk that suited her and immediately caught some of the nearby male's attention.
" Hi," Mio said smiling shyly and tucking her hair behind her ear. It was a cute gesture that Mio saw many other girls in town do.
The boy looked shocked, wondering if she was talking to him.
" Me?" he said.
" Yes, you silly" Mio laughed lightly and smacked him on the arm.
She had initiated bodily contact with him. He nervously returned her laugh and stretched out his hand.
" I'm Naso, nice to meet you".
Mio took his hand, she gripped it with just the right amount of pressure and looked into his eyes saying " I'm Mio, nice to meet you, Naso."
Naso blushed, he spoke to Mio who laughed at his corny jokes and when Mio decided that she needed to leave, he asked for her number.
Mio enjoyed how smoothly everything was going until, a girl with short hair and wearing a sports outfit came out.
" Big brother Naso!" she said running over and clinging to his arm.
Mio stepped back as the girl eyed her.
" Who's this?"
" Ah, Maya..." Naso looked apologetically in Mio's direction. " This is Mio".
"Mio" Maya said she pouted putting on her best cute look and making her eyes big.
Mio wanted to smack the girl for ruining her mission and said.
" Oh, Naso is this your little sister. She looks just like you". Of course, Mio knew they weren't related the poor girl was clinging onto Naso pushing her bosom into his arm.
She also had that sparkly-eyed look in her eyes. That told Mio that this girl was totally infatuated with this guy.
" I'm not his sister!" Maya said.
"Oh" Mio responded, wanting to stir the pot she said, " Then what are you?"
" His girlfriend?" Maya's face went red and Naso tried to shrug her off.
" N-no I mean".
" Ah, now I know why Naso didn't ask for my number. Who knew he had such a cute girlfriend. I'm so sorry" Mio said putting on her best-acting face.
" Don't misunderstand me. I'll get going now. Have a good date and by the way, you guys make a great couple."
Mio then skipped away, watching the red-faced Maya let go of Naso and Naso looking away from her also red-faced.
Once Mio returned back to Ayase who was sitting near a window at an ice-cream shop, Ayase asked.
" Are you having fun?"
Mio smiled and ordered a chocolate-chip cookie ice-cream.
" Very much".
Ayase had a beaming smile on her face.
" So I'm not so bad am I?"
Mio looked up at Ayase and then cleared her throat.
" Well, you're better than I thought. Plus I learned a lot from and about myself spending time with you so... I'm sorry for how acted before".
Mio bowed her head in apology and Ayase looked pleased.
" Don't worry I'm not after your dad's money".
Mio looked up wide-eyed at Ayase.
" I know why you acted that way and I understand. So now that we know each other we should at least be friends or I could be your big sister."
Mio's ice-cream arrived and she quickly shoved a spoonful into her mouth, looking away.
Ayase was amused by her reaction.
" Big sister, you're my age" Mio protested still scooping ice-cream into her mouth.
Ayase sat back, " If it's a matter of seniority, you should know" she leaned forward, " that I am thirty-five".
Mio dropped her spoon.
" No way" she couldn't believe it.
Ayase looked to be at least in her twenties so she had assumed they were peers but now...
" How can you look so young?!"
Ayase flipped her hair, " Well when you exercise, have good skin care and smile. You too can look like me when you're my age".
Mio grabbed Ayase's hand.
" Big sister teach me your ways".
Ayase was elated to have won Mio over and said: " I'll teach you everything I know".
Mio became very close to Ayase over the months she had left at her home. She even saw with her own eyes that Ayase despite her obvious sex appeal was a truly genuine person.
She was just very confident and Mio had mistaken that for wanting to replace her mother.
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The day came when Mio had to leave and head to the main city, where the Deeks clan resided.
She stood ready to board the plane and waved. Ayase in her iconic red dress waved and shouted.
" Remember, guard yourself and have fun!"
Hong and Long cried lamenting her departure. Mio's father was the most serious and sad of all.
Before she boarded he had told her:
"Mio, be careful. Don't die and most of all don't die trying to protect all of us. If you have to, run, we will all understand but don't stay if it means that you will be in danger".
Mio boarded the plane.
She sat down and suddenly felt her hands shake. She was nervous, afraid and worried about her family.
Clutching her hands to her chest she breathed in.
" It's for them" she whispered.
She wanted to protect her family, even though she had tried to escape from them. Mio couldn't deny that she loved everybody in the Lotus clan and she knew that they loved her.
Once Mio stepped off the plane, she grabbed her luggage and walked out.
As soon as she walked out into the pickup area a man in a black suit approached her. Mio was accustomed to suited men and looked up at him.
" Miss Saito?" he said in a professional tone.
" Yes," Mio responded.
" We are here to escort you on behalf of the Deeks clan. Please, this way miss".
He guided her to five other suited men. They surrounded her and walked her through the crowd. Mio felt all of the surrounding people focus on her.
Some even asked if she was a celebrity. Others, mostly young men admired her from afar but never approached, too intimidated by the large men surrounding her.
They exited the terminal and the man who had first approached Mio opened the door to a sleek silver Mercedes. Mio slid into the backseat.
She was overwhelmed by their courteous treatment.
" Miss" the man in the driver's seat nodded greeting her. Mio nodded back and then felt the car move.
The drive was quiet and calm and Mio causally drifted off in the backseat.
The driver observed her through his rear view window.
" Miss," he said again waking her as they arrived at the Deeks manor. The car drove up the long driveway, that was framed by palm trees.
The car drove up to reveal and a modern style mansion, that had evidence of Greek design.
Mio was familiar with the Corinthian styled pillars and Roman arches. The manor was painted completely white and Mio could see just by its pristine white colour that it was painted on a regular.
The house had arched windows and carried a sense of elegance and mystery. Mio was significantly shocked by just the outside of the mansion.
The door opened and Mio climbed out with one of the men getting her luggage. As she stepped out there was a well-dressed young man waiting outside. He wore fitted grey pants and a white shirt that was rolled up at the sleeves. His shoes were of a renowned Italian designed and he wore an expensive watch.
Mio neared the man, who also wore a pair of semi-circular spectacles giving him an intelligent and a calm look.
He stepped forward and grabbed Mio's hand kissing it and with a white smile said.
" Welcome Miss Saito, I am Jacob Deeks".
Mio looked into his dark brown eyes and was astonished. She had expected the Deeks clan successor to have more of a dominating presence.
The Jacob before her seemed more like he could fade into the background.
She smiled at him.
" It's a pleasure to meet you" she smiled, remembering that smiles always made a person seem more attractive and friendly.
He smiled in return and Mio almost stepped back pulling her hand out of his grip.
She felt restless, receiving his smile.
Jabob led Mio into the house and she had to mentally hold herself back from opening her mouth. The house was large with an entrance foyer that contained marble floors, a champagne coloured chandelier and two curved cascading stairs leading to the upstairs.
Mio was shown the kitchen, pool and gardens. She was stunned by the sheer size of the lower level of the house. Once the ascended the stairs Mio felt like she was in a castle.
There was over twenty room in the house and even a second entertainment area on the second level.
" This is your room" Jacob opened the door to a beautiful suite.
Mio remained calm but inside felt like a child. The bed was huge, with an overhead frame, with wispy white bed curtains.
Mio had seen these beds in movies and restained the urge to jump on the bed.
There was even a bathroom that had a bath and shower. The entire design was tasteful, simple yet elegant.
" This house is beautiful," Mio said.
Jacob smiled " Of course it is, I designed it".
Mio looked at him, " Y-you did?"
Jacob nodded, " I built this house when I returned to take over the clan".
" Ah, well you have great taste. Your family must love it here" she said.
Jacob chuckled " They do, when they come to visit".
" Visit?"
" Yes. I am the only one who lives here".
Mio blinked rapidly, she thought back to how he was the only one who greeted her. Then, to how quiet the place was. He lived here alone, in this enormous house.
" Wow! Don't you get lonely"
Jacob who had the same accommodating smile on his face from when they met said.
" Not really I like the quiet".
There was an awkward silence and then Jacob left. Once the cherry wood door closed Mio let out a breath that she was been subconsciously holding.
She felt unusually tense around this fiance' of hers. He didn't come off intimidating or anything rather her gut was telling her that something was off.
Brushing off her feelings Mio then flung off her heels. She promptly jumped onto the bed and giggled sinking into the bed and revelling in its softness.
She lied on the bed.
" I will do my best everybody" she mouthed and then went to unpack her clothing and get more comfortable.
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