1 WASTED

"It's over." The words echoed inside her head. Did she hear that correctly?

"What?"

"Didn't you hear me? I said it's over." He said as he turned around, just as he was about to walk away...

"Why?" She asked in a brittle voice...

"I don't need you anymore." He said as he turned to her. He looked at her with dead eyes.

She didn't notice tears were rolling down her cheeks. This wasn't the man that looked at her lovingly. What did he mean? He doesn't need her anymore? Her heart broke as she realized he could have been using her all this time. But she truly loved him, to the point that she was willing to give up anything for him.

All the time they've spent together, all the obstacles they've been through, all the happy times and sad times they've had with each other. Did it mean nothing to him?

Does that mean her love for him...

...Was wasted?

She didn't want to accept that.

"Tell me, why don't you need me anymore?" She asked as she took a step closer.

She asked as if she demanded for an answer, but there was a tone of begging in her voice.

"You don't need to know." He turned around and left her there. All alone.

Tears fell from her eyes as raindrops fell from the skies. She couldn't hold them back anymore. She never expected him, to just leave like that. Did she mean nothing to him at all?

So many questions filled her head as she was on her way home. She found herself looking down the water underneath the bridge where she stood at. Then a thought came to her mind, but she shook her head. 'It's not worth it', she thought. She felt helpless, not knowing what to do she looked down. She didn't notice she was soaking wet. Someone from behind held an umbrella over her head. She turned around to look at the person.

"Are you just going to stand here and make me hold an umbrella for you until the rain stops? Where are you going? I'll take you there." The man said.

Ame snapped back to reality. "Oh, uhh-- thank you, but I'm okay. I'll be going then." She bowed to thank him and took off. She, then again, started heading back home, then she realized the man was still following her carrying an umbrella over her head. She turned around and looked at him questioningly.

"You may be okay with being soaked in the rain, but I can't bear to see you like that." He said as he caught up to her pace.

Ame didn't mind, they walked together without a word. It was a long walk before they got to Ame's house. The rain poured endlessly.

"Well, I'll get going now." The man said as he turned to leave.

"Wait, you're going? Why don't you stay for the night? I feel bad for making you walk me back home." She suggested.

The man thought about it. "Well, it is a long way back home, and I don't think this rain is going to stop anytime soon."

Ame looked up at the sky, "It seems like it."

"If it won't be a bother."

She smiled at him. "Not at all, please come in." She said as she opened the door.

...

"How bold of you, taking in a stranger who followed you home," he said as he closed the door, "Aren't you afraid that I'll do something to you?" he said as he turned to her with a devilish smile. With that he took a step closer, attempting to grab a hold of her cheek.

She then took a pepper spray out of her pocket and pointed it at his eyes. "Do you dare do anything to me now?"

His eyes widen, a moment later he bursts into laughter, "Okay, I won't do anything to you. I'm not that kind of person." He says as he pushes her hand away.

"Yeah, I can tell. You look like you're well off, so it's not possible that you're here to rob me. If you're a kidnapper, then why didn't you kidnap me on the way here? If you're a rapist, then why would you commit the crime at my place?" She enumerated.

He chuckled, "For all you know I could be a pervert, or a psycho, or a murderer."

"But you're not, you don't look like one."

"Judging a book by it's cover eh?"

"It is human nature after all."

"You're right, I like the way you think." He says as he flicks her forehead.

"But what makes you trust me so easily anyway? I mean, we just met." He says as he sits on the coach and puts his feet up.

"It's because... I feel at ease when I'm around you. And, you seem a bit familiar."

"Is that so?"

"Haru, Sasaki Haru. You can call me Haru. Nice to meet you..." He said as he reached out his hand.

"Ame, Tsubaki Ame. Nice to meet you Haru." She said as she shook his hand.

"Please make yourself at home Haru, eh, well looks like you've already did. I'll tell the housekeeper to take you to your room." He nodded.

"Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything, I'll be in my room." She said with a smile before climbing up to her room and shut the door.

Right then and there, she broke down and cried her heart out. Little did she know, Haru knew what had happened. But he didn't mention it to her. He knew he should stay out of it.

It was time for dinner, but Ame still hasn't come out of her room. She lived alone, and it was time for the housekeeper to leave.

"I can't leave without making sure Miss Ame has not eaten yet. But she won't come out of her room." The housekeeper complained to herself.

"It's okay ma'am, you can leave, I'll make sure Ame doesn't skip her meal," Haru assured.

"Alright, thank you very much, Mr. Sasaki. I'll be taking my leave." The housekeeper bowed and left. Haru finished his food before taking Ame's food to her room.

He knocked on the door but didn't get a response. He turned the knob and opened the door. Ame was asleep, so he quietly placed the food tray on her bedside table and gently woke her up. She opened her eyes and saw Haru sitting beside her bed. She sat up and asked, "Why are you here?"

"I brought you your food. You really shouldn't skip dinner. It's not good for you." Haru turned the lamp on and placed the food tray on her lap. Ame looked at the food.

"Eat already, or, do you want me to feed you?"

Ame was surprised, then she laughed and grabbed the chopsticks and ate. Haru sat there the whole time and watched her eat.

Ame noticed that Haru kept looking at her, she couldn't help but ask, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Don't stop eating, I'm waiting for you to finish up so I can wash the dishes," Haru said as he gestured for her to continue eating.

"How can I eat when you keep staring at me? You're making me feel uneasy." Haru just looked at her and grinned.

Ame felt uncomfortable, being watched as she was eating so she quickly finished her food and got out of bed. She walked down the stairs as Haru followed behind.

"Where are you going?" Haru asked.

"You can go back to your room, I'll wash the dishes."

"It's okay, I can wash them." Haru tried to take the food tray from her but she didn't let him.

"Don't be silly, since when did guests do chores?" Ame turned the tap on and started washing the dishes.

Haru smiled. "I never expected someone like you wouldn't be a spoiled brat."

Ame turned to him and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"I'm sure you know of your family's status," Haru said as if he was stating something so obvious.

Well, that's because it is. Ame is the second daughter of the Tsubaki household. The Tsubaki family has made their mark in the fashion industry. That's why Ame is a model. Her love for fashion was influenced by her parents, and they supported her in becoming what she is today. But, for the sake of her lover, or, who she thought was truly her lover, Yuan, she got into a fight with her parents.

She felt regretful at that thought. Haru noticed her expression change and asked, "What is it? Did I say something wrong?"

"So you know about my family's status? How?" She asked, trying to change the topic.

"Can't you tell by my last name?"

"What about your last name?"

"No it's nothing, you'll find out sooner or later."

"Okay? Well you should go to sleep, it's getting late you know." Haru nodded and left.

Ame couldn't help but be curious? What could he mean by 'You'll find out sooner or later'? She had a lot of questions, but one thing she did know was how mysterious he was.

7:00 AM The sky was clear. Haru woke up early and planned to leave the house before Ame woke up. But to his surprise, Ame was already in the kitchen, tiredly preparing for their breakfast. Haru walked into the kitchen without being noticed. He tries to hold back his laughter as he saw her eyes were half closed.

"Hey, if you stand there and do nothing, the bacon's gonna burn!" Ame was startled and dropped the spatula on her toe.

"Owww!" She jumped and groaned in pain. She hopped off sat on the chair next to the table and checked on her toe. "What was that all about?"

"Sorry, you were half asleep. Didn't you get any sleep at all last night?" Haru picked up the spatula and continued what Ame was doing. When it was done, he served the food and kneeled down to check on Ame's toe.

"Did it hurt?" Haru asked.

"A little."

"What about what Yuan did to you?" Ame was speechless. How did he know?

"Nevermind, let's eat."

They finished breakfast and were preparing to leave. Haru left first.

"Thank you again for letting me stay over Ame, I hope we cross paths once again." Haru bowed.

"I hope so." Ame bowed and waved him goodbye. She was still puzzled. How did Haru know? She brushed off the thought and concentrated on what's important. Her parents.

She knew she hurt them, and she awfully regretted her decision. She was willing to disobey her parents' wishes and was willing to back out of the modeling industry. Heck, she was even prepared to run away with Yuan if her parents still didn't allow her to be with him! But Yuan left her. So she decided to apologize to her parents, and never disobey them again. She just wanted to focus on modeling again and use it as a distraction. So that she can forget about Yuan.

But can she really? She asked herself. It was too painful, and she loved him too much.

She left her house and drove to the Tsubaki household. She didn't know what to say in front of her parents, she just hoped they would forgive her and know that she is sincere.