Love and Truth (9 page)

I felt myself losing control. I was sure we looked like a happy couple, but I couldn’t help it. The fact that this felt so easy made me feel awkward. It was like there was some magnetic force tugging, pulling between us. My vulnerability clung to him and I felt lost. All my life I was in control, but Jonathan had turned my ordered, alphabetized, categorized in control life upside-down, jumbling it all up. I didn’t know what to do with the heap of disorganization that was piling up before me in the form of an irresistible Jonathan Hayes.

Chapter Six

I spent every day with Jonathan that week and had started to feel very attached to him.

We spent today at the beach. He took me on a glass bottom boat tour and we ate yakiniku which was strange and good all at the same time.

“Isn’t going out to eat pointless if you have to cook for yourself?” I had asked when he explained that we would cook the food ourselves.

“I know it seems weird but I promise you’ll like it. Going to Yakiniku is more about the experience than it is about going out to eat.”

Our booth had a small circular grill in the center and we got to go choose from an array of different meats, vegetables and every seasoning you could fathom. There was also several cooked items like steamed rice, soups and desserts. Everything tasted so fresh and I loved letting him show me how to do everything. He had been so patient with me and the fact that I had never been to a place like that before.

It was a great experience.

“Emiko, hi,” I said. “It’s so good to see you. I feel like we’ve had no time at all to visit with each other.”

She walked in from school and dropped her book bag on the hardwood floor. After a whirlwind day with Jonathan, I broke away by saying I had to get back to the house to be here when everyone got home. We hadn’t mentioned the kiss again and he didn’t try to kiss me goodbye. He just winked and said he looked forward to seeing me tonight.

“I know.” Emiko said, sounding exhausted. “I’m sorry, Nicole san. School takes up so much of my time, especially with Juku every night.”

“You work so hard, Emiko. You should be proud of yourself and your dedication to your academics. I’m sure it’ll pay off one day. My dad always quoted Aristotle when I would complain about the pressures of school. ‘The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.’ I can still hear his words in my head.”

“Your father sounds wise.”

I smiled. He was wise. He loved quotes and he was successful in everything he did, except marriage. He believed in hard work and never settling for less than the best. I always admired his certitude and the way he weathered any storm. I grew up listening to him quote great leaders and philosophers and it always helped give me an extra ounce of motivation.

“On a much more exciting note, what do you have planned for us this weekend, Emiko? I’m looking forward to hanging out with you and your friends.”

She clapped and jumped up and down with excitement. “Yay, me too! It is going to be so much fun. I thought we could go to
Jusco
. It’s a huge mall with more shopping than you can imagine. The food court is great and across the street there’s a huge arcade and karaoke bar. There are always street performers on the weekends. You’ll love it!”

From my studies about Japanese culture, I had learned that arcades were a huge deal for teens and adults. Karaoke establishments were practically on every corner and American pop music was the preference for most Japanese people.

“That sounds awesome,” I said. “I can’t wait and I’m always up for some shopping.”

The Nakamuras walked through the front door a minute later and we all sat down for dinner. It was difficult to get used to sitting on the floor to eat, but it was peaceful and I adapted quickly.

“Ms. Nobuko tells us that you were out most of the day, Nicole San,” Mrs. Nakamura said. “Where were you off to?”

“Oh, yes. I was out. I met up with Jonathan at the café and he offered to take me down to the boardwalk and show me around. It was nice. The ocean is gorgeous here. I‘ve only been to the beach once and it was nothing like this. He volunteered to take me down to Okuma tomorrow.”

Emiko’s fork clanked loudly on her plate and she excused herself from the table. I wondered if I had said something to offend her.

“Please excuse Emiko,” Mrs. Nakamura said. “It seems that she chooses to believe untrustworthy rumors over personal knowledge.”

“I’m really sorry, Mrs. Nakamura. I apologize for upsetting her. It was not my intention. Maybe I should go check on her.” I began to get up from my seat when Mr. Nakamura stopped me.

“Nicole San, please just let her be. She’ll be fine. Emiko tends to fall to peer pressure more often than not, even though she’s been raised to be quite independent. Jonathan san and his family have been friends of ours for many years. When she was younger, he would help Emiko with her English language studies and her piano skills. He’s always been very generous and kind to Emiko. She has no reason to dislike him or distrust him, though chooses otherwise. So please don’t allow her misguided judgment to influence your personal opinion of Mr. Hayes.”

Emiko returned to the table a moment later. “I apologize for my rude departure from the table,” she said solemnly. “It was not my intention to ruin our meal. I hope you will forgive me, Nicole san.”

She bowed her head and looked up to her parents, as though seeking forgiveness. I wanted to shrink into the
tatami
mat. It felt like my turn to speak.

“It’s okay, Emiko, don’t worry about it. I can see that you have reservations about him and I respect your feelings. He’s been nothing but kind to me so until I see reason to be untrusting of him I hope that you’ll respect my feelings as well and the fact that I’ll be spending some time with him. Deal?”

Mr. Nakamura smiled approvingly and Emiko nodded. “He has invited me to come and watch his karate lesson tonight, and I’ve agreed to go,” I said. “I hope you don’t mind if I slip out for about an hour this evening.”

“Oh, no not at all, dear,” Mrs. Nakamura said. “Please go and enjoy yourself. Jonathan is a very impressive martial artist. You’ll like it very much, I’m certain.” She sounded pleased that I was going. I glanced toward Emiko, who sat expressionless. She pushed her food around on her plate. I wanted to know what rumors there were that convinced her that he was a bad guy, but I didn’t want my judgment clouded by something that was probably untrue. I hoped my friendship with him didn’t become a wedge between us.

Emiko left to
Juku
after dinner and the Nakamuras said they were going for a walk. I walked to my room and wondered if I should change clothes to go to Jonathan’s lesson. It was pretty hot today and I felt a little sticky; I was quickly learning that the humidity here was a killer. I decided to take a quick shower and change into some comfortable clothes. After a quick shower, I applied some light makeup, slipped on a pair of gray yoga pants and a simple pastel pink v-neck fitted T-shirt. I grabbed my pink-and-white Adidas and headed back downstairs to the front porch to wait for Jonathan.

He walked up minutes later, looking irresistible in his karate
gi
. The v of his uniform top displayed his tan, toned skin, taunting my resolve. I asked myself again why he had to be so damn sexy. I noticed that he was wearing a black belt that had Japanese script on the ends of both sides and one side had two stripes on it. He smiled and noticed me admiring his
gi
.

“What does it say?” I asked. He grasped the ends of the belt, rubbing his thumbs across the symbols.

“This side is my name and the other is the name of the dojo where I train. The stripes represent what
Dan
I am.”

“What’s a
Dan
?”

“It just means what level or grade I am. Once you make it to black belt, you move up a
Dan
with each test you pass and a new stripe is added as you advance.”

I reached out and ran my fingers across the stripes.

“Wow, that’s very impressive. I can’t wait to see your mad skills tonight.”

“Hmm, a little feisty this evening, are we, Ms. Harrison?” He seemed pleased at my attempt at being flirtatious and I smacked him on the shoulder. He grabbed it in mock pain.

“Ouch, don’t injure me before class.”

“I’m not being feisty. Feisty isn’t a word that describes me. I’m a reserved in-control girl, and don’t forget it.” I said it weakly, as though trying to convince myself.

“Sure you are,” he said, laughing. And Nicole?” “Yes?” I said as he looked at me with those eyes that do all sorts of unfamiliar things to me.

“Woman.”
Huh, what does he mean woman?

“What are you talking about, woman what?”

“It’s just that you described yourself as a girl.” Then he slowly raked his eyes down to my toes and back, setting me on fire. I was like a moth caught in a flame. He smiled again. “I see no girl standing here. You’re a beautiful, desirable woman, Nicole; don’t let anyone tell you different.” Then he grinned that sexy ass smile that melted my insides.

I stood there completely and utterly obliterated by his words. My resolve is shattered into a million tiny pieces all around me. My face felt hot and I blushed, frozen and staring into his eyes.

“Red is a good color on you,” he added, noticing my reaction to his words.
Shoot me now!
I thought. This guy is going to be the death of me for sure.

“Come on beautiful.” He says trying to keep from laughing. “Let’s get going. Maybe I can be on time to class for once!” He walked ahead and I followed beside him, shaking my head in disbelief.

We walked side-by-side and he gently placed his right arm around my waist, his hand on my hip. It felt natural, like we had done this a thousand times. His hand felt like it was burning through my clothing and the warmth crept through my veins, causing my stomach to flutter; I had never been touched by a guy. I smiled and he looked back down at me. Our unspoken words said more than anything we could speak aloud. I heard the chants from the dojo floating down to us as we approached.