7. Simple life.. Happy life.

After they had lunch, They go back to her house.

"So Mae Mae tell us... What's the use of this house for you if you're not staying here at all?" Jake opens the topic while they're having dinner.

"What do you mean?"

"Miko check all the CCTV's for the last 3 years you're really not staying here. You're just going here to clean? Is the reason you always refuse to have maids when we offer you?"

She didn't answer. His right, this is her house, but she really doesn't live here. This is too big for her. Too big and too extravagant. When Jake took her to his care. He brings her to their mansion that belongs to their family. She has anything anyone could ask for. At first, she's too happy being pampered by her biological brothers. But after how many years she felt suffocated. Her moves is monitored . Every time she goes out; there's a curfew. When she asked to live on his own. It took a lot of convincing and pleading until they say yes but with conditions, and this house is one of it. The house is structured base on her dream house. But when they filled it with all expensive things. It didn't match her image that she portray in school. She can't even invite friends or classmates to come for fun. She decided Then, to live on her own will. She didn't tell them that she's living somewhere in a simple life.

"Mind to tell us where are you staying all this year baby girl?" Kenji already knows where she's staying like the others too. But they don't want to ruin her will become independent. Although they don't like the place she's staying all they can do is watch her secretly.

"My old apartment." She doesn't want to lie to them that's why she tells the truth.

"What??!!! But baby Mae that's two hours drive away from your office."

"It's OK I can manage. Besides, I don't need to go to the office everyday right? I have scheduled date going there."

"Why there..."

"Huh? What do you mean Ken Ken?"

"That old apartment is where YOU and Noah always meet. Although you're not really live-in, you spend most of your time staying together there." He said in still calm face.

"Cupcake... Tell us do you still hoping that he will come back to you like nothing happened? You're just hurting yourself, my love." Mako's worried voice makes her expression solemn.

"Baby Mae... He left you without saying anything after sleeping with another girl yet, you still waiting for him." Nick grab her hand.

She lowered her head. "It's not like that. This is not all about him. That apartment reminds me of so many happy memories." she said in a weak voice.

"But that the same apartment that reminds you of the painful memories of your life!!!" Miko slammed the table that makes her startled.

"Mikohiro calm down..." upon hearing his eldest brother this he just excused himself. "I'm already full. Please excuse me." he bows respectfully then leave. Who would believe that the playful and cheerful brother of her has this temper? 

"OK let's drop this subject, for now, finish your food Mae Mae. You're so thin." Jake finished the conversation with her final words.

After dinner, she took a big slice of her favorite ice-cream cake that Miko brought. She put it in the tray along with two mugs of hot chocolate and bring it to the garden. She saw Miko sitting on the grass while smoking. When he felt her presence he put away the cigarette instantly.

"Don't come near I just smoke."

"So what? I'm already an adult now. I'm not the same teenager who easily disgust by the simple smoke of cigarettes." He didn't reply, but he took off his jacket and laid it beside him. She smiles and sat on it. She put down the tray, took the cake and scoop some. "Here Miko. Say ahh.."

"You can't bribe me with food sweetie. I'm upset really."

"No... Say ahh. If you didn't eat this I won't talk to you anymore."

Miko look at her with a troubled face. He knew that attitude of her. Once she said it she mean it!. Feeling defeated he open his mouth and take what she offers to him. Good move coz after he ate the piece she offered a sweet beautiful smile appeared on her face. He took the fork in her and scoop some. It's his turn to feed her.

When she reached the age of two he's nine years old then. He always brought food before going home just to feed her. She really likes sweets. After a month she also feed him with what he's feeding to her. That's the start of their bonding whenever there are sweets involved.

"Miko?"

"Uhmmm??.. " He answered. He just took the last scoop of cake she fed on him.

"Are you still upset? Are you mad at me?" she asks in a mild tone after giving him his mug of warm chocolate. She leans her head-on his shoulder. 

"Uhmmm. Let's say I'm not mad at you. I'm just upset."

"It's still the same..."

"No, it's not..."

"How come?"

"You know I can't be mad at you even if I dare to.. I'm just upset coz I know you want to be independent, but I don't like how the things going on." 

"Miko... I'm fine really. It's been 7 years. I don't want to be miserable just because I married at an early age just to taste the pain of failure. I just really like that place. Just like the old times. Everything is simple. Simple life is a happy life for me, Miko."

"You know what's the irony of life sweetie? Is that those people who can make you laugh, smile, and happy. It is the same people who make you cry and give you pain and sorrow. If your case.. The person who made you the happiest girl in the world is also the same person who made you suffer to the core." He clenches his fist. An anger arises from inside of him when he remembers that time how miserable she is when Noah left her without a word.

" I'm OK now... Thanks to you. Thanks to all of you. You guys are always on my side whenever I need you. You never failed to protect me, to love me and always make me feel that I'm not alone."

"No sweetie we already failed twice. And that what makes us more vigilant to be with you. As far as we like the whole world to know what you mean to us. We also don't want the world to know who you are to us. Not until we're done to this battle, they started. So please sweetie. We can sure protect you from those people who want to hurt and harm you. As much as we want to protect your heart from that someone. But sad to say we can't. All we can do is be by your side and make you always happy and safe."

She can't hold on anymore. Her tears began to fall nonstop upon hearing that heartwarming words. Someone hug her from behind before she can react they all are hugging her. Even the serious Kenji is been drag by Nick to join the group hug. 

"Always remember.. You're our only princess. We are all your knights that willing to sacrifice to make sure you're happy." Jake kiss her on the crown. 

"How about your wife then?" 

"Oh.. She's my queen of our castle. You see when it comes to you I'm being demoted as a knight while I'm really a King."

"I love you all guys. I'm so blessed to have you all."

"We love you too Princess.!!!" They all said in unison.

"Picture... Picture!!!.. Alright everyone gathered I'll set the timer now. OK?

" 10..9..8..7!!" they all count together.

"6..5!!!"

"Wait!!!.. Seiran!!! Seine!!!"

"4..3..2 ahhhhh.."

Poor Nick who been knocked down by her babies.