Goosebumps

"The fear in your eyes, the trembling of your bones, the whimper from your lips,

I love it,

I love it all"

{}

"When you said we were going out tonight, I did not agree to going to a party with you"

"It's a get together"

"Same thing!" Sakura rolls her eyes at the younger's childishness proceeding to raid her wardrobe for the perfect outfit to wear for the event.

"Quit whining and help me pick out a dress"

"I'm not going Sakura.." Crystal sighs.

"Sakura huh?" Oh for the love of- ugh!

"néh-san..." This makes a mischievous grin stretch on the blonde's lips.

"Good girl" and there she goes again babying me.

"Now... Tell me why my dear baby doesn't want to go with me tonight" Sakura coos now turning to face the pouting brunette. Crystal simply falls back on to the bed staring at the ceiling blowing out a breath.

"When I said I wanted this to be the best vacation ever, I thought you would take me to those cafes I always read about. Maid cafes, Butler cafes, BL cafes-"

"You want to go to a BL Cafe?" Sakura says with a smirk making the younger's face heat up in embarrassment. She sits up waving off the older dismissively.

"You know what I mean"

"No I don't" Sakura teases her with a smirk. Crystal's face heats up even more at the way the blonde was smirking at her so she decides to change the subject before the embarrassment becomes the cause of her death.

"I was even hoping you would take me to the Sapporo snow festival"

"Honey, it's summer"

"You know what I mean"

"No... I really don't" this makes the younger girl groan in frustration as Sakura only chuckles at her flustered cousin. She looks through her closet again, her eyes brightening up when she catches sight of her favourite dress.

"Ahh~ there she is! Perfect" she flops the pink dress on her bed before carelessly stuffing her other clothes into the wardrobe.

"Now... Your turn" she says turning to face the younger.

Crystal groans once more.

{}

"I can't believe you actually convinced me to come to this party" Crytal grumbles.

"Get together... sweety"

"Same thing"

Sakura chuckles a little taking a sharp turn so sudden, Crystal bumped her head on the window glass. She glares at her cousin holding onto her now aching head but it seemed either Sakura just chose to ignore the younger's gaze on her or she was genuinely oblivious.

Moments pass before Crystal breaks the silence with their unfinished conversation from that day at the cafe. The one about her step mother.

"So... Are you going to tell me why you're so mean to your stepmom now?" Crystal asks as she notices a frown taking over the blondes features. Her hands tightening on the steering wheel as she purses her lips.

"Drop it Crystal"

"Oh come on. You promised you would tell me" Crystal says with a pout as Sakura's frown only deepens. She honestly didn't know what the big deal was. Was it really that much of a big issue?

"I said I'd tell you. I didn't promise anything" Sakura snaps coldly making the brunette shrink in her seat. Maybe I shouldn't have brought up the conversation at all.

It was now clear that there was a huge rift between Sakura and her step mother that Sakura clearly didn't want to discuss with anyone. Not even her. Whatever it was she hoped they would work it out between them. It had nothing to do with her so from now she would just mind her own business.

"She's just my dad's girlfriend so technically not my stepmom yet. And let's just say my dad hasn't been acting like himself ever since she came into his life" Sakura bluntly says. Her voice sharp as it cuts through the silence currently rising in the car.

Crystal wanted to ask so many more questions now as she was curious about what Sakura meant by her dad not acting like himself. Sakura's dad and her own father were brothers and she'd always known him as a fun, kind and goofy person. What could have possibly changed?

Despite her mouth itching to ask those questions, she keeps shut not wanting to provoke the blonde any further.

Several minutes later, they arrive at the location of the get together. Crystal's jaw dropping as she takes in the place. She glances at her cousin.

"A club? Really?!"

"Just shut up and let's go" Sakura says rolling her eyes as she gets out the car. Crystal follows right after.

As both girls approach the entrance of the club, Sakura grabs her arm.

"Behave yourself ok? And stay with me always. Don't talk to strangers. Don't take anything from them either. Just stick to me ok?" Sakura says firmly as Crystal nods.

Normally, she would have been scoffing or rolling her eyes at her cousin's protectiveness but right now there was no ounce of playfulness in Sakura's expression or words.

"Oh and... You're about to meet my friends. They're not your typical goodie two shoes type of friends but they're still my best friends and I love them" a smile then stretches on her lips as she continues.

"And You're finally going to meet my boyfriend"

{}

So this is what a VIP room looks like.

Crystal didn't really know how Sakura did it but apparently, their little get together was going to take place in the club's VIP room.

Ok it's either she knows the owner or one of her friends own the place.

That could be the only explanation because even the guards were quite fond and respectful with her.

There's barely any people in the room which makes perfect sense since it's the VIP room. Sakura leads the way as both girls take a seat on the sofa which was in the far corner of the room where the lights were much dimmer.

Sakura's phone rings and she answers it with an excited grin.

"Yeah?... You here yet?..... What? Why?..... Ok I'll be right there" she ends the call, glancing up at her younger cousin who was sitting across from her.

"There's a friend of mine and I think she's forgotten how to get here. She's also not from around here so... Wait for me until I got get her. Ok?" Sakura says firmly as if telling a child to stay put or else there would be no candy. Crystal nods and Sakura is about to walk off when she turns back again.

"Oh and don't let anyone sit on these seats. If they do, punch em in the face" she says now with a small grin. Crystal nods once more smiling as Sakura walks off.

Crystal was now alone in the corner, watching the other people in the room drink and laugh... Just having a good time. She shifts in her seat somewhat uncomfortable since she'd never been in a club before let alone a VIP room.

Where is Sakura?

Calm yourself, she left for only two minutes! Her subconscious scolds, no wonder she always treats you like a baby because you are one.

Several more minutes pass and Aki is tempted to actually get up and leave. Anxiety brewing up inside her when remembers all the crime shows she'd watched before.

What if there was a serial killer watching my every move?

What if there's some creep waiting for the right time to kidnap me?

What if-

Her thoughts are caught off when her eyes lock with a pair of familiar golden ones. Staring intently from afar where he was seated. Completely oblivious to what his friends were talking about.

Crystal looks away immediately wishing she hadn't looked in the first place.

What was he doing here?

She tries stealing a glance at him once more and he was indeed still staring at her.

Oh... Damn.

To say he looked hot from where he was sitting would be an understatement statement. He looked Goddamn ethereal.

And once again, Crystal was finding it hard to look away.

Dressed in a black dress shirt which was unbuttoned from the top, black pants and a white blazer, the man sat there with his drink in hand. Bringing the glass to his lips for a sip before licking the wetness off his red lips.

Crystal's cheeks flush when she suddenly remembers the unexpected kiss they had shared the night before. It wasn't at all what she had planned but she couldn't deny that she had liked the way he so suddenly took control of the kiss.

She didn't care how cliche it sounded but the tingles and sparks that went up and down her spine during that kiss was the realest thing she'd ever felt. Crystal's had boyfriends and crushes before, but non had ever ignited those type of feelings within her.

And the thought scares her.

It was obvious he was older. Probably in his mid twenties. So it was also probably better she dismissed those thoughts especially since she'd always gotten a bad vibe when it came to him. No matter how much of a good kisser he was.

She also wasn't into older guys.

In fact she didn't really know the kind of guys she was into. Why am I suddenly thinking of the type of guys I'm into?

Finally able to break the intense staring contest between them, Crystal stares down at her phone. Randomly swiping through the pictures in her gallery as she tried to distract herself from the stranger's burning gaze. Her nervousness sky rockets as her earlier thoughts about the crime shows return.

Suddenly, a glass containing a red liquid fills her vision and Crystal's eyes trail up the hand of the culprit to meet with the familiar golden eyes she had been staring into just moments ago. He had a small grin on his lips as he gestures with his eyes for her to collect the drink from him.

Part of her was saying she shouldn't collect the drink and just get up and leave. But the rational side was suggesting she just take it but shouldn't drink it. She still didn't know who he was and who knows what he would do if she rudely refused his offer.

Gulping, she collects the glass, tingles bursting when their fingers brush before she places the glass on the table.

He slowly takes the seat opposite her also keeping his drink on the table. And that is when she notices the two body guards next to him. Both in suits and dark scowls on their faces. She could also see the guns that were peeking from their back pockets which makes her blue eyes widen, her skin going pale.

"Do they scare you?" Crystal's wide eyes shift from them to him. Still unable to speak.

He had body guards? Just who the hell was he?

Crystal still doesn't answer but the expression on her face was more than enough to show how frightened she was by both the weapon and the owners.

He raises his hand dismissing them, the two men going to stand in the far corner of the room still looking as intimidating as ever.

"Are you ok now?" Crystal couldn't help but notice the slight accent in his voice as he spoke the words. It was light, almost non existent. But still there.

She doesn't answer. Not because she didn't want to talk to him. But it would also be a lie because she was clearly not fine.

She still didn't know him and they had shared a kiss before. Curtsy of her stupidity. He could be a Mafia leader for all she knew. Or simply a criminal. A handsome one at that. And she didn't feel safe or comfortable around him.

So no. She was not okay.

Finally finding her voice, Crystal speaks with her head held high to show confidence, even though she was anything but inside, "you should leave. That seat belongs to my sister".

Her voice sounded so cold that even she didn't recognize it. But what do you do when you have a handsome but dangerous stranger sitting right across from you?

The man's eyes narrow at Crystal. No doubt offended by her words. Several emotions passing through those honey coloured eyes. Non recognizable.

He doesn't look away as sips on his drink letting out a sigh. Crystal watches with a scowl on her face as he leans his elbows on the table between them.

"What is your name?" He asks making Crystal's eyes squint in confusion. She just asked him to leave. Why was he asking for her name?

"Why would I tell you?" She snaps, mentally giving herself a pat on the back for not stammering.

"Careful with that mouth. Remember what happened yesterday Conejita?" The guy asks as the memories rush back into Crystal's head making her flush. If he was going to bring up the kiss then-

"Remember how those three guys ran away when they saw me?" He asks making Crystal gulp in nervousness.

"You better know how you talk to me little girl. You have no idea what I'm capable of" he pauses leaning closer as his hand reaches over to grab her chin, "if I ask you something. You answer right away. Am I clear?" He gruffly says with a commanding voice which makes Crystal's heart speed up.

Her gut was right. Her instincts were right. There really was something off about this guy.

Just what was she thinking kissing a random stranger yesterday?

"I said am I clear Conejita?" He asks, once again using that foreign word she had no idea what was the meaning to.

Crystal nods and he smirks, "words little girl".

"Y..yes" his smirk stretches more into a slow grin. His thumb tracing her bottom lip ever so slowly making her already warm cheeks warmer. Especially when he draws down her lip biting down on his as his eyes darken.

"Not to mention I did save your life... And I did say that you owe me..." He trails off, his voice getting deeper with every word, "I could kiss you right now as payment. But I'm not wasting it on a simple kiss... Oh no" his grin widens into a sinister smile.

"I have something much... much better in mind.."

Slowly releasing her chin, Crystal is finally able to release a breath she didn't even realize he was holding. Her back pressing hard against the cool leather seat wishing it could swallow her.

What did he mean by something "much better"?

She soon catches sight of Sakura along with a dark skinned girl she assumed was the friend she went to get enter the room. Relief washing over her as they get closer. She was sure Sakura would be able to scare off this guy no matter how scary he looked. That way she would have nothing to worry about. Him, nor his little threat.

"My sister is coming this way. I warned you" the brunette says smugly watching the man sip on his drink once more. Instead of seeing a look of anger of fright on his face she had expected, he instead let's a dark smirk stretch his lips which makes the hairs on Crystal's body stand for the nth time tonight.

"....oh and this is my cousin, Crystal. Crystal, meet Jackie" Sakura beams with a smile. Her smile soon dropping when she notices Crystal's sad expression.

"Baby are you ok? Did you miss me that much?" Sakura says patting the confused brunette's head.

Couldn't she see that there was someone sitting in her seat? Or was she still oblivious.

Crystal eyes the man sitting across from her. His face blank, void of any emotion as he stared back at the girl.

"I tried getting this stranger off your seat but he's still not budging. I don't know what to do anymore" Crystal says with a pout as she glares at the golden eyed stranger. This makes Sakura look at the stranger finally for the first time before she letting out a small laugh.

The dark skinned girl next to Sakura chuckles also sitting next to Crystal as Sakura does the same by the said guy. He pulls her closer by the waist giving her a peck on the cheek as Sakura laughs even more.

Crystal's confusion were only doubling up by the second as she watches the scene unfold. A deep confused frown on her face.

"Oh he's no stranger Crystal. This is... Hunter" Sakura pauses kissing the guy's nose, "my boyfriend".

Crystal blinks at them. A look of shock and disbelief masking her face which makes "Hunter's" already amused expression turn smug.

A mix of emotions were brewing within the girl but the embarrassment and annoyance were the more dominant ones.

The embarrassment because she had just threatened the guy with his own girlfriend. And he knew.

And the anger because he knew he had a girlfriend but yet still went ahead and kissed her yesterday.

What a cruel turn of events this was turning out to be.

"O..oh... I didn't know.." Crystal eyes her cousinys boyfriend briefly, "it's nice to... Meet you" she almost chokes on her lie.

It most definitely wasn't nice to meet him.

There wasn't even anything nice about him. This guy was a cheater, a creep and probably a criminal.

Why would it be nice to meet such person?

Hunter's smirk still doesn't waver as he reaches his hand out, "it's nice to meet you too... Crystal".

The way he says her name makes her shiver almost visibly. But she manages to control it.

She eyes his hand, contemplating whether she should shake it or not. She definitely didn't want to, but also didn't want to come off as rude in front of Sakura and her friend.

"Crystal... Don't leave him hanging" Sakura says as Crystal glances at her briefly before looking back at Hunter's much larger hand outstretched for her to take.

"I don't wanna..." Crystal mumbles out looking up at Hunter who raises a brow at her retracting his hand.

"Ok well... Do you want to shake my hand?" The dark skinned girl named Jackie says as she also stretches out her hand for Crystal to take. The younger girl nods, timidly shaking Jackie's hand as the dark skinned girl chuckles.

"She's a shy one isn't she? That's cute" She says as Sakura giggles.

"Yeah she is. Don't worry Hunter, Crystal will eventually warm up to you too"

Yeah over my dead body, Crystal scoffs mentally as she glares at the irritated man sitting right across from her.

She didn't want anything to do with him and she hoped after tonight, she wouldn't have to see him again. Though she knew it was a fat chance since he was Sakura's boyfriend but a girl could still hope.

He was a subtle asshole, a green snake in green grass.

Though clearly Sakura didn't see that. He was a completely different person around her and she was in love.

To think that she actually kissed this guy almost makes her want to throw up. Especially since he was the one who took the kiss too far and also clearly wanted to do it again as he had hinted earlier.

All she could think was, How could he?

He had a goddamn girlfriend for goodness sake. Crystal was already feeling the guilt eating her up inside despite knowing that she was not at fault as she hadn't known that he was her cousins boyfriend. But him.... He obviously didn't give a shit about what he had done since he wanted to kiss her again.

Several minutes pass with the three others chatting, Crystal just staring at the drinks on the table when Sakura suggests they go somewhere else since it was getting boring.

The two girls stand up and Crystal was quick to get on her feet to follow after Jackie and Sakura who were busy chatting and giggling with each other in front of her. Trying to catch up to them and also trying to put space between herself and Hunter who was following closely behind her. Immediately the two walk out the door, a large hand grabs her arm pulling her back roughly before she steps out.

Hunter glares at her furiously as he tightens his grip on her arm painfully. She stares up at him fearfully seeing the darkness that consumes his eyes. The anger radiating off of him in waves which makes her squirm and also whimper at the pain of his tight hold.

The scent of his expensive cologne engulfs her as he moves closer, releasing her arm and proceeding to hold her hair almost painfully.

"Don't... Don't touch me!" Crystal grits out trying to get out of his grip. She was angry that her cousin was unfortunate enough to fall for this man. If only she had known. If only she'd met him sooner at the Cafe. She wouldn't have been in this mess.

"Let go of me- Ah!" Crystal groans in pain when his grip on her hair turns tighter. Tears threatening to spill from her eyes but she tries to blink them away. Determined not to cry in front of him.

He glares down at her with those golden eyes now darkened. His grip never loosening for a second.

Moments pass before he finally speaks, "I was serious when I said you should know how you talk to me.." he trails off tilting his head, "and now you just made things worse for yourself Conejita"

Crystal's eyes widen at his words. The tears now rolling down her cheeks as she could no longer contain them. He had promised that he had something better than a kiss in store as payment. She already had a feeling it was something bad from the way he had said it.

And now she made it worse.

An evil smirk graces Hunter's lips he slowly releases her stepping back a little. He stares at her for a few seconds, looking intimidating as ever before he walks past her and out the door.

And at that moment, she knew,

She screwed up.