Chapter 5
Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King
New Home
New York City, USA
Early November
The glinting of a blue white diamond with a wedding band on the fourth finger of her left hand was truly enticing to see. She was now; Hao's wife. Mrs. Jeanne Asakura. It was an unnerving thought and panic ensued but the glint of the diamond made the panic dim.
Though the idea came from Hao; he was right. With his wealth she could really make a difference. A smirk would leave her husband's lips if he knew that she affirmed his decision. Her husband; it was still new to her; calling him her better half. When in truth he was the one who almost killed her.
Presently; they were now in the new Asakura apartments in Paris; a vast complex of rooms atop on the new renovated building. Hao bought it as a wedding present for his lovely bride.
Though Jeanne had not yet inspected her new home she had no desire to; instead she thought that the place could become a new orphanage for the street children roaming around the city. It was by far large enough for hundreds of children. It could even be a school for them. The privilege of the rich; they had every power to help their fellow men but had no care to do so.
If she had the power that Hao had, she would make all their houses be turned into homes for the poor and the needy. These things were merely earthly possessions after all and it serves only to corrupt the soul.
But there was a flaw in what she said; she did have the power; she was Hao's wife now? But the problem laid on Hao; himself. He said that he was willing to share his wealth with her but to what extent? There was still no answer as she shook it aside; she remembered what previously happened a couple of hours ago.
With a small group of people composed of Hao's lawyers; she signed a lot of documents and with the judge and their attorneys as witnesses; it was over. The similarity of a church marriage to a civil one was that they had their exchanging of rings and the kissing of the bride.
When Hao was about to kiss Jeanne; she didn't want to. So to save Hao from embarrassment; he tip Jeanne's head upward and just gave her a chaste kiss on the lips and nothing more. Then Hao left her again to settle some problems with the company and she was left alone in the enormous drawing room thinking if what she did was right.
The door behind her opened and the man in her thoughts came in; her husband of four hours was smiling from ear to ear. Though panic was inside her; she did not want Hao to see it so she fought it down. There was no room for regret now because it was too late.
'Are you ready?' still grinning his cocky smile. She nodded and followed him across the hall to the front door of his or their home.
'You may wish to remain here if you like after all this is now yours. I do not like to stay in the city that much I am more accustomed in living in the manor. But you on the other hand have the right to do what you wish to do and go where you wish to go.'
'Like that's ever going to happen.' Jeanne said it dryly as she continued her retort. 'Our agreement states that I should be at your side where ever you go.'
The amusement in his eyes was truly visible that annoyed Jeanne so much. 'My dear Jeanne when I said that; I didn't mean that you would follow me like a dog.'
Enraged by what he said; she halted her step to place her hands on her hips, 'Are you starting a fight with me, Mr. Hao Asakura?'
He shook his head but could not help but smile. The glint in his eyes never faded, as Jeanne continued with her attack 'Will this count as our first fight as a married couple baby?' she said in her sweetest reply. It was already a habit; Jeanne would always use a pet name and her sweet tone just to imply her point that she was already annoyed.
She was really taunting him; well then two can play at this game. Nearing the ground floor, they went outside only to be welcomed by a servant; temporarily stopping their playful taunts for the moment.
In the parking lot a black sports car, awaited them. Her husband took the wheel as Jeanne slipped beside him as the servant closed the door and watched as they glided away.
While Hao was in New York City; he stayed in the city's order for a slow drive but after they were out of it. He drove with controlled ferocity that slightly alarmed her. One touch on the accelerator and they would hurtle forward at a hundred miles per hour. The car was really in tune as it glided through the road with ease. As the miles silently went by, Jeanne's fear gradually diminished.
Soon New York City was left behind and the road stretched ahead of them. After a couple of hours later the needle lowered a little. Jeanne soon realized that when Hao was at speed he was actually trying to simmer down emotions that were raging inside him.
When the speed slowed down it was then the Jeanne felt that he too relaxed slightly as if from some tension she could not phantom. Their little row a while back was not really serious though Jeanne was offended; Hao was merely baiting her; she knew that.
Closing her eyes for a while Jeanne silently prayed to God; asking if what she did was right. Opening her eyes again; they reached the heavy, wrought iron gates, and a white-coated servant opened them, his face wreathed with a smile.
Hao greeted him while Jeanne smiled back then drove to their private lot to stop at a massive arched door set in a smooth stone wall. The manor was far bigger than what she expected it to and she shivered again; afraid at all she let herself in for. Another servant hurried forward to open the car door and she gracefully came out in spite of her earlier fear.
How many people did Andre employ here? She wondered, at how much he might be spending in order to maintain a home like this. It was a disquieting thought but it put Jeanne on her mettle, giving her the courage to face the many curious glances with equanimity.
Looking at her husband, he was animated to see them; chatting easily at the servants who were cheerfully introducing themselves to her as well as congratulating them on their marriage.
Amusement again rolling in eyes Hao soon felt that she was out of place. So to ease it he put his arm around her waist as they moved towards the manor. 'Welcome home, honey,' he said, and as she saw the servants smile, she knew he intended to pretend their marriage was really a normal one.
'Well, muffin,' he was speaking again when they got inside the hall while being affectionate in public by nuzzling in her ear before whispering, 'Do you like your new home?'
Silently she stared around her. At first she was astonished to see such grandeur; it was like a châteaux but the difference was she experienced a sense of homecoming, as if this was the moment she had been waiting for all her life.
It was not the huge rooms or the priceless antiques inside them that made her this way. She could not figure it out but maybe because she was now the owner of these things that she felt the feeling of belongingness.
The smog smile in her husband's eyes was still there taunting her to say something, but there was no reply and though it was too late to reply she still nodded and then a smirk replaced the plastic smile around her face. She couldn't believe he was calling her pet names now. How could he do this to her; using the servants to help him cuddle and get close to his new bride. One minute he was serious about company matters and the next he was happily playing the role of a loving husband.
Walking pass the vast hall with its marble-flooring hung richly made tapestries that led into endless number of rooms, many which served as studies, offices and sitting-rooms. She marveled at the fact that this was now hers. The paintings that caught the eye in every turn, the furniture that was elaborate in French, English, Italian and mostly American pieces of art was a sight to be seen by anyone.
One room alone would leave you breathless with the beauty inside it by one of the pieces of Constable, Monet and Cezanne. Even the velvet-settees, the countless exquisite carved ivory of jade figures and vases or tables masked with richly embroidered cloths would be enough for a king's ransom in this age.
'Happy to be married to me now, kitten?'
Why does he always say a pet name? Even with the fineries before her he could still inflame her with his little teasing. 'Actually baby, it doesn't matter to me if you had this or not. I would have still married you.' Snuggling a little closer to her husband; knowing that there were a few servants escorting them and carrying their things. Hao awarded his brand new wife with a smirk knowing that she was also playing with him.
Reaching the top floor that took them how many minutes (more like hours if you let yourself be lost in such magnificence) they reached the safety of their apartments. While the servants were setting their things in their indoor closet, the couple went to the terrace that had the view of the lake before them.
The sun was already setting when they arrived in the manor but it only made the scenery more attractive. The clear blue water was beautiful, but Hao was not looking at the lake but at the woman beside her, 'It's beautiful' Jeanne said with all honesty.
But Hao didn't care, 'You're beautiful.' Wrapping his hands behind her the same thing he did before. She wanted to break away from him but believing that the servants were still close by kept her mouth shut. He really was taking advantage of this agreement.
Entranced maybe by the moment she let him and while still in his arms she just leaned her head behind his chest. Just as the moment was getting good; who would destroy the moment but one his minions himself, 'Master Hao?' a melodious voice appeared.
Taking his hands away from her waist; he turned to acknowledge Marion's presence. Hao was already inside the room again, pausing to wait for her to join him. Returning back to Earth, she soon moved to accompany him. 'Honey, this is Marion Phauna; your secretary as well as your maid.'
'More like your mistress and my villain,' she had a sharp pang of jealousy on the older woman. Yet she still had her happy mask in place. Unlike the maids before her that unpack her things and had a uniform the lady before her was clothe in an office attire clearly stating that she was elevated from the others girls around.
'Nice to meet you, Marion.' Jeanne smiled slyly at her.
'We have met before Mistress Jeanne.' But Jeanne did not recall where?
'In Patch Village. You and Master Hao were still fighting then...'
'Now Marion, you shouldn't remind things that have long past,' giving her a look of warning. Before saying, 'That was finished a long time ago, so forget about it.'
'Forgive Master,' bowing before turning to the lady beside him. 'I'm sorry to you too Mistress for my impudence.'
'Of course you are forgiven such trivial things, should be taken for granted.'
A smile appeared on Marion's lips as she soon found her Mistress to become her escape goat if she gets in trouble with her husband. A moment later another servant came to inform them that a call for Hao from the city came through in the other room; leaving the two girls behind.
'Would the Mistress care to have her bath now?' A curtsey accompanied her words.
'That would be lovely, Marion but I do hope you wouldn't call me Mistress?' An eye brow was raised to answer her remark as they proceeded to the bathroom.
'The Master would not wish me to call you by any other name, Mistress.'
It was useless and letting it go; it was better off. Assuming that Marion had earned her disfavor in refusing her Mistress she silently busied herself making the scented bath and new found clothes.
'Does the Mistress wish me to help with her bath?'
But she declined with a smile, making no offence on the matter. Jeanne waited until Marion went before shedding her clothes but barely had she stepped in the bath when she returned again only to take away her garments. With a feeling of exhaustion, she soaped herself and then plunged deeper into the marble pool.
Before emerging from the bubbles only to sigh, so this would be her life, but Hao even with his wealth would never change her. The poor, the needy, and the oppressed; they still needed a savior and that was her fate. Hao will have to live with it-if he wanted this to work.
Not long after, a knock was heard, thinking it was Marion she allowed her to enter but she did not see the blond haired girl but the dark hair of her husband. Sinking a little lower to cover herself, Jeanne soon acknowledged his presence.
'Jeanne, something came up in the city so I have to go back...'
Looking at him straight in the eye she said what was on her mind. 'Now? We just arrived; don't tell me you're going to leave me again?'
A sly smile reacted to her outburst. 'You know if we were normal newlyweds I would have guessed that you didn't want me to leave you.'
'Well my love, since this is what you wanted a normal marriage don't you think the servants would think it unusual that you left your new bride to herself?' raising her tone higher to express her status.
'My dear Jeanne I won't actually storm from here to the entrance hall and go you know? I'll just go like I always do.'
'While your loving and supporting wife would wait for you?' using her sweetest tone again for a retort.
'Well that it the role of a wife.'
'Fine!'torming hher foot on the floor. 'Go! But you can sleep outside if you come back.'
'Are you threatening me?'
'Are you threatened?' Using the same line he used against her before.
'My dearest Jeanne, you forget your place. You are in my home now and you cannot threaten me with anything.'
'Well now my dearest Hao, you also forget that I am now your wife. I will not become your doll to use when you like.'
Enraged by what she said, he bellowed his response 'I am still the Master of this house and what I say is Law!'
'Well this house has already a Mistress.' Taking a nearby towel and covering herself before rising to met his gaze. 'You gave me the authority to act as your wife and if you leave me here by myself then I have to do what I see fit.'
Looking at his watch before looking at his wife again, 'I have no time for this, Jeanne. This is urgent.'
'Didn't I say you go?' before closing the door to get a shower.
'Not like this. Damn it!' She was still rinsing herself when Hao opened the door a little. 'We'll talk later when I get back.' and there he did it again.
'You'll pay for this Hao.' Like other women there was one trait that was also in Jeanne; she never likes being dismissed that easily.