Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Score ❯ Chapter 16 ( Chapter 16 )

A/N: Hello again. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Sorry I haven't updated in so long. Please R&R! Thanks!

 

Chapter 16:

 

“I think what your team needs is more offence,” Mr. Tanaka lectured. “You guys win, but not by a lot.”

 

“I understand, Mr. Tanaka,” Matthew answered, barely containing a groan.

 

“You need to score more goals,” Mr. Tanaka continued, not letting up.

 

“Dad, I think Matthew already knows this,” Aiko said in aghast.

 

They'd decided on a restaurant and had all arrived promptly. They had already ordered and while waiting for the food to arrive her dad started this one-sided conversation about Matthew and the Edmonton Oilers and their apparent lack of effort.

 

“If he knew this, wouldn't the team be doing this?” her dad countered, practically shooting his daughter a `butt out' look.

 

“Dad!” Aiko exclaimed, scandalized. Her mouth had probably formed a permanent `O' shape.

 

“It's ok Aiko,” Mathew told her, patting her on the arm. He gave her a look that said he could handle it. But she didn't know how he could sit through the abuse.

 

“The weather is very nice these days,” Mrs. Tanaka tried to change the subject. “Don't you think so, Aiko?”

 

“Actually Mr. Tanaka, Coach MacTavish has been addressing that fact. We've been practicing extra hard on new offensive drills, and we know it will pay off,” Matthew answered politely, but adamantly.

 

“Well, all I know is with Tony Nieminen behind you, you'll be all right,” Mr. Tanaka went right on, ignoring his daughter's out right moan. “He's a solid player, born leader.”

 

“Yes, he's a great guy,” Matthew agreed. Aiko looked at Matthew to see how he really felt. She knew Tony was still a sore subject. He looked annoyed. How much more of this did he have to put up with?

 

Aiko made up her mind, she had to do something. She reached for her glass of water and let it slip out of her fingers, letting if fall directly across the table towards her father. It splashed the entire front of his shirt.

 

“Oh God, Dad, I'm so sorry,” Aiko apologised profusely, totally acting. She quickly stood up and handed him some napkins.

 

Her dad stood up too, uselessly wiping at the wet area. “That's ok honey. I'll just go to the rest room and see if they have a hand dryer.”

 

“Sorry dad. Really.” Aiko winced, when he gave her a smile before walking away.

 

Once her dad was out of sight Aiko relaxed, for a moment that is. One glance her mother's way told Aiko she wasn't too happy.

 

“Aiko you did that on purpose,” her mother accused.

 

“No I didn't,” Aiko denied.

 

“Fine, you deny it. I'm going to the rest room too,” Mrs. Tanaka said gravely.

 

Once she was gone Aiko turned to Matthew. She had done all that for him and she was eager to find out if he noticed. And if the very amused grin plastered on his face was anything to go by, she'd say he definitely suspected something. “What?”

 

“Nothing,” Matthew replied. He leaned in giving her a long kiss. “But thanks.”

 

“I didn't do anything,” Aiko countered, kissing his lips in return. “But you're welcome.”

 

They each got lost in the back and forth kiss until they both heard someone clearing their throats.

 

Aiko and Matthew reluctantly pulled apart to find not only a still soaked Mr. Tanaka, but a still soaked Mr. Tanaka with his hand on Tony Nieminen's shoulder.

 

“Look who I found outside,” Mr. Tanaka announced happily. “I thought he could join us for breakfast.”

 

“Only if Aiko and Matthew don't mind,” Tony added.

 

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“Mr. Tanaka, you are very generous,” Tony said modestly.

 

Aiko swallowed what would have been a very loud groan. She was going to scream if she had to listen to much more of this.

 

They'd just finished breakfast and the whole of the morning was a complete fiasco, if you asked Aiko. It was non-stop Tony worshiping, courtesy of her dad.

 

“No, Mr. Tanaka's right Tony, you do have the best glove save in the league,” Matthew put in his two cents.

 

Her dad had the nerve to look taken aback by Matthew's civility. Mathew was a good person and just because her father had met Tony first didn't mean that he was the more worthy man. She needed to get out of there.

 

“Listen dad, mom, I actually had something planned for Matthew and I to do today. So we need to get going,” Aiko interrupted.

 

Matthew shot her a quizzical look. “It's a surprise,” she added.

 

“Oh, ok,” Matthew said simply, a little confused.

 

Before her parents could say anything she passed Matthew the keys to her car and told him, “Why don't you go get it started. I'll be right out.”

 

He obeyed and turned to her parents, as Tony watched on. “Thanks for breakfast, I had a great time.” Aiko was surprised how sincere he sounded.

 

The minute he was out of earshot Aiko turned to face her parents. “Matthew is a great guy. And he is my boyfriend,” she started, totally serious. “That means you don't get to treat him like trash and you don't get to talk down to him, Dad!”

 

“Aiko, what are you talking about?” Mr. Tanaka asked, bewildered.

 

Aiko was totally aware of the other patrons watching the scene she was creating but she didn't care. She had to get this out.

 

“I know you like Tony better,” she stated, gesturing at Tony, who looked dazed and confused. “And he is a great guy. He's just not the guy for me. I want to be with Matthew. And I need you two to get used to that fact.”

 

She stood up and started to stomp out of the dining area. She didn't get too far when she heard her name being called.

 

She turned around to find Tony on her heels. “What!”

 

For a second she was ashamed of the way she just yelled, causing that look of hurt on Tony's face.

 

“Look, I am sorry if I caused any trouble today. I did not mean to,” Tony apologized. “I did not know when I accepted your father's invitation that it would be like that.”

 

He sounded so genuine, so sincere; she knew he was speaking the truth. “Don't worry about it Tony. It started even before you arrived. My dad's just a little biased. He thinks I should be with the best. And well… you are the best goalie in the league.”

 

“I seem to always be the cause of trouble between you and Matthew,” Tony stated, dryly. “I do not want this. Matthew is my friend.”

 

“Again, don't worry about it. Matthew and I are fine,” she reiterated. “I should get going Matthew's waiting for me.”

 

Aiko started for the door, when she heard Tony say, “So you have decided on Matthew. You're sure?”

 

Aiko turned around to face him. “More sure of it than anything ever in my life.”

 

He took a step towards her. “Because we could be so good together…”

 

Aiko stepped back. “Tony… no. Just… no”

 

She hated the look of pain it caused on his face. But she had to make it clear.

 

“All right,” he backed away. “I understand.” He turned around and started to walk away from her.

 

Aiko sighed, and quickly exited the restaurant. She didn't have to go far; Matthew had brought her car right to the door.

 

She climbed into the passenger seat and let out a frustrated sigh.

 

“You didn't, by any chance, accidentally dump anything else on your father?” Matthew asked a hint of hopefulness in his voice.

 

Aiko chuckled. “No, I'm so sorry Matt!”

 

He took her left hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles. “How many times do I have to tell you its ok?”

 

“But-“

 

“Your dad doesn't like me, I get it. He likes Tony like five hundred times more than me. That's ok. Do you know why?” he asked her.

 

“Why?” she answered, her mind drawing a blank.

 

“Because there's only one person I care about whether they like me or not, and that's you,” he told her thoughtfully.

 

Aiko smiled. “Oh and I like you a lot.” She leaned in to let his lips meet her own. It was heated and passionate, and a continuation of what should have happened earlier that morning.

 

Matthew pulled back an inch to ask, “Do you really have a surprise for me planned?”

 

“Well, it kind of was supposed to be me in your apartment,” she told him sheepishly.

 

“I can honestly say that that was the best surprise I've ever had.” He leaned in and kissed her again. “Do you want to do something together, then?”

 

“I just want to spend time with you,” she told him truthfully.

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Well that's it for now. I plan to update pretty soon. So please review and let me know what you think. Thanks.

 

And thanks to joshrox for continuing to review!