Ryu looked around the restof the room curiously and could feel the taces of the woman's quirky nature.The pillows on the bed were all a mix of colorful shades of the rainbow and squinting in the dim light he saw that there was even a pillow with his face on it!he could feel his ears flush when suddenly he thought of her hugging his face to herself.Reflecting on his thoughts,Ryu scolded himself for being a pervert!Since he now knew that the had been sharing a bedroom,Ryu planned to sleep in Ru's room so that he could avoid the woman.Thinking this to be the prefect chance to escape any awkward explanations,Ryu took off his clothes and went to take a shower.

As soon as he entered the bathroom he could smell a faint fragrance of Vanilla and cherry blossoms.Looking at the bath tub,Ryu realized that it had been recently used by his wife.His mind threatened to go in the wrong direction again but he immediately curbed it and went into the shower stall.After a shower,Ryu took the towel that was hanging on the rod,wrapped it around his waist and came out only to almost drop the towel when he saw what was in front of him.Alicia was standing there leaning against the bathroom's door.Holding onto the towel for dear life,Ryu cleared his throat and asked in a hoa.r.s.e voice,"What are you doing here?"

"Admiring the scenery!",came the pat reply as Alicia's eyes followed the trail of water droplets across his chest and then his abs and finally disappearing into the towel..Amused at the way he was clutching his towel,Alicia sighed in regret and brought her eyes back to his face,"Why are you holding the towel?There is nothing in there that I have not seen and touched before!"Alicia wagged her eyebrows suggestively at him making Ryu feel as if he was a maiden in some old drama and she was a an old lecher trying to take advantage!

Exasperated with the woman's shamelessness,Ryu growled,"Get out."

Putting on a sad and pouty expression,Alicia complained,"Hubby,you are no fun!I am just thirsty and there is no gla.s.s.That water droplet looks quiet tempting on your shoulder..Can I drink it before I faint of thirst?"

Ryu felt like pulling his hair out in frustration and before he could explode,Alicia ran out and said,"Don't worry.I am going to protect your modesty.I have placed a t s.h.i.+rt and shorts for you to wear!"

Ryu went out of the bathroom and donned the t s.h.i.+rt and micket pyjamas she had laid out.Outside the bathroom,Ryu decided to finish the topic once and for all.He was going to confront Alicia and ask her to back off with her advances.He did not remember her and her presence made him uncomfortable.Again he was stumped for words once he entered the bedroom.Alicia was sitting or rather kneeling on the bed with a big smile on her face.Though there was nothing provocative inher pose,Ryu felt his 'friend' stir in his pyjamas.With his iron control,he scowled and said,"Miss Lu,I hope you will not enter the bathroom again withot my permission.I understand that you feel you have the right to do since I am your legal husband,but please understand that to me you are a stranger.I hope you will respect these boundaries.You can sleep here.I will sleep in Ru's room tonight."

Before he could leave Alicia's challenging voice reached his ears,"Running away?Are you worried that I will attack you or the other way round?Since you want to create boundaries,there is no needto sleep in Ru's room.It will only lead to questions.Tell you what I promise to not touch you first during the night and I'll also create a wall in the middle of the bed so that you feel safe."With that she arranged the pillows in the middle of the bed and moved aside with a challenging smile.

Angered beyond words at the woman,Ryu turned back towards the bed,pushed her back on the bed and caught her hands in one of his large hands.The other hand,he placed on her bared thigh and squeezed a bit forcefully,"Miss Lu,I have forgotten about being your husband but I have not forgotten that I am a man with needs..Your feelings are plainly reflected in your eyes and I understand that you are suffering as well.I am not one to hesitate what you are offering.So do not test my patience!I will not tolerate this.Am I clear?"

"Crystal."Alicia stiffly answered back while turning her face away.Ryu saw the sheen of tears in her eyes and felt like a jerk.His conscience screamed at him as he loosened his hold on her.Moving back from the bed,he stood up to move and was about to apologize when the door suddenly barged open.Ru,who was unaware of the tension came in clutching his toy and blanket and jumped on the bed next to Alicia who was now sitting on the bed."Father!I am ready for the story!"

Feeling disoriented,Ryu said,"Then let's go to your room for the story session and then we will sleep."

However this statement caused Ru to glare at his father in anger and say,"But mother said,I can sleep here tonight with both of you!I will not sleep there.I am going to sleep here with you two!"

Ryu who's conscience was already drowning with guilt,suffered all the more and he could only look at Alicia who refused to meet his eyes anymore.With a big smile,Alicia looked at Ru and said,"Aiyo little baby,of course you are sleeping here!Don't worry.Your father thoght that I would be disturbed with the story so he said that!But you know me!I am so tired I am going to fall asleep the moment my head hits the pillow.So come and take your good night kiss and then we'll sleep."Alicis lovingly kissed Ru on the forehead aand Ru kissed her the cheek.But before Alicia could lie down,Ru said,"Dad's Goodnight kiss?"