Huh. I cannot believe I'm doing this.
Hi, guys. Let me explain the situation for you, real quick.
I first wrote this fic when I was 16 years old, in Portuguese. I was in high school, bored out of my life, and came up with this during a math class, if I'm not mistaken.
I posted it in 2007, just after I turned 17. So the original version was a bit juvenile. But I was re-reading it, and thought I could give it a try and translate it and change it up a bit to sound more mature.
It's completed, but not fully translated. If you guys like it, I can finish and post the rest.
Please be aware that this is really, really out of charachter. Like, really. I basically just borrowed the names.
Different personalities, different location (it takes place in New York, for the sole reason that I know the city way more than I know anything about Japan, and that makes it easier to create a believable setting for the story).
I hope you don't find it too "new" and enjoy it. And, please, tell me what you think. It's been a while since I posted anything, so my confidence in posting this is on the floor. I'm convinced everybody will hate it, LOL. Any grammatical mistakes you find, don't hesitate to point them out for me.
Anyway. There you go. Don't kill me please.
Love,
Nat'
.:.
Disclaimer: You know it's not mine.
.:.
There are times I think I should knock on a convent's door a go "Hey Sister, what's up? So. Given my state of absolute lack of a love and sexual life I decided to hear the Divine message and become a nun. You okay with it?".
You must have gone through this, or at least something like it. But, if you haven't, I'll share my terrible, awful, gut-wrenching story. Okay, my story.
I was a bride for three years. Him? Oh, he was the most perfect guy I could ask for. Tall, blond, green eyes, strong, gentle, nice, an excellent lover, my true friend, handsome and rich. Filthy rich. I liked to compare him with Ryan Gosling. Or Brad Pitt.
Yes, darlings. During three years, I lived the life of a princess. I had the perfect man, the perfect job, the perfect home, and everything I wanted in the palm of my hand. Jimmy would buy me the whole city if I asked him.
By now you must be asking yourself "Well, WHAT HAPPENED? Where did all this magic go?". I answer you.
He's gay.
Yes, girlfriend, I know. I spent three years of my life engaged to a closeted homosexual.
Do you have any idea what it is to think that your perfect future is guaranteed, and suddenly find out that the hot doctor that has been sleeping next to you watches The Vampire Diaries not to keep you company, but because he also likes to admire the same things you like to admire? Well, I hope you don't.
The separation was smooth. He just up and came one day, and was so incredibly lovely about the whole thing. I've never been dumped so nicely.
We became friends. Great friends. Jimmy is an espectacular fashion adviser, if you must know.
He ended up going back to England. Sent me post cards. Get this: he got married. Married. Well, not married, gay people still couldn't get married in England then (YAY British people for finally approving on it, btw. Cheers. You not only have a Queen now, but a bunch of others, slightly poorer and not as Royal queens, that can now express their love. Kudos.) His partner is very handsome and also very very nice, which, for some reason, make things even worse.
As for me, I haven't had a serious relationship since him. Or a shalow one, for that matter. No flings, one night stands, nothing. Zero. Don't ask me why. It has been a year of this dry spell.
Sweet life, huh?
Work helps, I guess. I'm a fashion designer. I work for Maison T, for about six years now, since I graduated from college. I earn enough money to live with dignity, pay my bills, have a kick ass apartament and a nice car.
(What? I have a life style.)
The thing is, all this seems a little dull when I hear that my neighboor's hot boyfriend arrived next door and, by the sounds they're making through the wall, is pressing her against the furniture and doing whatever the hell he wants.
She tells me he does that, as if I wasn't aware.
That's why, this past year, I've been dedicating myself a lot more to work than to my personal life. My boss is the one who seems to be enjoying my exaggerated dedication. Her name is Sango, and we are actually really good friends.
She's lucky. I've been noticing that she has been catching the eye of Miroku Houshi, New York's most treasured event planner - he also organises all our fashion shows. Twice this week I've intercepted texts from him, inviting her to go to LA with him, to "help him figure out what to do fot this Mercedes party". Like he needs help ith his work. Ok.
He didn't get rich with the help of others.
He is very, very hot. A convict womanizer -I'm sure he has slept with half the women on this office. He came on to me once, soon after we met, but I was engaged then, so.
And it as because of Miroku that, one fine day, that happened.
I was in my office, all dolled up and perfumed, working quietly when he opened the door with one of those trade mark one sided smiles that has panties dropping all around the Tri-State Area.
"Kagome, my angel." He leaned on the door frame, while the other held the knob, and looked at me, all charming on his Armani suit.
"What is it that you want, Miroku?"
"I need the design of Chiara's dress for next Saturday's runway. Can you do that for me, sugar?
"Sure, I'll just archive it and you can have it, in a second. Why do you need the dress design? Don't you produce the show?
"I do, babe. Chiara is my star on this one. I'm creating a scenario that flatters her ourfit. Am I brilliant or what? Huh? Brilliant? Or what?"
"Brilliant, Miroku."
"And you are just too tasty." He winked at me and walked out.
I finished touching up the design (I wasn't really done with it), backed it up and got up to go to his office (he has one here, since he spends so much time working for us) about twenty minutes later. I found the right corridor almost empty, just one or two people walking with papers and materials on their hands. I walked a little faster, since his office was all the way across, and the corridor was quite big.
Only someone else needed to get to the opposite side of the way, the side I as coming from.
A guy in a gray suit bumped into me and all the papers he was holding went flying to the floor, along with my croqui.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention!" I started, while he just bent down to get all the papers.
"It's alright, don't worry." He answered, all serious.
My chin almost hit my heels (YSL and you know it), but I'm too self aware to let anything like that happen.
Broad back, extremely blond hair (almost silver, with a touch of gold), golden eyes (I swear. Golden. Like that Cullen vampire, only not creepy), strong face and - I can only imagine - a chest and arms to die for. The man was the most delicious thing I have ever had the pleasure of bumping into.
"Higurashi, right?"
Oh. Down, shivers.
"Uh, yeah. How do you know that?"
"My name is Inuyasha Taisho, I'm Sango's lawyer. She tells me a lot about you. And I've seen you walking around here." He said in a nice tone, but not too nice.
Oooh, misterious... Stop it.
"Oh. How come I've never seen you around?" I said, flipping my hair, very subtly.
"I don't come here a lot. And when I do, I'm mostly at Sango's office."
"I see. Well, Mr. Taisho, it's been a ple-"
"Oh, please, Mr Taisho is my dad. Call me Inuyasha. Ok?"
And then, he smiled at me. I almost lost my shit and jumped him right then and there, on that damn red, empty corridor, incredibly perfect for a quick rendezvous. But, again, I'm very "posh", as Jimmy would say, so I controlled myself.
"Ok, Inuyasha. It was a pleasure to meet you. But I do need to go. See you around?" I smiled, my Tom Ford lipstick put to the charm test.
"I sure hope so. See you."
I walked towards Miroku's office, swaying my hips a little, just in case he was watching me leave.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, what a man.
I opened the door to his office and looked at the back of his leather chair. He was on the phone with whoever and was facing the panoramic window the showed a beautiful view of the Hudson. I sat on a chair in front of his desk, all smiles to the walls, waiting for him to talk to me. A few moments later and he turned his chair around, hung up and looked at me like he wasn't very happy.
"You know that I'd do anything for you, right, princess? You know I'd do everything to back you up, but when you run late with the only thing that's keeping me from finishing the show, it get's complicated, sugar."
"I know, I know, sorry, I had a... Thing, unpredicted."
"What thing? Did you bra snap? Do you want my help to fix it?"
Gone was the scolding face, there was the suave man.
"No, my bra is fine. Here's the croqui. Can I go?"
He got the paper from my hand, smiled all sexy and looked at me.
"I'd love to see you in that cleavage, Kagome."
"In your dreams, maybe. Do you need anything else?"
"Oh, I do! Can you take this message to Sango, if you happen to stop by her office today? My texts aren't going through, for some reason." He gave me a little folded paper.
"Sure, no problem."
"Thanks, sugar."
"Anything else, you highness?"
"No, no, babe, you can go. Unless you want to give me a kiss good bye."
I smiled and leaned closer, over his desk. He looked at me all sassy. I turned his head and pressed a feather, long kiss on his cheek.
"Don't tease me, Kagome."
"Tease? Me? I'm not teasing anybody. How can yu say that?" I winked, turned around and walked to the door. "See you, Miroku."
"Don't go calling me a perv later!" He said before I closed the door behind me.
I walked to my office. After cheking everything, I started putting my things on my purse to go home.
Not before, of course, stopping by Sango's to demand an explanation. Why in the hell she had hidden her foxy lawyer from me all this time?
On my way, I checked my outfit on the mirrored wall that led me the her office: red pencil skirt with a white silk blouse with a light cleavege and the nude pumps gave me an innocent, yet provocating air. My hair was down. Most men liked that outfit.
Do you think he liked it? The lawyer?
Maybe I'd bump into him again. A girl can hope.
I knocked on the door before walking in.
"Hey, Sango, I'm - Oh! Mr. Taisho!"
Oh glory be! There was the man, leaning on her desk by her side.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here! I can come back..."
Please stop me. Please, pretty freaking please.
"I thought we agreed no 'Mr.', huh?" He smiled at me. And I'm telling you, i wanted to straight up lick his teeth. And his lips. Damn. "And please, stay. We were just wrapping up anyway."
"Do you guys know each other?" Sango said, after sipping on her tea.
"We met today, on the corridor. I almost threw her on the ground, by accident."
Oh, you can throw me on the ground anytime you want. For real.
"Hmm."
"So I think that is it. I can get you the fine print by tomorrow afternoon."
"Yes, Inyasha, thank you!"
"You're welcome. I'm on my way, then."
"Oh, wait!" I said, desperate for something to hold him there. "Why don't you, uh... Come to the show next Saturday? It'll be great."
"Hah! Yeah right. Like he comes to any fashion show." Sango said, looking at somehing on her computer.
"You don't like fashion?" I asked, slightly smiling.
"Not as a rule. But I suppose I can make an exception on Saturday."
"Really? Are you coming, then?"
"Sure. Why not?"
"Oh, great!" I tried not to sound too excited, but it was difficult. "I'll have Miroku put you on the guest list then."
"No need, I can ask him."
"Do you know him?"
"Yeah, high school friends and all. I was coming from his office when I bumped into you." And that smile again.
I could feel my bones melting and my muscles getting warm.
"I have to go. See you next week, then?" He asked Sango.
"Yeah." She said from her chair, smiling at him like a little sister would.
"See you there, Kagome." He said when he walked past me. And then he was gone. Like a God that appeared for a few moments to leave you stunned and then left you to miss his amazing presence.
"Is it just me" Sango said when the door closed "Or there was a moment going on here just now?"
"Do you think so?!"
"Oh, no, not at all. It was just the weather that changed very very drastically and made you two almost yank each other's clothes off to cool off. Nothing else."
She leaned back on her chair and looked at me like she was telling me to spill the beans.
"You!" I pointed a finger at her "Owe me an explanation!"
"Me? What did I do?"
"You've been hiding you hunky lawyer form me for... I don't know how long."
"Oh, please, I didn't hide him."
"Did, too! You know I'm about to create spider webs from the lack of touching and still hid that hot piece of ass all to yourself."
"I was not hiding him!"
"Whatever! Why didn't you introduce us before?!"
"Well, I don't know, I thought you wouldn't like a guy like him."
"Wha- Are you out of your mind? What's not to like?!"
"Oh, I don't know, I didn't really think about it, sorry."
"Well, I do know him now."
"And know him well, as I could see."
I smiled. I only wished I knew him well.
Hey! Don't give me that look. If you were in my situation you would understand!
"Sango, I want the full report! Does he have kids? Is he married? Is he taken? Divorced?
"Umm... No, no, more or less and no."
"More or less what? Is he married?!" I panicked.
"No. But he is taken."
Damn it all to hell. The best ones always are.
"But, he's been having problems for a while. They're on a break."
"Break? That's awesome! What kind of break? Ross break or Rachel break?"
"I'm not sure. I just know that he is trying to slow things down a bit with his fianceé."
"Fianceé?!" I literally fell on my ass on one of her chairs.
He has a fianceé. Which means the "break" wasn't gonna last long. Craaaaaap.
"Yes. Which, by the way, is a complete and utter bitch. I cannot stand the sight of that woman."
"Do you know her? Is she pretty?"
"Hmm. Normal. Skinny, but the wrong type. No boobs, no ass, no nothing. Stuck up. She looks like she's made of clay or something."
"Huh. What is Inuyasha, being all the man that he is, is doing with a woman like that?"
"I don't know. I just know I need to get back to work, sweetie, sorry."
"It's ok, I'm heading home. I'm done for the day, been here since, like, 7 A.M. And I have to stop by the stylist to see if my dress is ready."
"Lucky you. I'll see you tomorrow, then."
"See you." I was about to walk out when I remembered. "Oh yes! Miroku asked me to give you this." I gave her the tiny paper.
She opened and read it with a strange face.
"What?"
"Listen to this: 'My love, could you please come to my office when you're not busy? I need to sort some details with you. Love, M'." and looked at me with an expression like she was dismissing it.I just smiled.
"You are so silly, did you know that? If it was a note for me, he would call me sugar, princess, flower and what not. But with you he's just so... Sincere. I think he actually does like you."
"That man-whore? Hah. Yeah, right." She got up and walked out to see what was it that he wanted.
I walked out too, and stopped by the elevator, only to have a secretary tell me that there was a man waiting for me in my office.
"Man? What man?"
Inuyasha?!
"Hmm, I forgot his name. He has brown hair, looks good. Like, he's a Bieber type. Too pretty for a boy?"
Oh damn.
"Is it Houjo?"
"That's it!"
"What does he want? Did he tell you?"
"He didn't, actually. Just told me he would wait for you in your office and smiled at me."
Ugh. Houjo.
"Ok, thanks."
I walked back to my office as if Miley Cyrus was there waiting for me: draggig my feet.
Trust me. You don't want to know.
Walking in, I found him looking at the paintins on my walls.
"Houjo, how are you?"
"Higurashi! Hello!" He walked to me and kissed my hand.
Yeah, yeah, very nice. Ugh.
"Listen. You are attending next Saturday's show, obviously?"
"I am."
"Do you have company?" He smiled his very white teeth at me.
I had to admit. The man had nice teeth.
I wanted to say "Ooh, I do, hunny, sorry! I'm going with Inuyasha Taisho, do you know him? He's a totally hot lawyer that is all over my game as of lately. Sorryyy." But I couldn't.
"Um, no, not yet."
"How about being my date for the evening?" His blue eyes shone at me.
Houjo is the type of guy every mother would approve. He's handsome, he's so very nice, hard worker (he's a doctor. I met in highs school and got back in touch when I found out he worked with Jimmy), financially stable, a real gentleman, always puts you first. But... He took my cousin to prom and she told me all the details of their back-seat of his car activities, so. Yeah, no.
However. I could never, in a billion years, show up alone at the fashion show, and I really didn't have much time left to get a date, so.
Le internal sigh.
"Sure, that sounds great." I tried to smile. It wasn't the guy's fault he was so uninteresting. Even if he was a doctor. A kinda-sorta-cute one too.
"Great!" He smiled brightly and looked at his watch. "Fantastic. I do have to go now, Higurashi, I'm terribly sorry."
Don't be sorry, dude. Just go.
"What do you say I pick you up at eight?"
"A car will take me. You can be there at eight thirty, that's when the driver's scheduled to show up."
"Brilliant. See you then!"
I smiled - a full on "show him you teeth" smile, but I think maybe it ended up being creepy.
Okay. Okay. This isn't so bad. I mean, everybody is taking a date, and now I would too. Houjo is not such bad company after all.
Turning off the lights of my office, I walked out again. I was at the office since the early hours in the morning, sorting out the details for the show. "Exhausted" defined me.
.:.
Scootch over a little bit, my ego wants some space.
Because, honestly, I rock so hard at this.
Looking at myself on my closet mirror, I felt so so good. The long, sleek black dress was simply magnificent. Imagine Gwyneth Paltrow white Tom Ford at the Oscar's. That, only black and with a hint os tranparency here and there, fattering my best features. And no cape.
I was so damn hot.
And, mind you, wearing some Harry Winston jewerly they sent over as a gift. A gift! My wrists and ears were worth almost a million dollars right now. Literally. That's the price of the amazing pieces they sent me.
Dayum, gurl!
(Yeah, I can't pull that off.)
I can't wait to see Miroku's face, haha!
But now that I think of it, he'll probably be drooling all over whatever Sango has on. She could show up dressed in one of those Christina Aguilera outfits (come on, girl. Get real), and he would still engage on some serious eye-fucking.
Pardon my French.
I was just checkin my hair when my phone buzzed.
"I'm downstairs, Higurashi! And our driver is here too. Do you need me to go fetch you?" Houjo asked, all gentleman-y.
"No, no, I'll be right down. One minute."
"Oh!" The lady in the elevator said to me. She's a very nice old lady. Her hair is purple. Le giggles. "You look absolutely lovely, dear!"
"Thank you very much, Mrs. Otens! How is Frank?" Her husband.
"Oh." She scoffed and made a dismissing gesture with her hand. "So incredibly boring, dear. He is right now reading a golfing magazine and listening to the Paisiello's vinil. Even the cat looks bored out of his mind."
"Oh, I'm so sorry. No woman should be bored on a Saturday night."
"That is why, my dear, you and I are alike! Youare off to your Fashion Show, and I'm off to play poker with the girls!" She giggled and I smiled.
'The girls' were her high school friends. Can you believe they are still in touch? That is so nice.
"And after the game we will watch re-runs of Teen Wolf! The young men in there are most definitely not boring, don't you agree?" And laughed, all happy.
I loved her.
Walking out of the building, I saw the driver open the back door for me (Mrs. Otens went to the garage for her car), and Houjo adjusted his tie. He looked good. Wearing an all black suit, shirt and shoes, with a red tie. Nice.
"Hello! You look beautiful!", he smiled at me, and kissed my hand again.
I smiled as a thank you and got in, he climbed after me.
"Are these free?" He asked the driver, lifting a bag of M&M's.
Oh, geez.
.:.
It wasn't a huge, huge event. Nothing like a fashion week or whatever. It was not even a new collection show. This whole event was kinda of a ceremony to introduce the new designers team, which included me. I wasnt't new, but some of the other designers were, especially hour accessories team.
But we do like to party, hence the red carpet (that wasn't red. It was navy blue, but whatever).
I'm not gonna lie to you, ok? I'm not one of those people that shy away from the flashes. I like seeing my face on Elle every once and a while. So I smiled to the cameras and posed with some celebrities that were wearing my designs.
MIla Kunis was stunning in the deep green skinny dress I made for her.
(I adore her, btw. Girl crush and what not).
Walking in - with Houjo on my arm again - the party was already on full swing. I found Sango quickly, she was walking briskly towards the backstage entrance.
"Kagome! Good! You're here! I need you- Wow. You look amazing!"
I smiled and posed a little.
"Thank you! You too!"
She did.
She has an amazing sense of style, very classic. She was dressed in a nude long, sleeveless dress, the bust and the neck were see-through. Very chic.
"Thanks. Houjo, how are you?"
"I'm good, I'm good. Thank you. Beautiful party! You do look stunning."
She smiled.
"Thank you very much. If you don't mind, I have to steal Kagome for a bit, we need her backstage."
"Oh, please, take the time you need. I'll go find our seats."
After we went backstage and I dealed with what need to be sorted (hair, make up, a shoe string that got loose, a rogue zipper, etc), we walked back out and into Miroku.
He was wearing a white suit. I swear. But he pulled it off. He really did. I don't know how.
He was hot, that was the truth.
"Good evening ladies. Kagome, you look ravishing."
I smiled at him, but he didn't see it, he was eyeing Sango like he wantd to melt her clothes off.
"You be careful, Sango. Keep dressing like that and my heart will fail and I'll go to the hospital and it'll be your fault. You are almost too beautiful."
He meant it, too. You could totally tell he did by the way his body was leaning towards her, all possessive.
"Thank you, Houshi." She narrowed her eyes at him.
Oh, Sango. I don't know if you're a genious or a fool.
He stopped a staff member that was walking by us and I leaned to whisper to my friend.
"So. Is our lawyer already here?"
"He is. Got here a little before you did."
I almost squaled in excitement.
"Is he alone?"
"No. The brat is with him."
Puff went my excitement.
"You're kidding."
"I'm not. All stuck up. Spoke to me as if I worked for her, or whatever. Maybe she forgets I'm her husband's client, not the other way around."
"Fiancé! Not husband!"
"Whatever."
"Damn. There goes my plan."
"You had a plan?"
"Yes, you know. The usual plan."
"Oh, I see. Hair flipping, fingers over cleavege, hips sway and all the jazz?" She smiled and made all the gestures, which captured Miroku's eyes, distracting him form the isntructions he was giving to the guy.
"Yes, all that."
After that she proceeded to tell me how she found out she had a very hot neighboor that worked in finances.
Come on, now! Everybody get's a hot neighboor, but me? I suppose Jake - the son of the couple that lives above me - is very fit, but he's in highs school. Doesn't count.
She didn't get to finish the neighboor story. She started to poke me discreetly.
"Heads up."
"Huh?"
She smiled at me all weird and oh.
Oh!
Okay.
Out of nowhere, I laughed like she had said something funnyand touched my chest.
"Good evening."
Oooh, that voice. Manly, sexy, smooth, low, and, I swear, dirty, said behind me.
I turned, as if I didn't know who was talking, and made the most surprised face I could manage(Mila had taught me a few tricks). There he was, smiling at me, all nice.
Don't be nice, Inuyasha. You can be bad if you want.
"Mr. Taisho, you made it!" I smiled more brightly.
"Kagome. This will be the third time I tell you not to call me that. Will I have to sue you?" He winked at me. He totally winked at me.
You can sue the pants out of me if you want, man.
My smile turned from bright to only-a-little-bit evil.
It didn't last long, though. He opened his mouth and started spilling garbage.
"This is my fianceé, Kikyou Ahitaka. Kikyou, this is Kagome Higurashi."
She was a stick. A white stick with black hair.
Honestly, Inuyasha.
She offered me one of her hands and wow, where's the Titanic that hit that rock?
Big ass diamond. Holy shit.
"Miss Higurashi. I've herad a lot about your work. I was so surprised when Inuyasha told me he had met you."
"Oh, how nice!" I replied, with the best smile I could offer her (which, I admit, was not very much).
I noticed, from the corner of my eyes, that Inuyasha was looking at me. A half smile on his lips.
Cue in - spine shiver.
"I really am looking forward to the show. Am I right to assume the designs will be less antiquated than last season's collection?"
Hold up - hold the fuck up.
What?!
I saw Inuyasha turn his head to her, the smile vanishing from his face.
"Well, I don't know what exactly you are expecting, but if I were you, I'd be prepared. This is not a season's collection. This is abstract. Conceptual. I'd brace myself, if I were you." and I did a once over her dress.
Get this: polyester. Light green pollyester. I'm not even kidding.
And I'm antiquated. Ok.
"Excuse me, I'll go find my date. A pleasure... Inuyasha."
Oh, yes I did. I used the Miroku patented Eye-Fuck®. Screw it.
"I'll go with you." Sango said.
I walked backstage again, because I looked over the front row and realised Houjo was boring the brains out of Zac Efron.
He was a fan.
"I cannot believe the nerve on that woman!" I exclaimed once we were inside.
"I told you. I told you she was a which. I cannot stand her." Sango agreed.
"Yow know what?" I walked to where the models were finishing their hair and make up and starting to get dressed.
"Gils!" I called, they all looked at me. "Let's kill it tonight. There's a chick out there that doubts our work. Let's fuck up her mind."
They laughed and cheered and whistled, applauding, some screaming "Fuck yeah!"
I love a bitch-riot.
I helped them get into their dresses and walked back out with Sango.
"Are you sitting right here?" Sango asked Miroku, who apparently was going to take the seat by her right. I would be on her left.
"Of course, angel. Where else?"
She sighed, sat next to him and he took er hand, kissed it, and returned it to her lap.
Yep. Fool it is.
Oh, look how great. Inuyasha and the White Stick are next to us. Well, next to Miorku, really, but still.
Talk about raining about someone's parade. Bitch.
"Is it about to start? It's been a while and noting interesting has happened." I heard the Stick saying.
Like a teenager, I sighed and rolled my eyes, looking at Sango and catching a glimpse of Miroku's bored and annoyed expression.
Let me make something very clear here: this party was not lame. I mean, with four different separate rooms with different types of parties going on, one assumes people will find a way to have fun. Mirku had done an excelent job.
The lights suddenly dimmed and the special lights for the stage went on. People hurried to get to their seats.
The big white light shone towards the front of the runway, and the music started.
You know, that Bom Bom one, that makes ablosute no sense but it's great to strut to.
The first model came in, wearing a black silk jacket with red lapels, a short short skirt and mouting boots. My design.
I looked at the Stick when Naya - the model - walked past me. She was looking at the runway like she wanted to set it on fire.
Ha. Burn.
One after the other, the models came in and out, sporting different models, all dark in color.
"Aaaaaand..." Miroku said, after a while.
Chiara walked in, and the lights changed to match the colors on her dress - Yellows and blacks, that went around and made her look sexy. So, so sexy.
She wasn't one of those models that were plain. This one has a phenomenal set of boobs on her.
People whistled and clapped, because the music changed and so did the theme. Chiara introduced the part of the show that focused on accessories and shoes.
I suddenly excused myself with Houjo - who was holding my hand, poor thing - and looked at Sango, who was looking at the stage, looking all proud. She was so proud of Miroku, I could tell. But she would never admit it.
While Chiara walked back, I got up and walked backstage again. It was time.
It was a big mess. People shouting, running around, a bunch of naked models, you know. Fashion show backstage normal drill.
I sat on a chair and three make up artists came to fix whatever was wrong with my face.
"Hey, Kagome!" Rin waved at me, from her own chair.
Rin Kosaka is one of the new designers, and I'm kinda of her "mentor". I'm the one who teaches her how everything works on Maison T, the one she brings her first drafts to and all. She's this girl that you can't help but love. And we are actually really similar to each other. Take shopping, for instance. We once went on a shopping spree that forced us to hire some guys to carry our bags for us (ok, not hire. I just called the security dudes from work and tiped them generously).
But she is very different than me when it comes to getting guys.
She is a sweetheart. Sweet smile, sweet temper, all princess like. She wins people without even realizing she's doing it.
I'm not like that. I find a target and move. Until I get it. I like a seduction game. Not Rin. She loves romances, the epic ones, and that reflects on her clothes.
She is brilliant. She makes the basic become new, the cheesy become trendy. And all very subtly, with romance written all over it.
My designs are more out there. I'm not scared of innovating, of exploring all that I can.
And then a White Stick pops out of nowhere and tells me I'm antiquated. Give me a fucking break.
"I'm so nervous!" She said, while a girl with green hair applied blush on her cheeks. Her hands were contorting on each other in the lap of her white shimmering tube dress.
"Oh, honey, relax. You are going to be perfect."
"There you go!" My make up artist said. "All done. You're gonna kill it."
"Boys, boys! Let us go! It's tiiiime!" Jakotsu, the coreographer, shouted from behind a courtain.
I'll tell you about Jakotsu. He is the best of the best in the business. I have never met a runway coach better than him. He walks in heels better than I do.
"Let's go, oh, tasty ones! Move those tight butts of yours!" He instructed to the male modes that walked, on by one, to the runway.
"Sweet Jesus in Heaven. I wish I was born with a toosh like that!" He said, turning towards me and Rin. "Oh, my goddesses! You are divine! So chic!" He got Rin's hands and gave her dress a once over. "Excuse me, darling." And snap! Tore the buttons of her discreet cleavege, making her gasp. Miroku would call the view of the curve of her breasts the "Perfect Spot in Heaven".
"Jakotsu!" She exclaimed, holding her own boobs to shield them from view.
"Don't worry, dear, we'll fix that right up." He snapped his fingers and a very, very short woman walked in and started sewing Rin's dress back together. When she walked back, Rin had the most amazing cleavege. A little more deep, with some sparkling points, like the lady had added some diamonds to her dress, for real. It shimmered in the most magical way.
"Oh!" I exclaimed, pointing like a six year old. "I want to shimmer too!"
"Jakotsu! I look like a slut!"
"You do not!" And, to add, he started spraying something on her hair that made it shimmer too.
"Jakotsu!" I pointed again. "I want the shimmer!"
"Kagome, darling." He looked at me. "If I made your cleavege any bigger and your hair more sparkling, you would whipe out everybody else. People would forget everybody else and focus on you, and that's not our goal." He lifted my chin as if to get a better look at my face. "And besides, you already look too overpowering as it is."
Overpowering? Wow. Really?
Yay me!
"Wow, wow, baby, just woooow." Bankotsu, one of the models, walking in for his first round. "Kagome. You look... Delicious, if I may."
Bankotsu is the tiger type. He was the one, after Miroku, that had the job to lift my self esteem. Big pretty boy, all muscles and hair. He really was nice, but a little too wild for me.
"Thank you, Bankotsu." I winked at him and he touched his heart, as if he was going to faint.
Oh boy. What an ammetour.
"Go, go, dear, go!" Jakotsu urged him, pushing him towards the runway. He put his sexy face on and walked out.
"Heyyy!" Rin whined from her spot. "My dress! Re-fix it, please!"
"Oh, darling, let it go. You look fabulous. Not slutty. Fabulous. Let's not forget... He's here tonight." He said and wiggled his eyebrows.
"Who's 'he'?" I asked.
Rin blushed and looked down, trying to hide a smile.
"Guys! Who's 'he' ?Who is he who is here, Rin?"
"The guy she has her eye on. I'm telling you, girl, a fine specimen."
"How do I not know about him, Rin?!" I was offended!
"Oh, I haven't had... The time, you know. It's been so crazy at work..."
"Yeah, right."
What the hell? I always tell about my little flirts to Rin. Why didn't she tell me this one? I'm her boss! She has to tell me! It's in her job description!
Ok. None of that is true. I'm not her boss, she doesn't have to tell me anything, and it's not on her job description.
But still. Cold move.
"Annnd, you're up! Go, go, gilrs!"
We held hands, I plasterd my photographer-smile on and we walked out.
I love to walk on the runway after a show. People stood up and clapped and the music was blasting and the other stylists and their protégés walked behind us.
I look on Sango's direction. She blew me a kiss and clapped, smiling widely. Miroku was whistling and clapping. Houjo - whatever, I didn't really look.
The Stick wasn't clapping. She was browsing her phone.
That made me happier than anything.
And Inuyasha. He was standing up, clapping too, but I couldn't read his expression. I only knew that he was looking straight to me.
You should leave Twitter for a while, Stick. Your man is Eye-Fucking® me. You should definetly check that out.
Unfortunately it was all over pretty quickly. Me and Rin made our turn, and in no time, were back out of the runway.
"Rin! Explain right now why I don't know about your affair!"
"Affair! I'm not having an affair!" She said, while accepting the hugs and congratulations from the people celebrating around us.
"What is his name?"
She giggled.
"Oh, it's a mouthful! But the good kind of mouthful."
Did Rin just make a dirty joke?
I looked at Jakotsu, who was just as baffled as I am. We stared at her, mouths hanging open.
"What?" She asked. "Oh! Oh my God! That's not what I mean!" She coverd her face with her hands.
I laughed a little.
"His name, Rin!"
"Taisho! Sesshoumary Taisho."
"What?! Taisho?! Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Are you certain it's not Inuyasha Taisho?"
"What? No! I think I'd know his name, Kagome. That's his brother. They work together, too."
Brother! There's TWO of him!
"Oh my goodness, you must be joking!" We walked out to the main room.
I was so excited. I mean, Rin would have a brother and I would have the other! We would be family!
That, of course, if he gets real and lose that damn fianceé.
Before I could explain the situation to her, we were suddenly surrounded by a mini hoard of people. Sango, Miroku, Houjo, Inuyasha and the Stick were all on us, congratulating and hugging (except for her, who was still tweeting).
"You guys rocked!" Sango exclaimed. "You were so fierce and fabulous and amazing!"
"I have no words. The highlight of the night, for sure. Kagome, you are a vision." Miroku glued his eyes on my boobs. "And Rin! I am dumbfounded!" He said, taking her hand and twirling her around.
"Oh, Miroku, stop!" She giggled and touched his arm.
Houjo didn't say anything. He was just there, standing and smiling at me.
"Congratulations, Kagome. That was fantastic." Inuyasha let go of his over sized accessorie and kissed my hand.
It could really be my imagnation and my whishful thinking here, but I could swear he gave a look.
There was suddenly a hand on Rin's back, all big and strong and manly.
It was a more mature copy of the man who was still holding my hand. A little taller, his hair the same shade of white-silver-golden.
Sexy.
He was wearing a gray suit, no tie.
There was suddenly this image in my head, of myself unwrapping the two brothers at Christmas morning. They would make fanstastic presents.
"You look lovely." He said, very low, to Rin. But we all heard, because we were paying attention.
Let me tell you something. I would do anything that voice commanded me. From "Kagome, do that" to "Shut up and strip." I would. I so totally would.
"Shess!" Rin smiled big, and he leaned in and kissed her on the corner of her lips, holding her waist like he was saying "My property, back off."
Huh. It was so damn obvious they were doing it.
"Sess, this is Kagome Higurashi, the one I can't shut up about." She introduced me.
"A pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Higurashi."
Oooh, boy. What happened to the AC?
"All mine. I hope she said good things!"
"Only the best. Excellent work, I watched the show, even though I got here a little late. I'm sorry about that." he said to Rin. "I admired your work. Congratularions."
"Oh, thank you very much."
He said hello to the rest of the group, and even kissed the top of Sango's head, who acted like she was being protected y her big brother and shook Houjo's hand, who called him by his first name and asked how he was doing.
"Brother." he said to Inuyasha, who only moved his head to aknowledge him.
So. Everybody knew the two brothers but me.
Is this a set up? A plot? Was everybody planning on leaving me ignorant to the existence of the hot stuff of our gang?
Does everybody want me to die stacking pillows to shape like a guy around myself in bed? Is that it?!
Yes. I have like four extra pillows just so I can cuddle something when it's cold. Sue me.
"Inuyasha, I'm not feeling very well. Could you take me home, please?"
Guess who?
"Right now?" He asked, looking at her.
"Yes, I had a busy day."
"Oh, sure. It must be exhausting, spending hours walking around shopping. I'm so sorry for her." Sango whispered to me.
Inuyasha walked away, holding her by her arm until they were far enough we wouldn't hear their ocnversation. I made a point not to look towards them.
"Well", I said, smiling. "So you and Inuyasha are brothers!"
"Half brothers. Sess and Yash have the same dad." RIn explained.
Yash? Aren't you guys tight?
And this dad must be something. Look at the blessed genes he passed to his kids.
"I see. And you're a lawyer?"
"He's a judge!" Rin said again.
A judge! Does he get to bang that little hammer? Hot.
"Well, I'm not doing that anymore. I am a partner in my father's office."
Meaning: he's loaded.
"Success!" Jakotsu came screaming towards us. "Sango, darling! I haven't seen you in a week!" He gave her a kiss to each cheek. "We have to talk about our pilates class. I can't handle that bitch without your support."
"You got it." She smiled back.
"Miroky!" That's what he calls Miroku. He skipped to his side and gave him a peck on the cheek too, which made the violet eyed man smile all awkward (Did I not mention he has violet eyes? It's the weirdest thing. Fascinating).
"Hey, man. How are you?"
"Rin. Aren't you going to introduce me?" He said, eyeing Sesshoumaru.
As if he didn't know who he was.
Rin introduced them. Sesshoumaru looked unnaffected to Jakotsu's hints that he was extremely hot.
Inuyasha came back, Stick-less.
"I apologise, Kikyou wasn't feeling very well, I had to get a car to take her home."
Jakotsu's eyes widened.
"Oh my. This is the night of... New friends." And giggled. He offered his hand to Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha, this is Jakotsu," I said. "Our coreographer from heaven. Jak, this is Inuyasha Taisho, Sesshoumareu's brother and Sango's lawyer."
"And my best friend." Miroku smiled.
Awwn! How cute!
"A pleasure, I assure you!" The way he stared at Inuyasha was making me unconfortable.
"Kagome. Would you come with me to the buffet for a moment?"
Jakotsu didn't say that. Nor did Sango. Or Rin or Miroku.
Inuyasha did.
"Oh. Sure, ok. Excuse me." I said to the others. Jakotsu had seen Houjo by now, and was fixing his suit on his body. Haha. Poor thing.
Inuyasha offered me his arm. I took it, mind you. Didn't even think about it.
"Is Kikyou ok?"
See how I managed to say her name, instead of Stick? Yay me.
"Oh, yes!" He scoffed. "She was just being dramatic. I apologize, by the way, for what she said earlier. I really-"
"No, 't worry about it. We are all entitled of our opinions, aren't we?"
And the Oscar goes to Me!
"Still. I do apologize."
"It's all good."
"So. Where do you know Houjo from?" He asked, guiding me past the buffet and on. We were walking with no direction, it seemed.
Huh.
"High school. Do you know him?"
"I do. I worked with him once, he was a testimony on a case."
"Really?"
"Yeah. He can, uh... Get to you."
I tried to hide my smile, and he looked at me.
"Kind of annoying, isn't he?"
I couldn't hold the laughter.
"Well..."
"Come on. Tell me you don't think so." He was smiling.
"It would be very rude of me, Inuyasha. I am here as his date."
"That's what I don't get." He guided me and we turned left, entering a very dark corridor, with blue, cold neon lights on the floor and black reflective walls. "How did he manage to get you to be his date?"
"We're friends."
"Hmm. Is that all you are?"
I looked at him with a side smile, he gave me the same look.
"So where are we going? We passed the buffet like two hours ago."
"Oh" He looked back and kept walking. Looking back at me, his smile was positvely wicked. "I haven't noticed. We were having such a nice chat."
He caressed my hand that was resting on the crook of his arm.
"Would you give me the honor?" He asked suddenly when we got to the middle of a small space where people were dancing. Like, slow dancing to this pretty girl that was singing on the stage.
I took his hand and girl, I was suddenly feeling like a princess. The only thing missing was my crown, because I had the dress and the slippers. If Louboutins aren't royalty shoes, I don't know what is.
I consider myself a fairly good dancer. I mean, I do have a diploma I got from all the tango lessons I took after I watched Moulin Rouge (Jimmy took that class with me. And he wanted to compete in the Sectionals, Regionals and Nationals. Oh man. How did I not notice?).
But I had never - and I mean never - danced with pair that held me that way. With purpose, with firmness, almost as if he was trying to learn the ways of my body with his hands on my back only.
I was so his, on that moment.
I know, I know. "How easy you are, Kagome". Don't care.
He was going to drive me crazy.
"Well, on top of being incredibly beautiful and talented, you're a fantastic dancer."
"Oh, no. I'm no good at all..."
What? What? Just because he called me beautiful -
-Incredibly beautiful -
- and talented, you think I should turn off the "charm"? Well, think again. Compliments doesn't mean he's into me, does it? I still have to work for it.
I mean, sure. He does have a great smile and this whole thing going on (I'd say "swagger", but you might imagine him with his pants down to his knees and those hats and diamond teeth, and that was NOT what was going on). And I TOTALLY felt his biceps pressing against me while we danced, and he POSITIVELY kept running the tip of his nose on my neck, only slightly, though, but he did.
But he would still go back to a White Stick after this, and I'm not up to being anybody's Mistress. I want the whole deal.
"I was only on a few dance classes, nothing major."
Which is totally a lie, because I got a trophy of best student and the diploma is framed somewhere in my vanity.
He just smiled and we kept dancing;
"Inuyasha! I cannot believe it! You, here? What are the odds?!"
Ayame suddenly interrupted us. She works with me, but I can't tell you what she does, because I don't know. I just know she's always there, but usually at the cafeteria or on her cigarette break. I have no idea what the hell is her job. What I do know is that she is not my biggest fan.
"Oh, hello." She suddenly pushed herself against him and kissed both his cheeks.
Bitch? You back the hell off.
"I'm good, thanks!" He didn't ask. "This is Bankotsu, my date for the evening. Did you see him on the runway? He was absolutely fantastic." She spoke, her green eyes shimmering.
Yeah, she was drunk.
"I had no idea you two knew each other!" She said, pointing from me to him. We had stopped dancing by now and were walking out o the dance floor.
"I met her three days ago. I almost sent her flying to the floor." He smiled.
Man. He just loved to tell this story, doesn't he? He might as well be telling them how was it that he proposed.
Oh... What a nice thought.
We chatted for a little while, like two minutes. Ayame then saw somebody else she knew, and waved goodbuy. Bankotsu's eyes lingered a little on me before he walked away.
"I think the big guy has his eye on you." Inuyasha commented, and we resumed our walk.
"Oh, no. He has his eye on evertyhing that moves and wears a skirt."
We ended up walking our way back to our group of friends. Sesshoumaru and Rin were gone from sight, as was Houjo. Probably running from Jakotsu, who was nearby talking to whoever. Only Miroku and Sango were where we left them.
"Can you stop? I danced with you already, quit whining." Sango was shooing Miroku away.
"Ah! Inuyasha! Tell her, mate! Tell her she should dance with me one more time!"
"Why would I do that? You probably would end up steping on her toes."
"You know that's a lie. Have you forgotten you talk to your prom king?"
He ignored the fact.
We sat down on some couch settings there were around. Inuyasha offered me the seat beside him.
"Where is the queen or Queerland?" He asked, and Miroku laughed at his joke.
"Oh, don't talk like that!" Sango scolded. "Jakotsu is adorable."
He unbuttoned his jacket and rested his arm on the back of the couch behind me. I may have had a principle of a stroke, but I managed to control it.
"You say that because you're not on the receiving end of one of his looks." Miroku chimed in.
"Besides, he keeps calling me 'Miroky'. I don't like it."
"Oh, but you are just so charming, Miroku. How in the world do you expect him to resist all your manliness self?"
He looked at me.
"I told you not to tease me, Kagome. You know me."
I just smiled.
"Hello."
I looked at my right, and saw Chiara standing there, already on her own clothes.
"Chiara, my flower!" Miroku got up and kissed her cheek.
"I'm leaving, just wanted to say hello, and thank you, Kagome!" The Italian blond smiled at me and I got up to hug her.
"You were fantastic, dear. Why are you leaving already? Not staying for the party?"
"No, I can't. I have a flight to London first thing tomorrow."
"Oh, that's right" Sango said. "The perfume campaign, right?"
"Yes. I have to be at the airport really early."
"Let me introduce you before you go." Miroku gestured to Inuyasha, who got up and smiled at her. "This is Inuyasha Taisho, my best friend and Sango's lawyer."
And Kagome's man.
Oh, I know, I know.
"Hello." She smiled and accepted the hand he offered her.
"It's a pleasure." Inuyasha said on a voice I never heard before, smiling all galant. "You were beautiful up there, congratulations."
Seriously, what is up with that voice? And that smile? It's all new to me.
It was like he was trying to woo her into his bed only by smiling at her.
The nerve!
"Really, did you all like it? Those heels were so high I was afraid I was walking like a robot."
"Oh, no, nonsense!" Miroku waved his hand, dismissing it. I noticed Sango was pouting slightly.
"I'm glad. But the dress really did help. Kagome is a genious. I was so comfortable dressed like that, I bet you couldn't tell. But I was. Very nice dress. I'm not exactly a size zero, so it's not always that I get to be so comfortable on runway dresses. I mean, sure, I'm not fat or anythng, but, you know, ..."
Chiara, even though is really nice, is also a bit narcissistic. You don't let her start talking about herlsef, or she won't stop anytime soon.
The boys seemed to be listening, though.
"But I do have to go." She said after like, twenty minutes of Chiara-centerd conversation with Inuyasha and Miroku.
The rest of the night went uneventful. We chated, we took pictures, we posed for pictures, we ate, we danced, we flirted (All of us. Sango end Miroku included. Sango had a few wine glasses on her, she was a bit more open to his compliments and smiles) and we laughed.
"I should ask for the car." I said when we got up. It was late. Like 4 A.M. There were still a few party rats, but not many.
"You drove here?" Inuyasha asked.
"No, no, I came in a company car."
"Then, please. Let me take you home."
I looked at him.
"Did you drive here?"
"Yeah, I came from Kikyou's house in Williamsburg."
"Oh, I couldn't possibly ask you to drive out of your way for me. It's no trouble, I'll just ask for the car, it'll be here in like a minu-"
He took my hand and tugged me towards the exit.
"Please. I insist."