AN: Please enjoy!
Chapter 1: Unforeseen
The abrupt sound of swishing water filled her small ears after delicately pressing the white lever with her fingertips. She took a deep breath, inhaling the quiet atmosphere surrounding her, then exhaling her abashed thoughts, ridding of their poison.
She stood up slowly and grabbed a paper towel wiping it against her plump lips. Her knees buckled slightly. She took a few steps to the mirror and gazed at the woman in front of her. Fair toned skin, sleek, raven hair wrapped in a bun, big sapphire eyes. She smiled slightly. It was nothing more than average to her.
Her eyes slowly traced up and down her thin yet curvaceous body. She took a few steps back and gave a curious look at herself from the side. She pulled down her black leotard exposing her bare chest and stomach.
Her stomach..
There she saw a flat stomach nicely shaped with a physique-toned fixture. Nothing bulged outward. Nothing was out of place.
A bigger smile spread across her lips.
"Kaoru!" came a bang from the door.
Kaoru jumped slightly. She quickly fastened her leotard over her shoulders and opened the door in a swift manner. A pair of green eyes appeared.
"Kaoru! What are you doing?" the petite girl exclaimed.
"..I..I…I was using the bathroom for god's sake, Misao!" Kaoru hesitated at first, but quickly jumbled her thoughts together welcoming herself back to reality.
Misao groaned. Kaoru was always full of mystery.
"Well you've been in there forever! What the hell were you doing? Giving birth?" Kaoru flicked Misao's forehead in response to her joke. Her best friend since childhood could always make her laugh. She was her sister and trusted companion.
"Shut up you freak!" Kaoru laughed. Misao grinned while rubbing her reddened forehead. "Why'd you bang on my door?"
"Miss—"
"Miss Chie wants us to meet on stage for an announcement," came a graceful voice. Misao and Kaoru looked up to find Takani Megumi, another friend of Kaoru's and Japan's current prima ballerina. Kaoru spied on her luscious raven locks tied up in just a ponytail, her white skin, red, plump lips, and her thin and envious body. A hint of jealousy swept across Kaoru's face.
"Hey! I was gonna tell her!" Misao hollered, raising a fist in the air. Megumi sighed. Why was this girl always full of such energy? Even after an eight hour dance rehearsal, she was still bursting with adrenaline.
"What for?" Kaoru asked, ignoring the temper tantrum girl next to her. It wasn't like Miss Chie, the director and beloved teacher of the Tokyo Ballet Company, to have an out-of-the-blue meeting. She was always extremely organized and planned well ahead of time. Kaoru felt her stomach drop. She didn't have a good feeling about this.
Megumi crossed her arms and shrugged obviously looking distraught as well.
"I don't know," she answered.
"Please gather around, dears!" came a much older voice echoing throughout the auditorium. The three girls rushed up the small flight of stairs, passing the wings and approaching the vast stage covered in wood flooring topped with a glossy and sleek finish.
There the girls sat down joined with their fellow dancers; all eyes focused on the aged woman standing before them.
"I can see the curious faces upon you all," Miss Chie smiled softly. Kaoru took a deep breath. Her radiance outshined all dancers in the room including Megumi's. Her face, aged with wisdom while her blue eyes showcased determination and passion yet her smile presented sincerity and tenderness. She was truly the heart of the ballet company and an inspiration to Kaoru.
"Since you guys just finished rehearsal for the day and are eager to head home, I shall make it short." Miss Chie's eyes scanned across the stage full of her students. Her eyes caught the attention of a particular pair of sapphire eyes. Miss Chie smiled at Kaoru's quizzical look and then continued to look among the rest of the dancers. "In a couple of months, I shall retire from the Tokyo Ballet Company."
Low, mumbled sounds and small gasps escaped the dancers' mouths filtering into the open air of the immense auditorium.
"But WHY!" Misao hollered over the whispers enveloping the auditorium. Miss Chie sighed, a smile still standing on her lips.
"My dear Misao, I have been directing this company for the past 46 years. I've put all my time and energy dedicated to this business and… simply put, I'm tired. I've made my decision." Pure silence encompassed throughout the vast room. "As for who will be taking my place, you'll be meeting him this Saturday before your dress rehearsal. Now I wish you all a good night and be here tomorrow at 9 am for your rehearsal and costume fitting."
Kaoru and the others stood up and all began making their way to the dressing rooms to grab their belongings.
"Kaoru! Me, Megumi and some of the girls are gonna head to the bar for some drinks! You wanna come?" Misao asked. Kaoru gave an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, Misao. Koji invited me over to his place tonight. He just came back from a business trip yesterday. I haven't seen him in over a week." she said. Misao grinned.
"Oh! How romantic! He never invites you over to HIS place?" Misao's face beamed with excitement. She was so envious of Kaoru and Koji. She was never very lucky when it came to men.
Kaoru laughed. Misao was so nosy.
"You think he's gonna pop the question?" Misao asked secretively. Her green eyes widened as so with her goofy smile. Kaoru blushed.
"I..I don't know…" She confessed. Marriage? Was Kaoru really ready for that? Just as her career was beginning to soar? A sudden buzz erupted Kaoru's thoughts. Kaoru grabbed her cell phone from her purse noticing the name 'Koji' displayed on the screen.
"Hello?" she spoke through the device.
"Good evening, gorgeous, are you just getting out of rehearsal?" A smooth masculine voice asked. Kaoru immediately smiled. She looked forward to hearing that voice all day.
"Yeah, I'm just walking out the door. Are we still up for tonight?" she asked as she turned away from Misao trying to avoid her 'kissy-faces'.
"Oh yes. I just wanted to call and tell you to wear your best dress, preferably that blue dress I bought you from Italy." Kaoru's eyebrows furrowed. What was he planning?
"Okay.. I'll see you at 8?" Kaoru asked.
"Yes. Can't wait to see you. Bye, hun,"Koji replied. His voice sounded more chipper than usual. Kaoru said her goodbyes and hung up the phone placing it in her purse. She glanced over at the anxious Misao.
"He wants me to wear my best dress.." she said sounding completely off guard. Misao squealed with excitement.
"KAORU! He's gonna ask you! I just know it!" she yelled. Kaoru tried to shush the ecstatic ballerina who began jumping up and down in pure pleasure. Kaoru just sighed and smiled at her hopeless friend.
Maybe he will….
Kaoru stood in front of the fifty story high condominium complex. She took a deep breath and clutched onto her black, leather purse even tighter. Her heart fluttered and her stomach churned all the while trying to force the lump out of her throat.
Whistles from passing strangers gave way into the brisk Tokyo night air. Kaoru blushed.
For once, her hair was down letting her black locks sway to the slight wind traveling across downtown Tokyo. She was dressed in the midnight blue halter dress that fitted comfortably around her curves with diamond earrings and a necklace to match it. All of which were bought by Koji.
Miyamoto Koji, one of the most powerful men in Japan..
Kaoru remembered when they met three years ago. She had finally gotten her license and not even two hours behind the wheel she rear-ended the car in front of her. She remembered getting out of the car feeling like a complete idiot and apologizing like a mumbling moron. She especially remembered the light green eyes that gazed upon her and the small smile which etched across his masculine face. She remembered agreeing to a date in return of not being sued. Kaoru giggled at that thought.
Now, Kaoru and Koji have been dating for almost three years. He was her first kiss, her first love, and the first man she ever made love to.
The past three years to Kaoru felt nothing short of a blur. A blur filled with paparazzi and magazine covers.
It was hard dealing with her boyfriend's celebrity status at first. Many tabloids called her a gold digger while others said Koji was just using her until he found someone better. There were times where Kaoru was at her wit's end and just wanted to end it, but Koji wasn't going to let that happen.
Kaoru sighed in ecstasy as she found herself at his door. He truly was one hell of a man.
She gracefully lifted her arm and knocked cautiously on the door. Kaoru overheard soft footsteps approaching the door. Her breathing stopped as her heart fluttered. Why was she so nervous? This was Koji! The love of her life! Kaoru mentally kicked herself.
"Get it together Kaoru," she whispered to herself.
Suddenly the white door flung open to reveal Koji dressed in black pants and a dark red button up dress shirt that clashed nicely with his lightly tanned skin. His beaming, green eyes, gorgeous smile, and clean-cut appearance made Kaoru melt.
"Hey there!" he said. Kaoru smiled.
"Hey—" Kaoru was cut short as Koji wrapped her in his arms and kissed her. The kiss felt more passionate than most days to Kaoru. It was like he was putting every being in him to let her know how much he loved her.
Kaoru stood there, wide eyed as his tongue began to explore every corner and ridge of her mouth while occasionally licking and playfully biting her lower lip. Kaoru shivered at his touch. A boiling hot sensation ruptured from her core as she began kissing back, her eyelids fluttered to a close.
Finally, Koji slowly broke the kiss letting his forehead press against hers.
"I missed you.." he whispered letting his lips graze against hers. Kaoru's hands trembled as she continued to clutch onto his shirt. Her flushed appearance made him smile. "Do you want to come in?" he chuckled. Kaoru bit her lower lip to prevent a goofy smile that attempted to stretch across her face. Koji laughed as he gently placed his arm around her waist welcoming her to his humble abode.
The hours seemed to pass by within seconds as Kaoru and Koji enjoyed a night of five star quality food, classical music, and the welcoming embrace of each other's company.
"Do you wanna step out for a bit?" Koji asked as he courteously held out his hand. Kaoru nodded and placed her delicate hand in his rough yet smooth textured hand.
They walked out to the balcony where city lights and tall buildings flourished the Tokyo ground below them. This was Kaoru's favorite spot. It made her feel like she was flying. She gazed up at the small sparkled specks burnishing in the night sky leaving her speechless.
"How beautiful.." she spoke in a light whisper.
"Not as beautiful as you," Koji added in. Kaoru squared her attention away from the stars to the man standing in front of her. She blushed furiously. Koji only smiled slightly. "Kaoru dear, are you okay? You seem a little off tonight. You're more quiet than usual," he stated. Kaoru hesitated. She couldn't explain what was wrong with her. Maybe it was because of her and Misao's conversation earlier that's been sending her to la-la land more frequently.
"I'm fine. I'm just extremely tired. Miss Chie had us rehearsing all day," she answered giving herself a mental pat on the back for covering it up so nicely. Koji smiled sympathetically.
"Well hopefully this will turn your mood upside down," he said. Kaoru gave him a confused look. What was he talking about? In one swift motion, Koji knelt down on one knee holding a small black velvet box in his hands.
All at once, Kaoru's stomach dropped to the floor, her heart began to beat fast, and her lungs gave out, her breathing cutting short at the big lump in her throat.
"Kamiya Kaoru, these past three years with you have been nothing short of amazing. You've made me a better man and gave me true purpose in life. It would do me the honor of having you as my wife." Kaoru gasped as she covered her mouth with both hands, staring at the polished diamond ring that twinkled like the stars above them. "Kaoru, will you marry me?"
Kaoru stood frozen. Every fiber of her being told her to speak, but she couldn't. She knew what she wanted to say, but couldn't get the word out. Why? What was holding her back?
"Koji…"
TBC!
AN: Reviews would be much appreciated. Thank you for reading!