This is a pairing between women. For those righteous and conservative readers who are not open to the idea of LGBT and same sex romance, do yourselves a favor and pretend you did not see this. Proceed with your life and don't waste a single second of your time reading this. This is not the kind of material that you will be yelling 'Eureka!' upon stumbling into.
Disclaimer: Mai-Hime does not belong to the Author but to Sunrise. Author owns nothing.
CHAPTER 1
SEARRS Entertainment Company, New York City
A raven haired woman clad in business suit was standing before a glass pane that was occupying the entire right wall of her office. Her emerald orbs were looking down through the ceiling-to-floor glass to view the busy streets below. A distant look was plastered on her feature as she blankly stared below. Her mind was anywhere but at the usual sight that was presented to her everyday. A small frown was marring her beautiful feature as she thought about the news that came to her knowledge at an unholy hour of past one o'clock that morning. The news did not concern the company's performance where she was the Chief Executive Officer and its owner. The company was doing well. No, it was not just doing well. It was actually doing great in the entertainment industry. The company had a lot of young and talented artists to be displayed on the limelight. Add the brilliant people who worked behind the cameras. Slim eyebrows scrunched together as she tried to think of a way to break this news to a certain young woman.
Surely the certain young woman was talented. No, that would be an utter understatement. This certain young woman was a genius. She was a prodigy in cinematography. She was one of the young directors that the company had. Every project that this certain young woman had laid her hands on always turned out to be at least a blockbuster if not winning all the awards there were in every category. The actresses and actors in her movies were always bagging home the coveted Best Actress and Best Actors awards, respectedly. She had her unique ways of bringing out the best in every artist. Be they promising young stars who dreamed of making their names known or superstars who were defending their prestigious titles in the movie industry. During her first year in cinematography, she managed to won the prestigious Grammy and Oscar Awards for the category of Best Director for two different sets of entries. At her current age of 21, prospective movies were flooding on her doorstep. Artists' managers were begging her to be their talents' movie director. But unfortunately, she was not one to take just any project.
Of course, not everything about this certain young woman was positive. Every coin always has two sides. She was ill-tempered and not one with long patience. Freedom was one thing that she will never trade for the world. She despised being bossed around because she believed that she should be the one in control of things and more importantly, her life. These things were what worried the raven haired woman. She was brought out of her deep thoughts when her keen ears caught a sound of commotion behind her office door. The double door opened in a not so gentle way when a young raven haired woman barged in with two bulky men restraining her.
"Let me go! Damn it." the young raven haired woman cursed as she glared at the two bulky men clad in navy blue suit with sunglasses and earpieces on their eyes and ears, respectively. But the two did not even budge, determined on fulfilling their task at any cost. Surely, their captive was one scary and not to mention violent young woman but the elder version was way scarier than the one they were currently restraining. That elder version was the one whose back was turned towards them. They cannot afford to let her loose without compromising their job.
The elder raven haired woman left the glass pane and proceeded on facing her unwilling guest, judging from its unrelenting effort to free from her strong restraints. She was faced by a pair of glaring emerald orbs that were boring through her soul but she ignored them, being immune to such defiance. She went on speaking to the guest instead."Natsuki-chan. I apologize for cutting your vacation short." She was not able to continue when the raven haired young woman interjected.
"Cutting it short!? Are you insane!? The vacation never started to begin with! These idiots dragged me back the moment I stepped on the arrival area of the airport." Natsuki glared at the woman in front of her before snapping her attention to the two bulky men. "Will you two fuckin' let go of me!?"
To say that Natsuki was mad would be the second understatement for the day. She was furious because her very much anticipated vacation to Hawaii was short-lived. She was inhaling the fresh scent of summer air in Hawaii when these two grabbed her and flew her back in a private airplane. Their only explanation was 'boss's order' which irritated Natsuki more because her planned summer escapade was not one without the approval of such 'boss'.
"You're dismissed, gentlemen." The raven haired woman regarded the two bulky men who were restraining the raven haired young woman.
"Yes, Ma'am!" the two bulky men released their captive from their tight hold before going their way out of the office. They stayed behind the door for precautionary measures in case their charge will try to bolt out.
"Now, what do you want?" Natsuki blurted out, teeth clenching, after being released from the tight grip. She clenched and unclenched her hands on her sides as she kept on throwing dagger to the woman in front of her with her enraged emerald orbs.
"Something important came up and I want to discuss it with you." the elder raven haired woman spoke in all seriousness, not even perturbed by the display of fury in front of her. As much as she wanted to offer the enraged young raven haired woman a seat, she did not think that she will accept so, she did not bother. She decided that the conversation will proceed with the two of them standing, making those comfortable plush sofas in the room useless, for the moment. "It concerns a movie project that Director Zhang was supposed to direct."
"And what does that have to do with me!? The last time I checked, I am not Nao. I don't even have any pending movie project. What I have is an approved and authorized vacation which you oh so deprived me of the last minute you changed your indecisive mind!" Natsuki fired emphasizing her last sentence for the elder raven haired woman in front of her to understand. Now, she was more furious. Her face was flushed. She can't believe what she was hearing.
"Director Zhang is not currently capable of fulfilling the demands of the contract that has been signed. So, I want you to fill in her stead." The elder raven haired woman informed the still enraged raven haired young woman.
"You are allowing that damn spider to slack off as you dumped her project on me!? Now, that is one hell of a fucked up reason to drag me here!" Natsuki barked as she threw her arms in the air looking at the elder raven haired woman incredulously. She breathed hotly as she continued. "And don't you have other directors here who can do that!?"
"Natsuki, Director Zhang's mother passed away earlier this morning." The elder raven haired woman decided to just drop the bomb knowing that it was the only way to get the matter straight to the raven haired young woman whose head snapped at her upon hearing that. Her emerald orbs bulged as she stared back at the elder raven haired woman. Seeing that the raven haired young woman's now relaxed but dumbfounded state, the elder raven haired woman waited for a good second before continuing. "I am giving her a break given the emotional distraught that she is currently experiencing. I don't think she will be at her best self to fulfill the requirements of the contract."
"Damn spider! Why didn't she fuckin' call me? She pestered me with useless showbiz shits but didn't bother on calling me to tell something this important." Natsuki thought as her anger dissipated into thin air replaced by a feeling of sorrow for her co-director and childhood friend's demise.
Although she will not admit it even if she will be strangled to death, the red haired director was important to her. She was a friend, a confidante, and a sister. But she was not one without flaws. Actually, her flaws were more apparent than her good traits. She was a classic bitch with foul mouth where all the curses in the world will shamelessly spill from. It was true that more often than not they were on each other's throat trying to send the other to the underworld earlier than Grim Reaper's scheduled arrival but beneath this was a complicated relationship that not even them can define what it was exactly that they had. For lack of better word, 'frenemy' might suffice for the moment. They were both friends and enemy at the same time, if that even made any sense at all.
"With regard to your second question, there is currently no available director who can take Director Zhang's movie contract except you. It might be true that we can take care of the legal consequences of the breach of contract that this unfortunate event may result to. However, the company's reputation or more importantly Director Zhang's reputation as director might be compromised." the elder raven haired woman continued while looking at the raven haired young woman who seemed to be in deep thought in front of her.
If she cannot convince the raven haired young woman by appealing to her emotion then, she had no choice but to result to rational reasoning. She cared about Nao's welfare but she had a company to manage. She cannot afford to lose the contract. Not when the company's name was at stake. Besides the project involved a certain actress with raw talent fit for Hollywood that she had been eyeing for quite some time now.
"But if you have already made up your mind of not doing it then, I think we have nothing more to discuss." The elder raven haired woman said as she went on settling behind her glass office table. Her chin rested on her intertwined fingers as her emerald orbs squinted at the rooted raven haired young woman. "You can proceed with your vacation. Rest assured those gentlemen will not bother you again. You have my word." She finished but a ghost smile appeared on her beautiful feature when the raven haired young woman snapped her head to her, meaning to say something.
"I'll do it but you have to give me another vacation after this project. This time I want it to be two months instead of my cancelled one-month-vacation. Do we have a deal?" Natsuki proposed giving in but not without a good counter bargain to her benefit.
"Yes, deal. Now, you may want to sit down unless, you want to keep standing as I proceed on giving you a few details." The elder raven haired woman said gesturing at the plush sofas in front of her glass office table. She proceeded to settled herself on one of them as the raven haired young woman decided to settle on the sofa opposite her.
Now, that the most pressing matter had been taken care of, she cannot help but to notice the raven haired young woman's choice of clothing. Her emerald orbs scanned the young woman's body up and down with a hint of disapproval on her feature as she slightly shook her head.
Seizing the rare opportunity to talk to her busy daughter, she intended on giving her a lecture as the raven haired young woman was always evading the subject. She had another agendum in mind unbeknownst to the unsuspecting raven haired young woman in front of her. This discussion will lead to that whether the other party liked it or not.
The appraising look did not go unnoticed by the raven haired young woman who just rolled her eyes before speaking to break the elder raven haired woman from her little audition game. "Mom, I am not here to audition for any of your stupid leading lady movie role. So, stop staring at me and let's get to the details instead."
"Natsuki, I still do not approve your choice of clothes. You will look more beautiful in those lovely dresses I sent you." The elder raven haired woman voiced out her apparent disapproval. This was not the first time that they had this discussion. She cannot comprehend her daughter's choice of clothes that gave her the androgynous look. Her daughter was undoubtedly beautiful but her choice of clothes was marring her beauty. Hiding those feminine curves and porcelain skin behind tight black jeans, loose gray v-neck t-shirt and black zip up jacket matched with black boots. At least that was the case in her motherly concerned opinion.
"Mom, I am a director, remember? I stay behind the camera. There's no need for me to be swirling around in those uncomfortable frilly dresses that you sent me." Natsuki retorted crossing her arms as she huffed, her slender legs crossed.
The elder raven haired woman considered her point for a while. Knowing that the raven haired young woman was quite right, but not absolutely right, she decided to drop the first case and went on to the second one.
"I quite understand that but what I can never comprehend is your choice of transportation. Can't you not just use car instead of driving that heinous Ducati of yours? Not to mention you drive like a mad woman who is being chased by God knows what. It's dangerous, Natsuki. You might be caught in an accident. Oh, God forbid!" The elder raven haired woman addressed the matter that kept her worried all the time.
"Mom, you're over reacting. I'm doing fine with my bike. I keep it on scheduled maintenance. Besides, it helps me get away fast whenever I wanted to or whenever I'm forced to." Natsuki justified her choice of vehicle, giving her mother a knowing look as she wiggled her slim eyebrows. Her Ducati was one thing that she'll never give up no matter what.
"That's exactly one of my reasons. Don't even think for a second that I don't have any idea with what you do with those ladies, Natsuki. You shouldn't be playing around with their emotions. As your mother, I suggest you find yourself a fine young man…" the elder raven haired woman paused when she was shot with a freezing glare but again, she ignored it before continuing. "or a fine young woman. Whatever you prefer, I don't mind. Just find someone who will stand beside you. You know how the world we are in works, Natsuki. Nothing is permanent. Even the brightest stars will eventually lose their shine and glimmer before dying out. The same is true for being a director." The elder raven haired woman keep her emerald orbs glued to the raven haired young woman in front of her.
"Mom, for heaven's sake I'm still 21! It's too early for me to get tied to some shitty romantic relationship that I don't even want to give a damn. Don't get me wrong, Mom. I appreciate your words of wisdom but as of this very moment, let me enjoy my life. So, why don't we go to the details of this contract that we are already forgetting?" Natsuki tried to revert back the conversation to the reason why she was dragged there in the first place. She was here for business and not for little chitchat. They had this kind of conversation for the nth time that she already lost count. She did not know why her mother kept bothering her about finding someone when she did not see the need for one.
"Fine, I will stop for now." The elder raven haired woman relented knowing that it was a lost case. She went back to her business mode and straightened up after letting out a sigh of disappointment.
"You need to fly to Japan this afternoon. The flight has been taken care of. They are just waiting for you in order to depart." the elder raven haired woman paused when she was shot by another freezing glare. "I knew you would agree which you thankfully did, by the way." she continued, waving her hand to dismiss the unnecessary retort that may come. The raven haired young woman had agree, did she not? She was just saving them the time. Not wanting to be engaged in an unproductive banter with the impulsive raven haired young woman in front of her. "Unfortunately, the project preliminary briefings will start at 1:00PM tomorrow. Japan time. I don't want you to be late. That's very unprofessional and will not help you in gaining good impression."
"Who cares about good impression? I get there, do my job then, I'm out." the raven haired young woman snorted as she turned her head to the side.
"Natsuki…" the elder raven haired woman sternly said with a warning tone. Emerald orbs were glaring as the temperature in the room seemed to drastically drop to a negative degree Celsius.
The raven haired young woman stiffened in her seat as she visibly gulped upon witnessing the aura emanating from the elder raven haired woman in front of her. She felt goose bumps on her skin as chills ran down her spine. Her death glare was put to shame when compared to the one she was receiving at the moment. Well, you cannot beat a master in her own game, can you? This was her mother that she was facing so, it should not come as surprise to her. Unlike her mother who was immune to her faux version of freezing death glare, she on the other hand was unfortunately not.
"I...I…w-will…co-come… o-on… t-time." Natsuki found herself stuttering her agreement in front of the intimidating elder raven haired woman.
"Good." The elder raven haired woman smiled with mirth in her voice as she once again proved who was in control. For the moment, that is.
Suddenly, the room temperature was brought back to its normal comfortable warmth. The menacing aura was gone in an instant like it had never occurred. The raven haired young woman released a breath that she did not know she was holding.
"The full details will be discussed to you during the preliminary briefings." The elder raven haired woman informed. A thought crossed her mind. She hardened her face as she glued her emerald orbs to the raven haired young woman ones. "And Natsuki, I don't want you to be fooling around with any of those young artists that you will be working with. Do I make myself clear, Natsuki Kruger?" The elderly raven haired woman emphasized each word of her last sentence.
"Y-yes…M-mom…I…I…w-won't." Natsuki was once again reduced to a stuttering fool as the temperature in the room dropped drastically for the second time that morning. The dark aura was swirling back around the elder raven haired woman in front of her.
"Now, you are free to leave." The elder raven haired woman started to get up and move to her office table where loads of works awaited her. The uncomfortable aura dissipated into nothingness.
Natsuki was also starting to move out when an idea crossed her brilliant mind. She was out of the door when she decided to pop her head in and called out the attention of her mother who immediately snapped her attention to her head which was the only visible body part as the others were already out of the door.
"Hey, Mom. What if 'they' fool around with me? You know. Like 'they' will initiate the advances? Not 'me' but 'they'. Does that count? I mean I will be the innocent victim." Natsuki said as she flashed her faux innocent look of a wondering child. A slim eyebrow rose for added effect.
"Oh. Why did I not consider that, Natsuki? Of course, you can." The elder raven haired woman said with a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"Got you!" Natsuki thought, giving herself an imaginary tap on the shoulder.
Natsuki was about to celebrate her little success in outsmarting her mother. But her victory was short-lived when she suddenly saw an evil grin plastered on her mother's beautiful face. " . something is totally not right with that so out of place overjoyed expression." She braced herself for the imminent retort which was more likely than not unfavorable to her.
"Just be prepared to walk down the aisle in an elegant white wedding gown when you come back. Don't worry yourself about the preparation. I'll clear my schedule to personally take care of them. I'll make sure it will be the happiest and most memorable day of your life." the elder raven haired woman said with a maniacal smile on her beautiful face. She sounded too happy imagining her idea for Natsuki's taste.
"Arrgghh! Forget it, Mom! Bye!" Natsuki blurted out before hastily letting her head out of the door.
The elder raven haired woman was left staring at the empty door as it flapped back after being slammed shut with a loud thud. A victory grin was plastered on her face as she turned her emerald orbs to the flat screen computer in front of her while shaking her head lightly.