WHISPERING LOVE vol. 2

BY LISA BOYCE

"Nice to see you, Ms. Hakubi. Might I add your glowing." Dr. Mitoko praised, then proceeded to open an orange folder. Ryoko smile dissipated as she glanced over at the documents the doctor possessed.

"So you are about to start your second trimester, are you excited?" Dr. Mitoko smiled as she began to type away. Ryoko peered down at her stomach, running her hand over her stomach. "I wouldn't say excited…"Ryoko trailed off. Dr. Mitoko stopped and turned to her. "I know it is going to be difficult, dealing with the child's father and your fiancé." Dr. Mitoko brought her chair closer to Ryoko and rested her hand on the ex-pirate's knee. "What are you planning to do?"

Ryoko fold in her lips, "I do not know. I love Tenchi, but…I cannot deprive my child of a father. Hotsuma is going to be in the picture either way." Dr. Mitoko place her leg over the other, while her index finger rested on her temple; staring attentively at the stack of books on her desk. Her red lips pursed and she nodded. " Let us not worry about that now." She began, then look to Ryoko. "However, Hotsuma have spoken to me about admitting you into the home. And I agree with him."

"What? He can't do that. Who he think he is, telling me what he think is best for me!" Ryoko shot up.

"Please Ms. Hakubi, take a seat and calm down." Ryoko did as she was told.

"Look at this way, he is being considerate of your feelings. He knows you are stress, and we both think it's the best thing to do. Now once you are admitted, you will have special privileges. You can walk around the facility, you can go to dinner with the family, watch television past nine o'clock. But I am in control of how long the family stays around you or how long you stay around them. How does that sound?" Dr. Mitoko placed her hand on Ryoko's clasp hands.

"Okay, fine by me." Dr. Mitoko smiled, "How about tonight?"

"Um…wow that's…I'll think about it." Ryoko said.

"Well, when you are ready the room is ready, just informed the front desk and you are all set." Dr. Mitoko reassured.

"It has been 15 weeks and still the public doesn't want to accept you. It's going to be a tough road ahead. If you don't make sales soon, we will have to drop you." The manager sat back in his chair. "Your band mates have also been speaking about you behind your back. Have you seen today's paper?" He slide the newspaper across to Hotsuma.

'Word from an unknown source: Composer Hotsuma Keigo raped innocent school student' Hotsuma clinched his jaw, he shot up from his seat and head out the room. He made his way through the hall, walking through a mass of dirty stares, grunts and shunning. He made his way to the band room door, he gripped the door knob and burst in; all music came to an abrupt end. He scan the room, Kaeru heart pounded rapidly. Hotsuma sat down, "I want this upcoming concert to be a success. If you feel you cannot follow me, then your discontent would show in the music. Those who do not want to work with me are free to leave." The guitarist disconnect the cord from the amplifier and head out the room, followed by the pianist and the drummer. Kaeru stood by the microphone staring sympathetically at Hotsuma. "What are you going to do now?" she asked. Hotsuma smiled, "I'll manage. It doesn't matter what people say about me. As long as I have faith in myself. I have nothing to be afraid of." He left Kaeru in the room and head back into the managers office to find the President and vice president of the record company. The manager stood up and directed Hotsuma to a chair in front of himself, the president and vice president.

"What a problem." The president said in a rough voice. "I may have to reconsider signing this contract today." He cleared his throat. "I'm tired of these rumors, I need to hear everything from you!" He raised his voice. The manager looked to Hotsuma who sat quiet, "You are incriminating yourself, tell them your innocent." The manager slammed his fist on the table, "It's unfounded! Hotsuma couldn't have done this!" The manager sat down and look to Hotsuma. The vice president turn to Hotsuma, "Is there any truth to this article?" Hotsuma remained silent. "What's your reply?" He questioned again. Hotsuma still remained silent. "Very well, that is all. Please, forget about the contract." The President closed his folder and place it in the brief case, the vice president made his way over to the door and held it opened for the president. The manager bowed to the two men and watched there retreating back leave the room. He turned his attention to Hotsuma, who kept his head away from the manager. Suddenly the door opened, Kaeru came over to the two men. "Well?" She uttered. The manager placed his hands in his pocket and look down to the blond-haired man, before leaving the room.

"What happened?" Kaeru asked sitting beside him.

"I lost the contract." Hotsuma closed his eyes and rest his head on the rim of the chair.

"You lost that contract because of that girl. You wont get any jobs. Do you understand that?" Kaeru shot up.

"There will always be work, as long as I am not choosy." He walked over to the window and peered out.

"You'll have a bad image for eternity." Kaeru crossed her arms.

"Then I'll go somewhere, where no one will know me." Hotsuma walked over to the bar.

Kaeru smiled, "Are you going to the ends of the world?" Hotsuma turned to her, "Yep." Kaeru sneered. The manager walked back in, "The company can't look after you." Hotsuma rest against the wall, arms folded, eyes focus on the manager. "You can fire me, if you want."

"But…" The manager began, but Hotsuma continued to speak. "I'll…go abroad." Kaeru turned to him. The manager ask with a surprised expression, "Are you serious?"

"I'm serious." Hotsuma confirmed, "I can start from scratch in America." And he left the room. Hotsuma made his way to the roof and sat down on a bench.

"If you are going, so will I." A voice came from behind him.

"I want to go alone." He said flatly.

"You and that ego of yours. My Kami." Kaeru rested her hands on the fencing. "You just decide that on your own and you act so cool. You haven't the slightest consideration for me since I have been working with you."

"I'm sorry." Hotsuma said. Kaeru turned to him.

"I don't want your apology. Your incapable of making any woman feel pleased! Once you formulated this dream of making music, you made my sister suffer and caused her death!"

"Your right about that." He looked up at her, and then stood up. "Aren't you glad that you can end your ties with me?" He used his finger to wipe a tear from her face. She shook her head. He smiled and walked off.

"I'm back!" Ryoko shouted as she took off her shoes. She made her way to the living room, only to be welcomed with a pensive Tenchi.

"What's wrong?" Ryoko asked as she made a way over to him. Tenchi look at her, and then shift his weight on his left side.

"Did…Hotsuma rape you?" Ryoko furrowed her eyebrows.

"Of course not…why are we talking about this?" Tenchi eyes narrowed. "Are you covering up for him?" Ryoko shake her head, "No!" She sat on the glassed coffee table in front of him, "The press his making these accusations to damage his reputation. They are calling me a high school student. So now they are saying he raped me?" Tenchi looked to her, and sighed.

Ryoko took notice of it. "What's wrong Tenchi?" she rest her hand on his. "There is something you need to know." Ryoko stared at him, her throat began to go dry.

To Be Continue.

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