Hello there! I would like to thank my betareader, Meepers, and my supportive readers out there for helping me improve and enjoy writing! This story never would have survived without you! Now, before I get all EMO, please go on and read.
Chapter 1
Favor
"Can I ask you a favor?"
Ayame turned at the high pitched voice coming from behind her and saw, to her astonishment, Misa Amane, the model that landed first rank on Japan's top ten hottest teenage models of the year. Awkwardly, Ayame glanced at both her sides to check if there was someone else beside her that Misa might have actually addressed, but to her dismay, no one else was there.
Misa took her hand and clamped her fingers with hers. Her face was cheerful, yet disturbingly pleading. "Ayame, I need your help."
They weren't exactly close. Ayame had always viewed their relationship as merely colleagues of the same modeling agency. So, naturally, it surprised her to have this rising model star, Misa Amane, beg her for a favor as if she was her last hope. Not to mention the fact that Misa was even able to remember her by name.
"I beg your pardon?" Ayame replied doubtfully.
"I'll explain everything later" Misa winked and ran off.
By the end of the day, Ayame was so thirsty and it didn't help her temper any when the only vending machine closest around was malfunctioning. The stupid contraption was jammed and Ayame wouldn't allow her money to go to waste especially when she's in the middle of a financial crisis. She kicked on the machine with all the power she could muster bearing the embarrassment of having pedestrians look at her like she was recently discharged or has unfortunately escaped from the mental institution.
She was able to forget those things as she cried in triumph when two cans of soda came out from the vending machine. Misa had told her to meet her after work at a diner across the road. It wouldn't harm to give her the other soda, she thought.
"A blind date?" Ayame gasped and almost choked on her soda."N-No! I can't!" She managed to say after recovering.
"Oh, don't exaggerate. It's not like the end of the world. Besides, you're pretty and available. A guy wouldn't think twice to date you." Misa said, apparently using flattery to convince Ayame. She scanned Ayame from head to foot and then back up with her brown eyes. Ayame followed her scrutinizing gaze then met the blonde's disapproving look.
With furrowed eyebrows, Ayame asked. "What?"
"We need to work on your clothes though." Misa commented haughtily.
Ayame frowned. She really didn't understand what was wrong with her loose t-shirt, faded shorts and worn out sneakers. Okay… so maybe the sneakers were a little too worn to be shown in public.
"I would have bought you a dress but we don't have much time, damn it. Your date's going to be tonight." Misa groaned loudly enough for Ayame to think that it was to imply how unsuitable her clothes were for a date and how much a problem it would be for Misa.
"I didn't exactly had things like this to plan for the day. You came to me and set me up on a date without asking my consent firsthand. If anything, I should be the one complaining." Ayame reasoned angrily. Top one model or not, this Misa doesn't have the right to insult her just because she was dressed the way she felt was most appropriate and comfortable.
"Alright! Fine!" Misa said, after grumbling for a bit, to dismiss the argument."Come to think of it, your date isn't one to talk or care about looks anyway, so you'll have to do." Misa's quick hands caught Ayame by the arm and pulled her harshly.
"Wait! Where are you taking me?" Ayame inquired and in Misa's haste, she bumped another table that was occupied by other customers. She didn't had to look behind to know they're eyes were madly shooting daggers to her back.
"To-oh University! That's where my boyfriend is studying, by the way." Misa replied while she hailed a cab parking just out of the diner where they had been.
Misa opened the cab's door for both of them. Ayame stared at the bossy blonde, unable to believe how someone could get so manipulative like this.
"What are you waiting for? Get in!" Misa ordered to Ayame who reluctantly answered. "You can't be serious."
Misa glowered. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
Apparently not, Ayame thought. She shook her head. "I never agreed to this. Sorry, but you'll have to find someone else— Hey, what the! Hey! Get off me, you- ARGH!"
Misa, irritated as she was, had not let her finish Ayame's sentence. Misa was determined to push Ayame into the cab and take her with her. Ayame resisted the push adequately, supporting herself by holding against the edges of the cab's opened door. The driver observed them, tapping his finger on the steering wheel impatiently. Neither of the two women took time to notice him.
In mixed grunts and whine, Misa said, "I don't have time to find another! Unlike our other colleagues, you don't have a social life to busy yourself with and that made you readily available! Why else do you think I chose you?"
Ayame froze. "WHAT?"
Sure, she had only been in the agency for two months and had not gotten close to anyone there, but would that really make her socially deficient?
She turned to Misa and demanded. "WHO TOLD YOU THAT?"
That moment of weakness on Ayame's part had greatly aided Misa in her attempt to practically shove her into the vehicle. Ayame would have thought that it was impossible for an eighty pound woman like Misa to heave someone taller and heavier anywhere but, obviously, she thought wrong.
The cab moved instantly after Misa got in and settled next to where Ayame was seated. The blonde was smiling that smile which had always captivated her fans. It appeared rather smug in Ayame's perspective.
She's going to have to pay for this one day, Ayame swore. Since things have gone real bad for her, the best thing to do would be to face the situation and act cool and unaffected. She went along with that idea despite her gut feeling that she would fail on that miserably as well as she had failed to ward Misa off.
She'll have to try at least. She wasn't new to this. Her uncle did far worst things to manipulate her into having things go as he pleased. Not that her uncle was a bad person. He was just one of those people who would do everything that they think could be good for their niece… even if it would cost that niece's displeasure.
Ayame straightened on her seat, took off her cap and gave her messed up hair bun a redo. That little act of effort to improve her appearance was wretchedly interrupted by Misa who jerked her arm away and combed her hair rather forcefully in her stead.
"OWW! HEY! THAT HURTS!" She slapped Misa's hand. Misa did the same thing to her and persisted.
"STOP IT, MISA AMANE!"
"Leave it down. What's the point of hiding beautiful hair anyway?" Misa retorted. She took one moment to closely examine a few strands and muttered about how easily split ends are seen in blondes like her. "Your black hair is so shiny… what products do you use?"
Frustrated, Ayame let the blonde do as she wanted. "Alan M tried on some hair products on my hair, yes… but I can't remember their brand names."
"Hmmm… I have to ask Alan M myself then. " Misa murmured. "There! That's much better." Misa finished proudly. Leaning back to get a better look at Ayame, she grinned as she was satisfied. "Your hair will have to make up for your poor choice of clothes."
From that time on, Ayame gave up all the possibilities of ever liking Misa Amane. Is there any end to this haughty woman's insults? Ayame contemplated the chances that she might be provided to escape the situation. Misa surprised her by deliberately thrusting a cell phone so close to her nose.
"This is my boyfriend!" Misa announced loudly with a wide smile then withdrew her phone to look and admire the picture shown on the screen. "His name is Light Yagami. Isn't he dreamy?" Ayame watched Misa expression change from that of a bossy, stuck up celebrity to a day dreaming teenager who was helplessly in love. She regarded the transformation in awe and wondered if the woman might have some personality disorder such as those her father fondly talks about over rare occasions when she had dinner with her whole family. She felt the urge to roll her eyes.
Misa cast a wary glance in her direction. "You can't have him." Misa proclaimed.
Ayame blinked and realized that the Misa must have thought her look of awe was due to Misa's boyfriends' attractiveness. She shook her head in the negative.
"Misa, it's not what you're thinking. I mean…." She wanted to add that having the phone so close to her face didn't even provide her a good look at Yagami's picture, but she thought better because imply mentioning that fact would only raise more suspicion.
"…the two of you are perfect for each other." Ayame finished lamely.
"Aww, Ayame! That's so sweet and so true. Too bad I won't be showing him to you again." Misa stuck her tongue out at her childishly and went on to hug the cell phone tightly against her chest as if the picture on the screen was actually the real Yagami.
Ayame sighed and moved her attention to the things she could see through the window. Chances of escaping were negligible and she supposed it wouldn't matter if Misa showed her the picture or not. She would be seeing this 'Light Yagami' soon anyway and also this person she would be dating.
"While you are on that Misa… could you tell me more about this guy I would be…" Ayame suppressed saying 'ugh' and continued, "...dating?"
"Oh, you mean Ryuga Hideki, the intolerably weird and annoying jerk?"
Ayame almost jumped in her seat. "You mean Ryuga Hideki that famous actor on TV?
Misa burst with laughter. "No! You're not that lucky. The Ryuga Hideki I'm talking about is just some other guy with the same name! He's one of those people who would find to creepy to hang out with."
That didn't sound good at all, Ayame thought hopelessly dreading the date that would soon be commencing. Misa may have been exaggerating but there wasn't any doubt that this person made a generally sociable and positive person like Misa Amane greatly upset. That definitely was not a good sign.
"He's a meddlesome pervert who doesn't have an ounce of respect for people's privacy."
Misa added with a grunt. "Like, duh! How am I supposed to enjoy my date when this perverted bastard tails Light around like he's his nanny or something? And what's worse? I couldn't kiss or do romantic things with Light when I want to since he's there watching us!"
Ayame groaned. How was she to deal with a person like that? She stopped asking from then on, thinking that she wouldn't like what she would be hearing from Misa's description of him. Her silence didn't stop Misa from ranting on, though.
"Pervert! That's what he is! No matter what it takes, I'm going to put an end to this and get rid of him. This time, my date with Light is only going to involve the two of us! And you, Ayame, are going to help me accomplish it!"
To think that the angelic looking Misa Amane could say such cruel things about someone is poignantly customary. This displays the typical attitude of those narcissistic celebrities who cares more about their selves than for other people's feelings.
"I take it that I'm to distract this guy so you could have a good time with your lover?" Ayame concluded, feeling desolate as she said it.
"Exactly! That Ryuga would then transfer all his attention and focus his strange hobby of stalking on you!" Misa's eyes lit with glee. Ayame was horrified.
"I sure am glad I don't have to explain myself further for you. I couldn't have found someone else better suited for that Ryuga!"Misa giggled sarcastically, pleased with herself. She went on to call Light Yagami to tell him that bit of "good" news.
As opposed to Misa's cheery disposition, Ayame felt so disparaged and dejected. To be told that she suited this weird, annoying, meddlesome and hypothetically perverted Ryuga Hideki, Ayame thought she had never been more insulted in her whole life.
After speaking to Light, Misa's mood improved further. Light didn't sound so eager but that's just how Light is: too cool to be moved by anything. That's one of the many reason she finds Light irresistible.
Misa's eyes flickered to Ayame. She couldn't wait to see the look on Ryuzaki's face! An attractive woman should be enough distraction. To Misa, Ayame was a like a stick and Ryuzaki was a dog. All she needed was to get the stick and throw it for the dog to fetch.
Ayame was perfect for the role! She's not like the other models that had their own social lives to occupy themselves with and she wasn't bad-looking either. In fact, she stood out for many reasons. One, she was always alone. Two, she's the niece of a respected fashion designer, Alan M. And last, was her looks. Ayame's body had an athletic build as result of her constant visits to the gym and morning jogs. It must have been a form of compensation, because Misa saw Ayame eat large portions of cake whenever she thought Alan M wasn't around. There were rumors that Alan M is insanely strict on training Ayame on her diet and exercise it could lead to serious alterations in Ayame's mental state.
Another thing that was noticeable about her is her blue eyes. Misa heard another colleague mention that Ayame's mother was actually a foreigner.
The only drawback about Ayame was her personality. She's aloof, irritable and she seems to dislike people. If she ever had plans to make it big in her career, she had better go for a personality makeover as soon as possible.
But that wasn't Misa's problem anymore. She had problems of her own to think about and she's doing quite well in solving them. Her problem on Ryuzaki included.
Satisfied that her plan had gone well, Misa eased in her chair and began to daydream about all the good things that could happen in her love life now that she had her secret weapon to lure away annoying Ryuga Hideki.
Aja: I hope I didn't go overboard with Ayame's background. I noticed that I didn't describe her so well in the past so I think I needed to let the readers know about her more. ^^ Thanks for reading!
Anyway trivia question: What is the name of Kenichi Matsuyama's wife? (yep, i heard he married. Drat, he didn't wait for me, LOL!)