A beautiful stranger, a boss and a love affair were all there to witness the downfall and hectic life of Mikan Sakura. "They say we have no control over what happens to us. I beg to differ. We always have the power to control everything" "I don't get it. So what is this, a midlife crisis or something?"
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice *runs away and cries*
Chapter 2: Work Mates
"Welcome aboard, young man. I'm sure that you will have a very successful career."
The side of the said person's lip tugged upward a little bit.
"I'm very much sure of it" he answered with complete confidence.
"You will start work this evening, so get your rest and your manager will be with you shortly"
Nodding, the man was escorted out of the office.
"Oh, by the way, please be sure to remember to meet at my office at 5:30pm sharp. You will meet your temporary work partner"
The man nodded to show his understanding.
"Well then, have a lovely day, Natsume"
"Thank you, Sir" answered Natsume with a slight bow as the doors closed.
As Natsume walked away, he saw a certain pamphlet featuring a certain person. Smirking, he took one and walked out of the building to head to his apartment.
"This… will be an interesting meeting" he murmured as he slid his hands into the pocket of his pants.
"It's barely the beginning of the year and I already have to work…"
"Stop complaining, Mikan. It's your job" snapped Hotaru. Mikan grumbled something under her breath as she checked her phone. She was surprised to see an unread message. Mikan quickly opened it to see an automatic email that was usually sent when a new member was going to debut.
"Seems like someone's going to be having their debut soon" Mikan muttered.
"Huh, that's interesting…" Hotaru spoke to herself.
"What is it?" Mikan asked.
"I wasn't informed that the company was allowing any trainees to debut so soon…" Hotaru answered as a vein popped on her forehead. Mikan sweat dropped as she watched Hotaru whip out her laptop and started typing furiously. Hotaru came across something and froze.
"…Hotaru…?" Mikan whispered when she saw Hotaru freeze. Hotaru quickly shut the laptop and spoke.
"Let's go, or else you'll be late" Hotaru instructed once the car slowed down. Forgetting what she asked a moment ago, Mikan hopped out of the car, not wanting to be late, only to be bombarded by reporters with their flashing cameras.
"Ms Sakura, it's the new year, have you made any goals that you wish to complete this year?"
"Ms Sakura, it's a very daring outfit you have on at the moment, how do you manage to pull off such fascinating outfits most women would rather pass out than wear?"
"What are you modelling today, Ms Sakura? Is possibly a new clothing line?"
"Is the recent scandal with the other members in the company true?"
"Ms Sakura, you've been recently married, how's your marriage life like with both you and your husband's hectic schedules?"
Mikan tensed up at the last question shot at her. All the reports went silent and waited for an answer. Coming back to her senses, Mikan put on her professional smile that Hotaru had helped her perfect and smiled at them.
"It's only the beginning the year and everyone is all working very hard! I hope for everyone to be healthy and for this New Year to be full of better opportunities" she spoke cheerfully with a smile. Her expression then changed slightly, though she was still smiling brightly, she had a serious aura around her as she spoke.
"However, in regards to other business with the company, I don't have much to reveal. All I do is simply work in the company. However, yes, I am going to be modelling a new clothing line, so I hope you all enjoy! I must go now, or else I'll be late!" Mikan told them with a bright smile. She then bid them goodbye by blowing them a kiss before entering the building with Hotaru.
As they walked into the studio, Mikan checked up on her schedule with Hotaru.
"…I've told you already" answered Hotaru with her usual stoic expression.
"Yes, but… I'd like to check…again… in case, you know…"
"No, I don't know" said Hotaru. However, Hotaru handed her the schedule for the day before walking away to tell the staff that Mikan had arrived and she was ready to work. Mikan entered her dressing room and read through her schedule.
"It seems like it's rare to ever have a day off…" Mikan muttered to herself. "Then again, even if I did happen to have a day off…"
Her thoughts flashed back to the night before. The image in her mind with her husband pressing his lips against another woman's was still clear. Mikan tried to shake away the thoughts, but failed. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a knock on the door.
"Yes?" Mikan answered with her well-practiced smile as she opened the door.
"Hello, Ms Sakura, are you ready?" one of the staff members asked. Mikan nodded and they started to do her hair and makeup. Soon after, they were finished and Mikan was welcomed with a rack full of clothes.
"All of these today?" Mikan quickly asked as she counted all the outfits.
"Yes" Hotaru answered as she handed Mikan one of the dresses.
"Here, this one is first. Start stripping" Hotaru told her as she continued to line up the clothes in order that Mikan was going to model them.
Mikan did as she was told and started to strip out of her white button up dress shirt that featured a shoulder cut out with an extended shirt tailing. She then kicked off her black studded toe pumps and started to put on her first outfit.
"Although the main focus is meant to be the outfit you're wearing, we're obviously going to advertise new products wherever we can, so you'll be wearing the new collection of shoes that the company recently launched. Put on these nude patent leather strappy platform sandals first. I'll hand you the other shoes later on"
Mikan nodded and slipped the shoes in before jogging up to the door.
"Oh, by the way, what's the shoot about today?"
"Variety" Hotaru answered simply.
"Eh?"
Hotaru turned to stare at Mikan for a moment. Mikan thought about it for a moment and nodded.
"It'll be all over the place. You're modelling from dare devil, angelic, to evening wear, pyjamas and so on"
"Alright, see you outside" said Mikan before leaving the room.
"Please take care of me today" Mikan announced as she walked onto the set. Mikan walked up to her model partners for the shoot and greeted them.
"Alright, everyone!" they heard a loud voice echo through the studio. "Let's get this party started!" the photographer announced. Everyone smiled at the photographer's eagerness and obliged.
By the end of the first part of the shoot, it was almost three and Mikan was starving. They had only had a short ten minute break between the quick once over that the photographer wanted to check with the rest of the crew with the pictures.
"Mikan's next schedule starts in a while, however, if we are unable to finish on time, we'll have to postpone to…" Mikan heard Hotaru say as she entered her dressing room.
Mikan stared at herself in the mirror as she started to eat the fried chicken that had been on the catering table. Hotaru was definitely going to tell her off once she finds the large box of food in front of her – Not forgetting to mention that it was fried chicken. Then, as if on cue, Hotaru entered the room. Almost immediately, a dark expression formed on Hotaru's face as her eyes fell upon the half empty box of fried chicken. Hotaru made her way over to Mikan and got rid of the chicken.
"Do you want to purposely go fat with oily skin with the chicken during your photo shoot Mikan?" snapped Hotaru. Mikan pouted and wiped her mouth with a napkin.
"I'm so hungry, though" wined Mikan. Hotaru rolled her eyes and threw a chicken salad in front of Mikan.
"Delicious and healthy…There you go" Hotaru told her nonchalantly with a completely stoic face. Mikan suppressed her laughter with a cough before opening the package to start eating.
However, her joyous moment did last for long. A knock was heard on her door. Both women turned around as someone stepped into the room.
"Ms Sakura, it's time for the next shoot. Please get ready"
Mikan eyed her food for a moment before turning around with a smile and nodded. "Alright then" she answered as she stood up.
Mikan walked over to the rack that was filled with her next set of items to wear. Mikan stared at the rack for a long moment and sweat dropped.
"Hurry up, Mikan" snapped Hotaru, irritated. "You have 5 minutes to strip and wear them. Put on these sandals as well" instructed Hotaru. Mikan hurried out of her current clothes and started to wear her next item.
-Two hours later-
Mikan exited the building, ready to head to her next schedule dressed in a red sleeveless high-low dress with a pleated skirt, paired with a pair of black swivelled studded peep toe heels.
"We're making a quick stop by the company. Your parents have called for you" informed Hotaru as they made their way out of the studio. Mikan nodded in reply with little enthusiasm. If her parents were the one doing the calling, then it would probably be about something that she wouldn't like.
Since the studio was in the same building as her parents' office, they headed into the elevator and proceeded to the third highest floor. Originally, the head office was meant to be at the top floor; however, her parents had decided to allow the top two floors to be a place to relax for their fellow workers every now and then – when they deserved it, of course. Of course, the two floors were well furnished. It was as if the top two floors were their own spa resort.
Ding
The sound of the elevator when they reached their desired floor broke into her thoughts. Mikan mindlessly walked out of the elevator and walked up to the receptionist.
"Hello there, Mark. How's it so far?" she asked casually. Mark, the new receptionist smiled and replied in a calm manner as he continued to type away on the keyboard.
"Well then, I'll leave you to it. Have a nice day, Mark. Oh, and happy New Year" she added with a smile. Mark nodded with a small smile before replying with a "And a happy new year to you, too, Ms Sakura. Your parents are ready to meet you"
Mikan nodded in reply and walked away alongside Hotaru. The door was large and white with black boarders around the edges. It was shiny and well-polished. There was not a single fingerprint on the door or the door handle. Mikan opened the door and walked in with a smile.
"Mother…Father… lovely to see you. You called for me?" Mikan spoke in the usual formal manner she spoke to them with.
"Yes, dear" answered her mother, Yukihira Yuka. Mikan turned to look at her father, who was seated behind his large well-polished white desk on a large black chair.
"Have a seat, Mikan…You, too, Hotaru" her father, Yukihira Izumi, told her. Mikan and Hotaru obliged and they both took a seat.
"Mikan, we have called you here today because we want you to work with someone for the rest of the year" her father started off.
Mikan stayed quiet for a moment before managing to utter a blank "Huh…?"
"Honey, I know that both you and your husband love each other…" Mikan, hearing this, had to try and calm down before she burst out laughing like a maniac. Both of them loved each other? That was definitely a whole load of –.
"Not forgetting to mention that you're still new to the married life and you're both very busy with your jobs, so you're probably not spending a lot of time together"
"However, if you received the text, then you would know that we have a new addition to the company and this person has a lot of potential, so we were hoping that you would allow a career boost for this person. You, of course, will also gain many benefits with this temporary work relationship"
Mikan thought about it for a moment before turning to Hotaru, who, out of Mikan's parent's sight, pointed to her wrist, indicating they take some time to think about it.
Mikan turned back to face her parents and spoke in an all-business manner, "I appreciate the offer, but I'd like to think about it first, if you don't mind"
Mikan's father leaned back in his chair and entwined his fingers as he watched his daughter in her all-business manner. She had definitely learnt a lot from him and his wife. Mikan's father turned to his wife beside him, allowing her to speak.
Mikan's mother stood up and leaned onto the edge of the table before saying in a calm voice, "Mikan, it wasn't a proposal that was either an agreement or a disagreement. It's already decided upon"
Mikan stared past her mother's shoulders, unable to look her in the eye anymore. Not wanting to speak, she left the rest up to Hotaru to discuss.
"What do you mean, Mrs Yukihira? We weren't even notified about this at all. If so, I'm sure I would have looked it over before coming here" Hotaru then turned to face Mr Yukihira and continued, "How are we so sure that this person that Mikan is to be paired up with for this 'temporary work relationship' will be a success? Of course, it's no hidden fact that Mikan has many fans and her career is at its peak at the moment and it's going really well. However, suddenly being paired up with new to the industry of entertainment is a great risk"
"Hotaru, I'm sure you're quite aware how well we train our trainees"
"Yes, I'm aware, but this person you're planning to pair up with Mikan wasn't a trainee in the first place, Mr Yukihira"
Mikan's father let out a small laugh. "You're still doing your job as properly as always, Hotaru. I'm glad. Your research never fails to impress me. I'm glad we hired you"
"Back to topic Mr Yukihira…"
"There is nothing further to discuss, Ms Imai. I believe that it's part of the contract that Mikan is to pair up with anyone we wish to pair up with, business-wise"
Mikan's head snapped towards her father's direction. She mentally went over the contract she had read carefully at the time and inwardly groaned as she mentally slammed her head on the table.
Hotaru heaved a sigh. "Then how are we so sure that a beginner has the skills?"
Mikan's father grinned. "Although one may be a beginner, it doesn't mean that they aren't good at what they're assigned to do"
"Huh?" Mikan uttered unconsciously.
Just then, the phone rang and Mr Yukihira picked up the phone.
"Alright, send him in" he answered.
'Him…?' Mikan thought. Her work partner was going to be a male? Mikan looked over at Hotaru, who showed no emotion on her face as she stood up and turned towards the direction of the door. Mikan continued to stay seated until she caught a glimpse of crimson eyes reflected off the large window wall of her father's office.
'No…' Mikan thought as her eyes widen. She stayed frozen in her seat as the rest of the people in the room exchanged greetings. As they exchanged greetings behind her, Mikan slowly stood up and turned around slowly, making sure that if she was to suddenly pass out, she would be able to fall without hitting her head on anything.
Mikan's father turned to picked and pointed towards
"Mikan, meet your new work partner, Mr…"
"…Hyuuga Natsume…" Mikan managed to utter.
And like that, Mikan's life was moved one step closer to hell.
A/N: Hi, everyone! How's it been~ I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Leave a review? (: