I do not own Skip Beat!
Thank you Yoshiki Nakamura for all of your incredible talent.
Chapter 2:
"You sure you want to do this Babe?" Takehiko asked with one hand on her waist and the other resting on the back of her neck gently caressing and enjoying the silken feel of her red-gold hair.
"I don't think I've ever been more sure of anything in my life." she proudly declared to him. "I want the world to know we belong together and I'm not afraid to say it."
Takehiko leaned in and nibbled at her bottom lip and claimed her sweet mouth for his alone. Kyoko let out a faint moan as the tip of her tongue lightly teased his lips in an open invitation for him to taste her sweetness deeply.
DING!
"Oh my.." she sighed. "I almost forgot we were here." both of them giggled.
"Yeah, I think maybe we should cut back a little on that in public Sweetie." Takehiko cooed softly into her ear.
"You're right." she agreed in a breathy sigh as they left the elevator and made their way to office at the end of the elaborately decorated hall.
"Just to warn you.. Takarada-san can be a little bit eccentric" Kyoko warned.
Takehiko snorted, "You haven't met my grandfather on my mother's side yet."
He was well acquainted with the strange and eccentric, his American grandfather was the epitome of American excess and oddness. Takehiko's grandfather was not your typical old-money billionaire, he allowed his children to decide their own goals and live their own lives freely. That also was extended to his few grandchildren. When his mother Angela, decided to marry the man she loved and move to Japan, his 'love obsessed' grandfather allowed it. When Takehiko announced he wanted to go to University and become a police officer 6 years ago at the tender age of 18, he was fully supported by every member of his proud family. His childhood was riddled with exotic menageries, costumed adventures and jaunts to various countries throughout his young life. His grandfather insisted that everyone of his children and grandchildren be fully versed in at least 7 languages so they could enjoy the world to its fullest. Takarada-san would not be a problem, unless he was Yakuza, he thought darkly.
As they were allowed to enter the large office bedecked in the day's latest theme, Takehiko couldn't help but let out a quiet but clear, "Oh my god, there's two of them on the planet." Kyoko just looked at him in slight shock. Two men on the same planet like Takarada Lory? One was enough wasn't it? It was almost as bad as having two Hizuri Kuu's. Could anyone prevent reality from folding in on itself with two of either of those men on the planet? Kyoko marveled at the prospects and caught herself before letting out an embarrassing guffaw.
"Mogami-kun. Are you going to introduce me to this nice young man you've brought with you today?" Lory inquired while tamping down the giddiness bubbling to the surface.
"Sir, this is Hide Takehiko, my boyfriend." she stated with a lilt in her voice, a gentle smile on her face and a soft glow to her countenance.
"Nice to meet you Hide-san." Lory rose from his seat to greet what he thought was a newly formed couple. "What brings you here today Mogami-kun?"
"Well Sir, we've been dating for three weeks now and feel that we needed to inform you before the tabloids did." She told him as she gazed lovingly into Takehiko's green eyes. Well, I almost can't believe my eyes, thought Lory. That's a look of pure love. When did that happen and how did she keep it from me for so long?
"How did you two meet?" Now Lory wanted all of the juicy details, he was salivating for them. He is just like Pops. Thought Takehiko. I wonder if they know each other. Inwardly laughing to himself.
Kyoko relayed the tale of their fateful meet, as they occasionally stole loving glances at each other. "There is one final question I have for you Kyoko-chan." Lory leaned in and in a very serious tone asked, here is the absolute truth. Will she admit it in front of others and carry it proudly? "Do you love each other?"
She paused for dramatic effect then a bright smile crept across her lips that lit up the room, "Absolutely Sir, I love him with all of my heart." she beamed. Takehiko's response corresponded with hers in unison. Yes, he's definitely like Pops, as he squeezed Kyoko's shoulder.
"Well then Kyoko-chan, I think that will be all for today. You may take the rest of the day off to spend with Hide-kun but, I want you back here in my office tomorrow at 9am sharp." he informed her as he rose from his seat and hugged her. "I had almost given up, you know." He whispered to her. Then pulled back and patted Takehiko on the back. "Hope to see more of you my boy. Let me know if you need anything."
Takehiko was dieing to know, "Just one question sir."
"Certainly my boy."
"You wouldn't happen to know an Alexander Brady would you?"
Lory just gave a knowing smirk and waved. I knew it! Were the three words that flashed into both men's minds. Spitting image of Alex. Marveled Lory.
Lory resumed his place behind his desk and massaged his temples, "Now for the fallout.." he sighed as he picked up the phone and dialed. "Alex, how ya been old friend?"
Sebastian, the quiet and ever faithful assistant to Lory knew exactly what to do as he left the room and approached Lory's receptionist. "Sir will need to speak to Tsuruga-san and his manager as soon as possible and he will also need that list of available managers with special skills."
"Yes sir." the receptionist replied as she picked up the phone to dial the number for the manager of Japan's number 1 bachelor.
"Well, I've got the rest of the day off." she announced to him in a giddy fashion. "What do you want to do?"
"Hmmm, how about we go to the beach? I would really like to see you in a bikini." he said slyly with a raised eyebrow.
"Maaayyy-be." she answered poking him in the side. "Hey! You little vixen." he exclaimed, tickling her as they walked to the LoveMe locker room.
"Mo! You two, get a room!", Kanae barked as she met them at the door before entering with Kyoko. Takehiko waved her on while he leaned against the wall to wait for Kyoko to dress and return.
"What are you doing here?" in English, the deep jealous voice jolted Takehiko from his musings while listening to the sweet voice of his lady love.
Well, here we go. Had to happen sooner or, later. He sighed as he looked up from the floor and without missing a beat in perfect English replied, "Sorry Tsuruga-san? I think it's pretty obvious... I'm waiting for my girlfriend." he paused, "May I ask what you're doing?" putting emphasis on the right words to make sure Ren knew his place in this situation. He knew very well what Tsuruga-san was up to along with all of the others. Kyoko had gradually filled him in on all the people in and out of her life.
Surprised at the revelation that Hide-san understood and answered his question with a flawless Southern Californian accent, Ren stated his intent, "I just want to be clear on this. If you ever hurt Kyoko-chan, you will have to deal with me make no mistake about that."
"Really then.. How about you take this. You can look into whatever will make you feel better." Presenting his business card to Ren between his index and middle fingers in a calm and relaxed manner, "Oh, and while you're at it keep a respectable distance from Kyoko. I know your type."
"Oh? And what type would that be?"
"Hm, you strike me as a jealous, possessive ex type. Could be wrong but, I'm usually not." Takehiko replied casually in a calm friendly voice, striking at the heart of the matter.
"Ren!" Yashiro called to him, walking quickly down the corridor. "Takarada-san would like to see us immediately."
Ren left with Yashiro, shooting a glare back at Takehiko as he left. Well, isn't he a little ball of sunshine. Think I better keep an eye on 'stalker-san'. Pondered Takehiko as the pair entered the elevator at the end of the hall.
"Mo! Just do what you always do. How hard can it be?"
"Thank you Moko-san."
Takehiko followed Kyoko's visage, clad in form-fitting blue jeans, a pink peasant top with flared sleeves and boots, into the hallway as he caught the tail-end of the conversation she and Kanae were having about her new role.
"Ready Babe?" lifting his hand and caressing her cheek.
"Yeah." she replied leaning into his hand.
"Mo! How many times do I have to say 'get a room'? I'm out of here!" huffed Kanae.
"See you tomorrow Moko-san." called Kyoko in a sweet voice as she waved.
"Whatever!" Kanae waved behind her back as she walked away. She's going to be just fine with him. Smirked Kanae. Kyoko finally had a man with no dirt or, secrets and wouldn't use her. To Kanae, nothing could be more satisfying to her than for her best friend to have that, but she still wasn't going to let any man out-do her in the gift department.
"Your bike gonna be okay here Babe?" he asked as they strode up to his BMW tour bike and removed their helmets from his saddlebags while placing her bag safely inside.
"Yeah, they have a special place they keep our bikes so they don't get stolen." she replied as she was strapping on her motorcycle helmet and situating herself on his very large bike. He leaned over gave her a quick peck on her full, delicious lips as he fastened his helmet, mounted the bike and started up the roaring beast.
Anyone with eyes could see that the couple fit perfectly together, one completing the other. Where one's wildness left off, the other picked up. Even one pair of jealous eyes and another pair of very shocked angry eyes could see that. One pair hidden under dark contacts, the other a cold, blue that only knew how to spout hateful words instead of compliments. One pair looking down from the top floor watching the silver motorcycle carry away his heart. The other pair skulking away to find his 'damn manager' so he could get all the information he could on this new threat to his so-called property ownership. And finally a third pair of eyes, warm yet violet watched as they pulled into traffic smiling and shaking his head. Well I did say she wouldn't go to anyone that was ordinary. I guess I'm out of the running. I can't compete with that. He thought to himself as he watched the couple ride off with a knowing gaze. Maybe I should get another hobby. Hm, I wonder what the other little angel is up to?
For some odd reason Nanokura Mimori felt a shiver crawl up her spine in the middle of her photo shoot. Hm, wonder what that was about, she thought and then dismissed it.
"She's not a possession Kuon." Lory stated factually rubbing the bridge of his nose with closed eyes. Ugh, he is going to be the death of me, Lory groaned internally.
"I know that Boss!" he hissed. "If that's what she wants, she's welcome to it!"
"Kuon, what do you expect?! For her to keep waiting until the time is right, while you drive other men away from her?! It's not right!" Lory snapped. "He's a good guy Kuon, trust me. A decorated police officer with a college education, a family that would happily provide for him but, he chooses against it. I couldn't have picked someone better for her if I did it myself with all of my resources."
"I know Boss." he whispered. All Ren could do now is wallow in the pain of the truth and wait for Lory's solutions. "What do you want to do Kuon?"
Ren looked up at him after a long pensive stare at the marble tile that covered the office floor, "I want to go home Boss..." Lory sighed, "Are you sure?" Ren nodded silently. "Okay, I'll make the arrangements, but just know you can't keep running from your problems." Lory paused, "I'll see what my affiliate in California has for you." Kinda saw this one coming, good thing I called Alex. Lory sighed heavily.
"Yeah, loud and clear Boss." With that, Ren left the overly decorated room.
"Send in Yashiro-san, please.", this was going to be a very long day.