'Sabrina'

Chapter theme song: 'Cinderella' by: The Cheetah Girls (TCG)

I stepped out the bathtub to be met with my own lady in waiting. She remained stoic and professional, not even flinching when I waved frantically in front of her face and made a few silly faces. She coyly handed me a dry towel and escorted me back to the room. I decided to walk nude, not at all ashamed of my body and the fact that the breeze was really nice. I enjoyed the days after fresh rain, that faint smell of wood and raging waterfalls mingling in the air ever so delicately. The air was always crispier and fresher to breathe in and relax.

One of Jin's assistants, Michelle, was in the kitchen making herself a sandwich when she saw me. She immediately turned around, apologizing for intruding and asked if I needed a minute. I just laughed at her, finally squeezing out all the excess water from my blonde hair before wrapping it in the towel. I plopped on the bed, laying against the soft comforter in my full nude glory. I gave myself a good stretch, snuggling deeper into the thick fabric with ease. Gripping the bed spread, I inhaled the scent locked within; smelling the remnant of Jin's cologne and my cheap perfume. I thought about last night. Much to my surprise, Jin did not want to screw me.

I was completely naked on top of him, grinding my hips against his obvious erection much to his pleasure. I got as far as unzipping his pants to fondle with his boxer briefs before he switched roles, flipping me towards the bottom to be the submissive ones. I licked my lips, lightly nipping at his before I brought him in for a slow, sultry kiss. I tried to massage his growing erection through his underwear, hoping to get him to grow a little less tense but he snatched my hand to pin me against the endless mounds of pillows. I let out a light gasp, feeling a little confused before he trailed small kisses down my neck and towards my chest. I watched him glide his tongue against my skin, kissing my pearls lightly only to tease me.

I closed my eyes, falling deeper into the sudden pleasure when he opened my legs and disappeared. After that, I don't remember much else other than falling asleep against his chest completely satisfied.

"Xioayu, my name is Michelle Alexander. I am your assistant for the afternoon."

"Sabrina." I corrected. I sat up promptly, shooting her a quizzical glare. "Did Jin leave something?"

She shook her head, still turned away from me. "No, he had instructed I help you get ready for tonight's dinner."

"Dinner?" I asked in question. She nodded. "What dinner? And where is Jin?"

I had awoken around two in the afternoon after being tortured by Kazama until the wee hours of the morning, knocking out right after for some well-deserved sleep I have not had in ages. Jin was already gone when I had awakened, a single handwritten note telling me he'll see me tonight with his initials. I figured he meant for me to wait here for him and he'll come back after a long day of wreaking havoc onto the world to ravage me more.

"Kazama-san has instructed I escort you the dinner party he is hosting this evening as his date." She bit into her sandwich. "And as to his whereabouts, that is classified."

"Oh." I stated simply, reaching at the platter of forgotten food from last night to much on a stale cracker. I began to wonder would Jin get upset if I ordered room service. "Why me?"

"He did not specify, just ordered me to escort you safely." She paused. "Your dress is resting on the bed spread and the jewelry and shoes are near the vanity adjacent from the bathroom."

I took a look around and saw the dress in question, a simple black number with a plunging neckline and tulle skirt. I don't know why I didn't notice it before. I stood to hold it against my frame, admiring how it puffed out at the bottom like a ball-gown. The bodice was intricately beaded with precision, creating a bedazzled, sequin pattern that made me sparkle under the limelight. I glanced over near the vanity by the bathroom, looking at the shoes. A Louboutins box wrapped in a pink bow rested atop of the sink next to a baby blue suede box with a white ribbon adorning the top. I blushed, smiling. I hadn't felt this special in a long time.

"This is…wow…" I took a spin, suddenly excited to try the dress on for size. "Jin has good taste to be a man."

"Actually…" she interrupted sweetly. "I picked it out."

I giggled, thanking her. I knew it was too good to be true. Michelle had told me that the dinner started at seven and that it was already a quarter past five. Apparently I had hair and makeup people on their way to perfect my look for the evening so I was instructed to scurry to not keep them waiting. I got oiled, dusted, perfumed, and dressed in a half hour flat; just in time for the makeup and hair artists to arrive.

Michelle-finally- properly introduced herself while brining me towards the hydraulic chair set up in the kitchen to do my hair and face. She asked if there was a particular style I had in mind for the occasion but I was not picky. I just asked a nice, elegant updo since I was assuming this was a formal dinner party. If I was going to be the date of Jin Kazama himself, I needed to look better than almost every woman in attendance. The two women, whose names were already forgotten, had settled on giving me a simple French bun complete with a rhinestone flower hair broach and a nude eye with a bold, red lip.

After glancing in the mirror, I carefully opened the blue box Michelle had handed to me to reveal a silver signature key necklace and diamond stud earrings. I became breathless, just staring in awe at the expensive jewelry. Miharu and I had always passed by the iconic store downtown during late night rounds in the 'yellow dollar' district and dreamt of the day we could walk in proudly to make a purchase.

Michelle had helped me put on my necklace as I snapped in my earring with ease. I stood to head towards the bathroom mirror for a full look. I could not believe how…classy and elegant I looked. It had been such a long while since I wore anything that wasn't easily accessible or showed too much skin. I actually looked like a lady. Turning to open the shoe box, I revealed a single pair of crystal embellished heels, mouth gaping open to their profound beauty. I gazed at the notorious red sole, feeling the slickness of the paint as well as the contrasted rough, marvelous beauty of the crystals encrusted against the satin fabric. I was afraid to step into them, scared I would mar them with my lackluster skills in walking in such high, expensive shoes.

To my surprise, they were actually kind of comfortable and complimented my outfit nicely. I stepped back into the suite, doing a full spin while asking the ladies how I looked. They all had one word to describe me for the evening: perfect.

I was highly nervous during the car ride over, clutching my evening bag for dear life as I rode in silence to the venue. I haven't genuinely spent time with Jin since I was sixteen, me being a completely different person back then to make matters even more interesting. On top of that, Jin wasn't exactly the same man I fell for in high-school either. Over the years, his anger towards his family and his devil gene consumed him, making him cold, callous and unapproachable for the most part. For people who have not known him previously, he came off scary, if not intimidating at the very least; but I knew Jin before the darkness had transformed his heart and soul and created the 'devil' that he was known to be. I just could not help but wonder what could happen with us together. Last night was just fun and games, a little…adult fun to keep it light without having any real conversation. I didn't want to discuss the death of my grandfather and Jin was never keen in opening up about his familial issues.

We arrived at a brightly illuminated garden, beautifully decorated tables and chairs adorning a vastly expanding lawn spreading as far as the eye could see as you drove up towards the driveway. There was a rather large water fountain, brightly colored in red and yellow lights and rose petals basking in the pool of water beneath the spout for decoration to greet the gusts. Valet and maître'd waited as people arrived, parking their cars free of charge as they were escorted to their tables. I was greeted by a handsome French gentleman that informed me that he was expecting my arrival.

Soft, swift violin music cascaded feely amongst the lawn, light dancing on the dance floor in the large white cabana nestled in the center gyrating at the speed of the evening. There was small chatter, light laughter, and lots of joyous smiles as I was walked towards my seat. Jean-Claude had pulled out my chair, whispering something in my ear I did not quite catch fully. Before I could turn to ask him, I was met with Nina Williams herself; nicely dressed in an all-white lace gown with her hair, rarely, curled against the nape of her neck. She wore her usual amounts of makeup but still donned her infamous scowl and surly attitude. I faked a small smile.

"Hi, Nina."

"I was informed late about your arrival and I was requested to keep you company until Kazama called for you."

"Where is Jin?" I looked around, not seeing him amongst the sea of people. "Who are all these people anyway?"

She huffed, shaking her head at me in disappointment. "Stupid girl, do you not know anything?"

"No need for the name calling." I spoke lowly, crossing my arms across my chest. I pouted. "You know, you were never really all that nice."

She remained quiet, glaring at me. "The mayor is here, Prime Minister, Emperor, members of the European Parliament and their mistresses, U.S. Ambassadors, the secretary of state, Prince Henry, need I go on?"

"So…this is a political thing?"

Nina grew silent again, sucking in a deep breath. "Politics is a part of everything, dear child."

"Oh." I took a sip of water, feeling so out of place. I was surrounded by members of government and important people. I became curious as to what the meeting Jin was in entailed but I knew Nina would not tell me so I didn't bother. She stepped away for a moment to listen to her earpiece, saying something in code and signaling a few of the guards to the back of the garden. She excused herself, saying no more.

I found myself looking out into the crowd of people dancing to the sweet tempo of the band stationed on stage; just people watching while I waited. I didn't know what else to occupy my time with since I was one of the only people here that did not necessarily belong. I was a lowly…lady of the night amongst the beautiful ones with wealth, class, and power. Regardless of their reasons for being here, they made it here on merit alone and not because they were the 'arm candy' of the rich and powerful. I took another sip of my water, thinking. What was I really doing here? Jin made it clear he had no intentions of bedding me, so why keep me around? He had paid me last night for spending the evening with him and since he paid such the steep price and bought me a gorgeous outfit, I figured I let him off the hook for owing me an extra couple thousand yen. But if he did not want to sleep with me, why did he keep me around?

I felt my stomach gurgle, a small sweep of crimson flooding my cheeks. I was starving and had yet seen a waiter carrying a tray of cocktail wieners anywhere in sight. Jin knew how to throw a fancy party, I'd give him that, but what was party without food and liquor? At least, all the parties I went to.

I went in search for some food, running into a woman I knew. She was chatting it up with one of the men, her arm looped around his as she flirtatiously touched him. She was one of those high-end escorts that worked in partner with 'Tito'. I thought about waving towards her but decided against it. It was not a good look. Finally finding a small table filled with fruit and small triangular shaped cheeses, I began to nibble. I never knew snack foods could taste so good.

"Enjoying yourself?" a small, deeply masculine voice reverberated in my ear.

I turned to be met with the dark brown eyes of Eddy Gordo, sharply dressed in an all-white tuxedo with a red flower accent on the left breast pocket. I was so happy to see a familiar face that I immediately entrapped him in a long hug. At first he didn't know how to react, but he gave in eventually.

"Eddy!" I squeaked. "You look rather dapper this evening."

"As do you, Xiao." He spoke lowly, signaling me to turn around to give him a full view. "Kazama has done himself well."

"It's Sabrina now." I corrected, biting into a strawberry. "I changed my name a year ago."

"Oh, I apologize. I wasn't made aware."

"It's ok." There was a pregnant pause. "You work for Jin?"

He nodded. "Yes, but only temporarily."

"Any plans afterwards?"

"Move back to Brazil and rebuild my life there." He stopped one of the waiters carrying several glasses of champagne, taking one. He asked if I cared for a glass but I politely declined. The last thing I needed was alcohol in my system. "How is school going? Nursing assistant right?"

"Huh?"

"Your nursing assistantship at Tokyo Women's Medical University?"

I became highly confused. "I don't know what you are talking about."

Eddy shrugged, downing the last of his champagne. "Jin did tell me you may come off too modest, which is not a problem." He gave a warm smile."I also hear you are staying with Jin for awhile, how is that?"

I furrowed my brows in confusion. "Come again?"

"I was told you were going to stay with Jin for a short while until you got back on your feet after the passing of your grandfather. Please accept my sincerest apologies for your loss…Xia…Sabrina."

"I appreciate your condolences but…"

"Also, it's great to see Jin help you through school." He cut me off unintentionally, giving a light wave to a female partygoer near the appearing buffet table. I suddenly lost all interest of an appetite. "I have not see Kazama genuinely…content in quite a while. Living in his mansion but be grand, huh?"

I set down my plate, slamming my hands on my hips in disbelief. I know I was too busy high off pleasure last night but I would have remembered agreeing to live with Jin Kazama if he had asked me. Since when did this pompous jerk go off telling people he owned me? I may have had a price tag stapled against me but I was nobody's personal doll.

"Who told you that?"

"Jin." He grabbed another drink. "He arranged for your quarters to be made ready for you to arrive tonight. You weren't informed?"

I shook my head. "Excuse me, Eddy."

Before he could even respond, I marched away angrily towards anywhere. I could not believe that pretentious prick. I would have expected that from his notorious father, the infamous womanizer that turned women into his personal trophies for the evenings he was entertained with their company and pleasure, but surely not the Jin Kazama I knew…rather yet, known. I don't know why I was so angry and him lying on me and my life infuriated me so. If anything, it mocked me and my dreary outlook on the world, rubbing my failures and how far I have truly fallen in my face. It was like a grain of salt against an open wound, burning like hell against my soul to be reminded, once again, that I was not the same girl anymore.

I had dreams of going into science, either wanting to take up engineering or medicine. A nursing assistant was something that I had even put some thought into at one point in time. My grandfather was my biggest supporter and was consistently encouraging me to do my best, excel beyond expectations, and make him proud. I never would have guessed I'd find myself blonde while turning tricks for high-end clientele for quick money. I don't know what Wang would have said but I know it would not have been anything short of inevitable disappointment.

I was so angry at Jin that I somehow managed to wander towards an exclusive part of the rather large garden party, away from the noise, music, and chaos. I took in a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Taking a seat on the Victorian style bench beneath a small cherry blossom tree, I removed those once gorgeous shoes to give my feet a chance to breath. Undoing my French bun, I let my hair flow freely against my back to the smooth, sweet humming of the wind. I allowed my mind to wander, closing my eyes to listen to the sounds of nature. It had been such a long time since I had a moment to myself just to sit and do…nothing.

A strong hand glided against my shoulder, that familiar scent bombarding my senses. I twisted my face in disgust, chucking one of my weapons that were mislabeled as shoes towards him. It missed him by a half-inch, making me even angrier at myself. "Nursing assistantship? Living in your home? You paying for my school expenses?"

Jin remained stoic, slowly bending over to grab my shoe from a rose bush. He smirked, confidently trotting over to me in his usual emotionless yet smug demeanor. I rolled my eyes, turning away. "Since when was I such an accomplished woman, Kazama?"

"What did you expect me to say? Did you hope I would reveal that you were a scavenger?"

I shot him an offended glare. How dare he?! "Scavenger?!"

He grew quiet, setting my shoe next to the other one I have yet to throw at him. He took a seat next to me, stretching out his arms to lap against the cool metal while extending his legs lazily. He closed his eyes. "Relax, Xiaoyu. I did not intend for it to come off offensively."

"Sabrina." I snapped, huffing. "And you did. Since when was I a scavenger?"

"You tell me." He turned to look at me. "How long have you been blonde?"

I clenched my hands, wanting to send a stinging slap across his sardonic face. "I'm leaving." I spoke simply, standing to leave. I grabbed my shoes, watching Kazama in the corner of my eye let out an arrogant chuckle. "What's so funny?"

"Where exactly do you plan to go, Sabrina? You arrived in my limousine and were brought to my hotel room."

"I'll walk." I hissed between clenched teeth.

"Twenty miles?"

I had enough of this pussy-footing. "Why do you even care?"

"I should ask you the same question concerning as to why you are so angry I made you look more…respectable."

"I am a respectable woman, Kazama."

He let out another chuckle, this time is really getting to me and making my blood boil. I slammed my shoes against the damp grass, finally slapping him across his face in a wave of anger. He remained motionless, turning menacingly to glare at me with satanic eyes. I took a step back, quickly apologizing. He cracked his knuckles, letting out another laugh. "If you are so proud, 'Sabrina', then why not tell everyone here what you do for a living?"

"Maybe because it none of their business and certainly not yours to tell or fabricate."

"Well, excuse me for trying to help an old friend." He spat, standing in full height to tower over me. "I guess you don't need my help to get you off your knees."

"E-excuse me?" I gasped, almost choking.

"If you like it there so much, I think I will take you up on that offer and let you do what I paid you for."

"Jin…"

He cut me off with a small kiss, painfully gripping my wrist to lead me deeper away from his own party. We found ourselves in the heart of the garden, surrounded by peaking cherry blossom trees and weeping willows. I wanted to speak but he crashed his mouth against mine, pinning me against the rough bark of a willow tree. He began to unloosen his tie while his free hand hiking up the hem of my dress. I let out a breathy moan, his name escaping my lips before I could stop myself. I felt him grin, snaking his hands into the thin fabric of my panty before his finger dipped inside of my honey. My nails racked against his neck, squirming. I blushed when he gave a single lick against his finger to taste my sweet nectar.

"On your knees." He commanded.

"Jin…"

"Now." He spoke again, this time a little bit more forceful. My lower lip quivered, my heart suddenly beginning to abnormally ache. I had done this so many times that I had formed small calluses against my knees from overworking them. I was used to being degraded by strangers, but it somehow felt different with Jin. "I won't ask you again…Sabrina."

My 'name' dripped off his tongue like arsenic. I did what I was told, shaky fingers beginning to fumble with his belt buckle as I felt tears weld in the corner of my eyes. I felt Jin's hand stop me, he pulling me up to my feet before pressing me back against the roughness of wood. I looked at him briefly, unable to truly understand what was going on. "Why did you stop me? Isn't this what you wanted?"

"What I want is for you to take the nursing assistantship I have for you and move in with me until you find yourself in a better position."

I blinked. "Wait, what?"

"Take it." He repeated.

"But I didn't apply to any nursing school and I already live in a house with a bunch of other women with little to no expenses so I am…" I paused, watching him stare at me uninterested in my excuses. I let out a defeated sigh. "There is no outtalking my way out of this one, is there?"

He shook his head, half-smiling. Tonight was the most I have ever seen Jin Kazama smile. "I'll give you a couple of days to gather your things and say your goodbyes. You start classes next week."

"Okay." I spoke softly.

We stayed in our own little secret wonderland for a while, laying in a field of dandelions and small clovers in silence. We could barely hear the music and commotion from the party, but I believe Jin intended it to happen this way. I finally asked him on the walk back how he managed to get me a position in nursing school; he telling me he pulled a few strings and sent in Nina for a little last minute 'negotiation'. As much as I didn't like to admit it to myself, for the first time in over a year, I finally felt...happy. I had expected my night with Jin to end with a note on the pillow and the spare room key that I was supposed to return to the front desk upon checkout- like every other time. But, to my surprise, this was turning into something even I could not predict. I didn't know if moving into Jin's place, let alone taking his money to finally pursue my dreams was the best idea, but I had nothing to lose and nowhere else to go but up.

I grabbed his hand, grasping three fingers lightly as we slowly made our way back to the glaring lights. I knew I could rescue myself from the depths of my despair and that it was only taking a bit longer than I had hoped. I did not want to be like Cinderella and wait for someone to come and save me from my old dusty cellar, but I had to admit, it felt good to be the damsel in distress for once.