"The only safe plotter is one who plots alone…"
Kagome looked out of the window rather absentmindedly. Beyond it, white roses were quietly swaying in the wind. Serene, carefree...their very peacefulness filled Kagome with a quaint longing.
She knew she was walking on thin ice. It wasn't supposed to be this way - she had planned everything down to the last detail…and now everything was getting thrown out of kilter because of the stupidity of another. Within her chest, her heart thumped loudly.
Taking a calming breath, Kagome tore her eyes away from the scenery outside and reluctantly made her way through the guests. Her presence was not really needed at the party, but her absence would prompt the guests to comment. She hid her nervousness behind a mask of smile, nodding politely, sometimes dropping a compliment or two as she meandered between a seemingly endless stream of visitors. With Izayoi at the helm of affairs, she needed to do precious little other than to smile and nod. But even that wore her already sensitive nerves.
There were times when Kagome Taishou nee Higurashi had felt slighted because of her mother-in-law's overarching presence in her household. With innocent blueberry eyes and a voice as soft as molasses, Izayoi had her hooks deep into the hearts of her husband and sons. Kagome felt almost invisible when standing next to her. But today she was thankful for the competent charms of the older lady.
Ever since that phone call…
Kagome hated having to sneak around. And the lying…the constant lying…
At least it will be over soon…
"Hullo, beautiful!"
Kagome jumped as a voice, smooth as the sound of fine silk being rubbed together, brushed against her ear. She had not noticed when Inuyasha had come to stand next to her. Unconsciously, she gripped the corner of a table.
"Why are you making that face, Kags? As though you've seen a monster…"
Inuyasha's voice was light and casual, yet Kagome thought she could detect a hint of steel within. She averted her gaze. Her chin started to tremble a little.
"It's nothing."
Inuyasha gave a short bark of a laugh.
"Looking at you one would think you're hiding something, Kags."
Her throat choked, and no voice came out. She tried to smile but she wasn't sure if she was successful. Before either of them could speak, Inuyasha's phone started to ring. His face changed from laughter to a scowl as soon as he saw the number.
"I need to take this," he said as he walked to the other corner of the hall.
Kagome released her breath as she saw him leave.
Does he suspect?
She wouldn't put it past her husband. He's a cop, after all.
How long could she go on playing hide-and-seek? Sooner or later it was all bound to come undone. If she wanted to forestall the inevitable, she would have act swiftly and audaciously.
Kagome coughed as the evening wind sneaked in through the window. A whiff of orchids floated with the wind. She turned around to come face to face with her husband's stepmother.
The former Mrs. Taishou bared her sharp teeth in a mirthless smile, her light gold eyes lingering on Kagome's slight build.
"Marriage suits you, Kagome dear. It is a good thing that my stepson finally decided to make an honest woman of you."
Kagome let the barb slide. "He did it three years ago, Madre."
She did not know why her father-in-law's ex-wife insisted on the children calling her Madre. She found the name pompous and a little silly. But there was so much in the family that was really outre that she had stopped questioning many years ago.
"I don't blame him," Madre's smile widened maliciously, "After all, the art of diluting the bloodline had begun with his father."
Izayoi glided towards them. Her keen eyes had not failed to notice Kagome's discomfiture. Clutching Madre's arm, she smilingly steered her away from the girl.
"Come, let me introduce you to Miroku's wife. Kagome dear, would you mind attending to the guests for a moment?"
Kagome slipped out of the corner, grateful for the intervention. She took a quick scan of the room.
Kouga was sitting in a corner, wearing a dark scowl upon his face. On the other side of the room, Sesshoumaru was leaning against the curtain, talking to a tall, lean woman sporting a rather magnificent mustache. Miroku was chatting with his friends from the literary circle – Naraku, Kuranosuke, Hakudoushi, Mouryoumaru – the usual gang. Her father-in-law was having a rather boisterous time with his friends-cum-business-partners Ryuukossei and Toutousai, his robust frame shaking with laughter. As usual, her presence in the room went entirely unnoticed.
Kagome kept her glass down. The corners of her mouth hardened - like one who has reached a decision after a long internal debate. Clutching her phone, she surreptitiously made her way out of the banquet hall. In the corridor, the din of the party was reduced to only a murmur.
Frantic eyes searched the stairway for any sign of human occupation. Then, hitching up the train of her gown, she bounded up the stairs and ran down the corridor leading to her room.
Once inside, she fumbled with a bunch of keys and opened a drawer that contained a wad of cash. She stuffed the money into her purse. From another she took out her car keys.
Avoiding all glances, Kagome took her Bentley out of the garage and drove off into the night.
Only a pair of eyes watched her from the upper balcony.
