Chapter 4

"She doesn't believe me. I tried to apologize to her and she just blew it off." He confessed to his godfather.

Lory shook his head. "Can you really blame her Kuon? You've been lying to her since you met her and I don't mean since she came to LME. As a ten year old... I can understand, but as a man?" He shook his head. "No... You should have told her the moment you both suspected and the moment you even considered pursuing her, you should have vowed to keep it together instead of finding comfort elsewhere. You only proved to her that you cannot be trusted. She has enough of those types in her life. She's even withdrawn from Kotonami-san for the same reasons, trust issues."

"I honestly don't know what to do." He sighed deeply.

"I have no idea either. I can't even call your father in on this one because of his last visit and the circumstances that brought the two of them together. She sees the little fiasco of you two as another instance of her being used, yet again. The only people she seems to trust right now is Amamiya-san and that young singer from Vie Ghoul, her new agent. Everyone else has been using her, be it as an employer or, otherwise and I honestly can't blame her. She's absolutely right. The people that raised her, did it selfishly to tie their son to them. Kuu did it to get you to communicate with him. I've done it as an employer. Kotonami-san apparently dangles her friendship before her and threatens to end everything if she doesn't tell her, her most inner thoughts. Then there's you... the fictional character that she fell in love with that decided it was wise to protect her from himself by sleeping with other women and then confessing his love to her under false pretenses. If you have any ideas... I'm all ears, because believe me when I say it... I have none. I honestly don't know what to do." Lory finished in despair. He had never felt so helpless and lost when it came to things like this.

MIDDLE OF DECEMBER:

He lay quietly in the bed that they were sharing in his LA apartment, watching her sleep and gently brushing the silent tears caused by her dreams. He sighed painfully. "I can't let you keep doing this to yourself Akazukin-chan." He whispered. "It's tearing you up inside. You weren't made for something like what we have." He kissed her temple gently and wrapped her in his arms.

"Kuon..." She whispered in her sleep.
He chuckled wryly. "I'm pretty sure I wasn't made for this either." He whispered before dozing back to sleep with pain in his heart and a tear escaping.

"So, what do I have for today?" She asked as she brought out their breakfast and he kissed her temple.

"Hmm, Well you have that meeting with the owner of Secrets. She wants you to be their print model for their new line and then you have the rest of the day to yourself. I have a meeting, so just call Miroku and he'll pick you up when you're finished." He said casually. Starting now, he was going to have to ween himself off of her and try to make their relationship strictly business.

The tall green-eyed blonde greeted her as she was brought to the table at the little café. "Hi, it's so nice to finally meet you Kyoko." She held out her hand and gently took Kyoko's. "My name is Juli Hizuri, but I would prefer that you call me Juli."

Kyoko was stunned and very uneasy about this meeting now. She nodded and took a seat.

Julie smiled softly. "Kyoko... Please don't be angry with me or, dislike me because of my son or, my husband. What was done was despicable and if you decided to never speak to either them or, me... I would understand completely. I didn't ask to meet you because of the situation with them. I truly wanted to meet you and invite you to be one of my models. I was impressed by your dramas and videos. I won't be offended or, upset if you decide to decline the offer." Juli told her sadly. She knew about Kuu's meeting Kuon and the how of it, but she didn't know anything about the situation with Kuon. Certainly she had heard rumors in the modeling world, but there were always rumors surrounding good looking men, so she thought nothing of it when they came her way.

He didn't know what to think when Yukihito handed him his phone and told him it was one of the most important phone calls he would ever take.

"Kuon..." The vaguely familiar male voice spoke his name.

"Who is this?" He asked with a bit of anger shining through.

"You needn't worry, she hasn't told me anything... She can't be like this anymore. You need to tell her the truth. You need to tell her everything. It's the only way you will ever be able to have her. She's breaking apart and I'm not enough to keep her together... She doesn't love me." Reino told him with sincerity.

"What's in it for you?" He was a bit wary of this conversation.

Reino sighed. "Her happiness. Nothing more... Nothing less." CLICK...

He swallowed the hard lump in his throat and wiped his eyes. He wasn't expecting a call from that one telling him that. He took in a deep breath to clear his mind and nodded. "Yeah... I suppose he's right. It's the only thing I haven't done. Be completely honest with her. I just hope she can forgive me for the man I really am."

Kuon exited his dressing room with his phone in his pocket and gave his manager a serious look. "Yukihito... I need you to find me two weeks as soon as possible."

Yukihito furrowed his brow and pulled out his planner. "Will starting next week be okay?"

Kuon sighed. "I suppose, if that's the soonest you can get for me."

Yashiro nodded. "I'll try to get you something sooner. I'll let you know, just give me a little time."

Kuon nodded. "Thank you."

Juli held the sobbing female in her arms tightly, greatly disliking her son and husband at the moment. "Oh Sweetie, I am so sorry. Men are such idiots. Don't you shed another tear, everything will work itself out, you'll see. I promise." She sat her up and gave her a hankie to wipe the tears away. "Come, let's go back to my office. I've got the best makeup artist and a couple of pints of the most delicious ice cream to share with you. I can't let you be seen like this, especially since you are the lead actress for Bloodline and quite possibly my new model? It wouldn't do to see you like this." She told her, holding out her hand to her.

"Thank you Mom." Kyoko sniffled and grabbed her purse.

Julie smiled softly as they sat in her limo and she wrapped her comfortingly in her arms. This girl needs a mother and Kuon doesn't. If he's going to continue to be a man-whore, then he isn't going to get my daughter... Juli hugged her tightly.

"Ren? What is this?" Yashiro showed him the email he had just received from Reino with an attachment of all of Kyoko's scheduling and a promise to send a courier with her contracts.

"I think he believes that you would be the better manager for her?" Did Reino really think that what he had told him would actually work? A small kernel of hope bloomed in his heart. Would she really forgive him?

"I thought he loved her." Yashiro thought out loud.

Kuon's brow furrowed and he nodded and sighed. "He does..."

"But..." Yashiro started and Kuon shook his head.

"Let's not discuss this. I have something I need to tell you about myself before you give me that two weeks. Do you have some time tonight after our last appearance?" He asked nervously.

"Sure... We can pick something up and eat at my place." Yashiro told him wondering what was this important.

This is going to be such a long night. Kuon groaned inwardly, but it was the first step towards getting back to Kyoko and making up for everything that had happened.