Chapter 4: Chapter 4 The Ugly Truth

Date Posted: May 21 2012

DISCLAIMER:I own my computer, Huiler and my earphones,Gerfturd (LOL)..Good thing I don't Own Gakuen Alice... I would have given it a weirder name... XD

Expect the Unexpected

"You're late, Mikan.", a no-nonsense voice said.

Mikan visibly tensed. It was a fact known by everyone that she and whoever owned the voice, never got along well. "Misaki Harada, what are you doing here?", she said carefully. Suspicion creeping in her words. The redhead only visits when she wants something.

"Nice to meet you, too. I see you've already met Mr. Hyuuga. The board of directors are planning on merging Sakura Model Inc. with his-"

Before she got to finish what she was about to say, Mikan interrupted, "What? Your making no sense Misaki. This is mine. I rebuilt it from the dust- when you all abandoned it. Board of Directors? Who the hell are those?"

"Your mom, me and-", she was interrupted again by the fuming brunette, but Misaki looked unfazed.

"No! You don't get the point. There are no Board of Directors at all. We," she gestured around the room, "are the only employees around here. I don't remember appointing anyone to be those things."

The red head raised her eyebrow and countered, "Have you forgotten that your mother still owns this agency in paper? She was the one to really build this place up."

"This is incredulous. You are incredulous. Grandpa built this, she only helped. She abandoned it when everything became bad. Like you did. You were always running behind her. Always following her. When will you ever get your own head?", Mikan snapped. Misaki's eyes widened and her jaw dropped, her professional look completely forgotten.

"As much as I enjoy your bickering, and am expecting a pretty catfight, I don't think we have time to waste here.", Yuu Tobita looked at them disapprovingly. He had been her partner in the business and somewhat the voice of reason, too. "Mikan, can I speak to you alone?"

Yuu stood up and the said girl followed him, but not after glaring at Misaki, who went back to being formal. They walked towards Mikan's office which was adjoined with the meeting room and locked the door behind them.

"I don't think it's a bad idea, Mikan."

Mikan fiddled with her hands. Of course she knows that.

The agency was doing well but it's clear that they needed help. It's just been over a year since SMI (Sakura Models Inc.) reached bottom rock and she's fighting really hard to save it. It was the only thing that her grandfather- who died when she was still in high school- left them so when Yuka, her mother, decided to bail out because of bankruptcy, she decided to step in as the new Boss.

But she also happened to know that this is one of her mother's antics to get her hands on the business again. Or is it? She barely meets up with her so she doesn't know what to think of her actions anymore. They were never close from the beginning as her grandfather was the one who raised her.

"If we accept the offer, we will have more contacts, more funds and they will have experienced models on their side as well. It's a win-win situation.", Yuu continued.

"Do you even know that Hyuuga? What does he do for business? I've been around long enough the modeling world and I've never heard that name.", the brunette looked up at her friend. Yuu didn't know what happened between her and the red eyed man at Hotaru's engagement party. But she knew that it was a trivial matter compared to this.

"I do know him. He owns a pig farm in the countryside and- Okay. I'm joking.", he raised his tanned hands as a sign of peace, and continued, "You haven't heard of him ,probably, because he's new. Red is a new agency. Should we merge with them, it will be like getting a new partner and we will rid ourselves of a potential competition. Win-win.", he repeated and he knows that he's really close to making Mikan agree with him.

"If we accept the offer, we will have to be careful not to lose control from both my mom and Hyuuga. Also we get to keep the name.",Mikan resignedly muttered.

X(NEXT)X

"I don't like that.", Natsume interjected. Mikan and Yuu were back in the meeting room. They were discussing the conditions of the merge and he clearly wants the name to be changed.

"At least make it Red Sakura Models or something.", Koko was obviously one of the few who thought this was a good news.

Natsume seemed to consider it and nodded. "That one's pretty good Koko. What do you think Ms. Harada?"

"Aren't you suppose to ask me?", Mikan answered instead, "Anyway, I think it's okay as long as the Sakura Model Inc. is included.", she stood up and looked at Natsume tiredly, "We'll meet again to talk about this. Please leave your number to my secretary and I'll call you within this week. You're free to leave."

Natsume stood up and straightened his business suit. For a moment, Mikan thought he will leave. Instead he headed to Mikan's office and sent her a 'We need to talk' look then opened the door.

Before the brunette can protest, the red eyed man was already inside her office. She begrudgingly followed him and as soon as she closed the door behind her, she gestured to the seat in front of her table and sat across him.

His scent filled the room and Mikan had to confess, it was a pleasant smell. She mentally slapped herself. She shouldn't think about those things. She was better than that. She might have agreed to the 'merging' but it doesn't mean she needs to like him.

"Don't you want to ask something?", Natsume raised one of his eyebrow at her, effectively drawing her out from her thoughts.

Because she can't she raise an eyebrow, she raised two, "Why should I?"

"Why are you so stubborn?", he questioned and shook his head slowly.

She reached for the newspaper in her table and pretended to read before she said, "Am I?"

"Seriously, Mikan. Just pop the question." , he ran his hands on his midnight black hair, frustrated.

"Don't call me by my first name Hyuuga. If you know the question shouldn't you just move on and answer it already?", Mikan whisper-shouted at him and slammed the newspaper back in the table.

"I want to hear it from you.", he smirked and his eyes shone amusement. Even at the party, Natsume seemed to have a knack of pushing her buttons.

"Is there something funny, Mr. Hyuuga? Is this amusing you?". She needed coffee. Coffee releases endorphins. Endorphin is a stress fighter. Mikan was stressed. She doesn't appreciate people playing with her. She wanted to reach out and pull out his soft hair from his head.

" I don't understand why you're angry with me. The proposal I offered you was a good one. Shouldn't you be thankful as I am?". The smirk never left his lips.

Mikan decided that getting in a fight with your future business partner is never good, so she breathed in deep,"Why do you want my agency?"

"It's because I'm new. In order to anchor myself to the fashion industry, I will need your help to stay afloat.", he answered matter-of-factly. He had on his serious look and the smirk was nowhere to be found.

'He really means business.', Mikan concluded. Mikan understood the logic. But she wanted to ask that among the large number of agencies around, why did he pick SMI. Instead she said, "Why aren't you wearing your wedding ring?"

It's true. His left hand was devoid of all ornaments except for a silver watch."It's not mine. It's not even a wedding ring, it's an engagement ring", he smirked again.

"So you're not married. You're engaged!", Mikan said with a 'Eureka' expression.

"I'm not" , he said simply.

"What? Then what about Aoi?", she raised her two eyebrow and furrowed it, a sign that she was confused.

"Sister."

She's his sister? The hell? So that's why she didn't get angry when we first met. She even looked amused.

"Are you sure?", Mikan asked, in the last attempt to save herself from shame.

If only looks could talk, Natsume's would say, "Well duh". Given that Natsume says duh.

Mikan face-palmed herself and said an inaudible sorry.

"What?I didn't get that.", he seemed to really enjoy Mikan being flustered.

She cleared her throat and looked at the amused guy with her flaming cheeks."This is embarrassing.", she muttered and loudly repeated her previous words, "I said I'm sorry."

Natsume sat still for a moment. Mikan's determined look in her eyes and her flushed cheeks makes her all the more breath-taking. It was his time to clear his throat."Well, now that's all cleared," he stood up, "we should probably end this. This is my card. Call me when your available.". He exited the room and left a red Mikan alone.

Expect the Unexpected

A/N:Sorry. It was late, I was having the Block (Writer's Block) and was unable to write anything readable.

Thanks for reading this. Thanks for the reviewers. I really appreciate it. I really hope you liked this chappie. Even for only a bit.

BTW... I re-posted the first three chapters but I think the change is small so you don't really need to go back and read it. I'l'end it here,then. See you next week.