STILL YOURS
CHAPTER 6
Disclaimer: It's 2017, and it's still a no.
A/N: Hi, guys, I'm back after a super long hiatus! I reread this story and thought it would be a complete waste not continue and with you all starting to love it. Thank you for reminding me how good it feels to write, I can't believe that 2015 me could create something like this, this one's for all of you.
"…Here's to us." Mikan says with a smile. She hasn't told anyone about the concept or the real meaning of her upcoming show, but it seemed like a good idea to tell everyone why it is what it is.
"Wow, Mikan, I'm sure just like your past shows, this one will be successful as well." Reika gleams at her. "If you're looking for another model, I'm available." She giggles.
"Thanks for reminding me, Reika, we're actually holding up castings for aspiring models next week, please contact my team for more information about that."
"Now that we're on the subject, Mikan, I heard that Luna Koizumi would love to work with you. Is that fine with you considering that you have a past with her now rumored boyfriend, Mr. Natsume Hyuuga?" Reika was leaning in, wanting some juicy details to spill, but Mikan, being Mikan, gave her a gentle smile.
"Like I said in one of my previous interviews, I'm not familiar with Luna Koizumi and her work, but if she wishes to work with me, then she should come to the casting." She paused for a while, and then continued, "As for the rumor of her being with Natsume Hyuuga, I honestly have nothing against their budding relationship. I'm happy for the both of them."
"Thank you for your time, Mikan," Reika smiles at her and then faces the camera, "But I'm afraid that that's all the time we have today. Once again, this is Reika Li, signing off."
"And cut!" the director signaled, "Great job everyone, that's a wrap!"
Hotaru walked towards Mikan who was talking to Reika about the details of the casting. "Let's go, Mikan, you still have a few more appointments before we're done for the day."
Mikan bowed to everyone, thanking them for their hard work. She turned to her amethyst eyed best friend who was walking silently beside her, "What's wrong, Hotaru?"
Before Hotaru could answer, a smiling Sumire approached them and tackled them with a tight hug. "I've missed you both!"
"We've missed you too, Sumire," Mikan says as she successfully got out of Sumire's hold, "where are the others? And how did you know we'd be here?"
"Actually, Ruka asked me to come." Sumire said with a smile, "He wants to get the gang back together."
Mikan looked at Hotaru checking to see if she knew what her boyfriend was up to, but lo and behold stood beside her was a clueless Hotaru Imai, which was a first. And if Ruka new better, he would know that Hotaru hates surprises.
"That sounds like fun," Mikan cheered, "I've missed everyone and I can't wait to see them again."
Hotaru fixed her posture and turned to the two girls looking at her, "Yes, that does seem like a good idea. But Mikan and I are running late for her next meeting, so we need to leave now. You can join us if you'd like, Sumire." Hotaru was fazed but dared not show the girls.
"I'd like that Hotaru, but I'm afraid I still have some work to attend to, I just came to tell you both." Sumire told the amethyst eyed girl, "I'll just see you both later. I'll text you the details."
Hotaru nodded and started to walk away from the two girls who were eyeing her every step as she walked further away from them.
"Do you know what's Ruka's planning, Sumire?" Mikan asked, still not taking her eyes off her best friend's retreating figure.
Sumire turned to the brunette, "Not a clue, Mikan. But Natsume's going to be there, too, you know." She put her hand on the brunette's shoulder, "Are you going to be okay with him being there?"
"I'll be fine, Permy. I've moved on, and so did he." Mikan smiled at her green haired friend, "Anyways, I have to go, Hotaru's waiting for me. I'll just see you later, okay?"
They waved each other goodbye and had one last hug before Mikan went on to find Hotaru.
As Mikan exited the building, she saw their ride waiting for her. The windows of the limo rolled down and revealed her already annoyed best friend, "Hurry and get in already, baka."
Before she could get in, the caught a pair of crimson eyes on the other side of the street. When she blinked and looked again, they were gone. "Huh, weird," Mikan thought.
As the limo started to drive away, Mikan looked at her stoic best friend who was busy checking her emails. She knew Hotaru didn't want to be disturbed when she was working, so she just looked outside her window, and let out a deep sigh. Today's going to be a long day.
They arrived at their next destination which was a tall building, almost like a skyscraper.
Imai Corp.
"What are we doing here Hotaru?" Mikan asked, gaping at the skyscraper in front of them.
"You're meetings will be held here for the mean time," Hotaru told the brunette, "Before they finish building House of Yukihara."
Mikan turned to look at Hotaru, but her amethyst eyed best friend was already walking inside the building and Mikan simply followed suit. As they entered Imai Corp., everyone bowed down to Hotaru as she walked passed them. Mikan didn't know that Imai Corp. already had branched to Japan.
"But, Hotaru, why do we need to branch House of Yukihara here?" Mikan asks, as she tried to catch up to Hotaru who was now entering the elevator. "We aren't even staying here long; I won't be able to manage it."
As the elevator doors were closing, Hotaru turned to Mikan, "We'll be staying here for a few months, Mikan. You need a place to work; you need House of Yukihara here."
Mikan remained silent, and just nodded at her best friend's plan.
"Besides, it will give you an excuse to come back here." Hotaru smirks as she took out her iPhone from her handbag.
Mikan shrugged off Hotaru's comment and decided to change the subject, "I can't wait to see everyone again; I wonder what changed during the time we were gone."
"Obviously Natsume's girlfriend," replied Hotaru; walking past the brunette as she exited the elevator. Mikan raised a brow at her way, following her best friend to her office. "From the information I've gathered, she's one of Sumire's models. And if I know Permy, she won't pick someone ugly."
"You've researched about Natsume's new girlfriend?" the brunette asked as they finally reached Hotaru's new office.
"Everyone's been asking you about her, might as well know her background, and know why she's been the talk of the town." Hotaru simply said. "Her name is Luna Koizumi; she's been modeling for about 4 years now. She and Natsume met 3 years ago, a few months before we left for New York."
"Ah, 4 years in the business and she's that famous already?"
"All thanks to Natsume, of course." Hotaru continued, "Before they met, and became known, she's received bad reviews on her modeling. She's been known to be unprofessional during photo shoots and runways."
"What does that have to do with Natsume?" the brunette asks, eyeing her best friend who walked to her desk.
"Well, as you know, Natsume is one of the most sought out bachelor in Japan, and with his influence and power, he could make anyone do as he please." Hotaru began to roam around her spacious office and watched Mikan as she sat on the purple couch across the room. "In other words, Luna Koizumi used Natsume's influence to get her into castings and that's how she became known."
"That doesn't completely explain why she would want to work with me," Mikan says as she searched for her phone in her bag.
"Because you're Mikan Sakura Yukihara; you're one of the most famous designers, anyone would want to work with you," Hotaru says and sat beside Mikan, "Also, I think that Luna Koizumi is trying to prove that she's the best model in town."
"Well, we'll have to see about that." Mikan simply says.
As Hotaru's secretary walked in signaling them that the meeting's about to start, Mikan's phone vibrated indicating she has a new message. Unlocking her phone to check her text message, her phone suddenly rang. It was just a number not registered in her phonebook.
Before Mikan could answer the call, Hotaru stood up and looked at the brunette, waiting for her to stand up as well.
"Go in ahead, Hotaru, I'll just answer this." Mikan says and smiled at her best friend. Hotaru nodded and followed her secretary out.
"Hello?" the brunette voiced. "Who is this? And how'd you get my number?"
"I have my ways, polka," the mystery caller answered.
"Ah, Natsume," Mikan says, realizing who it was. "I'm quite busy, if you have something to say please say it faster, Hotaru's waiting for me."
"I called to see if you'll be able to make it later," Natsume says through the other line, "And because I've missed your voice."
Mikan couldn't believe what she just heard. The infamous bachelor Natsume Hyuuga actually admitted that he misses her? Never once during the time they were together did Natsume say such words, and hearing him say it now, Mikan didn't know what to do and what to feel.
Frozen in her spot, she didn't know what to say but she couldn't let Natsume know that she's still affected by him and the words he says. So she simply pretended not to hear the last words he said.
"Hotaru and I are busy, but we'll be there."
"Good, I'll see you then, polka," Natsume says before hanging up.
Mikan stared blankly at her phone, still not sure if the words she heard from the man she once loved was even true. After all the things he's done before, she should know by now that Natsume's probably just playing his mind games again.
Hotaru's secretary knocked on Hotaru's glass office doors, getting Mikan's attention. "Miss Yukihara, everyone's waiting for you in the conference room."
"Ah, yes," Mikan says, fixing her posture, "please lead the way."
Mikan followed Hotaru's strawberry blonde secretary out, trying to shrug off what Natsume just told her before she reached the conference room and Hotaru figuring out something's wrong.
As she entered the conference room, everyone greeted her. Her team from New York flew all the way to Japan to help her with her upcoming fashion show. She gleamed at the familiar faces.
"Let's get started, shall we?" the brunette says as she gestured everyone to sit. "So, how are we going to make this year's show memorable?"
"Mikan, here are the designs you've approved to walk on the runway, please review them again before we finalize everything." A blue haired girl, Amanda, approached the brunette, handing her a pink folder full of her designs. "As for the models who will be walking, we'll be holding castings next week as planned. Shouda Modeling Agency offered to help us out."
Mikan reviewed the folder handed to her, and carefully examining every design making sure it's to absolute perfection. "Ah, perfect, how about the venue?"
"We've done most of our shows in House of Yukihara New York, but since House of Yukihara Japan is still being built, we have yet to find the perfect place to your liking." The blue haired girl explained handing Mikan a blue folder, "We've narrowed down some places that we think would work, please review this as well."
"Don't worry about the venue, House of Yukihara Japan will be done soon, I'll make sure of it." Hotaru says approaching Mikan, and taking the blue folder Amanda gave and examining it for herself. "Are there any other concerns?"
Mikan's secretary, Leila, approached them and says, "Excuse me, Miss Mikan, a girl named Luna Koizumi is on the line and wants to speak to you."
The hazel eyed girl looked at her secretary, "Luna Koizumi?"
"Yes, Miss Mikan, I told her that you were busy and not taking any appointments now, but she's insisting to talk to you personally. She says it has something to do with your fashion show."
"She wants a spot in the show, huh?" Hotaru says, looking at Leila, "Tell her we'll be having castings next week. If she wants in, she better prove she's got what it takes."
"Hotaru's right, tell her to wait until next week." Mikan orders, "No exceptions."
"If everything's perfect now, Mikan, we can get started after the castings," Amanda says, "We'll take care of the details."
"Thank you, Amanda," Mikan smiled, and then turned to the rest of her team, "If that's all, then I'll see you all next week at Shouda Modeling Agency."
As they walked out of the conference room, Mikan noticed Leila was receiving a bouquet of red roses and after which her blonde secretary approached her. "These were sent for you, Miss Mikan."
Stunned, Mikan looked at the beautiful flowers, "Who are they from?"
"The man who delivered didn't say, but there's a card," Leila says pointing at a small white card with a letter L embossed in gold.
Mikan took the bouquet and smiled at Leila, "Thank you, please continue doing your work."
Hotaru walked towards Mikan, giving her teasing look. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" She noticed the card tucked carefully between the roses, and grabbed it before Mikan had the chance to, and read the message out loud. "Dearest Mikan, hope you had a safe flight. I'll see you again soon."
Putting the bouquet down, Mikan took the small card from Hotaru and reading it for herself. Hotaru looked at the flowers before advising her hazel eyed companion, "Call him."
Mikan took out her iPhone from her pocket and started to dialing.
One ring.
Two rings.
"Hey, you've reached my voicemail. You know what to do." A husky voice answered followed by a soft beep.
Mikan sighed and ended the call. "He isn't answering. I'll just email him later."
"Sumire just texted, they're all waiting for us at the restaurant." Hotaru says looking down at her phone, "We better go."
Walking towards the elevator, Mikan called Leila asking her to deliver the flowers to her hotel room, which the blonde happily obliged.
As the elevator doors opened, it revealed a tall, slender man in his 20s, with jet black hair, and crimson for eyes, with a smirk plastered on his face as soon as he saw the brunette.
"Hn,"