Steal You Away
Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat!
A/N: Finally got a laptop! Had to find one with Windows 7 for my hubby for work and a good graphics card when I wanna play League of Legends. Hard to find under $500 let me tell you. Also, were traveling around the USA, first stop Texas for 3 months…anywayenjoy this chapter!
Previously...
They arrive at Lory's top floor pent house office to the British Naval Officer outfit in all it's official eminence. Lory stands with his back to the door facing the large window behind his desk his hands folded behind the small of his back in military at ease fashion. Ren rolls his eyes at the man's theatrics but Kyoko looks on both confused and mystified. Lory turns to face the couple and the devilish grin gives him away.
"So my girl, how's your acting?"
Ch. 7
"My...my acting?" Kyoko asks.
"Yes, my dear. I'm afraid we have a leak!" He announces as he changes the channel on one of his many television's which now shows a local TV new's crew showing a clear image of her earlier in the taxi entering the parking garage.
"The world now knows what the woman who stole our Ren's heart looks like." He states a huge smile on his face. Kyoko blushes at his statement and Ren grabs her hand and gives her a small smile.
Lory does not miss this small moment and his eyes light up.
"So back to the problem at hand, I have the perfect woman for the job. Sebastian if you would."
For the first time Kyoko notices a tall man in a very professional outfit standing next to a side door. He slightly bows to Lory as he opens the door. Kyoko smiles at the woman as they lock eyes momentarily before she rushes over to Lory's side a gushes at his outfit of the day.
"Who am I working my magic on today, honey." Jelly asks Lory her arm lacing through his. Kyoko watches the couple a little embarrassed about their closeness but brightens up at the mention of magic. Lory makes a sweeping gesture toward Ren and Kyoko.
"They need disguises, my dear. They're going to fool our entourage at the gates."
"I see." Jelly replies as she examines Kyoko, her hair, facial features and body shape.
"What's the theme for them? A set or separate?" Jelly asks. Lory looks thoughtful for a moment clearly thinking up scenarios.
Husband and wife might scare the young couple into awkwardness, brother and sister would work… foreign maybe. Ren would need a serious disguise to fool the masses, something he's never done before…
Lory glanced at his desk and a magazine caught his eye. It was a darker, Gothic European theme that seemed to be trending. He looked at the two, a role Ren had never played before and not too challenging for the girl. A little risque but do-able.
"I have just the idea..." Lory replies to the small woman.
While Lory fills Jelly in on his vision of the two's disguises they take the time to pull away from the older couple plotting.
Kyoko's hand grips her necklace tightly trying to wake herself from this dream she seems to be in but the cold chain only seems to make the setting more real. 'Is this really not a dream.' She thinks to herself as Ren takes that hand and leads her away softly. When they stop on the other side of the room Ren takes the broken necklace from her fingers white from the pressure. He doesn't miss the pigment change where her necklace was.
"Are you okay, Kyoko...chan?" He tries to say her first name without the honorific but it seems like the wrong time, so he adds it slowly.
Kyoko thinks about his question, only slightly noticing he used her first name.
An old song plays in her head and she smiles slightly remembering the lyrics.
'When all is gone, the only loss
Is to not have loved at every cost
When you can say, and I can say
We loved with every step we take, I'll be ok
How do you love when your heart is broken?
How do you speak when you feel outspoken?
I can forgive and be forgiven
By learning to heal with a heart wide open'
"I'll be okay…it's been a long day so far." Kyoko replies to Ren, smiling at him encouragingly. Ren nods glancing down at the broken clasp at the end of her necklace.
"Let's get this fixed, Ms. Woods should have spare clasps with the multitude of disguise jewelry." Kyoko nods happily. Renewed and ready for some magic.
"Ms. Woods do you have any spare parts for this? It got broken earlier..." Ren asks holding out the necklace. Jelly takes it and inspects the small clasp, nodding.
"Yep, this is an easy fix. Are you two ready, we have your new persona's down." She asks the young couple excitement bubbling up despite her experience.
"Ren you'll come with me." The President says to Ren and continues turning to Kyoko.
"My dear, you flutter off with Jelly and we'll meet back here in..30 minutes. Sound good, my love?" Lory asks the small woman at his side.
"Ooh, this is so exciting!" Jelly exclaims. Leading the two away from each other to their separate dressing rooms.
Kyoko steps seemingly into another world as the door opens. A large mirror surrounded by soft light bulbs and a sitting area completely covered in make-up; with various costumes and woman's apparel filled to the brim in the adjacent closet.
"Wow..." Is all the flustered girl can say her heart caught in her throat. Looking at all the things she's always wished for secretly. Jelly admires the girls expression, silently for a moment.
"How often do you wear make-up Kyoko?" She asks watching her gingerly touch a few of the objects.
Kyoko gets a slight pained look wash over her face, and bitterly smiles a she speaks the words.
"Never, I don't own any of this..." Her eyes tear up, but she rejects the feelings threatening to overwhelm this happy moment.
"I always put his priority above my own when it came to things like this." She continues.
Jelly gently leads her to the wardrobe and replies confidently.
"Then lets change that starting right now!"
After the wardrobe change Jelly kept her from looking at the mirror for the grand finale but her posture told her Kyoko wasn't comfortable in the clothing so as she added the make-up and the wig she probed the beginner about her knowledge of acting.
Other than Shotaro's music video's and what he would watch on TV when he occasionally came home she didn't get the chance to watch much else. Other than the recent Tsuruga starring movies she made time for that was the extent on her acting knowledge. Jelly wondered about this young girls past but didn't ask. However she had seen many of those Sho-chan's music videos and had just what she needed.
"Have you seen his latest music video, Ashes Fall?" Jelly asks. Kyoko nods yes in response.
"The woman actress in that video can you imagine her? The way she walked, her image and how she behaved without having any words?" The question hangs in the air as Kyoko closes her eyes envisioning the woman and the music video.
The music video was dark and edgy. The actress she was talking about was the typical model tall and with no flaws. She walked like a model striding with confidence clinging to Shotaro like a woman claiming her territory.
Kyoko watches the images play slowly, meticulously learning every movement. When she opens her eyes Jelly smiles at her. The look in her eyes more confident and her posture giving none of the old Kyoko away. Jelly swivels the chair for Kyoko to look at herself in the mirror and watches herself surface for a second, surprise and excitement lighting up her face. Now looking the part she was mentally prepared for. Kyoko stands from that magical chair and takes a reassuring deep breath letting it out slowly. Jelly laces her hand through Kyoko's arm resting on her forearm.
"Are you ready...Setsu?"
How'd you like it!? I'm a little nervous since it's been so long. My little boys almost 8 months old now and crawling, what a handful! Please R&R like always! You'll never know how much that's appreciated!