Kaleido Star and all of its characters belongs to Gonzo and Jun'ichi Sato.
Three years ago, in the Hamilton mansion, a seventeen years-old Layla was training in her fitness room as always. Whenever she has free time, she would train. Right now, the Golden Phoenix, her special figure, needed improving. It needed some heat for the climax, when Juliet jumped to Romeo. But she couldn't figure it. And it frustrated her. They were in mi-august and Romeo and Juliet was due for next month. She made a last jump from the special trapeze a last time before letting herself fall on the filet.
She decided to take a shower while thinking. Why couldn't she do it perfectly? How could she make her father come to the spectacle if it wasn't?
When she enter in her room wearing her bath-robe, Macquarie was there doing some cleaning. "Oh, I'm sorry Miss Layla. I thought I would have finished before you end your shower." The maid looked carefully at Layla who was drying her hair with a towel. "Usually it takes a little more time after your training." Worry could been seen in Macquarie's eyes. Her mistress seemed so tense that it made her afraid for the first time in forever."Can I do something for you mistress?" She asked in a low tone.
Layla looked annoyed at her maid inquiry at first. Macquarie never protested or criticized any of her work. But she could use her help for other thing. "Maybe you could do my hair." She proposed while sitting on her bed.
"Yes, mistress." The maid put down her vacuum cleaner and joined Layla on her bed who gave her the towel.
Macquarie slowly dry her hair tips. Now that she was closer, she could see how frustrated her mistress was. She wanted to help her but all she knew was housework. "Is there anything else I can do to help?" She asked after brushing her hair.
Usually Layla would try to keep her composure in any circumstances but she was too desperate to care. And she knew Macquarie wouldn't mind and keep secret her weak moments. But she was still unsure. Did she have to go through this to understand Juliet's feelings? She scratched her head looking for words to explain her troubles. "Hmm..." It really was too hard for her to ask for help. But did she have any other solution? She tried romcom and romance novel but nothing could help understand love. She took a deep breathe and exposed her problem to an understanding Macquarie.
Reflecting on her solutions, Macquarie bit her lips still hesitating. "Maybe I can help about the lover thing."
Layla stared at her skeptically, waiting for an explanation.
"Perhaps you could experience it to gain more understanding of Juliet's desperation?" Macquarie saw Layla's skepticism was now mixed with interrogation. So she added "What I mean is that dating someone for a little time may help you to understand the expectation of a relationship." Against all her beliefs she noticed her mistress was actually thinking about her proposition.
"Well, I won't lose anything by trying." A pensive Layla replied. Then she looked closely at her maid in her usual professional outfit. "Change your clothes. We're going to the movie theater."
"Wait! Wait! Me! Are you sure?!" Macquarie was totally astonished. She only wanted to be useful to her mistress. She never actually hoped to be her date. She didn't know Layla's sexual preferences but she knew the Hamilton mansion would never allowed a love interest outside of a healthy family. A man of course. Layla knew that too. As the only heir. It was just an experiment for her. Nothing serious.
But Layla was resolved and already started to take off her bathsuit with no shame, habituated to change in front of her maid.
The said maid, who would usually help her with care and professionalism, was not in any state for that and quickly left the room. "I-I'll join you downstairs!"
The date was quite classic for teenagers. During the movie, a romcom, Layla was more interested in the couples' behaviors and tried to micmic them. Macquarie couldn't have been more happy. Especially when Layla put her arm on her shoulders and smile at her her. After what they went to a coffee shop holding hands. They talk about Macquarie's family as a conversation. Layla didn't like talking about hers. And the subject of the kaleido stage was also out of question.
When it ended Macquarie tried to hide her sadness. Layla didn't seem to notice anything. They were now in front of Macquarie's house. Layla thought it will be more authentic this way.
"Well..." Layla was a little annoyed. Now she didn't have couples to observe and didn't know what to do. Then she thought about the movie and started to lean towards Macquarie til their head where closer.
Macquarie couldn't believe what was happening. She was dreaming for sure. This couldn't be true. And then it happened. Layla's lips were smooths and firms at the same time. The kiss only lasted for a second but she would remember it til her last breathe. And then the tears started to flow. She couldn't help it. She was overwhelmed by joy.
"Wait-Why are you crying? Was it so bad?" Layla was lost. Things didn't end like in the movie.
"No. It's all the contrary. I'm happy, Miss Layla. I'm really happy!" Macquarie dried her tears hastily. "I'm sorry. You did nothing wrong. It just- It just that it was my first kiss." Macquarie confessed looking away.
If she didn't care about her reputation Layla would have swear some bad words in front of Macquarie's door. Why didn't she thought about that little detail? Actually it was her first kiss too but she didn't take it at heart like her maid. "Is there anything I can do to amend? I didn't thought about it. Maybe a raise could help?" She suggested.
Macquarie finally looked up to Layla. Of course, Layla didn't understood at all. For her it was still an experimentation for her play. "That' won't be necessary. I was just overwhelmed." Then she put her hand on the doorknob. "I hoped I did some help. Good night, Miss Layla." And she disappeared behind her door.
"Good night." Replied a lost Layla. "What was the point of that? I'm still at square one!" She joined her family car and ordered her driver to lead her to Yuri's building.
Everyone was still astonished by Mia's revelation.
Jy-Sung on the other hand let exploding his joy. He was right all the time. He couldn't wait to throw it to Vince face. "I knew it! I knew it!" He shouted while jumping everywhere in the common room. He then do the victory sign. "Yeah!"
Sarah was now understanding the whole situation and felt more sorry for intruding in Sora's affairs. "But-but wait. Does that mean that Yuri knew all along but none of us?"
"You can be upset about that but take Sora and Layla in consideration. You're the closet one to Kalos and he is the one who might be the more against their relationship." It wasn't easy for Mia to explained all the lies and cheats to Sora's friends. She remembered how Anna and her where surprised by Sora's revelation the day Layla left for New-York. But she also remembered how she was happy showing them some pictures of theirs few dates. "But I'm convinced Layla is the one for Sora the same way you loved Kalos all these years."
Sarah's upset expression changed to a light smile. "Now that I know the truth, it hard to not acknowledge it. Everything is clear now." She glanced at everyone in the room. Rosetta still seemed upset while Jy-Sung and Marrion where betting on who would talk to Vince first.
Mia coughed a little to gain some attention. "I hoped all of you understood why we have to keep their secret til we find another solution." It was an affirmation to be sure that everyone would stay silent.
"Count on us!" Shouted Jy-Sung and Marrion at the same time before laughing.
"Even under torture, Kalos won't know anything. I don't agree with him about that. But I'll torture Yuri for lying since I can't with Sora. Hahaha!" Sarah added with en evil smile.
Then, all eyes turned towards Rosetta who stay silent the whole time sitting in a chair looking downside. She lifted her eyes when she sensed everyone's stare and glared at them for a while before speaking. "I won't say anything but I don't like it!" She stood up abruptly. "Not at all! That's not fair!" She cried a last time before opening the glass door unceremoniously and run to the beach.
"Why is she reacting like that?" Asked a bewildered Marrion.
Why? Sarah and Jy-Sung were thinking the same thing.
"Let's hope that after some time she will accept it." Mia was too tired too think over it. She knew Rosetta won't betray Sora. She then also left the room asking her audience to leave Sora alone til her return. She needed those days with Layla to get better.
After her departure, Sarah, Jy-Sung and Marrion stayed to talk about the real couple.
"Actually I'm quite surprised about M. Hamilton's reaction, aren't you?" Jay wondered. He may have been first happy but now he was quite intrigued.
"Maybe it's good sign for Sora's parents?" Marrion suggested. She was sitting, her elbows loosely put on the table in front of her playing with her hairpin.
"I wouldn't bet on it sweetie." The Korean boy warned. "Japan may a little be more tolerant than South Korea about homosexuality but they're far way from the U.S. And it's not the most welcoming country in the west world either. So I let you guess their reaction."
"I don't understand! Why couldn't they just be happy for Sora?" She asked with a constricted face.
Jy-Sung and Sarah looked at each other searching for an explanation. One that that wouldn't be too harsh about human nature when Vince finally returned to save them.
"What did I miss?" Vince questioned with his usually cheerful smile closing the glass door.
Yet, Jay sensed something was off. "It seems that it wasn't easy for you?"
"Pff." He sighed heavily. "He tried to convinced me all the way why he was the one for Sora." He then sat on a chair and versed himself some water he drank. "Wouah. I was thirsty!" He smiled again to Marrion and tap her head before continuing. "I responded him you couldn't convince or resonate people about love. That it's there or not. And that clearly she didn't feel the same about him." He drank another glass. "Well, I should have follow my own advice since he didn't listen. I wish Sora would be more demonstrative with Léon. That way maybe he would stop to hope for the impossible." The black man finished glancing at his friends. "So what was the news?"
For the second time, Jy-Sung and Sarah looked at each other and said at the same time. "We can definitely not say anything to Ken!"
"Say what?" Asked and intrigued Vince.
"I'll say it! I'll say it! I won the bet!" Marrion was too happy about sharing the news.
When she finished, Vince did all his best to not throw a glance at his comrade. He could sensed his gleeful smile and hear his jubilation about being right. "I'm happy for Sora. Really."
"But…?" Sarah asked.
Instead of answering her, Vince finally looked at his Jy-Sung. "Ok Jay, you were right and I was wrong. Can we put it behind us! The situation is quite serious!" He yelled a little exasperated for the first since a long time.
Everyone step back not used to an upset Vince. The guy was usually all smile. But now he seemed to bear all the responsibilities of the world. "I frankly don't think the situation could be worse!". He scratched his head searching for words and stared at his audience. "Ken is not just in love with Sora, he thinks she is the one and that his time will come once she will understand Léon was a mistake."
"But he'll know he's wrong once we tell him about Layla. He can't be that delusional?" Jy-Sung retorted with a skeptical tone.
"I'm not sure about it. Actually his reaction might be worse. And after that forceful kiss, I won't bet anything about him." Vince seemed really afraid of his old friend actions.
"Well, then I guess we make sure he stay in the dark til Sora decided otherwise." Sarah proposed.
"Yeah." Everyone answered in a fatalistic tone.
The same day at New-Work, Layla was observing a still sleeping Sora in her bed. The trip and the sunday's night events tired the girl. But the sight of her half-naked girlfriend was a slowly torture for the blond woman. Her body still remembered their make-out session from earlier. And her desire didn't faded. She started to trace Sora's upper body with her tips fingers. Lightly, slowly, from the small of her back to her shoulders. But she stopped when Sora started to shiver. She placed a tender kiss on Sora's hips and get out of the bed before loosing any control over herself.
Léon was sitting in the living room watching some talk show about families troubles. Layla had nothing better to do so she joined him and listen the story of a woman who had a child with her son's best friend. And of course, the guy was still a student and couldn't help her financially since her husband left her after the cheating. "Stop crying. You look for your troubles." An annoyed Layla stated.
"I don't know. It seemed they fall hardly in love." Léon retorted with more compassion.
"Does it matter? Is it a society concern? I don't think so. They should assume and not complain on TV!" She sighed to show her exasperation above the situation but other things seemed to trouble her. She glanced a few time at the entrance door as if she was waiting for someone.
Léon noticed it. But he also notice someone was missing. "Where is your maid? No, pardon, ex-maid. I forgot her name."
Layla face become pale for a moment. Then she sighed as if all the troubles of the world were put on her shoulders. "Away from me. I-"
The French man was intrigued and he also understood that something bad might have happened. Something Layla had difficulties to talk about but still wanted to. He didn't say a word and just wait for Layla's words.
So she went on. "It was on saturday's night. Right after the show. It was quite a success. So Cathy suggest a night out at a bar." She closed her eyes during most of her speech and opened them only to take glances at her bedroom. She didn't want Sora to hear about it by accident. She would tell her face to face. "When we get back I guess we were a little drunk. No...I still knew what to do or more precisely what to not do." She sighed a little harder this time. "But Macquarie seemed totally wasted. So I helped her to get to her bed. That's when I heard her." This time Layla opened her eyes fully and stared at Léon. "Why Layla, why are you so cruel with me?". The blond woman get up abruptly because of her frustration and started to raise her voice. "To this day I still don't understand what I did to her! And she refused to talk hiding at Cathy's! What- Sora? When did you-?"
The said girl was leaning against Layla's door with one of her girlfriend's shirt. If she wasn't still upset they would already get back at her bed. Apparently Sora just woke up. She still seemed sleepy and was rubbing her eyes. "Why did you shout?" She asked still confused.
Layla gave a menacing glare at Léon as a warning. A warning he totally understood. Then she quickly joined her girlfriend. "I'm sorry I wake you up. Don't worry about it. Wanna eat something?" She led them to the kitchen on the right and sat her on a stool. After that she get behind the bar in front of Sora and put her hands on it. "Is there something I can cook for you?" Sora's smile wiped all her frustration from earlier. And it was contagious. Yeah. That's all she needed. All she wanted. The rest didn't matter. She made her choice.
"I want a date." Sora answered still smiling. Elbows on the bar, her hands holding her chin.
Layla couldn't help a smile. "As you wish."
"Erm...I'd like a date too. Please! I mean I like that flat and the view but-" Léon hesitated to finish his sentence as Sora's face became more threatening.
Layla noticed the change in his tone. "Your presence will attract too much fans and paparazzi. But if you need a guide, I'm sure Charlotte and Julie will gladly help."
"Who?"
"They used to work for the Kaleido stage before joining Layla in New-Work. They were-" Sora made a pause and look at Layla thinking about her words.
"A little pests. You can say it." Layla completed with a smile and turned to Léon. "Should I call them or not?"
"Well, it's better than nothing I guess." He answered, helplessly.
The blond woman came closer to her girlfriend and hold her from behind. "So where do you want to go?" She whispered in her ears.
The slight breathe made Sora tremble. She loved this closeness. "Shopping, tourism and a walk in a park!" She asked cheerfully while stroking her girlfriend's arms.
Layla tighten her embrace and smile. "And when do we eat?"
For the good of Layla's stomach they started their date in a french restaurant. It might have been a little too fancy but Layla chose it for it private rooms. Outside the server who took their orders, they were alone and enjoyed it. Sora particularly loved to feed Layla some of her foods and receive the same treatment since they ordered different meals. The atmosphere was light and all fun. She forgot all of her troubles and wanted this bliss feeling to last forever. Seeing Layla laughed so freely and stealing her kisses from times to times was a blast. Why couldn't it always be like this?
That thought didn't left Sora's mind all the afternoon. Wherever they went. The museum they visit was interesting but both of them tried hard to not fall asleep because of their heavy meals they were still digesting. So they shortened the visit and took a tour toward the statue of liberty. They took a lot of pictures with each other and some fans who recognized them. Which why they decided to stop their tour and do some shopping. And it could have been uneventful if Sora hadn't escape for ten whole minutes.
They were in a grand avenue and entered in shops randomly til Layla noticed Sora wasn't in the perfumery anymore. And she didn't answer her calls either. Layla was starting to get worried and hesitated to ask help from the security guard. The last thing she wanted was some attention from the staff. She couldn't take the risk of one them to recognize her and share the story on the internet. But she looked everywhere and checked some shops near the perfumery. So despite all the consequences she asked to see the security video using her name and fame. And at least she saw her girlfriend leaving the shop willingly. She call again and this time she heard Sora's voice outside her voice messaging.
"Where the hell are you?!" The woman yelled still inside the perfumery. The staff was astonished. Some of them were fans of Layla' days in the Kaleido stage. Some other of her movies. Some of her plays in Broadway. Some just knew the Hamilton's name threw the hotel chain. But all of them had pictured as a calm and distinguished person unable of getting angry. "Why did you...Nevermind. I'm coming!" She hang up the phone and tried to calm herself when she notice the look of the people.
She sure did loose her control. The situation was almost funny. She apologized for her behavior and bought something knowing it won't be enough to stop the rumors before leaving for good. She crossed the road which she didn't thought of doing when she was searching for Sora. And she found herself in front of a Victoria's secret boutique. "What..." She interrupted herself when she saw quitting the place with a bag she tried to hide. And then she laughed for good. "Is that for me?" She questioned while trying to catch the bag.
Sora on the other hand didn't want to laugh. She noticed the shop while staring at perfume at the other side of the road. She thought she could be quick and make a surprise to Layla. She wanted to be a little more sexy in her bedroom. But now the woman was laughing at her. "You ruin it!" She yelled throwing the bad at Layla.
The blond woman caught it and run after a pressed Sora. "Sora stop! Please I wasn't laughing at you. Hmpf!" She started to be annoyed by the whole situation and didn't want to attract people's attention but she didn't have a choice. She finally caught up the girl and stopped her progression by holding her from behind. "Do you have any idea of all the risks I took today to find you?!"
Sora almost forgot she was upset reflecting about their situation. She could see their bodies being intertwined trough a glass door. In New-York center with hundred of witnesses. "I-I'm sorry."
Layla sighed and tightened their embrace. "Don't ever leave me like that. Never. I thought someone took you from me. I really was going crazy. Please." Please. She's not used to use the word. Not that way. And yet she was using it for a second time. When did she became so attached to this girl? When did her world became hers?
Sora's tears started to flow. She really was stupid. "I'm so sorry. I just to surprise you."
"Yeah. I know. And I wasn't laughing at you but to myself. I'm sure you'll look sexy in whatever you choose." She turned Sora toward her and stared at her for a moment making the girl a little uncomfortable.
"Layla. People are looking at us." They weren't the center of the attention but some people stopped getting interested in their conversations or drinks.
The American woman then decided to call a taxi but still held Sora's hand. As if she was afraid of loosing her again.
Inside the cab, Layla told him to send them to central park. Sora was happy. She feared to have ended their date prematurely. They got closer to each other and Layla whispered to her right ear. "I want to kiss you now and do other things that'll get me in jail."
"Layla!" An embarrassed Sora shouted. While her girlfriend just laughed. Then the cab driver announced their arrival.
They bought some ice-creams and enjoyed the view of swans sitting under a big tree.
"I want every day to be like this one." Sora wished leaning on Layla's shoulder.
"The night is not there yet I still haven't got my surprise." Layla retorted, stroking Sora's leg. "Can I take a look?" She asked looking at the bag.
"No!" Sora answered, taking the Victoria's secret bag from Layla' hands. "No peeking. You have to wait tonight." And she was uncompromising.
But Layla was impatient. She got closer to the girl and caress her thigh. "I won't." She whispered and started to licked Sora's neck. "Let's go home."
Sora just swallowed hard and followed the hand who led her.
Inside the apartment, they didn't even wait to get in bed and begin to get rid of their clothes in the entrance while kissing. Then they fall on the sofa. Layla was above with one hand near Sora's head while the other was exploring her body. She was hungry. More than she thought it could be possible. She wanted to eat the girl beneath her. Then, the blond woman descended through her neck. Slowly. Almost dangerously. Like a predator. She left hickeys as proof of her passage. But her recompenses were Sora' moans, getting louder and louder. It get harder for the girl to not cry. Moreover when Layla opened her shirt and loosened her bra to licked her breasts. "Don't hold your voice. No one is here. No one will hear but me. And I want to listen to your cute voice." Layla whispered to her ear before attacking her stomach. Getting lower and lower. Then she teared the last piece of clothes that annoyed her.
When she kissed her lower parts, Sora's body tremble while she hide her face from embarrassment. She was naked on her back, her legs above Layla' shoulders who was now licking more deeply. And pleasure replaced embarrassment. The hands that were on her face were now on Layla's head asking to trust her tongue deeper. And then it happened. Her first orgasm. And she cried, loudly, til she lost her breath. She was taking her breath when Layla stared at her with a satisfied grin. "We're just starting." Then she get rid of her own bra and was now topless. "Tomorrow you wont be able to walk." She said with hushed tone. They hands were interlaced while kissing. And for the first Sora could feel the other woman skin on her. And she loved the sensation. It was like being at home. Layla's body was warm and reassuring.
Then Layla stopped and stared at Sora for some time. "Did I do something wrong?" The Japanese girl worried. The blond woman looked down and up quickly before talking. "No. I just need to control myself or I'll hurt you." Sora was lost until Layla's hand started to wander under her abdomen. And then she understood. So she wasn't afraid. The first time was suppose to hurt. What could she do? And she trusted Layla. Yet a little apprehension came to her when the woman slowly introduced a finger. She let the girl getting used before playing a little. But the second finger was a little harder to take. And pain began. She was too tense. So Layla whispered sweet words to her ear. "Trust me. Don't stress. Spread your leg a little more. And look at me." She was holding the woman with all of her strength and kissed her to ease the pain when her hymen broke. Layla waited a moment before moving again at little pace.
She didn't say anything about the girl' nails digging deeply on her back. That was nothing.
She continued by licking her neck, descending step by step to her breast. And the desire slowly regained Sora who started to forget the pain of her first time. After a little time, Sora' hips began to move. That when Layla knew she could accelerate the movements of her fingers following the girl's pace. Faster, stronger, further. Until the release. This time Sora's body arched while her voice reached a high tone.
She was still trying to breathe when Layla kissed her forehead with an expression of tenderness. "Thank you."
Sora smile back and tightened their hold while Layla rested her head on her chest. And they both fall asleep within minutes.
They didn't hear the door being opened. They didn't feel the stare of an upset person. They didn't hear the closing of the door. Nor did they hear someone braked a car suddenly trying to avoid hitting another person hopelessly.
Hi, everyone! Missed me? ^^
I apologized again for being late. I wanting to post it in may but a pain in my right hand prevent it. After avoiding my computer I finally noticed that writing more made it less painful. So here I am posting a chapter at three in the morning.
See you next time for "Sadness" and "Family part 1".