Standard disclaimers apply.
A/N: Thank you very much for all the lovely reviews and feedback for the last chapter. Here's the eleventh chapter of The Third Parties, and I hope you enjoy it!
This chapter is dedicated to my dear friend Rayray, whom I share the passion for fanfiction, Sesshoumaru, labels (bags), fashion and shih tzus with! Thank you so much for helping me with the ladies' wardrobe for this chapter, and I will do my best to describe them well enough to do the pretty dresses justice.
The Third Parties
Chapter 11: The Engagement Dinner
Classical jazz music was swimming languidly in the air as guests gradually arrived through the grand entrances of the banquet hall, filling in their respective seats as the ushers showed them to it. The décor was themed in gold and off-white, lending a touch of elegance and warmth to the atmosphere, especially with the lightings dimmed.
"Well done, my son. You've done a good job with the venue and the theme."
"Thank you, Father." I nodded expressionlessly. It wasn't as if I wanted to look like a block of wood; rather, I could not find the capacity within myself to smile. It was obviously meant to be a very joyous event for the entire family – Father's fruit of labor, Taisho Electronics, was celebrating its thirty-sixth founding anniversary. That was the main theme, but on top of that, it was also Inuyasha and Kikyou's engagement dinner.
It was going to be a fucked-up scenario later on; I could already feel it in my bones.
I've tried to call her after the failed attempt that night, but still, she had refused to pick any of those calls up. It was agonizing, really, when all I wanted to do was to protect her from the impending hurt that was hurtling towards her.
It was only a matter of minutes before she would be here.
Meanwhile, on my right, Kaguya was obviously caught in a very engaging conversation with Izayoi. Izayoi was looking beautiful and elegant in a round collar Chanel jacket, its black and white playing a tasteful contrast and complement respectively to the cream dress she was wearing underneath. She looked every bit the proud mother-in-law to-be as she sat in her seat, eyes shining with pride and indescribable joy.
The two ladies were laughing over something, when Kaguya gently patted Izayoi on the hand and said, "Mrs. Taisho, Sesshoumaru, excuse me while I visit the washroom." My stepmother nodded, and we both watched Kaguya's retreating back as she made her way to the washroom area.
"Miss Tsukihara is a beautiful girl, Sesshoumaru. She's really friendly and endearing too." Izayoi commented, smiling at me.
"She is." I had to agree with that. Kaguya was dressed down for the event in order not to steal Kikyou's limelight, but she looked fantastic nonetheless. Dressed in a simple cherry red Elie Saab cocktail dress, the draped and ruched design of the fabric clung snugly to her svelte bodyline, accentuating her beauty. In fact, she had already taken countless photographs with the Taisho employees and given out autographs and whatsoever not.
As if aware she is being talked about, Kaguya looked over her shoulder and smiled at me. In return, I nodded with a small smile.
"I saw that, Sesshoumaru." Izayoi teased, as Father laughed. She turned to Father. "Aren't they loving, old man?"
"I'd be equally loving too if I had a girlfriend like her! She looks mighty fine, my son!"
That once again got him a deliberate and mock discreet pinch from my stepmother, while Kikyou's father and mother, the Takemotos, laughed.
I continued looking in Kaguya's direction, but as she exited the grand entrance, she walked past the person I knew I would have to face sooner or later.
The jazz music seemed to die in that instant. Time froze.
From where I was, I could see her eyes widen a second after Kaguya walked past. It was only too obvious to me that she recognized Kaguya for who she was, and she wasn't exactly too comfortable with that. Being a professional model, Kaguya was almost four inches taller than she was, and the physical height difference only served to make her petite frame look more forlorn against the vast interior of the banquet hall.
"Ah, isn't that Kagome-chan?" Father noticed her, and waved as one of the ushers led her in the direction to the main table. She returned his smile brightly and waved back, earlier traces of her discomfort at seeing Kaguya disappearing with a carefully erected façade.
Dressed in a modest salmon pink sleeveless cocktail dress with a meshed black lace design at the neckline, she had no idea how she stole my breath away with how fresh and feminine she looked. Having gone easy on the makeup, Kagome accentuated her sweet girlish features with light hints of pink, gloss and pearly shimmer. She looked so beautiful.
Human beings are biased creatures. Kaguya was commercially close to perfection, but she had never ever managed to steal my breath away like Kagome just did with her mere presence.
Speaking of the latter, she looked stunning and prepared for the event, but her eyes betrayed her. Deep down, it was only too obvious that Higurashi Kagome was dying to evade any scrap of attention that she might get from people. Yet Fate had played out in such an unexpected manner.
"Hello, everyone." She greeted politely, taking her seat by my side. Izayoi was looking at us with an unreadable expression, while I noticed how Inuyasha visibly stiffened. Kikyou was lucky to be absent, for she was still getting dolled up by the personal stylist we hired.
I couldn't help but notice how Kagome deliberately acted aloof towards Inuyasha, as if afraid if any trace of warmth and friendliness towards him would give their underground relationship away. She only smiled detachedly at him, and the slight inclination of his head and expressionless face could almost give me a run for my money.
"Hey." I greeted stiffly. My face must have looked dreadfully awful and forced, but there was nothing else I could bring myself to manage. After all, we had not been talking for so long, and the drama that had ensued prior to our groundless animosity towards each other was simply too…well, dramatic.
"Hey." She managed a smile, fiddling nervously with the beaded clutch in her lap. The atmosphere was growing stranger by the moment with the mounting awkwardness, and it did not help that Inuyasha looked as if he was ready to throw up any moment. "How have you been?"
"I've been well, thank you." I answered, staring down at the porcelain plate placed in front of me, before turning to regard her. I could not lie if I looked into her eyes. "You?"
Her face wore a wistful expression at hearing my answer, while those pretty lips of cotton candy parted as if to say something before closing and turning up into a tight smile. She regarded me with softened eyes, before nodding.
"I've been doing well."
"That's nice to hear, Kagome-chan! Look at how beautiful you've become…gone is the plain little girl back in high school." Father interrupted, blissfully unaware of the situation and failing to detect the tension in the air. "It has been a terribly long time since I last met you; I remember you used to pop by for dinner almost twice a week when you were in high school with Inuyasha. Have you been very busy?"
"Well, kind of…yes. Work's pretty hectic sometimes…"
"So are you seeing anyone at the moment, Kagome-chan?" Izayoi asked, while Kagome body visibly stiffened. From my position by her side, I could clearly see how she gripped her clutch so tightly to the extent of her knuckles turning white. Inuyasha's head snapped up at the moment, but instead of concern, all I saw in those amber eyes were guilt. He looked as if he wanted to say something really badly, but those words seemed to die before they could go from his mind to his lips.
No one was doing anything to stop the impending disaster, and we were all hurtling, hurtling at breakneck speed towards the ground. We would all shatter into smithereens, and whether happiness would ever revisit remained a mystery.
"I...I'm kind of seeing someone..." Kagome replied softly, her eyes fixed on Inuyasha the entire time. He regarded her with an apologetic gaze, but as Izayoi looked questioningly at the two of them, he hurriedy broke the eye contact.
"Who might that lucky boy be? We should have sent him an invitation as well. I was just wondering why a lovely girl like you could remain single for so long," My step-mother commented. "After all, I've always believed you would get together with one of my sons."
I could feel Izayoi's eyes on me the next moment. She was undoubtedly trying to read me for any signs, but my expressionless and disinterested face would give nothing away.
Kagome feigned an amused smile which did not reach her eyes. "You flatter me, Mrs. Taisho," She said, before feigning a brighter smile. "Look at the amazing women your sons have chosen; there's no way I could ever match up to Miss Takemoto or Miss Tsukihara in any aspect."
It became really awkward then.
Conversation died with Kagome's self-mocking statement and Izayoi's dilemma as to agree or disagree with her. It was one of the typical awkward cases of dining table politics, and Inuyasha and I were the only ones who knew that the drama was far from over.
"I'm back."
It was Kaguya, and Kagome's eyes widened ever so slightly at hearing Kaguya's voice from behind her. Yet another awkward situation, and I swear, I was getting tired of them.
Standing up, I pulled Kaguya's chair out for her. "Thank you, darling." She smiled sweetly as she sat down. What I failed to notice then was how Kaguya's facial expression changed subtly when she saw Kagome sitting by my side.
"Sesshoumaru, this is…" Kaguya asked politely, inclining her head towards Kagome.
"Ah, allow me to introduce." I shifted back in my seat, so that the two women trapped in my life could get to know each other. One was linked to my heart since forever, while the other was the one who saved my sanity when I thought I could never ever get over the first girl. "This is my…childhood friend, Miss Higurashi Kagome. And Kagome, this is Miss Tsukihara Kaguya, as you might already know."
"Do you know who Kaguya is, Kagome-chan?"
"I've definitely seen Miss Tsukihara on magazine covers and TV shows. Speaking of which, I really enjoyed the Tokyo Girls Collection 2009 runway show. You look…really beautiful there."
The Tokyo Girls Collection was a massive fashion event that took place annually in Tokyo, with high-profile supermodels from across the country parading down the runway in a blend of street and high fashion. Kaguya was, not surprisingly, an annual participant.
"Thank you, Miss Higurashi." Kaguya smiled politely. "I'm glad you enjoyed the show. I personally had a lot of fun doing it."
"I believe I watched it as well! We were one of the sponsors for the event. My wife definitely enjoyed it." Mr. Takemoto, Kikyou's father, said. "Did you attend the event, Sesshoumaru?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." I replied the Takemotos, while Kaguya laughed and leaned over to press herself against me endearingly.
"You're such a sweetheart, Sesshoumaru." She said lovingly.
Kagome remained stonily silent. Her facial expression was alternating between a forced smile and a forlorn face, and as if the situation was not dreadful enough, Kikyou chose to appear.
"I'm sorry for making everyone wait for me."
"Oh no, no, not at all. Kikyou, sweetheart, you look absolutely gorgeous!" Izayoi exclaimed, while Kikyou's parents smiled and beamed. Kagome was staring at Kikyou, her lips parted slightly as she stared. I wondered what was running through her mind, but then again, there would be too many potential answers for me to think about.
Kikyou was dressed in a sleeveless champagne gold gown with an irregular sheer gold chiffon hem at the bottom of the skirt, playing a tasteful and elegant color peek-a-boo with the creamy satin underneath. It complemented her pretty face well – Kikyou's sharp features and slightly aloof yet serious expression went well with the dress. It made her look almost regal and commanded attention.
"Inuyasha, Kikyou is looking so beautiful, isn't she?" Father asked, as Inuyasha just looked at his fiancée soundlessly. "No wonder you're tongue-tied!"
"She always looks beautiful." Inuyasha replied, after everyone burst into laughter. "I would never settle for anything less."
"Do you really mean it?" Kikyou teased, looking at Inuyasha with narrowed eyes.
"Of course I do!" He replied, while everyone laughed again.
Kagome's gaze fell upon her hands in her lap.
And so the fateful night began, when the appointed emcees of the night kicked it off with a very spirited exchange of words and well wishes to Taisho Electronics' future flourishing. There was the usual stuff which I was never too keen on – the giving out of random, quirky awards to popular individuals (which never included me), some powerpoint slideshow of Taisho Electronics' history and successes, some song and dance performances put up by the employees and so on. Food was served in the mean time, neatly arranged on trays in the most exquisite porcelain and lacquered plates and bowls.
"The char grilled abalone with Hokkaido butter looks absolutely amazing. Its rich flavor is complemented by other dishes like stewed mountain vegetables from Yamagata prefecture and this Ise lobster sashimi. Can I know who picked the dinner menu for the night?"
"I did, Mrs. Takemoto." I answered dutifully.
The older lady smiled appreciatively. "What excellent knowledge of traditional culinary tastes you have, young man."
"Now, now, I don't mean to brag, but this son of mine is highly dependable when you need him to get things done." Father added, beaming. "As I always tell my wife, nothing can go wrong with Sesshoumaru around."
"I have to agree with that!" Mr. Takemoto added. "It definitely applies to work as well. You're very lucky to have such a fine young man for a son, my friend."
Every clueless person was happy, or so they seemed to be. Kikyou was laughing with her parents, as her mother fussed over her occasionally and her father commented on how he liked every dish they served. Even Kaguya, who never allowed herself to eat too much greasy foods or carbohydrates, was happily eating away as Izayoi talked to her.
Father was overjoyed as well, for I had done a rather good job with choosing the dinner menu for the night. Food held a high level of significance in such situations; they were not merely meant for filling the stomach. Rather, it showed the Takemotos how sincere the Taisho family was with the display of tasteful generosity.
I felt like a hypocrite, really. We were all waiting to see the train wreck, but even if we had wanted to do something, the train was already moving too fast in our direction. Behind the atmosphere of joy lingering in the air was nothing but gloom and pain.
As some guys from the Kansai region sales department danced on stage dressed as drag queens, I noticed how Kagome was simply eating and not doing anything else. In fact, she was eating as if one would eat alone, with eyes fixed on nothing but the food and head hung low. But it was not as if I could blame her for it; everyone else at the table was in pairs. There were the Takemotos, Father had Izayoi, I had Kaguya, and Inuyasha had Kikyou. She was sticking out like a sore thumb, and had to act as if she was friendly with me, as if the drama had not taken place.
"Oh my, Sesshoumaru, that was hilarious! Did you see the way that guy in pink was dancing?"
I had no idea if Kaguya was talking more than usual simply because of Kagome's presence, but she somehow gave me the feeling she wanted to show everyone that I, Taisho Sesshoumaru, rightfully belonged to her.
I nodded and feigned interest as she went on and on about how she enjoyed the program, while I noted how Kagome was still eating alone silently. I wanted to talk to her, or do anything to make her feel better.
"Kagome."
"Hm?" That did the trick; she finally looked up from the wild yam cream appetizer she was eating.
"How is the food?"
"Good." She replied curtly, and went back to eating. That was her only means of escape for now. It was pretty ironic, really, when Inuyasha was barely touching his food. He was either taking deep breaths as if to calm his nerves or trying to smile as his future parents-in-law engaged him in conversation.
It was then when another round of food was served, and Father was invited by the emcees to go up the stage to give a speech.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I cursed inwardly. The adrenaline was pumping into my blood stream now, and it was the dreadful feeling of how one was about to get caught any moment for doing something wrong. It was going to happen any moment from now, and Inuyasha's eyes met mine. He looked as if he was hyperventilating any moment, but had to smile and entertain Kikyou and the Takemotos at the same time.
"Kagome." I asked her softly.
"Yes?" She seemed almost offended at my interruption of her eating, as if I should have known better than to drag her into conversation. After all, all she wanted was to silently eat and will the night to go by quickly.
"Do you want to…umm…go somewhere else?"
I had to take her away. I had to take her away before all our mistakes in this big folly called love morphed into an arrow and pierce through her heart.
"Eh?" She frowned, confused by my weird request. On top of that, it had to be the first time she saw me stammer. "What are you talking about, Sesshoumaru?"
"Let's go."
"Where?"
"Just out of here."
"You're being crazy, do you know that? Look around you. How on earth could we just…leave?" She whispered angrily to me, staring at me incredulously. I did not notice how Kaguya turned to look at us suspiciously.
"No, I mean it. You…" I took a deep breath and tried to keep my voice low. How I hated this feeling of helplessness. "You might not understand this for now, but…I have my reasons, alright?"
"No." She stubbornly said, looking at me in confusion and annoyance. "I don't get it; you guys were the ones who invited me to this and now that I've come, you want me to just…walk away from the dinner? What are you trying to do? Isn't it highly disrespectful?"
"Kagome."
"Sesshoumaru, that's enough. Let's just listen to what Mr. Taisho has to say for his speech, alright?"
I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from yelling in frustration. It was making things hard. Standing on the stage at the podium, Father was still addressing everyone in the banquet hall.
"…Everyone here, no matter who you are and what you do, is an indispensible part of Taisho Electronics. Taisho Electronics wouldn't be Taisho Electronics without you, and it is this combined effort and dedication that made our company what it is today. Let us work together as we have always been doing, and push Taisho Electronics to unprecedented heights. I hereby propose a toast to everyone. Here's to our success and a very happy working relationship for the future to come."
A toast, and Father continued with his speech.
"Now, I have a second piece of good news to share with all of you. Today marks a day of double happiness for my family. I am now standing here not as the founder of Taisho Electronics, but rather, as a father and a family man. Some of you might already have heard this piece of good news, but to most, it would come as, hopefully, a pleasant surprise." Father joked. It was not too funny to me, and it wouldn't be too funny to the girl sitting on my left either.
From where I was, I could see how Kikyou was already getting ready to stand up, gathering the end of her long chiffon skirt in one hand.
"I would like to take this excellent opportunity to announce…" Father said dramatically, before extending his hand in the direction of our table. "The engagement of Miss Takemoto Kikyou to my son, Taisho Inuyasha! Let's hear it for the couple!"
Thunderous applause soon erupted in the banquet hall and as if on the cue, the DJ for the night put on some cheesy romantic music, the kind one would expect to hear at a wedding. I felt as if I was trapped in a bubble underwater, helpless and awaiting nothing but certain death.
Oh my god…what have we done?
The applause and cheers lasted for just about five seconds, when the volume and intensity died down significantly as if in confusion.
I turned to my left almost instinctively, and it dawned on me why everyone appeared to be unsure, confused and curious. The girl beside me was no longer sitting down in her seat busy stuffing her face with food.
Rather, she was standing, and in that entire banquet hall which easily housed up to a hundred tables, there were three individuals standing instead of two.
It was the love triangle, and in some morbid manner, I noticed how Inuyasha and Kikyou formed the base on one side of the table while Kagome formed the point, standing opposite them. The deafening applause died with no trace of it lingering in the air, while whispers erupted like thousands of vile little wild fires across the banquet hall as people gossiped.
"Kagome, please…" I reached out to grab her hand, but she brushed my hand aside. She was staring at Inuyasha with immeasurable hurt and accusation swimming in her eyes, while those beautiful eyes clouded over with tears. Years of pent-up frustration and selfless contribution to this cursed relationship came to an abrupt death on such a dramatic note, and slowly tears fell down her face one by one.
Kikyou's eyes, widened in shock at Kagome's unexpected reaction, were searching Inuyasha's face frantically for answers. She was not a stupid woman, and I knew very well she had already figured out what was happening. All she wanted was confirmation to the deepest fear she had never even anticipated in the first place.
"Inuyasha…what is going on?" Kikyou asked quietly, before her voice rose in pitch and volume. Her eyes were glassy with disbelief and suspicion. "Can you please tell me what is going on?"
"Please Kikyou, it is not what it seems to be, please listen to me…let me explain…" He tried to hold her by her shoulders, but Kikyou flinched at his touch and retreated a few steps from him. She stood in absolute horror and disbelief, shaking from the utmost humiliation she was feeling from this betrayal of love and trust.
Father was silent, and the DJ had the common sense to cease the music. One could hear a pin drop, and in the deafening silence that ensued, time had stopped and shone its spotlight onto the three parties standing on the floor of the banquet hall. Everyone was waiting with bated breath.
Kagome continued staring at Inuyasha with a mixture of hatred and pain, while her tears fell as if they had a mind of their own.
A full ten seconds went by in complete silence, and I could take it no more. I stood up, and grabbed her by the hand. Kagome shook her head, and pried her hand out of my grip. She broke the silence.
"This is all I get for being the silent third party for almost three years, Inuyasha?" She asked, her voice choked with tears but nonetheless coherent. "How could you bear to do this to me? I am so stupid…how could I have allowed myself to believe you again and again, that you loved me the most?"
"Kagome, please…stop saying-" Inuyasha looked at her sadly. His eyes were brimming with tears by now.
"I get it…I understand now. You definitely loved the two of us. But you're selfish, Inuyasha. And you have no right to love. Because from the beginning till the end," Kagome drew a shuddering breath. "The one you love most is neither me nor Kikyou…it's yourself. You only loved yourself. You wanted the best of both worlds. I'm sorry, Kikyou. I'm so sorry."
She closed her eyes with an inaudible sigh, and more tears fell from behind closed lids. Kikyou was staring at Inuyasha in utter disbelief, tears rolling down her cheeks while her parents rushed to her side to comfort her.
"Kikyou! Darling, please, say something…don't scare Mommy!" I could hear Mrs. Takemoto crying as she tried to talk to her daughter.
Kagome started sobbing, but before things could get even messier than they were bound to in a moment, I reached for her clutch with one hand and held hers in another.
This time round, she did not push my hand away.
"Sesshoumaru, where are you going?" Kaguya cried out after us.
With thousands of confused eyes staring at us, I led Higurashi Kagome down the long aisle from the main table to the grand entrance of the banquet hall with long, furious strides. Whispers were still erupting across the hall as everyone sat rooted to their seats, unsure of what to do. Kagome struggled to catch up with me, her other hand still shielding her tear-stained face in shame as her shoulders shook with new waves of tears.
I shoved the doors open, and as they closed, the doors to the cursed triangle relationship came to an official end as well.
To be continued…