Kaleido Star and all of its characters belongs to Gonzo and Jun'ichi Sato.
Rosetta was confused. She was in the work out room on the training bike. She was going fast, really fast. She didn't understand herself. She was suppose to be happy for Sora. As long as Sora was. She would have accept Léon if he was the one making her cheerful. But he wasn't. She thought Ken would help but he just made things worse. Then the truth about Layla came. Why couldn't she be content with it? Sora was delighted when it comes to Layla.
"What's wrong with you?"
It was May. She just entered in the room ready to use some dumbbells. "If you finished your teenager's crisis, come and help me!" Her voice seemed full of disapproval and soft at the same time.
Rosetta looked a little dumfounded, then decided to help while sighing. She needed to occupied her mind. "I'm here."
She lifted the dumbbells from their support and handed it to May who was on her back.
"T-thanks." The firsts movements were hard, then it became more bearable. Her breathe was heavy for the whole exercise.
Rosetta stared at her with admiration. Sora was talented on her lower body but her upper parts were less impressive. "When will I be able to do it to? I need to reinforce my arms for the legendary maneuver."
May let escape a loud sigh before handing back the dumbbells to Rosetta who put them on their support with care. "Is the legendary maneuver the only thing that's interest you? You know we call it the legendary maneuver for a good reason. Not a lot of people can succeed it." She sat down cleaned her face and neck with a towel. "You know...It's okay if you can't do it. Layla and Sora had a special bond that make everything possible. It took me a long time to accept it but I can't deny it anymore. No one can. Neither do you. So how about you just enjoy being the best performer who can be?"
When she looked at the red-headed May saw a shocked face which surprised her. She did her best to not use harsh words and encourage the girl to not be fixated on an almost impossible goal.
"Did you know too? Or did Mia informed you?" Rosetta asked in a reproachful voice.
May was lost. "Know what?" She felt like she missed a part of their dialogue.
Rosetta quickly understood her mistake. May didn't know. She wasn't there the other day. And she wasn't close enough to Sora to get the reveal before them. "Nothing. I need- I need to go."
She was leaving the room when May caught her wrist. "What is really bothering you? Just tell me instead of keeping it for yourself." The Chinese girl gave up her false mask and showed real concern.
The Belgian girl was still unsure about her feelings but she need some support too. So she closed the distance between them for an embrace, putting her head on May's shoulder and crying silently.
Despite her surprise, May tightened their embrace, lost for the next steps. She just stayed there until the girl calmed herself.
Then Rosetta look up at her, coming to some conclusion. "I-I think I'm jealous."
May stared at her with a sincere smile and stroked her face lightly with the tip of her fingers. "It's okay. Now you can work on it and found a way to be happy."
"That's not a lie?"
"That's a promise."
Above them, the stage spirit was staring at a tarot card with a grave face. "Aries is in the shadow of the Sagittarius and Leo's union." Fool sighed still fixing the empress card. A lot of pain was coming.
In New-Work, two lovebirds were enjoying a cold shower that turned hot. Really hot. Sora was pinned against the blue tile wall. Layla was behind and intertwined their hands against the same wall, kissing her fully while water was falling on them. It been only twenty minutes since their last intercourse but they weren't tired of it. On the contrary. But they were still humans and hunger called them back to reality.
Sitting in the bed, Layla decided to order some sushis while Sora was drying her hair. "I still didn't get to see you new underwear." She remarked.
"And you'll have to wait for special occasion."
"What's more special than today?"
"Your birthday."
Layla just smiled for herself. "I guess I'll have to wait another three weeks." She glanced at her phone ready to compose the caterer number when she notice some missed calls. Lots of them actually. From Cathy. That was unusual. So she called back. "Hello Cathy. What's with all these calls?"
The voice behind the phone was panicked and the words difficult to catch.
"Stop! Slow down! I don't understand. Why are you talking about Léon and Macquarie in a car?"
The voice change its pace so Layla could hear the information clearly. When the words stopped from the other side of the phone, Layla stayed silent for a moment.
She caught one Sora's hand busy to drying her hair and almost crushed it. "Layla? Are you ok? Did something happen?"
"Put some clothes on. We're going to the hospital."
Sora passed from surprise to worry rapidly. "Is it Léon?" She asked afraid of the truth. If something happened she would be mad at herself. She was the selfish one.
"Léon is fine. Macquarie was the one hit by the car."
Less than twenty minutes later they were at the Center hospital. During the trip, Layla didn't say a word and Sora didn't know what to say either. She didn't even know how bad Macquarie's condition was. Layla asked for Macquarie at the entrance and lead them to the right service quickly.
When they reached the 6th floor, they saw Cathy sitting on a chair in the waiting room. She got up when she saw them. "Finally! You're here!" She glanced at Sora with a sad smile and welcomed her. "How are you Sora?"
"I'm fine. Thanks." The Japanese girl peeked at her girlfriend uncertain. She seemed lost. Sora wasn't used to see a hesitating Layla.
"I still don't understand how did it happen? You said you deposed her in our building. But she wasn't there. We didn't saw her!"
Instead of giving an answer, Cathy stared at Sora a long time, reflecting about something. "Maybe we should all sit. The doctor said she won't wake up before a couple of hours.
They sat all three next to each other. It was past nine. The hospital was quite calm for a Monday night. That's when Sora notice Léon absence.
"Where is Léon?" She asked suddenly, looking everywhere.
"Ah! In the same room as Macquarie. He's not hurt physically but it was a shock for him to witness the accident. Th doctor gave him a tranquilizer. He's just sleeping." Cathy explained with a reassuring smile.
Sora sighed loudly. She was grateful for everything Léon did to help her relationship with Layla. She would blame herself forever if anything happened to him because of her selfishness. Layla was right, coming outside holidays was dangerous, not only because of the press. But- but at the same time, she couldn't be happier. Layla told that she loves her and prove it. She was beyond joy. Yet it was meant to end soon. And she hated it. She hated herself for being so selfish when someone else was physically hurt inn a hospital room. She didn't heard Cathy's words about the accident. She only caught the last sentences.
"She run after what she saw and didn't see the car. The driver really tried to avoid her."
Layla was thinking about Cathy's words. Just like Macquarie's words last week, they didn't make any sense. Why would Macquarie be so upset in seeing her and Sora? She gave her her blessings when they were at Cape Mery. Was it all lies? But Macquarie never lied to her. She was certain of it. They were like family. All these years Macquarie looked after her from behind and in front. And she was grateful. The last she wanted was to cause her pain. Which why she decided to leave New-York for good. That and the girl on her right who was holding her hand gently.
Then, like thunder, a truth hit her. No, it couldn't be?! It wasn't possible! Macquarie loved her, yes, but not-not like that. Not like that, please. It would make things unnecessary complicated. It was the worst possible scenario.
Layla turned to her left and stared at Cathy with a stupendous expression. "Was she hurt by what she saw?"
Cathy only nodded.
Her head fell heavily on the back of her chair. She purposely hit it a second time. She glanced at her girlfriend who seemed lost from their conversation. Maybe it was for the best. People might find it selfish but she didn't want to add any complication in their relationship. Sora didn't need to know about Macquarie. She'll leave New-Work in two weeks for good. And she'll put all of it behind. Time and space will help them to forget.
Layla got up from her chair and requested the same from Sora. "We'll look at them quickly and get back home."
This time Cathy got up abruptly. "Do you not even intent to be there when she wakes up?" She asked with reproaches.
Layla kept her straight face. Not betraying her feelings. Keeping her calm. She took Sora's hand and put her own on the girl's back before pushing her. "Go first to see Léon. I'll follow." It wasn't a request this time but a demand.
Sora felt like the old Layla was back. A nostalgic part of her was delighted. The other one was worried. Which why she obeyed her. Something was bothering the blond woman and she didn't want to add to her troubles. Yet she couldn't help a quick kiss on her cheek before entering the room.
When she closed the door, Layla stern look surprised Cathy. "If you have something to say, say it now. But it'll be the one last time. I don't want to talk about it anymore."
"Wow. Don't you have any pity for the girl who loved you all these years?" Cathy wait for an answer but it never came.
It seemed Layla was fighting against herself. Her right hand was closed in a fist and her mouth stayed closed.
"I guess not." The Broadway scenarist answer for herself. "And what. Do you intend to just leave her behind while you and Sora make the perfect couple?"
"Would it be better to play the nice girl and make her suffer more?" Layla finally spoke but her tone was very low and angry at the same time. Dangerously low.
Cathy stroke her eyes and admit her defeat. "Of course not. Sometimes kindness can be cruel too."
And then she remembered all these friendly moments with Macquarie. But what was friendship for her meant something more for the other woman. Probably giving her some hope. Yeah, leaving was the best thing to do.
She was about to joined her girlfriend when her actual partner stopped her.
"What will you do then? I mean professionally."
"I'm not sure. I asked a job at my father company. I don't want to stay at home while Sora is working. But-"
"Want a new challenge with me?" Cathy interrupted.
"What?" A lost Layla asked.
"There is no point in staying in New-Work for me. I won't find another actress to hold my crazy ideas. So wherever you go, I'll go. You're stuck with me." She added with a wide smile.
A contagious one. For the first time since she received the bad new, Layla allowed herself a little smile. "Well, I'll let you decide in our next project. Partner." And she entered in the room she didn't want to be.
Inside the hospital room, Sora was whispering with Léon. He seemed untouched. That was the only good news of that night. She asked him when he could get discharged while glancing at Macquarie's bed on the right of the room. She didn't have any bandages, just a few bruises. But her head hit hard the ground. The sooner she wakes up, the better.
"Anytime. I'm not hospitalized. But I want to wait for her awakening." He was sitting on his bed in his casual clothes. Sora was on the other side, near the windows.
"My father is here for business. You'll come back to Cape Mery with him after noon, in his private jet." It wasn't a suggestion.
Léon understood it. He put himself in danger. Kalos would have been mad. Yet he could only think of the suffering girl beside him. This time he was able to prevent the worst. But he knew why she was really suffering. And that wasn't something you could heal with some medicine. "Will you stay too?"
Layla stared at Macquarie for a moment and looked back at the French man. "Visiting hours are almost ended. We'll come back tomorrow. Let's go Sora!"
Sora followed her after saying goodbye to Léon. While Layla ignored his blaming face.
Cathy chose to stay too.
This night, in her apartment, Layla released all of her frustrations in bed with Sora. It was different than their first time where Layla was slow and gentle. Or the time after where she was a little more passionate. This time she was more rough. Too rough.
But Sora thought it was her way to deal with her sadness. So even if she didn't like it, she didn't say anything nor try to stop her.
When they stopped, she stared at her girlfriend sleeping deeply, her head on Sora's stomach. She didn't know why but she wanted to cry. She didn't want to be used like that everytime Layla will be upset. But she didn't know how to talk to her. She was afraid of more conflicts.
Richard Hamilton was leaving his New-Work office with his assistant, Archibald Spencer, in a hurry. It was 10 am and he had a brunch with his daughter. Her girlfriend would also be there to his surprised. Sora was apparently the romantic type. It reminded him his early days with his own wife which made him smile.
"A penny for your thoughts?" Archibald asked while he opened him the car door.
"Not today. We'll go to the hospital first. Margaret is looking after her daughter. Even if it is not too serious, she will need my support." He ordered.
"Macquarie's mother arrived at 6 am at the airport. I personally escort her to the hospital. Her daughter woke up at midnight. The doctors confirmed the absence of any hemorrhage. She'll stay there for a few days. I already booked your jet for their return in Cape Mery next week. Will they stay at your house?" The bald man asked.
"Of course. Our house is closer to the hospital in case something was missed. And I'll feel better. That girl is like a second daughter. Her mother deserved all the support after all she did for my wife." M. Hamilton was glad Macquarie's accident didn't have worse consequences but his own daughter worried him. Her call last night was a little strange. She was too detached. He didn't understand. He was certain Layla hold Macquarie highly.
At the hospital Margaret, Cathy and Léon were keeping company to a well awake Macquarie. She seemed fine physically. When the door opened she seemed hopeful and sad for a second before welcoming her guest.
Archibald didn't missed it. He also notice Layla's absence. Something was abnormal. He didn't talk a lot to Sora but he knew she was the kind of girl to worry about anyone. So even if Layla refused to come for god knows why, he thought her girlfriend would persuade her.
M. Hamilton seemed to notice it too since he left the room to call his daughter. Archibald followed to understand something.
"Why are you not here? Why didn't you stay until she woke up?"
…
"You better get your ass here or you can forget the job you asked? Am I clear?!" And he hang up still annoyed at his daughter behavior. "Can you believed it? The visiting hours were ended. That's her excuse! I can't!" He sat on a chair and hit the armchair with his fist. "Maybe I was too nice! But it ends today. She'll have all freedom she wants but she'll have to assume it herself." Another hit. "She'll look for her own job and her own house while we're at it. I won't accept such disrespectful behavior and let it be unpunished."
"But what about the Kaleido Cabaret? I thought we were there to convinced Layla to sign for Yuri's concept?" Things were escalating too quickly. His employer need to calm down. Maybe Layla will have better explanation. But somehow he doubt it. Either she hid the truth, either she become mad.
Richard Hamilton inspired and expired slowly. "The Kaleido Stage already has a star. It was a mistake to take Layla's feelings while negotiating. Sora can do both. The plays will attract a different public. We'll invest in a marketing campaign to deliver the right message. Now I'll returned to Margaret side. Don't come inside without her."
"Sister. You're in big trouble. Don't make the big boss wait." That's all Archibald could say while looking at the elevator.
She finally arrive a half hour later. Sora at her side. The Japanese smile when she saw him. But something was missing. It wasn't the same smile she gave him a few weeks ago. It wasn't the same innocent girl who declared her love to her father's girlfriend. Something changed.
"Wait there. I'll be back quickly."
"Hi there!"
"Hi." She simply answer and keep walking to Macquarie's room.
Sora sat down putting her hair behind her right ear. She seemed uneasy.
"Is everything fine?" Archibald asked while sitting beside her. "I mean besides Macquarie's accident." He added after her surprised look.
"Yeah." She made a pause. "I think it is."
He wanted more information but the door of Macquarie's room opened and people started to come from it. Everyone except Layla.
"Ha! I don't think you met Layla's girlfriend yet Margaret." M. Hamilton seemed in a better mood. "Come here Sora. This is Macquarie's mother. Margaret this is Sora." He made the presentations with an honest smile.
"Good morning Margaret-sama. I hope Macquarie will get well soon." Sora bent down slowly to show her respects.
"Oh! My! So cute and polite. Thanks for your concern. But I feel like I already know her."
"Probably from the Kaleido Stage, Mrs Smith." Archibald suggested.
Margaret looked at him a few seconds and stared at Sora blinking a few times. "No, that was before. Long before I think." But she couldn't found when.
Sora was lost. She was certain she never met this woman before.
"Whatever. I order real food from outside. It probably waiting us in the hospital cafeteria. Sora can you tell Layla and Macquarie?"
"I will." She answered with a smile. She followed them with her eyes til the elevator's doors closed. Then she took a big breathe before knocking Macquarie's door. She wait to be invited to enter. Layla was strange since the accident she was afraid of making a mistake.
Inside the room, Layla was at the same place as her last night. A whole bed was between her and Macquarie who was sitting on her bed. "Hi."
"Hi."
Sora didn't know why but she felt unwelcome. "Hum. Your father is waiting for us in the cafeteria. He order food."
"Go first." Layla simply said. Her voice seemed annoyed.
Sora didn't insist and left the room quickly.
After her departure, Layla continued their conversation. "You made her uncomfortable."
"That's wasn't my intention." Macquarie justified without looking at the taller woman.
"But you did. So am I. And I don't want it to happen again. I did something terrible to her last night because I wasn't able to calm my anger." She sighed loudly and stroked her face. "Please look at me." After a long minute Macquarie obliged. "I'll stay by your side til you leave New-Work. Then Sora will be my only concern. You can come back when your feelings get right."
She then took the wheelchair to the girl's side. "Come before my father get suspicious."
Again, Macquarie obeyed. She wished she never said those fatal words while drunken. She wished she never saw her beloved Layla in a bliss while making love to Sora. She wished she didn't cross the road. But she did and now she lost the one thing she longed for. But Layla gave her one week. For one week she could pretend to be the only one in her heart.
It was almost 12 am when Margaret walked Macquarie to her room. The rest was leaving the hospital. Cathy was talking with Archibald while Sora made sure Léon was alright.
"I don't have much time before coming back to Cape Mery so I'll be quick. I'm quite disappointed by your behavior. I know you want to pass time with Sora bu-"
"Sora has nothing to do with my actions. I already told you I wanted leave New-Work but I didn't told it was because of something that happened between Macquarie and I. And no, you can't know what." Layla explained to her father. She made enough mistakes toward Sora.
"It's good to know. But I don't see what could explain such behavior. And until I know I decided to net get involved with your professional path." He stated while they get outside.
"I understand."
His daughter was surprisingly comprehensive. "And I have to tell that I got back my shares from the Kaleido. And my first action will be to finance Yuri's cabaret with Sora as a lead."
Layla stopped before the last stair. She looked at her father with a shocked faced. "Did she say yes?"
"She doesn't know yet. Plans was to ask you first but I-"
Layla never listen the rest of his sentence. She was already at her girlfriend side. "We'll go our way to the airport." She said while training Sora inside a black limousine. There was three doors that led to different parts of the car. The first in front was for the driver of course. The second, a little bigger, for four passengers. Two passengers were facing each other. It was communicating with the driver seat through a little slide. The third was for two passengers and isolated from the rest of the limousine. That was the one Layla chose.
Richard Hamilton sighed staring at the girls' disappearance inside the limousine. "I apologized for that little brat."
"No need sir. As her partner, I'm used too much worse." Cathy answer while laughing. "Well, have a nice trip gentlemen."
Then, the three men entered in the limousine to the airport.
Léon was a little uncomfortable. He knew M. Hamilton was an important person and he thought Layla must got her commanding aura from someone. "Stop worrying like that. Layla is the only one who'll get his anger. By the way as an actor you must know a lot of pretty young girl. Mind-"
But Richard didn't followed their discussion. Something bothered him. "Did something happened to Sora? She didn't seemed as lively as usually?"
The two men stopped exchanging their numbers of conquests. "I did." Archibald said.
Léon nodded too.
Richard sighed heavily. Whatever happened, he hoped it'll be resolved soon.
Inside the limousine, Layla and Sora enjoyed their last make-out session before another two weeks.
"You know that I'll love you and only you." Layla declared between two kisses.
"Yeah, I know. I love you too. Just you." Sora replied tightening their embrace. She was sitting on her girlfriend laps with a hand on the back of her head to get them closer as they kiss and dance with their tongues.
Then Layla whispered to her ear. "Would it make you happy if we lived in the same town?"
Sora stopped and fixed her girlfriend incredulous. "I-I don't understand?!"
Layla smile or was it more like a smirk. She let her fingers trails on Sora's left arm. "I'm coming back for good in two weeks. No more distance. We'll be on the same time zone." She said slowly looking at Sora's eyes.
The Japanese girl was beyond joy. More than happy if it was possible. But at the same she had a lot of questions. Why? Why now? Won't she regret it? Yet she didn't asked any of them and just fancied the moment. She put her head on the woman's shoulder. "Is it real?"
Layla simply gave her a peck on the cheek. "It is definitive. You and I."
This time Sora let her tears flowed.
What could go wrong now? They will be together to face anything fate pushes against them.