Hey everyone! Wow it's been awhile since this was updated and I apologize. It's just been hectic the past few weeks with Christmas holidays, and parties and everything. Next weekend is also a busy one since I have friends coming over to celebrate Sinulog. [ kababayans in the PH should know about this one ;) ]
So I will try my best to make sure I get at least one round of my story cycle updated before then ;)
To avoid confusion impostor Mikan will be labled as (Mikan*) XD
Thanks for everyone who read, followed, reviewed and favorite my Christmas Stories fic!
xoxo Lexi1989
Previously:
Her cellphone rang and she hesitated to answer the unknown number flashing on its screen.
"This is Sakura Harada."
"Have you thought about it yet?" Hotaru's voice came on the line.
"How'd you know I was awake?"
"You forget that I'm a detective and a genius. I have my ways." She could detect a hint of a smile from Hotaru's voice.
"Yeah, I have."
"So, have you decided who you are now?"
"Yeah." She looked at herself in the mirror and felt an overwhelming sense of confidence and power.
"I am Mikan Yukihira."
CHAPTER 11: RISING STAR
AFTER 6 MONTHS
"Sakura, are you sure you want to do this?" Misaki looked at her adopted sister worriedly.
"It's Mikan now, Misaki-nee. And yes. I want to do this." She looked at Misaki who was close to near tears.
Misaki was always a tough woman, having grown up in the streets. But she always had a soft spot when it came to Sakura, and now she was losing her adopted sister to her new identity.
"I'm sorry. I'm being a big crybaby about this. I'm just worried about you, that's all. And it's hard trying to call you differently when I'm used to calling you Sakura." Misaki said amidst sniffs.
Mikan engulfed her in a tight hug. She'd finished packing. She was temporarily moving in with Hotaru who'd started formulating a plan. Three months ago, they had been shocked to receive word that a merge was being discussed between Yukihira Corp and Hyuuga Tech. Hotaru had deployed multiple agents on the case to find out more information but security was tight as ever. Anna went undercover in the Serio/Yukihira household in upstate New York as a maid and confirmed the rumors of an engagement between Natsume and the impostor Mikan which was being facilitated by Rei and Kaoru.
Anna also found out that Reo Mori, impostor Mikan's rumored boyfriend was maddened that he was being replaced by the Hyuuga Tech heir. Which is why Hotaru planned to use him to their advantage in unveiling the impostor. She had Mikan resign from her work in the club and with help of one of her connections, set up a meeting with Mori Universal Records.
Not long after, Mikan signed a record deal under her stage name Cherry Blossom and was soon to release an album under their label. They had been at it for the past six months and her music video was due to be premiered in the next week with a small concert to follow the week after. Mikan had asked Hotaru multiple times why she couldn't just tell Natsume the truth when they had the evidence but the latter had only told her to be patient. They couldn't let him know since he was in constant contact and in close proximity with the impostor and whoever was behind the attack on her years before.
Hotaru needed to take care only of the back end work as Mikan already had the talent in singing and skills in dancing. She would still go by her current legal name, Sakura Harada, until they found enough evidence to reveal the truth. So now, Mikan was leaving Misaki's turf to set the wheels in motion.
Natsume was bored. He was back in his home in Tokyo yet his mind was halfway across the world. He was thinking of Sakura. He never went back to see her before he left, and it left a heavy weight in his heart.
His mother had been bugging him to go back to New York and get to know Mikan* more. He knew where that was leading to. His mom was an open book to him. He knew what she was planning and although he liked Mikan*, his heart just wasn't in it. She wasn't the same girl she was before and it wasn't as if it was a bad thing, he just felt differently about her now. He knew she was dating that Mori dude and he didn't want to come between them.
He shifted on his black leather couch and reached for the remote. He needed a distraction. He began to channel surf, searching for nothing in particular, just randomly switching channels. He settled on MTV that was currently on the network's news show, MTV News. After a few minutes, he was getting bored of the gossip and rumor mill that Hollywood offered and was about to change the channel when a familiar face was flashed on the TV.
He raised the volume and began to read the caption running on the screen.
NEW RISING STAR ON THE HORIZON: CHERRY BLOSSOM TAKES THE MUSIC INDUSTRY BY STORM WITH HER NEW SINGLE "HANDS TO MYSELF"!
It showed a picture of Sakura, in very racy outfit and in one very provocative pose. The news anchor reported that Cherry Blossom would be having a concert next week in both Staples Center in Los Angeles as well as Radio City Music Hall in New York. The broadcast concluded with the premiere of her music video.
It started with a closeup of Sakura's face as she was lying in a circular bed filled with rose petals. She was running her hands over her body as she sang.
~Can't keep my hands to myself, No matter how hard I'm trying to~
~I want you all to myself. You're metaphorical gin and juice~
She smiled seductively as the camera panned around her and zoomed out, revealing she was clad only in lacy red lingerie.
~So come on give me a taste, of what it's like to be next to you~
~Won't let one drop go to waste, you're metaphorical gin and juice.~
She lifted her body slowly as the camera focused on her leading man that emerged from the darkness around the bed and stood towering over her.
~Oh, coz all of the downs and the uppers, keep making love to each other~
~And I'm trying, trying, trying, trying~
She reached over to him and ran a finger down his toned chest as he began to run his hands over her body.
~All of the downs and the uppers, keep making love to each other~
~And I'm trying, trying, trying, But I~
She stood and began to dance seductively to the beat as the video transitioned to her in a club, dressed in a little black dress with backup dancers in the background. It focused in on her and the handsome guy in the middle of the club, grinding their bodies against each other to the music.
~Can't keep my hands to myself~
~My hands to myself~
~Can't keep my hands to myself~
~My hands to myself~
Natsume couldn't help but feel irritated seeing her dancing in the arms of another man. Even if it was for a music video and was part of her job. He knew he wasn't supposed to feel jealous but he did. He turned off the TV to keep his emotions in check.
He resisted the urge to search for the video on the internet but at the end of the day, succumbed to the need of seeing her again. And before he knew it, he was purchasing an airline ticket for New York and a ticket for Sakura's concert.
Kaoru Hyuuga was ecstatic when she learned that Natsume was going to New York. She immediately arranged to be on the same flight as Natsume along with his father and sister, Aoi. She wanted to cement the plans of Natsume and Mikan's engagement as soon as possible and with Natsume now showing initiative to be close to Mikan*, she thought it would be an opportune time to do so. Natsume, who was totally oblivious to her plan of joining him on his supposed to be solo trip was naturally infuriated with the sudden appearance of his entire family at the airport, including a slightly confused Ruka.
"What are you all doing here?" He reigned in his anger to avoid making a scene at the airport.
"You thought you could sneak off on your own to see Mikan* huh?" Kaoru teased him and he turned an even angrier shade of red.
"I am not -" He started to say but she interrupted him before he could finish.
"No need to hide it my dear son. It was only a matter of time after all. You've been pining for her all these years. We accept her into the family."
"Mother.. I am -"
"Shush now, let's get to the boarding gate. We might miss our flight." He figured it was useless to try to explain to his mother so he just let it go, figuring he could just explain it when they got to New York.
When they got there however, things became even more complicated and he was surprised to learn that the engagement had been announced. They were taken to the Yukihira mansion, a recent property acquired by Rei and Luna. They found the Dome Penthouse at the Plaza was luxurious but it wasn't as grand as the Carhart Mansion at 3 East 95th Street.
Everything was a blur in the next few days. Mikan* had spoken to him about the engagement and seemed to have accepted it as part of her role as an heir and he didn't have the heart to hurt her. After all that she'd been through, the best thing he could do, he decided, was to honor the engagement arranged by their families. They both knew they were far from being in love with each other, but they could learn to do that, right? Love can stem from friendship after all.
As the day of Sakura's concert neared, he was planning to just sneak out of the mansion but that was foiled when Aoi found his ticket on the nightstand drawer when she was looking for something.
"Nii-chan! Why didn't you tell me you were going to Cherry Blossom's concert?" She whined.
"Because you didn't ask." She harrumphed and whacked his shoulder.
"Buy me a ticket please."
"No."
"Pretty please."
"No."
At that precise moment, Kaoru walked in with Mikan* in tow. They had just finished having tea in the garden while discussing wedding plans.
"What are you two arguing about?"
"Nii-chan is going to Cherry Blossom's concert tonight and won't take me!"
"Oh, so you like Cherry Blossom too Aoi?" Mikan* asked her.
"Yeah! She's awesome!"
"I happen to have an VIP ticket with a backstage pass lying around. Do you want to come with me?" Natsume looked at Mikan* in surprise as Aoi glomped her into a big hug.
He'd wanted to go to the concert and at least talk to Sakura one more time but now, if Mikan* and Aoi were going, he didn't want to risk them seeing him with her. Though Mikan* had briefly met Sakura during her homecoming party, he didn't want to explain how he had met her. And so that night, he decided he'd have to settle for watching Sakura performing onstage.
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL 11:30 PM
Aoi, Mikan*, Ruka and Natsume were in the VIP area, which unlike the rest of the people who paid for general admission tickets, had seats. The concert was in full swing and there was a dance floor area for the VIPs if they wanted to get up and dance which Aoi and Mikan* had taken advantage of. Natsume was satisfied to remain just seated while watching Sakura dance and sing onstage. She was still flawless as ever.
Her current album was a huge hit internationally and her popularity was manifested by the overflowing crowd that came to see her perform. When the intro to her hit single came on, his ears hurt from the overwhelming response of the crowd. The screams and cheers ran an octave higher when Sakura stepped onstage and greeted them all.
"Konbanwa New York City!" She waved to the crowd.
"I thank you all for coming to my concert and for all your support. And like all good things, this night must come to an end." There was a hint of booing from the crowd and more shouts of 'Encore!' and 'We want more!'.
"But before I leave, I will of course sing one more number and to join me is a very special friend…." She gestured to the side of the stage and screams could be heard from the audience once again.
Natsume felt Mikan*, who had sat down beside him, stiffen when the person stepped onstage and put an arm around Sakura's waist.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a warm applause for my good friend REO MORI!"
END OF CHAPTER 11
Finally finished this chapter.. whew..
Natsume and Mikan* see the real Mikan and Reo Mori together onstage, what will happen next?
How will they react?
And what do you think Hotaru's planning? How will the truth be revealed? We have a long journey up ahead so stay tuned!
P.S. song used in the chapter is Selena Gomez's "Hands To Myself".
Don't own it and I never will.
Anilissa – There will be action in the coming chapters, guaranteed ;)
RavenAca3 – Hey Ally-chan! I'm all good, refreshed and re-energized after the hectic Christmas Holiday. Next week will be no different because it's party weekend where I'm at lol. But I am working on my stories in between work and whatnot lols.. and yeah stay tuned for all the unraveling and action ;)
Sakura Shiragiku – Don't! you're too young to die.. lol.. and kidding, I know u meant it as a joke. But enjoy this chappie though!
princess lulu of koronia – Kaoru did do something stupid. By engaging Natsume to Mikan. And sorry it took awhile to update. I'd focused on my Christmas Special story and put the regular cycle on the backburner till now. Hope u enjoy this chappie!
Next up on the story update is Karaoke Nights then we resume back to TGND then DT ;)
Thanks by the way to those who followed and checked out my Christmas special mini story collection "Christmas Stories"!
Read, Follow, Favorite and Leave a Review!
Ja Ne!
xoxo Lexi1989
