Disclaimer: Author owns nothing. Mai-Hime belongs to Sunrise.


CHAPTER 12

The superstar woke up to the soft sound of someone's breathing beside her. Slowly, she opened her eyes and two crimson orbs peeped. She wiped away the sleep in her eyes to focus her vision. She was presented with the sight of the young director's serene sleeping face upon tilting her head up which was resting on the young director's left shoulder. She blinked her eyes a few times in an attempt to make herself lucid of any hallucination.

She shifted in her position, right elbow on the pillow thus, elevating her head a little, before slowly lifting her left arm and tracing the young director's feature with her finger. Starting from the latter's forehead down to her nose. "I must be dreaming…" She whispered as she continued tracing the young director's face until she reached the latter's soft lips where she felt warm breath coming out. "for Director Kruger will never wish to be near someone like me." She said with sadness laced in her voice as she looked at the director's face.

"Like what, Shizuru?" The director suddenly spoke, surprising the superstar in the process. Slowly she opened her eyes and emerald orbs stared at the startled crimson ones.

Unbeknownst to the superstar, the young director was already awake even before she did. The superstar was about to withdraw herself but all her movements were halted by the young director. The latter wrapped her left arm around the superstar's see-through clad body, making the latter hover above her. The superstar's left hand was left planted on her right shoulder.

Right then, a clearing of the throat was heard from the direction of the door which was a few feet away from the king-sized bed's direction.

"Shit." The young director muttered, recognizing full well the voice of the person entering. How she wish that the earth will tear apart and swallow her existence in.

Emerging from the door was the editor-in-chief followed by the same escort who met her the day before. Her aura of elegance and style betrayed her age. No one would ever think that the infamous editor-in-chief of Paris' top fashion magazine was already in her mid sixty.

"You really love meeting me while you are in such compromising position, young lady. A simple bonjour will do in my opinion." The editor-in-chief, who was clad in a stylish outfit befitting her status, greeted in French as she entered the spacious hotel room.

"I can explain that." The young director spoke to the superstar whose slim eyebrows rose upon hearing her grandmother's way of greeting the young director.

"Director Kruger does not have to." The superstar said before completely withdrawing herself from the young director who was left with no option but to let her go.

The young director released a sigh before sitting up and facing her guest. "Good morning, Madam Vi." She greeted in French.

"You may wait for us outside." The editor-in-chief commanded the escort who obediently followed. She discarded her oversized black hat and shades, revealing chestnut and crimson orbs. Gracefully, she walked towards the small living area where a few plushy couches were set. It was a few feet away from the king-sized bed and just a few steps from the doorway. "I would love to return the pleasantries if only you are not with my lovely granddaughter in the same room for quite some times. Not to mention in a position I least wanted to be a witness of." She said, giving the young director an inquisitive look. A look that commanded an immediate answer.

"Lovely morning, grandmother." The superstar interjected in her pleasant French accent as she sauntered towards her grandmother who was in the process of putting down her hat and glasses on the sofa. "I can assure you that nothing of what you are thinking happened between Director Kruger and me." She said before giving her grandmother a warn hug which the latter reciprocated.

"I am afraid I have to disagree with her." The young director said with all seriousness in her voice as she sat on the edge of the bed with her legs crossed while facing the two women. "If I am not mistaken, I kissed her last night." She said, looking at the superstar who looked back at her like she had grown another head. Her left arm was placed on her crossed legs as she leaned forward in anticipation of the superstar's retort. "or was it this morning?" She continued rhetorically as if she was unsure when no retort came.

"Director Kruger might have been imagining things. Perhaps due to the stress caused by long hours of flight?" The superstar finally retorted after disentangling herself from her grandmother.

"Now that you mentioned it, I think you're right." The young director agreed before uncrossing her legs and standing up. "Anyone will dream of having kissed your desirable granddaughter, Madam Vi. Given how much she had taken from you." She said, smiling at the editor-in-chief instead, knowing full well that arguing with the superstar was another lost case. "How I wish I was born in your generation and met you instead. I would have done anything to win you. A million-mile-distance will be of nothing if it will mean getting closed to your frozen and guarded heart." She said those lines with her eyes lingering on the superstar before diverting it to the editor-in-chief.

"Oh, young lady. How cruel?" The editor-in-chief said as she started approaching the young director. "It is not fair for you to be using my favorite lines like that." She said as she enveloped the young director in a warm embrace like the latter was her own grandchild.

"I mean them." The young director said, looking at the superstar who was still rooted on her place. "Every word." She finished before returning the editor-in-chief's warn gesture.

"You're still a flatterer, young lady." The editor-in-chief commented before releasing her but not yet completely letting her go. "I think you gain a lot of inches since the last time I saw you, young lady." She said examining the director closely. "Stay still." She commanded before circling the young director, looking at the latter's long slender legs which were exposed. No thanks to her short. She lifted the young director's loose white shirt to examine her well-toned abdominal muscles. "Still doing a lot of those dangerous things. I see."

"You mean hobby." The young director corrected but stayed as instructed. Her eyes were focused on the superstar who was also examining her body.

"I would not call it that, young lady. Would you be so kind to remove this piece of clothing?" The editor-in-chief instructed as she held the young director's cloth up a little.

"Ahmn. Madam Vi, I don't want to be rude but I think that I should remind you that I am not one of your models." The young director said, looking at the editor-in-chief.

"Just be a darling, young lady and take this off. Are you perhaps uncomfortable with my granddaughter around?" The editor-in-chief inquired, looking at the young director. "I can request her to turn around."

"Why am I not surprised with the Violas' inherent stubbornness?" The young director thought dryly before relenting. "No need for that, Madam Vi." She said before taking off her shirt and allowing the editor-in-chief to examine her closely.

"I am glad you don't have any scar on your body. That would be a shame." The editor-in-chief said as she examined the young director's back. "Posture is good." She said as she pressed the young director's mid back before going around the young director and holding her face, tilting it to the side. "You're not too feminine. Not to mention your quite androgynous look." She said, letting go of the young director's face before settling her eyes on her chest. "Just perfect." She finished with a smile as she stepped a few centimeters away from the young director, regarding the latter's whole feature with a look of approval. "Just the perfect model I am looking for my next theme."

"Model? I thought you will need me for photography purposes." The young director asked with confusion evident on her voice.

"I wouldn't bother you for such a trivial matter. I have a good number of photographers at my disposal but have only a few models that fit my next collection." The editor-in-chief said before starting to walk towards the sofa.

"But I didn't agree to this." The young director said as she followed the editor-in-chief.

"And I thought we spoke about this, young lady." The editor-in-chief gathered her discarded clothing and accessories before facing the young director again. "I will see you at the venue a few hours from now. Your escort will bring you there." She said with finality before addressing her granddaughter, not waiting for the director's response. "And you, my dear, will be coming with me. Now."

The superstar followed as instructed and started to walk towards the door when suddenly the director called her thus, halting both women.

"Shizuru." The young director called before grabbing a white robe from the couch and jogging towards her. "I don't think you would want to go out wearing just that." She said, looking at the superstar's see-through night gown.

"I don't mind at all." The superstar said, dismissing the young director.

"I do." The young director said before wrapping the robe around the superstar's body. "Your arms, please." She said when the superstar seemed to have frozen from her spot. When the latter complied, she reached for the robe's lace around the superstar and gently tugged her closer, leaving only a few spaces between their bodies. "I don't want any pervert out there to have a pleasant sight." She whispered while tying the robe, looking down at the superstar who was just staring back at her.

"Okay, you're good to go." She said after tying the robe securely around the superstar's body. She once again planted a soft kiss on the superstar's forehead, totally forgetting the presence of the latter's grandmother, before stepping away.

"Merci." The superstar said shortly before following her grandmother.

"You're welcome, Ojou-sama." The young director whispered in Japanese, offering a smile to the superstar's retreating back.


The young director found herself inside one of the studios of Paris' top fashion magazine which was recognized all over the world. All the models were gathered in an arc form and in the middle was the editor-in-chief who looked very pleased. Everyone was wearing casual clothing of their choice. A runway can be seen behind them but this was of no use at the moment.

"Hey, NK." Masashi, who was standing beside the young director, whispered in German language to catch the latter's attention. "I think you got taller." He said, unable to contain his observation. This fact was ignored the night he met the young director again because of an urgent matter on hand.

"Can't trim myself down like a tree to preserve your ego, idiot." The young director replied in German, dismissing the topic. "What's the captain of an elite special force doing in a runway, anyway? Why are you even on a babysitting mission? If you can even call it a mission." She whispered back.

"General Kruger's order. How can I say no to that?" Masashi replied back, his eyes were still focused on the editor-in-chief who was still checking all her models. "I am on a private mission."

"You better be because you are in a freakin' French land protecting a foreign person not of your own nation. This can be considered a betrayal." The young director replied, glancing at Masashi while her eyes were focused on the superstar who was standing opposite her on the other end of the arc.

"I didn't know you have such high regard with patriotism. You should've accepted your grandfather's offer to join us, NK." Masashi replied before letting out a sigh. "I am still half Japanese and my ward is also one. So, I can still say that I am protecting my own people." He looked at the superstar who arched an eyebrow towards his direction before continuing. "Unfortunately, I failed and ended up here instead." He finished, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

"Will you man-up, idiot?" The young director whispered as he jabbed an elbow to Masashi beside her. "It's not like you will be doing this forever and you are attracting unwanted attention." She said when the editor-in-chief glanced their way.

"Thanks." Masashi straightened up and offered a small smile to the young director who just nodded her head.

"Alright, everyone is present. I shall start now. For the upcoming collection, the theme will not be disclosed yet. The same is true with its date of release. This is in order to avoid unnecessary information leakage. We have professional photographers of great caliber and they are instructed of the emotions that I want the pictures to be taken to depict. Most of you have worked with them and I am sure that this time will be of no difference. I will highly appreciate everyone's cooperation. Did I make myself clear, my lovely ladies and handsome gentlemen?" She paused, addressing the models around her who responded with an affirmation. "Good. I will not be confining you in studios but instead allow you to breath the fresh air of nature. As usual, your safety is of utmost importance. Rest assured that I will take it as my top priority more than anything else. On top of it, I want everyone to enjoy and not treat this as a dreadful work. I will keep my instruction short because we need to proceed to the location now. Does anybody have any concern or question?" she asked the models around her but received none. "We shall proceed then."


The venue for their pictorial was set on a beautiful white beach on a private island. The current subjects of the pictorial were the young director and Masashi whose lower bodies were submerged in the seawater. The young director was wearing a two-piece white bikini while Masashi was in his ripped denim jeans, leaving his half body naked thus, showing his muscled abdomen and well built body. The photographer together with some of the crews who were holding the reflectors were surrounding them. Other models can be seen on the other parts of the island with photographers and crews around them.

"Alright, NK. Wrap your hands around his neck and pulled him closer." The photographer named Dominique instructed which was obeyed by the young director with a little hesitation. "Good." He said, capturing the image with his camera. "Now pull him closer and look at him like he is the most wonderful thing your eyes have ever laid on. Masashi, wrap your arms around her." He further instructed. "That's great." He clicked his camera a few times. "Perfect. You two are doing great." He said while still clicking on his camera. "Now, get a little closer, NK. Like you are about to kiss him. Tilt your head to the left a little."

The young director did as instructed and she saw an expression crossed the superstar's feature as she did so. The superstar was also shooting on the other part of the beach, away from the water, but the latter's focus seemed to be on her than on the matter on hand.

"That's great. Nice. Perfect. You guys are doing great." The photographer praised as he kept taking shots. A few more poses were taken before he got satisfied and called for a break. "We'll take a short minute break." He said before walking back to a set-up tent.

"How was it on your end, Edmond?" Another photographer came in, the one in-charge of the superstar's photo shoot.

"I don't know. The pictures look great but something is missing." Dominique said while viewing all his shots and showing it to his co-photographer.

"Yeah. Same case on my end." Edmond said and to prove his point, he showed all his captured images to his co-photographer. "Shizuru seemed to be too distracted with something. I don't see any chemistry between her and her partner. Not even a spark. This is hopeless." He released a sigh before lowering his camera down.

"I believe a change of partner is necessary in this case, gentlemen." The editor-in-chief interjected after observing the whole photo shoot and her granddaughter's behavior. "Let's try pairing my granddaughter with young lady NK." She said smiling at two of his best photographers.

"Alright, then. We'll do that, Madam." The two photographers said in unison.


A few minutes passed by and the change of partners was announced. The young director's clothing was changed to a skinny ripped denim jeans matched with a black bikini bra and topped with a cropped loose white shirt that exposed her well-toned abdomen. The superstar on the other hand was still in her two-piece white bikini.

The two were lying on the wet sand with the superstar on top. Their legs were tangled and the young director's right elbow was perched on the sand, supporting both their weight as she inclined herself a little. Lifting her free left hand, she held the superstar's cheek and gently caressed it.

"You're too stiff, Shizuru. Loosen up a bit. Try to relax. Focus on me and not on the water, okay?" The young director said as she looked up at the superstar above her.

"Alright, NK. Put your bended elbows on the sand and bend your left leg. Shizuru, place your left hand on NK's abdomen and your other hand should be pressing on the sand behind NK's head." Dominique, the photographer instructed. "Good. Now show us some passion and love. I want to see intimacy between the two of you. Give me an image of two lovers getting intimate with each other." He finished as she started clicking his camera. "That's right. You two are doing fine."

"Stop thinking and just feel." The young director whispered and soon after she felt the superstar's hand travelled down her abdomen, making her closed her eyes for a few seconds before once again opening it. Just in time to see the superstar's head descending with a look that she was so familiar with.

"That's great. Get a little closer, Shizuru. Hook your fingers on NK's jeans like you are about to remove it." The photographer instructed which the superstar followed, exposing a little of the young director's black bikini underneath her jeans. "Now, hold her neck, NK." He instructed once more. "Good. Tilt your head a little like you are about to kiss her, Shizuru."

The superstar once again did as instructed and as she descended down, she felt the same emotion that she had while watching the young director did the photo shoot with Masashi. It wasn't a pleasant emotion. One that can bring someone to the pit of darkness unconsciously. An emotion that she kept feeling whenever someone got in close proximity to the young director. One that she knew full well but will never admit. Her emotion got the better of her and became apparent in her demeanor. Her right hand curled angrily around the sand.

The photographers kept clicking their cameras and halted when they noticed the superstar's change in expression.

"Alright, we'll proceed to the next one." One of the photographers instructed.

It was the same photographer, Dominique, who was previously in-charge of the young director's photo shoot. He had enough experience to notice even just a little discomfort in his models and what was about to happen was something that will be of no help to the collection that he was trying hard to work on.

"I believe we are done for the day, ladies." The editor-in-chief interjected, patting the photographer's shoulder. She turned around and faced the models and crews who immediately gathered upon seeing her infamous pursing of lips signifying her little disappointment. Anyone who worked for her knew that gesture too well. "It is almost sunset." She continued, looking at the horizon where the sky was starting to be painted with the beautiful hue of red. "We have time on our hands. No need to overwork yourselves. I prepared a little party for everyone but I am afraid that I cannot join you for the rest of the night. I have things to attend to. All of you did your best today. You deserve some entertainment." She finished, offering a smile to her models and crews.

"It's party time!" A joyful male model yelled and all the others smiled, knowing how generous the editor-in-chief can be.

"I am sorry, Madam Vi." The same photographer said in a very apologetic tone. Looking at the editor-in-chief like he had failed her miserably.

"It's not your fault, Dominique." The editor-in-chief said while looking at the two retreating women who were walking with a good distance between them. "Some things must be given time." She said in a distant voice to no one in particular as she looked at her granddaughter before returning her attention back to the photographer. "You did your job well today. Now, go and join the rest. Entertain yourself."

"I will, Madam. Thank you." The photographer said before following where the crowd went.


The venue was an open-air rest house where a small stage was set for the band playing wholesome music. Drinks and foods were served to everyone's contentment. It wasn't a wild bar-like party that will allow anyone to be completely loose but instead it was just a party with good music and delicious food to relax. Allowing the models and crews to loosen up a little without getting wasted. They had work to do after all.

Away from the crowd was the young director who was walking with her bare feet on the wet sand. She allowed the splash of the small waves to tickle her submerged limbs. Wearing only a short and a bikini topped with a loose white shirt, she enjoyed the cold wind as she let it touched her skin. Her solitude was disturbed when Masashi came with two bottles of cold beer in his hands.

"NK, what are you doing here? There's party in there, you know?" Masashi said as he walked beside the young director. "Oh, here." He offered the bottle to the young director.

"Thanks." The young director accepted the offered drinks and chugged a few drops before resuming her stroll. "Just not in the mood for it." She answered before she remembered something. "Aren't you supposed to be looking out for Ms. Viola?" she asked when she saw no hint of the said woman anywhere.

"It's alright. Madam Vi ordered me to keep her safe without limiting her freedom." Masashi answered as he drowned a good volume of beer that he was holding. "Besides, it's not like she can go anywhere from here on her own." He continued, looking at the city lights on the other side of the island. Suddenly, he remembered something. "Hey, NK."

"What is…" The young director was cut in her sentence when Masashi released a powerful right punch. She was just in time to sway her head to her left to evade the assault. "What the fuck, Masashi!? Are you out of your fuckin' mind!?" She said but Masashi attacked her again, releasing a side kick with his right leg. She was just in time to block it with her left arm. "Fine, if that's what you want." She said before going in a fighting position and throwing the beer away.

"Show me what you've got, NK." Masashi said before going into full fighting position and heightening his senses. The cold beer previously in his hand was long thrown to the sand before he made his first attack.

"Don't get too cocky, captain." The young director said, emphasizing Masashi's rank before throwing punches which were avoided by Masashi with practiced ease.

"Is that all you've got, NK?" Masashi said with a grin as he kept evading the punches. "You disappoint me." He said in mock disappointment. "I would really love a wife who can fight beside me or who can stand me." He taunted the young director.

"Who said I want to be your wife, idiot?" The young director said before releasing a round kick with her left leg.

Unfortunately for her, Masashi easily dodged it and disrupted her balance when her feet landed the sand thus, making her fall backwards. Just when she was about to get up, Masashi went down and pinned her arms above her while keeping her body locked between his legs.

"I did." Masashi said before slowly lowering his head.

"Get off me, idiot." The young director hissed between her teeth as her fists clenched beside her. Her emerald orbs stared angrily at the man above her. "Or else…"

"Or else what, NK? Huh?" Masashi taunted as he lowered his head, leaving a few distance between their lips. "What will you do?" he asked while his eyes looked into emerald orbs, unperturbed with the evident anger on them.

The young director just turned her head sideways to avoid Masashi's attempt to kiss her.

"Madam Vi's granddaughter is more fun than you. Quite rough and wild, though." Masashi said with a smirk. "But I love it. Any man would love it." he said in a maniacal tone filled with lust.

These words fuel the young director's anger more. She became still and quiet before abruptly turning berserk. Masashi didn't know how and when he ended up facing the sand with his left hand locked behind him and his right hand on his stomach. The young director's right hand was holding his head in a not so gentle way as she buried his face on the sand.

"How dare you lay your filthy hands on her?" The young director said in clenched teeth as she twisted the man's hand behind him.

Instead of writhing in pain and begging for her mercy, Masashi let out a boisterous laughter.

"Have you finally lost it, huh captain?" The young director said as she increased the pain she was inflicting on the man.

The young director did not get her desired result because Masashi's laughter got louder instead.

"You love her." Masashi said in a tone mixed with hurt. "You love her, NK." He repeated again as he relaxed his body. Admitting defeat.

"Did you touch her!?" the young director asked, ignoring the man's statement. "Answer me, idiot!?" she repeated as she twisted the man's wrist forcefully.

"No, NK." Masashi said as a matter-of-factly. "My duty is to protect her at all cost." He continued before letting out a low and sad laugh. "Funny, isn't it? I have to protect the person who just stole the heart of the woman that I love the most. Isn't that a betrayal to myself?" he said in a distant voice as his left face was still buried on the sand.

"Idiot." The young director said before completely releasing the man and settling on the sand instead, facing the massive sea.

"How I wish it is just another man who I can punch in the face." Masashi said wistfully after turning his body around, looking at the starry dark night sky above him. "That would have been easier." He said before retrieving something from his short's pocket. "Here." He threw a key to the young director's direction.

"What's this for?" The young director asked after catching the key, looking at the man who started to get up.

"It's a duplicate copy of Ms. Viola's room. She didn't come out since the party started. You might want to personally check on her." Masashi said before thrusting his thumb to a direction opposite where the party was. "That way."

"Thanks." The young director said shortly before getting up and dusting off the sand from her body.

"NK." Masashi called and looked at her. "I love you." He suddenly confessed before giving the director a sad smile. "Just want to say it out loud. Mom said women love to hear it from their important person. Not in my case though." He finished, scratching the back of his neck a bit awkwardly.

"I'm sorry." The young director said, not really knowing what to say.

"Don't be. Go now." Masashi urged the young director who just nodded her head before turning on her heels and going to the direction he pointed minutes ago. He was left staring at the back of the person that he loved the most, unable to do anything.


The superstar just came out of the bathroom with a white bathrobe securely wrapped around her. She decided against spending the night partying but instead went on enjoying a warm bath to relax her tired body. Not to mention her raging heart that kept skipping a bit whenever she see the young director and the sudden tightening of her stomach whenever she saw someone near the said woman.

She was drying her hair with a white towel when all her movements suddenly stopped. For there, calmly leaning on the door was the young director who offered her a genuine smile before starting to approach her.

"Enjoyed your bath, Shizuru?" The young director asked in Japanese as she held the towel and started drying the superstar's hair.

"What is Director Kruger doing here?" The superstar asked in a low tone as her heart started skipping bits again. Her crimson orbs were focused on the young director who was a good inches taller than her.

"It's Natsuki, Shizuru." The young director said as she kept drying the superstar's hair. The latter just stared at her. "Just call me, Natsuki. We're not at work anymore." She said, smiling at the superstar.

"Why is Natsuki not on the party? I am sure she will enjoy the company of Masashi-san. From what I saw earlier, Natsuki is quite comfortable with him." The superstar said, unable to hide the hint of jealousy in her voice.

"Oh. I see." The young director let a low laugh. "Is that why you suddenly got mad earlier? I am sorry. I didn't know you like him." She said, halting her drying of the superstar's hair before looking at the woman's crimson orbs.

"I wasn't mad." The superstar retorted after grabbing the towel from the director and turning her back towards her. "And I don't like him either." She said as she continued drying her hair on her own.

"You were and you are still mad." The young director said as she wrapped her arms around the superstar. Gently, she held the woman's hands in her own and brought them down, her fingers filling the gaps between the superstar's fingers, before planting a kiss on the woman's covered right shoulder. "I'm sorry, Shizuru."

"Why is Natsuki apologizing?" The superstar asked in low tone as her heart went out of her control. Perfectly reacting to the young director's gesture.

"There's nothing going on between Masashi and I, Shizuru. We just happened to know each other for quite some times but not the way you think." The young director explained, ignoring the superstar's question.

"How did Natsuki meet my grandmother?" The superstar asked the question that kept bothering her the entire day.

"Can I say pass to that?" The young director said sheepishly as she planted another kiss on the superstar's side of the head.

"No. Natsuki must answer my question if she's sincere with her apology." The superstar said with finality.

"It's as what your grandmother said. She met me in a compromising position." The director replied vaguely as she tightened her hold on the superstar.

"Can Natsuki be more specific?" The superstar probed further, getting more curious by the minute.

"She caught me on top of her model. Your partner during this morning's photo shoot. Giabiconi" The director finally said after loosening her hold on the superstar and completely withdrawing herself. The woman faced her with arched eyebrows. "We attended the same party and I got wasted. I couldn't keep my ground and he tried helping me but he was wasted too. We ended up on the ground with me on top. Just in time for the paparazzi to arrive and were about to make the juiciest headline in Paris the next morning. Your grandmother came and took care of things. She was able to stop the publication of the issue about Paris' top model's girlfriend to be finally revealed. But of course, some still leaked. So, I am still the mystery girlfriend." She explained to the superstar. "Satisfied now, Shizuru?" she said playfully to the superstar.

"Not yet, Natsuki." The superstar said as she approached the young director. "Natsuki was so irresponsible that she deserves a punishment." She continued as she wrapped her arms around the young director's neck and pulled the latter closer before capturing her lips. The young director followed her lead after wrapping her arms around her slim waist. "But I would rather give her a reward for her honesty with me." She said after breaking the kiss and embracing the woman thus, burying her head on the young director's shoulder.

A few minutes passed and the two just stayed in that comfortable embrace before the superstar broke it.

"I think Natsuki needs a warm bath as well." The superstar said as she disentangled herself from the young director. "Natsuki has sand all over her." She said as a matter-of-factly, looking at the young director.

"Yeah." The young director said before giving her a soft kiss on the forehead. "I should probably go now. I'll see you tomorrow." She said before starting to proceed to the door.

"Where is Natsuki going?" The superstar held her hand, stopping her from proceeding further. "I believe the bathroom is that way." She said gesturing to her bathroom's direction.

"I am going to my unit, Shizuru. I will take my shower there." The young director smiled.

"Natsuki is in her unit." The superstar said before sitting down on the queen-sized bed.

"What do you mean, Shizuru?" The young director asked and just then, her phone rang.

"I believe grandmother can answer your question, Natsuki." The superstar said, urging her to take her phone which was on the pocket of her shorts. It was the same phone given to her by the editor-in-chief.

The young director looked at the number registered on her phone and it was indeed the editor-in-chief. "Hello." The young director spoke in French.

"Good evening, young lady." The person on the other line spoke in French. "I hope you will not mind your accommodation tonight. There are only few rooms in that rest house so, I decided to put you in the same room with my granddaughter. I know that you will take care of her. Yes?"

"Oui, Madam Vi." The young director replied in French. "Did she agree with the arrangement?"

"I don't have to ask for her agreement, young lady. You know my granddaughter for quite some times now and I believe you already have an idea of how she can be. I wish you have the patience, young lady." The person on the other side said.

"Don't worry about it, Madam Vi. I understand." The young director replied, looking at the superstar who continued drying her hair while looking at her.

"Thank you, young lady. Rest well. I am hanging up now." The person on the other line said before the line was cut off.

"I am taking a shower. Don't wait for me and don't sleep on the couch, okay?" The young director ordered as she bent down to be on the same level with the superstar who was sitting on the bed. "Okay, Shizuru?" She asked again when she received no reply.

"Yes, Natsuki." The superstar answered, smiling at her.

"Goodnight." The young director said before walking towards the bathroom's direction.

After long minutes in the bathroom, the young director was finally done. She smiled upon seeing the superstar who was serenely sleeping on the bed or so she thought.

"Natsuki is done now?" The superstar said in her sleep-filled voice.

"Why are you still awake?" The young director asked as she approached the bed.

"I am waiting for Natsuki. I don't want her to sleep on the couch." The superstar said before tapping the empty space beside her. "Come now."

"You're really impossible." The young director shook her head before releasing a sigh and doing what the superstar wanted. Knowing that there was no way she can argue with her plus the woman was obviously sleepy.

She settled on the empty side of the bed and the superstar snuggled closed to her before wrapping her arms around the young director. The young director retrieved the blanket and covered their bodies.

"Goodnight, Natsuki." The superstar slurred in her sleep-filled voice.

"Sleep now, Shizuru." The young director said after kissing the superstar's forehead.

A few hours later and the young director woke up to the sound of the superstar's pained voice. She looked at the woman's pained expression and saw traces of tears on her delicate face. The superstar was mumbling incoherently as her face contorted like she was writhing in pain.

"Okaa-sama, no!" The superstar suddenly jerked up, extending her right hand as if reaching for something.

Beads of sweat were apparent on her forehead. She was having the same nightmare over and over again and it was the day when the plane crash accident happened. Everything was so vivid like she was again back into the same place on the same time. She could feel the sensation of seawater filling her lungs and disabling her to breath. She could see her mother smiling at her before she was roughly pushed out of the aircraft's emergency exit.

"Shizuru, it's just a nightmare." The young director said soothingly as she gathered the woman in her arms.

The superstar held tightly unto the young director's shirt as she tried to calm herself. "Kannin na. I woke Natsuki up." she whispered in a voice devoid of any strength.

"It's alright." The young director said soothingly as she held the superstar's face and gently wiped the tears off the woman's face with her thumbs. "You're alright now, Shizuru." She said, looking at the superstar's crimson orbs. "Let's get you back to sleep."

The young director guided the superstar back to bed but this time she used her shoulder to cushion the woman's head and pulled the latter closer to her. "You're safe now, Shizuru. Sleep." She said as she started humming a tone to lull the superstar to sleep. She caressed the woman's back in an up-down manner in an attempt to make her sleep.

"Ookini, Natsuki." The superstar said as she closed her eyes.

Minutes later, the superstar finally lost consciousness of the world around her and succumbed to sleep.

"I wish I could do something to keep your nightmares away, Shizuru." The young director thought sadly as she planted a soft kiss on the top of the woman's head.


This is Author thanking you for reading and leaving some comments. Have a great life, everyone!