So sorry for the super late update
Writers block, power surges, start over, work, parenthood, baby erases data, start over again. blah!
NO MORE LATE UPDATES!
I'm roaming around downtown hoping to discreetly find myself on the same block as Sakura, when I hear a male voice call my name from the opposite side of the street.
"Taichi Kamiya right?" Cale, Sora's husband, greets me once he's made his way across to my side of the street.
"Please, just call me Tai." I say accepting his handshake.
"What are you doing downtown?" he asks me casually.
"I actually just left the station; I'm pulling a double so I'm not straying too far from the station so I can back in a couple of hours." I explain.
"Well I actually just can from visiting Sora at the salon," he states while he looks at his watch. "How about we have a beer; have some guy talk. I've wanted to discuss some things with you."
I suppress the frown that wants to overcome my face. Could Cale possibly know about me and Sora's minor infidelities? Curiosity overcomes me, so I abandon my plot to steal a few minutes of Sora's time and agree to go to the bar with Cale.
"So, what did you have to talk to me about?" I'm not scared, just nervous. I'd hate to cause any problems between Sora and her fiancé believe it or not.
Cale takes a hard swing of beer. "I actually wanted to thank you Mr. Kamiya."
Thank me?
"For…" I raise an eyebrow and look over at him oddly.
"For being such a good friend to my Sora, and keeping her company while I've been away," He says seriously. "I know I seem like a bad boyfriend, and that I've abandoned her for my work. But I'm working hard to ensure that our family will be secure in the future. So I want to thank you for keeping her occupied while I've been handling business."
Now I'm suppressing a laugh. I want to burst into laughter right there in Cale's face. Did this man just thank me for spending mass amount of time with his soon-to-be wife? Did he really just use the term "keeping her occupied"? If only he knew just how occupied we've been.
In the past months I've allowed myself to fully indulge in the fact that I have feeling for Sora. I know that I'll never have her as my own, for she belongs to the man sitting across from me. But I allow myself to hold her when I want to; to flirt with her, when I can't hold it in anymore; and to kiss her when I can't resist it any longer.
"Umm…no problem," I mumble, immediately preoccupy myself with the bottle in my hand.
Cale's cell phone rings and I'm thankful that he has to return to the office. When we part ways; I head straight to Sora's salon.
The arrogance Cale harbored as he thanked me for befriending his wife was infuriating! It was as if he deemed me unworthy of Sora's interest. That she wouldn't dare cheat on someone as superior as him with someone as inferior as me.
When I walk into Sakura, my frown instant disappears once I lay my eyes on the beautiful brunette standing at the first station chatting away with her patrons.
She doesn't see me at first; the salon is really busy today, even Nikki was too preoccupied with the phone to notice my entrance. I take this time to admire her as usual. It's the first week of March, and the air out is nice, with a slight chill. Still, Sora looks comfortable in a dark wash jeans and a black long sleeve t-shirt; a pair of black sneakers don her feet.
"It's crazy in here!" I comment as I approach her.
She turns her attention to me and gives me a warm smile. "Hey Tai,"
"How's it going?" I ask casually as I lean against the station.
"Look around," she motions, "Business is booming!"
"I can see that," I chuckle
"So what brings you this way?" she asks me, as she brushes through her clients brown hair.
"I was taking a break from work, and decided to stop by," I shrug. My eyes accidently travel over to meet with Lena's briefly, but I ignore her all together.
"Pulling a double?" she asks me with an amused look.
I nod my answer. "I actually just left from having drinks with your fiancé."
That amused look is quickly replaced with a frown. "Cale?"
"Yeah, Cale." I smirk at her.
"How did that happen?" she asks me placing the brush down on the counter and tapping her client. "You're all done. How do you like it?" her tone reverts back to the professional one she uses with her clients.
"It looks great as usual. Thanks Sora." The woman hands Sora a one hundred dollar bill and instructs her to keep the change.
Once the woman is gone Sora comes around her chair and takes a seat, awaiting my answer.
"He approached me on the street a couple blocks away, and asked me to join him at the bar for a couple beers. He had something he wanted to discuss with me." I tell her with a laugh.
Her eyebrows furrow in confusion and a hint of fear as she waits for me to continue. "Well what did he have to say to you?"
"He wanted to thank me. For keeping you occupied, as he put it." I tell her truthfully.
She cracks a flabbergasted expression, "You're kidding."
"Nope," I shake my head, "He actually thanked me for being your friend,"
She looks away and mumbles, "He's so egotistical" before returning her beautiful smile to me.
"So ready for our big trip at the end of the month?" she asks me as she swirls side to side in the chair.
"Yeah, I actually took off for it today," I tell her.
"I can't wait. It's been forever since I've been to a big event like this." She gushes.
"Me neither." I mumble, staring at the ground still lost in the thoughts of my encounter with her fiancé.
"There's no underlying meaning behind his words Tai," she says suddenly, causing me to look at her again. She continues, "Cale wasn't implying that he knows that anything has happened between us. He really was thanking you for occupying my time. So that I wouldn't be on his back constantly while he was gone."
I smirk and shake my head, "It was great seeing you Sora, I'm going to head back to work."
"Well thanks for dropping by," she replies standing to walk me outside. Once we are outside she speaks again, "Call me later?"
I nod and bid her farewell, and then make my way back to the station.
I took Sora's advice and gave Paula a call. Turns out she had scheduled a visit to the office this week anyways, so she quickly blew me off stating that we'd talk about 'whatever it was I wanted to talk about' during her visit.
So today I'm sitting at my desk patiently awaiting Mrs. Demur's arrival. Eugene stepped out of the office for a little while, which I'm very grateful for. I'd feel a lot more comfortable talking to Paula without him being present.
I'll be happy when his harassment is finally over. Hopefully Paula will fire him altogether, if not I hope he at least changes for the better after she confronts him.
"Knock Knock!" Paula's sings out as she enters the office.
"Paula!" exclaim standing to hug her. She looks fabulous as always in her fabulous designer pants suit and alligator pumps.
"Mimi, how are you," she asks giving me a motherly hug. "How is that handsome husband of yours?" she adds with a wink.
"We're doing great," I return the gesture and then usher her towards the small leather love seat to sit with me. "I've taken up a cooking class, and Matt as a big concert coming up!"
"That's good to hear. No little Tachikawa-Ishidas swimming around in there yet?" she teases me by rubbing my obviously flat belly.
"No, not yet anyways." I say with a giggle.
"So," she begins clapping her freshly manicured hands on her lap. "How are things around here going? Where is Eugene?" she asks me looking around.
"He stepped out." I tell her. "I actually wanted to talk to about him; while we have some privacy."
"What about him?" she asks me wearing a smirk and a raised eyebrow.
"He's been kind of, well really…inappropriate," I tell her slowly.
Paula's face is now sporting a frown. "Inappropriate? How so?"
"Making sexual advances and innuendoes towards me," I tell her honestly. "His new dress code, for example, requires me to wear only my mini skirt sets to works."
After a few minutes of her silently looking down at the floor, I continue. "I've tried to just chalk it up as him being friendly, but its making me really uncomfortable, Paula. I didn't know who else to turn to besides you. I haven't even told Matt."
Paula nods her head, but before she can speak the man in question comes barging into the room, obnoxiously talking on his cell phone. When he spots his mother and me on the sofa, he quickly wraps up his conversation.
"Mother, what are you doing here?" he asks her, obviously surprised.
"Eugene my dear son," she smiles and stands to hug him. I simply sit back and let the duo have their moment. I'm actually surprised that Eugene was unaware of Paula's visit.
"Mimi," Paula calls to me over her shoulder, "Why don't you take the rest of the day off my dear." It's more over a demand than an offer, so I stand and grab my purse out of my desk. I make brief eye contact with The Creep before exiting the room.
Woman to woman, friend to friend, I'm sure Paula will do the right thing and put an end to Eugene's indecency.
I try calling Sora, but to no avail. I then decide to go check up on things at Aros. Being that I'm the manager, I'm obligated
to do so.
I park in the back of the building and walk in to find the two employees are pretty busy today.
"Hey girls," I greet them.
"Hi Mimi," Ellie replies quickly as she checks out a customer. The other girl on duty, Hiroko, is busy assisting customers on the floor.
"Why didn't you call in the other two? It's crazy in here." I ask Ellie as I open up the second register and begin checking out.
"They're in class," she mumbled in response. "Ms. Sora is in the
office though." She tells me after the line has dissipated.
"That whore!" I mumble, "She didn't answer the phone." Ellie laughs as I make my way to the back where the office is.
"Hey Meems, you're off early," Sora greets me from her seat at the desk.
"I called you," I glare at her playfully.
"Sorry, I've been on the phone all day with designers, contractor, my mother and Cale." She huffs and motions at the pile of paper work on her desk. "This expansion is driving me crazy; I wish I could just reconsider it."
I laugh as I prop against the desk, "Well they've already started haven't they?"
Sora nods and sighs, "Yeah, they're gutting out the space next door, and then in a few weeks they'll knock out the wall to connect them. Everything is so cluttered out there now, and for some odd fucking reason, everyone wants to shop now! It's never been this busy before the construction started."
I laugh at her and she continues, "So why are you off work so early?"
"Paula came into town today." I tell her solemnly.
"Well…" she presses, "Did you talk to her?"
I nod my head, "Yeah briefly. He walked in before I could get her response."
"Did she seem upset or anything?" Sora asks me sitting back in the swivel office chair.
"She was just kind of blank. Then she dismissed me for the day," I answer her, "Eugene looked awfully worried though."
"Good," Sora smirks. "Hopefully Paula will do the right thing and fire that pervert."
"I hope she does something and fast." I sigh, "I've been in 'Bitchy Mimi' overload."
My best friend laughs and begins to twirl back and forth in the chair. "Well, I've got plans with Cale tonight before he heads back to India, but I'll call you tomorrow to see how everything with Paula goes. You mind closing up tonight?"
I shake my head, indicating that I don't mind, "I'll sit back here and think for a while. Matt has practice tonight."
"Thanks girl," and with that she breezes out of the store.
Today is the day of Amp Fest, one of the biggest music festivals in the region.
My salon is buzzing with teenagers and college students, all wanting to look their best for the concert. I'm not surprised to find Jun here with Lena, her friend and personal stylist.
"So did you get good seats for us?" Lena asks Jun.
"Yep, front row and back stage passes for three." She motions between Lena, Tori, and herself.
"Cool, I'm getting pretty excited!" Lena smiles as she teases Jun's already outrageous hair, with more hair spray.
"Jun backstage at a concert where Matt his performing? Not good," the mousy voice below me says. I laugh at Kari's joke; she's right.
I laugh as I snip a piece of her hair, "its Lena I'm more worried about," I tell her quietly. I don't think Jun's out to ultimately cause Mimi trouble, but I know Lena is.
"Thanks again for doing my hair for me." Kari repeats herself for the tenth time today.
"No problem." I reply with a giggle, "Don't forget to remind your mom of her appointment ,"
Kari nods. After a moment of silence she speaks again, "Sora I had a favor to ask you."
"Sure, what is it," I ask her curiously.
"I need another event to add to my portfolio for school. I was thinking about using pictures from Amp Fest tonight but I didn't think they would count." She pauses hoping I'm following her drift. I think I am.
"Anyways, I was wondering if I could take pictures at your wedding." She asks me before quickly adding. "I feel stupid because I'm not even invited, and I don't expect you to pay me or anything I just—"
I cut her off with a chuckle, "Nonsense girl. Of course you are invited and even better if you'll be my photographer. Less work I have to do finding one."
"Thanks," she smiles brightly.
"So you graduate next year?" I ask her confused. With Kari being twenty-one going on twenty-two, I figured she would be graduating this year on her four year mark in college. She seems too smart to be held up on any classes.
"In December," she tells me cheerfully, "I had to sit out one semester in my freshman year, I got really sick." She explains, still cheerful.
"Oh," I reply quietly, not sure of how to respond.
I'm saved by the door chime, as Tai walks in and exchanges brief words with my receptionist and then heads towards us.
"Hey big bro!" Kari greets him as he leans down to kiss her cheek.
"Hey sis," he replies and then looks at me with that gorgeous smile, "Sora,"
"Hi Tai," I blush. I don't know how he continues to make me feel this way. I see Tai at least twice a week and we text regularly. So how come every time I see or speak to him, I get all giddy? I feel like such a teenager!
"You hair looks great Kari," Tai compliments his sister.
"I know," she grins, "It actually looks professional!"
"Well whoever was cutting before was doing a pretty decent job." I tell her modestly. It really wasn't that bad before, but I could tell whoever would cut it was far from a professional.
"Well thank you. I do it myself," she smiles proudly. I nod my approval.
"So what time should I pick you up tonight Kari?" Tai asks her, leaning against the counter. Once again, Lena is shooting us the death stare.
"Oh, I'm actually riding with Sora, Mimi and Yolie." She informs him motioning towards me.
"Aww man," he feigns hurt, "I don't want to ride alone."
"You're so dramatic," I roll my eyes. I turn the chair towards the mirror so that Kari can see my finished work. "What about Izzy?"
"It looks amazing Sora," she gushes in her cute voice, "How much do I owe you," I wave her statement off as she's grabbing her purse, and continue to listen to Tai.
"I'm trying to convince him to go," Tai mumbles.
"Well go pick up T.K." Kari suggests as she plays with her hair in the mirror. "I really love this Sora," she murmurs more to herself.
"I guess so," he replies. After a dramatic sigh, he looks at me and smiles, "I guess I'll see you tonight," he winks at me before walking off.
I hear Kari giggle, but I decide to ignore her as I call over my next client.
Two hours into the festival and things are going pretty great! All the acts are giving phenomenal performances and the music is really good.
I can tell Kari is your average college student, because she's a huge fan of every band that is here tonight. She's been dancing and singing along to every song.
Kari, Tai, T.K, Yolie, Mimi, and I all have backstage passes thanks to Matt. We're watching the entire show from backstage.
Believe it or not it's actually a pretty good view of everything.
It's time for The Lovely Strange to go on now. I'm really anxious to see them perform alongside Matt. I just hope Rocket keeps her hands to herself; otherwise Mimi is going to flip!
The lights go out on the stage briefly, and I can slightly make out the silhouettes of Matt and the two sisters as they take their places on the stage.
In the darkness, the drummer, who frequently plays for the band, begins to play. Rocket begins to sing first in a tone that is quiet at first, and then rises to a yell with the sudden strum of Matt's electric guitar and the lights briefly flickering on. Then Racer joins in and they repeat this two more times until the hook begins and Matt plays solo, signally the lights to illuminate the stage for good.
The atmosphere out there is insane, the crowd if going wild! The girls are screaming for Matt, who is clad in a pair of black leather pants and a black sleeveless vest. His attention is on his Fender American guitar, a birthday present from Mimi from a few years back, as Rocket and Racer skip around the stage; Racer in a baggy pair of khaki cargo pants and a white tank top that stops mid stomach, and Racer is wearing a pair of tight leather shorts and a fishnet top with a bright pink bra underneath.
"Pretty tacky if you ask me." Mimi says to me as we watch from the side lines.
I laugh. I open my mouth to respond, but quickly close it as we watch Rocket stalk over to Matt and begin to stroke down his arms and back as he plays and she dances. Racer remains up front hyping up the crowd.
"That bitch!" Mimi roars, causing the rest of us to laugh hard.
Once the song is over and Rocket as had her share of fun feeling up my best friend's husband, Racer sends Matt off with an ovation, and he exits the stage towards us.
He runs to Mimi first of course who wraps her arms around his neck, kisses and congratulates him. I'm proud of her for not confronting him about Rocket's on stage activities.
The rest of the concert goes well. The Wolves make a huge impact on the crowd. I'm surprised when they begin to play their song Matt wrote in dedication to me. Mimi doesn't seem to mind too much, and Tai just looks on nonchalantly.
I hate hearing the lyrics to that song; it makes me uneasy to remember just how infatuated Matt was with me. It makes me feel crumby for not being able to reciprocate those feelings.
As we're making our way through the parking lot, I lag behind to get a little alone time with Tai.
"You've been pretty quiet tonight," I nudge him. We're headed to our respective cars with Kari and Yolie. Mimi and T.K. stayed behind to ride home with Matt.
"Honestly I'm really tired. I've been working like crazy," he tells me with a sheepish grin, "Of course, you know that."
"Yeah, you've neglected me for the past two weeks, since you ran into Cale," I pout, "But that's okay, next weekend you're all mine!" I add wrapping my arms around his slender waist, I hear him chuckle before he wraps his left arm around my shoulder.
"Yeah I can't wait," he replies in a low voice.
I enjoy his embrace for a few more moments before removing myself from his arms and walking along side him. No matter how warm and safe I feel in his arms, it's not the place I belong. Cale is my fiancé, not Tai.
We're almost to our cars when we hear a female voice calling Tai's name. We turn to find the mayor's daughter, Natsumi, approaching us with her friend.
"Hey Nat," Tai greets her with a bug smile and a hug. I instantly feel uneasy. There's a strange atmosphere between these two, and I don't have the stomach to deal with Tai being overjoyed to see another woman besides me.
I know what you're thinking. 'Shut up Sora, you're already engaged to someone else,' and you're right. I am.
Still I don't like the scene unfolding in front of me; Tai happily chatting away with the beautiful young woman in front of him.
Okaaay,
Again sorry for the late update, i had super writer's block, as you can tell from this proabably boring chapter. I've mapped out the rest of this story pretty much, so i should have much block again. I also work and I'm a full time Mom, sooo yeah. But i promise no more late updates!
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