Sorry everyone, I've been super busy! But here's the second to last chapter. Thanks for everyone who's read along! Extra thanks to those who reviewed. I love you all!

Cheers xoxo

Chapter 36: Unforgotten Talent

"Obviously, Vivian is never going to admit she actually said those words," Honoka said, tossing down a stack of tabloids. "She's threatened to sue for slander but never carried through. I think we've come to an understanding that this whole eating disorder thing is over."

"What does that mean?" Misaki asked.

"Basically," Honoka explained. "She'll stop telling people lies about you and we won't bring up the tape."

"Do people believe me?" Misaki asked.

"Now Misaki," Satsuki said. "You know how social media is. There will always be people who believed you from the start and others who will never believe you."

"I don't think you want to keep the drama going," Honoka added. "This is the best end to the problem."

Misaki nodded. "I'm just glad it's over then."

"So just let the tabloids keep spinning," Satsuki added. "We have more important things to worry about."

"Like what?" Misaki asked.

Satsuki beamed as she pulled a large stack of papers from her bag. "Your new project, of course," she said.

Misaki couldn't stop the smile from breaking out on her face. "What have you been thinking?"

"Even with the 'scandal,' many directors have still asked you to come in for readings," Satsuki explained. "I read through all the scripts and I thought this was the best one. Of course, I have the other scripts for you to look over too."

Misaki took the script. "The Poker Player," she read. "What's it about?" she asked, flipping open the script.

"It's a mystery film,"

"Would I be reading for the Casino girl?" Misaki asked, leafing through the pages.

"Jacqueline," Honoka said. "Yes."

"It's a huge supporting role," Satsuki explained.

Misaki skimmed a page. "So who are they considering for the lead?"

Satsuki giggled. "Your boyfriend, Takumi Usui!"

Misaki almost dropped the script. "You mean we'd be on set together again?"

Satsuki eagerly nodded. "Isn't that exciting?! Plus, this movie looks really good. Not Red Rider good but still very good."

Misaki smiled. "Okay, I'll read over the scripts."

"Perfect!" Satsuki cheered. "Oh, I'm so excited!"

Just then, Misaki's phone rang.

"Hello-"

"Misa Chan!" a panicked voice said. "Are you okay?"

"Hinata," Misaki said, surprised. "Of course, I am. I thought you were in NYC."

"I was," Hinata replied. "I'm outside your door right now."

"What the-"

Misaki quickly got up to answer the door.

"Misaki!" Hinata exclaimed. "I heard you were in the hospital!"

"Come in first," Misaki said, closing the door. "And I'm perfectly fine."

"Hello Hinata," Honoka greeted, packing up her belongings.

"Hi," Hinata greeted Honoka and Satsuki.

"We'll be going then," Satsuki said.

The door closed and Hinata turned to Misaki.

"You swear you're okay?" Hinata asked.

"Yup," Misaki said. "Do I look sick to you?"

"No…" Hinata replied. "So Vivian completely made everything up?"

"Unfortunately…"

"I knew she was strange!" Hinata exclaimed.

"Hinata," Misaki said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's over now."

"But people-"

"It doesn't matter."

Hinata frowned. "What about you and Takumi?" he asked.

Misaki slowly nodded. Hinata let out a deep breath.

"I wish I could have been here for you," he finally said. "I'm sorry."

Misaki shook her head. "It's fine," she said. "You had to work."

"Is that why Takumi didn't work?" Hinata asked.

"I-" Now to think of it…Takumi all of a sudden starts working when she does? He must have not done any readings while Misaki was busy campaigning around with Lauren.

"I don't know."

"He's a good guy," Hinata finally said. "He can give up any project for you."

Misaki smiled. "I guess he can."

"I could too-"

"Hinata," Misaki said, giving him a look. "Don't go quitting your work in NYC."

"Would it do any good?" Hinata asked.

Misaki hesitantly shook her head. "I'm sorry, You kun," she said. "I love him."

Hinata sighed. "I understand," he said. He clenched his fist. "But if he ever hurts you, I'll never forgive him."

"I'll be sure to tell him," Misaki laughed. "Friends still then?" she asked.

"Always," Hinata said, giving her a hug.

"You hungry?" Misaki asked. "I have some left over cookies."

Hinata grinned. "I like cookies," he simply said.

"So do I actually need to learn to play poker?" Misaki asked, closing the script.

"To get into character, why not?" Takumi said. He was getting his hair styled at the moment.

"Should I order a book then?" Misaki mumbled as Erika applied red lipstick.

"Why would you do that?" Takumi asked as his hair stylist sprayed hairspray. "I'll teach you."

"You play poker?"

"I'm quite good actually," he said, smirking.

"Why am I not surprised…?" Misaki muttered.

"Misaki, Takumi," a man said, knocking on their dressing room door. "The director would like you on set in twenty minutes."

"Thank you," Honoka said.

"You nervous?" Alice said, putting her hands on Takumi's shoulders. "It's the first day!"

"Alice…" Takumi complained. "It's not the first day of school."

"Well, someone isn't thrilled about the first day of shooting," Alice said, frowning. "How about you, Misaki?"

"I'm holding up," Misaki said, rearranging the necklace around her neck.

Her hair was twisted into an elegant bun to show off her intricate earrings. Her costume was a long black dress. The back had multiple cut outs and lots of delicate straps.

"Very sexy," Takumi said, appraisingly when Misaki stood up.

"You're not too bad either," Misaki said, straightening his tie.

"Why, thank you, Jaqueline," Takumi teased.

"Have you worked with Jack Mast before?" Misaki asked. Jack Mast was the director for The Poker Player.

"Nope," Takumi replied. "But he'll be a lot easier than Benedict Riser."

"Thank goodness," Misaki laughed. "So you memorize your lines yet?"

"All of them," Takumi said, smugly. "Want to rehearse with me in private?"

"I suppose if you need the extra practice," Misaki teased.

"Great, I'll pick you up at 7 then?" Takumi asked.

Misaki raised an eyebrow. "The entire cast is staying at the hotel."

"I will be at your hotel room door by 7," Takumi corrected himself. "Good enough?"

Misaki nodded.

"Alright," Jack Mast said. "I need Jacqueline by the bar and Nathan by the door."

"Whoa," Misaki breathed as she examined the set. Now with all the bright lights turned on, the place really did look like a luxury casino. There were a lot of extras in the scene too. They were all dressed in gorgeous costumes as makeup artists rushed from person to person to touch them up.

"Positions everyone!" Jack Mast called from his director's chair. "Lights! Cameras! Action!"

Misaki found herself under the bright lights and in front of the camera again. Nothing felt better than this.

"You can't beat him," Misaki said in a low voice. Her eyes flicked over to Takumi.

"And why is that?" Takumi asked, taking a step forward.

Misaki smirked. "He's never lost."

Takumi walked up to her. His hand was on the counter of the bar, their fingers almost touching.

"Who's he?" he asked.

"They call him Mr. Yang," Misaki said, pulling her hand back.

"Yang," Takumi said, thinking. "And the woman?"

Misaki raised an eyebrow. "You know about her?" she asked.

Takumi chuckled. "I'm observant."

"Are you?"

Takumi leaned back and looked Misaki over. "You're owned by this Mr. Yang," he finally said.

Misaki looked up. "How do you know?" she asked, in shock.

Takumi took another step forward and gently placed his hand on one of the straps of Misaki's dress and moved it slightly. It revealed the Yin Yang tattoo on the back of Misaki's shoulder.

"The black," Takumi whispered.

The cameras got closer.

"Yang,"

Misaki locked eyes with Takumi.

"The white," Takumi continued. "Yin… If I'm right, the woman is Yin."

"You'll never find them," Misaki said, pushing his hand away.

"Yin and Yang," Takumi said in a low voice. "Take down one and the other will fall too."

"How will you do that?" Misaki asked. "You'll be killed before you even lay a hand on either one."

Takumi smirked. "Take me to them, Jacqueline," Takumi said.

"You don't know what you're saying," Misaki said, ready to turn away.

"You want to stay here forever?" Takumi asked.

Misaki stopped. "Where else would I belong?"

"I'll take you away," Takumi blurted out.

Misaki laughed, rolling her eyes slightly. "Nathan, you're a good man," she said. She got close enough so her lips were almost against his ear. "I don't care if you're with the government or just a reckless investigator," she whispered. "But you should leave and never come back. I don't want to see you killed."

"Cut!" Jack said. "Anyone else get chills?" he asked the crowd. "Misaki, Takumi, the chemistry is really there! Excellent work."

"Thank you," Misaki and Takumi both said.

"Alright, everyone, take five and then we'll run the scene over."

"Definitely like this better than Red Rider," Takumi said.

"Why?" Misaki asked.

"Your portrayal of Jacqueline is so sexy," Takumi said, smirking.

"Shut up!" Misaki said, elbowing him.

"Want to practice our love scene?"

"No!" Misaki exclaimed, blushing.

"It's really not that bad," Takumi said, shamelessly. "It's a kissing scene that leads behind a screen where only our shadows are seen. Then it's just you, me and the entire camera crew laying in bed."

Misaki face palmed. "You are unbelievable."

Takumi just grinned. "Just imagine," he said, dramatically sweeping his hand through the air. "You and I together on sets until we're old and washed up."

"That's not a good ending," Misaki said, flatly.

Takumi took her hand. "Any ending with you is a good one."