Chapter 171: So Many Talents

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, Julie would help instill confidence in Kyoko.

Kyoko gaped as she stepped through the threshold of The Penthouse at the Beverly Wilshire hotel. Her eyes were wide as saucers as she marveled over the space in front of her, following Julie and the concierge into the " hotel room." It was as big as a house— a very extravagant house. It reminded her of Kuu's room in Tokyo, but on a grander scale due to its size, modern finishings, and decor that seemed to cover every wall and surface of what she could see, from the rug on the floor to the staged books on the coffee table. It looked like something straight out of a home magazine. Her eyes drifted down to the marble mosaic floors as her boots tapped on the shiny surface reflecting the light from… Her mouth dropped further as her line of sight traveled heavenward, discovering a crystal chandelier sitting in the high tray ceiling in the living room before her.

"Kyoko, come over here and take a look at the kitchen," Julie called out to her from somewhere deeper in the room.

Of course, this place has a kitchen.

Kyoko blinked away the white spots dancing across her vision from staring at the pretty prisms refracting the sunlight filtering in from the floor to ceiling glass doors for too long. She took a few steps towards Julie's voice and paused to look down at her feet.

"I'll be right there," she replied. The Japanese in her wouldn't let her take another step inside the room. A quick look around the space confirmed that there were no house slippers available. She removed her shoes anyway and placed them neatly against the wall by the entrance.

As Kyoko walked in the direction of Julie's voice, she admired the view of downtown Los Angeles through the glass doors that led outside to a wide terrace. Craning her neck, she wondered briefly what else could be seen from this height before joining Julie.

"We filled the refrigerator and pantry with the groceries you requested. You mentioned how important that was to you and Mr. Hizuri," the concierge assured her, opening the hidden door to reveal the food in the fridge of the gourmet kitchen.

"Very nice, Miguel. Thank you," Julie complimented with a radiant smile and flashed those sparkling emeralds on her.

"It's our pleasure, Mrs. Hizuri."

"What do you think, Kyoko?"

Kyoko smiled at her future mother-in-law and ran her hand over the dark marble countertop of the kitchen island that housed a glass stovetop at its center. It was similar to the kitchen in the Hizuri house with wood paneling on the back wall, disguising appliances, and cupboards.

While Miguel went on to describe the functionality of the space and its ability to house a small dinner party, it finally clicked why they were here. Kyoko was a little confused at first about why they were even in this extravagant room and didn't want to question Julie in front of the man, but now she understood — the groceries, the kitchen; this was the surprise lunch destination Julie mentioned on the drive over.

The tour of the enormous space brought them out onto the terrace that wrapped around three-quarters of the suite with breathtaking views of the Hollywood hills, the pacific ocean, and the skyline of downtown L.A. depending on which side you were looking out from. The suite had a media room, and three massive bedrooms complete with sitting areas and their en suites. While Miguel was showing them the final bedroom on the other side, twinkling chimes above filled the whole space.

"Perfect timing, that must be the chef," Miguel announced. "I bet you ladies are famished." He walked ahead of them to answer the door.

Chef?

Julie noticed her frown and said, "our lunch sweetie."

"Oh, I thought we were cooking together," Kyoko replied a little disappointed.

Julie chuckled and pulled her into a tight hug. "How did I gain such a sweet girl like you?"

Kyoko smiled and let herself be smothered by the motherly embrace.

"As much as that would have made me happy, I wanted to spoil you."

"I don't understand," Kyoko said after Julie released her. "Why is the refrigerator stocked?"

"Didn't Dad tell you?" Julie asked her perfect arched brows furrowing in confusion.

Kyoko thought about the enthusiastic conversation they had with Kuu at the breakfast table and shook her head. "It must have slipped his mind," she commented after a moment.

"We'll be staying here tonight. It was a last-minute decision Dad and I made last night after thinking about you kids being up so late working. Normally, Kuu and I like to head home after this event to sort of decompress, but this year is different; you're both here." Julie's eyes misted as she took Kyoko's hand in hers and squeezed.

"It made the most sense since we're using the ballroom downstairs to host tonight's gala," she explained, tugging Kyoko back to the front where Miguel could be heard talking to someone. "This way we don't have to commute home in the dead of the night and you can both get more sleep before you have to report for work. It's closer to your job site than the house."

"You really didn't have to. We could have..." Kyoko began to protest. She couldn't be sure, but this place had to cost a fortune. They had entered through the back and met the concierge at the entrance without stepping foot in the main lobby.

Julie whirled on her with wide eyes cutting her off. "That reminds me, if you didn't know then that means Yukihito and Tina don't know. We booked them separate rooms to stay in for the night as well and I was expecting Ku..uh Ren to tell them," Julie corrected herself before absentmindedly blurting her son's name.

"I can call, Ren," Kyoko offered. She had no luck and left him a message to call her back.

"They're probably still out riding. I know how much this means to Kuu and I hope they're having a good time. We'll try again if we don't hear anything after we eat."

Kyoko nodded and followed Julie toward the terrace where a silver cart sat while a man dressed in a polished butler uniform set the round outdoor table for two and Miguel spoke with another man dressed in a white chef uniform.

"Awe there she is...Mrs. Hizuri," the chef greeted her with a thick Mediterranean accent and air-kissed Julie's cheeks. "I see Mr. Hizuri is not with you today. I only needed one cart."

The joke about Kuu's insane eating habits made Julie and Kyoko laugh. "You're right. I'm dining with a young lady that I love like a daughter. Kyoko, this is Enzo, head chef of the patio restaurant downstairs."

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Enzo," Kyoko greeted with a formal bow.

"Oh, Japanese like Mr. Hizuri." The bow must have given her away, but it was so ingrained in her to show respect to a man in his position.

"Yes, she's visiting us from Japan."

"It's very nice to meet you, Kyoko. I hope you are enjoying your stay in Los Angeles."

"Yes, very much, thank you."

"I have to tell you Enzo, she's a fantastic chef herself," Julie began gushing. "No formal training yet, but her food is spectacular for her age and her technique can rival any head chef. You should see the way she wields a knife, absolutely flawless. She was in charge of the cuisine for last year's Christmas Eve party and trained experienced chefs to execute her recipes to cater to the Tokyo elite. I've had the opportunity of..."

Kyoko drowned out Julie's words as the heat rose to her face while her future mother-in-law continued to embarrassingly boast about her cooking skills. Is this what it was like being Corn growing up having such doting parents.

"That sounds very impressive, young lady. Do you plan on pursuing a career in the culinary arts? I would love to have you intern in my restaurant."

"Eh?" Kyoko gasped, blinking up at the friendly chef like he grew another head. He didn't even know if she was any good and here he was offering her a position as an apprentice.

"Ms. Julie is exaggerating my skills, Mr. Enzo. I can only cook Japanese home-style foods. It's hardly high quality. While I enjoy cooking for those I love, I don't plan on pursuing anything on a professional level."

"She's being modest," Julie whispered.

"It sounds like such a waste of talent. If there's anything I know, Mrs. Hizuri never over exaggerates. She has a knack for sniffing out great talent and great food," he boasted with a chuckle. "I would like to get your opinion of your meal today. Perhaps, you can write me a review or seek me out in the kitchens below. My team is responsible for providing the hors d'oeuvres and cocktails at tonight's gala. Maybe I can sway you to pursue a career in the field."

Kyoko smiled brightly. Nothing could change her mind about acting, but she would be delighted to see the American kitchen in action.

"That sounds like a marvelous idea, Enzo. We'll come down when we've finished up here."

"Wonderful, would you like Paul to stay and serve you?" Enzo asked, gesturing to the waiter that was now pouring water into one of the three crystal glasses of each set from a chilled bottle. Kyoko gulped as she took in the fancy plate setting and numerous utensils fit for a princess.

"That won't be necessary, thank you, Paul."

"My pleasure, Mrs. Hizuri," Paul responded with a slight bow.

"Then please, let's have you ladies sit and we'll start you with the first course and leave you to enjoy."

Paul held out the chair for Kyoko while Enzo did the same for Julie. When Kyoko was seated, the waiter draped a cloth napkin over her lap first then Julie's. He moved to the cart and placed small servings of appetizers and plates of salad in front of them. Enzo ran through the menu he had prepared for their lunch. Kyoko was practically salivating as he instructed Paul to place the platter of petit fours in the refrigerator.

"We'll leave the cart here for you to keep it warm. I ask that you eat quickly so the meals are still fresh."

"Thank you, Enzo. Everything sounds delicious."

"You're welcome, please enjoy your meal." The three men let themselves out of the room.

"This all looks wonderful, mom, thank you. I'm just not sure what silverware I'm supposed to use."

Julie laughed, "I try to forget too and it's just lunch. Do you want to use them properly? It might be good practice for us tonight."

"Okay," Kyoko nodded excitedly. She was going to learn how to eat like a princess.

"Alright, first let me make us a mocktail."

"A mocktail?" Kyoko raised her brows, repeating the foreign word in her head, as Julie put ice in their extra glasses and poured a clear liquid from the other glass bottle and mixed it with soda water. After a quick little stir, she garnished the drinks with mint and lime.

"It's a non-alcoholic cocktail. A play on the word mock and cocktail." She handed Kyoko her glass and took her seat, taking a sip.

"It's fruity," Kyoko exclaimed and took another sip. She wasn't expecting to like the soda water but the mixture in the other bottle made it tasty.

"Okay, now that we have drinks let me tell you what's what here," she said looking over the setting. Kyoko committed each utensil to memory as Julie quickly pointed out the purpose of each one.

Julie had suggested they put on an air of haughtiness as they ate, demonstrating proper dining etiquette. For the next half hour, they were Lady Julienna and Lady Kyoko with their noses in the air as they daintily ate their meal and conversed with nasally British accents. Choosing the small fork on the left, they dug into the salad and bread that was provided for their appetizer. The vinaigrette on her salad was delicious and the bread dipped in a garlic-infused olive oil made Kyoko have to stifle a moan unbecoming of a lady of her stature. She would have plenty to talk to Enzo about with just the first course.

Between bites, they kept a steady flow of conversation while Kyoko answered all Julie's questions regarding the MV they were filming and her life back in Tokyo. Julie in-kind answered any of Kyoko's questions, personal and work-related. They never really had a chance to talk one on one like this for a long period to get to know one another. Kyoko didn't realize that they had flown through the rest of the courses Enzo had brought for them until Julie mentioned dessert.

Kyoko excitedly jumped off her chair to retrieve the sweet treats while Julie neatly stacked their used dishes back onto the cart. In the fridge, she found the platter that Enzo had left them containing an assortment of confectionaries that ranged from chocolate cakes to tarts. The mini coconut cream pie, resembling a perfect scoop of vanilla ice cream was by far her favorite and made her want to lick the residual sauce on her plate. I wonder if Mr. Enzo would give me the recipe?

"Well, I'm stuffed," Julie told her leaning back. "Did you like the food?"

"Yes, Mr. Enzo's food was truly a culinary masterpiece. Thank you."

"You're welcome, sweetie. Someday we need to come back and eat in the restaurant. We'll bring the boys," Julie suggested with a hopeful expression.

"That would be nice," Kyoko agreed. Since Kuon was open to auditioning for American films again, she assumed trips to visit his parents would become a thing with them whenever their schedules allowed it.

"I'm sorry," Julie told her with a softness in her voice changing the mood.

"Huh?" Kyoko blinked unintelligently, dumbfounded by her sudden apology.

"For going on about how fantastic your cooking skills are with Enzo. I noticed it made you uncomfortable, but it's the truth."

"Oh no, no, no," Kyoko blushed. "It's just I'm not used to such high praise. I wouldn't want to disappoint you in front of your friend if I turn out to be just mediocre compared to a professional," Kyoko mumbled the last of her words and stared down at her lap. She was making great progress with her confidence, but now and again inadequacy tended to rear its ugly head in her mind from many years of failure in her mother's eyes.

"Kyoko," Julie reached over and tilted her chin up so they were looking eye to eye. Those emerald green eyes bore into her golden orbs like her son tended to do and stared at her proudly. Kyoko gulped. "I think you're a very beautiful and talented young lady. You can achieve anything you set your mind to. You're a phenomenal actress, an excellent chef, and you have a heart of gold. Even on a bad day, you would never ever be considered mediocre. Do you understand me? Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, or they'll have to answer to me."

Kyoko's eyes moistened. She could only nod because the golf ball size lump in her throat kept her from speaking.

Julie flashed her a dazzling smile as she stroked Kyoko's cheek. "I know your dream is to be Japan's top actress, but it doesn't hurt to polish your other skills. Kuon told me you enjoy school, do you plan on pursuing higher learning after you graduate?"

Kyoko shook her head. She had planned on focusing on acting full time and take advantage of LME's training facility.

"I know many celebrities here have degrees. Kuu and I are not one of them, but we have plans beyond acting or modeling. Kuu is thinking about producing films while I've had the opportunity to invest in things I love. I'm more of a silent partner with several successful designers. My most recent business venture is jewelry. I had a designer friend approach me with a proposal that could be quite lucrative. Our target audience is, of course, girls your age. May I see?" Julie asked, nodding to Princess Rosa hanging around her neck.

Kyoko leaned forward so Julie could inspect the necklace.

"The craftsmanship is well done. Kuon said you made this by yourself." She said, impressed.

"Well, Kuon gave me the stone for my birthday. I only made the housing and bought the chain."

"Your combined efforts resulted in something lovely."

"Thank you," Kyoko blushed again.

"See, so many talents, and I'll have you know that Kuon told me about your doll-making capabilities."

Kyoko looked aghast. How could he? Did Julie know how many dolls she had of her son? It was borderline obsessive and so embarrassing. She would wring Kuon's neck when she saw him later.

"Don't think you can hide your other talents from me, young lady," Julie teased. "Not when my son likes to sing your praises. I may have to commission you to recreate our little family."

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Yes! I only want the best in the business, and a little birdie told me that you, my dear, are the best!" Julie stated, matter-of-fact.

Kyoko giggled shyly as confidence bloomed within her. Maybe she could make them as a Christmas present for the Hizuris. Her mind was already racing with possible design ideas.

She caught Julie giving her a knowing smile and looked away. A small smile graced Kyoko's lips as she thought about all the kind things Julie had said earlier even if it came from the heart of a doting mother.

"I guess Tina is still busy," Julie said, glancing at her watch and frowned.

Kyoko looked at the time on her phone and found that it had been over an hour and a half since Tina last called to inform them of her delay. After Kyoko told Julie, she had texted Tina to meet them at Rodeo drive.

"Are you up for moving?" Julie asked, standing up from her seat. "We can head down and speak to Enzo for a few minutes if you want. Then we can hit the shops...my treat. Since we're staying in the general area, it would be easy for Tina to meet up with us."

"Okay," Kyoko gulped, noticing the gleam in Julie's emerald eyes when she mentioned my treat. The thought of going shopping with Julie scared her. If her son was of any comparison, Kyoko had a feeling she was about to be bombarded with gifts.

"Let's freshen up and then head out," Julie suggested. "Which room would you like to use for the night?"

"We can take the one on the right," Kyoko answered, surprised at given a choice. She chose the second largest bedroom on the other side of the suite without hesitation. There was no way she could take the master bedroom away from the Hizuris.

As she headed toward her room, Julie stopped her. "Don't forget to try Kuon again and make sure to tell him to bring your dress for tonight. We'll be getting ready here."

Kuon trudged after his father through the garage, his heart heavy with shame. He didn't know what came over him in that bar. In his panic to get rid of the video, he had disclosed way too much information about what they did last night.

He stopped when his dad paused and sighed heavily in front of him. Kuon followed Kuu's line of sight and caught him staring at the pine tree dangling from the rearview mirror of the Porsche. Shit, I forgot to throw that out when we got home.

"Dad, I…" Kuon began but Kuu just held up his hand and waved off whatever he was going to say.

"It's okay, son. I understand. I just need a moment to purge my mind of this situation." Kuu resumed walking toward the door that led into the house when Kuon's phone vibrated in his jacket pocket.

He glanced at the caller nervously and took a deep breath before answering.

"Hey, baby," he answered smoothly.

"Hi, I'm glad you're okay. I tried calling earlier but you didn't answer."

"I'm sorry, I must have missed it. We just got back from our ride," Kuon explained, following his dad into the house.

"Mom and I are getting ready to head out shopping, but I needed to ask if Dad told you about staying overnight in a hotel?"

"A hotel?" Kuon asked confused and glanced up at his dad ahead of him.

Kuu smacked his forehead, "I forgot to tell you guys."

"Yashiro-san has a room reservation too so he needs to be informed. It also looks like we won't be coming home so could you please pack a few things for me."

"Sure babe, tell me what you need."

"I don't need much. A change of clothes to wear to the set tomorrow, a pair of PJs, and my toiletry bag. Also, Mom said we were getting ready here so I'll need my dress and the sandals sitting beside it."

"Anything else?" There was a pregnant pause on her end which made Kuon's heart rate speed up. "Kyoko? Is everything okay?" He asked nervously. "Is Tina with you?" Did she rat me out?

"Oh, it's nothing," she replied a little too quickly for his taste, convincing him that it was not nothing. "We haven't heard from, Tina. She had an issue at work that she needed to sort out, but we're hoping to meet up with her soon. I'll let her know about the room for tonight."

Kuon grimaced guiltily. That's what Tina meant when she said she lied for his sake. He owed her one.

"You could always call her to see what's taking her so long."

"Won't she think I'm being rude?"

"Kyoko, you're her friend. She won't mind. It would make her happy if you checked up on her."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

"Okay, I'll call her. I love you, Corn. See you in a bit."

"I love you. I'll see you soon." Kuon sighed as the call ended. That went pretty well.

"Sorry about that," Kuu apologized while munching on some rice crackers. "I got caught up in the excitement this morning that it completely slipped my mind."

"It's fine. Kyoko mentioned a room for Yukihito too."

"Yes, we reserved separate rooms for him and Tina. It's the least we could do since this was sprung on them so last minute and Yuki needs to accompany you guys for work early in the morning. Make sure to tell him it's non-refundable if he tries to decline and that his money is no good to me."

Kuon laughed. "Thanks, Dad. I'll let him know. I have to finish our laundry and start packing."

"We have several hours before we have to leave for the hotel, do you want some help running lines for your audition?"

"You're not mad at me?" Kuon asked, surprised.

Kuu frowned and shook his head with a soft chuckle. He came closer and squeezed Kuon's shoulder. "I think you've learned a valuable lesson today. Go and shower, do what you have to do, and I'll meet you in the study later."

Kuon smiled at his dad and nodded. He headed straight for the laundry room while texting Yashiro to call him rather than calling the manager directly. Because of Yashiro's superpower to render electronics useless within ten seconds, he would need time to put on his gloves and seldom answered on the first attempt.

Kuon had just finished emptying the dryer of their clean, now wrinkled, clothes when Yashiro called.

"Hello!" he answered, hoisting the basket up and balancing it on his hip while he walked to their room.

"Hey, Kuon, everything alright?"

"Yeah, how is everything going? Getting around okay?"

"Good so far. I managed the chaos of the freeway and I didn't kill the car. Did you need something from me?"

"I called to tell you that my parents reserved a room for you at the hotel where tonight's event is taking place. I'll text you the address. We're all staying there to avoid commuting home just to head back a few hours later."

"But I have a perfectly good room already," Yashiro countered with a hint of a whine in his tone.

"Dad said it's non-refundable because of the event."

"I'll pay him back."

"He thought you'd say that and said your money's no good to him."

Yashiro sighed warily. "Now I know where you get your personality from," he grumbled, making Kuon chuckle.

"We'll be in the Penthouse Suite later if you want to come over and hang until we have to get dressed. I'll text you when we leave the house."

"Hang?" Yashiro teased. "That's so American of you...Oh, if Tsuruga Ren's fans only knew..."

"Ha, ha!" Kuon replied sarcastically. "I'll text you later."

"Got it, see you later."

Kuon hung up and tossed the basket on the bed to begin the tedious task of folding and hanging clothes. I should do this more often, he thought pervertedly, attempting to fold one of Kyoko's lacy thongs. Once the bed was clear, he began gathering everything they needed for the night starting with the most important items — her dress and his tux. He hopped in the shower when he had everything laid out on the bed. All he had left to do was borrow a small travel bag from his dad and pack it up.

After his shower, Kuon carried the garment bags containing their outfits for tonight up the stairs searching for his Dad, since he wasn't in the study. Upstairs in the living room, it looked like Kuu had the same idea of gathering the stuff he needed to bring. Kuon added his clothes to the pile draped on the back of the living room sofa.

"Hey, Dad," Kuon called walking through the empty kitchen and heading for the stairs that would lead to his parents' bedroom.

"I'm up here," his dad called down.

"Could I borrow a small travel bag for our stuff?" Kuon asked once he found his dad gathering their stuff together as well.

"Yeah, check your mother's closet. Lord knows she has plenty in that room."

"Thanks!"

Kuon walked into his mother's vast closet and waited for the motion-sensor lights to flicker on. The closet was every woman's dream. A wall of floor-to-ceiling shelves was filled to the brim with shoes and bags. Clothes neatly hung and organized by style and color on the other walls could rival any high-end boutique found on Rodeo Drive. Aside from the satin chaise sitting in the middle of the room and a full-length mirror standing in the corner, the only other furniture was the chest of drawers that he knew housed his mother's jewelry and other accessories. He wondered briefly if Kyoko would ever want a room like this in their future home. It would be fun helping her fill it.

"I'm heading down to the study now, son," Kuu shouted out, shaking Kuon out of his daydream.

"Okay, I'll be done soon," Kuon answered, finding a bag that would suit his needs. Before packing, he gave his dad the script to look over while he waited for him to finish up.

When he was done getting all their stuff upstairs, he joined his father in the study and found him sitting at his desk with his hands gripping his hair in frustration as he studied the script.

"Are you sure you want to do this, son?" Kuu asked without looking up from the sheets.

"You don't think I can?" Kuon asked, his voice hesitant and shaky with emotion. If his dad, renowned actor and man he admired the most, told him he didn't have what it took to pull this role off, Kuon didn't think he would have the will to continue acting.

"I think you'll be amazing, but at what cost?" Kuu asked, finally looking up at his son. His father's hazel eyes were red-rimmed, burning with unshed tears.

He thinks I'll be amazing! That's all Kuon needed to hear to regain his confidence.

Kuon smiled broadly. "It helps that I'm not the male lead and I think this will be a cakewalk compared to BJ," he said as his voice regained its confidence while taking a seat across his father.

"Are you sure?" Kuu asked, searching his eyes for any doubt.

"Baby steps, Dad," Kuon reassured him.

Kuu took a deep breath. "Okay, let's nail this."

AN: Thanks for continuing to stick with me. I HEART you all! Slowly but surely I am going to get them to that charity ball...lol. More family time to come in the next chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it!

Thank you for always reading and for the reviews of the last chapter. I truly appreciate hearing from readers!

Guest reviewers:

Lory is going to have to fight Julie for wedding planning dibs. I'm pretty sure the kidnapper would lose...lol. I hope he doesn't waste Ren's IOU on something unobtainable (I say it like I'm not the one writing this XD).

I figured since I was always using Ruto to gather intel for the president it wouldn't be too far-fetched that his right-hand man was just that talented.

Until next time, ja ne! ^_^