Disclaimers: Fruits Basket belongs to Takaya Natsuki. I am only borrowing
the characters for a few pages or so because I love them so much. ^_~
Chapter 4- Chains
*****
"So will you still turn into a rat if I hug you Sohma-kun?" asked Tohru, emphasizing the word rat as she smiled recklessly up at enigmatic man holding her loosely in his arms as they danced.
Yuki quirked an eyebrow as his lips curved into a dangerous smile, "Want to find out?" he drawled in such a way that Tohru blushed.
Tohru tried to focus on the dance but Yuki's voice and his potent appeal was too much, even for her new-found confidence as Heaven. She stumbled a bit and found Yuki holding her a little more closely than before as Yuki asked, "Does your ankle still hurt?"
"Iie. And no, I don't think I want to find out," answered Tohru trying to inject as much carelessness as she could in her voice. They danced in relative silence, hardly noticing that the song was already ending. It was true, Tohru hardly felt pain in her swollen ankle, so immersed was she in this bittersweet encounter that she can only dance, dance as if nothing happened, dance as if she never prayed this day would come.
From the Musicians' Stand on the opposite side of the room, Kyou and Kagura were plotting.
"The waltz you idiot cat! Not Boogie!" hissed Kagura as she whacked Kyou on his arm.
Kyou chuckled as he said, "Gomen. I've always been curious to see how that stupid mouse would look like dancing the boogie." With a regretful sigh, he turned back to the head musician and asked for Strauss' Waltz. "What's this stupid plan again you psychopathic boar?" taunted Kyou while Kagura turned red.
Kagura pinched Kyou's ear, making the red-head wince in pain. "It's for Yu- chan and Tohru-san to see how perfect they are for each other! Don't you see Kyou? If they acknowledge the chemistry between them, there's a chance that they'd overlook whatever happened in the past! You know-- physical attraction, lightning, that sort of thing!" exclaimed Kagura as Kyou smirked.
"Oh? You mean like this?" drawled Kyou before he suddenly leaned down and kissed Kagura, cutting off her rambling. Kagura squealed at first and then went into a dreamy daze.
Kyou lifted his head up and pulled Kagura closer to his side. "All right then, let's see what you planned, " he murmured at the opening strings of the waltz started.
Whispers raced across the room as the waltz began playing. Ladies and gentlemen began spinning around, the bright colors of the gowns looking like spinning flowers from the sidelines and the dinner tables. Yuki and Tohru remained in the middle, looking at each other as Tohru made a move to break away from Yuki when the dance ended.
"Thank you for the dance," said Tohru, trying not to show the rapid beating of her heart as the waltz began to play. Since she moved to England, she still dreamed of dancing with Yuki, in a time and place like this with the waltz as their music. Their was something about the waltz that made her think of prince and princesses, of fairy tales and happily ever after endings. But she'd grown up and become cynical and work had taken the place of her fantasies. And yet, here and now seemed like a dream... a dream with the man she loved, a dream she knew would fade when morning comes. As she turned her back, she heard Yuki speak.
"Dance with me Tohru..."
Tohru slowly turned, her eyes bright with unshed tears. She took a deep breath, and while looking into Yuki's eyes, took his hand and began to dance.
****
"She's so beautiful isn't she?" asked a well-dressed man as he stood beside Keia, who like all the others in the room, was watching Yuki and Tohru dance.
Seething with anger, Keia turned to address the speaker and her jaw dropped in surprise. "You're Kosen-- the famous singer!" she gasped, momentarily forgetting her anger as she stared at the tall, black-haired and green eyed man with a cultured baritone voice. He gave a short bow, acknowledging her and resumed watching Tohru and Yuki. "I suppose you like her too," sneered Keia as she watched Kosen, his eyes never leaving Tohru.
Kosen quirked his brow at her and answered, "Man has always been fascinated with the idea of Heaven... and having her here now is almost like having an angel here on Earth."
"What?" snapped Keia, not understanding what Kosen said. Kosen only smiled as he began to hum under his breath, still looking at Tohru. "I think that I better go talk to my manager," said Kosen as a way of farewell, bowing to Keia briefly before blending into the crowd.
****
After the waltz, Yuki escorted Tohru back to her Uncle who was seated on one of the dinner tables near the dance floor. Yuki's eyes were unfathomable as he gazed back down on Tohru, who was silent but her cheeks red. "Thank you for the dance," said Yuki bowing. He held Tohru's hand for a second longer and then slowly backed away.
The moment he left, Tohru fanned her hot cheeks with her hand. Her eyes glittered brightly and Tetsuya who was watching the two of them dance sighed and silently acknowledged that even after all this years, Tohru was still in love with Sohma Yuki. Tohru glowed, in a way that can only be explained as 'blooming', like a rose after the rain and having seen the sun.
"Are you tired now dearest? Would you like to go back to the hotel?" asked Tetsuya softly. He wondered briefly if Tohru's ankle was okay but seeing the ethereal grace she exuded on the dance floor, an injured ankle seemed preposterous.
Tohru looked up and nodded. With a fatherly smile, Tetsuya said, "As you were dancing with Sohma-kun, I already made our excuses to the Minister, I knew after this dance you'd be about ready to drop in bed. Also, I spoke to one of Japan's leading idol-singers and his manager. He expressed an interest in his charge to performing a duet with you, I told him I'd inform him of our decision by tomorrow morning."
Tohru blinked and smiled up at her uncle after his overlong explanation. She shook her head, clearly gaining a hold of herself. "That sounds about just right Uncle!" she said with a grin as arm in arm, they walked out, unmindful of the eyes that were watching them.
***
Tohru's cell phone was ringing, as she groped under her bed sheets for it her eyes still closed. Tetsuya chuckled as he was walked over to the door of their room, hearing Tohru mumbling angrily about how a person could drown in bed sheets. Tetsuya smiled as he let the room service inside and accepted another bouquet of white roses.
Her eyes still closed, Tohru located her cell and answered sleepily, "Nani?"
An unidentified male voice spoke slowly, making Tohru's eyes open wide as he said, "YOU'RE MINE." And the line went dead.
Disturbed, Tohru gazed at her cell phone, wondering how that call got through when there were very few people who knew her private number. She raised her head and looked around the room in astonishment. From every corner, every unoccupied space from the previous night, hung dozens and dozens of white roses. Their scent sweetly mingled with the air and her Uncle Tetsuya came in, his arms loaded with another bouquet. He grinned at her as he dumped it at her lap.
"Delivery for you my dear," he said as room service followed in with her breakfast and a roll of today's newspapers and magazines. And on her dessert plate was a milky white chocolate mousse and several milk chocolate bits. There was a single strawberry on top of the cake though.
Tohru's dazed eyes took in the sight. Without saying a word, she took a fork and began to eat the cake. Her uncle, seeing that she was having her breakfast sat down nearby and opened the newspapers. The Society pages fell out and when he picked it up and looked at it, he gasped.
"What's wrong Uncle?" asked Tohru, the strawberry hovering between her lips.
Without saying anything, Tetsuya showed the front page of the Society section. There was a huge picture of her dancing with Yuki, and from the way the picture was taken...
"Sohma CEO Falls for Heaven," read Tetsuya aloud from the headline as more pictures of Tohru and Yuki were shown, including a picture of the two of them were smiling at each other. "The two of you together has completely overwhelmed the Minister's celebration," said Tetsuya as he looked at his niece's red face.
"Surely it isn't as bad as that," said Tohru nonchalantly as she chewed the strawberry and opened her breakfast tray to reveal strawberry crepes and waffles.
Tetsuya smiled as the news article rhapsodized on how perfect the two seemed together, that there was an obvious chemistry between them. The article concluded with the author writing, 'Despite Heaven's early departure from the party, the impact the two of them created still remained tangible. One also can't help but take note that the elusive multi- millionaire CEO Sohma Yuki didn't even bother to dance with his escort for the rest of the night but chose to speak with associates after Heaven had left. Can it be love at first sight for international angel Heaven and mysterious business icon Sohma Yuki whose nomination for the Vice-Minister of Trade was also announced last night?'
But Tetsuya's smile faded when he opened a magazine whose lurid headline made him wince. 'Heaven Steals Spotlight and Secretary's Boyfriend.' The article contained mainly pictures of Yuki and Keia from the outside and had only one picture of Heaven who was going out wearing a black dress with Tetsuya and another picture of Yuki and Keia who were on their way out. ' From good girl to sultry siren, evidently, Heaven isn't contented stealing the spotlight from the Minister's party but according to inside resources, Heaven has also managed to seduce CEO Sohma Yuki into abandoning his girlfriend whom he arrived with in the party last night...'
Tohru, who glanced at Tetsuya's direction and saw the magazine paled in anger. "Stupid magazine tabloids," she muttered as she finished eating. "It's really bad isn't it Uncle?" asked Tohru as she climbed out of bed and snatched the magazine from her Uncle. She read the article, her lips pressed together grimly. His girlfriend was with him last night?
"Maa, maa Tohru-chan, don't worry about this stupid tabloid. They weren't inside last night and had only second hand information to base this dreadful article on. Besides, I asked around last night and I found out that young Sohma-kun doesn't have a girlfriend, he was merely with his secretary last night," said Tetsuya trying to comfort his niece.
"I don't care," declared Tohru as she angrily threw the newspaper down. She threw herself down at her bed and answered another caller on her phone, snapping angrily, "What?"
"Looks like you saw the papers already Heaven-san," said Tomoyo on the other line.
Tohru sighed as she rubbed her neck. "Hai. The papers weren't really bad-- the magazines were. And I also got a business proposal to have a duet with some idol-singer named Kosen," narrated Tohru.
"So you know that the guy you met at the hotel last time is the idol- singer? He's very interested in you, I can tell," teased Tomoyo laughing when she heard Tohru screech.
"He's the guy who helped me up? No, I haven't met with him yet-- at least officially," answered Tohru.
Noting the weariness in her voice, Tomoyo turned serious and asked, "If I offer you my mom's private beach resort as a place where you can stay for the duration of your negotiations with Kosen, would you accept it? You badly need a break my friend, and my mom's place is fully equipped to pamper you and give you the rest and privacy you deserve."
"Thanks. Things are so bad here in Tokyo right now. I can certainly use a vacation where it's near enough for me to work. And you did say I have a chance for complete privacy there right?" replied Tohru.
Tomoyo smiled at the phone and gave a thumbs-up sign at Momiji who was seated nearby. "Yes, completely private!" assured Tomoyo cheerfully and gave the address and details to get there. She hung up the phone a few minutes later.
Tohru stared at her cell phone blankly, still wondering what possessed her to still continue staying in Japan instead of heading back to England. She glanced at her Uncle's bewildered face and said, "I definitely need a vacation Uncle. And I'm not up to going in a plane and having jet-lag," she excused as her Uncle merely arched a brow and smiled.
****
The Sohma's or at least members of the Jyuunishi who were active in their family business all gathered at Yuki's office, seated at a huge oval conference table. There were some older members of the Sohma family present and they all looked alert as they waited Yuki to begin their weekly progress reports.
Shigure is the chairman of the Sohma's publishing company, Kyou is the manager of the several restaurants, Kagura oversees the mall, Momiji handles the hotel and Hatsuharu and Hiro are in charge of the computer corporation. Hatori was also present as Yuki's vice-president.
Yuki sat at the head, reading reports as the members all waited for him to begin. Yuki dropped his papers as he stood up and looked at people at large. "All right, report," he ordered as Keia sat near his chair, taking notes in shorthand.
"Fourteen percent increase in production and sales of music DVDs this week Yuki," said Haru as he checked his own documents. Yuki nodded as Kagura next announced, "Sales are high this week and have risen higher just a few minutes ago when the mall opened. There was a large number of people going to our mall's boutiques for formal wear-- specifically in black and white."
"Not much change in publishing Yuki-kun, but there are new writers coming in and signing with our company's production of poems and novels," said Shigure cheerfully as he calmly sipped his tea.
"Forty percent increase in audience and customers in our hotel since we turned the poolside cafe as a mini-music bar and due to the publicity of having two international artists sing there in one night. There was a positive response from both society, middle-class and young people this week," reported Momiji gleefully, sure that his report was the best this week.
Other Jyuunishi's groaned and Kyou said, "Ten percent increase in the revenue of our restaurants and as Momiji said, the hotel's cafe is causing quite a huge following."
Yuki nodded, seemingly intent as he listened to other Sohma's give their reports.
After all of them had spoken, Hatori said suddenly, "Executives and employees of our business have been excited over the attention you've been receiving lately Yuki. Some bad press was unavoidable but the publicity is certainly revving up a lot of people in our conglomerate. Your nomination as the vice-minister of trade is also quite an accomplishment."
Older Sohma's who were unaware of Yuki's past involvement with Tohru began to remark that if Yuki was married, he wouldn't have to suffer the negative press of being seen dancing with an entertainer like Heaven.
Kyou and Kagura waited with bated breaths about Yuki's response as Hatori, with his usual no-nonsense manner of speaking asked, "So Yuki, if I read the papers all right, there seems to be a lot going on between you and Heaven. And being unmarried, you're linked romantically with her according to papers, there are even insinuations that you'd been courting her. What do you have to say about that?"
Kyou, who was unable to keep his mouth shut burst out, "They looked perfect together! Soul mates--"
Yuki wore an inscrutable look as the rest of his family looked at him in anxiety. He shrugged as he began fixing his papers, not giving any answer.
"Yuki, I heard from Tomoyo that Heaven might be working on a duet with some handsome idol-singer who also happens to be infatuated with her. Tomoyo told me that it might not only be work involved but also romantic conquest as well," informed Momiji, trying to elicit a reaction from Yuki.
Yuki stopped arranging the documents. He calmly placed them in his briefcase as he turned to leave.
Some of the relatives were grumbling and saying that at 25, Yuki should be married and have kids who'd inherit the empire. If he were married, he wouldn't be linked to some foreign singer! Being the CEO of all their businesses, it was imperative that Yuki upholds a clean image that the company can reflect on. "What are you going to do?" asked Kagura loudly when Yuki didn't answer.
"You can't fight fate kuso nezumi! Your reconciliation is long overdue! You may not deserve a second chance with a person like Tohru but clearly Kami- sama favors you," exclaimed Kyou followed by a string of expletives.
"So what will you do Yuki?" asked Hatori quietly.
Yuki turned around and gave an unconcerned smile. His eyes were cynical as he said, "Why marry her of course."
****
Yuki sighed as he disembarked from his yacht. Looks like the Sohma's took his idea of marriage so seriously that he was given a week to woo, propose and wed Heaven. Within minutes, his office was flooded with faxes of facts about Heaven and her career. His subordinates were informed via memo than their boss, Yuki would be taking a week long vacation to prepare wedding plans. That information alone caused a commotion and when he left the main building, there were groups of women crying and wailing outside their offices.
There's no turning back now. He would HAVE to marry Heaven, a women he loved when she was a girl but changed so much that he knew that the chances of winning the popular singer's heart was one in million. The confidence Heaven exuded was intoxicating and though she tries to be aloof at times, her natural warmth would still come through, reminding him so much of how things were before-- before she left him.
He dug in his pocket for the velvet Tiffany's ring box. Kagura had sent over a solitaire engagement ring imported from America and he reluctantly took it. He would need all the best items he can get to woo Heaven to marry him. He was good-looking enough, smart, filthy rich and with a possible career in politics. He knew about Heaven's past as a maid and Heaven knew about his curse. Their marriage would be beneficial for the both of them, in view of their obvious attraction to each other and the positive publicity it would reflect on their respective careers. It would be the best, thought Yuki as he tried to convince himself and calm the sudden nervousness in his stomach.
"Welcome to my mother's private resort Sohma-san," greeted Tomoyo as she smiled at Yuki. There was an unmistakable expression of queasiness on his handsome face. Tomoyo smiled inwardly as she recalled Momiji's phone call earlier. "Yuki wants to marry Tohru! The only thing is, he doesn't know how to go about it! " exclaimed Momiji with a chuckle.
****
Tohru faced Yuki warily, trying to gauge his intentions. Tomoyo had informed her earlier that Yuki will be joining her at the resort because Yuki had something important to tell her, Tomoyo said with a wink. At first, Tohru was irritated but then, she felt a rush of pleasure. Could it be that Yuki felt attracted to her somehow? It was slightly depressing that it took 7 years and a lot of training and her current popularity to capture the interest of Yuki.
She had also met with the idol-singer named Kosen earlier. He was so polite, charming, suave but he looked so boyish and innocent that Heaven felt no change in her pulse rate. After chatting for a few minutes about music and business, she agreed to work with him in a duet. He was a nice guy-- but no chemistry. And she frowned as she compared the riot of emotions Yuki seemed to provoke in her to Kosen's rather boring company.
Yuki swallowed inaudibly, as he stared at Tohru who was leaning against a palm tree, her back to the glowing red sunset. He asked her to go on a walk with him, and they found themselves on the beach, watching the sunset. She looked so beautiful, her hair glistening from the setting sun's rays, her eyes dark as twilight. And yet she looked so simple in her white shorts and blue blouse-- so different from last night's siren that he felt dizzy. The sun moved at an angle and then as if he experienced an epiphany, he saw chains. Linking him to her, linking her to him-- inextricably.
Tohru saw Yuki's eyes widen slightly and then narrow as if having come upon a very important decision. She bit her lower lip, watching the unguarded play of emotions on his face. His purple eyes reflected the sunset and as she stared into those mysterious orbs, she felt the sensation of falling. / Iie! I can't fall again! He won't catch me... / thought Tohru as she averted her eyes.
"Honda-san?" began Yuki as he drew closer to the lady in front of him.
Startled, Tohru looked back at him. Chains, she thought. A bond that binds two very different individuals who had gone separate ways and lived different lives. And yet, here they are the two of them, together again. As if fate has made their lives to intersect forever with each other. / Chains- - and no matter how hard I try to move on, it's still here, pulling me back to where I truly feel alive. With Yuki, right by his side. /
She felt tears of frustration sting her eyes. He was so close and yet so far away. She tried to run away from her past, her feelings before but it was an eventful journey to leads back to a full circle.
"Will you--"
Tohru gaped at Yuki, realizing what his expression and words meant. / You've got to be kidding / thought Tohru faintly.
Yuki looked at her in her eyes and then said quietly, "Will you marry me?"
Chapter 4- Chains
*****
"So will you still turn into a rat if I hug you Sohma-kun?" asked Tohru, emphasizing the word rat as she smiled recklessly up at enigmatic man holding her loosely in his arms as they danced.
Yuki quirked an eyebrow as his lips curved into a dangerous smile, "Want to find out?" he drawled in such a way that Tohru blushed.
Tohru tried to focus on the dance but Yuki's voice and his potent appeal was too much, even for her new-found confidence as Heaven. She stumbled a bit and found Yuki holding her a little more closely than before as Yuki asked, "Does your ankle still hurt?"
"Iie. And no, I don't think I want to find out," answered Tohru trying to inject as much carelessness as she could in her voice. They danced in relative silence, hardly noticing that the song was already ending. It was true, Tohru hardly felt pain in her swollen ankle, so immersed was she in this bittersweet encounter that she can only dance, dance as if nothing happened, dance as if she never prayed this day would come.
From the Musicians' Stand on the opposite side of the room, Kyou and Kagura were plotting.
"The waltz you idiot cat! Not Boogie!" hissed Kagura as she whacked Kyou on his arm.
Kyou chuckled as he said, "Gomen. I've always been curious to see how that stupid mouse would look like dancing the boogie." With a regretful sigh, he turned back to the head musician and asked for Strauss' Waltz. "What's this stupid plan again you psychopathic boar?" taunted Kyou while Kagura turned red.
Kagura pinched Kyou's ear, making the red-head wince in pain. "It's for Yu- chan and Tohru-san to see how perfect they are for each other! Don't you see Kyou? If they acknowledge the chemistry between them, there's a chance that they'd overlook whatever happened in the past! You know-- physical attraction, lightning, that sort of thing!" exclaimed Kagura as Kyou smirked.
"Oh? You mean like this?" drawled Kyou before he suddenly leaned down and kissed Kagura, cutting off her rambling. Kagura squealed at first and then went into a dreamy daze.
Kyou lifted his head up and pulled Kagura closer to his side. "All right then, let's see what you planned, " he murmured at the opening strings of the waltz started.
Whispers raced across the room as the waltz began playing. Ladies and gentlemen began spinning around, the bright colors of the gowns looking like spinning flowers from the sidelines and the dinner tables. Yuki and Tohru remained in the middle, looking at each other as Tohru made a move to break away from Yuki when the dance ended.
"Thank you for the dance," said Tohru, trying not to show the rapid beating of her heart as the waltz began to play. Since she moved to England, she still dreamed of dancing with Yuki, in a time and place like this with the waltz as their music. Their was something about the waltz that made her think of prince and princesses, of fairy tales and happily ever after endings. But she'd grown up and become cynical and work had taken the place of her fantasies. And yet, here and now seemed like a dream... a dream with the man she loved, a dream she knew would fade when morning comes. As she turned her back, she heard Yuki speak.
"Dance with me Tohru..."
Tohru slowly turned, her eyes bright with unshed tears. She took a deep breath, and while looking into Yuki's eyes, took his hand and began to dance.
****
"She's so beautiful isn't she?" asked a well-dressed man as he stood beside Keia, who like all the others in the room, was watching Yuki and Tohru dance.
Seething with anger, Keia turned to address the speaker and her jaw dropped in surprise. "You're Kosen-- the famous singer!" she gasped, momentarily forgetting her anger as she stared at the tall, black-haired and green eyed man with a cultured baritone voice. He gave a short bow, acknowledging her and resumed watching Tohru and Yuki. "I suppose you like her too," sneered Keia as she watched Kosen, his eyes never leaving Tohru.
Kosen quirked his brow at her and answered, "Man has always been fascinated with the idea of Heaven... and having her here now is almost like having an angel here on Earth."
"What?" snapped Keia, not understanding what Kosen said. Kosen only smiled as he began to hum under his breath, still looking at Tohru. "I think that I better go talk to my manager," said Kosen as a way of farewell, bowing to Keia briefly before blending into the crowd.
****
After the waltz, Yuki escorted Tohru back to her Uncle who was seated on one of the dinner tables near the dance floor. Yuki's eyes were unfathomable as he gazed back down on Tohru, who was silent but her cheeks red. "Thank you for the dance," said Yuki bowing. He held Tohru's hand for a second longer and then slowly backed away.
The moment he left, Tohru fanned her hot cheeks with her hand. Her eyes glittered brightly and Tetsuya who was watching the two of them dance sighed and silently acknowledged that even after all this years, Tohru was still in love with Sohma Yuki. Tohru glowed, in a way that can only be explained as 'blooming', like a rose after the rain and having seen the sun.
"Are you tired now dearest? Would you like to go back to the hotel?" asked Tetsuya softly. He wondered briefly if Tohru's ankle was okay but seeing the ethereal grace she exuded on the dance floor, an injured ankle seemed preposterous.
Tohru looked up and nodded. With a fatherly smile, Tetsuya said, "As you were dancing with Sohma-kun, I already made our excuses to the Minister, I knew after this dance you'd be about ready to drop in bed. Also, I spoke to one of Japan's leading idol-singers and his manager. He expressed an interest in his charge to performing a duet with you, I told him I'd inform him of our decision by tomorrow morning."
Tohru blinked and smiled up at her uncle after his overlong explanation. She shook her head, clearly gaining a hold of herself. "That sounds about just right Uncle!" she said with a grin as arm in arm, they walked out, unmindful of the eyes that were watching them.
***
Tohru's cell phone was ringing, as she groped under her bed sheets for it her eyes still closed. Tetsuya chuckled as he was walked over to the door of their room, hearing Tohru mumbling angrily about how a person could drown in bed sheets. Tetsuya smiled as he let the room service inside and accepted another bouquet of white roses.
Her eyes still closed, Tohru located her cell and answered sleepily, "Nani?"
An unidentified male voice spoke slowly, making Tohru's eyes open wide as he said, "YOU'RE MINE." And the line went dead.
Disturbed, Tohru gazed at her cell phone, wondering how that call got through when there were very few people who knew her private number. She raised her head and looked around the room in astonishment. From every corner, every unoccupied space from the previous night, hung dozens and dozens of white roses. Their scent sweetly mingled with the air and her Uncle Tetsuya came in, his arms loaded with another bouquet. He grinned at her as he dumped it at her lap.
"Delivery for you my dear," he said as room service followed in with her breakfast and a roll of today's newspapers and magazines. And on her dessert plate was a milky white chocolate mousse and several milk chocolate bits. There was a single strawberry on top of the cake though.
Tohru's dazed eyes took in the sight. Without saying a word, she took a fork and began to eat the cake. Her uncle, seeing that she was having her breakfast sat down nearby and opened the newspapers. The Society pages fell out and when he picked it up and looked at it, he gasped.
"What's wrong Uncle?" asked Tohru, the strawberry hovering between her lips.
Without saying anything, Tetsuya showed the front page of the Society section. There was a huge picture of her dancing with Yuki, and from the way the picture was taken...
"Sohma CEO Falls for Heaven," read Tetsuya aloud from the headline as more pictures of Tohru and Yuki were shown, including a picture of the two of them were smiling at each other. "The two of you together has completely overwhelmed the Minister's celebration," said Tetsuya as he looked at his niece's red face.
"Surely it isn't as bad as that," said Tohru nonchalantly as she chewed the strawberry and opened her breakfast tray to reveal strawberry crepes and waffles.
Tetsuya smiled as the news article rhapsodized on how perfect the two seemed together, that there was an obvious chemistry between them. The article concluded with the author writing, 'Despite Heaven's early departure from the party, the impact the two of them created still remained tangible. One also can't help but take note that the elusive multi- millionaire CEO Sohma Yuki didn't even bother to dance with his escort for the rest of the night but chose to speak with associates after Heaven had left. Can it be love at first sight for international angel Heaven and mysterious business icon Sohma Yuki whose nomination for the Vice-Minister of Trade was also announced last night?'
But Tetsuya's smile faded when he opened a magazine whose lurid headline made him wince. 'Heaven Steals Spotlight and Secretary's Boyfriend.' The article contained mainly pictures of Yuki and Keia from the outside and had only one picture of Heaven who was going out wearing a black dress with Tetsuya and another picture of Yuki and Keia who were on their way out. ' From good girl to sultry siren, evidently, Heaven isn't contented stealing the spotlight from the Minister's party but according to inside resources, Heaven has also managed to seduce CEO Sohma Yuki into abandoning his girlfriend whom he arrived with in the party last night...'
Tohru, who glanced at Tetsuya's direction and saw the magazine paled in anger. "Stupid magazine tabloids," she muttered as she finished eating. "It's really bad isn't it Uncle?" asked Tohru as she climbed out of bed and snatched the magazine from her Uncle. She read the article, her lips pressed together grimly. His girlfriend was with him last night?
"Maa, maa Tohru-chan, don't worry about this stupid tabloid. They weren't inside last night and had only second hand information to base this dreadful article on. Besides, I asked around last night and I found out that young Sohma-kun doesn't have a girlfriend, he was merely with his secretary last night," said Tetsuya trying to comfort his niece.
"I don't care," declared Tohru as she angrily threw the newspaper down. She threw herself down at her bed and answered another caller on her phone, snapping angrily, "What?"
"Looks like you saw the papers already Heaven-san," said Tomoyo on the other line.
Tohru sighed as she rubbed her neck. "Hai. The papers weren't really bad-- the magazines were. And I also got a business proposal to have a duet with some idol-singer named Kosen," narrated Tohru.
"So you know that the guy you met at the hotel last time is the idol- singer? He's very interested in you, I can tell," teased Tomoyo laughing when she heard Tohru screech.
"He's the guy who helped me up? No, I haven't met with him yet-- at least officially," answered Tohru.
Noting the weariness in her voice, Tomoyo turned serious and asked, "If I offer you my mom's private beach resort as a place where you can stay for the duration of your negotiations with Kosen, would you accept it? You badly need a break my friend, and my mom's place is fully equipped to pamper you and give you the rest and privacy you deserve."
"Thanks. Things are so bad here in Tokyo right now. I can certainly use a vacation where it's near enough for me to work. And you did say I have a chance for complete privacy there right?" replied Tohru.
Tomoyo smiled at the phone and gave a thumbs-up sign at Momiji who was seated nearby. "Yes, completely private!" assured Tomoyo cheerfully and gave the address and details to get there. She hung up the phone a few minutes later.
Tohru stared at her cell phone blankly, still wondering what possessed her to still continue staying in Japan instead of heading back to England. She glanced at her Uncle's bewildered face and said, "I definitely need a vacation Uncle. And I'm not up to going in a plane and having jet-lag," she excused as her Uncle merely arched a brow and smiled.
****
The Sohma's or at least members of the Jyuunishi who were active in their family business all gathered at Yuki's office, seated at a huge oval conference table. There were some older members of the Sohma family present and they all looked alert as they waited Yuki to begin their weekly progress reports.
Shigure is the chairman of the Sohma's publishing company, Kyou is the manager of the several restaurants, Kagura oversees the mall, Momiji handles the hotel and Hatsuharu and Hiro are in charge of the computer corporation. Hatori was also present as Yuki's vice-president.
Yuki sat at the head, reading reports as the members all waited for him to begin. Yuki dropped his papers as he stood up and looked at people at large. "All right, report," he ordered as Keia sat near his chair, taking notes in shorthand.
"Fourteen percent increase in production and sales of music DVDs this week Yuki," said Haru as he checked his own documents. Yuki nodded as Kagura next announced, "Sales are high this week and have risen higher just a few minutes ago when the mall opened. There was a large number of people going to our mall's boutiques for formal wear-- specifically in black and white."
"Not much change in publishing Yuki-kun, but there are new writers coming in and signing with our company's production of poems and novels," said Shigure cheerfully as he calmly sipped his tea.
"Forty percent increase in audience and customers in our hotel since we turned the poolside cafe as a mini-music bar and due to the publicity of having two international artists sing there in one night. There was a positive response from both society, middle-class and young people this week," reported Momiji gleefully, sure that his report was the best this week.
Other Jyuunishi's groaned and Kyou said, "Ten percent increase in the revenue of our restaurants and as Momiji said, the hotel's cafe is causing quite a huge following."
Yuki nodded, seemingly intent as he listened to other Sohma's give their reports.
After all of them had spoken, Hatori said suddenly, "Executives and employees of our business have been excited over the attention you've been receiving lately Yuki. Some bad press was unavoidable but the publicity is certainly revving up a lot of people in our conglomerate. Your nomination as the vice-minister of trade is also quite an accomplishment."
Older Sohma's who were unaware of Yuki's past involvement with Tohru began to remark that if Yuki was married, he wouldn't have to suffer the negative press of being seen dancing with an entertainer like Heaven.
Kyou and Kagura waited with bated breaths about Yuki's response as Hatori, with his usual no-nonsense manner of speaking asked, "So Yuki, if I read the papers all right, there seems to be a lot going on between you and Heaven. And being unmarried, you're linked romantically with her according to papers, there are even insinuations that you'd been courting her. What do you have to say about that?"
Kyou, who was unable to keep his mouth shut burst out, "They looked perfect together! Soul mates--"
Yuki wore an inscrutable look as the rest of his family looked at him in anxiety. He shrugged as he began fixing his papers, not giving any answer.
"Yuki, I heard from Tomoyo that Heaven might be working on a duet with some handsome idol-singer who also happens to be infatuated with her. Tomoyo told me that it might not only be work involved but also romantic conquest as well," informed Momiji, trying to elicit a reaction from Yuki.
Yuki stopped arranging the documents. He calmly placed them in his briefcase as he turned to leave.
Some of the relatives were grumbling and saying that at 25, Yuki should be married and have kids who'd inherit the empire. If he were married, he wouldn't be linked to some foreign singer! Being the CEO of all their businesses, it was imperative that Yuki upholds a clean image that the company can reflect on. "What are you going to do?" asked Kagura loudly when Yuki didn't answer.
"You can't fight fate kuso nezumi! Your reconciliation is long overdue! You may not deserve a second chance with a person like Tohru but clearly Kami- sama favors you," exclaimed Kyou followed by a string of expletives.
"So what will you do Yuki?" asked Hatori quietly.
Yuki turned around and gave an unconcerned smile. His eyes were cynical as he said, "Why marry her of course."
****
Yuki sighed as he disembarked from his yacht. Looks like the Sohma's took his idea of marriage so seriously that he was given a week to woo, propose and wed Heaven. Within minutes, his office was flooded with faxes of facts about Heaven and her career. His subordinates were informed via memo than their boss, Yuki would be taking a week long vacation to prepare wedding plans. That information alone caused a commotion and when he left the main building, there were groups of women crying and wailing outside their offices.
There's no turning back now. He would HAVE to marry Heaven, a women he loved when she was a girl but changed so much that he knew that the chances of winning the popular singer's heart was one in million. The confidence Heaven exuded was intoxicating and though she tries to be aloof at times, her natural warmth would still come through, reminding him so much of how things were before-- before she left him.
He dug in his pocket for the velvet Tiffany's ring box. Kagura had sent over a solitaire engagement ring imported from America and he reluctantly took it. He would need all the best items he can get to woo Heaven to marry him. He was good-looking enough, smart, filthy rich and with a possible career in politics. He knew about Heaven's past as a maid and Heaven knew about his curse. Their marriage would be beneficial for the both of them, in view of their obvious attraction to each other and the positive publicity it would reflect on their respective careers. It would be the best, thought Yuki as he tried to convince himself and calm the sudden nervousness in his stomach.
"Welcome to my mother's private resort Sohma-san," greeted Tomoyo as she smiled at Yuki. There was an unmistakable expression of queasiness on his handsome face. Tomoyo smiled inwardly as she recalled Momiji's phone call earlier. "Yuki wants to marry Tohru! The only thing is, he doesn't know how to go about it! " exclaimed Momiji with a chuckle.
****
Tohru faced Yuki warily, trying to gauge his intentions. Tomoyo had informed her earlier that Yuki will be joining her at the resort because Yuki had something important to tell her, Tomoyo said with a wink. At first, Tohru was irritated but then, she felt a rush of pleasure. Could it be that Yuki felt attracted to her somehow? It was slightly depressing that it took 7 years and a lot of training and her current popularity to capture the interest of Yuki.
She had also met with the idol-singer named Kosen earlier. He was so polite, charming, suave but he looked so boyish and innocent that Heaven felt no change in her pulse rate. After chatting for a few minutes about music and business, she agreed to work with him in a duet. He was a nice guy-- but no chemistry. And she frowned as she compared the riot of emotions Yuki seemed to provoke in her to Kosen's rather boring company.
Yuki swallowed inaudibly, as he stared at Tohru who was leaning against a palm tree, her back to the glowing red sunset. He asked her to go on a walk with him, and they found themselves on the beach, watching the sunset. She looked so beautiful, her hair glistening from the setting sun's rays, her eyes dark as twilight. And yet she looked so simple in her white shorts and blue blouse-- so different from last night's siren that he felt dizzy. The sun moved at an angle and then as if he experienced an epiphany, he saw chains. Linking him to her, linking her to him-- inextricably.
Tohru saw Yuki's eyes widen slightly and then narrow as if having come upon a very important decision. She bit her lower lip, watching the unguarded play of emotions on his face. His purple eyes reflected the sunset and as she stared into those mysterious orbs, she felt the sensation of falling. / Iie! I can't fall again! He won't catch me... / thought Tohru as she averted her eyes.
"Honda-san?" began Yuki as he drew closer to the lady in front of him.
Startled, Tohru looked back at him. Chains, she thought. A bond that binds two very different individuals who had gone separate ways and lived different lives. And yet, here they are the two of them, together again. As if fate has made their lives to intersect forever with each other. / Chains- - and no matter how hard I try to move on, it's still here, pulling me back to where I truly feel alive. With Yuki, right by his side. /
She felt tears of frustration sting her eyes. He was so close and yet so far away. She tried to run away from her past, her feelings before but it was an eventful journey to leads back to a full circle.
"Will you--"
Tohru gaped at Yuki, realizing what his expression and words meant. / You've got to be kidding / thought Tohru faintly.
Yuki looked at her in her eyes and then said quietly, "Will you marry me?"