Pretty Man
"Misao-sama, is there something wrong" Aoshi voiced softly, Misao having snapped out of her blank daze and blinked several times, eyes widening as Aoshi had leaned away from the doorway and was slightly bent down having a look at her. Oh he was so close she could just… Knocking at the door interrupted her thoughts and a muffled "room service" could be heard.
Misao quickly darted away from Aoshi and headed for the door. She allowed the waiter inside, placing several dishes onto the dining table and then gave him a tip and watched him leave.
Misao sat down at her desk sifting through more paperwork. From the corner of her eye she watched Aoshi, now dressed in a fluffy white bathrobe, stand beside the desk. Misao was trying desperately not to pay attention to the folds in the front of the robe. His was broad after all, the robe not covering his entire chest as it parted open giving her a generous view. There were puckered scars marring his chest. Perhaps they were from old lovers, branding him with their marks to claim him as theirs. Misao had to bite her tongue from asking that very question. She had to remember he was a gigolo not a prostitute, but he had said they could sleep with women if they wanted to and so now her mind was reeling with other thoughts. Just how many women had he been with?
"You know the food is that way, so go and eat will you" Misao almost winced at her own demanding voice. It was slightly laced with anger; she knowing Aoshi was eyeing her silently as though wondering what was wrong, but instead of questioning her Aoshi walked off towards the table and pulled a chair out. He sat down, his left leg raised on the chair. At that the robe parted even more, Misao's eyes catching his bare tanned skin of his shin, knee and part of his upper thigh. She gulped and proceeded to bury her head into her paperwork, muttering curses under her breath concerning a dark haired gigolo.
"So let me get this straight." Aoshi's clear voice came from the table as he picked at a croissant. Ocean blue eyes finally lifted from paperwork and turned to gaze over at the robe clad Aoshi. "From what I can gather, you don't like talking much and you're very much a workaholic too. You don't smoke, you don't drink and you hardly eat…maybe that's why you're so thin. Hmm, at least I know you sleep like a baby when your head hits the pillows." Misao was seething at his words. So thin? Sleeps like a baby? Why he ought to pay for those words!
"So what do you do Misao-sama? I know you have a secretary, so it must be something important for you to work yourself to utter exhaustion by falling asleep at your desk." Her eyes blinked, noticing he had picked up another croissant, facing her this time and with both feet on the plush carpet this time. Aoshi once again picked aimlessly at it, but his eyes were very much focused on her. In others words, him paying attention to her meant he actually really wanted to know what she did.
"Well, have you ever heard of Makimachi Tea Shrine" Misao questioned while placing some folders into her briefcase.
"Aa…" She turned at his one word answer, her lips forming into a small smile.
"Well that's me, I run them from Kyoto mainly, since that was the birth place of the company, but I have to travel to our branches in Tokyo and Osaka every now and then just to see how we are holding up against other Tea Shrines and Coffee Houses."
"You must be pretty smart."
"I suppose…" Misao muttered softly.
"So did you go all the way through to university? It seems kind of odd that you own the Makimachi Tea Shrine since you look very much like a school girl."
"WHAT" Misao exploded. Her face was red with anger at his words, but she fought bravely within herself to calm down and not pound the silently chuckling man into the ground for teasing her like that again.
"If you must know I'm 22 years old and never got to Kyoto University even though I was selected to study there because Jiya died and left me the Makimachi Tea Shrine to take over."
"Jiya" Aoshi asked lightly, watching as Misao's shoulders slumped lightly.
"Yeah, Jiya…"
"Well in any case he must be proud of you." Misao frowned slightly at Aoshi's words, her eyes lifting to look at his, but he was of course starring down at which food dish to try first.
"Jiya, proud of me" Misao mumbled, but Aoshi had heard.
"Aa…"
"Can you say anything other then that" Misao scorned Aoshi lightly, though she was actually angry at herself for having easily told him about her Jiya. However, her thoughts on that matter were lost as they widened slightly when Aoshi got off the chair and headed towards her. He bent down to her level and placed his lips against her forehead in an affectionate manner that never demanded further actions.
"Your company makes really good tea Misao-sama." Misao couldn't help but blush at his sweet words and because f the "sweetness" he just displayed to her as well. She loved hearing how people liked the taste of her family's teas' but hearing it from him just meant something more even though Misao wasn't quite sure what.
Aoshi pulled away then and went back to the dining table, as he decided to eat the bacon and eggs first. He really did have an appetite for good food after all. As he picked up some bacon with his fingers, munching lightly on it he couldn't help but ask Misao,
"So this proposition you were talking about earlier, are you ever going to finish telling me what it is" Misao's head snapped up. She'd forgotten about that. Damn him for having made her loose all thoughts and speech, as he looked so sexy and dreamlike standing at the bathroom door.
"Oh yes, I'll be in the city for a week or two and wanted to hire you for that time. I shall pay you hourly as usual to be at my beck and call, but that doesn't include when you are sleeping because those hours do not count. So will you accept my business offer"
"Hmm, it does seem like a good offer. After all look where I'd be staying"
"Yes or no" Misao snapped at him.
"Aa, I'll be at your 'beck and call' as you put it."
"Then it's settled. Well, I must get ready for work." Misao stood up, packing the remainder of her briefcase and then headed off to the bathroom. Aoshi watched her go before getting up and following her inside. She eyed him through the large mirror, but only went back to brushing her long hair. She was just about to place it up when her hands were brushed away.
"A plait right" Aoshi questioned and watched as she nodded her head affirmatively. Aoshi set to work, standing behind the short woman, fingers moving freely through the dark silky strands as he divided her hair into three parts and began overlapping them. In elegant and swift movements the plait was done in no time and Aoshi was tying it off with a thin black band.
"All done." Misao moved her head from left to right, before flicking her now plaited hair over her shoulder to examine his work.
"Not bad, where'd you learn to do that"
"I had lots of practice while screwing a woman with long hair." Misao eyed him through the mirror, eyebrows raised.
"It's a joke Misao-sama."
"So…" She persisted and watched as he shrugged his shoulders
"I had a mother and sister once and sometimes did their hair when they were in good moods."
"You had…"
"Aa…" That was obviously the low voice of "drop the subject" and thus Misao obliged by stepping out of the bathroom and heading back to her desk. It also helped for the simple fact that her phone had begun to ring too.
"Moshi, Moshi…" Misao answered and watched Aoshi walk past, he now seating himself down on the carpet near the television and flicked it on. He'd obviously forgotten the food, but when Misao looked over at the table most of the dishes had already been wolfed down.
"Really, that's amazing that he's actually decided to have a meeting with me. My persistence must be paying off in the end. …Make sure to contact them and tell them to meet me at the restaurant here at 8pm sharp. …I'll be coming into work shortly so I'll get all the facts and figures together then. …Bringing his grandson? You mean Soujiro will be there" Aoshi turned his head over his shoulder at the soft voice of Misao as she mumbled out that name. He presumed it to be an old acquaintance of hers.
"No I'm fine, besides I won't be alone tonight at dinner. Oh, no one you know, see you soon." Misao hung up and walked over to Aoshi to crouch by his side.
"What's this for, a bonus for not jumping into bed with you last night" Aoshi questioned as Misao handed over some extra money to him.
"Baka, it's for you to go shopping with so you can buy yourself some clothes for tonight."
"What is happening tonight" Aoshi inquired and watched Misao stand up and head back to her desk to grab her briefcase.
"I want you to meet me down in the bar at 7:45pm in your new attire and no leather. I need a sophisticated dinner quest with me tonight and not someone who is paid by the hour, do you understand"
"Hai, Hai…" Aoshi muttered while placing the cash on the coffee table. He watched her place on her shoes and open the door.
"You know sooner then you think or even realise, you'll never want to be rid of me."
"Don't flatter yourself, I'm sure I'll be sick of you before then, but I need a professional who knows what they are doing and it is you who should be thanking me for choosing you in the end." Aoshi's mouth quirked at her confident reply.
"If you say so…" Aoshi stood up finally, watching Misao turn to gaze back at him and she spoke once more before closing the door and heading off to work.
"Don't forget 7:45pm sharp and remember to take the card key with you."
Aoshi stared around the quiet penthouse and then eyed the phone on Misao's desk.
Xx An apartment block xX
A hand came out from under some covers at the persistence of a loud ringing noise and fumbled to reach for the phone. The hand finally got a grip on it, lifting the receiver and bringing it back under the covers.
"Moshi, Moshi…"
"How would you be this morning Enishi"
"Is that you Aoshi"
"Of course it's me you idiot, who else calls you"
"Mm, so where are you" Enishi finally rose from his bed, sheets falling from his half-clothed body as he picked up his glasses and placed them on.
"Oh, I'd say you owe me that 10,000 yen from our bet, since I happen to be staying at the Hiko Royal Suites."
"Bullshit" Came the loud reply over the phone.
"No, no it's all true. I am currently in the penthouse at the moment. Remember the woman from last night? Well she's hired my services until she leaves town."
"Son of a bitch, you just had to gloat about this to me didn't you." Aoshi's cocky grin left his face, as he knew something wasn't right with his friend. Yes that's right, friend. The whole "hating each other" was actually an act so Kanryuu (there would be landlord) wouldn't know anything of the truth. If he knew they were friends he could possibly use one to get to the other. After all the two of them had been friends for years. Ever since Enishi had run into a 17-year-old Aoshi and back then he was a down on his luck failed high school student with no family, no friends and no money. Enishi had been the one to bring Aoshi into the life of 'how to make a fast buck'.
"I want you to come to the Hiko Royal Suites and collect some money Enishi. It's for our rent, so don't you even think about spending it on drugs." Came the stern voice of Aoshi.
"Now would I do that" Enishi laughed lightly and quickly grabbed some paper and a pen as he scribbled down the address Aoshi spoke over the phone.
"Oi Enishi, where does one go to buy…sophisticated clothing"
"Well that's easy, Himawari Drive. All the rich people shop there and since you seem to have extra money from that pretty woman, you must go there."
"Aa, ja ne." Aoshi hung up the phone and placed 50,000 yen into an envelope and wrote Enishi's name on it. He sighed before heading into the bathroom where his clothes were and thought it best to get the dreaded clothes shopping out of the way before he could really live it up in this penthouse.
Xx Reception xX
"Excuse me, I'd like you to hold this for a Yukishiro Enishi. He'll be collecting it later today, so don't open it."
"Of course not." The woman behind the desk spoke and watched Aoshi walk off, he wearing his outfit from last night only now his jacket was tied around his waist.
"Tae-san, do you know who that man is" A short redhead spoke to the woman behind the counter, watching as she shook her head negatively. His lips pursed slightly one hand absently tugging at his ponytail, deep in thought while his violet eyes continued to watch the dark haired man leave the building.
"I wonder…"
Xx Himawari Drive xX
Aoshi walked down one side of Himawari Drive, glancing at various knick-knacks in the shop windows. He knew every rich man; woman and child were glaring profusely at him as though wanting to know what someone like him was doing in their shopping district.
Aoshi entered a store watching as customers and sales representatives stopped whatever it was they were currently doing and did nothing but gaze at him.
"Excuse me how much is this suit" Aoshi spoke and pointed to one being displayed on a mannequin.
"It's very expensive."
"Thank you for the obvious news flash. Now tell me the actual price this time."
"I don't believe we'd have any in your size."
"Are you refusing to sell to me" Aoshi was becoming annoyed. This guy deserved to be punched.
"Please leave before we call the police. We don't allow riff raff of your kind to roam free within our stores." Aoshi balled his fists, one hand flying to grab the man by the collar, his right hand raised ready to turn the pompous asshole into an unconscious pompous asshole, but immediately let him go.
"You're not worth the effort." Aoshi muttered and left the store, leaving a very freaked out sales representative sitting on the floor.
Xx Hiko Royal Suites xX
Aoshi stormed into the lobby, customers staying at the Suites quickly eyed the silently fuming man as he made his way briskly to the lifts. However, his down turned line of sight ended up being taken over by a grey suited figure. Green-grey eyes looked up and stared into violet ones.
"Step aside shortie, I'm going to my room."
"Oro, shortie" The figure voiced, but placed his hand out stopping Aoshi from moving around him.
"Ano, may I ask which room you are staying in? I don't recall seeing you before and I know all the customers staying here."
"I'm staying in the penthouse with Makimachi Misao."
"Is that right" The redhead spoke once more, watching Aoshi's eyes narrow at his words.
"You think I'm lying? What is it with you fucking rich people"
"I suggest we head into my office for a small chat." Came the soft voice.
"I don't thi" Aoshi never did finish as the shorter man took his wrist and pulled him away from the main lobby entrance where people were still starring and took him into the managers office and closed the door. Aoshi eyed the man silently as he stood near a desk. Though he was a freakishly short man, who could seriously be mistaken for a woman, he had some strength in that frail body of his.
"Now let me introduce myself. I'm Himura Kenshin, the manager of Hiko Royal Suites. I assure you I never forget a face and you Sir are definitely someone that has never been here before. Now, do be so kind in telling me your name."
"What do you want it to be"
"Oro" Lips quirked slightly at that. Aoshi couldn't help but think how stupid this guy looked everytime he voiced that one word.
"Shinomori Aoshi is my name." He voiced in boredom and sat down when this Himura guy told him to.
"I must be frank with you Shinomori-san, our clientele does not include your kind." Aoshi arched his eyebrow at this. Why was he all of a sudden reduced to being known as a "your kind" as though he and many others weren't humans? Instead of dwelling on that fact he was quite amazed this redhead was smart enough to figure out what his "occupation" was while only having glimpsed at him.
"I shall only allow this because Makimachi-san happens to stay here everytime she is in Tokyo. When she leaves I will expect never to see you in this place again, am I clear with you on this" Aoshi rolled his eyes at the sternness in the man's voice. Please, like this guy could scare anyone. "Furthermore, now that I have allowed you to stay here for the remainder of Makimachi-san's time here I would suggest you dress a little more appropriate and not display the fact you are a…"
"What the hell do you think I was doing shortie" Aoshi interrupted him.
"Himura…"
"Whatever… Look I went shopping and as much as I loathe it, I went shopping for the sake of Misao-sama as she wants me to accompany her to a dinner meeting. Do you think I could get any help? Of course not, stupid rich bastards." Aoshi had missed Kenshin's eyebrow rising when he called Makimachi-san "Misao-sama". Instead Kenshin preferred not to dwell on that matter and picked up his phone and dialed a number.
"Go ahead call the cops, not like it's never happened before."
"I'd like to speak with Kamatari please. He should definitely be in the Men's Division." Aoshi's eyebrow rose this time. This Himura was going to help him?
"Kamatari-san, it's been such a long time. Look, I require your clothing expertise and so I've phoned to ask a favour of you. I'm sending down a gentleman by the name of Shinomori Aoshi, as he requires some help for something to wear for a dinner meeting he is going to tonight. …Thank you so much." Aoshi watched him hang up the phone.
"I'll have Yahiko-san drive you to the department store and back."
"Why are you helping me" Aoshi couldn't help but ask. Violet eyes turned in his direction, the short man smiling at him.
"Makimachi-san is a valued client of ours and her private business has nothing to do with us, but because you are staying with her, we must treat you with respect and therefore this is my apology for acting rude earlier on." Aoshi did nothing except get up and leave the office. Was this guy for real?
"Excuse me Yahiko-san" Aoshi watched a short guy with spiky hair walk up to himself and the redhead manager. "This is Shinomori-san, please take him to Kamatari-san's Store." Aoshi eyed this 'Yahiko' and heard a small "ack" escape his lips at the manager's words. This just got Aoshi thinking on who this Kamatari was.
"Um, right this way Shinomori-san." Yahiko spoke and headed out the door towards a silver limousine. Aoshi decided to sit in the front, much to the surprise of Yahiko and spoke of nothing as the younger man took him to Kamatari.
Xx Kamatari's – Men's Division xX
Aoshi was currently looking at some leather wallets, but was tapped on the shoulder and he stood up, turned around and looked down at a smiling face.
"You must be Shinomori-san yes" Aoshi nodded silently and blinked, as the man looked him up and down.
"Come right this way Shinomori-san, we have plenty of clothes for men built like you." Aoshi listened to the girlie laugh the guy had and instantly knew why Yahiko had made a face earlier on and why he decided to wait outside in the limousine too. Aoshi was in for a long morning that's for sure.
Xx Hiko Royal Suites xX
Aoshi had been back for an hour after going through the torture of Kamatari trying to place him into shirts with frills. He had nearly knocked the guy out, but finally had settled on some clothing that he himself would actually wear again if needs be. Aoshi was right now heading out of the lifts, his eyes scanning the lobby until they stopped on bright red hair that couldn't be missed.
"Oi, Himura" He yelled, not caring that the man was currently chatting with other clients or the fact that people were again starring at him as he was still in his leather pants and his muscle shirt.
"Will you excuse me for a moment" The clients nodded their heads and Kenshin walked off in the direction Aoshi had yelled from.
"Do you mind not being so boisterous in the lobby Shinomori-san."
"Oh right, anyway I wanted to say thanks for the help earlier, but if you ever think about sending me to a freak like that again, I'll kill you."
"Oro"
"Never mind there's another issue I need to discuss with you." Aoshi spoke and received another 'oro' from the manager.
Xx Inside the Rin Maru Restaurant xX
"Alright Shinomori-san, first things first act like a gentleman to Makimachi-san and let her sit down first by holding out her chair for her. A waiter will place your napkin in your lap so don't grab his hand and twist it like you are doing mine."
"Aa, gomen." Aoshi mumbled and let go.
"Though it is a dinner meeting a four course meal will be selected for you, probably by Makimachi-san no doubt. This restaurant is very much into tasting the wonders of the world and thus most of the cuisines are from Europe. Now remember when eating your meals use the cutlery from the outside and then head in. It's quite simple to remember. You don't have to worry about your wineglasses too much, as the waiter will fill them up for you. This is for your red, this for your white and this for your water. Remove your elbows off the table Shinomori-san" Himura reprimanded sternly and Aoshi took them off in an instant. God he felt like a little kid. He sighed lightly and half listened to Himura draw on about mannerisms at the table. Now he was in for long afternoon too.
Xx Hiko Royal Suites – 7:30pm xX
Misao thanked the doorman for opening the door for her and stepped into the lobby, briefcase in hand and heading towards the lifts.
"Excuse me Makimachi-san" Misao stopped and turned to face a man in a grey suit.
"My name is Himura Kenshin and I'm the mana"
"I'm running late and I have to meet someone shortly so please excuse my rudeness for not stopping to chat with you."
"Yes I know, your Uncle is waiting for you in the Kamiya Bar."
"My WHAT" Misao couldn't help but blurt out in shock.
"He's been waiting for about fifteen minutes now." Misao rubbed her temple lightly.
"You and I both know he's NOT my Uncle, especially since I have no living relatives. Now if you'll excuse me." Her uncle? Aoshi didn't look that old and she didn't look that young. Misao fisted her hands at that thought. Why was everyone thinking she looked like a high school girl?
Xx Kamiya's Bar xX
Misao walked inside and looked around. Was that girlie red head on drugs or something? Aoshi was not in here. Misao was just about to leave to go tell reception to call the penthouse so she could demand Aoshi to get his ass downstairs, but the corner of her eyes caught sight of something or more importantly someone turning to stare silently at her.
Misao had to do a double take as Aoshi sat on a bar stool casually looking back at her. She silently watched as he paid for his drink, alcoholic she had guessed and was heading towards her in long confident strides. He so happened to be dressed in white dress pants and a silk black shirt tucked loosely into the waistband of the trousers and was held there by his silver buckled belt. The trousers did not cling to his lean form like his leather pants did, but they still showed off the fact he was tall, lean and sexy, only this time he looked more suave and not a guy who demanded to be paid by the hour. This wasn't the only surprise Misao had come across as he was wearing different shoes. Aoshi was limping slightly as they obviously hurt his feet but he didn't complain and the biggest shocking factor of all was his hair and the fact it had been cut. Those long bangs of his that dangled frustratingly over his green-grey eyes had been snipped away. Of course they were still long, but now they only brushed against his dark lashes accentuating his mysterious eyes. He looked good even better now to Misao for the fact she could actually stare up at him and be able to see his entire pretty face.
"Good evening Misao-sama." Aoshi voiced, watching, as she did nothing but stare him up and down. She couldn't help but smile as she noticed he still had the same deep sultry voice and the same "look at me I'm a sex god" walk, but she guessed there were a few things you just couldn't change about certain people.
"Shall we go" Aoshi spoke as he placed out his arm to a surprised Misao. He smirked down at her as though telling her through his smouldering eyes that he had been truthful in the simple fact that he could be anything she wanted, but still within reason of course. Misao linked her arm with his as he began walking off towards the restaurant. Aoshi had respected her wishes not to dress in leather, but why did he have to look so good in silk as well? How was Misao going to keep this a business meeting when she already couldn't keep her eyes off of the man that she was currently hanging onto?
Xx To be continued xX
