A Bride's Request a Bridesmaid's Promise - Chapter 5
A/N: Merry Cristmas to one and all! Here's my Christmas present to all of you!
Inuyasha groaned slamming back into his chair with a groan. Would his secretary Myoga never shut up? The idiot had been lecturing him since he had walked into his office ten minutes ago. He kept going on and on about how Inuyasha needed to at least see the piece of art he was going to give to Sango and Miroku as a wedding present. "Yes, yes," Inuyasha said annoyed. This was what his secretary had demanded he return for? He was going to fire him if he didn't shut up soon.
"It's your best friend's wedding," his secretary Myoga protested. "You may have delegated me to choose something but my conscience will not allow you to just chose the easiest thing to give. I insist that you meet with the artist and view the piece before you buy it. I spoke with the artist's manager a few hours ago and she said that Kikyo (A/N: yes I did say Kikyo) was quiet devastated by the fact you were buying the piece without having even seen it. Apparently this piece was one of her favourites, and she's been quite attached to it. So please tell me that you will agree to meet with the artist and approve the piece?"
"Fine I'll think about it, I think I've said yes ten times and you've ignored me," Inuyasha said massaging his temples. He could feel a headache coming on and it wasn't even noon yet.
"When will you have decided by?" his secretary asked.
"Give me an hour or so, but before you go grab me some Advil will you."
"It will be done sir," Myoga replied bowling low and exiting the room.
After his secretary closed the door Inuyasha stood up and walked over to the window overlooking the busy streets ten floors below resting his elbow against the window. Sighing Inuyasha looked over her shoulder at the little yellow sticky clearly visible on his day planner and wondered if Kagome's morning was going any better.
Kagome swore viciously as she broke a nail opening the large manila envelope sitting on her desk. She stood up shoving her finger in her mouth because the bloody thing felt like it was on fire, scratch that it felt like she had just shoved it into a vat of acid! Closing her eyes as the pain abated she wondered how such a tiny thing as breaking a nail could hurt so much. (A/N: I know it sounds really girly but you'd be surprised just how painful it can be!) Taking her throbbing forefinger out of her mouth Kagome sat down and glared evilly at the letter she had been trying to open. Why was everything out to get her today?
The day had started off bad and had just got progressively worse. Her car had refused to start no matter how many times she begged it to, making her late for work, and then upon arriving at work her boss had yelled at her for being late. Kagome went immediately to her boss's secretary and asked for an appointment only to find that her boss wasn't available until 4:30 because of various meetings meaning she wasn't able to hand in her resignation in and leave until then. It was now almost noon and Kagome was feeling about ready to scream, finally after a minute of debating she got up and went to the bathroom to calm down.
Walking down the row of her fellow writers she blushed as they all turned to her with raised eyebrows and Kagome regretted swearing so loud. Once she made it to the safety of the bathroom and away from everyone's smirks and secret smiles Kagome walked over to the sink and ran some cool water which she immediately shoved her finger under. Turning the tap off after a few moments, Kagome looked up and groaned her hair had gone flat on the one day she needed to look good; she hated it when it did that! Deciding to go to the bathroom Kagome emerged a minute later and after washing her hands turned to see her profile, seeing a pantry line Kagome ran her hands over her black skirt trying to smooth it out but realized it wasn't going to disappear and threw back her head and cried, "I ask you why today of all days?" Now royally pissed off Kagome walked back to her desk and sank into her twirly chair and picked up her phone. After a few rings Kagura's familiar voice came on the phone.
"Hey Kagura," Kagome said. "What's up?"
"Having a bad day?" Kagura asked.
"How'd you guess?" Kagome asked.
"You only ask me what's up when you are," Kagura said simply.
"True, too true," Kagome said shaking her head.
"So what's gone wrong?" Kagura asked. "Boss not taken your resignation well?"
"No it's not that but that probably will be the case in a few hours, I can't get in to see her until 4:30 so until then I'm stuck here having the worst day imaginable! My car wouldn't start so I was late, I broke a nail opening the mail and swore out loud cuz it hurt like hell and so when I later went to the bathroom everyone was giving me funny stares. When I got to the bathroom I realized that my hair's gone flat and my panty line's showing."
"Ouch that's harsh, I hate it when my hair goes flat so I always put it in a bun when I have something important to do," Kagura said sympathetically. "Well it's nearly lunch you want to leave early and meet me at Peggy's? My treat. Speaking of which can you bring that file I was asking about?"
"Kagura," Kagome said sighing contentedly. "That sounds great. Just a sec I'll grab it now," reaching over Kagome opened a drawer to get a file about ancient architecture only to snag her hose. "Ahhh!" Kagome screamed.
"What! What is it Kagome?" Kagura asked afraid. "What happened?"
"I just got a run in my hose!" Kagome said angrily glaring at the offending item. "I swear everything's out to get me today, first my car, then my hair and skirt and now my bloody pantyhose!"
Kagura just gave a small laugh, "I'll meet you in half an hour at Peggy's and I'll pick some pantyhose up for you on the way. What colour and size?"
"Kagura," Kagome said heavily. "What would I do without you?"
"You'd go mad that's what," Kagura said grimly.
"Thanks a million, medium black no pattern, please and thank you."
"You're welcome Kagome," Kagura replied. "See you soon."
"See ya," Kagome said hanging up the phone reluctantly. It was hard to believe how she hated her job; she was aware many people would kill her for her position yet that didn't make her feel any more grateful. Almost everyone else had been a passionate writer since birth and there she was only there because she needed a well paying job of some sorts. It was just so mundane, day after day researching and then writing, and the doing some more research. They only good part about having such a high up position was that she got to travel to lots of interesting places. Glancing at the clock Kagome noted it was 12:10 and got up. Grabbing her purse Kagome strode out to the streets and hailed a taxi.
Half an hour later Kagome was sitting with Kagura in a quaint little bistro chatting amiably as they ate their lunch. Kagome daintily dunked a piece of freshly baked bread into her soup and popped it into her mouth making a noise of appreciation. "I'm so glad you introduced me to the wonder of Peggy's cooking," Kagome said.
Kagura grinned and took a sip of her latte, "you say that every time we come here for lunch," she said and then her grinned broadened as she added, "which is like twice a week, when you're in town that is."
"Oh Kagura what would I do without you," Kagome said. "So have you heard from the client yet? I was really hoping to meet with him, but I guess he's probably too busy ne?"
"Apparently," Kagura said her voice layered with disgust. "Apparently he's some big shot, and doesn't have the time to meet with us petty people."
"I hate people like that," Kagome replied. "For crying out loud he's spending what is it fifty thousand on something how can he not care! He can't possibly have so much money that this is too insignificant to bother overseeing."
"According to his secretary he is," Kagura said scowling.
Cleaning her bowl from the remaining soup still clinging to the sides with a piece of bread Kagome sighed popping the last morsel into her waiting mouth.
"If I had as much money as this guy apparently does," Kagome said. "I would hire Peggy to come cook for me."
"I would second that," Kagura replied her frown disappearing. "Peggy is by far the best cook I know, she beats all the pants off those stupid French chefs you hear about serving pasta for fifty bucks. Her soup is something out of this world."
"Oh you two," a short plump looking lady giggled as she passed their table. "If you complimenting me like this my head just might swell up so much I won't be able to fit through the door."
"Afternoon Peggy," Kagome said pleasantly.
"And hello yourself," Peggy said. "I take it you just got back from abroad?"
"Yeah been back five days now, and man does it feel good to be back," Kagome replied.
"Five days, and I haven't seen a hide or a hair of you!" Peggy exclaimed with mock hurt.
"Kagome you wound me."
"Now, now Peggy," Kagome said grinning. "I've been getting for a wedding I had to fly out to New York because my best friend Sango's getting married."
"Oooh I just love weddings," Peggy said and then giving a large wink went on grinning, "always tons of cute guys dressed up in tuxes and suits. Who knows Kagome maybe you'll catch yourself a handsome one."
"Speaking of that," Kagura said. "Hojo came to see me a while ago quite distraught. Why'd the two of you break up?"
"He just wasn't my type," Kagome said offhandedly hoping her friends wouldn't pursue the topic.
"Not your type darling!" Peggy exclaimed. "The man was perfect! He was everything you told us you wanted in a man."
"I know I guess, you get sick of being around someone who's constantly perfect and always polite," Kagome said reflecting on how she wished he had just kissed her once without having to ask. But of course she didn't say that part out loud; she had never mentioned that he had been a horrible kisser to anyone but Inuyasha, which she now regretted. He was probably mocking her secretly with all his friends, calling her petty.
"Kagome," Kagura said slowly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong!" Kagome blurted out embarrassed to be caught thinking about Inuyasha.
"You're blushing hun," Peggy said. "Who were you thinking about? Some cute new acquaintance? Is that why the two of you broke up? You were in love with someone else!"
"He's not! No! Oh NO!" Kagome exclaimed blushing even more furiously. "I mean no that's not why broke up!"
"So there is someone!" Peggy exclaimed triumphantly.
"No! He's nothing to me! He's just an arrogant self-centered jerk that I used to know!" Kagome said hurriedly.
"But is he cute is the question," Kagura joked.
"No!" Kagome said. "I mean well….I guess he's attractive…but he's a jerk! Even if he is filthy stinky rich…"
"Oh, so he's rich," Kagura said her ears perking up. Being a single mother who was short on cash she was very partial to rich men.
"Kagura," Kagome replied her voice dripping with disgust and practicality. 'The guy is a self-centered jerk, believe me he is most certainly not your type."
"I bet your just saying that because you've got the hots for him," Peggy said sighing dramatically, the romantic side of her taking over.
"You can't possibly be serious!" Kagome screeched. "Me, have the hots for Inuyasha! Yeah right! If you ask me Peggy you've been reading one too many romance novels lately."
"Inuyasha!" Kagura said. "The Inuyasha Tesuiga. The Inuyasha Tesuiga who owns Tesuiga Inc.?"
"One and the same," Kagome said shaking her head and taking a sip of her latte.
"He's one of the richest men in the world and you're telling me that you knew him when he was a kid!" Kagura exclaimed. "Kagome, for crying out loud suck up to the guy maybe he'll give you a few pretty baubles that you can keep or pawn off!"
"Nice try Kagura, but I refuse to stoop as low as that," Kagome said. "Plus it would never work, Inuyasha would see through my act is a split second. I never said we were friends, quite the opposite as it would be."
"Oh how romantic!" Peggy exclaimed clasping her hands and her eyes going all stary. "Two long-time enemies brought together by fate only to fall hopelessly in love."
Kagura and Kagome both sweat dropped and Kagome dropped her latte only to swear and jump up a second latter batting furiously at her white blouse which now had a large coffee stain running down the front.
"Oh SHIT!" she yelled grabbing her napkin. "Oh shit, shit shit shit SHIT!"
"Oh Kagome are you alright?" Kagura cried out jumping up to help her.
"Bloody coffee!" Kagome said angrily managing to stop swearing and sit down normally dabbing at the large ugly stain on her shirt. "Yes, sorry about that Kagura, I'm fine." Looking at Peggy, Kagome sighed and said. "I'm having a bad day."
"I can only imagine from your reaction," Peggy said sarcastically. "You're lucky there aren't any children here Kagome!"
"Yeah I know," Kagome replied sighing heavily and glancing at her watch. With a large groan she said, "and I don't even have time to go home and change; brilliant."
"It's not that bad," Kagura said evaluating Kagome's shirt. "Just button your blazer up and no one will be able to tell the difference. If anything it'll only make you look more professional when you inform your boss of your resignation."
Nodding her head glumly, Kagome attempted to grin "well as much as I hate to leave you here like this you guys I really should get back to work I'm already five minutes late."
"Okay," Kagura said. "I'll be in touch."
"And I hope I'll be seeing you soon as well," Peggy said. "After the wedding I am expecting a ton of visits from you missy! Because heaven only knows how long I'll be blessed with your visits before your house sells."
"How's you know about that!" Kagome exclaimed.
"I have my ways," Peggy said slyly.
"Otherwise known as me," Kagura said grinning.
"Oh," Kagome replied. "I should have known, well see the two of you later."
"Bye, bye," Peggy said.
Lounging back in his large chair, Inuyasha tilted his head back and looked up at the ceiling. The question of whether he should meet with this artist had been nagging him all morning. He hated dealing with artists, no scratch that he hated dealing with female artists. He had dated one a while back, actually dated one which had been rare. It was one of the things that had made him into the player he was today. She had just been so bloody confusing; always going on about how there was a deeper meaning to everything. Shaking his head Inuyasha said to the silence, "that was one messed up chick." But he knew he was lying; the reason he had broken up with her was because she had always been so damn serious, she had hardly smiled and he only recalled her laughing once. Recalling how she had always worn black Inuyasha shuddered, creepy, he liked being with a women who worn lots of bright vibrant colours and wasn't afraid to let her emotions show because it made up for his lack of visible emotions. Oh don't get him wrong, sure he had emotions he just never liked other people being able to read him like an open book.
Looking down again at the button that would call his secretary up Inuyasha groaned. Why was making this decision so hard, it wasn't that complicated when you really thought about it. A simple yes or no, and for crying out-load it was only a meeting. Nothing long and complicated just a simple hello, how are you, what a beautiful peace of art, yes I love it, I'll take it! What was so hard about that!
Sitting forward and putting his hands to his forehead Inuyasha asked himself, "what would Kagome say?.......She'd tell you to swallow your bloody pride and take the time to meet this artist that's what……she would tell you it would be downright rude not to and that he would be labelled as some self centered big shot."
Looking up Inuyasha pushed the button before he could change his mind, "Myoga tell this, Kikyo person that I'll meet with her."
"Will do master," Myoga replied. "Would the day after tomorrow be alright? You've got that luncheon with your brother tomorrow morning."
"Yes yes, that's fine," Inuyasha replied. "But make sure it's in the morning I'm flying back to New York at one."
"Most certainly master, it will be done," he secretary replied. "I'll phone the artist's manger right this very second and set the appointment up."
"Good," Inuyasha said letting the button go. Then processing the information his secretary had just told him erupted. "WHAAAAAAT!!" Slamming his hand down on the little red button Inuyasha yelled, "what luncheon!!! When the hell did I agree to meet my brother for a 'luncheon'!"
"Ummm well actually you didn't accept the invitation from Sesshomaru sir, Rin was the one who requested it and you said okay," Myoga replied shakily.
"Myoga…." Inuyasha went threateningly.
"Oh all right, all right I admit it, please don't hurt me master!" Myoga cried out clearly scared. "Lady Rin dropped by yesterday morning and asked when you were to be here next and I told her today and so she asked in her cutest voice if I would convince you to meet her and your brother for a luncheon tomorrow. Sir I just couldn't refuse, she used her puppy eyes on me!" Myoga said in self defence.
Sighing angrily, Inuyasha snapped, "fine!" and released the button. He had actually been contemplating dropping by at Kagome's tomorrow and asking her for help on how to deal with this artist he was going to be meeting, looked like that was no longer possible; he's be in such a fowl mood after having this 'luncheon' with his brother that all he'd want to do is go home and sulk.
Gazing wistfully at the little yellow sticky Inuyasha growled angrily and turned it over, why the hell was he thinking about her so much. He had barely thought about her since she had left all those years ago, just because they had run into each other was no reason to think about Kagome….NO that wench….yeah that's what he meant to call her…..all the time. Sure she was attractive but she wasn't his type. Of that much he was certain, he liked a submissive woman not someone who would argue with him just for the hell of arguing. Well actually come to think about it Kagome wasn't the one who liked to argue that was him….ahhhhhh. Jumping up Inuyasha put his hands to his head and shook it viciously. "Get out! Get out! Get out!" he yelled.
"Um sir?" a quiet voice asked timidly. "Are you alright, I can leave but I just thought you'd like to see the article the Times magazine wrote about you."
Looking up his long silver hair rumpled, Inuyasha blushed slightly. "Oh I'm sorry Ann I didn't mean you. Come on in I'd love to read the article."
"Okay," the young volunteer said nervously walking into the room. Placing the latest Times magazine on his desk she bowed respectfully and exited.
Pulling the magazine towards him Inuyasha forced himself to forget about Kagome and soon was absorbed by the disgusting article the Times article had published about him.
Four thirty finally rolled around and Kagome stood up nervously from her chair and walked over to her boss's office and forced herself to knock solidly on the door, resignation in hand. "Come in," a voice called from within. Opening the door Kagome strode forward and sat down in front of her employer. "Oh hello Kagome."
"Hello Toko," Kagome replied looking enviously at how her employer's hair was perfectly styled in loose curls to her shoulders and how absolutley stunning she looked on a every day basis.
"How are you doing?" the lady asked more of propriety than out of actual curiosity.
"I'm doing well, and yourself?" Kagome asked her hands folded neatly in her lap her feet braced firmly against the floor.
"I'm just fine," Toko replied. "Now enough with the formalities, we could spend hours here talking about the weather alone." Leaning forward and interlocking her fingers she went on, "I presume you've finally decided to hand in your resignation."
Kagome's eyes opened wide in shock she opened her mouth but she found that it was unable to form words. Swallowing and clearing her voice Kagome tried again and found that her voice was finally cooperating with her, "how's you know?", she asked.
"Oh dear I've been waiting for you to figure out that this isn't the place for you for a long time," her boss replied. "I was aware within a week of hiring you that your heart wasn't in your work. I would have fired you and saved you all the hassle but you did produce outstanding work. It's a shame that you don't desire to be a writer, I know for a fact that had your heart been in the work you very easily could be one of the best." Kagome opened her mouth to protest but her boss cut her off. "No buts Kagome, I'm not a woman who throws compliments around. I mean every word I said, you have a natural flare for writing that many writers' strive for years to perfect. Now normally a boss will insist on you working another two weeks etc etc, but as I said I've been expecting this for a long time darling so I've had a backup waiting. You may pack your things up tonight and have no fears, I will write out this month's paycheque for you this very instant."
"Oh," Kagome said slightly ruffled. "That was easier than I thought it was going to be."
Pulling a cheque book out of one of the top drawers Toko briskly wrote in a sum and ripping the cheque off handed it to Kagome. "Here you go dear, I hope your business flourishes."
Standing up to receive the cheque Kagome asked confused, "how did you know all of this? How did you know that I was coming to quit?"
"My dear," Toko advised. "Your art manager left a message on your phone here at work loud enough for Timbuktu to hear clearly."
"Oh," Kagome said blushing. "Thank you, thank you for everything you've done for me, I really appreciate it."
"A pish-tosh," her boss said waving her hand. "It was nothing, now get out of here."
"Will do," Kagome said grinning as she closed the door behind her. Smiled broadly Kagome walked back to her desk where she proceeded to clear everything out. Ten minutes later with a final double check that she hadn't forgotten Kagome picked up her box and walked through the office doors and into the elevator. Walking through the revolving door Kagome took a deep breath of the air outside and for the first time tasted the freedom she had desired for so long.
To be continued….
A/N: Well here it is another chapter I've worked my but off to post so soon. I hope this will pacify you blue cleo, can't promise three but I will try to get another chapter out before I start school again, thanks so much to all of you wonderful, wonderful people who reviewed. You're reviews are probably going to be some of the best presents I'll receive this holiday, and to all of you who are too lazy to review please do as you can see reviews motivate me. So here's a Christmas/holiday present for all of you! Hope you enjoy!