All the characters belongs to Jun'ichi Sato and Gonzo.
In a luxurious restaurant, two people were sitting in a round table on a corner, far away from curious looks, next to a window on the first floor, beside the stairs. They already had ordered something to eat and were waiting for the waiter return. Face to face, they were having an intense conversation about a third person.
"I'm the first person happy for both of you, Layla. But I'm not sure Kalos will think the same. We don't how the public would react about it." Yuri was mixed between two feelings and lost on the best way to handle the news.
"I know that. And I already warned her. But she still chose otherwise." Layla retorted in an annoyed voice. Whatever how they put the problem, they were always doomed. People from their family might suffer, as well as their relation with the public.
"I thought you would be more concerned about her career, even if she believed otherwise." The fair haired man was a little surprised by his ancient partner statement that he found unlikely. Pleasantly but still surprised. Hoewer this new Layla might be more open to his new project.
"Sora believes in people's good heart. And I want to believe in it too. I want to be with her." The Russian man was about to reply but she interrupted him with a hand gesture. "I know, I was as worried as you first but...it's not like we'll make a public announcement. Not with the Ken's issue anyway. Sora refuses to hurt his feelings more. And we're living at opposite sides of the country." She put herself more at ease on her chair, her left elbow on the armrest and the same hand holding her cheek. She was a little tired by the previous date on the amusement park. It was funny how looking at someone with full of energy like Sora could be more exhausting instead of pushing you. Did she start to become old?
He was also a Sora believer but even if she was right, they couldn't live in secret forever. "What will you do when the truth is found?"
She sighed more because of tiredness than boredom. "One thing at a time, Yuri. For now, no one know and we're good like this." And she put an end at their argument, the moment the waiter came back with their orders.
After that the conversation was lighter about their relationship. She didn't give him all details yet. Just enough to understand how they ended together. However, Yuri seemed a little concerned by Ken. More than Layla at least who didn't get his worries. Her ex-partner wondered if the distance between her and Sora won't be a chance for the American boy. Out of sight, out of mind like people said. He was convinced that two-years of feelings won't be erased that easily even if Sora rejected him. And it'll be easier since no one will know that she is with someone.
Layla sighed loudly while stroking her hair with her right hand. Then she stared at her friend with a look that didn't hide her irritation. "Did you decide to be Mister bad luck or something like that, today?"
He had a contrite expression even if he knew it was too late. "No of course, not. But-"
"No but!" She interrupted him. "I wouldn't have started anything with her if I was afraid of loosing her with something as trivial than some distance." She made a pause to regain some composure but she also wanted to avoid to be the center of the attention in the restaurant. Despite their location, some people recognized them and were trying to listen their conversation, even if they were talking as low as possible. "And what will be the point of being together if I didn't trust her!"
"Okay. Okay. Don't be mad! I was just asking." He put his elbows on the table and crossed his fingers. "It's good to know you're not overly possessive toward her." He made a little pause observing Layla's reaction slowly before talking about the real purpose of his dinner invitation. "Because I have this new project for the Kaleido Stage." Magic words! Layla's eyes showed her interest in the topic. "And...well...you know how it is with Kalos. His methods might be unconventional but his idea of what the Kaleido should be is pretty old-fashioned."
Layla frowned a little, not sure to follow the Russian man.
"See, adults also like to dream. Sometimes with their family but sometimes they just want adult entertainment and they accepted to pay a lot for that. So-"
"You've got to kidding me, right." Layla pronounced each world slowly and clearly so he wouldn't miss any of them. "You want to make the Stage some sort of strip bar?" Then she loose her temper.
"A strip b-? No! Not at all. I was thinking about something totally respectable. Something new and different but still in line with the message that our shows are here to bring happiness to people." Layla was still skeptical and wait for more details. "What I'm talking about is a cabaret. Like LIDO in France."
Layla opened her mouth hesitantly, as she registered the possibility, before answering. "And of course, you want Sora to star it?"
Yuri smiled a little thinking he got trough the most difficult part but keep playing with his fingers. "Of course. She is our top star. The end of Swan Lake was much appreciated by an important part of our older public, thanks to Sora's performance with her glamorous costume."
The American woman just face-palm herself for good this time. She liked the LIDO and their stupendous shows but the idea that her girlfriend could perform with those costumes that let so little to imagination didn't please her at all. God! Sometimes they even were topless with just some jewels to hide their lower parts. Now, she understood why Yuri was so happy to see her unaffected by Ken's closeness with Sora. But that was to different things. "What Kalos said?"
He almost winced at the Kaleido's director name provoking a grin on Layal's face. "Well, his a little worried about people's reaction and the investments that will be needed. I'm suppose to make a survey on that and for now the answers are mostly positive."
She was loosing her smile and asked about the investment part.
Yuri shrugged at first saying M. Kenneth, the only investor, refuse his project. Layla immediately showed her satisfaction. "But I send an e-mail to M. Hamilton and he seemed interested. I just have to wait his return."
That was totally disastrous, thought Layla. Her father was the only one able to convince both Kalos and M. Kenneth about this cabaret project. She had to speak to him as soon as he comes back. A phone conversation wasn't enough. She'll do anything to avoid a conversation about that with Sora. She couldn't expose her jealousy. She need to keep some coolness. "Well, good luck on that but I'm staying out of it."
Yuri understood his friend's statement and didn't try to persuade her. "So if Sora agrees on it, you won't try to convince her otherwise?"
Layla looked at him with a strange smile and answered. "I'll support her no matter what."
And they finished their dinner silently.
Later, not so far away, in the Kaleido cafeteria, the troupe members were enjoying a meal together to celebrate a lot of things. Mostly their friendship and Rosetta's success. Yesterday's events were forgotten and no one asked any questions to Sora about her secret lover, even after Ken's departure for his home. But despite the happy atmosphere, the Japanese girl couldn't prevent her mind wandering with a certain blond woman who left her a couple of hours ago. She knew it was stupid to worry but she couldn't help it when she wasn't with her.
"Sora! Is it Ok? You seemed elsewhere." A concerned Rosetta asked. They were at the same table, next to each other, but she didn't miss her mentor sadness.
The said girl turned her attention to her friend and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. It's just that Layla is a little late. But, I'm fine and I'm happy to be here with everyone."
When she heard the girl's reply, Sarah started to grin unexpectedly, almost devilishly. And there was a reason for that. The little group was sitting on the table at the end of the cafeteria, near the self-service next to the large glass wall, and the English woman who was facing Sora and Rosetta, was back to wall. That's why she could see Layla's arrival when she entered in the court dormitory. "Well, you should look behind."
At the moment she turned behind to see the reason of Sarah's suggestion, the Japanese girl's heart almost missed a beat. Because of the soundproofing, the blue-eyes woman couldn't speak. So she just smiled and with a hand gesture as she demanded to the girl to join her. Sora stood up immediately from her chair and excuse herself to her friends from leaving them. But they didn't seem to mind it at all. They were used to it since Layla's return to Cape Mery and totally understood that she wanted to pass most of her holiday with the blonde woman.
"I don't think we'll see her before tomorrow." Rosetta stated a little sad, glancing at the exit room on their left, where the self-service started.
"At least, she seemed happier than what we have thought." Sarah noticed.
"Well, I'd be a happy man too if a hot chick like Layla had comforted me." Jy Sung affirmed while yawning loudly and stretching.
Vince who was next to him, gave him some advise."Don't speak of Layla in that way in front of Sora." The Korean boy just chuckled in response. "And I don't want to know what your pervert mind imagined about them!" He also warned half-jokingly, half-seriously.
And everyone laughed at it.
When Sora passed the door and arrived outside in the court hall of residence, she nearly run to her girlfriend and jumped on her arms forgetting that they have an audience.
"Woah! I only left for one hour and a half."
"Yeah! And you left me alone without asking my opinion. That was mean!"
Layla sighed and looked at their spectators in the other side of the glass wall. Even if they couldn't hear what they were saying, they were careful to their movements. "Maybe we could have this conversation in your room?"
Sora followed her look and agreed while Layla freed herself from her hold. She waved her friends goodbye and took the woman's hand crossing the court before they took the stairs heading the outside corridor of the second floor rooms. She quickly opened her door, still leading her girlfriend behind her. They sat on the kitchen, face to face.
"Do you want something?"
"I already ate."
"With Yuri?" Sora tone of voice didn't show any anger but she clearly wasn't pleased.
Layla didn't miss it and crossed her arm searching for an adequate answer. "Didn't you also eat with your friends?"
"That's not the same!"
"How?" The American woman frown. She was lost on the girl's logic.
The Kaleido Star was agitated and refused to stared at her. "Because...because you were alone."
"..."
Sora risked a glance to her and saw she still didn't understood her reasoning. "There's people here believing there's something between you two." She explained a little ashamed.
However, to her surprise, Layla wasn't angry or anything. Instead she was laughing like she heard one of Anna's dad joke. Then she stopped and she looked at the younger girl cheerfully. "Well, that's not a bad thing for us if they really think that, is it?"
"I guess but-"
"I know, I know." She interrupted her while putting her elbows on the table to hold her head with her hands, still smiling. "But there's nothing to worry here. Nothing ever happened between us. He was my partner and now he only is my friend. Can I have a smile now?"
"Sorry." The Japanese girl executed herself, even if it was an unsure smile. "But what did you talk about with him?"
"Nothing that you should worry about." Then she moved back her chair and came to the girl side who got up with her. They silently headed to the bedroom and Sora let her girlfriend laid her on the bed pleased by the initiative. Layla on the other hand had an appreciative smile that didn't hide her intentions. She slowly caressed the girl's cheek and stared at her, with eyes full of longing, until her fingers reached her lips. At the touch, Sora couldn't prevent her mouth to open itself which was the woman's aim who didn't waist a second to kiss her gently at first. But soon the hunger for each other replace the gentleness and Layla's hands started to wander on the girl's body while Sora tightened their embrace.
Oh my god! The spirit scene didn't believed in his chance. Actually, he did follow the girl since yesterday when she disappeared at Rosetta's orders. But he left when Layla found her that night, thinking nothing will happen. How wrong I was! And the scene in front of him was so hot that he wanted to punch himself for leaving that day. Damn! It is better than imagination! He hid himself behind a curtain to not alert Sora from his also decided to not speak of it to Rosetta. Otherwise, he won't be the spectator of such performance again. And it was the best he had seen in his life. How lucky!
The making-out session last again long minutes and Layla, who was now above the girl laying on the bed, was leaving some hickeys on her neck. Sora was breathless with excitement. The sensations the woman's touch gave her were different from the one she was getting on stage, but it was the same level of pleasure. And like when she was performing, she wanted it to last forever. But thinking of her girlfriend's departure the day after tomorrow made her sad.
The blue-eyes woman felt the change in the girl's attitude and stopped her kisses to stared at her with concern. Her ex-partner eyes were blurred with tears. "Why?" She asked a little dumbfounded.
"Because you're leaving soon." She explained putting a hand on eyes to hide her tears.
Layla took off her hand and dried her tears with her fingers and caressed her cheeks softly. They already spoke of it and nothing she could say might erase the girl's worries. So she put herself at ease on the bed laying next to her back to the wall. "Maybe, I could sleep here tonight?" She suggested.
Yes! Yes! Fool thought loudly.
Sora's eyes widened and her face soon expressed her happiness. She hid her head on the woman's chest and brought their bodies closer. "I'd want to sleep in your arms every night."
The American woman lovingly stroked her hair with the tips of her fingers and kissed her slightly at the corner of the mouth. Then she felt the girl was giggling and wondered the reason of it.
Apparently, Sora was remembering their first night together during their training for Arabian Nights. The tension she felt that night was such a contraste from today's feeling. Lots of things changed since that day. Slowly but surely, admiration took a lesser place because another feeling started to grow up inside her. A brand new bond of friendship that blossomed in something more. It took her some time to understand it was love because of her inexperience and she regretted it. Now that they reached the Kaleido Star dream, they both pursued different ones at different places.
On the contrary, Layla believed their reunion after weeks of physical separation will be more intense and unlike people who can see each other everyday they'll know how these days are precious.
Sora agreed on it even she would have liked being with her a little longer this time at least. Then she asked the woman when her feelings became more clear but she refused to answer it for the moment. The lilac-haired one tried to force her in telling the truth but she never yielded, grinning at the girl the whole time.
They talked again for hours about their future and their past before falling asleep in each other arms.
Saturday morning, Layla woke up first and her time to examine Sora in her sleep, smiling anytime she would let escaping a sound of pleasure. "You better not dream of someone else!" She warned half-jokingly. Slowly, the eighteen-years old girl quit her sleep and fully opened her brown eyes when she caught a glimpse of long blond hair and she met lovely blue-eyes she was just dreaming few seconds ago. Then Layla explained she needed to leave before the dawn to avoid people from the Kaleido and that she'll call her later in the morning. The eighteen-years old girl was a little sadden by the news but choose to see the best side of it. She will see her soon enough.
After her departure, Sora opened the curtain and the sliding glass door before entering in the balcony to enjoy the morning sun. It was still fresh for a summer day, the best moment of day for some jogging activities. That's why after changing in her jogging suit she knocked at Rosetta's door with high spirit.
"Sora! What are you doing here?"" The redhead was surprised by her visit whereas she was herself ready for a morning training.
"Good morning, Rosetta." She simply reply with a wide smile. "Ready for a run?"
The Belgian girl return her smile welcoming her friend's offer. "Sure."
They were running on the sidewalk between the dorm and the beach with Sora leading their course and Rosetta outrunning her from time to time despite the lilac-haired girl warning. And fatality hit them. The redhead didn't avoid a stone and almost fall if it wasn't for Sora to catch her before she met the ground.
"Thanks and sorry. I should have listen." They were sitting on a bench back to the beachfront and the Kaleido Star was looking at her ankle just in case.
"It's okay. You're fine. That's all matters."
Sora was still wearing her smile since they started to run and Rosetta found that a little intriguing. Not that smiling a lot was unusual for her but the redhead thought something was different with that smile. Before Sora's smiles were mostly for others, for the public. But this one seemed more personal, more intimate she would suggest. Is it because she was able to keep her friendship with Ken? Or because of that mysterious lover? Well, whatever. As long as she's happy. "Everyone is coming back today. Even May. The stage will be full of life again. I'm a little impatient even if in one week it'll be the end of Little Red Riding Hood. My first leading-role, all by myself."
"Its makes me remember of the Little Mermaid. It wasn't as sucessefull yet I learnt a lot things. Important things to become a leading role all by myself. I just wish I had..." The Japanese girl had a nostalgic face for a few seconds when she looked towards the Kaleido Stage at their right on the sea. "But it's just the start for you." She finished with her previous smile. "By the way, your diabolo performance of the other day gave me an interresting idea for Mulan. I still need to talk about it with Mia and Kalos. We will have to train on three trapeze to convince them. But it's not impossible for us, does it?"
"Nothing can stop us!" They clapped their hands together in a big laugh, not carring of the people and other runners along the beach. Then, they headed, stil in high spirits, towards the gymnasium to complete their morning training.
Layla Hamilton, in a bathrobe, was drying her hair when she receive a visit from her ancient maid complaining of the little time they passed together during the holiday. And she couldn't disagree with it. She was reflecting on sending a message to her girlfriend warning her she'll be late but feared to have more explaining to do and thought it could wait Macquarie departure.
They were now in the kitchen preparing some sandwiches for lunch in a funny atmosphere. They were sitting on stools next to each other on the marble table in the middle of the room. Macquarie was preparing the ingredients while Layla mixed them and cut the sandwiches in triangle.
"Miss Layla, I wanted to apologize for the other day. What I said about your feelings was a mistake. I shouldn't ha-"
"Actually, you were right. I'm the one who needs to apologize." The American didn't dare to look her in the face. Not that she was ashamed of her relationship but because of her reaction.
The dirty blonde girl widened her eyes at the revelation. She put her hands on her mouth preventing herself from crying in the both sense of the word. If she let out a single word at that moment, she wouldn't be able to hide her true feelings for the woman.
Waiting for an answer which never came, Layla glanced at the short-haired girl who seemed overwhelmed by the news. "Hum. Macquarie?" She didn't get her reaction. It wasn't something she expected.
The ex-maid took a breathe and a fake smile after she gained some composure. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm a little surprised after all." She stared at the sandwiches and put them in order avoiding Layla's gaze. "Is that food for her?"
"Yes. I thought I could surprised her with a picnic." The blonde haired woman responded with a little smile Macquarie didn't miss.
Why Layla? Why her? I took care of you all these years but it's her that your heart has chosen. What does she has that I don't? "So you're already..."
"Yeah. Since yesterday. And I should thank you. For months and weeks I refused to see the truth, afraid of my own feelings. But now, we're together and..." She chuckled thinking again of the past days. "...I'm still afraid but not for the same reasons. For the first time in my life I'm afraid of loving someone too much." She winked at the young girl besides her. "But this must stay between us. Sora would be too happy to hear that."
Cruel. Cruel. How can you be so cruel in breaking my heart and still looks so gorgeous? "Of course. I will never do anything against your wishes. I'd prefer to hurt myself instead of- ouch." The ancient maid forgot to focus on the tomatoes she was cutting and literally hurt herself with the knife.
"Careful!" Layla took the girl's hand and used a towel to stop the bleeding. Fortunately, the wound wasn't too deep. She left the shorter girl for a few seconds looking for the health pack in the main bathroom on the second floor near her father bedroom. When she returned, she quickly cleaned the cut and put a dressing on it. "Feels better?"
"Yes. Thank you." Macquarie who stayed silent while Layla nursed her was trying hard to hide her blushing. She could still feel her hand's warm on her own. She couldn't remember having hold it that long before. It didn't pleased her to admit it but since Sora entered in Layla's life, she changed step by step for the better. "Miss Layla?"
The said woman who was packing the sandwiches on a picnic basket with water bottles, stopped a moment to look up at her. "What is it?"
"I really wish happiness for both of you." It was hard to say but she did really think it.
Closing her basket, Layla just smiled before putting a light kiss on the girl forehead. "Thanks. I wish you the same. I can't dream of a better friend for someone like me."
That was too much for Macquarie. How could she be so close and yet so far from her dream at the same time? For years, she was longing for the woman knowing it would stay a one-sided love. And it wasn't such an issue before thanks to the woman's coldness. But know, she was happy and sad because of her gentleness. A cruel gentleness.
Just before noon, after Macquarie's departure, Layla changed for white fit Bermuda shorts and a marine striped tank top. Then she biked to the Kaleido dormitory with her picnic basket. During the ride she thought she should have warn her girlfriend but it was too late now. She stopped under the balcony of the girl's room on the other side to avoid the dorm court and people who might already be eating in the cafeteria. She took her phone and send a message. She didn't wait too long for an answer.
In her balcony, Sora looked surprised when she stared below and saw the woman waiting leaning on her bike with a wide smile. She didn't waist her time and return inside to leave her room and a few seconds later she was there running before she jumped on the woman's arms who almost lost her balance. "I really miss you. Did you miss me too?"
Layla put a little distance between them so she could look at her closely. "I'm sorry for leaving you this morning. But I thought a little picnic may help for your forgiveness?" She said showing the basket on the back of her bike.
"We're going on a date?" The lilac-haired girl asked, her eyes full of incredulity.
"Yes. So ready for a ride?" The American woman who was on her bike took the girl's hand indicating her to sit behind her on the saddle while she'll ride.
"Won't it be too hard to ride by standing that long?" A worried Sora asked.
"You should also be concerned for you. If I fall, you fall with me." The blue-eyes woman joked when she took the bicycle path.
"Well, I don't mind falling on you." The Japanese girl retorted, laughing as well.
They kept their high spirits while they rode until the Kaleido Stage to enjoy their meal. Layla thought it was because Sora would want to see Rosetta's show again but the Japanese denied it. The spectacle was about to start in less than an hour and thanks to that, the stage will be empty since they used the outside scene for the summer performance. That and the fact that most of the performers were still in vacation until today or tomorrow.
They were in the main scene to enjoy their picnic. Most of the performers were in the cafeteria or inside the gymnasium near the dorms until the afternoon show. So they have the place for themselves for an hour at least. Later, they might bump on people going out from the dressing room to the outside scene.
It was a different feeling for both of them to be there neither at performers or spectators. The atmosphere was lighter because there was nothing to be expected. Of course, it still was the stage they both loved since childhood with the Alice in the Wonderland show. But for now, it was an empty stage without the public's excitement nor actors' stress. With only the two of them sitting on the smooth floor of the stage between the backstage and public's seats.
They were eating sandwiches and talking about themselves. Sora was cross-legged sitting while Layla was side-sitting with both legs out on the side, alternating side from time to time. The Japanese girl was the more talkative. She had a lot of questions about the way they could handle their future meeting. When? How long? Where? The American woman tried to explain her that they couldn't predict it too far in the future. But after her return in Cape Mery on August, they agreed on seeing each other again in New-York, the month after.
Yet, Sora was anticipating these moments. Every new meeting would be another step in their relationship and she was looking forward to it. But in few hours, all of the Kaleido stage performers in vacation will come back. Her best friends Anna and Mia, but also her partner Leon. And May who also admired Layla. The lilac-haired girl wondered what she should tell to her friends. She didn't want to hide them the truth but she was afraid of their reaction. Apparently, everyone knew about Ken's feelings and were expecting something. Sora felt a little unease to speak of those thoughts with her girlfriend but Layla didn't care at all. She even encouraged her to talk with her friends. Keeping secrets alone might be too heavy. She just warned her about Kalos which meant Sarah must also ignore the truth.
To be continued...