Kaleido Star and its characters belong to Gonzo and Jun'ichi Sato.

Layla's new office was placed in an aisle of the gymnasium. She preferred to be near the performers while Kalos and Yuri were working inside the Kaleido Stage itself. Once inside, Layla sat behind her desk and invited Sora to sat before her.

"You know, unlike my father who was a simple shareholder, I intend to stay informed about everything and follow all the performers, step by step." She made a pause and clapped her tiptoes to check she still had Sora's attention. "You may be the Kaleido Star but my worry is the success of everyone and all ours projects. For that the public must be satisfied and the performers have to give everything for each play. Don't we agree?"

"Yeah, bu-"

"No but. If we agree on that, there is no more to add. 12 p.m is 12 p.m. Never stop the training before again. Understood?"

Sora wanted to protest. Since Layla started to work in the foundation, she became quite authoritarian with the crew. She didn't believe in this kind of management style but for now no one complained. So she gave up. "Fine."

"Good." Layla savored her victory. She actually loved her new work.

"Do you have time for a meal?" Sora asked hopefully. They hardly had time together because of their respective works. Carmilla's training won't start before a few weeks. The script still needed some changes.

Layla glanced at her watch and winced. "I'm afraid I have a meeting at Hamilton Corp at 1 p.m."

"Do you have to go? I thought you hired Macquarie to deal with it?" Sora couldn't hide her disappointment.

"For everyday tasks yes. But I can't miss the first meeting after the vote." Layla replied while watching at her phone. Then it felt like she had a sudden idea. "But maybe we can have a nice dinner after?" She proposed without leaving her phone from from her eyes.

"Layla."

"Yes?" The blonde woman answered unaware of her girlfriend's dissatisfaction.

Sora sighed heavily and left her chair to sit on Layla's laps.

"What? Why are- I told you I'm busy and I-" Layla interrupted herself to force Sora to get up but the younger girl stayed in her position.

"Just give me a kiss." Sora pleaded.

"Just one?"

"Yes."

Layla gave up and got them closer for a tender kiss. "Satisfied?" She asked while caressing Sora's cheek with her tiptoes.

"For now." Sora said with another kiss on Layla's lips. The American woman couldn't help a smirk. She needed some positive energy before facing her father and grandfather. "I'll pick you up here at 6 p.m." She added while getting ready to leave.

"With the new car?" Sora inquired with bright eyes.

Layla made a puzzled look. "Well, it's our only car."

"Then park in front the dorms. Rosetta want to make a tour. I promised her." Sora said with excitement.

"Don't you feel like spoiling her?" Layla expressed a little displeased.

"Well, she's like a little sister so…"

"Maybe you should rethink the sister word. I doubt she think the same."

"I don't understand?"

"Forget it. Just stop being too nice to everyone. It's making me uneasy."

Sora couldn't help a laugh when she finally realized. "Are you jealous? You don't have to. I'll never think that way about Rosetta or anyone. I only think about you all day long." Sora reassured her with an embrace, still grinning.

"I'm not jealous of a little girl!" Layla protested. She didn't like that feeling. So childish. She needed to leave before embarrassing herself more. "I'll see you later."

"Later". Sora answered still smiling.

An impromptu meeting was held in Yuri's office with Cathy. They were reviewing some curriculum of actors and actresses for the next cabaret show. They still hoped Layla or Sora would change their minds but they needed to anticipate the future in case they don't.

"This one works in several cabarets all around Europe." Cathy noticed while examining some Russian actress.

"Yes but she's not a real actress. Just a dancer. Our cabaret need to sell emotion from stories like the Kaleido Stage is known for." Yuri objected, still unsatisfied. He sighed sitting in his desk chair. "Why are the gods against me?"

"Ha! ha!" Cathy laughed at his complain. "Look at yourself. You're not even thirty, less twenty-five, and you're already a cabaret director and stage co-director with Kalos. And admire your new office!" Cathy said raising her arms.

Yuri followed her look. He would be lying if he said he didn't like having his own office. He chose to install it in the new aisle, close to the cabaret scene. It wasn't too big, much smaller than Kalos's one. But it was cosy. There wasn't any decorations for now but Sarah promised or threatened to take care of it. He wasn't sure which verb suit best the kaleido singer when she intended to help. The thought made him smile.

"Oh! Found something interesting?"

He blushed of shame. "No. No. Just an old memory."

"Okay." Cathy replied skeptically. "So how about a plan?"

"A plan?"

"Yes. To persuade Sora." Cathy was sitting nonchalantly in a long chair and throw the papers on her hands. Nothing there was interesting. They had the perfect star. Why looking elsewhere. "Or more precisely to prevent Layla from influencing her decision."

"I'm sorry but when Layla says no, it's mostly definitive." Yuri explained with a defeatist face.

"Maybe we could force her to change her mind?" Cathy suggested with an evil smile.

Yuri was intrigued. "No one is able to force Layla Hamilton to do anything. I know that by experience."

"No one but Sora Naegino." Cathy affirmed with a more serious tone.

"Why would Sora do that?"

"She won't. At least not directly. Let me tell you something." Then Cathy started the events of New-York and Macquarie involvement.

"Wow! I mean wow!" That's all Yuri could say. "Layla is in big trouble. She just hired the girl to be her personal assistant. How would Sora react?"

"Exactly. That's the question Layla wishes to never see answered." Cathy exclaimed with another grin.

"Well. I think we have our new star, don't we?" Yuri concluded with his first smile of the day.

Layla sneezed severals times during the meeting. "All my apologies." It was the end of september but it wasn't cold at all.

"No worries." Archibald said. "Well, I guess everything was addressed. Any questions? None? Then let's stop here." With those words Archibald put an end to the meeting.

Layla preferred to leave before any member of her family tried to talk to her.

"Layla!" Both Edward and Richard shouted at the same time.

"Talk to my assistant." Layla replied from the other side of the door. She was already reaching the elevator to leave the building. She won't see any of them before next month.

Macquarie who was writing notes on her laptop looked up to both men. "Is there a message you want to transmit to Miss Layla?"

Edward and Richard glared at each other for a moment before answering. "No need." And then they both left the meeting room.

"Phew!" Archibald sighed heavily sitting on chair near Macquarie. "I held a lot of meeting but this one was the most tiring. So much tension!" He stared at the dirty blonde girl waiting for a reaction that never came. "You don't talk a lot, do you?"

"I don't think a CEO should have that much free time. Especially after the chairman threatened to fire you if you don't agree on his plan." Macquarie replied without leaving her computer screen.

Archibald just laughed. "You know, some chairmen are like women in bed."

For the first time, Macquarie reacted and looked at him with a shock expression.

Archibald's smile grew harder. "Let me explain. But first let me ask you if you're a virgin?"

To Archibald's surprise, Macquarie didn't seem outraged by his question. Nor did she blush. "Wow. I didn't think Layla would go there!"

The shadow on Macquarie's stare infirmed its first thought. "Oh! Who was it then? And here I thought you were madly in love with Layla. I was totally wrong!"

Macquarie decided she gave him too much information and stood up. "If you don't have any business with Miss Layla, I'll take my leave."

"Do you simulate in bed?"

"Pardon!?" This time Macquarie was upset.

"Some women do. Either to not upset their partners, either to get something from them. Well some chairmen overstate their powers. Either to scare their collaborators, either to gain something from them. And something tell me, Layla is closer to vote the eviction of this banker with Richard than support him. Did you see her face when he suggested low cost palaces?" Suddenly Archibald went in a laughter that seemed uncontrollable. "She could have killed him with her stare!"

Macquarie observed this strange man laughing with himself and wondered if he went mad. Then she received a stranger message from Cathy and quickly left.

Layla was waiting Sora in the dorms hall. She preferred to stay there while Sora was driving with Rosetta in their car around the beach. She was checking Hamilton's shares that plunged after her father was fired. It was finally stable until the next results at least. But the others shareholders expected a grow. She might be forced to work with her father if that stupid banker keeps on with his low cost idea.

She noticed a glare from Léon and Mia who were sitting in a couch, whispering and looking at her from time to time. She ignored them the whole time until Sora came back.

"Driving is so fun!"

Sora excited voice was a soft music in Layla's ears. She couldn't help a smile while her girlfriend passed the sliding-glass door of the hall with Rosetta behind.

"Here!"

It was the car keys. Layla took them and got up quickly. She wanted to be out here. She put a firm hand on Sora's back and started to walk toward the exit door when Yuri and Cathy opened it followed by Macquarie. It was quite unusual. "Did something happened with the Foundation?"

"Yes!" Cathy replied happily. "Let's have a talk." She proposed, pulling a chair for Layla. "You too Sora." She added, pulling another chair.

Both girls sat, intrigued. Yuri and Cathy too but Macquarie stay stood avoiding Layla's questioning stare. Léon and Mia were listening curiously from their couch. And so was Rosetta.

Cathy decided to start seeing Yuri hesitation. "I would like to propose the lead of the cabaret to Sora."

Layla sighed loudly. "We already tal-"

"We have some new information that could change everything." Cathy interrupted.

"Yes some information about New-York." Yuri confirmed staring at Macquarie.

Layla followed his look and saw the discomfort in Macquarie's eyes. If she looked behind her, she would also have noticed Mia and Léon surprised exchanged look.

"Do we have to continue or-" Cathy started.

"No need." Layla cut her, eyes closed. She was reflecting on her options. She glanced at Sora who was lost, waiting for some informations. "Working for the cabaret is your decision, not mine. I'll wait in the car." Layla said. She left the room without any other word or glance for anyone.

Macquarie followed her silently.

Sora felt something was missing. "What about New-York?"

"That's not important. Now that Layla won't step inside we can t-"

"I want to know!" Sora objected.

"Then you should talk with Layla." It was Léon who was approaching with Mia.

"Why does I feel that everyone but me knows what happened in New-York?" Sora asked, annoyed and lost at the same time.

"Neither do I." Rosetta claimed, raising her hand.

Mia decided to intervene too. "Like Léon said, you should speak to Layla."

"It can wait. First, are you interested in leading-"

Cathy couldn't finish her phrase as Sora got up hastily from her chair and left the room to rejoin Layla.

"It didn't work out as planned. Maybe we should have spoken with Layla first?" Yuri suggested.

"Maybe. We will make another attempt once they talk about it." Cathy answered.

Layla was leaning on the car sighing heavily. She asked Macquarie to leave for the day until she spoke to Sora. She had a strange feeling. She felt guilty for not telling everything to Sora but she didn't think she did anything wrong about Macquarie. Some images about a certain night passed through her mind.

"It doesn't mean anything. I really love her. I'm not like my-".

"Layla!" Sora shouted as she closed the distance with her girlfriend.

The blonde woman looked at the Japanese girl with a confound face. She was trying to read her expression looking for anger or sadness but Sora only seemed lost.

"Just tell me the truth. Please." Sora took Layla in an embrace, trying to reassure the woman she loved. "I don't want any lie between us."

Layla tightened their hold for a moment, looking for some courage. She wondered when she became so weak. Deceptive too? A voice said in her head. "Can we talk about it at home?"

"Yes. Let's go home." Sora drove them silently.

No words were said but both were pensive.

Inside their flat, Sora made some tea to lighten the mood. They sat on the kitchen table and then Layla finally spoke. She narrated all the events from the start. She explained her feelings but still found no reason to justify her act. She avoided Sora's stare, persuaded the girl will never forgive her.

Sora stayed quiet for a while. She put her head in hands, in an attempt to solve that difficult equation. She wished her mother was there to give her some advice. "I love you. I really love you Layla. But…"

"But?" Layla inquired, finally looking up. There was no anger in Sora's voice. It gave her some hope.

Sora glanced at her thoughtfully. "Why would you keep someone in love with you at your side?"

"I told you it's one sided. You did the same with Ken and I-"

"I didn't force myself on you because of Ken!" This time Sora's voice was louder.

"I-" Layla's voice was cracking a little. "We already talked about it. It won't ever happen. I swear I'll kill myself before hurting you that way again!"

"Liar! You can't make those kind of promises. You can't control feelings!" Sora protested heavily. She kept everything inside for too long. She accepted Layla's silence thinking it was justified. But it wasn't at all. She played the nice card for too long.

"Then, what can I do to please you?" Layla pleaded. She feared they were at a breaking point. "I'll do anything. Anything."

Sora observed her, still irritated but no more enraged. "Anything?" She asked.

Layla was taken aback. She didn't thought it would be enough. "Yes. Anything. Just say it."

Sora reflected on Layla's words but she only wanted one thing. "Truth."

"What?" Layla questioned, a little lost.

"I want the truth." Sora precised. "I don't want any other lie between us. So is there something else I should know? Because if I learn you hide something from me, I won't forgive you this time. I don't want to live like that."

"Does that mean you forgive me this time?" Layla wanted to confirm the meaning of Sora's words.

Sora stared at her eyes intensely before she answered. "Yes I do. Because I love you. Or because I'm stupid." She added more for herself. "So is there anything?" She demanded again.

Layla deliberated in her mind for a long seconds before speaking. "I just want your love, not your pity."

"Why would I pity you?" Sora inquired. She almost left out a chuckle. "I mean you're Layla Hamilton."

But Layla wasn't in state of laughing. "I might develop the same illness as my mother." Layla stated simply.

Shock hit Sora. "No. No, you're- No! It can't be! It can't be! We're supposed to grow old together. We're sup-" Sora couldn't finish her phrase as tears started to flow. "It can't be!"

Layla stayed in her chair, pensively. For a long time she lied to herself, ignoring the truth. Did she thought the illness will disappear this way? Her father also avoided the subject. None of them wanted to know. She still didn't want to know. Not knowing was better than having a death date on her mind for the last few years she had.

"It's not certain."

"What?" Layla looked up again.

"You said that you might develop it. So it's not certain." Sora asked hopefully.

Layla breathed loudly and closed her eyes. She then glanced at Sora with a pained face. "Only a test will tell."

"Then let's do it!" Sora jumped from her chair. She hated uncertainty. The Layla she knew and loved was more bold.

"And then?"

"Then what?"

"What if it's positive?" Layla suggested in a cold tone.

"What if it's negative?" Sora replied.

"I don't want to know." Layla said, getting up from her chair. "I would understand if you break up knowing the truth."

"Where do you go?" Sora demanded while she started to move.

"Bedroom. I want to forget today."

Sora watched her taking the stairs and disappeared from her sight. "Why do you refuse to share your pain with me? I'm in pain too."

The Japanese girl meditated on their situation for half an hour and alone. She thought about seeking advice and remembered how bad it work out last time. "Everyone knew about Macquarie but Rosetta. Why no one told me?" She called Richard to get more informations. She didn't learn that much except the results of the test would take a few weeks. Then she made her decision.

She also took the stairs and opened the door of their bedroom. Layla was already under the sheets. "It's only 7 p.m. and you didn't eat." Sora whispered while getting in bed too. She laid behind Layla and hold the woman tightly. "I won't force you to do the test if it's afraid you. I'll stay by your side no matter what. Because I love you."

She put a kiss on Layla's cheek. She was vividly awake. "Thank you." She could only answered those few words.

Hi everyone,

I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.

See you soon.

Thanks to all guest reviewers.

I have to answer at once otherwise it'll take too much place.

For everyone asking about Sora and the cabaret: read the story.

I'm happy to see people enjoying the new couples. I wanted to be original and cohesive at the same time with them.

I know there is a lot of drama with Layla and her family. I will tone it down while we focus on the Kaleido again but the Hamiltons and Spencers are here to stay. I insist on giving Layla and Richard some backstory. I'll try to surprise you more. Can it be more crazy?

Unfortunately Layla wasn't the smartest when it comes to Macquarie. Let's hope she learnt her lesson.

As for Layla being half Scottish, it just comes from the Hamilton name and my desire to give her a noble blood.

And jealousy will be everywhere, from all sides.