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Coffee Shops and Cameras
Chapter 11
"I'm sorry" I blinked, "I think I must have blacked out for a moment. You want me to...what?"
Hikaru let out a low chuckle, one that was so dark and mischevious that the overlooking camera crew tore their gazes away frantically, as if they really didn't want to be involved in whatever Hikaru seemed to have planned, "The jacket. Put it on"
"Uh...no thank you" I replied, holding the jacket out at arm's length as if it were roadkill dripping from my hands.
Hikaru furrowed his eyebrows thoughtfully, "I was under the impression that you were here to "coach" me. Teacher"
My mouth dropped open.
Was he playing me?
"And how will...this..." I waved the jacket towards him, "Help me help you?"
"I've never modelled with anyone else without Kaoru with me. It's either solo, or with Kaoru"
"You...you want me to...model with you?" I shook my head in disbelief, "This was never part of the deal. No way am I doing that"
"Oh" he nodded, "So you're admitting that you can't help me?"
"I never said that"
"Well I think stepping outside my comfort zone and showing I can work with other people would be a big help to my image"
"Then find someone else" I frowned, "You even said yourself that I wasn't attractive enough to model"
"I never used those words"
"You didn't have to"
"Well now that you're wearing decent clothes and your hair is actually brushed for once - you actually look pretty good"
"I think I'll pass"
Hikaru smirked, like he knew something I didn't, "Are you uncomfortable?" He asked. As he spoke, he folded his arms, which made his biceps swell and his chest tense.
I temporary lost the ability to speak as my eyes fused to the sight, "N...no" I managed to force out.
"Then I don't see why you'd have a problem just standing with me in these photos" his voice was heavy and gravelly, like he was trying his best to hold in a mischievous chuckle, "Since you're apparently perfectly comfortable and you look the part. This should be easy for a...strong girl...like you. Unless you're just afraid? It's okay if you are"
The fucking bastard.
"I'm. Not. Afraid" I grit my teeth.
"Hey, I'm not judging. Not everyone can do what I do. I get it, you're not up to it"
He's trying to throw you off your game.
He's trying to put himself in control. To make you look like you're incapable.
The cocky prick.
I scowled at him, watching as he grinned his pearly white teeth at me with a wink - and began walking over to the backdrop. He was sure to brush right past me, letting his strong large hand skim the outside of my hoodie, right at the hem that sat on my waist. It sent shivers across my body.
I knew what that smile meant. That smile was a victorious smile. One that told me he thought he'd won. He'd found something I couldn't do, something I cringed at. Now it looked like he had the upper hand, like he was the one calling the shots as he looked down at me from his pedestal.
The camera flashes began and I frowned more and more, watching the perfectly chiselled man pose effortlessly under the spot lights. Even in those poses, I could still see that arrogant twinkle of victory in his eyes.
In that moment, I knew, I would do anything to wipe that smug shiteating grin off the bastard's face. Anything.
HIKARU
He had her right where he wanted her. Powerless. So goddamn powerless. He could see the facade of fearlessness slipping off her pretty little face, and it gave him a sick sense of joy. Finally, he was in control. Finally, he had all the power.
He felt right at home behind that camera. And he had a great view of his new toy scowling at him in defeat, if only she wasn't wearing that fucking ugly hoodie. Then his view would be perfect.
As if she'd read his mind, the sight of her sliding down the zip of her jacket from the base of her neck caught 100% of his attention. And opened upto reveal the...tight ...so fucking tight...teal dress underneath. The dress that hugged every sinful curve and swell in her petite body, the pinch of her waist and the tantalising view of that hourglass figure she was so blessed with. The grey jacket fell from her shoulders and onto the floor and for a moment, he forgot he was in the middle of a shoot.
She held the denim jacket in one hand, and he assumed that...oh shit, she's actually going to do this...but instead...the jacket joined her own at her feet. Her expression changed to one of new found confidence and slowly she strutted over to one of the camera men operating one of the overhead lights. Hikaru couldn't make out what she was saying to him, but she leaned in close and it seemed to grab the roadie's attention instantly, turning his cheeks red and his smile into one of giddy nervousness.
For some reason, that didn't sit right with Hikaru. It didn't sit right at all.
Not only was Haruhi making him look stupid; and turning the whole situation on it's head - pulling back on that tug of war of control...but also...something about the way that lucky fucker looked at her...how close she stood beside him...leaning in...touching his arm with her small creamy hand...
Hikaru tore his eyes away and went back to doing what he was good at, pretending he was okay as he posed and fed to the camera - the way he was born to do.
Focus, focus, he thought to himself, Fucking focus.
A flash interrupted Hikaru's inner screamings, causing him to blink against it and lose his composure. A chuckle followed and the camera clicks momentarily ceased.
"Sorry!" Haruhi said teasingly, "Daichi was showing me how this thing works" she pointed to the production lights that illuminated Hikaru and the backdrop. She put on a slight tone of airheaded-ness as she looked over at him. She raised an eyebrow toyingly, then flicked the switch one more time. On, and off.
As those words echoed off the walls, Hikaru could see the colour drain from every single person in that room. Everyone but Haruhi, who looked positively delighted with herself.
"Are you finished?" Hikaru growled low, sending a heat wave of volcanic rage across the room, he was glaring at the roadie now, trying to silently tell him to keep to himself. Haruhi saw his look before Daichi did though, and smirked. She knew she'd taken back the gold medal. And she was loving it.
Haruhi shrugged innocently, "Is something the matter Hikaru?"
"Stand over there" Hikaru growled, and pointed at the chez lounge across the room. Far far away from Daichi.
"I'm actually quite comfortable here" she replied, "I'll be quiet" she held up her index finger to her plump rosy lips, her bottom lip pursed a little and the tip of her tongue darted out seductively. It made Hikaru groan in frustration at the sight of her. How was it that a couple of weeks ago the woman he'd met dressed in an ill fitting white shirt and shoes too small for her feet had turned into this? A sexy, shapely vixen with a playful smirk and a hazel gaze that made his pants feel 2 sizes too small...
Instead of bowing down to her childish attempts at ruining his shoot, Hikaru went back to work. And as much as he didn't want to admit that she'd thrown him off his game...she really had. Instead of seemlessly giving into the flow of the cameras and ringlights like the fish to water he usually was, he found his gaze looking over at Haruhi, who didn't do an awful lot but pace back and forth, giving him a good look at her legs as she took strides in her strappy heels, swaying her hips with deliberate vigour. The creamy contours of her back, and the long column of her slender neck looked silky and appetizing as she turned and made the open space of the room her own little catwalk.
"Are tou okay Mr Hitachiin?" Renge asked hesitantly, "Should we try some different lighting?"
Hikaru grimaced, feeling beads of sweat gather at his forehead. But he didn't dare look away from Haruhi, who had gotten exactly what she wanted. His undivided attention, "No. Just work with what we have" he scowled, "We're done here"
HARUHI
Sweet bliss - I thought to myself as I settled down in my oversized white t-shirt I often wore as a nightgown. Finally I could breathe again, now that I was out of that organ crushing vice Hikaru had called a dress. The offending outfit stared at me from the hanger I had dangling from the hook on the back of the bedroom door and I scoffed.
It was amusing that something so simple as a dress could affect a man so...intensely. I could only chuckle as I thought of the look on Hikaru's face.
He wanted to take control oh so badly. And I'd taken that all away since the moment I'd shown up. I knew he didn't like that, which is why all along I'd been telling him how we needed to work together. Put in 50/50 effort and work. I'd hoped he would jump on board with that plan since he'd been the one asking me to help in the first place. And as far as I could see, the only way we could succeed this whole scenario was to help each other out. But last night had shown me that the only way he seemed to be happy was when he was in the driver's seat.
The night before he seemed to dominate the entire room - when he'd made me stumble over my words in the presense of his half naked sweat veiled body, he was in his element. He was a man driven by power, and I knew I threatened that. But he didn't seem to understand that, I too, loved to be in control. And I think I proved that point when I refused his modelling offer – which I was sure had been a bluff – and instead taken the game of tug and war into a whole new direction. If he could throw me off with flirting and flashing his pecs, then where was the harm in me strutting around in a dress he himself had called "sexy"? Although I hadn't quite prepared myself for how strong his reaction had been, I had achieved what I'd set out to do. Piss him off and show him I wasn't to be fucked with.
The next morning I woke up in the chair in the corner of my room, the book I'd been reading now lying abadoned on the floor, fallen closed so I had now lost my place. With a loud yawn I climbed out of the chair and went into the adjoining bathroom to wash my face. In the mirror I saw a very tired and dishevelled woman, but she was far brighter and healthier than the one I'd seen all those weeks ago. I pulled a brush through my hair and pulled off the glasses that were hanging off my ears. I quickly slipped in my contacts and pulled on some comfortable leggings before making my way downstairs for breakfast.
I could hear voices as I decended the staircase, which told me I was once again the last one to wake up. I enjoyed the mornings in the Hitachiin house, it was homey and comfortable. It was the only time everything felt normal. Even Hikaru was courteous enough to join everyone. It was mesmirising watching him laughing with his brother as if they were kids, hearing Yuzuha talk about her work and reminise about old stories; just a happy little family enjoying each other's company.
"Good morning" I greeted, the same way I did every morning. I took my usual seat at the table, smiling as I noticed a cup of coffee sat there waiting for me.
"Good morning precious doll" Yuzuha beamed, "Bacon and eggs sound good?"
"You read my mind" I chuckled, taking a sip of my drink. I noticed Hikaru beside me out of the corner of my eye, he was regarding my cautiously, usually he would have greeted me by now with some harsh but witty quip, but it didn't look like he was preparing any sort of small talk – instead he lifted his coffee to his mouth and sipped.
After the shoot the day before we hadn't spoken an awful lot. Once the cameras were lowered, Hikaru threw on his shirt in what seemed to be a fit of unchecked rage and motioned me to follow him out. When we got to the car he glared at me, his jaw locked in frustration. He threw my hoodie back at me, telling me to cover myself up and get in the passeneger seat. The drive back was silent, as was dinner that evening. He didn't even make a comment when I changed into the baggy shirt I was wearing and put on my "old man glasses" as he liked to call them.
I cleared my throat, surprised by how uncomfortable it made me feel having Hikaru not speak to me. Even if it was just to poke fun at me, "I've hung the dress up for you" I said, "Should I wash it before I give it back? I mean, I only wore it for a few hours-"
"I don't want it back" Hikaru replied, "I bought it for you"
"Oh I..." I stared at him, "I'm sorry I can't accept it, it was far too expensive"
"Then return it, use the money to buy something else"
"I don't want the money"
Hikaru then looked up at me, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion as if he couldn't understand that it was far too big of a gift for me to accept. Especially since neither one of us were particularly fond of each other, gifts hardly seemed the norm for a relationship like ours.
"I'm sure we can find another occasion for you to wear it" Yuzuha spoke up, "Hika said you looked quite the picture"
Hikaru threw her a look, "Let's not inflate her ego. She was...passable"
"Passable?" Kaoru chuckled, "You told me you'd never seen legs go that high"
"Kao not at the table!" Yuzuha gasped.
"Please tell me this food is poisoned" I heard Hikaru groan to himself. I couldn't help but giggle to myself. He was embarrassed. The great Hikaru Hitachiin was embarrassed.
"Well, my legs thank you for the compliment" I replied with a smirk.
Hikaru didn't answer, and instead stiffened in his seat, lowering his head to his food once more.
My breakfast was laid down in front of me moments later, and not a word was spoken as I devoured the plate. Afterwards we broke away from the dining room, flittering off to get ready for the day ahead. I showered, brushed my teeth, and threw on a red tank top and jeans, it was probably one of the only outfits I owned that wasn't previously owned by my father, but the weather outside looked pretty hot and the last thing I wanted was yards of material issuing out sweat and swallowing me whole.
"Here already?" I questioned, meeting Hikaru out in the courtyard under the oak tree we'd claimed as our area of coaching.
"When you look this good you don't need a lot of time getting ready" he breathed.
I rolled my eyes at the arrogant response, "I want to talk about yesterday" I said, lowering myself onto the grass.
"About how you ruined my shoot?"
"I didn't ruin your shoot"
"You sabotaged me" he grumbled, "I mean, congratulations, I didn't think you had it in you. But you made me look like a fucking moron"
"You deserved it" I replied, "You'd been pushing my buttons all day and night"
"All night? You're the one who came into my room"
"I was checking on you and you acted like a...like a..."
Hikaru smirked knowingly, "If you didn't want to see me half naked then you shouldn't have barged in"
"I'm not entertaining that comment" I exhaled, "I'm not playing this game anymore. And after yesterday, I'm assuming you feel the same way?"
Hikaru sighed, and sat upright with his arms rested on his knees, "You're not an easy component I'll give you that"
"Can't we call a truce?" I asked.
"If we do, does that mean you won't be strutting around in anymore tight dresses?"
"You bet your ass I won't"
"Then that's a hard decision for me"
I rolled my eyes, "Stop fucking with me. You have 2 weeks until your interview and we've gotten virtually nowhere"
"Not true, I don't completely hate you anymore"
I raised an eyebrow in confusion, "You don't?"
"It's more of a...strong dislike rather than a hatred"
"Wow" I heaved, "You have such a poetic way with words"
"So I've been told" he winked.
I stared at him for a long moment, trying to see past the cockiness in his hazel eyes. I extended my hand, "Truce"
"I swear we already called one"
"Well, I'm calling one again. For real this time. No more tug of war, no more secrets, no more games. From now on, we will be honest with each other, and we'll put in 50/50 of the work. I'm exhausted from this fighting"
"I don't know" Hikaru shrugged, "I've kind of...enjoyed it"
"You didn't seem to enjoy it yesterday"
Once again, he shrugged, "I was pissed off beyond reason" he said, "But...I'd be lying if I said it didn't...arouse my interest"
"Has anyone ever told you that you were a massive pervert?"
"4-6 times a week"
I waved my hand that was still held out to him, "Truce or I'm out"
He grum,bled something under his breath, "Fine" he said, he reached out and grabbed my hand, his long thick fingers encacing my own. A barely noticeable tingle ran up the length of my arm, and for a moment my mind went blank, "Truce" he said softly, the edge gone from his voice. His eyes met mine, holding me in place. He didn't shake my hand, instead he just held it tightly, not too tight as to hurt me, but more...securely? Like he knew exactly how to hold my hand, in just the right way.
It surprised me how perfectly my hand seemed to fit in his, and the increading beat of my heart seemed to agree.
"For the record" I breathed, finding my voice, "I don't hate you either"
"Oh?" he questioned.
"I strongly dislike you too"
He grinned, and surprisingly enough, so did I.
I'm having a lot of fun with this story and I'm excited to show you where it's going!
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Yuli xox