While writing this chapter, I noticed that during Orihime's date with Grimmjow, they were wearing Spring clothing when it should've been in the middle of February.
Please ignore it for now as I'll make revisions once I complete the story and if there are any other plot holes, feel free to point them out to me!
Thank you so much for the reviews.
This chapter is dedicated to Fvaginw, Vfergus, Mzgee93, himeichiulquigrimm and Guest.
"Byakuya Kuchiki?" So I wasn't the most knowledgeable when it came to economics or politics but even I heard of Byakuya Kuchiki, the biggest shareholder of Kuchiki Inc. His family built the empire and has been the largest known privately held company. The only other rivalling company would be Shiba Holdings.
Of course, there was no way I would've known that it was the man himself that I ran into at Starbucks on that faithful uncaffeinated day. I didn't know what he looked like since like Tatsuki said, he simply didn't give interviews.
Beside the tall graceful man was an equally graceful but petite dark haired woman. There was no mistaking the ressemblance. She had the same raven colored hair and icy violet gaze which I noticed when she turned towards our way. She gave a small nod before sitting down at her table. What was that about? I couldn't think of anyone here at our table who could be affiliated with the Kuchikis in any way or form.
As more people sat down, the lights soon began to dim down and a spotlight shone on stage as performers filled it. In amazement at the scene unfolding ahead of me, I soon forgot all about everything else but the performers on stage.
"This is so amazing, Ichigo!" I was pleased to see his eyes glistening. As waiters began to appear with champagne, I corrected myself.
"Let me rephrase. This is so fucking amazing!" And that was the line that melted away the infamous Kurosaki scowl.
As the evening progressed and before dinner was about to start, I excused myself to head to the washroom. Ichigo got up to go with me but was held up by a gorgeous looking model dressed in a sleek velvet gown. I overheard her say something about a guy named Isshin wanting to talk to him.
"Ichigo, don't worry about me. I'm just going to the washroom."
"I'll go with you. This can wait."
"Seriously, I'm not a child!" I pouted. "I'm don't need to be kept on a leash!"
He looked kind of taken aback by my attitude but enough was enough. Maybe all those years of him calling me kiddo and not to mention a glass of champagne in my system, turned me into a gremlin. All I knew was that the multiple lustful stares that turned towards Ichigo's ways were mostly from beautiful women and occasionally men. It made me uncomfortable and I needed a break from it.
"Alright. Alright. But call me, if anything happens. I'll find you wherever you are." He followed the beautiful model while I made my way outside the ballroom. Instead of the washroom, I headed for the balcony.
I was met with a cold slap of winter wind as I opened the balcony doors. I shivered but the cold was welcomed. I scanned the clear beautiful night sky and blew out a puff of warm breath, watching the condensation forming into a cloud of fog. Minutes passed and the cold was biting but I stubbornly stood by the ledge of the balcony to watch the stars scattered across the sky. I wondered why it had to be so difficult.
"Why couldn't Orihime from the Tanabata legend just be with Hikoboshi?" I shouted in the cold wind while thinking 'Why couldn't I just be with Ichigo?'
I was so lost in thought that it was only when the tall figure under the shadows spoke, I noticed of its existence.
"Because she fell in love with the wrong man." The existence in addition to speaking, made me stumble from shock and together with my intensified, champagne-fueled clumsy footwork in heels, I took a tumble.
It all happened in slow motion like a scene out of *The Mistress. With my body falling and myself trying to grab the air around me, its motions caused the cobalt chiffon to dance lividly in the wind. It must've been a sight to behold but I would have to miss it because I closed my eyes expecting to taste the concrete. The expected taste of concrete never came and instead a warmth enveloped me. I opened my eyes to find myself in the arms of a familiar violet shaded stare.
It just had to be this unfortunate moment when I decided to sneeze. Yes, that's right. I sneezed right in the infamous Byakuya Kuchiki's face. Snot, spit and slobber. Strike!
Bless my soul. Indeed.
-chapter break-
I think he was just as surprised as I was when I took my hand to wipe the damage I already inflicted. It seems as though all my common senses migrated beyond the southern hemisphere at this point. The skin burned at contact and electricity coursed through every vein in the area.
"I'm so sorry!" I blurted and we stood there in silence for what felt like years. He just stared at me in surprise. Even under the starlighted night, I could see the amusement dancing in his eyes as he released me from his embrace.
"It seems that whenever I run into you, it happens to be in the most undesirable situations." I wanted to look away but I was just so mesmerized by the sparkling amethyst orbs.
"You remember me?" His smirk affirmed my question and it also broke me out of my trance. I used the moment to take out my handkerchief from my clutch and handed it to him. He took it and wiped his cheeks with it.
"Although if my memories serves me well, I believe we were in opposite predicaments." Of course, I remembered the coffeestained memory quite clearly. His next words made me flush red. "I can't imagine what would happen if I met you a third time."
"Knowing my luck, we'll get chased down by blue extraterrestrials with sonar fueled laser weapons." He raised a brow. "Yeah maybe it's a good idea if there isn't a third time." I finished.
"That sounds like a challenge." His lips stretched to what I presumed was a smile. Okay, so he wasn't exactly the merriest kind.
"It's not. I'm really sorry about the intrusion Mr. Kuchiki. I didn't think anyone would be here." I told him earnestly. "And thank you for saving me from getting a bite off the floor."
"It wasn't intentional...Ms. Inoue." He caught me completely off guard.
"How do you know my name?"
"It had the misfortune of catching my eyes from your application papers."
"Oh...I see." I shivered but couldn't tell if it was from the cold or from Byakuya's intense stare.
"Orihime!" I was startled when Ichigo yelled my name. "I was looking all over for you." I was met with warmth when Ichigo quickly took off his jacket and wrapped it over me. It smelled so nice. I inhaled the scent deeply. Ichigo's scent. "Why are you out here in the col..." It was then when Ichigo noticed Byakuya's presence. His scowl deepened instantly.
"Kuchiki." His voice was so low it was almost like a growl. The reaction on Byakuya's face was more dismissive but for some odd reason, his eyes turned even icier. It seemed like they weren't on best terms with each other. But how? Ichigo wasn't the friendliest guy but the animosity between them was uncalled for especially if this was their first time meeting. It would only make sense if they knew each other previously but come on! What business would Ichigo have with a *genius billionaire playboy philantropists? That kinda stuff is only found in the season finale of *Avengers of the Iron Manhood.
"What were you doing with her?" Ichigo's voice was menacing. I never heard him speak in that tone. Ever.
"Unless you are slow-witted in social cues, you would've noticed that we were simply talking." Byakuya's tone was also challenging.
"Come off your fucking mighty horse. She was freezing!" If I didn't interfere now, I could tell things could turn nasty.
"Ichigo, it's not his fault! I was the clumsy one and he only helped me. Then I accidentally sneezed on him!" Ichigo looked at me wildly. I couldn't tell if it was the lighting but his eyes were of a brighter shade. He almost looked like a madman with angry golden eyes.
"Orihime!" When he saw my concerned face, the eyes immediately reverted back to his warm cocoa colored ones. "Let's get back where it's warm!" I only had a moment to leave Byakuya an apologetic smile as Ichigo pulled me under his arms to lead me inside.
-end chapter-