J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The moment we stepped off the dance floor, a gentleman approached us.
"Ah, Kyoya, I'm so very pleased that you decided to show back up. I had a sneaking suspicion that you may not join us again tonight," the man said as he looked at us slyly. I don't know what he thinks we were doing back there, but obviously Kyoya wasn't wrong when he said people would make assumptions.
Kyoya shook the man's hand and said, "Miss Mooreson, let me introduce Herr Johann Kühn. I have known Herr Kühn since I was three when he first invested in the family company."
"Come now, my man. Let's not stand on formalities. You may call me Johann, my dear girl." He seems kind enough, but I can't be sure after what Kyoya told me earlier.
"It's very nice to meet you, Johann. You may call me Judith." I extended my hand, which he shook hardily.
"A fine German name. I take it you are of German decent?"
I spared a look at Kyoya to see if this was permissible information to let loose. Oh, forget it. I can say what a please about myself. "I have some German in me, but of course, I am not German."
"Ja, ja. American. Hard to miss that bit of information. One can always spot an American." I looked at him quizzically. "Well, take the Millers over there." He pointed out a couple across the room. "She smiles a great deal, and he gives his opinion so pointedly that he might as well be beating you over der Kopf mit einer Bockwurst."
"I see that I'll have to mind my p's and q's from now on, sir," I said with a bright smile. Obviously he doesn't get on well with the Millers.
"Oh, you understand how to conduct yourself overseas," he sighed with a wave of his hand, "but there are some who have been abroad for many years and still have not acclimated to their surroundings."
I took another good look at the Millers and noticed Mr. Miller being quite loud and forceful and his sweet wife's smile reducing with her husband's gusto. In that moment I thanked God for a mother who was particular about my manners in public.
"Johann, how nice to see you tonight." The head of the Ohtori family walked up behind Kyoya and me to shake Herr Kühn's hand. His older sons flanked either side of him. My instincts told me to step closer to Kyoya. Stand your ground, girl. They are trying to make you squirm. I maintained my position on Kyoya's arm without budging. If you can hold your position around attackers like Sato, you can hold your position before attacking family. And, these three men are attackers, to say the least.
"Ah, Yoshio. I was just about to go in search of you. Though, somethings are more important, like meeting your youngest's lady friend here. Ja?" Johann gestured politely toward me. "A most enchanting and circumspect young lady, not to mention exceedingly talented as we have already witnessed." Clearly, Johann is on Kyoya's side. I wonder if he knows of the inheritance contract? Whether he does or not, he seems to be working for us; or, is he just trying to ingratiate himself with Kyoya as the new head of the company?
I tuned in just as Herr Kühn reached the end of his overly complimentary speech. Yoshio Ohtori had kept his gaze averted from Kyoya and me for the entire speech. That hardly seems appropriate when the converser is directly complimenting an attending party to the conversation. Now, he was pinioning me with his cool gaze.
"Kyoya, please introduce us." I can't imagine that voice has ever expressed love to anyone.
"As you wish, Father. Father, this is Miss Judith Mooreson. Miss Mooreson, meet my father, Ohtori Yoshio." I bowed politely to him. "You've already met Akito. This other gentleman is my oldest brother, Ohtori Yuuichi." I also bowed formally to Yuuichi. Once the formal introductions were complete, Yuuichi extended his hand to me for a Western greeting. I breathed an inward sigh of relief. At least, Yuuichi doesn't seem too bad, or is it just excellent diplomacy?
"Miss Mooreson, what do you do for a living," asked Yoshio. Ah, so the inquisition starts here.
"I work for Ouran University as a vocal instructor and artist in residence in the music department." I had to work hard to keep my voice steadily polite and businesslike. The man had a strange ability to unnerve me.
"Do you often perform for corporate events?" He makes it sound like singing should be beneath any potential mate of one of his sons.
"This is my first corporate performance, sir. I typically perform in concerts and operas."
"I haven't seen or heard you in any." He's trying to back me into a corner of obscurity.
"Father, Miss Mooreson has recently moved to Japan and has a full schedule for the season," Kyoya cut in smoothly when I lightly squeezed his arm to take over. "Otherwise, she could not be considered an artist in residence for the university." I didn't know my season was full yet, but that's good for me. I did have some performances lined up and one opera in the spring, but I certainly wasn't booked. Oh, well. Can't wait to find out what I'm doing.
"Hm. Indeed, and just what did you do in America?"
"I ran a private studio and had a performance career." A career I was sad to leave behind.
"Miss Mooreson is quite prolific, Father. You know I wouldn't hire any less than the best, and Ouran wouldn't choose a performer who never performed."
"Young lady, I would appreciate your company on the dance floor." That's surprising. Yoshio extended his hand for me to take, and I decided it would be highly rude to turn down the Ohtori head. Kyoya gave my left hand a squeeze with his arm as I extended my right to his father.
Ohtori Yoshio lead me to the center of the floor and placed me in waltz form.
"You understand why I have asked you to dance. You don't strike me as stupid. My son wouldn't bring a stupid girl anywhere unless he was forced to do so by me."
"I understand that dancing is a pleasant distraction to outsiders from the real business at hand," I said with a small smile. "What would you like to say?"
"I know that my son had an integral part in your placement at Ouran. I also know that your grand career overseas really was what you say, so my son choosing you for your position really is just a testament to his artistic taste. What I really want to know is why you would leave a rising career as America's opera darling to work in Japan as a university professor." Well, he get's to the point. Don't let him see you sweat.
"I like to experience life, sir. I have lived in both Europe and America. I have learned and expanded my music according to the places I have lived. It was time to move elsewhere and see what another hemisphere could offer my music." All very true, save I just couldn't live in the States any more.
"So, do different types of men expand your music as well? I've heard it said that a broken heart deepens an artist's art as a whole. Some artists travel seeking love to inspire them. Are you one of those?" I inhaled quietly. Of all the nerve! "If so, my son is a likely candidate for breaking your heart."
"Mr. Ohtori, if you are insinuating that I have latched myself to your son for my own gain, you are sadly mistaken. I met your son recently, and he requested me to sing. Tonight I am present as his employee."
"One does not often dance with and introduce to one's family the hired help. Be honest, my dear. What do you want with my family?"
I gauged my voice to a humble timbre and lifted my eyes to stare directly into his. "I want nothing more than to be respected as an autonomous being, a person with a free will, an independent spirit. I need no man to complete me or my music; Nor do I need someone else's family to validate me. Does that answer your question, sir?"
I heard him thrum somewhat approvingly deep in his chest. "That will suffice for now. At least, you are honest."
"How do you know that," I replied with a small attempt at sarcasm.
"You're quick, but not as entirely wise as I would like." He chuckled and then whispered, "The way I know you are truthful is the way I know everything else about the people around me. Expect our next meeting to be more informative for both of us. Tell Kyoya I'll leave the two of you alone…for now." He bowed over my hand and led me off the floor.
When he delivered me back to Kyoya, Yoshio took his son's hand and leaned into his ear and whispered, "Bravo, son."
K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Judy only exchanged a line or two with Herr Kühn before my father showed up. I was impressed with her request for help when Yoshio tried to back her into a corner. I had expected him to attempt to tangle her in her own words, but I hadn't expected him to ask her to dance. The only time I've seen him dance with anyone but my mother was when he took Akito and Yuuichi's wives to the floor at their respective weddings. This could play to my favor, or it could be the worst thing to happen tonight.
I watched them from the corner of my eye while engaging in conversation with whomever approached me.
"Mr. Ohtori, what a lovely guest you've brought and how forward thinking to escort the entertainment."
"Mr. Ohtori, your guest is very talented, who is she?"
"Mr. Ohtori, I find that businesses are best served by likeminded company…"
In this manner I passed the next five or six minutes surrounded by attention seeking, unsubtle business men and women. They all had drawn their own conclusions and were planning accordingly how best to court my business and me. Very good.
Father led her to the floor's center, which makes sense if he is questioning her. I didn't learn all of my moves on my own, so I do have to acknowledge daddy-dear's prowess in dance inquisitions.
I watched Judy's face take on an calm gravity. He asked what I thought he would, and it seems she is up to the challenge.
The brood of businessmen parted before Yoshio and Judy. When he handed her back to me, he whispered, "Bravo, son." I knew what he meant. So, war is upon us, but he's giving me a tiny chance. Bravo, indeed, Judy.
DunDunDuuuuhn! A chat with Daddy. R&R, please.