Written o5.o3.o8

To SkuAg, jerseygrl90, little0maggie, Phoenixe825, nickygirl, AnimePinkCess, SpiffyCookie, TheWitchLady, Yamora Love n Friendship, Mrs. Radcliffe 13 and Waltz Turner thanks for reviewing!

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My Funny Valentine

Chapter Sixteen

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Chandeliers draped elegantly from the high ceiling, sparkling diamonds around the posh environment. It was ironic considering what was being launched that night was relating to fame, glamour, wealth and fashion. He never had seen himself getting used to these extravagant events, but there he stood next to the crystal punch bowl consolidating with fashion critics, the not-so-endearing media, photographers, models and workers involved with the recently developed designer label.

Yet, somehow, she had summoned him there.

With someone pressing the bell to his apartment, he had turned the knob of his front door to discover a single envelope on his doormat. When he delved out the contents he found an invitation dropping into his bare hands. It was an invitation to the various franchise commencements around several locations in Japan for 'Soar to the Sky Designs.'

So there he was amongst the guests and attired in a crisp tuxedo looking as sharp and well groomed as ever. He even had gelled his hair back for the darn occasion. He rolled his eyes when a little cluster of models bat their lashes at him and collapsed into a fit of squealing giggles as they ambled slowly by. He caught a waft of their strong perfume. None of them had the scent of roses.

A quartet of strings played in a miniature stage besides a circular dance floor where dancing men accompanied frilly pastel dresses, faded in with the exuberant music the strings vividly produced. Unfortunately, unlike the men on the dance floor, he had no company. Taichi and Mimi had gone out of town to visit Mimi's parents. Yamato had caught the hint that Taichi was finally stepping it up in their relationship to finally gain the courage to meet his in-laws.

By being alone, Yamato silently gathered the reasons in his mind to why Sora had spontaneously invited him. Could he be forgiven? Then again, why had it been his fault? It was two to tango, right? But on the other hand, was it a sign that she had gotten over it and it was time to move around the obstacle? Or did she just want him at the particular function to ease off the media for her?

Two of the violins in the quartet pierced shrilly pitches and at that instance he caught her walking down the marble staircase. She glowed, wearing a set or pearls around her neck and a long silver flowing dress that flounced with every step she took in her usual perfect grace. But what shocked her was the length of hair. It was true she hadn't seen her for almost three months now, but he couldn't help but feel astonished by her change of appearance. She had snipped her long tresses that her auburn locks were now touching her bare shoulders. The photographers were already on their job, snapping pictures from every direction. She remained composed and calm as he saw the buzzes of reporters dash her direction. She seemed so surreal and unreachable.

Before he knew it, his polished leather shoes had hauled himself into the crowd around her. He was in a dazed like state as he watched her converse effortlessly with the publicity she was dealing with. It was like she had transited and changed so much over the months he hadn't kept in contact with her. Or perhaps she already had this self-esteem and confidence? Perhaps she was pulling off an act. Like pulling off the act that she was his wife. Every one pulled on acts these days, but somehow it astounded him as he watched her. She had always been a mystery to him. She seemed further away. The more he had gotten to know her, the more answers he needed to find out. But in the end, he hadn't found them.

She looked stunning. Not beautiful. Stunning

Why was it now that he had noticed it? The way she smiled when she spoke, the way her eyes danced in amusement, the way she held herself…so confidently…so strongly. But deep inside, he knew that she also held another person…someone he had seen a glimpse of…but still hadn't really been able to know. And he wanted to. Hell, he wanted to. Taichi was right. She had been the only woman who really had gained his respect. She hadn't indulged herself and taken advantage of his wealth and fame. She worked for it herself…she didn't need his assistance. She was honest. When she didn't like his music, she admitted it and offered critique. When she loved it, you could tell as well. From the tiny simper visible on her lips, and the way she hummed softly the tune.

Then someone smoothly took her hand. And it wasn't him. Was he jealous?

He watched the man ring an arm around her and saw the small squirming movement of her thin frame, but her smile was still there. Yes, he was. She threw her head back and laughed that contagious laugh of hers. Was this her intention…to make him suffer envy - because she was doing well. It seemed he wasn't quite forgiven. It seemed that he was really jealous.

Yamato gave a long sigh, pivoting on his heel and helping himself to another glass of punch. As he spilled his second scoop from the ladle he felt someone's presence besides him. "Alcoholic much?"

"Might as well enjoy free booze. Whether it even be in the smallest quantity," he said. He got a closer glimpse at the woman standing before him. Her lips were titled in smirk, arms folded as she stared up at him. Who would have known…"I thought it was you. It would have been scary if you were someone else because it would seem that I was flirtin-"

Before diligently putting his glass on the table, he enveloped the lady in a tight embrace cutting off what she had to say. He let go of her, still holding onto her arms as he got a better look. She was as beautiful as ever, scarlet dress sticking to her every curve and long wavy hair glimmering under the diamond-like lighting. She simpered brightly at him. "Catherine!"

"Hello to you too!" she declared.

Recovering from the sight, he let go of her and he couldn't help but grin like a maniac. "How are you? You should have told me that you were coming! I could have made arrangements-"

"That's an insult. Have you forgotten I'm a model? Sky designs accepted me to be their model when I applied in France. They wanted me to be here for the launch," it was her time to cut him off with her explanation. She continued, "Plus, I did contact Hiroaki and he offered to pick me up from the airport. I've heard you've been quite busy lately, so I didn't want to disturb you with you work. Did I answer all your questions?"

"Yeah, it all makes sense now," he chuckled. His heart rate began to decrease. He really hadn't expected Catherine to be there.

"I couldn't believe when Hiraoki told my your band separated. You've practically grown up with those boys. I remember when I had a major crush on Yutaka," she laughed.

"I never really understood that. Of all men in this world…it had to be that ill-tempered idiot," he brutally shook his head. "It's a disgrace."

"So you're here because you're married to Sora, right? You know, I'm still pretty hurt that you didn't invite me to your wedding," Catherine said. She looked down at his hand, frowning flickering on her facial expression. "Why aren't you wearing your ring? Have you even noticed all my colleagues trying to hit on you? Sora-"

"I don't know what you've heard…but," he lowered his voice and spoke into her ear, "we aren't. It just something to get my grandparents' off my back."

She stepped away, startled. "But the picture of you in that magazine. Both of you looked so happy."

"Can we not talk about it," he replied in discontentment. "Maybe you should just leave me here…and go mingle with some male model."

"Yamato," she said. "She's been looking at our direction for the moment I started talking to you. You need to get together. I don't know what are you talking about…but it's obvious there's something between us."

"There isn't," he insisted. "Maybe it's better if you leave."

"You're good like that, aren't you?" she glared. "I've already gotten over it, Yamato. You should too. Really, you should. We're grown up now, for goodness sake! I had the worse end of the stick…don't forget that, will you?"

"I get it, I get it," he muttered. "But Cath, sometimes-"

Just in time Sora was standing a few paces away from him. A trail of photographers followed her lead, taking multiple shots for the front page. To his surprise she marched determinedly up a step and planted an unanticipated kiss on his cheek. It stung where she had placed her lips, probably because it felt so untrue and bitter. Catherine watched them in awe.

Sora let her arm go around his waist and said so quietly that only he could hear through her white teeth. "I don't know why you're here. I don't know what you're trying to prove…the paparazzi still believe we're married. So if you want a darn show, here's your darn show. Leave after this."

When the rate of most of the snapshots had declined, she flung herself off of him and headed towards the other side of the function room. He blinked, unsure what had just happened. Catherine gave him a shrug. For the second time that night, his feet were moving on instinct without his approval, chasing after her.

Through the blur, he swore he caught Yolie's guilty face. He caught up to the designer, taking her wrist and running out of the reception whilst ignoring her cries of objection. He tugged her into the nearest room he could find, shutting the door behind him and locking it. His back was against the door, heaving breaths of air. It was then he realised the disgusted look on her face. He wanted to hit himself when he observed that he had taken her into the men's toilets.

"What the hell was that?" he interrogated her.

"You shouldn't even be here in the first place! I didn't give you permission to be here!" she instantaneously counter argued back.

"Then who did?" he barked back. In timing, Yolie's face registered in his mind. "Oh…it was your manager."

"Yolie?" she blinked. "What makes you think that I'll believe you? You personally came here to ruin my night!"

"I'm sorry!" he yelled, voice echoing against the tiled walls. He never projected his voice like that…but it was the only way he thought possible to get her to hear him out. "I really am, okay? Are you happy? You're right. I'm wrong. That's the end of that. Can't we just be how we normally were now? Our normal relationship."

"Do you even consider us having a normal relationship?" she snorted. "Really, Yamato. We never had anything together in the first place! You confuse me. Sometimes I wish we never had met! You don't even know me."

He stood speechless for a second. He couldn't reply straight away because he knew she was true. He knew she worked at a bar, enjoyed jazz, was a fashion designer…but what else did he know? He didn't know how she was brought up. He didn't know what her favourite cartoon character was? He didn't know what type of damn wine she liked.

"See, you don't," she said, taking his silence as a confirmation.

"Let's start from scratch then. My grandparents are leaving soon so I think we should-"

"You're so selfish, you know that?" she said furiously, stomping her foot. "I should have expected that to be the reason. You just came here because your grandparents needed more evidence that you're married!"

He didn't bother to repeat that it had been Yolie whom had given the approval to come. Right now, that wasn't his main concern. Plus, he already knew she had already chosen to not believe him. He had never seen her this furious in the short time he had known her. So he waited for her to calm down. Eventually she began to speak up again.

His eyes were now fixed at the tip of his shoes, finding the best words to express the awkward situation, "The night we slept together...we went over the boundaries. I stuffed up."

"We both did," she admitted. Sora looked tired. It was then that he saw that the make-up she had brushed on didn't completely disguise the dark bags under her eyes. "Tell me what you really want, Yamato. What do you want from me? Honestly?"

"I want you to trust me. That's all I want. At least as a friend. You can't just say we had no relationship at all, Sora," he spoke.

"How can I trust you? I turn my back on you, the next thing I know you're getting along a bit too well with one of my models!"

"How about you?"

"Really, Yamato. If you knew a teensy bit about my career you'd know he's one of my sale's assistances! And he's gay, if you wanted to know!"

"Clearly he's hitting on you!" he protested.

"Oh, so what do you call whispering in a girl's ear?" she inquired critically. He then recalled how he leaned over to say something only Catherine could here. She was complaining about Catherine. Somehow her tone felt like a slap on the face.

"She's not even related to this!" he spat.

"Then tell me!" she said. "You're so secretive yourself. You want to be honest! Just tell me! I already know she's your ex-girlfriend just from looking at you!"

"Are you jealous?" he asked, but inwardly wanted to dunk his head in freezing water when he knew that it was the wrong indecisive words to say. She was glaring him daggers.

He gave another sigh, being accustomed to doing quite a lot of them that night, advancing towards her. "Calm down, Sora." He stopped when he saw that she had flattened her back against the wall and actually looked scared of him. He felt saddened. He thought he had been the only one suffering from this since he had though she had let go of what happened already. But evidently she was still hurt. He should have been the one hurt when he saw the ring lying on the bed instead of her.

"Sora," he said her name. "Trust me. She wasn't my ex-girlfriend."

"Then who was she? How do you know her?"

"She's the reason why my mother filed for the divorce," he finally said.

"She's a slut? I still don't get it," Sora said in bemusement. "What do you mean? She would've been a baby when-"

"You're thinking wrong, Sora," he shook his head, chuckling grimly. He paused. "Catherine's my half sister. We went on a holiday to visit my grandparents…and well…she's sort of the result from my father cheating."

"Oh my god, Yamato. I'm sorry…I didn't mean to do that-"

"It's okay," he interrupted. He just wanted to get out of there. It appeared to be the normal routine between them. He had revealed another of his own secrets, while she hadn't. His throat became dry. He hadn't even told Taichi about Catherine's real identity. Anything in relation to the divorce always brought bitter memories. He had been awake during the early mornings when his parents would be screeching at each other on the top of their lungs and be covering his younger brother's ears from hearing. It was too bad that he couldn't cover his own.

It still haunted him.

Relationships. This was how he always thought them to be. In the end…they'd turn out like a disaster. The same could be said of the-would-could-have-been one he was with Sora right now. "I should leave," he said uncomfortably. "I'm sorry I ruined your night."

"That's not it, Yamato! That's not it-"

He couldn't stand it any more, it was pointless being there. "Sorry," he said again. "You should go out there. The hostess is probably needed."

He had already hurt her. He deserved to not even see her. It was his fault continuing something that wasn't even real. He had actually hoped. He left her in the male toilets after unlocking the door to be faced with flashing lights. Yamato wasn't in the mood to deal with them, but already a journalist was reporting that they had been making out in the lavatories. He shook his head, and raced out into the busy streets. Luckily, the location wasn't held in a remote place. He patiently waited to catch a cab.

As Yamato waited on the edge of the swarming street, her words repeated in his head. He didn't know her. It was true. He really didn't know much about her. Maybe it was best to give up the thought of even being with her.

At that moment, the thought of his father struck him. No, he wouldn't become like his father…he wouldn't give up that easily. A smile became visible on his face as he noticed something he had never noticed before. Sora may be a stranger, but he happened to know her best friend. It was stupid that the thought never occurred to him.

He waved down a taxi, sliding into it. His fingers dug into the pocket of his tuxedo, playing with the ring that she had left behind. Instead of a glass slipper, it was a fake ring. Fake like their marriage. But somehow, he was going to someday make it real. Not exactly a marriage…but he was definitely going to make something spark between them.

Yamato wasn't exactly sure if this wave of confidence was a good or bad thing. He pulled out his mobile phone and scrolled down the list.

Mark

Melissa

Mimi

He dialed the number, wishing for the best.

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(a/n) This chapter didn't exactly turn out as I had planned. It was either going to be more dramatic/angsty or less dramatic/angsty than this current chapter I have just posted up. Also, I didn't plan in revealing Catherine's identity in one chapter because I wanted to develop a sense of mysteriousness…but I really didn't want the fact that there would be a Catherine-bashing. This is because I like her character, even if she had a small (kissing) part in the 02 series. So yeah, Catherine's identity was revealed a bit early. But then again…I guess it's considerable because I didn't want to cram everything together.

There are only 4 chapters to go now! I know, some of you may be disappointed with the length of this chapter…but I thought this scene should be a stand-alone. I know (for a fact) from looking at the plan for the next chapter…it will definitely be longer. Definitely.

Thanks for reading!

Love flipstahhz