On the Fourth Day of Christmas Maria gave to me…

Four wax dolls,

Three broken phones,

Two Love ME members,

And a Stalker in a Sakura tree.

12 Showbiz Days of Christmas

December 7th

Huuuuhhhhhh. It was already December…. She had snuck into LME again today to discover the building covered in garlands, lights, glass bulbs, fake snow and mistletoe. Seems as if her Grandfather was going all out for Christmas this year. Sigh, it was doubtful he would ever grow up, lucky for him Grandmother liked his dramatic flair. But that didn't mean Maria didn't think he was going over the top with the reindeer and sleigh. Yes, it was tough being an eight year old who was years ahead of maturity in comparison to her guardian. Maria knew all her Grandfather's secrets, what stories she could relay to the LME employees about what he stayed up late into the night doing. It was enough that they would lose what little respect they held for him.

Lately, she had been on guard, which was why she was now sneaking around LME in a disguise. Since last Christmas, thanks to Nee-san….and her grandfather…she had been speaking to her father, a lot more. A lot of times, she stayed up late waiting for his email to arrive so she could read it, and was awake longer to send a good response back. It was customary for Grandfather to come in while she was reading the email and debating whether or not to reply. He said it was because he was interested in learning how both her and Father's day had gone, and more importantly he didn't want to miss out on tucking Maria into bed at night. Grandfather was very adamant about tucking her into bed every night, trying to read her to sleep; no matter how often she insisted that it was unnecessary.

Maria suspected that he felt guilty about her being on her own so much. Grandfather could always call Father or Uncle Tiger to find out how Father was doing. She was old enough to understand that's what happened when your father and grandfather were very important people in the showbiz industry. A long time ago she had learned the price of trying to change that.

What Maria was worried about was the Grandfather hadn't come to say goodnight as often for the last few weeks. It wasn't that she wanted him to come tuck her into bed, because she felt she was too old for him to still be doing that, it was just really odd for him not to come. Consequently, for the last four nights after letting the housekeeper think she'd gone to bed, she would sneak out and stare through a slit in the door, listening to what he was doing. To her astonishment, he hadn't been watching reruns of some romance drama or another; and even more astounding, he hadn't been playing one of his love sim games. Instead, it appeared that he was actually doing work! Writing things out on this paper, consulting various documents when he seemed confused. It would have been very worrisome had he not been listening to Christmas music. Grandfather never did work at home. Four nights in a row was unthinkable.

Her top priority now was an investigation into his secret project, that was the only conclusion she could accept- he was up to something, and she knew just who would help her discover what it was. Currently, her objective was not in view, so she was wandering around the office looking at the Christmas decorations. It seemed that Grandfather was going completely insane this Christmas, more so than she could remember than in previous years. Decorations were more prominently emphasized on the walls and in corners, holiday music was playing in a variety of languages, eggnog and hot coco were offered at a beverage stand and to finish it off there was a giant evergreen in the main lobby with at least a hundred gifts stacked beneath it. Her objective was also visible hanging up decorations.

In a flash, she turned around and ran to go downstairs lest her quarry get away. People quickly stepped out of her way, so they wouldn't be run over as she ploughed down the staircase. For a moment she looked around wildly, having lost sight of her target. A flash of a bright pink jumpsuit caught her attention and she rushed over in that direction.

"Nee-san!"

A light haired girl turned around towards the voice, startled. A slight smile finally graced her lips.

"Maria, what are you doing here? Um… why are you wearing that costume?"

Kyoko pointed at the elven clothing Maria had donned.

"Mmmm." Maria hummed pulling at her skirt. "So Grandfather won't recognize me."

Kyoko sweatdropped. "Umm, why are you hiding from President, Maria?"

Maria stayed quiet at the question, drawing imaginary circles in the ground with her foot. Peeking, shyly up from her bangs, she saw that Nee-san was frowning, worried.

"I think he's up to something, and I want to find out what."

Kyoko's frown deepened, frustrated.

"What exactly do you think he is up to?"

"That's just it I don't know what it is, but he's been acting odd lately!"

"How so?"

Maria quickly related all her observations on her grandfather for the last week. They had moved over to a bench near the evergreen as Maria related her suspicions to Kyoko. At the end, Kyoko sat pondering over what Maria had said, while Maria stared entreatingly at her. Kyoko bit her lip, regarding her flexing hands before her fist hit her open palm.

"I think I know what he's up to Maria!"

"What?!"

Kyoko smiled down at the frazzled Maria.

"It's nothing to be concerned with, it's just President being President. I think it has to do with the assignment President gave to Moko and I. We are to spread the spirit of Christmas to everyone. I think what you described is the President writing out the Christmas lists he gave us to complete. We have to report how everyone embraces the holiday, and depending on their reaction we may have to surprise them with a gift, so they can enjoy the wonder of Christmas."

Maria frowned. That did sound like something Grandfather would do, even down to the slogan.

"But that doesn't explain why he's making such a big deal over the Christmas season, I mean what makes it more important than previous years…."

She tried to ponder this, but was brought to reality by Kyoko's chuckle. She grimaced at Kyoko.

"I guess Maria-chan doesn't realize it. Maria, we've been sitting in view of the man hired to play Santa Claus, but I haven't heard you complain even once."

Maria still didn't get it.

"Yeah…What's so important about him?"

Kyoko just shook her head.

"That tells me more than anything. Maria-chan at this time last year you were over there lecturing that Santa Claus and telling anybody who came to LME what a silly holiday Christmas was and why the Japanese had to take on such a holiday. This year, I haven't heard you say anything about the Christmas décor. I think President is making such a big deal out of this Christmas, because this is the first year he didn't have to tone it down, so he wouldn't upset Maria."

"But why would Grandfather worry about Christmas upsetting me?"

Her nee-san let out one of those catastrophic sighs.

"Because he doesn't want Maria to get upset about her birthday."

Maria blinked, a horrified look creeping slowly across her face. Kyoko smiled sympathetically at her.

"B-but I'm not, not now! I think my birthday is sad because it's the anniversary of Mommy's death, but I think Mommy would have preferred everyone to be happy for Christmas!" Maria exclaimed worriedly.

"I think the President understands this Maria, which is why he is so eager this year. He is happy Maria and Maria's father are happy. His happiness- he thinks everyone should be able to share in it. Don't you think so?"

Maria nodded her head slowly. Maybe that's why her grandfather was up to. It certainly sounded like him. It distressed her that Grandfather had been so sad for such a long time because of her. She hated causing others grief. She had to make it up to him somehow.

"Nee-san, what do you think I should get Grandfather for Christmas?"

Maria implored curiously with her wide expressive eyes at Kyoko.

"I think President has a surprise planned for Maria, and the best thing Maria could do is be happy when President gives it to her."

Her eyes brimmed with agreement at her Nee-san's advice. There was something else she might do though…

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Maria regarded the doll in front of her. It was slightly misshapen and smudged with fingerprints in a few spots, but nonetheless, she gazed upon it adoringly, squeezing the giant Ren doll Kyoko had given her. Recently, her school opened up a new 3-D art class, that she had promptly signed the waiting list to get in. At the time, she was hoping to learn how to mold wax figures, instead of buying the useless ones from the store. Her original intention had been to create a doll that would grant her wish- that her father would love her. Thanks to Nee-san, she had known for the last year that her father had forgiven her and did love her. Maria had kept the class though, and steadily learned how to make semi-presentable figurines; she still had a long way to go though.

There were four that she was particularly proud of, and had earned praise from the teacher on them. They weren't perfect, but they were special to her. The one currently in her grasp was the one she had modeled after her grandfather. The other three resembled her other three precious people: Nee-san, Ren and Father. Tonight, she had decided would be a good night to light the incense on the doll, especially, Grandfather's. Instead of wishing for their love, she would pray for them to be happy and realize their dreams. After all, they were the most important people in her life. She decided to let Grandfather have his fun this year, she wouldn't even disturb his immature, overly emotional holiday plays he was planning to hold. This one Christmas, he deserved to have a little fun, so she would be happy for him, just like Nee-san had advised her.

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I love Maria! She's so cute and mischievous at the same time, a proper little girl! This chapter might of made her more childish than she is normally, but she is still a kid and needs advise from her Nee-san. I had to mention the Ren doll, I love the Ren doll, nothing is more hilarious than the Ren Doll. Any way, thanks for reading! Stay tuned next time on the 12 showbiz Days of Christmas-duh duh-

Five Gentle…..

And as always Review!

False Sourires