DISCLAIMER: Mai-hime doesn't belong to me and the song that I used in this fiction is from Gracenote. Give me a break is the title of it.
CHAPTER TWO
Shizuru my butt. An unknown emotion ran through her and her belly tingled with dread. After her declaration, the rocker really had the nerve to parade around with some woman in her arms and not just any woman. It was Cara Levingne, the Cara Levingne. The "Model of the year" for two consecutive years, one of the most sought out model in her generation. Natsuki Kuga and Cara Levingne look good together, and it made Shizuru troubled for some unknown reason.
Shizuru watched the interaction of the two women, and all she can see was that they are intimate. She could see the gentle brush of Cara's hands to Natsuki's arm, the soft gaze of those emerald eyes whenever she looked at Cara's beaming angelic face and the warmth of gesture of the two between each other.
Shizuru my ass. She drank her vodka straight without pausing. Heat crawled into her throat, and slowly, the alcohol spread through her stomach.
"Shizuru, are you alright?" A concerned voice cut through her musing. Glassy crimson eyes scowled at Reito.
"Of course, I'm alright." The woman huffed at him and it made the man smile.
"Aren't we grumpy today?" Reito teased her.
Shizuru took an irritating glance at her escort, now she regretted that she came with Reito. She should be spending her off in her bed and with a book in her hand but instead, she was stuck in this godforsaken club and she was forced to watch Reito having fun and finally, Natsuki and her gorgeous girlfriend. She is not grumpy. Totally. She convinced herself and took another gulped of her drink.
"Hey," A soft British voice called her attention and Shizuru glanced at the source.
"Oh, hey," Clearly uncomfortable, Shizuru smiled a little at Cara. Good thing Natsuki was nowhere beside them or she'll be teased again by that conceited jerk, Shizuru thought.
"Are you having fun?" Cara asked her. No wonder Natsuki fell for this woman, she was all elegant and classy in her own way.
Shizuru paused; she internally debated if she will tell her the truth. This isn't a pop quiz Shizuru, she mentally chided herself. "Not really," Shizuru smiled a little.
Cara gave her a genuine smile that made Shizuru at ease. "Are you having a bad day?" The blonde glanced around them and said. "I can't really blame you, sometimes our work takes its toll and we just wanted to just put our feet up and spend leisure time alone,"
Shizuru smiled at her, the rumors are right. Cara is a nice person. "It's not that I don't want to be here." Shizuru looked back at her own drink, and she twirled it to study. "But I really had a crappy day."
"So you thought that if you came with Kanzaki, it'll distract you?" Cara sipped at her own drink.
The ash-blonde woman just shrugged. The woman in front of her was perceptive; it would be totally awkward if she told her that she had a really bad day because of Natsuki's ruse last night.
"Hey gorgeous," Goosebumps crawled through Shizuru's arm. Dammit, she cursed internally. Here comes the awkward part, Shizuru thought.
Natsuki rumpled Cara's hair, and to Shizuru's embarrassment. The woman giggled like a child. Shizuru rolled her crimson eyes to them and she caught Natsuki's amused eyes.
"I'm not a kid anymore Natsuki," Cara said without any trace of resentment in her voice.
"Said someone who still enjoys playing video games in my house whenever she visits me here in Hollywood." Natsuki teased her.
"So how was your world tour Kuga?" Out of the blue, Kanzaki asked her.
"So so…" Natsuki answered nonchalantly. Reito raised his eyebrow to her, she knew she was being rude but she didn't really want to talk to the guy. Cara pinched her in the thigh, and Natsuki looked at her questioningly.
Cara gave her an eerie smile. "I need to go the bathroom, will you come with me."
"But I don't want to go the bathroom," Natsuki said defiantly but her ex-girlfriend glared at her. She sighed loudly when Cara pulled her away from their guests.
"Where are you going?" Nao asked them, she took another drink from their waiter and took a sipped. She was slightly sweating from dancing.
"Bathroom, I need to talk to Natsuki." They breezed past her.
"You can't do a quickie there! It's too cramped!" Nao shouted while laughing.
"Shut up!" Natsuki was about to get back to Nao, but Cara pulled her.
"What the deal with Kanzaki and Shizuru?" Cara folded her arms in front of her. The woman practically dragged her inside the bathroom.
Natsuki looked away and tried to shrug it away. "Nothing. Really."
"Really? So correct me if I'm wrong but you are ignoring Kanzaki for no particular reason?"
"I 'am not ignoring him. Well, maybe I'm ignoring him a little," She explained to her but she could see that Cara was not buying her BS. "He's taking too much of our space."
"Am I hearing things?" astonished, Cara asked her. "Are you actually whining?"
"I am not whining, that's for divas like Nao," Natsuki said defiantly.
Cara snorted and she waved her hand as if ignoring what she said. "You like this Fujino?"
Natsuki rolled her eyes to her. "Don't give me that." Cara scolded her.
"Yeah, I like her, a little." She mumbled.
"You wouldn't act like an angry jealous girlfriend if she means a little to you."
"I am not jealous, and I'm not angry." She hissed at her ex-girlfriend.
"Yeah, yeah and the crows are white." Cara rolled her own eyes to her. "But she's straight Natsuki…"
Natsuki released an annoyed grunt, "Sheesh, Cara. I'm not courting her. I like her okay? There is a huge difference between crush and love."
"But…I don't want you to get hurt again…" Cara whispered emotionally.
The rocker released a deep breath. When will Cara forgive herself? Natsuki thought. "Cara, look at me." Natsuki grasped her face and she stared deeply into her blue eyes.
"I already forgave you, Cara. It's not your fault that you didn't know that you are bisexual. I know that I'm not just a phase in your life. We were already broke up long before you fell in love with that guy so stop being guilty about it." Natsuki wiped Cara's tears and she gathered her old lover into her arms.
Cara sobbed softly in her arms. "I'm so sorry Natsuki…"
Natsuki rubbed her blonde hair as she continued to cry in her arms. Thinking about it now, Natsuki knew that sooner or later, they'll break it up but when she heard that Cara was dating a very straight guy she felt betrayed. They were supposed, to be honest with each other, they were best of friends before they decided to explore the indescribable feelings they have for each other and in the end, they hurt each other in unimaginable ways.
"It's all in the past now, we both moved on. We have our own lives now, own dreams to live, I was so wrong to hurt you and blame you because of our failed relationship. Bury it now to the past, and stop blaming yourself."
"I know that, and I'm trying to live with it." Cara slowly looked up to her. "What if you fell for her? What if—"
Natsuki snorted and she laughed out loud. "Hey, I thought I'm the new aspiring actress in here?" Cara punched her in the chest.
"I'm serious Natsuki." Cara blushed but she smiled at her.
"Well, I'm also serious about this. You are over reacting, darling." Natsuki faked a British accent.
The blonde stared at her thoughtfully, and after a few seconds, she sighed. "I'll be watching you just to be sure."
Natsuki pinched her cheeks and she gave Cara her trademark sexy grin. "What are you? Mother hen?"
Cara swatted her hands. "No, you are my best friend and my childhood friend. Besides, I need to keep an eye on you, who knows what you will do to Fujino."
Natsuki smile grew wide and Cara caught it. "You already did something to her aren't you?" Cara asked her suspiciously.
The bluenette raised her hands as if surrendering. "Not directly."
"I guess I was too late." Cara rubbed her temple; her blue clear eyes were troubled.
"Oh come on, you are being dramatic. I was just messing with her." Natsuki rolled her eyes.
"Whatever," Cara said. A loud knock echoed around the bathroom.
"Hey you two! Come out now! I hope to god you're not really doing a quickie there, we've got company." Nao shouted.
Natsuki growled, and she opened the door angrily. Shizuru's deadpan face suddenly stopped her from her words.
"Sorry to disappoint you Nao, but no were not having a quick sex," Cara answered with a slight smile.
"What do you want?" Natsuki asked her when she recovered from the sudden appearance of Shizuru.
"Nothing, we just wanted to use the bathroom. So your highness," Nao bowed dramatically. "If you'll excuse us."
Natsuki huffed, and walked past them. Cara smiled at them and followed Natsuki. "So what have you done to her?"
"You're making it sound like I'm bullying her," Natsuki said exasperatingly.
"So you're bullying her? Wow, that is very original." Cara said dryly.
"What the hell was that?" Natsuki said annoyingly. She followed her ex-girlfriend to their table, Cara really knows how to push her buttons and it irritated the hell out of her.
"You could, at least, serenade her with your good looks, good voice, and great attitude, even though the latter is not really obvious."
"Why thank you for the high praise you have been giving me and what happened to Shizuru-is straight-and-you-can't-fell-for-her drama?" Natsuki seated beside her and she crossed her feet above the table.
Cara rolled her eyes to her and she took a sip to her drink. "Seriously, Natsuki? Are you a cave dweller or something? You don't need a reason to stop bullying her, that is how you treat people properly. Geez."
"Are you insinuating that I'm barbaric?" Slightly offended, Natsuki asked.
"You can be very barbaric if you want to," Cara smiled at her.
"Geez, Cara. I didn't know that you had a very high opinion of me." Natsuki answered sarcastically. Maybe because of her lousy pride, Natsuki excused herself from Cara.
"Hey, I was just kidding Natsuki…" Cara said helplessly.
Natsuki nodded to her but she didn't answer her. She knew she was being childish but Natsuki knew that there was a slight truth behind Cara's reasoning. She was bullying Shizuru for her to notice her. Who would have noticed someone bland as her?
The bluenette sighed; she needed some air to clear her chaotic thoughts so she weaved herself through the crowd. She greeted a few acquaintances, and did her usual PR, and eventually, she got herself to the balcony.
The summer air greeted her as she inhaled the crisp air. Not a single cloud was present, so Natsuki could clearly see the stars. Remembering something, Natsuki searched her pants for something and she came up with her cigarettes.
She held the pack of cigarette in front of her and contemplated if she would smoke a stick. It's been months since the last time she inhaled one, but drastic measures called upon her bad habit. Caught off guard, she almost dropped it off from the balcony when someone stumbled inside the balcony. Without hesitating, Natsuki hid in the dark and was surprised when she saw the object of their argument.
Clearly, Shizuru seemed upset. Natsuki watched the ash-blonde woman as she sighed loudly. Natsuki almost jumped when Shizuru talked loudly.
"I should have stayed home, damn you Reito for bringing me in here," Shizuru whined.
Natsuki snickered to herself, this woman really was unpredictable. "You know, people who talk to themselves aren't exactly crazy."
Shizuru jumped, and Natsuki swallowed her laugh. Shizuru was white as a sheet. "Jeez, Natsuki you could, at least, said something; you scared the hell out of me."
Shizuru traced where Natsuki's voice came from and she saw the rocker emerged from the darkness. Goosebumps crawled through her arms as if cold, Shizuru hugged herself and she rubbed her arms.
Those intense emerald orbs always caught her off guard but despite being uncomfortable with Natsuki's gaze, Shizuru could feel those tingling gaze running through her body. Hiding her internal panic, Shizuru nodded to Natsuki's hands.
"You smoke?" She asked with a slight quiver in her voice.
The woman shrugged and leaned into the railing of the balcony. "Occasionally," Natsuki paused. "You?"
"Occasionally," Shizuru leaned in beside the rocker. Even with the distance, Shizuru could practically feel the warmth of the woman beside her.
"So what do you call a person who talks to themselves?" Suddenly, a cold breeze blew and Shizuru closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy it. When she opened her eyes, Shizuru caught Natsuki's heated gaze.
"They are actually geniuses." The rocker said quietly.
"Oh…" Shizuru said breathlessly. Clearly uncomfortable, Shizuru smoothed her hair behind her ears and she looked back to the scenery in front of them.
"Where's Kanzaki?" Natsuki asked her nonchalantly.
"I kind of…left him." She answered hesitantly.
Natsuki hid her smile. She's somewhat grateful that the man lets Shizuru go alone. "Too crowded for your taste?"
Shizuru hummed. "Not really. It's just I had a really crappy day because of an announcement of a certain individual to the national television."
Natsuki choked at her words. "Er…oh, that? It was just… uhh…you know I was just messing around—"
Shizuru gave her a spine-chilling smile and Natsuki staggered back. The bluenette gave Shizuru her most charming smile. "I'm sorry okay? I was just really messing with you."
"Why am I not at least amused?" The ash-blonde woman said dryly.
The rocker cringed at Shizuru's cold voice. "I apologize okay? I am deeply sorry, I would do anything!"
"Anything?" The sudden playfulness of Shizuru's voice made Natsuki opened her eyes. Seeing Shizuru's wicked smile made her anxious.
"You're not gonna make me run naked, right?" Natsuki asked nervously.
"Let me see…" Shizuru gave her a thoughtful smile and that made Natsuki more anxious.
"Maybe in due time." Natsuki released a sigh of relief and Shizuru rolled her eyes to her.
"Are you seriously thinking that I'll do something against your will?"
"Well," The husky voice returned. "It depends on what will you do to me." And Natsuki gave Shizuru her sexiest smile.
Shizuru blushed at Natsuki's provocation; she knew there was a double meaning behind the rocker's words, so Shizuru glared at the woman to disguise her embarrassment.
"Do you really have to be so—," Shizuru struggled for suitable word to avoid embarrassing herself more. "Sweet?"
Natsuki laughed out loud, annoyed, Shizuru glowered at the woman. "Believe me, Shizuru. I wasn't being sweet to you. In fact, I—" The rocker scratched her head making her look adorable.
"I wanted to apologize; I tormented you ever since the day we met. It's just that you're reactions are quite funny and amusing. I guess…" Natsuki said apologetically.
"You guess?" Shizuru snorted and she crossed her arms in front of her to study Natsuki. "It's better than not having you apologize. Apology accepted."
"Whew, thanks." The bluenette grinned at her and resumed looking outside the balcony. She took one of the cigarettes and she played it with her hands.
"So what did answer to those inquiries about my interview?"
Shizuru shrugged and she watched the rocker's hand as she played the cigarette stick. "Our all time favorite, No comment. What can I say about it? You really had them going there for a while."
"Well, we both know that love team is not really possible at our show," Natsuki said quietly. "But what if we suddenly became a love team in our show?"
Caught off guard, Shizuru stammered. "Well, um… I'm flattered and honored by the concept but I'm not really comfortable with the idea of it."
Natsuki winced and Shizuru saw it, she tried to reach out to the rocker but Natsuki stepped away. "Wait, Natsuki—"
"Wow Shizuru, I never knew you are a flaming homophobe hiding in plain sight," Natsuki said bitingly.
"Wait, that came out wrong. It's just that—"
"What Shizuru? Tell me," Natsuki folder her arms in front of her as if she was daring her to explain. "Tell me, how uncomfortable you are with the idea of me touching you," The rocker moved towards her. "Holding you this close," Shizuru's heart leaped at her throat when the woman grabbed her waist. "And kissing you like this."
Shizuru didn't have the time to blink; Natsuki's lips suddenly engulf her own lips. The rocker's lips were soft and hot at the same time. Natsuki's lips were ravenous and wild as she licked Shizuru's lower lip. Shizuru stood frozen; head tilted back, eyes closed. Immediately, she realized how different it is to kiss a woman. She could feel unknown emotion running through her throat as she moaned in pleasure.
Shizuru didn't have the time to consider what she was currently feeling when all of a sudden, Natsuki tore her mouth away from her own lips. Natsuki felt her own body tremble with desire, she was fucking sure that the woman in front of her responded to her kisses like she was eager for it.
Shizuru's crimson eyes were wide, and they were both panting. Natsuki was still mad and hurt at the woman's view of her. It's not her fault she was born gay; it was the choice of the people to be an asshole.
"Natsuki?" A voice from inside room called for her. Cara. She followed her, now she's screwed. She only wanted to teach Shizuru a lesson, but once Cara got a whiff of what she did, she's gonna be in big trouble.
The color drained from Natsuki's face, and Shizuru knew the reason why. Her girlfriend Cara was now calling for her. A stab of jealousy ripped her chest, Natsuki had the nerve to kiss her even though her girlfriend is somewhere inside the party. Angrily, she wiped her lips as if she was trying to erase Natsuki's taste from her mouth.
When Natsuki saw what the other woman was doing, she felt wounded. Swallowing the sudden ache in her chest, she said. "That's what everybody thinks about homosexuals like us, it all about lesbian porn, fucking in the ass but when it comes to hetero shits, you're all about romanticism, sacred marriage, and love. That's really bullshit, Shizuru. When homosexuality pops out, you were always half amazed and half disgusted at the idea of us having sex. Homosexuality is not all about sex. We have our own life, just like you, we think about our future. It's not our fault we were born gay. Who would want to be loathed by other people?"
With that, Natsuki strode back inside the room leaving Shizuru breathless staring after her retreating back. Shizuru wasn't repulsed at Natsuki's idea but rather she was scared by it. Shizuru didn't mean it that way but her face must have shown otherwise; just tasting Natsuki's lips confirmed her fears. There was something far scarier than Natsuki's arms around her. Those unwanted feelings that she kept inside her were struggling to get free, to let go and to break out of her. She swallowed her inner hysteria, Shizuru needed to control it again, to wrestled it back again inside her. Just imagining her mother's disappointed face makes her nauseated; she must control it once again before she loses everything. Again.
Pissed Natsuki strode past Cara, just seeing Natsuki's wrinkled eyebrows, she knew, someone angered her ex-girlfriend. Cara decided internally, she should take home Natsuki to defuse her before Natsuki could spill her anger to a bystander.
"Hey," Cara brushed Natsuki's trembling arm and the woman shoots her with Natsuki's infamous death glare.
"What?" the woman hissed at her.
"Let's go home. I'm tired." Cara said quietly without sounding demanding. She needed to tread carefully or she'll be the recipient of Natsuki's notorious fury.
The bluenette just nodded to her and gesture Cara to follow her. With Natsuki's back in front of her, Cara released a relieved sigh but with Natsuki's aggravated, the woman was walking fast so she took a hold of Natsuki's shirt.
Realizing that she was almost leaving her ex-girlfriend behind, Natsuki took Cara's hand behind her back. Natsuki weaved past the crowds to find her friends to say goodbye. Seeing Nao dancing near the center, she dragged Cara with her.
"We're leaving," Natsuki shouted to Nao, but her best friend just waved to them so Natsuki left her without explaining further.
Breathing the air outside the club, Natsuki calmed a little but Cara whined behind her.
"Ouch, Natsuki. Did you really have to drag me outside? My arms hurt." Cara pouted.
"Sorry," She said quietly and nodded towards her car. "Let's go, I'll take you home."
"What's the devil had gotten into you?" she asked the suddenly pensive woman.
Because of Cara's reminder, Natsuki suddenly kicked her car's tire and she cursed vehemently. She rarely loses her temper, but when it comes to her sexuality and bigotry, she can transfer from an easy-go-lucky to a fire breathing dragon.
"Natsuki, stop it." Cara grasped her shoulder and she could feel Natsuki's anger emanating from her.
"Some bigot has gotten into my nerves." She hissed. Natsuki can't say to Cara that the person she was referring to was Shizuru; she doesn't want Cara's pity.
Cara heaved a sigh. "Well, you can't please anyone."
Gritting her teeth to stop herself from further tantrums, Natsuki just nodded and she opened her car. "Get in."
Shooting her another concerned look, Cara climbed inside the passenger's door. Natsuki walked around her car and she opened the driver's door. She took another look towards the club as if she was hoping that Shizuru was coming to apologize to her but remembering the disgust at Shizuru's face after their kiss, she knew that was next to impossible. But that kiss, there was something undeniable about it. Now, she was sure that there was something between them, come hell and high water, she'll do everything to find it out.
The first thing that came to her senses was the consistent ringing of her blasted ringtone. With her eyes closed, Shizuru fumbled around her nightstand to find her phone.
"Hello?" She answered without looking at it.
"Shizuru? Are you still in bed?" Her manager Yukino asked her.
"No, I'm currently skydiving." She answered with a groan. She took off the comforter around her, and she glanced at the clock on her nightstand.
"At five thirty in the morning?" Yukino giggled at the other line.
"Seriously Yukino? Is it still early, right? I'm not due until ten am." Shizuru cuddled her pillow and she yawned.
"We have an emergency meeting; you need to come at seven am."
"You mean staff meeting?" Shizuru's attention perked up, she'll be seeing Natsuki. Crap.
"Of course silly, do you have any show that I do not know?" Shizuru rolled her eyes at her non-existing manager in front of her. Yukino's humor is really weird.
"Okay, okay. I'll get ready, I'll meet you there."
"Don't be late, like the last time." Yukino ended the call. Did she really have to remind her that? Shizuru thought to herself. Annoyed at her sudden anxiousness towards the reminder of Natsuki's presence, she rolled out of her bed.
Seeing herself from her mirror, Shizuru swallowed hard. Her lips were still swollen from Natsuki's firm kiss and just the thought of Natsuki's mouth to hers made her shiver with so much emotion. She bit her lips, she needs to get a hold of herself or she'll get mad thinking of Natsuki's taste.
Shizuru combed her disarrayed hair as if she's trying to get a grip of her chaotic emotions. After a few tries, she gave up. If her fans would see her like this, she's pretty sure that she'll lose them in a matter of seconds, Shizuru giggled at her thought.
I'm clearly losing my mind. Shizuru said to herself. Deciding to forget about it, Shizuru got out of her bed into her bathroom. She's pretty sure that the big boss of the network will be there, so and she needs to make an impression. Comfy yet elegant, Shizuru decided as she moved towards her walk in closet.
She settled for skinny jeans, white top with a long gray cardigan. With the clothes in her bed, Shizuru took a quick shower. After twenty minutes, she rushed towards her bed to dress. Seeing her clock, she made a dash towards her shoe rack and Shizuru took her white converse. She doesn't want to be caught in traffic, so she needed to be on the road by six am.
Shizuru took her keys from the hook and got into her garage. After making sure that everything is locked, Shizuru got into the driver's seat and took off towards her destination. After a few minutes on the road, Shizuru decided to drive through a coffee shop for a caffeine jolt. She turned on her radio, and Natsuki's voice blasted through her car's speakers.
I saw you yesterday with another man, wearing black jeans and a white hat
Smiling at me under the tree I was keeping my cool but your eyes turn me like a magnet
You don't know what it's like to see you from a distance…
"Bloody hell," Shizuru cursed loudly. "Do you really have to be everywhere?" Shizuru asked her car's speakers like a retarded. Realizing that she was acting really like she's losing her wits, she got out of her car to buy some coffee but when she opened the door of the coffee shop, the coffee shop was tuning in the same radio station.
I called you yesterday to say hi, oh my, you changed your number…
Have you heard about a girl so silly she believed that a girl can wait to forever?
You don't know what it's like, to keep it as a secret, I loved you from the start…
But I don't want to risk it, stop messing with my head, stop messing with my head…
Shizuru quickly ordered her usual drinks as if a demon was chasing her. In a matter of minutes, the barista gave Shizuru her coffee and the woman almost ran to her car. Annoyed with herself, Shizuru scolded herself. Get a grip Shizuru; it's just a bloody song. She drew a deep breath and willed herself to calm down.
When she opened her eyes, she turned off the radio. She felt relieved when Natsuki's voice stopped, but there's a slight ache within her heart. Deciding to ignore it, she started the engine of her car and continued her way to the TV station. Not later than thirty minutes, Shizuru arrived at her destination. She turned off her car's engine, and she placed her keys and her phone inside her shoulder bag. Shizuru gathered her bag and coffee and got out of her car to lock it.
Without anyone in sight, Shizuru walked towards the entrance of the underground garage. A guard greeted her and she waved him back. Shizuru took out of her cell phone to call her manager. After a few rings, Yukino answered.
"I'm here now. Where's the meeting?" She asked while she continued to walk towards the main elevator.
"The same conference room, hurry. The bigwigs are here now." Yukino whispered.
After ending the call, Shizuru quickly entered the elevator and she pushed the corresponding number towards the conference room. After a few seconds, the door opened and Shizuru made a mad dash towards the room. Shizuru stopped and she took a deep breath to calm herself. She wore her professional mask, Shizuru opened the door.
Shizuru's heart hitched when she saw Natsuki talking to Maria Graceburt, the president of the TV station. It wasn't the sight of Maria's stern face that made Shizuru falter in her steps. It was Natsuki's splendid appearance. The rocker was wearing a faded jogger pants, white v-neck shirt plus a black leather jacket. She was oozing with rugged sex appeal that makes Shizuru dizzy.
"You're just in time." Yukino greeted her. Shizuru blinked slowly to the mousy-haired woman in front of her as if she didn't understand her words.
"Are you alright?" Her hazel eyes were full of confusion.
"Uh, yes. I'm sorry, I guess I'm still sleepy." Shizuru cringed at her explanation.
A clapping sound gained their attention. "Now that everyone's here, we might as well start now." Maria's stern voice called them. Beside her, the CEO Mashiro Kazahana gestured them to sit. All of the main characters were present and even the writers and the directors are included, so it must be really important. Shizuru said to herself as she sits like everyone else in the room.
"We all know that the show was doing well. We're in the second spot in terms of rating against all the shows in our time slot. Despite this, some of our viewers were requesting rather demanding something from this show." Maria glanced at her CEO, and she cleared her throat before she resumed.
"They want a love team." A loud silence echoed around the room. Shizuru could feel her throat tightening at the sudden alarm in her head. Automatically, her crimson eyes were drawn by Natsuki's dark emerald eyes. The rocker's own eyes were wide with disbelief as if she knew what was coming.
"They want you, Shizuru Fujino and Natsuki Kuga as a love team in this story. They are actually shipping you. Natsuki," Maria gazed at Natsuki's shocked face. "Your last interview made an accidental fandom."
After a few seconds, Shizuru finally found her voice. "B-But you specifically told us that were not going to do a love team that is the reason why I accepted this." She looked around as if asking them for confirmation.
"Yes Miss Fujino, I believe it was in our contract but now there will be changes. I assure you that you will be compensated well but we will take the risks and we will take advantage of it." Maria said with finality.
The remaining complaint died in her lips when suddenly, Natsuki stood up making her chair screech. "I'm sorry but I can't accept this." She said with full of authority.
Maria glared her down. "That is not for you to decide Miss Kuga. You are bound by our contract and you will follow our current story line."
Fury sparked at Natsuki's dark emerald eyes. "Well, screw your contract. I can pay it."
Maria gave her a hollow laugh. "I'm sure that you can pay it Miss Kuga but as far as I'm concerned, you are a gay. Why are you dead set against playing a gay character that is in love with her real life crush?"
Natsuki snarled at her. The rocker was trembling with so much fury that two of the male staff held her in place to stop her from advancing towards their president.
"Natsuki calm down!" Nao shouted and she too held the woman on her shoulder.
"Do you have any idea how it feels to work someone who despises you?" Silence filled the room.
"You are asking Shizuru to pretend in the camera that she loves me but in fact, she loathes me as a person. You are asking me to work with someone who is a complete bigot and homophobe, and I have to swallow that throughout the season. Are you fucking kidding me?" Natsuki shouted.
"You can't force me to this shit." She pushed away the two men who were holding her.
"That is why you are an actress Natsuki," Maria said.
"Well, lucky me I'm a singer." Natsuki strode away from the room but Shizuru called out for her.
"I'm going to do it," Shizuru said without any hesitation.
"You've got to be kidding me." Astonished, Natsuki said.
"Well, that settles it. All of you, there will be drastic changes in our script, be prepared for another season full of hard work. Thank you. You may go now." Maria dismissed them.
"Shit." Natsuki glared at the subject of her anger, Shizuru and without hesitating, Natsuki said. "You are dead."
Shizuru swallowed heavily. She's really dead. Or rather, if Natsuki was not successful of killing her, she's pretty sure that her mother will.
To be continued…
A/N:
This is not an edited chapter! Yes, the supermodel that I used is Cara Delevinge. why? because I have this huge crush on her! lol Sorry for the late update! I was really busy playing Final Fantasy X on my ps vita so forgive me if I'm gonna be late updating my stories okay? :P Enjoy this new chapter guys! I'll update RS next okay?! CIAO!