Disclaimed
=pRiCe RaNge=
MIKAN
"We'll miss you Mikan-chan."Anna said along with a fierce hug. "I feel the same way about you guys..." I said, tears flowing freely down my flushed cheeks. Everyone was there at the airport to send me off. I looked at each one of them as if to keep their faces in my memory. I walked over to the couple who was ALWAYS there for me. I warped my arms around both of them, "I don't know if I'll be able to live without you guys." I said to Ruka and Hotaru. "We'll be with you soon enough. Well visit during the summer." Ruka reassured me then let me go. I held onto Hotaru. She kissed my cheek and stared into my eyes. "You'll be making big money there. Be sure to send my profits to me." she said in a businessman tone. I laughed and blinked back the tears.
I stood in front of all my friends, "I love you guys." I gave them my final wave and stepped onto the ramp. I turned around and gave them my best smile. 'A promise of coming back and meeting again.'
It took 6 months to work everything out. I had to prepare all the IDs, passports, paperwork. Also as well as putting the apartment up for sale, sending the stuff I need Door to Door, contacting my parents, spending the rest of the time bonding with my friends but Hotaru was really the one who handled most of the hard stuff. I mostly just asked if she needed me for anything. I wish law didn't take so long to study so I could be with Hotaru-chan again.
The plane ride to California was going to be a long and tiresome one so Hotaru pulled some strings with the people who wanted to hire me and got me a first class seat. I put on a headset and switched on the LCD.
GAMES MUSIC MOVIES SERIES
I pressed movies and a list of movies from A-Z appeared. One title caught my eye. 'SURROUNDED' I knew for a fact that it was one of Natsume's many movies but this one was never aired in Japan. Since the play 'Differences' that we did I became a fan of Natsume. His acting would but you on the edge of your seat. I was his fan even before we um... split up. The only difference now is that I admire him from a far. I was happy when I saw him on a magazine cover 'Sexiest Asian' it said in the article of him. He was rumoured to be going out with producers, hotel heirs, recording artists and actresses.
I was a fan. I only see him I don't know him. I don't have anything to do with who he takes at red carpet events. In short, life made sense when we broke up. He's happy now and so am I.
When the cab pulled I removed my sunglasses just to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I stepped out. "Here's your stuff lady. You owe my $60." I was computing the amount in yen and my mouth dropped open. I opened my travelling purse and gave him a sixty. "Thanks and uh... nice house." I barely realized that I was alone now. It was only me and my dream house.
The house had a fountain of two angels in front, a landscaping composed mostly of the most fragrant flowers and plants. I stepped onto the large double doors of MY house. I opened the doors and braced myself for what it was going to look like. What I saw filled my heart with happiness. The interior design integrated a Japanese home and a modern feel. I jumped onto the white couch and took in all the great things that were happening to me. After a few minutes I regained my composure and arranged all my clothes in my... WALK IN CLOSET!
On the fridge door there was three numbers on a piece of paper.
Mr. Drahm(Henderson Theater)
Sierra Johnson(Clearstone publishing)
Katakaru Sushi Delivery No.
I dialled my phone for Mr. Drahm. It rang three times before someone picked up.
Hello good afternoon this is the Henderson Theater. How may I help you?
"Good afternoon, I'm Mikan Sakura. I'm looking for Mr. Drahm may I speak with him?"
Miss Sakura, Mr. Drahm told me to send a car to bring you here as soon as you called. It will be the black one with a plate number of...
Shortly after speaking with Mr. Drahm's secretary, I phoned Sierra Johnson. She told me we'll be meeting at a Starbucks at the airport at 2 o'clock tomorrow. I had time, so I washed up and changed into a purple sundress, a pair of gold heels and a matching purse. The doorbell rang just as soon as I was putting on my lip-gloss.
The car stopped at a wide building. I stepped inside the lobby and I could feel the inspiration that comes from the place. Deep maroon carpeting covered the floors, authentic yellow wallpaper plaster on the walls giving the place a old age feel, the multiple chandeliers and photographs and artwork that graced the walls made it a place of the arts. I walked over to the information desk. "I'm Mikan Sakura, I have an appointment with Mr. Drahm." I said to the lady at the desk. She nodded, "His office is at the fifth floor the last door on the right." She said ad pointed me towards the elevator. "Thank you." I said.
Mr. Drahm's office was everything I expected and more. The wall behind his desk held a painting of a mountain landscape, a hard wooden desk and a large armchair filled by a large man. "Ms. Sakura I have been looking forward to formally meeting you." smiled and stood up to shake my hand. I took his big hand and shook it. 'Shaking hands' when meeting isn't exactly how we do things in Japan so I have to grow accustomed to this change. I mentally noted.
We sat down and discussed the future plans and roles I would have in the theatre. "May I ask how you knew about me?" I said curiously. Mr. Drahm laughed. "We have a lot of connections in this elite theatre and one of those connections recommended you." He explained. "Oh." I wonder which one of his many connections told him about me. "Besides you're monthly pay your agent worked out a monthly allowance of $5,000 for your expenses. Ms. Sakura the reason why we wanted you to work here so badly is because you came HILGHLY recommended." He said to me as if to say that the reason that they agree hired me with all these conditions is because I'm expected to work my butt off. He handed me a folder. "This is your first play here at Henderson." I nodded and took my leave.
When I got home I was too lazy to cook proper food so I just ordered from the sushi delivery. While I was eating my 'Japanese dinner' I went online for a while. I was just browsing I was surprised to see my face on one of the gossip sites. It was me leaving the Henderson theatre. The article talks about the rich, wannabe actress who was hired by Henderson because of connections. They were bashing me and they don't even know me. I'm not a spoiled rich girl. Maybe they were right to call me a wannabe but I love acting. I guess I'll have to get used to the remarks of the papz.
The next day I met with Sierra and we discussed how my book of poems would be packaged. It was the notebook that caused all that drama in collage because I thought Natsume stole it. I laughed at the thought. When I was still in Japan Hotaru told me that she was the one who gave Clearstone my notebook after she read it. When I asked how she gained access of the thing she said Natsume was the one who gave it to her. Anyway we were discussing on how we should package it. We agreed on a gold hard bound cover with an engraved Cherry Blossom in the front. She would only be using Sakura as her writer's name. It would be published next month since this was the last step in the entire thing. They said that I would be receiving the original one as soon as they finish editing some of the poems.
Rehearsals at a real theatre were different than the ones at collage, having to speak English and not Japanese was a bit challenge. The scripts are more emotional than the ones I'm used to. The people weren't as welcoming and most of the people just work to be paid. I closed my ears to all the gossip I keep hearing about me in the bathrooms. The women especially loved to make fun of me and the flaws they see in me. Sometimes I that I could just escape this world I got myself into.
There are a lot of things that are different but acting and portraying another person gives me as much excitement as it did before. My schedule immediately became full of plays even before my first play was shown to the pubic. They say it was because of the passion I showed even during practices.
When I received a box of my book I was so happy I couldn't speak for the entire day. Everyone at the theatre was asking why I was acting s weirdly about and I just gave them a stupid smile. Next week would be the play's opening night. I was getting a load of nerves just thinking about it. My notebook was being constantly filled with emotional crap yet again. The promotional posters for the play were scattered all around and my face was occupying about half of it. I hope I don't blow this.
The day after opening night received a lot of good reviews on the net and in the paper.
"The acting was superb Henderson yet again shows the world how to DO art."
"It was a thrill to watch such a captivating play"
"Henderson finds a diamond in the rough with this Mikan Sakura"
"Henderson's Mikan Sakura truly gives life to the character."
"Ms. Sakura has proven that she is worth Henderson."
And so on. I was so happy that day I thought I was floating to rehearsal. After rehearsal I was walking to buy coffee I came across a bookstore and the best seller's list included my book! I was all to happy that I thought I would die.
I walked or rather skipped to the coffee shop. I opened the glass doors and fell in line. The man in front of me bumped into me and spilled his frap all over my shirt. I felt sticky all over. The guy just threw the empty cup into the trash can and made his way out the door. "Hey! Mister! Come back here!" I screamed after him. Good thing we were the only one's in the store. The guy turned to face me. Crimson eyes. HIS eyes. "Natsume-kun?" I said and I felt my knees turn to jelly. I gripped a nearby chair to hold me up. Before I could say anything else a crowd of girls came into the shop and saw Natsume. Natsume left the cafe before anyone else recognized him. I noticed something though. He was carrying a copy of my book.
I never saw Natsume-kun again after that time. It's been a year and I haven't have anytime to go out anymore because of my tight schedule. Henderson has allowed me to do not only theatre but also movies. Even before now I've been receiving a lot of movie offers. In my first movie I was gong to be doing a romance. Titled Broken Hands. Today was the first day of filming so I was in Canada right now. Its only today that I'm meeting my leading man because he was too busy to attend the practices. I just finished having my hair and make up done in my trailer when I heard someone come in as the make up artist went out. "You look beautiful Mikan-chan." The person said. That phrase would have been okay but it was spoken in Japanese. I didn't want to raise my head and look at the mirror because I know that my eyes would betray my feelings. "What are you doing here Natsume-kun?" I said in a shaky voice. He's my leading man isn't he. Oh God. "I'm your producer Mikan-chan." He said in a nonchalant tone. Producer? He produces now too? "Oh," I risked looking him in the eyes. I read pain in them. Why? "Is there anything I can help you with Mr. Hyuuga?" I said professionally. "You haven't changed a bit Mikan. I came to tell you that we'll start shooting in fifteen minutes" He said in an accusing voice then left.
Tears threatened to fall and I quickly grabbed a tissue. I am not risking ruining my make up. I grabbed the notebook and a pen from my bag and sat on make up chair before I left. I wrote a little just to get rib of my nerves then ran out to set.
I saw pain that reflected my own
Memories of the past I had known
Your voice with hidden anger at me
What saw riled me
You haven't changed and neither has my love
During taping Natsume made EVERYTHING harder for me. I think he was doing it on purpose. He would get made at every little mistake I would do. He made me look stupid in front of the cast. What he was doing was degrading and it was angering me. I wanted to quit knowing that he was doing this just to prove something to me. No, I can't quit not when I have to prove that I can do what he expects that I can't. I made it a goal to prove Natsume wrong in everyway. If he wanted to make this set a living hell for me I won't let that stop me from being professional and hard working.
That night I wrote something for the NEW Natsume.
SHOT
Is it fun to hurt someone
To degrade them and shoot them with a gun?
People have limits if we push too hard
So be careful on how you play your cards
If you're caught doing foul play
From your mouth words of stupidity you'll say
There will always be a price to pay
You're work against you to your dismay
There's no reason to kick someone who's already down
Placing her in a sea of shame to drown
A person like you is inhuman
Your soul consumed by your demon
I slammed the notebook shut and made an oath to make sure that I won't let Natsume hurt me in anyway. I didn't plan on doing this when we meet again but I guess we won't be friends. I thought that we really had something going on. He just proved me wrong. The weird thing is that even though he's doing all these things my feelings for him doesn't change. I can feel his anger towards me but we are in a workplace and what he is doing is just unacceptable for me.
I woke up at 3 am to shoot a scene and I was feeling like crap. I tried to focus but my mind was playing tricks on me. I keep seeing double and I fell asleep while they were applying make up on me. I drank two cups of coffee and it fired me up enough to get through the shoot smoothly.
When I was on the way back to my trailer I ran into Natsume. He was carrying two cups of hot coca he handed me a cup and asked me to accompany him for a while. We sat at a bench but even before I could drink the steaming hot coca I blacked out.
"Mikan!" I heard and someone catching me...