Strings Attached
by
dancingfingers
Disclaimer: I don't, under any circumstances, own Skip Beat! and its characters.
AN: This is a beta version. All (beta) credits goes to Roshelle Diall. There will be a slight change in the story line in the future, and the rest is still the same old Strings Attached.
Chapter 4
January 26, 2013
January 26, 2013
Dear Mouko-san,
I am surprised to hear that you are getting married! Finally! You and Yashiro-san are such a weird but lovely couple. I just knew when he looked at you that he's smitten with you. He, of all men you've dated before, is the best man for you, my best friend. He can take care of you, just like he takes care of Kuon and maybe, your future children! Have you thought about children, Mouko-san? Lory told me that you want to invite me to your wedding. I should be able to make it. I did promise that I'll be your maid of honor...I have to admit though, I just... I'm a little scared about what I have to do. Yet, I want to see you wearing your beautiful wedding dress and have that happiest moment in your life!
My life here is great, by the way. Sho is still a jerk like he always is. He's changed. A bit. His new girlfriend is so pretty. Her name is Aki Shouko. Such a mature and kind woman. I don't know what made her decide to date Sho... wait, I don't even want to know why. He said he will bring her to Japan, to see his parents. I'm so glad to hear that. At least one woman could make him settle down.
Can I tell you something, Mouko-san? I just feel something weird is going on here. I mean, I feel like... How should I say this? It is just like I feel... scared. But I don't know what to be scared of! I told Lory about it and he said he will send his bodyguards here and I should be careful. He didn't accuse me of being silly over such an absurd thing, but still.. I feel like I'm using him, although he is my legal guardian. I've already imposed on him too much...
Last but not least, I give you and Yashiro-san my blessing. I will contact you later to confirm whether I will be able to come or not.
Please take care.
Your number one best friend,
Mogami Kyoko
"Don't frown like that, sweetheart. You are more beautiful when you smile."
Kanae gasped as she averted her gaze from the letter and turned to the doorway, where her future husband stood, leaning slightly on the door. She subtly folded the letter and hid it in her drawer while grumbling at him, "Don't scare me like that, Yuki!"
He chuckled as he walked closer to her. "Why? Did you cheat behind my back?
Kanae rolled her eyes. "Like I could do that."
The bespectacled man leaned down and kissed Kanae softly. He looked into his lover's eyes and smiled. "I believe you."
"You should," she muttered.
Yashiro let out a soft laugh and set his glasses down. He pulled Kanae from her armchair and he sat down, bringing Kanae to his lap. The naturally calm and composed woman was ten shades of red, despite their 4 years of dating. Yashiro's grey eyes looked at her with laughter in his eyes, not that she noticed. "Kanae..." he murmured huskily.
"Y-y-yes?"
He laughed inwardly. How easy it was to tease her. "How's the wedding preparation going?"
Kanae was immediately back to her calm composure. "Good, I guess. If our special wedding planner kept me from helping can be called good, then yes... it's good."
"Hm... You don't seem happy," he noted.
She sighed. "Not really, I just want to help with something."
His manager's instinct kicked in. He quickly recalled what they needed for the wedding from the fax this morning: wedding dress, tuxedo, food, cake, building, church... the list was very long. Julie Hizuri had made sure that everything was on the list and arranged for it all expertly. But if his Kanae didn't feel good about something... "Kanae, how about you go to Julie-san and tell her that you want to pick everything? They sent me a pile of lists this morning and I'm sure she will allow you, you're the bride-to-be, anyway."
Kanae nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. I'll go tomorrow."
"Now that it's settled..." he said as his arms wrapped her waist. He pressed his lips to hers gently, nibbling on her lower lip. Kanae kissed him back and sighed in contentment as he rubbed her neck. "Well, it's time for you and me... my wife," he whispered to her lips.
Kanae blushed, completely forgetting about the letter.
Takarada Lory was glaring at the calendar. Time surely went so fast and he almost forgot how the day was getting closer if his lovely ward hadn't reminded him, though unintentionally. He had done so much to protect her ever since Kanae brought Kyoko to his mansion in tattered clothes, bruised cheeks and bleeding legs. Her eyes were puffy and she could hardly breathe normally.
He grimaced
How could a 15 year old girl endure that? His heart broke as he looked at her lifeless golden eyes – those eyes would haunt him forever, he knew. He called his personal doctor to treat her, but young Kyoko kicked and spat at the man. Kanae then whispered to him that it was better for her if he called a female doctor. His wife, Takarada Junko stepped up and said that he didn't need to call any doctor and suggested gently to treat the girl herself. Reluctantly, he left the room with Kanae after giving her a camera to take pictures of her wounds and bruises.
"I'll take care of her, Honey." Junko smiled warmly at him. "Don't worry."
He gave her a worried look but didn't object. "Fine."
She smiled reassuringly at him. "Call your lawyer tomorrow morning. We need everything we have to help the girl."
The wealthy talent agent nodded. "Right." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Good night, Junko."
Junko gave him a peck on his cheek. "Good night, Lory."
But that dreaded day was getting so near. Kyoko was living overseas, away from him. If she were here, he could protect her with all the power he had. Now, with a little plan he made – helped by little Maria, who loved Kyoko as her own sister, he hoped that Kuon would catch his true meaning quickly and protect her and their daughter. He wanted to tell the man about her but he had sworn to Kyouko he wouldn't interfere. Still he had given her a strong warning that she needed to tell him. It was unfair to Kuon and also to Sachiko, no matter what her reasons. He also sent his best bodyguards to watch over Kyoko and her daughter to ease his worry.
"Who did this?"
The girl merely stared at him. A flash of fear was seen in her eyes, followed by the trembling of her entire body. She pulled her raven hair and cried. "...She'll kill me..."
Junko wrapped her in a hug and blinked back the tears in her eyes. She took a deep breath before asking her in a shaky voice, "Who, my dear? Who wants to kill you?"
"...Her..."
The older woman hugged her tightly wishing she could absorb all of the young woman's pain and bad memories of her life. "Who?" she asked again, tears now falling freely on her cheeks. "Who is 'her', Kyoko?"
She sobbed. "...Mother..."
Lory didn't even remember what happened next, as he shut his eyes tightly to prevent the tears from falling for the young troubled girl. His heart still ached from that fateful day. She changed his life and another since then. Both he and his wife loved her and took her in as their own daughter. Kouki and Lina took great care of her and loved her as their sister and sister-in-law and Maria looked up at Kyoko as her big sister. Even Julie and Kuu fell in love with the strong girl from the first time they laid eyes on Kyoko.
"Grandpa? Why are you crying?"
Lory turned around to find Maria looking at him in concern. He raised his fingers to his now wet cheeks. "I'm just worried about your Onee-san."
Maria bit her lower lip. "Me too." She then ran to her grandfather's arms, sobbing. "Onee-san.. what did Onee-san do to deserve all of this? Can't she be happy forever with Kuon-san?"
He ran his fingers through her brunette locks and sighed. "She will be happy with Kuon. We'll be here to protect her, okay?"
Maria merely nodded. "Of course... I wish Kuon-san could make Onee-san and Sacchan happy... I don't want to see Onee-san cry again..."
'Me too, Maria.' Lory thought grimly. 'Me too...'
Sunlight seeped through the slightly opened curtain in the dark bedroom. Blond locks were seen beneath the thick blanket. He slowly reached out his arms and tightened his embrace of a beautiful woman next to him. He sighed in contentment as he buried his nose in the woman's hair. Her delicate, sexy and warm body pressed to his bare chest. It was heaven, until a loud shrill echoed through the room.
He snapped his eyes open, revealing two irritated azure eyes. Sighing in annoyance, he grabbed his cellphone. "What?"
"That's how you greet your own mother, my son? How polite." his mother said in a tight voice.
Kuon cursed inwardly. He should've seen the caller ID first! Now he had to deal with his annoyed mother. "I'm sorry, Okaa-san."
"Apology accepted."
He sighed in relief. "Uh... okay. Um, why are you calling, Okaa-san? It's still..." he glanced at the alarm clock in his nightstand. 4.30 a.m. "...too early to call," he whined.
His mother sighed. "I know, and I'm sorry for that. But it is urgent."
The woman's strange tone made him alarmed. That tone she only used when she wanted to let someone know something-is-wrong-and-we-need-to-do-something. She only used it if it was really, really urgent. He replied in worried tone, "What is it? Has someone tried to sue our hotel? Or – don't tell me, something's wrong with Otou-san?"
"No, no... Do you know what day is it?"
He glanced at his cellphone. "January 27. Why?"
His mother sighed. "Two weeks from now... what day is it?"
"What?" He asked, perplexed. Why did his mother suddenly want to do a little math here?
"February 10... Wh-?"
"Exactly," she cut him off. "I need you to stay longer, Son. I know you want to bring your girlfriend here, but it can wait, alright?"
"Huh? I don't understand."
"Why you – Never mind. You will remember later. Good morning, Son." She quickly hung up, leaving the blonde guy stunned.
"What was that?" he murmured. "What is so special about February 10? It's not her birthday, not Otou-san's, not Kyoko, not Sacchan, not Sh-" His azure eyes widened. How could he forget? How could that have slipped out of his mind?
"Shit." He dialed a number and waited for the person on the other end to pick up. After two rings, he sighed in relief and started to talk in his best apologetic tone, "Good morning, this is Fuwa Shotaro. I apologize for calling early, but I need a favor. Immediately. I don't care how much you want from me, as long as you do your job properly." He paused, and a smirk appeared on his face. "Fine. How about we meet later at 8 in my hotel? ...Good. Thank you."
He glanced at the sleeping angel on his bed and smiled. "I'm sorry, Shouko. We need to stay here," he mumbled as he brushed her silky hair. She smiled in her sleep. "Kyoko will need me. Sacchan will also need me. We will meet my parents later," he murmured as he kissed her cheeks softly.
He laid down and closed his eyes, as he drifted back into a deep slumber.