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.

Chapter 8

Jakarta, Indonesia

February 1, 2013

"I see." Yashiro gave him an understanding smile and adjusted his glasses. "I apologize, Shachou. I should've known better."

Lory nodded. "That's fine." He averted his dark eyes to Yashiro. "And what else do you want to ask me, Yashiro-kun?"

Yashiro drummed his gloved-fingers silently against the table, propping his jaw onto the other hand's palm. "The project..." he began. He watched as the President of LME leaned back to his armchair and laced his fingers, nodding encouragingly at his employee. Taking it as a cue to continue, he said slowly, "It has something to do with Kuon and Kyoko, right?"

Lory merely stared at him from his webcam saying nothing as he thought about that time.

'If – and if only her daughter were Kuon's, seeing her green eyes and black hair – two traits that belonged to Kuon and Kyoko... and I assume that she never told Kuon about her pregnancy and there is a big possibility that it caused her to leave him five years ago. I have a guess what was going on between the two after they broke up – but I kept silent at that time, I didn't want to make a big fuss considering what was going on.'

Straightening up Lory chuckled. "He's never had a scandal before, you know. That boy is impossible! I've been ready with any scenarios just in case, but that silly boy refused. How boring..."

Yashiro sweat-dropped. "Anyway, I know how you love everything about love, Sir – "

"Of course! There's nothing more beautiful than love!"

" – and you are a true doting parent towards the two, this project will bring them together, right?" He paused as he watched Lory's lips curve upwards slightly. "I know that this is a big project and using foreign actors and actresses in one movie and having him act in another very dramatic movie, these are what he has avoided for so long... But I know you, Shachou. You won't let him go throw away this chance and at the same time, you are scheming something."

Lory grinned. "Is that so obvious?"

The bespectacled man chuckled. "Well, Kuon has suspicions, but he's more focused on this project."

"That boy will soon realize my plan and when he does, he'll already be trapped. He can't go anywhere." The businessman caressed his jaw with his index finger. "Yashiro-kun, I need to tell you something."

Yashiro perked up. "Yes?"

"If there are any... odd things happening around Kuon, give me a report."

Yashiro raised his eyebrow. "Eh?"

"It is indeed a big project for everyone, Yashiro-kun. In most dramas, there will always be the good and bad people. I sent Kuon there not only for my "project", but also for another thing. I need you to be very, very discreet about this and leave Kuon in the dark for a while."

The grey-eyed man noticed the serious tone in his boss' voice. "Okay, I'll do that. Is it something about Kyoko?"

Lory gave him a grim look. "No. Well, yes, in some points... I need him for something else, but this is about Kuon too. Kyoko never know about this and very few people know this and you will be the only one to know this secret too."

His heart was pounding slowly and painfully as he heard the next statement that escaped from Lory's lips. "Yashiro-kun... since five years ago, someone intends to kill them."

Kuon stood with an awkward silence in the elevator. Before him was a little girl with raven hair and brilliant emerald eyes staring up at him in awe. Kuon sighed inwardly. He was never an expert when it came to dealing with kids. He didn't hate them, in fact, he found kids adorable – sometimes they might act like a naughty brat, but he paid it no mind. He just decided that it was better to have very minimal contact with them.

Kuon remembered his own childhood, where he spent more days with his parents' working on set or at parties than playing with kids his age. This was because the Hizuri couple were two of the most famous celebrities in Hollywood. The closest friend he'd ever had was Rick, who passed away when he's 15, leaving him with snobby and bratty teenagers who tried to befriend him for his parent's popularity.

A tug on his pants snapped him out of his musing. Kuon looked down and found the girl smiling at him. He smiled back. A sudden wave of confidence washed over him. If he could handle Maria, the only kid he considered as a little sister and friend, then maybe he could handle this little girl.

"Hello."

Sachiko blinked as she realized that the man spoke in English. She then recalled her lessons with her mother and smiled politely at Kuon. "Hello, Sir. Um, can you hit the button for me, please? I need to go to eighth floor."

"Sure." Kuon punched the button gently and then smiled as Sachiko bowed at him. "Thank you, Sir."

"Anytime." He frowned when he realized something. "Why are you alone? Where's your parents?"

Sachiko sighed. Really, these people! They doubted her just because she's only five! She remembered every hallway and room around the hotel and she was certain that she wouldn't get lost. Could they just let a girl like her wander alone in the safest place where Kyoko and Sho are?

"My mother is at work. I have to give her these." She answered and pointed the documents on her arms.

Kuon nodded. "I see. But it is still not safe for you to go by yourself. You can get lost in this big hotel or maybe a bad person would try to – "

"I won't!" Sachiko pouted. She suddenly had a strong urge to hold her ground in front of this stranger. She was always shy when talking to new people yet with this man, she felt comfortable and safe – like there was nothing bad that was going to happen to her and she could freely tell him about anything. It was weird but she paid no mind to it. "I remember the way! I won't get lost! I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself, Sir!"

"Really?" Kuon asked, lifting his eyebrow. "Still – "

Sachiko glared. Kuon bit back a laugh as he saw the failed death glare – it only made her cuter. "I will be safe! This is my house!"

"House?" Kuon lifted his other eyebrow. "What do you mean by house?"

Sachiko made a did-you-not-hear-me-I-think-I-stated-the-obvious-a nd-you-still-didn't-get-it look at the blonde man. "I told you, Sir. I live here."

"Live? For a... holiday?"

Sachiko puffed her cheeks. "No! I live here, Sir. Not for holiday! Although I don't go to school now..." She trailed off. They stared at each other; Kuon looked baffled and Sachiko gave him another glare. "My mother works here and so does my uncle and – " she covered her mouth in horror. Didn't everyone tell her to not reveal her mother's job at this hotel to a stranger? Sachiko didn't know why she felt the need to.. Now that she caught Kuon's eyes widening in understanding, Sachiko knew why.

Sho had told her about bad man who tried to do bad things to her mother because she was so beautiful and men only looked at her like a lion looked at its prey. Her emerald eyes narrowed suspiciously at the blonde man. He indeed looked like a lion with his blonde hair... She was so not going to let her mother know this man! He's dangerous! He could eat her mother whole and then eat her too! She scooted further from Kuon unconsciously, earning a questioning look from the man. "What's wrong?"

"Don't come near me!"

Kuon blinked. "Huh... wait, what?"

The doors opened and Sachiko quickly stepped out. Turning around, she glared at him and yelled, "Bad, bad lion!" She stuck her tongue out at him and then walked away.

Kuon blinked again. "What was that just now?"

I want Sachiko for myself...