Strings Attached

by

dancingfingers

Disclaimer: I don't, under any circumstances, own Skip Beat! and its characters.

AN. THIS IS A DOUBLE UPDATE SO PLEASE CHECK THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER IF YOU MISSED IT. Thank you, dears.

Chapter 16

Kyoko sat back with a long exhale, eyes closing in exhaustion. The meeting, or should she say, the teleconference had not gone well at the first place (nearly half of Bandung was flooded, therefore they made an impromptu meeting via online), and Kyoko was forced to rein back her temper to the deepest corner in her mind for the first thirty minutes until the VP of the company stepped in. His firm, yet gentle manner to set everyone in their place was astounding to the point that she herself was tempted to hire this man to replace her and deal with Sho—but alas, he was the named heir of his father's company, thus causing a great disappointment to her.

The meeting had gone smoothly then, and they had made another appointment to sign the deal. Afterwards, though, she was swept into another meeting and more paperwork; pity that, she had been hoping for more free time for herself before preparing herself for it.

The raindrops made a pleasing, rhythmical sound of tap-tap against the luminous window in the conference room as Kyoko dismissed her assistants, leaving her alone with Honda-san. Sometimes she wished that the man to be away somewhere doing something than lurking around her like an ever-present shadow. However, at this point, they didn't want to take chances against the threat that was coming; Kyoko had finally remembered that the day of Saena's discharge was closing—and what an irony, it fell on the same day as Kuon's birthday.

At that name, she let out a heavy sigh, dreading the next 'appointment' she had to go. Yashi—Yukihito-san had ensured that Kuon was free for the rest of the day, and would more likely go back to work tomorrow. She had listened attentively at the reason for the delayed filming, and had also offered assistance if it needed—there were enough rooms to do the filming indoor. The production team could use a green screen and slight adjusment to the rooms, so that the filming would be done faster without worrying the weather outside.

The manager had been surprised, but gave his word to extend her offer to the director.

Rubbing her temple, Kyoko pushed away all the worries and fear for the next meeting. She stood up, and after smoothing invisible wrinkles on her navy blue skirt, the golden-eyed woman gestured to Honda-san to leave the room.

He opened the door, only to be met with no one. The hallway was empty, not even the hotel staff was passing by. After thinking for a moment, he shrugged, deciding that he would have likely misheard—and probably it was his neighbor's guest instead. He shut the door close gently, then turned around to meet Sachiko's emerald eyes staring at him in curiosity.

He chuckled, shaking his head left and right. "I guess it's not my guest, then," he answered the untold query, making his way back to the couch. His ribbons flicked back and forth as he settled himself on the comfortable seat, and grunted in surprise as Sachiko crawled up to his lap.

Laughter rang through the room as Kuon immediately wiggled his fingers up and down her sides, unknowingly coaxing his own laughter too in the process. He was relentless in his attack, making Sachiko's face turn red as she gasped for air between her laughter and plea for mercy.

However, they were interrupted once again by a knock on the door. Once, twice, three times... He exchanged a look with Sachiko, before gently picking her up and seating her on the couch. Kuon slowly made his way to the door, and gingerly pried the door open, hoping fervently that this one was not a prank...

... only to be met with the sight of a woman with black hair in an elegant bun, looking down at a bouquet of white flowers in her hand. He almost opened his mouth to greet her when something caught his interest. There was something familiar with the hair... the curve of her body... the way she stood there in front of him... and the golden eyes... Wait, what? Kuon's eyes snapped up to stare at the eyes he had only seen in his dreams.

She tentatively offered him a small smile, and began to open her mouth to speak when a child voice cut the moment sharply.

"Okaa-san!"

If I am not mistaken, Kyoko mused, mind whirling as she searched through her memories, it is white chrysanthemum. Unbidden, a dark cloud started to form above her head as she recalled what this flower implied. Death.

Her fist clenched tight around the tie securing the bouquet as she tried to refrain from lashing out here. Her trick was not in a way creative, for Kyoko had seen it in her younger years, but it was still effective to one who had knowledge of hanakotoba.

You are targeting him, too, huh? Kyoko thought darkly, golden eyes darkening in silent fury. Jaws tightening, she craned her neck to the right and left as she searched for any suspicious person. You do not know him that well, then, Saena; if I have allowed him in the past, he would not even leave anything to bury in your pathetic grave.

The sound of a click shattered her anger, and Kyoko reflexively stiffened. This is it, she shuddered inwardly with a chill running down her spine, the moment he will chop me into pieces with his sharp, angry—no, furious—words, and dump my remaining to the sea. Saena is going to be unhappy if there is nothing left of me for her to torture; heh, take that witch, the Demon Lord is everything compared to you! She sighed, irritated. And stop being such a nonsense fool, Kyoko. You can do this, you can do this.

Pep talk finished, she looked up at him, meeting his eyes for the first time. She bit back a gasp as she saw his face again; he seemed older, but if one would bother to compare him to his parents, it was not shocking to find his appeal growing as he matured into a man. Kyoko could bet that he was still the most desirable man in Japan, if not the world, and had a long line of women wanting him for themselves; be it for his status, his look, his charms... A small smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of her lips as he stared at her in surprise, green eyes darkening into the intense reddish brown she'd only seen in his... more... passionate moment.

His name was on the tip of her tongue, yet it died right away when she heard the unmistakable voice of her daughter.

Heart skipping a beat, Kyoko could only look down at Sachiko's happy face as she wrapped herself around her mother's leg.

"Sachiko?" she asked hesitantly, voice cracking. This is not happening, Kyoko wailed mentally, albeit her face betrayed nothing but her surprise, I am not ready yet, not now. "Why...?"

The girl giggled, oblivious of the tension in the doorway. "You're early, Okaa-san!" she enthused, happy to see her. "Did you pick me up?"

Mouth opening and closing, in an apparent sign of losing her capability of speech, her eyes caught the sight of a woman that had been dear to her, Shiori. The other woman merely shrugged and grinned, mouthing sorry, can't help it.

Kuon, however, was dumbfounded. Here's what was currently on his mind: Kyoko. She's here. And still beautiful. And... daughter. Her daughter. She's married, then. Hurt, disappointment, and a great deal of jealousy filled his tortured mind and broken heart, causing him to automatically plastered a smile on his face as he attempted to rouse Kyoko from her shock.

"Come inside," he said in a sickly sweet voice he could muster. He didn't have to guess to know Kyoko's reaction to his tone; she cringed right away. "I can't let my guest standing outside like that."

The sound of the door snapping shut was like the doom that threatened to befall upon one Mogami Kyoko, and she gulped anxiously, waiting for the verdict from the Demon Lord with that fake, brilliant smile and icy eyes.

This is not a good idea! Kyoko groaned, as she regretted her prior decision to force Honda-san to leave her alone for a few hours.

After sending Sachiko and Shiori back to Kyoko's suite, she found herself standing near the window facing the view of the city below. Her daughter had sulked when Kyoko firmly told her to take her nap while she chatted—what an understatement—to the man that had graciously kept her entertained for the day. She was now waiting for Kuon to fix his hair—she silently snorted in mirth—back to its flawless state, and preparing herself for his reaction. He was furious, wasn't he? He was disgusted to see her, wasn't he? He must have never expected her to burst into his life again, right? Should she be in here? Should she tell him about Sachiko? Should she tell him that her—their daughter's life was in danger because of a pest of the past? Should she bother him with her problems, when he was busy in his project? Should she stain his bright future with her filthy hands again?

Her shoulders drooped. Perhaps she was unwanted, after all. She was only a ghost of the past; she had no place in his future. Although she was aware of this already, the pain that blossomed in her heart still hurt her. Had she done something to anger the Gods in her past life that she was denied her selfish wish of happiness with the only man she loved?

Sucking a deep breath in, she turned around, ready to leave the place. Kuon would no doubt have difficult time to loose the braids Sachiko had learned from Shiori, her only playmate when she herself was not around (how she managed that in her age she wasn't sure, but she was proud of her daughter nonetheless). She still had time to turn back and run away again; after all, she had succeeded in leaving no trace five years ago...

"Running away again, Kyoko?"

Damn, was her first thought, then ohmygodheisgoingtokillme was the next. The latter lingered threateningly as she heard his heavy footsteps against the floor. He was approaching her, and she had no way to run even if she wanted to. It was as though there was an overbearing force that rooted her on the spot.

"...you've come so far, and I'd hate myself if," Kyoko jumped as his breath ghosted over her cheek, strong arms wrapping around her waist firmly, "...I didn't make a small talk with my honored guest."

The tip of his nose trailed down her earlobe as he continued, tone silky, "You better have a good idea of why you are here after so long, Mogami."

Her lips quivered as she bit the inside of her cheek to smother a moan at his ministration. No matter how long they were separated, he could still arouse her with a mere touch here and there. She wasn't here to be ravished by the Emperor, no, she was here to inform him that she was sorry, that she regretted to break her promise to him, that she never told him about Sachiko, their child, and ran away to protect his career, his reputation, Sachiko herself—

"What did you just say?" he demanded, voice hard. The grip around her waist tightened, and yet it didn't hurt her at all, although she did gasp in surprise. "You said Sachiko is whose daughter?"

Kyoko stiffened. She had not said that out loud, right? She was only preparing herself mentall—

"Yes, you did say that out loud, Kyoko," he confirmed her fear. "Now, tell me again, whose child is she?"

She knew she should repeat it to confirm his perfect hearing, not stalling her answer for another grueling moment that felt like forever the longer she was in his presence. She knew that, but she wasn't ready, she wasn't prepared for his reaction—what if he refused Sachiko's existence and denied her child of her only wish to have a father, making her child miserable? Worse, what if his responsible side kicked in and he demanded to marry her for the sake of their children? She didn't want to have him around just for convenience; she was done with their twisted relationship that had led to Sachiko's birth and whatnot—her heart had been broken beyond belief. She had loved him, still loved him with all her might. It would only torture her if she were involved with him once again when he never loved her back in return.

She couldn't. She couldn't take the pain anymore.

Unaware of the hot tears streaming down her cheeks, Kyoko took a deep breath and coldly retorted, "Why do you care, anyway?!"

Panting, ignoring the way he froze like a statue behind her, she continued, eyes blurring as tears misted her sight. "Isn't it obvious that I never need you in the first place, anyway—didn't I run away from you? Didn't I take my child away to keep her safe from—"

She was cut off as a pair of lips crashed onto hers in a hard, punishing kiss.

Oh, my, look at that. I think I can post another chapter soon—I promise it is soon, no later than three days, I guess—to make up for my absence. My muse has been running wild lately, and though I want to finish the next chapter ASAP, my head is still hurting and eyes are still heavy with sleepiness.

To my beta(s), I am truly sorry I haven't contact you yet. I am... busy IRL and I want to post this as soon as possible because I have put this story in the back burner so to speak, thus I think it'd be best if my readers handle my flaws for a while until I get enough time to send the unedited chapters to you.

See you soon, everyone,

-dee

P.S Oh, and don't forget to check my profile regarding my newest update. Follow my Tumblr too if you want, though I mostly reblogged what I love (fangirl over). The link is on my profile. I am open to any question, suggestion, and concern over my stories. You can even whip me to update faster. Yes, you can and are allowed to do it.