I was just stepping out from my shower after a long workout session when I heard banging on my apartment door. Raising an eyebrow, I called to them while drying my hair, "I'll be right with you in a few minutes, so stop knocking like a maniac!"

I barely held back an eye roll at the audacity of the person to continue on with the rambunctious knocking that was surely irritating my neighbors as much as it was irritating me.

"I said, that I'll be right with you soon! Hold your damn horses already! Sheesh!" I fumed and tugged on a pair of boy shorts and a tank top before making my way to the door.

Opening it, I gave the person the most milk-curdling glare that I could muster. "Now, what the fuck do you - ?"

SLAP!

I took a few steps back, a red handprint now glowing on my left cheek.

"Was that really necessary, Yumi?" tsked Tama, rubbing at her swollen middle while giving Yumi her infamous 'mothering' look.

Yumi responded with a snort, "As if you weren't thinking the same thing. Now, move out the way, Suki, and let us in!"

I rolled my eyes at my eldest sister's antics and moved out of the way to allow them inside. Rubbing my cheek, I snapped at sister dearest for her grand entrance after she and preggo sister took a seat on the couch, "So, what brings you, oh holy banshee and mother nature, to my humble abode?"

Tama rolled her eyes, still rubbing at her swollen middle. "Yumi has been talking my ear off for the past few hours about your indecent behavior in regards to Chiba-san, " she carried on with a glance over to Yumi, who simply ignored her silent berating.

I raised an eyebrow in amusement and leaned against the arm of one loveseat. "Oh really? Well, then, what 'indecent' behavior did I do to Chiba-san? All I did was attend dinner like I was supposed to and brought some wine. I even entertained a few of her colleagues while I was there. There wasn't an ounce of -."

"Oh, cut the bullshit, Suki!" bellowed Yumi, her face tinged red with anger. She rose to her feet and moved to glare up at me from her short stature.

"What bullshit are you referring to, Yumi? I did exactly what I was supposed to, nothing more …" I lipped, already predicting sister dearest next reaction based on the hostile vibes steaming off of her.

"Why, you little …" she bristled, her hands grasping onto the front of my tank top as she proceeded to shake me. Her iridescent eyes trying to burn my very being to the ground with the amount of rage in them.

I could see Tama mouthing 'why me?' to herself from her place on the couch before she finally reinserted herself in this little spat between Yumi and myself.

"Yumi, I am sure that she has a sagacious reason as to why she acted the way she did with Chiba-san. Right, Suki?" She gave me a sharp look that

Barely holding in another eye roll and a sigh of exasperation, I freed myself out of Yumi's grasp. "I do have a perfect reason as to why Chiba-san and myself didn't exactly hit it off at dinner the other night. She started it with me, not vice versa, " I started and took a seat on my loveseat.

Yumi scowled, "Why would she do that? She's a renewed doctor for crying out loud!"

I snorted and folded my arms over my chest. "She sure as hell didn't act like it that entire night. All she did was try to be condescending as hell with a whole bunch of jabs against me."

My sisters gave each other a look, doing that weird communication thing that they've perfected long before we've met each other years ago.

A few seconds passed before Tama turned her attention onto me. "What do you mean by she took jabs at you?" she questioned, confusion evident within her eyes.

I rolled my eyes and clarified for my two, brilliant (can't you hear the sarcasm in my voice) sisters what Dr. Mai did to warrant the attitude I gave her the other night, "Well, after the sweet doctor made sure to have company over that same exact night, she just about made it her mission to make herself seem a lot more superior than me with her 'friends' by …"

Flashback:

"Oh! How nice of you to join us for dinner tonight, Kou-san! I had thought that you had some kind of gig or at some club, if you know what I mean, " Mai gushed at me in mock happiness as she embraced me at arms' length, air kissing my cheeks.

She didn't just imply that, did she?

Forcing a smile, I returned the gesture. "Oh, Chiba-san, I couldn't decline such a gracious offer made by you a week ago, " I gushed back in a sickeningly sweet tone. "I cleared my schedule just to be here for your delicious food! Isn't it a great cook?!"

A woman with short pale blue hair and pink eyes (whom I presume was 'Bachi') responded with pure glee from her place at the table, "Mai-sama's cooking is the best! I'd eat it every single day if it were possible! She knows the best gourmet, organic meals in the world.

Mai smirked, visibly puffing at the other woman's praises about her cooking. However, I couldn't help noticing how Ushio's reaction was entirely different than the other occupants' in the room. His cute face had scrunched up in mild disgust when Bachiko had said 'organic', before he quickly changed his expression to a look of mock enthusiasm seconds later to mask his actual reaction to his fiancée's preferred cuisine.

So he prefers normal food instead of organic food, huh? This night is already starting off with a bang and I haven't even sat down yet!

Holding in the urge to smirk, I took a seat beside Ushio and folded my hands in front of me. "Shall we eat then?" I purred, enjoying how Mai's nostrils flared slightly at my choice of seating.

Through gritted teeth, she moved to grab her bottle of champagne. "Sure! Right after I pour everyone some of this Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires Brut 1995 that I've been saving for tonight to celebrate Zinan-san's new promotion as well as my upcoming anniversary with Ushi-kun, " she squealed the last part in mock glee, her eyes drifting over to meet a flushed Ushio's gaze lovingly.

I could almost feel myself burning up on the inside with disgust at how this bitch is blatantly flaunting her 'love' for Ushio in front of me as if he were some kind of toy instead of a person! My hands clenched into fists as I pictured myself decking the bitch right in her phony face, until one of the other men at the table started to bellow.

"I'm so glad that I no longer have to instruct this idiot on how to make incisions like before!" guffawed (whom I assume was) Isoroku. He was a handsome man with chocolate eyes and short, green hair.

"Yeah, he nearly cut off one patient's lung during a vascular surgery that one time!" laughed Bachiko, swatting at Isoroku's shoulder.

Zinan hollered at the two laughing doctors, "Hey! I didn't know at the time that I nearly severed his right lung! I was just trying to find the right artery!"

"And it looked like a lung?" snickered Bachiko, dodging the napkin hurled at her by Zinan.

"Okay, you guys. We get that Zinan-san wasn't the … greatest at surgery when he first started working with us, but at least he's better now and that's all that matters, " Mai cut in, pouring everyone a glass of wine before moving onto filling their plates.

I raised an eyebrow at her when she moved onto my plate. "That is quite sweet of you, Chiba-san. But what exactly are we having tonight?"

"Oh, Kou-san, it's very nice of you to ask me that. We're having … " she took this as her opportunity to basically splatter the food all over my plate instead of taking the time to place it on my plate properly like everyone else's, "Crispy-Skin Grilled Duck Confit, I'm sure that you'll find it quite palatable to your taste buds. Especially since I doubt that you get meals like this at home with your salary."

My teeth clenched at what she was implying about me. I could barely hold myself back from taking this so-called 'meal' of hers and shoving it down her -.

"Now, Mai-chan, you know that Suki actually makes a lot more money than you think. Masao-kun says that she has a part-time job as a songwriter at a famous record label as well as help out at children's hospitals whenever she doesn't have a singing gig. She isn't a stripper like you're implying that she is. She's quite educated and talented, " Ushio defended me with a defiant look within his eyes. He didn't even seem bothered by the barely concealed look of shock on Mai's face.

I could feel myself gaping along with her at Ushio's words on my behalf, before I finally pulled myself together to glance over at Mai – who was now back in her seat beside him.

Serves you right, bitch!

It took a few more seconds before she regained her composure. A thin smile tugged at her lips as she reached over to fuss with his tie. "Oh, Ushi-kun, that is quite sweet of you to say, but I wasn't implying that Kou-san was a stripper. I know that she's a very level-headed girl with a talent for music. I was just concerned about her palate being exposed to adequate cooking, is all, " she hummed and moved to take a sip of her wine.

You're not fooling anybody! You know damn well that you were implying that I was a stripper!

I took a swig of my own glass, barely holding in my eye roll at her words.

"Umm, Mai-sama, if you don't mind me asking, " Bachiko chimed in with a slight frown on her face.

Mai turned her attention onto her friend with a sickeningly sweet smile. Her unnaturally perfect teeth twinkling as her lips parted to say one word, "Shoot …"

"Well, isn't the wife of Mizuno-san from the Intensive Care Unit maiden name Kou?" she inquired, curiosity shining within her eyes.

Now a frown found itself on Mai's face as her cobalt eyes landed on me. They scanned my face closely in criticism.

I held in a slight snort as everyone's eyes joined in on the examination of my being, before I finally had enough. "Yes, Akihiko Mizuno is my brother-in-law through his marriage to my older sister, Tama, " I confirmed, already predicting the reaction that I'm probably about to receive in a few minutes.

"OMG! Isn't she that one poet who wrote the -?" started a suddenly enthusiastic Bachiko, her eyes widened in admiration.

"'The Black Supernova' and 'Everlasting Throb'? Yes, she did those two books and is currently working on another even though it won't be done till after her pregnancy, " I responded evenly, used to this kind of reaction whenever it comes to my genius sister.

I could feel Mai glaring at me as Bachiko continued to fan girl over Tama's work.

"I can't wait to read more of her work! Her poetry is just so intriguing and dark! OMG! Tell her 'congratulations' on her pregnancy and that I'd gladly deliver her baby if she wants to!" she continued, basically glowing with adoration.

I giggled at Isoroko's words to her as he 'kindly' reminded her with a cough.

"You do know that her husband is Mizuno-san, right? After all, this isn't their first child. Yamazaki-san has already delivered their other three children."

Bachiko pouted, "Of course Yamazaki-san would be lucky enough to do such a thing! It's so unfair how lucky she is! The bitch!"

I could've sworn that I saw smoke puffing out from Mai's ears as she gulped down the last of her wine in her glass.

"Guys, I am sure that Kou-san doesn't want to talk about her older sister tonight. Tonight is meant to be a night of -."

"Yumi Kou is Suki's eldest sister!" Ushio piped up with a grin. His eyes shimmering with subtle gaiety that had me wanting to reach over and kiss him if Mai didn't already look about ready to stroke out and pester the hell out of darling Ushio right at that moment.

Bachiko squealed, her eyes widened to saucers now. "You mean the celebrity make-up artist who created 'Jade Undercover'?! OMG! OMGGGGG! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!"

"Could you not, Bachi-chan? You're giving me a headache, " moaned Mai, running her fingers through her dark locks. Her shoulders were squared up in subtle aggravation to the point that she just might flip the table over if this were to continue.

Too bad that I really don't care!

"But, Mai-sama! You love her products just as much as I do! You even use her 'scorching passion' lipstick everyday!" her co-worker pointed out oh-so-graciously.

If looks could kill, Bachiko would surely be dead by now as well as myself with how she was giving us both such a dirty look now.

Zinan hummed, "Truthfully, her skin creams do amazing wonders on keeping my pores clean."

Isoroku eyed him with a raised eyebrow. "Dude, you seriously use that stuff?"

"Yeah, especially after I ended up with that bad rash on my face years ago. So what?" shot back Zinan with a look of defiance on his face.

"Airi has her products as well, but I don't use it!"

Zinan gave a snort, "Sure you don't. That's why you're wearing foundation to cover the blemishes along your hairline. "

Isoroku's face instantly flushed as he started to sputter. I almost felt sorry for him if I wasn't so entertained by this turn of events when Mai's voice broke into the ongoing conversation.

"Okay, okay! We get it! Her sisters are extremely good at what they do! Now, can we eat dinner before it gets cold?" she hissed, her eyes burning with intense irritation.

The other guests at the table either glanced at each other or muttered a silent apology for their 'rudeness', before eating the abomination on their plates.

I could barely hold in a smirk at how flushed she looked throughout the rest of dinner, especially with how her friends (including Ushio) kept on asking me questions about my life and my sisters. I couldn't help, but notice how Ushio barely touched his plate, even when it was time for me to go home because I needed to rest up for an early morning gig that I had the next day.

Everyone, but Mai bid me a farewell as I took my exit from 'dinner with Beverly Hills Chihuahua'. I nearly cartwheeled home upon leaving because of how elated I felt about one-upping Miss. Priss at her own house, even though she's probably going to make me pay for that move.

And she can bring it …

End of Flashback

Finishing up with my side of the story behind my apparent 'cheekiness' against my 'solicitous' hostess, I waited for my sisters' reactions that'll most likely be over exaggerations about my overall behavior that night.

However, Tama shocked me when she did finally speak.

"Oh wow. Such a pity that she'd act that way towards you …" she mused, rubbing at her bump.

Yumi nodded, "I thought that she was classier than that."

I snorted, "Probably in her dreams, but she's more like an angry badger instead of a classy 'queen'." I did actual quotation marks with my fingers at the word 'queen' to emphasize the sarcasm at that part.

Yumi narrowed her eyes at me. "But that still doesn't excuse how you're basically throwing yourself at her fiancée like some kind of harlot. He's happily engaged to Mai-san, so let it go."

Tama nodded her agreement at that and added in, "Yes, our family really doesn't need any kind of scandal or drama right now. You need to focus on finding yourself someone nice."

"Someone who knows how to deal with your crazy ass – ouch!"

Yumi gave Tama a look that could've melted ice by its ferocity, but basketball-sized sister didn't even bat an eyelash at bitchy sister's current irritation at her.

"Someone who'd take care of you and love you just for you overall, Suki. We only want the best for you, " she continued, her amethyst eyeing me with genuine love and concern.

I sighed, "Maybe Ushio is it for me."

Yumi rolled her eyes with a snarl, "Sure and Masa-kun knows how to cook very well!"

I glared at her, which she returned back to me with equal heatedness before Tama cut in again.

"Cut it out, you two. There isn't any time for your bickering right now, " she hissed, then turned her attention back onto me after giving Yumi a stern look. "Suki, you must forget about Tsukino-san and move on. It's for the best …"

Sure it is … But they do have a point …

"And how exactly do you expect me to do that?" I shot back at her, silently challenging her with my eyes.

She and Yumi glanced at each other for a moment, then glanced back at me. Their faces solemn as Tama continued with her inquiry that shall 'benefit' me.

"Well, we can start by having you …."