Chapter 9
Fatal Attraction
Keiko's bottle green eyes narrowed maliciously as Mikan together with Zi Shu and Miguel approached them. "Mikan, how are you? I'm really sorry I missed your shoot. I thought I was going to faint because of the heat, but happily, Natsume is such a darling and brought me back to my hotel."
Mikan smiled charmingly at her. "It's okay, I understand. The heat is indeed, too much to bear. And besides, Natsume returned to the shoot anyway after he took care of you."
Keiko's eyes narrowed a little. "Really? You haven't mentioned that, Natsume."
Natsume shrugged. "I have something private to say to Mikan, that's all."
"We just chatted about silly old things. Right, Natsume?" Mikan inquired, her eyes boldly daring him to contradict her.
Natsume returned her gaze contemptuously. "As a matter, it was a complete waste of my time!"
Keiko laughed merrily, her scarlet lips in a disdainful sneer as she shot Mikan a triumphant look.
Zi Shu intervened and slung his arm protectively around Mikan's bare shoulders. "Too bad you don't appreciate Mikan's presence, Natsume. Well, lucky for me then, because I am very much willing to spend time with her."
The two men, Zi Shu and Natsume, eyed each other with silent antagonism. Finally, Natsume spoke in a contemptuous and cold voice. "Feel free then, Zi Shu, because fortunately, I don't have any interest in used and damage goods." Natsume seized Keiko's hand and walked away from their clique.
"That bastard! How dare he insult you?" Zi Shu rage as they watched the couple walked away.
A bewildered expression marred Miguel's face as well. "That was really uncalled for. Why is he so angry with you, Mikan? Natsume is usually well mannered."
Mikan struggled to show a calm and collected composure. She never felt so humiliated in her entire life! Damn him, forget her revenge, she will definitely make him pay!
A waiter passed by with a tray of wine and Mikan took two flutes simultaneously. She took a swig and finished the wineglass in only one gulp.
"Mikan, slow down. I know this must be hard for you, but alcohol is not the solution." Zi Shu chastised her softly.
Mikan defiantly finished the second glass and swallowed visibly. "Relax, Zi Shu. I have no plans of getting drunk. I just need a little Dutch courage."
"I think you should stay away from Natsume for the rest of the evening. I don't want you to get hurt." Miguel counselled wisely.
Mikan scoffed resentfully. "And let him and Keiko win? No way! I am not going to stand here and do nothing."
Zi Shu jerked his head in firmed agreement. "I agree. I find it all hard to stomach, really. That haughty bitch has to learn a lesson! It will not surprise me at all if she is the reason why Natsume is angry with Mikan. What did Natsume told you this afternoon, Mikan?"
"He said you and I are having an affair. He looks so convince and sure of his accusations." Mikan gasped in realization.
"Someone is filling his head with lies… Care to venture a guess?" Miguel asked dryly.
"That bitch!" Mikan cried furiously.
"She's always been jealous of you, Mikan. In addition, she's head over heels in love with Christopher. And now, she wants Natsume." Zi Shu explained.
Mikan shook her in disbelief. "I can't believe it. I have never notice her resentment towards me."
"Because you're really a kind person, Mikan." Miguel smiled at her comfortingly.
"So that's why Natsume is so angry. He thought you and I are sleeping with each other. It could only mean one thing… he's jealous!" Zi Shu announced in amuse bewilderment.
Miguel looked completely lost as he looked at them in complete puzzlement.
Mikan sighed heavily. There's no escaping it, she has to tell Miguel as well. "Natsume and I used to be lovers, along time ago."
"Ah… I get it now. The plot thickens." Miguel grinned.
"Isn't it romantic? Two long lost lovers reunited in the midst of difficulty." Zi Shu told them with a wistful smile on his lips.
Mikan rolled her eyes towards the heaven. Because really, she wants to smack Zi Shu right in the head for saying such a preposterous thing! She controlled herself before she can voice out her objection. Yes, she wants to get back together with him, they are accurate on that score. However… her reason is totally different from the romantic notion that they have. In reality, what they know is just half of the actual truth. She's not exactly lying to them, right? Mikan asked herself guiltily.
Miguel marched towards the stage as the dazzling spotlight focused on him. "Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the 2008 Vogue Celebratory Party!" He greeted on the microphone . The crowd cheer for him enthusiastically. Most of the guests are the crème de la crème of the society.
"As you all know, this is a special time because it marks Vogue's anniversary. We gathered all the top five models in Japan and completed a very special and extravagant shoot. The special edition magazine will be on your favourite stands next month. Now all of you here, are vey lucky, for tonight we are going to show you a sneak peek of the upcoming cover!" Miguel announced elatedly.
A hushed silence filled the room as everybody waited with anticipation. The partition at the stage suddenly opened to give the crowd a better view of the projected image. The picture became clearer and clearer until it finally develop vividly. The huge signature bold header, Vogue, and along with caption "Society's Modern Goddesses" captured the attention. Five beautiful modern goddesses, arranged in two layered pyramidal positions grace the screen. The bottom three, Hera and Helen of Troy with Persephone on the middle, are sitting on the sand with enticing smiles on their faces. At their backs, Athena and Aphrodite stand beguilingly. The crowd began to clapped their hands wildly and colourful confetti suddenly started streaming from above.
Mikan stared with joyous disbelief. The cover is absolutely stunning! No doubt that the public will go crazy for it.
"Congratulations, darling." Zi Shu kissed her cheek earnestly.
"Thanks." Mikan beamed at him. Its one of the good things about being a model, having to see the fruits of one's labour makes all the hard work worth it.
"Since you've been working so hard… here's our gift for you. It's from Miguel and me. Enjoy, darling." Zi Shu grinned at her mischievously.
"What?" Mikan asked, her brows knotted in puzzlement.
Miguel walked on the stage once again and hushed the excited chatter of the crowd. "Now I have another exciting surprise for all of you. Before all of you entered this ballroom, all of your names were asked and recorded. That is because… there is a going to be a human lottery tonight!" Miguel paused shortly for considerable effect. "Every hour, names will be picked randomly and he or she will share a dance with our supermodels!"
An excited murmuring took over the crowd. Meanwhile, Mikan's heart pummelled heavily on her chest. Oh my God, she thought crazily.
Miguel cleared his throat to capture everyone's attention. "For our first model, will the beautiful and talented Mikan Sakura please go to center of the dance floor?"
Mikan gave a sharp intake of breath as the spotlight hit her, dead on. She threw Zi Shu a furious glance as she wobbled tensely towards the floor. The crowd cheered her on, waiting for the lucky guy to dance with her.
Miguel places his hand on a huge glass bowl with neatly folded piece of papers and catches a single piece. Drum rolls started from the nearby band as Miguel unfolded it slowly. "And the lucky guy is… Natsume Hyuuga!"
Natsume, on the verge of drinking from his wineglass, froze right on the spot as the bright spotlight located him. Keiko, who is beside him, gawked in incredulity and mistrust at Miguel.
"Will the very fortunate fellow please join Mikan at the center immediately?" Miguel ordered gravely on his microphone.
Natsume set down his glass slowly, his jaw clenched tightly, and paced towards Mikan. Mikan cast her eyes downwards, afraid of seeing his expression, probably murderous. The band started playing and a sultry singer started accompanying the music. Mikan and Natsume started to dance, both looking stiff and tense.
"I'll be back in an hour guys, and feel free to join our charming couple on the dance floor." Miguel announce cheerfully.
Neither Natsume nor Mikan speak a word, and the singer's lyrics drifted softly on their consciousness.
Are we really happy... with this lonely game we play?
Looking for a right word to say
Searching but not finding
Understanding anyway
We're lost on this masquerade
This party may not be a masquerade, but both of them were a masque, metaphorically.
Natsume twirled Mikan expertly and Mikan's breath caught on her throat as he caught her, his warm body suddenly very close to her own. Mikan felt a shiver run down her spine as their eyes connected. The feeling is all too familiar… It's like… when they use to have feelings for one another.
Both afraid to say we're just too far away
From being close together, from the start
Natsume's breath has become laboured as he gripped her body even more closely to his. Mikan gave a sharp intake of breath, he is so close that she can feel the virile heat coming from his body. She started to tremble slightly at the unexpected sensations fluttering down her body.
We tried to talk it over
But the words got in the way
We're lost inside… this lonely game we play...
"Natsume… I think… I still have feelings for you." Mikan whispered breathlessly on his ear.
Natsume stared down at her, his eyes filled with desire and desperate longing. The band just finished the song and some of the couples started moving out of the dance floor. Natsume took her hand and started leading her towards the front door.
"Where are we going?" Mikan asked anxiously.
"To your room." Natsume replied seriously.
Mikan's hand trembled as she unlocked the door of her room. They both haven't said a word since they left the ballroom. She's definitely nervous and quite uncertain why Natsume wants to go to her room.
As soon as the door was close, Natsume seized her body instantaneously and kissed her passionately. Mikan clutched the front of his dress shirt feverishly, lost in the explosive passion between them. Natsume's hand wandered and released the pins on her hair as he clutched her head in order to kiss her deeper. Mikan kissed him back with the same helpless ardour. Mikan moaned when Natsume's lips travelled downwards to her neck and nipped the delicate skin.
Mikan started undoing the buttons of his tuxedo with shaky hands. Natsume impatiently took it off together with his shirt. He kissed her wildly again and they fell towards the soft bed together. Mikan's hand glided on his bare chest, lavishing the warmth emanating from it. Natsume shivered with her touch.
"You're wearing too many damn clothes." Natsume growled as he momentarily tore his lips from her. He unzipped her dress and Mikan helped him by anxiously squirming out from it. Natsume 's eyes, darkened with passion, travelled slowly on her body. Mikan suddenly feels self-conscious, for she is only wearing a flimsy lacy bra with matching panties.
"God, your beautiful." Natsume moaned as their lips locked again on a fiery union. His hands touch her body reverently, almost in a worshipping manner. "How can you easily give your body to anyone?"
"But I never slept with anyone but you..." Mikan responded unthinkingly, overwhelm with the sensations overpowering her body.
Natsume stilled at once, his eyes sharpening on her flushed face. "I appreciate the lie, but you don't have to do it for my benefit. You can drop the innocent act, Mikan."
Mikan suddenly feels like she's been doused with cold water. Her hazy mind is still a little foggy to comprehend his words. "What do you mean?"
"Don't you think you're going too far by saying you haven't slept with anyone since me? You know that I am quite aware that is not true." Natsume told her sharply.
"But it's true..." Mikan whispered quietly.
Natsume thrust her away from him violently, as if touching her makes him sick suddenly. He got off the bed and started putting on his discarded clothes.
Mikan used the bed sheet to cover her body and rise towards him. "I don't know what you heard... but I don't sleep around."
"You're in a relationship with Christopher Fujioka yet you are willing to go to bed with me. That just shows what kind of woman you are. " Natsume stated grimly.
"I got carried away because I still have feelings for you! And I thought... that it's the same with you..." Mikan's voice quivered with suppressed emotion.
"Don't be stupid! That's just lust." Natsume bellowed angrily at her.
Mikan paled visibly. "I am not available for a one night stand." She told him fearlessly.
"What do you want then? What does it takes for me to bed you again? Because whatever Zi Shu offered you, I can double it. Clothes? Diamonds? Or perhaps an apartment?"
Mikan felt herself seething with anger. He is insulting her beyond compare.
"You can't buy me! What I want is a commitment... a relationship."
"Commitment? With a whore like you? You've got to be kidding me!" Natsume sneered at her.
Mikan lifted her palm to strike him again but he quickly intercepted her hand and gripped it forcefully. "No woman has ever slapped me except you. And I will definitely not let you do it twice!"
They stared heatedly at each other, both unbending in their wills. The sheet covering Mikan slithered softly towards the floor. Mikan gasped with indignation but Natsume refused to release her arm.
"Dammit, I still want you." Natsume confessed gruffly. He brought her closer, his touch suddenly gentle. He turned her hand over and gave her thumping pulse a searing kiss.
"You have the softest skin..." Natsume murmured as he studied the creaminess of her arm. He frowned when he saw a pale white scar marring her wrist. It's almost not noticeable except when one will look closely.
"What the hell is this?" He demanded abruptly.
Mikan's heart thudded hastily when she realized he's looking at her scar, the one from her suicide attempt. She wrenched her hand away with as much force as she can.
"Get out of my room." Mikan ordered agitatedly.
"Where did you get that scar, Mikan?" Natsume asked her seriously.
"Get out!" Mikan screamed as she took the bed sheet from the floor and covered her trembling body. She walked purposely towards the door and yanked it open.
Natsume followed her, his face an inscrutable mask. "What are you hiding from me?"
"You don't have the right to know. Now please go." Mikan pleaded desperately.
"I will go, but this is far from over." Natsume told her with alarming alacrity.
Hi guys! this chapter is 2 days earlier than expected. Thanks for the support! What do you think about this chapter? This chapter is really exciting and eventful. The relationship between Natsume and Mikan suddenly speed up... I bet you just love it guys, huh? Me too actually... bed scenes are really hard to write and do you think that rated T still okay for this fan fict?
Natsume is undoubtedly, such a jerk in this chapter... but it will make his penance even more sweeter... (author laughs out loud)
BiTtEr-SwEeT-cHeRrY-- thanks!! I love my cold Mikan too... really fits our Natsume...
Youichiix33-- you should watch TKA immediately... it's so good... Zi Shu is so handsome... kinda like Natsume in a lot of ways...
akerue-- I failed to mention what happens to Keiko after Mikan and Natsume left... may be she'll suffer in the next chapter...
Sakiru Yume--err... I tried to minimize making things bold and italic for this chpter... its really addictive... sigh
chiyuusaku-- I agree... Natsume is jealous and keiko is stupid! Hehe
Cutenatsumexmikan-- thanks for the suggestions! Hehe... keiko drowning is the beach is such a good idea...
aegyo-- Miguel is such a darling to be on Mikan's side... I think he's really cute on this chapter..
My Hopeless Romanti-- OMG, thanks for the long review!! I don't mind it all! Keep it up! You're so great! Glad you like where the story is going so far... what type of exam are you going to take?
jazzflame-- Natsume is indeed such a bastard... but still hot... sigh
-KuroTenshi11--- yes, I would love to be your friend! And you can call me pre-cha... like it... it's cute...what should I call you?
KMAC 08-- this is a very early update... thanks Kmac08 for the support!
Fujiwara Yuri-- you're so sweet for giving me great reviews...
chigo kimmie-- so glad you like the greek mythology part...
Irumi Kanzaki-- Natsume is definitely jealous...
HengHeng-- Natsume is on a mission in Thailand. It's purely coincidental that they met... Natsume was trying make Mikan jealous too by hanging out with keiko
simplicity's control-- thanks for the compliments... honestly, I don't really think I'm a great writer...
AngeLicVanity-- yup, Natsume is indeed hot and irresistible... sigh
angelakawaii-- Zi Shu is indeed handsome... kinda boyish like Ruka...
k0nek0-- thanks for voting! And for always reviewing...
sayeessha-- thans, you're such a sweetheart... what do you think about this chapter?
Misaki-chan-- yup.. Mikan still has feelings for Natsume...
EzMouse-- thanks for the long review! I love it... can't believe you're so young... it's okay if you didn't review all my chapter... I still appreciate your effort...
KiNoMoTo18--hey don't be sad... I really like your ideas... who knows I might still use them...
ichirukiXnatsumikan-- thanks so much...
Black-Harmonia-- the story just heated up... what do ya think?
Little-Miss-Gigglex-- your review really made me laugh... Natsume is indeed such a moronic idiot...
Wings of Fidelity-- thanks for the suggestions... I appreciate it...
Rachelandthecupcakecrusades-- well the games has really began!