Thank you for the awesome reviews you guys.. Like I mentioned previously, I was out for the weekend to an awesome party that inspired my 4th fanfic please do check it out : You Are The Music In Me (you can find it in my profile or on your notifications [if you followed/set me on your favorites ;)] )
Got home at 4 in the morning Sunday and crashed the whole day. I ended up typing up the other story before this one. So apologies if a little late on this one.
Xoxo Lexi1989
Chapter 3 A Case Of Mistaken Identity
A FEW MONTHS LATER
MIKAN'S POV
TOMORROW: MEETING AT STARBUCKS , KYOTO GRAND HOTEL 3:30PM – Hotaru Imai & fiancé.
"NO NO NO, A THOUSAND TIMES NO! SHIKI-SAN HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?" I shrieked in anger. I took a look at my Gmail Calendar.
"I'm sorry Amanatsu. I didn't know she was the best friend you were talking about. You never did mention her name to me." Shiki looked sincerely sorry. "They were offering a generous amount for you to sing during her wedding and reception. I thought it would be good publicity for you and for your image. " He said with an apologetic gesture of his hands.
*Sigh* "I don't know if I can do this Shiki-san. Honest. To face them after all these years." I felt tears well up in my eyes.
"It's only a small meeting with her fiancé tomorrow, to get an idea of what they want for their wedding. If after meeting them, you feel like you don't want to do it, I can bail you out with an excuse of a different engagement. How's that?" Shiki-san asked her with a concerned look in his eyes.
"Can't you just meet with them instead? Why do I have to be facing them?" I whined. I crossed my arms across my chest and pouted. I knew I sounded like a brat and I've never been this way with Shiki-san but I couldn't help it.
"They specifically requested for you to be there too." He sounded annoyed now. I was being particularly difficult.
" I'm telling you right now, I'm not gonna do it." He sighed and sat down next to me.
"Amanatsu, this may help in healing the wound you know." He said quietly. "Forgiveness, regardless if they know who you are or not, may be the key for you to fully move on. Los Angeles isn't that big and you were bound to bump into them at some point in time. Better that we have that situation controlled than in an awkward and compromising situation regarding your identity." He added. Shiki-san is wise. I knew that. It's my stupid feelings getting in the way and made me sound childish and a spoiled brat.
"Okay Shiki-san. I will attend the meeting, only because I don't want you to be mad at me. Nothing else." He gave a loud sigh and stood up to leave with a small pat on my head. I bundled up on my covers and looked out of the window. The moon was full. The sky was clear save for a few stars. I thought of them getting married. My heart feels like its being crushed. I shouldn't be feeling like this. I should already move on. Maybe Shiki-san is right. Maybe I just need to see them do this so I can let them go completely. But I still feel like I want them to pay for betraying me. 'Oi Natsume, do you still think of me? Or have you really forgotten me?' she asked , knowing nobody would answer. 'I still love you Natsume, no matter how much it hurt, I still do.' She closed her eyes and fell into a fitful sleep, dreaming of the crimson eyed boy.
NATSUME'S POV
"Hyuuga, I need a favor." She asked me.
"What are you gonna blackmail me with if I say NO?" I asked suspiciously. Hotaru Imai was a woman not to be messed with. She can blackmail you to do almost anything possible. (given it's legal, of course)
"I need to talk to the wedding singer tomorrow. I've already set up an appointment with her manager. Ruka can't come to the meeting since he is busy with his work and I know you don't have anything to do after your recording session." She said in a "matter-of-fact" tone.
"The redhead?" I asked cautiously.
"I know you know her name, idiot. I know you've been stalking her on her fanpage on facebook and searching youtube for her videos. I don't know if it's because she looks a lot like my idiot of a best friend or because you're becoming a fanboy but I know you like her, and at this rate, I'm the one doing you a favor by introducing her to you at tomorrow's meeting."
*Sigh* "Fine. What time?" I resigned myself to not even be surprised she knew all that. She was Hotaru Imai after all. Techie and hacker extraordinare.
"Pick me up at 3pm here at my apartment." She promptly hung up on me after that.
I couldn't help the anxious feeling inside of me. I marked the time on my calendar on the phone and laid back down on the bed. Somehow, meeting this Crimson Rose face to face was getting me excited. I don't know if what Hotaru said is true. Am I really obsessing over this girl because she looks like Mikan with red hair? I glanced at a picture on my nightstand. I gazed at the smiling face of Mikan and closed my eyes. 'Goodnight Mikan, I love you.'
STARBUCKS , KYOTO GRAND HOTEL, LOS ANGELES 3:15PM
Natsume and Hotaru arrived early for the 3:30PM meeting. Shiki had called Hotaru saying that he is already at Starbucks and was waiting for Crimson Rose to arrive. Shiki rose to greet them and Natsume noticed him tense when he shook his hand. Hotaru either didn't notice or didn't care as they talked about the songlist and the wedding in general. Natsume looked bored and started people watching when Crimson Rose strode in purposefully. She was walking fast towards them with an apologetic smile on her face.
"Gomen'nasai for being a bit late. Traffic was bad." She said as she took off her coat and sunglasses.
"It's okay Amanatsu. The meeting was set for 3:30 so you're just on time." Shiki urged her to sit down next to him across from Natsume. Natsume didn't fail to notice her hands were shaking slightly.
"Shall I order us some coffee?" He said.
"Yes please, that would be wonderful. An espresso for me." Shiki said warmly
"You know my order, Hyuuga." Hotaru added, never bothering to look at him.
"And I'll have a…" Mikan started to say.
"Caramel Frappucino?" Natsume interrupted the redhead.
"Yes. How did you know?" She almost facepalmed herself but was able to catch herself just in time. 'Idiot! He knows what you like because he's been ordering for you when you were together.' She thought to herself. She regained her composure and pretended to drab her forehead with her handkerchief.
"You just look like a caramel frap kind of girl." He chuckled. She smiled despite herself. 'How I missed making you smile.' She shook her head when she left, 'Now is not the time to think of him that way, he's getting married to her for Christ's sakes.' She noticed Hotaru staring at her intently. To break the stare, she held out her hand and introduced herself.
"Amanatsu Hinata, a.k.a. Crimson Rose. It's a pleasure to meet you." That seemed to take Hotaru out of her stare and she shook her hand.
"I'm sorry for staring, it's just , you look like someone I knew. You look a lot alike actually except you have red hair and different colored eyes. Hotaru Imai, thank you for coming to meet us today." Mikan took a look at the 1 carat princess cut diamond ring on Hotaru's finger.
"Oh, well, my face is very common so I get that a lot." She shrugged it off . "Your fiancé must love you very much. That's a very pretty ring. Congratulations." She said, trying to hide the sadness in her tone but Hotaru had noticed it.
"Yes. Thank you. We've been through a lot and almost didn't get to be together, but it all worked out well." Hotaru said quietly, observing Mikan's reaction.
"Yes well, we are here now, what are you plans for your wedding?" Shiki interrupted so as not to make Mikan uncomfortable.
"It's really going to be an intimate gathering. Just a few friends. It will be held at a private resort. And since I am a big fan of Crimson Rose, I would like to have her sing at my wedding." She said just as Natsume arrived with their coffee order. He gave them each their order including extra desserts for them to eat, and specifically gave Mikan the Oreo Cheesecake.
"Ah, where are my manners? This is Natsume Hyuuga, Natsume, meet Amanatsu Hinata a.k.a. Crimson Rose." Hotaru gestured to Natsume who had just sat down. He almost spit out his coffee when Hotaru added "Natsume is actually a fanboy of yours Amanatsu-san." He glared at Hotaru and Mikan laughed out loud. This made Natsume and Hotaru stare at her even more.
"Please, let's not put in the honorifics, call me Amanatsu. And I am flattered you appreciate my talent Natsume." She smiled at him sincerely.
"So as I was saying, I'll be providing you a set list of the songs I want for my wedding."Hotaru handed Mikan a sheet of paper with a list of songs.
"Stop calling it just "your" wedding woman. It's not as if your fiancé is not contributing." Natsume told Hotaru in a very teasing tone. Hotaru just rolled her eyes and sat down on her chair, drinking her coffee while Mikan secretly watched the exchange with the pretense of studying the set list.
SONG LIST
Always – Atlantic Starr
Come What May – (from the movie Moulin Rouge) Ewan Mcgregor and Nicole Kidman
From this Moment On – Shania Twain
Could Not Ask For More – Edwin McCain
How Deep Is Your Love – (glee version) Lea Michele and Cory Monteith
Spend My Life With You – Eric Benet and Tamia
Mikan studied the set list with furrowed brows and a her lips curled downward.
"I'm sorry Imai-san, there's something I don't understand on the set list. It looks like some of these are duets, but I am a solo act." She said apologetically.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you. Natsume is re-entering the music industry and as his wedding gift to me, he will also sing at the wedding with you." Hotaru said without batting an eyelash. She gave Natsume her 'don't-you-dare-oppose-me-or-I-will-kill-you' glare.
Natsume just answered with a "Hn, Whatever you want Imai." and turned back to his coffee, knowing he wouldn't win this one.
"Also, Natsume's manager Akira Tonouchi, who is now associated with MegaRecords International Music, is interested with meeting with Amanatsu. He is thinking of signing her up as an artist under the label. Shiki-san, should Amanatsu accept his offer, you will still remain her agent/manager and will work with the label on her projects.
"Well, I see nothing wrong with this arrangement. I will talk to Amanatsu about your offer and we will get back to you by the end of this week." Shiki had noticed that Mikan was already tensed up and almost at her limit. "We will be going now as Amanatsu and I have some important matters to attend to. It was a pleasure meeting you both. And congratulations again. You will be hearing from us soon." He guided Amanatsu to stand up and helped her put on her coat. She took his arm, her hands trembling that did not go unnoticed by the two who were left behind.
"There's something about her I don't get." Hotaru said after a few minutes of silence.
"But you'll find out, won't you?" Natsume countered.
"I always find out." Hotaru said thoughtfully.
No matter how we try, we can't hide our true self from those who know the real us.
So Hotaru is getting suspicious of Crimson Rose.
Mikan thinks Hotaru and Natsume are getting married. Will she accept the offer to be signed at the record label and to sing with Natsume at Hotaru's wedding?
stay tuned :D
Answering reviews
RavenAcA3 - thanks for the awesome review. stay tuned to know more XD
chewybillabong - don't die yet! you won't know what happens next if you do N0oooooooo (lol)
Anilissa - Anilissa-chan thank you so much for staying tuned always! Ganbarou on your exams tomorrow! (or today, if you read this after your exam) LoL
Guest - you are most definitely welcome! from the bottom of my heart. And Cherry Wine is a cool song. I'll try to find a way to incorporate it. if not into this story, probably my next ones ;) You, my friend, have awesome taste in music!
Sakura Shiragiku - it is with pleasure that I present to you this update ;) thankies for loving my story
Nikinora96 - i hope so too Niki-san. right now she is still in the dark and thinks Natsume is marrying Hotaru since Ruka couldn't come to the meeting and Hotaru came with Natsume instead .. LoL
xNatsuMikanx - my awesome friend! thank you for the support :) hope u enjoy this chapter!
frozenbutterfly - I've already ended Sakuras & Swords with the death of Mikan and revelation that she is alive and got a new identity. I figured, the story doesn't revolve around the title anymore so I decided to make Crimson Rose as the sequel (part 2) to that story. So Crimson Rose is the continuation of the events of that story :) thank you for reading and staying tuned.
Please check out my new story, You Are The Music In Me. :D (this is in no way connected to S&S and Crimson Rose)
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xoxo Lexi1989