The day was just beginning and Yashiro was already feeling swamped with the many meetings that he had planned for today. Leaning against the door of Ren's dressing room, while reading through the week's work schedule, Yashiro contemplated rescheduling some of Ren's appointments for the day.
A worried frown crossed his face as he wondered if it was too late to do anything about today's work. Perhaps he would be able to lighten Ren's work load tomorrow instead? He wondered to himself, when a sudden gasp from the makeup artist caught his attention.
"That looks like it still hurts," the young makeup artist exclaimed, while her face was marked by surprise.
Shrugging his shoulders casually, Ren briefly flashed the brunette girl a sheepish look, "I don't recall it ever hurting."
Despite his outrageous retort, Ren was able to appear nonchalant, as he went back to reading his script. Even though he was wearing a turtle neck sweater, there was no way he could hide the love bite from the makeup team and he didn't expect to do so either.
However, a quick sideways glance showed him that the girl's notice was not the only one that was peaked. Sinking low into his chair he mentally prepared himself for his manager's curiosity.
Yashiro could not help himself, in one giant step, he was by Ren's side. Gaping wide eyed at the red bruise on the side of Ren's neck, his mouth fell open scandalized with horror. Pointing an index finger, he asked Ren in an accusatory tone, "What is that?!"
Ren gritted his teeth. This was not the time for his manager to involve himself in his personal life. Taking a long deep breath, he interrupted the makeup artist, "Would you mind giving us a little privacy?"
With a quick nod of her head, the makeup artist politely stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind her as she left the two men alone. Her amusement was obvious to both men from the way she giggled loudly from the other side of the door but neither commented on it.
Turning to his manager, Ren's cheeks blushed with color and his tone was noticeably harsh as he replied, "Yashiro, there are times when you ask things that should never be asked. Especially personal things that should not be asked in front of the staff."
Swallowing at the stern look coming from Ren, Yashiro sputtered, "Y-yes, yes. I apologize for my reaction, it was wrong of me. But surely you must understand that I was in shock? But what is that?"
Ren lifted an annoyed eyebrow up at Yashiro instead of answering him, making him change his question, "Never mind, I know what that is. But when did you get it? Could it be it was something that you received yesterday?"
Focusing an alarmingly charming smile at his manager, Ren inclined his head and asked, "Even if it was something I had recently received, what makes you think that it should concern you?"
Yashiro sucked in his breath in astonishment at Ren's displeasure. Yet out of obstinacy mixed with a sense of loyalty to Kyoko, he disregarded it and he continued to probe, "Ren, I know that you and Kyoko might have had your differences but how could that have happened?"
"Yashiro, surely you don't need me to explain to you how one goes about receiving something like this? Aren't you already aware of how to do it yourself or would you like a demonstration?" Ren asked sarcastically, as he deliberately misinterpreted Yashiro's question.
Shaking his head at Ren's clever evasiveness, Yashiro's eyes narrowed and he folded his hands over his chest. "Even if you try to play coquettish with me, it's obvious that you can't hide that mark and that if we don't do something about it, the entire studio will find out what you have been up to!"
Holding a hand up to his neck, Ren shot back, "Then we better get that makeup artist back in here."
Springing out of his chair in one fluid motion, Ren opened his dressing room door. The young makeup artist was waiting patiently outside, and with a tilt of his head, he invited her back in.
All talks of the tell-tale mark on Ren's neck ended but there was a thick tension in the room. Disturbed that he could not get Ren to talk about it, Yashiro tried to ignore the disconcerting mark but his subconscious would not allow him to do so.
Where had that come from? He wondered. Surely he would have noticed it had it occurred earlier in the evening. But then again, it had been dark when Ren had picked him up to go out in search of Kyoko.
Yet, Yashiro was certain that it couldn't have come from the holy maiden Kyoko. She was too much of an innocent. Too pure to do such a provocative thing. She probably didn't even know how to do something so sexual.
Yashiro sat up erect in his chair as a sudden realisation occurred to him. This left only one other possibility, since the only other girl that had been near Ren was Kotonami-san. Was it possible that Ren must have received it from Kotonami-san?
Yashiro's eyebrows drew together into a harsh frown. It must have happened when they were both on the dance floor. Probably when they were dancing and Yashiro had been watching Kyoko. Could that have been why she had suddenly looked sick? In her purity, the act must have overwhelmed her; thus, making her sick.
Yashiro remembered that while she asked about the timing of when they had begun their search for her, her eyes had been on the dance floor. It was only then that she had started to react unusually and her coloring had even changed. This would fit the wholesome personality of Kyoko.
Was that also why she had reacted so strongly to Ren? Could it be that she had seen Ren and Kotonami get amorous, while they were on the dance floor? Was that where her sudden hostility for Ren had sprung from? Being traumatized and appalled by such behavior?
Glancing up at Ren, Yashiro wanted to clobber his young charge. How could Ren be such an idiot when it came to women? Couldn't he tell that he had crossed the line when he allowed Kotonami-san to do something like that to him?
But Ren could not take all the blame for what had happen. A deep guilt overcame Yashiro when he realised that he had inadvertently encouraged Ren to flirt with Kotonami-san in-order to make Kyoko jealous.
Dropping his head into his hands, Yashiro felt remorse at his own actions. What was he going to do to fix this? Surely, there was something he could do? Maybe he could explain everything to Kyoko?
No. No. No. This was likely to upset Kyoko even more. Yashiro thought long and hard of what he could do, as he raked his hands in an act of frustration through his hair.
Maybe he should explain to Kotonami-san that Ren was already in love? A bright light went on in his head as he began to formulate a plan. This might be something that Ren may oppose but what the heck? It needed to be done.
Nodding his head, his lips tightened in determination, while he resolved to take action. It was at that same moment when his cell phone began to ring, stirring him out of his planning. Putting on a single glove, Yashiro reached into his jacket to remove his cell phone.
A puzzled frown crossed his face as he looked at the number. It was a number that he was not familiar with but without any hesitation, he answered it, "Hello?"
A deep female voice replied, "Hello? Is this Yashiro-san?"
"Yes," Yashiro blinked as he waited for the caller to continue.
"Eh… Yashiro-san, this is Kotonami Kanae here. I was wondering if you knew Tsuruga-san's schedule for today?" her voice was husky and sensual, sparking an alarm bell in Yashiro's mind.
Yashiro had to resist the urge to hang up, as a torrent of angry emotions surged through him. However, wanting to appear indifferent, he counted to a full five seconds before he answered, "Yes, but why are you asking?"
Kanae was caught off balance by Yashiro's tone, which was charged with more than just mild curiosity. Her ears perked up and she brushed off the sudden chill that she felt with it.
"Well, I was hoping to meet up with him," Kanae explained rather evasively.
A dark look overtook his face as Yashiro frowned. He wasn't exactly pleased about allowing Ren to meet up with the same person that gave him that indiscrete love bite. He wouldn't be doing his job right if he allowed Kotonami-san near Ren again.
Yashiro paused as if trying to recall Ren's schedule. "Um, Kotonami-san, although Ren does have an opening, I think it would be wise if he spent it resting. After all, he has had a very tight schedule these past few days."
Surprised by his aloof tone, Kanae tried again to appeal to the diligent manager, "But Yashiro-san, surely he needs to eat? How about I meet him for lunch then? In fact, there is a nice restaurant that I -"
But her words were cut off sharply by Yashiro, "Sorry Kotonami-san, Ren rarely eats lunch, so that would be out of the question."
Kanae was beginning to get angry at Yashiro's pit-bull dog like stubbornness. What was this man up to anyway? Muffling an explicit retort, she counted silently to ten before trying another tactic, "Yashiro-san, would you mind passing a message on to him for me then?"
"No, of course not," Yashiro tersely replied.
Forcing herself to sound pleasant, Kanae politely requested, "Could you ask Tsuruga-san to call me back at his leisure then?"
Call you back? You must be joking! Yashiro thought as he stared at the phone in his hand. Clenching his jaw in anger, he tightly insisted, "Kotonami-san, if you are thinking to arrange a meeting with Ren, you can do so through me, you know?"
"I'm sorry Yashiro-san but this is a private matter that I would like to discuss with Tsuruga-san," Kanae retorted icily, since she was past the point of being irritated by Yashiro's hindrances.
"Well, then perhaps we should discuss this together before I allow that. I am his manager and as his manager I must filter even his private affairs, as you must already understand," Yashiro snapped back brazenly at her, in an equally cold tone of voice.
Biting her tongue so as not to curse, Kanae went rigid with fury. Taking a short moment to compose herself again, she opted to try to settle the matter once and for all. "Is that so? Well then how about you meet me for lunch then?"
A scowl crossed Yashiro's face. Was there any way to deter her mule like stubbornness? With half a mind to teach her a lesson, Yashiro bit out scathingly, "Yes, that would be fine with me. When?"
His harsh tone was not missed by Kanae but with supreme control, she was able to sound indifferent as she suggested, "How about at noon, by the café across the street from LME?"
Holding the cell phone tightly in his hands and wishing it was her slender neck instead, Yashiro took one last minute to reign in his anger before he answered coolly, "I'll be there."
"Fine, I'll see you there then," Kanae almost snapped as she hung up the phone.
Her face was flushed and she was fuming at Yashiro for guarding Tsuruga-san's privacy. Did he really find it that necessary to filter every single private matter concerning Tsuruga-san? It wasn't as if she was a crazed fangirl trying to seduce the actor.
Yashiro glanced at his watch as he impatiently waited for the young actress to meet him in the cafe. He had already decided that no matter what her excuse to "meet up" with Ren were, he would not allow for it to happen.
As the door opened, Kotonami entered. The café hushed as its customers recognized the young actress. Several lingering eyes followed her across the room as she made a beeline for his table.
Yashiro had to give her credit; she was incredibly beautiful after all. Her long jet black hair was flowing softly off her shoulders, framing her oval delicate face. The sparkle in her cat like eyes alone would cast her as a leading actress in just about anyone's movie.
Even the soft sway of her hips as she made her way to him, reminded him of an elegant and refined lady. But she was definitely no lady. And even if she were the most beautiful woman in all of Japan, he could not forgive her for what she was doing to Ren and Kyoko's relationship.
"Good afternoon, Yashiro-san," Kanae bowed slightly as she took her seat across from him.
Standing up slightly, Yashiro bowed in return, "Good afternoon, Kotonami-san."
"Please excuse me for imposing on you at this time," Kanae smiled prettily and a faint blush seeped up her face, turning her glowing skin even more vibrant.
Yashiro shifted back into his seat uncomfortably, "No, the one who imposed was me."
Reaching out to the menu, Kanae handed one over to him, "I hear the soba noodles are really good here."
Taking the menu from her hand, Yashiro's fingers lightly brushed hers. The softness of her hand brought an unwelcome tingle to him. For a slight second, he forgot what the purpose of their lunch was for. Stunned into immobility, he briefly paused as he gazed at her.
Across from him, Kanae was oblivious as she played with a lock of her hair, while she innocently scanned the menu. The sweet scent of her perfume was wafting over to fill Yashiro's senses. His eyes were narrowed in at her pink lips that were pursed in contemplation.
Kanae couldn't help but wonder at how she would be able to explain to Yashiro her urgency at having to meet Tsuruga-san. What would it take to convince this man to let her meet the young actor?
Peeking up from beneath her lashes, she noticed Yashiro's frown as he stared down at her. Had she done something wrong? Self-consciously, Kanae started to play with the small pendant that lay below her collar bone.
Twirling it in her small fingers, she fondled the delicate necklace. She could feel herself grow apprehensive under Yashiro's scrutiny. She didn't want to show the man any fear or anxiety but the atmosphere around them was definitely charged with an unknown emotion.
Her shoulders relaxed when the waitress finally came to take their orders. But Kanae waited a full extra minute after the waitress had left before she looked back at Yashiro. The man was noticeably gaping at her chest where her hand still was and Kanae's eyes widened in surprise.
Could it be? Had he been looking at her in that kind of manner? So he wasn't mad after all? A quick idea popped into her mind as she recalled her sister's words about capturing a man's heart. Was it possible? Should she try to convince Yashiro by seducing him?
Well seducing might be a little more than she needed but how about just a little flirting? Since he already sees her as a woman, surely she could use her womanly charms to sway him into letting her speak with Tsuruga-san? A slow, deliberate smile crossed her face.
Taking action, Kanae leaned forward in her chair and purposefully lifted her leg up to brush against Yashiro's. Saucily she asked, "You look like you've had a full day, have you been busy?"
Yashiro had to clench his teeth as he felt Kotonami's slender calf against his own. His heart was beginning to race and trying to focus on her words he nodded, "Yes, we have been busy all morning."
Kanae was glad that there was no negative emotion coming from Yashiro. She could tell that even the small beads of sweat forming on his temples likely came from unease. Feeling encouraged by his reaction, she smiled seductively at him.
"Yashiro-san, you are incredibly smart to have been selected to become Tsuruga-san's manager," Kanae stated, while she brushed her leg up against Yashiro's for a second time.
Yashiro winced as if in pain as he felt Kanae's leg raise up the side of his knee. "Ah, no. It was just that Tsuruga-san was so young when he debuted that he needed someone closer to his age to help him through the process."
Forcing herself to be brave, Kanae reached across the table and firmly took a hold of his clenched hand. Turning it so that his palm was facing outward, she added, "I can tell by your hand that you are a man that will succeed because you work very hard."
Her fingers trailed across his open palm and playfully, she caressed the warm flesh in the center. Slowly, she intentionally raised a pair of glowing, bold eyes to his. Licking her lips invitingly, she smiled.
Yashiro's eyebrows flew up to his hairline and hastily, he asked tensely, "Kotonami-san, I am sure this is not the reason you invited me to lunch."
Shaking her head, Kanae paused to assess Yashiro. The sophisticated male had a stern squint in his eyes as they focused intensely on Kanae. Had she managed to shake him a little? Hoping that she would be able to assert more female charm to his otherwise polish demeanor, Kanae tried again.
Huskily and undauntingly, she offered, "No, Yashiro-san you are quite right. However, I must admit that being near you has made me forget myself."
Her eyes leisurely trailed down his expensive tailored suit and a faint gleam entered them. Kanae tried not to laugh when she saw an answering red tint cross his high cheek bones.
Despite feeling himself drawn in by the attractive siren, Yashiro willed himself to resist. Pulling his hand out from Kanae, he straightened up in his chair. "Kotonami-san, if you will please explain to me what your purpose is for this lunch is then?"
His tone implied a no nonsense attitude and Kanae stiffened instantly in her chair. Turning her face away to watch a nearby table, she tried to hide her embarrassment. But she could feel her face heat up with humiliation from her failed ploy.
Fretfully, she fingered her pendant again before she said, "Well Yashiro-san, I think you may have mistaken me. I am only trying to do what is best for my friend in regards to Tsuruga-san."
Tilting her head to one side as she glanced up timidly at him, she continued, "I think that it would be best if Tsuruga-san and Kyoko spend a little time together unhindered and I was hoping that perhaps you would help me bring them both together?"
"By bringing them together, do you mean by allowing you to continue to mark Ren on the side of his neck?" Yashiro asked while his lips thinned in anger.
Puzzled by his sudden question, Kanae's eyes flew to his face and she asked, "I'm sorry but I don't understand what you mean by marking Tsuruga-san's neck?"
Her face showed genuine confusion and Yashiro let out a long breath. His shoulders slacked when the tension he had been feeling left him. Perhaps he had misunderstood Kotonami-san after all?
Reaching out to Kanae, he offered his hand. With a lazy smile, he smoothly stated, "I would be delighted to help you."
As Kanae placed her hand in Yashiro, she felt herself being drawn into his inviting presence. There was something about the way he held her hand so firmly that was heating her skin up suddenly. Her breath quickened when with a strong thumb, he caressed the middle of her palm.
An electrical current ran through Kanae's skin at Yashiro's intimate touch and her eyes lingered on his lips before she looked hesitantly up to meet his dark eyes. Her heart began to pound erratically in her chest, as she found herself caught up in his smoldering gaze.
His long slender fingers were gentle as it held her palm open. When did he all of a sudden become so alluring to her? Kanae swallowed a dry lump in her throat as she slowly began to shyly smile back at the handsome young manager.
A slow, admiring light entered Yashiro's eyes. Unconsciously, he shifted his body closer towards Kanae. At the same time, she began to slant in towards him. A growing attraction was blossoming between the two.
Their intimate connection was interrupted when a loud tray fell at a nearby table. As the waitress spun around to collect the fallen cups, she bumped into Kanae, causing her to go flying towards Yashiro. A soft yelp escaped her, when she landed against his hard chest.
With strong arms, Yashiro caught her and instinctively tugged her small form closer. The movement was subtle but instead of pulling away, Kanae found herself leaning in and lifting her face up to his.
Their kiss was instant. With hands drawing each other closer, neither noticed the surrounding gawking onlookers.
A/N: Hi everyone. Thanks again for all your support and encouragements. I always enjoy hearing from you. Please continue to review my story and let me know what you think.