Chapter 2: Sweet and sour
I arrived at the yacht party before Shu to mentally prepare myself for tonight. The dress he'd sent to my apartment was a too short and too tight (for my liking) white off-shoulder dress. I'd curled my long light pink hair and left it loose and worn silver strappy heels. I felt ridiculous in this outfit, but he said he'd dock my pay if I showed up in something else. I really need the money, so I complied to this one off occasion. I ordered a martini and lounged at the bar while I waited for the announcements to start.
Soon enough Shu and Hinata appeared on stage with the other producer's ready for the speeches.
I zoned out for a while and drank another Martini and picked at the cherries in the snack bowl. I felt eyes on me and I looked up to see a group of shady looking guys leering at me on the other side of the room. I shifted uncomfortably and decided to leave the bar. I manoeuvred through the crowd and stood by the buffet table while I waited for Shu. I could still feel their eyes on me and I shuddered.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard a snicker. It was the guys from before, leering at me. I couldn't escape.
"Come on doll, have some fun with us," a guy who looked to be in his 50's chuckled.
"No, thanks," I snapped as one guy grabbed my arm, "get off me!"
I shoved him away and made a run for it. They pursued but I lost them in the crowd. I ran to the poolside bar and ordered a water to help me sober up. Some party…
Shu's P.O.V.
I couldn't find her anywhere, and Hinata was on my tail most of the night. I barely managed to evade her. I saw her at the bar while I was up on the stage but she disappeared when the speeches were over. I tried tracking her scent but it was near impossible with all the people on this boat and the smell of cheap perfume everywhere.
A group of women approached me and started flaunting themselves I looked around bored as I pretended to listen to them. I spotted her over at the poolside bar talking to some guy in a business casual suit, laughing, drinking and exchanging numbers. I made my way over and interrupted their conversation.
"There you are," I said, "I've been looking for you all night."
"Oh, this is your boss?" the guy chuckled, "The one you're 'babysitting' for the evening?"
She laughed, "Yeah. I gotta go now Daiki, I'll text you later."
"Okay, Natsumi," he smiled.
"You know that guy, pillow?" I asked.
"I do now," she smiled, "Oh, and my name is Natsumi Ichinomiya."
I shrugged, "Whatever, pillow."
She raised an eyebrow at me and I looked away. I ordered a round of drinks for us and she polished them off pretty quick.
"Shouldn't you be more careful with your liquor?" I asked.
"I'm part Russian and Australian," she replied, "I've been drinking since I was 13 years old. I know what I can and can't handle."
"White Russian's are pretty strong drinks," I commented.
"I've been tackling 5 of these at a time most of my life," she shrugged, drinking another.
Hinata sauntered over, clearly full of liquid courage.
"Hey, Shu," she slurred, "I've been looking all over for you…"
She reeked of alcohol and cheap perfume. Loose women are boring.
"Whadaya say we get out of here?" she whispered.
"Why don't you just fuck off?" Pillow laughed, "He's not into you, sunshine, if he was he'd have given you the jump long before now and bust a nut already."
"What do you know about Shu?!" Hinata yelled, drawing attention to us all.
"Not much, but I know an uninterested man when I see one," she explained, "cut your losses and get lost. Focus on your career for a while, and find some nice rich businessman who want status through a trophy wife just like every other popstar once she ages out."
"Why you little bitch!" Hinata yelled, taking a clumsy swing at her.
Pillow dodged and Hinata went crashing into a waiter carrying a large tray of drinks. She got red wine all over her dress and the guests started laughing.
"Oh hey, they missed a spot," Pillow said, tipping the red wine she'd ordered over Hinata's head.
"You really are sweet and sour at moments, aren't you?" I muttered.
Natsumi's P.O.V.
The next day Hinata didn't show up for work, so I got the day off. I called Daiki and told him I was free after all for a date. He said he'd pick me up at 8pm. I went shopping for an outfit. We were going to a Japanese pub so I could keep it pretty casual, and Daiki would just be getting off work too, so I didn't want to be too overdressed. I decided on a miniskirt and a cute white blouse: casual but appealing.
Daiki pulled up at my place and loosened his tie once I got in the car.
"Rough day?" I commented.
"Yeah, I could do with a drink," he chuckled, as he drove off.
The pub was quaint, and I really enjoyed the seafood platter, but I couldn't shake the feeling we were being watched…
