Here is the second part of the shopping trip. Please let me know if anything needs correcting.
Note: I do not own Skip Beat!
Once the car was parked, Catherine led her captive towards the clothing section of the stores. She stopped at the door of a famous designer retail shop and ushered Yashiro inside. Yashiro took in all the latest styles of men's formal wear lining the wall as his captor guided him to the clerk waiting at the desk.
"My name is Saunders. I called a little bit ago. Here is the other one." She presented Yashiro for the clerk's inspection.
"Very good," The clerk stepped out from behind the deck and motioned for the man to follow him. "You want this set to be the same as the other?"
"Yes please." Catherine replied. "I will have to come back with the matching colors. They have not been decided on." The clerk nodded before leading a confused Yashiro into a fitting area where he took out a cloth tape and wrapped it around the manager's neck. Catherine leaned in the doorway with her arms crossed watching as the clerk lifted Yashiro's arms and moved the tap to his chest. "Figured it out yet?" She asked her companion. Yashiro thought about the strange incident at the studio and it hit him. She had measured Ren for a suit!
"Ummm. Why are we getting suits?" Yashiro turned as the clerk measured his back.
"That is a question for Takarada-san. I just do what I am told." Catherine shrugged. If Lory had not informed them, then there might be a reason. Once the clerk had taken all of the needed measurements, he relinquished his customer, and turned to the woman in charge of the operation.
"We will have these ready for pickup tomorrow morning." The clerk bowed to them. "The sooner you can get us the matching colors, the sooner we can have it ready." Catherine bowed back.
"I will stop in as soon as the colors are picked out. Could you please prepare a red and black as well for both men? In case a suitable match cannot be made quickly." The clerk bowed and Catherine took Yashiro out of the shop.
"I am still a little lost." Yashiro admitted. "What is going on?" Catherine pulled her phone out and called the president.
"Hey, it's me. Can I tell Yashiro-san what is going on?" Catherine asked. The president gave a positive response and she hung up before turning to the confused man. "There is a benefit tomorrow night that Takarada-san has promised both Kyoko and Ren to. They are going to be going as a couple per president's orders." At this news Yashiro squeed loudly as his fan girl mode kicked in. He was going to get to see those two dressed up as a couple tomorrow evening. 'But why did he have to get a suit too?' He turned to his companion and she answered his question before he could ask it. "I am going as protection for Kyoko, and you are going as my date." Catherine walked on as Yashiro stopped in shock. 'The president set me up with this woman?' Catherine turned and waited for him to catch up. He shook himself and hurried to her as she opened the door of another high-end clothing shop. This one was filled with ladies dresses for all occasions.
Catherine busied herself with shifting through the many racks of dresses. She would occasionally pull one out look at it, and then put it back. When she found one she liked, she would hand it to Yashiro who held the growing pile. With about ten dresses picked out, she guided him to an open area where she could spread them out. Taking off her trench coat, she laid it on one of the chairs set aside for waiting patrons. She pulled a brass pin out of one of the pockets and pulled her hair up into a quick, yet elegant, twist so that it was out of the way. Before he could stop himself, Yashiro's eyes ran across the bared skin of her shoulders. The creamy expanse was broken only by the thin straps of her tight fitting top. His eyes stopped at the hairline on the nape of her neck and it was all he could do not to reach out to touch the short soft hairs there.
"Can I help you?" a clerk walked up to the pair as Catherine was arranging the dresses on some racks near the dressing room. Her approach snapped Yashiro back to his right mind.
"Not at the moment, but as soon as I find what we need, I will let you know." Catherine waved the clerk off so that she could better inspect the dresses she had picked. They were all Kyoko's size but she did not know what style the young woman would look the best in. "So, Yashiro-san, which one do you think would be best for our young friend?" Yashiro cleared his throat and shifted his mind to the problem at hand. He was getting to pick out Kyoko's dress for her date for Ren. This made him giddy in a different way. He looked over all of the dresses Catherine has picked. They are all things that Kyoko would like and look good in.
"Well, we have to consider the venue. Do you know what charity this is for?" He turned to Catherine. She pulled out the invitations and showed it to him. "Looks like it will be a dinner event with possible dancing." Yashiro pointed to a pink princess style gown that Kyoko would have LOVED. "That one is out." Then he pointed to a short black strapless dress that would have killed Ren. "So is that one." The two went back and forth ruling out dresses for different reasons till two were left. One was a beautiful satin gown that was held up by spaghetti straps. The material gather slightly across the chest before fall in a flowing line to the floor. It was a two tone silvery blue that transitioned from dark to light and back to dark. It was Catherine's favorite. Yashiro picked a deep purple gown with a modest neckline held in place by spaghetti straps. There was a short half-coat that could be worn over it. The material would hug the body tightly across the chest before falling gracefully to the hemline that tapered from a point over the left knee to mid-calf in the back. It was very elegant. After a few minutes of argument, Yashiro called the clerk over for her opinion. Catherine had to give in when she sided with Yashiro.
"What are you going to wear?" Yashiro looked back into the store for more dress ideas.
"I'm not sure yet." Catherine walked back into the racks to find something that she could wear. This time Yashiro followed and helped by pulling out dresses that were so inappropriate they were both laughing by the time they found a few that would be nice. Catherine had been more picky when her dress was involved so there were fewer then she had with Kyoko. Yashiro had pulled two that he claimed would be perfect, Catherine was not so sure about them.
"You need to try all of these on so that we can pick." Yashiro helped to arrange the dresses on the rack next to the fitting rooms.
"You think I am going to model these for you?" Catherine chortled at him. "I can pick my own dress thank you very much." She reached for the first dress. Yashiro grabbed her wrist before she was able to pick it up. Shocked by the action, she looked at the hand restraining her, and looked at the man it belonged to. He peered over his glasses at her and cast his voice slightly lower than normal.
"Please." She felt her pulse race from the heat in his eyes. It only took that look and one word for her resolved to crumble. She blushed slightly and nodded her head. Yashiro released her arm and she retreated to the changing room with the first dress. Yashiro went to sit in the chair next to Catherine's coat. 'What was that?' she shook slightly as she changed into the dress. 'Must calm down.' She chided herself as she forced her breathing to even out. Once changed and calm, she stepped out to show off the dress.
"How's this look?" She stepped out and turned so that the mirrors could show all of the dress to her waiting companion. Yashiro looked up and stared. She examined herself in the mirrors, shook her head, and picked up the next dress before Yashiro could say anything. It was lovely, but it just was not her.
Yashiro looked up from his chair at the sound of Catherine's call and froze at the sight. The way she swirled the skirt in front of the mirrors made his pulse race. Before he could find his voice, she shook her head and returned to the changing room with a new dress. He had not expected to have such a reaction to this intriguing woman. He decided that the next twenty minutes were going to be the longest he would have to sit through in a long time. He heard the lock slide open and prepared himself for the next onslaught.
"What about this one?" Catherine stepped into the area surrounded by mirrors. She liked this one better, but was not sure of the color. It blanched her out somewhat. She could see Yashiro in the mirror just admiring her. She turned to look at him properly. She could tell he did not like it from the look on his face and picked up the next dress to try on.
Yashiro gripped the arms of the chair when she came out the second time. He pondered as to why she had this power over him before actually looking at the dress she wore. She still looked lovely, but he did not like this dress on her, it made her color wrong. He didn't even need to say anything as she returned with the next dress. He was happy to see that she took one he had picked. This dress was a backless gown in a midnight blue. The top tied at the back of the neck with a fairly low neckline and hugged the body to the waist exposing her back. From there, it fell in gentle folds to the floor with a split up one side almost to the hip.
"Umm. Yashiro-san. Could you please come here for a moment?" Catherine called to her companion from the dressing room. Yashiro got up and went to the door that hid her.
"Do you need something?" He stood outside the room and wiped his hands on his pants nervously. He could not help but think about the fair skin that she would be showing in there. He almost passed out when the lock slid back and the door swung open. He stood staring at her naked back as she held up the front of the gown.
"I am having trouble tying this up, could you please lend me a hand?" She tilted her head forward and looked over her shoulder at him. The only thing holding the flimsy material up was her hand pressed to her chest. Fear, along with a few other deeper emotions flashed through his mind as he laid his hands on the ties hanging over her shoulders. He slowly drew them up and tied them gently around the back of her neck. She pulled her hand away from her chest just to put it back. "Could you please make it a little tighter?" Yashiro swallowed hard and untied the cloth at the back of her neck. He was very aware of every time their skin met. Once it was tied back, he placed both of his hands gently on the back of her neck where the material laid pretending to smooth the cloth down. He just really wanted to touch her at that moment. He slid his hands across her shoulders and down her arms. He could feel her draw in a deep breath as he turned her around and wrapped one arm around her. Her bare skin was smooth and warm under his hand. He used the other hand to raise her face and leaned down until their lips met in a soft kiss. He pulled back to see the heat blossom in her eyes. He melted as she wrapped her arms up across his back pressing against him. He pulled her closer and kissed her more passionately…
"Are you alright, Yashiro-san?" Catherine's voice cut into his daydream. He looked down to see that his hands had not moved from where he had smoothed the soft material down. He quickly removed his hands from the neck in front of him. Catherine turned to look at him in concern. 'Was he feeling ok?' She reached up and slid her hand under his bangs against his forehead. 'He is a little flushed, but he doesn't have a fever.'
"I'm alright." He reassured her as he took her hand from his forehead. "Let's see how you look in this dress." He led her by the hand to the mirrored area. She turned left and right looking at the way the dress fell. It was a good color and it felt right. Yashiro, having retreated to the safety of the chairs, tried not to look at her for the moment, but she had not notice his strange reaction.
"What do you think?" she turned to the man behind her. He seemed to be very interested in something on the wall. He turned and took in the full view of her.
"It suits you very nicely." Yashiro replied to her. He was busy trying to clear his mind of the rampant images of the material crumpled on the floor.
"Very well, if you think it is nice, then I shall get this one." She turned to go back to get dressed again. She stopped before walking into the room. "Umm... could you please untie me?" She looked over at where Yashiro had not moved from. He stepped over and pulled gently on the fabric till it gave. Once loose he backed quickly away to where her coat was on the chair. She watched his withdraw with concern. She was sure there was something up with him, but could not figure out what it was. As she walked back to her dressing room, she thought she could feel his eyes on her. Maybe it was the way his fingers had lingered on her skin. She could still feel the heat from his palms on her neck. A thought crossed her mind and she blushed. She didn't think she would have such an effect on the man, but it was a possibility. This 'date' was going to be more interesting than she originally thought.
Once changed, Catherine picked out a pair of heels to match Kyoko's dress and took them to the counter. Yashiro had picked up her coat and was carrying the surprisingly heavy thing over his arm. He watched as she used a LME card to pay for the dresses before taking her coat back and slipping into it as the clerk finalized the transaction. Yashiro took the bagged dresses before Catherine could.
"Thank you." Catherine walked out while Yashiro followed silently. "Let's take these to the other shop so they can match the colors." Once that was done, she turned to her pensive companion. Apparently, he was struggling with himself about something. "Do we have time for one more stop today?" She asked, breaking into his thoughts. Yashiro looked at his watch.
"Well, we should have about another hour before they are done." Yashiro answered his companion. "What did you have in mind?"
"Every good dress needs accessories." She laughed before turning to the nearest jewelry store. It didn't take her long to find the perfect pieces for Kyoko's dress. A gold and dark amethyst set; a necklace, ear rings, a bracelet, and a simple gold anklet. It was simple yet elegant and would set the dress off magnificently. She had the clerk pull it out for a closer look. "What do you think about this set for Kyoko?" She called Yashiro over to her.
"Yes, that will be perfect." Yashiro touched the gold anklet. Catherine asked the clerk to wrap it up for her. "I think I found one that would be wonderful for you Kat-san." Yashiro pulled Catherine to another case filled with silver pieces and pointed to a collection. The clerk pulled this set out so they could inspect it better. Catherine picked up one of the ear rings and rolled it between her finders. They were upside down calla lilies. The stem ran up and through the ear forming the hook. A single sapphire bead rested in the center of the rolled petal. The necklace had a single slightly larger version of the same flower. The bracelet had ten smaller versions of the flower space down its length. The anklet was a simple herring bone band. It really did not go with the set, but it was a great addition.
"I will take the ear rings and necklace from this set." The clerk picked up the pieces she had chosen and put the rest back. Yashiro looked at the bracelet and anklet left on the board.
"Why not the whole set like with Kyoko's?" He asked as she turned to walk away. She looked at him.
"Well, I am getting these, personally, so Kyoko can keep them when this is all over." Catherine explained. "The rest of those will put me over my budget." She turned and went over to the counter to pay for her choices. Yashiro looked at the lonely pieces behind the glass. He looked up at Catherine as she pulled a large roll of bills from her pocket and gave most of them to the clerk. With their bags in hand, the pair walked out of the store. After a few shop faces Yashiro stopped. "What's wrong?" Catherine asked. He handed the dresses over to her.
"I left the shoes sitting on the counter in the jewelry shop." Yashiro turned to retrieve the forgotten item. "Head to the car and I will be right there." He called over his shoulder. Catherine laughed at the man as she turned and found her way to the car. It was not long after she had settled her bags in the trunk that Yashiro showed up with the forgotten package. "Sorry about that." He added the lost box to the pile in the trunk.
"At least you remembered where it was left." Catherine smiled as she shut the trunk. "It would have been bad if we lost the shoes." Yashiro agreed and got into the car. Before long, they arrived back at the studio. The packages were left in the trunk as the two walked inside together. "I don't know why the president has not told you, but he said he changed your schedule for tomorrow so make sure to check your email." Catherine stopped as she thought of something. "I will pick up the suits tomorrow and have them ready for you at LME." The two chatted casually as they walked back to the set.
Author's note: Thanks for sticking with me so far, I promise more havoc is coming. On a more personal note, when I started this story, I never intended for anything to start up between Catherine and Yashiro, but I figured the guy needed a little love too. He always gets paired with either Kanae or Shoko. I love reading these stories, but I always felt they were a bit off. Kanae has Uesugi Hiou (even if he is younger then she is) and I just can't bring myself to see him getting together with Sho's manager. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this as much as I have enjoyed writing it.