PRISONER
by FFNPREZ
11th Chapter: The Good, The Bad and The Surprise
Dragging her luggage behind her in her orange LME overalls made her feel as crappy as she looked. Even when she was already supposed to be a glamorous actress, Yashiro-san had to tell her that President Lory called ordering that Kyoko needed to wear her 'Love me section' uniform. Their cosplay-loving-director had the greatest eye-rolling philosophy Kyoko had ever heard, that in order to not forget her mission of becoming a great actress and not turn out like the usual cookie-cutter kind, she had to remember who she was and where she came from. What better way to remind her that than the loud pink overalls designed just for her department. But she need not worry about her image since Yashiro-san made sure to make her wear it in chosen settings, like the private flight she, the cast and crew were about to board. They're going to Sapporo for the snow festival- a promotional move courtesy of their over-active marketing staff.
She should be feeling over the moon at the moment. Her best friend, Kotonami just called her raving about how 'badass' her character looked on that episode and how her co-actors were talking about the series so happily. Everyone on set received positive feedback after receiving their calls and e-mails. There were mixed feedbacks from netizens but that was to be expected. She got what she hoped for and more, not only did the majority loved her acting and character, the show is being talked about so why did she feel like crap?
Because she can't help dreading the dare- she felt like the-soufflé-that-didn't-rise after the unfortunate encounter with Shou in the elevator three days ago. Why is it, that despite all her good fortune, a dark cloud named Fuwa needed to rain on it and pop the bubble?
Three days ago
"Get away from me you Shou-devil. Did you already forget? You're the one who kicked me out of the house, out of your life." Kyoko said while pushing furiously on the elevator's open-button, to no avail, the elevator already started ascending.
"We had a deal, don't you remember?" Shou turned to push the run-stop button making the elevator shoot freeze.
"Are you crazy! What are you doing?" she said in panic, not because she's afraid of Fuwa but because it felt wrong to control the hotel property like that. He ignored her question and just took a step towards her, "Let me refresh your memory. TV-Station Parking lot, you, me, alone, we had a talk about why you're in this industry. You promised that you'd back off, crawl back to town and work in my family's restaurant, forever, if you don't achieve your goal. If you fail."
Kyoko smirked confidently now, "Reality check, didn't we just watch the pilot episode of my TV Series?"
The gleam in Shou's eyes couldn't be sharper and more malicious, he smiled a cynical smile and closed the gap between them, "Right, your series, let's see how many fans will be screaming your name, will be lining up in front of you at our fan-meeting, fan-signing and cast-tour."
Kyoko's eyes narrowed at his sharp words, and he wasn't done, "Or do you forget who you're casted with and who watches the show. I mean, how many male viewers you think watch a primetime series, even with the hottest female celebrity casted?"
Kyoko managed to release a small chuckle, "No wonder you always come in second to Tsuruga Ren in any poll rankings,"
"Hah?"
"Yep, you always think negatively."
"No. I'm just good at reading the facts." He was so close that Kyoko could feel his breath while he spoke, "Speaking of Tsuruga, stay away from him, he's too old for you! Don't you know his reputation?"
"WHAT?!" Kyoko forgot all her discomfort; nobody badmouths Tsuruga Ren in front of her and gets away with it, "YOU DON'T KNOW HIM! Speak for yourself, he's a good, talented and reliable mentor, actor and man, compared to him, even a big shot like you would look like a pup."
Kyoko knew she'd done it, pop a nerve, at once the ambiance around Shou changed, even with his blonde hair she felt like she was in the presence of a yokai, a powerful demon about to burn her.
"Really Kyoko?" his eyes turned to slits, she winced when he said her name, only he can casually call her using her first name and put any spin on it, this time there's retribution, she thought that it was probably because she called him a pup compared to Tsuruga Ren that maybe bruised his ego, but she meant it.
"I'm curious," he was mellow now, but she can sense a cold-ruthlessness under it, "A man huh, so you see that overrated actor as a man now?"
"I always saw him as a grown up man you insufferable lout." But as she said it she remembered what happened earlier that day inside her trailer and she couldn't help curse herself for blushing. She looked away, "He was never overrated." She said with a frown, trying to hide the blush that crept to her face in that untimely moment.
"I was right! Something did happen!" Shou hissed loudly. Only he could've caught her right then and there. Despite treating her like garbage ever since they met, Shou knew her inside-out, they grew up together after all.
He frowned at the memory of the shoot earlier. "That kiss, no wonder something was off."
"Something was OFF? OFF! The staff adored my acting!" Kyoko snapped back at him but Shou was fuming, he didn't care anymore.
"That self righteous bastard.." Shou said malevolently. "He acted all 'superior' and 'senior-like' when he saw us the other night and all this time he's pissed that I got ahead of him." He said to himself while looking at Kyoko,
"I don't understand what you're saying and you're wasting my time! Make the elevator move!" Kyoko stepped towards the button to press it again but Shou blocked her and continued, "That must've unnerved him and now he's revealing his true color." He stared down at Kyoko and studied her, she was flushed with anger and in a panic.
It was a sight he'd never seen until the past year. The Mogami Kyoko he knew was boring, plain, traditional, old-fashioned and a pushover. She always had a stupid apologetic smile and she'd follow him to the depths of the underworld.
Now scowling at him, putting on a scary face just because she was trapped in the elevator cab with him and even more when he insulted that overrated Tsuruga, made him think that there was something very wrong in the picture,
Kyoko's scowl turned into confusion when Shou suddenly flashed his twisted smile at her out of the blue. This guy is truly is insane. She thought to herself. But his crazy smile was scary that when he took a step towards her, she took a step back, repeatedly until he had her against the steel wall.
"Are you stupid? There're cctv's in an elevator! Do you want a scandal?" Kyoko pushed on his chest but he didn't budge.
"I'm a rockstar, it's good for my reputation. On the other hand—" ill-humor filled his eyes, "
"Ugh! Why won't you leave me alone?!" she said exasperatedly, "
"Okay, let's wager on that, at our next fan-meeting event, whoever gets the longest line wins."
"Wins what?"
"If you win, I won't bother you anymore, the previous bet is off which means even if you become a washed out actress I wouldn't even blink,"
"And our relationship onset will be perfectly professional." Kyoko said.
"Sure, but if I win," he flashed a shady smile, "You'll become my slave for a month."
Kyoko just stared at him like he grew another head, "I'm not in the position to say this to you Shou Fuwa, but you are stupid." She said in dead calm, "That's ridiculous! That doesn't even make sense!"
"Do you think I'm like you?" he leaned his forearm above Kyoko's head and shorted their gap, "Think of it as another 'Love me section' assignment."
"Heh," Kyoko cracked a smile, "Do you think the president would still let me do assignments while doing this project?"
"Well, I still see you wear that pink overalls from time to time."
"That's different!"
"Hmm. Well then, do you think the President Takarada would want his two actors making out off set? I think you have a company policy against, let me see.. LME talents dating each other?" He was going for the kill now.
The horrified expression on Kyoko's face surprised Shou, it got him more annoyed and irate, she was so simple-minded and transparent that it was so easy for a cunning person like him to read her. He wouldn't have believed her more if she'd voiced out she was dating the actor.
But at least that prodding got him the right answer, she straightened up and gave her answer in a confident voice, "Fine. I don't even care if you're number one in the music industry. I'm a famous actress too." She said sharply, "I've had several primetime shows and commercials, people love me." Shou stood straight, a smug air around him while he reached out his hand to seal the deal with a handshake.
"This should be fun. Just like old times." he said, his blue eyes a pool of humor and something else that reminded Kyoko of the phrase 'wolf in sheep's clothing.'
-oo-
She sighed, she was an idiot for getting riled up and sinking to that level. She was drowning in that flashback of misery when suddenly her baggage felt lighter and she was snapped back to the present with Tsuruga Ren beside her, taking her luggage completely from her.
"Ah. Tsuruga-san." She didn't know how to act, one moment she was a hollow block of hate and the next she was a pudding of nerves, "A- arigato." She bowed out of habit and they stopped on the island pathway, halfway to the parking lot,
He handed her a small box with a very familiar engraving in front that her head automatically snapped up to him and then back to the box,
"It's a little something. I thought you deserve a gift for the successful airing of your very own series." He said with his usual nice-guy smile.
"I…" but before she could finish the sentence she had unconsciously opened the box and inside it was a beautiful teardrop-shaped diamond pendant, with a gradient pink hue encased in a platinum frame, and that's when she realized what it was, "Princess Rosa.." she whispered, still marveling at the beauty.
Wondering how a pure diamond could have that gradient pink color, her eyes scanned the bottom of the teardrop-shaped pendant and found the source of the pink glow, a beautifully crafted round ruby was positioned at the base of the diamond, surrounded by the platinum making the whole design more beautiful and ingenius.
The framing was pure platinum with smaller diamonds around it, and the necklace was also made of platinum so it was light and elegant, with the pendant weighing it down.
"I… it's beautiful Tsuruga-san. I…" I want it! I love it! "I can't accept it!"
"Don't over think it Mogami, it's a small gift."
Small? Small? Don't lie to me! You don't do small! I know this company! They're a high-end billion-dollar corporation dealing with collector's item-jewelries and… princess-rosa-design does not exist anywhere, I checked online and having it custom made costs… my head and a foot! And you Tsuruga-san NEVER settle for an establishment's 'smallest' product!
"I… Thank you. It's really beautiful,"
"Well, it's one of a kind and you're the only one who has it."
Bingo. You rich generous bastard. Kyoko happily thought to herself. Tsuruga got the necklace from her and casually turned her around, her back was to him, so he could put it around her neck.
"Wow." She said, still hypnotized by the sparkling stone now on her chest, "It's so beautiful Tsuruga-san." She said dreamily.
"Well, you placed a huge responsibility on my shoulders. I'm the only person who knows about your Princess Rosa, basically, I'm the only one who can gift you with that."
"I'll wear it on special occasions!"
Tsuruga smiled gently, "It's designed so that you can wear it always" he started walking, pulling Kyoko's luggage behind him.
Kyoko smiled and they walked together toward the private jet to Sapporo. She felt that with Princess Rosa, luck's going to be on her side.
Thank you for supporting the story!
Disclaimer: Skip Beat is originally a manga. I do not own it in anyway and this is merely a fan fiction. Albeit, passionately written =) Til' next chapter!
***Happy Valentines Day!