Chapter 41

The next two weeks flew by. I was finally rid of that stupid cast, and life with Seiya was slowly settling into a routine. Nevertheless, he always made an effort to bring a smile to my face with small gestures. During the past week, he had been on a little tour again, so Minako had frequently spent the evenings with me.

I hadn't seen Mamoru since the farewell party. I wanted to create some distance between us so that my feelings could calm down. However, I knew from Motoki that he was doing a bit better and had returned to work since last week.

It had been over three weeks since I last had contact with Diamond. Since the Philippines, there hadn't been a single sign of life from him, and Haruka always said the same thing: If I wanted to know how he was doing, I should call him. I had dialed his number several times, but I couldn't bring myself to make the call. It was probably better to leave it at that.

I wondered if I would really see him at the gala tonight. Just the thought of it made me feel strange again. "Sweetheart? Are you almost ready? The gala is about to start!" Seiya suddenly shouted through the closed bathroom door.

"No, I'm almost done. Can you come in for a moment and help me with the dress?"

He didn't need to be told twice, and soon he was standing behind me in his black suit with a white shirt and a red tie that matched my dress. As he pulled up the zipper, I felt his warm lips slowly trailing along my neck, eliciting a giggle from me.

"Seiya, that tickles. Besides, you said we need to go."

He pouted playfully, then took my hand and twirled me around before embracing me. "Alright, but remember where we left off. We'll continue that later."

However, the moment was abruptly interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.

"That must be Taiki," Seiya said, rushing to the intercom.

"Why Taiki?"

"He's driving us. He had a meeting in that area anyway and offered to take us there. We'll take a taxi back so we'll have more flexibility," he shouted as he opened the door to his brother.

A short while later, we joined the long line forming outside the entrance of the gala. I noticed Hotaru standing a bit further back, waving excitedly at me when she spotted me. However, her wide grin wasn't directed at me, and I knew that. She was thrilled to finally meet Seiya in person. And it seemed like Seiya had been following my gaze.

"Do you know that girl over there?" he asked, amused.

"Yes, that's Hotaru. My intern... I've told you about her before... the big Three Lights fan."

His grin widened. "Oh yeah, I remember."

"Watch out, diva alert," I whispered into his ear, laughing, and he lightly tickled my side.

"Seiya, not here," I warned him.

Seiya was a pro through and through. As soon as he noticed a camera pointing at us, he pulled me closer to him and put on his brightest smile. I would probably never get used to it, but with him by my side, I felt strong and secure.

As we entered the Winter Gala, we were greeted by a breathtaking atmosphere. The venue was transformed into a dreamy winter wonderland. Sparkling lights resembling ice crystals adorned the walls and ceilings. The floor was covered in a glossy, white shimmering surface reminiscent of freshly fallen snow.

The hall was exquisitely decorated. The tables with their elegant white tablecloths were adorned with crystal vases filled with red and white roses and evergreen branches. Candles flickered gently, casting a warm glow.

People dressed in fancy evening gowns and suits were everywhere. Then I let my gaze sweep through the crowd and suddenly fixated on a particular person. Even though she had her back turned to us, I would recognize her anywhere. Her red hair was simply too noticeable, Kaori. A sudden skip of my heart made me panically look around, but neither Kunzite nor Diamond were in sight. Restlessness grew within me as Hotaru trilled loudly in my ear.

"Oh, hello Usagi!" she exclaimed cheerfully, and I flinched.

"Hotaru, do you have to startle me like that?" I replied slightly more irritated than intended.

Slightly affected, she murmured softly, "I'm sorry," and cast a shy glance at Seiya.

"It's alright, Hotaru. Can I introduce you to Seiya? My boyfriend," I said, still holding his hand, giving him an affectionate smile.

"Seiya, this is my intern, Hotaru," I introduced them to each other.

He shook her hand and started a conversation that I couldn't follow because Kaori had turned around and was heading straight towards us. Within seconds, she was in front of us, hugging me and giving me kisses on both cheeks. Her gaze rested on my fingers entwined with Seiya's, and I could see the surprise on her face. I knew I had to react, and quickly!

"Seiya, Hotaru, would you please excuse me for a moment? I need to talk to Kaori urgently. I'll be right back with you," I gently pushed Kaori aside.

"Are you here alone?" I cautiously tried to start the conversation.

"Yes, for now. They still have an appointment. They want to meet me here later... but who is the man with you?" she straightforwardly asked.

My stomach grumbled a bit. So Diamond still hadn't told her. Great. Apparently, she didn't read gossip magazines either, or she would have known about me and Seiya already.

"This is Seiya, my boyfriend."

This statement caused Kaori to furrow her brow. "I thought you and the Prince of the Underworld..."

I had to suppress a smile. Her nicknames for Diamond were always fitting and delightfully amusing. I wondered if he knew how she referred to him. I had to try to remain serious.

"Um... well... It was always a bit complicated with him... You know how he is, and the whole thing with Sapphire didn't make it any easier..." I looked shyly at her.

Understandingly, she placed a hand on my shoulder. "But you know that you mean everything to him, right?"

There it was again, that knot in my stomach. Diamond had never indicated anything in that direction. Never! He always just said that we fit well together and that the sex was exceptional. I shifted my gaze to Seiya, how carefree he stood there, still engaged in a discussion with Hotaru.

"But he means everything to me too," I whispered.

"Does he know about your boyfriend?"

I nodded briefly in response. Kaori suddenly reached for two champagne glasses from one of the passing waiters and handed me one. Almost on autopilot, we toasted while the sparkling liquid lay bitterly on my tongue. I would probably never understand what some found so fascinating about champagne. In that moment, I felt a gentle arm around my waist and knew, without turning around, that it was Seiya's familiar hand seeking my proximity.

Kaori seemed to have no heightened interest in engaging in a conversation with Seiya, as she bid me farewell soon after he joined us.

"We'll see each other later, Usagi," she said, and with those words, she disappeared into the crowd.

I took Seiya's hand and led him around a bit. Occasionally, we stopped to engage in shallow conversations with some of my clients, or he gently pulled me closer so that the photographers could capture us better. There was a calm and relaxed atmosphere in the air. Hotaru joined us from time to time, enjoying the opportunity to be so close to my star. Sato also passed by us several times, but he only greeted us briefly.

It was almost too good to be true, at least for a moment. When the band started playing, Seiya took me directly to the dance floor without hesitation. Until now, I had always thought that I couldn't dance, but he led me like a princess across the ballroom. I felt like I was floating and couldn't take my eyes off him. Our faces were beaming with happiness as we danced through several songs. After the last song, he lifted my leg, and for a moment, fear ran through me that I might fall to the ground. But it turned out that it was intentional on his part because he immediately caught me in his arms. With a cheeky wink, he laughed at me. "Did you really think I would let you fall?"

"To be honest? For a brief moment, yes." "I would never let you fall, remember that," he whispered in my ear and gave me a tender kiss. It was time for a break. Seiya only wanted to get us some drinks, and I stood alone at the edge of the dance floor, watching the couples still twirling.

Suddenly, I had the strange feeling of being watched. So, I let my gaze wander through the crowd again. Up on the first floor, right by the glass railing, he was standing, looking down at me—Diamond. His dark eyes fixed on me. He didn't move, almost seemed frozen. Around him, there was a small group of people. I could clearly recognize Kaori and Kunzite, but they didn't seem to notice me.

We maintained eye contact for a while as my emotions went on a rollercoaster ride. It wasn't until he took out his phone and turned away to make a call that I could refocus my attention on Seiya. I expected Diamond to join us at any moment, but nothing of the sort happened in the following hours. I noticed over and over again where he stood and how he watched me like a hawk, but he said nothing and kept his distance.

It wasn't until I was about to walk back down the long, narrow corridor after using the restroom that he took the opportunity. He firmly grasped my wrist and wordlessly pulled me along behind him.

He had led me to a quiet corner, away from the crowd, and my heart raced in my throat. He stepped closer to me, I felt the wall against my back, and his breath on my skin, inevitably giving me goosebumps. The little junkie inside me came back to life, peering cautiously from within.

"Grab your singer and go home immediately, now, Usagi. Massaru is waiting outside," his firm voice sounded, allowing no room for arguments.

"Why? Just because you're here? Don't you think that..." I started, but he didn't let me finish.

"Usagi, please stop debating everything. When will you finally learn to do as you're told? Go home. Now!" he thundered on.

I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off here. I grabbed his wrist as he was about to flee again.

"Diamond? What's going on here? I want to know the truth."

He let out a heavy sigh and ran his hand through his hair. "Sapphire is in Tokyo. Haruka saw him just a few streets away from here, but he eluded her. We don't know where he is right now. You know how dangerous he can be. Go home now, Usagi, and stay in the apartment until Haruka contacts you."

Panic overcame me. He was here again. I still stared at Diamond, disbelief evident in my wide eyes. He ran his finger along my cheek, briefly lingering at my chin before pushing it up so that I looked directly into his eyes. There was clearly fear in them, the same fear he had back in Osaka.

"Do you need help, my dear?" Seiya's voice suddenly sounded behind Diamond. He took a small step aside, still looking at me and ignoring Seiya. However, Seiya gave Diamond a warning look. I pushed past Diamond and sought refuge in Seiya's protective arms.

"Can we please go home? I'm not feeling well." Diamond didn't say goodbye. When I turned around, he had disappeared once again. Concerned, Seiya tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Does this have something to do with him?" "No, I really don't feel well. I think I need to lie down." It wasn't entirely a lie, as everything inside me had tensed up since I found out that Sapphire was here.

Seiya was about to take out his phone to call a taxi for us when a strange feeling stirred in my stomach. I didn't want to get into a vehicle if Sapphire was nearby, neither to Massaru nor a taxi. If there were to be another accident, I wouldn't come out of it as unscathed as last time, I was sure of that. "Seiya, don't we want to walk instead? The fresh air will surely do me good. It's not that far, we could go through the park, it'll only take us half an hour," I pleaded with him. Seiya still didn't know about the threat from Sapphire, and I decided it should stay that way.

"You voluntarily want to walk home in this cold and in those shoes?" "Yes, I can manage. Or does it bother you?" It was damn difficult to put on a good face. Although Seiya was initially skeptical, he eventually agreed, fetched our jackets, and hand in hand, we left the gala. "Who was that guy earlier, and what did he want?" Seiya asked after a few minutes.

Great, Diamond had once again managed to create a spectacular scene that put me in a difficult position. I sighed in annoyance.

"Oh, that was nobody. Just a former client, don't mind him. That's just how he is. I'm used to it." "But he's really peculiar. I didn't like how he cornered you like that." "Are you jealous, by any chance?" "Do I have a reason to be?" We had just reached the park, and I paused for a moment to wrap my arms around Seiya and kiss him passionately. "Of course not. You know I love you." In that moment, delicate white snowflakes began to dance around us, intensifying the romantic atmosphere. Seiya lovingly brushed a stray strand of hair from my face and gazed deeply into my eyes, his love palpable.

But suddenly, everything took a drastic turn.

Two unfamiliar arms wrapped around me, violently pulling me away from Seiya. I felt myself falling, and then the hard pavement met me. My palms burned with pain, and my leg hurt. Someone had thrown themselves protectively over me, but why? In that moment, a deafening bang pierced the air.

With hesitant movements, I opened my eyes that I had reflexively closed. I was lying in Haruka's strong arms, her body shielding me. Confusion and fear flooded my mind. What was that loud noise? Was it a gunshot? Was Haruka still breathing? Where was Seiya? And what the hell was happening here? Overwhelming panic gripped me as I tried to gather my thoughts and grasp reality.

I'm glad you're enjoying the story. :-)

I'll be on vacation for a week, and then we'll continue. I look forward to reading your comments during that time. ;-)