Chapter 60: Proper Lunch

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, Lory would direct his café to celebrate all special occasions.

After leaving his daughter, Tadashi made his way up to the president's office. He didn't have an appointment with him per se but figured he might as well follow up and exchange information. Tadashi was greeted at the door by a police officer that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

Ehhhhhh! Did something happen to the President?

"Morimoto-san, how can I help you?" the police officer addressed him.

"Ruto-san, is that you? Why are you dressed like that?"

"This is today's theme, Morimoto-san," was all the explanation Tadashi needed.

Upon closer inspection of Ruto's uniform, the insignia was of bright pink lettering and read LME Police Agency.

"I would like to see, Takarada-san, is he available?" Tadashi asked Lory's assistant.

"One moment. He was currently playing his latest otome game. He should have been slapped by now."

Tadashi waited but a few seconds before Ruto opened the door and allowed him to enter.

"Morimoto-san, please come in and join me for lunch," the president announced clad in his LME version of a Commissioner General's uniform.

"Thank you for the offer, Takarada-san. I will be happy to join you," Tadashi replied and took a seat at the small table. There was quite a lot of food on the table for one person. Tadashi glanced at the door across the cavernous office. Is he expecting someone?

"I'm not intruding on something, am I, Takarada-san? I apologize for coming without warning."

"No, I had a hunch that you were on your way here and had my chefs prepare, so please dig in."

He probably has surveillance on the place and was instantly aware of my approach.

Regardless of the reasons, Tadashi was relieved. This worked out perfectly since he wasn't one to skip meals.

"I assume you're here to discuss what you have discovered about the person behind the alias 'Queen B.'"

"Yes, my informant has confirmed that Morizumi Kimiko is 'Queen B.' So far, all she has done is try to ruin Kyoko-chan's reputation with her tips which backfired on her. Her family is very powerful in the celebrity world so I know it would do no good to anger them prematurely. I have a guy tailing her in case she slips up."

"Hmm," Lory hummed. "I see, so you're also worried that she may take action after the article failed to achieve what she expected. Have you made any headway on the cast and crew list of The Sacred Lotus?"

"My guy is still working on that. He's good at what he does, so if there's anything he'll find it. I'm hoping to hear from him soon. I did meet with Mogami-san this morning and handed her the evidence we have so far. She agreed to put together a case for Kyoko-chan. I think even if Morizumi-san doesn't slip up we would need to press charges against her."

"Yes, I have the same feeling. Mogami-kun would never feel safe, and we won't be able to stop worrying as long as that girl is running loose."

Kyoko bowed in greeting to her mother and Susumu. Ren stood and held the chair out for her. He wanted to kiss her, but he didn't think that was wise. Sitting here uncomfortably for the past five minutes while waiting for Kyoko, Ren concluded that Mogami Saena was the final boss of his RPG. He did not doubt that he would encounter her in the future until he finally saved the princess. He hoped he was ready for round one.

He hid his feelings behind the mask of Tsuruga Ren completely. This was the woman that had hurt his beloved, time and time again before she was born. The same woman that tried desperately to abort the baby growing in her womb and when that failed tried to kill herself. Only a few months ago, this woman had denied her daughter's very existence on national TV. Now that he knew her story, he could no longer hate the woman. It was through her harsh treatment that he met Kyoko that fateful day by the river in Kyoto.

Kyoko smiled and took the seat Ren offered. She couldn't get a good read on her mother. Was she angry? Was she disappointed? She couldn't tell from the stoic expression her mother always wore.

The waiter in his butler attire stopped at their table and set down a glass of ice water for Kyoko.

"Good afternoon, have we made any decisions yet?"

"Could we get a few more minutes with the menu," Susumu responded.

"Of course, sir." The waiter left them to continue perusing their menus.

Kyoko tried not to gape at the casual interaction between her mother and her colleague. Her mother's features had softened some as she observed her talking to Susumu. Is this my imagination? She ducked her face behind her menu when her mother's gaze flicked up to her. Ren also ducked behind the menu with her.

"So what are you having?" he whispered and kissed her on the cheek behind the cover of the menu. Kyoko's face instantly flamed up, making Ren chuckle. It was fun teasing her.

Ahem! A throat cleared, making the young couple sit up straighter.

Kyoko peeked over the menu to find her mother staring at them sternly with knitted brows. Her mother probably thought she was frivolous and boy-crazy without a single serious bone in her body.

"Are you two ready to order?" she asked, cooly. Kyoko nodded. Saena signaled their waiter over. Kyoko ordered for Ren since she was sure he had not put any thought into what he wanted to eat.

They sat in silence for a few moments until Kyoko couldn't take the tension anymore. She decided to speak first and get her worries out of the way.

"Mother, I'm so sorry about the article. It was never my intention for that information to get out in the media or cause you any trouble."

"There's no reason to be sorry. I heard you tried your best to control what was printed. I still think you should go back to Kyoto bu-"

"What?" Kyoko and Ren gasped in unison.

"Surely, you can't think tha –, " Ren began until Saena's glare silenced him, making him gulp. His mother-in-law was even more formidable than his father-in-law. Will I be able to pass this round?

"As I was saying, my initial thought was sending you back to Kyoto. Your father has told me that would be the wrong move on my part. Tell me, Kyoko, with all this press, are you prepared to continue down this path?"

Kyoko nodded vigorously.

"Even though you know that there is a potential target on your back?"

Kyoko gaped at her mother in surprise. How did she know?

"Morimoto-san has told me everything that had occurred between you and that other actress."

"Father told you?" Kyoko asked cautiously. Tadashi didn't tell her anything about their meeting.

Saena's eyebrow twitched at her calling him father so intimately. She picked up her teacup with her left hand and took a sip to cover her irritation.

Kyoko's eyes bulged at the size of the diamond glittering on her mother's finger. That's a wedding ring, right? Left hand, ring finger, it had to be. Experience told her it was best not to say anything until her mother mentioned it, but it was so beautiful and sparkly she wanted to see it up close. Gone was her apprehension she felt toward her mother while a dreamy-like countenance took its place.

Saena watched her daughter's eyes home in on her engagement ring. She had forgotten about it. It was one of the things she meant to tell her when they finally met. "Ah," a tiny gasp escaped from Saena's lips as a faint blush dusted her cheeks.

"That's a beautiful ring, Mogami-san. If it's not too presumptuous of me, is it safe to assume that you are the lucky groom, Todoh-san?"

Susumu had been quietly observing the pair for personal reasons. Is this young couple leading a dangerous double life as the Heel siblings? He was looking for any hints in their mannerism. A gut feeling told him that these two were none other than Cain and Setsuka Heel. He just didn't have an answer to the question, why? Perhaps the clue to the mystery lied in the movie he had yet to watch.

Susumu chuckled lightly and clasped Saena's hand in his. She tried to pull her hand out of his grasp, but he held firm. "Dear, I feel your burning love scorching the side of my head. Please stop scaring the children."

Kyoko gaped in horror. How could he joke so easily like that with her mother?

It took all of Ren's acting skills to suppress his laughter. His anger and anxiety he held towards the woman petered out. He knew something in her had changed. Probably sharing her story with Kyoko and talking with Tadashi properly had provided her with closure. She could open her heart and look towards the future.

"Well then, we offer our congratulations to you both. We wish you many years of marital bliss," Ren toasted using his glass of water.

"I'll drink to do that," Susumu cheered, tapping Ren's glass. The ladies followed awkwardly and clinked their glasses.

The waiter had overheard their toast as he brought their meal out and offered his congratulations as well. Saena was beet red by this time, a look that Kyoko had never seen on her mother before.

While eating their meal, Susumu made small talk with Ren and Kyoko. The topic being, of course, Tragic Marker. Unfortunately for him, Kyoko and Ren were not familiar with the production nor had they watched the film. There was little they could add to the conversation.

Kyoko ate slowly, anxiously studying the scene before her. This was indeed a strange luncheon with her mother. She had expected Saena to reprimand her about the article, about Ren, but so far they ate and conversed like a normal, dare she thought, family. Although Susumu and Ren were doing all the talking, it didn't matter. This was a first for her and her mother.

As the meal winded down, Saena spoke, "I had a purpose aside from the article for meeting you both today."

There it is. Kyoko knew it was going far too well.

Saena focused on Ren and lowered her voice, "Just who are you, Tsuruga-san? There is no record of you in the system before six years ago. What are your intentions towards Kyoko? The fact that you claim to have met her as a child is a bit suspicious."

The warm picturesque atmosphere of a moment ago was dashed away.

"Mother, Ren is – "

"I'm talking to, Tsuruga-san," Saena chided, making Kyoko feel like she was five years old again. "I'm sure he is more than capable of speaking for himself."

Here it is. Round one with the final boss has commenced. He wasn't sure how to answer her question. Kyoko was still a minor. Would she forbid their relationship if he screwed up? He decided to take the same approach he did with Tadashi and tell her the truth as much as possible.

"I assure you, Mogami-san, my intentions towards Kyoko are pure. I love her with all my heart and I can't imagine my life without her."

He lowered his voice unsure of who might be eavesdropping on their conversation. "Tsuruga Ren is my stage name so there won't be anything in my file before I started acting available to the public. Due to some personal circumstances with my family, I'm not at liberty to share that with you right now. Kyoko and the President of LME are the only ones that know my real name. In fact, Kyoko has met my father already."

"Is this true Kyoko?"

"Yes, I'm aware of his family and history. Ren has been nothing but honest with me," Kyoko assured her.

Ren winced internally. He regretted not being honest with her sooner. It probably would have saved them a lot of heartache. He smiled down at her and covered her hand with his.

"Fine, what about where you're living? Is it safe for you?"

Kyoko was relieved that her mother seemed to have readily accepted his excuse and moved on.

"Ah yes, after the incident," Kyoko thought it wise not to specify which incident caused her to move, she didn't want her mother thinking negatively of her father any more than she already did. "It was decided that I move into a more secure place."

I said that smoothly right. She doesn't suspect anything. If she knew I was living with Ren she would probably follow through and send me back. Inner Kyoko was sweating bullets. Before her mother could continue her line of questioning, they were interrupted by a commotion near the kitchen.

Ren and Kyoko turned in their seats when they heard clapping and singing. The wait staff appeared to be approaching their table with a little cart holding a cake lit up with sparklers. Congratulations were written in chocolate sauce on the tray. Saena sat frozen, mortified by the unwanted attention she was receiving. The young couple could only assume that this was standard protocol for the café based on Lory's preferences.

The whole café clapped for the couple and some yelled well wishes to Ren and Kyoko. It was Kyoko and Ren's turn to be embarrassed. Ren tried to correct them. "It's not for us but thank you for the sentiments." He had no doubt this new rumor would spread like wildfire. Several people had already captured the spectacle on their phones and were probably posting it on social media.

The manager had explained that their waiter had notified him of their happy news. It was café policy to celebrate all special occasions. Saena's pending marriage was no exception.

After dessert, Ren and Kyoko parted ways with her mother and Susumu. She was grateful for the interruption since her mother couldn't have gotten out of there fast enough.

"Ren, Kyoko-chan," Yashiro waved as he stepped off the elevator with Tadashi. "Looks like our timing was pretty good."

"Did you both manage to have a proper lunch?" Kyoko clucked like a mother hen.

Both men answered her dutifully with a "yes."

"How was the talk with, Mogami-san? She wasn't too angry was she?" Yashiro asked.

"No, the whole thing was very surreal. I guess she changed." Kyoko felt the seed of hope sprout. Perhaps her mother's heart was thawing toward her.

"Well, that's good, right? It sounds like she's moving on from her past and embracing the future," Ren tried to assure her. He could sympathize with her because of his past trauma.

Reading the awkward atmosphere, Yashiro changed the topic.

"I gave Tadashi the rest of your schedule. You have a department store CM in forty-five minutes. Then you have a half-hour scheduled with Chiori at the ice cream parlor, afterwards, you're due back on The Sacred Lotus to film an added dusk scene. TBM is your last stop tonight. You'll probably be done before Ren. He has a lot of work to make up."

"Then I'll see you at home," she whispered to Ren.

Tiny little butterflies fluttered around his heart. He was truly the luckiest man in the world to come home to the most beautiful woman every night. Ren brushed his knuckles against her cheek causing her to blush. They gazed into each other's eyes - amber on brown. Nothing else existed at this moment, but them. He took a step closer to her, his head leaning down to ready to seize her lips.

"Ahem!" Yashiro cleared his throat noisily and pocketed his phone. His charges jumped apart immediately. They both forgot they weren't alone; in fact, they had a very large audience in the LME lobby. And just beyond the glass doors lied the predators, waiting to catch their latest scoop on the couple.

"I'll see you at home," Ren whispered, then kissed the top of her head before they went their separate ways.

"Kimi dear, how are your studies going?" Her father asked treading softly, while they ate their lunch. Kimiko managed to hold a convincing discussion with her father about her criminal justice classes.

"By the way, Tou-san, what are you doing home?" Kimiko asked her father with an air of curiosity. He normally conducted business during his lunch hour, so it was strange to have him home.

"Is it a crime to want to have a meal with my favorite ladies?" He asked in reply. Kimiko wasn't buying it. He often used this time to meet up with sponsors or his production team.

"Did Kaa-san call you?" Kimiko inquired, glancing at her mother. "This morning was an accident! I just lost my grip when I was picking up my phone," she explained anxiously.

"What are you talking about? What happened this morning?" her father asked.

Kimiko gasped at her slip up. Did Kaa-san not call him? She might have just given herself away and needed to salvage the situation.

"I'm sorry, Tou-san. I just thought you would be angry with me for breaking the picture in my room. It was an accident," Kimiko implored in her sweetest voice and stare at him with doe-eyed innocence.

After she lost the Momiji part, Kimiko's sweet persona had taken a huge hit. She took her anger out on her Uncle Jouji which she had never done before. She had pestered her father for days about blacklisting Kyoko and Erika from showbiz. The only reason she could give him for doing so was that she had unfairly lost the Momiji part. She couldn't tell him the truth of her crimes, so she tried whining to break him down. Usually, her father would give in to her demands, but this time he denied her request with a firm no. She didn't know her father called Jouji and asked why she failed to get the role. He had to admit that his daughter was average in acting and didn't stand out. They had always given in to her demands when it came to a role, so he was surprised when she told him she didn't get the part. When Jouji informed him that Yuki Kuresaki went against all his principles and accepted a 'talent' for the part, he knew she had to be exceptional. There was no changing their minds to choose his daughter.

"Kimi, if you say it was an accident then it was an accident. Material things are easily replaceable, you are not... You would tell us if anything is wrong, right?"

Kimiko smiled and nodded in reply to her father. When he smiled back, she knew she was in the clear.

"Don't you have any big productions going on? It's so rare having you home, Tou-san." Kimiko asked smoothly, focusing the discussion on him.

Her father sighed heavily. "I've been trying to weasel the agency name of Cain Heel from Director Konoe, but that man is being extremely tight-lipped. He told me to wait a few days for an answer. But what is the difference of a few days?"

"Cain Heel? The Tragic Marker actor? What do you want with him?" Kimiko asked failing to hide the surprise in her voice.

"Oh, you've heard of him. I want him to play an ex-Yakuza boss turn ruthless multi-millionaire tycoon. I saw bits and pieces of Tragic Marker, and although he didn't speak any lines his performance was superb. When I finally heard his voice during the interview I knew he was my leading man."

"Are you sure you want that kind of guy associated with your name? He seems like a nightmare to work with, and he has that weird sister that hangs on to him like they're a couple."

"The eccentric ones are usually worth the hassle. If his performance is as amazing as the critics' rave, I can endure that kind of a diva." He had seen his fair share of celebrities with snobby personalities without a lick of talent to back up their attitudes. At least Cain Heel appeared to have the necessary skills.

"He's violent, rude, and his sister is just as notorious. Everyone keeps talking about them on the internet. Has Japan gone mad? Are we so bored by our native celebrities that foreigners are taking over the limelight? People online have been talking about them non-stop. They're even speculating that the sister is Kyoko-san in disguise. "

Her father perked up. "THE Kyoko-san, the one Yuki cast for Momiji?"

Pure malice flooded Kimiko's entire body as she realized the look on her father's face. It was the expression he wore when he discovered a person with great potential. She had never seen that look directed at her once. He didn't even know Kyoko or her abilities and yet here he sat with that stupid look on his face. This was her home, her retreat, why must that girl invade it.

"So even you, who had broken your father's heart by saying you are no longer interested in acting seem to know a lot about them. I thought you had cast out all interest in show-biz, yet I hear you're visiting Jouji's set often. Care to enlighten me on why you always turn up over there?"

Crap! She got a little carried away at the mention of that disgusting couple. She didn't need to lose her shit right now before she could achieve her goal. The question he asked was an easy one. She didn't even have to act to answer it properly. Her face flushed red and her eyes took on a dreamy look.

"I'm visiting the man I love," she confessed.

I did it. I just infiltrated enemy territory. I told myself I wouldn't stoop so low and yet here I am, Yashiro thought, as he entered the fan site for one Fuwa Sho.

VengefulAngelFan has joined the chat

AN: XD Thank you all for continuing to read. I was hoping to finish out the day in this one chapter but I got carried away as usual and had to break it up.

Thank you to all my reviewers, I truly appreciate your feedback.

Until next time, ja ne! ^_^