Chapter 20: Secrets

I grabbed my phone and the manuscripts off my desk. I practically ran out of Sesshomaru's office. I could feel the tension and it was thick. I wanted no part of it. I found an empty on the floor below us and decided to hide there. I put my phone on silent. Sango Had been sending me a bunch of links to videos. The vibration was breaking my concentration. I put my phone aside and picked up the first manuscript. It was pretty short. I didn't realize until after I'd read it that there was a tab that said short story. I'd only been here a few days, but that was the first promising one I'd read so far. I spent the next few hours reading. It was like I was in a trance. I couldn't tear my eyes away from them. I'd push for these at the next meeting. I checked my phone. My eyes went wide. I had seven missed calls from Sango. I quickly called her back. I was worried that something had happened to her.

"Kagome!"

"Sango? What's wrong, are you alright?"

"Christ I should be asking you that."

"What do you mean? I've been at work this entire time. You know, working. You, have money and therefore can afford to lounge around lady."

"Well, you didn't answer my first few messages. So naturally I got scared, like any real best friend would; thank you very much. Like what if you had been kidnapped or something? Besides, I don't want to hear it. I have offered to fund you for the rest of your life. Remember? But for some reason, you want to work hard. Or whatever it is you said."

I smiled and rolled my eyes.

"Well as long as you're ok."

"Are you okay though? You sure don't sound like you are."

"No. Sango you're never going to believe this. We have three new employees here today. Kikyo, Kouga, and Inuyasha."

"Shit."

"Tell me about it. Had to deal with that, all before 10 A.M."

"They didn't say anything to you, did they? Who am I Kidding? Of course, they said something."

"Kouga tried, but not before Sesshomaru cut him off at the knees. He asked me to step out so he could speak to him privately. Obviously, I ran out of that room."

"What about those other two idiots?"

"Inuyasha is… still Inuyasha. He had the nerve to ask me to give him a chance. To see if we would work out. Not before giving me some piss poor apology at that."

She scoffed.

"Sigh. I miss the days when men went off to war and didn't come back."

"Kikyo showed up right after with a ring on her finger. I thought that would get her to leave me alone but for some reason. She's got it in her head that I want Inuyasha. I had to let her know I was done dealing with her b.s."

"She didn't know about you and Sesshomaru?"

I smiled. "Well, she does now."

Someone stepped into the room, cutting our conversation short.

"I'm sorry, Sango. I have to go. I'll talk to you later." I said hanging up.

"So, this is where you've been hiding."

I leaned back in my chair. "If you think I've been hiding. Then that means you've been looking for me."

He grinned. "You could say that."

"Is there something I can do for you Kouga?"

"Is it wrong for old friends to catch up?"

"You can hardly call us friends. We hung out one time in college."

"We could have had more moments like that if you didn't ice me out. After what I call a great night. I mean, if it's alright with you, we could make up for lost time."

I was not going down this road with him again. I already made that mistake once.

"What did Sesshomaru say to you?" I asked, ignoring his question.

"You call your boss by his first name?"

I folded my arms. "Don't ignore my question."

He smiled. "You ignored mine first."

"I know he said something to you about us. Sesshomaru isn't the kind of man to beat around the bush. Especially since he asked me to step out of the room like that, so, you can stop calling him my boss. We both know he's more than that."

"Neither am I. He staked his claim on you right to my face. He all but threatened me, well a promise is what it sounded like."

He sounded like he could care less about what Sesshomaru had said to him.

"Here's my thing. A wolf doesn't quit once it's set their eyes on something. Someone else being after you only makes the challenge that much sweeter. You're a prize and I aim to win."

"Why? You barely even know me."

He shrugged. "I know a good thing when I see one Kagome. I saw it then and I can see it now. You gave me a chance once."

"I'm spoken for," I told him.

"Well, you're not mated to him. Did he even ask you to be his girlfriend?"

I said nothing.

"Mhm. I thought so. I would have put a ring on your finger by now." he joked."

I wasn't going to let him get in my head. What was wrong with the men here today?

"I'm not interested Kouga."

He stood up and smiled at me. "At least not right now you're not, but you will be." he said.

He smiled and then left.

I did not think it was possible to meet a man more full of himself than Inuyasha. What exactly did I see in him the first time?

I grabbed my things and headed back up to Sesshomaru's floor, where I had run into someone I was planning to.

"Oh, Kagome! Hello."

"Hello, Himari."

I sounded so off-putting, even though I did not mean to. What exactly did she do here and why was she always popping up unannounced?

She smiled sweetly; too sweet. The kind of smile you show someone when you've got something to hide. It reminded me of Kikyo, and that couldn't be a good thing.

"Is Sesshomaru around?" she asked.

"No. It seems Mr. Taisho has stepped out."

"Oh, what a shame. Sesshomaru is usually around this time."

Okay, that's it.

"I'm sorry if you don't mind me asking. How exactly do you know Sesshomaru.."

"Our families had been friends for a very long time you see. So we've known one another since we were children. I've been away overseas for the last few years."

Friends since they were kids? Then how come I'd never seen her around before?

"I see. I guess that's why you seem very comfortable and know your way around here."

She smiled. "Of course. He and I are to be married of course."

I thought I had heard her wrong. I must have.

"Married?"

"Oh? You didn't know? I guess the cat is out of the bag, but don't tell him I told you. It is not public knowledge yet."

"I see."

I placed the manuscripts on his desk and grabbed my purse. I could feel her eyes on me the entire time.

"If you'll excuse me. It's time for me to take my lunch."

Kagome, do not show it. Hide it and don't let her know she's getting to you. There had to be an explanation for this. Right?

I couldn't get out of the building fast enough. I ran to my car. I leaned the seat back as far as it would go. People would glance at me as they walked to their cars.

I needed to get some tints. I couldn't hide in this fishbowl.

I checked my phone. I had a message from Sesshomaru. He was asking where I was. I just stared at the message. I didn't know what to say. Suddenly my phone started ringing; it was Sesshomaru.

"Hello?"

"Are you alright? You are not in the office."

"I'm on lunch," I said plainly.

"Kagome, you do not sound alright ."

"Ms. Higurashi." I corrected him.

"Have I done something wrong?" I could hear the concern in his voice.

"Why don't you ask your fiancé," I said hanging up.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I hadn't even realized I had started crying until my tears hit the backs of my hand. It didn't matter how much I rubbed them away. They just kept coming. I felt so stupid. I had fallen for it again. It was never going to be me. There was always someone else. Someone better for them while they kept me on the back burner. Why was I never enough?

I just wanted this day to be over.