Chapter 28: Bitter

Kikyo

I sat at my desk in my office. I was starting to get pissed off. No, I was far beyond pissed off. I was livid. I had to listen to Inuyasha complain about Sesshomaru and Kagome yet again. He went on and on about the party he had thrown her. To show her how much he had loved her. When I'd asked him why he'd approached her. He brushed it off as nothing, but I knew better than that. He wanted her back. Not because he loved her. The fool wasn't capable of such a thing. He just wanted to be back in her good graces and keep her. That stupid girl has gotten everything that I have wanted. Everything that I have ever deserved. The money, the status, the power. it should all be mine. Kagome wouldn't even know what to do with power like that. I was better at everything. Yet, for some reason life was still better for her. Getting dropped off at an orphanage was the best thing to ever happen to her. She started with nothing but latched herself onto the Taisho family. She wanted for nothing. They were the family she never had and they gave her everything she ever wanted. It made me bitter and left a nasty taste in my mouth. What was it she had that I did not? I struggled just as much as she did. In college, I made sure to get better grades. I came from an actual family; even though they were not the best. Or that well off financially, but look where I am now. I had fought hard; tooth and nail to get where I am; doing whatever it takes. Still, she found herself above me. Did they pity her more than me? Is that why they kept her around? Even my fiance still wanted her. I only went for Inuyasha because I knew I could not get the older brother. Had I known Inuyasha would have behaved like this I would not have wasted my time with him. I had gone to the same college as Inuyasha to ensure he'd fall for me. I'd be dammed if I let my hard work go to waste. I couldn't let her win. I had to do something. I wouldn't let her beat me even if that meant starting over. There was a knock at my door.

"Come in," I called out.

"Hello, ma'am. The secretary had her hands full, and couldn't drop these documents off to you. So, she asked me to do it."

Yes, I remember him, Kouga Ookami. I had done my research on him. Just as I did anyone who had gotten close to Kagome. Kouga came from money, and his family had some influence. It wasn't as much as the Taisho's but they ran in the right circles, but he wasn't flashy about it. I couldn't be too picky. This could be my ticket to start over. It was time to put my best foot forward.

I gave him a sad smile. "Thank you, Koga."

First name basis will help him feel more comfortable.

He handed me the papers. "Are you okay ma'am?"

"I could be better. Thank you for asking, and please call me Kikyo."

He shoved his hands into his pockets. "Do you want to talk about it? I have some time. I was just about to go on lunch."

He genuinely seemed to care about my feelings. This was going to be easier than I thought.

I tilted my head slightly to the side. "If you don't mind."

He pulled up a chair and sat in front of me.

"I wouldn't mind at all."

I put on my best pitiful girl performance. Better than the one I had sold to Inuyasha when we'd first met. I had painted Inuyasha as the villain of my story. I dropped little hints of a woman here and there. I wouldn't say her name. Not unless he took the bait and asked. It was forty minutes well spent.

"Wow, I can't believe it. He's been pining after some other woman since college. She works here now and he's still doing it." he recapped.

I nodded. "Sadly yes," I said slipping my hands under my desk.

I quickly pulled the ring off my finger, put it in my pocket, and placed my hands back on top of the desk.

"Are you still with him?" he asked.

"Yeah. I've already got one foot out of the door. This isn't the life I want. I can't be with someone who loves someone else. That's just pathetic. I'm just trying to find a way out. I do work at his brother's company after all. I don't know what will happen if I leave him without a plan."

He groaned. "I've met that brother of his. He's a real piece of work."

I sighed. "The younger brother is just as bad. I sure know how to pick them."

"I mean if you're looking for work. I have some connections. I'd be happy to help you out. All you'd have to do is ask."

I smiled. "Thank you. I really appreciate that."

Come on, take the bait Kouga.

"Can I ask you something Kikyo?"

"Of course you can."

"The woman you were talking about. Who is she? I mean look at you. You're beautiful, smart, and kind. Who could be better than that?"

I hesitated. I needed to make this believable.

"I don't know Kouga. I don't want to talk badly about anyone."

"C'mon, who am I going to tell? You can trust me."

"Well... her name is Kagome Higurashi."

I could see the shock on his face.

"That is not the name I was expecting you to say."

My shoulders sank. "I knew it. You don't believe me."

He grabbed my hand. "No, no that's not what I meant. It was just a surprise that's all."

Were all men this easy?

He pulled away and looked at his watch. "I'm sorry I have to go. We can talk more later. If you don't mind?" he said with a smile.

I smiled back. "I'd love that."

He waved and I watched him walk out of my office.

If only Inuyasha was easy to control like that.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.

"Hello dear."

"Hello, mother."

"Is everything alright? I rarely hear from you these days," she asked.

Yes, I try my hardest not to call. I want to put as much distance between me and this family as I possibly can.

"Yes, but before I get to that I need you to write this number down. you'll want to call it after I explain. xxx-xxx-xxxx."

"Alright, I've written it down. Now can you stop being vague, and explain what is going on?"

"I am getting to it. Have you been reading the papers lately?"

"No, not for a few days. Why?

I looked down at the one on my desk. I scowled at Sesshomaru and Kagome's engagement on the front cover.

"You might want to take a look at it," I told her.

"Is there something interesting in them?"

I sighed. Phone calls with her always dragged on. It is exactly why I kept them short.

"Yes mother, on the front cover."

"Kikyo you're being strange. Why would the front cover specifically interest me today of all days?"

"Because the daughter you gave up is on the front page," I said hanging up.

Let's see how you handle this Kagome.