A/N: Thank you all for reviewing. It was really inspiring that you read my story and liked it even a little bit. I hope I can go through with it. Thank you.
I don't own Skip Beat! or any of its characters.
Chapter 6
Kanae walked back towards the sitting arrangements and found her sister looking for her. As the sisters found each other and sat themselves down, Kyoko told Kanae how she met the Yashiro heir. So, in return Kanae told her about the little encounter. Kyoko was shocked to hear that Yasu was behind all this. She has just had enough of these egoistic businessmen who didn't know what they are putting claims on! They are women, not property! Shotaro did the same thing with her and now Yasu did this with her sister. But she was also happy that Yukihito protected her Nee-chan. She decided to thank him properly later.
The auction started and after some lands on the list, they moved to the main attraction, the estate. Yukihito was in the lead but surprising everyone the Ryouji heir went head to head with him for the estate. This irritated Kuon and he was really outraged. Everyone here knew that they were here for the estate and none of them bothered Yuki's bidding. They couldn't even if they tried. The price they were willing to give was hard to go up against. But this brat was making things complicated. After exceeding the estimated amount they should've paid for the estate, Kuon became furious at Yasu. However, Yukihito didn't even bat an eyelash when he put in his final bidding which was impossible for anyone to compete against. Yasu who stopped after realizing that he won't be able to win this one cursed under his breath. But it wasn't his intention from the get go, he just wanted to create an inconvenience.
The property went to Yukihito and the crowd applauded. His dream came true. He got back his home.
When the Tsubasa property was introduced as a surprise addition, Kuon noticed Yasu straighten up. His businessman instinct told him that this is the property that idiot is after. He was determined to teach the brat a lesson not to ever go against them. The bidding started and Kuon doubled any amount Yasu was giving. Eventually, shocking everyone, the property was sold thirteen times more than its real price to one Kuon Hizuri.
Kyoko cursed her rotten luck when she saw who Kuon Hizuri was. It had to be the Demon Lord! It just had to! Forget about getting their property back, she was afraid to even go and request him to take care of it. She looked at her sister who had a sad expression matching her own. Kanae was holding Kyoko's hand all through the bidding and prayed that Yasu did not get his hands on their home. Her wish came true but they lost their house nevertheless.
After the auction was over, Kanae took Kyoko with her to talk to the brothers, who were being congratulated. Kyoko thanked Yukihito for saving her sister. As she turned reluctantly to talk to Kuon, only to find him gone, Yukihito said, "I'll talk to him about your land Tsubasa-san, I think he bought it on a whim. So, let's fix an appointment for tomorrow to discuss business?"
'That way maybe I can see her again and maybe again….' Yukihito thought seeing Kanae smile brightly and he felt his heart skip a beat.
The sisters, who couldn't believe how good natured and kind Yukihito was, thanked him again. Kanae decided to call her parents, so she went around looking for a less noisy place to make the call, telling Kyoko to head for the parking lot.
Meanwhile, Yasu was more than furious and wanted to smack that show-off Hizuri more than anything. He followed Kuon who was moving away from Yashiro talking on the phone. As soon as Yasu came closer to him he heard Kuon say,
"I don't care if you have to dig that model up from underground, you have to find her. The show starts within 1 hour and I want her there. If you screw this up, I swear I'll make sure you never even dream of finding a job again!"
He sounded very different from earlier when he was talking to the media! Like a totally different person. Yasu knew for a fact that the media was crazy about his looks and charm and couldn't stop giving him the spotlight. One of the reasons the company was doing so well was this man's freakish ability to attract attention. However, he never slipped once. There was no gossip about him regarding bad habits of scandals. He won awards for the best CEO this year and the most attractive businessman. He could rival the most famous actor in Japan easily. But what Yasu was seeing was totally different; there was no gentleman in front of him. He saw someone ready to taste blood any moment something goes wrong. This fashion show had been the talk of Kyoto for the past few weeks and Yasu knew if Kuon screwed this up then there would be a big setback even he cannot recover quickly. He smiled evilly as a plan formulated in his mind. Nobody insults him and gets away with it. He knew how to teach Kanae and Yukihito a lesson of their lifetime, by tormenting their precious siblings.
He brought out his phone and called his chauffeur. As soon as the man picked up he started giving instructions.
"You know the youngest Tsubasa daughter Kyoko, right?"
"Yes I believe I do Master"
"Look for her, do you see her? Where is she?"
"She is in the parking lot Sir. In front of their car"
"I want you to go tell her that her sister sent you. Tell her that she will meet her at the fashion show held in the ballroom of hotel Hyatt. That you are to take her there and she will come later. Once you get there, find the people in charge of the fashion show and tell them that you brought the model and leave Kyoko with them. By no means are you allowed to fail. Are we clear?"
"Yes master. Leave it to me"
"Tsubasa-sama?"
"Yes?" Kyoko asked the person who was wearing a suit and looked very professional.
"I'm here to take you to Hotel Hyatt as per the instructions of your sister."
"Mo-nee-chan sent you?" Kyoko asked the man with doubt in her voice. Her sister went to make a call. Something must've happened so she changed her course of action? But this man doesn't seem to be lying.
"We better get going Tsubasa-sama."
"Oh…. Okay." Kyoko said unsurely.
Kanae came to the parking lot but couldn't find her sister. She asked the security and they said they saw Kyoko getting in a car and leaving. She thought it would be best to go home and wait for her there. She couldn't let go of this anxiety she felt going home without Kyoko. But there was nothing to do. 'I just hope she returns home safe', she thought worriedly.
Kuon left with Yukihito after his phone call ended. They flew back to the hotel and got ready. On his way to the ballroom he met Yoshida-san, his secretary, who was supposed to find the model and make this thing a little easier for him and may be…. Just maybe save her job.
Yoshida looked horrified seeing him. After the numerous phone calls, she was terrified of him. Kuon smiled at her which confused her and sent her into a daze!
'God! He is gorgeous!' she thought, seeing him in front of her.
"I presume everything is under control if you have the time to stare at me like that. I'll see you after the show", he said leaving the women still in her trance. The show starts in thirty minutes. He was to talk to the awaiting press before that. His cousin stayed back and was preparing a meeting with the bank president about the companies they bought. He bought the property without any reason, which was very unlike him. So he decided to let his brother handle it. He said they had a meeting tomorrow morning. He just needs to get this thing over with. After the press briefing his sister called.
"Kuon, I am just calling you to confirm if you have eaten lunch and to congratulate you on your big success. Tell Yuki that to send me pictures of the estate, it's all over the news.", Jude said knowing all too well about her brother's eating habits and their latest auction.
"Nee-chan, I'm not a kid anymore and you don't need to call me as a meal alarm. How did the doctor's appointment go?"
"He said I'm fine. Mom, dad and uncle Lory are coming home in two days and I want you here. So, don't make me wait."
"I'll try. Do you want anything from here? You know, as a gift?"
"I just want my brothers to come home in one piece. Kuon please make sure you are on time, It's my marriage anniversary and I want you to be here."
"Is he going to be here this time?"
"He promised and I prayed to Kami that he would make it this time. You know you should ask Kami to lessen your grouchy attitude"
"What I am today is my hard work, not your Kami's"
"Kuon…."
"Please, don't go all religious on me."
"I know what I want."
"What?"
"There is a very famous shrine there in Kyoto. For couples especially. Can you go and pray on behalf of me and your brother-in-law? As a gift? Please? Pretty please? Pretty please with cherries on top?"
"Fine. I'll go, I'm hanging up, I've got a show to attend.", Koun scoffed.
"Please don't try to kill anyone." Jude said, smiling. She knew Kuon would do anything for her. All she needs now is for her husband to come home. Then she will be the happiest woman alive.
Yoshida was sure she was going to be buried alive today. She couldn't tell Kuon that the model quit and she couldn't find anyone to take her place. But then she heard someone say to the hotel receptionist,
"I've brought the model."
She flew over there and asked the man, who looked like a chauffeur where this model was?
He pointed to her and she saw her salvation. The girl in front of her was pretty. Well, somewhat pretty. After some makeup she would look what she needs her to look like. She went there and dragged the girl inside the dressing room. The show had already started. She needed to get her ready and fast. She threw the designer and her inside a dressing room.
Kyoko was confused at first, it was nothing compared to what she felt right now. At first the driver took her to the most expensive hotel in Kyoto in an equally expensive car. Was her sister really meeting her there? Maybe Yashiro-san was going to have the meeting earlier. Then when she was waiting in the lobby admiring the interior, some crazy women dragged her while sprouting some nonsense about her being a model and getting ready. She tried to tell her that maybe she was having a misunderstanding. She was being ignored completely and was thrown into a dressing room with another woman who despite her constant protesting took off her dress and made her wear a beautiful purple lace gown. The dress was beautiful and it took her a lot of time getting out of her daze. By the time she could focus again, she already had make up on and her hair was in an elegant updo. She tried to yell at everyone that this was a mistake but they dragged her into the ramp and threw her in front of a blinding light, a long stage and a lot of people and cameras.
Mental Shutdown.
She couldn't move. Hell she couldn't even breathe. 'Kami-sama, What is happening? Why are they all staring at me? Oh god!'
She heard the woman who dragged her into the mess, telling her to walk forward. How was that even possible? When she couldn't even feel her legs! Then one other model came and grabbed her hand. Pushing her forward.
Rebooting.
"I'm really sorry, but I think there has been some kind of mistake, I'm not supposed to be here. Please let me go" Kyoko said probably like the hundredth time with no avail.
"Shut Up and walk. Follow me." The model whispered while smiling.
As soon as the model let her go, she felt her grudges smell anger and it was very close to her. Looking at her right, she saw him and she had another shutdown.
IT'S THE DEMON LORD! In her mind she could hear herself screaming in fear. She felt like she was going to die. 'Oka-san, Otou-san, Nee-chan, anyone, I don't want to die…. Please… save me! Kami-sama… please…'
Kuon couldn't remember the last time he messed up. He was perfect all his life. Successful at everything he did, have gotten everything he wanted. Yet, today as soon as the girl walked in and froze, he saw the failure which he never knew off. The press were still taking pictures. The guests were whispering and the applause came to a halt when the supposed showstopper literally stopped the show. His mother's fashion show, his project, all went down the drain the moment this girl froze in front of him. The look in her face exhibited complete horror. His eyes met hers. Before he knew is the girl started to back up and her heel got caught in her dress. Instinctively he had her in his arms when she fell tripping over her own foot.
He didn't even think while he did that. Now he had a beautiful little creature in his arms holding her in bridal style. She had a mortified expression in her face, but Kuon wasn't looking at her face. He got so caught up in her eyes, those big golden orbs, he couldn't even think anything anymore.
Kyoko was beyond mortified. She thought she was dead when she was falling. Then the demon lord caught her and that exact moment she couldn't feel his anger anymore. Like it never existed. His green eyes were looking into hers and she was scared once again. She tried to get him to put her down.
As soon as the girl moved Kuon became aware of himself and what just happened. He was holding a girl, in bridal style, in front of the press. The same girl who ruined his fashion show. His anger returned as he put her down and out of his reach. The girl was shaking.
He looked at the show conductor who was announcing that the show has come to an end. His PR manager came running and he said to him gritting his teeth, "Take this girl to the dressing area and don't let her escape. Find Yoshida and tell her she is fired and make sure that not one picture, I repeat, not one picture of this mishap goes out in the media"
With that he walked towards the press formulating a plan to get this under control.
Kyoko, who was still gaping at Kuon, was being taken inside by the man he gave orders to. She couldn't think or do anything. She just felt scared beyond imagination. Her life was over. She was sure of it.
'He is going to KILL me', she thought and realized that she was being dragged into the dressing area again. She remembered Kuon giving orders to keep her here.
"Please… Let me go… it's not my fault… this is all a big misunderstanding!", she told the man who threw her inside the room and locked it.
"Let me out! Please, my sister is looking for me. Please…. Nee-chan! Take me away from here."
She started crying her eyes out. All of it started coming back to her. The wedding, her cousins, her uncle and aunt, Shotaro, their house, Yasu, the auction, and now this! All the tears she couldn't shed for the past hours came rushing at the same time. She cried like she never cried before. At that moment all she wanted to do was go to her secret place and see her lost friend whom she forgot about.
"Someone please get me out of here! Please!"
She called and didn't get any answer.
