Cup of Lust, Beauty and Affairs
Summary: Taichi, a photographer and artist fascinated by the beauty of the world, becomes captivated by the beauty of a customer at his parent's coffee shop. Innocent desires soon blaze into an unforgettable, insatiable affair. Taito/Yamachi
D-Angel: Hey guys, hope all is good! I'm back from travelling and have a new job and everything now (working in a health club, so a big change from publishing, haha). I had such an insightful time backpacking around Asia, and I even got to go back to Japan for a few weeks, which was bloody awesome :D Naturally, I had to visit Odaiba again ;) I'm definitely planning to do more travelling in future, but for now I need to focus on my career and getting some money together, haha.
Replies to you incredible reviewers:
Cloe Lockless - Don't worry, I'll keep the summary as it is :) And yeah, I needed to clear up the whole Sora thing! Didn't want her to just fade into the bin of unfinished plotlines. It's very easy for that to happen when there's multiple side characters in a story, lol.
Caliboy - Haha, that would be the fairytale ending for sure :D You should also go to Japan ;) You're still all young and able, lol.
frozencharisma - N'aww, thanks for dedicating the time to reading all the chapters I've written so far! Hope you enjoy this chapter just as much.
PinkBrideGoneBad - Thank you, Pinky! :) I'm so glad you're still an active reader ;) x x x
Ichi Yagami - Aww, thanks :) Yes! My travels have definitely given me a lot more fuel for this and other stories ;)
Read forth, my lovelys! This chapter is pretty dramalicious ;)
Chapter 25 -Overexposed
'Lights and action, Strong attraction, Afterglow'
My eyes slowly opened. I stared over at the digital display on my clock, squinting as I tried to make sense of the time with my tired eyes. The numbers slowly came into focus. I sat instantly, swearing loudly as panic gripped me. Leaping out of bed, I grabbed a quick shower before I dressed and text Yamato to let him know I was running late before I rushed out the apartment.
I'd messaged Yamato yesterday evening to ask how things had gone with Makoto. He responded just after midnight suggesting we meet at the coffee shop at 11am so he could update me. I was disheartened, part of me had hoped he'd invite me over to spend the night in his hotel room again, but quickly encouraged myself that he just wanted some time alone to reflect on everything.
As I drove into town, I could feel my phone vibrate from within my coat pocket. I assumed Yamato was calling me to find out where I was. A neighbour had addressed me in the lobby, and I had politely conversed with them for a few minutes despite I was already half an hour late.
Parking up, I hopped out the car and rushed across the street. As I turned the corner and approached the coffee shop, my heart skipped a beat when I saw a surreal sight. A massive crowd were swarming outside, like bees to a bouquet. Without hesitating, I rushed over. Moments later I was dazzled by the flash of about ten different cameras and the frantic voices of several people at once. Amongst the chaos, one question suddenly jumped out.
"Is it true you're dating the hot rock idol Banshou Takumi?"
My lips parted in surprise.
"How long have you been with him?" Someone else questioned, thrusting a microphone in front of my face.
"I…"
My heart beat thumping heavily, drowning out my thoughts. Chest tightening. I couldn't breathe. I closed my eyes. My back pressed up against the door. Moments later, it opened. I fell back as arms dragged me inside the shop. A second person, my dad, quickly locked the door before anyone else could push their way in. Cameras flashed again and muffled voices spoke behind the glass.
I looked up at Yamato. He still had hold of my forearm, a frown plaguing his brow. He dragged me away from the windows, towards the counter at the back of the shop.
"Why the hell did you show up?" He growled, his fingers squeezing my arm. "I left you a message."
"I was driving! I couldn't check my phone!" I snapped back, wiggling out from his grasp.
"What's all this about, Tai?" My dad asked as he joined us by the counter, his face sullen, but eyes filled with concern. A sudden hot wave washed over me. Neither of my parents knew about the Takumi situation. My mum still thought I was dating Yamato. As for my dad, well, he had never delved into any of my relationships, past or present.
"I don't know." I continued to peer around the empty shop. "Where's mum?"
"She took the day off to go shopping with Hikari," my dad said, his voice agitated.
I breathed a small sigh of relief as I leant against the counter.
"I overheard the media mention Takumi," Yamato said, in a chilled whisper. "They've linked you to him."
But how? Me and Takumi had never gone out in public together, and Takumi's bodyguards had constantly monitored the comings and goings of everyone at the apartment block (whenever Takumi was there) warning us whenever the paparazzi were lurking nearby.
My phone buzzed from within my coat pocket. I tugged it out and stared at the LCD screen. A text from Mimi. I tapped my finger against it.
Are you ok? x x x
Seconds later, my phone started ringing. Mimi. I answered the call.
"It's gone crazy in my office!" Mimi said, as loud as she could speak above the noisy background chatter. "Everyone's blowing up over that picture Takumi's uploaded."
A lump suddenly formed in my throat.
"Picture? Mimi, what picture?"
"On his Instagram! Oh God, you haven't seen it?"
"One sec…"
Ending the call, my hand shook violently as I opened up the Instagram app on my phone, somehow managing to navigate my way to Takumi's profile.
"What the hell…" My eyes widened when I saw the latest picture on his account. The very same photo he had taken of us in bed a few weeks back, my deer-like expression, his saucy smile.
The caption underneath it read: Love coming home to this one ;) 3
This picture had gone out to his millions of followers. No wonder why the paparazzi were desperate for an explanation. Comments had already flooded in underneath.
'OMG, who the fuck is he?'
'He's pretty cute.'
'Noooo, Kumi-kun can't be gay T_T'
"That's low, even for him," Yamato hissed, still peering over my shoulder as I continued scrolling through the most recent comments.
'He's a photographer / artist according to his profile, lol.'
'Lame.'
Nausea bubbled in the pit of my stomach. I guess it hadn't taken the media too long to track down my link to the coffee shop, probably hoping if they couldn't get any information from me they would try and find something out from my parents.
"It started with just a couple of them," Yamato explained. They had stepped into the shop, approached the counter and asked my dad if he was the owner. My dad confirmed he was, thinking they were there to strike some kind of business deal; that was until they asked if he could put them in touch with me. Something to do with my photography.
"I could sense something was off," my dad admitted. "I handed them one of your business cards, then asked them to leave."
Noticing there was no contact number on my card (only my website and email address, since I lacked a work specific mobile), they refused to budge. That was when Yamato had intervened, warning them he would call the police if they continued to harass my dad.
"After I threatened them, they left. But then, more showed up barely minutes later; the ones outside with all the cameras and camcorders."
When they tried to get inside, my dad and Yamato ended up locking the door as an extra measure and asked the customers inside to leave by the back exit (where only a couple of journalists were lingering around).
"I tried phoning you to warn you," Yamato said, his brow furrowed.
I glanced over at the windows, at the press still snapping away. Now they knew I was inside the shop, they weren't going to relent until I gave them the answers they wanted. Undoubtedly I was going to have to go out there and face the music.
Explaining the situation properly to my dad was embarrassing, but necessary. He had heard of Vertical Illusion, but he didn't know who Takumi was, nor did he have the faintest idea how social media worked. He still found everything hard to grasp, probably wondering how his idiot of a son had ended up with a high profile celebrity in the first place.
"So, now what?" My dad asked.
Yamato's acoustic guitar ringtone made us all jump. Quickly regaining his composure, he fished the ringing object out from his coat. Taking one glance at the screen, he answered the call.
"Hey." He paused, pursing his lips, before nodding. "Ok, I'll let you in."
Ending the call, Yamato's eyes met mine as he lowered the phone away from his ear.
"Isamu's out back," he announced as he slid his mobile back into his pocket. "I told him you were here. He knows what's happening."
I rushed out through the staff area, towards the back door without hesitation. Yamato followed, grabbing my arm before I could unlock the latch.
"The paparazzi are out there," Yamato reminded me. I stepped back reluctantly. Stepping aside and out of view before Yamato opened up the door and let Isamu inside.
"Thanks, Ishida-san," Isamu said once the door had shut.
"Isamu!"
He glanced over Yamato's shoulder after hearing me call out his name.
"Thought I'd come rescue you." Isamu's lips curling up into a small smile. "I've been on the phone to the Nanami twins. They'll try and smooth things over. Don't tell the media anything."
I nodded dutifully at my knight in shining armour.
"Komatsu-sam, do you mind if I have a word in private with Taichi?" Yamato asked.
Isamu arched an eyebrow. For a moment I wondered if Isamu would deny his request, until his grey eyes lightened.
"Sure."
I breathed a silent sigh of relief.
"My dad's out on the shop floor," I told Isamu. "He mostly knows what's happening."
He nodded and said he would do his best to reassure him.
As Isamu made his way into the main area of the shop, Yamato and I headed into the store room, closing the door behind us after flipping on the light. It was a small space with rows of metal shelves on every available wall space, filled with bags of coffee beans, teabags, confectioneries and other random supplies. The delightful medley of these items created a refreshing homely aroma which would have usually calmed me, had it not been for Yamato staring at me with blue flames of frustration dancing in his eyes.
I frowned when he grabbed me by the collar of my coat and pushed me back against the door, my body shuddering as it made contact with the wood. Before I could resist, his lips were on mine. The kiss was hungry, riddled with passion and desperation. Had it not been for what was happening outside, it would have easily progressed into something far more explicit.
After a couple of minutes, Yamato released me from his grasp and took a step back.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you," Yamato admitted, resting a hand on his brow. "I just wish you'd checked your phone."
"I still would have come here," I confessed. I couldn't be mad, or blame Yamato for any of this. This was all Takumi's doing- he had fuelled the entire situation.
Yamato shook his head, and the corner of his lip curled up into a half-smile. I reciprocated his expression, before pressing a hand against my forehead.
"This is crazy," I groaned.
Yamato released a breathless sigh.
"I was planning to steal you back," He revealed. My cheeks flushed red. "I know I said things were too much the other night... but I'd much rather have you by my side than not at all."
The muscles in my legs suddenly felt like jelly. I placed a hand against the door to steady myself as his words slowly sunk in. Why was he saying all this now? I wanted nothing more than to just be with him.
"That can't happen though. Not now. Takumi's got you right where he wants." A sad shimmer washed across his eyes. "If the media find out you're seeing someone else, you'll be seen as the bad guy and it'll damage your reputation."
A sickening sensation lashed hard against my abdomen when I realised the seriousness of the situation I had suddenly been thrust into. This could quite easily be our last moment alone together, I realised.
Moving away from the door, I stepped towards Yamato and wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him up against my body. His eyes widened before my lips crashed against his. Moaning heavily against my mouth, he placed hand on my cheek, whilst the other coiled tightly around my waist. I clung onto him tighter, pretending, for just a moment, that things weren't royally fucked up.
"I can't forgive him for this," Yamato breathlessly muttered once our kiss had ended, his hand still resting on my cheek. Staring down at his shoes, his arm gradually fell back down to his side. Placing a hand on my neck, which was covered up with my scarf, I wasn't sure if I could summon the courage to tell him what Takumi had done to me yesterday. On top of everything else, Yamato would undoubtedly want to kill him.
Speaking of which...
"What happened with Makoto?"
Amongst the chaos, I had forgotten to ask. Then again, the opportunity had not surfaced until now. Yamato seemed surprised by the sudden change of topic, but then he smoothed his hand over his fringe, ironing down a few stray strands of hair.
"I spared him," Yamato joked, although his lower lip quivered as he reflected on their meeting. I guess now wasn't the best time for him to go into the finer details. "Anyways, let's try and sort out this mess."
Slowly nodding, I reached for the door handle.
Back out in the main area, Isamu was perched on one of the counter stools talking to my dad, who was stood behind the counter brewing up a pot of coffee.
"It'll be fine, Yagami-san," Isamu promised my dad as he slid off the chair, turning his attention to me. "Taichi, give me your phone."
My eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Why?"
"Your Instagram account isn't set to private," Isamu explained. "Currently anyone can view it and send you messages. I doubt you want your inbox flooded with angry fan girls."
Satisfied with his reasoning, I handed my phone over to Isamu and allowed him to set both my Instagram and Facebook accounts to private to avoid anyone else from bombarding me with accusations of stealing away their idol.
"I guess we're sneaking out the back then," I said as I fiddled with my car keys from within the depths of my coat pocket.
"No, we're going out front," Isamu boldly stated.
"You're kidding?"
"He knows what he's doing," my dad said. He was already walking over to the front door. Obviously Isamu had discussed this with him whilst I had been talking to Yamato.
My gaze automatically drifted over to the blond haired beauty, who was leaning against the counter. I was desperate to reach out and hug him, although I knew we couldn't risk the journalists outside seeing us. Instead our eyes locked and his lips curled into a half-smile.
"Good luck," Yamato said. He had promised to hang around with my dad to ensure the paparazzi didn't do anything reckless. "Let me know how it goes."
Let him know? Of course... We could still text each other, and perhaps even talk on the phone. The heavy anchors on my heart shifted upon realising this.
My dad unlocked the door, nodding at me before I stepped outside with Isamu. Shielding my eyes from the camera flashes, Isamu placed an arm around my waist as we fought our way onto the pavement. Once we were stood in the middle of the crowd, Isamu stopped, and cleared his throat.
"I'm Yagami Taichi's agent, Komatsu Isamu," Isamu spoke loudly. "We decline to comment on anything relating to Banshou Takumi."
Disappointed voices replaced the eager ones from moments ago. With his arm still around me, Isamu ushered me over to a black car that was parked up nearby. The rear door opened up and Isamu and I clambered into the back, shutting the door just as the paparazzi started to flock around. Their cameras were pushed up the windows as the driver pulled away from the commotion.
I was still shaking. Isamu's arm was still hooked around my waist. Never had he been this protective over me.
"Sorry you've been dragged into this, Yagami-san," The driver spoke once we were a few miles away from the coffee shop. I gazed over at him and quickly realised he was one of Takumi's bodyguards, Big Bear. Being well over six feet tall and about half the width of his height shoulder to shoulder, there was no shadow of a doubt where his nickname had come from. "Takumi's caused quite some drama."
"Where is he?" I asked. Big Bear winced, and Isamu's arm squeezed me tightly. Upon reflection, I may have spoken a little too aggressively. Neither man spoke, until I tried to relax my brow.
"He's still at the recording studio," Big Bear said, "but the media are already swarming outside."
"The Nanami twins are furious with him." Isamu added as he removed his arm from my waist. "Jeopardising the band's image so carelessly."
"Too right," I said. It wasn't like Takumi to do something so irrational. He certainly had a lot to answer for. "So, what's the plan? Where are we going?"
"My place," Isamu said simply. A frown fell across my forehead again.
The car slowed down and stopped at a set of traffic lights. I tried to be inconspicuous, but Isamu was quick to notice my hand creeping towards the door handle.
"You can't go back to your flat," Isamu said, his serious eyes locking with mine. Somehow he had already clocked onto my intentions. "Not until we come up with a resolution. It's likely some of the paparazzi are still following us right now."
Sighing, as much as I hated it, I realised he was right. It would be too risky for me to head back to Takumi's flat in Odaiba. Naturally our next move had to be careful, although I wasn't too comfortable with Isamu being dragged into all this, even if he was the willing party.
For the remainder of the journey I tried my hardest to relax as I stared out the window, but it was literally impossible. In a matter of minutes, my life had been flipped around and I'd been thrust into a situation I had never even anticipated.
Digging my fingernails into the leather seat, I bit down on my lower lip. I was determined to escape from this predicament, although I had no idea how.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Song lyrics (At the beginning of the chapter)
Wilkinson - "Afterglow"
D-Angel: Arrrgh! Takumi is becoming quite the nightmare, isn't he? xD Things have definitely taken a crazy turn, and they are only going to become more complex. Can't have Taichi skipping off into the sunset with Yamato so easily, lol.
I'm currently working on the next chapter (which I'll try and get out by around April / May), and formulating a rough plan on how this story will actually end. I'm guessing there will be at least 30 chapters in total by the time I'm done, so probably only another 4 or 5 chapters to go? Maybe less. Let's see how things pan out.
Thanks once again for your patience. Been working on this story for a good 13 or 14 years now, but at least the end is finally approaching, haha.
See ya next chapter!
D-Angel
05/03/18