Everything was… So shiny.
Like, irritably shiny.
Him and William stood in front of the hotel in awe. The Lotus hotel was one of the most luxurious hotels in the whole France. Or at least, that's what people thought. Ulrich never understood the appeal of it; he's been here a couple times before and it was nothing special. But this time, the organizational team really gave it all and it looked like a whole different place from before.
Even though they came only a few minutes ago, the crowd was already forming. You could see the cameras being placed, and some of them already flashing pictures. But the brunette still couldn't see Yumi.
Where the hell is she? It's not like I am eager to see her... But still.
Of course, the red carpet was placed right in front of the entrance to the hotel. The entrance doors, that looked heavy and luxurious, looked even more like that if that was possible. The whole door was black, with only the doorknob being gold with crystals that were placed in the shape of a lotus flower. The Lotus hotel was a 10 story building, with all kinds of rooms and halls: from those that were celebratory and used for events like this one, to the actual bedrooms people would stay in.
''Ulrich! Dear!" a familiar voice was heard.
Oh no... The last thing I wanted to see. What kind of outfit is even that?
As soon as Sissi showed up, people started gossiping, chatting, commenting on her outfit. And, she was aware of it. She made poses in such way for people to admire her, but the most commented thing was her freshly dyed blonde hair.
''Oh don't roll your eyes like that. You have to be lovey-dovey so all of our fans could see. We don't want them to be dissapointed, no?"
William just stood there and nervously scratched his hair. He was cringing from inside, but was trying to be professional and not show it. Finally, Sissi noticed him.
''Oh, hey rookie. Some of us actually have stuff to do, even though this is intented to be a mainly relaxing event. So, move.''
The black-haired boy moved from Ulrich, just enough so that Sissi could take him under her arm. She was practically dragging him already when Ulrich scream-whispered at William that he was sorry.
''It's OK.'' William just mouted and smiled.
The brunette hated Lorenzo at this point. This ''Ulrich x Sissi power couple'' thing was what both of their managers wanted them to act out. Obviously a part of Sissi's act wasn't actually an act; she had a crush on Ulrich since third grade. But Ulrich... was a whole another story.
He hated the idea when they proposed it. He hated it a month after. He hated it a year after. He hated it now, years after.
Her father being the director of the Kadic talent school, Sissi entered showbiz at a very young age. She always loved cameras and being the center of the attention. Unlike other girls, who's parents made them act and sing because they needed money even with girls refusing it, she truly loved it since day one.
In her early years, she was mostly a child actress. Her first appearance was in a phone service commercial, when she was only four years old. The roles of a cute little girl continued for a few years, until her breakthrough role in the movie ''Luck'', that was nominated for a bunch of awards that Ulrich couldn't even pronounce right. He had to admit she was amazing in that movie, as much as he despised her.
After that, thanks to her aunt May that was a music producer and songwriter, Delmas got into the music business, and is still mostly in it. The songs were a little above average at best; but it was commercial music that sold well and that's all that mattered.
After posing in front of the step and repeat banner with Sissi, Ulrich scanned the whole crowd that was so much bigger than when they came here.
Where the hell is she?
After a while, he realised that there's not a chance of him finding Yumi at this point. He should just go back to William...
''Ulrich, dear, we have stuff to do! You can't just go back to William already!''
''Why not? We posed, acted like a couple, went through everyone whispering and gossiping about you, you being happy about it... What else?"
''Well, my father is inside the hall. He wants to talk to you. My manager, Luna, is there too."
''Your manager...? What? Yeah, we're acting like a couple and we made that deal a few years ago. What is there to discuss now? Marriage?" the brunette snickered sarcastically.
''I don't know," Sissi looked down at Ulrich's shoes, acting like she genuinely didn't know.
''Well, let's just get it over with. I'm pretty sure it's nothing that important. Probably just a new music video or something.''
They walked into the hotel, entering the main hall of the event. An event as big as CME, of course, used more halls. Ulrich was kinda dumbfounded. He didn't know where to look. On one side there was a food buffet, on the other a fashion show, and on the third one there were girls who were doing some kind of rhythmic gymnastics choreography.
None of them looks older than fourteen... Damn.
His fascination and admiring for rhythmic gymnastics was cut off with Sissi gently pulling on his arm.
''They're not here. They're in the 'Rose' hall. Let's go."
For some reason, Sissi didn't seem so bubbly and ''Ulrich dear''-y when she said that. She seemed kind of... Concerned. Ulrich could swear that he saw her looking at her phone a few seconds ago and pouting. Now, it was obvious he only tolerated her and didn't like her, but he still had empathy within him and wondered if something bad had happened to one of her loved ones.
''Rose'' was a smaller hall, that seemed to consist only of a bar (that was present in the main hall too), booths that were semi-private, and a few tables with high chairs. Sissi lead Ulrich to their booth, which was pretty much at the end of the whole hall.
The booth was already almost full, with people waiting for them. There was Mr. Delmas, a red-haired girl, Luna, that was Sissi's manager...
And a person he never thought he'd see here.
His father.
Right after noticing his father, he started squirming. Sissi held him tight, not letting him escape, and was somehow successful in it despite Ulrich being bigger than her.
Guess me starting to go to the gym really paid off, huh. Now is definitely not the time to think about that..., she thought to herself.
Halfway, the brunette stopped resisting and just accepted his faith.
''I'm so sorry," Sissi whisper screamed, ''I knew about this, but I couldn't tell you." She felt so weak and guilty all of a sudden. Sure, Ulrich was mad at her for not telling him, but it wasn't her fault.
''Well, look who is here,'' Johannes finally spoke, after having a staring battle with his son, ''Excellent choice of suit, as always." He smirked.
''Thanks. You too," was all the brunette got out, trying not to insult his father.
Johannes pretty much had the same stying for this event as his son, except that his tie was red. Ulrich didn't want to admit it, but the old man looked very good for his age, despite being an asshole. Mr. Delmas, on the other hand, was a much more casual man. The only formal thing he did for this event was shave off his beard, only leaving the mustache. He looked at least five years younger than usual. Also, he got rid of the glasses in the last few months and started wearing contacts.
''Hello Urlich! Hello Sissi!" Delmas said in a much frendlier matter, encouraging Sissi to go for a hug. Accepting it, she wrapped her arms around him, saying thing like ''I'm not a little girl anymore", ''Be mature", etc. But he just hugged her tighter after hearing those words. „How glad I am to see both of you here", he commented, „and, Ulrich, I gotta admit, your father is right. Great suit. Simple, but effective."
Ulrich forced himself to smile. „Thank you", he said. It was the only thing he could get to come out of his mouth. Despite not liking Sissi, Ulrich always thought Delmas was a nice man. He was polite in all of their encounters and did a solid job as the principal of Kadic. There was no reason to be inpolite to him.
His father, on the other hand...
"C'mon, sit next to me, son", Johannes patted the seat in the booth that was next to him. Ulrich almost rolled his eyes. The booth is full, and the only free space is next to him. I would've sat next to him even without his directions. Is he that stupid? Oh... no he isn't. He just wants to make himself seem like a caring father and husband. Now I get it.
Ulrich sat and Johannes smiled at him. In everyone else's eyes, this seemed like another warmhearted exchange between a father and a son. But not for Ulrich. Although his father can trick pretty much everyone into thinking that he is a good person, Ulrich can see right through him that it's all an act.
The red haired girl, Luna, Sissi's manager, didn't say anything to greet Ulrich. She got straight to the point: "Okay, let's start. So, when will we do the engagement shoot? I was thinking a few months from now."
"...Engagement?" Ulrich said, confused.
"You know, you proposing to her?" Does he not know?
"To Sissi? Why the fuck would I propose to Sissi?" the brunette cursed, but he couldn't care less about that. He just wanted to know the real reason behind this meeting.
"Um..." Luna looked around, confused.
Ulrich glanced at all of them. Delmas was confused but still had a kind smile on his face. He could see Sissi knew about this and felt guilty about not telling him. But his father... Suddenly, Ulrich realised everything.
"I knew it! You son of a bitch! You want to divorce mom but still control my life? It's not gonna happen. I'm outta here!" Ulrich was shouting louder and louder. Not many people were present, but those who were started carefully listening to the drama going on in front of them. One woman, who was probably a journalist, took her phone and started recording everything.
"Ulrich, I... don't understand. You and Elizabeth have been together for so long. Your father told me you two are inseparable and that my daughter basically lives in your house. You probably want to get married to her. Or you want to be one of those men that spend years with their girlfriends without a ring?" Delmas was confused.
"How the hell can I get married to someone who I never even dated to begin with?!" the brunette shouted louder than he intended to. Now, all the eyes in the room were on them. "Johannes, you piece of shit. Never thought you would go this far."
In a swift second, Johannes slapped him across the face. As shitty as his father was, he never hurt him physically. But Ulrich knew violence wasn't just physical.
"How can you be so ungrateful? I gave my life for you and your mother! You may be against marrying to Sissi, but I'm doing what's best for you. Your career will explode after you two getting married. You will be the talk of the year." Johannes' words were delivered so calmly, contrary to the slap just a few moments ago.
Luna was very uncomfortable and wasn't saying anything. Sissi started crying. This was all too much for her and she just wanted to go home. She knew about this idea since the beginning. Despite still loving Ulrich, she couldn't get herself to tell him about it. She felt so, so guilty now. Ulrich deserved better than this. He agreed to this whole fake relationship charade despite barely even standing her.
"'You may be against marrying to Sissi'... What are you talking about, Johannes? You told me they were inseparable. You too, Elizabeth." Delmas was in shock. You could see he had no ill intention. He just wanted his daughter to be happy.
Ulrich was too paralyzed to speak. Sissi cleared her throat, wiped her tears and explained the situation as calmly as she could. "Johannes lied because he knew he could profit from our marriage. He wanted our school and his company to sign a deal so he could get rich. You know how much trouble you have with finding the right company to fix the roof of the school? You never liked any of the proposed ideas for repairing it. But then, Johannes would jump in with his company – a perfect candidate. Father in law, his son adores your daughter. He would get your trust and thus make you choose his company."
Ulrich was so surprised. Sure, he was still mad at his father, but the biggest surprise was Sissi. She was so mature and handled everything so well. What happened to her?
„I should've known. We're going out of here. I have no business with someone like you. How can you call yourself a father?" Ulrich had never seen Delmas so angry and irritated before as he was now.
Johannes went wild. He started flipping tables, shouting incoherent things and breaking glasses and dishes. The crowd that was watching this whole thing quickly grew and was barely able to fit into the hall anymore. Many people where recording everything.
Security threw Johannes out. Mr. Delmas offered to take Ulrich home, but he refused.
He decided to get drunk. To get fucked up.
And that's how he finished alone in the hotel bar, with no one around.
Until he noticed her.
Hello everyone! I know it's been 3 years since I last updated this story… I wanted to abandon it back in 2022, but now that I have much more free time on my hands, I decided to finish it after all. This was my first attempt at a multi-chapter story, so it holds a special place in my heart.