The creep walked in 20 minutes ago, and now she was unable to get rid of him. When would the nightmare end?
“So how long have you been doing this?”
“Doing what?”
“Surviving the world of high fashion.”
“...”
“Okay, so I have a wedding to go to in a few weeks. Would you go with me?”
“I'm sorry, I already have plans.”
“Oh, forgive me,” mocked the arrogant asshole. “I forgot about your `boyfriend'. What kind of suicidal maniac could want you as a-”
KNOCK KNOCK
Hiten walked over to the door, surprised at the interruption. He opened the door the familiar, yet unexpected man before him. The balding figure carried in his arms a little girl.
Well don't that beat all?
“Hey Manten, I'm sorry. I'm a little surprised to see you. I thought my secretary called to cancel our...Wait. Why do you have a...baby?”
“Actually, I didn't expect to see you here either. I'm here to see...” He stopped after Hiten fully opened the door to reveal Kagome.
“Hey Kagome.”
“Wait a minute. MANTEN is your boyfriend?!”
Manten felt as if he had been punched in the gut. Was it so unbelievable as stunning as Kagome would like a guy like him? Was his brother so disgusted by him that he thought it impossible for the younger, only slighty less attractive brother to have a girlfriend. “Why Hiten? Do you think I am incapable of dating? Am I so grotesque that you would discard any chance of me getting a girlfriend?”
“Manten?” How could his little brother even think that? Hiten would do just about anything for his pudgy little brother. “Of course that's not it.”
Manten was really struck with the genuine sincerity seeping from his big brother's voice. He was even moved. But, nothing could have shocked him more than hearing the pride Hiten gave off as he spoke again.
“I'm just really surprised that I have to give up on the hot chick I've been going after because my baby brother scored big.”
“Hey!” Nobody called Kagome Higurashi a `chick'.
Hiten simply replied in the most offhanded manner possible “Sorry.”
Kagome felt as though she were intruding on a private moment. It was only right if she got out of there. “Manten, why don't I take Seiki and check her diaper, while you two talk?”
As he sent her a big smile, she returned it and took her baby from his arms.
As she left, she hoped to herself that he would find the validation he sought.
Hiten's assistant would return with the developed shots that the photographer hoped would be the best of his career so far.
Sesshoumaru sat in his office, impatient for the supposedly great shots. Had Hiten's eye been comprosmised due to the indiscretion his usual model/girlfriend/whore and one of Sesshoumaru's best designers? If so, Mirkou would be fired. Moreover, Sesshoumaru told Jaken to call Houshi's office and inform him of the `fragile' position he, or actually his job, was in.
Miroku was shaking. He was literally shaking. Terror plagued his belabored senses as he slowly trekked toward the office where his fate would be decided.
Oh god. Someone help him. Why did no one see he was about to enter a lion's den with no protection at all?
He was so busy looming over his fate that he did not notice the woman who approached him.
“Hey Miroku.”
Kagome. Kagome? Could she help him? He grabbed hold of his newly dubbed guardian angel, who was in no position to struggle due to the baby in her arms, and dragged her the rest of the way to Mr. Tenseiga's office.
Sesshoumaru was waiting in his office for the no-named aide to the photographer to return with the very expensive photographs for prototypes of the new Spring line that would hopefully come out...by spring.
A knock resonated through the room and Sesshoumaru beckoned the caller to enter.
As he was criticizing himself for hiring such an egotistical, eccentric photographer, the employee who had offset the balance of said photographer entered with, presumably, his wife and child, who were no doubt present to try to sway his supposed conscience. Like that was going to happen.
“I assume Jaken was not present at his desk, or he would have detained you.”
“Thankyfully, sir, that was the case. Mr. Tenseiga-”
“Save it. Unless those photographs are spectacular, you are out of a job.”
“What's going on Miroku? What does he mean out of a job?” Was this man their boss? Could he really fire Miroku?”
Sesshoumaru simply explained the matter in a very disinterested manner. “Save the sob story Mrs. Houshi. I don't care that he has a family. I am surprised you haven't left him after his rather candid imprudence this morning with the would be model of our Spring line.”
“What?!” Kagome cried out in horror.
“I am sorry you found out this way, but-”
“You thought I was married to that lecher?!”
“Hey Kagome,” complained Miroku. “I'm not that bad.”
“Yeah, okay you deceptive, manipulating, pervert of a wannabe monk.”
“Ouch, Kagome. That hurts.”
“Houshi,” called Sesshoumaru in an authoritative voice. “I do not see the relevance of bringing this girl here.”
“Well, you see Mr. Tenseiga, if I lose my job, my devoted, hard-working secretary, Kagome, who happens to be a loving single mother, would lose her job as well. Could you do that to this poor girl.”
Kagome simply rolled her eyes. “Miroku, shut up. You're an idiot.”
“I whole-heartedly agree. Houshi, you have decided your own fate. Deal with it.”
Jaken had received the call regarding the photos' development reaching completion. He knew his master greatly desired them, so he went to pick them up himself. There was no way he would leave them in the hands of a temp.
He guarded that manila envelope with his very life, despite the unnecessary amount of dedication. Afterall, it was just an envelope with a bunch of pictures.
It was too bad that a certain photographer and his endearing, younger brother were passing the underpayed and overly devoted assistant.
It took only three hits from Hiten to successfully obtain the package; Hiten hitting Jaken, Jaken hitting the ground, and Hiten's shoe squashing Jaken's face as he was negligently stepped on.
“Sesshoumaru!” The cheerful bellowing of Hiten was only permitted because of his importance to the merger. For no other reason did he put up with the rude outbursts. “I'd like you to meet my brother, Manten.”
“Pleasure.”
“I'm sorry Hiten, but I have to go. Kagome, we have to go soon. It's about time for Seiki's feeding.”
“Fine, but someone has to distract Miroku. I will not go anywhere near him during feeding time. It was bad enough when she was still on the breast, but the way he stares at the nipple when the little one's eating makes me feel dirty.”
“It's nothing to feel embarrassed about Lady Kagome. I just imagine it's the real thing instead of the bottle.”
“One of these days, Miroku, you're going to make one of your comments when the baby isn't in my arms. Then you'll be sorry.”
“Allow me.” The anger in Manten's voice convinced Hiten that the girl was, indeed, close to his brother. He was glad.
“Anyway,” Hiten interrupted. “These are the reason most of us are here.” Hiten energetically waved the envelope. “Although, I'm quite disappointed.”
“Houshi! You're fired.”
“Was the model that bad?!”
Hiten milked the situation for all he could. The guy did fuck his girlfriend, afterall. “Quite the contrary. I just can't give her the usual treatment.”
“What usual treatment?” inquired Kagome.
“Usually, my models are treated to dinner and my bed, but I can't do that this time.”
“Why, are you afraid the whore would break?” quipped a cynical Kagome. She thought it was ridiculous the way some girls starved to get thin. Then again, she never would lose all the pregnancy pounds. Well, at least not in the near future. That was probably what sparked the bitter comment so unlike her.
“Actually, I can't do that because she's my brother's girl. Unless he'd let me loan you out for the night.”
She was shocked and confused. Kagome ended up placing her daughter in Miroku's arms and approaching Hiten.
“What?”
“The pictures were great. I'd ask for a raise.”
She looked down at the pictures. They had a girl in them who wasn't showing a lot of skin, but looked very breezy and relaxed. She knew they were sexy from how Miroku's jaw dropped, or maybe that was shock.
“That's me,” she said pointing to the photo.
“It sure is.”
“I'm not a model.”
“Yeah, okay. Whatever you say.” The sarcastic reply was met with all the seriousness she could muster.
“I'm not a model. I'm a fitter. I'm not even a designer. I get clothes ready for shoots and shows by making sure they fit the models flawlessly.”
“But, you were wearing one of the outfits on the list.”
“Miroku bribed me to not kill him for teasing me the same way you did about the shower incident this morning. I thought I was just getting an ID shot taken.”
“Higurashi.”
Kagome turned to face Mr. Tenseiga, her boss and CEO of the company.
I'll be gone all of next week. Hopefully, I'll have one more chapter out before then. There will be a huge softball tournament in Colorado next week, and my team is going.
I have a basic outline in my head, but for the short term, I'm not all that sure.
