Hi, guys! It's been a while, huh? I missed you all. It feels so good to be back & write again…mind you, but I'm still on vacation. Hehe! I just thought that you might want an idea of what's coming up next, so I decided to post the first chapter of this story, which is taken from this romance novel that I have read a couple of months ago. Anyways, the rating might come up later on…yeah, you're right, there are intimate stuff in here. Hehe! I hope it will be a success. And please give me your thoughts & reviews after you read it. Thanks!
+The Sweetest Revenge+
Chapter One: The Plan
Monday morning &, as usual, the staff of Media Promotions was abuzz with the swapping of weekend news before everything settled down to work. Yamato Ishida exchanged only brief greetings as he walked to his private office, followed by his friend & business partner, Taichi Kamiya. The moment his door was shut, he released his pent-up anger to the one person who should understand his situation.
"You know what Katya told me last Saturday, after I called off our planned outing once again?" he exploded.
"Something undoubtedly designed to cut you off at the knees," came the voice of experience.
Matt grimaced, remembering that Tai had just been through a nasty break-up with a live-in girlfriend. "She said what I really wanted was a toy doll whose feelings wouldn't be hurt from being left on a shelf until I had time for playing."
"Sounds good! A toy doll wouldn't nag."
"Better still, a fairy princess doll…"
"Yup, beautiful, glamorous, long hair, sparkling eyes, a smile to warm a man's heart…"
"With a magic wand that would give me the energy to be the kind of lover that even a plastic toy would expect of a man."
"Ooh…we're getting into kinky stuff here."
"Tai, this is serious. And we are going to have a serious discussion."
With eyebrow's raised, Tai asked, "About women?"
"About business," Matt glared at his friend as he sat on his chair. "Take a seat & wipe that smirk off your face. This is dead serious."
"The man is wounded," Tai muttered, sitting into a chair with a mournful expression. Seeing Matt's irritation, he made an effort to present a suitably serious countenance. It was dangerous to anger Matt in this mood. He was the darkly brooding type…a smart-ass guy who can do almost anything…and he often needed a little bit of cheering up, but this was not the moment.
They were opposites in many ways. Even in looks. Matt - tall, blonde, blue eyes, had a face & body stamped with masculinity, both physical & mental. Oddly enough, Tai never felt intimidated by him. While he himself was only average height, having messy brown hair & brown eyes, he had the gift to gab & attract any woman he wanted.
They made a great team…the design king & the salesman…and Tai was not about to allow anything to disturb it. Besides, his partner's mental well-being was of big importance to their success.
"Business!" Matt tapped the desk with a strong index finger for emphasis. "You know how much stuff the internet has taken off, Tai. I'm buried under. I need two more graphic designers to help take the load."
"That will cut into out profits," he warned.
"I need a life, too," Matt bit out.
Tai rolled his eyes. "Just because Katya got in a fight with you over not getting your undivided attention? She doesn't own you, Matt, & take it from me…"
Blue lightning flashed straight back at him. "I take a lot from you, Tai. You're a great salesman & we're doing good, but I will not work to this pressure anymore."
Hands instantly lifted into surrender. "Okay, okay, as long as this is YOU talking & not Katya. You always said if we worked like dogs until we're thirty…"
"I'll be 28 next week. Both of us earned over five million last year.."
"And may well earn twice this year."
"But we've paid a price for it. You lost your girlfriend…"
"There you go, bringing back women into it…"
"Damn it, Tai! I want a life beyond work, even if you don't. I'll be 28 next week, two years & I'll be thirty. Enough's enough. I need more staff."
"Okay, okay, I'll ask around. Look for someone good for you."
Matt held up two fingers.
Tai sighed. Two more salaries to pay. "So we'll get someone good & one out of design school to be trained. How's that?"
"Cheapskate."
"Not at all. It's common sense to train them our way. You know that, Matt."
Matt privately considered the point, but was not about to relax his stance on the issue. "Get right into it, Tai. And don't be giving me any delays. I don't care what it costs. It will damn cost more if I reach burn-out."
"Don't mention that word!" Horror-struck, Tai rose from his chair. "Your wish is my command, old friend. I shall go forth this moment & hunt for a computer geek."
"Shut-up, Kamiya. Don't forget a trainee, as well."
"No problem, they'll be storming the portals to get here." He strode to the door & paused, looking back with cynical eyes. "I bet Katya is still coming to your birthday bash. She likes what your money can buy. Don't forget that when she turns the screws again."
"Business, Tai," Matt reminded him, & he went.
On edge, disgruntled with his world, Matt turned to his computer, switched it on, & tried to settled himself to work. But Tai's words were stuck in his mind. The fight he had with Katya ended with her saying that the party would be his last chance with her. If he didn't make a move to reorganize his life…
His lips tightened. She'd gone too far, expecting him to order his life to suit her. It wasn't as if he was being unfaithful, taking out other women when she's not looking. And she certainly didn't mind him spending the big money he earned, always asking him to take her to the most fashionable & exquisite restaurants, and get the best seats at the live shows she wanted to see. Tai was right about her using him for all he could give.
In fact, she was becoming an unreasonable bitch, picking fights at the end of the night which inevitably turned him off wanting to have sex with her. Not that he lacked the energy, but it was more of not having the desire.
His last chance…
He had a good sense of ending their relationship before his party, which she didn't want to miss. All the young successful men who were making there mark in business would be there for her to cast her eyes on. Maybe he would cast his eyes around, too. There had to be someone who'd be more amenable to his needs…who wouldn't mind occupying her own life while he dealt with the stimulating challenge of business.
Tai headed for his own private office, thinking how he can smack Katya's face without him ending up in court. That stupid selfish trouble-making bitch is giving them all a headache. She pumped Matt for all he was worth & never gave anything back., as far as Tai could see. Maybe he should hire some party girls for Matt's birthday bash, show him there are many more fish in the sea.
Tai smiled. He's a genius. Why not hire a fairy princess? With a magic wand that would turn Katya Wells into an ugly croaking frog.
"Surprises," Sora Takenouchi announced brightly, tucking the telephone receiver on her shoulder as she reached for a pen & paper. "How may we surprise you?"
"You do acts for birthday parties?" A male voice answered.
"Yes, we do, sir. What do you have in mind? We have the Pretty Roses, The Adorable Animal Farm, The Bananas…"
"I want a fairy princess with a magic wand to sing 'Happy Birthday' & sprinkle some sparkle around."
She smiled at her friend & business partner, Mimi Tachikawa, who still felt exhausted from yesterday's clown act for twenty screaming five-year-olds. "We have the perfect fairy princess fro you," Sora answered with proud confidence.
Mimi rolled tired eyes at Sora. Clearly she needed a sprinkle of magic dust herself to raise some enthusiasm this morning. Four children's parties over the weekend was a heavy schedule & a hige energy sucker. On the bright side, the fairy princess job would be a breeze for her, much easier than the clown act.
"What date are you planning it to be?" Sora asked the caller.
"I want to be sure of the goods first. I need someone who is beautiful…"
"Absolutely beautiful," Sora assured him, grinning at Mimi.
"Long hair? All loose…like flowing around her shoulders?"
"Wavy, okay."
"Not a wig. It certainly won't do."
"I promise you it's not a wig."
"Fine. What about her smile? Nice teeth? A big warm smile?"
"A dazzling smile. Any dentist would proud of her."
"Dazzling, huh? Well, that fit's the bill so far. How tall is she?"
"Tall?" Sora frowned over this requirement.
"I mean, we're not talking about dressed-up kids here, are we?"
"No, our fairy princess is a beautiful young woman, about five eight."
Mimi made a face, distorting her lovely features, making her best impression to look like the wicked witch. She poked out her tongue.
"Great! Just what I expected. One more question, how does her figure rate?"
"Excuse me?"
"You know…curves in the right places?"
"Uh-huh," Sora said, waiting to see how far he would go on this contentious point.
"She has to be sexy. With all the right curves."
"Hmm…" Sexy set off alarm bells in Sora's mind & raised a nasty suspicion. They often get weird calls. Time to nail this one down. "Is this a surprise for a children's party, sir?"
"No, no kids at this party."
"Would this happen to be a bucks' night?" Sora asked sweetly, ready to pour acid on the idea.
"Believe me, Weddings are not in the air. This is a big party for my friend's twenty-eighth birthday & I want this act as a special surprise for him."
"Will there be women, as well as men, attending this party?"
"Yes, there are. You could say all the bachelors & tycoons of the social-climbing groups of all Japan will be there. I assure you, this is going to be a really big party. Very public & will be held at the Grand Hotel."
"I see," A bunch of eligible bachelors on the loose was an attractive proposition. "Well, I would have to insist on accompanying my fairy princess to ensure she isn't subjected to any…shall we say, indignities?"
"No problem. You're welcome to join in the party afterwards. I take it she DOES look sexy."
Caution dictated Sora's reply. "Her figure is definitely curvy in all the right places, but I wouldn't want anyone to get any wrong ideas about why she's there. This is simple a fairy princess appearance to sing 'Happy Birthday.' Correct?"
"Absolutely! Oh, I forgot to ask, can she sing? I mean…really sing?"
"She has toured the country as a professional entertainer. Is that good enough?"
"Great!"
This is going to cost you big, Mister, Sora decided as she proceeded to get party details & settle on the payment.
Mimi was stunned at the outrageous fee Sora was demanding for this gig. No problem about making a profit next week, she thought gratefully. Ever since thee started Surprises, they've been battling to make ends meet, but at least it brought in more regular work than their Country & Western act, & they were settled back in Odaiba. Working in a big city like New York had been fun but not exactly financially rewarding. However, listening to Sora talking on the phone, it was clear the surprise she was arranging was not about entertaining children at all. It sounded somewhat dodgy.
The telephone receiver clattered down. "Got it!" Sora cried triumphantly, dollar signs sparkling in her amber eyes. She could do a great pixie or Tinkerbell with her short red hair & her slim, rather petite figure.
"Got what exactly?" Mimi demanded warily.
"He didn't even hesitate over the money. It just shows he's really loaded & doesn't mind spending. I just LOVE men like that," Sora bubbled on.
"Are you sure he's not a dirty old man?"
Sora grinned. "He could be a dirty young man. Definitely young, late twenties & a bachelor. Co-owner of Media Promotions." She tilted her head on one side. "Maybe I could ask him to make a website for us. Get clients from the internet."
"We don't even have a computer," Mimi reminded her. Sora's mind invariably soared with wild dreams & pulling her feet back onto the ground was often a difficult task.
She shrugged. "Just thinking ahead. This is really good for us, Mimi. All that money & opportunities…"
"When you get your head out of the clouds with silver lighting, would mind telling me what this is all about?"
She did, virtually dancing around their small living room in excitement as she laid out the party details & the invitation to stay on & mix with the 'crowd' of the country's most eligible bachelors.
"What's this guy's name? The one who booked my fairy princess act," Barbie asked, wondering if there was some way of checking out this bona fides before the night.
"Tai Kamiya."
It struck a nerve. "Tai…" Didn't Matt Ishida had a friend of that name? Some college friend or something? Compelled to know for sure, she asked, "And his partner's name? The birthday boy?"
"Matt Ishida." Sora broke into mad song. "Happy birthday, dear Matt. Happy birthday, dear Matt…"
"Stop it!" Mimi yelled, rising from her chair with clenched fists, so violent was the rush of emotion that name had stirred.
Sora stopped dead, gaping at her as though she was mad. "What's wrong?"
As quickly as shock drained the blood from her face, the memory of the worst hurt & humiliation of her life poured back into it. "Don't you remember?"
"Remember what?"
Above flaming cheeks, Mimi's caramel brown eyes turned to icy daggers as she remembered the man who broke her heart into little pieces. "Seven years ago I sang at Yamato Ishida's twenty-first birthday party."
Sora still looked non-pulsed. "You did?"
"Yes, I did. And I poured it all out to you at the time…how he…" She bit off the painful recollection & faced Sora with blazing resolve. "I will never…ever…sing for him again!"
"But…uh-oh!" The memory finally caught up with her. She grimaced. "The guy you had a big crush on when we were school kids."
"Yes, ever since I was ten!" Mimi's voice shook with the violence of feeling the memory stirred.
She LOVED Matt Ishida with all she was, & he totally rejected that love by preferring what a sexy bitch with a flashy car could give him. Which undoubtedly proved he wasn't the person she believed him to be, and she felt really crushed.
"A lot of water under the bridge since then, Meems," Sora pleaded.
True, yet she carried that deep misery with her all the way. No other man had even scratched the surface of what she once felt for Yamato Ishida. He destroyed her faith in love & probably destroyed her belief in dreams, too.
"It's only a ten minute act," Sora argued. "It will help us financially." Her hands lifted in appeal. "He probably won't even recognize you. You had braces on your teeth then & your hair was dyed pink…"
Yes, Mimi remembered how Matt's friends teased her because of her pink hair. They called her a pink squid. She hated it.
"You were a skinny girl when we were teenagers. You're much more mature in your looks now."
"That's not the point," she flared. "I won't sing for HIM. You do it, Sora."
"Oh, yeah…like I have long hair & tall & sexy as you are. Come on, Mimi, the fairy princess act is yours, not mine. Besides, I promised Tai Kamiya no wig."
"Cancel it then. Let him find someone else."
"And lose all that lovely money? Not to mention the chance to meet wealthy bachelors?" She shook her head & walked towards Mimi, the glint of determination in her eyes. "Best for you to calm down & think reasonably about this. If the thought of Yamato Ishida can hurt you so much after seven years…you've got a real problem, and it's time you face it & get over it."
Mimi sat down, not wanting to argue with her friend but stubbornly resolved on sticking to her guns. She would not sing for Matt Ishida. Never!
"Remember the other side of our business…The Sweetest Revenge?" Sora informed as she settled herself on the large padded armrest of the chair.
The idea of someone delivering a bunch of dead roses to a party who had injured or hurt them appealed to quite a few clients. It was a relatively harmless thing for feelings of frustration & anger. At least it stopped people from doing worse things & gave them satisfaction of doing something instead of just being a victim…which was probably true.
Nevertheless, Mimi preferred to pass on those jobs to Sora who liked doing them. Delivering dead flowers to Matt Ishida to demonstrate what she thought about him & his actions wasn't even an option. She wanted no contact with him at all.
"Forget it, Sora. I'd rather face a poisonous snake, & you know how I feel about snakes."
With an expressive shudder, Mimi leaned the other way, resting her elbow on the other armrest. Her friend could argue with her as much as she liked, but on this issue, she wouldn't care less.
"Forget the dead roses. That's not what I've got in mind," Sora assured her.
"Then why bring it up?"
"Because there's nothing like a bit of revenge when someone's done the dirty on you," Sora went on. "Having the last laugh is better. You can get on with your life, knowing you had your little payback."
Mimi rolled exasperated eyes at her. But it didn't stop Sora.
"Revenge is sweet," she declared with relish, her eyes beginning to sparkle again as she spread out her hands like a magician about to perform a marvelous illusion. "Now, imagine this, Mimi…"
AN: Okay, what do you guys think? The next chapter will (hopefully) be up soon. Oh, yeah, can you help me with something. I'm looking for a nice song, something for a fairy princess. Yes, despite everything, Mimi will go on with the act. It's sort of a little revenge she & Sora planned. But will it work? Find out on chapter two.
Please pick one of these songs, or write any suggestions if you have one.
1. Somewhere Over The Rainbow from the Wizard of Oz
2. A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes from Cinderella (Disney version)
3. Once Upon A Dream from Sleeping Beauty (Disney version)
4. Let Me Be Your Wings (Let me be your only love) from Thumbelina