by Imari Jade
“Satoshi didn’t tell you?”
Kioshi shook his head. “No, but I knew he was the one you went to for advice. He’s a moron, but he’s better than the rest of them.” He paused. “I know you’ve been trying to make a decision that you think is the best for me and you. Please don’t kill our child. It’s a living being. I just felt it move in your womb.”
“But Ki, you’re only nineteen years old and you are a famous pop star. A baby will only hold you back.”
Kioshi rose and sat down next to her. He held her hands in his. “No, it won’t,” Kioshi said. “A baby will make our life complete. I know it won’t be easy with me being on the road and you busy with both groups, but it can work. We can hire a nanny to help out, hopefully one not as sexy or good looking as Dae-Hyun, but I love our baby already. I can’t wait to teach him how to read music and play the violin.”
Cristal scowled playfully. “We’re going to raise a geek?”
Kioshi nodded. “And he’s bound to be super cool like his father.”
“What if it is a girl?”
“Then she will be the prettiest princess in Japan. I will love her and spoil her and take her side in arguments when she’s going against you. And I will teach her right from wrong and keep her away from Raiden and Ryoto when they reach puberty.”
The tears had stopped but Cristal still had her doubts.
“Please say you will marry me. I will not be nineteen forever. I will grow into a man worthy to walk beside you.”
How could she say no?
“Please, baby.”
Cristal nodded and started crying again. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Kioshi.” The baby moved again inside of her.
Kioshi saw it and put his palm against her belly. The baby moved for him too. “I’m going to write the best lullaby for her.” He leaned over and kissed her. “I promised your father that I will love you and protect you forever, and I never break a promise.”
Cristal wrapped her hands around him. “You better not ever leave me, Kioshi.”
“I won’t, my beautiful Amazon. I will love you until I take my last breath.”
“That’s pretty enough to be a lyric.”
“I will write the rest of it and sing it to you as the General is walking you down the aisle.”
“Oh, my God, I’m four months pregnant. We only have a short time to arrange a wedding, and fly my parents to Japan before I start showing.”
“We don’t have to rush,” Kioshi said.
“Maybe you don’t, but I don’t want to look like a blimp when I’m walking down the aisle.” She wiped the tears away. “We’re getting married and going to have a baby.”
“Yes, we are,” Kioshi said. “Now I have to get busy on that house. I saw some prime property in Osaka.”
A baby, a husband, and a house. She was going to have it all and she couldn’t wait for Shaundra to get her ass back to Osaka to help her.
Chapter Seventeen
Damien had to admit that Barbara had some good ideas on how to manage and promote Kazumi. He had wanted to strangle her to death before when she had first got into his business, but Kana no longer feared crowds after Damien sternly told her to get her act together or she would be replaced. And Manami had stopped calling him by his first name when Barbara kissed him right in front of the young woman and made it very clear that he was off-limits. He didn’t know when they had gone from friends to boyfriend and girlfriend, but everything had changed after they had sex.
The very next weekend he met with Tricia and officially broke their engagement. Tricia didn’t seem too disappointed and they both agreed that it was for the best. She even wished him well and hoped that he and Barbara would be happy. The only thing he couldn’t get her to do was apologize to Barbara for beating her up. His father told him to give up while the going was good. A couple of weeks after they’d slept together Barbara had finally told him the truth, that she had started the fight and begged him to forgive her for lying. Now they were starting their relationship with a clean slate. He’d put his foot down. If she ever lied to him again he was not only going to leave her but get her kicked out of Niigata Entertainment. And he meant it too. She could boss him around at work, but in their relationship he was king.
Kazumi rocked the house with their performance with Notorious. They had been getting a steady stream of fan mail since they performed on television and Keiichi had him trying to book them at every venue that he could. July had gone by so quickly and they were now in the middle of August. Aomori and Distraction would be returning soon and the building would once again be busy.
Barbara entered his office dressed in a navy suit that Amaya had designed for her. He had reservations at a restaurant and they were meeting his father and Amaya there at seven.
“I love that color on you,” Damien said.
“Thanks,” Barbara said. “I’ve been getting compliments all day.”
They were just about to leave when an entertainment news show came on and the lead in story mentioned Yori Morioka.
“Maybe we should stay to hear this,” Damien said. He turned up the volume. Barbara went down the hall to get Keiichi. She made it back with him just in time to hear the announcement.
“Famed singer, Japanese pop-star Yori Morioka got married today in Barcelona, Spain. His new bride, the former Dolisa Torres is a college professor and a gifted artist. The two met just a couple of weeks ago when Yori’s group, Aomori, performed there. Yori said he’d met Dolisa on a beach and fell head over heels in love with her. This is the second marriage for the handsome singer and Dolisa’s first. We wish Yori and Dolisa the best.”
“Fuck,” Keiichi said.
Damien looked at his boss, surprised that the curse had come out of his mouth. Keiichi was normally more together and calm. “What’s wrong? He’s been married before.”
“To a Japanese woman. Do you know how crazy his fans will get when they find out he’s married to a foreigner?”
Damien chuckled. Aomori had done a lot worse things since they had been together. Marrying a beautiful señorita could only be a plus in Yori’s favor.
“My father is going to have a fit. Takumijo is dating a guy, Satoshi has broken up with Akemi and now Yori has lost his mind and gotten remarried before the ink dried on his divorce papers.” He stood up. “At least Ichiro is not causing any problems.”
“That’s because he’s afraid of his wife,” Barbara said.
“So not helping,” Damien said to her.
“When is she getting back here, anyway?” Keiichi asked. “How long does it take to film a movie?”
“Later this month,” Barbara said.
“How do you know that?” Damien asked.
“I watch the entertainment news and read the tabloids. Plus, I have a friend in California who has been feeding me information. The filming is almost over. Shaundra has been having a rotten time and she can’t wait to return to Osaka.”
“Good, then she’ll be getting back around the same time as her husband. Maybe she can get these guys under control. They seem to listen to her for some reason. Well, not Takumijo, but the other three.” He paused. “What are two still doing here? I thought you were having dinner with Harper and Amaya?”
Damien stood up. “We’re leaving now.”
Keiichi took their dating very well. In fact, he thought it was a good idea since they both were working so closely together and he wouldn’t have to worry about other significant others complaining about them never being home or always being on the road. “Have a good evening,” he said. “Tell your father hello for me.” Keiichi left his office.
Damien grabbed Barbara’s hand and left quickly before Keiichi changed his mind and thought of something else for them to do.
****
“Isn’t that your other son leaving the restaurant with Shaundra’s crazy daughter?” Amaya asked Harper as they were waiting for the hostess to seat them.
“Yeah, that’s them,” Harper said. “He told me he wa
s too busy to join us tonight, but he wasn’t too busy to hang out with his best friend.”
“I don’t think I could have sat through dinner with Tricia anyway,” Barbara said.
Damien glared at his date.
“What? I apologized, didn’t I?”
“To me and my father, not Tricia.”
“Forget it,” Harper told Barbara. “That’s water under the bridge. Kevin is grown and has a life of his own and I’m getting too old to play daddy. Shaundra will be home soon and she can handle the young ones.”
“Yeah, let her worry about them,” Amaya agreed. “Where is that hostess? I’m starving.”
The hostess finally appeared and escorted them to their seats.
After the waitress took their order, Amaya pulled her mini tablet out of her purse. “I want you guys to see these outfits Saburo created for Aomori and Distraction for their Spain tour. I think he has a lot of potential.”
Amaya passed the tablet to him first. Harper flipped through the screens. “These are really good. Do you think he’d be interesting in joining our firm?”
“I don’t know,” Amaya answered. “I’ve talked to him a couple of times about it but I could never tie him down for an answer. Some of the guys from Flowing Magazine have been talking to him—Katsou, Saito and Mahito Gima.”
Damien chuckled. “His name sounds like a drink.”
“Don’t laugh,” Amaya said. “He’s very popular.”
“And he’s very good at what he does,” Harper said. “He did a dress from Shaundra and the critics are still talking about it.”
“So these guys are your competition?” Barbara asked.
“Yes,” Amaya answered. “I heard they’re thinking about leaving Flowing and forming their own fashion design company.”
“I don’t see what the problem is,” Damien said. “There are about a hundred and twenty-seven million people in Japan and about three-hundred and sixteen million in the United States. There are enough people to go around so the two companies shouldn’t have to fight over clients.”
“Whip him, Harper,” Amaya said. “He’s talking crazy.”
“I’ll have to agree with Damien on this one,” Barbara said.
“That’s because you are American. In Asia we grow up competing.”
Harper was sure that wasn’t true, but he didn’t feel like getting into an argument with Amaya. He had seen the news show about Yori’s marriage on the television while Amaya was showering. All kinds of shit was going to hit the fan when she found out.
The servers came back with their food. They had all ordered from the Chinese menu, fried rice, lo-mien noodles and vegetables, and Damien’s favorite, fried cream cheese-filled wontons. Amaya had tea with her meal, while he, Damien and Barbara ordered beer.
“Oh, look, it’s Akemi and some guy,” Amaya said pointing to the entrance.
“That’s not some guy,” Barbara said. “That’s Yi-jun Lee. You know, the actor.”
“Of course we know who he is,” Amaya said. “I just couldn’t make him out behind those dark glasses.”
“What’s he doing here with her?” Barbara asked. “I thought she was dating Satoshi Hayashi.”
Amaya laughed. “Akemi’s my friend, but she’s a bit wild. She’s been dating Yi-jun off and on for years. As a matter of fact, she just flew to Barcelona a couple of months ago to be with him while he made some movie.”
“Wasn’t Satoshi in Barcelona around the same time?” Damien asked.
“I bet that was interesting,” Harper said. “And Satoshi’s a nice guy.”
“Don’t worry, he’s going to end up with Shaundra, one of these days,” Amaya said.
“What makes you think that?” Harper asked.
“Where have you been, Harper? Satoshi should have been the one to marry her and not Ichiro. It was written in the stars. He was the first one to talk to her at the club that night even though Yori sent him over to the table for him. She just chose Ichiro because he’s safer. And over the years Satoshi has been there for her. He found her after the hurricane and stuck by her even though Ichiro accused him of being the father of her twins.”
“I do remember that,” Harper said. Takumijo had beat the shit out of him at the beach house when they found Shaundra with him. “If that’s the case, it would be me who she should end up with because I knew her first and brought her to Japan.”
“No, you’re for me,” Amaya said. “We are destined for each other. Mark my word, Shaundra and Satoshi will be together in the end.”
“You mean after she divorces Ichiro.”
“Maybe,” Amaya said. “Destiny is a funny thing.”
Harper began eating his food. If he believed in such a thing then no doubt he was going to be the one with Shaundra. Maybe he would have to wait until the twins grew up, but he’d wait if he had to.
“Now getting back to Saburo. I think we need to make him an offer when he gets back to Osaka.”
“Isn’t the man still Distraction’s manager?” Damien asked.
“Mr. Niigata can always hire another manager,” Amaya said. “But another good dress designer is hard to find.”
Harper liked the way Amaya thought. When it came to business, she had Shaundra beat hands down. But then Shaundra was filthy rich and didn’t need anyone to make her a success. All she needed was an imagination.
Chapter Eighteen
The plane couldn’t get her to Osaka fast enough. Cristal unhooked her seat belt after they had landed. She had a full bladder and she wasn’t going to make it home. She made her way to the center aisle and walked quickly to the ladies room.
Kioshi was waiting for her when she exited. “Maybe we’re going to have to put a portable potty in the van.”
“I hate you, Ki. This is all your fault.”
“Don’t fuck with a pregnant woman,” Satoshi said to Kioshi as he walked up behind them. “Their hormones are all out of whack.”
“I will remember that,” Kioshi said. “How long does it last?”
“Until menopause,” Satoshi said to him.
Cristal ignored both of them. She just wanted to get home and get into her bed. She could hear the fan girls before she saw them. They had safely made it through customs, got their luggage and were about to enter the lobby that lead to the exit doors.
Kioshi grabbed her hand. “We’re getting out of here safely together.”
Masaaki began telephoning the guards and security. “Get your asses out there and clear the way for these groups.”
Cristal saw the bodyguards running toward the exit.
“You don’t run,” Masaaki said to Cristal.
After she accepted Kioshi’s proposal the two of them had told the others the good news. Hiroyuki and Izanagi were already arguing over which one of them would be godfather. She wanted Shaundra and Ichiro to be the baby’s godparents and Kioshi wanted Izanagi and Hiroyuki.
“But you’re supposed to pick one male and one female,” Cristal had said to him the other night.
“I know,” Kioshi said. “I did pick one of each.”
“Hiroyuki is so going to kick your ass for calling him a girl,” Cristal said with a laugh.
“He’s business savvy. If something happens to us I’d want him looking after our child. At least the baby would never starve or be homeless. With Izanagi, who knows?”
The crowds began screaming and shrieking as the members of Aomori and Distraction appeared. Kioshi continued to hold her hand as they walked the aisle. He waved with the other.
“Yori, we love you, Yori. Where is Dolisa?”
“She’s still in Spain,” Yori answered. “She’ll be here as soon as her visa clears.”
The crowd clapped and chanted his name.
Some of the guys whistled at Terrie and Takumijo as they walked through. Takumijo waved back but Terrie just kept right on walking like a smart young man. It was best not to aggravate the fans.
“There is Satoshi and Ichiro,” someone shouted.
Hiroyuki walked with Shiro, and Izanagi walked alone listening to his MP3 player. Cristal was surprised he could hear the women shouting for him. Kenshin grabbed Shiro and walked on ahead to go check on their rides. A girl grabbed Hiroyuki and kissed him. Luckily, there was a guard nearby to get the girl off of the pretty auburn-haired singer before he panicked.
Cristal knew something was wrong the moment she stepped outside and saw Damien and Harper. There was a female chauffeur next to them. Of all the times they came and left the city she never remembered them ever being at the airport to greet them.
“Welcome home, everyone,” Harper said. “I need to speak to all of you before you leave.”
It wouldn’t be long before the fans made it out of the terminal. “What’s wrong, Harper?” Masaaki asked.
“I have some bad news,” Harper said. “Goro Niigata has died.”
“Damn,” Cristal said. He’d had a heart attack the last time Distraction came back off the road and Kioshi had saved his life. “When did it happen?”
“About two hours ago,” Harper said. “We wanted to wait until the plane landed safely before we told you. He had another heart attack and went quickly. He died at the hospital. Akari, Keiichi and Masahiko were there with him.”
The tears slipped from Cristal’s eyes. “He was my godfather. I want to go see him.”
“You can’t right now,” Harper said to her. “I’ve called your father. He’s taking the first plane he can get to Osaka. Funeral arrangements are being made. I’m sorry to have to be the bearer of bad news. I will call you as soon as I have more information.”
Cristal’s gaze landed on the comely driver next to Damien. “Who are you?”
“My name is Ikenai Hirogi,” the younger woman replied.
“She’s the new driver for Kazumi,” Damien explained.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Cristal Gentry. Welcome to Niigata Entertainment. We will have to talk once all this dies down.”
