Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/mavercadaver/
Chapter 7
"Mamoru please, I’m really not in the mood."
She stared up at the man before her. His pleading eyes causing her heart to race.
"Oh please, Usagi, you know you love it."
She sighed, yanking her purse from the entry table. Shooting him a death glare.
"Fine, but you’re paying."
"Hey, I’m not showing up to the gala with a scummy looking girl."
She blew him a raspberry.
"When have I ever looked scummy?"
Laughter. He shrugged.
"Touché, still I think you need some retail therapy."
Her look spoke a thousand words, sarcasm, incredulous, beautiful.
"Don’t look at me like that, I am a bachelor, it’s my job to know feminine terms."
She laughed, digging through her purse, searching for her keys.
"Still, retail therapy?"
"Can I help that my charm with women has induced a strong vocabulary that relates directly back to females?"
"Charm my ass."
"With pleasure."
She felt two hands move softly across her behind. Her body tensed at this. Luckily he didn’t see the smile of satisfaction on her face.
"You know I didn’t mean that."
He laughed, moving to stand beside her. By this stage they had made it to the elevator. His arm automatically draped itself over her shoulder, his hand moving across her bare arms slowly.
"I know, but I couldn’t resist."
"Clearly."
Usagi rolled her eyes, settling into his embrace with a smile. She felt so safe. Warmth emanated from his body. His wandering hands leaving butterflies in her stomach.
"Did I mention I love the way you look in jeans?"
The elevator door slid open, they walked, he with his arm still around her shoulders, her wrapping one arm around his waist.
"No, but your growing hard-on was a slight give away."
He laughed, squeezing her closer to him. She loved the way being in his arms felt so natural. She loved the way he was taller than her but close enough to reach if she ever felt the need to kiss him. Not that she would ever kiss him.
"It’s…"
"Disgusting."
"I was going to go with interesting but…" He offered her a grin, it was all he could do for the curtain like monstrosity that hang from her figure. Watching as Usagi swatted at the ribbons of the bow that seemed to merge with the skirt of the floral dress, Mamoru attempted to contain the laughter.
"I can’t believe you chose this…Mamoru I thought you had taste. My god!"
Laughter spilled from his lips as she turned around with an obvious look of disdain. The attendant of the boutique chose that moment to attempt a sale.
"It really is exquisite. Wouldn’t you agree Miss?"
He noted the shock in her eyes. Causing the laughter to increase in volume. She was trying hard to stop her own giggles emerging.
"Oh yes. I’ve never seen anything like it," Serena plastered a false smile to her face. "It’s truly unique." She said, tugging a ribbon of the bow. Mamoru chose that moment to step beside her, wrapping his arm around her waist. He turned them both so that they stared into the floor-to-ceiling mirror. Usagi tried to hide her pleasure at the attractive couple they made. Even in the disgusting dress. Mamoru wore a smirk, mirth twinkling in his eyes. Her own eyes narrowed.
"Madame, wouldn’t you agree that my fiancée looks stunning in this dress? I absolutely refuse to leave without it. How much will it set me back?"
And so began the sales pitch. The attendant smiled in glee at the thought of her commission cheque. The dress was worth a small fortune, being the Louis Vuitton creation that it was, they rarely sold dresses like this one. She had no idea it was because of the absolutely repulsive design. A Vuitton was a Vuitton.
Usagi rolled her eyes as the attendant continued with her spiel. She made it a point to jab Mamoru in the ribs. Quite hard at that. He responded by tightening his grip around her. She simmered quietly.
Her mind backtracked a few moments. Had he just…called her his…fiancée?!?!?! Usagi’s mind reeled. Was he serious? What the hell was he thinking? Did he simply wish to carry on the façade from the hospital?
"…Miss? What do you think?" Usagi was dragged out of her reverie by the whining sales attendant’s voice. She looked to Mamoru for help but he simple stared back at her with raised eyebrows.
"I…really like it. Without a doubt." The last word was bit out, eyes shooting ice at her ‘fiancée’. The attendant nodded eagerly.
"But," She frantically wracked her mind for an excuse. Watching the smile falter on the attendant. Usagi turned to Mamoru, "I’m sure Mako mentioned this exact dress on the phone the other night, Sugar. I’d absolutely die if we showed up at the gala in identical dresses."
Mamoru laughed, moving away from her, flippantly waving her away.
"Whatever you want Princess. I don’t want you to feel inadequate. I know that’s your biggest insecurity."
The disappointment of losing the sale dissipated as the attendant saw the oncoming of a vicious argument.
What the hell did he mean by that? How could he just pick at her soul like that. After she told him of her…Usagi saw the coy grin on his face. He was just playing a game. Playing her for a reaction that he knew he could squeeze out of the curtain clad blonde. With a scowl, she turned on her heel, stomping to the dressing room, not after calling over her shoulder.
"That may be the case Honey, but I’m going to buy a dress that will put you so far out of pocket you won’t even be able to dream of that penis enlargement you wanted – and so badly needed." Sadistic pleasure simmered her anger as she saw the look of absolute horror on Mamoru’s face.
"Usagi…please, I’m tired of looking at dresses. You proved your point in the Vuitton boutique, I’m not going to embarrass you anymore, the red Gucci was fine. The blue Dior was fine. The orange God-Knows-What was fine. Can you please pick one and get the hell out of here."
She turned, staring at him with her hands planted on her hips.
"Mamoru."
He rolled his eyes at her testy stare.
"Usagi."
"Mamoru."
"Usagi."
She was getting irritated. What could she possibly say to him to justify this silly behaviour. Why was she being so fussy today?
"Mamoru. Let me tell you about my life. Six and a half days out of seven I spend at the hospital. An average shift spans from 6am till 10pm. Did you know that the average doctor attains only 4 hours of sleep per night. When I go home I eat if I feel like it. If I’m not tired enough to collapse on the couch in something of a stupor. I rarely have time to flit about the fashion boutiques, let alone beauty boutiques. I treat myself on fear of disobeying the commands of my friends.
"Today is Friday. Normally I have to go in to the hospital, fill out forms for two hours and check on any patients that have been assigned to me. On behalf of an influx of new doctors I’ve been informed someone is on top of it today. I don’t have to go in. Oh but if they should need me I’ll receive a call…of course not at my own whim. At the whim of the sadistic bastards that are holding the puppet strings of my beginning-to-be-redundant life."
She flashed a grin, turned on her heel and entered the nearest boutique. The golden letters reading ‘La Boite’. He simply followed with a slack jaw.
"You owe me. Usagi god damnit you owe me!" She smirked at his voice resounding into her dressing room. This was the fourth dress she was trying in the quaint little boutique. The last for the day. If this wasn’t what she wanted then she would simply have to re-use a dress from her earlier days of social gatherings. She didn’t even bother gazing at her reflection in the mirror, simply strode out of the cubicle and onto the raised level for Mamoru and herself to observe the dress. After some quick adjustments to the skirt she finally looked up. Her mouth hanging open. What she saw wasn’t the weary doctor she knew. She saw a complete stranger.
The dress was a pale gold colour with a long, straight satin skirt, parting mid thigh to reveal her slender legs. A layer of ruffles edged the slit, in the traditional Spanish style. The top of the dress came up, around her neck, dipping down between her breasts, displaying a modest amount of cleavage, a tiny spaghetti strap stretched across her back, with hundreds of drop beads hanging from it.
He was trying so hard to contain his desire. The look of her in that dress was too much for him. The small curve of her breast, visible from the fabric that fell away, leaving that little bit of soft skin exposed for his hungry eyes.
"I like it…" Her voice was dreamy, gazing at herself in the mirror in complete awe. With a timid hand, she pushed her hair out of her eyes. Still gazing intently at her reflection. He watched her eyes dart up and down her body. Approval sang from her grin that was slowly creeping onto her face.
"I love it…"
He was behind her, his arms snaking their way around her waist, fingers grazing against her bare back. "You look…" She tilted her head backwards, reveling in the emotion that shined in his eyes. It was so rare to see the flash of feeling.
"I look…"
"You look stunning darling absolutely stunning. That dress was just made for you. Now normally I would lie just to sell a high priced piece of cloth but really. I have not seen a more beautiful customer and her husband. Oh my you two are a lovely couple. How long have you been married?" Usagi stared in awe at the salesmen, one hand on his hip, the other rubbing his chin thoughtfully. A pair of pink rimmed rectangular glasses sat on his nose while he was dressed completely in black. His distinct lisp and blunt nature pulled a smile onto Usagi’s face.
"We’re not married." Usagi stepped off the podium, taking the mans hand into her own, he shook her hand the way females do when they’re expecting a kiss. Usagi was quite taken aback.
She felt Mamoru’s arm slip around her waist again. Cursing the butterflies that seemed to explode into her stomach at every touch, glance, insult, kiss. She mentally erased kiss from that list. She was drunk. She couldn’t even remember.
"Soon though. Isn’t that right Honey-Bunny? Only 4 more months."
The clerk whooped in joy.
"Oh you simply must return so we can help with your wedding. God, you have to invite me. I wouldn’t miss a couple like you in a church in white….ohhhhh can’t you just picture it now?"
Usagi giggled nervously. Noting the sly grin on Mamoru’s face. He was going to hear it after they left this boutique.
"Mamoru Chiba." He held out his hand to the clerk who took it delightedly. "And this is my fiancée Usagi Tsukino."
She smiled icily up at the man who held her quite possessively. Holding her hand, again, to the smaller, more feminine man.
"Melvin Rodriguez. But my friends call me Mel."
Usagi smiled, slipping her hand out of his own a little uneasily. This man was beginning to grate at her nerves.
"I’ll take the dress. And any accessories you see fit Mel. Mamoru, can you stay with him and fix it all up. I’ve got to run to the little girls room."
She slipped away quietly. Leaving a delighted Mel and a slightly brooding Mamoru.
"Night Usagi, I hope you’re feeling better."
She smiled, appreciation shinning in her eyes. It spoke for so many things. So many thanks she never thought she’d say to the man before her.
He nodded, knowing the power behind her smile. Knowing that she needed him today, and that he was there for her.
"I’ll pick you up at 6pm. You better be ready."
A frown creased her brow. She looked past him, her mind working, he saw all this with dazzled eyes. He’d never seen her in concentration. Is this the way she looked when she operated? When she went over her patients? When she did her paperwork. He liked the way her brow creased a fraction, the way her eyes seemed to glaze over, the way she got lost inside herself. Mamoru frowned in response to his thoughts. What had gotten into him?
"The gala starts at 7pm, right?"
He nodded, composing himself.
"I have an operation at 4pm. It’s a big one, can we make it 6.30? Just to be sure?"
"Of course, we’ll be fashionably late, I’m sure that’s not new to you."
She laughed, pushing him out of her apartment.
"I prefer to call it, making an entrance." She smiled, that winning smile. Melting him, his wall of composure crumbled.
"Of course you do Princess. Of course you do. See you tomorrow."
She waved, smiling pensively as he strode through the hall of her building. Since when had watching Mamoru Chiba dragged a smile onto her face? Since when had the sound of his voice, saying her name made her knees feel weak? Since when had he been able to make her forget about the demons of her past with the smallest of kind gestures. Since when…She closed her door softly, making her way to her bedroom to marvel at the dress he had just purchased for her.
She stared down at the sleeping man before her. Dartagnan. He looked peacefully innocent. Just as they always did. He looked like the man that used to bundle her into his arms and piggy-back her through the vineyards picking her the ripest grapes and the sweetest plums. He looked like the man that would stand on his cottage porch and laugh that bellowing laugh of his until he had the whole company laughing. But most importantly, he looked healthy. Usagi’s heart jumped with a pang of guilt. But was he?
"Is he…?"
"He should be fine Usagi, you did a great job. There are no signs of a tumor, he’s pulse is steady, his blood pressure is regular. Everything is as it should be."
"As it should be."
Her assistant recognised her distant eyes, the doubt in her voice. The tremble to her hand as she pushed a lock of hair away from the sleeping Frenchmen’s eyes.
"Relax. Don’t you have a ball to get to?"
"As a matter of fact I do, and you do too, so lets pack up and get out of here."
He smiled, taking her gloves and face mask for her. Even in the dim light of the preparation room and with the tired circles under her eyes, Usagi was beautiful and her assistant couldn’t help but admire her good looks.
"So I heard you’re getting hitched Doc."
Usagi almost choked, thanking the good lord that her back was turned to her assistant.
"Yes, that’s right Kazu-san. My, my, word sure does travel fast around here."
Kazu was good enough to offer her a shy shrug.
"You know the nurses at this hospital. They spend more time gossiping than they do tending to the patients."
She laughed at this, "Yup. They sure as hell make my job a hard one."
"Yeah. But hey, this guy, Mamoru right?"
She nodded, they had begun to make their way towards her office. She heard the warning tone in Kazu’s voice.
"Mamoru Chiba. I heard he’s a real lady-killer. I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into Doc."
His last comment stopped Usagi dead in her tracks. She turned with a steely gaze, anger seeping into her glare.
"I don’t see that it is any of your business Kazu-san."
The younger boy raised his hands in defense, shaking his head. "No, no Doc you got me all wrong I…"
"I don’t care how I got you Kazu-san. You’re in no position to be mouthing off about my fiancée. I obviously saw something in him to agree to spending the rest of my life with him so why don’t you back off and let me be happy."
Usagi didn’t bother to wait around for his response. Her anger fuse had been lit and she had to get away from the innocent boy before she said anything else that would jeopardise their work relationship.
What the hell had triggered her sudden impulse to defend Mamoru Chiba? To talk about him as if he really were her fiancée? What the hell had caused that giddy feeling in her stomach?
With those nagging thoughts, Usagi slammed the door to her office open causing her secretary to squeak in fright.
"Usa…"
"Not now Naru."
"One of those days?"
"Yes. No. I don’t know. God. I need to get out of here. Naru, will patch my number down to room 484. I want them to call me should anything happen to that patient."
"Sure thing Doc. I’ll see you at the gala?"
"Of course. Ciao."
Usagi sighed deeply. Of course. Of course she’d see her at the gala. Everyone would see her at the gala with her ‘fiancee’. And Usagi would smile and pretend that she was in love with the man that she hated. But Usagi wondered, did she really hate Mamoru Chiba?
One last look in the mirror was all she needed. Just one before he came. He’d be at her apartment in one minute. She just had to rush into her bedroom and stare at herself one last time before he…
"Fuck!"
He was knocking on her door. She cursed again, where were her damn shoes? She had her gold Blahnik’s delivered just yesterday. Where the hell did she shove that box.
"Usagi…we’re going to be late."
There. Under the coffee table. She ripped the box open and shoved her foot into the shoe, careful not to smudge the freshly painted nail polish.
"Usagi!"
"Just a sec…"
She went down with a bang. Sending the second shoe flying. Had she ripped her dress? Not yet. Hair ok? Fine. With a quick fluff of her bangs, she hobbled to the front door and swung it open.
The look on Mamoru’s face was enough to wipe away any pain from her fall. He stared at her with a slack jaw, his eyes roaming shamelessly over her body, fit in the gold dress that hugged her shapely curves. He appraised her hair, that was swept into a neat French twist with a few tendrils framing her face. His eyes finally settled upon her face, smiling at her subtle dusts of make-up.
"You’re missing a shoe. You look hot."
She sighed and pushed her over coat into his arms, turning to retrieve her missing shoe.
"I am hot. Godamnit. You’re early."
"By one minute."
She frantically searched for the shoe, trying to keep her fringe from flicking into her eyes. Why was he just standing there? She knew he was commanding but at this moment, he seemed to fill her entire apartment. Usagi felt vulnerable in the revealing dress. Perhaps because for once, she felt attractive, and if she was attractive than Mamoru would be attracted. She shoved these thoughts out of her mind as she triumphantly grabbed her shoe and shoved it on her foot.
It was of course, a complete surprise to find his arms wrapping themselves around her waist as she straightened. Her body tensed as she felt his own press against her back. He was so warm.
"Mamoru…"
"Usagi. I don’t think you heard me correctly. I said you looked hot."
"I am hot. I’ve been rushing around this damn apartment…"
"No Usa. You look…hot."
She saw the way his lips curved as he said the word hot. She saw the couple they made in the mirror. She saw the heavy lidded eyes of his roaming over her behind.
With a shy smile she squirmed her way out of his arms and placed her hands on his chest. He was still looking at her with that smirk, with those eyes clouded with desire.
"Just because I spent over-a grand on a pair of shoes, doesn’t mean you can take advantage of me when I lose one."
She smiled to herself, hoping to keep the mood light so that he’d back off. It appeared to be working. He stood holding her coat open for her.
"Thank you Monsieur."
He chuckled, draping his arm around her shoulders as he led them both out of her apartment.
"Oui mon chéri. Dieu que vous semblez assommant."
She batted him lightly on his chest, slipping her own arm around his waist.
"So…tonight I am Mrs. Chiba-to-be. No thanks to you. Think we can pull it off?"
He smiled down at her. He really did look handsome. If only he wasn’t such an asshole. Usagi ignored the niggling voice in her head that reminded her of how charming he had been these past two days.
"I think we’ll do just fine Mrs. Chiba."
"To be!"
Usagi found herself frowning. Simply because the idea of being Mrs. Chiba, at that point, excited her immensely.
"Darling you look fabulous. Who knew, there actually was a woman under all that cursing and scruff."
Usagi gave Minako a dry stare, smiling widely as Kunzite approached.
"Kunz, you remember Mamoru."
The two men shook hands, eyeing each other skeptically. Usagi and Minako simply rolled their own eyes, snorting at the childish display.
"Shall we go in? Or are we going to wait around outside until one of you ladies…"
Usagi elbowed Mamoru in the ribs, smiling at his grunt of pain.
"We’ll go in. Are the others here yet?"
Minako nodded, linking her arm into Kunzite, leaving Mamoru and Usagi standing side by side. She sighed as the inevitable arm was draped over her shoulders.
"Yeah. I saw Mako wandering around checking out the food. She’s such a dork. Nephlyte was talking to some…"
Minako’s drone was ebbed out by the feeling of Mamoru’s lips against Usagi’s ears. The pair walked a few steps behind Minako and Kunzite, giving them a touch of privacy. Shivers cascaded through Usagi’s spine from the tickle of his breath.
"So Mrs. Chiba, how are you enjoying your post at my side?"
She could only smile, choosing not to answer, but to pinch his arm instead. He hid his grunt of pain as Minako turned back at them to see if they were listening. Usagi smiled warmly at her friend.
"…and Rei, boy oh boy does she look like a mess. Bags under the eyes and all. Usa, you need to talk to your sister. I really think something’s up with her. She’s been clinging to some guy all night. As if someone’s going to come along and snatch him away. Oh and the mayor’s wife she looked so…"
Usagi felt Mamoru’s reassuring squeeze, his free hand finding her own, spreading warmth through her ice cold fingers.
"Hey, why don’t you guys go on ahead, I’ve got something to give to Usagi."
Minako shot Kunzite a questioning glance. Kunzite, in turn, landed his steely gaze on Mamoru. He placed a hand on Minako’s shoulder and the two of them made their way inside.
Usagi’s spirits had plummeted at the mention of her sister. She felt tears welling in her eyes. She didn’t belong her. She didn’t belong anywhere near here or the company that would be here.
"Hey. Usa, don’t cry. It’ll be fine."
She blinked away the tears, not wanting to smudge her make-up.
"No…no it won’t. I don’t belong here. Don’t you understand? The people here, they hate me. Everyone in New York hates me."
"No. Usagi, no. I don’t hate you."
‘But you don’t love me.’ Usagi nearly snorted in disbelief at her own thoughts. What made her think that? What made her want him to love her.
"It doesn’t matter Mamoru. One person doesn’t change the way an entire city thinks."
"It shouldn’t have to. Don’t be silly. You look gorgeous, lets go in there and show them what a beautiful surgeon you are."
"I can’t…Rei’s…Rei."
"Fuck her. Fuck them all Usagi. Lets make this Mr. And Mrs. Chiba…to-be’s night."
She cracked a smile and swatted him lightly on the shoulder.
"Don’t you forget it."
His arm wound itself around her waist once again, as he led her up the stairs into the grand hotel before them.
~*MUAH*~
When everything is gone there should be nothing to fear. This world will not bring me down because I’m already here.