The Contract

Chapter 3

Kagome POV

"Now it's public. Let's go on a date."

This idiot. He has no care in the world. He came to my office during work hours, decided to officially announce our contractual relationship in front of the world, and now he's just lying down on my sofa, eating my chocolate he found in my drawer. How is his company even still alive?

"I know I'm handsome and all, but I'd prefer it if you didn't stare at me while I'm eating. You've got a strong gaze."

I looked away, my cheeks slightly flushed pink from the embarrassment.

I have to get him out of here. For my mental health.

"So, hey, Inuyasha?" I started sweetly.

"If you're planning to kick me out and run away from this date, no can do. I've already booked a restaurant appointment at a terrace."

I dropped my head back to my laptop.

"The press will also be there~"

I slowly brought my head back up to look at Inuyasha, only to find him staring at me with a glint in his eyes.

He's got my attention and he knows it.

If the press is going to be there, all the more reason for people to believe this facade, and possibly spread word around faster.

"Fine," I answered.

"Yay."

"-but you're driving."

"That's fine. I would love being a gentleman for my beautiful girlfriend."

Heat crept up to my cheeks. I admit, I'm not used to compliments. Even simple ones like this.

I dropped my head back to my laptop and furiously typed up the statement, my brain racking and focusing on my work rather than Inuyasha's gaze on me. I could feel his smirk from here. Because of that, more heat crept up to my cheeks, leaving my face ablaze.

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Inuyasha jogged to the passenger seat before I could reach it, and opened the door with a smirk. He bowed, and looked up at me through his eyelashes.

"Get in and make yourself comfortable, m'lady."

Heat, again, threatened to creep up to my cheeks, but I did my best to keep a straight face. I will not allow him to get through me, and I will especially not allow him to know my weakness to simple compliments.

I hopped in the passenger seat, as Inuyasha gently closed the door and quickly walked to the driver's seat to open the door, and start the car.

Once the car started, Inuyasha swiftly put in the address to the terrace and started driving.

The atmosphere was awkward and silent. Or maybe I just felt that it was awkward, considering how laidback and relaxed Inuyasha seemed.

I decided to start a conversation.

"So, um, where'd you get the idea of a contractual relationship from?"

I winced. What a great conversation starter, Kagome.

"Funny, I didn't actually think of it." Inuyasha replied.

"Wait, really? Who did?"

"A good friend of mine. His name is Miroku."

"And you went along with it?" I asked. The tension in me slipped, and was replaced with curiousity.

"Well, it didn't take long for me to be convinced after seeing your lovely face," Inuyasha winked towards me.

I deadpanned. "Quit lying and tell me."

Inuyasha chuckled, his deep voice echoing throughout the car. "What? You think I'm lying?"

I raised my eyebrows, and sent him a 'You think I'm a child?' look.

"Haha fine, fine. Some of the reasons used to convince me was because of your lovely looks, but most of it was because of how it would benefit my company. I'm still a CEO, mind you."

I turned my head to face the window.

"I'm still confused on why you chose my me, rather than other companies that have a clean record," I said.

"I'll tell you that reason when the right time comes," Inuyasha replied.

"Oh come on. What is this? An anime? Just tell me the reason now," I pouted.

"Oh my dear Kagome, stop your cute whining and pouting, and get ready to put your camera face on. We're here."

I craned my head to see behind the car, and was met with a bunch of journalists and more than anticipated number of paparazzi. I thought there would be around 30-50 people, but clearly, I was inexperienced with estimating numbers. There were more than a 100 people lined up in front of the terrace entrance.

In the corner of my eye, I could see Inuyasha smirk.

"Look how popular we are, babe," Inuyasha spoke. "Come on, let's make our grand entrance."

He opened his door and ran out to my side, and opened my door. Inuyasha slightly bent down in a bow and stretched his hand out to me, as the noise of camera flashes and questions rained down.

"What?" I asked.

"Your hand, Kagome," Inuyasha chuckled.

Pink grazed over my cheeks, as I put my hand in his, mentally beating myself up over seeming clueless at such an obvious gesture.

I stepped out of the car, and put on a smile as flashes blinded my vision, and people demanding for answers filled my ears. However, I had grown used to it. I was used to keeping a genuine-looking smile on my face as I was berated by hundreds of people. It seemed like Inuyasha was also used to it, considering he didn't flinch nor seem bothered. In fact, the small winks and waves he sent to the paparazzi all seemed genuine, if I didn't know what it was like to be in this position.

We both walked forward, hand in hand, trying to get to the entrance in time for our dinner.

"Mr Izayoi, what do you think about the Hojo and Kagome scandal?"

"Ms Higurashi, why did you go for Mr Izayoi rather than Hojo?"

"Ms Higurashi, why did you suddenly start dating after the Hojo scandal?"

"Ms Higurashi, is your relationship with Mr Izayoi, of love or benefits?"

"Mr Izayoi, do you really love Ms Higurashi, or is it all just fake?"

At that question, Inuyasha stopped walking and turned to face the nearest mic. His hand, still enclosed around mine, held me back from walking, as all noise and movement stopped at that second. You could practically hear the eagerness of the hundreds of people in the air.

Then Inuyasha broke that silence and spoke, "I'm not sure if I love Ms Higurashi as of yet, but this attraction I feel towards her certainly isn't fake. I hope that none of you go questioning our feelings towards each other as a mere piece of paper."

I felt myself being tugged forwards, and before I could process what Inuyasha had stated to the reporters, I was walking next to him, steps away from entering the terrace entrance.

There were numerous camera flashes flashing my way, and some confusion slipped through me as I looked at Inuyasha to see no reporters taking pictures of him. However, that confusion faded away when I briefly saw my reflection in the glass doors of the entrance.

My cheeks were burning red, and my embarrassment only grew more after seeing that.

Oh god, the public were gonna get a kick out of this.