King's Prize (Kissed By The Baddest Bidder)

Chapter 10: Spotlight

"Sir, are you busy tonight?"

Eisuke set the coffee down the table and looked at her. "Why do you ask?"

She pushed infront of him two tickets to a fashion show. "You can bring a date, Sir." He frowned at her and she winked.

He shook his head. Satine had again seen the woman he brought last night and though she wasn't saying anything, her eyes were teasing everytime she look at him.

"At least, that woman is better than the last one."

"I'm not asking for your opinion."

Satine giggled, undaunted. "She really is better. You can bring her tonight, Sir."

"I've a meeting."

Satine sighed and sipped her coffee quietly.

"This is good, by the way."

Her eyes lit up. "Finally," she breathed, rolling her eyes at him.

He smirked. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Sir."

"I can see that."

"Then why even ask, Sir?"

Eisuke glared at her, putting his tablet down. "Honey told you it's okay to talk back to me?"

Satine laughed. "No, Sir. I will behave now."

Eisuke humphed.

"You really can't come tonight, Sir?"

"Why are you insisting?"

The blush crept up to her cheeks at once. "I just thought maybe you'd like to go, Sir. It's Mr. Kisaki's fashion show and actually I'm... I..."

Eisuke gulped down his coffee and stood up. "You may go if you want."

She nodded, dismayed.

***

"You ready?" A model behind me asked, and I tensed, fidgeting on the thin straps of my outfit. From where I was standing I could see the crowd around the stage, camera flashes everywhere, and the woman gave my shoulders a squeeze, but the attempt didn't diminish my scattered nerves one bit, although I am grateful. The models had instantly warmed up to me the first time Ota brought me to practice, and I knew it was mostly due to the fact that I was living in the penthouse with him, that I was bombarded at once with questions about him.

They helped me get over my initial shyness at having to dress, or undress, like this, for Ota designed it in a way that would cover up most of my back, yet the front left too little to imagination and it took two days to finally get the hang of it, showing an ample amount of flesh to the point of near-nakedness while trying to walk confidently on the runway. I had trained infront of the mirror for hours for the right way to project the "pissed-off look" which Ota remarked suited my face perfectly well, adding how it would be easy if I started thinking "everything is not good enough for her."

I snapped out of my reverie for my turn came almost at once.

Don't trip, don't trip, don't trip, I muttered like a mantra to myself as I started walking down the catwalk. Don't smile. Chin up. Take a turn, pause. Hold. Hold. Turn. Walk away.

I was uttering these things to myself and before I knew it I was back again behind the stage, the others giving me a clap on the back and we all undressed in a hurry, ready for the next walk.

On my next set, I was a lot less nervous, and I had time to sweep a look on the upturned faces, my heart jumping at the sight of a smiling Honey and Soryu, with a wide-eyed Mr. Kishi and Mr. Baba, and I was almost tempted to smile back.

Pose, hold. Hold, make a turn, I admonished myself, and I was again walking away.

I hugged the girls behind the curtains, who gushed at me and I was glad that, though I knew they had ulterior motives for befriending me i.e. Mr. Kisaki's affection, they seemed to genuinely like me.

We soon lined up the stage for the finale, Ota walking ahead of us as I trailed three models behind, the claps and cheers so loud my heart seemed to be joining in.

He didn't come, I thought as I smiled for the first time at the flashing cameras. Well he did say he's busy, so why was I so disappointed?

***

Eisuke put down a bouquet of white roses on her table by the bed. He knew the girl wouldn't be up until later, for Ota's shows usually end with an all-night party that lasts until morning and though he had given his permission, he specifically instructed Ota to have Satine return to the penthouse before midnight.

He checked on his watch. Still half an hour before his nine o'clock flight to Dubai.

He closed the guest room door and walked back to the lounge.

The TV was paused on the face of a smiling Satine, eyes alight and cheeks flushed between two other girls. He would never have known it was her if Ota hadn't told him in confidence, for Satine apparently wanted to make it a surprise, which was why she was insisting that morning. She looked almost beautiful in that sheer negligee, not unlike what the other girls were wearing but for some reason, he found it a little too revealing for someone like her, and for the nth time that night he took a deep breath and exhaled.

Damn this airconditioning, Eisuke thought grumpily as he loosened his tie, feeling hot all of a sudden as he turned the TV off, closing the door on his way out.