Riley whistled. "Look at this crowd."
Shaundra turned around in her seat. "Oh my word. This place is packed." Mr. Niigata had arranged for them to enter the Dome earlier.
Smart man. Young girls and women screamed Aomori's name and held banners for their favorite groups from the balcony even though the super group was nowhere in sight.
"Think of all the money being made," Harper said at her right. To him, everything revolved around money.
Shaundra turned her attention back to the stage area. Six groups were slated to perform during the next five hours. There had been a lot of action earlier as the stage hands moved instruments and scenery around, but now the dark curtains were down and drawn. Multi-colored lights flickered and the intro music began to play. The huge dome went silent and the curtains lifted. The first group, Bushido, took the stage and the fans went wild, stamping their feet and clapping their hands to the rhythmic hip-hop song.
The group was decked out in bright colors with western-world haircuts. The leader, a blond, was cute, had a nice, sexy high voice that made the young women in the audience scream. This went on for about an hour or so. Bushido performed four songs in Japanese and then disappeared behind the curtain. There was a brief intermission, during which the ladies decided to go to the restroom. After waiting in a long line, all four women returned to their seats just in time for the next act to appear.
This time, a group of young women arrived on stage dressed in mini dresses and skirts and they performed a medley of juvenile songs that made Shaundra's stomach turn. They were cute, but the only girl group she liked was the Supremes.
Harper left during the second intermission and had not returned by the time the fourth group came on. The beautiful song made her stop squirming in her chair. The curtain opened and Aomori stood on stage dressed in black and white suits. None of the outfits were alike, probably designed to match the wearer's personality. Their hair was stylishly arranged, and they wore a ton of stage makeup to emphasize their perfect faces.
The crowd went wild and joined them in the song, nearly drowning out Aomori a couple of times. When the song ended, they didn't get a chance to relax because the boys broke into a fast number that showcased their sensational dance techniques. Ichiro had some pretty serious moves for someone who hardly ever talked. No wonder he'd turned down the girl in the club that night. Those hip movements and pelvis thrusts made Shaundra's body temperature spike.
Satoshi performed a solo while the rest of the group went backstage.
He had a really nice voice, kind of deep and sensual, which made the women in the audience scream even more. When the rest of the group returned, they were dressed in jeans, tees and vests and performed some skits while Satoshi changed. He joined them a short time later and encouraged the audience to participate.
She found their antics delightful, including Takumijo, who used his looks and build to command attention. A giggling young woman was taken from the audience to participate in a skit, but all she managed to do was scream and fan herself with her hand while holding tightly to Yori.
Aomori performed another round of fast songs accompanied by their backup dancers. They disappeared backstage for a rest.
Shaundra looked down at her watch. Four hours had passed. The curtain rose again and Mr. Niigata, Harper and another Japanese man she didn't recognize appeared on stage. Mr. Niigata introduced him as the owner and CEO of Flowing Magazine. Shit, she had forgotten all about the cover.
After a brief mention about the opening of their joint publishing company, a huge covered billboard was lowered from the ceiling and Jay Adams, the photographer friend of Harper's, appeared to talk to the fans about Aomori's involvement with their latest edition. The fans screamed Aomori's name and then Jay unveiled the cover. There was a deafening silence and then stomping and excited screaming of Yori's name.
"Oh, my goodness," Shaundra said, staring at her image bigger than life on the billboard with Yori. Jay had captured them in a very provocative pose on the chaise lounge. She hardly recognized herself due to the hair, makeup and airbrushing of her imperfections. She had to admit that she did look beautiful, and Yori was so handsome. His image seemed to jump from the billboard. Fans pulled out their cameras and their dreaded cell phones. They began taking pictures of the poster and were probably emailing it to their friends and sending it directly to Facebook and YouTube.
"Do you think the fan girls liked the cover?" Shaundra asked Dorothy as she eased her sunglasses out of her purse and put them on.
"I don't know," Dorothy admitted. "But I wouldn't want to be in your shoes at the moment. How are we going to get you out of here without anyone finding out who you are?"
True, she hadn't seen many African American females since they'd entered the Dome, if any. "I hope Harper and Mr. Niigata have a plan for my escape. You know most of them have already seen the two of us together on YouTube. For all I know, they are already planning my demise."
"They're a bunch of teenage girls and young women. What can they do to you?"
The publisher lifted the billboard and left the stage under the shouts for Aomori to return to the stage. Mr. Niigata was smart enough to send in another act. Shaundra scooted down in her seat. She didn't want to think of all the awful things Aomori's fans could do to her before she left Japan.
"Who is that woman?" Kaori Saitama asked Yori after the concert ended and they were all backstage at the after-concert celebration.
"Ichiro's girlfriend," Amaya answered for him.
"So why isn't she posing with him instead of your fiance?"
"That is a good question, Mother. Yori, why isn't she posing with Ichiro?"
"Because the photographer asked me. You know how shy Ich is."
"But to pose so sexy with a stranger is..." Kaori didn't get a chance to finish the sentence.
"Good publicity strategy," her husband, Dai, replied. "Flowing is trying broaden its readership by reaching beyond Japan."
Yori did not expect his future father-in-law to be in agreement or be so knowledgeable about trends.
"I wish I would have known about this issue. I would have put in an ad for our business," Dai replied.
"But, Father, don't you think it's shocking that a woman her age would agree to be photographed in such a way?"
"What's wrong with it?" Dai asked. "She's a beautiful middle-aged woman. Ichiro is a lucky man. It is an honor for an American woman to be asked to grace the cover of a Japanese magazine. It would have been rude for her to refuse."
"Why are you taking her side?" Amaya whined. "She is trying to make a name for herself with her ties to Aomori."
"Ms. Morrison is a successful romance writer in America. Her latest book is number one on the best sellers list. She does not need Aomori to gain fame," Yori said in Shaundra's defense.
"Why are you sticking up for her?" Amaya asked.
"I'm not sticking up for her." He needed a nice stiff drink. He signaled for one of the waiters hired to cater the evening event. He brought with him a tray of mixed drinks. Dai, being the eldest, chose the first glass, and Yori reached for a glass of Bourbon. The women declined alcohol and chose iced tea instead.
Yori scanned the room for Shaundra. He found her off in a corner at a table talking to Ichiro. From where he stood, the two of them seemed pretty friendly. Satoshi and Takumijo were entertaining the other two female Japanese authors and the one named Dorothy was in a heated conversation with John Sampson, their music arranger, and some of his friends.
Ichiro rose from his seat, helped Shaundra up and walked her over to the food. Yori gulped. The black dress she wore hugged all the right places. He rejoined the conversation just in time to see the pissed look on Amaya's face. He finished his drink. Tonight, he'd entertained and pleased thousands of people, was on the top of the Asian music charts, engaged to a very lovely young woman, yet at that moment, he wished he could just walk away from the complication of it all. Maybe he should volunteer for his military duty early.
His body still ached from the performance. He would have preferred to go back to the hotel and go to bed, but Mr. Niigata and Masaaki insisted that they stay and fraternize with the public after their shows.
"How did you business meeting go?" Yori asked Dai as they headed toward the food. Amaya walked behind them with her mother, speaking rapidly in their dialect.
"It went well. The suppliers had some great material and I spent a lot of money. They are supposed to deliver it next week so we can begin using it in our fall designs."
"Have you finalized your plans for the fall fashion show?" Every year, Dai and his company put on this fancy event to showcase their fashions.
"Yes, I only wished you and Aomori were free to work the runway.
Just think of all the young women that would come if I had you there."
"We'll be on tour, but maybe next year."
Satoshi and the others made it over to the buffet table and he introduced them to Mr. and Mrs. Saitama and, of course, they already knew Amaya. She quickly pulled Satoshi over to her. Luckily, Ichiro had taken Shaundra back to their seats before Amaya started asking Satoshi questions.
"What's wrong with Ichiro?"
"What do you mean?" Satoshi asked. He placed some food on Amaya's plate and then his own. Dai and Kaori went off to speak to the CEO of Flowing to see if maybe they still could take an ad out in the magazine, leaving him alone with their pissed off daughter.
"Why is he acting so anti-social? I haven't seen you guys in a long time. The least he could do is come over and say hello."
"You know Ichiro isn't much of a socializer, and besides, he has company."
"Tell me the truth. Are the two of them dating?"
"Yes," Satoshi answered.
Yori made a face that Amaya did not see. "See, I told you. She thinks I am lying to her."
Satoshi laughed. "Why would Yori lie about Ichiro dating?"
"Amaya seems to think that Ichiro is more into men than women."
Satoshi chuckled. "I wish."
Amaya punched Satoshi on the arm. "Are you still teasing him?"
"Makes my day. You know how pretty he is."
"Don't try to change the subject."
"Amaya seems to think that Ms. Morrison and I have something going on since we have been photographed together lately."
"It's part of a publicity promotion," Satoshi said to Amaya.
Takumijo entered the room with a man.
"Isn't that Osamu Nakaumura?" Amaya asked.
"Yes," Satoshi answered. "It's him."
Yori turned to the door and frowned. Was Takumijo crazy or what? He knew how Mr. Niigata felt about Nakaumura. Leave it to him to pull such a foolish stunt.
Takumijo walked over and introduced him to Amaya. "This is my friend Osamu Nakaumura."
"I've seen all your movies," Amaya said as she moved near him.
"You're a very good actor."
Osamu bowed, obviously overwhelmed by the young woman. "Thank you."
"How do you know Takumijo?"
"We worked together on a drama a couple of years ago and became friends. We get together for drinks from time to time whenever he comes to town."
Yori kept his comment to himself. He didn't really like Osamu. The other man had never done a thing to him, but he didn't like the way Takumijo changed in his presence. Not to mention, he was notorious for getting drunk and causing problems.
"Where is your lovely wife?" Satoshi asked.
"She has a headache and decided not to join me," Osamu answered.
I bet, Yori said to himself. In all the conversations he'd had with Takumijo about Osamu, not once had he mentioned that the man's wife ever joined them for any of their meetings.
An hour or so had passed when he noticed that he didn't see Ichiro or Shaundra. Amaya and her mother had gone off to the ladies room and Dai was still hobnobbing with the publisher, leaving him on his own to sulk.
He looked around and noticed Satoshi sitting off by himself, making him the prime source to ask. He walked over to him and sat down. "Where is Ich?"
"He left," Satoshi answered. "He said he was tired and was going back to the hotel to go to bed."
"And Shaundra?"
"She went with him."
Yori scowled. "She what?"
"Maybe they've gone to bed together."
Yori glared at him. "Ich wouldn't know what to do with a woman."
"Do not underestimate him. You also thought he would never ask her out on a date. So far, he's doing pretty well for himself, and everyone has seen her on his arm tonight."
"You know it's not safe for her now that our fans have seen that billboard."
"Ich won't let anything happen to her. He does know martial arts. He's been pretty protective of her all night."
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Very much," Satoshi replied. "I just love to see you squirm."
"Why?"
"Because you caused it by avoiding the fact that you are in love with her."
"I am not."
Satoshi raised an eyebrow. "Oh, no, then why are you thinking about sneaking out of here and going over to the hotel to check up on them?" God damn Satoshi. The man knew him better than he knew himself.
"So, what do you advise?"
"See that your future in-laws get back to the hotel safely and spend the rest of the evening with your fiancee."
Yori sighed. "I should have asked Takumijo. I have a feeling that he would have told me to go over to that hotel and kick Ichiro's ass."
"Takumijo has his own demons to deal with," Satoshi answered without further explanation.
"He better not put a finger on her," Yori replied.
"Out of your control. You didn't see the way he looked at her when she came backstage after the concert in that dress. Or how he looked at her all evening. I wouldn't be surprised if Ichiro gets lucky tonight."
"Go on, just rub it in. Have your chuckle at my expense."
"And I'm enjoying every minute of it. But look at it this way. It could be me instead of Ichiro."
"What do you mean?"
"I had the opportunity to put the moves on her from the first night at the club when we met. But I stepped back because I knew you wanted her."
"Don't tell me you're interested in her too?"
"I'm not saying that, or denying it either. The point to this story is you need to make up your mind. If you want her, tell her. Break off this farce with Amaya and go to Shaundra. If not, just forget about her and let Ichiro be happy."
"He won't be happy. She's leaving after the opening of the publishing company. They'll be separated by an ocean."
"Maybe Ichiro will fly there to see her."
"Ichiro's life is here. He has plans to open restaurants."
"Sometimes plans change," Satoshi replied with much relevance. "He can open his restaurants in the United States, and by the way, how were you going to manage a relationship with her?"
"I hadn't figured that out yet." He paused. "Remind me to never talk to you again." He rose.
Satoshi laughed.
The Saitamas returned.
"Are you ready to go back to the hotel?" Amaya asked.
"Whenever you're ready."
Kaori yawned. "I think it's getting late."
"Maybe I'll join you on the walk back," Satoshi said. "This party is getting pretty lame and I need to check on Ichiro."
"What's wrong with him?" Amaya asked. "Is he ill?"
"No, he's in love," Satoshi told her.
Shaundra stepped out of the shower, dried off and wrapped a big, luxurious robe around her to move from the bathroom to the bedroom. The night couldn't have been more perfect, she thought as she dried her hair with another towel. She removed the robe and slipped into a red gown and matching robe. She walked back over to the vanity mirror and finished drying her hair. She pinned it to the top of her head and headed for the bed. Someone knocked on the door, disturbing her.
Shaundra marched to the door and opened it.
Yori stood there, looking her over from head to toe. "You better be alone," he said, scowling at her.
Shaundra stepped back and he entered, towering over her as he closed the door behind him and locked it without looking. He reached up and released her hair from the pins, swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.
"What is the meaning of this?" Shaundra asked as he lowered her on to the bed.
"I have to be with you." He lay down on top of her and pressed his lips to hers.
Her arms wrapped around his neck as his tongue slipped between her lips. The taste of alcohol filled her mouth. Not truly unpleasant that way and real sexy. "We really should not be doing this," she said as he flipped over until she was atop him.
"I know, but we are going to do this now and worry about the consequences tomorrow." He pulled her head back down and continued to kiss her. Her breasts heaved and the nipples budded when she felt his erection pushing into her stomach.
"What about your fiancee?"
"What about her?" he asked as he kissed her neck. His hands inched up the back of the negligee until she felt the cold air from the air conditioner against both cheeks, which was quickly replaced by a pair of warm hands.
"Convenient," he replied. "Were you expecting company?"
"No," she gasped as he gave each cheek a hard squeeze.
"Are you sure?" He squeezed again. "Not even Ichiro."
She froze. Why were men so stupid? "No." She rolled off of him.
"Why did you pause? Did I touch a nerve?"
Of course he had. "Why do you ask that?"
Yori turned until he faced her. "You left the after-concert party with him. I kind of thought you came back here with him."
"Then you were wrong." The mood disappeared. "Ichiro was tired, as you should be. Please leave."
"But I thought we..."
"Think again. The only reason you're here is because you thought he was here. Well, you've wasted both our time."
Yori eased off the bed, still very much erect and very sexy with bed- tussled hair. "Just tell me one thing. If he hadn't been tired, would you have gone to bed with him?"
"That is none of your business. At least I would be sure that he really wanted me and wasn't playing a childish game."
Yori smirked. "It's not game. I don't want you to sleep with him. I know I'm being selfish, but that is just the way I am. And stay away from the bastard Satoshi too." He walked out of the bedroom and into the living room. She had half a mind to follow and give him a piece of her mind.
Arrogant assed man. She heard the door open and close and she waited to make sure he was gone before she walked into the living room and secured the door. She wouldn't be losing any sleep over him, she thought as she crawled between the covers. To hell with him. She closed her eyes and they slowly opened them again. "Satoshi?" Oh God, this was going to end so badly.