Dream Star

It didn"t take her long before she found him surrounded by a group of people.

Haruka hides it well, but Lila knew how much hard work and effort he puts in to find her good jobs. After all, even with all the exposure, she is still relatively "new" and considered new in the international business world.

"Well, if you ask me submitting another proposal like that is unheard of, especially with the girl"s current status."

"Please, just tell us straight, is she Teras.h.i.+ma Lila or not? You know don"t you?"

Lila paused when she heard the last line. People are suspect her after her stage last time, huh? While it"s only natural for them to be suspicious. Lila thought that they would keep it to themselves. Even though Haruka is a respected judge in the entertainment industry, he is famous for his shape tongue, so Lila understood that many don"t try to cross him.

Haruka, however, didn"t say a word, "Just consider it." His att.i.tude irked people more since he didn"t respond to their questions. The whole time Lila hid behind a tree; usually, she would walk over. But considering how Haruka seemed to have a hard time dealing with these people, she knew better than to intervene.

...
- Waiting room -

It"s not like Karas.h.i.+ma Haruka was born rich.

His parents aren"t "rich" nor are they members of the elite. Though they do have a good amount of money saved up, they aren"t a.s.sociated with the rich at all.

"What is it?" Haruka asked.

"Haruka, I want to get close."

For the last few moments, since she entered the room, Lila took a seat quite far from where Haruka was busy doing some paperwork. At her words, Haruka sighed and ran his hand through his maroon colored locks, "Come over here."

Her eyes lit up when he agreed, and she made her way over. While she sat on the couch earlier, Haruka sat on an office chair by the table next to the window. Haruka pulled her onto his lap, and she buried her face in his arms.

"Haruka? Um, I like cuddling."

His arms wrapped around her but he still didn"t say a word. He seemed to debate about something in his head. Is this about what happened earlier, she wanted to ask him but refrained from doing so? He doesn"t have to get so worked up about it. Though Lila knew he must have spent a great deal of time on the proposal. If it stresses him out this much, she doesn"t want to

"Can we kiss?"

Lila looked up, "Are you sad Haruka?"

"Well, a little. Just a bit down," Haruka told her.

Oh, he"s honest. Lila is glad that he isn"t hiding these things from her anymore. Even though it"s only regarding this issue, something has changed with Haruka. He"s no longer the same as before, "Is kissing going to make you feel better?"

His lips curve to a sly smile, "Well that depends on the one kissing me."

Lila pouted when she heard his words. That depends? So if it"s somebody he gets along with, would he like it? As she thought these things, Haruka brought his lips towards her. Her heart sped up, "Since it"s you though, I guess I"ll cheer up right away."

"..."

Lila is rendered speechless, why does this guy always say such shameless things so easily? Does he not get embarra.s.sed at all? Is the concept of embarra.s.sment not even in this man"s dictionary? It is just a kiss; she doesn"t have to get so worked up.

...
When she woke up, somebody is softly caressing her hair with his hands. Did she pa.s.s out again?

"Haruka?"

"Yeah?"

"Um, I feel a bit weird."

He smiled, "Mm, I just drank some of your blood."

Okay, she gets that but did he do something else? Her body feels a bit strange, "Close your eyes and go to sleep for a bit
Lila."

"I want to kiss some more," Lila said.

Haruka, however, shook his head, "Your body is weak now. You should rest."

But she wants to chat with him more. For some reason, she"s getting a bad feeling. Lila buried her face in his arms and Haruka who was sat down and laid next to her.

"What"s the matter, Lila? I"m right here."

She can see that; he"s right here. He always has. Since that day Haruka seldom leaves her side unless it is for work-related purposes. Why does she feel like something terrible will happen if she were to close her eyes though? How unusual, Lila has never been the superst.i.tious type. Lila buried herself in his arms and inhaled his warmth, his scent. Haruka is here beside her, he"s holding her so lovingly. Why would he go anywhere?

"These days I"m more tired so we can"t do it as much, but you do know I love you right?"

Lila"s cheeks burned red when she realized what he was talking about, "I know you love me even if you don"t do those stupid things," she murmured.

"Really? You seem to feel uneasy whenever I don"t kiss you."

That"s only because she has gotten used to his touch every day, and the feeling of his lips on hers. But there is no way Lila could confess to something so embarra.s.sing, so she kept her mouth shut. Haruka is warm, being beside him like this makes her feel so safe. It"s okay for her to feel like this around him, isn"t it?

Haruka continued, "Well I do understand your mindset too. I touch you every day if I stop it would look weird. For the two of us, it"s important, touching. For others, they see it as me being a s.e.x maniac and you get caught up in the flow. But for us, it means so much more. Whenever I touch you, I can feel your warmth, your kindness, and your feelings. Is that strange? You already convey it through your songs, and yet I still need to justify it like this," she cut him off when Lila brushed her hand on his cheek. Haruka chuckled, "Don"t make me want you now. I really am exhausted."

Lila understands that she can tell from his expression and his actions from earlier. The reason he leaves her alone a lot is because he"s busy helping build up her career. At the start, Lila understood that, but lately, she"s starting to think that it was okay. It was okay even if she

She felt Haruka lean onto her palm; a peaceful look spread on his face as he closed his eyes. He must be tired too; she ought to get some rest.

...

Apartment Complex (H Street London)

When Lila woke up a few hours later, she discovered that she was in the apartment and no longer in the training center. She was about to panic when she realized that Haruka was fast asleep beside her. They were in more or less a similar position to earlier, except they had more room to move around now. Even then Haruka held her so close to him. He looks so tired; she should make something to eat.

Lila tried to break free from his hold but discovered that she felt weaker than she did earlier. Maybe he took some more blood from her? It didn"t matter. Haruka doesn"t have to ask her to drink blood from her; she"s the one who told him he could take it even if she is sleeping. After all, they are both hanyou"s, and he held back his thirst for her for such a long time.

Lila blushed when she realized what she was wearing.

"You should be glad you woke up wearing clothes," Lila murmured to herself. She knew she wouldn"t be able to take the embarra.s.sment of waking up naked in his arms - it"s something she avoided.

She extended her hand out and picked up a small mirror. Lila examined her reflection and saw the dark marks on her neck. So he drank from her, what did she think he did?

"Mmm, what are you checking?"

"Ah," Lila turned back to him, and she placed the mirror down, "Um, you drank a lot?"

"Sorry, had to get us somehow both home, and you already fell asleep."

That"s true, she supposes. But he would not leave her and go somewhere? That"s surprising. Or maybe she was overthinking things.