"Right this way," a young Japanese woman told Shaundra, Dorothy, Chirau and Izanami. The men had been taken off in another direction, and who knew where Aomori was. Harper and Mr. Niigata went off to meet someone and she hadn't seen Masaaki since they'd arrived. "My name if Chie Arai and I will be your assistant."
Shaundra and the others followed her out of one room and into a long hallway that was also crowded with people, but these were carrying or pushing racks of clothing. It reminded her of fashion week in New York.
Chie walked so fast the rest of them barely kept up with her. She ushered them into a room where four people waited to wash their hair. A male hairdresser called Dorothy over to a chair.
"Ooh, I got lucky," Dorothy replied as she sat down and he put a plastic drape around her neck. The two other women went to their waiting hairdressers.
A beautician beckoned her over and Shaundra sat down in the chair.
"You have nice hair," the young woman said to her. "It's thick and full."
Shaundra had always been proud of her hair. She'd learned how to take care of it at an early age and hoped she wouldn't go bald as she aged.
"The plan is to wash and condition and then plait the hair so you can switch wigs for each photo. That way, we won't damage the natural hair with chemicals or cut it into some strange style you might not like."
"Sounds great to me," Shaundra replied, trying to imagine what she'd look like in a wig. It would be a good thing to know just in case her hair fell out.
The hairstylist's name was Ai and she had magical fingers that relaxed Shaundra as she massaged her scalp. She was even gentle as she plaited the hair into cornrows. The other women went through similar processes, but it took a little more work since their hair was baby fine.
"The wigs will go on after the costume," Ai told her as Chie arrived to get them. "See you again in a couple of minutes in the wardrobe room."
They followed Chie to another large room filled with clothes. All four women stopped and gawked at the beautiful gowns and party dresses. Chie told something to the wardrobe people and left. She returned a few minutes later. "The men are getting ready and will probably have their preliminary pictures done. They're doing the rock shoot first."
"The rock shoot?" Izanami asked, looking at Chie oddly. "What is rock shoot?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. All the photos for our next issue will feature a music genre." She turned to Shaundra. "You won't be included in this first picture. But don't feel left out. While they're doing this, you'll be getting ready for the classical music shoot."
"Seems like that should be me," Dorothy replied with a yawn. "Since I'm older than the dinosaurs."
"No, Mr. Niigata put a lot of thought into this. He definitely wants you in the rock shoot. I've seen the costumes. You're going to love them."
Chie picked up the phone. "They're ready."
A young Japanese man entered, looked the four women over and began pulling clothing bags from one of the racks. He was nicely dressed in a well-tailored brown suit and a yellow shirt beneath. "Which one of you is Ms. Brown?"
Dorothy raised her hand. He handed her a garment bag.
"Narita?"
Chirau's hand flew up.
He handed her one of the bags.
"And you must be Kudo?"
"Yes," Izanami said, looking a little perplexed by everything.
He handed her a bag too. "My name is Katsou and I'll be assisting you with wardrobe today." He turned to Shaundra. "You must be Ms.
Morrison."
"Yes," Shaundra answered shyly.
"I have something special for you. You are going to love it."
Shaundra was amazed by how well most of them spoke English. From the beginning, she'd thought there was going to be a problem understanding people, but so far, the only ones who didn't speak much were Aomori, and she didn't think that was because they couldn't. They just chose not to.
Dorothy, Izanami and Chirau giggled from the dressing room.
"We'll let them get finished first and then we'll concentrate on you."
He showed her to a seat. A few minutes later, the other ladies appeared.
Shaundra gasped. "You girls look far out."
The two Japanese looked lost with her choice of words.
"You look great." She rephrased the words.
They both bowed thanks.
Dorothy's costume consisted of tight blue jeans and a light blue T-shirt with a peace sign in the center. She also wore some pretty white sandals.
Chirau wore a red halter top, a white mini skirt and black go-go boots, while Izanami wore a pair of low-riding, white bikini jeans, a red midi-top and had on a pair of black sandals similar to the ones Dorothy wore.
"They're on their way to hair and makeup," Katsou replied, handing Shaundra a garment bag. "Your turn." He gently pushed her toward the dressing room. Dorothy waved to her as she went off with Izanami and Chirau.
Shaundra walked out of the room and headed back into the dressing room, found an empty booth, and began removing her clothes. She unzipped the bag. "It's white and strapless," she muttered as she removed her costume. "And a long, white a slip, great." There was also a smaller bag inside with gloves and jewelry. At the bottom of the bag she found a box containing a pair of white heels adorned with pearls and a pair of hosiery. She paused, not sure if she should put on the shoes first so she wouldn't muss the gown by sitting down in it. White wasn't exactly her favorite color because stains always managed to get on her clothes for no reason.
The decision was made when she checked out the short zipper. There was no way she could just step into the dress because it wouldn't get past her generous hips that way. She would have to put it on over her head and work it down. Hell, she might need assistance getting out of it. She sat on the bench, put on the shoes, adjusted the straps and then rose. In a final act, she slipped the gown from the padded hanger and wiggled into it, pulling the slip down first and then the actual gown. Miraculously, she was able to get the zipper up without assistance.
Katsou was waiting for her when she exited. "I knew it would fit you like a glove. Speaking of which, where are the accessories?"
Shaundra handed the bag to him.
"You can add them after your face is done. Come on. The makeup room is free."
Shaundra followed him out and down the hall to another room. This one was smaller with only two people in attendance. Ai appeared.
"Black hair would be nice, but does not go well with dark skin and a white gown."
Shaundra did not take offense at the remark.
"Auburn would bring out your complexion more." She opened a door to a closet full of more wigs than Shaundra had ever seen in her life. "Get to work on her makeup," Ai told the two young women. "I'll find something appropriate."
Shaundra hoped the makeup artist had something to match her skin tone. She hated buying makeup. Either the color was too dark or too light.
Normally, she only wore moisturizer and lipstick, and that was only on special occasions.
After about thirty minutes of being waxed, plucked, powdered and rouged, she was finished.
Ai applied a short, bobbed auburn wig that had a part on the right side, and then one of the makeup girls helped her into the gloves and jewelry.
All three women spoke very rapidly in Japanese. Rude, Shaundra thought.
One of them finally turned her chair around so she could see herself in a large mirror.
"Is this me?" Shaundra asked, hardly recognizing herself.
"Mr. Harper is going to love the way you look," one of the makeup artists replied.
"What does he have to do with this?"
"He picked out the gown and had it sent over especially for you. The accessories too. He has very good taste for a man. He's not gay, is he?"
Shaundra chuckled. "No, he is very much not gay."
The phone in the room rang and the other makeup artist answered it.
"Hello, okay. They're ready for you, Ms. Morrison. Chie is on the way to escort you to the room where you'll be photographed."
Chie was at the door before she could get out of the seat. "They're waiting for you, Ms. Morrison. The other three ladies are changing for their next picture."
Shaundra caught a glimpse of them as they hurried back to wardrobe.
Dorothy and Chirau wore spiky wigs while Izanami sported a long, black one.
"Radical," Shaundra muttered as Chie entered another room across the hall. She stopped in the entrance, amazed to see an American photographer and big lights positioned around the room. There was also a piano and a big cello. The biggest surprised were the two young men waiting...Yori and Ichiro. They were both dressed in white tuxedos and tails. The photographer introduced himself as Jay Adams.
Jay sent Yori to the piano, her to the cello and put a violin and bow into Ichiro's hands like they actually knew how to play. She'd seen a picture of a cello, before but that was the extent of her musical instrument knowledge. Jay sensed her dilemma, walked over to her, arranged her hands on the strings, positioned her head and then walked over to the cameras. "Don't move," he ordered. The next thing she knew, he snapped the picture.
Shaundra blinked, hoping it wasn't in the shot.
Jay took another round of pictures after moving the instruments around the room and repositioning them and his models. "Smile." She caught Ichiro looking her way. She smiled at him at the same time that Jay took the picture. "That's a wrap," he said to them. "You can change for your next photos."
Shaundra was in two more photos...the pop and the soul photos. In the pop photo, they dressed her in a childish school girl outfit with pigtails guaranteed to make dirty old men pant. The soul photo was just a tad bit better. She wore an afro wig, a navy blue mini skirt, a red halter top and platform clogs. Jackson, Riley, Ichiro and Takumijo wore similar garb.
The two Japanese men looked a tad bit out of their element as Jay and another photographer set the scene to look like a smoky little nightclub.
Jay dismissed everyone except her when the shot was over. Ichiro looked back once and followed the others out of the door.
"You did an excellent job and I think you're really going to like the proofs," Jay replied.
"Thanks, it was fun." She turned to walk toward the door.
"Don't leave, Ms. Morrison," Jay called behind her. "I wanted to ask you if you'd pose for one more photograph."
"I thought that was the last one."
"This one is for the cover of Flowing Magazine."
"What? Why would you want me on the cover of a Japanese magazine?"
"Because you are very photogenic and I think you'd get more publicity on the cover, if you'd stop being so reclusive."
Shaundra put her hands on her hips. "What do you know about that?"
"I've read most of your books. I'm a big fan and couldn't wait to meet you as soon as I learned you were coming to Japan."
Blush, but not too much, she told herself. "That still doesn't explain the statement about me being reclusive."
"Harper did a PR spill earlier for a television station upstairs. I kind of listened to it."
"You know Harper?"
Jay nodded and sat down on a stool behind his camera. "He and I are old friends. We grew up together."
"Figures," Shaundra replied. "Did he ask you to put me on the cover?"
"No, that was my decision. I do know a thing or two about making people into overnight successes."
"Not interested."
"Why not? You're beautiful."
"I hope Harper didn't tell the press about having to drug me to get me on a plane," she replied, playing off the compliment.
Jay chuckled. "He didn't mention the drug part, but he did allude to the fact that you have a fear of flying and that you turned down his offer to join the mile high club."
"I am going to kill him."
Jay took a picture of her.
Shaundra looked up, startled.
"Shows you have taste as well as character. That's why I want you for the cover. You have fire."
"Okay, I guess I've gone this far. I can go a little further."
"Good, wardrobe is waiting for you with the perfect outfit."
"Did Harper pick that one out too?"
"No," Jay replied. "I did."
"But won't I hold up the others if I have to take another photo?"
"Don't worry about your friends. They're eating and it won't take but an hour."
"Okay." Shaundra headed toward the door once she ran out of excuses.
She knew it was an honor to be asked the grace the cover of any magazine.
She left and walked down the hall to wardrobe where Chie waited.
"I knew you would agree if Jay asked you."
"He's very persuasive and good with the compliments."
Chie agreed. "Girl needs a little ego boosting at least once a week."
Katsou entered and handed her a garment bag and Shaundra disappeared into the changing booth wondering what kind of taste Jay had since he and Harper were old friends. She removed the white gown, put it neatly back on the hanger and placed the rest of the stuff into the bag.
Moments later, she opened the other bag. Inside was slinky red dress like a flapper's costume. "Shit, they're going to run me out of Asia if I keep wearing stuff like this." She eased the seamed stockings out of the bag and put them on and then the dress. It fit like a glove. Once she was dressed, Chie escorted her back to the room. Mr. Niigata was there talking to Jay.
The conversation stopped once they spotted her. That was the first time she'd ever seen Mr. Niigata smile.
"Right as always, Mr. Jay," he replied as he walked over to meet her at the door. "Ms. Morrison is going to take this town by storm."
Jay beamed like he had just given birth to her.
The red heels made her tall and she had to tug the dress down a couple of times to keep it from rising up on her hips and butt. Mr. Niigata walked her over to the props. The room had been transformed into a romantic Victorian backdrop with lots of flowers. Next to the partition was a snow white chaise lounge. Jay walked her over and positioned her on it. She had to flash a lot of thigh in the process.
Shaundra heard the door open, but she could not see who entered.
"Oh, you're here," she heard Jay replied.
"Yes."
She knew that voice. It was Yori. What is he doing here? Her question was answered when he appeared in eye-sight dressed in a black tuxedo with a red shirt that matched her dress. His hair had been combed back from his forehead, exposing those dark brown eyes, that creamy porcelain skin and full lips. Her stomach clenched and her panties dampened like they had in Charlotte's office. This is going to be so embarrassing.
"Mr. Morika has agreed to share the cover with you," Jay told her when she stopped gawking. He positioned Yori with his arm over the head of the chaise and looking down on her. Jay walked away and got behind his camera. "Smile, Yori."
Yori smiled down at her.
Oh no, the smile was too much. Wicked and predatory.
Shaundra's eyes widened and Jay took the picture.
"We're going to sell every copy we print," Mr. Niigata said proudly.
Jay posed them a couple more times and, each time, Shaundra was oddly aware of the tall Japanese's ease in front of the camera. She wasn't so comfortable. In fact, her body felt on fire.
"Just one more," Jay replied as he posed them again. This time, he put Yori on the chaise and put her on her knees draped against Yori's midsection. His abs tightened when she touched him.
"Sorry, am I too heavy?"
"No, it just surprised me. You're not heavy at all."
"No talking please," Jay scolded. "Hold that pose." He took the picture. "Excellent. This is going to be Flowing's best cover this year."
Shaundra lifted her weight off of Yori and rose.
Yori rose and tugged his coat hem down.
"Oh!" Shaundra said with alarm, turning her head, quite embarrassed at Yori's dilemma.
Jay chuckled. "Do you want me to immortalize that on film? It's quite impressive. The women would hound you more if they knew what was lurking behind those tight jeans you guys wear."
Yori frowned. "Please don't. It is just a temporary reaction."
Jay started packing up his equipment. "Be glad you can still get one.
That little blue pill has some wicked side effects, I've heard."
Shaundra didn't know if Yori knew what the little blue pill was, but she was embarrassed for him.
"I'll send you both copies of these proofs tomorrow. I should have them ready by then."
"Can I undress now?" Shaundra asked, trying to pull up the neck of the dress to cover her breasts.
Both Yori and Jay stopped what they were doing to watch.
"I mean, is it okay to go to the changing room?"
"I know what you meant," Jay teased. "But I was just struck by the fantasy of you undressing in front of him and me. Harper is one lucky man."
Yori's gaze shifted from her breasts to her eyes.
"Why is he lucky?" Shaundra asked.
"Aren't the two of you dating?" Jay asked.
Shaundra shook her head. "Only in his dreams. Harper is my boss."
"Women date their bosses all the time."
"Not this woman."
"Then what about him?" he said, nodding toward Yori.
"I think I better leave," Yori said as his cheeks flushed pink with color.
"He's blushing," Jay teased. "Hey, your secret is safe with me. Ms.
Morrison is really a beautiful woman. I can see why your body responds to her."
Shaundra looked back at Yori once, smiled, and dashed out of the studio. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest just thinking about the erection she'd incited from Yori. Impossible, she thought as she walked.
Did she still have it? Oh gawd, he must be just as confused as I am over what happened. What does it mean to him getting a boner after posing with a woman old enough to be his mother? Not good, Yori thought as he donned the last of his own clothes in the dressing room. And how inappropriate. He also hated the fact that the photographer got a laugh at his expense. Why did his body act that way whenever Shaundra was around? She was just a woman and he had been around women before. Amaya, for that fact, but for some reason he could not recall that ever happening when the two of them were together.
He looked down at his crotch. He still hadn't recovered and the jeans got tighter as he conjured up her face. How was he going to get past his friends in such a condition? Think unpleasant thoughts. Kissing Dorothy Brown. He then tried imaging the older woman in a bikini. Oh, that did it a little. He pulled the T-shirt down to try to hide the remainder and walked out of the dressing room to the hall in search for the elevator. He ran into Shaundra roaming the hall. His penis hardened again.
"Where are those elevators?" Shaundra asked. "I have no sense of direction inside buildings."
"Follow me. I think they are this way."
"Thanks."
He walked away and she followed.
Yori looked back at her. "You looked really pretty in that white gown earlier."
"But you didn't like the red dress."
Her nearness made him nervous. "It was okay."
Shaundra caught up to him."Yes, I know what you mean. It was a little too tight. I don't know what Jay and Mr. Niigata was thinking when they picked it out."
Yori looked down at her. "They were thinking like men."
"Yes, I suppose," she agreed. "But you seemed a bit uncomfortable.
"I don't like having my picture taken. That's more Takumijo's thing.
So let's change the subject"
He spotted the elevator. Finally. Those big brown eyes were going to be the death of him. "Ichiro liked the white one too. He said you looked like a princess."
Shaundra chuckled and leaned against the wall. "That was a lot of words even for him. He's really sweet."
"I hadn't noticed," Yori lied as he pressed the button to call for the elevator. It arrived quickly and they stepped inside. He pushed the button for the first floor.
"You speak English well," Shaunda said once the elevator started to move.
"Satoshi taught me most of it and we've been taking lessons."
Shaundra moved in closer to him, tugging at his sleeve to demand his attention. "Now, back to the other subject."
Why isn't this elevator getting to the bottom floor? Yori wondered.
Her scent is intoxicating.
"You are a celebrity and a very handsome one too. Photographers love to photograph beautiful things."
The elevator finally stopped and the door opened. "I am not a thing."
"That's not what I meant, but you are beautiful." She followed him off the elevator. "Does it bother you that I think you're beautiful?"
"Yes, only women are beautiful. I am not a woman." He walked off.
Shaundra followed. "Ah ha. I see what the problem is. No, you're certainly not a woman. Only a fool would make that mistake."
"A lot of fools have." She knew what had been ailing him all these years. Shaundra Morrison was very perceptive. He'd have to stay his distance from her.
"I never will. Jay was right. It is very impressive."
Yori groaned and covered the erection with his hands, in pain and humiliated that she noticed that he could not control his feelings for her.
"American women are too forward. You could have pretended not to notice."
"I'm flattered," she replied. "At least I know now that the attraction between us is not all in my head." They continued walking until they met up with the others and went their separate ways to the vans.
Yori watched as the van carrying the Japanese authors drove away first, followed by the one with the Americans. He climbed the stairs of the van with Satoshi close on his heels. Takumijo and Ichiro had already boarded and were in their usual seats. He sat down with Satoshi next to him. "What is on your mind Yori? You haven't said much all day."
"I don't know what you mean. I've been busy just the same as you guys."
"Busier, I heard. Congratulations on the cover."
"Thanks. Mr. Niigata insisted."
"You could have turned it down," Takumijo replied.
"Are you jealous that they didn't ask you?" Satoshi inquired.
"No. I had enough covers this year."
Satoshi wouldn't let up. "How about you, Ichiro? Are you upset that you were not asked to be on the cover with Yori and Ms. Morrison?"
Ichiro shook his head and looked out of the window.
Satoshi laughed. "He probably would have fainted."
Takumijo laughed too. "What is Amaya going to say when she sees it?"
Yori had not thought about that. "I suppose she will be a bit upset."
"She is going to be more than just a little upset," Satoshi reminded him. "You better get yourself together and come up with some type of excuse."
"I don't need an excuse. I will just tell her the truth. It is a part of my job."
Satoshi slid back into his seat. "This is one of those things that the group can't help you with."
"Did I ask for help? I don't need help."
"Which one are you going to choose?" Satoshi asked.
"I don't understand what you mean."
"Will you remain faithful to Amaya, or will you put the moves on Ms.
Morrison?"
"Don't be silly. Ms. Morrison has children our age."
"What if she didn't?"
"I don't see the point in this conversation, Satoshi."
"Make a decision. We're not blind. She has some type of effect on you. Either you make a decision or let Ichiro have her."
Ichiro head turned slowly at the mention on his name, but he did not comment.
"I am engaged to Amaya," Yori replied in his defense.
Takumijo rejoined the conversation. "So what is taking the two you so long to make the official announcement?"
"We plan to do it after I return from the American tour."
Takumijo snorted. "I would like to place a wager that it will never happen."
"You'd lose," Yori replied, upset that Takumijo and Satoshi were ganging up on him. He felt like he was losing his leadership control over them. When had they grown up and become men? "I don't think so," Takumijo replied, closing his eyes. "That was quite some hard-on you were sporting when the two of you walked off that elevator."
Yori fidgeted in his seat while Satoshi snickered at his discomfort.
"What's so funny?" Yori asked Satoshi.
"Nothing, but this is one bet you're going to lose."