Red Velvet - chapter 2
Red Velvet
Chapter 2
"Mother! What…er…what are you doing here?"
The stern looking woman turned around completely and surveyed the girl standing before her. Her eyes swept critically up and down her figure her daughter made and her nose wrinkled in distaste when she took in the work outfit Kyoko was wearing.
Kyoko stood still and allowed the gaze to travel over her, judging her. Her face was open, the innocence of a child seeking approval plain upon it and the only show of her nervousness was the twisting of her fingers together.
"What on earth are you wearing?"
Kyoko winced slightly at her mothers tone. "It's my…urm…" her voice cracked slightly and she cleared her throat. "…it's…"
"Well?" Her mother demanded.
"It's my uniform." This last part was said in a shamed whisper.
"And you actually wear that in front of people?"
Kyoko looked away from the piercing gaze of her mother and hung her head.
"Yes mother."
Saena whirled around to face Lory an expression of complete fury on her face.
"You made her wear that?"
Against his better judgement Lory swallowed sharply. "It was the uniform for the -"
"You made her wear that." Saena said in a low and calm voice, cutting off his explanation.
Lory felt a shiver crawl up his spine. This was a woman that he did not particularly want to spend another moment with. He immediately felt sorry for Kyoko having to have her as a mother, even if it was only for a little while each year.
"Ah - "
A look of disgust passed across her face and she turned back to Kyoko who was still looking at the ground in shame.
"That uniform is completely humiliating. You should feel ashamed every time you wear it for not only are you shaming yourself but you are shaming me."
Kyoko made a small noise in the back of her throat.
"I do not like to be shamed Kyoko. And unfortunately that is what I find myself being more often than not whenever you are around."
Now. You will get your things and meet me outside of the building in five minutes. We are leaving. And do not forget to change out of that ridiculous outfit."
"What should I…" Kyoko ventured, glancing up.
"Burn it, throw it or leave it. Do what you wish. But I do NOT want to see you wearing it ever again."
"Yes mother."
"Well? What are you still standing in front of me for? Hurry up."
Kyoko twitched slightly then turned and hurried from the room. As soon as the door closed Saena turned back to face Lory.
"We will be leaving now. Thank you for your time."
Lory sat in stunned silence at what he had just witnessed. He had never come across anybody who had treated their child quite like the way Saena had treated Kyoko. And in front of him no less…
His mouth open and closed wordlessly but it wasn't until Saena had open the door that he managed to find his voice again.
"Wait Mogami-San. Is there no way that I can convince you to let Kyoko-chan stay on at L.M.E?"
Saena paused for a second than looked back at him, her eyes hard and cold.
"I have my own plans for Kyoko. Serious plans that have nothing to do with this frivolous and shallow business. And seeing as you have illegally hired and used my child I find it laughable that you would even ask that. You should be grateful that I'm willing to not press charges against you."
She turned to walk out of the room but at the last second stopped and looked back.
"Do not try to contact either of us."
The door clicking shut screamed finality at Lory and he sank exhausted back into his chair. Groaning he covered his eyes with his hand.
"Well," He spoke out loud to the room "that could have gone better."
He sighed and placed his hand down on top of the Kyoko's file on his desk. "Poor Kyoko."
He winced slightly at the pain his headache was causing him and sat forward again so that he could press his buzzer.
"Mine-san? Could you bring me two aspirin and a glass of water? Thank you."