13 V. I Chapter 12: First Trial

"Good morning, Miss Cordelia... what happened to you?" the secretary asked, face turning from a polite and respectful smile to somewhat surprised.

"Don't ask," Jaeyline grumbled.

Ciel was just as tired as she was, and Laksa was rubbing the dark circles under his eyes.

None of them had gotten any sleep that night.

As soon as Ciel started think about why they'd gotten no sleep, his temple throbbed with a headache. He rubbed his forehead lightly, trying to shove the headache out of his brain by force. He couldn't afford to be distracted; there was a meeting to attend.

"Shall we go in, President Jaeyline?" he asked. He smiled wearily.

"We shall," she replied, the same tired smile on her face.

"Laksa, keep an eye on our backs. Don't hesitate to shoot someone if they look suspicious. Father is more than enough influence to keep anything major from happening to either of us. If anything happens to Jaeyline during the meeting, I'm holding completely responsible."

"Of course. I'll be silent, like your shadow. If something does happen, they'll never think it would be me who makes a move in response." Laksa grinned, tucking his slender form behind Ciel. "I'll be your shadow, just like I was back then."

"Yeah, stalker."

They both laughed softly, kindly.

Jaeyline smiled as she walked ahead of them. It was good to see the two brothers getting along. She refocused. This meeting was about getting LEO Corporation to sign a contract with the biggest clothing and fashion stores in America. There were three parts to this, though. First was the meeting today where the company heads would ask questions about LEO and evaluate. The second was a fashion show, and Jaeyline was going to make sure the two brothers were models. The third was a signing ceremony.

Jaeyline fretted a second. What if she didn't get the signing? What if something went wrong? Her eyes fell on the two brothers in the reflective surface of the window ahead of them. Then she smiled. With Ciel as her CEO and assistant, nothing would go wrong.

"Through here, Miss," the secretary said.

Ciel and Laksa held the double-doors open for her, following her on the way in. Ciel took the seat next to her, Laksa standing against the wall not too far away, bangs hanging into his face to obscure his eyes and features.

"Good morning, President Jaeyline," a man said. "Welcome to America. How do you like your visit so far?"

"Well, first, never stay in a hotel with a thirteenth floor," she replied. "Second, it's rather warm here. And dry."

"Yes. We're sorry you're out of your element, but we rarely get storms outside of the first few months of the year, and certainly not down here. Go to the San Bernardino mountain range, and then you'll find some snow."

"We're currently in a drought," explained a woman dressed in LEO attire.

Jaeyline almost smirked. These people were sucking up to her as much as they could.

Ciel shifted. His eyes traveled across the faces, only eight others. Four Presidents, two assistants, and two guards in the back corners. One of the presidents wouldn't meet his eyes, shifting and squirming in his chair. But Ciel could tell he wasn't dangerous.

At least not yet.

He felt one small vibration from his watch, a message from Laksa. Nothing threatening, so far. Ciel's fingers twitched as the man flinched. That president was putting him on edge.

"So... are you CEO Michaelis?" the woman next to him asked.

He smiled respectfully. "Yes. I'm Ciel Michaelis. It's very nice to meet you, President Hallond."

"Just call me Olivia."

"It's unacceptable for a mere CEO to call a president by her first name alone. May I call you President Olivia?"

"Yes. How do you know my name? This is the first time I've had the pleasure of meeting someone as handsome as you."

"I took it upon myself to refresh my memory of everyone attending before boarding the plane," said Ciel. He put a briefcase on the table and opened it, revealing four manila envelopes. "General facts only," he assured.

"What a bright assistant you have there, President Jaeyline," President Marco said. "My own assistant could take notes."

"Anyway, I'm a big name in the fashion show industry. The place we're holding the show later today is one of my buildings. Oh, Miss Jaeyline? I can supply you with models, but are there some you'd like to designate yourself?" asked President Olivia

Jaeyline smiled charmingly. "There are, actually."

Ciel felt a chill run down his spine for a second.

"My CEO, and his brother, my bodyguard. Ciel Michaelis and Laksa Jackson. They will be the main models."

Ciel slumped a bit in his chair. But then he perked up, feeling Laksa's stare boring into his back. At least he wasn't going through that again alone.

"When would you like to stage it?"

"Once the sun sets," Jaeyline said, the line of her lips curling up a bit.

Ciel felt a shiver again.

"Very well. We will prepare immediately. You are free for the rest of the day, Miss Jaeyline."

"What will you do?" asked one of the Presidents.

Jaeyline glanced at Laksa, then Ciel.

"Sleep," they all said.

.

They got back to the hotel, ate lunch, then slept until seven-thirty.

Ciel wore his more causal clothes, since he'd be changing them anyway. He drove Laksa and Jaeyline to the building where the woman would be hosting their show.

"Do we have to?" Laksa asked Jaeyline. Well, more like whined.

"Just be happy I didn't make you dress as a woman," Jaeyline replied. She looked at Ciel through the mirror. "Your cute little friend would be perfect, if she were here."

"Enda? She'd be too busy twirling in the skirt or dress to remember when she's supposed to walk up," Ciel snorted. He used the male pronouns to keep that Enda was male under wraps. It would be possibly bad if Jaeyline was kidnapped by the guild because she knew too much. "She'd be willing, but it would be hard to keep her from trying on every single outfit before choosing the one she wanted."

"Is the security detail fine?" Laksa asked.

"Of course," Ciel replied, looking at his brother through the mirror overhead. "Of course, keep your guard up."

"Of course," Laksa repeated. "I'm not sure how many know our origins, but if they do, it might cause a problem."

"Why?" asked Jaeyline.

"Just because his mother is the boss on the Yakuza, doesn't mean she doesn't have influence here, too. In fact, I'd bet anything both Michaelis and Jackson have some sort of hold on this side of the world, too."

"Do you want to grow up like your father?" Jaeyline inquired.

"If I did, I'm doing a remarkable job," said Laksa wryly. "But no. I have two possible careers in mind. Modeling, actually, and then singing, if Ciel were to join me."

"You can sing?" Jaeyline asked, whirling to face Ciel.

Ciel's lips twitched. "Don't sound so surprised."

Jaeyline shrieked a growl, startling Ciel and Laksa. "You should have told me! I have to change everything as soon as we get in! Hurry up!"

Ciel pressed harder on the pedal, the speedometer nearing the seventy mph speed limit. He had another bad feeling lurking in his mind.

As soon as they arrived, Jaeyline jumped out of the car before it even stopped all the way, moving gracefully for someone nearly running up the steps into the building.

Ciel handed the keys over the the valet, sharing a slightly nervous glance with his brother as the two walked up the stairs. He swept his back jacket over his arm as he walked.

The people in line for the show and the ones on the stairs all gaped as the two walked up the few dozen stairs to get to the front doors.

They entered.

"Thank God the microphones are wireless," Jaeyline said, appearing out of nowhere, startling them both. "Come on, let's go. They'll get you all preened. But I told them no makeup. That would just mar the naturalness of your faces. Go, go!"

Ciel and Laksa were swept away by a couple of assistants and drawn into the prep room.

"So these are the stars of the show! Welcome!" another male model called.

"Wait-- CEO Ciel?"

Ciel looked up at the voice, blinking as he saw the model that had been missing during the show in England. "Matthew?"

Matthew's angelic face broke into a grin. "Nice to see you again, Mr. CIel. I can't believe we've met again under such circumstances."

Ciel smiled slightly. "Neither can I. Jaeyline told my brother and I to be the main models, so how could I refuse?"

"Your brother-- blimey, you two really do look alike," he said, whistling. "Two sides of the same fair coin."

"Please, you're making me blush," Laksa said, not blushing at all, a small smile curling his lip.

"This is Laksa."

"God, both of you have such girly names, not even mentioning the hair!"

"Enough chitchat!" an assistant chirped, shoving Ciel and Laksa into a curtained off area, telling them to strip.

Ciel and Laksa changed into two separate but matching suits.

Laksa slipped on the crisp white shirt and pants, placing a white velvet top hat on his head and matching white leather gloves. "The make is impressive," he said. "But this hat is like three hundred years old."

"This is the Aristocratic England design," agreed Ciel. He was dressed in nearly all black, the pants, shoes, shirt, gloves, and hat. Where Laksa's hat had a green metallic ribbon, Ciel had a silver-blue ribbon tied in a ribbon around it.

Ciel marveled at the gloves, how they were almost skin-tight, yet not stiflingly hot and cumbersome like normal gloves.

Assistants walked in and clipped Ciel's glasses with a silver-blue chain, clipping the other end to the breast pocket on his shirt. They clipped in extensions, silver for Ciel, gold for Laksa.

Ciel raised an eyebrow when he saw them. These were kind of like the ones he used for his assassination jobs. Only, these ones went to the bottom of his ribs instead of the full length of his hair.

They were rushed out of the room and pushed into line with the other models.

"Wait for your turn, and just act naturally. Miss Jaeyline has assured us that you are experienced in this."

"Barely," muttered Ciel. He fidgeted. His tie was loose, hanging around his neck like a necklace. In fact, his whole appearance seemed to be more relaxed than professional. His shirt was unbuttoned again, his jacket to be slung over one shoulder.

Laksa was more formal, his tie tight and collar buttoned, jacket neatly over his left arm.

The assistants hurried back with wireless microphones, handing one to each of them. "Just sing whatever you're most with."

Laksa and Ciel looked at each other. "WHAT?!"

Ciel resisted the urge to run a hand through his hair. "Jaeyline...!" he growled.

But the line of models was already moving, the two of them getting much too close to the stage.

"We'll chew her out later. Laksa, do you remember the work we did that first hour we met each other?"

"Yes."

"The one we had you copywrite."

Laksa's eyes brightened. "Of course."

Three more models.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

They nodded to each other. "Then let's go!"

"Next up are the two masterpiece models who accompanies Miss Jaeyline Cordelia from England! I've been told there's a treat, so everyone please quiet down... and here they come!"

"I've lost my mind, about a thousand times. I need something constant to remind. Remind me that my true self is inside. But sometimes I can't forget that you lied."

"And you might think I'm crazy, and that I should never have been born. But my heart and soul will always be, safe and protected from those you've torn."

Ciel and Laksa walked onto the stage, mics in hand, continuing to stride down the walkway.

"If this is a dream, I never want to wake up. Just let me stay right here with you," sang Ciel.

"And if this is reality, just let me dream for us, so I will always be there with you," answered Laksa.

"No matter what tries to get in my way, what tries to tear me down, I will fight on in hope to see you again."

"And whatever tries to color gray, the feelings I have now, I will fight on because I know I will see you again."

The sang together, voice carrying in the silent room. "And if I die with you, I will assume, I'll see you again, in the lands of Heaven... But when you pull me close, look for the lies I told, I will forever be honest with you. Just listen to the lies, and you will find the truth. The honesty which I hide, in my lies, to keep you safe, warm, and loved."

They made it to the two empty spots on the end of the catwalk. "Two sides of the same fair coin, so close and yet so far away. My only wish is that, one day, I will be able to see you again. Even if it isn't in this lifetime, I will fight with the hope that you will find your way to me."

Silence.

Then...

"Oh my! How fantastic!"

"Pure talent!"

"That was amazing!"

"Bravo! Bravo!"

The other models looked at them with both impressed looks and surprised ones. "Take a bow," Matthew said.

Laksa looked at Ciel, who offered his hand. Laksa took it and the two bowed together.

And with Ciel's face shadowed by the brim of the hat, nobody saw the single tear that snaked its way down his cheek.

.

"That was better than I could have hoped," said Jaeyline in the car. "Truly wonderful. Laksa, you're more energetic and upbeat in singing, while Ciel is more soulful than you. His voice carries a certain note of... experience."

Ciel and Laksa were silent on the way to the hotel, listening to Jaeyline chattering. Once Ciel handed the valet the keys, he quickly said something about how tired he was before heading back into the building.

"Why is he so strange after that?" Jaeyline asked.

"Just because he works for you, you shouldn't have put him through that much," Laksa said quietly.

Jaeyline frowned. "What?"

"Ciel hasn't sung in over ten years. Maybe even longer," Laksa replied. He turned his eyes on Jaeyline's green ones. He turned away, walking into the hotel. "Please don't break Ciel, Miss Jaeyline."