“I work in the private suites,” Kasumi told her.
“What!?” Nabiki shrieked. The idea that Kasumi could be into.... that... ran counter to everything Nabiki knew about her older sister.
Kasumi looked at her sister and chuckled playfully. “Oh, I don't do that, if that's what you're thinking,” she assured her younger sibling. Not all the time, anyway, Kasumi added inwardly. “I serve drinks during private parties. Good pay, flexible hours.”
Nabiki couldn't help but stay skeptical, looking at Kasumi's every gesture intently, as if looking for some sign that there was even more she was hiding.
Never let it be said that I don't have a good poker face, Kasumi thought to herself triumphantly as she demurely sat with her hands on her thighs, patiently waiting for the waiter, or for a cell phone call from her friend. She looked for all the world like a normal girl, ready to enjoy a night out on the town. Give small bits, leave them guessing as to the big parts is what I say.
The two girls engaged in small talk for some time, trying to take the edge off, Nabiki trying to get her sister to show more of herself, with Kasumi deflecting her younger sister's attempts, until a waiter walked up to them, his hair dyed blond, his blue contacts shimmering in the soft light of the club.
“Ladies,” he began. “May I start you off with some drinks?”
“Martini,” Nabiki said without thinking.
“I'll have the same,” Kasumi said softly, looking up at the blond intently.
The waiter took immediate notice of Kasumi and stiffened up, his eyes trembling for a moment in fear. “Of... Of course.” He scampered off, trying not to act scared senseless of the eldest Tendo daughter. Still, Nabiki couldn't help but notice the reaction.
“What the hell was that about?” Nabiki questioned her sister. “That guy looked like he was going to crap himself.”
“Oh, that,” Kasumi waved off Nabiki's concerns. “He tried to get a little frisky with me once on his lunch break. Don't think I didn't learn anything from Daddy.” Well, not that I learned anything from Soun, Kasumi mused. I'm my mother's girl if nothing else.
“Of course.” Nabiki didn't exactly sound convinced, and her suspicions were only raised when the bouncer from earlier showed up and whispered something into Kasumi's ear, causing her to rise from her seat.
“One moment, Nabiki,” Kasumi chirped happily. “Seems the boss wants to talk to me about providing my services during the games. Seems like a great time to talk about Ranko and Akane.” With that, Kasumi and the bouncer left Nabiki alone with her suspicions.
–
“I hope this is important,” Kasumi barked at the bouncer as the two of them entered the secret elevator in the bathroom. “Your life will be quite miserable if it isn't.”
The bouncer gulped nervously, looking down at his superior. “Y-Yes... Lord Aobe wanted to speak to you in person regarding your... concerns.”
“Yes, my concerns,” Kasumi drawled, gazing back up at her inferior. She couldn't believe it: She'd left Kenji Aobe to tend to her club, help her keep her link to it a secret, and he went and hired a bunch of buffoons. She would definitely have to talk to him about this after the issue with Akane and Ranko was addressed. “Why he couldn't just call me and tell me to go to him, I don't know. I could have just said that I'm going to powder my nose, and now I'm going to have to come up with one hell of a lie to keep my half-sister from poking around any deeper after that little show you put on for her.”
“My a-apologies,” The bouncer stammered, his face reddening. “It w-won't happen a-again.” He pressed the button for the fifteenth basement level, and the elevator churned to life, sending the two of them down.
“Be sure it doesn't,” Kasumi warned, a strong hint of anger in her voice. The two of them were silent for the rest of the elevator ride.
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(Posted Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:04)
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