Under a Silver Moon Read online

  “Tell me,” Mandy insisted, dropping onto the couch next to her. “I’m totally cool with whatever it is.”

  “I know what happens to people who’ve been ‘star struck.’ Maybe your mother is just trying to keep Imai for herself, in a manner of speaking.” Michiko eyed her closely, watching for any sign that maybe the story didn’t ring true. But the girl’s disappointment in not being able to share the details of being close to such a famous rock star obviously clouded her better judgment.

  “Are you serious?” Mandy asked quietly.

  “It happens all the time.” Michiko sighed. “That’s one reason why we’ve had to go through so many assistants for Imai-san.” She exhaled a disgusted sigh. “The situation was so difficult when his leg was first injured and he was basically helpless. It was shocking that even well-mannered Japanese girls thought their position as private nurse conferred some special right on them. Why you’d think they were engaged or married the way some of them behaved. It was so disgraceful that when Nakamura-san heard of it he insisted we try hiring out of the country. But obviously…” She let her voice trail off and lowered her gaze, as if ashamed that she’d said too much.

  Mandy sat forward, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. “But obviously what?”

  “You must understand that I mean no disrespect to you or your mother, but honestly, I did witness her behavior at the recent Imperial Charity Fashion Gala ‑‑” She sighed again and pretended to debate on whether to tell the secret or not.

  “Tell me. Please.”

  “She overstepped her bounds. She was only to accompany him and wait on the sidelines in the event he needed medical assistance, but instead, well…”

  “She was his date.”

  “So it seemed…” Michiko stood and walked toward the door leading outside. “It’s not my place to judge, and I’m sure Imai-san voiced his displeasure to her as he did to me. He was far too conscious of his image to do so publicly at the event itself.”

  She paused, then slowly turned and smiled when she saw the teenager staring up the staircase as the bedroom door opened and her mother’s laughter rang out.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Mandy’s heart thumped as Imai came down the curving stairs. He was even more a True Rock God in person than he was in videos and concert DVDs. She’d seen him and the band in concert in L.A., but her seats had been so far away she couldn’t really appreciate him. But now, he was so hot, and he was smiling straight at her.

  When he reached the bottom, Izumi-san said something to him in Japanese and took a sheaf of papers from her briefcase for him to sign. The doorbell rang, and Mandy watched as her mother walked across the hall like she owned the place, calling out to the housekeeper that she’d get the door.

  The magazine photographers had arrived, and Mandy continued to stare as they spoke with her mother in English and she continued to act like she was in charge. “I did his makeup for the outdoor lighting since you’ll want to do that first before the daylight fades. When you’re done, I’ll redo for the indoor shots. You’re using the entry hall here, yes, and the parlor with the piano?”

  Imai finished signing the papers then spoke with the photographers. Mandy wasn’t as fluent as she’d like, but her four years of school Japanese let her know that the photographer was joking about her mother being like a little empress in charge of the castle. Miss Izumi gave her an embarrassed look, and Mandy put her head down.

  Imai and the photographers went out, followed by Miss Izumi, and Mandy began to trail behind. Her mother pulled on her shirtsleeve and stopped her. “Now remember, this is business. You can’t get in the way and be all squealy.”

  Mandy jerked away. “All right. I know how to behave.”

  And obviously her mother didn’t. Ugh, it was so embarrassing to watch her practically drooling over Imai-san as he posed crouched on the grass and leaning against a plum tree. And when she ran over to comb his hair in between shots she was so close that it was obscene. It was bad enough she’d done that when they were alone earlier, but in front of the magazine guys wasn’t cool.

  “This is unbelievable,” Mandy mumbled under her breath. Someone came up next to her as she stood in the alcove and made a clicking noise. She turned and there was Izumi-san, watching the photo session and shaking her head slightly.

  “I’m surprised Imai-san is doing these pictures alone.” Michiko frowned

  “Well, they’re for his solo concert, right?” Mandy shrugged.

  “But he’s usually so good to his fans.” Michiko’s frown deepened. “And knowing one of his biggest fans is right here in his house, I expected him to invite you for at least one photo.”

  Mandy sucked in her breath. “Are you serious?”

  “Well, yes…unless maybe he doesn’t know you’re one of his best fans.” Michiko blinked and turned her head toward Mandy. “But with your mother working for him, she must have said something. Don’t you think?”

  Mandy frowned. “I guess. He has to know, right? I asked her to give him letters from me and a couple of my friends when she came over from L.A.”

  “Oh, he wrote you back, well then, of course ‑‑”

  “No,” Mandy said. “He didn’t write or email or anything. I guess because of his leg. He didn’t feel good.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. He bought a small gift for that one girl who was injured going to the first L.A. concert. You know the one, I’m sure. It was in all the magazines.”

  “Yeah. I know the band visited her and everything. They were great.”

  Izumi-san nodded and smiled. “Imai-san prides himself on his and the band’s generosity toward their fans.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Mandy muttered. “I read that online a lot.”

  After a few more photos outside they went back in, and Izumi-san spoke up. “Before you continue, the new video is debuting in a few minutes on MTV.”

  Mandy watched her mother’s eyes light up. “Is it that one, Imai?”

  “It is.”

  Mandy stared in horror as her own mother gave the same kind of annoying little squeal that she’d ordered her not to give. “Mandy, you have got to see this. I was going to tell you, but I wanted it to be a surprise.”

  Mandy followed them all into one of the rooms on the main floor that contained a huge plasma TV and entertainment system. Imai switched on MTV Japan just as the VJ began to announce the world premier of the new video.

  Mandy tried not to notice how her mother planted herself on the arm of Imai’s chair and sat there messing with his hair as the video began. She concentrated on the screen and was blown away by how hot Imai looked. He was seated on a chair in a black suit shirt and tie, and had lipstick and eyeliner on like in the early days of ChildsPrey, and as he sang the video was cut with close up shots of him without makeup, staring up at a big, full, orangey moon.

  She could make out some of the words and knew the song was about wanting someone. A woman’s voice joined in for part of the chorus, and Imai morphed into her and then back to himself and ‑‑ “Oh. My. God.”

  Mandy heard Izumi-san gasp, and she felt even more ill than she had a moment ago to see that glimpse of her mother ‑‑ in a skimpy red bustier. What was she thinking when she did this? Mandy felt embarrassed for her mother…she looked old and fat compared to other video girls. And Kim barely knew the band to begin with; shouldn’t the cameo have gone to a more hard-core fan? A jealous voice inside Mandy’s head asked, Like me?

  Kim turned to her with a grin. “Isn’t it cool, Mandy?”

  “No, it’s not!” Mandy jumped up from the sofa. “It’s gross! Ewww!”

  “I don’t understand,” Kim whispered as she gripped Imai’s shoulder. “I thought she’d be excited.”

  “Excited?” Mandy stared at her mother in utter disbelief. “Are you shitting me?”

  Kim jumped to her feet, arms at her sides. “Mandy!” she gasped. “Watch your mouth”

  “Excuse me? I’m not the one doing ‑‑ doing that.”
Mandy flailed an arm at the TV screen. Everyone including the photographers was staring at her, but so what? She had every right to be pissed. The only person who seemed to understand was Izumi-san, who was looking at her hands folded on her lap and not gawking at Mandy.

  “Lower your voice this moment, young lady,” Kim fumed. Her face turned a bright shade of pink, but Mandy didn’t care how badly her mother felt. This outburst couldn’t be worse than that video was.

  “You apologize to everyone here, right now,” Kim added, as if she were trying to make her sound like some stupid kid having a temper tantrum.

  “Don’t embarrass yourself any worse than you’ve already done, Mom.” Mandy swallowed, turned on her heel, and stalked out of the room.

  Kim rushed after her. “Miranda Katharine Donovan, get back here!” Mandy ignored her and bolted for the door to the guesthouse. Great. And here she thought her daughter had finally grown out of that stupid, teenage mood swing nonsense. Kim ran her hands through her hair. Imai came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

  “Maybe the jet lag is making her short tempered,” he said, kissing the top of Kim’s head.

  Kim sighed. “Probably.”

  “Go to her.”

  Kim sighed then turned to face him. “No. When she gets like this it’s best to leave her for a little while until she comes to her senses. Let’s get your makeup done for the indoor shots.”

  Although Michiko Izumi sat calmly as the photo shoot progressed, the arms of the leather chair soon bore gouges from her fingernails. How could Imai-san look at that bitch with such desire in his eyes when she was the one who had done so much for him over the past five years?

  She was the one to see that he had only the best studio musicians and engineers for this solo project ‑‑ the one who’d set up the perfect schedule of stops for the upcoming tour. She’d chosen the locations specifically with him in mind. The venues were well kept and just small enough that they would sell out weeks in advance. She was the one who suggested implementing a special package deal for their new overseas fan club members to come to Tokyo to take in the first show of the tour.

  That American whore had done nothing for him, nothing except take advantage of his manly needs and use her unattractive body to cloud his judgment.

  And Izumi was not going to let her get away with this.

  Kim stood in the doorway watching as Imai walked the photographers out, and part of her still couldn’t believe that all this was real ‑‑ that such an incredible man cared for her, that he’d asked her to be in his music video, that he even wanted her and her daughter to go on tour with him. Maybe that last bit of news would help to settle Mandy down.

  She still couldn’t figure out what her daughter’s problem was, but maybe tiredness was playing a part. Even as a young child, Mandy had always gotten overly cranky when she was tired.

  “Still worried?” Imai asked as he came back into the house.

  “Not so much worried as wondering what’s wrong.”

  “Let me change, and we’ll go out for dinner. That should cheer her up.”

  Kim grinned. “No Dancing Shrimp.”

  “I promise.”

  Kim smiled. She was about to kiss Imai when Miss Izumi cleared her throat behind them.

  She bowed to Imai. “Would it be all right with you, Donovan-san, if I took your daughter out for the evening? Perhaps she might feel comfortable talking to another woman who isn’t her mother? Sometimes when I was younger my mother and I didn’t always have an easy time of it.”

  “Well.” Kim bit her lower lip as she thought it over. “I don’t want to inconvenience you, but if you could that would be very nice. Maybe seeing a bit of Tokyo will cheer her up.”

  “It would be my pleasure,” Izumi said with a surprisingly warm smile. This had to be the first time in weeks that the businesswoman had tried to be nice. Kim guessed all they’d needed was some common ground, and Kim’s emotionally volcanic teenage daughter was apparently it.

  “Thank you,” she said gratefully.

  “You’ve done so much for all of us already, Donovan-san.” Izumi bowed. “It’s the least I can do.”

  “And I’m sure Mandy is probably just a little overwhelmed.” Imai put his arm around Kim’s shoulders. “It’s always hard for kids to get used to new places, ne? I was a pain in the ass at first when my family moved to the States.”

  Kim turned into his embrace. “Thank you for being so understanding. I’m sorry Mandy made such a fuss.”

  “It was nothing really,” Imai insisted.

  “Then you two enjoy your evening.” Izumi gathered up her purse and briefcase then went to the door. “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll do everything I can to ensure your daughter’s stay here is memorable.”

  Mandy turned her cell phone off then threw it on the sofa. She let out an angry shriek and struggled not to pick up her laptop and throw it against the wall. She calmed down enough to mute the sound on the computer, although she knew it was useless. She couldn’t avoid the calls and emails forever, not now that someone in Japan had ripped the new Imai PV and had already uploaded it to the ‘Net.

  And everyone on her friend list had seen her mother make a complete asshole of herself for the entire world to see. She’d never survive the humiliation her mother had caused. Never.

  Sinking down on the sofa, Mandy could only stare as the video looped itself endlessly. Her mother only appeared in three washed-out shots like a remembrance of the dream the song was about, but those seconds of video were like endless hours to Mandy.

  And to make it all the worse she’d sung part of the chorus. It was only a line and she’d pronounced it well enough, but gross.

  “God.” Mandy buried her face in her hands. Everything about this trip to Japan was so crapped up.

  A knock sounded at the door to the guesthouse. “Go away!” Mandy snapped.

  Whatever lecture her mother had in store, she was not in the mood for it.

  But it was Michiko who called from outside. “It’s only me. Your mother and Imai-san went…out.”

  Great. Now images of her making out with Imai wouldn’t leave Mandy’s mind. She shoved the laptop onto the couch and stomped to the door. “If you’re here to talk to me on my mother’s behalf, now is not the time,” she said, opening the door.

  “Not at all. Actually, I thought you might like to go out for the evening yourself to get your mind off things. I know a few elite clubs. You’re a bit young, but I have friends who’ll let you in if I give them my word you won’t get drunk and cause a scene…”

  “I’d never do that.”

  Izumi-san smiled. “Well, then. Why don’t we stop by my apartment first? I want to change, and if you like, I can loan you something a bit trendier to go out in than what your mother has you wearing.”

  “That would be great. Really. Thank you.”

  * * * * *

  Michiko smiled to herself as the girl looked through the few old outfits she’d set out on the bed. The girl did have a bit of taste ‑‑ at least she chose the most expensive of the out of season cast-offs. “I understand what you’re going through, Mandy-chan, and I hope you’ll feel comfortable enough to confide in me.”

  Mandy stared. “Your mother chased younger men, too?”

  “Oh, no, but I went to college in the States, and I had a roommate whose mother stole all her friends, especially her boyfriends. It was horrible for her and so embarrassing. Lisa’s mother even went and married a boy who originally dated Lisa. They were a perfect match, too, but then her mother…Well, I’m sure you can guess how she wrapped him around her finger. Men like experience in some areas, I suppose.”

  “Yeah.” Mandy nodded, her mouth almost too dry to talk. She knew her face was burning an embarrassing shade of red, and tried to shrug it off. “Men. Huh.”

  Experience in some areas? Mandy would’ve done just about anything to be able to meet Imai Shimizu in person, while her mother barely knew the man’s music. A
nd now Kim was the one getting all the special attention…using her “experience” to keep Imai from ever noticing or caring about Mandy.

  She took a bright yellow tank dress and went into the bathroom to change. The dress showed off her boobs and hips since it was a wee bit small, but it looked hot. This is the kind of stuff she was going to buy to wear from now on. Not the jeans and T-shirts her mother always made her get. No wonder she wanted her to dress that way. That’s why she hardly ever had dates. Now it all made sense.

  “She’s such a bitch,” Mandy mumbled under her breath as she returned to the bedroom. She grabbed her purse. “Let’s go, Izumi-san.”

  “Please. Call me Michiko.”

  * * * * *

  Mandy couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed as she followed Michiko into the private nightclub in Shinjuku that was hosting a special after-concert party for her all-time favorite band, Gothic deSade. There were a lot of Japanese stars here, even Kyoru, the drummer from Imai’s band. Mandy had heard all the stories about the feuds between Imai and Toru and Gothic deSade’s leader, Miji Makana. At least there was no chance in hell of her mother showing up and ruining her evening.

  She didn’t even realize Michiko had left her side until the older woman came back carrying two wineglasses. “I know you’re not supposed to, but it’s a party and one drink will be fine, as long as you promise to sip it slowly, don’t you think?”

  “Oh, I promise,” Mandy said with a giggle.

  Michiko smiled and said, “Wait right here. I have a friend I want you to meet.”

  Mandy leaned back against the wall and continued to look around. She couldn’t help but stare at Kyoru and his actress wife as they sat in a booth and made out like a couple of teenagers.

  “Mandy-chan?”

  Mandy looked over at the sound of Michiko’s voice. She nearly dropped her glass when she saw who the friend was. “Omigod, you’re Miji Makana!”

  The legendary guitarist and one of the founders of Gothic visual rock smiled and raised his glass to her. “My reputation’s reached to America, has it?”