Author Note: I edited the story. It's not proof read by a beta but my english, compared with last year improved.

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat!

Chapter 1 Marrying him, marrying her

"Marry me, Tsuruga-san!"

Ren was across the table sipping some water when his ears caught the sound of her request. The water he just sipped took the wrong pipe, choking with it.

"cough, cough – " he tried to regain his composure, however Kyoko's words still echoed into his ears making ravages to his mind. Worried for his well being, Kyoko came by his side, gently patting his back.

"Are you okay, Tsuruga-san? Do you need something?" Agitated, she looked around the room to find something which would make her sempai feel better.

If I am okay?Didn't she just propose me? Or I do have some sort of hallucination? Ren cough once again before some words to be spilled through his lips.

"Mogami-san, are you kind to repeat what you just said? I don't think I have heard you well."

"I asked you if you need something. Can I do something to help you?" she was totally, completely, utterly oblivious.

"Not this Mogami-san. What did you say before this?"

Kyoko thought for a short moment before answering. "I asked you if you're okay. Are you okay, Tsuruga-san?" maybe his coughs stopped but not her worries.

Ren was at the edge of his sanity. A minute ago, he counted the seconds, the girl in front of him asked him to marry her – that if his ears don't play a prank on him – and now she completely forgot about it.

He sighed. Tooking a deep breath he calm down and asked again.

"Not this Mogami-san. Can you repeat one more time what you requested me to do?"

Kyoko's brown eyes which he adores to the core suddenly became teary. Her teary eyes looked him straight into his orbs. "Please Tsuruga-san, marry me? I beg you." her small hands gripped his shirt tightly.

She's serious. My mind doesn't play pranks on me, I have heard her well. I do like the idea but why does she ask me such a think? Knowing her I found it strange. Does she have a new love assignment?

"Mogami-san, do not understand me wrong, but why? You're a love me member, you reject love through all your pores so I find it strange for you to ask such a thing."

"My life, my freedom depends on it, Tsuruga-san. In the past two days I thought a lot and this is the only solution. Please help me, Tsuruga-san?" he could see she was indeed desperate. And if she a love me member found out this solution being the only one then she indeed have a serious issues. His mind could find only one man being the culprit.

This must be Lori's job. This damn man, what the hell he did her this time?

"Mogami-san, can you tell me what happened? You're worrying me?"

"You see Tsuruga-san" she wiped her tears with the sleeve of her shirt "everything started two days ago when a strange man who call himself my father came to pay me a visit."

"Your father?" he didn't know more about her family but he damn knew sure that her father never existed in her entire life. How come he came now?

"Yes, Tsuruga-san. My real father. A man I never see visited me two days ago saying he's my father and came to take me with him in South Korea. But I do not want to go with that man, he's a horrible person. Please help me, Tsuruga-san."

Tears felt in cascades over her cheeks while she was pleading for salvation. Oh, she was like a wet puppy asking for shelter. How could he resist her?

"Tell me more about this man, Mogami-san. He's a man you never seen before; you definitely cannot leave with him." What if he's not your father but a stalker, an old man with a fetish for young women? I cannot let her go.

"Tell me about it. I say him for so many times the same thing but he didn't listen me. Two days ago I was in my room at Darumaya when suddenly okami-san called me downstairs saying that a guest wants to talk with me. I didn't have time to go downstairs because the guests came upstairs opening the door and coming inside my room. He was a tall man wearing a black suit and he had the ugliest beard I ever seen in my entire life."

"My Kyoko-chan, look how beautiful you grew up." and the strange man squeezed her tightly into his embrace.

"Ano, who're you? And why're you hugging me?" she was hugged by a man she never seen in her entire life, aka a stranger, in HER room.

"My dear Kyoko what do you mean who I am? I am Kosuke Mogami, your father. And I have came to take you with me in South Korea." Kyoko's mind slowly processed the words FATHER, SOUTH KOREA, TO TAKE.

"Hell NO! Why should I leave with a stranger? I don't know you." Kyoko was upset by this man's courage. He may be her biological father but he never was present in her life. He has no right over her.

"I am no stranger. I'm your father and my duty is to watch over my underage daughter.

"No saying, and where were you till now? I don't recall seeing you before.

"I was in South Korea with businesses. During all these years I have send money to your mother and pictures of me for you to know me – " he stopped talking for a moment and frowned. "Don't tell me she didn't show them to you. that damn woman, I should have known she would do that!"

"It doesn't matter. To me you're a stranger. I won't come with you. Beside I have a life here, I am an actress."

Hearing Kyoko's reason, the bearded-man sighed. Taking few deep breaths he calmed down and spoke again using a serious tone while he looked her straight into her brown orbs.

"You will come with me even if you won't like it. I am your father. The only person who can have over you many rights than me can be your husband. Unfortunately for you, you don't have any. A week time by now we would go to South Korea. Say goodbye to your friends." The bearded-man sat up and left the room leaving behind a stunned young girl.

"This is what occurred. That horrible bearded-man wants to kidnap me. Please, don't let him take me."

"I understand now. You're now trying to find a man who can have more rights on you than your father; you're looking for a husband doesn't it?"

"Yes, I thought if I would have a husband he won't be able to take me with him anymore. The husband would oppose him right?"

"You want us to pretend to be married doesn't it? Before us do so many things must be done before hand."

"Yes, we will pretend to be a married couple. To me it would be a new role; through this I would improve my acting skills." Oh, she's a very cruel woman. She didn't understand a thing I have tried to say her.

"Mogami-san, if we would pretend being a married couple we must do certain things like living together, announcing our friends about our relationship. That if you really want to fool your father; it would look more real."

After many attempts of reasoning with her she finally understood. If she wants to play the role of a wife then she should act like one.

What should I do? At first I thought if I would coax Tsuruga-san into this lie that bearded-man would give up. I never thought I need to go so far with the lie. However if I would live with Tsuruga-san I would be safe. He's a gentleman. Okay sometimes The Emperor of the Night shows up but he won't do anything to me. He sees me as a child no worth kissing further than a cheek. My future depends on it. I can do it.

"I fully understand Tsuruga-san. From now on we will live together." Ren found no trace of hesitation in her voice; she already made up her mind.

"Okay. Tomorrow morning I will go to the marital status and take a marriage registration." Hearing his words Kyoko's eyes went out their sockets. When she was about to say something Ren's voice cut her off.

"We must do everything by the book. Beside Tsuruga Ren is not my real name. a marriage with me under my alas is not available. Don't worry!"

"Okay." A wave of relief washed over her. She had no idea how to deal with such things; she would let the adult here deal with them.

I will go straight to Hell for doing this. Tsuruga Ren might not be my real name but when I came to Japan I changed my name legally. Her marriage with me is very available.

"We can talk more about it tomorrow Mogami-san. Now it's getting late; I should drive you home."

"We aren't going to live together Tsuruga-san?"

"We will but not right now. That would happen when we would file our marriage registration in. and you still need to bring some of your things here. In maximum two days you will move in."

On their way to Darumaya none knew what to say to each other so they kept silence.

"I would take care of everything." Ren said her before she enters inside. Kyoko nodded and closed the door behind her.

The following day Ren woke up early going to the marital status to take the marriage registration. The night before Ren called one of his friends, who owned a jewelry store and asked him to do him a favor.

On his way back from marital status Ren paid his friend a visit to pick the wedding bands.

After he finished these small errands but necessary to his marriage-to-be, Ren went and picked up Yashiro. He said no word to his manager; Ren could imagine him fangirling and teasing him the whole day if he would have a cue.

Even if he didn't show it, Ren was still in shock since yesterday. Kyoko's marriage proposal still rang into his mind and the fact that none noticed his troubled soul was due to his acting skills.

Their day wasn't as busy as another day. Ren arrived home around 7 PM and Kyoko was already in front of his apartment building waiting for him. They got inside and put their names and signatures on their marriage registration. Later, Kyoko cooked their dinner.

"Do you want to file the marriage registration in tonight or tomorrow morning?" Ren asked before eating their dinner. "Our marriage registration takes around two days. Sooner the better."

The sooner she would have their marriage registration the better. The bearded-man's intention would be stopped. This is what she at least hoped.

"On my way back to Darumaya we can file in our marriage registration. Can I bring my things tomorrow?"

"Of course you can. From tomorrow on we will live together."

The same like the night before they ate in quiet. On their way back to Darumaya they filled in the marriage registration. At the marital status the clerk told them they would receive their registration two days later. Also the clerk advice Kyoko to change her name, her new name will be Tsuruga Kyoko.

The thought of living with Ren from tomorrow on deprived her from rest. Oh what about others? I guess Ren and I should tell them about our supposed marriage. We don't need to tell to too many people. Moko-san, Yashiro-san and the President are enough. Also we must keep our relationship a secret for other. The press certainty shouldn't find out about us, or else ours reputations would go down the hill, especially Tsuruga-san reputation. And this cannot happen.

The next day when they have met Kyoko expressed her worries to Ren.

She's worried about the press? I think Yashiro and the President are much more annoying than a bunch of reporters.

While checking his emails Ren found out their marriage registration; apparently the government moved faster in their case and registrated their marriage sooner than they expected.

Kyoko took her things in her new room. Carefully she took out from her luggage her clothes and put them inside the closet.

After she finished she went straight to the kitchen and started preparing dinner. During her stay at his place she promised to herself to straighten his bad eating habits.

What kind of wife I would be if my husband would die of hunger. Knowing him I can bet he barely ate today. I would do something about his bad habits. A slight blush adorned her cheeks while her mind replayed the words wife and husband like a mantra.

While waiting for Kyoko, Ren was buried into deep thoughts. He wanted to give her the wedding band but he couldn't find out the words, nor the courage to do so.

"Dinner is ready!" he heard her saying. She put the plates on the table and gazed at his persona. "At what were you thinking? Did I disturb you or something?"

"The food smells delicious honey. I can't wait to dig in." she knew that they're playing a role and that he tries to avoid the subject but she couldn't stop blushing.

Their dinner was similar with the ones from the past, quiet. After Kyoko finished washing the dishes Ren had enough courage to call her.

"Please come here, Mogami-san." she returned in the living room sitting down onto the carpeted floor. Ren took out the velvet, black box out of his pants pocket and put it on the coffee table.

"What's that?" she could guess what's inside and a part of her wanted to deny.

"Wedding bands. I went to a jewelry store and brought them." Ren opened the box, her eyes falling on the two shiny objects resting inside.

"Why did you buy rings?"

"Our marriage would look more authentic with these on." He took her delicate hand in his and placed the white gold band on her ring finger.

He was about to take his band from the box and put it on his ring finger when her gentle touch made him stop. Moments before her very eyes witnessed how dedicated he was into the role he played; he acted as a veritable husband.

"Let me! I think it's something I must do."

Kyoko took the band from the box and copied his previously moves until the last one.

His heart skipped a beat. She wasn't shy in her moves; for a moment he thought she was born for this. Only a gentle touch of her finger over his hand filled his body with warm.

Maybe she doesn't know but with only that ring he claimed her as his. They might have been brought together under strange circumstances but he promised to himself to take advantage of it at the right time.

"Done" ren was brought back to reality by her sweet voice. "Since we're playing the role of a married couple I thought it was my duty to rest that band on your ring finger. Doesn't the wife do this during the ceremony?"

"Yeah, she does it."

"If you don't mind I would go to sleep, Tsuruga-san. Many things happened today and I am exhausted. Good night!"

"Ren. From now on please call me Ren. It's weird for a wife to call her husband by his last name. Try calling me Ren."

"Oh, you have right. I would try, Ren." she ran into her room after calling him by his first name. Kyoko closed the door behind her and threw herself onto the bed, hugging a pillow at her chest.

Only calling his name made her blush.

The cold of the shiny ring resting on her finger brought her attention to it.

My heart beat so fast when he gave me the ring. I hope he didn't hear my stupid heart beats. Who knows what he would think.

Before going to sleep Ren decided to take a hot, refreshing shower. However he couldn't take his mind away from her, she plagued his every thought.

It went better than I expected to. I didn't think she would be the one who would put the ring on my finger. From now on she would always be on my range. What I would do when her father would leave? According to our agreement we will return to our normal lives but I will let her to? Even if she doesn't know yet she's my wife. How would she react when she would find out? Would she hate me because I betrayed her trust?

Finishing his shower he dried up and dressed up with his sleepovers. Before sleep catching on him his mind stayed at only what would happen tomorrow. Tomorrow would be a test for them; they need to fool their close friends.

After his morning shower Ren went straight into the kitchen to prepare himself a coffee. For a slight moment he forgot about his impromptu marriage and was shocked to see Kyoko into his kitchen preparing breakfast.

"Good morning Honey!" he hid his previously shock behind his gentleman smile.

"Good morning to you too, hubby! Breakfast would be ready withing next five minutes. Please go and wait in the living room."

"I'm not hungry. I only need my morning coffee before going to work." After a year since they're knowing each other you would have thought that Ren would give up on his bad, eating habits, or that he will remember about Kyoko's opinion about it.

"You will eat the breakfast before going to work, hubby! You won't drink any coffee if you won't eat."

"Ok sweetheart. I will fill my stomach with your wonderful food before going to work." Ren was about the sip from his morning coffee when suddenly the mud disappeared from his grip.

"You don't understand, hubby." Kyoko was holding his missing coffee. "You're allowed to drink coffee only after you would eat your breakfast. I won't let you drink any coffee on your empty stomach; it affects negatively your health."

"Oh, so this is what it means to have a wife? I never thought my wife would be so mean."

"If I being mean means taking care for your health, then yeah I am mean. Go in the living room and wait patiently there!"

"Yes ma'am."

Ren had been amused by their brief morning interaction. While waiting for Kyoko to come with their breakfast, he took his cell phone and sent a message to his Boss and his manager, Yashiro. After that he took Kyoko's phone and sent a message to Kanae with the same content; the only difference was that he let the impression that the message was sent by Kyoko herself.

An hour later, Kyoko and Ren were in the car taking deep breaths; they need to prepare themselves for what would come. Even if they agreed to not wear their wedding bands in public this morning they made an exception.

For a better effect, they justified their reason.

Meanwhile in Lori's office

While Ren and Kyoko were in the car gathering enough courage to come and confront their friends, their friends were already waiting for them.

At first Yashiro thought that the reason he's called in his boss office is work related; he was surprised when he find out that he's boss is clueless about it. If they thought that was strange, they surely took their words back when they saw Kanae. She thought she was called to receive, to her distain, another love me assignment. She was puzzled to find out that her boss knew nothing about it.

"I wonder what Ren wants to tell us so badly? But how is Mogami-san involved in this?" no matter how much Lori could think he still couldn't find a proper answer.

"This is indeed odd." Said Yashiro and Kanae in the same time.

They were at the edge of despair with all those questions ringing inside their heads. They sighed in relief when Ren and Kyoko finally decided to grace them with their presence. Their both left hands were inside their pockets, hiding their wedding bands.

"What took you so long?" the trio asked aloud in the same time.

"Traffic was hectic. Sorry for being late. Please have a seat." And Ren motioned to the couches nearby.

Ren and Kyoko decided to sit on the same couch across the other couch, facing the trio. Kyoko was nervous, she had no idea how she should tell them. She was displeased though when the trio paid more attention to the cake and their tea than her and Ren's.

"I don't know with what I should begin."

"You can start with the beginning." Lori's taste buds were pleased by the cake he just started eating. He wanted everything to end and he to eat another one, a bigger size. He was about to take about bite of his cake when his attention was caught by two shiny rings.

"I know you would be surprised by what we want to tell you but we cannot hide it any further.

The trio bore questionings looks on their faces.

"WE MARRIED YESTERDAY!"