Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat! or any of it's characters

Side note: This isn't a fan fiction only about the actual characters. This fan fiction is mostly about and from the point of view of an OC although I will include known characters later in the story. If you want to read from when actual Skip Beat! characters are mentioned you can skip to chapter 3. There is a sort of summary of the OC's life up until then although reading the first two chapters may help you undertsand her background a bit better.

Prologue

Alexandria stood in front of grandfather's desk which was laden with all sorts of paperwork and waited. In fact, she had waited there for almost ten minutes with a perfectly straight back, her feet together and her hands neatly clasped in front of her, just as she had been taught. During this whole time grandfather had been scribbling away on some sheets of paper or typing something up on his computer. Not once had he looked her way.

Alexandria was starting to become impatient but didn't let the irritation show.

She glanced at the huge elaborate clock standing against the wall behind grandfather's desk and watched another minute slowly tick by. With every second the silence seemed to become heavier, only interrupted by the occasional scratch of pen on paper or the clickety-clack of the computer keyboard. Not to mention the itch on her nose which was slowly getting worse. She didn't dare to scratch it in case she was reprimanded. When she finally couldn't take it anymore she inconspicuously cleared her throat.

Grandfather didn't react.

"You sent for me?" Alexandria said quietly. Grandfather glared at her. She obviously hadn't been quiet enough. He gestured at her to sit down in the chair opposite to him instead of answering.

She sat down and looked at him questioningly. Grandfather cleared up the paperwork strewn across his desk, sliding one piece of paper on another until it was all in a neat pile. Once that was done, he leaned back in his chair, folded his hands and laid them on his stomach.

Only then did he look at her - if it could be called that. It was more like he was seeing through her.

"Yes, I did." Grandfather finally said. His expression and tone were unfathomable. It gave absolutely no warning to what his next words were.

"You are to be married."

Alexandria continued to look at him with a calm demeanor, but inside her head it was an entirely different story.

She couldn't quite understand what she had just heard. She was in shock. Then it hit her.

Marriage? Are you joking? I'm only seventeen! she thought frantically. She was speechless. But she knew that once her grandfather had made a decision he would go through with it. It wouldn't change anything if she resisted.

Struggling for composure, she tucked a strand of long, hazelnut coloured hair behind her ear to hide the trembling of her hand.

"W-who?" she pushed out from between frozen lips. That was all she could eventually say after she found her voice again.

Grandfather arched an eyebrow. Alexandria understood immediately. Managing to hide her emotions behind a neutral expression she tried again.

"Who am I marrying?" she asked, her voice stable.

Grandfather was pleased that she had been able to learn her lessons so well. Of course, he would never tell her that. To him she was a pawn and as it turned out she was going to be a lot more useful to him than he had thought. Any hint that he even noticed her efforts were going destroy all the hard work he had put in to make her who she was today.

If Alexandria had noticed the manipulative glint in his eyes she wasn't showing it.

She was still looking at him for an answer to her question.

"Chase Darnell. You remember him don't you? After all you saw each other not too long ago." Grandfather looked at her like a predator might look at its prey - ready to pounce at any sign of movement. But Alexandria was frozen stiff, the second time in the space of five minutes. Chase…? Could it really be…?

Grandfather was beginning to show signs of irritation at her lack of reaction as it clearly showed just how rattled she was.

Alexandria gave a quick shake of her head and pasted a slight smile on her face.

To be honest, now that it was getting through to her that she was going to marry him, she could barely keep up her calm façade even with all her practice. After all, Chase and her had been friends for a long time and they had only recently become couple.

But then something occurred to her. She let a slight frown show. She didn't want to point it out but she was too curious.

"Grandfather… I thought you hated the kind of industry Chase is involved in."

His shoulders stiffened. He shot a glare at her at the mention of that hateful occupation.

"As you know I want the company to remain in the family, as it has for generations. But with no son to pass it onto, my only choice is to find someone responsible enough to take over and bind him to the family. Before he entered that field, Chase showed how capable he was several times. He has the potential to take over the company and you will be that bond which will make Chase part of the family."

Alexandria was about to open her mouth to say something but Grandfather continued talking.

"However, he has agreed to my conditions. He knows I disapprove of his current occupation and has signed a contract that will end his career as musician by the time of the marriage."

Alexandria could feel herself tearing up. Chase loved his music and he was going to give it up for her sake?

"The wedding will take place at the end of the year, in four months time."

Four months…?

"But… I'm not turning eighteen until January next year." she couldn't hide her disappointment. She was not allowed to marry until she was an adult. Unless…

Grandfather let a small smile slip through. This was going exactly as he had hoped.

"I will sign the papers when it is time. The only thing you need to do is to be present and be ready to give your signature."

"So… you really mean it?"

Alexandria tried to stay calm but the news she just heard were simply to good to be true. A deep sense of happiness was spreading through her body and a brilliant smile broke through her calm mask.

"It's really him?" she asked again just to make sure she had heard grandfather right.

Who glanced at her in disapproval and barely concealed disdain.

"How many times have I told you that I never repeat myself? And wipe that expression off your face, it's sickening."

Her grandfather turned his attention back to the piece of paper he was holding.

Alexandria's smile dimmed somewhat. She knew that grandfather had never truly cared for her but she would have thought that he would at least show some emotion when it came to her marriage.

That's right, marriage! she almost squealed in happiness at the thought of it. She quickly glanced over the desk at grandfather who was now frowning at another paper. Alexandria wanted to ask him about the details but he was completely ignoring her.

I guess this means I'm officially dismissed. She sighed. She stood up with a natural grace and bowed.

"If this was all you had to discuss with me I will take my leave now to continue with my lessons." This was only a formality as she had been raised to have impeccable manners no matter the circumstances. As predicted, grandfather didn't even nod in acknowledgement.

Alexandria was almost out the door when he stopped her.

"Alexandria."

She turned her head and looked at him curiously.

"Don't use those Japanese customs. Anyone who actually minded them in this house is now long dead."

Grandfather still wasn't looking at her and his voice was calm but she heard the underlying accusations in his voice.

She shrunk back against the door as if she had been slapped. Her perfect posture faltered for a moment as conflicting emotions were flitting across her face.

"Yes, grandfather." she replied when she had herself under control again. When she had slipped back into the calm, composed mask she had been wearing for over ten years now.

Alexandria quietly closed the door behind her and went back in the direction of the library. She entered and saw that her teacher was already seated at the centre table, waiting impatiently.

"A lady is never late." Miss Green scolded as soon as she spotted her.

"My deepest apologies." Alexandria said without a trace of sarcasm.

Miss Green snorted through her hawklike nose and adjusted her huge glasses which made her already small black eyes look even smaller.

"Now, let's begin with today's lesson…"

Alexandria's thoughts were drifting. She was usually eager to learn, to please her grandfather but today nothing seemed that important. After all she had been given great news!

She had always known that grandfather would eventually marry her off to some businessman to take over the company and had already resigned herself to her fate. But she never would have guessed that she would be lucky enough to marry someone she loved. She realised that an arranged marriage in the 21st century in a westernised country like America was unusual but the marriages in her family had all been arranged, including her grandfather's. There was only one exception and that was her mother's older brother who she hadn't had any contact to since her mother's funeral.

Alexandria sighed. She desperately wished time to go by faster so she could call Chase. Thinking about Chase brought her back to the thought that had been nagging at her since her grandfather's announcement.

I wonder if Chase already knows…? I really hope so. And what about his music? He's always so happy when he's performing…

These thoughts were going around in her head when Alexandria suddenly realised something was missing. Then she noticed it - Miss Green had stopped talking and was looking at her pointedly. She was obviously expecting an answer to some question she hadn't heard. Snapped back into reality Alexandria gave an apologetic smile.

"I'm so very sorry. Could you please repeat your question?"

Miss Green's nostrils flared and she internally braced herself. Depending on how strong The Nose Flare was, it usually meant annoyance, disappointment or anger. Her teacher constantly criticised something about Alexandria - usually her posture or bad manners (it was usually Japanese mannerisms she used which Miss Green thought were barbaric). Recently, 'inattentiveness' had been added to the list. This combined with The Nose Flare probably meant Miss Green was -

"No." Miss Green said, her deceptively even voice shaking with suppressed rage.

-angry.

"This was the third time I asked you the same question. I could forgive that if it was not so rare that you do not pay attention. However, recently your inattentiveness-"

There it is, Alexandria thought.

"-has gotten more and more frequent!" Miss Green breathed heavily as all that pent-up emotion left her in a rush.

Alexandria stared at her. That was the most emotion she had ever seen from her strict teacher. Miss Green blinked, smoothed down her hair and began to clean her glasses.

"Really, I must say I am disappointed in you. Someone of your high position should know how to behave properly, especially when your esteemed grandfather was so worried about your safety that he requested a private tutor from when you first came here. You should be grateful for all he has done for you."

Alexandria was beginning to feel annoyed. What did this woman know? Thankfully she was able to keep up her customary mild smile.

"I do beg your forgiveness. I promise to pay attention from now on. Shall the lesson continue now?"

Finished with cleaning her glasses, Miss Green pushed them back on to her nose. She looked at the clock hanging on the wall and shook her head.

"It is getting late. Please complete your exam preparation on your own for tomorrow." With that, her teacher whisked out the door and left Alexandria in the library.

She sighed and collected her books she was supposed to have read through to be ready for her final exam. It was going to be on history, her least favourite subject.

"Reading about wars is always so boring. It's always the same thing - death, destruction, poverty…" Alexandria muttered on her way out the door. She closed the door behind her and started to make her way to her room. Suddenly, a melody started to play. Alexandria smiled at the familiar sound of Chase's newest number 1 single playing and stopped walking. She transferred all the books onto one arm and slid her free hand into her skirt pocket where the source of the music was coming from. She pressed a button and lifted the mobile to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me." Alexandria could feel something warm and fuzzy inside her at the sound of his voice.

"Hey, Chase." she said happily.

Silence.

Alexandria was just beginning to wonder if had hung up when he said something.

"So, um. Did your grandpa tell you?" Chase said, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

She almost giggled in relief. It was good to know she wasn't the only one who was nervous.

"Yeah, he did." she answered, smiling.

"How do you feel about it? I mean, we've known each other for a while but this is big." He suddenly laughed.

"What is it? What's so funny?" Alexandria asked, startled.

"Ah, it's just I said that this is really important and I'm talking to you on the phone as if it wasn't. I really want to talk to you face to face. Can we meet tomorrow?"

"But aren't you busy with work?"

"Yeah, but I can clear my schedule for the late afternoon and evening. We could go on a date. How does that sound?"

A date…

"I'd love to." she replied warmly.

"Alright. I'll pick you up tomorrow at 4 ok?"

"Yeah, that's fine." Alexandria was mentally calculating until when she would have school.

"Oh, and by the way" Chase interrupted her thoughts. "Wear something warm and practical."

Alexandria beamed. She knew what that meant. Thank goodness grandfather didn't know about that.

"Sure."

"Alright, then. See you tomorrow."

"'bye." She waited until she heard a continuous beeping sound that meant he had hung up.

"I love you." she whispered into the phone. She hung up and shook her head at her silliness. They hadn't said it to each other yet and she was afraid to be the first. After safely stowing away her mobile she resumed walking towards her room. Once she was there she flicked on the light switch and carefully laid down the books on her desk in a neat pile. Catching sight of her reflection in the mirror she stepped forward to scrutinise herself. What she saw was a tall, slender, underdeveloped girl with an elfin shaped face and straight-as-a-ruler elbow length hazelnut hair. Alexandria looked at the night table where she had placed a framed photo of her mother. The only things her reflection had in common with the beautiful woman in the photo was the face shape and the bluish-violet coloured eyes as well as the slender frame. Granted, the hair was the same colour but only because Alexandria dyed hers. Opposed to her mother's big round eyes, Alexandria's were almond shaped, almost catlike, she had a round button nose and her mouth was smaller and more pouty than her mother's.

She leaned closer to the mirror and saw a tiny bit of black regrowth at the roots of her hair. Guess I should dye it again soon.

At that thought Alexandria went into the adjoining bathroom and grabbed on of the many packets of dye from underneath the sink drawer. Once the dye had been prepared and applied, Alexandria went back to her self inspection.

She knew she wasn't ugly but she had never thought of herself as pretty. Maybe that was because she kept being compared to her mother who had not only been petite and curvy but also polite, kind and compassionate. She was beginning to show the signs of a developing slender hourglass figure but the changes were still barely noticeable and her real personality was quite different from her mother's.

Alexandria sighed and wondered not for the first time, Am I good enough for Chase?

Alexandria quickly inspected her appearance one more time in the mirror. She was wearing her favourite heather blue and purple striped hoodie and a black pair of comfortable jeans which were tucked into a pair of comfortable knee high brown leather boots. She even put on a little bit of makeup; she usually didn't really care for it but she wanted to look pretty for Chase.

Grinning foolishly from ear to ear, Alexandria sprinted out the door and towards the back entrance of the house where she and Chase had agreed to meet.

Her thoughts were so full of Chase, she didn't look around the corner and bumped into someone.

"Ouch!" she exclaimed involuntarily as the impact landed her on her behind. She looked up the young man who she bumped into. He didn't seem to be affected at all and merely adjusted his glasses before silently offering her his hand.

Alexandria gratefully grabbed hold of the outstretched hand and smiled at him apologetically.

"I apologise for running into you, Mr Darnell."

Chase's older brother mildly smiled at her.

"Don't worry nothing happened. Where are you rushing off to though?" he inquired.

"I'm meeting…someone." she said, remembering just in time that the relationship between Chase and his older brother wasn't very good.

He raised his eyebrows to show he wasn't fooled.

"It's Chase, isn't it?"

Knowing that he would find out eventually that about their engagement, Alexandria nodded sheepishly.

He sighed and bent down to whisper in her ear.

"Be careful. He might not be the person you think he is."

He straightened up and walked off before she could respond. She looked after him fought to suppress the annoyance that was welling up. Why was he so against them?

Angrily, she stalked out the door and saw that Chase was waiting for her already.

As always, just seeing him made all her worries disappear. She smiled at him.

He had parked his motorbike on the sidewalk and was grinning back at her. Some people who were passing by were starting to notice him, pointing at him and whispering to each other.

"Isn't that Chase Darnell?"

"Yeah, I bought his new album only yesterday. It's great!"

"Ohmygod, he's so hot!"

"I know right? Just look at that golden blond hair! And those emerald eyes! Couldn't you just die?"

Chase, who obviously heard it all, ignored it and instead called over to Alexandria.

"You ready to go?"

"Yeah." she said when she finally got there. He gave her a peck on the mouth and pressed the spare helmet he had brought into her hands.

Alexandria blushed and quickly put on the helmet before Chase noticed. Chase had already put on his helmet and was waiting for her to get on behind him.

"Who is that?"

"She can't be his girlfriend right?"

"No way! She's much too plain!"

"Eww! Did you see the clothes she's wearing?"

Even though the helmet muffled much of the comments what Alexandria did hear still stung.

She quickly jumped on behind Chase and slung her arms around him, her head lowered against his back. He squeezed her hands reassuringly without saying anything but she understood.

Chase put his hand back on the clutch and kicked the motorbike into gear. It roared to life and they sped away.

Notes - I changed the wedding date to in 4 months time instead of 6. It fits the time frame better.