A/N: Hi everyone! This is my second story here in FFnet, it was full of molds in my computer so I decided to give a shot on publishing it~ I'm obsessed with this two in the last few months, ack! I tried my best to make them in character but somehow I failed in Renge-chan err.. gome! *runs* But please do read and review.
By the way English is not my birth language so please PM me if you found some grammatical errors. Comments and suggestions are highly appreciated. Violent reactions are not allowed :P
Arrangement
It's been 10 years have passed and now that she's a full grown woman with a successful career, although she's the heir of his Father's company she want to prove that she can stand all by herself without the help or guidance of his Father. After finishing high school at Ouran High, she returned to Paris to study college and build her own career to be a designer. Sitting in her own office while drafting some designs, she heard her cellphone vibrate. She try to ignore it but it seems like it's an urgent call, sighing while picking up the phone she paused slightly when she notice the caller.
"Yes, Dad Good morning, what is it?"
"Good morning dear. You've left early in the house today. I never had a chance to talk to you." She heard a small sigh on the other line.
"Sorry Dad, I'm so busy right now because I need to rush some-"
"It's ok dear" interrupt by his Father "I understand that lately you've been busy and I'm happy that you're working hard for your career and I'm really proud of you!"
"Thanks Dad!"
"Anyway dear, may I ask you to come home before dinner today? There is someone I would like you to meet" Renge was startled on the sudden request.
"Eh? Who is it Daddy?"
"You know him for a long time dear"
"Him?"
"You'll be surprise so I'm expecting you to come home early today, see you later dear."
"Ah, Dad wait!-" the line went dead. "Mou, what's that supposed to mean?"
She put the phone back on her desk and leaned against her swivel chair. Lately his Father is trying to arrange some blind dates for her but ignore it due to her busy schedule in her boutique and meeting up with her clients. It's not that she never wants a boyfriend but for now she's more focus on her career and as for someone she knows for a long time.
"I wonder who could that be, hmm..."
A black Limo was parked at the front door of Houshakuji Mansion, where maids and butler are waiting for the arrival of their unusual visitor. An old man with a prominent pose came out followed by a young good-looking man in a classy business suit.
"Welcome to Houshakuji Mansion Mr. Yoshio Ootori and to you Young Master" greeted by the butler then Mr. Houshakuji came out.
"Oh! Yoshio-san, I'm glad you came! Sorry for this sudden request, I know your schedule is very tight but really I'm happy that you accept my invitation!"
"It's nothing Akira-san, being a business partner and a friend of mine. It's a pleasure to be invited here again."
"Thank you, as well as you Kyouya-kun for accepting this invitation. I guess your father already discuss this with you."
"Yes, Houshakuji-san, I'm fully aware of that."
Liked he used to be he put a fake smile on his face just for business purposes. It's not like he doesn't want this kind of gathering but this is a different one.
**Flashback**
His Father was sitting comfortably on his office chair reading newspaper while he was standing in front of him. That morning his Father called him to talked about some important matters.
"I'm impressed that our business clients give a nice feedback about your work, and I'm really glad about it. I'm expecting more of that in the near future".
He smile reminding himself that this conversation with his Father will turn on something he wouldn't expected just like complimenting for his hard work.
"Thank you, Otou-sama"
"And by the way…"
'Here it is...' he told himself.
"The Houshakuji Corporation wants to be part of our global investments, which means their company will be merging with us, and even allow us to handle their own assets."
These facts normally happen when a small company was suffering and on the verge of falling down, they decided to merge it with big companies with financial stability. But right now he was familiar with the name and his curiosity came over.
"And I would also give you this opportunity to prove yourself that you're qualified to be the heir of Ootori Group of Companies. This arrangement is not just for the benefit of you and the company but also to the Houshakuji family because you're going to marry the only heir of the Houshakuji." He was stunned on the idea but his Father never noticed it.
"As I remember both of you attend the same school in High School am I right?"
"Hai"
"Then I guess there will be no problem with these arrangements. Do you have any questions?"
"Nothing Father"
**End of Flashback**
"I guess I'm going to be late for dinner, mou!" She said while holding the stirring wheel of her car driving faster as she could. "I'm sure Dad will get angry with me…"
Since she started being an independent, she bought a new car and takes driving lessons for her own good. Though his Father offered her a service with one of their luxury cars but she insisted that she want's to do it by her own.
The drive from their mansion is smooth, no traffic and no hassle but because of her obligations in her boutique, she never notice the time and ended up being late for dinner. And damned she even forgets that she's going to meet someone she knows for a long time. She park her car and run towards the front door, she was greeted by their butler and led her to the dining hall.
In the dining hall Mr. Houshakuji and Mr. Ootori was talking about some business matters while Kyouya was quietly listening and sometimes check his watch or cellphone, reminding himself to be patient. It's been 30 minutes had passed and the last person needed for this arrangement wasn't here yet. This arrangement had never gotten much of his interest (however it still excites him inside), because business is business. You can do anything for wealth and power; after all he already knows what type of person he's going to marry. He even bet for himself that she's still the same as before, a spoiled one, and then he heard someone knock on the door.
Standing in front of the dining door, she felt very nervous for unknown reason. She even asked the butler if their visitor was still there.
"Yes, my lady. They were waiting for you right now". Then she knocks and slowly turn the door knob to open the door. She let herself in without looking to all the people inside and greeted them with a big smile.
"Good evening everyone, I'm sorry for being—"
After the knock, the door suddenly open leaving Kyouya stunned when he saw who enters the dining hall. What he saw was an elegant but plain beautiful looking girl, he snap himself for loosing his mind for a moment. In front of him was a familiar face, of course it was her!
"Good evening too, Renge-chan"
Shock came to her after seeing a person with familiar face. She can't even continue what she was trying to say earlier because her heart skip a beat and even want to sink on her stomach. Memories of teenager life came back to her, how can she able to forget this person. Teenagers can be fooled easily because of love; her fantasies came true when she first met him. She transfers to a prestigious Ouran High School in Japan just to be with him. She even made herself friendly to his friends and even become the manager of their club, creating crazy ideas and get as much as she wants. But as time goes by she realized that comparing a video game character to a real person is impossible, so she dismissed her feelings toward him. Kyouya Ootori is different from her Miyabi-kun. She goes back to reality when she heard him talking in front of her.
"It's been a long time and nice to see you again, Renge-chan"
"Eh? Uhm, Go..good evening" then she heard her Father spoke behind them.
"Oh! Dear, we've been waiting for you. Come and let's eat now."
Kyouya ushered her in the dining table. A small smile flustered on her face after he puts her on her chair, she was sitting opposite with him while their Father's were on the both sides. The food was served immediately. On the whole course of meal both of her and Kyouya were silent while both Fathers were talking the usual business matters. She even stole a glance to him every time she gets a drink.
"Still the same" She thought.
His calculation never failed him, but still some things might change as for what he expected. Just in front of him, there was a different girl sitting, but he knows that she is Renge Houshakuji. He can tell that she became a mature woman, the way she dress right now because she is a successful designer and even have her own boutique. But there is something that bothers him that he can't identify, he watch her eating in silent movement. He doesn't have a hard time on looking at her because her head was looking down at the food but sometimes he noticed her glance at him every time she gets a drink then goes back to eating again.
"Very well" Kyouya's Father started "let's proceed to the purpose of this evening dinner."
"Oh, yes your right Yoshio-san. I almost forgot"
Renge look at his Father questionably, while Kyouya was just sipping his tea.
"We all know that in business world both of our families are well known and respected." Her Father looked at Kyouya who smiled for the compliment.
"So I decided to merge my company on the caring hands of Ootori Group of Companies. And to strengthen the tie of both families, we decided that both of you must be engaged to each other."
She literally choked her food and hurriedly takes the glass of water. "W-what?" She looked at Kyouya with a slight blush on her face but his face giving only no reaction. "Maybe he already knew about this." She thought but still she can't believe on the idea being engaged with him!
"What's wrong my dear? You had told me last time that you like Kyouya-kun" She blushed furiously, this time she never dares to look at him. "But Dad, this is-"
At some point he sensed disapproval from Renge, well he never expect this arrangement would work because it only involves business matters.
"Ehem" He cleared his throat, interrupting Renge making her Father and his Father look at him with questionable eyes. "Houshakuji-san, I understand Renge-chan's feelings for this arrangement, I guess she's still shock, would you mind us to talk privately about this matter?"
"Oh, that would be fine Kyouya-kun. Thank you." Her Father only said.
They left the dining room and went to the library where she remains stood and silent without looking on the other person with her. She still processing the idea of being engaged, her Father must be insane.
"Is the company experiencing some financial difficulties? That's why Father decided to merge his company with Ootori? But why including me… being engaged to…"
"Renge-kun." Kyouya said. She looked up and realized she's not alone here. "The idea must shocked you. Me too I never thought that your Father could think such an idea"
Without bothering on what he said, she notice that he used a different honorific for calling her, earlier she hear him clearly calling her "Renge-chan", but now he called her "Renge-kun" just like back then when they were still in High School. She looked away.
"I don't know anything about his idea. But at least he should consult me first! " She sighs.
"I can't blame Houshakuji-san for his decision of merging his company with us, maybe he just securing it for the future status of his company and as well as you." He was scanning the bookshelves as if he was looking for something.
"I know it was my fault." she whispered but he heard her. Kyouya stop while holding a book and turn to her with a serious look.
"For all the years, I've been so selfish. I turn my back as the only heir of Houshakuji Family and let myself to be independent. I know Father was expecting me to handle his own company but I disappoint him". Kyouya look back at the book he was holding, flipping the pages.
"Business is business Renge-kun, I supposed you understand that already."
"You mean its ok for you to be engaged with someone… someone you don't like or love?"
"It doesn't concern me at all, besides it's for the benefit of both parties, why making things more complicated?"
"Huh?" She can't believe on what she's hearing from him, he doesn't care on his own feelings even on her! Now she was furious inside, she knows this person for being cool and cold towards other people, but with this kind of situation she realized he was not a human after all.
"Just what I have thought, you're going to be against with it, it's alright you can say NO Renge-kun, but think carefully of what the chairman would feel if you turn down this agreement. At least give him some considerations about his decision." He closes the book and put on its right place. He walked forward and stop beside her, whispering "Goodnight Renge-kun" then continued to walk through the door.
"This is unfair!" She thought about her Father reaction the last time she asked him that she wants to be independent especially for not accepting the responsibilities of his company and now his decision for being engaged to Kyouya.
"Wait!"
Kyouya stop from his tracks and look back at her
"Hmm… what is it?" He only said.
"I… I will accept this agreement." She said while looking down at her shoes, her face was flushed for being furious as if like she loose some battle.
For the first time he felt amused for seeing her like that then a smirk appeared on his lips.
"Then everything is settled."
That night she never bothers to sleep, everything that happen on that dinner keeps playing on her mind. After the discussion with Kyouya in the library, she told her Father that she gladly accept to be engaged with him. Kyouya was right, her Father only securing their family business and he also wants the best for her future. She agreed because of her conscience, she never wants his Father to be disappointed with her again. But she didn't know if it's really the right thing to do, now doubt resurface on her mind. The question is, how about her feelings? She promised to herself that whenever the time comes she got to be married; it should be on the man she loved most. She admits that she like Kyouya in the past but in terms of love, she doesn't know. Being engaged to someone like him is not bad, he still got the looks, he has a good standing in society and his charms were still working on her.
"Wait!" She blushed at the though.
"What was I'm thinking? He was not a human!" She closes her eyes and she remember how his cold eyes looked at her. "Still the same just like the old days", she opened her eyes again. "I guess there's no turning back to this."
-lancedark-