A/N: Hi! Some of you may be thinking "Hey, what the hell? She's supposed to be updating Hide and Go Seek, not writing a new story!" Well, I'm having writer's block with that and this idea ha been nagging at me for a while, so I'm writing this while I wait for an idea for my other story. Sorry, anyone who's waiting for the next chapter. Anyways, enjoy! This'll (most likely, I'm not completely sure) be a two shot.

-x-x-x-

Haruhi Fujioka, age 26, owned one of the biggest contracting businesses in Japan.

Hikaru Hitachiin, also age 26, worked for her-- his family was rich but they felt that one of their sons should get involved in another business.

They made a great team-- Haruhi made the plans for a new house, Hikaru bought the best materials their budget would allow, and the other employees built the house. It had been this way ever since the business had been established, almost five years ago.

The rapid growth of the company over such a short span of time was astounding, but they didn't let the surprise affect their work.

And of course, as happens in all cliché stories, Haruhi and Hikaru did have a special relationship with each other. During the first year of business, Hikaru had grown to like his boss, and after a year had passed he finally decided to ask her out. Haruhi, not wanting to hurt his feelings, had accepted, and had enjoyed herself. They slowly started going on more and more dates and eventually, Haruhi realized that she liked him too. And so, their relationship grew.

-x-x-x-

Tonight, they were going out to dinner together. Hikaru hadn't told her where, but he had said that he would send her something appropriate to wear-- his mother was a prestigious fashion designer who provided most of Haruhi's clothes (not that she asked for them, she just received them. She actually discouraged it as she saw how expensive the materials used were.) As Haruhi locked up her office to head home, she couldn't help but recall that she had noticed something odd about Hikaru's behavior that day. He had seemed excited about something, but she couldn't put her finger on what... shrugging, she climbed into her car and started the engine, heading home. She couldn't help but feel anxious for some reason.

-x-x-x-

Haruhi stared at the outfit that Hikaru's mother had sent her in awe. It was a beautiful, yet simple dress, which fell down to just below her knees. It was black, with white lining and a vertical stripe of white at her waist. She slipped it over her head-- it fit perfectly and nicely complimented her form.

She looked back at the package and found several accessories, including an elegant black necklace embedded with diamonds in several places, a white bracelet that had several charms hanging off of it, and diamond stud earrings. To top it all off, there was a shiny pair of black pumps whose heels were only high enough to look fashionable.

Haruhi put on the accessories and the shoes, then glanced up at the clock. She was running a bit late, but she'd still make it in time to the address he had written down for her. She hurried outside and was surprised to find a limo waiting for her. She reluctantly climbed in, mumbling something about how it was a waste of money despite how much he had. She sat down and looked up, expecting Hikaru to be there, but found that she was alone. As if reading her mind, the driver spoke, "Master Hitachiin is waiting at the restaurant. He apologizes for failing to keep you company but there is something of utmost importance he has to attend to, though it won't affect your dinner tonight." Haruhi thanked him for relaying the message to her and settled back into her seat.

As the limo headed towards the mystery restaurant, Haruhi stared out the window. She saw various people enviously watching them pass, wondering just who around that part of town was rich enough to be driving around in a stretch limo. She chuckled to herself, wondering why Hikaru felt the need to waste so much money on her. It was horrible, wasting money that could be invested into something more useful. But, Haruhi thought to herself, it's really sweet that he spends so much just to make me happy. He doesn't need to, though... what he doesn't realize is that I'm happy just being with him. That idiot... oh well, he's my idiot and that's all that matters.

-x-x-x-

Hikaru was nervous, to say the least, pacing back and forth in front of the restaurant. He had been preparing himself for this night for almost three months now, and he wanted everything to be completely perfect for it. No, not really-- he wanted it to be perfect for her. To impress her, to make her happy, to see her smile. It was all for her. He had reserved a table at the best place money could buy dinner at, sent her an amazing dress that he was sure would look even more amazing if she was wearing it. He was wearing his best suit, had paid the staff to pay attention to them above any other guests, despite wealth or lineage. He had chosen the night that the restaurant had booked her favorite jazz band to play dinner for, and best of all, he made sure that they were at the best two person table in the restaurant. It was by a humongous window, which overlooked a lake so clear you could see fish swimming. Next to the lake was an apple orchard, which nicely complimented the beauty of the lake. Although he wasn't sure if the restaurant had somehow affected the growth of a couple of willow trees next to the lake, they were somehow, possible even naturally, arched in the shape of what appeared to be a heart. She might not notice it, taking into account her personality, but it was still a good romantic factor to play in there in case she noticed it. He had taken the liberty of ordering their food-- ootoro for her, steak for him-- as soon as the driver had called to inform him that he had picked Haruhi up and they were on their way. Sure, he was nervous, but he was also completely prepared for this night, which would change the rest of his-- and her-- life.

Tonight, Hikaru Hitachiin was going to propose to Haruhi Fujioka.

And no matter what she replied, he knew that he wouldn't regret a thing.

-x-x-x-

Haruhi looked at the restaurant and almost fainted. She had heard of this place-- it was THE most expensive restaurant in all of Japan. Really, Hikaru spent much, MUCH too much money on her.

"Haruhi, are you going to stand there and gape or do you want to come in?" she heard someone chuckle.

She looked away so fast her neck almost snapped. Standing in front of her was Hikaru, holding a bouquet of multiple flowers out to her. She took them and exclaimed, "Hikaru! What's wrong with you? This is much too expensive, couldn't I have just cooked for you?"

He chuckled, again, and replied, "Tonight's special. Nothing is expensive in my eyes if it's for you," he quickly kissed her cheek and led her inside.

"That was probably the cheesiest thing I've ever heard you say. Are you feeling alright?" she made to check his temperature but he dodged her hand and grabbed it before she could drop it.

"Haruhi, I'm fine, just enjoy yourself, okay?" he replied, smiling widely.

"...Okay," she hesitantly answered, eying him suspiciously but allowing him to lead her to their table. She saw a table set for two next to a window with an amazing view, with a 'reserved' sign on it. "Lucky couple," she muttered to herself, expecting them to sit at a more centralized table. Imagine her surprise when Hikaru tugged on her hand, signaling that that was where THEY were sitting? For the second time that night, she almost fainted, and would have if Hikaru hadn't caught her and steered her in the direction of their table. As they sat down, a waiter appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, carrying a tray with two plates on it. She squealed with delight at the sight of the ootoro and looked up at Hikaru, a hardly concealed grin attempting to consume her face. "Thank you, Hikaru!" she exclaimed, and gasped as the waiter started pouring wine into her glass. "Honestly, what makes tonight so special? You're spending too much, it's a waste."

Hikaru smirked, thinking about how he was going to go about proposing. "You'll see," he replied, picking up his glass. "Here's to us," he raised his glass, signaling a toast.

"To us," she echoed, laughing.

They sat, ate, and talked for the next hour, Hikaru's hand wrapped around the box in his pocket. That had been the only thing he wasn't sure about how to go about-- how was he supposed to ask her? He would have to decide soon, before she decided that she had enough and it was time to leave. He decided improvisation was the best way to go about it.

"Haruhi, we've been dating for almost four years now, right?" he started, with only a vague idea of what he was doing.

"Yes, what of it?" she replied, glancing at a clock.

"That's a long time," he commented.

"Yes it is."

"You enjoy going spending time with me, right?"

"Of course, I wouldn't go out with you if I didn't. Why are you asking?" Haruhi asked, growing a bit impatient with all of the questions.

"Do you love me?" he asked. Haruhi had just glanced at the clock and was going to reply sarcastically, when she saw the look on his face. He looked completely serious, like his life depended on her answer. She wondered what was so important about it, the answer was obvious, wasn't it?

"Yes, I love you, Hikaru," she replied, wondering if he thought she was cheating on him. What if he was breaking up with her? Oh god, he couldn't do that, right? He wouldn't do that, she hadn't done anything! That wasn't fair! "Hikaru, you aren't breaking up with me, are you?" she asked, her voice cracking.

"Of course not! I would never break up with you!" he replied, completely shocked that that had even crossed her mind. "Actually, Haruhi... what I'm trying to say is... well, I'm trying to do quite the opposite," he stuttered, noticing the confused look that covered her features.

"The opposite? What would that be?" she asked, still not catching on. In a flurry of movement, Hikaru was no longer across from her. He was kneeling next to her, holding out a small box. Haruhi's breath caught in her throat, and her palms started sweating. That was what he meant.

"Hikaru..." was all she could reply as she tried to regulate her breathing.

"Haruhi Fujioka, would you do me the honor of marrying me?" he asked, pulling out a stunning diamond ring and holding it out to her.

"Hikaru... I, uh..." she started, not sure what she wanted to say. "...I'm sorry... I don't know. I need time to think about it. Oh god, I'm so sorry, I love you, really," she replied, her face heating up.

"Tha-- what? ...Oh. Okay then, um... if you'll excuse me, the l-limo's outside..." he stammered, fighting back tears. He turned, dropped the ring, started walking away, then broke into a run out of the restaurant. Haruhi looked at the people around her, terrified to find that most of the restaurant's occupants were staring at her, the rest watching Hikaru run away.

"That's terrible," she heard someone whisper.

"What a terrible girl, I can't believe she would do that to such a dashing young gentleman, after he went to all the trouble to set this up for her," another said.

"Poor man," a deeper voice murmured.

Haruhi felt something wet on her face, and touched her cheek to find that she was crying. She went to pick up the ring he dropped and looked at it.

Engraved on the inside of the band, it stated,

Haruhi, I love you more than anything.