Disclaimer: If I owned Maid-sama, people wouldn't even know about its existence 'cause never would I share the deliciousness of one Takumi Usui. But since people know about it, and are even writing fan fiction about it, then it only means that I do NOT own it. Must I repeat that? Okay. I don't own Kaichou wa Maid-sama. All hail to Hiro Fujiwara for her creative mind and compassionate heart.

Warning(s): Alternate Universe (AU) setting. Mild coarse language. Possible mild suggestive adult themes (Uhm... still thinking about it.)

Full Summary: The Ayuzawa's lives take another tumultuous turn as a man, one night, appear on their doorstep with only a contract in hand. Misaki bravely steps up and holds responsibility for the agreement her long gone father made with one of the biggest companies in the world, except that Misaki later realizes that she was not as strong as she thought she was, and now she only wishes she could run away from it all. When the opportunity finally comes in the form of an invitation from a mysterious stranger, she takes it with no hesitations. But had she really made the right decision or just ran into more trouble than before?

Prologue

Misaki watched as Sakura inconspicuously took out her cell phone from her skirt's pocket, pressed a few buttons, and placed the device near her ear. A second later, Misaki's own phone vibrated inside her pocket.

Buzz… buzz… buzz…

Sakura snapped her phone shut, then looked at Shizuko, who was sitting six seats away from her, and shook her head as they made eye contact.

All of these Misaki saw from her hiding spot on the balcony of Seika High's auditorium.

Obviously, it was Misaki who Sakura was - - or rather, has been - - calling as the graduation ceremony of their batch commenced. Misaki had read her text message before the ceremony even began, asking her why she wasn't there, so there was no doubt to that assumption.

But Misaki was there.

Has been there.

Two hours before the program even started, Misaki was already in school so that she could make a request to her home room teacher. She had asked if it was alright if she didn't participate in the ceremony that day, and rather get her certificate in advance. Of course, the teacher was baffled and responded with a question too.

"But why, Ayuzawa-san? Wouldn't you want to be part of your own graduation ceremony?"

"I would but there's somewhere that I need to go to immediately after this…" Misaki trailed off.

The teacher scratched the back of his head as he contemplated his next words. "I guess… that's not a real problem. I'll just go get your certificate then."

"Uhm… will you also please just skip my name later during the ceremony? Just so that people wouldn't notice my absence."

"Y-yeah… sure." Which he did do as, one by one, class 3-1's students were called up to the stage to get their certificate, and her family name was not mentioned at all. This did not go unnoticed to her two friends and that was what had started their bombardment of calls and texts to her - - all of which she hadn't responded to.

She gritted her teeth. 'And when did you start being this dramatic?' She herself couldn't even understand the reason behind her decision especially when she was there now, just watching in the shadows of the dark, empty balcony, and even wearing her school uniform. 'But then again, what had not change this past year and a half?' Misaki felt sad as her bitter thoughts sunk in.

Oh, how she wished her life hadn't taken such a drastic detour. Wasn't the fact that her father left them before traumatic enough?

Again, the nagging want to just run away from it all invaded her mind. 'And would you really rather have mom and Suzuna suffer the consequences? Yeah… I thought so too.'

As the ceremony neared its end, Misaki slipped through the doors and walked down the iron stairs. She took a final peek at her schoolmates and turned towards the door but only to bump into someone… hard. She mumbled a quick apology as she rubbed her throbbing head, not even bothering to look at the person, and hastily walked through the open doors before anyone else could see her.

Misaki was surprised to see a familiar sleek black sedan parked near the exit of the school grounds. 'And they just couldn't wait to put their shackles on me… as if I would really runaway. Idiots. My luggage's still at home...' She took a deep breath - - ending her mini mental rant - -, clutched the strap of her messenger bag, and walked towards the car.

'Goodbye, Seika.'

End of Prologue

Author's notes:

Hello, reader! Yes, you!

Firstly, I would like to thank you for goodheartedly reading this 'til the end! But you know what would make me happier? A review! Seriously, what are your thoughts regarding my fan fiction? Any constructive criticisms? Shoot! Want to yell, rant, or swear? Sure, why not? Just as long as I get to do it back at you.

Secondly, let me share a little story-behind-the-story. Up until now, I'm still unsure of posting this. Why, you ask? It's because I'm kind of scared of making Misaki out of character, or any of the characters really, and what my good friend has told me before, if one were to write a fan fiction with an out of character… er… character, one might as well write an original fiction. Makes sense right? But I find it fun so I'm posting it anyway. I'll just try to make the out of character-ness minimal. Deal?

Well, lastly, of course there is going to be more and I'll try to update super soon! Once again, thank you for reading!

Hearts,

Mari

October 6, 2010