A/N: Wow, sixteen reviews for only a first chapter! Thank you for all the support everyone. I'll try my best to keep this interesting.

A/N2: The story is told from Nanoha and Fate's POV. So to clear up confusions of scene change vs POV change, centered "--" means scene change and a solid line means POV change.

Beta-ed by Hitokun :)

LOV+ HOTEL

Chapter 1-Part B

Oh no. I can't believe it. How can I possibly be late for my first-time meeting interview at the daycare center? I'd even got off work early to get there before seven. It'll be closed by the time I get there. No, I'll just go check. There might still be someone there.

The daycare center was indeed closed. But what did I expect? It was already eight. Stupid traffic accident. No, I mustn't blame it on someone else's misfortune. I let out a sigh and turned to leave the building. I still have to pick up Vivio at Subaru and Teana's place. They were nice enough to have Vivio wait for me at their place. Even if I did make it, the caring fee is still too expensive. I might be okay for a few weeks, but this daycare isn't a place Vivio can be for long. I sighed again. I mustn't be disheartened; there must be a perfect daycare out there.

"Are you alright, miss?"

A voice stopped me as I was about to go out the lobby door.

I turned to see who had spoken. A dashing, blond-haired woman wearing a black business suit greeted my sight.

"Do you need help with anything?" She continued, a pleasant smile was on her face. The smile was warm, but there was something wrong with it…something that I just couldn't quite place. Her voice was a bit husky but pleasant nonetheless.

"Um, no. I'm just here for the uh…daycare interview," I smiled. "But I seemed to have missed it..." I played with my fingers in embarrassment. I looked elsewhere, suddenly becoming very self-conscious under her stare.

"The daycare will be open tomorrow. You are more than welcome to come back again."

"But today was the last day for the promotional rate. The rate here is too expensive for me to afford. Even with the promotion, it still is a bit…but Vivio…"

"…"

"Ah, I'm sorry!" I suddenly realized my senseless mumbling. "I shouldn't have said all that nonsense. Sorry for troubling you. Nya haha…"

The smile on her face widened and she shook her head, "No, it's quite alright. I understand. It is a bit expensive. If I may ask, are you having financial troubles?"

"Um, a bit." I said quietly, looking at the floor uncomfortably.

"I see. Do you have your application here?"

"Yes…" I showed her the papers in my hand.

"Good," she took them from me and quickly glanced at it. Was that a smirk I saw on her face? "I'll make sure you get in with a promotional discount. You can have your child here starting tomorrow."

"Uh?" I was shocked.

"I'll take care of it," she smiled again. There was an unhealthy gleam in those burgundy eyes.

"T-Thank you…?" I said, a bit uncertain.

"Good evening to you then, miss." She bowed.

"Um, same to you." I quickly bowed as well. I was still in a bit of a daze. Just who was she?

I watched as she got into a limousine and left. Is she trustworthy?

But she seemed like a nice person, didn't she?


Pretending to be who you are not is annoying. It was tiring to pretend to be asleep during the board meeting. "Late night with my wife" was my excuse. I had to fight back a smirk at that. The ring on my finger is fake. Just like the rest of my upfront. Those old fools couldn't see through my lies at all.

But my back is so stiff now. I sighed, glaring at the stack of stats that Chrono had brought to me after the meeting. I wasn't the only one good at lying. They were lying right through their teeth. I chuckled; they were even lying to each other… I stifled a yawn.

Maybe should call it a day?

It was a long day after all coming here right after arriving in Japan. Supposedly, I arrived early yesterday morning, but I was delayed with last minute preparations and meetings at the American branch.

I shuffled the stats paper a bit. Putting them in odd orders to seem like I didn't understand what I was seeing. Then I put a couple of sports and hobby magazines on the table in a stack and left the office.

As I came out into the lobby, I saw a long haired brunette pacing around and looking a little lost. It wasn't my business, but as this was my hotel and I didn't want my hotel's reputation to be totally ruined, I slowly approached her.

"Are you alright, miss?" I asked, putting on the most charming smile I could muster. "Do you need help with anything?" She had turned to face me. Not bad looking. Large sapphire eyes. Seemed a bit tired and troubled though. Financial issues?

"Um, no. I'm just here for the uh…daycare interview." She smiled.

Cute smile.

"But I seemed to have missed it…" She started twirling her fingers. A bit on the shy side…but cute.

"The daycare will open tomorrow. You are more than welcome to come back again." I suggested.

"But today was the last day for the promotional rate. The rate here is too expensive for me to afford. Even with the promotion, it still is a bit…but Vivio…"

So she does have financial issues. She's decent I guess…

"Ah, I'm sorry!" Her sudden sharp voice brought me back from my muse. Ouch. A slight headache is starting at the back of my head. I should really go home and sleep. "I shouldn't have said all that nonsense. Sorry for troubling you. Nya haha…" She said while waving her hands frantically in front of her.

She is cute, a bit shy, a bit clumsy…she's the one then… The smile on my face widened. I shook my head. "No, it's quite alright. I understand. It is expensive." Just to be sure I added, "If I may ask, are you having financial troubles?"

"Um, a bit," she answered, eyes downcast.

She should be easy to convince then. "I see. Do you have your application here?"

"Yes…" She held up the papers in her hands.

"Good." I took them from her and gave it quick peak. Single. Perfect. A smirk formed on my lips but I quickly recovered with a smile. "I'll make sure you get in with a promotional discount. You can have your child here starting tomorrow."

"Uh?"

"I'll take care of it," I assured her and smiled again.

"T-Thank you?"

"Good evening to you then, miss." I bowed and left.

Chrono was already waiting outside inside the limousine. I got in.

"What took you so long?"

"Sorry, I had an interesting encounter."

He raised an eyebrow. "Really? You do seem to be in a better mood now. What happened?"

"I am in a good mood. I think I've just found myself the perfect candidate to be 'my wife.'"

"You mean that woman in the lobby?"

"Yes, here." I handed him her application. "Do a background run on her."

"Takamachi Nanoha…Are you sure about this?" A sceptical look was on Chrono's face. "If she was there for the daycare then that means she has a kid. I didn't mention a kid to the board members…"

"It doesn't matter. We can just keep it a secret. She's in need of money. She'll be an easy target." I smirked.

A frown appeared on his face. "I'm hoping you haven't been blinded by your revenge, Fate. You are being inhumane. Her feelings and needs should be considered as well."

"Yeah, sure." I looked out the window. "I'll keep your advice in mind." My thoughts were a mile away already. He wouldn't understand this anxious feeling bubbling inside of me since the moment I stepped onto Japanese soil. I've waited long and hard. The limousine was going through a tunnel. From the reflection on the glass, I caught him staring hard at me, the frown on his face deepening. Then he sighed and looked out the other window.

"I hope you know what you are getting yourself into, Fate…"

-End of Chapter 1- (To Be Cont'd...)

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