Orihime lay in bed thinking about what tomorrow could possibly bring. Ulquiorra had given her a once in a lifetime chance, and she wasn't about to turn her back to that.

She was so ecstatic, she wished she had someone to tell - a relative...a friend at least - but there was no one but herself. She was completely alone, just like she was used to.

Orihime began pondering over Ulquiorra's offer in her head, thinking about whether she should accept or not - though the answer was clear.

***Flashback***

Ulquiorra and Orihime sat alone at the table, finished with their meal. Orihime observed her surroundings and every time she looked away she could feel the heat of his stare on her face, the intensity of it brought her up short. Nel had told Orihime about Ulquiorra and what he got up to in his free time. Serial dater, commitment phobia - man whore.

"Onna-" he began to say.

"Orihime" she corrected him, already knowing what was coming but just wanting to relish in the house a little longer. He was going to tell her to get out, that she had over-stayed her welcome and to get her items and leave. Luckily for her the amount of items she owned was minimal so the embarrassment that was sure to come would not last long.

She had been hoping so desperately that what Nel said was true, that she would never go back to the streets, never have to go hungry again and never be afraid to not wake up or to wake up and discover that someone had assaulted her in the night. She had let go of that and believed her but now she felt it all crashing down on her like a grand piano, she could already heel her face going red from the embarrassment and her eyes becoming slightly glazed with tears.

Stupid, she thought, that he would want someone like me, someone as vile as me in his beautiful home.

"Orihime" he amended. "I wanted to talk with you about your stay here"

"Don't bother, I get the picture," she stood from her seat and began to walk out. "Just tell me where the clothes are that you found me in and I'll be on my way," she stared at him - waiting for her answer. She pushed a stray strand of orange hair from her face.

"What are you talking about? Do you think I'm going to..." He trailed off, chuckling lightly to himself. Orihime was furious, she was no joke, he has no right to laugh at her just because he lived like a king and she was a peasant. She may not be rich or privileged or even middle class, but she was someone who did not take kindly to be laughed at.

She was about to voice her outrage when Ulquiorra gained his composure and looked at her dead in the eye.

"I'm not kicking you out Orihime, why on earth do you think that I would do that?" He shook his head, his expression serious again as he walked towards her and motioned for her to join him in the sitting room.

Once they sat Orihime found her voice.

"I just thought, well, I don't know, that you didn't want me here and you has come to your senses" she shrugged indifferently but inside she was eagerly awaiting his answer.

"Orihime, seeing what you went through, I could never make you go back to that - ever, so you have no reason to worry, this is your home now" he smiled lightly at her and she couldn't help but notice how handsome he truly was.

Ulquiorra was the picture perfect mysterious man. Black shaggy hair, brilliant green eyes that sometimes did look like emeralds, his skin was paper white and though he was lanky she knew that he had muscles - she could tell from his well defined biceps. He had a slight chip one one of his incisors but that gave her relief - at least he wasn't completely flawless. She wondered what Nel's flaw was.

"I was just going to ask if you wanted to stay here, at least until you start getting money and find a place of your own"

Orihime looked at him like he was completely insane.

"Why wouldn't I want to stay here?" She questioned looking for the answer in the depths of his eyes.

"Well, I thought perhaps you would feel uncomfortable, considering it is just me and you here. You might think that I would take advantage of you, or you might fall in love me, which I am not totally against" he smirked at his own wittiness, the smirk was charming, but it wasn't charming enough to fool her - she wasn't falling for it.

"I think that I'll be able to protect myself against you, but..." She said, lowering her head, "you said until I start earning money, but I can't earn money"

"Why not?"

"Because I have absolutely no skills, I have never been employed"

"Orihime, there are jobs that don't require any training"

"Yes, but those are for teenagers not older woman like me"

"Orihime you aren't fifty, what are you, twenty? These jobs aren't only for teenagers, they are to help slightly older people to gain new skills. Why don't I give you a job?"

"Thanks but I don't want charity and besides I don't think that I would do well at...where do you work?"

"Schiffar Industries"

"Huh, I read about you in the newspaper once, I think I used that section as a blanket that night" she smiled at him, his appearance didn't change much - but his eyes widened slightly, she voids tell he was shocked, she always was good at reading people. "Wait, Schiffar Industries, as in you? Ulquiorra Schiffar?"

This time his mouth upturned minutely in pride, ridding the shocked look from his face. "Indeed, it was my fathers company - he left it to me. I am CEO"

"You are the youngest CEO I know"

"I'll have you know I am twenty-three but my father has trained me in what to do and I have advisors that help me. So, so you accept my offer?"

"No thanks, I think I should start small and not jump right into an office environment. Maybe a cleaner, do you have any cleaning positions available?"

"As a matter of fact...no, but I am looking for a full time house keeper here, all you would need to do is tell the maids and cooks what to do, inspect it all, and it's an attractive salary"

"How attractive?"

He decided to be devious, he looked down at himself. "You get to watch me walk around shirtless, watch me work out and swim" Orihime laughed sarcastically.

"As tempting as that might sound, I think I'll pass" she made to get up but paused when he put a hand on her shoulder.

"Orihime, just take the job" Orihime sighed.

She guessed it was better than nothing, and on the plus side it would build experience for her.

She accepted.

***Flashback***

Orihime was giddy, she and a job, a real job and she got to stay in this house all day and ordering people around - that part she wasn't too trilled with - and make sure everything was right. She felt that it was a big responsibility; she had a feeling that if something was to get broken Ulquiorra wouldn't be so nice anymore.

Orihime fell asleep dreaming of starting a new life for herself and dreaming of the man that made it possible.

Orihime was in the kitchen waiting for her breakfast when Nel burst through the doors, a blue haired man behind her,

"Good morning Orihime" she said cheerfully before going over to that pantry to look at what there was to eat. Orihime looked at the man - he was tall with bright blue hair and electric blue eyes and a muscular build. His hair was short and gelled in a spiky yet relaxed style - his suit was creased to perfection.

"Hi," she said after a long moment of silence had passed. "I'm Orihime"

The man regained his composure.

"I've heard all about you, I'm Grimmjow-" Nel cut in before he could say anything else.

"My fiancée" she stated as if Orihime had gone up to him and started kissing him senseless.

"And my partner," Ulquiorra said as he entered the room, Grimmjow turned around and slapped Ulquiorra on the back - in a friendship kind of way. Ulquiorra's face grew mischievous, "did you tell them the news?" Orhime shook her head and Ulquiorra smirked, almost undetectably.

"What news?" Nel piped up, as she straightened Grimmjow's tie.

"You aren't the only engaged couple in the room," Orihime choked on her coffee and Nel pulled impossibly hard on the tie, practically choking Grimmjow in the process.

"What?!" All three of them yelled in unison as Ulquiorra smiled wider, chuckling as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

"Priceless," Ulquiorra said while shaking his head and taking a sip on his coffee, his face returning to its neutral state. Nel regained her composure quickly.

"So what's the actual news?"

"Orihime got herself a job," Orihime smiled weakly at Ulquiorra's announcement. "She is now the head housekeeper here," Nel's eyes almost bulged.

"Jeez,I could've given you a job at my store." Nel's shook her head and Grimmjow just looked confused.

"I thought you were looking for a secretary Ulquiorra? You know a junior one, why doesn't Orihime do that? Grimmjow asked, Ulquiorra just stared indifferently.

"I have already started interviewing for that position and it would be ultimately unfair," Ulquiorra countered.

"Who cares, those girls or boys have experience they can find another job, and this one is a lot better than being a cleaner," Nel said the word as if it were a curse.

"Really, I don't mind, I don't want to start off on an office. I've never worked a day in my life, unless you count the nights I worked," they all fell silent and looked at her - she cracked a smile. "I'm kidding. Anyway, I don't want to start a job, at least I know how to clean, I did it enough at the orphanage."

The room fell into silence again, obviously they had never really pondered the thought of where Orihime had come from. She also realised that she had not mentioned it.

The silence was growing increasing awkward. "Well, I'm going to go get ready. Enjoy your morning." Orihime scrambled out on the kitchen as quickly as possible, she was halfway through the corridor when she heard her name being called.

"Orihime, are you sure you're okay with this job, I could give you the junior secretary position, if that's what you would prefer."

Orihime smiled at him delicately. "This is more that I could have hoped for. Thank you"

Hey everyone, sorry for taking ages to update and only producing such a shortish chapter *curls up in shame*. Life sorta got in the way but I should be back on track now (I say that but...). Anyway, thanks for sticking around and don't forget to review, thanks!

Till next time,

invisiblestitches~