A/N: thanks for all the reviews. I know my chapters are short. I take a long time to update, but thanks for still sticking with it. So then, the long awaited 2nd chappie...

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.

BIG THANX to Hitokun who has agreed to be the beta for this story! Chapter 1 has been beta-ed.

LOV+ HOTEL

Chapter 2

"Takamachi Nanoha…." I lazily listened to Chrono's information as I sat in my comfy leather chair. "She is 25, currently working at a bakery-café as one of the chief bakers at Hana Café. She is single and has never married.

"So she had an illegitimate child…" I commented absent mindedly. She didn't seem like the type though. Appearances can be deceiving I guess.

"The child is illegitimate, yes," Chrono frowned at me, "but she isn't Takamachi-san's child. Her name is Vivio Takamachi. Six years old. Her mother, Youko Takamachi passed away a month ago in a car accident. From what I gathered, Youko Takamachi is also an illegitimate child of the family. An outcast of the family but is still nonetheless Nanoha-san's blood-related aunt. Anyways, Nanoha-san is currently the legal guardian of her. Although she is technically Vivio's aunt, she wrote down on the application as her mother.

"I see…That's enough for now, Chrono. Good work," I said, standing up from my comfy leather chair.

"But-" Chrono started.

"That's good enough for now. I'll have a read of the rest later." I think I might have said it a bit too unconvincingly, because he gave me a reluctant nod. And, if my hearing was as keen as it used to be, I also heard a long sigh from him. "I'll give it a read when I have a bit more time on hand. You know, after I've more grasp on the finances and such here first," I repeated, trying to convince him of my sincerity.

I added a reassuring smile. "Now, do you mind helping me setup a meeting with Miss Takamachi today, please?" I walked towards the door. I was going to inspect the hotel and check up on my fellow staff, or rather, my preys.

"Yes, of course, Fate-sama," Chrono answered in a flat tone and placed the file silently on my desk.

"Thank you, Chrono." I had noted his disapproval but I could care less about his concerns. I walked out of my office without a second glance in his direction.


As the blond had promised, the caretakers took in Vivio gladly without any fuss. It's as if I had made it to the interview yesterday.

I wonder if the person I met yesterday is some kind of influential character here or something. She is such a kind person too. Maybe I'll run into her again today. Could it be possible that she works at the daycare? I thought happily as I walked (I think I might have bounced a bit too) into the hotel lobby to pick up Vivio. I've somehow managed to convince my boss to let me go early again today, so that I wouldn't be late picking up Vivo on her first day at the daycare.

I had promised Vivio this time would be different, that I wouldn't be late anymore, so that she wouldn't have to wait outside a closed daycare center ever again. She was really happy to hear the news. I think she is afraid that the caretakers might be angry at her because of my constant tardiness to pick her up. I don't want her to feel insecure. Oh, I've tried. I've really tried, but with my constant promise breaking and the constant changing from one temporary to another temporary daycare center, I couldn't help but be afraid that Vivio would start to lose faith in adults, or more importantly, lose faith in me.

She still trusts me, I think. She still calls me "mama". But wait, that doesn't have anything to do with trust and security, does it? Oh, I'm not good with this! I might've bitten off more than I can chew. My world has changed 180 degrees and it's only been a week since I agreed to take Vivio in.

I'm totally lost! Dad was right. I wasn't ready to take care of a six year child. Is this what Aunt Youko had to go through? The life of a single mother?

My thoughts came to an abrupt halt as I walked into the lobby to see Vivio sitting rigidly next to a blue-haired man dressed in grey suit.

Was Vivio in trouble?

I hurried my footsteps toward them.


I looked at the brunette sitting opposite to me. She fidgeted slightly with her hands. "Takamachi-san, I hope you are happy with the arrangement at the daycare center and that Vivio is content with its treatments."

" Yes, everything is fine. I can't express how thankful I am for your help. I thank you again." Nanoha bowed hastily, once again.

"You don't have to be so thankful. Such matters are hardly anything to be mentioned. Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes," I said with a charming smile, not meaning what I really said about the latter. There are hardly any good people out there helping others without some sort of ulterior motive or benefit in mind. "So surely, you wouldn't refuse to do me a favour?"

"A favour?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. " Well…if I could do it, then I would, but there's hardly anything I think I'm able to do that you couldn't already…" She gave me a quick glance. "I mean, if I could help, I would definitely, gladly try. Your kindness is much appreciated and if there is anything I could do to repay you. I'm definitely willing to-" She paused, as if realizing that she was rambling on.

"Um, I simply meant if I'm capable of it, then I would definitely help you…" She finished meekly, cheeks slightly flushed.

I chuckled lightly, amused by her flustered muttering. "I take that as a yes then." I laid the contract sheets down on the coffee table.

"The favour then is please be my wife for a year…"


It turned out that I was wrong about Vivio getting in trouble on her first day of daycare. When I was close enough, the man smiled, extended his hand for a shake and introduced himself as Chrono, Fate's secretary. Presumably, I took it that Fate was the kind blond lady who helped me yesterday. He said Fate wanted to meet me to discuss something important. After her help with Vivio, I couldn't possibly refuse and he had said it was important. So, I accepted. I was then driven to a large house in the suburbs.

I thought Fate had wanted to discuss some important documents I need to fill for Vivio, I was wrong about that too, VERY wrong. Nothing, nothing in my life experience could have prepared me for what the blond sitting across from me had just proposed to me. It wasn't only that. I had never expected such an outrageous request to come from someone who, up to that point in time, I considered to be nice and caring and still hoped to be. (I mean, how many people are asked by an almost total stranger to be her TEMPORARY wife for a year as a favour? Fake marriagetrouble and something is amiss)

"Your…wife?" I stuttered, lost and not believing my understanding. Maybe it meant something else?

"Yes. My wife." She confirmed with a smile. "You are in need of financial support, yes?"

"Yes. But-"

"Then, it's perfect. It's a win-win situation." She nodded in acknowledgement. "I will also offer you one million dollars, not yen, in exchange for you being my wife for a year."

"But a marriage is more serious than-"

"Of course, I realize the importance of the situation. This contract here, outlines everything we've discussed." She gestured to the documents on the coffee table.

I stared at the papers. I wasn't sure if I was more disappointed or saddened by her thoughts. Her views…She thinks that money can buy a marriage. Marriage is a serious matter. It comes with responsibilities and commitment. It's because of people like her, who take marriage as a joke, that lives like Aunt Youko's and Vivio's are tainted. A hint of anger burned up in me. It is people like her who made Vivio orphaned and unloved!

"I can't."

"Pardon?" She seemed surprised.

Was she actually expecting a 'yes'? The thought turned up my sudden anger up a notch.

"Was the contract price not good enough? I can increase it to 2 million. One million for each of you."

"I said I refuse." My internal furnace was heating up.

"Then how about three…"

"No!" I've reached my limit. I shot up from my seat. "No, this isn't about money! We are talking about marriage here, are we not? I won't allow Vivio to undergo the experience of being in another loveless family. Marriage requires care, probably more care than what you're capable of. It's an emotional matter. This isn't physical like one of your business contracts!"

"I see." She reclined back.

The expression on her face gave me a start. There was no longer a smile on her face. Instead, it was devoid of any feeling. The chilling look she gave me. Her cold exterior…was that what she's really like? And the glimmer in her eyes… Then I realized the reason behind my discomfort with her smile yesterday. It was a smile that didn't reach her stone cold burgundy eyes. There was no warmth in her eyes, only indifference.

"Well then. You do realize that with my connections, life could become either much easier or much harder for you, right?"

"Is that a threat?" The flame sparked again.

"No, I was merely stating a fact." She shrugged. "It is your loss. However, if you do reconsider the proposal, you can contact me whenever you like." She putted her business card on the table.

She is such a hopeless case! "I suppose we are finished here then? Excuse me." I snatched the card from the table and stormed towards the door before I allowed myself to just yell some sense into her confident self. However, as I reached for the doorknob, some unknown force made me voice my thoughts.

"Blackmailing doesn't seem like you. I thought you were different," I said softly. "Whatever your reasons are, it doesn't justify a pretend-marriage."

I turned the knob and exited the room.

The door clicked silently shut behind me.


"Pardon?" I was slightly surprised by the brunette's reply and quite unable to believe what I'd just heard. After all, we are talking about one million dollars here as well. "Was the contract price not good enough? I can increase it to 2 million. One million for each of you."

"I said I refuse." She repeated, voice sounding strained.

Okay, maybe she isn't such an easy target after all… I thought she was in a financial crisis. Is she being greedy? More money then? "Then how about three…"

"No!" She brutally interrupted my negotiation. "No, this isn't about money! We are talking about marriage here, are we not? I won't allow Vivio to undergo the experience of being in another loveless family. Marriage requires care, probably more care than what you're capable of. It's an emotional matter. This isn't physical like one of your business contracts!"

I must say I was startled by her outburst. Of course I didn't show my surprise though. Instead I said "I see," and leaned back into the couch and looked at her in wonder. Was this really the seemly weak and clumsy woman I met yesterday and only moments ago still was? Did I misjudge her character? And what is this business with Vivio and me being an uncaring person? I'm trying to help them here, for god's sake! If generosity doesn't work on her, then I'll try the more harsh approach.

"Well then. You do realize that with my connections, life could become either much easier or much harder for you, right?" I coolly stated, hoping it would make it clearer for her to realize her current situation and stop being so stubborn. It is a good opportunity for her and I am in desperate need of a "wife".

"Is that a threat?" She immediately shot back heatedly.

"No, I was merely stating a fact." Still a no go. This is not good. I need a "wife". Not wanting to seem like I'm the one begging her to be my pretend-wife, I shrugged. "It is your loss. However, if you do reconsider the proposal, you can contact whenever you like." I slide my business card across the table.

The look she gave me was almost murderous and most definitely exasperated. As to why, I was baffled. For a second there, I thought for sure that she was going to go straight out and yell at me. I was truthfully a bit scared.

She took a slow breath. "I suppose we are finished here then? Excuse me." Snatching the card off the coffee table, she briskly walked toward the door, but at the door, she suddenly turned to look at me. "Blackmailing doesn't seem like you. I thought you were different," she said softly. "Whatever your reasons are, it doesn't justify a pretend-marriage."

Was that sympathy in her eyes? Before I could confirm it, she left.

I stared at the door absently. I thought you were different. The phrase repeated in my head. I frowned. Who is she to judge my character? And what does she mean by "different". Suddenly, I seemed to mind a lot what she thought of me. I ran a frustrated hand through my hair. Yes, what did she think of me as? …Why do I even care? I stood up and walked toward the window, looking as the black car pulled away from the house, exiting through the gates. She mentioned being caring, and Vivio…

An idea struck me. Maybe I didn't do my research correctly. I tried to convince the wrong person! I should have started with the kid. Yes, that could work…

Earlier concerns forgotten, my thoughts once again returned to my determination for revenge.

-End of Chapter 2 - (To Be Cont'd...)

So, how was it? I do very much like reviews and comments :)