Finally! It's really been long since I've last updated. I've actually planned for this to be like... a five thousand words chapter. But I've failed. T.T Nah, not really. I've decided to separate some parts as well as take some away. More suspense eh? xDD

On another note, I would like to thank ALL my readers. Be it whether you've reviewed, fav-ed, alerted this fic, or just simply read it. I LOVE YOU! Okay. To some of you, I would like to say that I'm sincerely sorry. I know that my replies to your reviews can be... overboard. Sorry. It's something I try to control but it goes out of hand... and according to my mood. So yea... forgive me will you? D8

Disclaimer: I. Owe. Nothing.

ENJOYY!


Black boots met gravel and the road crunched beneath his weight. The charcoal colored door was slammed shut and a sound emitted from the vehicle, signaling that the car was locked. Wine eyes scanned the surroundings and spotted the entrance to the supermarket.

The male walked towards the automatic doors and the swung open as if greeting him. He smirked and made a right turn. Voices. He heard familiar voices. Especially from a certain blonde and blacknette. Sighing, he knew that they were spotted.

Sure enough, teal colored hair came to view followed by blond and black. Two pairs of eyes glanced up and recognition flooded them. It seemed that there was some fear behind those orbs too. The raven smirked. They knew.

The boy standing in front of them, back facing the approaching male, turned around and his eyes narrowed.

Speaking of the devil, he thought. Here he was.

As quickly as he could, Ciel scribbled down something onto the note pad. You! You asked them to follow me isn't it? Why is that so? Always you!

Said male waved his hand, dismissing the two other. They muttered something that he didn't bother to hear and left the two alone.

"Sorry Ciel. I wanted to find you. Wanted to ask you how you're doing since you've submitted your sketches."

What I do is none of your business. What I want to know is WHY you are stalking me. Directly and indirectly.

A pale and ran over his own face and the raven mentally sighed. He'd forgotten that Ciel was always a person with questions.

"I want to take you out for lunch. Is that a problem? I worry that you might miss your meals since…"

When did you become my mother? Ciel butted in. And I can take care of myself. Thank you.

Sebastian sighed once more. Ciel wasn't making this any easier for him. "How about this? You get your stuff and I'll send you back to place them. And I'll take you out. Please say yes, I've rescheduled my activities for this."

Azure eyes widened slightly. Really? Somehow, he didn't want to believe it but the tone it was said in made no room for doubts and Ciel could only nod.

The raven was elated. He was expecting the other to reject or come up with some excuse but it seemed that the younger did not realize that the last part of his schedule was made up. Not that he'll ever tell Ciel. He just wanted to have a nice meal with the boy.

The items that Ciel bought was checked out and both males made their way to Sebastian's car. Once the bags were placed in the boot, the two took their seats and the car made its way to Ciel's apartment.

When they reached, Sebastian offered to help the boy carry some items, in which he agreed after some persuasion. Something that went along the lines of the more the faster. Ciel scowled. Let this man make a mess of his schedule and he himself didn't mind a bit. In fact, there's this pleasant feeling filling him from the inside.

Shaking his head to clear those thoughts, he unlocked the door and entered his house. It's the first time someone, other than his relatives, have entered his home. He hoped that Sebastian wouldn't probe around too much.

Wine colored eyes scanned the surroundings. Their owner had to admit that the house was neat, as expected from the younger. After the younger indicated where to place the bags, Sebastian exited the kitchen and observed the living room.

As he could gather, Ciel's house had a theme of blue, white and black. The four walls that surrounded him where in a somber blue color, it resembled the sadness Ciel had in life. The ceilings and floor were in a contrasting white, perhaps radiating the pureness the boy had in him. And it was the furniture that gave of the black color. Some were white too but overall, the majority was black.

Sebastian walked nearer to the television set when he saw a red book sticking out of nowhere. Having curiosity consume him, he reached out and took the book into his hands.

The cover had three letters carved onto it. V, R and C. Initials, he suspected. He couldn't decipher the first two letters; he knew that the last one was Ciel's. So, those two could mean… Ciel's parents' first initials.

Meanwhile, the younger had placed all his purchases to their respective places. As he was walking out, he dusted his hands as if to rid imaginary dust. Ciel glanced up to see where the raven was.

Cerulean eyes fell on a figure standing near the cabinet in which he had stored the photo album Madame Red took out days ago. If Sebastian were to see what it contained…

NO! He couldn't! He shouldn't know!

In a matter of minutes, the red album was snatched from the raven's hands. Sebastian looked at Ciel in shock and he saw the same eyes. Those familiar eyes when he was flipping through the sketches in Ciel's drawing pad.

"Ciel…?"

The male glared at him and placed the book on the table in front. Then, he proceeded to write some words on the post it he had stuffed in his pocket. Don't you understand what's called PERMISSION? That's mine you know!

"Sorry Ciel."

Said male shook his head, brushing the matter to one side. He felt tired and couldn't be bothered to continue being angry with the other. Lunch?

Sebastian nodded, still giving the young male strange looks on how he dismissed the act. The raven was stunned but he gestured that they should leave if they still wanted lunch.

The car ride was a quiet one with Ciel resting his head on the window pane, eyes closed and Sebastian who didn't want to break the calm silent. It was a comfortable silence and he was fine with it.

"Ciel, we're here," Sebastian stated, breaking that silence. For a moment, he thought that he would have to shake the other to wake him up but as he tried calling again, the male groaned and lifted his head off the window.

Teal colored locks caressed the pale cheeks as Ciel looked around. Pleased to see the younger's eyes widen, Sebastian said, "Shall we?"

Here? I'm not even dressed properly.

The raven chuckled. "It's fine. I've booked one of the private rooms. No one would notice. Come on now, don't back out."

I'm not intending too.

Both males made their way to the restaurant entrance. Someone greeted them and she brought the two to the second level. From there, she led them to a room, as Sebastian had promised.

"Enjoy your meal here. Your server will join you soon, Mr Michaelis."

A thank you was returned as they took their seats. Ciel was still speechless. He couldn't recover from the shock that Sebastian brought him to a five class restaurant for lunch! He definitely wasn't expecting it.

"Good afternoon Sirs. What may I get for you?"

Sebastian gave his order, as if he had memorized the menu, and looked at the male sitting opposite him. "Ciel? What are you having?"

Flipping through the menu, he grimaced. He wasn't familiar with some of the dishes even though he came from a wealthy family. Since young, he had learnt the lesson of 'Do not flaunt your wealth openly.' It was only on rare occasions did he go to high class places in which he belonged there.

Mothers always said that it's better to be safe than sorry. And sorry he felt for he didn't know what to order.

Give me one of your chief's recommendations. He finally wrote down when he felt that he was wasting time. Nodding, Sebastian told the server to bring one of their best wines over. This surprised Ciel but he didn't show it.

Once the server was gone, Sebastian sighed and smiled at him.

"What do you think of this place Ciel?"

Expensive. What makes you think I want to eat here? And you are definitely not going to pay for my share!

Ebony eyebrows raised in curiosity. "And why do you not want to eat here? It's a good place to relax. There's no one talking around you, or asking autographs. It's nice to be alone."

So now you're praising yourself as being so famous that you can't even enjoy one descent meal in a restaurant.

"Praise or not, what I'm saying is why you don't want to eat here. Is something wrong?"

Nothing's wrong. I just don't go to restaurants often.

"Even with your parents?"

Ciel had the urge to correct that mistake. The Middleford couple was not his parents. More of his guardians. But that was something that Sebastian needn't need to know.

Even them. I prefer some lower class areas. I don't mind going to a small shop or something.

"Ciel, Ciel," Sebastian paused as he waited for the younger male to look up. And when he did, he continued, "It's my treat to you for lunch. Next time, we'll go somewhere else. Your choice. I promise."

Ciel looked at the raven and shrugged. Fine by him. If there's a next time that is…

Taking that as a sign of the conservation being over, Sebastian moved on to another subject.

"So, how do you think you've fared in the competition?"

This seemed to draw the other's attention back to the raven. It was easy to see the azure eyes calculating how far his answer would go. They were bright, alert and sharp. It was as though nothing could escape those orbs.

It's up to the judges to see how much my design will go. It's very subjective no matter how much they try to follow the rubrics. Isn't it?

"Hmm? I agree. But what do you think?"

It's one of the good pieces I've done. I do hope to see it again on the walkway.

"I do hope so too."

Their orders were served and none of them indulged in deep topics as they tucked in. The conversation was kept light and Sebastian did most of the talking since he didn't want Ciel to stop eating mid-way and write down on his notepad every now and then.

The meal went smoothly and soon, the plates were cleared away and the orders for dessert came. Ciel had ordered a chocolate mousse while Sebastian was having a marble cheesecake.

Savoring the taste of the cake was a must to the younger male and as a result he did not notice how intently the other was watching him. Those half-lidded eyes and the small choked moan the boy made was enough to make anyone fall for the display, even Sebastian couldn't escape that fate.

Just like that day in the cake shop. But this time, Sebastian was the only one in the room enjoying the view. He discreetly coughed and looked away when Ciel gave him a questionable glance.

That was good. The younger male commented to the raven and Sebastian cocked his head.

"Glad you liked it." He had notice some crumbs on the edge of Ciel's mouth and now resisted the urge to lick it away. Instead, he settled for wiping those bits for Ciel's face.

The younger male looked up when Sebastian rose from his sit and loomed over him. He didn't know what the raven would do and that set his heart racing faster. A hand stretched out and touched the corner of his mouth and slowly caressed the area there. Then, it pulled away.

It burned. It was hot. The skin in which Sebastian touched felt really nice. Cliché, he knew it was but it couldn't be helped. Just like how the red eyes held his own, he couldn't look away and break the eye contact.

Eyes still maintaining the contact, Sebastian brought his thumb to his mouth and licked the finger. The younger blushed. Shit, Ciel cursed. He shouldn't be affected by some sort of things!

Sebastian chuckled. The younger male was really cute. That kind of look on his face was really something.

"Something wrong Ciel?"

You! Why touch me all of a sudden? Warn me beforehand would you?

The raven laughed again. "My apologies, Ciel. There were some crumbs on your face. I thought removing them would do. And you really look cute when you blush." This caused the shade of red on the other's face to darken.

Are we going?

"Yes. Now in fact." The raven called for the check and paid for the meal. Both left the restaurant and headed towards the ebony colored vehicle. On their way there, they passed by a female couple.

"Hey, is that…?"

"He? You mean…"

"Sebastian Michaelis! That model!"

"Him? Really! Oh my god!"

The females squealed and rushed forward.

"Ciel! Run!" Sebastian exclaimed and pulled the younger with him as he took off.

Wha-? Hey! Hey! Ciel thought. What! Don't drag me!

That was only his thoughts and Sebastian being a human being, could not read minds, so they continued running from the two females.

"This way!" Sebastian turned a corner and dragged the other along. Luckily, Ciel was trained to be fast on his feet before and was able to recover from the abrupt turn quickly.

The road led them to a park which the raven pushed Ciel to a very much secluded area covered by bushes.

"Where did they go?"

"To the right?"

"Check it out! If I catch up with them, that other boy is so going to die."

"Totally! How can he stand so close to Sebastian?"

Their sharp chatter drew softer as they went the other direction. On the opposite, two pairs of eyes followed their path until they disappeared from sight. Ciel was panting and wiping his forehead. When he was done, he wrote: Does this always happen to you? Such a predicament.

Sebastian chuckled. "Can't be helped Ciel. I am a model after all."

The younger male rolled his eyes as if he had expected such an answer from the other. Really. How egoistic.

"C'mon now. Let's get back shall we?"


A light chuckle filled the room. It promised cruelty and torture. Darkness and hopelessness.

"You know Thompson, this time I shall win him. He has taken away everything! And I won't let him now. Never," he hissed, clenching his hands.

"Of course. You are the best after all Sir," the worker replied smoothly as if he was ordered to say such a line.

"He had everything. The opportunities. Why him and not me? We don't have parents, and we even attended the same course. Why him?"

"Perhaps it was his time then. But it has become yours."

"Indeed it has."

The knock on the door interrupted the small chat and the person was given the permission to enter the room.

"Sir, there's a letter for you."

"Oh?"

The white envelope was passed to the superior and the top was cut opened neatly. A piece of paper easily slid out into a pair of pale hands. While blue eyes took in the contents, the grin on his face grew wider.

"Purr-fect!" the male exclaimed. This was it.

Laughter bubbled forth and escaped his mouth. Soon, that turned to a guffaw.

"My turn has come!" a pause to collect himself before he asked, "Timber, who are the others?"

"A person named Ciel Midford as well as Edward. The one from the same department as you."

The letter was tossed on the table as the superior made his way out with the other two flanking him. "I shall be the top."

Dear Participant,

Your design has been chosen by our panel of judges to enter the finals. You have one week to prepare the clothing as well as prepare for the day itself. Designs that are not up to be paraded by the specific timing would result in the overall disqualification of you in this competition. We hope to see you bring your designs to life.

Yours Sincerely,

Joel Carter


"Ciel. Take a seat."

Said male did as he was told as he settled down in a black velvet chair opposite the current CEO of the company. Namely, his aunt.

"So, word has gotten to me that you have been pre-selected as one of the finals. It was said that this year's competition has three finalists and not two."

That is correct Madam. It seemed that I have more competition than the previous batch.

"So it seems. But knowing you as well as the genes your family has… it wouldn't be a problem. Would it?"

Ciel barely restraint himself from flinching the way how she had addressed her brother's family; which was his own. This woman was someone that you wouldn't want to play with. Strict and stern, she expects the best of someone's potential. And sometimes, she could be overboard.

Yes. It won't be a problem for me to bring the title back here.

"Good. I'm waiting for it. Hope you don't let me down. Well then, have you thought about your crew for the day itself?"

Ciel shook his head and told her that he only had an idea of who to get for making the clothing. His aunt nodded and dug out some pieces of paper from her folder.

"You might want to choose from the list here. They are people who have been accompanying designers to competition sites. Experienced and trained. That's what you need."

Biting back a retort, he took the list from the female. No point arguing a case that he would not win at all.

Very well, I shall look through the list and inform you when I have decided on who.

"Then, I'll be looking forward to your choice," the lady said as it signaled the end of conversation. Ciel rose from his seat and went out, skimming through the list of names as well as the information beside each person.


"That's it! Turn around," a sharp voice commanded and the model did as he was told. Cerulean eyes followed the procedure intently, nothing have to be out of place. Everything has to be perfect.

Nina, are you able to finish this? I don't doubt you but the designs are something different. And I need a day or two to practice. Can't put myself in danger.

Once the lady was done with the body measurements, Ciel handed her the paper. Bright eyes read the contents and the female scoffed.

"Who do you take me for eh? I'm the well known designer! The tailor who indicates the seasons! And yours," she paused to take a breath. "Is purr-fect my dear."

The model was dismissed by Ciel and he rolled his eyes at her comment. He remembered her from the time his mother had started wearing her designs and the time when she 'invaded' his house. This female hasn't changed at all.

"So that's all?"

Ciel nodded. That's all. Thank you. But please, no changes to the sketches. The judges wants them exactly the same as the sketch. Please.

It was also known in the company that Nina Hopkins liked to change designs according to her preferences and thus a huge risk at times. But Ciel decided to bet on it. After all, with no risk, there's no success.


A smirk painted his face. He was watching every exchange between them. It was a pity that he couldn't read what was written on the paper and could only guess what they were.

He rose at the same time the female left the screen. His mind was currently on the request that he had presented and was waiting for a reply. It should arrive latest tomorrow.

Right on cue, his cell phone rang. Flipping the phone, he answered with a solemn voice, "Michaelis here."

"Sebastian!" the other greeted, perfectly at ease in addressing the raven. "How are you?"

They quickly exchanged greetings and soon Sebastian was curious of the sole purpose of the phone call.

"So how is it going?" he asked.

"Smoothly! Just some paper work and it will be done!"

"Thank you," he said and was ready to hang up the phone.

"Just one more question Sebastian. Why are you doing this? It's perhaps the first here. Who is this person?"

The raven chuckled. "You'll never understand Dave. He's special."

"Special you say eh? Must be someone important."

"Yes, he is."


Aww... How sweet Sebastian! So the plot is finally moving! A little at least. Ho!

Expecting more reviews this time! So press that button down there and tell me what you think of this chapter!