True Manipulation Chapter 7: Rehearsal
Haruhi's Townhouse
About 6 pm, Friday
Her dreams were interrupted by her bed shaking. Was there an earth quake? Haruhi realized when she opened her eyes, she was moving, not the bed. Kyouya shook her harder. "Haruhi, what the hell are doing?"
"I could ask you the same thing!"
She looked over at the clock, it was 6'oclock and she had just fallen asleep 20 minutes ago for her nap. She had a long day with this Tsuki case. "I happen to be taking a nap after work."
"Why ARE you taking a nap?"
"Did you really come over, and wake me up to ask me that?"
Kyouya pinched the bridge of his nose and tried not to hyperventilate. She came more awake. "Is someone hurt?" With the prospect that Kaoru and Hikaru had somehow managed to hurt themselves through their devilry; Haruhi drew back the covers and went in search for clothing.
Kyouya sighed, she was obviously clueless. He would need a new secretary come Monday. He grabbed her shoulders as she was trying to struggle into some pants. He took a keen interest in the bra and panties she had stepped out of bed with. Haruhi didn't even notice he had developed such an interest, as she tried to pull her pants up to her hips. She never succeeded because Kyouya drew her attention elsewhere. Without thinking of the consequences he kissed her.
His mouth was hot and insistent. This kiss was different than the ones they had shared previously. He wanted her and she was nearly naked, this meant that he was a bit more passionate than a normal, rational Kyouya. He crushed her against his body. Her response was not to be left in the dust as she pushed her tongue into his mouth. Her hands ran through his hair, as he moved the angle of their kiss to better accommodate his glasses. She sighed his name as he moved to her neck. He had miraculously unclipped her bra as his phone rang. It was in his pants pocket as Haruhi felt it vibrate against her front. How had he gotten them to the bed? Kyouya groaned at the high pitched ring. He rolled off of her to fish it out. "His timing cannot be more than expected."
"NANI?" Kyouya had been very sharp and annoyed with the caller.
"Hai, Gomen-ne." Kyouya didn't sound sorry at all.
"Hai, Hai in a few minutes" Kyouya was clearly irritated and stomped over to Haruhi's closet. He slid open the door so hard that it banged against the wall, and rattled on the hinges. She could hear him cursing a blue streak in the closet. Haruhi laid there amazed, she had never seen Kyouya visibly or verbally upset. She had clearly heard him say, "Who fucking needs rehearsal anyways?" The idea of Kyouya swearing in her closet was almost hilarious if she hadn't been so into the moment as well. Even as it was happening she couldn't imagine Kyouya losing his cool about anything. He came back out with a green gown on a hanger.
He was once again his cool self, totally unfazed by whatever had gotten his dander up. You would have never have thought he had been ranting not two minutes ago in her closet. He cleared his throat as he held it out to her, "The reason I came by was because you are over an hour late to rehearsal for the wedding, and I gallantly agreed to come find you. I gather you had no idea." His eyes were still roving over her as he soaked up her rumpled appearance and nearly bare breasts.
She shook her head. He kissed her quickly once before leaving the room, his intention clear for her to get dressed. He said through the door,"Please hurry Haruhi I have just been informed that your father has started to tell stories." And with that she flew into a flurry of movement.
She didn't wear a bra with the dress because it had no back and her breasts were small enough not to look too daring with the slit in the front. She pinned up her hair quickly and walked out to him. She swore his eyes smoldered before he pushed his glasses up and helped her into her coat before leading her out to the car. He kissed her again as he got out and opened the door for her. He led her up the stairs to the entrance after handing the valet his car keys. Imagine her sempai actually driving a car? Marriage to Kyouya Ootori couldn't be bad; he cared about his work and was driven by goals. He also looked to be a promising lover. She only hoped that Tamaki was trying to blow smoke her way to keep her from getting to know the true Kyouya Ootori.
Upon entering and having her coat removed they practiced the wedding march and their vows. They said their "I do's" and Kyouya proceeded to kiss her senseless, before his father cleared his throat beside him. Haruhi was a bit dazed, but Ranka and Fuyumi had hearts in their eyes, and looked to be entering "Moe-bliss". Kyouya whispered into her ears, telling her he wasn't sure he could wait until tomorrow.
A blush tinged her cheeks and she replied, "If you keep your glasses off tomorrow, I will try to convince everyone the reception is on Monday." His eyes caught fire and he kissed her thoroughly before he was dragged off by his elder brother to discuss something "important".
Haruhi found herself being pulled around by the twins for final fittings in view of everyone. Haruhi stood their awkwardly as they ran around her with a tape measure. She smiled self consciously as people stared in fascination. She was released abruptly only to be ambushed by three women. "That was Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin. They don't do wedding dresses. How ever did you convince them?"
She knew the instant they open their mouths they were the three women from the bathroom, who had said terrible things about her. She gave them the cold shoulder, and said "I was unaware it was difficult to have them design clothes, I have no idea why you have had problems. Please excuse me."
She found herself not ten minutes later engrossed in conversation by an American intern for the Ootori legal staff by the punch bowl. They debated heatedly and talked "shop" for about 30 minutes before Kyouya pulled her away. "Allow me to steal Haruhi away we need to mingle a bit more with the others." He was being rude and he knew it. The young intern eeped and high-tailed it out of there. She had not talked to anyone she didn't know in the next hour. She was suspicious of his reasoning for pulling her away.
When they were alone again he said, "Haruhi why did you act less than cordial to those women? They have taken my father to task over their ill treatment."
"They didn't have anything nice to say behind my back, so why should I give them a greater courtesy to their faces? All they will receive from me is contempt." She saw the American intern again and wanted to talk to him some more, when Kyouya stopped her.
"Haruhi there will be a lot of jealous who will act unbecoming. You will come to realize I am a well sought after man. We must treat everyone the same no matter what personal grievances we have. This is the world of the rich and elite you are marrying into it, you might as well learn the rules. Not everyone talks to you because they like Haruhi, they just want to be linked with the Ootori name. You had best keep that in mind when talking to my father's young American intern. As my wife you will not be allowed to take lovers." He tried to move off but was stopped by her voice.
"It seems the real Kyouya is jealous, not the Ootori elitist." He started walking again after she delivered that parting shot. She would not believe he said any of those things because he was an elite member of society. For a brief flash she had seen the man behind the mask. She took his words to heart as she watched him travel towards, CHAIRMAN SUOH? She almost raced after him in curiosity but was blocked quickly by Mori. He shook his head, as if to tell her she wasn't going anywhere and whisked her into a waltz. Nearby, Huni clapped as he held the pink rabbit at the edge of the dance floor. With every twirl she kept Kyouya in her sights, she was dying to know what was being said. She saw the chairman nod and take his leave.
The end of the party came too quickly before she could pester Kyouya about what had been said. He swept her out to a car that was waiting. She got in, and slid over so that he could get in as well. She had assumed that getting his car out while everyone was trying to leave would take more time than the ready limo. He however, shut the door and tapped the roof signaling the driver to leave. He walked back inside without sparing her a glance. She tried not to feel hurt by his easy dismissal, but who knew why the shadow king had acted so cold.
