Snippet Four

A/N: After this snippet, I might take some time to upload more since I'm starting to run out of ideas. But since these are snippets, I wont be taking too much time.

Thanks to all who are fervently watching out for the updates. You never fail to make me feel uplifted every time. This is for you guys!

Disclaimer: I will never own the PoT characters.

The good thing about me is that I am an early riser. If I had woken later by about two hours, I wouldn't have the ultimate courage to pursue our deal.

At around ten o'clock, my phone rang and the screen flashed his name.

Atobe Keigo

"What could be his problem at this time of the day?" I muttered then answered the phone. "It's a good thing you're awake, Hanami." He said, and I took it as a greeting. "Yes, good morning too, Ato. Now what's your problem?" I asked.

"I'm on my way to your house." He said. And true, I heard the skidding of his car in the other line. "What! You moron!" I hissed at him. "What's the matter, my Queen?" he asked. I can already picture out that cocky smile plastered on his face.

Why does he always irritate me?

"It's bloody ten o'clock in the morning. What are you thinking? The bloody party will only start at six! Six, Ato!" I screeched. He just laughed in reply. "You worry too much, Hanami. I already got the whole afternoon planned out." He said.

"Oh really? Like what? Take me to the mall and go shopping for my dress and sorts? Oh please, don't make me laugh." I shot. Suddenly, his line became quite. "A-Ato?" I asked when he didn't answer for a few seconds.

"Actually, that's what I was planning to do." He revealed. I felt like a bucket of ice water was poured to me. "Oh…" was the only thing that I could say at the moment.

"Hanami? I'm almost there. I think you better prepare." He said then clicked his line off. "A-Ato!" I called back but was only answered by a beeping sound. After a few breaths, the revving sound came and the shimmer of his black car shined through my window. "Oh boy." I muttered then dashed in front of the mirror before going down. And I didn't know why I was fretting over my outfit for today.

"Hanami, your friend is here again?" my mother told me when we met at the base of the stairs. "Yeah, and he's incredulously early." I replied. "You take care, okay? Call us when you'll stay later than expected." She reminded me. I heard father answer the door. "I'm going." I said then kissed my mother's cheek.

"…care of her for me, then." I was able to glimpse the last of father's words before he sent us off. "We'll be going now, father." I said then bade off.

I learned that, aside from the driver, I was the only non-Atobe who was riding the limo. This just happened to be first time that I'd be riding a luxury car. Hopefully, this'll be the last too. It was sleek inside. A faint calming fragrance from a potpourri came in all directions. "Sakamichi, proceed to the District." Ato ordered through the small sliding window in the front. The car hummed softly to life then moved.

"I-I suppose that my etiquette lesson will come while I'm picking my outfit?" I asked him. He nodded and took his phone. "The tutors will already be there." He said. I learned that he was making and doing his schedule. "So everything's covered now?" I asked him and he nodded. "Which means you can leave it all up to me." He said in finality.

As you say so, Your Highness.

The ride took only a good ten minutes. At first, we were on the common area of the Shopping District. The stores were those where me and my friends often go shopping.

"Wow, they're on sale!" I gasped when the car passed by one shop. "I wish they would extend their promo until tomorrow! I'll bring Saya-chan and Kanako-chan!" I added. "You girls really like sale so much." I heard Ato said. I looked at him and gave him the look. "Oh, I'm sorry Mister Rich Guy. We just so happen to be one of those not so rich people in your school for rich people so sales like that really make us happy enough." I sarcastically said. He chuckled and waved me off, which kind of infuriated me. "You never fail to amuse me, Hanami. Don't worry, when we arrive at our destination, you'll be free to shop as much as you want." He said. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms across my chest. Why does he have to be so proud and annoying? I don't give a damn about him having the tile of the King. Like I care!

But speaking of destination, I noticed that the shops were beginning to get bigger and grander. I have never been in this area of the Shopping District. Cars were more abundant than people. I took note of the names of the shops and I almost got a heart attack when I saw where the limo was going.

"Are you mad?" I suddenly screeched. Ato gave a frown. "Hanami?" he asked. My goodness, he's really crazy! "You're going to bring me there?" I pointed to the big mall in front of us. That mall is so luxurious that only a chosen few could actually afford to go there. Ato smiled in return. "Ah, you have never been here, no? Looks like you owe me one." He said. The limo proceeded to the front where a guy similar to those in hotels opened the passenger door in my side. He took my hand and greeted me suavely. Another man opened the door on Ato's side. They talked for a while and Ato got a shiny gold card from his pocket. The man nodded and hurriedly went inside the mall. Ato went to me and took my hand.

My hand, oh God.

"Come, I'll show you around." He said as we strode in. Chandeliers of unimaginable sizes hung on various places. The escalators were very long and faint classical music hummed on the speakers. Several men and women in black with matching black shades suddenly appeared and went behind us. Some were giving orders and some were…uhm, I couldn't understand much of their Alpha and Beta stuff. Ato whispered to the big man on his left. Big Guy took three of the Men in Black and parted to an alley and disappeared. "Hey, look at that." Ato called me, and I noticed that there was something in his voice.

Excitement and Joy? I shuddered at the idea.

"Wow," I felt my jaw drop when I saw what he was pointing to me. There stood a store with lots of fabulous gowns and dresses. They also seem to be offering jewelries. "Want to see that?" he asked, the smile on his face looked really different. "I…uhm…" I paused to check the prices that were posted. My eyes crossed with the number of zeroes and the comma placement. And that's already on sale? "Maybe we should go to somewhere that's…uh…cheaper?" I whispered the last word. Ato held on to his laugh. God, he looked cute!

"I told you earlier, I'm paying for everything. Don't stop yourself from enjoying these moments and opportunity." He said, leading us to that store. The salesladies saw us approaching and readied their selves. "B-But!" But it was too late. Soon, we were inside the shop and the next thing I knew, I was checking out the dresses. My hands felt so overjoyed touching the velvets and silks that hung on the racket. Ato was close behind, doing the talking with the lady who seemed to be in charge of the shop. I stopped at a certain dress: it was a simple light blue one, having an imperial cut with a black ribbon to adorn the cut line. It wasn't so stand out but the simplicity it had made it more appealing. "That's wonderful choice, ma'am!" another saleslady popped at my side.

"Uh, yeah. I do think so." I said then hurriedly placed it back, my hands shaking from the stare of the lady. I'm sorry, miss! I don't have enough money to buy her! I said. Even if it was one of the most simplest, it certainly was at par with the prices of the other dresses.

Ato's hand stopped me and took the dress. He studied it and whispered at the Manager, I suppose. She nodded and smiled at me. "Try this on." Ato told me and handed me the dress back. "W-What?" I was surprised. "Try it." He said again. I looked incredulously at him then at the dress. "I-I was just looking at it! I didn't say that I want it." I shot. "But it's written all over your face. I think it's just right for you." He said. The lady beside me led me to the back side of the shop where the fitting area was. Ato sat on the chairs near it.

With no other choice left, I did try the dress. Honestly, I loved it. It was like love at first sight. I became much happier when I saw my reflection on the mirror inside. Not that I'm boastful but I looked perfect. The hue of the dress was a compliment to my own skin color. It fitted so perfectly on my size. I spun and watched as the ends of the dress fluttered so beautifully. I could almost feel the tears forming in my eyes.

"Hanami?" the Ato called. I stuck my head out of the curtain. "W-What?" I asked, feeling myself blush. The weird smile was still there on his face. "Come out and have us take a look on you." He commanded. "Uh..I…" I stammered. "Is something the matter, ma'am?" the manager asked. I shook my head furiously. "N-No! I mean, there's nothing wrong." I whispered. "Then come out here so we can see how the dress looks like." Ato said. He sounded like he was getting impatient so I decided to come out.

And I was not prepared for their reactions.

Ato stared at me like I was some other girl he has never seen before. The salesladies gave off smiles and looked jumpy. I flushed and looked away. "W-What do you think?" I asked. Ato still stared but finally got himself. "F-Fantastic. You look absolutely beautiful." His airy voice sending a tickle in my body. Must be the air con! "S-So…I think you should—I mean, we should uh…have this?" I couldn't stop myself from stuttering. His gaze made me feel like there was a spotlight directed upon me. He nodded and gave off a warm smile. He whispered to the manager again and took out another gold card. The salesladies began to take shoes and bags and jewelries from the shelves. "A-Ato?" I asked when a woman took me away. "They will fix you up." He assured me as he walked to us. I could feel his heavy stare at me, like I was some extinct animal that suddenly popped out of nowhere. "Ato?"

"You really are my Queen." He said then held my hand. I blushed hard and jerked away. He smiled and nodded to the woman. "Make her more beautiful." He ordered and he went on with the new batch of salesladies who were holding suits for him to see.

"Ato!" I called. He looked back at me, still with that look in his eyes and I smiled back. "You'll still look handsome no matter what suit you pick." I said then trotted to follow the lady.