"You look a bit pale, Lady Shizuka," said Sebastian as he picked up her lunch plate.

She wiped her mouth off with a napkin and glared at him. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"I feel fine," she repeated, irritation in her voice.

"May I...?" he asked, reaching out a gloved hand to check her temperature.

"No you may not," she answered.

"Very well," he replied reluctantly and let his hand drop to his side. He grabbed the back of her chair and gently pulled it out for her, staring at her pale skin, her slender neck, and how he ached for skin against skin in wild ecstacy -

Not again, he thought, shaking his head to snap himself of his thoughts.

Shizuka stood up and walked into the Drawing Room, taking a seat on one of the expensive, floral printed chairs. Sebastian stood behind her as she pulled out a pen and paper.

"Oh?" he asked, peering over. "You like to write?"

She looked back at him, and instead of a glare, there was light in her eyes. She smiled, what appeared to be, a true happy smile.

"I more than like it," she answered. "I love it."

"What sort of things do you like to write about?" he asked, kneeling down to be eye level with her.

And now her face lightened, as though she'd never been asked the question before. "It depends," she replied. "I like horror, mystery, action...a little bit of romance..."

A smile twitched onto Sebastian's lips.

"I write all the time when I'm alone," she continued, but then suddenly stopped. "I'm sorry, it's not very lady like to be boasting about this sort of thing."

"Please do continue," Sebastian urged her. "I would love to read one of your stories."

She turned her head away, but Sebastian could feel the embarrassement radiating from her face. Then he noticed her thumbs twiddling nervousley.

"The only people I've ever let read them were my father, my mo - and my sister..." Her eyes sadenned.

"Please do cheer up Lady Shizuka," Sebastian said, a gentle, warm smile on his face.

She looked back at him, and then down at her hands.

"Are you sure you would not like to take a walk?" he asked again.

"...very well," she sighed. "Will you fetch my coat?"

"Of course, My Lady," he answered and went to retrieve her coat from the closet.

Now they were sitting back down in Central Park, on the bench Shizuka had sat down on the day before. "I hate birds," she mumbled, watching a large black Crow fly by. Sebastian frowned, but followed her gaze, where he saw it.

"Kitty..." Shizuka mumbled, watching it search around for any food it could find. She immediatley stood up and walked over to it, petting the ashen colord cat who accepted her love and began rubbing it's cheek against her hands. Sebastian stood behind her, resisting as hard as possbile to pet the cat.

"...it's a stray, you can pet it too," she said.

"Thank you My Lady," he said, releasing a breath and petting the cat. He watched her smile, petting the cat softly as it purred. "May I take the little one home?" he asked.

"Of course," she answered. "I love cats."

He smiled wide. "Thank you My Lady," he replied.

She smiled, and then picked up the cat and began walking. Sebastian followed, smiling between her and the cat.

"I want you to name him," she said suddenly.

Sebastian stared at her, touched at her sudden action. "Salem," he said after a moment of thinking.

"I like that name," she replied, and then stopped suddenly. He turned, seeing the familiar lingerie store.

Did she purposely go this way? he wondered.

"Will you, um...nevermind!" she cried, turning away from him.

"Yes My Lady?"

"Will you...go in with me?" she asked softly, nodding to the lingerie shop.

He smiled, amused. "Of course, My Lady," he answered and gave a small bow. She bent over and set the cat down on the side walk.

"You stay here, ok?" she told him. Salem meowed in response and took a seat, watching as they walked into the shop.

Sebastian looked down at Shizuka, who was blushing and browsing. He glanced around to see three other couples and a single woman browsing as well.

She stopped, a black two piece catching her eye. She turned and bent over to examine it further. "Do you like this one?" she asked suddenly.

"Yes," he answered. Then his eyes widened and he cleared his throat, realizing what he'd said.

And she stared at him; her eyes were wide and her face pink, before she quickly looked away from him, shaking nervousley.

"Shall we purchase this one and be on our way?" he asked, clearing his throat again.

"Yes," she replied in a rush. He picked up the piece and then watched her leave the shop and scoop the cat back into her arms.

Then he sighed, bought the lingerie, and left again to meet up with her fast pace down the street. What is wrong with me? he yelled at himself as he caught up to her.

"May I ask you a question?" he asked.

"You just did," she replied, but then glanced at him. "But go ahead."

"Do you enjoy me buying these for you? Most likely against your fathers wishes..."

"...yes," she answered after a moment. "It's not proper for a woman to wear such undergarments without being married...but they make me feel so pretty, I can't resist..."

"But you're very beautiful," he replied honestly.

She glanced at him, and then Salem meowed loudly. "We need to hurry, he needs to get something to eat," she said, changing the subject to something more important.

"Yes, My Lady," he replied and followed her.