A/N: a lot happens in this chapter. So it was written fast. :D 2 more chapters.

Thursday

Today was officially the beginning of an end to an extraordinary couple of days. Haruhi couldn't wait for things to go back to normal.

"Kairi," she put her arms around the man who was busy scribbling under the yellow light of their cheap and comfortable lamp. Their apartment they had bought together had t's back faced to the morning sun. That was why it had been cheap. "Why did we agree to do what that weird woman advertised to us?"

"Wasn't it for the money?" her fiancé replied. He laughed.

Well," Haruhi pondered, "let's decide on how we are going to spend the extra money."

"Yeah," he finished his sentence. "Hey want to proof read this for me?"

She stared down at him, confused by his statement. "You never want me to proof read things for you." she deadpanned.

"Well," he hesitated, "Time to change." She read it for him. There wasn't much she could change for him because she hadn't even learnt about it yet.

"Here," she gave it back. There was a moment's pause. She stared duly at the books on the desk.

"We could celebrate our getting back together with a movie or two tonight?" Kairi offered. Haruhi beamed.

"Sounds like a great idea!" She browsed through the Internet on what was showing. The automated clock broke the silence. "It is Thursday 10 O clock".

"I'm sorry," Haruhi and Kairi both exclaimed. "I have to go to that fashion show!"

They stared at each other.

"Why do you have to go the fashion show?" Kairi asked, faint puzzlement in his voice. "I thought you hated that stuff?"

"Why are you going?" Haruhi questioned. She immediately started feeling uncomfortable by the shifty expression that flitted across his face. Then she chastised herself for reading too much into it.

"Renee asked me to," he finally said. "It's part of the deal," he added more firmly.

"Oh," Haruhi nodded. Of course it was part of the deal. "I am being paid to-" She didn't finish her explanation. Several things happened at once. The telephone rang shrilly and Kairi snatched it up. The front door pounded and what looked like a hundred people flooded in.

"Let go!" Haruhi screamed. The man holding her ignored her. He was speaking into his microphone.

"Hitachiin san, we found her," he looked more kindly at her, "you are extremely late to hair and make up."

"Kairi," Haruhi called out. She knew she had no chance at avoiding this last ordeal. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah," Kairi looked slightly shocked.

…

Evanescent blue light slowly flooded the stage. Music, the soft lilting notes of flute and a cascading piano melody, began softly. Fairy lights illuminating the walkway flickered open. The audience, if they had not already been quieted, hushed. The walk way was curved and made of glass, like an entwining ribbon effortlessly supporting itself over streams of water that poured over fresh flowers and moss covered stones. The singing began and models started walking.

"This is-" the important looking man wearing the dark shades was utterly shocked. "This was not expected."

"No," the fashion editor of the country's most esteemed magazine was eyeing the cotton dresses that were being modeled. "This is not like the usual Hitachiin eccentricity. The setting however-"

"Yes," the man replied eagerly, "is very intricate. It contrasts and showcases beautifully with the garments." The blond haired model had reached the end of the aisle and blew the audience a kiss. Rose petals fluttered from the ceiling and she gave her circle skirt a swish.

The music changed. The base pulsed out an easy and comfortable rhythm. The fairy lights turned deep yellow and the water stopped flowing. Tall tanned models started strutting down the glass walkway. The collection was now sports inspired with a homely vintage twist.

"This is not hip at all," Parker, the fired manager of Hitachiin Designs and relative to Renee was talking loudly to the all the media. "You just don't mix sports with vintage."

"It's actually…" another designer looked on incredulously. "A charming mix."

Words appeared over the ceiling and over the body of audience. Honesty, integrity, truth –

"What is this crap?" Parker spluttered. "Where's the sex appeal?"

Next to him, a journalist was writing furiously. "…a completely different collection from the Hitachiins… designs that provoke poetic thought…enormous growth in various directions…definitely a talent to watch…"

Evening wear. The lights dimmed. The fake trees, which had been hidden in darkness for all that time, suddenly glowed alight. The audience gasped. Dancers dressed in glimmering white leotards started acrobatics across the stage.

"Wow," Kairi was staring at the stage, hardly believing he was actually at a fashion show. Sure, he had an essay to write but he could finish that easily later.

"Kairi," a soft voice called out to him.

"Renee," he exclaimed in surprise. "Aren't you modeling?"

"No," she said, but her face was hardly one of bitterness. She looked very pretty. "Since I invited you, let me show you around…"

"But-" I have to find Haruhi died on his lips. Renee looked…drunk. Concerned, he put his arms around her to steady her.

The theme of eveningwear had been white. After a parade of beautiful long gowns and even gowns with long sleeves had finished, a spotlight shined in the center.

"Ladies and Gentleman, may I present tonight's primary designer, Hikaru Hitachiin," the hostess cried. The crowd went crazy. The front rows stood up and clapped as the single lone and handsome figure with the vivid red hair made its way forward.

"Thank you everyone," Hikaru Hitachiin was looking uncharacteristically nervous. "I wouldn't be up here tonight without my twin brother, Kaoru Hitachiiin." The crowd clapped again. Another identical figure wearing the exact same suit appeared on stage.

"Since when did they do fashion shows so publically together?" the media whispered.

"My brother here was the sole creative input this time," Kaoru spoke charismatically. "Don't be so modest Hikaru-" The crowd laughed at the subsequent shows of brotherly love.

"We won't keep you from waiting," Hikaru said cryptically. "Let the grand finale begin!"

Hundreds of petals flooded down from the ceiling and the lights increased to maximum intensity. The two brothers had disappeared. Music began. Old songs. Melodic songs. The crowd sang along. The models walked past. But the final and last model was a girl with brilliant brown hair, a slender body and she was covered stylistically in daisies. It was a couture gown made entirely from silk and lace and it was astoundingly beautiful. She raised her hands and all the models came out, posing in their designs while the cameras flashed.

…

It wasn't so bad after all. Haruhi scrubbed at her face with the lavender like gel the make up artists had given at. The runway walk had barely lasted 10 minutes. It felt like this weird dream she just had and now she was ready to go home. The professionals had insisted on taking off her make up for her but Haruhi wanted to do it herself. The make up artists were so slow with everything. She checked her watch: 11pm. She pulled on her jumper and grabbed her bag. It had taken her less than 30 minutes to wash everything off and change out of that hideous silk and lace gown. Now she had to rush for the last public transport at 11:30PM and receive her payment from the receptionist.

"Haruhi," the youngest model that had taken a liking to her stopped her from leaving, "Where are you going? There's the after party-"

"I'm sorry," Haruhi said kindly. All the other models were shooting her dirty looks, jealous that a mere commoner like her could model the final act. "I need to be somewhere tomorrow morning." Which was true, considering she had to catch up on all her university studies. "You should go talk to Angel," she added hastily.

"Come on," Angel, the senior model pulled the young girl aside. As Haruhi headed out the change room doors, she distinctly heard the bitchy model say "You don't want to hang around with her. She's just Hikaru's latest fling. Yeah I don't know why he went for the ugly intellectual type." People were ready to say anything. She hurried to the receptionist.

Stuffing the cheque in her bag, Haruhi breathed a few times to calm herself down. She rested her hands on the glass door. She could feel the vibrations from the thousands of people out in the foyer through the door. No one could possibly recognize her. She had nothing to fear. Then what was she afraid of? What was she hesitating for? She just couldn't get rid of the feeling that she had forgotten to do something. She pushed through the door.

"I can't believe how amazing that fashion show was!" a few famous actresses were gossiping in the corner. "I'm buying that lace dress."

"No, you can't, I'm wearing that to the awards show," her friend exclaimed.

Haruhi tried pushing past the waitresses who were now serving glasses of champagne everywhere. It really was very crowded. Not a single person paid attention to her and she sighed in relief. That was it, the thing she had forgotten! She had to find Kairi.

A group of cameramen were rushing towards the right corner. Reporters were shouting excitedly. "Mr Hitachiin, how would you consider-" Haruhi gave that area a wide birth. She had nothing to do with that person now.

"Did you have a muse for this particular collection?"

"This collection was very different, surely something in your life must have inspired this."

"There was something very nostalgic about the whole atmosphere."

For some reason, the voices of the reporters seemed to follow her. Haruhi quickened her steps. She didn't know where she was going. After some time, the voices had softened, the corridors became empty and for the first time in five years, Haruhi was lost.

"Oh crap," Haruhi muttered. It was 11:30PM. The bus must have left ages ago. Why did she have to try find Kairi? He could get home himself. He hadn't tried finding her. Mouth set in a grim line, Haruhi fished her phone out and dialed the taxi services. She was about to tiredly confirm the taxi services when a loud noise made her freeze.

"Oooohhhh….."

"Oh god-"

She abruptly snapped her phone shut. Two people were screaming. Hastily she hurried towards the sound of the noise. It seemed to come from a room in the far end where the door was half open. She reached the door and just as she put her hand to wrench the door open, she heard moans and groans that made her freeze for the second time.

"Oh that feels so good!"

"Oh yeah-"

She really didn't want to. She really didn't want to. But she recognized that voice. The woman who was lying sprawled on the table had a messy sprawl of golden curls. Her cheeks and lips were dusty pink. Her eyes wide open with pleasure were green. The man who was with her had his back to her. His hair was brown.

Oh God. Haruhi pried her fingers off the door and took one shaky step back. She had just walked in on two people having sex. Not really that surprising considering that she was at a fashion show and she was wondering around some secret back corridors. But, she glanced back and her eyes refocused. It was Renee and Kairi.

That broke the spell. She started running. Tears threatened. But she just ran blindly.

…

"Haruhi-" Hikaru was shocked to find Haruhi run straight into him. He must have been shocked for he felt his arms pull the girl closer to him. Haruhi pulled back the moment he tried pulling her closer.

"Hikaru," she said very seriously.

"What?" He had never seen her brown eyes look so serious.

"I didn't want to be involved but-" she bit her lip, "I need to tell you something. It's about your fiancée. I saw her cheating on you."

He raised his eyebrows. That was all she wanted to tell him? "Darling, I am no longer marrying Renee. I broke off the engagement a few days ago."

"Huh?" Her wide eyed look was cute. "I'm sorry," she looked truly sorry which was laughable considering he never had any real feelings for Renee. "Where is everyone?" She finally had noticed that they were alone in the fairy light studded hall.

"There's an after party. I wanted to remain behind just to check on the last few things." He didn't bother asking her whether she was going. He knew the answer already.

"I have to go," she said distractedly, "I ordered a taxi a few minutes ago."

"Oh," he didn't know what to say. He felt empty. Where was the happiness? His fashion debut had been crazily successful despite all this fears. Haruhi had been amazing fulfilling his dream. He was supposed to feel happy and complete. Instead he felt incomplete. Hanging around, making sure everything was packed up and doing extra stories for the media did not make him feel better.

"Your fashion show was surprisingly good," Haruhi said shyly, "Everyone seemed to think it was a huge success."

"Thanks," he looked at her intently. Where was the anger? She had publically humiliated him, hated him and made him feel stripped of his usual Hitachiin charisma. He was glad to be finally rid of her. He had used as he had originally intended. And now he was going to let her go as he had promised.

"You're going to keep your promise right?" She said hesitantly. She looked as confused as him. There was no fire or anger in her eyes.

Time seemed to slow down. He had promised her. He had really promised her. He forced the words out of his mouth. "I-" he swallowed. "I promise."

He watched her walk away from him. He watched the small figure hail the taxi. He watched the taxi drive away until the lights faded away into the night.

"Shit," he smacked his head. "I didn't ask her why she was crying." How was he always so crap at stuff like that? The glass panel he was staring at remained dark. Not that asking her why she had cried mattered anymore.

So this is how you say goodbye. Wait, it was a goodbye?

…

The song on the radio in the taxi was really morose. "Now I see that you and me were never meant to be, Never meant to be now, Now I'm lost somewhere…Ever since the day we died, I've got nothing left to lose- "

It was true. She had nothing to lose. She was not going to cry. She was going to be a strong woman and deal with this the diplomatic way. Once this was over, she would feel better and eat expensive sweets. The window by the living room was alight. So he was home.

"Kairi," she stepped into her apartment and without even bothering to take off her shoes, confronted her fiancé.

"Hey, how was the fashion show?" His face stopped smiling as he noted the serious look on her face.

"How was the fashion show?" She answered incredulously. "How was the fashion show for you?" She tried to calm herself down. She was going to do this diplomatically.

"Me?" He looked completely surprised. He always looked surprised. She had been making up excuses for him for years. It was time to expose the truth.

"I saw you," she said coldly.

"Well I didn't see you," Kairi said slowly. "I tried finding you."

"I saw you with Renee," Haruhi deadpanned.

"Yeah-" he continued. "She was drunk-" She didn't let him finish.

"I saw you f%$#ing her," she deadpanned, without any emotion. There was complete silence.

He looked angry. "How did you come up with such rubbish?"

"I saw you."

"Okay," he looked really mad now. "You go and make up stories. This is so unlike you Haruhi-"

"You didn't think I wouldn't notice?" Haruhi continued, "Flirting with random girls on the street, being conveniently busy with work all the time, never being available, Kairi we've grown so far apart and I've been the only one trying to fix it and deal with it!"

"Grown far apart?" Kairi said quietly. "I think you're the one who had grown far apart. Ever since a few days ago. This whole fiancé swap program has changed you!"

"Testing our real feelings for each other, this whole fiancé swap was your idea!"

"You agreed to do this as well! I bet you just wanted to do this to be with Hikaru Hitachiin!"

"Are you crazy? You're the one who cheated with Renee!"

"You don't think how I've noticed how popular and charismatic Hikaru is? And how you have changed?"

"I haven't changed Kairi. You know everything about me. I don't know anything about you. Ever since you started working, I know nothing about you."

"It's work Haruhi, what do you expect?"

"It's work. Do you know how many times I have made excuses for you? The truth is I feel nothing from you and you're not doing anything to change that."

"There is nothing to change!" Kairi bellowed.

"Of course there isn't," Haruhi sound herself saying nastily, "Not when you can have mistress Renee on the side."

"For the last time I didn't sleep with her!"

"I don't believe you."

"Fine, don't believe me. You know what?" Kairi walked away furiously. "I'm leaving. This is ridiculous."

The door slammed loudly. He hadn't even bothered to argue some more. Their relationship was blindingly obvious now. Only then, did tears start falling.

If I had never done this fiancé swap program, this would have never happened. No, this was bound to happen. At least Hikaru had promised to leave her alone this time.

Alone. She felt very alone.