A/N: Oh poor Haruhi. Not only did she have to deal with Yuuta's mother, who made an attempt on Chika's life, but she had to deal with his horrible siblings. It's a wonder she kept her cool throughout the evening. Will it last? Enjoy the new chapter!

Poll results... Kyoya won! With Mori coming in second, I will be writing a Christmas story for the Shadow King and a New Year's story for Mori.

Chapter 25 – Lunch Surprise

Smile, nod, be polite, answer when asked a question, look engaging, and remember all lessons taught by the Host Club. These were the things Haruhi kept reminding herself to do on Saturday as she sat across the table from Yuuta's mother. She also had to remind herself not to punch the other woman because there were a few times Haruhi got close to jumping across the table. Unseemly for a lady? True. Out of character for one Haruhi Fujioka? Maybe. However, she would like to think that anyone else sitting in her place would have the exact same reaction.

Let us rewind to earlier in the day and start at the beginning.

Saturday morning, she got up early and cooked breakfast for her father before sending him off to a meeting at the bar, and then she did her chores. It seemed to be a normal weekend for the former natural host and since eight certain men would not be interrupting it, it should have remained so… or so it appeared. This was not the case because this particular Saturday she was supposed to have lunch with Megumi Kondo, Yuuta's mother who was doing everything in her power to make sure Haruhi ended up with her son, ignoring the fact that Haruhi already had Chika. It was enough to force a perfectly ladylike polite girl onto a murderous rampage (and yes, we are still talking about Haruhi).

Her deadline was noon, which meant in elite society that she would be picked up between 11:30 and 11:45 because for some reason no one knew how to tell time unless it served them in a positive light. A ball: one was not to arrive on time, but anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour late. An intimate dinner party: arrive 10 minutes early up to 10 minutes late, however, anything else is considered rude. Brunch or lunch: same rules as an intimate dinner party. And if certain people were going to come visit her, they always arrived about an hour early – probably due to coaxing from Tamaki. Arriving at the scheduled time seemed to only serve people when they were in school… or racing the clock to make sure one was not late for the Host Club. Each time she had been, her debt increased; and when she no longer had a debt, extra chores were heaped onto her. Kyoya was not one to mess with when it came to the Host Club schedule.

Getting ready for her luncheon with the she-devil - no, that was an insult to the twins who were the little devils… Getting ready for her luncheon with she-monster, she made sure her dress had nary a wrinkle, her makeup was light and perfect, and her hair was done and tidy. Sighing, she mumbled, "I never put this much effort in when I went over to Chika's."

Chika. Just thinking about him made her feel a pang in her heart and she grabbed the necklace she wore around her neck, holding the infinity charm. Haruhi really hoped that this whole ordeal didn't last much longer. From what she heard, if she wasn't reunited with her boyfriend soon, most of the karate team would soon be in ICU. Every time she cracked open a book to read, Chika's letter came to mind reminding her not to lose herself in her book, and then she lost the urge to delve into the world of words. About the only books she was cracking lately were her school books. Even her father noticed the difference and was worried, however, there was nothing to be done. It wasn't that she was feeling lost without her boyfriend, it's just that nothing felt right since they had been separated… like something was missing and she felt like she was just going through the motions. If they ever broke up for real… that picture was not something anyone wanted to imagine.

As she was staring at a picture of her and Chika together at the Bon Festival the year before, a knock sounded at her door. Darting her eyes towards the clock, she smirked as she shook her head, "Yep. I knew it." Her clock read 11:31. It was probably a good thing she had been around the men of the Host Club for so long, otherwise she might still be working on getting ready.

Opening the door, a smile appeared on her lips, "Good morning Kazu-san."

"Good morning, Haruhi. I am here to collect you for lunch with the mistress."

"Alright. Let me just get my purse and keys and I will be ready to go," she told him and shut the door lightly. Telling herself to calm down, she grabbed everything she would need and exited her apartment. Going into the lion's den alone put her on edge, and as they pulled up to the house, she was surprised to find a possible ally in the chauffer.

"I know what the mistress is doing and although I understand why, don't do anything you aren't ready for. The young master is a wonderful man, but I don't know that he could make you happy."

Typically the help wasn't supposed to talk out of turn, so this surprised Haruhi and she had to wonder, why was the driver giving her advice that directly went against his employer? What was he to Yuuta? Then again, since Kazu had been there since before Yuuta was born, and this being one of those "damn rich bastard" families, it is possible that the driver was more of a father figure to Yuuta than her friend's real father. The possibilities were endless, and instead of saying anything – because there was no telling who was watching or listening – she nodded and smiled warmly, "Thank you, Kazu-san."

Walking towards the door, it opened when she was about five feet away and as she made her way inside, the door closed with a loud echoing thud as if she was sealing the door on her fate. Surely that was just overreacting though. She would leave that day and be able to see Chika once again… right?

Megumi had been waiting on her future daughter-in-law to arrive and when the brunette was escorted into the living room, the matriarch stood and rushed to the girl's side, "How lovely it is to see you again, Haruhi."

Blushing, Haruhi bowed and said, "Thank you for having me again, Megumi-san."

"Please come and have a seat and we'll talk. I'm sure you don't get much girl talk considering who your friends were and that you lost your mother. You poor dear."

The moment Megumi patted her hand in fake sympathy, Haruhi wanted to pull it away and slap her. How dare she? The gall of the woman to say such a thing! "Well, I may not have had my mother around, but my father was there and he has a way of helping me with a woman's point of view, and when I couldn't talk to him, Chika's mother was always there when I needed her." She had to stand up for the people in her life and prove to this interloper that her life was not lacking.

Patting Haruhi's hand again, Megumi nodded, "Yes, I'm sure they did what they could. Wouldn't it be so much better if you had someone you could call mother though?"

And here it was. Haruhi tilted her head to the side and asked, "What do you mean, Megumi-san?"

"A girl needs her mother…" the older woman said and then looked up when a maid entered and informed her that lunch was ready. She believed that if she just planted a few ideas in Haruhi's head, she would be able to harvest her crop and the brunette would become her daughter-in-law and Yuuta would once again be the heir, securing her future and that of the company.

The women adjourned to the small dining room that had a table only big enough for six people at the most. Less austere and oppressive than the formal dining room, Haruhi took a seat across from Megumi and waited for the staff to serve the meal, and as they did, the natural host wanted to pummel her hostess yet again.

"As I was saying… what are your plans for the future? I know you are majoring in law, but what about a family and children? You don't want to wait too long for that. I was just telling my Yuuta that he needed to find someone and settle down as well. You have the ability to marry above your current station in life and secure a more… noble position in society."

Haruhi had to swallow the bile that arose in her throat, and then she reminded herself to bait the woman and not argue with her… and this is where she utilized everything she learned as a member of the Ouran High School Host Club. Grabbing her silverware, she looked at her plate and then used the upwards glance that Tamaki had taught her soon after she joined the club and said, "Yes, ma'am. I want to get married and have children, but my career is also important to me. That being said, I also want to take care of my father. He has taken care of me for so long." She paused and sighed before continuing, "And I know there are times he takes extra shifts just to provide for me. I don't think I could marry a stranger and I would want someone that will take care of me as well." Letting Megumi interpret that however she wanted to, the brunette took a bite of her food and choked it down. The food tasted great, but being around this woman affected her appetite.

"My oldest son is so bright and gifted. He is also loving and I know he would make someone a wonderful husband. He would also make sure anyone he was with… well, her family would be very well provided for in addition to her own wants and needs."

Swallowing her bite, Haruhi nodded, "He is a wonderful man. Since I have gotten to know him, he has become a very good friend."

"You two would look so adorable together…" Megumi noticed the drop of her guest's head and figured the girl was thinking about her previous relationship; although, in the mother's eyes it couldn't have been that serious since there was no way the Haninozuka family would let a commoner in, and Haruhi and Chika broke up so easily and quickly. "Well, I know that you are still working through lost love, but they say when looking for love, many times it is the person standing right next to you."

"Yes, they do say that." Hesitating for a moment, Haruhi asked, "I thought that Yuuta's persuasion was not of the female gender though."

"Oh no! That was because he didn't want to marry the girl we originally picked out for him. He threw this big stink and lied so that she would call off the wedding." The lie had been rehearsed as was the story they had conjured to explain the rumors surrounding Yuuta.

"Is that so?"

Giggling, Megumi nodded, "Yes. My son is not gay. He just hasn't met the right girl, but you… you're different. I've never seen him treat a woman so caringly. I do believe my son has fallen for you. Of course that is just girl talk and stays between us."

"Of course it does."

"And if I may be so bold to say… Yuuta is a better catch than that Yasuchika Haninozuka. My son is the heir and first son and can guaranty your future. Much better than a second son that will inherit nothing and who can't even begin to compare to his older brother; however, if you ask me, that whole family is in need of some serious help. Which I'm sure you know that first hand. The oldest indulges in cake and stuffed animals, the youngest has a temper… and then there is their relations to the Morinozuka… Well, the Kondo is a much better family."

"I… I know what you mean."

She never realized Haruhi was recording everything or that she wasn't actually agreeing with the matriarch as Megumi steamrolled ahead, "And as soon as my son told me about you and how much he likes you, well I will admit that I had my people do a little checking on you. I was a little concerned that you were a commoner yourself, excuse my rudeness if you are offended…"

"No, not at all. I have been called worse."

Smiling, the mother continued, "Well, I had you checked out and I have to say that I am thoroughly impressed. However, that awful information about Yasuchika…" She paused for dramatic effect and waited for Haruhi to take the bait.

"What about Chika?" The brunette asked, pretending to rise to the challenge.

"I'm sure you have already figured it out, but to know he was cheating on you. It is a such shame! You are better off without him. My people who were following him, did break up a tryst or two during their investigation."

"Broke up… tryst? You mean at the mall?"

"Yes, I do believe that was one of the times."

"He told me someone threw a star at him."

"No. I believe it was thrown to the side when he was about to kiss someone. I just didn't want to see you hurt more than you would already be. Additionally, I have information that states the Haninozuka family were not going to allow Yasuchika to further his relationship with you. They were the ones that set up some of the other dates. They didn't want you as part of their family. Plus, those friends of yours… they considered you nothing more than a charity project."

"He lied? They were…" Haruhi really hoped Megumi was buying her act.

"I'm sorry dear, but it looks like he has been dating another girl from Ouran for a few months now which his mother arranged. Her name is…"

Interrupting her hostess, Haruhi asked, "Kame Abe?"

"Yes! Yes, that's the name I received."

"Oh." Was she laying it on too thick? Haruhi didn't think so, but she still had to be careful and tread lightly.

Megumi set her silverware down and gave her guest a pitying expression. Sighing, offered, "If you would like, I can give you a copy of the report and pictures I received. I don't know if that would make it harder or easier for you. I do want you to know that Yuuta would never do something as horrendous as cheat on you like that and we would welcome a woman of your caliber into our family with open arms."

"Thank you, Megumi-san. I'm sorry, but I don't really feel…"

"Completely understandable."

"Could I… could I get a copy of everything?"

"Of course my dear. I will see to it this very moment," the mother smiled and stood up. In truth, she already had the packet prepared just in case.

Haruhi sat there and did her best to look more downtrodden than pissed off. However, if anyone present believed she was mad, they would probably figure it was directed towards Chika, her former friends, and the Haninozuka.

Once she received the proof from Megumi, Haruhi made her excuses and got out of there, and as soon as she crossed the threshold of her home, she called Kyoya.

"Haruhi, I believe I said…"

"Can it senpai!" Haruhi interrupted. If someone were listening in, they would probably assume she was upset with an ex-friend, but it was far from the truth. "Look Megumi-san just gave me everything she dug up on you, Chika, and everyone else. I can't believe you!"

Kyoya smiled knowing exactly what she was saying, "If you would like to get together to discuss this, I believe I can arrange a meeting."

"Yah, I have a few things to say to you and I would rather say it in person!"

"Well, then please do come over," Kyoya stated before hanging up the phone. He was very interested in seeing exactly what Haruhi collected from the enemy, and if he was right, soon they would be taking Megumi down… not that he hadn't already started.