A/N: Let me just leave this here before I forget to update again...

"Thank you, kachou," Sakura repeated one more time as she bowed at the doorway and closed the door behind her as she went back to her little cubicle.

She let out an overwhelmed huff as her eyes widened, thinking about what her kachou just told her.

It was settled. She was going to get promoted. It was going to happen. No doubt about it.

Her heart raced as she felt her face heat up. She was both extremely flattered and surprised.

Why? Because never in her life did she ever think that she was going to get a promotion this quickly and without actually actively trying to get a promotion. She's only been with Uchiha for not even a year and she's already being considered and offered a promotion.

She gripped the edge of her desk to steady and ground herself.

It was very humbling. For the higher-ups to really consider her for a promotion, they must've been really satisfied with her work. She couldn't stop the proud smile from spreading across her face. She probably looked like an idiot right now, smiling so big at nothing.

Sure, her kachou had told her about the possibility of a promotion last month, but that was only the possibility. Now that it's been finalized, she couldn't wrap her mind around it and she still hasn't been officially offered the promotion.

Damnit, Sakura, get yourself under control.

She tensed as she slapped both of her cheeks to clear her mind. "Ow," she whined quietly. Not the best way to clear your mind, but it was definitely an effective one as the pain let her focus on her work.

She can't keep thinking about it.

She had work to do.

Kakashi sulked.

It was hard, but he'd finally come to terms with his inner turmoil.

He's been friend-zoned. That he already knew. But what was really hard for him to accept was that he wasn't getting out of it. Ever.

If Sakura's reaction at the gala was anything to go by.

Sure, she looked shell-shocked at seeing his face. But she wasn't affected in the way he wanted her to be. She didn't have hearts in her eyes, she didn't sport a blush that took over her face, she didn't have any lust in her eyes.

Kakashi thumped his head not-so-lightly on his table.

For some reason, he knew that it was going to end up like this.

The only upside was that she didn't show any attraction to his fellow exec either. Even if he looked particularly dashing in his tailored tux. It was a lose-lose situation for the both of them.

Neither of them got the girl.

Kakashi raised his head and rested his chin on the table.

Then there was the confrontation after Sakura ran away from him.

His eyebrows furrowed in thought.

Now that definitely didn't go the way anyone thought it would. They were all so sure that it was either Sasuke, Itachi, or their cousin. Kakashi didn't even know their cousin was involved with Sakura. He didn't know their cousin personally, but he's heard of him through them, his older brother Shisui, and in the news as a successful artist.

The way Sakura said that it couldn't have been Sai left a lot of openings, openings that anyone could fill in.

They've slept together before. He must've been the one Sakura was with that one time when Genma was sulking about how Sakura had an afterglow.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes.

Then that would mean that there was a higher chance that Rei was his. But then Sakura said that they had met, therefore slept together, after Rei was born. And Sai knew that. He was probably doing it just for the kicks and to rub it in their faces that he's been with their blossom before and they haven't.

Kakashi let out a low growl.

He didn't like that idea.

Then he let out a defeated huff.

It's not like he can do anything about it. He wasn't Sakura's boyfriend or anything. He wasn't even the one that she invited into her bed. He was only the friend whom she got coffee with once in a while.

A gray cloud appeared over his head and rained over him, showing the despair in his heart.

He'll forever be in the friend-zone. And he's slowly coming to terms with it. Slowly. Very slowly.

Kakashi wasn't even allowed to wallow in his grief for that long as his slave-driver of a secretary burst through the door and started yelling at him to do his work and then added to it, dumping a stack of files into his IN basket.

He cried anime tears on the inside and a little on the outside.

Why you no give break, life?!

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Shikamaru stuffed his hand into his pockets.

Sasuke looked up at him from the manilla folder. He didn't say anything as he looked back down at it. He opened it and stared at the form.

His eyes slowly ran over the large, bold characters printed across the top with a harsh line under them.

Petition for Divorce

He looked back up at his lawyer for the case. "Yes. I'm sure."

Shikamaru frowned. "Troublesome."

He fixed his gaze on his client. "You know that shit's gonna hit fan as soon as you bring this up? Karin's gonna go berserk, and your parents will do everything in their power to keep you from going through with it. And think about your son, will you?"

Sasuke glared at the man. He didn't need him to tell him that. He knew from the very beginning, before he even asked for the divorce form that things were going to get ugly. Especially with the tension left between Karin and him from their fallout.

"Just help me file this," Sasuke said flatly.

Shikamaru clicked his tongue but nodded unwillingly. He was an attorney. Though he didn't usually deal with separation cases, he knew how to do them. This was his job. He turned on his heel to leave. With his hand on the doorknob, he spoke over his shoulder and said, "Fill out the form. I'll file it for you, but dealing with your family, that's all on you."

Then he left.

"Che." Sasuke clenched his fist and slammed it on the desk.

No matter how hard it'll be, he'll get through it, and then he'll be free and one step closer to making Sakura his and only his. His eyes darkened with desire just from the thought of her becoming his.

He set to work filling out the form.

Sai whistled lightly as he made his way across the lobby. No matter how many times he's been here, he's always been impressed with the décor and the interior design. It was modern and sophisticated, the very image of power and influence.

He's only ever been here a few times so he didn't know where everything was. But he did know where his uncle's and his baby cousin's office was.

He smirked. Maybe he'll drop by and pay him a visit after he was done doing whatever his uncle wanted him to do.

Sai pressed the button for the elevator.

What did his uncle want him to do? Sure, he said that he wanted him to appraise a painting of his. But was Sai's opinion really needed? He was sure that his uncle probably didn't care what he thought and he had asked him to come in for another matter.

He pursed his lips, trying to think of what it could be. His mind came up blank.

He got onto the elevator that just arrived with everyone else that had been waiting. He pushed the button for the top floor and headed to the back.

His uncle was a mystery to him. He only saw him as his father's cold older brother and his cousins' stern father. They were related by blood. That's all. They didn't have a bond like some other families had.

No. The Uchihas weren't like that.

Sure, Sai's own family was closer and friendlier, but they were considered the black sheep of the family. They were the weird and different. They were all successful, but not in the typical Uchiha-type field. Most Uchiha's stuck to the medical, business, legal, or academic field. With his father as a director and a photographer, his older as a model and an actor, and he, himself, as an artist and a tattoo artist, their occupations were very unconventional in Uchiha terms.

But he wouldn't change his occupation for anything. He regretted nothing when picking art school over business school.

If he hadn't, then he wouldn't have found such joy doing his job. He enjoyed painting, drawing, and tattooing. It was barely a job for him. It was his passion.

Besides, if he wasn't an artist, then he wouldn't have met Sakura.

He smiled at that.

When they first met, they had strictly artist-customer interactions, which included him pissing her off as he does with everyone else. Then he saw her bare back. He was stunned for a minute before he was able to get his mind to work again. She didn't notice a thing. As he did her tattoo in several sessions, since it was a very elaborate piece, he got to know her better, and as the tattoo came along, he felt a budding attraction towards.

He stayed professional until the end, even when he asked to sketch her so that he could paint her. He didn't make a move on her until the very end, after he was done with the sketch and after he saw the desire in her eyes, too.

Before they sealed the deal, he had been honest with her and told her that she was the only customer he's ever made a move on. It was the truth. Never before had he ever felt so attracted to a customer.

They had an on and off strictly-sexual relationship. If she wanted someone to warm her bed, he was there. If he needed somewhere to hide or lay low for a while, her place was open.

He didn't care that she had a kid.

Actually, seeing her with little Rei was what made him really fall for her. Sure, he's been with other women since he's met her, but they were only quick lays for when he had to hold himself back from completely ravishing Sakura. He had to hide his feelings. Why? Because they had agreed in the beginning that they weren't looking for a relationship. But here he was, completely smitten by her.

She definitely was a charmer. With that smile of hers and those eyes that just sparkled when she laughed, she could have anyone eating out the palm of her hand and twisted around her little finger.

Sai was the last to get off the elevator and made his way to his uncle's office, greeting his secretary on his way.

Then he remembered something. Sakura worked here, too.

He'll definitely find where her department was and visit her after he was done here. He smirked. She'll definitely be surprised to see him in her workplace.

But right now, he needed to deal with this first.

Sai knocked and waited for permission to enter.

"Come in."

"Haruno speaking. Ah, yes, kachou." She blinked. "Uchiha Sasuke-sama?"

Pause. No, not Uchiha Sasuke. Uchiha Fugaku, the CEO. Her eyes widened.

Pause. She led out the breath she was holding but the butterflies started again. "Thank you, kachou, I'll be on my way right now."

She nodded at what he said next even though she knew that it couldn't be seen. "Thank you."

She was about to hang up when she heard, "Oh, and Haruno-kun?"

She held the receiver back up to her ear. "Yes, kachou?"

"Good luck. I know you can do it."

She smiled. Even through all that she's put him through, he was still very thoughtful. "Thank you, kachou."

She hung up, took a deep breath, and made her way up to the top floor.

Sai stepped into the large office, closed the door behind him, and walked further in. His uncle was working on something and hadn't acknowledged him.

Then he looked up. "Ah, Sai."

Sai watched as he put his pen down, got up from his desk, and walked over to him. "This is the painting." He gestured to one of the walls.

Sai turned his head to see a large painting hanging on its own wall. Even with just the first look, he could see why. It was a magnificent painting. He looked back to see his uncle watching him. Slightly unnerved, he looked back at the painting, taking a closer look to find what his uncle was expecting him to see.

He looked at it for a little while longer until he saw it. And when he did, he froze.

It was the same exact composition. There was something missing, but the rest of it was exactly the same. His eyes widened in disbelief. It couldn't be. It can't be.

He took a step closer to really examine the painting. He could still feel his uncle's eyes on him.

His heart started racing when he confirmed that his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. He looked back at his uncle and saw that he saw what he was supposed to see. Looking back at the painting, he couldn't help but feel betrayed.

It was the same as the sketch. The exact same.

Without another look at his uncle, he stormed out of the room, unreasonably angry and panicky.

He needed to get out of here. He couldn't stand the thought of being in the same room as his uncle anymore. He needed to clear his mind to think clearly.

He smashed the elevator button, thinking that it'd make it come faster. When it finally did, he thanked kami and practically dove into it. He didn't care that his uncle's secretary was probably looking at him weirdly.

He just needed to get out of there.

He was so perturbed by his revelation that he didn't even notice his love interest coming out of the other elevator.

Sakura wrung her hands as she walked from the elevator to the CEO's office, greeting his secretary on her way.

She was beyond nervous.

She was usually a pretty level-headed person, so why was she having such a big reaction?

Well it had to do with the fact that she was getting promoted, by the CEO.

The C. E. O!

Any other employee would also be wigging out right along beside her.

She took a deep breath to steady herself as she knocked on the door. Her knocks were quiet at first until she strengthened her resolved and knocked harder with more confidence.

She waited with bated breath for permission to enter.

"Come in."

The butterflies in her stomach seemed to explode into a flurry of action, making her even a bit queasy.

She placed her hand on doorknob and turned it.

It also had to do with the fact that the CEO was not only the CEO but also because he was Rei's father.

A/N: Kyak kyak kyak kyak kyak! I'm deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeevious!

That caught you by surprise, didn't it? Well most of you guys, at least, because there were a few reviewers that were speculating in the right direction, but only one person really caught me red-handed. And that was back in Chapter 21. So shout out to RebellAngell21!

Here's her review that had me laughing my head off:

"Sneaky. Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky sneaky! You hid Rei's father in plain site and in such a way that no one would have thought about it! No one! Who would have thought that Fugaku-the Fugaku!- would have had an affair? But! He is after all an emotional person, a closed off one though as he admitted. I can only see him truly becoming himself when alone or drunk or in her presence. I really hope I'm right lol."

If you wanna know what she's talking about, then I invite you to go back and read everything over with these new lenses (;D).

Also, there was a significant decrease in reviews for the last chapter...my muse is lonely...love it *tears*!

Thanks for reading and please review! (I nervously wait for your responses...)

Updated – 12/12/2015

P.S. - It is only hindsight did I realize that this was such a loaded chapter, lol...