DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ouran.

THE CONTRACT: 2

By Kalachuchi

Clause 12: The contract will be considered null and void as soon as the employee has finished working off the amount of what the employer invested on her (including taxes, allowances, the money borrowed by the employee's father, or any equipment/furniture that the employee had broken, lost or caused malfunction in its operation).

Clause 12.A: If the employee wishes to extend her stay in the company, she may do so after signing a new contract with the employer.

In the past two weeks that Haruhi had been working for Kyoya, she realized that not everything was as bad as it seemed. Ever since she became his assistant, she was learning things that she would never had found out if she were in her previous career. Like, one: she never knew that some people could actually taste the difference between a coffee that was stirred clockwise from the one that was stirred counter clockwise. (Kyoya did.)

Two, Kyoya never arrived in the office before ten in the morning. It has been an essential knowledge to everyone who worked for him not to call (unless if it is extremely important) before the said time, if they value their lives and jobs. Messengers of early phone calls were known to be shot dead if they disturb the youngest Ootori from his sleep. Fortunately, Haruhi had not been in any situation that would have force her to call him. At least, not yet.

Three, the employees of the company were all pretty decent people with good hearts who were just unlucky to have Kyoya as their boss.

And four, being Kyoya's personal assistant really sucks. But still, Haruhi pondered thoughtfully, she could have been in a worse situation. Her father might be already in jail and she could be too, if she could not be able to pay all those people she's in debt with. So, she guessed this would just have to do as of the moment.

Sometimes, Haruhi could not help but wonder if Someone Up There was watching and guiding her through these dark and difficult times because she honestly thought that it's a miracle that she had survived this long. In fact, the only time that she actually had to talk and see him was when he asks for his coffee or when he wants her to do a report on something. Besides, Kyoya had, so far, been in a really good mood and had not been tormenting her for the past three days (a record by his standards) even if he does seem to enjoy doing that a lot, so she guessed not everything was lost for her. Come to think of it, she could add that to the list of things that she had learned

Five, Ootori Kyoya's favorite hobby is tormenting people. Not that she didn't know that before, but still, having it confirmed assured her that she was not merely paranoid.

"Haruhi," Kyoya's voice came over the phone's speaker. Haruhi quickly cleared her mind and focused her attention on the stapler in front her, just in case Kyoya can pick up brain waves through analog devices as well. "Could you come in here for a moment?"

Right. The start of a new, bright day, she thought wryly. She got up and went inside his office. "Senpai, you called – " Haruhi stopped in her tracks as her gaze fell on a frame that hung just behind Kyoya's desk. She stared as she realized what it was.

"Kyoya-senpai," she said, twitching, "what is my contract of employment doing on your wall?"

Kyoya glanced at it for a second before he returned to his computer. "Ah, you noticed it."

She exhaled sharply.

"I actually wanted to use the Rembrandt painting I bought last month but since I had an extra frame lying around and seeing as this room seems to be in need of a cheer, I decided to have my men place your contract on a frame and to hang it on the wall instead. It's nice isn't it?"

He chose to torture her over displaying Rembrandt's painting? How lovely. She gritted her teeth. "It's supposed to cheer people up?"

"Yes."

"Like who, may I ask?"

Kyoya eyes slowly flicked towards her. "Like me," he said calmly, sounding as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Anyway," he pushed a thick folder towards her on the table, "I was wondering whether you could do a report on this one. You can pass it tomorrow."

Knowing that she couldn't do anything about Kyoya's new display on the wall, she slowly took the folder and shuffled through it, frowning. She took a deep breath. "You know, senpai, I'm not really good at these kind of things," she admitted. "Maybe if you could just ask me to do other stuff, like – "

The sound of typing stopped. Kyoya raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you complaining about the type of work I'm giving you?"

"Well," she said slowly, "no." Haruhi crossed her finger behind her back. Actually, I am.

Kyoya watched her as he leaned back on his seat. "Haruhi, if you're worried about the quality of work that you are doing, then you must know that I am impressed with what you have shown me so far. In fact," he raised an eyebrow, "are you sure you don't want this… work arrangement permanent?"

Permanent? She shuddered inwardly "No, senpai. I don't."

"Really?" He paused. "Even if I, let's say, double your salary?"

Double it? But… Haruhi blinked, mentally computing, that would be more than what I'll be earning in the law firm for 5 months.

"Or, I don't know," Kyoya continued, watching her intently. "Triple it, if I'm feeling generous enough."

Triple? Wow, that's – Haruhi paused. Wait, Kyoya? Generous? That doesn't sound right. She looked at him and suddenly she frowned. He's baiting her, wasn't he? Waiting to see if she's going to fall for his trap?

"No," she said. "I appreciate all the favors that you have done for me, but I did not study law for many years just to end up being your assistant. In fact –" She straightened up. "In fact, I'll be handing my resignation as soon as I've worked off everything I owe you."

Silence.

Kyoya raised an eyebrow. "Resign? You are aware that there is a monetary condition that is required if you do that"

"Well, I'll just have to work off the required payment then. And as soon as I've paid everything, I'll leave."

"You're going to work off the required payment? I wonder how long before that happens."

She twitched. "Besides," she continued, trying to ignore his comment, "I don't really understand why you would want me to continue working for you. I don't think you would have a hard time finding a new secretary. With all your… convincing power and all."

Pause. "You're right. I'm sure I can find someone else who wants the job more than you. Someone who would really appreciate all the favors that I have done to keep them in their work. It's just that I made a promise to your father and I wouldn't be the one to break that."

Well, if Kyoya's trying to make her feel guilty, it's not going to work. She held the folder tightly in her arms. "I'll be outside if you need me," she said as she closed the door behind her.

Her back was already aching from typing Kyoya's stupid report and she leaned back on the chair, closing her eyes. She never knew it was this hard to be a secretary. She was not sure if it really was difficult to become one or it's just because she's working for Kyoya. She massaged her neck gently, trying to loosen up her tired muscles. Her gaze fell on her watch.

11:45

Her heart jumped. She had always loved this time of the day, because in roughly fifteen minutes, she would be having her lunch break. For one glorious hour, she will be away from this desk, away from this computer and most especially, away from Kyoya.

Ah, happy thoughts. She smiled gleefully.

The phone rang and she picked it up. She wondered what she should eat for lunch. The food in the canteen were a lot expensive than the one she used to buy in the law firm, but it was all worth it. Everything looks absolutely heavenly. Her stomach grumbled in agreement. She wondered if she should buy that chocolate cake for dessert. Maybe it's okay to indulge herself once in a while, isn't it?

"Hello," she greeted pleasantly.

"Haruhi, why the hell did you turn the speaker off? I've been trying to contact you."

Not even Kyoya can destroy her mood.

"I'm sorry senpai. I must have pressed the button by mistake." Accidentally on purpose, she added silently. She glanced at her watch again. Five more minutes. She smiled. "Is there anything I can do for you?" she asked smoothly.

"I just received an email from my father, asking me to go to a sponsored exhibition of his friend in the museum. He can't make it, so I'm going to go instead."

An afternoon without Kyoya? Oh, this day is just her lucky day. She stifled a chuckle. Instead, she reached for her memo pad and wrote what Kyoya had said.

"Right," she said as she finished writing. "Anything else?"

"Yes. I want you to come with me."

Haruhi stopped. She checked the phone cord, wondering if it got cut off or something. She must have heard wrong. No, come to think of it, she must be really hungry for her to be hearing things. "I'm sorry. There was something wrong with the line. What were you saying?"

She heard him sigh. "I said I want you to come with me. Bring the report you finished yesterday just in case the business deal comes up. At least, we are prepared."

No. This can't be happening. An afternoon with Kyoya? Haruhi blinked. "You want me to come with you?" she echoed. "B-but, senpai, my sanity - my mental health –"

"Your what?"

"I mean, my lunch break," she panicked wildly, "I - need – to – have - my - lunch - break!"

"They'll be serving free lunch," he said patiently. "We'll be leaving in a few minutes. Don't forget the report." And before she could protest any further, he had hung up.

Haruhi sat still very quietly, the phone still on her ear. Her one hour of freedom… her one, measly hour of complete sanity… She closed her eyes painfully.

Someone Up There must have had a change of heart.

"This is fun," Haruhi muttered under her breath, thirty minutes later as they walked through the hallway of the museum. She ignored the curators who gave her disapproving looks because of her casual attire. It's not like it was her fault she's dressed that way. Kyoya did not exactly inform her of their itineraryy for this day beforehand, did he? But she couldn't help but wonder that Kyoya might be expecting this little trip. He had changed into an expensive black Armani suit, the one that he always wore during important meetings.

"Don't say anything blunt to anyone we meet, Haruhi," Kyoya was saying as they turned around the corner. "The last thing I'll need is to have diplomat problems right now. This afternoon is very crucial to me and to the company. Having Matsumoto-san's backing for this expansion project is important or my father will never agree to this." He paused, eyeing her. "Better yet, just don't talk to anyone."

Haruhi frowned at him, feeling as if Kyoya had somehow insulted her. "I'm not allowed to speak now? I don't remember that part in the contract, Kyoya-senpai."

"It's not part of the contract, but still –"

"Ootori-kun," came a booming voice behind them. A burly, tall, white-haired man grinned at him and Haruhi thought he looked like a cheerful bear. She opened her mouth but Kyoya gave her a quieting glance. Kyoya pushed his glasses up and a charming smile crossed his face.

"Matsumoto-san," he greeted, shaking hands with him. "It's a pleasure to meet you. My father sends his regards –"

"Ahhh," Matsumoto waved him off. "That father of yours should take a break sometimes. He's always working, that old dog." He chuckled at his own joke before eyeing Kyoya. "But you. Look at you now. It seems just like yesterday when you were just a little boy, playing around with that laptop of yours. Are you working for your father, then?"

"Yes."

Matsumoto nodded solemnly. "Ah, that's a good boy. You should learn how to run the business as early as now. You are, I assume, still planning to head the Ootori Empire?"

Haruhi felt Kyoya stiffened slightly but he gave no indication of any discomfort. Instead he bowed slightly at Matsumoto. "I'm pleased to be in my father's service, whether in the Head Office or not. We Ootori have always valued the importance of perfection wherever and whenever we are."

Matsumoto laughed and gave a fatherly pat on Kyoya's shoulder, causing the younger man to blink. "You really are Yoshio's son, my boy. Very polite. And now, who's this?" He suddenly turned and looked at Haruhi.

Kyoya straightened up. "This is my new assistant, Fujioka Haruhi. She just began working for me –"

"Well I'll be," Matsumoto exclaimed, squinting at Haruhi. "Fujioka Haruhi, eh? Are you that lawyer who handled the civil case of the Agrarian farmers? I was impressed with the way you won that case. Really impressed."

Haruhi blinked. She glanced at Kyoya, wondering if it was okay for her to speak and he gave a curt nod. "Yes. That was the last case I handled before - before I began working for Kyoya."

"Oh? You changed careers? How come?"

She pursed her lips. Talking about it brings back a lot of bad memories. "Because my father –"

"-Is a very good friend of mine and he asked for a tiny favor to help her daughter," Kyoya cut in, smiling. "It's a long story, but who am I to refuse a friend in need?" Haruhi frowned at him. That wasn't what she wanted to say, that lying bastard.

"So you're not going to going back to law anymore?" Matsumoto asked and Haruhi turned her attention back at him. "You will be a great loss to that business, young lady."

"Oh. I'll be back. Being a lawyer is what I have always wanted to do since I was young," she said. "As soon I paid off every-"

"Ah, Haruhi, look. They started serving food," Kyoya said, adjusting his glasses. He gestured at the other side of the hall. "I know you've been working really hard and I don't want you to miss your lunch just because of me so you can go ahead."

Haruhi stared at him. Kyoya smiled at Matsumoto.

"She's always working hard, sometimes I think she'd forget to take care of herself," he confided, a concerned look on his face. Matsumoto shook her head.

"Fujioka-san, you should be lucky Kyoya-kun here is a very understanding person, but you should also take care of your body too," Matsumoto said gently. "You should be thankful Kyoya's looking after your well-being. Not all employers can be this kind."

Haruhi twitched.

"We'll just meet you later, Haruhi," Kyoya said pleasantly as he and Matsumoto started to walk towards the main exhibit room. "You go ahead and have fun."

Have fun, huh? Haruhi rolled her eyes and turned around. That wouldn't be any problem if people would just leave her alone.

Clause 13: In the event the employee still wishes to resign before the contract ends and it is with the employer's consent, she is obliged to pay the contract fee of eight hundred-fifty thousand yen (850,000 yen) and to wait the standard fifteen (15) days before she can formally leave the company.

Clause 13.A: It is up to the discretion of the employer to accept the said resignation or not.

"Hello," a young man greeted behind her as she headed for a table. She turned. He smiled and offered his hand. Haruhi glanced at her hands, her left carrying a plate, while the other holding her drink. She reluctantly put down her glass of punch and shook his hand. "I'm Keiichi by the way. Media," he said as he showed her his ID. "I don't believe I've seen you around before."

"Haruhi. And yes, this is my first time here."

"So," Keiichi gestured at the other side of the room, where the paintings were displayed. "You're into art?"

Haruhi followed his gaze but got distracted by the seven-layer cake that was being pushed from a cart to the table on the side, each layer decorated with colorful designs. She stared.

"I mean, no offense to all these dead people, but it's not like your life will change if you stare at their paintings for a whole hour, isn't it?" Keiichi said as he wrinkled his nose at a canvas near the door.

Haruhi glanced at her plate and wondered if she could get the strawberry-flavored part on the second layer.

"I've never liked museums, you know," he continued enthusiastically, "but we've got a new boss and he wants to try a different angle for our paper. Which is stupid, if you ask me. We're tabloid writers, not literary magazines. Our readers don't care whether an artist made a painting or not. They want to read about scandals and gore and-"

Should I just go there and cut a piece? She wondered. She looked around. No one seemed to have noticed the cake. Are they just ignoring it or no should go get one yet?

"- do you, Haruhi-san?"

She blinked. She looked up at him. Damn. She forgot who she was talking to. What was his name again? It has something to do with food, wasn't it? What was it again? Kitchen… no, Kitkat? That was stupid… Kin.. Kei…

"Haruhi-san?"

She smiled and nodded. "Absolutely," she agreed, although she had no idea what he was talking about, least of all his name. His face brightened, and he looked at her curiously.

"Oh, you do? You like scandals too? What kind?"

What the hell is this guy talking about? "Um… you know, the usual." She tried to casually walk towards the cake but he followed her still.

"Maybe you've read my works? I think I'm a pretty good writer, to tell you the truth," he said proudly, walking beside her. Why can't he just stay where he is? She frowned.

"Eh? Oh. I guess your works are really… interesting." She reached the table and took a glance around. No one looked like they were going to stop her so she greedily reached out and cut a large piece of cake and placed it on her plate.

"Really? I've never met anyone who liked my writings before!" She took a bite and a heavenly smile filled her face. Keiichi beamed back at her. "Can you give me suggestions on how I can write better?" he asked hopefully. "Not that I need tips or anything… but, just in case?"

"Just keep on doing what you want to do," she said absently as she eyed a tray of scallops. Then, following her own advice, she walked towards it.

"Eh? You think so?" Keiichi asked as he followed her again.

"Oh yes." She began to fill her plate with generous heaping of scallops.

"You know, that's what I keep telling myself too," he said. He smiled as he leaned back on the wall. He nodded to himself before he finally focused on her. He glanced at her full plate. "Wow. You look famished."

"I need a lot of energy for my job," she said, chewing.

"Really? What do you do?"

She thought about it. "I have to make coffee that should be stirred counter clockwise or else my boss would make me do it all over again, type a five-page report and hand it over in a couple of hours, go to social events that I have no idea what they are about when all I want is just to stay in the office and finish my paper works, deal with the constant blackmailing from my employer and, try not to do anything out of my contract with him if I don't want my father to be in jail."

He whistled. "That sounds like a job from hell," he commented.

"I know," she said, taking a sip from her punch. "I'm a secretary."

"Oh." He blinked and took a sip of his drink too.

Haruhi grabbed another cup of the drink. It tasted a bit weird and it has this bitter after-taste. But she really feels good drinking it, like there's a warm sensation down her throat and into her stomach. She gulped it down.

"So who do you work for? I can write an article about your boss, if you like. Tell the world what kind of man you are working for. Then you'll get your revenge." He grinned.

Haruhi paused. "Well, he's the most arrogant, rich bastard I've ever met and I think he really enjoys seeing people in distress and even adds to their problem if they're not being miserable enough. But he is still my employer and I am bounded by law not to say anything bad about him so I would have to refuse your offer." She calmly took a sip, before smiling at him. "But thanks anyway."

He stared at her for a moment before throwing his head back in laughter. "You are funny."

She looked at him in confusion. She blinked and then, suddenly, something clicked at the back of her mind. "Wait a minute. You're not hitting on me are you?" she asked worriedly. She looked anxiously around her.

"Excuse me?"

"Or flirting with me? Trying to catch my attention?" She widened her eyes at him.

Keiichi stared at her. He scratched his neck for a moment. He had always been unsuccessful in his love life and here's a woman who's openly asking if he likes her. She's not that bad, actually. She's really pretty too, if you can get past the attitude. Feeling lucky about the sudden weird change of events, he leaned towards her casually. "Now that you mentioned it, you are quite interesting, and I'll be free tonight so I was wondering if –"

"Because you're going to get us both in trouble if you are," she continued, not listening as her forehead creased in worry. "Clause 21 says that if he catches me trying to enjoy the company of other men during office hours and having discussions that are not related to work and business, I'll be violating the contract." She paused. "And you'll be incurring the same punishment too, I guess, so if you don't mind –"

"Clause –? What?"

"Clause 21," she repeated. "I really can't afford any violation of the contract since I'm planning to resign soon, though of course now I have to think of how I can pay him the eight hundred fifty thousand yen for my release from his contract and –"

"Just – Just wait a minute," he exclaimed. "Who with a twisted mind would think up of a clause like that?"

"My employer." She hesitated, wondering if it will be out of contract if she answered him. "Ootori Kyoya."

Silence.

"Ootori… Kyoya?"

She nodded. She drank her punch to calm her nerves.

"The youngest son of Ootori Yoshio? The one they say has the biggest chance of being the heir to the Ootori Empire?"

She took a sip of her drink before nodding. This is really addictive, she thought, staring at her drink.

"I know him," Keiichi said thoughtfully. "He's the one who made my previous boss get kicked out of his job and from the country as well."

"Eh?" She looked at him. "Why?"

"He misspelled Ootori Kyoya's name in his last article," Keiichi replied, shrugging. "My boss is really interested in him because we heard he's a close friend of the Prime Minister and the Secretary of National Defense."

She sputtered on her drink.

"And not just the Prime Minister of Japan. I think he met those other Ministers in one of the Economic Summits that Japan is part of. There are also these stories going around that he holds a lot of contacts inside Pentagon, FBI, CIA and the KGB," he continued conversationally, counting with his fingers. He frowned and thought hard. "And that he's got this major influence, the White House have reserved a special guest room for him whenever he comes to visit their country."

She blinked, silently praying that she will never get into Kyoya's bad side. And just to be sure, she'll avoid going to America from now on. Or Russia. Or any other country with Prime Ministers and FBI in them. Come to think of it, maybe it's a good idea not to get out of Japan at all. Or her apartment. Or her bedroom. Or –

"Hey," he squinted at her, "is it true that there's a torture chamber in his house?"

She swallowed hard. "I –I certainly hope not," she said, worried about her health and safety.

"But," Keiichi said brightly, "those are all just rumors, I suppose. I don't think any of those are even true. I mean, what kind of man would he be, right?"

Haruhi gulped down her drink nervously. Ootori Kyoya and his special friends. She hoped she would never get to meet them. Keiichi glanced at the pile of empty plates beside Haruhi.

"No wonder you need energy," he said sympathetically. "It's a miracle you're still alive." Haruhi couldn't have agreed more. Keiichi paused then his face brightened. "Hang on, is it true that he –"

"That he is standing right behind you?" came a low, dry voice just as a dark shadow fell over them. Keiichi and Haruhi suddenly stiffened.

Eeep… Haruhi shut her eyes painfully, asked for her mother's protection before they slowly turned around. Kyoya pushed his opaque eyeglasses and smiled at them. Haruhi took a step back cautiously.

"I didn't know my social life was that fascinating," Kyoya said, amused. She opened her mouth to speak but found her voice missing. Kyoya wasn't waiting for her answer though, and instead he glanced at Keiichi. "Tanaka Keiichi-san, we've never been introduced before but it's really flattering to know you have such interest in my life. How is your family? Are they still in Kyoto? How about your sister Yuki?"

A pause, then - "How did you know about them?" Keiichi asked, suspiciously. Kyoya adjusted his glasses and smiled at him. A soft, guileless smile that you would see on an innocent 7-year old boy when asking Mommy, is Santa Claus real?

"I always make it a point to know," Kyoya deadpanned.

There was a short, cold silence. After what seemed like forever, Keiichi suddenly turned at Haruhi. "Well," he said in an unusually bright voice, "it was really nice to be discussing… business with you, Haruhi-san. And the, um, work-related issues we talked about are really, er, inspiring. But I do have to go." He bowed at Kyoya who slightly nodded back before hurrying away from them.

Kyoya pushed his glasses up. "Well, that was fun," he remarked.

"You shouldn't have threatened him, Kyoya-senpai," Haruhi reproved gently, still standing away from him. She frowned at him. "We were just having an innocent conversation."

"I was making conversation with him too. He was the one who rudely left before I could even finish."

She sighed.

He glanced at her. "Matsumoto-san and I will be going upstairs to discuss the business proposal. Do you want to come or are you going to stay here?" He eyed the plate on her hands.

Not a hard choice. "I'll stay."

Kyoya nodded. "I'll probably be back after an hour." He paused. "Try not to break anything here, Haruhi. I don't think you can afford to pay them if you do," Kyoya said as he turned around.

Haruhi glowered at his back. As soon as he was gone, she put down her plate and heaved a heavy sigh of relief. She reached for her glass and poured herself a new drink. She'll just drown herself in this tasty punch while Kyoya's gone.

Clause 15: The employee is required to accompany the employer in any business or social event that the employer deems necessary.

Clause 15.A: In the event that the employee cannot come, it is up to the employer's discretion if it will be considered as a violation of the contract.

"Haruhi."

"…"

"Haruhi."

"…"

"I've only been gone for an hour and you're already slacking off?" came Kyoya's voice. Haruhi raised her head from the table she was laying it on. She tried to peek at him from under one eye but the sudden brightness in the room momentarily blinded her. Her head felt like thousand insects were all drilling in her brain and her throat felt unusually dry. She tried to stand up but her knees gave way and she dropped back to the chair with a flop. Then, suddenly, she laughed.

"What," Kyoya asked dryly, "is funny?"

Haruhi pointed at him and an unstoppable giggle escaped her lips. "Kyoya-senpai… you…" She hiccupped. "You… look…" Hiccup. "Look…"

"I look like what, Haruhi?" Kyoya deadpanned.

"Like someone wearing glasses," she choked before bursting into giggles again. He raised an eyebrow.

"I fail to recognize the humor in that statement."

"I know." She wiped her eyes. "I do too," she said forcefully as a couple of hiccups interrupted her.

Silence.

Kyoya calmly reached for one of the dozen empty glasses that was lying on Haruhi's table and took a sniff at it. His gaze flicked towards her. "I don't believe you've drank this much alcohol before. Don't you have such thing as a spiked punch in your commoner's culinary terms?"

"Al-coo-hull?" She hiccupped.

He adjusted his eyeglass before frowning at her. "I think we better get you back home. You're a danger to yourself, let alone to this business deal on my hands. If Matsumoto-san sees you in this situation, he might regret signing the deal with me,"

"…"

"Haruhi?"

"…"

Sighing, Kyoya took his phone and began to dial. "Bring the car in front. We're leaving."

"Can't you go any faster?" Kyoya said as they sat in the back of the limo a while later. He glanced at Haruhi who was sleeping beside him. "The car's going to reek of alcohol the longer she stays here."

"Yes, Kyoya-sama," the chauffer replied. "We'll be there in three minutes."

Haruhi stirred. She moaned as her head hit the window she was resting on.

"Make it one," Kyoya ordered. "I need to get back to the office as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir."

Kyoya pushed his glasses and narrowed his eyes at Haruhi. "I hope you realize what I've missed because of you, Haruhi," he said, frowning. "This is the first time one of my employees dared to get drunk in my presence. This will go on your record."

No reply. Kyoya pursed his lips. He reached for the briefcase in front him when the car suddenly made a sharp turn. Haruhi was thrown, like a rag doll, across the seat and against his arms. Her head drooped gently on his chest.

Kyoya blinked.

A tense silence filled the car and Kyoya found himself breathing in Haruhi's sweet shampoo. Her hair nuzzled his chin and he – Stay calm, he told himself, stay calm – had the strangest urge to lower his head a few inches more to inhale her smell. But before he could do anything, the car suddenly screeched to a stop. The chauffer rolled down the tinted window that separated them.

"Kyoya-sama, we're here–" The chauffer trailed off as he stared at the scene that greeted him. Kyoya's eyeglasses became clouded but he calmly pushed it up.

"As soon as you've decided to stop enjoying this sight, you might want to help me carry her inside the apartment," he suggested. "And do another reckless turn like that and you're fired."

The chauffer blinked. "Of course Kyoya-sama. I apologize."

And as the chauffer rushed out of the car, Kyoya glanced at the sleeping woman in his arms, trying hard to ignore the nagging sensation churning down his stomach.

Kyoya watched as his chauffer gently laid Haruhi on her bed. He glanced at the spare apartment key on his hand that Ranka had given him two weeks before ("But you're like part of this family already, Kyoya-kun. You should take this. Haruhi wouldn't even miss that," Ranka had insisted, and besides, who was Kyoya to refuse?), glad that he was carrying it around when he did.

"There," the chauffer grunted, straightening up. He looked at his boss. "Are we just going to leave her like this?"

"You go start the car. I'm going to write a note to her father."

The chauffer nodded and walked out of the room, leaving Kyoya and Haruhi alone. Kyoya picked up a memo pad on Haruhi's table and wrote a short explanation to Ranka. Kyoya paused as he was signing his name, then added as a post script: Please tell Haruhi that she is not required to go to work tomorrow as I understand she'll be having a major hangover. I shall ask my men to deliver a dozen roses here tonight, as an apology and hoping that it will help her feel better.

Kyoya reread the note, and nodded with satisfaction. This would do, he thought. He tore the piece of paper and started to leave. Haruhi stirred, and grunted. He paused and watched her.

"Icaemo…" Haruhi moaned. Kyoya blinked.

"Pardon?"

"Icaemooee…"

Kyoya hesitated then cautiously walked towards the bed. Seriously, he can't just leave her like this, can he? He bent over her. "Haruhi?"

"I can't eat any more," she moaned on his ear. He rolled his eyes. Does this woman ever think of anything else besides food?

"Don't worry, no one's going to force you to eat," he said, feeling foolish for speaking to a sleeping (hungry) woman. Her eyes fluttered for a second then slowly opened, and Kyoya found himself staring at the clearest brown eyes he had ever seen.

"Kyoya-senpai?" Haruhi blinked groggily. "What are you doing here?"

He opened his mouth to answer, something along the lines of You could have caused me a business deal and if Matsumoto-san backs out of this, I'm going to add this to your debt, and, oh yes another thing, let's add a couple of working hours for you next Monday for getting drunk which caused me to drive you all the way here, but the words died at the back of his mouth as his eyes fell on her lips - soft, red and strangely tempting. A flash of something hot coursed through his entire body.

"Senpai?" Haruhi sat up, rubbing her temples, but Kyoya was unable to move as he bent over her still.

Her breath smells not unpleasantly of alcohol, but there was something else there he couldn't remember. And as he stared at her still sleepy features, he realized that he couldn't exactly remember anything else. There was a loud buzzing sound that started in his ears, before it was filled with the loud pounding of his heart against his rib cage.

What the hell was happening? He wondered.

Haruhi suddenly reached out and clutched at his suit. Kyoya had to keep steady breaths for him to stay calm. She widened her eyes at him, almost invitingly, and it was all Kyoya had to do not to push her back on the bed with him.

"Kyo-" Haruhi began just as Kyoya slowly bent towards her, their faces barely inches apart. Her breath was warm on his face. But before he could further move his lips towards hers, she lowered her head on his chest and began to throw up.

Kyoya blinked. WHAT THE –?

Haruhi was throwing up. She was throwing up on his Armani suit that caused him thousands of dollars. He could only stare, frozen, as his mind drew blank and the only sound that could be heard was Haruhi's retching.

WHAT THE –?

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and slowly looked up at him. She blinked and a look of dawning comprehension filled her features. She met his stunned face before glancing down at the rag she was clutching in her hand.

Oh. She blinked again. "Umm… This isn't any rag, is it?"

A strangled sound escaped Kyoya.

The realization of what happened, or rather, of what she did, hit her like thunder. She took a shaky breath.

"K-Kyoya-senpai?" Haruhi swallowed hard before she timidly met his gaze. For a while, there was silence. Cold, sharp silence that chilled her to the bone. She nervously eyed the vomit on his black suit, gulping.

"Is this going out of my salary?" Haruhi whispered fearfully.

TO everyone who reviewed, thank you very much. I'll be very busy this next three months so, I don' think I'll be able to update anytime soon. But once I have free time, I'll start writing the next chap.

Anyway, please don't forget to review for this chapter too. :)