"Aw!" I screamed. I had waken up, startled, and bumped my forehead on a jaw or something.

I heard someone mutter profanities. I was forced to look up and to my utter shock, it was Ren Tao!

I shut my eyes and counted up to ten very slowly. When I finished it, I opened my eyes again. Now I could see Ren's glaring face.

"What's the big idea?" he hissed.

I gulped. I didn't know whether I was still dreaming or not anymore. I mean, his glare looked realistic enough. But his arms around my tiny waist, holding me close to him, definitely was not part of my Real Ren Tao Realities checklist.

He must've read my eyes, because he promptly untangled himself away from me.

"You were feverish," he said defensively. "You were moaning all night, and…and…why the hell am I explaining things to you?"

I blinked. "You tell me…"

"Anyway, I'm glad you look ok already," he said, voice softening. He touched my forehead. "Yup, fever's gone."

I vaguely remembered what happened yesterday…or was it awhile ago? I fell into the water and almost drowned, but thanks to Ren, I didn't.

Something was telling me that something else happened, it was just that I couldn't remember it. But if I couldn't remember it, maybe it wasn't really that significant.

"I still can't believe it," he hissed. "You nearly drowned because you were saving my underwear."

I smiled weakly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry… and I thought you might get mad at me because I lost one of the articles of clothings you have…"

"I could have lost you," he hissed.

I blinked again.

"And I could have lost a bride to show to my parents!" he said hurriedly. He got up from bed. "Anyway, that is absolutely the last time that you would go near that river, do you understand? That place is no place for klutzes like you."

"U-Understood." Maybe this was Ren Tao's way of expressing concern.

Yeah right, I told my heart sarcastically. Why would Ren-kun be concerned about me? He only jumped readily into the river because he didn't want to go out in the last minute to search for a bride who would take my place. Besides, he may hate me, but I am pretty sure that he still thinks of me as a fellow human to save.

That thought suddenly struck me, making me feel pathetic. Had not been for my stupid volunteering for his bride, I wouldn't have to be fetched by Ren anymore, and I could have continued to live peacefully in Japan with my brother and Tamao' nee-san. I would have been contented in just remembering him, and not like this, when I could see him but I couldn't touch him, lest he would disappear.

And the next thing I knew, I was weeping quietly.

"Now what?" he asked, annoyed. But there was a hint of panic in his voice. "A-Are you hurt?"

I shook my head. "I want to go home."

He frowned. "Look, the accident that happened to you…it will never happen again, trust me."

"I-It's not about the accident," I whispered. "I just don't want to stay here any longer," I replied quietly.

"Why? Is anyone treating you unjustly?" he pressed.

I shook my head. "No…I just…don't want to continue pretending anymore."

"You can't back out!" he exclaimed. "My parents will be here the day after tomorrow!"

"T-They will?!" My eyes widened. I didn't count on THAT happening so soon!

"Yes, so you can't change your mind about this, Pirika. Three days from now, it's my birthday already. All you have to do is to pretend to be my fiancée. I've already arranged for the engagement and all." Ren grabbed my shoulders. "Just hang on for two to three more days, alright?"

I nodded with much difficulty. What big a difference would it make if I try to suppress my feelings for him for seventy-two hours longer? And I did make a promise, and I would never intend to break one, on an Ainu's honor.

"Good. Now rest, then you and I will go downtown. We'll pick up something you'll wear when we meet my folks," he instructed me.

Later in the afternoon, Ren called for me. I was brought in front of a stretch limo, with Ren sitting at the back.

"What are you just standing there for?" he barked. "We don't have all day!"

"H-Hai!" I was about to go for the front seat, but Pailong gentlemanly ushered me towards where Ren was seated. I had no choice but to sit down beside him.

"Why you would rather sit beside a corpse driver than me is beyond me," he said when we were settled at the backseat comfortably already.

Before I could reply, I felt his arm drape around my shoulder comfortably. I looked at him in surprise, and found him looking directly ahead of us, as if what he just did and was doing was perfectly natural.

"You should start getting used to that," he said at last. "You're supposed to be my fiancée, and close physical contact will do wonders for our supposed relationship."

"I-I understand," I stammered. My skin was tingling all over, especially when Ren's fingers started to tease the skin of my bared shoulders lightly. I was wearing a sleeveless white top, so I was very sensitive to these kinds of touch.

"Smooth. Never had the chance to really touch you because I was too busy saving your life," he said nonchalantly. My cheeks flushed.

I tried to just numb myself all throughout the trip to the suburbs, but it had been a Herculean effort. And I couldn't fight the alarming awareness I had of his intimate proximity all this time.

We stopped by a dressmaker's shop. To my surprise, Ren jumped out of the car before me. He crossed over to the other side and raced with Pailong for opening the car door for me. He took me by hand and led me inside.

A cheerful-looking young woman almost the same age with Jun Tao was behind the desk. Her plentiful hair was held by barrettes. "Ren Tao, finally, the day that the entire clan had all been waiting for has finally arrived." She looked at me sideways. "Is she 'it'?"

"I prefer that you call her my 'bride', Gei Yin," said Ren dryly.

"She's a pretty little thing, but…" To my utter shock, she suddenly aimed a fist at me. By instinct, I shoved the closest person in front of me- a habit I had picked up because I was so used to having my brother beside me, and it was ok for him if he gets the accident.

However, I forgot one itsy-bitsy thing…it wasn't onii-chan that was beside me right now.

"Damn it!" Ren held his aching nose. "Pirika, what were you thinking???"

"Well at least I know she knows a little self-defense," said Gei, smiling. "Your sister and your mother has talked to me long ago, and I already had the design for her clothes even if you were just starting to learn how to hold your weapon. And last week, your sister gave me the measurements. I have finished the clothes now."

"Right, right. Give us the clothes and we'll go," he said, rolling his eyes.

"Nonsense! We still have to try it on her to see if there are still things that needed to be adjusted in the clothes!"

He groaned. "Right, right. Let's just start so we can get over with it."

"I trust that your own set of clothes had been delivered?"

"Yeah, it was," he said curtly before sitting down the visitor's area. I, on the other hand, was led to the dressing room to try my clothes on.

Yin looked satisfied when she first made me try the clothes I will wear for my meeting with Ren-kun's parents.

"Your face is so sweet and innocent, and it perfectly complements the virgin whiteness of this outfit," said the designer approvingly. "Now all I have to do is to ask Jun to do your hair tomorrow and apply some subtle make-up for finishing effect."

I frowned. "If it has to be subtle, why bother applying make-up then?"

The only reply solicited from her was a very amused laugh.

"Next, the wedding gown…"

I suddenly froze. "N-No, I don't want to try it."

"Eh?"

"I…I heard that if one wears her bridal gown before the actual wedding, that wedding will not take place," I said.

"That's foolish, honey. But if you really believe that, let's just press it on top of you. Anyway, the measurements given to me were pretty accurate." She made some notes on her scribble pad, then watched as I placed my top back on. Her eyes went to my sleeveless top, then at my slacks. "Dear, I have a spare outfit here that will be more fitting if you and Ren will be planning to dine out." She left, only to return a few seconds late, bringing two boxes.

She winked at me. "You have to look your best, honey. You are engaged to the head of the Tao clan, you know."

I knew it was a mistake when I forced myself to step out of the dressing room. Ren Tao literally stared at me, eyes wide.

I looked down self-consciously at the pale pink miniskirt that barely reached my knees, then at the open-toed sandals on my feet. I hugged my white shawl closer around me, as if it would protect me from the stare of Ren.

"Well, well, well. What can you say about my new model?" asked Yin proudly. "Speechless, Ren Tao? Why, that's the highest compliment anyone can pay a person."

"Y-You don't like it, Ren-kun?" I stammered, playing with the stray strands of my hair tied down in a pale pink ribbon the same color as my dress. "I-I'll go change…"

Finally, he spoke up. "It's fine. Let's leave."

I bit my lip. I was expecting that he would at least like the shoes, but he didn't even say anything.

Yin smiled at me comfortingly. "Don't worry, dear. Ren Tao loved your look; it's just that he's too shy to say that out loud. Ask him later."

"I-I thought we're going home already…" I looked at the sign of the jewelry house.

"One last trip before we hit home," he said, then just like what he did awhile ago, opened the car door for me. This time, Pailong didn't bother to race with his master anymore.

Together, we entered the store. We were immediately flocked on by the salesladies who were urging us to buy different kinds of rings. But I knew better; some were standing close to him. I knew I had no right to be jealous, but try telling that to my stupid heart which didn't know any better.

"Which do you want?" he asked, looking at me intently.

I shook my head.

He followed my gaze and saw why my eyes were wide in horror. He covered the price tags. "Now tell me which do you want," he ordered.

"Um…isn't this too much, Ren-kun? The dress is a fine gift already. I don't need a ring…" I said helplessly.

He sighed. "We're engaged; we NEED a ring."

I had no choice but to look at the beautiful rings again. Finally, I chose the one that has my birthstone, along with Ren-kun's. We were then told that it was sold in a juego, by set of bracelet, earrings and necklace. Ren bought the whole collection.

"Come again, Sir! Have a nice day!" the manager of the store said, waving as she held on the crisp check from the Tao Group of Bank Companies.

I was still staring at the jewelries in the box in disbelief. "This is not just a small fortune, Ren-kun," I said quietly. "You shouldn't have bothered to buy me this."

"Why not?" he wanted to know.

"B-Because this might just go to waste," I stammered.

"You like the jewelry, don't you?" he asked. I nodded meekly. "Then this won't go to waste," he decided. "End of argument." He looked at his watch. "The day is not yet done. Onee-san will give you a crash course on what you need to remember when you are talking to my parents. Later on, we'll have to practice our own act too."

"Own act?" I said, bewildered.

"Duh. The most crucial thing in this play is our acting," he said, rolling his eyes. "We have to look realistic when we do things that couples do."

"L-Like…?" I asked, almost afraid to know what he would say.

He laughed mockingly. "Oh come on, Pirika. Don' tell me you didn't have any boyfriend yet before?"

I shook my head slowly.

He turned serious. "I see." He turned away, but I was able to catch a gleam of delight in his eyes. I sighed; was he mocking me because no one had the mistake of liking me?

The car halted. "Let's go, Pirika," he said.

I nodded. But to my shock, he leaned towards my ear. "Your dress looks good on you."

My face turned pink. It was not an extravagant compliment, but coming from Ren-kun, it was something.

He offered me a small smile of amusement in return, then escorted me back into the mansion.

tsuzuku