Warning: Contents Under Pressure. Keep Away From Extreme Heat! Oh yeah, and I don't own Paradise Kiss or any of its characters, I just play with them.

A/N: cygneodile: It is a pleasure having you as a reviewer.

The Next Day

Isabella looked down at the card in her hand, and then back up at the store in front of her. Giving a long sigh, she stepped through the doors, hoping to see Miki. A frown creased her face when she spotted Marie instead. Mentally shrugging, she proceeded to look through the racks that she hadn't had a chance to go through the day before.

"Hi Isabella," came a voice.

Isabella jumped a mile into the air, her heart pounding in her chest. She turned around to see Miki standing there, a smile on her face. "You scared the life out of me," she confessed.

Miki laughed. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize that I wasn't making any noise."

"It's ok. I don't think I was paying any attention."

"I'm headed out for some dinner, would you like to come with?" Miki asked.

Isabella smiled. "That would be wonderful."

"Great, I know this cute little cafe right down the street.

"So, what brought you into the fashion industry?" Isabella asked Miki after they had finished their lunch.

"Me? Oh, I've always been into fashion, ever since I was about 10 or 11. I used to watch these fashion shows on cable and imagine what it would be like to watch my own clothes be modeled down a runway. I started drawing drawing little outfits in my spare time, but when I got into high school and learned how to sew, I started to make them. Now I finally have my own fashion line, and I couldn't be happier."

Isabella couldn't help but notice the sad look in her eyes as she finished. Miki didn't look very happy.

"Anyway," Miki said. "What about you?"

"Well..." Isabella started. "When I was little, my friend George would come over and play with me. We would play dress up, and one day I put on this dress. I loved the way it felt, so he started making dresses for me. Well, I wanted to be just like him, so I started doing everything I could to help. And that's pretty much what I am still doing. He designs the clothes and I make the patterns for them."

"Wow. Must be nice having friends like that."

"Yeah, although he has been distant lately. His new girlfriend seems to take up most of his time nowadays."

"I'm sorry to hear that. After a while the novelty will wear off like it does everything else and he will come back to all his friends."

"Hmmm."

"Oh, could I ask you a favor?"

"Uh, sure."

"Would you stop by my office on Friday and look at some of my latest designs. I can't seem to get them quite right and I would love another opinion."

"I would love to," Isabella said with a smile.

"Great, I really have to get going, but call my cell on Friday and I will give you directions." Miki stood up and kissed Isabella on the cheek lightly before running off down the sidewalk.

Isabella's hand went to her cheek as her face turned red. 'She kissed me!'

Friday...

Isabella looked at her surroundings. Miwako and Arashi had gone to the bathroom over an hour ago while George was teaching Yukari to sew.

She stood up and walked towards the door. "I don't feel so well. I think I'm going to lay down."

"Ok," George said, not even looking up at her. Isabella's heart sank. They didn't seem to care if she was here or not.

Isabella looked up at gigantic building in front of her, fear replacing her nervousness. "Nottingham Enterprises," she said to herself. She braced herself and walked into the building, immediately heading for the elevators.

"Excuse me, Miss! Uh, M-" She stopped when she saw Isabella. "Is there something that I can help you with?" the young lady asked.

"I am going to Miki Kaoru's office. She told me-"

"I'm sorry. Ms. Kaoru doesn't allow visitors."

"But-"

"Would you like me to escort you to the door?" the lady said as she tried to go for Isabella's arm.

"Isabella!" she heard through the lobby. She turned her head and saw Miki walking towards them. "I'm sorry, was there a problem?" she asked the lady that had a hand on Isabella's arm.

"No, no, Ms. Kaoru. I didn't know you were expecting h-er, a guest."

"Well, next time call me first." Miki and Isabella walked away. "So sorry about that."

"Don't worry, I get it all the time." They stepped into the elevator and went to the top floor. "So you're boss won't get mad if you have a visitor?"

Miki laughed, causing the butterflies to return to Isabella's stomach. "I am the boss. I own this company. When my father passed away, damn him, he put in his will that he wanted me to run the company until my younger brother graduates college."

"Oh," was all Isabella could say. Isabella walked into Miki's office, admiring the view from the large window behind her desk.

"These are the designs I drew up, but there is something missing. I can't figure out for the life of me what it is," Miki said as she opened a folder and laid the designs out on her desk.

Isabella gazed down at them, amazed at their beauty. There were designs that she never would have thought of.

The first one Isabella looked at was a top and bottom pant outfit that flared out around the wrists and ankles.

"There is something missing...I just don't know what," Miki said, leaning close to Isabella as they looked down at the drawing. Isabella felt her breath hitch in her throat slightly. Calming her breath she focused on the picture.

"Hmmm...What if you put a wide antique lace around the cuffs here," she began as she pointed to the picture. "And you could always do a bead linging here..."

Isabella and Miki spent well over 2 hours discussing what should and should not be added to Miki's designs. Isabella looked up at the clock on Miki's wall.

"Oh no, it's past 8 already!"

"Really? I didn't know it was so late."

"I should really get going soon."

"Of course-oh! I almost forgot! I have a dress here that I would love for you to try on for me. It won't take long, I promise!"

"Ok," Isabella said slowly as Miki ran over to a closet near the door and pulled out a bag with a dress inside.

Miki pulled out the dress. Isabella sucked in her breath. It was absolutely gorgeous. It had a tigh bodice with inch wide straps made of cream. The top part looked like it was laced all the way up with ribbon. The skirt flared out at the hips into layers of cream, peach, and lavendar with a light sprinkling on glitter on them to make them shine. Isabella had never seen a more gorgeous dress in her life.

"This is absolutely gorgeous!" Isabella exclaimed.

Miki smiled. "Take off your dress so I can help you put this on."

This is where Isabella hesitated. She wasn't sure if Miki knew she was really a man or not. A blush crept into her cheeks.

Miki looked over at her and laughed. "Don't worry. I don't bite."

Isabella looked again at the dress that Miki was holding. Sighing, she nodded and began by taking off her hat, letting her lavendar curls fall down her back. As she unzipped the back of her dress and slid it down, Miki walked over to her, slipping her dress over Isabella's head.

Isabella felt chills run up and down her spine as she felt Miki's fingers caressing her skin as she buttoned up the back of the dress. Isabella ran her hands up and down the bodice of the dress, amazed at the beauty of it. If it had been beautiful just laying across someone's arm, it was too gorgeous for words when a person was wearing it.

Miki finished and walked around Isabella to see the dress. She beamed as she looked Isabella up and down. "I swear that dress was made for you," she commented.

At this, Isabella blushed.

"I'll tell you what," Mike started. "I'll give you this dress on one condition."

Isabella lifted an eyebrow in question.

"Come with me to my fashion show tomorrow night."

Isabella's eyes grew wide. "I'd love to!"

Tune in next week for more...