A.N—I don't own plz don't sue!

Sorry for the long wait... don't kill me.

Cyclamens

Earlier chapter

She laughed. "You're exaggerating".

"Really?" his eyebrows went up. "You're lucky we planed on meeting in the lobby and not in your room", he whispered in her ear when his hand held her hips, "if we were alone right now, there were no play and no dinner".

When the play ended Akane found her self cheering with the rest of the crowd. She had so much fun! How did she live until today without all this artistic quality? She decided that when she'll go back home she'll buy a subscriber to one of the theaters. She had a little money. It's not so bad if at age twenty six she'll spend it on luxuries. When they got in the restaurant she noticed the many eyes that scanned them and she didn't miss the envious feminine looks she got. Unfamiliar vanity floods her. She was so proud to be with him, to be the woman with him. Even if this is just a temporary thing, she decided, she'll take the full potential of it. Even if this romance will be short she'll cherish the memories as a souvenir for life. This week will be her romantic romance, and she'll pretend it had a happy ending.

Now continuing

Ranma was the best gentleman. He did take advantage of every opportunity to touch her- held her elbow when leading, rubbed against her when they sat side by side, held her hand at the show, caressed her occasionally, looked at her with soft, loving eyes – opposite from his behavior in the morning, he didn't use his provocative, mocking and amused tone he used on the way to the hotel anymore. She felt much more computable around him. He was very attentive to every thing she said and didn't feel tired from telling her about every little thing they saw. He pointed on the beautiful sights, told her about their history. Like he forgot she was supposed to know her surroundings.

The food at the restaurant was amazing. She never ate such delicious food. So unlike from what she was used to. Ranma asked her if she wanted him to order for her and she of course accepted immediately. The dozens of names in the menu were foreign to her completely. They chattered and laughed together before she had the courage to ask, "How long are divorced?"

"Eight months".

She played with her fork. "What happened?"

"What happened", he repeated.

It looked to her that he was hesitant to share such a personal subject with her. "I'm sorry", she hurriedly said, "I didn't mean to be nosy..."

"It's okay", he said. "You deserve to know. I come from a very rich family that most of her business is in hotel management. Right away in college I fit into the business. My father and both of his partners nurtured me as the heir to the empire and from this point every thing went well. It went well with women, too. I never had any trouble". He laughed shortly. "I won't assume piety and say I didn't use it, I admit I had a few wild years, but basically, how much it might surprise you, I am, what they call, one woman man. I rather be with someone I love and I'm good with her then looking for getting laid left and right".

Akane wasn't surprised. She was just very happy to know.

"When I first met Ukyo, at the age of twenty four, I was very pleased. I was already a year and a half without a girlfriend and she came right in time. An okonomiyaki cook in her fathers' restaurant, from a very good family, beautiful, brilliant, ambitious, knows exactly what she wants. We married after three years. At first every thing went well, but bit by bit things started to change. She didn't want children, because it'll interfere with her career and because it'll ruin her figure. Every time I brought up the subject she would tell me, 'what do you think I am? A milking cow?' and there were other things. I enjoy my job and invest in it a lot, but I have other interests".

"Such as...?" she really wanted to know.

"I like poetry, opera, riding on horses, picnics, sleep late. Enough stress I have at work. In my privet life I look for peace and calm. Quiet. And she was always looking for some thing to do. Work or party. All the time she wanted people around her. Always. We were never alone, and I didn't have a moment to myself either. Almost every day I hade to guest people – friends, business people, and charity – and on the other time she arranged it so we'll be invited to other people. If I tried to get away there would be a big fight".

"But she loved you, didn't she?"

"Maybe she loved me, but above all I was some kind of a trophy for her. The biggest prize she could win- I was the biggest fish in the ocean. I started having a second life. In business trips I always stole myself another weekend and do what I love. Such as reading a good book, wondering in the forests, museums, sitting at some café-house. Exactly a year ago I got a phone call to my office from someone who used to be my wife's best friend until they fought and stopped talking. She told me Ukyo has for several years now side affairs with different men. She gave names, dates, places. The day after, I was supposed to travel to Spain for business. I canceled the trip and surprised my wife at home. She was in bed with a younger man. Very young. Maybe twenty years old."

Akane felt sick. His wife's behavior was beyond her understanding. If she had somebody like Ranma...

"At first I was very hurt. Not because I was jealous", Ranma smiled his ironic smile, "it was something else. Not jealousy, not ego. It took me time to comprehend the situation, but I understood at the end. I was always faithful to her. Even when I already knew I don't love her, even when there were temptations. I thought she deserves this minimal respect. That she is my wife and I'll be only hers. I hoped things will work out and I did everything to get harmony in home. What pained me, that made me mad, was the fact that she didn't care, that with all her strength she didn't find the power to tell me. Me, the one who was her best friend! When I cooled down, I figured she has problems and she needs help. But I wasn't ready to give more. Three months later we got our divorce. Month after the divorce she started to turn worlds to get us back together, but for my part it was too late. That's it. This is the entire story".

"I'm not like that", Akane said.

He leaned forward. "I know".

"This morning you said we were alike..."

"This morning I said a lot of nonsense". He took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Forget this morning. It does not exist". He looked straight into her eyes with his blue-purple eyes. "I was underestimating you this morning. I thought you're some bored chick looking for a fling. That is why I let myself talk to you like that. I ask for your forgiveness".

"You don't have to apologies. You haven't said something offending".

"But I didn't give you the right treatment. I came on you like some... primitive".

"I..." she barely knew what she was saying. The sake she drank probably went up her head. "I think, then, I... Wanted you to do that".

He laughed with pleasure. "Now I feel much better".

He really is a good guy, Akane thought. Not cocky and arrogant like you expect from a rich guy like him. She remembered their encounter at the flower shop. He's nice, she reflected. Behind all this power, confidence and strength was hiding a decent, good-heart man.

They were the last to leave the restaurant. At the hotel he escorted her to her room, and by the door he hugged her. She didn't know exactly what he had in mind. On their way back, in the limousine, he didn't try to make love with her. She really wanted him to stay with her, but she didn't dare ask him. "Good night", he whispered.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I know it wasn't what you expected but I sure hope you still like my story if you don't like this story any more after you read it please don't continue and I don't want to know.

Sorry it was short and it took me long to update but now that the next chap is up...

REVIEW!

Lili Boom