The next morning, Ayano was sitting by the window sill, looking grave and thinking about her childhood, when Kazuma passed by her. Ayano said," Kazuma, I need to talk to you".

"Well, I don't have anything to hear from you."

"Kazuma , please wait. I know you have a grudge against me and it is very justified . But…."

"But….what?"

"But I also want you to know what I have to say."

Kazuma remained silent.

Ayano faced the window again and started," About 22 years ago, in the family of Kannagi's I was born as Ayano Kannagi. The day of my birth marked the departure of an innocent soul, my mother. My dear mom, I never met her but I am sure she must have been a wonderful woman. No one took my birth as a good omen, everyone despised me and disgusted my existence . During my mother's delivery, the doctor had posed two options- whether to save my mother or save me. Since it was my mother's dearest wish to give birth to me so my aunt May said to save me. The doctors did so. But my father and my two elder brothers never wanted that. To them their mother was more important than me. I think it was quite natural. Because of her decision, my father condemned my aunt the life of a mere servant and me as a maid of the mansion. It was a disgrace that the only daughter of the the Kannagi family had to work as a maid, but I showed no offence "

Kazuma was listening to all this with astonished eyes . Ayano continued, " After my birth, I was given, minimal food to live just for my existence. I was made to work all day and during the night, I would study . That life was difficult for me, my father would make me do all the dangerous work for a child and my brothers would torture me, saying I killed my mother. I was emotionally very depressed , I was just a little girl then, who never got to see her mother. But alas! No one even tried to understand other than my aunt. "

"At the age of seventeen",she continued after a pause," my father died and my eldest brother, Harry arranged my wedding with a powerful business man, Ray Kinomoto. I knew he never saw me in a descent way and Harry were doing so because he would get a share of his business, . At that time, myself and my aunt ran away from the house and we came to town, there I got a chance In a detective academy and my aunt started working as a secretary of an office. However, when Harry found this, he kidnapped my aunt and asked her where I was. When my aunt refused to say so, he killed her with electric shock…" a tear escaped Ayano's eyes and she said," However Anthony was much considerate and though he never showed affection towards me, but he meant no harm towards me. I think he was a nice person and I was really happy when they married."

Ayano looked at Kazuma and said," I know you don't have any evidence to believe me, and it's fine with me now that I have told you how I had my life till now. But I would like to say, even if I had given that letter to Anthony, he would never had believed me instead he would blame that I was trying to separate Rose from him."

Just then Hitomi came and said,"Ayano,Kazu, breakfast is ready."

When they were all sitting down, Ayano sat beside Rose and Kazuma sat between Emily and Rose.

As they were having their food, Rose asked," So Ayano , why don't you tell us about your family?"

Ayano stopped half-way to her mouth and then she put down her spoon. She looked at Rose and smiled," Well, umm….. I am an orphan."

Everyone's eyes went up at Ayano and Ayano said," Is…is that a problem."

HItomi got and hugged her, "Oh, no dear it is not obviously. We feel very sorry for you and now that you come to our family, we will make sure that you get it all." HItomi said this with the most affectionate smile a mother can give. Rose said," Yes,Ayano. Now you're a part of the family now, isn't it Kazu?".

Kazuma said,"Yeah…yeah, sure".

Kazuma' s POV:

A notch seemed to form in my heart and all of a sudden it bursted. She was just a poor girl who never received her family's affection and here I am blaming her for all the deeds that just seem so unlikely for her to do. She being a rich heir of Kannagi family never got to live even a simple life. I never treated her well and yet she accepted to this case with me. Kazuma, you are such a dumbass . You should atleast console her. All through her life she has faced nothing except for hatered and now I feel guilty of treating her badly. But I don't even have the evidence to believe her. What should I do?...

End of Kazuma's POV

In the evening, Kazuma received a call from Rin.

"Whats up, dude?", asked Kazuma.

"Well, I called to inform you that an invitation will soon reach you, an invitation from Jeff Ray. Only you both will go. And James will not be there to help you with the plan as he has some work in the town."

"So, its up to Ayano and me to carry out the plan?".

"No,Kazuma I'm not so cruel. James' assistant will help you . he will be at the entrance of the celebration hall. He has seen your and Ayano's picture so he will recognize you."

"O…okay…fine then.".

The next day , it was 5 in the evening and Ayano was getting ready for the party invited by Jeff Ray. Kazuma was already downstairs waiting for her. Ayano was wearing a stripped pink dress which had a belt securing just beneath her chest, and the dress went down to stop just above her knees. She left her hair open . Added a little make-up and took her purse , then she went down.

As she descended down, she looked over to Kazuma who was sitting on the sofa at the drawing room, in a deep thinking mood. When Ayano approached him, he was so dead deep in his thoughts that he didn't notice her coming towards him. Ayano stopped in front of him and said," Kazuma we should go now, we are already running a bit late."

Kazuma lifted his face and the minute his eyes fell in Ayano, and he stared at her from toe to head and a soft whisper escaped his lips," Beautiful".

"Umm…did you say anything…"asked Ayano unsure of his reaction.

"No…no! lets go." He said and hiding his cheeks which had now turned a bit red he walked towards the door. Ayano feeling confused followed him too.

Kazuma's POV:

I sat on the backseat and Ayano sat just beside me. I had called upon the driver to drive the car as I wanted to concentrate the job for which myself and Ayano were going. Coming to think about Ayano , I don't think I will be able to do my job properly, she is so diatractive. She ….. she is soo beautiful. I have never saw her dress up for any fancy party or something but now that I see her this way. She's splendid. She is so petite and ! what the hell am I thinking, remember Kazuma, she separated Rose and Anthony. No….i can't believe this. She has had such a troubled past. I don't think she can do it. She seems so innocent. Ohh…no now I am staring at her. And now she looking at me too.

"Is anything wrong, Kazuma?",she asks.

'How can everything be right , Ayano' I thought. "Yes…yess,everything is just perfect. I look into her ruby eyes and they seem to lurk me in their deepness".

She instinctively puts her palm over my forehead and asks," You don't have a fever , do you?"

The warmth of her fingers seep into my skin and the texture of her smooth skin seem to make me grab her. What am I thinking again of her!. I reply, slowly, taking her hand and placing it on her lap," No, I am thanks for worrying about."

She gives a genuine smile and turns away. Oh! My gosh, that smile just seems to melt me inside. And now we have reached here.

End of POVs.

They get off the car, a cold wind blows over them and a young handsome man approaches them, saying," Hello, I am Cedric. I came instead of James. I have been told of all the details of the case and I wil be helping you with it."

Kazuma extended his hand to shake," hey, I am Kazuma Yagami." Cedric took his and gave it a little shake, saying," hello."

Ayano did the same and said," Hi, I am Ayano Kannagi." Cedric took her hand and kissed her fingers saying," What a pleasure of meeting you." Kazuma watched this with an irritated face and said," Okay, now we should go inside.".

Author's note: Hope you enjoy the chapter, reviews please…