Naru's P.O.V

Christmas eve…I never did like this holiday. Maybe because it was too cheerful. But watching Mai get all excited and happy was worth suffering through the family chaos. Father Brown had gone home for the holidays, but would see us back in Japan, and Madoka and Lin showed up.

"Naru! Naru! Ayako had her baby yesterday! We need to take back a gift for them." She said from the bathroom as she got ready. I wasn't exactly…excited to see them all again…

"Alright. We can go shopping for something the day before our flight. Is everything ready for the party tonight?" I asked her.

"Yea, your mother made sure i had an appropriate outfit and everything…Though, i feel like it's too fancy…" She said from behind the door. I raised a brow.

"What is she making you wear?" I asked. She was quiet for a moment.

"Don't laugh…" She muttered before coming out of the bathroom. My eyes widened as her heels clicked on the tile. It was a light, pale pink dress with long sleeves, floor length and a high back. "She made sure it didn't show my scars…so…" She continued, but i was too lost in the sight. The wrists had a white and silver boa type feather around them and there was a slit up the leg, showing the silver heels she wore, small kitten heels. Her hair was in a high half-up half-down style, curled and bangs framing her face, and the makeup was light…natural with a plump, pink look to her cheeks, and eyelids, her lips a light nude color to compliment the pink.

Yea, yea, i know some kind of fashion, blame my mother.

"Uh…Naru?.." She asked, face red through the makeup.

"Um- uh, yea…you look great…" I fixed my tie in the mirror, "Guess this explains the color of my tie and handkerchief…" I muttered. She giggled and walked over. My cheeks flushed a bit as she straightened my tie for me.

"Thank you…and yes, it does…" She said gently.

Mai's P.O.V

Oh, lord, he cleaned up real nice… He was in an all black suit, as normal, but he had a pop of color in his tie and handkerchief, a light silver-white color to compliment my dress. Did his mom think we were going to prom? I giggled at the thought.

"Thank you…and yes, it does…" I said softly as i straightened his tie. His hair was slicked back and out of his face.

"You're sure you're ok to go to this? You fainted yesterday…" He said softly. I nodded and smiled at him.

"As long as i don't drink, i'll be fine." I told him and smiled brightly. He hesitated for a minute before nodding.

"Alright…" He said, "Then let's go. We need to get to the venue." I nodded and took his arm as he offered it. "I'm guessing mom made me match so others wouldn't hit on you." He said. I hummed a bit.

"I'm more worried about Marie coming onto you again. It's a company party, so i know she'll be there." I said, annoyed. He chuckled and kissed my temple.

"Well, i don't plan on walking away from you, so let her seethe in silence." He said. I covered my mouth and giggled.

He helped me into the car, and off we went to the longest…night of my life…Well, second longest. Next to the night underground that ended up being 2 weeks...Did that count? I shuddered thinking about it and leaned into Naru. He rubbed my arm and held me close, my shawl wrapped around me.

When we got there Naru helped me out of the car and pulled his cold mask over his emotions. I took his arm and walked in with him. Men and women alike turned to look over, some gasping and others just looking in amazement. Whispers like "Oliver brought a date" and "How did he get her" going around. Even a few "I could take her from him, easy." pointed at me. I just gripped his arm tightly as we walked over to his parents.

"Oh, Mai darling, you look stunning!~" Madoka said as she hugged me close. I giggled and hugged her back.

"Hi, Madoka! Thank Miss. Luella, she picked it out" I said, smiling softly.

"Oh i had a feeling~ And look at Noll, all dressed up and actually attending." She said, nudging him. He just looked at her.

"You done?" He asked. Lin smiled a bit and pulled Madoka back. "I'm only here because mother talked Mai into coming." He said.

"Aww you're so smitten~ i love it" Madoka said and poked his cheek. I smiled and relaxed a bit. I really…really missed her. I'm just hoping for now…I can live a somewhat peaceful life, until I have to face NoriYuki again.

The night seemed to be going smoothly at first. I stayed with Madoka when Naru was dragged off to talk to people from time to time.

"Mai" I heard Lin pipe up next to us, "You should enjoy yourself…do you feel well enough to dance?" He asked. I blinked in surprise and looked at Madoka.

"Madoka, is that ok?" I asked her. She nodded and smiled.

"Of course! It'll give Noll a nudge to dance with you too. He gets jealous easily." She said. I blushed and smiled a bit before taking Lin's hand and standing.

Naru's P.O.V

I was talking with a few clients of my parents when i saw Lin taking Mai onto the dance floor. My Mai. I felt my eye twitch. I couldn't go anywhere as long as we were with a client.

"Oliver?~" I heard that oh so annoying, high pitched voice of Marie as she walked over. My mother glanced over and my father touched my shoulder.

"A few more minutes then you can go to Mai." He said. I nodded a bit and smiled a fake smile at Marie.

"Marie, hello." She was in a red dress with white accents, the cut a little too low, her blonde hair curled and heels clicking. Typical…

"How did she think that would make me look at her?" I asked. I heard Gene laugh in my head and glanced at the mirror beside us, "Have you been here this whole time?" I asked. He grinned and nodded.

"Yup. Don't worry, i'll go when things get hot with you and Mai." He said. I inwardly flipped him off, only for him to laugh harder.

"Are you alone? I'd love to dance with you." Marie asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. I groaned inwardly before looking at my father.

"Go ahead." He said. My mother looked at me apologetically as Marie took my hand, dragging me onto the floor.

"Marie, can i ask you something even your tiny brain might comprehend?" I asked, not fighting my disdain.

"Now that's a little rude…But go ahead." She said.

"Why do you insist on chasing me after we've broken up? You were so annoyed with my "know-it-all" attitude that you cursed me out for not being my brother." I asked bluntly. She smiled.

"Easy…I like things, i can't have…and Oliver, i really…really want you." She pressed up against me and i grit my teeth.

"Let me make something clear…You're not, my girlfriend. And you most certainly are not, Mai. So even going abroad to Japan with us as part of the team, i will never see you as more than a colleague, and even that's pushing it." I said. Her eyes shimmered and she smiled.

"We'll see about that, Oliver." We went silent and danced until Lin walked over.

"Noll." He said, i nodded and let Marie's hands go.

"I'm coming." I said, walking back over to Mai and putting my hand to her, "Would you care to dance, Mai?" I asked and smiled softly. The anger in her eyes subsided as she took my hand, allowing me to take her onto the floor.

Mai's P.O.V

He's mine, bitch, and you are very quickly getting on my last nerve.