Previously: Kai (sort of) explained his sudden declaration. Hilary (foolishly) agreed to help.

The Problem With Hopes and Dreams

Kai is right about my family having a lot to say. The only phone calls I answer are my mother's, although I'd much rather deal with Emily. My mom is the most difficult to lie to. I have to stumble through an explanation of why she's only hearing about this now and from the news, not from me. I have Kai's voice in the back of my head telling me not to get into details, so I'm extra clumsy and sure that she can see right through me.

She fights me a bit. I can tell from the distress in her voice that she's worried about me. Eventually, I'm able to calm her down and assure her that I'm okay. I try to pick my words carefully so that anything I say can be interpreted as true depending on how I twist it.

"If you're sure, Hilary," she says, though still strained.

I squeeze my eyes shut as I hold the phone to my ear. I hate that I can't be honest with them. They're going to get used to the idea that I've finally found happiness with a great guy, just for me to break their hearts. How did I let it go this far?

I stay awake all night, tossing in my bed. Every noise is a reporter trying to break in for a picture and interview.

Or worse: a stalker with a bloody knife.

Nothing of the sort happens and my alarm rings out right on time. I have to pull myself from my twisted sheets and get ready for the day as usual. I know Kai said that I shouldn't go to work but I can't just linger around my apartment all day waiting for him to tell us our next move. I need to do something to get my mind off this situation and focused on anything other than my bad decisions.

"Also," I say to my reflection in the bathroom mirror, pointing my toothbrush at her for emphasis, "You can't let him control everything. This is still your life. You make the rules."

She looks more confident than I feel, which is enough to convince me everything will be fine.

And so I leave bright and early, ready to face a new day. The sun is breaching the horizon, getting brighter by the second. I try to listen to talk radio like I normally do, but the only thing they can talk about is the announcement.

It's weird to hear my name said. It takes me a second to realize that's not a different person. That's me. I'm the woman they're talking about.

I have to turn it off within minutes of starting my walk. It makes no sense to me why they would care this much; Kai's marriage to anyone couldn't affect the business world that much. It shouldn't be news.

Yet, it is. As is further proven by the mass of reporters crowding the concourse. They wait by the street, clearly attempting to get a picture or comment from the Great Hiwatari when he arrives. Too bad for them, I don't think he's coming in today.

But I know he'll be upset if they catch me out here. Discreetly, I turn my head away from them, for once thankful for my plain brown hair that doesn't draw any attention, and hustle my way into the lobby where the security guards will keep me safe.

I slide my I.D. card through the reader, smiling at them as I always do. Today, they smile back, bowing a little. Any other day, I would be happy with the treatment, except I know it's only because of who they think I am. It leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I deserve to be treated with respect and kindness no matter what my name is.

People smile and wave as I walk to my cubical – people who've never spoken to me before. Some whisper behind hands as if I can't see them. There are gifts left on my desk: candies, tiny stuffed animals, and gift cards.

Are my co-workers trying to bribe me? For what? It's not like I can get them any special treatment.

"Someone's popular," Brooklyn smiles as he passes me. Staring at the desk, I have no idea where I should put everything.

"Do you want some candy?" I wave a hand, offering an option of his choice.

"No, candy's not my thing. I'll take that gorilla, though," He points to one of the stuffed animals. It's a black gorilla looking thing hugging a heart.

I hand it to him, surprised by his choice. But then again, he spends all day staring out the window at birds so maybe he does actually have the heart of a child.

Brooklyn takes the animal and smiles again. His bright green eyes widen at receiving the gift. "Thanks," he says as he walks away.

Yeah, okay.

My inbox is flooded with messages. Normally I have a few that need a response, but this is ridiculous. It'll take me half the morning to get through all of them. I put my head in my hands to repress a groan. The idea that Kai was right and I should have taken the day off is starting to get to me.

Sighing, because there's no way around it, I sludge through the emails, diligently reading each one and writing out a detailed answer. Some of them seem overly easy, causing me to worry that I'm being set up. It's slow going. Mostly because people are still coming up to my desk to give me congratulation gifts.

"We didn't even know you were dating!" Says a girl I've never spoken to beyond 'good morning'.

"How'd you two lucky kids meet?" Says another while handing me a frozen specialty coffee from the café downstairs that is ridiculously overpriced.

I try to keep my stories light per Kai's request, but none of them let it go.

Brooklyn breaks in eventually. "I guess now we know what you were actually doing on all those late nights." His soft voice trickles over.

The girls next to my desk do a poor job of hiding their laughter.

"No," I deny adamantly. It's the first time my voice has been firm all day. "I was here, working for our company."

Brooklyn stares me down with his half-lidded bright eyes. A voice inside tells me that I don't owe them anything, and it sounds suspiciously like Kai.

Before I can say anything, an alert pops up in the work email. I check mine for all of us since I'm clearly the only one at my desk.

"There's a meeting after lunch in the conference room," I say curiously. It's unusual for us to have unscheduled meetings; it means a big change.

Everyone goes back to their desk after that and I'm left to my many other emails. None of my actual work is getting done. I'll have to work through lunch at this rate.

I take my sandwich out at my desk when the lunch hour rolls around. Everyone has gathered in the breakroom and for the first time, they waved me over to join them. I might have been thrilled if I didn't think they were going to grill me some more.

Checking my personal email for any messages before carrying on with work, I notice one from Kai and take a deep breath.

Having a bad day? Maybe take my advice from now on.

His wording causes me to scoff. If he's always going to be this arrogant, this experience might be harder than I thought. Is it too late to go back?

We have more to discuss. Call when your off and I'll have Spencer drive to pick you up. Here's another piece of advice: do not try to take public transportation.

Another line includes his phone number, and that's where the message ends. I want to mouth off to him, the words at the tip of my tongue – or should I say fingers. I clench my fists in irritation, forcing myself to relax. One of us has to be mature.

My day is fine – I type slowly. Fine is a good word. - I will get off at the same time I always do, which is 5 p.m. Please let Spencer know that I'll meet him in the parking garage. And thank Spencer in advance for me.

I stare at the message. It's petty of me to only thank Spencer. Despite Kai's obvious lack of social graces, he's still being considerate.

Thank you, as well.

H

I press send before I can overthink anything. With that done, I get back to work, munching thoughtlessly on my sandwich. With the extra boost from the coffee, I'm working faster than I was this morning, my fingers flying across the keyboard. I've since stopped trying to be nice and thorough in my responses and am now just answering the work-related questions. There's really no time to waste, considering that half my day is gone.

Plus there's still the meeting, which I'm reminded of as people call my name to sit with them in the conference room. I finish my email and let it go, irritated that even more time is being taken from me.

I'm crowded when I get to the room, everyone pulling me in one direction or another. While I'm not proud of the reason for my sudden popularity, knowing it's only because of my public connection with a certain CEO, I can't deny that I hope it will lead me to better places. If Kai can use me for his family schemes, then why can't I use him in the workplace? Sounds fair to me.

The meeting commences with our department director giving a speech about the value of workplace management.

Boris isn't exactly what I'd call a skillful director. He often makes insensitive comments to some of the prettier girls in the office and on one occasion during my first year, he asked me to alter the numbers on a spreadsheet. I tried to tactfully explain that I couldn't (it's illegal, after all) and then move on. I never reported him, and considering how he has just about everyone else wrapped around his finger, I don't think anything would have happened if I did.

"With that in mind, I am happy to announce that Brooklyn will be the new manager of your department."

Wait, what?

I stare, watching helplessly as clapping and congratulations follow, feeling as if I've entered another universe. How is this happening?

I am the one putting in the work.

I've been here the longest.

I deserve that promotion more than anyone in this room.

Then it's over and Boris is moving on to other vague announcements that I don't hear. Once the meeting is released, people leave my side to rush over to the new manager. Our new manager.

Brooklyn is my new manager.

My anger spirals as my hopes dwindle and I do not know what I should be feeling.

Boris walks out of the room and, moved by an unseen force, I follow him determined to get answers.

"Mr. Balkov," I pipe up, sweetening my voice. My hand reaches out to grab his sleeve and stop him. I bring it back immediately, disturbed by the notion of touching him, though I don't understand why.

He turns, barely giving me a glance before continuing. "What is it, Hilary? Or should I say future Mrs. Hiwatari?"

I ignore the dig, mostly because it's the first time I've heard someone actually call me that to my face and it sits uncomfortably with me.

"I need to speak with you about this promotion."

"I don't see why, it's already been given to Brooklyn."

"I understand. Had I known there was a position available, I would have applied."

"It still would have gone to Brooklyn,"

My breath is caught in my throat and my chest seizes. I'm having problems processing what he's saying. "Can I ask, was I even considered?"

We've reached his office. It's big and vast, with dark furniture making everything feel grounded. As in, I feel like I'm being buried alive.

"Honestly," he the pause out, holding me in suspense, "no. Your work is respectable. You put in more hours than anyone else."

"Then why?"

He seems to take a sick joy out of what comes next. "People don't like you. Despite their preferences today, this will fade and you'll go back to being a nobody. More than that, I don't like you. Brooklyn does what this company needs. He is a leader. He can control the others in ways you'll never be able to."

I can't believe the words I'm hearing. This sort of bluntness bruises and I have trouble sorting my thoughts and feelings. "So, I'll never be considered for a promotion, in this department or any other?"

"I don't see it happening, no." His smile is vile, confirming that Boris is taking pleasure in crushing my dreams.

I've worked here for five years and they've strung me along, making me believe that everything was worth it. Every year during my performance review, they promised I was on the way, on the right path; it was only a matter of time until I was moving up the ladder.

All the while, the truth is that the hours I've spent, pouring all of my energy into this company, and it meant nothing to them. Ryu was right. They were all right. I've wasted years, giving them everything I am.

"I quit," I say. I can feel the pinching sensation at the bridge of my nose and if I don't move fast enough, he'll see my tears. "I won't be back tomorrow."

He shrugs, waving a careless hand. "It was only a matter of time at this point. Your future is nothing but tea parties while your husband cheats with his secretary. It's how they all are."

"You don't get to say that about him." I feel strangely defensive of Kai, regardless of my lack of knowledge of his disposition. Maybe Kai is the type to step out on his wife. That's none of my business right now.

I leave before he can add anything. I'm still shaking when I reach my desk.

People are crowding around Brooklyn and he's entertaining them but there's a too-sweet edge to his voice that I don't think they recognize. Their conversation halts, attention shifting intrusively to me as I start collecting my things. There's not much to collect; I'm not even going to bother with their worthless bribes. The only thing I grab from my desk is the small plant, holding it in both hands as I survey the rest.

I shake my head. There's nothing else here for me. Walking away, the tears start to fall now, and all I can think is that I have to make it to the elevator.

Here's another piece of advice: do not try to take public transportation.

And then I recall the media circus downstairs.

In the elevator, my tears fall faster. Shifting the plant to one arm, I pull out my phone. My hands shake as I get his phone number from the email. I briefly think about calling but know that my voice would be useless, so I have to send a message.

Kai please send Spencer now

It's the only thing I can get out. Anything longer and there would be mistakes galore and who knows if he'd do anything with that.

I reach the bottom of the elevator and walk away from the front doors toward the parking garage. Nobody will bother me down there. I check my phone every five seconds for a reply and one finally arrives about a minute after.

5 mins Is all it says. Be as it may, I'm thankful.

I stand off to the side, trying to stay out of the line of sight of people coming and going. I've pulled back most of my tears, leaving me with the occasional sniffle. Still, I can feel how raw and puffy my eyes are. There's no way I'll be able to hide it from any of them.

True to word, I see the sleek black car driving up and parking at the entrance to the lobby and Spencer getting out. I pop out of my hiding spot and rush over as he opens the door.

"Thanks," I smile. Or try to. If he notices anything amiss, his impartial expression gives me nothing.

He gets back in the driver's seat and takes off without a word. I have to say, it's weird being in the back seat without Kai; just me and Spencer and my plant. It feels wrong not to speak with him but I don't know what to say.

"Thanks for coming to get me."

"You've said that."

"Oh. Right." I scratch my head. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything."

"My job is to go where Kai tells me. What he asks me to do is not an interruption."

I nod. I know this already.

"But I will say," he adds softly, his pale green eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror, "he has asked me to make much more inconvenient trips, with far worse passengers."

I'm comforted by the sentiment, feeling ever so slightly better. We reach the destination in silence from there, parking in another garage for a tall building somewhere in the city. It was a short drive and I can see why Spencer was able to make it so quickly.

I open the door before Spencer makes it and give him a sheepish smile. Rick is waiting at the door and Spencer tells me that he'll be leading me to Kai's suite. It's then that I realize I'll be in Kai's home. It comes as a shock and yet I'm not sure where I thought they were taking me.

Before passing me off, Spencer holds out his hand to shake mine, and awkwardly I shift my plant again. He uses the opportunity to slip something to me. Glancing down quickly, I find it's a small bottle of eye drops. I look up, embarrassed yet grateful. He gives me a small wink before getting back into the car.

Rick doesn't say anything to me as he guides me through the building. To say that it is immaculate would be wrong.

It is overwhelming.

Every turn of my head is a sight I'm not prepared for. Sweeping halls and grand columns. And this is just the lobby. Rick directs me into an elevator and presses the button for the top floor, scanning a key card when prompted.

"He likes to be up high, huh?"

"The Hiwatari's own this building. It's the biggest suite."

Hmm. I'm not prepared for that either.

I try to use the eye drops as discreetly as possible, though I know Rick can see me. Blinking, my eyes already start to feel a bit better.

The elevator door opens directly to his suite, leading to a hall that lets open to a large, open front room

"Wow," I breathe out, staggering into the room. My heels click against the shiny concrete floor. There's a collection of plush chairs around a fireplace left side of the room. To the right is a modern leather sectional that looks more for sitting than lounging. As though it's pulled straight from a magazine, it tells me look, but do not touch. Which is interesting because it sits in front of a large, wall-mounted TV.

Tables sit around the edges of the room, bearing decorations that look nice and expensive, but I can't tell if they have a purpose other than to remind me how poor I am.

Most impressive are the floor to ceiling windows that expand across the entire room. Talk about a city view! I can see clear to the horizon from here.

"Did you decide to leave early because of your co-worker's prying?"

I glance over my shoulder to see Kai standing in a large doorway just off to the right of the fireplace, leading to another room. To add to my long list of surprises in the past twenty-four hours, he's wearing light gray lounge pants and a plain tee shirt with a faded school logo, or possibly a sports team?

As much as I like him in suits, there's a huge difference when he's wearing something casual. I have to mentally, purposefully, forcefully remind myself that we are business partners and not friends. I can't get used to seeing him like this.

"Yeah, they were pretty excited." I laugh and wave it off. I look around for Rick to see if he'll ruin my secret but he's already disappeared somewhere. "I guess it's good that I'll be taking some time off, but I decided to start today since I had some vacation time saved. So, I'm all yours for the rest of... um. Have you decided when this is going to be over?"

Kai keeps a straight face while he studies me from across the room. Then he breaks out into a smirk and chuckles. "Yeah, I've made some plans." He motions for me to follow.

I trail after him into the room he came from, finding it to be his home office. The wall of windows carries in through the right side of the room and wraps around the side behind his desk. Along the left walls are open, industrial bookshelves. The black metal and stained wood contrast against the dark gray walls. Even his desk carries the theme, the top being just a giant slab of wood, roughly cut and sanded, attached to thick metal legs. He's got three computer screens set to one side of the desk and a laptop set up at the center.

And sitting there on the corner is my candle. Hard to believe that was just yesterday.

I take a seat in a light gray chair, getting a sense I might know what his favorite color is to file away for later. I set my plant on the ground next to me, unsure of what to do with it at this point. I probably should have just left it.

Folding my hands in my lap, I sit up straight. "So, what's the plan?"

Kai's taken a seat behind his desk, pulling up something on his laptop.

"I own a small two-bedroom condo close by that has a front door guard to keep the media and anyone else out. It'll take a few days to get it ready, but it'll be the perfect place for you to stay in the meantime."

I shake my head. "I can't live off you and have you pay me at the same time. I'll find my own place."

"Hilary, you a place with security. Besides, it's what my family would expect me to do for my fiancée. It's either that or you move in here. Your pick."

Already feeling defeated, I agree. "Okay, I'll take the condo."

It's a relatively small battle. I'll win the next one, I tell myself. Plus, it's not like I'll own it after this. It's just a roof over my head until I get another job.

Once that is settled, he moves on. "I think the wedding date should be early December. I would like for us to end this as close to that time as possible – for emotional impact. I'm sure you don't have a problem with that."

Calculating it out, that's six months. It feels soon for a real wedding, but far away for a fake one. "Why December? And why an actual wedding, can't we just be engaged and then break-up?"

"Well, it gives us enough time to establish with the world that we're in love, so that when the break comes people will rightfully believe we're both devastated. Also, there's another event that will happen around the same time that will distract my family so they can stop focusing on my personal life."

Oh, intrigue. "What's going to happen?"

He glances at me with reserved eyes. "It's not my place to say. That's someone else's story."

"Oh." Okay. "December's fine." Emily should be due around that time. Could be quite an eventful month.

"Also," he continues, standing to walk over to the bookshelf where a small black bag rests. "This is for you," he utters as he passes it to me.

I reach in and pull out a square velvet box. "Oh, um."

"If it's not your style or size, we can always exchange it," Kai says flippantly, returning his focus to the laptop.

I open it to reveal a ring. It's a tiny band inlaid with white diamonds, meeting at the center for a much larger one. It's simple but unignorable.

I look at him to find that he's surveying my reaction. My mouth opens but I can't find the words to say. "It's beautiful," I settle on. It's definitely my style, except a little bit extra, which strangely hurts.

I snap the box closed and put it back in the bag. "I'm sure it will fit."

He blinks at my stiff words. "Let me know if it needs to be adjusted."

I nod. "Is that all?"

"Almost. I've contacted my accountant and he's set up an account for you. The card will be here in a few days. You'll have unlimited access for whatever you need until this is over, just run big purchases past me first. As we get closer, we'll set up an account for you for payment."

"It's fine. I can probably sell this ring after all this and be set."

He laughs lightly at that, but it disappears quickly. "You'll be properly compensated."

"Okay. Whatever you think is fair."

He does that thing where he stares at me again as if he's trying to read my mind. Even in loungewear, he looks powerful and I feel like shrinking under his gaze.

"Do you have any stipulations? Any conditions at all?"

"Me?" I hadn't thought about it at all. "No. I'm just...whatever is fine. Just-"

"Yes?"

"You never told me why we're doing this? It's not a deal-breaker, but I'd at least like to know."

"You're a horrible negotiator. It's something we'll have to work on." The slight upturned smirk gives me the sense that's he's at least partially toying with me, which is a relief. He closes the laptop and leans back in his chair. He seems almost dejected to be talking about this.

"For years, they've been after me to marry. Typical rich family, eager to make connections, to tie down any loose ends,"

"You're a loose end?"

"Every year that I'm not married is another year I could have a child out of wedlock or I could die and my inheritance passed on to some no-name in the external family, or another viable connection goes to someone else. Whatever it is, their money is safer if I'm married with a prenup."

"Loving," I snort.

"The very definition," he replies, matching my sarcasm. "Anyway, it's always just been comments before. However, Yuriy – the man you saw in my office on Monday – informed me over the weekend that my grandfather has actually started taking steps to match me with someone."

"Like an arranged marriage?"

"A marriage of convivence. Mainly, his."

It seems weird to me, of course. Completely out of this world. But I have to imagine that it's probably very typical in his. "Are you afraid you won't like the person they choose?"

"It's not about liking or not liking. It's about who I can trust and I can't trust anyone my grandfather trusts."

"But didn't you're grandfather make you president? How can you say you don't trust him?"

"That's business," Kai nods. "He likes me in business. Family is different."

"You know that this is just a temporary fix, right? What are you going to do when he tries again?"

"I'll face that wave when it comes. My goal is to get through this one."

I shake my head. "I don't get it but if you're sure this is the route you want to take, I'll do my best."

"I appreciate it,"

Again, not a thank you but I'll take what I can get.

"So, when will the condo be ready? If it's soon, I'll have to start packing tonight,"

Back to business, Kai opens his laptop again. "You're not going back to that apartment. I'll arrange movers to get your clothes and personal items when everything is finalized with the condo."

"What? But where will I stay in the until then?"

His eyes dart up, growing more intense with each second as if he's waiting on me to make a very obvious connection. I shrug, clueless.

"Here, with me,"

Finally, a real explanation from Kai. So tell me, is his reason what you expected? I'm sure it is.

I've been re-editing to cut back on the cliffhangers since I don't want to irritate anyone, it's just that the chapters can get so long sometimes. I had so much fun writing them but now that people are reading it, it just seems mean. Hopefully, they leave you in suspence and not wanting to hit your head against the wall.

I love hearing from all of you. Thank you for your kind words and excitment. Next chapter will be up next week!