I have something to say (but won't pick up the phone)

He is testing me.

He has to be testing me.

Except it doesn't look like a test. It looks like Kai is doing what Kai always does: taking control of the situation and working it to his advantage, screw everything and everyone else. Our conversations meant nothing. Our weekend getting on the same page meant nothing. And here I thought he was sharing a piece of himself with me. Obviously, I misunderstood.

I demanded what I wanted, and he delivered, placating me into submission, smoothing me over so I'd be the lovely little fiancée he thought he acquired. But here he is, considering his options not even a week later.

A bitter part of me says I should have expected this, and I'm foolish for being so easy to trick. Rick says Kai likes risks. Mariah says Kai likes playing games with people, moving them like chess pieces on a board no one else sees. I thought Kai likes people who can help him reach his goals, but it's more accurate to say that he wants people he can use.

Kai's messing with me. He can't really think Mathilda – his grandfather's choice – is his best option. There are a thousand women he can pick from who would be better suited to him and his prickly personality.

Is it a power thing? He sees himself as some power-hungry monster, a blight on his parent's existence. Does he go out of his way to fulfill that role? To gorge himself on control and manipulation so that it's undeniable?

I don't bother calling Spencer. He'll only know something is wrong, and then he'll tell Kai. I call the car service Romero uses to get around instead. The ride is quiet, the driver hardly paying me any attention while my mind races. By the time I arrive back at my condo, I can see where I've gone wrong.

Just like with my old company, I've given everything I have, expecting only appreciation. Hoping that appreciation to turn into rewards.

How stupid.

What was it Kai said? That I needed to learn to negotiate? Well, it looks like he's the perfect teacher, just not in the ways he expected. Dropping my weekend bags to the floor in the middle of my living room, I pull out a small stack of paper from the printer and start drafting a contract.

I spend most of the day mulling over it, making adjustments to my requirements and wording until everything sounds just right. I suck down tea, one cup after another, reminding myself this isn't about revenge.

Though, I think Kai would appreciate it if it were. He'd get a kick out of it. And that little smirk he gets when he thinks something is clever would come out, and his eyes would alight with passion at the idea that I would be kicking back, gaze narrowing dangerously -

Scratch that thought. Focus.

Kai has never been shy throwing his money at me like he throws money at every problem. I'm not selfish enough to ask for more. Or possibly, the idea of asking for more, as if that's the only reason I'm here, forms a lump in my throat. I won't reduce Kai down to his bank account. I'm also not going to ask for this condo. He's held on to it for so long for a reason, and I can't take that from him.

I will take a modest condo. Something in the city, close to the business district, where I plan to work again.

That's item one.

Kai promised a job at Hiwatari Enterprises – any department I wanted. However, I'm foreseeing a need to put some distance between us, at least for a little while. I don't think I'll ever be able to take him up on that offer to work under him, and I believe a recommendation from my ex-fiancé would be more than a little odd. Kai will allow me to secure a position at another company before our scheduled break-up. Rereading the line, I scratch out 'allow' and write 'enable' instead. This will give me a fight chance before the media drags my name through the mud.

I include our projected end date of December, so he can't get rid of me before then and ruin my plans.

My final clause is one I debate heavily. I've always taken Kai at his word, his promise to make sure I'm taken care of. Ever since he sat in my tiny living room and said all those words that convinced me that helping him was a good idea. He's certainly proven himself, considering the difference between then and where I'm currently sitting. I'm grateful for his absurd wealth and generosity. I probably would have accepted less. However, I'm starting to see things from a different perspective. Nothing is tying him to that promise, and it's not like anyone would believe me if he were to deny our deal.

He could ruin me. I could've let him.

Ultimately, I keep the item. Kai can neither deny nor speak ill of our time together.

Once I'm confident that the contract meets my needs, I call Kenny. He's at work and distracted but pauses when I tell him why I'm calling. Despite his busy schedule, he's intrigued and agrees to come over for dinner. A lawyer would probably be a better option. Still, Kenny is smart enough to provide direction, and he knows Kai well.

As the night rolls around, Kenny arrives, as promised, with a bag of take-out and beer. I take the meal while he strips off his jacket, throwing it over the arm of my couch. Somehow, he manages to lower himself to the floor, long legs folding into each other. "So, let's see this contract," he says, pulling his tie loose and rolling his sleeves to his elbows.

I eat in silence while he reads. Occasionally, he'll make a noise, and I'll pause, overly sauced orange chicken halfway to my mouth. It's sort of a low hmm crossed with a sigh, his lips a flat line.

"You really never thought to get a contract before?"

"It all happened so fast. I didn't realize we didn't have one until I had a credit card and my own condo. And by then, well –"

He groans, throwing the contract down between us. "Hilary."

"Stupid."

"Very."

"It's not too late, is it?"

"Never, but the timing is odd. And I'm not sure how he's going to respond. I can't imagine it'll be good."

I sigh wearily. "He hates surprises."

"And this is the worst kind of surprise."

"Maybe," I put the container down. "I mean, I'm not exactly coming out of nowhere. I am?"

"Something happens between the two of you?"

I put down the carton, thinking how much to tell him, which is ridiculous. It's not like Kai considers which details to divulge when speaking with any one of his thousands of friends. I bet they can't wait to hear the next installment of Hilary Embarrasses Herself for My Benefit.

"We had a great weekend," I start. Kenny patiently listens to me as I go into detail, covering the weekend and the following dinner. I won't reveal anything that doesn't have to do with us, keeping Spencer's and the other's stories to myself.

"And then this morning, I go to the living room and hear him in his office. With Mathilda."

Kenny's deep brown eyes grow wide behind those round glasses, and that's how I know I'm not going crazy.

"Super weird, right?"

"What was she doing?"

"Convincing him that she's actually on his side. Trying to sway him towards her."

He shrugs this off, leaning back on his long arms. "Doesn't seem that weird. She's smart. She's playing the long game."

I can't believe what I'm hearing. And I tell him so. "Are you joking?"

He lifts a shoulder in a half shrug. "Well, think about it, Hil. If you weren't here, there wouldn't be anything keeping them from being together, other than Kai's own efforts. Which, against his grandfather, aren't that much. Between the two of us, the elder Hiwatari still has most of the power. This hasn't been completely painless for Kai, you know."

"Really?" I snort.

"Not at all," he emphasizes. His mouth twists into a grim frown. "Soichiro's put a freeze on his inheritance. He has more than enough to support himself, of course. He's not hurting financially, but not having access to those accounts cripples how his money moves. Besides that, all his major purchases have to be approved by Soichiro. For someone as independent as Kai..."

Kenny trails off, the implication clear. I haven't heard about any significant purchases from Kai. It only clarifies further that Kai has things going on behind the scenes, things I'm not privy to, while I've been an open book.

"But he knew that was part of the risks." I reason. "He knew his grandfather wasn't going to go easy on him."

"And then there's the threat of his position," Kenny continues.

"Soichiro would remove him as CEO?"

"Possibly. It's already been made clear that he won't get President if he goes through with it. There's even been whispers that Soichiro is considering removing Kai from his will. Not even one percent of the company will go to him."

A wave of guilt washes over me. That's everything Kai wanted. He's given up his relationship with his parents, and who knows what else to become President. I'm less enthusiastic about sending a message in this manner now that I know he could be losing this battle.

"So, Mathilda is his way of admitting defeat," I say, shaking my head.

"His way of salvaging everything he's worked for," Kenny replies with a shrug.

"He always acts with so much confidence," I defend myself. "He should just talk to me."

"Kai? You're asking a bit much, don't you think?"

I roll my eyes at his sarcasm but quickly return to contemplating the situation. "He could...leave."

"Sounds like you're making a suggestion. Are you thinking of releasing him from the deal?"

I swallow. "The story was always going to be that I left him brokenhearted, giving him a reason to be the loveless loner he wants to be. But." I stop, taking a deep breath to think about my words. I can't even believe I'm considering it. "If Mathilda is a better option for him, then maybe the story should be he found love with another. I'll be the pathetic brokenhearted one. And he'll have his company."

"And a wife."

"Who he trusts. His other requirement."

Kenny folds my contract and holds it out to me. You guys need to have a conversation."

I don't talk to him. I send the contract along to Kenny, who passes it on to one of the lawyers in his company to draft up. Since I'm technically on Kai's account, he'll get billed for it. Serves him right.

Instead, I focus on the plans Romero sends over. Now that he's returned to the helm of the wedding planning committee, removing Mariah from her duties, things are running smoothly. I choose between two center pieces. It is a riveting thirty seconds.

When Romero runs out of tasks for me, I talk to Emily about her pregnancy. That keeps me busy for a whole two hours. She's working more than ever, it seems. She asks about Mathilda, and I conveniently end the conversation.

With nothing left to occupy my thoughts and keep me from reaching for my phone to see if Kai has responded, I research the building project that's threatening to tear down my old neighborhood. I recognize the name Zagart from articles I've read from the business section. Their involvement strikes me as strange, since they're a medical research and development organization. That area of the city isn't zoned for the type of buildings they would need. Still not seeing the connection, I save the articles I find and then text Romero, asking that he make some time to visit the protest organizers.

Before I know it, it's Friday night. I sit in my bed, staring at the clock with the TV playing in the background. Kai must have received the contract by now. Yet, I haven't heard from him. I turn off the light and roll over, wondering if I should be fearful of what's coming or take this silence as his response.

My head feels clear as well like I'm seeing everything for the first time, and even though it's not what I thought or what I wanted, I'm accepting it. My proximity to Kai was definitely clouding my judgment. I was confused by my lingering crush and natural friendliness. One of the hardest things about Kai is that he has a knack for reaching into me and dragging out my overly empathetic side. As dawn breaks on Saturday morning, I stand on the balcony, watching the sunrise with a warm cup of my favorite tea, feeling peaceful in the morning rays.

This is brought to a swift end when there's a firm knock on my door. Somehow, I know immediately. There are no words. He didn't pound or anything. Nothing to indicate who is on the other side of the door, but this early in the morning, it can be no one else.

I make my way from the balcony, through the living room, and past the kitchen, where I set my cup on the island counter. Placing my hand firmly on the handle, I take a deep breath, preparing my mind and resolve for what I'm about to face.

I failed to prepare my heart.

His eyes are concealed behind dark glasses. Despite it being Saturday morning, he's dressed in his traditional work attire – the dark blue suit perfectly emphasizing his broad shoulders.

"Morning," I say like it's just any other morning.

He holds up a yellow clasp envelope. "What's this?" I'm almost knocked back by his stormy energy.

I swing the door wide, allowing him entrance. He wastes no time pushing past me, whipping around before I even get the door closed. After putting his glasses away in his breast pocket, he locks eyes with me. He sucks in a breath and lets it out. I feel the frustration coming off him in waves.

"Hilary, answer me."

"It's my contract," I say lightly.

"Your contract?" The frustration does nothing but highlights the deep timbre of his voice. It rumbles from his chest.

"Do you want some tea?" I ask, walking towards the kitchen, grabbing my cup to refill. I'm careful to keep my distance. My nerves are already hyper-aware of how close he is. Any narrowing of the space might have my skin lighting up like winter twinkle lights.

"Why are you doing this? Why now?"

"Do you really need to ask?" I snap, and then reign it in. "Besides, we should have always had one."

"You had your chance to ask for it."

"Are you saying you won't sign it?"

His jaw clenches and releases as he works through his thoughts. "Why didn't you bring your concerns to me first? That was our deal."

"You honestly want to know?" I don't wait for his answer. "It's because I couldn't be sure you wouldn't talk your way out of it. Or not listen to me. Or take control and ignore what I want. At least this way, you have to hear it."

"Is this about Mathilda?"

"There are other reasons," I say softly. There are a thousand things I want to say. Reasonings that sounded so good before Kai was standing in front of me. None sound all that great now. They sound like excuses, even to myself. "It was stupid not to have one. I've let myself be lead blindly by you. We can't do that anymore."

"Excellent point." He pulls the envelope open and slides out several pages. "I've amended your contract to include some of my concerns. I've also had my attorney draw up an NDA."

"An NDA?"

"Non-disclosure agreement."

I roll my eyes, reaching for the files. "I know what an NDA is." The central portion of my contract is still intact; nothing changed there. Still, he's added quite a bit. "Seriously?" I ask as I read one line that just says, 'Will approve all time off at least fifteen days prior.' "Is this about the weekend? We needed that. I was basically working the whole time. This contract is ridiculous."

"Do you know how many people Hiwatari Enterprises employs?"

"Um-" My mind shuffles through the various articles I've read recently. "Upwards of 300,000 or so."

"Over 350,000. Not including subcontractors and vendors."

I nod to show I'm following, though I'm not. What does Hiwatari Enterprises have to do with our fake relationship?

"That's over 400,000 individuals that count on Hiwatari Enterprises succeeding. They buy houses and have families, completely dependent on me making the right decision. And I trusted you wouldn't try to screw me over. Because of what? Intuition?"

It's a rhetorical question, I know. But I can't help myself. "My charming smile and dazzling personality?"

He doesn't reply to that. "I am a capable leader. My record with the company and with you personally is proof of that. So, I'm getting a little tired of hearing how I push you around and how you're blindly led by me. However, I'm the one that trusts you with no reason other than a gut instinct that you won't ruin me."

I keep silent.

He takes a pen from his jacket and slides it over to me. "So the next you want me to take time off work, you don't call Romero and have him rearrange my schedule behind my back. You call me. Fifteen days prior."

I read the rest of the document, trying not to think about what Kenny said the other night and my guilt for assuming I was taking all the risks. The NDA is extensive, covering everything I'll see or hear while staying at Kai's personal residences (I ask if that includes this condo, and it does). It also extends to anything I learn about Hiwatari Enterprises and the Hiwatari family.

Basically, if it isn't already public knowledge, I better not make it public knowledge, or I can kiss the sun goodbye. Because Kai will bury me.

Once signed, I slide papers back to him with a sigh. A sour feeling settles in my stomach as Kai collects the documents and taps them into order.

"Not as much fun, is it? Receiving legal papers by someone you trust?"

"Is this revenge?"

"Maybe a little." He smirks at my glare. "Though, it wasn't entirely a bad idea. I wish you'd come to me first. I wouldn't have mind drawing it up if you said you needed it. For a second, I thought you were trying to get out of our deal."

"That wasn't it at all!" I shout, wide-eyed at the idea. "Why would I send a contract of terms if I wanted out?"

"Sometimes companies use contracts as a way to scare the other party with a list of demands that seem unreasonable." He shrugs, scribbling his name across the pages I've already signed.

"Did I scare you?" I smile at the idea, swelling with pride thinking about it.

"No," Kai says. "I saw through it. You were the one scared."

I stamp out the good feeling.

He slips the papers back into the envelope and seals the clasp. "You were scared that I'd leave you for Mathilda. And since I would have been able to get what I want without you, I'd leave you with nothing."

"Well, well, well. Look who developed human insight in the past three days," I mutter, trying not to let the bitterness seep through. "And I wasn't scared."

"Yes, well," He clears his throat, looking away from me. "I might have some help in seeing you more clearly."

"Remind me to thank Mariah, in that case."

"To be clear, Hilary, I wouldn't have teamed up with Mathilda. Not now, at least. I would have seen this through even without that being in the contract."

"Then why did you take the meeting? Didn't you care how that would make me feel?"

"No. I was curious about the option and why she presented it, but I -" He breaks off, eyes studying me as if he's trying to figure something out. He shakes his head but never continues what he was saying.

I try not to be too happy. It's not like he's picking me over her. Kai's at risk of losing everything, so of course, he's prioritizing himself. Still, my heart soars at the words. "Okay," I relent.

The simple word has an effect. His stern brow lifts, relaxing, though he by no means looks relieved. I take the opportunity to pour him a cup he didn't ask for and push it across the counter. He picks it up wordlessly, sipping the warm liquid.

"This is the tea you bought for me," he says, inspecting the cup after.

"Uh, yeah. I'm surprised you've tried it."

For a moment, we stand in silence. It's an enjoyable moment, as we find ourselves on the same page once again, having successfully navigated another problem. If this were a real relationship, I would tell myself this was proof of our compatibility. We would kiss and declare the issue resolved.

Of course, if this were a real relationship, we wouldn't need contracts and NDAs. So there's that.

Clapping my hands to break up the moment, I carry on. "What's next on the agenda?"

Kai seems to ponder. "There's a never-ending stream of charity events, dinners, and meetings, as you know. But I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to blow them off."

"There was a line in the contract that I had to attend so many in a month?" I ask. I know I'd read it.

He grins. "I know. I didn't say you can blow them off. I said I wouldn't blame you for wanting to."

As annoying as he is, his teasing grin brings back memories of when he kissed me in front of everyone. My heart pounds again, imagining that he didn't pull away but instead came back for a second kiss, slanting his mouth against mine more fully. He'd already caused a scene, so why not take it to another level and make the most of it.

I throw a bucket of cold water over the Hilary in my imagination. She sputters but realizes what she's done and leaves to sulk in the corner. Kai really is the last guy I should want. This relationship is fake, the seduction is fake, but my feelings are very much real.

"Hilary?"

I turn back. "You didn't have to kiss me that night."

He blinks.

"Now we only have three kisses left and four months to go." I shut my eyes. "A kiss on the cheek would have been fine. More fitting with what people expect from you."

"Four kisses," he corrects immediately, wearing a mocking smile. "And I thought you would like teasing Doctor Kay and the old man. My mistake. "

Was that all it was? I want to ask. Is he so unaffected by my presence that he can think so clearly at that moment?

My ego is bruised.

"You should stop playing games with them. The closer we get to the goal, the more serious they'll become." I pick my tea up and walk into the living room to sit on the couch. Bringing my knees up to my chest, my hands wrap around the warm cup, holding it close. I can feel the steam rising from the tea to my face.

Kai follows me. "Playing games is half the fun," he says, sitting on the other end of the small sofa. "But I will try to hold back, for your sake. Wouldn't want your heart giving out before I can break it properly."

So, he is unaffected. Figures. Yes, I'm pretty. Yes, he would have sex with me under the right circumstances. But no, I don't cloud his mind. It's a weird space to be in. I'm good, but not quite enough to seduce the great Kai Hiwatari.

"We should also figure out what Johnny wants," I say. Anything other than pursuing that conversation.

"Johnny," Kai scoffs, the name coming out clipped. Kai closes his eyes, frustration returning. "I told you. McGregor has one goal, and that's pissing me off. It has been since we were in school. He knew you were my fiancée and knew I would consider flirting with you crossing a line." When his eyes open, they're bright, alive with something other than anger.

"Because no one takes what's yours?"

I secretly hate when people say that. The 'your mine' thing. Carlos used to do that, and I was young enough to see it as attractive and intoxicating. I want so desperately to see this fault in Kai – to have something to counter the fantasies.

"Because you don't mess with someone in a serious relationship."

I swallow. Of course, he'd have a rule like that. And of course, I'd like it. So pathetic. "I heard from Romero that he was a guest of Ralf's. Explains what he was doing there."

"I asked about that too. He should have had a seat at the main table. That's where he was on the seating chart. Romero thinks he moved his name card when no one was looking so that he could sit across from you."

Romero didn't tell me all of that. I sip my tea. "You met him at school, then?"

Kai's not fooled. I can see the shift in his focus as he realizes I'm fishing for information – pretty badly, too. Regardless, I meet his gaze as if this is just a standard question.

"He and Ralf were three years ahead of me. I've said before that Ralf was in line to take the company before I came in," he says.

I nod, allowing him to continue without interruption. While he speaks, I bring up the information I've already learned through my internet searching on the family. I already knew about Ralf being older, and Kai attending the same school after him. It's the same boarding school they all went to, even Giancarlo and Olivier, though they belonged to a different house, and stayed in a different dorm.

"Well, when I came to my grandfather, he shifted that right over to me. It burned Ralf when that happened, and his anger riled McGregor. Of course, Ralf and I had traded words, but he never directly started a fight with me since it would get back to my grandfather. McGregor didn't have that problem."

"So, he was your high school bully?"

His eyes cut me down.

"Nothing to be ashamed of. I've already told you how my cousins treated me."

"Bully isn't the word I'd used. It's not like he was shoving me in lockers."

"Yes, I'm sure rich kids have different methods. Siphoning fuel from your private jets, perhaps?"

"The point is McGregor doesn't know when to stop. Ralf and I – we grew up. We stopped bothering with each other. McGregor still does the same things he did back then."

"I wish you'd believe me when I say he wasn't hitting on me." I hold up my hand when he opens his mouth. "I'm not being modest. Trust me, if someone as hot as Johnny was hitting on me, I'd tell you."

"Is that the type you go for, then? I thought your little boyfriend would have cured you of being attracted to loud and obnoxious."

I have to remind myself that his sharpness is not jealousy; his affection is not real.

"Well, my type isn't not loud and obnoxious. I believe there's a time and place for everything." I lower my eyes. "Why? Did you expect I'd go for someone more...serious?"

He doesn't look away, but he doesn't answer either. And I have my answer. He doesn't want to admit it, but that's precisely what he thought.

"But it's a moot point," I continue with a sigh. "Since Johnny definitely wasn't hitting on me. Maybe he was trying to piss you off, I'll give you that. But he's also working an angle."

Kai finally listens to reason. "It must be something for Ralf. He wouldn't be interested otherwise."

I add that to the mental notes I'm taking. Ralf is sort of a mystery to me. There isn't a lot out there about him that isn't connected to his position at Hiwatari Enterprises.

His father is the son of a business tycoon from Germany and was arranged to marry Soichiro's youngest, Kay.

He's a skilled in fencing and chess, though he prefers chess more.

He also prefers to go by Jurgens rather than Hiwatari. The articles never comment on why this might be since both names are recognizable, but it's always noted that Hiwatari has more weight to it.

And finally, he was given a position in the company after he graduated.

Beyond that, of the few the times I've seen him in passing, he's never said a word directly to me, as if speaking to someone as low as I could taint his existence somehow. He always has this regal 'I'm better than you' energy about him. Kai has it, too, but it's different.

"Do you think Ralf is making a play for President?" I ask, leaning forward. "Do you think Soichiro would give it to him if you don't get rid of me?"

"I wouldn't have doubted it before, but Ralf hasn't been invested in the company lately. It's one of the many things he and Gideon argue about." Kai shakes his head. "And I seriously doubt that my grandfather would give the company to him."

"Why is that? Isn't he the oldest?"

Kai looks at me with a guarded expression. Maybe I'm showing too much interest, treating his family like a TV drama than actual people with lives to live. Who can blame me, though? The gossip is tantalizing.

"I supposed it's good that you signed that NDA. But just so we're clear, what I'm about to tell you, you tell absolutely no one. Understand?"

I nod.

"I'm serious, Hilary."

"NDA, all the way," I promise. I'm leaning halfway over the couch, frozen as I wait for him to continue.

His expression turns from guarded to pointed. His eyes are dark and serious, his voice barely a rumble in the empty space between us.

"Ralf is not a Hiwatari. Not by blood."

Hello again! Thanks for sticking around. I'd love to hear from you but if you don't feel like commenting, that's quite alright. It's nice that you spent your time with me anyway. Take care until the next chapter - Konix