Chapter 4

Nothing.

Phoebe's background check had come up with nothing. Her record was completely clean, criminally and personally. She'd broken no laws nor had she conned, manipulated, or otherwise stabbed any of her family or friends in the back.

So Kyoya could eliminate "blackmail-able" from his list of reasons his father had hired the woman. He'd read her resume. Sure, academically speaking, and on paper, she was accomplished. And after her first day on the actual job she showed promise. But why her? Out of all the other countless applicants, why Phoebe Davis? If not to spy on Kyoya, then what?

His father never did anything without an ulterior motive. That's were Kyoya had learned it from. He could always bet his father was up to something, plotting something, hiding something- question was, what was it this time?

"Your friend really could do better."

Jolted from his thoughts Kyoya looked up from his phone, which he'd been using to read the e-mail that disclosed the results of Phoebe's background checks. He was barefooted, his white dress shirt unbuttoned, which is as far as he'd gotten in changing before he received the notification and had sat down on the edge of his bed to read the e-mails about Phoebe.

His gaze found Noriko leaned in the bathroom doorway, fresh out of the shower and wearing his bath robe. "I have a friend who is much better suited to his class and social standing," she offered with all sincerity. She was always trying to set Tamaki up with any number of her rich, snobby friends.

"Tamaki isn't like us, Noriko," he said, dropping the honorific as they both did when talking to each other in private. He locked his phone and set it on the nightstand. "He follows his heart, not his head. Which leads to 'poor' decisions, at least in terms of social standing and class."

"It's a pity," Noriko lamented, crossing her arms as she stared off at a random corner of the room. "He and my friend would make such a good match!"

"Nothing would make Tamaki happier than marring the love of his life," Kyoya replied. "Which happens to be Fujioka Haruhi."

Noriko clicked her tongue before moving away from the door frame to make her way to the bed. She stopped in front of Kyoya, straddling one of his legs as she stood above him, looking down at him. She ran both hands through his hair, one at a time, sliding them down the back of his neck. With one finger she traced a line along his jaw to his chin, then promptly plucked his glasses off and tossed them at the nightstand.

"Noriko, I've asked you to be more careful," he said as he watched his glasses glance off the edge of the nightstand and land on the carpet below. "I've already had to replace two pairs of glasses since we've been together."

"I'll buy you a new pair, it doesn't matter!" She said with a sly grin as she leaned down to caress his neck. She slid her hands under the collar of his shirt, pushing his shirt off his shoulders and she slid them around and down his back. She paused as her hand came to his bicep, leaning back from him as she squeezed the muscle.

"You know, you're quite scrawny, you should really try working out more," she scrutinized.

Kyoya caught her by the wrist as she reached up to stroke his face. "And you're a bossy bitch, you should really try minding your own business," he retorted, giving her a cold stare.

Even though her features were blurry he could still see her cold, furious glare. "So icy!" she said firmly through gritted teeth. But the hardened glare dissolved into a cynical smile. "I knew there was a reason I was dating you," she said as she leaned in to kiss him.

As her lips met his he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her with him as he fell back onto the bed.

"Phoebe, reschedule my one o'clock to tomorrow," Kyoya instructed as he stepped out of his office. His fingers were furiously typing on his phone, which was rather frequent Phoebe had learned in the past four weeks since she'd started working for him.

"Yes, Mr. Ootori!" she replied. Her tone was so much more upbeat that normal, Kyoya paused to look at her probably for the first time that day.

He'd been in meetings all morning so that was the first opportunity he'd had to pay attention to what she was wearing. He smiled when he saw what it was. "I see you got your clothing from the Hitachiins," he said.

"Yes!" she said, barely able to compose herself. She was so elated he half expected her to float away had there not been a roof over her head.

Though still business appropriate, the dress had far more color and flare than her normal, drab office attire. It was actually a nice change.

"Well, it's lovely," he said, giving her his business smile. "I don't know how I missed it earlier," He admitted as he turned back to his phone. Tapping out a few more words on the display screen he added, "You'll have a chance to show off your new outfit to someone other than myself today, though."

"Oh, yes, Mr. Ootori!" she said, suddenly remembering. She began gathering up her usual outing items to place in her brief case. "Your important meeting. The one I cleared your afternoon for- who was it with again?"

Kyoya smiled, amused. He couldn't tell if she was trying to reassure him that she hadn't completely forgotten about it or herself.

"No, no, you won't need any of that," he said, sliding his phone gracefully into his pocket.

Phoebe froze mid dropping her phones into her bag. "Oh," she said, looking more perplexed. Then, with a thoughtful expression, she added, "You know, you never actually told me who we're supposed to be meeting today."

Kyoya turned to get on the elevator. "Didn't I? How careless of me. It's only the most important meeting I could ever have!"

Kyoya didn't have to look at her to know she was even more puzzled. Her silence was proof enough.

"You can't go with us!"

Phoebe glanced between the two, dumbfounded. She leaned over to Kyoya where they stood on the sidewalk waiting for the couple to work out this squabble in public. "When you said 'meeting' I was expecting- well, a business meeting! I didn't know you meant this!" she whispered, gesturing inconspicuously at the bride and groom to be.

Tamaki looked utterly heartbroken. "But this is an important event in your life, Haruhi!" he exclaimed. "I want to be with you! A husband and wife to be should share in such moments!"

"No!" Haruhi said firmly. Her arms were crossed over her chest defiantly. "You absolutely can not go with me to pick out my wedding dress!"

"But Haruhi-" Tamaki began to object.

"NO!" She shouted. She jabbed a finger in Kyoya's direction. "It's bad luck to see the dress before the ceremony and you forbid my father from taking me so that's why he is taking me dress shopping today!"

Kyoya smirked as he leaned down to whisper to Phoebe, "What meeting could be as important as this?"

"You call doing things with your friends meetings?" she asked disapprovingly.

"Shirley you can detect a metaphor when you hear it," he patronized.

Phoebe just looked at him as if she didn't know what to do with him.

"I'm sorry about that, Kyoya-sempai," Haruhi said with a smile, bowing low in apology. "He won't be delaying us anymore. We can go inside now!"

Tamaki looked like a whipped puppy, sulking as he reluctantly slid into the backseat of the Suoh company's limousine that he had arrived in unannounced and uninvited thirty minutes prior. Haruhi had argued with him since that he wasn't going wedding dress shopping with them.

They'd met Haruhi outside of the first department store she had chosen to begin her search. Kyoya stepped to the side, motioning for Haruhi to lead the way. "No problem at all. After you!" he said.

"Oh, and hello, Phoebe-san! Sorry about my stupid fiancee," Haruhi said, addressing Phoebe as the headed inside the store. "And that outfit looks really cute on you! Do you mind if I take your picture to send to Hikaru and Kaoru? They'd love to see it!"

"Oh, th-thank you!" Phoebe said, flustered at the complement and request. "Um, I guess that would be okay."

"Great! Just stand by that plant," Haruhi instructed as she whipped out her phone.

"Haruhi, today is supposed to be about your outfit," Kyoya reminded. "Namely the one you're going to be wearing on the most important day of your life."

"I know. This will just take a second," she replied. One 'ka-chik' of her phone's imitation shutter sound later and she resumed course.

Once inside, two attendants immediately offered Haruhi their assistance. After Kyoya explained they would help her find the style of dresses she wanted and assist in trying them on, Haruhi reluctantly agreed to their offers. But after just seven or so questions into the fitting and three dresses shoved in her face and the three found themselves back outside on the sidewalk without Haruhi trying on a single garment.

"I'm sorry," Haruhi said with a heavy sigh.

"Don't apologize," Kyoya said with a shrug. "But out of curiosity, is there a reason you ran out of there like a swarm of wasps was chasing you?"

Haruhi sighed again. "This is all too much," she said.

"The dress shopping or being engaged to Tamaki?" Kyoya asked with a single raised eyebrow.

After a moment of serious consideration Haruhi replied, "Both." She was quick to add, "But not because I'm getting cold feet!"

"I didn't think you were," Kyoya replied. "Care to tell me what's wrong?"

"I'm just a little overwhelmed by- everything. The parties, the rich, powerful people I've never met constantly congratulating me everywhere I go, this!" She broadly gestured to the department store. "It's not me."

Kyoya smiled sympathetically. "Haruhi, I know the socializing and the fuss over designer clothing isn't your style, but you're marrying into the Suoh family. They're very rich and fairly influential. There are certain expectations you must meet for this wedding, even if you don't want them for yourself."

Haruhi heaved another heavy sigh. "I know. I'd just rather elope at this point!"

"That's always an option, I suppose," Kyoya said thoughtfully. "However, with Tamaki's rocky introduction into the family and the uncertainty of his future in the family business, such a move would do his social standing more harm than good."

Haruhi looked like she wanted to cry in frustration. "I know," she said quietly.

Kyoya smiled. "Then do this for Tamaki's sake," he said warmly.

She smiled. "Yes, for Tamaki's sake," she said.

"Now, shall we get back to it?" he asked.

"Yes! Oh, but-"

"Not here, no of course not," Kyoya said with a knowing smile. "Facing those employees you just ran out on without an explanation - No need to put yourself through that kind of embarrassment. How about we go somewhere a little less flashy but still fashionably acceptable?" he asked as he pulled out his phone to summon an uber.

Haruhi smiled. "Thank you, Kyoya-sempai," she said.

"Honestly, I don't know why you didn't just accept the Hitachiins' offer to design you a wedding dress," Kyoya said with a wry smirk.

"No!" Haruhi gasped, looking completely horrified at the thought. "Could you imagine?" She shuddered. "No. Absolutely not!"

Kyoya opened the door of the car that had just pulled up to pick them up. "Then I guess we'll just have to find one elsewhere!"

Three department stores, ten dresses, and several hours later, Haruhi found herself sitting on a park bench next to Phoebe, sipping on a fast food drink leftover from their late lunch, her feet throbbing. Kyoya was just a few feet away on the phone talking to some business associate, momentarily delaying their shopping. She was thankful for the break, even if she hadn't found her dress yet.

"I'm sorry you got dragged into this," she said, turning to Phoebe.

"No, not at all! It's actually been kind of fun. I haven't gotten to help pick out a wedding dress since my sister got married several years ago," she said.

"I'm glad you're here. Your opinion and input has been helpful. This isn't an easy decision, especially for me," Haruhi explained.

Phoebe smiled. "Glad I could help! But, may I ask- don't you have a mother or girl friend who is better suited to this task? Someone who knows you better."

Haruhi shook her head. "My mom died years ago when I was in middle school and I haven't ever really had many girl friends," she stated bluntly.

Phoebe looked mortified. "I-I'm sorry," she said.

"It's okay, that was a long time ago. I've learned to get along, though I do miss her terribly," Haruhi reassured. She smiled. "But I guess that's why it's nice to have a woman's insight right now!"

"Yes, I suppose so," Phoebe agreed. "Um, you mentioned Mr. Suoh didn't want your dad to come. How come?"

Haruhi tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Oh, did I? I guess I might have earlier," she said. Then she shrugged. "Oh well. It's because Dad is a Tranny and Tama-sempai said his opinion would be tainted somehow."

Phoebe gawked at her flabbergasted. Her lips moved to form words but she clearly was speechless.

"Oh, it's not because he disapproves of Dad," Haruhi quickly explained, mistaking her shock to mean something else. "He just thinks something as 'delicate' as a wedding dress needs a woman's touch. A real woman, or something."

Phoebe blinked. "I'm sorry. You're dad's a-"

"A Tranny," Haruhi repeated matter of fact. She finally noticed Phoebe's awkward expression. "Oh, I guess that's unusual, huh? Sorry for the shock."

Phoebe laughed sheepishly. "No, it's fine. I just wasn't expecting you to say that," she said. "Oh, but please don't think I'm judging-"

"Not at all!" Haruhi said with a smile.

Phoebe sighed, relieved. "Good," she said. "So he thinks it requires a woman's touch, huh?"

Haruhi nodded.

"Is that why he asked Mr. Ootori to take you shopping?" Phoebe asked with a chuckle.

Haruhi laughed. "I guess you could say that's the closest Tamaki could get to a 'mother's touch," She dismissed Phoebe's confused look with the wave of her hand. "Forget about it. More crazy stuff from high school. But they're best friends. Kyoya-sempai is the closest thing Tama-sempai will ever have to a brother, really. And what are friends for, am I right?"

Phoebe smiled thoughtfully and somewhat skeptically. "Yes, but- please forgive me, but I feel like I can say this to you- he doesn't seem the type," she said, gesturing towards Kyoya with a nod of her head.

"No, he definitely is," Haruhi assured. She smiled. "He presents a cold, uncaring, ruthless image, but truly Tama-sempai means the world to him. He really cares about his friends and he'll do anything to help them, whatever it takes."

"If you say so," Phoebe said with a shrug. "I've yet to see that side, I guess."

"Sorry about that, Haruhi. Are you ready to resume your search?" Kyoya inquired as he returned from his phone call.

Haruhi sighed. "If I have to," she grumbled.

"Don't worry. I think this next store will have exactly what you're looking for," he said with a smile.

"Somehow I doubt it will," Haruhi said. She begrudgingly stood up. "I don't think I'm going find my dress today, Kyoya-sempai."

"That's quite alright. I'll be happy to take you dress shopping as many times as necessary for you to find the perfect one," Kyoya replied genuinely. Haruhi smiled, glancing towards Phoebe as if to say, 'See? I told you.'

"Thanks, Kyoya-sempai. You really are the best," she said.