REMINDER: I don't own Skip Beat and its characters; this work is purely fictional any scenes related to real life situations are purely coincidental. XD Beta and Proof Reading credits goes to Shirahane Aikawa who offered her help to proof read this story of mine kindly read her stories here in this site as well.

Chapter 67

Kyoko not knowing him and the news of her engagement to nonetheless Fuwa Sho irked and frustrate Tsuruga Ren to no end that he spent the night in his pad with a strong bottle of whatever that can numb his pain away but nothing he drink and (drunk) helped.

Frustration eats him to no end… how can he be such a coward? "I thought that by leaving I'm protecting her but instead I..."

This is the first time in a long time that he felt so miserable that he wanted nothing but to concede his defeat over Kyoko's heart but there is something about her that pulls him back making him still want to fight the battle that's already lost.

He smirked watching the interview of Sho and Kyoko about their engagement with a plan in mind to make her fall in love with him again.

Despite having the best night of her life with Sho's proposal and a passionate love making afterwards, Kyoko is having a bad dream in the middle of the night. She is sweating profusely thrashing and gripping the silk sheets beside Sho, she was tossing and turning that it woke her fiancé up.

"Kyoko wake up what's happening." Sho said while shaking Kyoko to wake up.

When Kyoko finally woke up her tears suddenly fell from her eyes with no apparent reason.

Sho embraced Kyoko close to his chest running circles in her back to soothe and calm her.

"It was just a dream Hun it's not real." He said softly to her ear and kissed the top of her hair trying to calm the still sobbing and shaking Kyoko.

"I'm sorry Sho, I didn't know why I am crying my dream it felt so real." Kyoko said through her tears

"In case she wakes up in the middle of the night after having a nightmare or a bad dream just try to calm and soothe her and never ask her what the dream is about for it will give her more headache…"

Sighing deeply he just remain embracing Kyoko until sleep will come back to her again.

The following morning as they eat breakfast together with Kyoko's nightmare last night is not being talked about in the morning, Kyoko mentioned instead of her decision to accept the role offered to her for the upcoming Hollywood movie.

"No way will I allow you to work on that movie." He said in a slightly raised voice, how can he allow her to work in the same movie as Tsuruga Ren just when things are going perfect between him and Kyoko.

Kyoko frowns a little, "But that movie will help me further my career."

"Yeah but it will also move you close to Tsuruga Ren again." Sho thought to himself bitterly.

"Sho…" Kyoko called with her hand on top of his, her golden brown eyes gleaming to Sho's blue eyes as she looks softly at his handsome face.

Sho sighs a frustrating sigh this is the look that always melts his defenses, "Whatever Kyoko but you know we'll be marrying soon and you will still accept the movie role. How are we supposed to prepare for our wedding then?"

He didn't want to use his engagement to her as an excuse but he must prevent Kyoko from meeting with Ren again to whatever means necessary.

Kyoko didn't know why they are arguing over a movie role when Sho is always supporting her showbiz career endeavors before. With a determined look on her face she said, "We will have all the time for our wedding preparation my role is just a supporting one (she stands up) hugging Sho from his back.

"I love you Sho…" Kyoko said burying her face on Sho's broad back Kyoko pouted when she didn't hear her boyfriend turned fiancé say 'I love you' back which he always does (he must have really don't want her to accept the offer) "Please don't get angry…" she pleaded softly while tightening her hug on her fiancé (with all her strength) tight but lovingly.

"Sho?"

"It's time for you to go or Sawara will be scolding you again…" Sho said dismissively releasing himself from Kyoko's embrace.

"O-Okay…" Kyoko frowned (disappointed) she doesn't want them to separate like this but she can't be late with her appointment. She left Sho alone not wanting to argue with him any further.

Out of anger Sho pushes the table (violently) away from him, not only did Kyoko and him had an argument but she will accept the movie.

After the casting director received news from Sawara that Mogami Kyoko has agreed to take part in the movie, the production team worked double time in bringing the other stars in the movie to Japan and the necessary equipment to be used for the filming. When the actors from America arrived, an immediate character reading followed by a press release is scheduled.

Kyoko was running fast to reach the room where the character reading will take place, she got hold up a little longer on the shooting of her drama in the same studio that she's running late now for her character reading.

"What a way to leave an impression on the international movie stars and Director Cameron by being tardy just great Kyoko." Kyoko thought sarcastically to herself worrying for her reputation.

Running fast she didn't notice the wet floor sign along the corridor that she slipped but before she could reach the floor a strong pair of arms caught her. Looking up she saw the same man she bumped into a few days earlier.

Ren looked down to Kyoko to meet her eyes and lowered his face to whisper in her ear, "I know girls tend to bump into me but you are the only one I like to bump into me." Ren can almost hear his friend Kira's voice inside his head…

"Smooth Ren real smooth…"

Kyoko felt her cheeks redden at the way his husky voice whispered to her ear.

"I believe we both have a character reading to attend to Mogami-san." Ren said and let go of Kyoko's arms to go inside the character reading room.

Blinking her eyes to move her out of her trance she also went inside the room and thought.

"He's Tsuruga Ren the Tsuruga Ren who is popular all over the world and I didn't know it was him!"

Upon entering, Kyoko was about to be called by Emiko but Ren stopped her and mouthed the words 'I'll explain later'.

The character reading went smoothly despite Kyoko's obvious nervousness when she was reading her character lines but Director Cameron shrugged it off thinking that Kyoko must be overwhelmed with the well-known individuals inside the same room as her.

"I believe we are done here, I'll see all of you again in the press release room." Director Cameron said in English and left his stars for themselves.

Almost everyone is out except for Ren and Emiko who are left inside the room.

"What is that exactly is Kyoko ignoring you on purpose or what?" Emiko asked to Ren when she saw how Kyoko was like during the character reading it was as if they are just colleagues not past lovers.

"She doesn't know me her accident must have caused her to lose memories about me." Ren said sullenly his back leaning over the reclining chair his gaze towards the white ceiling.

Emiko places a comforting hand on top of Ren's shoulder, "Ren…"

"Mogami-san how does it feel to win the best actress award, be engaged to Fuwa Sho and to work in a Hollywood movie all at the same time?" A reporter asked to Kyoko.

Kyoko smiled before giving her answer, "I am grateful for all the blessings I am receiving right now after all the hard work I've done before. I have my fans to thank for their continuous support and my fiancé Sho for always being there for me every step of the way."

Emiko glanced a look at Ren to see his reaction on what Kyoko just said but found none, he just listens to Kyoko but the sudden twitch of his hand when Kyoko mentioned Sho didn't miss Emiko's eyes.

Sho decided to treat Kyoko to a fancy dinner after her press release is over to make up for the argument they had a week earlier regarding her decision to take part in the movie, he was supposed to do this earlier but he was suddenly called to go to Hokkaido for a MV shoot of his latest chart topping hit that their dinner have to wait for another week. Finishing his guest appearance on a talk show, he went to where the movie Remember Me is having a press release not informing her that he's coming to surprise her.

The assistant director for the movie called Ren and Kyoko to talk on them privately after the press release was done.

Kyoko didn't know why she's being called alone with Tsuruga Ren that it makes her uncomfortable and jittery at the same time. Meanwhile Ren just maintained his emperor look, whatever the assistant director wants to talk to them about is alright as long as he gets to spend time alone with Kyoko.

"I know you are both wondering why I called the two of you here, Director Cameron is pleased with the character reading but he wants you Kyoko to flourish your English speaking skills for the movie. This is why I also called on Ren here to help you practice your English speaking since he is a fluent Japanese speaker as well." The assistant director said much to the surprise of Kyoko.

"But isn't it a bit too much to ask Tsuruga-san to help me speak English fluently?"

"What do you say Ren?" The assistant director asked to Ren.

"No it is fine by me besides, who will help each other but us countrymen." Ren said with a handsome smile.

"It is settled then our first shooting will start next week Director Cameron and I will like to see improvement on your part Kyoko." The assistant director said and left Ren and Kyoko alone.

"Excuse me but have you seen Kyoko?" Sho asked to a camera crew.

"No I don't think I noticed her. Try inside her dressing room, she might be there."

After an awkward silence between Ren and Kyoko, Ren finally broke the silence among them. "Since you are busy with your local commitments, you are the one who will be scheduling our one on one tutoring sessions."

Kyoko nods, "This is too much Tsuruga-san, I should just hire a Japanese-English teacher."

Ren stood up and walked towards Kyoko and turned her chair so she would be facing him, his hands gripping the chair's arm rest trapping Kyoko in her chair.

"Why Mogami-san don't you want to work with me?" He asked with a small smirk on his perfectly shaped lips.

The brown piercing eyes of Ren penetrated Kyoko's golden brown eyes that she couldn't help stop her heart from beating rapidly in her chest.

Sho was getting irritated the more he spent looking for Kyoko who seem to have disappeared, reaching the last room he haven't checked he opens it to see Ren towering over Kyoko.

What happened next shocked Kyoko as Sho lunged himself at Ren and punch him square in the face.

"Sho!"

AN:First of all a big thanks to the reviews, follows, favorite and everyone who reads this story. This time it is Sho who is irritated at the sight of Ren closing in on his girl, now that their fates are reversed will Ren still make Kyoko fall for him or he's already late? Kindly leave your reviews and thoughts on the review box thanks. See you all next week.