Kai closed the door behind him, leaning against it. Finally, some quiet. He had never enjoyed crowds and liked them even less when he was the center of attention.

He took in the huge room, filled with the dark, heavy furniture his grandfather favored. It didn't feel real that this was all his now.

He walked over to the desk, remembering how he used to sit in the chair to try to see the world from a leader's perspective. The thought of sitting in it now was like a punch to the gut.

His breath started coming out heavy as Kai thought of all the changes that would be taking place, all the things he'd have to do once the news of his grandfather's passing settled across the world.

Was he ready for that? They thought they had years left to prepare when they'd only had months.

"Not now!" He shouted at the opening door an in attempt to scare away yet another one of his grandfather's associates. They'd been trying to get on the new president's good side since the funeral began. He found their vulturous tendencies disgusting.

"Kai?"

It wasn't a vulture. Hilary stood, halfway in, half still concealed by the door. He was so shocked by the sight of her he couldn't utter a sound. She entered completely, closing the door again, though she didn't come any closer.

Four years later, Hilary wasn't the girl he'd desperately kissed outside her childhood home. She looked unbelievably grown in her black dress.

She broke the silence first. "You're suit looks good. You've gotten broader,"

"I didn't know you were coming,"

"Kenny called. I meant to be here earlier, but my flight got delayed," She started moving closer as she spoke, slowly crossing the wide room until she was standing just a few feet in front of him.

Neither seemed to know what to do. Moving as if not startle a wild animal, she closed the remaining distance, wrapping her arms around him in a delicate hug. His response was gradual as he uncomfortably returned the affection. Her chin barely met his shoulder even in her heels and he was surprised by her slender waist. Everything about her seemed to have changed just slightly, stretching and tightening and filling out, until a young woman stood where a teenage girl once had been.

She released him but remained close. Her hands brushed non-existent lint from his shoulders.

"Yes, you're definitely bigger than before,"

"So are you,"

He could kill himself. She only smiled at his blunder.

Her smile damped. "I'm so sorry, Kai. I know you had a difficult relationship with him. I can't imagine what you're going through."

Words he'd heard all day, but so sincere coming from her.

"Thank you for making the trip. You're probably busy."

"Anything for you, Kai. You know that."

He nodded, though he didn't know. He hadn't seen her since that night all those years ago when he'd made a desperate plea, asking her for more than he deserved. He was a child, thinking that he could have everything he wanted simply because he wanted it. Since then, he avoided even mentioning her in an effort to put her from his mind.

The truth was he just didn't trust himself around her anymore.

He'd closed his eyes at her words, finding it difficult to look at her while she was in his arms still. It was the comfort he wanted but didn't dare reach for. And yet, she sought him out.

Hilary placed her warm hand against his cheek, tilting his head up to look at her. He could see the pain she felt for him in her eyes, the frown that pulled down on her lips. Lips painted a deep red.

He lunged forward like a bull charging at the flag. Unlike the gentle touch of their first kiss, Kai pushed with vigor, pulling back slightly only to return a second later. Her mouth opened to catch her breath in the beat of the kiss, Kai meeting again and again.

He pulled her close, greedy for her body against his. At the same time, he walked her back until she hit the desk.

Kai was hungry and unrelenting. All of the frustrations he's felt for the past week poured into every second. Hilary kept pace, letting him nip at her lips and push at her and pull her to his content. He was so happy – for once, something was going his way – that he didn't even care why she was doing it. She was here, in his arms, letting him fulfill one of his wilder fantasies.

Her hands roamed under his jacket. He could feel a hand rest over his heart before traveling up to his shoulder as if she was trying to hold on to something. Another hand went past his shoulder and up to his neck, fingers sliding into his hair.

Boldened and encouraged, his hands wandered up her back, finding the zipper to her dress.

Finally

Finally

Finally

He couldn't have imagined this turn of events but he wasn't going to complain.

"Kai, stop," she pushed his arms away, firmly removing them from her back.

They breathed heavily against each other. He could feel his heart jack-hammering in his chest as he tried to process what was happening.

"I'm sorry, I didn't intend for that," she continued.

He pulled away, distancing himself. "It's fine, I shouldn't have assumed,"

Hilary caught his arm. "Kai -"

"No, Hilary," he shook her off. "I said it's fine. I get it."

Her hair was a mess, lipstick smeared, dress almost falling from her shoulders. He'd be pleased with his work if it weren't for the sad, sympathetic look in her eyes.

Pity. He'd seen it all week and he was done with it.

"I'll go," he said, turning his back on her. "There's a mirror in the drawer."

All of your sweet words have made me so happy. I know that Kai and Hil are going through a difficult time right now, but it gets better for them. I promise. If I haven't been able to respond to your review, I have kind words and thoughts for you.

Next update...tomorrow. - Konix