Disclaimer: I do not own KH or any of the anime/Disney characters.

Chapter 8

Unconventional Circumstances

-Sometimes it's easy to forget how much you miss people until you see them again.- Colleen Hoover, Ugly Love

Riku woke up to the sound of his cellphone alarm going off. It was Monday morning and as much as he wanted to stay in bed with the alluring naked beauty beside him, it was impossible. He had already missed too many day at work without prior notice and if he missed anymore his Father would be pissed. Well, he already imagined the his old man pissed, he just didn't want to piss him off even more. Since it didn't matter whether Riku was his son or not, he would deal out punishment just as harsh and fairly as if he were anyone else. Dawn was barely peeking through the fading darkness that provided cover and a blanket of security for his blushing princess last night. However, with the moon as luminescent as it was last night as it entered through the large glass window. It had exposed her statuesque and lithe body, that had withered in pleasure beneath him last night as he taught her that she was his alone.

To his pleasures and satisfaction, but also astonishment, he had discovered that he had been her first. That no one had touched her lustrous and svelte body before him and tainted her innocence's. He felt horrible and elated at the same time, but as he looked down at her porcelain face as it rested peacefully in slumber he wouldn't have changed his mind about taking her. Just how he went about doing it, he reached out and grabbed her hand in his to lift her arm and get a closer view of the marks he had left on her fragile wrist. He shouldn't have bond them so tightly he realized as he frowned at his stupidity and uncontrolled lust filled rage. He set her hand back down gentle, not wanting to wake her, she was probably tired and worn from last night. However, he hadn't been able to hold back. After giving her rest or better yet a chance for he himself to recover, he had taken her repeatedly. Her body compatible with his and the pleasure he received for being inside her and hearing her moan and cry out in pleasure was arousing and tempting.

He groaned as he felt himself being to harden once more as he remembered last night, but she needed rest and he needed to get up and get ready, otherwise he wouldn't leave. He reached out and gentle removed a dark strain of hair that had fallen across her face, before he unconsciously stared at her rosy pink lips and was drawn to them to kiss. Yet instead of kissing her passionately and waking her, he laid a light kiss against her soft supple lips. With a sigh and reluctancy he pulled himself away from her and went to get ready for the day. Before he parted, he wrote her a quick note stating that he would send someone later on that morning to pick her up and take her home. Later he would decide what he would do, after all he wasn't going to let her get away or turn to the comfort of someone else after learning the pleasures of the opposite sex.

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Roger was worried, all last week he had tried to halt the fire of Mr. Miyano as he tried to locate his M.I.A son. He had demanded to know what happened between Sora and Riku, however Sora gave a vague answer and of course Roger had no idea. Nevertheless, the idea of the petite woman having something to do with it still prickled the back of his mind. The disappearance of his Boss definitely had to do with her, of that he was certain. Now he just hoped that his Boss decided to return and get to work, because everything was beginning to pile up and if he didn't meet with any of his clients soon Mr. Miyano would have his head. He turned to the sounds of foot steps coming towards him and sighed in relief. He wasn't going to have to get an ear full from Mr. Miyano, he would just have to send his relaxed and refreshed boss in. Wait, his Boss wasn't ever relaxed or refreshed. 'Roger,' Riku greeted him with a nod of acknowledgement.

'Boss, you're back. I am so happy,' he jumped for joy inside, it meant that things would get back to normal and he wouldn't get yelled at anymore.

'Yeah,' he muttered a bit annoyed. 'Lets go into the office, you can catch me up on work and what's been going on. I also have a task for you later on.'

'Right,' Roger grabbed his notepad and appointment book.

He watched as his Boss sat patiently and listened to his recount of last weeks events. He seemed annoyed at the fact that he had to go and face Mr. Miyano, but it was to be expected considering he took off without prior notice, went missing and didn't contact anyone. 'Tsk, he treats me like a child. Whatever,' Riku grumbled. 'Now, I have a task for you outside of the office. Just don't let Sora or Kairi get wind of it,' he began to explain what he wanted.

Roger nodded his head, he was to leave the office and go pick up Ms. Benson and take her home from the hotel she was currently staying at. Under no circumstances was he to tell Sora or Kairi, he was absolutely prohibited from looking and touching Ms. Benson funny. He summarized in his head that this was the girl that his Boss had left with and she was his new fling, therefore the reason why he was so overprotective and refreshed. Although, he was far more protective of this girl and maybe borderline obsessed with her. 'Do you know if my Father is in already?'

'I saw him earlier,' Roger answered.

Riku got out of his chair, 'I am going to go see him, get my paperwork ready for the next appointment so that I can review it before they get here.'

'Boss,' he nodded and watched as he took off. Good-luck, he cheered in his head but at the same time was relieved it wasn't him that needed to face the older version of his Boss. For a moment he contemplated which one was scarier when angry and voted on his Boss, since he was more bite then bark. 'Heavens be with us,' he prayed.

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The glaring bright light of the fully risen sun shown though the large window and basked the young woman, who remained dormant. It seemed that last night activities did a number on her physical and getting up was a struggle that she didn't want to bother with until she heard a familiar sound. Opening her groggy amber hues, she continued to lay in bed as the sound continued to persist and she finally registered where and what it was that had awakened her. Getting up, she groaned in pain as her body ached in places that she didn't know existed. 'Ugh,' the call stopped before she could reach over and answer it. She looked down at herself and blushed at her exposed body as images of what happened last night entered her mind and she saw traces of evidence lingering all over, she pulled the light blue sheets over herself and turned her head to the sound of her cell phone going off again.

This time she reached over to the night stand that held her cell, keys and a note. 'Hello,' she could hear the rawness of her voice and cleared her throat. 'Sorry, hello.'

'Oh, my heavens, you're alive,' she heard Hina scream into her ear and she pulled it away from her.

'Hina,' she felt a smile form on her lips at hearing a familiar voice.

'Don't just Hina me, where are you? Are you alright? Did he hurt you? Do I need to head over and beat him up for you?'

Her friend was a whirlwind, 'No, it's alright,' she groaned as she adjusted her position.

'You don't sound too hot, are you sure,' Hina pointed out.

'Yes,' she nodded even thought Hina couldn't see her.

'When are you coming home? Why haven't you been answering?'

'Today,' she answered the first question, the next one she wasn't sure how to answer considering Hina wouldn't like the actual answer. 'My battery died.'

'That's the worst lied I've ever heard. Do you need me to come get you?'

'Um,' Amaranth had grabbed the note besides her keys and shook her head before answering. 'No, someone will come and pick me up later. Thank you.'

'Well, if you're alone and waiting, I am coming up and waiting with you,' Hina declared. 'I can't have that Prick changing his mind last minute and spirit you away somewhere else.'

Hina knew, how did she know? Amaranth panicked as she wasn't in any condition to receive anyone. 'Hina, you,' there was a knock that could be heard echoed though out the suite.

'I am here, no more protesting,' Hina told her and she knocked again.

'I am coming, give me a moment,' Amaranth said as she closed her phone and made an attempt to get up, but her body was sore and the first attempt left her on her knees on the floor. She tired a second time and she was more successful, her legs were more stable, she grabbed the closest garment to her and put it on. She didn't have time to find her dress with Hina banging on the door. With light foot steps and determination not to show any ounce of discomfort or weariness, Amaranth opened the door for her.

'Gees, what took so long?' Hina bragged in and began to look around the place for signs of another life form, after registering that she was alone attacked Amaranth in a hug.

Any other day, Amaranth would have been fine but today she was too sore to reciprocate her feelings. 'Let me look at you,' she pushed Amaranth at arm's length and began to inspect her from head to toe. 'He's been feeding you, you don't look malnourished. However,' Hina blushed as her shy and reserved friend gave off sexual pheromones without noticing, 'you have to be more weary of him leaving so many bite marks.'

She blushed at Hina's statement and reached up to touch her neck, she had seen them on her chest earlier when she first woke up but never realized how far they extended. 'I can't believe that you let him do that to you. Is that what you two have been doing since, you disappeared? Wait, was it against your will, because that's rape and we should go to the police and report him.'

'No,' Amaranth shook her head and reached out to grab Hina's hand. 'He…'

'Gees, you're even wearing his shirt, it most have been consensual,' Hina filled in for her.

She didn't want to get Riku in trouble and it wasn't a complete lie, because in the end she had consented and enjoyed herself. 'Did you just wake up?'

She nodded, 'You should go and get cleaned, I can't stand the smell of you.'

'Do I stink,' she unconsciously lifted her arm up and realized that she smelled like Riku.

'You smell like that Prick,' Hina stated but left out sex too, since she couldn't find it in herself to embarrass her anymore then she was already. 'I can't stand it, so go and wash off and pick some better attire. Wait, do you have clothes?'

'Yes,' she had one more outfit.

'Alright, I'll order room service. The least the Prick can do for giving me such a headache and causing me to worry so much,' Hina told her before she could protest. 'Now hurry along.'

'Yes, Mother,' she teased and cracked a small smile.

Hina sweat dropped at the comment, but was happy that Amaranth could still joke given the circumstances. It had all been consensual, from the moment he brought her here to the moment he took her most valued treasure. That was at least what she hoped for anyway, if she found out otherwise there would be hell to pay. No one messed with Amaranth and got away with it, not on her watch. She went to go look at the room service menu and decided to order the most expensive thing on the menu. 'That'll show him.'

Amaranth walked back to her room and closed the door behind her, her heart beating fast and she prayed that Hina didn't notice. It had happened when Hina had squeezed her in an embrace that she first felt it. Durning her inspection she prayed for it to stop and her not to look to closely and it helped that Riku's shirt was two sizes too big and almost seemed like a dress on her. She lifted the shirt up and looked down, she face flaming and her heart thumping out of control. He had come inside her, plenty of times, last night and it was slowly leaking out of her. She pulled the shirt down, she needed to wash off and wish that nothing became of last night. He hadn't worn protection and she had been so lost in a haze that she didn't tell him not to release inside. Since it was her first time and she heard how hard it was for some couple to conceive, she wished her luck was still with her and nothing became of it. Yet a small part desired it, to have something of the person she loved even if she couldn't have that person himself.

'What am I thinking,' she groaned as she hid her face and tried to force back the tears that were coming. Riku was making it impossible for her to begin to forget him. Especially after last night, images of what transpired between them came to mind and she could feel her whole body aflame. It wasn't just embarrassment, but also desire.

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'Do you have everything,' Hina asked her.

'Yeah,' she answered. 'I think I packed all his things too.'

'I don't care about his stuff,' Hina snapped. 'When is your ride going to get here? We should just leave and take a taxi.'

'Hina.'

'Maybe, I should purchase some porn and make him pay for that too.'

'Hina.'

'You aren't going to make a commitment to him, are you?'

'I…' she paused and shook her head. 'I don't think that I'll see him again.'

'Good, I don't like him and I can't believe that you slept with him.'

'I,' she face was red again.

'You're so simple minded, maybe if I were more like you and shared your history I would do the same,' Hina offered as she tried to ease her mind.

Amaranth wasn't so sure, if Hina knew the truth she wouldn't be sitting here with her so patiently. She would have taken her away and probably gone and confronted Riku. Knowing how over protective Hina was of her she worried sometimes if there were miss understandings. 'Nina, why isn't she here,' she asked deciding to change the subject.

'She said she didn't want to part of this rescue mission,' Hina answered annoyed. 'She said that I was crazy and should just wait for you to return. As if that was going to happen, I already waited long enough and I wanted to make sure that the Prick returned you.'

'You should stop calling him that. His name is Riku.'

'Humph, he ran away with you and he used you,' Hina pointed out. 'On top of that he has no decency of see you home or establishing something concrete. Instead he's sending someone else to see you off and leaving you after he's got what he wanted from you.'

Amaranth's head dropped as Hina's words sank in, she was just a play thing to him and now she was being tossed away since she wasn't needed. She grabbed the hem of her purple floral romper, she was pathetic she realized and she began to cry. She didn't want to be tossed aside, she reached up and swiped at the tears that began to fall. 'Amaranth,' Hina grabbed her wrist and she flinched, but Hina didn't notice too much, after all she was wearing a long sleeved cardigan to help hide the marks on her wrist and everywhere else. Although it didn't cover up her neck.

'Sorry,' she pulled her wrist free.

'Hey,' Hina studied her sad crescent faced friend and asked the dreadful questions. 'Why did you come here? Do you really care about that Prick?'

Amaranth turned her head and looked away from her. She knew that Hina didn't care for Riku much and from the being she hadn't hid her hostility towards him. 'Do you think it's wrong?'

'Don't ask me a question to avoid my question,' Hina told her. 'Especially one that is in reference to your answer, which you haven't answered.'

Amaranth sniffed and wiped the last of her tears away, 'I came because I wanted too and I do care.'

'How deeply,' Hina asked but didn't want to hear the answer.

'How deeply,' she repeated the question and she realized that she's never said the answer out loud or actually confessed it to him or anyone else. 'I care,' she repeated.

'That's not the answer that I want, well the other one is not the answer that I want either,' Hina summarized. 'Do you just care for the physical attraction and the connection,' she touched a hickey on Amaranth's neck, 'or do you like him like him?'

Amaranth laughed at her childlike expression, 'I care about him,' she answered.

'Ugh, you're impossible to deal with sometimes, but I get it.' Hina grunted in disappointment, 'If you say you won't see him again, then you just wanted closure for here,' she touched her chest where her heart would be.

Amaranth nodded, 'Stupid, right?'

'Insanely,' Hina agreed and heard a knock of the door, 'that must be our ride.'

'Yeah,' she mumbled.

Hina hated to see Amaranth so depressed, she didn't understand the value or worth of Riku. Yet it seemed that he meant the world to her best friend. Maybe she should go see him and confront him, but at the same time Amaranth claimed that this was closure. Therefore, she wanted to get over him even if it pained her. She'd give her time and if she didn't get better she'd march down to his office and make him take responsibility, nobody hurt Amaranth and got away with it. 'I'll go get it, make sure you have everything.'

'Okay,' she nodded.

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Waiting outside the door patiently stood Roger, his Boss had told him to come and get his guest as well as baggage and check out. He said that under no circumstances was she supposed to be touched or hurt. What did his boss take him for, an animal? Plus, he'd never dream of touching someone that belonged to his Boss, being at the receiving end of his punches wasn't ideal. He had seen the aftermath of his last fight on Sora's face and cringed at the thought of that being him too.

He reached up once more to knock, but before he could lay his knuckles on the door, it opened. Standing before him was a tall and lanky female with red hair and a cold stare, her eyes black coals pieced him as they looked him over with disinterest. 'Hello, I am Roger, I am here to pick you up,' he forced a smile and tried to be welcoming.

'Yeah, the bags are inside. Let's get moving, we don't have all day,' she stated as she stood aside and let him in.

'Yes, Ma'am,' he was scared of the woman. He couldn't believe that this was the woman his boss found attractive. When he came here looking for her he was sure that he'd find the dark haired beauty that his Boss had originally whisked out of the office. So if his Boss wasn't with the dark haired female, maybe…he stopped his thoughts because at the end of the hallway was the beautiful damsel. Unlike the red head she looked more warm and inviting, however be couldn't help the blush that lightly tinted his cheeks as he noticed his Boss's markings on her neck and her aura. She seemed innocent, but she gave off pheromones like no other, no wonder his Boss was so relaxed this morning.

'What, are you just going to stand in the way and stare,' the red head snapped as she walked around him to the girl's side to stand guard.

'Sorry,' his blush got deeper at being caught. 'I am Roger, Mr. Miyano's assistant.'

'So the Prick sent his lap dog,' the tall woman coldly stated.

'Hina,' came the soft reproach, 'I told you to stop calling him that and don't insult Roger too.'

'Humph,' Hina turned her head in annoyance. 'Fine, well grab the bags and lead the way, Roger the Assistant.'

'Right,' he nodded as he stepped forward and walked over to the already packed suitcase and bags.

'I'll help you,' the dark haired female offered, but was stopped by Hina.

'You'll do no such thing, that's why Roger is here. To help assist you.' Hina grabbed her purse, 'If you're going to carry anything, carry this,' she handed her purse over. 'Do you have everything,' she asked Amaranth, her voice soft and warm.

'Yes,' Amaranth mumbled.

'Good,' Roger noticed the difference between him and the girl. 'Roger the Assistant, lets get out of here. If I am here any longer I think I'll get sick.'

'Ma'am,' he stiffened afraid that he got caught staring at the girl again. 'If you'll follow me.'

'Like we have a choice,' Hina grumbled.

'Hina,' Amaranth couldn't believe that she was being so rude.

Hina sighed in frustration before she turned cold hues back at Roger, 'Sorry,' was all she said, but it didn't sound like she meant it.

Roger nodded and led the way, allowing the women by before he exited and closed the door to the suite. As they waited and got on the elevator, he couldn't help but watched the dark haired woman and understand what his Boss saw in her. She was different from all the other women that he had been with since he met him. He usually preferred women that were more curvaceous and artificial in personality, kind in front of him and a bitchy behind. They were all women that he felt were using his Boss for his statues and money. Yet this woman before him seemed the complete opposite, true kindness and gentleness radiated off of her. By no means was she unappealing either, she had the face and skin of a porcelain doll. Her dark long hair a contrast against her milky skin and compared to the tall red head, petite in height but with more curves. 'If your Boss hears that you're constantly ogling Amaranth, he'll get mad,' Hina pointed out as she caught him staring again.

'Sorry, I didn't mean to stare,' he looked away from the curious amber hues that turned to look at him. 'It's just that you're so different from the others, Ms. Benson.'

'Amaranth, is fine,' she corrected him.

'Right,' he smiled at her correction and the long ride on the elevator finally came to an end.

'Probably a vast improvement,' Hina commented as they got off.

Amaranth elbowed Hina and strained a smile at Roger, 'Don't mind, Hina. I am sure that they were lovely women.'

She was modest, there was no way that this woman was the one that his Boss was interested in. He just nodded and lead them out to the car that was waiting. After they were all settled and the bags in the trunk he drove them to Ms. Amaranth's apartment. He parked in front and helped them out before grabbing her bags. 'You don't have to walk us in, Roger the Assistant. This is as far as you go,' Hina stated. 'Bad enough you knew the address without directions.'

'I,' he couldn't tell them how he got the address, his Boss had made him hire someone to investigate the woman and he had seen her address as well as other background information.

'I don't want excuses,' Hina told him. 'But I hope that this is the last we see of you, Roger the Assistant.'

Amaranth smiled up at him apologetically, 'Thank you so much for the ride, Roger. It was a pleasure meeting you.'

She held out her hand for him to take and just as he reached out, Hina grabbed it and whirled her around, 'Lets go, Nina is probably waiting for us upstairs.'

'Bye,' she turned and waved at a stunned Roger with his hand semi-lifted for a handshake that turned into a wave.

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Riku had just finished his evening meeting, when there was a knock on the door. 'Come in,' he called as he placed his notes down and looked up at his guest. 'You, what do you want?'

'I thought I'd receive a warmer welcome,' his usually cheerful best friend entered and closed the door behind him.

'After you barged in here and attacked me,' Riku reminded him.

'Lets let bygones be bygones,' Sora walked over and took a seat before Riku. 'You're looking rather handsome today,' he mocked the bruises on Riku's face.

'Yeah, I am getting a lot of complements from my clients. I am sure its been the same for you. Whomever worked on your face did a wonderful job,' Riku stated with a smile. 'So what do you want? I am sure you're not here to tell my that I am dashingly handsome and that you're jealous of me.'

Sora mocked laughter at his last comment, but then got serious, 'Where have you been? Where's Amaranth? You didn't hurt her, did you?'

'Does Kairi know you're here inquiring about another woman? I am sure that your future wife wouldn't approve of such concern,' Riku stated and saw Sora flinch at his statement, but he collected himself.

'Kairi knows that Amaranth is just a friend and that I am worried is all,' Sora answered.

'Just a friend,' Riku studied him with a cold gaze, before deciding to answer Sora. 'She should be safe and sound at home, no harm came to her during her stay with me. If anything, it was a pleasurable vacation for the both of us.'

The blood drained from Sora's face and his hands got cold and clammy at Riku's revelation, 'You didn't?'

'I didn't do anything that she didn't consent too,' that was a lie, but after the first couple of times she hadn't protested anymore and it wasn't like she had been completely unwilling. In fact, he was sure that if he told her to strip and get on all fours and she would without hesitation. 'She's not as innocent as she seems,' not anymore that is, 'she made her choice to be with me. You should accept it and just worry about Kairi.'

Sora clutched his fist, 'Fine, I'll accept this for now, but you harm a hair on Amaranth and—'

'Don't threatened me,' Riku cut him off, 'what I do or don't do to Amaranth is none of your concern. She is just your friend, nothing more. You should just worry about Kairi and your up coming wedding, otherwise you'll end up like the dog that wanted two bones but got nothing.'

'Hn,' Sora studied Riku and couldn't help but wonder if what Kairi said was true. That the reason Riku was so defensive and possessive of Amaranth was because he cared for her deeper than he let on. If that was so then it wouldn't be a problem, however Riku struggled to show that he actually cared. His feelings weren't of a love struck fool that made his partner happy, but of a jealous owner that didn't want his toy to be touched. 'Just answer me one question and I'll accept your relationship without anymore reproach. How long?'

Riku wondered what that meant, how long what? How long was he going to keep her, forever. How long did he have feelings for her, he couldn't remember when they started. How long did he plan to continue this game without telling her how he felt, until he knew that she was his. How long, could mean anything. 'How long, what?'

'How long have you loved her,' the love part was a bitter word to ask him, considering the fact that Riku's never really loved any of his partners. He just used women for pleasure and eye appeal, nonetheless there had been a time where he was certain love was in the air for his friend but that had been a long time ago.

Love, did he love the petite female with the doe like amber hues that managed to pierce though his defenses. Or was she just a possession that he wanted to keep at his side until death do they part. Love, was he capable of such a feeling? He was going to tell her that he wanted her by his side forever once she became his, but was that love? 'Love, don't be foolish.'

'Then let her go,' Sora watched at Riku's right eye began to twitch at the suggestion. 'If you don't love her and just want to use her, let someone else take her that will love and care for her.'

The image of the younger man, Shibuya, flashed in his minds eye and there was no way in hell he was handing her over to anyone, especially that idiot. 'But wouldn't I hurt her feelings of love if I push her away?'

'She'll get over it with time and find someone else,' he saw Riku clench his jaw and smiled in defeat. His best friend was a moron, he loved her without knowing it, but maybe with time he'd learn and realize it. His feelings for her were strong and the idea of letting her go was absurd to him, he just didn't know it.

Riku was about to say something else when Sora laughed, 'I didn't think that she was right, I am such an idiot.' Riku was taken back by Sora's statement and wondered who was right. 'Anyway, just make sure that she doesn't upstage Kairi at the wedding. I need my bride to be the center of attention, not your date.'

'What,' he was flabbergasted at Sora's sudden change and the lift in the tension between them.

'You're bring her with you, right?'

'Yeah,' Riku nodded automatically.

'Then don't make her upstage my bride, I don't think Kairi or I could handle it if the attention was on her and not us,' Sora beamed in a teasing matter and then like a lightbulb clicked he remembered. 'Oh, I forgot to tell you Kairi's cousin called and said that she was going to be there too. So don't go causing any trouble at my wedding.'

'Namine,' he questioned.

'Yeah,' Sora studied his unfazed friend and wondered what he was thinking about.

'Tsk, must be whom my mother invited to dinner and whats me to see,' he said in annoyance and nonchalant manner.

'How exciting, your Mom always did like Namine and supported your guys relationship.'

'That was in the past,' Riku stated as he picked up a file and began to open it to go over. 'Now if you'll excuse me, I have work.'

'Right,' Sora mumbled and wondered what Riku was thinking, his usual poker face was up and had been up since the mention of Namine, his ex-girlfriend. No one knew exactly what happened between them because neither of them had stated the reason. Instead, they had both gone their way after graduation and hadn't spoken to each other since. Namine asked about Riku every once and while, but not enough to say she had desires of getting back with him. Riku on the other hand never asked once about the girl he dated for three years and everyone had been certain that they would end up together. 'I'll see you later.'

'Yeah,' Riku mumbled already engrossed in the file before him.

Once the door closed Riku looked up from the file and threw it down on the desk, not holding back his anger. First, he gets a lecture from his father of how irresponsible it is take off from work without proper notice. Second, he get inquired about Amaranth as if he did something wrong to her, he might have but that was besides the point, she was his anyway. Third, he gets told that Namine was back in town which could only mean that sooner or later she would actually pop up in front of him. Mainly at the dinner his Mom wanted him to attend on Saturday, Namine always had a way of getting close without warning. Well, it should be interesting to see how she handles an unexpected curveball. If she's spoken with his mother, she probably told her about Estella and him breaking up, so she'd think that he was available. Fat chance he would give up Amaranth though.

Thinking of which, what was he going to do about her he wondered and their was another knock on the door. He sighed, coming back to work before he got his thoughts organized was a bother. 'Come in,' he called and watched as the door opened to reveal his assistant.

'Boss, I am back,' he stated the obvious.

'Amaranth?'

'Ms. Amaranth and her guest are safely at home,' he filled him in.

'Guest,' he didn't leave her with a guest. 'What are you talking about, she was supposed to be alone?'

Roger noticed the cold edge in his tone, 'There was a red head there, tall and lanky with cold black eyes and an even colder attitude, Hina. She didn't seem to like you very much, kept calling you names.'

Red head with dark eyes, he recalled the hostile female from the cafe a couple of weeks ago. 'Her guard dog,' he grumbled in annoyance.

'I don't think that she'd like that nickname.'

'I am sure she has other nicknames for me, then what she called me in front of you.'

'Probably,' he agreed, 'but don't worry Ms. Amaranth defended you and made her stop calling us names. Ms. Amaranth is nice and different from your other conquest.'

Riku saw the dreamy look on his idiot assistant's face and grimaced at the thought of his assistant going after her. 'She's not just a conquest, so don't get any ideas,' she attracted males like money attracts fools. He was wondered if locking her up would be a good idea, no that would probably make her pull away and her guard dog show up unannounced.

'I would never,' Roger stated, but if they broke up and she showed interest well…that was a different story.

'I don't plan on dropping her anytime soon, so stop getting stupid ideas,' Riku warned him.

'How—-'

'Your face has a stupid look on it,' he pointed out. 'However, you can have her friend. I am sure that if she had someone to fool around with she'd be less interested in Amaranth's life and more focused on hers.'

'I couldn't,' he imagined the red head, 'she's totally not my type.' He shook his head, 'Plus, she reminds me of you,' he grumbled in a soft voice.

'What was that last part,' Riku glared.

'Nothing, just wanted to know if you wanted me to order lunch,' he tried to save.

'Sure, the usual, I have a lot of work and won't be able to get out of the office,' he let him slide.

'Got it,' he got ready to leave.

'Did she seem different or anything,' he suddenly asked.

'Different,' he didn't know how to respond. He had only seen her once before and her face was scared then, 'She didn't seem out of the ordinary by normal standards. She was able to smile and reprimand her friend easily. So she wasn't sad or depressed. Why is something the matter?'

'No, I was just curious is all,' he waved him off. It seemed that she wasn't totally against what happened last night. Even if she had protested at the beginning and asked him to stop, she eventually got used to it and her hips had begun to meet his own thrust. She also accepted him when he woke her and wanted to go another round. He wanted to leave and go see her, but he looked down at his work and frowned. If he took off again, he wouldn't just get a lecture. Plus, if he went now he was sure to find her with the red head and that would be trouble. Riku sighed at choosing to be a responsible adult over a horny teenager, but who would have thought that their bodies would be so compatible.

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'Hina, don't you think that staying over every night is a bit too much?' It had been three days since she had returned home and back to her daily life. However, the inconsistency of normal was Hina's sudden determination to stay by her side. Since her return home, she had made it her number one project to protect her and keep an eye on her. Nina had tried to persuade her to leave her alone, but Hina hadn't listened. Claimed that under no circumstances was she going to get kidnapped again. Amaranth had reminded her that she had gone willingly and Nina backed up her statement, but both got turned down. Hina said that she had gotten brain washed the past week into believing that being with Riku was normal and that Nina was just going along with the flow.

Amaranth didn't want to tell her the truth about Nina, she could see that her other friend was jealous of Hina's attention towards her. 'No, until I feel comfortable with the thought of leaving you alone. I am staying.'

'I can protect myself,' she muttered as she looked at her best friend sitting on the couch eating chips.

'Right,' Hina rolled her eyes, 'I can still see the attack marks on your skin.'

Amaranth lifted her hand up to her neck to cover the fading hickeys, 'They aren't attack marks.'

'Right, cause it was willing,' she returned her gaze to the t.v. before her.

Sighing Amaranth dropped her hand and took a seat beside Hina, 'I'll let you stay one more night, but afterwards you have to go. I promise you I won't take off on sudden notice and lie. Nevertheless, thanks for keeping my secret from my parents.'

'Are you kidding me and tell your mother that you ran off to fornicate. She'd actually support your abnormal relationship with that Prick. Plus, I think that she's starting to suspect something from all the turtle necks and long sleeves that you keep wearing. Why do you keep wearing long sleeves, anyway?'

'That's all my turtle necks,' she lied, the marks of her wrist were almost gone but not completely.

'Hmm,' Hina mumbled and didn't say anything more about it. 'Shibuya's been more quite and reserved then usually. You two good?'

Amaranth looked at the television and saw that Hina was watching a sitcom. After a moment, she nodded, 'Yeah, he just has a lot on his mind with the competition that he entered coming up soon.'

She studied her petite friend for a second and turned her gaze back to the show she was watching. 'If you say so, but when I go to the back of the shop and you two are working together the situation feels tense.'

Leave it to Hina to notice the unspoken, it was true that things were a little off between them. Since her returned Shibuya hadn't really spoken much to her and when he had spotted the hickeys on her neck when she had tried to adjust the collar, he had stiffened. She realized that he was upset that she would have picked someone like Riku, since he didn't have a good impression of him and had similar feelings to Hina. Yet if she tried to tell him Riku wasn't a bad guy, she was sure he wouldn't listen. Which sadden her because she really liked Shibuya, he was like the little brother that she never had and seeing him upset because of her dampened her spirits. 'You're seeing things,' she tried to shake her off.

'Sure,' she munched on another chip. 'Do you miss him?'

'Hmm,' she was thrown off by the question.

'The Prick,' Hina clarified.

With a soft sigh and sadden smile she answered, 'You can't really miss someone that you never had.'

'That's stupid and I can totally see it on your face, you Idiot. You should have fell for someone that would stick around, not someone that would use you for pleasure and then toss you aside.' Hina harshly stated. 'I knew there was a reason I didn't like that Bastard.'

Amaranth sighed and was about to correct her, when she decided against it and instead turned to the sitcom on the television. She had been tossed aside, she knew it was going to happen but that didn't mean that it hurt less. She went about her normal routine, yet her thoughts were always filled with him and the pleasure he bestowed on her their final night. 'Amaranth, Amaranth,' she thought she heard him calling out her name, until a hand landed on her shoulder shaking her. 'Hey, you alright? Your face is fifty shades of red.'

'Oh,' she pulled away from Hina's touch. 'Yeah,' she nodded as she got up. 'I am going to head to bed, I have to get up early. Don't stay up too late and shut off the lights and television.'

'Ma'am,' Hina cocked her head to the side as she studied her red faced friend and wondered what had her so flustered. Maybe she missed the Prick for more then just seeing his pretty friend, after all he had been her first. 'Why couldn't she pick someone better to love, rather then that egotistical asshole?'

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The phone at the bakery was ringing and Nina rushed to answer it as soon as she was done with her costumer. 'Petite Amor, Nina speaking, how can I help you?' She said into the receiver, after picking up the phone on the third ring.

'Hello, I would like to speak to Ms. Amaranth Benson,' the male voice on the other side told her.

'My I ask who's calling?'

There was a pause on the other line before he answered, 'A friend.'

'Hmm, you guys have been coming out of the wood work a lot lately,' Nina told him and tried to place his voice but knew it wasn't anyone she's met in person. His low baritone voice and smooth delivery weren't familiar and consistent with their group of friends, so it must have been her mysterious suitor. She had seen a picture of him and had to admit that he was good looking, if she weren't interested in someone else or Amaranth wasn't swooned by the fella she'd consider him. 'I'll go and get her, Mr. Friend,' she placed the call down and went to find Amaranth, whom was covering a cake with ganache. 'Amaranth, you have a call.'

Startled from her concentration, she turned amber hues to her cheery friend. 'A call,' she never got calls at work.

'Yeah, some guy that says he's your friend,' she saw Shibuya jerk his hand to a stop as he lost control of his mirror glazing, interesting. 'Sounded fishy to me, considering if he was your friend he would have your cell number.'

'Yeah, did he say what he wanted?'

'Just to talk to you,' she answered and she continued to study Shibuya from he corner of her eye.

'If you don't want to answer, I can go and tell them to leave you alone,' Shibuya offered. It was no friend that was calling, it had to be the Jerk from the theater that was holding Amaranth captive.

Amaranth was surprised by his harsh tone, 'Umm, no, I'll go answer and see who it is, but thank you.'

She hurried out to go and pick up the receiver, but Nina stayed back and studied the silent knight that had been shot down moments ago. 'Who would have thought, cute and quiet Shibuya having a crush on our illustrious protagonist.'

Icy blue orbs turned to the blonde female before him, 'I don't know what you are talking about. I just offered as a friend.'

'Really,' she smirked. 'Never knew that friends also studied each others rear ends as they walked away.'

'I did no such thing.'

'Or got boners as they fantasized themselves together in bed or on this countertop,' Nina continued.

'I am not a pervert and I would never,' his face was all red in embarrassment at her words.

'You're so innocent and cute,' Nina gushed. 'Do you just dream of holding her hand and kissing her cheek then?'

'Nina,' he didn't know what had gotten into her or how she had found out.

'I should have known those invitations of yours were suspicious,' she recalled all the times they went out as a group, because she, Hina or Shiki would butt into their conversation and invite themselves and their friends. 'Between you and me, how long has it been? I promise I won't tell.'

'None of your business,' he answered instead.

'At the rate Riku and her are going you'll lose out without support,' Nina advised, but already knew that it was a losing battle for the poor guy. Amaranth had been willing to have sex with him, even though she claimed that they wouldn't see each other again. She had given him her most guarded treasure and had accepted the idea of being tossed aside afterwards. She wouldn't have done something like that if she didn't love him enough.

'You should get back to work,' Shibuya advised ending their conversation and returning to his work as if nothing was wrong.

'Suit yourself, but don't coming crying later,' she turned and walked out of the kitchen to the front.

'I refuse to attend,' Amaranth spoke to into the phone as she was coming out to check and see if their were any costumers.

Wonder what she's refusing to attend, Nina wondered as she watched her friend talk back at the person on the other line. 'No, means no. Don't call here anymore either or my phone. Good-bye,' she stated and hung up before the other person could reply.

'That was harsh,' Nina told her as she pretended to clean the counter. 'So I am guessing that person wasn't your friend.'

'Correct, if they call again hang up,' Amaranth stated.

'If that's true way does your flustered expression say otherwise,' Nina pointed out to her. 'Wherever it is that you were invited too, you want to go. Telling them what you did was a lie, wasn't it?'

'N-n-no,' she slightly stuttered at Nina's kin observation skills.

'Uh-huh, usually you don't waste your time on stalkers or secret admirers. You don't even let them get passed the invitation before you cut them off and hang up.' Nina watched her get red in embarrassment as she hit the nail on the head, 'This admirer must be special,' Nina moved over to her and lightly touched the almost faded hickey on her skin, if she hadn't known it was there perviously she would have thought a mosquito bite.

'I don't know what you're talking about,' Amaranth pulled away and held her hand to her neck to hide the mark.

'If you're an invited guest at someones house, I'll prepare you a cake to take with you. Cause I promise you, even if you said no he'll come and whisk you away again,' Nina moved away from Amaranth and looked at the selection of cakes in the case.

'I am not going,' Amaranth protested as she watched Nina move around in search of the perfect gift offering.

'Hina is going to be so disappointed,' Nina smiled, 'but don't worry, I'll comfort her after watching her self destruct in anger at not being able to protect you.'

'That sounds very dark,' Amaranth pointed out as Nina picked out a cake and packaged it for later.

'Call it tough love,' she beamed happily.

'More like sadistic tendency,' Amaranth mumbled to herself, but Nina heard.

'Maybe, but it's not like she's fully against it either.'

'I don't think that Hina enjoys you finding pleasure in her discomfort,' Amaranth stated.

'Such a party pooper,' Nina pouted. 'But you should get back to the kitchen and to work, otherwise Shibuya will get lonely and your father will be upset if you're gossiping,' she air quoted gossiping. 'And don't worry about Hina tonight, I'll keep her distracted and out of your hair so that you can have fun.'

'I—-' she was pushed back to the kitchen and before she could say anything a costumer came in.

'Sorry, I have work,' Nina patted her back before turning away to assist the person at the counter.

—-

A/N: Hi, guys, sorry for the late update. I promise I haven't given up on the story. It's just that I am so bad at editing, that getting to it has been so labor intensive. Nonetheless, I will do my best to edit the remaining chapters and update as soon as possible. So I hope that you guys continue to enjoy and read the story.