I don't own Skip Beat!

Morning of the next day at the Minemoto household was unusual. The couple would usually get up early and prepare for the day's work but not today. Masato is looking lovingly at the sleeping woman beside him. She was exhausted of the events the day before and somehow looked relieved. Opposite to what everyone else knows, and maybe his first husband also knew, that she is a self less woman. Giving what she can without asking anything in return. The hardships in life must have hardened her shell that she used to extract everyone in her life.

'no wonder she is misunderstood all the time', Masato thought.

The said woman stirred in her sleep, and opened her eyes after.

"i dreamed of my daughter," Saena said.

xXx

As Kyoko starts her day, she is anticipating to hear from Kuon. She did miss the man but he is being difficult right now.

'Is he ignoring me?' She asked herself but deduced the thought immediately. Why will he ignore her anyway?

xXx

Breakfast was tension filled in the Minemoto's.

Saena wanted to spill everything to Masato but afraid that he will look at her differently.

xXx

Kuon was reviewing the documents to the new branch and by what he is seeing right now, his presence is much needed on the site.

'This might be good for me' he thought but a part of himself has chiding him for thinking that way.

xXx

"I owe a huge amount of money in the Hizuri Corp." she said casually breaking the silence.

Masato spoon stopped midway to his mouth, "Excuse me?"

"When the Hizuri kid said I owe him." She explained.

"Lady, you need to be more precise than just that for me to understand you" Masato said.

"I got instigated by a colleague, he said the company will never know. He knew my problems with money. At first I didn't bulge, but as financial problems keeps filing up I gave in." She said recounting the events years ago.

"I didn't plan that huge amount, but he insisted. It was not a overnight job, I have to do it little by little-"

"How much?" Masato asked hearing enough. He knew she was not comfortable sharing this. He too did a lot of mistakes in his life, most of which he is not willing to divulge with another person. Saena is of same person, when they get together, one of the things she mentioned was that she wanted to start a new. Forget the past. And he assured her of that.

He heard her whisper.

"Lady speak louder" he said.

"200 million yen"

'200 million yen? where in the world did it all go?' a questioning look was etching in Masato faced.

Saena started explaining everything to Masato. She needs to make him understand. Never did she wished to lose another person that cared for her, she already did it before.

xXx

Kyoko cannot take it anymore.

1 week.

Kuon cut his communication with her for 1 week.

unanswered questions are swimming in her head.

Why? What did she do wrong?

on the 6th day of her dilemma, she decided to pay him a visit in the Corp. on the excuse of asking the date of the "procedure". It should be about any day now if they wanted to make it in time for her ovulation. she is afraid of course not only because she is not prepared but also because she found out that she doesn't mind anymore. as long as its Kuon's kid its fine.

when did her views changed? She doesn't exactly know.

During the duration of them not talking, she has been thinking about him more. little by little she feels warm on the inside with the thoughts of him.

She started to miss his calls, his messages, his teasing, their lunch outs and dinners together.

She wanted him to do more thoughtful things for her, visit her at work, drive her home. Even those regular check ups.

"He did a lot of things for me" she said sadly, but she never did anything in return.

xXx

Kuon is not any better but surviving.

He visited France and checked the site for the new hotel he wanted to establish. even halfway around the globe he cant get his mind off of her. on the outside he is as professional as he is but on the inside, his thoughts are wrecking him havoc.

Is she eating properly?

Is she over working again?

Is she well?

But there is one question that is bothering him the most, 'Does she even miss him? His company? their dates?'. those might be simple lunch outs and dinner for her, but for him it means a lot more. For the past week, he has been drowning in work and alcohol. funny how a woman can make him a total wrecked.

"Is this my punishment for all the things I did?" he asked. "Maybe it is" he answered chuckling darkly. he really miss her. Damn it all. this complications in their non-existent relationship is being a pain.

He put the empty glass down, stood up and made his way to the bed. He picked up a black case and opened it. Looking at the necklace, he smiled. She will love this one. He just knew. The moment he saw this outside jewelry store being displayed, Kyoko immediately came to mind, so he bought it. the necklace has a fairy pendant holding a blue stone. he can already see her eyes lighting up brightly as he present this gift. She might scold him for spending money on her again.

A chime on his phone notified him of a new message. Putting the necklase back on its case, he checked the message.

Its from Kyoko.

"I came to your office today but the receptionist said you are overseas. We are still doing the procedure right? I'm afraid it will be on the next month as my ovulation passed already if that is still okay with you. Kuon, I don't know why you are avoiding me. at first I thought you are swarmed with work but a week without a word from you is different. I'm sorry for that night Kuon. We already had a deal, and I am not backing out now not when you invested a lot of time, money and effort. -Kyoko'.

He didnt know what came over him, it might the alcohol, the exhaustion or the effect of not seeing her but he did what he said he wont.

He sent her a message.

"I wish we meet on a different circumstance Kyoko. I would give up everything for that. -Kuon".

xXx

There was a new FF story that I reviewed and accused on being a copy of mine. -I did say it in the nicest way possible-

I apologize for what I did. I know that it was a bad thing to do and I never meant to discouraged anyone who is willing to try writing. I wanted to personally apologize to the writer but I didnt catch her name and I cant find the said story.

I take pride in all my work whether they are of good quality or not. Imagine my surprise when a part of my work was similar to another.

I know (and I got scolded by my brother for it also) that it was a bad thing to over react and do abrupt decisions, that was one.

for that I am really sorry.