On this most auspicious occasion of my birthday, I would like to gift to you, dear readers, another chapter! Read and review, if for no other reason than to make the reveiw a b-day present. :)

K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the time I was done with Sato, I was positive he wouldn't try anything else. I gave him until the end of the school term to find a new position under the condition that he ceased seeking Judy out, ceased harassment and threats of the women on campus, and behaved as the model Japanese citizen. I told him that he was under constant surveillance until the end of the term. If he transgressed any of the conditions, he would not be permitted his quiet exit from Tokyo. Oh, no. His departure from Tokyo would be conducted through my police to a secret detention facility. He left my compound without a single mark on his body. At least, one couldn't see any marks on the surface. My men were extremely good at inflicting pain and leaving no evidence.

I looked at my phone. Time for dinner.

J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Haruhi stayed with me the entire day. We walked to the park where Sato attacked me the night previous. Haruhi had asked if I really wanted to do that so soon. To which, I responded that it was better to face any fears as quickly as possible. After our walk, we watched a movie and prepared dinner.

"Judy, that was Kyoya. He says he is on his way here." She put her cell down and continued her preparations.

"Okay."

"Whether you're ready for this conversation or not, Judy, Kyoya would have come over tonight and had it with you. He's not one to take a threat to his friends lightly."

"Friends…With Kyoya Ohtori? I'd like to think that was true." It didn't matter that he had embraced me. It didn't matter that he had nearly kissed me. Those were things that men did if they thought the woman was vulnerable.

"I guarantee that he terms you his friend. If he didn't, he wouldn't have rushed to your side last night. He wouldn't have given you the day off. Those are things he only does for people he considers close to himself. I have only seen him go on the defensive for others when he feels strongly about them. I can also guarantee that he is no longer just on the defensive, but he is now also on the offensive for you."

I busied myself with dessert. "What is that supposed to mean?"

She put the spoon down. "It means that he will defend you and take measures to ensure your safety in the future."

"How?"

"He'll have to tell you himself."

Just then, my phone rang and a simultaneous knock sounded on the door. I checked the caller I.D.: Kyoya O.

"I'm at the door, Judy." He sounded so serene, almost like nothing had happened, like no one had tried to hurt me, like we were still just congenial acquaintances.

"No unexpected visitors?" He gave me a once over and headed for one of the counter stools.

"Nobody, apart from Haruhi. How was the hospital?"

"I didn't go today. I found the lack of sleep a bit more than even I can handle." His ironic air made me smile on the inside.

"You didn't go to the hospital, Kyoya," Haruhi threw over her shoulder as she pulled something out of my cabinets. "I must confess that I'm surprised."

"I had business with some of the house assets today." He popped one of the grapes I had left in the bowl into his mouth.

"I see. I bet that took up most of your day then. Are you ready for dinner? Judy and I have been cooking in anticipation of guests." I honestly felt pretty ashamed of my lack of hospitality that day. I felt like I was completely relying on Haruhi to not just take care of me, but to fend for herself and to entertain my visitors. I rushed to the china cabinet and began setting the table. I tossed a salad directly after, placed it and my side dishes alongside Haruhi's main course, and then poured drinks.

"Everyone to the table, then," I cheered. I want him to know that I'm alright. No need for him to worry.