Sorry about the longer waits. I've had guest after guest at my home these last weeks; and I've gone out of town; and I've been ill. It's all made me feel like such a slouch whenever I think about this story. In fact, I haven't done any reading on this site since my last post because it makes me feel so guilty to see my favorite stories' new posts and mine not be updated.

P.S. I'm going to drag this party out a few chapters…I think. I'm evil.

New chapter for you all! Happy spring!

J~~~~~~~~~~

I glanced at my reflection in the bathroom mirror one more time. Not a hair out of place and makeup done. If there was something I prided myself on, it was that I knew how to dress for a show. I had decided to not buy a new dress when I went shopping with Haruhi the previous month. It would have been a wasteful purchase when I had brought all of my performance clothes with me anyway.

I moved to my bedroom and looked at my appearance in the full length mirror. Yup. This red number will be more than adequate. It's not too flashy and still makes a statement. I grabbed my briefcase full of music and my performers bag chalked full of emergency items like cough drops, tea bags, and extra makeup.

I had left Hotta in the living room to entertain himself while I dressed. Poor man. It's been three hours, and I've been less than a good hostess to him. It did flash through my mind that his job was to wait for people, but the thought didn't really compute.

"I'm ready, Hotta," I called as I walked down the tiny hall. When I entered the room, Hotta was gathering what little he had brought along: cell phone, paper work, etc. Files and reports most likely. I wonder how much he has to tell Kyoya at the end of the day. Everything, I'm sure.

I stood there while Hotta finished shuffling papers. When he looked up, his jaw clenched. I couldn't tell if what I was wearing was displeasing or inappropriate to him, but I wasn't going to take the time to press another dress as we were too close to time as it was.

Hotta quickly relaxed his jaw when he noticed my discerning eye upon him. He silently gestured me toward the door and helped me into the car. Wait. Car?

"Hotta, I was under the impression that I was taking my own vehicle."

"Master Ohtori thought it best that I escort you in one of his." That's all I could get out of him on the subject.

"Is your boss always so highhanded?"

"I'm not one to discuss such matters, Miss." Tight-lipped fellow.

"Fine. Can you answer a question for me about this evening then?" I was trying to switch tactics on him.

"What is it?"

"When I came out of the hall, you tensed. Is my manner of dress unsuitable?" To be honest, I knew it wasn't; but if I asked Hotta this, he would answer in a way that reflected Kyoya's wishes, which would divulge just how controlling Kyoya really was and if I would be transgressing that control.

The monotone voice Hotta had been presenting me suddenly softened. "No, Miss. I can't imagine anyone would think you looked inappropriate. If anything, you could possibly go unnoticed the majority of the evening if you weren't on stage this evening."

Well, good. I suppose that means I guessed Kyoya's tastes accurately. "Thank you, Hotta."

After that, Hotta rolled up the window that separated the front and backseats. My thoughts began to swim, but I clamped them down and forced myself into a dose for the car ride to the party.

K~~~~~~~~~~

I walked back into the main reception area to do a last survey. Good. The stage is up, and the sound is on. All the tables that had been removed to make room for the stage were placed at the outskirts. All the seating cards had to be re-situated so none of my top partners would feel slighted without my company. I oversaw the new seating arrangement myself.

"Put Mr. and Mrs. Renault next to Mrs. Tanaka. They seem to get along well, and if they don't, then they will learn how tonight." The side doors pushed open as I finished the last table. Hotta walked in and swiftly stepped aside to reveal a petite singer.

To say she looked resplendent would be an understatement. Her one shouldered, floor length, silk dress was a deep, mutted red that highlighted her dark hair hanging freely down her back. The single sheer shoulder created an asymmetrical neckline before falling to the floor in a single drape. Most men would have called me girlish for knowing more about her clothing than that it made her look lovely, but…Most men didn't grow up with two fashion designer twins as buddies.

I gave myself a mental slap when I noticed her sly smile. Well, she certainly knows what she's doing.

J~~~~~~~~~~

I'm no babe in the woods; I do know when a man thinks I'm pretty.

Whether or not a man truly loved me was another affair, but I'd always been able to tell when men were attracted to me. That night Kyoya lost his ability to keep me guessing. The moment I walked in the door and Hotta stepped aside, I knew. I also knew it was more than the passing attraction I had so desperately tried to think it for the last month and a half. I knew Kyoya didn't love me…Nor I, him. But, I also knew that one of us was going to fall soon. I didn't have the time or inclination for that distraction.