Dance to the Rhythm Chapter 37: Of The Business Pitch, an ouran high school host club fanfic

And, longer chapter. It has some repeated conversation: but, as always, it helps you to understand both parties if you don't skip around. :) Enjoy. The plot thickens!

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

I waited a full ten minutes before I stood. It was time for the transition into dancing and more serious corporate conversation anyway. Normally when the host stood the rest of the company would follow him to either the dance floor or the "smoking" rooms. This time I had something a bit more pressing to do.

As I wended my way through the crowd, I sent a quick text to my coordinator to get the DJ to strike up the big band music. The ensemble had interpreted Judy's dash off stage as "break time." I slipped my phone back into my pocket just as I reached the outskirts of the party.

"Mr. Ohtori, what a fine opening gala you've thrown. Very suitable for your first."

"Thank you, Herr Kühn. That's quite a compliment coming from our oldest ally." I had known Herr Kühn since I was a young boy. Even in my most distant memories of the man, Kühn never gave a free compliment. He was leading into something. I didn't have time to discuss that something with him, but insulting him by shutting him up was not an option.

"I do believe you have somewhere more important to be. I would be quite a fool if I didn't have a good idea of where you were trying to go." The old man gave a furtive glance to the side doors that lead to the green room. So, he recognized Judy's flight for what it was. He always was a sly old man. I chuckled quietly.

"No one knows, yet. I want to surprise them." I gave him my I'm-only-confiding-in-you business smile.

"I see." Herr Kühn thrust his hand out to shake mine. "Best of luck to you then. They certainly will be surprised." I only watched his retreat long enough to note his trembling shoulders. Well, he's obviously going to enjoy watching my world burn.

I pushed through the double doors. I took my time down the hallway. Best to let her calm down before I open negotiations. Everything in its proper time.

Last door on the left. I focused on my destination. There was no need to focus on my presentation since the right words always found me when I needed them. As I lifted my eyes to the green room door, I noticed a familiar silhouette entering and shutting the door soundlessly. I picked up my pace. In fact, I flat out ran the rest of the way.

When I reached the door, I counted to five to slow my breathing and then turned the door knob. What I saw was not to my liking.

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

"So, this is where you ran off to."

It was a voice I had not heard before, brittle with a tinge of smooth bitterness. I'd never heard such a poisonous tone. I brushed the hand aside as I stood to face the intruder.

"Hello, brother." Kyoya! Right in the knick of time. The last thing I wanted to do was have a lone conversation with the Ohtori who obviously saw me as sellable goods. "I see you were eager to meet Miss Mooreson, Akito. If you had given me another few minutes, I could have guaranteed your meeting with the rest of the family."

"Sorry I ruined your plans, little brother." Akito. Something tells me that these two really don't like each other.

"Not to worry, Akito. Miss Mooreson will be back out as soon as her break is done."

"No formal greeting, then?" I looked at Kyoya, then at Akito. If this wasn't a power play, then I didn't know what it was. The tension emanating off Kyoya was stronger than I'd ever felt.

"Miss Mooreson, allow me to introduce my brother Ohtori Akito, doctor in residence at my third hospital in Osaka and manager of that hospital's affairs." Akito bristled at Kyoya's introduction but played it off smoothly enough.

"Miss Mooreson," he addressed me in English, "I hope to hear you perform later. That last song was quite 'captivating.'" I shoved the instinct to gasp as far down as I knew how. It was a play on words.

The entire exchange was exceedingly, almost painfully polite. The most untoward moment was when Akito tried to get my attention by brushing his hand on my shoulder. That one action had spoken volumes about the then unknown person: womanizer, lady's man, pompous. I was more than happy to hear the door click behind Akito.

"Kyoya, please tell me that you were just buying me some time. I really don't feel like singing any more this evening. I'm sure you understand why." If he doesn't, he is a greater simpleton than I anticipated.

"I might have an inkling as to why you don't wish to go back out, but what's been said to my brother can not be taken back. If Akito expects you to sing again, he also expects to talk to you. It is in both your best interest and mine for you to take the stage again. Any talking done will be with me."

"So, I have no choice then. I see. I have become a pawn to use against your brother." Kyoya quirked an eyebrow at me. "Don't take me for a fool, Kyoya. I can read actions and reactions well enough to tell that there's no lost love between the two of you. You are a designing man and will use what you can to get ahead. I know what your brother thinks of me; He made it painfully obvious. (By the way, thank you for your fortuitous entrance.) It doesn't take a genius to put those things together."

"And, what does your little equation equal out to, my dear?" He had taken a step closer to me. We were now face to face with less than a meter between us.

"I'm now to be used as a pleasant distraction for your brother, a sacrificial lamb, if you will. With your lustful brother so easily dealt with, you won't have as many threats to your position." My voice and stance were ridged.

He chuckled darkly at me. "So close, but so far. If you think I would let my brother touch a hair of your head after keeping Sato away, you are the silliest woman I've ever met. I'm affronted that you think I have so little honor." He took my shoulders in his hands and bent over to look me in the eyes. "My brother will never touch you again." He released me and took three steps to the couch. "Sit down. There's much to discuss and very little time."

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

My brother, Akito, had one hand on Judy's shoulder and was leaning over to whisper in her ear. I couldn't hear what he said, but I was sure he was about to step up his game. Judy stood gracefully and smoothly brushed him aside.

"Hello, brother." I stepped all the way into the room and strode to the corner the pair occupied. "I see you were eager to meet Miss Mooreson, Akito. If you had given me another few minutes, I could have guaranteed your meeting with the rest of the family." Judy shifted her stance just enough to let Akito know she identified with me and not him. Akito took notice. He always was swift to notice territorial boundaries, but it never has stopped him.

"Sorry I ruined your plans, little brother." Oh, by all means, big brother, play your little games. I glanced at Judy and noted that she was drawing swift conclusions about my family.

"Not to worry, Akito. Miss Mooreson will be back out as soon as her break is done." I made sure to keep my tone as polite and business like as possible. No need to spoil the surprise. I dispatched with my brother as quickly as possible. It's time to make the pitch.

I sat on the nearest sofa as I listened to Judy draw her conclusions on what my plans involving her might be. She hit rather close to the mark but was far off in one respect: my honor. She really doesn't trust me. Does she? To think I would sell her off to Akito. The very thought made my blood boil. "My brother will never touch you again. Sit down. There's much to discuss and very little time." She took a seat on the far end of the sofa.

I took my glasses off and rubbed the bridge of my nose. Breathe. I released a heavy sigh and began.

"Your deductions were very acute. But, as I said before, my brother is not what I need you for. I know that you've been informed that as the youngest brother I was not the most logical choice to be the heir to my father's company and fortune." Judy blinked at me. "I don't know how much else you've been told."

"Kyoya, no one has told me much, and I haven't asked. That's your business until you choose to enlighten me." Judy's voice softened and she turned herself to look fully at me. "I didn't really know that you had other family until tonight, and it doesn't take a genius to see that you don't get along with them. From what I could see from the stage, your brothers acted older than you: so, yes, I was confused but didn't question why you inherited. That's your family's concern, not mine."

I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees. "It could be your concern sooner than you think." A quick look to gauge her response told me nothing. Come on, Ohtori. It's just business. "I need your help to distract my family from my more…furtive business plans."

"And, how am I supposed to do that?" She crossed her legs. "I can't very well sing them into a stupor."

"My father is overly concerned with my love life at the moment, or my lack of one. I need to present him with a candidate for the time being so that I can move freely." There. I said it.

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

Kyoya and I were both sitting on the couch. He looked so tired. "My father is overly concerned with my love life at the moment, or my lack of one." Kyoya paused briefly. "I need to present him with a candidate for the time being so that I can move freely." What? Oh, heck no!

"I don't think so, Kyoya. It won't work." I placed both my feet on the ground and prepared to stand. I do not want my emotions toyed with for corporate espionage.

"Please, hear me out."

"Make it quick."

"I have an inheritance contract that states I must be engaged by my twenty-seventh birthday. If I am not, I must submit to an arranged marriage or lose the company to one of my brothers." My mind went blank and then flew into over drive.

"So, how do I fit in? I'm not marrying you, so if we faked an engagement, you would still lose to your family." I will not do this. Find an out. Wait. I don't have to help him.

"You don't have to marry me. The contract only states an engagement. I've got Haruhi working on the contract now. We're fairly certain that all I need is the engagement. If the engagement is broken after my birthday, I might be able to get by on a legal technicality."

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

"I don't think so, Kyoya. It won't work." Neither responses is a blatant refusal. I might still be able to convince her.

"Please, hear me out."

"Make it quick." Ah, this is my in.

"So, how do I fit in? I'm not marrying you, so if we faked an engagement, you would still lose to your family." Well, I wouldn't expect you to marry me after only a month or two of friendship. I explained the loophole I had planted into the contract. She stood and prepared to leave, but I couldn't have her refuse. I couldn't even allow her the night to consider. She has to say yes, and she has to agree tonight!

I launched myself off the sofa and pulled her into my arms. Pull out all the stops. She's attracted to you; Use it to your advantage. "We would be actually dating. You would accompany me to official functions and go out with me in-between." Judy relaxed in my embrace, but she was still holding out. Now, the finishing touch. "It could also be beneficial to you. By being associated with me, you would get more musical offers." And, that's the face of practicality taking over. She knows this will help her.

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

"Kyoya, I'm uncomfortable living a lie, nor am I obligated." I stood and straightened my dress. "I'm going home."

He grabbed my wrist before I could step away. "No, you don't have to help me, but you wouldn't have to lie." He stood before me and pulled me to him. "We would be actually dating. You would accompany me to official functions and go out with me in-between." I felt myself caving a bit to his nearness. Don't do it. "It could also be beneficial to you. By being associated with me, you would get more musical offers." There's a thought, Judy. You should never turn down a career opportunity. My calculating side had a point. It would be good for business. But, he may very well rip your heart out, and you'd have no one to blame but yourself. Experience was screaming at me to refuse.

"Are you trying to lure me by mixing business with business, Mr. Ohtori?" I stared boldly at him.

"Is it working, Miss Mooreson?" One of his hands brushed my cheek and came to rest under my chin. Oh, I am in so much trouble here.

"When is your birthday?"

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

"Are you trying to lure me by mixing business with business, Mr. Ohtori?" What a strange woman. Usually my looks and attentions are all that's needed to get my way.

"Is it working, Miss Mooreson?" Push her over the edge. I lifted my hand to her face.

"When is your birthday?" I win.