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

We faced the double doors arm in arm. Just as we were about to push through I asked, "Are you sure it's necessary to announce this tonight, Kyoya?"

"Yes. I've had more women pushed at me tonight than I did all of last year." The idea of women being offered up to the 'great Ohtori king' annoyed me. It's like the poor girls are nothing more than the goods their families deal in. I also felt a little twinge of something. Like any of those girls or their parents know exactly what they're getting themselves into. Kyoya's the most devious, strange, calculating, handsome, and infuriating man I've ever met.

"Wouldn't it be better to wait until the next event. That way I could just finish out the evening as the hired help, and you could have your big reveal at the opening of the another party?" I could seriously do without added stress tonight.

"While I did consider that, I decided that introducing my 'girlfriend' at the end of the gala would be best."

"But-"

He cut me off. "For the reason that you'll only have to deal with their ridiculous questions for an hour at most, my family will get limited access to you until they make an appointment, and the gala is the most appropriate time to announce such things. In the end, it shuts down all hopes other businesses have of their daughters rising to control the Ohtori empire." He really is infuriatingly thorough.

"Let's get it over with, then." I stepped forward but found my partner glued to his spot. "Second thoughts?" I gave him an impatient look. Not really my best face, hon.

"Do adjust your face, Judy. You look less than thrilled to be dating one of the most powerful men in Japan." Ooooooooohhhh! I gave him a overly sweet smile and curtsied.

"My apologies, King Kyoya."

"Really, Judy. There's no need to add the honorific." Grrrrrr! "In all seriousness, you do need to realize what you're getting yourself into. Not one woman or man out there is going to be happy with you, my family included. I'll do my best to shield you, but if we get separated, one of the guys will stick with you and help you out."

I dropped his arm. "So, do they all know what's happening? You told everyone before you asked me?!"

"No. Only Tamaki and Haruhi had any idea." I raised an eyebrow at him. "Tamaki is my business partner and best friend; All of my decisions directly affect his life and business."

"I see."

"I wasn't sure you would agree, so I told no one else. After our discussion, I texted Tamaki to tell the guys to stick close to you once we returned. They still don't know why."

"Okay. Let me get this straight." I started gesturing with my hands and pacing. "You've been planning this for quite a while. I'm going to be a human shield that all of your corporate buddies are going to throw grenades at while you jump through a legal loophole and inherit without bringing along attachments. Right?"

"That's a coarse way of putting it."

"At any point in this charade am I supposed to die?"

He chuckled. "No. That would be most unfortunate after all the trouble I've gone through keeping you safe." He drew me into his arms for the second time. I heard him inhale deeply above my head. "Prepare yourself, my dear. We are headed into the battle field."

"One thing you should have learned a month ago, Kyoya," I said as I shrugged him off me, "is that I'm always ready to do battle." He looped my arm through his and threw open the door.

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

I had made sure to lead Judy to the main entrance for my little surprise. This whole charade would be a waste if even one person missed our entrance. I motioned the DJ to stop the music and cleared my throat. All eyes were on me in an instant. It took only a fraction of a second for the crowd to realize a woman was on my arm. The bevy of spoiled women around us thinned, though I could see them sharpening their claws to pounce on Judy later.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for disappearing. If you would allow me, I would like to officially open the dance floor." A pathway was cleared for me to lead my chosen partner to the floor as the ensemble struck up "Fly Me to the Moon."

The whispers could barely be categorized as such. Good.

"Seems we're making a splash, Kyoya." Judy took a sideways glance at the bystanders.

"Not 'we,' my dear." I lowered my mouth to her ear. "You." She looked up at me and gave me a small smile. I knew the romantic picture we made was causing a stir.

"I believe that any girl you danced with tonight would have sparked rumors about a love child before the end of the first refrain."

I laughed for effect. "That's true. I can't tell you how many babies I've hidden across Japan as a result of these gatherings." I spun her out.

"Oh, those poor mothers! How ever did they survive?" The turn of her mouth was wicked as was her light mocking.

"Survival is determined on how long they can keep the media's attention. Unfortunately for them, I know the owners of every major paper and tabloid in the country."

"I can imagine the girls chose better targets the next time." I dipped her for effect.

"Indeed." I dropped my voice and lowered my head again for a more intimate appearance. "Before this dance is over, let me inform you of the general plans for the next hour."

"Ooooookay." I righted Judy and brought my mouth to her ear.

"We will dance three more dances to give the impression that I am smitten with you."

"And, aren't you," she chuckled at me. I'm going to ignore that.

"In between those dances, we will make our rotations among my more important investors. It's best that you speak as little as possible."

"Afraid that I'll make a mistake? Wouldn't it be better if they didn't think I was just decoration?"

"Point. Very well, I'll try to steer conversation in such a way that you will be able to make non-incriminating comments." Her eye twitched at me. "It's not that you're unintelligent, far from it: but, you're not used to the game I have to play. It can be dangerous to make the wrong person angry."

"I'll keep my thoughts to myself as much as possible for the time being. Though, I fully expect to be apprised of the issues so that I can make a good impression in the future." I was mildly impressed. As expected from the woman I chose.

"I'll make a compilation of my files for you to read through tomorrow." The music ended, and I led her off the floor.

The jury is out. Jackson is "the most horrible" as Tootie and Agnes said in "Meet Me in St. Louis."

"Dear, [Jackson], I hate your stinking guts. You make me vomit. You are the scum between my toes. Love, [THE READERS!]"
Quote taken from "The Little Rascals" movie. :|