Please, review if you like it. :)

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

The return journey was just as quiet as the departing one. Again, I sat staring out my window. Again, Kyoya clutched the steering wheel. I don't think he heard any of what his father said to me. I can understand why he resents his 'daddy' now.

After the meal, Mr. Ohtori had sent Kyoya to the office to look over what I could only conclude were trivial papers. Busywork. "So, Mooreson-san, I think we can speak more freely now that my son is gone," Mr. Ohtori began as he led me into a study that was all clean lines, stark white walls and floor, and modern, black furniture and shelving.

"You mean, now that your son is suitably employed in unnecessary work, you can continue our conversation from the party." I twitched a grim, little smile his way as I glanced at the harsh lines of the room.

He overlooked my rudeness and gestured for me to take a seat across the black and chrome coffee table from him. "As I'm sure you've realized by now, I've done a thorough investigation of your background. All things considered, you have a crystal clear history. That is, it is clean by an American standard. By my standard, however, you have one blot on an untarnished past."

"What would that be, sir? I do believe I have never stolen, assaulted, or done any thing that could be held against me." Remain calm. What you almost did for Jackson was under coercion, and you still didn't do it.

"Did you know that even being involved with a man who's gone to jail is considered a sin in our circles." My back went rigid at his tone. "You are tainted by association."

"I honestly don't know what you are referring to, sir." I kept my voice light but even as I relaxed my posture. Don't let him get to you. He can read your thoughts through your gestures, so keep it calm by sending mixed signals.

He let out an exasperated sigh, steepled his fingers, and leaned back his chair. "Don't toy with me, girl. I know for a certainty that you were once engaged to a man who is now a convicted felon. He was charged with assault and battery and has been serving his sentence."

I tried to act like his words didn't phase me, but the last thing I wanted was for more people to know. Forget the mixed signals! Just let him know he doesn't own you and you don't care. "You are correct. Jackson, was my fiancé, but after a brutal beating, I left him. He is now incarcerated at a state prison." I stared him down as I said my next words. "I don't see how that can blight my character, though."

"Then let me explain it to you slowly." A cold cynicism crept over his face and edged its way into his voice. "If the gossips ever heard that Ohtori Kyoya's intended was once a punching bag for a criminal, that she submitted herself to the attentions of a now convict, that she was raped," he stressed that last word and let it hang before continuing, "then the Ohtori name would be dragged through the mud."

He seems to like theatrics. Maybe I should give him tit for tat? "I see. So, if a woman is beaten and misused for no fault of her own, then she is worthless in the eyes of the Ohtoris and the world at large?" I scoffed. "I suppose then, if the press caught wind of your less than righteous business dealings, you wouldn't be 'dragged through the mud' regardless of a besmirched daughter-in-law."

Mr. Ohtori brought his hand to his chin and considered me for a moment. We sat opposite each other in the drawing room with the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows. The moment stretched for an eternity as we both decided on our next move. Maybe I was too harsh? I should probably apologize for Kyoya's sake, at least.

Finally Mr. Ohtori whispered, "You'll do."

"Excuse me," I asked, baffled.

"I know my son has never told you about some of mine and my older son's business tactics. He would never let anyone outside of the family in on trade secrets. You inferred that on your own and are correct. You have successfully countered me each time I've tried to corner you. You'll make an excellent business partner."

He seemed thoroughly pleased with his final conclusion and decision. I had no reason to do anything but agree, but there was one question he still hadn't answered me. "Why are you so for our marriage? It really makes no sense, sir."

"I would think a young lady in love would just be happy to have her in-laws' approval. But, you are no ordinary girl in love." It's more than obvious that he understands that Kyoya and I aren't really dating. He straightened his glasses in a similar fashion to Kyoya. "Very well, if you really want to know, I will tell you. My son is the heir to my estate and business. While the estate is not his yet, he is the head of our company. Whoever he marries must be able to hold her own in business. While my wife was alive, she wasn't just a pretty face. She was also a business woman in her own right. She may not have dealt in the office, but she did do business where all real decisions are made. She dealt with the wives and families of my business partners. If you win over the wife, you win over the company. That will be your role from now on, so obviously you have to be perceptive, smart, and savvy."

"I'm beginning to understand that you don't care who your son marries as long as she is an asset to the company." Well, now I know why Kyoya doesn't like his father.

"That shouldn't surprise you my dear." He rose from his chair and walked aimlessly to a bookshelf. "I don't really care about your past because I have the power to rewrite it the way I want it." He grabbed a book and opened it. "I also have the power to broadcast to certain individuals exactly where you are." He snapped the book shut and my eyes went wide at what he had just implied. He wouldn't truly tell Jackson where I am! Would he? Even as I questioned his intent, one look at the Ohtori patriarch said everything. Yes, he would. "Rest assured, my girl, I don't intend to do that just yet. But, be aware that if you choose to help my son circumnavigate the terms of the inheritance contract, you will need to file for a change of address." He threw the book on the coffee table before me. I glanced at the title, The Prince by Machiavelli, and knew that the man before me was like Jackson in that he would do anything to achieve his goals. "If you complete your dating charade with my son and do get married, I can guarantee your safety for the rest of your days." Now he's gone too far.

Slowly, I stood and faced him, eyes steely and demeanor grim. "I will leave my safety to God. He has equipped me with intelligence and now physical training. If he does come for me, Christopher Jackson and all those who have helped him will regret their decisions."

"We'll have to polish your delivery a bit, but the cold, menacing glare is quite effective. Bravo, my girl."

Should I tell Kyoya about what happened? I glanced at my "boyfriend" as he steered us to who-knew-where. I'm sure he knew when he was sent out of the room that his father was going to give me the third degree.

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

As soon as Daddy-dearest said, "I have some papers you need to look over in my office," I was certain that he wanted more than a few benign words with his "future daughter-in-law." But, obedience is still a harbinger of inheritance.

My father had never been stupid. He knew I would turn on the security feed as soon as I walked in the office. He knew I'd turn on the intercom, too. As far as my father was concerned, this was an opportunity to prove to me that my charade was over.

I sat dumbfounded as I listened to my father's threats, innuendos, and cold rhetoric. I wasn't taken aback that he would try something like that. No. I was more surprised that he would put his blessing on my marriage to Judy. What the heck?!

At every turn in the conversation, Judy countered his attack. Finally, she threw caution to the wind and gave a threat as good as any she had gotten from my father. "If he does come for me, Christopher Jackson and all those who have helped him will regret their decisions." Why does she always end up doing that? However, serves him right.

"We'll have to polish your delivery a bit, but the cold, menacing glare is quite affective. Bravo, my girl."

I switched off the security feed and intercom and swept back into the study to say a hasty goodbye to my father.

Now we were sitting in absolute silence, neither wanting to address this new twist in our lives. I gripped the wheel hard as I took a sudden turn. I was going to take her to my house to make plans for our next social gathering, but what we needed to discuss was better done somewhere without listening ears.

"Kyoya, what on earth has gotten into you?" Judy grabbed onto the arm rest, and I chuckled when I noted her foot pressing on a phantom brake peddle.

"We need to talk, but my house isn't the best place and neither is yours."

She lifted a tired hand to her eyes and said, "Where do you propose then?"

"My compound."

"Your security bunker?! Isn't that a little over the top?"

I snorted, "Not for what we have to discuss."

She threw her hands in the air. "Oh, have it your own way."

"Thank you. I shall."

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

"Judy." I tried to turn my attention to the man sitting next to me on the lush sofa. How strange, from the outside this looks like any office building, but when you delve beneath, it's a maximum security facility complete with stark cells. Though, even in this dreadful setting, Kyoya doesn't put up with less than the best for his own comfort. Indeed, we were in his personal apartments in his private army's facility. The multi-room suite was decorated in white and airy grey with delicate oak furniture to lend a feeling of openness and light to what could otherwise be a grim home.

"Judy," Kyoya called again.

"Yes? Oh, sorry. I was just a little surprised. I didn't expect all of this." I gestured to nothing in particular.

"I gathered," he smirked and pushed his glasses up his nose. "I'm not going to try to ring what my father said from you."

"That was rather abrupt, though I figured it was coming," I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair.

"After what happened the other night, I'll be upfront with you about this. I heard the entire exchange."

"You what," I deadpanned.

"The paperwork Father sent me to peruse was nothing more than an excuse to get me out of the room so he could cross-examine you. He knew I'd listen in. I'm so sorry he said what he did."

"It's alright, Kyoya. I figured that was his plan, but I didn't think you were listening. I should be the one who's sorry for lashing out at your father, especially since you're in such a delicate situation." I really am sorry. I tried to plead with my eyes.

"My father should be the one apologizing to you. He had no right to threaten you."

"Why would he?"

"I'm not sure." Kyoya pulled his glasses off to clean them, and I marveled at how handsome he was without his spectacles. "But, that is the question to be answered. Maybe he sincerely thinks you are a good match for me." I blushed at that. "Or, maybe he just really wants me married. Heck, he could just want something to blackmail me with so he can maintain his hold on the company." Kyoya paused, his glasses in midair. "That's it!"

"He wants to use me to blackmail you?" What kind of crazy family is this? Seriously, a perverted brother and a power-hungry father. What other skeletons are hiding in the closet?

"That's exactly what he plans to do." He put his glasses back on and pulled out his tablet. "He knows that my original plan was to use you as a shield." He began tapping away.

"Your dad knows we never intended to get married, and he wants to use your subterfuge against you." I was astounded.

"Bingo. If we do get married, at the very least, there's a steady, married man running the company and more business deals come in. If we don't, he'll twist my arm with my deception and wrench my power from me."

"Kyoya, there's something else." I grabbed the top of his tablet and lowered it to his lap. We looked at each-other, "I'm pretty sure there's no way to circumvent the engagement clause."

"What?"

"Your father said he knew you were trying to do that; therefore, he was implying that it wouldn't work. I have a feeling that no matter what we do, I will end up marrying you if we see this through until your birthday."

Kyoya put his tablet aside and turned to face me fully on the sofa. He raised a hand to my cheek and asked, "Would that be so terrible?"

I blinked twice before I spoke. "Yes, it would be terrible because 'we aren't real.'" The words jumped out of my throat soaked in bitter heartbreak. We aren't real. We aren't real.

He pulled back for a moment, his hand never leaving my face. I watched him think my words over. I could see a familiar puzzlement in his eyes. I guess men really are all the same in some things. Despite the grave subject matter, I found myself fairly amused at my private joke and let out a little snicker.

Kyoya's eyes grew sharp and intense as he released my cheek and bit out, "I find nothing funny about our predicament, especially the idea of us not being real." That shut me up. "I know where you picked that idea up, and I regret planting it in your mind today. You misunderstood me." I glanced up at him. "I meant we were playing roles. The way I feel—" Kyoya stopped and stared at me. I wasn't sure what was going through his head, but I had an idea, and my heart was leaping with anticipation.

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

She thinks we're not real. I mulled it over in my mind until I found the root of the problem. Ah. My stupidly chosen words in the car this morning. Dumb. "I meant we were playing roles. The way I feel—" Can I really say it? Is now the time? I know I love her, but does she love me?

I looked at Judy. Her eyes were bright, but her face remained the picture of tranquility. Does nothing phase her? Here I am about to confess my undying affection, and she's sitting there like we're discussing the weather. Oh, hang it all!

"Judith Mooreson, I love you." Without waiting for an answer, I leaned in. Just before our lips connected, I saw a small tear trace its way down her beautiful cheek and a smile spread across her mouth.

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

"Judith Mooreson, I love you." Kyoya didn't wait for my reply but cradled my face with a feather light touch and kissed me just as lightly. I felt a tear fall, but I didn't care. He loves me! But, what do I feel for him? He frustrates me beyond belief. He's high-handed, stubborn, and brusque; but he's also smart, loyal, suave, handsome, a leader. Do I love him back?

I felt Kyoya smile as he pulled away from me. He looked at me to see if I reciprocated. I had always hated being indecisive; so when he looked at me like his world would fall if I didn't love him, I decided that I did love him. He wasn't like the other men who had chased me in the past, the men who used me and threw me away. Sure, when we met, we agreed to use each-other as shields. That was wrong, to say the least. But, it's not like that anymore. I want what's best for Kyoya. I want to protect him from his father and see him succeed in his business and exceed his family's and his own expectations. I want to help him in any way I can. I want to be his support, his home. My mind was made up. I would love Ohtori Kyoya with everything I had.

"I love you, too."

I had never seen a man light up the way Kyoya did when I admitted my love to him. A smile brighter than all the stars in Heaven lit his face, and his eyes danced. That's when I knew that love was real. Jackson had never loved me. Never once when I said I'd loved him had he smiled such a joyful smile or even looked happy to have me near him. I had always been a tool in Jackson's belt, a tool in everyman's belt who'd ever taken an interest in me. The way Kyoya was looking at me told me that I was so much more than what I could do for him.

Kyoya reached for me and hugged me so tightly I thought I would suffocate. Just when I thought I might need my inhaler, a quiet chuckle escaped my companion's lips. His arms loosened as his laughter erupted in full force, and I watched as my love leaned back on the couch and released peels of laughter to the ceiling.

"What's so funny?" This couldn't be some elaborate joke? No. I seriously don't think he would play a joke like this.

It took a moment, but his merriment died down. As soon as he had righted himself, he grabbed me again and said, "I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it. It's just too funny that we've both been in love with each-other all this time, but my dad still had to play matchmaker. It's almost like an arranged marriage, but whatever! Let the old man think he got his way in this."

"Arranged marriage? Oh, hold it, buster." I tried to pry myself free of his arms. "We just said 'I love you.' There's no wedding attached to it."

"My dear, sweet Judy, I haven't proposed yet. Don't get ahead of yourself."

Buwhah?

I hope you enjoyed. This chapter sort of popped out at me today...a sure sign it's coming to a close. :( A few more chapter yet, though. Hang on. It's going to be a bumpy ride.