Short chapter again, cuz I have a penchant for even numbers that are reaalllyy pretty so this story ends in 20 chapters. Therefore, I need it to last long enough!

Anyway, I'm really sorry to not give much fun or plot in this, but everything has a point - I promise! So, try your best to enjoy this ten-line paragraph! :(

Disclaimer is in almost all the prev chapters!

The ballroom was becoming livelier and brighter as more people came in, and I smiled softly as I heard someone murmur that the decorations were 'smashing'. All my duties accomplished, everything triple-checked, I slipped away to the washroom for a quick breather before I went back to supervise the area. TenTen had stayed back because Neji told her he'd pick her up when his work was done, so I came alone.

I checked my professionally done hair and makeup and smiled. I looked pretty good, not as bad as he'd made me seem. My hair, usually tied back in a tight chignon, was loosely tied up in one of those sexy buns with loose tendrils tickling my neck and falling softly around my face. The lady who'd done my makeup had stayed away from reds and pinks and instead used bronze and green eyeshadow and lined my eyes with dark liner, the only bold thing among all the soft-toned makeup. My lips were a reddish-brown, also a light shade and very glossy. My eyes, I thought, looked sultry and my lips looked plump and kind of ripe. Hmm...

Fortunately, none of this clashed with my hair or outfit, which was an emerald green, floor-length satin gown. It hugged my body like a second skin, which made it a bit hard to move fast, but it didn't hinder me in any way. It was a relatively simple piece, with a slit in the side reaching mid-thigh, and netting covering up the skin. All in all, it made me feel good but obviously not look good, if Sasuke's reaction was anything to go by.

Now that I looked more closely, it did make my arms look flabby...

Oh well, no dream dance for me, that was all. It was all business tonight. Breathing deeply, I straightened my back and walked out of the ladies' room. That was my last break of the night, after this no more dreaming and procrastinating. I was in charge of making sure nothing went wrong and everyone had fun and my boss was happy.

So far, so good. No problems with the wine or the appetizers, the guests looked like they were having fun (except the odd few people who puffed away in the corners) and the decorations were well set-up and I overheard positive comments only! I was feeling good, having recovered from the negative reaction that I'd got from Uchiha, and I was accepting all the compliments with a silent 'thank you'. After all, I was the one who drew up the layout and everything, the only thing I didn't do was actually put up the decorations.

I ate a small appetizer about every twenty-five minutes, I was too busy to eat but I was too hungry to ignore the scents wafting to my sensitive nose. The music was pretty good, and I found myself tapping my foot to the upbeat jazz tunes. I wanted to dance, but OH-WHAT-A-SHAME, I couldn't. Too busy and no one to dance with. I saw TenTen stumbling around with Neji on the floor, but they were laughing so it was all good. For them, I mean. I felt a pang of jealousy everytime I saw them having so much fun, even though I was happy for her.

As if things weren't bad enough, Sasuke popped DIRECTLY into my line of view steering a redhead around the floor gracefully. What was WITH him and redheads, anyway? I frowned at a lock of pink hair that fell into my eye, and huffily blew it out of my face. Well, I wasn't going to change it, not for anyone. I couldn't help staring as the couple gyrated around the room and imagining myself in that redhead's - Tayuya, I think her name was - place. I was so jealous, more than I was of Karin and her ugly panties. Because she was the socialite I'd seen him with in all those gossip columns.

Blinking rapidly to force back the tears that had suddenly formed, I turned my head to look at TenTen being all happy - it was better than staring at him with another girl. Unfortunately she was nowhere to be found, they'd disappeared! Startled, I began looking frantically all around for them. After I'd scoured the room twice, I concluded that they weren't there, and had presumably left together. Looking at the giant clock that loomed over the main doors, I saw it was a little after twelve in the morning. The buffet had been put out by quarter to twelve, I knew, but few people were eating.

Within minutes, however, more and more guests began swarming toward the giant tables holding the food and serving themselves. I picked up a glass of champagne from one of the trays nearby, and drowned some troubles in that one flute. When I'd finished my third and was sneaking a fourth, the raven haired vampire-lookalike tapped my shoulder. Facing him, I repressed a gasp and the urge to coo.

"Dance with me, Haruno." I almost melted. "We need to talk." I froze up again.

"Any problems, sir?" I asked, putting on my best serious face, not even faking it - dancing while talking requires concentration!

"Some men have been leering, Haruno. I told you to cover up." he deadpanned, a tinge of red staining his cheeks.

"I'm sorry, but this is the only gown I have." I replied primly. "It's a matter of little importance anyway."

"My secretary cannot afford to look inappropriate!" he glared. "Our company's reputation won't be tarnished by your promiscuity!"

Then I did gasp. And tear up.

Sasuke immediately blushed and looked embarassed, no doubt over the fact that he'd lost his cool.

"Yessir," I replied through clenched teeth. "Since there is no longer any use for me to take care of things here - they seem to be going well - I'll take my leave."

"Haruno-" he began, but I cut him off.

"If you're worried, I'll ask another senior secretary to take over." I pushed him away firmly and hurried off. He didn't follow. I was right about the source of his worries.

Being right about such things really, really hurts.

I hurried to the kitchen and told Chouji I was leaving, thanked all the caterers for their hard work, and used the tiny mic-walkie-talkie-thingies to tell the only other senior assistant present at the event to take over. All work finished in less than five minutes, I didn't delay my departure and ran out the back door, hitching up my skirt as far as it would go. Walking down over eighteen flights of stairs in this dress didn't appeal to me, so I hit the button and waited impatiently for the damn elevator. Just as the door 'pinged' open, I heard my name being called. I got in and turned around, expecting a server or even Chouji, but it was Sasuke. I was sorely tempted to pretend I didn't see (or hear) him and just push the button that would take me away from there.

However, I needed this job, so I couldn't screw it up by acting all prissy and bitchy. Atleast not all the time. So I waited.

"Yes...sir?" I added as an afterthought. The tears were threatening to resurface, and if they formed, they would spill and I could NOT afford that.

"Haruno I didn't mean what I said back there. I-" He was halted by the sudden 'ping' when the doors almost closed, and he stuck his hand in to stop them.

"Don't worry sir, you were absolutely right." I forced myself to smile. The elevator almost closed again, and he got inside this time. "I didn't bare any leg NOR any cleavage, and the dress was very not see-through. I can see where you got the idea of me being a filthy whore."

His eyes widened and he opened his mouth to say something but I held up my hand to silence him.

Shit! I cursed myself mentally, but I couldn't stop. I was too hurt this time round. The elevator locked us both inside and began its descent.

"I have had ONE boyfriend in my entire life, and that was in elementary school. I have kissed one boy, and that lasted for barely 2 seconds." He had begun to frown but I didn't care. "I have NEVER, in my life, ever come close to Doing It. Never! And if all of these things makes me one - then yes, I AM A SLUT!" My voice had risen hysterically loud and my head was spinning again.

"I never said that you were-"

"I hate you," A tear finally fell as I weakly punched his chest and blacked out.

MWAHAHA! I fooled you! I made you think this was gonna be pointless and totally filler and non-plot BUT I LIED! HUHUHUHU! I'm an evil genass!

But I bet you're disappointed I didn't lie about the shortness, huh? I really hope you enjoyed everything that I squeezed into this, and I hope you all review and keep waiting for an update...

Please review...I like critique! Oh, but please don't be mean, I get upset easily :| ...and thanks for reading! ^_^