I don't own OHSHC.

HI!!! I am very sorry for such a delay, but I had a lot of work to do. I am applying for an Academy of Arts so I have a hell looooot of work to do...And high school and ARRRGHHH!!!!!

But I will try to upload as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your comments. I decided to re-upload these chapters once more, because after reading them through, I realised something. I have big mistakes... Sorry for that. So please be patient. I will re upload them as soon as I can.

CHAPTER 9

Dinner and warmth under covers

It was seven o'clock and Ayame found herself sitting next to her husband in the fancy restaurant of the hotel, where their guests were staying.

Her hands were sweating. It seemed, that her confidence has disappeared somewhere beyond her reach. Kyoya could feel her anxious feelings, so he softly touched her shoulder. Ayame took a deep breath and nodded.

Nothing will happen. I won't embarrass myself.

She was used to these kind of situations. Meeting important people and making impressions. But now, being with Kyoya like this, it was different.

She was feeling out of place, not comfortable at all. Was she looking ok? Wasn't her dress too short? Was her make-up too much?

Suddenly Ayame heard steps. Mr. Patal appeared before them with his wife. He was man around his forties. Kyoya swiftly shook his hands with him and welcomed them in English. Ayame stood up and smiled at them. She could feel how both Mr. and Mrs. Patal were looking at her, scanning every detail. She was sure, they were kind of people who won't let go of any mistake. Ones you screw yourself up in front of them, you will be screwed up forever, she thought.

As they sat to their private round table, conversation was slowly taking the shape.

"Long time no see, Kyoya," said Mr. Patal and smiled."I hope your father is feeling well?"

"Yes, he is in Europe right now,"

"Oh, yes, I heard of that, Europe... I hope it is ready for your family's invasion!" Said Mr. Patal and started to laugh at his own joke. Kyoya just smiled politely. Ayame was sure what he meant. This joke had to be an allusion to Kyoya's current marriage. She was sure, Mr. Patal wanted to have conversation with her, since she was one of the connecting points of Ootori family to Europe.

So she decided to take initiative. "How was your trip, Mr. Patal? I hope you will enjoy your time in Japan. I was very impressed myself, when I first arrived here ."

OH NO! She bit her lips. What if it wasn't his first time in Japan? I had to ask Kyoya about him. I AM SOOO STUPID!!! She squeezed Kyoya's hand, which was resting on her leg.

"Oh, It is first time for us. We haven't seen much, I am looking forward to your guidance." said Raji Patal and smiled.

Mrs. Patal turned to her husband and said something to him in their language. Kyoya slowly leaned to Ayame and whispered

"Just leave the talking to me, next time be more careful. Her untactful behavior saved you right now,"

Ayame wanted to say to him, that he himself is talking in Japanese right now, acting impolite, but decided to plunge her fork into her appetizer instead, which just arrived.

She decided to listen to men's talk. Ayame couldn't help but notice, that Mr. Patal was trying to somehow test Kyoya. He was observing his reactions. Keeping his cool, Kyoya was answering everything with his calculating mind. In the end Mr. Patal had to ask question, which Kyoya wanted to hear and answer. It seemed that Indian investor caught this fact and became very competitive. Ayame was just thinking how they are loosing their time on playing with words, rather then discussing the important matters. It seemed that Mrs. Patal was in her situation, looking at her husband a bit embarrassed. Ayame found this very calming. She and her had at least something in common. Men, who wouldn't give up, no matter what and no matter how absurd the situation was getting. Finally, when Mr. Patal turned to Ayame, she had her moment to shine.

"What do you think, Mrs. Ootori? Our medicament have gained even license, which is the proof of the fact, that it is in terms with the European standards."

Ayame swallowed and answered in the cool voice, smiling: "I find it wonderful. It will be especially useful for our business, because, as I assume our goal is to cooperate with each other,"

With this she set the line between him and her huseband, saying clearly that she won't allow any disturbing competitive attitude. Kyoya just smirked. She could clearly say, that investor was surprised. And to her delight she had the feeling, that she made an impression.

The dinner continued in a friendly atmosphere. Finally it came to an end.

When they were about to leave Mrs. Patal stopped Ayame and said in a low, graceful voice.

"I am very glad, that we could meet you," Ayame looked at her, taken back a bit by her unexpected good English and smiled.

She shook her hand with her "Pleasure is all ours," emphasizing the word ours. Mr. Patal then took hand of his wife as they made their way to their hotel apartment.

After they left, Kyoya closed his eyes and lift his glasses.

"Well, I can say it was a huge success, tomorrow I will lead them through our company,"

Ayame looked at Kyoya, who was smiling. It was clear he was very satisfied.

"I see, I am glad," Said Ayame. Suddenly she lost balance in her legs and had to catch Kyoya's arm in order to not fall down.

"Ayame?"

She was pale. Kyoya's eyes widened. Her hand was shaking a bit. She was completely ok the moment ago and now...Don't tell me...

His features softened. Without any further words he helped her to sit down and ordered something so that she could drink. Water will do. He noticed, that throughout the dinner she hasn't eaten much.

She was nervous. He thought. She isn't as confident as I thought...

"I am alright Kyoya..." He heard her whisper. He looked at her and seeing her pale expression and her weak hands resting on her lap, something ached in his heart and without thinking he grabbed her shoulder tightly and looked into her eyes.

"You did very well today, thank you!"

It was as if some kind of an energy transferred into Ayame, giving colour to her cheeks. She lowered her eyes and nodded.

"Of course..."

***

Days were passing by as Ayame was getting used to her new life.

The business plan with Indian investors was going smoothly. Only thing that was worrying Ayame was Kyoya's workaholic attitude. He was working day and night. His whole life was now only his laptop. She understood that he needed to work, but on the other hand she was scared. Building new hospital would take year and half. They were only in the process of preparing ground plans.

Her relationship with him was limited by the greeting in the morning and with the mobile phone. It was slowly getting on her nerves, especially because her own family was ignoring her completely, nor Tamaki, nor Fuyumi would call her. She knew, that they thought she needed her privacy with Kyoya, but now was the time, when she needed their company the most.

She didn't want to bother Kyoya, because she knew how to solve this. Whenever she was feeling lonely it meant that she was lacking some sort of work. And that is why she greeted the start of university with opened arms.

She was assigned to Japanese atelier of Architecture in her university. There were only six other people in her group. Soon they got the project to work on and Ayame found herself sitting at her table, drawing her ideas on the papers, non-stop.

Ayame was enjoying it. The feeling of the pencil, skating on the paper. Soon some of her ideas were brought to life with the help of a stiff-paper and adhesive.

Little did she know, that a certain someone, at the late hours, would stand silently in front of her workplace, watching her intensively. It was non other than Kyoya, who would always find the time to come and look at his wife, working hard and doing her best in her studies.

He found it pretty funny, but exactly at these moments, it was as if he could reach her nature. He found easier to judge her personality with her actions and her habits. He got to know some interesting things. She would always wear her hair in ponytail, while drawing. She was right handed and when she didn't need the pen, she would stuck it behind her right ear. Her mouth was slightly open whenever she was measuring something.

She was using black pen for drawing, not pencil. It was as if she was confident in her actions. Whatever line she draw, she would never be able to erase it.

He didn't want to admit this to himself, but watching her would always calm him down. His feelings were forming slowly and after a while he started to notice other things too.

Everything around her was warm. It was fascinating. Her soft skin and her eyes full of concentration. He was uncontrollably attracted to these features.

He was surprised by his sudden urges. Like wanting to touch that warmth, feeling it in his bones. But he was always silent. Just watching her from afar.

It was so until one day when she finally noticed him.

"Kyoya? I thought you were working,"

Kyoya just smiled.

His shadow behind the door made Ayame shiver and she realised that it was a while, since she had to be alone with him like this.

"Do I need your permission to shower?" He asked in the teasing voice. Ayame just frowned. Kyoya smiled and slowly went into the corridor.

His hair was longer... She noticed. And when she did, she realised that she wanted to touch them, to sprung off her seat and hug him tightly, so that he wouldn't go anywhere.

What...? These feelings came out of nowhere,

Isn't it weird? Just ignore it. You were just feeling lonely again,

After some time, still thinking about what she was thinking, Ayame got up from her working table and after taking the shower went straight to bed. Kyoya was already there,apparently sleeping.

She softly layed down. And unconsciously touched his back with hers.

Ayame didn't know that this was her habit already. In her sleep, she would always press her back to him, so that she could be warm. Kyoya knew that but was keeping it as his secret.

But today he whispered softly: "You are warm, Ayame,"

Her heart started to beat fast. He was awake. Than she realised what she was doing.

Oh no! She attempted to move, but Kyoya's hand appeared from behind her touching her shoulder. He didn;t want her to move?!

She closed her eyes and smiled to herself. "I am the one, who should say that,"

Kyoya's back moved as he chuckled to himself. "Are you saying, that I am hot?"

She punched him hard on the shoulder. "Don't be so full of yourself!"

After this they were silent. Back to back. Together. They felt comfortable with each other, sharing this peaceful moment. They were already used to sleeping in the same bed, but this was different. They were awake. Because Kyoya would come home late, he would often find Ayame already sleeping. She was always curled up in her blankets deeply, even her head covered by them. She was a calm sleeper. Kyoya feared, after their first meeting, that her energetic personality would make her a person, who would never be able to sleep on the one spot. He was even expecting her to be a moon-walker. But to his delight she wouldn't even turn around much. Kyoya knew, that he needed a good sleep. He wouldn't be able to function, if he didn't sleep.

After a while Kyoya asked. "By the way, how was the first day in university?"

He felt Ayame's back to move a little. She was thinking. "O.K., I guess. I met interesting people" After the pause she continiued. "I Think we will be a good team. They set us for a little project together, so that we get to know each other better."

"Did they ask any ... Questions?"

Ayame didn't get what he meant at first, but than it hit her "Oh. Well, let me think. I can't recall anything unusual. They did notice the ring and some of them actually knew who I was, but nothing more."

Kyoya closed his eyes. "I see. But still, be careful,"

Ayame laughed a bit, and knowing he meant it in the other way, but still wanting to tease him, she said, "Are you afraid I will be snatched away?"

Kyoya calmly answered. "I know you won't be."

His confidence did flatter her a little, because it indicated his faith in her. But on the other hand, just maybe, it wasn't the case. She punched him again. "You are TOO full of yourself, how do you know I won't be? I am a woman. Give me comfort, space, hardworking good man who cares about me and love will come naturally,"

"That is why you won't be snatched away." Said Kyoya "Your own philosophy sets me at a complete ease,"

Ayame couldn't help but laugh out loud again. "And what you just said really underlines the fact, that you are full of yourself!" And she turned around and hugged him tightly.

She didn't care anymore. She just did it. Kyoya froze. She could feel his body tensing. It was funny, that she was the one who took initiative. As Kyoya finally made his mind to turn around as well, she whispered: "Don't, just let us be like this for a while,"

He slowly relaxed. He could feel her tiny body pressing hardly to his back and warmth filled his insides. Kyoya was afraid, that making a tiny move would scare her, so he kept still. His eyes started to feel heavy and he closed them. His chest started to move in the same rhythm as Ayame's. Then Kyoya heard a tiny whisper "I missed you..." and Ayame fell asleep.

Kyoya was awake the whole night. Regretting it in the morning.