A/N: I was rather disappointed by the responds I got. Only 2 more review... Fiuh... I started to think that maybe this story wasn't good enough for my reader to be reviewed. :(

However... I will keep on writing it for those who have spent their time to review the last two chapters.

And oh, I changed By Design to Shirayuki Design

Appreciation corner:

special thanks for my reviewers:

0namakiza0 (big cookies for my first reviewer ^^); lulucute and orainZ (whom I can't give you a review-reply directly); khfan forlife (who also my best pen-pal... Thanks a lot ^^); and fanficssuck (who noticed a mistake in my story... thanks...).

Thanks for those who added this story to your story alert:

0namakiza0; Water-star; Hollowfencer; golden-eyedwolf842; Sam Matthews; Clos; and music4soul

And last but not least, thank you for those who added this story to your favourite story:

0namakiza0; CrimsonBloodGoddess; DarkenedMoonAngel; and Nes77

Disclaimer: Bleach = Kubo-sensei, original plot = Holly Jacobs

Chapter 3

Previously:

"Rukia."

Rukia stopped talking and took a deep breath. "Sorry, sometimes I get carried away with my emotion. So, how about you tell me what should I hold on?"

"My arm."

Kurosaki looked at Rukia whom trying to comprehend his unclear statement. He should have stated that more clearly, but he was nervous.

Oh, Kurosaki doubted Rukia could see his nervousness, and he definitely won't admit it to others, even Rukia, but it was what happened at that moment. Nevertheless, it's not his daily activity to ask a woman to be his fiance, even only just for one night.

Kurosaki felt his palms were sweaty, so he put his both of his hands on his trousers and silently tried to get rid the cold sweat.

"Pardon?" Rukia was finally able to utter a word.

Kurosaki fold his already sweat-free hands on the table and bent forward a little. "Alright, I will explain it, but firstly I want you to make a promise that whatever I will say, stay in this room. You won't mention about that outside this room, to whoever they are, even though you decide not to help me."

Rukia raised her eyebrow, 'What did he think about me? A gossip girl?'. Nevertheless, she raised her right hand, palm facing him, and said, "I promised."

Kurosaki nodded and just said a simple, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." She gave a weary smile, leaned her back, and waited Kurosaki to talk.

That guy tried to think hard about how he could say his case in the most reasonable way. He needed to take this situation as if he was in a courtroom, tying to make a closing argument in front of the jury.

"I want be a partner in this firm. I deserve it. I gave this firm more clients and profit compared with other lawyers. And in other law firms, there won't be a problem about my promotion. At this moment, I may be a partner already."

"Why this firm is different than others?"

"Juushiro Ukitake, that's the different. He lives in previous century and he believes that a man isn't complete and have a happy life yet, if he hasn't owned a family of his own. Balance in life. That is what he called it."

"And you don't want to have your own family?"

"I don't have time to make my own family. My job is the most important thing. And I have two sisters and a freak father to be looked after, that is why I've become a money maker in this firm."

"If you think your job is the most important thing, why did you choose to work in a firm which prioritize family?"

"I..." Kurosaki trailed off. Rukia had silenced him with the last question.

He never truly understood why he chose to work in Seireitei Firm. He got lots offers t work in other firms, the more well-known firms. However, there was something in tis firm which he felt so right. This firm...

"Listen," he abruptly said, "it doesn't matter. The important thing is, Juushiro-san feels that I need a balance life."

"I'm afraid I still don't get what it has to do with me." Rukia said.

"We, Juushiro-san and I, had a meeting before, talking about promoting me as a partner, and he agreed that I had all the quality needed to be a partner... well all but a wife. And that is where you enter."

"I know I might sound stupid, but I still don't understand what you mean." Said Rukia again.

"Rukia, I know we haven't know each other for a long time. We don't even know each other well, but it's not important. Juushiro-san insisted I need a wife if I want to be a partner, and I want this position. So, ... I want you to be..."

Rukia face became pale and she asked with a soft-tremble voice, "You want me to be your wife?"

"Not wife," Kurosaki tried to calm Rukia down. Kurosaki was happy with his daily life and he hadn't plan to be married in near future, if he ever settled down. At this moment, he just wanted to concentrate on his career, and reached a higher position, and to achieve that he needed a...

"Fiance."

"Fiance?" repeated Rukia, made that word sounded more like a question rather than a statement.

"Fiance. And only for one night. Juushiro-san and his wife will have a big wedding anniversary party next week, and I said to him I'll bring my fiance. The only problem is, I don't have a fiance."

"So you're lying."

Kurosaki didn't like the way Rukia said that words. "I just spice up the story."

"Lying." Rukia repeated. She wasn't a Kuchiki for nothing. Morality was the most important thing her late parents and her brother and sister in-law always taught her. "I'm not your fiance, but you want me to act as your fiance. It's called a lie." She said with her chin up and gave him the best Kuchiki glare she had.

Ichigo cringed at her feature, "You are what you said you are. I mean we can be engage, just for one night, that way I won't be lying. We just had to cut down the engagement after that."

"What did you do? Looking at your agenda and said to yourself, I will ask the next single woman who enter my office to be my fiance?"

Rukia looked upset. More than that, she felt she's been insulted.

From the way Rukia said it, this woman made his proposal looked like an insult. Kurosaki said, "I..."

"What makes do you think I will agree with your plan? I come here to ask for a law advice, that's it."

"But it can help you," Kurosaki insisted.

"How could be acting as your one night fiance can help me?" asked Rukia. Her eyebrow creased and her face became emotionless and cold because she was very pissed.

For the first time after a long time, Kurosaki didn't know what to say to fix the situation. In court room, he never be in a cornered position. He prepared his case, knew the details, and be ready to face everything so that nothing can find a single chance to beat him. But he didn't have much time to prepare this whole thing. The truth is, even the whole time in the whole world's of living wouldn't be enough for him to prepare this.

In his mind, Kurosaki tried to collect all his offensive tactics.

"You said you're having trouble with you financial condition."

"Not if the jerk has paid me. Everything will be a little bit rough at the beginning. I knew that already. I've realized I'll have few problems with my financial condition when I bought the building. I'm willing to live economically for couple years to own something... something I own for myself. Shirayuki Design is a very potential busniess. What I need to do is improving it. If you could make Jaegerjaquez pay me, I will be fine."

"I'll do that. But you can't depend your life just to one project. In addition, sometimes the trial went very slowly. Even if we can reach our goal, it will take a long time. What do you think if while you're waiting for the Judge verdict you have other projects? Projects that can help your financial problem while waiting?"

"Pretending to be your fiance can make me gain other projects?" asked Rukia.

"Juushiro Ukitake is a very respected man in society. Important people in Karakura will come to his party. And I promise to introduce you to them."

"Really, Kurosaki-dono..."

"Since when I've become Kurosaki-dono?" Kurosaki was surprised of how he hated the cold voice and a formal manner from Rukia.

"Since you asked me to play a part in your unsensible little game." Rukia stood up and walked toward the door. "Thank you for your time."

"Rukia, how about your case?" asked Kurosaki.

"I will handle it. I will handle everything." Rukia said coldly while exited Kurosaki's office.

A/N: Yeps… no engagement… yet! Hm… can Kurosaki make Rukia change her decision? Or will he find another woman to replace her?

Reviews are always welcomed.