Chapter 1: Dirty little secret
"Let this be our dirty little secret," he said, smiling sweetly at her.
"Secret?" she wrinkled her nose like a petulant child, unconvinced by the promise.
He shifted closer and held her hand. "Yes," he told her ardently, "just think about it. Think about how funny it would be once everyone finds out."
Haruhi shook her head not amused even the slightest bit, but the brazen smile on Kyoya's lips held a certain appeal that she couldn't deny. His hand felt warm and cozy wrapped around hers, and this gave a comfort of kinds that she didn't dare to feel.
"You know," she said reluctantly pulling her hand away, "maybe it's best if we don't get involved with this. After all, your father is hardly going to find this funny, and the guys will not like that we excluded them from this."
"We hardly see the guys from our old school club," Kyoya stepped even closer and placed his hands on Haruhi's shoulders as if trying to make his preposition sound more convincing. "They all have their own lives and it seems to me that they are doing quite well. I don't see them running to you and asking you if you are doing well after your father's funeral. It seems they have moved on."
Haruhi winced at the mention of her father's funeral. Her face became distant, and there was sadness in her eyes. Kyoya noticed her reaction, and his lips curled into a faint smirk. He knew that he was a coldhearted son of a bitch to use her vulnerability against her like this, but this was his only chance to get his hands on his father's company.
"I have always been your friend," he told her gently, squeezing her shoulders as if in reassurance, or in anticipation that she might try to get away without giving him a positive response. "I have always been there for you, and I always will be no matter if you decide to help me now or not. But I really need you to help me with this, Haruhi."
"You have always been good to me," she admitted, head hanging down, feeling somewhat ashamed to reject a person who was the only one who helped her after they graduated from school. "You were there when my father was sick, and you were there after he was gone, and I am really grateful for that, Kyoya-san, but I can't deceive people and pretend I am some rich heiress, so you can show your father that you have found suitable match and deserve to inherit the company."
"It will not be for too long," he tried again, "Just for couple of months and then once I have everything secured we can break up. My father told me that he doesn't trust a man who can not build relationships. Funny, huh, how that works? Because of him I have worked day and night and didn't have time to go out and meet anyone, and now he is holding thar over me."
"What if he recognizes me?" she said with a sigh, "What if one of the guys sees me and then it's all over. I might even get in legal trouble for impersonating a rich heiress you know. And he will never let you inherit anything if he finds out."
"They haven't seen you in years and no one will recognize you. That's why it will be our secret," he told her with a smile. "Please..."
Haruhi signed and rubbed her cheeks nervously. This was so hard. She didn't know what to do.
"I have work," she finally said. "In the coffee shop you know. I can't do it. I don't have time. I took extra shifts."
"I will pay you," he told her with a smile. "Help me just this one time. Once I have the company, I can set you up with a good job. There are every good employee programs at Ootori group. I will make sure you will be able to continue your education and finally become a lawyer."
Haruhi laughed. "If I do this, then I won't be able to work at Ootori group. They will recognize me, and I will be screwed."
"How about if I just send you to US to study there," he argued. "Then when you come back, they won't remember you."
She shook her head, "No, it's a bad idea. You know it too."
"I have no choice," Kyoya sighed. "I would hire someone, but I don't trust anyone not screwing me over afterwards."
"Well," Haruhi crossed her arms. "Maybe you should try to find someone to date for real then."
Kyoya snorted. "Just help me once, Haruhi."
She seemed to hesitate. Kyoya leaned in closer. "Please?"
"You know that I can't," she covered her face with her palms in shame that she had to refuse helping the only person who had been there for her.
There was a small silence. They both stared down at the floor as if something interesting was happening over there, but then the silence broke when Kyoya's phone rang. He sighed and pulled it out of the pocket of his impeccable suit.
"I need to go," he told Haruhi.