A/n: Wow.ü I am in schedule.ü Finally it's already Christmas vacation.ü I would be able to work more on this story.ü But of course, there are some projects that have to be done too... But what the hell, on with the story, shall we?

By: Aningme

Chapter 6

Dilemma: The Sequel

It was such a wonderful morning to drown your head in work, Draco thought. After having a holographic meeting in his home office with the council of board, it was always a relief.

Sitting back on his plum chair, and dropping his head back, he closed his eyes and sighed. Everything seemed to be in order. Everything was set to go, his life, his career, and his marriage.

He still dwelled in the happiness of having Hermione now.

His life without her before was a complete blur to him now. The life of darkness was never a good memory.

And, in fact, he would prefer to forget about his whole past.

But whatever happened before, he was sure it had brought him to where he is now.

Whatever he was before made him Draco Malfoy.

"Sir." Harvey muttered in a muted silence, interrupting his line of thought. "I'm sorry to barge in, but your meeting for the Cohen Company is up and ready." There's a certain gleam in his eyes, Harvey mused. A rare sight. "And also, you have a waiting appointment."

"Appointment?" He glanced at his memo book. "I don't recall any appointment reserved now."

Harvey gave him a crooked smile. "Your mother, sir, is outside."

Draco stared at him and smiled back. "You should have just said so, Harvey. Let her in."

"Yes sir. And also," Harvey continued, before closing the door. "Your wife requests of your presence tonight at the Lounge at eight. I have entered other details on your memo book."

Draco waited for Harvey to leave before he took his memo book and checked it out.

The Lounge Cafe. Reservations for eight o'clock by Hermione Granger Malfoy.

"What is she up to?" Draco wondered and checked the attached message on it.

Hey, I have a surprise for you. Couldn't show it to you at home. Maybe dinner outside will be better.

Not in your huge yard okay? I meant downtown.

Hermione

He gave out a short laugh before Narcissa entered his home office.

"I apologize for interrupting your work. I just wanted to see what you are doing." Narcissa began and walked towards his desk.

Plush, comfy, a good mixture of brown, cream and black, tiles; wood, and glass, all fixed in a fashionable manner, managing to maintain antique physique and modernized casualty. She glanced at the console of his desk and managed to smile, impressed.

"I am at work. Doing what I do." He answered coolly, and gestured for a chair.

She sat, waived her hair and crossed her legs. "I was thinking of us having a short talk about things. Like your wife and I did last night." She smiled and paused, as if to think. "It was indeed a nice talk. I was hoping to have one with you, you know, updating purposes."

"I can update your knowledge of my life right now." Nice talk my arse. He thought and held back a snarl. "But I still have a meeting to attend to at my office." He stood up and grabbed his suit. "Might as well be comfortable here while I'm gone. Harvey will assist you in everything you need."

"Draco." She stood up too just as he opened his door. "I want you to have this strawberry cake I made last night. You haven't eaten a piece yet." She insisted and walked up to him, carrying a box.

He turned to it and glanced at her. "Uhm, thank you."

She beamed at him and just stood there. "Well, go on. Have a taste."

She lifted a fork to his face, almost poking him with it.

"I'm really full right now. I just had breakfast with Hermio—"

"Just a little won't hurt." She demanded. "Go on now."

Draco winced and took the fork.

"Sir, the president of Cohen is already at your office, sir. They'll be starting the meeting in a moment."

"Of course." He set the fork aside. "I'll just have the cake later when I go back home."

"No!" Narcissa demanded, surprising Harvey and Draco himself. "No. I mean, why don't you take the cake with you?"

Draco took the cake and held himself from frowning. "Alright then." He muttered and gave her a last glance before leaving.

Narcissa slowly smiled and hid her devious smirk ever so delicately. Take care my Draco dear. It's time to make things go my way.

That was weird, Draco thought and stared at the cake on his hand. It was strawberry, having big chunks of it carefully laid on top, with vanilla cream as icing. It looked wonderfully good, but thought of it suspicious.

She looked desperate to make him eat it. Too desperate.

Shrugging, he brought it to their kitchen and placed it on the fridge. It'll just have to wait for later. He had work to do.

But if only he knew what was in it, he would have just thrown it away. And avoided this to happen…

"Clean up on room 411. Puke all over the place." Hermione instructed and glanced at Mrs. Dubley. "I need assistance on Surgery room 2 for kidney transplant on Mrs. Rose also. Ready in about five minutes."

"Easy there young girl, your shift's over." Mrs. Dubley pointed out. "You better be on your car and ride home. You need your break now more than ever."

"I have to do the transplant. Her life depends on it."

"Leave it to me. I can find more capable doctors around." Mrs. Dubley smiled and sighed. "You're not the only doctor in this hospital, Hermione. Go ride on home. Play dress up or whatever. And get ready to kick your husband's butt with the surprise."

"Surprise? Oh damn!" She shrieked. "What time is it?"

"An hour left before show time." Mrs. Dubley grinned.

"What about the transplant?"

"I'll handle it! Go now. You wouldn't want to keep him waiting there right?"

"Well, okay. Just tell whoever you got to check the BP first before and after the process and check her rates and monitors. She's in a tight condition so they'll—"

"I believe every doctor here graduated in medical school, so don't worry."
"But—"
"Just go! I'll handle it." Mrs. Dubley insisted and pushed her a little, but carefully.

She couldn't believe she forgot about the surprise. She had it all planned out quite well in her head and she just completely lost it at work.

She only had half an hour to dress.

Parking almost directly at their front door, Hermione stumbled off the car and ran to the elevator shaft.

Please state your destination.

"Masters. And make it fast."

Have a good evening.

Hermione cocked her brow and glanced at the monitor on the shaft. She was sure the voice was completely familiar.

But before she could ponder more on it, the elevator doors opened.

She walked over to her wardrobe and couldn't stop gawking over it. She couldn't remember always having all of these clothes.

After regaining her composure, she settled for a white shirt and a cream cashmere coat. Slowly catching her breath, she just sat for a moment and rubbed her belly.

"I'm sorry baby, I had to run. Daddy will be waiting for me to introduce you." She smiled and caressed it again. "You think he'll be happy?"

Pausing as if waiting for an answer, Hermione smiled and walked to the elevator. Descending to the main parlor, she thought better of having a snack first before going. Her stomach was already grumbling for food. And she never felt this so hungry in her entire life.

"What have we got? Chicken sandwich, caviar, Caesar salad, some pasta, burger, hmm…" She scanned and sighed. "What do you want, baby? Burger perhaps?" She turned on the other corner of the huge fridge and caught sight of something in a box container. "What's this? You want this baby?" She opened it and found a strawberry cake. "Yeah. I think I want this too." She smiled and took a fork, sat on the stool and indulged herself.

If she only knew…

Draco drove by the curb and parked his car in one turn. It was precisely eight, and he couldn't just imagine what she would show him.

In all of the day's work, this was what he was looking forward to. A lot of juggling businesses was hard work. And I tell you, it's all bloody in one package.

But of course, he is Draco Malfoy. And his empire was just of his nature.

It was just completely him.

Entering the magnificent café, he glanced at every corner in search for her. This was the same café on where he first convinced her to go out with him. It is here also where he thought Hermione was dating someone else after him. It was some doctor, like her. And he actually bade her good bye back then.

It was some of his memories with her, through hardships and laughs. And he will treasure it for the rest of his life.

After scanning the room once more, he was surprised not to see her there. She was punctual in every way there is. She never kept him waiting, unless she really intended to.

Amused, he took a seat and took out a red rose from his jacket pocket and placed it on the table.

He got it from the exact flower shop on where he bought her the bed of flowers on that same night.

Smirking at himself, he watched the people, coming and going, laughing and talking, all in the busy life of England. He had no idea what the surprise was. And this was the first.

He was rarely surprised by anyone. Hermione was the only one who managed to so far.

And his cursed Mother.

But as he waits in that fancy café, he didn't know of the incoming call that would change the course of his life.

And of her life…

A/n: There! Another hang, I guess?ü Anyways, on with the messages.ü

evilizzy89 - thank you for your review.ü If my memory is right, you're the one who reviewed right after I posted this.ü The very first one.ü Lol.ü That was pretty fast.ü Lol.ü

Zarroc - I do promise to rty and manage to post more chapters soon.ü But I hope you liked this.ü

Liz!ü - how are you!ü I was happy to see your name again.ü Well, I hope you liked this chapter too.ü I know it's really hanging badly but please wait for the next chapter? ü Ahaha.ü It's really so good to see you guys again.ü

Vytiri- I thank you for forgiving me.ü Lol. It's really bugging me and killing me for carrying this big burden and guilt. But hey, I posted this on time.ü (first time? lol!ü) Thanks for reviewing this too. And I hope you liked this chapter too, though very... hangy. (is there such a word?)

SpiritWell - Hey!ü (tight hug!) How are you? It feels like I haven't been here for a year! Wow. But I'm glad you guys are still here.ü Yeah, I'm pretty excited too about the daddy thing but... as always, bad things happen.

Oops. I shouldn't say more.

Lol.ü Haha. Until next update then.ü

ashling - thanks for forgiving me.ü I really appreciate it.ü And thanks for the reviews too!ü They're great. I just hope you also like this part. Because some people kill me for doing a hangy stuff like that, you know.ü I just hope none of the reviewers today are like that.:o

caz-jket - Lol.ü Pretty hyped too about the baby!ü But, well, we have to wait for the next chapter about that.ü It's just too bad..

Queen of Duct Tape - No sweat.ü I know how busy life can be. I went through all that jazz too so no problem, really.ü I understand.ü

contagiousbeauty - lol.ü Here's the update!ü Lol.ü I'm glad you liked the idea of the sequel thing.ü I hope you like the entire sequel too.ü Like the first one.ü

And to future readers - please read more.ü I thank you.ü

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Aningme