Slowly, my strength returned to me and I looked in the mirror.

I saw the ghost of a murdered girl. Half of the extensions were still hanging loosely from one side of my head, my tears had made black streaks across my face, and the red sauce made it look like I had died a very tragic, bloody death.

A laugh escaped from my mouth. It's like that saying, the bigger the giant the bigger the fall, or something like that, in my case it was like: the bigger the effort the bigger the ruin.

I sighed and got to work, I threw the ruined extensions away, and started washing my arms, neck, my face, being careful not to smudge my makeup more than it already was. The dress was ruined, it was also garbage.

The clothes Abe had brought me was a waitress outfit. I was thankful for the feeling of clean cotton on me. I cleaned my hair as best as I could, enjoying the fact that it was short again, it wasn't even that short, it was very layered and the tips did touch my shoulder. I thought it was actually very feminine, even if it was a little… short.

I was just finishing up when I heard voices outside the door, then there was a knock, "Mr. Yuuya to see you, Kotoku-san. He's here to apologize for the incident."

"Oh." I opened the door and almost slammed against Akutagawa's broad back.

"Pardon me, Kotoku-san." He said, stepping aside. In front of me was a rather short man, wearing glasses, and the young waitress that had run into the table, she was still dirty with sauce all over her and she was crying.

"Kotoku-san, I am so sorry. I am Lee Yuuya, the organizer of this event. I apologize, this girl's incompetence" he shouted the word and the girl jumped, "is really beyond anything I've ever seen. You can rest assured that she is fired as of this moment, and her salary will be used to compensate for your distress."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"I'm so sorry." I almost didn't hear the girl's whispered apology.

"Shut up, you have no right to speak to Kotoku-san. If you ever absolutely have to, which I seriously doubt, you will use a proper tone of voice, so that Kotoku-san doesn't have to crane her neck trying to listen you, you whimpering girl."

"Mr. Yuuya." I said, I could feel my face burning. This guy just picked the wrong day to be an ass, "You have no right to talk like that to a young girl." Then changing my tone considerably I addressed the girl, "What's your name?"

She peeked a look at me (she was so short), "Chiemi." She whispered.

"Chiemi," I said, "Are you hurt?"

"I scrapped my hands a little…" she said.

I nodded, "Then go wash them and apply medicine. I accept your apology, but it was really just an accident."

She smiled at me and left.

I turned to Yuuya. "As for you," I said forcing myself to keep my voice down. "You will not fire that girl, I don't want her salary and I take it as a personal offense that you offered it, and if I ever hear of you treating your employees in that horrible way again, I will see to it that you never get to organize another event ever again."

I could feel my anger bursting out of me and burning that jerk to ashes.

He gaped at me, his jaw hanging loose.

"You may excuse yourself." I told him and waited patiently until the words were processed in that thick head of his and he bowed and walked away.

"Akutagawa, could you check if the car is ready? I want to go home."

"Yes, Kotoku-san."

I sighed. How to ruin an important meeting arrangement: a playbyplay of the life of Risa Kotoku.

"Nicely done." A voice sounded from the other end of the corridor.

I gasped. Kyoya Ootori was walking in my direction, he hair was disheveled but he'd also changed clothes. Oh, man, I just did not have the energy anymore. "Thanks." I said awkwardly as I tried smoothing my damp hair. I hadn't meant for anyone to see what had happened, if that jerk organizer decided spreading rumors I wanted to have my word against his without any witnesses.

I looked at Kyoya, he was so strange, he was tall and handsome and yet he seemed to always keep this sort of business mask on when he was around me, as if he had to please me. Bastard, as if just his name and the mentioning of marriage didn't send my Dad dragging me through a makeover and a desperate plea that I'd make him impressed.

But, even though I really couldnt help hating him because of how small I was compared to him, he was always pleasant and kind and flattering, and yet, it felt empty and meaningless. I had no idea who the real Kyoya was behind that mask.

"I just came to give you this," he handed me my flower barrette, "You dropped it when you ran away."

"Thank you." I said, a little curtly. I want my bed, can I marry bed instead? "I imagine you'll apologize, too?"

"For what exactly?" he seemed genuinely confused.

"You knocked me over." I complained.

"I was trying to protect you." He said through gritted teeth.

"I scrapped my elbow!"

"That goblet thing hurt my shoulder!"

He stopped, his eyes wide. I think that he was actually surprised that he lost his control. My heart was beating fast against my chest, I could hate him all I wanted because of how easy he had it, but, his mask was slipping out of place, and that was exciting.

"I suggest you take your own advice and put medicine on your elbow, then." He said stiffly, "I look forward to our next meeting, I will contact you shortly."

I put on my best business smile, "Of course. And I hope your shoulder will be better until then."

We bowed and he walked away.

You're our only hope, Risa…

"Hey!" I called and ran after him, he stopped and turned around. I grabbed his arm. Biting back my pride I said: "Please don't let today's accident interfere in the deal to be made between our companies. I'm sorry I yelled at you and thank you for trying to protect me."

He stared at me, his black eyes looking straight into mine. Was it fair that I was going to marry him? That I would have those deep black eyes looking at me for the rest of my life? Was I really not worth one chance?

"I wonder…" he whispered. Then said, "We'll discuss this further later on. Thank you, Kotoku, you've given me plenty to consider." He started walking away.

"Hey, wait! What about the deal?" I asked him.

He looked back at me and gave me a sly smile, "Hm, isn't it on hold? For now, we are one happily engaged couple." He took a cherry blossom from his chest pocket and placed it in my hand. "Aren't we?"