Kyoya finished his coffee and cleared his throat, "Well, you should know that for quite a few years now I've been working to be considered in my father's final decision as to who would inherit the position of head of the Ootori family."

I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows, "No need to look so surprised, toroi, it's not exactly something I've kept a secret since I made my decision just before high school." He paused, seeming to remember something then pushed it from his mind, "In any case, I've been successful, until my father hinted that with my eldest brother already married and my second to eldest engaged, it would be wiser for him to choose the son that would soon have an heir. So I started looking for a wife."

I gulped, wow, that was straightforward, "So basically you needed to find someone for baby-making purposes, is that right?" I said, my voice sounding a little squeaky and my cheeks burning.

"Don't be ridiculous." He said sharply, "If that was it, anybody would do. But I would never marry a woman that didn't bring merit to the Ootori name." I glared at him, this conversation was getting really uncomfortable, "Like you said before, the Ootori business isn't doing too well. I'm taking advantage of the fact that my father doesn't seem to realize that it's because of our refusal to work with companies that haven't had time to show their value." I scoffed at his choice of words, "So I looked for an heiress that would help us cleanse our name. And that's where you came in. I thought it was quite lucky, in fact, you are the sole child of the Kotoku family line, with only a few second cousins, too young to challenge your position, but that would eventually take over, since you're a woman and can't take the chair."

I felt the wave of rage wash over me almost making me punch him. To my mortification, my eyes filled with angry tears, I opened my mouth to protest and Kyoya raised a hand to stop me.

"Don't misunderstand me, toroi, it's just the reality of this day and age, I'm not saying that you can't take over, I'm saying no one will let you."

I felt something heavy land in my heart. He was right, just because of my sex, I would never even be considered for the position.

I forced the tears back, "And?" I urged him to continue, unable to look at him, "What else? What did your father say when you told him you'd picked me?"

He hesitated, "He told me I was insane. I am young, of course, and to choose someone of such lower ranks baffled him. Especially since he knew it couldn't be love, given that we'd never met before."

I nodded, the insult barely leaving its mark, and he continued, "But I was able to persuade him, because I knew that there was more than just a new image the Kotoku Inc. could give me. I did a lot of digging around the branches and found something that was trying very hard not to be found."

That caught my attention. I looked up sharply, his dark eyes locked on mine.

"You know what I'm talking about, don't you, Kotoku?"

I blinked, but said nothing.

"I found a very small branch of Kotoku Inc. that hasn't even been tested, yet. In fact, there is next to no record of it, nor any indication that the head of the company, even though his seal approves the project, has any idea of its existence." He paused, waiting for me to say something, which I didn't, "That project seemed to me exactly what the Ootori group needed, and that's what made me pick you for a bride.

"So I set out to find out who, in fact, was responsible for that project. I asked my father to question yours during their conversation, since I would be too busy speaking to you." He adjusted his glasses, "You really are a box full of surprises, aren't you, Kotoku? The first time I saw you I assumed I had you very much figured out. Based on your grades and the way you dressed I put you in the category of an airy, dreamy girl who would very much like to marry a prince charming an live happily ever after. Acting like a prince, however, brought me nowhere." He sounded a little annoyed at that.

"But, as I was saying, I was very disappointed at how your father really didn't know anything about the project that was being developed right under his nose. I sent private investigators scurrying all over your company looking for the one responsible, and found nothing but a few rogue e-mails, with your father's signature, in his secretary's inbox."

Damn that secretary, I couldn't help but thinking, I'll put his Hawaiian dancing moves all over the internet now.

"But I soon established that the secretary was an idiot, and indeed not our man. So who," continued Kyoya, "would be able to hack into your father's e-mail and have access to everything and not get detected? And, when I remembered what you'd told Lady Hitachiin at the art auction, and how worried you were over the deal, it dawned on me. You, Risa Kotoku, are the little mastermind. As proven by your outburst defending your company, you know it's more than it seems."

He stared at me, a small smile playing on his lips, like a sneaky little fox.

My heart was pounding so loudly against my chest I could barely hear my own thoughts.

"Of course I defend my company." I said, raising my chin high, trying to keep my voice from shaking, "I don't lie when I say it's growing to become one of the most powerful and influential name in Japan." I fixed my bangs over my zits again, "Anyway, I still don't see how this has anything to do with our 'engagement'" I couldn't help but make quotation marks in the air, "or whatever. I hope, since we're all being all nice and honest, that you won't mind when I put the blame on you about our 'break-up'. Not that I care if you'd mind. Or that my dad'd believe me."

"I'm interested in making a deal with you, Kotoku." Kyoya said, obviously pretending he hadn't heard a word I'd said.

I waited.

"You see, we both know our companies need each other, but our fathers don't. So, theoretically, the only way to get a deal done, would be to get married." I nodded quietly, so far he hadn't said anything I didn't know already. "But, if you can get that project up and running before our wedding day, the deal would start making much more sense on both sides. We'd have a signed contract and a cancelled the wedding. Quite the win-win, don't you think?"

I pushed my plate away so I could lean on the table for support. My mind was racing, sure, he made it sound all good and beautiful, but if there was one thing my gramps taught me was that business deal usually only sounded beautiful.

"What if I can't?" I asked, my voice low.

"Can't what?"

"What if I can't get the project done until the wedding day? I mean, they're thinking about doing it pretty soon, right? What if I can't finish it until then?" I stared deep into those dark eyes, I wasn't responding the way he wanted me to. What did he expect? That I'd jump at whatever bone he threw at me?

Nuh-uh. Not the granddaughter of the Kotoku Inc. founder.

"Then the deal is off. Just like I did just now, I'll terminate the engagement."

My jaw dropped. Win win, my ass, "No." I told him, "If I can't finish my project I'll need you to marry me."

The look he gave me had my cheeks flaming.

"I mean it." I said, trying to ignore my sweaty palms, "I haven't had the chance to test it without exposing myself. I have no idea if it'll work the way I want it to work. And if it doesn't I can't have you walking away with a deal that could help my company as much as my project. And like you said so yourself, a deal can't be made without a wedding, so-"

"No." he interrupted me. "You're mistaking this for a negotiation. This is a proposal. Take it or leave it."

An idea slipped into my mind, slowly shaping itself, "And don't you think it will only worsen your image to just dump me out of the blue?"

"Not at all," his glasses flashed, "if it's carefully planned, the end of our engagement can be even seen as something positive."

"Boke." I called his attention. "If the project isn't finished until our wedding day, you will marry me." I left a clear or else tone in my words.

But dear Kyoya didn't take me seriously.

"Kotoku-san," he said tiredly, "I will not repeat myself."

"Neither will I." I said in what I hopped was a low, threatening voice. Our stare-down lasted a few moments until I decided to show Kyoya that I wasn't bluffing with my or else.

I did something, that I really have to admit, I'm actually a little proud.

My eyes were still a little moist from my angry tears, I widened them to fill them up more. Then put on a shocked and pained expression, and let out a little whimper.

"What do mean you don't want to marry me?" I said in a loud, clear voice. I sniffed, a hand wiping away an imaginary tear as a few heads turned to look at us, "You said you loved me! Now you're breaking up with me?"

"What do you think you're doing?" Kyoya asked in a disbelieving tone.

I sneaked a peek at his face and fought back a fit of laughter, I'm ashamed to say I was having a bit of fun, it's not like I'd ever done this before. "Why, Kyoya?" I wailed, and even managed an actual tear to cross my cheek, "Why are you doing this with us?"

"Kotoku." He said in a low menacing voice, "Stop that, right now."

I covered my mouth with my hand and whispered, "Wrong answer." Then with all the sadness and disbelief I could muster in with my words I said: "Oh, my God. I'm embarrassing you?" I was a little embarrassed myself. But the expression on Kyoya's face was priceless, and I could only hope that my shoulders were shaking in a way that looked like I was sobbing, 'cause I was fighting back a laughing fit.

I peeked at the people who were watching, some couples shook their heads and pretended not to listen while they craned their necks, "Is that all you care about? What about what we have together, Kyoya? Don't you care about me even a little?"

A murmur started to form and I could see the people glaring at Kyoya.

"How scandalous!" a woman's voice sounded on my right. She turned to the waiter that was the same that attended me and Kyoya, "Have they been fighting long?"

"Only since dessert."

"He shouldn't break up with her in the most romantic restaurant in Japan, has he no heart for her feelings?" her date answered.

I covered my mouth again and sobbed, "I can't believe you're doing this right before my birthday!" The murmur heightened in volume, people started shaking their heads forgetting all about pretending not to listen. I took my napkin and pretended to try and wipe out my "tears" then whispered to Kyoya, "You have ten seconds before I make this worse."

He looked like a vein was about to burst open on his forehead, "Well I don't need you, Kyoya Ootori." I stood up, somebody shouted: "Yeah, you tell him, girl!" but I didn't turn to see, because something changed in Kyoya's expression changed and cut me short.

His handsome features were locked in a shocked expression, his eyebrows furrowed in pain. The people watching us remained in suspenseful silence.

Only I could still see the glint of evil in his eyes.

"Risa, my love, you misunderstand!" he said standing up, too, and taking my hands, he put one knee on the floor. My eyes almost popped out of my head, "I could never live without you. What I meant was that I couldn't keep up with this charade anymore," he stood up and pressed my hands against his chest, I could bet Shakespeare lovers would kill to see that performance, "I love you, Risa. I want you to be my bride." He released one of his hands and caressed my cheek, wiping and invisible tear, "Let's get married by the end of the summer! Will you have me?"

His face was uncomfortably close, I could see, only too clearly, his dark eyes, that were actually more grey than black, his perfect straight nose, his lips... My head started spinning. The end of the summer?! That's all the time he's giving me? Is he out of his freaking mind?!

Apparently he was, since he covered my face (he had some very long fingers) probably to hide my shocked expression, and grinned. "She said yes!" he declared to our audience.

They applauded. Seriously.

Then, before I could shout "Whoa, now hold up now!" Kyoya closed the already small distance between our lips and landed one on me.

It all happened so quickly it felt like an out of body experience. I didn't even have time to close my eyes and enjoy being kissed by a guy as handsome as Kyoya.

Hey, I may hate him but I recognize the appeal.

But with the shock, I turned as stiff as a stick, my eyes were wide and trying to process how close his face was. All I felt was the smooth pressure of his soft lips on my mouth.

I could still feel that pressure when he hugged me tightly. The crowd "Awwed".

"Don't forget to smile." He whispered in my hair, his warm breath tickling my neck.

Damn it.

"You bastard!" I hissed in his ear.

"Two-faced cobra." he pulled away and took my hands again.

I made sure to plaster a smile on my face. "Oh, Kyoya! I'm so happy."

About as happy as I'd be in a room full of snakes.

A/N: So? What did you guys think? I'm a bit nervous, the beggining of the chapter is almost a Kyoya monologue, and I really wanted it to sound like him. And this is the longest chapter I've written-so proud!

Life has been very hectic and unkind to me, so that`s to blame for my late updating.

Thanks again for the readers and reviewers!

I found a better (i.e. easier) way to respond to my reviewers (I saw it in another fanfiction I just read-so good!- it's called Boas Maneiras and it's in portuguese), anyway, here goes:

Extended Experience: Who are you calling Baka? Me? I googled that up. And yes, I am foolish more often than not. But it tends to be fun.

BlacktwinWhitetwin: Cliffhangers are more for me than for you, really. I like the challenge of wondering what will happen next. Plus, it's not like I'm gonna leave this fic unfinished.

etzelg: Here is more, tell me what you think!