Atobe woke up with a groan. He rubbed a hand wearily through his hair and opened his eyes. Where am I? Oh! I have a terrible headache!He thought, trying to move from the uncomfortable position he was in as he threw the blanket that was on top of him away. As he moved, he felt a muscle spasm and swore softly. I know I'm definitely not on my bed… This is not comfortable.

He sat up and held onto his probing head, why do I have this distinct feeling that I've done something stupid?

"You kiss well."

Atobe looked up sharply and suddenly swore out loud because the fast movement hurt his head more.

Aya giggled and looked down at him. She had been embarrassed because he caught her off guard, but she knew that he was too hazed to realize who she was. "Don't worry, I forgive you.

He smirked and leaned back on the sofa. "I'm sorry if I did anything to offend you."

"Don't be troubled."

"And I'm sorry for intruding on you both last night."

Aya sat opposite him on the table. "It's alright, but you really did look beat. Fay told me to kick you out, but I could never do that," she admitted with a giggle. "Seriously Atobe Keigo, what are you doing to yourself?"

Again, he rubbed a tired hand through his hair and massaged his face as well. "I wonder the very same thing myself."

Aya frowned. "You know, you can drag yourself down to hell, but why do that to your colleagues? They barely have a life." I hate how he monopolizes Fay's time.

I can't believe I'm being lectured. He looked at her grimly. He wanted to stand up and leave, but he was too exhausted to do so.

Aya crossed her legs and grinned. "You can't even stand up, so you're forced to listen to my lecture."

My god… Are both of these women stubborn and always voice their opinions out loud?! He complained to himself, closing his eyes.

A couple of hours later

Aya busied herself in the kitchen when Atobe left. Stupid unhealthy man, she thought, taking out a bowl from the cupboard. They're always thinking about nothing, but work.

Yesterday's party really exhausted me, but I seriously have no energy to sleep, she walked out of the kitchen and looked around the clean living room, we're seriously good. She giggled amazed at how fast she and Fay managed to clean up last night.

She walked past the living room and went back to her room. She brushed her hair and her eyes fell on the business card on the dresser. Picking it up, she looked at it again, "I wonder…" she murmured as she studied the name. I wonder if I'm good enough to be a singer. I know that's my dream, but…

She remembered the conversation she had with Saeki the night before.

"Aya, just make sure you get a lawyer involved, these talent agents can be greedy and might take advantage of novice singers." Saeki's voice rang in her thoughts.

Maybe I'll ask Haru to help me out, but first I need to research the company the agent's from, hmmm… she looked at the card once more. "Oh… Is this…?" she frowned, staring at the logo on the card carefully. "They're part of Atobe Industries?!" I must talk to Fay about it! She thought excitedly.

Weekday - Work

"Fay, go home."

Fay looked up from her PC and saw Atobe standing by her door. He was leaning against it with his arms crossed. She glanced at the time on her PC and realized that it was 8 in the evening.

"Are you listening to me?" he asked, walking into her office. "Go home."

Fay let out a sigh. "Go home to what?" she muttered sarcastically.

Atobe raised an eyebrow. "Don't you have life?"

She stood up and looked at him with a sigh. Leaning against her desk, she shook her head. "I just want to be in the office these days," she admitted. "I'm too depressed staying at home." I don't want to go home these days… After breaking up with Niou, I don't want to go home anymore, she thought, placing her hand on her beating heart. Aya doesn't even know yet.

"Not much social life?"

Fay looked up at him as he made that remark. She placed her hands on the table and leaned her back on it. "Not really,' she admitted, looking down. 'I broke up with my boyfriend and it was a disaster." And the one before wasn't something that ended happily… Fay let out a heavy sigh. "And you, your highness? Why are you here at this hour?"

"Just like you, the last place I'd like to go is home," he muttered, sitting on the chair across her. "I'm sick and tired of all these weird women who are sitting innocently next to my mother when I come back home."

Fay chuckled. "Arranged marriage?" She smiled, looking at him. "Somehow, you don't seem to fit the arranged marriage type."

"I don't."

"You're the type who would spoil and love a woman," she added, bending down to look at him. "A bit arrogant on the side, but I know she'll feel special," she said, tapping his nose.

Atobe chuckled, looking away. He decided that it was time to change the subject. "You're in love, Mishima Fay, aren't you?"

Fay paused.

"You get this distant look in your eyes sometimes. One minute you smile happily, the next you look like you're about to cry and then… you're just plain moody." He watched her as her expression softened. "Are you in love with someone you're not supposed to be?"

Fay straightened herself up and walked to her pc. She shut it off, picked up her bag and jacket and looked at him. "Let's go for coffee," she said, not answering his previous question.

Atobe raised an eyebrow.

"Think of it this way, me or a stranger at your home?"

He let out a sigh wryly and stood up. "Fine, but just coffee. I don't want rumors to spread that I'm dating someone from within the company."

"And I'd rather die than date you," she muttered, walking to the door. I doubt I'd be dating anyone for a long time… As much as I had fun with Niou, I think this time I really am in love with someone and as much as a beautiful feeling it is, it hurts more than I want it to.

Next day in the evening

"That's peculiar, Fay's not home again," Aya muttered, walking into the apartment followed by Sanada. Aya took off her jacket and placed her bag on the coffee table. Walking to the kitchen, she pulled two cans of soda out and handed one to Sanada.

"Maybe she's with Masaharu." Sanada took the soda from her.

Aya nodded, pulling out her cell phone from her bag. "I'll give him a call; maybe they'd like to have dinner with us."

Sanada waited for her to dial as he leaned by the wall.

Aya waited for Niou to pick up; it took a while until he finally did, "hey Haru," she said cheerfully, sitting on a chair.

"Hey," he answered gruffly, "how are you, Aya?"

Aya tucked her knees under her legs and smiled. "Goody good as usual. Say Haru, will you and Fay join us for dinner?"

Niou paused.

Aya looked at her cell phone in surprise when he didn't reply. Did I lose reception, she thought, shaking her phone. "Haru?" she called out making sure that he was on the other line.

Niou cleared his throat. "Aya, Fay and I broke up."

"What?!" Aya snapped, jumping up. "When the hell did you two break up?" she demanded.

Sanada looked at Aya in astonishment when he heard that.

"At Ohshitari's engagement," he replied emotionless, "we both decided to do it."

"What the…? HARU!?" All this time and she didn't breathe a word to me?!

"Don't yell at me, Aya," he muttered exasperated, "what's done is done, it wasn't working for us, babe. I need to go now so I'll talk to you later."

'Don't hang up on…"

[Click]

Aya stared at the phone hatefully and then looked up at Sanada. They've been broken up all this time and… "Did you know?"

He shook his head.

Aya was about to say something when they heard the door lock turn and Fay walking in.

"YOU!" Aya stood in front of Fay pointing her finger at her. "How DARE you breakup with Haru and not tell me?" she asked fuming.

Fay was taken aback by her friend's outburst. "What?" she asked a little bit shocked.

"I can't believe you would breakup with Haru." Aya continued her monologue. "He loved you, and all you did was causing him gri…"

"Do NOT finish that sentence Aya," Fay burst out when she regained her posture. "You of all people knew how difficult this relationship was."

Aya pursed her lips looking at Fay with tears in her eyes. "You should have at least told me," she said crying and then stomped off towards her room.

Fay sighed helpless. "Seriously that kid over-reacts." She sat on the couch and took of her shoes. "Hi Sanada, I'm sorry you have to be a witness to all our lives drama." she smiled tiredly.

Sanada sat on the armchair opposite Fay. "It's nothing. Everyone goes through some drama in their lives."

Fay stopped massaging her foot and looked at him. "I guess you're right," she said softly. "I think you should go to Aya. She is probably crying the whole Atlantic Ocean." She laughed and lay on the couch to rest her body.

Sanada laughed at her comment. "Probably," he said keeping his gaze on her for a few more minutes before he stood up and walked off towards Aya's room. He paused for a few seconds, "Fay."

"Hmm?"

"Will you be alright?"

Fay felt her heart ache. She hugged the sofa pillow. "Yes… Thank you." why can't you come and comfort me too?

Sanada seemed satisfied with her answer so he just walked into Aya's room.

Sanada placed his hand on top of Aya's head and rubbed gently. "If she's not upset then you shouldn't cry."

Aya looked at him teary eyed. She clutched the front of his shirt and pulled him forward. "That's the problem, she will never cry about it. After Niwa, she's bottled herself up and she would never cry for a man – especially in front of me."

Sanada frowned, I've seen Fay cry many times after she fought with Masaharu, but what Aya's saying doesn't make sense then… Could it be?! Sanada shook his head and concentrated on Aya, "it's alright," he said quietly, hugging her. "Don't worry about her, I'm sure she's fine and Masaharu's been good at home, even I didn't notice the break up."

Aya nodded calmly.

He held her close and could feel her heartbeat.

Aya finally pulled away and looked up at him with a smile. "You really are the best,' she whispered truthfully.

He kissed her forehead and stood up. I'm more restless than I want to admit. I should be worried about Aya, but I'm more anxious about Fay. Why do I feel like holding her tight right now? Did her breakup with Masaharu make me feel that way?

"Genichirou?"

Sanada snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her from the doorway. "Yes?"

Aya got off the bed and walked towards him. "I think I overreacted, how about we take Fay out? Maybe we can both cheer her up, no?"

"Let her sleep," he said, holding Aya's arm lightly. He also decided that it was now time to change the subject, "what did you decide to do about the talent agent?" I personally cannot handle a vulnerable Fay at the moment.

Aya looked at him confused by the sudden topic change. She raised an eyebrow, but then decided to answer him. "I talked it through with friends and they suggested I see a lawyer when I get the contract."

"What about an Agent?"

"I'm going to ask Saeki," she said, walking out with him back to the living room.

Later at night

Aya returned at home a bit late. She opened the apartment door slowly and slipped inside without a sound. She took of her shoes and tip toed towards her room but she never made it there because Fay opened the lights as she stood in the living room door.

"Sneaking in?" Fay asked scratching her head.

Aya stopped and turned to face her friend. "You're like my mother," she said and started laughing when she saw the state Fay was in. "You… hehe… you look ghastly!"

Fay placed her hands on her hips and glared at Aya. "Thank you very much," she spat and walked in the living room plopping herself on the couch she was previously sleeping on.

Aya followed her and sat on the couch beside her. "Have you seen the state you're in?" she asked trying hard to stifle her laughs. She lay on the couch and rested her head on Fay's lap. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I knew you would get upset," Fay answered as she played with Aya's hair. "It wasn't meant to be."

Aya sighed. "You never tried to understand him," she said softly hugging Fay's knees.

"You idolize the man Aya. He wasn't the one trying," Fay said exasperated, "besides, I could never trust him."

"It's not his fault that you can't trust men after what Niwa did to you." She straightened her body and looked directly into her friend's eyes.

"I am over Niwa and what happened," Fay sighed, "it's hard to explain why it didn't work with Niou." She lifted her legs on the couch and hugged her knees. "I wish it was different but the truth is that we don't like each other. Our relationship was only physical."

Aya got up from the couch. "I don't believe that. Obviously you were the one that didn't like him but he did. He still does." She clenched her fists. "If you didn't like him than you should have told him earlier before he spent so much trying to make Valentine's a special day for you." She glared at her friend who was looking at her stunned. "I don't like you when you use people," she said and walked to her bedroom.

What the…? Fay thought trying to absorb everything that Aya was telling her. She got up from the couch annoyed and stomped towards Aya´s room for another confrontation. "Don't walk out on me when you make an assumption like that! How dare you say that I'm using people?"

Aya froze for a second and then glared at her best friend. "But it's true!"

"How can it be true? How the hell do you expect me to tell you that I broke up with someone you like?!" Fay demanded, shouting.

"You were not patient with him!" Aya accused.

"He wasn't patient with me," Fay fired back, her anger arising even more.

Aya crossed her hands. "You are selfish and a drama queen. You are not satisfied with anything."

Fay opened her mouth to retort but she didn't. She stood there looking at Aya annoyed. I am too tired to argue with her, she thought sighing inwardly. "I can't be bothered with you at the moment, I'm going to bed." She turned around and left Aya's room.

"IDIOT!" Aya shouted annoyed. How dare she says she can't be bothered with me, she thought fuming as she followed Fay into her room for a rematch. "How…" she was cut off abruptly when a cushion hit her face. She looked at Fay wide-eyed and then at the cushion at her feet. "Oh no, you didn't!" she said and picked up the cushion. She aimed and threw it at Fay.

The cushion hit Fay on the shoulder. "Your throwing skills suck, just like your judgment," she said as she launched another cushion at her friend.

"You are a selfish BRAT!" spat Aya throwing two cushions at Fay both hitting her on the head. "That's for saying I suck at throwing things."

Fay jumped on the bed and picked one of her pillows. She jumped of the bed and ran towards Aya. She hit her friend on the chest with the pillow before Aya could get out of the way. "That's for calling me an idiot," she said and hit her again on the head, "and that is for calling me a selfish brat."

Aya pushed Fay away from her and ran towards the bed. She jumped on it and took a pillow but didn't have time to do anything because Fay had already attacked her. They fought like that for a good thirty minutes before they both plopped on the bed breathing heavily.

"I… can't… believe… we played… pillow-fight!" Fay said panting heavily.

Aya laughed. "I know… It's been… years," she said as she lifted her body to rest on her elbows. "It was fun though." She pushed her tongue out.

"Yeah!"

"Fay…" Aya said as she lay back on the bed. "I seriously meant what I said."

Fay turned her head and looked at her friend who was gazing at the ceiling. "That's why I said your judgment sucks," she sighed. "I know that he did a lot of things for me and I loved Valentine's Day, but…" she closed her eyes, "…it's difficult to make you understand how I feel."

"Try me."

"Yeah, right." Fay chuckled. "It's easier to make a kid understand than you!" she ruffled Aya´s hair.

Aya turned her head and looked at Fay. "You never told me what happened on Valentine's!" she smiled.

"Well, you never asked," Fay smiled back. "It was wonderful. He was a gentleman. I wished he was always like that but… Anyway, he had organized that date perfectly. Hiroshi´s house was absolutely fantastic." She sat up and hugged the pillow she used for the fight.

"Go on." Aya grinned.

"We ate at a big dining room that was filled with lots of candles. He also brought live musicians. They played the violin and accordion," she hugged the pillow tighter covering her face. "We danced most of the night and then we went to the bedroom…"

Aya sat up excited. "Come on… Tell meeee!"

Fay chuckled. "Well, before we went to sleep, we bathed in a huge bathtub. Can you believe that he had filled it with flowers?" she asked her friend.

"He what? He never told me that part." Aya crossed her hands.

"He told you what he had planned?"

Aya beamed proudly. "Of course. I helped him organize the whole thing, but I think he intentionally didn't mention to me the good parts." She winked.

A faint blush painted Fay's cheeks. "Did he tell you about…" she couldn't continue at the thought that Niou might have told her best friend about their intimate time together.

"Three Times!"

Fay looked at Aya shocked. He… he told her? She though feeling embarrassed that her ex-boyfriend would talk about her in that way with her best friend. "Let's go to sleep," she said and lay on her side.

"Eehh? Why?" Aya whined disappointed.

"Go to sleep. I'm tired." She closed the light from the switch next to her bed. She felt shifting on the bed. "Goodnight," she said to Aya who left the room only to return a few minutes later.

Fay felt shifting again in the bed and a pair of cold feet touching hers. "What are you doing?" she asked getting up.

"Nothing." Aya said innocently as she lay in bed looking at Fay.

Fay rubbed her temples. "You actually call this nothing?" she asked and lay back down facing Aya.

"My night-light doesn't work again."

"Your feet are cold." Fay rolled her eyes at Aya´s excuse. "So, since we are discussing about dates, how did your Valentine's date go?"

"Isn't it weird that we're talking about our dates after so long?" Aya asked thoughtfully.

Fay closed her eyes and thought about her friend's question. It's true; we never did discuss about the dates. "I guess we got caught up with the plans of the engagement party."

"I guess…"

Fay pinched Aya's nose. "Tell me now." She laughed.

"Umm… we went to his apartment; we ate dinner and watched a movie. After that we made out," Aya said sincerely.

"Made out?"

Aya giggled. "Yes. Actually we were close to having sex, but I stopped him." She blushed and hid her face.

"Oh?" Fay said not knowing what else to say.

"Yeah. He actually took me by surprise." Aya giggled. "I panicked so I told him to stop. You should have seen his look." she laughed, "he thought he did something wrong."

Fay closed her eyes. "I see. Now let's sleep because we work tomorrow." She turned around and covered her body. What the hell is wrong with me? She thought feeling annoyed. Why do I feel so jealous all of a sudden?

"You are happy for me, right?"

Fay froze upon hearing what her friend asked her. "Of course, baby. I'm just tired," she said without turning. "Tell you what. Come to my office after work to pick me up and we will go for dinner just the two of us. Okay?"

"Yay! That's the best plan. Goodnight," Aya said and hugged Fay's waist.

"Goodnight Pooh!" Fay whispered. I must stop thinking about it; it doesn't bother me, she thought sighing inwardly. Oh hell, who am I kidding; of course it's bothering me. She closed her eyes and forced herself to sleep.

Next Day

Fay was at work, looking at her desktop. She was flipping through a website for baby clothes and couldn't help, but feel broody over it. How tiny little things can be so cute, she thought enviously. I can't wait to spoil Arisa's little angel, she grinned, clicking on her purchases.

As she browsed the website, she suddenly stopped when she remembered her conversation with Aya last night. I… It felt weird. Has he decided to back off as well because he's dating Aya? But… Do I need to hear the gory details? How can you tell me that you love me when you're happily making out with someone else?!

"Mishima!"

Fay looked up and found Atobe scowling at her. He was next to her desk and could clearly see what she was doing. "Yes?" she asked nonchalantly.

"If you're not busy working," he said sarcastically, "I would appreciate it if you would free your schedule to attend this with me." He placed a card on her desk.

She looked at the card and then gave it back to him. "I have plans, boss, you need to find someone else." Aya will kill me if I ditch her today, especially since I was the one that suggested having dinner together.

Atobe put the card back on the desk. "Be ready by 8, Mishima, it's a semi-formal event," he said, walking away, "and that's an order," he added before she could protest.

"You're ditching me!?" Aya demanded. "What the hell? Even Genichirou did so!"

"What?" Fay demanded on the phone, "You made plans with him already?"

"Well, I knew you might ditch me so I had to find a back up."

"Was it really him the back up or me!?" Fay snapped, hanging up.

Aya looked at the phone and swore, I can't believe she hung up on me!

Back at home

"Why are you even going if you don't want to?" Aya demanded, watching Fay as she got ready.

Because the bastard ordered me… but out loud, she said, "It's important for me to attend and I had totally forgotten about it," Fay lied, fixing the hem of her dress.

Aya frowned, it just doesn't sound right, she thought, as Fay turned in her black lace-trim jersey dress and looked at the mirror. It had long sleeves and ended at her knees. "How come you're playing it down? The dress looks gorgeous on you, but you're not trying to look sexy?"

Fay rolled her eyes as she tied her hair. "I'm going with Atobe and the last thing I want to look is sexy," especially since he forced me… ARGH!

Aya nodded as she stretched to lie down on her stomach. She rested her chin on her hands and kept her elbows on the bed. "How are you feeling?"ow are youH

"What do you mean how am I feeling?" Fay sat on the bed next to Aya and put her sandals on.

"You don't miss Haru at all?" Aya asked curiously, she must be missing him.

Fay sighed at the mention Niou. She stood up and walked to the dresser, picking up her earrings and putting them on. "I do miss him, but at the same time, I am relieved that we're not together anymore, it was a nightmare most of the time." At the same time, my mind is so focused on Sanada, I can't think of anyone else.

Aya sat up, crossing her legs. "I see," she mumbled. You didn't love him even a little bit? She thought thwarted, "I'll give him a call and spend some time with him."

"You do that," Fay said, applying lip gloss on. She picked up her purse and walked to the door. "I love you babe, take care."

"Yeah… Yeah…" Aya mumbled, rolling on the bed so she could reach for her cell phone.

In Atobe's car

"Look… I know we're friends and everything, but you have no right to order me to come with you when you don't want to go with one of those clingy women you hang around with! I am not back up!"

Atobe didn't say anything as he put the car in gear and drove. "Tonight is more about the both of us than just you," he finally spoke. "You looked like you're going to cry for the past days at the office."

"I am fine."

"Not to me," he said softly. "You were especially upset this morning," he added.

Fay didn't say anything. She just turned her head and looked outside the window.

They drove in silence until they reached their destination. The informal event was at a yacht club and already there were a lot of people there. Atobe valet parked his car and helped Fay out. Lightly, he put his hand behind her back and led her to the yacht. Not a lot of people knew this, but the two had become really good friends since their coffee outing. "What's the occasion?"

"Beats me," he muttered.

Fay looked at him sharply, "seriously?"

"I really don't know," he admitted.

Fay muttered unintelligent things under her breath.

At a restaurant

"I never expected you to say yes," Aya said, taking a seat across from Niou.

"A friendly and beautiful girl will never hear a 'no' from me," he teased, picking up his menu.

Aya blushed and picked up her menu as well. She peeked behind the menu and glanced at him. He seems happy, but… "I'm mad at you."

"I know," he replied without looking at her.

Aya placed her menu down and looked at him. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked curiously.

He looked at her and frowned a bit. He sighed and pulled out a cigarette. "I want to enjoy my evening with you, Aya. I'd rather not discuss unpleasant things," he said, lighting the cigarette.

Aya glared at him, but then sighed as well. I will ask him another time. "How have you been?"

"Not bad actually, I had a date last night and it went well."

Already?! She thought flabbergasted, but didn't say it out loud. "I see," she said quietly.

"Eat your food, Aya," he said softly.

Aya rolled her eyes, "we haven't ordered yet," she hissed, picking up her menu again.

He laughed and watched her curiously. "How are things with the brick?" he asked referring to Sanada.

Aya looked at him annoyed. "Brick? Do you refer to all your best friends as bricks?"

"No, just Sanada," he answered. "Yagyuu's the stiff, Marui's the…"

"Okay! Okay! I get the point!" she interrupted. "Genichirou is good; we're doing very well together."

"I see."

Aya studied him and realized that the Niou Masaharu in front of her was acting differently. "Haru?"

"Hmm…" he said, applying butter on some bread.

"Are you alright?"

"Always," he answered automatically.

This will be a long dinner, Aya thought.

At the party

"Oh…" Fay whispered as she stood by Atobe's side. Did I just see… she thought, but then shook her head; I'm overreacting.

"'Fay?"

Fay looked at him and smiled sheepishly. "Its nothing, I'm going to rest a bit," she said, leaving his side. I really thought I saw Sanada, she thought going to a quiet side at the far end of the yacht.

She stood by the railing and began feeling depressed. I hate this feeling. I hate wanting someone so bad and I can't have him. It hurts… Eh?! She froze when she felt a pair of arms around her waist.

"Long time no see, Fay-chan."

"Let go," Fay said firmly when she heard the voice near her ear. She tried to glare at him, but couldn't move because he had her locked in his arms tightly.

"You were going to fall."

"Bullshit, Niwa," Fay answered, moving his hand off her waist but he caught it with his other arm and kissed her cheek lightly.

"I missed you," he murmured in her ear.

Fay didn't move. Without thinking, she raised her left leg and stomped hard on his toe with her high deadly heels.

"Son of a …" Niwa swore jumping back, letting her go. The move surprised him and it was so unexpected that he ended falling forward. Fay fell against the rail with him on top of her. Without any warning, the railing loosened and they both fell into the sea.