Fay washed her face and yawned. She kept washing her face and tried to kill the sleep out of her eyes. Only in a towel, she had showered for half an hour under cold water and was still sleepy. I'm going to kill him, she thought lazily and… speaking of killing…

Atobe walked into the bathroom only in his pants. He washed his face next to where she was standing and picked up a towel to dry his face. "I can't keep my eyes open," he muttered, rubbing a weary hand through his hair.

Fay crossed her arms, "And whose fault do you think it is?"

He grinned, picking up the lotion and spreading it across his hands. "I had Oysters last night, so blame it on the cook," he answered, moisturizing his hands.

Fay rolled her eyes and walked out. It has been three weeks since she slept with him and three weeks since Aya disappeared. She wasn't sure where she stood with Atobe, but he had been her frequent companion during the nights. They weren't a couple or anything special, but they knew each other pretty well by now. "Atobe?"

"Yes?" he called from the bathroom.

"Can I not go?"

"No," he answered, walking out of the bathroom. He picked up his shirt from the chair and put it on. He looked at her as he buttoned his shirt and saw that she was sitting on the bed looking really worn-out. "Seriously, are you that tired?"

"Atobe, you didn't let me sleep until 6 AM!?" she muttered, falling onto her back "And it's 9 AM now… Don't you know how spoilt I am?!"

Too spoilt, he thought sarcastically… I have to keep reminding myself why I always end up in her bed almost every night; he picked up his tie and put it on. he walked over to where she lay and leaned over her, "Fine…" he bent down and kissed her forehead. "You rest for the day, but I expect dinner when I return. And I'm not letting you off the hook again!"

"Yes, hubby," she mumbled, lifting her arms and hugging his neck. "You seriously need a wife… I can't always be here and cook for you."

"Until I get a wife, you'll do fine," he said, covering her with a blanket.

"You're too good to me," she whispered, hugging the pillow and closing her eyes.

He didn't say anything as he walked to where his suit jacket was hanging. He took it and put it on. She's not the only one who needs sleep; he thought wearily looking back at her. He felt something wash over him; it wasn't love or tenderness, but a feeling of over protectiveness. He knew that he didn't love her, but she was good company. They were both good friends that were there for each other and decided to lean on another in time of their need.

Atobe took one final look at her and left.

RING

RING

What is this noise, Fay thought stirring in bed. "Aaaaargh!" she sat up annoyed realizing it was the doorbell that was causing all the noise. "Who the Hell is it at…" she looked at the clock on the bedside table and gasped. Shit… is it already noon?

She jumped off the bed and wore her slippers – ignoring the fact that she was still in a towel. I am really not expecting someone, she thought yawning. "Alright… Alright… I'm coming!" she yelled annoyed at the persistent sound.

She opened the door and froze. Wha…

"Yo."

Fay blinked a couple of times to make sure that her eyes weren't mistaken. "Saeki?"

"That was my name last time I checked!" he grinned.

Fay hugged herself as a gash of cold brushed her body. "What are you doing here?" she asked but continued shortly after, "If you're looking for Aya, she is not here," she said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

Saeki pushed his hands in pockets. "I know," he said seriously, "That's why I'm here."

Fay took a step forward. "You know were Aya is?" she asked worriedly.

Saeki nodded. "Will you let me in or should we both freeze to death out here?"

Fay moved to the side to let Saeki enter the apartment. They both walked to the kitchen where she made some tea for the two of them. "So, where is Aya?" she asked as she placed the cup in front of him.

Saeki looked at Fay who was at the counter making her tea. "Shouldn't you wear something more decent?" he sipped from his steaming cup of tea, his eyes still fixed on her.

"You're the least of my concerns in a towel, you're gay, no?" she walked towards the table and sat down across Saeki. "I don't think you would get turned on even If I walked naked in front of you!" she eyed him smirking at her verbal victory.

She is not supposed to know that, he thought when he heard Fay's comment. Anyway… two can play this game… "You're right!" Saeki chuckled. "There is nothing on you that I haven't seen. So, how do you expect a man to get turned on?"

I hate you, she thought glaring at him. "I know you didn't come here to socialize with me so why don't you tell me where Aya is," she said aggravated. Stupid gay man that doesn't appreciate the finer things in life.

2 hours later

"I still don't know why you dragged me along," Fay complained walking behind Saeki into an elevator. "Shouldn't you bring Aya to me, she is the fugitive?"

Saeki chuckled and pressed a button for the elevator to ascend. "The way I see it, it's your fault she ran away." He looked at Fay from the corner of his eye. "Don't even argue with me that it wasn't your fault." He pushed the stop button and the elevator stopped.

"What are you doing?" Fay asked Saeki a bit worried.

Saeki crossed his hands and leaned on the wall. "Why didn't you tell her about your feelings?" he asked looking at her seriously.

Fay glared at him. "That's none of your business. It's between me and Aya," she said annoyed.

Saeki sighed and pushed the button for the elevator to move with one hand. "You should have told her. She loves you more than anyone in the world. She'd do anything for you, even break up with her boyfriend if it was for your happiness." He stepped out the elevator when the door opened. "Frankly, I don't know why she even bothers with the likes of you," he said walking away.

Fay stopped in her tracks when she heard his last phrase. "Likes of me? Oy! Come back and say that to my face…" she walked after him and stopped in front of him. "How dare you say that to me? You know that I would kill anyone that hurts her including YOU."

"Then I should've killed you, for I feel the same way."

They reached Saeki's apartment. "Shut up and just opened the damn door!" she snapped.

Saeki turned the key and opened the door slowly, glaring at her, "Don't boss me around."

Fay wanted to box him, but…

"SAE… Thank goodness you're back… I AM BORED!"

Two bodies crashed and fell to the floor with a thud. Aya sat up rubbing her forehead. "Sae… What the f…"

"You IDIOT" Fay hissed straightening herself while she rubbed the back of her head. "Why did you jump like that?" she asked standing up. "YOU! I hate you!" she spat angrily pointing her finger at Saeki who was laughing his head off.

"Not my fault!" he walked past Fay and helped Aya up. "Come on Tiger," he said with a smile. "Now you two talk and make peace with each other." He walked away and left the two girls in the living room to talk.

Both girls stood in front of each other, not saying a word nor making a move to advance each other. Fay and Aya both stayed firmly rooted on the ground; the silence surrounding the whole room was deafening.

Fay sighed. "I am sorry," she said with a sad smile on her face. "I missed you."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Why? Why? Because… "Aya, would you have told me if you liked Niou?" Fay asked instead of answering her question.

"You're a stupid and selfish woman, Fay," Aya said glaring at her friend. "If I had known that then I wouldn't have spent days agonizing how to make him happy, but you had to lie to me. Is that what friends are for?"

Fay scratched her head. "You know… You're absolutely right. I am a lousy friend, but that doesn't mean that I didn't have your best interest in my heart." She walked up to Aya and hugged her tightly. "I went crazy over the last couple of weeks when you didn't show up. Who is a stupid and selfish woman now?"

Aya started crying and hugged Fay just as tight. "You are! I'm sorry Fay, for all the bad things I said to you."

Fay held her tighter. "Stop crying you idiot because I will start crying too," she said as the tears started rolling down her cheeks. We are both sorry." She pulled away and rubbed her eyes. "You see what you did? You made me ruin my make up!"

Aya rubbed her eyes too and laughed at Fay's comment. "You look like a fat ugly whore!" she teased still wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Oh shut up!"

In the JR Chuō-Sōbu Local Line train

"If I knew that he was going to let us take the train back…" Fay said irritated as she sat in her chair with her hands crossed. "This is your entire fault."

"How is this, my fault?" Aya asked looking outside the window.

Fay looked at her. "If you didn't run away I wouldn't be here would I?" she asked fuming. "What I don't understand is, why the Hell did you have to come to Saeki of all people?"

Aya sighed and turned her head to look at Fay. "Look, Sae is my best male friend and whenever I am in trouble he is always there to help me." She stopped what she was saying in order to buy a box of biscuits. "Sorry. To be honest I didn't want to go to Yuushi and Arisa. They have their own problems and I didn't need a lecture from them in the state that I was."

"I see… You could have at least called me and tell me you were okay!"

Aya ate the biscuit she was nibbling on. "I didn't want too."

Fay uncrossed her hands and looked at her friend surprised. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I didn't want to see you. I needed some space to think about everything that happened." Aya rested her head on the back of the seat. "Now I know why you mistreated Haru and why Genichirou was being so difficult to open up. It really sucks being you Fay!"

What the hell is she talking about? Fay couldn't believe she was hearing all that coming from Aya. "I did not mistreat Niou he just wasn't patient with me," she said aggravated.

Aya looked at her again with a frown forming on her face. "You seriously don't get it, do you?" she asked but didn't wait for her friend to answer. "You led the man on talking about wanting to be together and try to make your relationship work and whatever crap you fed him. How could you have tried with Haru when you where in love with Genichirou?"

"I see Saeki turned you against me!"

Aya sighed and turned her head to look outside the window once again. "The truth always hurts Fay and its worse when you deny it. The only person I feel sorry about is not me, you or Genichirou, but Haru."

Her words sound so sincere, but she is wrong; Niou was never patient with me; he always wanted whatever came to his head that moment, he never cared if I had to work to establish myself at my job or anything like that.

"Sae never once said a bad thing about you… On the contrary he justified everything you ever did. I believed him when he said to me that what you did was for my own happiness… But you chose the wrong way to achieve your goal… Making me happy!" Aya sighed and closed her eyes. "It would have hurt me if you came straight forward and told me that you were in love with Genichirou but I would have understood."

"Aya…"

"Please let me finish." Aya opened her eyes and looked at Fay. "I can forgive you about loving the man that I dated because your heart chose him… I get it… But I can't forgive you for the way treated Haru! I just want you to know that!"

Fay looked away, she felt her anger rising but she knew Aya wouldn't say those things to her if it didn't make sense. However, she was not one to admit faults easily so she decided to stay quiet now and think about everything.

"Fay?"

"I'm thinking," she said softly, looking outside the train.

"I love you."

Fay hugged herself, still not looking at her. "I know you do, but I still need to think… I do too, Aya, but I'm going to stay quiet now."

Later

"I'm exhausted… Remind me to kill that prick of yours for not dropping us." Fay glared at Aya as she stretched her arms.

Aya smiled and looked up at the sky, the summer rays were slowly approaching and she was looking forward to the season. There is one thing I need to do before I go home, she thought looking at Fay. "Fay?"

"Yes?"

"I'm going to get some stuff, so I'll catch you later, okay?" she lied.

Fay looked at her weirdly, but nodded. "I'll kill you if you get on that train and go back to him."

Aya laughed at that, "No, no, don't worry. I am going to finish this and then come straight home to your cooking?"

"What? I have to cook now?!"

Aya pushed her tongue and walked away laughing.

Fay glared at her back and then sighed. She walked back and decided to make the call that she needed to make. It rang a few times until he finally picked up. "Yes?"

Fay frowned, "What do you mean yes? At least greet your people normally."

Atobe coughed and spoke, "I didn't check the caller ID, is it important, I'm rushing to a meeting," he said, driving across the roads like crazy.

"Don't come back."

Atobe looked ahead of the road as he talked to Fay on the phone speaker, "Excuse me?" Did I just hear right?

"Don't come here," Fay whispered, "Aya's back and it will be weird."

Atobe clutched his jaw somehow annoyed, but he knew she was right. "Get dressed and I will pick you up after my meeting. Let's go somewhere to eat."

Fay sighed. "Didn't you hear me? Aya is…" she was cut off.

"I heard you!" he said irritated, "It's just dinner, Fay! Just maybe… I want to see you because I need a calming face."

She paused and then spoke, "Okay… Okay… I will tell her it's a business meeting," Fay said walking. "Elegant or casual?"

"Sexy!"

Fay smiled, "You're too demanding," she said, "But seriously, I'm sorry that you can't stay over anymore."

We will see… Atobe smiled content as he drove back to his mansion. I don't think she knows that I have the apartment as a backup plan, he thought after he hung up from her.

I wonder what I am going to tell him when I see him, Aya thought as she was walking down the busy streets of Shinjuku. Well, as Sae said if I was truly in love with him I wouldn't be so willing to give up on him; does this means that now we can be friends?

She stopped by a small shop and bought a small bag of sweets. I think he will like these sweets; she smiled brightly continuing her walk. I bet even Fay doesn't know that he likes sweets!

Oh! Here it is… he thought looking at the building where Sanada's office was situated. She entered the building and walked to the elevator. She got off on the 11th floor and stood outside of the office looking at the glass door.

Shit this really feels weird; she took a step back and stepped on someone who was standing behind her. "Oh! Oh! I'm very sorry I wasn't… Gen-chan?" she looked at Sanada surprised.

My heart isn't racing; I don't feel anything more but admiration for this person. She smiled awkwardly, I am such an idiot for thinking I was in love with him; but I really liked him. "Sanada-san, how are you doing?"

Sanada blinked thinking his eyes were playing tricks on him. Aya, he thought still not sure if it was her. It is her; he let go of his briefcase and hugged Aya tightly. "Why the Hell did you run off like that?" he said seriously but still happy to see her.

Aya smiled nervously. "Sana…"

"I'm still Genichirou to you." He interrupted her and pulled away. "You had all of us worry about you. It was a good thing Saeki called me and told me you were staying with him."

"I'm really sorry," Aya said softly looking down embarrassed. "I was very upset that night. I really didn't know where to go. I felt betrayed so…" she stopped and looked at him a small smiling forming on her lips. "It's really all in the past now Gen-chan!"

Sanada smiled too. "Let's go to my office and have a talk," he said and opened the door for her to enter.

"What's this?" Niou asked as his dates arms came around his waist.

Junko looked up at him seductively holding a glass in her hand, "This is my heaven," she said seductively, licking his ear hungrily.

Niou looked down at her and moved slightly away."So you like to drink, big deal..." he muttered, lying back on the chair.

Junko sat on his lap and put her arms around his neck, "I think we can get along fine, don't you agree?" she hinted.

Man… this woman is too forward, he thought getting impatient.

Junko looked at him and smiled mischievously. "Am I not up to your standards, Masaharu?"

Niou looked at her and steadied his eyes with her. "I didn't give you permission to call me by my first name."

She shrugged and leaned forward to place a light kiss on his lips. "I don't care, Masaharu," she sang softly.

Niou had the urge to throw her off, but stopped. Do I seriously want to get involve with the likes of her?

Atobe looked at Fay who was sitting on the chair opposite him. He brought them to a very private restaurant with secluded booths so he could have some time alone with her since they couldn't be seen in public a lot together. He normally could've lied they were on business meeting, but seeing Fay's dress made him reconsider. Not only reconsider, but it also put his blood on fire. "Are you alright?" he asked, knowing fully well that she seemed upset today.

"No," she answered automatically.

Atobe frowned and moved to sit next to her. He put an arm around her and brought her close to him; "Tell me," he said, rubbing her hair tenderly.

"I hate how everyone's blaming me for breaking up with Niou. Is it really my fault?! I'm sick of being the evil person. They have no right to blame everything on me. Yes, I do love Sanada and it was a mistake but Niou made me happy and I gave him my time – we just fought a lot. Fighting a lot doesn't make me a person who mistreated someone."

"Fay, sometimes you were being difficu…"

"Yes, I am selfish! Yes, I am annoying. Yes, I can be impatient, but don't say I didn't try, damn it!"

Atobe didn't say anything. He just looked at her and felt somehow - helpless because he didn't know what to do to say to make her feel better.

"I missed her, but…. Argh… Her words hurt?! She pissed me off," Fay said, looking at him.

"You are being selfish."

"I seriously don't need YOU to tell me that," she said, looking at him frustrated. "You know…" she began, throwing her napkin onto the table. "I don't want to do this." She stood up to walk out, but he caught her wrist firmly and pulled her back.

Atobe stood up and placed some bills on the table. Thank god we ate already; I don't think I could've handled her tantrums on an empty stomach. He pulled Fay as she struggled and walked out with her. "Get in the car," he ordered, opening the passenger seat door so she would enter.

Fay didn't make any move to enter.

"Now, please."

She entered with a scowl and he slammed the door shut, walking around, he got into the driver's seat and reversed out of the parking. I'm taking her back to my apartment to knock some sense into her; he thought determinedly not planning on letting Fay go home tonight.

Next morning

Fay looked around for her sandals and finally found one pair under the bed; she picked it up and sat on the bed, putting it on. I didn't see this coming… He never told me that we'd be spending the night together. "Damn it," she whispered, what the hell am I supposed to tell Aya?!

Just as she moved to stand up, she felt a hand holding her wrist, "Leaving so soon?"

Fay looked back and found that Atobe was awake, but he still looked half asleep. He was on his side with his hair messed up and only half of his face visible because a pillow smothered the other half. The bed sheets lay extremely low on his waist that made it clear that he was naked. "Its 9 AM," Fay answered, sitting on the bed.

Atobe tugged at her hand and pulled her to lie flat on the bed. He moved to her and held her between his arms. "So?"

Fay rolled her eyes, "So the sooner I get back home, the less suspicious Aya will be."

"I think you're already screwed."

How right you are, Fay thought wryly. She sat up again and put on her other sandal, "I'm going to go," she said, standing up. She looked for her purse and picked it up.

"Fay?"

"Yes," she said, brushing her hair.

"There's an extra key on the dresser, take it," he said, closing his eyes to go back to sleep.

Fay nodded, taking it and then left.

At the girl's apartment

Aya opened her eyes and felt weird by her surroundings. She blinked and finally realized that the wallpaper staring at her were her own ones. I guess I was away for a really long time that I'm not comfortable in my room anymore.

Aya yawned and hugged the pillow by her side. I feel weird. I feel like something's missing in my life. If I think of everything that has happened, both Fay and I are back to being two single roommates/best friends. "Argh…" she whispered, "This really sucks."

Aya closed her eyes again, trying to sleep but it was futile. She sat up, rubbing her eyes and trying to get the sleep put of them. What should I do today? Oh… I seriously need to call Arisa and Yuushi and check how they've been, she thought, getting out of the bed.

She put on her Pooh slippers and walked out towards the kitchen. She looked around and frowned noticing that there was no life in the living room yet. Is Fay still sleeping? She thought looking at the closed door of Fay's room. Better make her some breakfast.

Aya busied herself in the kitchen for almost an hour preparing a luxurious breakfast for Fay. When she finished she washed and cleaned the kitchen and went to wake up her friend. She knocked on the door softly, "Fay? Its almost 10! Wake up," she said softly.

She waited for a few seconds and knocked again. "Fay!" she opened the door as slowly as possible and entered the room. Why am I being so prudent, she thought looking towards Fay's bed. Eh? She's not here? She was about to walk out of the room when…

"Aaaaaaaaahhhhh…"

"Aaaaaaaaahhhhh…"

"Why are you yelling?" Fay asked as she dropped her sandals on the floor.

Aya took a step back. "You scared the shit out of me!" she said annoyed. "Where the Hell were you until now?" she asked looking at her friend who walked in the room, "And why did you scream like that?"

Fay sighed tiredly and sat on her bed. "You scared me Aya!" she said and got up from the bed. "I will have a shower now."

"I made you breakfast," she said with a scowl. "You also didn't answer my question." She walked to the door slowly expecting Fay to say something.

"I wasn't planning on answering Aya," Fay said coolly talking a clean set of pajamas before going to the bathroom. "I will join you for breakfast once I'm finished with my shower."

Aya frowned and left the room. Well, there is nothing more to keep me here I guess, she thought as she went to the kitchen to make some coffee for Fay. Finally I have decided. She leaned over the counter waiting for the water to boil.

Fay walked in the kitchen after half an hour and found Aya sitting on the table with a cup of hot chocolate in her hands and a pensive look on her face. "What are you thinking about so hard?" she asked sitting herself on the chair opposite Aya's. "Thank you for making breakfast, I'm starving."

Aya smiled. "I was thinking about my future," she said sipping from cup of hot chocolate. "Are you seeing someone?" she asked out of the blue.

Fay almost choked on her toast. "Excuse me?"

Aya chuckled. "I am sure it's not Haru you're seeing and I know it's not Sanada. So who is he? Anyone I know?" she asked placing her elbow on the table and resting her head on the palm of her head.

"What are you talking about? I'm not seeing anyone!" Fay said pouring some orange juice in her glass. "I went to a business meeting and then they suggested we go to a club. That's all!" she shrugged.

"Umm… Let's say I believe you for now!"

Fay drank her juice and placed the glass on the table. "Why don't you believe me?" she asked a bit annoyed.

Aya looked at her friend amused. "I don't know any club that closes at 8 or 9 am! So it's obvious you spend the night somewhere!" she smiled. "Anyway, I don't care who you're seeing I was just making conversation."

Fay didn't say anything; she ate her breakfast quietly not wanting to discuss her current situation with Atobe.

"Fay, before I left for Chiba I was scouted by a major music production company," Aya said looking at her friend eating. "It is from the Atobe branch! I have decided to go for it. Would you help me out?"

Fay smiled proudly. "Of course I'd help you out babe… And you know I'm always your No.1 fan!"

Aya laughed. "I know! Wouldn't want anyone else to be my No.1 fan anyway!" she said getting up from her chair. She went to the fridge and pulled out a homemade chocolate cake. "I know you don't like sweets but I made this to celebrate my decision!"

"Then I will eat it gladly," Fay said and got up to bring forks and plates.

Both girls laughed and Aya gave a piece of the cake she made to Fay. "Why aren't you dating Genichirou?" pouring some milk for her.

Fay munched on the cake. "Let's not spoil our good mood!"

"I saw him you know!" Aya said taking a bite from the cake. "I'm sure he misses you."

Fay sighed and closed her eyes. "Right now my life is very complicated and Sanada is not a part of it anymore!" she opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. "Let's not talk about this anymore."

Aya shrugged. "It's your loss not mine!"