Happy 2014! I'm so happy about all of your reactions to the latest chapters. It's been a blast reading them. I hope I continue to make you proud and keep you invested. Thanks for all the support! Read and Review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or any of its characters.

Four Days Later…

Kyoko stepped through the front door and dropped her luggage, much like her jaw as she stood in awe of the place before her. Long red suede couches, towering six foot tall windows, and a terrace that looked out to Tokyo, it was a place no one would have guessed was just another apartment in the city. Kyoko didn't even want to think about how much it cost to stay in a place like this.

"What do you think?" his voice asked from behind.

"What do I think?" She faced him with wide, awe-filled eyes. "Sho-chan, this is incredible! You live here?"

"For about a year now. I like it because it has a recording studio in the back so I get to record whenever I want and as long as I want. It's pretty nice."

"Nice doesn't even come close to describing it." Kyoko walked over to the windows and looked out with both hands pressed against the cool, thick glass. Sky scrapers rose high at every angle, obscuring some of the sun's rays, but letting enough filter through to light up the living room in all its splendor. Very much a musician's apartment, there was a stereo system that looked way too expensive to touch, walls with many framed album covers and awards, and multiple, pristine guitars decoratively strewn about. It was the kind of place Kyoko expected Sho to have, but at the same time couldn't get over the fact that he actually had it.

Seeing this apartment just only proved how successful he was now. He was so far off from the person she remembered, or rather the only memory of him she remembered. Kyoko could barely believe that he was the same boy she had vowed to follow so many years ago. He not only looked different with a taller and toner frame, but his personality had changed too. Although Kyoko would never accuse him of being cruel, she had to admit that he seemed warmer now. Like the way he looked at her, for instance. It was the kind of look he had always given other girls, but never to her…

"Kyoko?"

"Huh?" She turned back towards him.

"I asked what's wrong."

"Oh, nothing! Just…trying to soak everything in."

Kicking the front door shut with his foot, Sho picked up her one suitcase and moved it behind the couch. He leaned both hands upon the headrest and said, "I know it's a lot, but it'll get easier."

She smiled. Kyoko could never put into words how much she appreciated everything Sho was doing for her. After her release from the hospital, Sho basically took care of everything, starting with telling her that she was staying with him (which of course only confused her because she thought she already was).

The fact of the matter was a lot had changed in the last five years. It took Kyoko nearly a minute to process that her and Sho weren't living together anymore, and an even longer minute to know she had a place of her own. In fact, when she stopped by to get her things, Kyoko could barely believe what she saw. She was the owner of a gigantic penthouse with two bedrooms, a massive living room, two master bathrooms, and a glass ceiling that had its very own automotive shutters.

To be honest, it wasn't a place Kyoko would choose for herself. It was too pricey for just one person, but according to Sho, she had enough money to afford that and more. Kyoko couldn't wrap her mind around how much money she had and it was a lot. A LOT. Much more than she would have ever dreamt of having.

And that was just the tip of the iceberg of all of the things she had forgotten. Just looking at the mirror was a big enough reminder, like her flaming orange hair. When did she decide to do that? And her face…it wasn't what she expected at all. Kyoko couldn't point out what looked different, but it certainly looked older—five years older, to be exact.

"Kyoko."

"Huh?"

"You're doing it again."

She smiled sheepishly. All of these "memories" were really taking her for a spin.

"Don't think about it all at once," Sho advised as if he heard her thoughts. "It'll only scare you."

Scared didn't even begin to cover it. Kyoko was petrified. To not remember a giant chunk of her life was having her brain reel from confusion, anxiety, and sadness. Kyoko felt like she was living in another's person body. This person she was trying so hard to remember was a complete stranger to her. She couldn't find anything in common with her, but even more terrifying than that, Kyoko couldn't find parts of herself in her. Who exactly was she in these last five years? And why did it all seem so out of character?

"Here, let me show you your room," Sho offered, pointing down the hall. "You can get settled in and rest for a bit. The doctors said you don't want to over-exert yourself. How's your head?"

"Fine," she replied as she rubbed her forehead. They had finally removed her bandage and the only pieces of evidence of her accident were a fading bruise on her cheek and a couple of stitches that was conveniently covered by her side-swept bangs (which was also a hairstyle she wasn't used to either). "Are you sure you want me to stay, Sho-chan? I don't want to get in your way or anything."

"Kyoko, we've been over this. You need to stay with someone, just in case your head acts up again."

"But I feel like I'm intruding—"

"Hey, we lived together before. What makes now any different?"

"Yeah, but that was before you…"

Sho sighed. "Kyoko, like I said multiple times already, I moved out because I just needed my own place. It didn't have anything to do with you, okay? Look, I want you here. If I didn't, I wouldn't try so hard to get you here. So please just get over this feeling you have and make yourself comfortable. Can you do that?"

Kyoko nodded.

He flashed a small smile. "Good. Now follow me. Your room is just down the hall."

Holding her suitcase in one hand, Sho led Kyoko to the first room on the left. He opened the door and switched on a light. It was larger than any guest bedroom she had ever seen (or could remember). A white bed was situated in the middle of the room as well as a long wooden drawer that was pushed against the wall on the opposite end of the bed. There was a double-door window on the other wall, but it didn't open out to any balcony. She saw a bathroom that was connected via a short hallway and as she walked further in, she noticed a walk-in closet to its right.

"I have all the basic stuff, like towels and stuff," Sho said as he placed her suitcase on top of the bed. "If you need anything else, just let me know. The closet has hangers and you can put your clothes in the drawers too. Just use whatever you need."

"Thank you, Sho-chan."

"No problem. And one more thing." He picked up a flat black device on the bedside table and clicked the red button. Like magic, a thin television set rose from out of the top of the long wooden drawer. "You can use this too."

Kyoko's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "Oh wow! That's incredible!"

"You're too easily amazed," he said with a small smile at the corner of his lips. "Here," he handed her the remote, "go to any channel you like."

Tentatively, she surfed through about thirty channels, clicking past movies, infomercials, cooking shows, music videos, before something froze her hand in place. It was her. She was staring at herself, sitting in an office chair and having a battle of wits with a man in a black suit who was looking down at her with a murderous gaze. But the Kyoko on screen was unfazed. In fact, she stared back at him with an intensity that even she didn't know she had.

"Is that…?"

"Yeah, it's you. This was one of your best actually. You won an award for it."

"I did?"

Sho nodded. "I told you. You're an actress and you're good at it."

Needing to sit, she made her way to the edge of the bed and lowered herself down. She then looked up at Sho and asked, "Have I always wanted to be an actress?"

"Well, you weren't going to work at the restaurant forever."

"I didn't know I had a passion for acting."

He shrugged. "People change."

No kidding. Kyoko turned back to the television. The woman she saw was nothing like her. She was confident, proud, and beautiful even. She held herself with a grace that Kyoko knew she didn't have. Even though she was sitting down and concealed by a large desk, it was clear in her body language that she was in charge. She was the leader and the man was just another player in her room. This person couldn't be her. But just as Kyoko was about to ask Sho another question, his cell phone buzzed.

He reached into his back pocket and took it out. "Yeah? WHAT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW? HOW DID THAT EVEN—? And you decide to tell me now?" He roughly ran a hand through his hair, locking eyes with Kyoko. "Damn it! Now's not a good t—" He sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright! Alright! Give me ten minutes."

"Is everything okay?" Kyoko asked as he snapped the phone shut and stuffed it back into his pocket.

"No, apparently somebody fucked up the audio for our song, so my producer told us we need to redo it today. I really don't want to leave you, Kyoko, but—"

"Say no more. Go and finish it, Sho-chan."

"Are you sure?"

Kyoko nodded. "I have plenty of stuff to do here," she said with a sweeping gesture of the room as she stood up. "So go record your song. I'll be fine. You've done more than enough. Don't wor—"

Her mouth clamped shut as she looked up at his towering figure. All thoughts flew out of her head as she watched him lift his hand and bring it to her cheek, rubbing his thumb across her heated skin. He wasn't looking into her eyes, but Kyoko felt like she was a deer caught in headlights. She couldn't move. She could barely hear anything except for the intense pounding of her heart.

"Give me a call if you need anything," he murmured, still not meeting her wide-eyed gaze.

Kyoko felt her head move in reply. That was good. At least some part of her was functioning.

Then just like that, he backed away. She watched him turn the corner, listened to his retreating footsteps, and finally managed to breathe when the front door closed with a thud. Kyoko had no idea what that was. It startled her, shook her, and confused her all at once. Sitting back down onto the bed, she clenched and unclenched her hand, as if trying to prove to herself that this was some sort of dream.

It had to be. This wasn't the Sho she knew. His eyes were never that intense. He never touched her like that before. But what was most alarming was that he almost seemed hesitant with her, as if unsure that he should even be in the same room with her. Kyoko didn't get it.

The only thing familiar to her was the pounding of her heart. This, she recognized. It was a response that only her Prince could elicit. Her feelings for Sho were still there.

Finally managing to get to her wobbly feet, she opened her suitcase and rummaged through her things. Blouses of silk, cashmere, and satin covered the bed sheets, as well as an array of jeans, skirts, and dresses. She may not recognize "this Kyoko," but she had to admit she did have good taste. Her clothes were impeccable. Of course, after one look at the price tag, she understood why. Many of these pieces were worth more than one paycheck at the restaurant. Honestly, where did all this money come from?

But just as she was about to hang up the expensive garments, a soft buzzing caught her attention. Standing still, she honed in on the sound and realized it was coming from her purse. She opened the dainty bag and pulled out a pink cell phone. The caller I.D read PRESIDENT (as if that helped), but knowing that somebody important was calling her made Kyoko hesitate. Still, the urgency of knowing the call will end soon, forced Kyoko to flip it open and greet in a breathless voice, "Hello?"

"Hello, Mogami-kun. How are you feeling today?"

"F-f-fine, thank you. May I ask who's calling?"

A deep chuckle came through the speaker before he said, "My apologies, Mogami-kun. I almost forgot my manners. This is President Lory of LME speaking. I'm the man you met at the hospital. Do you remember?"

She nodded, but realizing her mistake, quickly said, "Yes, I do. I'm sorry for how I acted in there. It was really quite rude of me."

"Nonsense, you reacted like any person would have when waking up in a room chock full of strangers."

Kyoko smiled. She was starting to like this President Lory already. "Is there anything I can help you with, sir?"

"Actually, I was going to ask you that. I'm certain you would like some answers."

"Answers?"

"About your career."

Kyoko's eyes widened. "Wait…did you say president of LME?"

"I did," he chuckled.

"I…I work for LME?"

"Well, personally, I like to think that you represent LME, but I suppose that works just as well."

Kyoko could hardly believe it. It was hard enough to think she was an actress, but to know she was an actress of LME, one of the best agencies in the country, was just as mind-boggling, not to mention, LME was Sho's rival agency. Why would she choose this one instead of his?

"Ah, I can already hear the wheels in your head turning, Mogami-kun. All of your questions will be answered in due time. But there are some things I need to go over with you first."

She straightened her spine and nodded. "Of course, sir."

"News of your release from the hospital have already made front-page headlines. In fact, the paparazzi were practically begging me to allow some interview time with you."

"W-w-with me?"

"Yes, they are quite knowledgeable about everything that happened. They even know that you have amnesia."

Kyoko felt like the walls of the room were closing in on her. Everyone knew? Everyone knew the inner turmoil she tried so desperately to hide? She closed her eyes and breathed out deeply through her nose. "What do I need to do, sir?"

"Mogami-kun, that's up to you to decide. You don't have to do anything. Although, I must warn you, because of your renowned fame, they won't let you go so easily. I wouldn't be surprised if they were lined outside your door right now."

Kyoko's head whipped to the window.

"But since you're staying at Fuwa-san's place, maybe that's a common occurrence already."

"You know Sho-chan?"

"Not on any personal level, but yes, I know him."

Sighing, she ran her hand through her hair and mumbled, "I don't know what to do, sir."

"May I offer some advice?"

"Please."

"I say, meet them head on. Try to go on with your life. Come to work, play your roles, and do what you want to do. Don't let them scare you into hiding."

"But sir, I don't remember how to be an actress. I don't know what it takes to act."

"Mogami-kun, you're a natural-born talent. Your skills don't require memorization. They're a part of you." He smiled. "Have you seen your past works?"

She looked up at the television. "Sort of."

"Well then, to get you fully back on your feet, why don't you come to LME? Kotonami-kun can help you learn the ropes again."

"Kotonami-kun?"

"Ah, the other woman in the room. She was the one who—"

"—got mad at me."

He smiled gently. "I wouldn't say mad, Mogami-kun. It was an emotionally driven day for all of us. But she will certainly help you. So what do you say?"

"I guess it's better than sitting around all day."

"That's the spirit! I'll have a car come pick you up in the morning."

"Oh, that's not necessary, sir! I can take the—!"

"Mogami-kun, it will be safer if you take the company's car. That way you won't have a run in with reporters."

"Oh…I guess that makes sense."

President Lory chuckled. "I have my moments. So, nine o'clock?"

"That's perfect, sir. Thank you…for everything."

"Not a problem, Mogami-kun. I'm happy to help. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow. Rest well, alright?"

"Thank you, sir. I will."

Breathing out heavily, she fell back onto the bed with the closed phone in her weak grasp. Kyoko could already feel a raging headache coming on. Even though going to work tomorrow was the logical action to take, Kyoko couldn't deny the curl of fear that was starting to tighten in the pit of her stomach. What if she made a fool of herself? What if going back didn't help her at all?

Kyoko sat up and shook her head. Thinking like this wasn't going to help her. President Lory was right. She had to meet this problem head on and the first thing she needed to do was to get back out there and figure out the kind of life she led these past five years. She needed to get those memories back.

But here, in the seclusion of this apartment, she could pretend that she never forgot anything...at least for a while. So upon making her way into the kitchen, she thought about Sho's favorite dishes. Most likely he was going to be tired by the time he got home and she wanted to surprise with him dinner. At least that, she still remembered how to do.

She opened up the fridge and saw to her great relief that there were enough ingredients to make a well-balanced meal. But when she went to the sink to wash her hands, Kyoko noticed something peculiar. Her right ring finger had a distinct tan-line she didn't remember having. In fact, Kyoko didn't even know she wore rings.

"Odd," she mumbled to herself as she brought her hand closer to her face.

Kyoko looked around the counter, as if expecting to see a ring appear before her eyes. But with a slight frown of her lips and a shrug of her shoulders, she pushed the nagging thought to the back of her mind, to join the rest of the memories she had already forgotten.