Previously: Hilary quits her job and flees to Kai's, where he reveals more of his plan and his reason for needing a fake fiancee. In the end, Kai tells her that she won't be going back to her apartment and instead will be staying with him.

In the lap of luxury

At first, I'm a little scared. I mean, he did say I would be staying in his home for appearances and to prepare for "uncomfortable situations" but what he considers uncomfortable is anyone's guess. After seeing my panic, he makes it clear he means I am going to be staying in his guest bedroom, on the opposite side of the suite from his bedroom. I become a little more comfortable with the idea after that.

After seeing the room for the first time, I am more than comfortable. I'm in heaven.

To put it mildly, his guest bedroom is straight out of a dream. There's a huge king size bed with the softest sheets; they feel like butter on my skin. The wall of windows comes through this room as well, with Kai's promise there is a tint that prevents people from seeing in, though we're so high up they'd need a helicopter to do so. Then he shows me how the remote draws the blinds closed so that the city lights don't keep me awake.

A TV is mounted on the wall across from the bed, above another fireplace. There are so many channels and movie services, I could hole up in here for a month and never see the same thing twice.

Attached to the room is a bathroom larger than my living room and kitchen combined. When I see it, I suddenly understand why he looked at my place the way he did. If this is his guest suite, what must his bathroom look like?

Kai lists the features like he's reading from a pamphlet; jetted-soaking tub and a standing shower with so many nozzles it looks like a car wash; a variety of bubble-baths and scented oils. He doesn't seem to know half of what any of them were so I get the sense that someone else set this up for him. At the end of the tour, he passes me a handful of items consisting of a spare bathrobe, loofa, and toothbrush, along with a set of folded clothes for me to sleep in.

He looks pensive, almost confused, as I take them. "I thought your first night here would be more planned, so I don't have anything ready for you. These should work." They looked comfortable enough, but not exactly my size. Fortunately, the shorts have a drawstring and the shirt is smaller than one he'd currently wear, but still a little big on me.

I smile in appreciation. He stands silently in front of me as if waiting to be released. "Um. I've had a long day," I say, hinting that I want to be alone. After everything I'd been through, I need it. And, honestly, this might be the best place to be alone. The room was better than a luxury hotel and I never want to leave.

He takes the hint without much more prodding, letting me know that he'll be having dinner around eight if I want to join him. I don't, preferring to stay in the room. My heart is too heavy after quitting and going through so many changes, that I don't have much of an appetite. Instead, I watch movie after movie to distract myself, reminiscing about easier times. I wake in the morning not feeling refreshed in the slightness and resistant to the idea of leaving the cocoon I've made out of the duvet.

Unfortunately, I have to. As much as I would like to drown in my sorrows, I can't give into them!

So, I get up and get dressed in the clothes from the day before, neatly refolding the ones he gave me and putting them at the end of the bed and remade. I meet him in the living room just as he is leaving, dressed in one of his standard dark suits.

"Going to work?" I ask as he turns the corner down the hall that leads to the elevator. Rick is waiting at the end by the door. I was kind of hoping that he'd be staying home again so that we can talk more, but it makes sense that he wouldn't have that much time to be away from his company.

Kai doesn't stop, stepping into the elevator with his bodyguard. "I have to get back. Feel free to eat whatever's in the fridge. I'll be home tonight and we can work out some more kinks."

What he means by "kinks" is a mystery but I have no choice but to accept it. There are more pressing matters.

"Wait," I shout, stepping forward just as the doors slide close. Kai stops it at the last second, though he's clearly hurried. "I need to stop by my place to get some things."

"Like what?"

His words sound rush and irritated, but also like he's challenging me to come up with something he can't provide. I rise to the bait. "Like my phone charger, some clothes that actually fit, maybe clean underwear."

Rick sniggers as Kai steps back to allow the doors to close. "I'll send Spencer back," he says.

Once he's gone, I look around the wide space, unsure of what to do with myself. Being left in his house unattended is the weirdest part. If anything needed to be cleaned, I could do something useful, but this place is spotless. I've never felt so purposeless.

I sit on the couch in the living room and return to watching movies, still attempting to distract myself from the way my life is going. About an hour later, the elevator doors open and Spencer steps in, glancing around wearily.

"I'm here," I wave from the couch. He instantly relaxes, big shoulders slumping as he walks fully into the room. "What, did you think I was going to be undressed or something?"

He shrugs, sticking his hands in his pockets. I smile at how uncomfortable he is; it's a nice change from yesterday. "He may have muttered something. You need a ride to the apartment?"

"Right," I turn to look at the TV where I've paused in the middle of the movie. "I guess I could stop this and grab my shoes. Or-" I look at him sheepishly "-we could finish this together and then go?"

"I'm not paid to...watch movies. I need to be ready if Hiwatari calls. We should get this done, just in case he needs me."

"I see." Dejectedly, I flick the TV off and stand. "Let me get my shoes."

His eyes follow me as I head back to the bedroom. Since I'll be coming back, I leave a kiss for the plant I put on the bedside table and go back to Spencer. His eyes are still trained on me.

"I'm ready," I smile. "Thanks for coming."

He nods once and holds a hand out for me to lead the way. I stand quietly next to him. I want to talk to him to be casual and friendly, but I'm not sure how he'd respond. He doesn't seem like the chatty type.

"How are your allergies?"

I blink at him, startled that he spoke first and also by the topic. I've never had allergies. He points at his eye and I draw in a breath. "Good. Everything is okay now. Well," I hesitate, thinking about yesterday. "It's definitely better."

He nods at my response. "Good to hear." Then he clears his throat. "You should let Hiwatari know. He'll find out about them sooner or later and he usually responses better when someone is upfront."

I raise my eyebrows.

"Whatever it was at work that caused your allergies," he stresses the last word, looking at me pointedly.

He's trying to be kind, I think. He knows something at work caused my disturbance. And he's right; Kai will find out about what really happened when he calls to negotiate my contract with Boris. Boris will, of course, tell him that I'm not using my vacation time but that I quit. He'll probably be a jerk about it too, and say that I was throwing a tantrum.

"Good idea," I say, smiling. "I'll tell him as soon as I can."

The doors open and he lets me out first but trails close behind. The lobby is as bright as he was yesterday, everyone dressed in tailored and stylish clothes. I can practically smell their wealth wafting through the air. Though no one looks directly at me, I know they can tell I'm not one of them – that I'm an interloper, despite what my connections are.

I want to sit in the front seat with Spencer because sitting in the back with just the two of us is weird to me. Spencer, behind his solid expression, practically cracks at the idea, his hand gripping the back door handle so hard I think he might tear it off.

"Or not," I say to appease him as I slip into the backseat. He closes it firmly behind me and I wait for him to walk around the car to the driver's seat.

"Kai mentioned that the unit I'll be staying in will be ready in a few days. Do you think it's possible if I move some of my stuff in there today while I have you so that I don't have to make two trips?"

"I'll have to ask him."

I sigh. "Obvious answer. I would have asked him, but he was in such a rush to get out of there."

"He was actually running a bit later than usual this morning."

"It was barely seven," I remind him.

Spencer nods, reaffirming his original statement.

Okay, wow. "Does he ever sleep?"

He doesn't answer, but I think I hear a slight snort come from him. The drive isn't long and once we get there, Spencer tells me to go up alone while he calls Kai about my request, and that he'll be up after.

The apartment feels different in the morning. On any other day, I would have started my walk to work by now. As it stands, I feel like I'm breaking an unspoken rule by entering my apartment on a Wednesday morning. And even though it's only been one day since I was last here, nothing looks the same. Not foreign, exactly. Just old, like relics from another time.

I laugh. Pieces of the old me. The hopeful me.

Pushing those feelings aside, I start with my bedroom. I collect my phone charger and bathroom items first, throwing them into my small overnight bag. Next, I turn to my clothes. For the most part, my wardrobe is made of basic interchangeable pieces, so I don't fret over what I grab. It just needs to get me from here to when I officially move.

Thinking of moving, I realize then that I haven't heard from Spencer yet and leave my bedroom to see what's taking so long. "Oh, no," I mutter. I see a tuft of red hair standing by the car and Spencer staring directly down, with his arms crossed. I descend the staircase quickly, regardless of the noisy rattling it causes.

When I reach the bottom, I ask, "What's happened?"

Spencer looks like he's being bothered by a mosquito. I know the feeling well.

"I've seen this guy lurkin' around," Diachi says, glaring at Spencer. While the height difference is hilarious, the fact that Diachi is bold enough to try and climb Spencer like a tree keeps me from laughing.

"No one's been lurking," I say, flicking Diachi on the forehead. He swats my hand away. "I'm allowed to have friends."

"And this guy's a friend?" He points. We both look at Spencer. True, as he is, he doesn't look like a friend...or very friendly at all at the moment.

I wave it off. "That's beside the point. He's obviously here with me so go back to wherever you crawled from."

Diachi doesn't move, except to intensify his glare. I grab Spencer's elbow to pull him away. "Ignore him, he's just starved for attention."

Spencer is resistant at first, then follows me. "Who is that?" He asks as he stomps up the stairs. Diachi is still glaring at him from the ground below.

"My neighbor. He thinks himself the neighborhood watchdog, but he's harmless." I drag Spencer inside and close the door. Strangely, I don't feel the same self-consciousness as when Kai was here.

"He's protective of you."

"Of me?" I scoff and then brush it off. "Nah. He just likes to annoy me."

He doesn't answer. Instead, he stands at my front door, large and steely. Again, as opposed to Kai, when he looks around, it's not with disgust.

"So what did he say?" I ask, hopeful.

"Hiwatari said the unit isn't ready. Just get what you need for a few days."

My shoulders crash. "Well, maybe we can get some boxes?" I keep trying, "So I can start packing?"

Spencer's eyes soften as he looks at me and I know immediately that's a 'no.' I shouldn't be surprised; he's Kai's driver after all.

"Everything with Hiwatari is a negotiation," he says as I turn to get my to-go bag from the bedroom. I face him again, confused. "If you want something, you've got to be determined enough to ask for it. He's not going to just give it to you. And then, once you've asked for it, you've got to fight for it."

I nod, though I don't quite know what he means. I get my bag and then we walk out together. After I lock up, I move to leave, thinking that Spencer will be farther down but instead he's still at the top step. Looking over his shoulder, I see Diachi leaning against the building, blocking the exit, and roll my eyes.

"What now?"

"Nothing," he says. The punk has the nerve to shrug his shoulders. "Just making sure you come out alive."

"Don't you have a class to get to, you little ankle-biter?"

He pushes off the building, crossing his arms behind his head. "I'm going." He stops after taking a few steps. "Should we expect to see you tonight?" He asks over his shoulder.

I open my mouth, surprised by the question. A few times a year, I spend time with my family the next town over, so it's not like I never leave my apartment. Yet, he's never seemed so concerned before. "No, I'll be spending some time with friends."

He nods and continues walking away.

"I told you," Spencer comments as he descends.

I stick my tongue out at the back of his head.

The ride back is quiet and Spencer drops me off at Kai's, letting me into the apartment with his key card.

"I'll remind Kai to get you your own," he says when I remark that I don't have one. After that, he leaves me alone again, with nothing to do. I look at the time.

It's barely past 9:30 a.m.

I collapse on the couch, knowing this is going to be a long day.

At around eight that night, the door opens and I jump up from my place on the couch, thinking it's Kai. I had grown tired of watching movies and moved on to documentaries, but I've never been able to lounge all day, always feeling a need to be productive.

Instead, two people come from the hallway.

"I'm still excited," says a girl with bright pink hair, looking up to her companion. They each carry a paper bag as they laugh with each other.

The man stops first when he sees me. After a moment, he smiles brightly. "You must be Hilary,"

"I am," I draw out. They had a key card so that must mean they're okay to be here but Kai didn't say anything about more guests. I look down at my outfit. After Spencer left, I showered and changed into leggings and a tank top – not exactly the best for meeting people.

They turn into the large kitchen just to the right of the entryway. Stone countertops, a large island with enough room to seat at least eight, a six-burner stove, and double wall ovens. To me, it seems excessive considering how much Kai's actually here, but it's not like he doesn't have the money for it. They set the bags on the counter and the girl turns to me.

"I'm Mariah and this is my husband Rei." She closes in, grabbing both of my hands. "We're both so happy to finally meet you,"

"Finally?"

Do they know me? Well, they must have seen the news by now.

I put on a smile, trying to fall into what people would expect for a fiancée. "I'm sorry, Kai didn't tell me about visitors. He's not here right now."

"Oh, we know," Mariah laughs. "Rei is Kai's private chef. Every few days, we come in before he gets home and prepare some meals for him."

"And sometimes Mariah helps," Rei adds, sending her an amused look.

"Yes, sometimes," she emphasizes, returning the look. "But not when there's a new girl around. Today, you have all my focus."

Rei chuckles. "I wish you the best," he says as he uncorks a bottle of wine. "Let me know if you need any."

I'm confused by his meaning until Mariah pulls me out of the kitchen and sits me down on the large sectional.

"So how did this happen?" She dives in immediately, staring at me with big yellow eyes. Her grip on my hands is tight, almost bone-shattering. "I want to know everything."

"Well, um -" Kai and I still haven't gotten our story straight on how we met and fell in love and I don't know what to tell his friends. "We just worked in the same building. And we saw each other a lot. Things...just sort of progressed?"

She nodded, accepting this far too easy. I know I'm a horrible liar, so I'm not sure where her mind is at.

"How did he ask you?"

I assume she's talking about the proposal. I wonder what she would think if I told her he handed me a bag and basically said 'I hope it fits'.

"He took me to a nice dinner," I say, feeling more confident.

That might have been a mistake. She tilts her head and her eyes narrow as she ponders, "Really, when? Because he's been home every night except that one Friday, but he was with Max then." But then she focuses on me again, "I heard you were there that night. Must have been fun, seeing Rick rough up those paparazzi. They're always so annoying."

"Ah," I sputter, "yeah, I was there. He asked me before that. But we hadn't told anyone yet."

Mariah sits back, blinking at me curiously. She studies my face, her sharp eyes dancing quickly. "Hilary," she says slowly, a keen smile pulling up her lips. "You know we know this is a fake relationship, right?"

My shoulders slouch under the weight of my lies. "You know?"

"Yeah," she laughs sympathetically. "We've known Kai for almost ten years. Of course, we would know if he was dating anyone, much less engaged."

I heave a sigh of relief against Mariah's joyfulness.

"Then what was with all the questions?"

"Kai doesn't bring strangers into his inner circle often, yet here you are. So you must have done something to impress him in the short time you've known each other."

I shrug. "I guess he said I was a good problem solver and a hard worker."

She deliberates some more, her lips pulling together. "Those are traits he respects but it still seems that there would be more."

"Well, I did tell my family we were dating so I could get out of a party, and he went along with it because he felt bad for me."

Her eyes bulge with this news. "You did what? He did what?" She all but chokes on her excitement. "Rei! I told you there was something he wasn't telling us!"

"Oh, really," Rei appears in the doorway, towel slung over his shoulder. Already, a delicious smell is wafting in from the kitchen. "What's that?"

"He agreed to be her fake boyfriend first, before any of this engagement stuff."

Rei's eyebrow quirks up and a swift smirk reveals a set of sharp teeth. "This I've got to hear,"

Under their heavy examination, I become even more worried about saying something that will upset Kai. "There's not much to tell. I was stupid and used a picture of him to tell my cousin that we were dating. When my cousin confronted him, he didn't deny anything, just said no one else can find out. That's it."

"But why did he do that?" Mariah pushed. "Why did he let you do that?"

"He said he looked me up and felt bad that I have no life." It's even worse thinking about it now, the words he spewed in his office.

Rei nods, "Of course he did. That sounds more like it." He turns and heads back into the kitchen.

Mariah rolls her eyes. "Don't listen to either of them. Kai doesn't know how to flirt and Rei would still be single and pining after me if I left it up to him,"

"Hey!"

To me, she says, "He knows it's true."

I can't help but be charmed by their antics. They're the most normal of all Kai's associates that I've met. I have to say, I'm kind of impressed he's surrounded by such friendly people, considering all I've read about his ruthless nature. Impressed, and a little jealous if I linger too long on it.

Mariah doesn't let me. "Well, what I can tell you is that Kai wouldn't have brought you in if he thought you couldn't be trusted, so whatever you did to earn his trust, I'm happy. Things were starting to feel like a boys club around here."

She gives me one last smile before going to help her husband in the kitchen. Whatever they're preparing smells so good and I hope there's a smidgen left for me after Kai's done. I could make something for myself but nothing I make could ever compare to what Rei's cooking up.

Just before ten, Mariah calls for me from the kitchen. "Can you help me set the table?" She asks when I walk in. She got a set of plates and cutlery and motions for me to follow , we walk into the dining room just off the kitchen. There's a small round table, smaller than what I would have imagined for the grand home. The room feels intimate, and it too has the wall to floor windows looking on to the city. I stand, still taken by the view.

"He has this entire floor all to himself, so no matter where you go, you see the city; his little kingdom," Mariah says contemplatively. There's a note of fondness in her voice. She smiles and hands me the silverware and I go around putting a set down where she puts a plate. There are five in total.

I glance around, making sure I counted correctly, and wonder who else he's planning on having over. Is this my first night pretending to be his loving fiancée? No, he said we would just be planning but who else could these plates be for?

"Should I change?" I ask Mariah as she adjusts everything until it's perfect.

I don't have anything that's really fancy. Only the dress Gian gave me and my work clothes, but even those would be better than what I'm currently wearing.

Mariah looks me up and down. "Why?"

"In case whoever's coming over doesn't know about this little arrangement?"

I'm still unsure of what to call what it is we're doing. Mariah gives me a sympathetic look, her eyebrows pulling together and she laughs softly.

"It's just us tonight. You're fine."

"But the plates -"

"Are for you, me, Rei, Kai, and Spencer. Rick sometimes joins us, but Yuriy's back in town which means Bryan's back. Which means Bryan and Rick will be at the gym. Sometimes Spencer joins them, but he decided to stick around here." She shakes her head, looking to me gratefully, "Those muscle heads. But like I said before, it's a boys club and I'm happy you're here."

"I don't mean this to sound rude," I start, choosing my words carefully, "but does Kai always eat with his employees?"

Mariah laughs lightly. "I thought it was weird at first, too. From what I've seen and heard, Kai doesn't make friends easily. He's really picky and not much of a people person. So, when he finds someone he likes, he thinks of clever ways to keep them around. And usually, that means employing them in some manner."

"Are you serious?"

"Look, I'm not going to try to analyze why he does the things he does. As odd as he is, he's not crazy or anything. If there's something you want to know, you'll have to ask him. I can't promise he'll answer, but you're on the inside now, so he won't be offended if you do." She gives me a knowing look as she walks back into the kitchen.

I'm on the inside? As in, inside Kai's world? Once upon a time, I didn't even think it would be possible for him to be aware of me as a person. And now I'm here, in his home, getting ready to eat with him and his friends. What a strange turn of events.

It also doesn't escape my notice that she's the second person telling me if I want something from Kai, I just need to ask for it. Still, I can't believe Kai makes anything that easy.

A little while later, as Mariah and I bring the hot dishes to the table, the elevator doors open, letting Kai and Spencer out. Both of them have removed their jackets, ties pulled loose. It's the first time I've ever seen the blonde in a relaxed state, so different from this morning. They follow as Rei brings the main dish, a large roast, to the dining room.

"Smells great," Kai says. He stands close to Rei, slapping him on the shoulder as Rei peers at his final product with joy. Mariah hands them both a glass of red wine and Rei tips her chin so he can kiss her on the cheek. It's sweet, almost like a family gathering.

"I've been having fun with your new friend," Mariah winks as she passes back into the kitchen.

Kai's gaze cuts to me. I'm standing behind the group, in between the kitchen and dining room. His eyes have the same playfulness that he had at the charity function when I surprised him in the green dress. "I hope she's been as entertaining for you as she's been for me."

"Very," Mariah says, reappearing. Spencer comes in behind her, holding a short glass of clear liquid. She hands me a glass of wine and then goes to take her seat next to Rei. Spencer pulls out a seat next to her, which leaves me between him and Kai. I take my spot gingerly.

"She told us all about how you agreed to be her fake boyfriend and then told her she has no life."

"Hiwatari," Spencer laughs, a boisterous sound from deep in his massive chest. "You didn't."

"It wasn't exactly like that."

"Did you or did you not say that to Hilary?" Mariah points her knife at him.

He looks at me again. I get the impression he is trying to warn me, but his eyes are too bright to be taken seriously.

"Actually," I begin, testing him to see if he'll stop me. "I believe his exact words were, 'If I hear of any rumors, I'll ruin you,' and 'this girl clearly has no life. Let her live a little.' But you can correct me if I'm wrong."

The three others at the table burst out in laughter, reproving their friend. Kai turns away from me, but I see his lips tremble in that way they do when he's holding back a smile. He cuts into his roast taking a large bite.

Rei calms first. "Kai, for once, do you think you can speak to someone without degrading them?"

"No." He responds around his food.

"Right, then," the chef chuckles.

The rest of the dinner is filled with stories and laughter. Mariah carries a lot of the conversation, but she doesn't seem to mind. There isn't much I can contribute, but I enjoy being able to share in the light moment.

As Mariah said, Rei and Kai have known each other since he was about twenty, having met when Kai was just finishing up his first business degree. They never got around to explaining how they met or how Rei came to be his personal chef, but it is clear they have a great deal of respect for each other.

Spencer has been Kai's driver for almost seven years from what I am able to gather. He is mostly quiet for the dinner, laughing to himself. Every once in a while, his eyes met mine and he gives me a knowing look.

Toward the end of the evening, as Mariah engages in an epic story of the time when she beat a wicked bat of a woman for the last ham that Rei needed for his dish, I start gathering empty plates. It's the least I can do, having been the only one who sat around all day and didn't even contribute to the meal. Kai regards me with an expression I can't read but lets me take his plate anyway.

I carry what I can into the kitchen and put the dishes in the sink. When everyone is gone, I'll rinse what I can and put them in the dishwasher.

Spencer comes in behind me, startling me when he puts what I couldn't get on the counter. I open my mouth to say something, but I'm interrupted.

"Hilary," Kai is standing by the island. He nods his head, indicated that I should follow him. "Let Rei and Mariah take care of this. They know where everything goes and Rei will throw a hissy-fit if things don't get put back in the right place."

He says it in a serious tone, but considering how Rei just shakes it off, I can tell that it's only a teasing comment. To Spencer, he only nods his farewell.

I spy a clock on the wall and see that it's nearing midnight. It's fitting. I've always worked late into the night and here I go again, I think as I follow Kai into the office. It's about time we nailed down exactly what my duties are as Kai Hiwatari's fiancée.

This is a bit later than usual, but every time I read through it, I found another mistake. If you find any, please forgive me. I tried. Thanks to everyone who has been reading, and also a special thanks to those who comment. I try to respond to everyone, so if I missed you please let me know. Would love to hear your thoughts if you're up for sharing. Next chapter will be posted next week. - Konix

Guest Replies:

"Returning KH Fan": Thank you so much. It goes both ways - I hang on to every word in your reivews!

"Starseed": His casual clothes were very much inspired by his outfit on the show! Good looking out. As always, I really enjoy hearing from you.

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