A/N: Sorry for the late update... I was having issues with my internet connections. Thank you for reviewing and reading. This means a lot to me. :)

Sorry if the story seems to move slowly. This is how it plays out in my head.

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

Chapter 7

Kuon had his worst press briefings ever and as he expected, tomorrow the whole Japan will know about this. Well he then just has to let Sawara-san handle it. If it comes to worse, then he would have to let Lory handle it and THAT was the last thing he needed. Yukihito was still busy and unaware of the incident. He dreaded to imagine how Jude would react on seeing the footage. He had just seen the tape moments ago and even he thought it looked like he had been holding his girlfriend or something. The look of seer astonishment in his face and the horror in hers was something the tabloids would kill to make a story out of.

OH! Why did this have to happen? He worked his ass off for this project. There were no stones unturned for this one. Even his father said that he was working too hard and being hard on himself.

He hated the constant competition with his own father, it was a never ending hurdle.

All his frustration and anger was suddenly directed towards that girl, who was behind all this! Who sent her? Was it a business rival? That doesn't narrow it down….. He has more rivals than he could possibly count. He doesn't even know her. But then she did look familiar. Was it one of the girls he dated? But she looked really young. Well his sister did try to make him date till he found someone he liked, he doesn't even remember half of their faces. He just has to ask that girl who she was and her motive, then he would decide if he would call the police or not.

He walked towards the dressing room and found the two people standing in guard.

"Do not let anybody inside, even if it's my brother. I want to talk to this girl alone. In no circumstances are you allowed to come inside. Am I making sense?"

Both of them nodded and Kuon went inside.

Kanae was going crazy. She thought about calling the police a couple of times and wasn't sure if she should tell her parents. So far they didn't ask any questions, but it's getting late and they already had dinner. Yashiro-san called to confirm tomorrow's meeting. She was going to visit them in the morning. However that was the least of her problems. Her sister was nowhere to be found.

Kuon saw her sitting on the floor, curled into a ball. She looked so small, so fragile. He was fighting the urge to pick her up and cover her with something warm. His father always talked about being a proper gentleman towards ladies, but he also taught him not to show any mercy in face of a threat. This girl has proven to be a threat and a very destructive one.

He took a deep breath and tried to let his anger take control of him. These types of people will do anything for money right? He will just have to make sure she knows who was the boss there. As he got closer, the golden eyed girl looked up, tears still flowing from her eyes. She looked like a deer which was cornered and with no escape.

Kyoko looked up, noticing someone's presence.

"The demon lord", she whispered. She tried to get up after noticing he was standing very close to her. She came face to face with him. Her legs were shaking. How long has it been since she was here. She wanted to go home. HOME! Her parents! Her sister! They will be so worried!

"Please! I don't know anything. I went there by mistake. Somebody grabbed me from the lobby and dragged me there. I tried to tell them that they were wrong and I wasn't any sort of model. But they didn't listen. I'm really sorry for what happened. Please let me go home, I've never been late in my life and they will be worried!", Kyoko said desperately.

"How old are you?", Kuon asked in a cold tone. She looked young and he hated to admit it, but she was really pretty. Not the type he usually associates with, a more innocent, pure type. But everyone wears a mask, it's time to rip hers off.

"18. But I don't see how that's important, please let me…."

Kuon snickered. Clear disgust was apparent in his face. "18 and already sold yourself for money? Are you that desperate?"

"Excuse me?!", Kyoko felt herself gaping at this man's audacity. All pleading and desperation vanished from her voice and got replaced with anger and astonishment. How can someone accuse a person of something so demeaning?

"Who sent you? How much did they pay you to sabotage the show?", Kuon started moving forward leaving her no place to move other than backwards.

"What are you talking about?!", Kyoko felt herself backing up from the man's advance. His aura was threatening and dangerous! But she felt her anger rise tenfold!

"I'm asking the name of the man who paid you to come here!", Kuon backed her up towards the wall and placed both of his hands on either side of her to ensure she couldn't escape. He was sure that this girl was guilty and his anger was rising every time she refused to give the man's name.

"Nobody send me here! I was here looking for my sister. How many times do I have to tell you? Why can't you understand something so simple?", Kyoko knew she was cornered! How indecent and inappropriate! She wanted to punch the man!

A vein popped in Kuon's head. "So your sister is involved in this too? Is this your way of earning money? Did she start before you? How much did he pay you? I'll pay you double, tell me his name!"

"SHUT UP!", Kyoko was fuming. She wasn't going to tolerate any nonsense towards her sister! Not a word! Not even from the demon lord ready to take her life!

"How dare you?! How dare you insult my sister and accuse her of something so petty!? If somebody said anything about your sister, what would you say then?!"

Kuon was sure he was losing it! How dare this girl imply that his Nee-chan could even be involved in this sort of thing! He gritted his teeth. This girl needs to know her place.

Kyoko tried to shove past him and Kuon tried to grab her hand. Instead his wrist watch got stuck in the back of his mother's delicate dress which Kyoko was wearing. As soon as she tried to move towards the door a sharp ripping sound pierced through the room. Kyoko stopped in her tracks with horror written all over her face. Kuon froze instantly when he saw what he did. The back of the dress ripped in the most undignified way exposing her back to him. Kyoko turned around and the anger emitting from her was enough to scare Hizuri Kuon. She didn't look so fragile anymore. In front of him was someone who looked like she could rip him into shreds but is choosing not to. The weird part was that she looked beautiful. Her face flushed and soft black hair framing her face. Purple looked so good on her. He couldn't move a muscle. 'She is gorgeous.', it was the only thought in his head at the moment.

Kyoko was going crazy with emotions. anger, rage, embarrassment everything came together. then she realized that her back was exposed. Kyoko started to let loose the pins in her hair one by one, not removing her eyes from Kuon even for a second. She let her hair down to cover her back. She turned around and left the room without a single word and left him gaping. He wasn't sure what had happened. Outside, the guards were unable to move as Kyoko's grudges rendered them helpless.

Kyoko went outside and called a cab. She didn't know the time and only hoped to reach home safely in her father's safe arms. She didn't feel safe around men anymore. What happened today was going to be in her mind for eternity.

Kanae was looking out from her window like a hawk. As soon as the cab pulled in and she saw her sister coming out she shot up. Kyoko didn't have money on her and it was highly unlikely that she would spend money unnecessarily. She ran downstairs with her purse.

After they managed to get in their room without waking their parents, she told her sister to change and went downstairs to get her dinner. She decided not to ask her anything after seeing her face. She will tell her when she is ready.

Kyoko went into the bath and changed. She came back to the room and ate silently.

"We have a meeting tomorrow about the land. Hotel Hyatt." Kanae said casually.

Kyoko's head shot up after hearing the name. Her eyes became teary and before Kanae knew it her sister jumped into her arms and started crying like a baby.

"Kyo-chan…. What's wrong?", Kanae asked softly.

Kyoko decided to tell her everything, so she started with Shotaro and ended with the mean man from the auction. Kyoko couldn't remember his name at all. Kanae wanted to kill the Shotaro Brat and this guy who made her sister cry. But all she could do was put her to sleep after letting her cry. Tomorrow she hoped the Yashiro heir had some good news.

Kuon stood at least for half an hour in the same position after the girl left. His thoughts were all over the place. He then went straight to his brother's room. He didn't know why but he needed to calm his nerves down. Maybe keeping himself busy will help.

Yukihito was done with his elaborate meetings and background check on the Tsubasa estate, when Kuon came in. He looked disoriented and tired.

"We have a meeting tomorrow morning. Don't be late, there will be ladies present." He smiled remembering his phone call with Kanae.

"What is the meeting about?"

"The land you bought for no reason."

"What about it?"

"The original owners want to buy it back. They have good reasons and I would like to give them a chance. However, it's your land now, so I won't say anything about it. Please hear them out"

"If you want, then please handle it. I'm tired and I trust your judgment, good night Yuki-nii"

"Good night Kuon"

Yukihito saw Kuon leave with a frown. Something was wrong. Well…. He will figure out tomorrow. TOMORROW….. he smiled at the thought.

He cannot wait.

Once Kuon was in his confines of his suite let out an audible sigh. What a day! Too much happened. It was getting on his nerves.

Who was the girl? Well whoever she was, he doesn't want to see her anymore. definitely not. He just wanted to get home and get out of this city. The pace of Tokyo is what he needed right now.

Sleep didn't come to the young businessman. He tossed and turned in his bed. When ever he closed his eyes he could see her. The feeling when he held her in his arms was still lingering in the back of his mind. It was as if he could feel the phantom weight of her in his hands. What astonished him was how she was fitting perfectly in his arms. A petite woman with a soft body... OH! STOP THINKING ABOUT HER!