âDo you want to go?â
Lenora was quiet. She wanted to go, but not with him.
âLenora.â This man had no patience. âI asked you a question. Do you want to go?â
ââŚYes.â She should have said no. She knew what would transpire. Knew she would be expected to play her part. But maybe there was a part of her that hoped someone â Kyoya â would see through her thinly-veiled optimism, see through Satoâs excellent well-honed act. But so what if he did? No one had any power to do anything. This was her life now. ââBut only if you want to go, too.â
âWell. I did have plans for us this evening,â Sato bristled, but she knew he was just trying to guilt her. âHowever, Iâm happy to accomodate your request. Weâll go. Just make yourself pretty if youâre going to be on my arm.â
ââŚYes. I will. Thank you.â
Lenora had done her best. She wasnât a beauty guru by any means, but she knew what looked nice on her specifically. What fit her body shape, what makeup matched her skin tone, all that. Her usual braid had been let down, had put in contact lenses (that was more Satoâs request than hers), had donned one of her evening gowns that flattered her figure (and spanx underneath, of course). When she emerged, decked out in additional diamond jewelry that any wealthy heiress was expected to have, Sato actually paused before addressing her. She took that as a silent victory before taking her clutch and following him to his car.
âSo. This friend of yours who invited you. What was her name?â
Lenora was staring out the window; they had opted for a driver to take them to Ouran Academy tonight. âHis name is Kyoya Ootori. Third son of the Ootori Group.â
Sato cast her a sidelong glance. âWas he inviting you to go with him?â
âNo.â She could tell he was bothered by the fact, and so she kept her tone neutral. âWe know each other through our fatherâs companies. He is the Vice President of the host club sponsoring the event. And he knows I am engaged.â
Her thoughts returned to his teasing, but she dismissed it. He had only been making banter; it had to do with being a host.
âHost club? Like the ones in red light districts?â
Lenora had explained this to him earlier. Did he really not listen to her?
âMore school appropriate. But yes. Girls pay to have tea with them after school. Itâs veryâŚextravagant.â
âAnd have you attended such activities?â
She sank back into her chair and remained quiet for the rest of the ride, trying to psyche herself up for the part she was about to play. Sato fell quiet beside her and began sending off texts toâŚsomeone. Probably another woman.
Letâs make this clear. This marriage is one of convenience. If we have to have a child, weâll have one. But I have no intention of touching you otherwise. I will have my mistresses for that. And before you even think about it â no, you wonât be having any paramours of your own. That would be humiliating for myself and your father if anyone were to discover your adultery.
There was so much she wanted to scream about, but she was powerless. All she could do was force a smile. And oh, was it forced.
They were dropped off in front of Ouran Academy and were guided by signs up to one of Ouranâs ballrooms, where the event was held. It was, indeed, a lively party. In an elegant, upper-echelon group sort of way â with waiters and a buffet table and classical music. She could hear Tamakiâs exagerrated voice before they even opened the doors. The Hitachiin twins, too. They were all entertaining the ladies as if it were another day at the club, of course.
âWell. Iâll admit it â Iâm impressed,â Sato mused from beside her. âThis is fancier than I expected. Might not be such a bad night after all. Donât you think so, darling?â
Ah. Charming Sato had made a return. Lenora smiled and nodded, although it was getting more difficult to maintain with every second; her eyes scanned the crowd for Kyoya. At the very least, she wanted to say hello to himâŚ
Kyoyaâs efforts to ensure that the host clubâs latest gala surpassed those prior proved well-founded; the ballroom was spotless, the columns and chandeliers strung with decorations of silk, and the food laid out by the hired caterers was exactly as he had ordered. Even one detail slightly deviating from the plan would result in petulance on his end, which was perhaps the reason why each and every one of Tamakiâs parties garnered high praise: nothing was left to coincidence.
Upon dressing at home ( his father scoffing audibly at the event, although he simply chose not to respond ), he called for his driver to meet him in the driveway. The rest of his family was too preoccupied to notice Kyoyaâs general comings and goings, although he always informed himself that it was better this way. The fewer questions probing into every aspect of his life, the better. He couldnât entertain snooping, regardless of the perpetrator.
During the ride back to Ouran, the sky overhead dark and dotted with stars where thick mauve clouds didnât shield them, Kyoya studied the list he had compiled to ensure the evening ran without issue. Everything appeared to be in proper order when he had left in the late afternoon, yet he wasnât naive enough to assume that everything might remain that way. Best case scenario, it was. Worst? He would need to take charge on any damage control that might be necessitated.
The sight of the the ballroom once Kyoya arrived was irrefutably as he had left it, a fact with filled him with reassurance. Less time fixing that which had already been done allowed more for last minute preparations: instruments tuned, the orchestra present, food containing nuts and other common allergens at their own table, and the hosts present and accounted for.
As the evening progressed, their peers filing in while the bandâs melodies reverberated throughout the spacious area, he was struck with the wonder of whether Lenora would make herself known as a guest. In truth, Kyoya was rather irritated with himself for supplying such a distraction, one which he deemed unnecessary. Whether she was there or not wouldnât dictate the success or failure of the current venture.
Regardless, when his wandering gaze took a brief headcount of the throngs of students enjoying the festivities, his grey eyes instantly alighted upon her visage. His comment earlier in the day about seeing her in a pretty dress had been harmless, yet he couldnât deny that she was every bit as lovely as he might have expected. The man on her arm was certain to be none other than the infamous fiance, carrying a confident air and a not displeasing countenance. Even so, Kyoya wasnât entirely convinced that he was someone Lenora would have chosen as significant other on her own. Or at least, not yet.
Excusing himself from the chattering around him, he crossed the hall in long strides to greet her. âGood evening, Lenora. What a pleasant surprise to see you here. I suppose this is your fiance?â Veiled scrutiny was his primary objective as he offered a hand. âKyoya Ootori. Lenora and I spent a few summers together as children. Our fathers are business partners, you see.â