Tsukushi let out a contented sigh as she snuggled deeper into the beckoning warmth. Throwing her arm over what seems to be a pillow, Tsukushi snuggled deeper and breathed in a nice scent.

"This is so warm and comforting..." Tsukushi lazily thought as she snuggled deeper again.

This time her movements were stifled by something wrapped around her waist. Curious to find out what was interfering, Tsukushi traced the thing around her waist and figured out what it was.

Smooth... Hard... warm... Tsukushi traced lower. Long callused fingers.

"Mnn..." Tsukushi groaned as she snuggled again. (A/N: **rolls her eyes heavenward** Can someone give me another word better that snuggle?? Ah! I know I should have oiled my brain first... lol)

Fingers! Tsukushis eyes snapped open. Peering through the sunlit filtered room, Tsukushi realized that she was in bed. Someone elses bed to be precise. To make things worse, there was someone in bed with her.

Strangely she couldn't seem to remember what had happened last night. Except for the unexpected meeting with that obnoxious Mr. Ego and.. Ugh! Why can't I remember anything? Perhaps after some rest, I could remember again.

Moving very slowly, Tsukushi glanced down at herself. At least she is still wearing her evening dress. Then she looked around the room. It was big. Huge actually, perhaps twice the size of her bedroom. The room was very clean. Bookshelves, wardrobe and mirror were nicely positioned around the room. The bed she was in was big, very big.

Then ever so slowly, so as not to wake up her bed partner, Tsukushi glanced at her bed partner. Tsukushis mouth dropped a foot as she stared in disbelief at the person.

"Oh no. It can't be. It can't be him. It cant be!!" Tsukushi shouted her last phrase.

Being shouted in his ear, Tsukasa jarred awake. After stretching lazily, Tsukasa looked at Tsukushi who was staring at him with a frightened look.

Smiling, Tsukasa whispered, "Good morning sweetheart."

            Reacting on impulse, Tsukushi suddenly sat upright on the bed and start pummeling Tsukasa with her pillow.

            "What the..." Tsukasa put his hands over his head in am attempt to cover himself from the attack.

            Tired of being pummeled at, Tsukasa suddenly shot out and pinned Tsukushi down on the bed. He straddled her legs with his so as to stop her from kicking.

            When Tsukushi had subsided, both of them were breathing hard. Tsukushi suddenly realized how close their faces are.

            "Get off me you pervert," Tsukushi demanded.

            "Not unless you promised me not to pull that stunt again."

            "Well its your fault I pulled that stunt."

            "My fault?!" Tsukasa asked incredulous.

            "Yes! If you hadn't been beside me when I woke up just now, I would have still some nerves left," Tsukushi had wanted to shout but it all came out as a whisper.

            Tsukasa moved himself off her and ruffled his hair. My god she thought I had done something to her. Suddenly the very idea of him doing such things was so humorous that he started to laugh.

            "My god lady! You thought I had slept with you? To tell you the truth, we did nothing but just sleep. Anyway it was you who fainted last night. Since I didn't know where you live, I brought you here."

            "But why did you have to sleep BESIDE me?" Tsukushi snapped.

            "You don't expect me to sleep outside while I can a nice rest on my bed," Tsukasa countered as he looked at her.

            "Well why didn't you put me on your sofa. I can sleep very well there."

            "Hey I may have a reputation to be strict in business but that doesn't mean I am a monster. I still know how to treat people kindly."

"Like how you bought over my tickets?" Tsukushi snorted.

Tsukasa grimaced slightly. "Well you still remember that, huh?"

"Hmph!" was Tsukushi's only answer.

"Look. I'm truly sorry about what happened back then. Forgive me?" Tsukasa apologized.

Tsukushi looked at Tsukasa. Her anger started to slip away when she noticed Tsukasa's expression. He really looked cute with his ruffled hair. If only I could touch it what am I thinking?

"I shall think it over," Tsukushi said as she gets off the bed.

"My you really keep grudges, don't you?" Tsukasa teased.

"Depends on the situation I am in," Tsukushi snapped.

"Since you really want to keep grudges on me, I better get a shower and cook us some breakfast. After all, you are my slave," teased Tsukasa as he gave her a wink.

Tsukasa heard the outrage gasp as he closed the bathroom door followed by a thud. Laughing softly, Tsukasa steps into the shower as he begin planning what to do for two weeks.

Ding! Dong!

"I'm coming!" Yuki screamed from her room.

"Tsukushi! I was wondering where you were. You didnt come back home last night," Yuki said as she embraced her disheveled friend when she had opened the door.

Tsukushi felt a pang of guilt for making her childhood best friend worried. "I'm sorry for not telling you but I kind of get too carried away with my er... work."

"Your work alright," Yuki said doubtfully as she fixed her gaze on the person hidden behind her friend.

Following Yukis gaze, Tsukushi realized that Tsukasa had followed her into the house. "You were supposed to be in the car!"

"I didn't remember promising to be in the car," Tsukasa drawled out.

Notching her head high, Tsukushi stormed into the living room, straight for her room. Yukis gaze followed Tsukushi to her room before inviting Tsukasa in.

"I supposed you are the reason to her work," Yuki asked once Tsukasa had settled himself on the sofa.

Tsukasa only smiled in return.

"Well whatever it is, I just want you to treat her right. She may act tough but inside she has a soft heart. So dont you dare go breaking that little gals heart," Yuki warned.

"Not to worry. I am a man of my words. Its just that she is too tough to penetrate. If you know my meaning," Tsukasa replied.

"Hmm..." Yuki pondered for a moment. Suddenly a thought struck her. Without excusing herself, Yuki dashed for her room. Throwing her books and magazines over her shoulders, Yuki at last found the object of her quest. Smiling mischievously, Yuki walked out of her room.

A smile played on Tsukasas lips as he picked up another picture from the mantel. It was Tsukushi smiling softly as she gazed in the open space, her hand tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. It was obvious the photo was taken with her unaware of it.

"You like the photo? I took it when Tsukushi was daydreaming," Yuki commented as she entered the room.

Turning around, Tsukasa found a book shoved towards him. He gave her a questioning stare.

"Take it. You may need it someday. But make sure Tsukushi does not know about it." Nodding, Tsukasa kept the book beneath his coat.

"I'm ready," Tsukushi made her presence known. Tsukushi scowl when Tsukasa smiled at her. With a notch of her head, she strode out of the house.

"Tsukasa!" Yuki called out before he started for the door. Tsukasa halt and turned around.

"Take care of her. Remember she may look strong but inside she is as soft as a feather. You should get my meaning," Yuki winked.

"So where are you taking me?" Tsukushi asked once she realized that she didn't know where they were heading.

"Somewhere," Tsukasa replied as he handled the steering wheel with expertise.

After a short while, the sleek black Mustang pulled over in front of a high-class restaurant.

"Table for two," Tsukasa drawled out as his sexy eyes fixed on his prized possession. The corners of his sensuous mouth tipped upwards when he noticed the haughty Tsukushi wringing her hands. No doubt she is not use to this part of society.

Tsukushi watched as the blushing waitress, openly flirt with the obnoxious Tsukasa. Her hands unconsciously clenched and unclenched as the waitress told Tsukasa the specialty of the day in her seductress voice. She nearly snorted in disguise as the waitress swayed her hips as she walked to the kitchen.

Unknown to Tsukushi, a pair of mahogany eyes watched every single move the brown beauty made. Tsukasas heart swallowed with joy when he noticed the expression that Tsukushis pair of eyes radiates. Pure jealousy. Just a little more action and poof she will be his for the picking.

"I thought slaves dont eat in places like this?" Tsukushi sarcastically teased.

Tsukasa just smiled off the sarcasm. "Well you are an exception."

"Uh huh... like what made me an exception? My quick wits, sharp-tongue or nice curves and good looks. If its later, I can bet that waitress is even better," Tsukushi sweetly said. Too sweetly.

"Is that jealousy I hear?" Tsukasa pushed.

"What made you think that I am jealous of that waitress back there?" Tsukushi asked as she played with her fork. How she wished she could lean over and strangle that pretty neck of his or take the fork she had been toying with and stuffed it down his throat.

The ever-teasing Tsukasa rested his chin on one of his fist as he leaned forward and stared deeply into the fiery hazel eyes. "Hmm... perhaps the way that you talk just now which drips with sarcasm. The looks that you had been giving that waitress that I swore would have die if looks could kill and what else...."

Tsukasa taps his index finger on his chin as if thinking of something. "Oh yes! The way you insult yourself!"

An outraged gasp escaped Tsukushis rosy lips. Insult herself! "Who do you think you are saying such things about me! You do not know me at all to say such things about me!" she hissed.

Tsukasa was totally enjoying himself. It is so refreshing to see the fire flare in her eyes. "Need I remind you that you are my slave and I am your master? Have you forgotten so easily? Need I punish you to remind you of your status?" he drawled out dangerously. Oh how he love this game!

If Tsukushi wasnt too blinded by her anger or hazed with the ways of murdering the despicable monster in front of her, she would have noticed the mischief dancing in his eyes and the small smile on his lips.

"If you repeat such behavior, I would be forced to use punishment against you. Don't worry, I'm sure you would love the punishment. In fact, both of us would. He continued."

This time Tsukushi was truly fuming with outrage. How dare he to think of such!

*~ oh come on Tsukushi! Dont lie! You want him ever since you first laid eyes on him. He is hot. He is cute and completely irresistible. ~*

*~Yeah! When I'm dead that is! Have you forgotten that he had just insulted me? ~*

*~ oh that is what we call by the first step to love, which is constant teasing hehehe ~*

*~ Hah! Dont make my toes laugh! Whose side are you on anyway? ~*

*~ HIS! ~*

*~ Traitor! ~*

Tsukushi shook her head, clearing it from the voices. She was about to give that monster one of her famous rebukes when the slut of a waitress sauntered and served their food.

Tsukasa watched as the goddess before him gave her murderous glares at the smiling and flirting waitress beside them.

Adding fire to the already blazing pit, Tsukasa took hold of Tsukushis hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it, all the while gazing deeply into her eyes.

"Don't worry, my love. My heart is only for you."

It was tough trying to stop himself from laughing out loud. Tsukushi had the most incredulous look on her face, no doubt thinking he had lost his mind. The waitress now had the murderous look on her face as she quickly served and moved away from them.

"I tell you, he is the most obnoxious, despicable, arrogant and a big flirt of a pig I had ever met!" the brown haired beauty complained as she slumped herself on her bed.

"Now dont tell me it's that bad. I'm sure you enjoyed it. If not you wouldn't have reached home this late," Yuki smiled as she glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was 9.30 pm , thirty minutes since her best friend returned.

"I didn't enjoy it! I mean it!" Tsukushi exclaimed.

Yuki raised her eyebrows doubtingly. "Are you sure?..."

"Yes!" Tsukushi snapped.

Yuki could only smile as her friend complained the miserable day she had to spend with the monster. From Yuki's point of view, a perfect lifetime romance is just starting to bloom.

The brown curly hunk popped open a can of soda and sauntered into the living room. Taking a deep breath, Tsukasa smiled. Even though the maid had come and cleared the house, a lingering smell of Jasmine lingers in the air. The sweet smell of Tsukushi.

Taking the book on the coffee table, Tsukasa rested himself in the plush sofa. Opening the book, he read the words in capital, "Makino Tsukushi Biodata."

"Interesting...." he mused as he leafed the first page.