"I have a reason to live now." I sigh happily as I am handed my coffee. The sweet aroma is intoxicating to me as I take the first sip of the boiling liquid.

"You true are fond of coffee aren't you." Kyoya chuckles as he sips his tea.

"It's the soul reason why I am alive." I giggle and look in his dark eyes. A faint blush coats his cheeks as he stare back.

He quickly clears his throat and looks away. Pulling out his small black book he jots down a few words and puts it away.

"So why did you ask me out? It can't just be to listen to me make bad jokes about coffee."

"I see that nothing gets past you." Kyoya chuckles and pulls out some papers from his bag. "In order for our relationship to continue I thought it would be best for you to look over the contract that our fathers put together years ago." He hands my the small bundle and I barely glimpse at it. I know it's real. I can tell just by reading the first line that my dad was in in this.

"Thank you. I'll be sure to look this over later and tell you my thoughts." I say with a slightly forced smile and place the stack in my work bag.

'So the jerk really did write up a contract with the Ootori guy. Damn it. And here I was hoping that it was really just some sort of elaborate joke being played on me. Damn it all!'

"Of course. And now that that's out of the way why don't you tell me a bit about your family and your company. So I can get to know you better."

"Alright, now where to start?" I asks myself and try to think oh f the more important and basic information that I can give him.

"Why not from the beginning?  I would like to know everything."

"Everything? Why are you so interested?"

"The more I know the better I can understand you and how you are."

"I see. Well I suppose I should start with how my parents met then. If they hadn't then the company would exist. "
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19 years prior  3rd pov

As Markus (Y/L/N) wa lb is through the small town of (H/T) he notices a few watered down posters lining the windows of several shops as he passes them. A traveling circus is in town. Now while Markus isn't normally one for wasting time on entertainment someone has caught the eye of the young. A lovely young lady who is pictured juggling knives in a rather revealing blue outfit. But what really catches his attention are her (E/C). While it's not clear in poster he knows that there is more to see.

And so later that night he takes the time to go to the circus. Leaving his work at the office unfinished and with bewildered coworkers in his wake. He can't explain it but he has to go there. It's as though an invisible force is pulling him. Pulling him to his future.

As Markus takes his seat the lights dim and the band begins to play. In the spotlight a man dressed in red appears like magic. Bright amber eyes, gleaming with an innocent mischievous nature, scans the crowd.His voice echoes though the tent as more and more lights shine down on several different acts.

Both young and old look on with delight. But only in one act yruely catches Markus's eye. The woman from the poster. She holds several knives in one hand and is center stage. Moments later she addresses the crowd, asking for a volunteer.  Without thinking Markus calls out and is soon escorted to the center ring. There two men strap him to a large board. Hey looks the knife thrower in the eye and all she does is smile and wink at him before a knife is embedded in the board right above his head.

7 months later

Markus and Emily walk through the streets of (H/T). Both of them are smiling happily and just enjoying a small stroll out the shopping area. But as happy as they may be. It will not last long. A short limo pulls up next to them just as an older woman and her husband exit a high priced store with two men carrying armloads of bags and boxes.

As the men place the items in the back of the limo the older couple look disapprovingly at the younger one. The woman shows a look if horror as her husband glares at them. Without a word they get in theimo and leave. Markus glares at the ground while Emily looks down in shame. But it's not like that for long. Markus places a hand on Emily's shoulder and pulls her close. She gives him a small smile and they continue on their way.

1 year later

Emily watches closely as Markus stands in the middle of a slightly run down office building.  Temps run here and there and much work is being done. But it is still a long way to go. She looks down at her left hand and smile at the sight if her wedding ring. And places her right hand on the bump that is her stomache. In just 2 months she and Markus would be parents. But as happy as she is she can't help but still feel a slight pain in her chest at the thought that her child would never know their father's family. And she can't help but blame herself.  But she knowns in her heart that they will be happy together. No matter what life throws at them. They will be happy and successful.