A/N 

Instead of the normal ending the anime had, I'll change it. I don't want to rip off the anime ending.

Maria stood in front of her father, who looked like he just came back from the grave. 

"Dad? Why do you look like you just died?" Maria asked. 

"Maria, honey, we need to talk." 

Chapter 15 

The Christmas Ball

"Time for preparations! Kyoya, did you rent the ballroom?!" Tamaki asked. 

"Hai." Kyoya answered, writing down the payment of the rent in his notebook. 

"I still can't believe the school has a ballroom." Haruhi sighed. 

"Huni! Do you have the sweets checklist?" Tamaki asked, pointing at Huni. 

"Hai!! Only the most delicious cakes and tarts!" Huni sparkled. 

"Mori! You got the foods checklist?! Including fancy tuna?" Tamaki asked. 

Mori grunted, holding up a list. 

"Twins! You got the decorations and suit designs ready?" Tamaki asked. 

"We got it, tono!" The twins replied, saluting. 

"This year's ball is going to be a wild one!" Tamaki grinned. 

Maria smiled. "I can't wait!" Maria then grabbed her bag, noticing a small container of pills and an inhaler in the bottom of it. Maria frowned. Right, she had to tell them. Not yet, not in this atmosphere. 

"Mom, did it really have to come to this?" Maria whispered, grabbing a notebook. She closed to her bag and placed a cheerful smile upon her face. 

"The school year is almost over, and we'll end it with a shining memory! I can't live this down!" Maria thought, sitting up. She opened the notebook and nodded. 

"Maria, do you have the special guest list?" Tamaki asked. 

"You mean the family list? Hai, I do." Maria recalled the feeling of puking when she wrote down Mr. Ootori on the list, but she knew he was a must invite. 

"Let the setting up begin!" Tamaki smiled happily. 

Maria stood in front of the mirror, straightening her dress. She did the last touches of her makeup, and nodded happily. Today was the big day, she needed to look perfect. She adjusted her silk white bow, and put on her heels. She was ready. 

Maria smiled happily, and nodded. She walked out of her room, to be greeted by her father. He looked tired, but his smile was just as bright. "Maria, you look beautiful." He grinned, taking her hand. "I'm sorry it had to come to this, but just so you know, if I could, I would find a loop hole. Just have fun, okay?" Her father kissed her hand as a gesture.

"Thank you, dad. I will." Maria smiled softly. 

Tamaki fixed his tie, nodding happily. Tonight, he'll ask Maria for her first dance. Then, maybe, if times are right, he'll tell her how he feels. And maybe, just maybe, she'll return them. 

Maria walked out of the limo, her dress dazzling in the moonlight. She took a deep breath. 

Tamaki walked onto the stage, and fixed the mic. He took a deep breath. 

Maria walked up the steps, her heels clicking. 

"How are you lovely princesses doing tonight?!" Tamaki smiled, shouting out. 

Maria heard cheering and clapping as she was greeted by a butler. 

"Welcome to the Christmas ball!" Tamaki welcomed. 

Maria opened the big doors. 

"Tonight, we celebrate a wonderful holiday that comes only once a year." 

Maria was dazzled. The ballroom was magnificent. It took her breath away. 

"Also to celebrate the end of a wonderful school year." 

Maria looked around. It was magical. She then saw Tamaki on stage. He was radiant. 

"And maybe, to find true love." Tamaki's gaze landed onto Maria. She was... perfect. 

Maria blushed, seeing Tamaki's outfit. 

Tamaki blushed, seeing Maria's outfit. 

The stars aligned. 

"W-Well, everyone, let's have fun!" Tamaki turned back to the crowd, and smiled. 

Tamaki walked off stage, and Kyoya looked over at Tamaki's flustered face. "I do say, Maria looked lovely this evening." Kyoya smirked. 

Tamaki ignored this and walked through the crowd, looking for Maria. He found her staring at him, her eyes twinkling. Tamaki stopped in front of Maria half way, and reached out his hand. "Care to dance?" He asked. 

Maria's eyes widened, and her hair shifted. She reached out a hand, and he took it. The music began to play, and Tamaki brought her close. She twirled, the dress gliding along with her movement. Tamaki and Maria had their eyes glued to eachother's, and they stood out perfectly. The song ended too soon, in their opinion. 

"You're a good dancer." Maria smiled. 

"You too." Tamaki smiled. They walked off the dance floor, and a man with brown hair bumped into them. "Dad!" Tamaki smiled. "This is Maria." 

Maria smiled and shook the man's hand. The man smiled. "Please call me uncle." He said. 

Maria felt like banging her head on a wall. Of course, father like son. "You must be the Saki's family cursed daughter." 

Maria froze at his words. Was she really that cursed? Was she only known for being unfortunate? Will she ever go anywhere in life, if people looked down on her? 

"H-Hai, that's me." Maria spoke, no smile on her face. She then had a serious expression. "But please don't call me that! I'm not a weak girl, please don't pity me! I'm a strong young lady!" Maria spoke, looking at Tamaki's dad. 

"I'm sure you are." He smiled. "Well, I must greet an important business partner. Bye, don't have too much fun!" He winked and walked off. 

Both Tamaki and Maria stood there, blushing. 

"Oh? Is that Kyoya's dad?" Maria asked, looking over a man with black hair. 

"... Yeah." Tamaki's eyes dulled. 

"Is this what you're doing, Kyoya? Wasting your time flirting?" Mr. Ootori growled. "You're no son of mine!" He raised his hand. 

Maria's eyes widened, and she ran over at a surprising speed. Takashi's and Huni's parents were impressed. She stopped between both Ootori's, and recieved the slap. Her hair blew, scattering beautifully. Her head whipped to the side, the slap echoed throughout the room. Kyoya's eyes widened, and Mr. Ootori suddenly realized what he's done. He slapped someone more elite than him. He could be put out of business because of this. 

Maria's fingers lightly grazed the red mark on her cheek. Her eyes softened, her hair now going back to place. She slowly turned her head toward's Mr. Ootori, whose eyes were wide. Maria smiled. 

"Mr. Ootori, how are you doing?" She asked, her voice like a kitten's pelt. 

"M-Maria! I-" Mr. Ootori stuttered, terrified. 

"Please don't call me by my first name." Maria cut him off. Her smile was gone. Her eyes sharpened, and her gaze was of blood lust. "It's disgusting." Her tone slapped Mr. Ootori. 

"Wh-what?" Mr. Ootori was surprised. 

"By all means, Ootori, Kyoya is one of the best men I've known. And his club has brought happiness to many women, who have dull, boring, depressing lives in a rich environment. You, save people from suicidal attempts and much more. Kyoya, prevented depression and suicidal thoughts, and can do much more. Much, much more." Maria leaned in and remained her serious expression. 

Mr. Ootori was speechless. 

"If he's not a good enough son, then I will make him shine. I'll give him a top CEO job, I'll personally help him in his career. But, if you agree with this proposal, then I'll be glad to be your downfall." Maria smirked. 

Mr. Saki, who arrived 20 minutes earlier, smiled happily next to Mr. Souh. "That's my girl." He praised. 

Mr. Ootori backed away, and then turned around. He 'tched', and straightened his tie. He walked away, then his legs gave out. He shouted at a lady who asked if he needed assistance. 

"A strong young women indeed." Mr. Suoh murmured, taking a sip of his red wine.

"Kyoya, are you okay?" Maria turned around and looked at him worriedly. 

"H-Hai." Kyoya's eyes were wide. Did she just scold his father? 

Maria smiled and patted his head. Kyoya mumbled some words, then embarrassingly fixed his hair. 

Tamaki walked over and looked at her with worry. "Are you okay?" He asked. 

"Yes, more than ever." She smiled. 

"Haruhi! Maria! Want some cake?" Huni came bounding over. Haruhi looked up, she was in a conversation with Maria's father. 

"Sure." Both girls smiled.