Hi Everyone! First off, I want to give a special thanks to all the people who read my last story "A Threat She Never Saw Coming." I loved all the feedback and glad you enjoyed it. So this is a new story I came up with after I got back from vacation. I had so many ideas that I HAD to write them down. Hopefully you all will enjoy it like my other stories. Please Read and Review!

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

"A vacation?" Ren asked incredulously as his hand stopped midway towards the table to put his glass of wine down. "What brought all this on?"

President Lory chuckled heartily. "You're making it sound as if I'm scheming, Ren. I must say I'm deeply offended."

Ren narrowed his eyes as he set the wine glass upon the wooden tabletop. Placing one leg over the other and crossing his arms, he replied smoothly, "I wasn't implying that you were up to no good, sir. I was only curious. Dark Moon has gotten more popular than ever with each passing day and it's not like you don't know that I'm booked for every hour. A vacation seems hardly possible."

"Don't you worry about that, Ren," the President said with a large smile. "Work can be put on hold for a measly little week. After all, you are way past due for a well-deserved break."

Even though the President maintained eye contact, Ren recognized that devious and familiar glint in his eye. Besides, if there was anyone Ren inherited his hardworking personality from, it would be from his boss. President Lory took work extremely seriously and the fact that he planned such a long vacation made Ren even more suspicious that there was some underlying motive behind it all.

However, Ren hadn't a clue as to what it was. And even while he was sitting there trying to decipher President Lory's facial expression, he had to admit that a vacation sounded nice. In fact, Ren could even feel the knots in his back unwind at the prospect of sleeping in until twelve in the afternoon and relaxing on a comfortable recliner chair until dinner. It seemed like paradise on earth.

The President must have noticed Ren's longing expression because he smirked and asked, "Sounds pretty good right now, doesn't it?"

Ren chuckled. "Any vacation sounds good, sir. But you're right; it couldn't have come at a better time."

"I'm glad you approve."

Uncrossing his legs and slightly leaning forward, Ren asked curiously, "So where is this vacation?"

President Lory smiled at his eagerness. "It'll be a lot of fun. Although, I must admit, it's probably not a place you would have chosen, Ren."

He raised an eyebrow and replied in a wary tone, "What do you mean by that?"

"Now, now," the President began with an impatient wave of his hand. "You will still have time to relax and I promise you it will be a vacation you will never forget."

"But…?" Ren asked, drawing out the word.

President Lory averted his gaze and placed his hands together on his lap, twiddling his thumbs. He seemed to be choosing his words very carefully which made Ren all the more apprehensive.

After a couple of very long seconds, the President turned his eyes back to Ren's anxious face and laughed. "Don't look so tense, Ren. I'm not sending you to Antarctica."

Ren chuckled, but it sounded slightly off since he was still waiting for the answer. "Sir, where are we going?" he pressed.

President Lory's face broke out into a grin as he handed Ren a brochure from the inside of his elaborate emperor robes. Ren quickly took hold of the tiny packet and read the bright, red letters printed on top: LAS VEGAS.

Ren slowly raised his head with wide eyes.

"Las Vegas?" he managed to choke out. "You can't be serious."

The President frowned. "What do you mean by that?" he asked.

Ren spluttered an incomprehensible answer and stood up from his chair. Running his hand through his silky hair, he replied in a voice filled with disbelief, "That's hardly a vacation, sir. Relaxing in Las Vegas? I would have a better chance in Antarctica."

"You've been there before?"

Ren glowered. He could remember the time he went there with his parents when he was much younger. The city was quiet enough in the morning, with the typical tourists roaming around and taking plenty of pictures of all the remarkable hotels. And while the younger individuals bravely made their way through the undeniable heat, the older folks remained back at the air-conditioned hotel and were practically glued to the slot machines as all of their money was drained away.

But the night life was nothing like he could have ever imagined. Walking out onto the streets in the extremely dry weather was highly uncomfortable, not to mention the hundreds of people bumping into your shoulder. Of course, all the night clubs were open which meant there were dozens of young girls walking around in scantily dressed outfits that not only made it seem as if it was a crime, but also lured in dangerous sharks from every corner.

Alcohol at a party was one thing, but alcohol in Las Vegas was nothing less but a one way ticket to trouble. Men in colorful, button-collared shirts walked together in hordes, catcalling and jeering at every girl they passed. Some even went as far as reaching out and touching them in places that many would call assault.

Ren couldn't say he liked Las Vegas. The only thing he actually liked there were the shows and the sightseeing. Of course the brochure was right that the city was beautiful, but it failed to mention all the underlying dirt that littered the place when night came along.

"I've visited," Ren answered with a grimace. "And I can't say that I'm eager to return."

"How old were you?"

"Probably around eight years old," he replied.

The President shook his head. "No wonder you didn't like it. How could an eight year old enjoy the sights of Las Vegas?"

Ren scoffed. "So basically you're saying it's an adult world there? Nice to know."

"I didn't mean it to sound like that, Ren," the President said with a slight irritation. "I'm just commenting that at a young age like that you might not have been able to experience the city to its fullest."

He wasn't convinced, but remained silent all the same.

President Lory narrowed his eyes. "You don't want to go?"

Ren sighed. Saying no to a trip that his boss personally invited him to wasn't exactly a smart career move. So forcing a smile upon his face, Ren shook his head and said, "A vacation is a vacation, sir. No matter where it is."

"Now that's the ticket!" he exclaimed happily. "I'm glad you feel that way."

"So," Ren asked as he sat down and took another sip from his wine. "Who's coming?"

The President tapped a finger to his chin. "Let's see," he said slowly as he racked his brain. Counting the number of people off his fingers, he answered in a mechanical voice, "There's you, and then me. And of course, Yashiro, we can't forget him. Oh, Director Ogata agreed to come along as well as Sawara. I also invited Ruriko, Chiori, and Jelly. I think they'll have fun. Maria insisted on coming, but I hardly think she'll enjoy it. Still, she knows you'll be there so obviously she'll be tagging along."

Ren glared. "Maria's coming?"

A sweet, innocent girl like her roaming the streets made Ren clench his fists together.

The President laughed as he replied reassuringly, "Don't worry. My assistant will be with her at all times. Don't make Vegas sound like a city from Hell, Ren."

"You think it's a joke," he thought darkly, but didn't say a word as he relaxed his arms.

"Is there anyone else?" Ren asked politely.

The President raised his eyes to the ceiling. "I invited the entire Dark Moon cast so it seems like they're all coming. After all, a vacation entirely paid for by me is not something to pass by." He chuckled amusingly.

Then suddenly, he snapped his fingers together. "That's right! Kotonami-san just got back to me this morning and said she would be honored to come."

Ren froze. He felt as if his entire body had turned cold as he stared at his boss with wide eyes.

"Kotonami-san is coming?" he croaked.

The President smirked. "That won't be a problem. Will it, Ren?"

His heart started to throb menacingly as he pictured the faces of two girls in his mind. One belonged to a disgruntled Kanae Kotonami, but the other was a face filled with laughter and joyfulness. Her raging orange hair blew in the gentle wind as she had her arm wrapped around her best friend. He couldn't believe this. If Kotonami-san was coming, then most likely she would be—!

Suddenly, Ren was pulled from his horror as a soft knock echoed through the large office. The President automatically raised himself from his throne-like chair and walked towards the double oak doors. He placed his hand on the golden doorknob and gave it a quick turn.

Ren's heart seemed to beat faster as the door swung open to reveal her beautiful face. She was wearing her regular, pink uniform and as always had her back bent into a low, respectful bow.

"Good afternoon, President Lory sir."

"Hello Mogami-san. Why don't you come in?" he said with a kind smile as he motioned his hand into the office.

Kyoko gave one more bow as she walked in and when her eyes laid upon Ren, a deep red blush colored her cheeks as she bowed again and greeted him with a politeness that made Ren's heart ache in misery.

Ren smiled (in somewhat of a strained way) and stood up. "How are—?"

He faltered. Ren's eyes slowly wandered to the piece of paper clasped tightly between both of her hands. It had the same familiar red writing. And when Kyoko noticed what he was staring at she suddenly looked at his hands and saw the same, exact pamphlet.

She let out a gasp of surprise and raised the brochure in her hand.

"You too, Tsuruga-san?" Kyoko asked excitedly.

But before he could reply, the President walked over to Kyoko and placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

"That's right, Mogami-san—"

President Lory grinned in Ren's direction.

"—we're all going."

And while Kyoko giggled happily, Ren had never felt so horrified.

"Me and Kyoko in Las Vegas?"

He groaned internally.

"You must really hate me."