Our table at our hotel's restaurant had been extremely loud the next night at dinner. The fashion show had gone perfectly and everyone was excited and relieved, causing most of the members of our company drink too much. After dinner, Aoi and I returned to the room in a good mood, even though we hadn't been allowed to drink ourselves. As I changed in the bathroom, I spoke loudly to Aoi who was changed and lying in the bed playing with his phone.

"Your outfits were so popular! I still can't believe you were able to create one wedding dress along with all of the other out fits. It was the most popular item at the show!"

I heard Aoi hum in agreement before I heard his phone be placed on the nightstand near him. I pulled on my nightdress and moved out of the bathroom. Aoi looked over at me and smiled.

"It's helped that you were my model. You look the best in my outfits."

I blushed and waved away his comment with my hand before sighing and falling onto the bed. I turned my head to find Aoi's face extremely close. I stared into his eyes before looking up at the ceiling. I heard Aoi snicker to himself, but I dismissed it.

"Where do you want to go tomorrow on our day off?" I asked," I at least want to go shopping."

"I was planning on staying in the hotel room all day," was his response.

Turning, I shook my head at him as he grinned.

"You are so boring. You were going to let me roam around in a different country by myself?"

"Of course not."

My eyes widened as Aoi rolled on top of me, his arms slipping under my back, pulling me against him. His face buried itself in my neck.

"I was planning on having you stay here in the room with me."

His breath on my neck made me shiver, even though my body temperature was incredibly high. I pushed on Aoi's chest, but he wouldn't budge.

"Why do you always say things like that? How do you not have a girlfriend when you are such a flirt?"

I laughed somewhat bitterly, but stopped as Aoi leaned off of me so he could look me in the eyes. He was so serious that my brain froze slightly. The only sounds were our quiet breaths as we stared at each other. I felt my face burning.

"Aoi?"

He looked away from me.

"I don't say those types of things to just anyone, Mariko. I say them to you because..."

I felt my adrenaline spike at his words. Does he have feelings for me? Real feelings? I saw him flinch before he leaned on his elbows and rested his head against my forehead.

"Since you are my best friend," he mumbled.

I lowered my eyes to look at his nose and lips. My body began to tremble beneath him from quickly beating heart. I felt disappointment filter through me. Swallowing hard, I used all of my adrenaline to press my lips against his. Aoi started, his lips parting in surprise. I pulled back with embarrassment and moved to get out from under him.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, tears starting to come to my eyes," I shouldn't have-"

I was cut off sharply as Aoi's hand moved swiftly from my waist to the back of my neck. His lips pressed against mine before I could even move an inch. He was so forceful, I yelped. I was struck dumb as his tongue slipped into my mouth when I did. It was as if my body was melting. I felt his warm body against me in every place we had contact. I let myself sink into his vigorous kiss. After a moment, Aoi pulled away and just looked at me, his eyes intense. I covered my face with my hands in embarrassment, making him chuckle.

"Mariko, you're so cute."

My hand slid down so I can look at him.

"I'm...what?"

Aoi smirked and rubbed his nose against a part of my cheek that my hands weren't covering.

"You're cute. I've thought ever since I really got to know you, but...why would I really tell you that...but...right now..."

I let my hands leave my face as I wrapped my arms around Aoi's neck. He began leaving gentle kisses on my face.

"Aoi," I started hesitantly," I've...loved you since we were fake dating. I knew that day on the beach when I began crying and fainted."

He cringed at the memory before dropping his lips to my ear.

"I love you, too. I figured it out when I thought that you would hate me forever after that...It's part of the reason I called the whole thing off. I wanted you to like me for me. I had a feeling you might have liked me, but I didn't want to ruin everything if I was wrong. I almost caved on your birthday, though."

I smiled as he kissed me on my lips, gently this time.

"Mariko, will you be my girlfriend?" he asked me, holding me tightly.

"Yes, Aoi."

My boyfriend grinned and attacked my lips passionately.

"Great. So can I have sex with my girlfriend?"

"AOI!"

"Guess not..."

We both laughed, but continued to kiss until we both fell asleep. The next day we went around New York, touring the place. I was so happy to be doing that holding hands with the boy I had loved for three years. When we got back to Japan, I made sure to let everyone know that Aoi and I were "back" together. Everyone was thrilled, even Ichirou who had managed to find himself a girlfriend. Aoi, of course, pointed out that she could pass for my sister, but he just wants to pick on Ichirou. I can't describe how happy I am to have an amazing job as well as an amazing boyfriend, even if he is mean to me every now and then. As long as I know he loves me, everything is okay. Even if I don't feel cute, or pretty, or particularly beautiful, I know it doesn't matter to him because he loves me for me. And that is all I could ever ask for.

The End