Author's note: thoughts are in italic.

Thanks wry678 for your comments.

Chapter 9: eternally yours

It was a lavish shindig, bustling with rich-illustrious people. Hayate was looking distracted, standing near the table, he was looking at Nagi; she was wearing an elegant-long, orange gown with beige stilettos. It was her fourteenth birthday today, and she was celebrating it, in her mansion.

Nagi was definitely turning some heads, especially Kazuki's; Ayumu Nishizawa's little brother. Ayumu brought her brother along, and Kazuki agreed without any objection, because it was Nagi's birthday party, the girl, he had a crush on.

Nagi was walking towards the foyer, when all of a sudden, she tripped on the rug, and was about to fall, but Kazuki caught her in his arms.

"Thanks Kazuki, if it was not for you, I would have been embarrassed in front of all these people. " She said, with a bright smile.

"I-it's all right. Are you okay?" He said, mildly blushing.

"Yes, I am fine-"

Hayate interjected, "Umm…why are you two hugging?"

Nagi was embarrassed, and she quickly moved away from Kazuki. She said "I tripped Hayate, so-"

Before she could finish, Hayate said he has to take care of the guests, and walked away.

Kazuki was surprised at Hayate's unpleasant behavior.

Nagi thought-maybe Hayate is getting worked up. I will tell him to take a break. Nagi went looking for Hayate. She was worried by his unusual way of acting. She looked for him everywhere, from the lobby to kitchen, but she was not able to find him. She was going to search for him upstairs, when she saw Maria, she asked, "Hey, Maria have you seen Hayate?"

"Yes, he is outside in the lawn, he said he needed some air," said Maria.

Nagi was sad to hear this. She thought, so, he was tired, but I didn't notice. I am still very selfish. "Maria I will check on him."

"Okay, but come back soon; it is your birthday."

Nagi agreed, and went out to see Hayate.

Nagi was thinking, while looking for Hayate outside the mansion, Hayate...I agreed we will be friends, but I still love you... I want you to be happy, but I wonder if you are happy…standing alone by yourself..why won't you talk to me about your problems...Maybe you feel I won't understand. she chuckled- After all you do think of me as a child...

On the other side, Hayate was worrying about his conduct; why did I get angry, when I saw her with Kazuki? I know that she does not love him, but even if she did, why should I feel bad?

His thought was interrupted when he saw Nagi. She was looking beautiful, Hayate's gaze was fixed on her. Nagi saw him staring at her, and she felt awkward. When Hayate came back to his senses, and realized he was staring at her, he started flustering. It made Nagi laugh, but her laughter faded when thought about Hayate. She felt Hayate was staying with her unwillingly. She said "Hayate you are the world's best butler, and a very good friend to me. I am happy that you are with me, but are you happy here?"

Hayate was looking at her, trying to figure out the reason, Nagi was suddenly feeling this way. He said after a brief pause, "ojousama, I am happy here, with you. Why are you saying this?"

Nagi started crying, and said, "I don't want to see you sad. If you don't like it here-"

Hayate wiped her tears and cupped her face in his hand, and he said, "I am happy ojousama, I will not leave you, I will be with you forever. I treasure every moment with you."

Nagi looked at Hayate, with tears in her eyes. Hayate felt his heart-skip. He thought- there is so much innocence in her eyes. Nagi said they should go back to the party, Hayate agreed, and said he will come after giving Tama his dinner.

She was standing by the oak tree, few feet away from them. She saw everything that happened between Hayate and Nagi. She had followed Nagi after seeing her frantically search for Hayate. Maris stood there and then smiled after letting out a sigh. She had a determined look on her face.

Hayate saw Maria walking towards him, and asked her, "What are you doing here?"

Maria said she has realized what she wants for her birthday, so she wanted to tell Hayate.

Hayate was anxious to know what is it that she wants as he promised to buy her a nice present on her eighteenth birthday.

She said "I want you to tell Nagi, that you don't love her."

Hayate was shocked, "NO, why will I tell her that. She already knows I don't love-" Hayate paused.

"Yes, but just to make things more clear. You see she is still in love with you. So if you tell her again, sternly, she will be hurt, but will be for the best." She said, sneering.

Hayate was vexed, he said, "Miss Maria why are you talking about this so lightly. I can't.."

Maria said "but like you said, she already knows you don't love her, so.."

"NO, I LOVE HER ALRIGHT!" Hayate shouted out.

Hayate was looking at Maria, in anger, when suddenly, he heard laughs. He then saw that even Maria was smiling. He turned around, and saw everyone was there, even Nagi. Hayate thought, maybe they came out when they heard the heated discussion between Maria and me. Hayate's cheeks were flushed, red, and when he looked at Nagi, she was blushing too.

Everyone was happy to hear Hayate's confession.

Maria said, "Finally, you said it Hayate kun."

Hayate thought, so Maria did this to instigate me, but now that I know how I feel about Miss Nagi, I will tell her. He started walking towards Nagi.

Nagi's heart was racing; she held her hands close to her chest. W-why is he coming here?

He was in front of Nagi, on his knees, he gently took her hand in his hand, and said, "I love you!" He then kissed the back of her hand, and stood up. He was looking at Nagi, but Nagi was too embarrassed to look him in the eye; so she just hid her face into his shirt, and said, softly, "I-I love you too, Hayate."

Brandy- this is not the end, but premise for a new beginning.

Nagi- Yeah, I saw how you used title of your other fanfic in this chapter. That was tad unsubtle.

Brandy-What? It was a coincidence. By the way the fanfic is a sequel to this one, viz.I will be with you forever.

I hope you liked this story, leave your comment to let me know. Au revoir!