A/N: Well...it certainly has been a while, huh? I am sincerely sorry! I just had no clue where I wanted this story to go (still not completely sure), plus I'm so busy with college and my job... my life is just so hectic right now. Anyways, here's a new chapter that actually should've been updated a while ago but I didn't think I was done with it, so it's a little shorter than my other chapters, but it'll do. Again, sorry about the huge delay! Hope you enjoy!

VI.

With a groan and a stretch, I awoke, feeling cold and empty sheets beside me. I slowly let a single eye flutter open and adjust to the bright room that was filling with the morning sunshine. After a few moment of getting used to the light, I sat up, both eyes now opened, and looked beside me. The bed, save for me, was empty, as I had felt earlier. I rolled out of bed, quite literally, grabbing my phone as my feet landed on the floor with a soft thud. I checked the time, 9:15, and saw two missed calls from Luka.

I pulled on my basketball shorts and pocketed my phone before leaving the confines of my room and venturing out into the open space of the apartment. Seeing that the flat was indeed void of anyone else, I wandered into the kitchen to grab something for breakfast. As I went to open the fridge, I saw a note from Len that read 'Had to leave for work. I'll be home around 5, and I'm making salmon for dinner.' I liked salmon.

My phone vibrated in my pocket while I was pouring myself a glass of orange juice, but I was occupied with the drink, so I let it continue ringing until I was done. Catching it on the last ring, I finally answered, aware of who was calling without even looking at the ID.

"He is risen!" Luka joked through the phone.

"You're persistent. It's annoying," I deadpanned, then sipped at my juice.

"And you're rude. Now that that's out of the way, you can start thanking me."

"For what" I asked, then started rummaging through the cabinets to find something to eat.

"Well, I've been doing a little research on laptops, because I'm gonna surprise Miku with one next month for her birthday, and I happened to find a newer company. Their computers are incredible, and they haven't had any negative reviews, so they look pretty trustworthy," she explained.

"Luka, what does this have to do with me? Are you short on money or something?" I asked, sighing.

"No, I'm not, and be patient! I'm getting there!" She demanded, and I remained silent so that she could continue. "As I was saying, they're really new, so practically no one knows about them yet, meaning their products are super cheap. I figured it was a pretty good deal, so I did a little more research on the company. Apparently, they're looking for a new CEO to help get them more business, because the current one has no idea what he's doing. That, my friend, is where you come in. You're an experienced CEO and a genius when it comes to marketing and advertising! You could totally take over for them!"

"Fuck, now I really do have to thank you," I teased.

"See, there's a reason you keep me around."

"I guess," I said, faking a sigh.

"The company's name is Varo. All of their contact information is on their website. I'm sure if you sent them an email, they'd recognize your last name and respond to it."

"Have I ever told you that I love you?"

"Yes, but not nearly as often as you should."

"I apologize. Seriously, Luka, thank you. I didn't know what I was gonna do about a job."

"I know, that's why I'm telling you about this. I'll be rooting for you!" She said, and with a click, the line was dead.

I slipped the phone back into my pocket, then pulled out a bag of bagels, settling on one for my meal.

"There, that should be good enough," I murmured to myself as I read over the email I was about to send to Varo.

It was now nearing noon, as I had spent most of the morning researching more about the company myself, making sure that it wasn't too good to be true. Not that I didn't trust Luka, but I was a professional in the world of business, and would be able to sight possible scams that most people wouldn't. However, the business was exactly as Luka had described; new and trustworthy, but disorganized and almost completely out of the public eye.

After sending the email, I started aimlessly wandering around the apartment. I had no idea what to do with my time while Len was at work. Before I got kicked from the company, and family, I spent all my time working. I didn't know how to entertain myself.

"What is it now?" Luka asked after I called her, unable to come up with anything to do with my spare time.

"I'm bored."

"I'm guessing Len's at work?" She hit the bull's eye.

"Yep."

"What have you been doing since I last called?" She asked.

"Researching Varo more, then emailing them. Now I don't know what to do."

"You're pathetic. You can't even entertain yourself unless you're working." She sighed. "I'm about to go grocery shopping, but if you wanna come along..."

"I'll take it," I said immediately, desperate for anything to keep me from boredom.

"Fine. I'll come pick you up."

"Thank you!" I said, hanging up so I could go change. It was days like today where I just really appreciated my best friend, even if she was an annoying pest most of the time.

"I can't believe you were bored enough to come shopping with me," Luka said as we roamed the aisles of the grocery store.

"Damn, you make me feel like you don't want me here," I teased.

"Nah, you're useful as long as you push the cart and get stuff off the top shelves for me," she retorted with a playful nudge.

"Oh, so that's all I'm good for?"

"Nah, I'm sure you're useful to Len in some ways. Speaking of which, how are things going with you two?"

"Pretty great. But I mean, we did just officially get together yesterday."

"Yeah, I bet you got together alright," she snickered.

"Shut up, we did not," I scoffed. "I'm not just some horny bastard that sleeps with everything on two legs with a dick."

"Please, you've fucked more people than I have."

"Don't remind me," I groaned.

"Uh oh, did Len find out how promiscuous you've been?"

"No, and I've never been promiscuous. I've had sex friends, but I've never had one night stands like you have."

"So what's the big deal, then?"

"Now I just kinda wish that I hadn't slept with all those people." I shrugged.

"All those? Kaito, it's not like you've slept with tons and tons of people. You're twenty-six and can still count on two hands," she pointed out.

"You can still count on one," I reminded her.

"Yeah, but I'm a girl. We're set to higher standards than men when it comes to sleeping around."

"Which is fucking stupid, I might add," I mumbled.

"Glad someone agrees with me." She rolled her eyes. "But still, why do you have regrets?"

"If you know so much about Len, wouldn't you be able to answer this yourself?" I challenged, and she sighed.

"Is this about his whole waiting ordeal?" She guessed, hitting the nail on the head.

"Yeah. Don't get me wrong, I'm elated by the fact that he's never been with anyone else. I just wish I was able to give him that satisfaction, too."

"Well, he'd be the only one satisfied, because if you were twenty-six and still a virgin, you'd never hear the end of it from me," she joked.

"Gee, thanks."

"By the way, I hope you know that now Len finally has you, he's gonna be persistent," she added.

"How so?"

"Like, he's gonna non-stop try to get in your pants. He didn't wait for nothing, bud."

"I figured that much," I said, letting out a low chuckle.

"I'm surprised he hasn't made a move already."

"Well..." I trailed off, and she stopped walking.

"Tell me. Now," she demanded.

"Luka, we're in public," I argued.

"Like I give a fuck! This entire conversation wasn't meant to be talked about in public, yet here we are!" She practically yelled, waving her arms around. I quickly grabbed her arms and restrained her.

"Stop it." I made sure my voice was filled with as much authority as I could, and she stopped.

"You better give me details in the car, then," she said, pouting.

"Fine, fine."

I faintly registered pressure and movement as I started to wake up. Only then did I realize that I had fallen asleep on the couch after I got home from the store with Luka. As I became more conscious, I felt a hand run through my hair, then down my chest. There was a spot of warm pressure on my forehead, which I realized was a pair of lips.

"Honey, I'm home," I heard whispered in my ear.

"Welcome home," I murmured, the familiar voice and touch luring me into consciousness.

Whether it was out of instinct or just the pure need to be closer to Len, I lifted my arms and wrapped them around his waist, pulling him down to lay with me on the couch. Len landed with an oomph and a small chuckle, then cuddled up to me. It was then that my eyes finally cracked open.

"Did you miss me?" Len asked, letting out a giggle.

"A ton," I whined into his hair.

"Well, let me up so I can fix dinner," he said.

I sighed, sitting up and pulling Len up with me. "Let me enjoy this first," I murmured before pressing a deep kiss onto his lips. He indulged me and let the kiss linger, though I had no doubt that he was enjoying this, too. I knew his position wasn't the most comfortable, so I released him, leaving a small pout on his lips. "Gotta eat dinner before having dessert," I teased, giving another quick peck to his lips before swinging my legs off the couch and standing up, pulling him up with me.

"Fine," he sighed, pretending to pout, before going to the kitchen and pulling out the salmon that had been marinating all day. "What did you do today?" He asked.

"Not much. I went to the store with Luka, and before that I was researching this computer company, Varo," I told him.

"I almost bought a laptop from them, but the price seemed too good to be true, so I wasn't sure about it and bought a different brand. But why were you researching it?"

"Apparently their products are amazing, but their CEO has his head in his ass or something and doesn't know how to run a company, so no one knows about them, resulting in their cheap products." Len dropped the pan he was holding onto the counter.

"Did you contact them? Are you gonna be their new CEO?" I chuckled at his enthusiasm.

"Yes, I contacted them, but I haven't checked my email at all since I've been awake."

"Well, when you get the job, we'll celebrate," he said matter-of-factly.

"More like if."

"No, I know you. It'll be a matter of when," he concluded. His faith in me brought a smile to my lips.

"Well then I look forward to celebrating," I said, leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek.

A/N: Lots of dialogue, I know... I'll throw in some smut for you in the next chapter to make up for the delay and lack of anything interesting happening, alright? The next chapter shouldn't take nearly as long to get up as this one did.