The Butterfly Effect. (Skip Beat! Fanfic)

Family Gathering.

"Well, at least that answers one question." Kyoko said as she read the P.S.

"We really are married." Kuon said as he held her in his arms tightly.

"Any idea who Mark and Carl are?" Kyoko asked as she looked at the letter. Kuon shook his head. Reaching for the phone on the sideboard he dialed the number,

"No, but I'm going to find out." He didn't have to wait long before a smooth and mellow male voice sounded down the phone line.

"Hello, Mark speaking?" was the polite voice that echoed in Ren's ear.

"Hello Mark, my name is.." but he was suddenly cut off mid sentence by an excited little scream that reminded him so much of Yashiro's fan girl episodes.

"Carl...Carl, seems they're finally awake!" he must have pulled back from the headset as it did not deafen Ren but he could hear it clearly.

"OK, sweetheart you're probably wondering who I am and how I know you, but please don't worry. We will be over in 5 minutes to explain everything so make sure that the front desk knows to expect us." Ren didn't even get a moment to speak before the phone was put down. Ren turned and gazed at Kyoko.

"So? Do we know anything?" she asked softly, Ren just shook his head.

"No, but they're on their way over now to explain." Kyoko giggled in her own sweet way.

"Well, at least we may get some answers." Ren nodded as he picked up the phone once more.

"It's not too late back home, I'm going to give the president a call." Kyoko looked terrified.

"What are you going to tell him?" she whispered almost faintly. Ren sighed as he held the phone in his hand,

"What else can I tell him but the truth?"

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Lory had finally gotten Maria into bed. As he sat once more to enjoy the glass of brandy he had poured for himself, he felt exhausted for the first time in a long time and wondered whether he too should just go up to bed, but he refrained,

I will only wait for a little longer...

he thought as he stared out at the near darkness outside the window. He could see shapes and some shades of colour but full dark would be here soon. Maybe then he would go to bed.

*RING RING...RING RING*

Lory jumped at the sudden noise, but his heart leapt,

Was it them?

Putting on his most serious tone he answered the phone,

"Hello Takarada Lory speaking?" he said as he counted the second for the answer.

"Hello boss, how are you?" Lory's face split into a wide grin the moment he heard Kuon's voice, for it wasn't Ren he was speaking to it was definitely Kuon. Controlling his smile as even across the phone a smile can travel, he set his face gravely.

"What have you done with my Mogami-san, Kuon?" his voice was like cold steel as Kuon muttered and stuttered a little but eventually he was able to speak. If Lory would have seen the reason for his voice he would have been having fits. As Kyoko walked forward, wrapping her arms around Ren, she held him as he again found the words he wanted to speak.

"I'm afraid there is no longer a Mogami Kyoko, boss." Lory listened as he paused,

"What do you mean, Kuon?" he asked, unable to keep the concern out of his voice. Had Kyoko reacted badly? Had she rejected him? Lory's mind was a cavalcade of mixed emotions as he waited with baited breath.