Oh, I hope you like it! This story has been in the making for at least two years, off and on. I've finally mustered the courage to post it. Have fun reading!
(disclaimer: I literally own none of this.)
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I mumbled a curse into my pillow and flailed my arm to turn off the alarm buzzing in my ear. It seemed to be enjoying my misery.
After I stumbled out of bed slowly, proud of myself for getting up on time, did I remember I had hit the snooze button in my sleep. Afraid to look at the time, I ran into my closet and threw clothes onto my body. I was probably already late for work, but freaking YOLO.
"Good morning," I mumbled groggily as Tomoyo sat in the living room downstairs, watching me in amusement.
"Sakura, do you want me to make you some coffee? You're going to be late anyways. There's no reason to stress yourself out more." She turned her attention back to What Not to Wear. "Oh no, she can't be serious."
I grabbed a granola bar out of the cabinet and stuffed it into my face. "Deh ehndereshhtt meerrhh Tehhhrrmmerrh!"
"Have a good day!" she called to me as I scrambled out the front door and into my car.
I turned the radio to a rock station, pumping myself for the traffic jam ahead. However, due to my lateness, there was barely any traffic and the commute to my uncle's company was much faster than I had anticipated. Finally daring to look at the clock, I sighed in relief. Three minutes. I could do this. I WAS THE MAN.
I pulled into the crowded parking lot quickly, nicking a nice sports car on the way into my spot. Without time to write a note I slammed the door and hurried inside, inwardly pumping a fist for the middle class.
The secretary shook her head in disgrace when I stumbled into the door. "Sakura, you might as well just come in late and look appropriate."
"What? Is my shirt inside out again?" I looked down quickly. "No."
"Here, just switch it under my desk. The Lis are waiting for you in the conference room."
I ducked under her desk and switched my shirt quickly. It was then I realized I forgot shoes again.
"Naoko!"
She rolled her eyes and slid her heels off in exasperation. "I swear, Sakura, if we weren't friends."
"I would be dead in a gutter," I called while I ran down the hall into the conference room. I quickly straightened out my outfit and fixed my hair before I opened the door.
"Ah, Sakura, thanks for coming," my uncle said sarcastically from the head of the table. I held up a hand in apology and sat in the only open chair.
"Well then, let's get started. As we all know, the Li Company has invited us to discuss a new business opportunity. Mr. Li?" he introduced.
A handsome young man stood up and thanked my uncle, then went off on something businessy. It was so weird when these guys started going on about "stock markets" or "gross income". I took the opportunity to doodle on my notepad, making out less than half of what was going on.
"As I was saying," the Li man continued, "my father is distrustful of merging companies without a... legal agreement between the two families."
My uncle looked confused. "I thought we were meeting today to sign the contract previously discussed."
"I understand that, and I apologize for the misunderstanding. However, my father feels that... a more personal agreement is truly necessary in order to feel secure in the merge. The economy is tough, and he feels as though it is too easy to back out of this agreement without a solid... bond.." The man looked nervous. What was going on? "As you know, my father detests legal ambiguity. He simply will not sign without a personal agreement."
"But... what do you mean by personal?" my uncle asked. Everyone else looked confused too. I felt like I fit in better this way.
"Well..." He sighed. "Uh. My father," he emphasized, playing the blame-game like the sissy he was, "refuses to merge the companies without..." He cleared his throat. "Legal marriage."
My uncle's brow furrowed, and the conference room it up with conversation. I laughed. So Touya would marry their kid. Big deal. At least he'd finally get some.
"Well, that's absurd! Obviously we can merge companies without-"
"Please, sir, I understand your protest, but my father insisted on it. He refuses to go through the deal otherwise. He... feels certain that this way there will be no backing out and a serious, permanent merge will work." The poor guy looked absolutely desperate, like his life depended on this. Stupid business kids. They always think everything is the end of the universe. So what if the family company goes bankrupt? Haha whatev.
My uncle looked over at me and sighed. "Sakura, what do you think?"
I shrugged. "I don't care. Shouldn't you be asking Touya?"
Touya looked over at me from across the table. "Sakura, you are as dense as all get-out."
"Am not."
"Please, children, you're too old for this. Li, I assume that your father wishes for you to..." he took a deep breath. "Marry my niece?"
"Yes sir." The man kept his focus on my uncle.
My heart skipped a beat and I felt my face turn red. "...What?"
"My father believes that since I am to inherit the company, I should... be the one, in the-"
"I'll pass, thanks," I said defiantly, glaring at my uncle. "I don't want to inherit your company!" I shouted and slouched back in my chair. "Or marry anyone, either! Well, eventually, once I... not him."
My uncle sighed and rested his head in his hands. "This isn't happening to me."
"I'm terribly sorry for my father's sudden change in agreement," the weird Li-kid apologized. Suck-up.
"No, no, no, no," my uncle whispered.
Touya sent me a venomous glare. "Sakura, you know if the companies don't merge we'll both lose our inheritance?"
I scoffed. "Nuh-uh. Why do we have to merge in the first place?"
"The economical disaster, maybe?" Touya looked down and shook his head. "Ugh I don't want to be homeless."
I looked down at my doodle again. My dragon was angry with me now. If I had drawn it with a pencil, I would erase it. Instead I drew a mustache to make him look less menacing. Of course he now looked Mexican, so I added a sombrero and maracas. I looked up to find the room staring (or glaring) at me.
"...What happens if I don't do it?" I asked quietly. My uncle looked up at me with a sliver of hope in that gray-haired head of his.
"The company will go bankrupt, and you'll lose your inheritance."
I gasped dramatically. Touya just buried his head in his hands mumbling "my life is over".
"...And what happens if I... do do it?" I asked.
The Li-man answered me when my uncle just stared in astonishment of me even considering this. "The marriage would take place as soon as possible. The companies would merge and many jobs secured, at least more than without the merge. The-"
"No," I interrupted, looking at the table. "Would we like... live together?"
Touya scoffed, mumbling something like "idiot." Or maybe he was trying to say "My sister is really cool" and I heard him wrong.
"Well, for all practical purposes, the marriage would..." He laughed, half nervously and half out of amusement. He was laughing at me. "If that made you uncomfortable, I'm sure it won't be an issue to live separately."
"Sakura," my uncle began. "We'll find some way to save the company. Maybe we can... oh, I'm going to die alone." He groaned and slumped onto the table.
"Well give me a minute." I let out a slow breath. "Does this have to be a public thing?"
Syaoran shook his head. "It would probably be best to keep the marriage away from the press."
My eyebrows furrowed together, gazing at the Li with confusion. "And... will we have to like..."
A red-faced "no" was his reply.
Well, that was good news. I flipped a page over on my notepad and drew up a pro's and con's list.
"Sakura?" my uncle whispered. I ignored him and continued my list.
"Just say no so I can go commit suicide," Touya said scathingly. "Ten years I put into this company-"
"Shut up, Touya," I spat. I thought carefully; on one hand, I would be marrying a complete stranger. And a weird one at that. On the other hand, however, I would be saving the entire company from bankruptcy, and I would finally be of use to my uncle. It was basically either my happiness or everyone else's. Also, I added in small handwriting to my "pro" list, Li's kid was fine as fudge. Holllaaa.
I took the last breath of my freedom. "Fine."
The room gasped in unison. "Sakura!" my uncle yelled. "Sakura, really?"
"Don't make me change my mind."
I looked up at the Li man. His face was dark and abysmal, until he saw me looking at him. He immediately smiled. I narrowed my eyes.
"My father will be pleased," he said happily. "Is it possible to have another meeting tomorrow? He can easily cancel other plans for this."
My uncle stood up triumphantly. "Have as many meetings as you want! We're saved!" He and Touya danced a (very masculine) happy-dance.
I swallowed, feeling hollow.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At lunch I ran back home and got some shoes that belonged to me. Naoko gratefully took hers back.
"Sakura! How was your meeting?" Tomoyo asked from the kitchen. The best thing about her being a designer was that she made her own hours. I envied her ability to sleep in.
"I don't want to talk about it."
She nodded. "Is this about the merge with Li Corporation?"
"Oh, great, so everyone in the world knew about this except me." I wiggled my bare feet absentmindedly. "He... Li won't sign the merger unless I marry his son-"
Tomoyo gasped dramatically. "Oh Sakura!" she rejoiced. "Can I make your wedding dress!? I'd be lying if I said it wasn't my dream. Or that I hadn't already sketched up a few ideas already. Oh, Sakura, you're the luckiest girl in the entire world!"
"Okay, slow down. Don't you find this unfair in any way?"
She laughed. "No way. Li's son is so hot. I'd marry him in a heartbeat. I'm actually trying to hold my jealousy in." Tomoyo heaved a heavy sigh. "I'm alright. But seriously, would you rather go with a slender silhouette or-"
"I don't care."
She sauteed vegetables in the frying pan absently. "If I pick out the fabric today, I can start tomorrow. I think you'd look great in..." her mind wandered to Tomoyo-euphoria, her life's dream coming true. "Oh Sakura, I've always wanted to do a wedding dress. And doesn't he like you? You're so cute." She giggled. "Or maybe more of a ballgown. You'd look sooooo gorgeous."
I sighed again. "He's just... really businessy." My mind struggled for my first impressions of him, but none came to mind.
Tomoyo reluctantly fell from her wedding-cloud to console me. "Well, the first time you met him was in a business meeting. Maybe he has some fun other life." She gasped. "Maybe he's a scuba-diver."
"You know what, you're right. We just need to spend some more time together." I slid off the counter quickly and slid my own heels on.
"Want some?" She offered me a bowl of vegetables which I gladly took. "Just get to know him better and I'm sure he'll come around."
"Thanks." I sighed, eating quickly so I wouldn't be late for work the second time in one day. Pfft like it even mattered.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I slept badly that night, but at least I woke up on time. Or rather, I stayed up and waited for my alarm to go off. I took a nice, hot shower that lasted too long. By the time I had gotten dressed and blow-dried my hair, I was fifteen minutes late. Tomoyo would have lectured me, but she was completely surrounded by white tulle and lace, too happy to care if I had died in my sleep as long as she could dress my corpse.
"Have fun at work!" she called from behind her white mountain as I ran past her. I decided to skip breakfast, seeing as I was already way later than I had been the day before. Plus, I knew from experience Tomoyo would be making the dress smaller than I was. How that motivated me to lose weight, I didn't know. I didn't want to wear the monstrosity she was coming up with anyway.
"Sakura!" Naoko shouted at me. "You are ridiculous."
"Hey, I wore shoes today. And everything is inside-in. You should be proud of me." I felt proud of myself, at least, finally wearing one of the business suits Tomoyo insisted on making.
"Well, you have a meeting, now." She shooed me to the larger conference room where I found select executives of the Li Company and Kinomoto Industries. The conversation slowed when I walked in.
"Come in, Sakura," my uncle called. I walked in hesitantly, feeling scrutinized. At least I was put-together for once.
"Sakura, this is Mr. Li." I was introduced to a large, scary-looking man who shook hands with me aggressively.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sakura," he said dominantly. Everything about this guy screamed power and intimidation, right down to his gray business-hair. Syaoran stood behind him, not far from sulking.
"It's nice to meet you sir," I said back. Although it really wasn't. But whatever.
Since everyone had arrived, we took our seats. Li-son sat next to me with a hint of a smile.
My breath caught. He really was cute.
The meeting was boring and consisted of business-talk that went way over my head. I just sat there and nodded at things when everyone else did. After the men talked about their net worth or whatever they like to talk about, Li brought up the whole marriage thing. Part of me hoped he might forget. I mean, he was at least fifty. Maybe he would die in a month and I wouldn't have to go through with this! Happiness ensued.
"Sakura?" My uncle called to me. "Do you agree?"
"Uh." I looked at Li-son, who seemed happy with whatever I was agreeing with. "Absolutely, sir."
"Excellent." Li set out a document with lots of silly business words on it in front of me and Syaoran. "Then are we ready to sign?"
"Hell yeah!" I grabbed the pen that Li-son was holding out.
My uncle grimaced, but nevertheless signed after me. He looked happy enough. Li-son and his dad signed it quickly with almost identical handwriting, all scrawly and unreadable like true businessmen. We all shook hands and looked happy. I still had no idea what we had just signed.
The executives exited the conference room quickly, and I didn't blame them. This was like, the most boring meeting ever. Old Li shook hands again and left the room in a rush, mentioning some other meeting. My uncle hugged me tightly, going on about how proud my parents would have been, and ran after someone talking about something important. Li-son and I were left alone.
"Hi," I said awkwardly.
He smiled, as if it were actually normal behavior to meet your fiancee like this. "Nice to meet, you, Ms. Kinomoto." He held out his hand, and I awkwardly shook it. I was just having an awkward day.
"Yeah."
"Do you want to go get lunch?" he offered, sitting on the table with perfect posture. I slouched beside him, ready to fall asleep then and there.
"Lunch?" I questioned. I guess the meeting went a lot later than I thought.
He smiled. "We should get to know each other."
"Really?" I couldn't help but smile back. "Sure." I was starting to like him. Maybe it was the smoldering eyes, or the fact he always looked like a model for business suits. Whatever it was, I didn't mind.
We walked out to his car, a nice, expensive-looking sports car. "Nice car."
He shrugged. "Technically it's my father's. And..." He scanned the door with his brows furrowed. "There's a nasty scratch here."
I coughed inconspicuously.
"So," he started across from me, putting the keys in the ignition and starting the car. "Tell me about yourself."
I thought for a moment. "I don't know. What do you want to know?"
"Where do you live?"
Only a question that a stalker would ask. "My best friend and I have an apartment together downtown. She's a designer. She begged me to let her make my wedding dress."
"That must be nice, living with your best friend." He was amiable enough, very well-mannered, very polished. I wondered if he was really like this all the time, or if he was just putting up a front.
Arriving at a fancy place that didn't impress me, we got a fancy table away from the big crowd. He ordered fancily, and I just muttered out the only thing that sounded remotely like food.
Li-son looked at me intently as the waiter scuttled away. "You're really okay with this?"
I shrugged. "I guess so. I mean, it's not like I have another option that doesn't involve homelessness."
He nodded, amused. "But you're so willing to throw away any chance of marriage in the future." His eyes darted down to his silverware warily. "I do feel bad about that. I'm sorry."
"What?" I laughed. "It's not like anyone's waiting to sweep me off my feet right now, and I doubt that'll come in the near future. And I kind of feel like I owe it to my uncle." I closed my mouth, surprised at how easily I confessed my feelings to him. I didn't normally walk around using people as my psychiatrist.
"How do you mean?" he pressed, obviously intrigued by my feelings. It was weird. But... no, it was weird.
I took a drink of water to stall for a couple seconds. "Well... obviously I have no interest in this company, and my uncle accepts me as baggage. Loving baggage. But I feel like this is finally my chance to help him with something."
He smiled and looked into my eyes. "Sakura, you are something else."
I frowned. "I assume you mean that as a compliment."
"Of course I meant it as a compliment."
I looked at his truthful, amber-ish eyes and my brow furrowed. He was not normal. Maybe he was mentally challenged. Suddenly I remembered something. "...What did that contract mean?"
Li sat quietly for a moment. Suddenly he began laughing. I tried not to smile, but when a guy like him starts laughing it's kind of hard not to. "Are you going to tell me?"
"Of course. I don't want to hide anything from you." He checked his watch quickly out of habit. "The contract we signed was basically an unromantic proposal. Nothing to worry about, I promise." He looked genuinely sincere. I was finding it hard to resent him.
"Okay, so do I get an engagement ring or anything?" I asked expectantly. "I mean, you said for all practical purposes this was a normal marriage."
"I have it with me." Sure enough, a small black box was hidden in his left pocket, taunting me. "Do you want it?" He began to hand it to me.
I stared at him with his hand elongated across the table in disbelief. I felt a completely irrational pang in my chest.
"...That's it?" I said in a small voice. That's my proposal?
His smile quickly faded into guilt. "Oh Sakura, I'm sorry. I was afraid you'd be dissuaded by something personal." His arm slithered back to his side.
I'd be what? "No, it's fine. I'm being stupid."
Food arrived, we ate, and I went home.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Sakura?" Tomoyo called from outside my locked door. "The pizza is here. Do you want to come out or should I cut a hole in your door and shove it through?"
I rolled out of my bed and unlocked the door. "Will you bring me some?"
"Get your own." I heard her footsteps disappear down the stairs. Sighing, I rubbed my face quickly and followed her.
When I got to the end I screamed and ran into the kitchen. "Tomoyo!"
"Just talk to him, hun. He didn't do anything." She came into the kitchen and patted me slowly like I was a small child. "Technically he did bring pizza."
"I thought we made a pact about not letting men into the house without making sure nobody was in their pajamas."
"Yes, well, he's your fiancee. He doesn't count."
"Of course he does!" I shouted. "...Do I look okay?"
"Sakura, you look adorable. Go talk to him."
With one last glare, I walked into the entryway to find Li standing with pizza.
"I hope you don't mind me not calling," he said apologetically. "Tomoyo said you were working."
I mentally cursed myself for slipping into my lazy sweatpants. They were never meant to be seen my male eyes. "Yeah. Hardcore business proposal about... business."
He smiled. "May I come in?"
I closed the door behind him and ushered him into the living room. "I'll be there in a second."
Tomoyo came up behind me and smiled. "I'll be in my room. You two have fun... talking." With a smirk, she disappeared. I sighed.
Li sat in my favorite chair. This much I could hate him for, at least. Funneling all my anger to him, I slumped into the horrible couch and let out a dramatic sigh.
Unfazed, Li opened the pizza. "My father would like to discuss some details with you, but because he scares most people, I offered to talk to you myself."
I frowned. It was cheese.
"I hope you don't mind cheese. Tomoyo informed me that she was a vegetarian, and I-"
"Ugh. It's fine." I hate him for being perfect. "What did your dad want to talk to me about?"
Li sighed. "First of all, my father is a businessman, and a man. So obviously, he doesn't get the emotional burden that's been put on you for doing this. He suggested a private ceremony on Friday, with the signing at the reception. But that's not happening."
I let out the breath I had been holding.
"Now, my mother isn't a businesswoman, and neither are my sisters. Arranged marriages are like satan to them. They would never let it happen to me, or more importantly, a woman."
My throat tightened. Where was he going with this?
He laughed. "It's horrible of me to ask this. But, my mother will never allow an arranged marriage, and even my father can't get in the way of her happiness. So in order for this entire thing to work out, we'd need to be in love. Which obviously isn't true."
I grinned. "So the deal's off?"
"Well, it may be, unless we're both really good actors." He smiled sheepishly. "The thing is... I feel terrible for what I'm asking you to do. And if you aren't up for it, which I imagine is true, no one will think less of you. I'm sure my father can be persuaded to sign without this deal." But despite his confident business talk, he looked less than certain his words were true.
I stopped him from continuing. We sat in silence for a moment; I took in the information, and he stared at me.
I sank back into the couch and stared at the untouched pizza. So not only did I have to marry this guy, I had to act like I was in love with him. Otherwise I was a sadist and everyone I loved lost their job.
Clearing my throat, I sat up in my seat. But after a quick breath, I sighed back into the couch with disbelief. "This isn't much of a choice, you know."
A hint of a smile played on his face. "Thank you for understanding." He shook my hand and stood up. "Have a nice night."
"Wait," I said quietly as he made for the door. He looked back around at me silently.
"What's your name?"
Li stared at me blankly, as if trying to figure out whether I was joking or not. Finally he smiled warmly, suddenly filling the room with happy fuzzy thoughts.
"Syaoran."
As I watched him walk out the door, I couldn't help but admire his business skills. Of course, at the same time blood rushed through my veins so loudly I was proud of myself for being able to hear my thoughts over it.
Then I devoured every inch of that stupid pizza.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Yes, darling, I'd love some more water." I batted my eyelashes relentlessly.
Tomoyo scoffed. "What's the last romantic movie you watched, Gone With the Wind? No one bats their eyelashes anymore. It's all about your boobs."
"Yes, Syaoran's mom will love that." I sighed and brushed out my hair with my fingers. "I need to act in love, not a hooker waiting to get picked up on the corner."
Tomoyo relaxed, staying calm. "When you're in love with someone, you act like a total ditz. You have that down already. No eye-batting."
"Thank you, Tomoyo. I'm going to bed now."
All night I had strange dreams that weren't nightmares, just really unpleasant. Crazy women chasing me around with bouquets, Old Li carrying me around in a wedding dress... I was almost relieved when my alarm went off.
I made a end-of-the-year resolution to start dressing more appropriately. Since Tomoyo had made enough business-wear to clothe all of Mongolia, I felt badly for never wearing any of it. And I was surprisingly early for work after a breakfast consisting of Special K with skim milk and two cups of coffee.
"Have fun!" Tomoyo called from the living room.
I slid my car into the parking lot, and I couldn't help but notice Li's (father's) car parked at the entrance. I forced the angry thoughts into the dungeon of my mind and allowed the happy ones to scamper about freely.
When I got upstairs, Naoko was on the verge of tears. "Two days in a row you look presentable. I'm so proud," she cooed. I shot her a glare and leaned in closer.
"Where's Li and why is he here?"
She grimaced. "He's here with his mom, they want to have brunch."
"...But I'm so full from breakfast." Thankfully my stomach didn't growl cliché-ly. Nevertheless I was starving.
"Well, they're in your office waiting for you. Have fun," she said sympathetically.
I walked to my office with a smile. I was not letting my brother down. I was going to slut it up. By the time I convinced myself to unbutton my shirt one more time, he was standing there in front of me.
"Hey, Syaoran!" I smiled when I saw him, hands still on my blouse. I quickly moved them. He smiled and stepped to the side. The name felt strange in my mouth, foreign and not to be spoken in such a familiar tone.
"Sakura, I'd like you to meet my mother, Yelan Li. Mother, this is my girlfriend, Sakura Kinomoto."
She smiled sincerely. "It's nice to meet you, Sakura. And Syaoran, why have I not met this beautiful girl before?"
He smiled. "This just felt like the right time."
I laughed and set my jacket and purse down. "So, is there any other reason you stopped by? Not that I don't appreciate the company. I'm just a little swamped."
When his mother admired the office, he shot me an apologetic look. "Well, I wanted my mother to get to know you a little better. I figure it's about time."
I smiled again. "Great. How about brunch?" Once again, my stomach failed to growl. It was an awesome stomach.
Yelan smiled at me. "Yes, that sounds fantastic. Is it just the three of us? Or would your mother care to join us?"
Syaoran coughed. I looked at the paperwork on my desk, shuffling it unnecessarily.
After a quick, awkward apology, we headed out to brunch at another fancy restaurant. I couldn't help but notice the few cameras outside. Syaoran looked innocent, but he lied like a... a liar.
"So, how long have you two been going out?" Yelan asked over the appetizer. I looked to Syaoran helplessly.
"About eight months. Is that right?" he asked. I smiled and nodded.
"That's a long time," she complemented. "And I have to ask, Sakura, how did you two meet?"
I stared into her eyes so long I felt like we were about to have a romantic connection. "Well."
Syaoran stepped in, but his mother quickly shut him up. "I want to hear this from the woman's perspective."
"Um."
"Mother, I really love telling this story, please," Syaoran asked pleasantly, but firmly. His mother sighed and agreed.
Then he just pulled out this bullcrap story out of nowhere about how we met in the middle of the park one day and looked into each other's eyes and something stupid.
"How romantic."
"Yep, he's something else." I helped myself to brunch, not caring about the caloric intake.
Syaoran's phone went off loudly, and he excused himself to go talk business-things. I was left alone with his adorable mother. If all in-laws were like her, the world would be a happy place.
"So, Sakura, I haven't known you for long, but you make my son very happy. Therefore you must be a special girl. He's never really been one for dating." She took a drink slowly. "How... intimate have you been?"
Gladly I wasn't drinking when she asked me this, so I didn't spit it out all over her. I did, however, stare at her with a horrified expression for the few seconds it took for Syaoran to get back.
"Sorry, it's dad. Some... business stuff." He sent a meaningful glance toward me. It could only mean one thing: the company had burned down in a tragic fire and we wouldn't have to go through this anymore.
"Well, if he calls again let me handle it. The man is whipped."
Syaoran buried his head in his hands, muttering words meant for adult ears only. "Mother, I've asked you a million times not to discuss your romantic life with dad."
"Oh, you'll do the same thing someday." She motioned for the bill effortlessly, like she was used to eating at fancy places or something. Show-off.
"Is it okay if I spend some time with Sakura for a bit? You can take my car." Syaoran handed her the keys.
"Of course. It was wonderful meeting you, dear." Yelan and I shook hands quickly, and then we were gone.
"Why didn't you tell me I was meeting you mother today?" I asked angrily.
"Why don't you slow down first! You're going to kill me."
"It's not such a bad idea right now, actually." I turned a corner too fast, causing him to slam violently into the window. It took a great deal of effort to keep from smiling.
He sighed angrily. "Look, I just don't see why you're so upset about this. I would have called you last night, but I didn't want to disturb you."
"Well, you should call me about stuff like this."
"Why are you so upset?" he asked, gripping the seat belt with a death hold.
I sped into the parking lot and jolted into a space. "Because I feel like I've spent more time with your mother than I have with you." I took a deep breath, staring straight in front of me. "I may not like this arrangement, but I don't want to marry a complete stranger." My voice faltered.
Syaoran moved to put a hand on my shoulder, but seemed to think better of it and let it fall to his lap. "Let's do something tonight, then."
I nodded silently and watched him get out of my car, still completely oblivious that he didn't have a way to get back to his office. Instead of following him inside, I stayed in my car and took a short break that definitely didn't involve a nap.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
After my "meditation time" in the car, I walked up to the office refreshed and rejuvenated.
"Good afternoon, Naoko," I said in a chipper tone. She gave me a wary look.
"What?" I asked. "I had some things to do."
She sighed and handed me a sheet of paper. "This is the outline of meetings from now until who-knows-when. All of them are exclusively you, Touya, your uncle, and the Li men."
I read the sheet quickly, mentally cursing every single date. "But what are all of these for?"
"Sakura, don't you get it? The Lis are like, the most famous and rich family on this side of the planet. All of a sudden Syaoran's dating you, someone almost as close in fame and fortune."
I stared at her blankly.
"Sakura, these meetings are to plan your wedding."
I re-cursed every meeting. "I thought we could have a nice underground wedding."
"The first one is in a week. I'd start getting to work early, actually. The publicity on this is going to skyrocket."
I frowned. "But I don't like to wake up early." The Lis were ruining my life more and more every day.
"Then have fun being tackled by stalkers on a daily basis. Here's your coffee." As she handed me the cup of delicious caffeine, I couldn't help but feel sorry for myself. After all, I threw the best pity-parties in town.
"Sakura, can I talk to you for a minute?" Touya called from his office adjacent to mine. I wandered in mindlessly, absorbed in my head.
"What's up?" I asked, sitting down in the chair across from him, his overly-cluttered desk between us.
He laughed. "You, Sakura. I can't believe everything that's happening around here." Touya sighed and looked at me closely. "Why are you doing all of this?"
I shrugged. "I don't want to die in a gutter."
He gave me a quick glare before absentmindedly signing papers. "Darling, you can get a job. I know you're not doing it for the money. I just want to know why you're sacrificing for something you don't even care about it."
"But you and uncle care about it, Touya," I retorted. "Look... I know I've never been anything but a burden for the two of you. Anything I was asked to do, you took care of it." He shot me a smile. "But this is something that you can't do for me. And it's my only chance to really pay you guys back for everything you've done." I sighed. "And the money."
Touya sorted papers on his desk quickly, but took a few minutes to reply. "I never knew you felt that way." His work kept him busy for a few more minutes. "Syaoran is actually a really nice guy. We've gotten along pretty well since we started working together a few years ago."
I smiled. At least my brother approved.
"But I swear, if I ever see him touch you I'll break his hand in a second."
Ah, there it was.
He sighed heavily. "Well, as you can see I have a lot of things to do. You can help if you want, but I really work better alone."
"Do you want a family?" I blurted.
He looked up incredulously. "What?"
"Come on, you're already thirty and you've never had a serious girlfriend or anything. Don't you ever want to settle down and start a life instead of a company?" I regretted the words incessantly pouring out of my mouth, but I had always wondered why he never had any romantic interests. Ever. I mean, he's not that ugly.
Touya ground his teeth and returned to his work. "Please let me get some work done."
Glaring at him (though this loses effectiveness when the glaree refuses to look at you), I stormed out of the office. For the record, it was his fault the brother-sister-bonding-moment was lost, not mine.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
My office was pretty much blank, seeing as before the Li Company took a personal interest in ruining my life, I spent little to no time actually at work. I had a level 80 farm, and all my friends on Call of Duty were extremely supportive. As I sat down and wondered why they built me an office in the first place, my phone went off loudly.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Oh good, I thought you weren't going to answer," Tomoyo puffed. "Listen, you never gave me a straight answer on lace. Now I know it's a little 80's, but-"
"Tomoyo, we both know I don't care. Is there an actual reason you're calling me, or do you just like getting hung up on?"
There was a huff of exasperation on the other end of the line. "You'd better be nicer to me."
"I'm not in the mood." I turned on my computer, the only thing I had ever used in the office. "Seriously, why did you call me?"
She giggled. "You know Yamazaki from grade school?"
I frowned. "The weird guy? What about him?"
"Well, apparently he heard about your relationshipwith Syaoran. He's a reporter for People, so I told him you'd do an interview tonight."
It took me a moment to repress all of the angry words I felt. "I don't understand why any of this is exciting news."
"Oh, you'll be happy to see him. Trust me." She laughed once more before hanging up. I wrote this off as a normal amount of crazy for her and put my phone away without a second thought.
While checking my email, I couldn't help but dread the next few weeks. Not only would I have to get up early, but I would be forced to spend time with Syaoran's father, the creepiest man alive.
The rest of the day was a boring montage of phone calls and interruptions from my level 76 warlock's raid. By the time I got home, I had completely forgotten about Tomoyo and her ridiculous interview.
"Tomoyo, I'm home!" I called from the front door.
She bustled toward me wearing a purple apron and her hair up in a loose ponytail. "Sakura! He's waiting for you in the living room. Dinner will be ready in like, ten minutes." She quickly shooed me out of the kitchen to meet Yamazaki.
She was definitely right. I was very glad to see him.
As he stood up, I admired his chiseled figure with a sigh. His slightly pudgy face from ten years ago had been replaced with a toned, muscular dream. It took a lot of effort not to swoon then and there.
"Hi, Sakura!" he said with excitement. I eagerly shot my hand out, willing for any contact with him.
"Nice to see you, Takashi!" I giggled. Ugh. Flirtatious Sakura was just an awkward mess.
We sat down on the couch next to each other, making small talk about families and other people in our class. To be completely honest I just liked the silky velvet that was his voice.
"So, you're a reporter! That's... fun." I stopped my arm mid-hair twirl.
He laughed. "Yeah, I've been pretty busy lately. But I really wanted to take your story."
Oh yes. Yes you did.
"That's cool. Ask me anything."
Yamazaki cleared his throat. "Of course. You were spotted having a casual dinner with Syaoran and Yelan Li yesterday. What's the story behind that?"
No, no, no. "Uh, yeah. Well, I was meeting Syaoran's mom."
"Obviou- Okay. And... why?"
I stared at him for a moment, partly because I didn't know how to answer the question. But mostly just to stare at him.
"Syaoran and I have been... seeing each other."
Yamazaki smiled triumphantly, his recording device picking up every trace of my awkward voice. "I see. How long has this been going on? The two most beautiful and wealthy young people in Japan secretly dating?"
"You think I'm beautiful?" I muttered.
"Dinner's ready!" Tomoyo shouted, appearing from the kitchen with a dish of lasagna. "It needs to cool off though. I'll just be in the kitchen." Just as quickly, she disappeared with the food. "Continue!"
Yamazaki shifted. "So, how long have you and Li been seeing each other?"
"Uh?" I looked in the kitchen to see Tomoyo on the phone with who I assumed to be Syaoran. Suddenly she held up eight fingers. "Eight days."
He frowned. "Really?"
"Oh. oh. Just kidding. I meant eight... months? Yeah. Eight months. Steady." I made a rolling motion with my left hand, just like what the awkward train looks like leaving the station.
"I see. And why did you two decide to keep the relationship a secret until today?"
I sighed. "Uh. Well. That's..." Tomoyo mouthed something quickly, but we both knew I couldn't read lips. I was completely alone. "We... well, you know our companies are merging at the moment. And we both felt that if the relationship didn't work, it could jeopardize everything. But we've come to a point where things are working, and we're just tired of sneaking around." I smiled. Hours of watching Oprah had finally paid off.
Tomoyo gave me a thumbs-up and recited my excellent response to Syaoran. Yamazaki nodded and wrote it down. "I see. Very smart of the two of you. So... is there marriage in the future?"
I laughed. "We haven't talked about it. But just between the two of us, I wouldn't be upset if he asked me." I ended the trail of lies with a smile.
Takashi smiled. "I see. Anything else you'd like to add?"
"I could talk all night. What do you want to ask?" Just as I was ready to take off the flirting training wheels, the doorbell rang. Cursing the person behind it, I jumped up and ran to answer it.
"Syaoran?"
He smiled, holding flowers. "Are you ready?"
"Does it look like I'm ready?" I shot back, referencing to my shoeless feet and rumpled hair. "I'm sorry. I totally forgot about tonight. Tomoyo invited over a reporter, and there's lasagna..." Leaning against the door, I gave him a weary look. "Can you just wait like, ten minutes?"
He looked amused. "Are you in the middle of an interview? With whom?"
"The hottest-" I stopped. "Magazine."
He shook his head and came in, setting the flowers on the kitchen table. "Where is he?"
"Just through there. Tomoyo? I'm going to change, but I'll be right back." I turned to find Tomoyo fawning over Syaoran.
"It's so nice to meet you, how would you like to see some design concepts for the wedding dress?"
Happy to know my best friend was in no place to pick out an outfit for me, I was almost surprised when I saw the ensemble laid out on my bed. The note on top said it would look best if I curled my hair.
Almost surprised.
Changing into the midnight blue cocktail dress with black flats (thanking her for at least this comfort), I didn't want to know what was happening downstairs. My best friend, fiancee, and sexy reporter all in the same room was bound for either disaster or my embarrassment.
At her demand, I quickly curled my hair. Though I wouldn't admit this, it really did look better. After doing a quick once-over in the mirror, I headed downstairs.
"-and she's not wearing pants! Thankfully the neighbors didn't press charges," Tomoyo laughed.
I locked eyes with her immediately, and her grin faltered. "I thought we agreed to never speak about that night again, Tomoyo."
She coughed. I couldn't help but notice Yamazaki still had his recorder out.
"You look beautiful," Syaoran noted, kissing me on the forehead. My body erupted in goosebumps and warm fuzzies as I stood in shock for a moment, completely unused to the informality between us. "See you later, Takashi."
The reporter waved informally to Syaoran, then turned his attention back to Tomoyo. It seemed like she was recounting every detail of my life to him.
"Bye," I stammered, tripping over my foot on the way to the door.
I slid into his car slowly. The inside smelled like happy rays of leather sunshine.
"Your car smells good," I blurted out. Great conversation there.
"Thank you," he replied absently. "Have you eaten?"
"Yes," I said without thinking. I couldn't stand another fancy restaurant. "Where are we going?"
He pulled out into the street smoothly. "Somewhere private enough to talk."
I kept my eyes focused on the road. There was always something really sexy about a man driving a car to me. "Yay."
"You really do look nice." he paused. "Wait, was that your stomach?"
I glared at my stomach for giving me away, but also appreciated the timing to not be a cliché. "No."
"Then what was it?"
"Maybe there's something wrong with your car." I hit my stomach a couple of times, as if to stop the growling. He shot me a quick look of exasperation before turning into the McDonald's drive-thru. I tried not to shriek with happiness.
"What do you want?" he asked, rolling the window down.
"A number six with a small Sprite," I recited. I was a creature of habit when it came to fast food.
I fiddled with the radio while Syaoran bought my dinner. The fact he even knew what McDonald's was made me slightly more comfortable. At least he wasn't some freak that wouldn't eat anything under $30.
"Aren't you going to get anything?" I asked when he handed me my food.
Syaoran smiled slightly. "I did."
As I devoured my sandwich and he stole my fries, I felt kind of bad for hating him so much. He wasn't really a bad person. I just hated him.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
We arrived in the park just as the sky turned a burnt orange color. After a quick look around I spotted a few guys in the bushes with cameras and figured they weren't taking pictures of their family.
"Don't mind those guys," Syaoran said. "Just pretend they're not there."
"But they are there," I protested. "Is this my life from now on?"
Syaoran let a laugh out. "Pretty much."
He led me to a small gazebo in the middle of the park, decorated with lights that hadn't turned on yet. "Is this okay?"
I nodded. He really had planned on talking, not just taking me to the movies to appease me.
"So," he grunted, lowering to the ground. "How are you?"
I tried not to laugh as I joined him. "Overwhelmed."
"That's understandable." He looked like an actual person, with tired eyes and a tired sigh.
"I thought you were all gung-ho about this stuff," I said bemusedly.
He didn't answer immediately. "...It's not you. This entire thing came at a horrible time for me. Well, I guess there's not a good time, but there's a less-bad time." His eyes remained on the ground.
"What do you mean?"
Syaoran looked reluctant to tell me. "Well, I've been seeing someone."
I sat silently, somehow baffled that he had a life outside of business. And for some irrational reason, I was hurt.
"Her name is Hannah. I met her last year, and we've been seeing each other ever since then... I guess I'm just glad we decided to keep it a secret. Otherwise I would've messed everything up." His finger traced patterns into the concrete with deep concentration. "But now I feel obligated to end it. I mean, if anyone found out it would be... I'm sorry. I just thought you should know."
"No, you have nothing to apologize for," I said. The dull pang in my chest was still there, groundless as ever. I forced myself to think about it from his perspective, not mine: meeting the guy of your dreams, and a year later being dragged into an arranged marriage and forced to let him go, all because my uncle told me to. It was upsetting. "Have you told her in person?"
He shook his head. "I just don't think I can see her. I can't imagine what she thinks of me."
"She's going to think you've been cheating on her for eight months unless you tell her yourself," I chastised. "You haven't thought this through at all."
He sighed deeply. "Listen, this is not what I had planned for tonight. I wanted us to get to know each other, not talk about my relationship." He popped his knuckles absently. "I'm horrible at planning dates."
I smiled. "No, it's nice." I repositioned myself on the uncomfortable concrete floor, wondering why I didn't just wear shorts. Skirts and comfort never go together except in fairy tales. "You know, I was totally wrong about you. I thought you were some lame business person willing to do anything for more power. But you're not." Taking into account that I rarely formed a sentence well, I thought my pep-talk was above par.
"Yeah, I'm just an egotistical idiot willing to do anything to win my father's affection." He sighed. "I'm sorry. That was unnecessary."
I shrugged. "It's fine."
Suddenly the lights in the gazebo flickered on, just as the sky took on a dark purple shade. Syaoran smiled at me, the soft glow serving him well. "Look."
I stood up to take in the lights slowly surrounding us. The entire park was now coated in a soft yellow glow, making me feel like I was in the middle of some extremely romantic movie. Syaoran was now beside me grinning. "Isn't this amazing?"
I nodded, perplexed. For a second, I let my mind wander. Imagining that Syaoran and I were actually in love, not being forced to spend time together. This would be the perfect time for him to bend down on one knee and call me "the love of my life, and I can't spend another day without you."
I didn't realize I was leaning against him until his arm wrapped around my side. I blamed my staying there on the cameras.
"I hope you don't mind this," he apologized into my ear. His soft breath nearly sent me to the ground, my knees buckling like the bones had just been removed. I felt him take a deep breath. "You smell nice. Is that weird of me to say?" He took another breath.
I silently awarded myself for splashing on perfume before I left. I would have thanked him if my voice were working.
It had been a long time since I had been this close to a man this attractive. Realizing just exactly how close we were, I looked up from the ground and realized that he was staring straight at me. Our faces just inches away, his so manly and sensitive.
The unmistakable crack of lightning jolted me out of my beautiful moment. I cursed nature and pulled away from Syaoran.
"Let's get out of here before we get drenched." As he spoke, rain began to pour down all around his. He slid off his jacket and handed it to me.
I gratefully took the coat and slipped into it silently. It was warm and toasty.
"Oh no," I groaned as we walked up to his expensive-looking car. "I'm going to ruin your dad's car."
He hopped in without a second thought. "Don't worry about it."
I sat precariously on the seat as he drove me home. It was only about twenty minutes, and the majority was spent in a comfortable silence. Even if I didn't love him, I got the feeling that we could still be good friends.
"Here we are," he mused out loud. "Do you want me to walk you in?"
"Oh, no," I laughed. "Tomoyo's going to ask me enough questions already, and if you come up you won't escape."
He smiled. "Then I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye," I said, closing the door softly. The air was cold, so I ran up to my apartment door as quickly as I could. Before I could fumble around for my keys in my purse, Tomoyo opened the door with a sly grin.
"Good morning," she said chipperly.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, throwing my keys on the table. Looking at the clock, I sighed. The bright yellow numbers flashed 12:18 over and over again, as if to rub it in my face.
"So we stayed out a little later than intended. Big deal." I slid off my coat- Syaoran's coat- and threw it carelessly on the table. "Listen, you have to wake me up early tomorrow. I need to be at work on time."
"Why?" she grinned deviously. "Is someone waiting for you?"
I glared at her. "I'm going to bed."
"Why are you soaking wet?" she asked quickly. "Why do you have Li's coat? You were smiling when you came in. Where did you go? Please tell me," she begged.
"I'll tell you tomorrow at lunch," I mumbled, wishing we installed an escalator instead of stairs. "Good night."
After a quick, hot shower, I slid into bed and immediately fell asleep. Only minutes later Tomoyo was jostling me awake, banging a spoon against a pan.
"Come on, Sakura!" she shouted. "Get up!"
I slunk out of bed and mindlessly threw on whatever outfit she wanted me to. Letting her do my hair and makeup was something I rarely let happen, but I was extremely desperate.
"I'm driving you in today, you can eat in the car." I moaned as she dragged me down the stairs and handed me a bagel. "If you don't hurry up, I'll make you try on dresses until you collapse."
This at least got me into the car. As I forced the bagel down, Tomoyo sped through traffic silently. We pulled into the parking lot faster than I thought possible.
"There. Go," she instructed. "I'm picking you up at twelve for lunch." With a dazzling smile, she pushed me out of the car and drove away.
I sighed and trudged up the steps. At least there was an elevator here.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
AHHH