Breathe
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this fanfic… but I do own the plot and the story.
Summary: A simple girl living a simple life meets the man who would complicate it in a lot of ways. "Working for the President of the billion-dollar empire wasn't a good idea, after all… especially if it's you, Li Syaoran. Everything's just a game for you."
Chapter 1: First Impressions Last
"Sakura, honey, breakfast's ready!" Tomoyo called from the kitchen.
"Be right there! Five minutes!" Sakura's voice came from upstairs.
Tomoyo smiled. Today is the opening day for the Li Corporation, and Sakura so badly wanted to get in and work for the company, for a single reason: She needs to earn money to visit, help with the medical fees and stay with her sick father and brother, who were both at New York, and Li Corporation is the only capable company of giving her good pay.
Sakura had worked for a small company before, but it already closed down because the Li Corporation took it. Apparently, Li Corporation loaned that company some money and it couldn't pay the interest, so Li Corporation had it closed. Still, her savings weren't enough for the medication of her father.
Sakura came in seconds later, wearing a black skirt that reached below her knees and a sleeveless white top with ruffles in the middle. Her hair was up in a neat ponytail, and she wore no make-up.
"Sakura, you look… like a plain secretary." Tomoyo said, sitting across her.
Sakura nodded. "I know, but I think looking formal makes a good impression. Mmm, nice pancakes," she said.
Tomoyo giggled. "Whatever you say. Anyway, good luck with the interview today. I know you're gonna get it."
Sakura smiled. "Thank you, Tomoyo. I'm really not aiming for a high position—just the normal paying ones; Li Corporation's pay rates are higher than the rest anyway. I just really need this… job." She said, her voice quivering a little.
Tomoyo touched her best friend's hand. "Sakura, don't worry, okay? Oh, I got this for you as a good luck gift." She reached behind her and gave Sakura a cherry-pink lip gloss, which smells sweet like cherries.
"It's the one I've been wanting to buy! Thank you!" she shrieked, hugging her best friend. "You are the greatest!"
"You might want to head off now, since you'll be late if you don't."
"Okay, I'll be back later!" Sakura said, grabbing her files and bag.
.-.-.-.
"WHERE THE HELL ARE THE FILES I NEED?" A guy with chocolate brown hair and sharp amber eyes shouted.
Another girl, probably a secretary, cowered at the end of the table. "I-I'm just about to finish them—"
"You are just about to finish? I need those files tomorrow, so basically I have to review all of them today! YOU'RE FIRED!" The guy shouted.
"B-But Li-sama I—"
"Shut up. Better take your things right now or I'll call security and get you dragged out." He said, still not calming down. "I don't need someone incompetent in my company."
The girl sobbed a little and exited the room before she broke into hysterics.
"Maria," he called out into the intercom, "Are the applicants ready?"
"Yes, Li-sama. All are here, except for one."
"I don't care. Start the screening without her. Those who pass, let them inside Conference Room B."
"Yes, Li-sama."
He groaned in frustration; he had just lost another secretary. Massaging his temples, he leaned back on his chair. It takes a toll on him, on how he can never find anyone who met up to his expectations. Something's always missing.
Monique, the secretary he just fired, was really efficient and does great presentations and gives brilliant ideas—however, when given other tasks she lacks the competence and brains to do it.
.-.-.-.
Maria reached for the list of the applicants. "When I call out your name, please step forward."
Just then, the door opened and Sakura came in. "Good morning," she greeted.
"Good morning, Miss Kinomoto. I hope next time you arrive early."
Sakura checked her watch. "Miss Maria, I am ten minutes early. Your clock seems to be broken," she pointed to the wall clock.
Maria glanced at it and smiled. "Then, I am pleased to have you here. Please take your seat."
Sakura smiled. 'I hope I do pass,' she said to herself.
.-.-.-.
"Miss Kinomoto Sakura, please proceed to the Interviewing Room."
Sakura stood up and made her way into the room.
"Good morning, Miss Kinomoto." A guy with blue hair and glasses greeted her with a smile.
Sakura returned the gesture. "Good morning."
"Nervous?" he asked, opening her files and scanning it.
She nodded. "A bit, but it'll wear off."
"I'm glad to hear that," he said. "So you actually graduated from Tokyo University."
"Yes," She said. "I took Business Management and a Major in Advertising."
"All in four years?" he asked, surprised. Usually, business management takes four years and the major classes another two years.
"Yes. I took extra AP classes, so I was ahead of my classmates. I was granted permission to take my Major classes when I was in my third year, so I took it with my regular classes."
"How does that work?" he asked.
She thought for a moment. "I took my regular classes in the morning and my major classes in the evening. My advanced classes I took whole day during weekends."
"You actually spent your whole four years in school?"
"Yes."
"And you are actually a straight-A student. Impressive." He said, looking up from his glasses.
She smiled. "When I passed the examinations, I applied for a scholarship. I need to keep my grades in check."
The guy smiled. "I'm impressed. Your qualifications are great," he said, lifting the page, "And your medical certificate says you're healthy as a vegetable. Okay, proceed to Conference Room B."
Sakura's eyes were wide. "Oh my—thank you!" she said, bowing. "Thank you so much!" and she left the room.
.-.-.-.
Li Syaoran sat on the far end of the table. "Let them in," he said through the intercom.
The door opened and girls of all sorts walked in, with Sakura at the end of the line. She looked at the girls she was with; they were all dressed in skimpy, revealing clothes and wearing heavy make-up. She looked at her clothes; it made her look like an old hag compared to these girls.
"Sit," Li Syaoran said, as they took their respective seats. "I don't have much time right now so I'll go direct to the point. Once I call your name, seat here—" he pointed to the seat beside him, "And I'll ask you some questions. Now let's start with… Kira Yamazaki."
A girl with long, curly hair wearing black, vertically-striped slacks and white tube dress, heavily accessorized and wearing too much make-up approached him.
Sakura waited patiently, wondering what her question will be. Will the questions be the same for all of them, or will it be different? They were sitting far from them so they couldn't really hear what they were talking about.
After minutes of waiting, she took out her small mint case and took two. She just placed them in her mouth when she heard her name.
She approached Li and sat on the chair opposite him. "Good morning, Li-sama." She greeted with a smile.
"Good morning," he said flatly, looking at her profile. "Tell me why I should hire you in my company." He said.
Sakura cleared her throat. "Li-sama, you need me in your company for three major reasons: First, I am responsible. I finish all the works before the deadline and I never forget a single detail. Second, I am versatile. I can work and adjust wherever I am, which ever department I get assigned to. Third, I take my work seriously. When I work, I do not just give it my best; I give it 1000% of me. I don't settle for something that is 'okay,'. When I do my work, I want it perfect."
Li looked at her. She spoke with such emotions, and he could see the sincerity in her eyes. "If you were given a chance to choose, which department would you like to get assigned to?" he asked.
"Li-sama, as I have said, I am versatile and flexible. It doesn't matter to me where I get assigned; as long as I get a job done and become useful for the company I'm working for."
He looked at her and smirked. Most girls, when asked where they want to get assigned, would answer that they want to be his personal secretary. She was the only one who gave out a different answer. "Miss Kinomoto, would you like to give me a motto, or a phrase you always remember when working to help you be motivated?"
"Li-sama, I always remind myself that I work primarily for the company, and secondary for myself. The company is always my top priority when it comes to working."
Li smirked again. This girl really is different. She seems so vulnerable and fragile, yet when she speaks, she gets directly to the point and makes it clear. She has such a strong personality coming from her, and he might use someone like her in his company.
However…
This girl seems like she lived centuries ago. She looks so formal. Her eyes were a brilliant shade of emerald, yet her sense of style makes her look so unattractive. She doesn't seem fazed by the fact that she was speaking to the most handsome man in all of China, Japan, and Asia; even in Europe and the States. She kept her eyes steady and her breathing even. This made him tick.
Although he must admit, her lips were kinda alluring and gently pulling him in. He shook his head to get rid of the thought, and focused more on her.
This girl would be one tough shell to crack.
"Alright. Thank you for your time." He said. "Please wait for my announcements at your seat."
Sakura bowed and returned to the far end of the room. Li disappeared through a back door.
"So, which of them?" the guy who previously interviewed Sakura adjusted his glasses. "I like the Kinomoto girl."
"What the fuck Eriol," Mei Lin said, slapping his back, "I thought you liked preppy chicks?"
Eriol rolled his eyes. "Mei Lin goddammit. You hit like a guy. I like her as a person, not the romantic way bitch."
"You like her?" Syaoran asked, smirking. "She's too plain. She doesn't even have make-up on. She's too much of a… a secretary."
"Exactly what you need," Mei Lin said. "Based on what Eriol told me, she seems like the best pick among the whole bunch."
"Hey, how am I supposed to work, then? I want a secretary who's alluring, sexy and—"
"Someone who will serve as your new sex toy?" Mei Lin finished his sentence. "Dear Cousin, you know that Auntie Yelan has had enough of your games."
"Yes, and she might just find you a wife if you won't settle down yourself."
"For fuck's sake, Eriol! I'm only 23 years old. I don't want to get tied down with some girl who wants my money." Syaoran said, sitting on his lay-Z Boy.
"Not all women are like that you ass," Mei Lin said, sitting beside him. "If you look hard enough, you'll find what you're looking for."
"And that Kinomoto girl will be your new secretary."
They all looked at the door to see who spoke up.
Syaoran immediately stood and bowed politely. "Mother." He said. "What are you doing here?"
"How can the Chairman of the Li Corporation miss its opening for new applicants?" she said, raising a brow. "Oh, Mei Lin, I'm so glad you won this year's modeling in France, again." She said sweetly.
Mei Lin smiled. "Thank you, Auntie Yelan. I took after you, you know that." She winked.
Yelan laughed. "And I must say, Eriol, as vice-president you really are efficient. Maybe someday you could teach the President how to work properly." She said, eyeing her own son.
"Mother, I am fine on my—"
"Fine, you say?" she said, cutting him. "For the past month, you lost 15 newly-appointed personal secretaries, just because you were doing something else during work hours. And for the same month, you lost 6 secretaries just because you gave them too much work and they couldn't finish. You lost a total of 21 secretaries. Whose fault do you think that was?"
"I was just letting off some steam," he whispered.
"Are you saying something, Li Xiao Lang?" Yelan asked sharply.
Syaoran shook his head, making Eriol and Mei Lin share the humored look. "Nothing, Mother." He said before giving Eriol and Mei Lin the finger.
"Good, it's settled, then. That Kinomoto girl will be your newly appointed secretary. I must leave now for another lunch meeting with the Hong Kong branch."
"Take care, Auntie," Eriol and Mei Lin called out as she left the room.
Syaoran balled his fists. "Dammit." He said, sitting on the lay-Z boy again. "Mother always gets in the way."
"I told you Syaoran," Mei Lin sang, "Better not get Auntie pissed."
Eriol got off the table. "Anyway, we're heading to the new restaurant next block. Want something?"
"No, thank you."
"Okay, see ya later, cousin," he said, leaving with Mei Lin.
.-.-.-.
Sakura entered the house, smelling Tomoyo's cooking. "I'm home," she shouted.
Tomoyo poked her head out of the kitchen. "Okay, dinner's almost ready," she said. "So, how was it?"
Sakura slumped back on the table and sat on one of the chairs. "Well, it's just…" she lowered her head.
Tomoyo gasped. "Oh no, Sakura," she whispered, engulfing her best friend in a bear hug, "Don't worry, there are still others out there who—"
"I got in," she whispered.
Tomoyo stopped rambling. "Wh-what?"
"I GOT IN!" Sakura shouted, looking up.
"Oh my—damn you bitch! You got me worried!" Tomoyo exclaimed, hitting her in the arm.
"Ow, easy, I just wanted to surprise you," she said, winking. "Your good luck gift really worked."
Tomoyo squealed again, and both girls chatted over dinner.
.-.-.-.
Sakura pulled the covers over her head to black the sunlight. "Morning…" she mumbled, wanting to sleep more.
'Wait… morning already?' her brain screamed, snapping her eyes open. "I'M GONNA BE LATE GODDAMMIT!" She shouted, throwing the covers aside. "TOMOYOOOOOO!" she screamed.
"Your things are ready, clothes inside the bath, warm water for bathing already running. Also, the cab will be here in fifteen minutes and I'm paying for it today since I'm also late for work!" she shouted from outside.
"Thank you!" Sakura shouted back, busy taking a shower.
.-.-.-.
Sakura got off the cab as Tomoyo waved. She was about to enter the Li Corporation Building, which was a tall building heavily tinted, overshadowing others.
The building sure exudes an authoritative aura among others.
"Excuse me, may I see your ID?" the guard said, stopping her.
"Oh, I-I'm—"
"She's newly-employed and her ID's with me."
Sakura turned around to find Eriol, holding her ID behind her. "Why do you have my ID?" she asked, surprised.
Eriol laughed. "You were in such a hurry to leave yesterday, you forgot to actually get it from me."
Sakura nearly smacked her forehead. "Damn," she whispered. "I'm so sorry about that."
Eriol grinned. "As a punishment for forgetting your ID yesterday…"
Sakura gasped. "W-what payment?"
Eriol only smiled at her as the elevator opened. Both stepped inside and Sakura was getting really nervous.
As soon as the elevator doors closed, Eriol faced her. "Who was that girl inside the cab that dropped you off?" he asked.
Sakura blinked once. Twice. She exhaled, followed by a giggle. "Oh, that… that was Tomoyo, my best friend. We've known each other since we were kids and we grew up together."
"Where does she work?"
Sakura hummed. "Actually, she's an heiress who's got her own designer label and prefers to work and earn with her abilities. She wants to learn her own money and buy her own things with it. She's pretty independent and she handles her life well."
Eriol placed a hand under his chin. "A designer label? Is she Tomoyo Daidouji, owner of the D&D Label?"
Sakura nodded. "Yes."
"I see." He said, smiling. "Introduce me to her."
"What? Why?" she said, feeling uneasy. "I won't use my best friend as a payment!"
Eriol let out a laugh. "Relax, Sakura. Just introduce me to her. I just wanted to get acquainted. Nothing bad on my mind. I'm far from the guy you actually think of me to be."
The elevator doors opened and both stepped out at the same time. "I'll think about it, Eriol. I'll see you around. Thank you for… earlier." She said.
Eriol nodded. "I'll see you around, Sakura."
Sakura hurried over to the huge oak doors and knocked three times. "Come in," came a woman's voice. She stepped in and bowed her head. "I'm Kinomoto Sakura, pleased to meet you."
The woman giggled. "You're so formal. I'm Li Mei Lin," the girl with red-ruby eyes stretched out her hand.
Sakura shook it. "Pleased to meet you, Li-sama."
"Please, call mee Mei Lin." She chirped, smiling, making her smile in return.
"Mei Lin," Sakura repeated. "Then you are free to call me Sakura."
"So, Sakura, you're gonna be working as my cousin's personal secretary-slash-assistant, so please be prepared always. This," she moved aside, revealing a large spacious office, "Will be your office, and that door over there," she pointed to another oak door to her left, "Leads to Syaoran's office."
"I understand," she said. "Will I be the only one to occupy this office, aside from Li-sama?" she asked.
Mei Lin nodded. "Yup, right. I'll give you some pointers now, since this is the perfect time for me to do so. Syaoran won't be coming to work today so let's take things slow."
.-.-.-.
Sakura woke up the next day, the sun just rising. She glanced at the clock, it's only six in the morning.
After thirty minutes flat, she was dressed up in her black formal slacks, a simple fit white blouse tucked in, black Louboutins and her hair fixed up in a neat bun. She let a few strands of hair fall to the front since she can't tie them up.
She put on her lipgloss from Tomoyo and head out the house after grabbing a sandwich. She arrived at exactly 7am to work, and immediately entered her office.
She set her bag on her chair and did breathing exercises three times. She closed her eyes, remembering what Mei Lin said yesterday.
"First of all, Syaoran comes to work at exactly 8am. Not a minute early, not a minute late. Always on time. He enters the building's doors at exactly 7:57am and walks into this office at exactly 8am. So make sure you arrive earlier than him."
Sakura checked the time—7am. One hour to spare.
"Second, when he arrives, Syaoran would want to see today's newspaper on his desk. He reads the stock market everyday so make sure you get the newspaper. Be careful not to crease the pages."
She took out today's newspaper from her file folder carefully, not wanting to crease the pages. She placed it gently on his desk.
"Third, after placing the newspaper, arrange all the files in exactly this order from left to right: Stock reports, Inventory Reports, Department Manager's Reports and Financial Reports. Fourth, make sure to check his schedule for today in your log planner. You will remind him of each and every detail about his schedule so be precise."
She rushed to her desk and printed his schedule, checking their shared documents if he had finished all necessary data and presentations, and also if there's anything to be completed. She printed out his presentations and some other stuff before pulling out dozens of folders.
She immediately went into his office while the computer's still printing and sorted the huge pile of papers on his desk and on the floor, carefully arranging them. It took her forty minutes to actually arrange the files and the printed ones.
She checked the time. Seven minutes till he arrives.
"And lastly, brew his coffee for five minutes. Exactly five minutes. Make it black with one teaspoon sugar. Place it beside his newspaper and place a blueberry muffin on another saucer."
She prepared the coffee and muffin before she checked the time. Three minutes before he arrives, and two minutes until the coffee is finished.
When the alarm beeped, she immediately poured the coffee into his teacup and carried it, along with the muffin, in his office. She rushed out of his office and immediately and checked herself in her desk mirror.
As soon as her butt touched the chair, the doors opened. "Good morning, Li-sama."
He didn't look at her, but said, "Bring me my schedule." And disappeared behind his office doors.
.-.-.-.
Syaoran entered his office, surprised to see everything arranged neatly on his desk. The coffee was still letting out steam, a sign that it is newly brewed. His muffin was also warm, something that he likes. He doesn't like cold food, after all.
He tasted the muffin—it was soft and tender, unlike the other ones that his previous secretaries served him. The center was filled with blueberry, but not too much. He stared at it, wondering where she bought it. The previous muffins he had were too sweet or too filled with jam. This one's definitely different.
He sipped his coffee and tasted it—exactly how it should taste. How can she be so precise?
Of course he knew Mei Lin would be helping her out, because his mother wants to keep Sakura as his secretary, but it still surprised him that she managed to do everything in time and with such precision.
He heard a knock. "Come in." He said, checking the files on his desk.
"Li-sama," Sakura said, stopping in front of his desk, "You have a meeting with the Board of Directors at 9:30am, with the department's managers at 10am and another meeting with the financial and stocks managers at 10:30am."
"Good. Give me my files. Make sure my presentation's printed out and place them in different folders."
"I already have, Li-sama." She said, handing him three folders. "These are your copy."
He stared at her hand outstretched, and took the files from her. "Good. Make sure I don't get any calls today. Keep a log for me. I am not available for any personal appointments today so make sure no one disturbs me. You are the only one allowed to get files from me and no one else. At exactly 8:50am, remind me of the time and make sure the Conference Rooms are ready for each meeting."
"Yes, Li-sama. If there's anything else you need, just call me." She said and left the room.
.-.-.-.
Sakura sat on her chair, quite exhausted. "Whew! That was a lot of work." She whispered.
"Good morning, Sakura!" Mei Lin cheerfully greeted her as she entered the office. "How was it?"
Sakura beamed. "I followed your instructions and it went well." She said. "Do you need anything?"
Mei Lin nodded. "Yeah. I need you to give these stock reports to Syaoran, say it's from Eriol. He'll need it at the meeting. Make a copy for yourself, too."
Sakura got the files from her hands. "Okay, I'll do it. Wait here, I'll give you something." She rushed to the pantry and came out with two boxes of half-dozen muffins. "Do you want the strawberry or peach?"
"Strawberry, of course!" Mei Lin said with starry eyes. She handed her the box and she squealed. "Thank you! Thank you!"
Sakura giggled. "It's a thank you gift for the pointers. Oh, if you don't mind, please give these to Eriol, too. I owe him one yesterday."
Mei Lin got the other box and an envelope from Sakura. Unintentionally, her eyes saw who the envelop was from.
"T-Tomoyo Daidouji?" Mei Lin whispered. "Is this Tomoyo Daidouji, D&D Label's owner and sole designer?"
Sakura nodded. "Yes."
"You actually know her?" Mei Lin said, a little happier than she should have.
"Y-yes, she's my best friend and we grew up together. We also live together now. Why?"
"OH MY FUCKIN' GOSH! I LOVE HER DESIGNS!" Mei Lin exploded, beaming with happiness. "Can you please introduce me? Please? PLEASE?" she said, grabbing her hands.
"Okay, okay!" Sakura said, laughing. "I'll see when she can come."
Syaoran suddenly burst out of his office. "Mei Lin you fuckin' loud mouth!" he roared. "Keep it down, I'm trying to concentrate with the reports!"
Mei Lin stuck her tongue at him. "Whatever." She said. "I'm talking with Sakura here."
"Just keep it down!" He glared at his cousin. "And don't disturb my secretary while working." He said, slamming his door.
"Geez, so possessive," Mei Lin whined. She turned to Sakura. "Anyway, since his majesty was disturbed, I'll be taking my leave. Thanks for these," she referred to the muffins.
Sakura nodded. "Anytime."
Mei Lin ran out of the room, excited to talk to Eriol about Tomoyo. Just as she closed the door, Sakura's intercom beeped. "Sakura, I need you in my office. NOW."
Sakura gulped. Maybe he'll scold her for earlier. She picked up the files from Mei Lin and went inside his office. "Yes, Li-sama?"
He looked at her from head to toe. Still not appealing. 'She dresses like an old-fashioned lady,' he thought. "Get me yesterday's files, they're supposed to be in there," he pointed to the drawers across his room on the left.
"Yes. Also, these came in from Eri—Hiiragizawa-sama," she said, using formality. Eriol told her to just call him Eriol, but she cannot do that in front of Syaoran.
"Good. Now get me the files."
She walked over to the drawer and read the labels. She scanned down and found the location on the last drawer. She bent down and tried to open it, but it won't budge.
Syaoran snuck a peek at Sakura while she bent down, trying to open the drawer. He saw her flawless legs and a bit of her cleavage.
With one forceful tug, she was still unsuccessful. "Why won't this drawer open?" she grunted.
"Is there something wrong?" Syaoran asked.
Sakura turned to him. "I'm afraid there is. The drawer won't open."
Syaoran looked up from the reports he's reading. "What?" he asked.
"The drawer won't—"
"I heard you," he said, standing. "Hold it from there, I'll pull from here, okay?" he said, bending down.
"Okay," she said, doing as she was told.
Still, it didn't budge.
"Here, pull it, then I'll help you," she suggested, going behind him.
She grabbed the handles, slightly pressing her body against his. She wasn't aware, but Syaoran felt it. "Okay, let's pull it on three."
Syaoran counted and pulled it, his back pressing against her chest. Finally, the drawer opened. It opened so suddenly that he knocked Sakura over and ended up crushing her.
"Sakura, are you alright?" He asked, getting on top of her.
Her blouse's zipper slid down, giving him a little view of her breasts.
"Y-yes, I'm alright," she groaned, holding her forehead. "My head hurts a little, though," she said.
Syaoran was about to say something but the door flew open, revealing Eriol. "Syaoran, Auntie's here to—"
He stopped dead in his tracks, seeing the scene before him.
Syaoran's mother appeared behind Eriol, looking directly in Sakura's eyes then at her son's.
"Holy. Shit." Syaoran whispered.
.-.-.-.
A/N: So, how was it? Review please! :) also, feel free to suggest ideas. :) All reviews are welcome!
Chapter 2 coming up soon! :