LYM says (7:09 AM):
I find myself suddenly UNSTATISFIED with our title
After much brainstorming...
PinkSakura-Chan says (9:03 AM):
FOR THE LOVE OF LI can we pick a title!!!
LYM: This fan-fiction is co-written by PinkSakura-Chan, as was the story "Forgotten". Enjoy and please review.
A HEART'S BETRAYAL
Chapter 1: Flowers
Ding dong
The door-bell to a modest little flower shop began to chime, signaling the arrival of a new customer. A tall, handsome young man stepped into the boutique, his gaze sweeping the entire bulk of the shop. Which wasn't much.
"Welcome, I'll be with you in a moment. Please feel free to browse around."
The man's warm, amber eyes locked onto the woman behind the counter. She was shuffling through a stack of red and yellow papers, frowning all the while.
Looks like someone's worried, he smirked.
Pocketing his hands, the chocolate-haired hunk continued to eye the young lady while pretending to look around the store. He noted her slim, short build, as well as her breathtaking beauty. But there was also something else about the auburn-haired woman.
Naïve innocence, he thought, unable to stop the grin that worked its way from ear to ear. He watched secretly as the attractive lady stacked all her papers neatly together and slid them into a drawer. Quickly picking up a fake flower and pretending to examine it, the strange man waited as the sound of dainty footsteps drew nearer.
"I'm sorry for the wait, sir. My name is Sakura, how may I help you?"
The tall man turned towards the store owner and barely managed to hide his obvious surprise. This lady, this Sakura, she was even more beautiful up-close and smiling.
The stranger was rooted to his spot, unable to tear his gaze away from her. She had the most enchanting emerald eyes, bordered by thick, dark, curly lashes.
If Sakura hadn't blinked shortly after, no doubt this man would have remained in his position for a good while longer, unable to form a single coherent thought. And that's how it usually was when random men first caught sight of the stunning young woman. Whether it was her genuine smile, her modest dress, her shiny hair, her sparkling eyes or whatever else, it was clear she was something different. Something special.
"Sir?"
Fit for the soon-to-be-owner of Li Enterprises.
"Yes!" The young man slightly shouted, clearly startled out of his thoughts. Coughing politely whilst regaining his composure, he calmly added, "I apologize. I was simply taken aback by the… errr… simple elegance of your shop."
"Why thank you very much, sir," beamed Sakura, clearly pleased with the compliment. "Now, how may I help you?"
"I'm looking for a gift for my friends' girlfriend's birthday. I'm not sure what would be appropriate for this kind of event, but I was told her favorite flowers where lilies and tulips," said the handsome stranger, gesturing towards the wrong flowers.
Sakura suppressed the giggle that attempted to wiggle up her throat.
"Those are poppies, sir. However, I'm assuming your friend will be getting his girlfriend her favorite flowers, so that won't do," commented Sakura, tapping her chin lightly in obvious contemplation. "Yellow roses," she piped up, snapping her fingers suddenly. "Yellow roses represent joy and friendship. Coupled with some Bells of Ireland for good luck and you're set. Sound good?"
"Sure," agreed the tall man, flashing her one of his best smiles, which she didn't really seem to notice.
Man she's way into this flower junk, he thought. She didn't even notice my dashing smile!
He watched as the shop owner gathered a dozen long stem, yellow roses and some long, green stems of what he could only assume were Bells of Ireland. His amber eyes wandered the length of her body as she began to artfully weave the plants together, her long, creamy, delicate fingers working quickly yet gently.
"Tada!" she announced, slipping her work of art into a plastic flower-enclosure.
"It looks perfect," he remarked, throwing out another best smile. "Sakura was it?"
"Sure was," Sakura smiled back, her green eyes glowing happily. Walking behind the counter, the auburn-haired beauty proceeded to wrap up her customers order. "Your total runs up to one-hundred and seven dollars, sir."
Pheeewwwwi, thought the handsome man, handing the young woman a platinum credit card. A hundred and seven dollars is nothing to cry about, but for some measly little flowers? What a waste. I could have had that Italian Alessa for that much.
"Thank you sir," smiled Sakura, handing him the flowers. "Have fun at that party!"
"Of course," he grinned back, taking the bouquet out of her hands, making sure to purposely glide his fingers along her own. It didn't seem to have any kind of effect on her.
Man. Is she some sort of robot or something? There's no way that didn't just raise the hairs on the back of her neck. My hands are silky soft!
The chocolate-haired man turned and began to leave.
"Wait!" Sakura called out, rushing around the counter. "I forgot to give this back," she said apologetically, holding his card out for him.
"Oh, how silly of me," he replied, sliding his credit card back into his wallet before returning it to his back pocket. "Say, Sakura…" he began huskily, staring into her eyes for effect. The little bell above the door went off unnoticed as he continued his proposal. "Would you like to join me for dinner tonight?"
"Syaoran, you jerk! I've been waiting in the car for like, ever! I knew it shouldn't be taking you this long to buy me some flowers, and here you are hitting on some store owner!" The lady shouted angrily before turning to a frowning Sakura and giving her a fake smile. "Hi. I'm his girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?" Sakura's frown deepened as she turned to the man in question.
"That's right!" Declared the strange girl, glaring up at the very tall Syaoran.
"Umi, I thought-"
"Umi? Who's Umi?" She shouted even louder, jabbing the young guy with her finger. "You've been cheating on me! I knew it! You-you jerk!"
Suddenly, a tiny little bird popped out of an adorable clock hanging on the wall behind the counter.
"Well what do you know, closing time," said Sakura, offering the both of them a tight smile. The strange lady hmphed and stomped out of the store, not even bothering to hold the door open for her assumedly now EX-boyfriend.
-
Sakura plopped down heavily unto the old couch in her small apartment.
"Meow," her butterball of a cat greeted her, jumping up next to her.
Sakura absentmindedly cuddled her adorable feline, stroking its long, soft, shiny hair in a rhythmic way. Her mood had fallen considerably after what had happened with that Syaoran fellow. It seemed the weight of the world had decided to settle on her slim shoulders
Sakura was very lonely. Her older brother, Touya, had gotten married a year and half ago and moved to America with his wife. Her mother died three years ago due to cancer and her father up and left when she was barely four. He had deserted them; left them in the dust. Sakura didn't care to think of her dad. She hadn't known him and doesn't care to get to know him after what he had done. However, she missed her brother dearly. But even more so, she missed her mother.
Thankfully, she at least had two things in life. One was her mother's flower shop, her pride and joy. And the other was her pudgy kitty Tamahome, a gift from her now-married best friend.
Sliding off the couch, Sakura went to the kitchen to make herself some herbal tea, her adorable Siamese-colored cat happily trotting along behind her. After putting the tea pot on the burner, Sakura filled Tamahome's food bowl and proceeded to pat his head softly as he ate. Soon after, the tea pot whistled loudly, announcing that the water was now ready.
What am I going to do? She thought as she fixed herself a cup of tea and returned to the couch, her eyes continuing to hold a far off look. It wasn't long before she found herself fighting the tears that threatened to spill. Blinking them back, she quickly finished her herbal tea and rinsed out the cup. Petting Tamahome once more, Sakura walked to the bathroom and stepped into a warm shower.
What am I going to do, mother? She thought once again, wrapping a towel around her small frame.
Entering her room, Sakura pulled on a pair of pink pajama shorts and a matching top. She padded over to a small bookcase in the corner of her room and contemplated on what to read. Grabbing one of her mother's older books, she sat down on her comfortable bed and began to read.
-
Sakura's eyes slowly fluttered open as she rolled onto her side. Her book slid off the bed and hit the floor with a whack, startling the 23-year-old woman into a sitting position. A moment later, emerald eyes widened as they locked onto glowing, red numbers.
9:40! Crap!
Like a lightning bolt Sakura jolted out of bed and into the bathroom, frantically brushing her teeth and hair. She was really late.
After splashing a handful of water on her face, Sakura quickly dried her face with a towel and darted to her dresser. In the blink of an eye, the petite young lady pulled out a pair of black jeans along with a lavender babydoll tee, and donned them. Grabbing for her keys, purse and shoes, Sakura threw the front door open and bolted out, making her way towards the flower shop at an alarming speed. That is, until she remembered she had to feed Tamahome.
After feeding her cute butterball cat, she ran out the door once again. Six blocks later and she slowed her pace, her beloved shop coming into view.
Sakura's heart stilled at the sight of three large men loading familiar items into a huge van. And there was Chiharu, standing faithfully at the shop door, brandishing her fists at the men while yelling at the top of her lungs about unfairness and lawsuits.
Sakura walked up behind Chiharu, touching her shoulder gently before stepping forward and addressing the bulky men.
"Hey! What's going on here?" She demanded as she took a peak into her store. It seemed that most of her belongings were already moved out and stored away in the large, yellow van parked behind her.
One of the men carefully set a box of vases down and turned to Sakura, handing her a plain white card. Chiharu moved to stand behind Sakura, curious as to what her friend was just given.
"What's this?" Questioned Sakura, confused as to why she was just handed a strange phone number. "And what're you doing with my things?!"
"Call the number," the guy grunted, bending down to pick up the heavy box of vases. Pushing past both ladies, he quickly loaded it onto the truck before disappearing into the shop once more.
"Chi, let me use your cell."
Chiharu nodded and began rummaging around in her purse for the phone.
Sakura shakily dialed the number and waited as it rang three times. A little click sounded before a man's voice was heard on the other line.
"I am standing here watching my shop being pulled apart without explanation, and all I've been told is to call this number!"
"Yes Miss Kinomoto. Meet me at Rei's Cafe, Avalon Avenue. We'll take things from there."
Without another word, the line went dead.
"What happened?" Chiharu asked, dropping her cell phone back in her bag.
"I have to meet someone at Rei's Cafe."
-
Sakura slowly and hesitantly entered the café, completely unsure of what she was supposed to be looking for. What she WAS sure of, however, was her anger. She was furious that someone was tearing her shop apart, and found it very difficult not to stomp her foot and scream like a banshee right in public.
Breathing in deeply to calm her nerves, Sakura picked her way towards a table near the window and sat down. She watched the door to the café, searching the face of every person who came in. It wasn't long before a tall man stepped through, the same man that was at her shop the day before. But this time he held a different look; an aura of arrogance seemed to cling to every inch of him. His arrogance was clearly portrayed in every move he made, even his walk.
God I hope it isn't him I'm here to meet, she thought, openly glaring at the man.
Syaoran smirked as his eyes finally fell open his target; his glaring target, no less.
Chuckling mentally, the amber-eyed player walked over to Sakura's table and stood a mere two feet away from her chosen seat. He offered her a cocky smirk.
"Miss Kinomoto."
Sakura abruptly stood up, her glare turning deadly. She made an attempt to push past him but he caught her upper arm in a firm hold and pulled her close, his lips inches away from her ear.
"If you want your shop back then I suggest you sit down and have a drink with me."
LYM: PLEASE REVIEW! No really. Do you know how disheartening it is to see a hundred hits and only two reviews?! Or 14 THOUSAND hits and only about 400 reviews? What does it mean?!
PS-C: FOR THE LOVE OF LI, WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!
LYM: O.o Ahem, yes. So kindly review, oh faithful readers!
PS-C: FOR THE LOVE OF LI, BE FAITHFUL READERS AND REVIEWERS!