Disclaimer: I'm sad to say but no I do not own any of the Cardcaptor Sakura characters or their personalities just this story
Summary: What happens when you put a bold but innocent girl into the hands of a well known Ladies Man? Sparks fly as the temperature rises and Self control is pushed to its all time limit.
X X X
Sakura stood stunned staring at her best friend and cousin, Tomoyo, and her cousin's boyfriend, Eriol. They were both offering her the job she had always dreamed of by orders of the current head of the Li clan; Yelan Li, the most respected and beautiful woman in Hong Kong. She was also the mother of the Head of Li Foundation Inc., Syaoran Li: boss of the position in the office she was being offered. She was being offered the position of head of the Li Foundation and Accounting department of the entire corporation. If she chose to accept, nothing money-wise could go without her say so. It was an important job and it was all too sudden.
"But why me? After all Eriol you're more than fantastic with finances…" Sakura reasoned to which she received his common charming smile.
"Yes but you have a degree in finances and are not part of the Li family. You are also used to dealing with people, unlike me. I am much too shy…" He countered. She couldn't argue with him about his modest shyness. In fact, secretly, that's one of the main things Tomoyo liked about him so much. One little immodest comment and he would go as red as a tomato. She giggled.
"Yes your shyness is worldly known. But I'm technically a total stranger! How did Yelan Li, THE Yelan Li, find out about a complete nobody like myself?" she glanced from Eriol to Tomoyo, who too exchanged their own secret glances A curious exchange that went unnoticed by the flustered Sakura. Tomoyo sat down next to her and grabbed both of Sakura's petite hands.
"Sakura, believe me when I say this, but you are not a mere nobody. You graduated 2nd in your class, one step below Eriol and your beautiful beyond compare. You are a somebody. And you deserve a chance to shine." Tears welled into her eyes. She was so beyond happy that she had no idea what sort of thanks she should give them. Tomoyo knew this.
"Just show us how much you appreciated this by how hard you work…just don't kill yourself…"
"But be fore warned," Eriol interrupted her. Sakura and Tomoyo turned at the sternness of his tone of his voice. "While you're working for Syaoran Li, do not hold back. The Li counsel have found no one but you who is perfect for this position. If, and I'm sure he'll do this, he tries to intimidate you, don't let him. Do not fear him." Sakura was confused.
"This is just one man. Why should I fear him? Wait…so when do I start?" Eriol's expression softened.
"Tomorrow morning. At 8:30 a.m. You are to report to the Headquarters of the Corporation. Don't worry, you'll be fine."
X X X
The Next day came and Sakura awoke strangely awake and unrested. She had tossed and turned all night long unable to fall asleep due to images and ideas of what might happen when she arrived at the Headquarters. She was up by 6:30 and when she came downstairs, Tomoyo was in her night gown and robe and Eriol was dressed cleanly in a Navy blue suit. Sakura's curiosity peeked.
"What's with the early getup Eriol? You don't usually go to work till 8 something. I don't think I've seen you up this early…" Sakura asked the two of them. Eriol smiled at her.
"You don't wake up this early either. Are you alright?" Sakura quickly nodded hoping to get Eriol off her case before she cracked. She was like a bundle of nerves tightening with each moment that when by.
"Yeah everything is fine. Just wanted to get a fresh start on a new job. After all, its not a good impression to be late the first day to work." Eriol nodded.
"Yes, you are quite right. Well, go get dressed and ready and I'll get you there." Sakura kissed Eriol sweetly on the cheek before running back upstairs to her room. When she made it to her room, she quickly closed the door and stood leaning against it breaking harshly. How on Earth was a girl like her ever going to be presentable in front of the largest, upstanding company in Japan and China?! A light knock raped at her door.
"Sakura-chan…" it was Tomoyo. Sakura sighed. "Is everything alright?" Sakura bit her lip and then opened the door.
"Yes Tomoyo-chan…everything is fine. I'm just worried about what exactly I'll be wearing…" Tomoyo smiled. She always knew that Sakura was the kind of person to worry about impressions and appearance, especially in places that she was no where near comfortable being in. Not too much but she did like to make a good first impression.
"Well go take a shower and get fresh and clean. I'll take care of the rest." Tomoyo smiled as she ushered Sakura to her bathroom. Sakura quickly turned around.
"Thank you Tomoyo…"
"Don't thank me just yet. Just get washed." Sakura smiled and closed the door quickly. Tomoyo turned away from the door and walked downstairs to her room humming happily to herself. Eriol watched as she sashayed to her room with a curious brow.
"Tomoyo-koi, what are you doing?" He heard Tomoyo's distant giggle.
"Oh Eriol you worry too much. You're just like Sakura-chan, a worry-wart. She is worried about not making a good impression in front of you're aunt and you're handsome and fastidious cousin."
"Now, now… hes only like that because of Yelan. You don't understand the whole of it." Tomoyo came out of her room with a designer bag in hand. She walked over to Eriol and kissed him sweetly and tenderly on his cheek.
"Dear, I know that. But whatever reason, he is like that. Hopefully our little cherry blossom will change that." She gave him a smile with a twinkle in her eyes before running upstairs. Back in Sakura's room, she had just finished cooling all her nerves into pure relaxation. Of course Tomoyo knew just how to make her feel better. It was like having her own personal pharmacy therapist!
"Sakura-chan…"Tomoyo knocked on the bathroom door. "Are you feeling better?" Sakura cleared her throat of the foggy shower air.
"Ahem, yes Tomoyo-chan I'm alright. I just finished."
"Oh well grab a towel and come out, I have something to show you." Sakura gulped. She was always scared when Tomoyo said something like that. Walking out of the bathroom, Sakura looked around cautiously.
"Tomoyo…"
"Ah! There you are!" Tomoyo came over to her and led Sakura further into the room. "Now I knew you're worried about making a good first impression, so you want to look nice right? Well," she said bringing her over to the bed where several dress bags were spread over the side. "Well I make you some suits!" She walked over and pulled out several elaborately made suits. Sakura didn't know what to say. Sure, Tomoyo made her lots of outfits but only as part of her modeling, that was her part time job, modeling Tomoyo's brilliant works of art. But Sakura was surprised and honored that Tomoyo thought of her as to make her outfits for her first day at a really important job.
"Tomoyo-chan…I can't…" but Tomoyo stopped her short of her statement.
"Don't even say it. You can and you will. Now come on, I think a honey brown suit with a bright pink shirt will be perfect. Sleek, yet cute and sophisticating. Now get dressed," she ordered grabbing the other suits. "I'll put the rest up in your closet." Watching as Tomoyo walked briskly to her closet, Sakura couldn't help but feel slightly beyond happiness.
"Go on you silly goose. You don't have all day. The sooner you get ready and there, the better they may think of you." Sakura's eyes widened and she tore off the towel and got dressed but was careful not to mess up Tomoyo's outfit. Once she had the outfit on completely, she stood in awe in front of the mirror.
"Wow…" Sakura couldn't believe her eyes. Every time Tomoyo made something for her, it was always something that seemed to magically fit her in all the right places but the magic still never got old. Tomoyo giggled over her shoulders.
"You like? The others are bound to look just as amazing as this one," She said starry eyed, dreaming of her little cherry blossom in frilly dresses. Sakura turned and laughed at her cousin and launched herself at Tomoyo.
"I love it! Thank you!" Tomoyo giggled again and patted her sweetly on her back.
"I'm glad, now, come on, put these one and meet us both downstairs." She said before handing her a pair of tan high heels and walking out of the room. Sakura took a moment to take a five minute breather as she admired Tomoyo's handiwork. Strapping on the tan heels that Tomoyo had handed to her before she left; she counted to five before walking out of her room with her purse in hand and down the stairs. When she arrived downstairs, Eriol and Tomoyo were talking quietly to each other, holding each others hands and tenderly look into each other's eyes. Sakura smiled. Tomoyo and Eriol fit each other so well that sometimes Sakura couldn't help catching herself thinking that maybe she was missing out on something…Tomoyo turned and smiled at her letting go of Eriol's hands while Eriol starred at her in wonder.
"Well darling, you look amazing! Come on now dear, before you're late to the first day of your new job." Tomoyo's smile grew even wider and she grabbed onto Sakura's arm gently and she led her to Eriol and giggled at his stunned expression just as Sakura blushed.
"You know dear, you'll catch more flies with a mouth like that. Now go, the two of you." She said shooing them, "Go on, have fun and don't get into too much trouble with your new co-workers!" Sakura and Eriol walked out of their apartment waving their solemn good byes before shutting the door behind them. They walked out to where Eriol's well cared for black Mercedes was parked. Sakura couldn't help but release a sigh of relief as Eriol started the car and began their ride.
"You are going to be just fine Sakura-chan. Honestly, and another thing to look forward to is that during lunch you'll have a board meeting with my Aunt, my cousin, and the Elder counsel. They want to evaluate you in person. You have absolutely nothing to stress about." Sakura couldn't help but scoffing his nonchalant attitude. She found herself realizing that she couldn't help doing a lot of things that morning.
"You man think its simple but you deal with your family and board meetings more than I have my entire life. Its not going to be a piece of cake…" Eriol couldn't help but chuckle.
"You'll do great. From what Tomoyo says about when you're in a work environment, you'll be just fine. You're quite witted and agile to counter people who try to bring you down." She didn't realize that they had already arrived at the office until Sakura looked out the window. She gulped and all her nerves from before came rushing back.
"If it'll help, I'll show you to your new office. Mind you," he said as they both got out of the car, "The old accountant left the office a bit in a fiasco…" Sakura shrugged as they strolled up the marble steps into a rather large office building.
"I kind of figured that much. Plus I would have had to already re-file everything and catalogue everything. As least to how I work." Eriol smiled.
"See, you're going to be fine." He said stopping before a black haired girl with too much makeup on her face who smiled wildly at Eriol.
"Oh Hiiragizawa-sempa! Good morning to you!" He smiled calmly but it wasn't the true smile he gave Tomoyo and Sakura most of the time. Sakura could tell right off that he played on his poker face even in the company of a receptionist. But why? She could feel the sinking feeling that she would soon find out.
"Ah good morning Yuki-san. I brought Kinomoto-dono in today to begin her first day here. Her office is on floor 24 make sure you also give a message to Chasity that Sakura has a board meeting at 12 in counsel room number 242 on floor 23. Also," He added with a slight twitch to his eye, "that to my dear cousin that he may want to arrive on time to the board meeting." Yuki nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes sir, right away sir."
"Very good, now be sure that message gets to Chasity before we arrive, yes?" He turned and held onto Sakura's arm lightly and led her to a nearby elevator. When inside, he pressed the button 24 and held his hands behind his back.
"I bet holding that poker face gets pretty exhausted after a while, doesn't it?" Sakura inquired at Eriol. Eriol smiled his sweet smile; the one she knew so well. This was the true Eriol Hiiragizawa that Sakura cared so much about.
"Yes but in the company of those whose mouths don't stay shut, you have to. Yuki is a big gossip in the office. Chasity is her best friend but is a lot shyer than Yuki tends to be. But be selective with what you tell even Chasity. Be on your toes. In the business world, its either trample or be tramped. You're already going to be picked for rumors because you are new and no one but my aunt and the counsel and me knows where you've come from. My cousin doesn't even know." He said winking at her just as the elevator doors opened to revealed a blue hue carpet flooring and a small hallway with doors on both sides and at the end a girl with bright blue hair was working diligently at a desk. She looked up and quickly hung up the phone when they both approached her desk. Obviously, Sakura thought, Yuki just gave her the message and they were gossiping about her.
"Good morning Chasity." She stood quickly to her feet and bowed slightly. At least she had manners.
"Good morning Hiiragizawa-sempa."
"I see you've heard the message I gave to Yuki before I arrived, yes?" He inquired, his poker face back into place. She fumbled and stammered until she grabbed a yellow piece of paper with fine handwriting on it.
"Uh…yes sir. 'Board meeting at 12, on floor 23, room 242,'" she recited and looked up quickly. Eriol nodded.
"Yes exactly. Now Kinomoto Sakura is our new accountant and that board meeting she absolutely must go to. I would like it if you would notify her when it gets close to that time."
"Uh…yes sir but…Mister Haynami is still in there…He walked in there around 7:30 this morning and hasn't come out…." Eriol looked at his watch; it read 8:15.
"Oh really…Thank you Chasity." He turned away from her and walked over to two large oak doors and, with Sakura following behind him, he opened them forcefully. Inside a man was throwing papers everywhere.
"Mister Haynami! What is the meaning of this outrageous behavior!?" Eriol's authoritive voice shocked Sakura eminsely. Never had she heard him speak in such a tone except the kind sweet tone. The man turned to Eriol as if a child caught doing something he knew was wrong and smiled menacingly.
"Ha! You think that getting rid of me is going to make this damn business better!? Bringing in some whore to do a grown man's job is an outrage! This is only the beginning!" He ran passed them yelling, "this is only the beginning!" Sakura grew quite uncomfortable. That was quite unexpected and she suddenly had the feeling that that man was going to be truthful to his words. Eriol sighed and surveyed the room.
"This is horrible…Sakura I'm so sorry for this…" She shook her head and smiled sweetly at him knowing that this probably was adding more stress to his work load. From what she knew, Tomoyo used to tell her how the people around the office depended too much on him because he was so good at what he did. She knew his guilt and felt it was entirely unnecessary.
"Don't be Eriol. Its just a simple clean-up thing. I'll just stack up the papers, go over the discarded folders and organized this all from scratch."
"But at least let me help you stack them up…I feel its entirely my fault…" She gave him a curious look.
"Why would you say something like that?" She asked just as they began picking papers up from the floor.
"Because…I was the one that had to fire him. Due to the fact that my idiot cousin decided to bail on me…" Sakura shook her head and felt her frustrations begin to rise.
"Well then its not your fault." She said simply without looking over at him. He, on the other hand, just stared at her in confusion.
"How so?"
"Because you were just doing what you were suppose to do. Your cousin, on the other hand, is slightly to blame. He shouldn't have skipped out on his duties as President oft his company. Besides, being fired is part of having a job." She smiled at him reassuringly. He smiled back.
"Thank you Sakura…that did make me feel quite better." They finished picking up the last of the papers in silence but it was a comforting among friends kind of silence. When every paper was stacked neatly in one pile or another, Sakura and Eriol surveyed the room and sighed.
"Well now that this all is taken care of, I'll get started on categorizing these before the rest." Eriol nodded silently and looked around.
"You should go ahead to your own office, Eriol. I'll see you later on tonight."
"Tonight?" Sakura nodded.
"This'll probably take me hours to finish. It'll probably take an all-night job." She giggled. "And its only the first day." Eriol's smile turned into a frown.
"You know Tomoyo won't be too happy about that, don't you?" He questioned. He knew that Sakura and Tomoyo were extremely close and Tomoyo worried time and time again about Sakura's happiness. That's why they didn't act like much of a couple when Sakura was around. Sakura sighed and nodded in perfect understanding.
"Yes I do know that but this is my job and no ones going to finish it but me." Eriol sighed. He knew that Sakura could be headstrong and stubborn but not like this. He shrugged and sighed in defeat. He knew that once Sakura put her mind to something it was either get run over or stay out of her way.
"Alright well, don't forget your meeting at 12…"
"Floor 23 room 242, yes Eriol, I've got it." She smiled sweetly at him. He smiled in returned and kissed her softly on the cheek.
"Well I'm off then. I'll be sure to check up on you before I leave to go home."
"Alright see you then." She giggled as she stalked out of her open-doored office and back into the elevator. Sighing, she turned to the desk with all the stacks of papers. She looked skeptically but meshed her face together with determination. Taking off her jacket she set it on the chair and thanked Tomoyo silently for making an outfit that she didn't have to roll up the sleeves and then set about her work.
X X X
It was silent on Floor 24 except for the sound of an alarm clock going off. It read 11:45 in bright red numbers. Chasity quickly turned off the alarm and walked over to the 2 oak wooden doors. Slowly she opened them to reveal a strange sight before her very eyes. On the floor, Sakura as sitting cross legged with several piles of paper everywhere around her. She turned at the sound of the door opening and smiled over in Chasity's direction.
"Oh hello Chasity, what is it?" Chasity shook her head and focused on prior mission.
"Uh its 11:45 ma'am almost time for your meeting." Sakura nodded and rose from her spot on the floor.
"Ah yes conference room 242. Thank you Chasity." She sighed. "I think I've made it to a good stopping point" She said more to herself then the girl standing in her office doorway. She grabbed her jacket from off the chair and proceeded to put it on then stretched. Chasity nodded and walked over to her own desk. Sakura walked over the elevator but turned to the girl before stepping in.
"Make sure no one going in there for any reason. Thank you. It shouldn't take long." She said as she stepped into the elevator and descended to the 23rd floor. Once the elevator doors opened, she stepped out and looked around. The room outside the elevator read 234.
"Well I guess I'll just follow this hallway…" She whispered to herself before beginning her walk through the hallway. She walked for a bit until the next room she looked at read 242. She smiled at herself and cleared her throat, made sure everything was settled and proceeded to open the door.
Inside the room, a beautifully dressed woman sat at the end of a long conference table with several mean on either side of her, except for two places; to her right and the very end of the table. The table itself seemed out of the 16th century due to it's shortened height and elaborate designs. The woman smiled as Sakura closed the door and approached the table.
"Ah! Good afternoon Kinomoto-kun. Do come in. We weren't expecting you to be so…punctual." Sakura blushed deeply but did not dare disobey her new employer and the Elders of counsel. "Now we only have one missing person – my son." At the very mention of her child her voice went flat and Sakura couldn't help but feel anxiously curious as to why everyone who spoke of the Head always had that same sour voice. Sakura sat down at the end of the table where there was a free space. Yelan sighed.
"I am indeed sorry for this Elders…surely my son.."
"Yelan-domo…"one of the Elders rose from their seated positions, "you can't always make excuses for your son and his tendencies to always be late. Even Eriol, who does tend to be late every so often, has a valid reason for being late." He sat down slowly while others nodded their agreements. Was there a tinge of redness on Yelan's face? Sakura couldn't tell. Suddenly the doors burst open and in walked a sour looking boy. He looked to be about Sakura's and Eriol's age. So much for being old. The man had dark brown hair that found it's own array position on the top of his head and in his two eye sockets held a pair of mysterious amber eyes. Sakura blushed slightly for starring but she couldn't help it. He wore a deep navy suit that hid and left Sakura to make her own accusations about what kind of body laid hidden underneath.
"I'm here…" even his voice sounded sour as if being here was like having a thorn in his side. Yelan glared at her son and watched as he sat down in the last empty chair.
"We are all well of that Syaoran-chan. Now this meeting has been delayed long enough, we may begin." Sakura heard Syaoran sigh but he nodded in acknowledgement. What she didn't noticed was how Syaoran's eyes flicked over in her direction and was suddenly drawn to her and was curious as to why she was here. But he was sure to find out soon.
"Now Mister Haynami," even the name alone made Sakura shiver, "has been recently released from his charge on orders…" Syaoran's eyebrows knitted together in both confusion and frustration.
"Why was he sacked? Mister Haynami was profficent enough for the job as Head of Accounting…"
"But not good enough. As you all know my beloved nephew, Eriol, brought to us a very important folder."
"What folder? Why wasn't I…"
"Not another word Syaoran! Now this folder," She held in her petite white hands a thick manilla folder, "held every information, criminal record, transcript of the person who is our new accountant, who is present in this very room. Please stand for us, Miss Kinomoto Sakura." Everyone's eyes turned to her as she stood smiling. All eyes gave a warm sentiment the only ones that remained indifferent were Syaoran's cold amber eyes.
"Now evidently, Kinomoto-san has already begun her duties of the day. Do tell us what you know so far." Yelan demanded and sat down expectantly waiting for Sakura to begin. Flabbergasted, Sakura rose to her feet feeling quite flustered and noticing the cold stare she was receiving from the boy at the end of the table.
"Um…well today hasn't progressed so much as I would have liked…due to several unwanted situations…"
"Explain." Yelan pressed. Sakura paused.
"Well when I walked through the door of my office, Mister Haynami was throwing about papers; receipts, payment documents and such around the room. I must say for a man to be working in a corporal establishment, his categorical skills ranked amateur." Yelan chuckled.
"Go on." Sakura blushed after realizing what she said.
"Anyways once that bit of a mess was completed I've begun to organized the papers that were a skewed into several sections on my own system."
"Now why would you do that?" Yelan sounded intrigued but Sakura still had to keep her guard up. This sounded more like an interview on first hand experience.
"My own system is my own and therefore allows me to easily find files should I need to do so. Also once I've finished categorizing the files, I plan to run over the number in case of any loop holes or errors of documentation."
"Ah…indeed. And what do you think could possibly be found?"
"A few couple of loss hundred dollars or maybe even more than a thousand could show up lost without any money route. Many corporal companies tend to lose a few hundreds because of bad documentation and or miscalculations." Yelan nodded in approval. Syaoran, on the other hand, was still a bit perturbed about the sudden sacking and hiring of his accountants. As Head, he tended to work a lot with the accountant of his company and Mister Haynami was the kind of man who flattered Syaoran a lot for petty things. He had not the faintest idea who this Kinomoto Sakura was or how she worked. One of the Elders rose from his seat as Sakura sat back down in her seat.
"Well Miss Kinomoto-san, it would appear that Eriol-sama was quite right about your efficiency."
"Oh yes sir. Eriol-chan has been most kind as to even proposing me for such a position such as this one. I and my dear cousin owe him much." Syaoran's interest perked at this bit of information. So Eriol was close with her cousin? Even Yelan's interest was caught.
"Your cousin?"
"Yes ma'am. My cousin, Daiouji Tomoyo is a fashion designer and I used to do her accounting books and I still do."
"Ah...but why not your cousin instead of you?"
"Ma'am with all due respect," Syaoran was waiting for this girl to speak out of line, "My cousin is a fashion designer major and wouldn't know a dollar sign from a receipt. I love my cousin dearly but her money skills would bring this company straight into the ground." Syaoran was dumbstruck. Not a cruel word was said about the company only about her cousin! Yelan chuckled. Syaoran was starting to wonder if his mother liked this girl or not.
"That is so cruel of you to say about your family." Deep in her mind she knew her son had probably said some even nastier things about his own flesh and blood. But that wasn't the matter. This girl had a fine head on her shoulders and she curiously thought about what would happen if she used that wit to put her son into his place, quite a sight that would be.
"But ma'am my cousin is the one who admitted that to me." Curious indeed.
"Very well, the counsel and I will allow you to return to your work and we'll be sure to inform you of your next report meeting. Good day. And son, perhaps you would like to over-see her work? Or are you too busy with personal matters?" Her eyes seemed to challenge him to repel her wishes. He glanced quickly at Sakura and bowed deeply.
"Certainly mother. Good day counsel." To Sakura his expression changed to an ice cold demeanor. "Come along, lets be on our way. It shouldn't take forever." Sakura stared at him in disbelief at his crude mouth but followed him out the office with her head held high. Yelan chuckled at the sight.
"Quite intriguing she is." The Elders all agreed.
"Such a girl like that is needed around here. One who gets right down to the point and knows what the hell she is talking about." One of the Elders voiced. Yelan nodded.
"And she would be great for putting a slacking son of mine into line." At this statement all the Elders voiced their approval. Smiling to herself, she too very much like that idea. Unknowing of these ideals, Syaoran and Sakura got into the elevator in a very different silence than with Eriol. It was stale and uncomfortable.
"If me being hired offends you Li-sama then speak with your mother and the Elders. I will not tolerate you talking down to me." Sakura said shaking her head in disapproval. Syaoran could only stare. She was a beautiful woman; light honey colored hair and deep green eyes that shined brighter in her tan colored suit. She was curvy, he had to admit, in all the right places. Not like the models and slutty girls he was used to hanging around but she looked quite tasty, conservative and restraint. Her firm voice differed from her soft features. Of course, beautiful on the outside firm on the inside; like most girls who worked seriously.
"I'll do what I please and speak to you how I see fit." He said stalefully. This was not turning out well. He hadn't mean to sound so harsh. Oh well, she'll have to bend to him sooner rather than later. She turned quickly too him and stared pointedly at him.
"Then you can very well do whatever if is you like when I am not around. However you will speak to me with office respect and curtiousness. You get what you deserve and earn what you get." He couldn't believe the brassness of this girl! She was talking, no, scolding him like a child! He got that enough from his mother and sisters but he would not tolerate it with this girl. Before she could react, he had her pinned against the wall of the elevator, the railings dug into her backside.
"You will not speak to me like that ever again. Do you understand? Never again!" her green eyes glittered with defiance. She pushed his arms away with a strength he did not expect from one so small.
"I may not be your mother or one of the Elders but I am your equal, and I deserve respect. You give it, you earn it back. I did not treat you childishly until you acted childishly. You haven't earned my respect and therefore will not receive it." The elevator door opened," Now if you are here to supervise, I have papers to file and you are wasting my time." She walked briskly out of the elevator feeling her heart pounding in her chest. Chasity gave her a quizzical look and Sakura quickly smiled back before walking into her office. Syaoran stood in awe but quickly recovered himself before the elevator doors closed. No one had ever stood up to him that was outside of his family.
His girl toys were all easily manipulated. All they saw was his money and his looks plus his wild rides in bed. He was the talk among the ladies and sometimes just the thought of all those ladies just about made him want to gag his lunch. He hated how all those girls got what they wanted but even though it was sex, he never got the pleasure of the action. He frowned at the mere audacity at such a girl enabling him to speak. Walking headfirst, he walked straight past Chasity and slammed the doors to the familiar accounting office. The sight when he walked inside was nothing he ever saw.
On the floor, Sakura sat in the same area with papers piles all around her. On the back of her office chair, her tan jacket hung peacefully just like before. She looked up at him with her bright green eyes and her mouth slightly ajar.
"Oh you finally found the door." She said sultry and giggled at his taunt expression after the comment was out in the open. "Well anyways, so nice of you to join me, please close the doors." He looked around and closed the doors before turning back. The place was literally a mess, just as she had said in the meeting. A girl who was honest? This was more interesting by the second, he thought she was just saying that to cover up that she didn't know anything.
"So what is with all these papers? I thought you were suppose to be efficient?" He said coldly before he could think about what he said the words were out. She must've let that comment slide cause she said nothing in retort.
"These are the files Mister Haynami so graciously threw about the room. Caused a bit of an uproar for me and Eriol."
"Eriol? What exactly makes you and Eriol so close?" She looked up at him pausing momentarily before answering.
"Hes dating my cousin, ex-employer and best friend…" It was Syaoran's turn to have his mouth hang open. This news took him for quite a shock. Eriol dated?! He shook his head from the shock and looked around him.
"So what are you doing?" he asked walking around her as if inspecting some sort of animal for sale. Sakura was beginning to feel uncomfortable and a little disturbed by the way he was scrutinizing her.
"Obviously since you weren't listening to my explanation earlier, I am organizing these papers by my category system. Of course, as expected, companies have many more files then a mere fashion company but still. I can just add and arrange by necessity." She said without pausing her work. Syaoran took a seat in the chair that her jacket hung on. She smiled politely at him. That smile…that one small smile made something flutter inside him…It was such a peculiar feeling that he didn't know what it meant. And so the day continued as such; Sakura diligently working, smiling at him occasionally and Syaoran gazing at both her work and herself most experimentally.
By the time 8 o'clock came around, Syaoran had fallen asleep in Sakura's office chair and Sakura had just finished organizing the papers that were part of her ex employee's terrible temper tantrum. She stood from the floor and stretched her twisted body popping all kinds of kinks out of her system with a sigh. She had yet to start on the filing cabinets and if it took close to 8 hours to do just that it would possibly take more then a few days to file correctly. A light knock rapture sounded upon the door and Sakura quickly made it over to the door before the sounds woke Syaoran.
"Yes?" She peeked and standing outside her door was Eriol. She smiled at him and held out a finger to her mouth to signal him to keep quiet. She slowly opened the door before stepping out of her office and closing it back. Eriol was confused about his girlfriend's cousin's strange behavior.
"What is all that about?" he asked her curiously. She smiled at him.
"Well after the meeting Syaoran came back with me to supervise under his mothers orders and I guess it was so quiet he fell asleep in my work chair." She giggled softly. Eriol was completely shocked. Syaoran never sat and simply 'supervised' when a girl was involved. It was quite known around the office how freelancing Syaoran was about his girls; even his mother knew but didn't approve of it. For Syaoran to fall asleep and keep his hands to himself…it was odd, but another thing was odd was how calmly Sakura was about him being in her office and asleep.
"He just simply fell asleep?" Sakura looked at Eriol and nodded.
"Yup, its as simple as that, nothing to it Eriol." She looked at him curiously and he gave her the same expression.
"Well I'm off o the apartment do you want to go ahead and come home with me or what?" he asked her taking out his palm pilot, looking up at her every few seconds. Sakura shook her head.
"Don't worry Eriol. I'm going to stay here for a bit longer. It may end up being an all – night job though."
"What about Syaoran?" Eriol glanced at the door of her office his face contorted in worry. She smiled and sighed playfully.
"You worry too much. He won't stay most likely. Its only 8 after all. And I can take care of myself. Go, before Tomoyo starts worrying about where you are. You know how she gets." Eriol smiled at the thought of sweet Tomoyo pacing at home. He chuckled and kissed her cheek lightly in a fondly brotherly way.
"Alright then, good night Sakura. Tomoyo will probably call you so keep our cell on you." Sakura nodded before Eriol turned and walked into the elevator and vanished from her sight. Sakura turned and went back into her office as quiet as she could. Still sleeping in her chair, Syaoran's mouth hung wide open and his hair as messier then before as if some invisible hands had ruffled the probably soft dark tresses on his scalp. She giggled to herself. At first, she didn't think that Syaoran was going to be so quiet. In fact, she thought he was going to be like a horrible house pest. After all, she had heard so many stories about Syaoran and all his wild fiascos. But he managed to be quiet, maybe it was only when he was asleep that he was quiet. Shrugging, she sat down on the floor and went back to work.
X X X