By SibylSofiana
Disclaimer: CCS characters are property of Clamp. We are merely borrowing them for this fic.
Chapter 1An Unexpected Kiss
Another sigh escaped the young woman's lips as she gazed across the room from her strategic position, unnoticed in the dimly lit corner where she sat. She let her eyes linger longingly at the door about fifty feet away from her. Much as she would have liked to walk out that door right now, she couldn't. Anne would have her head. "You're the star of the show – where do you think you're going?!?'
She did enjoy basking in the adulation of the crowd – she was used to it. The months of preparation had paid off and the show had been successful. But tonight, she was just tired and drained.
'Why did I let myself get talked into this? I should be at home right now, having a nice, hot bath.' Sigh.
Her escort was somewhere out in the crowd where Anne had dragged him to mingle, so she'd have to wait for a while. Otherwise he'd be very put out – she smiled at the thought. He was so very protective! So she stayed put to wait for him, hoping that the crowd had gotten enough of her that they wouldn't notice the two of them sneaking out of her own after-show party in a few more minutes.
She watched as everyone seemed to be having a great time. Just beside her, a couple was snogging each other senseless, seemingly oblivious to her presence. It was either that or they simply didn't care.
Tomoyo Daidouji, the recent addition to the international fashion world, the pride of Japan, and currently the toast of New York, blew her bangs away from her forehead as she rested her chin on the palm of her hand and contemplated her existence.
~o~o~o~o~o
The fashion show had been held earlier that evening and it had been a resounding success. Even the jaded fashion editors were raving about Tomoyo's designs, and kept gathering around her at the party. Anne Croft, her public relations manager, steered her around to meet the need-to-know celebrities.
There was this one guy who kept following her around. He had introduced himself as Thaddeus Whitaker, owner of an exclusive men's boutique on Fifth Avenue.
"...but please, call me Ted. May I call you Tomoyo?" he said as he kissed her hand lingeringly. For some reason she didn't like him, and she tried to take her hand away but Ted held on firmly.
Fortunately, her escort intervened. Giving Thaddeus "Ted" Whitaker a quick glare, he dragged Tomoyo off to dance, where he kept all the other young men at bay while she giggled in relief.
But now her rescuer was off in the clutches of Anne, and Tomoyo was left to hide in the shadows. Ted Whitaker had been particularly annoying, following her wherever she went. He was probably hoping to get her alone to himself after the countdown, and she didn't plan on being near him at all.
In her distraction, she didn't see Anne go to the microphone in front.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's begin the countdown to the New Year!"
Clapping and cheers soon filled the room. Tomoyo was filled with dread.
"Ten...nine...eight...!"
Ted Whitaker was slowly making his way towards her table. She stood up, pretending not to see him as she made her way through the crowd.
"...seven...six...five..!."
Oh, dear. Where was he?!?
"...four...three...two..!."
Ted was closing in, and Tomoyo was desperately searching the room for a sign of her escort.
"...One...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"
There! She saw him by the French doors and quickly headed toward him. In her panic, she grabbed the back of his jacket. To her dismay, as he turned around she knew she had made a mistake, as the guy slowly leaned forward for a kiss.
"From the frying pan into the fire..." She knew she heard that American expression before. This was definitely worse than the frying pan.
"Happy New Year." There was a note of mock enthusiasm in the man's voice as he leaned to give her a kiss. There was no time to squirm away as she felt his lips cover hers gently.
And then she was lost.
~o~o~o~o~
Eriol was leaning against the frame of the French doors leading out towards the balcony of the hotel, hands in his trouser pockets. He never liked public relations parties – but Nakuru insisted he come along. Probably in the hopes that he might meet one of her model friends and fall head over heels in love.
He gazed outside, looking at the fireworks in Times Square. He adjusted his spectacles and tried to look for a star. Unfortunately everything was obscured.
Ah, there! One star.
He suddenly thought of Sakura. Where was she tonight?
And then everyone was cheering and shouting so much that he couldn't hear his thoughts anymore.
"Ten...nine...eight..!."
At this time of year, he usually stayed at home ensconced in his chair in front of the fire. Now he had to spend it in the bustle of New York. Sigh.
"...seven...six...five...!"
He still had papers to grade. He had at least a few more days before the holidays ended.
"...four...three...two..."
Well, it'd be midnight in a few more seconds, and Nakuru had promised they could leave by then.
"...One...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"
The room then erupted with shouts and laughter, and Eriol knew that soon everybody would be kissing just about everybody in sight. He hoped they wouldn't see him by the doors – it was a bit dim.
But someone tugged his suit from behind and he sighed inwardly. But he put on a game expression and slowly turned around. He couldn't see the woman's face, but her scent beckoned him – it was nice and feminine. And familiar.
He leaned down to give her the obligatory New Year's kiss.
"Happy New Year."
He intended to give a brief and indifferent kiss, but as his lips touched hers, it was like he was drawn into a spell – the room faded away, New Year and New York forgotten.
Her lips were soft -- and cold and quivering. Instinctively, his lips moved over hers gently, giving her warmth. And she responded, seeking his lips, her arms no longer passive against his chest but touching tentatively.
He felt the faint stirrings of desire, and knew he had to stop. He soon unwillingly ended the kiss before it got out of hand.
He could feel her eyes on him as he drew her away, holding her shoulders gently.
At that particular moment, the present intruded in their magical spell – the room broke into another round of cheering and all the lights were turned on.
And he was shocked to see he was holding Daidouji Tomoyo.
@@@@@ END OF CHAPTER ONE
Authors' Notes:
Hmmm...liked that one didn't you?
We were just kinda playing with ideas, when the idea for this story came up and wouldn't let go. So, here we are with a brand new ExT fic for all you fans out there. Enjoy!
With love,
SibylSofiana