AU – Clow Reed is the charismatic CEO of a major high-tech company that currently has a vacant Senior Executive post. Will the science prodigy Sakura Kinimoto qualify to join his Dream Team of executives?
Disclaimer: CCS and TRC belong to CLAMP.
General Notes: Sorry for the late update. I had to cram for my Christmas shopping. Tella's review made me think of explaining a little why Syaoran is the way is at this point in his career. Reviews are really helpful!
Fujitaka's wife is Nadeshiko but they don't have children in this fic.
Chapter 3. Family Secrets
Wednesday, Beiba, south of Tomoeda.
Beiba was a well-known sea-side vacation and pleasure haven for the rich and famous of Tomoeda. It was an hour's plane ride from the metropolis and Sakura felt excited especially when she saw their beach-front 6-star hotel, the "Fragrant Harbor".
Sakura and her aunts were ecstatic when they saw the vast white-sand beach and the glittering waves of the South China sea just beyond it. They were still inside the van that picked them up from the airport.
"By the way, Aunt Keiko, which contest did you join to win this vacation from again? You've mentioned it before but I think I forgot."
Aiko's face suddenly wore a guarded look. "Oh look, streamers!" She pointed to a row of gigantic tarps near the entrance emblazoned with: "Silk Secrets"
"I wish we will see celebrities in our hotel." Keiko piped in. They had avoided answering their niece's question. Sakura didn't notice this and just rolled her eyes as her star-struck aunts gushed when they saw a row of limousines near the great glass front doors. They alighted from the van and waited as the bellboys piled their bags on a shiny brass luggage cart.
Sakura figured that there was a product launch of some sort that will be held there, she was mildly curious to know what it was. They checked in at the Front Desk and were welcomed warmly by the Hotel Manager. Their pictures were taken for the guest book and then they were ushered into their simple but very nice 3-bedroom suite. They helped themselves to welcome drinks and pastries that were prepared for them in the dining area of their suite. They also received a dinner invitation for that night from the promoters of "Silk Secrets". They also found welcome baskets filled with free samples of the new soap and lotion in their rooms.
Sakura threw up her arms in mock surrender. "OK, I apologize, aunties, I'm glad that I went on vacation! This place is super! But you still did NOT let me bring my laptop."
Her aunts beamed at their niece. Keiko playfully pulled down Sakura's outstretched hands. "We knew you would like it dear and you work very hard so you deserve it—so when she told us to convince you we…"
"Who's 'she'?" Sakura asked innocently, helping herself to her second cream puff.
Aiko shot her sister a warning glance then turned to Sakura. "Why don't we go change into our swimsuits and start having fun?"
Sakura shrugged, not noticing this exchange between her aunts. "OK then." She proceeded to her room.
XOXOXOXOXO
A lavishly-furnished private yacht named the 'The Waters of Fortune' was leisurely sailing and was some distance to Beiba. A woman was lying on her chest on an enormous round water bed with only a small, thin towel covering her buttocks. Her skin was moist all over with a mixture of sweat and fragrant massage oil. Her wet black hair was piled on top of her head. A tall, muscular masseuse was leaning over her, scantily clad in thin shorts, his hands were softly kneading her mid-back.
"Yorgo do it like you mean it." She said huskily. He's the newest in her "posse".
Her mobile phone rang a mere couple of feet away from her and within her reach. She did not pick it up but merely raised her hands, expectant. He did not get the hint. "I. Am. Waiting." There was a bite of impatience in her voice, the newbie definitely needed more manners.
Yorgo mumbled an apology and almost stumbled to get the ringing phone. To his credit, he remembered to wipe away the massage oil from his hands first before picking it up and handing it to the waiting hands of the woman.
"Yes?" She said imperiously without bothering to look at the caller ID. The caller stated his information. "Very good. I'll be there by tomorrow morning, I want my usual suite. And make the necessary arrangements for the other thing I told you about." She stood up and allowed the man to wrap her in a plush red robe. She let her black hair tumble to her shoulders. The man was looking at her with a tinge of fear. There was a knock on the door. Another scantily clad man entered, holding a glass of iced pineapple juice on a tray.
The woman looked pensive for a fraction of a second but recovered soon enough. She ordered the second man, "Tell the Captain to sail full speed to Beiba."
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Sakura and her aunts spent several relaxing hours on the beach, taking pictures of each other and the scenery. By Keiko's count, they were able to catch sight of at least 5 celebrities that day. They even had an hour-long massage in a thatch-roofed hut on the beach. Towards the afternoon Sakura was sporting a healthy, attractive tan. They then proceeded to the bar to order snacks and drinks. Her aunts were able to convince the hapless vacationing celebrities to pose with them and instructed their niece to take several shots.
They then perused the colorful, picture-filled menu when a waiter holding a tray laden three tall and curvaceous glasses of mango shake each topped with an elaborate paper umbrella. The waiter inclined his head. "Miss Kinimoto, a drink for you and your companions, from an admirer."
Her aunts gasped, no doubt eager to match her up again. Sakura raised an eyebrow and looked at the other people seated in the room. There were 2 couples, 3 groups of ladies, and an old man. All of them least likely to bother to buy them drinks.
"Who is he or she?" Sakura asked the waiter, whose face remained neutral.
"Oh Sakura," Aunt Keiko hit her playfully on her shoulder. "Don't interrogate the poor man, he's only doing his job." She took her drink and handed one to Aiko.
Aiko's eyes glimmered. "Pray tell, who is the admirer, young man?"
"Well, the gentleman said that he just wanted to buy drinks for you…he is a guest in the hotel." The waiter responded.
"What did he look like?" Sakura pressed, still not accepting her drink.
A tall blond man appeared from behind a stone pillar, wearing a large blue hat that almost covered his face. He was chuckling as he removed his hat. "Tsk. Tsk. You're still as suspicious as ever. You are wounding my sensitive heart." He said in a deep, husky voice, a lopsided smile on his face.
Sakura and the others turned to him. She took one good look at him and said "Fluorite-sempai? Is it really you?"
"The last time I checked, yes, it's really me, my pretty Sakura Kinimoto." Fluorite-sempai replied. Aiko and Keiko almost fainted with delight.
They all separated right after snacks, much to Sakura's relief. She then went to buy a dress as she had nothing to wear for the dinner, having packed only swimsuits and casual clothes. She spent about an hour looking for a dress at one of the hotel's exclusive boutiques. Sakura picked the least expensive dress of all--a tired-looking red number. Her aunts were giddy when Fluorite-sempai had promised to join them for dinner and had gone ahead to their rooms to start dressing. His presence barely encouraged Sakura to even attempt to look her best. She lingered a little while longer to avoid her aunts' relentless interrogation about Fluorite-sempai, whose first name was Fay.
She found herself gazing at a stunning emerald necklace displayed in the window of another boutique. It was simply designed but she was sure that it would match her eyes. She paused in front the window to look at it more closely when a woman bumped hard into her, spilling cold juice all over Sakura's clothes. The liquid drenched the dress that she just bought and was ruined.
"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry. I'm such a klutz." The black-haired woman said, her smooth face wore an apologetic expression. "I should have watched where I was going. Are you all right? Yorgo, help her." The woman said to the tall, muscular man standing beside her. The man was about to assist Sakura but she stood up on her own.
"Ah…I'm OK…" Sakura said reassuringly, putting her glasses on again. "How about you, are you OK?"
"What a sweet girl. There must be something I can do…" The woman then gently held Sakura's arm. "I insist that I should replace the dress I ruined." Before Sakura could object, she was ushered by the petite woman into a more expensive looking boutique. An assistant took one good look at Sakura and chose a dress for her in five minutes flat, with matching delicate shoes to boot. The petal pink gown had delicate, feminine ruffles that complimented her form. It had a plunging V-neck and illusion cap sleeves. She looked especially smashing in it because of her tan. Sakura noticed that the petite woman was looking closely at her since the entered the shop. The woman noticed that she noticed and looked away.
"You really shouldn't, ma'am." Sakura said trying to start conversation as she looked at the woman through a 3-way mirror. She looked quite young, who looked like she was in her mid-thirties but there was something a bit unusual about her too. The tall, muscular man who accompanied her never spoke.
"But I insist, cherie. And please call me Su. I'm Su Yung. And this is my nutritionist, Yorgo Sanders." Su's simple-but-obviously-expensive emerald jewelry flashed in the light.
Sakura acknowledged them by inclining her head slightly. "I'm Sakura Kinimoto."
Su continued: "Forgive me for saying so but you remind me of someone I've known from a long time ago. She's gone now." For a brief moment, the woman seemed to lose her resolve and she looked overwhelmed by some deep internal torture.
Sakura went to her side, not sure on how to comfort her. "I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault dear. I had it all planned out but I guess it's more difficult to actually do it…" Su seemed to have spaced out.
Sakura couldn't understand what the woman was trying to say.
"It was nice speaking with you Sakura, but I have to go now." And Su hugged her tight.
Unknown to either Sakura or Su, four pairs of brown eyes were observing them from afar.
XOXOXOXOXO
As she suspected, as soon as she went upstairs to their suite, her aunts questioned her relentlessly about Fay-sempai but she was very tight-lipped. Fay-sempai is an "emerging star" on the rock and roll scene. His often controversial songs and suggestive hip gyrations have started to get attention. There were recent rumors that he was bisexual. She only said that they had attended the same high school (she was accelerated 2 years in school) and that he had to stay in high school a couple of years longer than most people because of his grades.
Her aunts helped her fix her hair and she put on light make-up. She was forced to wear her clear contact lenses instead of her glasses. Fluorite-sempai was waiting for them beside the baroque staircase of the hotel, looking dashing in a dark tuxedo with his blond hair slicked back casually from his face. "My, my you all look lovely tonight." He complimented them. He nimbly reached for the hands of Aiko and Keiko and brushed his lips on the back of the hands of the swooning ladies. Sakura tried to withdraw her hand but was unsuccessful. She had on a blank expression when he kissed her hand. She pulled it back immediately and pretended to adjust her glasses.
Fay chuckled and smiled coolly. "That's all right. Same old Sakura." He pulled out a bouquet of pink and white roses that he was holding behind him and gave it with a theatrical flourish to Sakura. "Please accept this." He flashed his lopsided smile.
Sakura's face colored slightly as she accepted. She wanted to slap him, but she said "Thank you, Fluorite-sempai," a bit too loudly for her aunts' benefit. She then gave the flowers to a hotel attendant to place in a vase back inside their suite.
A string quartet was playing soothing music in the dining hall and they were ushered into a table for six near the stage. Around the stage were big monitors with "Silk Secrets" in big golden letters. Fay assisted the elder ladies to their seats first and was about to do the same to Sakura but she quickly sat down by herself. He cockily sat down beside her. Her aunts engaged him in light conversation as their niece showed no inclination to chat with him. There were many society reporters and photographers present in the room and Fay gamely posed with them together with Sakura and her aunts.
There was a slight hush when the lights were dimmed dramatically. All heads turned at the entrance of five stunningly beautiful women in the room. Four of them looked like they could all be sisters as they have the same chestnut brown hair (in different styles) and the same pair of brown eyes. The most regal of all was the black haired woman, who came in last. The photographers seemed to go crazy when they saw her and started to take as many pictures as they can.
All the people in the room stood up and applauded for them which the women warmly acknowledged. They each waved gracefully to the other diners. They seemed to glide, not walk, to their table, which was right next to Sakura's and her aunts'. Sakura then recognized them as Yelan Li and her daughters. They were sought-after product endorsers who pitched a wide range of luxury goods from perfume, jewelry, ladies' watches, clothes to destination spas. She thought that they looked much more beautiful in person. Sakura also knew that they were the mother and sisters of Syaoran Li, her colleague from Reed Industries but she did not tell her aunts that or they would be more star-struck than they already are.
The five endorsers ascended to the podium and greeted the diners, thanking them for attending the launch of "Silk Secrets" (they had on brooch-shaped lapel microphones). They answered random questions from the press and gamely posed for pictures in their elegant strapless purple gowns which made them look all the more royal. The waiters have started to place elaborately-presented food on the tables.
Everyone took their seats for dinner, including the five celebrities. Sakura did not notice that the five Li women were discreetly looking in her direction.
"And no, I'm not bi like those rumor mongers say." Fay said to his aunts. He turned to Sakura. "I meant I really prefer women." He then cast a suggestive look and wiggled his eyebrows at Sakura.
After dessert, the lights were turned off and gold spotlights were focused on the gigantic plasma TV's on either side of the podium lit up. An emcee announced that they would now be seeing the full-length TV ad for "Silk Secrets."
Narrator/voice-over: She has a secret….
A glamorously dressed and very beautiful Yelan Li in a sparkling red gown walks in a swanky Western-looking restaurant, the maitre d' welcomes her:
Yelan: "Reservation for Li." (close-up)
Maitre d': "Oui, this way, Ms Li."
Yelan gives an elegant nod. On their way to the table, other diners looked admiringly at Yelan and asked each other in loud whispers "Who is she?"
Maitre d': "Your sisters have just arrived as well."
Yelan smiles mysteriously. (close-up)
They reach the table where four brown-haired women were seated.
Voice over: They have a secret…
Fuutie, Xuehua, Feimei and Huanglian say enthusiastically: "Mother!"(close-up)
Maitre d' turns to look at the "audience" wearing a big embarrassed smile for his "error". Then the words "Silk Secrets" in gold letters swirl around a bar of soap.
Another shot: Individual close-up glamour shots of the five women wearing off-shouldered gold gowns.
Voice over: It's the Li family secret for youthful skin...
Close-up shot of the five women smiling glamorously: Its "Silk Secrets"…
Then the words "Silk Secrets" in gold letters swirl around a bar of soap.
(To view the video of the full-length TV ad and to request for free product samples, please click here.)
The audience clapped enthusiastically. The endorsers bowed to acknowledge them. The cameras flashed again. Then the spotlight turned to Yelan. "Thank you everyone! We will now select a Mr. and Miss Silk Secrets from our guests this evening."
Fuutie added: "A panel of judges selected them from the welcome pictures taken during your check-in at the hotel."
Xuehua took over: "They will each win among other things--a sumptuous dinner for two at the Tomoeda Golden Fan Restaurant and a shopping spree at the Elan Boutique for 50,000 Tomoeda Dollars!
Feimei said with a wink: "Of course, it's up to them if they want to enjoy the prizes together."
Huanglian exchanged winks with her sister: "And Mr. Silk Secrets is…Mr. Mitsui Yamashita. Please join us here Mr. Yamashita." The spotlight roved around the guests and focused on a tall, dashing gentleman with dark brown spiky hair. He had a friendly face and waved shyly to acknowledge the applause as he climbed up the podium where he shook hands with each of the five Li women.
They waited for the applause and the camera flashes to die down. Fuutie cleared her throat and excitedly announced, "Miss Silk Secrets is…Miss Sakura Kinimoto."
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Sakura was interviewed briefly with Mr. Yamashita by the five celebrity endorsers, whom she found were genuinely warm which set her at somewhat at ease though she felt that the Li women were very interested with her. Then all 7 of them were photographed by the press. Fuutie took more group shots with Sakura using her personal camera while the press was interviewing Mitsui.
She suddenly felt drained when she went upstairs. Her aunts had been waiting for her in their suite. She discovered that Fay had left "looking disappointed" according to her aunts as soon after she was called on the stage. Sakura shrugged.
"A lunch invitation arrived for tomorrow in Su Yung's yacht." Keiko said.
"That's interesting. We've met earlier today and she bought me my dress. Would you like to go though?" Sakura said while wiping her glasses with tissue. She yawned.
"Sakura, we apologize for lying to you and we should have told you this sooner." Aiko said. "Su Yung was good friends with our late sister, your mother. She was the one who paid for this trip. She said that she just wanted to meet you."
"You're saying that she went through all this trouble just to meet me? Why didn't she do it before?"
"We don't know and we didn't expect her to follow us here." Aiko admitted.
Sakura sighed. Her aunts had told her that her mother Masako Kinimoto had arrived at her parents' house with the infant Sakura in tow and had been tight-lipped about who the father was. Masako died of cancer when she was about three. Her father left her mother when he found out that her mother was pregnant with her. Her aunts didn't know him because her mother kept her relationship with him a secret. She does not even know his name.
"Let's talk to her tomorrow then." Sakura said and proceeded to her room. For the longest time she had wanted to find her father, maybe Su Yung holds the key. She just wanted to talk to him to find out why he did what he did. She wanted closure. She collapsed on her bed and the soothing scent of lavender greeted her nostrils which relaxed her. She switched on the TV just in time to see the last part of the Silk Secrets commercial which she must have seen several times by now. She sighed deeply and for once in her life felt something like envy. She wished with all her heart that her own family's secret would be as uncomplicated as a bar of soap.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Thursday, Beiba
On board 'The Waters of Fortune'
Su Yung seemed to be in her element when she welcomed them at her large and luxurious yacht. She was wearing a cream-colored body-skimming dress, its color brought out the glow in her youthful face. She had on a necklace of cabochon emeralds that must weigh at least a ton. Her perfume pervaded the entire yacht.
Sakura saw the "nutritionist" guy named Yorgo whom Su introduced to her earlier and noticed that her staff are mostly young, handsome and muscular men. She could sense that they feared their hostess in a way that she found difficult to explain.
They were ushered into a canopied dining area set for four right on the deck of the ship. The captain set a slow cruise around the scenic coastline of Beiba. The view was breathtaking—it was no wonder this was a famous destination for centuries.
"The ancient poets used to call this the "Fragrant Harbor". C'est magnifique, yes?" Su Yung said, following Sakura's gaze.
"Yes it is. Thank you for paying for our trip here and for the lunch invitation." Sakura replied. Her aunts nodded their assent.
"It was nothing, cherie. I just an attack of nostalgia and wanted to see the daughter of my late friend."
"Is that all? There must be something we can do for you." Aunt Keiko asked.
"I just wanted to show Sakura something." Su said, her eyes boring into the young lady's. The butlers then arrived with their lunch.
Sakura noticed that Su just picked at the food on her plate and barely put a morsel in her mouth. The way the older woman observed her was a bit unnerving. Soon they were done with lunch, and she was invited into the yacht's more formal den. It had large shelves filled with souvenirs from Su's visit to different countries. They could tell that she had been around a lot judging from the size of her collection. Her aunts perused the curios and Su and Sakura entered another room where she showed Sakura a leather-bound album. Sakura saw pictures of a younger Su and her college friends. Some pictures included Masako, Sakura's mother.
Su had to answer her cellphone so Sakura was left with the albums. She finished with the one given to her quickly and pulled out another more battered-looking one. In it was a picture of a young Su flashing a slightly disappointed smile and wearing a sash that said: 1st Runner-up Spring Festival Queen. In the picture, a woman who was partly hidden was wearing a crown on her auburn-hair and was standing behind Su. The auburn-haired woman was wearing a bigger, gold sash that said "Spring Festival Queen." Sakura wanted to look closer at her but Su arrived and gave her their Yearbook instead. She discreetly took the battered album from Sakura.
Sakura gasped softly when she saw a very youthful-looking Clow Reed's picture as the class' Summa cum Laude. Beside him were Masaki Madoushi (magna cum laude) and Su Yung (cum laude). The name 'Madoushi' rang a bell in Sakura's head. She heard Eriol mention it a few times in snatches during his phone calls.
"Clow and I were in the same class for Advanced Science & Technology at Tomoeda University. But let's just say we rarely saw things in the same light." Su Yung said with a glint of steel in her eyes.
"Madoushi…his name is very familiar." Sakura tried hard to recall.
"He's dead." There was a slight hiss in the woman's voice then Su's face softened a bit. "I meant that he passed away a long time ago. He was my husband but I prefer to use my maiden name."
Sakura stood up, something dawned upon her. "Wait…Madoushi is the name of Reed's rival company—what…is that why you did this? I won't join you." She did not know what possessed her to be so uncharacteristically rude to their hostess.
Su regarded her for a moment like Sakura was a little child caught stealing cookies. "Don't be hasty child. I am not out to convince you to join my company—but it would please me very much if you did…"
"Then what do you want with me?"
"I am childless Sakura and I need an heiress."
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Sakura left the yacht in a huff with her aunts. Her face was red and she would not answer her aunts' queries as they left the yacht. She decided that she wanted to leave Beiba as soon as possible and told this to her aunts.
A tall man with dark brown spiky hair emerged from a private room inside the yacht. He stood very close to Su as she gazed at Sakura and her aunts as they walk towards their hotel. He placed his arms around her waist.
"This one is more of a challenge. She reminds me very much of Clow. I expect you to follow my instructions to the letter, Mitsui. It's good that we were able to get you to win that silly soap bar contest."
"I always do. When have I ever disappointed you, my goddess?" Mitsui replied, nuzzling Su Yung's neck.
Su Yung pouted seductively. "Never." Their tongues met as they kissed.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Excerpts from "The Current Reed" (The Company Newsletter)
Special Announcements: by Ruby Nakuru Akizuki:
Website Update:
--We have updated the pictures on our website!!! There is also a new "Employees-at-Work section featuring videos of employees from all the departments. The distribution dates of the updated Employee Manuals will be announced in the next issue. Please check it out and send any comments or suggestions in the site guest book.
--Starting on our next issue and due to very INSISTENT employee demand, Takeshi Yamazaki (of Advertising) will be posting a "Did you Know?" column featuring painstakingly-researched interesting trivia from around the world!!! Eriol Hiirigizawa (of R&D) will be the co-author. Please feel free to send an e-mail or an Instant Chat with the two gentlemen if there are things that you are curious to know about and they will try to include it in their column. (To leave questions for the authors, please click here.)
--the divinely beautiful Yelan Li, mother of our very own Syaoran Li, has graciously agreed to personally visit our facilities with her four equally-beautiful daughters to promote her latest endorsement—Silk Secrets beauty bar. Free samples are available for all interested employees at the Lounge. (Please ask Wei for details.)
There will also be a photo session where lucky employees can get the chance to be photographed with our celebrity endorsers and a complimentary facial massage using the wonderful product. Plus, there is a surprise at the end of the program!
The product tour schedule is as follows: (10am to 4pm)
Corporate Headquarters (Site A) - Friday
Manufacturing Facility (Site B) - Monday (next week)
Research & Dev't. Facility (Site C) - Tuesday (next week)
(To register for the photo shoot or the facial massage, please click here.)
TO BE CONTINUED….
Notes: Sorry if this chapter is a bit on the "dramatic side". I had to set-up certain things at this point. I also promised things in my previous note that are not in Chap 3, but will appear instead in Chap 4. Apologies for that but on the upside, I'll be posting Chap 4 very, very soon after this.
Our agenda for the next meeting (chapter):
The historic Omarate Deal
The golf tournament and Sakura's job interview
The company scandal
The "first meeting" between Syaoran and Sakura