Disclaimer: Most of the characters are mine…….. right? –grabs Midori, Naomi, Tyler, and Chantal and holds them protectively–
Summary: Sakura is a struggling, single parent who decides to work as the personal assistant of Japan's 3rd Richest Bachelor: Syaoran Li. As the two become closer, things begin to take an unexpected turn when business begins to interfere. When Sakura and her daughter disappear mysteriously one night, Syaoran will have to face choices that he has never had to face before and together they will learn the consequences that come with true love.
Chapter 7
It was one of those days that students longed for while parents and teachers alike disliked immensely. It was a school holiday. If you didn't know, these days weren't put there for teachers to have a day off as well, but for them to get together and plan according to the curriculum for the next few months. Students get the day off but parents don't. They have to figure out who would take care of their kids while they go off to work, and in most cases, some have to bring them to work with them.
That was exactly how Midori ended up in the backseat of Sakura's car on the way to the Li Corp. building. It was only the day after the rumour and she knew it was way too early to let everyone in the building see her daughter, but what choice did she have anyway? Sakura didn't trust babysitters, and Tomoyo and Eriol were out at their jobs. It was too much of a hazard for a young child to go with Tomoyo, who knows what habits they could pick up from the fashion industry?
Sakura had called Syaoran last night once she found out about the school holiday and explained to him that she had no choice but to bring Midori. He didn't mind. In fact, he said that it would be a good idea to bring her anyway because it would help simmer down the rumour. The employees would see how Midori looked absolutely nothing like him but more like her gorgeous mother instead, and perhaps they could figure out that she wasn't related to him. Sakura blushed at his words and told him she'd arrive early the next day before hanging up.
Waking up early was never her forte and Sakura nearly slept through her alarm clock if it weren't for one of Tomoyo's maid. She came rushing into the room at exactly 6:45 shaking her awake until Sakura had agreed to get out of bed and shower. She was ready to leave the house at 7:15 and arrived at the office in record timing. The building was beginning to light up and only the secretaries on their early shifts were already at their desks.
Alyssa was the first to spot Midori and she grinned broadly when Sakura walked closer, her daughter in her arms. "Good morning, Miss Kinomoto!" She said cheerily, eyeing the young girl. Sakura gave her a deadpan look, obviously noting that Alyssa was equally as responsible for the rumour as was Chantal. She walked past her briskly and zipped up the elevator, which was thankfully empty. The two arrived at the top floor and found it rather empty. However, Naomi was there at her desk with a cup of coffee, her computer still turned off.
The secretary looked up and saw Sakura holding her daughter tightly. Her face faltered slightly and she suddenly looked very apologetic. "Good morning, Sakura…" She said softly, smiling hesitantly at her. Naomi glanced at the sleeping form of Midori and cocked her head questioningly.
"Midori has a school holiday today so she's staying here." Sakura explained quickly, not knowing how to react to Naomi anymore.
She nodded and gave her another smile. "Sakura, I'm so sorry about yesterday. I don't know why I believed her but I shouldn't –"
"Forget it," Sakura cut in smiling back at her. "I lost my temper too, I'm sorry as well."
The two exchanged smiles and Sakura disappeared into her office to lay Midori on the sofa. The girl definitely took from her mother when it came to her sleeping habits. Not knowing what else to do at 7:30 in the morning, Sakura went back outside to fix herself a cup of coffee. She then chatted idly with Naomi for a few minutes before Tyler arrived. The moment he realized that Sakura and Naomi had made up, he knew that it was his turn. Unfortunately, it was much harder for him due to his pride.
Tyler passed by them quickly to head into his office only to stop before he unlocked the door and backtrack. He stood in front of Sakura looking uncomfortable and abashed. Scratching the back of his head gently, he shifted his eyes upward to her green ones and quickly looked away. "S-Sakura I'm sorry." He blurted out, now embarrassed. A smile started to tug at her lips. "Chantal – I shouldn't have – You – Sorry." He blabbered on.
Sakura laughed and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Tyler. I accept your apology." She said formally. He cracked a grin and left to make a coffee. It was soon 9 o'clock and everyone had basically arrived at work by now, Syaoran included. He greeted everyone formally and exchanged smiles with Sakura before turning to Naomi who was busy typing on her computer.
"Naomi, if Chantal stops by, please tell her that I would like to see her in my office immediately." He said in a very business-like tone. His face was sporting a rather amused grin on his face and Sakura couldn't help but wonder if he was going to confront her about the rumour. Surely any rumour about the boss wouldn't be good in any way to the starter. Secretly, she wondered if Alyssa was going to be fired as well.
The secretary nodded importantly and scribbled the reminder down on a sticky pad before her eyes shifted towards Sakura's door. There stood Midori looking very dishevelled with a sleepy look on her face. "Mommy?" She said, staring blankly at Sakura who walked over and picked up the toddler into her arms.
"Good morning, sweetie. You're going to spend the day with Mommy today, okay? Syaoran's here too, so you don't have to worry." Sakura took hold of Midori's right hand and waved it gently at Syaoran who grinned and ruffled Midori's hair. The toddler giggled and hid in her mother's shoulder. Turning towards the desk, Sakura nudged her daughter to look at Naomi and had her wave at her too. "This is Naomi and that man over there is Tyler. Be a good girl and try not to bother them so much through the day, okay?" Midori nodded and smiled shyly at the two before hiding herself in Sakura's shoulder again.
Syaoran cleared his throat. "I'll be in my office." And after giving Midori a tweak on the nose, he silently returned to his office. Sakura also followed suit, giving a smile and a nod to Naomi and Tyler before entering her own office and shutting the door behind her gently.
She set Midori down and then proceeded to take out the basket of toys from behind the couch. A small section on her desk was set out for the toddler to draw and soon Sakura was typing rapidly on her keyboard, the phone ringing practically off the hook. She groaned and glanced at Midori who was now building a house for Kero. Thank God it was Friday. Today was already enough for her and it was still only the morning. Sakura couldn't understand how some people could do this for the rest of their lives.
After answering several phone calls, the young mother sat back and relaxed for a bit, giving her mind the time to wander towards thoughts of Syaoran. Memories of their heated kisses caused her to blush as she closed her eyes and concentrated on pushing them away. It was much too early for that.
Sakura was actually very worried about the working relationship and how it would affect them both. She had read magazines that gave advice to women telling them to not get involved in a romantic relationship with their bosses because it could get really nasty if things go wrong. Besides rumours, there could be bitterness between other employees and perhaps a loss of a job if they break up. Sakura openly voiced her concerns to Syaoran and he calmly replied that they could just keep their relationship very private. As long as they don't openly show their feelings during work, it should be all right. Although still sceptical about it all, Sakura agreed to give it a try.
Suddenly, a piercing, enraged shriek broke through her thoughts rudely, snapping Sakura out of her reveries. She hurried outside to see what it was all about, Midori following close behind, clinging onto her pant legs. They arrived just in time to see Chantal storming angrily out of Syaoran's office, having been clearly told some very bad news.
If you don't know already, an angry French woman does not equal a jolly, happy time.
"You can't just do zis to me, Li!" Chantal screeched, turning sharply around to face a rather calm Syaoran Li. He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms.
"I think I find my company to be better off without you." He answered calmly, his eyes cold and stern. "I have legitimate reasons to let you off."
She gave an angry exhaled breath and glared back at him. "You can't do zis." Chantal said evenly.
Syaoran stared back at her challengingly. "You have two weeks to find another job, it's plenty of notice, but you better hurry up."
Chantal found nothing else to argue back with so she only glared angrily and indignantly at her former boss. Then she spun haughtily on her heel only to stop midway when she spotted Sakura standing at her doorway watching the entire scene. Suddenly a new spark of fury and resentment was lit in her eyes and the French woman strode over to her. She raised her hand and promptly slapped Sakura on her cheek.
"You dirty little slut, you've ruined every-zing, my entire career and my life!" She spat furiously.
Although her cheek stung, Sakura paid it no mind. She didn't want Chantal to get the better of her again. Raising herself up to her full height (which didn't really match the other woman's towering figure), she calmly replied, "Chantal, I haven't done anything. You did all that yourself."
"Yes you did, you arrived zat's what you did!" The French woman's eyes darted around Sakura until she spotted Midori quivering behind her mother's legs. Her hand suddenly reached out and snatched the toddler's wrists and dragged her out, causing Midori to shriek in surprise. She started to wail as big drops of tears rolled down her face. Chantal picked her up roughly.
Sakura's eyes widen and she stepped forward, attempting to pry the hands off her child. "Hey! That's enough!" The grip tightened and Midori wailed louder.
"Chantal that is enough!" An angry, deep voice bellowed and the two stopped fighting as Syaoran stormed over. His chocolate-brown eyes were cold and ruthless, frightening Chantal with just his glare. She reluctantly released her grip on Midori causing Sakura to scoop her up hurriedly. Still sobbing loudly, the toddler began to cry into her mother's shirt while Sakura gently calmed her down. "Go home, Chantal, take the day off and use your two weeks wisely to find yourself another job. Don't expect a reference letter from me either." Syaoran growled, his gaze never leaving her as she edged away from him before turning and walking out of the office floor quietly.
A tense silence settled over the few people who were watching the scene unfold and as soon as Syaoran's glare settled on them, they quickly scurried back into their office. Once peace was settled, he turned towards Sakura and Midori and his eyes softened. "Are you okay?" He asked, reaching towards her red cheek. Sakura moved away and her green eyes told him to keep his distance. He complied.
"I'm fine." She whispered back, rocking a hiccupping Midori who had stopped wailing.
Syaoran instead reached out and stroked the toddler's hair gently. "Would you like to take the rest of the day off?" He asked. Sakura shook her head. "Why don't you let me take care of Midori until tonight then?"
Sakura looked down at her daughter and knew that she wouldn't be able to get anything done is Midori was with her. "Are you sure?" And with that, she gently handed her daughter over to Syaoran, who held her expertly.
"We're going to have lots of fun, right Midori?" Syaoran asked, playfully poking the toddler in the nose. She smiled up at him and nodded. Sakura leaned over and kissed Midori on the forehead before smiling her thanks to him and disappearing into her office. He also returned into his office.
Later that night when it was past office hours, a knock was heard at Sakura's door and in came Syaoran and a hyper Midori who was wearing a paper princess hat on top of her honey-coloured locks of hair. She ran excitedly towards Sakura and collapsed on her lap, laughing. Syaoran closed the door behind him, his hands holding the dinner for tonight. He leaned across her desk and placed a light kiss on her lips.
"Hungry?"
Sakura grinned, pulling her daughter up onto her lap. "Starved."
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A/N: There you go! I hope you all enjoyed that; we finally got rid of Chantal right? –giggles secretively- Please review, every review makes me soooo happy. And because every review makes me so happy, I'm going to reply to them all right now. I hope this won't take so long. XD
JadeStar33: Thank you so much love! I'm glad you liked the ending and the whole mushy part of it. XD And thanks about the Calc test, I did pretty well on it and I'm pleased! It's 20 higher than what I've been getting previously so I'm much happier. About Tyler… I'm not quite sure what I have planned for him. Obviously he's not getting much action here but I don't think he would anyway. I know he likes Sakura, but obviously it's not showing. I have nothing planned and I probably won't. Sorry! No, I can't tell you the whole story about Midori yet, that's for the next chapter! Of course you would have known all about it if I had written that one instead of this one but too bad, I guess. I suppose you'll just have to stick around! Thank you for the long review, I was very excited when I saw it! –muahs-
golden pond: -showers you with sugar cookies and other sweets- I'm getting to that disappearing part! I swear! If I could rewrite this whole fic, you'd probably get more action with the disappearing but I can't just stop it right now and rewrite it, that'd be unheard of! So maybe if I finish it anytime soon, I'll find some time in my schedule to redo the whole thing and make the fanfic tons better. Thank you for the review, love!
The Angel's Princess: Hm… good question about the age. I think I had it all figured out. Sakura should be 24 and Syaoran is 26ish, I suppose. I generally don't like to make him too much older than she is but he has to be old enough to be a successful, but young entrepreneur right? Nono, they didn't go very far. They just… kissed… I swear! Unless you prefer to think otherwise… but they didn't go far. Thank you for the review, it was very sweet and your compliments are touching. I hope you enjoyed this chapter too!
Broadway Belle: She got more than bitched slapped this chapter, darling. ;) I hope you liked!
MeiMei: Hey lovie, you finally reviewed! YAAAY! –ubersnugglelicksandall- Yes, I did write that mushy scene well didn't I? Thanks to you ;) ttyl!
teenureen: Yes, I was pretty sad that Naomi and Tyler believed the rumours, but that shows that they don't know Sakura very well. I guess they can be very changeable. They were probably the kids in high school that followed. Thanks for the review!
litod3vil: A masterpiece? Oh you flatterer… Hehe, I hope you like this one too!
ffgirl-07: Your reaction makes me confident that I am portraying her correctly, hehe, and I'm sure you'll find her even more disagreeable in this chapter. Don't worry, this isn't the last of her.
MysticMoonEmpress: I'm sorry this update wasn't just as fast but I hope you still liked it anyways! Thank you!
Angelsflame265: Well hopefully they won't find out, hm? Hehe, yes, rumours are so dangerous and following them is even more dangerous. Sakura and Syaoran have a lot in store don't they?
Lil-Sakura-Angel: Awww, thank you! I'm glad that you think I can write mushy scenes. I think I'm more of the dramatic type than the mushy type but I had to write it sometime or another right? I'm glad that the ending made you happy, I'm rather pleased with the ending too. Too bad real life doesn't end right there, huh? I hope this chapter pleased you as well! Thanks!
Heiri Sakura: zomg more glomps of doooom! Haha, thanks love, I really enjoy your reviews, they're always so energetic and they make my day too! I hope this update made your day as well as many other people. I guarantee you the next chapter would be better. I hope. -- Thank you for your review and your compliments, they are well kept in my heart -pats the organ lovingly-
ra-chan: I certainly do hope that it'll work out as well! Hehee, thanks for the review!
VampireJazzy: Thank you for you cute review! I remember when I use to be obsessed with Japanese and learning the language…
FlowerLover: Wait, you want one of what? Chantal? I hope not… -give you're a plate of sugar cookies- Enjoy!
Lyphta: Chantal is a pain in the butt isn't she? But I love writing her, she's so… animated but typical in the sense. You'd probably seen her kind in movies, not that I'm basing her on anyone, she's still my own character! –huggles her protectively- And THANK YOU FOR BEING MY 100th REVIEWER!
Sentai: I'm sorry, I don't send out emails about updates, but I still hope you can find out I updated some other way! Thanks for finding my story, I really appreciate you review too!
krnanimegirl: Thank you! I'm not telling you what happens next, it'll only spoil the surprise! I hope you liked this chapter!
ChibiYuffie1: Sure it'd prove a bit of the rumour it's not like Midori's Syaoran's child, and it's not that Sakura had gotten the job because sex right? So the rumours are still false. Thanks for the review!
deviltwit: Thank you!
maixwolfblossom: I'm glad you liked this chapter, yes it's easy to feel that way towards Chantal, but like I've said before, she's such a great character to write. I really do enjoy writing her and I want to develop her a bit more before I move my story along, but we'll see right? Thank you!
jenjen: Thank you!
DeadlyBlossoms: Don't forget, this is completely AU (alternate universe) and so Sakura and Syaoran would be a bit different from the original series. In fact, I think it's really hard to find a fic that goes by the original anymore. I hope you still like it though! Thanks!
blakesgrl: Thank you!
Firalyn Tiatra: WOW! That was the longest review I have ever had. I've kept it in my email inbox too because it's so touching as well. Thank you for paying so much attention to my fic, it means so much to me. Yes, I would have had Sakura go home but think of how many people she'd have to run into a long the way while exiting the building! Hehe, to me it makes more sense to just coop herself up in her office and have absolutely no contact with other life forms. Perhaps you still see differently? Yes, I also agree that Syaoran's method of helping her wasn't exactly practical but it was romantic and I like to give brownie points for that. Work relationships are very dangerous and Sakura fully realizes that. As you can see in this chapter, she's very much aware that others are going to be watching the two of them very carefully. Like I said in the intro paragraph, it is your fault for having me write this chapter as oppose to the one I had planned out but I thank you so much for that. Honestly, you've steered me in the right direction and made me realize that the conflict really wasn't resolved and I can't just leave it like that. Thank you for you superbly long review, I enjoyed it!
And I don't think I've missed anybody else but if I did, so very very sorry!