First things first: thank you to all my readers, followers, and the following reviewers:
shi eri- thanks, and i know this update is a bit late, hope you enjoy the chapter :)
pyscho-pyro-shrink- thank you :) I hope this chapter is enjoyable as well.
poems2songs- well why don't you see for yourself what they start out as....and yes Sakura is giving him a hard time :P
lhaine07- haha, i know right...he keeps making up for it in this chapter, and she keeps analyzing the relationship, I think you'll like it!
DN Angel and Cardcaptor Sakura- thanks! I hope you like this next chapter :)
enemrizza- I kind of thought it would be a good way for Syaoran to try to get on her good side...I'm glad you liked it. Perhaps you'll like what he has planned in this chapter?
cupid17- aw thank you! I hope you like the next chapter as well!
FCgrl- I have to say, I'm glad you caught the carnation and the Eriol jab :) And yes, no offense, but Bella is so ..... Anyway, I hope you enjoy the next chapter just as much :)
LOVE- thanks! here is the next chapter, albeit late...
Karma kat 281- Haha, i love all these reviews I get about Sakura's violence...really were you guys that mad at Syaoran...but no she didn't slap him, maybe she will in a later chapter though...you should read what she does in this chapter eh?
Mystic Moon Empress- thanks :) I hope this chapter is as interesting as the last... :)
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Second- Hi. Here is chapter seven, which I have decided will have the apology/ try again kind of lunch. I know I haven't updated in forever! Really, I have no excuses for that, it was my own fault...but on the plus side, fall break starts soon and all my midterms are over :)
In this chapter, we see SxS again, but Sakura is keeping distance from Syaoran for a while yet. Hopefully, he'll end up on her good side soon :)
Enjoy,
Kaoruhana
Chapter 7: Lobby
I sighed throwing yet another shirt on my bed. I didn't even know why I was doing this- actually I did, but the rational part of me urged me to just pick a shirt and move on. A knock on the door interrupted the musing I was doing on a green blouse that was professional and classy.
"Yes?"
"Are you decent Sakura?" Tomoyo's voice called from the other side of the door. I had already slipped into my black straight leg dress pants and Tomoyo had seen me in this state before. I called her in and she regarded me curiously. "What are you doing?"
"Do you think this-" I help up the green blouse I was debating on wearing, "would look better or the green shirt with the matching black blazer?" She followed my gaze to the bed and then looked back at the blouse. I noticed that both the items were green, a color I associated with Syaoran. Funny, the first time I'd met him I was wearing green too.
"I don't think one day of being a tad informal would kill you so I say go for the blouse."
She began putting away the clothes on my bed as I mulled over her decision before agreeing with her and slipping into the blouse. I reached for a watch- coincidentally one with a green strap and grabbed my essentials, tossing most of them into my purse before following Tomoyo to put the clothes away. Once done, we made our way to the kitchen. Fai and Yukito were eating breakfast and both of them raised an eye at my appearance.
"Impressing someone Sakura?" Fai asked regarding the blouse. It was one of his designs and I knew he appreciated the usage of his creation. The blouse was one of my favorites from his recent collections.
"Nothing big." I answered taking a seat and helping myself to some toast and okonomiyaki: there was always Japanese food on Fai and Yukito's table. Today's specialty dish just so happened to be the pancakes- Yukito was adept at making these since his grandparents were from Osaka.
I knew everyone saw straight through the lie but since no one was baiting me out I decided to relax and enjoy breakfast. It was then that I remembered what Syaoran and I had agreed on yesterday.
"Oh, by the way I don't need a ride home from work today."
"You don't?" Yukito asked as I ate.
"Nope." Tomoyo and Fai's gaze probed me knowingly but I brushed them off as I always did these days.
"Sakura-" Yukito put down the chopsticks he was using and sighed, "I can't make decisions for you but be careful alright?"
"I will." I smiled gratefully at him groaning inwardly when Fai pried.
"So why do you not need a ride home? Someone dropping you?"
"Yes Fai." I hoped he wouldn't probe farther as I ate. With Fai however, that was a hopeless cause.
"Who is it?" I hesitated in replying and finally sighed out the answer.
"Li." Three pairs of eyes blinked. Tomoyo seemed lost on whether to be happy for me or angry at me for jumping back into the relationship while Yukito and Fai wore concerned looks.
"Are you sure getting back together with him is the right thing?" asked Yukito hesitantly.
"No." Was the truthful answer as I stared at my plate. I thought back to the promise that was unintentionally made yesterday. "But Syaoran and I we're going to see it through and take it slow this time so that we can maybe build something better." Yukito smiled and picked up his chopsticks once again.
"That's good. You know I'll be here if you need me."
"I know."
* * * * *
An hour later I sat in front of my computer. Meiling had sent me some things to do and I was looking through the files, deciding which ones to do in the morning and which ones to do later. It was approximately nine in the morning now so I would have three hours now and five hours in the afternoon. I picked up the large files and began delving into them.
I had visits from everyone I knew in the accounting department in the morning as they discussed work related issues with me or, as in Tomoyo's case, had a much needed talk with me.
"What's on your mind Sakura?" She asked gently, ushering me to tell her if I felt ready.
"Nothing much." I searched in the jumbled train wreck of my mind for a suitable way to get the point across. "Do you think I'm doing the right thing?" I surmised finally.
"I don't know. Tell me do you feel like you're doing something wrong?" I had no conscience in the back of my mind screaming at me to stop so I shook my head no.
"Then you're fine. Just stick with it and everything will just go on its own course. Don't rush it and see what happens."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure." After a while I relaxed and went back to my work aware of her presence well after our conversation had finished.
"Tomoyo, I'm trying to finish this," I wailed out as I noticed that I'd gone through only one and a half of the large files Meiling had sent me.
"And?" she probed. I realized she was baiting me into accepting the fact that I had agreed to lunch with Syaoran.
"I have a lunch date too so I'm trying to get my work done." Tomoyo smiled and idled over taking a folder from my desk.
"I have nothing to do so I might as well help you." She walked away and I began delving into the files again shaking my head at her antics. The next interruption I received was at lunchtime.
"Looks like someone's busy." I glanced up recognizing Syaoran's voice.
He was leaning against my door calm as ever. I was surprised to see him since I had not seen him arrive. I flushed wondering how long he had been standing there seeing me work. Hopefully not too long, I sometimes was embarrassed myself by my mannerisms.
"Meiling sent me a lot of things, but I have most of the large things done." I placed my work aside and checked my purse to see if there was anything missing that I needed.
"Ready for lunch?"
"Sure." I replied quickly wanting to leave the confines of my office. It was getting quite stuffy.
Grabbing my purse, I headed out with Syaoran. He held out his arm andI hesitated with myself internally about taking it. Finally deciding that it wouldn't hurt or be seen as anything more than a platonic gesture, I took it as we walked. We arrived at the lowest level of the building where there were a few restaurants and he guided me around. There was a restaurant serving all kinds of Dim-Sum, another which served westernized versions of Chinese cuisine, a restaurant reminiscent of the small ramen shops that lined Tokyo streets and many others. I walked to the westernized one, Syaoran in tow, and we ordered. Soon after we seated ourselves at a table and dug in.
"So, how have you been? With work and all?" I asked deciding to make light on the conversation. It was a good way to start things off I guessed.
"Not bad, a bit crazy with the venture. You?"
"Same." I twirled my food around with my chopsticks mentally getting a picture of a strict mother telling her child to not play with food. "Dad says hi."
"That's good to know." We ate for a while, realizing the full hunger we had before Syaoran spoke up again.
"I like your clothes today Sakura." I was taken aback by the comment surprised that he had actually paid attention to my outfit. "Plus, green is my favorite color." I blushed unintentionally. If only he knew how much trouble I had this morning choosing the outfit he would laugh.
"Thank you." I stifled out when my blush had subsided. Syaoran just shot me a grin
"Where are you staying here? I know you and Tomoyo had your own apartment there, but here?"
"We're staying with Toya's friends Fai and Yukito." I answered trying to not make the situation seem scandalous.
"Two men?" I felt Syaoran's questioning gaze and hastened to explain myself.
"They're lovers and Tomoyo and I moved in with them, it was kind of forced." Syaoran smirked as we ate in silence once again. I had noticed that the man I saw now before me seemed more at ease in this setting than before. I assumed that this mood resulted from his presence in the workplace. After all, it was easier to work in a setting that one was familiar with.
"Sakura can we try something?" The unexpected question threw me off balance.
"Try what?" We had both finished our lunch and were now enjoying our lunch break.
"Can we try our relationship again? I know it seems stupid after my behavior but I like you and I want to give this relationship one more try. We don't have to do it right away, but-" he trailed off looking expectantly at me for a response. I stuttered before coming out with a coherent response- an unintelligent one at that.
"Why Syaoran?"
"I like you. I admit that what I did before was stupid on my part but do you think we can try again?" I comprehended the question better this time and produced an accurate response after thinking in my head. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt. I had already accepted the apology and the carnation spoke for itself.
"Sure, but when?" His eyes widened; clearly he wasn't expecting this response.
"Tomorrow-lunch?" he asked hesitant. I nodded my head and a huge grin of relief broke out on his face. "That's great." I smiled back and looked at the clock on the far wall. Forty-five minutes of my one-hour lunch break had already passed and I stood up.
"We both have work to do." I announced, sullen since the talk was cut short. Syaoran stood up with me and we threw away the trash before making our way back to my office. Once there, Syaoran took my hands in his.
"Thank you." He mumbled staring at our joined hands. "I won't screw up this time."
"I know." The words I'd spoken weren't true- they were more of a promise that was to be tested and both of us knew it. We stood letting the idea of the promise sink into us.
"Can I kiss you?" The words were asked unsurely, almost as though Syaoran was afraid of getting reprimanded for even mentioning them. I bit my lip but answered by tugging on his hand and forcing him to look at me.
"I don't think that's a good idea." He sighed looking down at our hands for a few moments before smiling back up at me.
"Yeah. You're probably right. I guess this means I still have a ways to go to gain your trust?"
I nodded letting go of our hands and suddenly feeling like a little kid who had denied her best friend from playing with their favorite toy.
"So," I replied gently moving my hands in a nervous manner, "I'll see you later?"
"Sure." Syaoran hesitated but then leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on my cheek before moving back. "I guess we should head back to work now."
"Yeah." He nodded his head and walked away. Once he left I returned to work, determined to get the day over with sooner. It would mean I would be closer to thinking about the events of the afternoon. I sank into my desk chair briefly rubbing my forehead and trying not to think about things that would keep me up later that night. Maybe I'd have a talk with Tomoyo tonight.
* * * * *
By the time six o'clock rolled around I was done with the work Meiling had sent me and was idly talking with her in her office.
"So this is where I find you." The two of us looked to greet the guest who had spoken. It was none other than Syaoran.
"Sorry, I was talking with Meiling and didn't realize it was past six."
"It's ok." Syaoran approached us and grabbed my hand. "Mei, I'm stealing Sakura now, is there anything else you need from her?"
"No." Meiling was too shocked to reply, judging by her large and inquiring eyes. "I'll see you two tomorrow." Once out of the office and in his car I glanced at Syaoran.
"Why was she so surprised?" I knew I was a stranger currently and I didn't want to intrude on anything.
"Mei?" he asked as we buckled into our seatbelts.
"Yes." Syaoran pulled out and we set into rush hour Hong Kong traffic.
"I suppose it's because this seems unexpected to her. After all, she doesn't know about what happened in Tokyo." I nodded my head as we guided ourselves around and struggled to get home with the GPS. We made small talk and listened to the radio. Finally the car rolled to a stop.
"Remind me never to use that thing again." Syaoran growled outside Fai and Yukito's house. He dismantled the GPS from the windshield and threw it into the backseat.
"But if you lose it how will you go home?" It had taken us nearly ninety minutes to get home; twice the time it had taken Yukito yesterday and I couldn't help but be concerned. The last thing I wanted was for him to get lost just because he took me home.
"It's alright. I think I know my way from here."
"Are you sure?" My seatbelt was off now and I briefly touched his hand placating myself by assuring that it was only a platonic gesture. "You could always just join us for dinner and then head home." Syaoran smiled the usual smile that had me wondering what else I had to uncover about him.
"I'll be fine." He leaned over and I leaned back before he was able to kiss me on the cheek. He looked at me in confusion but I just excused myself and fled out of the car. Once I was at the door I noticed him looking at me and I turned away opening the door and walking inside.
So what do you think? Obviously, someone wants to think things over and someone doesn't...hmm I wonder what that's about?
Anyway, I know I haven't updated in forever and I apologize...I'm a lazy ass and I am admitting to it!
If you have any suggestions for what you might think I should do, please feel free to PM me. I'm still working out kinks and thus it may be a while before this story finishes. I'm not big on drama, so perhaps next chapter I'll highlight a more business approach to the realtionship between Syaoran and Sakura, after all one must remember, even if Sakura only works in accounting, she is the envoy per say for the Kinomoto corporation in Hong Kong.
Anyway, please review, they make me super happy and I love reading each one. As always constructive criticism is super appreciated and thanks for reading :)
Kaoruhana
