CHAPTER TEN: Fashion Show
Syaoran's POV
It's humiliating…a bit.
Syaoran Li does not get humiliated.
Do you know how it feels like to be literally present in the scene but you feel like you're invisible? … I don't deserve this.
Sakura and I came here at 'Le Pergola' together. I admit she looks extra pretty tonight but when we both stepped off from the car, I gaped at her like she was the ugliest person in the world. Why? It is because she was leaving off without me. After she exited my car, she entered 'Le Pergola's double doors right away. … I do not deserve this.
I was left dumbfounded, having no choice but to follow her trail. … I really don't deserve this but ummm…maybe I should start being nice to her…since ummm… since Mother told me to take care of her and I'm pretty sure that my mum talked to her about that as well.
"I desire to thank each and every one of you for coming." Tomoyo stands on the edge of the long stage. The spotlight aims at her figure while everything else is dark. "First and foremost, I am Tomoyo Daidouji, designer of 'Cherry Blossom Tunnel'" Oh boy, Eriol's eyes are fixed on her. "Before we begin the show, I would like to thank 'Loreal Paris' hair and make up salon. Once again, I welcome you all to Tomoyo Daidouji's second fashion show. I call this 'Modern Sidewalk'. Enjoy!" After her little speech, the spotlight on her went out and you could see her silhouette exiting the stage. Instantly, music entered and then the models began to come out one by one.
I am not interested.
Anyways… I'm not really a bad person ya know… I know I'm not. I even invited her to dinner last week, remember? Hehehehe… Everyone was really surprised.
"Hey man!" Eriol leaned to me with his grin. "Are you watching? Don't just drink there!"
I've been drinking wine ever since I settled here on my chair. I continued to give him my stern look and said "Shut up."
Everything here is dim; there are candle lights in each round table. The tables are covered with pure dark gray cloth. The only thing that's bright is the stage.
Like I said… I'm not interested.
'Dug..!' A sound was heard when another bottle of wine was placed on top of my table. I looked at who just put it there.
Chase.
I glared at him. What does this new bottle mean? Is it his way of saying 'Gee, thanks for making me stay at your house.'? Or 'Drink up bastard. You'll drop on the floor later after a few more bottles.' Whatever he is trying to pull out, he won't make a joke out of me.
I raised my eyebrow at him. He beamed at me and lifted his two fingers making out a 'peace' sign. Pssh… This guy is juvenile.
As Chase gets his sorry ass away from me, I caught glimpse of the stage.
Wow…
Is that her? She's wearing a tube top dress with matching high heels. I cannot explain further because I am not a faggot. Ask Eriol and maybe he'll give you the precise information.
I feel like thunder struck me. I was about to sip wine from my glass but she halted me! She halted me even if she's on the stage and I'm here at the audience area!
Holy shit… She looks absolutely gorgeous.
I didn't say that… I thought of it.
But pretend that you didn't hear it… You didn't read it.
From my little knowledge, I know that the last model to appear on stage is the 'main' model or whatever you call it. Sakura is the second to the last. That means, Tomoyo really does like her…that much.
Anyways… I'm sorry grandfather… I'm sorry that I doubted your taste. Now, I really know what beauty that Kinomoto has. She's a Li now! She's a Li because of me! I'm sorry grandfather. I know you're not able to read my mind so I can say sorry sorry sorry sorry as much as I want. Sorry sorry sorry sorry.
…
WHAT AM I SAYING? I'm pathetic!
…
To make my mind think more sensible stuff…I'll just find a way to be nice to her. No, I don't have to find a way. I can just be nice to her. Be nice. But I ADMIT that I wasn't really that nice to her before so I need to find a way how to be nice! Be nice to her!
…
Thirty minutes have already passed and I'm still here, stunned. The Fashion Show is over and I can't recall Tomoyo's ending speech. I haven't even opened Chase's wine bottle yet.
"Hi guys..!" entered a female voice. The familiar dress entered my view. Okay Syaoran, she's there. You're here. She's just there. BE NICE!
Sakura faced me; maybe she felt that I was downright staring at her. "Do you want the dress to get ruined? What are you still standing there for? GO CHANGE!" Haah… I just said that. I'm sure it isn't so bad but she didn't smile. She just frowned, rolled her eyes and then she left.
Nice going Xiao Lang.
I hate to admit it…but I'm really feeling stupid right now.
Pause. Silence.
Actually, everyone is happily chattering…especially Chase. He's always energetic. Well not really…But more energetic than me, that's for sure.
Pause. Silence. My mind paused. And I hear nothing but silence. I hope she goes back soon.
What am I saying? I'll have her beside me on my bed tonight! No need to 'hope' that she goes back 'soon'.
More than half an hour had passed and she still isn't here. This pisses me off…really. I stood from chair. Mind you, this is my first time to stand after the long wait. "I'm going off to my car. Tell Sakura when she gets back." I plainly told them and I sauntered exiting the 'Le Pergola' building.
I walk over to my red sports car and I noticed someone leaning on my car. What the?
"What are you doing here?" I asked calmly when I realized who the person is.
"I'm just embarrassed to go back there." She looks down to the ground. "I still have all this make up on and I just-"
I cut her off by relaxingly grabbing her right arm. "It doesn't look so bad." I told her. I'm nice! Score one for me! She gaped at me as if she'd seen a ghost. "What?" I asked her.
"Are you sick or something?" She asked with an 'I-don't-believe-you' tone.
I raised my eyebrow at her. "No..?" And then I unlocked my car and let her in. "Are you tired already? We can go home now if you want." Score another one for me!
"Uhhh…" She muttered as she settles her self on the passenger seat while I stay outside the car. "Aren't we supposed to wait for the others?"
I hold the car door and I'm not closing it until we finish talking. "They can go home by themselves."
"Ok…" She simply replied and then she looked through the front windowpane; tearing her emerald eyes away from mine. At that, I gradually pushed the car door to close it.
I casually walked to the other side of the car and settled my self on the driver's seat. I initiated the engine and then I spoke to her. "So… Where do you wanna go?"
"I can't go anywhere with all these make up."
"I already told you that it isn't so bad..!" I replied to her and then she gaped at me. "It looks perfectly fine, okay?" Score another for me! I can get used to this 'nice guy' thing.
She looked away again and said, "Let's just go home." Haah… Okay? I'm not expecting to have a date with her or something but I guess she just doesn't want to go elsewhere with me.
Sakura's POV
Atypical.
Really extraordinary.
We just arrived at our bedroom and I'm really feeling disappointed. I really want to hang out with the others after the Fashion Show but Syaoran here became all goody goody and I am not supposed to start a fight with him.
I really want to go out and have fun! But I can't… I'm pretty sure that he didn't enjoy the Fashion Show and I can't make it worse for him. I'll just be blamed when all is said and done. Even if he asked me where I wanted to go- we can't really go out on a date or something like that. Dates are for people in love.
I exit the closet room and I'm feeling refreshed after a bath. I see Syaoran seated on the bed and he gaped at me when I entered the room. Why is he still wearing his coat? "I'm going out with the guys." He uttered when he saw me looking at him.
He's going out? …But it's already late!
"You can sleep now. Don't wait for me." He told me as he walks over to the exit of the bedroom. …Don't wait for him? …Haah…Like I'd wait for him…
I slightly bowed at him and then he completely left the bedroom. Haah…So much for marriage purposes. YEAH SURE! Hahahahaha! As if!
How about a game Sakura?
Sure, Sakura, why not?
But Sakura, it's late! You should be in bed!
And so does Syaoran!
What do you care about him?
He's my husband!
Husband for love or for what?
It doesn't matter. The thing is, if I'm supposed to be in bed, so does he.
And there he goes running off with his buddies.
Yeah…And no one cares. Or not me, at least.
Shut up Sakuras! I'm turning on the PC!
Yay!
WAHOO!
Yeyeyey!
I sit here on the computer chair, waiting for my final moment to have my key to happiness. Hehehe.
'Knock knock' "Come in!" I gently yelled after I heard the knock on the door. Why is Syaoran knocking at our door? Isn't he supposed to just go in?
I stare at the monitor while I enjoy playing and then I heard "Sakura..!" a strict female voice.
Thunder hit me. I stood and faced her. "Yes ma'am? I mean… Yes mother?"
"Where is Xiao Lang?" She asked me with keen eyes.
"He said he'll go out with some friends…" I answered.
A horrible look emerged in her facial expression. I don't like that. "Do you know where he is?" At that, I shook my head in response. Why do I have a feeling that I should care for him so that I would know where he is. Ignorance can get me into trouble. "Why do you not know where he is? You're his wife! You should know!"
"He didn't left me with more information, mother." I answered and fright is direly visible in my tone.
"Did you ask him where he is going?" She really knows what question to ask that will eventually get me into trouble… Oh my goodness…
The whole bedroom is darker than dim and I just heard the door close. Someone just entered the bedroom while I lie awake on our bed. "Hey, why are you still up?" A masculine voice asked me after he did his quick 'before-bedtime' routine. I didn't answer. "I'm so tired..!" He muttered as he covers himself with the same blanket I'm using.
"Mother scolded me." I said lowly. Some expect me to be perfect, but I'm not. For nobody is…
"Hmm?" He sounded nice. "Your mum or my mum?"
"Your mum of course." I replied in an instant.
"Really? What did you do then?" He asked with his eyes closed, his head facing the ceiling.
"She scolded me because I don't know where you are." I stated nonchalantly. It's always my dignity as a person that counts.
"Why didn't you just call me then?" He told me. Okay, so far, this is the most diplomatic conversation we ever had.
"I think she got mad with the fact that as your wife, I am not aware about your whereabouts." I replied calmly.
"I see…" He began. "Why don't you start acting like a real wife then?" But I am not a real wife to you! We are not in love, REMEMBER?
I rolled to my side, making my body go farther from him. "That's the job." I said before I closed my eyes. He didn't respond at that.
Silence…
I think he went off to dreamland already.
Well, that's what I thought until I felt him move closer to me. I suddenly felt sweet moist planted on my cheek. He just kissed me and said, "You'll get it eventually. Good night."
END OF CHAPTER
Author's Notes: Remember a review is what continues an author motivated. When she gets a review, she recognizes how much her effort is being prized, and would feel more obligated to go on. HEKHEKHEKHEK.