Chapter 11: The Death of White Chocolate

"Passengers of flight number five hundred and seventy four please board the plane. The flight will take off in ten minutes." The voice of the flight dispatcher was cool and smooth.

She was probably sitting on her comfy chair in a well-heated room at a higher level in the airport, ignorant of the reverberations of the effect her voice possessed. The airport, though heated, was only mildly warm as doors continued to open and close.

Sakura glanced at the various scenarios occurring around her.

A balding and slightly portly middle-aged man was awkwardly hugging his frail mother. The mother wouldn't let go of him.

She continued walking and saw a couple passionately kissing without a care in the world. She saw onlookers look appalled at such an out gross show of affection, but Sakura knew half of them secretly yearned to be kissed like that.

Herself included. But romance was a far cry from her mind right now. In fact, she wasn't even sure she possessed the courage to invest in another relationship. She unconsciously wrapped the jacket around herself even tighter.

In one corner, an entire family was bringing their several bags towards a disgruntled worker for check-in.

In another, she saw a woman secretly stuff some gift bags into her friend's bag. Sakura could just imagine the surprised look on the friend's face.

As she gazed around, she realized that she loved the airport. It was the best place to observe human behavior. It was the place of hellos and goodbyes. A literal limbo of opposites. The ambiance made her feel as if she was a part of something bigger. As if she was not the only one that existed.

As she boarded the plane and took her seat by the window, she felt her nerves dancing on a thin tightrope. Hopefully she wouldn't fuck this up.

A well-rehearsed voice released her from her worries with a delectable offer, "A chocolate spritzer?"

Sakura looked up to see the airhostess flashing her a million dollar smile. They always picked the prettiest out of the bunch. She also saw a cart full of various goodies ranging from white chocolate truffles to caramel apples.

"Umhmm!" She reached for the glass enthusiastically, "Actually never tried one of these before! Thank you!"

The airhostess beamed at her, " Would you like anything else?"

Sakura began to closely inspect the cart.

"White truffles here." A voice behind her called the command out in a haughty sort of tone. It seemed mildly familiar.

The hostess bit her lip and blushed a bit, " Just a moment sir."

Sakura grinned at the hostess apologetically, " Sorry, just so many choices."

The hostess smiled, but Sakura detected a hint of nervousness in her eyes.

She could tell the hostess just wanted to her to choose already. Especially since the hostess kept on looking back.

Not exactly subtle.

Sakura quickly picked up a bowl of white chocolate truffles and thanked the hostess. She really wanted to check out the hunk the hostess was so flustered over.

But first...

She took a healthy spoonful of the truffle and jammed it into her mouth.

Pure heaven.

She was such a glutton for desserts. And white chocolate was her favorite. She had once finished an entire bowl of white chocolate pudding in an hour.

Okay, maybe she had thrown up after that. But, it was all worth it.

She jammed another spoonful without finishing the first one. It just melted in her mouth so delightfully.

"Mhmmmhmm. So good."

Sakura hadn't realized she was moaning her thoughts aloud until the hostess circled back and politely asked her to lower her voice.

Sakura slowly nodded her head and held her spoon up as her form of an apology. She didn't want to let any of the heavenly goodness escape from her mouth.

"Is this what I'm paying for? I could have rented a porno if I wanted to hear sighs like that. People these days." It didn't seem possible, but the voice seemed even haughtier.

The bastard.

Sakura narrowed her eyebrows and clenched her spoon. She felt everyone's eyes fall on her. Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment.

How dare he. Like he never ate chocolate before.

She peered over her chair to give the man a piece of her mind. Nobody was going to insult her and get away with it.

"Oi!" She quickly flung a piece of her white chocolate truffle at the man. She noticed he had a companion seated next to him, but she was confident of her aim.

However, what she failed to realize at that moment, was how familiar the man's face was.

Until it was too late.

"Oh shit."

She quickly turned back to her seating position and covered her face with her jacket.

Oh holyshitfuck. It's that sissy driver-elevator dude. And I just threw white chocolate at his face...

Is the universe trying to torture me?

It can't be just a coincidence. Maybe I'm paying for my past lives' sins.

Or for drugging my family.

She began to tug at the jacket tighter as if it would shield her from this volcanic fiasco.

...oh no, I'm covering my face with his jacket!

XOXO

"...people these days."

Syaoran shook his head as he expressed his disdain for the highly suggestive sighs coming from the seat in front of his.

"This is why I usually fly on a private jet. But, no. It conveniently had to break down today. This is so middle class."

Syaoran tucked the cloth into his designer shirt as he began to prepare for his consumption of the truffles.

He had just picked up his spoon, however, when out of nowhere, he was bombarded with a fresh helping of truffles on his face. It hit his forehead, squarely in the middle.

His hands had automatically come up of their own accord, but they were too late.

The damage was now dripping down his face, like mud sliding down a hill.

Some of it escaped on his lips. And when he opened his mouth a little, he tasted the fluffy goodness and he immediately softened.

It was like a white chocolate wonderland in his mouth.

But that was beside the point.

He saw Mark lift a hand in his direction. Assuming that Mark was going to clean his cheek, he projected his face forward.

Mark lifted a finger…and wiped some of the truffle off. He then licked his finger.

"Good stuff. My regards to the pastier."

Mark winked at the airhostess who was absolutely terrified. She was literally shaking, from head to toe, with the cart shaking as well, from her tight grip.

Syaoran emitted a large growl and swept the plate of truffles onto the floor. The truffles skidded across the expensive carpet, leaving behind a trail of gloppy white chocolate.

The hostess immediately rushed over to Syaoran and began to wipe the mess off with several napkins.

"I am so sorry sir. I-I-I'll try to fix this."

Without uttering a syllable, Syaoran made his position quite clear when he took the hostess's hands and pushed them away.

In a quiet voice, he uttered, "Fix this? How can you do that? I bet you can't even afford dry cleaning my tie."

The airhostess looked like a mess as her mascara began to stream down her face. Mixed with the effect of the rest of her makeup, she looked like a juvenile joker.

"I'll do anything to fix this for you sir." She pleaded with Syaoran and folded her hands, "Anything."

Syaoran raised an eyebrow and uncrossed his legs. He leaned forward and smirked.

"Alright. I'll forgive your mistake-"

The hostess began to smile.

"If you lick some of it off my shoes."

The smile immediately disappeared as she glanced down at his designer shoes, which were slightly soiled with the truffles.

Light gasps were heard from every corner of the first class cabin.

Her voice trembled as she spoke, "But sir-"

"Fine. You'll probably get fired. I don't give a shit. It's your choice."

Mark shook his head in disappointment. There was no use in persuading Syaoran once he had made a decision. He turned away from the scene to look out the window. Out there he saw a storm approaching, with its tumultuous gray clouds.

Syaoran looked at her expectantly, waiting for the reply.

The airhostess stood for a few seconds and contemplated on her future. She knew both ends of the stick would be catastrophic, but one still involved some prospect than the other. Forsaking all dignity, she made a movement to bow down.

But somebody stopped her. She looked up to see the same girl who had started this mess.

"You don't have to bow down to anyone. This is my fault. You shouldn't take the fall for it. I'm sorry."

Sakura went to stand in front of the airhostess and came face-to-face with a man she had she had seen all too often these past two days.

"You!" Syaoran Li abruptly stood up.

Sakura crossed her arms, "Yup, me."

"Are you stalking me or something? And what the bloody hell is this!" Syaoran, seething with rage, pointed at his face, "Do you get some sick pleasure out of harassing me?"

Sakura tossed her hair over her shoulder, "Pffft. As if. You give yourself too much credit. And that abominable mess," Sakura stepped closer and tugged at his jacket, "Is retaliation for insulting me."

She pushed him down.

Suspended by disbelief, Syaoran remained immobile. Even his tongue was petrified.

Sakura picked up a new bowl of truffled from the cart.

"Now apologize for being so rude."

Syaoran snorted and turned his face the other way, "You're hilarious."

Sakura raised her shoulders, "Well I did give you a chance. Oh well."

Taking the bowl with two hands, she poured the gloppy, syrupy and cream-white truffle balls all over the bastard.

Mark, who had been surprised by this turn of events, just stared at the gutsy woman with eyes and mouth, wide open, "Holy shit."

Sakura placed the bowl back on the cart and placed both hands on her hips.

She admired her handiwork, "I think that looks quite artistic. Don't you think, frosty?"

She began to madly giggle. He just looked so funny.

Syaoran Li had never ever felt so puny in his life before. Sure, there were times where he had lost, usually to his kids, but this time, a woman had just bested him.

Not just any woman, but a woman he despised beyond all others, from the core of his being.

As he saw her laughing, with her cheeks cherry-red and her eyes glittering with happy tears, he knew, for a fact, that she was the epitome of hate in his life.

I will destroy you.

"You went too far." Syaoran made a movement to take off his shades, but the plane took a turbulent turn.

The pilot of the plane interrupted, "Passengers, we are experiencing slight turbulence as we pass through a thunderstorm. We request all the airhostesses to take a seat and make sure that all passengers are to remain seated until other wise noted. Thank you."

Immediately, a flight attendant entered the cabin and did a double take.

"What on earth? Jane, what is this mess?" The matronly-looking attendant shook her head in disapproval, "This is unacceptable."

Poor Jane tried to explain herself, but the attendant cut her off, "I will hear none of it. Right now I want everyone seated. And that includes you. Now come on."

She ushered Jane to sit towards the back of the cabin. The attendant made movement to sit as well, but she saw that one of the passengers was not yet seated.

"May I help you, young man?"

Syaoran wiped some of the truffles off his face, "Yes. Can I get a knife?"

The attendant gasped and put a hand over her mouth.

Mark figuratively smacked his forehead, "He's just feeling a bit nauseous. You know, first time flying. He, he."

He quietly got up and seated Syaoran. He smiled at the attendant until she tentatively went towards the back of the cabin.

Once she was out of earshot, Mark let loose on Syaoran. (In whispers of course.)

"Are you crazy?! They could arrest us for that statement. Just think sometimes Syaoran. Think. Please. For both our sakes"

Mark began to wipe some of the truffles with his handkerchief, "Ohh, this is really thick stuff."

Syaoran gritted his teeth and began to wipe his jacket, "Thanks for helping me out, buddy."

"Hey! I didn't know that was going to happen," Mark looked at the seats in front of theirs, "She sure has some balls. No pun intended."

Syaoran breathed heavily through his nose, "Just wait until I get my hands on her. She'll regret ever being born."

Mark couldn't help stifle a laugh.

"What's so funny?" Syaoran gruffly threw the napkin aside.

"I've never seen you so worked over a woman before." Mark shook his head, "Makes you seem more human."

Syaoran rolled his eyes, "Please. She's not worth my time."

"I never said any-"

"Shutup Mark."

"Okay." Mark smiled to himself as he saw Syaoran continue to wipe the mess and stare at the woman, all while hissing curses under his breath.

"I'll show her frosty."

He looked at the auburn-haired woman once more.

There was just something about her. Something positively alluring.

XOXO

Sakura was not one to regret her decisions. After all, she usually thought them through- Not.

They were usually rash, but in the end, totally justifiable.

And that man was just asking for it.

She hadn't meant to cause a scene, but she couldn't help herself.

She couldn't idly stand by as she watched a man harass people with words. She just couldn't.

And now she was dreading the consequences.

Oh Sakura. You really need to control yourself. And now you're in deep crap.

The turbulence didn't help. She clutched the handles of her seat as the plane continued to juggle through the clouds. She felt her stomach turn.

Neither did the scent of his jacket, which continued to intoxicate her.

How could a man like that smell so good?

She silently berated herself for continuing to cling to the jacket. She couldn't bring herself to throw it back at him.

The next hour, needless to say, was the longest hour of her life. She tried to avert her concentration by reading the case files, but that did nothing to appease her. She had barely skimmed the first sentence.

The pilot's voice echoed through the loudspeaker, "The plane will be landing shortly. Passengers, please prepare to gather your belongings and follow the directions of the attendants. Thank you and have a nice day."

Sakura quickly gathered her bag and waited for the flight attendants to come around. When one of them passed by, Sakura made a gesture and the attendant approached her.

"How may I help you?"

Sakura whispered something into her ear and the attendant perked up.

"Oh, I see. He does seem crazy in the head. " The attendant gave her a wink and walked away as the flight was beginning to land.

A few moments later, the attendants were directing the passengers out of the plane. First class as always, went first.

Syaoran Li, who was quietly biding his time, was elated at the chance to avenge. He briskly got up and made his way towards the front seat, but he was stopped in his tracks by a flight attendant. The same one he had asked a knife from.

"Excuse me, sir, but you need to take a seat."

Syaoran refused to sit down, "I don't think you know who I am."

The attendant was not pleased, "Security!"

Apparently Syaoran Li had said the wrong thing.

XOXO

Sakura, pleased with her little trick, gleefully exited the plane.

The old my ex is stalking me card worked wonders on the ladies.

She claimed her baggage and skipped her way across the airport. When she set her eyes upon the Hong Kong metropolis, she beamed.

"Taxi!"

Here I come, Syaoran Li.

A/N: The scene was loosely inspired by the scene in Boys over Flowers, which is by far, my favorite Korean Drama. Ever. Seriously, I had a phase, where I wouldn't stop watching it. I'm sure all of us have had that one drama in our lives. (Or several for that matter). And a very Happy Valentine's Day to ya'll. I know it's a commercially overblown holiday, but its still an opportunity to eat chocolates without feeling guilty! Hopefully the next chapter will be up in a few days (*wink wink* Reviews will help) and the story will finally be on track from where it was before the rewrite.

Till next time,

3 Serendipitousloveaffair