One Month
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Sakura gaped when they arrived at the company. There were so many people there.
"Wow...your popularity is growing. You'll be really successful once you inherit the company, Sasuke," Mikoto smiled.
"Ah...right." Sasuke sighed. It was such a pain in the ass to be thinking about all those responsibilities already.
As soon as Fugaku parked the car, a mob of people came over and surrounded the car. Security quickly came over to block them to allow for Sasuke's family to get out.
Sasuke opened the door and quickly walked over to Sakura's side, opening her door for her. Once Sakura got out, she linked her arm around Sasuke's without thinking. Sasuke glanced at her, making a small smile.
Fugaku and Mikoto walked over to a small stage where four seats and a beautifully decorated table with microphones were set up. Sasuke led Sakura and they followed after.
"There's so much people..." Sakura whispered. "Get used to it." Sasuke smirked.
They walked up the small stage and Mikoto sat by Fugaku while Sakura sat by Sasuke.
"Good evening everyone. This press conference was very sudden, but we'll answer any questions or concerns you have about my son's marriage." Fugaku announced.
"So this is about us?" Sakura looked at Sasuke, who nodded.
People, the media, and the paparazzi immediately started to ask questions.
"Why did you choose her out of all girls?"
Sasuke leaned in to the microphone. "...she's from the Haruno family. It'd benefit the company really well since this company originated from the Harunos."
"What makes her qualify for being your wife, personally?"
Sasuke thought for a moment. "Personally, I think she's very well behaved around the committee board and elders that are close to my father, so she's an excellent choice for me, my family, as well as the company."
"When do you think you and your wife will inherit the company?"
"As soon as my father resigns, which I know will be far from over. This company is important to both him and my mother, so me, along with my wife, will support them."
"How will this marriage help the company?"
"Since our company was on the brink of bankruptcy, this marriage will help bring up the company, financially. The Harunos come from a wealthy background, and even though Sakura's family doesn't have their own company, their honorable name alone will bring attraction to our customers again."
"Ms. Sakura Haruno, did you fully agree to this marriage?"
"Eh?" Sakura's eyes widened. She didn't expect them to ask her any questions. She looked over nervously to Sasuke who made a small nod at her. She blushed when she felt his hand grasp hers and squeezed it slightly.
"Uh...um...of course. It's an honor to be the wife of someone from the Uchiha family. I'm very happy that Sasuke chose me." Sakura's voice shook a little. She wasn't used to talking in front of so many people.
"Now that you're Sasuke Uchiha's wife, you will also hold authority over this company once Sasuke inherits it. Do you think you have any skills that can help the company be more successful?"
Sasuke could feel Sakura's hand trembling. He stared at her worriedly because she looked really nervous.
'Oh, come on...I can't embarrass myself in front of all these people. I'm Sasuke's wife, now...I have to represent this company strongly. I don't want to make Sasuke's father look bad as the president of the company, either.' Sasuke watched in amusement as she took a deep breath, sat up straighter, and looked directly out at the audience. She gently pulled away her hand from Sasuke's grasp.
Sakura paused for just a little while more, staring out at the audience and taking another breath. "I don't think I have any professional skills that can directly and financially help this company, but I'll do my best to support. I'll stand by Sasuke's side and help him with any contracts with other companies, or if he is busy, I will my best to console with other businesses on my own. I'm just a normal girl from a normal family, but since I am a Haruno, I definitely won't let this company go to waste. I'll do whatever I can to bring ideas to build any new products that are needed, and if I can, I'll go visit the mall and stores that are sponsored from our company to see if there are any problems. I am not as smart or socially active as Sasuke, but this is all I can do to support."
Fugaku and Mikoto looked at her in amusement. Sasuke just sat speechless...damn, she could really be professional if she wanted to be. The crowd looked at each other and nodded proudly at her.
"What are you thoughts on the responsibility you'll take?"
"As Sasuke's wife, my responsibilities are similar to his, so I'll just follow his lead. I know it's alot to take care of, but I know I can do it."
"Sasuke, what do you see in your future with Sakura as your wife?"
Sasuke turned his attention away from Sakura and cleared his throat. "Um...well, the future is always unknown...but with her by my side, I know the future will be successful."
"What do you like about her?"
Sasuke stayed quiet for a while. "...well, all I can really say is that she's more than what the eye meets."
Sakura blinked and looked at him with a confused expression. What did he mean?
"Can you specify that?"
Sasuke glanced over to her. Sakura blushed when their eyes met.
"There's really no words to explain it. But, if you guys want me to specifically say what I like about her, she's beautiful, both on the inside and out."
Sakura felt herself blushing even more. She averted her eyes away from him and looked down at the table.
"Since this was similar to an arranged marriage, are you two really in love? Or was this marriage just specifically to help the company?"
Sakura's eyes widened. Why were they asking such personal questions now?
Even Sasuke couldn't answer that. The one condition in their "marriage" was that there was going to be no love...but he couldn't possibly say that in public.
Sakura glanced over to Sasuke. 'What's he going to say?' She thought. She could hear whispers going through the crowd and saw Fugaku and Mikoto exchange confused looks. She averted her attention back to Sasuke, wondering why he wasn't answering.
Sakura gazed down at the crowd and noticed they were getting suspicious looks. 'Oh, come on Sasuke...just make something up.' She was hoping Sasuke would answer, but he still stayed quiet.
Sasuke clenched his fist together. Saying that he "loved" her in public was kind of nerve-racking. Besides...Karin was probably watching the news right now, and if she overheard, she would probably believe it, too.
Sakura bit her lower lip anxiously. If he wasn't going to say anything, then she will.
"Of course we're in love." Sasuke's eyes widened in surprise when Sakura suddenly answered.
Sakura gulped. Even if this marriage was fake, she didn't want Sasuke and his family to be embarrassed, so she might as well just say it. "I...love Sasuke. And he loves me. We're married, so we have to learn to love, trust, and care for each other."
She let out a relieved sigh when the faces of the crowd began to lighten up again.
Sasuke couldn't believe she just said that in front of these people, the media, and TV. 'Shit...'
"Sasuke, are you truly in love with her, too?"
Sasuke looked at Sakura, who wouldn't make eye contact with him at all. Well, they had to make this marriage seem real, so Sasuke gave in.
"...yea. I am."
Sakura was taken by surprise that he'd actually answer this time.
"Do you plan to have children in the future?"
Ok, that's going too far. "Sorry, but since we just got married, we'll not be answering any questions about having children yet." Sasuke replied quickly.
For an hour more or so, they sat there, answering questions.
When the press conference ended, Sasuke and Sakura sat in silence in the car, despite the conversation that Mikoto tried to bring up to ease the awkwardness.
Sasuke and Sakura both went back in their room and changed.
Sakura came out of her closet and she could still feel her heart pounding from all the nervousness. "My gosh...why are people so interested in other people's love life?"
"Just because it's interesting." Sasuke came out of the closet.
"...Oh." Sakura muttered.
Sasuke sat on the bed and sighed. "...you did well. You always seem to have the confident whenever you're in front of so many people."
"I was really scared though. They asked so much questions and even really personal ones..." Sakura huffed and sat down on the opposite side from him.
"Ah...you know..." Sasuke paused for while. "...why'd you answer that time?"
"Well, because, you wouldn't answer. And people were giving us weird looks." Sakura turned and glared at him.
"So? You shouldn't have said anything-,"
"Look, you said we had to act like a couple in public, so I just did what I had to do. If I hadn't answer, then it would've been embarrassing for you and your parents. And people will also probably question our relationship if I hadn't answered. You're the one who's always telling me to not make you look bad, but then you couldn't even answer that question."
Sasuke shifted slightly so that he faced her. "It's not that easy for me to just announce my love publicly like that. And especially to a girl who I don't even love."
Sakura frowned. "Well good I did it, or else you would've been in a big mess with the media."
Sasuke stared at her for a while, then his expression softened. Actually...he was relieved that Sakura had answered. He didn't even know what to say when they asked him that question. He knew she was right...if she hadn't answer, then he would've just sat there in silence.
"I know..."
Sakura blinked. Did Sasuke just really admit that he was wrong?
"You're right. If you didn't answer, then there would be a whole lot of doubt from those people. I'm proud of you. Even though I've had much more experience in this kind of environment, you still answered the questions given to you more intellectually than I did." Sasuke admitted.
Sakura just sat there, speechless. She averted her eyes away from him and got up. "Um, well...show me around the house. Your house is pretty big so I wanna know where everything is." She changed the subject quickly and walked towards the door. She nearly shrieked when a pair of arms wrapped themselves around her waist.
"Sasuke!" Sakura blushed when Sasuke hugged her tightly from behind.
"...just wanted to say that you're doing really good so far as my wife. Thank you." Sasuke murmured near her ear, causing shivers down her spine.
"I...it's fine. I'm just doing what I have to do. So...can you let go now?" Sakura stuttered.
Sasuke's arms lingered around her waist for just a while more before he let go of her. He pressed his thumb on the scanner and the door opened. "Um, so, you wanted me to show you around the house, right? Come on," He randomly replied as he walked away.
Sakura let out a deep breath and put her hand to her chest. "He needs to stop doing that."
"Since we have a three-story house, there are exactly 52 rooms." Sasuke replied.
"Fifty two?" Sakura gaped. It was like she was living in a fancy mini-hotel.
"Yea. There are employees, chefs, and other workers that live here to tend to our needs and to help maintain the mansion, as well as helping my father with the company duties. Since you're married to me, they'll refer to you as Ms. Uchiha or Madam."
"Why so formal?" Sakura blinked.
"Sakura, you're part of the family that owns the most successful company in all of Japan...you need to take pride and accept the respect that you are expected to have." Sasuke said while he guided her to the living room. "This is our living room. In here, you can just relax, watch TV, have a massage, or just sit and take a nap." He pointed to a backdoor right next to the fireplace. "Out there is our backyard. It's very big and includes basketball courts, a 9ft. swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a waterfall fountain, a walk-through garden, and a small soccer field. Since our workers live here, we built some activities for them to do when they're not working."
Sakura opened the door and her eyes widened. It was almost like a huge amusement park. "Oh...and I forgot to mention the newly-built rollarcoaster." Sasuke replied. Sakura looked over to the pool and gasped when she saw a medium-size roller coaster a few feet away. "Wow..."
Sasuke smirked and grabbed her hand, tearing her away from gazing at the backyard. Sakura glanced down at their hands. She somehow felt happy...she entangled her fingers with his.
Sasuke felt her hand tighten on his and made a small smile. He took her to the kitchen and dining room, which were beautifully decorated with wall paintings and candle lights. "In here, our chefs cook for us. You can eat anytime, so whenever you feel hungry, don't hesitate to ask one of them to make you something." They walked over to the dining table. "We eat our meals here, but we only eat together as a family on certain days because my father is so busy all the time and my mother has to help him, also."
"So you eat by yourself most of the time?" Sakura asked.
"Yea. I'm used to it." Sasuke shrugged.
"Aren't you lonely?" Sakura walked closer to him.
"Nah. Like I said, I'm used to it. Besides...I'm going to be eating with you from now on, anyways," Sasuke shrugged again.
"Ah...right." Sakura grinned.
Sasuke guided her over to a wide door. He pressed his thumb on the scanner and the door slid open. Sakura was taken by surprise...the room was a gym.
She saw countless workout machines and another pool. "You guys have a pool in here?"
"Yea. Indoor pool...you wouldn't want to swim outside in the winter, right?" Sasuke dragged her in the room with him.
"Wow...it's actually like a real gym." Sakura's eyes wondered around the room.
"Heh, yea. That's why I got my abs," Sasuke smiled cockily.
"Whatever. Conceited jerk," Sakura glared at him.
"You should work out, too-,"
"Don't you dare call me fat. I am not fat." Sakura interrupted.
Sasuke only laughed at her. He knew that she was as slim as any super-model, but it was so fun to tease her.
He then took her with him and toured the rest of the house.
***...***...***Two weeks passed***...***...***
Sakura slowly opened her eyes. She yawned and snuggled back into the silky bed sheets. Her broken wrist was now healed, and for the past two weeks, she has been helping Sasuke non-stop with the company, arranging meetings, cooperating with other businesses, and checking up on the employees to see how they're doing. She was exhausted. And she still hasn't gone back to school yet.
'Ugh...I don't want to get uuuup...' She thought, but she glanced at the time and realized it was only 6 AM. "Uh...shit..." She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She realized that Sasuke wasn't on the bed with her.
"He's probably already at the company..." She muttered and got up to get ready. Just as she was going to walk to her closet, someone knocked on the door.
Sakura walked over, pressed her thumb on the scanner (they analyzed her fingerprints so that she could open the doors), and the door slid open.
It was one of the workers. She bowed to Sakura and smiled at her. "Mistress, the young master has called for me to tell you that you may go back to school today."
"Eh? Why?" Sakura blinked. It was so sudden.
"He said that you're really behind on school work, so he wants you to go today. After he is done with his meeting, he'll meet up with you at school."
Sakura let out a sigh. She really didn't want to see Naruto...but she still has to give him the answer. "Ok, then. I'll get ready. Thank you..."
The worker nodded and turned to go.
"Oh, wait!" Sakura called.
The worker turned back.
"Just calling me Sakura is fine. Please tell the others, too. I'm really not familiar with all this formal stuff." Sakura replied.
"Ah...but it's required for us to-,"
"Please. I'd really appreciate it. You all live here, so you guys are also like family and friends...it'd be nice if you all just call me by my name."
The worker looked at her nervously. "I don't know, Mistress. We've never done that in all our years of working for young master and his parents."
"Well, I'm Sasuke's wife. And you all are employees here, so you must do what I say, right?" Sakura raised an eyebrow.
"Well, yes, but-,"
"Then it's an order. Call me Sakura..." Sakura said bluntly.
The worker hesitated, but she obediently agreed and bowed before taking her leave.
Sakura closed the door and went to get ready.
"Man...I'm kind of nervous. I haven't seen them for over 4 weeks. Ugh, I have to catch up on all the schoolwork, too," Sakura groaned.
"...and I have to tell Naruto my answer..."
Sasuke just finished with the meeting. He wondered if Sakura went to school yet and called his mom.
"Mom? Yea...did Sakura go to school yet? She just left? Oh, ok then. I just finished the meeting, so I'll go right now." Sasuke hung up and exited the company, going into his car.
'I wonder what she'll say to Naruto. She seems to love him alot, so...she'll probably go back to him.' Sasuke sighed. He's been stressing out lately because of all the work from the company and he hasn't even seen Karin or his friends lately.
"Well, I'm sure Juugo and the others have been going to school these past few weeks. But Karin...I gotta call her later after school."
Sakura stepped out of the car and smiled widely at the sight of her school.
"Sakura!" Ino's voice came. She saw Ino at the front entrance of the school, waving at her.
Sakura quickly closed the car door and ran over to Ino. "Hey Ino!"
Ino gave her a hug. "Where have you been? I saw you all over the news, the internet, the TV...ugh, you've been enjoying popularity lately! But oh my gosh...I saw your wedding on TV and you and Sasuke kissed! I'm totally convinced that you two are in love, now. And you even announced it on the press conference they held 2 weeks ago! I never knew you could even talk so wisely like that. I promise, I'll have no more doubts about you and Sasuke, anymore."
Sakura nodded, relieved that Ino wasn't going to be suspicious anymore. "So, um...where are the others? And have Sasuke's friends been coming to school?"
"Well, I just got here, so I don't know where they are...but about Sasuke's friends, yea, they've been attending school. They're really popular, lately! And I got my eye on one." Ino winked.
Sakura gasped. She never imagined Ino to start liking one of Sasuke's friends. "Who?"
"Sai." Ino whispered.
"What? Are you serious? I thought you would go for more of those bad-boy types. Sai is really polite and-,"
"That's exactly why I like him! He's such a gentleman..." Ino sighed dreamily.
Sakura's eyesbrows went up in amusement. "Have you two been talking?"
"Ah...well, not really. He just helps me sometimes in class." Ino shrugged. She looked past Sakura's shoulder and saw Sasuke get out of a black car. "Sakura! It's Sasuke!"
Sakura turned around to see Sasuke walking towards her. "Hey." He greeted with a smile.
"What time did you go to the company? I woke up and you weren't there." Sakura asked.
"Around five." Sasuke replied.
"Wow, so early. Aren't you tired?" Sakura crossed her arms.
"Of course I am, stupid," Sasuke rolled his eyes.
Ino giggled at them. "Oh, what a cute couple..."
"I know, they are, aren't they?" Two arms came around Sasuke and Sakura's shoulder. They both looked back to see Juugo and the other guys.
"Hey guys! I haven't seen you in 3 weeks!" Sakura smiled happily at them.
"Well, you two were all over the news, so we don't miss you two that much." Suigetsu smirked.
"He's just kidding. In the meantime, we made quite a few friends..." Sai replied, glancing over to Ino.
Sakura noticed this and she let out a small laugh at Ino's blushing face.
"Oh yea!" Suigetsu took out a piece of paper from his pocket. "...the school said that we can't be in the same classes as Sakura anymore. Since we're seniors, we must be in the appropriate classes to study the right subjects."
Sakura's eyes widened. "Seriously?"
Sasuke took the paper from Suigetsu and read it. "...yea...that's what this paper says. It has our class schedule for each of us..."
Sakura was about to say something, but the bell suddenly rang.
"I guess we have to go to our own classes, now, then." Ino sighed, feeling a bit down that she won't Sai in her classes anymore.
"We can still see each other through passing periods...and we all have the same lunch time, so see you guys in a few hours!" Suigetsu replied as he skipped off.
"Then we'll take our leave, also." Neji replied as he and the other guys scattered to their own classrooms.
"Come on, Sakura. We're gonna be late." Ino said, pulling on Sakura's arm.
"U...um...see you at lunch, Sasuke." Sakura replied as Ino dragged her away.
"Yea..." Sasuke made a small wave at her. Somehow, he wasn't so thrilled about having different classes than Sakura.
Sakura tapped her pencil on the desk and constantly glanced at the clock.
"You bored?" Ino leaned over and whispered.
Sakura nodded and let out a sigh. They were in their 3rd period class and lunch was next...but the time was passing by way too slow.
"Uuugh...when is this class gonna be over?" Sakura groaned.
"Why? Wanna see your lovely, dear husband?" Ino teased.
Sakura blushed. "No! I'm...just hungry!"
"Sure, sure." Ino smirked.
Sasuke stared at the teacher with a bored expression. He looked up at the clock and noticed they had about five minutes left.
"You've been staring at the clock awfully alot," Neji muttered.
"...this class is boring. We've already learned all this anyways." Sasuke shrugged.
"I know. But it's fun going to a public school..."
"It's irritating to me. People are always coming up to me and asking stuff...and girls even ask me to be their boyfriend even though they know I'm married to Sakura."
"What do you expect? You're only still in highschool, so of course girls would want to make a move on you."
"Ugh, whatever. When is this class gonna end?" Sasuke sighed and lay his head on his desk.
"We only have 3 minutes left...you act as if we have an hour left of class." Neji rolled his eyes.
"The time is going by too slow..." Sasuke muttered.
"You just can't wait to see Sakura, don't you?" Neji smirked.
"I never said anything about her!" Sasuke blushed.
"I know. But I can clearly see that you're thinking about her."
When the bell finally rang for lunch, Sakura sighed in relief.
"Come on, Sakura," Ino quickly grabbed her arm and dragged her along.
"Why are you rushing?" Sakura blinked.
"You know how long the lunch line is! I don't wanna stand there forever." Ino complained.
As they walked through the quad area, Sakura saw Sasuke and the other guys with girls trailing behind them.
"Geez...they really are popular..." Sakura muttered.
"Told you!" Ino giggled.
Sasuke spotted Sakura and he immediately walked over to her.
"Sasuke's coming..." Ino whispered and nudged Sakura.
Sakura gaped. The line of girls were still trailing after them. She couldn't help but laugh when she saw Sasuke's irritated face.
"God damn, these girls are so annoying..." He muttered when he finally reached her. Sakura blushed when he suddenly put his arm around her shoulder...she could hear gasps and whispers in the crowd. "Let's eat lunch together," Sasuke randomly replied and flashed a smile at her.
"Ah...ok..." Sakura murmured as he pulled her along with him. Juugo, the other guys, and Ino followed along, but the crowd of girls remained in a group, squealing at the cuteness of Sasuke and Sakura.
"Wow, you two are really getting along," Suigetsu grinned.
"We have to act like a couple in public, remember?" Sasuke rolled his eyes.
When they entered the lunchroom, people immediately cleared the way so they could get in line. Sakura blushed...she felt like a princess.
"These people act as if we're gods or something..." Ino smiled.
'Wow...Sasuke and his friends seem like the princes of this school...' Sakura thought. She glanced up at Sasuke, who still had his arm around her shoulder, and then she peeked back behind her to see Juugo and the others. Somehow...they had this "aura" around them...as if they were the most popular students on campus.
'Well, they kinda are the most popular.' Sakura thought to herself.
When they finally reached the line, people soon offered that they could go first. They ended up being in the front in a matter of a few seconds.
"This is pretty...different." Sakura blinked.
"Hn. You're pretty lucky you're married to me, aren't you?" Sasuke smirked.
"Shut up. These people are so stupid...they should just treat you guys like any normal person." Sakura scoffed.
"Why should they? I'm the heir of the Uchiha Company...I'm already used to all this attention. You better get used to it, too, no matter where you are. You're my wife now, so you''re gonna get the same treatment as me." Sasuke replied and pulled her closer to him.
"Why are you even holding me like this? Let go..." Sakura tried to pry his hand off her shoulder.
"No." Sasuke smirked and wouldn't let go.
"You're always like this whenever we're out in public!" Sakura whispered and glared at him.
Sasuke looked around and noticed that some students were giving them weird looks. "You're so cute," He said loudly and smiled innocently at her.
"What's with you?" Sakura shook her head at him.
"Just act along, ok? I don't want people to be suspicious of us. Besides, you already announced worldwide at the press conference that you..." Sasuke paused for a while. "...love me...so just stick to your words and pretend to be a lovey-dovey wife, ok?" He pinched her cheeks and laughed at the way she pouted.
After they got their lunch, they just all sat at a table outside.
"Soooo...you two seem to have gotten alot closer these days." Suigetsu winked.
"No we haven't." Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Now that I think about it...hasn't it been a month since the marriage day?" Juugo raised an eyebrow.
"Seriously?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes. He took out his phone and checked the calender...and Juugo was right.
One month had already passed by.
Whew! Took me a long time to write this chapter!
Well, REVIEW and tell me what you think.
Next chapter will be up soon & please check out my other stories!