Unfaithful
Chapter 14: Feelings Left Behind
If Tomoyo had to pick, the Ginza District would definitely be her favorite destination. So many boutiques, shops, and high-end fashion stores from around the world, all at her disposal. From the North American fashionable flairs to European couture, Tomoyo was like a kid in a candy store, especially in the infamous Ginza District
Sakura's eyes looked on with wonder. It was bigger than Tomeda's three biggest shopping malls together! Everything was high-end and accessible only for the well-to-do and the wealthy elite. Even though Sakura should be used to such extravagances as Kenji constantly showers her with it and having an ultra-wealthy best friend, the rich-society-world concept still felt foreign to her at times. Tomoyo could not contain herself as she and the others toured the second floor. Not only did it have the latest women's fashion, but apparently bridal couture was exhibited in many of the boutiques.
"So many to choose from! Oh Sakura's gonna look so cute!" Tomoyo squealed, nearly twirling with excitement.
Sakura chuckled at her best friend's giddiness. "Oh Tomoyo..."
"I just can't help it!" Tomoyo laughed. Touching the silks and satins gave the normally composed twenty-three-year-old a strange high. Sakura could only shake her head and laugh to herself. Tomoyo was truly hilarious when she wanted to be. "These fabrics are really giving me some ideas for my bridal collection. Speaking of that, have you decided what kind of gown you wanted to wear Meiling?"
"Just looking at all these wedding gowns is giving me a headache." Meiling sighed rubbing her temples. "Who would've thought that planning a wedding could be so stressful?"
Tomoyo scoffed as she sorted through the racks. "That's easy for you to say. I'm the one doing all the work since I am your wedding planner. By the way, when are you going to make a decision on the flowers I sent you last week?"
"I'm having a hard time deciding between the pink lotus and the white lilies."
"I thought lotuses were your favorites." Sakura added.
"And you hate pink." Tomoyo pointed out.
"I do like lotuses, but Tomoyo, the pink lotuses seem to fit the vision I wanted for the wedding."
Both girls sighed. "President of a branch in a major corporation and can't even decide for her own wedding." Tomoyo shook her head. "Irony at its best."
"Well, it's not like I'm in a particular rush." Meiling said, observing a gown from the rack. "The wedding is only nine months away."
"Did I mention procrastinator too?" came Tomoyo's off-handed comment.
"Hey! I resent that!"
Sakura would love to divulge in her friends' antics if the conversation with Kenji today wasn't so distracting. It was irresponsible of her, that much she'd admit, but to completely take her away from her friends didn't seem justifiable. Besides, who was Kenji to dictate who she's allowed and not allowed to hang out with? Tomorrow evening, everyone would be going be home and Sakura had to be mindful to call her husband tonight if she didn't want to encounter another argument with him.
Maybe getting away from her husband was what she really needed. The more she reflected on her marriage, the more confused she felt. She married Kenji because she thought he was better than Syaoran. At times he was with his charming demeanor, yet the critical flaws he does possess seem to override the goodness she struggle to preserve in him. As a husband, Kenji was demanding, selfish, and controlling. As a drunk, he was a tyrant. In the bedroom, he was primal. Could Sakura choose a worst man to give her hand to? Yet, she loved him. Adored him. He saved her from the depths of her own darkness, and because he healed her, she owes him her devotion...her entire life. So why did loving Kenji felt like a mistake so suddenly? Could it be because she engaged in a white-hot and drunken sex with her ex?
"Sakura?" Tomoyo's melodious voice interrupted Sakura's reverie. "You're pretty quiet today. Everything's alright?"
Sakura emitted a nervous laugh. "I'm great!" She lied, "I'm just listening to you guys is all."
Her friends stared at her dubiously. "I guess. Have you checked in with your husband yet?" Tomoyo asked.
Sakura nodded. "I did." Talking about Kenji was the last thing she wanted to do, "Everything's fine. So Meiling, what kind of vision were you thinking of for your wedding?"
"Definitely not a sappy princessy-fairytale theme that's for sure." Meiling answered. She then paused. "Hmm, maybe a Casablanca-themed wedding instead."
"Wait. Didn't your mother want you to have a traditional Chinese wedding?" Tomoyo reminded her.
"But Liam wants a western wedding. I don't care as long we can use red somewhere. I'm thinking of a combination of red carnations and white lotuses. Or should it be just roses instead?"
Tomoyo sighed. "Again with the indecisiveness."
"Hey, it's your fault for giving me too many options to choose from." Meiling sighed. "If Liam was here, he'd help me decide. He was always the more sensible one between us."
"Yeah, but you're not speaking to him, remember?" Sakura reminded her.
"Oh that's right. I almost forgot."
"You put stubbornness to a whole new level." Tomoyo added. "He called you—what? Five times, and you still aren't speaking to him."
"Actually, it's six." Meiling corrected. "He's an idiot for the things he said this morning."
"So in other words, you're punishing him because of me?" Sakura pointed at herself.
"Yes and no."
"And what's the no for?"
"Loyalty. He should be more understanding instead of inserting his stupid, unnecessary opinions about things he has no idea about—such as the situation with you and my cousin."
"In other words, you're punishing him for being a total ass. I wonder how long that will last." Tomoyo giggled to Sakura.
Meiling pouted. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You like sex too much, Meiling. I doubt you can hold off for that long." Tomoyo told her.
Scarlet hues appeared deeply on her cheeks. "Well, I didn't say anything about withholding sex from him. I'm just not speaking to him."
"Well I can say for sure," Sakura added, "that he really is sorry for what he said. Liam's a good person, so he's probably trying to understand now. Just give him a chance."
Meiling sighed. She hated when Sakura had that sweet effect on her. "Always have to see the good in people. Now you're making me feel guilty."
"Well you should." Tomoyo teased, pulling out two gowns. "So which one are you into? Silk? Or chiffon?"
Meiling scratched her head. "Do I need to decide now?"
The girls sighed. The Chinese maiden was surely a handful when it came to her own decisions.
~~~ooo~~~
"Do you have the address to this place?" Syaoran asked Eriol while waiting on the valet.
"Of course I do. An old friend told me about it." He answered.
"Good." Liam added. "I'd hate to get lost. Gives me less time to kick your asses."
Eriol smirked. "Such confidence you have, Liam. I guess I'll need to turn it down a notch."
"You wish." Liam rolled his eyes.
A pair of browns and sapphires bulged at a flashy, black Maserati Ghibli.
"Nice ride."
"I call front!" Eriol quickly said, earning a groan from Liam.
Syaoran smirked as he thanked the valet and tipped him. "You should see the car I'm going to pick Sakura up in for lunch."
"Wait, you have another car here?" Liam asked, surprised.
Syaoran nodded, sitting in the driver seat. "Yeah, but I don't get to drive them much at home so I figured I'd drive them here. Just don't tell Tomoyo. She's always on me about my choice of rides."
"Why was that?" Eriol inquired as he settled into the passenger seat.
"I've always loved fast cars and Tomoyo hated when I drove one with Sakura in it." He chuckled.
"I think I remembered something along those lines." Eriol said, pondering. "You had a Chevy Camaro, right?"
"Yeah. An early birthday gift from my sisters."
"You had a Mustang too, didn't you?"
"Believe it or not, I still have it. It's actually in China though. Now that we're talking about it, it has been a while since I actually drove that Mustang." Syaoran sighed as he revved the engine. "It was my favorite car too. Loved racing in it."
"Gotta love your first love." Eriol commented, slyly. "I remember when you bought that Mustang. You were trying to impress Sakura with your racing skills and nearly crashed into another car in the school parking lot."
Faint red hues appeared on Syaoran's cheeks. "I wasn't really going to hit it, you know."
"Sure you weren't. You still owe me for not telling Tomoyo or Sakura's older brother for your silly schemes. After all, Sakura was riding with you."
Syaoran groaned when he glanced at Eriol's full-fledge smile.
"I already did. You forced me to dress up in some stupid alien costume for whatever movie you wanted to make when you came to visit the last time!"
"That was for something else—if you remember."
"And you better not tell Liam about it either."
"Tell me what?" The British man suddenly asked.
Syaoran glanced at Eriol threateningly.
"Nothing to be concerned with, Liam. Syaoran and I are just reminiscing over old times. I think the last time I ever came to visit Tomeda before now was the 11th school year."
"You're right. It has been a long time." Syaoran mused.
The rest of the drive to the Tachihi Golf Range came to a comfortable silence.
About an hour into the golf range, the boys were at the sixth post. So far, Eriol was in the lead with Syaoran being second and humiliatingly, Liam being last.
Eriol continued smiling as the frustrated British man hit the ball into a wild fury. Not once, throughout their entire game did he ever make a close shot to at least 250 yards. At this rate, it would take a miracle to catch up with his friends. Damn, he shouldn't have spoken too cockily so soon.
"Jeez, Liam this is a golfing range, not baseball." Syaoran said.
"I'm just thinking about Meiling." Liam sighed, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "I called her six times earlier and she's still not speaking to me. I hate when she gets angry."
"Relax." Syaoran advised, launching another ball past the 200 yard range. "Sakura and Tomoyo are with her, so I'm sure they're talking sense to her right now."
"And if that doesn't work, being dragged into every department store in the mall will make her forget why she's even mad at you." Eriol added. This time, it was he that hit close to 300 yards.
"You make Sakura and Tomoyo seem so...suffocating together." Liam said.
"Well, they are sometimes." Syaoran admitted. "I spent a lot of my school years with them, so I would know."
Liam took his next shot, only to make it to 170-yards. He groaned.
"If you stop putting your energy into your fiancée and put it into the game, you might actually have a chance at winning." Eriol stated.
Syaoran's turn came next only to get beaten by Eriol's swing. Syaoran glared.
"I know you're good at art, but I didn't know you're a pro-golfer too."
"The perks of being an advisor to the Prime Minister in England." Eriol said, slyly. "And did I ever tell you that I was also captain of the golf team when I was in college? We won over five championships."
"Show off." Came Liam's comment.
Setting his balls on the tee, Syaoran launched his next ball further into the range. He smirked when he saw his ball was closer to Eriol in distance. Eriol bested the overachieving twenty-three-year-old with his own long shots. Liam stood there, impressed at how their friendly game of golf suddenly became a fierce competition between the two friends. Then again, Eriol always had a sneaky habit of showing off, so he couldn't blame Syaoran totally for not trying to beat the charming, blue-eyed spectacled man at his own game.
Unfortunately, Eriol still remained champion another hour later. "Looks like I win the game." He commented.
"You're a pro-golfer, so you already had an unfair advantage against Liam and I." Syaoran complained.
"Pro-golfer? That's a bit of an exaggeration. I know I can play, but I'm not that great at it."
"Says the college-golf champion." Liam rolled his eyes.
"Looks like some people just hate losing."
"That's easy for you to say!" Syaoran and Liam chorused.
As the guys were preparing to leave the range, Eriol asked, "About last night, how are things going between you and Sakura now? Really?"
"I suppose we are alright." Syaoran answered, turning on the engine. "Obviously, there are issues we still need to work out, but it's going somewhere."
"I think it's about time." Eriol said. "Before my last visit, you two were completely inseparable."
"Well, I just care about her being happy." Syaoran admitted. He looked onto the green pastures distantly. "Even if we are only friends, that's all I need from her."
Eriol and Liam nodded with a great sense of understanding.
~~~ooo~~~
It was already after twelve when Syaoran drove back to the suite. While changing into another pair of jeans and a white polo-shirt, he completed another progress report with Laylah, answered a few emails, and faxed some paperwork over. Adjusting the sleeves of his blazer jacket, his cell phone sounded off.
"Hello." He greeted nonchalantly.
"Xiao Lang!" Came a sweet falsetto.
Syaoran smiled. "Hey Li-Na!"
"I'm so excited! I'm almost done packing everything up." She sighed happily. "Anyway, I'm only calling to touch bases with you today. You have to call me tonight since you didn't do it last night."
Syaoran smiled. "I'm happy that you're excited and I definitely will."
"How was last night? It's unusual that you don't call."
Telling Li-Na he was screwing his ex the night before was clearly out of the picture.
"Last night was a bit of a blur. I hardly remember anything that went on."
The sound of Li-Na's laughter was melodious. "Sounds like my kind night. I don't blame you for forgetting. Well, I have to run. There's so much I have to do before Sunday."
"Sure. I'll call tonight."
Li-Na teased, "You better."
After ending the call and putting his phone away in his pocket, Syaoran walked on down to the other end of the hall where Sakura's suite was located. Immediately answering, Syaoran's breath hitched at the sight of his ex, dressed modestly in a halter sundress that matched her glowing emerald gems. It was tight enough for Syaoran to appreciate her slender, sculpted curves, but loose enough to add to her admirable class. Loose, auburn-honey curls flowed lusciously down her spine with brown satin ribbons stylishly entangled within. Brown wedges, strapped around her ankles, complimented her earthy color. Her lips were colored a faded pink hue, glossed in an effort to appear more kissable (all to which Syaoran nearly found irresistible).Tints of matching green and brown eye shadow enhanced her natural beauty. Syaoran preferred his ex in all her natural glory. Her soul-piercing eyes that once filled with contempt now held a familiar warmth. Maybe things were going in the right direction for them. Maybe things could work for once. Despite the current stress and heartaches Sakura endured in the last five years, time definitely has been kind to her.
"Hey, you're here." Sakura greeted. "You know, we're supposed to have left five minutes ago. Unusual for someone as punctual as yourself."
Syaoran chuckled. Her cherry blossom perfume was most intoxicating. He found himself nervously laughing, scratching the back of his head. "Well yeah, I had company business to take care of."
"I suppose." Sakura conceded as she closed the door while holding onto her clutch. "Are you ready to go? I'm starved!"
"Definitely." Syaoran agreed as they walked toward the elevator.
"You know, I could have easily rode with the girls to the restaurant. You didn't have to pick me up, but thanks anyway."
"Now that we're speaking again, I'd figured I should show some form of appreciation." Syaoran said.
"And you decided that by picking me up and taking me to the restaurant?" Sakura raised a dubious and confused eyebrow.
"A little lame, I know. I suppose I was just looking for an excuse to spend a little more time with you before I share you with the others."
"You should have said that at first." She punched him in the arm playfully. "I'm glad that you offered though. I wanted to spend a little time with you too."
Syaoran smiled as the elevated transported them slowly down to the lobby. "So, where are we going?"
"Tomoyo suggested the Aragawa."
"Really? I hear they have the best steak there!" She looked her lips over the thought of delicious delicacy.
"Knowing you, you'll probably gobble that and everyone's plates too."
Sakura's mouth nearly went agape, clearly flustered. "That's not true! I'm not that gluttonous."
Syaoran laughed, "Sure you're not. You pretty much the only one I know with a bottomless pit for a stomach. I thought Yukito was in the lead, but you definitely had him beat! It's no wonder Touya calls you a monster!"
"I resent that!" Sakura muttered, rolling her eyes. "And you have no room to talk either! At least I don't eat like a pig."
"Hey! That's not true!"
Sakura laughed melodiously. "Poor Syao-chan! He can dish it out, but can't take it."
"You're gonna pay for that later."
The two shared another simultaneous laughter when they were outside.
Sakura's eyes nearly widened when the valet patiently waited for Syaoran with keys to a shiny, bright-red Mercedes Benz SLS AMG in front of the Park Hyatt hotel. It was flashy, gorgeous, and exceptionally large compared to the other vehicles all over Japan. Custom-made doors rose up vertically, giving Sakura a luxurious view of the leather-seated car with an embellished, highly technological interior.
"Nice ride." Sakura complimented. "You know, I never understood why you even have a car when all this time you've been taking taxis to get to and from Tokyo."
"I use the taxis only for work. The cars are just here when I feel like going out whenever I want. Or if I feel like having a chauffeur when I need to get some work done en route."
"Lifestyle of the rich and famous." Sakura dryly commented.
As Syaoran escorted her inside the passenger seat, Syaoran stepped in other side. With a touch of a button, the doors smoothly dropped down. Even inside the car was fairly large. Sakura nearly forgotten that her former boyfriend had a knack for foreign cars. The engine roared smoothly onto the busy streets of Tokyo. The drive was somewhere in the Shinoba district, so it would be a while before the two would make it to their friends. Of course, Syaoran probably could have gotten to Aragawa in no time, but apparently there were some unresolved issues they need to speak on. Syaoran was determined that his brief alone time spent with Sakura would be well-used.
The couple sat in a quiet, slightly awkward silence before Syaoran initiated the conversation. "So, are we going to work things out? Or are we going to keep avoiding all the hard topics?"
Sakura glanced at him before looking onward to the passenger window. The blur of building being passed by seemed like an endless array of colors. She sighed, calming her ferociously pumping heart. "What would you like to talk about first?"
"We can start with last night."
Sakura nodded, dark scarlet hues appeared on her cheeks.
"I thought we already talked about it."
"We have." Syaoran agreed, "But I'm thinking about what you said this morning. Do you really have regrets about sleeping with me?"
"It's sort of a yes and a no. Yes, because I'm married and I do love my husband. And no, because I know how I really feel about you. Denying it just doesn't cut it anymore."
"So how do you really feel about me, Sakura? Tell me."
"I still have feelings for you—strong, passionate feelings. And the truth is, I'd be foolish to accept them because of the fact that I have Kenji."
Knowing that reality will always be a bitter pill Syaoran struggles to swallow. No matter how many times he will apologize, it could never wipe away the scars of that fateful day.
"If I could go back in time and fix the mistake I made, I would without a doubt." His fingers clutched on the steering wheel, struggling to suppress his own self-loathing and guilt.
"There's no need to dwell on it anymore." Sakura sighed. "I've tried within my power to fight for the both of us and the entire time, I felt like I was fighting alone. You let my dad, Touya, and your mother, talk you into leaving and the fact you did so willingly while I was dying on that hospital table—" She paused, exhaling heavily as she fought back tears pooling in her emeralds. "I really wanted us to be a family. Was that so much to ask for? I thought you wanted it as badly as I did, but the day you left me, without even seeing your son. I couldn't even look at you the same anymore. It was as if your duties to the family and those Elders were more important than us."
"I know it was bad, but I really had no choice at the time, Sakura."
"Bad? Just bad?" Sakura shook her head, feeling the resentment she thought had died, surfacing in her emotions. "Will you stop downplaying this goddamn situation?! I'm sick of you doing that!" Syaoran nearly winced at her angry pitch. "You left without even saying goodbye to me! What kind of man abandons his family?! We needed you…I needed you. You were so selfish…"
Syaoran slammed his hands against the wheel, causing her stop her rant. "Damn it, Sakura! You have some nerve to talk about how selfish I was! I may have been a coward, but I was never selfish! If anything, you're the selfish one!"
Sakura stared at Syaoran incredulously as he continued on, "You're always sprouting about how I left you, how I left our son, but did it ever occur to you that I wasn't even allowed to see you at all! As soon as I heard you were in the hospital, your father and brother were already in the lobby and pretty much told me to leave. Maybe I should have fought a little more, but you tend to forget that I sacrificed a lot for you! But what my mother wanted and what the Elders wanted, refusing was simply not an option for me!"
"But it still doesn't change the fact you still left me and the baby without even seeing him! I was in a hospital for two weeks, dying, waiting and hoping you would come! For fuck's sake, I was in a coma with three cardiac arrests! A man who loves his pregnant girlfriend would have at least seen them before leaving like you did!"
"What?" Syaoran yelled, stopping at a red light. "I did love you, Sakura! I still love now to this day! Stop fucking thinking like you're the only one hurt here!"
Syaoran pulled off again the moment the light turned green. He sped into a restaurant driveway. "Leaving you has haunted me every day since the day I left. I regret what I did more than anything in the world. You think you're the only one feeling miserable, but trust me, you weren't alone. Upon my return to Hong Kong, I barely ate, couldn't sleep, and I only drowned myself in school and became as busy as I could to keep you off my mind." He pulled up to the valet, who was in front of the restaurant. "And you know what sucked the most?"
Sakura could see the clear regret in his hazel eyes. Syaoran was usually an expert of hiding his emotions, but seeing guilt of his own actions tore at Sakura. He was telling the truth. He really was as hurt as she was. He didn't want to leave either, but Sakura couldn't really bring herself to admit that Syaoran's hands were simply too tied. Maybe she was really selfish after all…
"What?" Sakura replied softly. Her voice was nearly audible.
"Knowing that the pain I feel was of my own doing. I caused this—my one decision and it eats at me every day. You don't understand the depths of my own pain either. Could you really live with yourself, knowing you have left the love of your life? Every day I'm forced to live with that regret and it's never easy. So, don't be so selfish to think you're the only one hurt. I'm just as hurt as you are."
Pulling the keys out of the ignition to hand to the valet, Syaoran reached into the glove compartment and put on a pair of shades that Li-Na left. "Put these on." He instructed. "Your eyes are all puffy. We wouldn't want to give the paparazzi something more to talk about." He glanced at a horde of photographers, flashing incessantly around him. Damn, he would need to hire a bodyguard the next time. The journalists were starting to get ruthless for the best picture.
Sakura hadn't realized she was even crying, but complied anyway. "Thanks." She muttered. As the doors lifted up vertically, flashing lights and the sound of shuttering cameras welcomed her. It was nearly impossible for Sakura to even step out of the Mercedes.
"And don't forget to smile too." He instructed. "The photographers can see through anything when you're not careful."
Sakura nodded. "Sure. Right."
Her tone was almost robotic in a sense, monotone, and complying. Perhaps it was because she was trying to process all that Syaoran said. In truth, she really wanted a quiet ride to the restaurant, share good times and call her husband, but airing out what's been swept under the rug for the last five years revealed new things to her. The conversation also brought back that old resentment, coupled with some anger and bitterness, but being that Sakura was a public figure, she couldn't give the photographers something to talk about.
As Sakura stepped out, an array of random questions began. She knew when she became a model of Tomoyo's designs that the first rule was to smile and wave away. That way, it'd be nothing to report and no quotes would be twisted around in tabloids. The photographers' questions were excessive.
"Sakura, where's your husband?"
"Syaoran, how's the acquisition going?"
"How did you guys meet?"
"Sakura, is your marriage over?"
"Are you having an affair?"
"Syaoran, how does it feel to be one of the most powerful men in the world at twenty-three?"
The questions continued on as they walked through the restaurant, ignoring the questions on the way.
They walked up to the host where a host acknowledged them immediately.
"Please, follow me. Your party has already arrived." He said, leading the couple away from the main area. The next section of the restaurant was one suited for the wealthy elite and powerful, each with several private rooms of different sizes and occasions. He opened the sliding doors where their friends anticipated their arrival.
"Thank you," Sakura replied, bowing courteously.
"It's nice you two could make it." Tomoyo said. "The appetizers are already here."
Sakura took a seat next to her best friend while Syaoran sat next to Eriol.
It didn't take long for everyone to notice the heavy tension in the room. Syaoran looked aloof while Sakura seemed visibly upset, even behind the shades. It was baffling how quickly the dynamics changed between the couple. Just moments ago, everything seemed fine. Now, everyone is wondering, what in the world was going on? Why such animosity now?
"We didn't mean to keep you guys waiting." Sakura said apologetically.
"Oh you're fine," Meiling casually dismissed it with a wave. "It's good that you came together. It seems that things are starting to look up, right?"
Sakura and Syaoran immediately became quiet. Neither was really sure what to say.
"Is it me or can you cut the tension in here with a knife?" Liam asked.
"Everything's fine." Sakura said, flashing a plastered smile. "Right, Syaoran?"
"If you count on being self-absorbed with your own issues fine, then who am I to say differently?" Syaoran curtly responded.
Sakura glared at him. "What the hell that's supposed to mean?"
"Oh, so now you have a memory lapse? Did you forget what we talked about on the way here?"
"Wow, this turned around very quickly." Meiling whispered to Tomoyo. The velvety-haired maiden nodded.
Sakura clenched her teeth together. "This is not the time or the place to discuss this."
"When will it be? Because every time I try to break through to you, you seem to push me away!"
"Because you keep downplaying everything!"
"That's a lie!" Syaoran shouted, fed up with Sakura's stubbornness. "I've told you why and you still refuse to believe me! The hell, Sakura!"
"Oh trust me, I believe you, but you were right about one thing. Your actions caused your own suffering, so you should feel what you're feeling now!"
Everyone looked at the bickering couple with confusion.
"What are they talking about?" Liam asked Eriol in hushed tones.
"Who knows?" He answered.
"You're so damn selfish! It's always about you! It's always how hurt you feel! I can't win for losing with you!" Syaoran nearly bellowed. "How many times do I have to say I'm sorry before you accept that shit's already happened?! Get over it already!"
"Sorry just doesn't cut it!" Sakura ripped her glasses off, slamming them on the table.
Syaoran took his off in turn. "What the fuck, Sakura! What do you want me to do? I'm trying to make it all better with you! Every time we move one step forward, we're five steps back! I'm trying to make this work with you!"
Sakura stared at him for a moment before exhaling heavily. "I…I…" She looked down with defeat. "I don't know."
Syaoran slowly shook his head. "Of course you don't." The tone in Syaoran's charming tone became cold, almost degrading. "To tell me, Sakura, what do you know?"
Sakura nearly snarled. Was he really insulting her? "I know that you're pissing me off."
Syaoran laughed, but it wasn't hearty and warm like before. There was venomous sarcasm in it and it was the side in Syaoran that Sakura hated most.
"Just as I expected. You don't know what you want. You're just a confused, little girl, wallowed in her own pity. Terrible. Just fucking terrible."
The last comment was the stroke that broke the camel's back, propelling Sakura to stand up with murderous emeralds glaring at her ex. "Fuck you, Syaoran Li!"
Gasps filled the room as Syaoran saw a steak knife hurled toward his direction. Expertly, he dodged it and allowed the sharp end of the blade to dart into the wall. "I'm not a little girl!"
Hazel eyes widened incredulously. He snarled with his teeth bared threateningly. "You crazy bitch!" He bellowed, attempting to reach across the table, only for Liam and Eriol to hold him back. Even Sakura had to take a step back. For a moment, she almost thought she saw Kenji's face instead of Syaoran's.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! You could've killed me!" Syaoran attempted to push Liam and Eriol off him, all to no avail. "You're crazy!"
"Yeah, I'll be crazy, you fucking bastard!" She shouted, attempting to lung at her ex. It took all of Tomoyo's strength to hold her back and clamp her hand over Sakura's mouth. She quickly pulled the girl to the door.
"Xiaolang, calm down!" Meiling pleaded, grabbing his face between her hands. "You don't want to do this. It's Sakura!"
"Fuck that! She threw a knife at my head!" He angrily replied.
"And I'll do it again, you fucking prick!" Sakura shouted back after yanking Tomoyo's hand from her mouth.
"Tomoyo, get her out of here." Eriol calmly instructed.
Tomoyo immediately obliged while she forced Sakura out of the door. Thankfully, the walls were soundproof, so no one from outside heard what was going on, especially the paparazzi. When Tomoyo dragged Sakura into the bathroom, Sakura was finally able to calm down.
"Sakura, that was very immature of you. What's gotten into you?" Tomoyo chided. "You could have seriously hurt, Syaoran."
"I know…" She sighed and began to quietly sob. She sat on the bathroom sofa, putting her face to her hands. Her body shook with guilt and shame. "I let Syaoran get the best of me. I was so angry that I…" She couldn't even bring herself to even speak of the crime. "God, my own husband doesn't even get me this angry! I feel so terrible now."
Tomoyo sat down and rubbed her back comfortingly, aiding Sakura with some tissue. "Oh Sakura, I surely thought things were looking up between you and Syaoran. What happened? Why the sudden change?"
"We were talking about that day." Sakura replied. "The day I was in the hospital and when he left me. I really thought I forgave him, but the truth is. I really haven't. I'm still so angry about all of this. I want to let go…but the fact that left me…and my baby…how could I? Will I ever heal from this? Will Syaoran and I ever be civil to one another?"
"And you will, Sakura, but you already know what the truth is. You have to forgive. You have to stop allowing yourself to be the victim here. Syaoran's right. He too suffered just as much as you did."
Sakura stayed quiet, drying her eyes while Tomoyo soothingly continued, "But rubbing it in his face and reminding him of his mistake certainly doesn't make things better either. If you forgave him, if you truly did, you must do it fully. I'm sure you two will find a way to get along."
Sakura said nothing more, except slowly nod. She had to find a way to forgive her past and move on. Otherwise, she would forever be entangled in this repetitive, tiring cycle.
The conversation halted when Meiling joined them with disappointment etched on her face. "Are you calm now? Because what you did back there was really, really stupid!"
"I know, Meiling. I'm sorry." Sakura apologized, as shame marred her lovely visage. "I should never allowed it to get this far."
"Well, my cousin has calmed down. Can you both sit down and have a meal without literally trying to kill each other?" Her tone was both playful and serious.
Sakura stood up, nodding. "Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"Well, we are leaving tomorrow, so Syaoran and I will have to make the best of it. Besides, I'd hate for our bickering ruin lunch for you guys. I'll be on my best behavior the next time. I promise."
The two-best friends smiled, exiting the bathroom door and into their private room.
The thick, suffocating tension in the room finally dissipated with everyone in their original seats. Syaoran and Sakura sat across from each other, both parties donning guilty, shameful looks of their earlier actions.
"I'm sorry for throwing a knife at you."
He nodded. "I'm sorry for calling you a crazy bitch."
"Whew! Now that's over, can we order now? I'm starving!" Liam cheered.
The rest of the lunch became nothing more than comfortable silence and casual conversation. Lunch was already served, coupled with some desserts and additional appetizers. Syaoran and Sakura rarely spoke to each other while the others engaged in hearty chat.
"You know, you never really answered my question from before." Meiling began, sipping on her sake as she stared directly at her cousin. "Are sure you're not involved with anyone at the moment?"
"I'm single." Syaoran replied, rolling his eyes. "How many times do I have to tell you this?"
"Then who is Li-Na?"
"Li-Na?" Tomoyo queried.
Syaoran sighed, shaking his head. "She's just a friend." He answered.
"Really? You never told us about her before." She eyed him dubiously.
"That's because Syaoran has a crush on her." Meiling said.
At this point, Syaoran was over Meiling being nosey. "She's more like family than anything else. She helped me through a lot."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
Hearing Syaoran potentially with someone else put a familiar pain back into her heart. A part of her wanted to be happy for him, and genuinely she was, but why did it hurt so bad to know there was another woman in the picture? Sakura stayed quiet, looking down at her meal. The conversations were dulling in her ears.
"Well if that's the case, whether if she's your girlfriend or not, I hope we get to meet her." Tomoyo said with a sense of sincerity indicated in her tone.
"Oh you will. I'm flying her here sometime Sunday night when I move into my new house. She will accompany me to the Shi Corporate party too." Syaoran said.
"But I thought you staying here were going to be temporary." Meiling said.
"Originally within four months, I was going back to Hong Kong, but with all the new Li-businesses forming here as well, there's really no point." Her cousin explained.
"So how long are you planning on staying in Japan?" Eriol inquired.
"It's going to be for a while." Syaoran answered. "Probably no more than seven months, maybe longer, depending how things turn out."
"So, you're basically moving back to Japan with a girl who's living with you, who's not your girlfriend? I find that odd." Meiling commented.
"I told you, she's like family." Syaoran insisted. "I've known her for five years."
"In other words, you two have been friends for five years, she's moving in with you, and you're still single. Why isn't she your girlfriend?"
Damn, my cousin can be such a nosy brat when she wants to be, Syaoran grunted. "Are you even listening to anything I was saying, Meiling?"
"Of course I am." Meiling rolled her eyes. "I just think that someone as totally hot as you are doesn't have a girlfriend by now—unless she's your friend-with-benefits."
"One: not true. Two: I'm not really looking for a girlfriend right now." He sighed, mentally counting to ten. His cousin sure knew how to push buttons.
Meiling pouted. "Why not?"
"Because…I…I just don't want one, okay! Besides, I'm too involved with work. I wouldn't have the time!"
"Maybe that is the problem." Eriol said coolly. "I think a girlfriend may be good for you though. You work too much."
"I'm good." Syaoran replied stubbornly.
"Don't be such a party-pooper, cousin. Let me set you up!" Meiling insisted.
"Meiling, I'm fine!"
"Oh I can definitely introduce you to some ravishing girls." Liam added.
Although Sakura promised her friends she'd be on her best behavior, keeping it was increasingly becoming difficult. What were her friends thinking, flaunting Syaoran's marital status in her face like that? Did they forget they just had sex last night? Did they forget that the two still had some unfinished business? Even though Sakura is a married woman, the mere thought of another woman grabbing her ex's attention boiled her blood. She was forced to bite her tongue and keep cold, enraging thoughts to herself. What was most bothersome was that this mystery Li-Na person was moving in with him! And the fact that the two have known each other for five years stabbed her in the heart. So, he really did meet someone? He really did move on, didn't he?
Syaoran could clearly see the tormented emotions on Sakura's visage and the fact his cousin and pretty much everyone else were the very reason was frustrating him. He knew what they were trying to do, but did Sakura know?
"I didn't know it was gang-up-on-Syaoran day, but quit it. All of you!" He commanded.
"You can't be single forever, cousin." Meiling stated. "After all, you are head of the Li Clan. You'll need to find someone to settle down with eventually and produce an heir."
"Meiling, please just drop it. I don't want to talk about it anymore."
"But Xiaolang—."
"Meiling, please." Sakura gently interrupted. "I think that's enough. Leave him alone."
The odango-headed woman pouted, crossing his arms. "Fine." She continued her meal.
Liam suddenly emitted a burst of laughter, forcing everyone to stare at him questioningly. "I swear I don't get you two." He admitted. "One minute you two are literally at each other's throats, and now you're defending one another? I'm so confused."
Tomoyo giggled, "You're always confused, Liam."
Everyone except Liam laughed. "So what's the plan for the rest of the day?" Eriol asked.
"After touring the Shibuya Ward, Sakura will need to work on her tan now that the Fashion Show is coming up."
"Tomoyo, you promised no work!" Sakura pouted.
"Technically it isn't work, but they have this awesome spa in the Roppongi District. I hear it's American-owned, but their services are the best from what I heard. And with everything so chaotic in your life right now, a good ol' massage will surely help you feel more at ease."
"I sure could use a massage myself." Meiling added, stretching her arms out.
"But I hate tanning, Tomoyo." Sakura moaned.
"I know, but spray tanning is always available."
"Since we are going to Roppongi District, why don't we go there tonight as our last tour destination?" Liam suggested. "It is our last night in Tokyo after all."
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea." Meiling said.
"I'm in the mood to have fun tonight. What about you, Sakura?"
Sakura sheepishly laughed. "I guess I don't have much of a choice in the matter, do I?"
Tomoyo proudly shook her head. "And Syaoran's coming with us too!"
The chestnut-haired Adonis groaned. "Fine. I suppose."
The velvety-haired maiden clapped her hands together. "Well it's settled! You and Syaoran will head on to the spa and the rest of us will meet back with you later."
Two pairs of eyes bulged. "What? I thought you, Meiling, and I are going to the spa?"
Meiling cheerfully shook her head. "Nope. Just you and Syaoran only. And don't back out now because we already paid for it. The rest of us are going to the movies."
"Why can't we go too?" Sakura frowned.
"Because it's a horror film. We already know how you feel about ghosts." Tomoyo pointed out.
"Oh, that's right. Never mind then." Sakura sighed in defeat.
That sneaky Tomoyo! She had this planned from the beginning! Syaoran realized. He glanced at Eriol who looked just as guilty. I bet he has something to do with this too. They're trying to make us spend time together! Those scheming idiots!"
Liam stood up, "Well, I guess it's time to go. If we leave now, we might catch the previews in time."
Everyone nodded, leaving the ex-couple flustered as they stood up and headed toward the door. "Wait!" Sakura shouted nervously. "You're not leaving us now, are you?"
"You didn't even tell us what spa you sent us to!" Syaoran interjected.
"Oh that's right." Tomoyo said, after giving it brief thought. "The name's Sweet Serenity. Just plug it in in your GPS and you'll get there in no time. You two enjoy!"
Sakura and Syaoran were too stunned to reply as everyone merrily exited the restaurant. Did they just hear right? Did their friends just paid for them to embark in a spa? Dark, scarlet hues brightened on their cheeks. Yeah, their friends were definitely trying to set them up.