CHAPTER 21 – DECISION

After three long days, Syaoran was being discharged today from the hospital. Sakura hadn't visited him since her conversation with Tanaka. Until now…

'Hi'
'Sakura!'
'How are you feeling?'
'Much better thanks. How have you been?'
'Very busy actually, sorry I haven't visited you lately. Even though I said I was going to be here. Sorry…' – she looked down to the floor
'You are here now. That's the only thing I care about' – he smiled and extended his hand to her

She looked at him for a few seconds, without knowing what to do. She had a horrible feeling inside of her. Her heart hurt so much and she couldn't help but think about Tanaka and what he had told her the other day. She slowly walked towards Syaoran and grabbed his hand.

'Sorry about what happened… didn't want to worry you. Did I do something else that made you angry at me? Last time you were here you-'

Sakura kissed him suddenly without letting him finish his thought. She grabbed the side of his face as she intensified the kiss. He was nearly out of breath when she stopped.

'I am still recovering, you know…' – he chuckled
'Syaoran…' – she knew exactly what she had to say but couldn't go through with it
'Oh! Right, Wei will be here in a few minutes to take me home. Come with me?'
'Yeah…sure'

AT SYAORAN'S HOUSE

'Syaoran! So glad you are ok! – Naomi rushed to his side as soon he walked through the door

He flinched as he felt a bit of pain when she hugged him. Sakura looked at them both a bit annoyed.

'Wh-what are you doing here?'
'Checking on you of course! I had no idea this had happened. I have been so worried'
'Thanks. I am much better now. The doctor said I just need to rest'
'Do you need help with anything? Please anything at all'
'Sakura will look after me, so I don't need anything else. Right Sakura? – he grabbed Sakura's hand and looked at her, she was still a bit uncomfortable about the whole situation
'Oh Kinomoto-san… I am being so rude. Completely ignoring you, sorry'
'Hi Itagaki-san…'
'Master Li, your bedroom is ready for you. Let me help you up the stairs'
'Well, excuse me Naomi. We will catch up later, any business matters will be handled by Kei. So please contact him at my office'
'Sure, I will come by another time. Take care Syaoran'

Syaoran and Wei started to walk away, Syaoran looked back and said: 'Sakura?'

'I will be right up in a minute' – she waited until they were out of sight – 'Why are you really here Itagaki-san?'
'Huh? Just visiting my dear Syaoran of course. Did you have anything to do with his accident?'
'What are you implying?'
'Well, that horrible neighbourhood in which you reside is hardly a suitable place for a man like him. I just assumed he had been robbed while on a visit to your filthy apartment'
'Th-that is not the case. Although, I have something to ask you…'
'A favour?'
'No, actually more like a demand. I don't want you near Syaoran, do not come over to this house anymore'
'What?! Are you actually saying these words to me?'
'That's right. I am so tired of you. I want you to leave him alone, he is my boyfriend now. Get over him already and don't embarrass yourself any longer!'

Naomi was so embarrassed from hearing this, she couldn't reply. She was blushing profusely, she clenched her fists and walked out of the house.

(I can't believe what I just did! She makes me sooooo angry. What does she think she is doing?! And now… what am I doing? I don't have any right to interfere anymore. But we are still together right? I haven't said anything to him yet. He is mine still, only mine… my dear Syaoran)

Knock knock

'Come in!'
'Hello there'
'What took you so long?!'
'I was just having a quick chat with Itagaki-san'
'You were?'
'It doesn't matter. I love you Syaoran, so much'

Sakura walked towards his bed and sat next to him

'You have been acting strange lately…what is— once more she was already kissing him with passion
'… I missed you. You need to get better soon so we can go on that overdue date'
'You got it'
She pressed her forehead against his, sighed and said: 'I want you to make love to me again, soon… to kiss me all over...'

He blushed immediately after hearing such words coming out of her mouth. She had her eyes closed and her face looked a bit flushed. She gave him a quick kiss on his left eye and smiled.

AT TANAKA'S HOUSE

'What the fuck?! She is at his place? – he hung up the phone and threw his drink glass to the wall – 'That bitch! You are so naïve, thinking you can fool me huh?. Looks like it won't be as easy as I thought'

NEXT MORNING AT THE HOSPITAL'S PARKING LOT

Sakura received a text message from Tanaka to come meet him in the underground floor. She went downstairs from the lobby using the fire escape, an annoying flickering light made this place look more sinister than usual. She could only hear the sound of her heels on the concrete floor, she looked down the line-up of cars. Suddenly, she saw a dark figure appear from behind a column.

'What did you call me here for Tanaka-san?'
'You didn't do it yet… you are still together'

Sakura looked at him, he seemed to be extremely calm. He lighted up a cigarette and walked up to her. Her heart started beating really fast but she remained silent.

'So…what do you have to say'
'Tanaka… I just… can't – her hands were shaking a bit
'DON'T FUCK WITH ME! – he shouted so loud, his voice echoed. He dropped his cigarette on the floor and pushed Sakura against the wall, grabbed both her wrists and put them above her head
'Let me go, you are hurting me!' – she could barely move, his body was pushed against hers with such force
'I won't have you SCREWING that guy behind my back! DO YOU HEAR ME?! When I ask you to do something, JUST FUCKING DO IT! I am not playing around, you slut – he was shouting right on her face.
She started crying and her body was shivering in fear.
'Tears don't work on me, you should know – he grabbed her cheeks harshly with one hand and made her face him – 'When the time comes, I will fuck you so hard you will even forget his name'.

He licked her neck from the bottom up and smelled her hair. She was still struggling to set herself free, pushing him away with all of her might.

'You are a pig! I will never sleep with you, never! You are a sick bastard! – her tears kept coming down and her voice was quivering.

Tanaka looked at her furious and slapped her on the face. He grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her against the wall. She hit her head pretty hard, her legs lost strength and she fell down on the floor. Sakura was holding her forehead with one hand, she started to hear a ringing sound in her ears.
Tanaka looked down at her, he went down to her level and said: 'This is where you belong… on the floor covered in filth and helpless. Do as I fucking say, my love'

After that he got up and started to walk along the lengthy car park corridor.
She couldn't stop crying, she held herself with both her arms, like embracing herself.

'Sy-Syaoran…'

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