Chapter Thirty-Six

A Brand New Bag

Sakura sat at the dining room table, pencil in hand, sketching on a sheet of printing paper. She had been there for nearly two hours. Every time Wei had passed by, he wanted to ask her what she was doing. But the look of deep concentration on her face deterred him. He sat on the living room sofa instead, so he could pretend to watch television as he kept her company – not that she seemed to need it.

He had held deep reservations when Xiao Lang had confessed his plan to bring her to Hong Kong. He was not convinced of her goodness despite his young master's insistence. He had believed she wanted money, and he had been worried for his young master's heart. But the moment Wei had seen her, and the way she had looked at Xiao Lang, he knew. It was her heart that would be broken first.

Of course, Xiao Lang would not break it wilfully. He adored her, from what Wei could tell – far more than one should adore a mistress. But the prized Li was already hurting her, and he was too stubborn to believe it. He dressed her up like his personal life-sized doll, he came over to unwind in her arms, and then he left her in a big house with money, thinking it would be enough.

Then there was this curious affair with the cupcakes. She had asked him if she should tell Xiao Lang that she was asked to make cupcakes for a school event. But after she had come back from yachting experience with him, and he had asked her about it, all she replied was, "He said to make them." But her voice had been small and clipped, and there was no excitement in her words. When he had discussed it with Xiao Lang later that week, the conversation had been as worrying as the one about her working.

"She's still going on about that?" Xiao Lang had asked in an exasperated tone of voice.

"You must admit," he had replied. "It's impressive that they asked. Considering it's a very distinguished private school. They tend to be exclusive as you would know. Caterers would usually solicit them. Not the other way around."

"She's doing it for free. That's why. Private schools like to receive money. Not give or pay for things."

Wei had paused, understanding then, how her conversation with him might have gone.

"Did you say something to her? She's not as enthused as before."

"Good. Every time I call for her now, she's baking cupcakes or mixing batter or researching …fondant recipes…? I didn't buy her a house for her to ignore me in it."

"She's not ignoring you. She has discovered a dormant talent. Naturally, she is excited about this and is practicing quite diligently. I know she will appreciate your support."

"Why are you encouraging her?" asked Xiao Lang, sounding wounded.

"The real question, Master Xiao Lang, is why are you not?" When he did not answer, Wei had added, "She should have something to support herself after this."

"What is 'after this?'"

"Your time together," said Wei. "She would eventually return to Japan."

"Has she said something of the sort to you?" asked Xiao Lang, clearly shocked.

"No. But surely she cannot be your mistress for the rest of her life."

"Chang Hu has been with Uncle Chao since I was a boy."

"You were correct about the kind of lady she is. I believe a full life is best for her. One with a husband and children."

"I know a lawyer who would balk at the idea. She enjoys her life without either."

"Miss Sakura is the kind of woman who would desire both."

"Wei," said Xiao Lang, impatiently. "You're thinking too far ahead. And right now, all I'm trying to do is get through my meetings today."

Despite what Wei had told Sakura, he disapproved of this entire situation. However, as he had said, he was acquainted with it. And though he worried for Meilin as well, sad to say, she was well-acquainted with it too. She was not a stupid woman. She must have an inkling that Syaoran was seeing another woman. It must bother her, even though Syaoran made himself believe that she was truly accepting of him being intimate with other women.

Sighing, he pushed himself to his feet.

Women always knew.

"Excuse my intrusion, Miss Sakura," he said, moving over to her. "But may I ask what you've been working on?"

"That depends," she said, without looking up from her sketch. "Are you going to tell him?"

Wei's neck heated up. When had he become a tattle-tale?

"I won't tell."

She erased a line on her sketch.

"I'm designing a display for the school's cupcakes. I want it all to look as professional as possible."

She showed him the sketch.

"It's a fundraiser tea party. This year's theme is Alice in Wonderland. I'm going to have a glass display with flowers and props like tin kettles to mimic a garden and English tea culture. And the cupcakes will sort of blend into the scene but still stand out. See?"

"It's very clever. I know a designer who can help."

"I've already contacted someone I found online. But thank you. All I have left to do is perfect the designs and tastes for each set of cakes."

"Whatever you think of, you will execute to the best of your abilities, I am sure."

"Thank you," she said.

Wei bowed, and as he walked away he looked back at her, a smile on his face.

The decadent mall was filled with shoppers - mainly young women - even though it was the middle of a workday. Sakura turned slowly on the ground floor, looking up at the many shiny circular levels above her. She looked at Wei, who had all but dragged her out of the house, saying that she needed some form of recreation because she had been working hard on the school's cupcakes. Truth be told, she was becoming very frustrated with creating cupcake recipes, so it was a good call on his part.

He adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose.

"Do you want to begin at the top floor? Or the bottom?" he asked her.

Sakura walked backwards, her gaze on the kind, old man.

"Let's start at the top," she said.

She held out her hand and Wei glanced around before hesitantly extending his own. She lightly held the tips of his fingers and guided him to the elevators. She released her hold on him as they stepped in, feeling happier and more relaxed already. Wei was a very insightful person, she had found out. She appreciated that he never asked her difficult questions. Instead, he tried to cheer her up.

They went in and out of various glitzy, luxury stores, and each time, Wei sat down as she tried on various items. Once in a while, she would model the clothing for him to get his opinion. He nodded approvingly at everything she put on even when they did not suit her at all. He always did that. It was obvious that female fashion was out of his comfort zone.

They went into a chandelier-lit clothing store and again, he went in a corner and sat down, arranging her shopping bags at his feet. She took a few dresses off the racks – the stylish saleswomen smiling politely at her - and went into the changing room. She slipped on the sporty racer-back dress, the cashmere and silk blend material, hugging and enhancing her slight curves. She was not sure what it was, but it made her feel like a badass rebel in an action movie.

She grinned into the mirror, then hurried off to show Wei. She slinked exaggeratedly over to him, her hips sashaying from side to side. She stood in front of him and placed her hands on her hips.

"What do you think?" she asked, turning around to show him the entire knee-length dress.

Pink spots appeared on his cheeks and he shifted.

"Master Xiao Lang will like it."

Sakura frowned. In their other shopping trips, he had usually insisted she buy things she liked, instead of trying to please Syaoran. Now he wanted her to dress for him?

"But do you like it?"

Wei's cheeks were red now and she realised that he did like it. Her face grew warm.

"Okay. Well... I'll go try something else now. Something more my style."

He shifted again.

"Yes, I think that's best."

She softly padded away towards the dressing room. A slim, brunette, young woman was standing in front one of the huge full-length mirrors, checking herself out in a pair of jeans. She looked at Sakura through the mirror as she walked by.

"Better dial it down a notch," she said, slyly. "You don't want to give him a heart attack now."

Sakura paused.

"What?"

The woman turned around and Sakura saw that she was pretty, and perfectly groomed, from the waxed eyebrows, to the high-gloss nail polish on her toes.

"You're the only other person in this boutique," she said, her manner of speaking and her movements teasing, but at the same time, completely charming. "So, I assume the gentleman outside is your husband!"

Sakura chuckled lightly.

"No, he's not my husband."

"Well of course, he's not really," said the woman, winking at her.

Sakura's eyes widened in realization.

"Oh he's not... we're not…"

"But you have someone?" said the woman, turning back to face the mirror. "Someone who keeps you?"

Sakura stepped back.

"Why do you think I have a..." She drew herself up straight. "Maybe I'm rich."

The woman laughed good-naturedly. Her eyes glimmered through the mirror back at Sakura.

"Please. This is Shenzhen. Everyone's someone's mistress."

She faced Sakura.

"Are you new to this or something?"

Sakura's brows furrowed.

"I... guess?"

The young woman bowed.

"I'm Sun Jia. What's your name?" she asked, boldly.

Sun Jia seemed like a kid in a playground. She reminded Sakura of the days when she was five and would fearlessly go up to an adult or child and introduce herself. Sakura smiled.

"Kinomoto Sakura."

"I've never seen you around before," said Jia. "Nice to meet you, Kinomoto Sakura."

She walked into her dressing room cubicle and Sakura went to hers. She changed into another dress, a floral one with a collar and went back out to look at it in the mirror. Sun Jia came out her cubicle - the store clothes draped over one arm - and watched Sakura as she turned around in front of the mirror.

"You should get that. It's cute but kind of hot at the same time."

Sakura smiled wide. It had been ages since she talked to a female her own age.

"Thank you!"

She tried on a few more items with Jia commenting on each one. In the end, Jia insisted she take the floral dress, some white jeans and a pointy-toe pump with a metallic heel.

"Sun-san," she said as she placed the clothes she was not taking back on their hangers. "Are you a mistress? Too?"

Jia opened her arms, directing Sakura's gaze to her expensive clothing and designer handbag.

"Obviously." She gestured outside with her thumb. "So if he's not your husband, who is he? A bodyguard or something. He's a tad old for that though."

"Wei-san's a Master martial artist," said Sakura. "He's a friend of... the man I'm seeing. He looks out for me."

"So he's your husband's spy," said Jia, dryly.

Sakura flushed.

"I guess," she said, walking out of the dressing room.

Jia scoffed.

"I hate the controlling ones."

"He's not-!"

Jia pursed her lips and her eyes narrowed. Sakura sighed.

"Well I guess he's a little controlling."

"You're cute," said Jia. "You're like all loyal and shit. He's not around, you can say what you want."

Sakura thought that Jia may have been mocking her but the woman had a pleasant expression on her face, like a friend chiding another friend.

"Listen," said Jia, depositing her clothes on the cashier counter. "He may be the man and have all the money but don't let him walk all over you. Stand up for yourself and make sure and have an argument every once in a while. Keeps them on their toes."

She spoke as if she was really concerned about Sakura and even though she was blunt as Syaoran could be, Sakura could not help but feel that some sort of endearment to the girl.

"Sun-san, I'm new in Hong Kong. And I haven't met anyone yet," she said. "Do you think maybe-"

"Phone," said Jia, extending her palm.

Sakura handed over her cell phone and Jia inserted her number.

"Call me anytime, Missy. I love meeting new people and I love hanging out even more."

Sakura grinned wide. Finally, she had a friend in the city.

Laughter resonated through the house. Sakura had been lying down on the living room couch, the phone glued to her ear for the past hour. Sun Jia was a very entertaining person. Sakura felt like she was talking with an old school friend. She expected to be the one calling Jia, but Jia was actually calling her every day.

The baking timer went off and she went to the kitchen to grab her mittens. Phone nestled between her cheek and shoulder, Sakura pulled out the two loaves of golden-brown bread from the oven. She was afraid Wei and the maid may get bored eating cupcakes all the time, so she was switching things up for a bit. Besides, she was expanding her skills and feeling useful.

"So, when are we going to hang out Sakura?" drawled Jia. "You should have come to the club last night. I have a hangover that would make a drunk cry. It was that wild."

Sakura giggled.

"I don't think Wei-san would have given me a ride," she said, ruefully. "I doubt my… lover would want me to go out so late by myself."

Jia preferred to call the man she was with husband, but Sakura felt odd referring to Syaoran as such. Jia had suggested she could call him her lover instead.

"You would have been with me. And my friends. The man's trying to tell you who you can talk to and where you can go," said Jia. "That's not how it's supposed to be. You should be able to do whatever you want when he's not around. You're allowed to have a life. You think so, right?"

"I guess..."

"And why does the old guy have to drop you everywhere?" said Jia. "You, Kinomoto Sakura need a car. You can drive right?"

"Yes," said Sakura, confidently. "But cars are expensive."

Jia let out a loud, raucous laughter. Sakura tipped the bread out of their baking pans. What was so funny?

"Have you forgotten who you're dating? You said he was a billionaire. From an old-money family. Sakura. Tell him you want a car."

"Tell him?"

"Yes. Tell him."

Sakura bit her bottom lip and shifted her weight to one leg.

"I'll ask him and I'll see..."

"No." Jia's voice was stern. "You're always available when he wants you right?"

"Yes," said Sakura cautiously.

"He gets to come over and fuck you anytime he wants. Right?"

Sakura blushed. Jia had a way of dropping expletives at the most unexpected times, but weirdly Sakura liked hearing her curse.

"Right," she said, quietly, looking around to see if Wei was in the room. Though it was not like he could hear what Jia was saying.

"And now you want a car. Get a car."

"I'll try. It's just he already bought me a house."

There was a moment of stunned silence.

"Well then a car shouldn't be a problem should it?"

Sakura nodded. It made sense.

"Loverman wants to fuck you. Well you want a car. Get the car Sakura." Jia gave a long, aching sigh, and Sakura could tell she was still in bed, stretching. "It's only fair. If I wasn't still traumatized from a childhood accident, I'd learn how to drive, and I'd demand a car too. Hell, I just might anyway and keep the shit for show."

She laughed at her own joke and it was so infectious, Sakura laughed too.

"Get the car alright. We can hang out. And you can take care of your cupcake business more easily. Because you can just get up and go, no hassle. Buy like sprinkles, and fucking chocolate chip cookies to like bake and shit. Anytime you want. So get the car."

Sakura took a deep breath.

"Okay. I will."

A few days later, Syaoran came over. Throughout the entire day, Sakura was on edge. Jia had said to demand a car from him and at the time, she felt that she could; but every time Sakura looked up at him, she got intimidated and the words disappeared from the tip of her tongue. She was not like the other woman. She could not be so bold.

To ask for a car would make Sakura feel like she was being ungrateful. After all, Syaoran had bought her so many things already. She did not want to ask for too much more. But she could picture herself picking up Jia and driving around with her, doing fun things.

Syaoran walked into their bedroom and pulled off his white t-shirt. He lowered the temperature on the air conditioning unit with the remote, and checked the temperature reading.

"It's really hot today," he said. "Don't you think so?"

Sakura nodded, adjusting the band on her head she was using to keep her bangs off her forehead. It had taken her some time to get used to the Hong Kong heat, but today's heat was hellish.

"Normally I hate the cold, but the weather these days is unforgiving," Syaoran said, climbing into the bed with her.

It was after eight and he had finished taking phone calls and answering emails for the day. He kissed her cheek.

"Wei says you've been in a really good mood these days," he said, sitting against the headboard. "I take it, that's because of the friend you made at the mall. The girl you mentioned the other night? The one you met in the mistress village that is Shenzhen?"

Sakura nodded again and shifted her position so that she was sitting on her ankles, opposite him.

"Yes. I enjoy talking to Jia a lot," she said, wringing her hands in her lap.

"Good," said Syaoran. He leaned his head against the headboard. "I'm glad you're having fun."

"Jia wants me to come out with her sometimes," said Sakura, her heart rate going up a notch. "To eat brunch, shop... I even missed a club outing a while ago."

She bit her lip and wrung her hands harder. Syaoran did not say anything, and it was discouraging to say the least. What he did do was lean forward and kiss her on the mouth, then on her neck. She knew what he wanted which meant the conversation was over. She felt a familiar stirring in her belly when his breath tickled her skin, but she mentally pushed it away.

"I was thinking," she said as he kissed her collarbone, making her gasp. "... I could go out with her when you're not here. It could be nice."

Syaoran planted another kiss on her neck.

"Sounds good. Tell Wei when you have to."

"I was thinking," she said, as he pulled her on top of him to straddle his waist. "Wei-san doesn't have to take me places all the time. I'm sure there's things he would rather be doing."

"So how would you get to your girls' outings?" asked Syaoran, sliding his hands up the hem of her satin slip.

Sometimes she wondered if Syaoran did not understand that there was something called public transportation and that she had survived on it her entire life. She could get along just fine without Wei.

He pulled her slip over her head and kissed the tips of her breasts. Sakura felt her mouth run dry; his touches arousing her easily. She let out a slow, steadying breath.

Focus, Sakura.

"I was thinking," she said for the third time. "Maybe I can drive myself."

Syaoran lay back, truly paying attention to what she was saying now. His face was unreadable.

She swallowed the lump that had swelled in her throat.

"Are you asking me for a car?" he said, a slight crease between his brows.

Sakura drew a line down his chest with her finger, unable to look him in the eyes.

"Well... I just thought it'd be more convenient and I really want to be able to go out with my friend without having to bother Wei-san all the time."

Syaoran nodded and pulled her down to him. His warm mouth covered her nipple. She pushed herself up and away from his lips.

"What do you think?" she asked, blushing at the hungry way he was looking at her.

"I'll bring one over. The next time I come by," he told her huskily.

Sakura blinked. It was that easy?

"Really?"

He ran his hands up and down her sides.

"Yes, Sakura. Now can you kiss me?"

Sakura grinned and leaned into him but stopped her. His face held a quiet intensity.

"You can stay away from the clubs though," he said to her plain and simple.

"Why?" she asked.

"I don't want you getting drunk at a club. Not in Hong Kong."

Sakura rest her hands on his shoulders, massaging them.

"I won't drink much," she said, smiling sweetly, trying her best to soften him up.

"No clubs," said Syaoran, his tone permitting no further discussion.

Sakura sighed dramatically.

"Fine."

It was not like she was the kind of person who went to clubs anyway. Syaoran pushed her hair behind her ears and gripped her head. It felt like he was searching her face for something, and after a while he drew her closer and pressed his lips to hers, his eyes wide open.

The bright afternoon sunlight broke through the windscreen as Syaoran drove out from underneath the tunnel. It had been a week since he last saw Sakura and it seemed it would be yet another week before he could spend a decent amount of time with her. He and Meilin had to make all sorts of appearances for business and charity events; between that and work, he was not getting much time for himself, let alone Sakura.

He had scheduled time for her but then his mother wanted him to accompany her to China that weekend for a function, and stupidly he had bumped Sakura off his calendar. He shook his head, not believing he could not come up with a proper lie on the spur of the moment for his mother. But she had a way of sensing deception so maybe it was best he had not attempted it. He would have had to do too much explaining and he did not need her snooping around in his life and finding out about Sakura.

He pulled out his smartphone when he pulled into a familiar street and dialled the house phone.

"Moshi Moshi."

"Hey you. I'm almost at the house."

"You are?"

"Come outside in five minutes."

"Why?"

"Humour me," said Syaoran, smiling.

He ended the call and headed towards her house. He drove into the large courtyard and parked the car directly opposite the front door.

Moments later, when Sakura came outside he was standing in front of the sedan.

"You said you wanted a car…"

She stared at the vehicle and then at him. He glanced back at the Polar-White Mercedes-Benz. Why was she saying nothing? Was it not to her taste?

"I know what you must be thinking," he said before she could get in a word. "You're thinking, 'why isn't it a Rolls Royce Syaoran? This is Hong Kong. Everyone has a Rolls Royce.'"

Sakura walked over to him, eyes still fixed to the executive car. She nodded.

"I can understand that you're disappointed," he said, observing her carefully. "But this model has a 5-star safety rating. That's why I bought this one."

She shrugged, and he lowered his head in shame. His ego took a hit just then. The tinted Mercedes-Benz was sleek and had a feminine feel about it. He thought she would like it, but he had been wrong. He should have just taken her to the dealership and let her choose something. But he did not want her to get emotional and choose an unsafe car.

"You don't like it?" he asked. "I can get you something else. It's not a problem."

Sakura grinned and started to laugh. She held her belly and bent over, still laughing. Had she cracked? She straightened up and wiped a tear from her eye.

"You're so silly Syaoran-kun."

She moved over to the driver's door.

"Can I get in?"

Momentarily confused, he said, "Sure."

He pressed the remote lock and she slipped smoothly into the driver's seat and shut the door. She placed her hands on the steering wheel, getting a feel for it. Syaoran got into the passenger seat. She beamed at him.

"I can't believe you bought me a Benz. You didn't have to buy something so expensive."

"So... you like it?" he asked, trying to figure that out.

"Uh huh. I like it a lot!"

Syaoran tilted his head.

"So you were teasing me before."

"Hai."

He leaned against the car door, weakly.

"You're the devil."

She laughed again and shook her head 'no' cutely.

"Yes, you are. Let's go for a drive," said Syaoran, pulling on his seat belt.

"Right now?" asked Sakura, as he handed her the car keys.

"I have to make sure you can drive before I let you out on the streets by yourself."

Sakura's mouth fell open.

"I am a very good driver. My brother and my father gave me lessons for a year."

Syaoran gawked.

"You needed an entire year?"

She cleared her throat, her cheeks pink.

"What I mean is that I'm good now because of my extensive lessons."

"I'll be the judge of that," said Syaoran, feeling nervous already. He grabbed tightly to his seat. "Put on your seat belt. Let's go."

He sat rigidly in the car as Sakura drove around the neighbourhood. She was right, he admitted to himself grudgingly. She was a good driver. It was a smooth, perfectly safe ride. He almost wished she did something wrong so that he could say she should not be driving. Perhaps he should scare her with some true stories of accidents on the city streets?

He looked out at the passing landscape. Was this how parents felt when they gave their children their first cars? You want them to be happy but at the same time, you are envisioning them in the most horrible car wreck. Then you end up wishing you could take the car back and lock them in their rooms. Forever. But you could not do it because you would make them unhappy and disappointed.

Sakura was grinning from ear to ear as she drove down the streets. He glanced down at her legs as she stepped on the brakes. She had on a very short pants - she seemed to like those for home - and a pink t-shirt. He felt his face growing warm. There was hardly a time or situation where he could not be excited by her.

"You're very sexy when you drive," he said before he could stop himself.

Sakura's expression was one of surprise.

"It's true," he said when she again shook her head, no. "I think I'm going to like this little arrangement. Now I can just sit back and stare at you."

"If you do, I won't be able to concentrate," she warned.

"You'll manage," he said. "Just like I do when you look at me."

"You're not able to concentrate when I look at you?"

"You don't want to know how many times I almost ran the red light," confessed Syaoran, adjusting his seat. "Try not to run one right now though. Wei will have to take you for a Hong Kong license. I know people at the office. It won't take long."

"Okay!" said Sakura.

She was thoroughly enjoying the moment, and he enjoyed watching her enjoy it.

"When you go out," said Syaoran, as they made their way into town. "It will be with your friend, Sun?"

"Yes," said Sakura. "She said she has other girls to introduce me to."

He tugged at his seat belt.

"You'll be careful?"

"Very. I promise."

It was not that Syaoran did not trust her, he just had a suspicious nature so of course he found it difficult to believe it was only girls she was going to hang out with. Besides, he knew how adventurous and daring females could be when they got together.

Choosing his words carefully, he asked, "Does she have male friends to introduce you to as well?"

Sakura giggled but did not answer. When they came to a red-light seconds later, she looked over at him.

"She only mentioned girls."

"Good," he said, looking out the windscreen. "Make sure she keeps it that way."

"You don't want me to be friends with other men?" Sakura asked.

"Did I say that?"

She grew quiet for some time. Syaoran did not care if she wanted to fight him on this. He would not budge. It had taken enough out of him when he had woken up to the memory of having promised her a car. What the fuck had he been thinking? He should have said no but saying no to a topless Sakura was like trying to catch smoke with your hands.

Later, as Sakura drove back home, she asked in a hurt tone, "Don't you trust me?"

Syaoran's wolfie senses tingled. Whenever someone asked, 'don't you trust me' there usually was a reason not to trust them in his experience.

"It's them I don't trust," he told her.

When they pulled into her driveway and stopped, she unbuckled her seat belt and made to get out the car. But he took hold of her and pulled her over the gear stick and into his lap. Her knees rest on either side of his thighs and she watched him with wide eyes.

"You want to make out in the car?" she asked. "It's brand new!"

He would have laughed at the misunderstanding and educated her on the fine art of 'breaking in' a new car, if his chest did not feel like it was being squashed by his emotions. He smoothed his hands over her hips.

"You know that I'd give you anything right?" he asked her.

Sakura glanced away.

"I don't just say that," said Syaoran, bringing her face back to look at him. "I mean it. Whatever you need, you can get it from me."

Sakura gave him a peck on the lips, but her smile did not quite reach her eyes.

"When are you leaving?" she asked.

"In an hour," he admitted, quietly.

"I need you to stay longer."

"Sakura... I have to meet with my cousin. I've been putting him off for months now. He wants to discuss some film project. And my uncle Song is interested so he is insisting I show up..."

"It's fine," she said, slipping off his lap.

"Saku-"

"I knew you'd have to leave."

"I spoke to you about my time."

"I remember."

"This kind of request doesn't count."

"It does to me."

She patted his hand and exited the car. He watched her walk back inside the house, his heart beating a mile a minute. Some would think she would not risk losing someone as wealthy as him, but he knew what she wanted most right now was his time. What if some asshole in Shenzhen gave her that? What if... she found she liked that guy more? Syaoran knew he was a flawed partner. But he was not sure what he would do if she told him one day, that she did not feel the same way.

Hey Tomodachi,

Next chapter as promised.

Until Next Time,

Ja ne ^_^