Chapter 37: The Ride
"Ah, I feel so nervous." Sakura breathed as she was adding finishing touches to her short hair in front of her vanity mirror.
That night was the opening of Kakashi's exhibit and it will also be the night where they will finally reveal their relationship to their friends. So, she definitely had to look her best. Unfortunately, it looked like she was failing on that department as she brought down her hair curler.
Sakura looked at the time on her bedside clock and saw that she still had an hour and a half to spare before her ride picked her up.
She knew she needed to calm down if she wanted to have the perfect hair and perfect make up. She couldn't be nervous while applying her eyeliner lest she wanted to look like a raccoon for the night. It was even a miracle that she didn't burn herself while curling the tips of her bob cut because of her unease.
Just the thought of Ino strangling her at the exhibit already gave her the chills down her spine. What more for the real deal?
"I miss Kakashi." She sulked as she turned off the curling iron on her dresser.
"I should probably text him…No, wait…he might be busy." She sighed and looked at the strapless, blood red dress on her bed. She blushed.
"Waaaah! What am I thinking?! I should finish prepping up!" She internally screamed. But in the midst of her frantic efforts, Sakura couldn't help but be distracted on her memories of Kakashi previously that afternoon.
It was Monday, and also the day of the exhibit but Sakura still had half-day classes in the University.
She had been staying with Kakashi ever since he came home from that two-week trip so he had to drop her off early that morning for her classes. However, it did not escape her that Kakashi seemed a little lost in thought and was ignoring her since breakfast.
Heavy thoughts seemed to preoccupy his mind. So, she couldn't help but think that it was because of the exhibit. It was, after all, a particularly huge event that she was sure that it will reach the local celebrity news soon.
Kakashi will be revealing his identity as the ghost painter whose paintings sold millions, and not only that, her relationship with one of the youngest business tycoons will also be publicized.
For others, it may seem like a dream come true, but she was perfectly aware of the consequences. She knew it very well as she had experienced something similar with Sasuke before. But of course, that was an entirely different thing because they were childhood sweet hearts so the paparazzi were a little considerate.
And so, before Sakura got off Kakashi's car that morning, she gave him an option which pierced through those wandering thoughts of his.
"You know, it's really alright if you don't reveal your identity and our relationship tonight. I could just arrange a get-together for us and our friends, and we could tell them privately…"
Kakashi stared at her that morning. The hum of his car's engine was the only thing that could be heard in that awkward silence. When he opened his mouth, Sakura thought that he'd agree or that he would at least give an answer but the words which came out from him startled her first before it pissed her off.
"Ah, I'm sorry, Sakura. I can't discuss this with you right now. There's still a meeting I have to attend to. You should get going. You don't want to be late for class.
Sakura, dumbfounded at his words, nodded and got out of his car. It was only when Kakashi's car disappeared that his words sank into her.
"What?! What was that?!" She asked herself. And for the rest of the day, she was restless and irritated that when her classes for the day ended, she rushed home and was ready to sulk in bed.
It was the first time that Kakashi did something like that to her. It was so unlike him that her emotions ended up going crazy because she suddenly didn't know what to do. She was stomping her way to her front door when her phone suddenly rang. When she looked at it, it was Kakashi. She answered.
"What?!" She barked over the phone. "What was that all about, huh? This morning you just—"
[Where are you, Sakura?]
Kakashi cut her ranting with his cold voice over the phone. Suddenly, all the anger and irritation left her body and was replaced by nervousness.
"Uhh…at home…"
[Are you inside?]
"Not yet. I'm just about to open the door. What's wrong, Kakashi?" She asked, but Kakashi didn't give an answer.
[Sakura, listen to me. I want you to open the door very carefully, and when you enter, I want you to keep your back on the wall until you reach your room.]
"Huh? What? Why? Kakashi what's happening?"
[Just do it, Sakura.]
"Kakashi, you have to tell me what's going on!"
[Just do it.]
There was a finality in his voice that Sakura couldn't do anything but to comply. She hadn't noticed it but she was gulping down her fear nervously as she slowly opened the door.
When she entered, there was nothing unusual inside the house. It was still the same the way she left it two days ago. So what's wrong?
[Sakura, talk to me. Don't end the call. Lower your voice.]
"Kakashi. I'm scared. Why do I have to do this? What's happening?" She whispered, voice shaking because of what Kakashi was asking her to do.
[Calm down, Sakura. Just do what I tell you and keep your back on the wall.]
"Y-yes."
[Do you feel anyone inside?]
Sakura stopped for a bit and held her breath to listen to her surroundings.
"None."
[Good. Now, go to your room and hide there for the time being.] He ordered.
"Why, Kakashi? Why do I have to hide? Why can't you just tell me? I'm scared."
[Just do it, Sakura. Please. I need you…I need you to be safe.]
There was a desperation in Kakashi's voice that made her fear rise into panic mode. She could feel her heart beating fast as lots of dangerous thoughts raced through her mind. But Kakashi's words echoed in her ears, so she did her best to do what she was told.
[Sakura, tell me when you're at your bedroom door.]
"I'm here."
[Okay, go inside and hide for the time being.]
"Kakashi, where are you? I'm scared."
[I'll come get you as soon as I can. Just get inside your room.]
Sakura slowly opened the door. She even grabbed the nearest vase within her range for safety precautions before she stepped in. Then her eyes widened.
[Sakura, what's wrong?]
"Kakashi, there's a huge rectangular box in my bed. Someone had been inside my room Kakashi!"
[Sakura, get out of the house now!] Kakashi shouted over the phone but Sakura had already made up her mind.
"No. I'm going to find out what's in it." She said, the best of her curiosity taking over her as she approached her bed where the box was lying.
There seemed to be nothing attached to it and the box looked ordinary. There was also no sign of any movement inside when she poked it with a clothes' hanger and it seemed kinda light—so, she gathered her courage, held the lid of the box and opened it after the count of three.
Bared in her sight was a stunning off-shoulder, blood red dress with a golden belt as an accent on its waist. Looking at it made her so utterly speechless that she forgot that she was on the phone with Kakashi.
"Kakashi…hello?"
[Do you like it?]
'What?! All those for something like this?!' She internally shrieked.
[Now, if you could just open the door because I forgot to leave the shoes for the dress.]
"Kakashi!"
Sakura dashed to her front door with a growl, but when she opened it, her anger immediately melted when she saw a smiling Kakashi on her doorstep.
"Where you surprised?" He asked, flashing her a smirk which was able to save him from nearly being strangled because of his stupid, yet super sweet act.
"Uh…it felt like several years of my life have been scraped off because of what you did!" She whined but tackled him with an embrace instead.
"I was scared." She murmured on his chest.
Sakura felt Kakashi stroke her hair as he planted a kiss on top of her head before he spoke.
"I'm sorry, but it adds to the thrill, you know. This is me saying that tonight is the night we tell them. Haven't I told you that I don't like keeping you as my secret anymore? It's either go big or go home, and I'm choosing to go big."
Sakura refused to let go even when Kakashi had already stepped inside her house, closing the door behind him.
"So, this morning…was it all part of the act?" She asked.
"Yes." He smiled.
"I hate you." She sulked, not believing the fact that she spent half her day being irritated for no reason at all.
"And I love you...and this is also an apology because I won't be able to take you to The Gallery tonight."
"Huh? Why?"
"Well, there's still a handful of meetings and some unfinished business left in the office which I can't simply transfer to anyone. Also, I have to stop by to the cemetery before I make my appearance so, Genma and Yamato will be the one to pick you up."
"Kakashi, I understand your need to visit the cemetery but we could always go another time."
"I know. But I won't be able to ask permission from your parents.
"Has anybody told you that you're crazy?" Sakura chided, but deep down, she was all warm and fuzzy because of the importance he gave towards her family.
"I believe my sister doesn't fail to remind me of that every day." He shot back, answering her question while she was still stuck to him like glue.
"I also brought lunch because I know you're pissed." He added, raising several bags on his left hand while his right continued stroking her hair.
"You bet I am! Putting on a show like that and giving me a heart attack." She pouted, detaching herself from his body and turning away from him.
"Hmm. Does that mean I can't ask for a quickie after lunch?"
As though scandalized by what he said, Sakura turned to him, mouth agape because of his teasing words but Kakashi's lips met hers, casually nibbling on her bottom lip and slipping his tongue inside her mouth after.
Startled by the erotic gesture, Sakura immediately lost herself in the kiss as her knees started to weaken, allowing Kakashi to support her as he trailed kisses along her jaw and down her throat.
"Or…we could also have a quickie first before lunch…" He whispered, his voice sending sweet heated rush of vibrations down her spine.
"Mmm, Kakashi…so impossible…"
He chuckled.
Sakura's phone beeped and saw a message coming from Genma.
[We'll be there in 30.]
She gasped.
"What am I doing daydreaming like this?!" Sakura whined upon realizing that she still wasn't finished with her make up.
"Shit. Shit. The eyeliner. Oh god." She chanted as her hands tried to apply a perfect cat eye on both eyes.
Miraculously, she made it all happen with the time she had left, slipping into her figure hugging dress, and gold, ankle-strapped heels. She then glanced at her full length mirror to admire her look.
"Wow, I better thank Kakashi for all the exercise." She giggled as she flattened her dress over her body when the doorbell rang.
"Coming!" She called out as she dashed towards the door to open it for Kakashi's friends.
'They're a little early.' Sakura thought as she caught a glimpse of the time on the clock in the living room.
When she opened the door, she couldn't help but gasp at the sight before her.
That day was indeed full of surprises because instead of Genma and Yamato on her doorstep, there stood Sasuke in a crisp black blazer, minus the tie, and the top most buttons of his dress shirt were left open.
Sakura couldn't help but blush because it made her feel like it was prom season again.
"S-Sasuke, what are you doing here?"
"Oh. We're you expecting for someone else? I thought you'd take your car since I heard you're able to drive again. I was hoping that you'd want to tag along with me…just like the old times…" Sasuke smiled shyly because he also probably remembered something from the past.
'But what about Genma and Yamato? Surely they'll be here any minute, and Sasuke will see them and wonder why they're here and how they've become my ride. Oh no. I gotta do something about this!' Sakura internally shrieked, still not prepared to be busted with her secret even when it'll all be revealed soon, and so she made an executive decision.
"Ah, sure! Why not! Uhm. Let me just get my clutch and my phone so I can cancel the ride. And what are you still doing outside, Sasuke? Get in! You're no longer a stranger to this house." Sakura said, pulling Sasuke in until the living room before she released his arm and went inside her room to gather her things.
"You booked a ride?" Sasuke asked from the living room while she made a grab for her clutch and phone.
"Yes. I don't think this dress is fit to be behind a stirring wheel. Though I can do it, I just don't want to." She grinned at Sasuke but eventually realized that he suddenly fell silent because apparently, he was studying her.
"Sasuke? What's wrong?"
Upon being caught staring, Sasuke's eyes shot back to her face, flashing her that once in a blue moon smile which he only showed her.
"You're really beautiful, Sakura. Now, and even back then. So beautiful."
Sakura had no idea what was happening, but seeing Sasuke smile like that again made her heart skip a beat. She only got back to her senses when she felt her clutch bag vibrating. It was her phone, Genma was calling.
"Ah! I have to cancel the ride."
"Hm. Go ahead, I'll start the car."
She nodded, and immediately picked up the call the moment Sasuke turned and walked away.
[Yo, Sakura. Yamato here. We're close.]
"Uhh, Yamato? It seems like I won't be able to ride with you tonight."
[Huh? Why? What do you mean?]
"Uhm. Sasuke's here. He came to pick me up."
They were still a few minutes away from Sakura's house when Genma asked Yamato to call her.
"We've texted her already, why do we have to call her again?" Yamato asked while searching for Sakura's contact number on Genma's phone.
"Women take time to prepare. If you don't pressure them, they'll take an hour more and we'll be late." Genma reasoned.
"Kakashi's going to be late, so I guess it's okay."
"Just call her and tell her we're almost there."
"Fine." Yamato pressed the call button on the dashboard of the car and waited for Sakura to answer. After several rings, Genma sighed.
"See, told you so. She's probably still in the bath." Genma said, slowing down on the highway before entering the subdivision where Sakura's house was located.
"Don't you think you're exaggerating a bit? Maybe she's just wondering what shoes to wear." Yamato supplied, wondering whether women really took that much time to change.
"And what do you know about women's shoes? Women take longer time in choosing the shoes they want to wear than men choosing which condom to use."
Genma saw Yamato frown in his periphery and he almost chuckled when his partner sighed.
"I don't think there's an appropriate connection at all. For us men, the only choices that we have is either to go raw or go in with a sausage skin."
Now, it was Genma's turn to gape at Yamato.
"What the fuck is a sausage skin?!" He incredulously asked.
"Ssh! Ssh! It's her."
Genma immediately kept quiet when Sakura picked up the call.
"Yo, Sakura. Yamato here. We're close." His partner said as they rounded the corner towards the gate of the subdivision.
[Uhhm Yamato?] Sakura's voice came over the speaker and both of them immediately perked up upon sensing a bit of tense on her voice. [It seems like I won't be able to ride with you tonight.]
Both he and Yamato looked at one another because of what Sakura said. Didn't Kakashi arrange for this ride? Why wouldn't she be able to go with them?
"Ask her why." Genma mouthed towards his partner who was frowning on the dashboard because he was probably thinking of the same thing.
"Huh? Why? What do you mean?" Yamato eventually asked. There was a slight pause on Sakura's part before she answered.
[Uhm. Sasuke's here. He came to pick me up.]
'What was happening? Why was he there?' Genma pondered while held himself in check lest he wanted to floor the accelerator.
Both he and Yamato knew that Kakashi had suspicions over Sasuke, and although their boss already had the man investigated whose profile turned out to be clean, Kakashi's suspicion still hadn't subsided.
'Yes, because once he says so. It is so.' Genma thought upon remembering all those times when they followed Kakashi's gut feel. It had never failed to save them because he was always right.
"Ah, is that so?" Genma immediately supplied to cover for the dead air that just took place.
[Yes, I'm so sorry. I didn't know he was coming over. You guys even took the time to come and get me. I feel so embarrassed.]
Genma knew that Sakura was apologetic, but apart from that, there was nothing more, and he felt a little relieved. The previous tense in her voice disappeared which told them that she wasn't in any danger.
'Or not yet…probably.'
"It's okay. It's okay. Don't worry, Sakura. You don't have to apologize. We just really wanted to see you in your dress. Kakashi dragged us to a boutique for that."
[Is that true? Are you serious?]
"It's red with a golden belt, right?"
"And it's an off shoulder, v-neck." Yamato added which made Sakura chuckle over the phone.
[You really did help him pick a dress didn't you?]
Well, they knew because they were briefed beforehand.
"Of course we know. We're like Kakashi's last remaining friends whom he could pester." Genma said, earning another light giggle from Sakura.
[Well, you are good friends. Anyway, I have to go now, I'll see you in The Gallery, and I promise to apologize properly later. You guys are supposed to be my dates.]
"Yeah, and don't worry. When we see you in the road on the way over, we won't shout your name and honk so you won't get busted."
[You're a funny one, aren't you, Dr. Shiranui?] Sakura said before saying good bye and hanging up. But despite the sarcasm in her voice, she seemed to be okay. Now, they just have to make sure that she gets to The Gallery.
"Uh, aside from her still thinking that you're a doctor, you think something's going on?" Yamato eventually asked.
"Let's hope not. The Uchiha's her ex-boyfriend after all. He's just probably doing a little bit of service."
"Hm. Then, I'll have to call our boss. We're team Kakashi after all." Yamato said, and Genma couldn't agree more as they passed by Sakura's house which was now empty.
It was almost 8pm when Kakashi had just finished wrapping up his final meeting of the day in a conference hall at another hotel.
He still had a little bit of time to spare which allowed him to visit the cemetery before going to the gallery when his phone rang. He brought it out from his coat pocket and saw that it was Genma's number.
"What is it?" He asked, it was Yamato who answered.
[Boss, we weren't able to pick Sakura up. Sasuke Uchiha showed up before us.]
[But don't worry, we're tailing them right now. Looks to me like everything's alright. We're about to reach the gallery.] Genma reported.
"Very well, I'll be dropping by first to the cemetery before going there. I have instructed Ayame to open the exhibit without me. You better go ahead since I trust that you've secured the place."
[Hmm, preparing for a grand entrance, are we?] Genma quipped then sighed when he received no response from him.
[Fine, we'll report to you asap if anything's amiss. And make it fast. Team Kakashi may still lose at this point in time. Not that I'm praying for it or anything. Anyway, see you. Bye.]
Kakashi stared at his phone after Genma ended the call. He honestly refused to comment on what he just heard because despite being his friend, Sasuke had been a part of his suspicions for quite some time now but he refused to think that he would do something to harm Sakura.
Furthermore, there was no concrete evidence pinning him to everything that has happened. He was just probably putting too much thought about it because it was the night where he'd finally tell him that Sakura was his and that he had loved her ever since.
As a man and as a friend, he had the decency to let Sasuke know about the relationship. Sakura was after all his ex-girlfriend, and it was better to put a closure on the possible feelings Sasuke may still have for her.
As much as possible, he still wanted to remain friends with him—not because it was part of business, but because Sasuke was a part of Sakura's past, and Kakashi knew how important he still was for Sakura.
He wasn't going to deprive her of the friends she had left because he was now her lover. Kakashi wanted to surround Sakura with all her loved ones because he knew that she was the happiest when she was around them and also because that was how he wanted to show his love for her.
'Well, this is new. Feelings and emotions seem to make the best out of you.' His inner self suddenly spoke but Kakashi wondered whether what it said was true. He still wasn't sure whether having this much emotion was to his benefit—but, it's what Sakura does, and there was no room for second thoughts now.
Kakashi took a deep breath and released it.
'It's finally time to let go.' He softly smiled as he exited the building, went to his car and drove towards the direction of the cemetery.
'Right. It was finally time to let go…'
TBC
