Chapter 4: Mysterious Found a Liar

Sakura's POV

Was there even a choice? She tried many times to catch Sai in the act, but he was too cunning for her. However, she wasn't a fool. After years of catching up to Sai's tricks, she finally caught him with that red-haired bimbo with glasses. Just a business partner he said, she thought to herself and sneered, more like a business client who he found more attractive. Was it the money or her body? Or both?

"Hey," Sasuke interjected. He was looking at her now, giving her his full attention as he smoothed the wrinkle between her eyes. "Give your mind a rest."

She swallowed, feeling a blush rising.

What was with this man? It was as if he knew what she was thinking, and he probably had every right to tell her the harsh truth. Sasuke must have ladies hanging off his arm on a daily- broken a few hearts, perhaps- and still hear the same thing repeatedly. How could he not? The man was gorgeous!

Sakura nodded slowly, dismissing the lewd imagination from her mind. At this point, Sasuke had already walked to the other side of the room, ready to leave her behind. Confused, Sakura got up too. "Wait, it's your turn to be honest!"

"Can't." He paused and glanced back at her. "It's late and you need to head home. I'll send a cab for you."

But he said to be honest from the start!

"That didn't apply to me." He answered, reading her mind again.

Sakura froze in place, recalling the elevator scene. He was right. She had agreed to his terms despite having thought it went both ways. How dumb, she's been tricked once again. She should've known not to play games with a detective who knew the ins and outs of a game.

"Forget the cab, you can drive me home." She said quickly, hoping to continue their query of each other. Although she was tired and weary from the night, she wasn't satisfied at pouring her heart out to some stranger and not receiving the same favor back.

"No."

What a cold response! What happened to his gentle side?

"B-but I don't have money on me for a cab."

"It's on me."

Dang, this man won't let her excuses in. She'll have to play a different card. "I don't want your money."

Another pause in his movements and a sigh was heard. Did she catch his attention, just a little? She sauntered over to him, placing a hand on the door, and closing it. Then with her tear stained face, she turned to him and whispered, "You saved me twice…but you won't tell me why you did it?"

Sasuke's POV

How annoying. Why did he go after her? He should've ignored the curiosity. Heck, he should've kept on driving instead of playing the hero. He was at fault and now she wanted to know the reason to why he did it. He had no reason, really. Or maybe he did…after disposing his target, perhaps he wanted to or needed to become human once again by acting like a vigilante.

But why her? He pondered, what was so special about this one?

"Pity."

Her lips parted in surprise, but that answer didn't stop her from making her next move. Hands touched his arm, slowly roaming up it as if they were snakes slithering towards its prey. Was he her prey now?

"I don't think so." She whispers into him. "Perhaps you felt something…towards me?"

It was innocent the way she said it, but he was no fool. She was playing him like a seductress would for sex. What happened to the young woman crying over her ex? She was so angry a few moments ago; was she acting the whole time? All for what?

"Do you really want to go there?" He asked in a low voice and ceased her wrist. It was dainty in his grip and if he squeezed hard enough, he was sure it would break. Who was playing who again? He leaned down towards, taking her chin in his other hand, and watching her pink lips pucker.

Her eyes widen a fraction. He was so close to her face that he could see the tiny freckles speckle on her nose; how green and jaded her eyes really were and the way her brows arched up looking rather nonplussed. Her other hand worked its way to his chest, putting little pressure against him to not come any closer and that's when he knew her act was up. "Don't even try if you know what's good for you."

Her amateur skills may fool others, but it won't work on him.

Sasuke lets her go and grabs the doorknob. This time, she doesn't stop him. Walking out of the conference room, he pings the elevator and waits. Sakura shuffles quietly behind him and gets into the elevator, leaving behind her purse, and apparently her forgotten heel. She looked forlorn through the mirror but Sasuke was too tired to care. He said what he had to say, and she heard everything she needed to hear.

Once they got to the garage, Crayon is waiting for them with Sasuke's R23 and keys in hand.

"Oh, what's this? I sense tension." He said, grinning.

Ignoring the bouncer, Sasuke strolled around to the open driver's side and hopped in. Starting the car, Sasuke could hear Crayon's muffled talk with Sakura.

"Want to try me a riddle?"

"I hate riddles."

"What's there to hate?"

"Riddles are like men. Can't figure them out…" Sasuke glanced at his side mirror, watching the interaction between them. Sakura stared at his car, probably waiting for him to change his mind. "Fine. What tells you what you want to hear, but hurts you when the truth is clear?"

Their eyes meet. Sasuke shifts his gear stick to drive.

"Oh, that one's easy. A liar!"

Then, he drives off, not before reading her lips, "Yeah, a liar."

Sakura's POV

There were few socialites mingling still, drinks in hand as they circulated around a table of beer pong. Sakura sat at the bar, head in her hands, staring at her glass of bourbon filled at the brim, listening to someone sing karaoke on stage.

"That shot isn't going to drink itself." Someone said.

Sakura lifted her gaze and spotted a man in a full suited, cowboy attire. Sakura slid her shot glass over to him and turned to the bartender. "Water, please."

"The name's Kakashi. Owner of Ricolette." The man chuckled and hopped onto the bar chair adjacent to her. "You know, you remind me of someone."

She could care less if this guy was the CEO of a bank or trading market. Taking a straw from the straw dispenser and untucking it from its sleeve, Sakura inquires, "Yeah? Is that what you say to all the girls?"

"I was, more or less, talking about a business associative." He responded and toasted the shot before downing it. Sakura thanked the bartender and sipped her water.

"Is there something I can help you with?"

"Took the words right out of my mouth, missy." He chirped. "Actually, looks like you need a hand."

"Excuse me?"

"My business associative actually called me to help you out."

Sakura raised a brow. Who, among this man's colleagues could know her? Unless it's… "Are you talking about that detective guy?"

This time it was the man's turn to look surprised.

"He gave me his business card. What help he turned out to be." She muttered and sipped again. She closed her eyes, savoring the chilled liquid running down her throat, clearing away the tangled thoughts webbing in her mind.

"Did you hire him?"

A moment of silence engulfed the space between them. Did she need to?

"Well missy, I don't know how he'd be able to help you if you don't ask for his help." Kakashi pointed out.

Sakura felt a tinge of annoyance creep up. Who was supposed to be asking who for help? Sasuke was the one who decided to give her roadside assistance! He's the one who gave her his business card and didn't ask for anything in return. He got his answers and left on his own. Left her behind without looking back. Her mind was now consumed of a black haired man, chiseled chest, strong biceps, and the way his orbs bored into hers made her endorphins bounce.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"What? No!" She squeaked, smushing her face into her hands, hiding her blush from prying eyes.

"Okay. Well, just wanted to come over here and tell you that the club's shutting down for the night."

Sakura nodded slowly, peeking at the silver haired man. "Oh."

"Seems like you're way past your curfew and need a place to stay." He said, getting up. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a card swipe and places it on the counter. "Here. A hotel reservation. Take it."

"You didn't have to."

"I didn't. Sasuke did."

Sakura blinked. Sasuke did? How kind, but why? Another reason she wanted to ask but he may not tell her.

"Besides, he has your phone."

Sakura nodded, registering his words before freezing, remembering the last time she made a card payment on her phone. Did that jerk reserve a hotel room using her card? Well, guess there's only one way to find out.

Sasuke's POV

Ping!

Sasuke's phone glowed from an incoming message: Salmon has left the building

Sasuke glanced down at Sakura's phone, no missed calls or texts from friends or family. Not yet, at least. Sasuke was halfway home when he realized he still had Sakura's phone in pocket during her breakdown. He meant to give it back but forgot to do so.

Pulling into the gates of the Uchiha compound, Sasuke drove through the vacant neighborhood of spectral homes his family lineage used to occupy. It became a ghost town after the pandemic sixteen years earlier. Every member of his family dropped like flies except for Sasuke, the sole survivor of his clan and his brother, Itachi who had all but disappeared with the vaccines that could have saved his immediate family. The last Sasuke had heard of his brother's whereabouts was when Itachi ganged up with the Akatsuki and had put the vaccines up for bids in the black market.

Since then, Sasuke studied criminal justice in order to take down his brother and bring justice to his clan. He became his own employer as a private investigator and dug as deep as he could to locate Itachi. He had special connections inside the Konoha Military Police Force since his family was affiliated with ABNU.

Sasuke sighed as his headlights shone through the darkness, creeping up to his family's manor. It used to be a quaint, picturesque home with a cozy wrapped around porch and an open courtyard, but now it was worn down, abandoned, and haunted with many ill-fated memories.

Sasuke sat staring at the house.