Hello everyone! I'll straight get to the story!


Chapter 21- Betrayal

As always, Sakura's world revolved around Sasuke ever since they got married without her even realising it. She knew the day was special for Sasuke, as his project's success party was this evening, which explained why she wanted the whole of his day to be special and decided to take the matter into her own hands and try doing something for him during the lunch hour.

"As much as I like to tease both you and otouto, I must say he's one lucky guy getting to eat food cooked by you almost everyday." Sakura chuckled hearing Itachi, who was sitting on the kitchen countertop accompanying his sister in-law as she cooked. This became quite a habit for Sakura, cooking for Sasuke often to either give it to him when he left for office or by visiting him during lunch hour, and today she decided to do the latter as Sasuke was already in a rush in the morning.

"I just feel like he needs some refreshment, even if it's eating something out of the usual. He already works way too hard. He wouldn't even listen to me if I ask him to take care of himself." Sakura said as she packed the lunch, finally done with cooking.

"And nii-san, here, I made this for you. It's been a while since I made you something sweet." Sakura continued as she handed him the brownies.

"Whoa, didn't see that coming Sakura, thank you. Until now I was wondering since when otouto started eating sweet dishes." Itachi said, visibly amused at the sudden treat he just got.

"Sasuke-kun would rather eat ramen with Naruto than eat something sweet." Both Itachi and Sakura giggled as she said it.

"At least he tastes your desserts, if it was someone else he wouldn't even look." Sakura blushed upon hearing him. She was accustomed to hearing people say that Sasuke was soft towards her, which she always wondered but never knew why, and yet the statement makes her blush everytime someone says it.

"Perhaps I'm a good baker then?" She said with a giggle, mostly to release the tension developing within her.

"That you are. And the brownies are spectacular, thanks again imouto."

"You're welcome nii-san, I'm heading to office, see you soon!" Sakura said taking the lunch in her hand when Itachi hurriedly jumped from his sitting position on the countertop, a brownie still in his hand.

"Wait, I'm just going around as well. I'll be passing by the office road so let me drop you there. Just let your driver know to be there when you head home."

"Ah, alright. Thank you nii-san!" Sakura responded humbly as they both headed out.

Uchiha Corps

"Make it fast, we have only hours left and I don't expect to see any faults this evening, is that clear? Good." Sasuke did cut which has to be the hundredth call of the day but before he could take a moment to settle down, the office phone began ringing once again. And picking it up seemed to be his worst decision of the day for that moment.

"Sasuke-sama, Ms.Otsutsuki is here to see you." Sasuke sighed. Not again.

"Send her in." Sasuke didn't even have to wait, seconds later, the redhead was here.

"Sasssuuukee!" She dashed in with a squeal and immediately took a seat right opposite to his. He was quick to gain his stoic composure, if anything he didn't want Karin to know how he was feeling at the moment, unless the fact that he disliked her with a burning passion actually got through her head.

"Ah, I'm really excited about tonight Sasuke, aren't you?" She asked excitedly, however, Sasuke was least bothered to answer.

"Hn, and you should be making preparations for that and not linger around in my office." He shot.

"That's exactly why I'm here Sasuke, it's a success party for both of us, so we will be expected to appear together. There will be the best and wealthiest people in town present, and going together will be the best decision, we both know it. Right Sassuuukkee?" Sasuke's brows creased at how her tone went from normal to seductive as she spoke, not to mention whatever she wanted irked him to great extent.

"Absolutely not. If presenting coordination and compatibility is what you're talking about, being present at the party is beyond enough, you don't have to think two steps ahead about things that are unnecessary."

"Even you know it's not unnecessary." Karin now stood up from where she was sitting, pouting as she spoke. "And what's the big deal? You're coming alone anyways, it's better to go together... isn't it, Sasuke-kun?" Sasuke was quick to shoot her a glare, who was she to address him the way... his wife does?

"Firstly, fix the way you're addressing me, don't forget we are only affiliated due to our business. Secondly, you're wired wrong if you assume I'm going alone, or with you. So don't even try bothering me." He said, his tone going stern with each word, however Karin, like the unbearable person she was, didn't seem to be affected even one bit, rather, she walked to where Sasuke was sitting in a slow and seductive manner which Sasuke loathed.

"Don't lie to me Sasuke, who is it? Your parents? Itachi? They can go on their own, just tell them I'm here, there's no one better you can possibly go with Sasuke, not when we are partners in the project. Think about the impact of our social status, anyone else could never, not even that cheap pink haired wife of yours!" This was the moment when Sasuke lost it. Not this woman talking about his wife of all people. He eyed Karin who was still standing right beside where he was sitting, giving a seductive look he'd rather not see.

"Don't forget who you're talking about, Karin. Uchiha Sakura is the wife of Uchiha company's heir, daughter-in-law of the Uchiha family, a well educated, capable girl, and believe it or not, I will be going with her. You're free to get lost, and I wouldn't tolerate one more word about her from your mouth when you're the one relying on your inheritance." Sasuke inwardly smirked watching Karin's expression go from seductive to furious.

"How are bringing that bitch to a party like this?!"

"HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT MY WIFE LIKE THIS." Sasuke hissed. He didn't care what she thought. He wouldn't tolerate Sakura being disrespected like this. "YOU ARE STEPPING OUT OF-"

"Of course I can Sasuke!" Karin blurted out, now quite anxiously. And then it all happened too fast, one moment she was standing right beside him and the next, on Sasuke's lap, almost straddling him. Before Sasuke could react, Karin grabbed him, one hand placed firmly behind his neck and the other on his shoulder pulling him closer while she adjusted herself better, still on his lap, her legs now hanging from the chair as she faced him, and his legs between hers. She pulled him closer still, her face now extremely close to his. "Tell me Sasuke! Tell me what's in that girl that's not in me? What do you see in her that you can't see in me? Don't you realise it? I have everything! From wealth and social status as good as yours to business skills to be your partner, in business and in everything else! Why do you still have to be with that beggar-"

"KARIN! WHAT THE FUCK? GET OFF ME!" Sasuke shot at him angrily. He quickly grabbed her by her arms to release himself from her. Just because they're expected to maintain a professional and compatible relationship doesn't mean she's going to get away with anything she does. This is the another time she tried stepping out of line even after when Sasuke warned her once, and there was no way he would tolerate this. However she didn't seem to be affected by just his resistance, for which Sasuke immediately decided trying to use force to get her down. She still clung to him, trying to hold him closer and tighter and Sasuke now grabbed her arms even more firmly to get her off him, perhaps shove her off if that was what he needed to do, anything to get him out of this position. His intention was to only release himself. He wasn't brutal, he didn't push her to the point she'd fall and hit her head, but he did grab her quite firmly to get her away from him. Both were persistent, Karin wouldn't stop pulling him closer and despite his body being pinned by the girl, he used enough strength to stop her from coming any closer and get her away from being this close. He'd certainly take action for this.

Meanwhile...

Sakura merely entered the building of Uchiha Corps, almost impatient to see Sasuke. Sometimes she'd blush at the thought, her husband was really growing on her to the point that even a few hours of his absence made her miss him, and the thought of getting to see him cheered her to great extent. At the point, she was certain she was crushing on her own husband, if not liking him already.. not like she'd ever admit it, the thought itself made her whole face heat up, let alone confess it. She hurriedly took the lift and went to the floor where Sasuke's office was. She talked with Karui beforehand and lucky for her, she got to know that Sasuke is indeed present at the office.

"Good afternoon Sakura-sama. It's good to see you again." Karui greeted her with a smile.

"Hello karui. Thank you for always informing me about Sasuke-kun's presence beforehand and helping me out. I was just here to give him this." Sakura explained eyeing the bag in her hand. "Could you call him to check if he's free right now?" She asked.

"You're welcome Sakura-sama, I did go to the other floor for a while but my substitute receptionist informed me that he didn't leave the office during that period, nor there's any meeting in his schedule so I'm certain he's free at the moment. Moreover, I have strict orders from Sasuke-sama to let you in anytime you're here unless he says anything otherwise, so please don't worry about it." Sakura blushed slightly at karui's words, he really did that for me?.. It flattered her even more than she already was at everything Sasuke does for her.

"Oh.. alright Karui-san! I'll just go then!" Sakura quickly said and rushed away to hide her embarrassment from involuntarily blushing hard. However it quickly brushed off and excitement kicked in when she neared to his office door. Sasuke always liked her cooking, and today she particularly cooked special dishes for him and kept it a surprise until this time, hoping it will make him happier. Already wondering how he'd react to her presence and seeing the lunch she made for him, she quickly tapped twice at the door and immediately pushed the door open to watch his reaction seeing her in the office. "Sasuke-kun!" She happily called out as she partly opened the door and took a look in. However, nothing in the world prepared her for the sight she witnessed next.

Her heart stopped.

Sasuke was about to push her away from himself upon finally being able to hold Karin in a firm grip by the arms stopping her movements when the door immediately opened right after the knock. Sasuke's mind was completely focused on getting rid of Karin, he wouldn't even probably care if someone showed up, which he didn't until this happened. His wife was here, straight in front of him, while another woman was on his lap and gripped him tight. Perhaps he was too shocked to even realise Karin's grip on him loosened, while the woman inwardly smirked. This is not something she expected but it turned out to be just the perfect cherry on top. This bitch needed to realise who is the better one. Perfect timing. Karin thought.

Sakura on the other hand almost began feeling weak on her knees. She stared at the sight before her wide eyed, watching her husband sitting on his chair with another woman on top, holding him close, straddling him? Things got worse for her when she realised the woman to be Karin. So Sasuke was indeed with someone else.. her assumption from before they got married turned out to be right.. he was even holding her so tightly. Was this going on since the beginning without her realising one bit of it? She didn't know what to think or how to react, watching him in this situation. Never even in her nightmares she thought of or expected this out of everything else.

Sasuke instinctively straightened his posture which made him realise that Karin indeed let go of him. He pushed her away immediately and stood up, all while keeping his eyes fixated on his wife, unable to not notice the look of hurt in her emerald orbs that he usually found beaming. She'd understand he didn't want this... right?

"Saku-"

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't m-mean to... interrupt. I-I'll just l-leave this at the reception." Sasuke was cut off as Sakura quickly interrupted him. That's all she could think of saying at that moment until she hurriedly dashed away. She didn't want to stay another moment watching whatever she just came across.. it was already unbearable. Rushing as fast as she could, she left the food at the reception, giving karui a weak smile asking her to give the lunch to Sasuke once he was.. free. Karui gave her a questioning look upon this but she chose to ignore it, what did she even have to say? Moreover, she was too speechless to explain or come up with an excuse, all she could think of was to leave this place as fast as she could. It took all her might to not break down on her way out of the office, but the moment she sat in the car, she collapsed both mentally and physically. Tears immediately started forming in her eyes, and soon the first drop of tear fell... then second... and third... until it started streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably. She did not want to believe this, but how could she not? They were holding each other so close.. were all of the moments she had with Sasuke not real? Did he not mean any of that? Last time Sakura heard about him and Karin and how the Uchihas denied the marriage proposal by Karin's family was before she was married to him, and even though she assumed they were together back then. She brushed the matter off after getting married, after seeing Sasuke treating her so well. It didn't occur to her until now that he might actually be dating someone else ever since before being married. And he had all reasons to be with Karin. She had wealth, social status, she was in the same position as Sasuke was and her family owned one of the most well renowned company just like the Uchihas. They were so easily compatible, of course Karin and Sasuke were bound to be together. How could she be so stupid and forget that their marriage only took place to fulfill the responsibility for the company? Regardless of whatever developed, or at least she thought what developed between her and Sasuke, it was an arranged marriage at the end of the day, and neither of them wanted it initially. And perhaps Sasuke-kun doesn't want it even now..

Uchiha Corps

Sasuke couldn't think straight. All his thoughts were fixed on Sakura, the moment she left felt like his heart shattered into pieces. As far as Karin was concerned, he was livid. He shot a dangerous glare at the woman, who looked back at him innocently as if she wasn't responsible for the big mess she just caused. "Get out of my office. Now." He said, almost calmly. But behind this calm was the Sasuke who could burst any moment now, who was only holding back for his morals and professionalism.

"Why Sasuke? See, even fate wants us to be together! Your wife left just like that, even she accepted th-"

"I said leave. You don't want me to call the security and drag an Otsutsuki out of Uchiha Corps now, do you?" Sasuke's tone barely carried any emotion, and if not so it only had hatred and disgust in it. Disgusting woman. Karin however, finally seemed to take whatever Sasuke was saying, at least her changing expression said so. It wasn't seductive or 'innocent' any longer, rather, she seemed intimidated, and perhaps angry. "Y-you can't do this Sasu-"

"Believe me, I can and I will. You don't think you can get away after pulling that heinous of a stunt do you?" Sasuke said with no remorse, and he meant it. He wouldn't even care if she died at this point. He was sure that Karin was affected by his words when he watched her fearful face which she was now desperately trying to not show, but Sasuke looked through it nonetheless.

"I-I only did this because I know what you're not realising yet. A-and you might say all these now but you know you have a company to handle as well! I don't want anything going wrong at the party and I-I know you don't either! I might be leaving now but I know you'll realise what you're missing!" Karin hurriedly said as she made her way to leave. She was only walking out of the door as she turned back again to face Sasuke again, "and remember... you have a reputation to take care of, and this time it's the two biggest companies of Konoha. Be careful." And with that, she left. Sasuke had all will to bash that woman, but after all that, he had no energy to deal with someone this despicable. He slumped to his chair, closing his eyes shut as he rested his head on his palms, massaging slightly out of stress. All he could think of was Sakura. What would happen now? He wanted to explain everything that happened, and why it happened. He never talked about Karin around her.. the topic was never raised, not even the day he finalised the project.. when Karin almost threw herself at him for the first time. And now that she witnessed this.. what would she do? He didn't know what to think. And the fact that Sakura left right after that made him even more confused. He was already in a state where he couldn't even face her, and her leaving after this just made things worse. Why did she have to leave? Did she not trust him? Did she judge him watching this sight, without even realising the reason behind it? It hurt him as well, knowing his wife might not have ever trusted him to begin with. How'd he face her now? He didn't want to face her just yet after what she saw, and to make matters worse, the party was in few hours for which he is supposed to pick her up. He was hurt. Hurt, confused and outraged. He needed to explain things to Sakura, but how'd he face her, specially when she already left? When she didn't even trust him? On top of that, what Karin said kept running through his mind. He did have a reputation to take care of, which meant any action he took would only backfire, specially when the project wasn't even completely over.

"I expect you to mend things professionally if something goes wrong and not cause any trouble... There will be things that will irk you but bear with those minor things, and get used to it."

His father's words ran through his mind. He knew to better follow it to avoid any trouble, but right now it was stressful, too stressful. And this was one of the moments he wished he wasn't involved in this world of people who were nothing more than corporate machines and had the huge, constant responsibility of keeping things balanced and professional regardless of everything.

The same evening...

Lucky for Sakura, she came across no one on her way to her room. It seemed impossible for her to stop crying and as soon as she came back home, she practically ran to her room and locked the doors. She had no energy to face anyone, nor the state or words to explain what happened. Sasuke and Karin's image kept flashing infront of her eyes, she couldn't stop thinking about that moment. The rest of her day was spent crying, wondering what would happen next. Why didn't Sasuke tell her a thing? She never pressurised anything on him, even she understood this was an arranged marriage with no feelings whatsoever, then why did Sasuke hide this from her? For how long was he planning on continuing this? Will he give her a divorce now that she found out? Did he plan on giving her a divorce since the beginning? She felt stupid. Stupid for developing attachments with Sasuke. Stupid for forgetting this wasn't a marriage they wanted to begin with. She did this to herself. She was the one who caught a liking and ended up hurting her own feelings. How'd she deal with this now?

Finally, Sakura managed to calm herself down after a long while and stopped crying. However, she forgot everything about the world. She had her head down resting on her arms and eyes shut, on the table she usually studied on when her phone started ringing, shocking her slightly. She picked up the call lazily, and found it to be her driver's call.

"Hello?"

"Good evening Sakura-sama. There is a function at shuriken hall this evening, I was said to pick you up at seven and let you know." Sakura shut her eyes, sighing at his words.

"Alright." She responded emotionlessly and cut the call. Sasuke didn't even want to talk to her any longer. Did he dislike her so much that he didn't even feel like giving an explanation? She had no will to attend any parties, all her excitement was gone. But she knew to not deny going. Sasuke might not like her but.. she knew this was a big thing for him and the company. Her not attending will only cause unnecessary drama. Moreover, all the Uchihas.. apart from Sasuke, accepted her warmly into the family, they'd ask several questions if she didn't attend, questions that she had no answers to.. As much hard it was for her right now, she had to do this. For the reputation of the company and the family.. and Sasuke. This is what the marriage was for after all. Sakura couldn't help but think. However, finally shaking her head, she got up to get ready. She had more than just physical preparations to take, she had to cover her emotional state to the world as well.


Author's note- I felt so sad while writing this chapter :(( what do you think will happen at the party? Will Sakura and Sasuke mend things? Stay tuned to know!

Ps- a fast update to make up for the last few months when I disappeared, I'm still trying to update more often!