Forever in your eyes
Chapter 18
Author's jibberish: Poor, poor Eriol...
It all made sense. Tomoyo's far-off gazes, her dream of only getting married, her weak spells...Eriol couldn't believe any of it. Daidouji Tomoyo...innocent, kind, beautiful Tomoyo...was dying. Even he was powerless.
His head rushed with millions of questions, like when, how, what and most importantly...why? Why Daidouji Tomoyo of all people?
Daidouji Tomoyo was dying. His world had just collapsed.
He had dropped her off at the Kinomoto residence. Although he had so many questions he did not have the strength to ask. He was afraid he would fall and cry like a baby. He was Hiiragizawa Eriol; he would not show weakness.
When he got home, he locked himself in his room.
Briing.
"Hello, Daidouji Toys, front desk."
"Ohayo. Can you please connect me to Shun Satoru."
"One moment." Elevator-like music played for 10 seconds.
"Marketing, Shun Satoru; how may I help you?"
"Ohayo gozaimasu. This is Hiiragizawa Eriol. We met at Tomoyo's house a while ago, remember?"
"Yes. How are you?"
"Fine. I'd like to speak with you."
"Actually I do have a meet--."
"About Tomoyo."
Silence. Then, "Come before 12 o'clock."
"Wakarimashita."
Click.
Eriol approached the desk on the 5th floor of the building. "Ohayo," he greeted the secretary. "My name is Hiiragizawa. I am supposed to meet Shun."
"Yes," the woman said. "He's expecting you."
"Thank you." Eriol opened the double door.
A desk sat in front of a large window, overlooking the city. Satoru sat at the desk, diligently writing something down. "Ah, hello Hiiragizawa-san. Please have a seat."
"Arigato," Eriol sat down on a brown chair in front of his desk.
"What would you like to talk about?"
Eriol looked over the desk. Not a single picture frame stood on top of it. "You're marrying her in two weeks." He watched Satoru nod. "Will you take care of her?"
Satoru stood. "Do you care for a drink?" When he saw Eriol refuse, Satoru took a bottle of water from the mini-fridge that sat in the corner.
"Will you?" Eriol asked.
Satoru opened the bottle, sat back down and took a drink. "Did she tell you?"
"About her condition?"
Satoru put his bottle down. "So she told you about that one."
Eriol nodded.
"But what do you mean 'that one'? What are you referring to?"
"Our move to America after our
marriage," Satoru drank and noticed Eriol's shocked expression. "She didn't
tell you?"
Eriol shook his head.
Satoru took another drink. "In America, there is better chemotherapy treatments for her."
"When did you know?" Eriol asked.
"I knew because her mother told me. I became friends with Tomoyo-san because we frequently met at the company parties. Her mother was insistent that I pursue her daughter. But to be honest, I'm not ready for a relationship. During the summer, Tomoyo-san was diagnosed. Nevertheless, I asked her to marry me and she said 'yes'."
"So you're ready for a relationship now?"
Satoru drank.
"You're not?" Eriol asked in disbelief. "Why are you marrying her?"
"Because she's young and she doesn't have much of a life left."
"You're pitying her! To you, she's going to die soon, so you don't have to commit to her!"
"Now see here!" Satoru stood. "It doesn't matter what you say! I can provide for her. I can give her a good life before she leaves. Maybe what you say is true but can you do better?"
"Damn well I can!" Eriol jumped to his feet and stormed out of the office and out of the building. The nerve of that Shun; marrying Tomoyo because he pities the poor lass!
He angrily stepped in the car and pounded on the gas. Steering like a madman through traffic, he flipped open his cell phone and dialed a number.
"Moshi moshi. Kinomoto residence."
"Sakura-san?"
"Hai?"
"This is Eriol. Is Tomoyo still there?"
"H-hai."
"I need to talk to her. I'll be there in a few minutes." Eriol flipped the phone closed. Damn this world for playing with Tomoyo's life. He was determined to set things right.
...to be continued =)
Author's jibberish: Oh, what will Eriol do?