Author's Notes: Usually, I don't like putting up 2 chapters at 1 go but the last chapter follows nicely into this chapter so I decide that I shall put the 2 of them up together. Enjoy, then. :)
"Syaoran," Meiling started as they stepped into the beautiful white mansion. "Can I speak to you later after dinner?"
"Why? What's the matter? Is it your hands?"
"No. It's something else. Can we talk about it later, at the backyard? At seven-thirty?"
"Ok. Then I'm going to my room now." Syaoran gently landed a tap on her shoulder before moving to the west wing of the mansion.
Meiling swallowed and moved slowly towards the east wing. Her eyes were glued onto the marbled floor as she dragged herself to her room.
"What's the matter?" A cold, serene voice stated from behind her.
"Good evening, Aunt. There's nothing." Meiling faked a smile.
"Don't lie to me. Your eyes do not tell me that." Yelan continued in her cold voice. Her hand reached out and gently touched Meiling's cheek. "It must have something to do with Syaoran. It is really tough on you but it happens to be the destiny of three different people; yours, Syaoran's and another person's."
"Who's the other person?" Tears threatened to break forth.
"Hush, don't cry. You know the rules here."
Meiling drew in a deep breath and calmed herself. "Who's the other person?"
Yelan smiled. "Destiny says that it is a secret."
* * *
Sakura sneezed. "Strange, why did I sneeze all of a sudden?" She looked at her shopping list. "Ok, I still need to get some cucumber, cherry tomatoes, salmon and baking powder."
* * *
"Meiling, what's the matter? You don't look well since you came home. Have you caught a fever?" Syaoran watched his cousin stare at the stars.
"No, I'm fine. I'm not sick." Meiling answered curtly. "Do you still remember the promise?"
"Yes, I do."
"That I will be your bride unless there is someone whom you love more."
"Meiling, it's not like you to beat around the bush. Please tell me what's bothering you."
"Syaoran," Meiling turned to face him. "I always want you to be happy. I do. But I know that I will never be that person. There's someone else you love more than me and she is the only person to be able to give you happiness."
"I…"
"You like Kinomoto, right?"
"I… I don't… But then…"
"Don't deny it. When you call her 'Sakura', I know it that you like her. Other than your sisters and me, you don't call any other girl by her name."
"I don't know if I really like her. I just feel comfortable with her."
"Silly. That's the feeling of love. Well, I guess that our engagement is off." Meiling sighed again. "I will like to go for a walk outside, by myself. Don't worry about me. I will be back in a short while."
She started as a walk, and then a jog before she started running out of the backyard, out of the mansion and then onto the dark streets. As soon as she stepped out of the white building, her tears began to roll.
* * *
"Finally, I got everything I have to buy for the next two days." Sakura checked her list again as she walked past a street and turned left into a park. "With these, I can make that nice chocolate pudding…"
She stopped. "Who's out there?" There was no reply except the sound of sobbing. Sakura inched closer to the source and soon, she could see a shadow crouch by a bench. She moved even closer and then, she recognised the shadow.
"Meiling-chan! Why are you here? I thought you went home some time ago."
"Kinomoto…" Meiling sobbed.
"Why are you crying?" Sakura crouched down besides her, placing her groceries on the bench.
"Oh, Kinomoto… Syaoran… Syaoran likes another girl. But then… but then, I like him more than any other girl will. Oh…" Meiling continued to sob.
"Meiling-chan, did you still remember what I told you some time ago? I said that you won't be alone. I promise to be your friend. No matter what happens, I will always be your best friend."
Meiling looked at Sakura and for a moment, a comfortable silence prevailed. "Thank you so much. Thank you, Sakura, my friend."
Author's Notes (again): Ain't I a bit too talkative?
Well, I will just like to explain why Meiling didn't cry till she left the Li
mansion. Of course, 1 of the reasons is that she doesn't want Syaoran to feel
bad about the whole thing. The other reason is that the Li family forbid their
family members to cry, at least not in their house. To them, (I am assuming
this since I am observing this from the Chinese perspective) crying is a sign
of weakness and that is why the members of the Li family are not allowed to
cry.