Author's Notes: I was very sure that the past few author's notes and disclaimers have been italised. But everytime, I look at the recent chapters, I don't understand why it isn't italised. Then, I will feel so frustrated at seeing suddenly 1 line italised and the rest are not.
"Are you sure that you don't want me to be around?" Syaoran questioned the ruby-eyed girl as he shifted his foot uncomfortably.
"Yes, I am very sure. Now can you get along to where you are supposed to be? If you don't, then I won't get anywhere close to what I have set out to complete." Meiling sighed as she waved her hand in a dismissive manner.
"Ok then. See you later at dinner, Meiling." Syaoran's eyes traveled to the left and rested upon another girl. "See you on Monday then, Sakura."
Sakura bowed her head, her usual rosy cheeks flustered with a cherry redness. "See you on Monday." She muttered.
"Sakura, he has left already. You don't have to look down at the floor anymore." Meiling chuckled.
"Oh, thank you."
"So, do you have any idea on what I am going to talk to you about?"
Sakura shook her head. "No, I don't."
Meiling sighed. "It's about your relationship with Syaoran, of course. He has already proclaimed his affections for you already. So are you going to reply to him?"
"But… but I am just his friend."
"Oh really? Come on. You know as well as I do that most couples usually start off as friends. Are you so confident that you will only be his friend all the days of your life?"
"I don't know. But Syaoran-kun is your fiancé. Besides, you said that no other girl will love him more than you do. I always treat you as my friend. How can I do such a disloyal act?"
So, this is the reason you are holding yourself off from accepting him. Meiling sighed again as she took hold of Sakura's hands. "Sakura , it is true that I love Syaoran and I still do. But the feelings are different. I am his cousin and my affections are that of a cousin. Truly, I do love him more than any girl will, as his cousin."
Meiling paused, drawing in a deep breath before continuing. "What I really want for Syaoran is to let him be happy. Happiness is not about pushing your loved ones around. It's about how the both parties feel. I am indeed glad that I have a friend like you but you don't have to do this. With this in mind, can you reconsider your opinion once again?"
"I can?" Sakura hesitated.
"Yes."
"Do I?" Sakura closed her eyes, allowing her mind to focus. Memories began to sift themselves as they danced within her. Memories of their first meeting, of the incident, of the past three weeks, of her near accident continually appeared and disappeared.
"I like him?" Sakura tested the sentence in her lips, feeling the sweet relish from the three simple words. "I like him. I do like him." Sakura opened her eyes. "When I think of the things that Syaoran has done for me, I realize that he likes me genuinely, unlike those in my homeland. I'm such a fool to have taken so long in realizing his affections and your efforts at playing Cupid."
Meiling chuckled again. "At least, it's now than never. Remember that we are always friends and I also want you to be happy."
"Thank you so much, Meiling-chan. For everything you have done."
"Great! So will you call him tonight and reply to him? I think he will like to know the answer as well."
Sakura closed her eyes again, letting the gentle wind catch her hair. "No. Not till Monday. I got something to do first. But I do need your help."
* * *
Tianxin stood near the door, observing Sakura and Meiling converse at the center of the quiet café. "Is she the one?" She pointed at the auburn-haired girl whose smile seemed to have irritate her nerves.
"Yes." The man nodded to add further enforcement. "No doubt about it."
"Good. Here's the cheque with the remaining amount."
"Thank you." The man folded the cheque and slipped it into his shirt-pocket.
"So it's you. I did not really expect her to be you but since you have appeared, things have not been as I have wanted. You shall have to pay." Tianxin uttered as she continued observing the two girls. "Pay dearly."