Chapter 5: Coincidences?

"What's taking her so long?" Tomoyo was exasperated. Even if Sakura was one of the hottest models in the world, some things don't change. Like being late, for instance. Tomoyo had been waiting for fifteen minutes at the subway station in London when suddenly her cellular phone rang.

"Sakura! What's taking you so long? I thought we've agreed to meet exactly at 9 a.m.?"

"Sorry Tomoyo-chan. I woke up late, again. It's so comfy here in bed," Sakura said.

"Sorry about Sakura, Daidouji-san," a deep, sleepy voice was heard on the other line.

"Is that-" Tomoyo asked.

"Yeah, it's Syaoran-kun. He surprised me last night," Sakura explained quietly.

"Ooh, I see," Tomoyo snickered. "Don't worry I'll wait for you."

"Thanks Tomoyo-chan… Sorry Syaoran, I forgot to tell you," Sakura said soothingly as she hung up.

"Those two," Tomoyo said as she ended the call. "At least, it's nothing worse than this is going to happen."

Boy, was she wrong.

++++++

"Ms. Curtis, please inform the curator that I'm going to be a little late," Eriol said. "Tell him my car is being fixed. I'm going to take the subway station."

"Yes sir." It was not extraordinary for Eriol to take the public transportation. After all, he does not consider himself a pompous jerk.

++++++

"Oh dear. I missed the train!" Tomoyo sat down on one of the benches. "Guess I'll have to wait for the next one, ten years after Sakura decides

to show up that is!" she gritted.

Tomoyo decided to walk around the station to ease out her irritation.

++++++

"Good! I'm just in time for- ooooofff!"

"I'm sorry sir! I wasn't looking," Tomoyo was so embarrassed, she couldn't look up. As she stood up, she caught sight of a familiar pin. The sun.

"Eriol?" she looked up and saw his all-too-familiar sapphire blue eyes. "I mean Hiiragizawa?" she blushed.

"Ms. Daidouji? I'm surprised you're not riding in your car," he said calmly. As always, Tomoyo thought.

"I'm still having it fixed. How about you?"

"The same reason. By the way, where are you going?" He inquired. "And why is Sakura not with you?"

Tomoyo became wary at once. Eriol might just wreck her day again.

"Nothing special. I'm still waiting or Sakura, she's still with Li-kun," she chuckled.

"Oh, I see," he said. "Even a thousand miles would never separate those two," he added.

"Uh-huh," she caught herself agreeing with him. What the? Me nodding with Hiiragizawa? Wake up girl!

Eriol noticed the sudden shift in Tomoyo's face. Still beautiful.

"What's taking Sakura so long?"

"The train's here."

"That's it! I can't wait any longer! I'll just tell her to meet me at the art museum!" Oops! Nice slip-up Daidouji! She looked at Eriol, who was smiling. At her.

"Looks like we're going to the same place," he laughed.

Behind one of the pillars, Sakura and Syaoran laughed.

"Good timing!" Syaoran said. "Let's meet them up at the museum then."

++++++

"Tomoyo-chan!" the auburn-haired girl called out.

"What kept you so long? Hi Li-kun!" Tomoyo greeted.

"Sorry, Syaoran wanted to come," Sakura excused.

"Well, that's okay, next time don't be late. I don't want to run into Hiiragizawa again!" the irritated designer said through gritted teeth.

"You did?" she said with her eyes twinkling.

"I did, and I don't want to remember it again."

"Are you two ladies going to look around or would you like to stay talking?" Syaoran said.

++++++

"Thank you Mr. Ferguson. It is a pleasure doing business with you," Eriol said as he shook hands with the curator."

"You're welcome Mr. Hiiragizawa. And I'm sorry for the absence of the manager," he replied. "I'll just recapitulate the whole discussion to him."

"That's okay."

++++++

"Look Sakura! It's a painting by a Li Tsen, a Chinese artist," Syaoran said. "He is one of my great-great-grandfathers."

"Really? I didn't know you had relatives who were artists," Sakura said in awe.

"Let's ask the curator if he has a background on the painting or the painter," Tomoyo suggested.

"That's a great idea!"

++++++

"Till then, Mr. Hiiragizawa, good day" Mr. Ferguson said.

"Good day to you too," Eriol bowed. As he reached for the doorknob, it turned then opened right in his face.

"Oh sorry! Good morning sir! I didn't know you had a visitor!" Tomoyo apologized.

"Oh it's okay, Mr. Hiiragizawa was just leaving."

"Mr. Hiiragizawa?" Tomoyo looked down on the fallen man. It was Eriol.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Hiiragizawa, let me help you up," Tomoyo offered him her hand. Eriol took it and stood up. Tomoyo blushed at the grip he gave when he pulled himself up.

"Apology accepted Ms. Daidouji," he said. After which he left.