Love Conquers All
Chapter 4
Tomoyo forced her eyes open. Her head was throbbing periodically, in a rhythmic beat. "Ow…" she muttered.
A knock came to the door. Eriol walked in, with a tray in his hand. "Good afternoon."
"Afternoon?"
"Yeah. It's one in afternoon." Eriol placed the tray on her lap as she sat up. "I have your whole lunch: assorted fruits, garden salad, mineral water and aspirin. No more alcohol, ok?"
She nodded and began to eat.
While she did, he talked to her. "I think I know why your name sounds familiar. Did you attend Tomoeda Elementary?"
Tomoyo looked up. "How did you know?"
"I attended a semester of 5th grade there."
Tomoyo stared at him for a while before it dawned on her. "I recall a polite, little, fair-skin boy with blue hair and large glasses who always picked on Li-kun."
"That was me," he smiled proudly.
"Well, fate sure played its cards, didn't it? So what do you do now?"
"I'm a writer."
"For novels?"
"No, I write screenplays. Right now, I have to write a romance epic for Fujisawa Taju--."
Tomoyo choked. "Fujisawa-san asked you?"
"Yes…why?" Eriol asked.
"He is the biggest producer in the business! Everything he touches turns to gold!" she explained.
"A-hah…well, I know what you're doing now, Miss Daidouji. You're the famous new actress of Japan."
"I suppose."
"May I ask you something?"
"Do I have a choice?" she smiled.
"Why were you drinking last night?" he asked.
Tomoyo sighed. "My career may be for a dive. My 'boyfriend' Mikado dumped me on television."
"You were involved with a man?"
"It was all a publicity stunt. The issue is that he helped boost my career. He dumped me on TV so now I don't know which direction my career will go."
"Hm…you should find a movie to get yourself out of his shadow." Eriol propped his chin in his palm. "I still can't believe you chose acting. You showed no interest back then."
Tomoyo shrugged. "I like to hide."
Eriol gave her an odd look. "You like to hide? I think you're in the wrong business."
"When I act, I…I like being different."
"You mean not yourself," he guessed.
Tomoyo innocently smiled. He guessed right.
"You don't have to act to do that," he told her.
"I found a knack for it. Besides…I must be independent and focused on my job…"
Eriol realized he must have brushed a personal problem. He decided to stay away from it. "You can't hide forever," he muttered.
"I beg your pardon?" she said as she took her medicine.
"How long are you staying here?"
"Two weeks."
"Before your trip is over, I'll see the real you," he challenged himself.
Tomoyo's eyes widened. He…he can't be serious. But…but why? She showed her coolness with a smile. "I'd like to see you try."
Eriol gave her a smirk. "Oh, I will try…and succeed. Don't worry."
Tomoyo sat in the living room, watching the Japanese channel. Suddenly, Eriol came into the hotel room. "Tomoyo? Are you here?"
"Yes?" she watched him sit beside her on the couch. "What's wrong?"
"I want to take you to dinner," he declared. "And I refuse to take no for an answer."
"But--!" he grabbed her by the wrist and exited the hotel room.
"Are you feeling well?" she asked him.
"Perfect. Tonight's going to be a treat."
"I just want to relax though," Tomoyo told him.
"You have to live a little, my dear."
That sounded like he had an evil plan, she thought. But he wouldn't do that to her. Then again…They arrived at the Coral Reef, a restaurant inside the hotel. They were seated near the stage, which was decorated in lovely pastel curtains. They ate a delicious steak dinner. After dessert, a man stood upon the stage and took a deep breath. He grabbed the microphone and spoke into it. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming to open mike night. It's karaoke time!"
Applause came through the crowd. "Kara…oke…" Tomoyo shot Eriol a death glare. He returned it with a smirk. "Evil child…" she muttered.
A few middle-aged men sang on stage. Then, someone handed the microphone to Eriol. He obliged and picked a song. The words began to scroll and he serenaded the crowd.
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream,
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream,
When I want you in my arms
When I want you and all your charms
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream,
When I feel blue in the night
And I need you to hold me tight
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam
Eriol approached Tomoyo, a playful smile on his mouth. He leaned down, gently touched her chin with his fingertips. The sensation made her blush and hoots came from everyone around them.
I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine
Anytime, night or day
Only trouble is, gee whiz
I'm dreamin' my life away
I need you so that I could die
I love you so and that is why
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream,
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam
He took her hand and kissed it, then returned to the stage to finish the song.
I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine
Anytime, night or day
Only trouble is, gee whiz
I'm dreamin' my life away
I need you so that I could die
I love you so and that is why
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream,
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
When it ended, he took a bow. Eriol hopped off stage and flopped back in his seat. "How was that?" he asked, seeming to be 100% satisfied.
He had embarrassed her. No one embarrasses Daidouji Tomoyo. "Not good enough," she hissed as she stood and headed on stage. She made a quick selection and began to sing.
I've had other guys
I've looked into their eyes
But I never knew love before
'Til you walked through my door
I've had other lips
I've sailed a thousand ships
But no matter where I go
You're the one for me baby this I know, cause it's
True love
You're the one I'm dreaming of
Your heart fits me like a glove
And I'm gonna be true blue baby, I love you
Tomoyo glided off stage and approached Eriol. She gently flopped on his lap, which made Eriol's jaw drop. Eriol felt a lump in his throat. A smile was on her mouth as she sang. Her fingers gently stroked the hair at the nape of his neck.
I've heard all the lines
I've cried oh so many times
Those tear drops they won't fall again
I'm so excited 'cause you're my best friend
So if you should ever doubt
Wonder what love is all about
Just think back and remember dear
Those words whispered in your ear, I said
True love
You're the one I'm dreaming of
Your heart fits me like a glove
And I'm gonna be true blue baby, I love you
No more sadness, I kiss it goodbye
The sun is bursting right out of the sky
I searched the whole world for someone like you
Don't you know, don't you know that it's
True love, oh baby, true love, oh baby
True love, oh baby, true love, it's
True love, oh baby, true love, oh baby
True love, oh baby, true love, it's
She finally stood and then headed back on stage. She finished the song off.
True, so if you should ever doubt
Wonder what love is all about
Just think back and remember dear
Those words whispered in your ear, I said
True love
You're the one I'm dreaming of
Your heart fits me like a glove
And I'm gonna be true blue baby, I love youThe crowd hollered and clapped their bravos. Tomoyo faked a curtsy and sat down on her seat. "Well, that was fun," she remarked, drinking some of her water.
"Th..that …" Eriol stammered, his mouth still open. His eyebrows creased. He couldn't think of anything to say!
"What's wrong? Cat go your tongue?" she asked in her innocent tone, giving him an evil smile.
"Evil child," he muttered.
Days passed and as Eriol slept on the couch, Tomoyo stood in the hallway gazing at him. He must have fallen asleep, watching TV again. It was on a music station, filing the room softly with its song.
Why? she asked herself. Why did each time she thought of his touch, her body ignited? The gentleness in his eyes as he looked at her…it had only been about a week since she arrived, but she knew it in her soul. Tomoyo kept quiet.
I know I should tell you how I feel
I wish everyone would disappear
Everytime you call me, I'm too scared to be me
And I'm too shy to say
Tomoyo walked into the living room, towards Eriol's sleeping form. He groaned in his sleep; Tomoyo jumped back. He rolled over, his back to her. She sighed in relief, hoping she didn't wake him. Then, she turned to the TV.
Ooh, I got a crush on you
I hope you feel the way that I do
I get a rush
When I'm with you
Ooh, I got a crush on you
A crush on you…
Tomoyo turned the TV off. Shut up…she thought to herself. Don't remind me…
…to be continued ^_^
Author's jibberish: Ok, here are my disclaimers. First song is "All I have to do is Dream" by the Everly Brothers. Second song is "True Blue" by Madonna. Third song is "Crush" by Mandy Moore…it's not a classic, but definitely fitting…kinda…I tried alright! Anyway, thanks for reading!