However, fate seemed determined to get in their way, for Sakura's extended stay in Paris had to come to an end. Tomoyo had unwittingly booked their return flight for the next day, not even allowing for a goodbye between the two. However, the break was probably for the better, as the star magazines ran rampant with extraordinary stories full of betrayal, heartache and lust, theories on the relationship between Sakura and Syaoran. Sakura took the sudden popularity worse, for she had been outspoken in the fashion industry as the innocent, sweet and incorruptible girl she modeled to be. And she was, but those compromising pictures took a spin on her virtue, especially when it was with Syaoran Li, the man of numerous women.
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Syaoran was quite amused, in fact, by the whole charade that the magazines went through, and chuckled thoroughly at the invented stories of the inauguration of their relationship. His favorite involved two goats, the Himalayas, and an African Queen; none were related, but it pleased him even further to watch the writers struggle to bring them together into one horrendous story. He was still in an afterglow of the night before, reveling in his victory, cheered that she was finally, if slowly, tolerating his advances. He didn't have to worry about the paparazzi anymore because Sakura was as good as his. Life was looking up, finally. So it was a surprise to him when, elated with the magazines and wanting to converse with her, found that she and Tomoyo had checked out, and even worse, left Paris all together. Cursing that he needed to be in Paris for his show, he stumbled back to his Paris flat, upset and downtrodden. But he was not alone…
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Meilin, upset by the magazines and Syaoran's obvious desire for the sweet, young Sakura, decided to take matters into her own hands. Coincidentally in Paris for work, she took her limo straight to his flat. She didn't mind that at all. After sweet-talking to the doorman into letting her in, she swiftly made herself at home. She was lounging about on his couch when he walked in, downcast and easy prey.
"Hello, Syaoran." She hastily closed the gap between them. "Miss me?" Before he could answer she kissed him, his arms automatically encircling her waist. She moaned slightly, ripping off his shirt, and he pushed her away, surprised by her presence.
"Meilin! What are you doing here?"
The complete and utter shock was evident in his voice, and behind it was unmistakable disdain. Meilin continued to advance on him, pushing him where she wanted him to go: on his balcony. Syaoran, cornered by unwanted attention, fled to the only place she had left open, other than the bedroom, and he was certainly not going to trap himself in there with Meilin. He fled outside, and was shocked even more by the torrent of reporters. Meilin stood behind him, looking scandalized and hurt. She had succeeded in tearing the top of her dress, exposing her voluptuous breasts to the press.
"He tried to seduce me! He won't give up! I said it was over, but he won't leave me alone!" she lied, putting all the passion and fury that she felt when he dumped her into her voice. The media was eating it up; not only did Syaoran's past record pave the way for this turn of events, Meilin's obviously perfected acting abilities sold the story even further.
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Syaoran fumed. In a split second, his whole life went down the drain. It was one thing to be haunted by the press with your true love, but when he was used for Meilin's own purposes of revenge, he raged. Retreating back into his flat, he slammed the door shut and locked Meilin on the balcony, free to describe the whole story to the reporters. Perhaps Sakura would see through all the lies she told. Forgetting every responsibility in Paris, he rapidly replaced his shirt and took his limo to the airport. He took the concord, hoping to beat Sakura home, before she became overwhelmed with the lies Meilin told.
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Sakura fell asleep on the plane, but was awoken by Tomoyo when they arrived home. Sakura was looking forward to some rest and relaxation in her home and on her favorite San Diego beaches. However, she wasn't allowed this, for at the moment a stricken Tomoyo shoved her into a nearby marque just as clips of Syaoran and Meilin flashed before her eyes. Not only did the clips themselves speak volumes, the newscaster decided to add his own commentary as well.
And in other news today, the newscaster sounded, Syaoran Li was caught trying to seduce the beautiful Meilin Li in his upscale Parisian flat. She admits to breaking it off with him in the beginning because he was obsessive, and after the split, he has stalked her persistently. The press stopped their little rendezvous in time, before anything serious happened. Syaoran Li was unavailable for comment…Twelve people died in a boating accident…
Utterly confused and disgusted, Sakura promptly began to cry, upset with herself that she could have fallen for such an awful man. And he was probably seeing Meilin the whole time! I knew he couldn't be trusted! At least I didn't let it get too far…Sakura tried to convince herself, but she knew it had already gone too far. She loved him, and heartache came swiftly and in ample doses of pain. Tomoyo made her drink some water, but she was still extremely tired and fell into a fitful sleep in the car home.
Sakura shuffled up to her apartment, threw her bags on the floor and rapidly fell onto her bed face down. Tears came in earnest then, but before she could let loose with a full flood, she heard the doorbell ring. Not wanting to be disturbed, she looked through the peephole and almost fainted at the sight before her. Syaoran, Syaoran Li was on her doorstep, looking exhausted and almost as upset as she was. Fighting within herself to open the door, the desire to see him won out, and she let him in. He pushed himself through the door and closed it, staring into her eyes for a moment before closing the gap between them. Gathering Sakura into his arms, he began kissing her as if she was water, and he had been in the desert for many days without it. Sakura was overcome with his power, and struggled with herself to not surrender to his wantonness. Beating her small hands on his chest, she broke out in sobs, the full force of her emotions breaking on her like tidal waves. Syaoran stopped immediately, but unable to let her go, led her to her bed, laying her down upon it. She allowed him to hold her in his arms, but did not invite any more of his fiery kisses, acutely aware of his desire, but not relenting. Finally, she spoke.
"How…could…you?" She managed to grind out. He knew exactly what she was talking about, and there was no hesitation in his answer.
"Sakura, it was a lie, Meilin attacked me at my apartment. I…I…love you Sakura. I have loved you forever. Be with me, my sweet princess." As he spoke the familiar images of his dreams shot through his mind, his dream woman, and at that moment, he truly believed Sakura was the one he had been envisioning for his whole life. She was his destiny. His eyes pleaded with her, and she knew that he was speaking the truth. But she needed time to think. This was all going too fast. The force of his craving scared her, and she was frankly tired of being assaulted by him. Her senses reeled, and she got up from the bed, not wanting to be in an even more compromising position that she wouldn't be able to get herself out of, if she even wanted to.
"Syaoran, I need to think about this. I know that I keep on saying that, but I don't want just lust in a relationship. I am attracted to you that much is obvious, but I have to think. Please leave before I break down and do something rash." Her words surprised him, she quickly kicked him out of her door, leaving him troubled and uncertain.
Sakura didn't understand exactly why she lied, but it had to do with something she believed with her whole heart: I love Syaoran Li. He is my destiny. But before love can blossom, there must be trust, respect, and friendship. With those thoughts swirling throughout her dream state, she fell asleep, destined to be with her prince.
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Syaoran slept semi-well, his fateful dream revisiting him. It was the same as every other night, but this time, she kissed him softly and her lips were soft and gentle like Sakura's.
"Be free of me. Take me in reality. You have to be happy, finally happy."
And with that she disappeared, gone. Syaoran awoke, sweating, tired.
"Je t'aime, Sakura," he whispered, "Je t'aime."