Polaris
By heavenangelgrl
Disclaimer: I don't own character, or CCS. This is sooooo boring.
A/N: K, you people are gonna kill me for this. But don't do anything rash, cuz then I can't finish the story. Things aren't always as they seem. Keep that in mind, and the fact that this is DEFINITELY an E+T so remember that, breathe in, breathe out, and hide all sharp weapons in the house.
Chapter 6: A Change in Attitude
Tomoyo walked into the firm right on time that morning, credits to Eriol's warning about punctuality. She knew about the resentment he felt towards her and she honestly couldn't blame him. So all she can do right now is survive through her job for the next year, when her old boss will return and guarantee that her and the name Hiiragizawa Eriol will have no connection ever again.
With a sigh at that thought, Tomoyo sat down in front of her desk only to be greeted by the flirty remarks of Midaichi Taro. With an icy glare that was more than enough to warn him, she began her daily work, ignoring the occasional comment made by the sandy-haired young man across from her.
She was both relieved and nervous when she gathered up the files that needed to be signed by Eriol. Relieved because she finally had an escape from Taro, but nervous because it meant once again confronting Eriol. If she could choose, she would probably have stayed with Taro and tested her patience rather than having another moment alone with Eriol, especially if she was going to be treated like nothing but an employee.
After taking quite a few deep breaths, she bravely marched into Eriol's office. Before she said anything, however, she was greeted with a bright smile from the person she'd least expected. "Ohayo, Tomoyo-chan. What do you have for me today?" he said in a cheerful voice.
Tomoyo's eyebrows furrowed together when she noticed his weird tone. "Uh, well. I just need you to sign a few documents," she said quietly while handing him the stack. She prepared herself from his yelling about waiting until the papers formed a large pile for him to sign. However, all she got was a nod and a smile. With a great attitude, he received the papers and began signing away. "Hiiragizawa-san." she was about to ask him about using her first name.
"Why so formal all of a sudden, Tomoyo-chan? Here you go," Eriol said as he handed back the files. Tomoyo took them carefully, making sure she hadn't dropped anything. She fought the urge to return with the question- "why so informal all of a sudden?" She bit her tongue to refrain herself from saying anything offensive. She's been a little bit high strung lately and she decided not to take her chances with her boss. She was just about to walk out the door when he called her back.
"Tomoyo-chan. I was just wondering. If you're available after work today, maybe we can go out for a coffee or dinner? I have a feeling we have a lot to catch up on," he said with a smile that would've made the Cheshire Cat proud. Immediately, Tomoyo noticed his sly smile and narrowed her eyes.
"You know something, don't you, Hiiragizawa-san?" This was not good. She could almost feel herself slip from sanity as minutes past by like hours in that little office. It was unnecessary for him to answer that question, for she already knew the answer. He knows something alright. 'I hope it's not about Kara. I don't want him to feel responsible to.'
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Tomoyo-chan. And for the second time today, the name is Eriol. Or Eri-kun as you used to prefer," he whispered the last part, as if pained by the memory himself.
The reminder of that name was as hard as a cold slap across Tomoyo's face. She remembered that name so clearly because that was when everything was all right. That was when she was happy. She could feel the hot tears threaten to fall, but she managed to get a hold of herself. "Look, Hiiragizawa-san. That's part of the past. Also, I'm very sorry to have to decline your invitation because I'm busy after work, everyday," she said with an emphasis on the word everyday so he'd know to back off. With that, she whipped around and almost ran out the door.
A sigh escaped Eriol's lips as the violet haired lass walked out. He hadn't meant to bring up those old memories. He really didn't expect or want things to turn out this way. He knew that she was lying. How can she be busy everyday? His confidence from this morning dropped dramatically. 'Are things really as you say they are, Daidouji-san? I'm putting my happiness in your hands.'
When 5:30 came, the firm emptied quickly. Everyone was either going out for a drink to relax or rushing home to their families. Daidouji Tomoyo was no different. She had a child to take care of. Quickly, she packed her files and went straight for her car in the parking lot. During her rush, she was unaware of the pair of azure eyes studying her closely. 'So she does have somewhere to go. I wonder.' he thought to himself. Without a second thought, he got into his own Jaguar to follow Tomoyo's lavender minivan. (AN: ha, can you imagine Tomoyo-chan driving a minivan?)
He barely registered his car stopping as he stared at the large sign from the parking lot. "Rika's Daycare Service." Involuntarily, his brow began to sweat from nervousness. "You've got to be kidding me. I mean, she's probably just helping. Rika out or something." However his hopes were crushed when he saw his golden girl step out into the parking lot with a little girl in her arms. With a deep sigh, he just stared as they walked towards her car, which was parked next to his. The girl was practically a carbon copy of her! Wearily, he got out of the car and stood patiently as they approached.
After talking to Rika for a few minutes, Kara complained that she was hungry, causing both women to laugh wholeheartedly. Having said goodbye to her old friend, Tomoyo took her daughter's hand and walked out towards the parking lot. As they approached her car, Tomoyo realized that Kara's jacket wasn't zipped up. Gently, she knelt down in front of her and adjusted the buttons on her daughter's jacket. She smiled when she thought that Kara looked like an overstuffed marshmellow in her coat. "Mommy, isn't that man the one in the pictures?"
Tomoyo's gaze followed her daughter finger and met Eriol's hurt expression. 'Oh dear God. Please let this work,' she silently prayed. As Daidouji Tomoyo, she always had a backup plan. "Hiiragizawa-san," she addressed him politely. During her moment of hesitation, Kara had already ran into the stranger's arm.
Surprised, Eriol looked down at the little girl hugging his leg. Tears sprung to his eyes as he looked into those same amethyst orbs. It wasn't until now that he realized how much the girl looked like her mother. She was the image of the child that he'd always wanted, the one he would have with Tomoyo. He went down on one knee so him and the girl would be at eye level. "I know you! Mommy tells me that you're an old friend of Aunty Sakura's and Daddy's!"
Before she could say anything else, Tomoyo immediately called her daughter back to her side. "Come back over here, Kara. We're going over Daddy's house for dinner tonight, remember?"
With that, the little girl's eyes shined brilliantly and she began to skip back towards her mother. "Yay! I get to see Aunty Sakura again!" she exclaimed as she got into the car.
"Wait, that means her father is." Eriol began after Tomoyo shut the door for Kara.
"Syaoran-kun," Tomoyo finished the sentence for him. With that, she quickly drove away, leaving an astonished and broken Eriol behind.
Disclaimer: I don't own character, or CCS. This is sooooo boring.
A/N: K, you people are gonna kill me for this. But don't do anything rash, cuz then I can't finish the story. Things aren't always as they seem. Keep that in mind, and the fact that this is DEFINITELY an E+T so remember that, breathe in, breathe out, and hide all sharp weapons in the house.
Chapter 6: A Change in Attitude
Tomoyo walked into the firm right on time that morning, credits to Eriol's warning about punctuality. She knew about the resentment he felt towards her and she honestly couldn't blame him. So all she can do right now is survive through her job for the next year, when her old boss will return and guarantee that her and the name Hiiragizawa Eriol will have no connection ever again.
With a sigh at that thought, Tomoyo sat down in front of her desk only to be greeted by the flirty remarks of Midaichi Taro. With an icy glare that was more than enough to warn him, she began her daily work, ignoring the occasional comment made by the sandy-haired young man across from her.
She was both relieved and nervous when she gathered up the files that needed to be signed by Eriol. Relieved because she finally had an escape from Taro, but nervous because it meant once again confronting Eriol. If she could choose, she would probably have stayed with Taro and tested her patience rather than having another moment alone with Eriol, especially if she was going to be treated like nothing but an employee.
After taking quite a few deep breaths, she bravely marched into Eriol's office. Before she said anything, however, she was greeted with a bright smile from the person she'd least expected. "Ohayo, Tomoyo-chan. What do you have for me today?" he said in a cheerful voice.
Tomoyo's eyebrows furrowed together when she noticed his weird tone. "Uh, well. I just need you to sign a few documents," she said quietly while handing him the stack. She prepared herself from his yelling about waiting until the papers formed a large pile for him to sign. However, all she got was a nod and a smile. With a great attitude, he received the papers and began signing away. "Hiiragizawa-san." she was about to ask him about using her first name.
"Why so formal all of a sudden, Tomoyo-chan? Here you go," Eriol said as he handed back the files. Tomoyo took them carefully, making sure she hadn't dropped anything. She fought the urge to return with the question- "why so informal all of a sudden?" She bit her tongue to refrain herself from saying anything offensive. She's been a little bit high strung lately and she decided not to take her chances with her boss. She was just about to walk out the door when he called her back.
"Tomoyo-chan. I was just wondering. If you're available after work today, maybe we can go out for a coffee or dinner? I have a feeling we have a lot to catch up on," he said with a smile that would've made the Cheshire Cat proud. Immediately, Tomoyo noticed his sly smile and narrowed her eyes.
"You know something, don't you, Hiiragizawa-san?" This was not good. She could almost feel herself slip from sanity as minutes past by like hours in that little office. It was unnecessary for him to answer that question, for she already knew the answer. He knows something alright. 'I hope it's not about Kara. I don't want him to feel responsible to.'
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Tomoyo-chan. And for the second time today, the name is Eriol. Or Eri-kun as you used to prefer," he whispered the last part, as if pained by the memory himself.
The reminder of that name was as hard as a cold slap across Tomoyo's face. She remembered that name so clearly because that was when everything was all right. That was when she was happy. She could feel the hot tears threaten to fall, but she managed to get a hold of herself. "Look, Hiiragizawa-san. That's part of the past. Also, I'm very sorry to have to decline your invitation because I'm busy after work, everyday," she said with an emphasis on the word everyday so he'd know to back off. With that, she whipped around and almost ran out the door.
A sigh escaped Eriol's lips as the violet haired lass walked out. He hadn't meant to bring up those old memories. He really didn't expect or want things to turn out this way. He knew that she was lying. How can she be busy everyday? His confidence from this morning dropped dramatically. 'Are things really as you say they are, Daidouji-san? I'm putting my happiness in your hands.'
When 5:30 came, the firm emptied quickly. Everyone was either going out for a drink to relax or rushing home to their families. Daidouji Tomoyo was no different. She had a child to take care of. Quickly, she packed her files and went straight for her car in the parking lot. During her rush, she was unaware of the pair of azure eyes studying her closely. 'So she does have somewhere to go. I wonder.' he thought to himself. Without a second thought, he got into his own Jaguar to follow Tomoyo's lavender minivan. (AN: ha, can you imagine Tomoyo-chan driving a minivan?)
He barely registered his car stopping as he stared at the large sign from the parking lot. "Rika's Daycare Service." Involuntarily, his brow began to sweat from nervousness. "You've got to be kidding me. I mean, she's probably just helping. Rika out or something." However his hopes were crushed when he saw his golden girl step out into the parking lot with a little girl in her arms. With a deep sigh, he just stared as they walked towards her car, which was parked next to his. The girl was practically a carbon copy of her! Wearily, he got out of the car and stood patiently as they approached.
After talking to Rika for a few minutes, Kara complained that she was hungry, causing both women to laugh wholeheartedly. Having said goodbye to her old friend, Tomoyo took her daughter's hand and walked out towards the parking lot. As they approached her car, Tomoyo realized that Kara's jacket wasn't zipped up. Gently, she knelt down in front of her and adjusted the buttons on her daughter's jacket. She smiled when she thought that Kara looked like an overstuffed marshmellow in her coat. "Mommy, isn't that man the one in the pictures?"
Tomoyo's gaze followed her daughter finger and met Eriol's hurt expression. 'Oh dear God. Please let this work,' she silently prayed. As Daidouji Tomoyo, she always had a backup plan. "Hiiragizawa-san," she addressed him politely. During her moment of hesitation, Kara had already ran into the stranger's arm.
Surprised, Eriol looked down at the little girl hugging his leg. Tears sprung to his eyes as he looked into those same amethyst orbs. It wasn't until now that he realized how much the girl looked like her mother. She was the image of the child that he'd always wanted, the one he would have with Tomoyo. He went down on one knee so him and the girl would be at eye level. "I know you! Mommy tells me that you're an old friend of Aunty Sakura's and Daddy's!"
Before she could say anything else, Tomoyo immediately called her daughter back to her side. "Come back over here, Kara. We're going over Daddy's house for dinner tonight, remember?"
With that, the little girl's eyes shined brilliantly and she began to skip back towards her mother. "Yay! I get to see Aunty Sakura again!" she exclaimed as she got into the car.
"Wait, that means her father is." Eriol began after Tomoyo shut the door for Kara.
"Syaoran-kun," Tomoyo finished the sentence for him. With that, she quickly drove away, leaving an astonished and broken Eriol behind.