Author's Notes:
Hehehehe...I have been inspired by your reviews. They made me feel guilty so I write another chapter since I won't be around the next two days. I don't want you pelting me with anything dangerous so...^.^ To my new reviewers Alisha and Sailor Star Sakura...thanks a many. ^^ Kyte, you just told everyone that I'm a sleepy head...LOL. And yes, I will be saying "her" name a lot more times in the next chapters so...patience? Polgara-C, let's just see where Tomoyo will stay for the night, ne? ^.~
Oh, and please be reminded. Italics meant thoughts if they are within the paragraph or flashbacks if they are in the separated paragraph, okay?
Saa, please enjoy this next chapter...gomen...it's a bit rough since I wasn't able to edit it much. ^^ Ganbarimasu!
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Caress of Venus
by: nikki hiiragizawa
Chapter 3: To Be a Lady
Nakuru stood frozen by the door of the Hiiragizawa mansion, gaping at what she was seeing. Could this be, that her Eriol-sama is at last bringing in some chick? She settled her slender body against the door frame, watching Eriol help the young woman with her belongings. Seems like some ronin or homeless geek to me, Nakuru thought. Maybe Eriol-sama was so desperate that he just picked anyone along the way? The very thought made Nakuru giggle. Of course, she cannot deny the fact the beyond the clothes and the cap, the girl Eriol brought home was pretty. Maybe with a bit of trimming here and new clothes there, she'll be as beatiful as the new actress on TV. Yosh! Nakuru thoughtfully decided. She had now dedicated herself to make Eriol-sama fall for this girl deeper, no matter what it takes.
"Nakuru, why are you just standing there?" Eriol demanded as he and the woman neared the door. "Can you please give us a hand?"
"Uh, hai!" Nakuru took the backpack from the woman, giving her a long glance before going upstairs.
Eriol suppressed a smile. "Tomoyo-san, this is my servant Nakuru. Nakuru, this is Tomoyo-san, a friend of mine."
"Nice meeting you!" Nakuru said. Still watching the woman, she continued walking inside the house.
The blue-eyed man smiled apologetically to Tomoyo. "Excuse Nakuru for her rudeness."
"Huh? Rude?" Tomoyo shrugged and stopped from entering the house.
Eriol came up beside her. "What's wrong? Why won't you enter my house? Is it dirty? Did Nakuru leave my paintbrushes…"
"It's beautiful…" Tomoyo said, almost a whisper. This was by far the biggest house she was going to enter. Chandeliers lined the ceiling of the receiving room, shedding warm gentle light on the polished furniture, looming statues, and carpeted floor. It was like a dream to her, entering such a grandiose place. She slowly took a step and gaped once more.
A twin spiral staircase can be seen towards the back, their slim shiny steps leading to the upper floors. A hallway to the right would probably lead to some kitchen or another living room. Tomoyo hungrily let the details of the house seep in to her. Finally she turned around, eyes dreamy. "You have a beautiful house, Eriol-san!"
"I'm glad that you are pleased," Eriol gladly said. He followed Tomoyo as they walked towards the receiving room. It was like she was a schoolgirl again, gaping at pictures in museums and gasping at the marvelous sights she was beholding.
"Nee, nee, Eriol-san, why do you have so much paintings?" Tomoyo asked as she approached one of the paintings, that of a red-haired woman standing by the sea.
Eriol laid the box he was carrying on the carpeted floor, its shabbiness contrasting to the glorious backdrop. "That's because, I am a painter."
"Hontou?" Tomoyo turned to him once more, eyes wide. "You painted all of these?"
"Well…sort of.."
"Kirei na!" The young woman looked around, memorizing the details of every painting.
Eriol followed her every step. "Do you like paintings?"
"Hai!" Tomoyo gushed. "When I was young, my mom used to have this huge gallery of paintings and I would look at it for a long time, just before I have my violin…" Her voice trailed away as she reminded herself that she was talking too much. "Uh, I mean…I used to love them…"
Eriol's brows met as he watched the young woman's mood change. There was something Tomoyo was hiding, and she didn't want to talk about it, obviously. Maybe I should let her be, he thought. Just as then, Nakuru came back.
"I settled the things in, Eriol-sama."
"Arigatou, Nakuru. Will you please make us some tea, and lead Tomoyo-san to the changing room?"
"Hai!"
"Wait a minute," Tomoyo said. "Why do I need to change? I'm not like, staying here, right?"
Chikusho! Nakuru thought. Why did Eriol bring her here if she wasn't going to stay? Charity purposes??
Eriol shook his head. "You see, this is about the proposition I was telling you about."
"So shoot," Tomoyo sat down on the sofa, eager to listen to Eriol's offer of a job.
The young man, however, was confused. "Err…shoot?"
"I mean, start talking," Tomoyo said.
"Well," Eriol said, sitting down on one of the armchairs across the sofa. "I would like to talk it over dinner. That's why you might want to change, you know…"
Tomoyo grasped a little understanding and nodded. Still, she looked suspicious. "Are you sure you're not doing anything funny? I could kick really hard too, you know."
"No! Of…course not!" He would never want to be kicked, for heaven's sake.
Nakuru watched in the background with amusement. Maybe tonight, the house wouldn't be so unhappy. Tomoyo consented and let Nakuru guide her upstairs, she still marveling at the intricate designs of the house.
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Eriol watched the two girls' retreating back and sighed. He should have found another singer…far better and more famous than Tomoyo is but why is he staying stuck with this girl? He cradled his head with his hands and silently pondered.
Of course, he cannot deny the fact that he had been enamored by Tomoyo's voice even though it was their first encounter and Tomoyo was singing a children's song. He also cannot deny that he felt sorry for Tomoyo, having no job and being thrown out of her abode. Even for a seemingly strong girl like her, it was too much Eriol didn't even know how old she was! Eighteen? Nineteen? Maybe she wasn't even of legal age, yet she was working this hard. How can anybody leave a girl like this alone.
Why don't you just admit it, Eriol, a voice inside him said. You like her! You were attracted to her the first time you saw her, there's no denying it!
No, I can't. Eriol shook his head. My heart is only reserved for one person, and that person is gone. Therefore, my heart is already closed. He turned to the painting that Tomoyo was admiring some moments ago. The truth is, this was the first painting Eriol made with Kaho as the model. He believed it to be almost sacred that he did not sell it.
Kaho… Eriol took a deep breath. Why does she have to leave so early?
"Anou, Eriol-sama?" Nakuru was standing at the foot of the stairs. "I…if I'm not disturbing you, I just want to ask what I should make for dinner?"
Eriol thought a bit and decided. "We've got to make our guest feel at home. Why don't you prepare…sukiyaki?"
"Su…Sukiyaki??"
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Tomoyo loved the way the water made little rippling waves around her body. My, how long has it been since she took a bath in a bathtub thrice her size? She scooped up water with her hands and let the drops slide, slowly, against her skin. This little luxury made her almost feel like royalty. If only she was this rich…if only…
"Tomoyo-san?" a voice from outside asked.
Tomoyo. Suddenly feeling very ashamed of herself, woke up from her trance and sat up straight. "Hai, Na…Nakuru-san?"
A slight giggle was heard. "Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes. I got clothes here for you…"
"Ah, matte, Nakuru-san!" Tomoyo got out of the tub and wrapped the robe hanging by the tub around herself. Shyly, she peeked through the bathroom door. "Anou…my clothes…"
"Eriol-sama provided your clothing for today. I'm going to wash your other clothes properly, and bring them back by tomorrow." The pink-haired girl gave her a wide smile. "Please feel at home!" As quickly as she came, she left.
The purple-eyed girl looked towards the bed to where the 'borrowed' dress was lying. It was a proper dinner dress, made of pale lavender fabric with white trimmings. Almost fearful, she held the garment against herself.
It fits her contours perfectly.
"I wonder where this dress come from?" she asked herself aloud. "Is this one of Nakuru-san's dresses?" She felt her face growing warm at the sight of the dress. Somehow, she was excited in trying this on. She quickly dried off and got ready for dinner.
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Eriol was already at the dinner table. Nakuru threw suspicious glances at him, but somehow, he was unperturbed. Losing her patience, she pounced at him. "Eriol-sama!"
"Uh, what is it, Nakuru?"
The pink-haired girl let her hands stay at her hips as she blurted out, "Where did that girl come from? Why did you take her home? Maa, if you are planning to get a new wife…"
Her master darkly blushed at her statement. "I did not take her home as a wife! We just have some business to talk about, that's all!"
"Maa, I was just evaluating the scenery," Nakuru cheerily teased. "But, ne, Eriol-sama, you pick a girl well, even if it's just business…"
"Nakuru!" Eriol fumed. Why is his servant pushing her towards this girl? She was homeless, no job, probably from a poor family…heck! What would people say if he marries someone like that?? She wasn't even as pretty as Kaho…
"Anou…Gomen nasai, I had trouble finding the dining area since your place is so…uh…spacious."
Nakuru dropped her tray, the metal clanging on the floor. "Tomoyo-san, you're just in time."
Eriol turned around to welcome the girl for dinner and paused as he turned around. Nakuru picked that dress well. It certainly matched her hair and eyes and…was she really this attractive when they first met? She looked like an innocent angel fumbling her way around. He stared at her openly, much to Nakuru's delight and Tomoyo's uneasiness.
"Anou," tomoyo finally said. "This is the first time I've worn this kind of dress so…well…probably…" Her flushed face turned a shade pinker and she bit her lip.
The young man quickly waved away her fear. "No, it looks…really great on you." He stood up quickly to escort Tomoyo to her seat.
"I'm glad…" Tomoyo muttered under her breath. "This dress was too pretty to put to waste if I change clothes…" Eriol moved the chair for her as she took her seat. "Thanks," was the only thing she could say.
"Here it is!" Nakuru interjected from the door. "The dinner!" She placed sukiyaki bowls before each diner.
The young woman with dark gray hair stared at the bowl. "Sukiyaki…" she stated.
"Aa," Eriol smiled. "Is there something wrong?"
Tomoyo let out a high laugh. "no…I just …well…I was almost afraid that you'll be serving steaks here and everything, since you have such a western house and everything and well, I thought you eat Western dishes as well and…" she paused as she saw both of her hosts staring at her, making her bow her head in embarrassment. "But…that's just what I thought…"
Her host smiled widely. "Well, it's true we have a house so Westernized…but we don't eat Western food very often…I figured you will like Japanese food and will be comfortable with us."
"Un." What is he? she thought. He figured that out? He knew I don't want to be embarrassed…and he was even concerned about that?
"Saa, itadakimasu!" Eriol started to eat and Tomoyo followed his example. Suddenly, she noticed Nakuru standing by the table. "Anou, Nakuru-san?"
Nakuru quickly came to her aid. "Hai? Is there anything you need?"
"Well…why aren't you eating?"
Eriol looked up from his food and his servant covered her mouth with her tray. "Uh…no, I'm the servant here so…"
"But…you cooked this food, yet you aren't enjoying it?" Tomoyo looked at Eriol, and quickly realized what she was doing. "Ma…Gomen nasai! Sorry, I wasn't thinking…"
"It's alright," her host said. "Nakuru, you may join us."
Nakuru curtsied and made her way to the kitchen to prepare a dish of her own.
The young master resumed dining when he found Tomoyo looking down at her lap. "What's wrong."
"I'm sorry," Tomoyo said, her voice muffled as her face was covered with her long hair. "I shouldn't have brought that up. I am just a guest here and I'm posing things I want. I must have ruined your appetite. Shameless, my mother would call me…"
"Tomoyo-san," Eriol lightly said. "There is nothing wrong with that. Nakuru sometimes dine with me too when we're alone. Now, does that make you feel better?"
The young woman looked up with a brighter smile and resumed eating. At the same time, Nakuru came to the table with her own sukiyaki bowl.
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"Nee, Nakuru, you cannot just stand there watching us eat. There's a lot of seats available, so why don't you join us? I'm sure Eriol wouldn't mind."
"Arigatou, Kaho-sama."
"Nakuru is pretty scared of you, Kaho!"
"Eriol-sama…I wasn't…"
"Now, Now, Nakuru…go eat up your meal and settle down. I'll help you with the dishes later."
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Eriol looked down at his food. This Tomoyo…has the same feelings towards Nakuru as Kaho had… Realizing that his thoughts are wandering again, he coughed a little and started the discussion. "As I said, Tomoyo-san, I have a proposal for you…"
"Yeah, I was dying to know about it. What is it?"
The young man wiped his mouth with the table napkin and looked straight at his guest. "Well, a week from now, one of my friends will open up a museum. I would be one of the associates…"
Tomoyo tiled her pretty head to one side. "So…where do I get in?"
"After the opening of the museum, there'll be a party - a formal party. Joshohime-san, the secretary and organizer of the party, cannot avail any singer available so…"
The young woman was gaping at him, her spoon in the air. "You mean…you'll bring me in as the singer?"
Eriol coughed once more. "Yes, that's basically what I was thinking."
Nakuru watched the whole scene silently. It seems that her master was very serious this time and she was afraid to butt in. At the same time, she didn't know much about this Tomoyo to be included in the conversation.
"So…" Tomoyo said. "What am I supposed to sing?"
"Well, that depends on the experience you've had," Eriol replied. "I do not want to force any song to you, so I was hoping that you could tell me something about yourself and then we'll decide what you can sing. That is, if you will accept."
Eriol's servant saw Tomoyo gripping her napkin tightly on her lap. However, her face did not show any of the emotions her hands convey, "I will accept, I want to…but…"
"Do you have experience in singing, Tomoyo-san?"
Tomoyo nodded, a blush creeping on her pale face.
"Have you sung in concerts?"
"Well…erm..no." Tomoyo's hands gripped her skirts until her knuckles were white. "I used to be a singer in…bars."
Eriol was surprised that such an innocent-looking girl like her, no matter what manners she had, would be singing in a bar. But seeing the worry in the girl's voice, he didn't say anything. "What is it? Something like 'Coyote Ugly'?"
"What's Coyote Ugly?"
"Never mind." Eriol settled back to his chair. "You mean singing with the dancing and everything?"
"No! Of course not!" Tomoyo looked away. "I…I don't want doing those things. Well, that's why I kinda got no job. I got fired for not sitting on a man's lap."
"That's terrible!" Nakuru finally was able to relate. "How many women would like to sit on a stranger's lap??" Seeing Eriol's glare, she retired to her sukiyaki.
Eriol threw a pitiful glance at his guest. "I feel very bad…for that bar. They lost a very good singer." Tomoyo eyed him warily, but seeing the sincerity in his face, smiled shyly. "Actually, it will be a dinner party, Tomoyo-san….what is your last name, anyway? I reckon that you never told me."
"Daidouji. My name is Daidouji Tomoyo. And well… I never had experience in dinner parties."
"That's easy!" Nakuru interrupted once more. "You'll just wear a lovely gown and put up your hair and walk with dignity and sing and then eat Western food! That's what Kaho-sama…"
"Nakuru!" Nakuru cringed and reluctantly kept quiet. Eriol scolded her once more. "You are frightening Tomoyo-san!"
Tomoyo was in shock, but she kept her composure. "No, Nakuru-san, I didn't - I mean wasn't- that scared. I just…well…I don't know…" she bowed her head, her food totally forgotten. "I haven't been in parties before and well…they'll just laugh at me and they will be able to tell in one glance that I'm not part of the rich people, you know."
"Don't worry," Eriol smiled at her. "There's still a week. I could teach you all you need to know in manners in parties and everything. Just please answer my offer."
Purple eyes met sapphire ones. "Well…I really…"
"Onegai?"
Nakuru looked from her master to Tomoyo, hopeful that Tomoyo will agree."
"Well…" Tomoyo smiled. "Okay…"
Eriol took a sigh of relief. "Then there's one thing left." He turned to Nakuru. "Please prepare the room at the east wing…"
"Wait!" Tomoyo was flabbergasted.
The young man looked at her. "You will be training, right? You have to stay here. Besides, you don't have a place to stay…"
Tomoyo kept silent as she was served the dessert. If luck exists then this must be it. She stole a glance at the young man across her. Whatever is motivating this man, she will never know….all she can do is do her best, get her pay and have a new life.
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Author's Notes:
Another chappie up! I'm really sorry about being late….Anyway, do you guys see the Chapter 2 of this completely? I can't seem to read the whole chapter in Ffnet and I dunno if you guys can. I don't want you guys missing anything, so if you cannot see the whole chapter, please tell me right away so I can work on it, okay?
Please wait for the next chapter!!!
~Sore jaa!
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Card Captor Sakura belongs to CLAMP. Aside from the setting and story, I do not own any of these. This fic was made by a fan for fans so please do not sue. ^^
