Hi! Sorry I haven't updated yet. My computer is doing its crazy thing again, but I'll try to update everyday or every other day. I also haven't proofread this chapter so I'm sorry if there are many grammatical errors.
Oh, also, to those who are reading my other fic, "Searching for you." I have every intention of finishing it and I'm actually going to update this week. Like I said, my computer problems are slowing me down. Thanks and please don't forget to review. I'm warning you though, this chapter is not particularly good, but please be kind. Thanks.
Chapter 2: Plan B"Please stop staring at me like that." Sakura told the man who is staring idiotically at her. The young man seems to be surprised by her bluntness. He eyed her from head to her dusty shoes.
"Are you sure your name is Sakura……… as in Sakura Kinomoto?!" Syaoran asked with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
Sakura eyed the man in front of her. He is tall, and rather very attractive. His chestnut hair is stylishly messy, his body is close to perfection, and he generates an aura of confidence and prominence that Sakura found a little intimidating. But what made the most impression to her are his amber-colored eyes, which are so deep, and yet so cold.
"Well I prefer Sakura Avalon, but I guess you could call me Kinomoto as well, are you………" Sakura was cut abrupt by an ear-piercing shriek from upstairs. Sakura and Syaoran both looked up only to see a VERY happy looking Elaine, running down the stairs like an excited little child……….
"Omigosh, you're Sakura. I'm so excited to meet you. Oh you're so cute. Is this hair color real? Pretty! I've always wanted a younger sister. So you could call me your big sister Elaine. Neh? Call me big sister from now on ok? Oh you're so cute!!!" Elaine shrieked while hugging Sakura so tightly she couldn't breath for a moment. Sakura looked at the pretty blonde whose smile seems to be perpetually stuck on her pretty face.
Syaoran tried to suppress a laugh upon witnessing her fiancée's little performance. She looked enthusiastic --- a little too much to be believable.
Fortunately, a young lawyer came out. Somehow, the sight of Elaine smiling giddily, who was just very furious after finding out about Sakura, did not seem to click at all. He looked at the poor slender figure with a very perplexed look on her face, and smiled at her.
"Miss Avalon, or Kinomoto from now on, my name is Atty. Touya Doujo, I'm your late father's personal lawyer, and niece. So really we are actually cousins." He smiled brightly at her who acknowledged him by a nod.
"Very pleased to meet you," Sakura said, extending her arms to shake Touya's hands. For the first time, Sakura actually felt like she's got a close relative. Something about Elaine's exaggerated friendliness scares her.
"And I am you're stepmother dear. My name is Elvira, but you could always call me Aunt Elvira." Elvira said coming from behind and hugging her. Sakura noticed how she subtly tried to avoid her suit from touching her clothes. Sakura smiled and introduced herself to her again. She noticed how classy everyone looked, especially Elaine and Elvira. She can't help but feel slightly awkward.
"And I see you've already met my fiancée." Elaine said excitedly, holding unto Syaoran's arms. "His name is Li Syaoran," Emphasizing the "Li" part. Sakura was surprised to hear this. She knows full well who the Li's are. Tomoyo had talked about them a couple of times. It's hard to believe that this young handsome man who is just wearing deep green sweater is actually one of the richest man in all China and Japan.
They walked to the living room area, wherein Touya handed Sakura a thick folder."These are a copy of your father's assets, companies, and a copy of his recent bank statement, and all the other things that pertains to your inheritance."
Sakura opened the thick folder. She looked at Touya surprised. "This is really thick." Sakura said timidly. Touya smiled thinking of how adorable she looks when she's confused.
Syaoran tried to suppress a laugh. "Well your father was a very rich man." He exclaimed.
"Should I really get all of these? I've never really met him." Sakura's voice had a tone of sadness.
Elvira took the folder from Sakura's hands. "Don't worry about it dear." She mumbled gently. "We will take care of all of these." She said. Touya doesn't seem to like the sound of that at all.
Elaine interrupted. " Well, we will show you around the place, and prepare everything else for you since you will be living here." She said, the rigid smile still plastered on her face. She took Syaoran's hands and started walking out towards the garden. "Cmon Sakura, or should I say little sis." Elaine winked at Sakura which made her giggle nervously.
Before she left, Touya grabbed her arm, and whispered something almost inaudibly, that Sakura thought sounded something like "Don't trust those three."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX"Mistress, wake up." An elderly woman gently rocked Sakura's body, trying to wake her up. "Miss Elaine told me to wake you up before 7."
Sakura lazily opened one eye, then the other as she tried to figure out what the heck is going on. She saw a blurry figure of what looks like a woman. "Who are you?" Sakura said weakly. She still couldn't believe that her life changed so drastically over the course of two days.
"My name is Martha." The elderly woman said, her eyes seem to water at the sight of Sakura. "Oh mistress, you look just like your mother."
"What do you know about my mother?" Sakura said completely ushering to the state of consciousness. She is always interested when people talk about her mother.
Martha was about to reply, when Elaine, (with a HUGE smile again) appeared in the doorway.
"Hey cute little sis, your driver is waiting for you. Rise and shine and please do hurry up." She said.
"Ok," Sakura said blankly at her, trying to smile back. "Thanks."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXShe wore the same cotton jacket from yesterday, but with a black top inside, and matching cotton pants and tennis shoes. She took her duffel bag, and hurried outside to the waiting car, only to be surprised by the "driver".
"Hey, finally you're here." Syaoran winked at her as he opened the door of the passenger side.
Sakura was shocked to see him. Yesterday, she was told that Syaoran is a Li, from the very rich and powerful family. Why the heck would he be driving for her?
"Why the heck would you be driving for me?" Sakura repeated, making Syaoran laugh a little.
"Well I thought since we would be doing a lot of business together, we might as well get to know each other." Syaoran explained. Syaoran smirked remembering that the first rule to fighting a war is "Know your enemy."
Sakura looked at him suspiciously. Somehow, the explanation did not make a lot of sense to her.
"It was Elaine's idea." Syaoran said, seeing the look on her face. Sakura is unsure whether or not he should trust this man who she just met yesterday. But then again he is the fiancée of her "Big sister Elaine" (somehow, the thought seems disgusting to her), so perhaps there is nothing wrong.
"So where are we going first?" Syaoran asked opening the door of his hot new porshe for her. Sakura smiled and thanked him, as she slides into the passenger seat.
"Uhmm, I guess to my school. I have a tennis practice." Sakura said opening her duffel bag.
"Oh so you play tennis. Are you any good?" Syaoran asked looking rather amused.
"Maybe, maybe not." Sakrua replied blankly. The truth is after Touya's warning, she doesn't trust this guy very much.
Syaoran just smiled and kept on driving until they reached Sakura's school. Sakura opened the door herself and jumped outside Syaoran's car.
"Thank you for taking me. See ya." She smiled sweetly at Li, who just grinned evilly at her.
"What are you talking about? I'll be spending the whole day with you. So that means including tennis practice." Syaoran winked. Sakura looked at him suspiciously. Why would he want to see her play tennis?
"Are you sure, it might take an hour or so?" Sakura said, obviously trying to dissuade him from coming.
"Oh that's not a problem." Syaoran said as he jumped out of his car. Taking
Sakura's duffel bag, he began walking towards the school. But Sakura didn't
really want to have him around any more than needed.
"Please don't……… I really don't like other people watching me."
"No can do," Syaoran said coolly. "Elaine wants me to watch over you, and that's what I'm gonna do." Sakura is getting more and more frustrated by the minute. She doesn't understand why he's being so persistent.
"Ok, you wait here while I change into my tennis outfits ok?" Sakura said as she took the bag from Syaoran. "But you can leave if you feel like it."
**Which I won't*** Syaoran thought.
"Can't I come with you to the locker room." Syaoran teased, but Sakura only looked at him as if she's never heard anything so disgusting. "Absolutely not………" she retorted. Syaoran laughed at her cute facial expression as he seated himself in one of the benches, while Sakura trotted to the locker rooms to change.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX"Hey Sakura, you're early today." Kaho smiled at her student who just came rushing in.
"That's because the person driving me came a little too early." Sakura scowled as she looked outside the window to where Syaoran is sitting. Kaho looked out as well.
"He's pretty cute. Your boyfriend?" Kaho teased.
"No way!!! He's annoying and rather clingy. Besides, he's my "Big sister Elaine's" boyfriend.
Sakura saw the amused expression on Kaho's face. So far, she's only been able to tell three people about her new situation; first is Tomoyo, then Kaho, then her friend doctor. She then proceeded to changing to her tennis uniform.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Oh my, I think I'm seeing things, isn't that Li Syaoran??!!!"
"Yeah, omigosh, it's him. What's he doing here."
"Does anyone have a mirror, I need a retouch quick, I think my lipstick has worn off!!!"
Syaoran turned towards the girls in the corner who are whispering rather loudly to each other. He grinned at them, then winked at one of the girls. Her eyes widened in shock, then her knees gave out and fainted. Syaoran mentally laughed at how girls react towards him.
"Figures………" A voice said causing Syaoran to turn his head. Sakura is standing next to him, looking rather unpleased.
Syaoran was about to speak, but his voice was caught in his throat, AGAIN. Seeing Sakura in her tennis clothes, her hair tied to a ponytail, and her skirt being very short. The usual tacky duffel bag now looks like an accessory. Sakura looks so sporty and so alive, especially as the bright sunlight hit her.
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO STARE!!!!" Sakura yelled waking him up.
"Isn't that skirt a little too short?"
"With guys like you around, I'm beginning to think that it is." Sakura snapped, earning a laugh from Syaoran. Sakura took out her tennis racket and ball, as she headed to the court.
"Wait, who are you playing against?" Syaoran called out.
"The wall." Sakura didn't even bother to look back.
"That's no fun." He said. Sakura was horrified when she saw him take out one of the rackets from the supplies and headed towards her.
"You know how to play?" Sakura was rather curious and impressed.
"Well, only one way to find out."
"You can't play in that sweater." Sakura looked at Syaoran's rather expensive looking ensemble. Sakura could only imagine him dripping in sweat and smelling like a pig if he did.
"No problem." And to Sakura's shock, Syaoran took off his sweater. She didn't hear a couple of shrieks from the other girls watching them, because she herself is dumbfounded when he saw his tanned perfect body.
"Like what you see?" Syaoran teased seeing her face.
"Hardly………" Sakura said pretending not to care at all.
** He looks perfect***
"Alright, let's play." Syaoran watched as Sakura's slender arm bounced the ball and then hit it towards his side. But he's not a bad player himself, and Sakura was surprised when he hit the ball effortlessly. In fact, Sakura was so surprised that she missed it, and Syaoran scored.
From the bleachers, a crowd of girls gathered and they cheered in their high-pitched girly voices when Syaoran scored. Syaoran bowed to them like he's just finished performing. If Sakura isn't mistaken, she thought another one of them fainted.
"This is so sad!" Sakura exclaimed. Syaoran hit the ball again. But this time, she was ready. She hit the ball back in the side farthest to Syaoran. Syaoran missed the ball, but he looked at her very much impressed.
"Not bad Sakura!" His voice is drowned by the booing of the girls from the bleachers. Syaoran had trouble tearing his eyes away from Sakura. Her face looks so focused even though she is smiling. Her cheeks are even pinker than usual.
"Ok Syaoran, if I score next, you won't bother me for the rest of the day." Sakura said as she got ready to serve.
"Alright! But if I score, then you'll be cleaning my car tomorrow." Syaoran replied. Sakura smiled and served. After completing few sets, Syaoran scored.
"Make sure you use an expensive wax, only the best for my car." Syaoran smirked.
"Yeah yeah," Sakura said as the girls cheered loudly again. Syaoran looks like he's the most arrogant man in the world.
"Hey Sakura, if I win, you're going to kiss me for 5 whole seconds." Syaoran said giving her another one of his evil grins. Sakura looked at him, unable to believe the nerve of this man. Sakura figured that this man is disgusting enough to flirt with his fiancée's stepsister. She smiled thinking of a good punishment.
"But if I win, you're gonna do the chicken dance. IN YOUR BOXERS!!!"
After an hour or so………………………
"Mommy, what is that man doing in there, he looks funny." A young boy called to his mother who looked towards where a crowd had gathered around, most of them laughing maniacally. Her eyes almost popped out seeing what is causing the fiasco.
"Oh boy, why is that man dancing chicken dance in his underwear?!!!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX"I hope you realize that I just let you win." Syaoran said for about a millionth time while he was driving. Syaoran kept repeating these exact same words to her when she went to her work to tell her manager that she's leaving, the day care center wherein she volunteers to do some community work, and most especially when they went in a restaurant to eat. Still, he can't deny the fact that he's having so much fun with this girl.
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that." Sakura replied pretending to try to not laugh. Syaoran looked at her with fury.
"Stop that!!! I'm really good at tennis." Syaoran is getting more and more defensive and irritating by the moment. "Forget it. Where do we go next?"
"Uhm, it's getting late. I just have one more place to go to." Sakrua said, taking out two almost empty medicine bottles from her bag. "There's a clinic a few blocks from here."
"A clinic. Sakura, you do know that you own a hospital now right?" Sakura was shocked to hear this, but she really didn't care much.
"Doesn't matter. I only trust one doctor, and his clinic is in the second floor of that building." Sakura said as she pointed to where it was located. Syaoran still doesn't understand why she couldn't just go to the hospital where the doctors and facilities are better.
Sakura went in, followed closely by Syaoran. He noticed at the door a sign with gold letters with the words "Dr. Julian Star" on it. When the nurse in the waiting area saw Sakura, she smiled as if she knows her already. Sakura went to her table and talked to her while he remained seated, observing the place, wondering why it's so special to Sakura.
"Hey little girl!" Syaoran looked up only to see a really good looking man dressed as a doctor come out of the room. Sakura walked towards him and hugged him. Syaoran have never seen a doctor being so close to his patient.
"Julian! I haven't been here in a long time." Sakura said, significantly more cheerful than before. Syaoran blushed a little seeing Sakura smile so radiantly. She's so beautiful that even an engaged man like him couldn't deny it.
"That's true and I'm not happy about that at all. You know that you should visit here atleast once a week." The doctor replied while trying to fake a frown. Syaoran noticed how his gentle face and kind appearance doesn't seem to suit that frown at all.
"Oh, and yes, this is Li Syaoran, I hope you remember him, I told you about him last night on the phone." Sakura said as Julian extended his hands to Syaoran.
"I'm pleased to meet you. I must say I'm really glad that Sakura is bringing in some of her friends. It's usually Tomoyo. How is she by the way?"
"She's ok. I haven't seen her for a week since she went to England, AGAIN. But she's supposed to have arrived this morning. She told me on the phone last night.
"That's great. Alright let's get you started. You may go in too Li. I'm sure you'll get bored if you sit here alone." Julian said as he took Sakura's hand and led her inside. Syaoran, not wanting to get bored and curious about the relationship of Sakura with her doctor agreed to comply.
Inside, Syaoran watched Sakura as Julian took her temperature, blood pressure, etc. He noticed how Sakura doesn't seem uncomfortable at all even when Julian used his stethoscope so that his hand almost touches her chest. Somehow, this made him suspect more.
"So how come you have these check-ups?" Syaoran asked trying to join in the conversation as he is obviously getting left out.
"Oh, they're nothing. Just to make sure Sakura's………." But Julian was interrupted by Sakura jerking his hand, obviously trying to stop him from talking more. Julian getting Sakura's message curtly stopped.
"Sakura's what?" Syaoran demanded wanting to know why they are acting so weird.
"Uhmm, because I play school sports, I have to have clean medical records and stuff." Sakura mumbled. Syaoran thought that the explanation wasn't convincing at all.
"Everything seems to be alright. I have to say, I've never seen you this healthy before Sakura. But I want you to promise me that you're taking your medicines regularly." Julian smiled enthusiastically. Even Syaoran didn't miss the fact that Julian seems to be genuinely concern about Sakura's health. For some reason, he didn't approve of the fact that a doctor is so close to his patient, especially about the fact that they call each other by their first names.
Sakura took out her wallet from her pocket and sheepishly took out some cards that are still very new. She took out a couple of them. Syaoran laughed softly as he realized that Sakura has no idea how to use them.
"Uhmm………Julian, I think I can use these to pay for today." Sakura mumbled timidly as she handed the cards to Julian.
"Sakura, I've never made you pay any of the visits you've made here. I won't start making you pay now." Julian replied as he handed her back the cards.
"Oh, but I can pay you now." Sakura insisted. "I've always felt so bad that I can't pay for my medical visits and you've paid for my medicines too. Please take it." Syaoran noticed how Sakura seems to be embarrassed by this. He felt his chest tighten, realizing how hard must it have been for Sakura to not even be able to pay her medical bills.
"Sakura, I've always enjoyed you being here. Besides, if I start making you pay, it would be less personal. I thought we were friends." There is a tone of hurt in Julian's voice. "Please, you've always been my favorite patient, and it's like I'm taking care of a younger sister."
After more persistence from both sides, Sakura finally gave in and said her goodbyes. Syaoran lead the way to his car, with Sakura following close behind.
"You know, you're really a mystery." Syaoran told Sakura as she boarded his car.
"Everyone's a mystery when you don't know them." Sakura replied, staring at the road ahead.
Syaoran simply nodded his head, and the trip back to Sakura's mansion is filled with silence. Along the way, Syaoran thought about what he learned about her that day. How she doesn't seem to care that most of the girls in her school doesn't like her, or how the workers in the restaurant she works at almost cried when she said she's not going to work there anymore, or how the little kids in the daycare ran up to her like she's an ice cream truck. Or her reaction towards Julian………
*** You're a really kindhearted person. But don't have high hopes for yourself and you are easily contented. You have no ambition to be someone and you're happy with whatever you have……….And that my friend is your weakest point**** Syaoran said to himself as they drove inside the Kinomoto's gate. He was surprised to see the place decorated and many people are coming in and out the house carrying different things.
"Hey what are all of those people doing here?" Sakura noticed a bunch of men bringing in trays and stuffs inside the house. Inside, she found servants dashing from everywhere trying to make the place tidy and presentable, not that it needs that much work.
Sakura walked towards the ball room which is so huge it looked like an entire floor of an expensive hotel. And there she saw, Elaine, ordering people around.
"Oh hey Sakura, you better get ready. The guests would be here in a minute." Elaine told Sakura, again that annoying smile curling on her lips. When Elaine saw Syaoran appear from behind, she rushed to him and gave him a wet kiss that Sakura wished she didn't witness.
"Uhmm, what guests? Is there an occasion?" Sakura asked Elaine, who looked at her like she's insane.
"Yes, it's a ball for you silly one. Oh no, don't tell me mom forgot to tell you!" Elaine said trying to look concern, but it's simply not that believable. Even Syaoran could tell that this was intentional.
"Well, luckily I was prepared just in case you didn't prepare. I have a pretty dress laid out for you in the bed. I haven't worn that one before, so go ahead and get dressed. Some guests have already arrived. Which reminds me, I have to get dressed myself. So go, go on now and get ready." Elaine goaded. Sakura complied even though she doesn't understand full well yet what is going on. If there is a party for her, she could've atleast invited some of her friends from school.
When she was completely out of sight, Elaine wrapped her arms around Syaoran's neck and they both laughed evilly.
"You, my love, are so bad." Syaoran whispered to Elaine whose face is tilted up to meet Syaoran's eyes. She gave him a seductive smile.
"Oh you haven't seen anything yet. I'm telling you, she would rue the day she stepped into this house, and our lives. This party will show her what our true colors are." Elaine said as she kissed Syaoran once more, before parting away to get dressed.
YEAH YEAH, I KNOW THIS CHAPTER IS WORTHLESS. BUT PLEASE BEAR WITH IT, I PROMISE THE NEXT ONE WILL BE BETTER (OR SO I HOPE)………. BUT PLEASE REVIEW THIS CHAPTER. THANKS.