Breaking the Ice

Part 2

            The phone rang, but she wouldn't pick it up. It could either be Tomoyo or Syaoran Li. First of all she didn't want to talk to Tomoyo because she was still mad at her. Second of all, she had a feeling Syaoran was not interested in her or even the female gender. He was too cocky and secretly she could not stand being around him.

            But it was not him, only Tomoyo. 'Sakura I know you're there… Please pick up the phone… Okay, fine, don't pick up. I just wanted to tell you I'm going to California for two weeks. I'll be back before Christmas Day, so that we can spend Christmas together. Look, I'm sorry about the whole blind date thing—if it should be called that. I just thought you needed a little change. Please, please, please forgive me. If it will make you feel better I won't call you while I'm away… Well, that's all, bye.'

            Just when she said 'all', Sakura decided to pick up, but it was too late. She had already hung up. She could call Tomoyo back, but then it would sound like Sakura was apologizing without a fight. Of course, Sakura was not going to go out without a fight. The phone rang again and this time without thinking she picked it up.

"What?" Sakura shouted into the receiver.

"Ahem, it's nice to hear from you, too, Ms. Kinomoto," a smile was evident in the voice.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Mrs. Li, I had no idea. I thought you were someone else."

"It's alright Sakura. I just wanted to call and see if you are available today."

"Well, I don't have classes today."

"Great, then we can meet at Crowns for lunch. What do you say? 11:30, good for you?"

"Ah… Sure."

"You sound uncertain."

"Well, it's just that, I thought I would be staying home all day. After all, all my friends are away," Sakura lied.

"That sounds like a boring thing to do. You need to get out more often, like today for instance. I'll see you at 11:30, Sakura."

Sakura stood silently with the phone still in her hand. She didn't want to go because she didn't like Syaoran. Then again, Yelan was such a nice lady. And since Sakura never really had a mother figure of her own, Yelan seemed like one in her eyes. Her friendship with the older woman has no connection to her and Syaoran did it?

In the end Sakura decided that her friendship with Yelan would be fine. So nothing was really holding her back from going out to lunch.

****************************

"Sakura, over here," Yelan waved from a table at Crowns restaurant.

Sakura smiled brightly at the sight of her. "Mrs. Li! It's so nice to see you again," Sakura greeted the woman politely, while bowing slightly to her.

"Sakura, this is America, you do not have to bow to me," Yelan said while pointing to an empty seat for her.

            Once Sakura took her seat, a deep voice spoke behind her. "Mother, what is going on here?"

            Sakura froze. Automatically, her head turned slowly, like a wooden puppet, toward the source of the voice. It was none other than Syaoran Li. Her eyes clashed with his golden brown ones and immediately the cold from his eyes penetrated through her, causing a shiver up her spine.

"I thought we were having lunch together alone," Syaoran said, with the word 'alone' being stretched. He swiftly settled in a chair between the two women.

"Oh Syaoran, what a coincidence?" Yelan smiled.

"Look, Mother, I wish you would stop being so annoying."

"What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean."

Sakura looked from one to the other, a befuddled look on her pale face. After a few minutes of bickering Yelan stood up. "You think about what you said to me today, young man. And when you finally decide to apologize come home." Then she left, leaving a desperate Sakura looking after her.

            Syaoran watched her, his eyes half a shade darker. "Kinomoto," his voice shook her out of her state of fright.

"Yes," she barely squeaked, her eyes barely seeing him.

"Kinomoto, don't tell me you're afraid to be alone with me."

"No! Of course not! Where did you get such a crazy idea?"

"The words 'I hate Syaoran Li. I don't want to be with him' is all written clearly in those eyes of yours."

Sakura gulped and tried changing the subject, "I don't get what's going on with you two…"

He leaned his elbows on the table and rested his head in the palms of his hands, while he watched her twitch under his gaze. "If you really want to know give me your address and I'll pick you up at seven."

            Sakura blushed. He was not flirting because his voice was heavy and annoyed, but her face turned red anyway. He had just asked her so blatantly for her address. She never met a man who thought she was troublesome. For example, at one point in life, Ross had kissed the ground she walked on just to be with her. He showered her with roses and gave her presents. He flirted with her even though they had known each other for so long. Ross was the first person and the only person she had seen and found romantic. Syaoran was the opposite.

"I really have to go, Kinomoto. I have errands to run, so if you don't mind…"

"No, please, don't go," Sakura grabbed his arm.

            He looked at her hand and then at her, one eyebrow went up. Slowly Sakura withdrew. "I'm sorry," she said, "your mother left, leaving you and me. If you leave, too, then I'll be all by myself."

"If you want me to stay, then just say so."

Sakura blushed and nodded.

"But under one condition," Syaoran added, "Your address, and your promise that you will have dinner with me tonight."

"Um, that was not how I intended you ask me out."

"Kinomoto, it's no date. It's a meeting."

"What if I have something else to do? Like a date with a boyfriend?"

"Don't insult me, Kinomoto. I know you don't have a boyfriend or you would have told me so sooner."

            Syaoran Li got his address. He only needed to convince his mother.

****************************

            Sakura searched through her closet, and her drawers. There was nothing to wear for this night. The apartment looked like it was ransacked and the television was on, but was covered by a sweater.

            In desperate need of something to wear, she picked up the phone and dialed.

The answering machine went off. "Tomoyo, I need your fashion expertise! I have absolutely nothing to wear tonight! Oh, shoot! I forgot you're not home!" With that she hung up with a frustrated growl.

            "The President of Li Enterprise is planning on an early retirement."

"What?" Sakura shouted as she pulled the blue sweater from the television screen.

"That means by January first the new president of Li Enterprise, the grandson, Syaoran Li…"

Sakura's eyes were glued to the television set as she watched the handsome, golden eyed man they called Syaoran Li. He was smiling, flashing his perfectly white teeth. Annoyed at his arrogant face, even on T.V., she grabbed the clicker and pressed power.

"Who cares what he thinks of me? I'm not going!" Sakura shouted out loud.

            An hour later the doorbell rang. "Mr. Hot-shot, thinks he could win my heart," she grumbled flinging the door open.

Syaoran stood there in a tuxedo complete with tie. His hands were in his pants pockets and he was grinning at her in a strange way.

His head tilted to the side. "Your ride is here, but you don't look like you're ready."

"So? What are you going to do Mr. President?"

"So, you're all grumpy because you found out I'm quite a famous guy," Syaoran stated.

"No, I'm not. Just angry at the turn of events."

"Get dress or I'll dress you myself."

"I don't have anything to wear, so leave me alone!" Sakura shouted, slumping on the couch.

"Crybaby…" Syaoran inspected the house and shook his head. "Oh, I see. You're annoyed that you live in a sty unlike me."

Ignoring him, Sakura turned the T.V. on. He looked at her and shook his head. Then, turning around, he decided to choose her clothes for her. After five minutes of looking he finally found a white dress. He used to pick out dresses for his sisters before they all left with their husbands. Now, he was doing this for a girl he'd just met. He looked at the spaghetti straps of the dress and wondered how small her shoulders were and if the straps would stay on. He also tried to remember those slim legs that would be covered by the long skirt. After a moment of thinking he decided to go along with it.

"Kinomoto," he grunted, tossing the dress over her head, "put this on."

She pulled the dress from over her face and scowled at the dress. "You have fine taste, Sir, but I said I'm not in any mood to go anywhere dressed in this."

"If you're trying to get me mad, it's working… See here, I booked us a place in one of the finest restaurants in all of this country. If you back out now, you'll regret it."

"Is that a threat?"

"No, I'm just saying that you will regret this. It's not everyday I take a woman to this place."

"Don't think so highly of yourself, please." Sakura moaned. "It's enough I have to be going anywhere with you."

Syaoran shrugged.

Sakura stood up and pointed a finger at him. "But you have to promise me no press or media."

"Is that what you're so worked up about?"

She continued without answering his question, "And promise me that you'll clarify what you and your mother are planning because if it has anything to do with me I don't want to be in anyway part of it. You said that this is only a meeting."

Syaoran nodded. Sakura, taking that as a yes, left the living room to change in the bathroom. She came out minutes later, dressed. Syaoran looked at her wide-eyed, amazed at how beautiful she looked. Her creamy skin seemed to glow underneath her dress and since her hair was short she did nothing with it. She blushed, realizing that he was examining her.

"Oh well, good enough," Syaoran said with a shrug.

"What is that suppose to mean?"

Syaoran started walking away. Sakura stomped after him, slamming the door behind her. Once outside, Sakura balked. Parked out front, was a black limo. There was the chauffeur who held the door open for them.

"I am not riding in that!" Sakura shouted.

Syaoran rolled his eyes as he grabbed her by the elbow. He pushed her into the back, and told her to move in before seating himself next to her.

Reaching the restaurant, on time fortunately, a private table was reserved for them. They ordered and Sakura seemed to have settled down.

Noticing her ease, Syaoran struck up a conversation, "First time here?"

"You've seen my apartment. Do I look like the type of person who could afford this?" She said in a somewhat hurt tone.

Syaoran smiled, "I thought models make a lot of money."

"Well, you thought wrong… Just because I model for Tomoyo, doesn't mean I'm rich. As a matter of fact sometimes I model for fun."

"Without pay?"

"As long as I help a friend, that's enough payment in my account."

"You know you won't survive in the business world."

"I don't plan on working in the business world."

"Then how do you plan on making a living?" Syaoran wondered.

"Well, once I go back to Japan, I'm going to find one of those 'white collar' jobs."

"Doesn't sound like school is worth that. Why would you cross the Pacific just to go to school?"

"I came here to learn, but also because Tomoyo was moving here permanently to start her business here. I decided to help her by becoming a model. But now, I'm only in her way, so I don't plan on staying here for long."

"Somehow, I know that isn't your only reason for coming here," his voice was slightly higher as it filled with question.

"Well, it's also because of an overprotective home I live under back in Japan…"

"Your parents?"

Sakura laughed at that. "No… More like my brother… He drove me away. And now I worry other people, like Tomoyo."

"How so?"

"You're prying, Li," she grumbled.

"I just want to learn more about you."

"Why?"

"Because, you're not what I expected." When he said this, he blushed, making surprised Sakura smile.

Nodding she continued, "All my life people felt they had to protect me. I just didn't want that. My brother had his own life to live and I had mine. He didn't get it, so I left with Tomoyo. But now I realize that it's the same for Tomoyo. I just transferred that 'worry for Sakura' from my brother to my best friend. That's why I can't stay here much longer. I'm just waiting to graduate and go on with life from there."

"No plans for the future?"

"You know what my plans are, Syaoran."

            He caught her calling him by first name. It sounded foreign hearing her say it because it was a name only his mother and sisters used for him. Yet, he did nothing to correct her as he asked, "So you never had a serious relationship with one guy that you thought of marrying him?"

Sakura twisted the table cloth between her hands. Syaoran noticed her tense up. She shook as she answered him, "He left me… a long time ago."

"Oh… Then what about your parents?"

"My Mom died when I was three," Sakura raised her hand to her forehead, "I can't remember her…"

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

Sakura shook her head, "I can't believe I told you so much about my life already."

"I can't believe you are so open," Syaoran said. "But don't be so open to other strangers. The world is an evil place… Never know what kind of lunatics are out there… All in different sizes and forms…"

            Sakura stared at him in amazement. Was he concerned for her safety, too?

Sakura sighed and found the courage to ask him a few questions. "So far I have only met your mother. What about your father?"

"Kinomoto, he left my mother when she still carried me. Do you know why? Because he didn't like the fact that she only bore him daughters. He left her for some other woman; he thought could produce male heirs. Can you believe that?"

Sakura shook her head and opened her mouth to say something comforting, but he interrupted her. "But when he found out my mother's baby was a boy, the fool, came home at top speed. He never made it though, because he died in a car crash speeding. And the baby in the woman he got pregnant, turned out to be a girl…" Syaoran chuckled breathlessly.

"That's not funny," Sakura murmured, her eyebrows drawn.

Syaoran stopped and challenged her stare with a glare. "Let me remind you, he left my mother for a stupid reason. And I have a reason why I hate the woman he was with."

"Go on…"

Syaoran smiled evilly, "When he died, that woman had nothing. She couldn't raise her own daughter even if she tried. My mother took her in, started a business with her selling flowers. My mother spent millions of her money to keep my father's lover on her feet. Mother made her the boss of their business, which somewhat became worldwide and do you know how that woman repayed her? She sold the damn business and took the money and the profit. Sum that up! How much would that be? About half a billion?! My father's lover stole everything my mother had left!"

"I don't understand… How did you become so rich, then?"

"We were always rich, because of my father's side of the family. My paternal grandfather was so depressed with my father he almost committed suicide when I was still a baby. Mother saved him by reminding him that if he went so soon there would be no rightful heir to his business. She convinced him to see over his depression, and remember his family. The only father I ever known would be my father's father."

Sakura reached over and clasped his hands with hers. "We are so alike."

"I know…"

"I also want to say thank you. You've made me feel better by telling me so much about yourself."

"It's only fair that I be open, too," he said.

            Just then their food arrived, and of course they did not eat quietly. They talked, and shared some of their life stories. They were both comfortable with each other, making it easier to confide in one another. For this reason, Syaoran felt comfortable asking the 'big' question.

            Both of them full in the stomach, Syaoran spoke, "I promised to clarify the business between my mother and me and… You."

"Me?"

Syaoran explained, "I have until January first. By then I need a wife or the elders of the Li Clan will chose for me."

"That's horrible."

"You have to help me." Taking out a ring box he seized her hand.

Sakura let out an outraged shriek as he flipped the box open with one hand.

"You have to marry me," Syaoran said in a serious voice.

            Sakura looked from the ring to him. It was a huge diamond and Sakura could do nothing but stare from it to him. It took her a while before she found her voice, "Are you out of your mind?! I barely know you!"

"We've told each other everything about ourselves!"

"Is that why you were so open? To take advantage of my trust in you?"

"I was open because I trusted you. How could you think someone like me a manipulator?!" Syaoran almost shouted.

Sakura gave him a confused look.

"Please, I need help. My mother and the elders, they won't get off my back. Grandfather brings up the topic in every meeting we have!" He grabbed her left hand again and slipped the ring on her ring finger. Sakura shrieked again, but he wouldn't let go of her hand.

"Kinomoto, please. I promise you, in the end you will not have to marry me. This is only temporary for show."

"Temporary! You don't spend 100,000 dollars on a wedding ring for temporary use!"

Still gripping her hand he smiled softly. "It's okay. I make one-hundred times that much in a year."

"So it's real?! This was never part of the bargain, Li!"

"There was never a bargain to start with." He sighed. "I'm sorry I had to drop this on you." Syaoran released her hand and waited for her to take the ring off.

But she didn't. Instead she said, "You better not announce it to the world, especially when it isn't official."

Finally, I'm done with part two. I hope you all enjoyed it. And I hope everyone had a nice Christmas, because I certainly did. Anyway, I am determined to finish this story before New Years. I encourage everyone who is interested in this story to stay tuned for the next parts.

-MistyWing