Starrie: woohoo!! 16 at last! ^^;; old enough to drive and already did! I almost ran over some old guy who already had his days numbered --;;
Evil Starrie: and you were gonna shorten those days --;;
Starrie: oh well, he shouldn't have gotten in my way
Evil Starrie: *sarcastically* oh riiiight...he shouldn't have been on the sidewalk!
Starrie: not the one I was heading towards *sweatdrop*
Evil Starrie: *laughs* the old guy just staring as you headed straight towards him
Starrie: he was amazed by my skills ^^;;
Evil Starrie: you forgot what neutral was....damn good skills you have
Starrie: shut-up...it's not my fault I panicked
Evil Starrie: are you sure about that?
Starrie: blame my cousin! I told him to use the automatic car but he chose manual!
Evil Starrie: he didn't think you'd try to kill the poor old neighbor!
Starrie: I told you, he got in my way!!!
Evil Starrie: he was standing just outside his house!
Starrie: and it happened to be in my way!!!
Evil Starrie: oiie....just get on with the fic
Starrie: *sweatdrop* oh right...well everyone, thanks for your wonderful reviews and to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! I had a great time on my vacation and nearly killed my god-parent's neighbor ^^;; I'm now back and ready to type type type!! ^^;;
Learning To Love
Chapter 8
"Who am I!? I think the question here is who are you"
Meiling said as she glared at the woman in front of her. she knew she didn't like her from the start. She seemed snobbish and stuck-up. just the kind of person Meiling couldn't stand. Tiffany turned her gaze away from Meiling as she tried to remain calm. In a matter of seconds, she had a bright smile on her face.
"Hi, I'm Tiffany. I'm sorry, I suppose we got off on the wrong foot. You must be Syaoran's cousin am I right?"
Meiling didn't answer her and just kept on staring at her emotionlessly. Tiffany cleared her throat and shifted from one foot to the next. Things were getting really uncomfortable.
"Is Syaoran home?"
"No"
"Do you know when he'll be back?"
"No"
"Do you know where he went?"
"No"
Tiffany let out a laugh, "or is it that you just don't want to tell me where he is?"
"maybe"
Tiffany's smile erased and a frown took its place.
"Listen brat, I said I was sorry, now if you excuse me, I'm going to go see my boyfriend"
She said in an annoyed tone as she pushed past Meiling. She stepped into the living room and walked towards Syaoran room as if she owned the place.
'oh she's dead'
Meiling thought as she felt rage fill her. With new built up anger she rushed towards Syaoran room and grabbed Tiffany by the arm and dragged her out.
"hey! let go that hurts!! You're gonna leave a mark you little--"
"Does it look like a give a damn!?"
Meiling yelled as she squeezed Tiffany's arm tighter and stopped for two seconds to look into her eyes. Tiffany remained silent and just glared back at Meiling.
"Exactly, I don't"
Meiling hissed as she flung her out of the apartment and into the hallway.
"Don't pull a stunt like that ever again because next time you do, I'll do more then just drag your sorry ass out"
Meiling said in an icy tone as she slammed the door on Tiffany's face. She walked back towards the living room and assumed her old position before she had been rudely interrupted. As soon as she heard that woman's name, she knew exactly who she was in relation with her cousin and she didn't like her one bit.
'but if Syaoran's with Sakura, why is this tramp coming to see him?'
she wondered to herself as she shifted on the couch and picked up the bag of chips.
'what's going on here? Exactly what's Syaoran getting himself into?"
A thought suddenly crossed her mind and made her anger rise to high extremities.
"Syaroan...you better not be playing with Sakura's heart"
She murmured softly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"AAACHOOO!!!!"
"bless you sweetie, what's wrong? You're getting a cold?"
Sakura asked worriedly as she handed Syaoran a napkin. They had been on their way back to Tokyo when Sakura had suddenly gotten hungry. At the moment they were in a small cafe and were finishing their last bite of food.
"no...at least I don't think so"
Sakura let out a giggle as she took a sip of her water.
"Maybe someone's talking about you?"
"Could be. I bet it's your brother"
"oh? Out of all people, him?"
"yeah sure, why not? He hates me enough doesn't he?"
"Syaoran, you're being ridiculous, my brother doesn't hate you...he just dislikes you"
Sakura said the last part while suppressing a giggle. Syaoran let out a chuckle as he took a bite of his sandwich.
"Well that's just wonderful!"
He said with fake enthusiasm, which made Sakura burst out into a fit of giggles.
"Sakura..."
Syaoran started as he finished up his last bite. He looked into her eyes with a questioning look on his face,
"How is it that someone as wonderful, charming and beautiful as yourself managed to stay single living here in Tokyo? When I first met you, I thought, oh she's taken...she MUST be.
Sakura laughed as a light blush colored her cheeks.
"I've been asked out numerous times while living in Tokyo....but that doesn't mean I'm going to say yes to every guy that comes my way"
"oh? Like to play hard to get huh? hmm....I should've known there was a devilish side to your angelic persona"
Syaoran said jokingly. Sakura gave him a small smile and shook her head,
"It's not that. I-I-I'm just tired of hurting"
"ohhh...Do I smell a heartbreaker amidst us?"
Syaoran said with a chuckle as he continued his joking ways. Sakura forced a small smile on her lips as she stared at her glass of water intently.
"More like brokenhearted"
She answered in a low whisper. Syaoran's smile suddenly disappeared as he stared at her. Suddenly, she seemed weak and fragile to him. He couldn't help but feel a strong urge to hug her.
"I-I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up."
Syaoran said apologetically. Sakura shook her head and looked up at him, attempting to be her old cheery self.
"hey, you didn't know. It's okay."
"whoever he was, he must've been a jerk"
"you could say that. Although he wasn't throughout our relationship, until that day..."
Sakura bit her lip and fidgeted with her napkin, not being able to meet Syaoran's eyes.
'Should I tell him? Am I ready to talk about it to Syaoran?'
She asked herself mentally. She then felt a pair of hands gently take her napkin away and hold both of her hands.
"It's okay. If you don't want to talk about it now you don't have to. If and when you're ready to talk about it, I'll be there to listen. I understand that it must be a difficult issue to discuss"
Sakura looked up at Syaoran and gave him a small smile.
"You understand?"
Syaoran gave her hand a small pat before he stood up from his chair and grabbed his coat and put it on.
"You have no idea"
He murmured in a barely audible voice as he handed Sakura her coat.
"Ready to go?"
He asked almost immediately.
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"I'm back!"
Syaoran called out as he entered his apartment. He took off his jacket and shoes and walked into the livingroom but stopped when he saw Meiling on the couch wringing an empty bag of chips as if it were somebody's neck.
"hey, I bought that a few days ago...don't tell me you ate it all!"
Meiling kept quiet and just glared at him from her spot on the couch. Syaoran instinctively backed away and held his arms out defensively.
"That time of the month again huh? Hehehe...never mind, you can have the whole thing"
he said with a nervous laugh. He knew Meiling's mood swings during that time of the month and that meant, don't mess with her unless you want to die.
"It's not that...Idiot"
Meiling muttered through clenched teeth. Syaoran relaxed his posture and smirked,
"So does that mean I'm safe? No hair-dryer will be flung my way?"
"That depends"
Syaoran sat down next to Meiling with a somewhat worried look. Something was wrong with Meiling, and it wasn't PMS.
"Did something happen while I was away?"
"No Syaoran, it was all peachy"
She answered him in a sweet voice overflowing with sarcasm
"of course something happened! Would I be this upset if nothing happened!?!"
Meiling exploded as she flung her hands in the air.
"uhh...do you mind if I ask what happened?"
"oh of course you're going to know...but as soon as I'm done you have some serious explaining to do!"
"fine, now will you please tell me what's going on?"
"Half-hour ago, some...whore named Tiffany came barging in here asking for you. Now my question to you is, what does she have to do with you and why she called you her boyfriend"
'damnit...what the hell was Tiffany doing here?'
Syaoran thought as he avoided Meiling's gaze and stared out the window.
"Syaoran, I asked you a question"
Meiling said in a stern voice. Syaoran though, seemed to be in a different world and didn't even take notice in her.
"Syaoran, I swear, if I find out your cheating on Sakura I will--"
"Tiffany's my ex-girlfriend...she just doesn't want to accept the fact that I broke up with her."
"oh please Syaoran, that's BS. If you're gonna make up an excuse, come up with a better one"
Syaoran shrugged and turned to look into Meiling's mahogany-colored eyes,
"Believe whatever you want, but what I say is true. She doesn't like Sakura and she'll do anything to break us up, including coming here to piss you off and making you believe in something that isn't true. She probably thought you'd go tell Sakura, Sakura would end up getting mad and break up with me"
Meiling hesitated a bit, should she believe him? What he was saying made perfect sense. It's exactly what a jealous ex-girlfriend would do. Meiling looked up at Syaoran reluctantly and a small smile appeared on her lips,
"okay...I believe you...you better not be lying though!"
Syaoran let out a chuckle as he got up from the couch and ruffled her hair as he headed towards his room
"Now why would I ever do that for? Well, I'm in serious need of a hot shower, how about you start dinner meanwhile?"
"oh! Before you go, Aunt Yelan called!"
Syaoran came out his room with a towel in his hand and a surprised look on his face.
"She did? What for?"
"She wants us home for the holidays"
"Sorry, no can do"
"She's not taking no for an answer"
"Uh-oh"
"Uh-oh's right...you're not getting out of this one"
"Oh we'll see about that"
"Syaoran! You haven't gone home for the past year or so!"
"Meiling, are you forgetting? This is now my home"
"Give me one good reason to why you don't wanna return to Hong Kong"
"...."
"I thought so"
"I just...can't Meiling. Li corporation requires me to stay here all the time."
"Two weeks is not going to kill you"
"Meiling, what's the point in arguing? I already said--"
"oh yeah, Aunt Yelan said Sakura's invited also"
"Sakura-what? Wait...you told her..."
"Of course...I'm surprised you haven't mentioned it to her. She is afterall your mother"
"I was just waiting for the right time to--"
"well, no excuses now. Aunt Yelan want's to meet her and you know there's no way you can say no to the head of the Li Clan"
"Thanks a lot Meiling"
"no problem. And you better tell Sakura soon!"
"let me guess...cuz if I don't, you'll do the honor"
"Exactly!"
"Just wonderful...now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go drown myself"
"Sure go ahead, don't take too long though, you gotta help with dinner"
Syaoran let out a groan as he shut the bathroom door, causing Meiling to start laughing.
"oh by the way, how was you weekend over at Sakura's house?"
She shouted so that Syaoran could hear her from the bathroom.
"Horrible! Her brother hates me!"
Syaoran yelled out before he turned on the shower.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
(few days later)
Eriol paced around in his office anxiously. He glanced at his watch and then at his door every other minute. Impatiently, he grabbed his phone and called up his secretary.
"Nina, is he back?"
"I'm sorry sir, Mr. Li isn't in his office"
"Keep trying and call me as soon as you reach him"
"I will sir"
Eriol hung up and shut his eyes as he let out a long sigh. He had to make an emergency trip to England and his plane was leaving in 2 hours, he just had to talk to Syaoran before he left. If he didn't do it now, he wouldn't be able to do it until Syaoran returned from Honk Kong. Eriol frowned at the idea of Sakura going to Hong Kong with Syaoran. it would only continue to lead her on...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
(Syaoran's office)
Syaoran walked around in circles in his office as he tried to come up with the best way to tell Sakura about their trip to Hong Kong. He had just arrived from a meeting and had yet to see her
"Sweetheart guess what? My mother want's to meet you—no....definitely not that—See, the thing is Meiling kinda blabbed that I was dating someone and—nah...too much of an explanation—the thing is, Sakura I would like it if you could come with me to Hong Kong during the holidays...but if you can't it'll be alright! I understand how you might wanna be with your family and--"
"Talking to yourself all of a sudden?"
Sakura said with a giggle as she came into Syaoran's office and startled him. she walked up to him and gave him a small kiss,
"What's bothering you sweety? You seem really stressed lately"
"It's that obvious?"
"You have no idea"
Sakura answered with a small laugh. Syaoran let out a sigh as wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I guess now is the perfect time to tell you. you see, my mother want's me to go back to Hong Kong for Christmas and New years and--"
knock-knock
"Mr. Li, Eriol is on line 2. His secretary is telling me that he needs to speak to you urgently. He's been trying to reach you all day"
Lacy said from the other side of the doorway. Syaoran let out a sigh of frustration and went to the door and opened it,
"Lacy, tell him that I'm still not back from the meeting and I won't be for the rest of the day, I don't want to deal with him today"
"but Mr. Li, he said that--"
"I really don't care Lacy, I have other things on my mind right now"
Syaoran then re-entered his office and cleared his throat once he saw Sakura was looking at him with a blank expression.
"Why don't you want to speak to Eriol?"
"Because I have more important things to handle right now"
"Such as?"
Syaoran took a step closer to her and took in a deep breath,
"Will you come with me to Hong Kong for the holidays?"
There, he said it.
Sakura was taken by surprise and just stared at him, not even murmuring a word.
'does this mean he's going to introduce me to his family?'
she thought mentally. The thought appeased to her because it meant he really cared about her. plus she really wanted to see the place that he grew up. with a smile on her face, Sakura threw her arms around his neck and hugged him,
"of course I'll go, I'd love to! When do we leave?"
Syaoran let out a sigh of relief and hugged her back
"we're leaving next week."
He let out a chuckle,
"for a minute there, I thought you were gonna say no"
Sakura looked into his eyes and gave him a are-you-crazy look
"and miss the opportunity to meet your family, of course not!"
Syaoran let out a dry laugh,
"I thought so"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
(back to Eriol)
Eriol stood at the airport hugging Tomoyo tightly,
"I'm going to miss you....first you're going to leave me and then Sakura"
"oh she already knows?"
"nope, Syaoran's gonna tell her today. Meiling told me though"
Tomoyo stated with a wink. Eriol smiled and bent down to give her one last kiss.
"I'll be back for Christmas, I promise you."
"Take care okay Eriol? And..."
Tomoyo smile disappeared and a look of worry reflected in her eyes,
"I know something's been bothering you lately and you're not telling me. I respect that but I just want you to know that...if you ever need someone to talk to, give me a call okay? Promise me?"
Eriol cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again. How could have someone like him have been so lucky to find someone like Tomoyo? He truly didn't deserve her, but at the same time he was afraid to lose her.
"thank you for understanding"
he said to her as he parted from the kiss. He looked towards the gate and realized it was his turn to board. He gave Tomoyo one last hug and reluctantly walked towards the gate...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
(one week later)
"Syaoran! hurry up we're gonna board any second now!"
Meiling called impatiently as she waved towards Syaoran's direction who seemed to be speaking frantically into his cell phone.
"I wonder who he's talking to"
Sakura asked out loud as she stood next to Meiling. Meiling shrugged,
"Same here...he's been on that damn phone for a good 10 minutes. Could it be a client?"
"Very unlikely...Lacy wouldn't give a client Syaoran's cell phone number
"Syaoran, hurry up!"
Meiling called out as she stomped her foot to enforce her words.
"I'm going!!"
Syaoran called out from a few feet away as he turned his attention back to the phone and continued in what seemed an argument. Sakura bit her lip to hold back a laugh as she watched Meiling blow steam.
"the line's not moving, give him a few more minutes Mei--"
Sakura froze and her eyes widened as she looked up ahead. She saw someone who she least expected to see at the moment. The guy was just standing there, looking at his surroundings when he suddenly turned his head and coincidentally his dazzling hazel eyes caught hers and reflected surprise...
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A young man wearing a baseball hat let out an exhausted sigh as he stepped into the airport. He paused for a moment and took in the surrounding sites. He had to admit that he had missed Japan. Hong Kong was great and all but there was something missing all those months that he had spent over there.
'She was missing'
He said to himself as he turned around to continue on his way. As he turned, his eyes caught those of a woman who stood a few feet away. He froze and couldn't take his eyes off her, she was just like he remembered her, if not even more beautiful then before.
It was...her
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Sakura, you there?"
Meiling asked as she stared at Sakura somewhat worried.
"our plane just arrived so we should be boarding soon....Sakura?"
"Sorry to keep you two waiting, I had some last minute business to take care of"
Syaoran said as he came up to the girls and took hold of Sakura's hand. He turned to look at Sakura in alarm,
"What wrong Sakura? you're cold and your hand's shaking"
"You're pale too"
Meiling added with an equally worried look. Sakura snapped out of her trance and turned her attention to Meiling and Syaoran.
"I-I-I'm fine, really j-j-just a bit--"
"ohh...I get it"
Syaoran said with a smile as he drew her closer and placed a kiss on her lips,
"you're scared of flying aren't you?"
Sakura gave him a small smile and nodded,
"Yes...that's it, I'm sorry for not telling you sooner"
"well I'll hold on to you the whole time okay?"
Syaoran said to her reassuringly as he intertwined his fingers with her.
"aww...how cute...but really we have to go now!"
Meiling said impatiently as she pushed Sakura and Syaoran in front of her. Before entering the gate, Sakura stole one last glance towards where the man had once stood but now saw it filled with strangers.
'Was that...him?'
She asked herself as she held onto Syaoran tightly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The man watched Sakura's every move as she disappeared. He clenched his fist tightly, feeling like ramming it into the face of the man that was holding her.
"Sakura's mine...she'll always be mine"
He muttered through clenched teeth...
Starrie: *gasp* do you guys know who the guy that Sakura saw is???
Evil Starrie: *walks in* it was pretty obvious *rolls eyes*
Starrie: I just thought of this sudden plot twist last night at 2am! I nearly jumped outta my bed squeaking my head off --;;
Evil Starrie: plus, a certain someone is coming back and going to be introduced in the next chapter...hehe!
Starrie: *evil grin* and we're not telling who it is!!
Evil Starrie: all we're gonna say is that next chapter will definitely not take months...hopefully, it'll just take weeks to come out *hint hint*
Starrie: bai for now don't forget to review! *turns to Evil Starrie* well, let's go back to writing, the faster we finish next chapter, the better!!!!!
Evil Starrie: *holds up a cup of coffee* I got your fuel, let's go!!!