Relapse:

Let's just hope he comes..." she added while her cheeks were blushing like crazy. Tomoyo on the other hand was love struck for her friend. She was fluttering around her friend like an insane cupid, teasing her. "So what's his name?" asked Tomoyo in a teasingly manner..."Syaoran...Li Syaoran", Sakura said in a low, somewhat a whisper-like tone.

End of Relapse

A week has passed and it's already the grand opening of Sakura's café. A lot of people came, including high profile celebrities and socialites. Everyone was psyched about her concept of an 'east meets west' inspired café. While a wave of people made their way through the door, Sakura and Tomoyo stood outside to welcome the guests that have just arrived. "I hope he comes", Sakura said to Tomoyo. "Stop worrying girl, I'm sure he will. He looks like a man of his word so, judging from that, he will be here." she replied trying to comfort her anxious friend. Just after Tomoyo spoke the last word, a red Ferrari parked in front of them, and out it comes the familiar face that had captured Sakura's heart. "He made it," she whispered to herself. Tomoyo greeted Syaoran with a smile, to fill in for her speechless friend. "Hi sir" she casually said. "My name is Daidoji Tomoyo. Welcome to the newly opened Fusion Café" (couldn't think of a spunkier name than that, so bear with my lack of creativity). Syaoran nodded to show his appreciation as he opened the door to the passenger side of the car. Sakura followed his every move but it was completely interrupted by a brunette girl coming out of the passenger seat. Just then, Syaoran spoke to her. "Good evening Ms. Kinomoto. Nice place. I hope you wouldn't mind that I brought along a friend." he said while putting his arm around the brunette girl beside her. Sakura felt a pang of pain in her heart. However she managed to set the feeling aside in order to answer him. "Thank you Mr. Li. Glad you can make it tonight. Of course I don't mind." she said, trying to hide the jealousy she felt for the brunette haired girl. "Hi my name is Kinomoto Sakura, what's yours? (she acts kind of childish I know, but that's the thing I love about her...)", she said while extending her hand. "So she's the girl who picked out the black dress? Hi Sakura my name is Nishi Aiko. I have to say that you have such a sophisticated fashion sense. I really liked the dress you picked out for me (remember the black dress? Yepyep... she was the birthday girl)", Aiko said while shaking her hand. "Nice place by the way, congratulations!", she added. "Gee thanks Aiko! I'm really glad you liked the dress. By the way, this is Daidoji Tomoyo,. She was the creative genius behind that dress.", replied a flattered Sakura. "Hi Aiko, I'm glad you liked it.", Tomoyo said casually. After getting acquainted with each other, Sakura and Tomoyo ushered them inside to their designated table. "So would you like something to drink?", Sakura asked Syaoran. "A cup of cappuccino would be nice, how about you Aiko?", replied Syaoran. "I want to have a glass of iced tea please.", said Aiko. Sakura called one of her waiters to take their orders. Everyone was impressed by the ambience of Sakura's café. The furniture were contemporary mixed with Japanese inspired accessories. The walls have a built in water feature on them making them gloss and shine due to the water. The whole café followed a white, black and red colour scheme. Sakura herself designed this with a little help from her friend Tomoyo, hence she was so proud of her handiwork.

While Sakura was having a chat with Syaoran and Aiko, a mysterious hand made its way on Tomoyo's shoulder making her jump. Tomoyo turned around and was surprised to see a face she had missed so much. "Eriol! Wow! I thought you couldn't make it! I missed you." , Tomoyo said as she threw herself in Eriol's arms. "I missed you too, pretty lady. ( --; it's cheesy I know... LOL) You know I wouldn't miss an opportunity to spend with my friends especially you..." Eriol said in a flirtatious manner. His words had made Tomoyo blush like crazy. Her pale face turned into a shade of a ripe red tomato. She was speechless and she looked away. Eriol knew that she was flattered. Being the gentleman that he is. He took the nearest vacant table and allowed his lady to be seated. He gently took Tomoyo's hand in his and said, "I love you Tomoyo, can I keep you?" Tomoyo was stunned by his words, since day one, Tomoyo and Eriol liked each other but they never had the guts to tell each other how they actually feel, until now. "Hai, Eriol... you can keep you. I've always liked you since we were young. Aishiteru Eriol.", Tomoyo once again flushed but somehow, she felt good by saying how she really felt. Their conversation was immediately interrupted by a klutz Sakura. "Tomoyo!!! Help me!", she said as she fell face first on the floor. When she got up, her sight was all in a blur but she tried to focused when she spotted a guy with azure hair and blue (?) eyes. "Eriol!", she finally squaled. "I'm so glad you came. Come with me Eriol I would like you to meet somebody. Come with us Tomoyo" , Sakura grabbed his hand quickly that he almost spilled the tea he was drinking. They headed towards Syaoran and Aiko's table.

As soon as they arrived at Syaoran's table, Sakura quickly introduced Eriol to Syaoran and Aiko. "Everyone, I would like you to meet Hiragizawa Eriol. He just arrived from London. Eriol, this is Li Syaoran and Nishi Aiko." "Pleased to meet you Li Syaoran", said a startled Eriol as he shook Syaoran's hand. "Nishi Aiko...", as he let go of his hand and took Aiko's hand instead. The five of them-Sakura, Syaoran, Aiko, Tomoyo and Eriol sat around the same table and started to chat. They talked about their own lives and their chosen career paths. Fifteen minutes after, Eriol bid them farewell, because he and Tomoyo has to go back to their own table. Sakura stayed behind and joined Syaoran instead.

"I have to go to the ladies' room. Okay, Syaoran? I'll be right back." Aiko said, as she stood up and headed to the ladies'room." It was just Syaoran and Sakura now. No one dared to start a conversation but Sakura was determined to break the silence. "She's really pretty ne?", Sakura said pertaining to Syaoran. "Yes Ms. Kinomoto, I agree." Sakura pouted at his answer. "You could drop the formality Mr. Li, you could address me by my first name-Sakura." she said. "Well then, Sakura, if that's the case, I see no reason, why you have to address me as Mr. Li too..." Syaoran said smiling. "Okay Mr... err Syaoran. You are really lucky you have Aiko for your girlfriend." Sakura replied. He was stunned by her statement and quickly said. "You got it all wrong Sakura, Aiko is not my girlfriend but I wish she was." Sakura felt mixed emotions with his reply. The first part of his reply made her happy while the second part broke her heart into pieces.

It turns out that Aiko was the daughter of his father's business partner. She became an orphan at an early age and Syaoran's father took the responsibility of taking care of her. Aiko moved to the Li mansion at the age of two, when Syaoran was 4 years old, and he immediately fell in love with her. From that time on, Syaoran made a vow to himself that he will love and protect Nishi Aiko for as long as he lived.

Sakura and Syaoran has been good friends ever since. Everyday, since the Li Corporation's main office is nearby Syaoran would find himself inside Sakura's café having a sip of his favourite coffee while having a chat with Sakura. They talk about everything yet Syaoran seems to have a favourite topic-Aiko. It was true that Sakura felt jealous whenever they talked about her. She even feels hurt every time Syaoran would talk about they way Aiko would feel happy whenever she sees a rainbow or how she squints her eyes whenever she's mad. Despite the fact that she feels hurt, Sakura wouldn't let him see this. "If this is the only way that he could be close to me, then so be it. I'd rather endure than pain than not have him talk to me at all." she thought.

Two weeks after, Tomoyo decided to visit Sakura in her café. They did some catching up on each other's lives when suddenly Tomoyo went ahead to ask her, "Hey Sakura, I thought you were going back to London a week after the grand opening? It's not that I don't like you to stay but you're not usually the person who changes her plans all of a sudden." Sakura was shocked at her best friend's inquiry, but she managed to answer her cooly. "I don't know I just want to stay...for him". "For Syaoran? Sakura, you know he likes Aiko, why are you risking your heart for him?", Tomoyo said concernedly. "I just want to give it a try. As they say it's better to have love and get hurt than to have not love at all...I know I don't have a chance, but hey it still doesn't mean that I can't try."