Chapter IV – Short Vacations
On September the fourth, the morning rays sneaking thru every single curtain brought an elegant manor back to life after seven hours of complete natural light absence. Even though it was autumn, the sunrays were bright and warm delivering golden colors into every room product of its reflection on the dying foliage outside.
In the kitchen the characteristic sounds of breakfast were heard and tasty smells of bacons, eggs, coffee and toasts began to take over the environment. One would think that a moon guardian was someone lazy, due to its patronage, but Nakuru proved it wrong. Usually she was the first one to wake and raise the rest of the household with the wonderful aromas of a homemade English breakfast. Eriol would follow shortly after he had made himself presentable according to his high standards, while Annette and Spinel came in half an hour after, which would be at six thirty.
Beautiful lavender eyes opened to the world as if on cue with the sound of a door closing at the very end of the hall. Tomoyo raised her left wrist at eye level to know the hour to then turn around with a disapproving frown and cover her face with the bed sheets. It was too early.
Saturday usually means "sleep-in" but this was no common weekend for the young heiress given that a work-date had been scheduled for the day leaving the poor girl to be up and ready to leave at eight thirty if she wanted to make it on time for it was a thirty minute ride.
Finally labeling eight in the morning as a half decent hour to wake up, the Japanese guest got out of bed and walked towards the bathroom at the far end of the room following the entrance path. The walls of the sink area were all covered with glaze tiles and the floor was made of polished limestone. The hydro-massage bathtub had a very important place in there with a great view of the outside garden. The furniture was made of pear-tree wood with granite top and Vola plumbing. The shower was all made of limestone with the door and a window facing the outside of non see-thru glass that somehow provided a great view of the purple garden thanks to the magic of science.
Tomoyo took a quick shower and changed the night gown she had found on her bed last night, which practically screamed Eriol's doing, for the clothes she used the day before because she hadn't brought any extra clothes with her. After brushing her teeth with a brand new tooth brush conveniently resting in a silver cup and having fixed her hair she made her way to the kitchen.
All the people present greeted her good morning as soon as she entered their sight and she replied as energetically as they did, completely overwhelmed by their morning nature.
"I wanted to thank you for the night clothes you lend me," she said looking and smiling at Eriol while taking a toast from the basket.
He shrugged it aside saying that it was nothing and that she was welcome. Annette inquired then about her rest to then smile radiantly when reassured that Tomoyo hadn't rested as heavenly as she did last night. Nakuru placed two stripes of recently fried bacon and put down an orange juice glass for her to drink.
"What kind of coffee do you like honey?" inquired the self-proclaimed housemaid to their guest retrieving a coffee mug from a cabinet.
Five minutes after Tomoyo had confessed her deep love for mokaccino she was graced with a steamy mug of said beverage with whipped cream and chocolate syrup on top. She took the cup mindful of its temperature and attacked the creamy mountain with a tiny silver spoon, loosing herself in the sweet flavor of the topping while creating enough room for her to drink the coffee without making a mess.
"By God Nakuru, this coffee is just heavenly!"
Said woman smiled brightly while Annette gave a glance at her beige BabyG wristwatch. It seemed to trigger something because she excused herself quickly and disappeared from the kitchen in a rush to then return with a Kipling radar messenger bag in a camo pattern that went nicely with the terra palette of the autumn clothes she wore.
"Dad, we must get going now or else I'm so late!" cried out the little girl with anxiety for punctuality was one of her greatest traits.
"What is it that demands your presence so early on a weekend Annette-chan?" inquired the raven-haired woman after giving the last sip to her coffee and cleaning the lips from any breakfast residuals with a linen handkerchief.
"I have a meeting for a history project scheduled for today at a classmate's place that lives almost at the other side of the city," explained the child coolly as if regarding an everyday occurrence, which it probably was.
"Are you driving near the Metropolitan Eriol?" asked Tomoyo as soon as she saw him grabbing the car keys from on top of the counter. "I would like a ride there if you don't mind".
He was running late as well to an impromptu business reunion arranged by one of his associates just the night before to finish some urgent matters regarding a merging issue, so he just nodded in acknowledgement and invited her to get ready and follow them outside.
Somehow the British lad found a way to beat the morning traffic and arrived five minutes earlier than expected at an élitesque residential area where his daughter was bound to stay.
"Bye dad! I'll call you as soon as I'm done ok?" she said scooting towards her father to give him a soft peck on the recently shaved cheek. "Bye Tomoyo!"
Tomoyo greeted her goodbye and wished her a nice, productive day turning on her seat to face the child and caressing her cheek before planting a soft kiss on Annette's forehead. Eriol seemed pleasantly surprised by such a motherly gesture and smiled at the lovely picture both girls made before saying his goodbyes to his daughter and telling that he would be waiting for her call.
The black BMW 5Series drove off seconds after Annette had disappeared from Eriol's protective sight behind the front door of the McArthur residence. It mingled in the weekend traffic for a quarter of an hour before finally reaching its second destination: The Metropolitan Hotel.
"Thank you so much for driving me Eriol-kun," said Tomoyo gathering her belongings and about to exit the automobile. "Maybe we could have lunch together; I've heard that the Nobu restaurant here is excellent."
"You're welcome Daidouji-san," he said looking at her with masked eyes. "That sounds like a great idea to me," a smile on his very kissable lips but then he remembered all about the meeting and turned serious. "I'll see what I can do. Unfortunately I have a last-minute meeting waiting for me and I don't know when I'll be able to get out."
Tomoyo looked a bit crestfallen but smiled brightly for the sake of the mood. She assured him that it was okay and that they could all get together some other time.
The first thing she did after checking in and retrieving her luggage consisting of a few pieces that was under the custody of her loyal bodyguard was call Daidouji Enterprises main office in Japan to check on everything and make sure that her presence was not required urgently. She remembered that there were a bunch of meetings on hold that had to be re-scheduled to guarantee the smoothness of the business' operations. However, her assistant told her that there were no life-or-death matters to take care of, thus it was safe to have a week off relaxing after almost fifteen days of a hectic agenda. That brought a smile from the Asian executive, many plans forming in her mind; but she instructed to be alerted immediately should anything bad happen and also have a daily report delivered straight to her inbox so she could keep an eye on things.
The Daidouji heiress soaked in the tub for a good hour to make up for her neglected bubble-bath ritual. She wrapped her long, wet hair in a white fluffy towel and used another to dry her body before wrapping her slender frame with it. Just when she was about to apply lavender bath oil the phone started to sound in the room and so she made a dash towards it before whoever the caller was could hung up.
It was Eriol, at one o'clock in the afternoon, asking if the offer was still up. She giggled and agreed with the promise of meeting them downstairs in an hour for Eriol had yet to pick Annette up.
She chose a table near the windows to enjoy the view of a city bursting with life in the form of numerous people passing by. She wore low-rise, dark blue jeans, a black tube-top that showed off her mid-drift and a pair of pointed, high-heeled black leather boots. Her hair was up in a twist and held secure by a pair of black chopsticks with her bangs and some tresses framing the face. Makeup and accessories were kept at a minimum but to the fashion-aware it was obvious that there was a lot of thought behind them.
"Hello Tomoyo! How are you?" greeted a soft feminine voice, getting the raven-haired woman out of her musings, and embracing her with little arms.
Tomoyo turned to face her recently arrived friend and return the hearty hug before kissing the child's cheek. "I'm great! What about your meeting? Did you get anything done?"
"It was boring, as usual, but we managed to finish the project," was Annette's reply complete with a tiny smirk.
Eriol who was behind his daughter cleared his throat delicately to earn the girls' attention which earned a thousand-watt smile, courtesy of the Asian visitor.
"Eriol-kun! I'm so glad that you made it! What about Nakuru-san and Spinel Sun?"
"Nakuru sends her apologies, something about a date and Spinel decided to keep her company to make sure she won't get into trouble" explained Eriol taking a seat beside his already sitting daughter.
"I see," said Tomoyo letting out a soft giggle. "She hasn't changed a single bit"
"No, she hasn't but we love her the way she is" said Eriol with a mischievous smile.
A waitress went to where they were seated and gave them the menus. Tomoyo opened hers and read it over and over again, a bit unsure about what to get. After some minutes of silence she decided for an order of various kind of sushi. Eriol ordered sushi as well and Annette decided to try some okonomiyaki.
In the midst of a wonderfully made meal, the young lady broke the silence asking Tomoyo the duration of her stay after drinking some of the water placed for her in a nice glass.
"Well, I talked today to my assistant and I can afford a week off," answered the lady putting down her chopsticks and taking her glass of white wine.
Annette complained that it wasn't much time but her father was quick to point out that it was better than nothing, for she wasn't even expecting to have her at the party.
"I agree, so let's enjoy our time together and I'll promise to come back for Christmas," said Tomoyo smiling at the little girl. "Or maybe you could go to Japan Eriol-kun" she then said looking straight at her former classmate.
The Hiiragizawa family gave Tomoyo a city tour visiting all of the "must-see" places and showing her important directions. They had such a wonderful time for it had been a while since both parties had spent time with such enjoyable company. Eriol couldn't ignore the signs of a deep affinity between his little girl and her new-found Japanese friend. It was truly endearing to watch them share such a strong connection but it didn't stop him from feeling a stab of pain in his parent heart for he now was face-to-face with the reality that despite all of his efforts to provide everything his child would ever need, she was still desperately searching for a mother figure and Tomoyo was giving her what she so longed intentionally or not. Still he didn't let his sour thoughts get the best of him because his former classmate had begun to shown signs of concern towards him, as if sensing that something was wrong and he didn't want to make her worry.
The happy trio watched the breathtaking scene of the setting sun with a cone of ice-cream each. It was now getting dark and thus was time to say goodbye for the day.
"Tomoyo, why don't you stay with us instead of that Hotel?" asked suddenly the now seven year old girl.
Touché. In all honesty, the woman in question wasn't thinking very clearly last night, head-bent as she was on getting to the girl's party as quickly as possible. Her bodyguard had rented a car and drove her there with the help of a built-in GPS system. Tomoyo had told her to book a room at the Metropolitan like her mother would when in town, mind-set in not intruding more than necessary for she wasn't one to bother people, mindful of their privacy and personal space. But as she wasn't expecting last night's events it was impossible for her to sleep at the hotel as planned and thus wrecked her almost non-existent traveling plan.
She explained them that but they had made of her stay at the family manor such a life-or-death affair that left her unable to protest. Tomoyo called her security agent when back at Eriol's black sedan and on her way to his house. She updated the other woman on her last-minute decision and dismissed her for the week allowing the guardian to do as she pleased and hopefully relax a bit. When asked about her personal belongings she answered that her little friend had promised to take her out shopping tomorrow; besides it was not like she had brought many clothes with her anyway. The only piece of luggage that could possibly concern the Asian was her business attaché complete with the laptop inside, but Eriol had taken care of it or so he said.
They reached Hiiragizawa manor after an hour on the road, for it was located in the outskirts of the ever-busy London and there was a huge bottle-neck in the highway product of an accident. Nakuru almost launched herself at the unsuspecting trio as soon as they had set a foot inside the stately home. The absence of natural light was compensated with hundreds of aromatic candles artistically arranged in strategic places to get the most of its warm and flickering light. Incense sticks were burning in handsomely made holders that added a nice and relaxing touch to the environment mingling perfectly with the scent of the candles. The lights in some areas were kept dim to blend in the romantic atmosphere.
"Dinner is on me tonight!" declared Tomoyo with child-like enthusiasm showing on her light-up eyes and bright smile.
The master of the house and the self-claimed housemaid regarded her strangely, as if she had grown a second head or something of the sort. Surely there was nothing wrong with her statement, was there? Because anyone could possibly cook; or was cooking a sin?
They had fruitlessly tried to talk her out of it brandishing arguments such as the inadequacy of it all being her an honored guest and how they couldn't let such an exquisite lady slave in the kitchen if only for a meal. Tomoyo found it all to be very humorous really but she would not back down, nor let her give in to them with their sweet talk. She always got what she wanted and to-night she wanted to cook and God be damned if they didn't let her.
Thirty minutes of rather petty argument led them to their current setting: the stainless-steel and black marble pro kitchen. Nakuru gave her master, mistress and willful guest all aprons that oddly depicted Sanrio characters – they were very cute, in the guardian's opinion, which was enough to buy them – for they had reached an agreement: Tomoyo would cook and the rest would help.
The menu however was kept simple, consisting only of a Spanish omelette. A Mediterranean dish Tomoyo had learned to make during one of her vacations in Spain with her mother. The truth was that Sonomi was there on business and Tomoyo had decided to stick around, but that's beside the point.
Upon request, the one and only man there provided two stainless-steel mixing bowls while the head-chef scanned the huge double-door refrigerator for ingredients. When everything needed was placed on the work-table, the girl and Moon guardian were instructed to peel, cut, wash and fry ½ kg of potatoes until their texture turned soft. On the other side, the master of the house was left in charge of getting some egg-whites whisked to a snow-point.
Tomoyo broke eight eggs, hitting them softly but decisively against the edge of the bowl and then opening them with two fingers of her right hand, just like a chef. When she was about to add the last four eggs she got separated the yolks of the egg from the whites and gave Eriol the whites in another bowl. He decided to use his male power or whatever thus avoiding the electric mixer.
The amethyst eyed woman added some salt and pepper, a spoon full of milk and began to whip until the mixture was homogenous. Minutes later Eriol handed her his bowl with an incredibly well done whisk.
"I didn't know you were so good at this Eriol-kun!" congratulated Tomoyo smiling brightly at him.
"There are many things that you don't know I'm incredibly good at," he replied with a devious smirk
Tomoyo felt her face get warm and tried to hide it. Too bad Eriol's sharp eyes caught it making his smirk to grow bigger. She decided it was better to continue and added to her own mixture the whites Eriol had given her and stirred it smoothly with a fork until she got a spongy and soft mixture of creamy yellow color.
Meanwhile the other two girls were finishing their share of work and when the potatoes had cooled down were added to the mixture and stirred again to then let it macerate for fifteen minutes.
Nakuru and Annette washed their hands and began to set up the table with a lovely dark blue and yellow dinner service that gave a cheerful note to the elegant and formal kitchen.
Fifteen minutes later had Tomoyo taking out a frying pan and placing it on the low flames of the stove, adding some butter into it. When it was hot she added the eggs with the potatoes, increased the fire, removed it with a wooden spoon, lowered the fire again and placed the lid on to let it cook for five more minutes.
The omelette was a big shoot and everyone was properly complimented for their wonderfully done part, though the biggest credit was bestowed upon the head-chef by her dutiful assistants for they couldn't have done something so delicious without her proper guidance.
Spinel had joined them as soon as the mouth-watering aroma reached his feline nostrils and everyone agreed that it was a wonderful dinner. Right after eating they retreated to the music dome with Eriol sitting at the grand black piano playing a cheerful tune with skilled fingers.
"Why don't you two make a duet? Like you used to do back then in Elementary School" proposed Nakuru looking at her master and guest with pleading eyes.
So a duet was in order after Eriol had briefed his daughter in Tomoyo's singing history paying especial attention on mentioning every single chorus contest attended and awards received for Annette didn't know that her new friend was a singer. That brought the ex-chorus girl's face aflame with embarrassment, finding her childhood classmate's compliments hard to take.
"What are we going to sing Eriol-kun?" inquired the raven beauty with her skin again the ivory normal color.
"What about 'Yasashisa no Tane', remember?" replied Eriol with a mischievous smile.
"How can I ever forget that?... you almost killed me with that piano!" said Tomoyo remembering her videotaping days.
"I didn't mean to... I apologize" said Eriol in a soft tone.
"Iie.. iie... daijoubu! I know it was your duty to do so, to make Sakura-chan transform the Clow Cards before they could turn into normal cards," replied Tomoyo with a comforting smile.
"So you was the girl daddy chased all over school with a black piano," Annette, who had been silent, mused out loud. "You must had been very scared then!"
"Yes I was scared, but I had the feeling that everything would be alright and then I was rescued by Sakura-chan and Li-kun who happened to be there," explained Tomoyo with a wistful smile.
"Dad didn't mention your name when he told me that... he called you 'the smiling pretty face behind the camera'," said Annette smiling at her.
"Is that so?" inquired the elder with a suspicious intonation, looking at Eriol who wore an interesting shade of pink on his cheeks.
"Wow Suppi-chan look! Master is blushing!" cried out Nakuru completely amused at the sight.
The soft tune of "Yasashisa no Tane" filled the music dome after Spinel had pointed out that his name was not Suppi-chan and Eriol had gotten everyone's attention back to the duet when he had regained his cool. He basked in the most beautiful voice he had ever heard in his two lifetimes, hitting the ivory keys almost unconsciously; such was the extent of his skills.
Nakuru was seated in a nearby couch next to Annette, who had the false form of the Sun Guardian in her lap, curled in a ball. Both of the girl's eyes were closed and their lips were smiling in delight. The sound of the music was heavenly; they didn't want such a wonderful experience to end.
Tomoyo sang with all of her soul. Images of her younger years filling her mind, making her feel content. Carefree days spent with so much innocence and so much joy. She had to admit that not everything was as pure as the snow. A realization she had made right after her mother had passed away which made her open the eyes to the real world for the first time. The once pure child was no longer innocent, being left alone in a harsh world. She created a shelter, developed a mask and became cold and distant. That was the part of her that she showed whenever she felt in danger, and it seemed to work perfectly.
Unbeknown to her, Tomoyo's true self was not damaged in anyway for it had been kept safe inside her crystal shelter, like a cocoon would hide a precious butterfly. Somehow being in London with Eriol and his daughter seemed to bring the best part of her. The colorful butterfly had been set free even if for a week time.
The piano stopped and the song ended much to the listeners' dismay. What has a beginning also has an end, be it good or bad; it doesn't matter. Annette opened her eyes and stretched her arms, yawning. She had abandoned herself in a peaceful sleep guided by her father's and Tomoyo's lullaby.
The Hiiragizawa heiress complimented Tomoyo on her blissful voice, as did her father; before she and Nakuru excused themselves for bed. The Asian beauty turned on her heels and faced the garden outside to then take off the black chopsticks unbinding her hair and massaging her protesting scalp with unconscious sensual movements.
"Thanks for everything, I had such a wonderful time... good night Eriol-kun" said the girl smiling sweetly at him.
"It's nothing really; I want you to enjoy your stay here with us. However I must be the one thanking you for your kindness towards Annette," said Eriol with a charming smile though his eyes were dark with seriousness.
"About that," she began but paused to browse her brain for the proper words. "There is no need to thank me. Let's just say that I've been conquered by your adorable daughter. I seem to react naturally towards her, I'm not sure myself of what is happening but it has become instinctual," tried to explain Tomoyo with sincerity in her angelic voice when in all honesty she was at a loss of words. She gave him a quick peck on the left cheek to then disappear thru the double doors.
Eriol was taken aback by her sudden action, placing his right hand on his cheek, feeling his face a little warm. He decided it was better to go to bed now and leave the thinking for other day. He had a lot of business to attend to tomorrow.