Disguise
Blue Sonnet
First Sight
"Good morning!"
Yelan smiled. "Good morning, Sakura. How was your trip to Japan?"
Sakura was not embarrassed at all to find her boss already in the office. She was not late, never had been since she started working in Hong Kong. Mrs. Yelan Li made it a point to arrive earlier than anyone, and had her own key to the large building and a personal elevator only she, her family, and Sakura were privy to.
Sakura grinned. "I really enjoyed going back home. I never knew how much I missed them until I saw them. I just hope I didn't leave too much work here, Ms. Yelan." Sakura had given up almost all forms of formality between her and her boss at the latter's insistence. It was only her respect and admiration for the lady that prompted her to add a Ms. to her name, and when Sakura didn't budge on her decision anymore, Ms. Yelan gave up.
"Sakura, you've only been gone for a week! The company won't crumble, you know," Yelan laughed at the ridiculous expression on the girl's face. Then turning serious, she dropped the bomb. "Do you like your work, Sakura?"
Now where did that come from? "Of course I do. You know that."
Yelan sighed. "Yes, I know. That's why it's harder for me to tell you this. Sakura...I don't think I'll need your services anymore."
Shock immediately registered in her eyes. "I'm sorry, but I don't understand. Did I do something wrong? Was there anything wrong about my performance? Please tell me, Ms. Yelan!"
Yelan had the audacity to chuckle at the girl's unnecessary distress. "No, no. It's not like that, not at all. It's not you who's leaving here. It's me."
That put the poor girl's fear to rest, but was quickly replaced by concern and disappointment. She racked her brains for ways to phrase her question without sounding rude or inconsiderate. "But Ma'am, I don't understand. May I ask why?"
"Three days ago, my son came home from taking care of our business in the US. When he was 22, he finished his studies there, so he came back wanting to take care of the company right here at the main branch. He's spent a year taking care of our branch there, and he's decided that he's had enough experience.
"He told me so the other day, and I was happy and sad at the same time. I was happy that he'd finally step into this position and make himself his own man, much like what his father did. I was sad too, that I had to leave you and so many others here that I had grown fond of for so many years.
"Fortunately for me, there was no choice in the matter. Syaoran had to take over; it was planned from the beginning. The only thing I was afraid of was you resigning from your job because I'm no longer your boss. So I'd like to request something from you, Sakura." Yelan smiled at the girl. "Please stay here. I want you to take care of Syaoran. He's a bright boy, but a little too cold for anyone's comfort. Besides, you know every nook and cranny of this corporation now, being my secretary. You'd greatly help him if you stayed. Would you, for me?"
Sakura was speechless. So much trust was being put on her shoulders. But hadn't she weathered that storm already? "Alright, Ms. Yelan. I'll stay."
"Promise me that even if something happens, you'll stay."
Why did she sound like she was expecting something to happen? "Yes, I promise."
Yelan stood up in delight. "Thank you," she paused, then grinned at Sakura. "Anyway, if you're feeling guilty about that leave you took, there are some documents I left on your table especially for you. The new branch we're planning to build in Japan is not going smoothly as planned, since the supplier for the building materials is playing again."
"What? They already agreed on the budget!! I personally made sure of it before I went back to Tomoeda. Eriol was with me too."
"Don't worry about it. I've already arranged for Syaoran to take care of it," her mind drifted for a second to him, then focused again on Sakura. "It's your job now to help him in anyway you can. After all, you're already personally involved in this."
Sakura didn't notice the double meaning of Yelan's words. "I'll start with your schedule first, and after that, I'll focus on this project. When do I get to meet my new boss?"
"He's coming in today at lunch. That reminds me. You can have lunch with us to acquaint yourselves before working together. I'll call you when he comes in."
"Well, what happened?"
Tomoyo was right on target, again. Sakura only called her best friend at work when she felt really bad, or happy, or silly. "She's leaving."
"Who is?"
"Ms. Yelan. She told me her son was taking over. I didn't even know she had a son!"
"I know."
"Somehow, I think you're telling the truth. What do you know?"
"Eriol called me last night. He told me the entire thing." She paused for a few seconds. "Are you sure you're up to this, Sakura? From what Eriol's mentioned, he's looking like a snowman to me right now."
Sakura giggled. "He told you that?! I was told they're close friends! Some friend he is!"
Tomoyo was glad to have eased the girl's worries a bit. Sakura certainly needed the easy conversation. "Hey, word is Syaoran Li's tough." Tomoyo didn't have to be there to see the deceptively sweet smile. She could all but feel it.
"Word is I'm tough too."
Tomoyo snickered. "He hasn't got a prayer."
Syaoran had already made his way to the large building without difficulty. His mother hadn't changed a bit. She still fussed over trivial things, like this meeting with the Japanese secretary. Normally he would just tell his mother that he was too busy, but he was somewhat curious. He could tell she wasn't ordinary even if his mother and sisters didn't talk about her every time they could.
But he had read her file. It was just procedure, he told himself, to look at one's secretary's file to make sure she was capable. 21 yrs. old, 5'5, auburn hair, green eyes, graduate of a secretarial course at Tokyo State University. Usually he wouldn't be impressed with such credentials, but to be the secretary to the president of such a huge company at that young age was quite an achievement, even for his high standards. He had to meet her.
By the time Sakura finished her phone call, her mind was already at peace. She was walking towards the elevator at the moment. 'There's actually no harm in it,' she mused. 'The only difference is I have to prove myself all over again to this guy. That won't be a problem. I can start with lunch today.'
Sakura was so caught up in her thoughts that she failed to notice the approaching figure caught up in his own musings as well. They collided with such a loud thud that her shriek was unnecessary to call on the other employees' attention.
Sakura landed on her bottom, but the man standing in front of her wasn't even out of balance. She grabbed the hand he held out to help her up, and she cocked her head to look at him. Aware that it was her fault for her inattentiveness; an apology was already forming on her lips. But the man's words brought them to a halt.
"What the hell were you thinking?!"
Someone had given him a punch in the gut. At least that's how Syaoran felt. He was ready to apologize when he held out his hand to help her up, but the moment she stood up and looked at him with those emerald eyes, he felt momentarily numb. Then, all of a sudden, his mouth was saying those words.
How arrogant, Sakura thought. This man had the audacity to reprimand her, when he himself was not paying attention to where he was going! "Nothing, apparently!!" She cocked her brow and poked him in the chest. "And even if I was," -poke- "I wouldn't be telling you now," -poke- "would I? So if you would" -poke- "excuse me," -poke- "I'm late for a lunch meeting and you're in my way." And with that, she shoved him away and strode to the elevator.
Syaoran was supposed to be angry. Supposed to be. So why was he amused? Smiling, he shook his head. He really didn't know.
Hahaha!!! Done at last! And they've met!! Congratulate me, guys! This is the longest chappie I've written yet. I was going to end it with a cliffhanger, but I thought better and ended it this way. Anyway, read and review! Like it? Hate it? Comments? Ideas? Suggestions? Click that button at the bottom of this page!!!
Blue Sonnet
First Sight
"Good morning!"
Yelan smiled. "Good morning, Sakura. How was your trip to Japan?"
Sakura was not embarrassed at all to find her boss already in the office. She was not late, never had been since she started working in Hong Kong. Mrs. Yelan Li made it a point to arrive earlier than anyone, and had her own key to the large building and a personal elevator only she, her family, and Sakura were privy to.
Sakura grinned. "I really enjoyed going back home. I never knew how much I missed them until I saw them. I just hope I didn't leave too much work here, Ms. Yelan." Sakura had given up almost all forms of formality between her and her boss at the latter's insistence. It was only her respect and admiration for the lady that prompted her to add a Ms. to her name, and when Sakura didn't budge on her decision anymore, Ms. Yelan gave up.
"Sakura, you've only been gone for a week! The company won't crumble, you know," Yelan laughed at the ridiculous expression on the girl's face. Then turning serious, she dropped the bomb. "Do you like your work, Sakura?"
Now where did that come from? "Of course I do. You know that."
Yelan sighed. "Yes, I know. That's why it's harder for me to tell you this. Sakura...I don't think I'll need your services anymore."
Shock immediately registered in her eyes. "I'm sorry, but I don't understand. Did I do something wrong? Was there anything wrong about my performance? Please tell me, Ms. Yelan!"
Yelan had the audacity to chuckle at the girl's unnecessary distress. "No, no. It's not like that, not at all. It's not you who's leaving here. It's me."
That put the poor girl's fear to rest, but was quickly replaced by concern and disappointment. She racked her brains for ways to phrase her question without sounding rude or inconsiderate. "But Ma'am, I don't understand. May I ask why?"
"Three days ago, my son came home from taking care of our business in the US. When he was 22, he finished his studies there, so he came back wanting to take care of the company right here at the main branch. He's spent a year taking care of our branch there, and he's decided that he's had enough experience.
"He told me so the other day, and I was happy and sad at the same time. I was happy that he'd finally step into this position and make himself his own man, much like what his father did. I was sad too, that I had to leave you and so many others here that I had grown fond of for so many years.
"Fortunately for me, there was no choice in the matter. Syaoran had to take over; it was planned from the beginning. The only thing I was afraid of was you resigning from your job because I'm no longer your boss. So I'd like to request something from you, Sakura." Yelan smiled at the girl. "Please stay here. I want you to take care of Syaoran. He's a bright boy, but a little too cold for anyone's comfort. Besides, you know every nook and cranny of this corporation now, being my secretary. You'd greatly help him if you stayed. Would you, for me?"
Sakura was speechless. So much trust was being put on her shoulders. But hadn't she weathered that storm already? "Alright, Ms. Yelan. I'll stay."
"Promise me that even if something happens, you'll stay."
Why did she sound like she was expecting something to happen? "Yes, I promise."
Yelan stood up in delight. "Thank you," she paused, then grinned at Sakura. "Anyway, if you're feeling guilty about that leave you took, there are some documents I left on your table especially for you. The new branch we're planning to build in Japan is not going smoothly as planned, since the supplier for the building materials is playing again."
"What? They already agreed on the budget!! I personally made sure of it before I went back to Tomoeda. Eriol was with me too."
"Don't worry about it. I've already arranged for Syaoran to take care of it," her mind drifted for a second to him, then focused again on Sakura. "It's your job now to help him in anyway you can. After all, you're already personally involved in this."
Sakura didn't notice the double meaning of Yelan's words. "I'll start with your schedule first, and after that, I'll focus on this project. When do I get to meet my new boss?"
"He's coming in today at lunch. That reminds me. You can have lunch with us to acquaint yourselves before working together. I'll call you when he comes in."
"Well, what happened?"
Tomoyo was right on target, again. Sakura only called her best friend at work when she felt really bad, or happy, or silly. "She's leaving."
"Who is?"
"Ms. Yelan. She told me her son was taking over. I didn't even know she had a son!"
"I know."
"Somehow, I think you're telling the truth. What do you know?"
"Eriol called me last night. He told me the entire thing." She paused for a few seconds. "Are you sure you're up to this, Sakura? From what Eriol's mentioned, he's looking like a snowman to me right now."
Sakura giggled. "He told you that?! I was told they're close friends! Some friend he is!"
Tomoyo was glad to have eased the girl's worries a bit. Sakura certainly needed the easy conversation. "Hey, word is Syaoran Li's tough." Tomoyo didn't have to be there to see the deceptively sweet smile. She could all but feel it.
"Word is I'm tough too."
Tomoyo snickered. "He hasn't got a prayer."
Syaoran had already made his way to the large building without difficulty. His mother hadn't changed a bit. She still fussed over trivial things, like this meeting with the Japanese secretary. Normally he would just tell his mother that he was too busy, but he was somewhat curious. He could tell she wasn't ordinary even if his mother and sisters didn't talk about her every time they could.
But he had read her file. It was just procedure, he told himself, to look at one's secretary's file to make sure she was capable. 21 yrs. old, 5'5, auburn hair, green eyes, graduate of a secretarial course at Tokyo State University. Usually he wouldn't be impressed with such credentials, but to be the secretary to the president of such a huge company at that young age was quite an achievement, even for his high standards. He had to meet her.
By the time Sakura finished her phone call, her mind was already at peace. She was walking towards the elevator at the moment. 'There's actually no harm in it,' she mused. 'The only difference is I have to prove myself all over again to this guy. That won't be a problem. I can start with lunch today.'
Sakura was so caught up in her thoughts that she failed to notice the approaching figure caught up in his own musings as well. They collided with such a loud thud that her shriek was unnecessary to call on the other employees' attention.
Sakura landed on her bottom, but the man standing in front of her wasn't even out of balance. She grabbed the hand he held out to help her up, and she cocked her head to look at him. Aware that it was her fault for her inattentiveness; an apology was already forming on her lips. But the man's words brought them to a halt.
"What the hell were you thinking?!"
Someone had given him a punch in the gut. At least that's how Syaoran felt. He was ready to apologize when he held out his hand to help her up, but the moment she stood up and looked at him with those emerald eyes, he felt momentarily numb. Then, all of a sudden, his mouth was saying those words.
How arrogant, Sakura thought. This man had the audacity to reprimand her, when he himself was not paying attention to where he was going! "Nothing, apparently!!" She cocked her brow and poked him in the chest. "And even if I was," -poke- "I wouldn't be telling you now," -poke- "would I? So if you would" -poke- "excuse me," -poke- "I'm late for a lunch meeting and you're in my way." And with that, she shoved him away and strode to the elevator.
Syaoran was supposed to be angry. Supposed to be. So why was he amused? Smiling, he shook his head. He really didn't know.
Hahaha!!! Done at last! And they've met!! Congratulate me, guys! This is the longest chappie I've written yet. I was going to end it with a cliffhanger, but I thought better and ended it this way. Anyway, read and review! Like it? Hate it? Comments? Ideas? Suggestions? Click that button at the bottom of this page!!!