My editor's computer crashed, preventing her to edit two chapters, and I refuse to publish this chapter till she does so. That's why it was held up. She couldn't get her computer fixed as she was going on a holiday for a week and she will fix it only after she comes back. That is why there was a huge delay.
So I am just taking a gamble and publish this chapter first. I will upload it again when she comes back. So please, enjoy
A wounded heart can't be so easily healed. An open wound never closes and the pain can never be fully suppressed- Sasame, Pretear
Eriol stared at Tomoyo who was finishing her breakfast. For the past two weeks, she was warm, friendly and to some point loving towards him. Although she made no attempt to sleep in the same room as him but she was willing to carry out a lively conversation regarding various topics from politics to literature.
A vast difference in attitude compared to the earlier days just after their marriage. But now instead of seeing her icy and reserved, he noticed when she thought he wasn't paying attention, she would start frowning and worry. A few times, he couldn't get her attention because she was too deeply in thought
Now was one of the many occasions where he can't talk to her. "Tomoyo, are you there?" He waved his hand in front of her. "Hey Tomoyo, what's on your mind?" When he finally gotten her attention, her eyes were momentarily filled with sadness before she blanked all emotions and smiled a smile that never reached her eyes. "Yes?"
"Syaoran invited us to come and meet them at Zouk tonight. He and Touya managed to warp up a deal with the help of Yukito. So he wanted to call everyone to party."
Tomoyo nodded. "Why not? I would love to let my hair down."
Eriol got up and walked to her, gently kissing her on her forehead. "See you later tonight dear." With that, he left the house, whistling to a tuneless song, thinking what Tomoyo would wear tonight.
Eriol walked into the crowded night club and scanned through the tables. He held on to Tomoyo possessively, making sure no one will steal her away from his side. He recalled his initial reaction when he first saw her at home.
His mouth literally watered when he watched Tomoyo climb down the stairs. With the body hugging black tube top with sequins sown at the bottom of the tube top, it catches the attention of everyone as soon as the light shone on it. To make matter worse, she wore a pair of tight leather pants and killer black high heels that clicked against the floor each time she took a step. Immediately a picture of a Black Widow came into his mind as he smirked at the irony. If he wasn't careful, he would trip over his foot to be by her side.
He was proud to be her husband and want the whole world to know it. It was one of the rare times he could touched her and no wise man will let that opportunity pass. And to many, he is a wise man.
"Hey, I think they are up ahead. I saw Kaho-chan and Touya-san." Tomoyo shouted over the music as she pulled him along. When they reached there, they noticed Yukito and Naruku were sitting at the table as well.
"Where is Syaoran?" Eriol asked Touya who in turned shrugged.
"He went to convince Sakura to get out of the house and come and join us."
"She was too engrossed with a jigsaw puzzle that kept arriving at her doorstep. Apparently she wanted to try and visualize the picture before she gotten all the pieces and it frustrated her that the pieces were coming too slow." Kaho added with a tinge of humour.
"Well, at least that is occupying her." Yukito said as he moved in to make room for the couple without removing his hands around Naruku's shoulder.
"Don't worry! I think Sakura will be out in no time. After all, you are asking Syaoran to call her. Besides Tomoyo, he is the only one who could convince Sakura to do anything." Touya growled, not really happy with the fact he just made.
"My, what timing! I think the golden couple have arrived." Tomoyo interrupted them pointing towards the entrance. There they saw Sakura and Syaoran coming in, scanning through the crowd like what Eriol did before that. When they spotted the group, two different reactions emerged.
Syaoran beamed and waved at them before pulling the unwilling Sakura along with him. Although she was quick to hide her distain towards two particular member of the group, it was clear to see that she rather go home than to join them. However her eyes lit up when she saw Tomoyo in the crowd.
"TOMOYO!" She shrieked and lunged onto her. "I miss you so much!!!"
"Stop it!" Tomoyo laughed, joyous to see her friend again. "I know you miss me but please get off me!"
"Sorry!" Sakura blushed as she sat in between Syaoran and Tomoyo. "So, what are you doing here?"
"Sakura, I told you that Tomoyo was coming." Syaoran told her gently.
"But I thought you were kidding!" Sakura sighed. "I thought you were trying to get me out hence used Tomoyo as a reason to drag me here."
"You don't trust me." Syaoran sighed as well.
"No! That's not true." Sakura leaned over and gave him a hug. "That's why I came. Thank you Syaoran." All he could do was to blush furiously as he hugged her back, not knowing what to say.
When she sat back she glanced around at the group, her heart sank. Yukito was whispering to Naruku and she broke into a smile before gently patting his arms. "Can I have vodka?"
"You don't drink Sakura! Don't you even think of touching it!"
"My choice Touya, you can't stop me."
"Sakura!" Touya almost bellowed when Kaho touched his arms. Feeling defeat he signaled for the waiter and placed the order.
"Will you be alright?" Tomoyo whispered to her as she watched Sakura worriedly.
"Sure sure!" Sakura said. "Presuming I don't kill myself before this." She muttered under her breath just as the music came on.
I'm caught up in the middle
Jumping through the riddle
I'm falling just a little tonight
"Hey Tomoyo, you want to dance?" Eriol grinned as he offered his hand to her.
"Sure do!" Tomoyo laughed as she grabbed hold of it and be pulled to the floor.
Syaoran seeing what Eriol did just followed suit, without issuing the invitation to Sakura.
Cos everybody's making trouble
Someone's burst their bubble
But we'll be getting by alright
"Hey! What's with you?" Sakura shouted, trying hard to compete with the noise.
"You want to get back at him, dance with me and give it your best shot!" Syaoran pulled her close as he slid his hand behind her back, placed it at the end of her spine.
I'm caught up in the middle
Jumping through the riddle
I'm falling just a little tonight
"Are you sure?" Sakura whispered into his ears, swaying seductively to the beat. "Don't say I didn't warn you to back away."
Cos everybody's making trouble
Someone's burst their bubble
But we'll be getting by alright
"You kidding? I won't! Give me your best shot!" He said out loud, praying otherwise.
Sooner or later this drunken elevator
Is gonna stop where I'm supposed to be
It's ten past eleven, I'm half way up to heaven
But I'm stuck in reality
"The ladies are pulling some slick moves." Kaho laughed as she watched the two couples. Tomoyo was dancing as if it was the last dance. Sakura on the other hand was
acting as if she needed to get some frustration off her mind.
Touya growled once again in disapproval as he drained his cup of beer. "I don't like it."
"You don't have to Touya, just watch and don't clobber them when they are done." Kaho said. Not when one of them is going to get it from them tonight.
Night's kind of funny
Not in it for the money
But I know that I've gotta pay
Syaoran knew that Sakura had a lot of things on her mind. But he never bargained for what he was having now. It doesn't help that she wore a white top with plunging neckline and a figuring hugging jeans that effectively enhanced her figure as much as her top.
Now he had to endure a dance where Sakura is bent on seducing him. Her hip was constantly nudging him that threatened his self control.
"Enjoying yourself?" Sakura grinned at him, totally aware of the effect that she had on him. Although he was her best friend, it was no harm flirting with him. It was all in the name of payback.
"Oh yeah." Syaoran replied back as he inched towards her, rubbing his hands up and down her back, dangerously drifting towards her butt. "You have a lovely back."
Love's gonna getcha
But only when I letcha
And I don't wanna turn away
"Why thanks!" Sakura moved out of his embraced and went around him, with her hand nicely placed on his waist. With her fingernails, she dragged it against the blue cotton shirt he wore, enjoying the shivers that went through his body.
Why can't the boys be the toys
That the girls want the boys to be
And why can't the girls see the world
That the boys want the girls to see, yeah
"Why are you doing this to yourself Sakura?" Syaoran finally asked, unable to take it anymore as she continued to deliciously torment him.
"Do what? This?" Sakura playfully dragged her hands from his waist to his chest before framing his head in her hands. "I am seducing you."
I'm caught up in the middle
Jumping through the riddle
I'm falling just a little tonight
As she released her hold on him, he had to force himself not to drag her hands back to his body. Of course he wanted to be seduced by her but not in a situation like this. He almost wished he never issued the dare.
Cos everybody's making trouble
Someone's burst their bubble
But we'll be getting by alright
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Eriol asked Tomoyo who grinned back at him.
"I never felt so carefree in my life!"
Contented by her answer, he continued to dance with the raven beauty in front of him.
At night it's on the low
No front just sing the flow
We're speaking all in code
To get to the place we know
"Sakura, are you punishing me for the sin of Yukito?" Syaoran asked as he pulled Sakura towards him and allow his hands to linger on her arms as he moved along with her
Sweat running down my back
I'm wearing leather, plack
Falling into a trap
There is no turning back
"I don't know anymore Syaoran." Sakura laughed devilishly. "I just want to have fun." She paused for a while, giving him a knowing smile. "With you."
I got my ladies with me
Fellas get cool and freaky
But we've gotta keep them tame
Cos we don't wanna play that game
"You know, I always wondered what it is like to dance with my best friend and seduce him." Sakura purred into his ears as she maneuvered him in such a way that his back was facing the table where the rest were sitting and gave him a sly smile. "And guess what, I am enjoying it."
Everybody from the block
Needs to be feeling nice
It ain't no weakest party
But get up enjoy the ride
"No, you are enjoying that Yukito is watching every move you make."
"Syaoran, you are such a wet blanket, don't tell me you are not enjoying yourself?" Sakura shook her head. "Such a pity."
What you see and what you hear
Can never be exposed
Acting out of character
Is everything we know
"I don't want the people I love to get hurt." Syaoran replied, not daring to say anymore.
I'm caught up in the middle
Jumping through the riddle
I'm falling just a little tonight
"Hurt?" Sakura snorted as she kissed his cheek. "Don't worry dear, no one will get hurt. Just enjoy yourself."
Cos everybody's making trouble
Someone's burst their bubble
But we'll be getting by alright
"Touya, go and take Eriol's place." Kaho said urgently. "And get him to replace Syaoran. I don't think Syaoran will stand it longer." She applauded for her cousin's willpower but he was about to reach his limit. If no one intervenes, Sakura will get herself into trouble.
My mind's kind of tender
My body's tired
It's freaky but I'm ready for this bumpy ride
Kaho held her breath until the switch was completed. Sighing in relief, she took a sip from her glass. "Sakura is in self destructive mode."
"Not even the jigsaw puzzle can relief her." Yukito added on, feeling the pain in his heart.
Everybody's tripping
It's all insane
But the voices in my head are saying it's ok
"Yukito. It isn't your fault." Naruku soothed his soul when she said it.
Grateful for her, he gave her a light peck on her cheek. "Thanks for the support."
Trying to slow it down or
It's against the rush
Gotta keep it cool to avoid the crush
"What were you trying to do with Syaoran that Touya demanded me to switch partner." Eriol demanded from his new dance partner.
"You were dumb enough to listen to my over-bearing brother. I didn't do anything to Syaoran."
"No? Then why do I have the impression you were pawing him?" Eriol shook his head in disbelief. "Sakura, you didn't notice?"
I'm dreamin that I'm screamin and it's starting to show
That I've moved it on
Cos I've changed the flow
"It was pawing. Syaoran asked me to seduce him, and I did it." Sakura said haughtily. "There was no need to interfere. Anyway, let's dance!" She shut her mind off from the people around him and focused to the beat, not caring who was watching anymore.
I'm caught up in the middle
Jumping through the riddle
I'm falling just a little tonight
"Hey Tomoyo, you want to renew your vows with Kaho and I on Valentine's Day?" Touya asked, competing to the music.
"Who gave you that impression?" Tomoyo asked, clearly startled.
Touya shrugged. "I thought you two patched up."
Tomoyo gave him a sad smile. "We won't join in. Carry on your plan without us."
Cos everybody's making trouble
Someone's burst their bubble
But we'll be getting by alright
"But do you love him?" Touya asked, noticing that Sakura stopped dancing and that Eriol was moving towards that direction.
But we'll be getting by alright
"Yes I do. I love him." Tomoyo looked down on the floor as if she was ashamed by that confession.
"Then what is holding you back?" Touya asked her.
But we'll be getting by alright
"Syaoran, why did you leave?" Sakura walked up to the group and petted his head.
"Finish your drink Sakura, both of us need to talk." Syaoran handled to her the glass and under his supervision, she drained the drink.
"Now, what's with you demanding me to have a discussion with you?" Sakura gave him an angry stare. "I want to continue dancing."
"No!" Syaoran replied sternly. "Kaho, I will give Sakura a lift back afterwards. Good night Yukito, good night Naruku. Take care." He bid his farewell as he dragged Sakura out just like the way he dragged her into the club earlier.
"Well, someone is going to talk to her." Kaho smiled. "About time. Nice going cousin."
"Then what is holding you back?" Touya asked Tomoyo, giving the signal to Eriol not to come closer to them.
"Touya." Tomoyo cried out. "Don't make me tell you. Once you know, I have to get an annulment."
"What is so serious that you need to get an annulment?" Touya asked, clearly confused about what she said.
"Don't ask." Tomoyo begged. "Don't ask!"
"Tomoyo." Touya whispered to her. When he gotten her attention, he continued. "When you were young, you trusted me like a brother. Don't you trust me now?"
Tomoyo struggled, wondering how much longer she could fight her conscience. "Tell me Tomoyo, please. Everyone is worried. You won't want Sakura to worry any longer right?" Touya coaxed her.
"Okay! Stop it!" Tomoyo yelled out, unable to handle the pressure anymore. "He is my brother okay! Eriol is my half brother!"
The lyrics were taken from Sugababes album- Three- In the Middle. Right, the dance scene was horrible. It is completely rushed and everything. So, I think I deserve not to get reviews. But I hope you guys prove me otherwise. Thanks!! Take care and God Bless
Joyful