Chapter V : Feeling Blue… Wedding Rings?
Today was a new day and I wake up with the sound of music played by the Hi-Fi stereo system. You know about my alarm-clock aversion, do you? Getting ready for a brand new and exciting school-day I recall yesterday's events.
I'd never dreamt, even in the wildest of dreams, of being in a real world palace, face to face with the Queen or King and having a great time with a real Prince. I remember myself sitting in a grand piano bench ready to play something to please the Queen.
That night I chose the English version of Yasashisa no Tane for I feel completely at ease performing it and it's a song that I can relate well to. I remember translating it with the help of my English tutor and then making the necessary arrangements to fit the original melody.
I got home that evening to find okaasan drowning in a pile of paperwork. It was a difficult sight to bear so I offered my help after changing my clothes for a beige silk nightgown and cleansing my face of makeup and dirt. Smog is pretty bad for the health of the skin.
Consequences?
It's almost nine in the morning and I'm half-asleep.
When I reached school today, every single head turned to look at me. Do I have something in my face? I don't think so. Okaasan would have told me.
Then what is it? I spot Eriol-kun some steps ahead from me and decide to inquire of my sudden attractiveness.
"Ohayo Eriol-kun! How are you doing?" Using some Japanese to change the routine, besides it sounds great mixed with English.
He turns almost immediately to me and greets back with a sunny smile.
"Ever since I landed a foot in Eton, every single person has been looking at me. Do I have something wrong in my face? Am I suddenly in my PJs and not using the uniform?" This is getting more annoying each passing second.
He stares at me for a grand total of one hundred and twenty seconds before breaking into a picture perfect smile for Colgate. "If you call day to night fame a bad thing."
"Surely you jest Eriol-kun." I deadpaned.
"Don't ask me how, but every single soul in here happens to know that you were at the Buckingham Palace yesterday. In fact you are one of the few people that have gone there." He says matter-of-factly.
"Is that so?" Despair filling me quickly. "I think this will be a long and tiring day." Massaging my temples with the index fingers.
"I thought you were used to people staring at you 24/7" He says with a smile resembling that of a Cheesire Cat.
"And I am!" I cry out. "It's just that I'm going to be like a star surrounded by hungry people from the press and that's tiring!" I say acting as if I actually were some prima donna, pop diva or something like that. At this, his merry, sexy laugh fills the hall.
"My, my, plum blossom... Getting important, are we not?" His voice is teasing.
"Why, yes my British friend... And that makes me incredibly pleased." Adopting the poise, pitch and accent recognizable from those of noble blood.
"I bet it does. Nevertheless, we better get going now Malady. Celebrity or not our teachers won't be pleased with your delay." He offers me his arm to lead me to the scheduled schoolroom.
"You're right My Lord," locking his arm with mine and feeling all warm inside, "It's showtime."
It's been a week since I went to the Buckingham Palace and I really had a good time there. The Queen, despite what others might think, is not a mean person but a woman who has to protect herself from the hostility of the world and the media, as we all do to an extent in our many, different ways.
I can tell, by reading the DVD display, that is still early in the evening though I believed it was much later. I'm playing at eating ice cream while looking at the 60-diagonal inches plasma screen; but not really paying attention to what is being displayed. My mind is off somewhere else and I feel sad, and a little bit depressed.
All blue inside.
Suddenly, everything turns pitch black and the spoon fell from my grasp to land in the ice cream can. Or so I think, for I didn't heard the usual clinking sound when it supposedly hits the floor. But then, this room has a huge Persian carpet in the TV area.
Oh well.
My first reaction was to scream, but smelling the male scent I came to know so well through the past months I smile, placing the ice cream between my legs to then hold the stranger's hands with mine.
"Good evening Eriol-kun." My voice sounds flat and depressed even to my own ears which is absolutely no good! Now a bunch of question is going to be thrown at me.
"Why, hello Tomoyo-san!... What's wrong?" He said with sincere concern shown in his rich, male voice and I sighed.
"It's nothing really... I'm a bit depressed, that's all." Voice calm and collected to substract importance to the most inmediate matter.
He gave me a stern look. "I don't buy that... Is something the matter?" Softening his gaze and giving me a comforting smile.
I looked at the TV screen trying to avoid him, but his sapphire eyes were digging a hole on me. "Sakura-chan called today." As if it explained everything (which it does) and I sigh, scooting aside so he can sit beside me.
"And?... How is she?" It's obvious that he's trying to feed-spoon the words out of my mouth.
"Great! She sounded so happy!" And even if I tried my best to sound cheerful, it didn't turn out as I expected.
"That's usual in Sakura-chan," I know he's trying to stop me from going around the bush.
"I know, but this time she has extra reasons to be happy... She's engaged to Syaoran-kun." The truth is out in the open.
His facial expression changes and a proud smile reaches his perfect lips. Just what the hell am I thinking?
"That's great news!" He exclaims and pauses to look straight into my eyes before asking, "aren't you happy?"
I look at him offended. "Of course I'm happy! They're my best friends!" He seems hurt and I quickly realize my mistake, "along with you too"
He smiles but then his eyes are deeply concerned. "So, what's the problem?"
I keep silent for a couple of minutes, trying to figure out what makes me so sad. "It's just that I can't help but feel depressed, no matter how happy I am for them," then I remember the ice cream can and take a spoonfull of it, "am I going to be alone forever?" And it sounds more pathetic than expected.
"But you're not alone Tomoyo-san... You have your mother, and you have me, Nakuru and Spinel. Do you want to leave us behind?" I can hear pain and concern in his voice and my heart melts.
"You're right Eriol-kun, I have all of you," I wince inwardly at my stupidity, "will you always be there for me, Eriol-kun?" A lone teardrop rolls down my cheek.
I can see him smile brightly in the dim-lit room and my heart feels better. "Of course I'm going to be there for you, always, even if you don't want me to..." Cupping my face in his warm and soft hands and I think I blushed a little. Shame on me! "Now, on with happier things, look what I got for you!"
I can feel myself smile widely when I recognize the thing that lay in front of my eyes. "That's why I love you so much Eriol-kun!" Throwing myself at him and holding the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets DVD.
"I love you too, my sweet plum blossom." Hugging me back.
"Are you going to watch it with me?" Looking at him with big puppy-eyes.
"Of course!... Unless you want me to leave you alone with that Harry of yours." He says in a rather funny tone.
"Jealous my friend?" With a smirk on my pink lips.
"That's utter nonsense. How could I ever be jealous of a novel character that happens to be a little boy?" Giving away some sort of arrogance and I can't help myself but laugh whole-heartedly.
"Yeah, whatever you say Eriol-kun," between laughs, "let's go make some popcorn!"
"Do you know how many calories does popcorn have?"
I just give him a look that clearly states; does it look like I care? before heading towards the kitchen to prepare our mid-afternoon snack.
I'm looking at myself in the mirror to see if I look good enough to go out. Today Eriol and I are going to go shopping for some things we need for an art project and maybe I can drag him to this new clothes shop that was recently opened. I'm wearing a dark blue stretch denim skirt that reaches just over the knee-high black point-toed and thin heeled leather boots and a black halter top. My hair is neatly arranged in two loose pig-tails secured with black ribbons. The makeup consists of black-liner, peach blush and vanilla-scented lip gloss with E vitamin. As often, I wear silver jewelry (my personal favorite).
Before I leave, I fill a black leather shoulder bag with the essentials.
"Ready to go?" Asks Eriol from his stitting position in the plush white sofa.
"Yup," and I smile back, "how do I look in this outfit?" And I twirl for him to see.
"You look lovely, but don't forget to grab your coat, it's pretty chilly out there." He says in the only stern voice that makes me feel protected.
"I wont, and if I ever do, I know you'll bring it for me… Wouldn't you?" I say smugly, ruining any attempt at the innocency I wanted to pull.
"Of course. What are friends for but to care for each other? Wouldn't you do the same for poor little me?"
"Don't be so sure… There might be a surprise in store for you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Mock hurt over his handsome features and I can't help but laugh.
"Just kidding, you know I'll do anything for you, dear friend of mine." Taking the coat from the hanger. I really mean what I said.
"Do you require a ride Lady?" Asks Marie with her lovely accent.
"No thanks, Eriol-kun will drive me, right?" Giving the aforesaid a sweet smile, laying my head on his shoulder and I notice just how comfortable this position is.
"Are you taking Miss Higurashi with you?"
"I'm afraid not. She's with mother right now I believe. Besides mother knows I'll be out with Eriol-kun so there's no need to make a fuss of it." I say while fixing the collar of the black coat. "He won't let anything bad happen to me, as afraid of mother as he is, it just won't happen."
"Ne, Eriol-kun? How does driving feel like?" I ask looking at him while he's shifting gears.
"It really feels truly wonderful. You might not believe it, but I feel free. With all the magic I hold, nothing compares to the feel of earthy freedom. Why do you ask, Murasaki no tenshi?"
"Have you given me a nickname?" I ask him in amusement. Purple angel, I like it!
"It seems so, I think it suits you!" Did I just see a tiny-itty-bitty blush on his cheeks? It must have been my imagination. Yes, that has to be it.
For what I gathered, Clow Reed amassed great wealth in his lifetime which was inherited by Eriol himself for apparently Fujitaka prefered to live a more simple life. It was why the mage's British reincarnation lived large but didn't flaunt it. I know, it's a paradox.
As a real boy, one of his passions is the world of the automobiles, especially the fast cars; and I converge with him in this point for I love cars too. I don't know of any other girl of my standing who shares this interest with me, so I welcomed Eriol's enthusiams with arms wide open.
One day the Londoner found me in the terrace while I was sun-bathing (as ludicrous as it sounds for I don't seem to obtain more pigment from it). He had brought a stack of Car And Driver magazines and explained that he wanted to share his ultimate hobbie with me. I remember the look of utter surprise and disbelief when, instead of a reluctant girl, he found a very interested one and with a bit of knowledge in the matter for good measure.
He's using the silver BMW Z4 a lot lately, but I know that he speeds down the Birmingham A34 flyover in his Ferrari Spider 360 on Sundays at either sunrise or sunset. He said it makes him feel alive.
"I'd like to have my own car," I sigh wistfully while looking at the other cars in the traffic jam, "I want you to come with me when mother gives me permission to buy one." Beaming at him with a hundred watt smile.
"I wouldn't miss that for anything in the world." He looked at me briefly and smiled.
He didn't turn on the radio and I'm dying for some music so I take off a CD from a Pochacco agenda with CD holder and slide it inside the player. I remember him saying that I could take any liberties with his car aside from driving because I wasn't qualified and it was taken seriously by the authorities.
"Have I told you how lucky I am to meet you? You're the best boyfriend any girl could ever dream of!" Fingers softly pressing buttons to adjust the bass and trebble for this particular song.
He smiled dashingly and was deeply moved by my words. I can tell.
We came to a stop in the parking lot of a major Art Supply Center. There were lots and lots of magnificent and colorful tools inside, meant to help artists in whichever speciality. I couldn't take my eyes off the colored pencils, something that didn't go unoticed by my companion who gently pulled me away by the elbow with a warmness only found in caring brothers.
I couldn't stop myself from adding to my shopping cart one beautiful wooden box with over one hundred Faber Castell colored pencils with a marvelous feature; if you added water to them you get watercolors! I also added a 70-sheet sketch diary because I hadn't one before and it was difficult to keep all my drawings in order.
"You just can't help it, can you?" I heard Eriol's voice behind me, his warm breath tickling my neck and a chill went up and down my spine.
"You know me pretty well Eriol-kun," not daring to look at him, eyes glued to some oils and a canvas. "What about we get what we're looking for before I happen to buy the entire store?" with a tone of voice that suggested it was an every day occurrence.
"Yes, we better go." Walking to the papers and markers area after ordering a canvas and some bright colored oils.
For school we bought some long pieces of paper, all sizes of soft tipped markers, some tools to work with cold ceramic and clay, acrylic paint in different colors, texturized paint, brushes of all sizes and a couple of artists aprons. The later only to add to the spirit!
The store operated in a funny way. You order in the different areas according to your necessities and they give you a receipt. When you are done, just head to the cash register and hand to the lady or man all of your receipts or bills and they'll charge you. After you pay for the items, they'll give you everything you bought. I find it interesting and thoughtful because that way you can walk around the entire store and shop for everything without bringing with you all the desired items or pushing a car that might cause some disastrous incidents.
With all our bags neatly placed inside Eriol's car, we head to the shopping mall after my pleas were answered by my wonderful friend!
The new clothing store was full of wonderful and refreshing styles and color-palettes. I went in, dragging Eriol with me so he could give me his opinions during my try outs. A sales-lady came to us to do her job, showing us the latest arrivals and trends in women and men's wear.
Two and a half hours were spent there. Contrary to what I expected, Eriol wasn't the bit bored and, or tired with all the changes I did. It seemed like he enjoyed himself there.
"What do you want to do next?" He asked as if I was the girlfriend who must be pleased in every single way.
"I'm dying for an ice-cream and the ones in Happy Time are my faves!" I voice my wants in a very childish, yet lady-like demeanor that made him laugh merrily.
"Very well, your wish is my command." And we head towards the small ice-cream parlor a level above us with our bags. Turns out that Eriol is a fashion-wise guy and takes his appearance seriously. Though you don't need to know him that well to find the later out. His look is always flawless!
So right at this point he can be two things: gay or the perfect guy. He does not tire in shopping sprees (he seems to enjoy them), likes to buy clothes and accessories, is gentlemanly in every sense of the word and sensible (but not to the point to scare you off) though that's only to the trained eye; and knows how to cook.
I've seen some things and believe me when I say that he's not gay.
It leaves us with only option two. He is the perfect guy.
I took a glance at a jewelry store in our way to the mechanical stairs and halt suddenly. The display was full of breathtakingly beautiful jewels but only one got my entire attention.
"Mind if I go in here first?" I said almost absent-mindedly without waiting for an answer since I was already almost inside.
One of the people in charge looked at me for a while before speaking. "Good evening, is there something that caught your attention Miss?" Says a brunette man with a smile that was meant to be polite.
"Yes, actually there is," looking at him straight in the eye, "would you please show me that ring you have on display? The one with square-cut amethysts." Pointing at said jewel.
"Of course Miss." And he goes to do as bidden.
Eriol-kun is casually sitting in the leather sofa, leafing a Forbes magazine in hand.
"Here it is. The ring is made of the purest platinum with embedded amethysts and diamonds as you said." Placing the ring in my hand to look at it more closely.
"How much is it?" I ask him, turning my attention to the sales-man.
"It is pretty expensive Miss, are you sure this is the one you want?"
"Yes, this is the one I want. Money is not a problem." I say firmly to prove it.
"Well, actually this belongs to a pair and we are not allowed to sale it as a single piece," pointing at another ring that looks almost the same than the one I have still in hand, though this one is a bit wider and has tiny, square-cut sapphires and diamonds instead of amethysts; "these are, in fact, wedding rings." I hear him say almost in a whisper.
Wedding rings?
"How much are they?" I already have an idea brewing in mind. This will be perfect.
"Are you sure Miss? Wouldn't you like to look at other jewelry?" Says the young man visibly perplexed.
"Yes, I am." And after hearing a certainly not cheap amount of money (it was a bit scandalous in fact) I hand him the almost untouched Blue American Express to the now astounded man. Now I can't help but smirk, a tiny-bitty smirk.
"Would you want to engrave something in them?"
"Yes please," taking the offered pad to then write down a line.
"It might take a while. You can come back in an hour or so." He says while attaching the sticky note to the box and handling it to a woman dressed in the same bottle green uniform with gold trimmings as him.
"That's absolutely perfect!" Taking back the credit card to then return it to my wallet.
"You ready?" Asks Eriol, who had risen and stood some steps behind me.
"Yes, thank you for waiting!" And we exit the elegant-looking jewelry to resume our little trip to the ice-cream parlor.
When we got to Happy Time, I ordered vanilla and honyed hazelnuts with caramel fudge ice cream and Eriol did likewise. After the lady handed us our orders we walked to an unoccupied table that happened to be just for two. How we managed to balance all our bags without dropping the ice cream or stain our clothes was a miracle.
"You were right; ice creams here are very good!" I hear him say with a delighted expression all over his face.
"Don't tell me you hadn't tried out this place before, ne Eriol-kun?" I reply after placing a spoon full in my mouth and swallowed it.
"Really, Nakuru always comes to this place and then talks non-stop about how good it is." Smiling so tenderly at the remembrance of his hyperactive female guardian.
"Speaking of them, when are you going to bring them home?" I ask filling again my spoon with the white oiishi cream. "I miss them fighting in my kitchen and am starting to think that you've banned them from my house."
"I don't know… you know they are dangerous." He says with an evil smirk on his handsome face and I laugh.
"Dangerous?... How could they be? Besides, you know I can handle them perfectly fine… I can say they respect me more than they do you." And this is a fact.
"Indeed true… I don't know how you do it." And his brows furrows in deep thinking.
"I think I have to show you then…" Giggling softly. "I've heard that some girls, not to say the entire female population at Eton, are behind you dear… How do you manage them, drooling all over you?" Looking slyly at him.
He laughed good-heartedly. "I don't know, I just do… You know that I'm an old fashioned gentleman and as one, I can't ignore a damsel in distress or break a women's heart," he paused and continued with his ice cream, "and as such, I'm not allowed to give false hopes and therefore I've turned out to be known as a heartbreaker. That, however, is not my intention."
"So, are they all hopeless girls?" I can't help but ask.
"In someway, they are," filling his spoon again, "why do you ask?"
"I was watching those girls and wondered about their relationship with you…" Trying to think thoroughly what I was trying to say.
"Jealous my friend?" The nerve! Using my phrase agaisnt me.
"You wish!" Giving him a haughty look. "It's just that I've found myself thinking a lot about human relationships lately and wanted to ask so that I can complete my investigation." Which is, indeed, the truth.
"Oh… you sure?" And his voice is full of mischief.
"Why wouldn't I be? Now let's finish our ice-cream before it melts away!"
Forty five minutes later we are back home. Okaasan is still at work and Eriol helped me with the bags. I remember the tiny velvet box in one pretty paper bag and smile.
"Would you like some tea before you leave?" I ask him politely.
"You've read my mind."
We enter the beatiful cosmopolitan kitchen that features shaker cherry wood, cornices and contrasting brushed satin metal handles. An innovative lighting canopy and triangular under-wall lights produce a subtle lighting effect. The kitchen layout is simple but stylish, with an island that doubles as breakfast counter with a Wolf 36" electric cooktop and integrated griller with enough cutting surface. The sink and dishwasher are located in a custom designed furniture flanked by the stainless-steel Sub-Zero 48" Side-By-Side refrigerator and the Sub-Zero 424 undercounter wine storage below the Wolf 30" built-in double oven plus the microwave oven at either side.
Thanks to the high-technology behind the cooktop the water boils in no time. I turned the appliance off and poured the steaming liquid in a teapot with some green tea leaves while Eriol prepared a tray complete with cupcakes filled with chantilly cream.
"I want to show you something I bought in the jewelry," I say after placing the tea tray on the low table in front of the plasma TV, "remember when I went there?"
"What is it Tomoyo-san?" Child-like curiosity displayed all over his handsome features.
"That's for me to know and for you to find out!" I say smiling fondly at him. He's just adorable sometimes. "Here, open it."
His fingers touch the velvet covered box gently, as if afraid of damaging it. Once it's open, his eyes widen almost unperceptively and I can tell he's confused.
"These are beautiful wedding rings Tomoyo-san," he paused and looked at me with those lovely azure eyes, "what did you buy them for?"
"Mind to look at them closely?"
He carefully takes off the sapphire and diamonds ring and looks at what is engraved inside.
"Do you like it?" I ask and he remains speechless. "It's my gift to you for being such a great friend, always there for me," reaching out to touch his other hand, "a gift just for being who you are."
Those beautiful eyes of his are filled with many emotions that are hard to describe. I'll be lying if I tell you that I know how he must have felt during the years in which we didn't know eachother. Though he had admitted that it often felt lonely and somedays the burden of being blessed with ultimate knowledge was too much to bear. The thought of living in a world where magic was ridiculed and his very existence laughed at and not being able to sufficiently impact somebody's life aside from Sakura-chan's (though it was more of a mission) always managed to torment him on winter nights. He confessed that it felt as if he wasn't living at all, just existing.
And even though I can only relate to his state of longing and loneliness, it would never be to the same extent. No matter how alone I might have felt during my childhood and how painful the loss of my father was, mother was always by my side. She worked really hard to earn her place as CEO and President of father's family business that we inherited; to the point where I was more often than not left to the care of a governess for months on end. But when I needed her, in the most difficult times of my life, she was there.
We looked at each other for a couple of minutes, neither of us blinking at all, sharing a deep connection. I know that he was able to sense my thoughts and I was glad.
I took his left hand and placed the ring in the destined finger while saying, "So, I want to eulogy Hiiragizawa Eriol-kun with a small present whose monetary value pales in comparison to what he's done and means to me." And paused to take off my own ring and do the same. "I want him to have a keepsake of our relationship and rest assured that I will always be there and chase his fears away with the utmost of my capability."
With a tender smile I embraced him tightly and felt moisture on my bare shoulders.
He cried.
"Tomoyo?... Tomoyo, dear?" I hear a voice and the sound of a door opening in the distance. "Oh goodness! Look at them, aren't they cute?" The female voice asks somebody else but I can't grasp what they're talking about, as deep asleep as I am.
After some soft retreating footsteps the door closes and I snuggle comfortably into my warm pillow.
Tsutsuku
