Something Pink
Part 4: An Eye for Her
Sakura clung on Eriol's arm, as if holding on to dear life, while Seiji watched her amusedly.
Eriol cleared his throat, and whispered to her, "Loosen your grip, please? You're cutting off the circulation in my arm."
"Here he comes," Seiji interrupted, staring ahead of them at the main doors, where they entered earlier, while pointing at a couple lavishly dressed.
Sakura followed his finger, and nearly collapsed at the sight of Syaoran Li and his date. Syaoran could be seen in the traditional tuxedo, but his date looked like some princess from another world. She wore a red strapless gown, with ripples cascading her skirts. Red lace bordered her bodice, while a light red ribbon adorned her slim waist. Her ebony hair, put up so that only two curly tendrils framed her face, sparkled because of the sparkly hair spray she applied to it. Her light complexion, and extravagant, perfect white teeth, were eye blinding. Syaoran guided her around the crowd, with a serious expression on his face. Sakura gazed at them, relief consuming her when she realized that Syaoran would be too busy to notice her tonight. If his gorgeous date wouldn't be enough to distract him, the crowds would.
She sighed releasing the grip on Eriol, slightly. Eriol, took the opportunity to slip from her grasp, and directly shoved her into a surprised Seiji. "Take care of her," he said, leaving the two staring after him.
Sakura looked up at Seiji, while he grasped her hand. "I forgot to tell you how beautiful you look," he murmured staring at her face, with a wondering look on his face. Sakura blushed and commented out loud, "Some look better."
"Are you jealous?"
"Why should I be? I don't want any attention at all."
"I meant, are you jealous that your ex has a date?" His eyes filled with humor when he said this.
Sakura smacked his arm, anger reaching her emerald eyes. "Hey, I was only kidding…" When he said this, Sakura was already turning quickly on her heels, and walking away from him.
Seiji stopped her with a hand on her arm, and gently spun her around to face him. "Hey Sakura."
Sakura gazed unwaveringly at him, with pride shimmering in her eyes. Seiji tried very hard not to laugh at how adorable she looked, trying to look tough. Instead he said to her, "If you haven't noticed, some of the bachelors here are admiring you from afar."
Sakura glanced around her, and knew, then what he meant.
"Humph! It means nothing to me!" She tossed her head and strode away. Seiji followed her with a small smile plastered on his face.
They played cat and mouse for awhile, before Eriol actually sought them out later in the evening.
"You two, it's time for the both of you to shine," Eriol commanded, gesturing for them to follow him.
Sakura gulped. "Just a little while, right Eriol? You won't make me talk to him, right? You promised."
"He is only a man of business. He doesn't even seem to notice the lovely creature that stands beside him. I think I will be able to keep my promise."
The two men guided Sakura to Syaoran Li and his date. At first, Syaoran seemed to be bored, and spacing out sometimes. He didn't take notice when they approached, but when they paused, standing right beside him, he and the woman on his arm turned to greet them.
He felt the air leave him, when his eyes set on the recognizable light brown hair. Her dress was the color of the flower she was named after: pink and white. If it weren't for the white lace, the dress would be completely pink. The colors were so simple, yet they matched her perfectly. She smelled of lilies, and moved gracefully, but her eyes would not meet his. They strayed away, before he could get a glimpse of the emerald. This only made it harder for him to restrain his anger that had risen from three years of loneliness.
"Syaoran Li, this is Seiji and Sakura."
Sakura and Seiji bowed simultaneously, coming back up at the same time. Syaoran noticed how the model, named Seiji had his arm around his Sakura's waist, protectively, the whole time. He refrained from jumping at them and tearing his arm away from her.
"This is Heather," Syaoran mumbled, his eyes focused on Sakura, but meaning to look at the woman who clung to his arm. Heather seemed to lean into him more, trying to get his attention to no avail.
"Konnichiwa, Heather-san." Finally Sakura looked up at the two of them, revealing her mesmerizing emerald eyes, while greeting them politely in Japanese. "Welcome to Japan," Seiji added.
Seiji shook Syaoran Li's hand, and felt the tight, firm, crushing grip he had on his poor hand.
"Well, I hope you consider what I have said to you, Mr. Li. My offer?" Eriol reminded him.
Syaoran was caught by surprised at Eriol's sudden reminder. Before the man brought the two models for him to meet, Eriol Hiiragizawa was the first man to speak with him when he walked in.
"Li, I presume," Eriol extended his hand out to the grim president of Li Enterprise.
Meanwhile, Syaoran's eyes strayed from the man's hand to his face. His glasses were glaring, so he couldn't really notice the color of his humor-filled eyes, but his neat hair and tuxedo spoke his status.
"I've been waiting," Eriol said, giving the man a grin.
"Hmmm," was all Li voiced, before he prepared to turn away from him.
"I've heard much about you, My Friend." Syaoran heard him say.
"If you haven't, it would mean you are more backward than this country."
"You speak bitterly," Eriol said in a high voice, still that smile on his face. "I wonder what is behind that bitterness, though."
Syaoran smirked. "The hell with you and your annoying suppositions. I'm here to start business."
"Yes, good, honest associates are hard to find these days. I assure you, I think I can help. I know many friends in high places—"
"You know a lot of people in high places?" Syaoran mocked.
"When a once and a lifetime opportunity is under your nose, are you going to throw it away?" Eriol raised an eyebrow at the arrogant man.
"Opportunity?"
"To drive things away with your bitterness… Good business is hard to find these days," Eriol's second eyebrow came up, amused at Syaoran's reaction.
"If you're offering to help me, then say it! Stop torturing me! I have a long night with all these people, who take interest in my work. Do not waste my time."
"I wish to help in anyway, to bring you up," Eriol said.
"Striving up the corporate world, is the only thing I have to look forward to in life."
"I see," Eriol said. "Then first, you wait here, while I seek the employees I have brought with me tonight, to this marvelous party. My apologies, please, I forgot to praise you on how well you prepared for this meeting."
Seiji and Sakura, were Eriol Hiiragazwa's models? Sakura was here, in Japan all along? He had been scouring the United States for her, from urban to rural areas, from east to west, from north to south, right side up and upside down. Never did he think that he would find Sakura, here, out of all places. Tomoyo had hinted that Sakura was still in the United States. Then, does this mean that Sakura's best friend, only led him further away from finding Sakura?
Syaoran watched, as the three people left him and found a table for only the three of them. Heather waved a hand in front of his face to get Syaoran's attention again. "Come on, Syaoran. Let's grab a table." Syaoran nodded stiffly, disbelieving, and confused. After all, Tomoyo treats Sakura like a sister, and sisters would do anything for each other. However, it was no excuse for Tomoyo to give him false hope that would lead to his cold, uncaring self again.
"Sakura…" Syaoran murmured out loud.
"What was that, Sweetheart?" Heather asked, while squeezing his hand worriedly from across the table.
"Nothing, I was just thinking."
"Well, if that's it…" Heather said, picking up the menu, and reading it.
Syaoran gazed over at the far table, where Sakura, Eriol, and Seiji sat. Sakura was laughing at something Eriol said, causing Syaoran's spine to tingle with jealousy. What was he saying to her? And what relationship does she share with either of those men?
As Syaoran thought, the lights dimmed, to an orange glow. The sound of the orchestra, playing a sweet melody, hummed through the room. Syaoran watched, while Seiji offered his hand to Sakura, for the first dance. Syaoran's grip on the table cloth tightened while he watched the two, waltz on the dance floor. Soon enough, other couples followed.
"Syaoran, when are you going to ask me to dance?" Heather asked, her fingertips brushing his white knuckles.
"Alright." Syaoran brought her to the dance floor, and the two danced.
The music stopped and everyone settled down again.
Sakura noticed that Eriol no longer sat at their table. Seiji suggested that they go out onto the balcony to cool off, so they did. Only after a few minutes of leaning on the railing and talking, Seiji stops and exclaims in surprise, "I have to make a quick phone call. I'll be right back."
"No, Seiji," Sakura begged, pulling him back.
"It'll only be a moment, Honey, okay? As long as you stay out here, on this particular balcony, he won't find you." With that said, Seiji left her alone.
"I'll be in the ladies room, alright?" Heather said.
Syaoran nodded, mumbling to himself that he needed some fresh air. While Heather walked in the direction to the restrooms, Syaoran left to the closest balcony. Just as he reached the balcony, he notices that Seiji and Sakura were out there, but they didn't seem to notice him. He hid behind the nearest pillar, and eavesdropped on their last words that the pair shared, before Seiji left her alone.
She didn't want to see him, but he wants to see her and speak with her. He started approaching her stealthily, but then he stops when he hears Sakura speak to herself, "He has a new girl now. He doesn't remember me. There's something to be grateful for. Eriol, Seiji, you two always runaway from me…"
"Sakura."
Sakura stiffened at the sound of the familiar voice. It was deep and soothing and only one person would call out to her so gently. She slowly turned and met Syaoran face to face.
"Hoooooeeeee!" She jumped, ducking away from him as if he was about to throw something at her. Then, she ran as fast as she could away from him, but Syaoran didn't go after her. He was afraid he would scare her and the last thing he would want was to have all those people inside become suspicious of him. The only thing left to do, was leave her alone for now.
