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Now on with the story. Enjoy!

Affairs of the Heart

Chapter Ten

"So, would you come? It's my way of saying thank you for the way you decorated my mansion."

"I'm not sure . . ." Sakura said softly, glancing at her husband.

"Oh, please. You can bring your husband. It'll be fun!"

"I'll ask." She covered the mouthpiece and looked at Kiyo. "Do . . . Do you want to go to a party?"

He raised an eyebrow as he calmly sat on the bed. "Where?"

"At the mansion I finished decorating a week ago. She's having a party and wants me to come. She's inviting you as well."

He stood up and walked over to her. "Give it to me" he demanded and quickly she did. As he began to speak to Lydia, Sakura walked over to the window and stared out at the view.

Being in love with two different men was weird. She never even thought it was possible. Then again, she never thought it was possible for her to carry on an affair. It's been over a month since she met Syaoran; six weeks that was filled with surprises, hurt and love. Touya was still here in Tomoeda, much to her surprise. She suspects that he misses his childhood town and doesn't want to leave just yet. Mai and the kids were having a great time too.

She glanced at Kiyo, and bit her lip. He hasn't beat her yet, although she was waiting for it. But he had nearly broken her wrist when she had been reaching out to touch an award he had gotten several days ago. He had grown outraged and practically punched her wrist. She was too fragile for it not to be painful. She even had to go to the hospital.

She hasn't told Touya, because that same day she had accidentally slapped her wrist against the door, so he had assumed the bruise came from there.

She didn't bother to correct him.

She wanted to go to this party that was going to be held later today. It was such a beautiful Saturday that it would be a shame for her to stay home.

Moreover, today was the six-week anniversary for her and Syaoran from the time they had their first date. How she would love to take him to the party, but she feared that Lydia would mention the word "husband" and then everything would come spilling out. After all, Lydia does know that she is married to Kiyo. She just couldn't risk that.

With a sigh she knew it should. Her secret should come out. She shouldn't be pretending anymore. She was too tired to carry on this lie, anyways. She loved Syaoran too much to do this to him any longer. And then, when he leaves her, she would leave Kiyo and go to Canada with her brother. Her reputation be damned. Her life was more important. She wants to stay, gather evidence to prevent Kiyo from hurting other women, but should she really put her life on the line like that? No, she couldn't. Especially when Kiyo will find out about her affair. It doesn't matter when; he will find out, and he'll hurt her badly for even thinking of being with another man.

But before she leaves she would report Kiyo to the police. She could do that much, at least. She knew there was a slim chance of them believing her, but she had to try.

Future plans aside, she would see Syaoran on Sunday, since today she has plans, if Kiyo allows them to go. She could use the time to prepare her speech. But either way, she was going to tell the truth, get everything out in the open.

She jumped when Kiyo placed his hands on her shoulders. She looked back at him.

"We'll go" he said bluntly. "That woman was too persistent for me to ignore. Plus, it could be good publicity for me. But you must stay by my side at all times, or else."

She knew she shouldn't ask, but she did anyways. "Or else what?" Those three words weren't filled with anger or with frustration. It was just a simple question.

But he squeezed her shoulders hard enough to make her wince, as if she yelled the words out at him. "Do you really want to know?" He whispered in her ear.

She whimpered from the pain and shook her head. He released her and he sauntered into the bathroom. Apparently, abusing his wife was a natural thing to him.

She clenched her hands to keep them from shaking. "You'll get yours, Kiyo" she whispered. "You'll get yours."

(Syaoran)

"How did you get all these people together so fast?" He asked as he looked at the invitations that had been left over. The party was to start at seven, just five hours away. "The house was finished just a week ago."

"I know. A week ago is when I sent out the invitations." Lydia blew on her nails as she sat on the couch. She studied her husband. How naïve he was. Surprisingly, she was already having cravings. Haru's child did ask a lot, from a bizarre mixture of ice-cream with spinach to a big watermelon. She knew some of the foods she ate were disgusting, but they sounded delicious when she gets a craving.

But Syaoran never notices. Even Haru doesn't notice.

Probably because he hasn't been around . . .

For the past few weeks, Haru has been avoiding her. She had once placed her hand on his arm and all he did was recoil before stating, in a very quiet tone "Don't touch me." Since then, the only times he gets near her is when he has news for her. Other then that, he was practically nonexistent. But she can't be bothered with it. Whatever is going on with him, it's his business.

Besides, she has other business to attend to.

"Speaking of the house, Xiao-Lang, what do you think of it? You never gave me an opinion."

He looked up at her and looked around the living room. "It's fine. I like the fact that the decorator added a bit of our homeland in here."

"I know" she gushed, looking around as well. Sakura had done an excellent job, having a few dragon statues, small, of course, and the dragon print that ran along the top of the walls. There was more that was different, and she absolutely loved it. "I invited the decorator to our party. Her and her husband will be coming." She frowned. "I think you know the husband, actually. Tsuchida Kiyo?"

His head snapped around to look at her. "Who?"

"Tsuchida Kiyo. That's who I was talking to. I had asked him his name and when he gave it to me it sounded awfully familiar."

Syaoran couldn't believe it. His wife had just invited the worst man to ever walk the planet into his home. That's the only thing that beat around his brain. Tsuchida was going to be here. Right here in just a few short hours. Being wait on and being fed. That made him see red.

"Are you crazy!" he exploded, bolting up and glaring down at her. "How can you invite that man into my house!"

Flabbergasted, she looked at him with wide eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Damn it, Lydia! Don't act as if you don't know!" He marched out of the living room, leaving Lydia to look at his retreating back.

"Don't know what?" She murmured. All she did was invite the man.

Syaoran entered the bedroom and slammed the door shut, clenching and unclenching his hands to prevent himself from hitting the wall. How can she do that! Doesn't she remember that Tsuchida was the same man who stole money from him? That dirty bastard was now going to be a guest in his home!

He punched his fist into his other hand, a substitute for something concrete.

"Damn it" he hissed as he next kicked the bed frame, another outlet to release his anger.

Suddenly, he realized that Tsuchida was going to be here only because Lydia had invited his wife. The woman who Chen has been following. How lucky they would be if Mrs. Tsuchida brings her lover and passes him off as her husband! But he knew that wouldn't happen. Lydia had actually spoken to the husband, so the wife wouldn't even dare to bring a different man.

Speaking of Chen, he hasn't called for quite a while, indicating that he hasn't been able to take a picture of the wife's lover.

So maybe . . . Since Tsuchida is a jerk . . .

He purposely walked to where the telephone was next to the bed and dialed the number when he picked it up. Well, he actually stabbed the buttons, muttering curses as he muttered curses.

"Chen" he spoke in Chinese when the other line was picked up. "This is Xiao-Lang. I have a plan in case the whole 'wife-is-having-an-affair' thing doesn't work. Can you come to a party tonight?"

(Eriol and Tomoyo)

Tomoyo looked at him curiously as he hanged up the phone.

"It seems our Xiao-Lang in having a party tonight."

"How do you know?"

"The secretary just told me on the phone." At her baffled expression he explained "I explained to her about our little situation and about Lydia's scheme. It was a risk, I know, but I needed someone as a contact who will be able to provide us information." As he said this he walked over to the closet and took out his suitcase. "I told her to keep it a secret. Anyways, it seems that the secretary hates Lydia just as much as we do. They must have met once, and that meeting must not have been pleasant. In conclusion, the secretary hates her more, and is willing to help us anyway she can in order to protect Xiao-Lang."

He placed the suitcase on the bed next to where Tomoyo was sitting and opened it. He took out a tux. "And we are going to go to his party. Do you have a nice fancy dress, darling?"

"I think so." Still confused she got up and grabbed her own suitcase from the closet. Walking towards the bed she placed it next to his and opened it. She rummaged through it for a bit before extracting a long velvet gown. After placing it, nicely, on the bed she turned to look at him. "Why are we going to the party? We aren't invited."

"We are now." He nodded at the phone. "The secretary is taking us as her guests. No questions asked."

"Okay. Fine. But still. Why are we going to the party? We have no purpose in going."

"To watch Lydia. She's the one throwing the party. She never throws party unless it has something to do with her. She's always the center of attention."

"Eriol, are you sure?"

"Yes." He looked at her. "Remember the Matsumonos? The two people who, coincidently, had the same last name? They are engaged. According to the secretary, Lydia is throwing the party for them."

"That doesn't makes sense. When we were here, Lydia thought that they were the ugliest couple she has ever seen. She complained about them often. To us, at least. She doesn't like them."

"Exactly. That only means she's using them as an excuse."
She sat on the bed. All her questions answered, she had to wonder what Lydia was planning. "This will be a very interesting party, indeed" she murmured.

(Touya and Mai)

"I don't know, Touya" Mai said as she finished her meal. She loved this hotel. The service was excellent, along with the view their room has, and it was close to where Sakura and Kiyo lived. "What about Haruko and the twins?"

"They are enjoying it here." Touya grasped her hand. "Right now they are enjoying themselves in the little playground this hotel has. Honey, this is our home. We got married here."

"I know. Touya, I know. I was there, remember? I was the bride." She sighed. Canada was only suppose to be a honeymoon, not a permanent residence. But they had loved the country so much they ended up living there for the past ten years.

But Japan was their true home. She would be lying if she says that she hasn't miss this place.

"Besides, Sakura needs us."

"I know she does, but what about our jobs? The hospital won't let me go for that amount of time. I'm a doctor- they need me there. And what about you? Being a cop doesn't exactly allow you to just make snap decisions like these and take a long vacation, without having any idea when to return, especially when the city is short of police officers."

"We'll find jobs here. Look, I know Sakura. She won't stay with Kiyo the way she claims. She'll leave him, and when she does we need to be here for her, and prepare for her to come with us."

"And what about Syaoran? Did you ever think of him?"

Touya paused, and frowned. "Damn" he said softly. "I forgot about him"

"Yes, apparently you did. Sakura just might run to him instead of you Touya." She raised an eyebrow. "That's one of the reason why you hated Kiyo."

He looked confused. "What?"

"One of the reasons why you hated Kiyo was the fact that he 'took' Sakura away from you. You had grown up with her always running to you, seeking your protection. But when she met Kiyo, she no longer ran to you. She ran to him."

He snorted. "That's impossible."

"It's true. And even now, you are still thinking that she will run to you again, forgetting that fact that she has another man who she greatly cares about, and who cares about her. She'll run to him, most likely."

He sighed. "Okay, maybe I do feel a little . . ." he moved his hand around "cheated, over the fact that Kiyo got Sakura. I mean, she's my little sister. I was her guardian, before that bastard came. But I don't think she'll run to Syaoran, either. And it's not my brotherly side."

"What do you mean?"

"You just said she cares about him. I know this whole affair thing she has wasn't something she normally does, but I do know that she isn't so coldhearted that she'll never tell Syaoran the truth. Soon she'll tell him, possibly when she leaves Kiyo. I don't think he'll take it lightly."

Mai knew that was right. Sakura having an affair was unexpected, but it doesn't mean Sakura will never tell Syaoran the truth. In fact, it was kind of a miracle that she hasn't told him the truth already. Maybe she feared it would end as soon as she told him that she has a husband. That's perfectly understandable.

But can they really stay here and wait for who-knows-how-long for Sakura to leave them both?

"I'll think about it" she finally said.

"That's good enough."

The phone rang and he stood up in order to get it.

"Hello?"

"Hey Touya, it's me Sakura. I'm afraid I need you tonight to watch Kiyo."

"Why? Did he do anything?"

"No. Not yet, at least. There's a party tonight and although I'll be among people, I don't know anyone there. I'll be stuck with Kiyo throughout the whole time, and I won't be able to get away. I'll be too nervous if I am to stay with him all night. I need you there so I can get away a few times without him getting mad. Like you could ask me to dance a few times."

"But I don't think I'm invited. Hell, I don't even know where this party is going to be. I don't even know the hosts."

"It says I can bring two guests. Please, just come."

"How will Kiyo react?"

"He probably won't like it, but I'll think of something. Actually, call me later, like in half an hour. Kiyo had gone out but he'll be back. Ask me if I'm doing anything tonight, and I'll just mention the party and you just pretend that you are inviting yourselves to come with us. I'll put the phone on the speaker so anything Kiyo says you could hear."

"Why not take Kari?"

"I still haven't told her about Kiyo, and I'm not planning to. She's my best friend, yes, but she won't believe it. Plus, she doesn't understand about Syaoran. I'm just too mad to talk to her right now. Please Touya. Just come."

He couldn't say no. "Okay we'll go." He sighed "I just hope nothing dramatic happens tonight."

(7:30: Party at the Li mansion: Syaoran)

Syaoran watched all the people have a great time downstairs as he walked away from the railing, walking back to his bedroom. He just wasn't in the party mood tonight, and has yet to actually mingle with the people. Lydia was already downstairs, talking and laughing at the many people who were here. There was a lot of people, and there were some still pouring in.

He was all dressed up for a party that was in his own home, and he wasn't really in the mood for it.

He entered the room, although he didn't close the door, and sat on his bed. The only person he was sure was here is Chen, for he had called earlier on Syaoran's cell phone saying he was there, waiting for Tsuchida. That was good. If Tsuchida makes any pass at a woman, or leaves with a woman who isn't his wife, he'll be caught on camera.

He looked up when Lydia entered the room. "Darling, why aren't you downstairs? We are the hosts. It's rude to-"

"I do truly wish you had told me about sending out invitations before you did. Actually, I just wish you told me when this party was going to happen. Telling me this morning just wasn't enough."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want this party to be happening. I never wanted it to happen. I'm just . . . Not in the mood."

"Xiao-Lang, I do apologize for not telling you when I would be sending out the invitations, and for not giving you warning about the party being held tonight. But please come downstairs."

"Later. Maybe I'll be in the mood. Right now I just want to savor these few minutes of peace and quiet."

She sighed. "Fine. Just don't stay up here too long."

She turned around and left as he stared at the spot she had been standing on. She has been quiet for the past couple of weeks, fidgety even. But that doesn't stop her from yelling at him when he's going to leave somewhere other than to work. In fact, it felt to him like she was yelling at him more and more. He has the feeling that if it wasn't for the fact that Li Corps is the only reason why they have money, she would yell at him for going to work as well.

He still hasn't been able to figure out the big puzzle that involved not only her, but Eriol and Tomoyo as well. No new clues has come up, and without new clues he won't be able to figure out anything.

Standing up, he decided that he can't just hide up in his room all night. Maybe if he mingles with the people, he'll be in a much better mood. He doubted it, though. The only thing, the only person, who would lift his mood is Sakura. Unfortunately, she's not here to cheer him up. But how he would love for her to be here with him. He wouldn't care where a party was, or how long it would go, so long as she was with him.

Walking out of the room and walking down the hall, he paused at the top of the staircase, watching all the people talk and dance who were inside the house. He couldn't even see the people who had gone outside.

He finally knew what was missing. He finally realized the thing he hadn't notice for the past couple of weeks.

Lydia hasn't bothered him about having sex.

She had been so persistent before, and now she doesn't even mention sex at all. That was odd. Something wasn't right.

Climbing down the stairs, he went in search for his secretive wife.

(Chen)

Chen snapped another picture of Mrs. Tsuchida standing next to her husband as they stood on the balcony, drinking champagne and talking to this other couple. He was hiding in some bushes closes to the balcony. He had been inside, watching them, when they had stepped outside. Apparently Mrs. Li had opened the balcony doors so people could be outside too, making more room for people to walk around. Thinking he has a better chance of taking pictures of them, and for anything else that might happen that will help his cause, he had decided to just be outside in the garden, and hide in bushes so no one will notice.

Watching them now, and zooming in on them with his camera, he saw how uncomfortable Mrs. Tsuchida was around her husband. She seemed to be trying to put a little distance between them, but wasn't very successful. Tsuchida would pull her next to him, holding her elbow and putting his arm around her.

Interesting.

Maybe he won't return to the party. Maybe he'll just stay out here, and continue taking pictures. Who knows? Maybe he'll catch Tsuchida doing something he isn't suppose to be doing.

(Sakura)

Was Kiyo so scared she'll leave that he has to put his arm around her constantly?

Again, she tried to step a little away but he only tightened his hold. Darn it, what is his problem? She tried to hold in her anger. He wasn't even letting her be just a few inches away.

"Are you cold? You are shaking like a leaf" he said.

If only he knew all the shaking was from anger. But she supposed it was understandable for him to think she was cold. She was wearing the dress Syaoran bought for her in Italy and she brought no jacket or shawl. But she wasn't cold. Not one bit.

"Yes, a little" she lied anyways.

He just nodded and did nothing else as he continued his conversation with her brother. She saw Mai frown, clearly not liking the fact that Kiyo didn't do anything about it. Sakura saw Touya take off his own jacket and put it around her shoulders, stopping the conversation between him and Kiyo by saying "excuse me, please." Kiyo removed his arm and Sakura sighed just when the jacket was placed around her. She sighed because Kiyo's arm was removed but everyone else probably thought it was because she had something warm around her.

"Better?" her brother asked.

"Yes thank you."

Purposely he stayed by her side and placed his own arm around her, disallowing Kiyo to do the same. Mai's face was blank, but her eyes held a glint of satisfaction over the act.

Sakura was glad too. Kiyo had not been too happy when Touya 'invited' himself to the party. But Sakura did what she had said and put him on speakerphone so that whatever Kiyo says Touya would surely hear it.

He had made so many faces during the phone conversation she had wanted to laugh. But he couldn't say no, and she knew it. She had hid her satisfaction for the rest of the afternoon, although Kiyo did make a comment here and there about the whole situation that almost made her explode.

Suddenly, she got goose bumps on her arms, although she was warm and toasty. While her brother continued to talk to her husband, she glanced over her shoulder. She felt like she was being watched, eyes staring at her back. But that was crazy. Who would be watching her?

(Tomoyo and Eriol)

They stood to the side as they kept an eye on Lydia, who was laughing gaily, unaware of them. There had been a time when she disappeared but when she returned they watched her like a hawk.

"Why do you think she threw the party?" Tomoyo asked curiously.

"Who knows" Eriol answered. He glanced up just as Syaoran was coming down the stairs. "Ah, there's our host."

"He looks . . ."

"Yeah, I know" he answered when she didn't finish her sentence. Syaoran had an expression that they hadn't seen before. He looked almost determine, but at the same time unsure.

They suddenly notice that the maids and butlers were hoisting the guests into the party room. People who had gone outside were being led back inside.

Tomoyo gasped.

He looked at her sharply. "What?"

"That woman . . . That's Syaoran's lover!"

He looked towards where she was looking and sure enough there was the woman they had seen Syaoran kiss at the park. Moreover, a man was clasping her hand as another couple, who were also clasping hands, walked next to them.

"Oh goodness" he muttered.

"She's married?"

"Or has a boyfriend."

They looked at each other. Tomoyo knew that Syaoran never told the woman he was married, but did he know that she was married too? Or, at the very least, was seeing someone else?

"Oh dear."

"What is Lydia doing?" Eriol asked, catching her attention.

Lydia had walked over to the stairs, dragging a very confused Syaoran with her. He seemed to be trying to talk to her, but she paid no attention as she just smiled and stood on the fourth step of the stairs so that everyone would be able to see her and Syaoran.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming here tonight to celebrate the Matsumono's engagement. But there is also another surprise I would love to share with everyone."

(Syaoran)

Syaoran growled in frustration as Lydia talked to the big crowd. He was staring at her with a look of anger as she ignored him. He had found her in the crowd, which wasn't easy, only for her to drag him back to the stairs.

"Damn it, Lydia" he hissed through his teeth when she paused. "I'm trying to talk to you!"

"Not now, darling" she whispered as she glanced at him. "I'm addressing the crowd. We can talk later."

"This is important!"

"Nothing is important right now." She then turned back to the crowd.

He looked at the crowd with a scowl, which soon disappeared when his eyes landed on two very similar faces. He froze as he stared at Touya and Mai, who were staring at him with two very surprised faces.

What the hell are they doing here!, he thought frantically.

Lydia chose that exact moment to say "My husband and I are just thrilled to share this news with you- actually, I'm thrilled because he doesn't know yet."

She had placed her hand on his arm and right then and there he knew his secret was out. Their faces went blank and he watched as they slowly, in unison, looked towards their right. He followed them and his eyes landed on Sakura, the woman who had made such an impact on his life.

But she wasn't standing by herself, nor was she looking at him.

She was wrapped in the arms of Tsuchida, wearing the dress he had bought for in Sicily, and he watched as the bastard kissed her on the lips.

She didn't pull away.

Then a distant memory came to mind. It was two days after they met, when he was at her store. He had read an article, which mentioned a Mrs. Tsuchida. He had thought that Mrs. Tsuchida was a partner, that Sakura was working with Tsuchida's wife.

Everything became clear in that instant.

Kinomoto Sakura wasn't single.

She was Tsuchida's wife! She's Mrs. Tsuchida!

(Sakura)

Sakura looked up at Kiyo as he looked down at her. "Why did you kiss me?" She asked softly. She had heard Lydia talking, but she was scared to look away from Kiyo's eyes.

"I'm not letting you get away." He whispered in her ear. "Next time your brother gets between us by putting his arm around you, I swear I'll do something to you when we are alone."

"He's just my brother" she whispered.

"And?"

She looked at him with fearful eyes before nodding slowly. Then he looked towards where Lydia was standing. She slowly turned her head in the same direction and she froze when she saw Syaoran up there. He was staring right at her.

And she was in Tsuchida's arms.

But she had no time to panic, or to wonder why Syaoran was up there standing next to Lydia.

The next sentence out of Lydia's mouth made her stomach drop.

"My husband and I are having a baby!"

AN: I'm sure you guys are going to be mad for leaving you guys hanging, but that's the whole point of a story, isn't it? Leave you guys hanging so you would want to continue reading. Well, please review and tell me what you thought!