Author's Note: Just so you know, I changed the sign for Chat conversation because stupid refused to let me type the symbols I was using before… -.- Oh, and ###something## no longer mean thoughts, I changed that as well because I wasn't able to type the first part of the thoughts coz of stupid !! Gr!
)Amethyst Blossom( - Err… what's a AU story? And yes, since it clears seems many people loves the MSN convos, I will add more… :)
)anjuliet( - Do you mean misunderstanding as in Touya isn't Sakura's boyfriend? Lolz, but you got to remember, making your brother act like some bastard trying to beat you up just to get a job, isn't much of a misunderstanding… But don't worry, everything'll work out, otherwise, there'd be no story left to tell…
)Cherry Jade( - Syaoran was harsh? Well, that's one way of putting it… :-/ But you gotta remember, Sakura hasn't really been the little miss perfect who never does anything low…
)Kawaii Bunnii( - Yeah… soon you'll know, Alexia's probably the most depressing character in this whole fic…
)Leeman( - I love your review… it was… mature… and I like that. :)
)anime-misao( - Aww, poor you… :( That's why I don't take MSN seriously. :P
And a BIG THANKS for EVERYONE else who reviewed!!! :)
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LAST PART OF THE CHAP
Sakura couldn't take it anymore, she let out a drop of tear, and ran out the room, shutting the door quickly, not wanting to see the sight anymore.
She searched more of the building, every possible place that could fit a person.
Syaoran never came back to work.
Guess there's no dinner tonight.
So much worse…
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Chapter Eight
Confession------------------------------------
"Tomoyo!"
Tomoyo jumped in her seat by the computer and turned her attention to her voice by the door. "Oh! You scared me!" She exclaimed, rushing towards her friend and roommate. "What took you so long to get home? It's 8:45 pm!"
Her roommate, Sakura grabbed Tomoyo in a fierce hug and sobbed on her shoulder. "Oh, Tomoyo! I feel like the world's worst person ever! I feel horrible, horrible!"
Tomoyo patted her on the back. "Oh dear, are you all right? Stupid question, of course you're not, but you will be soon. Come, let's go sit down."
They sat down on the couch and Tomoyo gave her a box of tissues. "Care to tell me what happened?"
Sakura sniffed a few times and straightened herself up. "Tomoyo, r-remember when I told you about what Touya did for me to get that job?"
"Yah?"
"Well…" She sniffed. "To make a long story short, Syaoran, he-he found o-o-ouuut!" At those words, she began wailing again.
"Oh, you poor dear…" Tomoyo embraced her and simply let Sakura cry on her shoulder. "It's all going to fine, sweetie, I promise…"
After five minutes, when Sakura's eyes were all puffy, she finally stopped crying. "You're so nice, Tomoyo."
She smiled. "What are friends for? Hmm?" Sakura looked up and gave a smile. Tomoyo gasped. "Sakura! Your face, it's all red! Have you been drinking? Darling, did you try to make yourself drunk?" She accused.
Sakura looked mildly embarrassed and looked down. "I tried to get drunk… but beer wasn't strong enough and vodka tasted horrible… then I ran out of money so I couldn't buy anymore beer so yeah…"
Tomoyo looked at her untrustingly. "You're not that poor, Sakura, how can you waste all your money on beer and still not get drunk?"
"I…" Sakura looked down. "I told them to mix each cup with half water… 'cause it was too bitter…"
Tomoyo slapped her forehead. "You're so very terrible at this, Sakura… but, I must say, I'm so glad you're not drunk, if you were, God knows what might happen to you on the streets."
Sakura looked at her, and laughed. "Tomoyo! You're the greatest friend ever!" Sakura hugged her tightly. Just as they were hugging, Sakura noticed the light flashing on the computer.
She walked over and read the conversation that was visible on the screen.
--MSN Conversation--
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: You're so no fun!
Wild Wolf: Leave me alone.
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: you're soooo grumpy!
Wild Wolf: I'm not in the mood.
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: Just tell me!
Wild Wolf: I don't feel like it.
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: PLEASE!!!!
Wild Wolf: No.
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: R u always like this?
Wild Wolf: No.
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: So what's wrong with you today?
Wild Wolf: Listen, I'm not in the mood, leave me alone.
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: Fine…
Wild Wolf: Hello? Are you really gone?
Wild Wolf: Hello?
Wild Wolf: Can't u at least say g'bye?
Wild Wolf: Person!
--End MSN Conversation--
Sakura looked at her friend. "Wow, he's harsh… why did you suddenly stop talking to him though? Were you really that mad?"
"No dummy! You came, duh!"
"Oh…" Sakura laughed nervously, and then sat down by the computer. She as about to type 'hey wolf, it's me, Sakura.' Then suddenly thought about whom she was talking to and changed it.
--MSN Conversation--
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: Hey Wolf, it'z me, Cherry.
Wild Wolf: WTF?
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: It's me, CHEERFUL CHERRY.
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: Or have you forgotten? 8-)
Wild Wolf: WTF? I know you stole my email from Cherry, but now u're pretending to b her?
(Sakura glares at Tomoyo)
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: I really am cherry, you moron!
Wild Wolf: Stop this.
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: Boy, she wasn't kidding when she said u were mean 2 her…
Wild Wolf: What r u talkin' 'bout?
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: I live with this 'Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL' person. I'm her roommate, that's how she stole ur email. Dun b lieve meh? I'll logg in rite now n u'll c.
Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!!: log
(Sexy Goddess – I LOVE ERIOL!! logs off.)
--End MSN Converstaion--
Sakura typed in the passwords for , changed her name, and clicked on 'Wild Wolf' to begin a conversation.
--MSN Conversation--
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Now do u believe meh?
Wild Wolf: Oh. Ok.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Uh… hi…
Wild Wolf: Uh huh.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Gee, what'z gotten into u 2day?
Wild Wolf: Not in da mood.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Oh. Look at my name, does it seem like I'm in the mood?
Wild Wolf: No.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): But I try my best not to act like Ms. Grumpy.
Wild Wolf: Oh. Ok.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): C'mon
Wild Wolf: What?
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Tell me what happened.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Plz?
Wild Wolf: y?
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): You always confide in me 4 everyting b4… what about now?
Wild Wolf: I don't feel lyk talking
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): AT LEAST GIMME A GODDAMN HINT 'BOUT WHAT HAPPENED!
Wild Wolf: Listen. The person I thought was most trustful just betrayed me. I found out just how dark and malice her secrets can be. I found out one tin, who nos how many otha secrets she haz hidden from me.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Wow, if u thought she was innocent, and she really isn't, she musta've been quite de actor…
Wild Wolf: Belive me. She waz.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Plz, I'd like to help you get betta. U hadn't sounded tis bad eva since I've known ya!
Wild Wolf: I've neva been tis bad sinz I've been born.
Wild Wolf: Neva been betrayed by ne one eva.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): I'm so sry… But plz, I only mean gud, I really, would lyk 2 help… But how can I if u dun tell me what'z bothering u?
Wild Wolf: Stop it. I really dun wanna talk 'bout it.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): …
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): If I tell u 'bout my day first, will you tell me 'bout urs after?
Wild Wolf: Ur day couldn't possibly be worse than mine.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Oh yes, it can.
--End MSN Conversation--
Syaoran sighed exhaustedly. What the hell is her problem? Can't she just leave me alone? He thought to himself. Stupid girl… who's extremely persuasive… He sighed some more and punched his head to stop thinking about today.
Oh well, can't hurt, right? He sighed once more. Now Sakura's totally out of question, the right thing to do is get closer to Cherry, after all, he would NOT want to bring home Alexia. Perhaps I'll tell her about the things that had happened today, not too descriptively though, don't want everybody getting involved in my life.
--MSN Conversation--
Wild Wolf: Aiight, I'll tell u.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): I won't talk. I'll listen
Wild Wolf: u just did.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Oh.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Well, sry, I'll stop startin…
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): stop talking startin…
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Now.
Wild Wolf: (sighs) NE how, today started out fine, and remember that girl I told u 'bout? My new model the nice one? The 1 the bitch hates?
Wild Wolf: 2 make a long story short, she's the real bitch.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Ouch. Details?
Wild Wolf: DETAILS? WAT?
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Well, yeah… if there's no details, I dunno notin…
Wild Wolf: (Sighs once again) Ok, the day started out fine, I new she had a bf, I was not that happy, specially since I couldn't walk her 2 the bus stop ne more, but I started asking her Qs 'bout her bf, then I asked her out (friendly date), she said ok, so I was happy.
Wild Wolf: God, I swear, nothing in tis world comes for free…
Wild Wolf: Ne how, then it was lunch, she said she had to go out for lunch with some of her friends, so I ate inside, it was ok, I sat in front of my computer, feelin' giddy lyk some freakin' idiot, then just by accident, I looked out side da window da beautiful day, then I saw something dat ruined da day.
Wild Wolf: The girl was wit some1 else, n that guy kinda looked familiar
Wild Wolf: so I went downstairs to get a clear view of him…
Wild Wolf: Clearer
Wild Wolf: I neva told u 'bout tis, but there's tis stupid guy who harasses her and I saved her from him once b4…
Wild Wolf: Ne how, I went down, and peared her from da door.
Wild Wolf: Peered Argh. Can't type 2day.
Wild Wolf: This is the bad part, that was the guy who waz harassing her b4! I was 'bout to beat the crap out of that sonofabitch, when she hugged him.
Wild Wolf: I was lyk, WTF? If he harasses you, WTF did u hug him?
Wild Wolf: I looked closer at him, and realized that he look EXACTLY lyk the description she gave of her bf!
Wild Wolf: I WAS lyk WTF IS THAT? They tricked me all along! It was coz I saw her getting harassed I Felt sry 4 her, and that y I pay her such a high wage! Only to realize, that was part of her scheme of tricking me with her boyfriend! NO F'ing wonder she neva wanted me 2 meet her bf!
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Wow… she actually did that?
Wild Wolf: Hell yeah! I swore at her and left after that. I hope she feels guilty.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Er, that sounded kinda childish…
Wild Wolf: Screw it. Dunno what else to wish for.
--MSN Conversation--
The statement was rather childish, Syaoran had to admit, but what the heck, he wasn't the type to curse somebody for something they've done, no matter how bad it is. Yet, the whole time he was talking to Cherry, his mind wasn't really on the conversation, he was thinking… think about the letter his mother sent him. Sakura's off the topic, Alexia, well, she's unbearable, Cherry, God knows how long it'd take before she reveals her true identity. All that's left is Meiling.
Honestly, he loves her, just not in that way. Damn arranged marriages. Meiling had never thought about the two of them getting married until their parents brought it up a couple of years ago. At first, they just stared at each other, surprised. Then Meiling began to think about it. She wasn't really all right with it, but since it was an arranged marriage, she knew she couldn't get off of it unless Syaoran decides to, and he has to be extremely lucky. So she thought the best way is to convince herself to like him, which she did, maybe overdone it, because now, she wants to marry him!
Syaoran thought about it. What exactly is so bad about that? He questioned himself. She's beautiful, she is many ways like him, they've known each other since they were babies, she loves him, she's very talented and knows how to do just about everything, she would make a wonderful wife. What's there not to like?
Hmm… perhaps, perhaps I can call mother and tell her I decided to marry Meiling?
He picked up the phone.
Sakura…
She read the lines Wolf had typed to her, over a few times. Somehow, reading his problems made her few slightly better, perhaps because knowing she isn't the only bitch out there but there's another one somewhat like her made her feel less malevolent.
She went into the kitchen and grabbed a peach. When people are heartbroken, they like to eat, maybe when you're guilty eating will make you feel better as well? Sakura was just about to take a bite, when someone behind her cleared their throat. "Huh? Yes?" Sakura asked.
Tomoyo shook her head, and grabbed the fruit from Sakura's hands. "Eriol bought that, it's his favourite fruit. He keeps a few in the fridge here so when he comes over he can have it anytime he wants."
Sakura looked her friend suspiciously. "When he comes over?"
Tomoyo blushed. "He's coming over in twenty minutes."
Sakura groaned. "TOMOYO! Do you two have to see each other and be together every single bloody day? Puh-lease! Just get married and never have kids so you'll always be all over each other! For Christ's sake!"
Her friend just smiled and bounced towards the bathroom. "Sakura!" She cried. "Can I borrow your make up? He had seen me in all my make up already, and I want to look different!"
"Yes, you may!" Sakura rolled her eyes. Lord, she has drawers after drawers, closets after closets of make up. If he's seen all of it, man, how many times have they met? No doubt everyday, but how many times each day?
She turned back to the screen.
--MSN Conversation--
Wild Wolf: Ur turn.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Yes, yes, my turn. Course, course.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Well, u do remember wat happened between me n my boss yesterday rite?
Wild Wolf: Yeah…
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Well today, he started acting all weird, I swear, he had suddenly taken an interest in my 'bf', and it makes me wonder whether good or bad.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Then he asked if I wanted to go to dinner with him, and I dunno, but he assumed I said yes, so ok.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Then at lunch, my brother came to see me.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): I dunno, I neva told him I had a brother, and he's seen my brother push me around a couple of times, and he had taken quite a bad liking to my brother…
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Then I don't know wat happened, but he musta seen us together, and my brother and I we hugged and laughed and all.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): And I suppose my boss, he felt betrayed coz he thought that was my bf, and thought I had lied to him the whole time bout him torturing me and all!
--End MSN Conversation--
Sakura had meant to tell him the whole truth, really, but her fingers didn't want to type those words, they wouldn't. Now the story's changed, and she felt worse for lying.
But if she had told the truth, what would Wolf think of her then? Would he stop talking to her completely, because she had done worse than that girl he liked. He pays her extra because of her boyfriend, but Syaoran hired me because of Touya! Syaoran had made more of a sacrifice than Wolf…
Syaoran…
He hung up the phone to read what Cherry had wrote. By what she typed, she didn't seem like such a bad person… In fact, it's that stupid moron of a boss of hers that's got problems. What the hell, she never said that guy wasn't her brother, he shouldn't have made the assumptions that her brother and her were suppose to hate each other. What the hell. That guy's got mental problems.
The phone rang.
"Hello?" He had half expecting it to be his mother, but he was in for a big surprise.
"Syaoran…"
"Meiling! I was just going to call you! I was going to ask if you still want to get marr-"
"Syaoran." She cut him off. "I heard what you said to mother yesterday, I heard it. You think I'm selfish for wanting to marry you…"
"Meiling, I take all that back-"
"That's what I want to tell you. I don't want to marry you anymore."
"Meiling! You can't do this! I'm so sorry, it was all my fault, I love you, I really do."
"I love you too, you're my favourite cousin, but I'm sorry, I've met someone else."
"Just in one day?"
"No, I've known him for a year now, he was always chasing me, and I just kept ignoring him, because I thought of you. But now I realize, we're just cousins, friends, but I don't exactly love you in a romantic way."
"Meiling! I want to marry you now!"
"Well you know what Syaoran? You can't just do whatever you want whenever you want! I'm a person too! Why should I live in your shadow? Huh? Answer me dammit! Why should I? I have a life! I want to take control my own life, and I don't want to marry you anymore!"
Syaoran finally realized what an asshole he had been. What a lovely day. Just perfect. "I'm so sorry I hurt you, Meiling, I sincerely hope you're happy with him. But don't marry too easily, you have to get to know him yet."
Meiling seemed to smile, he could sense it. "Of course, I'm Meiling, I take nothing but the best. Well, I got to go."
"Have a good evening."
"Love you."
"Love you too."
Syaoran hung up. It's his fault. He had blown it with Meiling. He finally notices how harsh his words sounded yesterday. Now all's left is Alexia and Cherry. Great. And he knew if he could find neither, he would still have to marry to Meiling, but that would be torture for Meiling, and she's right, she does have a life, she's real, and she shouldn't have to live in his shadows.
--MSN Conversation--
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Oh Wolf, what should I do? I want him to forgive me.
Wild Wolf: Then tell the truth.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): Tell the truth?
Wild Wolf: The exact truth. From beginning to end.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): I dun think I have the guts.
Wild Wolf: Everyone appreciates truth, unless he is a truly terrible person.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): No he's not… I…
Wild Wolf: Telling the truth is the least u can do 2 b fair 2 him.
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): I…
Wild Wolf: Trust me. The truth. Leave after, he may not want 2 forgive u immediately, bu' I'm sure sooner or lata, he'll realize, and admit ur guts 2 tell the truth.
Wild Wolf: Admire
Cheerful Cherry (No longer Cheerful): The truth…
Wild Wolf: Yes…
--End MSN Conversation--
Syaoran had not asked Cherry what he should do, because he had nothing to do, since he did nothing wrong. It was her bloody damn fault. He felt no guilt for calling her a bitch.
Next day…
Syaoran had to go to work, he couldn't miss more days. Though the whole day was grumpy, and Sakura was not there, he checked mails he got, companies asking him to take pictures of advertisement for their clothing to post in their store, replies to his submitted pictures, designers showing him the latest fashion trend, and etc.
All the boring work.
To make it worse, the first piece of work he found on his desk was Sakura's picture, the one she had named for herself, Before the Rising. He slapped it off his desk.
I'm in no mood to look that. Makes me feel sick. He thought.
Then soon, about 20 minutes before lunch, the secretary came in. "Yes?"
"Mr. Li, someone's looking for you."
"Business matters?
"Actually, No. She said she needs to talk to you alone."
She? Who could that be? He thought. "What's her name?"
"She said you'll know when you see her."
Syaoran raised an eyebrow. "Send her in when lunch starts. I'll be in here."
"Yes, Mr. Li."
25 minutes later, 5 minutes after lunch, a knock was heard on the door.
Syaoran continued to eat, and stare at the computer. "Come in." He said.
The figure stepped in.
"Yes?" He asked.
"Syaoran."
That one word, got his attention away from the screen to look at the girl. "Sakura." He said darkly.
She walked up to him desk bravely with a straight face. Her boldness surprised him. "I'll start by saying this did take a lot of courage and I had to convince myself over and over again what I'm doing is right, you deserve an explanation.
"I admit, it was my fault, the guy you saw me with yesterday, was the same guy that harassed me, and yes, that was a plan to get me the job. But I did not lie about me not having enough money. I really don't. I'm broke. As for my mom having cancer, yes, she did have cancer, which is why she died many years ago.
"That guy, his name is Touya, Kinomoto Touya. He is not my boyfriend, or husband as you may be thinking, but my brother. He is not to be blamed for this, he shouldn't be, because he was helping me, I got goods out of this, he didn't.
"What I did was unacceptable, it was low, inhumanly disgracing. But who am I to judge? I am here, Syaoran, only to give you the straight facts. As for what you think of me now, it's up to you.
"Have a nice lunch, and I'll send you back all the paychecks if you want me to. After I get another job, that is.
"Goodbye, I'm sorry for my filthy doing." Sakura turned around to walk away.
"Wait."
She turned around. "Yes?"
"Why did you tell me all that?"
"I did something wrong, horrible, I feel you deserve the truth."
"You have no other intention?"
"…"
"Tell me the truth!"
"Yes, I do have another intention… I… I…" A tear slid down Sakura's cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. "I want you to forgive me! I can't stand having you being mad at me! You're so nice and it hurts to know that you're hurting all because of me!"
Syaoran's eyes softened. "Really?"
More tears welled out of Sakura's eyes. "Yes! Really!" She was busy wiping her face.
Syaoran stood up and embraced her. "It took guts for you to tell the truth. It really did. I know."
She weep some more. "Please forgive me! Please!"
"I will, as long as you promise something like this will never happen again."
"Yes, I promise, I promise!"
Her cries stopped after 5 more minutes, she was so happy he had forgiven her. Sakura bent down and picked up the picture Before the Rising from the ground from when Syaoran had slapped it off. "I think I'll keep this…" She murmured. He did not seem to mind. Probably have millions of copies.
For Syaoran, though he forgives her, he knows he must keeps a distance from her starting now on. He only forgives, he does not re-trust. "Sakura…"
"Yes?"
"Why did you come exactly 20 minutes before lunch?"
She looked at him sheepishly. "I uh, went to bed late, and forgot to set my alarm clock…"
"WHAT? You were late for your confession?"
"Well, yeah…"
He shook his head. "Are you ever on time for anything?"
"Not really…" Then she looked at his lunch. "Stop picking on me! Look at you! Everybody goes out for lunch, only you bring lunch! No wonder I never see you in any of those restaurants…"
He shook his head. "They cost too much there… And get off my topic, you're the one who's always late!"
"You're the only one who eats inside!" She lowers her voice. "I'm not making fun of you, I just find it unfair, you're the richest of us all, but you can't enjoy lunch like the rest of us…" She thought for a bit. "How about this. I'll take you to lunch from now on. My treat."
He was stunned. "I can't let you do that, I'll feel guilty."
She looked down. "I'm the one who should feel guilty." She said, referring to the incident with Touya.
He thought for a bit. "Fine, you can take me to lunch, only if I get to pick you up from your house every morning so you won't be late. It's no trouble, I have to pass your house every morning anyways. Deal?"
She considered, the smiled. "Deal."
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TELL me in your REVIEW if you want me to EMAIL you when the next chap is up, and don't forget to leave your email address if you DO!! :)
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Author's Note:To tell you the truth if this chapter was made into an episode on TV, when Sakura was crying in front of Syaoran, I'd think, 'Bitch, stop your act, get a life, stop trying to make guys guilty by tears.' I'd hate her and think she's a bitch.
Lol.
4215… Guess only I Dare You is the long chaptered story…