Thanks for all the reviews, and a special thanks to kawaii lil cherrypink245 for reviewing each chapter :D.

Chapter Four

The phone dropped onto the floor with a clatter, the fragile plastic breaking off into tiny pieces. Seconds later, a figure slumped down onto the ground, not caring that the sharp plastic was digging into her skin. Tears ran down her face, dropping onto the tiny white shards…

The annoying whirling sound of the fax machine woke up a worn-out Li Syaoran. He rolled over with a grunt and attempted to fall back into his deep slumber by burying his head into his pillow, but even the thick feathers could not block out the sound of the machine.

Syaoran swung both feet off the bed and stared angrily at the machine. Here it was, a nice Sunday morning, and he was glaring at a hunk of plastic. Could his life get any more pathetic?

Finally, the piece of paper rolled out and the noise stopped abruptly. Syaoran carelessly reached for it, but his hand shook and the paper fluttered to the floor. Syaoran looked down and was instantly wide awake. There, staring up at him, was a picture of a sopping wet Sakura, dressed in a blouse and black skirt, hungrily making out with a dark figure.

Underneath the picture were two words: Money-hungry. Syaoran knew who sent it: the Elders. It was no doubt the picture was taken yesterday, probably after he had dropped her off at her apartment.

A wave of green anger passed through him, but he quickly shook it off. Why should he care if that slut threw herself at others? Just because she kissed another man right after going on a date with him, he didn't have to feel mad. It wasn't even a real date anyways. And besides, it wasn't like she was really cheating on him, as their relationship was one big fake.

'Just like Sakura,' Syaoran thought bitterly. She always acted like she was an innocent little girl and everything that went wrong was his fault. Like she never made mistakes and her way was always right.

Syaoran bent down to pick up the piece to throw into the trash can, but he realized he couldn't find it. Not one to throw things on the floor, Syaoran tucked the fax into his wallet and decided to throw it away later.

Syaoran looked at the clock and realized he was supposed to have arrived at the studio minutes ago. He hurriedly got dressed and rushed out the door. When he arrived at the large building, he saw Sakura hurrying towards him.

She looked messy and had red splotches on her usually milky-white face, but Syaoran didn't care. Why should he? She was just another stupid girl. Sakura looked up at him and shot him a polite, forced smile. He could tell she had been crying, but he did not feel one bit sorry for her. She was probably weeping because her lover boy dumped her. Aw.

Syaoran glanced at her coldly and walked ahead of her into the studio. Sakura was left staring blankly after him. 'Maybe he's just having a really bad day?' Still, he didn't have to take it out on her.

All day, Sakura got the feeling Syaoran was purposely avoiding her. He interacted with everyone else the same as always, but he wouldn't even look at her. When the filming wrapped for lunch break, she went up to him and asked if he would like to join her for lunch.

She saw a look pass over his face and thought he was going to decline, but he was too polite for that. He accepted with a stiff nod, and they entered the café where their whole "relationship" began. Luckily, the café was empty, and since the waiters had gotten so used to seeing Syaoran and Sakura there, they had stopped mooning over them.

"I get the feeling you're mad at me," Sakura began. Syaoran sat there, emotionlessly, just like at the dinner with the Elders last night. It scared Sakura to see Syaoran looking at her like that, like nothing she said made a difference. It was like he didn't even care.

Syaoran's eyes flickered and he said tight-lipped, "Why would I be mad? I'm the same as always."

Sakura sat in silence, searching for the hidden meanings in his tone and words, but could depicter none. "I thought we were friends. I thought maybe last night meant something." she spoke quietly.

She could almost hear Syaoran scoff at her words, but he didn't. "Last night…it meant nothing. Just forget it ever happened." He saw her face fall. Even now, she was pretending like she didn't know anything. It disgusted him.

Syaoran called for the waitress and she brought them the bill, the food untouched. Once again, he refused to let Sakura pay the bill. As he opened his wallet, the paper that he had hastily shoved into it dropped onto the table, right in front of Sakura.

The look on her face was a mixture of hurt and shock. She sat, speechless, staring at the words on the bottom of the page. Yesterday night…

Sakura rushed up the stairs, wanting to get into her apartment so she could change out of her wet and cold clothes. In her hurry, she failed to notice the man in front of her. She bumped into him, and she fell. "I'm so sor-" The remainder of her apology was left unspoken as the man pulled her to her feet and crushed his lips to hers. A few seconds later, Sakura felt herself drop back to the ground as the man continued his way down the stairs, as if nothing had happened. She never even got a chance to look at his face. 'What the hell just happened?'

"That's not what it looks like!" Sakura blurted out. As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized how fake they sounded. It was something everyone said after they were caught in a situation like this. She could tell Syaoran didn't believe her, and she didn't blame him. If she was in his position, she wouldn't believe herself either.

The waitress looked gleefully at the pair, no doubt in a hurry to get back to her friends so she could spread the news. One look from Syaoran wiped the smirk off her face. She collected the money and scurried back to the counter, her mouth shut.

Back at their table, Sakura opened her mouth to explain, but Syaoran beat her to it. "Forget it. I should've listened to the Elders." He grabbed his coat, and walked out the door leaving Sakura alone.

Sakura looked at her watch. She still had time to go back to her apartment and clean herself up. God knows what she looked like right now. Why was Syaoran so mad at her anyways? He hated her…right?

As Sakura neared her apartment, she saw someone standing outside the door. When she saw who it was, she stopped dead in her tracks. "Sakura," the woman greeted politely.

"What are you doing here?"

"Can a mother not visit her daughter when she pleases?"

Sakura blanched at the words mother and daughter. "I don't know who your daughter is. My mother is dead."

The woman frowned. "I told you I would be arriving today. And please, can't we just make up? I know it's been hard on you, and I'm sorry, but I'm back now!"

"Yes, and that makes things so much better. You're not my mother. Please leave before I call the police."

"You and I both know you won't be calling the police or anyone else, for the matter," the woman replied calmly. She leaned in close to Sakura's face. "I can give you everything," she said softly.

"I don't need anything from you. Leave me the hell alone."

The woman didn't appear unnerved by Sakura's words. She tossed a card at Sakura. "Someone you really want to see will be attending." She walked away and got into a silver convertible. As she drove past Sakura, she yelled, "Think about it."

Sakura looked down at the card in her hands. With shaking fingers, she opened it. It read: You are invited to the 30th annual Lee Corporate Party to take place on the 19th of September at the Royal Hotel Ballroom. Please bring this invitation with you.

She knew who would be at the party. Her brother Touya.

She ran up to her apartment and collapsed as soon as she got inside. Why did that stupid bitch have to show up now? Or at all? She hated her. She curled up into a ball in the corner of the room, not shedding a single tear. She had enough of crying.

For the fifth time in minutes, the director looked at his watch. "Syaoran, will you go check on Sakura? She has never been late and you were the last one with her."

'Probably flirting with some guy,' thought Syaoran. With a sigh, he walked out of the room and towards the café. The waitress told him Sakura had left right after him. He circled around the block, but didn't see Sakura anywhere.

He decided to check at her apartment and if he couldn't find her there, he would go back to the studio. She had probably realized she was late and went back there anyways. He found the familiar building of her apartment with no problem. The doorman recognized him and let him in.

After a minute of waiting outside Sakura's door, Syaoran turned around to leave. The door behind him creaked open and he stared his Sakura. She was in a state even worse than in the morning.

"I just came to tell you you're late."

Sakura stared at him, her expression vacant.

"You know, for the shoot?" How stupid could this girl get?

"Oh. I'm sorry. Just give me a minute. Want to come in?"

"No."

"Okay," said Sakura dejectedly. She pulled herself together and walked alongside Syaoran until they reached his car. She was so lost in thought she didn't even realize where they were and just stopped moving. Syaoran looked at her strangely.

"What the hell are you waiting for? Get it!" He felt bad as he watched Sakura wince at his tone. It was obvious she was going through a lot right now, he didn't have to make it worse for him.

"It really wasn't my fault. I just bumped into him and he kissed me, then left. I know it sounds bizarre and unbelievable, but it's the truth…" Sakura thought it was important to make him understand.

As much as he knew he shouldn't, Syaoran believed her. Now that he thought about it, it was probably the Elders that did it… Syaoran gripped the steering wheel tightly. He hated people intervening in his life. "What happened to you?" he inquired.

"My mother…came back."

"I thought you said your mother was dead. You said I wasn't there for you when she died."

Sakura paused. "I lied. To me, she is dead."

"You lied huh? I can't believe that I almost bought your story. I wonder what else you've been lying about. You told me she was dead just so you could lay a guilt trip on me? Well, it didn't work. I would never care about a stupid slut like you." Syaoran didn't know what was wrong with him. He didn't mean what he said…but he was just so mad at her for lying to him. She said she thought they were friends…but she didn't even trust him. Some friendship.

Sakura got out of the car and slammed the door. Seemed like everyone thought she was a piece of shit. Well maybe she was.

Five Days Later

Sakura handed her invitation to the bouncer. Did you call someone taking invitations outside a fancy, high class party a bouncer? She was let in and was immediately embraced by her "mother", Nadeshiko. The smell of strong perfume hit her nose and she gagged.

"I'm so glad you could make it," Nadeshiko said sweetly.

'What the hell? Is she drunk? Or out of her mind? Knowing her, probably both.' Sakura wasn't too fond on her mother.

"Well, if you ever die, I'll be glad to make it to your deathbed," Sakura replied, just as sweetly. The women around Nadeshiko gasped, all putting a gloved hand to their mouth. It was quite hilarious, really. Nadeshiko looked embarrassed as everyone began pointing and whispering about Sakura. She didn't know why they didn't just say it out loud. There weren't doing much to make their voices inaudible.

Sakura spotted a familiar figure across the room. Her face brightened and she ran towards him. Fortunately, he was alone and she didn't have to worry about interrupting him.

"Touya!"

Touya turned around and his eyes widened. He wrapped his arms around Sakura. He hadn't seen his baby sister in years.

Across the room, another pair of eyes widened. The owner of the eyes choked on his drink and the woman beside him looked at him worriedly.

"Syaoran? Are you alright?"

"Fine, mother. Just thought I saw someone familiar."

Yelan followed her son's gaze. "Were you looking at the one with the brown hair?"

"Yeah. Reminds me of someone."

Yelan's expression turned disgusted. "That's Sakura, the daughter of Nadeshiko. That woman, doesn't have a thought about anything but herself."

Once again, Syaoran choked. "Kinomoto Sakura?"

Yelan frowned. She hadn't made the connection. She was getting old… "I hadn't realized. Why don't you go talk to her? You're dating, after all. Who's that beside her?"

Syaoran looked at Sakura, whose was laughing with a dark haired man. It reminded him of when she ditched him at that party they had gone to a week ago. Did she have to flirt with every man she met? At this rate, it would only be so long before the media caught on.

Yelan dragged Syaoran up to Sakura. "Hello Sakura. You've grown up quite nicely."

Sakura looked confused. "Um, thanks?"

Yelan laughed. "Remember me? I'm Yelan, Syaoran's mother."

Sakura's eyes lit up, as she and Yelan began to reminiscence about the past. When their conversation ended, Sakura noticed Syaoran. His eyes held disgust and she knew what he was thinking. "This is Touya, my brother," she introduced, stressing the word brother.

Syaoran felt embarrassed at his mistake. Yelan looked at him pointedly and he remembered that he and Sakura were supposed to be acting like a couple. "Would you like to go somewhere quieter?"

Sakura bit her lip. "I'd love to," she said. "But I haven't seen Touya in a few years and I'd really like to spend more time with him."

Syaoran nodded and turned his attention elsewhere. "Boyfriend?" asked Touya lightly.

"I guess you could say that…" Sakura explained their situation.

"If he's such an ass, why would you do that for him?"

"Because his bastard of agent threatened to fire me if I didn't. I need the money…"

Touya looked worried. "I'll send you some. I know these years have been hard on you, with mom and all…"

Sakura smiled tightly. "I'm fine. I don't need your money." The party was drawing to a close. "We'll keep in touch right?"

"Of course!" Touya replied, a little quickly. "But you know mom, she's strict about communication with you. Unless you join the corp. our talks will be limited…"

"I guess that means no," Sakura sighed. "I'm sorry, but I'll never join and let her use me as another money-making pawn." She sadly bid Touya goodbye.

She walked to the door, where Nadeshiko was talking loudly. Sakura knew she was talking about her.

"…such a whore. She thinks she's all high and mighty. I offered her a job in our company, but she declined. Does she really think she can spend the rest of her life making money doing what she does? I mean look at how ugly she is. I'm ashamed to call her my daughter."

Sakura turned away, catching Syaoran's eye. She knew he heard every word her mother said. And he looked like he believed it.