Disclaimer: I don't own them, okay? So don't call your lawyers yet!

Author's blabberings: I'm back! I'm back! I'm back! (unfortunately!) Shut up, onii-chan (glares darkly at him)! Anyway, so sorry for the delay. I was very busy at school and organizing the grad ball. It was hectic really, but who the hell cares! I'm finally an alumni! (jumps in joy!) And my crush, my cute, sweet and charming crush since first year, danced with me at the ball! I was so thrilled! (Yeah, I bet! I wonder who that guy is!) No, onii-chan, I won't tell. The last time I told you, you threatened the guy not to go within a 10-meter radius around me! Anyway, thanks again for my lovely reviewers who never tire of reading my fic!

Animevietgrl: Er… Did I get your name right? I'm not sure about "action" but I think there's a bit of confusion and denial here… Well, not much…

Elvirna: Arigato!

Dana Daidouji: There's a The Ritz, London actually. It's at 150 Piccadilly St. James Park London. Yep! And it's 299 pounds per night! I was asking my parents if we could stay there since it's nearer to most of the tourist spots but they don't want to. The price was a BIT steep. Anyway, we stayed at another 5-star hotel near the Buckingham Palace… I think it was 51-Buckingham etc. Whatever! Thanks anyways!

Momo-chan: What do you mean 'stumbling'? Thanks!

Crystal-shian: Aww, that's too bad! But you know what, I'd really miss school. I mean, staying at home can be sometimes boring. Besides, going to school means learning a lot of things (plastic!) and seeing your crushes! (giggles!)

Seanjen: Thanks! College? Er, I was thinking of UP Diliman!

Majah: Thanks as well! Well, we'll just have to see why Eriol acts like that… Yahoo! I got my own mini-iPod and it's colored blue! My favorite!

Gurla-aya: Well, good luck on your high school life! Really, high school life is the greatest! I won't tell you why. You have to find out!

Akizuki Sai: I dedicate this chapter to you! You gave me this idea! Isn't it great? Well, yeah, when my brothers first saw Eriol-kun's pic, their first question was "Bakit ang putla nya?". Anyway, you have to tell me what subjects you'll be taking! Obviously, you're into creative writing! Yep! I'll be there too… Although, I'd want World Literature… Ah, whatever! Thanks again!

And so… My journey as a high school student has ended last Monday! How sad… I won't see my very nice and very sensitive teachers! I won't see my chair with its desk covered with anime pictures! I won't see my messy locker! I won't see my crush anymore! Waaaahhhh!

But, that's life! I have to move on (even though it means leaving my beloved M.U.) I'm sure to find more in college anyway! (giggles and ducks from the flying and thick Les Miserables book) I swear I'll get you next time, Leander!

Anyway, guys, here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

Oh, and thanks alot to my new proofreader, Daidouji Dana-san! Thanks again! (bows down and worships her!) Hah! she's better than you, onii-chan!

CHAPTER 11: RUMOR HILL KICKS INTO HIGH GEAR

Tomoyo let out another yawn as she sat on her executive chair facing the window, reading another 50-page proposal about the why and how of the what and where. She had just arrived, having overslept because of the party last night, and didn't finish her work. She was as sure as hell that Eriol would give her another major earache for putting off her work but she couldn't help it. Reading proposals was one of the most boring and dull jobs in the world, and she didn't know why the President had to do it. Shouldn't she be given special privileges for this type of chore? She swore she'd get cross-eyed if she continued with this kind of assignment.

She remembered what her professor once told the class about the difference between a President and a CEO: Presidents overlook while CEO manhandles.

The raven-haired young lady sighed loudly. What she's doing sure didn't seem like overlooking.

She was just about to reread the same paragraph for the nth time when she heard the door open and slam close behind her. She sighed in exasperation.

"Hiiragizawa-kun, it's really becoming your habit to just barge in like that without warning," she said jadedly, not even looking around.

"Daidouji!"

She swiveled in her chair and faced him, looking mildly startled at his expression. Eriol looked very much angry. He's even worse than a mother tiger whose cubs were stolen. Of course, she needed to act calmly and innocently, just in case she was the reason of his fury.

"Hiiragizawa-kun, what's the matter now?" she asked, faking a worried tone.

The CEO wordlessly slammed several magazines on her desk, sending her pen holder flying off the table. Tomoyo picked up the holder and her pens, grumbling under her breath.

"This is how I lose my pens!" she complained grumpily. "You just love slamming things on my desk! Why don't you try that on your own?"

Eriol waved an impatient hand. "I haven't got time for your pens!" he snapped. "Will you take a look at these first?"

"I didn't know you read gossip magazines, Hiiragizawa-kun," she commented nonchalantly.

"I don't!" he retorted, gritting his teeth. "Just read, will you?"

Tomoyo shot him a wary glance before turning her gaze to the stack of magazines. There were probably 7 or 8 of them. Curiously, she picked one up and started browsing the pages.

"What?" she exclaimed. " Brad Pitt fancies Angelina Jolie? No wonder he and Jennifer broke up!"

Eriol rolled his eyes and grabbed the magazine from her, earning a "Hey!" from Tomoyo. He browsed hastily then shoved it back to her. "Read!" Tomoyo glared at him before looking down at the publication.

After a few minutes, he tapped his fingers on the mahogany desk. "Well?" he demanded. "What can you say?"

Tomoyo looked up from the magazine, her face expressionless, and shrugged. "There's really nothing to say," she replied mildly"Like they say, a picture says a hundred words!"

"You've got nothing to say?" he repeated blankly.

She nodded brightly and that set off the nuclear bomb inside Eriol's system. She then realized that his bomb didn't come with a warning label attached to it—she didn't know when he would set off, why he would set off and worse, how powerful he could be.

"You've got nothing to say!" he exploded literally. She winced inwardly. "How the heck can you even say a thing! Can't you even comprehend what that stupid article is saying! Are you just going to ignore it like that!"

She took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Hiiragizawa-kun, it is just a picture. It's just a rumor circulating in the world of fame and fortune," she said calmly. "I am a girl and I know how these rumors live and die. Our case—" She gestured at the magazine. "—is just a misunderstanding. It will soon die… in a few weeks."

"In a few weeks?" he said it again. "Are you serious?"

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Why? Are you saying that this is perfectly true?" she asked. He opened his mouth to argue but no words came out. "Of course it isn't, right? We don't even have a close relationship. It is purely professional. We ourselves know that fact."

"Still—"

Tomoyo held up a hand to stop his protests. "As I've said, it's just a photo. Anyone who had seen it would probably be misled by it. There is not real proof that we are dating and in a serious relationship."

"But, Daidouji—"

"We could say we were just dancing, which is exactly what we were doing," she said deprecatingly. "It was a ball, for goodness' sake. People are supposed to dance! Besides, we didn't even kiss nor hug! The closest contact we had is my 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' thing."

Tomoyo raised her eyebrows at him as if daring him to argue or say something. He just let out a defeated sigh.

"Fine. You win. I guess you have a point."

She grinned at him. "I always do, don't I?" He gave her a withering look. "Anyway, I have news for you! Did you know…?"

"What?"

"Did you know that I was working here when you suddenly barged in, interrupting my heavenly and most favorite chore that I wasn't able to do last night?" she said nonchalantly and Eriol scowled. "So, do you think I could ask a favor? Something like, go away?"

"You didn't finish your work last night, that's why you're acting like that!"

Tomoyo waved a hand dismissively. "Yes, I think we are already aware of that fact," she replied light-heartedly. "I'm working twice as hard now, can't you see? And as much as I'd like to concentrate, I couldn't, mainly because you're standing right there in front of me, scowling at me like there's no tomorrow."

"All right, all right! Enough derision! I'm leaving!" He then started for the door but stopped when he held the doorknob. "Make sure you finish that!" She rolled her eyes at him and he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Tomoyo shrugged indifferently. "At least I asked a favor."

Eriol tossed the Times newspaper on his desk and leaned back on his seat. He stared at the cover long and hard, frowning as if the newspaper had bit him. He could not believe that Tomoyo just dismissed the issue as if it was just something unimportant. He could not believe that she is taking this light-heartedly when their picture is basically on every lifestyle and business page of newspapers and magazines.

And of all the pictures those idiots could've printed, it has to be one where Tomoyo was doing her 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' thing.

"Eriol! Eriol!"

The door flew open and in came Nakuru with several magazines in her arms. Eriol groaned and turned away from her, feeling a headache developing.

"Nakuru, I'm tired right now. Just—"

"No! I will not go until you tell me what this is!" The older woman slammed the magazines on top of his desk and he cringed inwardly. "What's the meaning of this?"

"Of what, Nakuru?" he asked almost innocently.

Nakuru turned his seat forcefully and so fast that he was caught off-guard and fell on the carpeted floor. Colorful profanities flooded the room but the girl only dismissed it with a wave of her hand.

"Please, Eriol, stop playing already!" she said impatiently.

"I am not playing!" he retorted, climbing back on his seat. "I fell because you pushed my seat hard!"

Nakuru sighed wearily then flourished the magazine in front of his face. Eriol scowled at her. "Tell me what this is."

"That is a magazine, Nakuru, a reading material that can be bought in news stands and bookstores. Is that all you're going to ask?"

The girl glared at him then quickly browsed the pages. She then shoved it to him. "What is that?"

Eriol then found himself staring at a picture of him and Tomoyo dancing. "Why, it's a picture, Nakuru."

"Yes, I know it's a picture! But what is that doing in this gossip magazine!"

Eriol returned the magazine to her. "Have you read the caption?"

"I have! Is it true then?"

The CEO stared at her for a minute then swung his chair away. "No it isn't," he answered curtly.

"But—"

"It's not true and that's final!"

"But!"

"Look, Nakuru, it's just like the issue that came out about us. They didn't know you're my cousin so when they found out we were living in the same unit, the reporters went ballistic," he said matter-of-factly. "The news soon died out when Li told everyone that we're cousins. This is just like that."

"But Tomoyo-chan isn't your cousin nor your sister nor your relative—"

"She's my boss, I know."

Nakuru gave him a pointed look. "That's what I mean," she replied. "If this isn't true, you have to tell everyone before people start spreading false statements like you're just trying to get the trust of the President to soon acquire most of the company, etc, etc."

"That will never happen—"

"And you'll be in bigger trouble if Tomoyo-chan starts to believe all those lies and—"

"Nakuru—"

"I'm sure someone would try to get even with you, like Evans! I don't trust that guy!"

"Neither do I but—"

"What would you do if a rumor suddenly spreads that you—"

"NAKURU!" Eriol cut her off and the girl fell silent. He let out a deep breath, unclenching and relaxing his fist. "All right, thank you. Look here, Nakuru; Daidouji and I both know that that isn't true, so I doubt Daidouji would even try to believe whatever that may come out."

Nakuru stared at him for a while. "Well, I just don't want Tomoyo-chan to get involved with insensitive, tactless and inconsiderate people like you—"

"I will not sit here and hear these insults anymore!" he growled.

"Furthermore, I don't think Tomoyo-chan fancies you one bit because you're so grumpy—"

"Get out, Nakuru! Please!"

"—and cold and calculating and idiotic—"

"I said out, Nakuru!"

"—and rude and ill-mannered and impolite—"

"OUT, NAKURU, BEFORE I START THROWING THINGS AT YOU!"

Nakuru ducked swiftly when a paper ball was thrown her way and scooted to the door. "Hah! You'll never hear the end from me, Eriol!" And she slammed the door behind her as the CEO started to pick up his portfolio.

Tomoyo sighed in relief as she sat back in her soft comfortable chair. Finally, she had read, reviewed and evaluated the several 50-page business proposals Eriol had given her 2 nights ago. It was time for rest and relaxation!

She was just about to leave and go to the cafeteria when she heard her secretary speak through the speaker-phone.

" Miss Tomoyo, a certain Touya Kinomoto is on the phone right now."

Tomoyo grinned. "I'll take it, Tiff!" She went back to her desk and picked up the handset. "Hello? Daidouji Tomoyo speaking."

"What the hell is this, Tomoyo-chan?"

"Touya-kun?" Tomoyo frowned worriedly. "What's wrong?"

"Who the hell is this? Is this Hiiragizawa? That CEO of yours?"

"I don't—"

Touya made an impatient noise on the other side of the line. "You know what I'm talking about, Tomoyo-chan!" he growled. "Now tell me if it's true! Are you dating this Hiiragizawa guy?"

Tomoyo thought for a second then slapped her forehead. It must've been that picture! She should've known right from the start! But how he'd seen it, she has no idea.

"Who told you I was dating him, Touya-kun?" she asked in a light voice.

"It was on the website of ETC. Kaijuu found it while she was surfing the net."

Tomoyo vowed silently to make Sakura pay. "Anyway, Touya-kun, did you really believe that?" she said. "Did you really think I was dating Hiiragizawa-kun?"

"Well, what was I supposed to think!"

She let out a laugh. "Just because the news says that we're dating doesn't mean it's true," she told him casually. "The reason why we're in that position is because we were at a dinner party. We're required to dance and that was what we were doing, Touya-kun."

No one spoke on the other side but Tomoyo could faintly hear Sakura scolding her brother. She was still listening to the argument of the two siblings when her door opened and Eriol came in with a number of folders. She gestured him to place it on the table.

"Who's that?" he asked contemptuously as he laid the files on her desk.

Tomoyo let out a groan when Touya suddenly asked again. "Who's that?"

"Er…" She stared at Eriol who was observing her intently. "Er, it's… It's just… just Hiiragizawa-kun…" she finished lamely.

Eriol watched her sigh and shake her head as if she had just lost all hope. He wondered why and then, to his surprise, she was giving him the handset. "He wants to talk to you," she said quietly, a hand over the mouthpiece.

"What?" he asked blankly.

Tomoyo shrugged and reached over the desk, pressing the speaker button on the phone. "Hello, Touya-kun?" she said in a clear voice.

"Give the phone to Hiiragizawa, Tomoyo-chan," Touya's voice issued from the speaker like a PA system.

"Okay!" She shrugged at Eriol then stepped away.

"Er, hello?" Eriol tried hesitantly, not knowing what to expect.

"Is this Hiiragizawa? Well, let me tell you something. If I find out that you hurt a single strand of Tomoyo-chan's hair, I'll make sure you will never see the morning sun again!"

"What?" he repeated vacuously.

"If anything happens to Tomoyo-chan, I will seriously go there and throw you in the Thames!"

Eriol wanted to retort sharply but voted against it. This must be that Touya Kinomoto Tomoyo was telling him about. Her overprotective brother-figure who loves threatening and torturing her and her cousin's admirers to death. No wonder the President knows a lot of sarcastic comebacks. He must've been her mentor.

"Of course," he answered sincerely.

"And if I ever find out you're dating out our little Plum Blossom, I'll make sure—"

"That's enough, Touya-kun!" Tomoyo cut him off in a cheery but deadly voice. "I'm sure Hiiragizawa-kun already has an idea what he's up against."

"I just want to make myself clear, Tomoyo-chan!"

"Well, I think you've really made your point crystal clear, ne, Hiiragizawa-kun?"

Eriol agreed, not wanting to argue with the older man. He knew it was like trying to break a concrete wall with his head. He'll just do more damage to himself than to the wall named after a certain Touya Kinomoto.

After a quick goodbye, Tomoyo hung the handset then pressed another button which ended the call. She then turned back to Eriol. "I really apologize for Touya-kun's behavior. He saw that picture of us and he kinda went ballistic."

He shook his head briefly. "It's all right," he replied. "Besides, if I were in his shoes, I'd probably do something like that as well."

She grinned at him and was about to say something when Eriol stopped her again. "No, I don't want to hear any more of your remarks."

"But I was just going to say—"

"No, Daidouji! I don't want to hear it and that's final!"

She shrugged casually. "Okay… So, did you come here to take me out to lunch?"

Later that evening…

Eriol yawned widely as he rubbed his eyes and stretched his arms above his head. He could feel his muscles and back aching but nevertheless, he had finished his work for tomorrow. He glanced at the small clock on his desk and shook his head. Already 11:50 p.m. No wonder the building was so quiet. He was so caught up with his work that he didn't realize it was already late.

He took a quick look at his mobile phone and found several missed calls, most probably from Nakuru. Sliding the phone in his jacket pocket he strode to the elevator, his coat on one arm and his briefcase in hand.

The people left in the building, excluding him, were most likely the janitors, the doorman and the guards who patrol the levels.

When he stepped into the dimly-lit lobby, he heard another elevator open and close. He was used to going home late and occasionally see another employee going home at the same time as him. But this time, it was not 'another employee'.

"Daidouji?" he asked blankly when the person stepped out from the shadows of the elevator.

The young President looked up and grinned at him. "Hey!" she greeted cheerily. "I thought you had already gone home!"

"I should say the same," he countered. "I never thought you'd even try to stay in the office late in the evenings."

She laughed softly. "I told you it's my most favorite job in the world," she said. "Reading business proposals."

He raised an eyebrow and smiled wryly. "Now that's what I call sarcasm." She stuck out her tongue playfully at him. "Anyway, is your ride already here?"

"I'm just about to call him actually." She showed him her cell phone.

Eriol shook his head. "I think that's not necessary anymore," he told her absently. "Why don't I drive you back to the estate?"

"Are you sure? I mean, won't I become a bother?"

"Yeah, sure, it's no big deal anyway."

She smiled at him, slipping her phone back in her bag. "Thanks a lot!"

"Do you always go home at this time of the night?" Tomoyo asked as they drove out of the corporation grounds in Eriol's dark blue Jaguar.

"Sometimes. When I'm in the mood," he answered, turning right at an intersection. "But I always get a sermon from Reverends Nakuru and Li for doing that. They're afraid someone might kidnap me and hold me for ransom." He rolled his eyes in exasperation.

Tomoyo giggled. "I doubt someone would even try to kidnap you," she said lightly and Eriol glared at her at the corner of his eyes. "I mean, you'd scold them and torture them to death with your boring lectures about—"

"Shut up, Daidouji!" he snapped and she giggled.

"You know, I just realized something…" she started slowly.

"What? That you talk much?" he said sarcastically, stopping at a red light. Tomoyo glowered at him. "What now? I was just stating the facts."

"You're as rude as ever, Hiiragizawa-kun," she pointed out flatly.

He grinned, just as the light turned green, and stepped on the accelerator. "Now look who's losing her temper!"

"I am not losing my temper!" she replied matter-of-factly. "Unlike other people, I am not a rage addict. I can control my emotions very well."

"Oh, really now?"

"Of course! Give me one instance when I got very, very angry that I lost control of myself!"

Eriol thought hard for a moment, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. "Well… Aha! I know something! The time when you almost flew back to Japan!"

Tomoyo scowled at him, annoyed that he knew something. "All right, what else?"

"Er…" He thought again. And again. And again. Why couldn't he think of any instance that made her really mad?

The girl doesn't get angry often, that's why!

She smirked at him. "You couldn't think of any other?" she said silkily. "Do you want me to enumerate yours? Remember when I first met you and you nearly got off your rocker when I said a comment about you? Or the time when I went to lunch with Syaoran-kun? How about the time I came to your unit to have dinner? And the time when I hid your keys and you nearly drowned yourself in the rain? And—"

"I think you've given enough examples now, thank you," he snapped irritably.

Tomoyo faked an exasperated sigh. "There goes your wonderful patience again," she remarked. "Didn't your teacher ever teach you that patience is—"

"For idiots who'd rather listen to other people's ranting and nagging."

"You just called me an idiot," she said softly. Eriol kicked himself mentally when he saw her pained expression. "You called me an idiot."

"No, Daidouji, that's not what I mean—"

She turned away from him and Eriol wanted to jump off Daidouji towers. He could not see her expression anymore since it was hidden by her long hair.

"Daidouji, I… I didn't mean that… I was referring to…" he faltered. Damn, of all the things that could've come out of his mouth, it has to be the one that would insult Tomoyo.

"Look, Tomoyo—"

"You just called me by my first name…" she interrupted him, still facing the window.

Eriol blinked. "Yeah, I did… That's your name, right?"

Tomoyo faced him, smiling cheerfully. "I can't believe you just called me by my first name," she exclaimed. "And all I had to do was to act, er, insulted!"

He stared at her for a minute then looked back at the road, not saying a thing.

"I didn't know you care, Hiiragizawa-kun," she said sweetly. "And to think I believed you were a very insensitive person."

His grip on the steering wheel tightened. "I just… don't want you to hold grudges against me…" he told her quietly. Tomoyo was taken aback by his words but kept a calm expression.

"It won't be good for the corporation."

The raven-haired President nearly fell off her seat at the last statement. She grinned at him awkwardly then sighed inwardly. She thought he'd finally say something sensitive and sweet to her. Something that would show and prove to her he's still human through and through, not a one-track-minded robot. That statement just told her that he was more interested and inclined to his work than other things. Or in her case, people.

But then, she didn't know why she should care what Eriol thinks of her. They are merely colleagues, their relationship is purely professional. No emotions involved. That's how things should be in a company, her professor told her. No emotions, no feelings, no complications.

She shouldn't care what he thinks. Whatever Eriol thinks is not her business anymore. It really wouldn't help the corporation at all and the last thing she needed is a distraction. If that's the case, then why—

"Daidouji."

She broke out of her reverie and blinked twice at him. "Sorry?"

He was staring at her like she was some weird specimen in the laboratory. "Actually, I just want to tell you…"

"Tell me what?"

"That you're home, princess," he pointed out flatly.

She gave him a withering look. "Of all the things you could've said…" She sighed heavily as she fumbled on her seatbelt. "You really say the most anti-climactic things, Hiiragizawa-kun."

He frowned at her. "Why? What were you expecting me to say?"

She stopped and slowly looked at him, a mixture of emotions in her eyes. What was she expecting him to say? Other than a "We're here" or "You're home"? Other than an "I'll see you at work tomorrow"? Other than a simple "Bye"? Did she expect him to say any more than that? Maybe a "Goodnight" or a "Sweet dreams"?

"I was just thinking that you should've just said…" She bit her lower lip. "That you should've just said 'Thank you for riding my magnificent Jaguar XK8. I hope to see you again'." She had got rid of that tense atmosphere.

Tomoyo got out of the car and leaned down on the open window. "Aren't you going to walk me to the door, honey?" she joked.

"Sorry, sweetie, I can't." Eriol grinned. "We don't want to make more scandals, do we?"

She exaggerated a sigh. "I guess not!"

"Well… See you tomorrow?"

She nodded brightly. "Of course!" Then gave him a light peck on the cheek, startling the young CEO. "Thanks for the ride!"

"You're… welcome…" he replied slowly as she stepped back, waving cheerfully. He shut the window with the push of a button then drove out the estate, feeling a little queasy inside.

Tomoyo watched the backlights of the car disappear before starting for the entrance. This night sure made her more puzzled than ever.

Review, review, review! Make my day and review!