Disclaimer: If I tell everyone that I don't own CCS, can I take chibi Eriol home for being honest?
Author's blabbering: It's been a long, long time! I'm so sorry if it took so long to finish this. You have no idea how unruly, busy and irritating college life can be… especially when you've just applied for one of the most energetic organizations in UP! OMG! I think I'm going to faint from exhaustion and fatigue. Still, I'm back and you guys should welcome me! XD
You know what, I just realized that you guys will kill me the moment you read the last part when…………… I won't spoil it for you guys! Still, I have to ready my helmets and shields so when you come hunting me… Oh, and I forgot to bow down to Dana Daidouji-san for beta-ing this chapter! (Dana-san said I'm getting better, nii-chan!)
Which again reminds me that Witch Hunter Robin had just ended! Waaaahhhhh! Amon-sama! I won't see Amon-sama anymore!
Enough of my vanity and self-importance! Let's proceed to the Answer People's Reviews Show! (applause, you guys!) I'll be giving away Pocky to everyone who reviewed!
Jane: Thanks! Glad you liked it!
Katrina: I sent a text message to you the other day and you didn't reply… Still, thanks for the cookies!
Nancy: Thanks for taking time to review!
Xtreme Nuisance: I love that book as well! I can't believe someone knows that book too! XD I haven't read the sequel though… But the first was great! Yeah… Agent Bite-Me! They've certainly got lots of creative names!
Sakatrina: My college papers? Oh, don't mind them. They're probably in an incinerator right now…
FoxyFire: Yeah… I have to agree with that! XD
Tritomy99: You're in UPLB? I wanted to study there as well but my chichiue won't let me… it's too far off from our house here in makati. Oh… You didn't notice it after pushing the submit button…
Momo-chan1: I think it's both, Momo-chan! XD … yeah, why didn't I think of that before!
Elvirna: Yep, both stories are SxS unless you want me to change it into ExT. That's no problem! (since I haven't started doing it yet…)
Asga: You've got an interesting name there… Anyway, thanks!
Lonely-dreamlover: I actually got that scene when my eldest brother was screaming (fine, fine, 'Yelling'! Geez!) at Leander on the phone for trying to steal his car! Hehe!
Tsubame7: I think I've already cleared this one out… I couldn't continue Mistaken Identity for now because of the predicament my brother has placed me into. He switched our diskettes and he's got mine, the lavender one with the chapters of M.I. there. Anyway, please refer to my answer to Elvirna's regarding the stories…
Akizuki Sai: Finally, we've met! Can't believe we share the same Math class, the only class (aside from Philo 1) that bores me to death! And to think Math is a hated subject of mine…
Cloverluck11: Yep, Eriol was feeling something that time. The feeling of irritation and annoyance towards our lovable lilac-eyed Tomoyo!
Cristal-shian: Yeah, I personally hope they'd be back soon… But then, I doubt that would happen. They're not coming back until next year (They're not coming home for Christmas! What misers!)
Crayon Eater Aya: Ipis? Now that is gross, girl! Anyway, I like that song too! And The Day You Said Goodnight by Hale! (hides from my friends who doesn't like Hale)
Majah: You think? I was thinking the same too, writing something longer… Except my brain is hurting already and I couldn't think of anymore ideas… Yeah… Welcome me back!
Wow… I just realized again that this chapter is longer than usual since it's CHRISTMAS! But to tell you the truth, I hate that holiday… Don't ask me why. The story will just consume so much time…
… I just received a letter from my cousins in Japan and they… WHAT! Damn it, Seisuke, you good-for-nothing little brat! I can't believe you actually rummaged through my things and took my IPOD! I demand you give it back to me right now or I'll tear you apart when I get back there, you little jerk!
Chibi Eriol: Now that my mistress had gone on a rampage against her little cousin back in Japan, let's get on with the story, shall we?
CHAPTER 15: A BLUE HOLIDAY
Christmas! It's that time of the year when people have fun, smile, laugh, talk and give gifts. It's that time when wars stop, arguments settle and enemies become friends. It's that time when companies have parties and Presidents announce Christmas breaks and shower bonuses for all…
And speaking of Presidents announcing Christmas breaks…
Eriol's eyebrow twitched involuntarily as he stared flatly at Tomoyo like she had just transformed into a Latin-speaking, three-headed alien. "No, I won't."
"Demo, Hiiragizawa-kun!" the latter whined, pouting childishly. She knew her pouts and puppy eyes could get the CEO's attention. "It's Christmas!"
"So?"
The pout on her face turned into a scowl emanating a dark, dark aura. "Where is your life, Hiiragizawa-kun? Did you throw it again into a ditch?" she snapped irritably. "What I'm asking you won't kill you, you know!"
"It's just going to kill my reputation," he replied coolly, browsing yet another one of his folders. "And the reputation of the corporation as well."
"I'm not asking you to sing a Christmas carol in front of each department," she reasoned out. "What I'm asking you just involves a pen and your hand."
"It's still the same."
Tomoyo let out an exasperated mixed with frustrated and annoyed sigh. No use talking to a personified snowman. It's so difficult to explain something simple and clear to a narrow-minded, intolerant and bigoted workaholic like Eriol Hiiragizawa. It's just a week-long Christmas break for God's sake! It won't kill him if he puts down his paperwork for just a week! Does his life depend on those papers?
"Hiiragizawa-kun, it's just one week! One single week! 7 days, 168 hours, 10080 minutes and 604800 seconds!" she said through gritted teeth. Oh why is he making this difficult for her? "You wouldn't die because of a week-long break!"
Eriol still gave her a flat look. "For the first time in my whole life working in this corporation, I've never had a Christmas break before!" he replied in the same cool voice. "Well, sure I was given a holiday during the 25th of December and the 1st of January, but that was probably it."
Tomoyo raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm certain that my mother is not sadistic enough to give people work all throughout the year!" she retorted. "Why, now that you mentioned it, I'm wondering if she really didn't give you a holiday. It's probably just you who didn't want a holiday."
The blue-eyed CEO threw her a semi-pointed look but said nothing. Instead, he just returned to his work wordlessly.
"See? Now I'm right, am I not? You refused the holiday given to you before, using paperwork as your reason!" she ranted, placing her hands on her hips. Eriol deliberately ignored her. Tomoyo glared darkly at him. "But I'm not my mother so I will NOT accept that reason! So if you won't get out of that chair this minute, I'll call security to drag you out of this office and lock you inside your unit!"
"Try me."
"Okay…" The young President took a deep breath and forced herself to cool down. Christmasisn'ttimetokillChristmasisn'ttimetokill. Eriol was obviously treading on dangerous waters now, testing the length of her patience. "Let's… Let's just get this thing straight, all right? … Look, Hiiragizawa-kun, as much as I wanted all this paperwork to be gone from my and your desk, I can't just whisk them away to some la-la land. And besides, you might get a relapse. You just got sick last week because of exhaustion and now you're working again. You know you can't—"
"Yes, I can," he cut her off. "I can work overtime again."
She frowned at him. "No, you can't!" she responded hotly. "You can't work overtime again! I can't afford you to get sick again, do you understand me? So whether you like it or not, you're going to approve this holiday memo and you're going to have a holiday this time!" She slammed a piece of paper and a pen on his desk.
Eriol stared up at her, meeting her fiery lilac orbs. "…Fine, but you know you can't force me," he said, picking the pen up and signing on the space above his name.
Tomoyo's expression brightened like the sun then took the paper from him with a smile. "Thanks a lot, Hiiragizawa-kun!" she said. "I was actually debating whether you still have a heart or not."
"Why are you so concerned, Daidouji?" he asked in exasperation. "It's not like you to be concerned of my health."
"Well, you are my CEO, Hiiragizawa-kun," she answered slowly and carefully as if thinking of the words she was going to say. "What… What do you think will happen to the corporation if you suddenly got confined to a hospital for days? You know I can't handle it by myself. I don't function properly when you're not scolding or shouting at me, telling me what to do." She let out an uneasy laugh.
Eriol nearly cringed inwardly at the words but was thankful for it. Finally, Tomoyo was learning the art of professionalism.
The dark-haired Head smiled slightly at him, her lilac orbs turning dark and shaded. "You know… You know I'm helpless when it comes to manhandling the corporation," she said gently, her voice carefully even. "It's something only you can do."
"…Right," he muttered, snapping the folder on his desk and rising to his feet. He then walked over to his coat discarded on the rack and pulled the door open.
Tomoyo forced a grin at him, rolling the paper in her hands. "So, I'm glad you're finally indulging my caprices!" she joked lightly. "That's nice to see!"
Eriol rolled his eyes at her. "We've been doing this for some days now," he complained irritably. "Haven't you had enough?"
"Nope, I'm not yet finished! And don't you dare point out that I'm already tired because I'm not!" she replied, half-skipping out of the room as he locked it behind them. "Besides, I haven't gotten yours yet."
"You don't need to bother."
"Sure I do! You are my CEO, after all!" She grinned at him childishly then waved the paper in front of his face. "I'll just ask Tiffany-chan to recopy this several times and send it to the different departments, okay? I'll see you at the parking lot!" With that, she disappeared through the private elevator that would take her to her room.
Eriol watched the silver doors close, blocking his sight of Tomoyo. Maybe she was right. She couldn't function without him. Without his guidance, without his assistance. Maybe that's why she's always looking out for him, telling him off, scolding him.
But then, it was all for the corporation. It was nothing personal. Just professionalism. She only needs me because of the corporation.
"What do you want for Christmas?" Tomoyo asked him brightly as Eriol drove carefully through the streets of London. Car accidents often happen during this time of the year due to the slippery streets caused by ongoing snowfall. "I know you have a lot of sweaters and long-sleeved shirts since Nakuru-chan often told me that so I won't get you any of those. Syaoran-kun also told me you hate sweets, even though you like cakes. You also don't like jewelry except for watches and you certainly don't like bright colors. It's obvious on your wardrobe."
"I said, don't bother, okay?" he replied, his gaze focused on the neatly-shoveled road. "I don't need anything."
She smiled slyly as she looked out the silver-veneered window. "Sure you do!" she said knowingly. Eriol raised an inquiring eyebrow at her. "You need a psychiatrist for a girlfriend!" He glowered at her. He was certainly not expecting something like that. "Just kidding! I know you wouldn't be able to handle a girlfriend anyway! Hmm… Let's see…"
"I certainly don't need a girlfriend," he said, almost defensively. "Women are just a bother."
"No, we're not!" Tomoyo scowled at him. Here they go again with Eriol's chauvinism. "You just think we are because you've never had an encounter with a woman before. You just have no idea what we're capable of doing."
"Yeah, like depriving a man of his reproductive organs," he answered with a smirk.
The girl slapped him soundly on the arm. "That is so lame, Hiiragizawa-kun! Was that even supposed to be a joke?"
"Well, at least that's what Nakuru's good at," he replied, chuckling at her reaction. "Don't tell me you could do it as well!"
Tomoyo rolled her eyes at him disgust. "Whatever, Hiiragizawa-kun," she retorted, turning her gaze back outside. "Hmm… How about a pillow then?"
"What for?"
"Oh, yeah, I forgot that you don't actually sleep," she said sarcastically, pressing her lips together. She pondered again for a few minutes. "Hmm… How about an IPod then? … But I'm sure you could buy one yourself. And what would you need it for? … Ah, how about a new watch? Or maybe a new organizer for next year!"
"Why are you telling me your ideas for my gift, Daidouji?" he asked in a tedious voice. "Doesn't the word 'surprise' ever exist in your vocabulary?"
She frowned at him again. "I'm asking so I would know what I would get you!" she answered matter-of-factly. "You're the most difficult person to find a present, you know, since you're so judicious and love to point out flaws and imperfections! You don't seem to know the phrase 'It's the thought that counts'!"
Eriol shrugged. "Well, I didn't ask you to give me a present," he pointed out flatly. "I'm even discouraging you to give me one."
"And you call that gratitude, Hiiragizawa-kun?" she asked dryly. He shrugged again and she sighed. A few minutes after, another smile lit up her face. "I know what I'd give you!"
"What?" Eriol was getting tired of this conversation, not to mention driving around town aimlessly.
"I'll get you a set of pens!" she exclaimed cheerfully and he face-faulted. "That way you won't steal my pens anymore!"
"I'm not stealing your pens!" he cried in disbelief. "How the hell am I supposed to know why your pens end up on my desk?"
She rolled her eyes. "Are you now implying that my pens could walk?"
"No, but why would I even steal a pen from you?"
"I don't know, but I keep hearing from your secretary how much you often complain on the scarcity of pens in your office!"
"Just because I haven't got the time to go to the mall to buy a godforsaken pen doesn't mean I'd go around stealing ones from your office!"
She blew her bangs off her forehead in exasperation. "Now that you mentioned it, we're going to the mall," she declared.
"What for?"
"So we could go to that office supplies shop and buy you your own set of pens!"
Eriol groaned. Women are such a pain!
December 24…
Eriol sat in his office, signing a few documents with his new black pen. He insisted Tomoyo to the pink, yellow, purple, orange and green pens to herself since he didn't have any use for them. He glanced out the window and found several cars driving and parking inside the compound. It was the day of their Christmas party, something that was traditionally held on the ballroom in the lobby of the tower.
A sharp beep from his phone startled his thoughts and the voice of the secretary could be heard through the speaker.
" Sir Hiiragizawa, Lady Daidouji was wondering when you would…" She paused as if reading something from a piece of paper. "When you would… Get your butt out of your seat and go to her office to meet her."
Eriol rolled his eyes. Tomoyo and her colorful sentences. "Is that all?" he asked irately.
"She also asked if… if…" She paused again and this time, he heard a VERY faint giggle. "If you would be able to get out of your seat by yourself or if you need someone to help you. She was wondering whether you already got… got hemorrhoid or something."
The irate, annoyed and incensed CEO stood up furiously, clenching his fists tightly. Tomoyo was trying to get even with him again. "I am fine, tell her that, Colleen!" he said, gritting his teeth. "Tell her I'll meet her at the lobby."
"Yes, sir."
Eriol pressed the 'handset' button on his phone then leaned back in his seat. That's when he noticed a small piece of neon pink paper lying under his paperweight. It wasn't there yesterday and he then concluded it was from Nakuru or Tomoyo.
Eriol,
Don't forget my present, okay? I don't want a new cell phone. I want an IPod and as I far I know, I haven't seen any box with my name on it yet under the tree! And so, unless you give me a present, I'll hold your present as a hostage!
Love, Nakuru
Eriol raised an eyebrow at the note before letting the shredder eat it up. After all the troubles she had thrown at him during the past weeks, she still has the audacity to ask for a present! Besides, doesn't that date with Tomoyo count as a present?
Don't you even feel guilty, using your date with Daidouji as an excuse to get out of your gift-giving responsibilities?
Sure, Tomoyo was annoying as hell, nagging at him at almost every occasion possible. She loved to bug the hell out of him whenever he's working and keeps telling him off when he works overtime. She also loved to cajole, force and blackmail him for everything: going to the mall with her, shopping with her, buying her ice cream, driving her to places. He's gone from CEO to the President's PA.
But beyond her mischievousness, she's a sweet and selfless person. How many times had he seen her eyes soften at the employees whenever they would greet her? How many times had he seen her bright smile that makes her lavender orbs crinkle? She might be indecisive sometimes, making wrong decisions just for the benefit of everyone, but he knows she meant well with her actions and he's always there to help her. And she probably was right. That she couldn't handle the corporation by herself. She needs him.
And he needs her too. She's the only one who keeps him sane in this wacky corporation. Of course they argue a lot, mostly about pointless things, but at least she doesn't drive him up to the wall. Although he couldn't say the same when she starts her sarcastic remarks on him.
She was also one of the people who—
He was jolted out of his thoughts when his door suddenly flew back, slamming into the wall. He scowled at the newcomer who strutted in like a peacock.
"I won't be anymore surprised if one day I find my door in ruins," he said dryly.
Tomoyo stood in front of him, slamming a slender hand on top of the documents he was signing earlier. "What are you still doing here?" she demanded hotly. "I've already been to hell and back and you're still here! Why can't you leave your paperwork just for this week?"
"But—"
"Leave it, Hiiragizawa, before I shred it into pieces!"
"All right, all right," he said in defeat, raising his hands in the air irritably. "It's not like your memo's already effective by today. It'll only start to become operative by 12 midnight."
Tomoyo folded her arms across her lavender silk dress. "Then I'd guess you might want to stay here until 12 midnight, until my memo becomes effective. Is that it?"
"No, all I'm saying is that the Christmas memo isn't effective until 12 midnight so I can still do whatever I want in my office," he replied calmly.
"That's just what I said," she argued flatly.
"No, what you said is that I want to stay here until 12 midnight."
"No, what I said is that you might want to stay here until 12 midnight since that's the only time the memo will be effective."
"No, that's not what you implied. You were implying that I want to stay in my office until 12 midnight."
"I wasn't implying anything!" she responded indignantly. "You weren't listening again, Hiiragizawa-kun! That's one of your drawbacks! You don't listen to other people!"
"Don't change the topic, Daidouji," he said, fighting the urge to laugh.
The young woman let out a sigh. "I wasn't implying anything!" she replied, forcing a calm tone. "I just said that you MIGHT want to stay here until 12 midnight."
"No, that's not what you said. What you said was—"
"Just drop it, Hiiragizawa-kun!" she cut him off with a Stop-it-right-now-before-all-hell-breaks-loose smile. "This is such a pointless argument!"
"Does that mean I win this time?" he asked with a small smirk.
She rolled her eyes at her CEO's uncanny pettiness then glanced at the pen he was twirling in his fingers. A smile blossomed on her face. "Hey, is that the pen I got you a few days ago?"
Eriol blinked then looked down at the pen in his hand. He stared up back at her with an impassive face. "No."
"Whatever!" She waved a hand as if to erase his statement. "Anyway, since you have a pen now, that means you won't be stealing any of my pens ever again, ne?"
"I haven't been stealing any of your pens!"
"Oh, sure!" Tomoyo said sarcastically. "My pens just took the elevator from the 40th floor down to the 38th! How convenient, especially for you!"
"Oh, so the Japanese had now invented walking pens, right?" Eriol shot back with a smirk. "I never knew that your technology had become this advanced these days now!"
"Since when did the word 'sarcasm' become your middle name?" she asked dryly. Eriol frowned slightly then peered at her face intently as if scrutinizing it. A faint blush stained her cheeks as she became the subject of the young man's critical eye. "What? Have I grown another head, Hiiragizawa-kun?"
"No… Not another head… That would be very difficult in my case." Eriol stood up from his seat then leaned forward until their faces were just inches away. "Daidouji, there's something I…"
"What?"
"There's something… Wait, don't move…"
Tomoyo stiffened then gulped inwardly when she felt Eriol's hand cupping her chin. She didn't like where this was going. Nope.
Nakuru let out an impatient sigh as she and the other employees stood outside the Kotarou Daidouji Ballroom. They were all waiting for the President and the CEO to commence the party. Obviously, they can't start without them.
Syaoran scowled at Nakuru who was pacing the marble floor. "Where had the President gone again?"
"She said she'll just go up to Eriol's office and drag him out there," the auburn-haired Finance VP replied. "You don't think she's still convincing him to go out, do you?"
"Knowing Hiiragizawa, I bet!" Li said with a low growl. "We all know that he's a Scrooge."
They waited for several more minutes until Syaoran and Nakuru grew impatient waiting for the two highest executives in the Corporation. After telling the others to wait a little longer, Nakuru decided to go up and check on them if Tomoyo was still in the process of forcing and blackmailing the stubborn CEO out of his office.
Nakuru pressed her lips together as the elevator doors closed with a soft chime, hoping that she wouldn't have to point a gun on the temple of her cousin just to force him out of his office. But then, Eriol would not move an inch from his seat until he hears the clacking of the extractor.
She knew Eriol like the back of her palm. He can get more Scrooge-like than Scrooge himself. The young man always hated holidays, especially Christmas, mainly because it was that time of the year when he was sent by his parents to Nakuru's parents and left him there. Forever. He was still bitter about it and no amount of Christmas carols, bonuses and presents could ever change that bitterness in him.
But then, Tomoyo is a miracle worker. She actually changed Eriol inside and out. From the passive cynic, at least Eriol now is socializing with humans.
She wondered how Tomoyo did it. How someone who never knew Eriol all her life had changed someone like him. How someone as light-hearted and happy-go-lucky as her could influence a person like Eriol Hiiragizawa. It was an unexpected turn of events.
Maybe Madam Daidouji was right about her plan…
The elevator stopped and the metal doors opened with a soft chime, revealing the carpeted corridor leading to the CEO's office. Nakuru knew what she would say this time, something about 3 Christmas ghosts visiting a certain CEO later that evening and bring him to different time periods and showing him the true Christmas feeling.
Yeah, that was good.
And so, Nakuru, while still pondering on how she would enter dramatically and rehearsing what she has to say, let out an ear-piercing, mind-shattering, nerve-wrecking shriek that could be heard even on the Seven Hills of Rome when she saw the sight in front of her after she had opened the door.
Hiiragizawa Eriol, the handsome but laconic, stoic, impassive, unsympathetic and misanthropist snowman excuse for a CEO of the Daidouji Industries, was kissing Daidouji Tomoyo, the beautiful and gentle heiress of the late Daidouji Sonomi and the current President of the Daidouji Industries.
Well, at least, that would be the first impression of someone in Nakuru's shoes. Or rather, position.
Tomoyo's back was facing Nakuru, hiding whatever they were doing from the auburn-headed Head of Finance's view. Actually, at first, one would really think that the two were lip-locked, considering the fact that Eriol's hand was cupping Tomoyo's cheek, that Eriol's usually tall figure was hunched over Tomoyo's petite form, and that Tomoyo was standing on tiptoes while leaning slightly forward on Eriol's desk.
And that was what Nakuru's brain, which is ever the type of brain which suddenly pounces on conclusion without even thinking twice, processed: that Hiiragizawa Eriol was kissing Daidouji Tomoyo.
And that was the reason why the shriek issued and startled the two executives.
Tomoyo rounded quickly on Nakuru and colored upon seeing the shocked, scandalized and everything in between expression on the older girl's face. Eriol, well, let's just say he let out another exasperated sigh. They were in another troublesome and complicated mess again.
"Y-You… The both of you…" Nakuru was pointing a somewhat half-accusing, half-disbelieving finger at the frozen President and the annoyed CEO. "You never told me you were together!"
"That's because we never were, and never will be, together," Eriol replied dully, a dark eyebrow raised. Nakuru was having brain lapses and hallucinations again.
"Sure you are!" Nakuru shot back pointedly. "You were kissing Tomoyo-chan!"
The young CEO scowled at her. "I wasn't kissing Daidouji! What gave you the idea I was kissing her?"
"Sure you were!" the girl replied crossly, folding her arms across her chest like a little child having another tantrum. "Don't you lie to me now that I saw everything! How come you never told me you're together?"
Eriol, whose blood vessel above his eyebrow was twitching madly and near to bursting, was just about to say something in defense when Tomoyo, a wicked smile on her face, suddenly cut him off. "Oh, Nakuru-chan, there's no reason for us to tell you something like that."
"I'm your friend!" Nakuru wailed impatiently as if Tomoyo just said the worst sentence in the entire universe.
"It's not what you think, Nakuru," Eriol said flatly, his voice edging on rage and anger, as he glared darkly at Tomoyo. "I was just helping Daidouji out with her eyelash when—"
"That's what they always say!" Nakuru waved an impatient hand, interrupting Eriol, then grinned mischievously at the two. "Anyway, Syaoran is getting edgy waiting for the both of you so you guys better stop whatever you're doing and go down right now."
Eriol was just about to retort again when Tomoyo cut him off with a strangled sound. He glared homicidally at her as she threw him a honeyed smile.
"Sure, tell Syaoran-kun we'll be there shortly, Nakuru-chan!" Tomoyo said in a cheerful voice and the Finance Head gave her a playful wink before leaving and closing the door behind her.
The young man let out an annoyed sigh after Nakuru had gone, throwing a deadly look at the Head's direction. He sure wasn't expecting something like that. "I can't believe you told her that!"
"Told Nakuru-chan what?" Tomoyo asked evenly as she picked up a small silver gyroscope on his desk, tinkering the rotating rings.
Eriol narrowed his fiery blue eyes at her. "You told her that we're together!" he hissed irately.
"No I didn't," she replied lightly, placing the thing back on the table. "I said nothing about us being together."
"Well, you implied!" he retorted sharply, his voice laced with poison. "And knowing Nakuru, who was not given the sense God gave to a goose, she's probably thinking of something extreme right now."
Tomoyo blinked at his expression then softly chuckled, taking his arm and pulling him out of his office. "Oh, give it a break, Hiiragizawa-kun! You should loosen up once in a while! And besides, it's Christmas! You should join the fun!"
"You do know that implying something like that to my cousin is just the same as telling her exactly what the idea is!" he pointed out.
"Just think of it as a Christmas treat to Nakuru-chan!"
"Well, that Christmas treat you gave my cousin is just our ticket to the front page of the magazines and newspapers again!"
"Nakuru-chan would never do something radical, such as spreading news like that."
"What do you know of my cousin?"
Tomoyo halted and rounded on him, her lilac eyes flashing in anger. "All I know is that Nakuru-chan is not an evil person!" she replied coolly. "Sure, she may be reckless and carefree at times, but she would never do something that would hurt other people!"
"If this news leaks out, it would be the end of both our reputations," he muttered under his breath, but not inaudibly since Tomoyo heard him all the same.
"What is so wrong with being linked to me?" she asked him point-blank.
Eriol nearly took a step back from her, a mixture of emotions crossing his eyes. That was really an unexpected blow, catching him off-guard. "What's with that question, Daidouji?" he retorted in an annoyed voice. "That is such a pointless question! I really don't know why—"
"Just answer the question, Hiiragizawa-kun. What is so wrong with being linked to me?"
He stared at her intently then averted his gaze on the carpeted floor of the corridor. It was too difficult to try to read her eyes. "It's just plain wrong, Daidouji," he answered carefully, his voice even and emotionless. "We both know that. We all know that."
"What's wrong with it then?"
"It's just… just plain wrong! I thought we've made it clear already. Why are you still making this complicated?" he said in exasperation, frowning darkly at the carpet. "You're my boss and I'm your employee. From the people's point of view, we're from two different worlds. We're not meant to be together, got it?"
"No… I still don't understand why," she pressed on further. "Tell me, are you disgusted with me?"
"No, why should I be?"
"I don't know! Maybe because you really are! You just wouldn't tell me."
"Now why would I be disgusted with you? There's no reason for me to do that!"
"Then why—"
Eriol shook his head. "It's a complicated matter, Daidouji," he told her. "First off, I don't feel anything towards you aside from friendship and brotherly concern. Next, I doubt that you feel something deeper than friendship towards me. And last, we're in this type of business where we can't go further than professionalism. Everything is, and should be, purely platonic or else we would just ruin our lives."
"Still…"
"Look, Daidouji, if we met in a different situation, in a different time and place, then…" Eriol took a deep breath, carefully avoiding her eyes. "Then we would've had a chance, that is, if there's really something between us… But in our situation right now, that would be impossible, even if love, or anything closer to that, is involved. It's just complicated."
Tomoyo bit her lower lip, taking in what he said. She gazed pensively at the burgundy carpet, her face and expression unreadable. "Yeah, I guess you're right…" she said quietly after a moment. "Maybe I shouldn't have said that in front of Nakuru-chan…"
Eriol peered at her face intently then forced a small smile. "We'll just clear everything up later," he said, nodding at her. "Let's just hope Nakuru hasn't spread the news yet."
"I'm sure she hasn't yet…"
Eriol glanced at her as they started walking down the corridor again. He pressed the down button on the elevator then turned to her, a dark eyebrow raised in inquiry. "You look disappointed."
Tomoyo raised her gaze to meet his. "Disappointed? About what?"
"About my reply to your inquiry earlier," he answered casually, shrugging his shoulders. "You weren't expecting me to say something cheesy, were you?"
"Of course not!" she cried defensively. "Why should I expect something like that to someone as unfeeling as you are? I was just checking on how hard your heart had become!"
Eriol hid a knowing grin. "Of course. Whatever you say."
"You don't believe me, do you?" She narrowed her eyes into slits and glared at him. "Well, for your information, you're quite right about what you said on me not feeling anything towards you. That is, except for annoyance and sympathy for not being gifted with social skills!"
"Well, that's no surprise," he said lightly. "I'm glad then. At least there's one girl who didn't cry when I rejected her."
Tomoyo scowled at him, placing her hands on her waist. "You are such a conceited bastard! Did you really think I have feelings for you?"
"Probably. How should I know?"
"Well, I don't, so stop your arrogance before your ego inflates even bigger!"
Eriol chuckled as they stepped inside the metal box, a fuming Daidouji beside him. Just seeing Tomoyo pissed off is the best payback for her dragging him across the mall to buy him a set of pens.
After hearing a long sermon slash rant from the ever-irritated Marketing VP on making people wait and Christmas spirits, Eriol decided to look for Nakuru. Which was a difficult feat, considering the amount of people inside the hall and Nakuru's speed and agility even in crowded places.
He spotted Tomoyo, who was determined to avoid him all night long, in the middle of several young men in business suits. They were the sons of CEOs and Presidents of the affiliates of the Daidouji Industries, he noticed, sent as surrogates in place of their parents.
Eriol felt a surge of unexplained feelings in him and he clenched his fists.
"That's called jealousy, Hiiragizawa."
The dark-haired CEO whipped around only to find Evans, his blond hair still as messy as ever and his crimson eyes glinting. "What do you want now?"
"I just noticed on how you were looking absorbedly at Lady Daidouji," the young man remarked with a smirk. "I hope it's nothing personal."
"Whatever I'm thinking or doing, it's none of your business," Eriol replied coolly, his midnight blue eyes still fixed on the lilac-eyed heiress.
"Ah, has our beloved CEO grown fond of Lady Daidouji?"
Eriol raised an eyebrow at Evans, an annoyed scowl tugging his lips. "Is that all you've got, Evans?" he scoffed. "I'm afraid it's not doing its job of infuriating me."
Evans just smirked at this. "Well, Hiiragizawa, you'd just have to watch Daidouji carefully now," he said. "Who knows? Someone might just offer a marriage proposal to her."
"And you think she's going to accept yours?" Eriol snorted contemptuously. "Dream on, Evans!"
"Not mine, yes, but I'm certain there will be more proposals to come. Not just business, of course, with a beauty like hers." With that, Evans left him, a smug smirk on his sharp features.
Eriol, scowling darkly, watched Tomoyo once again as she laughed, giggled and smiled pleasantly at the young men around her. He didn't know why he was feeling hostile towards them. It was obviously Tomoyo's duty as the Company President to entertain them. Then why…
Evans is probably right about you. You're jealous of them, aren't you?
Eriol clenched his fists, an exasperated expression crossing his features. There's no reason for me to be jealous.
For a moment, Tomoyo turned to his direction and their eyes met. Usually, the raven-haired would smile, grin or wave at him brightly. But this time, she just averted her gaze, turning back to her guests. Eriol felt a surge of emotion in him. She had just ignored him deliberately, as if he was some alien species that looks like a mutated worm.
Could she still be angry about what I said to her earlier? he asked himself then shook his head inwardly. But there's not reason for her… I said it out of professionalism.
But even before he could take a step towards her, someone suddenly grabbed the back of his jacket, causing him to almost lose his balance. Annoyed, he swiveled around, only to find a grinning Nakuru and a deadpan Syaoran. He let out a groan.
"What is it now?" he asked in exasperation, straightening his dark blue blazer. "Do I have to cut another ribbon with Daidouji?"
"Actually…" Nakuru's grin widened as she started speaking and Syaoran smirked. Eriol glanced at the two, taking in their expressions which could only mean one thing: He's UNDENIABLY in serious trouble. "We want you to open the dance floor with Tomoyo-chan!"
And, again, before he could even absorb what his Finance Head had just said, before he could even react to what she said, the lights dimmed and the spotlight was suddenly focused on him. And Tomoyo.
"I am going to kill the both of you the moment I finish this!" he told them through gritted teeth as the group ushered the couple onto the dance floor. Of course, the two just grinned at him, waving brightly.
Eriol threw a death glare that would shame all other death glares at his two executives. He would really have to throw those two idiots out his window very, very soon. He watched Tomoyo enter the dance floor gracefully, smiling politely at the people around her. Knowing that he won't be able to get out of this predicament anyway, he approached her, a small, tight smile on his face.
"Daidouji," he greeted shortly, offering a hand to her which she took with a forced smile. He led her to the marble dance floor, taking her other hand and resting it on his shoulder before placing his free hand on her waist.
A slow song that sounded like a cross between a waltz and a contemporary song issued across the room and Eriol slowly guided Tomoyo. They were silent for a moment until…
"No more Leaning Tower of Pisa this time, huh?" she joked, fixing her lavender gaze on his shoulder. When he didn't reply, she let out a sigh. "Hiiragizawa-kun, I suggest you say something. You might die if your oral fluids suddenly froth."
Eriol rolled his eyes. "You don't have to deny it, Daidouji. You're still angry at me."
She was quiet for a minute, staring intently at his jacket. "Of course, I still am…" she finally replied, her voice bitter. "Didn't you realize you just insulted me?"
"You think I did it on purpose?" he retorted irritably. "I was doing it out of professionalism!"
"Still, you did it on purpose!"
"Is that why you're angry at me?"
"Partly, yes, and partly because you couldn't take a joke!"
Eriol stared at her and found the young woman pouting childishly as she glared darkly on his innocent blazer. He wanted to laugh at her expression but decided against it. It was Christmas Eve. It wouldn't really help if she suddenly pointed a gun at him.
"What's so funny?" she snapped at him irately and he blinked. He wasn't laughing, was he?
"I wasn't laughing," he said calmly, avoiding her narrowing gaze.
"Yes, but your expression says otherwise," she shot back, scowling at him. "You are such a bastard, you know that?"
Eriol blinked at her again and this time, he chuckled. "That's the first time a female ever told me that word two times in just one day!"
"But you are one… You really are…" she replied quietly, biting her lower lip. "An arrogant, conceited and cold-hearted bastard."
"Yeah, I know that," he told her gently. "You really don't have to remind me."
She looked up at him, puzzled, and he shook his head slightly before changing his face to an impassive one. Tomoyo wondered why but her unspoken question was answered when she realized that there were already a lot of people on the dance floor, blocking their way out.
"We won't be able to get out here," she said thoughtfully, tapping a finger on his shoulder. "How about we stay here for another round?"
"You just want to dance with me."
Tomoyo threw him a flat look before taking a step away from him. "Fine then," she said airily. "Why don't you lead the way then?
He took her hand again but, instead of pulling her out of the dance floor, pulled her closer, placing both of her hands on his shoulders. He smiled at her wryly and she returned it with a sweet one. No words were spoken as they danced the night away without a care at the world around them.
With a soft weary sigh, she absently laid her head on his shoulder, only to pull away after a split second, a sheepish smile on her face. "Gomen, I seemed to have forgotten—"
Eriol placed a gentle finger on her lips, shaking his head ever so slightly. She smiled sheepishly again before hesitantly laid her head once again on his shoulder, her eyes closing, breathing in his scent of damask and sandalwood.
The people around them let them be, smiling slightly. Nope, it was too good to be spoiled by some nosy reporter and photographer.
And when the clock struck midnight, the signal of Christmas, Tomoyo gave him a light peck on his cheek, an impeccable grin on her face as a pink tinge stained his cheeks.
"Merry Christmas, Hiiragizawa-kun!"
The next day, Tomoyo had woken up early to find an elegantly-wrapped silver box lying on her bedside table with a small blue note tucked carefully under the silver ribbons. Wondering who had sent it, she took the note first to read it.
Almost immediately, the scent of magnolias filled her nose and she smiled brightly as she read the black cursive writing on the special paper.
The other magnolias will come soon, don't worry. Merry Christmas.
There was no name but she knew who sent it. With a knowing smile, she took the box this time, tugging the ribbons free and pulling the top. Her smile even widened at the gift she just received.
It was a beautiful magnolia brooch, made with pale pink mother-of-pearl and inlaid in silver and gold, nestled in the middle of silk and velvet. At the back, her name was engraved in cursive writing, ending with a heart at the bottom. She hugged the piece of jewelry to her chest, a wistful smile on her face.
She has to thank him!
Without wasting any more time, she rushed to her bathroom and took a quick shower then changed into a pair of white slacks, a sleeveless white blouse and her white coat. Greeting everyone she met brightly, she ran down to the garage, taking the keys of the blue Porsche from the key rack, and drove downtown. To Eriol's unit.
After parking the car haphazardly in the basement, Tomoyo hurried to the penthouse. Nakuru wasn't there. The older girl had told her once that she's always staying at a friend's house during Christmas Eve. Just perfect for her, in short!
Upon reaching the penthouse, she took a deep breath and forced a bright smile, holding the brooch in her pocket. It felt warm against her skin and she felt relieved just by touching it. With a resolute sigh, she rang the doorbell.
It took a while before Eriol himself had opened the door, still looking sleepy and tousled in just his pajama pants. He looked so surprised, seeing her at his doorstep. Obviously, anyone would be surprised to see someone on their doorstep at 8 am, on a holiday. Still…
"Thanks!" she said, throwing her arms around his neck in a friendly hug. "I really appreciate it! I really do!"
He blinked at her then smiled slightly, patting her gently on the back. So, finally, she'd got his gift. "That was nothing," he told her. "That was actually for the pens you gave me."
Eriol was still about to say something more when he felt her stiffen then pull away from the circle of his arms, a staggered look on her face. Was that pain in her eyes? He frowned at her expression for a whole minute before realizing she wasn't staring at him, but at something behind him.
A cold shiver ran down his spine, knowing what it was, or rather, who it was.
"I-I'm so sorry…"
He heard her say those words, or more like whisper them. And before he could stop her, Tomoyo bolted towards the elevator, a hand on her mouth. He didn't see the pained expression on her face nor the tears trickling down her cheeks.
"What is it, Eriol?"
The young man turned around, a grim expression on his face. "Daidouji just came to greet me a Merry Christmas," he said coolly, averting his gaze from the blanket-clad woman. "Kaho…"
Tomoyo sat inside her car, biting her thumb, as tears continued to fall down from her lilac orbs. She could not believe what she'd just seen. She could not believe any part of it. Right there, she wished that she's back in her own room, just dreaming of all of these, and when she wakes up, there'll be no boxes on her table, no notes, no magnolias, no tears, no broken promises… No nothing.
I shouldn't have believed him. I shouldn't have!
Review, review, review! Darn it, Seisuke! I swear you'll die! I'll see you all next chapter!