Disclaimer: No, I don't own CCS. My money in my bank account isn't enough to own them… But first… (huggles Chibi Eriol)
Author's blabbering: Okay, now I'm back. But before we start with our portion, I WANT YOU ALL TO READ THIS. Okay, I know I'm going to be mean here but I don't care!
READ THIS (I MEAN IT!):
Look, if you've got a problem with me writing too slow for your liking, then I suggest you just stop reading my fics. I'm really much annoyed whenever someone would review "When the hell are you going to update?" or "Hurry up! Review already!" To be honest, sure, I like you people reviewing but heck, can't you give me constructive criticisms? Not just "Update" or "Hurry up!" Let me just tell you guys that I'm doing this fic on my own pace. So whether I'm slow on the update or not, you can't do anything about it. And besides, let me just remind you that I'm a COLLEGE STUDENT and I get tons of homework and requirements from school. Don't you guys get it whenever I complain about my requirements and papers and organizations? If you haven't got anything good to say about the fic except "When the hell are you going to update?" then just don't review at all.
Okay, now that's done. I want to thank Dana Daidouji-san, my beloved beta-reader! Let's proceed to answers to your reviews. Go on, hand them Pocky! (Chibi Eriol grumbles):
Kendii: Oh, okay! And thanks for inviting me in the community!
Tritomy99: Hehe… Di pwede di mag-aral eh. Baka patayin ng mga prof! Hehe… Ska ung tungkol sa mga orgs, HOPEFULLY, walang hazing dun sa sinalihan ko…
Celestial Melody: … Okay, well, too bad. I can't make Kaho a villain here (although I admit I'm part of the Anti-Kaho, Pro-Eriol-Tomoyo Organization)… She has an important role.
Lost-fantasy: Calm down, I'm here already. Thanks for reviewing!
Gipsychan: (hands you a tissue) Don't worry, everything will be just fine. I'm sure it will be!
Pink-writer: Thanks! That's so sweet. Well, that's just the start of her unluckiness… (dodges tomatoes from the audience) Hey! I'm not going to make her suffer so much!
Momo-chan1: Nope, I'm not going to make Kaho evil. As I've said, she has an important role in the fic. You'll just have to find out what it is!
Roz-chan: Yeah, I love Eriol! Eriol was the next bishie I loved after my Cleffie! And I have to agree that it's a shame they're not a canon couple. They would've looked good. Thanks!
Gauri: Hmm… I can't answer that. Eriol's quite dense and insensitive towards Tomoyo's feelings… So…
Akizuki Sai: Yep, I hate math too! And if it wasn't a pre-req in our course, I'd drop it! I've heard Anthro students don't have math… Aww… Lucky them!
SS Destiny: Uhm… Kaho in a blanket? You'll soon find out!
Jo: Wow, you're quite on sugar high! Anyway, thanks for reviewing! And I also love chocolates from the bottom of my heart!
Kawaii Pearl of Kick Ass: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like it!
Samantha: Hate her now. But I'm sure, you might love her later…
Crayon-Eater Aya: Kaho… is Eriol's mother? Wow… Maybe I should write a fic about her being Eriol's mother. That's a nice idea… Hey, stop strangling Eriol! I still need him for the next chapter!
Sakatrina90: I've learned in my Creative Writing class that there should be a conflict and that the characters should not be a Mary Sue. So…
Kawaii nii-chan of nix: Wow, you've actually got the guts to place a review here, nii-chan, after taking my diskette and all! And I just realized you also took my Bleach CD with the manga in it! Grrr! Thank God I copied those manga scans on my PC! Or else I wouldn't be seeing my beloved Hitsugaya!
Majah: …Whoa! Were you a bartender once? You could shake a person hard! You'll have to guess what happened though… The story is quite complicated…
Elvirna: … OMG! You just threw Kaho out the window! (shrugs) Not that I care or anything…
Cristal-shian: Thanks! Yeah, everyone's been telling me that. That my ending was too unexpected!
So that's it! Anyway, I'll plug shamelessly just this once: UPAME is having an Anime Film showing in UP Diliman, Palma Hall 213-215. It's on August 27, 1-5 pm (It's Saturday, folks…) The tickets are just Php 40 and the lineup will be BLEACH, FULLMOON WO SAGASHITE and TSUBASA RESERVOIR CHRONICLES. Everyone's welcome!
Did I mention that I have another cute chibi added into my collection? (Chibi Eriol, Chibi Neji, Chibi Roy and Chibi Byakuya sulks, glaring darkly at me) CHIBI HITSUGAYA! WHEEEE!
Chibi Hitsugaya: And I though you'd pick Renji or Ichigo or Ishida…
Shut up or else I'll tell Hinamori-chan you like her! Anyway, let's get on with the story! Yay!
CHAPTER 16: ANOTHER ONE?
January 2…
Daidouji Tomoyo sat on her executive seat, a pensive look on her face as she slumped on her desk, her chin resting on her crossed arms. It was the day after New Year, the resumption of work in the Daidouji Industries, and she had just signed another advertisement contract for their new product. Like most of her employees, she'd rather stay back in the manor, watching TV, lounging around. But her reason to stay at home is not because of extended vacation…
She blew a stray lock of hair from her face with a sigh, her lilac eyes glazed, as she stared at the magnolia brooch on her desk. She hesitantly touched it, feeling the smooth gloss of the pearl and coolness of the gild. How can something so beautiful be so cold and harsh, a reminder of pain?
Christmas… That day… She found them…
Kaho stood in front of her, her slim body covered by a navy blue sheet. Her long reddish-brown hair cascaded down her back, a waterfall reflecting the rays of the rising sun. Her porcelain-like skin was tinted with pale pink, radiant, blushing—
STOP IT!
She shut her eyes, commanding herself to be strong, as memories of that fateful day flashed before her. A week had already passed and yet, the memory was vivid and fresh in her mind, as though it had just happened yesterday.
Tears threatened to fall from her lilac orbs but she wouldn't let them fall. She clasped a hand around the brooch then dropped it inside the drawer, not wanting to see it anymore. It was just distracting her, that piece of jewelry. She's stronger than this. Why should she waste her tears on a PMSing CEO who knows nothing in life except work, work and more work? Eriol's just a friend, an acquaintance, a partner, a colleague… Purely platonic.
But then, she knew, deep inside her, it was painful. It was just as painful when she lost the mother she had known for years. When she lost Nadeshiko, she felt as if a part of her was torn from herself, a part of her had gone with Nadeshiko. And right now, she was feeling the same emotions she had felt before: longing, loneliness and pain…
Still, why is she feeling all these? It's not like she's feeling something for him, ne?
Why…?
She wiped away absently the traitorous tears that fell down her cheeks. She didn't even know she was crying until she felt something warm and damp on her hand. She's crying again over some unknown reason, that unknown reason slowly killing her with the pain in her chest.
She felt betrayed when she saw her lawyer, just wearing a sheet around her body, standing inside her CEO's unit. All his words about complications, difficulties and opposite-worlds blah, blah… It was all a lie. A blatant excuse for him to get off the hook.
Well, at least she was right on one thing: that he doesn't see her as an equal, but as a noisy charge, a playful ward and a tedious responsibility… It made her chest constrict painfully at the thought of it. It just wouldn't—
"Tomoyo-chan!"
Tomoyo suddenly shot up from her seat when her double doors crashed onto the wall, her hands going to her damp cheeks. Her energetic Finance Head had just graced her with her bright presence, skipping merrily inside the office. Another mask, she thought bitterly as she forced a pleasant expression.
"Ohayo, Nakuru-chan!" she greeted brightly, hoping that her voice doesn't sound strained.
"Ohayo, Tomoyo-chan!" Nakuru greeted back with the same cheerfulness she has everyday. Tomoyo let out a sigh of relief inwardly. At least she didn't notice anything.
"Here's another report from Eriol and he asked me to get the folders you just signed!" The auburn-haired woman handed her another folder. Tomoyo started scanning the contents of Nakuru's folder. "Which reminds me, do you have any idea why Eriol is acting erratically again?"
The dark-haired President stiffened slightly at her words but kept her gaze trained on the papers. Was Nakuru noticing something now? "I haven't really met him today," she answered calmly. "Is something wrong with him again?"
"No, but the way he spoke your name earlier, he sounded so stiff," Nakuru said thoughtfully, a finger on her chin. "And besides, it's really unusual that he sent me to give his report to you. I mean, he always comes here to deliver it, ne?"
"He's probably just busy," Tomoyo said smilingly. "You know he wouldn't leave his paperwork just to deliver a folder to me."
And when she thought that would get her off the hook, she was actually surprised when Nakuru suddenly grinned mischievously. "We both know that isn't true, Tomoyo-chan!" she said playfully. "Eriol will do anything for you!"
I doubt that…
She wanted to say that but Tomoyo controlled her own tongue. No use arguing with Nakuru. And no use hurting herself even more. "All right, whatever you say, Nakuru-chan!"
"But, seriously, Tomoyo-chan," Nakuru started again and Tomoyo met her brown orbs. They were calm, serious and pensive, something very un-Nakuru. At least, for someone who had been with the girl for months now. "Is Eriol avoiding you for some reason?"
More like I'm avoiding him…
"I don't think so, Nakuru-chan," the raven-haired head responded quietly, turning her attention once more to the papers. "As I've said, I haven't met him yet."
There was a long pause and Tomoyo used it to push away that memory from her mind. The memory that became her reason why she was indeed avoiding the blue-eyed CEO. Then…
"You know, from the sound of your voices, you seemed to have had an argument, or else, you both wouldn't avoid each other like this."
Tomoyo took a sharp breath quietly then bit her lower lip. What should she say? That they're not avoiding each other? I'd be lying to Nakuru and myself then. But, truthfully, they never did get into an argument. There was nothing to argue anyway. What happened was more… more in the field of… of…
Miscommunication? Or more like, misunderstanding?
But there was nothing to misunderstand, nothing to misconstrue! Well, except the reason why Kaho Mizuki, her mother's trusted lawyer, was standing in the middle of Eriol Hiiragizawa's unit, dressed only in a sheet.
"Iie… Iie, Nakuru-chan, kinishinaide…" Tomoyo said softly, a gentle smile on her face. She can't believe she's lying through her teeth and at Nakuru, for Pete's sake, of all the people! She doesn't need to know, she convinced herself. "We didn't get into an argument, don't worry."
The older woman let out a relieved sigh then grinned at her widely. "I'm glad!" she cried warmly, taking a pile of folders from Tomoyo's desk. "Anyway, I better take these back to him! He might shout at me again! He's behaving so irrationally today, having another one of his mood swings!"
The Daidouji heiress just pasted a warm smile until Nakuru had left, the doors swinging on the hinges. When her footsteps had faded, Tomoyo slumped once more on her desk, burying half of her face in her folded arms.
Is Eriol avoiding you for some reason?
She closed her eyes tightly, fighting back her tears, a hand fisting around her white silk blouse, on top of her pain-stricken heart.
Eriol was in a bad mood. No, 'bad mood' was actually a complete understatement when it came to describing the dark-haired CEO's expression and aura that moment. Like most employees would say, there's a carnivorous shadow lurking behind him, waiting for its next victim. That is to say, the next person he would be scolding for the next ten minutes. Unfortunately for that shadow though, there was this one person who wasn't affected by that carnivorous shadow.
"You're in your sulky mood again," Li remarked dryly, a chestnut eyebrow raised in contempt. "And many of the employees complained that you're scaring them."
"I'm fine," was the short reply of Eriol.
"I didn't ask you if you're okay," Syaoran shot back, rolling his eyes heavenward. "I'm just wondering to myself why you're acting like a prick again!"
The CEO glared at him darkly, his blue eyes turning into chips of snow, ice and hail. His glare was enough to melt Antarctica figuratively but then, Syaoran can be icier than Antarctica. And so, the glaring battle began.
But the tense atmosphere immediately dissipated when a loud beep from the phone interrupted them. It was Colleen, Eriol's secretary. Annoyed by the intrusion, he sulkily pressed the speaker button and replied curtly. "What is it now?"
" Sir Hiiragizawa, Ms. Mizuki is here to see you."
A swirl of emotions flashed in his dark blue orbs but it disappeared almost as soon as they appeared. Syaoran noticed the clenching of the young man's jaw muscles.
"I don't want to see her. Tell her to leave."
"But, sir, Ms. Mizuki insists that she speaks with you."
"Tell her to leave right now, Colleen!"
" Sir Hiiragizawa—"
"Eriol, we need to talk—"
Eriol let go of the speaker button, his eyes blazing with barely-concealed anger and rage. Syaoran almost absently took a step back from him, feeling his wrath emanating, swallowing with difficulty. This is one Eriol he didn't want to face anytime in his life. A murderous-looking Eriol.
"You never had an argument with Mizuki before," Syaoran commented, hoping he sounded nonchalant to the CEO. "What's wrong now?"
"None of your business," Eriol spat coldly. "Now get out!"
The Li Clan Head folded his arms across his chest, steeling himself. As much as he wanted to get away from those daggers that Eriol calls his eyes, he can't just leave. Not until he has an idea on what is happening with Eriol and Kaho. Besides, he could always match Eriol's rage with his own when it starts to get rough.
"I'm not leaving, not until I find out what the heck's happening!" Li deadpanned, his face emotionless, as blank as paper.
"Fine then," Eriol muttered, rolling his eyes. "Stand there all day if you want."
"I will."
Eriol turned to his papers, muttering darkly under his breath. After a minute, he looked up at Syaoran, irritated by the fact that he's still standing there. "Don't you have anything to do?"
"Don't you have anything to do?" the chestnut-haired VP countered, a faint smirk gracing his face. "As for me, I could stand here all day just to bother and annoy you, Hiiragizawa."
"Damn you, Li…"
The two executives glared darkly at each other. Anyone who was standing inside the room would definitely feel the thickening tension and hear the crackling lightning in the air as the two men continued to throw lethal looks at one another. Neither of them would even dare avert their deadly gazes and it would take a battalion of angels to persuade the two stubborn young men. That is, if they would actually listen to those angels. When hell freezes over, that's what the angels would probably say.
It lasted only a few moments though because the double doors were suddenly thrown against the wall with a loud crash, dispersing every bit of tension in the air. In came Nakuru…
…Who then became the subject of the two executives' dark glares.
Of course, being the type of girl who hates to be bossed around, Nakuru glared back at them, slamming the folders on Eriol's desk harder than necessary, rattling the tiny silver thingamabobs. If looks could kill, Eriol and Syaoran would probably be on their way to the funeral parlor by now.
"What?" she spat angrily at the both of them as if one of them suddenly remarked something on her. "You want to fight me?"
Eriol and Syaoran stared at the newcomer as if she had gone insane. After a minute or two, Syaoran started laughing his head off, mainly because of the remark Nakuru had thrown at them. Eriol just rolled his eyes, muttering about executives who've got nothing to do but waste their time on trivial matters.
"Shut up, Eriol," Nakuru retorted, earning another dark blue glare which she matched with equal intensity of her own. "Do you have any idea what is wrong with Tomoyo-chan today?"
The chestnut-haired Marketing VP faltered then frowned slightly at the mention of the young President. "Why? What's wrong with Tomoyo?"
The Finance Head turned to him, her brown eyes anxious. "I don't know," she replied, wringing her hands. "She looks, well, out of herself. I mean, she's not as cheerful as before, she seems to be pre-occupied by something, she looks like she hasn't slept for days…"
"Does she have a problem?"
Nakuru shrugged. "She won't tell me what's bothering her," she answered, turning back to Eriol, her eyes glinting once more. "So, wise guy, what did you do to Tomoyo-chan?"
Eriol raised a dark eyebrow at her for a while as contemplating if he would throw her out the window or just kick her out the door. After a moment, he went back to his paperwork, his blue eyes trained on the documents. "What makes you say I did something to her?" he asked evenly.
"Oh, I don't know," Nakuru said sarcastically, mocking a thinking position. "Maybe because you're the one who affects her the most?"
Syaoran saw Eriol's fist visibly clench, almost crumpling the edges of the folder. Clenching his fists means Eriol is tensed. And when Hiiragizawa Eriol is tensed, it means he is hiding something. And when he's hiding something that makes him tensed, it means it's not good. And since this is Hiiragizawa Eriol they're talking about, that 'something' can be very, very big. Too bad he can't just gun down a tensed Eriol with questions or else there'll be real trouble.
Nakuru, on the other hand, didn't notice anything. Mainly because she was too busy ranting on the CEO.
"And to think I thought that you were both together and all! Hah! I should've known! Tomoyo-chan is too angelic and sweet for you! And besides, who, in their right minds, would even want a snowman like you? I mean, duh—"
"Just shut up, Nakuru!"
The cinnamon-eyed Finance VP blinked twice, surprised that Eriol had actually interrupted her rant. It was very rare that Eriol would summon energy to interrupt Nakuru's long sermons and he only does it when he's really mad at something.
"Eriol, I—"
"No, Nakuru, just shut up," Eriol said coolly, his eyes resembling blue fire. The older girl looked stunned. "If you've got nothing coherent to say, then I suggest you close your mouth."
Syaoran slammed a fist on the desk, rattling everything on it. "If you've got a problem, don't vent it on us!"
"I haven't got a problem, Li," Eriol retorted through gritted teeth, his voice dangerously calm.
"Yeah? Tell that to the Marines, Hiiragizawa!" Syaoran shot back irritably. "It's obvious you've got something on your back and it's really bothering you, isn't it?"
"And what do you know, Li? It's not like you'd give a damn."
"Right now, I don't, but once I find out you've done something to Tomoyo, I'll make sure that I give you a lesson you'll never forget."
"Sure, I'll be waiting for that day," Eriol sneered, but he knew it wasn't an empty threat. He knew Li Syaoran since they were young and he knew what type of a person he is: whatever he says, he will do it, even if he dies trying.
"I don't want blood on my carpets, all right? It's really expensive to pay for its cleaning."
The three executives all turned to the door where Tomoyo was standing, a faint smile on her features. She looked every inch like a President, from her neatly-brushed hair, her crisp power suit and her black high heels. But then, taking into consideration her pale face, her tired-looking, puffy eyes and her faint smile, she didn't look all right.
Something stabbed Eriol inside his chest upon the sight of her as she approached his desk quietly, especially when she averted her gaze the moment he tried to catch her eyes. Still, he had seen traces of pain in her eyes—the same pain he had seen in her eyes that morning…
Did he do this to her? But he can't have… He didn't do anything, right? Right?
"You forgot this, Nakuru-chan," she said almost inaudibly, laying a folder on top of the others on his desk with a shaky hand. An inaudible sigh escaped her lips and she bit her lower lip, her lilac eyes trained on the carpet. With a faint smile to Eriol, she turned heel then walked back wordlessly to the door…
…Only for Eriol to encircle her wrist lightly with a hand. She let out a sharp inaudible gasp, tensing almost immediately.
"Daidouji—"
She turned to him and bowed low, her dark hair falling over her shoulders like a curtain, shading her eyes from view. Eriol frowned at her, a startled expression in his blue orbs.
"I apologize for what happened last week," she replied softly, her free hand going to her pocket. Swiftly, she pried away his hand from her wrist and pressed something in it, her gaze still on the floor. "Gomen nasai, Hiiragizawa-kun, I was just at the wrong place, at the wrong time. You were right, I guess… If only we were in a different situation, then it would've been different for us… Different for me." She straightened then smiled softly at him, pain and sorrow barely concealed in her glazed orbs. "I wish you all the best, Hiiragizawa-kun…"
With that, she left the chamber quietly, the doors closing behind her.
Eriol clenched his fists, feeling that thing Tomoyo placed in his hand. When he opened his hand, there lay the magnolia brooch, still gleaming under the light, the one that he gave her for Christmas.
"Dammit!" he swore, his arm flinging out and knocking a few folders to the floor. "Dammit! I don't understand what's going on with her!"
Syaoran and Nakuru turned to look at him, puzzled. Where was the cool, composed and intimidating Eriol they were having a row at? Usually, the young man would never, ever bare his feelings, show his emotions like this, even if his life depended on it. Never. He would always hide it behind a cool mask, slowly swallowing it until it had been gone into oblivion. That is, unless Daidouji Tomoyo is involved in this matter…
"I think someone should tell us what's happening now," Syaoran retorted, his amber orbs glaring at the frustrated CEO.
Eriol glared back at him with equal intensity. "Fine! Suit yourself!"
A young messenger from the Logistics department had just arrived at the floor of the CEO's office. He was just about to deliver the report on the proposal of the place where the next launch would be when a loud, startling noise shook him.
"What the hell have you been thinking, you stupid prick!"
Anyone, especially someone who is new like that Logistics messenger, would have been scared out of his wits just by hearing the Marketing Vice President shout like that. And in the CEO's office at that. He glanced at the secretary of Hiiragizawa Eriol, who was busy typing something on the computer, unmindful of what was happening inside the office. Warily, he approached her.
"Er, excuse me, I was sent by Mr. Florins to deliver this report to Sir Hiiragizawa."
"You idiot! What the hell made you do that, for God's sake!"
The messenger winced again at the noise and Colleen smiled at him politely. "You must be new," she remarked, taking the folder from him. "Don't worry about them. It's pretty normal."
"It is?"
The young woman nodded brightly and the messenger sweatdropped at her. "I'll just be the one to take this to Sir Hiiragizawa!"
He nodded, almost hesitantly, then started back for the elevator. But even before he could take one step…
"That is enough, you mindless dimwits, or I'll fire you right now!"
With that, the messenger dashed to the elevator, jabbing the down button hard enough to break it. There is no way he was going to stay on that floor. He was still young to die from the sudden explosion of anger. He heard that the three next highest executives after the President have a very short temper, but this is ridiculous!
Tomoyo pressed her lips together as she sat back on her executive chair, a pained expression on her face. She had just returned from Eriol's office, fighting back tears that threatened to fall, when she received a message from her secretary that she has a phone call from Japan.
She didn't know if she'd answer the call. She'd been avoiding Sakura, Touya or anyone for that matter ever since Christmas… Ever since that happened… She decided she needed time to think, to compose and collect herself.
She'd been using different excuses just so she wouldn't answer the phone or talk to anyone. But then, it seems it was already inevitable. She would have to talk to Sakura and Touya sooner or later.
With a resigned sigh, she pressed the speaker button on her phone. "Moshi-moshi, Tomoyo desu…"
"Where have you been? Why the hell haven't you been answering the messages we sent on your email and the answering machine? Kaijuu and I are getting worried here, Tomoyo! Is something going on there?"
Tomoyo shut her eyes tightly, wishing this was just a nightmare. Of all the people that could've called her from Japan, it had to be Touya on a bad mood.
"Gomen, Touya-kun," she apologized, forcing herself to be calm. "I was just so busy here with my work and all. Gomen…"
"Turn on your computer. I want to see you on the net."
The young dark-haired heiress obeyed compliantly, clicking on the link flashing on her screen. Another window popped up and she found herself looking at Touya's pixilated stern and impassive face, holding a phone to his ear. She pasted a bright smile and waved at her web cam, hoping she looked bright and cheery like before.
"Stop pretending, Tomoyo. What's wrong?"
Tomoyo's smile faltered a little and soon, she bit her lower lip, gazing intently at her lap. "Nothing's wrong, Touya-kun," she replied softly, injecting a chirpy tone. "I'm just tired, that's all…"
"Did that Hiiragizawa make your workload heavier again?" he asked, reverting to his onii-chan self.
She smiled faintly at him. "A President's workload is always heavy, Touya-kun," she replied sweetly. "You should try it once in a while…"
"Maybe I should talk once more to this Hiiragizawa and give him a piece of my mind!"
"Oh, Touya-kun…" She smiled at him faintly. "So, did you receive my gifts for you? I had those gifts custom-made."
"What about you? How was your Christmas?"
Then, there was complete silence. She could feel Touya's heated gaze, fixed on her form as she slumped on her desk, her chin resting on her folded arms. Just the mention of Christmas makes her insides turn into puddle.
"What happened?"
Tomoyo closed her eyes once more, warm tears stinging the corners of her orbs. Damn Touya and that concerned tone of his! That tone that reminded her of home, of Sakura and her bubbly ambiance, of Touya and his protective nature and of Uncle Fujitaka and his warm, comforting embraces. Damn Touya and his all-too-sharp perception of everything!
"I told you, nothing happened…" she answered, choking the words out. It was really difficult to lie to Touya. It was like lying with a lie detector strapped on your arms, head and tips of your fingers.
"Stop lying to me. You know it's a futile attempt!"
She let out another sigh. "What should I do to convince you, Touya-kun?"
There was a pause then she heard a sigh. "I should've known it was a bad idea to let you go there, especially you since you're the one who's so emotional," he told her softly. "I know something happened, Tomoyo. You know you can tell me anything… Is it Hiiragizawa?"
She took in a sharp breath. "…It's not him…" she lied.
"Right, but your voice and tone say otherwise," he pointed out flatly. Typical Touya and his annoying all-knowing tone. "You know, maybe you should just go back here. You don't need your mom's corporation. You have us."
"You know I still can't, Touya-kun," she said patiently. "I agreed to stay here so I need to stay here until March if I don't want a lawsuit after my head. Besides, I'm still… still having fun here…"
"Fun? You don't sound like someone who's having fun," Touya said coolly and Tomoyo almost winced visibly. "It's him, isn't it? You can't leave because of him…"
She looked up at him, confused, "I don't know what you're talking about…"
Touya rolled his eyes, as if irritated by her. "You do, Tomoyo, you're just denying that you don't," he replied matter-of-factly. "And we know who we're talking about here."
"Hiiragizawa-kun, you mean?"
Touya met her lavender orbs, his chocolate ones boring into hers. "You like him, don't you?" It sounded more like a statement than an inquiry.
Tomoyo pressed her lips together. Again, for the third time in her life, she was lost for words. No sarcastic comebacks, no wry grins, no irritable teasing, not even a statement that denies everything. Nothing. And for a girl who grew up with a Kinomoto Touya, one of the greatest cynics in the history of humankind, it sure is unusual.
"What happened to you?" Touya shot back again, peering at the younger girl's deep orbs.
She bit her lower lip, millions of thoughts and questions running through her brain: Should he tell him what she had seen? But then, won't Touya suddenly explode like a nuclear bomb? Why would he, though, when she doesn't even like him? But then, what if she was wrong about it anyway? No, she can't be. She'd seen it with her two eyes. She was there. Still, why should she tell Touya? Because she's concerned? Because she's afraid? Afraid of what? Of losing Hiiragizawa? No… Why would she be afraid? He's not anyone special in her life, right? Right?
"Tomoyo—"
A sharp pain sliced through her chest, almost making her wince, the same pain she felt last week. It wasn't something normal, like when one has cardio or pulmonary problems. No, it was deeper than that, more painful, more unbearable. And she didn't know why it suddenly came, why it suddenly appeared.
"Tomoyo, are you all right?"
She looked up at him, her eyes glazed with unshed tears. Touya almost looked stunned at the sight of her.
"Touya-kun, there's something I want to tell you…"
She needed to get it out of her system. Fast.
Syaoran glared at Eriol. Nakuru glared at Eriol as well. And if looks could kill, Eriol would probably be on his way to hell and back right now. He glared back at them but even with his death glare, he couldn't match the intensity his two executives were shooting him. He was, obviously, outnumbered. Not to mention, intimidated. They were glaring at him like he was a four-year-old kid caught eating cookies before dinner.
"Stop glaring at me like that!" he hissed at them, gritting his teeth in annoyance.
Li rolled his eyes in exasperation. "How more idiotic can you get?"
"If you've got a problem with me, then you might as well say it, Li," Hiiragizawa shot at him irritably, his right eye twitching involuntarily.
The two had been glaring at him like there was no tomorrow ever since he started telling them what happened that Christmas morning. There were several times when Nakuru tried to chuck one of his silver thingamabobs, especially that part when he mentioned about Daidouji leaving in a hurry, only for Syaoran to stop her then rant on him in return. Which just pissed him off since he did nothing anyway. Well, at least, that's what he firmly believes. There's a small part of subconscious, though, nagging him to the nth level.
Still, there was no reason for them to glare at him like that! He was innocent, for the love of God!
"Oh, I haven't got a problem," Syaoran retorted, sarcasm dripping heavily from his words. "Maybe you have, especially one that is in your head!"
Eriol groaned. Why are they all treating him like some criminal that made the Daidouji heiress cry? And she wasn't even crying! "Look, I'm one who's confused here with the situation."
Nakuru shot him The Look, a look that was telling him she was highly affronted. "You're not the victim here, Eriol. It's Tomoyo-chan!"
"Yeah? And by what law?"
Syaoran slammed a fist on his desk, causing the wobbling remaining stack of folders to fall on the carpeted floor. Eriol grimaced at the mess. Now, he would have to pick them one by one, sorting them out and putting them in order. But then, Li didn't care anything about the reports on the stock exchange or even the report that one of the employees will be retiring soon. No, he didn't care about anything except the fact that he wanted to shove his fist right into the CEO's face.
"Don't you get it, Hiiragizawa? Are you really that dense?" he hissed angrily, their faces inches away.
Eriol just stared at him squarely. "Actually, I haven't been doing anything," he said calmly, fighting the urge to start a brawl right there and then. "I don't even have an idea why Daidouji ran away last week or why she's acting like that towards me!"
"Why are you acting that way towards her as well?" Nakuru shot back.
"Acting like what?"
"Like you're angry at her or something. Like you're avoiding her for some reason!"
Eriol could feel his patience slowly slipping out the window and into the cool London air. "And who wouldn't be angry, considering she took off like that without a word and acting like she's the victim or what—"
SLAP!
The young CEO was stunned, a hand immediately flying to his smarting face. He stared at Nakuru, who looked murderous, with wide blue eyes, bewildered, shocked and taken aback. Even Syaoran looked stunned at the sudden turn of events.
Did Nakuru just slap Eriol Hiiragizawa, the supposed Ice Prince of Daidouji Industries?
"I can't believe you're as dense as a rock!" Nakuru spat out angrily, pointing a finger at her cousin. Li had to hold her back so she wouldn't pounce on Eriol like some wild predator. "And you even had the guts to say she was acting like the victim! You want to know what she's feeling? How about I help you feel it too?"
"Why don't you enlighten me then?" Eriol gritted out, his hand still cradling his cheek. "Tell me why Daidouji's acting that way!"
The auburn-haired young woman was about to pummel and mince him had not Syaoran interfered, using his body to stop Nakuru from mortally injuring Eriol. But then, he still glared at Eriol like he was some slimy worm.
"For one, Hiiragizawa, use that brain of yours and assess the situation," Li replied coolly, still restraining Nakuru back. "Imagine Tomoyo seeing two of her most trusted executives, in an awkward situation. Didn't even it occur to you what she might be thinking that moment, that instant?"
"But Kaho and I weren't doing anything! She misunderstood—"
Li shook his head. "Sure. Keep telling that to yourself, Hiiragizawa," he told him sharply. "If nothing really happened, then apologize to her and explain to her everything. But after everything you told us, I doubt nothing really happened."
Eriol scowled. "Why should I apologize? I haven't even done anything to her! Besides, so what if something happened between me and Mizuki? I still did nothing wrong! It's not illegal for associates to get in a relationship. Fraternizing is only illegal in the military."
"You jerk!" Nakuru cried furiously. "How more callous can you get? And to think I thought you'd changed because of her!"
Hiiragizawa glared darkly at Nakuru who had finally calmed down a little but was still shooting lethal looks at him. He knew he was right, that he was innocent, that he didn't know anything, that he had no idea why Tomoyo had suddenly took off like that. But there was a part of him, a logical part, saying that Nakuru and Syaoran were right as well, that he was blind, he was dense, he was callous, that he really might've hurt Daidouji in some way. And that 'change' part really hit him…
"As I've said, Hiiragizawa," Li started again, pulling the CEO out of his thoughts. "If nothing really happened, I suggest you clear everything out with Tomoyo and apologize. She'd appreciate it if it comes from you."
But even before he could think, his irrational part started talking. In his behalf.
"I will not apologize. There is no reason for me to apologize. I haven't done anything wrong to her."
Syaoran just shrugged at him coolly. "It's your decision, Hiiragizawa," he said with finality in his tone. "If you'd rather swallow your pride, accept your mistake and clear everything up with Tomoyo. Or you'd let your good friendship turn into shambles. It's your choice."
With that, he started for the door, his hands on Nakuru's shoulders, steering her out the chamber, leaving Eriol even more confused than ever.
Tomoyo pasted a bright smile as she stepped inside the elevator to go down to the cafeteria. She had just told Touya everything that had happened and to say that the eldest Kinomoto sibling was furious is an understatement. Kinomoto Touya was more than furious. He was angry, irate, enraged and livid, all rolled into one. He even threatened that he would go there just to teach 'that damned Hiiragizawa' a lesson he'd never forget.
She couldn't blame him though. After all, Hiiragizawa did manage to make his little 'sister' cry, causing Touya to slip back to his I'll-definitely-pummel-mince-and-maim-anyone-who-makes-my-imouto-chan-tachi-cry mode. But then, she didn't understand why he would do that… It's not like he broke her heart or something…
Yeah, lie all you want, Tomoyo!
She would've giggled, imagining Eriol's face as she relates it to him, Touya out for his head, blood and other organs, if not for the gravity of the situation. Moreover, it's not like they're in normal speaking terms…
That last notion sent a painful prick in her heart, a tug that made her wince. They were not in normal speaking terms… No bantering, no joking, no teasing, no arguing, no cajoling. All of a sudden, everything seemed quiet and cold for her. It was so different not having Hiiragizawa Eriol by her side, scolding and admonishing her off for every mistake she makes, snorting and snapping at every side comment she shoots at him, smirking at every blunder she commits.
It was ironic, really, how one short event caused such a big impact in her. Was Eriol really that important to her? Was he really that special that she had to run off crying the moment she had seen them together? It's not like they were doing something wrong, right? Even if they were doing something, it's not her business anymore, right? Besides, she's not anyone in particular to Eriol…
That sent another tug in her heart, this time a more painful one than the last. Just thinking of it makes her want to just sit in one corner and cry. She liked him, more than she liked Touya and Syaoran. But what about him? He only saw her as his responsibility, a charge who couldn't even take care of herself. Is that why he always avoided the topic of relationship when it comes to her?
Obviously, she thought miserably, staring at the intricate patterns on the marble floor of the elevator. He doesn't want to lead me blindly, that's why…
Still, why did he lie about him and Kaho? He had led her blindly once more into thinking they weren't together, that he wasn't feeling something deep for her. And the foolish she actually believed him.
Stupid, stupid Hiiragizawa! He shouldn't have… Stupid, stupid me…
She felt warm tears stinging her eyes once more at the thought. Fortunately for her, the elevator doors opened with a soft chime, showing her the view of the lobby. She forced a bright smile, carefully dabbing the remains of her unshed tears, before stepping out.
Many greeted her warmly and she smiled at them in response, a smile she knew would never reach her eyes. But it's not like they'd notice anything. They never did.
I wonder what's for lunch today. I'm starving.
"Tomoyo-chan!"
She turned around, her smile frozen on her lips. Nakuru was half-skipping, half-running towards her, followed by an unruffled Syaoran. Her smile widened when the older girl suddenly pounced on her, her long arms wrapped around the younger Head's neck.
"Eriol was so mean!" she cried loudly, attracting attention from a few of the employees. "He should go to hell!"
Tomoyo patted Nakuru gently, a small smile on her lips. "It's all right, Nakuru-chan," she said softly. "I'm sure he doesn't mean it…" She then nodded deeply at Syaoran who was standing a foot away from them. "Don't worry, I'm all right, Syaoran-kun…"
"You don't have to keep everything to yourself, you know," the young man told her quietly and she smiled at him gratefully.
Their conversation was interrupted however by a loud commotion forming around the reception desk. Several people were already looking at the direction of the commotion, wondering what the cause was. Nakuru pulled away from Tomoyo, frowning slightly, and Syaoran nodded at the President.
"What's going on here?" the Marketing VP demanded, striding over to the reception desk, Nakuru and Tomoyo behind him. The young receptionist looked like a nervous wreck in front of three of the highest executives in the corporation.
"That young woman demands to see the President, Sir Li," one of the receptionists answered almost hesitantly, gesturing at the young lady, clad in a white dress with dark glasses covering her eyes, standing at the desk. "But I told her that Lady Daidouji is currently—"
"I don't care if she's busy!" the girl cried angrily. "I want to see her right now!"
Tomoyo frowned at her, looking highly affronted by her actions. "No need to shout, or else I would have to call the security," she said calmly. "Now if there's something you want to say, you can discuss it with me."
The girl stared at her with her deep blue eyes over her glasses, a dark eyebrow raised. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed her long black hair over her shoulders, a sneer on her face. "Ah, so you're Tomoyo Daidouji! Well, it's a pleasure to meet you!"
"Who are you anyway?" Nakuru snapped at the newcomer. "And who gave you the authority to speak like that to Tomoyo-chan?"
The raven-haired girl removed her glasses, her smirk widening at the scowls of Syaoran and Nakuru. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Daidouji Tamara," she said haughtily, holding out a hand. "And I'm the rightful President of Daidouji Industries!"
Review, review, review! Told you Tomoyo's misfortunes won't stop there!