Thank you to all the people who reviewed in the last chapter. And sorry for making you all wait! I want to thank my friend, who inspired me and get the hell of a writer's block off on this fic, a lot! If it wasn't for you, I'd still be stuck with this fic. You know who you are. ^____^.

            And sorry for all the grammatical errors on this chap, I'm too busy nowadays to proofread my fics.  Some guys told me to get some editor or something and I agree.  It's unfair to present a fic not polished enough for the readers to read. So yes, I'm looking for an editor! Please e-mail me at tweetysylver@hotmail.com if you are interested.  And just to let you all know, English is not my first language so I'm really taking extra effort to check any grammar mistakes. But with the time and everything…it's almost impossible nowadays. ::Sigh::

ON A BET

Syaoran nudge Sakura slightly when he noticed that she was still gaping at Rina. He noticed the surprised look planted on her face and wondered briefly what she was thinking.

            "Uh…is something wrong with my face, Kinomoto-san?" Rina couldn't help asking, feeling self-conscious at the moment, with the way Sakura is staring at her.

            "Er—no! Nothing!" Sakura blurted suddenly, snapping out from what seems like a trance she's currently in. "You look just fine."

             Rina smiled. "I hope so.  Anyway, I have some papers here that both of you have to type.  Mrs. Angstrom from the HR Department is actually expecting this to be finished this afternoon."

            Sakura couldn't help groaning inwardly when she saw the stack of papers that Rina placed at the table.  The pile looks like it's about a minimum of twenty different documents.  Certainly, the two of them needs to do some overtime today.

            "I know, it's a lot of papers," Rina said, as if reading her thoughts. "But we have lots of job to be finished in the department.  In fact, we've also divided the papers among three other trainees."

            Syaoran shrugged carelessly. "I guess it really can't be helped."

            "Yeah.  Well, I better go now. I still have a lot of work to do myself. See you guys later."

            When Rina is already out of sight, Sakura immediately went back to her work, determined to do her job as fast as efficiently as possible.  But at the back of her mind, curiousity regarding Rina and Syaoran's status still puzzled her.

            She shook her head gently to freshen her thoughts.  She's beginning to be one, nosy gal.

            "So how should we divide all these paperworks, Sakura?" Syaoran asked, without looking up from the paper he's holding.  He's wondering briefly on his mind how they could get the job done as fast as they can.

            "That's Kinomoto to you, Li Syaoran." She snapped back.

            "So what? Names are just names." Syaoran smiled lazily. "I could call you Ms. Grumpy for all I care."

            "What if I call you Mr. Airhead? Now, that, would suit you perfectly."

            "Whatever you say, grumps."

            Sakura forced herself to look at Syaoran's obviously amused face and tried her very best not to stick out her tongue at him.  As always, this jerk never failed to ruin her day.

            "Listen, Li. If you could just understand what I am telling you, then this topic wouldn't even get this far."

            "Well, I was not the one who started it."
            "You're sooo childish." She rolled her eyes. "Call me Kinomoto, and just plain Kinomoto, then I'd leave you now alone and answer your question."

            Syaoran stared at her for a few seconds intently.  Sakura prepared herself for another round of torment but she was surprised from the words that came out of his mouth.

            "Fine. If you want it that way, Kinomoto." He said her last name slowly for emphasis.

            Sakura smiled triumphantly at that.  And she never thought she'd make that jerk agree with her.

            "So there. I already called you by your preferred moniker so maybe, you could answer now my question?"
            "Well, why don't we divide the load fifty-fifty? You know, half of the papers that needs to be done are yours and the other half are mine. How's that?"

            Syaoran nodded. "I think that's a good idea. I better count the papers now so we could already divide our work."

            After about a minute of counting the papers, he paused to whirl his seat and look at Sakura.

            "30 documents in all. That's fifteen each for us."

            Sakura couldn't help but make a face at what she heard.

            "They must've really been in a rush."

            "Maybe they're trying to get all the work done before the company outing." Syaoran informed. "You know, since the company is practically closed for four days at that time.  I've heard that it's going to last for two weekends and two weekdays."

            "Do trainees like us are really included? I mean, it's not like we're already a regular employee or something."

            "Of course, we are included! This company makes sure that it supports all of its employees." He stated knowingly. "Good employee-relationship is what they prioritize the most."

            "You sound like an ad of the company." She joked.

            He smiled again that familiar lazy smile of his and Sakura was surprise at how his face takes on a whole different look when he smiles.  Syaoran almost looked so adorable and hot to notice with that smile…wait, did she just thought what she thinks she thought?  Did she actually mention the words, adorable, hot and Syaoran in one sentence? Go figure.

            "Maybe we should start with the work now Saku-er, Kinomoto."

            She flipped her hair carelessly and raised a surprised eyebrow.

            "Wow. I never imagined you would actually say those words."

            "It's just that, I still have to meet someone this evening." Syaoran told her without any apprehension.

            "Another date? You just went out with Otsuka-san last night, didn't you?" She blurted out, and scolded herself mentally for being so outspoken.  Anyway, why does she care? She has no business as to what he wants to do with his life!

            Syaoran smirked at the sight of her surprised face. She actually looked like she gives a damn care about his lovelife.

            "If you would call it that way. But I preferred it to be called as just some little reunion with an old friend of mine." He shrugged. "And besides, I don't have a girlfriend.  It's not like I'm doing anything wrong if I decided to date different women."

            "Fine. I get the point. Shut your big mouth now before I get caught up once more at all the wind blowing out from your mouth."

            He chuckled softly at that.

            "You still don't believe that I am capable of going out on a date, don't you, Kinomoto?"

            Sakura didn't answer him but instead, face her computer and started typing her assigned documents already.

            "Why don't we have a bet?"

            "What are you talking about?" Sakura sighed inwardly.  So it seems like the airhead thought of a plan.  And what stupid plan it must be, that she is so sure of it.

            "Let's see who gets to have the most number of dates, within the whole time we spent in this company, between the two of us."

            Sakura stopped dead at her tracks when she absorbed all of what he said.

            "What's the catch?"

            "I don't know.  Maybe who gets to win can do whatever he or she wants to do to each other. Or something like that."

            An image of Syaoran, looking like a stupid moron dressed in some bimbo clothes, flashed across her mind.

            She grinned evilly at him.  This wouldn't be too hard.  She is perfectly aware of some few young guys in the company who wanted to go out with her on a date.  She's not going to lose this one, easy bet.

            "That would be nice."

            Syaoran cupped his ear exaggeratedly. "What? You're actually agreeing to this bet?"

            "Yeah. I am." She look at his surprised face and smiled sweetly.  A fake smile, of course. "Your idea is perfectly brilliant. I have to commend you on that."
            "Uh, you're not being sarcastic are you?"

            "Duh. Does it look like I'm joking?"

            Syaoran crossed his arms confidently. "You sure you want in?"

            She rolled her eyes in annoyance.

            "Okay. It's a deal."

            Syaoran offered his hand to Sakura and she reached out her own hand to shake his.  He slightly jolted at the small electricity he felt when their skin made contact.  He discreetly wiped his hand with his jeans, which Sakura shook earlier, to erase that tingling feeling.

            "Did our previous date with Otsuka-san and Yukito count?" She asked curiously.

            "I guess so. Anyway, it's still both tied to one right?"

            "Yeah."

            He gave her a knowing look and raised an eyebrow. "Good luck to you, Kinomoto. You'd be needing it."

            "You must be dreaming." Sakura tilted hear head confidently to one side. "Say your prayers now, Li."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~OoOOOoOoOoOoOoOoOooO~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

            Sakura groaned for the nth time, her eyes practically sore from looking at the computer the whole day, and her hands tired from too much typing already.  If fifteen documents to type and edit isn't bad enough, the Production Department added their own documents to be turned in today as well.

            She laid her head gently at her seat, staring idly at the ceiling.

            Syaoran notice her in this position and wondered why.

            "Stressed-out already, huh?"

            "You could say that." She replied lazily.

            It's already two hours past the working hours and they are already working overtime. It's a good thing she already called up her brother to tell him she's going to be home late.  Touya would've been in a worrying state if she hadn't call to tell him about her situation.

            "Well, we still have a few more left to go. Come on, lazy bum."

            "I am not lazy." She sat up straight. "Just tired.  I mean, look, we're the only ones left here.  Everybody's out for almost two hours ago!"

            "There are still some people working in the other floors. And of course, the managers are still here too."

            "I know that.  It's just that, we're the only two left in this floor!" Sakura couldn't help but feel a bit creepy at that idea. 

            "Afraid that the little bad wolf may get you?" Syaoran teased.

            "Well, yes.  You actually got me shaking with fear now." She replied with obvious sarcasm.

            Just as he was about to make another remark, his cellphone rang loudly across the entire office that they both jumped in surprise.

            Immediately, he stood up to walk a few distance away from her before answering his phone.  Sakura returned to typing but she couldn't help but overhear Syaoran's conversation.

            "I'll be there…Late…for you…see you…Bye."

            When Syaoran returned back to his seat, he found Sakura engrossed with her work once more.  He decided not to speak to her anymore for every time he open his mouth to talk, they would always get into a lengthy argument.  And now is definitely not the time for that.  He is already running late with his meeting, after all.

            Five minutes of silence in which, the only sound that the keyboard made could be heard, drone on.  Sakura was glad to find out that only three more papers are left for her to type just as Syaoran was glad to see two remaining papers to be finished.

            Sakura decided to stand up and go to the restroom to check herself up.  At least, she could immediately go out of the building as soon as she finished her work without having to pass by the restroom later.

            "I'll just go the ladies' room." She said to Syaoran's back.

            A few minutes after Sakura finished preparing herself in the restroom, just before she returned back to their cubicle, the lights went off the whole building, surrounding them in pure blackness.  Instinctively, she shrieked at that fact, for she was afraid to be out there all alone, in a dark place, hoping she wouldn't see a ghost.

            Syaoran, who was just finished typing up his papers when the blackout happened, heard her scream.  Instinct told him to go up and see if Sakura is okay.  But because he couldn't see a thing, walking towards the restroom without hurting his self became an impossible task to do.

            "Kinomoto? Where are you?" His voice echoed across the room.  His shin bumped into something hard and he couldn't help but yell in pain.

            "Yeow! That hurts." He continued walking across the room, his hands stretched out infront of him, touching anything that he might've come across.

            Syaoran was still stumbling across the room blindly when he bumped into something soft.  He almost jumped an inch when it screamed.

            "Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!"

            "Hey, Kinomoto! Shut up! It's me! Syaoran!" He took hold of her gently and was surprised to feel her actually trembling inside. "Hey, calm down!"

            "Li!" Sakura said with relief when she heard him speak.  She is already practically afraid and paranoid about the whole blackout thing.

            "Come on, let's get out of here." Syaoran said calmly, gently guiding her towards the exit. 

As the two of them walked carefully towards the door, their eyes already adjusted to the blackness, both of them wondered in their minds what exactly caused the power cut-off.  Syaoran hurriedly twisted the knob of the front door so they could get themselves out but was surprised to discover that it wouldn't open.

"What the--?" He blurted out after a few tries.

Sakura blinked curiously. "What happened?"

"The door wouldn't open."

"Let me try it."

Syaoran step aside and Sakura tried to open the door but just like Syaoran, she was surprised that it didn't open.  She tried again and yanked it but nothing happen.  By the fifth time, she gave up.

"Don't tell me…" Her voice muffled in horror.

"We've been locked inside." He finished off grimly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~OoOOOoOoOoOoOoOoOooO~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

            "Who's the stupid dimwit that locked us inside?!?" Syaoran snarled, pacing back and forth in the room, dimly lit from the moon's light coming from the window, in apparent irritation.  He is definitely fuming now.

            Sakura, who's been sitting at the couch in the corner of the spacious room, glanced up at him even though she couldn't see his face clearly.

            "Maybe that person didn't know he locked us in or whatever." She replied, although she knew it is a stupid idea.  If the maintenance person is the one responsible for it, she's sure that they should've check first if there are still some people left inside the room before locking it.

            "Are you kidding me?"

            "Hey, I was just trying to help you calm down, you know? I mean, you're so restless!"

            "I am just wondering how we were locked up inside."

            "Thinking about it won't solve the problem." Sakura sighed impatiently. "We need to do something about it, not mope and whine about it."

            If only Sakura could see Syaoran's face, she would know how he gave her dagger looks.

"What's your brilliant plan, then?"  He asked mockingly.

"Let's call the maintenance department to let us out here."

"Don't you remember that the only phones available are outside this room? The manager's room has a phone but it is locked." Syaoran replied. "You know that we don't have phones in our desks because we are not really the one who answers the call.  It's the HR Department who has phones in their employees' desks.  Well, of course, the secretaries have one to but that's beside the point."

"Of course I'm not talking about those phones, Li? What do you think I am? Stupid?" She snapped back. "Use your cellphone to call, of course!"  

            "That would've been a great idea Kinomoto, if only my battery is not low batt.  Before I could even make a call, the cell phone would probably turn off."

            "Are you kidding me?"

            "Do you honestly think I would joke at a time like this?"

            "What?!?" Sakura stood up and started pacing just like Syaoran earlier. "This can't be happening! I don't want to be here all night! I don't want to spend the night here with-with-someone like you!"

            "Don't be too conceited, Miss." Syaoran replied angrily. "As if I want to be stuck here with you either."

            Sakura heard the coldness in his voice and something about it made her stop from wailing.  She wondered why his presence makes her lose her cool just like that.  She never was the type of person to dislike somebody so much, lest say something bad about him or her.  But when it all comes down to Li Syaoran, she always loses her cool.

            Sakura slumped back miserably in the couch.  After a few seconds, Syaoran did the same; he sat in the couch at the opposite end, away from her.

            "I guess we really have no choice but to wait here."  He said softly, his voice sounding casual now, not as cold and angry earlier.

            "Yeah." She sighed. "It's going to be a complete bore."

            "You couldn't have said it better."

            An awkward silence followed and the two of them just stared outside the window, looking at the stars.  They were silently hoping for the lights to turn on at least; having been stuck in a room without the lights is really a bore.  It's a good thing that it's not too hot or stuffy inside for if that is the case, it would've been the worst.

            "Li…? I just remembered something…don't you have a date for tonight?" Sakura asked curiously.

            "Yeah, I do."

            "You stood her up."

            "I know.  We're supposed to meet by 8:00 but the last time I checked on the watch, it's already 8:05.  And we're stuck here for almost an hour now so basically it seems like I stood her up." Syaoran shut his eyes tight. "Not to mention the fact that I couldn't call her to tell her I'm stuck here."

            "Uh-huh."

            "How about you? Doesn't your relatives worry about you by now?"

            "I called up my brother earlier.  He's expecting me to be late."

            "Oh."

            Another deafening silence fell before them.  Sakura couldn't help groaning from such boredom.  Maybe it would be better if she'd end up sleeping out of boredom.  At least that would make the time fly by rather breezily than just staring into the dim room infront of her eyes.

            "You okay?" Syaoran asked when he heard her groan.

            "I'm fine. Just a bit tired."

            He snorted. "I never thought I'd get to see the grumpy Kinomoto with her defenses down this soon.  I mean, don't you think it's funny how we are actually having a decent conversation for once?"

            Sakura's lips lifted slightly in amusement. He was right about that.

            "It IS weird."
            Syaoran opened his eyes and sat up straight. He turned slightly to his right so he could see Sakura's figure on the other end.  Even though it is dark inside the room, he noticed Sakura's green eyes sparkling so vividly under the moonlight illuminating them.

            "Tell me, why do you love to tease me so much?" Sakura asked bluntly that it caught him by surprise.

            "Uh, well I don't know." He replied truthfully.  It is true.  He never knew why he just loved to tease her all of the time.

            "What do you mean you don't know?"

            "Maybe because you're the first girl who ever stood up her ground against me? I mean, you're the only one who called me a jerk, you know."

            "And you want me to believe that?"

            "Hey, you're into one of your fighting modes again or whatever." Syaoran smirked. "I am not saying anything bad."

            "Lying is bad."

            "Gee..I am not lying. How about you? You always look like you want to rip my head off whenever you see me."

            "Because you're the biggest jerk I've ever known." Sakura answered back.

            "See? There you go telling me I'm a jerk again."

            "Cause you are."

            "I am not."

            "You are."
            Syaoran threw his hands up in surrender.

            "We're hopeless.  Just when I'm starting to think we're actually civil towards each other, there we go arguing again."

            Sakura just huffed and kept silent. 

            "Are your eyes really that green?" Syaoran asked later.

            "What?"

            "I mean, are they real or something? Are they contacts or not."

            "Of course, it's real!" She rolled her eyes. "Why do you care?"

            "It's just that, they looked so vivid and colorful, they almost look unreal."

            "If you don't believe me, why don't you come here and take a look in my eyes." She snapped.

            Syaoran let out a snort but decided to move closer to her to take a good look at her eyes.  She's really funny when she gets all worked up.  He could almost see a vein popping out of her head because of irritation.

            He lifted her chin slightly to get a better look.  His breath was almost taken away by the warmth those emerald orbs bring to him.  He feels like those eyes, just by looking at him, could make him lost in a place unbeknownst to him.  For a fleeting moment an odd sense of peace came over him.

            Sakura, on the other hand, could feel her heart beating erratically.  His face is so close to her; she could almost feel his breath on her cheeks.  His eyes stared at her so intently, she felt as is he's looking right through her soul.  She felt his hands lifting her chin up and she closed her eyes instinctively when his face moved towards hers, just inches away from her lips…

            A sudden flash of light made them leap in surprise.  Sakura and Syaoran broke off each other in an instant and realized how dangerously close they are to each other.  Sakura stood up, her heart still beating in quick pulses, glad at the same time that the light finally went on.

            Both of them turned around in astonishment when the door opened.  Rina went in and was surprised to see the two of them still inside.

            "You guys are still here?" Rina asked in surprise.

            "We were locked in." Syaoran said casually, standing up from the couch his self.

            "But the door's perfectly okay.  It wasn't locked." Rina wondered out loud.

            Sakura and Syaoran exchanged curious glances.

            "That door needs to be fixed." As if on cue, Mr. Co of the maintenance department answered from behind the door. "It is already having problems yesterday and I am suppose to fix it tonight but the blackout occurred."

            "What happened with the power lines?"

            "Some power failure just occurred." Rina informed. "A glitch in the electrical system caused it to malfunction.  But everything is full functioning now."

            "That's good to hear." Syaoran smiled slightly.

            "Are you guys, okay here?" She asked with concern.

            "Perfectly fine." Sakura answered hastily.

            Syaoran nodded vigorously. "Absolutely."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~OoOOOoOoOoOoOoOoOooO~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

            Sakura decided to spend her weekday at one of the malls in the town.  She is currently browsing some titles of new books over the shelves at the local bookstore, hoping to find something interesting to read.

            "Lost Paradise…Moment In Time…Signs you're over Him…Love and Hate relationship…Does he like Me?…" She paused when she read the title of the last book. 

            Weird, but Syaoran popped into her mind just like that.  She dropped the book like it's some sort of hot potato and frown in distaste.  Why is she bothering to think about that jerk, anyway? Not that she cared!
            Well, maybe she's just not used to him not teasing her too often now.  For the past two days, ever since that locked in incident with him, Syaoran became different towards her.  He doesn't call her names anymore or even tease her anymore.  Most of the time, he only talked to her if he needs to ask some stuff regarding the work.  Other than that, he wouldn't speak to her anymore.  It was so weird that she was even uncomfortable with the whole not teasing thing.  But oh well, this is what she wanted right?  At least, he's not making her life miserable already, isn't he?

With one discontented sigh, she left the bookstore without any book along with her.  She didn't find anything interesting at all. For a fleeting moment, she wished Tomoyo was here with her.  They could go on and on the mall for hours just by looking over some stuffs. 

Sakura walked past the boutiques and after ten minutes, she decided to go home already.  She didn't find even a nice piece of dress to buy.  She felt like she's not in the mood for shopping, anyway.

As she is walking towards the exit of the mall, she noticed someone sickeningly familiar, his hands holding gently a gorgeous woman in her elbows.  She felt a pang in her heart and felt worse when she saw the girl kiss him on his lips gently and quickly before saying her goodbye.  Even if she can't see his face, she knows how he must be smiling at his girl.

She was about to walk away but her feet remain planted on the floor, realizing why she even bothered looking at them.  The guy turned around and that's when their eyes met.  Amber eyes caught sight of her emerald ones.

She smiled bitterly to acknowledge him, ignoring that annoying twinge in her heart.

Two is to one.

She's definitely losing right now to him and her heart knows it.

~~~~~~~

kotsch

A/N: Thank you for reading this chap. I hope you like it and once again, onegai for waiting for this fic for moths now! I'm glad you still stayed with me through this chappy! You guys are the best!

            If you guys have the time, please check out my message board at http://kotsch.proboards2.com . It's still really new and I'm hoping to get some few members to help me expand the site.  I'd appreciate it a lot. ^___^