DISCLAIMER: I don't own CCs and never will I. Sad, but true.
Clear Skies
by: kotsch
Summary: Sakura: The succesful businesswoman. Syaoran: The devoted environmentalist. Two people w/ different principles and ideals. But if love will intercede between them, can they put their differences aside?
Chapter Six
There are still a lot of things she doesn't know about her enemy.
The idea of it keeps haunting Sakura's mind as she stares blankly at the high ceiling of her room, looming above her head. Sleep seems to have forgotten to visit her this night. It's already past midnight but Sakura is still widely awake.
Was she that shocked to discover the fact that she ate earlier in one of the restaurants that Syaoran owns?
Syaoran's persona as an environmentalist was given more publicity than his other careers. Other aspect of his life, such as being a restaurateur, just blended nicely in the background.
But even though Sakura wouldn't admit it, she knew that Syaoran was really good at conceptualizing his ideas.
That guy certainly has grasp on business.
And because of that idea, she found herself getting more and more curious on how her enemy administers and maintains his mango orchard business. She already spent a few weeks in Hongkong and yet, she didn't even catch a glimpse of Syaoran's farm.
Now, why would I be interested on anything with regards to that guy? Sakura thought with a frown. She knew that she shouldn't waste any of her precious time by just thinking about him.
However, isn't it that one should get to know that person you hated the most? Know thy enemy, that's what people say.
How could one plot a strategy to fight back if they were ignorant about their enemy's true identity?
If she only knew beforehand that Syaoran was a restaurateur and that he owns Fusion, she would never even dare take a single step on that place.
She could've avoided looking like a fool earlier.
Sakura was very much decided to take a look around his mango orchard. Was it well tended, as what it should be, considering that it was a property of a well-known environmentalist? Did Syaoran use natural or harmful fertilizers on the soil?
Well, if she discovered that Syaoran Li is no different from those fruit-growers who didn't give consideration whether the soil was poisoned by using chemical fertilizers just so that they could harvest larger fruits, then she could feed something to the media that could bring his reputation into ruins.
Sakura couldn't help smiling at that sudden idea.
The first thing she'll do when she get back in Hongkong is to pay a visit to his mango farm.
Timing is perfect. I presume that since Syaoran is still busy with his restaurant here in Tokyo, I could execute my plan perfectly.
All that's left for her to do is to find a way to enter his property without being noticed by anybody.
Fujitaka Kinomoto was even surprised when Sakura went up to him the next day, telling him that she will go back to Hongkong at once.
"Don't you think it's still a bit early? You didn't even get to enjoy your vacation! You really shouldn't return to that tensed place, dear."
Sakura shook her head gently.
"But dad, my enemy is still here. Didn't I tell you that Tomoyo and I even ate at his restaurant? If I will not get away from this place, who knows when and where will our paths crossed once again? The peace and quiet I'm looking for is in Hongkong, as long as Syaoran Li is here in Tokyo."
"Okay, okay. It's your decision anyway…" Fujitaka smiled. "Just don't forget what I've always been reminding you, huh? Fight but…be careful."
She kissed her father's cheek briefly. "Don't worry, dad. Carefulness is my virtue."
When Sakura went back to Hongkong, she even bought some stuffs for the elderly couple. Grace was very much happy about the gifts but Simoun obviously was just putting a front, trying his best to look happy.
She just tried to understand him. She didn't even try to ask about his hobby because she really doesn't want him to get even more lonely.
In due time, she feels that Simoun will find another partner to replace Syaoran.
After resting for a while, Sakura immediately changed her clothes into rugged jeans and sleeveless blouse. She opted to choose that attire when she finally decided to stop by at the mango orchard, which by the way, is her real reason for coming back in Hongkong.
She used her car to get to that place. But she first paid a visit to the local tourism office to ask for some travel guide in Hongkong. And she was right to assume that Syaoran Li's mango orchard is included in the tourist guide. It will save her travel time because there is a map included in the brochure for faster travel.
She really couldn't help thinking how the locals even made his stupid farm prominent by putting it in the brochure.
While Sakura is driving to the farm, she immediately felt the sense of excitement that this adventure gave to her body. She found the whole thing amusing, just thinking about how that jerk doesn't have any idea of her snooping around his property.
When she reached the entrance to his farm, she couldn't help noticing how impressive the construction of its gate was. And that just speaks only for the gate, not considering what's inside. The gate is made of a combination of different old woods and modern steel. The design certainly looks intriguing. Even if it is obviously made of second hand lumber, the creator was successful in retaining its artistic design while at the same time being practical with the materials.
Sakura took a deep breath and checked her reflection at the mirror. She made sure to wear her sunglasses and changed the hairstyle of her hair so that nobody will notice her.
As soon as she pressed the button to indicate her presence at the gate, a security guard in uniform casually peek from the gate.
"Yes, ma'm? Can I do anything for you?"
"Um, I'm a prospective buyer of mangoes. I just want to see your products so that I could assess it if it's really export quality. If your goods will satisfy my standards, I might buy them all." She answered confidently.
And because the guard noticed how classy, dignified and elegant she sound, despite the fact that she wear rugged attire today, he believed in her and told her that she could enter the place.
As she drives the car slowly inside, the first thing that she noticed is the administration office of the mango orchard. It's really not too big but the design and the materials used are the same as that used in the gate she saw earlier. A lot of people are busy coming in and out of the office, all hurrying to do their job.
As soon as her car traveled about one hundred meters from the gate, that's when she really appreciated what she saw. In fact, to say that she appreciated it would even be an understatement. She really marveled at the whole place.
The trees were all bursting with fruits which were ready to be harvest. All trees were about the same in height, and their distance from each other is carefully measured and uniformed all throughout the farm.
The whole mango orchard is very much well-kept and maintained that it almost look like a private park to her. She casually noticed that there are garbage cans situated in the aisle of mango trees.
When Sakura reached the center of the aisle that was lined up with trees, she decided to get out of her car at once. She even met a green-colored truck, driving passed her way. She was even aware that the truck was already empty.
Hmmm…maybe it's already finished with unloading its goods in the warehouse. Wait a minute—maybe the 'goods' it was supposed to carry are those which are chemical fertilizers! Sakura mused, her brain suddenly filled with ideas.
She is determined to get to that warehouse which was probably stacked with loads of chemical fertilizers. If she saw the evidence with her own two eyes, then her accusations could become a proof that Syaoran Li was nothing but a phony environmentalist, who was so concern over their town's environment.
But before she could even go to the warehouse, she suddenly found herself tempted to rest under the mango trees. As she looked up innocently at the trees, she couldn't help noticing once more how it is bearing with so much fruit. The whole tree seems to burst with its contents. Certainly, the goods produced by it were all export quality.
Sakura noticed how the afternoon's light is slowly fading away. And because the whole farm is lined up with several aisles of mango trees, in just a few minutes, the sky suddenly seem darker in an instant. She couldn't help thinking that maybe it's because of the wide branches of the trees, filled with its leaves, sheltering the light from the sky. But Sakura wouldn't have it any other way. For her, the darker, the better. At least she don't have to worry so much that she will caught attention from somebody. She could prowl around the farm breezily while she finds the warehouse.
Sakura felt a soft breeze around her. She couldn't help shivering a little. Both from the mixture of cold and a little nervousness.
She was perfectly aware of what she is doing. Trespassing. But there's no time to back out now. What has to be done should be done. She will have to worry later.
And because she was so busy with her thoughts, she didn't even notice the very familiar pick-up creeping up a few meters away from her.
"Are you planning to buy all of our mangoes, Miss--?" A very sarcastic voice asked from behind her back.
Sakura turned around slowly, the color on her cheeks draining, wondering how in the world did he suddenly appeared from behind, just like a ghost that manifested out of thin air.
A ruggedly handsome Syaoran was looking back at her, both arms crossed carelessly.
"Well? You've successfully fooled our guards. Maybe they found you gorgeous that's why they never even consider the fact that no wholesaler in her right mind will check out our goods at this time of the day. How could you inspect the mangoes perfectly if you can't even see the sun shining above it? Quite simple, right?" He mocked.
"Fine! You're right! I lied so I could enter your farm!" She replied defensively.
"What's the reason for your sudden interest on my mangoes? I thought you don't want our paths to cross once more. That was what you felt when we saw each other back in Tokyo, right? For your information, that's what I've also been thinking. I thought you're still back in Tokyo that's why I hurriedly pack my stuffs and flew here. And now, you even managed to arrive earlier than me at my own farm? You're up to something, Miss Kinomoto. What is it?"
Sakura defiantly stared at him.
"I want to see your warehouse stocked with chemical fertilizers. I'm going to capture it in photograph so I could feed to the media your phony acts. You will certainly be hated for what you've been doing all this time. Imagine, you are so busy advocating for the safety of Mother Nature and yet, it turned out that you're its number one offender?"
Syaoran just smirked at her ideas. "If you ever saw just a single sack of chemical fertilizer, I swear to heaven, I'm going to close this whole mango orchard."
"Considering that we are here, standing outside, of course I won't see even a drop of your chemical fertilizers! But I'm pretty sure you have loads of them in your warehouses." She pointed out. "Safely hidden away from anyone's view."
His amber eyes narrowed into tiny slits.
"I have nothing to hide. If you want, I'll even accompany you to our warehouses. We have three fairly large warehouses built here."
"I-Im just going to look around myself…"
"No! I'll go with you! Even up to the administration office if you want! I'll even tour you around the whole farm so that you could see for yourself that we have no secret warehouses in this place. Huh! It will be even good for you to see so that you could embarrass yourself more. But you have to make sure that you will cover your nose. It's because the main ingredient of our fertilizers is animal manure (A/n: yes, they could be use as fertilizers.), and it smells nasty, I tell you."
Sakura gulped.
She could see that Syaoran have nothing to hide. In fact, the jerk didn't even seem the least bit guilty. Was it because, he's really innocent?
Syaoran gently grabbed her wrist, determined not to let go of her, as they walk towards his pick-up.
He drove his automobile around the place, making sure to stop by at all his three warehouses.
And Sakura didn't see even one sack of chemical fertilizer in all the warehouses.
When they traveled the whole mango orchard, she didn't even see any buildings around. Except for the administration office.
He decided to take her lastly in this place. And because it's already past the working hour of the employees, no other person besides them could be seen around.
"Look around, check every single corner of this building just like what you did to all the warehouses earlier. Make sure that there is no chemical fertilizers hidden here." Syaoran said smugly.
Of course, she did look around even if he didn't tell her to do so.
And just like in the warehouses, she saw nothing in the administration office.
When she returned in the lobby of the office, she was surprised to discover that Syaoran was gone.
However, the main door still remains closed.
She suddenly felt nervous. To her left, at the far end, she noticed a door slightly opened. She saw a faint light coming from inside the same room.
After she made sure that the main door office of the administration office is securely locked, she has no choice but to go to that room.
She wasn't even close to the room when a soft music caught her ears, stopping her dead on her tracks.
Sentimental piano pieces.
Sakura hesitantly peered at the door. To her surprise, she discovered that it was a private room and not an office. When she looked around, she saw a mina bar, a sofa-bed, a mini-library and a music nook.
"Why don't you come in?"
She almost jumped in surprise, hearing the familiar voice. She just didn't notice a small door behind the mini bar. She briefly thought that maybe it's the restroom and that Syaoran came from there.
Sakura watched in irritation while Syaoran poured a wine in his glass arrogantly.
"I'm going home now, Syaoran. Simoun and Grace are already waiting for me. Who knows if they already called my dad and told him I'm still not home? They could be really nervous now, you know."
She continued to stand awkwardly at the edge of the door, not wanting to go inside further.
"Let's have a drink first." He said briskly, even lifting the glass he's holding, as if to invite her.
"Look, I'm already embarrassed, okay?" Sakura gritted her teeth. "I didn't see even a single drop of chemical fertilizer! Open the door so I could go home now!"
"But we're not yet finished…" Syaoran smiled at her meaningfully.
"Why, you rude--?"
He couldn't help laughing loudly seeing her reaction.
"What? Your mind is so imaginative!"
"I never thought of anything! And what do you meant by saying 'we're not yet finished'?" Sakura demanded.
"We're not finished yet because we still have to visit one last place. And that is the building where we produce our own natural fertilizer. Which smells really bad by the way."
She couldn't help but feel more embarrassed as each minute passed by. She felt being played by him, as he watched her amusingly in her discomfort. Syaoran Li must've been really enjoying this, seeing her suffer.
"I don't need to see it. I believed in you already. I just want to go home. NOW."
"Join me in here first." Syaoran replied firmly.
And because she's already too fed up to argue anymore, she decided to accept his invitation. She just wanted to go home and rest, as soon as she can, that's why even though she didn't like it, she have no choice but to join Syaoran in his little party.
Sakura grudgingly accepted the expensive wine, sipping it gently. She must admit that the wine tasted exquisitely good.
"That's a very fine wine. One of the best in the world." Syaoran told her, as if reading her thoughts.
And because the wine tasted really good, Sakura found herself drinking another glass. Then another.
She's only a social drinker and she's used to only a few small shots of wine.
In about an hour, Sakura Kinomoto could feel the effects of alcohol on her.
She's already a bit tipsy.
…
kotsch
A/N: Authors love reviews! So, suggestions and reviews are very much welcome. As well as constructive criticisms too.