Happy Birthday to Me?
AN: I do not own Card Captor Sakura
Dedicated to my Grandfather
Leon Smeets
1932.01.07 – 2005.03.08
Chapter 3
Syaoran's P.O.V.
Three days on and I found myself back in my own bathroom glancing at my reflection as I brushed my teeth. Everything was back to normal for me. Back to my daily routine and back to work. I opened the bathroom cabinet and frowned at the unknown possessions. Okay, so maybe thing weren't that normal anymore.
I glanced at the door before turning my attention back to the girl's stuff. Toothbrush, toothpaste, extra blades for her razor… A Venus, hu. I glanced at the bath and on its side was a blue razor next to vanilla scented body wash and mint scented shampoo and conditioner. I grinned, the secret to her intoxicating sent is revealed.
Face wash and a sponge, nothing else. Only the essentials were here, nothing more and nothing less. None of her girly stuff cluttering my cabinet, none of her creams or scrubs or scented candles littered through my bathroom, only what she needed. I frowned. Either she feels uncomfortable with sharing a bathroom with me or she likes to keep to herself in all aspects of her life.
She hardly said a word on the plane or when we first got here. I told her that she could make herself at home, seeing as this was going to be her home from now on. She simply thanked me and took her stuff to her room and unpacked some of it, but not everything. She was still uncomfortable with this entire situation, very uncomfortable.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror. The white shaving cream followed the curve of my jaw and under my nose as I slowly pulled the razor over my skin. The same old ritual every morning, since I was sixteen.
The bathroom door suddenly burst open and the girl stood there blinking at me. Confused she shook her head a little. "I'm nearly finished." I turned my attention back to my reflection and shaving. I saw her shrugging in the corner of my eye before she came in and sat herself down on the edge of the bath. She yawned and I stifled one, trying not to cut myself with the razor sharp edge.
I could feel her eyes watching me. Ignoring her I washed off the last of the shaving cream and put my shaving lotion on before turning my attention to her. "Anything wrong?"
"A habit." I lifted a questioning brow at her. Since when did staring at a guy when he shaves become a habit? "I used to watch my dad and brother in the mornings. Still do sometimes."
"As long it's only them and me, I'm happy." I grinned at her and she pulled a face at me.
"Don't go flattering yourself. I never said you looked good or anything." My grin grew and I closed the gap between us. I could see she was nervous, trying to keep her eyes focused on my face or any place else above my shoulders. She was wearing that tight night top again and from my high point of view it was a hundred percent in my favour.
The colour rose to her cheeks and she got up, trying to get herself in level with the top rather than the lower part of my body. She soon realised the mistake she made. I leaned against the wall, trapping her between my arms. Oh, yes. She was still very uncomfortable with this situation. "But you thought it."
My hand trailed down to her chest and I lifted the two silver chains around her neck. The one I gave her mother and another one she got for her birthday. A white gold wolf grinned up at me from between my fingers and a sliver coin made into a necklace felt light in contrast to the way it looked. I let it drop back to her chest and she put her hand over it.
"Don't put words in my mouth."
"I'm not. I'm just pulling them out of your mind."
"Oh really?" She looked me up and down, her eyes moving a little faster over my towel and back up to my face again. "I've seen better."
"Maybe, but you'll never have any better."
"You are rather full of yourself. Now if you do not mind, I would like to shower. In private." She stretched the last words perfectly. The meaning was as clear as daylight to any guy and I did not want to press my luck. So with a last glimpse of her flushed face I left the room pulling the door shut behind me.
Sakura's P.O.V.
I'll never have any better…
The nerve of that man!
I climbed off the train, avoiding the hustling and bustling around me as I pushed through to the exit of the train station and walked up the stairs. I blinked at the sudden sharp light when I stepped out of the building and walked in the direction I needed to head in… I think.
I mean who does he think he is? Presuming that he is the best I'll ever have! Honestly. He won't even know if I ever had any or how it was. For all her knows I've had the best in the world! Yeah right. That is a total lie. I couldn't even manage to keep a boyfriend, never mind get 'any'.
I glanced at the paper and map in my hands. Mrs Li's address and a source to help me through this humongous city. I looked at the course I had mapped out for myself to follow back at the apartment and nodded in confirmation when I came to the intersection I needed to cross.
But still! Who does he think he is? Who gave him the right to look at me like that? Like, like he wanted me… I shivered in response and blinked at the buildings around me. All of them were large and grand with intriguing designs of different kinds and large beautiful gardens.
I sighed. It was clear that I was on the edge of the city and in riching-ton-ville or what ever. All I know is that the people living here are loaded.
I swallowed when I came to the desired address. This is where Li grew up? This place was huge! Enormous to say the least!
Nervous I pressed the intercom button and noticed the video camera moving down to me. Okay… "Good day, how may I help you miss?"
"Is this the Li residence?"
"Yes, it is miss."
"Sakura Kinomoto, I'm here to see Mrs Li."
I was fuming! The morning started bad, but now it was worse. Mrs Li kept on hinting about my clothes, my hair, my lack of make up, my ring-less finger, about pink every where at my wedding and about my sneakers! And to top it all off, the clear bright day has changed with my mood and I was soaked to the bone.
I grumbled as I pushed through the crowds of people with umbrellas and turned into a slightly more quite street. I dug my hands deeper into my pockets for warmth I didn't get and continued to walk on. A car came racing past and splashed me with more water.
I clenched my teeth.
Then my temper took a hold of me.
"ASSHOLE! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!" I hollered after the car and the driver gave me a sarcastic wave. I gritted my teeth. If I ever meet that woman ever again her face will get smashed in and really bad.
The receptionist at Li Corporations looked me up and down and I glared at her. Dare say one word, just one word… I hissed in my mind as I looked at the perfectly manicured and pampered brat. "I would like to see Mr Li please."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No."
"I'm sorry Miss, but no one is… Hey! Where are you going?" I ignored her as I marched my way to the elevators. He was the head of this place right, so his office will probably be on the top floor. I pushed the button and semi-patiently waited for the elevator. "I'll call security if you don't leave right now."
"You just try it girly!" I snapped back at her and glared at the girl before me. She took a step back, clearly distressed. "You just call one guard, just one…" The doors opened and I stepped inside before she could stop me.
I've been in this damned city for four days and I was already peeped beyond compare. Actually, I can't remember the last time I was this ticked off. I think at high school when that guy cheated on Tomoyo. His nose was never the same after that. The doors opened to the top floor and I started to make my way through the hallways in search of Li's office.
I grabbed the collar of a boy walking past me with his hands filled with papers. "Where is Li's office?" His eyes grew big and I sighed. "Could you tell me where Mr Li's office is please?"
"Down there. Second corridor, last door."
"Thank you." I let go of the boy and marched my way down the corridor ignoring all the strange and interested stares I received. I paused when I saw a familiar back and Li looking frustrated. His temper also seemed to be at the edge, but mine was already over.
"I do not know where you got that silly notion into your head. I have never been romantically linked with you in anyway and I will not start now. I have someone."
Oh yeah, that is so specific.
"But Xiao-lang honey… we are meant to be together."
Meant to be together my ass. I tapped the woman's shoulder and my fist landed hard in her face when she turned. "Fuck off bitch!" I hollered at the woman and she glared at me from the ground.
"Who the hell are you?"
"The woman you splashed in the street! Now get lost, I need to speak to Li and he doesn't want to speak to you!" I turned back to Li. His face was in a state of shock when he turned his gaze from the whimpering woman to me. "You tell your mother that I will not have ANYTHING pink at my wedding! Nor will I put extensions in my hair, wear any access make up, change my clothes or throw away my sneakers! If she wanted the perfect little daughter-in-law she should have arranged a Barbie doll!"
"You broke my nose."
"SHUT UP! I'm not talking to you!" I hollered at the woman once more. "Get back into your prissy little Benz and get lost lady! Before I break more than just your nose!"
"Sakura, calm down will you."
"This is as calm as it's going to get! And also tell your mother that I will find my ring at my own damn time like you and I discussed!"
"Xiao-lang, what is she talking about?"
"Stop calling him by his first name!" My attention was back to the woman. "And stop meddling into my conversation!" I glared up at the woman. Her blond hair, blue eyes, red lips and too short skirt screamed slut all the way to Timbuktu.
"Oh, and what's a little girl going to do?"
"Little girl my ass!" I picked up her purse and jacket along with her and dragged her down the hallway to the elevator. "Here, let me help you." I chucked her stuff into the metal box before shoving her in. "Come near my fiancé ever again and I'll make sure that pretty little face of yours is beyond reconstructive surgery." I slammed my fist on the button and the doors closed shut.
Damn that felt good!
I haven't lost my temper like that in the longest time and it felt amazing to have every ounce of hate burning in my veins, escaping my blood. I slowly felt myself calm and marched back up the hallway with a satisfied grin playing on my lips. I ignored the stares of amazement following me.
Li still stood there. I suppose he was a bit surprised about my temper. I took a deep breath and smiled up at him. "So if you would be so kind as to tell your mother that I would appreciated it if she'd stop meddling in my affairs and that I only need her help with the planning. It is after all me that should be happy."
Syaoran's P.O.V.
She was scary.
I watched her drag the slut down the hallway along with her belongings. Water was still dripping from the girl's hair and jacket and everything clung to her body showing off her curves perfectly. She chucked Lucinda's things into the elevator before pushing her into it. She said something to the woman clutching her nose before slamming her fist on the button.
This was amazing. I couldn't believe my own eyes. How could this calm and quite girl be so angry and aggressive in one split second?
Note to self: Never get Sakura angry.
Never!
Her shoulders visibly relaxed and she walked back to me with a satisfied grin playing on her lips. Oh lord, she looked so damn sexy like that. I couldn't take my eyes off her. Her hair clung to her face and neck, her T-shirt showed off every small rounding of her chest, her wet jeans hung on her hips and those sneakers sloshed slightly with every damn step. She was wet, she was angry and strangely satisfied and she was so damn sexy.
She took a deep breath and smiled up at me. "So if you would be so kind as to tell your mother that I would appreciated it if she'd stop meddling in my affairs and that I only need her help with the planning. It is after all me that should be happy."
I lifted a brow at her calm voice. She was back to normal, the quite and calm Sakura who keeps to herself and only speaks when spoken to or when she has something important to say. I leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear. "Are you happy now?"
"Yes. For the time being."
"Remind me never to get you mad." She smiled at me and nodded. I think all the adrenaline was slowly loosing its effect on her. She shivered slightly and her normally pink lips were a slight shade of blue. "Come on, I'll take you home." She nodded at me. I got my stuff and lead her down the hallway.
"Sorry about your carpet."
"Don't worry, staff will take care of it."
"Okay. Could we stop by the super market on our way home? You have absolutely nothing in your fridge."
My fingers ran through the soft layered locks around the girl's face and I watched her peacefully sleeping on me. Her small hand clutched my shirt and her body was pressed against mine for extra warmth. She had fallen asleep after dinner and I did not have the heart to wake her. So I pulled her up half onto me and lay with her on the couch and listened to the rain beating against my windows.
Her lips were slightly parted and I could feel her warm breath playing on my skin, my fingers forever combing themselves through her soft hair. It was still early in the evening and I wasn't tired. My content for the evening was having the girl so close to me and the aroma of her delicious food still hanging in the apartment.
We had gone to the supper market and basically filled my fridge to the brim. I don't think it has ever seen so much food and after the wonderful meal she had prepared for us I realised just how empty my life has been for the past five years.
I moved into this place when I was twenty and five years on it still looked the same, until now. Now I could see slight differences here and there. The kitchen was used and instead of take away bags and containers cluttering my counter there stood a pot with some left over pasta.
Mugs and empty glasses of wine were on the coffee table along with a large bowl filled with the chocolate covered toffees the girl so loves and the wrappers all lay on a heap next to the couch. Her jersey from yesterday and her now dry jacket from this morning were carelessly tossed over my favourite chair and the strange thing was, I didn't care.
It all felt so right. Despite the fact that I would have some washing up to, and more cleaning and higher food bills and that my apartment was slowly being taken over, I felt content – happy.
I looked down at the girl. My over sized jersey was slipping off her shoulder and I slipped it back up. She curled closer to me, slightly moaning in her sleep. I pulled a blanket over us and closed my own eyes. I was in no mood to get up myself and to try and wake the girl now would only be madness.
She moved in her sleep once more, pulling herself closer to me and our legs intertwined. Her bare feet brushed against mine and I could feel the warm sensation of wanting her run up through my veins, through my body. I opened my eyes to look at the girl and found her face obscured from my view. I smiled and pulled my fingers through her hair once more. Soft, wild and smelling fresh like mint…
Sleep slowly overtook me and I glanced down at the sleeping girl once more. I've known her for a week and already my life was turned upside down and I wouldn't have it any other way.
AN: Hey! This chapter is a bit shorter than the previous two, but a lot happened. I mean, it's not everyday you see Sakura throwing a woman into an elevator. I suppose this is about the most action you are going to get in this fic.
This is an arranged marriage fic, but I want to keep it incident free. No jealous ex-lovers, no stalkers, no run away bride or groom or wedding cakes or missing bridesmaids or best men. It's just a normal story about two people forced to live together and who finally fall in love with each other. You have to admit, you don't get too many of those on
But I promise to do my best with the romantic moments and to keep you sighing and swooning and wishing for more.
Thank you for the great reviews!
Tella