Happy Birthday to Me?
AN: I do not own Card Captor Sakura
Chapter 10
Syaoran's P.O.V.
I smiled at the girl as she animatedly chatted away about the movie that we had seen not more than an hour ago. She was vividly comparing the novel on which the movie was based with the film itself, stopping here and there to take a sip of her wine. Her laughter was rich and colourful when she remembered the funny parts of the film and her eyes twinkled with excitement when she talked about the book.
In the corner of my eyes I could see men staring at her in bewilderment and enchantment and women smiling at her open and spontaneous laughter. An elderly lady would look at our table every time the girl giggled at something, and smile at the young beauty before me who stayed oblivious to all the attention she was receiving.
I marvelled at the inner spontaneity of the girl slowly unfolding before me petal for petal. Like a young cherry blossom greeting the soft breeze and the warm gentle sun of spring. She is vivid, animated and alive with life! This was another side to the girl I did not know, a side I would love to know more of. Happy, filled with joy and open to the wonders of the world no matter how small or insignificant they may seem.
The candle flickered in the breeze, lighting her eyes in a passionate dance of love and life. The yellow light stroked her skin, gently, tenderly, almost afraid of doing her injustice, almost afraid of spoiling the pure heart held within her.
Ironic… When viewed at face value she is but a girl, timid and shy with a love for books. When viewed closer one becomes aware of her temper, a formidable force in its own right, her passion for what she loves and her hatred for what she does not, her ideas that she carved in stone and left to be read by those who dare to trespass into her territory…
I am trespassing. Slowly but surely I am moving onto her grounds one foot at a time. And as I move closer to the prize awaiting for my taking in the middle of this fast space I also seem to be falling more and more into her trap. Whether it is intentional, or unintentional from the girl's part, I do not know. Frankly, I do not care. I am a willing captive of her enchantment.
Candle light, moonlight, sunlight, artificial light, daylight… In all the light of the world I find her to bathe in, she remains perfect. A tangible illusion slowly twining its way into my world - cautious, daring, exciting, dangerous… That is the nature of the illusion, of the girl, making a place for herself within my heart and home. It is an illusion I never want to wake from.
"Thank you." I looked down at the girl. Her eyes were set on the road before us as we walked down the night shadowed sidewalk and a small smile was still playing on her lips.
"For what?"
"Tonight. I enjoyed it."
"I'm glad." Her smile lit up before it faltered slightly. She was thinking of something. She is always thinking of something. Her mind is a factory of thoughts working twenty four hours a day, seven days a week and three-hundred-and-sixty-five days a year. An intellectual hidden away behind a pretty face, bright eyes and a beautiful smile. "A penny for your thoughts."
"Nothing important."
"I would still like to know if you are willing to share."
"I never had someone to share with." She smiled brightly at me before looking at the road again. "It's usually only been me and sometimes Tomoyo, but she knows me inside out. It's something to get used to… This having someone new to share something with. A penny for your thoughts, what an odd thing to say."
"I suppose, if you think about it too much."
"What is that suppose to mean?"
"Exactly what I said."
"I think too much. How very middle age of you Li. So are women not allowed to think about silly phrases and other things that they come across during their daily activities?"
"No, they are. It is just that you, my love, think too much about everything. It is not a bad thing, but it is not always a good thing. You need to let go some times. The world does not need to stop and wonder about a phrase used in the most casual of ways in most parts of the world. Even though it is very American."
"Yes, it is very American, isn't it?"
"So, what were you thinking about?"
"Where I would have been if I did not meet you. What I would have done if we weren't forced into this situation. Not that I mind it now, but it's something I've always wondered about. What if? What if I didn't meet Tomoyo, what if my mother didn't die, what if…? It's silly really. You cannot change the past, nor can you predict the future. I still wonder though, mostly about my mother."
"You miss her."
Sakura's P.O.V.
Do I miss her? I have never thought about it, but now that he has said that… No. I do not miss her, I miss the idea of having a mother to care for you and to share all the details a girl is suppose to know with you. Mrs Daidouji doubled as my mother figure when it came to things like that, and although I am forever grateful I still wish it was my own mother instead.
"No, you cannot miss someone you do not remember. It is mostly out of respect that I visited her grave and did the whole ritual thing with my brother and father. I do wish I knew her, that I could remember her. Even just a little bit."
"I suppose that is true. I miss my father sometimes. Mostly now, when I look at you." I frowned up at him and he gave me a warm smile saying he will explain all. "He would have liked you and I know he would have loved to meet you. He usually gave me this little speech whenever something important happened in my life, and now I will miss the speech I have been looking forward too the most."
"Which one is that?"
"The one about love, about caring for your children and wife. Who knows, he was a sly devil when he wanted to be. There still might be a speech for me in store in some other form I did not expect it to be in."
"When did your dad…"
"When I was twenty. He had a heart attack. The doctors did everything they could, but in the end his body just wasn't strong enough. His little habits had caught up with him."
"Oh…" What is one suppose to say in situation like this. It is just like when Tomoyo's dad left her mom. She wanted comfort and all I could do was hold her. I did not know what to say, what to do… All I could do was hold her until she cried it all out. Then I would call Mrs Daidouji and tell her that Tomoyo is okay and that she is sleeping over. It is difficult. You want to bring comfort, but you can't do it with words.
"Don't worry about it." He squeezed my hand gently. "My father had a good life and I was part of it, that is all that is important."
"Okay."
"I have a surprise for you."
"What? Why?"
"Because…"
"I don't need anything more, really. You already give so much and I have no way of repaying you."
"I don't need you to repay me. I want to spoil you, seeing as you refuse to use the credit card that I gave to you."
"I have my own money."
"And so do I, I am not going to miss a couple of thousand once in a while. I want you to spoil yourself. Use the damn thing, even if it is just to pay for your bus or train fare, something else you insist on when I could easily buy you a car."
"Don't rub the fact that you have money in my face."
"I'm not rubbing it in you face Sakura. I am making it available to you. I am giving it too you to share with me or do what ever you like with it. I know you have worked hard for your money and so have I for mine. It is really not going to kill me if you buy yourself something special once in a while or even every week."
"I don't want your money. It doesn't feel right, okay. I can't take someone's money, no matter how much he or she has of it. It's not right."
"Fine, I'll transfer some over into you account then. But I refuse to let you go on, on your own finances. For everyday stuff like groceries you can use my money and for other stuff, like clothes or make-up, what ever strikes your fancy, you can use your own money."
"We're not even married yet and we are already arguing about money."
"It's not an argument, it's a discussion. And if you refuse to take my money I am going to spoil you in every other way I can possibly think of. I am not a Li for no reason, nor am I a Li without a reason. My fiancé, my wife, will only have the best."
"You are such a snob."
"I know."
"So where is this so-called surprise of yours?"
"Don't sound so over excited." I rolled my eyes at him as he started to unlock the front door. Over excited, yeah right. I don't want his money, nor do I want his surprises. It only made me conscious about the fact that I will never be able to repay him or be able to buy him something that is equal to the value of what ever he gives me. It is something I hated to feel.
"Wait here." He ordered and left me standing in the kitchen. Shrugging I turned my attention to making tea for us before we retired for the night. "Here." I turned around. In his hands were two white boxes with neat lavender and blue ribbons tied around them. The kind of thing you would find at a fancy clothing store, like the ones Tomoyo owns.
Sighing I took the boxes from him and sat myself down on a chair. I pulled the ribbon of the first box and lifted the lid. My eyes widened at the sight. A beautiful pair of black healed sandals lay on a bed of tissue paper waiting for me to pick them up. "Xiao-lang… This is…" I held the shoe, almost afraid of breaking it.
"Open the other one before you say anything." Nervously I opened the large box and lifted the tissue paper. My breath got stuck in my throat when I saw what he had gotten me. "The page fell out of your dairy the other day."
"You…" I lifted the black jacket. Tailor made to perfection. Elegant, sophisticated... "You… It must have cost you a fortune." I looked at the matching pants and deep wine-red shirt he had bought for me. An entire outfit, perfect to say the least. "Xiao-lang… I can't accept this."
"Why not?"
"I'll never be able to repay you. It's just too much." I could feel tears starting to form in the corners of my eyes. It is ridicules really. There is not reason why I should be crying over a gift, even one as extravagant as this one.
"Of course you will." His hand gently touched my face and his thumb brushed away my tears. "Just wear it and accompany to my company's function in two night's time. That is all the payment I need."
"But…"
"No buts. Please Sakura, stop feeling guilty about nothing. I can afford it and I want to do this for you. It is my privilege in every sense." I wrapped my arms around him. It was all I could do at that stage.
Syaoran's P.O.V.
The entire building was buzzing with excitement. The yearly function was a day away and the anticipation was brimming over and out of the large building. Every where I walked women talked about the outfits they bought and men about the accomplishments we had achieved this year.
This in turn filled me with a sense of excitement that returned every year at this time. We had worked so hard to get where we are today and every employee deserves to be honoured for their contribution.
"Eriol, did the caterers receive the fax that you sent them?"
"Yes, they replied and everything is going according to plan. I also told them to avoid the ice cream fiasco we had last year and opt for something different this time. They suggested mouse and cakes. I said anything is fine, as long as there is something sweet for the ladies."
"And the wine?"
"Already at the venue. Three bottles of champagne for each table along with two large jugs of orange juice for those who like to have a mix or do not drink alcohol. Sparkling grape juice is the other option we had made available."
"Great. That sounds perfect. Music wise we were able to organise the same band, if I am not mistaken."
"Yes. They will be performing for us again this year and even offered to lend their services to us next year. Everything is going according to plan, you can relax. All you need to worry about his getting there on time with that lovely fiancé of yours."
"At least I don't have to worry about finding her an outfit."
Sakura's P.O.V.
"What do you mean I cannot have that wine at my wedding? It's my favourite!"
"I am sorry miss, but we are currently out of stock."
"Do you know of anyone who has it in stock?"
"No miss."
"Great." Smouldering I pulled out my cell phone. "Hello? Mrs Li, do you know of any stores or wear houses that carry the wine I specified in my planning."
"Mrs Li?" Out of the corner of my eye I watched the sales person starting to get more than a bit nervous. Mrs Li told me to call her if I run into any problems and call her I will. If it means I get what I want.
"Yes ma'am. I promised Xiao-lang that I would have it since he has never tasted it be…"
"I am sure we will be able to find you the required amount of bottles wine and deliver it on time for your wedding Miss Kinomoto." Smiling brightly I thanked Mrs Li and turned my attention to the sales person. "Who shall I inform when we have received the order? You, or Mr Li?"
"You can call me. I don't want to bother my fiancé with unnecessary details. He promised me the wedding of my dreams." Ah, drama at school had some use. My sugary voice and over dramatised expression of longing and love had him right where I wanted him. "And he is such a busy man, I feel so fortunate when he spends all his free time with me."
Someone kill me now. I cannot believe that I just said that, especially in that tone of voice. Urg! I am so grateful that no one else is here to witness this. "Believe me Miss, I will order it for you right now and I will have it in time so you and Mr Li can celebrate your union in style and with what your heart desires." Not that is what I want to here. Maybe Li was right. He isn't a Li for no reason.
"Oh Mr Yang, you don't know how much that means to me. Thank you so much. Here are my details and please contact me as soon as possible. Tomoyo will be thrilled to hear that she and I will be able to share our favourite glass of wine on my special night." Keep throwing the names and get the results.
"Miss Daidouji?"
"Yes. She is designing my dress for me. We have been best friends for such a long time. I feel so honoured to have her make my dress. Don't you think that it is a wonderful gift?"
"Yes Miss Kinomoto."
"Thank you so much once again Mr Yang. I'll be waiting for your call." I smiled sweetly at him and walked out of the shop. SCORE! Sucker! Ha-ha! I cannot believe that he fell for the fake voice. No wonder Tomoyo does it all the time, she gets what she wants. "YES!" I yelled and jumped in the air. "Things are going my way; it is my way or the high way. Yes my way! My way!"
"Don't you think that is a bit over the top?" I stopped my dancing and turned to look at the familiar voice. It was Takashi, Li's Takashi, with a big gloating grin plastered all over his face. He was absolutely thrilled to have caught me in the middle of my little victory dance and chanting.
"What are you doing out? Shouldn't you be writing a test or something?"
"Well hello to you too, and it's called a fieldtrip Sakura."
"Well woop-di-doo. Where are your little friends then?"
"Coming." And as if on cue, like in one of those over dramatised soap operas, his friends, a whole school yard full of them, popped out from behind the corner. "Here they are."
"Joy." I breathed under my breath. Takashi wasn't a bad kid, but he isn't exactly the type of person I would spend and entire day with. The only people I ever spent an entire day with were my dad, Tomoyo and Li. Wow! How absolutely wonderful and exciting my life sounds at the moment. "Listen kid, I still…"
"Hey Takashi, who's the hot chick?"
I glared at the boys. Hot chick? The nerve. "I am not a chicken roasting over a fire, thank you very much. Nor am I some school girl you can perv on you little twerp." Okay, maybe he is not so little. He is actually quite tall for a sixteen year old, but I don't care. I will not allow some school kid to talk about me that way.
"Touchy. So how's about me and you hook up some time?"
"It's you and me, never me and you. And how's about I get my fiancé, Takashi's uncle, to kick your butt all the way to Timbuktu?" I smiled at his wide eyes. Score! Yet again. Things are going my way; it's my way or the high way. My way…
"You're going to be Takashi's aunt?"
"Technically, yes."
"But you look like a high school girl!" Well thank you for that compliment – not! I know I look young, it doesn't mean they have to rub it into my face. Stupid bloody high school boys.
"Yeah, I know. Now if you don't mind, I have some wedding arrangements I have to finish."
"Gran said that you were finished and that you are only waiting for your dress."
"Yeah, but I still need to finalise a couple of last minute arrangements before Tomoyo comes and everything is turned upside down. See you tomorrow Takashi."
"See ya, Sakura."
I left Takashi and his friends behind and as I walked away I could hear loads of questions from boys and girls alike asking about me. Shaking my head I crossed the street and made my way to Li Corp. I need to talk to Li about Tomoyo. Maybe I should warn him as well… Nah! It will only spoil my fun.
Syaoran's P.O.V.
I sat glaring at my computer screen. I suppose it's not its fault that I have a load of work that I have to finish at some time, but I just don't have the energy to do it now. Rather, I had energy, but not for work. All I could think of was the girl and being with her, and it was driving me up the walls.
My glare turned from my computer to the door when a loud knock interrupted my thoughts. It opened and the girl entered. "Is this a bad time? 'Cause I can leave if you would rather glare at something else."
"Don't be silly. I'm just not in the mood to work."
"You're telling me. It seems that no one in this building is working. All I heard about since I stepped through those doors was "party this" and "party that". Is it that a big of a deal for you guys?"
I laughed at the girl. "You have no idea. It's tradition. My dad started it and it's been going on for the past thirty years now."
"Wow!"
"So what's the deal?"
"Tomoyo."
"Ah." Tomoyo, that friend of hers. I was anticipating a conversation like this at some stage. "What about her?"
"Where is she going to stay? I'm not going to let her stay in a hotel and this is the only city her company does not own an apartment in."
"My mother already said she is more than welcome to stay with her. There is more than enough room at the house."
"Yeah, simply because it is not a house, but a mansion! But I suppose that will be cool. She'll like it." I watched her divert her eyes from me to the window. She was keeping something from me, again. Though this time I think it to be more on the devious than heart aching side.
"Is there anything else you want to tell me?"
"No."
"Stop lying."
"I'm not lying."
"There is something about her, or the both of you I should know, isn't there? Spill it Sakura."
"There is…"
"Absolutely everything you should worry about!" I looked up at the door. Smiling brightly a young woman of Sakura's age stood there. She had long black hair, wore a tailor suit of black with a blue blouse, high heels and professional make-up. The complete contrast of Sakura. The girl jumped from her seat and hugged the woman.
"Tomoyo! I can't believe you're here!" So this is Tomoyo. The girl from the party. The girl, the girl is best friends with. The girl who looks more like a business tycoon, than a young woman of twenty. She looked ridicules hugging Sakura. The contrast between the two is extraordinary to say the least – maybe that is why they are such good friends.
"It's about time you and I give Li here a bit of hell." Oh heavens, as if I haven't had enough as is.
AN: Hey guys. Sorry about the late update, but it is hectic at varsity I had this huge copy-editing assignment due for today (20 October) that took me ages to do. Then 2 assignments and a test last week and not to mention all the other assignments and tests before that. Be warned that exams are staring on 1 November and then I'm going to the sea side from the 24 November to about 10 December. If you get an update in Nov you are lucky.
Thanks for all the reviews. I have readers from the Netherlands (My gran is Dutch), Canada (My mom was there last month), Colombia (Wow!), South Africa (Hello maatjies!), the United Kingdom (cold), Scotland (Nessy), Australia (I was in Sydney) and predictably the United States of America. 11 States! Virginia, Kansas, California, Florida, Michigan, Chicago Illinois, Nevada, Texas, Wisconsin, Washington and Long Island – New York.
To Celestial Melody, no I am not a Mormon. I am, however, a Christian. That is where my belief in sex after marriage comes from. I try not to incorporate religion into my stories, because there are readers from other beliefs I have to respect. I have friends from other religions, so I know that to tread on other's grass is to tread on toes.
Thank you for the great reviews!
Tella