Somewhere, Somehow
Author's Notes: Thank you for the reviews! They were very much appreciated. You all deserve a nice long chapter! Hope you all enjoy this! Sorry for the delay of the chapter! I tried my best to type a long chapter. Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter Fifteen – Heartache and Confessions
"Maya! Get in here!" Syaoran shouted
In the blink of an eye, Maya came rushing in Syaoran's office, almost tripping.
"Yes, sir?"
This is it. My job is out the window.
"Didn't I tell you that I refuse to see anyone!? Even Amaya herself!?" he stood up and began walking towards her.
"I-I'm sorry, sir" her voice trembled as she leaned against the door; her boss glaring and yelling at her.
"How long does it take for you to get it through that thick head of yours!?" he yelled at her, "What are you, stupid!?"
Maya looked down at the floor as hot tears spewed down from her eyes. The concerned, sweet and understanding boss of hers was gone. Instead, in front of her was an abusive and cold Syaoran. His eyes were no longer the usual soft amber color; it became a dark shade of amber, filled with anger. At this rate, no person could stop him.
Maya looked up and saw Syaoran raising his hand, ready to strike Maya's cheek.
"No, sir! Please, don't do this!"
Syaoran was ready to bring his hand down when Sakura's face came into his mind. He blinked a few seconds before realizing what he was doing. He saw the trembling Maya crying already. He sighed and placed his hand down.
"I'm sorry. You can go now. Take a day off, if you wish to"
Maya looked up and slowly reached for the doorknob behind her and slowly exited. When Maya left, Syaoran sighed.
Damnnit Syaoran. What the hell is wrong with you? Face it Syaoran, you lost her. Get it through your head! Forget about her. She found somebody and that's not you.
Tomoeda, Japan
The next afternoon, Amaya stepped outside of the airport with her luggage on one hand. She looked around and saw a busy Japan; people everywhere. She hauled a cab and went straight to a hotel. On the way, her conversation with her mother the other day came into her head.
Flashback
"Why do you want to go to Japan?" Kaoru asked her the moment her daughter arrived home.
"Because I have to deliver a message and I want to deliver it personally"
Kaoru raised her eyebrow at Amaya.
"Does this have to do something with Syaoran?"
"No…well, yes. Sort of. It's about his – ugh – best friend" Amaya rolled her eyes
Kaoru frowned, "Ugh. She's in the way of your marriage to Syaoran, isn't she?"
"Very much. That's why I want to go to Japan. I'll ruin her; I'll break her. I will make her forget Syaoran!"
"Go ahead. I'm not stopping you. After you do so and marry Syaoran, we'll be–"
"–filthy rich." Amaya finished, "Wait. Doesn't Mrs. Li suspect anything? She's psychic right?"
"Oh, Amaya. She's my 'best friend'. She trusts me and she promised me that she won't go inside my head and if ever she does, I keep this plan out of my head. We have been 'best friends' since like forever and she fully trusts me." Kaoru gave a laugh, "Even if the Li family is very rich, they're so stupid." She laughed again.
"Right you are, mother" Amaya smirked
Watch out, Yelan. All of your riches will be ours for the taking.
Kaoru thought.
"And by the way Amaya, what is this message of yours?"
"I don't know yet, but I will make up one on the way" Amaya said, with an evil glint in her eyes.
End of Flashback
Once Amaya settled in her hotel room, she immediately grabbed the directory that was provided in her room. She browsed under the 'K' section and immediately saw Kinomoto, the one and only Kinomoto in the whole directory. She grabbed the white beside her and dialed Sakura's house number.
Luckily for Amaya, it was Sakura who answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Good day, is this Sakura Kinomoto?"
"Yes, this is she"
"I'm very sorry to interrupt you but I am a friend of Li Syaoran"
Sakura's eyes widened at the mention of his name.
"And I believe we have to talk…personally. Do you mind if I come over to your residence?"
"N-No. Not at all"
"Great. Does 4pm sound alright, to you?"
"Yes. Here's my address" Sakura said as she gave Amaya her address.
"Thank you and I'll be looking forward to this" Amaya said and hanged up.
I'll be looking forward to it, alright.
Sakura hanged up and stared at the phone for a while.
Who could that woman be? And why does she want to talk to me personally?
Sakura looked at the wall clock and saw that it was almost 4pm. She walked up the stairs to prepare herself. She got dressed in a pale yellow floral sundress. She went downstairs to heat up some tea and sweets for her visitor. Minutes later, the doorbell rang and Sakura went to answer it.
Sakura reached for the doorknob and opened it. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw who it was, it was the woman whom she bumped into when Sakura was visiting Syaoran at his office.
"Konnichiwa" the woman greeted
"Konnichiwa" Sakura greeted in return, "Come in"
She opened the door wider to let the woman in. Amaya sat down on the couch.
"Would you like some tea?" Sakura asked
"That would be lovely" Amaya said, smiling at her.
Sakura went inside the kitchen and placed a kettle with Chinese tea and two teacups. She placed one teacup in front of Amaya and poured some tea into it.
"Arigatou"
"So…what did you want to tell me personally?"
"Before anything else, I'm pretty sure you know me"
"Well, a bit. Gomenasai"
"That's quite alright" Amaya smiled again, "Anyway, I am a dear friend of Syaoran and I presume you're his best friend? Am I right?"
Sakura nodded.
"So, finally great to see you! Syaoran has told me a lot about you. Anyway, I am Amaya Tsugishiro–"
Sakura blinked.
"–Syaoran's fiancée."
Sakura eyes widened as she gripped her teacup tightly. Her body was shaking; she could feel her body starting to sweat.
Amaya sighed, "Syaoran wanted to tell you this personally but he was just so frightened to hurt your feelings. I suppose he has already told you about our story"
Sakura nodded
"But did he tell you everything? Tell me, what did he mention?"
Sakura cleared her throat, "He met you when he was 16 and um…his mother was having a small party and you were the daughter of one of his mother's friends and then the both of you–" she paused, "–fell in love."
"That's it?"
Sakura nodded
"That's the whole story? My God…" Amaya shook her head.
"Is there something wrong?"
"I can't believe him," Amaya looked at Sakura, "I can't believe he would lie to his very own best friend"
Sakura's body froze, "Y-You mean, e-everything he said…was a lie?"
"No, no, no. What he told you was true. He did meet me at his mother's small party. But after, we had a little argument but then we found out that we were betrothed to one another"
Sakura lowered her head, fighting the urge to cry.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Amaya apologetically said, "I must have caused more pain and burden to you," she stood up, grabbing her purse, "I know Syaoran should have been the one to tell you this. My apologies, Kinomoto-san. I must be going now. And if ever you'll be attending the wedding, the invitation will be delivered to you. Sayonara, Kinomoto-san"
Amaya exited the house with a face that had pure evil written all over.
Back inside the house, Sakura's tears were already falling down on her tea and on her lap. Suddenly, the telephone rang. After four rings, the answering machine beeped.
Hello? Sakura?
It was Aki.
Sakura, if you're there, I'm really worried about you. I haven't talked to you ever since we went out. If you don't mind, maybe we could go out on dinner tonight? Call me if you have made your decision.
The message ended.
After some time, Sakura finally gathered herself, sighed and stood up, walking towards the telephone. She picked the receiver up and dialed Aki's phone number. After three rings, someone finally answered her call.
"Moshi moshi?"
"Konnichiwa, Aki onegai shi-mass" I would like to speak to Aki
"Hai, so des" Speaking
"Aki…it's Sakura"
"Sakura? How are you? Is everything alright?"
"Well, yes; everything's fine"
Aki breathed a sigh of relief "I'm glad. Listen, about the dinner–"
"Yes, Aki; I'll be glad to have that dinner with you" Sakura said
Aki smiled from the other line, "Great!"
"But if you don't mind, I'd rather have it here. I'm not really up to going out tonight. Is that alright with you? Is homemade cooking alright?"
"Sure Sakura," he smiled, "I can't wait to taste your delicious home cooked meal!"
Sakura giggled, "Okay, be here at 6pm"
"I'll be there. See you later"
"You too" Sakura smiled
After hanging up, Sakura looked at the clock; it read 4:45. She quickly placed the tea away and wiped the table clean. She went back inside the kitchen, placed on a yellow apron and began cooking. She opened the refrigerator and spotted two steaks waiting to be cooked. Sakura took the two slabs of meat and began grilling it. She then made some mashed potatoes with gravy, and chopped fresh and steamed vegetables.
Suddenly, the front door opened and Touya and Kaho stepped inside with the children.
"We're home!" Touya yelled
He sniffed the air and went inside the kitchen while Kaho brought the kids upstairs. Touya spotted Sakura cooking.
"What's cooking?"
"Steak and mashed potatoes"
Touya looked at the grill and saw the two slabs of meat.
"Whose is the other steak for? I'm sure it isn't for me"
"Of course not, it's for Aki" Sakura mentioned calmly
"Oh, okay" Touya began walking away when he suddenly stopped, "Wait…WHAT!?"
"It's for Aki"
"Is he that guy you dated a few days back?" Touya asked
"Yep" Sakura answered, "We were supposed to eat out but I invited him over for dinner instead"
Touya clenched his fist and his eye twitched.
"What time is it?" Sakura asked
Touya looked at the clock.
"5:25" he answered through gritted teeth
"Can you do me a favor and keep an eye on the food? I'll be upstairs, getting ready" Sakura said, taking the apron off and throwing it at Touya before rushing upstairs.
Touya grumbled as he placed the apron on. Kaho suddenly walked inside and giggled.
"I haven't seen you wear an apron after a long time now. Yellow looks great on you"
Touya grumbled even more.
"Need any help?" Kaho offered, walking beside him
"Sure" Touya said, smiled at his wife
Minutes later, the doorbell rang and Sakura was still getting ready.
"TOUYAAA! Get the door! I'm not yet ready!"
"I'm watching over the food like you told me to!"
"PLEEEASE!!" Sakura whined
"I'll watch them, you go get the door" Kaho said
Touya grumbled, removing the apron off him as he walked towards the front door, turning the brass doorknob and opening it, revealing Aki clad in gray shirt, khaki jeans and sneakers. Touya glared at him. Aki gulped and could feel Touya's glare bearing a hole through his body. As if on cue, Kaho stepped in front of Touya, looking at Aki with a smile on her face.
"Err…konbanwa" Aki greeted
"Konbanwa," Kaho greeted, "You must be Aki. Come inside" she opened the door wider for him to step inside, "Have a seat. Sakura will be down in a minute."
Aki nodded and sat down on the couch. Touya gave one last glare at Aki before retreating back inside the kitchen. Aki suddenly heard a door close and smelled the scent of vanilla perfume in the air. He looked up and saw Sakura descending down the stairs. Sakura was wearing a simple pink floral dress.
Aki got up from his seat and stared at the beauty in front of him. Touya too smelled the vanilla scent and peeked out of the kitchen. He spotted Aki take Sakura's hand to help her down the stairs.
"Sorry if it took me so long" Sakura apologized
"It's alright and it was definitely worth it," he studied her looks and her dress, "You're so beautiful"
Sakura looked down and blushed, "Thanks. Shall we eat?"
Aki nodded as he sat down. Sakura went inside the kitchen to get the food and came back holding two porcelain plates.
"This looks delicious" Aki said as Sakura placed the plate in front of him
Inside the kitchen, Touya was still keeping an eye on the two when Kaho disturbed his thoughts.
"Come on; let's go have our own dinner"
"Wait, what?"
"Hurry and put your shoes on, we're going out for dinner"
"Sakura" Kaho said
"Yes?"
"Sorry to disturb you and your dinner but Touya and I are going out for our own dinner, okay? The kids are upstairs asleep, so you don't have to worry and they already ate their 'dinner'," Kaho smiled
"Oh, sure" Sakura said, rushing towards the door and opening it for them.
"Let's go Touya" Kaho said, taking Touya's hand and dragging him out the door.
"Ja, Sakura" Kaho said, waving goodbye
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do, kaijuu" Touya said, before leaving
"I'm not a kaijuu…" Sakura exclaimed in a whisper and closed the door. She turned to Aki, "Sorry for that" she apologized and sat down
"That's alright" Aki smiled
"Let's eat then" Sakura said, raising her utensils and the both of them began eating.
After eating and Sakura drinking the last drop of red wine from her wineglass, Aki started conversation.
"How have you been? I was really worried about you since I haven't talked to you since like forever"
"I'm fine now. Thanks to your presence" Sakura smiled, "And Tomoyo's too"
"That's a relief" Aki smiled, "Well, that's all I really wanted to check upon. I better get going"
Aki stood up and began walking towards the door. Sakura walked with Aki to his car when Aki suddenly pulled her to a hug.
"You take care okay?"
Sakura hugged him back, "You take care too"
"Well, see you next time" Aki said, releasing his grip from Sakura
Aki started walking towards his car while Sakura was retreating back inside the house. She was about to step inside when she suddenly heard Aki call out her name.
"Sakura"
"Ye-"
Before Sakura could finish, she felt Aki's strong grip, grab her arm and pull her towards him.
"A-Aki, what's goi-"
Her words were cut off when Aki's lips crushed down to her own. Sakura didn't know what to do; normally, she would slap whoever would suddenly lock lips with her, but this time, she felt vulnerable all of the sudden. She didn't have the strength to push Aki away from her. Sakura closed her eyes and placed one hand on Aki's chest. Finally, Aki pulled away. Sakura looked at him, her body slightly trembling.
"Aki…"
"I'm in love with you, Sakura"
Author's Notes: I hope this chapter was long enough for you! If you want me to make longer chapters, if I can, it will probably take a week to update, depending how long. Just tell me in a review!
Sakura-miaka: The Philippines isfine, but if you recently watched or read any news, there has been a typhoon here. Meiling will appear in the story, although I'm not yet sure if she's going to have a big part; she might but I'm not promising anything! Thanks for the review!
CrAzY-SiLLy-MeBwahahaha! You won't be able to make my miserable in school for how many weeks! You desk is gathering dust! Anyway, GET WELL SOON!! Thanks for the review!
Tamer Shadow: You said "hell" five times. Yeah, burn down the school!
And also thanks to: kawaii-star-tenshi, Lily20, crazy4this, twilight-satr1, Black-Fire-Dragon-15, the anonymous reviewer, Chocopop, adero8, avi, Rose, jaioublie, Ngoc1231, Sakuralover, ori-chan, Realsmartz, chikichiki, Crystalz Tearz, maixwolfblossom, Kitten at Heart, Inuyashafreak, UlTiMaTe KaI LuVa, Viky, wandgirl, wingless-angel-qt and sango! Thank you all!