Full Summary: Sakura has what every twenty-two-year old only dreams of; a penthouse flat in the centre of NYC (but she wishes she lives in a mansion), a wardrobe filled with designer clothes (but she wishes she had more), and a good job… But she wishes she had a better job. And she also wishes she hadn't spilt cappuccino all over that hot guy she met a few minutes ago…
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Disclaimer: This plot is loosely based on the "Shopaholic" series. I don't own CCS or the Shopaholic series.
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OMG thanks for all those wonderful reviews! XD You guys are all so nice and encouraging! I LOVE YOU! –gets dragged away-
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Okay… let me explain things clearly about chapter 6. It's not that Sakura likes him that much yet, but she's still sort of got this thing about him cuz he's the best friend of her best friend's fiancé... and all that... and you know, girls usually like guys not long after getting to know them? and it's not that she likes him that much yet, it's just her PRIDE...because he seemed to be having an interest for her, but he has a girlfriend, so it was just a bit of a shock... yeah. XD
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And sorry for the late update... I was ready to upload last week, but I kinda got lazy and didn't type it XD;; gomen! I won't be like that again!
Waltz Alone
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Update (June 15th, 2007): I have edited all of this story's chapters... because I've found very annoying typos. Also, be sure to check out the sequel to this story, Shopaholic Walks Down the Aisle, if you already haven't :)
In the Shoes of a Shopaholic
-Chapter 7 – Shopaholic Goes Clubbing
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Click… click… click…
I push the top of my pen over and over again…
Click… click… click…
I need to redo my nails… the white part of the French manicure's chipping off… UGLY.
Click… click… click…
I yawn lazily and stretch my arms, dropping my pen. I mutter a curse as I bend down to pick it up. When I sit up again, I almost yell. Almost.
My boss…. Yes, my boss is standing there, looking down at me with his scary eyes.
Syaoran Li…
He has a cigarette lit in his mouth, his hair's all messy, his tie's loose and his hands are in his pockets.
He looks like a serial killer.
"Done with those emails?" he turns around to the coffee table and picks something up, throwing it on my desk.
-THUMP!-
I'm staring at a stack – no, a tower – of paper. "You can sort those out for me then," he smirks before taking a draw from his smoke. I gape at him.
He's an employee-killer.
I cough at the smoke and stand up, approaching him slowly. "Boss," I say huskily, as if trying to be seductive, though I'm not. "Can't you just let my hand rest for a while?"
He glances at me. "If I let you do that, you'll keep driving me crazy with that pen," he points at it accusingly.
I scoff, turn and flick my hair, hitting him across the face with it.
HA.
I sit down triumphantly and he goes to the elevator, leaving me alone. Man, it's kind of awkward, sitting here like this…. I mean, as his secretary…. If you see in movies, bosses and secretaries usually… well, you know…. On the desks….? Not that I want to! I mean, it'd be cool… And that day at the restaurant… he was really sweet about the fact that I had slapped him and said to blame the champagne… and Tomoyo.
He said he was sorry for anything he did wrong. He was really nice… as a friend, I mean. He carried me to his car and drove me to my house, too… I blush unintentionally and slap myself.
Ouch.
I have to be an adult! I have to be mature and get over it!
Then my eyes fall upon the box of cigarettes Syaoran left on the coffee table. A smirk curls on my lips as I pick it up and walk to the bathroom. I love the bathroom; it's so posh, with all the marble, silver and perfume… Anyways… I soon toss the box into the toilet… and flush it. But it's… stuck!
Why does it ALWAYS get stuck? I grab some paper towel and fish it out, on the verge of puking. I throw it out in the garbage, stacking the paper on top of it to hide it. I could have done this first, instead of flushing it…
I mean, I'm doing this because I don't want to die of secondhand smoke! I have to make Syaoran stop! I was my hands thoroughly before calling the cafeteria. "Can you send up a big box of peppermint gum? Thanks."
I love being a secretary.
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"Where's my smoke?" Syaoran frowns, bending down to look under the leather couches and coffee table. I resist myself from kicking his butt to make him fall over. "Here's a pack of gum," I say, throwing one to him from the box. He catches it without even looking at me. "Thanks, but where the fuck are my cigarettes?" he finally looks at me suspiciously. I hide myself behind the monitor.
I hear him coming up to my desk. I reluctantly look up. He's towering over me, hands resting far away from each other on the edge of my desk. Out of nowhere, I remember him whispering into my ear, "We're all alone…"
I blush furiously and stare determinedly at my screen, but he merely smirks and sighs. "People don't quit smoking that easily," he says, taking a piece of gum. "I appreciate the thought, though."
"I just don't want to die of secondhand," I mutter quickly, still red. He laughs and turns away, walking into his office and closing the doors. I let out a breath before sinking deep into my chair. I roll around on it for a few minutes, staring down the window and at the busy street. I want to shop. I want to lose myself at the mall, bury myself in clothes, drink iced cappuccino… or maybe just water… I never want to have cappuccino again.
But of course, Syaoran keeps me until 11 o' clock each night, giving me no time to shop… for the entire week. Over the course of one week, I learn a lot about Syaoran. I scribble the things down on my notepad.
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What Syaoran is
1. He's obsessed with work. Seriously. He goes into his all-scary and intimidating mode when he's in meetings, and has this poker face when he's talking to important people, and he always is reading something! He's addicted.
2. He's a nicotine addict. I'm gonna die of secondhand.
3. He's a pervert. He almost shoved me into a wall. I think by accident… because he was juggling folders and a laptop. Still!
4. He likes chocolate. Whoa boy.
5. He's usually nice to his employees, but other times….
6. He swears a lot after meetings. I know that when he starts muttering shit about the people he was with to me.
7. He likes to boss me around. Literally, since he's my boss.
8. He hangs with his girlfriend… a lot.
9. He's a loser.
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Wow. I'm like, the Syaoran Li-expert now… Ew.
But a smile creeps onto my face. Hmm… How'd that get there?
I shake my head furiously and slap my other cheek. Ow…. I need to shop. I need to!
I pick up my phone and dial Tomoyo's number at top speed, leaning back on my chair and putting my feet on the desk.
"Hello?" Tomoyo's voice comes.
"Tomoyo! Let's go shopping!"
"Huh… shopping…"
Please let her mood swings stop.
"Shopping… I'm too fat to shop."
"You're not fat!"
"But I suppose I need the exercise."
"You're pregnant!"
"Oh. My wedding's in a week…" she murmurs in monotone.
Shit.
I totally don't have a gift… Shit. I bite my lip. "What things did you get so far?"
"Every single houseware and baby crap I can name… And a car from Eriol's business guy, a crib from my cousin, a cocktail cabinet that I already have…"
"-Can I have it?"
"Sure," she yawns then switches back to happy mode. "So! What did you get me?"
"It's a secret," I say hastily.
"Spoilsport."
"So, can you go?"
"Sure. When do you get off?"
I stretch, almost falling onto the floor. "Not sure yet. I'll make Syaoran make me get off early."
She giggles. "Alright, call me back."
"Alright," I hang up and lean back even more on the chair.
Ooh. I got a wedgie.
I shift in my seat to fix it, but the door burst open suddenly. And I fall off in surprise… My fingers at my ass. I look up slowly.
Oh my God.
It's the Blond Bitch Longlegs.
Emily Lauren.
Her hair is sleek and blond, and her blue eyes are sparkling, as if she's walking down the red carpet. Her Gucci stilettos echo on the floor as she hoists her Chanel bag on her shoulder and approaches me. Oh my God. She has that Armani one piece dress I've always wanted! The beige one with that cute belt! She's pretty, she's tall, she's a model…
And me; the secretary picking a bloody wedgie on the floor.
I scurry up and straighten myself, blushing. "Can I help you?" I ask lamely.
She gives me one of those professional smiles. "Syaoran's in there, isn't he?" she asks, giving me a Manhattan Onceover.
I knew I should've worn something fancier.
I look directly at her, though she's taller than me as much Syaoran is. Her makeup is as flawless as her tan. I finally nod, feeling uneasy in the stomach. She grins at me and walks into his office, locking the door. I hear Syaoran's muffled laugh and her little squeal of delight. "Em! What're you doing here?"
I turn on the stereo. I feel weird. I wanna go in there and kick her out and punch Syaoran.
"Oh my pretty pretty boy I love you… like I've never ever loved no one before you… Just tell me you love me too…"
I change the station.
"I only want sympathy in the form of you crawling into bed with me…"
"…the groom's bride is a whore!"
My God! I will run to Tiffany right now and spend all of Syaoran's money! But instead I decide to make a trip down to the lobby, blocking out the music and Syaoran and Emily's voices as I walk into the elevator.
As I walk onto the ground floor, I go past the receptionist's desk, my shoes clicking away. The huge mahogany desk is strewn with photocopied drafts, reports, notepads, post-its and coffee cups. The receptionist is scribbling and talking on the phone at the same time. Her eyes dart up and meet mine, and she tucks the phone under my chin to motion me to come to her.
I obey, puzzled. Do I owe her money?
She smiles wordlessly and hands me an envelope before talking into the phone again. I walk past the crowds of people, ripping it open and taking the card out. It's all pretty, with a glass of martini made from beads on the front and wording that reads, "COMPANY PARTY AT CLUB PHOENIX!"
My eyebrows raise as I open it and read the fancy writing.
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All Employees of the Li Enterprises, come out tonight for some fun!
Time: Starting at 10PM
Where: Club Phoenix (map on the back)
- ask for the reserved VIP seats and show them your employee card
All expenses paid for by Mr Li, who's also attending!
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Hmm. Clubbing. Why not? I'll get laid or something, with a hot guy.
Syaoran better not bring the Blond Longlegs. Or I'll kill him and her… And become a serial killer… I really should stop watching all those thriller movies…
When I return upstairs to Syaoran's office, Emily's gone (yes!), but I realize he's sporting even messier hair than before and a lipstick mark on his neck. I roll my eyes and scrunch up the coffee I was going to give him. Then I yelp and drop the whole thing. It burned me! Syaoran's lips twitch suspiciously as he approaches me, he bends down to pick up the cup and throw it out. He hands me his handkerchief, and I have a sudden urge to shove it in his mouth, but instead I take it and start wiping my hands with it. There's silence.
Then he wordlessly stretches and heads back into his office. I sigh and pick up the phone, dialing Tomoyo's number again.
"Hey, it's me… Listen… I can't go shopping today…"
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It's 10:10 PM. Syaoran kept me busy with work until exactly 9:55. Then he led me to his car and drove downtown. Now he's leading me into the bathroom in some store… past the crowd… Oh my God. He wants to fuck me. I knew it. I knew it!
But to my surprise, he hands me a black box labeled "Vera Wang," and disappears to the men's room with a box of his own.
Stunned, I go into the ladies' and open it. I gape at what's inside.
Oh. My. God…
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10:30PM
We arrive at Club Phoenix. It's brimming… no, exploding with people. They're all dressed in expensive clothes, waiting impatiently in a dreadfully long line. Syaoran parks the car, takes my hand and leads me to the front doors, which is guarded by two bulky guards. Syaoran merely raises his eyebrows at them and they immediately recognize him, allowing us in. The people swear loudly behind us, and Syaoran just sticks the finger up to them.
Whoa. Not very… um, Syaoran-like?
I gape at him. "I never thought-"
"Don't think," he says loudly over the music and chatters, cutting me off. His hand is still grasping mine, leading me through the way. Strangely, enough, I don't mind it. Well, it's not exactly strange. Any girl would be fine if a really good-looking guy was holding her hand. A tight knot curls in my stomach as we walk in together into the VIP room, where most of the people from work is dancing, They immediately stop talking and turn to greet us, and most of them just stare at us soon after.
Well then…
I blush under the sudden attention. Not that I mind it or anything. In fact, I could get used to this… I guess I look bloody amazing, because most of the eyes are on me (the others are on Syaoran's hand, which is still around my mine).
Syaoran had gotten me a Vera Wang cocktail dress. It's jet black with a low back and glittering front… It's so… fab! So expensive-looking… So movie-star-perfect! I'm a star! It's so magical… so glamourous…
Man. This guy knows how to pick a dress. "I don't have to pay you for a month, at least," he had said, smirking.
Whatever. I love this dress!
Syaoran lets go of me to light a cigarette, accepting a glass of martini from a bartender. I slip past the people to the balcony overlooking the dance floor. Wow. It's gorgeous! It's huge… All polished and big! Spotlights are circling the room, lighting the people in its colours. There's also strobe lights and disco lights, and a chandelier shimmering above. The tables are cascaded with roses and the dance floor with people. The loud music is shaking the tables slightly.
I glance at Syaoran, who's peering blankly at some people talking to him. He actually looks pretty good in his immaculate jacket and white shirt…
No, Sakura, SHUT UP! NO! STOP!
I should have fun. I should get laid. Yeah. I should have sex with someone hot. I'm heading to the dance floor with some people now.
Screw Syaoran. I'm gonna have some fun.
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Did I say I wanted to get laid?
I think I'm about to… Okay, I was dancing with some girls I don't even know (thank the Vera Wang and martini) and was having a fairly good time… Until I tripped over.
But… someone caught me. The most gorgeous, hot guy caught me. He had this charming, messy, dark hair…. (not Syaoran, thank you) and this hot shirt from Armani… When I thanked him, he gave me the cutest smile! Ever!
"I'm Brendon," he said loudly into my ear, over the music. "I'm Sakura!" I said, equally loud.
With the help of my dress and drinks, I danced with him – pretty sexy… slow and fast.
He's really hot… I'm literally swooning over him. And now, he's holding my chin up, passionately sucking on my lower lip.
I giggle. This is perfect. A movie-star dress, a movie-star-like guy, a movie-star-worthy kiss… I pull him closer to me by his shirt, and I think he gets the point. He begins kissing even more fiercely as he leads me blindly away from the dance floor. We almost fall over a table and a person, but manage to stay adhered until we reach a quiet hallway. His hand deftly moves up my dress, making me moan through the kiss. I kick a random door open and we go into the room, which is dimly lit by the lights outside the club. He breaks away to pull off the dress over my head, carefully placing it on the couch. I take his shirt off and feel his chest as we tumble down backwards, onto another comfy couch.
His lips trail down my neck, undoing my bra and kissing me there. I'm white-hot with excitement… I'm so drunk… I feel so good… yet so bad… I moan as I feel the last bit of clothing covering me comes off of me and he kisses the newly exposed area… Hell, I already forgot his name.
It's kind of sad, actually… I never had a one-night stand before…
What am I doing? Another giggle escapes me as he strips himself and towers over me.
Why am I doing this again? Oh yeah, to have fun…
Or was it to prove something? But what…?
That I can shag any man I want to if Syaoran can shag Emily Longlegs Blond –er… what was it again…? – in his office?
Hmm. That sounds screwed up.
Ooh. Ouch… Ow!
I told you sex wasn't all that great. It hurts!
But my body gradually begins to relax and unwind… Allowing the real pleasure to unfold… I cry out things I don't even know I'm saying… It's a long time of… torture? Hmm… There's another thrust at my hips when the door suddenly opens.
Brendon – that's his name drowsily looks up at the intruders. I giggle drunkenly as I see who it is. But inside I'm traumatized.
It's Syaoran. With Emily clutching his shirt.
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-Chapter 7 – Shopaholic Goes Clubbing – END
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Review review review reviewww pleaseee! XD