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…

-

Disclaimer: This plot is loosely based on the "Shopaholic" series. I don't own CCS or the Shopaholic series. (I so wish I did…)

-

OMG! X3 thanks for all those wonderful reviews! XD I LOVE YOU!

I'll try to update at least... at least once or twice a week... It's just the typing takes some time... orz

-

OH! and happy mother's day... lol... Don't forget to thank and hug your moms! XD

I gave mine a cookbook and a bouquet! X3

-

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 8 – Shopaholic into a Bridesmaid!

-

-

Oh no…

-

Oh yes.

-

Awkward…

-

I giggle as I see the look on Syaoran's face. Disgusted. Angry. Insulted.

Why the hell would he be insulted?

Because his secretary's shagging some hot guy in front of him! my drunken mind tells me gleefully.

Emily stares from me to Syaoran, her eyes unreadable. What was her nickname again Oh yeah… Blond Bitch Longlegs… Yes. Serves her right… Huh? Why? She hasn't actually been a bitch to me… directly. I close my eyes and shake my head, feeling dizzier than ever. Syaoran and Emily finally leave the room, shutting the door loudly.

A part of me wants to go after him and tell him it's just a mistake… or something! But another part of me just wants to have fun… It's the cursed martini… Brendon lowers himself onto me again.

And we continue on from where we left off…

xxxxxx

-

I wake up with a really bad headache, stomachache, and a sore… well, you know. If you don't know, you don't need to know. I look around. I'm in Eriol's guestroom… again. Did Syaoran bring me here this time, too? A sickening feeling forms in my stomach as I remember the look on his face when he saw me and that guy… I don't even remember his name. I let out a sigh before burying my face in the pillow.

What the hell has happened to me? What the hell have I done?

Tomoyo comes into the room, her belly leading the way. She looks beautiful, glowing in a white summer dress. "My God, Sakura! Everytime you get drunk, you're brought here by someone!" she flicks my forehead.

"Who brought me here? I gulp.

"I don't know who it was, but it was a guy… not very good-looking, though…" she stares at me. "He said he was from work… and he did look kind of nerdy, in that – OH MY GOD YOU HAD SEX LAST NIGHT!" she suddenly shrieks.

I jump and flush. "Actually, yes, but not with that guy-"

"WHO THEN!" she screeches.

"Some… hot guy I met at the club."

Her jaw drops. "Oh my God," she gasps, "You had a one-night stand…!"

I crack a grin. "I know."

"Wow. Tell me the details later! You wanna go shopping?" she hurries to the closet.

I pause before answering. "Yes. I really, really do."

-

xxxxxx

We stop at a Starbucks along the way to the mall and sit on a table by the window. I drink a mocha latte, and Tomoyo drinks raspberry leaf tea. "It's good for the uterus," she explains, "For having the baby?"

"Oh," I nod, smartly, "Well then…"

I stare at her bump. How's that thing ever going to fit through… I mean, look at her! I know how it… opens up and all that… like when you have s… OH MY GOD! SAKURA! JUST SHUT THE HELL UP! But… I just can't,.. I don't want to picture it… Ewww…. Tomoyo pats her bump fondly, oblivious to my thoughts, Good thing she's not Syaoran.

"I think it's going to be a boy," she says.

"How do you know?" I gulp.

"Because… mother's instincts!" she smiles.

Wow. She looks so… mature. Her… mature… Wow.

"But… I want a girl!" I blurt out.

She grins. "A boy can enjoy brand names too, Sakura! Just not… over the head… or that'd be… gay."

"Fine. Let's name him… Louis for Louis Vuitton! Or… Armani for Giorgio Armani… or even Giorgio! Little Giorgio!" I suddenly exclaim.

"We are not naming him Giorgio! It sounds like a mob killer's name! And Louis Hiiragizawa…. Sounds… kind of… homo," she whispers.

I shrug. "He might as well be, if he's going to be shopping with me." She throws napkins at me, giggling.

I love Tomoyo… and little Giorgio (already).

-

"Oh yeah," Tomoyo takes a dress of a rack in Guess. "How was that one nighter?" I blush. "Not too bad… he was really hot… and sexy… but…"

"But?" she presses me on.

"Syaoran found me," I mutter.

She gasps. "He did not!" then she laughs. Another mood swing…? "Perfect! Now he'll feel all insulted and betrayed! Since his personal secretary was shagging a hotter guy than him!"

I sigh. "He wasn't hotter than Syaoran," I admit.

Tomoyo snaps around towards me. "What! You… you… YOU WANNA DO SYAORAN!" she screeches.

Everyone stares at us in alarm. I blush furiously. "NO! I just think he's hot!"

"HOT IS SEXY AND SEXY IS SEX!"

"I WON'T SHAG A TAKEN GUY! AND HE'S MY BOSS!" I retort furiously.

She pauses. "You wouldn't? That'd be kind of hot."

I also pause. "Yeah… that would… BUT STILL-"

She raises both hands. "DON'T! DON'T! JUST… shh…" she exhales, lowering her hands with her breath and apparently calming down. Weirdo.

"I've been talking to Eriol-"

"-You're always talking to Eriol. And doing him. Hell, you live with him!"

"Shut up. The point is, he's been saying that Syaoran's been a bit odd lately…"

"…he always is."

"Yeah, but…" she stops and looks at me. "Sakura, tell me the truth. I'm your best friend," she holds my hand and looks into my eyes. "Do you like Syaoran?" I gaze into her amethyst orbs then at her glowing tummy… How can I possibly lie to her?

The truth spills out of me. "I… I think I do…" I mumble. She says nothing, but only stares at me. I continue on. "Like… it's weird… Why I like him… I don't know… I mean, he's hot, rich, famous… and hot… and he's nice… most of the times… and he's your fiancé's best friend…" I breathe, "It's just.. I feel really drawn to him…"

Tomoyo sighs and hugs me dramatically, her bump in between us. "You've grown up, Sakura…"

I pause. "Thanks… I think…"

We giggle. "Who knows?" Tomoyo links arms with me, "May be it'll all work out somehow… Just wait and see; if he's meant for you, he's sure to come to you."

I nod absentmindedly, determined to get off this topic. "Enough of that… Let's shop before you're frickin' married!"

-

-

That little shopping trip (which we spent about a thousand bucks on) turns out to be the last shopping trip Tomoyo and I would make before she's married to Eriol. Already… Today… is the day…

Today… she's going to be married.

She's going to be married in… an hour.

I'm in her dressing room in the wedding hall, dressed in my light emerald dress with shimmery layers. I'm standing behind Tomoyo, who's getting her makeup done by a professional. This is so… unreal. She's getting married… I stare at her glowing, happy but anxious face; she's so beautiful… She's patting her belly rhythmically to the beat of the quiet music in the background, looking relaxed yet tense.

Oh my God. I'm going to cry now. "I.. I'm just going to check out the room." I dash out of the waiting room, hand covering my lips and nose. I breathe deeply. Just a week ago we were shopping and talking about my bad luck… Now I feel so guilty to be burdening her with all this… I mean… look at her! She's glowing!

I had to face Syaoran at work the whole week, and I tell you, it was difficult. He was all quiet and scary… I wanted to talk to him… something… I feel… so insecure when he does that! It's so annoying… It's as though I need him to annoy me…

… Do I?

I open the two grand door leading to the hall, stumbling over the carpet but regaining my balance just in time. I dab my eyes gently to not ruin the makeup, and momentarily I'm too stunned to even think.

It's gorgeous…

White curtains are hanging from the ceiling, along with a huge crystal chandelier. There are tables draped in light violet and decorated with plates, glasses and vases of violets and roses. There are a few people standing around and talking quietly. On the other side of the room, which is huge, there is a red-curtained stage, strobe lights and a dance floor. I finally glimpse at the long hallway leading down to the altar… I slowly walk on it, imagining myself in that perfect dress from Brides and being photographed… I close my eyes and imagine the vicar, the little flower girls, my dad on my side, and… Syaoran on the steps?

That can't be right. I open my eyes.

He's real.

Oh my God, I've gone mental.

He's standing there, looking up at the banner that reads "Eriol and Tomoyo" with a picture of them. He's dressed in a white jacket with that flower pin they were giving out at the front on the front pocket, with a crisp black shirt under a white tie… His hands are in the pockets of his black pants…. And he slowly turns around to meet my eyes.

I freeze, unable to do anything else.

"Syaoran…" I hear myself call.

His jaw seems to tense then relax. He sighs and nods, stepping down the steps. "Sakura."

There is a moment of awkward silence. I try to drive away the image of him slipping on ring on my finger… I bite my lip and blush. I hate this… It's been like this for a fucking week. Oh, the hell with it!

"Listen," I finally begin, "That night at the club-"

"Wasn't anything special?" he finishes for me. "I know."

I blink. "You do?" I ask, bewildered.

He smiles and shrugs. "It was a one-nighter, wasn't it?" he fiddles with the flower in his pocket, stripping a petal and letting if flutter towards me.

I watch it his the ground. I nod, lips pursed. "Then why were you so… pissed?"

He considers it for a moment. "You try walking in on your employee having sex," he sighs, "It's not a pretty feeling."

Oh God. I must not giggle. I must not… aaaaand… I do. I turn around and gaze up at the white curtains in awe. I smile in spite of myself, feeling better than before. I feel Syaoran right behind me… his hands softly brushes my shoulders and holds my arms as he draws closer to my ear from behind… I burn up instantly from the sudden contact, and there's shivers all over my body… Secretly I find myself anticipating on what might be happening. But I can't get my hopes high. There's a pause before he breaks the silence. "Sakura… there's something I have to let you know…"

I gulp and nod. Oh God. His breath is tickling my ear… I'm melting… I wait for him to continue…

"I-" he suddenly stops, drawing back from me…. Puzzled… and disappointed, I guess, I look back, only to let out a weird sound.

Syaoran's staring directly at a tall man with black hair and brown eyes… whose hand is on Syaoran's shoulder threateningly.

My brother.

"Touya!" I call out in surprise. He ignores me. Why does everyone ignore me?

"You," he growls at Syaoran, "What the hell were you doing with my sister?"

Syaoran considers him for a moment. Then he glances at me, an amused flicker in his eyes. "Your brother?" I nod.

"Well then," he smirks and brushes his hand off of him. "I was doing whatever you were thinking of," he replies smugly.

Oh God NO.

Touya swings at him. I wince, but no need; Syaoran merely ducks under his arm. "This is a wedding, you know," Syaoran sighs, "No need for violence, more need for romance."

Touya's eyes grow wide. "What did you just-"

"Now, now, Touya," a gentle voice stops him. We all look around at the voice.

It's Kaho; Touya's wife. My sister-in-law. Her red hair is tied back in a ponytail, and she's wearing the same shade, except lighter. She fixes Touya's tie and smiles at Syaoran and me. "Long time no see, Sakura," she studies Syaoran for a moment, "and you must be her new boss."

Syaoran smiles and extends his hand. "Syaoran Li," his lips curl into a smirk as he sees Touya's expression.

Wow, that guy's twisted.

I'm about to start talking –finally- when someone calls my name. I turn and look… it's Sonomi Daidouji, Tomoyo's mom. "Tomoyo wants you right now; people are waiting around for the 15-minute call."

I nod and go to her. "Dad's here, right?" Touya nods. I give the v-sign to the three people before going back to Tomoyo's room. Here I go…

-

And here we go.

I'm holding Tomoyo's hands tightly as we're about to open the doors for her. She looks gorgeous… The white dress with real roses and violets makes her look like a true bride she is… Her bump looks so unreal yet natural… I sniff and hug her, whispering, "You're going to be married now." Tomoyo's dad smiles and pats her back.

She nods. "And I'm pregnant," she whines. I shrug, almost sobbing out loud. I draw back, eyes damp as I gather her veil and dress.

"I love you more than Eriol ever will!" I sniff.

She giggles. "Too late now," she readies herself. "Here I go," she lets go of my hands reluctantly as the doors open and the march begins.

We walk down the red aisle… Cameras are flashing at us and people are gazing at us. No, at Tomoyo. She's the star. I'm having to sniff every two beats, trying not to tap my heels too loudly. Flower petals shower down from above… I see… Syaoran… A knot tightens in my stomach. Tomoyo stops and her dad lets her off to Eriol. Syaoran, his best man, is standing behind Eriol, who's fidgeting with his hands… Syaoran catches my eyes and smiles warmly. I blush and nervously smile back. Eriol also gives me a nervous grin before gazing at Tomoyo… they love each other so much… it almost makes me jealous…

I glance into the crowd, where I see my dad, Touya and Kaho smiling, and Sonomi crying on her husband's shoulders. I feel my nose prickle again as I see Tomoyo and Eriol gaze at each other with such emotion…

"Dearly beloved," the vicar begins. I wish I got to do that. I mean, it's my best friend's wedding. I glance again at Syaoran, who's gazing at me… He smiles again, as if reassuring me and telling me there's no need to cry. I nod.

"Tomoyo, wilt thou take this man to be thy wedded husband?" the vicar looks at Tomoyo. "Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour him and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"

"I do," she says without hesitation.

And soon, she turns to me to give her bouquet and she and Eriol kneel down. "Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder…"

The voice fades out as I imagine myself in her place and Syaoran in his…

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

I almost slap myself. FOCUS!

Oh my God. It's almost the end… Tomoyo's going to be married… She'll move out of our flat entirely and live with Eriol… who'll be first in her life from now… even before me. She.. she's married….

"You may kiss the bride."

There is a loud applause and cheers as the bride and groom conceal each other's lips. And I finally sob out loud, but my cry is drowned out by the cheers. A hand pats my back and I feel a handkerchief dabbing at my cheek. I look up… into Syaoran's eyes… he smiles and jerks his head at Eriol and Tomoyo, who's posing for pictures.

"You want to look your best for the pictures," he says. I nod and sob, unable to speak. And somehow, I manage to not cry throughout the cutting of the huge cake… even laughing when Tomoyo gives me the chibi-style dolls of her and Eriol… and I smiled throughout the family and personal pictures – I even got one with Syaoran – Tomoyo insisted.

Now I'm sipping wine, wanting to be cheerful. I'm not getting drunk… I can't. Or I'll die of alcohol poisoning or something…

Tomoyo is laughing happily as she dances with Eriol to the upbeat music. She complains something about her belly again… My dad and Sonomi are engaged in a conversation not far away, and Touya and Kaho are talking to Tomoyo's dad. Ooh. That lady's really, really pretty... with flowing black hair and a really gorgeous dress... Wonder who she is... I look around for Syaoran; and spot him… in between… four girls?

Wow. Pimp wannabe. And they even look alike. They all have the same shade of hair, the same eyes and expressions.

I scoff and drain my glass. Suddenly, the four girls' eyes are on me. I flinch unwillingly.

In the blink of an eye, they've come up to me and… hugged me?

"OH MY GOD YOU'RE SO CUTE!" one squeals.

"-SO DAMN ADORABLE! I JUST WANT TO BITE YOU!" another giggles.

I blink and goggle at them. Syaoran comes to me, sighing. "Sorry about this…" he mutters exasperatedly, "They're my sisters."

I gape at him, flabbergasted. Ha. I like that word… "You have four sisters?"

He nods. "Unfortunately."

The sisters immediately whine. "Meanie!"

I giggle. They all look up simultaneously as a slow music begins to play. "Little brother, take little Ying Fa chan to the floor!" one says, clapping her hands together.

I flush. "Y-Ying Fa?"

"Your name in Chinese," Syaoran raises his eyebrows, "and I'd rather if you people would just…" he stops himself, taking out a box of cigarettes.

One slaps his head. Ooh. I like them already.

"Dance with her."

"Okay, okay!" he pockets his box and I hand him a piece of gum. He resists rolling his eyes. "Women," he mutters.

"What was that?" I demand. He wordlessly takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor. My heart suddenly leaps and my stomach tangles as he places his other hand on my back, pulling me towards him. There's silence in between us, until Syaoran suddenly pulls my head to his chest and leans down.

We're dancing…

I decide to enjoy the moment and savour it. Then he whispers, "About that thing I was talking about before…" I nod, blushing as I count his heartbeat and take in his scent. "The truth is, I've decided to-"

"THE BRIDE AND GROOM ARE OFF!"

We both bolt up, jumping away from each other.

Damn.

Tomoyo and Eriol are exiting the building… WHAT!

"W-wait!" I call after them. "Tomoyo!"

"Oh yeah!" Tomoyo says brightly, "Here, Sakura, catch!" she suddenly throws her bouquet at me. I gape at it. It gets bigger and bigger… For a pregnant woman, she sure has a lot of energy… "Not that! I mean… ahhh!" I catch the heavy flowers, blushing as people applaud, including Syaoran.

Tomoyo blows me a kiss as she takes Eriol's arm. "Call me in Italy!"

"ITALY? I THOUGHT IT WAS CUBA!"

She giggles before getting into a limo and driving away…

There goes my best friend… and her husband.

Syaoran chuckles behind me. I turn to look at him. He bends down so I can hear him over the chatters. "Do you want to come over to my place?" I gape at him, eyes wide. He smirks. "Not like that. To continue the conversation… away from my sisters."

I stare at him, his sisters, then at my family. "Why not," I manage to answer. He nods me and leads me out onto the parking lot.

-

-

Oh my God.

He wants to fuck me. I swear he wants to fuck me.

I mean, he's brought me to his place… not his usual flat, but his mansion where his family lives… It's huge!

I feel a bit sleepy as I enter the house… castle, more like it – servants immediately take our stuff… and ushers us into the living room. I flop down onto a couch, eyes threatening to droop down. I want to sleep… Alone.

Syaoran sits down across from me, reaching for his cigarettes. I raise my finger. "Gum," I mumble. He pauses before sighing, smiling and obeying… without scorn.

Ha. Victory.

Man… I'm so tired… the wedding, the dancing, the crying, the dancing… which only took a minute… But it was worth the minute. But I must not…fall asleep… if I don't want to be raped……… I yawn and slip down to lie down on the couch. What bad's a shut-eye gonna do? Syaoran chews his chews his gum silently, walking over to me and drawing a blanket from the couch. He bends down and drapes it over me, and I can smell his pleasant cologne… I feel his breath on me… I feel heat rising to my cheeks…

I slowly open my eyes…

"SYAORAN LI!" there is a loud, sudden yell.

We both jump.

I shoot upwards, almost knocking Syaoran off me. Well.. he really wasn't on me to begin with… but… he was towering over me…. There we go. …I blush at the thought. I shake my head and I see a slim woman with long, black hair and fierce amber eyes… She's so pretty… I saw her at the wedding – I loved her dress.

"M-mother!" Syaoran stutters. Wow. That's a first… He really…

Wait. Mother?

…Oh shit…

-

-Chapter 8 – Shopaholic into a Bridesmaid! – END

-

-

Review review review reviewww pleaseee! XD