I wonder if I'm actually going to end up following the storyline I planned out.

… whatever.

Anyway, I'm so happy with all the positive feedback I got for the first chapter! I'm really glad that people enjoy this story so far! I'm definitely having fun writing it, so it's good that you guys are having fun reading it. As for the characters and how much fun they're having? Well… we'll see, won't we?

Onwards!

(By the way—I don't own Holt Renfrew, or Memoirs of a Geisha.)

-

Love Fool

Chapter Two

A Friend's Advice

Author: Automatic Flower

-

"No! Just because I slept with you once doesn't change the fact that you're my boss! And I didn't know you were my boss when it happened," Sakura argued. Syaoran raised his eyebrows at her, a coy grin still on his face. The secretary flushed even more.

"And stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you've seen me naked!"

Syaoran laughed. "Oh, Sakura, you're so funny."

Sakura crossed her arms. "I'm serious!"

The amber-eyed, brown-haired male leaned closer to his secretary. "So am I," he whispered in her ear.

-

Sakura panted, her body moving with the rhythm. Strands of hair stuck to her face; her body slicked with sweat. The tempo was quick, but she wasn't near out of breath, or finished, for the matter.

"Sakura!"

The young auburn haired female searched out the owner of the voice in the park. She spotted a figure sitting on a bench under an oak tree; waving to her. She jogged over.

"Oh hey, Naoko."

Naoko Yanagisawa, Sakura's old colleague, sported a chic brown bob and glasses. In her hand she held a book, Memoirs of a Geisha. The two had previously worked together at a branch of Holt Renfrew. Then Sakura changed jobs, to a popular magazine company. The two had stayed in contact though. Naoko looked Sakura up and down.

"Look at you, all sweaty from running! What brings you here, though? I thought you had a gym in your building."

"Well, it was nice out," Sakura smiled. "And I tend to run more outside than inside."

"Still fit and going strong, I see. Oh, your drawstring is undone."

Sakura looked down to find the drawstring to her shorts were indeed untied, and blushed. "Thanks," she muttered, quickly tying the string into a bow, double knotting it.

Naoko giggled. "I haven't seen you for a while. Last I heard you were trying to land that job at Li Enterprises, weren't you?"

Sakura groaned. "Oh god, don't remind me…" she sat down beside her friend.

"Why, did you not get the job?"

"Nope, I got the job…"

"Then what?"

Sakura launched into her story of how, to congratulate herself and as a way of saying "good luck" for her new job, she had headed over to her favourite bar for a few drinks last weekend…

"Hey, Sakura," the bartender, Yukito greeted. "The usual?"

Sakura grinned. "As always."

Yukito gave the regular a smile, pouring her a drink. "So what's the occasion? I thought you decided to cut back on booze."

"Yeah, well… tomorrow I'm starting my first day at Li Enterprises. Personal secretary of the president there."

"Wow. Going for the big fish?"

"Yukito!"

The silvery-haired bartender laughed, sliding a shot of tequila to the woman. "I'm joking."

Sakura downed the drink before placing the shot glass back onto the counter. "I really hope this job gets me somewhere though. I'd always wanted to run my own company, not run errands for other people."

"I know what you mean. I worked for other people until I opened this place." Yukito said, pouring Sakura a few more drinks.

"And seriously, that was the best move of your life," the woman chuckled. "This place is so popular."

"Why thank you."

"Hey, Yukito, three beers over here!" A voice called out.

"Coming right up!" The bartender replied. He smiled at Sakura. "Looks like Sato's got company. I'll talk to you later."

Sakura twiddled her fingers in a wave as she downed another shot. Suddenly, someone slid into the bar stool beside hers. She turned her head to look at the new arrival. He was a fairly tall man, with messy brown hair, a tanned complexion, and dark amber eyes that were currently focused on her own shocking green ones.

"I assume this seat isn't taken?" His voice was smooth.

"And if it is?"

"Oh," the man said, sounding just a little put out. "Sorry, I'll—"

"It's not."

He grinned at Sakura, watching her with interest. "Alright then, can I buy you a drink?" His eyes fell on the empty glasses in front of her. "At least, another one?"

"Please."

"Two dry martinis, Yukito!" The man called out.

"Yep!" Came the reply. A minute later, the bartender set two glasses in front of the pair, with a knowing glance at Sakura. She grinned and shrugged as if to say, 'what?'. Yukito chuckled quietly and shook his head, leaving the two alone.

"So," the guy said, "apart from being sexy, what do you for a living?"

Sakura threw her head back and laughed. After recovering, she said, "I don't do pick up lines."

"Is that another way of saying you skip that part and take it to the next step?"

"Ah," the auburn haired woman gave a coy smile.

"Wow, Sakura. I'm… speechless. And he turned out to be your boss?"

Sakura sighed. "Yep. I'm trying to avoid him, but it's really hard when you're constantly delivering things to his office and taking calls for him."

Naoko patted her friend on the back solemnly before perking up. "But he's interested in you?"

Groan. "Well, he likes flirting and reminding me of the night we met..."

"I don't see why you're complaining. If he's actually interested in you, then just go out with him. He's hot, rich, successful, and probably getting more and more famous as we speak."

"But he's my boss! I can't date my boss!"

"Why?" Naoko questioned, putting her book down.

"It's… it's a rule!"

"No it isn't. Sakura, stop making lame excuses. You're just being a chicken shit."

"But… but…!" Sakura protested feebly.

Naoko looked her friend in the eye seriously. "Personally, I think that you're just afraid if you do date him and it goes badly, that he's going to fire you or treat you unfairly. But he can't do that just because a relationship went down the drain. And if he does, I, Naoko Yanagisawa, will castrate him, deep fry his balls and feed them to my neighbour's dog."

"… ew."

-

On Monday, Sakura wondered if she should have even gotten out of bed.

A button flashed on her phone that sat innocently on the rich mahogany desk. She sighed, wishing she could just ignore it as she typed up the records of last week's meetings. But nope, Syaoran's coffee was probably cold or something. Or he wanted to flirt with her. Or torment her. Or… god, he wouldn't try anything on her, would he? No, no, he wouldn't do that, Sakura told herself. And of he did, she could always sue him. Bring down the company… get rich… and never have to type another damn stock recording again. But then again, he didn't really strike Sakura as the type who would force anything. Naoko's words came back to her. Then, maybe he wanted—

"Sakura, get in here!" Her boss's voice came from inside the double oak doors.

She sighed again, getting up from her comfy leather seat. Walking through the doors, she stopped in front of Syaoran's desk, avoiding his eyes.

"Yes?"

"I was calling you."

"And I was… preoccupied…" Sakura trailed off, blushing. Syaoran raised an eyebrow.

He cleared his throat. "Alright then. Anyway, I need a chart of last month's stock fluctuations. They're in the records folder on the main drive; you should find them easily."

Sakura was surprised. "Is that it?"

Syaoran looked at his secretary. "What do you mean is that it?"

"Oh… nothing," Sakura coughed, diverting her eyes to the floor.

"… did you want there to be something more?"

Sakura looked up. He leaned back in his chair and smirked at her. "Because that can be arranged, sweety."

The emerald eyed woman promptly left the room.

- - -

You weren't thinking nasty in the beginning, right?

So, chapter two down. I'm not sure how long this story will be… shouldn't be too long, seeing as I basically skipped a week in between chapter one and two. But you never know; I could drag it out. Doubt that'd be fun though. I think this story would be better if was a little… quicker-paced. But still… we'll see how it turns out.

Reviews are greatly appreciated!