A/n: Hey guys! Sorry for the people who reread chapter 6, apparently I updated chapter 7, but I deleted it since I noticed I uploaded the wrong file. So now I reposted it. Sorry!

Okay, so the ending of chapter six wasn't that great, but I hope that was okay. Anyway, I'll leave you guys to know why that was the ending by reading this chapter. I hope you guys like it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura.

Strictly Professional

Chapter VII:

Evenly Matters

On the fourteenth room of the twenty-seventh floor, there was a room devoured by darkness. The room was locked out from the outside world, as the morning started out with rain continuing to pour and crash against the windows which were covered by the thick cream and gold-embroidered curtains. The ignored, flat television that hung against the wall across from the sofa, was the only source of light inside the room, giving off a bluish glow through out the dark place. The light which was provided gave one evident shadow of a figure which simply sat there, inside the dark and dreary living room, burying her face behind her knees, tear stains visible on her delicate face. She enveloped her arms, hugging her knees close to her chest, as she buried her face behind them.

A warm, dark blue and yellow, star-patterned blanket which appeared much like the normal, clear night sky, was wrapped around her petite figure as she leaned against the back of her peach sofa. She sat there, only taking in, and slowly letting out the oxygen that she inhaled, listening to nothing but the eerie sounds of the crashing of water droplets against the glass windows.

It was Friday, the ninth of December, three days since the sixth of December. It had also been three days when Sakura had been slapped by her own manager across the face. The young model shifted as she gently touched her left cheek with her hand, feeling the same spot where she had been roughly and heartlessly smacked. The pain was no longer there, yet thinking about it always made it seem like her cheek was throbbing once again; and as much as she hated to think about it, that was simply impossible to avoid.

Sakura let go of her cheek and hugged her pink pajama-clad knees against her chest tighter than before. Many questions rushed back through her head as she thought of her many different encounters with Syaoran Li, also known as, her now dreaded manager and co-model.

One of the first questions that popped in her head was what happened to that secure right hand which held her when she was in front of that red-headed jerk; that time, when she had been almost close to being raped and was rescued by him a month ago? There was also that firm right hand that dragged her out of the growing crowd, which was practically suffocating her even if she refused to admit it. What happened to that? What about that strong right hand which pulled her out of the freezing water to get back up on her canoe, that even if she would never confess to the fact that it was partly her fault for tipping it over, helped her? Wasn't it the same man, with the same right hand which assisted her throughout all that? What ever happened to that helping hand?

Yes, even though she hated to admit any of it, she was grateful for all those times that he had helped her. She just didn't say she was, because she's a woman who had a high respect for her dignity. In short, she had great pride. Whoever said only men had great pride? Women have their prideful moments too. But now, it's not even about that.

She never really felt like thanking him for any of that anymore. Why? Well it was obvious, because that was 'was' and this is 'is.' Ever heard of people telling you that it's not right to linger on the past, well they're right! Plus, Syaoran didn't seem to be like the person who needed thanks. When you look at it, who would be an owner of claiming to have properly functioning brain cells if you insult someone after helping them? Apparently, Li Syaoran was one of the many.

However she just couldn't help but think of another thing that bothered her mind. Wasn't it just nearly two weeks ago when he had her in his arms for the photo shoot, the only actual day that she had thought he actually cared about more than just his career? He was acting like a total authoritarian with the schedule and everything. It would only be natural for her to think that he was one business-crazed man, and apparently he is!

But then, wasn't it his right hand that was gently placed on her left cheek for that annoyingly disturbing, yet successful photo shoot? It was, wasn't it? Then what the hell happened to that gentle hand huh? It seemed like it was suddenly replaced by a fierce claw of a roaring, one week-famished tiger. But then again, it was just a photo shoot and he was a model, Sakura's co-model. It was all acting, so what the photographer says is what the photographer and everyone else gets. It was still a part of his career, and like she thought, he was a business-crazed man. One rude, aggravating, egotistical, pain in the ass business-crazed jerk.

As the sound of boisterous thunder was heard, Sakura's emerald green eyes burned with agony and resentment as she thought of the past events. Her brain wondered about the many things that have already happened ever since she had met her manager. Every single day seemed to make her dislike him more and more; and this? Well this was just too much!

She was starting to really consider the fact of just quitting. I mean, there isn't really anything that's going to happen to her if she did. Even though Tomoyo, Sonomi, or Meilin might kill her; you know, for leaving the just newly started deal, which she greatly hoped would be cut off, or at least until they get her a new manager, co-model, or whatever Syaoran's purpose was in that currently, horrible life. But by the money her hardly touched bank account had by now, she remembered Tomoyo stating that she could live the next impossible-to-count years of her life with shining glory and wealth with it. But no, she didn't want that. Sakura Kinomoto was anything but a quitter.

Luckily for Sakura, Syaoran never really came by, and she never really saw him. The last thing she would want right now was for him to come barging into her door. No, that would just be too awkward. Indeed, the young model was trying to avoid Hong Kong's most arrogant, yet wanted, bachelor. It wasn't such a hard thing to do though, since he never even attempted to say sorry.

The young model just hoped to every living being and every greater source up there that Syaoran would be fired, meaning literally burnt and cast away without mercy and him losing his job. She just hoped that everything would go back to normal. She hoped that maybe tomorrow, she'll wake up and she'll find out that it was all just a dream; that there was no manager-changing, co-model giving, or company deal-making in her life. Oh and how can she forget, strictly NO Li Syaorans in her life!

There was no harm in hoping right? Most people said hoping is mostly the only thing they can do, if they're in a desperate situation; and she is in an oh-so desperate situation after all. To hope for something, was one action that can never be taken away from you. So she hoped, and oh yeah, she hoped hard! She hoped as hard, or even harder, as all the combining forces of the diamonds that ever came to existence.

Yet again, isn't hoping kind of like wishing? And didn't they also say, careful for what you wish for?

Apparently, they did and they still do.

0o0o0o0o0o0

"This is exactly why I don't like him being around her!" the CEO of Kinomoto Banking Corporation screamed as he grabbed a handful of his hair, pacing back and forth, his shoes clicking against the hardwood floor of his office.

"But Touya," Yukito started with a calm voice.

"I do not want any buts from anyone right now," Touya stopped, glaring at his best friend who sat calmly on one of the black chairs which sat in front of his desk. "I want this guy fired; Fired, no later than NOW!" Touya screamed once again, smashing both palms of his hands against the wooden desk which separated him from Yukito's calm exterior. "They should have done that when had laid one of his nasty fingers on my sister in the first place!"

"I thought you were his friend," Yukito started, looking at Touya, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned back against the chair.

"That's the point," Touya said, as he angrily lifted his palms from his desk once more, and continued tugging on his already messed up chocolate coloured hair. "I am good enough friends with him to know that he would not be good around my sister!"

"And you are judging this by what exactly?" Yukito questioned with a sigh, as his olive coloured eyes followed Touya's, once again pacing figure.

"Who cares what the hell I'm judging it by," Touya stated as he glared at his friend, who seemed unaffected by it. "It's a gut feeling, and my gut has never let me down once in my life!"

Yukito simply shook his head and sighed. He knew that Touya's instincts were mostly right, but it seemed that when it was something concerning his sister, the over-protective side of him just always wins over all practical thinking.

"Being his friend," Yukito started after a few moments of thinking. "Don't you think you would be able to at least have a little trust in him being around her?"

"I did," the CEO said as he continued pacing back and forth before stopping and glaring at one of the buildings, through the harshly falling rain. "That wasn't until I saw them interact with each other the first time I introduced them."

"Don't you think you're over-reacting?" Yukito questioned as he glanced at his watch. "You know what you're like when it comes to Sakura." Yukito said staring at his friend's back.

"Yes I know what I am like when it comes to Sakura," Touya said as his eyes narrowed at the tall building which read Li Designs.

"Then don't you think it's about time you let it go?" Yukito asked as he slowly stood up from his chair. "She's grown up now; she can take care of things by herself."

"The last time I let it go," Touya said as he turned around and sat on his chair. "Was the one time I wish I didn't."

Yukito simply sighed and headed for the opposite direction of Touya's desk, slowly opening the wooden doors which separated the room from the hallway. He stopped for a second, before closing the tall door, hearing his friend's regretful last words.

"I can't let that happen again."

0o0o0o0o0o0

Ruby eyes shifted its gaze from the continuously pouring rain to the floating leaf in her cup of tea which lay in front of her, listening as her friend continued to converse with her mother on her phone.

"Yes mom," the amethyst-eyed lady said as she clung onto her phone, as she played with the straw of her iced tea, twirling it around making the gradually melting ice lightly make tinkling sounds against the clear glass. "Okay mom, you don't have to worry about it," Tomoyo assured. "I'll talk to you later, bye." She said with a final goodbye before she snapped her silver phone closed.

"We have to work on this soon," Meilin stated as she stared up from her tea to face her dark purple haired friend.

"We really should," Tomoyo stated, staring back at her Ruby-eyed affiliate. "Everyone is going to be affected if we don't act soon."

"Knowing my cousin, he doesn't usually hit people like that," Meilin said, her expression faltering to a frown and her eyes landing back on her steaming tea, as the leaf sank down to the very bottom. "I annoy him all the time, and he's never even raised his hand threateningly at me."

"I might not know Li much," Tomoyo started, taking a sip from her drink. "But I'm sure he's not the type to be so harsh."

"Things have been a little unstable lately," Meilin said in a low voice as she gave off a sigh, taking a drink from her own, slightly cooled tea.

"Very unstable actually," Tomoyo said as she stared back up at her friend. "This was never a part of our plan; I'm starting to think it's not such a good idea anymore."

"Well," Meilin started as she placed her elbow on the table. "I still think it can happen, I just hope it lands our way."

"I hope you're right about that."

0o0o0o0o0o0

Amber eyes stared fixatedly at the white ceiling of his pale, green bedroom. He's been out of work for the last three days; the suggestion of taking a break even came from Sonomi, the company owner and CEO herself. At first, when he had been called to her office, he had thought he was going to be doomed, fired, and even possibly murdered. Then, all that was asked for him to do was to think about what he did, and then to act the role he must do.

Apparently, till now, all he can do was to feel guilty about slapping the young model. It was something about slapping her that made him feel guiltier than usual. Maybe, it was because that was the only time he had slapped a girl, or maybe it was because when she had run out of that room, her crystal-like tears were left on his frozen figure after her swift movements.

It was his entire fault, yet he couldn't really bring himself to do anything but stare at his bedroom ceiling, which appeared incredibly interesting for the past three days. It was starting to get on his nerves, and somehow he just wished that he could retire, maybe to rid everyone of the unpleasant fact of knowing him- the person who slapped Japan's, or possibly Asia's top female model.

However, Li Syaoran wasn't about to do that. He was not going to retire, and prove himself to be the greatest loser known to mankind. He wasn't going to run away from his mistakes; he was going to correct it. It's just that, he had to do this when he actually gathered up the guts to walk up to her, apologize, and… Do what exactly?

Yes, Li Syaoran, as smart as everyone claims he is, did not know what to do. Sure, he knew he was supposed to apologize, since he had already come to the conclusion that all the frustration that was let out on the unfortunate model, was all his fault on his lack of self-control; yet he didn't really know how to do it. It was somewhere at the back of his head, yet he couldn't get it out, he couldn't act out what he wanted to do.

What does he want to do? He was unclear about it himself.

Right now, the only actual thing that he was glad about was that his mother never contacted him yet about what had happened, or bugged him about things that he didn't want to be bugged about. Seriously, that was most likely the reason as to why he had erupted like a mad, live volcano which only vomited boiling, red, hot magma once in its whole existence, yet caused all possible damage imaginable. However, he wasn't going to blame this on his mother. That was one thing he wasn't going to do.

He wasn't about to grab the phone and call her yelling, This is all your stupid fault, that you had to call me every five seconds! Look what you did mother! No, he wasn't going to do that; you can only imagine how well that would go. Besides, after finally getting a rest from his mother for a whole month, he wasn't going to march up to the phone and-

The ringing of the telephone started to echo through his ear, No, possible damn way. Syaoran thought as he sat up from his bed and grabbed the black receiver which rested on his bedside table. Syaoran panicked, as he stared at the phone, wondering if he should answer it or not. What if it was his mother, he didn't know what would ever happen if it was her.

After a number of rings, he finally decided to answer it, "Li Xiao Lang! Thank God you answered; I was about hung up the phone!" Syaoran sighed as he heard the familiar irritated voice of his raven-haired cousin.

"Hey Meilin," Syaoran stated in a low voice, as he flopped back down on his bed, his chest-nut hair being in an even greater mess, as his head sank down the dark green pillows.

"What took you so long to answer the phone anyway?" Meilin questioned impatiently, Syaoran could almost picture her tapping her foot on the ground and her other hand on her hip as she asked this. He would have laughed, at the fact that he had annoyed his cousin, if only it was at a different time.

"Sorry, I thought you were someone else," Syaoran said as he rolled over to one side, of the bed.

"Oh, so now you've got sluts calling your house?" Meilin questioned with sarcasm, and a laugh. "I thought you were better than that Syaoran."

"Very funny Meilin," Syaoran retorted back sarcastically as he rolled back to face his white ceiling.

"I know," Meilin said with a chuckle. "I'm glad you agree."

"Actually I don't," Syaoran's voice immediately changed to a quiet, serious voice, as he gave off another sigh. "I think we both know that that to make fun of me isn't the real reason as to why you called."

Meilin's chuckles suddenly stopped, as she gave off another sigh, "You're right Syaoran." Meilin's exhausted reply came, "I think I don't have to explain what this is about."

"If it's about Kinomoto, I already know that I'm supposed to apologize to her," Syaoran stated annoyed, he already knew he was supposed to do that. "It's just that-"

"You don't know how to do it." Meilin finished his sentence impassively. "You have got to get your head together Syaoran," she started as Syaoran moved the phone to his other ear. "It's been three days now, and you don't usually take this long to get something together. What is wrong with you lately?"

"I know it's been three days," Syaoran stated with frustration, as he ran his fingers through his hair, before closing his eyes and letting out a long breath. "Besides, what do you think I've been trying to do for the last three days, nothing?" He shifted, and rolled over to his side, as he pressed the phone closer to his ear, "And if I knew what was wrong with me, do you honestly think I'd still be lying on my bed, being guilty and thinking of what I just did?"

"Still, don't you think three days has been a little bit… too long?" Meilin questioned, her voice getting softer as she questioned her amber-eyed cousin through the phone.

Syaoran simply sighed as he stared at the light green walls which surrounded him. "Is that all you're going to tell me?"

"No," Meilin answered. "I'll tell you the rest, later."

"What do you mean, later?" Syaoran questioned sitting up on his bed and walking towards the bathroom. He needed a shower to get all of this out of him. "Why don't you just tell me now?"

Meilin paused on the other line, saying her last words before she hung up, "Meet me at Etinceler Arrose by seven."

0o0o0o0o0o0

The pool of water that was gathered at the pavement instantly separated turning into little droplets before landing back down on the sidewalk as people with umbrellas and people who were walking made contact with the ground. As the day continued on, the thunderous sounds and fearsome lightning consistently accompanied the endless torrential rain as it poured down from the thick, heavy clouds. The strong, chilly winds continued to zoom past many, carrying the descending water droplets with it as it swept by. It was only one-forty-three, and it already seemed like the rain would never stop.

A dark blue sports car, stopped on the damp streets of Tokyo, waiting for the cars in front of it to move out. There seemed to be a car accident that caused the heavy traffic along the way to his destination, as Eriol sighed, growing quite impatient for the slowly moving traffic. He hung his head low, and decided to let his eyes roam the streets while sitting in his car.

It was then that a sight of long, dark, wavy, purple hair was blown back by the wind as it continued to sweep by the streets. It was flowing behind a lavender umbrella, hiding the face of the owner of the magnificently silk-like hair. Eriol undoubtedly knew who it was.

Tomoyo's hair was starting to get completely wet as she forcefully walked against the wind, her umbrella clutched with both her hands, in front of her. She tried to shield herself from the rain but it didn't seem to work. Her knee length cream-coloured was starting to get wet and her dark brown dress pants was already getting soaked, as her cream-coloured boots continued to step on the wet streets. Her cream, lavender, and chocolate brown knitted scarf was tightly wrapped around her neck, the ends flowing with her hair as she walked down the streets.

Eriol noticed Tomoyo's figure starting to walk by his car, when her umbrella was folded back and quickly blown away by the wind. It almost hit another man walking, and it was a good thing that he had dodged it. Tomoyo ran to the other side of the path, towards a café's door, but it was locked. She simply stood under the closed cafe's roof covering, and rubbed her gloved hands against her coat-covered arms. She pushed her hair behind her ear, but it didn't help because the second she did, the wind only whipped it to her face forcefully. She adjusted her scarf and tried to emit heat by rubbing her hands together.

She stood there, the roof not really helping, since the wind blew from her right side. She shivered under the roof as the water almost completely soaked half of her figure. She was about to turn her back against the wind, when she heard her last name being called. She tried to look at the sidewalk and figure out who was calling her.

"Daidouji-san!" Eriol called from inside his car, through the open window as he worriedly stared at her soaked figure. "Over here!"

The young vice-CEO snapped her head in front of her, where Eriol's dark blue sports car was parked, or rather stopped by the heavy traffic, beside the sidewalk. "Hiiragizawa?" She looked at him for a few seconds.

"Get in Daidouji-san," Eriol stated as he signaled her to the empty seat beside him.

Tomoyo looked at him hesitantly, "I'll just wait for the rain to sto-" Tomoyo didn't get to finish her sentence as the thunder finished it for her, covering her ears.

"This rain won't stop. Hurry up and get in before you get even more soaked!" Eriol screamed, trying to over power the sound of falling rain as another lightning flashed from the skies and thunder soon followed.

Without anymore hesitations, Tomoyo ran over to his car, and pulled open the passenger seat on the left, hopping into his car without another thought of unwillingness when another lightning flashed. She gave out a small yelp, as the sound of thunder erupted when she had closed the door shut.

"Are you okay?" Eriol asked glancing at her drenched figure, after she gave the small yelp. He didn't get an answer but a slight shiver as she rubbed her hands together, "I guess not." Eriol turned around to look at what he had at the seats behind his sports car, attempting to start a conversation with his friend, "Why didn't you bring your car with you? It's raining really hard today. You shouldn't be out walking when the weather's like this."

"I was only two blocks away, I didn't know the weather would be this bad." Tomoyo mumbled as she took off the gloves which hid her pale hands.

His sapphire eyes quickly spotted what he was looking for as he grabbed one of the white face towels which were neatly folded. "Here," he offered it to Tomoyo and she seemed to not have noticed him hand it to her, either that, or she simply ignored him. After a minute of just staring at her, and not taking the white towel, he placed it on top of his lap and grabbed her now bare hands. He gently took it in his, while Tomoyo's head snapped at his direction.

"What do you think you're doing?" she questioned her face annoyed, and at the same time shocked.

The marketing manager looked up at Tomoyo's amethyst eyes before he tightened his hold on both her hands, bringing it close to his face as he gently breathed out a warm breath, making contact with Tomoyo's freezing, pale hands, whispering in them, "Trying to keep you warm."

After a few seconds of simply blowing into Tomoyo's hands, he finally eased his hold on them, and she yanked her hands back to herself. She tried to avoid his gaze and uncomfortably stared down at the amazingly spotless white interior of his car.

The sapphire-eyed man then grabbed the white towel which lay on his lap and slowly lifted Tomoyo's chin. The cold water was gradually scrolling down her pale and delicate cheeks as they fell from her soaked bangs. Tomoyo still tried to avoid his gaze, and continued staring down, not having the self-control to ask or stop the marketing manager about his actions. He grabbed the white towel with his right hand and gently lifted her bangs, wiping her forehead, and moving down to her left cheek. He then transferred the towel to his left hand wiping her right cheek with it, while he held her now dry cheek on his right.

Feeling the warmth that his hands provided, Tomoyo couldn't help but look at the man who ever so gently wiped her face. She couldn't help but slightly blush at his actions, and once he finished wiping the cold and wet water on her cheek, his deep sapphire eyes instantly met her confused amethyst ones.

Tomoyo tried to look away, but no matter how hard she tried, she only seemed to get stranded in his gaze. It seemed impossible, and his eyes simply locked with hers. She felt her cheeks start to get warmer because of the hands that he placed on her cheek. She wasn't even sure anymore whether her face was turning warm because of his stare, his hold, or simply being alone with him that hasn't happened in a long while; she didn't make it happen.

But that was ridiculous, why would she be feeling this around him? After all she disliked him.

Tomoyo quickly snapped out of the stare, and at that instant the beeping sounds of cars followed suit. The blocking of cars had finally ceased and they were free from being stuck on that road in such weather.

Eriol quickly stepped on the gas, and placed his right hand on the steering wheel. He used his left to focus the heater on Tomoyo; the hot air blowing towards her figure, as she sighed lightly at the warmth which blew against her face.

They drove in silence before they stopped in front of the red traffic lights. "I heard what happened," Eriol stated casually as if nothing had occurred earlier. "Is Sakura-chan alright?" He questioned, his eyes still waiting for the lights to turn green.

"I'm not quite sure myself." Tomoyo replied, as she stared out the window, on the crowded and wet streets of Tokyo. "She's been locking herself in for three days now."

"Don't you have a key to her place?" Eriol questioned, still staring at the lights which were still glowing red.

"I do, but all she's been doing is sitting in front of her TV," Tomoyo explained with a sigh. "I actually called her earlier, to meet me somewhere since the last time I've checked up on her was yesterday. I told her I'll get somebody to pick her up; I don't want her driving like that especially on this weather. She did purchase her car for a reason, and that's to drive fast."

"The last thing we'd want her in is an accident." Eriol said as he switched gears and stepped on the gas pedal once the lights turned green. "What did she say, when you asked her?"

"Honestly, I don't know," Tomoyo said as she continued to look out the window. "I just hope she goes, I think she should be better by now. Knowing Sakura, she's not going to let these things get to her for a long time." Tomoyo explained, with a sigh.

"But then, I don't think anybody has slapped her that hard before either," Eriol stated as they stopped in front of another stop light. "I don't even think anybody has actually slapped her on the face before," Eriol continued when Tomoyo didn't say anything, seeing as they both know Sakura well. "I'm actually on my way to DMO myself since Touya sent me."

"Touya sent you?" Tomoyo questioned, facing the navy-haired man. "Couldn't come himself huh?"

Eriol simply shook his head, "He said he didn't want to risk people's lives by coming by himself." Eriol said as he once again pressed on the gas pedal and turned the steering wheel once the arrow pointing left turned green, "He said he wanted me to check up on what was actually happening down there."

Tomoyo shook her head and sighed, "Everyone's getting so worked up on this." Tomoyo stated as her eyes landed on the tall building ahead, which read DMO. "I just hope everything turns out fine."

0o0o0o0o0o0

Emerald eyes continued to burn much like the flaming red candle in the middle of the table. She was sitting on one of Tokyo's finest restaurants; and yes, she liked the place. It had this really magnificent, rich, natural theme to it. The place was filled with the aromatic scent of flowers as the candles continued to burn. They also produced great warmth, which was definitely needed on a cold, rainy, fall day, such as today. The bronze-yellowish wall gave off a great, comfortable feeling as everyone sat and ate from their expensive looking plates.

The restaurant, as oddly circular shaped as it is, really is a great place to eat. There was a huge, gold, chandelier hanging in the centre of the place, which gave off much of the light, with the help of the little diamonds that accessorized it. The chandelier seemed to accent the middle of the restaurant, where everything was pulled together; even the two people that were harshly pulled apart by their own wills of not wanting to see each other.

Directly below the great chandelier, was a dazzling circular pond, and in the centre was a water fountain. The pond had four roots of sparkling streams, which stretched out to the circular restaurant, dividing it into four. The pond and streams were bordered by multiple red roses, another accent to add to the wonderful scent. The water also seemed to reflect the light of the diamonds which came from the chandelier, giving the water a sparkling glow. The four parts of the restaurant, which were divided by the streams, were connected by wooden bridges, which appeared as an arch on top of the water.

Sadly, the roses really did nothing for the young model as she sat there eating her dessert. She actually considered it something which mocks her at that very moment. It irked her to the point that she really wanted to get a lawnmower, and drive it crazily over those roses. The water was also something that irritated her. It was so clear, that she never even imagined water as clear as that right now in her life. Just look outside, it's practically storming out there, and everything is definitely not clear! And the bridges? Well the bridges just pissed her off! She could swear that not everything is as well connected as it is! The streams would have been excusable if they didn't have those bridges, keeping everything clearly away; but no. Those damn bridges. They were the reason that two companies collaborated in the first place. That damn bridge, she wished she could tear it down with a bulldozer of some sort.

Above the water fountain and the circular pond was a glass floor which was a slightly smaller in area than the actual pond. Being an incredibly thick, transparent, crystal-like, glass, it was held up by sixteen gold-like metal posts which also had little holes and slowly gave off sparkling water. The circular glass area in the middle of the place was elevated, so that it was right on top of the water fountain and pond, giving it a floating-on-water paradise feel.

The emerald-eyed lady really liked those gold-little-pole-water-spitting-things. She was quite fond of it, not because of its magnificent look or something; simply because it reminded her of what she wants to do: spit on Syaoran's face! Or something like, stab holes into Syaoran's body and make his blood endlessly leak like those golden poles. By then, she would probably be able to appreciate the floating-on-water paradise feel, because she'll be satisfied with her job of evilly poking holes through her manager's body.

The sides of the floor were supported by gold railings which were just the right height. The railings were carved with many different types of flowers and petals, giving off an impression of security, and at the same time elegance. The glass area was connected to the other parts of the restaurant by means of four bridge-like, stairways which led to the four different parts of the place. The stairway had the same elegant railing, and a red carpet was placed right on top of it, only until the last step, as to not cover the glass floors which lay ahead.

Seriously, what was it with those damn bridges? Can't they lie off for a second? There were even supports built on the side! However, that red-carpet feel really got to her; maybe she could play this a different way. Maybe she shouldn't cut off the deal; instead, let her co-model's blood flow on the bridges, and maybe they'll detach themselves from her little paradise.

The crystal-like floor was only occupied by one circular table. The table, much like all the other tables, had a cream table cloth, but this one also had a gold smaller one which was situated right on top of the cream. In the middle of the table was a single, red, burning candle which gave off the scent of roses.

On that very table sat Sakura as she continued to eat her last course of the meal, a Soufflé. Normally she would be enjoying herself in this exquisite restaurant, but unfortunately right now was anything but normal. Sakura tried to quickly, but at the same time, neatly eat her dessert as she did not want to spend anymore time with the person who sat across from her.

Tomoyo had called her earlier that day, convincing her with all pleading manners that she had to get out of the house; telling her that it's not healthy to stay inside her condominium doing nothing in three days. Her best friend even told her that she'll get someone to pick her up, so that she didn't have to drive through the discordant weather. Her best friend, Daidouji Tomoyo, also told her that she was going to meet her, at Etinceler Arrose.

That's right; Tomoyo told her that she would meet her.

How considerate right? Her best friend, caring for her and being all worried about her well-being of staying at home and driving at such weather. But NO…The moment she looked up that night and saw who came with the waiter, she almost spit out the water she was about to drink. Her emerald eyes grew extraordinarily wide of who was standing there at her very presence. At that moment, her heart began to race, rivaling the speed of lightning that struck outside in such a stormy weather.

No, her heart wasn't racing because she was madly in love or something like that. It was a thousand miles away from that. Her heart was racing because at that moment, she vowed that the instant she saw her best friend she would kill her, with her own bare hands; and nope, she didn't care if she was put to jail, or put to death penalty for it.

You see, she even wondered if she was still Tomoyo's best friend. What kind of best friend would lie to you? No decent best friend would do that unless it's for your own rightful sake, and that wasn't for her own rightful sake! If Tomoyo thought it was, then she was gravely wrong.

Earlier, when she had looked up, she was greeted with the sight of one of the people, or only person, she intensely disliked with a burning passion. Not like the little candle burning type, more like a whole forest burning type of passion. At that second she was greeted by the sights of her equally shocked manager.

Yes, you heard right, her manager, Li Syaoran was the one who came instead of her expected best friend, Daidouji Tomoyo.

Oh how she was dying to kill right now. Inside she was boiling and ready to storm out of that restaurant, but of course before that, she would grab the knife which was on her table and stab the person in front of her to death. Yes, call her outrageously blood-crazy, but she didn't care. She wanted to cause Li Syaoran intense pain, just like he had done to her. He didn't even apologize or anything of that sort, so if she does kill him right then and there, she wouldn't feel one bit guilty about it.

Nope, not one bit guilty about it. That was unless of course, she stabs him right when he was about to finally say something near an apology in their extremely silent and nearly ended dinner.

Sakura looked up from her plate before she stuffed the last little piece of the soufflé inside her mouth, staring blankly at her manager who sat across from her. He was long done his dessert, and it seemed as if he was incredibly uncomfortable sitting there. However, she didn't notice this as all she could ever do was send him an emotionally blank expression, which if you looked closely, showed her blazing passion to strangle the guy in front of her. Yes, she was a good model, and he should know how to see through that by now.

Why was Li Syaoran uncomfortable? Well, it was because of many things. Since their table was in the middle of the restaurant and elevated from the normal floor, his companion probably didn't notice it since she had only been glaring or emotionlessly staring at him, but everyone was ogling at them and whispering to each other. Talk about awkward. Besides, he could have sworn somebody even took a picture of the both of them earlier while they were eating their Steak au poivre.

Another thing was the fact that he wasn't supposed to be here with her in the first place. Didn't he just tell his cousin earlier that he would apologize if he already knew what he was going to do? Meilin of all people should know that Syaoran didn't like being pressured to do things that he was unaware of in the first place. Now he was stuck in one of the most romantic restaurants with his co-model, who he had guiltily slapped, and he was having second thoughts of whether he should apologize or not, since right now all he could do was sit, and wait for her to swallow her soufflé. Then, he could pay the bill and leave then maybe, he could apologize to her, out at the park, where not a lot of people can see them when she would knowingly cause an outrageous fit.

Yeah, that's what he should do; because that's the only option he was stuck to do!

You see, normally he wouldn't even be one bit uneasy about these conditions. But seeing as things weren't really normal between them, he couldn't help but feel that stabbing ambiance of discomfort.

Once Sakura finished her soufflé, both models took a sip of their own drinks and looked at the waiter who stood by one of the stairways, waiting for them to call for him in need of anything. "The bill please," they both asked in unison. Both glanced at each other, and smiled a smile with two different intentions.

"I'll pay for it," Sakura smiled sarcastically as her emerald eyes glistened with immense signs of threat.

"No Kinomoto-san," Li said, trying to sound as polite as he can. "The least I can do is to pay for the wonderful dinner you accompanied me on, even if I made you wait for my tardy presence."

"Oh nonsense Li," Sakura started with a voice that was sickeningly sugarcoated. "It didn't bother me waiting for you at all. You see, I don't punish people when they're late. In fact, I don't really mind if you never showed up; it would have still been perfectly fine being in such a wonderful restaurant all alone."

"But I simply couldn't make a beautiful lady wait," Syaoran stated, even if he perfectly knew what she meant by the word punish and him not having to show up. It wasn't his fault, he wasn't expecting her either; he was expecting Meilin. "I must pay."

"Well then if you insist," Sakura smiled, but Syaoran surely did not miss the twitch that passed by her expression. Sakura just had to get away from him as soon as possible, and if she let this argument continue, nothing would ever happen.

Syaoran handed the waiter his gold credit card and after a few minutes he returned with the receipt and all he had to do was sign it, before they could leave this place. Once Syaoran had finally made the last stroke to his perfectly neat signature, the waiter pulled out the seat for him, and Syaoran signaled for the waiter that he would pull Sakura's chair instead.

Syaoran slowly pulled out Sakura's chair for her, and offered a hand to help her up. Sakura grudgingly took the hand, and squeezed it painfully before she pulled her hand back and dusted her dark purple skirt which hugged the middle of her thighs and simply flared out till the top of her knees. Sakura then grabbed her black coat which was in Syaoran's arms and wrapped it around herself before taking his offered hand once more down the carpeted staircase and out of the restaurant.

It was still raining, and it was harder than earlier, it seemed like it was never going to stop. Sakura looked around for the car that Tomoyo had her ride in earlier, but the car or driver didn't seem to be anywhere near the place. She yanked her arm out of Syaoran's and made her way through the rain, ignoring Syaoran's protests.

She didn't care if she had to walk through the middle of the park, which was where the restaurant was situated, just to be able to get home and away from that maniac who had slapped her. Apparently, the rain appeared stronger than it looked, and it hurt to feel the water hit her face; but that didn't matter, since it still wasn't as hard as the slap that was brought down to her left cheek three days ago.

"Kinomoto-san!" Syaoran called as he tried to follow her rapidly walking, and soaked figure through the heavy rain. "Kinomoto, can you just wait for a minute!" He screamed rather desperately.

Sakura simply ignored him and continued speed-walking down the park which was dimly lit by the street lamps that were blurred by the harshly pouring rain. She walked faster and made her way towards a bridge that crossed over an almost over-flowing stream. She hated bridges, it all started from connecting one side to the other.

It was then that she almost slipped backwards because of someone yanking her elbow from behind. She roughly hit the person's chest as she was pulled back.

"Can't you wait for a minute?" Syaoran questioned in a rough whisper through her ear. She can tell that he was starting to get annoyed because of her not answering to his earlier calls, "I need to talk to you."

Sakura yanked herself out of Syaoran's hold and rapidly turned around, "Need to talk to me about what Li?" She questioned in a tone that showed no compassion. "About how much that slap hurt, and about how proud you are about actually being able to gain control and discipline on my usual tardiness?" She questioned as her emerald eyes stared at his amber ones, burning with hurt and dislike all mixed together. "Is that what you want to talk about?"

"Do I look like I'm proud of that?" Li questioned as he looked back at her blazing emerald eyes, not one bit shifting his gaze to something else. His expression was tattooed with annoyance, guilt, and apology, yet she didn't see it. "I admit that I slapped you, and it was wrong. But I didn't slap you because you were late!" His amber eyes started to burn with the same glow as her emerald ones.

"Oh, so now you just slap people for the fun of it?" Sakura questioned as she continued to glare at him. "That's always nice to know Li; I wouldn't be shocked if I'm not the only one you've slapped in the last three days!"

"Actually you're not," Syaoran started, his eyes softening as he looked at her still glaring face. "I've slapped myself a couple of times, both physically, and mentally because I was guilty for what I did. Trying to think of why in the world I would do something like that in the first place." Syaoran closed his eyes tightly and opened them again, shaking out all the anger that was flowing through him because of the stubbornness of the lady in front of him. But she can't be blamed, it's normal for her to react like this. He opened his eyes, and stepped forward, intently staring back at her emerald orbs, his eyes expressing anything but sincerity "Do you still honestly think I'm that heartless?"

"You still have the guts to ask me that after what you did? Of course I do, I think you're one of the most heartless bastards out there!" She screamed, her fists tightening as she looked up at him. "It's not the same. It won't do anything if you slap yourself just because you're guilty, or you're trying to know the reason of why you did it!" Sakura screamed as her fists started to shake. "You already slapped me, and it hurt! It hurt because I don't even know I deserved such a slap in the first place." She said as her brightly burning green eyes bore into his.

"How do you think I felt when I just suddenly get slapped by you, when all I was ever left to wonder with was the fact that my tardiness got me a little bit too overboard? And now you're even telling me it's not about that! So I basically just got slapped for no reason!" Sakura said as she leaned in, her face closing in to his angrily, as her arms pushed him back by a bit. "You know how much it hurts to know that you're just like a worthless punching bag that can be punched any time? Or how much it hurts to know that you're just like a guinea pig that only deserves the test slap?" She questioned as she flailed her arms about over her head, annoyed by the fact that she was even here explaining all of this to him in the first place. "It hurts to know that I don't even know the main reason as to why I got hurt! Don't you think I should have the right to at least know?"

Syaoran simply stared at her, his eyes never leaving her angry ones as she continued to express her anger and distress towards the situation. She really can't be blamed; he had already let go of half his stress, and it was by a slap, which was causing her this much stress. It was as if he had transferred every single load of stress he had on her.

Now that she was asking for a reason as to why she got hurt, he never really knew the answer himself. He couldn't really answer her anything, and this probably made her feel like a worthless piece of dog shit thrown in an alley and completely forgotten. If he tells her that it was because he was in so much stress, it will only prove the fact that she was indeed treated like a punching bag or a guinea pig for stress relievers. It will make her feel down, and he can't say that. He didn't even want to say it himself, he was ashamed of it. He really didn't know what to answer to that.

"Yes, I admit it hurts. It still does when I think about it, and it's hard not to! You'll just never feel the same way I felt!" Sakura yelled as she turned around and continued walking across the bridge.

"Look, I really didn't know what took over me during that time," he instantly said, as he placed a now cold and wet hand on her left one to turn her around and face him once again. "All I wanted to say was I'm really-"

It was then that a flash of lightning blinded them, and the sound of thunder deafened them. At that very short moment of brightness and loudness; Syaoran's face was led to land on the railings of the bridge, his eyes no longer facing the lady before him. His face no longer hurting only because of the heavily pouring rain which hit his face, it hurt because Kinomoto Sakura had slapped him, as hard as he had probably slapped her; maybe even harder.

Syaoran slowly glanced back at Sakura, his amber eyes looking at her with understanding. Now he knew what it felt like, and hopefully she was happy with that. He only looked at her with a sad smile and continued his previous sentence, "I'm really sorry."

Sakura glared up at him as Syaoran stared down at Sakura. The young model's eyes now held less of every other emotion that blazed through them earlier. They now glared up at him with only one emotion, triumph.

"Really sorry? Well you know what? I'm not." She said as she took a step forward to face him, as she whispered her last words before leaving him to stand in the middle of the bridge, all alone.

"Because now… We're even."

0o0o0o0o0o0

A/n: I'm done! DONE! Done the longer than ever chapter 7! This chapter was probably as predictable as people expected it to be. I'm sorry, but I tried my best I swear! It's just that I have the chapter summaries for every chapter, and if I steer away from one, it can change the whole story!

Like before (chapter 6), I'm not fully satisfied with this chapter. This probably has same chapter quality as Great Marks, at least I think. This chapter has more character in-depth, especially for Sakura and Syaoran, than descriptions. It's just that I thought it would be nice to see what's going through their heads more, since something very mentally and emotionally unstable just happened. I personally like my other chapters more than this, since I think this chapter was mostly on the blabber factor, and not the describing factor. I'm sorry! I really am!

Anyway, I hope you guys still stayed with me throughout the LONG chapter and…liked it, and don't worry since like I said before…We're closing in to where the real story starts! The next chapter shall explain where the actual plot starts and all!

I hope you guys still watch out for the next chapters. I personally didn't like this chapter as much, but it will lead to many different things, so I hope you guys still watch out for the next chapters. I really want to get to those ones since they're really starting to bug my head every once in awhile, I just want to type them. But I have to ignite the plot first!

Specially, I would also like to thank all the other readers and reviewers out there! I love you all!

Speacial mention to Agent08! Yes thank you for being such a supportive author! I hope you liked this chapter!

Sparkling Waters - I just noticed now that I unknowingly used your name as a title to the restaurant they were in earlier, only it was in French. I love your name! If you feel like I violated you, please contact me and I will gladly change the name of the restaurant. I swear I never noticed until a few seconds ago when I was looking at the reviewers' names!

hey chlei, Arisa – Thank you for the warning about the left cheek! It gave me enough warning to change it before I started this chapter. Thank you very much!

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Thank you guys so much! I really appreciate and love your reviews!

Thank you for the reviewers who stay loyal and have learned to appreciate the long chapters and story!