A/n: Hello everyone. I just noticed that every time I start a new chapter the greeting from chapter three to seven was always, "Hey!" Now, I've decided to switch it for hello, but watch me go back to saying "Hey" again. Anyway, here's chapter seven, the chapter that starts it all. So… Enjoy reading!
WARNING: Longer than ever, Be prepared!
Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura.
Strictly Professional
Chapter VIII:
Only Solution
Sakura couldn't help but smile broadly at the glory of her revenge, and that was saying something since she just got out of bed, incredibly early. She wasn't the morning person after all, yet she couldn't help but express the ecstatic feeling of going back to work with the knowledge that she had finally gotten back on her manager for slapping her six days ago. However, the weather didn't seem to agree with her, as the water still continued to pour down the city of Tokyo. The only good thing about it was that the rain would probably stop later that day, as it was starting to calm down and turn into a very light drizzle. By then, she would definitely be extremely happy and jump around like a totally retarded maniac. Everything about today would be heavenly and perfect!
After Sakura's early morning routine of eating breakfast while watching the comedy channel, jumping in the shower, and getting dressed; she finally left her condominium and took her time to patiently wait for the elevator. It would normally be a shock to her, that she was actually early and prepared for work, but she didn't notice it as all she could do was smile and… smile even wider that her cheeks started to hurt. She was even humming a happy tune as she bobbed her head from right to left, swaying her body a little. Nobody was there to see her anyway so she took advantage of her rejoicing moment. Besides, she didn't really care if people did see her. She wanted the whole world to know how overjoyed she was.
Once Sakura had entered the surprisingly empty elevator, she decided to go to the lobby and check her mail. She was ahead of schedule so it wouldn't really matter if she took her time checking the mail, which she hasn't done in awhile. Sakura continued to hum the jubilant tune as she inserted her silver key inside the keyhole to open her mailbox. Slipping her hand inside the small box, she quickly disposed of all the advertisements that were on top of all the other files, deeming them useless.
Sakura walked back towards the elevator as she pressed the down button, still looking through the thick pile of mail that she held in her hands. There were a number of envelopes, mostly bills and somehow, scented love letters which had made their way to her inbox. She seriously didn't know how these people knew where she lived, and sometimes it worried her to know that some people just wouldn't stop until they know everything about her. It was rather freaky.
Sakura quickly grabbed the love letters and decided to place them at the very bottom of her thick mail, leaving it so she could laugh at their failure of an attempt to make her fall in love with the writer. She wasn't in high school anymore, but still, she found it kind of cute.
The elevator then opened with a ding, and numerous snobby, rich, business people exited, staring at her with curious stares. Nevertheless, she didn't notice the stares they gave her, as she continued to look through the many bills she got. She entered the elevator, still unaware of the many curious glances that were shot her way and waited till they reached the second basement, before she got out entering the cold, grey, parking lot.
Sakura quickly hopped inside her yellow sports car, staring at her watch; it was only six forty and she had about fifty more minutes before she was marked late by her freshly slapped manager. The young model finally got to the very bottom of her mail, ignoring the bills and love letters she had, placing them on the empty black leather seat beside her.
The young model's emerald green eyes stared at the thick package wrapped in the envelope, and noticed it was her monthly magazine subscriptions. Okay, so she did subscribe for almost every single gossip, fashion and cosmetic magazines, but not because she loved all the celebrity drama. Tomoyo had forced her to get them since she was a model, and she could see what the media has to offer that involved her, and the company. Of course, Sakura already knew these kinds of things, and no gossip or rumor usually floated around about her, so she didn't really bother looking at them; but she did have a lot of time so might as well open it.
Just when Sakura was about to rip open the package, she heard her cell phone ring, and she scrambled to get it out of her red shoulder bag. She stared at the name of the caller and answered it cheerfully. "Hey, Tomoyo-chan!" Yes, Sakura did forgive Tomoyo once she got her revenge, seeing as she did give her an opportunity to finally get a good slap of her manager, "What's up?"
"You seem rather cheerful today," Tomoyo greeted on the other line with a bit of a questioning tone. "I'm guessing you're okay now after you gave Li that awful slap." The amethyst-eyed lady stated with a sigh.
"Well isn't it obvious?" Sakura stated as she placed her phone on the holder in between the two seats of her car, as she pressed the speaker setting. "I mean, I'm awake early in the morning; glowing with joy! I'm more than okay!"
"Sakura," Tomoyo started hesitantly on the other line. "I don't think that wasn't such a good idea, you know… slapping you Li."
"What are you talking about Tomoyo, of course it-" Sakura suddenly stopped as she ripped open the brown envelope which held the many different magazines which scattered on her lap. Her emerald eyes grew wide as she stared at about ten different magazines, her mouth agape. The magazines, she thought chaotically as she continued to stare at the front covers which had a picture of her slapping Syaoran on the bridge in many different angles.
Sakura didn't really know how to react to it, as all she can do was stare at all the magazines which lay on her lap. She could have sworn that she was going to faint when Tomoyo suddenly snapped her back to reality by repeatedly calling her name, "Sakura? Are you there? Saku-"
"What the hell is going on?" Sakura suddenly screamed, silencing Tomoyo's constant calling. "Have you read these… these magazines yet?" Sakura questioned irritably, as she grabbed the first magazine that lay in front of her, her eyes burning with rage and terror.
Tomoyo suddenly became alert due to Sakura's violent outburst on the phone, and she definitely knew what her friend was talking about. That was one of the reasons she had called in the first place. "Sakura, I was going to-"
"What the hell is going on?" Sakura screamed once again as she threw the magazines on the seat next to her, disgusted by the sight of them.
"Sakura listen-" the young vice-CEO was suddenly cut off as Sakura ignited her engine and backed up out of her parking spot, her tires screeching against the ground.
"Save the excuses, I'm coming over there right now!" and with that Sakura slammed her phone shut even before Tomoyo could make any other type of explanations, her eyes were glaring at the parking lot doors as they opened with the help of her card key. The gates slowly lifted up, and as soon as it was wide enough for her car to pass through and to go out on the drizzling outside world, Sakura harshly stepped on the gas, her car speeding past all the other cars and once again, breaking every traffic rule there was.
Sakura continued to step on the gas, not minding her speed and the many cars that honked at her reckless driving. The only one thing that buzzed through her head were the front pages of the magazines: Secret Relationship's Lovers Quarrel?
To think that she even thought of this day as something that would be heavenly perfect.
Hell no!
0o0o0o0o0o0
"No mother, I-" The amber-eyed manager tried to explain, as he walked around his loft with his fingers harshly running through his hair, as he tried to avert his anger from the tone that he used towards his mother. Apparently, he didn't see the use of trying to even sound calm about things as he spoke, since his mother never made him finish anything he tried to say in the first place.
"Did you seriously have to anger her as to give the both of you a horrible image to the public? What else could you have done to lead her to slap you?" Yelan asked in a disappointed tone.
"Mother I-" Syaoran once again tried to explain, but he was once again interrupted by his mother's endless lecture.
"I expected you to act better in front of the ladies. I have sent you there since you have earned my trust about… your old habits," Syaoran sighed at his mother's comment. It was true, he was here because he had changed from what he was before. However, that was five years ago! Did she really have to bring it up? "Xiao Lang I am proud that you have found such a lovely lady in only a month. However, I expect you to treat her with respect as she is one of the most famous, young, successful, and gorgeous ladies known around," Yelan continued her reprimands, as Syaoran continued to grow impatient that his mother continued to ignore his intended explanations.
"I do t-" He does try to treat her with respect, and that slap was just a one time thing. Plus, he did apologize for it. In fact, the only thing he never expected to happen was this; everyone knowing that she had slapped him, right after seeing them together in that restaurant, which looked too romantic for its own good. Not only did it affect their reputations, but what about his manly pride? It was acceptable at first, but everyone knowing that he got slapped by her, that was different.
"My son, you're telling me you do respect this young lady. However, you did not do a very good job at handling it. You are her manager and with this issue roaming around with the press, you are not giving her a very good image. That is a part of the respect I am talking about Xiao Lang. You should respect her as your co-worker. If you really like her then you wouldn't be hurting her to make her hurt you back; she is your girl friend after all. Think about it." With that said, Yelan hung up.
"I have thought about it!" The amber eyed manager screamed in frustration to no one in particular, as he was met by the beeping sound of the phone, before he hung up, throwing the cordless device on the couch, and making it bounce off and land on the pale white sofa in the living area. Just not enough, he thought as he paced back and forth his brown chocolate coloured living room.
Of course he has thought about the topic of respect that his mother was talking about. That was why he even bothered to apologize to the young, female model in the first place. It was a good thing his mother never really knew the real reason as to why she was fumingly angry at him, but if she found out the reason behind it; he was more than sure that his punishment would not be pretty. Besides, what was she talking about Sakura being his girlfriend? She didn't even let him explain that they were not together. She cut him off every two seconds when he started to speak; to think that she even dared to talk about respect. He deserved some too! Sakura was still excusable since her roughly slapping him was only payback; but his own mother not even listening to what he has to say; come on! He thought she was better than that! Moreover, Sakura and him were only co-workers, but in a relationship other than that; NO!
Syaoran was actually surprised to know that his mother even believed the press. She was the one that told him that they were ninety percent lies; and here she is, undoubtedly believing that they were together. Maybe it was the reason that he leaving Hong Kong has gravely affected her way of thinking, and that his rumor-hungry sisters were rubbing off on his mother. It could also be the fact that she had been so fond of him working with as she said, a "most famous, young, successful, and gorgeous" lady; that she couldn't see past the gossips of the media. Then again, it could also be the verity that his mother had wanted him to find a fiancé for such a long time now, that she wanted to believe the press that he does actually have a possible candidate for a future wife. Whichever reason it was that led The Li Yelan to believe the gossiping correspondents, it was still unbelievable and highly unacceptable about how self-contradictory his mother can suddenly be!
Speaking of the nosy press, which now bothered him to death because of their noses that wonder off everywhere; they have very supportive pictures of her slapping him, and the dinner they had. Those pictures were not exactly something that they modeled for, and that being said was something that indubitably perked up the foxes' senses, the foxes being the media. Surely, now that they have come to an assumption that Syaoran and Sakura were in a 'Lover's Quarrel,' the issue will only grow and soon, they'll be harassing, and suffocating both companies to death about what had really happened behind their 'Couple's Misunderstanding'. That is until they actually do something about it… But what?
It was still under Syaoran's management to act upon this issue, seeing as he is Sakura's manager. This is her once clean, spotless, image they're talking about. It was about her slapping him, and none of them knew the real reason why she did it. If they did know… it would be complete hell for everyone, especially him. He'll probably meet Satan when that day comes, and he didn't exactly have God's almighty powers to defeat the menacing and cunning devil. By that time, he'll just have to die and be burned in the flames of hell; maybe everyone will be satisfied by then.
The twenty-two year old manager finally stopped pacing the room as he plopped down on his cream sofa, staring at the chocolate-coloured walls of his living room which contrasted with his light cream furniture. He gave off a sigh, as he ran his right hand through his chestnut hair before leaning back on the relaxing sofa. It was then that a thought came to him, what about his reputation? Wasn't he supposed to have someone caring about what would happen to him, while he worries about Sakura's?
At that moment, the phone began to ring again, and Syaoran quickly snapped out of his thoughts as he scrambled to get the phone from the carpet and answer it, "Hel-"
"Xiao Lang, what the hell do you think you're doing?" the loud, familiar, screaming voice of her cousin questioned, sending his hand which was holding the phone stretching as far away from his ear as possible. Oh right, this was his manager that was supposed to be caring for him. "You were supposed to be at work an hour ago! Are you screwing this up too? How many times do you actually plan on becoming a failure under my supervision?"
"First of all Meilin," Syaoran started as he slowly brought the phone back against his ear. "I don't feel very cared for with you screaming at me like that. Do you seriously want me to go deaf?"
"Do you honestly think I care if you go deaf right about now?" the fuming ruby-eyed lady screamed as a few loud banging sounds were heard on the other line. "I want you in this office right now!"
"Can't you ask it any nicer than that?" Syaoran questioned irritated by the fact that his cousin was actually accumulating to his stressful conundrum, instead of helping him solve it. "I don't need you adding to anymore of my hectic and problematic life. So will you please just leave me alone?"
"Guess what, I can't just leave you alone!" Meilin continued to scream, as she ignored Syaoran's plea. "Because the one time I did, which was on Friday, you screwed things up, when I gave you the perfect opportunity to say sorry to Sakura!"
"I did say sorry!" Syaoran argued back as he tried to stop himself from banging his head against the glass coffee table which rested in front of him. "She was the one who slapped me for payback; and it wasn't my fault that you left me there alone, with her! I was supposed to meet you not her! You were the one who set me up, and you can just be blamed as much as I can on this!"
"You should know me well enough by now that I would do something like that!" Meilin argued and was once again followed by a loud banging noise on the other line. "Besides I wouldn't be doing any of those, or even screaming at you about this, if you had watched out for your actions anyway!"
"I was-"
"You were being reckless! Now get over here right now before I kick your sorry ass to the graveyard where you'll be buried alive!" With her last respond still ringing through Syaoran's ear she hung up.
All of a sudden, it felt like it would be better to have his sorry ass kicked to the graveyard and be buried alive than face the terrors of what lies ahead.
0o0o0o0o0o0
Tomoyo sighed as she patiently waited for the silver elevator doors to open, revealing to her the elegant cream wall on the right, tall, glass windows on the left, and maple hardwood floors which held the door leading to the conference room. She walked down the hall, and greeted the employees who acknowledged her presence before she reached the doors of the soundproof conference room.
Once she had opened the doors, the white, spacious room with the same tall glass windows on the front and right walls continued to revealed the drizzling outside. The room which was completely furnished with sleek, black furniture, was occupied by about sixty people, who all quickly stopped talking, and nodded their heads; acknowledging her returned presence before going back to their discussions.
Tomoyo had been gone to talk to Sakura's personal assistant back at DMO, informing her about the meeting, since Sakura refused to listen to her on the phone. Sakura, like Tomoyo had expected, was furious. Obviously, she didn't want anything more to do with Syaoran, but seeing as how things were going, she was the one that's being given the worst reputation right now; at least that's probably how her best friend saw it.
Everyone thought that she and Syaoran were together as a loving couple who cared for each other who only had a misunderstanding; and was trying to hide their relationship from the press. If they find out the truth that both models weren't really in the relationship that they claim they were in, it could lead to serious consequences to not only their career, but also personal life. In addition, if they do claim that she had slapped him only because she was doing it for payback of him slapping her, both the successful models' names would be besmirched, and most possibly ruined for life; dragging the rest of the companies' social status with it.
This issue surely wasn't a very smile bringing news to everyone, but to Tomoyo, she could only find herself grinning widely, knowing there was only one clean way they can deal with this. Sakura slapping Syaoran wasn't really a part of the plan they had intended during the apology however; it did add a very dramatic flare to everything that they had wanted to happen. Luckily, her mother and Meilin thought the same, as both were only chatting animatedly on the other side of the room.
Tomoyo slowly approached the two chief executive officers which didn't seem a bit bothered by the rumors the press was rapidly spreading. In fact, they seemed glad about the current events just as much as the amethyst-eyed lady was. Once Tomoyo found her seat on the three-chair capacity front of the incredibly long conference table beside her mother, Meilin and Sonomi quickly glanced at her and smiled.
The ruby-eyed temporary CEO who sat on the right of her mother then stood up, silencing everyone from their continuous talks. "May we have the attention of all the board members please," in an instant all eyes were glued to Meilin as she spoke. "I believe everybody knows the reason as to why we are called here today, and also, I am sure that everyone knows it is a hard situation to deal with," With that said, the whole room continued with their chatter once again, and was soon silenced by Sonomi's raised hand. Meilin nodded in appreciation and smiled at the business workers which sat in front of them in two straight, parallel lines on either side of the table. "However, even if the situation is considered a threat to both the companies' reputations, I am sure that most of us also know that it could be the total opposite if we do make the right decisions." Most of the people which sat and listened attentively nodded their heads and smiled, knowing exactly what the raven haired temporary CEO was talking about; while the others looked up at her in confusion.
Meilin then looked over to Sonomi and smiled, as she sat down offering Sonomi the right to speak, "What Li-san is trying to say is that we think it is enough explanation that the public has indeed had their say." Sonomi couldn't help but smile as she saw the many people talk to each other with interest as they heard Sonomi's words.
Tomoyo beamed at her mother and Meilin as she voiced out what most of the people in the conference room thought about, "And what do we need right now? Of course, all of us would say: the public's voice." With that said, everyone turned to face the three heads with equally broad and understanding grins.
Competing businesses move up in their ranks with the assistance of the population which helps them get up and be well known. Without the vote and choice of the population they would be nothing. After all, popular status and reputation isn't based or run by the popular ones who are at the top of the chart; it is based by the choice of the people to help and make them take an extra step to the top.
0o0o0o0o0o0
"What do you mean he's not here?" a fuming voice questioned a terrified secretary as she stood stiffly, conversing with the Sakura who's eyes were blazing and fists trembling with anger as it held a rolled up, crumpled, magazine in her hand. "He's usually here about an hour earlier than I am! If he's in there, just tell me, you don't have to lie dammit!"
"Um… Ki-Kino…Kinomoto-sempai," The young secretary stuttered, as she tried to explain the fact that Syaoran was indeed not inside the locked white doors. "He really isn't in there."
"Then where is he?" Sakura screamed as she raised the rolled up magazine threateningly in front of the petrified lime-green haired secretary, gathering the attention of the working crowd. "Is that so hard to answer Masuda-san?" Sakura screamed as her emerald green eyes glimmered with a burning rage.
Masuda Kumiko cowered away from the intimidating fashion magazine which was threateningly held in front of her face. Everyone's eyes intently watched as Kumiko started to answer Sakura's seething figure, "He…"
"He never came here today Sakura-chan," the familiar voice of the burgundy haired lady sounded through the crowd, continuing the terrified secretary's fading answer. A hand touched Sakura's stiff shoulder as she slowly pushed Sakura's right arm down with her index finger, slowly forcing it down, and shockingly for the crowd, she did move it down. "Calm down," Hatomi whispered as she apologetically glanced at the secretary who sighed in relief.
Sakura stared at her orange-eyed friend's look which simply told her to follow what she suggested as it was for the good. The emerald-eyed model then sighed, closed her eyes, and slowly took in a deep breath, before slowly releasing it. She then loosened her grip on the magazine, and she smiled apologetically at the horrified black-eyed secretary, "I'm sorry Musada-san." She started as she gave off another sigh, before she bowed down, in a gesture of apology. Poor girl, one more outburst from Sakura and it was sure that she would have just died on the spot. "It's just that, with all this commotion going on I'm just in so much stress."
Hatomi then looked at Kumiko, expecting her to accept Sakura's genuine apology before she bowed back down at her, "No problem Kinomoto-sempai. I know you don't mean it, Li-sempai…" Kumiko continued, as the orange-eyed lady shook her head vigorously after hearing the mention of the manager's name. She knew where this conversation was going, and she could tell that Sakura did too as her shoulders started to stiffen, and her left eyebrow started to twitch as the secretary continued through her sentence, "and you must be going through a rough time together as a young couple."
If only Masuda Kumiko had any idea of what the effects of her words were, she would be shutting up by now. However, it was obvious that she didn't have an idea as she only clasped her hands together and looked dreamily at nothing in particular continuing her love struck speech, "After a heated argument only a few days ago probably because of the fact that the both of you had a disagreement about wanting to keep their relationship in secret; just to be away from all the problems that they can devastate your love for each-"
With that said Sakura thought she couldn't stand the words coming out of the hopeless romantic secretary's mouth any longer; so she cut her off even before she ends up doing something drastic such as break the secretary's neck. "Thank you for accepting my apology Kumiko-chan," Sakura forced a smile which was obviously trying to hide her annoyance. "Sorry for bothering you," with that she walked out, grumbling curse words to herself as the crowd parted to give her way.
"No problem Kinomoto-sempai!" She screamed and waved after the fuming model. She then sat down at her desk as the crowd slowly evaporated, smiling as if nothing had happened. Only one person decided to stay as she shook her head disapprovingly at the nine-teen year old secretary.
However, like earlier, she didn't notice this as she only smiled up at Hatomi, "Do you need any of my help Sato-san?" Hatomi simply arched an eyebrow at her as she once again shook her head, and simply waved her right hand in front of her, signaling for the secretary to drop the subject as the orange-eyed lady ran as fast as she could with her heels after the fuming, and still grumbling model. "Nice talking to you Sato-san!" Hatomi only raised her left arm waving the clipboard back and forth, bringing it back down right after she turned a corner and almost collided into Sakura.
"Sakura-chan?" She questioned wearily as she saw the back of the tall and slender model standing isolated in the surprisingly empty hallway. "Don't think about what Masuda-san said, she didn't mean it. She doesn't know-"
"Does anybody even know what's really going on?" Sakura questioned as she turned around to face her orange-eyed friend and assistant who only looked at the sides. Even she didn't know what was going on. "You don't actually think we're…"
Hatomi noticed Sakura's words falter and her expression sulk. She quickly shook her head and smiled, "Of course I don't think that Sakura-san." She smiled, she knew that Sakura has always showed dislike for her manager, but now that she thought about it; she always thought Sakura talked about Syaoran too much on the bad side as if she was hiding something from everyone. The emerald-eyed model wasn't the type of person to dislike someone so easily, and it shocked her to know that Syaoran was one of those special people who she didn't like. He wasn't that bad, but Sakura didn't seem to think so.
Sakura never even expressed any appreciation for the guy, that it once crossed her mind that maybe Sakura does like him. Even she didn't really know what was going on, and it didn't seem like Sakura was going to tell her sooner or later either; but she wasn't about to doubt her friend, "Thanks Hatomi-chan."
Hatomi grinned and nodded her head, "So do you still want to know where everyone went?" She questioned remembering Sakura's demand for Syaoran's presence.
"Yeah actually, I would very much like to know," Sakura stated as she tried to smile back at her assistant. "I tried looking for Tomoyo and Aunt Sonomi too, but they weren't there. Do you know where they are?"
"Daidouji-sama said they all went to Li Designs," Hatomi said as she glanced at her ever so handy clipboard which she always held with her left hand, and grabbed a black pen from her pocket. "All the managers went and only supervisors were left to handle the company," Hatomi stated as her pen pointed at the paper, and her eyes skimmed through the note.
Sakura's eyebrows then rose, and furrowed once she realized that she had not been informed about this meeting in Tomoyo's phone call. Then again, she was the one who hung up on her best friend, "I see."
"I believe Daidouji-san expects you there," Hatomi said as they walked towards the elevator doors. Sakura only nodded and held the rolled up and crumpled magazine with both her hands, as she continued to crush it with her hold before dumping it in a trashcan.
She really hoped she could crush everything that was happening right now, and throw it out just as simple as what she did with that magazine. However, magazines were made out of paper; and isn't paper recyclable?
0o0o0o0o0o0
"Again?" Eriol questioned as he stared at the back of Touya's black leather chair. "Why am I always the one that's sent to all these kinds of things? What about Yukito?"
"Yukito's at another meeting at the moment," Touya responded blankly as the flipping of papers were heard.
"What about you?" Eriol questioned as he leaned back on his seat. "Aren't you the one they wanted to attend?"
Touya's chair slowly turned as he faced the young marketing manager, "I have another meeting scheduled for today." Touya blankly replied as he set down an organizer on his desk, and both hands clasped together on top of it, "I can't go."
"I see," Eriol said as he raised an eyebrow at the organizer and Touya's hands which lay on his desk. His hands were clasped together so tightly that his fingers were clawing through the back of his hand and the sapphire-eyed manager could swear he was going to break his own bones soon. His eyes then landed on the organizer which lay under his hands; squeezed in the middle of the organizer were slightly longer and colourful papers. To Eriol, it was obvious that he wasn't reading the organizer for his meeting; he was reading one of the magainzes which involved the topic about his sister, "I'll just have to go by myself then."
The sapphire-eyed manager then grabbed both sides of the chair and pushed himself up before turning his back against the CEO and walking towards the door, before stopping right in front of it.
"Do you need anything else?" Touya's voice rang through the room as he stared at Eriol's back.
"You don't have to lie about the other meeting," Eriol started as he stuffed his left hand inside his pocket and placed his right one on the door handles. "You and I both know what would happen and you know they're-"
"Just leave."
0o0o0o0o0o0
Syaoran tapped his foot against the floor of the elevator as he anticipated for the arrival of the ascending device up the thirty-eighth floor. He simply ignored the worker's stares as his emotionless amber eyes stared at the digital numbers that slowly counted down every two seconds as it moved up per floor. His hands were tucked inside his pockets as his thoughts continued to jam his head which was in the verge of exploding.
The manager was a person who always thought of many things in his head, and usually he has a good take on most of them. Ordinarily, he would be able to handle such mind puzzles, and games. However, this was nothing close to ordinary. This was something complicated that he caused; it was something he has to solve.
He didn't have a single idea on how to solve the predicament and he wasn't sure if the majority of the higher levels did either. Meilin did sound rather frustrated when she had called him, but knowing his younger cousin, she already probably thought of something. Otherwise, she wouldn't be at all concerned for not having him in her sight. She didn't really like babysitting him just like how his mother had asked her to do. Let's not confuse it, she liked to annoy him, but she only did that to get him to go away when they were together; of course he only did the same.
Whatever it was that the higher bosses thought of he would have to take into consideration. They were still of authority. He just wondered how they would be able to handle the situation; it wasn't as easy as it appeared to be if you involved the certain emerald-eyed model.
Everything that involved Sakura was never simple. At some point or another, he always found himself into another fight with her whenever he tried to do something right. Whenever he would try to help her out, she would just push him away and in the end he was the one that ended up not getting even the slightest form of gratitude. When he had slapped her he knew it was his fault, but he did try to apologize and before he can even say it he was slapped. He was sure he didn't accept the apology either. She did say they were even, but now that both of them were humiliated are they still on the even scale? Nothing was easy when it concerned Kinomoto Sakura, nothing at all.
This issue was far from easy, and he wasn't sure how he would be able to set things right. Maybe, there were other ways on how to disentangle this crazily complex dilemma. He would just have to think harder than he's ever thought before.
Once the elevator doors opened on the floor that he had been waiting to reach, he quickly stepped out and sighed. Hearing a familiar sigh right beside him he looked at his right and found himself staring at the emerald-eyed model that stood right in front of the empty elevator that started to close. Syaoran then noticed that the people inside his elevator reopened the doors, once they noticed the co-models staring at each other. To think that he actually thought nothing can be nosier than the press!
Sakura noticed the elevator and the snooping people inside before her emerald eyes landed back on Syaoran who simply gave the people a meaningful glare, which made them close the doors immediately. The young female model then averted her gaze at the wooden doors which stood at the very end of the hall, and rapidly walked her way towards them. Her manager soon followed her and they were walking side by side.
The emerald-eyed lady wasn't really sure what to do as she walked beside her manager as people stopped to watch them walk to the conference room together. Earlier, she was sure that she really wanted to punch him in the face and kill him with her own hands, but now all she could do was look at him from the corner of her eyes. He seemed just as bothered as her, and once they reached the front her mouth decided to take over her mental block on what to do.
"You're still my manager aren't you?" Sakura questioned blankly as she stood to face him, as he only moved his head to glance at her emotionlessly. "Well are you?"
"We'll see if I'll still be today," Syaoran said as he looked back at the tall wooden doors, and the shiny, metal handle which rested in front of him.
"So technically," Sakura started as she still faced him, this time with a glare. "I can still blame you for having those things published. You are my manager and you should be the one that handles my issues and not make things like those magazines be published. Maybe you'll get fired after this, you know for being such a slacker."
Now that got Syaoran's attention but he wasn't in the mood to argue with an annoying model as all he did was glare right back at her, his amber eyes burning with frustration. He wasn't going to waste his energy arguing with her, when he was supposed to be solving a problem about him and her. He still had to think about how he was going to solve the problem they were in right now.
With one last glare, he pushed open the doors.
0o0o0o0o0o0
"Ah, just the people we need for the meeting," Sonomi said as everyone's eyes faced the two people who were standing in front of the wooden doors. "We're glad to have you join us. Please take a seat." Sonomi said as she gestured her hands towards the two seats which faced each other on the opposite sides of the table.
Syaoran quickly nodded at the many people who's eyes were drawn to the both of them, while Sakura only stood there, gaping at the amount of people who sat on the long table. The model was then snapped out of her thoughts as she heard Syaoran's footsteps sound against the maple floors. She then bowed down and followed him, taking the first seat which was right beside Tomoyo, across from Syaoran.
"What's going on?" Sakura questioned as calmly as she could as she faced the three main bosses which sat in front of her. Just trying to stay calm was proving to be something hard to do for Sakura.
"Well, since you already know about the issue going on, we can obviously skip that part." Meilin said as she looked at both Sakura and Syaoran. "To make everything simple, you guys will be such a perfect couple."
It took a few minutes for the words to process in Sakura's mind. She started to think that she was hearing things as Meilin couldn't have possibly said that she and Syaoran would be a… She couldn't even bring herself to say the two words as her sight only landed on the three ladies sitting in front and her. "I-I'm sorry…What?" Sakura choked out.
"Sakura," Sonomi started as she looked over at the young model's horrified face. "We would want both you and Li to act as the perfect-"
"Please don't say the next word," The emerald-eyed model couldn't take anymore of the word couple when it involved her and Syaoran. First of all, didn't they know that she practically hated the guy? "I can't act like that!"
Sakura wanted to curse right there as she noticed Syaoran's face still as emotionless as it was when they had been walking towards the doors. How can he act so calm about things like these? This was his fault; he should be on her side on this. They both know that they can't be the perfect couple!
"But Sakura, you can," Tomoyo started as she looked pleadingly at her best friend. "You have to."
"I refuse to act like the perfect couple with…" Sakura then snapped her head back towards her manager who seemed to be spacing out on the heated conversation the ladies were having. "Him!"
The people who sat in the conference room started to talk with each other as Sakura continued to argue with the three bosses. The only person that seemed to remain silent throughout the whole commotion was Syaoran.
"I can't believe you can even TELL me to act as a perfect couple with him!" Sakura screamed at her best friend, as she was now standing up, her hands on the table as her emerald orbs glared hot, newly forged daggers at her best friend. "I can't even believe you considered that a choice to solve this… this crisis!" The young model screamed as she continued to glare at her friend.
"We considered that choice because it's the only choice!" Tomoyo's voice rose as she argued back with her best friend. She was growing impatient herself. The amethyst-eyed lady noticed the shock in Sakura's face as she said this. She wasn't the type to scream, but her best friend had proved to be such a stubborn and edgy model lately. Maybe it was because she was going through so much stress, like everyone was. "It's the only choice Sakura."
"There has to be another choice," Sakura said as she slowly sank back down into her seat. "Li don't just sit there, help me here!" The emerald-eyed model screamed at her manager, as everyone's eyes then dropped back to Syaoran. It was as if everyone had finally remembered that he was inside the conference room.
"What do you say Syaoran?" Meilin questioned as she looked at her left to face Syaoran. "You are her manager."
Syaoran couldn't help but only continue staring at the table. His head was so crowded, and he couldn't quite think straight. When they had said that both he and Sakura should act like the perfect couple, he was shocked yet he never dared to show it. He wasn't sure why they had chosen such a choice to solve the issue, but once he thought about it, what other solutions were there?
It was a terrorizing, horrifying and most of all a disturbing resolution. If he agreed to this he might as well be agreeing to be on the topic about his flight to an instant death which seemed to be brought up recently. First of all, Sakura's male fans would kill him for even being with her, even though it would be a fake relationship. Second, Touya, Sakura's over protective brother and his supposed friend, would probably kill him as well. Nonetheless, those two reasons wasn't the reason as to why he feared for his life.
Of course, the last reason for his death would be the person who continued to glare menacingly at him, Kinomoto Sakura. He kept on thinking about the slap that she had given him, and how much it had hurt that he was sure by the way situation they were in right now, she wouldn't even hesitate to kill him with her own hands.
The thing about it was, they've only known each other for about a month and one week and their companies want them to be together? For some weird reason Syaoran thought something was suspicious of how Meilin and Tomoyo were acting, and he couldn't help but doubt Sonomi as well. However, that was the least of his problems as he should be looking at the solution they had proposed. Didn't he say earlier that no matter what the bosses say he should consider?
"I'm not interrupting anything am I?" the doors had suddenly burst open and everyone stared at who entered. Tomoyo couldn't help but glare as Meilin and Sonomi only turned to smile at the navy-haired man which stood by the door, making his way towards the opposite end of the table. He then took the seat in the middle of the three chairs as he sat himself down. "Sorry I'm late. Kinomoto-san couldn't make it; he has another scheduled appointment for the day. He asked me to take over. Please continue on where you left off."
The other people only nodded and stared back at Syaoran, who still seemed to be contemplating on the earlier discussion before Eriol had burst into the room.
"Well aren't you going to say no to what they want?" Sakura questioned impatiently as she crossed her arms in front of her chest as she leaned back and raised an eyebrow at her manager.
"Actually," Syaoran spoke calmly as he laid his clasped hands on the table. He stared at the emerald-eyed model, and simply ignored her glare before turning back to the three ladies which sat up the front. "I would like to know why this is the answer you chose."
"What are you talking about?" Sakura questioned as she leaned in on the table, glaring as hard as she can at her amber-eyed manager. "You shouldn't even consider the thought of it!"
Sonomi only smiled and did not hesitate to answer Syaoran's question as both of them ignored Sakura's comment. At least he was more composed on the subject than her niece was, "We chose this reason for numerous reasons." The blue-eyed CEO started as she slid a folder in front of Syaoran. Syaoran glanced at the green folder before he looked back at Sonomi for the thorough explanations, "All the reasons are in that paper. However I would like to save both you and Sakura the time of reading it." Sonomi said as Syaoran flipped through the thick amount of papers which lay inside the folder.
"I don't need to know the reasons, because I, or should I say we," Sakura stated sternly as she gave another icy glare towards the chest-nut haired man who sat across from her. "We, won't be agreeing to this solution."
Sonomi once again ignored Sakura's stubborn remark as she continued with the explanations that Syaoran had asked for, "The first reason as to why we," Sonomi emphasized as she looked around the room, to receive an approving nod. "All greed that this was the best and only solution to keep both yours and the companies' reputations safe. Why? It's simple. Most of the time, we make the decision based on what the public says in order to stay at the top. We must keep up with what they demand for, in order to keep our rankings safe. Apparently, this is the first time you and Sakura have been in a magazine for gossip instead of business for the whole month of business collaboration. One of the magazines even gave out polls whether most people thought you guys would make a good couple. Obviously, most of them said yes." Sonomi paused to take in Sakura and Syaoran's shocked expressions, and smiled inwardly.
Syaoran then shook his head before looking back up at her, "Nine out of ten people had agreed that you two don't have to hide your relationship as well, like some magazines had stated you were doing, to avoid public scandal. Seeing as the public had voiced out that both of you don't have to argue about whether you should go public, they had said that it would be extremely fine if both of you had just decided to put your relationship out in the open. Seeing as they had assumed your argument was something about a relationship, and since everyone is starting to like the idea of the both of you arguing about something a loving couple would be arguing about we decided-"
"To agree with the public instead?" Syaoran questioned as he stared unbelievably at the green folder with the many magazines and papers of the reasons why they had chosen that answer.
"Exactly. We thought that if both of you deny your relationship; the media will only start to question why the both of you had an argument and both companies will be put to a lot of pressure, and our names will only be put down since the both of you are our main icons. Also, the public will only lose their trust in your once clean reputations. However, if we do abide by what the public wants and make them think that you two really are a couple who are finally ready to stop hiding from them…"
"Then both companies' reputations will only improve since we'll gain back their trust, seeing as we'll make it look like we trust them with our relationship," Syaoran finished as he closed the green envelopes.
"Plus," Eriol decided to speak after hearing Syaoran's last words. "Your previous photo shoot together has increased sales on your November sales. This could also be another reason as to why the public had believed you two were together. If they do believe that you two weren't only modeling for career, knowing most people, they will most definitely be 'touched.' It won't only raise your reputations, but earnings will rise with it."
Sonomi only nodded her head and watched as Syaoran continued to stare at his hands which lay on top of the folder.
"Yeah but you see," Sakura said as she interrupted the silence. She had listened to the earlier discussions, yet she still couldn't do it. She knew that if she did, everyone would be saved and everything would be for the better, but what about her? She didn't want to be a perfect couple with Syaoran! "We're not actually in a relationship, and we practically hate each other so I don't think it would even be the slightest way possible for us to act as a perfect..." Sakura coughed and cleared her throat before she mentioned the last word, "Couple."
"You are a model, aren't you Sakura?" Meilin questioned as her ruby eyes stared back at Sakura. "'Kinomoto Sakura, the top model of one of the most successful modeling- not only agency- but huge Daidouji organization.' You're not just a model, you're a top icon. You're the best on almost all the other leading female icons in Japan, or possibly Asia," Meilin continued as she only smiled at Sakura, seeing the faint blush on the model's face as she complimented her. "From the runway, to the most exotic places to take shoots such as underwater and incredibly high places hanging only onto wires, you're the best. You're the best because you can pull it off. You're incredible at posing at anything." The raven-haired CEO explained as she twirled with then pen which rested in between her index and middle finger.
"Now wouldn't that be a waste? After nearly seven years of modeling, all that you worked for would be simply dumped and uncared for," The CEO of Li Designs stated as she shook her head disappointed. "Just by one simple decision, all of it could be gone. At the same time, with one simple and right decision all of it could be better than you ever imagined. Now the question is can you pull it off?" Meilin questioned, as her ruby eyes never dared to leave Sakura's emerald ones. Her smile turned into a smirk, and Sakura really wanted to wipe it off.
Modeling was her profession and she didn't want all of it to go to waste. She loved her job, and there were many reasons for it. However, she wasn't sure if she could do what they were asking her to do. She glanced at Syaoran and noticed that he was still at his former position, staring at his hands sternly. She really didn't like Syaoran one bit, she was so close to hating him; yet Kinomoto Sakura didn't hate anyone.
Sakura stared back at Meilin, and sighed. She knew if she tried she can do it but, "I don't want to."
Everyone stared at Sakura as her words rang through the silent conference room. Tomoyo then looked at Sakura with pleading eyes, "Sakura please think about it. Everything we worked for will go down if-"
"Fine." Everyone's eyes then landed on the amber-eyed manager sitting across from Sakura, as he looked up to meet her traumatized face.
After a moment of silence Sonomi was the first one to dare speak a word, "Seeing as you are Sakura's manager. I trust your opinion on this Mr. Li."
"In one condition," Syaoran followed as he stared at the people who sat inside the conference room. "No one in this room would tell anyone even the employees about this agreement. This must not leak out."
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Sonomi said as she stared at Syaoran. "The only people that can talk about this agreement to anyone they truly trust would be Sakura and of course Li. Only we can know about this."
"It's agreed then," Syaoran said as he looked over at Sakura, before he glanced back at Sonomi. "We…will do it."
Sakura couldn't believe her ears. Did she just hear him say 'we.' Did he just speak for the both of them?
"W-What?" Sakura stuttered as she felt her eyes begin to moisten with anger and shock written all over her gorgeous emeralds. "You-You can't do that!" She screamed as she rapidly stood up and walked over the other side of the table, glaring down at Syaoran's sitting figure that refused to look up at her. "What do you mean 'we'? We cannot, and will not do what they want us to do! Do you hear me?" Sakura screamed out, raging as she slammed her right hand on the table. Her eyes continued to pierce through Syaoran's sitting form.
She didn't get it, was it payback for her slapping him? She only did it because she was the one who needed revenge. He didn't need to agree to that horrible solution, "Do you even know what you just said?" Sakura asked, as she grabbed Li by the collar, forcing him to look up at her, yet his eyes still remained flat on the ground. "I can't believe this! You… you…jerk!"
It was then that everyone suddenly remained still and only stared at the argument that seemed to be run by Sakura. It was then that she had let go of his collar, and raised her right hand to once again slap his left cheek like she did three days ago. However, this time Syaoran was quick enough to grab her wrist and stand up from his chair. Stopping her from the action she was about to perform once again. "You are not going to slap me again. Once was enough." Syaoran roughly whispered as he stared blankly down at her as she struggled to free her right wrist from his grasp.
"You know what I think? I think once is never enough for you!" Sakura glared, as she stopped struggling to free her hand from his grasp. "First you slap me then, this? I think you deserve more than just ONE slap LI!" Her emerald orbs smoldered with fury.
"I already said sorry," Syaoran stated more calmly as his eyes began to soften. "You already slapped me once, and I said sorry. Is that not enough?" He whispered beside her ear so only she can hear.
Sakura felt his warm breath brush against her skin, and she slightly shivered at the contact. "It's just not enough Li." She whispered, trying to sound as harsh as she could, instead her tears began to cascade down her cheeks. "It's just not enough."
It was then that Sakura felt him yank her right wrist towards him, and she felt her body hit his. In a few seconds, they only stood there, as Sakura was too shocked to even react to his unexpected actions. She felt Syaoran free her right wrist and quickly encircle her waist as his right hand was gently placed behind her head, pulling her to rest on his chest. Her tears not leaving as she continued to cry.
She didn't know what she was doing and all she could do was cry. Syaoran only stood there to comfort her as her fists were balled and she pounded against his chest. This action only made him hug her closer, restricting her to move, before she finally gave up and tightly held his green button-up shirt in her fists instead. She continued to cry, feeling like her tears would never end.
Wasn't it just a few minutes ago that she was fuming mad at this guy who she was now crying on? Didn't she just want to slap him earlier, and wasn't she ready to kill him? Then why was she standing there continuously crying on him, about what he has done. It was all confusing to her.
0o0o0o0o0o0
Syaoran didn't really know what he was doing and all he knew was he found himself hugging and comforting Sakura when he had seen the tears run down her cheeks. He felt responsible, terribly responsible about her tears. In only a month and a week of knowing her, he had caused her to shed so much tears and it pained him to know that he could do nothing about it. He was responsible for it after all.
After about twenty more minutes of Sakura crying on his chest and everyone leaving, she had finally stopped. Her shoulders were no longer shaking as much as they used to, and her sobs have silenced. However, she still considered grabbing onto his shirt, and Syaoran didn't mind even if he can already feel her warm and wet tears seep through his shirt.
"I'm sorry," Syaoran said as soothingly as he can as he whispered into her ear. "It's just that I don't think both of us can afford losing our jobs and companies right now."
Sakura's shoulders have completely stopped shaking, and her grip on his shirt loosened. Syaoran also loosened his hold on her as she placed her palms on his chest, slightly pushing herself back to look at the darkened part of his shirt. Her tears had soaked the middle of his shirt, and she looked around only to notice that they were the only people left inside the conference room.
"Everyone left," she said in a raspy voice. She then looked up, to find Syaoran's amber eyes staring back down at her. She felt her cheeks suddenly heat up as she looked away, staring at the wet spot on his shirt. Sakura felt embarrassed by the fact that she was acting like such an inconsiderate person lately, yet he still let her cry on him. She never expected to have a break down in a meeting, yet she felt it help her calm down a lot. She wasn't as enraged and she felt all the stress that she had been feeling flow out of her.
"Look," Syaoran tried to explain as he continued to look back down at Sakura. "I never meant to slap you during that day. I just didn't have as much self control and I…" Syaoran's voice faded as she continued to stare back down at his shirt. "I was just in so much stress, that you happened to be there. I'm really sorry."
Sakura then looked back up at him, only to find his eyes pleading for some sort of forgiveness or understanding. Sakura opened her mouth and say something but before she could say anything, she noticed a sudden flash of guilt wash through his amber eyes which stared intently at her emerald ones. His face then turned into a look of sincerity and she could have sworn, that he was a totally different person from the man who had slapped her six days ago.
It was then that he slid his arms away from her waist and, Sakura slowly pulled her hand back to her chest, and clasped them together. He stood there in front of her, and wiped her still wet cheeks with his thumbs. Syaoran then placed his left hand inside his pocket while he placed his right hand on her left shoulder, stepping back a little to look intently at Sakura, "It's going to be different from now on. Once we exit this room, you realize that we're no longer going to be just the model and manager, right?"
Sakura frowned and noticed that his expression immediately sulked by looking at her face. She found herself smiling. She somehow found it funny and reassuring, how his expression suddenly turned hurt and guilty once again. She then grinned and playfully punched him on his left arm, "That's for dragging me into this!" She said as she laughed playfully, running towards the front of the doors. He then arched an eyebrow at her sudden change of mood and childishness, "What are you waiting for?"
Syaoran's confused face then turned into a smile as he walked towards her with a smirk, "So now that things are getting back to normal, your mood swings are coming back too?"
"Shut up Li."
He carefully placed his right arm around her shoulder. He noticed her shift uncomfortably but he quickly pulled her closer to him. "Whenever we're out in the public, it's no longer Li."
Sakura then looked up at him clueless about what he had just said or meant, as she still tried to shift under Syaoran's arm, "I don't get it."
Syaoran only laughed heartily and messed up her hair with his left hand as she pouted and tried to slap his hand away, but ended up slapping her head instead. She whimpered with an annoyed face as she rubbed the spot where she had slapped her own head.
"That's for punching me," Sakura only crossed her arms as she looked the other direction, but a smile was evidently plastered across her face.
"That's so unfair Li," she mumbled under her breath but Syaoran heard her, and decided that it's time for the both of them to get out of the conference room. It's time for them to face their new challenge, their new career, and most of all, their new life.
The amber eyed manager smiled as he opened the door, walking beside Sakura, while his arm rested comfortably around her shoulder. They would have to get used to this soon. He looked down at her and found her still mumbling with her arms crossed across her chest, "Stupid Li."
Syaoran then turned his head to face her. He then planted a light kiss on her delicate left cheek, as he whispered into her ear, "We're supposed to be together now remember?" She turned to face him with a light blush from his previous action, and emerald eyes that lightly glared up at him. He chuckled at this and whispered once again before looking back ahead, "You'd have to get used to that soon," He said in a low voice as he pulled her closer. "Don't worry, I'll try make it up to you for dragging you in this… and saving your career life," Syaoran chuckled as he said the last part.
Sakura then nodded and looked back down, before her arms slowly uncrossed themselves and roughly elbowed Syaoran. He simply ignored the pain of his abdomen and laughed at Sakura's reaction, and smiled to himself as he thought of the first two days they met. Everything was like it was before, and he liked it, as if everything that made their first month rugged and completely difficult was over with. They were just on a bumpy, slightly uneven road now, and he liked it that way. It was obvious that they still argued, and that was what always brought the fun.
He then noticed the emerald-eyed model trying to shift under his arm and he figured she did this to try and feel more comfortable, but she wasn't so sure on how to do that. She mumbled and thought about what he had said earlier. It then crossed her mind that this was exactly the reason as to why she didn't want to agree to the solution. Then again now that she had thought about it, she still disliked him just not as much. Either way she had no choice now, like Tomoyo said it was the only choice. It probably wasn't going to be that bad, "I guess you're right Li."
Syaoran noticed Sakura shift once again and decided to adjust his arm, "It's not Li anymore."
She then stopped moving and looked up at him, "It's Syaoran now… Sakura."
At that moment the corner of Sakura's eyes landed on the tall windows that graced the thirty-eighth floor. She stopped walking and was followed by Syaoran as he noticed her gaze at the view they were given of Tokyo. The drizzling has finally stopped and the sky began to clear as the sun's rays slightly hit their features. They stood their admiring the view as the grey clouds slowly parted to reveal the clear, blue sky and the golden sun.
Her day wasn't heavenly perfect; however nothing was perfect after all.
"Sugoii da ne… Syaoran."(1)
0o0o0o0o0o0
A/n: I finally finished the chapter that boosts this whole story to the actual plot! I have finally finished it! Buwahahaha! The next chapter is where it all starts!
I love you guys for waiting for all those annoyingly LONG (that being an understatement) chapters!
This chapter might not be one of the ones I consider my best, but it had to be here! Please try to understand. I'm sorry! All the character in depth had to be here too. As you noticed there aren't too many descriptions in the past three chapters since it's mostly in a third-person omniscient narration. It's more about what was going through the characters' heads, because I thought it was really important for those particular chapters, like I said in my previous chapter something emotionally and mentally unstable just happened. I promise, I will go back to my descriptive style and most likely combine the character thoughts in it too.
This chapter involved mostly Sakura and Syaoran, since I thought they needed the most focus in this chapter. They are the main characters after all. I do have a lot more other pairs out there, and a few more characters waiting to be introduced in the later chapters and I hope you guys continue reading to meet them.
NOTE:
(1)Sugoii da ne- Amazing isn't it
Most of all, thank you for the people who reviewed! I love your ongoing support!
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Thank you guys so much for your reviews! You guys rock! Thanks for reading the story even if it is excruciatingly time-consuming, and long.
