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Broken promises
By sushi-genius
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She thought she was hallucinating.
She could hardly muffle her shrieks of joy as she laid eyes on Yukito Tsukishiro, the Earl of Belmont as she rushed towards him. "Oh my gosh Yuki! You are finally back!"
She could hear her brother's chuckles behind her as he joined them. "Calm down Sakura. By the way Yukito, I thought you were arriving tomorrow?"
Sakura turned to glare at her brother, however her eyes could not hide the joy she had felt as she laid her eyes on the man she loved. At nine and twenty, he was nine years older than her. He was the bastard son of the previous Earl who had no choice but to pass on his title to him when he realized that Yukito was his only heir. Unmarried, he had devoted most of his time to his estates and everyone could see how much care he had for his workers.
She first laid eyes on him when she was just twelve years old. He was a friend of Touya's at Eton and he had often spent his holidays at their house, having no where to go before he claimed his title. It was love at first sight, the kind which grew whenever she saw him. However, he was unaware of her feelings. Even after eight years later, she was no where near confessing her feelings than when she was just twelve. She had often dreamt that he was already in love with her but only his shy nature prevented him from proposing.
"You knew he was coming back and you did not tell me?" Sakura turned to address her brother, placing her hands on her hips.
Her brother shrugged. His sister's feelings for his friend was blatantly obvious to everyone except to the man himself. He knew his friend was a good match for his sister but somehow, he could not picture both of them together. Yukito's quiet nature was just not quite suited for Sakura's fiery spirit. "How was I supposed to tell you? I received the letter just yesterday, the same day that you fainted!"
"And you couldn't have told me before I fainted?"
Yukito quickly intervened before they started quarreling again. He had witnessed these once too many a times already. Luckily for him, the music had just started. "My lady, would you care for a dance?"
He reached out his hand to her, his body in a slight bow. Sakura flushed for a moment before placing her hands in his. He led her to the dance floor and soon, they began waltzing in tune with the rest of the couples.
Sakura bit her lip. She could feel herself turning red and she was sure that he could feel her heart pounding through her ribcage. Oh why did he have to turn out so handsome? His beautiful gray eyes looked down warmly at her. She felt as though she was dancing on clouds.
His caring voice broke her train of thoughts and she nearly stumbled, catching herself in time. "You have grown more beautiful than the last time I saw you. I bet Touya must be going after your suitors with a cub."
She forced herself to laugh, her face growing redder with his compliment. What she wanted to tell him was that she loved him and ask if he could marry her. He was everything she could have ever wanted in a man and in a husband. She would be willing to live happily for the rest of her life with him. Suddenly, Syaoran Li's face appeared in her mind and she froze in shock.
Sensing her sudden stiffness, Yukito became worried. "Is something the matter?"
"No. Nothing is wrong. I was just woolgathering," she fibbed while trying to shake away the image. How could she have thought of him when she was dancing with Yukito? It was like a dream turning into a nightmare.
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He could feel his fist clench in response when he saw her dancing with another man, whom he recognized as the Earl of Belmont. He knew he was rude in ignoring the Countess of Mayhill while she carried on telling him about her daughter's achievements but he could not bring himself to care.
Why was she carrying around a dreamy look on her face as she danced with Belmont? Why was there tenderness in her eyes when she looked at him? All those feelings were not evident when she was with him. There was fear, doubt and of course, passion but he knew he wanted more.
She looked beautiful in that dress, the silky material clinging on to her figure, revealing more than what has already been shown. He felt a surge of lust and was angered at the number of looks she had drawn, especially to her bosom. What he wanted to do was to drag her to the nearest bedroom and see what was hiding underneath that dress.
The Countess of Mayhill upon seeing that he was not paying the slightest attention to her, followed his view. What she saw the daughter of the Duke of Havenwood dancing with the Earl of Belmont, looking entirely contented. What she was not prepared for was the look on the Duke of Wolfne face, his jaw tightened, shards of amber in his eyes.
Although there was no bad blood between her and Havenwood, she could not help but be jealous of the attention the daughter of Havenwood was attracting. Her daughter had just made her debut this year but was still outshone by Sakura Kinomoto who made her debut three years ago. Sakura was still attracting all the finest catches of the ton. Now, from the looks of it, she was also getting the attention from the Duke of Wolfne who she had wanted for her own daughter. It was time that the Duke knew that Sakura Kinomoto was out of his field.
"Why isn't that Lady Sakura Kinomoto dancing with the Earl of Belmont?" She had tried to sound astonished. She could see that he clenched his fist even more. She went for the kill. "Don't they make such a fetching couple? I think he is going to propose to her soon after all these years. Do you know that they were childhood sweethearts? The looks that they are giving each other reminds me of my husband and I."
Only due his strict upbringing prevented Syaoran from retorting that what she and her husband had nothing but dislike for each other but he had seen the truth with his own eyes. There was nothing but love and devotion shining in Sakura's eyes and they were all focused on the man before her. He snatched a flute of champagne from the waiter and downed it in one gulp. Placing the empty glass on the tray, he gave the countess a curt nod before walking away.
It was time to set things straight with her before he became crazy. First thing to do was to return that blasted hairclip!
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Sakura's heart sank when the music came to an end. She wanted to dance more with Yukito but they had already danced twice and it would be scandalous to dance more than twice with anyone who was not your fiancé.
She curtsied before Yukito and was able to take his arm when a deep voice cut in. "I don't suppose I could have the pleasure of having the next dance with my lady?"
She stiffened, her nightmare finally becoming true. It must have been a cruel trick that fate had played on her for now she was looking at the face of Syaoran Li. She could feel Yukito's hand being placed protectively on her waist. For some reason, she could have swore that Li's eyes narrowed at that action.
Fearing a scene that could ruin her reputation as well as the chance with Yukito, she quickly agreed. "It would be my pleasure."
She shot Yukito a pleading look that prevented him from doing further. With a stiff bow, he walked off the dance floor without looking back. Yukito had known what had transpired between Syaoran and her brother and he was probably puzzled as well as furious at her acceptance, but this was the only thing she could do to prevent further confrontation.
Syaoran signaled for the music to start. She froze at the contact of his hand on her waist, a grim smile plastered on her face. "You are too bold, your grace."
"Ah," he exclaimed, not breaking his gaze on her. "My little blossom has finally figured out who I was and I thought I was going to continue to play guessing games."
She wanted to smack him. "You, your grace, are incorrigible," She said in a frosty tone. Her hand was placed lightly on his shoulder but even though the layers of clothing, she could feel the tightly corded muscles.
"Now, now. What is with the formalities? After all, with what has happened between us, shouldn't you refer to me as Syaoran?"
"Your grace," Sakura choked out stubbornly, refusing to catch his bait. By now, Touya would have already been alerted of this and she would not be surprised if he called the Duke out. "I would like to have my hairclip back if it is in your possession."
"It is indeed." Sakura felt a surge of joy. "However, in order to get it back, you must answer my questions."
"Question or questions," she bit out bitterly, feeling trapped. This was all her fault, if only she had not ventured out onto the balcony. Now this cad was going to bend her to his will."
"Questions, of course. It is a small price to pay to get your hairclip back. Plus I would like to know you better."
"Which I can't say the same for you! What game are you trying to play?" She could feel herself beginning to panic. It was as if she was dancing to his tune and she did not like that feeling at all. "Are you trying to get to my brother through me? If that happens, I will never forgive you!"
"Harsh words from such a sweet mouth," he sighed, baiting her even more. He was enjoying this dance more than he expected. "Don't worry. I am not planning to do anything to your brother. I just want to know you."
"Me?" she repeated in shock. What did she have that interested him so much? "There is nothing you need to know about me than what the others could already have told you."
"Are you sure?" She cowered before his piercing stare and felt as though all her secrets have been revealed. There was something dangerous about this man that scared her and yet at the same time drawn her to him.
"Yes, I am sure."
"In that case, I don't think I would be returning that hairclip of yours. What a pity, since it was such a pretty little thing."
"Please, return it to me," she pleaded, feeling as though she was at the losing end. There was something hard and unbending about him that she knew that she would have to comply with his wishes. "That hairclip is important to me."
Thousands of thoughts flashed through this head. Was the hairclip given to her by a lover? Was that why she treasured it so much? His face darkened in response and his hold on her tightened.
The music had stopped and Sakura was about to walk away when he pulled her back for another dance.
"Not yet my little blossom," he smiled down at her. For some reason, Sakura could not help but feel shivers down her spine. "Our dance is not over yet."
"It was over from the start!" Sakura cried out, feeling tears well up in her eyes. Somehow they both knew that she was not referring to the dance. "I don't like this game you are playing."
"My sweet, I am not playing any games. All I want is for you to answer my questions then the hairclip would be returned to its rightful owner."
Having no choice but to comply, Sakura gave a stiff nod.
Syaoran could not help but feel a sense of victory. Finally, they were going to do it on his terms.
"Firstly, who was that man that was dancing with you?"
"I don't see why that has got anything to do with you," Sakura retorted grimly, feeling a sense of defeat. She has dropped all sense of formalities with this man, trying her best not to throttle him on this very dance floor."
"No, my dear," he chuckled, the sound warming Sakura's heart without warning. "You are not playing fair. You see, in order to get your beloved hairclip back, you must answer my questions."
"Fine! He is a friend of my brother's. Yukito Tsukishiro, the Earl of Belmont."
He shook her head as he twirled her around. She could not help but admit that he was a superb dancer but a horrible gentleman. "You are still not answering my question. What I meant was, what is he to you?"
Her eyes widened, surely he could not believe that she was willing to answer that question! It was far too personal to be even brought up with her mother! But he is holding trump. "He is my first love ever since I was twelve."
She refused to elaborate further and he noticed that she used the word 'is' instead of 'was' meaning that she was still in love with that man. The music ended and he bowed before walking.
"Wait a minute! You promised to give my hairclip back."
He turned to face her, trying to paste an apologetic look on his face. "I'm sorry but I left the hairclip in my room. Why don't you meet me there in about ten minutes and I will return it to you?"
He knew what he was doing was wrong but somehow, he could not bring himself to return it to her just yet. It would signal the end of everything. There was just something between them that still can be rekindled.
"You must be crazy if you think I would go to your room!"
"Well then," he replied. "It appears that you would have to wait until another time."
With that, he turned and continued walking. Her voice trailed behind him, it was so soft that he thought that he had imagined it. "Alright, I will meet you there in ten minutes."
He gave no sign that he heard her as he walked away. However there was a huge grin on his face He continued smiling as he acknowledged the rest of the guests with his hand holding on to the hairclip in his pocket.
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Idiot, idiot, idiot! What on earth had she gotten herself into? Sakura cursed under her breath as she left the ballroom.
Luckily for her, Touya was too faraway to give her any grief. She made her excuses to her mother, saying that she had a slight headache. She immediately felt guilty when her mother started fussing over her like a mother hen.
She quietly made her way upstairs. She had no idea where his room was but if she remembered correctly, most of the nobilities were staying on this floor and with all of them enjoying the ball downstairs, she was sure that no one was around.
"Your grace," she called out softly, as she made her way down the poorly lit hall. There were just too many rooms! "Your grace!"
She began to worry. What if someone had seen her making her way here? Her reputation would be in shreds and her family would be publicly humiliated.
After calling out a few more times, there was still no reply. There was no way she was able to find him with so many rooms. Heaving a sigh of dismay, she turned and was about to make her way back to the ballroom when someone grabbed hold of her hand.
She let out a shriek of shock and relief began to settle in as a shadowy figure stood beside her. He had finally come to her. "Why your grace don't. . ." Her words faltered as she gazed at the figure. It was not him.
"Why Lady Sakura," Lord Every said, his voice slurred. Sakura found him extremely repulsive with his wandering hands and leery eyes. He was good looking, bestowed with light brown hair and grayish blue eyes and was considered quite a good catch. However, he was a notorious rake who wandered from bed to bed until he set his eyes on Sakura. "What a pleasure to see you here. I believe you still owe me a dance."
Sakura snatched away her hand. She gave a stiff curtsey and walked away. Suddenly she was thrown against the wall, Lord Every's lips on hers. He pressed his body against hers as he began his assault.
Sakura began to struggle but her strength was no match for his. Tear began to flow down her face as she tried to push him away. Her eyes widened when the hem of her dress tore upon catching her shoe. She could taste alcohol in his mouth and felt revolted.
She thought the ordeal was over when he lifted his lips, only to have him push her into one of the rooms. Her fear escalated when she saw a bed in the dim light. Lord Every began to undo his cravat as he came towards her. She moved backwards and soon found herself sitting on the bed.
She was cornered. With the bed behind her and Lord Everly in front of her, she had no where to escape. She had heard of women becoming victims of such attacks but she had never one dreamt that it would occur to her.
Lord Everly pushed her down onto the bed and proceeded to attack her neck. Sakura began to sob. It was not how she imagined her first time to be and especially no with him. She began to scream only to have him backhand her. Her cheek stung as she sobbed, defenseless.
"Well, I hate to interrupt but you happen to be trespassing my room, Everly," Syaoran drawled out, his eyes dark with anger upon seeing Lord Everly's hand on Sakura.
Lord Everly straightened up. "Your grace," he acknowledged, without feeling embarrassed. "In that case, we shall have to continue somewhere else."
He had over toed the line when he pulled on Sakura's hand and soon felt himself crashing onto the floor. Syaoran casually placed his feet on Lord Everly's throat, effectively blocking the passage of air. Everly's face turned red and soon he was sputtering, gasping for air.
"Did you or did you not harass Lady Sakura," Syaoran asked, his tone deceptively mild. Beside him, Sakura was trying to control her sobs, relieved beyond words.
"She came to me willingly. If was not I-," Everly's face started to turn purple as Syaoran added more weight into his legs. By now, Everly's hands were wrapped around Syaoran's leg, trying unsuccessfully to remove it.
"Let me ask you again," Syaoran's voice took on a harder edge, the vein in his jaw throbbing. He was finding it hard to keep his anger under rein. What had happened to Sakura was partially his fault. If only he had not baited her and just returned the damn hairclip! "Did you or did you not harass Lady Sakura?"
Everly had no choice but to admit. He was already seeing grey. "Yes," he admitted and was relieved when Syaoran removed his feet from his chest.
Syaoran single-handedly lifted Everly up by his shirt and looked at him in the face. "If I ever see you even within thirty feet of her, you won't even feel pain when I am done with you," he threatened. Everly quivered, hands and legs were shaking. "And," Syaoran continued, "If I were you, I would realize that the countryside is not such a bad place to stay after all."
After that, he released Everly, dropping him in a heap on the floor. Everly quickly got up to his feet and left the room hurriedly, nearly tripping over his feet in the process.
Syaoran turned hesitantly, not knowing how to comfort her. Even if he had grew up with four elder sister, he had always left the room whenever any of them were in hysterics. She looked so pitiful that he nearly went after Everly to punch his face in. Her hair was in the mess, tear stains on her face and her dress was torn.
He was about to walk towards her when she ran into his arms, crying out profusely. He wrapped his arms around her shaking body as she cried into his chest.
"I-I-I thought I was going to b-be raped," she managed to choked out, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. "I was so scared and afraid of what he might do to me. Syaoran, I was so scared."
Syaoran felt an ache in his chest as he held her. She was so innocent and pure and yet she had been subjected to one of the cruelest of fates.
"You are safe now," he assured, trying to soothe her. She buried her face deeper in his chest as she sobbed, her arms around his waist. She did not know what she would do if she was raped.
"I tried to push him away, but he was too strong," Sakura wept, the hurt still fresh in her mind. "I can still feel his lips on me."
Syaoran lifted her face towards his and looked into her tear-filled eyes. "Then let me take the memory away."
He touched his lips towards hers gently, as though seeking her approval. At first Sakura turned away, the incident still lurking in her mind. However, his lips were different from Everly's lips, they were firm and yet soft. She felt herself turning to receiving his kiss and could feel herself getting healed.
This kiss was unlike the one that they shared before. It was soft and sweet and it felt like it could carry on forever. He molded his lips against hers, his tongue slipping between her lips. He drank like a man starved, his desire pressing obviously against her legs. Sakura wrapped her arms around him as she deepened the kiss. All her warning about him disappeared and all she knew was that with every second, she was feeling emotions that she had never felt before.
"Get the hell away from my sister, you bastard!" Touya shouted as he threw open the door. They quickly broke apart and Sakura was about to walk towards her brother when /Syaoran placed his hand around her waist and placed her beside him.
"Havenwood," Syaoran greeted with a curt nod, a deceptively casual grin on his face. "It's has been a long time hasn't it?"
"Apparently not long enough," Touya retorted, his eyes narrowing on the hand that was placed around his sister's waist. He had immediately concluded that Syaoran had seduced his sister in order to get back at him and he hated him for that. "You are a sick bastard for using Sakura against me."
"No. Touya, it is not like that," Sakura tried to explain, pulling away from Syaoran. She needed to let her brother know what had happened, to explain that it was not Syaoran's fault. She only had herself to blame. The hurt and betrayal was evident in her brother's eyes and she felt guilty. "I need to tell you that-"
"We are engaged," Syaoran cut in smoothly. "I proposed to her yesterday and she accepted. We were just waiting for the right time to announce the news to everyone." He could not tell which of the two was most shocked by the news "By the way," he added. "What you just witnessed is just a heated embrace between two people that are aboutt to be married. So there is nothing wrong about that."
"What?" Touya gaped, his eyes widening in disbelief. "There is no way that Sakura had agreed. Both of you have never even met before in your entire lives."
"Actually, we knew each other when you and I were still in Eton together. We happened to met one day and fell in love with each other," Syaoran fibbed, his eyes trying to plead with Sakura to go along with the story.
"And you never told me about it?" Touya turned towards Sakura, his eyes accusing. Sakura flinched against his stare not sure of what to do. If she told Touya the truth, he would get angry and hunt Everly down but not before dueling with Syaoran for her honor in which he could get either seriously injured or even killed. But if she went along with this lie, both Syaoran and herself would be living a lie and Touya would be crushed as well as betrayed.
Feeling that her brother's life was more important that him being hurt, Sakura had no choice but to lie. "I could not tell you about this. You would surely would have protested, knowing how much you hated him," Sakura said, cringing at the sound of her accusing voice.
Her brother's face immediately filled up with hurt. "Fine," he bit out, anger obvious in his voice. He walked swiftly out of the room "Do what you like. Just don't come crying to me if your life screws up."
Sakura's face shattered as she fell onto her knees. She had finally betrayed the one that she cared for above all others. She had repaid her brother's years of care and protection with a slap across the face.
Behind her, Syaoran began to speak. "I am so sorry. I did not know that it would turn out this way.'
Sakura turned around, her eyes blazing with tears of frustration. "Did you see how much this hurt him? Why did you even single me out? Is it for revenge? If it is, you finally have gotten your one pound of flesh."
"Stop it," he ordered, hating the way this was hurting her. Was the thought of marrying him so repulsive that she could not bear it?
Sakura ignore him as she continued on. "We can't possibly get married. I will explain this to my brother as soon as possible. He will understand. Surely he will. And once this is settled, I promise you, I won't appear before you anymore. So you don't have to feel obliged to marry me."
Syaoran placed his hands on Sakura's shaking shoulders. "Sakura, listen to me," he urged, looking deeply into her eyes, trying to make her understand. "Even if your brother understands, the rest of the ton won't. You being alone with an unmarried man is already going to ruin your reputation, let alone being attacked by one. You will never be allowed to be seen in public ever again."
"I don't care," she replied, trying to control herself from crying. "As long as Touya doesn't get hurt, I don't care what happens to me. He has already done so much for me."
Syaoran knew that she cared a lot for her brother that in order to protect his feelings, she was willing to sacrifice herself. He could not help but marvel at her spirit, but at the same time worry for her future.
"All the more you should get married to me," he said, using the love she had for her family as a card. "If the news gets out, you will drag your family's name along with you. Your father will be looked down upon, your mother will never be able to lift her head up high in public and your brother, even if he inherits your father's title, will no longer be accepted among his peers."
"But, I can't marry you," she burst out, feeling suffocated. "I am in love with another and my brother can't stand you. If I explain this situation to Yukito, he would surely offer for me."
"Why can't you understand!" he finally snapped, being pushed beyond limits. "I am the only one that you can marry! I was last seen with you and even if you married him, the ton will surely remark that he was doing so for a favour."
"What about us? Won't it appear to be a favour too?"
"No it won't," he assured her, feeling herself bending towards his will. "Everyone knows that your brother and I are enemies and that I must be very in love with you in order to put aside the fact that you are my enemy's sister. Furthermore, even if the news of Everly gets out, it will appear that I was comforting my fiancée and defending her honor."
"Fine," she agreed stiffly, feeling her freedom slip away. "but what do you gain from this?"
"You."
"You want my body?" Sakura boldly asked, not caring of the consequences. "Surely you have tons of women willing to have you."
Syaoran felt like strangling her as well as kiss her imprudent mouth. "I only want you. Believe it or not, it is up to you. We will try to make this work."
"Your grace. Even after we get married, I won't even blink an eye if you took up a mistress. In fact, I won't blame you. You are obviously forced into this."
Syaoran wisely ignored her last remark. He was in no mood to continue quarreling with her. All he knew was that he felt like a conqueror when she finally agreed, although not willingly. He had not planned on marrying her but yet when the thought finally went into his mind, it stuck. She would make the perfect wife. Everything she ask for will be hers, except for one thing, and that was his love. Love was the only thing that he was incapable of feeling, let alone give.
"Go and change your dress and meet me in the ballroom," he instructed. "We have got to announce our engagement before Everly decides to open that big mouth of his."
Sakura left to oblige. When she left, he leaned against the wall, his shoulders shaking with laughter and happiness. "Thank you God."
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When Sakura reentered the ballroom, she was dressed in a pink gown, not quite as revealing as the previous one. She seek out her mother and went towards her. Her mother's face was glowing with happiness and she did not know why.
"Oh my dear," her mother exclaimed, her face filled with obvious delight and excitement. "Why didn't you tell me that you and the Duke of Wolfne knew each other? I nearly made a fool of myself in front of him when he approached your father for your hand in marriage."
"Did Father agree?" Sakura asked hesitantly, afraid of the answer. She enjoyed her freedom which she knew would be gone once she was married.
"Of course. I would not have it otherwise."
She noticed that the ballroom was beginning to empty as the people proceeded outside. "Mother, what is happening?"
"I have no idea," her mother confessed. "I believe that Lord Lutherford requested that all of us went to the gardens. I think he has something in stall for us."
Both of them walked towards the doors. Someone pulled Sakura aside and she was about to scream when she noticed that it was Syaoran. Her mother went on to the gardens without knowing that she was not beside her.
"What are you doing?" she hissed, as he led her upstairs to the balconey.
"Just trust me."
They approached a door with the curtains drawn. Beyond the curtain, she could hear Lord Lutherford's voice. "And it gives me great pleasure as well as honor to announce the engagement of the Duke of Wolfne to Lady Havenwood."
Syaoran quickly drew the curtain and pushed her forward. She nearly stumbled, catching herself on time to realize that they were standing on the balcony with hundreds of people looking up to them.
Placing his hand on Sakura's waist and slowing guiding her forward, they walked towards the railing, look down on the rest of the ton.
"First and for most, I will like to thank all of you for complying with my request to go to the garden," Syaoran's voice rang out, addressing the ton. "Secondly I would like to apologize for this sudden notice as I was not even sure if there was going to be Lady Wolfne if Lady Sakura hadn't consented."
A few people laughed at this remark for the woman who let go of a catch as good as the Duke of Wolfne, there must be something wrong with her.
"I would also like to say that I am deeply privilege to have Lady Sakura consent to be my wife," Syaoran carried on. "I am sure all of you are aware of the past history between the Marquess of Havenwood and I. Believe me, I would be saving myself a lot of trouble if I had looked the other way." He slowly waited for the laughter to die off before he continued. "But I will be missing out on a terrific woman to be my wife."
The ton cheered, calling out well-wishers to them. Sakura felt tears going to her eyes. It was a terrific speech even if everything said was a lie. In the crowd, she spotted Touya who was gazing up at her with hurt. Once he noticed she was looking at him, he turned and walked away.
Sakura forced herself to smile as she took a flute of champagne from the servant while in side, her heart was breaking. How did she end up in a loveless soon-to-be marriage as well as broken all good ties she had with her only brother?
As if noticing her distress, Syaoran took the champagne away from her and drank it before proceeding to kiss her in front of the entire ton. There were catcalls coming from the crowd and Sakura felt herself blushing.
It was all a charade, she told herself. A charade indeed.
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TBC. . .
I am very happy that I finally manage to finish this chapter. It really dragged on for me. I was about to finish it when my computer crashed and I was really afraid that I had to rewrite the entire chapter again. Thankfully, none of the memory inside the computer was gone so I can finally continue. Bought a new laptop so I can carry on writing without being at home.
Please review and tell me what you think of this chapter!
