CHAPTER 12 – LOVE ME?
'What's the big news Kinomoto?'
'Eh? What do you mean Tanaka-san?
'Well, you seem to be extremely happy today. I was wondering if you had received any great news…'
'Just a happy day that's all'
'I see…how is my patient going? The little kid…'
'He is making some progress fortunately. It is such a shame though that he has to go through all of this at such a young age'
'That's true. I wanted to thank you, you are a truly remarkable doctor'
'You are too kind. I have so much to learn still. There are things that I could never learn from books and studying. I would like to improve and make people's lives better, even if just a little bit'
'Ha ha that sounds like you. You know if you ever have any questions, please let me know. I would be happy for you to assist me sometimes with more difficult cases. I always need a helping hand…and you seem perfect for this role. Ah! there are also some interesting lectures I will be attending next week, you are welcome to come with me'
'Thank you, sounds great I will keep that I mind. Now if you excuse me'
'See you around then' – (she is perfect…I will definitely get her, for sure. I just need to jump over the boyfriend obstacle huh?)
Knock knock
'Please come in'
'Excuse me Dr. Kinomoto, there is a man here to see you. He said it is an urgent matter'
'That is weird, what is his name?'
'Well, he refused to give me his name, sorry'
'It is ok. Tell him I will be right out. Thank you'
Sakura walked through the hospital corridors until she arrived to the front desk, a man was standing right beside the exit door
'Takeshi! What are you doing here?!'
'Hi'
She could feel her heart beating faster and faster, her face was getting extremely hot
'Sorry to come over like this, I know we have had our issues but if I could just talk to you for a minute, it is about Asami'
'Let's talk over there'
They walked towards the garden benches and sat down. They remained silent for a minute and finally Takeshi said: 'She needs some help…I would like to handle this situation differently if things don't change soon. It is causing a lot of trouble for me'
'I don't understand, so you were dating?'
'Not really…I mean yeah we were intimate but it was never a relationship, you see, she is obsessed with me now'
'Look Takeshi, this is a situation between you and Asami. I don't really think there is anything I can do. I will speak with her because she will only be harming herself if she goes on like this. But I can't guarantee that she will stop'
'Thank you, that is all I wanted. If that does not work, I will take other measures on my own.
You know, you are a really good friend'
'Eh?'
'After what happened, I lost Syaoran's friendship and I hate to admit that it feels weird. And now here I am asking you for a favour and you are willing to help me'
'I am doing this for Asami, do not get the wrong idea'
'Even if that's the case, I would like to reciprocate someday. Ah! I know, I will give you a heads up on something…'
'What are you talking about?'
'Naomi…you should keep a close eye on her. She is quite… how should I put it… wilful'
'I thought she was your friend'
'She is. I know her very well. Now that she is back, it could be trouble'
'Why?'
'You know because she and Syaoran used to go out'
Sakura stared at him for a few seconds in silence…
'Oh, sorry. You didn't know? I just assumed Syaoran had told you. Are you ok?'
'No no, I am fine. I need to go back to work. I will speak with Asami this week'
'Well, take care and thanks again' – He smiled and waved at her as she walked slowly to the hospital (Ha ha this will be so much fun huh?)
(They used to go out, Naomi and Syaoran were a couple…I wonder why he didn't say anything to me about her. Then, that time at the balcony…when they were so close and he was holding her…Alright, I need to stop! let's get back to work and forget about this for now. You can do it Sakura!)
That day Sakura worked very long hours and got to her apartment around midnight. She was so tired that didn't notice someone had been following her since she left the hospital.
(Ahhh! I am exhausted, bath and then bed time…)
She jumped into the bath and closed her eyes for a moment, thinking over and over about Naomi and Syaoran together. She imagined them kissing and being close in a soft embrace…Suddenly, a strange sound in the living room made her come back to reality…
'W-WHO IS IT?' – she yelled, her voice was trembling a bit and she could hear her own heartbeats so loud in her head. 'IS SOMEONE THERE?!'
She quickly got out of the bath and wrapped herself in a towel, Sakura opened the bathroom door slowly and took a quick scan outside. There was only silence.
She walked towards the living room and turned on the lights, to her surprise her door was wide open but nobody was there.
(Dear God, this is so creepy…who would do this? It does not make sense, if someone wanted to rob this place I could understand but…)
She closed the door and locked it, leaned on the closed door and let out a sigh of relief.
('Syaoran…I wonder what you are doing right now…')
AT A FANCY RESTAURANT
'This has been a lovely evening. Don't you think?'
'Certainly, but we could have discussed this in my office'
'But it is better to do it here, delicious food and great drinks…I remembered you loved this place so I couldn't help myself and just made some reservations'
'Well Naomi, now that we have discussed the future of your stocks, I shall go home'
'Oh come on! One last drink, ok?'
'It is past midnight already, some of us have to work tomorrow'
'Haha so serious, it is bad manners to make a lady beg. Have one last drink with me Syaoran?'
'Sigh…sure'
'How come we can speak so normally like nothing ever happened?'
'Excuse me?'
'You see, we can't just ignore the things we went through just a few years ago'
'You said this would be strictly a business dinner. I do not want to speak of the past'
'I understand. But, I still think about you sometimes…just wanted you to know that'
'…We can't go back to that time and change the outcome. It is best if we just leave it behind. Finish your drink and I will drive you home'
'Oh really? Driving me? But you have been drinking…'
'I am fine, and I have pre-arranged for the chauffer to pick us up'
'Wow! So responsible, have you become a guy who never breaks the rules?'
'It is not that. I have someone important in my life that I do not want to hurt, that's all'
'I see…ummm… can we meet again this weekend?'
'Why? Is something the matter?'
'No, I just have some papers from the US office that I forgot to bring tonight. I will be needing some signatures as well'
'Ah ok, it can wait until Monday then. Send them to my office'
'Syaoran, I…'
'Your car is here Mr Li'
'Thank you, come Naomi time to go home'
'Ye-yeah'
Both were sitting next to each other on the back seats of the car, Syaoran was looking through the window on his left, concentrating on the twinkly lights of the city.
(…It is too late to call now, I suppose – he thought)
They finally arrived to Naomi's house, the chauffer opened the door for her and lead her to the door. She stopped for a moment and looked back at Syaoran inside the car, he was looking at his phone at the time.
She ran towards the car and knocked on the window, Syaoran was of course surprised, he put the window down to hear what she had to say
'What's wrong?'
Naomi was a bit agitated and her eyes were incredibly shiny, she started crying in a soft voice
'Hey hey, what is it?'
'…I am …sorry, I am so sorry for everything. For what I did…'
He looked at her with a cold expression in his eyes and said: 'It will be alright. It is ok now, really'
She leaned down a bit, grabbed his face from outside the window and kissed him on the lips. Syaoran pulled away after a few seconds…
'Naomi… - he whispered – you have to go now'
She looked at him one last time and ran back to her house. The chauffer was extremely surprised, he had been standing there and witnessed the whole situation.
'What are you spacing out for? Take me home'
'Ye-yes, my apologies Master Li. I will drive you home right now'
Syaoran took a long look to Naomi's house, before it disappeared from his sight. He touched his lips softly with his fingers and smirked.
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