CHAPTER 15 – MEMORIES

'I am back! Sakura, where are you?'

Syaoran looked around the living room and was about to go upstairs when he saw Sakura outside in the garden.

'Hi, what's going on?'
'Master Li, welcome back'
'Syaoran! She was just showing me how she takes care of these beautiful orchids here. I love your garden, love it!'
'I am glad you are having a good time' – he gave her a kiss on her forehead
'Excuse me, I will go and check if they need me in the kitchen' – the maid left them alone in the garden
'So what do you think? Would you like to live here with me?'
'Ehhhh?! But but this is so sudden…'
'Today at the office, you were the only thing I was thinking of the whole time'
'That is so sweet…'
'I work really long hours and so do you. I feel that if we live together, it would be perfect for us. Just now, it felt like we were married or something…me coming home and finding you here'
She lifted herself on her toes and gave him a kiss

'There is something I need to talk to you about first, it has been bothering me for quite a while now…'
'It sounds serious, what is it?'
'It is about Naomi'
'What about her?'
'What is your relationship with her exactly?'
'…There is nothing between us, I swear'
'I know you used to go out together…and you once told me she lived here with you'
'That is true…(how did she...?) it is really a very uncomfortable subject for me, but if it is the only way for you to trust me more…I will tell you'
'…I think I really need to know, sorry'
'It's ok, come let's sit down over there'

He took her hand and they walked together across the garden and sat down in the gazebo.

'You remember I told you about Naomi's dad and how he died?'
'Yes, yes I remember…your father was…'
'That's right. After the accident she was going to be all on her own, her parents divorced when she was very little and her mum moved overseas. So my dad felt very guilty and decided to look after her here. She was 10 years old at that time'
'Oh God! That sounds awful'
'My mum never liked the idea, but there was no way to argue with dad on this matter. We grew up together like this for 7 more years. She was quite a sweet girl, on her 15th birthday we were planning to throw her a surprise party in the house with all her friends. It was a really bad time for me, because my parents had been having so many fights recently, it was horrible to live here. But she always made things better, she was always there for me and tried to make me smile.
I think I started to like her after that night, after we kissed…we were just kids, I mean so young'
'Please do not go into too much detail in that regard…'
'Ha ha, of course not. We became involved "romantically" after that night for the rest of our high school years. Everyone at school knew we were going out, except for my family. We pretended like nothing was going on between us in this house.
One day, Naomi had a fever and she stayed at home to recover. My mum was away for the week visiting some relatives and I was at school taking the final exams, I remember I had basketball practice that afternoon but I wanted to see her, to make sure she was alright. So I came home early…when I went to her room, she was not there.
'What?! Where was she?'
'I went passed my dad's private office on the second floor and heard some noises in there. I heard them…they were together…'
Sakura gasped with surprise and covered her mouth with her hands
'What…are you saying…'
'Yep… they had been sleeping together for 3 whole years…right under our noses'
'I never imagined this…I am…sorry. Sorry Syaoran…I wanted to know so badly…sorry'
'You didn't know, it is ok' - he patted her head as he saw she was about to cry – 'Hey don't be sad…the only thing you need to remember is that no matter what happened in the past I love you and nobody else'
'But this…is horrible. How could…they…?' – she couldn't help but to cry, Syaoran pulled her towards him and she put her face on his chest
'My dad was…a sick man, twisted that is'
'How can you be around her? I mean it must be …difficult for you'
'To be honest I stopped caring a really long time ago. She was my first illusion…that's all. I do not hold any grudges against her. We are not in great terms now either but whatever. I was though obsessed with her for a while after that happened…let's just say I was not in a very good shape for several months, but I think that was mainly due to the fact that her actions made me doubt myself too…'

(This could be why he is always so jealous...she betrayed him and with his own father…I wonder what he means by "not very good shape…" he has a painful look on his eyes, this is the first time I have seen him helpless and vulnerable. I should stop prying for now…also he doesn't talk about his father or mother now, where are they?)

Her mind was going down an endless blackhole of possibilities, however she was interrupted when he said: 'Sakura, I hope that this doesn't change anything between us…I really love you'
'No…this hasn't changed how I feel about you. But doesn't this house bring you back bad memories…why do you still live here?'
He smirked, pushed his hair back and said: 'This house helped me get over it as surprising as that may sound to you…now that you know the truth, if it makes you feel uncomfortable to be here, I can buy a new house. Maybe that way you will move in with me huh? Just kidding… – he smiled at her but Sakura could tell that he didn't really mean it

'Don't smile like that, you are forcing yourself…'
'I am fine ha ha really. You are imagining things…'
'I don't want to leave you ever again. I want to live with you here in this house'
Syaoran lifted up his face and his eyes were shining like two stars: 'Really? You will?'

'Yes, maybe not straight away though. I still have a lease at my apartment for another 4 months'
'You make me so happy' – he leaned forward and kissed her tears away – 'Now no more tears, a smile suits you better my sweet Sakura'
She wiped her eyes and smiled at him, their lips were so close but barely touching. She could feel his warm breath on her. They kissed and hugged, he put his hand down her dress from the top and squeezed her right breast gently…

'Syaoran…we are…in the garden'
'It's ok…just relax…'

He intensified the kiss, this time his tongue was making his way into her mouth. Sakura tried to do the same, but she stopped half way. It was too embarrassing for her…

'What was that huh? – he opened his eyes and looked at her whilst still kissing her in between words – 'why don't you try it again?'
'N-no…I…' – she whispered – 'it is too embarrassing for me…'
'Umm… you can't be embarrassed after the things we did last night…'
She blushed quickly as flashbacks of last night started to pop into her head, his touch, his kisses, his…
'Kya! – she suddenly jumped on her seat
'Ha ha what's wrong?' – it looked like he was having so much fun teasing her
'Ju-just don't say things like that…it makes it worst…'
'Ha ha, you are so funny and sweet' – he started to kiss her neck softly – 'You drive me crazy too Sakura, you make me feel…so...horny'

She felt that strange tingling sensation down her body, he clearly knew how to ignite her deepest desires.

'Syao-Syaoran…I want…you to…'

Suddenly Syaoran's phone rang
'Damn, who is it?' – he pulled away from her, feeling a bit annoyed – 'sorry I gotta take this'
'Su-sure' – She couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed

He walked away and answered his phone, Sakura gave a big sigh and stared at him for a few seconds – (I can't believe we are together, that this is how things have turned out for me. I am so happy to have him in my life…it seems though there are still some secrets in his life…Oh no! I completely forgot about Aoi and Asami. I have to call her right away)

Syaoran walked back to her and helped her stand up

'There is an urgent matter I need to attend to this afternoon. I am sorry we cannot spend more time together now, but I have to prepare some papers'
'That's ok, I understand. I have to arrange some things with Aoi as well'
'We can…finish what we started later tonight ok? I promise'

She looked down and nodded, he grabbed her face and gave her a little kiss on the tip of her nose

'Feel free to get the chauffer to take you anywhere you need to go, and call me if you are in trouble'
'I sure make you worry a lot it seems ha ha' – she chuckled – 'I will be fine, thanks for everything' – she gave him a big hug
'Alright then, I will see you tonight'

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