THREE
"I'm sorry okay?"
The setting was inside a guest room, elaborated by an antique four poster bed, an enormous wardrobe, and a wooden make-up station, by eight in the morning. The chirping birds served as background music and the sky, painted blue, was clear. The characters were Sakura, a pale lady in bed, and Sasuke, a vexed raven head who had his arms crossed. And based on the looks of the characters, they were having an argument.
Damn, she spilled vomit on my bed and my laptop. And now, she even sounds angry? Sasuke's mood had been unchanged since that night and he had not enough sleep because of the incident. "Hn." He rolled his eyes and turned to face the door but the pink head loaded her mouth with another set of ammunition.
"I was—I don't know—but at least tell me that you're sorry for seeing me naked!"
The word 'naked' struck a network of veins in his head. Sasuke faced her with still calm eyes and then said in an indifferent tone, "why would I say that? I didn't see you totally nude. That Itachi changed your clothes. And even if I did, I would still be displeased. You have a body of a boy."
So the secret to Sasuke's loquaciousness was exasperating him? That wasn't hard.
"A what?" Sakura's voice turned into a threat.
"I hate repeating myself." The Uchiha answered fast enough as not to let Sakura speak. "So shut up and get home as soon as you can."
"You're mean!" Haruno leered with both eyes squinted. "You don't have any idea—any idea at all—of what I suffered yesterday."
"As if I care." Came the flat reply of Sasuke.
"Well it wasn't my fault."
I'm tired of this. Sasuke began walking towards the door when a pillow hit the back of his head. His balance wavered for a second before standing upright. He drew in a deep breath and then looked at the pink head while trying hard to keep his cool. "What now?"
"At least listen to my explanation if you still don't want to forgive me." Sakura pouted making her look irresistibly cute—well, not for Sasuke, unfortunately.
"Fine." The Uchiha pulled the chair from the make-up station and positioned himself on it. After this, shut the fuck up.
"Well," the pink head looked at her sides and then at him with both her eyes twinkling with sincerity, "I was trying to be nice."
"…"
"To Neji."
"Whatever."
"Hey—"
"Cut it." Sasuke muttered.
Sakura looked insulted, nevertheless, she continued. "And since we had a date, he treated me to a really expensive restaurant."
I think I already know what happened. Sasuke thought as he suppressed a smile. She's a moron.
"So he ordered a lot of dishes…and…" she stopped and tried to look shameless. "I thought it would be not good to leave dishes served with love uneaten…"
"So you ate from all of the dishes." Sasuke shook his head. "That was stupid."
"That was sweet." Sakura remarked with pride. "If I were to serve something, my cooking or not, it would be great for me if I see my partner enjoying everything."
"You're telling me that Neji's a homo?" Sasuke grinned. "Because if that's the case I would have to applaud you for such discovery." And yes, he hated that Hyuuga a lot.
"What do you mean by that!" Sakura hollered.
"If that's how you girls think and if that Hyuuga's mind works that way, maybe he is gay."
"What—You—DON'T TALK ABOUT HIM LIKE THAT!" Sakura jumped off the bed and was already in a 'scratching' position. Maybe she was planning to flay him alive.
"Are you just playing innocent or are you really that ignorant?" Sasuke stood up from his seat. Now I get it why that bastard is dating her. She's too amusing. "Have you gone to a date before?"
"No." For some reason, her tone softened.
"Let me give you a tip." Sasuke shoved his hands back into his pockets. "A pure blood man who loves girls in mini skirts prefers body over sentiments. Showing him that you're eating everything would just cost you a low grade."
"But—"
"As I said, shut up and get home as soon as you can." The Uchiha placed the chair back to its position and marched out of the room feeling unusually light. Perhaps he was so pleased to have defeated the pink head. Or perhaps, he was being entertained by the innocence of the clever girl. He didn't exactly know but he was sure a lot more conversations would come.
The scene ended with the Uchiha slowly descending the stairs while Haruno remained standing in the room with questions in mind.
When the curtains were drawn to show the stage, the setting appeared to be a dining room. Like any other dream house, the dining room had a long table covered with a white cloth embroidered to create a design, a basket of fresh fruits picked from the Uchiha's own garden, several cushioned seats, a dumbwaiter carrying silver platters, candlesticks, porcelain plates, a chandelier, and other materials added to increase the room's splendor. The time was eight-thirty in the morning and it was getting somewhat darker.
The characters were Uchiha Itachi, the older brother of Sasuke, and Uchiha Sasuke, the uncomfortable teenager who had just come.
"Good morning otouto." Itachi raised his eyes for a second before resuming with the newspaper he was reading. He sipped coffee from a cup held by one hand and then he placed it down on a glass coaster.
"…" Sasuke sat opposite his brother and started with the breakfast placed before him without returning the greeting.
"I see you're in a good mood." Itachi continued speaking even without lifting his eyes. "So how's your friend?"
"…" Sasuke poked the yellow center of his egg with his fork.
"So she's alright now. That's a good thing to hear." The crimson eyed Uchiha smiled to himself.
"…" He dipped the end of his hotdog into ketchup before biting it.
"You can ask me for another laptop if you want. Your laptop is old anyway."
"It has only been a year since I first used it." Sasuke spoke through gritted teeth. "And there's no way that I'm asking for your money."
Itachi called a servant to put the newspaper away and began eating. "How's your jaw?"
"Fuckin' fine." The younger Uchiha replied with a snort.
"Do you want to use the Porsche? The key is at the desk."
Sasuke stopped moving his utensils and glared at the speaker. "Shut up."
Itachi raised a brow and smiled at the clear show of disdain. "Otouto, is there something wrong?"
"Yeah, actually," he stood up as he pushed his plate away, "it's you." Sasuke stormed out of the dining room with both hands clenched. He hated him. He hated everything about his brother. He wanted to stay away from that crimson-eyed bastard that he called oni-chan when he was still little.And the reason to that contempt was something he had not admitted to himself yet.
On the other hand, Haruno Sakura remained on the bed thinking of what to wear. Maybe she'd just get her dress back; she was sure that the Uchiha had a technology that would dry it up within a matter of minutes. So it was decided. She slid off the bed and proceeded to the door, which she opened slightly to do a little peeking. Too bad, no one was out there.
Knowing that yelling for help would only attract unwanted attention; Sakura closed the door and went over to the make-up station to retrieve her cellular phone. She rummaged her bag for the phone only to find out that the battery was out. Oh no…I can't call Neji. She bit her lips and tapped her phone with her fingers while her eyes moved to scan the room. And yes, she caught sight of a wardrobe at her right. Why did I even miss that? She hurried over to the wardrobe and… ta-dah! No clothes! Not even a strip of cloth hanging somewhere there.
Are expensive wardrobes only for design nowadays?
Sakura thought hard. Surely there was someone in the Uchiha mansion who was female; a maid for example.
Sakura stripped the bed of its blanket and wrapped it rather messily around her. She opened the door once more and gazed at the area for a female target. If only I knew where to get my clothes… She thought as she waited behind the door muttering "please" repeatedly. It took some time before she noticed a woman dressed in black and white situated at the first floor. Sakura felt luck smile at her.
"Pst! Hey!" Haruno called out onto the maid without acquiring other listeners. The maid remained oblivious of whoever was calling her. She just kept on wiping the surface of a round side table and after making it shine, she continued on her way to another table.
"Wait!" Sakura looked sideways to see if there was anyone else before making a hesitant step out of the room. Just wait for that Uchiha. Maybe he'll bring your clothes to you. Someone with a placid tone told her inwardly. You're letting that Uchiha airhead bring you clothes? He'll have a better chance humiliating you. He'll defeat you if you let him do favors… you'll owe him A LOT! Call her NOW! Another wild voice was yelling in her head and that forceful tone prompted her to take her other foot out of the room. Tightening her hold on the blanket, she moved towards the opening of the staircase a few feet from the door.
"Excuse me!" To her dismay, she still failed to call the maid. The worse part of it was that the maid was on her way to another room. If you don't get her now, you'll be in more trouble than before! Think of the Uchiha! Don't let him think that you need his help!
Sakura bit her lip and tried to think again but her brain was malfunctioning due to panic. Her eyes followed the slow pace of the maid. If she did not move, she'll lose the chance!
"Hey!" Sakura finally moved down the grand staircase with such determined speed to reach the female servant. "Stop—" She halted half-way the carpeted steps when she heard a couple of male voices coming from the second floor (where her room was), coming toward the staircase.
Return or not? Her eyes darted from the moving maid to the second floor. If she returns, she can hide but she'll lose the maid. If she goes on, she can catch up with the maid, but there is a risk of being seen. Wrong move equals embarrassment. Sakura shook her head before continuing her way down with an increased speed. Her body seemed like a wobbly marshmallow making its way down to the first floor. But also, like a marshmallow, her balance wavered and it caused her to step on the edge of the blanket. The mishap sent her screaming in slow motion as her body tumbled forward. The bounced and rolled over the steps until her battered body reached the first floor without any blanket on.
Sakura moaned as one of her hands fell upon the side of her head. She felt as if she was being hammered by a ruthless blacksmith. Her legs only moved to find a better position to ease the pain coursing her muscles. Oh my god…
Quick footsteps and a cry was heard from somewhere near her.
"What is it?" Someone she reckoned as male neared her body in calm steps.
"I-I think she fell from the stairs." A female person reported as she headed for the wireless phone.
Sakura's eyes gradually gained focus after sometime adjusting to the pain. Her emerald orbs caught sight of the maid she was trying so hard to contact talking over the phone. She moved her eyes and saw a familiar face kneeling beside her.
"Haruno, do you need something?"
What a handsome voice belonging to a handsome man.
Sakura blinked several times to fix her vague view until she saw the face of the man. Uchiha Itachi? The hot model? She immediately felt strength rise in her limbs. She even felt blood rush to her face. Obviously, she adored him.
She parted her lips to expel the word "no" and then she smiled. How could she not?
"By the way Haruno, I hope you like your new undergarments."
New…undergarments? Sakura tilted her head a bit to look down on her chest. And what shocked her was that she was not wearing her brassier. (Then perhaps her panties were not hers too.) Her undergarments were lacy black with such good fit.
"They're Victoria's Secret." Itachi smiled.
And she blacked out.
The curtains moved to conceal the stage.
New characters appeared at the stage when the red cloths were pulled away. The characters were called experts in medicine—paramedics.
The paramedics came minutes after and left within an hour. They treated her with various medicines and clad her with bandages. They told her that she only had a sprained ankle but she seemed not happy about it.
Sakura remained sitting at the sofa chair without a word to anyone. She was now in a Sunday dress with a matching hat, which she did not wear because she was not in a comfortable mode. Sasuke was leaning against a wall with arms crossed and for a few times he would look up, shake his head, and then look away. Itachi, who was still smiling despite Sakura's shift of mood, was seated on a sofa across Sakura.
When the three were left all by themselves, Itachi was the first to speak. "Are you alright now? You cane stay here for a little while."
Sasuke glared at him.
"N-no, I'm fine Itachi-san." Sakura forced a smile though her eyes could not look straight into his. "Thank you so much and sorry for the trouble."
I really can't get it why she fell from the stairs. The younger raven head looked at his side before pocketing his hands.
"So, shall you take her home now?" Itachi turned to his brother who only managed to follow without a word. He went to the desk and obtained the key with one finger. After which, he cocked his head to gesture the girl to follow him.
"Otouto, don't tell me that you're going to ask her to walk to the car." The older Uchiha crossed his legs and smiled.
The raven head cussed under his breath and lifted Sakura on his arms. Haruno, who was surprised, just clung around his neck, afraid of being dropped. He walked towards the foyer and went past the entrance doors. He eyed a male servant and he immediately took the key from his finger and opened the door. Sasuke placed Sakura in and reclaimed the key from the servant before going to the driver's place. Once seated, he started the engine and then drove off.
The trip was rather silent except for some questions and answers they exchanged. Sasuke was focused on the road while Sakura, still bugged by the fact that Itachi dressed her up, was looking straight ahead. Sakura's house was a few more streets away and there was only a few cars passing the main road. Though the drive was supposed to be a short one, it appeared stretched for Sakura felt really awkward with what had happened.
"Left?" The Uchiha inquired without his eyes deviating from the road.
"Left." Haruno replied tonelessly.
The Porsche turned left smoothly, attracting some pedestrians' gaze.
"Thanks…for this dress." Sakura muttered after taking a short glance at the hat on her lap. "And for the hat."
Thank him. The Uchiha thought.
The pink head lifted her eyes. "Um…so your brother…well, he bought me my new set of clothes…"
"…"
"Was he the one who changed my attire…?"
"What did I tell you earlier?" Sasuke suddenly sounded exasperated.
"He was the one."
"Question answered."
Sakura slightly pouted for she wasn't in the mood for another rant. She couldn't believe that she was already seen naked by a guy. "Itachi has seen a lot of naked women in the industry so it's not really a big deal." She said to herself loudly as to eliminate even a bit of the embarrassment.
If there was something great about your body, then maybe having you nude is a sight to see. Sasuke thought the car slowed down to a stop because of the red light.
"Aren't you going to say something?"
"What?" Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Guys are soooo insensitive!" She crossed her arms.
Do I have to deal with these things? Sasuke wanted to bite the wheel for he felt he would go insane.
"At least tell me what you think. Or tell me that you sympathize."
"I don't care about what women wants." Sasuke said in a flat tone. "If you want someone to sympathize with your situation, go talk to your friends who also crowd around Itachi. Or maybe tell your parents about your misfortune."
At that, Sakura fell silent. Her lids lowered and her hands clenched.
The car moved from the main road to branched paths until it came to a certain street. Sasuke asked Sakura where her house was located and, observant as he was, he noticed how she sighed and grew sullen when she answered. Thinking it was only her mood swing, he proceeded without asking what was wrong. (As if he'd do in any other situation given.) And after some more minutes, they found Sakura's abode, which was just the average but it looked neat from outside.
Sasuke was about to go out the car when Sakura shook her head and limped outside. He didn't care much but he eyed her as she went towards the door. He watched as she waited for the door to open after pressing the door bell twice. The one who opened the door was a husky man with an unshaved face. His hair was total mess and his garments were torn and creased.
He pressed a button to lower the window to get a better view of what was happening out of curiosity. And since his car was Porsche, the man lightened up and waved at him. Sasuke was sure that the grin on the man's face was procured due to the sight of someone rich at his front.
"Come in!" The man yelled, not even asking Sakura why she came home the next morning or where she got the Sunday dress. He didn't even see her go in the house hurriedly.
The Uchiha only waved to say no before raising the window. The window was lightly tinted, prohibiting the people outside to see the inside. And from inside the car, Sasuke saw the man snarl and slam the door shut. For some reason, he didn't feel right about the scene.
The car moved out of the spotlight and the curtains moved back to show another setting.
Lights out.
Light on.
Shove the curtains.
The setting was in a church yard and one from outside the vicinity could hear the voices of people singing worship songs. There was a Saturday mass and those who were religious enough joined the congregation even if they could attend the mass on Sunday anyway. Uchiha Sasuke, the character under the spotlight, parked his car just somewhere, not even minding if Porsche was a tempting vehicle. He was concentrated on his objective that day, which was to acquire data from a man.
Nights before, Sasuke had a call from a source he never mentioned who and the source commanded him to come to the church that Saturday. There was a painful reason why he could not resist. And now he was there, standing outside the church doors without the usual confidence in him. Just get over with it. He said inwardly before pushing the door open with both hands. He felt atypically weak…
The morning light coming through the windows showered the young Uchiha's head with bliss. But he didn't feel any better; in fact he even felt as if he was going to swoon any time now. He just carried on with his purpose and sat beside a man in coat seated far behind the singing people.
"What now?"
The man shifted from his position and fixed his glasses up his nose bridge. "Here's the file of your next target."
Sasuke snatched the folder and stood up immediately, eager to leave the silver haired man as soon as possible.
"Uchiha," the man's glasses reflected the sun's rays, "just tell me if you want to quit."
"Someday, I'll kill you. Just wait for that." He muttered before leaving the church doors.
END OF CHAPTER
A/N: Sorry for the late update guys. My schedule was hectic for the past two weeks. Oh, if you have noticed, I depicted the story as a play. It's not significant, really, I just felt like placing those "curtain" stuff. (I love theater and I love my club.) Sorry for the lack of comedy in this chapter. Gah! I need inspiration! Thanks to reviews!