A/N 2007: Same old story ) minor changes and corrections. Changed the movie title into my fave movie of this year XD
A/N: Eep! Don't kill me! runs and ducks behind some garbage cans I know I know I'm late cough, cough with updating, but it's better than not updating at all right? Anyway I wanna thank all the people who are still with me and reviewed! You people are great! I love you all! And I wanna thank my super-duper greatest best friend/ editor/ inspiration Melalyenye! I couldn't have done this without her! Okay on to the fic!
Chapter 10
The next day Sakura succeeded in avoiding Syaoran. She said her good-byes to Mei Lin and Hao, fished her keys out of her pocket and walked towards the door... when she saw him.
"Hi." he said standing in the open doorway. "I came here to ask where you live, if you're still interested in looking after Hao for a day."
"Of course." Sakura didn't ask him to come in, but he did it anyway. She had already written her address on a paper and stuck it to the fridge, together with a note that said 'for Syaoran Li'. She took it off the fridge and gave it to him.
"Here. The school where I work is on the corner and Tomoyo's office is a few streets further." She grabbed the keys that she'd dropped on the table. She gave Syaoran her address and looked at him impatiently.
"Are you leaving?" He pocketed the paper in his old faded jeans, taking a step forward doing it.
"Yeah," she answered stiffly. The kitchen was suddenly becoming too small for the two of them and he was standing too close for her comfort.
Her keys slipped out of her sweaty hands. She crouched down to pick them up, but Syaoran was faster. When they stood up again she could feel his breath tickling her ear as he bent towards her and said: "Okay. I'll see you Wednesday."
He took her hold of her wrist and laid the keys in her open hand before curling her fingers over them. Sakura stood there, looking at him as he did that. Her hand felt all tingly where he had touched it. Her heart was racing as he did it. Finally she managed to get control over her body again as she pulled her hand back and managed a soft "Thanks."
"It was my pleasure."
"Well, I'll be going then." Panic made her voice crack. She pushed him out of the way and quickly hurried over to the exit.
"Hey!" he called after her "Do you mean going or running?" The mocking echo of his words echoed in her head as she was hurrying towards her car.
The weather in Tomoeda was hot and humid on Tuesday. Rain was approaching for days and on Wednesday it finally came. When Sakura opened the door for Syaoran and Hao the rain began to pour.
"No zoo today, Hao. I'm sorry," she said. "We'll have to think of something else."
"Maybe I can watch TV." Hao pushed his glasses up with a gesture that Sakura began to love.
"Morning Sakura," came the voice of Syaoran. Sakura hadn't looked at him yet, but now she had to. He wore a dark-blue tailored suit and a white dress-shirt with a striped tie; in short, he looked dashingly handsome as always.
"Morning." Her breath caught in her throat as their eyes met. Would she be confronted again with his mocking, knowing challenge? Looking deeper into his eyes made her realize that he wouldn't. Relieved she led her guests to the living room.
Syaoran walked straight to the large window in the room and looked at the sky.
"This is going to be a large storm." he said. "But it should be over by three o' clock this afternoon." Hao walked towards his father and peered out the window as well.
"Is that the sea?" he asked pointing towards the water.
"No, that's just the Maas. The sea is further away."
Sakura looked at them. 'They seemed to be getting along fine.' she thought and opened the closet to put Hao's coat away.
As she re-entered the room she asked at what time Syaoran thought to be done.
"They've got six candidates. My last interview is at one o'clock so shall we say two?"
"Fine by me."
"Okay." his amber eyes trailed down from her face and rested on her bosom. She could feel her cheeks warming and she quickly walked into the hall and opened the door to hide it from him.
Syaoran ruffled Hao's hair affectionately. "Behave while you're here, okay?"
"I will dad. See you later."
Sakura gripped the handle on the door tightly and opened the door so wide that she practically pushed herself into the wall as Syaoran passed her in the small hall.
"How long have you been living here?" he asked, looking around.
"Almost five years."
"Really? I like what you've done to your place." he praised. "Do you have one or two bedrooms?"
"One." Sakura's eyes drifted unconsciously toward the door on Syaoran's left side.
"May I?" without waiting for an answer he pushed the door open. He looked at the small room standing in the doorway. He looked around a bit without saying a word, which made Sakura uncomfortable. She hated he way he'd make her feel uncomfortable without a good reason. "Only a single bed. I thought..." he silenced himself.
"What? What did you think?" Sakura knew fully what he was referring to.
He shrugged. "That you had a double bed."
"For people that... would stay. You mean?" she forced out a light laugh. "Don't worry your head about it. I'm prepared for anything."
"I wasn't worried. I was just... mildly surprised. When I saw your bedroom I was wondering what was wrong with it."
'The only think that's wrong is your image of me,' Sakura thought, but refrained from speaking it out loud. Instead she made a show of looking on her watch and said: "It's getting late."
He looked at her again and frowned.
"You're looking a bit pale." He placed his hand on her forehead. The soft pressure made her blush. "Nothing..." he said and took is hand away. "Blushes on your cheeks... I better go now."
Sakura slammed the door closed behind him and leaned against it with closed eyes. How much longer could she keep this up? How much longer before she fell into his arms?
Syaoran returned at a quarter to two. Hao was lying on the sofa watching the TV and Sakura was in the kitchen when the buzzer went off. She pressed the button while saying: "Your father's back."
There was no answer and she looked into the living room. Hao was immersed in a program on TV.
"Your father's back." she repeated. "Will you go get the door when he knocks?"
"Okay." Hao walked towards the hall, while glancing over his shoulders at the TV.
Sakura walked back into the kitchen. A few moments later Syaoran appeared in the kitchen. Hao was sitting in front of the TV again.
"And?" she asked. "How was your day?"
"Fine." he answered. He looked around shortly as if he'd noticed something. "Is that coffee I smell?"
"Yes. Do you want some?"
Syaoran took off his coat and sat down at the table. "Yes thanks."
Sakura poured two cups and gave one to him. She then proceeded to dump three spoons of sugar and some milk in her own cup before asking: "Find somebody?"
Syaoran eyed her cup of coffee before shrugging it off and taking a sip of his own. "Two actually." he answered. "I've made another appointment with them so they can meet Hao." Syaoran paused, taking another sip. "Sakura, I was wondering if you could help me. Maybe you'll notice something I've overlooked."
"This afternoon?" she thought about it and began shuffling a bit with her plans. " I can make some time, I guess."
'Thanks, I appreciate it a lot." absently he plucked a grape out of the fruit-bowl. "So what did you and Hao do?"
"We went to a movie called 'Transformers' and after the movie we grabbed something to eat at 'La Place' on Hao's insistence." she placed her cup down, having finished her coffee. "What time is the first meeting?"
"At five o'clock. The next one is at six."
"Here." she gave him a pen and paper. "Write down the address. I'll appear a little to five."
He took the paper and pen and scribbled the address down. While he was scribbling Sakura looked at his broad shoulders... She could see the well-trained muscles move and the strong arms of him-
"There." Syaoran looked up; he narrowed his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Wh-What do you mean?" she stuttered.
"You were thinking of something... someone. You were looking dreamy. Who were you thinking of?"
Sakura felt the tension rise. "I- I wasn't thinking of someone. I was just thinking about stuff I have to do..." she noticed Syaoran didn't believe her. She turned around, blushing furiously and walked towards the door.
She was almost there when Syaoran grabbed her arm and closed the door with his foot. The click of the lock was hardly noticeable above the noise of the TV. Helplessly Sakura looked up at Syaoran.
"Don't look at me like that." he whispered. "I won't bite unless..." his voice became husky, "unless you want me to."
Before Sakura could say anything he pulled her towards him and kissed her. He opened his mouth and let his tongue slide over her bottom lip, coaxing her into opening her mouth and she willingly obliged, letting his tongue explore her mouth, while she explored his.
All too soon Syaoran pulled away and left Sakura in a state of daze. Syaoran let her go and she leaned against the door, breathing heavily.
"Right..." Syaoran mumbled. Sakura glanced up to see that the kiss hadn't left him untouched either. "So I guess you don't mind being bitten, but it won't happen in the kitchen." he continued, "When the time comes I want to see your hair spread out on a pillow, laying on you back in my bed, with your beautiful green eyes looking at me..."
She wanted to shout 'shut up!' to him but the words got stuck in her throat. She could hardly breathe! With a lot of effort she managed to move away from the door to lean on the wall and made a weak hand-gesture towards the door.
He got the message and with one last lust-filled look at her, he grabbed his coat and left the kitchen.
"See you later auntie Sakura!" she heard Hao say and a few seconds later the door closed.
She let herself slide to the ground, Syaoran's words ringing in her ears. She wanted it... oh how she longed for it, but that was all Syaoran wanted. The sex. And what about love?
The first nanny was worthless. Sakura didn't notice it immediately. SiYi Zing looked like any good nanny. She was cheerful, energetic, dressed properly and kind. But when she opened her bag to look for a handkerchief Sakura noticed a small bottle of booze.
After Miss Zing left Syaoran took off his coat.
"We've got about 20 minutes before the next candidate arrives." he said.
"There's a park across the street. Can we go there?" Hao asked.
"Why not?" Syaoran looked at Sakura. "If that's okay with you."
"Sounds good." she replied.
It was hot. Sakura was glad she wore a sleeveless dress made out of a light fabric. There were a lot of trees in the park and soon they were standing under one of them, looking for the comfort of the shadow.
"Dad, can I go and buy and ice-cream?" Hao asked at Syaoran and Sakura sat down on the bench.
"Where? Syaoran asked.
"Over there" Hao pointed towards a wagon standing next to the pond in the park.
"I don't know..."
"Please! I'll even get you and auntie Sakura one!" Hao begged.
Syaoran grinned. "Alright then." he got out his wallet and gave Hao some money. "I'll have a vanilla and Sakura?" he looked at her.
"None for me." she simply said.
"Okay. One vanilla for dad and a chocolate for me!" He smiled brightly before running off to the wagon selling the ice cream.
"Miss Zing isn't any good." Sakura said as soon as Hao was out of hearing range. "She drinks."
Syaoran turned his head to look at her, but didn't ask anything. After a while he just shook his head. "Let's hope the other is better then."
Sakura nodded, not looking at him. For a while there was a amiable silence between them.
"Have you told aunt Mitsumi about your plans?"
"Yes I've written her a letter."
"Could she and Hao get along?"
He snorted. "You know your aunt. Can you imagine her getting along with anyone?"
"No." Sakura agreed. "I remember grandma telling me how aunt Mitsumi offered to raise me up when my parents died, but luckily my grandma could put a stop to that idea. I remember the vacations with my aunt... terrible! Still, grandma insisted on keeping in touch, since she's family"
"But what about your cousin? I always got the impression that you-"
"You're ice-cream dad!" Hao said happily licking his own. His timing couldn't have been better for Sakura. The last thing she wanted to talk about was her relationship with her cousin Misha.
Hao gave Syaoran his change back and then asked if could go to the swings. Syaoran agreed but told Hao to stay somewhere where he could see him and then sat down next to Sakura again. She resisted the urge to scoot a away as far as the bench would allow.
"Want a lick?" He held the cone in front of her nose.
Sakura knew he was expecting her to refuse the offer so she said: "Why thank you, Syaoran." She'll show him! She wasn't just a weak woman.
She grabbed his wrist, giving him one of her seductive smiles and leaned towards him. With the tip of her tongue she swept over the ice cream while looking at him flirtatiously.
"Mmm..." she moaned.
Suddenly Syaoran pulled his wrist loose from her grasp and grabbed her hand.
"That good huh? My turn then." He lowered his head to the ice cream, his eyes never leaving hers and then, he let his tongue sweep over the ice cream. Sakura shivered, thinking what that tongue could do to her body.
Syaoran looked surprised. "Cold?" he asked the corners of his mouth turning upwards. He let go of Sakura's hand and leaned back, but kept his face turned to her.
With effort Sakura managed to smile. "On the contrary... I can barely stand the heat-"
"Oh what a lovely couple you two make!" an old woman cried out seeing the two of them on the bench
Sakura looked up and opened her mouth to correct the woman but Syaoran beat her to it.
"Why thank you ma'am." He smiled at her.
"Oh if only my Henry was alive" the woman sighed. "But I can tell that you two are deeply in love!" she continued. "You two are soulmates! I just know it!"
Sakura resisted the urge to laugh maniacally. 'Soulmates. If only.' she thought and smiled politely at the woman. 'And love? There is no love coming from him.'
"In any way, don't ever let go of each other! Love like yours is so hard to find." the woman came closer and gave their entwined hands a friendly pat. "You should marry her, young man." she winked at him. "And you, young lady, make sure you say yes when he proposes." And with that she walked away, looking back at them every now and then.
"Let's go shall we?" She got up and went to Hao before Syaoran could reply or comment about the old woman.
Alysha Nox was Dutch and just moved to Tomoeda. Her certificate was excellent. The last family she worked for was related to the dynasty.
After the interview Syaoran promised he would give her a call to tell her his decision.
"So what do you think of her?" He asked Sakura when she was gone.
"She seems to have what is needed." Sakura answered, "Hao what did you think of Miss Nox?" she asked the little boy.
"She's nice."
"Do you like her better than Miss Zing?" his father wanted to know.
"Miss Zing smelled funny." and he scrunched up his nose at the thought.
Sakura laughed softly. "You didn't need me. So will you be hiring her?"
"Yes, I'll call her tomorrow to let her know. I could have told her today, but I wanted to get your opinion first."
"She gets my vote. Now all you need to do is find a mistress. Need my help with that too, Syaoran?" Sakura could bite her tongue off. How could she say something like that and ruin the whole day? Syaoran looked at her as if he was thinking the same thing.
"No I can handle that one my own." he finally said. "Shall I drive you home?"
"No, I'm here with my own car." Sakura wanted to leave as soon as possible.
"Alright then. See you this weekend."
"No, I won't be coming."
He frowned. "I'm certain that Mei Lin said you would be dining at Cherry's Lodge. Am I mistaken?"
"I told Mei Lin that we would go on a Saturday but not this Saturday."
"But she's counting on it."
"Damn... well I guess I'll see you this weekend then. Bye Hao, I really enjoyed today."
He pushed his glasses up. "I really liked today too." he said earnestly.
"See you." Syaoran said to Sakura when she walked away. Sakura made a vague wave with her hand without looking back. Her mind was busy with something else. She would make sure she was busy on Friday. So busy that she had to call Mei Lin and tell her she wouldn't be finished till eleven that evening. It would be too late to drive there all by herself in the dark, Mei Lin would say. And Sakura would obey, without any objections and say she would be arriving the day after...
TBC...
Well finally chapter 10 is out! Please leave a nice review for me? I'm craving reviews! If I don't get any I might die! Yes I am review depraved. sniffles Okay till the next chapter!
Oh and if anyone is interested, the name SiYi is Chinese