Way to the Top

by FoxxFeather

[SxS] It was a lesson learnt in Syaoran's life not to judge a book by its cover. He enters the world of fashion and drama, a place where a man shouldn't be. He knew that when he sees his boss, a complete turn of events. Just read the reviews. [R]

8. The Intricacy

WAY TO THE TOP

By Freya-Wings

Chapter 8

Btw, this story I created to be a little more for mature readers. So very sorry for those who are a little confused about these stuff. Btw, am I being a bit too descriptive?

Thanks to: Criticizer101, twilight-star1, tears-of-redemption, thereviewergirl, mistressMizu, cherrylove05, Sakura2990, MoonNight's mystic and SacredBlade for reviewing this chapter. BIG HUG to all and to all a good reading time.

P.S. PLEASE REVIEW, PLEASE REVIEW, PLEASE REVIEW, PLEASE REVIEW, PLEASE REVIEW, PLEASE REVIEW, PLEASE REVIEW, PLEASE REVIEW, it would mean the world to me.

Disclaimer: CCS is not mine. Characters are not mine… but the plot is so if I have to say that again I'll cry.

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Chapter 8: The Intricacy

Last Chapter:

A tear nearly formed in her eyes when she glanced back at the picture. When the door closed, Yuuki only stared at her with angry eyes. But he had the right to be angry. There she was, on the cover of the newspaper and a magazine which Yuuki also threw down, her picture.

Sakura closed her eyes and felt anger, embarrassment and sadness. Yuuki wanted an explanation. Sakura knew she had to explain why she was half naked, covered barely in thin silk blanket, unaware and still dreaming. Her position was unbearable and Sakura had to turn away. All she felt now was falling off the building, leaving all her troubles behind. Leaving the shred of hope where she thought she could love again. Leaving her self behind, ending her humiliation.

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(Later that morning)

As Syaoran woke up from his slumber that morning, thanks to the never-ending sound of Eriol's hungry laughter and yells, he experienced a slight deja-vu. As if he dreamt of this once before.

'Syaoran, wake up buddy, the national newspaper has arrived and guess which door they're knocking?' Eriol's voice could be heard vividly in Syaoran's ears as he gathered himself off the bed and sat down with an inexplicable pain in his head.

'Would you venture to guess even?' Eriol spoke sarcastically as he waved the newspaper in front of Syaoran.

Before Syaoran could answer, there came a knock on the door and Eriol cursed, 'can't a best man finish his excitement?' and went to get the door.

Making a small smile, Syaoran tried to blink his eyes to capture the reality before him. His room felt the same as always, but a strange familiarity sneaked into his 'normality.' Syaoran glanced back at his messy bed and couldn't help but made a sad smile. He could still smell her when he slept.

Suddenly, a messy figure appeared and took off the raincoat to reveal Chiharu with bright pink cheeks and a big smile plastered on her face. 'Why do good things come to you Syaoran?' Chiharu spoke with low tone but with a held down excitement, as if afraid to invade the silence that she intruded.

Before Syaoran could offer her a seat, another figured walked in the room. Rika walked in dressed in wet clothes. Clearly it was raining that morning as he stared at Rika's flushed face.

'I had to run over to see you when I heard the news. Congratulations,' Rika spoke with a tuned excitement.

'Can't a guy finish what he wants to say to his best friend?' Eriol said as he waved his hand in the air. The two cheerful women ignored him and gave Syaoran a hug.

'I am so proud of you Syao-kun,' Rika whispered in his ear.

'There's a time when good things come to those who deserve them,' Chiharu whispered in his other ear.

Syaoran just woke up and he wasn't sure of he was dreaming or not. 'What the hell are you guys talking about?' Syaoran chuckled nervously, wondering what all the celebration was about.

'It's about you silly and this gorgeous girl that you photographed,' Chiharu said and gave him the newspaper.

'I didn't know who she was but I didn't know you had a model that could be so photogenic,' Rika said admiringly.

Syaoran frowned and took the newspaper from Chiharu's hand. Beyond his sight, Eriol was slightly nervous.

There were no words to describe how Syaoran was feeling when he first took a glance at the image before him. He didn't recognize it as anything familiar. But when he finally took a closer look at the detail and recognized his famous angle, Syaoran swore his lungs stopped breathing.

There she was the angel he captured the day after they shared an immensely intimate moment. He realized back then just how happy he was, happier than he ever felt in his entire life. But when he couldn't take his eyes off the picture he recklessly took for his own sake, it felt like his happiness was robbed in an instant.

The happy faces before him quietly and slowly saw the unhappy face Syaoran bore. The colorful aura slowly darkened and instead, those happy faces turned to frowns.

'What's wrong?' Rika asked in a whisper.

Syaoran could not speak, nor could he breathe. In his battle with his crazy mixed thought, he only twitched when Eriol slowly spoke, cutting the intense silence of the room. 'I was going to tell you today Syaoran,' Eriol nervously spoke with an uneasy laughter, 'I didn't ask for permission at first but you don't need to thank me for—'

Hard knuckles met Eriol's face as the strong force slammed his head and he flew back to the floor.

'What the FUCK did you do?' Syaoran yelled, his eyes burning with wrath.

Syaoran heard Chiharu and Rika gasped but anger had already taken over him. His body shook wildly. His face began to sweat. His knuckles clutched every few seconds. Eriol still lay on the floor, perplexed by the sudden reaction.

'What the fuck did you do Eriol?' Syaoran yelled again, and kneeled in front of Eriol to grab his shirt. Syaoran pulled him off the floor and stared at Eriol straight in the eye.

'What the hell's the matter with you?' Eriol replied disgustingly, shoving away his hands and tried to get himself up. Chiharu knelt beside him and helped him up. 'What is wrong Syaoran?' Chiharu asked with a surprised face. This was the first time they had ever seen Syaoran so worked up.

'Why did you put that picture in?' Syaoran asked with an oddly forced voice, as if forcing his anger in.

Eriol chuckled in confusion, 'and I thought you would be surprised and happy,' he said with a low voice.

'Let me get you some ice,' Rika said worryingly as she saw the bruise on Eriol's left cheek.

'I am surprised,' Syaoran said in a dangerous tone.

Eriol stumbled to get himself standing but he managed to speak, 'I did it to surprise you. Remember you said to print the films that were on your table. I didn't know which one so I printed them all. When I saw that picture I was stunned. I really was.'

Eriol paused when he saw Syaoran's chest began to weave rapidly.

'I just wanted you to get what you have always dreamed of,' Eriol said pleadingly, 'I saw that picture you took and already in my hands, it felt like a winner.'

Syaoran looked away and felt his knees weak. Rika came in breathlessly with ice as she tried to help Eriol take the ice and put it against his cheek.

'I have no idea what is happening but please tell me,' Rika said in a slightly frightened voice. Chiharu paused as she glanced back at the newspaper. Slowly she recognized something familiar. As she picked up the newspaper on the floor, she was fixated to the image as if there was something she felt drawn to.

Syaoran groaned and whimpered, 'Eriol, how could you…? Without… asking?'

Eriol was shocked to see Syaoran this way and wondered loudly and quite angrily, 'why…? What was wrong with that picture?'

Syaoran's head fell to his hands and quietly cursed him self for being so stupid. He never wanted anyone to see that picture. He only wanted to keep it for him self.

'She looks… familiar,' Chiharu's voice quietly cut the silence. She was holding the newspaper and was frowning, as if trying to remember. Rika was confused and wanted an explanation, 'what is Chiharu?' Rika walked to Chiharu and together, they looked at the image.

Eriol seemed confused and even more bewildered to find Chiharu gasp and had a look of extreme surprise.

'Was this the girl that you invited to Rika's birthday party?' Chiharu asked Syaoran breathlessly.

Rika gasped. 'Syaoran, is it?' Rika asked in doubt. When Syaoran didn't answer, Rika could feel her lungs wanting to burst. If she wasn't mistaken, this woman came to her gallery… Syaoran introduced her as his…

Rika fell to her seat and stared at Syaoran in disbelief. Chiharu and Eriol looked at each other in grim confusion.

'Syaoran,' Rika whispered, 'tell me that is not her.'

Syaoran was silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He stood up swiftly and looked at Rika as if he was about to cry. 'I am done for Rika,' Syaoran whispered back, 'and I just wanted to keep it to myself.'

Eriol spoke out of confusion, 'what's wrong with her?'

Syaoran stared hard at Eriol in anger but didn't say anything. He only sighed and left the room. Eriol still stood in confusion as he gave Rika a questioning look.

Rika sighed, 'the woman that Syaoran photographed, is Syaoran's boss.'

Eriol was in shock. Chiharu gasped, 'no wonder she looked so familiar. Is it really her?' Chiharu paused before continuing, 'she looks so different in this picture. I thought Syaoran was joking when he introduced her to us. She's too young to be in this business.'

'I didn't recognize her either at first,' Rika whispered back, quietly understanding Syaoran's behavior.

'But Syaoran… and his boss… her,' Eriol stammered to respond back.

'No one would notice either right? I mean… if it did… then Syaoran's work…' Chiharu spoke even quieter.

'That would be quite impossible since…' Rika looked at Eriol, 'he named the title… Sakura.'

'I just copied what was on the label,' Eriol said defensively. It was a miserable hour for Eriol when he realized his mistake. It was far too obnoxious for him to act so daftly although all he wanted was give a special present for Syaoran as his best friend. Best friend indeed, everyone knew who she was and what did he know about her?

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The streets are still bustling with the sounds of cars and honks of cabs competing to try and get a costumer. The play of lights switched from every part of the city. People shout and whispered and chattered and stammered outside the windows and walls of the Kinomoto Company. But nothing felt as busy and hectic than what went on inside the 100 meter squared office.

Outside the walls of the office, Naruku and Tomoyo could hear the screams, shouts and cries of the two individuals who never thought this day would come. Sooner later, more office workers and staff gathered around the secretary office, straining their ears to drink up the juicy gossips. This is real life drama.

'Tomoyo, why is he so angry like this?' Naruku whispered to Tomoyo when she walked in carrying a newspaper as Naruku tried to capture their conversation from the stained glass doors and meanwhile trying to make her invisible through the glass.

Tomoyo flipped the page open and gasped, 'it couldn't be.'

'What couldn't be?' Naruku bellowed in a whisper and skipped to Tomoyo.

'Oh gosh look at this. This is not good. This is so not good. Oh gosh, I think I'm going to faint. What's going to happen? What's going to happen?' Tomoyo began to blurt out her panic words.

'You're panicking,' Naruku said back.

'Yes, join me will you,' Tomoyo glared back as she handed Naruku the newspaper.

'Is this…?' Naruku questioned after scanning the image Tomoyo pointed out.

'Yes it is.'

'Is she?'

'Yes she is.'

Naruku put her hands to her mouth and had her eyes bulging out of her sockets. 'But this is so beautiful,' Naruku whimpered.

'That doesn't matter. What matter is that she is naked and in bed and what made my eyes water and knees tingle when I saw that name written in bold but do you know who photographed her?'

Naruku shook her head and Tomoyo pointed to the name which was printed boldly.

Naruku gave a dreadful gasp and made a shocking face, 'Li!?'

Tomoyo nodded her head, 'that asshole is probably looking to blackmail Kinomoto.'

'But he's too cute to be evil.'

'Looks can be deceiving Naruku.'

'But with such a beautiful photograph…' Naruku paused and scanned the page again before muttering, 'I don't think he wanted to blackmail her.'

Tomoyo looked at Naruku, 'what are you talking about? He paraded in here with his cute little buns and took over the great and cold-hearted Kinomoto-san in just a week? Lay off it, it's too good to be true.'

'It does seem short but look at the picture he took.'

'I'm sure you're going to say it's beautiful.'

'No I meant, he captured it very well. I think this is what he sees in her. Maybe that's the reason why he took this photograph,' Naruku muttered softly, still gazing on the picture.

Tomoyo paused and snorted, 'yes and I'm the princess of lala land.'

Naruku didn't reply but she gazed on the picture with admiring eyes. This was probably the best captured photograph she had seen in years. The photograph felt so emotional, so real and at the same time illusory. Kinomoto's usual dark, cold-hearted and classically domineering face was replaced by a mysterious beauty Naruku had never seen before.

She looked back at the title 'Sakura' and looked back at the photographer, 'Li Syaoran.' She saw Tomoyo trying to perceive the couple's conversation when suddenly the door opened and Yuuki Edwards stomped out of the office. Naruku and Tomoyo tried to act cool but fortunately, Yuuki was too angry to notice.

The young and nervous pretenders watched as Yuuki barged open the door and swiftly left the room. Both women paused, unable to react by the sudden appearance of Yuuki. But Tomoyo snapped out of her trance and skipped into the office, to talk to her friend.

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Syaoran was gasping for air as he walked into the elevator. He was soaking wet from the drenching rain but he couldn't care less. His lungs were tight against his chest due to him running all the way from his apartment to the Kinomoto Company. More people walked in the elevator and Syaoran felt compressed in that relatively large lift, people eyeing him in his soaked situation. He wasn't sure if doing this was the right thing to do. But he needed to see her and explain everything.

The small ring erupted in the elevator and the door opened to the 27th floor. Syaoran quickly squeezed his way out of the large crowd. Soon he breathed the scent of women's perfume and new branded clothes.

Walking into the receptionist area, he felt nervous, just like the first time he wanted to walk in for the interview. But there was something different. Instead of admiring and longing faces he usually get, they looked sour and displeased by his appearance. It made Syaoran even more nervous. The news got here quickly then.

Then without hesitation he walked into the office. Many eyes were staring upon him, feasting on his new bold appearance and hunger for gossip. As he passed, many whispered and giggled, some had disgust look on their faces. Syaoran swallowed his pride and walked into the secretary office.

Naruku glanced up from the newspaper she was reading and gasped at the sight of Syaoran.

'I want to talk to Ms. Kinomoto please,' Syaoran spoke strongly, with a little edge of fright. Naruku didn't respond at first, only to gape at him. Syaoran walked passed her desk and was about to touch the cold metal door handle when Naruku whispered loudly, 'wait.'

Syaoran paused and glanced at her. She looked a little disturbed but not disgusted.

'Sakura-san is in there with Tomoyo-san. I suggest you don't go in,' Naruku replied.

'But I need to speak to her,' Syaoran cursed silently and touched the door handle when Naruku grabbed his shirt and swirled him around.

'If you go in there you'll make everything else worse,' Naruku breathed frustratingly.

Syaoran paused, 'how worse?'

Naruku gulped, 'it may just be another tangle in her tangled wires but this time, it involves the future of this company.'

Syaoran shook his head and breathed a sigh, 'I never thought this was going to happen.'

Naruku looked back at him, 'so you didn't do it on purpose?'

'Why in the world would I do that to her?' Syaoran nearly yelled and Naruku shushed him, worried that Tomoyo and Sakura might have heard him.

Sure enough, Tomoyo's face propped from the door and gave Syaoran an angry stare.

'How dare you come here?' Tomoyo practically yelled.

'I need to talk to---'

'She doesn't want to talk to you after what you did to her.'

'If you could just—'

'You better get leaving before I call the cops.'

'I'll explain everything.'

'I swear on my life…'

Syaoran stopped short, unable to equip himself with anymore of this stress. Naruku gave Syaoran a worried look and passed a warning glance at Tomoyo. Tomoyo sighed, licked her lips and walked out of Sakura's office and shut the door.

'Listen,' Tomoyo said, this time more gently, 'we don't know why you are doing this. This is not a practical joke nor is it some kind of entertainment for you. But if you want money, the president will decide on that.'

Syaoran snorted and gave a plausible laugh, 'you guys are kidding right? I am not some kind of crazy culprit who would steal and blackmail. I have better things to do.'

'Then I suggest you pack and never come back again,' Tomoyo glared at him. Syaoran was about to protest but Tomoyo ignored him and walked to the door again. Before she reached the door handle, a soft nudge from Naruku made Tomoyo glanced at her.

'Please Tomoyo, let him talk,' Naruku said pleadingly, quite surprised at how different Tomoyo acted when she's so upset.

'Please,' Syaoran softly said, a wave of emotion crawled into his eyes, stinging his tear bags.

Brushing away a strand of her hair behind her left ear, she paused and sighed.

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Sakura sat on her office chair, turning her seat around to look out at the pouring rain. Why doesn't the weather always match my mood? She thought to herself when she couldn't hear anymore yells. So that was Syaoran.

How dare he set foot in this office? How could he have the face to see me again?

Groaning in frustration, she put her head against her hands, feeling the veins pulsating with her rapid heartbeat. She was angry, sad, humiliated, and frustrated.

Sakura closed her eyes and tried to sting her tears but it wouldn't come out. Not a single tear drop from her eyes. Sakura was so frustrated. How come that in times like this, she doesn't have the normal emotion anyone would feel. Crying. Now she felt so inhuman.

'Why…? Why…' Sakura wondered in despair.

'It's because of foolishness and stupidity that was swallowed by ego,' a soft and familiar voice sang from behind her. She gasped. Syaoran.

'Why are you here?' Sakura whispered angrily, but didn't turn her seat to greet him. She stayed put in her seat, watching the rain trickling down her window.

'I came here because I owe you an apology and an explanation,' Syaoran said softly.

'Your apology and explanation is not accepted,' Sakura spoke back at him, still sitting still in her seat.

There was a pause and silence. Then she heard his soft chuckle. Sakura frowned. He's crazy.

'Don't you remember,' Syaoran spoke again, cutting the awkward stillness of the room, 'we had the same conversation that time you interviewed me. You didn't look at me in the eye at all and hid yourself until I started talking about my negatives?'

Yes, Sakura remembered. She remembered every single moment she had been with him, turning her memory inside and out trying to find her lack of judgment. And it was true. He had no weaknesses.

There was silence again.

'I only know you for about a week. But every single minute with you is an adventure. And that night… it was a special night for me.' Syaoran paused wondering whether the woman behind that desk was still listening to his crazy talk or not, 'that night was special because I realized something. I realized that there is an empty feeling inside of me and when I'm with you… it's like it felt complete.'

Sakura snorted and rolled her eyes, 'huh… aren't you embarrassed at your own words?' how cheesy

Syaoran paused, holding his emotions in, 'I know a man once. He was loved by many. And many loved him. But he never loved someone as much as he loved this woman he met 6 years ago. She stole his heart. Before he knew it, they separated, leaving him empty and hollow.'

Sakura bit her lip as Syaoran continued, 'he never thought he could love again and a man without love? … It served him right for being so stupid and reckless… But nothing would have caught him off guard more than when he met another woman, a woman with passion. He didn't know it at first and nothing counted on it… but before he knew it she had stole the rest of his heart…'

Sakura gripped her arm chair and felt the knot tightened in her chest.

'But he had done something stupid and reckless yet again and his foolishness led to broke his love's heart. That man came back for an apology and… it didn't matter if she hated him forever but… For a man who was loved by many and many loved him, he finally found another love for another…'

Sakura turned away from the window and closed her eyes. her grip on the handle was tighter than ever.

'… that young man was wondering… whether that woman would mind… to keep his heart.'

Sakura licked her lips and snorted. The pain inside her chest felt abnormal to her body. She wanted to scream and yell and yet she couldn't find the courage in her to meet him in the eye.

Passionate

Finally, with a long silence, Sakura turned her seat around, and saw the lonely face of a wet young man, soaked in rain water and shaking from the coldness of the air.

'Get out.'

Syaoran stopped short at the look of disgust and anger on Sakura's face. She wasn't crying but the twinkle of affection in her eyes had disappeared.

'Get out,' Sakura repeated a little louder.

Syaoran paused for a while, starring at the pained woman in front of him. He then sighed and dropped his hands, feeling the energy drained from his body. He looked down to his wet shoes and slowly walked back to the door. He hesitated at first, wondering if she would call him back again, but with no response nor any sense of longing or forgiveness, he exited the large and empty room.

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Tomoyo and Naruku watched as Syaoran walked out of the room, closing the glass door in front of him gradually. When he turned around Tomoyo saw a deep sadness in his eyes as he looked at her with a soft defeated facial expression.

'I thought my glass is half full,' Syaoran barely whispered and Tomoyo felt a pang of regret. She bit her lip and looked away, not bearing to look at the sadness that was upon Syaoran. She never saw a man so look so poignant and vulnerable. He tipped the glass over. He broke it.

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Sakura glanced out the window. The engagement is over. The company is ruined. She is ruined.

Sakura closed her eyes and sat still, waiting for her brother's call. It was like a death sentence. She had just committed suicide.

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I'm sorry it's short but this is pretty much the heart tearing, miserable and boring part of the story. So that's why it's not that long. And it's pretty dark and weepy and I'm quite not confident with his apology, maybe it's just too corny?

Please REVIEW… I need some encouragement, opinions, any necessary spelling or grammatical or word error. Maybe some advice or thing you like or don't like.

Please pretty please with a cheery on top.