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]

9. The Inception

WAY TO THE TOP

By Freya-Wings

Chapter 9

Wow, thanks for all the inputs. It really gave me a good push. I'm sorry if I made Eriol sound like the bad guy, but everyone's allowed one mistake right? And if necessary I have to say, all the characters are pretty much OOC so this story is different. There's going to be a little bit more drama coming your way…

Note: My stories are emotional and I love to play with words. It creates this mood that I always try to express and I am grateful that readers are feeling it. For tears-of-redemption, I made up all the 'sayings.' It's a creative expression.

Thanks to: evilmojojojo, sakurawolfblossom,.losahhface116, SSJ04 Mewtwo, DeliciouslyGood, MistressMizu, cardcaptor42, .kaipanther, .tears-of-redemption
, MoonNight's Mystic, czakali, twilight-star1, Criticizer101, thereviewergirl, lidoOl ashun sweetie, The Ravaja of Dejeneration, SacredBlade, a hopeful dream.

I appreciate your comments, it's very exciting to hear what people think about my work.

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.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Chapter 9: The Inception

Last Chapter:

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.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Eriol was agitated. He was standing in the corner of a large and grandeur hall of the lobby to the most glamorous apartment he had ever seen. But the brilliance of its colors and luxury intimidated him. He glanced at his watch, reading the long arrow, pointing at 59.

Eriol felt a nudge at his elbow and he turned around to see a sad smiling face of a lovely young woman. Her long black velvety hair cascaded down her chest, the brilliant shine of her hair shone from the luxurious light of the lobby.

'Tomoyo,' Eriol whispered in relief. She made a small smile and came forward to give him a peck on the lips.

'I've been thinking about you,' Tomoyo whispered as she placed her forehead on his. Eriol kissed her nose, 'and I needed to see you. I need to talk to you.'

Tomoyo frowned, 'well, let's talk when we get to the restaurant. I've got some things to talk about too. You have no idea what happened at work, this is the biggest scandal yet.'

Eriol let out a small nervous laughter, 'well, you will be surprised with what I've done. That's why I need you to hear me out.'

Tomoyo snorted and said, 'men don't listen.' Eriol gave her a look and took her hand and walked out of the lobby.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Sakura did not sleep at all throughout the night. Her eyes wouldn't close, in fear that if she did, the world would collapse. She sat by her the window in her bedroom, the morning sunrise started to appear in front of her. There's nothing beautiful about it Sakura wanted to scream.

Sakura felt exhausted. She closed her eyes and flashbacked.

Her big brother called a few minutes after Li left. She had to bit her lips to stop herself from losing control. But no matter how much emotions she had in her, she couldn't cry. That made Sakura nearing the brink of insanity.

'Sakura Kinomoto… explain!' Touya said bitterly, his voice cold.

Sakura opened her mouth, but words failed her. She breathed into the speaker phone, screaming into her head to at least say something. Anything!

'I…brother, I…,' Sakura finally whispered in force and tried to strengthen herself. She was speechless. An enormous quantity of her pride she couldn't swallow made her choke on her words.

'Sakura, I expect an explanation,' Touya said with another attempt to force his anger in. Sakura couldn't face him. She couldn't find the strength to tell him what happened.

'Touya-san…' Sakura said with her final determination, 'I am going to fix this… I will talk to Yuuki…'

'Talking to the son of the most privileged entrepreneur in this country?' Touya asked with the bitterness tone, 'I want everything settled before the final deposits are transferred and the contract is sealed.'

Sakura was silent. She could hear her rapid heartbeat drumming loudly against her ears. She gripped the handle of her chair and waited for the words to come out. Her brother did not care for her. He did not care for her at all.

'Sakura… I may not be the best brother in the world,' Touya said solemnly as if reading her thoughts, 'but this issue will affect everyone else around you… just think about what you have done. Don't waste our parent's long sacrifice just for your lack of responsibility.'

Sakura could feel her burning desire to scream her heart, but she faded into the darkest corner of her own shadows and swallowed her uncontrollable emotions.

'Yes… Touya-sama…'

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

There are many dramas in fantasies that we sometimes couldn't measure the possibility of it happening in real life. It was always a convention in Eriol's head that he felt uncomfortable being with one woman for no longer than a few days. He couldn't help but be overwhelmed by his sudden interest in one woman. More to his surprise, he wasn't sure there was a time he had ever been hit harder in his life by a woman he had a sudden interest with.

Eriol felt his heart nearly jumping from its cage as he felt the enormous force coming from a delicate hand he knew he loved to kiss. It came too fast for him to understand what had happened, only to feel the pain stung his left cheek. But when he looked back confusingly at Tomoyo, she had tears in her eyes.

'What did you do?' Tomoyo asked with tears in her eyes, 'you just screwed up my best friend.'

Eriol only gaped. He had told her what he did, what he had done and what had happened. Not only could he be more surprised, Eriol felt like the smallest person in the world.

'Do you have any idea what you've done?' Tomoyo whispered, 'I can't believe you were the one to do this.'

Eriol felt weak. He had never imagined what his actions could affect other people. All Eriol wanted to do was be his obnoxious self and linger upon the thought of helping his best friend to achieve something important. He never would have imagined ending up like this. But here he was, discovering that simply ironically, he had hurt people he cared for.

'Tomoyo… I,' Eriol gave a frustrated sigh, 'I may be defensive but I would never do anything to hurt my best friend. I simply wanted to give him a little encouragement, not ending up rotting in my misconduct. I need advice… that is why I came to you.'

Tomoyo's cold face turned a little softer. She felt a pang of guilt for hitting Eriol unnecessarily when she knew his best friend had already. But she couldn't help but wonder how a person like him would end up hurting people. It wasn't his fault, he just wanted to help.

'I'm sorry for hitting you,' Tomoyo said softly and carefully placed her hand on his cheek, caressing the soft mark that started to appear on Eriol's pale left cheek, 'that was uncalled for.'

Tomoyo sighed and closed her eyes, clearing away her jumbled thoughts.

'Let me just say that I am grateful for you to speak to me about this, even though you knew nothing about my relationship with Kinomoto-san,' Tomoyo explained as she placed her hand on the table of the restaurant. She took her glass of wine and drank slowly from it.

'It may not seem like too big a deal… the boss sleeping with the subordinate… or the secretary…' Tomoyo slowly elaborated to the silent Eriol, 'but… there is a sealed relationship the Kinomoto family had planned for Sakura-san and someone very powerful. It was an agreement by both parties and no matter what Sakura-san does… she has no other choice but to sign the agreement.'

Eriol paused as Tomoyo slowly explained the situation. As Tomoyo told the story, Eriol wouldn't help feel his heart beat slowed down.

When Tomoyo ended the story, Eriol gaped. 'Tomoyo,' Eriol breathed, 'I need to do something… I need to do something, anything…'

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Sakura heard a knock on her door but she didn't have the energy to answer. When she didn't reply, the door knocked again. Sakura still couldn't reply. She sat still on her couch, comfortably slumped in her misery. She looked out the window, the sun already set high as she glanced around the bustling streets of the city.

The door opened without Sakura's permission and watched as Tomoyo walked in with a nervous smile upon her face. She saw sakura by the window sill and walked forward. Sakura noticed a handsome stranger behind her. He was tall and dark-haired and he looked very charming with his black glasses.

Tomoyo suddenly felt like crying when she saw the sad expression on Sakura's face and ran towards her. Sakura was surprised to find her best friend, hugging her. Tomoyo sniffed, small drops of tears protruding from her eyes as she embraced Sakura.

'Sakura, this is not you at all,' Tomoyo finally said after she let go of Sakura, 'lying around, drowning in misery… this is not the Sakura that I know.'

Sakura was silent but couldn't help but gave a twitch on her mouth. 'Who's your friend?' Sakura finally breathed her voice soft yet husky, 'you know I don't like strangers entering my domain.'

Tomoyo looked at Sakura softly and placed her hands on Sakura's, 'he's someone who is here to explain something. He'll tell you everything. Please hear him out.'

Sakura frowned and looked at the handsome stranger as he bowed rather nervously and waited for her approval. Sakura sniffed and got up, slowly and walked to her phone, 'I don't need any more public humiliation…'

She turned her head at Eriol and spoke rather loudly, 'this subject is personal so don't try and pretend to be kind.'

'I am not here to ruin your privacy…' Eriol spoke, cutting Sakura's voice, '… it's just that I already have. And I am responsible to untangle it.'

Sakura gave Eriol a cold look, 'what do you mean…?'

Eriol sighed and Tomoyo took his hand for support, 'my name is Eriol Hiragizawa… a friend of Li. I wanted to speak to you about what happened yesterday.'

Sakura was silent at first. She only stared at Eriol with no expression. Finally she relaxed and softened her cold face, 'Eriol? I have heard some stuff about you.' Sakura clicked on the receiver and the voice of a maid voiced from the speaker, 'yes ma'am?'

'Please bring tea into my room, three cups. And don't forget my biscuit,' Sakura spoke to the receiver and when she hung up the phone, she walked back to the chair, and offered her guests a place to sit too.

'I'm glad you came, Tomoyo,' Sakura said with a little hint of sadness, 'I guess I have been mourning more without you.'

Tomoyo gave a small laugh and placed her hand on Sakura's and gave her a supporting smile. Eriol gulped, quite intimidated by the woman in front of him and wondered just what Syaoran saw in her.

Nevertheless, getting rid of his obnoxious thoughts, he explained quietly. He couldn't help but repeat his apologizes. It was his revelation to change his actions. He hoped Kinomoto would understand that it was not entirely his fault.

As soon as Eriol finished his apology and continuous ramble of explanation, Sakura gave a small smile and dropped her head. 'So this was not entirely your fault,' she said, sounding a little disturbed.

Eriol nodded slowly and fixed his glasses. He felt the world opened before him. It seemed like he didn't know Syaoran as his best friend. If only he would listen and change his adolescent behavior, it wouldn't be this problematic.

'Syaoran is a dear friend of mine and I know he would never purposely do this. I may not be aware of this, but I realized he had never been intimate with a woman, merrily friends. When I saw that picture, it took my breath away,' Eriol spoke in a low voice, 'it's not your typical photograph. It's a masterpiece.'

Sakura glanced at the serious expression plastered on Eriol's face and then it hit her, the jealousy and regret. Syaoran really did care.

Then Sakura gave a funny laugh and voiced, 'but no matter what, apologies won't fix this. I have disrupted the future of my company. The future of the company which my parents built from scratch is no longer in my grasp. I have lost the one thing that will save the company…'

Eriol paused and gulped.

'Tell me Eriol, for the sake of your apology… what should I do?'

Eriol was speechless. He hadn't thought of any kind of solution to this problem. The engagement to bring the two companies together was out of the picture. No matter where Eriol looked, how could he save a large profit-company from a terrible disaster?

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

It was partly a sense of longing, partly sorrow and part confusion, but Sakura was unusually walking along the busy street.

Sakura didn't know where she was heading but she came to realize after thirty minutes of walking and bumping to people on the streets that she was standing before an art gallery. She paused before the building and examined its old structure. It was greatly built by stones, a vertical horizon of history.

The door to the building opened, and out came a giggling couple. Sakura felt a pang of jealousy and curiosity. Without hesitation, she advanced to walk up the staircase and pushed the large door open.

Sakura was greeted by a pleasant smile as she walked into the small area. 'Hello, welcome to the photograph competition exhibition,' a woman in a blue plaid sweater and long dark blue skirt said to Sakura as she handed her a small brochure, 'please take this brochure, it's a map of the gallery as well as the list of photographic artists.'

The woman smiled again and pointed to the left door, 'if you go in there you can start with the expressionist photograph, then you enter the photojournalism corner…'

As the woman rambled on, Sakura glanced at the brochure and saw the name printed in black. Sakura's heart leaped a beat.

'I'd like to see, Li Syaoran's work,' Sakura said, interrupting the smiling lady. The lady paused and smiled again, 'yes of course, it's down to the right, to the left and you'll see a large display of photographs.'

Sakura nodded in approval. What was she thinking? Why was she here?

Sakura saw the brilliant glare coming from the blue eyes of the woman wearing blue.

'I admire Li's captivating skill,' she said with a twinkle in her eyes, 'reminds me of the youthful times… when we're vulnerable and serene. I guess it's a rare thing to see in someone, especially for those who are living a hectic life here.'

Sakura saw her eyes shift, as if she was talking to herself rather than at Sakura. But Sakura couldn't ignore the silent gleam in her eyes, as if she was fond of her own findings. Sakura didn't feel embarrassed, but rather enjoying the comments, increasing her curiosity.

She signed a thank you to the woman and proceeded to follow the direction the lady in blue had told her. Sakura was walking through a labyrinth, filled with captivating images. She had to stop once in a while to relish and be content with the photographs taken by artists which she had never heard of before.

It intrigued Sakura to know how much these picture attracted her even when they weren't famous photographs. Sakura turned around and stopped short. There it was in front of her, the installation the woman in blue was talking about. Sakura's breath stopped short, there was something rather suspense when she looked at it.

Gathering up her courage, Sakura walked around in searched of his photograph. Before she knew it, she saw it. There it was, in a rather large copy of photograph was her.

Sakura felt her breath taken away as she saw the mysterious beauty she didn't see in the newspaper. The angle was perfect, caressing and exposing her sleeping figure with deliberate gentleness. The light played with her figure, emphasizing the dark corners of her curves. The photograph focused on her face, a face Sakura never thought she could ever bore.

A sudden wave of emotions flooded through Sakura. In all her life, Sakura had never been able to see herself in a state where she was in complete tranquility, oblivious to the pretentious and strained life around her.

Sakura had never known anyone who could and would understand her the way Syaoran did. In all her life, there were always arguments, bold decisions, deceptions and following the uncertainty. She had never count on someone to grasp another side of her. Another side she had never seen before.

Sakura stared at the photograph without blinking, utterly amazed at such a piece. She recalled a conversation she had with Syaoran a few days back…

'So what do you make out of me?'

'Madame, you are unhappy… aren't you?'

Sakura gulped. Her chest had tightened and her throat felt dry as she couldn't swallow the giant knot in her throat. She didn't realize a few minutes later that a small drop of tear protruded from her eyes.

It seemed alien at first, but when she noticed the wetness on her cheeks, Sakura gasped. Her eyes became blurry and hot. Sakura put her hands to her mouth and felt an immense wave of emotions as it flooded through her eyes.

'I have always loved photography because it captures that one moment, even the tinniest moment when you see a person's true feeling.'

Sakura's knees began to weaken as if the strength in her she used to carry as a defensive mechanism was drained in a single second. More tears began to cascade down her flushed cheeks as she remembered Syaoran's intense word that made her quite and still.

Was that what you saw in me? Sakura thought to herself.

Was this my true feelings?

Sakura feel to the cold stone floor as she came to a warm understanding. As the tears kept coming out like rainfalls, Sakura finally understood that Syaoran had been the person who understood her. He understood her pain and sadness. How she was unhappy and scared to show the whole world the real Sakura.

Passionate

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

After an incredibly heart wrenching moment, Sakura felt the weight off of her lightened. She could hear the clicking sound of her high heels clicking on the parquet staircase as she headed towards Syaoran's apartment.

There was a loud and strangely fast beating of her heart. She couldn't quite completely understand the anxiousness and the wave of curiosity that flooded her. Sakura just had to see him again to understand this mixed feelings of hers.

She gasped for air as she climbed the last step of the stairs. She smelt the familiar breeze of pine wood and a small essence of Syaoran's cologne as she stepped forwards, nearing his door.

Nearing the entrance, Sakura noticed the door was slightly apart. Sakura frowned as she paused in front of the white wooden door. She tried to hear for any sound but there seemed to be none.

Gulping and fearing what she would do next, Sakura decided to walk in. She slowly opened the door and looked around. There was no sign of activity. Sakura voiced a 'hello,' to the empty room and there was no reply.

Growing a bit worrying, Sakura quickly walked into Syaoran's room, 'Syaoran are you---'

Sakura felt her breath taken away when she saw the unexpected scene before her. Out in the balcony, through the wide window of Syaoran's room, Sakura could see very clearly Syaoran's arms embracing another woman.

The woman had dark hair, her long silky locks blend into the muscles of her body as she put her arms around Syaoran's waist.

Sakura felt her breath taken away. She did the only thing she could think of. She ran. She ran away before Syaoran and the attractive girl he was with saw her.

When she got out of the room, she knocked over the door and the loud noise startled Syaoran. But he only caught a glimpse of Sakura's running legs.

With all her might, Sakura ran down the stairs as fast as her legs could carry as more tears started to fall from her eyes. Sakura could feel a large amount of her energy being dissolved into thin air.

Sakura felt like the whole world had turned upside down. It was the first time Sakura had ever cried over a man.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Yuuki Edwards was pacing around his large antique room. He combed his blond hair with his hand and frowned. His lady bell just informed him that Sakura Kinomoto had arrived at his domain. According to her, Sakura was in a shocking state no one had ever seen before.

When Yuuki heard the news, he put aside his anger and frustrations and finally allowed her to come into his living room. When the door knocked, Yuuki stayed still.

Sakura appeared. Her face was ragged, her eyes red and watery, as if she had been crying a whole year. He had never seen Sakura so torn and unbalanced. The defensive barrier she always kept around her seemed to disappear. Yuuki's anger and cold demeanor completely vanished at the sight of this vulnerable woman before him.

Sakura felt exhausted and dimmed. Her head couldn't think anymore. Nor could she understand why she came to Yuuki's house. He was standing near the window, stared out at Sakura. Sakura didn't feel self conscious. It was odd to find her brain numb.

Yuuki walked closer to Sakura. She only stayed still. Her heartbeat began to beat at an incredible pace. She breathed through her mouth, deep and ragged breathing.

Yuuki gulped and paused before her vulnerable self. She didn't react. Only to eye him, see what he was thinking.

Yuuki couldn't hold back much longer. There was a Sakura that Yuuki hadn't seen before. She looked so susceptible and powerless. He felt drawn to her. And before they both knew what was happening, Sakura felt Yuuki's lips on hers.

At that moment in time, sakura wasn't sure why she was there in the first place. But she didn't think of why she would let him kiss her. It felt like revenge. It felt like guilt. It felt like she wanted to pass on her fear of confusion and hurt.

For that one second Yuuki touched her lips, he parted slightly, asking for permission. As if a strange feeling took over Sakura, before she knew what had happened, she kissed him back.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Um, there you have it. And you thought the drama would end here. I guess there aren't many conversations in this chapter. It's pretty short and I hope it didn't bore you. I felt there is still more drama to play with. Thank you for those who could understand the emotions I am trying to articulate.

PLEASE REVIEW. PLEASE REVIEW. PLEASE REVIEW. PLEASE REVIEW. PLEASE REVIEW. PLEASE REVIEW. PLEASE REVIEW. PLEASE REVIEW. PLEASE REVIEW. PLEASE REVIEW. anything you would like to say, parts you liked or didn't like? any thing that confused you? any errors because i haven't checked it yet.

P.S. I NEED A BETA READER… IS THAT WHAT THEY CALL SOMEONE WHO WOULD CHECK SOMEONE ELSE'S WORK? It's just that I have a bit of problem with grammar and vocabulary.