Are You Gonna Let Her Get Away?
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS. Only the plot here :D
Chapter Six: Before the Ball, Part One
Girl Talk, Spa Stories
The morning after Syaoran taught her how to dance, she kissed him goodbye at the door and headed for Tomoyo's condominium, full of anticipation for the ball.
When Sakura tried on the dress Tomoyo had designed for her at the latter's condominium, she was pleasantly surprised that it fit perfectly, hugging her body while allowing her to move freely. Tomoyo wasn't surprised; in fact, she was pleased. Years of designing and dressmaking had made her an expert at gauging sizes.
Sakura's dress was white and made of gossamer-like chiffon over silk, and hugged her curves without being obviously seductive. The sleeveless dress had ruffles at the backs of the shoulder straps that made her look like she had little wings. The top fit like a bodice and was beaded with tiny crystals on lace, and the asymmetrical skirt flared out at her hips and fluttered as she moved. Silver accents that curved into her waist on the bodice and the skirt flattered Sakura's figure.
"She looks like a fairy princess!" Tomoyo squealed. She added a tiny silver tiara, a glittery silver mask, and lace-up white sandals. "Lovely." She took a photo, much to Sakura's surprise ("Hoee?"); she intended to use the photo to get someone into the prince costume she had hidden in the next room.
"Oh, I love it," Sakura said in delight as she twirled before the mirror gracefully. Tomoyo smiled; Syaoran was going to have a hard time resisting this vision in white. "But…white? I'm kinda clumsy; oh Tomoyo-san, you might kill me if I spill punch on this or something!" She looked terrified at the thought, and her fingers worried the fabric nervously.
"Who cares?" Tomoyo smiled. "You love it, that's good enough for me." She walked around Sakura, assessing the fit, and laughing in joy when she saw that no adjustments were needed.
Mei Ling sailed into the room, greeting Tomoyo and Sakura casually. She turned to Tomoyo. "Tomoyo, I hate to bug you, but about my dress?" she asked.
"Ah yes. It's in my bedroom, in the black box," Tomoyo said.
"Great. I'll try it on now." And Mei Ling disappeared into Tomoyo's bedroom.
"And for the finishing touches…" Tomoyo opened a large jewelry case. Out came a pair of simple diamond drop earrings in a platinum setting, with a dainty, slender matching necklace. They were from Tomoyo's own collection; she had designed them long ago. Tomoyo decided not to tell Sakura what they were worth because she knew Sakura would refuse to wear them if she knew.
Then she noticed the little white gold chain with the diamond-studded butterfly glistening on Sakura's neck. I've seen that before, at the Old Wang Jewellery in Wan Chai in Hong Kong, Tomoyo thought. The shop owner refused to sell it to me because he said he only sold it to lovers. Which means…
"That's a lovely necklace, but it won't go with the earrings," Tomoyo said cheerfully, waiting to see Sakura's reaction.
Sakura's hand flew to her throat. "I…I can't take it off," she blushed. "I'm sorry…"
"Someone special gave it to you?"
"My boyfriend," and Sakura blushed even harder.
"Will he be at the ball?" Tomoyo knew she was putting Sakura on the spot but she wanted to see how much information she could get out of her while flustered.
"I…well, yeah," Sakura said.
Tomoyo smiled at Sakura, then ushered her into the next room to change into regular clothes. She went into her bedroom to check on Mei Ling.
Mei Ling came straight to the point as soon as Tomoyo came into her bedroom. "Eriol is doing a magnificent job, isn't he?" she asked sarcastically. "Oh yeah, he's gonna have Sakura eating out of his hand tonight." She crossed her arms and tapped one foot impatiently. "Maybe I should call him and give him a piece of my mind."
"You've given Eriol so many pieces of your mind already, it's a surprise he doesn't own it," Tomoyo said somewhat waspishly. Mei Ling started; she had rarely heard this tone from the sweet, quiet Tomoyo.
"Is there a problem?" Mei Ling asked.
Tomoyo was hanging up Sakura's costume, and took some time to reply. "I think you should stop pressuring Eriol. His heart isn't in the whole business of pretending to court Sakura, and you know it. When he goes for women, you know his type: big-breasted, sensual looking, long hair, aggressive…plus Yelan's threats aren't helping. You know he hates being under pressure, and has never done well when he is expected or required to do something. Plus he wants so badly to annoy Syaoran that his attention isn't on Sakura at all," she said thoughtfully.
Mei Ling didn't make a tart comment; instead, she was watching Tomoyo's face. Tomoyo knew Eriol so well, had known him for years. But the tone which she used when talking about him…Mei Ling remembered what Yelan had told her a few days ago: "Perhaps Tomoyo could bring balance to Eriol's wild life. But it may never happen." The older woman had sighed regretfully.
"It would be nice to see them together, Auntie," Mei Ling said. Not that the thought hadn't crossed her mind; it was just that Tomoyo was so different from the sexy, snobbish women Eriol regularly dated and bedded, earning him a regular spot in the tabloids. "But it might not work out. Tomoyo is a lady, and Eriol is…well, wild as a rat. I like Tomoyo and I don't want her to just be another notch on his bedpost."
"Ah well," and Yelan had sighed dramatically again. Mei Ling looked at her, unaccustomed to such a display from the nominal head of the Li clan. She completely missed the look in Yelan's eyes, which assessed Mei Ling for her reaction to Yelan's innuendoes.
"Imagine what we could do if we had the Daidouji heir allied with us in marriage," Mei Ling said suddenly. She saw a chance to get Yelan off her back when it came to her own vagabond ways with men. "I can try to set them up, Auntie. But it won't be easy…"
"No, Mei Ling," Yelan said. "If we force them together, it will never work. Let the gods find a way instead."
And now, Mei Ling was beginning to wonder if there wasn't a little affection on both sides. At lunch the other day, Eriol had mentioned that Tomoyo was rather beautiful. Come to think of it, he often mentioned Tomoyo, but it usually sailed past Mei Ling's head because she never thought it was significant.
Was that enough? Part of Mei Ling's mind was scolding her, telling her to stop being impetuous and to stop jumping to conclusions. Look how wrong you were about Sakura and Syaoran! The other part, unfortunately the more dominant one, was telling her, To hell with it all, I want to matchmake someone and if it can't be Syaoran then it will be Eriol!
"Just put on the gown," Tomoyo said to Mei Ling, then left the room. She found Sakura in the dressing room, in a shirt and jeans and carefully carrying the gown and the accessories, which she set on a nearby table.
"Tomoyo-san, thank you so much for everything," Sakura said.
"There's a better way to thank me," Tomoyo smiled.
"I'll do it!"
"Call me Tomoyo-chan. Or just Tomoyo," and she sat down. She looked at Sakura for a long moment, then reached out and clasped Sakura's hands between hers.
"I'd love to be your friend," Sakura said, and smiled a beautiful, cheerful smile that made Tomoyo want to reach for her camera. Instead, she was reminded of why she wanted to talk to Sakura in the first place.
"I have to tell you something. I saw you last night. You and Syaoran," Tomoyo said softly. "In the ballroom."
It was amusing to watch Sakura's reaction. She blushed the gamut of colors from pink to red, and began to stammer. Tomoyo gently cut her off.
"I haven't told anyone else, don't worry." Tomoyo said. Except for Yelan, but Sakura doesn't need to know that! "I've been Syaoran's friend since college, and I've never seen him the way he is with you. And I would be happy if you two stayed together. You're good for each other," Tomoyo smiled.
Relieved that she had someone to talk to, Sakura blew her breath out, ruffling her bangs. "I've never felt this way about anyone else before. Syaoran is funny, he's sweet, he's so thoughtful and kind, he even kis…I mean, he…" And she dissolved into nervous giggles. Tomoyo giggled as well.
"You mean he's a good kisser," Tomoyo said, grinning at Sakura's discomfort. "No, I haven't kissed him but I knew the person he dated before you."
"Oh." And Sakura stiffened somewhat. "I hope he isn't a serial dater like Eriol," she said sadly.
"Sakura, the last time Syaoran dated was in college, and that was five years ago. He's been hard at work ever since. I'm guessing that the reason why he leaves work early these days is because of you, right?" Sakura nodded, and Tomoyo continued. "That he takes his time off to be with you is a big thing; his last ex broke it off because he was always working and studying."
"Really?" Sakura was trying hard not to smile from ear to ear, but was failing completely. Tomoyo grinned, then added, "She told me that the hardest part about breaking it off was finding someone else who could kiss and make love the way Syaoran did."
Again, Sakura blushed violently, but this time, she looked away from Tomoyo's eyes. Not a problem; Tomoyo had learned a lot already based on her reactions. They showed that Sakura and Syaoran had not been intimate, and she marvelled at the depth of Syaoran's love for Sakura. What she hadn't told Sakura was that his ex had told her that Syaoran had a healthy appetite for lovemaking. Tomoyo wasn't surprised; her old friend was, after all, a healthy young man, and was of prime marriageable age. And he didn't indulge in casual affairs the way Eriol did.
Eriol would've had Sakura in bed within days, she thought…and then paused, her eyes flying wide open, when she realized that she was beginning to think of Eriol a little too often ever since Yelan had dropped her little bombshell. She pushed his image out of her mind, and focused on Sakura instead. There was something else she was curious about.
"About that photo you sent Mei Ling…"
"Oh, that?" Sakura giggled. "That was Yukito Tsukishiro, my childhood crush. He's my brother's best friend. I had such an awful crush on him back when I was ten. He's a good friend now. I happened to have that on my phone, so I sent it."
"Do you have any of you with Syaoran?"
"Yeah," Sakura smiled softly, digging her phone out of her bag. In the phone's gallery were several photos of her and Syaoran hugging, even kissing. In each photo, they looked quite happy. Tomoyo resisted the urge to send the photos to her own phone. But she was reminded of the other reason why Syaoran had let go of his ex; his mother had not approved. She knew Yelan would test the depth of their commitment to each other, and didn't want to interfere, but she felt Sakura could use a word of caution,
"Sakura?"
"Yes, Tomoyo-sa…chan?"
"Whatever happens, you should always fight for love."
"Hoe?"
"Just that." Tomoyo smiled.
Sakura was struck by Tomoyo's beauty. I would have loved to have her eyes, she thought. Tomoyo's long raven hair, which curled gently instead of being sleek and straight like Mei Ling's, her high cheekbones, her womanly figure...I wonder why she's single?
She didn't get to answer her question as Mei Ling came out of Tomoyo's bedroom in a black tube sheath studded with sequins. It plunged nearly halfway down her generous cleavage, sparkled when she moved—thus emphasizing her curves, and was very slinky and sexy. On the side, it was slit to mid-thigh, showing off Mei Ling's creamy legs. "Now this ought to make people notice," she said, as she admired herself in the mirror. Sakura gasped.
"Wow, Mei Ling…that's very…daring," was all she was able to say. In contrast to Tomoyo, Mei Ling was conscious of her beauty, and used it as a weapon. Yet she, too, had not settled for a single man in her life, flitting from man to man like a restless butterfly. Sakura had never asked Mei Ling about it, even if they'd known each other for a few years now.
"Yelan might not like it," Tomoyo warned.
"Good," Mei Ling smirked. "The painter who calls himself Fai Flourite is attending, and I intend to monopolize him! So what're you wearing, Tomoyo?"
Tomoyo smiled, and went into her room. After a few minutes, she came out in a lavender princess-cut ankle-length gown in silk that complemented her violet eyes. Naturally it fit her perfectly, emphasizing her regal, dignified demeanor. Gold accents in strategic areas lent her gown an interesting facet; they attracted the eye to Tomoyo's gentle curves.
"Ooh, Eriol's gonna like that on you," Mei Ling blurted. She remembered Eriol saying once that if only Tomoyo would wear something sexy, he might be inspired to do something.
"Huh?" Tomoyo's eyebrows raised dangerously.
Mei Ling quickly said, "Time to go to the spa!" She cheerfully marched out of the room while congratulating herself on how smoothly (or so she thought) she had dropped Eriol's name in the conversation. If I can't matchmake Sakura and Syaoran, she thought, I will pair up Eriol and Tomoyo instead! She hummed a cheerful tune all the way down the elevator, and into the spa.
At Ritual Spa, the three were handed thick terrycloth robes and ushered into a private room. Mei Ling took the offensive and asked Sakura, "Tell me about your guy. Why haven't I met him?"
Sakura smiled coyly, because her face was hidden in the gap in the massage table. She said, "But you have. You'll see, maybe later."
It was Tomoyo's turn to smile. I am not putting Mei Ling out of her misery. She turned over, and requested that the attendant put in more chamomile in the scented oil burner.
"So tell me about him. How did you meet?" Mei Ling asked.
"Quite by accident. A mutual friend introduced us. It took some time, but...well, here we are."
"Have you two had sex?" Mei Ling asked.
"Mei Ling!" Sakura protested.
"Come on. You're an adult!"
Sakura thought of a truthful response. "We sleep together many nights," and she turned over to let her masseuse reach the back of her legs. "When he has me in his arms, it's like the world has gone away and there's only peace."
Mei Ling squealed. "Aw! That's so great!" And she thought, I have to talk to Auntie. It really is time to give up on pairing her with Syaoran, she thought guiltily.
"So, Mei Ling," Tomoyo asked slyly. "How come you haven't settled down yet?"
"Why should I?" And to Mei Ling's own surprise, she blushed.
Tomoyo pounced. "Aha! So spill. You don't date guys for very long, so I suspect trauma in the past."
Mei Ling winced as the masseuse unknotted the tension in her shoulders, then, "All right. In college—remember I went abroad for that, Tomoyo?–I fell badly for a guy. He was Hispanic; I remember his name: Florian. He was the typical romance cliché, you know: tall, dark, handsome. Only, we were freshmen. He was going to go off to med school, and he wanted to get married immediately after freshman year! I laughed at him when he asked me to marry him; I didn't think he was serious. But he said, 'Mei Ling, I want forever now. I want you to be there when I go through med school, waiting for me. As my wife. But if you say no now, it will be forever.' What was I supposed to do? My parents would have had kittens if I'd brought a foreigner home, then said I was gonna marry him just months after meeting! So I said no."
Tomoyo opened one violet eye. "Florian Rivera?" she asked. "The owner of Rivera Biochem?"
Mei Ling didn't answer; instead, she sank her head into the massage couch.
The three masseuses finished brushing scented oil over the three young women, and turned on the steamer, bowing as they left.
"But if he loved you, wouldn't he have waited?" Sakura asked, her eyes sympathetic.
"No. He asked me twice, then after I said no for the last time, he walked off. The next day, he was gone…he'd dropped out and transferred to another school! I mean, I thought…all the time we spent together…and then just like that, poof! He was gone."
"It wasn't fair of him to expect a response to a question that would have determined the rest of your life in just one go," Tomoyo said soothingly.
Mei Ling wasn't listening. "I was torn apart. When I found where he'd transferred, I tried to talk to him, to explain my side. He shook me off and acted like I wasn't even there. He was as cold as ice. All he said was that I should've thought it over."
The other two were silent, then Mei Ling let out a harsh laugh. "That's why I refuse to be tied down. Being hurt is hell. I hate not being in control of my emotions, and I never want to settle down again."
"But Mei Ling, 'never' can be such a short time," Tomoyo said softly.
"Whatever. How about you, Tomoyo?"
To her surprise, Tomoyo blushed. "I'm afraid I have no stories to share," she blushed. "I've been studying hard, working on my hobbies…so, really, there's been no one."
"You've never been kissed? No way!" Mei Ling sat up.
"I never said that," Tomoyo said with a mysterious smile.
"Spill! I spilled, so it's your turn!"
"In college, there was this guy named Richard. I usually went to a kiosk where his group hung out. I could hear them teasing him about me, but all he ever did was look at me and blush every time I was there. It was no good for me either because I could never get the nerve to approach him. This went on for two years. On the last day of school, right before he graduated, I was walking past the kiosk and he was there. Maybe the prospect of graduation made him do it; maybe because no one else was there…I don't know. But he came up to me, said, 'I've been wanting to meet you for so long.' I told him my name, he told me his…then he kissed me! Just like that."
Sakura squealed. "So romantic! And what did you do?"
"When we broke off the kiss, I…well, I ran." Tomoyo blushed. "I never saw him again."
"Sakura, it's your turn," Mei Ling piped up.
"If we're talking college experiences, all I have are bad ones," Sakura sighed. "I didn't have a steady boyfriend in college, not even a romantic experience. I mean, I thought it was romantic when one of the basketball varsity guys asked me out. On our first date, he took my hand, looked into my eyes…then said that since I had good grades, it would be great if I could help the school win the championship by being his girlfriend and doing his homework! When I didn't answer immediately, the idiot thought I said yes, and added that he would be dating other girls too."
Tomoyo and Mei Ling both roared. "Sakura, that stinks!" Mei Ling choked out.
"No kidding," Sakura said. "Then there's that male model who I met while working for Femme Magazine. He told me that he wanted to date me because I looked like a virgin. Ugh."
"Men," Tomoyo sighed. "They were all we talked about as teens. Here we are, grown women, and we're still talking about them."
"Can you think of a better topic?" Mei Ling raised an eyebrow.
"Other men?" Tomoyo said innocently, and they all laughed so loud, the attendants were startled when they came back to usher the three to the hot spa.
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It's the boys' turn next chapter, which will be up quickly! Sorry for the delay; my laptop charger is broken and I have to sneak uploads at a net café near my place XD
Here's a preview of the next chapter (up in 24 hours):
To his shock, Syaoran grabbed him so fast he had no time to react. Eriol found himself pinned to the wall, his toes an inch off the floor, and Syaoran had an iron grip on his shirt front. On one hand, good, he had made Syaoran lose control. On the other hand, bad, because Syaoran was nearly red with anger…and when Syaoran was angry, no one could beat him in a fight.
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Even more thanks here: y-chan (er, he was forced into it and didn't really want to do it. The next chap shows why XD, plus the other two are so focused on other things, they can't see past the tips of their noses! Re the making out, they are at an age where they can pretty much do what they like, and my friends at that age cannot keep their hands off each other, not even when we're around, sheesh), ccsread (in less than a day the update will be here!), tennislover431 (like Syaoran? Me first!—grabs Syaoran in a death grip XD), animelover0328, DiamondRose3 (Work gets in the way, boy do I know it! Hope you're OK), elandra (erm, thanks for the suggestions but I felt that it proves Syaoran loves her, that he isn't bedding her yet), winterkaguya, jennycuenca (isn't it sad how few straight guys can dance? And I'm putting the seeds for the Eriol/Tomoyo story here, haha. Sorry, for delaying the ball a bit), RileyS (hee hee! You bad! I imagine Syaoran munching popcorn as "Meerkat House" is on, haha), ccscy –littlewolf- (cheer up, there is a spinoff/sequel coming), KibumiWong (ha! I call dibs on Syaoran!), lhaine07 (I dream of it too!), CCslover22, hearts-stars (guess what she's gonna do to Syaoran next chap? Plus, spinoff with her in it coming up!), SakuraLover (Give her time, she'll get to it!), ddd, Lolalaie89, rosedreamer101, Hououza (darn it, you gave me away, see next chap! XD), x-Melodyz-x (aw thanks!), AngelEmCuti (updating fast!), iNuQTpIe (I love her too!), and Pipi-chan (Yeah, especially when Kamui is supposed to die…argh gotta get my hands on it! Yes please do so that I can download at the office mwahaha).