Chapter 3

Late Night Diners with No One in it

Syaoran buried his hands in his hands as Yuriko sat with her hand holding her husband chatting about nothing that Syaoran really cared to hear about. In his mind memories flowed like a waterfall as he remembered the night his father agreed that he was to move with him and take over the company. He could remember it clearly as it was yesterday, the day his dad told him just before the night of the formal.

"Start packing because in five days you're coming over here. After your formal, Syaoran its time for you to start growing up and working for me."

Those words cutting him deep as all he could think about was how hard it would be for him to leave Sakura. Thoughts of Sakuras face, flicked through his head. Sakura's face….. The last emotions on Sakuras face…..

The distress, the lost and the tears of hurt and pain written within her eyes and reflecting throughout each tear that streamed down her cheek. Syaoran took in a deep breath, his head tilting downwards looking at the knife in front of him.

"How easy it'd be just to take the quick escaped route" Syaoran thought to himself…. Being in Tomoeda, he started to find was just too hard for him. Syaoran jerked his head up realizing the silence that was now at his table. Yuriko's eyes welling up with tears as worry was painted all throughout her face. "Syaoran everyone's worried about you. What's wrong? Why won't you open up to me? You can't hide your feelings behind your work. Is this about mum and dads death? It's hard for us all but Syaoran it's been 3 to 6 years that they've died…."

"Yuriko I'm fine trust me, just a bit jetlagged" Syaoran voiced croaked as he watched his sister distress unfold in front of him.
"Syroan!!..." Yuriko stood up running towards the bathroom. Her husband standing up, following right behind her. Syroan sighed staring blankly in front of him, as he sat by himself in a room full of crowded people.

Sakura twirled her spaghetti over and over again paying no attention to what she was actually doing. Eriol's voice droned on in the background her mind was only set on one thing….. Syaoran. Sakura grumbled angrily at herself, annoyed at her mind set on the wrong person Sakura looked up, a small smile parting from her lips as she looked at Eriol.

"Eriol, you love Eriol so no more nonsense on a guy who never wanted you to begin with" Sakura thought frantically to herself a glint shimmering from her neck.

"Nice necklace" Eriol smiled, admiring the heart shape locket cascading down Sakura's neck. Sakura looked down, a small gloomy smile dawning on her face. "Mmmm I found it in some old boxes. Just something I found lying around."

Eriol looked at the face of Sakura feeling very lucky to have her. Evan now after two years he could feel butterflies in his stomach and his heart beating faster every time he looked upon her face. He truly did love Sakura and today out of all days he felt more nervous to be around her. Looking into her eyes he fumbled nervously into his pockets, slowly feeling for a velvet box. Finally caresses a velvet feeling he slowly moved the box in his hands, still gazing at Sakura.

"Sakura, its been two years and I love you with piece of my heart. You mean so much to me and you're my world and my everything. From the first time I saw you, you took my breath away and I'll love you forever no matter what" Sakura giggled, a huge smile arose from her face.

"Just because it's our anniversary you don't have to be lovey dovey. Eriol buck up be a man" Sakura giggled more, as slowly her smiled descended as she watched Eriol slide off his seat and move on one knee.

"Sakura I can't see my life without you. I want my life to be with you forever and as long as I live. Will you marry me?" Sakura gasped, her eyes transfixed on the ring being held in Eriol's hands. He was anxious for her answer she knew that much and one thing she also knew was that she too wanted to spend her life with him. Gasping she looked into Eriol's eyes.

This time she let out another gasp, not because of Eriol's proposal but from the corner of her eye sitting lonesome in their seat, she could swear was Syaoran.

Syaoran stared blankly at the plate in front of him. He wasn't feeling particularly hungry today and didn't really feel like forcing down his food. A small gasp could be heard from the tables near him but he didn't want to look up, right now another happy moment by a couple cut through him like razorblades. Sighing he picked up his fork playing around with the pasta that laid in front of him.

"Syaoran look at that. Someone's been proposed too" Rika returned her eyes swollen up from crying, but her fake smile told Syaoran that she would rather avoid how much he was hurting her. Rika's husband returned too, saying nothing as he sat down besides Rika holding her hand.

"hmm good for them" mumbled Syaoran hoping his little conversation would be at least some comfort to Rika.

"Isn't that Miss Kinomoto? Didn't you once go out with her?" asked Rika's husband questioning his wife and Syaoran.
"Oh yes it is and no they didn't go out"
A change in Rika's tone suddenly sent chills down his spine as he stared wide eyed at his plate. Too worried to look up, he stayed still his body numb and his mind empty. All the noises around him seemed so much louder now Syaoran continued to look down.

"Oh wow Syaoran she seems to be looking this way" Syaoran jerked his head upwards, his eyes now transfixed on large green alarmed eyes gazing right at him. Syaoran couldn't take his eyes off her… there she was the girl he never got over. Dressed beautifully in white, her hair now short and face more mature. Yet age did not become her downfall she was still beautiful and still managed to make him feel like the teenage boy holding her arms about to go to the formal. He continued to stare at her, not being able to look away. She was to him the most beautiful thing he's ever seen, jealousy suddenly cut deep to heart as he noticed from the corner of the eye the man kneeling down.

Another man announcing his love for her also wanting to be with Sakura forever. Still his eyes were transfixed on the girl in front of him. Sakuras eyes flickered a sense of pain and regret as she slowly moved her head towards the man in front of her. The man now hesitating, seeming confused by the turn of events that was happening.

"Yes" mouthed Sakura, barely a sound escaping her lips. The man now exhilarated and over the moon picked up the golden ring a shiny white diamond glistening from the lighted candles that was placed at their table. Placing the ring on her finger he stood up, placing one hand on Sakuras hip and another one on her cheek. Kissing her softly as then embraced her in a hug. Sakuras hands around the mans' neck her eyes transfixed on the wall in front of her. Syaoran felt lost. A stab of jealousy hit close to his heart and defeat washed over him. Whatever reason he had now to live was gone, stolen away by time and a man who also loved her. Syaoran felt weak, months of missed sleep and years of abuse to his body finally felt as though they took their toll as Syaoran wanted to sleep. The only thing now he wanted now was eternal sleep, never to wake up again and escaped everything that was his past, present, future and life.

"Yuriko I'm going back home, I'm too tired" Syaoran standing up he walked towards the door.

Not being able to help it he took one last gaze at Sakura. If he didn't know Sakura any better, he could have sworn before he opened the door tears begun to slide down Sakuras cheek.