Chapter 4

You'll be amazed by the secrets I keep

Sakura stumbled rapidly, the bottle of vodka in her hands swaying along with her. Sitting down a smile dawned upon her face as she started laughing erratically tears now streaming down her face. Tomoyo grabbing Sakura by the waist putting one arm over her neck moved slowly up the stairs. Sakura was drunk… it was clear to everyone. Eriol's forward creased with worry as he watched his drunken fiancé's words slur.

"I'll am finneee….Eriol, Eriol Eriol, your one me for, huh…" Sakura gazed at the empty bottle now in her hands…

"Oh, me thinks I drinken it all" Sakura giggling to herself as Tomoyo continued to make her way up the stairs dragging Sakura.

"Eriol, keep entertaining everyone, I'll take care of Sakura, it'll alright" Tomoyo called out closing the door behind her as she finally reached Sakuras bedroom.

"Sure" answered back Eriol, no response.

Tomoyo carefully laid Sakura on her bed as tears continued to stream down her face.
"Why Tomoyo? Why?" Sakura stared blankly at the ceiling, Tomoyo sitting beside her, tilted her head.

"Why did he have to come back? I promised myself I would never shed one more tear for him again. Never again! And now he's back and look at me, drunken at my own engagement party with thoughts of him instead of my fiancé. Why?..." Sakuras voice was now muffled by intense sobbing, as Tomoyo picking up a nearby tissue wiped the tears streaming down her face.

"I don't know why he came back Sakura. But Eriol loves you… I'm sure you're just getting cold feet. It's going to be fine. Plus Eriol's great, he did plan this surprise engagement party for you"

"Yeah… he was too damn sure I would say yes."

"Coz he knows you love him"

"Love? What is that anymore? I still have feelings for Syaoran, when I'm supposed to have one love, Eriol."

"Sakura everything will be fine, you're just having a big night that's all. It'll all be clear in the morning. Plus I'm sure you love Eriol more than you do Syaoran… everything will be o…." Sakura immediately sitting up, looking Tomoyo straight in the eye, anger seemed to be the only emotion in Sakuras face.

"You weren't there. You were never there; you left me all by myself to go to boarding school. I had no one except Syaoran. I forgot how to have fun and be myself when you left, but Syaoran……"

"I'm sorry Sakura. I had no choice to go to boarding school and I really should of wrote to you more often. I came back for you though…. I came back to Tomoeda coz I missed you Sakura, hanging out with you…." Tomoyo broke off mid sentence as she stood up walking towards the bin and putting it under Sakuras head. Sakura started to vomit, Tomoyo pulling back Sakuras hair for her.

"Thanks" muffled Sakura more vodka and her dinner mixed into each other pouring into the bin. Once finished Sakura laid back down, slowly closing her eyes thinking of the events that just occurred.

"Mr. Li I hope you find your office accommodating" Syaoran forced a smile at the small bald men, dressed formally in a black suit.

"Yes, its nice thank you." Syaoran walked into his office, which he had to admit was nice. He could tell by how everything was placed they made a huge effort to impress him, but then again being the head of the company he didn't blame them.

"As one of your many companies I hope you find this place fit for your liking. And as the Manager I'd like to offer you the help of our hard working assistance Tomoyo Daidouji"

"Hello Mr. Li is there anything you'd like" A soft voice emerged from Tomoyo.

"No I'm fine thank you." Syaoran surveyed Tomoyo, gently moving his head to one side as the short man continued to talk about how he hopes the company can accommodate to any of his needs. Tomoyo stood smiling at Syaoran, grasping in her hands what looked to be a folder of some sort.

"Most likely, work I should start on" Syaoran thought to himself, still surveying Miss Daidouji. She was pretty he'd give her that much, yet she still couldn't compare to Sakura. Tomoyo stood still, her long hair loosely pulled back into a messy bun as the rest of her hair fell around her face. Her blue eyes contrasted from her black hair, as her lips were contoured with red lipstick.

"….and yes that is all. So again I hope everything's fine. If you need anything get Miss Daidouji to help you." The small bald man walked off, leaving Syaoran standing next to Tomoyo. Tomoyo standing awkwardly, a light crimson filling her cheeks.

"Is that work you have for me?" Syaoran pointed to the folder being clasped in Tomoyos hands, smiling playfully as he watched her search for an answer.

"Oh… oh yes. T….thanks for reminding me. Yes Mr. Tanako said this was sent in for you to get started with." Tomoyo hastily handed the folder to Syaoran, slowly cursing in her mind how idiotic she must have seemed to him. Syaoran laughed.

"I think I should do the work later. You know what I need?" Syaoran moved closer to Tomoyo, his head bent with his face close to hers. Tomoyo slowly breathed in, her heart racing. Syaoran realizing this stood up a grin spread on his face.

"I think I need to eat lunch. Yet I don't know anywhere that's good to eat around here. Everything's changed since the last time I've been here. So Miss. Daidouji would you like to esquire me to lunch?" Tomoyo hesitated at his offer; her voice seemed to be lost with her mind whirling out of control.

"Oh, or will I have to go alone" Syaoran playfully added, now teasing her with acting sulkily at her expense.

"Oh, uh I'd love to…." Tomoyo expressed, now looking at Syaoran, a grin spreaded across his face.

"Show you around the city that is" Tomoyo added trying to keep her composure. Tomoyo felt mystified under Li's gaze, Tomoyo now understanding why Li was so popular with the ladies. He was in fact a very handsome man and knew very well how to get woman's attention.

"Ok then shall we go." Syaoran gestured towards the door. Tomoyo hesitated.

"Don't worry about it. Your boss won't find out. I'll cover for you and say it was an errand if he asks" Syaoran winking at Tomoyo, placing the folder on a nearby desk as he began to walk towards the elevator. Tomoyo, smiling to her self followed.

They were at the same restaurant that Syaoran was at the other day. Sitting he looked around, images flickering through his head of the tears he thought he saw Sakura shed. Driving to the restaurant was not as awkward as Syaoran thought it'd be with Tomoyo. She seemed to be more relaxed out of the office and now was talking without thinking too much. Syaoran had to admit, he did enjoy Miss. Daidouji's company, and it gave him time to not think about Sakura. Tomoyo smiled at Syaoran, eyes now turned down flickering through the menu.

"So.. Do I have to call you Mr. Li all this time or do I have to find out your first name first?" Tomoyo dropped the menu, now staring at Syaoran. Syaoran laughed, he smiled mockingly at Tomoyo.

"Oh.. No you call me Mr. Li. It keeps the mystery alive" Tomoyo laughed along with Syaoran.

"Ok fair enough Mr. Li" Tomoyo looked up; the waiter now arrived holding a pen and paper. Syaoran watched as Tomoyo ordered for both of them, a small frown emerging from her face as the waiter disappeared, Tomoyo now staring at a table that stood across them. Syaoran followed her eyes, looking at the table, the same table Sakura was at.

"What's wrong?" Syaoran jerked his head towards her, not wanting to re-live the memories.

"Oh… I'm just thinking about my friend Sakura. She seemed a real mess last night and I just hope she's alright" Tomoyo now staring down at her menu, smiling glumly to herself. Syaoran, sitting still, his body numb at the mention of Sakuras name.

"It's just that, last night she was finally proposed to by her fiancé Eriol…."

"So his name is Eriol" Syaoran scowled through his thoughts.

"And you'd think she would be happy. Yet she wasn't, she thinks she's still in love with her best friend from high school, Syaoran." Syaoran stared blankly at Tomoyo. He didn't know how to feel. He would feel happy; at the same time… he didn't know what that was. Yet at the end of the day he knew she was still engaged to Eriol and that she would never betray her promise for her feelings. Tomoyo looked up, smiling at Syaoran who looked blankly Tomoyo.

"Oh my I'm sorry to unleash all my problems on you. I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sure she's ok." Tomoyo was now giggling to herself.

"You should cheer up more often. You'll get wrinkles with all that worrying you do. And what girl would want a wrinkled man?" Syaoran laughed.

"It's true, so smile" Tomoyo teased, still smiling. Syaoran brightened up. From there on Syaoran felt the afternoon was not going to be as bad as he thought.

-x-

Syaoran looked at his watch. He didn't realize it was so late. Work was already finished and the sun was about to set.

"I'm sorry Tomoyo but it looks as though, we should head off home. Looks like I've kept you here too long" Syaoran smiled, looking outside at the window watching some of the stars set against the orange sky.

"Oh wow it is late, time really did fly past" Tomoyo noted also looking outside.

"Do you have a lift home?" Syaoran asked concerned knowing too well how dangerous it was at night.

"Oh… I'll catch a bus it'll be fine"

"No… I'll take you home. It's alright"

"I'm fine…" Tomoyo rebutted.

"Don't worry it's no trouble on my behalf." Syaoran was now insisting. Tomoyo realizing defeat gave in.

"Ok, you can take me home" Both standing up, Syaoran paid for the whole meal. As Tomoyo was about to rebut, Syaoran got his words in before Tomoyo did.

"You showed me around and took time off work. So it's my duty to pay. No rebuts about it" Syaoran grinned as they both walked out the door of the restaurant. Syaoran took one glance at Tomoyo before he got into and in his mind Syaoran thought he could really fall for her.