I know I know, it has been a thousand years before I updated… sorry…it was because of our YFC… I became more active this summer and I had the camp and everything.. sigh and my creative juices seemed to be down to a trickle… anyway don't lose patience in me! This chapter is once again dedicated to pin0ts! Yay! Without further ado, I present…. Chapter 6: Dinner
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Small recap:
Tomoyo blushed and smiled. "Thank you, Eriol. These are beautiful." She added, inhaling the fresh scent of the flowers.
"You are beautiful." Eriol said simply.
Sakura and Syaoran exchanged knowing smiles.
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There are lots of things people are scared from. Enclosed spaces, ghosts, darkness are examples of fear. And it seemed that Hiirigizawa Eriol was not an exemption to fear.
"I really don't like this." Eriol murmured.
"Aw come on, try something a little bit exciting for a change. It's not that bad." Tomoyo grinned at her friend, letting the wind whip her hair.
Eriol rolled his eyes. At least I'm not the only one queasy here. He thought, noting that his descendant was looking positively green from the seat in front of theirs.
"Are you sure this is safe? Not that I'm worried." Eriol asked for the nth time, eyeing the rails and its loops.
It was Tomoyo's turn to roll her eyes.
The roller coaster continued its ascent then stopped. Eriol looked at Tomoyo questioningly. Before he can get the words out of his mouth, the roller coaster suddenly launched into full motion, diving into the steepest dives, turning and twisting like there was no tomorrow. Then suddenly it stopped, and they were back at their starting point.
"That was waaayyyy funnn!" Sakura chirped happily, bounding up and down from her seat while waiting for the safety clutches to be released.
"I know! Too bad it was over too soon!" Tomoyo exclaimed back to her best friend with the same enthusiasm.
Fina the safety clutch was released. They pushed back their seat belts. The girls were still giggling and exclaiming about how exciting the ride was, while the two guys simply exchanged looks. Mainly because Eriol still can't believe he let Tomoyo talked him into riding that "ridiculously unsafe, imperfect, boring ride" while Syaoran was trying hard to fight from puking.
They all sat at the bench under the shade of an oak tree. After a few minutes however, Syaoran stood up and ran to the restroom. Sakura ran after her fiancé.
"Wait Sakura-chan!" Sakura stopped and turned around. "You'll need these." Tomoyo threw a packet of tissues, knowing full well that Syaoran won't make it to the restroom since it was at the other side of the park. Sakura caught it deftly and yelled a "Thanks!" before running after Syaoran again.
"I guess Syaoran still gets sick after riding roller coasters." Tomoyo grinned then rearranged her ponytail.
"I don't blame him. I'm not so crazy about that thing myself." Eriol admitted, then tugged on a stray lock of hair. "You missed this."
"Oh thanks." Tomoyo said, sweeping the lock and securing her ponytail with a violet scrunchie. "What do you want to do next?"
"Well, after the lovebirds got back, I was going to suggest lunch. It's already 2 PM you know." Eriol said, tapping on his watch.
"Oh."
Sakura and Syaoran got back and the friends decided to go on with Eriol's advice. They settled themselves for ice cream and enjoyed their cool treats.
"It's a good thing you were able to come, Tomoyo-chan." Sakura said, happily helping herself to the Super Supreme Gigantic Sundae she was sharing with Syaoran with 3 scoops of ice creams (strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate, Syaoran's favorite), 2 different kinds of syrup, a sprinkle of nuts, lots of whipped cream, chocolate chips, marshmallows, and a maraschino cherry on top.
"Well, I was kinda busy, but someone just won't stop badgering me until I said yes." Tomoyo asked, daintily scooping an ice cream from her much smaller sundae.
Eriol gave a little laugh. "Oh please, like you weren't dying to come. I didn't have to beg that long, you know."
Tomoyo laughed back and stuck her spoon on her sundae. "Yeah right! You had to beg me like I had to beg you to get over your fear of Roller coaster and just ride the damn ride already."
"I'm not scared!" Eriol protested.
"So too!"
"Am not!"
"So!"
"Not!"
"So!"
Syaoran's eyebrows shot up at this. He was already a little bit rattled that busy Tomoyo had taken a time off her schedule to have fun with them, but seeing his serious, practical, sensible friend playfully tease Eriol was more than a bit unsettling, it was scary. He quickly glanced at his fiancé to see if she was as alarmed as he was, but instead, her rosy lips were curved into a smile.
What's the deal with Eriol-kun and Tomoyo-chan? She never used to cut loose like this. Sakura asked Syaoran in telepathy. He had only recently taught her this, and she learned it quickly.
They're having a moment…
What moment? Sakura's eyes turned wide and innocent.
Syaoran grinned a little at the cuteness of her fiancé before blushing. You know…playful teasing and such…
Sakura grinned then plucked the cherry from its stem. I was kidding Syao-kun. What I meant was, they weren't that PUBLIC about this before.
Syaoran blushed even deeper, wondering what the hell have he done to deserve such a beautiful girl like her. Dunno. Maybe they can't help themselves.
Sakura grinned mischievously. I know the feeling.
They both turned to their friends, which are still teasing each other. They both laughed as Eriol and Tomoyo attacked each other by spreading their remaining ice cream at each other's faces.
Then Syaoran stopped laughing abruptly.
Sakura looked at him. What's wrong with you?
Can't you see how serious this is turning? They really like each other!
Sakura searched his face, but it was dead serious. She laughed. Well that was a blinding flash of obvious.
But…
Don't you think they're perfect for each other? I always thought they look great together.
Oh please. Weird boy and Tomoyo? An anteater is by far better looking than that idiot.
Eriol actually stopped laughing and threw an amused smile at his descendant. He glanced back a little uneasily.
Oh jeez Syao-chan, you have to admit Eriol's good looking. Actually if I wasn't engaged to you my crush on him would have continued.
"WHATTTTT! SINCE WHEN DID YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON THAT TWERP!" Syaoran shouted, forgetting that they're communicating in telepathy. A couple of people turned to look at them.
Tomoyo stopped in the act of throwing her mini marshmallows at Eriol and stared at Syaoran as if he sprouted two heads. Sakura gaped at him also, while Eriol laughed at fuming Syaoran.
"What's going on?" Tomoyo asked, dropping the marshmallow back on her ice cream dish.
"Sakura just admitted that she had a crush on me." Eriol said, still laughing. "Hhow does it felt to lose at an anteater, huh?" he added, which may not be wise, as Syaoran was looking murderously angry at the moment.
"Huh?" Tomoyo turned at the now fiercely blushing Sakura. "You admitted what?"
"You were listening?" Sakura asked, horrified.
"Yep, can't help but overhear. Especially on such a short distance." Eriol said, already calmed down and now wiping a few tears from the corner of her eyes.
"Listening?" Tomoyo repeated blankly.
Syaoran threw Eriol the deepest look of disgust. He returned it with a smile.
"Aw come on. You know that Eriol-kun might as well dance on this table wearing nothing but a red bow and still I'll pick you my adorable Syao-kun." Sakura said in a cute voice and leaned her head on Syaoran's shoulder.
Everybody laughed, even Syaoran. He can't stay mad for long, especially with Sakura leaning on him like that. Besides, a mental picture of Eriol wearing a red bow was hilarious.
Tomoyo was about to ask again what it's about when her cell rang. She answered it while the rest of her friends continued to joke around.
"Hello?"
Tomoyo listened for a while, her expression turning serious, then stricken. She snapped her phone shut and hurriedly searched her purse for a handkerchief. "I'm sorry guys, but I need to go."
"What? But why?" All three exclaimed in unison.
"Fifi called." Tomoyo said, standing up and breaking into a fast trot to the park's parking lot. Syaoran was left to pay for the ice cream while Eriol and Sakura followed her.
"What is so important about Fifi's call?" Eriol pressed on. Tomoyo was still rooting around her bag for a handkerchief until they reached her car. Eriol produced a handkerchief and handed it to her.
"Oh thanks." Tomoyo said absently. She haphazardly wiped her face before searching for something again in her bag.
"You ok?" Sakura asked.
"Yup. Oh great, now I can't find my keys!" Tomoyo shouted. Syaoran finally caught up with them.
"You better let me drive." Eriol said, sighing.
"No, no you stay here. Have fun. Go." Tomoyo flashed him a quick smile then continued rooting for her keys in her bag and in her pocket, before she realized she DIDN'T have a pocket.
"I have the keys, Tomoyo. I drove on the way here, remember?" Eriol said, jingling the keys on his hand.
Tomoyo made to reach it but Eriol shook his head. "I'll drive." He pushed a button and the doors swung open. "Get in."
Eriol and Tomoyo stared at each other, but Tomoyo finally gave up, finally realizing that it's no use to argue with him. She climbed at the passenger seat while Eriol slid at the driver's seat.
"Are you sure everything's ok?" Sakura asked, her eyes worried.
Tomoyo tried to grin. "Yes. It's just that…mom's home."
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Eriol had barely pulled up at the pathway when Tomoyo jumped out of the car. She nearly ran up to the stairs and headed straight to her room. To Edward the Butler, whom opened the front door for her, she seemed just a violet blur. He addressed Eriol, who was just getting out of the car. "Good afternoon sir. Have a great day?"
"Yes, thank you Edward." Eriol replied, coming up the stairs. He smile was amused. "You'd think she was being chased."
"Considering her circumstances, I wasn't surprised." Edward replied. He quickly added "Good day sir" before retreating to the kitchen, safely dodging Eriol's question.
Eriol shook his head then trek up the stairs. As he was about to go inside his room, he noticed that the door next to his was a little bit open. He didn't meant to snoop, but he caught his name being mentioned.
"—Hiirigizawa-san is staying here?"
"Yes mother."
"That's good. Anyway I'm tired now. I'll see you late at dinner."
Tomoyo quickly excited the room and closed the door. She gasped as she came face to face with Eriol. He was surprised too, but before he could utter a word, she disappeared to her own room.
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Tomoyo glanced at the birds perched on one of the uppermost branches of the apple tree. Their chirping usually made her cheerful, but this time it sounded lonely to her ears.
"I wish I could fly away with you. I wish I could be free." Tomoyo whispered, while a tear trickled down her cheek.
"Mind if I join you?" a quiet voice asked.
She mutely nodded, then Eriol sat on the marble banister next to her. "Ah, blue jays. Such fine birds." He remarked, and held out a hand. Immediately, a bird perched on his hand. Tomoyo stared at it, but somehow, it lessened her loneliness, unlike a while ago.
They both sat in silence. Eriol knows not to push her, instead he waited patiently, intently gazing at the blue jay.
"I'm sorry." Tomoyo said quietly, also staring at the blue jay.
"For what?"
"For bringing you into our discussion."
"It's nothing."
They lapsed into silence again. Tomoyo reached out and stroked the bird. After a while, it flew to the branch and up to its mate. "I'm engaged, Eriol."
Eriol was of course, to say the least, startled. His eyes flew to Tomoyo's ring finger.
Tomoyo laughed. "No, not like that. Arthur haven't really proposed to me like that. But anytime, he will do it, and of course, I'll say yes."
"But why? Do you love him?" Eriol asked, feeling strangely hollow.
"You see, my mother's not really in her peak condition."
Eriol wanted to ask what that had to do anything with her loving Arthur but kept his mouth shut.
"The reason my mother came home today because the Board of Directors decided that my mother is more of a hindrance than an asset to the company. They kicked her out." Tomoyo said, sighing and wiping her tears with Eriol's handkerchief.
"Anyway, that means I have the duty to support the family."
Somehow, Eriol knew where this was heading, but he can't keep it to himself any longer. "What that has got to do with Arthur?"
"You see, Arthur's father is also a CEO, and one of the company's major stock holders."
"Stop that. Tomoyo, what are you saying? You're marrying for money?"
Tomoyo cringed. It seemed more horrible to hear it from him. "I have no choice I—"
"It's your happiness Tomoyo. You can't sacrifice yourself just for money."
"I can be happy with Arthur."
"But do you want to? Well, answer me. DO you want to!" Eriol nearly yelled, he turned her to face him.
"Don't you get it, Eriol? My happiness doesn't matter anymore! Not if I want to keep all these things!"
"You don't have to keep these. You don't need them!"
"I won't let my mother's life time of hard work go into shambles just because of her partial paralysis and my selfish desires!"
"Tomoyo—"
"Listen to me, for the past few weeks I thought I can escape from my duties, but she came back, and I realized, I can't Eriol! I can't!"
"No you listen to me. No one's making you do this. Please, don't do this to yourself."
Tomoyo looked up at Eriol's eyes. She saw a powerful emotion under those azure eyes. They were begging her, and she can't help but lost herself to them.
"Oh Eriol, I—"
"Miss? Monsieur Arthur is on the phone." Kiffy knocked on the open door. She was holding out a phone, her hand clamped over the receiver.
Eriol released Tomoyo's shoulder. Tomoyo gracefully got up from the banister and answered the phone. Fifi immediately disappeared once again. He watched as she muttered, then her face fell, and he knew. That bastard is going to propose to her tonight!
"Okay, I'll see you there. No, there's no need to pick me up. I'll drive over. Okay, you too. Bye." She sighed and clicked the phone off. She threw it on the bed, but it landed on the floor with a sick crunch.
He got off the banister too, then stood next to Tomoyo.
"I have a dinner with him. This is it." Tomoyo laughed, then wrapped herself in a hug. She was scared of her own laugh, it sounded so hollow even to her ears.
"Don't do this. You're too special to me that I can't let you ruin your life." Eriol stared down to her, then placed a kiss on her forehead. "Please." He enveloped her in a hug.
How Tomoyo wanted to fall on those arms and stay there forever! She choked back a sob and ignored the lump in her throat. "Please leave, Eriol. I need to change." She closed her eyes.
Without another word he felt Eriol release her and closed the door behind him.
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It was raining hard, but Eriol ignored it and continued pounding on Sakura's door.
"Hold your horses, I'm coming down already." Syaoran yelled. He scowled and threw open the door. "Good grief! You're soaking wet!"
"You are too observant. Can I come in?" Eriol asked sarcastically.
Syaoran stepped back and closed the door behind him. "What's with you, man? Did you and Tomoyo had a fight?"
"Not now. I need your help and Sakura's."
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Tomoyo waited for Richard to open the limo's door for her. It was pouring hard outside, which exactly matched her mood. Some other girls might have thought their engagement nights are the most romantic nights of their night. She mused, checking her lipstick on a compact mirror. She no longer felt like crying. She just felt cold, and hollow. Yeah, NORMAL girls would feel like that. Not me.
Finally, the door opened. Richard emerged with a huge black umbrella and escorted her upstairs to La Blanche, grimacing as she remembered the last time she was here, with her friends.
As usual, the maitre d' was overly excited to see Tomoyo, but she was saved from further embarrassment by Arthur himself. He was smiling, and held out one long stemmed rose for her, than led her to their table.
The two smiled at each other. Arthur cleared his throat. "I hope you don't mind, but I already ordered for us."
"That's really thoughtful of you. Thank you, Arthur." Tomoyo said politely.
Arthur loosened his tie then left his chair. This is it thought Tomoyo.
He kneeled at her side and gave her an impish grin. "Look, I'm not going to beat around the bush. And I'm not really good at this kind of stuff. Anyway," He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a velvet ring box. He opened it and nestled inside was a 24 karat gold ring with a huge diamond on the center. "Will you marry me, Daidouji Tomoyo?"
Tomoyo also cleared her throat, and felt tears rise to her eyes. She became aware that everyone's staring at them. In their point of view, they may have thought that she was crying for happiness. But the truth was, she was actually longing for someone.
She gave him a watery smile. Then she sealed her faith. "Yes, I'll marry you Arthur O Conell."
Everyone at the restaurant clapped and hooted as Arthur slipped the ring on her finger and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "You made me the happiest man on Earth." He said as he slipped to his seat again. The waiter rushed to present their bottle of champagne. Tomoyo was glad for the interruption.
At least one of us is happy. He may be the happiest man, but I just made myself the loneliest girl in the world.
She pushed back her tears and glanced at the ring. Its fiery gem caught the light and sparkled enticingly. Any girl would have died for it. Any girl except the one wearing it.
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Woah, I'm finished? Once again, I'm victorious! Sorry this chapter is kinda sappy. I was going to finish this soon anyway. :-) So what do you think Eriol would do? Hmmm…Tomoyo's engage, how can that be? Anyway, let's put that aside for another chapter for another day and let me present…the WALL OF FAME!
Glory…
I
kinda like your idea… ;) thanks for suggesting that I'll try to
do so… ;) anyway thanks for supporting my story…you're the
best! much hugs and kisses
cristal-shian…
Eriol
is sometimes a little bit too gentleman…let him be a bit mean for a
change…;) anyway I will explain more about Arthur's character in
the succeeding chapters. Thanks for the review! much hugs and
kisses
XPreppyxPunkX…
thanks… I haven't read the new manga yet, was it that
bad? ;) anyway thanks for reviewing!
pin0ts…
yes…aren't
we all glad that Eriol had a good sense of timing? ;) thanks for the
review! much hugs and kisses
