Lovers in Japan
Pretend you love me

He was used to getting his way. All his life people had always given him what he wanted on a silver platter. He took advantage of the innocent and showered in their weaknesses. He felt that that he was obliged to do so. Even when he was a little boy his parents spoilt him with gifts and women fell at his knees. It was no wonder he did not feel a thing when he lied to dear Sakura about the contents of the contract. He left out all the grueling details and anything he felt that she would dispute. He took advantage of her childlike behavior and failed to remind her of the formalities of the contract. He did not read it to her or put emphasis on the most important clauses. As long as her signature was on it, she was bound to it. She would be his lover, his diamond in a coalmine.

'Okay, get changed, we can go practice at my place. I need you to be ready in a week.' he sounded as though she was now his property and she had no choice but to abide to his requests.

'Practice?' she muttered softly. She stood up waiting for a reply but the man said nothing. His eyes told her to hurry up. 'Can I at least have coffee?'

He smiled at her picking up the cup of coffee he was carrying when he walked into the apartment 'Drink mine, it's not cold.'

She stared at the cup then up at him. Her face questioned his motive.

'You look confused, you're my lover now Sakura, my germs are your germs.' he said with a glint in his amber orbs.

Sakura took the cup from his hands. She sat down and took a sip. His eyes were glued to her, it made her uneasy, she turned her face away and looked outside the window.

'How do you feel about moving in with me for the next few days…or months…' he said trying to let the request ease in.

She nearly choked on her coffee. She looked at him 'Why?'

'Because that's what lovers do, they fall in love--which we obviously are and move in together. You and I are madly and passionately in love. We are obsessed with each other and for some odd reason my hands always seem to find yours.' he clasped his hand over hers 'On top of that we have fantastic sex…a lot of it.'

Sakura's spat out the coffee unintentionally. She looked at him, her jaw dropped automatically and she clasped her hand over her mouth. 'Do we have to…you know…have it?' beads of sweat went all the way to the tip of her nose.

'Of course, 10 times a day.' he whispered in her ear.

Sakura swallowed hard and her face was bright red, before she could say anything, he broke into laughter 'I'm joking hun, I just love the look on your face when you are overwhelmed. It's classic.' he released her hand.

'You're a pervert.' she muttered standing up. She could not believe that she said that to him and she was not going to apologies.

He raised his shoulders 'I know.' he had a smug on his lips.

She walked away and ambled to her room. She took off her clothes and suddenly caught herself caught by the mirror. She stared back at her reflection, disappointed at what she was seeing. A man like Syaoran can only have pity for a woman like her. She picked up a towel and went into the bathroom. After taking a quick shower, she walked back into her room and tried to find something that would look fashionable. She wouldn't want people saying things like 'I wonder what he sees in her' or 'she is as plain as a piece of bread.'

She found a pair of jeans which went all the way over her belly button and wore a t-shirt over it and running shoes. She figured that jeans and t-shirt are always in style.

When she came out of the bedroom he scrutinized her with his eyes. He wanted to ask her why she was so ignorant of the latest trends and how the hell did they hire her to work for a fashion magazine. Her hair was worse that it was the day before.

He half smile for the sake of being polite. 'Um lets go.' he told her.

She nodded 'Let me get my bag.'

Once again he plastered a smile on his face.

……………………..

They were at his apartment at 10:00, the more time she spent with him the less she felt like she understood him. She hated that he smoked--in his car. He did not have any road manners; he pointed his middle finger at any driver that got in his way. Sometimes he would get so quiet, it scared her. He wore a fatigued look on his face; he would be deep in thought and forget about his surroundings.

At his apartment, they sat in the living room. It was tidier than usual 'You cleaned up.' she commented.

He smirked 'I couldn't have the place looking like that knowing that I'm soon going to have a woman living with me.'

She could not remember agreeing to that request but he left her no choice but to accept it. He placed a bottle of beer on the centre table and handed her a piece of paper.

'What's this?'

'Our love story.' he sat up 'It's how we met, see, I was walking my dog and he attacked you in the middle of the road. He practically ripped you apart.' he chuckled obviously enjoying this moment 'I walked up to you and that was the first time our eyes met. I didn't immediately fall in love with you but for some reason I was attracted to you. I asked you out and you rejected me.'

'Why would I do that?'

'Because you think I'm just a spoilt rich kid.'

'I see.' Sakura's eyes were now shimmering.

'Then I wouldn't leave you alone, I had to have you. So I sent you a rose every day. I'd watch you from a distance…I started to fall in love with you. Then one day I forgot to send you a rose, you came all the way to my apartment on a rainy night. You wanted to know why I did not send the rose and most of all you found that you were falling for me. We shared out first kiss on my doorstep.'

'That is romantic.' Sakura smiled 'And unrealistic.'

'Oh come on, it took me forever to come up with this.'

'What ever you say Mr. Li.'

'Syaoran, call me Syaoran…or honey.' he told her grinning. 'Now I can't decide whether you should be a virgin or not. We can say that you were a virgin when I met you but I broke your virginity. You just couldn't resist me or we can say that you're saving your virginity for our wedding night.'

'Uh…' the words stuck to her throat. She made up her mind about, he was those kind of people, who, when they were not having sex, they are looking for a way to bring up the topic.
'It's better if I'm a virgin. It will mean that you respect me enough to wait.'

He scratched his head 'But…that's boring.'

'Its cute'

'It's boring.'

She nodded, it did not have a say in the matter. From then on, the couple went over everything from her favorite food and color. He walked over to her, 'now dance with me.' he said holding his hand out to her.

Sakura flushed coyly, she had never been so close to a man, nor had she been asked to dance by a man. She feared the worst, like stepping on his toes. He pulled her into his arms, her heart beat so hard she thought she would collapse. She found herself pulling back.

'Come closer.' he insisted sinking his fingers between hers.

She swallowed hard, she took a step closer. Should she tell him that she had no experience with men?

'You're shaking, don't be afraid.' he pushed her into his chest until her breasts pressed against his chest. 'There…' he said moving and she moved along with him 'Don't be afraid to touch me.' he told her in a serious tone 'I'm your boyfriend. You're supposed to be used to this.'

She nodded as though it was an easy task. His hand was on the centre of her back. It brought shivers down her spine.

'You're not touching me Sakura.' he said 'Run your hands through my hair…look into my eyes.' Sakura followed every command.

He leaned into her face, his nose brushed against hers. He found that he was smiling 'Now kiss me.'

Sakura paused. Where would she start, should she tell him that she has never been kissed? Would he make fun of her? She was an adult for heaven sake!

'Close your eyes and kiss me.' he said once more.

Her lips brushed against his and she flinched 'I can't do this.' she muttered her lips next to his.

'Why not?'

'I've never done this. I just can't give you my first kiss because I don't love you.'

'I'm not asking you to love me, I'm asking you to pretend to love me. It's only a kiss.'

'Maybe to you but to me a kiss is supposed to mean more.' she stepped away.

'Then this is not going to work.' He sounded disappointed.

'What does he think this is? What does he think I am? An attempted suicide?

'I guess not…' she walked away from him and took her hand bag 'It's over, you might as well find someone else.'

A moment passed then he spoke.

'Don't leave…I want you. You're perfect.'

'No…I'm just more capable of living in your lies than anyone else you've ever met.'

It was true…he could not let her go, he needed this to work. As she walked to the door, he went after her. He caught her hand 'You agreed to this.'

'I don't care.'

He held her shoulders and trapped her between him and the wall. He leaned into her face 'I'll make in special for you.' he kissed her lips gently first attacking her lower lip. He needed her to taste it, to savor the taste before he gave her a long lingering kiss on the lips.

Sakura slowly closed her eyes and slowly surrendered to him. It was soft and gentle…and loving…it felt real. She luxuriated in the sensuous feel of his lips. Suddenly he pulled away 'See, that wasn't so bad for your first kiss.' his tone light-hearted.

She had a fleeting expression on her face that told him that she was uncomfortable

Sakura was speechless. She held the tip of her fingers to her mouth. Her chest heaved and she was out of breath. Then suddenly she slapped him 'How dare you…?'

Syaoran flinched 'What the hell! What did I do wrong now?'

'You just don't steal a kiss…who do you think you are?' she wanted to shout at him but her tone refused to change. She did not expect him to take her seriously.

'It's spilt, milk, now stay and lets finish practice.' He tried to sound authentic.

'Get away from me.'

'Fine I'm sorry for kissing you…I totally screwed up. Sit down and we can just talk. I promise…I won't even touch you?'

Sakura shook her head and gave him a rather gentle push away from her. She rushed for her bag and she walked out. A part of her needed him to follow her…just like in the movies. She wanted him to apologies.

Syaoran leaned against the wall in his apartment, the room grew dim and he slid against the wall until he was seated on the navy blue carpet. He was not one to beg for an apology, especially from a woman. He did not want to need her…but he did….for now.

'For shitsake' he muttered to himself standing up. He opened the door and found that she was gone. He paused in his tracks, staring ahead at the elevator, hoping that by some kind of miracle she would come back. He waited and waited. 'What am I doing, this is crazy'.

……………………….

Sakura twisted the key to her apartment. She was reluctant to do so; she leaned her head against the door and breathed slowly. She could not shake the thought of the sensation his lips gave her, it is a sin to have this kind of thought, she told herself trying to sound wise in her disposition. She held her fingers to her lips and slowly closed her eyes. She thought of how his strong arm went around her waist; how he pulled her so close she could feel the beat of his passionate heart.

How dare she allow these thoughts to accumulate her mind? Her lips met the wood of the door; she imagined that she was in Syaoran's arms. She took a deep breath and pressed her lips against the door.

'Sakura? What are you doing?' Tomoyo asked giggling.

Sakura immediately pulled away, her face bright red. She looked at Tomoyo then at the door then at Tomoyo once more 'Nothing!' she yelped.

'Forget about this…just…come it…' she opened the door.

Tomoyo laughed more following Sakura into the room 'How cute, you're practicing for your first kiss.' Tomoyo teased.

'I've already had my first kiss…today.' Sakura covered her mouth straight after that.

Tomoyo's eyebrows shot up and she hopped to where Sakura was standing 'What's his name…was he good?…were you good? You didn't embarrass yourself did you Saki?'

Sakura shook her head 'I can't really say. He did it without my permission.'

'Even better.' Tomoyo said.

'No!' Sakura said in a stern tone 'He's a pervert and selfish and disgusting. Plus he's only using me.'

'So, men use women all the time. Being used can be fun.'

Sakura's jaw dropped 'I can't believe you just said that.' Sakura noticed that Tomoyo was wearing a fancy cocktail dress. Her hair was in a mess and her lipstick was smudged.

'Where are you coming from?'

'This guys place, Eriol. We work together and knew each other a long time ago. So we decided to go out last night and one thing led to another, next thing we're at his place and he's unfastening my bra. It's disgusting. I cant believe I slept with that loser.' Tomoyo stopped when she saw the look on Sakura's face 'What?'

Sakura arched an eyebrow then shook her head smiling 'nothing.'

'You should be happy he kissed you.' Tomoyo said 'You will never become a woman until you know how a man tastes like.' Tomoyo said laughing after that. 'Just kidding.'

Sakura could not tell when Tomoyo was joking or being serious.

'Kisses transfer life threatening diseases such pneumonia.'

Tomoyo laughed hard 'You're funny. I'm sure you'll be fine. Just remember boys don't really grow up, they just get better at pretending to be mature.'

'I quit my job today.' Sakura said bringing it out of the blue 'And I'm moving in with this guy tomorrow.'

'What???' Tomoyo said confused.

'You know I hated my job, I never belonged there.'

'No Sakura, you never wanted to belong.'

Sakura shrugged, excuses were on the tip of her tongue.

'Please let me do thing. One day I'll explain everything. I'm dating my boss.'

'But you hate him! You've only kissed once and you want to move in with him?'

Sakura shook her head and begged 'Please. I'll explain one day, I know what I'm doing.

Tomoyo was quiet.

'What's wrong with me? It was just a kiss.'

…………………..

That morning, she sat behind her desk and awaited his arrival. He was late. She bit the tip of her nails then turned on her desk light, open a file (upside down), turned on word processor. It was a pity it showed the computer game she had been trying in the last moments of Friday afternoon. She had to look busy or people would notice a change in her behavior and start a new gossip. Her eyes rose, waiting to meet him.

She had spent an extra thirty minutes in front of the mirror. She nearly poked out an eye with the eyeliner and nearly set her hair on fire with the straitening iron.

At least she appeared fashionable in a pencil black skirt and white shirt she had borrowed from Tomoyo who suggested she leave the first button open.

'Men like Syaoran do not notice the minor efforts women like you put into the way you look.' A taunting voice spoke in her in her head. She had to remind herself that she was doing this for herself.

'You look better' one of her colleagues 'complimented'.

Then finally it happened, he walked in and stopped where she was. Sakura pretended to be busy.

'Good morning.' he said.

Sakura was certain that her colleagues were surprised; he spoke to her as though he might care. She suppressed a gasp.

'hi.' she told him simply, how inappropriate, him kissing her did not make him her friend.

'I need to see you in my office…now.' he tried to sound stern. He walked into the office and she walked quickly behind him.

'Close the door.' he demanded.

She did as told.

He slipped his hands into his pocket, the boyish grin ceased to leave his face. There was a charm about him that attracted every being in his presence.

'I rarely do this so…here it goes…I'm sorry.' the words went as fast as they came. He tried to sound apologetic, in his own ears he sounded superficial, even cruel. 'You can move in tonight.' He blinked hard as though he was trying to remember something of great importance.

Sakura fixed her glasses trying not to smile 'Uh sure.' she said. 'What will I tell my friends and family?'

'Tell them we're in love.' he smirked.

'Take a sit.' he pointed her to the seat across his.

His phone rang, he sat on his chair and took the call, excusing himself before that.

Now Sakura was even more nervous, she played with her fingers and tried to refrain from biting her nails.

He ended the call then his eyes settled on her.

She told him 'I apologies for the way I reacted, call me old fashioned but I always imagine that my first kiss would be with the man I love. I was waiting for someone who'd sweep me off my feet to take my kiss but…it doesn't matter' she told him, feeling exposed.

He smiled while she spoke 'she sure is something.' he told himself. He gave her a gentle nod that told her that he had nothing to say.

'In 12th grade, I was so certain that my best friend Lesli would give me my first kiss.'

He released a short nervous chuckle 'Oh…you're lesbian.'

'No' she shook her head defensively 'Lesli is a guy.

Syaoran had to bite back the urge to laugh.

'I asked him to kiss me, I was so certain that he felt the same way. We were so close, we liked the same things. He rejected me, next day I see him with this girl. He was the only guy who has ever swept me off my feet. It took me weeks to get over it. I could not understand, we'd talk about all sorts of things, fashion--he hated the way I dressed. We liked the same movies, Titantic, the notebook.'

Syaoran broke into laughter; he held his hand to his stomach unable to catch his breath.

'Are you making fun of me? I'm sorry for opening up to you. I just thought….I don't know what I was thinking.' she started to stand up.

'No sit.' he instructed her finally able to talk. 'Sakura, Lesli was gay. That's why he rejected you. Sorry.'

Sakura clenched her jaw 'How could you say that.'

'You know what, never mind.' He smiled. How amusing she was, her innocence tickled his throat. He stood up and moved closer to her 'Pack your things, as though you quit. You can't be my lover and employee. Eventually everyone is going to find out.'

She nodded slowly standing up. He was following her retreat with great patience but she did not dare to look at him once more. She was uncertain whether it would be appropriate to smile again or not.

'I'll be expecting you.' He paused then added 'You look good.'

Did that really happen? She flushed 'Thank you.'

She nodded with a polite smile, inside her heart was shaking. She was going to be living with a MAN. She left the office and closed the door behind her. She walked over to her desk and took out a box of chocolate from her handbag.

'That's going to go straight to your ass. Chiharu the head assistant of the clothing and make-up department told her.

Sakura looked up at the fashionable socialite.

'I eat a lot when I'm nervous.'

Chiharu clasped her hand over her mouth now hiding her devil red lipstick. 'OMG, That's not good.'

Sakura shrugged, she wished she cared but she just couldn't find the time to ponder about her weight every time she is about to take in food.

'What are you nervous about?

Sakura put the box of chocolate on the table 'My boyfriend wants me to move in with him.'

Chiharu giggled amused while twirling her coffee hair around her finger. She leaned into Sakura as though the news was a hot piece of gossip. Chiharu was a charming woman with all the right imperfections- she was very talkative, a gossip and she was overly critical of herself. 'You have a boyfriend!?' she said it as though it was a joke she was still trying to comprehend.

'Yes.' Sakura said annoyed by her reaction. She was almost certain that Chiharu started the rumor that she (Sakura) buys her clothes off the road.

'That's nice.' In Chiharu's mind she envisaged that Sakura's boyfriend would be a male version of her (Sakura).

'I'm quitting.' Sakura's tone changed. 'It's my last day.'

'We all knew you wouldn't last.' She looked almost tragic trying to look sympathetic. 'Sorry.'

'Sorry for what?'

'Being such a bitch, by the way I'm the one who started the rumor that you buy your clothes off the road.'

'Really?' Sakura said sarcastically.

'Yeah.' She took Sakura's sarcasm literally. 'I have an idea; I'll make it up to you. I'll give you a complete makeover. You have such pretty eyes; we can get you contacts and get you a whole new wardrobe.'

Sakura half smiled.

'I am serious, you have great skin, you have no idea how long it takes me to look like this every morning. This will be fun!'

………………………..

Syaoran looked out the French doors. He held a glass of red wine leaning his head on the glass. Finally he wasn't going to be alone anymore; living in the most expensive apartment building in Tokoyo was heaven and hell.

The doorbell rang and he rushed to open it. He gave her a comprehensive sweep with his eyes that took in her dress, shoes, hair-style and make-up. Her hair fell alluring up to her shoulders. Her makeup was light, refusing to hide her natural beauty. Her lips were glossy and she looked comfortable in her skin. She wore a yellow dress that made her appear more daring yet very stylish. It complemented her long lean legs…Syaoran had a weakness for long legs.

Sakura thought that she had to try to instill a little confidence. As he stood there, quiet and unmoving, she threw her bag inside. She had a delicious feeling that she was in control of this situation. She wanted to laugh at the look on his face, disbelief the main ingredient.

'Don't just stand there silly, be a gentleman and help me with my bags.

She could not believe that she had just said that. For starters it was out of line—according to her, and she called him 'silly' and accused him of not being a gentleman. No wonder they say that power corrupts.

………………………….

A/N: Hi everyone, it's been three weeks since my last update. A long time and Im sorry. The truth is I had trouble making this chapter happen. I just couldn't think of anything to write. I don't want it to be cliché or overdone. It's not easy, especially knowing that tones of people have written many fan fictions with the same ingredients. I hope you liked this chap. Thanx for all the motivation and reviews.