You could be happy
"Why not?" she asked him then kissed him on the lips. Slowly she withdrew seeing that he was not responding.
"You're serious."
"You know you wouldn't do this if you were sober."
She nodded agreeably then wrapped her hands around his neck "You're right."
She slowly released him, and then she made a look of distaste. She wrinkled her nose "I feel..." the rest of her statement escaped when she puked on his t-shirt.
She slowly looked up lifting up her eyes. He had a look of disgust on his face and he appeared to be lost for words. She wiped her mouth with her wrist "I'm sorry."
He looked down at his sneakers. "This is the most disgusting thing I've ever been part of." He remained still.
"Oh, I'll clean it up." She started to panic.
"Is there anything else you need to get out?"
She shook her head hard flushing coyly.
He took a step back then walked into the bathroom. Sakura followed him to bathroom; he took off his shirt and threw it on the floor. He opened the tap and started to wash up. She was worried that the fun was over and she would not see his face light up again that night.
She leaned her head on the door frame and folded her arms over her chest.
"I'm really sorry, I can't think straight."
He shook his head "it's no big deal." He sat on the tub then started to untie his shoe laces. Sakura walked further into the room. She picked up his navy blue shirt and progressed back to the sink. She turned on the tap and started washing it.
He looked up.
"That's better." She held it up.
It still appeared messy, but then again she was drunk. She averted her body to him "Are you sure? I'm such a klutz."
"I'm okay."
He turned around and filled the tub with water. He folded up his denim trousers and dipped his feet in the water. She sat next to him, wiggled her toes and dipped him in the water right next to his. She leaned her head on his shoulder. They were both quiet for awhile. A few minutes later, Syaoran turned his head slightly to look at her. She was asleep. He smiled.
He carried her from the bathroom to the bed. He dried her feet with a towel and pulled the sheets over her body. He lay on his side of the bed and tried to sleep. His heart did not beat the way it used to and he did not kiss her the way he had ever kissed any woman. The feeling never ceased to amaze him. Slowly, he sunk into deep slumber.
................
Early that morning the sound of screaming girls interrupted their slumber. Syaoran nearly fell off the bed when the door suddenly opened.
"Syaoran! Wake up!!" Tai opened the door "Your going to miss the wedding."
He covered his ears "I heard you...knock first!"
She slammed the door quickly.
Sakura's eyes were already wide open. She pulled the covers over her head "What time is it?" she yawned.
"It's 8:00." He rubbed his eyes.
"Do we have to? I feel sick."
Syaoran got out of bed "We have to." He locked the door.
Sakura got out of bed, she felt like she was going to collapse to the floor. There was a sick feeling in her stomach and her head was pounding.
"We'll get you some aspirin and you'll be sorted." He scratched his head then walked to the bathroom to get her aspirin and a glass of water. Later, she took a quick bath, and the minute she came out of the shower, Tai was in the room.
"She's going to be so pissed, you have 10 minutes and I have five."
"I know." Syaoran was putting on his Tuxedo.
Tai was in a beautiful golden dress. She averted her gaze to Sakura and pointed at her "You come with me."
She grabbed Sakura's hand, Sakura looked nervous but she allowed Tai to pull her all the way to the room next door. "Did you bring a dress?"
Sakura nodded "It's blue and has these sequins."
Tai pulled a face "Sequins? Can I borrow you a dress?"
"Uh...sure?" she sounded uncertain.
Tai smiled at her "You'll be part of the family; people expect certain things from us. Just for today."
Sakura nodded. Tai walked over to the wardrobe and searched for a dress. She pulled out a knee length red dress and gave it to Sakura "This should fit."
Sakura held the dress over her frame.
"Hurry up!" she said.
Sakura quickly put the dress on.
"Sit on the bed; I'll fix your hair and makeup. I'm kind of good at that."
Sakura smiled "Sure." She could not tell if Tai was being nice or cruel to her. The worst thing that could happen is having Tai purposely do her hair and make-up."
Sakura was quiet, something inside of her screamed telling her to say something funny or intelligent. She had to get Tai to like her.
"Did you go to beauty school or something?"
"Are you already starting to complain?" Tai said.
Sakura shook her head hard "No, that's not it. I just..."
She smiled "Want to fit in with us?"
Sakura muttered "You haven't made it easy for me so I figured I should try harder."
Tai sighed "You have to understand, we care about Syaoran. He's...well he's Syaoran."
"So do I. He's the best thing that has ever happened to me. He makes me smile." Sakura smiled and her eyes lit up "He can be such a goofball but he's kind to me. I don't know what it is about him, you know when he smiles his eyes twinkle and he has this distinct laugh, it's not cocky..." she found that she could just go on and on talking about him.
"Fine I get it." Tai smiled "Do you love him?"
She recalled her mother asking her the same question. "I do, I love him." The words shocked her after they escaped her lips. She suppressed a gasp.
"Oh, that's cool then." She put lipstick on Sakura's lips "I guess you are different after all. I'm not really mean you know. Actually I'm so nice most people find it overbearing."
Sakura smiled "I'm not really pregnant you know."
"So how old are you?"
"21." She said.
"I'm 27." Tai said.
Sakura's eyebrows shot up "You look twelve."
Tai laughed "I get that all the time."
They burst into giggles.
When Syaoran walked into the room and saw the two of them getting along he had a look that showed that he was pleased. "I'm glad to see you two are getting along."
The girls turned around. When his eyes met Sakura, he smirked "Wow, you look beautiful that dress really suits you."
"Does it? Really?" She looked down at it with a smile on her face.
"Thanks Tai." He took Sakura's hand and he kissed her cheek "Let's get going."
"So where's the wedding?"
"At the cathedral a few miles from here."
As they progressed downstairs, Sakura realised how natural this had become. She was used to having him hold her hand and kiss her face. She had memorised his smell, the texture of his hands, and the feel of his arms around her waist. She tried to explain to herself what had happened the night before. She remembered kissing him...she blushed...again.
Her heart started to beat fast and she was now nervous. What was this thing between them? Though she could not recall everything that happened the previous night, it was clear that they had crossed the line.
She could not ask him...not yet. She looked at his face then back ahead.
................
After the church ceremony, they went off to the reception which was held in the garden. Sakura Syaoran sat with some of the family members. She could not stand being there. Syaoran was chatting to the little girls for while before he looked at her.
Tai suddenly sat next to her "So have you started planning you and my brother's wedding."
Sakura looked at Syaoran not sure how to answer this question "Not exactly but I know exactly how I want it to look like."
Tai rested her elbow on the table "Tell me, I love weddings. This is my second time as a maid of honour and I've been a brides maid four times."
"Always a brides maid never the bride huh Tai." Syaoran teased her.
She clenched her teeth "As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted." Tai paused then took Sakura's hand "She's throwing the bouquet, let's go. I'm sure I'll catch it this time."
"But I'm engaged."
"It doesn't matter, just for the fun of it."
Sakura walked towards the crowd of women with Tai on her side. The bride threw the bouquet and without any effort Sakura caught it. All the women were staring at her a little annoyed. She blushed.
"It's unfair, you're already getting married." Tai locked her hand through Sakura's hand. She smiled "You're lucky."
"I guess I am." They started walking.
"Oh, there's Father, did Syaoran introduce you to him?"
Sakura stood still "Uh, he did." She said nervously.
"Come on, let's go talk to him. He'll adore you, you're as cute as a button."
"Uh..." Sakura nervously laughed "I think we should get back to our seats, they'll be making their speeches now."
Tai released Sakura "Okay, I see you later."
She returned to the table, Syaoran laughed when he saw her holding the bouquet "Now that's ironic."
"I know." She sat down.
That evening, after the bride and bridegroom had long opened the dance floor and Syaoran had introduced her to all his family members and friends. He asked her to dance. They progressed to the dance floor. He wrapped his hands around her waist and she around his neck.
"I told you they would warm up to you. They are not as horrible as you thought they were."
She nodded "Yeah, but I'm still trying to avoid crossing paths with your father."
"I don't blame you."
"Last night was crazy." She looked into his eyes. "Did I really puke on you?"
He gave her a firm node, yet smiling at her "One day we'll look back on it and laugh."
"I can't handle my liquor."
"So you wouldn't want to do it again?"
She smiled at him "No, I had fun." They moved a few steps together. She turned her face away "We kissed, didn't we?"
"yeah." he blushed. "We can just forget about it, if you want." He wished he had kept his mouth shut.
She leaned her head on his shoulder "That's a good idea. Besides you and I don't make any sense."
"We don't. You're always making excuses, our backgrounds are completely different...we are completely different."
"And you're arrogant and completely different from me."
Her own words suffocated her. "Besides you don't believe in love remember. We clash. It's insane."
"I was just..." the words escaped him. Then he just kept quiet.
Both of them felt uncomfortable. The song ended. He let her go quickly as she did him. "I'm going to get something to drink, you want anything?"
"No."
The next thing he disappeared into the crowd and she was by herself. She ambled to a table and sat down. She watched the other couples dance under the moonlight. It was indeed a fairy tale wedding. They were fire flies in the atmosphere and tiny golden lights.
Syaoran's statement made her upset and she knew why, she just could not bring herself to confess it. The more time they spent together pretending they meant nothing to each other, the more painful and unbearable it was to be around him. She stood up, maybe she'll just go in the mansion and sleep...but then they might find her antisocial. Regardless she started her way into the house.
On her way upstairs she saw a man standing in the foyer. It was him, Syaoran's father. Sakura took one deep breath and turned away. They she thought "What am I doing. I have to fix this."
She slowly approached him "Sir." She said playing with her fingers.
He looked at her and smiled "Oh, it's you, Syaoran's fiancé." The statement sounded so funny to him he could not help the smile on his face.
"I apologise for last night. That person is not who I am."
He nodded. "We all have our less proud moments."
"I regretted meeting you that way."
"I see my son has told you a lot about me."
Sakura scratched her head "Well, not a lot." She said coyly.
"I know it's my fault he acts the way he does."
Sakura was quiet.
"You said it all last night. I love my son. He doesn't think so."
"Then why don't you tell him." She felt like she ought to be asking herself the same question.
"It's not easy for me. Didn't he tell you, his mother, my first wife passed away giving birth to him. I told her not to have the baby, we knew it was going to kill her but she was stubborn, like him. She insisted that she was going to be okay." He sounded hurt.
"I'm sorry, he didn't tell me that part."
"He's never asked me about it, in fact it was his grandmother who told him how his mother really passed away. You know, he has his mothers feature. The same smile, the same eyes. When I look at him I see her."
Sakura smiled.
"If you are indeed marrying him, it's important you know this about his past. He told me once that he thought he was lucky that he had never met his mother because if he had known her, he would have miserable. But then again he was drunk and it was when we stopped getting along."
Sakura's mouth slightly opened. It was all starting to make sense.
"You shouldn't be telling me this, you should tell him." She told him "Please, you have to tell him."
"I can't."
"Why?" she asked him her tone louder.
"We never talk about it. Listen young lady, this morning Syaoran told me that he loves you more than he loves himself. He doesn't care what happens to him as long as you're happy."
"He said that about me?" she was surprised.
"And I could tell that he meant it." He smiled "He spoke of you so well and told me what actually happened last night. He was so defensive about you. He reminded me of myself when I was in love with his mother. I've never heard him utter those words. It's was the happiest moment of my life. I'm happy he's happy."
Sakura leered "You are not the way he described you."
"I don't have enough time to live. He knows that. What he doesn't know is, I plan to bequeath him the entire estate. It's been planned from the day that he was born."
Sakura's eyes nearly popped out. "Really, he said you don't even want him to have a share in the company."
"I only told him that because I was furious, I didn't think he took me seriously. My father bequeathed this estate as I will to my only child."
Sakura was confused "What about the girls."
"My step-daughters. My wife and I married out of community of property. Our estates are separate. They are all heiresses to their real father's estate."
"I see." She said softly.
"So are you really a farmer's daughter."
Sakura smiled "Yes."
"I grew up on a farm. No wonder you're humble."
"It doesn't mean anything." She said coyly.
"I can tell. Now, I have to return to the wedding." He walked past Sakura "Good luck."
..................
After he left the room, Sakura swallowed hard. It was so much information in a short period of time. She had to find Syaoran and tell him to talk to his father.
It took awhile but she found him by the pond throwing rocks ahead. He had taken off his jacket, his bow tie and had unbuttoned the first buttons of his shirt.
She walked to him and settled next to him "It's a beautiful night."
"Yeah." He reached out his hand and caught a fire fly then he released it.
"I spoke to your father."
"And."
"You kept so many things from me and here I was thinking I knew everything about you."
He kept his eyes fixed on the scenery "So he told you about my mother and that he is dying." There was no hint of emotion from his tone.
"Yes. I'm so sorry." She reached for his hand but he pulled away quickly.
"I don't need your sympathy."
She was quiet then she said "Well, I don't need you acting like a dick around me anymore. I care about you Syaoran, whether you like it or not."
He was still and said nothing.
"Listen to me please." She put her arms around him and forced him into a hug. "You don't have to hide from me."
After awhile, she felt his arms circle around her torso.
"You'll be okay." She told him. It was all he ever wanted to hear.
He could feel her pulse and his heart beat so fast. It felt as though something had been lifted off his shoulders and he had the permission to be happy.
.....................
That morning, he found Sakura already up. She had folded her clothes in a neat pile and her suitcase was open on her side of the bed. He closed his eyes for a second then slowly opened them this time.
"Are you tidying up your things?"
She shook her head "No."
She stopped what she was doing and ambled to his side of the bed. She sat next to him "I can't stay here anymore."
"Why."
"You shouldn't lie to them anymore. Tell them I broke off the engagement like we planned."
He sat up surprised "But, the contract hasn't expired and I need you..."
"You don't need me. You are going to get everything you have ever wanted. You need to spend time with your father before it's too late."
He was silent then he looked into her eyes. She had tears in her eyes. "You're crying."
She shook her head "No, I'm fine."
"At least stay for breakfast." He was practically begging her.
"That would be nice." She said softly. She stood up and returned to packing her bags.
"I better get the cheque book." He got out of bed.
"No, don't do that." She told him her eyes still watery.
"Why, a deal is a deal."
"I don't need it. I'll just have to work my ass like everyone else."
"Are you sure."
She nodded and turned around. They did not really speak from then on. They could not. It was painful. He asked her if she needed him to drive her back. She shook her head "I'll take the bus." As they looked at each other that moment, her heart ached and she thought 'How could I allow myself to fall in love with you? I promised myself I wouldn't'
they went downstairs to the kitchen, Tai called Sakura to sit next to her. "You never showed me your engagement ring." She said happily.
Sakura showed it to her "It's very pretty."
"Thanks."
"There is a circus coming in town? Have you been to circus? Please you must come, it's so much fun. Straight after breakfast."
"I can't."
"Why not."
"Maybe next time okay."
After breakfast, Sakura returned to the bedroom. Syaoran had already called a cab to drop her off at the bus stop.
"Why won't you let me help you?" he asked her when she told him not to accompany her to the bath stop.
"We're supposed to be breaking up. Have you forgotten?"
He shook his head "No."
She walked over to him and hugged him "The cab will be here any minute."
He was silent; he did not want her to go. He wanted to tell her...please Sakura don't go.
"I take it you won't be returning to your job in Tokyo."
He shook his head.
"So this is goodbye." She released him. She ruffled his hair. She took her bags downstairs, with his help. They stood by the door way. The cab was already here.
She started off, and then she was gone.
He watched the taxi take her away, she did not look back. This felt wrong, as soon as the taxi disappeared into the distance her knew that he had just made the biggest mistake of his life. His heart tugged at his throat "This is not how it's supposed to end."
..........................