One in a Million
Chapter 6
The Annual Autumn Ball- Part 1
8/30/06
So here it is finally! Anyways I just wanna thank all of you for ur concern about my surgery and I'm relieved to say that it went well. And also, a big thanks for all of your reviews and encouragement, because without them, I wouldn't be writing. So please don't give up on me now and read and REVIEW! By the way, is anyone a Christina Aguilera fan? I just got her new cd, Back to Basics and omg, I have to say that its one of the greatest albums ever. Holla back if you agree. And I can't wait until the 2006 VMAs. REVIEW PLEASE!
IMPORTANT: for some reason, the break lines arent working so inbetween setting changes, i have up "break" instead. Sorry for the inconvenience.
"break"
"Ow… shit!" exclaimed Sakura as the hot iron brushed past her ear. Even back in high school, she had always despised grooming herself for formal events such as the homecoming dance or prom. Her hair was and still remained, a pesky tangle of waves that she tamed by tying up into a bun. However, the event tonight called for extravagance and Sakura was fully aware that, when done right, her hair could be positively stunning. And a dazzling, ivy green, Dolce and Gabbana dress wouldn't do too much damage either. Especially since it came from her very handsome, very wealthy, boyfriend.
Truth be told Sakura's luck with men could be simply described as a failure. She had her first, second and third boyfriends back in the seventh grade and at the time, had prided herself on being an "early bloomer". Boyfriend number six survived the last three months of eighth grade. However the summer between junior high and high school had worked wonders on her and Sakura emerged as a mature freshman who was devoted to her education. That devotion included after school cheer practice and hours upon hours of intense homework. There was hardly enough time for sleep let alone a boyfriend. Plus, cheer practices were spent listening to the girls bitch and moan about how bad their men were treating them or how he had cheated on them with another girl. Sakura would lend them a shoulder to cry on and promised herself that it would never happen to her. She didn't think she could handle such a heartbreak and the only sure way to avoid one was to not have a boyfriend at all. Sakura kept her vow but in her senior year, she met him. Yukito. He was Touya's friend and they had met during a party which Touya had thrown at their house. It was love at first sight. The time spent with Yukito once again opened her heart and he became her first true love. Three beautiful years ended with her walking in on him and her roommate. Needless to say, all the king's horses and all the king's men, couldn't put her heart back together again. And so now, years after her painful heartbreak, Sakura found herself at the beginning of a beautiful fairytale. Yukito was a thing of the past; a bridge that had been burned. But Syaoran was a bridge that was just being built.
A knock came at the door. He's early, thought Sakura as she set down the iron. It was only 6:00 PM and the ball didn't begin until 8:00. Sakura set down the iron and proceeded to the door. She peered out the peephole.
It was Kaho and another woman she didn't recognize. Both had on dark sunglasses and black coats. Groaning, she opened the door halfway.
"What do you want?" she demanded.
"Do you mind if we come in?" Kaho said.
"Yes I do actually. I told you before. I don't care about him. And I'm in the middle of something so please leave." snapped Sakura. The other woman stepped forward.
"The Autumn Ball?" she inquired.
"Not that it's any of your business, but yes." replied Sakura testily. The woman smiled.
"Ruby. I'm Kaho's sister. " She said, extending Sakura a hand. Sakura didn't budge. Ruby, not a slight bit offended, withdrew her hand and continued.
"I'm going to be your personal bodyguard tonight."
"break"
"Wow nice place you got here. And I love the green dress." commented Ruby as she plopped down on Sakura's bed. Sakura eyed her through the mirror's reflection.
"So where did Kaho go?" asked Sakura remembering the other girls hasty disappearance when her cell phone rang.
"She got an urgent call I guess," said Ruby. Sakura kept her defenses up.
"So how do you plan on getting into the party? I mean it's not like you have an invitation." Sakura said in a sarcastic tone. She was attempting to make the other woman feel uneasy but Ruby was unmoved.
"I'll find a way." She said with a smile. Sakura glanced at Ruby's clothes and continued to run mousse through her curls.
"Looking like that?" she remarked. Once again, Ruby smiled and stood up. She undid the belt around her trench coat and stripped it off to reveal an elegant black halter dress underneath. Then she pulled off her baseball cap and allowed her long thin, fiery red hair to cascade down her back. Sakura could now see the resemblance between Kaho and Ruby. But whereas Kaho's features were more conservative and calm, Ruby's sparkled with spirit and livelihood.
"Mind if I borrow your mousse?" asked Ruby, reaching for the bottle. Sakura bit her lip but handed the other girl her mousse.
"You know, you don't have to come." started Sakura. Ruby smiled and shook her head.
"You're too important to us to be put in any danger. Don't worry. I won't be like, all in your face or anything."
"Yeah I wouldn't mind if you could stay a good few hundred feet away." muttered Sakura. She reached for her eyeshadow and started apply a shade of brown.
"Have you given any thought to whether or not you're going to help us?" asked Ruby as she ran the mouse through her red locks.
"I've already told you. The answer is no. So you babysitting me tonight would be a waste of your time." Sakura stated firmly.
"I'm here for your protection. And…you don't seem like the heartless kind. Don't you care about your father?"
"My father was a jerk. If he was actually around half of the time, I would reconsider."
"But he supported you guys from afar." reasoned Ruby.
"There's more to life than just money. And work." shot Sakura.
"Ha. When you're in this type of job, life is work." Ruby said, laughing.
"How do you stand it? It's like you guys never get to go out or like have fun without the risk of being shot and killed." Sakura said.
"Not necessarily. I actually keep a low profile. Kaho's the one that parties and gets romantically involved with other agents."
Sakura raised an eyebrow. She had expected Ruby to be the party animal.
"Ever date anyone outside your creepy little job?" Sakura asked.
"Nah. Too dangerous. But I know those who have. Its hard though. Like living a double life." Ruby answered, reaching for her purse and pulling out a tube of lip gloss.
"You know", said Ruby between applications, "I never had a father growing up."
"Really?" asked Sakura as she began to apply mascara.
"Yeah. He walked out on our family after I was born. It was just Kaho and I growing up. Our mom was always working at the local diner and never came home until late." explained Ruby, "She died of cancer about seven years ago. My father was a regular alcoholic. He checked himself into rehab and turned his life around. While he was there, he met a woman and after they were both released from the center, they got married and started a new family."
"What! Why didn't he return to you guys?" asked Sakura, now intrigued by the similarities between their lives. Ruby shrugged.
"I guess to him, we were just a bridge that's been burned." said Ruby quietly. Sakura noted her interesting word choice.
"Why are you telling me this anyways?" asked Sakura. She knew Ruby had to have an ulterior motive.
"I'm telling you because despite the fact that my father abandoned us, I still care for him. And despite the fact that your father abandoned you, you should still care for him."
"I knew it!" cried Sakura, "So what is this, some bogus story to try to get me to help you guys?"
"Believe what you want but it's the truth." Ruby said. She resumed her position on the bed and continued, "What my father did was wrong, but he's still my father. Kaho feels as you do about Fujitaka. That's why she was angry at me when I gave my father money a couple years ago to jumpstart his restaurant business."
"You actually helped him? But how could you? He chose alcohol over his own family! Then he left you!"
"Well I didn't want him to screw up his second family either."
"Aren't you the least bit angry? I mean, come on, you're not like Buddha."
"Of course I'm angry!" shot Ruby, "But he's still family."
"Whatever. This is stupid. Syaoran's gonna be here any minute." said Sakura hastily. She hoped Ruby would stop. She didn't.
"You know, my mother loved my father dearly despite his betrayal." Ruby began, "I did what I did because he's family and because…she would have wanted it."
"break"
After Ruby's last statement, the evening was submerged into silence. Sakura hustled, adding the last bits of makeup while Ruby just stared. Neither was in the mood for conversation. At last, a knock came at the door.
"That's him." Sakura announced to Ruby, "Please tell me you're not riding with us."
"Oh God no." replied Ruby quickly, " I have my own car, don't worry. And as you said, I can't get in the conventional way can I?"
"Right."
"'kay you won't even know I'm there." Ruby said, winking at Sakura. Sakura nodded and proceeded to the door as Ruby ducked into the bathroom. Smoothing her dress and nervously fixing her hair, Sakura sighed deeply and pulled the door open.
"Hey Syaoran." She said cheerfully. The man outside smiled back at her, clad formally in a black suit and tie typical of men with a vast amount of money to spend. He handed her a bouquet of assorted flowers which she graciously accepted.
"Good evening Sakura. I see you've found a dress." He remarked. She grinned.
"Well it was all thanks to you." She said.
"And thank God I have good taste. You look amazing."
Sakura shrugged. Then she leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
"I know." she replied with a wide grin, "Now lets get the hell out of here."
"break"
The Royal Palace Hotel was the best hotel and resort in Tokyo and one of the greatest in all of Japan. Known more for its long list of famous clienteles than campus, all staff knew that tonight was one of the biggest nights of the year. There would be almost seven hundred guests alone, not to mention the amount of staff and paparazzi that would add to the head count. This night had taken months to prepare and finally, the fruit of the labor was to be revealed.
They were comfortably cruising to the location in a sleek, black limousine. Syaoran was seated to the left of Sakura and the rest of the vehicle was basked in a quietness that resulted from its few passengers, namely Sakura, Syaoran and the driver. Sakura nervously tugged at her hair.
"What is it?" asked Syaoran as he read the obvious concern on her face. Sakura shrugged.
"I'm just a little nervous."
Syaoran laughed.
" You nervous? Why? You look beautiful."
Sakura smiled at his comment but then the concern resurfaced.
"I don't know. Wouldn't people think its weird that you're dating your secretary?"
That thought played on Syaoran's mind.
"I don't care what they think. I have feelings for you and I'm assuming you have them for me so what's it matter that you're my secretary." He stated finally. Sakura smiled but the butterflies continued to prance. She was known for her strong personality and pride but for some reason the inferiority complex was quite menacing tonight. Tonight, she was being judged against models, heiresses and successful business woman. Deep down, she was afraid that perhaps, she wasn't 'good enough' for him.
"Just relax," Syaoran said, reaching for her hand, "The woman who interviewed for my secretary was fearless."
"Rumors will fly you know." Sakura said. Syaoran smirked.
"You're right. Most business moguls flash around their socialite girlfriends and bang their secretaries in private. Lucky for you, I'm an honest man."
Sakura laughed and playfully punched him. But the butterflies continued to prance.
"break"
Ruby dropped silently onto the bedroom floor of a deluxe honeymoon suite that appeared to have fallen victim to a hurricane. Clothes were strewn everywhere and anywhere and furniture was upturned. The occupants were currently downstairs in the main ballroom and their absence left her the perfect opportunity. A hotel like this wouldn't dare to place cameras in its rooms. And if any were placed in this room, well the security guard would have one hell of a time. Straightening her dress, she made sure her gun was strapped to her leg with a garter. Reaching for her purse, the dug for the compact mirror and flipped it open.
"I'm in." she said before snapping it shut.
"break"
"Syaoran!" a muffled voice echoed through the crowd. Syaoran and Sakura both turned to see who it belonged to. So far, they had greeted a few people who had been polite and to Sakura's relief, did not ask how she and Syaoran met. A tall man with silver spectacles battled his way through the crowd. "Syaoran!" he cried again. This time, Syaoran responded.
"Eriol!" They met midway, shook hands and proceeded to the usual introductions. Sakura stood by patiently.
"And who is this fine young lady?" Eriol inquired at last. She smiled and waited for Syaoran to say something. He didn't waste a second.
"This is my girlfriend, Sakura Kinomoto. Sakura, this is Eriol Hiiragizawa."
"Pleased to meet you Miss Kinomoto." said Eriol as he lightly kissed her hand. Sakura smiled.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Hiiragizawa. And if you will, Sakura." She said.
"Only if you call me Eriol." He said smiling. She nodded.
"So Eriol," began Syaoran, "Are you here alone?" Eriol shook his head.
"No my date is fixing up in the restroom." He explained.
"And she's done." came a voice. The trio turned and saw an elegant woman dressed in a champagne gown walk towards them. She had long violet tresses that flowed down her back and an elegant diamond necklace that graced her neck. She smiled at them with a set of pearly whites. Sakura felt her body freeze. It couldn't be…her! she shuddered at the memories that quickly surfaced. Eriol greeted the woman with a hug and kiss.
"Syaoran, Miss Kinomoto, allow me to introduce to you my fiancé, Tomoyo Daidouji."
Sakura became even stiffer. It was.
"break"
Ruby watched Sakura from afar, making sure that the brunette was safe. She appeared to be. Ruby smiled at how easily she had gotten in. There were so many guests that security had difficulty with their job, which of course made hers much more manageable. Grabbing a champagne glass from a tray, Ruby inched her way closer having no idea of the excitement this night would bring.
"break"
"Nice to meet you Miss Daidouji." Syaoran said, extending a hand. Tomoyo took it and replied, "It is indeed a pleasure Mr. Li. Eriol has told me so much about you."
Syaoran turned to Sakura and was about to introduce her but Tomoyo interrupted.
"My, my, look who it is! Sakura Kinomoto." Tomoyo had an amused look on her face. Sakura faked a smile.
"Tomoyo. Its nice to see you again." Sakura managed. She hated how Tomoyo sounded so sweet and innocent. Eriol and Syaoran exchanged glances.
"You two know each other?" asked Eriol. Tomoyo nodded.
"Sakura and I were friends since elementary. But I guess we lost touch after high school."
"Wow. Then you must have a lot in common." remarked Syaoran, glad that Sakura knew someone in the room.
"Actually we don't." Sakura stated. Syaoran raised an eyebrow at her and she gave his hand a little squeeze.
"Oh Sakura, don't be silly! We have tons in common!" exclaimed Tomoyo. "And you look gorgeous by the way. I remember you being so scrawny in high school. Coach was always telling you to eat a little more although now, you might have over done it… just a tad."
"Thanks. I think your new nose is quite gorgeous as well." simpered Sakura in the same sweet and innocent tone. Tomoyo's eyes narrowed and her jaw dropped slightly. Eriol took advantage of the moment.
"OK! Uhm Tomoyo I think its time we welcome our guests. Syaoran, Sakura, we'll see you guys later." Eriol said as he and Tomoyo walked briskly away.
"What the hell was that?" Syaoran asked as soon as they were gone. Sakura stared after Tomoyo, a disgusted look on her face.
"Nothing. Just some girl talk." she replied.
"I thought you guys were friends."
"We were but a lot of shit happened in high school. She was my best friend up until sophomore year when I became head cheerleader. I guess she was just jealous. WE started hanging out with different crowds and she transformed into a total bitch. Apparently, nothing has changed." explained Sakura. Syaoran laughed.
"High school was years ago. Let it go!" he said.
"I will once she does." said Sakura simply. "At least we can make a point of avoiding her."
"You're being immature. And you're forgetting that Eriol's my best friend." said Syaoran. Sakura shrugged.
"I am very mature. So we'll talk to Eriol but he's got like, seven hundred other friends to attend to." Sakura said pointedly. Syaoran laughed at her simplicity.
"No I mean, we're sitting at his table for dinner." he said grinning.
"break"
Ruby chugged the last of her champagne and set the glass down on a nearby table. A few feet away, a waiter just stumbled over a man's foot, his tray of champagne stumbling with him and spraying Ruby with a golden shower.
"Oh my gosh Miss! I'm terribly sorry! Are you alright?" the waiter frantically asked. As he came closer she saw that he couldn't have been a day over eighteen and it was obvious that he was new to this job. Smiling she responded politely.
"Don't worry about it. I'm fine. But could you be so kind and direct me to the nearest restroom?" She said. He looked relieved that she was alright and told her where the ladies room was before scurrying to clean up the mess he had just created.
"break"
Thank god my dress is black she thought while looking into the mirror. She grabbed some paper towels and began to dab at the yellow liquid. Most of it had ended up on her dress and not her hair. Drying off her legs, she tossed the paper towel into the trash bin. That was when she noticed the stillness. Ruby narrowed her eyes. Something was amiss. Reaching for her compact mirror, she opened it and slipped it into her garter. She slid the gun from its place. Inching slowly towards the door, the gun poised, she opened it expecting someone to jump out at her. No one did. She let the door shut behind her. The hallway seemed clear. Then her eyes darted upward. All of a sudden, a figure in black dropped from the ceiling. Ruby fired at him as he dropped and the bullet lodged into his leg. He was at least twice her size and roughly shoved her into the bathroom. He wrestled the gun away from him so that Ruby couldn't use it. She kneed his groin only to realize that underneath the black attire was what appeared to be, some sort of armor. She winced in pain. Now he had firmly pressed her against the tile wall with his body, her arms held above her head by his left hand. The last thing she remembered was seeing a needle in his right hand and feeling it puncture the skin on her neck. Then, her vision blurred and a darkness enveloped her in a veil of night.
"Break"
This is my last update before school starts tomorrow. I hope you guys liked it! Part two will be up maybe in the next month or so depending on how much homework I have. Please read and review! Even if you hate it! And if you have any questions, comments, complaints, visit my authors page to contact me. Or you could just review! See you guys then. Love always, Joocie Fruit.