CHAPTER 2: the maid

Among the people who Fujitaka borrowed money from, there were only two people who are left that he has to pay. Fujitaka borrowed money to Ichiro, the man who wanted to sue him for not paying for almost 2 months. Fujitaka pay Ichiro 10,000 yen every month to pay off his 480,000 Yen debt.

"Otou-san, what are we going to do? Summing up all our salaries we can't reach 20,000 yen by the end of the month which is in three weeks by the way." Sakura said.

Fujitaka rested his head in his palms as he released a deep long sigh. "I don't know what else I can do Sakura." He replied, desperateness was clear in his voice. "I was too irresponsible for not remembering my debt on him when I was too excited to finish paying up my debt to Aomori." He continued.

Touya stood up from his seat. "Don't worry dad, we'll double our jobs. We'll make this through." He declared.

Fujitaka smiled weakly. "It's a shame of me having you, my children, work hard for my debts, while you Touya should be having a family right now."

"Don't worry dad, I know Kaho can wait." Touya replied. "I will find another job dad, don't worry." Sakura said as she hugged her father.

NEXT MORNING

The next morning, Syaoran's busy having his dress rehearsal at his house. His place was a total mess since he has no time to clean them all up.

The doorbell rang which made Syaoran pissed. He walked to the intercom, pushing the button, he said in an annoyed tone, "Who's there?"

Takashi smirked hearing his voice. "Yo, Syaoran, open up, it's me Takashi." He said.

Syaoran rolled his eyes as he pushed another button to automatically open the locks of the door which is downstairs. Takashi went in when he heard the automayic lock clicked open. When he came in the house, his face turned in disgust as he saw the mess inside the two-story house. "Syaoran, did a hurricane just visit your place?" He said out loud.

Syaoran frowned hearing Takashi's comment as Takashi went inside his room. He walked out from his walk in closet, only to find Takashi scooping one of his green shirts.

"As you can see and know, I am a busy man, that's why I have no time cleaning my mess up." He said. Takashi raised a brow with his two hands on his waist. "There are people called maids you know." He said. "I have no time finding one." Syaoran replied back. Takashi smiled and leaned on the wall. "Well if you have no time, how about I find you one?" He suggested when Syaoran was about to get back to his closet.

He halted and looked back at Takashi. "Okay, you do that. But be sure she's not stupid or does anything with my stuffs but to clean them up." He said. "Yeh, yeh, I will." Takashi replied.

"Why are you here anyway?" Syaoran asked as he went through his polo sections. Takashi stood up straight from leaning and answered, "I have nothing to do so I came here. In short, I'm bored."

Syaoran smirked walking back to him. "Well Taks, this is not the place for you to hang. Why won't you invite your little friend? What was her name again? Oh yeh, Chiharu. Then ask her for lunch, go on movies or whatever you usually do with women." He said as he placed his arm around Takashi's neck leading him out of his room.

"That'll be a good idea!" Takashi smiled brightly. "Yes it is." Syaoran said as he surely led Takashi outside his room and as he holding the door knob. "So get lost!" He said as he slammed the door shut.

Takashi frowned at the close door. "Kill joy." He said as he turned back smiling thinking about Chiharu.

LATER, AT THE MALL WITH CHIHARU

Takashi and Chiharu just finished eating their lunch when they saw a busy Sakura walking to them. "Isn't that your friend?" Takashi said pointing, when he saw Sakura. Chiharu looked at where Takashi was pointing and realized that it was Sakura.

"Sakura!" Chiharu called. Sakura didn't hear her for the first time because she was preoccupied on reading the news paper about Job Opportunities. "Sakura!" This time Chiharu called louder. Sakura snapped out from her senses and saw Chiharu waving at her.

She smiled seeing one of her friends. "Chiharu, what you are doing here?" She asked when they came near her. Chiharu grinned as her eyes pointed at Takashi. "O-oh! I see." Sakura said, realizing that Chiharu was not alone.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Chiharu asked. Sakura sighed, "Finding another job." She answered simply. "Again?!" Chiharu exclaimed. Sakura rolled her eyes from Chiharu's initial reaction. "Yes. Mr. Ichiro came to our house last night demanding for dad's payment for his payment. If we don't make money by the end of this month, which is 20,000 yen by the way; he will sue my dad." She said sadly.

Chiharu looked at her friend apologetically. "I wish I can help you 'Kura." She said. "Well—" Sakura began, but was cut off when Takashi said, "I can help you." Sakura's brows rose. "You can?" She said. "Yeh, you can?" Chiharu echoed.

Takashi grinned. "Yes. Actually my friend's finding a maid. He's a busy man you know so he can't take care of his place. I know he'll pay you like what you needed." He explained. "Are you sure about that?" Sakura asked, hope went across her eyes. "Yes, in fact, I will call him right now, and I will have you come over to his house later this afternoon. Sounds good?" He replied.

What Takashi said made Sakura very happy that she didn't stopped herself from hugging him. "Oh my God, thank you so much! Please contact me as soon as you confirmed him. Okay? Thank you so much Yamazaki." She said bowing her head to him.

"Oh please, call me Takashi. I don't like Chiharu's friends calling me my last name." He said.

SYAORAN:

Syaoran was so prepared for tonight. He planned everything perfectly. The only thing that's keeping him anxious is what will Kaori reply to his proposal. He knows she will agree. He just knows it.

Finally deciding what he will wear, his phone rang. Picking it up he said, "What is it now Takashi."

"You're still cranky Syao. Well anyways, listen, I found a maid for you and she's perfect for it." Takashi said as he led Chiharu to the car. "Really? So what now?" Syaoran replied in a bored tone. "What now? I will send her right now to your place. Don't worry whatever you're planning for later won't ruin this little meet-the-new-maid thingy." He said as he started.

Syaoran sighed. "Fine, let her come here in 30 minutes. I have so many things to do." He said. "A'ryt Syaoran," Takashi replied as he hung up the phone. He turned to see Chiharu looking at him curiously.

"Who, may I ask you, is Sakura's working for?" She asked when she heard the 'Syaoran' name in the conversation. Takashi grinned. "THE Li Syaoran."

SAKURA

Sakura ran down to the street of beautiful houses to meet her new employer. She was panting hard when she reached the said address. Supporting her weight from the wall she cursed Takashi for telling her that the house was 25 minutes away from her house and she has only 2 minutes more to ring the bell of the said house.

Syaoran finished brushing his teeth when the doorbell rang. Expecting that it was the maid, he walked down the stairs only wearing his shorts and opened the door.

Sakura fixed herself so that she wouldn't look like some kind of freak in front of her employer. When the door finally opened, she turned to see her new boss when her eyes widened seeing who he is.

"You?" They both said together. Sakura's mouth started to open to talk more when she noticed that Syaoran's half naked. Turning crimson red, she instantly turned her back against him. "Could you at least wear a shirt SIR?" she said, emphasizing the last part.

Syaoran smirked. "Like what you see?" he said as he stepped aside for Sakura to come in, who still have her back against him. Sakura started to rebuttal but find no words to say it. She just turned slowly without looking at Syaoran and stepped inside the house.

Syaoran closed the door and went up stairs. "I'll be right back, since you don't like seeing men half naked. Please sit down" He said. Sakura blushed even more as she sat down. Images of what she saw came to her mind. She saw how well built his body was and how tan he is. This is the first time he saw a celebrity face to face and to top it off, she'll be working for him!

Moments later, Syaoran came back, this time with white shirt on. Sitting in front of Sakura he crossed his legs looking at her with bored expression on his face. Sakura feeling conscious shifted on her seat.

"So, you're going to work here." Syaoran started. Sakura nodded softly as her reply. "Working here means you have to only clean and organize my stuffs without using them. Understand? When there's a call and I'm not around the house always tell me who it was when I get back. My closet is organized and categorized, you will see it later when you wash, clean and iron my clothes. I want you to wake up every 6 am in the morning to cook my breakfast as I work out. Don't worry about dinner, I don't usually eat here. I want every corner of my house is cleaned and with no dusts. If one of my stuffs is broken or misplaced I will take it from your salary." He said straight without even changing his bored expression.

Sakura's eyes wondered around the big house and wondered how the hell is she going to clean this big place if he want EVERY corner to be cleaned when he, himself caused all the mess. "And about the salary?" Sakura inquire.

"About the salary I will give you 10,000 yen every fifteen days." He said, not moving his eyes away from Sakura. Sakura's nose wrinkled. "I want it 20,000 yen." She said. Syaoran's brow rose. "And why is that?" he said.

"Well as you can see Mr. Li, your house is too big and I'm the only one cleaning it. It's a lot of work for me to grant your every demand if that's the only salary." She said making a point. Syaoran rolled his eyes. "Okay, deal. You start tomorrow. You will be staying here so bring your stuffs over and I will show you your room tomorrow. Take the key from the hook that is by the door so you can come in early tomorrow without you disturbing me." He said as he stood up and walked towards the stairs.

Sakura disagreed about his order. Syaoran turned back to look at her and said, "I'm your boss now. You listen to me." He said as he continued to climb up the stairs.

Sakura pouted and threw herself to the sofa. "Brat." She murmured.

AT THE LA MER RESATURANT

That night Syaoran instructed the manager that when Kaori arrives, everyone will leave and the slow music will start. He also instructed the manager to put the ring on the cake which will be eaten after the main course.

It was one of the finest restaurants in Tokyo that has an Italian-touch of structure.

After twenty minutes of waiting, Kaori finally arrived. Wearing her stylish black and white striped pattern dress that has a deep v-neck, a halter top, a bead embellished empire waist and a loose flowing skirt that is uneven in style. The people saw her came in and they started to stand up and leave.

Kaori was baffled on why the people started leaving when she started to walk towards Syaoran. "Why are all the people leaving?" She whispered to Syaoran. Syaoran just grinned at her. "I don't know." He replied as he pulled a chair for Kaori to sit.

Kaori raised a brow as she sat on the chair. "So, let's eat." Syaoran said waving his hand to the waiter.

After eating the main course, Syaoran went to the bathroom to prepare his self for popping the question. Facing the mirror he ran his hands through his already messy hair.

"I know it's all of sudden, but I loved you since we were kids and—" he stopped rethinking what he will say. "Kaori, will you marry me— No. that's too corny" He said to himself. "I will grab the stars for you just to hear you say yes— more fucking weird." He said. He sighed again and fixed his clothes.

"Whatever. Here goes," he said as he walked back to their table. He found that Kaori was already eating the cake with the ring in it. He sat back to his seat and watched Kaori eat. Kaori looked at him. "Aren't you going to eat?" she asked as she forked another piece of the cake.

Syaoran shook his head as he grew anxious seeing that she's almost at the middle of the cake. "Kao—" he began but was cut off when Kaori got something inside her mouth. Syaoran smiled as he watched Kaori who's puzzled on what the hell was in her cake.

When she finally realized that it was a ring, she looked at Syaoran with a confused expression. "What's this Xiao Lang?" She asked. "It's a ring." He answered simply. "And?" She urged him to continue. "That's the symbol of asking you to marry me." Syaoran said.

This made Kaori's eyes widened. She didn't know what to answer, because first of all there was no romance between of them but pure friendship— on her part. He was her best friend but she didn't see more to that. Kaori smiled sadly and reached for Syaoran's hand.

Syaoran seeing this gesture made him think that she's going to say yes. Everything went upside down when Kaori placed the ring in to his hands. "I'm sorry," she whispered. Syaoran's eyes went to the ring then to Kaori's eyes. "I can't, please understand." She said as she stood up and left.

Syaoran was left at the restaurant sitting by himself, feeling such a fool for believing that she will say yes.

SAKURA

Sakura packed her things in her bedroom when she told her father about her new job. Her dad was a bit reluctant about Sakura's decision but he knows that his daughter is thinking straight and have decided about it.

Touya walked to Sakura's bedroom when he noticed that her door was open. He halted when he saw his sister was packing her things and was confused why she's doing such a thing.

Sakura looked up when she realized that someone's at her door. She smiled when she saw Touya and continued packing her pink pajamas.

"And why, may I ask that you're packing?" He said, urging her to answer him. Sakura sighed and stood straight to look at her big brother. "I have a new job." She answered. His brow rose and said, "And what job is that, that requires you to move out from the house?"

"I will work as a maid 'nii-san." She answered again as she packed her beauty needs. "You're working for whom? Tell me and I'll ask them to let you to stay here. You are not going to stay out of this house 'Kura." He said in his over-protective-brother mode.

Sakura chuckled. "Touya, I'm 21 years old. I can handle myself okay? And I'm going to work for Syaoran Li." She said. Touya's eyes bulged out. "YOU WHAT??"

SYAORAN

Syaoran went home drunk. He looked around his apartment and went to the kitchen getting a glass of water. He drank the glass in seconds and slammed the glass down. He reached for his pocket and looked at the ring with anger. He threw it in the trash can and went straight to bed.

NEXT DAY

Sakura went inside Syaoran's house with her suitcase. It was a lot of convincing Touya about letting her go last night. It's a good thing his dad helped.

She looked around the messy house and glanced that it's quarter to 6. She sighed in relief when she got in early. She then pulled her hair in a bun and started to the kitchen.

She cooked bacons and eggs; she made sure that the rice cooker is already on so she prepared the table for Syaoran to eat. At 6:05am Syaoran went down the stairs holding his throbbing head. He groaned as he sat at the chair. "Good morning," Sakura greeted as she set the eggs and bacons in front of him.

Syaoran was baffled for a while when he saw Sakura in his house. 'Oh yeh, I hired her.' He thought. "It looks like that you, Mr. Li, is having a hang over?" She said as she went towards the thermostat to get hot water to make a hot coffee. Syaoran just groaned as his reply.

Sakura chuckled. She made Syaoran black coffee and placed it at the table. Syaoran looked at the coffee then at Sakura, as if asking her mentally what is the coffee for.

"That's for your hang over, and here's an aspirin. It'll help." She said as she continued cleaning the house. Syaoran just ate what she cooked and came to halt when she heard her exclaimed, "Hoe!"

Syaoran snapped to look at her and saw her holding something from the trash can. "This ring is worth a Yen! Oh my god, why did you threw this?" Sakura said as she studied the ring.

Syaoran stood from his seat, went straight towards Sakura and grabbed the ring. Sakura didn't have time to react as Syaoran opened the door to the garden and threw it outside. "Why did you do that for?" Sakura asked fuming from his silly actions.

"It's none of your business!" He said in a loud and deep voice. "Brat!" Sakura said aloud. Syaoran just ignored her and went straight to his room. Sakura breathed out in frustration and looked at the huge garden. How will she find that ring in the huge garden?

AT SYAORAN'S ROOM

Syaoran looked outside his window when he saw Sakura bending and searching for the ring. He smirked seeing how childish she was. His mood lighten when he saw her pout and scratch her head; it made him (a genuine) chuckle.

It might be fun bullying her, since she thinks like a child and will probably get pissed off easily. He smirked and opened his window. "Oi! Sakura, you better end that, I'm not paying you for that!" He yelled.

Sakura looked at him with a frown on her face. "Hmpf!" She said as she marched back inside the house.

Syaoran sniggered and pulled back his self inside the room. The phone rang and he went to pick it up. "Li here," He answered. "Syaoran," Ayame said from the other line. "What is it now?" He asked in a bored tone. "Your movie was a success!" She said in an excited tone. "Really?" Syaoran replied, a bit interested about the information.

"Yes and to celebrate the success, the company decided to hold a party tomorrow night. Get a date; it'll be at 7pm at Garden Oasis. Ja ne." She said and hangs up. Syaoran sighed and placed down the phone. He can't take Kaori since what happened last night. And then an image of Sakura crossed his mind. He smirked and got out from the bed.

Sakura was cursing a lot of things about Syaoran as she told particularly nothing. "What a total air head. He's just lucky that he's rich and can buy and pay everything that's placed in front of him while others can't even afford paying their debts. What a total bastard. I hope as he sleeps he will get bigger and bigger until he blast!" She said as she poured her frustration to the table that she's dusting.

"And if I blast there's got to be no one giving you your pay." Syaoran suddenly said. Sakura stiffened hearing his voice. She was panicky and embarrassed but she didn't let it show. "So?" She bit back.

"Feisty," he replied as he reached at the bottom of the stairs with his elbow on the stair's railing as his cheek rested on his palms. "What do you want Mr. Li?" Sakura asked in a polite/sarcastic manner.

Syaoran half closed his eyes as he looked at the growing impatient face of Sakura. A vein popped on Sakura's temple seeing his oh-so annoying face trying to make her be annoyed more. "If you don't need nothing sir, I will go back to my work." She said, trying to be calm and continued dusting the figurines.

Syaoran smirked and walked towards the sofa with his feet on the coffee table. This made Sakura look at him with an I-just-dusted-that-table glare. Syaoran smiled to his self. "What are you going to do tomorrow?" He asked, resting his arms behind the back of his head.

Sakura looked at him questioningly. "Nothing," she said. Syaoran clapped his hands once and said, "Great, you're coming with me tomorrow night." Sakura's brow raised and she turned to look at him with one hand at her hips.

"What makes you think I'll go with you?" She said. "Because I'm your boss, and you're going to do what I ask you to do." He said looking straight back at her. Sakura's jaw tightened. Oh if she can only hit his head, then maybe all the air that is stuck to his head will fuse and he'll be not that asshole anymore.

She turned her head back to the figurines and replied, "Fine, I'll ask Tomoyo to help me." Syaoran smirked, feeling victory from the short argument.

Sakura sighed and rolled her eyes. She doesn't know what she has gotten herself into. And this is still not the beginning of her so-called suffering while living with the famous Li Syaoran.

After posting the 1st chapter
i posted the second one on the same day.
God!
I must be that bored.
hehe.

Well,
the story will really start after this chapter.
so please Read And Review. :))

With lurve,

Slumberdoll