Disclaimer: I don't own CCS, Clamp does. But I do own this story.
Pairings: Syaoran x Sakura, Eriol x Tomoyo
It's been two years since my last update?!
It is official. I am a disgraceful author. Enough said.
Chapter Four
"Conspire"
"Go out with me."
Syaoran almost choked into his drink.
"Come again?" he asked, caught off guard.
Seeing the look on his face, Sakura immediately raised her palms in defense. "I…I don't mean it that way. I mean, will you go out with me as a friend?"
After a moment of consideration, with his brows raised and in a teasing tone, "Exactly in what way did you think I was thinking of?"
Sakura blushed scarlet at his statement and was fidgeting on her seat.
Syaoran laughed.
"I was teasing. I know what you mean," he said with a grin.
After a moment's silence, he still didn't give her an answer.
"So…uhm…what do you think?"
She had embarrassed herself to no end tonight and she might as well see her plan through while she's at it.
"Sorry," he finally said. "I can't."
Sakura would be lying to herself if she didn't consider the possibility of her request being denied. Regardless, it still tore at her for being rejected.
"I'm pretty much busy 24/7 besides the occasional times, such as this, when I just have to escape work to get a load off. And when I do have time to go out, they're pretty much reserved for my friends whom I hardly get to see as it is."
With a fake smile plastered on her face, Sakura nodded in understanding.
"I had fun getting to know you tonight though. You're a really…interesting person Sakura," he confessed sincerely as he stood up. "Your time would be best spent with your own close friends and guys who deserve it. Don't waste it by spending even more time with your boss," he said with a joking laugh. "Besides, I bet guys are just lining up to get a chance to go out with you," he pointed out, looking at her closely. "Unless they're blind," he added.
"Are you blind?" she blurted out, yet again, without thinking. She didn't know why but she seem to always be out of her rational train of thought whenever she's talking to him.
With a grin playing about his lips, he gave a little shrug of his broad shoulders.
"Maybe."
Sakura smiled at him and stood up as well. "Good night Mr. Li."
"I'll see you Monday," he said with a small nod of his head as he walked back towards the park entrance across Li Corp.
"I suppose it was worth a try," Sakura said in a depressed tone.
Tomoyo looked at her with a sad look on her face. "He really is blind then. And a jerk too!"
Sakura's head shot up from the table. "He's a really great guy. I should even be glad he was being all honest with me in the first place. It's better than being led on to believe the impossible after all."
"Yes, but…the least he could have done is give you a chance. Right?" she said in her best friend's defense.
"I can't blame him though. I am just his secretary after all," she reasoned realistically. "I really am way out of his league."
"Oh Sakura, don't be so hard on yourself. More chances will come. It's still early, don't give up yet. You'll never know, you might get another chance. Just make sure to completely woo him next time."
Sakura looked up at her and smiled a little before looking down the street with a blissful look on her face. They were currently having brunch outside one of the restaurants just a block down from their condo and the streets were busy for a Saturday.
"He really is a great guy though," she said, making Tomoyo look at her knowingly.
"Great enough for you to fall in love with him this fast?"
That sent a jolt into Sakura's being. In love? She wasn't in love with him.
"You look like you're starting to fall in love with him already," Tomoyo pointed out.
"I'm just… Amazed. He's just really admirable, that's all. It's really hard to not like him."
"Sakura?" Syaoran said into the phone while signing a few papers quickly.
"What can I do for you sir?"
"Come here," he said in a no nonsense tone and a few seconds later, she appeared inside his office. He looked up and started stacking more papers. "I want you to have these photocopied and fax it over to Paris. And tell Fuutie to distribute copies of it pronto to the heads of departments there."
"Fuutie?" Sakura echoed while jotting down everything he had just said.
"My sister. She's the CEO of Li Corp. in Paris. She knows what to do but tell her just in case she decides to leave these for later. This is quite important," he explained as he was putting on his blazer and checking his watch at the same time. "I have an important business meeting in a few minutes. I'll be leaving you with Paris for the rest of the day and whatever affairs Fuutie has. Take a note of them and tell me anything important later. And tell Fuutie to not contact me within the next few hours. She tends to force calls even if I'm in important meetings."
"Hi, this is Ms. Kinomoto from Li Corp. Tokyo, I'll be faxing over some files directly from Mr. Li's office," Sakura informed.
"One moment please."
Sakura tapped her fingers lightly on her desk and hummed a tune. Almost a month working as Syaoran's secretary and things has certainly been better. She was getting the hang of her duties and things were already starting to die down. At least, she thinks so. Her workload's much better now compared to when she first began.
"Hello?"
Sakura jumped at the new voice who had spoken Japanese. "Uhm… Hello?" she responded unsurely back in Japanese.
"Is this Ms. Kinomoto? Xiao Lang's secretary?" the new, much younger, and much playful voice asked.
"Yes, may I ask who this is please?" Sakura asked unsurely.
"Ms. Kinomoto, this is Li Fuutie, Xiao Lang's sister," at the mention of her name, Sakura immediately sat straight up.
"Oh! Good afternoon Ms. Li."
"Tell me, what were my brother's instructions to you before you made this call?"
Sakura looked at the receiver before telling her everything Syaoran had told her. When she finished, however, she started giggling.
"Well, Ms. Kinomoto, before I hand you back over to one of my secretaries for that fax, I have a favor."
"What kind of favor?" Sakura said before readying her pen and notebook for any important instructions.
"There's a party held for him, my sisters and I next weekend. I'll be flying to Tokyo as will my sisters next Friday, just in time for the two day event. This is supposed to be a surprise kind of thing but my sisters and I have found out about it early and decided to pitch in and help with preparations. Xiao Lang still hasn't got a clue though, so he's the only one left in the dark."
"Yes, what would you have me do exactly?"
"Well, you just have to get him to the venue without him knowing it. Can you do that?"
Sakura responded with an unsure sound before she said "I'll try."
"Good, and make sure he doesn't get suspicious. Okay? If he does, he might end up not coming, he really doesn't like gatherings like these. He thinks parties in our honor are wholly unnecessary. But this is quite important for us because he hardly has the time to see us for too long because of work, not to mention, this party is held by Li Corp.'s friends and business partners especially for us."
"I understand, so where exactly is the venue and what are the things needed done on Syaoran's part?"
"I'll have my secretary e-mail you all the details. Not much really. Just get him there dressed appropriately. It's a black-tie event, masquerade. You have to dress up too."
"I have to dress up too?" Sakura echoed incredulously.
"Yes, I think it would be most appropriate if you came to the party with Syaoran. He'd appreciate it too I think. You can double as his date whilst doing secretarial duties. I heard you're quite the linguist. That'll be good since the event is going to be full of people from all of Li Corp.'s branches."
"Yes, but I-"
"Excellent! As for Sunday, the events won't last long, maybe just well after lunch. Pack up something casual for that day. It's just going to be a series of games at the same venue."
"But, Ms. Li, I-"
"That's pretty much it. I have to go. If you have any inquiries, please feel free to speak to any of my secretaries. They can answer your questions. And remember, not a word to Syaoran!"
"Nice," Tomoyo commented with an amused look on her face as she read through the sheet of paper Sakura had shown her containing details of the two day event this weekend. "I suppose this does explain the mad dash to find something wearable," she added with a giggle at Sakura who was looking quite frantic in front of the changing room mirror, still with a rack full of dresses she has to try on.
"This is getting ridiculous!" she said hopelessly, throwing her arms in the air and sitting down on the cushioned stool in the cubicle. She gave a rather pained look at the mustard yellow dress she was currently wearing. It looked simply hideous, which was how most of the dresses she had just tried out looked on her. "I can't go to that event Tomoyo."
"First of all, I think you look very pretty. It's definitely not your color but you still look good in it, which is saying something. You just need the right dress, that's all. And you are definitely coming to this event!"
"Can't you come with me though?" Sakura pleaded hopefully.
"I can't, even Eri's invited to some kind of party this weekend too but I said no. My mother's visiting from England and I haven't seen her in ages," she explained whilst still looking through the rack of dresses.
Sakura sighed hopelessly at this. "Then I'm not going."
Tomoyo turned with her hands on her hips. "Now now, Sakura. This is your chance! This is a blessing, a miracle even! You get to dress up and look your best and be with Syaoran all night. This might be the only chance you'll get to be this close to him while looking so mouthwateringly good. Don't pass it up. That is, unless you already plan on giving up on getting him to marry you?"
Sakura looked at her best friend and smiled a little. "You're right. I have to get my head in the game!" She stood up to look in the mirror again. "I won't get any mouths to water in this dress though. I look like an oversized and deceased marigold flower!"
"A cute, oversized and deceased marigold flower," Tomoyo corrected, making Sakura laugh. "We need to head to another store then."
She breathed in deeply and fidgeted once again on her seat.
"Are you okay, miss?" The much older man beside her inquired with concern in his voice.
Sakura gave him a reassuring nod before fidgeting once again. "Just nervous."
He looked at her and smiled before shifting the gear to park right in front of a high skyscraper.
With one last deep breath, she nodded at herself before taking out her cell and dialing a number.
"This is Li."
Sakura shivered slightly at the sound of her boss' voice. "Mr. Li, I have been informed that your limo had just arrived outside of Li Corp."
"Very well, I'll be out in ten minutes. Tell me again why I have to take a limo to this business meeting? And I still don't understand why it's so formal."
"Err… It's this French business tycoon. It's just his way of things. He likes the formality," she explained rather lamely.
Sakura could hear Syaoran snort at the other end of the call before speaking again.
"We better get a good deal out of this. I don't even know this person and already we're going all out for this meeting."
With a short- and forced –giggle, Sakura looked over at the driver beside her who was simply staring at her with brows raised.
"Yes, well, I heard quite a few things of his reputation from people over at Li Corp. in France. This should all be well worth it."
"Right, I hope so. I'll be heading there now. Did you message all the details to the driver?"
"Yes sir."
"Alright, just be on standby for instruction if there's any Ms. Kinomoto. You have a good weekend."
"I will, sir, thank-" Sakura stopped short as he spotted Syaoran exit the building's spinning doorway entrance. She could feel her mouth start to water as he watched his progress down the set of stairs towards the limo she was currently riding in. He was drop dead handsome in a jet black suit that fitted him perfectly. The thin black tie, black leather shoes, and the single white rose bud on his breast pocket only made him look better than he already did. Not to mention his slightly ruffled hair- which was left only a little messier than usual –only added to his charm.
"Hello?" came Syaoran's voice unsurely.
"Errr… Thank you, sir. Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything. Good bye!" she said hastily before hanging up and watching him draw nearer.
Sakura looked over at the driver and gestured for him to raise the black divider between the front seats and the back.
The driver looked at her curiously before doing as she asked.
In less than a minute, Sakura heard the car door at the back of the limo open, then close. And in no time at all, the phone that was resting between her and the driver, started ringing. The driver pressed a button and Syaoran's voice rang in a low volume in the compartment.
"This is Li, my secretary Sakura Kinomoto, informed me that she gave you details of the location?"
The driver looked at Sakura for a second and Sakura merely nodded and placed a finger in front of her lips, indicating that he not tell Syaoran she was even there.
"Yes sir, it's all taken care of. We'll be there in an estimated time of 30 minutes, depending on traffic."
"Okay, please inform me when we're nearly there."
"Very well, sir."
When the call hung up, Sakura visibly sagged on her seat and exhaled rather loudly.
"May I ask?" the driver said with a curious smile playing around his lips.
"It's a long story," Sakura replied.
Syaoran relaxed in his seat and looked out of the car window, watching the street lights move past him in succession. It has been one heck of a week. He doesn't mind working day in and day out, he's used to it and he even enjoyed it. But he did, however, want a break or two in between.
This week in particular had been very hectic. He's just grateful that all of his secretaries have gone and helped him deal with it all, especially Sakura. Considering she hasn't been long under his personal employ, he had expected to have her under constant watch for any mistakes and such but the need wasn't necessary which, of course, he is grateful for. It's one more load off for him to not have to watch out for any mistakes where she and the company in France is concerned.
Syaoran hadn't noticed he'd been staring off into space until the phone inside the limo rang to life.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Li, we will be arriving at the destination shortly."
"Thank you," he replied curtly before sitting up and looking more attentively outside the window.
Syaoran watched as the car eventually entered a long drive way, and he could see a large patch of bright lights at the end of the road. He squint his eyes and he could see a number of limos and cars that were lined up where people were stepping down towards the entrance.
Brows furrowed, he looked questioningly around as they got nearer. The guests were as finely dressed as he was. They were wearing masks. Confused, Syaoran pulled out his cell and called a number on his speed dial list.
Sakura looked at the people getting off the cars in awe. They were dressed so fancy it all seemed intimidating to her. Sure, she's been to plenty of formal parties, but this one still seemed to be out of league to the ones she's been to. Before her nerves got the best of her, she looked down onto her lap as her cell started to vibrate. She had set it silent before Syaoran ever came into the limo.
She looked down at Syaoran's name on the screen and bit her lip.
After three more missed calls, she received a message.
Why aren't you answering my calls? You have a lot of explaining to do.
I'm at this "business meeting" you sent me to, and this seems more like a party than anything.
– Li Xiao Lang –
"Are you okay, miss?" the driver has asked once again.
Sakura's head snapped towards him and gave a curt, single nod. She was so in for it. She's going to get fired for setting Syaoran up for sure.
Syaoran was fuming slightly as the limo slowly drew close towards the front entrance to the resort. For one thing, he wasn't sure anymore as to why he was there. This didn't seem like a business meeting place at all. And for another, if there was a masquerade going on inside, he'd be solely out of place seeing as he didn't have a mask to cover himself with.
Sighing and looking at his phone irately to see that Sakura had neither called him back nor replied to his message, he pocketed it and stepped out as a man opened his door.
"Welcome, Mr. Li," he greeted with a bow, an arm gesturing towards the steps leading up to the building.
Slightly surprised, Syaoran nodded at him. He supposed he really was at the right place, seeing as the man knew exactly who he was.
"This is yours, sir," the man added, holding out a flat box towards him before he could step off the car.
Syaoran took it and opened it, and inside was a black mask, that when worn, would cover the area around his eyes, half his nose, and even the corners of his forehead, cheeks and jaw line. He put it on, and it fit perfectly. It was made for him.
Getting even more curious, he stepped out and nodded at the man in thanks before stepping inside the building where the other guests were headed, and followed them all the way towards another set of doors that led to the back garden.
It was an extravagant event, and on the stage situated on the shoreline, in front of the beach, he could see a band set up, playing slow–tuned music and the back drop with the words: "Li Corp."
Syaoran stood by the entry way to the garden where guests were walking about and talking. Some were dancing on the wide space on the center, others gathered in small groups around tall tables with wine glasses and small appetizers in their hands, laughing jovially as they conversed.
"Xiao Lang!"
Syaoran stiffened as he heard the female voices shriek out his name from somewhere in the crowd. A lot of people turned to the direction of two finely dressed women. Both looked alike, and were both adorned with masks over their eyes with fancy peacock feathers although of different colors that matched the color of their own gowns.
"Of course," he muttered with a sigh as he watched the two of four of his sisters come bustling towards him with wide smiles plastered on their faces. Seeing them there only explained every questionable thing he's been thinking of that night.
"Oh Xiao Lang!" both sisters shouted adoringly as they flung their arms around their brother who has long surpassed their height.
"Fuutie, Fanren," he acknowledged with a nod and a smile tugging the corner of his lips. He was caught. On one hand, he was glad to see his sisters, on the other, he was apprehensive to show too much emotion seeing as- regardless of the masks the guests wore –he could recognize some of them, and most were business partners of their company.
"Oh Xiao Lang, stop being so formal!" Fanren, the third of the four sisters who ran Li Corp. in Spain, said exasperatedly. "You have to let loose sometimes."
"Yes, Xiao Lang, this is a party, have a drink, have fun, be merry!"
Syaoran raised a brow at them, and before he could give a reply, "Xiao Lang!" two more women shouted with the same enthusiasm as the two previous women had.
Syaoran shook his head and let the last two of his sisters- both also wearing extravagant masks which matched their gowns -hug him. Both also had grins on their faces.
"We missed you little brother!" Xiefa said in earnest.
"Yes, you hardly ever visit," reprimanded Fiemie, poking Syaoran on the chest.
At this point, almost all of their guests were turned their way, watching their interaction curiously and interestedly.
The four sisters smiled at them widely and gave a wave to some of the people in the crowd, whilst Syaoran nodded at those he recognized. All five of them walked down the steps and started walking amongst the crowd, trying to blend in, although Syaoran towered most of the guests so obviously, it was impossible to not spot him.
"Syaoran, I'm glad you're here."
"Yes, we thought you might somehow manage to ditch us again."
"To be honest, I would have had I known this was the kind of 'business meeting' I was about to attend," he replied accusingly.
They all grinned at him.
"What is this gathering for, anyway? You could have just told me. I still can't believe you managed to fool me into coming here."
"Oh yes," Fuutie exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Where's Ms. Kinomoto? She was the one who helped me get you here in the first place. I wouldn't have managed to get you here without her help."
It's been 30 minutes since Syaoran had left the car and the minute Sakura noticed the coast was clear, she sent the limo driver off and had gone towards reception and checked in for Syaoran. She was now in the lavish suite she had booked for him upstairs and was setting aside his overnight things with his clothes for the next day.
Looking at the room, and Syaoran's possessions in place, she gave a sigh and resolute nod before heading to the bathroom with her own bag. She hadn't brought overnight clothes or for the next day because she fully intended to go home after the night's activities. Sure, it would be better for her to stay, it would be a good opportunity to get close to Syaoran but the resort they were in was too expensive. She can actually afford it, but it would be a waste of money as well.
Sighing, she undressed and packed her belongings in a duffel bag before unzipping the large clothe bag she brought with her. Inside, was a long deep green gown made of a material much like silk. It had a sheer cloth, like a sash that wrapped tightly around her breast area before going up, forming a flower around one shoulder, before wrapping around her chest area again from the back. The skirt of the gown ran all the way to the ground, it was even longer than Sakura which was why she had to wear the four inch silver pumps with it.
The style of the gown was simple. There were diamonds and emeralds strategically placed everywhere from the waist down that made it sparkle, and that was what made the gown fancy, at least. She didn't want to look underdressed or overdressed; she didn't want to stick out in this gathering. These people were in Syaoran's circle, she'd rather blend in than be recognized, she knew the rich and famous can get nasty in terms of status and she was only Syaoran's secretary after all.
"One of his secretaries," Sakura corrected herself with a shake of her head. The minute she finished zipping up the gown and shifted a little, she noticed it. "Oh no…"
She quickly went over to the full body mirror and saw it, the gown- which she hadn't checked from the bag since she brought it home three days ago –had a long slit up the right leg. A very long slit. The entire fit of the skirt, which she remembered to be slightly loose, was wrong. It was significantly tighter now. Sakura immediately put on her shoes and stood in front of the mirror yet again.
She stared at herself horrified. With every single movement, her entire leg can be seen. The slit went up higher than half the length of her thigh. "Tomoyo!" she screamed accusingly, immediately knowing this was her doing.
Sakura kept examining herself in the mirror. It didn't look bad, not at all, in fact it even looked better but she really didn't want to get any sort of unnecessary attention from wearing this sort outfit.
Panicking now, she ran to her bag and pulled out the other boxes she had brought. She opened the jewelry boxes and thankfully, they were the same ones she had packed. A jewelry set of diamonds with emerald accents.
She opened the box where she had stored her mask, and to her horror yet again, it wasn't the one she had originally put in there. The mask she had brought was a simple glittery green. This mask was silver that matched her shoes, with emeralds similar to the ones on her gown, strategically placed in swirls at the corner of her eyes that made her eyes look sharper and catlike when she held it up to her face. There were also short, fluffy feathers with different shades of green placed at the sides, like wings.
"Tomoyoooooo…" Sakura moaned. This was too much. It all looked so glamorous but it was too much. She was going to stick out like sore thumb, she knew it. The people she had seen entering the resort as they arrived were in fancier and undoubtedly more expensive attires but nothing this eye-catching, mostly because they were much older than she was and had come in gowns of neutral shades.
As if on cue, her cell phone rang.
Judging by the time, I'm guessing you're at the party now. I hope you're having fun!
You're welcome for the mask and gown alterations by the way. You're going to have Li begging to have you before the night is over! ;)
– Tomoyo Daidouji –
Sakura gritted her teeth before putting her phone back inside her purse, not bothering to reply.
Shaking her head furiously, she took deep breaths. What was wrong with her? If she fully intended to get Syaoran to fall in love with him and propose to her (eventually), she had to do all she could and this definitely would fall in her favor to make that happen sooner than later.
With a determined fire in her eyes, Sakura took out her case of make-up supplies and started working. She had already had her hair done before she came. It was curled before being pinned in little sophisticated curls on her head. All that was left is for her to put on the diamond headed pins in random areas.
"I miss you," Eriol said, a smile eternally plastered on his face.
"I miss you too Eri, I'm sorry again I couldn't come."
"Not a problem. Promise you'll come with me the next time?"
"I promise. You have fun though… Try not to flirt around?"
"Of course not, I have eyes only for you," he reassured, pushing himself off the wall he had been leaning on since he had gotten there. "I'll call you when the event is over okay?"
"Okay, I'll speak to you later."
"I love you Tomoyo," he said in total sincerity.
"And I love you Eriol."
Grinning like a goofball, Eriol pocketed his phone before turning to the large mirror that comprised one large portion of the lobby. He checked his reflection as he put on his own mask.
"This party better be worth ditching meeting my girlfriend's mother," he told himself before letting loose a few strands of hair from the tie.
As he did so, Eriol noticed a lone figure through the mirror's reflection, walking down the grand staircase that was situated right behind him. A young woman walked down the stairs slowly, holding on to the railing as she did. She was wearing a gown that hugged every curve of her slim figure and revealing a jaw dropping amount of the flawless skin of her long leg as she continued her descent.
Smirking, he briskly walked out towards the grounds, with one thought in mind.
"Syaoran!" he called out, immediately catching his best friend's eye in the crowd, who waved him over.
Eriol walked towards him, a grin still on his face. "Ladies," he greeted, nodding at the quadruplets.
"Hey Eriol!" they all greeted in return.
Syaoran looked at him, "What is it?"
"I found her," he told him under his breath.
"You found who?"
"The perfect girl," Eriol supplied unhelpfully.
"Eriol, you're my best friend, but if you keep reminding me of how perfect your girlfriend is every chance you get, I swear to God, I'll punch you."
"No, no, no!" he said hastily, "I meant the perfect girl for you."
"I doubt it, but go on," Syaoran retorted offhandedly.
"I'm serious, she's gorgeous. Not as gorgeous as Tomoyo," Eriol said, earning him a snort from Syaoran who knew of just how deep his feelings ran for his girlfriend, "but if I didn't have Tomoyo, I'd definitely go for this one."
"Just because a girl is beautiful in the outside, doesn't mean she's the same in the inside, you should know that," he said with a look telling Eriol to recall the last girl, and quite frankly, most of the girls Syaoran had dated.
"Get to know her then, you never know! She may not be like Chizuru," he reassured. "Seriously, Syaoran, you've been neglecting your personal life for a while now. Chizuru was manipulative and money hungry. Not all girls are like that."
"Yes, but Lia, Yui, Rina, and all the other girls were," Syaoran said, ticking off the most recent girls he had dated even if it had been a while since the last. He couldn't even remember some of their names anymore. Not that he's trying hard to.
"Come on, you never know. She might not be as bad as the others. How much bad luck can you still possibly have with women? Besides, its physical attraction that starts everything and I'm sure you'll approve of her physically. Once you do, you can just try to get to know her more and see then."
Sighing, Syaoran waved a hand at him to shut him up. "Fine, fine, so where is this girl?"
"You can do this, you can do this," Sakura muttered to herself over and over again like a mantra.
She hasn't even entered the garden where the party was yet and already she has been getting looks from the few people who had seen her thus far.
With one last and very deep inhalation of breath, Sakura stepped out of the doorway and looked around the crowd gathered below at the garden.
"Well?"
He looked over at Eriol, who had fallen silent, and only just noticed his sisters, who were conversing so energetically just moments ago.
Looking around, he noticed quite a number of people turned to the figure that was slowly descending the short steps towards the gardens, the bright lights of the lobby behind her, illuminating her like a forest nymph in the woods with the sunlight sparkling against her image.
People were talking in hushed voices as they continued to watch the young woman walk slowly through the throng of people.
Eriol was tapping Syaoran lightly and nodding at the newcomer's direction. "Her," he said unnecessarily.
Syaoran simply watched her progress though the grounds. People were making way for her as she walked.
Eriol's brows shot up. "She's coming this way," he said, breaking his gaze and looking over at Syaoran who was still watching her as she slowly made her way so obviously towards them now.
"Do you know her?" Fanren asked Eriol as she and her sisters too looked away so as not to seem too rude for staring.
He shook his head and nudged at Syaoran hard in the ribs.
Syaoran's gaze broke away and looked at him.
"Do you know her?" Eriol asked, seeing as neither he nor the sisters knew her though obviously the woman knew someone nearby since she was heading in their direction.
Syaoran shrugged and shook his head. He felt like he did, yet didn't know her. For one thing, the young woman was wearing a mask that covered too much of her face, her lips being the only distinguishable part.
In a few but very long- in Syaoran's opinion –seconds, she had arrived and halted right in front of him.
Without a word, and not looking up at him, she gave a curtsey in his direction, in which case he reached forward and kissed the back of her hand.
Sakura was blushing furiously now. Syaoran kissed her hand, and everyone nearby was watching. Thank goodness the rest of the crowd started going back about their business although quite a number of them were still watching, including four women as well as a man about Syaoran's age, height, and build who was standing right beside him.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Sakura spoke in a small voice.
The moment he heard her, Syaoran, who still hadn't let go of Sakura's hand since he took it when he kissed it, pulled her towards him slightly.
She looked up at him in surprise, bright emeralds to curious and equally surprised amber.
"Sakura?" he sounded shocked but there was no mistaking that sparkling shade of green.
"Syaoran," she said with a little bow of her head before she froze. Was she allowed to call him that? Or should she have referred to him as Mr. Li? She had never called him by his first name before, she had always addressed him as "Mr. Li" or "Sir" and here she was, addressing him like they were close when he was only his secretary, in front of his peers, no less.
This obviously took Syaoran by surprise too. He had pulled her yet again but this time harder, towards the dance floor where a number of couples were dancing slowly to a jazz number.
The sisters gaped at this, as did Eriol. They watched Syaoran twirl her around once before resting her arms around his neck and wrapping his own around her waist.
Author's Note:
I actually wrote this chapter two years ago. I just never uploaded it because I wasn't entirely happy with how this turned out and was so unsure of the direction of this story. But seeing as I won't get anywhere unless I go for it, here it is! I'm sorry if you hate it, but it'll get better... Eventually. I hope.
Also, my manner of writing seem to have changed over the years. The more recent chapters I wrote for this story has a different "tone" to it (I think) which might be noticeable later on (maybe).
All that said, I'm sorry for my tardiness with this new chapter. This time around, I promise to update sooner!
Raeny