from skybluescramble:
thanks to:
my awesome proofreader: Irrevocable Truth.
my reviewers: cainat06, violintantei-sama, B.A.K11, cheng, Shanaa12, SnowCharms, Andreaeb182, Celene Aiedail, tomoyo-amethyst, hikarihayashi-chan (double reviews (: ), KiNoMoTo18, michiiyu, chiharu-tanaka, yoorim-ah, redeyes143, and LadyMidnightGuardian.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
I seriously, seriously, need a beta-reader for my other fics.
Especially my current Detective Conan fic (check my profile page) and upcoming projects.
If you know someone who could help, or you are personally interested in helping me,
please let me know.
I'm not that good in English. I need someone who could point out my mistakes so that I won't confuse you.
Thanks in advance.
Love, skybluescramble.
DISCLAIMER
Card Captor Sakura belongs to CLAMP.
The Proposal belongs to me.
But… wait. Barbie, Madagascar and Ice Age are not mine, too.
*facepalm*
::The Proposal::
::::::::::::::
SUMMARY:
After I tried my best not to think about you… Do you have intentions of bringing all my efforts to vain, Hiiragizawa?
.
.
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CHAPTER #16: The Red Envelope
Time passed by…
The clock never stopped clicking.
CENTRAL PARK, New York.
A young woman with wavy, shining raven locks loosed down to her waist sat alone on a bench, busy drawing something on her sketchbook. Her facial expression was serene, and a gleam of peaceful happiness could be found behind those amethyst irises of hers. After adding some lines here and there, she examined her work closely, trying to find some mistake in it. Her lips then pursed into a small smile and she nodded in satisfaction.
"What are you doing?"
She turned her head to find a boy (she assumed he was only ten or so) standing up beside her, looking curious. He had a vanilla ice cream in his right hand.
"I'm drawing," she replied, giving him her enchanting smile. "Is that delicious?" She referred to his ice cream.
"Yes," the boy said as he stepped closer. He sat by her side and took a look at her drawing. "You are a good painter!" He exclaimed. "Is it a princess' dress? I want my sister to wear that."
"I'm not a painter," she said softly. "I'm a designer."
His eyeballs grew big. "Really? That's cool!"
"Thank you."
"Do you design clothes?"
"Yes." She tucked a few loose strands that had fallen to her face behind her ear, "Clothes and toys, actually. But this is the dress I want to wear at my best friend's wedding. This one is not for sale."
The boy gulped down the last piece of his ice cream, "Wow! I love toys! Do you have trains and planes? Or helicopters? But guns aren't less cool than them, right?"
She laughed seeing his sudden enthusiasm. It made him pout. "Don't tell me you're only interested in stupid dolls like Barbie. They are so boring. Plushies are much better, at least you can hug them when you sleep…" He stopped for a moment then asked her again. "Hey. What's your name?"
"Tomoyo," she answered. "Tomoyo Daidouji."
"Tomoyo? What a strange name," he commented, eliciting a chuckle from her. "You're not an American, are you?"
"I'm a Japanese."
"Do you live in Manhattan?"
"Yes," Tomoyo gave him a gentle smile. "Since last year."
"I'm Jake Bosworth." The boy said. "My house is only two blocks away from here. I like you, so come over when you have some time to kill, okay? My mom will be happy to have a guest. She's a great cook, you'll go home five kilos fatter."
"Of course. Thank you."
As though suddenly remembering something, Tomoyo hurriedly looked inside her bag, searching for something. Then she pulled out a Japanese traditional toy, kendama, and showed it to him. "Hey, have you seen anything like this?" Tomoyo asked him with a wink. "I used to play with it whenever I had something bothering my mind. It reminds me of my childhood days in my country."
"You can actually play with that thing?" Jake looked unsure. "It's just a thick wooden hammer! With such a weird shape! And what's that stupid ball for?"
"It's not a 'stupid ball'!" Tomoyo said; her melodic laughter filled the air. "You need a lot of practice to play this right. You need some skills. Watch me."
Jake watched her in awe as Tomoyo flipped the hammer-like stick, switching the position of the red ball that was attached by a single thread to the stick without fail. She twirled and flipped her kendama, made some difficult motions with her hand, but the ball always landed perfectly on the curvy side of the stick. Unconsciously Jake clapped his hands loudly, grinning widely.
"Can I have it?" he asked boldly. "It's different from all the toys I have."
Tomoyo nodded, putting it in his palm. "Sure. In return, you must let me know when you have mastered it."
"I promise," Jake said in determination. "See you again!"
And he dashed away.
Riiing! Riiiing!
Tomoyo hurriedly reached for her cellphone, flicked it open without looking at the caller ID, and greeted.
"Daidouji speaking. Ah… Kuniaki-san? No, no… I'm not forgetting today's appointments and schedule. I'm just out for some fresh air—yes, yes, I'll be heading back soon. Thanks for picking out the outfit for me. See you there."
Sighing, Tomoyo packed her things up and walked away. Her frantic business really kept her mind from thinking about unnecessary matters. She didn't have any spare time to be sad. As a matter of fact, whenever she had leisure time she usually spent it by sitting alone in a bench in a park, watching her surroundings, looking for some inspirations and ideas while humming softly, enjoying cool breezes. It helped her prevent stress, which was likely ready to attack her anytime.
Now she understood why her mother was always expecting good news everytime she was back from a long business trip.
But Daidouji Tomoyo wouldn't complain.
This was the path chosen by her, anyway.
THE BEACH. Somewhere in this earth.
Akizuki Nakuru could be found sitting on the white sand, letting the wind play with her straight, long tresses. Spinel looked comfortable on her left shoulder as they were watching the calm sea and beautiful horizon. That place was quiet—no, perhaps a bit too quiet. All they could hear were some quacking voices of the birds that flew back to their nests, the subtle sounds of splashing water that hit the rocks in the beach and broke into sea foam, and their own breathing.
"Really, Spinel," Nakuru started talking. She was always the one who opened up a conversation. "When I thought I finally understand our master, actually I still didn't get him at all."
"That statement is based on…?" Spinel asked—it was obvious that the feline didn't want to argue with Nakuru in such timing.
"Last year, when Eriol told us we need to leave Tomoeda and live in a new place, I could grasp what he felt. Okay, roughly I could—don't give me that kind of stare, Spinel. You want me to continue or what?" The Moon Guardian scowled at her partner.
Spinel flapped its tail calmly. "Go on."
"I thought we would go back to England… regardless that was where Mizuki Kaho—okay, Ishida Kaho—lives happily with her husband," Nakuru seemed upset. "Well—I did expect us to stay in Italy or Vienna this time… or anywhere would be fine, actually. But why on earth did Eriol choose Madagascar?"
Spinel cringed at her loud voice.
"From all places in the world, why Madagascar?" Nakuru scowled, pouring her frustrations to the sea. "What the hell was he thinking of us? Alex? Gloria? Marty? Diego?"
"Diego is from Ice Age, idiot." muttered Spinel under its breath.
Nakuru turned her head to her right shoulder. "Did you just say something, Suppi?"
"No." Spinel answered quickly. "But you don't need to do grocery shopping anymore, do you? Somehow he managed to make our fridge refill itself with food and veggies… and he always gives you interesting DVDs to watch, since you have no one to talk to but me and Eriol."
"He took a long break from his job and is now using magic for daily life," Nakuru chuckled, getting up on her feet. "He always refused to do that before. Our master changed a lot, I assume. Perhaps he's going mad."
"I guess everybody changes."
Nakuru nodded. "True. Let's go home, Suppi!"
She brushed some sand off of her skirt before walking towards their home barefooted. Their home wasn't too far from the shore. She loved the way her feet sunk into the soft sand; it gently caressed her toes with every step she took.
Spinel flew off of Nakuru's shoulder as the Moon Guardian opened the turnstile. It landed on the red postbox with 'HIIRAGIZAWA' written in bold letters. Slapping the turnstile shut, she said to her partner, "I also don't get why Eriol wanted to put that red thing in front of our house. It's not like that mailbox will turn out to be useful! No postman with sanity will go all the way here to deliver our letters. Don't you think so? Sheesh~ I wonder if there is anyone besides us who lives around here. Now come to think of it, we haven't seen other people for a whole year! Lucky there wasn't a single attack from beasts, ne? You know, Suppi, Madagascar somehow always sounds… wild."
"Hey, Ruby Moon…" Spinel called, ignoring Nakuru's long speech. The black feline was now looking at the inside of their red postbox with much interest. "I think we got a letter."
Nakuru's pupils widened in shock. "NO WAY!"
"MISS DAIDOUJI, you have a call from Miss Kinomoto."
"Thanks, Kuniaki-san." Tomoyo accepted the horn of the wireless phone, not bothering to stop as she paced around the room, checking the latest report of toys' sales and examining some newly designed clothes that would be displayed this weekend, criticizing several parts which went wrong. "Hello, my soon-to-be-married Sakura-chan."
"Tomoyo-chaaaaaan!" The Card Mistress was so happy she beamed at the phone.
"You sound healthy," the Plum Blossom teased. "Did the dress arrive?"
"YEAH!" Sakura said cheerily. "Hoeeeeee~ I can't believe that's my wedding dress! It is way too beautiful, Tomoyo-chan! And you are so awesome! It fits me perfectly! I know I have nothing to worry having you as my wedding gown designer, but your work always comes up beyond my expectations! Can't wait to hear Syaoran's opinion next week when he sees me walk down the aisle!"
Tomoyo cut her off, "You didn't show the dress to Li-kun, did you?"
The Cherry Blossom laughed. "Relax, Tomoyo-chan. I tried my dress at Rika-chan's apartment, with Chiharu-chan and Naoko-chan as well. It was a bit difficult to make Yamazaki-kun less suspicious about what we were going to do, but Chiharu-chan never failed to cope with him."
Tomoyo giggled at this. "Well, I can imagine it."
"By the way, Tomoyo-chan, have you heard anything from Eriol-kun?"
Thump.
Her heart skipped a beat.
That name.
Hiiragizawa man.
"No," she answered, perhaps a bit too hastily. "Not really."
"He left Tomoeda not long after your departure," Sakura told her. "It seems the three are now living in Madagascar."
"Ma… Madagascar?" Tomoyo wasn't convinced.
"Ng! I think Eriol-kun doesn't want to be disturbed… so he chose an isolated space in Madagascar to live with Nakuru-chan and Spinel. I sent my wedding invitation to him this morning, hope everything works out fine."
"You sent him the invitation?" Bemused, Tomoyo nearly laughed. "How?"
"Magic," Sakura stated simply. "I used my magic power so that the letter can reach him. Maybe Eriol's using his magic in daily life, too, considering there are not enough people around him to make a neighborhood.
"I sent my invitation for you three days ago." Sakura continued, "It should arrive by today. Why don't you check your postbox, Tomoyo-chan? I'll hang up now."
"Got it. See you at your Big Day."
Click.
"Nothing goes wrong?"
Tomoyo flashed a sweet smile to Kuniaki. "All is well. Ah—Kuniaki-san, I'll be going down for a few moments, would you please pick up the phone for me if someone calls?" She made a gesture with her thumb.
"Yes, Miss."
"Thank you. I'll be right back."
Tomoyo walked down the stairs, humming softly. She was in such a good mood today and she didn't want to ruin it, whatever happened. Her co-workers in Daidouji Toy Company and Amethyst Blossoms—her brand of clothing—greeted her politely along the way, some of them complimenting how she looked fresh and energetic today.
She jabbed her finger against the elevator button, her office was in the 18th-15th floor of this building and it would take a long time to reach the lobby if she used the stairs. The elevator dinged as the door opened, showing her that no one was inside. Still smiling, Tomoyo stepped in.
"Excuse me," Tomoyo said once she arrived at the receptionist.
"Is there anything we can help you with, Ma'am?"
"Yes," Tomoyo replied, putting her enigmatic persona in business-like fashion. "Today's mail for Daidouji Toy Company, please? Box number 1676-56."
"Wait a minute, please."
Tomoyo rammed her fingers softly on the receptionist desk as she waited. However, a moment later the receptionist was back, carrying a big paper bag filled with stacks of letters and packages in her hand. "Thank you," Tomoyo said, receiving it.
When she reached her floor again, Tomoyo picked only the red velvet envelope addressed personally to her and left the rest to the co-workers. She opened the seal carefully with her manicured nails before slouching on a sofa and reading. She was about to finish one last sentence written on that invitation when her interphone beeped.
"Yes, Kuniaki-san?" said Tomoyo, knowing that it would be her.
"Miss Tomoyo, someone wants to see you."
"A guest?"
"Yes, and he is an old friend of yours."
Her brows twitched. "An old friend of mine?"
"At least that's what he told me," Kuniaki said. "I'm so sorry, Miss Tomoyo, but he refused to tell his name."
A man? Curiosity grew inside her. "Okay."
Tomoyo dashed outside, hands still clutching Sakura's wedding invitation. Before going to the waiting room, she purposely stopped by at Kuniaki's desk. Her assistant stood up instantly when she saw Tomoyo walk towards her.
"Miss Tomoyo," Kuniaki bowed. "He's waiting out there…"
"I'll see him."
In perfect rhythm and tempo, Tomoyo made her steps to meet a certain mysterious guest. Entering the waiting room, she saw a tall figure standing up by the window, his back facing her. She hadn't looked at his face, yet his appearance felt so familiar. That soft, black hair which had a bluish shine under the sunlight, that strong and broad back, that perfection of his firm body…
Dear God, don't tell me…
In recognition of her presence, he turned around slowly, an ambiguous smile formed on his mouth. "Long time no see, Daidouji Tomoyo."
He greeted.
In contrast, Tomoyo was stunned.
Nailed on her feet.
She couldn't utter a word.
There, in front of her eyes stood the real Hiiragizawa Eriol with all his pride and glory.
Reality certainly had some sense of humor.
WHY is Eriol here?
Why did he come?
Why does he seem as if nothing had happened?
Why all of a sudden?
Tomoyo felt her head spin. She was slowly getting dizzy. But she was a Daidouji after all. Masking her true emotions behind a smile, she said to the tall man, "What a surprise, Hiiragizawa. I'd never guessed you would show up here, in my office."
After a whole year I spent busying myself…
After I tried my best not to thinkabout you…
Do you have intentions of bringing all my efforts to vain, Hiiragizawa?
"If I told you, then it wouldn't be a surprise." He smiled.
Tomoyo smiled back.
"Well then, please take a seat." She gestured to the sofas.
Why did you come back into my life?
I had tried hard to bury my feelings for you.
Hiiragizawa Eriol leaned against the back of the sofa, arms stretched, legs crossed in all masculinity. His orbs never left her as she smoothed her clothes, sat across from him, cleared her throat several times, and spoke.
"So? What business brings you this far?"
He chuckled. "What's that 'this far' thing?"
"I heard from Sakura that you're now staying in Madagascar?" It was more like a question.
His laughter got louder. "Well—sort of."
"So, back to our topic… what business brings you here?"
"Now we're being straightforward, huh?" teased Eriol, his eyes glinting in the most indescribable way possible.
God, I loved this brat.
And this love is still present.
"I'm waiting for your reply, Hiiragizawa."
Eriol said nothing. He simply sat there, letting those two sharp eyes meet with her soft ones for minutes, until Tomoyo shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
"I'm asking you to come with me to Sakura's wedding."
This startled her.
"Pardon me?"
"Come with me to Sakura's wedding," he repeated. "It's written in the invitation. All the guests must attend the event together with their partner. That must be Sakura's idea, she likes pairing games."
In a huge disbelief, Tomoyo scanned the red velvet letter in her hand quickly.
Shit, he was right!
Eriol went on, "And since I consider that we're partners for each other, I hereby ask you from the depth of my heart. What's your answer, Tomoyo? I'm looking forward to a positive response, though."
Her mind went blank.
.
to be continued.