Clamp owns CCS, I don't. Just borrowing some characters.
Genre: Romance / Drama / Angst / Humor / Mature
A.N.: Hello everyone! It's good to see some progress on the number of viewers. It made my day. To the kind-hearted people who added this story in their Favorite and Following lists, thank you so very much!
Enjoy reading! ReadandReview!
Meeting Syaoran, Loosing Sakura
Chapter 4 – The Brawl
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"How did it go?" Meilin asked when she saw Sakura spacing out in their sofa. Sakura seems oblivious of her presence. "Hey Sakura." She called out a little louder this time.
"Uh. Hey." She smiled dryly at Meilin, and then she placed her chin on top of her folded knees.
Meilin sat across her and gave her the 'I-smell-shit-what's-up' look.
"Can I ask you something?" Meilin nodded in response. "It's about Li."
Meilin frowned. "Xiao Lang? What about him?"
"Can you tell me who Li is? The Syaoran Li you have known your life?"
"I can tell you why he is the greatest brother in the world but why do you suddenly want to know?"
"He is confusing me. He has this split personality. And I want to know if what I'm seeing is the real Li."
"Sakura, I know you don't trust him but I can guarantee that he is the kindest person in the world."
"Is he? Or is he one of those wolves that feed on vulnerable women?" Sakura look pained and confused.
"Oh my God! Did he do something?" Meilin crossed their distance and sat beside her.
"I don't know. Whenever he is around me, all he does is tease me. He never fails to annoy me to the bones." She grunted. "I am genuinely hating him. But yesterday, he was so… I'm not sure. He was just their. And I didn't expect his presence to be… soothing."
Meilin gasped at her confession. Then realization hit her. "Xiao Lang was with you yesterday at the park?" Sakura nodded. "How did that happen? I swear, I didn't tell him anything."
"I know you didn't. It was just coincidence, I guess." Sakura closed her eyes to calm her senses. Her mental self is not taking this conversation well. Opening up to a man is hard. And allowing a man to become part of her life is a deathly blow. The trauma was still there. "Please Meilin. Just tell me."
Meilin sighed. "Xiao Lang is the father that I never had. He was always kind and loving. He is strict sometimes but he always listens to what others have to say. He is not biased. And when he loves, he fights for it."
"There was this one time when at middle school. I had this crush who doesn't like me. When the boy found out about it after I confessed, he rejected me in front of the whole class." She smiled before continuing. "Guess what he did?"
"Hmmm. He punched the boy?" Sakura guessed.
"That's what I thought too. That time I didn't know how twisted his mind can get." She shook her head. "He set him up with a popular girl at school. The girl agreed in return for a date with him."
"No way! That's sick!"
"It didn't end there. The girl was to make sure that the asshole gets drunk. Then he took him, stripped his clothing and left him in the school yard. And his final masterpiece was the stupid boy's underwear hanging on the flag pole."
"He didn't!" Sakura guffawed, her eyes blurry with happy tears.
"And he didn't get suspended for it. Can you imagine that? I tried forcing him to spill out what he did to prevent suspension. But until now I still have no idea."
"That's one hell of a crazy act. I wish I was there to witness it." She was still cackling in her seat. Meilin snorted and both roared in unison. The door swung open and the man of the hour came in.
"Well, well, well. Someone is having a party." He flashed them a smile. The two girls just looked at each other and started cackling again while holding their stomachs. "Hey! That's rude."
When the girls didn't stop laughing, he set his hands on the pillows lying on the sofa. Then he tossed it to them making sure that each pillow will hit their faces. Bull's eye!
"I can't believe you just did that Li!" Sakura flushed, both with amusement and anger. But before she can do anything to retort Meilin immediately smack him by the jaw.
He moved away, slightly leaping away from her. He tried kicking her leg to throw her off balance but she blocked his kick and countered with a swift punch. Effortlessly, he blocked and countered it with his own punch. Sakura froze while watching them in amazement. Their Kung Fu was brilliant. Both wore a serious and challenging look on their faces.
The two were careful enough not to break anything in the house while blocking attacks and making counter attacks at the same time. For a moment it looked like they were equal. Then she had seen Syaoran having the upper hand. She panics seeing the frustrated look on Meilin's face. She wants to help but she doesn't know how. She found her chance when Syaoran was trying to pin Meilin against the door. His back was open.
Without thinking twice Sakura ran on top of the sofa and jump at his back. Her legs quickly wrapped around his waist while she mustered all her strength to lock his neck in a tight grip.
Syaoran shocked by her sudden attack, released Meilin and abruptly pulled her arms. She felt the force of his hands and she nearly cried in pain. But she didn't let go. She held on. However Syaoran was just too strong he successfully unfastened her arms and legs without much effort. He inclined downwards swinging Sakura unto the floor.
But he quickly locked his arms on her waist preventing her from hitting the floor. She isn't Meilin so the fall will definitely hurt her. There is no way she can protect herself. He breathlessly held unto her as he watched her chest heave in anticipation.
He swallowed the lump forming on his throat. This time he had a better view of how full her breasts are. His gaze traveled up to her arched neck, her pulse as fast as his. And then to her slightly parted lips, moist and trembling.
Sakura realized the situation and her eyes flopped open. Her gaze met his and they both felt the unseen electricity spark and navigate through their bodies. She shuddered at the sensation. He felt it and he slowly straightened his body pulling her up with him. They locked eyes while feeling each other's body heat.
"That was fun Xiao Lang! Wasn't it Sakura?" Meilin broke the silence with a smug look on her face. She clearly saw how her righteous brother looked at her best friend.
Sakura pulled away automatically. "Yeah." Her face tainted with pink. She flashed him a shy look before turning her back. She bit her lip hoping she wouldn't start singing the song Louder. Her heart was just thudding too loud.
Syaoran glowered at his sister. Meilin ignored it. "Who wants pizza for dinner? I'll call delivery."
"I'd like that. I want the usual. And please don't forget the extra pineapples." Sakura shouted from the kitchen, her back still facing them.
Before Syaoran can say anything Meilin giggled. "This is so much fun! Guess I would have to order to Hawaiian, one with extra pineapples and the other with extra cheese. I'll have pepperoni." She proceeded with the order without waiting for a response.
A few minutes later the order was delivered. Syaoran opened the door and paid for the three boxes. He placed it on the table and all three opened the boxes simultaneously.
"What the fuck!" Sakura peeked at the other boxes and horror dawned at her. Meilin's box had pepperoni, while hers and Syaoran's had Hawaiian with extra pineapple and cheese.
"Don't give me that look Sakura. I told the guy exactly how you wanted your pizza's." she explained with her hands up.
"Whatever." She groaned and started plucking out the extra strips of melted cheese on her pizza before munching it. She looked really disgusted
The siblings chuckled at her action but she didn't give a damn. Awkwardness was all over the place. And having their pizzas messed up like that added salt to her wounded ego.
She had started enjoying her pizza when a hand flew into her box and starting picking the cheese strips. She followed the hand and it landed on Syaoran's mouth.
"Gross! Cut that out Li!" He didn't listen and just continued what he was doing. She flicked his hand gaining an "ow" from him. She gawked at his reaction.
"You don't have to do that. It was such a waste to throw all those cheese."
"I plucked them with my bare hands. Does dirty sound familiar to you?"
"Don't tell me you didn't wash your hands?"
"What? Of course I did."
Whatever she was about to add was pushed back in her throat when he leaned on her side, his lips nearly touching her ear. "It's clean then." He picked up the remaining strips on her box and teasingly chewed it.
"You're fucking twisted."
"Where did that come from? And will you stop swearing?" he dropped the slice that he was holding and turned to her with a serious look.
"Fucking is not swearing. It's an expression. You're the fucked up pervert here."
"Stop it Sakura. You're going too far." He is barely holding on to his calm state. She can easily get into his nerves.
"Make me."
The muscles on his face moved as he forced the anger to die down. He is not going to loose it. Not in front of Meilin and definitely not in front of her.
"Scaredy-cat." She mockingly whispered. That did it. Everything in him snapped.
"Hoe!" Meilin interrupted. Though it was fun seeing her best friend tease her brother and her brother, who rarely gets mad but is easily agitated by her best friend; him getting fed up was dangerous. "Let's just stop the teasing and enjoy the food. Okay?"
Syaoran clenched his fists while glaring at Sakura. He nearly lost it. It would be a first. Sakura, on the other hand, simply shrugged her shoulders and continued eating. She was so ready to see him angry. She was bored of seeing him always keep his temper down. She was itching to see that wild side of him. When it happens she could get rid of the growing spark inside her.
A raven haired beauty with pale white skin smiled at the investigator sitting across her table. The news he brought today was the best news ever. "Well done Ken. The deposit will be in your account within 24 hours. You'll hear from me again if your services are needed."
The investigator stood and shook her hands and left her office. She tapped 1 on her phone screen and placed the phone on her ear. After three rings, "Any good news?" a deep voice asked.
"Hello there. Good news it is. But it isn't the news you want to hear." She heard the man sigh on the other line. "I'll initiate Plan A tonight. And give me a week to accomplish it."
"I see. Good news indeed. See you soon."
"We will. Bye." She ended the call and gathered her things. Tonight she will finally meet her subject. A mischievous smile crossed her face as she left the office.
Sakura hated meetings similar to what they are having tonight. She sat at the far end of the conference room hoping no male specie would dare to go near her. Meilin had already stopped working in the club a week ago. She was so devastated when Meilin told her about it. She even got mad upon hearing her reason for leaving. That pervert! He gave Meilin the ultimatum. They're leaving immediately or she stops working at the club.
The door swung open and Larry came in. He looked down, his shoulders sagging and the playfulness in his eyes disappeared. He took his time to look at the faces inside the room. Then his stare landed on Sakura who was frowning at him.
He forced a smile. "Everyone, I have a big announcement to make. From tomorrow onwards the club will be under new management. Due to reasons I can not disclose, I am leaving the country together with my family, for good. With that, let's welcome the new owner with gratitude."
Sakura felt nauseous at the sudden announcement. She couldn't believe Larry would sell the club. It meant life for him. Her thoughts were interrupted once again when the door revealed a raven haired woman dressed in a grey suit with a lavender scarf on her neck. Her lavender stiletto echoing as she walked towards Larry.
She stood proudly and surveyed the room. When she found the person she was looking for, she smiled brightly. "Please treat me kindly and take care of me." She bowed elegantly making everyone gasp in surprise.
"Alright everyone back to work." Larry's voice boomed and one by one the employees disappeared. Sakura was the last one to get out. "Aya see me at my office." He left before she could, followed by the new owner. She rolled her eyes as she followed them.
Sakura kept her senses up. She rarely comes to his office and Laryy had never called for her. Something was up and she doesn't like it. As soon as she settled in the couch across his desk, Larry left and the new owner took his chair.
"Would you like something to drink?" Sakura shook her head while her emerald orbs stayed fixed on her. She cleared her throat before smiling softly. "How should I address you? Miss Kinomoto or Sakura?"
"What?!" She jumped out of the couch. She shivered in undeniable shock and unfathomable horror.
The woman giggled at her reaction. "Sakura will do then."
Sakura had violently reacted at her amusement. She slammed the glass top of the table and leaned, she breathe heavily trying to hide the panic she was feeling. "Who are you?!"
"I'm Tomoyo Daidouji. I'm a famous designer. I own The House of D which is famous for quality and unique undergarment designs. What else? Oh! And I am your new boss." She beamed.
"Are fucking with me?"
"Ooh! What a sharp tongue you have there. No need to be alarmed Sakura. I'm a friend." She reassured her.
"What do you want?" she glowered at her.
Seeing her still tense and on guard, Tomoyo let out a sigh. "Okay. I'll be honest. But can you please sit down and relax a bit? Really, I'm a friend."
Sakura sat back on the couch tension still showing on her shoulders. "My winter collection is to be released in two months. I have the designs but no model can bring life to them. After a couple of tries, I gave up. While on the hunt for a model, I saw you walking in the streets near the Sakura Park."
She pointed at her eyes. "Those emerald orbs caught my attention. And I knew in that instant I found my model. So I hired an investigator to search for you. And that search led me to this place."
"And?" she questioned still not believing her story.
"Part of the investigation was to figure out who you are. I had a good detective and he gave me your real name. I just found out that you were using an alias but I didn't say anything to Mr. Tiu."
Sakura gave her a scrutinizing look while weighing her words. It seemed surreal yet makes perfect sense. Still, she refused to give in. "What made you think that I will model for you?" she tried her best to sound as nonchalant as she possibly could.
"I knew you'd say that." She confidently smiled while pulling up some folders on her drawers. She handed it to Sakura and leaned unto her desk. "As you can see, these are the designs for my new collection. The theme is silver and black. In a designer's eye, green complements these colors well."
She paused and watched Sakura scan through the design. Most of her designs are a pair of underwear. Amusement flashed in eyes as she saw the horror in Sakura's face.
"Don't be alarmed. I'm offering you a decent job. The people you will be working with are professionals."
Sakura lifted her face after scanning the folder. "I'm a stripper. I only strip inside the club. Nothing more. And I don't sleep around. This offer is hilarious. Do you know why?" The acid on her voice had started to suffice.
Tomoyo shook her head in response. "Me, stripping in front of a couple of viewers would only last for a maximum of one hour. This 'decent' job of yours will be published and broadcast for quite some time. People will have copies of me wearing your designs and they will have access to it anytime."
Sakura's stare narrowed at the woman who seemed oblivious of her anger and disgust. "The few hours I spend stripping in this club is much decent than you using my body to sell your products."
A long silence came after that. Sakura is now fuming at the lack of reaction from her boss while Tomoyo is trying to contain the growing amusement in her.
"I'm too disappointed in you Sakura. How twisted can your mind get to think, even just a little, that stripping is decent? Do you honestly think that you can take pride in what you do? Don't make me laugh."
"Don't mock me Miss Daidouji. You don't know a thing about me. Before you go lecturing about decency, try looking around first. Not all strippers are whores and not all whores are money leeches. I decline the offer. I'm sure you can afford contacts for your models."
She proudly raised her chin up and left the office. She is well aware that she can loose her job anytime soon. And she's ready for it. Nobody dares to insult her. They know nothing, not a single thing.
Tomoyo sighed in defeat. She was warned about her stubbornness. But she didn't expect how she responded to her. She was full of fire. She was so alive and idealistic. She held her phone, pressed one and waited for an answer.
"What's up?" a deep voice answered.
"You were right. She's stubborn. And at the heat of the moment I think I ended up hurting her pride." She sighed.
"How so?" the man on the other line sighed as well.
"Who would have thought she finds stripping more decent that modeling for me?"
"You failed then."
"No way! I never fail! It's time for Plan B." she confidently muttered.
"Make this work Tomoyo. You know how much this means to me."
"I know. Trust me. I'll get her." With that she hung up and allowed her fingers to dance on the table.