Chapter 6
Sakura woke up the next morning with a smile on her face. Last night was everything she wanted it to be.
She got out of bed and threw on her short, baby blue, silk robe and went into the kitchen.
"Good morning" chirped the bright blonde eating a bowl of granola.
"Good morning" Sakura said with a yawn. She walked over and poured some orange juice.
"So… Tell me about last night" Ino said leaning closer to Sakura with a wide smile. Sakura mentally sighed. They didn't really get a chance to talk about her date when she came home last night, but she knew Ino would never let this go.
"Come on! I want to hear about the ice cube"
Sakura giggled. Ino was constantly referring to Sasuke as a 'block of ice'.
"It was great, no, more than great. It was perfect." Sakura hummed.
"That's good Sak. I mean surprising, but good."
"What do you mean?" Sakura said with a frown.
"Oh, nothing bad of course. He just was always just so formal, polite and stoic on set. Not much emotion besides frustration" she giggled.
"Well at least he was professional" Sakura said as she went to make her own bowl of granola.
"True" Ino said as she got off the stool to put her dishes away.
"Did you ever text Sai?" Sakura asked, side eyeing the blonde. She saw Ino's face turn a slightly pink color.
"U-uh yea, I did"
Sakura turned around to face her best friend. "And?"
Ino lifted her cup to hid her face. She casually strode to the living room at sat on the plush cream couch.
"We are going to the art museum this week" the blonde giggled.
"That's great, Ino" Sakura said with a gentle smile.
"I don't know what it is Sakura, but I have this strange feeling like this is right" the blonde smiled.
"Ino I am so happy for you" Sakura said as she walked over to give her best friend a hug.
Ino hasn't been on a date since the show and really had no interest in moving on, until now. She was happy she was finally finding happiness.
"Thanks, Sak" Ino glanced at the clock.
"Ah, work calls!" she said leaping up and going to her room.
Sakura laughed at her Best friend. Ino's Family owns a small chain of exotic floral companies and they have recently let Ino run the local one here and she has taken it very seriously.
She finished her granola and reached for her cell phone. 'Good morning' she types under Sasuke's name. She really did have an amazing time, but didn't want to seem clingy. She bit her lip as her thumb hovered over the send button.
She hit send and immediately felt a little panicky. She shook her head. 'Get a grip Haruno.' She knew she was confidant and capable enough to send a text.
She straightened up and went into her own room to get ready for work.
She was still on leave for the show, but since the show was cancelled she has taken this free time to do lab research and catch up on paperwork.
She picked out a simple cream fitted sweater with grey plaid slacks, finishing the look with a red pair of pumps. She pulled her hair back in a sleek pony tail and allowed a few tendrils to frame her face. She kept her make-up simple, but did put on her favorite shade of red lipstick for a 'pop of color,' as Ino would say.
She laughed at herself. 'Like I need it with pink hair'
Sakura liked to dress a little more professional than scrubs when she went into the lab. Most of the researchers there did not have an MD, but rather a PhD and dressed more scholarly because of that.
When she decided she was ready, she headed to the kitchen to grab a cup of tea, no need for the hard stuff today. Ino was scrambling around in her nude heels and fit-and-flare peach dress for her things. She had wrapped her long hair up in a neat braided bun, letting her bangs frame her face.
"Sak! I can't find my keys"
"Check the couch cushions" Sakura said with a smile. "I found them!"
"Good" she replied as she gathered her own belongings.
"Don't you clean up nice, is it a lab day?"
"Yea, I figured I needed to clock in some research hours. Do you mind if I ride with you to your shop? Shizune emailed me and said the lab could use some fresh herbs"
"Sure thing" Ino said with a wink. The girls got in Ino's silver Mercedes and headed to the shop.
With Sasuke…
Sasuke woke up and stretched out on his grey satin sheets. He looked at his city view and smiled. He could see the restaurant that he took Sakura too last night.
Last night solidified for him that everything he's going through was worth it. She was worth it. He has never been so taken by a woman before.
He got of bed and went to take a shower.
After his shower, he got dressed in his usual white button down and black slacks ensemble. His hair kept its usual spiked style. He had coffee and toast brought it and checked emails as he ate.
An email from his father addressed to the whole team caught his eye.
'Uchiha Corp. Board Members,
Please meet in the conference room at 10:30 am sharp.
Fugaku Uchiha
Former CEO and Founder of Uchiha Corp and Productions'
Sasuke glanced at the clock. 10:00 am.
He inwardly groaned and called for his town car to be pulled around and ready.
At the office building, Sasuke took notice that the disapproving stares did not decrease since the announcement. He glared back at a few as he headed to conference room.
He glanced at his phone as he walked and noticed a new message from Sakura. He Immediately smiled and his mood lifted.
"Good morning."
He went to reply but realized he was right by the door. 'I'll reply later'
He entered the room and saw familiar faces. Itachi, Naruto, Kakashi, Asuma, his father, but Sasuke was not expecting his mother to be in the room.
He greeted everyone and took his seat next to Naruto as the clock turned 10:30.
"Now that everyone is here, I want to discuss the next step" Fugaku said.
"First, can everyone give me an update over their domains, Asuma please begin" Mikoto Uchiha said taking out a pen and getting ready to write.
The Uchiha mother did not interact with the company much since Itachi and Sasuke came of age, but because of everything she wanted to be in room and wanted to help clean up her son's mess.
"Financially, this project is draining. Sasuke did use his personal account to help fix it, but it's still racking up quite a bill that might be lead to bankruptcy, due to the press and media pay offs, the lawyers, the interviews. I am not sure Ever After will be profitable to us again" Asuma spoke taking a long drag of his cig.
"I see" Mikoto straightened her shoulders and shot an intense gaze to Naruto.
"Naruto, it is my understanding that you have a solution to this?"
"Y-yes ma'am. My godfather Jiraiya has offered to purchase the rights to the franchise"
"Jiraiya?" Kakashi questioned.
"The Romance novelist?" Itachi chimed.
"Yes, that's him" Naruto said with a proud smile. "The perky old man has been very successful in the literature world and wishes to use the name in one of his novels that's already been signed for a movie deal as well."
Sasuke looked at his parents. Everyone knew what kind of romance novels Jiraiya wrote.
"Mmmh I see, and what will this entail "Mikoto said with a thin lined smile.
Sasuke observed his best friend who was getting nervous. His mother is a kind-hearted woman, but is also very classy.
"Well the title of the novel and movie will contain 'Ever after' and the inspiration comes from scandal with Sasuke and Sakura…" the blonde trailed off throwing a quick sympathetic glance to his friend.
Sasuke glared back "Dobe" he whispered.
"Ah, the scandal" Fugaku mumbled as he flicked through paper work.
"He even said he would buy the mansion we use to shoot the movie" Naruto said very quickly trying please the Uchiha's and change the topic.
"Asuma, how would the purchase pan out?" Mikoto asked.
Asuma took a last drag and then put out his cigarette. "Well, seeing as the credit of the show kind of went down the drain when my nephew turned down miss Yamnaka, I don't see why it would be a bad Idea to let someone else's name be responsible for Ever After. If the money is there then I don't see a problem."
"Kakashi, set up a meeting with Jiraiya then, Naruto and Sasuke please be there as well." Fugaku said as he stood up. Mikoto followed him in actions.
"Sasuke, dear, I would love to have dinner with the woman that caused all this" Mikoto said with a soft smile. Her maternal side was back and her business side was gone.
"Yes mother" Sasuke said.
"Oh, Itachi you too. It's been a while since we have all had a civil dinner. I'll make the reservations" Mikoto said as she followed Fugaku with a cheery smile out of the room.
"Bye now"
Once the elder Uchihas left the room everyone relaxed.
"Ugh thank god they were not against it" Naruto mumbled loosening his tie. He normally didn't wear one at the office, unless the Sasuke's parents were there.
"Yes, I didn't have much of an idea on how to solve our problem" Itachi said walking over to the coffee stand.
"Hn"
Asuma lit another cigarette. "Sasuke, try not to cost us any more money"
"Hn" the young Uchiha replied as he left the room, and headed to his office. He had a lot of work to do to prep for sale. He pulled out his phone as he remembered the pinkette's message.
"Yuki" he said as he headed into his office. "Y-yes"
"Do I have any lunch plans?"
"Yes, with Neji Hyuuga" the poor secretary piped flipping through the planner.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. The Hyuuga was still pissed that his cousin didn't get the part and was caught in a closet with Naruto.
"Reschedule- no, just cancel. Tell him that is he's still upset to take it up with Naruto."
"Right away, do you want lunch brought to you?"
"No, I'm going out to eat today" the Uchiha said with a smile and closed the door.
With Sakura…
The young doctor shook off her lab coat as she entered her office. She sat in her chair and took a sip of the tea her young intern, Asuka, had ready for her. She had spent all morning the lab reviewing cultures and needed a break.
She checked her phone and was disappointed when she saw no new messages from Sasuke. She bit her lip and decided not to put much thought into it.
She logged into her hospitals portal and began to fill out paper work
Two hours later….
'Knock' 'Knock'
Sakura's eyes darted to the door. "Come in!" she chimed as she turned her attention her paperwork.
"Sakura, you have a visitor" her intern squeaked. Sakura swiveled in her chair to face the door.
"Who is it?"
"He didn't say. Just that he wanted to see you. He's very handsome" Asuka said with a blush forming on her cheeks.
Sakura arched one eye brow at the young girl. "Mmmh, well send him in. But next time get their name first."
"Yes ma'am" Asuka said as she dashed back out of the door. A few seconds later there was a knock at the door.
"Come in" Sakura said as she stood up straightening her sweater.
In walked in Sasuke immediately causing Sakura's face to redden and her breath to hitch.
Emerald locked with intense onyx.
"H-hi" she stumbled out as she found her voice. She mentally kicks herself. She doesn't understand why she loses her confidence when he is around.
Sasuke's gaze never left hers as he gave her a handsome smirk. She looked divine in her professional attire.
"Hi yourself" he said as he stepped closer to her desk.
Luckily, Sakura's feet were able to move without her conscious thought, responding the pull between them. She walked around her desk over to him, and he immediately pulled her in his arms for a hug.
Sakura closed her eyes as she welcomed the closeness. She wrapped her arms around him and inhaled his musky sweet scent. She felt him press a chaste kiss on the crown of her head. "How are you" she mumbled into his shirt.
He pulled away but kept one of his arms around her waist. "Given everything, I am okay" he said in a dry tone.
He noticed concern wash over the pinkette's face. "What happened?"
"I'll tell you at lunch, assuming your free?"
Sakura gave a sympathetic smile "of course"
"Perfect" he said as he leads her out of the office.
Sasuke's town car drove them to a small restaurant down town. They were quickly seated in a small table by a window. The waiter was quick to take their orders.
"So, what happened?" Sakura asked picking up her lemon water. Sasuke picked up some bread from the table and tossed it in his mouth.
"Ever After will no longer be our problem soon."
"Oh?"
"Yes, Naruto's godfather is planning on purchasing the rights to it, for his book and possible movie… I am not sure on the details, but either way the Uchiha name will no longer have any future association with it"
Sakura's eyes lit up. It seems like such a good thing. "That sounds great!"
"Hn. I guess…" Sasuke trailed off as he gulped down his own water. Sakura could tell he was off.
"What's wrong?" She grabbed his resting hand on the table with her own and began to rub it.
Sasuke felt a warmth spread over him from the simple gesture. He smiled at the sweet girl before him.
"I just feel like it's my fault" he said casting his gaze elsewhere. He felt the tips of his ears redden. He can't believe he just confessed his concerns with a girl he just met. 'What is she doing to me…'
Sakura tightened her grip on his hand. "It isn't… you said so yourself that the show was coming to an end either way… this way it's not ended just has a new beginning and now so do you"
Sasuke blinked at her. He hadn't thought of it in that sense. "A new beginning…" he said with a smile at her.
The waiter brought them their food, causing the couple to break apart. Sakura quickly ate her soup and salad combo. Sasuke watched, charmed with her appetite.
After they both finished, Sasuke put a few bills on the table and lead Sakura to the car. "Am I taking you back to work?" he asked as the car pulled up.
Sakura looked at him "I mean, I don't have a reason to go back" she said trailing off getting into the car. She didn't want their time to end.
Sasuke let out a low laugh. "I don't want to end either, but how about dinner?" he said as he squeezed her hand.
Sasuke saw a gorgeous smile form. "That sounds lovely. You can just drop me off at Ino's shop"
"Good. My mother wants to meet you" Sasuke said casually as flipped through emails on his phone.
"What?" Sakura said. She already felt nerves build in her stomach. "Dinner with your mom?"
"Yes. She is determined to meet you."
"A good determined?"
Sasuke smirked, and pulled her head towards him and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Yes. You are the first girl that I have wanted to meet my parents" he said as he pulled away.
"Oh" Sakura said quietly as she looked down. She had a small smile on her face and her cheeks began to turn pink. She hadn't realized he was ready to move that fast. Her smile broadened.
These thoughts and worries she was having begun to vanish. It felt nice to have confirmation he was feeling the same way she was.
Sakura felt the car slow and park at the shop.
She looked up at him, right as he was turning to look at her. "I would love to go to dinner with your parents."
Sasuke's eyes softened. "Great, I'll text you the time and pick you up?"
Sakura leaned over and gave him a chaste kiss. "Perfect" she said as she pulled away.
"Later, Uchiha" she said with a wink as she got out of the car.
Sasuke couldn't help but smile at her fleeting form enter the shop. Sakura was always causing surprising feelings to stir inside him that he never thought were there.
'I am actually excited for tonight' he thought as the car pulled away from the curb and headed back to the office.
**** End of chapter ***
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