Chapter 1
Three years later…
Tomoyo just finished packing her things when her mother called through her phone overseas. She stood up and grabbed the phone. "Hello?" she greeted.
"Tomoyo. It's me your mom." Sonomi called from the other line.
"Hey mom, why did you call?"
"Well, I was just checking on you." Sonomi replied.
"I just finished packing my things." Tomoyo said and slumped back on her bed.
"Nice, I can't wait to see you again, personally. You know I missed you so much. Our house here became lonelier when you left."
Tomoyo chuckled at her mother's comment. "But you know, I'll only take vacations there, I might possibly go back here after that."
"Then, I will make sure you won't leave me again." Sonomi declared.
Tomoyo chuckled again. "Fine mom. Do whatever you want."
"By the way, did Sakura already know that you're coming in two days?"
"No, actually we talked last night but I didn't tell her about my homecoming." Tomoyo replied. "And please mom, don't ever tell her about this. I want to surprise her."
"Okay, whatever you say. So are you excited?" Sonomi asked.
"Yes but somehow I feel nervous." Tomoyo answered. "And scared." She thought.
"Why would you feel nervous then?"
"You know what I used to be there in Japan." Tomoyo replied pertaining to her previous career as a famous singer. "There might be issues that people will throw at me again. I'm not used to that kind of life anymore."
"Don't worry, I'll be the one to protect you this time, that's why from the day of your arrival, I'll be sending you a body guard." Sonomi smiled from the other line.
"Thanks mom. You really are the best." Tomoyo smiled, too.
"Anything for my daughter. So I gotta go now. And you must rest now. It's already evening there in England, right?" Sonomi said.
"Yes mom. See you soon." Tomoyo hang up. She placed the receiver over chest and stared at the ceiling.
Somehow, the thought of her coming back to Japan made her really nervous and her stomach flutter. Then, there's one person in her mind right now. Eriol Hiiragizawa. Then memories of her with him flashed in her mind. Starting to where he first transferred in Tomoeda Elementary School where she attended her elementary days. Then how they became friends, and the first day she learned she's falling for him. Well, who wouldn't fall for him? He's kind, gentle and he has the quality of a man that girl ever wanted. Just like her. Then she remembered those happy memories of them during their first months. Their sleepless nights because of their fight. And then how they ended up like this. Oh God but all this time, she's still longing for him.
Tomoyo closed her eyes and a streak of tear rolled her cheeks. She wiped it with her thumb before finally compose herself again.
Eriol sat in front of the piano, mind blank. He's starting to write new song for his new album but when he started to write, his mind was blank as if his wits in writing songs was gone.
The woman sitting on the couch right in front of the piano, stood up with crossed arms on her chest. "Now what? Hiiragizawa? Mental block again?" Mei Aizawa, his manager asked.
His fingertips landed on the keys one by one as if he just finished playing a song. "Sorry, I'm just not in the mood today."
Mei rolled her eyes. "You weren't in the mood to write a song three years ago."
"That's not true. I created lots of songs these past few years and mind you I had five albums released in three years." Eriol almost glared at his manager.
Mei smirked. "Those songs you created emotionlessly. Your fans wondered why you suddenly changed into dark genre."
"I don't need to explain to them. If they don't want to listen to my music then it's fine. I don't need them." Eriol said but regretted it for his manager hit the cover of the piano with both her hands. He got her really mad.
"Those people you were talking about were the ones who put you here." Mei angrily growled at Eriol.
Eriol sighed apologetically. He really said something wrong. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."
Then there was silence. Mei composed herself again. Maybe she gone too far too for forcing Eriol to create new song that his fans will remember the old him. She's not only doing this for Eriol's career but also for he himself. She knew what he gone through three years ago when his partner in music and life Tomoyo Daidouji left him without a valid reason. She knew how hurt he was and she too saddened for the sudden change of his heart. Eriol was not only her talent but she treated him also as his son so she decided to help him as long as she can.
"No it's my fault." Mei smiled shaking her head. "I'm stressing you out. Let's just call it a day." Mei walked towards the door of his music room. "I'll call Nakuru to help you create a song." She winked before finally leaving the room. Nakuru is Eriol's song composer ever since he started his showbiz career.
Another sigh was let out from Eriol. But hell, Mei was actually right. Ever since Tomoyo left him, he wasn't able to make songs with full of love again. He has been in this dark side of the world ever since that happened. He fidgeted his fist and hit the keys of his piano that made a loud sound inside the music room. Suddenly, the thought of the day she broke up with him flooded his mind and made his heart break into pieces again. Ever since that day, he hasn't fully forgotten her. His life became miserable after she left. He lost the excitement of performing in front of many people. He lost the excitement of making new songs. He lost the will to live for her has lost everything. During the miserable times of his life, he noticed that he's slowly losing his career. Some invitations for him to perform were pulled out and now here he is, on the verge of finally losing his career because no one wants him anymore.
Another sigh.
"I'll get over it, eventually." He muttered and started to play a sad melody.
She set foot in this same airport again. Three years ago, she was here when she accepted the work of being an architect in England, saying goodbye to her friends Sakura and Syaoran. And now she's back here to have a vacation. Just like before there were people around her pointing and talking about her. Well she couldn't help it. And she couldn't blame them. She was once a star with lots of appearances and endorsements. That's why there were people that were always after her and her private life before. But not anymore. She smiled proudly as she walked toward her body guards that her mother sent to fetch her.
"Welcome back Ms. Daidouji." The woman in black suit greeted.
"Thank you." She smiled. "Please take my things in the house. I have somewhere to go."
"But miss, your mother instructed us to fetch you here. We have to make sure you're safe." The woman replied.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'll go to Sakura's house. Mom knows her. And I'll explain everything to mom so she won't scold you." Tomoyo started to walk away.
"But miss…" the woman was cut off.
Tomoyo waved goodbye as she walked outside the airport to grab a cab.
On her way to Sakura's house, she looks outside to study the place and to her surprise, nothing has changed. From the front mirror, the driver is constantly looking at her.
"You are Tomoyo Daidouji, right?" the driver asked.
"Yes." Tomoyo looked at the driver.
"Wow, how lucky I am today. You know what? My daughter was a big fan of yours way back then. She actually cried when she learned that you left Japan."
"Oh. Is that so? I'm sorry if I made her cry." Tomoyo replied. She just doesn't know what to say to the driver's story.
Three years ago, when she left Japan for England, she cried too. Actually she had been crying during her first months in England for being away from her loved ones, like her mom, her best friend Sakura and of course from her beloved Eriol Hiiragizawa. But later on, she finally coped up from her situation.
She always asked Sakura and her mom the latest news in her home country. And from them, she learned that there were rumours the press created the reason why she left Japan. And the most horrible rumour she heard about her was getting pregnant that's why she left for England. But eventually, those rumours about her died.
She stood in Sakura's house's doorstep and rang the doorbell. "Syaoran, is that you? You know you don't need to ring the bell." Sakura said from the inside.
But the brown haired lady didn't get any response. Instead another bell was heard. "Fine, I'll open the door." She almost yelled.
Tomoyo chuckled lowly from her best friend's reply. Once Sakura opened the door, two arms wrapped around her and her mouth fell open.
"Tomoyo?" Sakura inquired.
"Yes, it's me my dear best friend. I missed you so much." Tomoyo hugged Sakura tightly.
"Tomoyo…I missed you, too." Tears formed in her eyes but she wiped it. She broke the hug. "Hey, why didn't you tell me you're coming today?"
"I wanted to surprise you." Tomoyo giggled.
Sakura rolled her eyes. "Whatever Tomoyo, come on inside." But truthfully, she's glad that Tomoyo is back.
"So tell me, why didn't you tell me anything about this? We were talking on the phone the other night, right?" Sakura crossed her arms while she sits across her best friend.
Tomoyo chuckled at her. "I told you I wanted to surprise you."
"Yeah right, like how you surprised me three years ago when you told me you were leaving for England." Sakura rolled her eyes.
Tomoyo nodded with a smile. "Yeah. And I also told mom not to tell you. I just really wanted to see your reaction when I see you face to face."
"Whatever, Tomoyo. Anyway, I'm glad that you're back." Sakura smiled genuinely. "So, are you going to stay here for good?"
"Actually I just planned on having vacation here for three months. I just finished my second project there in England." Sakura asked. "So I'm still planning on going back there."
Sakura's face suddenly turned sad again. "Oh I thought you'll be staying here for good."
"We'll see. If things go well, I might change my mind and stay here for good instead." Tomoyo smiled.
"Then, I'll hope for that also." Sakura grinned. "Wait here for a moment; I'll just prepare you some tea." Sakura got up and went to the kitchen.
Alone in the living room, Tomoyo looked around and smiled knowing that the place hasn't changed a lot since she last went here. "I see there's not so much changes in the house." Tomoyo commented.
"We just wanted it the way it was before." Sakura replied from the kitchen. "So tell me what England is like."
"Well, I was amazed by the place. Actually, when I first set foot in that place, I fell in love with it. Imagine the old buildings that were built years back and the old stuff. And the place was peaceful too. I just love it there." Tomoyo happily told Sakura.
"Here comes Tomoyo who loves old stuffs." Sakura grinned. Tomoyo chuckled.
"How is your big brother and father by the way?"
Sakura came out from the kitchen and placed the tray on the table. She gave Tomoyo a cup of tea and the latter accepted it. "Well, big brother is in Osaka since last month, he got a job there together with Yukito and as for dad, he's currently in his research and he won't be back till next week."
"What about you and Syaoran Li? What's with you two?" Tomoyo asked.
Suddenly, Sakura smiled widely. "I haven't told you by the way, yesterday, he just proposed to me." Sakura waved her hand showing Tomoyo the engagement ring.
Tomoyo was wide eyed and shocked at the same time. "Oh my God? You mean?..."
Sakura nodded and smiled. "So when do you plan to get married?" Tomoyo asked.
"Two years from now." Sakura answered.
"Oh my God I'm so happy for you." She giggled. She really is happy for her best friend for finally getting married. But to her happiness, she clumsily slipped the tea on her dress that causes stains on it.
"Oh my God, my dress." Tomoyo exclaimed.
"Here, use this." Sakura gave her napkin. Tomoyo wiped her dress but unfortunately, that stain stayed on her dress.
"I can't go home like this." Tomoyo muttered.
"Come on. I'll lend you a dress so you won't go home like that." Sakura smiled.
"Thanks." Then both of them went upstairs to Sakura's room.
Syaoran and Eriol arrived at Sakura's house talking about the proposal Syaoran did to Sakura yesterday. Sayoran and Sakura planned on having lunch together in Sakura's house because she said she will cook for him and that she will start practicing being a wife to him. But then, on Syaoran's way to her house, he happened to spot Eriol so he invited him so both of them can share the good news to their friend.
"I really am happy for you, man." Eriol said. Although he's been feeling sad these past few months, he really is happy that finally his friends will get married.
"Well, thanks. I was actually nervous when I proposed to her yesterday. My knees were trembling as if I might fall. I was scared that she might reject me." Syaoran told him.
Eriol chuckled. "Knowing Sakura Kinomoto? She's way too in love with you for you to be rejected by her."
"Guess you're right." Syaoran grinned.
"By the way where is she?"
"Oh yeah. Sakura? I'm home. Sakura…" Syaoran called out.
"Coming." Then a giggling Sakura came down the stairs. But in the middle of the stairs, she was stopped dead. She froze when she saw Eriol.
"Eriol…" Sakura muttered. She looked upstairs.
The men frowned at her reaction. "What's with you, babe?" Syaoran frowned.
"Sakura, do you think this dress fits me?" Tomoyo came down the stairs also, fixing the dress Sakura lent her. She frowned when she saw Sakura was shocked.
"Hey." Tomoyo snapped.
"Tomoyo?" Syaoran called out.
The lady turned her gaze at her right and saw Syaoran. She smiled. "Hi Syaoran." She greeted. Then her gaze turned to his companion. Eriol Hiiragizawa.
"Eriol…" she muttered that it became a whisper.
"Tomoyo…" he also muttered, but it was only him who heard it.
Both were shocked.
She froze.
He didn't blink.
Her stomach fluttered.
His heart skipped a beat.
AN: Thank you so much to those people who just took time to read my story, and for the faves and alerts.
James Birdsong: I thank you for reading my story and for leaving review. I see you're still here
Guest: thank you if you find this story to be interesting.
Arunimons: Yes, this is an ET story. Thank you for the review.
krehpeh: What 'On My Mind' song is playing in your head? Hmm?
I leave you now the first chapter. Happy Reading! RR?