Synopsis:
Sakura fell in love with a man she knew was out of her league. He had an incredibly long line of suitors waiting to enchant him and become his wife. What would he see in her that the other women did not have? As fate would have it, they cared for each other deeply. Their love blossomed over time. But one fateful day, he disappeared. She was told he was dead. But she held on to the belief he was still alive. Alas, he reappeared, but not as a her Li Syaoran, but a fiancé of the daughter of the Wang clan. He did not know Kinomoto Sakura existed, let alone a certain little boy who carried his surname.
Chapter 1: Be Still
Her face almost pressing against the cool glass window of the black Bentley, Sakura's eyes squinted in the bright sunlight as she tried to take in what was standing so majestically beyond the confinements of the luxurious car. Through the window, the starry-eyed twenty-five-year-old could make out the intricate flower and dragon motifs that were skilfully carved onto the dark wooden entrance gate. The tips of the gate were polished with gold lacquer, making them gleam under the sun. It was spell-binding.
The grandeur of the façade right before her made her heart palpitate. She felt like a stranger in a strange land, acutely aware of her own ordinariness. She could not help but to be consumed by a remote sense of embarrassment for being… her. Her. Kinomoto Sakura of Tomoeda, a town that could not be more nondescript. But she was not one who backed down easily because she felt a twinge of fleeting intimidation.
"Fear no one," her beloved father, Fujitaka, would always say, "For we are all human beings."
The gates swung open in one fluid measured motion, allowing the car to pass through. Sakura passed by lush green foliage that flanked both sides of the road. The trees and bushes, she could tell, were meticulously tended to. Sakura gasped when the sight of neatly planted rows of peonies greeted her just before reaching the mansion. She felt as if she had entered fairy land. Everything around her felt so… magical. Wait, did she just experience a sparkle of something within her? It was intriguing, having the sensation of being pulled towards this foreign place. Opposites attract…? Sakura chuckled at the thought.
After what seemed like a long road trip, the car came to a stop in front of a pair of tall wooden doors with golden handles decorated with carved peonies. What's with the peonies? Sakura wondered, her brows raised as her eyes trailed around the main entrance of the mansion. Besides the vast doors, there was a beautifully carved plate with the Chinese character, Li, and a bronze bell hanging from the ceiling of the porch. A small yellow tag hung from it. Sakura felt strangely drawn to the peculiar-looking bell.
A lanky man with greying hair and a gentle face emerged from the mansion. He walked up to the car and opened the passenger door. "Welcome to the Li residence, Kinomoto-san," he greeted with a small smile on his face. The knots that had formed in Sakura's stomach from the moment she saw the black Bentley parked outside her humble abode loosened a little. It had looked so out of place in the neighbourhood where she resided in. She was sure curious eyes were on her as she climbed into the car. She could not have been more self-conscious at that moment.
Gingerly, Sakura swung her legs, the left one before the right, out of her seat, and bent a little lower as she emerged from the car to ensure she did not hit her head against the roof. She felt that it was important that she appeared as lady-like as possible in this aristocratic world. Sakura smoothened out her white knee-length pleated skirt which she had ironed at least twice over the last two days. Unconsciously, her grip on her off-white faux leather handbag tightened as her gaze fell on the tall, smiling man clad in a pair of long black pants and a green vest over a white long-sleeved shirt. A matching green bow accentuated his air of formality. He seemed an important figure in this household, Sakura was sure.
"I'm Wei, the Lis' butler," the kind-looking man introduced, placing a hand on his chest and giving a little bow.
"H-hello, Wei-san. It's nice to meet you," replied Sakura, returning his bow with her own.
Wei smiled and said, "Let me take you to Li furen's home office, Kinomoto-san. This way, please."
"H-hai." Sakura followed Wei into the breathtakingly huge house, her eyes darting back and forth. She mustered all her willpower to contain her immense awe at the vastness of the hallway and all the antiques that she was sure cost a fortune she would never amass in this lifetime. Her eyes landed on the Li family portrait that hung on the wall, right in the middle of a pair of spiral staircases. The younger man in the picture caught her attention. He looked dashing and charismatic, just like a prince. Now I know why handsome actors are always picked to act as males heirs in the dramas I watch, Sakura thought amusedly to herself.
After ascending one of the spiral staircases and passing by a few closed rooms, Wei stopped in front of a double door. This must be the Mistress' home office, guessed Sakura. She took in a deep breath and braced herself. Wei knocked on the door. Sakura could sense an air of deference in the series of raps on the mahogany rosewood. There was no doubt that the lady behind these doors was a figure of extensive influence.
"Come in."
Wei gently pushed the door open and gestured for Sakura to enter. Gathering all the little confidence she possessed, Sakura took a deep breath and trod into the room. It was as breathtaking as the mansion itself. On her left were windows that reached from the ceiling to the floor. The maroon curtains were drawn aside, allowing the bright sunlight to filter through, giving the room an air of warmth and cheeriness amidst the sombre aura the lady behind the large rosewood desk exuded. Her thick jet-black hair was weaved neatly into a high bun and she wore an auburn cheongsam with pink flowers. She seemed to be engrossed in the papers in her hands.
Sakura's heart thumped wildly in her chest as she waited with trepidation, like a criminal awaiting persecution. She felt ridiculous for reacting in that manner when in fact, she was called to this luxurious house by this very lady before her. She still remembered their conversation which took place just the previous day.
"Moshi moshi," greeted Sakura as she brushed her damp hair with one hand. It was nearly 10 p.m. She wondered who would call her at this time from an unknown number. She was beat from her cheerleading practice that was more intense than usual as the team was preparing for the Annual Spring Cheerleading Competition. She knew she would knock out once her head hit the pillows.
"Konnichiwa, is this Kinomoto Sakura-san?" It was a woman's voice which sounded steady and measured.
"H-hai," replied Sakura, her voiced tinged with hesitation. Was she in some kind of trouble that she was unaware of? Sakura shook her head and laughed silently at herself. She knew she was being silly having such unfounded thoughts. She was the most law-abiding, rule-following girl in the universe. She loved to have fun but she knew the importance of boundaries.
"I am Li Yelan, the Mistress of the Li household. I have received your application for the position of a live-in tutor at our household. May I know if you are still interested in this position?"
Sakura slapped her forehead with her free hand. That's right! A week ago, she had come across a job post that had captured her attention on the Internet. After clicking on the post, she was taken to a page that spelt out the position's key responsibilities and qualifications. Sakura pored over the text and nodded to herself as she mentally checked off each detail that she was able and qualified for. When she reached the bottom of the page, her eyes bulged. She counted the number of zeroes a few times in case she misread because of her post-training fatigue. She could not believe what her eyes were telling her. The salary amount was way higher than what a graduate like her would normally get. Perhaps the amount compensated for having to live in the household during the weekdays and Saturdays. Sakura shrugged and applied for the position. No harm trying, she had thought. If she were successful by some miracle, she did not have to worry about her daily expenses and could even help support her family with her brother. In time, she could even save up and make her dream come true.
With an infectious enthusiasm resonating in her every word, Sakura replied, "Yes, I am! Thank you for considering my application, Li-san!"
"Lovely. I will meet you two days from now at 11am, if that's alright with you." It was more like a statement than a request. It had the power to make one oblige.
"H-hai. I can make it," Sakura answered, almost bowing to her phone.
"Great. I'll see you then. Good night."
"Thank you and good night, Li-san." Sakura heaved a sigh of relief. Though the lady on the other end of the line sounded pleasant, Sakura could not help but to feel a heavy aura settling around her. Li Yelan was not one to mess around with.
Looking up from the piles of documents on her desk, Yelan eyed Sakura with an intensity that could bore through one's soul. Her lips twitched upwards as she placed the set of papers she was poring over down and took in what was before her.
This young girl, despite her nervousness, had a special power within her. She could not conclude with certainty what that power was but she was certain this girl could just be the answer to her prayers. Yelan was hardly taken in by anyone. But at that moment, she sensed the magic of affinity so strong that she could not help but to smile warmly at her, wanting to ensure she felt at ease as much as possible.
"Hello, Kinomoto-san," Yelan greeted in fluent Japanese.
Bowing so low that her head nearly touched the floor, Sakura said, "H-hello, Li-san. I-I'm Kinomoto Sakura."
Yelan smiled, gesturing to the maroon chair opposite her desk. "Have a seat".
"Thank you." Sakura sat down slowly, careful to make as little noise as possible. She placed her handbag on her lap, still clutching the straps with death-like grip.
"Thank you for taking time to meet with me today. I hope the journey was a pleasant and comfortable one," said Yelan, intertwining her fingers and resting her chin on them. She gazed at her candidate with keen interest.
"Yes, it was. I really appreciate your kindness, Li-san." Sakura smiled, relaxing a little.
Unfurling her fingers, Yelan sat back in her chair and continued to watch the girl right before her. Silence sat between the two women for a good few minutes.
Sakura's eyes roamed about the room, as she waited for her potential employer to speak. She was still not speaking. The silence was drowning her… Hoee… should I say something? Sakura felt as if she was a specimen being studied. She thought she was going to burst in this balloon of awkward silence. She had never been to such a… quiet interview. Plastering a smile on her face, Sakura allowed the Mistress of the Li household to 'scan' her with her intense gaze.
After what seemed like a decade, Yelan broke the stillness. "In silence, you can hear things that you will not otherwise. It is a form of discipline- to quieten the world around you and just listen in." She pointed a slender finger at her heart. "You gain much more when it is still, here."
As though a reflex, one of Sakura's hands ran up to the left of her chest. Still, be still, have faith. They had been wise words from her father. This lady, despite her regal mannerisms and appearance, felt so motherly. Sakura noticed her eyes were kind and gentle, and her smile was as warm as the morning sun. The knots in her stomach loosened some more. The sparse verbal exchange between them dispelled the uneasiness Sakura had had earlier on.
Yelan studied the honey-haired girl for a full minute before she broke the silence, "You understand the job scope, I would assume."
Slightly taken aback, Sakura stammered, "Y-yes, I am aware, Li-san."
"Good. The job scope that you've read on the website is what will be expected of you as our household's live-in tutor. I take it that you're perfectly fine with it?"
"Yes."
"Great. Here is the document that I will need you to sign. Therein lays out the terms and conditions of the position that you have applied for. Read them and if all is well with you, you may sign it on the last page." Yelan handed Sakura a set of neatly bound papers and a pen.
Sakura stared at the papers and up at her interviewer incredulously. "I-I'm hired?"
Yelan chuckled. "Yes, my child."
Sakura stood up and took a step forward to receive the document. She was baffled by the sudden acceptance of her to this job. There were no other questions typically asked in a job interview. But it seemed like Li Yelan knew what she was doing. Perhaps her eyes could see through what normal people could not, Sakura thought to herself, she is a woman of intuition. Still, it was unbelievable that she was hired just by sitting on the maroon chair in Li Yelan's study and saying little. It was queer but she shook off any doubtful thoughts, thanking the heavens she had somehow passed this job interview and was going to be compensated handsomely for her duties that she would be executing as soon as she started her role as the Lis' live-in tutor.
Sakura read line by line, her head swimming as she tried to fully understand every single term and every single condition written on the contract. You can never be too careful, kaijuu. Make sure you read every single word. And ask questions. Her ever cautious onii-chan would always nag before she went for any job interview.
She was almost seeing stars by the time she was done scrutinising the document. Her intuition told her all was well. She could trust this family. "All's good, Li-san."
Yelan smiled. "Great. You may sign on the last page."
There was a rustling of papers as Sakura flipped the document to the last page. She twisted the pen open and signed her name.
"Welcome to our family, Kinomoto-san." Yelan rose to her feet and proffered her hand. Sakura took it, marveling at her tall, slender stature. "You will expect Sakamoto-san two days from now at 8 in the morning." She gave a small smile.
Two days. She would have two days to pack and tell her family. That should be enough. After all, she led the minimalist lifestyle here in Tokyo and her family was always supportive of her decisions. They trusted her to exercise wisdom. Well, except for Kinomoto Touya.
Sakura could hear her heels clack away as she made her way to the hotel's star restaurant, Kuriya. Tomoyo had requested to meet after she had told her about her new job. She saw Tomoyo wave her hand at her, beaming.
Sakura made a beeline over to where Tomoyo was seated and plopped herself onto the wine-coloured sofa seat opposite her best friend.
"Look what I've got you!" Tomoyo whispered, trying to stifle the squeal that threatened to come out from within her. She placed a huge bag on the table and unzipped it for Sakura to see what was inside.
Sakura hovered over the opened bag and gasped, "Clothes! So many of them!"
"Yes! I've been designing and making several dresses, tops and bottoms for you during my free time. I planned to give them to you when you've found a new job. They are all work-friendly outfits! I'm so happy for you, Sakura-chan! Now cannot be a better time to give these to you so you can look your best every day at the Li mansion!" Tomoyo gushed.
Pleasantly surprised and grateful at the same time, Sakura rose from her feet, went over to her talented and selfless friend and hugged her tightly. "I'm so blessed, Tomoyo-chan!"
Tomoyo squeezed back and said, "You're welcome, Sakura-chan. Do keep in touch, won't you?"
"Of course! You sound like I'm going somewhere far away. I'll still be in Tokyo," laughed Sakura.
"I know. But you will be staying at the Li mansion most days of the week and we won't be able to meet up as often. SO. I expect daily updates!" Tomoyo raised an index finger in front of her best friend, as if to say "or else".
Sakura rolled her eyes but grinned at her. "As you wish, my lady." Sakura staged an exaggerated curtsy. Tomoyo gave her a friend a light-hearted shove, giggling.
"I said, it's over." It was a man's voice. It sounded cold, resolute and… empty. It gave Sakura the chills. She shuddered at the glacial tone.
Then, Sakura and Tomoyo heard sobs coming from the table next to theirs. From the corners of her eyes, Sakura could see the woman's shoulders heaving up and down as she sobbed into her napkin. Tomoyo sat stiffly as she tried to avoid gazing at the scene next to her. She cast a furtive glance at the sobbing woman and her face contorted in pity.
"She must have got her heart broken," Sakura spoke in a hushed tone as she leaned over the table.
Tomoyo sighed sympthetically. "Yeah, I believe. Poor girl."
In the midst of the heartbroken woman's sobs, the man stood up, his chair scraping the floor. The scratchy noise made by the chair seemed to signal the end of whatever conversation that had gone on between the two of them. A note of finality.
Sakura turned her head slightly to that curious table and saw the man write a cheque and push it to the black-haired woman. She was clad in a stunning red off-shoulder dress and even though Sakura did not have a full view of her, she could see that this lady was beautiful. A pity to have this beauty trashed by what the man had said to her. Sakura's heart went out to her and prayed silently that she would be alright.
As the brown-haired man took his leave, the red-dressed woman sobbed even harder.
"I see that you have broken yet another lady's heart," Hiiragizawa Eriol remarked, his face placid. "So what was her response to your cold-hearted break-up speech? I hope it's less dramatic than the previous one," he teased, concealing his amusement.
Even though this was not the first episode of Li Syaoran, the notorious heartbreaker of the century, shattering a woman's heart into smithereens, Eriol always found it morbidly fascinating how women would still desire his unfeeling distant cousin despite being fully aware of the impossibility of a 'happily ever after' ending with the Li heir. Perhaps each of them held on to their own little fantasies that the 'bad boy', Li Syaoran, would be conquered by their love for him. So far, none had been successful in their conquests.
"Mmm," Syaoran answered tersely, taking a swig of his green juice, his other free arm hung loosely over the taupe armchair in the Lis' living room. "She cried."
"Even after you handed her the break-up… gift?" Eriol's azure eyes glinted in mischief.
Syaoran glared at his cousin, unwilling to discuss his latest break-up episode any further.
"Seriously, cousin, when are you going to settle down? You have only so much time to… explore your options. Doesn't your mother want you married soon? You're turning twenty-five in a few months," Eriol stated, pulling himself closer to his cousin who was shooting him daggers with his eyes.
"You're nagging, Hiiragizawa," warned Syaoran. To quell his dark-haired cousin's rising concern about his lack of a suitable life partner, he added, "All the girls I've dated have been Mother's requests. I was obliged to go on dates with them, and see how things went. You know that."
"I know. But it's been, what, at least a dozen of such dates?" Eriol knew why the women his obstinate cousin had dated had all been unceremoniously ditched after just a few dates. It was no doubt that his potential life partners were all gorgeous and came from prestigious families. They had pretty immaculate personalities too, or so they seemed. A highly critical and suspicious man because of his family background, Li Syaoran did not trust easily. He knew what all those women wanted - the Lis' name and prestige. They… loved him for what they thought they could get from being his wife. They craved the limelight and attention.
Shallow - the word that would always pop up in his mind when he sat across the table listening to every one of the women his mother had introduced him ramble on about herself. He always could not wait to get each date over and done with so he could escape from the torture of boring conversations and flirtatious gestures. They irked him. Besides, he was not in a hurry to tie any knots yet. Still. Unhurried. Wait.
"You know what all those women want," Syaoran replied dismissively, wanting to put the conversation to an end. He gulped down the remaining green juice and stood up. "I have a long day tomorrow. I'll see you at the office," Syaoran began, stretching his neck left and right.
Eriol raised his eyebrows and smirked. "As you say, dear cousin." With a small wave of his hand, he bade him goodbye and left for the front door.
A/N: Please read and review. Thank you! :D