My Husband's Wedding- Chapter Eleven

My Husband’s Wedding

Witch-Mistress-Animaru

11: The Mystery: Part II

Syaoran knows he fell in love with Sakura the moment he saw her descending the steps of her dorm. Back then, he dated different women every night, and only mellowed down a little when Lizzy turned him down. But when he met Sakura, he stopped dating other women altogether. Perhaps in his subconscious, he knew she was the one for him. And they had such a perfect start for a perfect love. Nothing seemed to go wrong.

He sighed.

‘But where,’ He thought painfully, ‘where did our love for each other go wrong?’

“Ah!” He screamed, before forcefully throwing the wine glass in his hand to the wall before him, where it shattered to pieces.

They met nearly seven years ago. They met and fell in love.

They fell apart six years ago.

And now, he’s just found out that they have a son.

And it’s driving him mad.

He turned to his desk. There lay his divorce papers, prepared by Hisashi Yamazaki, the Li Family Lawyer, who promised to remain discreet about it. The papers to his and her freedom.

But did he really want to be free? And did he really think he’d be free of Sakura once they were divorced?

‘No. She pesters me like a computer virus. And both in my heart and mind, too…’

Without really thinking, he gathered the papers and went to the kitchen. He turned the food processor on, and threw the papers in, where they were torn to pieces in an instant.

After turning it off, and without bothering to trash what remained of the divorce papers, he went to his room, shut his eyes, and tried his best to get some sleep.

---

Meanwhile, as Syaoran tried with all his might to sleep, Sakura remains motionless in bed, with Touya beside her, not knowing that she is relishing the colorful past.

She stared absentmindedly at the ceiling. Last night was wonderful beyond words. She and Tomoyo split up together with their dates; Syaoran hated double dates. There’s just not enough privacy, so he says. So, as Tomoyo and Eriol decided to go at Yoshi’s, a famous restaurant located a little farther somewhere in south Tokyo, She and Syaoran decided to go at Nadesico Yuri Reztoh, a few blocks away from the dorm. The limo drove away, leaving the two of them there. After dinner, they went to a cool place named Gyro Petit, some bar a couple of minutes’ walk from Nadesico Yuri.

In that few hours that they talked, she learned a lot about him. He was the next president of LGC, one of Japan’s largest corporations. He’s the only son of Yelan Li, and has four elder, pretty sisters. He’s got a brown belt in just about every Martial Arts there is (So it sounded to her; she’s not in to Martial Arts much), but most especially in Kung-Fu. He loves Japanese and Chinese Cuisine, but also Italian and Western food.

Then he walked her home, and asked permission to kiss her goodnight. She was surprised that he asked; and though it was a bit too fast for her, she agreed, expecting a light kiss on the cheek. But instead, he kissed her lightly on the lips, before biding her goodnight.

She didn’t even notice how she got in, or how she fell asleep. She felt like floating.

On the bed beside hers, Tomoyo also looked a bit dazed. She came home a bit earlier than Sakura (Which was saying something, as Yoshi’s is farther than Nadesico Yuri Reztoh and Gyro Petit.), but when Sakura got back, she vaguely noticed in her stupor that Tomoyo was in the same state. She needn’t ask, for she already knew why.

She, Sakura Kinomoto, eighteen years of age, was falling in love for the first time. And it seems that Tomoyo Daidouji, her best friend, twenty years of age, was also falling in love.

All thoughts of last night flew off when she heard the doorbell ring. In their dorm, security is a little bit... well, lax. Anybody could answer the phone; open the door, just like an ordinary house. She expected that the couple of girls who live there are still asleep, so she grudgingly stood up to open the door herself. Tomoyo didn't budge, and with a resolved sigh, she got out of bed reluctantly.

'Who'd be visiting this early?’ She thought darkly, muttering to herself. But all angry thoughts disappeared, to be replaced by excitement and irrepressible mirth when she saw who it is.

It was Touya, and she didn't mind at all that Keira was there, too, scowling, since her brother is there.

"Oniichan!” She shrieked, forgetting that other students were sleeping, and nearly strangled her grinning brother as she hugged him tightly.

"Ow, kaijuu, stop strangling me, or you'd have me killed accidentally!” He said good-naturedly, and mimed choking as she continued to 'strangle' him.

"Why didn't you wait for me at home? You know I'll always come... You don't seem to have rested yet!” She said incessantly, ignoring what Touya just called her. Touya looked very tired indeed and was still in his business suit. He seemed to have come home in quite a hurry, but Sakura wasn't complaining. She only wished he didn't look exhausted.

"I wanted to tour around this place with you, squirt,” he whined, “I missed our trips a lot. You’d come with me, won’t you?” He said, with pleading, hush-puppy eyes. She rolled her eyes, but took her brother’s hand and pulled him inside, shutting the door before Keira’s scowling face.

“…As if you don’t know Tokyo well enough! You even know this place better than I do, I bet!” She said, shoving her brother in to the receiving room.

“Ah, don’t argue with me, kaijuu, I’m dead tired already for that! But I can manage the whole day out, anyway…”

This time Touya didn’t get away with the teasing.

“For the last time, Oniichan, I — am — not — a — kaijuu!” She screamed, and stamped at her brother’s foot.

“Ow, ow!” He shouted, “That hurt! Why not get ready, I wanna go now!”

She stopped what she was doing, and grinned at Touya, before running upstairs.

“Give me five minutes!”

“Knowing you, it’ll be noon by the time you’re done! Are you still late for school, Kaijuu?” Touya shouted at her back, but she was already upstairs in seconds, and had not heard her brother’s remark.

Fifteen minutes later (though she only said five), Sakura went down after saying goodbye to Tomoyo, who blushed a little when she heard that Touya was downstairs (She used to have a crush on Touya, but apparently, grown out of the feeling. Sakura thinks she’s only embarrassed now because Sakura knew it).

“Ready?” Touya asked her, and he seemed a bit younger with that playful smile in his lips. Nobody would think he’s nearing thirty. (A/N: in this fic, he’s ten years older than Sakura, making him already 28.)

She nodded, and they headed towards the door.

---

Syaoran could not sleep still. It had to be a record, as he already had almost half a dozen shots of tequila, but still, he remained restless and disturbed. He tossed and turned in bed, adjusted his air-conditioner to the coldest temperature, but still remained uncomforted. He can’t help but think about Keira, too. In a way, he felt guilty about what happened between him and Sakura while they were supposed to be talking, but all in all, the relief he feels now defeated his anxiety; for just a few hours ago, he had seen the real Keira that Sakura told him about many times before. How could he have been so blind? But then, Keira can charm the wits out of people if she wanted to, but that doesn’t change the fact of her being a scheming, spiteful bitch.

And he knew… he knew that... It will be a mistake to marry her.

He smiled to his self as he parked his car near the Tokyo Shino Dormitory. He knew it was too early to call, but Sakura and he agreed to meet at eight o’clock today. He just didn’t want to be late; never mind Eriol teasing him like hell about being a teenager on his first date. If he wasn’t so eager to leave, Eriol will have a black eye by now. But he was too excited to be annoyed. He grinned for no reason at all as he walked out of the car.

He froze at the sight he saw from the distance.

Sakura was hugging (Was she? It looked like she’s throttling his neck) a tall, black-haired man who looked much older than she is. Another girl was standing beside the two, looking impatient and annoyed. He stared as Sakura pulled the man inside and shut the door, his heart filled with jealousy and fear.

Frowning confusedly, he walked slowly towards the girl who looked infuriated when Sakura shut her out of the dorm.

“Ahem.” He cleared his throat, and the girl turned around. She didn’t look Japanese at all. She had white-blonde hair and coal black eyes. She was also very tall, about 5’7”, unlike Sakura, who only stood at approximately 5’3”. But still, as he was three inches over six feet, he towered a bit over the girl.

Her eyes stared at him appraisingly, then widened with recognition and excitement.

“Oh, it can’t be the Li Syaoran?” Her voice was shrill and girlish, and he didn’t like it a bit. And though she was very pretty, he found her gaze uncomfortable and her face, which was very pale, as though she rarely went out of the house, rather unattractive. But then, he can’t go about judging people by looks alone, so he offered her his hand as he introduced himself.

“Yes, I’m Li Syaoran. And you are?” He asked politely, hoping he didn’t sound rude or disinterested.

“Oh, I’m Xi Keira Kinomoto, glad to meet you!” She said in Japanese, with a perfect Japanese accent. Then her name registered in his head.

“I can say the same,” he remarked, pulling his hand away, before asking, “Kinomoto, you say? How are you related to Sakura Kinomoto?” He didn’t notice that her eyes sharpened at the sound of Sakura’s name.

“We’re stepsisters,” she said nonchalantly, and then went on in much warmer tones, “How come you know her? She didn’t tell me about that… Mind you, she doesn’t treat me like family.” Her tone turned indifferent again at the last remark, but he didn’t even notice her talking, for at that moment, Sakura walked out of the dorm with the tall raven-haired guy. She stopped short when she saw him outside, and her eyes widened.

“Syaoran!” She muttered in surprise, and then added in apologetic tones, “Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot!” He noticed that the guy was eyeing him with mingled curiosity and dislike.

‘So, the feeling is mutual, then?’ He thought darkly, and eyed him with equal intensity.

Sakura cleared her throat, blushing.

“Oh, I’m really, really sorry…Only, Oniichan came and…” Her voice trailed away when she noticed that the two were staring menacingly at each other. She tugged at the sleeve of the man beside her and stared warningly. The man dropped his gaze, but held Sakura protectively by the arm.

“Um, as I was saying, this man, um…My brother, I mean, came home earlier today and paid me a visit.

“W-ell, he also wanted to go out with me today. Oh, I forgot! Brother, this is Li Syaoran, a f-friend of mine. Syaoran, meet my brother Touya Kinomoto.” She introduced them, and he merely noticed that she hesitated in saying ‘friend.’

As Sakura stared at both of them expectantly, and somewhat warningly, they grudgingly shook hands and let go immediately.

“W-well,” Sakura stammered out, “Since both of you want to explore Tokyo today…”

“…Why don’t we three go together?”

Syaoran wanted to argue at once, and Touya looked utterly revolted at the idea, but Sakura seemed oblivious of their reactions. She looked very happy indeed at the ‘ingenious’ idea of hers, and both of them didn’t seem to have the heart to argue. Just the same, only Sakura liked the idea, nobody else did.

They had fun in the Tokyo Amusement Park, especially the horror house. He learned that Sakura didn’t like scary stuff, and took advantage of it completely, even though Touya stared at him occasionally with what looked like warning and assessment combined.

All in all, his little ‘date’ with Sakura didn’t go as planned, what with big bro Touya on the guard. For instance, instead of dining in a posh, romantic candlelit restaurant, Touya asked to eat on some fast-food chain. And they went on public places, like the park and the movies. He didn’t even get the chance to hold her hand.

Then at five o’clock, Touya insisted on going home. By the sound of it, Sakura was going back to Tomoeda that day; she said her brother was only staying the weekend, before leaving again to go back to business, and she wants to spend time with him at home. The two looked very close to each other indeed. Keira Kinomoto, on the other hand, didn’t want to come, and insisted to go home earlier than the two to Tomoeda. The sibs didn’t even argue with her decision; they even seemed glad to be rid of her. Syaoran felt pity for the girl; she was an outcast in the family, so it seemed. But he also wanted to spend time with Sakura, rather than think about the problems of other people.

‘Oh, well, I’ve got other chances,’ he thought to himself, somewhat trying to console his self. And he rolled over his back and went to sleep.

---

Time, a most amazing abstraction, flowed so quickly upon them that nobody could believe it really passed them by.

After a few more dates (alone this time, to Syaoran’s relief), Syaoran asked Sakura directly to be his girlfriend. Sakura, however, has not given an answer yet, as she still feels confused about this whirlwind romance. She certainly loves him, but still, something held her back from answering at once.

Now, however, a month after they first met, she wishes to give him her answer. Touya knew about it; she had phoned it to him once she has decided. And although he disapproved of Syaoran at first sight, he wanted her to be happy, and told her to do what she thought was best.

She wore a plush pink dress, once again Tomoyo’s experimental fashion. Her hair was slightly curled, and she wore an expensive set of emeralds. It was a family heirloom, given to her by her mother years and years ago, telling her to ‘keep them safe’ and ‘use them well.’ She wore next-to-nothing makeup, only powder, blush and lip gloss. She had naturally luscious red lips, and she didn’t like makeup much.

“You look fab, Sakura-chan!” Tomoyo exclaimed as she stared at her reflection. Tomoyo was several steps ahead of her. She was now officially Eriol’s girlfriend, twelve days to be exact. She feels so glad for the two, but she can’t help but get nervous about her own love story. She hopes that nothing goes wrong this night…

When the doorbell rang, she nearly jumped. She opened the door, only to fall back once more. It wasn’t Syaoran.

It was her father, and beside him was a triumphant Keira.

During the past month, Keira was proving to be a pest. She always trails Sakura on her dates with Syaoran on weekends; only lately, Tomoyo has managed to mislead Keira. Sometimes she even whines about coming with her. Sakura wasn’t dumb; she knew that Keira wanted Syaoran for herself, and she was also expecting something like this, but not tonight, definitely.

She backed away from her father, who looked very grim indeed. His eyes were mere slits; Sakura vaguely remembered, in her panic, the only time she saw her father like this before: the night Kakashi Fujiyama nearly raped her. And he came close to hurting her so much then…

“So Keira was telling the truth again. I’ve had enough of your wildness! If your cousin tolerates you, well, I won’t!” He said darkly, and pulled her by the wrist, almost dragging her out. “Partying every night, attending frenzied parties and what more? I won’t be surprised if you attended orgies already, but it won’t happen again! Now, get inside the car, and don’t test me! I’ll have your clothes delivered at home, now let’s go!” When Sakura would not get in the car, he shoved her bodily inside, and entered the car himself. Keira, however, was fumbling with the door handle beside her.

“Father, is it okay if I stay behind? I only remembered…I need to do something…” She said in an honest, soft voice, and she tried to open one car door. Sakura was infuriated as she understood why Keira did this; she knew Syaoran was coming, and wanted Sakura out of the way. She could only imagine Keira telling him how she decided not to meet him, and as Fujitaka opened the power-lock of the car to let Keira out, a sheer recklessness and rebellion overcome her. Pushing her luck as her father started the engine; she pushed the door open and ran outside. Keira looked infuriated, and her father shouted “Sakura! Get back in here!” but she didn’t care anymore.

“I’m not coming with you no matter what!” She screamed and just ran away. Tears streamed down her face, smearing her makeup. She didn’t want to cry, but she can’t help it. How can someone so lovely be so evil? Why does Keira love to make her suffer, make her look bad in her own father’s eyes? And why did she want to take away everything, everyone that Sakura has? She can’t understand…she can’t…

She needed to find Syaoran, quickly…

Then, she nearly collided with a tall someone.

She looked up and felt relief sweep over her. It was Syaoran. She was safe from her scheming stepsister.

---

Syaoran felt loneliness sweep over him in the dark night. It was a cloudy night, and not a star was in sight. The moon hid in the shadows. He stood up from bed and opened the blinds in the window to gaze at the night sky. It was like this night, that Sakura came to him…crying…

Syaoran didn’t say anything as Sakura continued to cry at his chest. He felt so much pity, and so much love for her. He wanted to kill whoever made her cry; but he didn’t even know why she was crying. She certainly wasn’t telling. And he can’t bring about asking her about it. He just sat there, comforting her.

It was only an hour after he drove to the dorm and saw Sakura running like mad, and crying so hard. She didn’t even see him as she nearly ran in to him. But everything that happened earlier seemed ages ago.

Now, here they were, in one of Tokyo’s largest parks. He didn’t know how to make her stop crying, but just as he was about to remark on this, Sakura stopped sobbing.

She dried her eyes and smiled at him.

“T-thank you, Syaoran,” she stammered, her voice so hoarse from all the crying, but he didn’t mind; it still sounded like music to his ears, “I don’t know what would have happened if it had not been for you…”

He just hugged her, and didn’t say anything.

“Ano, Sakura…” He said, and he was about to ask why she was crying, when she suddenly turned her face up. Her face was a mess; her makeup melted from her tears. But she didn’t look ugly at all, he thought, but still very much beautiful. Before he could think of anything else, however, her lips met his.

To say that he was shocked is an understatement. Sakura was kissing him!

Before he could respond properly, however, she had already broken away.

She couldn’t meet his eyes, and she was blushing.

He laughed, and she looked up at him. Then, she also started to laugh.

It seemed ages ago that she was crying, and he was mesmerized.

He never thought a time would come when he would find a kiss satisfying him, but it did…

For the kiss assured him that she was his.

He wondered briefly if Sakura would allow him to do more than kissing her, and immediately felt ashamed at the thought.

He loves her, and he would never cause her pain intentionally, or take advantage of her deliberately. He could give her so much, sacrifice so much, and ask for nothing in return.

For he loves her…more than he could ever love himself.

And for now, he was content to know that she might be feeling the same for him.

…And nothing else mattered anymore. Nothing else.

Nothing else.