My Husband's Wedding- Chapter Five

My Husband’s Wedding

Witch-Mistress-Animaru

A/N: Okay, first things first, I’d like to extend my gratitude to the following people who reviewed last chapter. You are the ones who pushed me to continue writing and to update today. Well, actually, this is out of my plan, I only went online today to pre-enlist on my classes first semester next school year, but frustratingly, the university had a change of plans. Hrr! I’m… no, not angry, just disappointed at this lax. Anyway, never mind that, let me ask you a question: Should Keira remain evil or should I redeem her in the last chapters? There’s a lot of bad things she’s done, but if you think she deserves a break, tell me! Anyway, no one is purely evil…Well, enough of that and before I forget, thanks to these people:

rular of all evil – you don’t know the half of the story yet, okay? You’d hate her even more, poor Keira, she’s my creation, see, and I now I’m having doubts whether she should be pure evil or what… You’ll find out why you should hate her soon enough.

Animefreakkagome – Here I am, updating because of your overwhelming reviews! Winks!

Mrs. Perfect – You see, as I said before, the crazy things people do because of love, jealousy and pride, ha! Besides, Sakura is afraid that Syaoran will use his power and wealth to take Xiao Chen away from her if he finds out about him. So, besides the fact that she is overly hurt and jealous of her stepsister Keira, she is also protecting dear Xiao Chen from being involved in her and her husband’s squabble.

Ra-chan – Haha! Don’t hate him too much right now, he also suffered a lot, believe me. But let’s see… Yes, I kind of hate him too in the last chapter because he brought Keira along, you know, just to show around... That’s somewhat using her, which is unfair…Anyway, don’t worry, I’ll redeem him on the following chapters.

Musette Fujiwara – Option A would work kinda like the movie Laws of Attraction, with court battles and all, and I dunno, I find it cliché already, so I decided Option B is better! And, hey, you gave me quite an idea there! But no, unfortunately, Syaoran and Yukito already know each other, though I admit, the idea that he would be mistaken for Xiao Chen is cute. Actually, Syaoran knows about Yukito, even to the extent that he knew that Yukito was once Sakura’s long-time crush… Plus the fact that he doesn’t know Yukito’s already engaged. As for option A, the ending will also be a dramatic cliché of embarrassment for Keira as Syaoran will either leave her, or will not attend the wedding at all. Too overused, I think. Option B’s ending is…Secret! Find out for yourselves! (Evil Laugh!) And thanks for thinking the last chapter was great… That’s a compliment for me since I was having writer’s block yesterday…

Sakusyao – That seems to be a unanimous decision, so I’m off with Option B… And now your wish is granted, here’s the quickest update I made ever! Please continue reading my fic!

Lil cherry blossom wolf – Thanks so much… Geez, also B? That’s great! Hope you continue reading this fic!

Anyway, one last question: Is it okay if I add some lemon or not? If you think that’s too gross, okay, I won’t, but if it’s alright, then…Wink! I might change the rating to M, then. Now, enough questions and gratitude stuff, onto the next chapter!

5: Visitors

Sakura sat in her bed, totally exhausted.

No, not from work, though. Kioko had been managing the shop for the past two weeks. The first week was somewhat a cool-off, a break from her work. But ever since Li Syaoran showed up during practices, she found her days more exhausting than the time she was working in the shop.

In all the practices they’ve been together, they remained indifferent and cool of each other, which made her silently glad inside. Her staff had no inkling of what they really once were, and were made to believe they were only acquaintances, as Keira had put it. And she has no intention of changing this opinion of theirs. Besides, she could sense the fact that they will now have a chance of separating legally.

Right now, she is waiting for Kioko, who fetched Xiao Chen from school every other day, to bring her son home. She only went halfway today’s practices and asked Tomoyo’s permission to leave early. Tomoyo agreed without question, being her best friend for so long, understanding her real reasons. Syaoran wasn’t at the practice yet when she left, so they haven’t met that day.

She was absorbed with her own thoughts that she nearly jumped when the doorbell rang. Expecting Kioko, she rushed out of the room and opened the door breathlessly.

“Konichiwa, Kioko-chan, it’s so nice of—” She stopped short of what she was saying when she realized who it was. “Li-kun. I wasn’t expecting...” But he cut her words.

“Expecting someone else? I went at your shop but you weren’t there, obviously.” He said coolly.

What? At the shop? Sakura thought frantically, realizing that Kioko and Xiao Chen might have arrived any moment earlier at the shop.

“Uh, okay. Do come in,” She offered out of her good upbringing.

“No need, Keira’s at the car, waiting for me. This wouldn’t be long, anyway,” He stated matter-of-factly, as if it was normal for him to visit Sakura every now and then.

“Y-You said you went to the shop. Did you happen to see Tanaka Kioko there? Only, I was expecting her, did you see her? You know, shoulder-length black hair, bespectacled girl in her early twenties? We’re the same height…” Oh, God! Don’t tell me he found out, and that is why he is here…To talk about Xiao Chen, oh, please no! She said this as calmly as possible, although her mind was racing.

“Iie,” He said, and Sakura breathed, “She’s the one who manages the shop for you, ne? Your people said she’s out at an errand for you.”

“Good. Ah-I mean… what brings you here, Sya—Li-kun?” She stammered, and silently cursed herself for doing so. It was awkward, and she felt guilty under his dark amber gaze.

“Are you not well? Why did you cut the practice session today?” She was surprised at these words. They sounded—almost worried. Impossible, She thought dully.

“I had my own business to attend to. I told Tomoyo my reasons earlier. Overworked, perhaps…” As if he’d care, Sakura, A voice in her head mocked her.

He looked puzzled. “But the two of them said…” He didn’t finish the sentence and shook his head. She quickly understood. Although Tomoyo was hostile towards Syaoran, Sakura knew it is her and Eriol’s dear wish that she and Syaoran make up once more. She didn’t know what they said to have him running here, but she had a vague idea of it.

“I’m okay, Li-kun. Well, if that’s all, I bid you goodbye.” She said, moving to close the door, but Keira appeared suddenly out of nowhere.

“Oh, Sakura!” She said, “Fancy seeing you again! Is this where you live? Such a cramped place, isn’t it? So different from our home…” She added continuously, her eyes roaming around the place.

Sakura nearly snorted, but she refused to bite the bait and controlled herself from snapping at Keira. How dare she insult my place! She thought angrily, but held the door open.

“Yes, it’s a bit small, but it’s quite homey. Come in, both of you.” She said and gestured towards the chairs. “Make yourselves comfortable.”

Keira, who appeared not to have been listening to her, was clinging at Syaoran’s arm and cooed, “Gomen ne, Syao-kun, but I got bored of waiting in the car like you said…”

More like you can’t risk Syaoran being alone with me here! Sakura thought viciously as the two seated themselves in her family room.

She swept a glance over the two and a pang of pain and jealousy rushed over her, making her feel sick all of sudden.

Syaoran’s eyes probed her home with curiosity and—what was it? Tenderness? Pity? She chose to believe it was the latter.

“It isn’t quite a large place, but it isn’t shabby.” She said defensively at Syaoran, while she offered tea. “This is all I can offer at such short notice.” She added, suddenly feeling small.

“Why don’t you move back in at Otousan’s, Sakura? Surely…” She didn’t need to hear anymore. Keira had always managed to look like the good adopted daughter, always modest and meek, unlike her, the adventurous, “wild” “black sheep,” the ungrateful daughter. While of course the truth was otherwise. She isn’t surprised that her father never contacted her over the years. They had an argument back then, and Keira once again made it appear like she’s a concerned sweet sister, when she’s the one who fed their father lies about Sakura. She suddenly felt a bitter taste rise to her throat at the fact that her own father chose to believe his adopted rather than his real daughter. And no, she can’t go back to their place anymore, not now that she has Xiao Chen with her. She hated being compared with her good-for-nothing phony stepsister who never made her look good in their father’s eyes.

She sighed.

Well, enough of that. She just couldn’t wallow in self-pity anymore.

Then she remembered that Kioko’s instructions were to bring Xiao Chen home immediately. Uh-oh, she thought as her heart throbbed loudly against her chest.

“Anone…Excuse me for a while, I have a phone call to make…” With that, she dashed out of the room and ran towards the phone, leaving the two looking absolutely confused and puzzled at her actions.

“Moshimoshi? Sakura Wedding Plans, how may we help you?” It was a young girl’s voice, perhaps eighteen, who had answered her call. She presumed it was Zahira, her half-American attendant, who happens to be the youngest employed.

“Zahira?” She said, and when the girl confirmed it is indeed her, she went on. “Has Tanaka Kioko arrived?”

“She is bound to arrive any moment now, Sakura-sama. Ano, there she is! Would you like to talk to her?”

“No need.” Her breathing eased now that she knew her “secret” is safe for now. “Just tell her she can’t bring him now, I’ll just call when she can bring Xiao Chen home. Is it clear?” The girl muttered her assent, and she hung up the phone to attend to her ‘visitors.’

As soon as she arrived at the room, Keira piped up, "Oh, Sakura, forgive our intrusion! You shouldn't have gone to all this trouble for us!" For a moment, she wanted to shout at her, but thought better of it.

"Oh, it's nothing, nothing at all, Keira. After all, what's being stepsisters for?" She said, stressing the word 'stepsisters.'

Keira stopped talking. She looked real hurt, and if Sakura didn't know any better, she might have regretted what she said. "You always remind me that, Sakura..." She just smiled ruefully at her. "Anyway, heard of Tomoeda lately?" She shook her head honestly, and that was when Keira began talking, evidently glad that Sakura could not join in on the conversation.

"...Yeah that little scandal of Mr. Terada and Rika-san was really—"

Suddenly, for the second time that day, the doorbell went off. Sakura's heart leapt. What if Kioko refused to follow her orders?

Syaoran stood up to open the door, but she hastily stopped him.

"Ano, Syaoran-kun, please stay put, I'll open it." Then she went, unaware of what she had called him, leaving a stunned Syaoran frozen in his seat.

Syaoran-kun?

"Coming!" Sakura shouted as the doorbell rang again.

She opened it, expecting to see Kioko, but was surprised for the second time when it wasn't her, but...

"Yukito-kun!" She exclaimed, as a silver-haired, bespectacled man in his early thirties hugged her tightly.

"Hello, Sakura," He said as he let go of her. "You already have visitors? Tsk. And I thought I'd be the first one. Hey, where's..." She knew who he's gonna ask about and widened her eyes threateningly.

"Why?" He asked, and handed her a bunch of sakuras.

"I'll explain later."She whispered, then added, "Thanks, Yuuki-kun, but where's...?" Yukito waved a dismissing hand at her and didn't answer.

"Be a darling and allow me in."

She laughed at this, but did as she was told, and walked with him inside.

"Oniichan's obviously busy to come, of course," she ranted, "I mean, Kaho-san's pregnant, see?"

She stopped short when they walked in on Keira and Syaoran kissing passionately on the couch.

Yukito didn't look surprised,or he may have been, but he hid them. Nonetheless, he looked revolted.

"Tsukishiro-kun!" Noticing their presence, the two broke the kiss, and Keiragreeted them as if nothing happened. "Fancy seeing you here!"

Yukito merely nodded, and eyed Sakura questioningly. When Sakura refused to meet his eyes, he turned to Syaoran instead. The two eyed each other with mounting dislike, and Sakura decided to break the tension. But before she could do so, Yukito's cold glare lowered and he offered his hand to Syaoran, which the latter took grudgingly.

"Li-kun."

"Tsukishiro."

"Um, why don't you sit down, Yukito-kun, I'll go get you some tea." Yukito followed, and Sakura left the three.

Once Sakura was out of earshot, Yukito spoke silently.

"Have you no shame at all? Keira-san, Li-kun! And at Sakura's house, of all places!"

Syaoran just sat silently, while Keira didn't look the least affected.

"Here, Yukito-kun. Wait, are you two going?" Sakura had arrived from the kitchen to see Syaoran and Keira walking towards the door.

"Hai. We are two numbers too many here. Let's go, Keira."

Once Sakura had shut the door after the two, Yukito spoke up.

"I assumehe doesn't know about Xiao Chen?"

Sakura nodded wearily. "But please, Yukito-kun, speak no more about it... We have our own lives now..."

"Yes, but don't pretend to be unaffected by that scene he made earlier. Having separate lives to live don't make you stop loving him." He said,"And don't say it's okay when it's not!" He added when she opened her mouth to argue.

She froze. Tears began to form in her eyes.

"I'm sorry for shouting, Sakura-chan..."

"No, it's okay, really," She said as she whisked the tears off. "It isn't that, but...you're right, I love him still...Sadly, he doesn't feel the same..."

"Now stop mourning, Sakura...Hey, have you heard that Rika and Mr. Terada are going to be married? They're looking for a decent wedding planner, and I recommended you!" Sakura knew he intently changed the subject, but she did not object.

After what seemed like an hour, Yukito bade her goodbye.

"...And say hello to Nakuru-chan for me!"

She closed the door and threw herself to the couch, feeling more exhausted than ever. She felt so numb...Tears began to stain her lovely, smiling face.

Oh, God...