Love Conquers All
Chapter 13
Author's jibberish: This is it! What will Tomoyo and Eriol do?
"Have you ever thought of being a writer?" a voice asked behind Tomoyo.
She was on her way out of the conference room after the first few readings of the script. She turned, trying to hide her shock from Eriol. "Oh…uh, no."
Eriol cupped her elbow. "I said we'd talk later. Now, it's later." He led her away from the rest of the crowd and into another hallway with a far less amount of people. "Well," he began, "that was very interesting back there." Eriol stared at her. "Were you talking about Tomoko or yourself?"
Tomoyo took a deep breath. Oh no…She gulped. I…I can't… She pulled his notebook from him ad scribbled down an address. "Be there by seven tonight."
"But--."
She quickly turned and sped away. "I'll explain everything later."
Eriol watched her leave down the hallway. She's running away again.
Tomoyo got outside and immediately slammed her heel on the ground. "Idiot!" she yelled. "Chickened out again!" she released a long breath. She had to find a way to tell him. At her house, she couldn't run…but she wasn't fully comfortable admitting her feelings…not her own, at least. Me and my damn emotional issues… Another sigh escaped her lips. Then, an idea came to her.
Seven p.m. right on time. Eriol found his way to a nice condo near the outskirts of Tomoeda. He pressed her buzzer that sat near the door.
Time, I've been patient for so longHow can I pretend to be so strong?
Looking at you baby
Feeling it too baby
If I'm asking you to hold me tight
Then it's gonna be alrightThe door slowly opened. In front of him stood a beautiful young woman, wearing a lavender kimono and a dark violet obi. Her kimono was embroidered with delicate blossoms. Her hair was pulled up in a bun, all held in place with a decorative white comb, with strings of small pearls cascading from it.
She smiled at him. "Good evening, Eli. Would you come in?"
"E…li?" Eriol's eyes narrowed in confusion. Aha, so she wants to play make-believe, he soon realized. I can humor her for a bit. He entered, pulling off his shoes. "You wished to see me, Tomoko?"
It's gonna be loveIt's gonna be great
It's gonna be more than I can take
It's gonna be free
It's gonna be real
It's gonna change everything I feel
It's gonna be sad
It's gonna be true
It's gonna be me, baby
It's gonna be you baby
It's gonna be…
It's gonna be love
"Yes." She led him to the living room, where a tea set and a sake-set were prepared. "Have a seat. May I offer you a beverage, Eli?"
He nodded his head. "Tea will be fine," Eriol sat on the black couch. He watched her get on her knees in front of the glass coffee table. He watched her cautiously pour tea in a small ceramic cup. When she finished, she offered it to him. "Arigato," Eriol took it, drinking a little.
"Did you have trouble finding me?"
"No. You're easy to spot, Beautiful."
Time, am I restless or a fool?How can you pretend to be so cruel?
Maybe it's me, baby
Maybe it's true, baby
Maybe it's everything we're dreaming of
We've waited long enough
A flush came to her cheeks. "What I meant was…"
"Do you remember the first time I called you that?" Eriol asked. "It was the morning I told you the story of the Plum Blossom…your story."
Tomoyo nodded. "I remember."
"Now, Tomoko," he said the name awkwardly. "What is the real reason you invited me here? It certainly wasn't for tea; I could get tea any time I please."
"But it's very good tea," she hesitated.
Eriol stood, placing the cup on the table. "If all you have to do is play games, then I best be on my way."
It's gonna be loveIt's gonna be great
It's gonna be more than I can take
It's gonna be free
It's gonna be real
It's gonna change everything I feel
It's gonna be sad
It's gonna be true
It's gonna be you're the one to do
It's gonna be me baby
It's gonna be you baby
"No, wait," Tomoyo stood. "Please, sit." When he did, she took a seat beside him. "Eri…Eli…" she began. "I made a huge mistake and I wonder if you can forgive me."
"What is your mistake?"
"Letting you go; leaving you was the biggest mistake of my life," she said. Her chest felt tight as the words slowly came out. "I love you and …I pray you can forgive me."
Eriol's eyes were on her, listening her apology. "I can't do that."
"I…" Tomoyo's face fell. "I understand."
The sooner you let two hearts beat togetherThe sooner you'll know this love is forever
It's gonna be love
Love needs time now or never
It's gonna be love
It's gonna be tough
You gotta believe
It's gonna be strong enough
Eriol shook his head. "No. The thing is that Tomoyo is the one that left me in Hawaii. Not whoever you. And if she was truly sorry, and she apologized, I would tell her she is forgiven. I would tell her that my life has been complete and that I found my soul mate. I want to spend my life with Daidouji Tomoyo." Eriol pulled the comb out of her hair, her tendrils cascading down her back. "Stop hiding, Beautiful. I want to see the real you."
It's gonna be loveIt's gonna be great
It's gonna be more than I can take
It's gonna be free
It's gonna be real
It's gonna change everything I feel
It's gonna be sad
It's gonna be true
It's gonna be me, baby
It's gonna be you baby
It's gonna be…
It's gonna be love
Tears rolled down her pink cheeks. "Eriol-kun… I'm so sorry for everything…I run because…"
"You run away because you don't want to get hurt," he guessed. "So you put up an act…a mask to protect yourself."
She nodded. She gulped, shame washing over her.
"I don't want you to act with me Tomoyo-san," he told her. "I would do anything to make you happy."
"Will you be mine?" Tomoyo asked. "Only mine?"
Eriol smiled tenderly at her. His thumb traced her cheek, and then he leaned forward, kissing her lips. She melted under his touch, the heated sensations warming every part of her body. His lips danced with hers, tasting every emotion she felt for him. He pulled away slightly and spoke one word, his lips brushing against hers:
"Forever."
…end…
Author's jibberish: (again) The song is "It's gonna be love" by Mandy Moore. Thank you to everyone who reviewed and read this story. To my beta reader, Xiaoyu Ling. I know you thought this was dreadfully mushy but…ah, too bad. Thank you for sitting through it though. To my loyalist who read every sap-filled chapter…you survived. Thanks a bunch to all of you; see ya around! Now gotta figure a new E+T plot…=)