I am really sorry for the very long hiatus, but this chapter is finally done! I might also edit some previous chapters as I realised there were quite a number of inaccuracies. I am really sorry for that. Thank you very much for all your support, reviews, messages, alerts and favourites. There will probably be a number of errors in this chapter as I decided to upload this chapter right after I finish writing it. Nonetheless, I hope you will enjoy reading this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura.

Flashback

"If you leave now, it would mean that you don't love her. You don't feel anything for her," Tomoyo said quietly. The hallway was enveloped with a thick air of silence.

It was a few excruciating moments later when Syaoran finally made his decision.

He took stepped forward to leave without turning back.

Tomoyo widened his eyes in disbelief and anger. "Syaoran Li, if you take even one step forward, you can forget about ever seeing Sakura. I won't let you see her again," Tomoyo raised her voice.

Syaoran only stopped for a few seconds before he continued walking down the hallway. Just as he reached the stairways, he was stopped in his tracks by the sight of Shinji. Tears were once again welling up in his eyes.

Shinji had probably heard the whole confrontation. He gazed at Syaoran with his emerald orbs, a pleading look in his eyes.

They were begging him to stay.

As much as he wanted to stay, Syaoran knew he couldn't. He didn't want to bring any more troubles and sufferings to Sakura and the boy. He can't afford to implicate Sakura and Shinji in the whole media frenzy. Syaoran hardened his resolve and looked away. He can't help but be reminded of Sakura whenever he stared at those eyes. "I'm sorry, Shinji," Syaoran said quietly as he walked down the stairways.

Tomoyo wanted to kill Syaoran Li for being an insensitive jerk and a useless coward.

Of course Tomoyo was aware of what Syaoran feared. He feared that revealing his feelings might bring troubles to Sakura when the media knows about it. And the society was definitely going to shun Sakura and treat her as some kind of slut who seduced the ever handsome and successful husband of Amy Li.

The paparazzi will be hot on her trails and Sakura will then lose her privacy. She'll even succumb to the pressure of the media.

But surely it would not be such a hard problem to deal with. Syaoran could just divorce Amy Li, reveal that the bitch seduced him and tell the whole wide world how much he loves Sakura who is also his wife. Then they could all live happily ever after.

So why couldn't Syaoran do that? Why couldn't he just divorce Amy and stay with Sakura?

Unless Syaoran didn't want to divorce Amy because she's the one he loves. Not Sakura.

"I'm so going to kill Syaoran Li," Tomoyo muttered venomously, anger glinting in her amethyst eyes. Eriol smiled a little unsurely and placed his hands on Tomoyo's shoulders in an attempt to placate her.

"Now, now, Tomoyo. Don't be rash. I don't want to lose a best friend and I'm sure Sakura would be devastated if her best friend killed her husband," Eriol said.

"It's your best friend's fault for being a jerk and it's soon-to-be-ex-husband in Sakura's case," Tomoyo snapped. Eriol smiled, "Don't be angry, Tomoyo. Syaoran's just a little stubborn. I'll go chase after him to have a talk with him. I don't believe that he doesn't love Sakura."

"Alright. And make sure to knock some sense into him," Tomoyo grumbled. Eriol smiled and nodded his head as he went down the stairways after Syaoran.

As Tomoyo continued walking down the hallway, she saw Shinji standing at a corner with a crestfallen face. "Shinji, what's wrong? Come here to Aunt Tomoyo," she said gently as she smiled. All angry thoughts about Syaoran evaporated instantly.

Shinji's head jerked up at the voice and he walked towards Tomoyo. As he stood in front of Tomoyo, tears began to roll down his cheeks. Tomoyo was immediately startled and she kneeled down so that she was at eye level with Shinji.

"Hey, what's wrong? Don't cry Shinji." "Daddy….Daddy...He left….He doesn't want mummy anymore. He doesn't love mummy," Shinji sobbed softly. Tomoyo realized that Shinji must have heard the whole confrontation, no wonder he was so upset.

"Don't worry, Shinji. Of course he wants your mummy. He's just…a little silly at times. He doesn't realize his feelings yet. Uncle Eriol is going to talk some sense into him and after that, it'll be fine," Tomoyo said with a smile.

"But….But…."

"No buts. Now be a good boy and go wash your face. Hand over the medicine to me, I'll make sure your mumy takes them. Go finish your schoolwork or go play outside. Stop worrying about silly things. It'll be fine. I promise," Tomoyo said.

Shinji smiled back and nodded his head. He handed Tomoyo the medicine which was on a small tray and walked away. Tomoyo sighed and stood up. She turned around and began walking towards Sakura's room, carrying the tray in her hands.

Perhaps she shouldn't have confronted Syaoran like that, when Shinji was obviously around the mansion somewhere. The boy must have felt dejected after hearing the whole confrontation.

"But thank god Sakura didn't hea-"

Tomoyo stopped and her eyes widened when she reached Sakura's room.

Sakura was sitting up, her face turned to the side, looking at the wall. "Sakura?" Tomoyo called out hesitantly.

Sakura turned to look at Tomoyo, tears flowing down from her emerald orbs. She must have heard the whole confrontation as well and thought that Syaoran didn't love her.

Tomoyo knew she shouldn't have spoken too soon. She hastily placed the medicine on the table and rushed to Sakura's side. She hugged the auburn-haired girl and rubbed her back soothingly. It didn't take long before Sakura's began to broke down and sobbed loudly as she hugged her best friend tightly.

Chapter 17: Trapped Together

Eriol scanned the compound while catching his breath. After running around looking for Syaoran, he had come to appreciate how insanely large the Li main mansion is. Syaoran certainly did not help matters; that guy can be very elusive to get hold of at times.

To his relief, he spotted a glimpse of chestnut hair. Eriol regained his composure and calmly walked towards his best friend.

"It looks like someone has been drinking alone," Eriol commented as he stopped at the table where Syaoran was at. The latter however, did not reply to his comment and continued drinking. Eriol smiled to himself. He knew that Syaoran was probably not in a mood to talk, or to be exact, listen to his lecture and any advices he could give.

"May I join you?" Eriol said in a pleasant tone. Syaoran gulped down the glass of vodka he was drinking and set the glass on the table, a little too roughly.

"Why bother asking when you're just going to sit anyway, regardless of what I say."

Eriol grinned and took his seat on the chair opposite Syaoran. "I was actually just testing the waters, to see if it was safe to come near it, and of course, formulate my next course of action based on the situation."

Syaoran smiled wryly to himself as he poured a glass of vodka and pushed the glass to Eriol. "So, are you here to continue where your fiancée left off? Advise me? Lecture me?"

"What makes you think I'm here for that purpose?" Eriol raised his eyebrow as he drank the vodka.

"Because although we have been best friends for years, you rarely come popping out to share a drink with me when I'm alone, especially if you could have stayed with Tomoyo," Syaoran answered.

Eriol shook his head slightly at that answer. "Regardless of what you think, Syaoran, I really do care about you, which is why I don't wish to see my best friend making another huge mistake in his life."

"Mistake? What is the mistake you are referring to? Me leaving the meeting in the morning so abruptly? Me arguing with Tomoyo?"

"You know what I'm referring to, Syaoran. It's about you thinking of letting Sakura go," Eriol said in a more serious tone.

"How is that a mistake, Eriol? Weren't you the one telling me to let her go in the first place, to let her have her chance to seek her own happiness?"

"I did say that, but that was before you began to include her in your life again, hiring her as your secretary, taking her to Lidia island. And, that kiss," Eriol's voice trailed away.

"That kiss was just –"

"Don't you dare say it was just a spur of the moment, Syaoran. I have known you for years. You would never kiss a lady without any sorts of feelings involved. So, tell me Syaoran, what was it that you felt for her? Love? Pity? Nostalgia?"

Syaoran kept silent as he averted his gaze away from Eriol's gray eyes. "I know how you feel Syaoran. You found yourself falling for her again. You want her back in your life as before. What I want to know is why are you hurting yourself and her by distancing yourself again from her?"

"You don't understand, Eriol. Things are not that simple," Syaoran said silently.

"The only thing I don't understand is you, Syaoran. You were never like this. The Syaoran I know would never let go of something he wants," Eriol said, a little more forcefully.

"Don't make it sound so simple, Eriol. You know what is at stake. If I choose to keep Sakura by my side, she'll be thrown into this media frenzy with me. And there is still Amy."

"You think that by letting her go is a way of protecting her? From what I see, you are only hurting yourself and Sakura. If you want to protect her, stay with her. Keep her by your side. Say something and defend her in front of those media," Eriol said with conviction.

Syaoran merely kept silent as Eriol continued, "As for your dear wife, Amy, I know she won't be easy to deal with. But if you truly do love Sakura and not her, why are you not divorcing her? You should have plenty of connections to deal with a divorce, no matter how difficult it may be. I would even help you out if you asked. So, why are you not doing anything? Unless, you really love her or feel something for her,"

"No, I don't love her, at least not in that way," Syaoran said quietly.

"So why are you acting like this? What is exactly is stopping you from seeking happiness?"

"I can't tell you , Eriol."

"You can't tell me?" Eriol said in disbelief. Just what exactly was Syaoran being so secretive about.

"I'm sorry, Eriol," Syaoran said as he turned and locked his amber eyes onto Eriol's grey ones. "I don't deserve Sakura, not after I hurt her over and over again. She probably won't be able to forgive me. She probably wouldn't want to be with me either. She deserves someone better," Syaoran said.

"Yes, I agree. With you acting like a total jerk now, leading her on, and then deciding to let her go for the excuse of protecting her, you certainly don't deserve her," Eriol said harshly. Syaoran flinched at Eriol's tone of voice as he averted his gaze again, refilling his glass with vodka.

"But I'm not her, and neither are you. So, who are we to decide what she should have or not?" Eriol said a little calmer. Eriol stood up as Syaoran turned his head to look at him.

"Talk to her, Syaoran. Find out how she wants. Open up to each other. I only want the best for you both. If you still insist that letting her go is the best option, then I suppose you should. But, don't make a hasty decision, only to regret it in the end," Eriol said with a small smile.

Syaoran kept silent, but Eriol could see the emotions portrayed in his amber eyes. Eriol calmly walked towards Syaoran's seat. "I'll always be there if you need me, no matter how big of a jerk you can be," Eriol said as he placed a hand on Syaoran's shoulder to reassure him. He then walked away, leaving Syaoran alone to gather his thoughts.

Sakura stood in front of the door to Syaoran's office room. Staring at the letter in her hand, she closed her eyes as memories of the past few days replayed in her mind. When she opened her eyes again, her emerald eyes were glinting with resolve. She knocked on the door. "Come in," came Syaoran's voice, formal and business-like.

Sakura stepped into the room and walked towards Syaoran who seemed to be doing his paperwork. Syaoran took one glance at her, before continuing his work again. "Yes? Is there anything Sakura?"

"I've decided to resign," Sakura said as she handed her letter to Syaoran by placing it on his table. Syaoran stopped whatever he was doing as he stared at the letter. His amber eyes registered a look of surprise as he looked up to meet Sakura's gaze.

"I am very sorry for the short notice, but I just don't think I am suitable to be your secretary. This job probably doesn't suit me," Sakura said.

"But what are you going to do after this if you resign? Are you going to look to for another job?" Syaoran asked as he tried to keep himself calm, but with little success.

"I am planning to open a small cafe after this," Sakura said and she quickly stopped herself from revealing any more details. She mentally cursed herself for even offering the information in the first place.

"What? Since when did you decide on this? Do you have enough funds to set up a business?" Syaoran exclaimed as he stood up from this seat.

"I believe it is none of your concern, Syaoran," Sakura said brusquely. "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave now."

"Sakura, wait," Syaoran said as he grabbed Sakura's arm with lightning-fast reflexes, to prevent her from leaving the room.

Sakura tried to break free of the Syaoran's strong grip. "Let go of me."

"Sakura, don't act rashly. Let's discuss about this."

"No! What is there to discuss with you? This will be my business so it is none of your concern. After I resign, we will not have anything to do with each other anymore, so I do not need to discuss my personal life with you, do I?" Sakura said angrily as she continued struggling to break free from Syaoran.

"Sakura, I just want to help you. Do you have the funds needed for setting up the business? What about finding a suitable premise for the business? Do you –"

"Stop it, Syaoran Li!" Sakura shouted angrily as she finally managed to break free and she took a few steps back from Syaoran as the latter stared at her in shock.

"Stop trying to help me because I don't need your help. Stop acting like you care about me."

"Sakura, you are still my childhood best friend. I can't just stand aside and not care, when you need my help," Syaoran tried to reason.

"Childhood best friend?" Sakura scoffed. "Stop saying that. We can never return to being childhood best friends like before so stop lying to yourself. That relationship was over that night you chose to leave me alone for another woman you now call wife," Sakura said angrily as her emerald eyes glistened with tears.

Syaoran kept silent at Sakura's outburst, his amber orbs unable to hold the gaze as he looked away.

"So please, just leave me alone. Stop trying to be nice to me." Sakura said silently as she too turned to focus her gaze on the ground. "It hurts."

A thick silence soon enveloped the room, neither saying a word.

"Very well. I understand," Syaoran said curtly as he took his seat again. Sakura looked up to meet Syaoran's gaze, but the amber orbs which previously held much emotion, were now cold and piercing.

"If that is what you have decided, I will see to the proper arrangements," Syaoran said coldly as he kept the resignation letter in the drawer. "However, I would like to request that you stay until the end of this week, to allow some time for me to get a replacement and for any appropriate arrangements to be done."

"Of course, your salary will be paid up until the end of this week. Will you have any problems with that?"

Sakura hastily wiped off any remaining traces of tears from her eyes and looked back at Syaoran, trying to imitate the coldness he was showing her. "No, that will be good. Thank you."

Syaoran nodded. If there is nothing else, you may leave," Syaoran said without sparing her a glance and returned to focus on his paperwork.

"Okay," Sakura said silently and bowed as a courtesy before walking out of the room, trying to keep her emotions in check.

Sakura stared blankly at the stack of papers on her desk which she was supposed to go through. After handing in her resignation letter, Sakura had tried to erase all the negative thoughts and bury herself in her work, but to no avail. Somehow, her mind kept drifting back to the confrontation she had with Syaoran earlier, especially his cold amber eyes.

"How could he just change like that?" Sakura lowered her head unconsciously. From how the conversation ended, it looked as if Syaoran was going to treat her as a stranger from now onwards, and that thought had hurt her, even as she tried to deny it.

"Sa-ku-ra." Sakura looked up as she heard Tomoyo called her name in a singsong manner. "Tomoyo." "What's wrong? You don't look happy. Everything alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry," Sakura answered as she forced a small smile. "Are you perhaps regretting your decision to resign?" Tomoyo asked. Sakura shook her head. Tomoyo gave a small smile. "So, don't look so upset. Let's go for lunch, then you can slowly tell me what has been troubling you," Tomoyo said with a cheerful smile.

"But, I still have – " "No buts. You shall not refuse me, Sakura, not when I've come so far to ask you out," Tomoyo said firmly. Sakura finally gave a genuine smile and nodded her head. "Alright, but you'll have to wait for a moment. I need to clear up the paperwork first," Sakura said.

"Sure. I shall wait for you at the lounge near the elevator," Tomoyo said with a cheery smile.

As Tomoyo walked to the lounge, she began thinking about the options for lunch. She wanted to bring Sakura out to somewhere quiet and nice, where they can have a good talk and Sakura can relax herself. Somewhere which served Chinese food would be great too, to satisfy her cravings brought about by her pregnancy.

Truthfully, she was very worried about Sakura. Ever since she held Sakura as she cried for what seemed like hours a few days ago, Tomoyo had always wondered if the auburn-haired lady was alright. She was shocked when Sakura announced that she wanted to resign from her job and Tomoyo had in fact supported the idea initially, if it meant that her best friend will be spending less time with that husband of hers. In Tomoyo's eyes, Syaoran certainly did not deserve to have Sakura around, not after what had happened the other day.

But then again, after seeing her best friend just now, she had wondered if she had been right to support Sakura's decision.

Tomoyo shook her head to clear her mind. She would stop thinking about that and start thinking about lunch. It wasn't too long before a restaurant popped up in her mind and a small smile formed on her face. She reached into her bag for her phone to call for a reservation.

"Yes, I know! Isn't that great? That little bitch finally decided to resign after all."

Tomoyo halted in her tracks as her ears picked up that voice. Her eyes narrowed as she thought of the owner of that voice.

To confirm her suspicion, she peered around the corner and saw none other than Amy Nie leaning against the wall chatting on her phone. It was a rather secluded spot, and Tomoyo herself would have just walked past it if she had not heard that unmistakably irritating voice.

To her delight, it didn't seem as if that blonde had noticed her presence. Making sure she was out of Amy's view, hidden behind the walls, Tomoyo decided to stay and listen.

A little information from Amy might serve to be useful someday, especially if it was one which involved Sakura or Syaoran.

"Of course he wouldn't stop her. I did warn him of the repercussions after all."

Tomoyo clenched her fist in anger. So, it was true that Syaoran had been influenced by Amy.

That useless coward.

"Yes, of course, father. I will find the right secretary for Syaoran this time. After all, we wouldn't want another 'Sakura' around, do we?" Amy said with a chuckle.

Tomoyo rolled her eyes. Of course, Amy was no doubt going to place one of her minions as Syaoran's new secretary. Tomoyo wondered whether that chesnut-haired man would realize that, or would he just simply ignore it and let his wife do whatever she wanted.

"Don't worry, father. Syaoran won't leave me for that little bitch. No matter how much he wants it, he won't be able to do as he pleases. After all, we still have that contract," Amy said confidently.

Tomoyo narrowed her eyes upon hearing Amy's words.

Contract? What contract? Was Syaoran being forced to do something against his own will?

Tomoyo edged closer to the corner, trying to hear more information from Amy. However, before she could hear anything else from that blonde, she felt someone tapping her shoulder.

"Tomoyo, what are you doing?" Tomoyo turned as she saw Sakura staring at her with a quizzing look on her face.

Momentarilly stumped by Sakura's appearance, Tomoyo quickly debated internally whether to share what she had heard with Sakura. Seeing that Tomoyo did not respond to her, Sakura shook her hand in front of her best friend's face. "Tomoyo! Why are you looking so dazed?"

"No—nothing, Sakura. I was just thinking about something," Tomoyo regained her composure and smiled at Sakura. She decided not to say anything until she got more information.

"Hmmm? Are you hiding something, Tomoyo? You know I don't-"

"Oh, right! I just figured out the best place to take you out for lunch. Let me just make a phone call to make a reservation," Tomoyo said cheerily as she took the phone in her hand and pretended to be busy handling her phone.

Sakura shrugged her shoulders and decided to brush off her best friend's odd behavior. "Shall we get going then? I can make the call as we walk," Tomoyo suggested, thinking it was best to get going, lest Amy came out from that hiding spot of hers.

"Okay, sure," Sakura replied with a smile as they started walking.

However, Tomoyo's fears came true when they saw Amy Nie walking out from the corner, and that blonde obviously saw them too.

Tomoyo quietly prayed that Amy did not realize she had been standing there eavesdropping to her conversation with Elder Nie.

"Oh, fancy seeing you two here," Amy said with a smirk.

"My, the same can be said for you, Nie-san. After all, it's not everyday we see a supermodel like you walking around Li Corporations like you own it," Tomoyo replied with a fake smile.

"It's Li-san to you, Daidouji-san. And, is it really a surprise? It is my husband's corporation after all, so it can be considered as mine too. I am here to have lunch with my dear husband." Amy replied with a smirk, her eyes challenging Sakura's defiant ones.

"Oh really? Don't let us stop you then. Your husband patiently awaits you at his office," Sakura said tonelessly as she proceeded to walk away, with Tomoyo beside her.

"It's a good thing you decided to give up and resign. Who knows what might happen to you next, if you still decide to hang around Syaoran," Amy said to Sakura and Tomoyo's backs, knowing they heard her clearly.

Tomoyo turned to glare at Amy but Sakura did not turn back as she nudged Tomoyo's arm. "Let's go, Tomoyo. She is not worth our time," Sakura announced. Tomoyo nodded and proceeded to turn and walk away.

"Or to that pesky little brat of yours."

This time, Sakura turned her head sharply. Her emerald eyes glinted with fury as she walked a few steps towards Amy.

The sound of a slap resonated in the hallway. Passersby in the busy Li Corporation stopped whatever they were doing and turned to the scene that was unfolding near them.

Amy held her cheek in shock and looked at Sakura disbelievingly.

"That is for returning a favour you did for me the other day. Just because I was not really feeling well, did you think I would forget how you took advantage of my condition?"

"How dare you-"

"Do not threaten my son in any way. I personally do not care much for your low, cheap tricks, but if you harm my son in any way, I will make sure you pay for it," Sakura said, glaring at Amy. "And it will be more than just a slap on your pretty face."

Amy was clearly intimidated by Sakura's fury but she tried to keep herself composed to no avail. "Do-do-do you think I am scared of you? Yo—You can say all you want but I know you won't do anything to harm me."

"Try me," Sakura said coldly, as Amy gasped in shock.

"Listen here, Amy Nie. You can have my husband if you want him so much. You can try to keep him by your side and let him be your doting, loving husband."

Sakura took a step towards Amy as she instinctively backed away. "But remember this. I will always be Syaoran's first wife, and you the second. Even if the whole world thinks that I am the marriage-wrecker in this picture, you and I both know that the real marriage-wrecker is you," Sakura said in a lowered voice, with a fake smile on her face.

"So, enjoy it if you want. You did work hard for it after all, Li-san," Sakura said sarcastically, throwing Amy a smirk before walking away with Tomoyo. After a few steps, Tomoyo turned around one last time to look at Amy's face which was livid with anger.

Tomoyo smiled in satisfaction.

She did taught Sakura well after all.

Sakura sighed in relief as she stared at her completed report. Feeling pleased with her work, she smiled to herself and took a quick glance at her watch. It was already quite late at night and everyone had mostly gone back home.

The days had passed by in a flash and before she knew it, it was already Friday, which marked her last day of working as Syaoran's secretary. Things had been quite uneventful after her confrontation with Amy. Of course there were some rumors circulating around about her implying Syaoran was her husband but it was quickly taken care of by Amy, who portrayed her as a delusional seducer instead.

Not that Sakura cared about that anymore. After today, she would not be around Li Corporation to listen to those accusations.

Sakura took the report with her and knocked at Syaoran's door.

"Come in."

"Here is the report for the Cerulean project. You just need sign some of these at the indicated pages after going through it," Sakura said as she handed the report to Syaoran. Syaoran nodded his head and took the report from Sakura. He had a quick flick through the report and nodded his head before putting it aside.

"Okay. Thank you. I will go through them later," Syaoran said, before resuming his work on the computer. Sakura stood in front of him silently for a moment, before finally breaking the silence.

"Is there anything else that I should do for today, before I leave?"

"Well, I believe you have already packed your stuffs?" Syaoran asked without glancing at her.

"Yes, there is nothing much of my personal belongings anyway," Sakura answered quietly. "Okay, I have sent you an email on the documents for the Apricia project. Can you get it printed and bring it to my room? I need to have it settled by tonight because the developers need them on Monday." Syaoran answered as he looked at Sakura with those emotionless amber eyes.

"Okay. I understand." Sakura nodded her head.

"I shall wait for you here and read through this report for the Cerulean project. After this, you may leave," Syaoran answered as he proceeded to start flipping through the report.

"Okay." Sakura left the office and went to her workplace. As she opened the files and made the appropriate settings for the documents to be printed, she thought about Syaoran. He didn't even seem to be affected by her resignation, while she was feeling a little sad herself at the thought that after this, she would no longer be able to see Syaoran as often.

But, Sakura decided to harden her resolve, because this is what she wanted, and what she believed will be best for her, and perhaps even for Syaoran.

Nodding to remind herself not to give in to any second thoughts, Sakura walked to the printer to collect the printed documents, only to find the red light on the machine blinking. Sakura heaved a sigh.

Great.

It seemed like the machine was out of papers.

Sakura did not know where the papers were kept and there wasn't anyone around at that moment to seek for help. She searched around the machine and the nearby table to see if there were any papers lying around which she could use.

"Sakura-san?" Sakura turned around and saw Syaoran's new secretary smiling at her. "Ah, Yumi-san. Are you going back already?" Sakura asked with a smile.

"Yes, I have already completed the tasks Li-sama asked me to do and have just finished my briefing with the manager. Would you like me to help you with anything?"

"It's alright. I have nothing much left to do as well. Oh, but Yumi-san, would you by any chance know where the supply of papers for printing are being kept at?"

"Erm.. If I am not mistaken, I think the manager mentioned that they keep supplies of papers at the storage room on this floor," Yumi answered.

"Oh, okay. Thank you, Yumi-san. I guess I'll go get them now," Sakura said with a smile.

"You're welcome, Sakura-san. Thank you for your guidance for the past week."

"You're welcome too. I didn't really help much to be honest, and I am sure you will make a good secretary. I will get going first then. Goodbye." "I certainly hope so. Goodbye, Sakura-san." Yumi said with a smile. Sakura returned the smile and walked away to find the storage room.

After what seemed like ages, wandering around looking for the storage room, Sakura finally found the room at a rather secluded corner. Thankfully, the door was not locked, so Sakura let herself into the room and switched on the lights.

The storage room itself was rather big and was full with office supplies. Sakura groaned as she started walking around, searching for the supply of papers she need.

After spending several minutes going down each aisle looking for papers, Sakura was beginning to get annoyed by the turn of events. Why did this storage room have to be so damn big anyway?

"Sakura, what are you doing here?"

Sakura almost jumped in shock at the voice as she turned around to find her boss, looking not very amused at the moment.

"What else do you think I am doing? I am trying to find the supply of papers to print your documents," Sakura replied, a little annoyed as well.

"I was right. You really would end up being here to find the supply of papers," Syaoran drawled lazily. Sakura narrowed her eyes at his implications. "What do you mean by that?"

"You do know that there is a supply of papers at the main office itself? At the cabinet near the printer?" Syaoran answered easily. Sakura widened her eyes in surprise, but quickly tried to regain her composure.

"But weren't you supposed to be reading your reports in your room? Why are you here instead?" Sakura asked accusingly, wanting to change the subject. "Because it was taking my dear secretary far too long to get a simple task done. I've already finished reading through the project and have signed at the pages you indicated. I figured after finding you gone without my documents printed, and the printer being out of paper, you would be here."

Sakura took a glance at her watch and was surprised to see it was already so late. "Well, it is not my fault the storage room is so big, and Li Corporation itself is such a big building," Sakura muttered.

"Let's just go. I have resupplied the printer with papers. We just need to print the documents, do some final checks, and we will be done for today."

"No. I am not going to leave empty-handed. I will find the papers here and bring them to the main office to replace the ones you used to resupply the printer," Sakura insisted as she turned away and continued her search. She wasn't going to waste her time for nothing.

"Sakura, stop doing needless things. I still have things to do," Syaoran said, irritation creeping in his voice.

"Well, you can leave first. I am not going to leave until I find those papers."

"Sakura—"

"Ah! I found them!" Sakura exclaimed as her face lit up. She tried to reach for the papers but they were too high for her.

"Erm, Syaoran. I think I might need your help," Sakura said as she struggled to reach them.

Syaoran sighed as he walked over to Sakura's side. "Honestly, I don't understand why—"

A loud thud resonated in the room and Sakura and Syaoran stopped and turned to look at the direction of the door, before turning to look at one another.

Yumi smiled to herself. Sakura Kinomoto was really as gullible as she looked. How such a woman had managed to bewitch Syaoran Li was beyond her comprehension.

She had managed to trick the auburn-haired woman into the storage room, and had came back to check if she was really in the room. After hearing her loud exclamation upon finding, what she assumed were the papers, she had her suspicions confirmed and she proceeded to lock the storage room snugly.

She whipped out her phone from her bag and typed a quick message.

"Consider it done, Amy-sama. -Yumi-"

"Was that the sound of the door closing?" Sakura asked in a hushed voice. Syaoran sighed in frustration as he ran to check the door, with Sakura trailing behind him. Their fears were confirmed when they saw the door was shut tightly.

Syaoran tried to open the door but found that it was locked from the outside. Sakura knocked on the door loudly. "Hello! Is there anyone out there? Open the door!" Sakura shouted loudly.

"Save your breath, Sakura Kinomoto. I am afraid there is no one around to open the door for you." Yumi answered.

"Yumi-san? Were you the one who locked the door?" Sakura asked in disbelief.

"It doesn't take a genius to figure that out, does it? Honestly, Sakura Kinomoto, you are so naïve. Just because I was nice and polite to you, do you really think I like you or wanted to be friends with you?" Yumi scoffed.

"Why are you doing this Yumi? How dare you?" Sakura said angrily as she pounded on the door. "Let me out now!"

"Forget it, Kinomoto. You are going to spend a night or two here, alone at the storage room. Hopefully it will give you a chance to repent for your actions."

"Repent? Don't tell me you are working for Amy Nie."

"You can say I am just helping a friend in need. Honestly, I really don't see how you managed to seduce Syaoran-sama. You are just a plain woman, nothing like Amy-sama."

Sakura turned to see Syaoran's amber eyes staring at her intently. Unable to hold his gaze, she turned back towards the door and pounded on it again.

"Just open the door, Yumi!"

"Sorry, can't do that. Why don't you just be a good young lady and stay inside there. Repent on your actions and remember never to cross Amy-sama again. Goodbye, Sakura-san." Yumi said with a fake sweet voice as Sakura heard the sounds of her footsteps fading into a silence.

"It looks like we are stuck here for tonight," Syaoran said, breaking the silence. "Why didn't you say something just now? Perhaps she would have opened the door if she had known you were in here with me," Sakura accused Syaoran angrily.

Syaoran shrugged his shoulders. "That is pretty hard to say. She might just freak out and decide to run away rather than face the repercussions of meeting a very displeased Syaoran Li."

"So what should we do now? Did you bring your phone with you?"

"I left my phone in my office." "Why did you do that? I thought guys were supposed to carry their phones with them at all times, in their pockets! Especially successful businessmen like you," Sakura said agitatedly.

Syaoran threw a look of annoyance and answered,"My battery was almost flat so I left it in the office to charge. What about you?"

"I left it at my workplace." Syaoran scoffed, throwing her a 'pot-calling-kettle-black' look. "Well, sorry I didn't bring my phone with me. How was I supposed to know a trip to get papers would require a phone!" Sakura defended herself while Syaoran only smirked in return.

"Okay, so now what? Can you escape from the window over there and seek help?" Sakura asked as she pointed to a nearby window. Syaoran looked at her in disbelief as he shook his head.

"What? I thought you were a prodigy in martial arts? Escaping from windows should be easy for you." "In case you forgot, my dear secretary, this is the 70th floor. I still value my life, thank you very much, "Syaoran answered sarcastically.

"Well, why don't you tell me what we should do now, my dear boss?" "I say we should just sit down and conserve our energy. Tomorrow the janitor on duty will be here in the morning. He or she needs to get the cleaning equipments for cleaning the office on Saturdays," Syaoran answered calmly.

"But that means I'll have to spend a night here… alone with you," Sakura retorted.

"If that idea displeases you so much, you are always welcome to escape via the windows," Syaoran said lazily.

Sakura glared at Syaoran but it wasn't affecting him at all. Sakura turned away and sighed again. She knew he was right. There really was nothing she can do.

She was stuck with Syaoran Li for the night.

"Okay, fine. But don't come too close to me tonight. I want some space between us," Sakura said defiantly as she walked a few steps away from him while Syaoran rolled his eyes.

"Suit yourself," Syaoran replied as he walked in the opposite direction, removing his tie and unbuttoning a few buttons on his shirt. He stashed the tie away in his pocket.

Just then, the lights turned off abruptly. Sakura screamed in surprise as the room was enveloped with darkness.

"Sy—Syaoran," Sakura called out meekly as she took a few steps in the direction where she remembered Syaoran was walking towards. As she didn't hear any reply from Syaoran, Sakura called out his name again, for a few times.

"Sakura," came the voice which brought much relief to Sakura as she bumped into Syaoran's broad chest. "Why were the lights suddenly turned off?" Sakura asked softly. "I guess the lights are automated. It will turn off at a certain time as there is usually nobody in this room this late at night," Syaoran answered.

"Oh." And there was a moment of silence again as both did not move from their spot.

"So, should I move now and give you the space you wanted?" Syaoran asked breaking the silence, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Sakura silently shook her head but it was almost imperceptible. She tried to stop her tears from forming and silently hoped Syaoran would just stay where he was.

Suddenly, she felt her hand being grabbed by Syaoran as he tugged her to follow him. Sakura followed him until a spot near the window where Syaoran stopped. "We can rest here for tonight. It is brighter here and I think it would help calm your nerves."

Sakura looked up at him, surprised by his actions. Syaoran subtly avoided her gaze and sat down, leaning against the wall. He tugged Sakura's hand which he was still holding on to, "You can sit down, you know."

Sakura silently sat down beside Syaoran, their bodies not touching except for the hand Syaoran was still holding on to, but still close enough to each other.

After a few minutes of silence as Sakura began to calm down and got accustomed to the darkness, Syaoran suddenly released his hold on Sakura's hand. "Sorry." He said silently. Sakura wordlessly withdrew her hand a little but still placed it on the floor. Immediately, she realized she had really missed the warmth of Syaoran's hand whenever he held hers.

It was a few more moments of silence before Syaoran spoke again. "So, what did you do which you were asked to repent for?"

"I slapped that wife of yours," Sakura said silently. Syaoran smiled in amusement.

"Ahh, so the rumours are true of all. You really did confront Amy." "Hnn. Why? Are you going to seek revenge for her now?"

"No. I prefer not to get involved in these fights," Syaoran answered calmly. "But, really Sakura, you should stop going against Amy. You never know what she might do next," Syaoran said, changing the tone of his voice.

"I can fend for myself. Unless you think I am incapable of that, unlike your wife."

"Sakura, there is no need to compare yourself with Amy. "

"Yeah, there is just no way I can compare to her, isn't it?"

"You both hold very different positions in my heart," Syaoran said softly. "There is no need to compare yourself with her."

"Right. Which is why you chose to stay with her in the end, ever since four years ago." Sakura said bitterly.

"Sakura, I-" "Just stop, Syaoran. I get your point. I will never be worthy of you, unlike Amy Nie, and I will always be nowhere near her when it comes to who matters most in your life," Sakura said in a hushed voice.

Syaoran did not reply to her anymore after that but she heard him heaved a sigh. They stayed like that for a while as Sakura closed her eyes, trying to get some sleep and erase those negative thoughts in her mind.

A few minutes later, Sakura started to shiver involuntarily as she felt the room was starting to get colder. She then felt a coat being draped around her front.

"I don't want-" "Just take it." Syaoran said firmly, with a tone which indicated there was not going to be an argument about it. Sakura stopped protesting. Honestly, she was glad to have the coat because it did help to keep her slightly warm.

The coat also had Syaoran's scent, something Sakura soon realised she had missed very much as well.

The room was again enveloped in silence as neither said a word. Sakura tried to sleep but to no avail. She turned to her side as she wondered if Syaoran had fallen asleep. She could see that Syaoran's eyes were closed and his breathing was calm and steady. "Syaoran," Sakura called out softly, but there was no response. Hesitantly, she waved her hand in front of his face while calling out his name again, but there was still no response. Sakura figured he must have fallen asleep.

It was not really a surprise, considering he must have been exhausted working for long hours everyday. Suddenly, Sakura felt guilty for implicating him into this mess she was in.

Sakura continued staring at Syaoran who seemed as if he was sleeping soundly. Under the bright moonlight, Sakura could see Syaoran's beautiful features. He looked like a peaceful child sleeping soundly. Sakura smiled.

Syaoran still looked so handsome, even when he was just sleeping.

It took a lot of Sakura's self-restraint to not hug Syaoran there and then. She had to admit, she missed Syaoran's warm embrace, the feeling of being in his arms.

"Syaoran, you are such a jerk, you know?" Sakura said softly with a smile as she gently brushed her husband's bangs aside. "You made me fall in love with my childhood best friend whom I grew up with, whom I have always treated like a brother. Then you proposed in front of so many people. At that moment, I thought that I was the luckiest girl in the world."

"And then, one night, you decided that it was over. You left me for another woman and you never returned to see me, not even once, for four years. You married her, and soon I suppose you forgot about me," Sakura said, as tears welled up in her eyes.

"But, Shinji came into my life and I suppose I must thank you for that as well. I guess he is like a gift from you, if you can put it that way. He became so important to me, that I told myself that I have to be strong, no matter what." Sakura smiled wistfully.

"Then, I decided to get a divorce with you. But that was when all these happened. We met again. We spent time together again. I fell for you again. But, all this while, you never felt for the same for me right?" Sakura said softly as tears started to flow freely.

"Why did you have to lead me on, Syaoran? Why did you have to kiss me and gave me hope, only to crush it in the end? Why did you have to make me fall for you again? Isn't that just too cruel of you?" Sakura asked bitterly as she turned away, unable to keep staring at Syaoran.

"I never should have tried to be friends again with you. I should have distanced myself away," "But I love you, Syaoran. I know it is so pathetic of me to love someone who has hurt me in the past, who clearly doesn't want me in his life. But I can't stop these feelings of mine. What should I do, Syaoran?" Sakura cried. For a few minutes, it seemed as if the tears just won't stop and all bottled up feelings seem to be exploding out all at once.

"Maybe I really shouldn't have met you again. Maybe I really shouldn't have come closer to you again. Maybe you shouldn't have come near me. Maybe we should have let things end, the way it was supposed to 4 years ago," Sakura said softly as she wiped off her tears and smiled sadly. Sakura cried that night beside Syaoran until exhaustion took over her and she fell asleep, her head unconsciously leaning on Syaoran's shoulder.

But little did she know, that night, after she had fallen asleep, Syaoran's hand reached over to hold hers and gave it a tight squeeze.

That night, Syaoran's hand held hers throughout the night, never once letting go.

I hope you enjoyed that chapter and I am sorry I won't be able to promise when will the next update be, but I will try to work on the next chapter while I can. Do leave me your reviews, thoughts and suggestions. I'll really appreciate that.

Syaoran will come in terms with his feelings soon enough, and be brave enough to face the repercussions, but of course, the road to happiness is not going to be smooth for Sakura and Syaoran.

Thank you very much to those who are still reading this fanfiction and thank you for your support!

~Ja~