Author's Notes: Hey guys! :D It's Claudia again! I know it's not a great idea, or is it even a recommendable one, to post another multichaptered fic when I still have 2 others that are yet to be finished, but I just can't help it! One minute I'm bored and the next thing I knew, there's this great plot bunny that appeared in my head! So hurrah for my first Sakura x Syaoran multichaptered fic! I hope you guys like it! Ü

The Art of Deception and Lies

In a world where social status was everything, it was just the right kind of fling they needed.

Prologue

"Well done Kinomoto, I really applaud you for a job well done."

Sakura forced her eyes shut and tried to ignore the huge chunk of sarcasm that passed her ears. There she was, standing in the middle of the room with the moon as the only source of light around the area. It was dark yes, but the radiance from outside was enough for her to see the even higher level of darkness in the eyes of the man in front of her.

It wasn't a cold night, heck it was the opposite actually. It was already the middle of summer and yet she felt chills down her spine due to the cold look she was receiving. Her white knee-length dress wasn't of enough help either, considering it was a sleeveless type and neck cut down low. It was a good thing that her hair was long enough to at least provide extra warmth for her back and shoulders but she still felt cold.

She bit her lip. Hard. She bit it so hard that blood almost came out as she stood there right in place, not even moving an inch. Her eyes were still closed shut, not wanting to look straight in the eyes of the man she feared right now.

Of the man she actually loves.

But he never believed her.

Or rather, he doesn't believe her anymore.

"You don't believe me." She breathed out.

"Should I?" He asked bitterly.

"Syaoran…"

Syaoran's eyes narrowed, ignoring the heart-burning feeling of the mention of his name past her lips. "It's Li to you."

She silenced. She opened her eyes slowly but continued to not look at him, turning her gaze to the carpeted floor beneath her high-heeled feet instead. She sighed, she was already feeling her tears welling up in her eyes but it wasn't only because of sadness, it was mostly because of anger. Anger, hatred and just all-around resentment for the amber-eyed man in front of her.

"Fine Li," she started, "Then it's better if we should end this. It's over the time limit anyway." She said it with the same amount of bitterness he told her awhile ago.

Syaoran's jaw clicked but Sakura didn't notice it. She was still busy glaring at the floor that she didn't see how much Syaoran's reaction changed at her statement.

"Fine," he breathed.

"You got what you wanted anyway. My family got their share of benefits too, thanks to this awful agreement." She rounded her fists in exclamation, her tears finally falling down to her cheeks then staining the carpet floor.

"That's good to hear then," was his reply.

He was still wearing his tuxedo, his fists tightly clenched by his sides too as he tried to ignore the small ruffles of cries coming from the lady in front of him. With the room so silent, there was no way he could not hear her cries that she was forcing to make soundless. Her efforts were futile though since her sniffles could still be heard despite her attempts to keep it to herself.

"It was a very big mistake of me to even agree with you in the first place."

"Oh really? Are you sure it was a mistake? Correct me if I'm wrong but I do believe that the Kinomoto Corporation's sales have increased ten-fold during this relationship." He said.

"I could say the same for the Li Corporation too,"

He silenced. What she said was true too.

After a few more seconds, Sakura finally moved from her position and grabbed her purse. She took something from inside along with a pen and scribbled down a few notes, crumpled it and threw it right across Syaoran's face. The man remained unmoving despite the action for he already knew what was thrown at him. He glared at her and she did the same.

Despite the little light around them, he could still make up the glowing features she was emitting even though her face showed resentment for him.

Sakura placed the checkbook and the pen back in her purse and finally turned her back against him.

"You said I lost Li, fine. If you said I lost because of some stupid photos that you wouldn't want to believe they were fake then fine. I'll just be the mature one here and give way to your dirty little games because really, I don't want to play anymore. Keep your stupid money, I don't need it anyway. I don't need your help anymore. Goodbye."

Her words sting, he admitted, but he wasn't going to admit that to her. He didn't even say anything as she walked out of the door and shut it with a bang.

His eyes burned holes at the now-closed door and then turned his gaze to the crumpled check by his feet, wishing it would just evaporate too. With a groan, he picked up the little piece of paper and ripped it to pieces, not even making a move to read whatever amount was written.

After leaving a mess on the floor, he ran his fingers across his hair and made his way to the door.

His name is Syaoran Li.

He lies, he cheats, he scores.

And whoever said opposites attract should check their magnets again, because this time, he wasn't interested with someone who was loyal and even a trophy wife. He was now interested with someone like him.

Her name is Sakura Kinomoto.

And just like him, she lies, she cheats, she scores.

It may not be the best kind of relationship to try and bloom love with, but one thing is clear: the both of them are what they are for the sake of social hierarchy, power and fame.

end of prologue