Chapter 3
Three Is a Crowd

"Good morning,Mr.Hiragizawa.I am your physical therapist,Daichi Miyouke." introduced the tall laidback man with jet black hair that became a perfect contrast to his immaculately white outfit. "I have been briefed by your physician back in London about your condition and I am certain that you can walk again in no time.I just need your cooperation and determination."

"Did you hear that?It's really a good news,isn't it?" Tomoyo faced Eriol. "Let's get started on the session already!"

"By any chance,you are not Mrs.Hiragizawa,are you?" he asked.

She blushed. "N-No.I'm Tomoyo Daidouji,a friend of his."

"Lucky guy.He's got a very lovely lady for a friend." He shook her hands happily. "Has anyone ever told you how exquisite your beauty is?"

Eriol coughed. "You can let go of her hands now.I want to start utilizing the services I paid for."

"I-I'm going inside to fix you snacks." She ran inside the kitchen,leaving the embarassed therapist with the frowning Eriol.
~*~*~*~*~*~

That afternoon

"So how was your session?" Tomoyo asked as she pushed his wheelchair around the garden.

He didn't reply.Instead,he pointed to the dark clouds above. "It looks like rain.The wind is getting awfully chilly."

"Let's go in then." She started to push the wheelchair away when Eriol stopped her. "Can you please pick that flower for me?" He pointed to a nadeshiko.

She obliged and handed the flower to him.For a moment,their fingertips touched.A jolt of electricity ran down their bodies.

Eriol suddenly took the flower. "T-Thank you,Tomoyo."

He called her by her first name!She smiled. "My pleasure,Mr.Hiragizawa. "she said.She was about to stand up when his hand held her arm. "I..think I want to be called Eriol from now on." he stammered,slightly blushing.

Tomoyo didn't notice it. "Sure thing,Eriol."

He let go of her. "I want to eat."

"We'll raid the kitchen and see what we can eat." she suggested cheerfully.

They were about to enter the house when Daichi shouted for them to wait up.He was already dressed in civilian attire.

"I believe our session for the day was over." Eriol told him cooly.

The therapist smiled. "Yes,Mr.Hiragizawa but I wanted to,uh,discuss some matters with your guardian." He looked provocatively at Tomoyo. "Can we talk in private?"

Eriol can't belive it.His therapist was seducing Tomoyo!His ice-blue eyes blazed. "No,she can't.She's with me." he said quietly,but every word he said resounded in fury.

Tomoyo faced the doctor. "Can't we talk here?"

The black-haired man sighed. "I was hoping..never mind." He got his business card out of his pocket. "Just call me in case of problems."

She accepted it. "Thank you,Mr.Miyouke."

"It's getting really cold out here,Tomoyo.Please bring me inside."

After a final wave and an apologetic smile,she brought her friend into the house.
~*~*~*~*~*~

"You know,you've been very quiet,Master Eriol."commented Spinel as it sat on its master's lap.

"He is always quiet,Suppi."Nakuru put down her half-finished bag of cookies."But you're kinda troubled.Was it your theraphy session awhile ago?"

Eriol looked down.

"Did your theraphist hurt you?Did he pushed you too hard in your session?Did he tried to strangle you and Ms.Tomoyo?"she asked.

"N-No.H-He was.."he peeked outside his room where he saw Tomoyo baking in the kitchen.She was way out of earshot."..h-he was making a move on Tomoyo."

"And you don't like it?"she asked in a singsong voice.Suppi shot her a warning look.

He looked confused."I don't know."

Nakuru took another cookie."Well Master that could only mean one thing:You-"

"Oh no!"shrieked Tomoyo.Eriol quickly wheeled towards her."What happened?"

She showed him a mass of what seemed to be a pale brown dough."My cake!'

He chuckled."it looks like you put too much sugar in it."He went to the table."I will try making another."

Tomoyo watched in awe as he masterfully combined what was left of her ingredients.Later he presented to her a lovely chocolate cake."For you,my dear."

Her cheeks turned pink."My gosh,I was supposed to be the one to treat you to a snack!"

He took the saucers and forks Nakuru gave to him."It's alright.You can do it next time.I'll even teach you my secret cake recipe!"

Tomoyo clapped her hands in delight."That would be fun!!"

The two decided to eat in Tomoyo's mansion.With Nakuru's help,they managed to to reach Tomoyo's house.

"Thanks again,Nakuru!"said Tomoyo as she waved at the leaving woman.

"Sure,no prob!Master Eriol's cake is worth a little sweat."she replied.

The dark-haired girl helped Eriol to her room.She then closed the door of her bed room.She saw Eriol looking around her room curiously.

"Did my room pass your ocular inspection,Monsieur?"she kidded,plopping down her bed.

Eriol laughed.He looked again at her Sakura pictures,Sakura videotapes and the Sakura costumes fitted in the mannequins inside her walk-in closet."You're fond of Sakura,aren't you?"

Her eyes saddened,but she forced a smile."Uh-huh."She popped more cake into her mouth."Mm!Delicious!"

"Tomoyo,I remember you were one of the best bakers in our fifth-grade class.How come your cake didn't turn out as good as before?"he asked.

She sighed."I was then inspired..to do my best to make a cake that will satisfy the one I love.I wanted to make something that will make Sakura smile.B-But.."

She didn't have to explain.He already knew that Sakura got engaged to Syaoran and she and her big brother,Touya,went to Hongkong to settle permanently there.

"Yet I continued to make cakes,this time for my mother.But..she..passed away two years ago."A tear escaped her eye.She quickly wiped it away."I stopped making cakes since then..simply because I have no one else to make a cake for."More tears spilled from her eyes.This time she wasn't quick enough to wipe them away.

Eriol impulsively took her to his arms wordleesly,wanting badly to take all her pains and sufferings through his embrace.

Tomoyo,on the other hand,cried all her tears.She released all her sorrow,grief and misery she kept for twenty four months in the lonely confines of her mansion.

"Stop crying,Tomoyo.I am here."he told her reassuringly,hugging her tighter.


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