Chapter 15: Never

"It's been a week," muttered Eriol as he watched Tomoyo run away from him for the nth time. Ever since that fateful night when he confessed his love, Tomoyo had been avoiding him like crazy.

He was starting to miss her witty cracks, her sweet smiles, her laughing purple eyes.. everything.

He sighed sadly. He shouldn't have said those three words. He should have known the consequences they would bring.

But he so foolishly believed his wistful thinking..

..that Tomoyo felt the same way he did.



Tomoyo locked herself in her room. She wanted to avoid encounters with Eriol as much as possible. It would be too dangerous.

But then again..

Why was she suddenly eager to see his face again? Why was she straining to hear even a decibal of his familiar deep male voice? Why was she looking for even a trace of scent of his distinctive cologne? Why couldn't she stop dreaming of his electrifying kiss? Why couldn't she stop thinking of him?

"I'm losing it," she muttered as she sat in front of the computer. Mustering herculian effort, she forced herself to divert her attention to the unfinished sixth chapter of her novel.



"Had Tomoyo eaten already?" Eriol asked that night, pushing his barely-touched food aside.

"Nope. She was holed up in her room the whole day." Nakuru tipped her chin up, puzzled. "Which is weird, because Mistress Tomoyo often goes out at day to gossip with me, play with Rose and Spinel or engage in intellectual debate with you."

Spinel rolled its eyes. "I heard the sound of typing the whole afternoon. She's engrossed in creating another perfect happy ending romance story, I suppose."

Nakuru guffawed. "Your attitude on love reflects the fact that your lovelife is a failure!"

The feline glared at her. "Anyone's love failure will pale in comparison with yours."

"Why you-"

Rose looked down. "Is she mad at me or something?"

"Of course not." Eriol patted her hair soothingly. "She's mad at me."

Three pairs of eyes stared at him.

He shrugged. "I kissed her and told her I love her."




Tomoyo stretched after she finished the 7th chapter of her novel. This was the last chapter that she would write here in London before she goes back to Japan.

Away from the Hiragizawa mansion.

Away from the young master of the manor and the bittersweet memories she had with him.

She smiled sourly. That was a good line to add in her draft.

She ws about to revise the chapter more when she heard a knock on the door.

"Mommy, dinner!!!"

She smiled. It was Rose. "Come in."

The door opened and in came Rose.

And Eriol.

Her eyebrows cocked. Hiragizawa Eriol was despicable. He used the child as a decoy so he could enter her room.

The child pointed to the tray Eriol was holding. "We brought you food!"

"Thanks." She looked at the palatable dishes before her. "You shouldn't have bothered."

"But it was Daddy's idea. You should thank him, not me!" the girl said proudly.

Tomoyo noticed Eriol blush faintly. "A-Actually, I was just worried because you have't eaten decently yet-"

"Just like Daddy!" the girl interrupted. "He couldn't eat, knowing you haven't eaten yet."

She felt her cheeks turn hot. "Really?"

Rose snapped her fingers. "Oh gosh, I forgot the table napkins! I'll be right back!" She hurried out of the room and shut the door.

The couple looked at each other awkwardly.

Tomoyo took a sip from the glass of juice nervously. Eriol's presence was making her sweat bullets. She suddenly remembered again the feel of his lips on hers. She blushed.

He was thinking about the same thing too apparently. He cleared his throat. "You look tired. I thought I told you not to wear yourself out."

"I am not asking for your concern."

"Tomoyo-san, I'm only concerned because..because.. I care for you deeply."

She inhaled deeply. Oh no, here they go again. "You don't know what you're saying.."

"I do!" He knelt before her and clasped her hands tightly. "I love you so very much, Tomoyo. Ever since I first saw you in our elementary days, I have loved you already."

"L-Look, you can't love me.. You are jsut attracted to me, plain and simple," she said, voice starting to tremble.

"T-Tomoyo.."

"You love me because I create all the perfect novel heroines you fell in love with," she continued.

"It's not true!"

"Besides, I have vowed to myself that I will never love again. Once is too much for me already."

"I will never hurt you," he said softly. "Tomoyo, please-"

She was deaf to his pleas. "I'm leaving." She held up a ticket.

His eyes widened. "W-When?"

"Tomorrow."

continue