Sasori's POV

After Tamaki walked out, I got up and grabbed my clothes. Sakura still laid in bed, with a visible frown on her pretty face. She must notice me staring because she whipped her head to my direction and barked bitterly,

"Oh, I almost forgot! You're getting married.."

And at that moment, I felt time stopped for a moment. Her forest green eyes were filled with hurt and anger. I felt like the worst man on earth.

"Sakura.."

She shook her head and crawled out of bed after saying the magic words, "I'm fine," and smiled.

Never the good actress.

I knew that behind that forced smile of hers, is a pained girl. How many smiles have she faked in the past to make this one perfect? I'm fine. Her words reverberated in my head, so after getting dressed I immediately grabbed her by the wrists before she could even walk away.

"What?" Sakura Haruno asked with an uninterested expression.

My eyes sharpened.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded, hesitantly. "I am okay."

And because of that, I hurriedly pulled the pinkette into a my embrace. My arms wrapped and encaged her petite figure... it felt so natural, as if two puzzle pieces were finally fitted together. And maybe that is what we are. Sakura and I.. we're two incomplete persons.

Both missing something.

Both having an empty space.

We fit perfectly together.

"Please stop lying. You don't need to act like you're fine when you're eyes tell otherwise. You don't need to fake a smile.." I felt her return my hug and kissed the top of her head.

"I don't love her, okay? We both know who I'm going to marry someday. Rest assured, not even my father can keep us apart. Stop being so stubborn, Sakura.. because I'm yours."

Sakura nodded and snuggled against my chest.

I exhaled.

She's mine.

*

I left Sakura at my house after receiving a call from my secretary. I had Deidara keep an eye on her just in case she does something reckless while I'm away. Taking in a deep breathe, I pushed the large wooden door leading to my father's office. I bet Tamaki already talked to him.

"Mr. Akasuna? You want to speak with me?" I called. Moments later, I walked in the room only to see a man wearing a formal suite, with red hair, sitting behind his expensive table.

He had a stern look on his face as I shut the door behind me. I sat lazily in front of me, ready for his rants.

"Tamaki told me what she saw."

I nodded, my face void of any emotion. She told you? Well, that's not really surprising. I thought.

Deep brown eyes bore into mine. Many people say that I'm his carbon copy. I look exactly like my successful and well-composed father. I grew up, wanting to be just like him.

But I guess being him is all there in in life.

He sighed.

"Sasori, you're my son----"

"Hurray. You finally realized that."

He raised an eyebrow at my behaviour. This is actually the first time we spoke as a "father and son". The older Akasuna continued,

"As I was saying.."

Here it goes.

"..I want to give you the benefit of the doubt."

I froze on the spot. My mind seemingly stopped processing his words. After a few seconds, I croaked out, "W-What?"

The elder smiled sadly at me and spoke in a fatherly voice,

"Sasori, I know you. And I trust that my son wouldn't sleep with just any girl after being arranged with another. Who is she?"

I slightly bowed my head to hide a smile. "She's.. she's Sakura Haruno. Dad, I love her. And if you're going take me away and push through with the arranged marriage, then let's just end this conversation. I'm not leaving Sakura."

From the corner of my eye, I saw him nodded. "Look, I know I've been dictating you're life ever since, Sasori. I thought what I'm doing is for the best. But I guess, you won't always need my help in making decisions. You're not a boy anymore..much to my dismay."

I looked up and stared at the man in front of me. He had a sincere smile plastered on his aged face.

"..You're grown into an honest man. I'm proud of you."

I saw my father stood up and ruffled my red locks. A genuine smile crossed my features as he added, "I already cancelled the deal with Tamaki's parents. Go marry that Sakura, young man."

*

Sakura's POV

"Hey, Sakura-chan.. stop crying, un.." Deidara handed me another tissue and patted my back. After Sasori left to talk to his father, I've been balling my eyes out.

What if he decides marrying Tamaki is the best solution?

I don't know what to do anymore. If the embarrassment of getting caught in Sasori's bed wasn't enough, then I don't know what is! "Deidara, what if----"

"Sakura, stop." He looked at me with a serious expression on his face.

Deidara then stood up, "I'll order us some pizza. That would make you feel better, un!" After that, the blonde dashed out towards the kitchen. I was left sitting on the sofa when a knock on the door suddenly interrupted my trance.

Knock! Knock!

Hesitantly, I got up and opened it. I wish I didn't though..because when I did, Karin's smirking face came into view. I deadpanned. "May I help you?"

She then stepped inside and slammed the door shut. The redhead adjusted her eyeglasses and spoke,

"You really are a bitch."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Excuse me?"

She laughed dryly, "Ha ha ha! Stop acting so innocent, Sakura. What do you think you're doing? Ruining a couple's marriage! Tsk tsk tsk... what a shame."

Flashes of Tamaki's pained and angered face flooded my mind. Did I really ruin their marriage? No..

"As far as I know, they've been in an arranged marriage. So technically----"

"Technically, what? You have a chance with Sasori? Get a life, Haruno! Hmm... where did Sasori say he was going to earlier?"

My eye brows furrowed in confusion. "T-To talk with his father... why?" And that made her smirk widened. Soon, she fetched out her phone and typed something before turning the screen towards me.

"Well, if that's so.. then why did I saw him earlier with Tamaki?"

I stared at the photo she's showing me. It was dated today, just a few minutes ago actually. My heart ached at the picture of Sasori hugging Tamaki. I knew it wasn't edited or whatsoever because those were the same clothes he wore before heading out earlier.

Why the heck are they together..?

And that's when tears freely flowed down my face. I angrily wiped them away and glared at Karin who had a taunting smile on her face.

"You came all the way here just to show me that?"

She shrugged. "Maybe."

And that's when I grabbed my handbag and ran out of the mansion. Sasori really is a jerk. I guess nothing's gonna change that fact.

So, he made up with Tamaki? Good for him. I wish Sasori only the best. And maybe, I wasn't the best for him. Maybe following him half-way across the world wasn't such a good idea.

Game over.. Sasori Akasuna really is out of my league. And it sucks.

With a blurred vision, I got in a cab and dialed a friend's number.

"Sasuke?"

"Yup?"

"Send me a chopper. I'm going back to Japan."

***

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