Capítulo 13: For The First Time
"Sir! Good morning!" Sakura flounces breathlessly into Sasuke's office. She intended to come in half an hour early to avoid running into Karin before she has a chance to speak to their boss, but she slept past her alarm and arrived just minutes before six.
He looks irritated with her, as he often does, "Good morning." He accepts his coffee with a short glance that Sakura understands is his own way of saying thank you.
The woman glances behind her to ensure the office door is still closed before leaning forward with her palms on the desk. She whispers, "About Friday night, can we-!" The door opened, and Sakura raised her voice in a panic, "-talk about your expectations?" Karin will surely believe they've been talking about work the whole time, right?
Sasuke's brow furrows, his eyes narrowing before dancing between his two assistants. He opens his mouth to respond, only for Sakura to cut him off with a face that begs for him to shut up, "Now's probably not the time to discuss my performance, is it? I'm sorry! Let's talk later!"
Karin smirks at the pinkette as she approaches, "I heard you two got into an accident. Things just fall apart when I'm gone, huh?"
Sakura scoffs, rolling her eyes while situating herself at her desk to check their emails for tasks that may need to be done first thing, "Of course. Thank you for gracing us with your presence. How was the trip?"
"Very educational! I met this woman who-" "I need to visit every worksite today. We need to leave immediately," their boss interrupts.
Karin nods, gathering her purse.
Sakura shoots to her feet. If she allows those two to be alone, they might talk about the weekend, and then Karin will find out Sakura slept over at Mr. Uchiha's house, and it'll be a huge deal. "Actually, can I go this time?" She wants to slap her forehead and sigh defeatedly when the others look at her like she's grown a second head.
"Uh, sure. Since you're so eager, I'll hold down the fort here today," Karin looks as confused as she probably is.
Sakura forces a bright smile, "Awesome. Thanks! I'll stay here tomorrow."
She follows Sasuke out of the office and into the elevator. They remain quiet until they're in his car, where she deems it safe to speak, "I needed to make sure you don't say anything to Karin about what happened."
The Uchiha man's gaze remains on the road. His voice is low and serious as it always is at work, "What kind of conversations do you assume she and I have in your absence?"
This is exactly why Sakura is annoyed at herself for having a crush on him. He's just so cold and blunt. It gets on her last nerve.
She sighs, "Right," she averts her eyes out the window and watches the tall buildings as they drive by, "I'm sorry about this. I'm sure you'd rather not have me with you all day. I just wanted to make sure things aren't misunderstood."
Normally, she wouldn't expect Sasuke to respond because holding a conversation with him can sometimes be like pulling teeth, but today's different for some reason. He says, "Even if my weekend somehow came up, I doubt she'd see your spending the night as anything other than the convenience that it was."
"...What's that supposed to mean?" She mumbles, half-hoping he won't respond. Is he saying what she thinks he's saying? If so, that'll be like shooting her in the heart with an arrow, and not the cupid kind.
Things become business and only business once they arrive at the first worksite, and Sakura does her best not to dwell on the fact that Sasuke pretty much confirmed her theory that he could never see her as a woman.
At lunch, they stop at a cafe. Sakura orders a bubble tea and opts not to have any food because she has a dinner date with Ino scheduled for after work, and she intends to abandon all thoughts of a restricted diet. She sips on it while sitting across from Sasuke, looking at her phone's screen to scroll through social media and pass the time while he ate. It feels awkward to be alone with him now that they aren't focusing on work, otherwise she wouldn't have her phone out for comfort. That thought is put on hold when she sees a post from Ino that's trending.
Excitedly, she turns the phone around and holds it out so her boss can see the screen, "Look! Her advertisement is getting so much feedback."
Sasuke nods, lifting a brow. He speaks after swallowing, "It's nearly time to open the new locations."
She grins, looking at her phone again. It doesn't feel quite as tense since the ice was broken, "Everyone's hard work is going to pay off. It's feels kind of nice to be a part of something so big, you know?"
"...."
When the Uchiha man doesn't respond, she looks up to see him staring at her with an odd expression. Her face warms, and she subtly runs her tongue along her teeth to ensure none of the tapioca from the bubble tea has gotten stuck there, "Are you alright?"
His brow furrows as he opens his mouth as though to say something, but then he hesitates and closes it again. The pinkette then begins to reassure him that he doesn't have to say anything if he doesn't want to, but he cuts her off, "It's fine. I shouldn't have-" "Why does everyone like that stuff? It looks…." He subtly gestures toward her drink.
It takes her by surprise. She looks at the strawberry-flavored drink before tilting her head and scooting it toward him, "You've never tried bubble tea?"
He cautiously takes a sip, a small sound leaving him when a tapioca ball enters his mouth. Sakura giggles, accepting the drink back, "It's probably too sweet for you, huh?"
As someone who has taken it upon herself to ensure the workaholic man eats at least one good meal a day, Sakura's aware of most of his likes and dislikes. Things with a lot of sugar are some of the lowest items on his list. He doesn't say anything but takes another bite of his sandwich and averts his gaze to the table as though feeling uncomfortable. The woman isn't put off by it. For the first time, it feels as though his intention isn't to be offensive.
Another amused giggle leaves her mouth as she gets up, "Wait here. I'll be back." She gets in line and orders a coffee-flavored one instead.
While waiting for it, she finally realizes how natural the interactions back at the table had felt. She wonders if it's because of what happened during and after Matsuri's birthday party that Sasuke's loosening up, even if it's only a little. Either way, she's relieved to discover he's not a complete stick in the mud. In fact, he seems a little socially awkward today. It's actually somewhat charming in Sakura's eyes because he's usually so self-assured and confident.
Returning to the table a minute later, she slides the drink to her boss and grins encouragingly, "Try this one."
"Don't buy me things. I have my own money," the man half-grumbled before taking a sip. His eyes darted down to the cup a moment later, making Sakura's smile widen. She snickers, "See. I was right, wasn't I? You totally like it."
She adds when he shoots her a weak glare, "Consider it an apology for bullying you into paying for my drinks and crashing on your sofa Friday night."
Sasuke chokes, covering his mouth and coughing a few times before hardening his gaze on her. The woman's pulse skyrockets under the intense stare, going even faster when he says, "You don't owe me anything. You drove me home."
For a moment, the pair simply holds one another's gaze, but Sakura looks away first. A blush warms her face to the point that she's concerned he'll notice. She attempts to make the conversation flow to prevent things from becoming awkward again, "Yes, well, I'm surprised it's possible to get you drunk at all. It wouldn't surprise me if you were immune to that sort of thing."
"Aren't you in medical school?" He scoffs.
"You know what I mean," she rolls her eyes.
After lunch, they return to their tour of the worksites. Most of the time is spent verifying the two new locations are ready for the grand opening that's scheduled for this weekend. Sakura feels as though the big empty shopping malls give off a creepy aura, like a haunted abandoned hospital or something, because those types of places are usually full of people.
On the way back to the office, Sakura's phone rings. She sees her mother's name on the screen and glances at Sasuke. He nods, so she answers it, "Mom. Is everything okay?"
"Sweetheart, I don't want you to panic, but Dad is in the hospital."
The content feeling from a successful workday leaves the pinkette in a blink. Her spine straightens as her blood freezes, "What happened? Is he okay?" Tears well in her eyes. Her voice wavers with emotion. She's always been a daddy's girl. Lately, he's been overworking himself because of the financial incident, despite her telling him not to worry about replacing the funds.
"He collapsed at work. The doctors are still running tests, but they think it's exhaustion."
"What hospital are you guys at? I'll come as soon as I get off work." After receiving the information, Sakura hangs up the phone. A few tears overflow. She wipes absently at them while looking up directions to the hospital.
"Is it your father?"
The pinkette nearly jumps out of her seat because she'd forgotten Sasuke's sitting right beside her. Then, she nods, "He, um, collapsed at work, apparently."
"They're at the same hospital as before?" Sakura looks over to see his eyes glancing at her phone screen before nodding, "I'll go once we return to the office, if that's okay."
Without speaking, Sasuke changes the address on his GPS and begins heading for that location. The woman is stunned, "You don't have to take me there, Sir. I can get a taxi. You still have so much work to do for this weekend."
He ignores that argument and the few others she tries to make before they arrive at the same building they'd been taken to after the whole almost-being-hit-by-a-car incident. Sakura's too anxious to pay attention to him once the car is in park. She leaps out of the vehicle and rushes into the emergency room.
A receptionist flags her over, "Are you Mr. Haruno's daughter? They told me to look out for a pink-haired woman."
She nods, "Yes, that's me. How is he? Can I see him?"
The receptionist nods, standing and gesturing for her to follow, "Come with me." They walk down multiple hallways until reaching a patient room. The employee motions for her to enter, "We typically don't allow more than two guests, but I'll make an exception so long as you and your husband don't cause trouble."
"M-My husband? What-" Sakura turns to watch the employee walk away, only to jump when Sasuke is standing there with a guarded expression. She hisses, "What are you doing?"
"Sakura, dear, is that you?" The two young adults turn in time to see Mebuki approaching. Her green eyes light up when they land on the Uchiha man, "Oh, it's Sasuke. How are you, Sweetheart? Come on in."
The pinkette shares a stern look with her boss before following her mother into the room. Tears flood her vision when her eyes land on her father in the hospital bed, everything else forgotten. "Dad…." She hurries to his side, holding his hand between hers as she tries not to completely burst into sobs.
The man chuckles, looking tired and a little pale but otherwise okay, "Enough with the waterworks, Pumpkin. I'm alright."
Sakura berates him with an unsteady voice and glare, "If you were alright, you wouldn't be here! What did I say about overworking yourself? You're not as young as you once were. Your body can't handle the same amount of stress anymore."
Mebuki laughs softly, speaking to Sasuke, who's standing there with a look on his face that says he'd rather be somewhere else, "Were you together when I called? Thank you for taking such good care of our daughter."
Kizashi's eyes lift from his upset daughter to the strange man and narrow before turning to Sakura again, "Who is this tall fellow?"
She wants to keel over and die with embarrassment. Feeling like a teenager caught making out with a boy, Sakura stands to gesture toward her boss, "This is Sasuke Uchiha. He's my boss. He drove me here."
"He's also the one who saved her from getting hit by a car, Dear," Mebuki chimes in.
"I see," Kizashi says gruffly, sitting up with the help of his daughter so he can properly eye the man, "We're grateful, but just because you did all that doesn't mean she has to date you or owes you anything, Son."
Sakura snaps at him, "Dad!" Mebuki just laughs.
Sasuke's face pales, but he nods, "Of course, Sir."
The pinkette wishes she could disappear. Why is it she can barely go one day without embarrassing herself in front of her boss?
…..
The thing about driving a co-worker to visit their father in the hospital without a plan is that it's difficult to determine the right time to leave. When Sakura was trying so hard not to cry in his car, he didn't think twice before getting her where she needed to go, but now he's in a hospital room with her and her parents wondering why he didn't just drop her off and return to the office. Deep inside, he knows that if he'd just be honest with himself, it's because he needed to verify that she's okay. The last time Sakura cried, they both ended up in the hospital. The Uchiha man greatly prefers her sarcastic and friendly persona compared to fear and worry.
As he sits beside his co-worker, he watches and listens to how she interacts with her parents. It's so foreign how open they are that he can't help but feel jealous. He hasn't seen his own father for un-work-related things in almost a year. His mother is so busy managing the family compound and taking care of minor things for her husband that her visits are sporadic and brief. The closest family member Sasuke has is his older brother, Itachi, but they rarely do anything one-on-one.
Since it's winter, the sun sets soon after six o'clock, and the hospital gives them a warning that visiting hours are over. Sakura says goodbye to her father, whose tests came back to confirm that he isn't at risk of a heart attack or stroke so long as he takes a few days to rest and doesn't overdo it again.
Feeling out of place and awkward, the D.O.O. walks behind Sakura and Mebuki until they exit the building. Before he can interrupt to excuse himself, his employee's mother looks back at him with a smile, "Would it be too much trouble to ask you to make sure Sakura gets home safe tonight? I need to run a few errands before it gets too late."
Sakura swiftly looks between her mother and boss before waving her hands dismissively, "Don't ask him for more favors when he's already done so much today, Mom!"
She's obviously embarrassed, which the Uchiha man finds amusing because she's usually either angry, feisty, or all-around-warm. In an unconscious attempt to tease her, he cuts in, "Let's go."
The Haruno women share a look before saying their goodbyes.
Once Mebuki is out of earshot, Sakura grumbles while following him to the car, "You really don't have to do this. I'm supposed to meet Ino for dinner anyway."
"I'll drop you off at the restaurant," he calmly states.
She argues once they're at the vehicle, "Sir…."
"If you don't get in, it'll mean I lied to your mother. Are you okay with making me look bad?" Sweet satisfaction meets his ego when the woman's mouth clamps shut. Moments later, she sighs dramatically and gets into the car.
While pouting, she complains, "That's a pretty backhanded method."
The drive is relatively quiet and calm. Sasuke's mind is flooded with thoughts of family and the difference between this pink-haired woman's home life and his. There are things he'd like to ask or talk about but doesn't because it's too personal a topic between co-workers. At the restaurant, the loud blond that Itachi hired to be the face of the beauty mall is waiting outside, waving the car down.
Sakura rolls down the window, "What are you doing outside? You'll freeze to death! Go in, and I'll meet you."
"You're coming too, right, Handsome?" Ino smiles mischievously at Sasuke, who frowns at the nickname.
Sakura sputters but is cut off by her friend, "You haven't eaten dinner yet, I bet. I'm not taking no for an answer. Go park the car. I'll see you inside."
Just who does this woman think she is, telling him what to do? Sasuke's irritated beyond belief, but he still does as she ordered.
Sakura sighs as they walk into the building, mumbling where only he can hear, "I'm really sorry for dragging you around all day. I'll make it up to you somehow." He says nothing but holds the door open so she can enter first. A whiff of her scent meets his nose as she passes by. His teeth grit as he tries to ignore it.
Inside, they join the Yamanaka woman in a private room where she's already ordered, "Do you like Korean BBQ?"
He nods, feeling uncomfortable under her unwavering stare. She wiggles her brows when she notices his unease, topping off the mockery with a suggestive wink.
Oh, God. She's just as obnoxious as Sai says she is.
"Is Dad okay?" Ino asks, appearing to show mercy to the Uchiha.
She calls Sakura's parents as though they're her own. That's yet another thing Sasuke doesn't understand but also can't bring himself to ask.
"He'll be discharged in the morning. They said it's just exhaustion, but wanted to keep him overnight for observation just to be safe."
"Oh, thank God! I was so worried!"
The food arrives, as does glasses of water and a bottle of sake. Sakura groans while placing meat onto the grill, "Don't even ask. It's literally Monday."
Sasuke watches in silence as the two women argue about how acceptable or unacceptable drinking in the middle of the week is. It seems as though those two have been friends for a very long time. They fight like siblings.
"What about you, Handsome? Wanna drink with me?"
"No-" "Ino, stop calling him that! He's one of your bosses," Sakura barked. Sasuke is mildly surprised by her blatant irritation.
Apparently, Ino isn't because she laughs loudly, "If you're jealous, then just say that, Forehead."
Sakura's face turns the same color as her hair, and she slaps the blond's arm, "Don't be ridiculous."
For some reason, Sasuke's already shaky mood teeters to the negative. What does she mean by ridiculous? Is he such a robot that she doesn't see him as a human being and, therefore, doesn't see him as a man?
It's at this moment that the Uchiha man comes to a realization. He freezes with wide eyes on Sakura Haruno. Why would it matter how she views him? He hasn't cared what anyone else thinks.
As someone who has mastered the art of holding back emotions, Sasuke recognizes the situation as something he should avoid, but for the first time in his life, he's honest with at least himself. He no longer sees that pink-haired woman as just a coworker.
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