Because Love is A Choice

I'm terribly sorry, but I couldn't get this story to the point right away. And I still doubt my capability to write this kind of story, and I'm afraid I could dissapoint you all. So if you have some ideas about the plotline or something, feel free to tell me right away. I would be glad hearing all your opinions.

~{}~

All the way to her mansion, she was just staring at her folded arms on her laps. No matter what Athrun had tried to make her interested in one or two subjects, the only response he received was just a nod or a shook. And that depressed him, for he had to drive all the way to the top of her private-hill in silence. Unconciously, he sighed heavily as he turned his Lamborghini at the third turns.

His sigh must had snapped her from her musings as she finally turned and looked at him. "I'm sorry, I must not be a fun company today." She said that as she smiled apologetically.

"No, it's not that. Don't worry about it."He smiled back as he saw the pure apologetic expression on her delicate face. "..Don't blame anything to Kira, okay? I'm sure he had his own reasons."

She just stared at her in doubt as she took his appereance more closely. His blue hair was caressed by wind and swayed to the back and right gently. His pale hand gripped over the stir and his expression was cool. His stunning green orbs were protected with that hot black-sunglasses and his jaw was locked tightly. The faint colors of red and orange from the sunset beyond that hills was a perfect background for his perfect appereance. She quickly snapped from her observasion and turned her head to see the road ahead them, suddenlt felt like a fool for just realizing his charming and perfect statue when she had been with him for quite around an hour before.

Athrun of course, realized her sudden observasion as well but him being Athrun himself, was quite dense when it came toward any admiration from ladies to him. He just thought it was because the things he had said earlier.

"Fllay? If it's because what I said, forget it, ok?" He quickly asked, feeling a little thick tense around them. His eyes glanced through his black sunglasses to the side, trying to see her expression. She had her head low, her bangs covered her eyes and almost all her face was invisible.

For Fllay, all the things around her was being vague. She still had that feeling; hurt, confusion, anger and betrayel in the deep of her heart. She clenched her grip on her skirt, tightened her grip on them. She bit her own lips to hold back the tears that were almost strolling down her face.

Then, she just shook her head quietly. "I...I just don't get it. Why should he hide it from me? I mean...it is true about the fear I have towards ZAFT and it's stuff until now, but that doesn't mean for him to lie, right?" She then looked up and see at his deep green orbs. "...right?" He could see the tears that welling up in the corner of her eyes as she kept staring at her, forcing him to stepped his car aside and turned to face her completely.

"Look, I'm sure Kira was on his way to tell you about this. We better give him chance to tell us. Understand?" He made sure to emphasize his words for Fllay to make her sorrow dissapeared. But he still could see her sullen face and the sad gleams her eyes had shone upon her beautiful eyes. "Come on, let's get to your home quickly. It had started to get chilly out here." He began to started the engine as the car hummed in a soft voice and began to climb the hill softly.

"Athrun?" She tugged his sleeves gently as the moments passed by. Her only receive was just a movement from his neck toward her, a sign for her to continue. "...Thank you."

~{}~

"Here we are." She stepped out from the car as the car stopped right right below the stairs to her mansion. There were several maids and buttlers already at the balcon of her mansion. Athrun stepped out as well, walked side by side with her as they climbed the stairs. When they arrived at the front door, the maids and buttlers turned and smile.

"Welcome home, Young Lady." They greeted in a harmony as they bent down a little.

"Thank you, did something happen when I was away?"

With that the redhead girl was swarmed over by the maids and they involved in some interesting topics. Meanwhile, Athrun who was standing behind Fllay was just staring at her, not knowing what to do. A buttler suddenly came over before asked him to follow him. They walk through the long hallway before arrived at the huge room. It was living room, filled with soft sheets cushions, two grand pianos at the corner and a large aquarium which stood firmly at the another the side of the room. The aquarium was so huge, he was sure he could swim there. When he looked at it closely, he could see a lot of fish there, colorful and bright at the same time.

He looked around the room one more time before rested his body to sit on one of the soft cushions there. Not too long later, some maids and buttlers came over and brought him cakes, breads and jams. Another maid brought him a cup and a pot of camomile tea before asked him to serve himself. Athrun just smiled but he was too oblivious to see the slight blush in her cheek. The blue haired man nodded a little, gave her and the others permissions to excuse themselves.

When they had gone, he used the time to observe the house. It was really beautiful, indeed. The room was so huge with a lot of big vase of flowers in each corner. The wall was painted calmly with cream and peach color. His eyes spotted the grandpianos and decided to look over. He came to the nearest piano and sat at the soft chair next to it. His long fingers moved to touched the tuts and when they had touched it, a soft tone was echoing that big room. He moved another finger to the next tuts and the tones were continued as a short song.

"That's quite a good song you played there."

A woman's voice snapped him from the play as he turned to see who it was. There, standing right at the door was Fllay Allster, holding down her own cup and sipped it gently as she walked gracefully to the cushion.

"Sorry, I just saw it and decided to give it a shot." He apologized for using her belonging without her permission as he stood up and sat across her.

"It's okay. It has never been used for years, anyway. I'm glad it hasn't broken or something." She answered as she put down the cup on the table before took a small piece of cake. "Please, help yourself."

The only response she got was a smile as he nodded his head softly.

There came silence as they sank in their own thoughts. The redhead tucked the hair that crept down her cheek behind her ears as she looked down at her watch. As she did so, Athrun cleared his throat, get her attention for sure.

"So," He shrugged as he stared at her grey eyes. "What now?"

"Well, your former plan was about telling me anything you know about Kira's departure to ZAFT. So if you want to get it over with, you may begin what you are about to tell me."

Athrun kept his gaze at her before turned away to shift his uneasiness. Talking about his bestfriend to her from all people is not something easy to do. He then shook his head quietly.

"I'm not sure about this now. Look, why don't we just wait his explanation?I'm sure he-"

"You are mistaken, Athrun. I've been waiting all this time just to him for home and tell me what really was going on, I mean for sure." She smiled bitterly as she tangled her fingers with another. Then she shook her head softly as she looked down at her tangled fingers. "I have believed that he would come home and tell me anything ; about his works, friends in the place he worked at which I believed it was the Earth Defenses Army Station or something, and even the smallest thing he got at the work ; the lunch there, the joke he shared with his friends and all."

Athrun just kept quiet, urged her silently to continue her story.

She laughed "You may think I'm selfish or something, but I was just trying what any couple would do. I don't want to be a stranger in his life, the one who claimed to be his couple but don't know anything about him. I don't want the distance become the reason why he changed, why he hasn't told me anyhing after all this time." She ended her explanation as she exhaled deeply and sipped her tea. She then shook her head softly as she lifted up her face and saw him straight in the eyes. That bitterly smile she had was still there. " I know maybe you don't understand, but it's just that I start to wonder whether it's wrong or not to wait for him. I want to know the truth."

The blue-haired boy was staring at her grey eyes before shifted his attention to the door. His left hand held the cup as the other hand had grabbed the arm of the cushion.

"I know that feeling Fllay. Don't worry," He replied shortly after he sipped her tea, a very little smile tugged at the corner of his lips. " You musn't think that I'm so cold."

She smiled as well before putting the cup down her lap. She cleared her throat before shifting her position uncomfortably. Her gaze turned to the window to see how dark outside. "Oh, it's been this late? I haven't realized.."

"Right, and I think that's my cue to leave." He stood up as he walked slowly to the door. " Sorry for all the trouble and thank you for all the service."

But before he could reach the door, his sleeve was tugged softly from behind.

"Wait, you 're not staying? I can prepare another room in Guest's Chambers. "

"No, it's okay. I have booked a room in downtown already, so-"

"I insist." She tightened her grab on his sleeve. " Athrun, don't make me force you to stay. I will cancell your room in the city, okay?"

"Really Fllay, you shouldn't-"

"I'm the one who dragged you here in the first place, remember?"

"I came here in my own will and I don't remember I was dragged."

"Oh, so if I didn't drag you, you'll come here by your own will?"

"The answer would be 'yes' if I have known you for a long time and 'no' because we just met around 3 hours ago."

"And that STILL made me the one who dragged you."

The blue haired sighed a little as he closed his eyes. Really, this woman in front of him was really persistent and she didn't even show any sign to give up. He opened his eyes as he met her big and gleaming grey eyes, staring at him at the same time.

"You really won't give up, do you?" He sighed again in defeat.

"That means you're gonna stay?"

"Just for a night because I have to go back to my work in ZAFT." He answered as he walked back to the cushion. "Tomorrow, at 6 in the morning I really have to leave."

"Good choice, then I'll prepare your room as quick as possible. I would feel terrible if you will have to ride another hour to back to town and waste your little time. Please make yourself as comfortable as possible. I'll be back in no time." She smiled as she rushed gracefully out of the room.

He didn't even have time to reply as she had dissapeared to another room. He sighed again as he poured another lavender tea to his cup and watch the foam at the surface of the tea. Not too long later his handphone at the back of his coat's pocket vibrated softly. He was surprised as he saw the name of his caller. Yzak Jule. He had tried to call him yesterday just to received the news from his personal assistant about the mission that had taken him away from home for a full week.

Now, what is this that make the kind of Yzak to recall him when Yzak himself never bothered to call him back for this two years?

~{}~

"I'm going to kill this person. I'm going to kill this person. I'm going to-" A silver haired man kept cursing as he strolled down the hall furiously. The reason why he kept cursing was understandable. Actually, this kind of assignment was trusted to another friend- no, acquaintances . But he was failed before he even tried it, and that was just because of that damn stupid ankle that broken from the impact of the stairs in his own home. A green coat was wrapped messily at the crook between his upper and lower arm as he tried his best to fix his black tie that hung loosely around the collar of his white T-shirt. It was very obvious that he was really upset

"Mr Jule, you have a message from your residance." A woman receptionist called from the long table at the side of the hall.

"Just delay it as usual." He said without thinking as he was became increasingly irritated by her non-inisiative. "Really Shard, how many times should I tell you? You've been my assistants for 2 years, for God's sake!" He was now having a quick glup from a can of black coffee by the vending machines around there.

"She said it's important." The receptionist insisted as she held out the phone. "And sir, not to remind you that she had called for several times before."

Irritated, he picked up the phone quickly and held it near his ears as he gulped again. "You better explain it quickly, dammit! You've been wasting my time too much!"

"It's from Athrun Zala, sir." Another assistant that was indeed from his mansion replied.

"...So? That guy doesn't even deserve my time!"

"He had called again after those several calls and the last time was around yesteday. And since that was the first time he warned me to tell you to call him back, I decided to made a personal note about his whereabouts."

"Just spill it out already."

"Well, and it seems that he's now in ORB Area," She stated as she paused before continued. "...despite the fact that how he was supposed to have a recent assignment in ZAFT Millitary right now."

Now it got his interests. Athrun, don't tell me you..

"Connect it to my cellphone, now."

He waited for several beeps before a soft voice replied. "Athrun Zala speaking. Yzak, is that you?"

"Yes, of course it's me, Mr. Zala." He snickered as he walked to another vending machine nearby. Now he took another can of tea before opened it up. "..Well? Care to tell me why you're in ORB and not in your soft, warm and smooth chair in ZAFT?"

" I'll have my own explanation Yzak, but now is not likely to be a right time to tell you because-" The other voice paused as there was heard another knock from the door.

"The room is ready, if you'd like to use them." A soft voice was heard faintly as Yzak heard it unconsciously.

"Okay, sorry for troubling you. I'll head out immediately, you can go first then. " Then another voice who was heard as Athrun's replied softly, making him sick right after he heard him.

"Who's there? Don't tell me that now the great-so-called Mr Zala is lowering himself on another feet of woman." Yzak snickered again as he sipped his tea, his smirk was tugged slightly as it was unable for him to hide it anymore.

"You're making it sounds wrong, Yzak. It's just because I'm in Allster's Residence-"

Now that was a shocking new for him. ".. Allster? Isn't that the girl from George Allster, the Prime Minister of ORB Millitary back then?"

"Yeah, that's right. She invited me to come to her house hours ago, so I decided to come over."

"And then, what? Trying to make out with her or something?" He asked sarcastically as how Athrun' reputation with the girls were known as public infrmation.

"You tell me, Yzak. I'm not going to do anything to her, heck I don't even have any idea about it. You can't just snap at people whenever you want when they just got so close with Fllay."

Instead of expecting another harsh retort, all Athrun received was just a silence.

"It's true, then?" Athrun asked in barely heard whisper, but he was sure that Yzak could hear him clearly from the short and silent gasp the other man uttered.

There was another silence before Yzak cleared his throat and replied in question. "About what?"

"About that affection you have towards her."

There was another silence again as he heard Yzak laughed sarcastically and snickered, trying to act like he was disgusted by Athrun's idea. But it all seemed to Athrun like a fake action, one Yzak never thought him to discovered. "You got knock off or something? There's no way I'll feel that way towards her! Just a moron to think I'm like that!"

"Then is it okay for me to get close to her?"Athrun asked again in slightly teasing tone which was barely heard, actually trying to peel off the mask his friend wore.

There was this silence again as Athrun could hear his own heartbeat that beat slowly.

"..No. 'Cause you know what? Because she was that friend of yours, that Yamato's possesion, dammit!"

"Oh, and here I thought you're never fond of Kira."

"And I'm not! Hell I'll never do that! It's just that - shit,why are you making this simple conversation this difficult?- I'm against snapping someone else's possesion!"

"Oh, and I don't ever know you have that kind thought, Yzak. You just never open yourself."

"To you? Hell no! " Yzak inhaled heavily to lowered his temper. Calm down, calm down Yzak.. "Okay, back to the topic. Do not – and I mean never EVER do anything to her, got it? No chat in the midnight, no movement around her bedroom or even no glances on her features before going to sleep. You heard me, Athrun?" His last words highed another pitch as he barely restrain any of his anger, irritation, and something he would never admit himself...jealousy.

"Wow, that's all you got in your mind? Her before ging to sleep? I never thought that rockheaded Yzak Jule was imagining girl on her feature before going to sleep." He mused in amazement, but then continued his sentences as he heard Yzak's growling. " And yes, I definitely hear you, clearly and no doubt. If you excuse me...sir."

He ended the conversation as he chuckled softly. Revenge has always been sweet, he had known that from theory, but still the reality is far better than texts. Surely his last sentences were nothing but that soft retorted-back from the known Athrun Zala. He tugged the cellhone back to his uniform as he stepped out of the room, finding it no surprise as he spotted Fllay not far from there.

"Sorry to keep you waiting for long." He said as he smiled apologetically as he made a move to come closer.

"No, it's okay. " She shook her head as she stared him again in serious expression. "...Is something wrong?"

"No, it's definitely fine. I'm just talking with Yzak. Well, you know when that temper of him get the best of him and his sarcastic retort came out, it's just never seemed to end in 10 minutes."

Fllay laughed as she walked him upstair. "But it does."

"Well, of course but surely that was ended far sooner than what he had expected."

Then they walked in silence as they strolled down the hall. But it was different. This silence was kinda good, and dare he said it...comfortable. Finally they ended in front of the door in the corner of the hall.

"Here's your room. If you need anything -just anything-, don't be shy to ask me, okay? " She asked as she turned and pointed her long forefinger to one of the doors in front of his. "I'll be there just in case."

He just nodded before walked towards his room. But before he could even touch the knop, he heard her called him.

"Thank you,"She said in whisper, looking away to hide her awkwardness. "I mean, for telling me this. Well, I shall not keep you down any longer, then. Good night." She bowed slightly before turning back and walked in the opposite direction of him.

Athrun kept his gae on her until her back dissapeared, before sighed and opened his own door. To his surprise, the room was quiet large, definitely larger than the livingroom back there. He walked toward one of the chairs before setting down his jacket and looked around to see the room.

Well, he mused. At least tonight he could finish the reports to make up his absence today. Just in case to cease Yzak's nonsense blabbering when they crossed the path in next few days.

With that, he searched something from his jacket's pocket to take several notes he always bring along with him, just in case he should leave his tasks in urgent.

~{}~

I'm terribly sorry, but I couldn't get this story to the point right away. And I still doubt my capability to write this kind of story, and I'm afraid I could dissapoint you all. So if you have some ideas about the plotline or something, feel free to tell me right away. I would be glad hearing all your opinions.