Author's notes: Finally I'm up with a new chapter!
I think most of my readers already know that I'm sort of on a hiatus now due to my busy schoolwork. Sorry guys! I hope I can finish some oneshots with whatever little time that I have. The oneshots are easier to write... Hehe...
I wrote this a long time ago but I was too busy to post this up. And also, I don't think this fic is really popular so...I might just delete it. I'll see how things goes...
Enjoy this chapter and please review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed/Destiny or any of its characters.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 4: Flowers
"Knock knock!" A knocking sounded at the door.
"Come in." Athrun said.
The door opened to reveal Kira, dressed formally in a business suit. "Mr. Zala, you called for me?"
"Kira!" Athrun scolded. "I told you that you could call me Athrun in the office too!"
Kira laughed. "You are my superior after all. I have to call you Mr. Zala in front of others."
"Anyway, I called you in for a reason." Athrun started. "We will be commencing our project soon."
"You mean the project for the new resorts?" Kira asked.
Athrun nodded. "We are finally going to get started on it. We will have to make arrangements to scan the new buildings and meet up with the designers."
"This has been going on for a year. I have the feeling it will be the best resort ever!" Kira smiled.
"I think so too Kira." Athrun smiled. "But you'll have to leave Lacus for a while."
"It's not much of a problem. Lacus would want to come along too, especially since our main attraction is the honeymoon and couples resort. She loves such things." Kira said.
"That's why she likes you Kira." Athrun teased.
Kira blushed. He was prone to blushing when it came to Lacus.
"A…Athrun…" Kira started hesitantly. "Would…would you ask Meyrin along?"
Athrun raised his eyebrows in surprise. He looked like he was thinking of something before he rested his chin on his crossed palms which were propped up by his elbows on his table. "I guess she would like to come…however we are doing important work here…"
Kira watched his friend's every single move. He was one of the few Athrun confided in and even though he was naturally clumsy, he still knew exactly what he was thinking.
"I'll go check how things are going and get them to pass you the files." Kira broke the silence.
"Thanks Kira." Athrun gave his friend a smile.
Kira walked towards the door and opened it, preparing to exit the room. However before he could walk out, Athrun's voice stopped him.
"And Kira." Athrun said as Kira turned around. "You know me really well."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Athrun was driving aimlessly around town in his sports convertible after a meeting with a client. He felt good with some time to himself.
Athrun drove along when he spotted a floral shop. He did not know why, but he suddenly felt like looking at the flowers.
"Why not? Flowers can help me to relax too." He thought as he parked his car and went over to the floral shop. He studied the shop as he stood in front of it. It could be considered a rather big shop for a flower shop. Its name was "Precious Rose".
"Nice name." Athrun thought as he entered the shop.
A little bell rang as he opened the door.
"Welcome!" A female voice greeted him.
"I…" Athrun started before he stopped short. His eyes grew wide as he saw who was standing right in front of him.
"Athrun!" Cagalli exclaimed in surprise. "Why are you here?"
"Cagalli?" Athrun got out. He studied her attire. She was wearing an apron with the shop's name on it. "You are working here?" he asked.
"Yes!" Cagalli answered. "Didn't I say that the last time we met at the café? Oh you probably forgot because it was sort of a sibling's quarrel." She laughed.
Athrun listened to Cagalli laugh. Somehow he liked the way she laughed. It was nice and warm, and it felt it truly came from the heart.
"Oh!" Cagalli remembered her job. "Did you come to get flowers? What kind of flowers do you want?"
"Erm…I'm not sure…" Athrun said slowly, scanning the large varieties of flowers all around him. "I just wanted to come in to take a look…" he stopped as something caught his eye.
Athrun walked over to where the roses were. He bent down and gently touched the petal of a peach-coloured rose. His gaze then went over to the yellow and orange roses. He did not know why, but he felt attracted to them.
"You like roses?" Cagalli asked, bending down a little.
Athrun turned around a little and saw that Cagalli was in close proximity to him. He felt his cheeks get a little hot and quickly turned away.
"Are you buying them for someone special?" Cagalli asked again.
"Erm…no…" Athrun answered. "I just kind of…like these…"
"Which ones?" Cagalli peered at the roses.
"The peach ones, orange and yellow ones. They are nice." Athrun said.
"Really? They are my favourite ones too!" Cagalli laughed. "A friend of mine liked them too…" she smiled a sad smile.
This did not escape Athrun's observation. He had the sudden urge to bring her into his arms and comfort her.
"No Athrun Zala! What are you thinking!" he scolded himself. "You can't do that to her. You just met her once!"
"So do you want them?" Cagalli chirped. "They will look really nice in a bouquet!" she added cheerily.
"Huh? All…all right!" Athrun agreed.
Cagalli smiled and took some roses. Then she called out:
"Shinn! You have some work to do!"
The fiery-eyed male came out from the back, dressed in the exact same apron Cagalli wore. "What is it Cagalli?" Shinn asked before noticing the presence of Athrun.
"Athrun Zala?" he let out.
"Yes. He came to get some flowers." Cagalli said as she handed the roses over to Shinn. "Put them in a bouquet."
"Why do I have to do them all the time?" Shinn protested as he took the flowers from Cagalli.
"You are smarter with your hands and I will probably spoil the beauty of the flowers! Don't complain so much, get down to work!" Cagalli hurried Shinn.
Shinn sighed as he did as he was told. Athrun watched them in interest.
"Both of you are really good friends, aren't you?" he said.
"We've known each other since our high school days. I have known this guy for almost seven years already!" Cagalli said as she prodded Shinn forehead playfully.
"Hey! I'm doing something here you know!" Shinn pouted.
"Shinn is a guy, but he is really good with his hands! He has very nimble fingers unlike me. I can't do the delicate stuff, I'll probably destroy them!" Cagalli joked.
"I have been teaching you for so long and yet you have never caught on." Shinn shook his head. "You probably just don't want to learn. Here Athrun, all done." Shinn said as he handed a beautiful bouquet to Athrun.
"I can never do that." Cagalli grinned as she glanced at the bouquet.
"Thank you." Athrun said as he took the bouquet from Shinn and paid for it.
"Thanks for your patronage." Shinn said.
"Goodbye Athrun! Hope to see you again!" Cagalli waved as Athrun headed towards the exit.
"You too!" Athrun waved back and went out of the shop. He smiled widely as soon as he was outside. Browsing the floral shop really made him feel a lot better. He gazed at his bouquet and inhaled the sweet scent of the roses. They reminded him of somebody. However he could not recall who it was. As he drove off, he gave a last look at Precious Rose. He saw Cagalli tending to the flowers and gave a little smile. She had made his day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I'm home." Athrun said as he opened his door.
"Athrun!" An energetic female voice greeted him.
"Meyrin?" Athrun looked at the red-haired girl with two ponytails.
"Athrun! You're back…" Meyrin then squealed.
"Athrun! Are these for me?" She said excitedly as she took the bouquet from his hands.
"Huh?" Athrun did not have time to answer as Meyrin had already taken the bouquet and was dancing around with it.
"Thank you Athrun! They're absolutely beautiful!" Meyrin smiled as she gave him a kiss on the cheek. She then continued to dance with the bouquet all the way to the kitchen. Athrun heard her say:
"Aunt! Athrun bought me roses!"
Athrun wiped his cheek slightly and decided it was better not to tell Meyrin he had bought the bouquet on impulse.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's notes: Please read and review!
