Chapter 4: Contract

The four of them had been sitting quietly for a while now. Athrun's puffy face finally reduced its size; he was now reclining on the sofa he was sitting on. Meanwhile two new faces bombarded Athrun with questions about the things that happened a while ago. They forced him to tell the whole story, and Athrun did. Cagalli later realized that she was just adding salt to injury when he provoked the old man (Which she knew later on, was Athrun's father).

Cagalli gazed around the room. It was definitely bigger than their living room at home and it was just the bedroom of this guy standing near the window. He had brown hair and purple eyes. He was a close friend, Athrun told her as they went past by what seemed to be a protected rain forest but happened to be his close friend's drive way. Anyway, aside from his good looks, his face was calm and sweet. It makes you want to stare at it forever. Unlike Athrun whose face, most of the time looked like he lost in a poker game or the lottery. Athrun's friend stood by the window and listened to Athrun's tale. He would make side comments and nag about the things Athrun should or shouldn't have done.

Kira, as he was called by the other unfamiliar face. This pink-haired lady sat beside Athrun. Cagalli was sure she had seen her somewhere but couldn't remember it. Her green eyes would often look at Cagalli and when she is caught, a smile would creep upon her lips.

Cagalli woke up from her daydreaming trance when the topic of their conversation focused on her. Kira asked Athrun, why of all excuses he would use the term fiancé to get away from his father. He just placed both their lives in danger. Athrun would rebut and say that he had no choice and it was the first thing that popped out of his head.

They were like fighting kids, little kids arguing about who's going to use the potty room first.

"Uhmmm…" Cagalli tried to get their attention. There was no use in crying over spilt milk. She better stop this fast, she wouldn't want to see another drama scene.

They weren't paying attention. She was about to call them again when the elegant pink-haired lady stood up.

"Ara, ara" She placed her fingers on her chin. "Ladies shouldn't be listening to conversations like this. Would you like to go out for a while?" She stared and smiled at Cagalli, while Cagalli dumbfoundly nodded as she followed her outside the room.

The lady sighed. "We'll let them talk alone, man to man."

"By the way, I'm Lacus Clyne." she extended her hand so Cagalli could shake it. She was so beautiful, she thought.

"Cagalli Yula Attha" Cagalli answered. Cagalli shook Lacus hand lightly fearing that if she shook it too hard her skin might break. She looked so fragile just like those porcelain dolls for sale in antique shops.

"Lacus Clyne…" Cagalli paused. The name sounded familiar, and then it hit her.

"You're THE Lacus Clyne?" Cagalli remembered the posters she saw on record bars, pink-haired, with cute little round toy robots of different colors surrounding her. It was her cover album. Also, Cagalli heard that she's one of the most successful recording artists in history, reaching over 30 million record sales at a very young age.

"I'm sorry I didn't recognize you." Cagalli said, embarrassed.

"It's okay." She smiled. "Because today I'm not THE Lacus Clyne, I'm Lacus, Cagalli's friend." Cagalli smiled widely back at her new found friend. She was so nice and gentle. It's a good thing that her workaholic boss got some good friends.

They walked towards the house's garden. It was filled with different kinds of flowers, trees and plants. Birds dwell on bird baths. At the middle of the garden stood a small white house-like structure, Cagalli didn't know what it was called but the roof was like a tent's and strong pillars stood on each corner. It was a very peaceful scene.

"You know, this was where Athrun and Kira met." Lacus smiled as she pointed at the small house. "Kira then, was a cry baby and a clumsy kid. He would always get scolded by Athrun. Athrun was the one who's always calm and composed. When he was a kid, he never cried in front of anybody." Lacus said as she tried to touch the bird that had landed on the veranda.

"What about you Cagalli, how did you meet Athrun?"

"It's a long story…" Cagalli sighed.

"We've got time," Lacus backed her hand away as the bird flew away.

Cagalli stared at the wide garden. Since Lacus knew that Cagalli wasn't Athrun's real fiancé might as well tell her the reason why she knew Athrun.

Cagalli told her story, not even skipping a single detail: The reason why her their house was gone to the day Athrun bought the house, his coffee addiction and his habit of waking up very, very early in the morning and sleeping so late at night.

"I'm sorry," Lacus said as she heard the death of Cagalli father. Cagalli smiled back and gave her an assuring nod that it was okay.

"If there's anything I can do to help just ask, okay?" Lacus held one of Cagalli's hands and smiled at her sweetly. Athrun's a real lucky guy. Cagalli thought. Having such great friends by his side is amazing.

"So, how's Athrun as a boss?" Lacus said.

"I really don't get him." Cagalli frowned and crossed her arms. "I mean, can't he communicate well? Every time I'd see him and ask him if he'd want food or anything, he would raise his hand like this." Cagalli imitated Athrun's gesture at Lacus. "And you know what," Cagalli looked deeply at Lacus' eyes. "He talks at an average of 3 to 4 words per sentence. Was he that composed? How could you live with a person like that?" Cagalli shook her head. For her it was a big deal. She liked to talk. She was the kind of person who doesn't know how to shut up, even though people tell her to.

Cagalli sighed loudly, she felt good. It was like releasing all your stress in the air. Meanwhile, Lacus stayed quiet and stared at her.

The silence went on for a while. When Lacus did not talk back, Cagalli figured out that she had said something offensive.

"I'm sorry… I shouldn't have said those things…" Cagalli mind-slapped herself when she realized that she had been badmouthing one of Lacus' closest friends.

Lacus sighed. "It's alright." She paused.

"You know, he wasn't like that before. He talked a lot too… It was when his mother died 7 years ago he became more secluded, less talkative and workaholic." Lacus smiled weakly at her.

"I see…" Cagalli wasn't sure what and how to react. Cagall etched a frown on her face. She felt guilty on saying those mean things.

"I think we should be heading back." Lacus placed her fingers on her chin. Her bright smile came back as she turned her back and headed toward Kira's room. Cagalli stared and stood for a while. She forcefully shook her head to remove her guilty aura and followed Lacus towards Kira's room.

----

"It's been decided." Kira said as both Lacus and Cagalli entered the room.

"Cagalli-chan" Kira went to Cagalli and gently took both her hands. His purple eyes were looking at Cagalli deeply.

"Cagalli-chan, can you play as Athrun's fiancé for a little while?" Kira's grip on Cagalli's hands tightened.

The four of them stood silent. Athrun who was now standing near the window did not speak at all. Lacus, on the other hand stared at Cagalli whose mouth was wide open.

Cagalli tried to speak but words wouldn't come out.

"I know this would be hard, not knowing Athrun and all, but the situation has gotten out of hand. If…"

"Okay, I'll do it." Cagalli firmly stared at Kira.

"You see, it was partly my fault that he's in that situation." She paused. "I'll just consider it as a part of my job description." Cagalli nervously smiled. Kira muttered a small thanks and slowly released Cagalli's hand.

Hiring me to escape an arranged marriage huh, I guess, even rich people have problems. Cagalli thought as she stared at Athrun who still hasn't moved from his original position.

"Okay, I guess this is settled." Lacus made a small clap.

"But as Cagalli said, this fiancé thing is not part of her job description." Lacus grabbed a pen and paper from Kira's desk and started scribbling things. After she was finished, she walked towards Athrun and read her writings aloud.

"Contract" She started.

"In exchange for Cagalli Yula Attha's cooperation as Athrun Zala's fiancé, Athrun Zala, whose the current owner of the previous Attha residence would sell the house back to Ms. Attha at half of its current price, $75,000,000." Lacus smiled widely at Athrun who raised his eyebrows. He was not sure what she was trying to pull off.

Lacus winked at Cagalli, Cagalli's her earlier shock look changed into a smile.

"What?" Lacus scowled Athrun.

"Fine by me, how long will this contract last?" Athrun said while he grabbed the paper from Lacus.

"Hmm, let's see…" Lacus placed her pointing finger at her chin. "Ah, I got it!" She grabbed back the paper and started writing again.

"The validity of this contract is until: 1. Cagalli Yula Attha buys her house back and 2. If Athrun Zala wishes Cagalli Yula Attha to stop being his fiancé. Until these TWO conditions are met, Cagalli Yula Attha would continue to be Mr. Zala's fiancé and maid."

"Is that okay?" Lacus looked for Kira's approval.

"Sounds good to me." Kira replied.

Lacus began scribbling things again. She handed the paper to Athrun for him to sign. Next she let Kira and herself sign the contract as witnesses and last but not least, she gave the contract to Cagalli for her to sign. Cagalli smiled at Lacus widely. It was a great help. She hasn't even thought of such idea.

"Now that everything is settled, I think we should prepare for the party." Kira smiled

"Party?!" Cagalli's mouth fell open.

----

Patrick Zala stood his office window. The office was gloomy. Patrick's desk stood in near the window. In front of it was a large elegant sofa, complete with throw pillows, lampshades and coffee tables. Bookshelves and beautifully carved file cabinets filled the side of the room while large paintings were hanged on the other side of the room. However, there was not a single picture, portrait or photo of his family found in his room. Patrick looked at the adjacent tall building. He should have bought that company. He thought. He looked away upon hearing his assistant enter the room.

"Here are the papers sir," Rau Le Creuset handed him an envelope. Patrick sat on his office chair.

"Cagalli Yula Attha" He started.

"…Lived in an orphanage and was adopted at the age of six…" Patrick growled.

He continued reading Cagalli's background file until he stood up and slammed the papers on his desk. Patrick felt the irritation creeping up on him. He certainly did not like Cagalli's background. He cursed under his breath, a lowlife person trying to penetrate the Zalas. This is the most absurd idea. Patrick glared at the small photo attached to the paper. He sighed as he reclined back to his chair.

"Any orders sir?" Rau placed his arms on his back. Rau was Patrick's right hand. He was the one assigned to do Patrick's dirty work. One word from Patrick and he can and will obliterate (in whatever means) whoever is against his boss' work.

Patrick chuckled. He laughed at himself for a while. Rau, who just stared at his boss, was probably used to this attitude of his.

"Let them be." Patrick sat upright, his elbows were on his desk and his hands covered his nose and mouth.

"If Athrun wants her then let them be." Patrick smiled wickedly, confusing his assistant. Usually, Patrick deals with pests right on the spot.

"Sir?"

"Rau, you do know what lowlife creatures do at the sight of money?" Patrick said as he reclined on his chair.

"Yes sir." Rau replied. He too was smiling now wickedly just like his boss.

"Whether that's real love or not, I'm sure that little girl couldn't do anything if a large amount is offered to her face. They are all like that."

"But why not offer the money now?" Rau asked.

"Tsk, tsk, Rau…" Patrick paused. His smile grew bigger. He always enjoyed telling his assistant his plans.

"First we need to build up their trust. Nothing's better than having your most loved and trusted one stab you in the back right?"

----

"My lady, please don't move." A woman in black and white said as she scrubbed Cagalli's back. How could she not move? It was one of the most awkward situations – having someone wash you, not to mention see you naked. Cagalli tried to stay still, her cheeks were red from embarrassment.

Cagalli went out of the bathroom in a bathrobe. Immediately she was asked to sit in a chair. People surrounded her, the women in black positioned themselves around Cagalli, one on each hand and foot. There were two at her back and one holding a large brush. These women engaged themselves in beautifying her. Cagalli asked herself if this was really how rich people beautify themselves.

The black ladies backed away one by one, their job was done. They asked her to stand up and dressed her with a black backless mini dress. Cagalli shivered as she looked at her exposed back. The dress, mini dress or whatever was too much for her. She tried to ask the ladies who dressed her if it was okay to change her it. They did not reply, instead they gave Cagalli a pair of gold high heels. She stared and slowly took the heels, losing her focus on her clothing. Cagalli wore the heels and immediately stood in front of the large mirror. She stared down her foot, amazed on how the shoes looked good on her.

Cagalli tried to walk it but lost her balance. The length of the heels reached four inches and it was so thin, she could probably stab a cockroach with it. Cagalli scratched her head, it was best if they could give her a shoe with a shorter heel. She gazed around the room. The ladies in black as well as the maids disappeared. She sighed as she carefully walked towards the door, but before she could open it, someone from the other side pushed the door open causing Cagalli to hit her head and lose her balance. She sat on the floor, her hands on her forehead.

"Cagalli, let's go." Athrun entered and searched the room.

"What are you doing on the floor?" He said as he crossed his arms.

Cagalli pointed at the door, her other hand was still on her forehead. Athrun later realized that he hit her with the door.

"Let me see," Athrun kneeled and examined Cagalli's forehead.

Athrun held her chin and checked her forehead for bumps. Athrun's gaze moved from Cagalli's forehead to her face. Her make-up emphasized much of her facial features. Her bronze eye shadow highlighted her auburn eyes making it more expressive and beautiful.

But I think she's prettier without make up on, He thought. A small smile appeared on Athrun's face as he continued to observe Cagalli's face, this time he moved closer.

"Did it bruise?" Cagalli asked as she realized the proximity of Athrun and her face.

"Huh? Uh, no…" Athrun instantly moved away and mind-slapped himself for staring at her like an idiot.

He stood up and offered his hand to Cagalli. After she regained her sense of balance, she followed Athrun who was now like 3 feet away from her.

"What the hell," Cagalli whispered as she acted like she's going to punch Athrun.

"He… can't even wait for his date!" Cagalli hissed. "You're lucky you've got a nice ass, or else I've already kicked it hard." She walked while supporting herself with walls or anything that she can get a hold of. She cursed herself for wearing these heels.

I just wish that this party would end. Cagalli sighed.