Chapter 6 Do The Girls Back Home Touch You Like I Do

Relena

"Thanks for the ride," I said, as Trowa dropped me off in front of the door of my mansion. Pagan was already there waiting by the door to let me in.

"No problem," was his short reply.

I would have wanted to say more, probably ask him if when we can see each other again, but decided against it, since I wouldn't want Pagan to sense anything more. It felt rather uncomfortable to know that he might be thinking that Trowa and I slept together as we speak.

Trowa sensing my awkward silence, took the hint and got in his car, waved goodbye and drove off.

"Good morning, Miss Relena. Miss Dorothy is inside awaiting for you at the garden." Pagan immediately said, upon Trowa's exit.

"Dorothy's here? When did she arrived?" I asked, as I hurriedly went my way towards the garden.

"Early this morning, she was hoping to have breakfast with you."

And, as I stepped into the garden, Dorothy was there seated on the outdoor table, enjoying herself with, what I assume was the breakfast Pagan prepared for her. She looked up and grinned as she saw me walking towards her.

"Relena!" she cried, as she stood up to welcome me with a hug.

"Hi," I managed to say, as she squeezed me in with her arms. "You didn't tell me you we're coming,"

She grinned mischievously, "I wanted to surprise you but you were the one who surprised me."

I looked at her trying to look clueless. Ugh, Pagan must have told her.

"I didn't know you and Trowa do sleepovers now?" She said, obviously teasing.

I closed my eyes and breathed in. How do I get out of this? Of all people to come home to, after an awkward night, why does it have to be my frenemy, Dorothy Catalonia?

"So, tell me, how long have you been two, together?" She asked.

"Together?" I repeated. "We—- we're not exa—-"

"What?! So, you're doing casual now?!" Dorothy exclaimed in shock. "I, so regret, not visiting you sooner!"

I shook my head, "No, no, no,"

"Relena, please tell me everything!" She begged, moving her chair next to mine and taking my hands and squeezing them tight. "I want to know everything!"

I sighed in defeat, while Dorothy stared at me with wild anticipation.

"We're friends and we've been talking much and going out for drinks these past two years." I managed to say.

"Uh, huh,"

"But, this was the first time we spent the night together." I softly said, with all the courage I can muster. Hearing it now, seemed so crazy, even more, saying it to Dorothy.

"Ooooh, so, I visited at exactly the right time," she quipped, squirming with excitement. "So, who confessed first?"

"Nobody. Look, Dorothy, I can't do this anymore. This is not a great time. I have too much on my mind. I don't want to be rude, but can we please talk about this some other time? I need to rest."

Dorothy smiled wickedly and said, "Of course, you're tired! What he kept you up all night? Geez!"

My eyes grew wide at what she said.

"Dorothy! No!"

"Oh, come on Relena, we're friends. You don't have to hide this from me," she said, grabbing my hands back and holding them tight. "You can trust me,"

I snatched my hands away from her grasp and covered my face. I feel like I want to cry in confusion but I am too anxious to actually do.

"Relena," Dorothy said, now in a more serious and determined tone. "There is nothing wrong with what happened between you and Trowa, ok?"

I dropped my hands off my face and looked at her. "I guess, you're right. But, we're really just friends, Dorothy. I was drunk and lonely and stressed and he was perfect and sexy,"

"Damn, he is," Dorothy teased. "So, why are you miserable?"

"Because, you know these things never end well! And, Trowa's my friend!"

"Don't you like him? Why not make him your boyfriend?"

"I guess, I'm not sure if he feels the same way,"

"So, you haven't talked about this yet?"

"No,"

Dorothy was silent and took a sip from her tea while I sat there and stared at nothing. Soon, she was pouring me my own cup and handed it to me. I took it and allowed the warmth of the tea to calm me down. The scent was intoxicating and it soothed me in a way only a good chamomile tea can.

"Ok," Dorothy said, as she set down her cup. "I'll let you sort whatever that is between you and Trowa by yourself. I came here as a friend, knowing that you're stressed about recent events lately. I wanted to support you and offer new some good news."

"Good news?"

Dorothy nodded. "But, before we get on that, promise me once you've decided what to do with Trowa you'll me all about it, ok? I deserve to know!"

I nodded weakly, as Dorothy smiled and started off with her good news.

"Some old Romefeller members actually, appreciated this new feisty side of you, Relena,"

"What do you mean?" I asked, Romefeller was not a word that I associated with good news.

"They have not been you're biggest fans with all your pacifist ideals but they're not entirely opposed to the Mars Terraforming Project. In fact, it's your only project that they think is worthwhile."

"Okay, so what's the good news here?" I asked, still not able to connect Romefeller with anything remotely positive.

"Well, they liked how you're so passionate about the terraforming project, to actually fight for it and lose your good girl persona for it," Dorothy said with a smirk forming on her face. "They're thinking of donating funds to support the project and by funds, I mean funds that could actually finish this project!"

My eyes grew wide in disbelief. Romefeller is now my ally?!

"Dorothy! Are you sure?"

"They're the ones who sent me, they want to arrange a meeting with you as soon as possible."

I stood up from my seat and this time it was me who squeezed Dorothy into a tight hug.

That night, I decided to contact Trowa to tell him all about Dorothy's news, before I even tell Noin or my brother, Milliardo.

"Hey," his voice was damn sexy even on the phone.

"Hi, is this a good time to talk?" I said, hoping he wasn't preoccupied with other things.

"Yeah, what's up?"

Hearing more of his voice, I suddenly felt the necessity to see him and talk to him in person. Hearing his voice wasn't enough.

"Can we meet up?" I bravely asked, fighting all the awkwardness welling up inside me.

"Actually, I'm at the space port," he replied.

"What?!" I cried, unable to hide the shock from my voice. "Why?"

He was suddenly laughing. "Hey," he said, after he was able to contain himself. "Everything's fine, no need to be shocked."

He chuckled again lightly. I could not understand what he was laughing about.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going back to L3, catch up with Cathy and the rest of the circus gang." he replied.

I suddenly felt guilty. Is this his way of responding to what happened last night?

"Trowa, why-"

"Relena, my missions have all ended. I was honestly just hanging around because of you. My flight was actually scheduled last week but we've been hanging out lately so I decided to push it for this week." he explained.

"Oh, I see, sorry for all the trouble," I said, unable to hide the sadness that immediately crept up my whole being.

"We could always keep in touch," he said, trying to comfort me. "Plus, if any new missions come up I can always come back. I just need to go visit my sister."

"Take care," I said. "I'll let you rest now. Bye."

Trowa

She sounded so sad as she hung up the phone suddenly. She seemed really upset about me suddenly leaving for L3. It kind of feels good to know that I could affect her in such a way. That my absence was something that would affect her.

But, at the same time, I wanted to comfort her, that I am actually thinking of dropping this visit off and storming on to her place. That second option is so tempting, especially since I could barely stop myself from thinking about everything that happened last night. Everything was still so vivid in my mind, all the sensations and not to mention hidden emotions that seemed to have awaken after just one night of being together.

Still, I guess, we're both not ready for the aftermath of what we did. Though we acted as if nothing has changed. Both of us seemed to be struggling to keeping things as they are and terribly failing at it. I, myself, need to think this through and probably release all this tension by going back to L3 and perform once again with the circus gang.

Relena

With Trowa's sudden absence, Dorothy's surprise visit was such a welcome relief. Apparently, Dorothy wasn't just planning on some peace and quiet that evening. That, when I called her, hoping she'll keep me company while I sulk about Trowa's sudden departure, she immediately arrived and whisked me away into one of Brussel's hottest clubs.

It's been an hour and I've been left alone in the booth drinking while hoping to catch a glimpse of Dorothy, who was all over the crowded dance floor. Ugh, this place reminds me of that night, Trowa and I went dancing and I flirted with him just because I was so stressed. Wherever I look, I seem to hope that out of nowhere he would emerge and we could go back to our old routine. He's been gone for a few hours and I'm already missing him like hell. Great, Relena, you're doing a great job of not being clingy and being a cool girl.

My thoughts went on and on about why Trowa decided to leave. He had said that his missions were finished a few weeks back and keeping me company was his only reason for sticking around. So, why after a night of spontaneous hook up, he suddenly felt the need to flee? Was this so casual for him that he'll leave right after it happened? We won't even talk about it? Well, we sort of tried and I just admitted to him that I was confused and that I was panicking. So, maybe, he took that as a red flag and felt that this was going nowhere.

"Hey!" Dorothy cried as she crashed her sweaty body next to mine.

I was too consumed with all the Trowa-thinking that I didn't notice her approaching.

"Why are you moping all by yourself here?" she asked, as she took a swig of a glass of ice cold beer. "Whew, that was so good, dancing really energizes me!"

I smiled at Dorothy, but it was a fake and tired smile. I was glad that she was enjoying herself but I couldn't make myself join her.

"Maybe, I should go," I told Dorothy. "I'm such a big buzz kill here."

I moved to stand up, but Dorothy blocked me and pushed me back to my seat.

"No, Relena, quit moping!" she commanded. "You're not even in a relationship with that guy and you'll let him ruin your day?"

I sighed. "But, he's all I could think of,"

"That is why we're here, dance, flirt, drink! Do anything to keep your mind off him!"

I sighed some more and took a sip of my frozen margarita. "I'm not in the mood. I can't stop worrying and wondering. Dorothy, what if he's with someone else?!"

Dorothy rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Then let him do what he wants,"

"I can't Dorothy, I can't. I think I really like him."

To be continued….