Just Luck

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Chapter 7

"Explain yourself!"

Cagalli cringed as her father yelled, his voice echoing around the room. She bit her lip. Ok, hitting Yuuna might had been a tad too much, especially in a top business company in front of, she supposed, many very important business associates. Yeah, she admitted that she went a bit overboard but it wasn't as if she was to blame for everything. I mean, come on! The guy who cheated on her told stories to everyone else in the high class society that he broke up with her because of her 'wild and extravagant ways'. Ha! Cagalli didn't care much about what those prissy, stuck-up high class bastards thought about her but the fact that someone was spreading unkindly rumors about her wasn't very appealing.

"Do you know what you have done?!" her father continued to yell. "The Seirans are very important associates who hold a large amount of power around here! And you, you little scoundrel – you just punched the son in the face! Do you not have any shame?! What are they going to do now? You're lucky if they don't sue you for your outrageous misconduct!"

Cagalli clenched her fist tightly and took in shallow breaths. After all that's happened, her father really sided with those despicable Seirans!

"So what if they sue me?" Cagalli spat out bitterly, looking up at her father, glaring at him. "I wouldn't care if they did! Because you know what, I am certain that I would win the case!"

"Cagalli – you insolent – " Uzumi Nara Athha's face turned red with anger. "How dare you?!"

"He was the one who cheated on me!" Cagalli shouted. "He was the one who screwed his secretary on my bed! It was like he wanted to get caught! Do you even want to know how many times he tried to molest me? Do you?! Punching him was nothing!"

"He's bruised all over the face!" Uzumi retorted, his voice louder with each syllable.

"Well is it my fault that he bruises like a peach?!" Cagalli retorted back. "It's not my fault that he doesn't work out and exercise now is it?"

"You punched him!" Uzumi growled. "You punched him in front of the sons of the CEOs of the different top companies in Orb! What do you think they'd do if they saw this kind of action from you, from Cagalli Yula Athha, from the daughter of Uzumi Nara Athha, huh? Have you ever thought about that?!"

"Wow," Cagalli shook her head, chuckling. "In the end, that's all you care about, isn't it? Your business, your status, your reputation?"

"Isn't that all that we're supposed to care about?" Uzumi gritted his teeth as he stared at his daughter coldly.

"No, people care about feelings, relationships, emotions, morality, principles," Cagalli didn't back down from their staring contest. "They care about their families, their friends, their surroundings. But you're not a person. You're not a person because if you are, then you would've understood why I did that in the first place!"

"How dare you!" Uzumi snapped. "Yuuna left you because you were too dependent on him! You spent all his money! I was so ashamed when I found out you two broke up! Did you even know how Unato looked at me when Yuuna told us that he had to break up with you?!"

"Oh my god," Cagalli glared. "I already told you! He cheated on me! Just because I didn't want to have sex with him, he went and got the nearest girl he could find and have sex with her in my bed in my apartment with Milly! Did you not hear that?! And he even had the balls to say that he was fed up with me!"

"Well maybe you couldn't please him? Maybe you should've slept with him!" Uzumi yelled.

Cagalli couldn't believe her ears. What? What?!

"Maybe the reason he cheated on you was because you were so dependent on him that he had to make an excuse suitable enough for you to break up with him! Maybe he just wanted you to do the dumping so that you won't be hurt when he dumps you! Have you never considered that?! He has always been kind to you, hasn't he? Enduring your wayward ways, always by your side!"

"Yes," Cagalli said. "He has been nice to me on our first year but then he turned into this green-minded, sick bastard that I didn't even know why I even continued to go out with him! And for your information, I never once asked him for a cent! Not once! The only time he ever spent money on me is on dates and even when I insisted to pay, he'd insist back that since he was the guy, he had to pay! But you also know yourself that I hate shopping! I mean, have you seen my bills? Because the last time I checked, none of them came in the mail! Because they're none existing in the first place!"

"You dare speak to your father like that?!" Uzumi bellowed.

"Father?" Cagalli replied. "What father?! I didn't have a father ever since I was born! The closest thing I had as a family after Mom died was Myrna and Kira! And they sure do a hell lot of things than you do!"

"I gave you food to eat! I gave you a large home to be comfortable in! I gave you a proper education! I gave you all those clothes that you wear! And you really think that they've done more things than I have?!" Uzumi's face was twitching everywhere. "Why don't you let reality hit upside the head first before you speak?!"

Cagalli took a step back, knowing that there was some truth behind his logic but Cagalli was never one to back down from a fight, especially when she had confidently stated that she'd win just moments earlier, "Do you not understand?! I don't – I don't care about all those things! I could get them from anyone! Anyone! Yes, you're my biological father. Yes, you keep me alive. But you never went to any of the things I actually cared about! Games, track meets, competitions, recitals, tournaments, assemblies, awarding, graduations!"

"What good are those things in life anyway?!" Uzumi's voice boomed. "In the end, after twenty years, they wouldn't mean a thing to you!"

"They make me happy!" Cagalli could feel tears prickling her eyelashes.

"And tell me, this happiness – would it even benefit you?!" Uzumi demanded. "What good is happiness if you don't make good use of it? If it can't improve your life? If there are no benefits?"

"Why?" Cagalli cried helplessly. "Why is it that you can't act like a normal person – a normal father – just once?! This – this – ! You know, Milly was right. I never should have come here to meet you."

"What?!"

"I thought you changed. I thought – I thought that for once, you'd understand me. Try to know me," Cagalli shook her head. "But I was wrong. Probably the only reason you wanted me here was to scold me, right? Or maybe even worse, try to take me back? To make me do something I don't want to do? Take care of Athha Corporations, for example?"

"You are my daughter!" Uzumi growled again. "You carry the name Athha! You are supposed to take care of this business!"

"No! I don't have to!" Cagalli raised her voice. "You want me to! You're forcing me too! Well, newsflash! I don't want to and I'm not going to be such a pushover this time around!"

"You will listen to me, Cagalli!" Uzumi screamed. "You are my daughter and I am your father! You will listen to me as it is your duty as my heir!"

"I don't have to be!" Cagalli screamed back. "I never wanted to be your heir and I will not become your heir! I hate this business stuff! I hate that 'conquer the business world' you're trying to do! I'm not that kind of girl, Father! If anyone is best suited for this position, it would be Kira! And don't try to deny that he won't be better than me at every single way!"

"Kira is not my son by blood!" Uzumi told her. "Can't you understand that?! Can't you understand that I cannot allow someone who is not an Athha to take over once I pass on?"

"What good is letting an Athha take over the business when she doesn't even know what the hell's supposed to be done?!" Cagalli shouted. "I cannot do this. I cannot lead a whole company, Father! I can't and you know that!"

"You will!" Uzumi's eyes suddenly sparkled with hope. "You can train! I'll train you! Even the Seirans might be kind enough to help you! We all will! We just have to work together!"

Cagalli cringed in disgust, "But I don't want to! It's not that I can't, it's that I don't want to in the first place! Sure, I can go into business. But I can't work as the head. It's not me! I'm an efficient leader, yes, but to control the whole company, I can't and I won't do it. Ever."

Uzumi started to glare at her again, "You will change your mind, Cagalli. You will. And I won't allow you to say no. I will let you off the hook this time. But I assure you, you will bend to my will."

"Bring it," Cagalli clenched both of her fists. "I won't lose. Not to you."

And she left the room, trying to stop her tears from spilling. It was true. She hated being the head. She didn't like to be the CEO. She was a very capable leader, her group projects back in school were evidence enough. Being a manager was no problem but leading a whole company, she couldn't do that. It wasn't her. It wasn't what she wanted. And besides, she wanted the artistic side of life. She didn't prefer the corporate life. That was why she became a double major back when she was in college. A major in business and another one in advertising management. If her father would've let her, she would've entered the business as his advertising manager but he didn't want to give her that position. He only wanted her as the head. And that was why she wanted, needed to go to other companies. But not only that, she wanted to prove to herself as well that she could survive on her own, that she didn't need her family's status and fame. She was her own and that was that.

She ran out of the building in a flash, not bothering to say goodbye to Erika who was standing just outside the office and who probably heard almost everything. The office walls were pretty thin…and well, Cagalli and Uzumi were pretty loud.

Cagalli stopped, panting as she reached the sidewalk across the building, leaning against the wall. Thankfully, none of the people paid attention to her. She looked at her watch. She still had half an hour until she had to return to work.

Cagalli whipped out her phone and dialed Milly. Milly answered on the fourth ring.

"Hello?" There was buzzing. Loud noises. Camera flashes. Damn, not a good time.

"M – Milly?" Cagalli hiccupped.

"Ca – cagalli?" Milly said.

"I saw him today," Cagalli whispered.

Milly heard it though, amidst the noises, "You…oh my god, what happened?"

"I shouldn't have gone to see him," Cagalli gasped, wiping tears from her eyes.

"Oh honey, you – oh shit!" Milly suddenly exclaimed.

"Milly? What's up?" Cagalli panicked a little.

"I am so sorry, Cagalli," Milly apologized. "I'm at a press conference. And the guy just came in. I'm so sorry. We'll talk later okay? Hot cocoa or if you want, tequila or vodka or anything. Alright? Girls' night. 'Kay?"

"'Kay," Cagalli sighed half-heartedly.

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"You look like shit," Shiho said as soon as she entered Cagalli's office.

"I know I look like shit," Cagalli groaned, covering her face with both hands.

"Your eyeliner's all smudged up," she stated again. "You gotta go to the restroom and freshen up."

"It's fine," Cagalli took a tissue from the box at the upper right corner of her desk, wiping out the eyeliner. "Is it clean?"

"No evidence," Shiho replied.

A few moments later, Shiho sighed, "So, do you want to talk about it?"

"No, it's fine," Cagalli sighed too. "Let's just get back to work. Thanks for the concern though."

"Can't have my boss moping around, now can I?" Shiho arched an eyebrow, grinning.

Cagalli gave a small chuckle, "Well, yeah. Thanks."

"Oh, just a reminder?" Shiho said, filing some folders at the cabinet. "There's a meeting slotted at three."

"Haven't forgotten."

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Cagalli cursed herself.

She's been feeling all glum and self-pitying all afternoon, and that included the meeting. The meeting wasn't with the board of directors (thank god) but it was with the other managers and their assistants who she was going to work with every single day for as long as she worked there. And a great impression she gave.

Athrun had been giving her looks of concern all throughout the hour which relieved her a bit since at least she knew that he wasn't pissed off for looking so sad during the meeting. Not everyone took it kindly though.

Shinn Asuka from Purchasing and Marketing didn't seem to like her one bit as well as Lunamaria Hawke, Shinn Asuka's Purchasing and Marketing Assistant Manager. Cagalli would later learn that Shinn and Lunamaria were going out but it seemed like Shinn was cheating on her with his secretary, Stellar Loussier. Cagalli didn't care much for him but that gave her an excuse to hate his guts since well, it seemed like Shinn hated hers.

Cagalli was pretty lucky that Dearkka was the Human Resources Manager because at least she knew that Dearkka was pretty firm in letting her stay. Aside from Athrun's opinion, Dearkka had the strongest influence on who stays and who doesn't. And she knew that Dearkka wanted her in, lest he wanted Milly's smacks upside his head.

Cagalli didn't fancy being the favorite or rather, be subjected to bias. She wanted to know that it was her own power, strength and hard work that made her go this far. But then, on the other hand, it didn't hurt to have a few sources around and a familiar face here and there.

The meeting was over a few minutes after four. The rest of the managers and assistants all greeted her and made pleasantries, you know the drill. Shinn and Lunamaria practically gave her the cold shoulder though. After everyone had left, Athrun told her to stay for a while. This confused her but of course, she obeyed, sitting on the chair she occupied earlier.

Athrun locked the door, earning a suspicious look from Cagalli. But Athrun leaned against the wall, "I'm not going to do anything to you, I swear. I already told you once and I'm going to say it a thousand times if I have to so that you'd realize that I'm not going to take advantage of you in any sexual way."

"Just checking," Cagalli shrugged. "You can't exactly blame me for being doubtful. You're my boss. We slept together. You hired me the day after. What was I supposed to think?"

"True," Athrun also shrugged, sitting down on the chair beside Cagalli, facing her.

"So, um…" Cagalli bit her lip. "Is there something you want to talk about?"

"Yeah," Athrun nodded. "Is something wrong? You look…well, not so happy."

Cagalli arched an eyebrow and Athrun chuckled a little, "Look, I know that I haven't known you for a long time but you strike me as someone who doesn't go emo at random times of the day, especially during a meeting. So, I'd assume that something's bothering you."

"Well…" Cagalli trailed off. "You don't wanna know."

"Why would I even ask?" Athrun said. "And besides, I can't have you go all sad every single day. That would ruin the company, especially since you're the advertising manager. Can't have that now can we?"

"I suppose you're right," Cagalli puffed out her cheeks. "It's a bit personal though…you sure you wanna know?"

Something in his smile made Cagalli melt. It felt like she wanted to open up to him, tell him everything, down to those dark dirty secrets that only God knows. "Try me," he said.

"Mr. Zala – "

"Athrun," he said. "Call me Athrun."

"Okay," Cagalli nodded slowly. "Um, Athrun. You…ok, I don't mean to offend you with this analogy…"

"None would be taken, I promise," he said.

"Yes, uh…you grew up in a wealthy family, right?"

"Right."

"And Zala Enterprises has been in the family for what…more than twenty-five years?"

"Thirty this fall," Athrun stated.

"Yes so…have you ever had any problems…qualms regarding inheriting the, um, company?" Cagalli waved her hand around.

"Ah…" Athrun nodded understandingly. "Let me guess. Your father wants you to take over the company but you don't want to."

"Uh, yeah," Cagalli said sheepishly. "How did you – "

"Athha isn't a very common last name, Cagalli," Athrun grinned. Cagalli almost jumped when he said her first name. "So, that's the problem? Your father wants you to inherit the company but you don't want to?"

Cagalli silently nodded.

"I see," Athrun stated. "Well, when my father wanted me to take over, I didn't want the company. I never wanted to go into business, after all. The workload…paperwork, meetings, conferences – they're not exactly my thing."

"So, why did you?" Cagalli asked.

"I didn't want to, believe me. But my father was well…" Athrun became thoughtful for a moment. "Well, let's just say we compromised. I was going to be the CEO for two months and if I definitely can't stand it, then I get to do what I wanted, just as long as I proved that what I was doing was worthwhile and lucrative."

"But in the end, you took the company," Cagalli concluded.

"Yeah," Athrun nodded. "In two months, I literally fell in love with it. Ok, maybe not head over heels…but you know, I started to care for it and I've got my friends with me. And the fact that I know that I'm feeding hundreds of people feels good. Besides, what I wanted to do wasn't as lucrative as I hoped."

"Do I dare ask what you wanted initially?" Cagalli suppressed a smile.

"I wanted to make it as a musician," Athrun said, shrugging.

"A musician?" Cagalli arched an eyebrow then laughed.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want," Athrun dismissed.

Cagalli sobered up moments later, "Sorry…um, so, you're satisfied?"

"Yeah, I am," Athrun nodded. "I mean, I'm rich, I'm the youngest CEO in business history, I'm good-looking and I'm the most sought out bachelor there is."

"Jerk," Cagalli shook her head. "And FYI, you're the most sought out only in the high class society."

"Says who?"

"Says me."

"Well you're wrong."

"I'm right."

"You're wrong."

"Right."

"Wrong."

"Right."

"Wrong."

"Right."

"Right."

"Wrong. I'm wrong and that's that!" And when Cagalli just realized what she said, her eyes widened, blushing furiously as Athrun laughed heartily. "You meanie! That was like a seven year old trick!"

"And yet you fell for it."

Cagalli flushed bright red, "Oh, stop it! Shut up!"

"And meanie? Really? Now who's seven?" Athrun snickered.

Cagalli was taken aback and suddenly slapped him on the arm playfully, "Oh shut up! You were the one who tricked me!"

"You know, I could send you to Ethics for that!" he told her, grinning widely.

"But you won't," Cagalli leaned in a little.

"And why not?" Athrun smirked.

"Because we're friends," Cagalli pointed out. "And friends don't tell on each other."

"Really?" Athrun said. "Because if I remember correctly, my teacher said that a real friend won't let that certain friend get away with doing bad and mean things."

"Aw!" Cagalli scoffed, sticking her tongue out. "Now you're just a killjoy!"

Athrun laughed again and Cagalli joined in, the pain in her heart fleeting for a moment.

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So, this is Chapter 7!

Because of the typhoon, classes were suspended till August 13! YAY! And that meant that our exams were postponed till the seventeenth! Woop!

Anyway, I might be able to update another chapter if I feel like doing it...maybe not though. Most probably not. So don't count on it that much. Just be surprised and giddy if there was. Haha!

Ok, so on to the story. Uzumi is really the bad guy here, huh? I don't hate the guy really, just that we need an antagonist, right? Yeah.

Another note. I'm not exactly sure what the people in Human Resources do but it kind of has something to do with the employees, right? Anyway, if my guess was wrong, then please forgive me and just overlook that. Thanks!

As for Shinn, Luna and Stellar, well, sorry to all those on either ship but they're not exactly good guys here, obviously. I prefer ShinnXStellar though so they'll most likely end up together unless I change my mind. Besides, this is an Asucaga story so they won't matter much exactly...

And next, I really hope that you enjoyed Athrun and Cagalli's childish ways. Haha! Hope it wasn't too corny or anything. :

Then of course, as always, I really hope that this wasn't a crappy chapter and that you all liked it. And review! Thanks for reading!