At Susan: (in an order) Yes, it was Andy who was looking through her entries. Yes, it IS a big deal (later on, anyway). Yes, he was scared because of that, since she was more than capable of bringing him down, knowing that he wouldn't hurt a lady. Well, you're about to find out.

Shin: (throws a rock at Sky)

Sky: OW! What the hell!

Shin: That's for making me HIS brother!

Athrun: Shin! (Whacks Shin's head) APOLOGIZE!

Shin: OW!

Sky: (mocks from afar) Nehneh.

Shin: Why you-

Athrun: (whacks Shin again)


Ch 12

A Poco A Poco Relationship

"Milly! Look at this!"

Millalia Haw poked her head above the cubicle level. She saw Cagalli, who if not clad in a pantsuit would've fallen down the stairs centuries ago, rushing towards her. The blonde showed her a small, neon green note to her as soon as she came to a stop.

"Oh my god," she muttered, wide-eyed at the sight of Athrun's signature. After examining the note near and far, she concluded that it's real.

"Of course it's real. Why would he fake his own signature?" Cagalli brought the glasses that she occasionally wore during work down to the tip of her nose, giving her new friend a look of suspicion.

"I don't know. It just doesn't sounds like him." Milly handed the note to Dearka, who observes it in a cluster of other guys. "What'd you think?" she asked Sai who was holding the note.

"It seems like our chairman has gone soft," he said finally after so many squinting.

"This calls for a celebration!" Tolle spoke up.

"Wait! What's going on?" asked Cagalli, who made an outcry and turned the cheers into cough and stammering. Milly pushed Dearka towards Cagalli and nudged him with her elbow.

"Explain," she growled at her boyfriend/slave.

Dearka cleared his throat again and again until, finally, he speaks. "Well...Zala's always known as the guy who turns down girls the most in high school and college. All that guy does during those times was study, study, study."

"So?"

"He was mean," Milly said.

"And anti-social." Added Kuzzey.

"And as cold-hearted as Mr. Hyde himself," said Dearka in an almost singsong voice. "Even during the time he was still engaged to that Lacus Clyne."

"But that's not the Athrun I know. He's sweet and gentle and loving and-" She patched the leak before everything runs out and silently stares at the cluster of gossipers men and women alike.

"You think so?"

"It seems like it."

"Finally there's a girl who could thaw the ice in his- Hey! No eavesdropping!"

"Sorry..." muttered Cagalli, wondering what's so secretive about the conversation. "Can I at least have the note back?"

"Here."

"Thanks-o," she said before heading upstairs, one hand taking out her wallet. It was like any other men's leather wallet: thick, buff, and lack femininity in every single millimeter of the design. Then again, Cagalli wasn't a big fan of any feminine accessories mentionable. She only uses some if it really matters.

That was why the ChapStick her aunt Aisha gave her for her birthday was left to disintegrate in her old room at Andy's house.

After making sure that no one was around, she then took a last glance at the note before concealing it somewhere in her almost forgotten stack of receipts, old and new, at the innermost section of the wallet and walked on.

Even as a model/singer/actress, Lacus Clyne loathed the hours after hours of dressing up and choosing the right dress for the occasion. Every day she goes to work she has to sit still for people to mess with her hair and face and then have to wear clothes that are a bit too revealing for her liking. Yet she tolerates it with a heart-warming smile painted on her face.

Until now.

She began skipping work more often ever since she starts meeting up with Kira Hibiki, her friend from high school and a close friend of her ex-fiancé, Athrun Zala. They began talking about little things at first, then before she knew it, some very personal things.

"How's your recent movie?' The Longest Night' wasn't it?" Kira asked. His hands clasped together, forming a support for his chin.

"It was fine."

Silence.

"You hated it, right?"

Lacus hesitated, deciding if being honest to herself is the right thing to do, then nodded yes. She couldn't help but notice that his eyes grew thinner as he smiles.

"That must suck, acting in a movie that you hate, having to say that it's good during interviews."

Her heart leaped with joy at the reply, her eyes brimming. She knows not of the reason at the moment, but she soon to find out a word that would fit it the best.

It was after the day she called off the engagement she went knocking on Kira's door. He was surprised to see her smiling so widely after reading the big headline of today's newspaper.

"Hello Kira. Mind if I come in?" she said, smiling.

"Ah? Sure." He backed away for Lacus and closes the door after her. "It's late. Why are you still out?"

Lacus turned her head sideways so she can look at him from the corner of her eye. "Close the door first. Cover your face while you're at it."

He does so and led Lacus to the living room's sofa while he settled himself onto the less comfortable armchair.

"You've heard the news, right?"

"Eh? W-What news?" Kira's desperate attempt to act clueless was as easily seen through. "I'll go make us some iced tea." He quickly got up and rushed to the kitchen before Lacus got a chance to say anything else.

Better not talk about it. Might upset her more, he thought as he reached for the cupboard where the instant iced tea resides.

"Kira..."

He took out the glasses for the iced tea and began ripping the instant iced tea packs.

"Kira..." said Lacus, skin-close to the young man. Her arms wrapped tightly around the thin torso.

"I...Err..." he jerked upright, tensing at the touch.

"I love you..."

He slowly turned around and faced the pink haired idol. "So do I."

Lacus' heart instantly leaps.

"But..."

"But?"

"Wouldn't it be better if we take it slow? I don't want you to regret anything."

First it was confusion, then acceptance. After a while, she nodded at the offer.

That was why Lacus Clyne goes to work less and less. She now resides in Kira's home and heart.

The blonde secretary waited patiently, and then she finally decides that being patient is not of her specialty and began swearing under her breath. After walking all around the 8th floor, she decided to take a little itsy-bitsy nap.


I know I tend to jump from scene to scene a lot. I apologize if you don't like it, but I can't do it otherwise.

Next chapter: The Dolce Kiss