IT'S NOT THAT EASY
Hey guys… thanks for all the reviews… I'll try to make this chapter more sensible than the others. I lately noticed that my chapters are getting a bit irrelevant; I mean, some scenes are not that important in the story. Supposed to be, all scenes (almost all) are somehow connected and has something to do with what's happening in the story. Although, few little sweet scenes are not bad, I think I made too much… hehehe; sorry for that. Maybe it can't be help… Well, here's chap21!
Chapter 21: Overheard
Lacus ended the swift call. She already said what she wants to say and there's no reason to prolong her conversation with Yzak anymore. She asked him to pick them up though. As for the moment, she's not feeling that well to mingle with anyone. It's not that hard to understand why she's feeling like that anyhow… just imagine your biggest secret already revealed; and in the most unexpected ways. She was not prepared. Although she knew this time would come, she didn't know that THIS is the time
As time passed by, the kids' first day of classes is nearing to its end. It was exactly 12nn when the teachers dismissed the children.
Cagalli, Athrun and Kira were all waiting at the corridor, as Aaron, Ashley and Kiara came to view
"Teacher Meyrin is really nice, isn't she?" Ashley started, clinging onto Kiara's arm once again
"Yap" Kiara replied
"It would've been nicer if we had a boy teacher" Aaron pouted, walking beside the girls
"Hmp! A girl teacher is better than a boy you know?!" Ashley countered
"And how could you say so???" Aaron fought
"Come on you guys… girl teacher or boy teacher, it doesn't matter… what matters is we have a nice teacher…" Kiara halted
"Girls are better…"
"Disagree!"
Kiara just sighed, thinking she couldn't do anything more to stop them from fighting.
Athrun scratched the back of his head as he heard his kids argue while Cagalli tried to stop her twins.
"I bet you two always fight, do you?" Kira asked as he carried Kiara and the twins stopped arguing. Kiara rolled her eyes as she heard her father and just sighed and smiled
"Well that hushed them…" Athrun whispered
"Oh Kira… its indescribable how those two fight" Cagalli sighed
"I understand how you guys feel … Even I and your mother argue a lot…" Kira chuckled
"Hmp!" Cagalli snubbed and then laughed remembering how she and Kira used to have petty arguments before. But her bright smile was suddenly replaced by a weak one when Lacus arrived
"Mommy!" Kiara exclaimed. By her words, Kira felt a bit of coldness arrived. It seems like Lacus herself was that cold feeling that touched him
"How was your first day?" Lacus then posed a smile, enough to satisfy her daughter, enough to hide everything she's now feeling
Cagalli and Athrun fell silent. They knew how she's feeling right now… they even know she cried. It was pretty obvious by her slightly reddish eyes and she's still looking pinkish. However, the couple chose not to interfere; they just watched Kira as Lacus took Kiara from him
Aaron and Ashley were called by some of their new friends and were chatting happily about their first day. Kiara didn't notice them for she had a feeling that she's about to go home now; especially by the look her mother is showing
"First day's great mom…" Kiara answered. Kira was silent
"Honey, say bye to your father now…" Lacus said, still posing her weak and poor smile. If you're to see her image at that moment, you would want to tell her to stop smiling. It's awful to see someone make a smile out of sadness; pretending like she's fine and all… it's stupid…
Kiara frowned. Of course it's confusing for the kid. Cagalli sighed heavily seeing how Kiara reacted to what her mother told her
"Why mommy?" innocently, she asked
"We have to go now. You grandpa's surely excited to know how your day has been" Lacus answered, still with her pathetic smile
Kiara was quiet. Few moments passed and Kira broke the silence
"You better get going sweetie…" he said. Kiara looked at him, frowning
"But daddy…" trying to retort a bit; but her father kissed her cheek
"I too, should go now…" Kira ended, not wanting to hear any word from her daughter, he went on his way not looking at Lacus.
After a few moments when Kira stepped out, Lacus bid good-bye to Athrun and Cagalli. Kiara did the same, as well as to her cousins. Then they went and sat at the waiting benches outside as Lacus placed her daughter's backpack beside her.
"Don't worry about the ride, your uncle Yzak will be picking us up…" Lacus tried to be as sweet as always towards her daughter. She then brushed Kiara's hair with her hands
Yzak arrived 3 minutes later
He approached them and kissed Lacus' cheek then Kiara's
"Sorry… I made you wait…" he started, grabbing onto Kiara's backpack
"It's okay uncle Yzak…" Kiara politely responded. Now that Yzak is here, it's quite safe for Lacus to stop her trying-hard smiles
Inside the car, Kiara and Yzak kept talking while Lacus decided to keep hushed. Yzak knows what's going on with her right now, so he decided to grab hold onto Kiara's attention; not wanting her to notice her mother's mood
SIEGEL CLYNE'S MANSION
"Go and change upstairs dear…" Lacus sweetly ordered the moment they went inside the mansion "After that, go to the library and greet your grandpa, okay?" she ended. Kiara politely smiled and did what she is asked to do
Lacus sat heavily on the couch while Yzak sat beside her
"I'm sorry to pull you off from work…" she started, her right hand covering her face
"You okay?" concerned, Yzak asked, taking her hand off her face
Lacus replied nothing. She stared at nowhere, blank as she could be. Yzak tightened his hold
"I never knew it could be that easy…" she replied blankly then faked a chuckle
"Was it easy?" Yzak's voice was gentle. He tried to console her
Lacus smiled weakly. So weak it's barely a smile
"At least you've done it…"
She nodded. Then a tear fell. Yzak felt an arrow struck him. He knew that tear was a tear of pure sadness.
She is sad…. Why...? She's sad because she felt miserable for being such a stupid liar. She hid everything from Cagalli and Athrun… two of the most precious friends she ever had. She treated them as her very own brother and sister for she never had a real one. Yet all this time, she hid something so important to them. Weird though, after all those years of hiding Kiara, why feel like this now? Why feel guilty now? Is it because of the fact that she witness their reactions… their disappointment; it was something she never wanted to see.
She is sad… Why…? Kira's gone for good and she knows it. In fact she knew it ever since they parted. But then, she can't help but feel lost all over again. Feeling Kira once again made her feel warm and happy; being with him once again and with their daughter, everything seems perfect. It's as if they're in a world of their own. The world she longed for and dreamed of. The world she knew that will never exist for long.
(I'm so sorry; things are getting a bit confusing, isn't it? Any questions will be entertained. Just email me )
Back at the Zala Family, they were inside the car as the twins started to talk
"Mama, aren't we going shopping today?" Ashley asked
"Yeah, you said you need groceries" Aaron followed
Athrun, steering the wheel, looked at Cagalli. Cagalli is still a bit under what happened just this morning; their talk with Lacus and Kira that is. She was in a blank state, so Athrun took her hand and clutched it tight
"Huh?" Cagalli uttered. Evidently, she wasn't with them at all
"The kids are asking you something…" Athrun replied
"Sorry babies; mama wasn't listening… What was that?" she turned to look at her twins
"We said we need to go shopping for groceries mama…" Aaron repeated
"Oh yeah… Okay then…" Cagalli uttered
"You sure you're okay to go?" Athrun whispered. He's concerned, naturally. He knows what's inside Cagalli's mind, but he can't help but feel completely helpless. He and his wife tackled this topic numerous times already. As a matter of fact, this has been part of their daily conversation. The two of them have their opinion locked strongly within what they believe in, but Athrun can't find the courage to say it out to Lacus and Kira. He knows that his and Cagalli's opinion will make a difference, but it seems like he's not in the position to blabber out something they're not asked about. To him, their opinions should remain as they were; unspoken, kept inside. Somehow, a part of him says that Lacus and Kira must figure out the solution to their problems by themselves. He wanted to help, of course he do. But it's a different help that he wants to give.
"Head for the Town Center…" After a moment of silence, Cagalli responded
(I changed the Central Orb Mall to Orb Town Center… hehehe… In case some of you know it, there's a nice place I've been and it's called 'Alabang Town Center.' So that's where I got it. Also, Orb Town Center would be like Alabang Town center… hehehe. I like the place, truly… )
"Yaay! The town center! The town center!" The twins exclaimed. They love going to the town center
Athrun looked at Cagalli as he stopped by the red light
"I'm fine. I don't want the kids to get affected by this…" she whispered, enough for Athrun to hear. Athrun got the message and then moved as the light turned green
ORB TOWN CENTER
Supermarket department…
"Okay kids, get going…" Cagalli smiled as the twins made their way to the chocolates and candies aisle
"I think you're spoiling them when it comes to shopping…" Athrun stated, pushing the grocery cart as Cagalli picked two packs of chocolate cupcakes and dropped it inside
"As long as its edible and they like it, I'll buy whatever they want" Cagalli replied, now grabbing five boxes of Oreo cookies
Athrun sighed at the thought, but he just smiled and let it off. After 30mins of walking around, grab here, grab there, the family fall in line for paying
"You kids sure you can eat all these?" Cagalli asked, quite drowned by the stuffs her twins picked
"The cookies are mine, so are the cereals, milks and yogurts…" Ashley responded
"Yogurts are no-no's… chocolates are the best… I also got chocolate drinks and marshmallows…" Aaron countered
"Marshmallows...????? Bad taste Aaron…" Ashley responded
"Yogurts taste worst!" the boy countered
"Whoa! Hold your horses, kids…" Athrun halted, preventing the argument to go worst
Cagalli scratched the back of her head. What in the world is she gonna do with her twins? They kept on fighting all the time, even in the simplest things. Then again she ended her thoughts with a smile.
At least they're together…
"They wanted what they got, so don't question them" Athrun, the dearest father, revived the topic about the groceries
"Look who's talking about spoiling them…" Cagalli raised an eyebrow as Athrun shrugged
After a long clicking of purchase, Cagalli paid for their groceries and Athrun and the kids helped each other in carrying the bags
"Goodness it's almost one o'clock and we're not yet eating lunch!" Cagalli panicked
"Calm down mama… We had our recess…" Aaron inserted
"I better take the groceries to the car…" Athrun stated, taking the bags that Ashley and Cagalli carry. Aaron was hesitant to give his bags
"I'll come with you papa…" The boy offered as the guys went on their way to the parking lot
Cagalli, hand-in-hand with her daughter Ashley, went to their favorite restaurant in the place. Cagalli ordered already, after all she knew exactly what Athrun and Aaron would like to eat.
Few more minutes, Athrun and Aaron arrived. They started eating their lunch and boy was it delicious! They are in their favorite restaurant after all.
Then the family walked a bit for a while. It's been quite some time they had the chance
Meanwhile…
CALL:
"Make sure you'll arrive…" the voice from the other line stated
"Okay, okay…" Fllay hurriedly tried to cut the conversation off
After they ate lunch, Fllay left her son with their household nanny. She told Alex to wait for Kira to arrive and the boy politely nodded. Then she took off with her car and went to the meeting place
Back at the Town Center
Fllay arrived, wearing a maroon short sleeved blouse, black pants and a long brown coat. Her hair was in a braid and she wore her normal make-up
She and the person she's going to meet agreed to meet near the town center's mini park. There's a fountain in the middle, and few steel benches around
(I'm not really sure if there are things as such in Alabang Town Center. I haven't been there for a while… I can't remember it well… sorry…)
She arrived early and waited as patiently as she could. As minutes passed, Fllay started to get irritated.
'Why the hell did I agree to this meeting anyway?! This is ridiculous!' she screamed at herself. Suddenly, she felt a person's presence.
It might be by chance, but at the moment only two people were at the mini park: Fllay and the person that just arrived
Fllay turned around to see who the newcomer was… As she set eyes on the person, she was struck. This is it… he's actually in front of her.
Eye's widened, Fllay gulped nervously as the guy approached her
On the other hand…
"We better get going now…" Athrun stated, carrying Aaron and Ashley the usual way he carries them. It was 10 minutes before 2:00 in the afternoon "The kids are pretty tired…" he ended. Cagalli nodded. But then…
"I'll just go to the restroom, okay?" Cagalli asked
Athrun nodded and ended "We'll wait by the car…"
Cagalli went on her way to the restroom. She went in and after a few minutes, she was out. She fixed her hair a bit and then headed for the parking lot. On her way to the parking lot, she passed by the mini park. But little did she know that she'll have a touch of curiosity as she saw two people standing face to face in the park
'How romantic…' she thought, slightly blushing and walked slyly, slowly, and making no noise towards the mini park. But after a couple of steps, she held back. She thought that what she's about to do is stupid so she backed away.
'Teenagers… still the same' she ended her thoughts and having a last glance at the couple.
But that last glace surely made her eyes widened. She recognized one of the two. The woman in coat, she's familiar
'I know that girl…! Fllay???' she thought, now sneaking nearer. At least now she had a more instinctive reason in sneaking up. She has to know if that really is who she thinks it is
Cagalli leaned against a nearby wall, not far from the couple. She peeked and then she heard them talking
"What do you want?!"
Cagalli heard the girl and knew who she was. From her voice, she's definitely Fllay. But what bothered her more is the guy she's with
'I'm positive it's not Kira. He's way taller than my brother…' she smartly thought as she had a better view of the guy
She recognized him, she knew him. She cannot be mistaken. This guy… Brownish orange-like hair… the orange-shaded eye-glasses… No doubt about it, this guy… is…
Sai Argyle…
Cagalli covered her mouth as she gasped a bit out of shock.
'What is he doing here?! I thought he's in PLANTS… and why is he with HER????' Cagalli continued to listen, setting her thoughts aside for awhile
"Answer me!" Fllay insisted after receiving silence
"Where's Alex….?" Sai asked
"What do you want with him?"
"I want to see Alex…"
"No…"
"I want to see him!"
"NO!"
'Why not???????' Cagalli confusingly asked to herself 'This is getting blurred… I thought Sai and Alex happen to be close…' she continued spying
"So you came here only because you wanted to see MY son??? Is that it???" Fllay exclaimed
"Not only that…" Sai edged
"Then what is it???"
"I want to see… MY SON..."
That struck Cagalli and Fllay…. It's lightning, flashing through their ears.
To Fllay, it was more than lightning. It was a sword that pierced deeply in her flesh. It cut through her, it freaked her out. Suddenly, cold sweat started to appear on her face. The mark of fear in engraved on her face
Cagalli, eyes widened, tightened her cover on her mouth. She was about to scream or shout or whatsoever. One thing is sure; she was about to make noise, making herself noticeable. Fortunately she held her mouth wisely; not even a sound came out from it. She continued listening. This is weird, she needs clearing. She has to know something about what she had just heard
"What are you talking about!? You're CRZAY!" Fllay burst out. She's furious. Eyes widened, face pale, her veins appearing on her neck. She's definitely angry
"Why, don't you remember?" Sai replied coolly, walking around to the other side; near Cagalli
Cagalli leaned on the wall, still covering her mouth. It doesn't matter if she can't see them, what's important is what she'll hear. That way, she'll also lessen the chance of her getting caught
Fllay stiffened. Her furiousness suddenly faded and was replaced by complete fear. She fear most Sai's words
"Remember what…?" she asked, her voice hushed.
Flashback
It was just 2 months after Kira had returned to PLANTS after his swift visit to Orb.
Kira was depressed at the time; thinking about Lacus and how they parted. Something happened between them the night before Kira's flight back to PLANTS. He was scared to lose her but he can't do anything. Lacus chose to step away; he cannot possibly force her. He loves her too much to make her do what she doesn't want.
It was 5pm, someone knocked and Kira opened the door
"Kira!" Fllay hugged and kissed him pronto. Kira pushed her away
"What's wrong?" she asked, confused
"I'm sorry…" Kira lowered his voice. He then sat on the couch.
Fllay sat beside him and lay her head on his shoulder
"You've been like that since you arrived. What's wrong with you?" Fllay asked, drawing circles on Kira's chest
Kira grabbed Fllay's playing hand and laid it on her lap. He then stood up
"What's happening to you!?" She asked. She was about to nag Kira about his attitude but someone knocked again
Kira headed straight for the door as Sai appeared
"Hey Kira…" he greeted
"Sai… come in…" Kira greeted, Sai followed him inside.
As Sai saw Fllay, he jolted a bit. He used to like her, so much. They used to be together but that was ages ago for Fllay. Fllay was Sai's first love; his and only ex-girlfriend
"Hi Sai…" Fllay greeted sweetly. Perhaps she's trying to make Kira jealous but it wasn't effective. Kira offered Sai to sit and Sai did so
"What brings you here?" Kira asked, still standing as Fllay pouted
"Kuzzy's holding a party tonight…"
"Really, where?" Fllay interjected
"At his dad's resort. It'll be an overnight party… cool right?" Sai answered then turned to Kira
"Yeah… cool…" Kira replied, remembering Lacus once again. The faithful night they shared
"THAT'S WONDERFUL!" Fllay's voice startled Kira's thoughts and prevented him from falling into a trance
'I might have my first night with Kira…' Fllay thought feverishly as she smiled lustily 'You'll finally be mine…'
(This girl is totally pissing me off! grabbing Fllay's hair then pulling it hard it barely holds onto her scalp then releases it, making her kiss the floor Haha! Sorry, I can't help myself… )
Sai smiled at Fllay's reaction while Kira posed a fake one
"You're coming, right Kira?" Sai followed
"Well… I…" but before Kira could speak, Fllay cling onto his arm and flirted
"Aw come on sugar… Kuzzy's expecting you…"
"I'm not really feeling well today… I'm sure Kuzzy will understand…" Kira reasoned
"WE'RE GOING!" Fllay insisted
Sai urged him to attend as well, so Kira attended. He thought it was better also to lessen Fllay's suspicions
End Flashback…
Fllay was sppechless, the incidents she recalled freaked her out. Then Sai started to narrate and Cagalli carefully listened
Sai started…
AT THE RESORT
Everyone was having a good time. Fllay was wild. She danced hungrily and was drinking heavily
Kira drank out of depression. He still can't take Lacus out of his mind
He could clearly see her as they danced throughout the night feeling each other's souls. That faithful night, Lacus was his and no one else can take her from him. All of Lacus' was his, she was his… All his…
Kira then passed out and Sai helped him to his room
Unfortunately, as Fllay was about to unbutton Kira's shirt, Kira called out to Lacus
He was crying, reaching out his hand. He kept on calling Lacus' name and Fllay got pissed off
(Serves you right! Ha!)
Fllay couldn't stand it and left the room. She got so irritated that she banged the door as she left.
She went to her room and sat hardly on her bed. She started to cry and she felt horrible.
"Why can't he be mine!?" she shouted as someone stepped inside.
She looked up and saw Sai. Sai embraced her and she felt comforted. Then before she knew it, they were making love
Then, as they lay, Fllay rested her head on Sai's chest.
"I love you Fllay… I still do…" He whispered, nudging his face on her hair
Fllay smiled weakly and closed her eyes.
As morning came, Fllay rose up earlier than anyone else.
'I can't have you Kira, but I'll do everything… even if it means to lie… I can do that!' she strongly thought as she left Sai and headed for Kira's room.
She lay next to him. After few hours, Kira woke up, holding his head because it hurts badly. He felt stupid for drinking that much
Frowning, he then pulled the blanket beside him, seeing Fllay
Kira jumped out of bed as Fllay pretended and started acting out
Kira was furious, he asked her to leave his room immediately. Fllay faked tears and then left the room. As she closed the door, she leaned and then smiled devilishly
'Got ya…' she murmured then she laughed
End of Flashback…
"No…" Fllay uttered… "NO!" she fell onto her knees as Sai looked at her
"It's true…" Sai stated coldly "You know well…"
Cagalli didn't know how to handle this anymore. She wanted to peel off Fllay's flesh for what she's done. Anger rushed to her veins. But she needed to calm down. She imagined her husband telling her to control her temper. Then Fllay suddenly spoke furiously
"What do you want from me!? Why are you bothering me!?" she asked, tears started flowing
"You know what I want Fllay…"
Something then came into Fllay's mind. 'he can't trick me…' she smartly thought as she stood up and wiped her tears 'I've gone this far, no one can stop me!'
She chuckled and Sai frowned
"What's funny?" he asked
"How dare you say you're Alex's father…"
"What?!"
"You don't have proof. Your story will never be enough…" she smiled. Victory is in her hands. But Sai just smiled more than hers. This made her scowl
"What if I do?" Sai threatened
"You can't scare me. Kira will remain as Alex's father, let it go Sai…" she said, feeling so victorious.
But Sai didn't take of his smile, it stayed as it is. Fllay felt fear once again
Sai then held out a brown envelope
"What if I show you this?" he asked, taking out the paper from the envelope
Cagalli peeked out to see what he's talking about. 'What's that???' she asked
"And what's-??" But before Fllay could finish
"It's the result of the DNA test…" Sai stated
"DNA???? What the-???" Fllay scowled
"I used to go out with Alex, right?" he edged the conversation
Fllay looked at him, fears devouring her. Sai's getting onto something; something that threats her badly
Cagalli was anxious. She's feeding herself with the news she dreamt of hearing. This conversation might actually be the answer to everything!
"I brought Alex to the doctor one day; I decided to take the test. After I thought of the possibility that he might be mine…"
"How dare you!" Fllay shouted, she was hitting Sai with her little fists
Sai grab hold onto her hands, preventing it from hitting him
"It's positive" he stated strongly
Fllay stopped hitting and backed away. She froze to Sai's words
"ALEX IS MY SON" stronger than before, Sai stared at her eyes, now forming tears
'YES!' Cagalli felt like her heart jumped up to the sky. Overjoyed by what she heard, she almost screamed
Fllay shook her head. She knows the truth but she didn't want anyone to find out about it. She tried to pretend, but now she's busted
Instead of going against Sai, she thought of something quick. She suddenly approached Sai; grabs hold onto his chest and looked at him pleadingly
"Please Sai…" she said, sobbing
Sai looked at her coolly
Cagalli kept watch. She looked intensely on what Fllay is putting up to 'Now what?!'
"Just… just let the wedding push through…" Fllay continued
"What?" Sai uttered
"Kira won't marry me if he finds out. Please, just let us be married…"
"You're insane…" Sai followed
'How dare she!? I'm going to pluck your eyes off!' Cagalli angrily thought, gripping her hands tight; trying hard to control her temper
"It's Alex that you want, right? Then you can have him…" Fllay continued. She's sounding like a lunatic; a patient in a mental hospital. Sai looked at him in disgust
"You're giving him away like that!? What kind of mother are you!?" Furiously, Sai gripped Fllay's forearms
"I don't care what you think! If it is Alex that you want, you can have him! I'll arrange everything after the wedding I promise!" she ended, pleading strongly
"You're unbelievable… You'll do that…. Why?!" he followed
'And you call yourself a mother!? You're a disgrace!' Cagalli scowled. She was feeling terrible. She's a mother after all 'I would never give up my children for anything! And you-!' trying even harder to control herself
"I want Kira! He's my life! Just let me have him and I'll do anything you want!" Fllay desperately pleaded
"I beg you Sai… please, just let the wedding…" she kneeled and Sai pulled her to stand up
"Shut up!" Sai shouted, scaring Fllay of as she stepped back
"You're… you're something…" Sai said, gritting his teeth
Then Fllay's cellphone rang. She didn't bother to look but she knows that it was Kira
She approached Sai once again and repeated
"Just let the wedding push through, after that I'll do anything you want…" she ended as she wiped off her tears and ran away from Sai, not looking back
Sai wasn't able to say anything; his anger filling him deeply. He can't find the words to describe Fllay. He still loves her though, despite all she's done to him
After a few moments, Sai sat hardly on one of the benches
Cagalli breathed in deeply and fixed herself.
Sai buried his face on his hands, placing the envelope with the paper inside beside him
"Sai?" Cagalli softly started as Sai stood up and turned around to see who called
"Ca- Cagalli??" he uttered. Cagalli showed a weak smile
Okay, I'll cut it here… well then, what do you think? I'm sorry if some points are confusing. If ever you have questions, just email me, okay? Thanks a lot for reading and please do review. I wish I'll have more reviews, hehehe; it helps me a lot. Hope you liked the chap and also, please tell me about how you think of the flow of the story. I'm sorry for the stupid flashback, I hope it helped. Someone told me I might as well use flashbacks but not too much, so I tried my best to limit it. Well then, till next time! R&R! Thanks so much! God Bless you! Ciao!
On then next chap A conversation with Sai Argyle; Athrun and Cagalli gets to talk to him about what they can and MUST do...
Chapter 22: The clearing