Chapter 28
"Ah, Miriallia. Thank you so much for coming at such an awkward hour", the man said standing to greet his visitor.
"It's not a problem" Miriallia smiled taking his outstretched and giving him a firm hand shake.
An old time client of hers had asked her to do a photoshoot in his office. His law firm was updating their website and was looking to have new photos of the team and newly renovated office posted. Having remained a loyal customer of hers, Miri obliged when he had told her he wouldn't be free until the evening—after her studios operating hours.
"I'll get the other partners and we'll shoot here and in the conference room" he explained.
Keenly observing her surroundings the brunette nodded absentmindedly, "The view from the window would be an excellent background" she commented.
"Yes," the man turned to the window, seeing something he looked back at Miriallia and said, "Make sure that Infinite's sign doesn't show up in the picture."
Miri blinked then smiled, "I'll make sure of that."
The client nodded then announced he would be right back. With a wave Miri told him she'd begin set up.
'That's right,' she remembered 'Athrun Zala of Infinite, his building his across the street'. She prayed she wouldn't run into a certain tanned blonde man who had a habit of sticking to her like glue.
Taking out her camera she attached a lens and walked to the window. Maybe she'd get some cool pictures to post on her Instagram account. She glanced at Infinite's building.
"I wonder if he's still at work" she mused aloud raising the camera to her face. Feeling like a stalker she zoomed in on a random floor and saw an inconspicuous worker still working. She was just checking to see if was there so she could plan her escape, it wasn't as if she wanted to bump into him she assured herself. Zooming out and then in again, she focused at the top of the building, wanting to check if he was with his boss.
"Hey what's that?" she questioned, focusing on what she presumed to be Athrun Zala's office. "Or rather, who's that?"
She recognized Kira sitting on the couch, and Athrun by his desk and lastly, there was a long dark haired man.
"Isn't that?" she gasped as it dawned on her, "Gilbert Durandal! What's he doing there?"
Without thinking twice, Miri clicked away a few photos, it was moments like these that she wish she could read lips. A bad feeling settled upon the photographer. Was this their plan all along? Have they been watching Lacus and all the people she associated with?
Miri felt as if she had ice water poured over her head. Was this their plan? To have a member of their organization posted next to Lacus and the people close to her? Athrun watched Cagalli, Kira was probably assigned to monitor Lacus because he wouldn't be able to keep a low profile with Cagalli. Even Auel had been paired up with Luna, who was associated with Flay. And Dearka. Another electric spark coursed through her body. What if he was assigned to watch her? That was probably why he was always randomly popping up everywhere! That's why he constantly visited her shop. Was her hypothesis true? Whatever was going on, it probably wasn't good.
Her expression was grave as her lips formed a flat line, "I have to get these to Lacus and Cagalli as soon as possible!"
"But then it all came to an end, her shot to fame vanished all by one mistake. She put an innocent person in prison. And almost got him killed too. This is where the Allsters come in. You boys are lucky to be alive, that's a woman with blood on her hands."
"The Za Burrel case" Lacus whispered. Her head was spinning; a cold, numbing feeling crawled up her spine as she fought to remain calm.
"I think there's someone who may become of great help to you both. His name is Muruta Azrael…"
That name.
Azrael.
Her mind buzzed with everything and yet there was nothing. Nothing she could grasp on to stop herself from spiraling back to that time. Lacus felt herself on the verge of panicking.
And then she felt a sharp tingling on her cheek and her daze was broken. Slowly she looked to Cagalli who had an equally bewildered look on her face. The stinging on her cheek subsided and Lacus realized that Cagalli had slapped her.
"Lacus, wake up" Lady Law said lowly "We need to focus. Going back then, going back there to the past won't help us."
'You're one to talk', Lacus wanted to reply bitterly but bit her tongue. Cagalli was right, this was now. Closing her eyes she forced herself to calm down. She was a different person then, now she had grown, and was able to see things now a bit more clearly. Now that she was given a new task she shouldn't falter like she did years ago.
Her left hand unconsciously sought her right hand to fiddle with the ring she always wore. It was her nervous tick and helped her calmed down. Finding that she did not have it on Lacus then remembered her last meeting with Kira. She also recalled his strange behaviour.
"Lacus, how much do you trust me?
And her uneasy feeling.
"If something is bothering you, then go to the source of that issue. Confront it head on and don't stop until you have no more doubts. Because, error is caused when we are not certain and that leads us to be deceived or made to be misperceived as the deceiver" her mother's words echoed in her head.
Suddenly her mind was cleared and her thoughts lead to an obvious conclusion.
'Go to the source of that doubt. I see now.'
Opening her eyes, she looked at Cagalli, "I have a plan."
"I think there's someone who may become of great help to you both. His name is Muruta Azrael. He knows Lacus Clyne the best."
Durandal looked to his audience and when neither of the other men responded he continued noting the mild interest that Kira showed.
"He was her rival throughout her years in school and the one who saved Rey Za Burrel from Lacus Clyne. She had hired a group of thugs to take him out one night as he was walking home."
Athrun paled as he remembered the day Flay ran into his office with her warning. It was because he acted upon her warning that he and Cagalli had been on icy terms. But what if, Flay wasn't lying? What did Durandal know?
"The Destiny Plan" he said slowly.
Kira shot him a look that clearly read "are-you-serious-right-now?" While, Durandal nodded somberly.
"So I take it that you've heard about it then" he asked.
Athrun bunched his hands into fists, "Yes" he bit out, "Flay warned me about it. She said she heard that Lacus Clyne was planning on killing Kira."
The brunet looked down, an angry look coloured his face but he didn't comment. Raising his head he spoke up "Durandal what was that anonymous tip that you were talking about earlier?"
"Well, the tip doesn't mean anything really. It just means that there's another faction at play here" Durandal answered pouring himself another drink.
Athrun frowned, "What do you mean by that?"
"I have a source that says someone left a knife with blood in front of Lacus Clyne's office—"
"Well now," a voice drawled "Miss. Allster didn't give me the heads up about this little powwow."
Athrun had stood up out of shock while Durandal quickly regained his composure. Kira felt himself go pale when he heard the voice.
"Lacus Clyne," Durandal said leaning back into his seat, "to what do we owe this visit?"
"Lacus Clyne?" The visitor's eyes sparkled as she grinned widely, "I must be really convincing to have all of you fooled."
Kira frowned, "What are you talking about?" he asked icily.
"Oh come on, you don't believe I'm actually her" she shook her head, "It's me! Lunamaria Hawke!" she waved, not making any move to sit down.
"But," Athrun interjected, "why do you sound just like Lacus?"
"You'll have to excuse my voice. I paid Lacus Clyne another visit in this get up and sucked too much helium" she shrugged nonchalantly. "Judging by how pale she got, I must have really spooked her this time."
"Who are you really?" Kira asked again not buying it. His eyes zeroed in on her cheek, it was slightly reddened which had him inferring that she had been slapped. This left him unsettled.
The woman rolled her eyes, "My sister works for Athrun Zala."
Said blue haired man jumped, "You're Meyrin's sister?"
"Yes! Do you believe me now?"
"Hold on," Athrun narrowed his eyes, "Flay said you worked for Lacus Clyne."
Luna rolled her eyes again, "Yes, I was sent by Miss. Allster to work for Lacus Clyne so that the plan can come together."
"I'm surprised your mistress sent you here now considering the distress she's in" Durandal commented.
"That has nothing to do with me" Luna shrugged. "But," she leaned forward, "I have something you'll find very interesting."
Durandal quirked an eyebrow "And what is that Miss. Hawke?"
"Miss. Allster is going behind your back. She's planning another hit on Lacus Clyne. She hired an ex-military man to get her, so we know it's going to be clean" Luna glanced at Kira who had an impassive expression on his face. He was watching her intently and she could tell that he was studying her carefully.
'It's as if he's studying a polygraph test' she thought. While she was amused with the idea, out of habit she didn't realize that her left hand had gone to her right hand to fiddle with the ring she forgot she wasn't wearing. A move that didn't go unnoticed by Kira.
Durandal quirked an eyebrow, "How interesting, and why would you tell us this?" the dark haired man asked.
Luna smiled sweetly while her eyes her sharp, "Durandal, you know that person has too much control over me. I want out."
"So you're showing loyalty to us?" the black haired man raise an eyebrow.
"Haven't I always?" Luna countered.
Durandal smiled "I have no reason to doubt you Miss. Hawke, however, weren't you captured by Lacus Clyne?"
The pink haired woman smirked, "See, this was part of my plan. I want out. So I've secured my own escape route. I told her want she wanted to hear—a great story if you ask me—and presto! She believed me. You know she's not as smart as people make her out to be."
The room was silent and she spoke up quickly.
"Don't worry though," the woman flashed a quick smile, "I haven't mentioned anything about your role Durandal or Mrs. G."
He bowed his head slightly, "I am grateful for your assurance Miss. Hawke. A word of advice however, Lacus Clyne is indeed smarter then she lets on. But I suppose smart and clever are not the same."
Take one last gulp he finished his drink and stood up, "I hate to run now, however, I have another appointment that I cannot miss."
Athrun and Kira stood up as well. The blue haired man looked between Kira and Lunamaria, his friend looked incredibly tense while the woman appeared relaxed and laid-back but her eyes darted everywhere giving Athrun the impression that she was nervous. There was also something about Kira's disposition told Athrun he wanted to talk to the woman.
"I should get going as well" Luna nodded feeling the heat of the CEO of Archangel's stare, "I have another meeting with Lacus Clyne."
With a wave she walked to the door, closing it behind her.
Lacus usually pulled stunts when she knew she had some control of the situation. Cagalli meanwhile recklessly would plunge into a situation without thinking about the consequences or even the measures of success.
"Lacus! What are you doing?" Cagalli hissed wondering if she had slapped her friend a bit too hard.
Lacus smiled mysteriously, "You'll see."
The pink haired girl quietly crept around the desk and headed nearly the elevators. Gathering her courage she stood up tall and walked confidently back to Athrun's office. Without knocking she walked in and was met with three pairs of eyes.
"You'll have to excuse my voice. I paid Lacus Clyne another visit in this get up and sucked too much helium" Cagalli heard her say.
'Nice excuse' Lady Law thought sarcastically. 'No one would buy such a lame lie Lacus' she rolled her eyes. And yet they did.
'Then again," Cagalli reasoned, 'it was Kira and Athrun' while incredibly book smart, those two were awfully awkward when it came to people smart.
This was Lacus' biggest role yet, to play Lunamaria who was cosplaying as her. But Cagalli was worried about it this time, as she crouched behind the desk she waited to spring into action should anything happen.
"I should get going as well, I have another meeting with Lacus Clyne."
'Looks like she's heading out now' Cagalli thought as she prepared to leave. Peeping over the desk she saw Lacus close the door. They locked on eyes as Lacus ran out of the reception and to the stairs. Waiting for the elevator would be too risky, she needed to vanish.
"That was crazy" Cagalli commented as they ran down the stairs, skipping steps before each floors landing.
Lacus nodded not saying anything as she tried to ignore the burning in her lungs.
'I am really out of shape' she thought wearily.
Her skin prickled as she recalled the cold feeling of Kira's eyes on her, she desperately wanted to know why, why was he there? Shaking her head, she pushed her thoughts and speculation about him as she nearly missed her footing.
Both of them raced out the building and dove into Lacus' car where they finally caught their breath. Without saying a word Lacus started the car and drove to the exit. As she was about to turn onto the street Cagalli spoke up.
"Wait!"
Slamming on the breaks the pink haired woman looked questioningly at Lady Law, "What's the matter?"
"It's Miriallia!" Cagalli exclaimed pointing to a familiar auburn brown haired woman. Squinting Lacus scanned the area and saw her friend in the parking lot of the next building. Checking to see if it was clear to go, she drove up to where the photographer was.
Miriallia tensed when she noticed a car get close to her vehicle, on closer inspection she realized that it wasn't Dearka's car, nor was it a stranger's car.
"Miri!" Cagalli called jumping out from the car as soon as it was parked.
"Cagalli! Lacus!" Miri cried, "I'm glad you're here! I have something to show you."
Reaching into her backseat she pulled out her camera and flicked through the photos until she found the ones she was searching for. Showing them to her friends she a look of surprise crawl onto their faces.
A frown marred Lady Law's face, "How did you…"
"It's a long story" Miri said looking somberly at the two, "Let's get out of here and talk somewhere else."
Athrun had gone down to escort Durandal downstairs leaving Kira a moment to himself. He decided to go down to Dearka's office a few floors down to see if he had any news to share. When he got there the lawyer had been on his way to make coffee, looks like the man would be up all night—unfortunately it was not the fun kind of all-nighter the either man would prefer.
With a flash Dearka told Kira to wait in his office and that he would be back shortly. With a nod the brunet didn't mind and was happy to have some time to think about what happened. The meeting with Durandal was crashed by an unknown guest.
"Where did she go?" Kira murmured to himself as his mind replayed the scene in the office with that person. It didn't sound like Lunamaria—granted he'd only met her a handful of times but still.
Absentmindedly he walked to the windows, listlessly his eyes scanned the parking lot down below. Lunamaria's words left him unsettled.
"Miss. Allster is going behind your back. She's planning another hit on Lacus Clyne. She hired an ex-military man to get her, so we know it's going to be clean."
Tonight huh? Kira mused.
Something caught his eye, a blue car suddenly braked and then drove to the parking lot of the building across the street. Looking at the car with newfound interest, Kira followed its path with his eyes and saw that Miriallia was in the parking lot.
"What's she—" the question died when he saw a blonde exit the blue car and then someone else.
"Lacus? No" he shook his head.
The figure was wearing the same clothes Lunamaria had been wearing.
But what was she doing with Miriallia?
Was she and Lunamaria associates working under Flay? What if Lunamaria told Miriallia about the meeting? Or had they been hired to keep an eye on him and Athrun?
A grim expression colours his face as he eyed the blonde. What if Miriallia told Lacus and Cagalli?
"That won't be good" he grimaced "I have to talk to them as soon as possible."
Thank you to everyone who reviewed! I'm happy that there are still people enjoying this story!
Cheers,
Lacus Yamato
