Chapter 5- Mending a Broken Heart

On the trip back to the Galbadian capital, the trio was ecstatic about the successful operation and was anticipating the warm welcome they would receive upon their arrival. "So what do you think they have in store for us when we get back?" Ward asked.

"Maybe Laguna will get a medal for his heroics," Kiros said.

"It was just luck though," Laguna stated modestly with a grin.

"We know, but they don't have to know that."

"Oh, right! I might become really famous and all! How cool would that be?" the man with the machine gun commented excitedly.

"Yeah, you'll be the most famous klutz in the history of Galbadia," Ward said, and he laughed along with Kiros.

"Hey! That's not funny, guys! If you guys wanna be associated with the soon-to-be national hero, you better be nice to me. I can make you famous, too," Laguna said. The large Galbadian soldier smirked, but didn't say a word. "You'll see."

He received numerous words of gratitude from the other soldiers as they returned to Delta City. A small crowd of government officials was waiting for them at the docks where they would return, although the head of the Senate, Vinzer Deling, was notably absent. As the soldiers exited the boat behind President Delta, the officials applauded them.

One of them stepped forward to their feeble leader. "Welcome back, President. I hate to rush, but we must hurry back to the Presidential Residence. Senator Deling requests your presence there. We have a limousine waiting."

He led him to the nearby black vehicle and opened the door for him. The old man crouched, and slowly got inside. The door was closed behind him. The government official got in on the other side, and it drove off.

Once it was out of sight, another senator stepped forward and spoke. "General Lancera, come forward." The commanding officer took a step toward him. "On behalf of the Senate, I thank you for saving our president from our sworn enemy, Esthar."

"Sir, I must say that it wouldn't have been possible…"

"…A promotion to a more experienced platoon and a huge raise in pay are in order to reward your heroics," he interrupted.

"…A pay raise, huh?" He had been tempted and swayed quickly. The name Laguna Loire and his deeds were immediately forgotten.

"Yes, nothing but the best for Galbadia's hero. We will discuss terms at the Presidential Residence in a private meeting if you'll come with us."

"That's all, soldiers! Dismissed!" the general announced to his troops.

They all began to disperse, until only Laguna, Kiros, and Ward remained at the docks. "Can you believe that?! He gets all the credit for doin' nothing while I get nothing for doin' his work! It's almost like it was planned or something! It's like they wanted me to be stuck in this dead end position as a simple soldier for the rest of my life! I'm at a loss for words here!" Laguna exclaimed in a tirade.

"…And it shows," Kiros remarked.

"You're obviously upset. We need to go some place where you can drown your sorrows," Ward advised. "You guys got a bar around here? I could use a drink or two myself."

"There's a lounge at the Galbadia Hotel with a bar in it," Kiros answered.

"Great! Come on, buds! Let's get goin'."

Laguna stared at the ground and sighed, not moving, as the other two started to walk off. His friends noticed that he was not following them, and turned to him. "You can't mope around all day. Maybe this'll cheer you up a bit," Kiros said.

"I doubt it…"

"It's worth a try. Let's get your mind off things," Ward encouraged.

"All right," he reluctantly agreed.

The three of them entered the constantly darkened city, and headed for the Galbadia Hotel. There was little said along the way, and the man with the machine gun remained depressed. The other two hoped there would be something that could cheer him up. The area around the hotel was well lit, with lampposts surrounding it, and the name of the facility was displayed over the doorway in neon green letters.

"Wow, looks pretty nice. We don't have anything this fancy where I'm from," Ward commented.

The trio walked inside, Laguna dragging at the end. "The lounge is downstairs," Kiros stated. "Follow me."

He led them to the area, which was dim, lit only by candles placed on top of the few tables in the place. The bar itself was over against the wall, and there was a piano near the stairs. They sat at a table in the lower right section of the lounge, and a waitress soon came over to them. "What can I get for you?"

"Give me some of your hardest stuff," Ward requested. "Better yet, make it three."

"Coming right up!" She went over to the bar to get their drinks, and returned with them shortly afterwards. She placed them on the table in front of the soldiers. "So, you boys gonna stick around for the show?" she inquired.

"Show?" Ward asked, perplexed.

"Yeah, we just got a new piano. There's a new piano player comin' into the city tonight. Heard she's really good. You guys should stick around."

"Maybe we will," Kiros said. The waitress smiled and left. "Hear that, Laguna? A new girl's in town tonight. One who doesn't know of all your clumsy mistakes or anything like that. This could be your big chance."

The man with the machine gun remained silent, and stared blankly at the table, not even touching his drink. Ward had already finished his off and was calling over the waitress to get another. They heard the sound of heels clicking on the stairs, notifying them of her arrival.

"This must be her," Kiros said.

Laguna decided to have a look at her, just to see if she was at least attractive. However, once he laid eyes on her, he couldn't stop watching her. She had pale skin, which contradicted her dark black hair. He thought her brown eyes were beautiful, full of life and compassion. She wore a sparkling red dress that almost touched the floor. She glanced over the room, and his heart skipped a beat when it felt like she had looked directly at him.

Then she sat down at the piano and began to play. It was wonderful music to his ears, and he paid attention to her delicate fingers masterfully producing the melody. He was mesmerized by everything she did. Kiros snapped his fingers to get Laguna's attention. When there was no response, he smirked. "I think she's got him."

He barely moved the entire time she was playing. Eventually, Ward took Laguna's glass off of the table and consumed it himself. Kiros shot him a glance. "What? It's not like he was drinkin' it."

When she had finished, the small group that had gathered clapped. She smiled briefly, making her eyes sparkle brightly, and then she left. "Laguna?" Kiros asked.

"Huh? What is it?"

"Time to get going," Ward said.

"You guys wait upstairs. I'll catch up to you in a minute," he said, wearing a ridiculously idiotic smile that wouldn't disappear.

Kiros and Ward left him alone and exited the room. Laguna got up from his seat, and slowly sauntered over to the waitress. "Do you know what that woman's name is?" he asked curiously.

"Julia Heartilly."

"Is she gonna play again?"

"Oh yeah, she'll be playing all the time. She's quite popular, it seems," she replied.

Then Laguna headed upstairs to join his friends in the lobby. "Ready to go?" Kiros asked.

"Yeah, but we comin' back tomorrow night."

Author's Note: I apologize for the lack of updates. I'll try to write and get things out a little faster. Let me know what you thought of it in a review. It's always good to hear from my readers.