I THOUGHT YOU PROMISED ME FOREVER
Chapter 1: Broken Promises
Aya quietly placed the returned library books on the shelves as she thought about beloved Zell. In exactly a week, Zell would be returning from his latest mission, just in time to be the best man at Squall and Rinoa's wedding.
When Zell proposed to Aya at Rinaul Coast six months ago, they had no idea that Squall was doing the same at Balamb Garden with Rinoa during the fireworks show. Zell and Aya were surprised to hear the news when they both arrived at the party later on that evening.
(FLASHBACK) "Squall proposed to Rinoa?" Zell said surprised as Quistis filled them in on what happened.
"Yes, he certainly did." Quistis nodded.
"You two totally missed it. As the fireworks show started, Squall got down on one knee and proposed to Rinoa on the dance floor. Rinoa was so happy that she hugged Squall and they both fell on the ground. It was actually quite funny but sweet at the same time. You guys should have seen it." Selphie added.
"Zell, where have you been? I told you to bring Aya here by 9." Squall said as he and Rinoa approached them.
"Uh, sorry Squall." Zell said as he and Aya congratulated the couple. "It's just that uh..."
"It's okay, Zell." Squall said as he patted Zell on the back. "Just be on time at our wedding, alright?"
The whole gang laughed.
"Don't worry, Squall. Aya and I wouldn't want to miss it for the world."
"Where have you two been anyway?" Rinoa asked.
"We were at Rinaul Coast..." Zell smiled as he looked at Aya.
"Doing what?" Irvine said with a dirty look on his face.
"Irvine!" Selphie said as she elbowed him on the stomach.
"Oh, Squall. Look, Zell proposed to Aya, too!" Rinoa said as she congratulated Aya with a hug.
"I guess this calls for a double wedding, then." Squall said.
"Hey, that sounds like a great idea." Selphie cheered.
"You know, Selphie, if you want we can make that a triple wedding." Irvine grinned.
"Oh boy!" Selphie answered.
Everyone laughed again.
(END OF FLASHBACK)
A double wedding sounded like a great idea at the time but 2 months later, Zell and Aya decided that it would be for the best if they waited a year instead since Zell was going to be a part of a lot of missions in the next few months. They both felt that it would be unfair to both of them if they got married and ended up spending the first few months of their married life apart.
As Aya placed more books on the shelves, she suddenly found herself feeling lightheaded. As she grabbed the book cart handle for support, she lost her balance and ended up tipping the cart along with her.
Kate, one of Aya's library committee friends, rushed to see her. "Aya, are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Aya smiled as she sat up.
"What happened here?" Kate asked as she looked at her friend.
"I felt dizzy again." Aya answered as she placed a hand on her forehead.
"Aya, you should see Dr. Kadowaki in the infirmary and get yourself checked."
"I'm fine, Kate. I probably just need to rest."
"Aya, if you don't see Dr. Kadowaki, I will tell Zell about this when he gets back."
"There's nothing to tell. I'm fine. Really, I am." Aya reassured her friend.
"No, you're not." Kate answered as she helped Aya get up on her feet. "This is the fourth time I've seen you like this. Please go to the infirmary, Aya. I'm starting to get really worried about your health."
Looking at the concern on Kate's face, Aya answered. "Okay, I'll go and see Dr. Kadowaki."
ONE WEEK LATER
"Can you believe that in about 6 months, we'll also be married like Squall and Rinoa are right now?" Zell said as he slow-danced with Aya at the wedding reception.
"Yes." Aya tried to smile as tears filled her eyes.
"Aya, are you okay?" Zell asked as they stopped dancing to the music.
"I'm fine, Zell." She replied. "It's.it's just that this wedding's been so beautiful that I can't help but be touched by it, you know?"
"Aww, that's cute, babe. I guess you'll be crying a lot more at our wedding because I'm going to make sure that ours is even better than this one." Zell smiled as he kissed her.
As Aya kissed Zell, she tried to erase the heartbreaking news that the doctor at Deling Memorial told her the day before. When she went to see Dr. Kadowaki at the infirmary a week ago, she thought that she had nothing to worry about. However, when Dr. Kadowaki told her that she doesn't know what's wrong with her, Aya got worried. Dr. Kadowaki sent her results to Deling Memorial Hospital where another doctor looked at her results.
"Am I going to be okay, doctor?" Aya asked nervously.
The doctor looked at the test results in front of him and gave Aya a serious look. "Ms. Spencer, I'm afraid I have some bad news."
"What is it, doc?" she asked. "What's wrong with me?"
"I'm afraid to say that you're suffering from the same illness that took your mother's life many years ago."
"NO!" Aya began to cry as she shook her head. "You mean I."
"Yes, Ms. Spencer, you have chronic leukemia."
"There must be a mistake!" Aya said as she began to cry harder. "I can't be sick. I can't!"
"I ran the test twice, Ms. Spencer, and I'm afraid to say that both test results came out positive."
"NOOOOO!" she cried even harder as she began to tremble. "Please say that you're joking, doctor. I can't be dying. Zell and I."
"I'm sorry, Miss Spencer," the doctor said as he laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "But there's currently no cure for this disease. The only thing we can do for you at the moment is give you some medicine that will help slow it down."
"I can't believe I'm hearing this!" she said as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her future with Zell would never happen.
"I'm sorry to give you this news. I wish there is a cure so you wouldn't have to be like this."
Aya dried her eyes and looked at the doctor. "How long do I have?"
The doctor thought for a moment. "Based on your results, I'm going to say that you have about six months."
"Do you feel better now?" Zell asked after sharing their sweet and passionate kiss.
"Yes." She nodded as she pushed back her tears. "Much better."
"No more crying, okay?" Zell said as he wrapped his arms tighter around her waist. "I don't want to see you crying again while I'm here. I want us to be happy."
"Okay." She answered.
"Is that a promise?"
Aya nodded her head and laid her head against his chest.
A few minutes later, Josh, Zell's friend, approached them. "Hey, Zell!"
"Yo! S'up, Josh!"
"I heard Dollet wants to hire you as its head combat specialist. Congratulations, man." Josh said as he patted Zell hard on the back.
"Thanks." Zell answered. "But there's no need to congratulate me. I'm not going to take that position."
"Why not, man?" Josh asked in complete surprise. "You must be crazy not to take that once-in-a-lifetime offer."
"I'm happy here in Balamb." Zell said. "Besides, all that matters to me is here." He said as he smiled down at Aya.
"I see." Josh smiled. "Well, I couldn't blame you. You got yourself a pretty hot girlfriend."
"Hey, watch your mouth, Josh." Zell chuckled. "You happen to be talking about my fiancée."
"Ooops! Sorry about that." Josh laughed. "Well, I better leave you two lovebirds alone. See you on our next mission in two days, Zell." He continued as he walked away.
"You should take that position, Zell." Aya said a while later.
"Why? Don't you want to see me?" Zell asked. "If I take that job, we wouldn't be able to see each other very much because they'll require me to take part in every mission. Don't you know that I want to spend more time with you?"
"I know that, Zell." Aya answered. "But you always told me that your dream is to become a head combat specialist for a garden."
"Yeah, it is, but you're more important to me now." Zell kissed her. "Besides, I'm sure another opportunity like this will come my way in the future. Right now, I want to focus on our life together.
"What if this is it, Zell? What if you'll never get another chance like that? I don't want you to give up your dream for me."
"Don't worry about a thing, Aya." Zell said as he saw the worried look on her face. "I'm happy with my decision."
During the next two days, Zell and Aya spent a lot of their time together. Aya tried to tell Zell about her illness but she couldn't seem to get herself to do it. Zell talked about what a beautiful life they'd have together. They'd buy a house just outside of Balamb. They'd have 4 beautiful kids, and every late afternoon they'd go to Rinaul Coast and watch the sunset together as a family.
Seeing Zell so happy was breaking Aya's heart. She could only wonder how much pain she was going to give him once she tells him that she couldn't give him that happy life that he imagined.
In six months, Zell and Aya would be married. But by then, Aya wondered if she would even still be around. Later that evening, in the privacy of her dorm room, Aya broke down and cried for a long time.
AT BALAMB HARBOR
"Bye, Aya. I love you." Zell said as he gave Aya a long passionate kiss.
"Good bye, Zell. I love you, too." She said as she stared at Zell's deep blue eyes.
"Don't worry about me, okay? This mission will only last for a week. I'll be back before you know it." He smiled as he hugged her tight.
"Okay." She smiled as she hugged his just as tight.
Zell started to board the ship when all of a sudden, he felt Aya's arms wrapped around his waist as she hugged him from the back.
"What's wrong, Aya?" Zell said in puzzlement as he turned around and saw the tears in her deep brown eyes.
"Don't go, Zell." She cried. "Couldn't you stay for a little while longer?" I need you.
"Aya, you know I can't." He said as he wiped the tears in her eyes. "They need me on this mission."
"I know." She continued to cry. "It's just that I have something important to talk to you about."
"Dincht, let's go!" Zell's mission commander said out loud from the ship.
"Aya, I wish I could stay here for another day, but I really can't. I'm sorry." He said as he kissed her again. "We'll have a long talk when I get back, okay?"
After hugging Aya one last time, Zell quickly ran aboard the ship. As the ship sailed out, he watched Aya crying on the spot he left her. He didn't want to leave her like that, but the team needed him. He was one of the best combat specialists in Balamb and his team couldn't afford to not have him take part in all these battles that's been going around. "I'll make it up to you when I return, Aya." Zell said as he waved to her good bye.
ONE WEEK LATER
Zell headed towards the library to see Aya, but when he reached the checkout counter, she was not there like she always was.
"Kate, do you know where Aya is?" Zell said after looking all over the library for her.
"I was about to ask you the same question myself." Kate said.
"What do you mean?"
"She resigned from her job. We got this letter of resignation this morning." Kate said as she showed Zell the letter.
Zell quickly ran to Aya's dorm room in hope of getting an explanation for her resignation at work. Aya loved her job as a librarian very much so he couldn't think of a reason why she would leave it. Zell knocked on the door but she didn't answer. After taking out a set of keys that Aya gave him a couple of months ago, Zell opened the door to her dorm.
Zell was surprised to see all of her personal belongings gone. For a minute, Zell thought that he entered the wrong room so he went outside and checked the number on the door: 1446. He was in the right room but there was no sign of Aya anywhere.
Zell went inside her bedroom and found an envelope with his name written on it. He quickly opened the envelope and took out a letter and the engagement ring he gave her. Zell prepared himself for what he was about to read.
Dear Zell,
By the time you read this letter, I'm already long gone. Zell, I know that you're probably angry with me at this moment for leaving you, but trust me this is for the best. It's better that I end it now before it's too late. Please don't look for me because I don't want to be found. Forget about me and move on with your life. I'm sorry that it has to end this way between us. I really am sorry, Zell. Please forgive me.
~Aya
Zell read the letter a few more times. As he read each word, he still couldn't figure out what made Aya leave him. Her letter didn't make any sense. Before it's too late? Zell thought to himself. What did she mean by that?
Holding Aya's ring in one hand, Zell stared at it for a long time. I'll find you, Aya. Zell said to himself. I'm not going to let it end this way between us.
2 DAYS LATER AT FISHERMAN'S HORIZON
Seifer Almasy ran down the street as fast as he could when he realized that he was late for work. His boss didn't usually care if he was a few minutes late but he was asked last night to come to work a few minutes early so he could show the new hired employee around the place.
It has been 3 years since the whole incident with Seifer being a sorceress knight. Since he was under the control of Edea's hypnotic power, Balamb Garden decided not to banish him. Instead, he was put under probation and was asked to do community service for 2 years. Seifer was fine with it at first, but after a couple of months, he grew tired of all of it and left.
Seifer left Balamb and thought of starting over. He lived in many different places around the world, but didn't really feel like he belonged anywhere until he moved to Fisherman's Horizon about a year ago.
Fisherman's Horizon changed during the past 3 years. The city is now double its size from a few years ago and the population is increasing rapidly due to the great economy. FH is now the trade capital of the world.
FH didn't really give a crap about SeeD cadets, and because of that, Seifer fell in love with this place very easily. He got himself a great-paying bartending job at a bar and grill at FH's busy district. He made a lot of friends with the local people, made very good money, and was admired by the many women who frequented the bar. Things were looking good for Seifer Almasy.
"I'm sorry for being late, Frank." Seifer said as he entered the bar and grill and saw his boss. "A couple of my good friends dropped by so I completely lost track of time."
"Are you sure it's not another lady keeping you busy?" Frank joked.
Seifer grinned. "I'm afraid not today, Frank."
"If you say so, Almasy." Frank answered.
"Where is the new girl, anyway?" Seifer asked as he checked the time on his watch.
"She's in the back room putting away her bag."
"Shouldn't Mary be the one showing her around? After all, the new girl will be replacing her job."
"Yeah, but Mary starts her new job tomorrow. She needs to be in Deling by tonight so she already left."
"I see." Seifer said as he put his hands inside the pockets of his dark trousers with dress shirt untucked.
"I didn't think you'd mind since the new girl will be working in your section."
"Yeah, I don't mind. I just thought that Mary was going to do this." Seifer answered as he leaned against the bar counter and stared at his feet.
"Besides, I'm sure you'll want to get to know her. She's a very pretty girl, Seif."
"Really?" Seifer said as he raised his head to look at his boss.
"Yeah. See for yourself," Frank said as he motioned a girl dressed in a white button blouse and black skirt to come over.
Seifer looked straight ahead and was surprised to see a pretty brunette in the bar and grill's waitress uniform.
"Seifer," Frank said as Seifer stood straight. "Meet Aya Spencer."
Aya quietly placed the returned library books on the shelves as she thought about beloved Zell. In exactly a week, Zell would be returning from his latest mission, just in time to be the best man at Squall and Rinoa's wedding.
When Zell proposed to Aya at Rinaul Coast six months ago, they had no idea that Squall was doing the same at Balamb Garden with Rinoa during the fireworks show. Zell and Aya were surprised to hear the news when they both arrived at the party later on that evening.
(FLASHBACK) "Squall proposed to Rinoa?" Zell said surprised as Quistis filled them in on what happened.
"Yes, he certainly did." Quistis nodded.
"You two totally missed it. As the fireworks show started, Squall got down on one knee and proposed to Rinoa on the dance floor. Rinoa was so happy that she hugged Squall and they both fell on the ground. It was actually quite funny but sweet at the same time. You guys should have seen it." Selphie added.
"Zell, where have you been? I told you to bring Aya here by 9." Squall said as he and Rinoa approached them.
"Uh, sorry Squall." Zell said as he and Aya congratulated the couple. "It's just that uh..."
"It's okay, Zell." Squall said as he patted Zell on the back. "Just be on time at our wedding, alright?"
The whole gang laughed.
"Don't worry, Squall. Aya and I wouldn't want to miss it for the world."
"Where have you two been anyway?" Rinoa asked.
"We were at Rinaul Coast..." Zell smiled as he looked at Aya.
"Doing what?" Irvine said with a dirty look on his face.
"Irvine!" Selphie said as she elbowed him on the stomach.
"Oh, Squall. Look, Zell proposed to Aya, too!" Rinoa said as she congratulated Aya with a hug.
"I guess this calls for a double wedding, then." Squall said.
"Hey, that sounds like a great idea." Selphie cheered.
"You know, Selphie, if you want we can make that a triple wedding." Irvine grinned.
"Oh boy!" Selphie answered.
Everyone laughed again.
(END OF FLASHBACK)
A double wedding sounded like a great idea at the time but 2 months later, Zell and Aya decided that it would be for the best if they waited a year instead since Zell was going to be a part of a lot of missions in the next few months. They both felt that it would be unfair to both of them if they got married and ended up spending the first few months of their married life apart.
As Aya placed more books on the shelves, she suddenly found herself feeling lightheaded. As she grabbed the book cart handle for support, she lost her balance and ended up tipping the cart along with her.
Kate, one of Aya's library committee friends, rushed to see her. "Aya, are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Aya smiled as she sat up.
"What happened here?" Kate asked as she looked at her friend.
"I felt dizzy again." Aya answered as she placed a hand on her forehead.
"Aya, you should see Dr. Kadowaki in the infirmary and get yourself checked."
"I'm fine, Kate. I probably just need to rest."
"Aya, if you don't see Dr. Kadowaki, I will tell Zell about this when he gets back."
"There's nothing to tell. I'm fine. Really, I am." Aya reassured her friend.
"No, you're not." Kate answered as she helped Aya get up on her feet. "This is the fourth time I've seen you like this. Please go to the infirmary, Aya. I'm starting to get really worried about your health."
Looking at the concern on Kate's face, Aya answered. "Okay, I'll go and see Dr. Kadowaki."
ONE WEEK LATER
"Can you believe that in about 6 months, we'll also be married like Squall and Rinoa are right now?" Zell said as he slow-danced with Aya at the wedding reception.
"Yes." Aya tried to smile as tears filled her eyes.
"Aya, are you okay?" Zell asked as they stopped dancing to the music.
"I'm fine, Zell." She replied. "It's.it's just that this wedding's been so beautiful that I can't help but be touched by it, you know?"
"Aww, that's cute, babe. I guess you'll be crying a lot more at our wedding because I'm going to make sure that ours is even better than this one." Zell smiled as he kissed her.
As Aya kissed Zell, she tried to erase the heartbreaking news that the doctor at Deling Memorial told her the day before. When she went to see Dr. Kadowaki at the infirmary a week ago, she thought that she had nothing to worry about. However, when Dr. Kadowaki told her that she doesn't know what's wrong with her, Aya got worried. Dr. Kadowaki sent her results to Deling Memorial Hospital where another doctor looked at her results.
"Am I going to be okay, doctor?" Aya asked nervously.
The doctor looked at the test results in front of him and gave Aya a serious look. "Ms. Spencer, I'm afraid I have some bad news."
"What is it, doc?" she asked. "What's wrong with me?"
"I'm afraid to say that you're suffering from the same illness that took your mother's life many years ago."
"NO!" Aya began to cry as she shook her head. "You mean I."
"Yes, Ms. Spencer, you have chronic leukemia."
"There must be a mistake!" Aya said as she began to cry harder. "I can't be sick. I can't!"
"I ran the test twice, Ms. Spencer, and I'm afraid to say that both test results came out positive."
"NOOOOO!" she cried even harder as she began to tremble. "Please say that you're joking, doctor. I can't be dying. Zell and I."
"I'm sorry, Miss Spencer," the doctor said as he laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "But there's currently no cure for this disease. The only thing we can do for you at the moment is give you some medicine that will help slow it down."
"I can't believe I'm hearing this!" she said as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her future with Zell would never happen.
"I'm sorry to give you this news. I wish there is a cure so you wouldn't have to be like this."
Aya dried her eyes and looked at the doctor. "How long do I have?"
The doctor thought for a moment. "Based on your results, I'm going to say that you have about six months."
"Do you feel better now?" Zell asked after sharing their sweet and passionate kiss.
"Yes." She nodded as she pushed back her tears. "Much better."
"No more crying, okay?" Zell said as he wrapped his arms tighter around her waist. "I don't want to see you crying again while I'm here. I want us to be happy."
"Okay." She answered.
"Is that a promise?"
Aya nodded her head and laid her head against his chest.
A few minutes later, Josh, Zell's friend, approached them. "Hey, Zell!"
"Yo! S'up, Josh!"
"I heard Dollet wants to hire you as its head combat specialist. Congratulations, man." Josh said as he patted Zell hard on the back.
"Thanks." Zell answered. "But there's no need to congratulate me. I'm not going to take that position."
"Why not, man?" Josh asked in complete surprise. "You must be crazy not to take that once-in-a-lifetime offer."
"I'm happy here in Balamb." Zell said. "Besides, all that matters to me is here." He said as he smiled down at Aya.
"I see." Josh smiled. "Well, I couldn't blame you. You got yourself a pretty hot girlfriend."
"Hey, watch your mouth, Josh." Zell chuckled. "You happen to be talking about my fiancée."
"Ooops! Sorry about that." Josh laughed. "Well, I better leave you two lovebirds alone. See you on our next mission in two days, Zell." He continued as he walked away.
"You should take that position, Zell." Aya said a while later.
"Why? Don't you want to see me?" Zell asked. "If I take that job, we wouldn't be able to see each other very much because they'll require me to take part in every mission. Don't you know that I want to spend more time with you?"
"I know that, Zell." Aya answered. "But you always told me that your dream is to become a head combat specialist for a garden."
"Yeah, it is, but you're more important to me now." Zell kissed her. "Besides, I'm sure another opportunity like this will come my way in the future. Right now, I want to focus on our life together.
"What if this is it, Zell? What if you'll never get another chance like that? I don't want you to give up your dream for me."
"Don't worry about a thing, Aya." Zell said as he saw the worried look on her face. "I'm happy with my decision."
During the next two days, Zell and Aya spent a lot of their time together. Aya tried to tell Zell about her illness but she couldn't seem to get herself to do it. Zell talked about what a beautiful life they'd have together. They'd buy a house just outside of Balamb. They'd have 4 beautiful kids, and every late afternoon they'd go to Rinaul Coast and watch the sunset together as a family.
Seeing Zell so happy was breaking Aya's heart. She could only wonder how much pain she was going to give him once she tells him that she couldn't give him that happy life that he imagined.
In six months, Zell and Aya would be married. But by then, Aya wondered if she would even still be around. Later that evening, in the privacy of her dorm room, Aya broke down and cried for a long time.
AT BALAMB HARBOR
"Bye, Aya. I love you." Zell said as he gave Aya a long passionate kiss.
"Good bye, Zell. I love you, too." She said as she stared at Zell's deep blue eyes.
"Don't worry about me, okay? This mission will only last for a week. I'll be back before you know it." He smiled as he hugged her tight.
"Okay." She smiled as she hugged his just as tight.
Zell started to board the ship when all of a sudden, he felt Aya's arms wrapped around his waist as she hugged him from the back.
"What's wrong, Aya?" Zell said in puzzlement as he turned around and saw the tears in her deep brown eyes.
"Don't go, Zell." She cried. "Couldn't you stay for a little while longer?" I need you.
"Aya, you know I can't." He said as he wiped the tears in her eyes. "They need me on this mission."
"I know." She continued to cry. "It's just that I have something important to talk to you about."
"Dincht, let's go!" Zell's mission commander said out loud from the ship.
"Aya, I wish I could stay here for another day, but I really can't. I'm sorry." He said as he kissed her again. "We'll have a long talk when I get back, okay?"
After hugging Aya one last time, Zell quickly ran aboard the ship. As the ship sailed out, he watched Aya crying on the spot he left her. He didn't want to leave her like that, but the team needed him. He was one of the best combat specialists in Balamb and his team couldn't afford to not have him take part in all these battles that's been going around. "I'll make it up to you when I return, Aya." Zell said as he waved to her good bye.
ONE WEEK LATER
Zell headed towards the library to see Aya, but when he reached the checkout counter, she was not there like she always was.
"Kate, do you know where Aya is?" Zell said after looking all over the library for her.
"I was about to ask you the same question myself." Kate said.
"What do you mean?"
"She resigned from her job. We got this letter of resignation this morning." Kate said as she showed Zell the letter.
Zell quickly ran to Aya's dorm room in hope of getting an explanation for her resignation at work. Aya loved her job as a librarian very much so he couldn't think of a reason why she would leave it. Zell knocked on the door but she didn't answer. After taking out a set of keys that Aya gave him a couple of months ago, Zell opened the door to her dorm.
Zell was surprised to see all of her personal belongings gone. For a minute, Zell thought that he entered the wrong room so he went outside and checked the number on the door: 1446. He was in the right room but there was no sign of Aya anywhere.
Zell went inside her bedroom and found an envelope with his name written on it. He quickly opened the envelope and took out a letter and the engagement ring he gave her. Zell prepared himself for what he was about to read.
Dear Zell,
By the time you read this letter, I'm already long gone. Zell, I know that you're probably angry with me at this moment for leaving you, but trust me this is for the best. It's better that I end it now before it's too late. Please don't look for me because I don't want to be found. Forget about me and move on with your life. I'm sorry that it has to end this way between us. I really am sorry, Zell. Please forgive me.
~Aya
Zell read the letter a few more times. As he read each word, he still couldn't figure out what made Aya leave him. Her letter didn't make any sense. Before it's too late? Zell thought to himself. What did she mean by that?
Holding Aya's ring in one hand, Zell stared at it for a long time. I'll find you, Aya. Zell said to himself. I'm not going to let it end this way between us.
2 DAYS LATER AT FISHERMAN'S HORIZON
Seifer Almasy ran down the street as fast as he could when he realized that he was late for work. His boss didn't usually care if he was a few minutes late but he was asked last night to come to work a few minutes early so he could show the new hired employee around the place.
It has been 3 years since the whole incident with Seifer being a sorceress knight. Since he was under the control of Edea's hypnotic power, Balamb Garden decided not to banish him. Instead, he was put under probation and was asked to do community service for 2 years. Seifer was fine with it at first, but after a couple of months, he grew tired of all of it and left.
Seifer left Balamb and thought of starting over. He lived in many different places around the world, but didn't really feel like he belonged anywhere until he moved to Fisherman's Horizon about a year ago.
Fisherman's Horizon changed during the past 3 years. The city is now double its size from a few years ago and the population is increasing rapidly due to the great economy. FH is now the trade capital of the world.
FH didn't really give a crap about SeeD cadets, and because of that, Seifer fell in love with this place very easily. He got himself a great-paying bartending job at a bar and grill at FH's busy district. He made a lot of friends with the local people, made very good money, and was admired by the many women who frequented the bar. Things were looking good for Seifer Almasy.
"I'm sorry for being late, Frank." Seifer said as he entered the bar and grill and saw his boss. "A couple of my good friends dropped by so I completely lost track of time."
"Are you sure it's not another lady keeping you busy?" Frank joked.
Seifer grinned. "I'm afraid not today, Frank."
"If you say so, Almasy." Frank answered.
"Where is the new girl, anyway?" Seifer asked as he checked the time on his watch.
"She's in the back room putting away her bag."
"Shouldn't Mary be the one showing her around? After all, the new girl will be replacing her job."
"Yeah, but Mary starts her new job tomorrow. She needs to be in Deling by tonight so she already left."
"I see." Seifer said as he put his hands inside the pockets of his dark trousers with dress shirt untucked.
"I didn't think you'd mind since the new girl will be working in your section."
"Yeah, I don't mind. I just thought that Mary was going to do this." Seifer answered as he leaned against the bar counter and stared at his feet.
"Besides, I'm sure you'll want to get to know her. She's a very pretty girl, Seif."
"Really?" Seifer said as he raised his head to look at his boss.
"Yeah. See for yourself," Frank said as he motioned a girl dressed in a white button blouse and black skirt to come over.
Seifer looked straight ahead and was surprised to see a pretty brunette in the bar and grill's waitress uniform.
"Seifer," Frank said as Seifer stood straight. "Meet Aya Spencer."