I THOUGHT YOU PROMISED ME FOREVER
Chapter 3: Waiting Patiently
Rex Barton, Aya's ex-fiancé, laughed out loud. "Don't feel special, Dincht. When Balamb Garden officials came here a few weeks ago to meet with Galbadia Garden officials, they looked far more surprised to see me here than you."
"How did you manage to get a SeeD position after what you did at Balamb Garden?" Zell asked. "Do the officials here even know that you got kicked out of Balamb?"
"Of course they know, Dincht." Rex said as he sat down and poured himself a cup of coffee. "It's no secret that I almost got you and Aya killed because of what I did at Alcauld Plains."
"And they still decided to hire you here?" Zell said as he walked over to the window overlooking the basketball courts below.
"Yes. They were actually glad that I was kicked out of Balamb because they realized that they could finally hire me. Everyone knows that I'm the best war tactics specialist there is. I'm a goldmine in their eyes. With all these wars going on all over the place, they'd be stupid not to hire me." Rex said smugly as he looked at Zell across the room.
"I see."
"Dincht, we both know that you're not here to congratulate me on my new job," Rex said as he sipped his coffee. "What are you really here for? We both know that I'm the last person you want to see again."
MEANWHILE AT FH
It was Valentine's Day and Frank's Bar and Grill was having a dinner special for couples. The place was packed with people, and those who went to dinner late had to wait outside to be seated. The scent of roses filled the place that evening, along with the feelings of love and romance.
A sad smile touched Aya face when she saw a guy get down on one knee and propose to his girlfriend at a nearby table. Aya was glad for the newly engaged couple, but it saddened her because it reminded her so much of the time when Zell proposed to her.
"I wonder what Zell is doing right now?" Aya thought to herself as she took orders. "I wonder if he already moved on and found someone else to enjoy this day with." Without realizing it, a tear quickly rolled down her rosy cheek. She quickly wiped it away, and after placing her customers' orders, Aya went to the back room for a little break.
BACK AT GALBADIA GARDEN
"I'm here about Aya." Zell answered.
"What about her? If you're here to announce your engagement, save your breath, Dincht. I already know..."
"Where are you hiding her?!" Zell cut in to say as he walked towards Rex.
"Hiding her?" Rex said with a puzzled look on his face. "Isn't she with you?"
"I wouldn't be here if she is." Zell said.
"Don't tell me that you made her run away?" Rex said as he drank his coffee. "What did you do, Zell? Cheat on Aya with Quistis?"
"I don't have time for this, Barton!" Zell said as he pulled Rex up to his feet by grabbing the collar of Rex's uniform. "Where is she?"
"You're dead serious, aren't you?" Rex asked as he watched Zell's jaw tighten.
"When did I ever joke about this?" Zell said as he held the collar of Rex's SeeD uniform even tighter.
"That's some news, Dincht, but I'm afraid to say that she's not here with me." Rex said as he pushed Zell away to free himself from his hold.
"You're lying to me!" Zell said angrily, his hands clenched into fists.
"No, I'm not!" Rex answered as he straightened his uniform.
"Yes you are!" Zell answered back. "Who else could she possibly go to?!"
"Why in the world would I lie about that?! We both know that she doesn't want to be with me."
"You have your ways of manipulating people."
"Aya has no reason to go back to me, Zell! She loved only you." Rex cut in to say. "She left me at the altar for you, remember?!"
Rex clearly remembered the day that he was supposed to marry Aya. He watched her walked down the aisle in her silk white wedding gown as she carried a bouquet of red roses. She looked so beautiful and at that moment, he couldn't believe that he was about to have her as his wife. He was expecting to see Zell pop up at any moment but Zell never did show up. Rex thought at that moment that Aya was finally his.
The priest read him the vows and he proudly said, "I do." However, when it was Aya's turn to say those words, she just looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Rex." Rex heard her say. "I...I can't marry you...I'm...in love with Zell." Rex watched her turn around and run out of the church. Everything was happening so fast but he swore that he saw the whole thing happen in slow motion. He went to go after her, but he knew that there was no use in getting her to come back to him. Her heart was really never his in the first place. It was always with Zell.
"Fuck!" Zell swore as he walked away and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
"What happened between the two of you?" Rex asked as he looked at the upset look on Zell's face.
"That's what I want to know." Zell answered quietly.
"Did you hurt her?" Rex said as he tried to hide the feelings he still had for Aya.
"No! You know how much I love her!" Zell answered quickly. "I would never do that."
"Well, you know that I loved her, too, but I ended up hurting her." Rex said as he looked out into the distance.
"She's really not here with you, is she?" Zell said in disappointment.
"No." Rex answered. "I'm afraid not." But I wish she were, he thought to himself.
"Then I better be going. I have to go and check other places she could be at." Zell said as he left the room. "Thanks for your help, Barton."
"Zell!" Rex called out as Zell walked down the stairs. "I hope you find her soon. When you do, please don't loose her again. Take care of her." For me.
Zell nodded his head. "Thanks...Rex."
Zell rode the train back to Balamb and wondered where Aya could be. If Aya was not with her old lover, then who could she possibly be with? Zell leaned back on his seat and sighed. Aya, are you with someone new?
BACK AT FH
"I hope this will make you feel better." A deep voice said a few seconds later.
Aya looked up and saw Seifer standing in front of her while holding a single red rose.
"For me?" She asked as Seifer smiled down at her.
Seifer chuckled. "Of course, it's for you. Who else could it be for?"
"Thanks, Seifer." She said as Seifer handed her the rose.
"Feel better?" he said as he sat next to her. He was glad that he was able to make her smile. It broke his heart to see her look so miserable as he watched her from the bar all evening.
Aya nodded lightly.
"Good." He smiled as he watched her raise the rose to her nose and smell its sweet scent.
"Thanks again, Seifer, but you really didn't have to give me one. Your several admirers will think that you're interested in me, you know?" she teased.
"Is that so bad?" Seifer turned his head to face her. The smile on his face disappeared and was replaced with a look of seriousness. Ever since he was introduced to her at the bar, he realized that he was not really interested in other girls. His mind seemed to only be on her. The taste of her kiss still lingered on his lips and at night he found himself only dreaming of being with her.
"Well, I don't want people to get the wrong..." Aya started to explain herself.
"What if I told you that I am interested in you?" Seifer said as he turned her head gently to face him. His blue eyes locked with her brown ones.
Aya stiffened and looked at him in surprise. "Seifer, I'm sorry but I can't..."
"He must've hurt you really bad, huh?"
"Who are you."
"Your ex-boyfriend." Seifer answered. "He made you scared of loving anyone else. If I ever get my hands on that bastard I'll."
"Seifer, you don't understand."
"I understand perfectly, Aya." Seifer said in disappointment. "You're not ready to love again." He said as he gently brushed a strand of her hair to the side of her face.
"Seifer, please don't..." Aya started out to say as she looked at him. She needed to say something so he'd forget about pursuing her.
"There's no need for you to explain anything." He said as he stared into Aya's deep brown eyes. "I'll wait for you until you're ready to love me."
SOMETIME LATER THAT EVENING
Seifer got of the bed and lit a cigarette as he walked over to the open window. After taking a couple of puffs of his cigarette, he turned his head to look at the satisfied brunette lying on his hotel bed.
"Seifer, aren't you coming back here?" the brunette said as she smiled up at him.
Seifer turned around and continued to smoke. Looking up at the clear night sky, he wondered why he got in bed with this woman that he just met a few hours ago. When Aya turned him down earlier, he seemed to be fine with the rejection. However, as the night went on, he suddenly found himself frustrated at the fact that he could not be with her. He wanted so much to be a part of her life, but since she turned him down, he suddenly found himself in need of venting out this frustration.
He went to a nearby club after work and drank to forget about her. After a while, a pretty brunette approached him. The girl reminded him of Aya in many ways. She had deep dark brown eyes, long straight hair, rosy cheeks, and soft full lips. Seifer couldn't remember what exactly happened next after she introduced herself except for the fact that he ended up sleeping with her.
Seifer was ashamed of himself. He slept with this woman simply because she reminded him of Aya. Lighting another cigarette, Seifer cursed at himself for his stupid behavior.
"Are you thinking about that Aya girl?" the brunette asked from the bed.
Seifer stiffened at hearing the girl say Aya's name. "What are you talking about?" he asked as he continued to smoke.
"Aya." She said. "You called out her name earlier when we were uh..." The girl blushed. "in the middle of something."
"I'm sorry." Seifer apologized. "I didn't know that I was..."
"There's no need for you to explain, handsome," the brunette answered. "It's okay. I could tell that you were getting drunk over some girl earlier when I saw you at the club."
"How could you tell?" Seifer said as he turned around and faced her.
"You're a very handsome man, and you sure look like the type of guy who can get any woman you want," she answered as she looked at Seifer's lean yet muscular body. "For you to be drinking yourself silly on Valentine's Day could only mean one thing: Some girl got to you and broke your heart."
Seifer couldn't believe how accurate she was. Everything that she said was true. Many girls threw themselves at him tonight before he had that conversation with Aya in the back room. He could have had any of those girls but he simply ignored them. Only one girl was on his mind and heart, and that girl was Aya.
"She must be some special girl for you to be feeling really guilty over what we just did." She said as she sat up and covered her breast with the warm blanket. "Is she your girlfriend?"
"No," Seifer answered as he wondered what Aya could be doing at that moment. "But she owns a piece me."
AT AYA'S APARTMENT
Aya looked out her bedroom window and wondered what Zell was doing at that moment. She missed him dearly and she wished that she could go back to Balamb Garden and see him again. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she leaned her head against the windowpane. "I miss you so much, Zell," she whispered into the night sky. "I wish I could be there in Balamb with you."
Tonight was supposed to be Zell and Aya's first Valentine's Day together. A few weeks ago, they planned on spending the whole Valentine's Day weekend at Deling.
"Guess what, babe?" Zell said happily as he lifted Aya up into his arms and spun her around.
"What are you so happy about Zell?" she asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"We can be together on Valentine's Day!"
"Really?!" Aya said with a surprised look on her face. "But I thought you're assigned on a mission that week?"
"Well, yeah, but Squall managed to get me out of it. Isn't that great news?"
"Yes!" she said happily. "It really is."
Zell said as he got Aya back down on her feet and held her waist. "I planned a great weekend for us at Deling."
"What did you have planned?" she asked.
"That's a surprise," he smiled. "I can't wait to spend that weekend with you."
"I can't wait for it, too," Aya smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Looking into her eyes, Zell cupped her face. "I'm going to make sure that everything will be perfect." He said as he leaned down for another kiss.
"Really?" Aya smiled, half teasing.
"Yeah, it's been a while since we really spent any time together. I've been away on missions for so long and because of that, I want to make it up to you." Zell said in a soft whisper as he stroked her hair. "I love you so much, Aya Spencer."
"I love you too, Zell," Aya said as she placed her small hand on his cheek and kissed him passionately.
After wiping the tears in her eyes, Aya decided to go to bed. It was late and she needed her rest. As she got on her bed, she suddenly looked at the red rose that Seifer gave her earlier in the evening. Taking it out of a lean vase, Aya held the rose and lightly brushed her fingers on its petals.
Aya remembered what happened earlier that evening. He gave her the rose and afterwards he hinted that he was interested in her. Up to this moment, Aya still couldn't believe what he said.
What does he see in me? Aya thought to herself. I am nothing like those girls who crowd around him at the bar. Does he see me as some kind of a challenge? Someone unattainable that he would like to take to his bed? Aya heard a lot of women around the bar say that Seifer was a major playboy. He had a girl in his arm for every day of the week. However, Aya never really saw that side of him. He was always a perfect gentleman around her. When customers hit on her at the bar, Seifer was there in seconds to protect her. When it was getting late, he always offered her a ride home. Last, but not the least, he seemed to always be there for her whenever she needed someone.
He's in love with me, Aya thought to herself. Getting out of bed, she walked over to the window again. She thinks that Seifer is great guy but she couldn't really see herself with him. Her heart is and always will be with Zell. Besides, even if Zell was not in the picture she still couldn't be with him. Her illness would prevent that from happening.
Aya suddenly found herself feeling lightheaded. Holding on to a nearby table, she slowly sat herself down on her bed. Her illness was getting worse. She used to get dizzy once or twice a month, but lately she seemed to be getting dizzy at least twice a week. Opening a drawer, Aya took a pill that was supposed to make her feel better. She lied down on her bed and fell asleep a short time later.
AT THE TRAINING CENTER
"I'm guessing that she was not with Rex."
After wiping the sweat off of his forehead, Zell turned around and looked at Quistis. "What gave it away?"
"You wouldn't be here if you found her." Quistis said as she placed her hand on Zell's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Zell."
"Don't be." Zell answered. "The last thing I want to hear is for another person to say that they're sorry for me."
"I didn't mean."
"I know you didn't, Quistis," Zell said as he fixed his metal knuckles. "I'm sorry.it's just that I'm frustrated with this whole situation."
"I'm sure it won't be long until you find her, Zell. I know that you'll find her soon."
"I really hope so. My life is not the same without her." Zell said as he looked out into the distance. "Anyway, enough of me. How did your date with Patrick go?"
"Huh?" Quistis said in surprise.
Zell chuckled. "Don't "Huh?" me, Quistis. We all know that you're currently dating that new tech instructor."
Quistis blushed.
"How did you guys find out about him?" Quistis asked out of curiosity.
"Irvine and Selphie said that they always see you two hanging out with each other, and earlier this evening, they saw you two holding hands at the park in Deling."
"They were there?" Quistis blushed again.
"Yeah." Zell answered. "Why didn't you tell us about it, Quis?"
"I guess I just didn't want you to be."
"Don't worry about me," Zell said. "I'm fine. Don't hide things like this just because you think I'm going to feel worse because of my situation. I'm happy for you, Quistis. We all are."
"I guess you're right, Zell." Quistis said as she gave him a hug. "Umm, Zell?"
"Yeah?"
"By any chance do you know who else knows about my relationship with Patrick?"
Zell laughed. "Uh huh."
"Who?" Quistis asked.
"Hmm, would you be surprised if I told you that everyone already knows about it?"
"WHAT?!" Quistis said out loud in surprise.
ONE WEEK LATER AT BALAMB GARDEN
Zell sat up in bed and looked at the time. It was two-thirty in the morning. Ever since Aya left, Zell was not able to get any good night of sleep. He was constantly thinking about her and wondering if she was okay.
Zell got up and looked out his bedroom window. Looking up at the night sky, he wondered where Aya could possibly be. He just had a nightmare where Aya got seriously hurt. He tried rescuing her, but he couldn't find her because he was trapped in a giant maze. It bothered him that even in his dreams, he couldn't find her.
When Aya left him the note, he found himself very angry with her. But as time passed, he found himself feeling less angry and feeling more guilty. Zell blamed himself for her disappearance. If he spent less time out on missions and more time with her, he thought that maybe she would still be there. When he proposed to her at Rinaul Coast about six months ago, he promised her that he'd spend every minute making her happy if she'd marry him. As Zell recalled the last few months, he realized that he was hardly around to do that. In the past four months, they only saw each other a total of about 3 weeks.
"Were you unhappy with me?" Zell said as he tried to think of other reasons as to why she left him. "Were you, Aya?"
Sitting back on his bed, Zell picked up a picture of Aya and himself that was taken at Squall and Rinoa's engagement party three months ago. He had his arms wrapped around her waist as he held her from the back. His chin was lightly resting on the top of her head and they were both smiling happily at the camera. Zell tried to look for signs of her unhappiness but he found none.
Zell placed the picture on the table next to his bed and lied back down with his arms behind his head. Looking up at the ceiling, Zell sighed. "Where are you, Aya? Wherever you are, I hope you're safe."
MEANWHILE
"I guess I'll be going now," Aya said as she placed the last stool on the bar counter.
"No, wait!" Seifer said. "Just give me five minutes to put the rest of these glasses in the back storage room and then I'll drive you home."
"No, Seifer. It's okay. I'll be alright." She smiled as she put on her coat. "I only live three blocks away."
"You forgot to say three LONG blocks, Aya. There are a lot of weird people out this late at night." Seifer said as he looked at his watch and realized that it was two thirty-eight in the morning. "Let me drive you home so I'll know that you'll get home safe, okay?"
"But..." Aya started out to say.
"No Aya!" Seifer said as he picked up a tray of glasses. "Let me take you home."
"Fine." Aya said a few seconds later when she realized that Seifer was not going to let her go home by herself.
Aya waited until Seifer was far in the back room before she left. She told him that she was going to catch a ride home with him but she didn't want to be a bother. Tonight was a busy night and Aya was sure that Seifer was already tired. She also didn't want to bother him anymore because he already did so much for her earlier that evening when a customer was making a pass at her. Besides, she was in the mood to walk home.
"Aya, are you ready to go?" Seifer said as he entered the room a few minutes later. But instead of finding her waiting for him, she was already gone.
"I should have known." Seifer smiled to himself as he locked the place up and went to catch up with Aya.
It was a cool night, and because of that, Aya placed both her hands inside the pockets of her light blue jacket. Looking up, she saw a wishing star pass across the clear night sky. A sad smile touched her face as she remembered the night Zell proposed to her at Rinaul Coast six months ago.
Removing her left hand out of her pocket, Aya looked at her ring finger. Tears suddenly filled her eyes when she remembered that she returned the engagement ring back to Zell. The ring was gone but a tan line of where it used to be could still be clearly seen.
Aya pushed back the tears as she walked down the dark lonely street. "Zell," she said softly. "Why do things have to end up this way between us?" But before she had the chance to answer her own question, someone covered her mouth from behind and dragged her down a long dark alley.
Rex Barton, Aya's ex-fiancé, laughed out loud. "Don't feel special, Dincht. When Balamb Garden officials came here a few weeks ago to meet with Galbadia Garden officials, they looked far more surprised to see me here than you."
"How did you manage to get a SeeD position after what you did at Balamb Garden?" Zell asked. "Do the officials here even know that you got kicked out of Balamb?"
"Of course they know, Dincht." Rex said as he sat down and poured himself a cup of coffee. "It's no secret that I almost got you and Aya killed because of what I did at Alcauld Plains."
"And they still decided to hire you here?" Zell said as he walked over to the window overlooking the basketball courts below.
"Yes. They were actually glad that I was kicked out of Balamb because they realized that they could finally hire me. Everyone knows that I'm the best war tactics specialist there is. I'm a goldmine in their eyes. With all these wars going on all over the place, they'd be stupid not to hire me." Rex said smugly as he looked at Zell across the room.
"I see."
"Dincht, we both know that you're not here to congratulate me on my new job," Rex said as he sipped his coffee. "What are you really here for? We both know that I'm the last person you want to see again."
MEANWHILE AT FH
It was Valentine's Day and Frank's Bar and Grill was having a dinner special for couples. The place was packed with people, and those who went to dinner late had to wait outside to be seated. The scent of roses filled the place that evening, along with the feelings of love and romance.
A sad smile touched Aya face when she saw a guy get down on one knee and propose to his girlfriend at a nearby table. Aya was glad for the newly engaged couple, but it saddened her because it reminded her so much of the time when Zell proposed to her.
"I wonder what Zell is doing right now?" Aya thought to herself as she took orders. "I wonder if he already moved on and found someone else to enjoy this day with." Without realizing it, a tear quickly rolled down her rosy cheek. She quickly wiped it away, and after placing her customers' orders, Aya went to the back room for a little break.
BACK AT GALBADIA GARDEN
"I'm here about Aya." Zell answered.
"What about her? If you're here to announce your engagement, save your breath, Dincht. I already know..."
"Where are you hiding her?!" Zell cut in to say as he walked towards Rex.
"Hiding her?" Rex said with a puzzled look on his face. "Isn't she with you?"
"I wouldn't be here if she is." Zell said.
"Don't tell me that you made her run away?" Rex said as he drank his coffee. "What did you do, Zell? Cheat on Aya with Quistis?"
"I don't have time for this, Barton!" Zell said as he pulled Rex up to his feet by grabbing the collar of Rex's uniform. "Where is she?"
"You're dead serious, aren't you?" Rex asked as he watched Zell's jaw tighten.
"When did I ever joke about this?" Zell said as he held the collar of Rex's SeeD uniform even tighter.
"That's some news, Dincht, but I'm afraid to say that she's not here with me." Rex said as he pushed Zell away to free himself from his hold.
"You're lying to me!" Zell said angrily, his hands clenched into fists.
"No, I'm not!" Rex answered as he straightened his uniform.
"Yes you are!" Zell answered back. "Who else could she possibly go to?!"
"Why in the world would I lie about that?! We both know that she doesn't want to be with me."
"You have your ways of manipulating people."
"Aya has no reason to go back to me, Zell! She loved only you." Rex cut in to say. "She left me at the altar for you, remember?!"
Rex clearly remembered the day that he was supposed to marry Aya. He watched her walked down the aisle in her silk white wedding gown as she carried a bouquet of red roses. She looked so beautiful and at that moment, he couldn't believe that he was about to have her as his wife. He was expecting to see Zell pop up at any moment but Zell never did show up. Rex thought at that moment that Aya was finally his.
The priest read him the vows and he proudly said, "I do." However, when it was Aya's turn to say those words, she just looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Rex." Rex heard her say. "I...I can't marry you...I'm...in love with Zell." Rex watched her turn around and run out of the church. Everything was happening so fast but he swore that he saw the whole thing happen in slow motion. He went to go after her, but he knew that there was no use in getting her to come back to him. Her heart was really never his in the first place. It was always with Zell.
"Fuck!" Zell swore as he walked away and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
"What happened between the two of you?" Rex asked as he looked at the upset look on Zell's face.
"That's what I want to know." Zell answered quietly.
"Did you hurt her?" Rex said as he tried to hide the feelings he still had for Aya.
"No! You know how much I love her!" Zell answered quickly. "I would never do that."
"Well, you know that I loved her, too, but I ended up hurting her." Rex said as he looked out into the distance.
"She's really not here with you, is she?" Zell said in disappointment.
"No." Rex answered. "I'm afraid not." But I wish she were, he thought to himself.
"Then I better be going. I have to go and check other places she could be at." Zell said as he left the room. "Thanks for your help, Barton."
"Zell!" Rex called out as Zell walked down the stairs. "I hope you find her soon. When you do, please don't loose her again. Take care of her." For me.
Zell nodded his head. "Thanks...Rex."
Zell rode the train back to Balamb and wondered where Aya could be. If Aya was not with her old lover, then who could she possibly be with? Zell leaned back on his seat and sighed. Aya, are you with someone new?
BACK AT FH
"I hope this will make you feel better." A deep voice said a few seconds later.
Aya looked up and saw Seifer standing in front of her while holding a single red rose.
"For me?" She asked as Seifer smiled down at her.
Seifer chuckled. "Of course, it's for you. Who else could it be for?"
"Thanks, Seifer." She said as Seifer handed her the rose.
"Feel better?" he said as he sat next to her. He was glad that he was able to make her smile. It broke his heart to see her look so miserable as he watched her from the bar all evening.
Aya nodded lightly.
"Good." He smiled as he watched her raise the rose to her nose and smell its sweet scent.
"Thanks again, Seifer, but you really didn't have to give me one. Your several admirers will think that you're interested in me, you know?" she teased.
"Is that so bad?" Seifer turned his head to face her. The smile on his face disappeared and was replaced with a look of seriousness. Ever since he was introduced to her at the bar, he realized that he was not really interested in other girls. His mind seemed to only be on her. The taste of her kiss still lingered on his lips and at night he found himself only dreaming of being with her.
"Well, I don't want people to get the wrong..." Aya started to explain herself.
"What if I told you that I am interested in you?" Seifer said as he turned her head gently to face him. His blue eyes locked with her brown ones.
Aya stiffened and looked at him in surprise. "Seifer, I'm sorry but I can't..."
"He must've hurt you really bad, huh?"
"Who are you."
"Your ex-boyfriend." Seifer answered. "He made you scared of loving anyone else. If I ever get my hands on that bastard I'll."
"Seifer, you don't understand."
"I understand perfectly, Aya." Seifer said in disappointment. "You're not ready to love again." He said as he gently brushed a strand of her hair to the side of her face.
"Seifer, please don't..." Aya started out to say as she looked at him. She needed to say something so he'd forget about pursuing her.
"There's no need for you to explain anything." He said as he stared into Aya's deep brown eyes. "I'll wait for you until you're ready to love me."
SOMETIME LATER THAT EVENING
Seifer got of the bed and lit a cigarette as he walked over to the open window. After taking a couple of puffs of his cigarette, he turned his head to look at the satisfied brunette lying on his hotel bed.
"Seifer, aren't you coming back here?" the brunette said as she smiled up at him.
Seifer turned around and continued to smoke. Looking up at the clear night sky, he wondered why he got in bed with this woman that he just met a few hours ago. When Aya turned him down earlier, he seemed to be fine with the rejection. However, as the night went on, he suddenly found himself frustrated at the fact that he could not be with her. He wanted so much to be a part of her life, but since she turned him down, he suddenly found himself in need of venting out this frustration.
He went to a nearby club after work and drank to forget about her. After a while, a pretty brunette approached him. The girl reminded him of Aya in many ways. She had deep dark brown eyes, long straight hair, rosy cheeks, and soft full lips. Seifer couldn't remember what exactly happened next after she introduced herself except for the fact that he ended up sleeping with her.
Seifer was ashamed of himself. He slept with this woman simply because she reminded him of Aya. Lighting another cigarette, Seifer cursed at himself for his stupid behavior.
"Are you thinking about that Aya girl?" the brunette asked from the bed.
Seifer stiffened at hearing the girl say Aya's name. "What are you talking about?" he asked as he continued to smoke.
"Aya." She said. "You called out her name earlier when we were uh..." The girl blushed. "in the middle of something."
"I'm sorry." Seifer apologized. "I didn't know that I was..."
"There's no need for you to explain, handsome," the brunette answered. "It's okay. I could tell that you were getting drunk over some girl earlier when I saw you at the club."
"How could you tell?" Seifer said as he turned around and faced her.
"You're a very handsome man, and you sure look like the type of guy who can get any woman you want," she answered as she looked at Seifer's lean yet muscular body. "For you to be drinking yourself silly on Valentine's Day could only mean one thing: Some girl got to you and broke your heart."
Seifer couldn't believe how accurate she was. Everything that she said was true. Many girls threw themselves at him tonight before he had that conversation with Aya in the back room. He could have had any of those girls but he simply ignored them. Only one girl was on his mind and heart, and that girl was Aya.
"She must be some special girl for you to be feeling really guilty over what we just did." She said as she sat up and covered her breast with the warm blanket. "Is she your girlfriend?"
"No," Seifer answered as he wondered what Aya could be doing at that moment. "But she owns a piece me."
AT AYA'S APARTMENT
Aya looked out her bedroom window and wondered what Zell was doing at that moment. She missed him dearly and she wished that she could go back to Balamb Garden and see him again. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she leaned her head against the windowpane. "I miss you so much, Zell," she whispered into the night sky. "I wish I could be there in Balamb with you."
Tonight was supposed to be Zell and Aya's first Valentine's Day together. A few weeks ago, they planned on spending the whole Valentine's Day weekend at Deling.
"Guess what, babe?" Zell said happily as he lifted Aya up into his arms and spun her around.
"What are you so happy about Zell?" she asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"We can be together on Valentine's Day!"
"Really?!" Aya said with a surprised look on her face. "But I thought you're assigned on a mission that week?"
"Well, yeah, but Squall managed to get me out of it. Isn't that great news?"
"Yes!" she said happily. "It really is."
Zell said as he got Aya back down on her feet and held her waist. "I planned a great weekend for us at Deling."
"What did you have planned?" she asked.
"That's a surprise," he smiled. "I can't wait to spend that weekend with you."
"I can't wait for it, too," Aya smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Looking into her eyes, Zell cupped her face. "I'm going to make sure that everything will be perfect." He said as he leaned down for another kiss.
"Really?" Aya smiled, half teasing.
"Yeah, it's been a while since we really spent any time together. I've been away on missions for so long and because of that, I want to make it up to you." Zell said in a soft whisper as he stroked her hair. "I love you so much, Aya Spencer."
"I love you too, Zell," Aya said as she placed her small hand on his cheek and kissed him passionately.
After wiping the tears in her eyes, Aya decided to go to bed. It was late and she needed her rest. As she got on her bed, she suddenly looked at the red rose that Seifer gave her earlier in the evening. Taking it out of a lean vase, Aya held the rose and lightly brushed her fingers on its petals.
Aya remembered what happened earlier that evening. He gave her the rose and afterwards he hinted that he was interested in her. Up to this moment, Aya still couldn't believe what he said.
What does he see in me? Aya thought to herself. I am nothing like those girls who crowd around him at the bar. Does he see me as some kind of a challenge? Someone unattainable that he would like to take to his bed? Aya heard a lot of women around the bar say that Seifer was a major playboy. He had a girl in his arm for every day of the week. However, Aya never really saw that side of him. He was always a perfect gentleman around her. When customers hit on her at the bar, Seifer was there in seconds to protect her. When it was getting late, he always offered her a ride home. Last, but not the least, he seemed to always be there for her whenever she needed someone.
He's in love with me, Aya thought to herself. Getting out of bed, she walked over to the window again. She thinks that Seifer is great guy but she couldn't really see herself with him. Her heart is and always will be with Zell. Besides, even if Zell was not in the picture she still couldn't be with him. Her illness would prevent that from happening.
Aya suddenly found herself feeling lightheaded. Holding on to a nearby table, she slowly sat herself down on her bed. Her illness was getting worse. She used to get dizzy once or twice a month, but lately she seemed to be getting dizzy at least twice a week. Opening a drawer, Aya took a pill that was supposed to make her feel better. She lied down on her bed and fell asleep a short time later.
AT THE TRAINING CENTER
"I'm guessing that she was not with Rex."
After wiping the sweat off of his forehead, Zell turned around and looked at Quistis. "What gave it away?"
"You wouldn't be here if you found her." Quistis said as she placed her hand on Zell's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Zell."
"Don't be." Zell answered. "The last thing I want to hear is for another person to say that they're sorry for me."
"I didn't mean."
"I know you didn't, Quistis," Zell said as he fixed his metal knuckles. "I'm sorry.it's just that I'm frustrated with this whole situation."
"I'm sure it won't be long until you find her, Zell. I know that you'll find her soon."
"I really hope so. My life is not the same without her." Zell said as he looked out into the distance. "Anyway, enough of me. How did your date with Patrick go?"
"Huh?" Quistis said in surprise.
Zell chuckled. "Don't "Huh?" me, Quistis. We all know that you're currently dating that new tech instructor."
Quistis blushed.
"How did you guys find out about him?" Quistis asked out of curiosity.
"Irvine and Selphie said that they always see you two hanging out with each other, and earlier this evening, they saw you two holding hands at the park in Deling."
"They were there?" Quistis blushed again.
"Yeah." Zell answered. "Why didn't you tell us about it, Quis?"
"I guess I just didn't want you to be."
"Don't worry about me," Zell said. "I'm fine. Don't hide things like this just because you think I'm going to feel worse because of my situation. I'm happy for you, Quistis. We all are."
"I guess you're right, Zell." Quistis said as she gave him a hug. "Umm, Zell?"
"Yeah?"
"By any chance do you know who else knows about my relationship with Patrick?"
Zell laughed. "Uh huh."
"Who?" Quistis asked.
"Hmm, would you be surprised if I told you that everyone already knows about it?"
"WHAT?!" Quistis said out loud in surprise.
ONE WEEK LATER AT BALAMB GARDEN
Zell sat up in bed and looked at the time. It was two-thirty in the morning. Ever since Aya left, Zell was not able to get any good night of sleep. He was constantly thinking about her and wondering if she was okay.
Zell got up and looked out his bedroom window. Looking up at the night sky, he wondered where Aya could possibly be. He just had a nightmare where Aya got seriously hurt. He tried rescuing her, but he couldn't find her because he was trapped in a giant maze. It bothered him that even in his dreams, he couldn't find her.
When Aya left him the note, he found himself very angry with her. But as time passed, he found himself feeling less angry and feeling more guilty. Zell blamed himself for her disappearance. If he spent less time out on missions and more time with her, he thought that maybe she would still be there. When he proposed to her at Rinaul Coast about six months ago, he promised her that he'd spend every minute making her happy if she'd marry him. As Zell recalled the last few months, he realized that he was hardly around to do that. In the past four months, they only saw each other a total of about 3 weeks.
"Were you unhappy with me?" Zell said as he tried to think of other reasons as to why she left him. "Were you, Aya?"
Sitting back on his bed, Zell picked up a picture of Aya and himself that was taken at Squall and Rinoa's engagement party three months ago. He had his arms wrapped around her waist as he held her from the back. His chin was lightly resting on the top of her head and they were both smiling happily at the camera. Zell tried to look for signs of her unhappiness but he found none.
Zell placed the picture on the table next to his bed and lied back down with his arms behind his head. Looking up at the ceiling, Zell sighed. "Where are you, Aya? Wherever you are, I hope you're safe."
MEANWHILE
"I guess I'll be going now," Aya said as she placed the last stool on the bar counter.
"No, wait!" Seifer said. "Just give me five minutes to put the rest of these glasses in the back storage room and then I'll drive you home."
"No, Seifer. It's okay. I'll be alright." She smiled as she put on her coat. "I only live three blocks away."
"You forgot to say three LONG blocks, Aya. There are a lot of weird people out this late at night." Seifer said as he looked at his watch and realized that it was two thirty-eight in the morning. "Let me drive you home so I'll know that you'll get home safe, okay?"
"But..." Aya started out to say.
"No Aya!" Seifer said as he picked up a tray of glasses. "Let me take you home."
"Fine." Aya said a few seconds later when she realized that Seifer was not going to let her go home by herself.
Aya waited until Seifer was far in the back room before she left. She told him that she was going to catch a ride home with him but she didn't want to be a bother. Tonight was a busy night and Aya was sure that Seifer was already tired. She also didn't want to bother him anymore because he already did so much for her earlier that evening when a customer was making a pass at her. Besides, she was in the mood to walk home.
"Aya, are you ready to go?" Seifer said as he entered the room a few minutes later. But instead of finding her waiting for him, she was already gone.
"I should have known." Seifer smiled to himself as he locked the place up and went to catch up with Aya.
It was a cool night, and because of that, Aya placed both her hands inside the pockets of her light blue jacket. Looking up, she saw a wishing star pass across the clear night sky. A sad smile touched her face as she remembered the night Zell proposed to her at Rinaul Coast six months ago.
Removing her left hand out of her pocket, Aya looked at her ring finger. Tears suddenly filled her eyes when she remembered that she returned the engagement ring back to Zell. The ring was gone but a tan line of where it used to be could still be clearly seen.
Aya pushed back the tears as she walked down the dark lonely street. "Zell," she said softly. "Why do things have to end up this way between us?" But before she had the chance to answer her own question, someone covered her mouth from behind and dragged her down a long dark alley.