Chapter Eleven

Relena was relatively happy. Having Mr Valliant as an ally was really good thing. She was worried though. She did not like representative Taylor's reaction to her proposal. Lady Une had promptly instructed Sally to investigate him. Relena had heard Sally asking Wufei to perform the task himself. Her literal words had been 'we want to know everything, down to the colour of his underwear'. Wufei was really uncomfortable with her comment. Relena thought that Sally enjoyed confusing poor Wufei. That made her smile.

"Well, I am happy to see you smile…things can be that bad if you can still have that pretty smile of yours…"

Relena lifted her head to find Mr Valliant standing by her office's door.

"Mr Valliant…It's a pleasure to see you…but, how come my secretary didn't announce you?" asked Relena quite surprised.

"Oh, well…you know I can be very persuasive…and besides, I wanted to surprise you…how about coming for dinner tonight to my place? My wife is organising one of her fantastic dinners…This way we will be able to discuss further the funding for the Terraforming Project…I will invite a few people that will be happy to help us with this cause…" replied immediately Mr Valliant taking a seat.

"Oh...why Mr Valliant…how kind from you to come personally to tell me….My answer is yes…I'll be honoured" said the blond girl.

"Ok then, I will be sending one of my cars to pick you up, let's make it seven?" said Mr Valliant.

"Sure. Thank you Mr Valliant…I do appreciate your support…You know how much the Terraforming Project means to me…" commented Relena.

"Sure I do. I will see you later dear…I am really looking forward…You are a true fine lady…" said Mr Valliant getting up from the chair and, with a slight bow, turned around and headed towards the door.

"See you tonight then…" replied Relena not too sure that Mr Valliant had heard her.

Relena was pretty shocked…Mr Valliant had an entire team of assistants but he had come in person to issue her an invitation that could have easily been issued by email or videocom… Relena thought that she was getting over paranoid…'It must be the pregnancy…too many hormones' Relena thought.

She was still thinking about her conversation with the senator when the videocom buzzed. Pressing the button saw her brother's face, by the looks of it he didn't have happy news…

"What's wrong, Milliardo?" asked Relena worried not bothering with pleasantries.

"Heero has not reported ever since he left over a week ago…that is highly unusual…we were actually expecting him to report a few days ago…" replied the long haired, platinum blond man.

"Oh my gosh…Do you have any idea where he may be?" almost shouted Relena getting even more worried.

"Not really…He didn't even tell us where he was meeting Dr J who, by the way, has also disappeared…" replied Milliardo, looking genuinely concerned.

"Well...I will call Lady Une straight away…" said Relena resolutely.

"Ok. You do that… Lucrezia and I will do our bit here…I hope I will be able to give you better news next time…" said Milliardo.

"I hope so too brother…changing topic, I am meeting Mr Valliant for dinner tonight…he is supporting my idea of giving more funds to Mars…and we are also investigating Mr Carl Taylor from L4, he seemed particularly unhappy with this idea…I will call you tomorrow…" explained Relena.

"Ok. Take care sis…" replied Milliardo.

"I will…send my love to Lucrezia…" said Relena.

"I will…" said Milliardo pressing the button to finish the communication.

Relena stared at the black screen thinking.

"Heero…where are you?" said Relena aloud, talking to herself.