Author's Note: Okay, at last, Chapter Twenty-Four. I'm very sorry, but I had a project to do. And I might not update soon because the final exams are next week. Just a little more and the school year is over. Ah...bliss...but I will still try to squeeze in time to update. Anyways, some thank you notes:
The Drifter – Firstly, I like your name...The Drifter...it has a nice little ring to it. Anyway, thank you for reviewing. I don't know about those chapters ending in the middle, nothing seems wrong when I check it.
yummychocolatexD – Of course Angelo is okay. I don't want the poor little doggie to stay hurt forever. And...well, just be patient about who Rinoa's marrying. Didn't I tell you guys it's a Squinoa? Anyway, thanks for the review!
PasifiKStaR – I won't let Angelo suffer anymore...I love little doggies. And Angelo is such a good dog. Anyhow, thaniks for the review. Rinoa really is frustrating, huh? And, yes, Angelo does know. I'm trying to think of something else Angelo can do in the story, actually. Hehe.
lostfallenangel – I agree that they're both cute. But, as always, she can't have them both. But we all know who's the better one, don't we? Thank you for the review! I hope you like what happens in this chapter, though it isn't very eventful.
SquallsGIRL – Hey, thanks for the review. Squall does love her more, doesn't he? But I'm still working on the reason for Rinoa to leave Seifer. But as I said, this story might end by the thirtieth chapter. So...it won't be too long now.
LionHeart823 – He is, isn't he? I think everyone now agrees that Seifer's Father is a bastard. And he's going to be considered more of a bastard after you read this chapter. Thank you for the review! I'm glad you're still reading.
flare draco – Seifer...well, I guess he'll make up for it in this chapter and the next one, though in a really bad way...you'll see. Thank you for the review, and don't worry, Rinoa will come to her senses sooner or later.
The wise – I'm happy you don't think it's a boring chapter. And Rinoa really should follow Ellone's advice. But no worries. Rinoa has a brain. She'll get it someday. Thank you for the review! I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Chapter Twenty-Four
"Rinoa?" Seifer called as he went into the living room.
Rinoa put down the magazine she was looking at and faced her fiancé. "Yes?" she asked, as she distractedly began to scratch Angelo's head. The dog squirmed closer to her on the couch and rested his head on her lap.
"Hey, baby, dinner's ready," Seifer said.
"Already?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied, walking towards her. "Why?"
She frowned. "Is your father going to eat with us again?"
"Yes," he answered.
Her frown deepened. "Does he have to?"
"Yes," he said. "Now stop complaining, come on, Rinoa."
Rinoa scowled at him. "When will your father leave?"
"I'm not sure," he told her. "I'm sorry about him having to stay here, I know it displeases you…" He embraced her from behind and she sighed.
"Fine, I'll come to dinner," she said. "I'll just wash my hands first."
Seifer kissed her and said, "Good girl."
Angelo got off the sofa as Seifer returned to the dining area. Rinoa stood up and went to the bathroom. Angelo stood at the door as Rinoa washed her hands and splashed some cold water on her face. 'Dinner with Zeon…again…' she thought. Lately, she's been really paranoid that Zeon was going to make a move again. Every moment she was around him she anticipated it. Fortunately, it never came. But she was still worried.
She stepped out of the bathroom and headed towards the dining area. Seifer, Zeon, Fujin and Raijin were already seated down at the table. Zeon sat at the end, Raijin and Fujin was at his left, and Seifer sat at his right. Rinoa's food was prepared for her beside Seifer.
Seifer smirked at her as she went to him and before she sat down, he gave her a loving kiss on the lips. Zeon was eyeing them but they failed to notice. "Love you, darling," Seifer said softly as Rinoa took her seat, smiling at him.
"I love you, too," she said as she felt Angelo brush against her leg as he scuttled back and forth under the table, already looking for fallen scraps of food he might pick up. She laughed and Seifer raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked her.
"Nothing," she mumbled as he pulled her towards him for another kiss. She smiled and Raijin groaned.
"You could get a room, ya know?" he said.
Rinoa started eating and so did Seifer. "By the way," she said, "I found a really nice wedding dress. And it has a matching suit for you."
"Really?" he asked. "Where?"
"I saw it in a magazine," she answered.
"The one you were looking at a while ago?" he queried.
She nodded. "Actually, I was just looking over it again to be sure that it's the dress I want. Do you want to see it?"
"Yeah, sure," he said.
"I'll make Angelo get it," she said.
Seifer raised his eyebrows again. "He can do that?"
"Of course," said Rinoa with a smile. "He's really smart." With that she called Angelo and made him retrieve the magazine. He dashed into the living room and returned with the magazine a while later. "Good doggie," Rinoa cooed. Angelo started searching for food scraps again and Rinoa opened the magazine to a dog-eared page.
"See?" she said, pointing to one of the dresses.
Seifer looked at it and nodded.
"It's pretty right?" said Rinoa. "And this suit on the next page will look really good on you!" She then pointed towards the suit on the page adjacent to the one the dress was on.
Seifer studied the pictures some more. He liked the dress. It was simple yet elegant. The sleeves were short, thin and were off –shoulder. It was also glossy and it seemed that the fabric used for the dress was reflecting the light. The dress wasn't very long either, which was what he would have preferred. Over the lower part of the dress was a transparent cloth, which had hems that shimmered silver. Gloves also came with the dress. Rinoa would surely look lovely in it, simple as it was.
He faced her and smiled. When she smiled back, he couldn't help but kiss her again. She laughed when he broke the kiss. "Maybe we should get a room," she joked.
"Ahem," said Zeon. Rinoa frowned and resumed eating. Seifer only glared at his father but said nothing. He looked at Rinoa who, even though Zeon had barely said a word, seemed already infuriated and upset. She probably disliked him that much.
"Hey, Rinoa, where did you say want to have our wedding?" Seifer asked.
"Anywhere you want, Seifer," Rinoa answered. "But I want our wedding to be held in the evening."
"Why?" he said.
"I like the night sky," she answered.
"Then I know where we should be married," he said with a smile. "There's this church in Balamb. Its roof is dome-shaped and made of glass. You could see the sky there."
She looked at him. "But I thought you didn't like Balamb."
"Well," he said, "it's a special day for us, not just me. You like Balamb, don't you?"
'Of course,' Rinoa thought with a smile. 'I met Squall there…'
Seifer smirked when he saw her smile and said, "Okay, so Balamb it is." He kissed her again, unable to resist and his father sighed and shook his head.
Rinoa glared at him and for a minute they glared at one another. Finally, Zeon excused himself and got up from the table. Rinoa continued to glare at him until he was gone. Seifer frowned. "You shouldn't be so mad," he said.
"Why shouldn't I be?" she asked. "He tried to kill me, Seifer."
"But he hasn't made another move on you ever since you came home," he said. "You should calm down a little."
Rinoa frowned but said nothing,
"I'm sorry, Rinoa," said Seifer. "I didn't really mean that in a bad way. I'm just worried that you're taking this a little too seriously."
Rinoa sighed but still said nothing in reply. The four of them then finished their meal in silence, neither Raijin nor Fujin wanting to add to the problem.
Meanwhile, Zeon was in his study, seated on his reading armchair. He was fuming silently as he thought of Seifer and Rinoa. How dare they display their affection like that? And how dare she glare at him that way?
"You bitch…" Zeon said to himself. "You should have died…damned…those stupid doctors shouldn't have bothered saving your life…"
He remembered Seifer and Rinoa talking about their wedding and kissing now and then. It infuriated him. "You shouldn't be marrying my son…" he said. "You don't deserve it…you…you should die…slut…whore…"
Just as he was saying this, Seifer was passing by his father's study after getting his Gunblade in his room. He was going to go out for a while but he stopped in front of the door of the study. He could hear what his father was saying.
"I'll kill you, Rinoa…" he muttered with a sick, insane laugh. "I'll get you alone one of these days…yes…and I'll strangle you…no…I'll pin you to the wall and kill you slowly…yes…I would cut your skin bit by bit and listen to your screams…yes…and I'll let you bleed…I'll kill you…I'll kill you…I'll watch you struggle helplessly as you die…yes…and this time no one will save you…I'll kill you…"
Seifer's eyes widened and he felt himself shake. His father was going to do it again. He would hurt Rinoa again. Seifer gritted his teeth as he felt himself burn with anger. "I won't let you…" he mumbled, bringing out the Gunblade. "I won't let you…"