Chapter Nine
When I exited the room, broad smile on my face, I could just feel the contentedness radiating from my face. But like all things in my life, it died very soon. There was that evil Hamill guy, trying to put the moves on Relena. Okay, I can deal with Maxwell and his craziness, but not some geeky freak who was just trying to insult my to-be-girlfriend.
"What are you doing?" I asked, making sure to squint my eyes with exact meticulousness. You don't think this glare just appeared on my face, do you? If you did, then you are sorely mistaken. This treasured glare of mine is the product of many a night staring at myself in the mirror, looking for the perfect way to scrunch my nose and slit my eyes. These things take a great deal of patience.
"Nothing, Mr. Yuy." He answered casually.
I looked over at Relena for some type of explanation, but she seemed rather occupied with her non-existent shoelaces. She almost looked embarrassed.
"Let's go." I told Relena and reached for her arm. She just looked up at me. I realized then that her face was a bright, vibrant red, and that her body was in a tense state that could rival even mine. I must be rubbing off on her.
"Friday night?" Spoke Hamill.
I could tell the question wasn't being directed at me, so I didn't answer, but neither did Relena. I don't really have a problem with her dating other guys, but really, him?
Okay, so I do have a problem with it, but I'm just supposed to say that to make her feel like I understand her. It's in the Male Species Handbook. And you want to know the best part? It's got a 99.9% success rate.
"Mr. Yuy, if you could excuse us a moment?"
I nodded slowly, trying to stare him into a coma. I had to remain calm. I walked to the other end of the room and took a magazine of the shelf. It was one of those stupid teen ones. I wondered if Relena read those. It seemed so senseless, and yet, I couldn't help feeling that, if Relena did in fact read them, I should cherish them beyond all my possessions. That is, except my gun.
And then I came to wonder what would happen if we got married. Would she make me throw out all my guns? Can you throw out guns? Would I do it for her? Probably not. She can't possibly expect that much of me – I might be perfect, but I do have a few faults – like being human.
I also have a bad habit of letting my mind run wild. That's one of the things that I love about Relena, she keeps me focused. It's nice to be "little-voice-in-my-head-free" once in a while. However, that was the least of my problems. At that moment, I heard a quiet, startled squeak. I knew immediately that it was Relena's squeak – believe me, she's the only one who squeaks like that. I looked up just in time to see that freak retreating his hand from her gluteus maximus. That did not impress me.
"I think you've made a big misconception." I said before I smashed his face in. I think I'm going to use that phrase more often. Just the way I said it – all suave and stuff. Yeah, I'm a regular debonair.
My internal gloating only lasted a second. That was when I realized I was in for the lecture of my life. Relena's always hated when I do violent stuff in front of her. This could possibly have been considered a justification for anyone else, but when you secretly love an absolute pacifist, it's hard to justify anything.
"I'm glad you did that."
"Hn?"
"Thank you."
"What?"
"If you hadn't punched him when you did, I would have." Now I would have paid good money to see that. I can't recall Relena hurting anything living on purpose (other than the time she slugged me – believe me, I practically asked for it).
"I can't believe I was actually going to harm someone. Please forgive me, Heero." She beseeched. Why she apologized to me, I don't know. But I was willing to take anything I could get.
"Sure."
Sometimes I know I don't understand, sometimes I do. If I could just have a little stability, I'd be fine. But no, destiny's got it in for me.
"Let's go home, Heero."
Home…home is where the heart is. But wait! Who's home? Could this be the invitation I've been waiting for all my life? Could this be the moment I've only dreamed of? Could it?
"Pagan will drive you back to your apartment."
Okay, but I was close. If only I had just been like those jewelry commercials, you know, scream the fact that I love her to the entire world. If only I could. Why not? Why couldn't I? There was no real reason why I couldn't. Just a wall of pride and a half-decade of pretenses remained between the two of us. Why wasn't I willing to break them down? I honestly can't tell you.
"Heero….Heero?" she sang, waving her hand in front of my face, "Heero, you're cellphone is ringing." I guess I'd thought a little too hard.
Needless to say, I fumbled bashfully for the damn contraption. One thing I hate is looking dumb in front of her. And yet, if happens nearly everyday.
"WHY THE HELL DID YOU FIRE MY STAFF?!?!" bellowed the voice on the other end of the cellphone. I absolutely hate prank calls. They're a waste of my time and minutes – I should instate the death penalty for such absurd practices. And then I realized that it was actually Merquise on the other end.
"Speak louder, I can't hear you." My attempt at funny irony. I guess Zechs didn't get that I was using lame humor as a cover for my unintelligence in the matter of what he was screaming about, because he just continued to scream, only louder.
"WHY?
Relena seemed to know what the call was about because she – thankfully—took hold of the situation by grabbing the cellphone from my hand.
"Don't yell at him, Milliardo. I fired your stupid staff. Don't you raise your voice at me! You should be screaming at yourself for hiring them in the first place! They're lazy, inconsiderate and careless. Besides, technically, as of half an hour ago, they're not your staff anymore."
Way to tell him, Relena! If only I had that kind of guts. Or maybe it has to do with the fact that Zechs would kill me in less than a second, but would wait a whole five minutes before killing Relena. Four minutes and thirty-five seconds left.
"Fine. Good-bye." She said sternly and made to cancel the call. Only, she didn't. "Wait! Milliardo? Yes, Hannae is cooking your favorite, so be at my house by six. Love you, too."
How does she do that? How does she manage to infuriate and charm every man in a three-mile radius? But back to the real problem.
"What's wrong, Heero?"
"You didn't fire them, did you?" I asked, "They quit because of me."
"They were stupid anyways."
"Okay." I answered helplessly.
I couldn't not feel like it was all my fault. Her life had been perfect before she met me – and then I came and ruined everything. How did she survive in this desolate, evil world with only a beautiful smile and a quick mind?
"Be ready by four."
"For what?"
"You're having dinner with me and my brother."
I love this woman --- I love her, I love her, I love her. Now if she would just stop coordinating my schedule, I might actually tell her someday.
A/N- Heys! A very strange, hard to follow chapter, but I'm exhausted from the last few days. I can't seem to sleep and the homework has been piling up. Thank God for exam exemptions. *phew!* I don't know what I'd do if I had to take all of them. Hope you liked! I actually got inspiration for this chapter from the West Wing (awesome show – love Rob Lowe *cries* I still can't believe he's gone) and my afore mentioned friend, Katie, who finally got around to reading it! Loves yas!