Lost Memories of my Love
Chapter 30 – Engagement
"Hey, Sierra," said Squall when he saw Rinoa coming out of the elevator.
Rinoa looked up and smiled. "Hi."
"You're here early," said Squall. "Where've you been for the past few days?"
"Oh, Marcel just came into Esthar," said Rinoa, almost uncomfortably, "I just wanted to spend some quality time with him before he went back to Trabia."
A week and a half had passed since Seifer came to Esthar. Rinoa took some days off just to spend time with him. Nobody asked about her absence at all. Min had explained to them that she was seeing a friend who had just come into the country. Squall was a little suspicious, but didn't ask any further questions.
Squall nodded slowly. "Oh … all right then."
Rinoa smiled politely. "Yeah … sorry. I won't be taking anymore days off, promise."
Squall nodded. "All right. When is he going back?"
"Next week," answered Rinoa, "After the Grand Garden Opening. I was planning to take him … if you don't mind."
"Why would I mind?" asked Squall, raising his eyebrow.
"Oh … uh … y'know, just making sure that you … don't mind strangers coming," said Rinoa with a nervous laugh. Well that was dumb…
Squall nodded slowly and changed the subject. "Ashleigh and I are having our engagement party at the end of this week…"
"What? This week?" exclaimed Rinoa, "But I thought you two were getting married in six months!"
"Yeah … well, in all the confusion and havoc with work, we never had time to have an actual engagement party," said Squall. Why am I acting so cool with this all of a sudden? Three minutes ago I was dreading this stupid party to come… "So we figured the chaos and eventfulness would die down then, so we'd have the party then."
"Oh, I see," said Rinoa. "Well, congratulations." Her words were empty and lifeless, and the smile on her face was indeed very fake.
"So … yeah, I wanted to … invite you," said Squall, scratching the back of his head.
Rinoa laughed. "Wow, count on Leonheart to be formal about his wedding."
Squall smirked. "Well?"
Rinoa giggled. "Okay sure, of course I'll come. May I bring a friend?"
"Min? Sure, the whole company is going to be there," said Squall.
"Then why did you ask me personally?" asked Rinoa.
Squall looked rather flustered. "Uh … well…" Damn, why didn't I think this through! I always think things through … stupid, stupid Leonheart… "Well, I know you personally. I mean, outside of work … so I thought it'd be more polite asking you … personally."
Rinoa laughed again. "Sure thing, Leonheart. But I didn't mean Min, I meant Marcel."
If she meant Marcel then why did she call him a 'friend'? "Oh, him. Yeah, of course he can come … I guess. And, uh, yeah … I was wondering … maybe sometime we could all do lunch? Or dinner? Or … something?"
"Hmm? What do you mean 'all'?"
"Well, y'know … I wanted you to meet Ashleigh," said Squall, scratching the back of his head again. "And, I don't know … get to know her better. And you can bring Marcel … I'd like to meet him. I'm sure Ashleigh would like to meet him too."
Rinoa smiled. "That's a wonderful idea. Meeting Ashleigh … she seems like a nice person." I mean, she's pretty and everything … and if Leonheart likes her, I guess she must be nice…
Squall nodded slowly. "Yeah … all right. Does next Thursday, dinner sound good to you?"
"Sounds great."
Seifer waited in the car for Rinoa to hurry up. The two of them were scheduled to meet Squall at six thirty at some fancy restaurant, and Rinoa had been getting ready ever since five. Seifer looked at the clock on the dashboard and groaned, as it was already quarter past six and Rinoa still wasn't ready.
"C'mon, Sierra … I wanna get this over and done with…"
On cue, Rinoa came out of the apartment and into the parking lot, looking stunning. She wore a pretty, sparkling halter-neck blue dress that came halfway up her knees with a matching purse and shoes. Her hair was left down and she hardly wore any make up at all. Looking at her, it didn't seem like it should have taken an hour to look the way she looked.
"It took you long enough," said Seifer with a snicker.
"Oh, shush," said Rinoa, putting her seatbelt on. "I kept on changing my mind. But then I realised I don't really need make up or fancy hair."
"Y'know, I could've told you that!" said Seifer, starting up the car.
"Hey, we are having a formal dinner with the vice president of Esthar," said Rinoa.
"Who also happens to be a good friend of yours," said Seifer with a smirk.
"Oh hush," said Rinoa.
"Well, you look stunning as usual," said Seifer.
"Why, thank you!" said Rinoa, "You are looking fine yourself."
It took Rinoa some skill to force Seifer into a tux. But in the end, Seifer looked rather elegant in his white tuxedo. However, he did refuse to gel his hair.
"He's not … old, is he?" asked Seifer.
Rinoa stuck her tongue out at him. "No, he is not old. He may be a retired SeeD, but he's about our age."
"Whoa, stand back," said Seifer.
"Marcel! He's a nice guy, really."
"I'll be the judge of that."
"Honestly sweetie, was this dinner necessary?" asked Ashleigh in frustration. She was looking forward to having a nice dinner in a nice restaurant with Squall, but when she heard that other people were coming, she almost lost it. But what made her even angrier was the fact that it was Rinoa whom was coming. Even after I run her down, she still has a way to be a nuisance…
"She's a good friend of mine … I'd really like it if you two became friends," said Squall.
"Well, the least they could do is be punctual," said Ashleigh, rolling her eyes.
"Relax, it's only six thirty-five," mumbled Squall.
"Humph. Well, I guess it can't be that bad…"
"That's more like it," said Squall.
"I do look nice tonight, don't you think?" said Ashleigh conceitedly.
"Yeah … whatever…" muttered Squall.
Ashleigh frowned. She thought she looked gorgeous with her designer dress, but she failed to receive even a single compliment from Squall that night.
"Oh, here they come," said Squall.
Ashleigh looked up to find Rinoa coming into the restaurant. Hah, I wonder where she got that tacky dress from … the corner store maybe? She was looking vibrant and cheery, as she dragged someone else into the restaurant. But the person she saw made her eyes widen. It was none other than the stepbrother whom she swore never to be in contact with ever again.
If those two are together … and Rinoa doesn't remember a single thing … then dear old Seifer must've…
Sly glee flickered in Ashleigh's hazel eyes as the thought came to her. Oh, this is sweet … I cannot wait to tell mother this… She remembered when she rung her mother up to tell her that Rinoa was still alive. It wasn't pleasant, as Sera was just as horrified as Ashleigh, if not more horrified. But the fact that Rinoa had lost her memory brought ease to Sera, as it did with Ashleigh.
"C'mon, Marcel … it's not that bad," said Rinoa, pulling Seifer inside.
"Man … this place is way outta my league," said Seifer, shaking his head.
"Don't worry about it," said Rinoa, "You'll be fine…"
The two of them walked inside, and Rinoa's face brightened even more when she spotted Squall. They walked up to the table for four. Rinoa was very happy, but the flustered look on Seifer's face was completely swept away with a look of resentment when he saw Ashleigh.
What the hell … Ashleigh! She's getting married to the president of Esthar! Oh shit … this is bad … she's not going to expose me, is she? But in order to expose me she'll have to expose herself for trying to kill Rinoa…
"Hey there, Leonheart!" said Rinoa happily. She let go of Seifer's hand. As he offered her a seat, she sat down and smiled brightly. "Hello there, Mrs Leonheart."
Ashleigh had a sinister smile on her face. "Hello," she said politely, words of poison aimed at Seifer.
"Hey Sierra," said Squall, "You look great tonight."
Ashleigh felt a flicker of jealousy inside of her. She's wearing a tacky old dress while I'm wearing the best of the best … how can he say she looks good and I don't?
"Hello there, sir," said Seifer, sitting down. He looked at Ashleigh with a look of equal bitterness. "Madam."
"Just call me Squall," said Squall, offering Seifer a hand to shake.
Seifer shook his hand, but didn't introduce himself. Squall Leonheart … where have I heard that name before?
Rinoa elbowed Seifer in the arm, an obvious order to introduce himself.
"I'm Marcel," said Seifer, almost regretting the words.
Ashleigh tried to keep her laughter in. This was very amusing to her. But she wasn't going to expose Seifer … yet. She was just going to toy with him for a bit.
"Nice to meet you," said Squall courteously. "This is Ashleigh. Ashleigh, this is Sierra."
Ashleigh smiled innocently. "Yes, we've met. Nice to meet you too, Marcel." She looked at her brother with sardonic politeness.
"Hmm." Seifer didn't say anything else.
Rinoa gave him a quick glare but then turned back to Squall and Ashleigh. "So, how are you? Almost married, huh?"
"Yes, it's very exciting," said Ashleigh sweetly, eyeing a very bitter Seifer.
"Hmm," mumbled Squall in what seemed to be agreement. "Let's order now…"
As Squall called the waitress to place their order, Seifer looked at Squall and couldn't help but think that he looked very familiar. Where've I seen this guy before? He searched his memory for a face – and then it finally hit him. This guy … he appeared at the Caraway house once with Rinoa … oh crap, this guy was her boyfriend before she lost her memory…
And then it all came back to him. Squall … he was Commander Puberty. Seifer never liked him at Garden, since he was the only one who matched up to his strength. But the two of them never really talked – they just knew of each other and steered clear of each other. It seemed that Squall didn't recognise him, and that was a big relief. Ashleigh, however…
"So, Marcel," said Ashleigh pleasantly, "What do you do for a living?"
"Well, Ashleigh," said Seifer sharply, "I'm an instructor at Garden now."
"Oh, are you now?" Ashleigh sipped some of her wine. "Didn't you ever become a SeeD? It must be horrible … working with little kids all the time…"
Squall eyed Ashleigh suspiciously. Why is she being so snooty? We are going to be working with kids at a Garden soon…
"He also sells works of art in his spare time," added Rinoa.
"I see," said Ashleigh. Once a street thug, always a street thug. "What kind?"
"His sister's," said Rinoa. "They're really beautiful."
His sister's, eh? Last time I checked I couldn't draw a stick figure, even if someone paid me to. What kind of crap is he feeding her? "Oh, I see. So that's what you do because you couldn't become a SeeD?"
"I was pretty close to becoming a SeeD," said Seifer casually. You should know … it was our rotten mother that smashed my award… "But I dropped out at the last minute."
"Oh? How unfortunate," said Ashleigh, "Squall here is a first-class SeeD, gunblade expertise, and is going to own the first Estharian Garden…"
Squall was used to Ashleigh bragging about how he was all these things in the past, but this time her tone was so much different. It was very irritating. But he didn't say anything and concentrated on the patterns on the tablecloth.
Rinoa, however, was rather irritated with Ashleigh's tone of voice. She gave Ashleigh a quick dirty look and also began to sip her wine.
"Oh, well congratulations," said Seifer with a hint of sarcasm.
Rinoa eyed Seifer.
"What happened, Marcel? How come you didn't fulfill your childhood dream? Why the change of heart?" asked Ashleigh.
Seifer smirked. I've got you here, sister… "Oh, well Sierra was in an accident. She was run down pretty bad."
Ashleigh suddenly felt a wave of guilt and embarrassment. But the guilt and embarrassment faded as she glared at Seifer in anger.
"Accident?" asked Squall, looking up and suddenly sounding interested.
"Oh, honey, it's obviously none of our business—" Ashleigh was cut off as Seifer began to speak.
"Sierra had an accident a couple of years ago," explained Seifer, being careful with his words, "She was … looking pretty bad. I dropped my exams to take care of her."
Ashleigh laughed in a sarcastic way. "Oh, how sweet of you…"
"Really, it's nothing," said Rinoa, shaking her head. She didn't like herself being the conversation topic. "I'm just grateful to be alive. We moved to Trabia soon afterwards … I'm fine."
"How long ago was this?" asked Squall.
Seifer answered before Rinoa could. He didn't want to give an exact number, or else Squall might have been suspicious. "A while ago. Too long ago to remember."
Rinoa nodded. "Y-Yeah … it's something I'd rather forget."
Squall nodded slowly, finding this new piece of acquired information fascinating. "All right then."
The four of them ate in silence. Squall and Rinoa said nothing and concentrated on eating, but Ashleigh and Seifer would constantly look up at each other and shoot bitter glares. There was a silent dispute between them both, but they weren't going to expose each other. They vowed beforehand that they wouldn't uncover their secrets on account that they should never have to cross paths again. But now that they did … what were they supposed to do?
Seifer didn't say anything else about the matter. Obviously the two of them had their own little war that Squall and Rinoa weren't aware of. He didn't want to make anything too suspicious.
Ashleigh, however, was not backing out with Seifer having the last guilt victory. She was going to make him plummet through a hell of a guilt trip, being careful with what she said of course. But even she did not think before she acted rashly.
"Now that I think about it," said Ashleigh, breaking the silence, "Sierra … you look like someone I know. Don't you think so too, honey?"
Both Squall and Seifer gave her evil eyes, each with their own reason. Squall, having experienced Rinoa's outburst about how everyone kept thinking that she wasn't Sierra, didn't want Ashleigh to touch on the subject. Seifer, not wanting to be exposed for what he did, definitely did not want to touch on the subject. Rinoa just looked away in embarrassment.
"I don't know what you mean," said Squall monotonously.
"Oh come on … she looks so much … like Rinoa, no?" said Ashleigh, treading on thin ice.
Ashleigh … what the hell do you think you're playing at? Squall didn't look at his fiancée, for he was getting very annoyed. Out of all days … you decide to say that when she's actually here?
Squall didn't say anything.
Oh Hyne, not again. Rinoa tried not to take any notice of it. She tried to change the subject. "Hmm, Marcel … do I have anything on my face?"
Seifer kept his gaze on Ashleigh and shook his head without even looking at Rinoa.
"Say, Marcel, what ever happened to Sierra when she had that accident?" asked Ashleigh curiously. She was acting blindly. She didn't even think that Squall would question his values if he ever found out what Seifer did. All she cared about then was making Seifer suffer. She didn't expect him to slip up and confess, and she was sure he wasn't.
"She was in hospital for a couple of days," said Seifer through gritted teeth.
"Ah, I see," said Ashleigh, nodding slowly. "How did you feel, Sierra? It must be horrible being in hospital…"
"Um … yeah, I guess," said Rinoa, shrugging. "I don't really … remember…"
"Huh?" said Ashleigh. She was a very good actor. "You mean … you lost your memory?"
You bitch, Ashleigh. I'm going to kill you with my own hands. Seifer just simply stared at Ashleigh in disgust.
Squall saw both Seifer's and Rinoa's looks, and tried to get Ashleigh to behave properly. Sierra obviously doesn't want to remember when she was in hospital … why is she touching the subject so freely? "Ashleigh…"
"So, did you lose your memory?" asked Ashleigh, ignoring Squall.
"Well … I guess," said Rinoa uncomfortably. "I don't know … can we talk about something else?"
Ashleigh ignored her stepsister's request and looked at Squall. "Honestly … she looks so much like Rinoa, doesn't she?" She looked at Seifer. "Do you know who Rinoa is, Marcel?"
"No."
"She was my stepsister," said Ashleigh solemnly.
Rinoa looked up at Ashleigh and stared.
"She looks so much like Rinoa … it's hard to believe she isn't Rinoa…"
Rinoa couldn't take it anymore. She stood up and threw her napkin on the table. "I don't have to take this anymore."
Ashleigh, amused, looked up at her with innocent eyes. "What's wrong, Rin – I mean, Sierra?"
"I don't need your 'Rinoa' bullshit," she snapped. "I refuse to sit here and listen to you say things I'm sick of listening to." She pulled out her chair and walked out of the restaurant in frustration.
"Wait, Sierra…" Squall stood up and was about to go after her, but Ashleigh grabbed his hand and sat him back down.
"Let her go, if she has issues then let her have her little issues," said Ashleigh simply.
Seifer just glared at Ashleigh and walked out after Rinoa.
Squall, flabbergasted, looked at Ashleigh in disgust. "What the hell was that?"
Ashleigh ignored Squall and shook her head. "How can they just leave like that … they expect us to pay the bill…"
"What's wrong with you?" demanded Squall, "Why the hell did you say all that?"
"I was just stating the obvious," said Ashleigh innocently. "She didn't have to make a scene over nothing…"
"Nothing my ass," snapped Squall, "You don't go saying things like that." I'm the lone wolf and even I know that…
"Humph."
"Waitress," called Squall. He paid the bill and got up.
"Where are you going?" asked Ashleigh.
"Home," said Squall bitterly, "Go find your own way home." And with that, he left the restaurant.
Rinoa sat on the bench in the park nearby the restaurant by herself in the dark. I am Rinoa? I'm so sick of this. My past … I don't remember my past at all, before the accident. I don't remember a thing. What's happening? I really want to know … I thought it would be enough, Marcel telling me my life. But I want more … I want to know for sure that I'm not this 'Rinoa' that everyone loves so much. Ugh, what am I saying? That I don't trust Marcel's word?
She shivered as a cold breeze brushed against her shoulder. She suddenly felt warm as someone placed a jacket over her. Straight away she knew it was Seifer who had approached her.
"So there you are," said Seifer, sitting down beside her.
Rinoa smiled weakly as she snuggled up closer into his white vest. She didn't say anything.
"Park by night," said Seifer with a smirk, "I've always liked the night. More enticing than day, might I add."
Rinoa didn't say anything.
"I bet you're sick of everyone thinking you're someone else," said Seifer.
How did he know? He hasn't been here for it all… "Yeah."
"And that Ashleigh seems like a real bitch anyway," continued Seifer.
Rinoa laughed quietly. "Yeah."
"Yeah," said Seifer, trailing off. "So … I wanna take you away from it all."
Rinoa smirked. "How? Plastic surgery?"
Seifer punched Rinoa's arm playfully. "No."
"Then how?" said Rinoa, beginning to muse.
"Hmm … well, tonight didn't go as I expected," said Seifer. Like hell it didn't. I thought it'd be a walk in the park.
"That's for sure," said Rinoa, not looking at him.
"And, I wanted to take you away from it all on a positive note tonight," said Seifer. "But … y'know, while we're in nice clothes and everything…"
Rinoa laughed, looking into the starry sky.
"Oh, hell, I'll just get on with it," said Seifer. "Hey Sierra." He reached into his pocket and pulled something out. "Let me take you away from it all."
Rinoa looked at him and was about to say something, but before she could, Seifer slipped a tiny gold ring with sparkling diamonds on her left hand, fourth finger. Rinoa stared down at her hand, her heart stopping. Seifer grinned sheepishly. "Marry me?"
Rinoa's eyes lightened up and she looked up at Seifer and grinned back. "Yes! Of course!" She squealed with delight and threw her arms around him, her heart feeling light. He was right … he did take her away from that misery she felt. She didn't want to worry anymore. She didn't want this wretched 'double life' anymore.
Seifer laughed. He was also happy. He had to be the happiest human being in the world. But he couldn't forget the guilt he held. He was supposed to tell Rinoa the truth first, and then ask her to marry him. Not that he thought she would say yes. But just the thought of her rejecting him made his stomach churn. He hated being rejected. All his life he had been rejected … but suddenly things were looking his way.
As an answer to his problem, Rinoa let go of him and smiled. "That's right. I want to be happy. I want to be free. You know, Marcel, I don't care about my past anymore. For so long I've wanted to remember my past, but it's not going to happen. So why bother wanting the impossible? I want to start again. I don't need the past." She pulled off the chain around her neck, the one holding Griever and Julia's wedding ring, the only thing from the past that she could hold onto. "I'm letting it go."
Seifer stared at her in concern at first, but then grinned back. "Good for you."
"Ready?" asked Rinoa. She stood up and turned around. "One … two … three!" She closed her eyes and threw the chain backwards, not caring where it landed.
And that was it for her. She refused to hang onto her curiosity about the past. She wanted to look forward to the future, start a new life. A new life with Seifer … a new life without Squall, or Ashleigh or anyone. And that was enough to make her happy.
A/N: Yup … I really enjoyed writing this chapter. Oh, I'm so evil… -sinister laugh- But hey, don't get angry with me yet! It's not the end yet! There's a lot more evil stuff coming up … I must tie the loose ends, and still haven't decided whether to make it a happy ending or not. The ending is coming soon, might I add. Well … thanks for the support, and look out for the new chappie!
