Hatred to Love
A/N: Hey there! How are you all? I know that most of your reviews were all asking "Why continue letting Rinoa suffer?" And "Is this the end?" My replies are this is all part of my sinister little plan. You'll see in future chapters. Just continue reading and you'll find out. And no! This is not the end. There are too many unanswered questions and mysteries in this story and I'd hate to let it end here as well! Before you read, Angelsorceress, yes I do know about YGO (I did have some stories as well, before I deleted them and got obsessed with FF) and I would love to read your story. Much luck with your writing! And one last thank you to Commander Squall Leonhart. Thank you so much for your words of inspiration! And no, I don't mind. I'll be sure to check out your stories!
Chapter 11 – Heavy Hearts
"Well, it's not like Richard Caraway to be late, is it?" remarked Laguna with his trademark cheerful smile.
Raine, Laguna and Squall were standing near the entrance of 'Glass Roses', where they had been invited to dinner that night by Richard Caraway. But he and his family were nowhere to be seen.
Squall casually kicked some pebbles that were a part of the restaurant's beautiful waterfall garden with the tip of his shoe. He really didn't want to go out anywhere that night. He really hated it when his parents just dragged him along with them.
"Richard should know better to get here before the guests do," said Raine shaking her head.
Laguna looked in Raine's direction and gave her a small smile. He then looked over to where his son Squall was standing; distanced away from him and his wife.
Squall looked up to see an exquisite night sky filled with many bright, shining stars. He didn't smile, but his eyes secretly did.
Paint the sky with stars…is what Rinoa always said when she saw the night sky filled with not that many stars.
"Mother, you said that Richard Caraway would be here, didn't you?" asked Squall after being silent for some time.
Raine looked over to see her son actually looking a little interested for the first time this night. Squall didn't look particularly happy when she had told him that they would be going out to dinner that night.
"Yes I did Squall. Rinoa should be coming too," answered Raine who knew that Squall was only asking that question because he really wanted to know whether Rinoa would be coming as well.
Squall gave his mother a little nod, before staring at the road with a cold, intense look on his handsome face.
After several moments, a black, sleek looking designer car pulled up into the parking lot of 'Glass Roses'.
"Finally," Squall heard his father murmur.
Soon after the driver (Richard Caraway Squall presumed) had parked the car, figures emerged from it.
Squall's eyes broadened as he saw the stunning figure of Mandy, his ex-girlfriend in an eye-catching black dress, making her way to him.
"Squall!" squealed Mandy as she leaped into his arms for an unexpected hug. Squall stumbled back a bit, but after moments of her burying her head deep into his chest, he gently pushed her off.
"Good evening Laguna, Raine," greeted Amber politely.
Raine hugged Amber in a friendly way while Laguna and Richard shook hands in greeting. Raine knew that something, or rather someone was missing.
"Richard, where's Rinoa?" asked Raine after noticing that it was the raven-haired girl that wasn't present.
"She was tired from today's events so she decided to nap. And my nephew Nida got food poisoning so he's resting at home as well," responded Richard.
Raine smiled at Richard, before focusing on being welcoming to Amber. "Is that your daughter Amber?"
Amber smiled warmly at Raine and said, "Yes, my only precious daughter Amanda or as she prefers 'Mandy',"
The two women relaxed and began chatting and before long they were in a deep conversation as if they were two old friends who had just met after a long time.
"What are you doing here Mandy?" asked Squall coldly after receiving the sudden hug from her.
Mandy's light hazel eyes twinkled in the moonlight. "Didn't Rinoa tell you?" asked Mandy, changing the subject.
"Tell me what?" said Squall coolly.
Mandy stepped closer to his warm body and began tracing circles on his arm. "That I'm her stepsister," whispered Mandy and looked up into his mysterious blue eyes that she loved sinking in.
Squall's electric blue eyes slightly widened and Mandy could clearly see the shock in his eyes.
"You're lying," accused Squall. Mandy simply smiled her sweetest smile at him as she twirled a lock of her light, wavy blonde hair around her finger.
"I'm not lying Squall, I am Rinoa's stepsister," sighed Mandy as she focused her gaze on the rose garden, that she and Squall were standing near to.
Squall looked at her in an unfriendly manner. "Tell me something Mandy," Mandy looked at him eagerly with a pleased smile on her pretty face.
"What did you do to Rinoa to make her unable to be here?" continued Squall with a colder tone in his deep, voice.
The smile on Mandy's face wiped off as fast as a drop of water dripping into a stream.
"Absolutely nothing!" snapped Mandy haughtily. Squall eyed her suspiciously. There was something in her voice that told him that she wasn't telling the truth.
Squall shrugged it off and walked past her, but before that he remarked cold-heartedly to her, "Be grateful that this isn't a Cinderella story Mandy,"
Mandy's light hazel eyes fiercely looked into his own blue orbs. "Why's that Squall?"
Squall looked past his shoulder and saw that his parents, Richard and Amber had already gone inside the restaurant and had left him standing outside in the cold with Mandy.
"Because then, you'd be the ugly stepsister," said Squall with a smirk on his face and then continued to make his way into the sophisticated restaurant.
Mandy glowered at his backside. "Are you suggesting that I'm ugly!" screamed Mandy. "Answer me!"
Mandy attempted to run after him and also follow him inside the restaurant, but due to her black high heels being so difficult to walk in, yet run, so she tripped over. Mandy sat on the cold, hard ground with a scowl on her face. She saw that some ushers standing near the entrance of 'Glass Roses' were pointing and laughing at her.
"What are you laughing at!" she shouted at them angrily and hastily got up from her position on the ground.
Lying on her stomach, on her warm double bed, Quistis was gazing at the big, white moon that was up in the dark, night sky with a wistful expression on her lovely face. Her looks resembled a pretty porcelain doll, but she had always denied this.
I never knew that I'd be feeling this way, now that we all know Rinoa won't be coming back for term 2…It's as if I lost a part of me.
Quistis turned over and exhaled heavily. She was reading a novel before, but she had found that she was reading the exact same paragraph over and over again. She couldn't really concentrate on reading, when she was thinking and stressing so much.
Or maybe it's because I miss hanging out with Leanna and everyone else…Actually, it was becoming a bit boring for me, hanging out with Rinoa, Squall, Selphie, Zell and Irvine. All they did was tease me or sometimes get caught up in their own worlds. Hanging out with Leanna and all my old friends, to me, was always exciting and never really boring. They actually appreciated me for who I am…
Quistis pulled a pillow and laid it underneath her head. She bit onto her bottom lip as she dialed Leanna's home number. After ringing for a few moments, someone picked up.
"Hello?" said a feminine voice sleepily.
Quistis lightened as she heard Leanna's soft, gentle voice. "Hey Leanna? It's me, Quisty,"
"Hey there Quistis!" responded Leanna contentedly.
"Did I bother you or anything Le?" asked Quistis uneasily who was twisting the phone cord around a finger.
"Nope Quisty. What's up?" asked Leanna in her warm, friendly voice.
"I wanted to ask…do you think it's alright if I sat with you guys at lunch again? I mean…that I really do miss you guys," said Quistis sorrowfully.
On the other line, Leanna's eyebrows were raised high in surprise. "R-r-really Quistis?"
Quistis smiled dejectedly. "Yes, really Leanna,"
"Wait. I thought that when you left our group, you said that you'd be better off hanging with Rinoa and Selphie, rather than us…" said Leanna shortly.
That's true…I did say that…
"Well that was mainly because Mandy was becoming a bitch in training and no one really stood up to her except me," protested Quistis.
Leanna went quiet as she remembered that memory she had tried her hardest to forget.
"Sure, you can come back Quisty. I missed you so much!" said Leanna happily.
Quistis smiled. "So, I'll meet you at the corner at seven fifty, so we can walk to school together on Tuesday, ok Leanna?"
"Sure thing Quisty. Night," said Leanna and she hung up.
Quistis clicked the 'end' button on her phone and sighed to herself.
No regrets about this. I'm gonna go forward and not look back.
As she fell to the carpet floor, Rinoa couldn't understand why Mandy was doing all these vicious things to her. What, thought Rinoa, have I done to that girl, besides date her ex-boyfriend? Oh wait, I also wrecked that dress of hers too.
Feeling that she wouldn't get out of her 'prison' until morning, she pounded on the door one last time in an attempt to get out.
In the other room, Nida coughed loudly. Suddenly he woke up with a fright. Was that a dream? Or did I really hear someone cry and pound on the door?
He got up from his bed, not bothering to make the sheets. He walked outside to where he thought he heard all the cries and hammering on the door.
"Um, hello?" said Nida loudly.
He then heard some muffling sounds coming from his left side, so he turned that way, to be greeted by a closed door.
"Nida!" said a voice, sounding overjoyed.
"Rinoa? Is that you?" asked Nida, scratching his head.
"Yeah it's me! Before you ask, I got locked in here by Mandy! So somehow, could you open the door Nida?" requested Rinoa.
Nida stared at the door, mortified. He paced around the hallway and then felt something uneven beneath his shoe. He leaned down to see what it was and to his surprise, it was a single, silver key that he knew could only belong to Rinoa's door. He had seen his uncle say that it could lock Rinoa's door.
What an idiot that Mandy is. When you attempt to lock someone in, you have to take the key with you! She really is scatterbrained. Sheesh, dropping the key right near Rinoa's room as well.
Nida then proceeded to open the door. Rinoa ran out of the room and into his arms.
"Thanks Nida. I thought that I'd be stuck in there forever," said Rinoa with small tears dripping from her eyes.
"You're welcome Rinny. Hey, don't cry little cousin. Besides, where are Uncle Richard, Amber and Mandy?"
Rinoa shrugged. "Probably at the restaurant where we were supposed to be going to for dinner,"
"And the restaurant is that sophisticated?" said Nida with a grin, referring to Rinoa being so dressed up.
"Yes. The restaurant is that sophisticated," said Rinoa with a roll of her eyes.
"I gotta get changed!" called Nida as he ran back into his room and shut the door.
"You also gotta drive the other car to the restaurant. 'Glass Roses' I think it was called," called Rinoa after him.
Nida opened his door again and stuck his head out. "I gotta drive?" squeaked Nida. Rinoa nodded at him. "You heard me,"
"Fine, I'll drive," Nida then shut the door again.
Rinoa breathed with relief. Finally I got out of there! Thank Hyne that Nida had to drink that Estharian milkshake. Otherwise, I'd probably still be stuck in there. Rinoa looked back into the room with a shudder.
"So this is one of the best restaurants in Esthar?" asked Julia Heartilly, who was in a car with her driver and her assistant Michelle.
Michelle nodded. "Yes it is Julia. Would it be alright if I visited my family?"
Julia looked at her questioningly. "Well, you see Julia, my sister has just given birth and she and the baby are home now," explained Michelle.
"Congratulations Michelle! Of course it'd be alright if you visited your sister and her baby. Tell her that I congratulate her and wish her luck. I won't mind dining on my own," laughed Julia warmly.
Michelle smiled at her. She liked it how Julia was still down-to-earth and friendly, even though she was very famous. It still surprised her that Julia actually seemed approachable, unlike other celebrities, who acted like divas and thought that they were better than everyone else, just because they were well-known.
As the car reached 'Glass Roses' Julia thanked her driver and told him to take Michelle to her family's house. She then waved good bye to them both as she stepped out of the car.
Julia tucked a strand of her dark brown hair behind her ear. She smiled reassuringly to herself and placed her hands into the pockets of her long, brown overcoat. She began to walk to the entrance of the restaurant.
"Mummy!" called a voice from far behind.
Julia smiled to herself and remembered how Rinoa called her that. She ignored the voice, looked straight forward and continued walking again.
"Mummy!" the voice called again. Except that this time, it seemed much closer than the last call.
Julia tried hard to ignore it, but when she heard "Aunt Julia!" she stopped in her tracks and turned around. Her eyes widened as she saw her daughter Rinoa run up to her with open arms.
"Rinoa! What are you doing here in Esthar?" asked Julia softly.
Rinoa hugged Julia even tighter. "I…I missed you so much Mummy!" choked Rinoa.
Julia smiled affectionately at her daughter as she stroked her silky raven black hair. "I know sweetie, I know. I can tell,"
Nida was standing near them, looking rather uncomfortable. When Julia let Rinoa out of her arms and looked in his direction, he avoided her gaze.
"I don't think that you remember who I am Aunt Julia, but I'm N-…" began Nida. But he never finished his sentence as Julia leaned over and embraced him tightly.
"Of course I remember you Nida! How have you been doing?" asked Julia after she had let him out of her arms.
Nida smiled at his beautiful Aunt. "Good Aunt Julia. You?"
The three of them began walking together inside the restaurant together. Rinoa asked Julia a lot of questions. And of course, Julia answered them all. Julia also questioned Rinoa and she answered them too. After all the questions and answers, they all began talking.
Once they were inside the elaborate restaurant (the ushers had directed them up to a private banquet room), Rinoa quickly scanned the entire room for her father, Amber and Mandy. After scanning several times, she was about to give up, but then she spotted Mandy's long blonde hair, which was hard to miss.
"I propose a toast," said Richard raising his glass up.
Amber looked at her fiancé with a charming smile forming on her lips. "What for darling?"
Raine and Laguna also raised their glasses, but Squall and Mandy both chose not to participate. Instead, Mandy watched them with a sweet smile on her face and Squall looked at them, with an uninterested look on his face.
"To…Julia…" murmured Richard as he lost control of his glass and dropped it. The contents of it spilled all over the red and white tablecloth as well as on Richard's pants. The remainder of the drink spilt over the edge of the table and onto the tiled floor. Amber hastily took a serviette and helped Richard wipe the wine off his pants.
"Excuse me Richard?" said Amber with a small frown on her face after she had given the wet serviette to a waitress to throw away.
Richard couldn't answer her. He couldn't tell his fiancée that his ex-wife was also under the same roof that they were as well. He had requested to the waiters when he had made a reservation, to let them dine in a private banquet room, but he couldn't figure out how his daughter, ex-wife and nephew had managed to get in. Especially his ex-wife.
Julia looks so beautiful tonight…But, I'm in love with Amber. Why am I feeling this way? My heart now feels so heavy. Or it might be because of all the wine we drank in celebration…But since when do two glasses of wine make your heart feel so heavy?
"Mandy!" called out Rinoa. The blonde jerked her head around. She gasped as she caught sight of her stepsister, standing with Nida and her mother Julia with her arms folded and a smirk on her face.
"Is something wrong Mandy?" asked Raine gently as she saw the shaken look on Mandy's faintly pale face.
"No. Everything's absolutely…perfect," mumbled Mandy as she found her voice again. She had already tried her best to keep Rinoa out of her way. But she knew that Rinoa just being here would just ruin her evening anyway.
Squall glanced at Mandy distrustfully. He turned his head around and saw Rinoa. Rinoa…thought Squall, feeling his heavy heart lighten.
"Julia, Nida, Rinoa, come join us," called Laguna who had just spotted them. The three of them looked up and saw Laguna smiling at them.
As they approached, several waiters pulled chairs up for them. Julia graciously thanked them, before they all sat down. The three of them greeted everyone as they settled in.
There was an uneasy silence that rushed through the table. Before Julia, Rinoa and Nida had arrived without warning; there were conversations brewing, drinks being sipped and laughter in the air. But now, it was so quiet, that you could hear the wind outside blowing.
Richard cleared his throat. "What…what brings you here Julia?" asked Richard who was clearly still shocked.
Amber shot Julia a look. She then turned to her fiancé with a look on her face that merely said 'Get rid of her!'
"Hello there Julia," greeted Raine and Laguna in unison. They smiled sincerely to their old friend. She had seemed a little nervous about sitting there as well, but with their warm greetings, Julia instantly felt relaxed.
Rinoa's chair was placed next to Squall's and she was relieved to see that her boyfriend was there as well. Under the table, she held onto his hand tightly. Mandy had shot her several death stares as she sat down, but when the adult's attention was all on Julia, Rinoa swore so quietly that only Mandy could hear her.
"Good evening Julia," said Amber after a long time of being silent and forcing a weak smile on her face.
Why does his ex-wife have to be here? This just spoils the mood now. No one likes dining with their spouse's ex. Maybe she wants to break Richard and myself up, because it's killing her that her ex has a new love, while she's still single.
"What are you doing here in Esthar Julia?" asked Raine softly who was secretly pleased that her old friend was there. She had felt a bit uncomfortable talking to Amber, as the woman only talked about topics that she didn't want to discuss.
Julia smiled. "I'm just here for a meeting about the upcoming award show held here in Esthar in several months' time,"
"Oh alright. Will you be performing at it Julia?" asked Laguna who was now looking keen and interested.
Julia nodded excitedly at him. "Really? I love your music Miss Heartilly!" said Mandy breathlessly. Rinoa, Nida and Squall rolled their eyes while Amber looked over to her daughter in surprise. Julia smiled at the girl, but not one of her warm, friendly smiles. Something about Mandy told her that she wasn't what she seemed.
I can just imagine it. All over magazine covers, 'Meet Julia Heartilly's daughter's stepsister'. I wish it could be true! Thought Mandy vaguely.
"What brought you here to this restaurant Julia?" asked Richard, trying hard to keep calm. But Julia knew him well and recognised the irritation in his voice.
"Am I not allowed to eat at any restaurant that Richard Caraway is eating at?" replied Julia pleasantly and gazing straight into his dark, brown eyes.
"Yes. I mean no! Hyne Julia, will you stop testing my patience?" demanded Richard, his face now looking distressed. Amber placed her hand on his arm. But that didn't calm him down.
Laguna and Raine ate their entree meals quietly. From previous times in the past, they knew not to interfere with Julia and Richard's infamous arguments. It was their business and both Laguna and Raine respected that. Nida sat there quietly eating as well. He really didn't want to listen to his uncle and aunt bicker.
"Julia, just be thankful that Richard let you sit with us. Kindly do not argue with my fiancé. He could've easily had you taken out already!" said Amber through gritted teeth and she glared at Julia in a deadly way.
Julia snapped "Stay out of this Amber!" at the same time Rinoa had said "Oh shut up Amber,"
"Rinoa," said Squall firmly. Rinoa looked at him with an innocent look on her angelic like face.
Rinoa then got up and took Squall outside to the restaurant's balcony with her.
The adults didn't even realise that Rinoa and Squall weren't even in their seats anymore. Julia, Amber and Richard were now in a three way argument (or as Richard called it, a 'disagreement'), Laguna and Raine were now moving on to eating the main course, Nida was sipping some iced Sprite and Mandy had slowly and carefully followed Rinoa and Squall. The restaurant respected their customers a lot, because there were long, white curtains covering the long arch windows from the inside. Mandy slipped behind the curtain and to her surprise, there was an ornamental sculpture that she could hide behind, so that Rinoa and Squall couldn't spot her spying on them.
As Rinoa led Squall across the balcony, he stopped walking. Rinoa looked behind her shoulder and then stopped as well.
"What's wrong Squall?" asked Rinoa timidly. Squall looked down at his girlfriend, who was looking as beautiful as ever. He felt his heart wasn't that heavy as it was earlier that evening.
"Why didn't you tell me that Mandy was your stepsister?" asked Squall gesturing back to the private banquet room.
Rinoa's eyes lowered as she bit her lip. She walked across and looked up into the night sky. "I…I wanted it to be the right time to tell you that. I didn't want to tell you at a random moment that your ex-girlfriend would be my stepsister!"
"But you know that you can tell me…anything Rinoa…" said Squall walking over and tying his arms around her stomach.
Rinoa nodded, her eyes closing for a brief moment before opening again. Mandy, who had stuck her head out from behind the sculpture to see what was happening, almost screamed as she observed what was happening outside.
Why? Why would he be so loving and affectionate to…to her when she didn't really do anything to earn it? I…I cared for him. I listened to him when no one else would. I was his pillar of support. I stood by his side. I fell in love with him! And here I am, still picking up the frickin pieces that are left! Thought Mandy heatedly, wishing that Rinoa hadn't re-entered Squall's life.
Squall pulled Rinoa around and embraced her tightly. Rinoa felt the warmth in his body and wondered how a cold person like him, could feel so warm. She rested her head on his shoulder and exhaled softly.
Mandy then accidentally bumped the sculpture and it trembled a couple of times and just as Mandy had sighed with relief, it hit the glass window, making a vibrating sound as well as leaving a little crack.
Whoops…My bad…thought Mandy fretfully.
Rinoa examined the window where she had heard something crack and frowned. She thought that it was just her imagination and tried to push the thought out of her mind. She felt as if she could melt in Squall's arms.
He never did anything to show his affection for me. He never did anything of his own free will to show that he cared. It was always me who showed my devotion and affection for him. Why would you love Rinoa when she obviously doesn't love you the way I do Squall? Why!
Rinoa took her head off Squall's shoulder and leaned up to kiss his lips. She didn't care that it was out in public. She didn't care that at any time the adults could come out and see what they were up to. She didn't care that her cousin Nida or her stepsister Mandy could be watching them right now. She didn't care that this might probably be the last time she could do this with him. The only thing that mattered was that she was happy.
Tears welled up in Mandy's eyes as she saw this scene. She looked down to the ground, her long, wavy blonde hair covering her face and her tears dripping down onto the tiled floor. Deep down, her heart was being ripped up into shreds once again.
So, he really does love her…more than he loved me…Damn Squall! I love you! I love you more than you'll ever know! I…love…you Squall. If only you knew…
With one last look at Rinoa and Squall locked in a tight embrace and kiss, Mandy turned away, feeling her heart ache. She wiped her tears away and was breathing heavily.
Moments later, she looked out to the big moon, with a small smile playing on her lips. Maybe…just maybe…there is a way to break Squall and Rinoa up for good.