Tsubame: I feel so touched by all my reviewers! You guys are so sweet! Thank you for wishing me luck on my exams! i don't know how I did but I hope I did ok…"sigh." Anyway, thank you for taking time to read my fic and reviewing. It is really appreciated...

I got more reviews than I first expected…yes, I never expected to get 28 reviews! I didn't even expect to get more than twenty but I hoped… to all you nice reviewers, thank you. You don't know how much your support means to me!

By the way, guys? Bad news…well at least for me. i have bad luck with computers…our internet back at home is down. The good think is that I can still write…"sigh"

WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN TO ME! T-T

Chapter 3: Stirs Jealousy

"No…the skirt is too low."

"It does not fit right."

"That's an ugly color for your complexion…"

"How can she walk in that?"

"You've got to be kidding…"

Cagalli was losing her patience with this annoying woman. She was Lizette, the shop owner. Athrun had asked her to simply help her find a dress but the shop owner said she refused to let her leave without getting the BEST of Madame Lizette. She's been trying on dresses for three hours now. She had lost count how many dresses she'd tried on. There was always something wrong with it. Too high, too low, too dark, too light, not enough color, too much color and a lot more to mention. She was sick of hearing it! Reeeaaalllyyy…sick of it…

Athrun was just outside the shop and on the phone with Kira. Cagalli was willing to bet that they were talking about doubling security.

The blonde rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Great…" she thought sarcastically. "Two paranoid dingbats to make my life more miserable…I mean…secured."

"Psssttt…calm down, Cagalli," the pretty brunette behind her whispered. Miriallia Haww was there. She was there to buy a dress for the event too. Miri could see all too well that that the princess was almost at her breaking point. The brunette was helping her fix her hair in a French twist, while Cagalli was grinding her teeth and trying to control her wavering patience.

"Calm down?" she asked in a voice so low that you could barely hear. "Miri, that is like asking me to bring you the moon."

"But…"

"If she…" she pointed at the plump, middle-aged woman waiting for them outside the dressing room. "Doesn't make up her mind soon…I swear I'll do something drastic…"

Miri sighed. Knowing Cagalli, by drastic she meant buying this whole store and firing the owner…or worse. She shivered at the thought. Somehow Miri doesn't like the thought of Cagalli angry

"I can't believe that we actually took this long JUST to buy on stinking dress!" she spat out. "What NORMAL person does?"

"Come on, Cagalli…it's just for tomorrow, right?"

"Yes. But I still don't like it," she growled.

"Cagalli, think about Athrun…" she encouraged her.

"Believe me, Miri, I am…and I'm thinking about killing him right now…and I'm also thinking of a lot of nice different ways to kill him." Her eyes fired. "How do you think will he feel about a guillotine?"

"I recently developed a system that is virtually impenetrable," Kira said. As Cagalli had thought, the two boys were talking about the security. "I'll show it to you maybe tomorrow."

"Hmmm…sounds good," Athrun replied nonchalantly. He was leaning against the shop wall and staring at the ground in deep concentration.

"Athrun? Are you alright" Kira asked. "You don't sound like yourself."

"Huh? Oh, nothing. I'm just a bit distracted."

"Distracted? Of what?"

"Kira, would we be doing the right thing?" Athrun told him. "I mean…Cagalli doesn't like it…and you know what she's like when she's angry."

Kira groaned. "I know it only all too well, Athrun."

"Well, would we be doing the right thing?" he repeated.

"Athrun, aside from knowing what my sister is like when angry, I also know that my bratty sister doesn't know what is best for her."

"You make her sound like she's your younger sister and you're her keeper…"

"I sometimes that way. She seems so much younger than me…"

"But…"

"I know what you're thinking. Don't get me wrong, I love my sister better this way I told you that remember? Although she is as feisty and uncontrollable as fire, she is also courageous, virtuous and always fights for justice. The Cagalli I knew."

"This is the also the Cagalli I fell in love with…" Athrun mumbled.

"Huh? Athrun, did you say something?"

"Ahhh…no," he replied frantically, blushing with embarrassment. He felt so relieved that Kira couldn't see him at that moment. "I was just talking to myself."

"Oh, then I guess you better go. Where are you two anyway?"

"Huh? At the dress shop. Why?"

"Mmmm…how long have you been there?"

"Three hours…"

The line became silent.

"Hello? Kira? Still there?

"Athrun…"

"Yeah?"

"I suggest you run for cover…"

Suddenly, there was a horrific scream from inside the shop. "ALEX DINO! GET IN HERE! NOW!"

"Got to go?" Kira teased. Even through the phone, he knew his sister's scream anywhere.

"Uh, huh…" his sweat dropped. "I think I'm in big trouble."

"You think?" Kira replied, laughing.

The next day, Cagalli was still not talking to him. She had finally blown up after the fifty-ninth dress according to Mirialla. If that was the case, he couldn't blame her for being angry. If he had known at the thirtieth, he would have suggested in going to another shop or something. In the end, they went to another shop owned by Mirialla's close friend, Minerva. The shop was virtually new since Miri's friend was just starting her business.

Cagalli was amused but not surprised that the shop's name was "Minerva."

Athrun didn't know much about fashion but even he could tell that the designer had to be talented. There were dresse of all colors and sizes and for different occasions. There was also something homey about the shop. She didn't feel agitated as she did in the other shop. But then he received an urgent phone call from Kisaka asking him to go to the Orb base immediately. He left Cagalli in Mirialla and her fiend's care. He was gone for two hours and when he returned, Minerva was already packing the dress into a box. The girls were giggling and laughing. It was odd since Cagalli looked like she actually enjoyed it…she hates dress shopping.

She was coaxing Minerva to take the money she was holding but Minerva shook her head.

"I can give it to you for free. Just having the princess wear it is good advertising for the shop. I insist you take it and wear it with pride tomorrow. You hold the future of my little shop in your hands…" she sighed dramatically.

The blonde princess giggled. "Overacting as usual…"

He looked at his watch. It was late…almost 10pm. They have to leave now. They had another busy day tomorrow.

"Are you ready to go, Cagalli?" he asked. He smiled warmly and hoped against hope that Cagalli had forgiven him…

No such luck…

When she saw him, she frowned, looked away and nodded faintly. Clearly…she was still a bit angry.

She turned towards her friends and smiled for them. "I got to go, guys. It's getting late and I've got a full schedule of appointments tomorrow."

They nodded with understanding. She kissed their cheeks and offered them a ride home since it was so late. They declined. Miri was going home with Minerva and she had brought her own car. "I'll see you tomorrow night then, Miri?"

She nodded. Then Athrun and her left the shop. Athrun opened the limousine's door for her. It just got back from its errand. She got in but avoided his gaze and didn't even say thank you.

"Mr. Dino, get in," she said. There was command there and a lot of contained anger.

He did and they were completely silent on the way home.

Athrun sighed at the memory. She was really angry at him now…but he knew she would probably calm down in a few days. He was just relieved that she didn't change her mind about wearing the dress but Cagalli never went back on her word so he really had nothing to worry about.

They were again at her office as usual but the usual bickering was gone. She was in no mood to tangle words with Athrun that morning. He tried to tease her and annoy her. He hated the silent treatment.

"Cagalli…"

"Ms. Attha, please," she snapped.

He straightened. "Yes, I mean, Ms. Attha. You have an appointment for brunch with a US senator, a Mr. Andrew Jordan Collins in half an hour."

"Thank you, Mr. Dino. That is all and I will meet you downstairs in a few minutes after I take care of a few things."

Athrun bowed and proceeded to leave. He knew better than to oppose to Cagalli with her anger that moment.

He'll le her blow off some steam for a few days and all will be fine.

Like she said, she was down in a few minutes. The car was already brought at front. The whole journey, they behaved like strangers…not talking…not looking…they TRIED to avoid noticing each other's presence. But Cagalli was only all too well aware of Athrun's presence. For her, it was impossible not to. She loved him…she never told him that true…but he'd told her so many times already.

She felt like a coward sometimes. Athrun always told her that he loved her bravery, yet saying three words sent a chill of fear down her spine. She would sometime felt that she would rather swim in shark infested waters than tell him. She was scared.

She didn't feel scared at that moment. On the contrary, she felt grumpy. Five hours…she wasted five hours of her time looking for a dress she was just going to wear for one night, when she could have just done something more useful like read through documents and stuff.

She groaned to herself. "Remind me again why I love him?"

"Did you say something, Cagalli?"

"No, Mr. Dino. No problem at all."

The place the US senator rented for his short stay in Orb was not surprisingly a mansion. Athrun noticed that a lot of political figures preferred to live in big, empty, desolate mansions…well maybe except Cagalli. Cagalli will go crazy in complete solitude and she hated mansions actually. Give her the great outdoors any day…

"Is this place always this quiet?" Cagalli asked the old butler.

When they had arrived at the residence, this small, old man greeted them. He bowed to her with respect and asked them to follow him. He will lead them to his master.

They did and though Cagalli was still a…little…bit angry with Athrun, she held his hand with dear life. She was nervous that was for sure. Usually, it was the old politicians are the hardest to negotiate. They are so old fashioned that they don't trust women or worse think that she's a spoiled airhead blonde. She hated that…

Cagalli's nervousness and fear didn't show on her lovely face yet Athun could see it in her eyes. This wasn't the first time she had a meeting with an important man. She actually has one everyday but she can't help feel nervous before the actual meeting but that never stopped her from succeeding. The feeling of victory after every successful negotiation is fun for her.

Athrun smiled and squeezed her hand reassuringly. "You'll do great," he whispered. "You always do." Then kissed her lightly on the cheek.

Instead of replying, she nodded and squeezed his hand even tighter. She was ready. She always was as long as Athrun was there. As angry as she was at him at that moment he was her life support. She could always believe as long as he was there…beside her…holding her hand and reassuring her that everything will be fine…

She ALWAYS believed him.

The butler led them to a huge door and said that this was his master's office.

Slowly, he opened the gigantic doors of the office. By the window, Cagalli could see somebody there. She souldn't see his face though because he had his back turned.

The pair entered but the butler stayed outside and closed the doors. Leaving them alone with the US senator.

Cagalli was confused. Weren't they supposed to have brunch? She cleared her throat and said. "Mr. Collins, I thank you for inviting me to your…umm…nice estate."

At her voice, the man turned around.

Cagalli couldn't hide her gasp.

"Ahfmed!" she screamed. Unexpectedly, she ran to him and hugged him fiercely laughing and crying at the same time. "Ahfmed! You're alive! Does Kisaka know? Why didn't you tell me?"

The man with Ahfmed's dark brown hair and Ahfmed's kind blue eyes, looked at her with the mixture of confusion and fascination. He smiled but said nothing.

"I thought you were dead!" she pulled away and slapped him VERY hard. "You idiot, you made me believe you were dead! I was so…sad!"

Athrun was still by the door watching the two with unhidden anger…his eyes flashed a dangerous green. It was frightening to look at because it screamed murder…

Who was this guy and why does Cagalli seem to know him?

Finally the man spoke, he didn't seem to mind that Cagalli slapped him. If it were possible, his smile became wider. "Ms. Attha, I believe you've made a big mistake."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Ms. Attha, My name is Andy Collins, I'm sorry but I'm not the Ahfmed you speak of."

Cagalli blinked twice, trying to absorb what he had said. "Collins? Oh, no. Don't tell me you're the senator's son!"

He laughed. "All right, I won't."

She sighed with relief. "Thank you…" she was in big trouble if he was the senator's kid.

"Because I am the senator!"

Cagalli fainted…

"Let her lie down here," the senator said pointing to the sofa available in his office. Before Cagalli even hit the floor, Athrun was able to catch her. He carried her in his arms as if she weighed nothing more than a feather.

Athrun nodded and set her down. Placing her head on his lap. What had Cagalli gotten herself into this time?

Athrun looked up to find the senator staring at Cagalli. Athrun didn't like it one bit. "What are you looking at?"

He shook his head. "Nothing, I was just thinking of how fascinating she is."

"Tse…you don't have to tell me that…"

"Do you think…"

"What?"

"Do you think she'll mind going to the dance tonight with me?"

Athrun frowned. He didn't like where this was going. He didn't like it at all…"No, she won't mind…"

Andy's eyes brightened. "Really?"

Athrun shook his head. "No…she won't…but I will…"

It was Andy's turn to frown now. "What?"

Athrun took Cagalli's hand and showed him the ring that he'd given Cagalli so many years ago. "Don't get any ideas…because she's already taken…"

Tsubame: Phew! I finally finished it! Hurray! I didn't expect to finish it for at least another week! I hope you like this chapter! This was only supposed to be a 3-part story but…it just changed…now that it is vacation time my imagination is running on overtime! If you are wondering who the heck Andy Collins is, he's just a Ahfmed look-alike. I just wanted to make Cagalli funny. Hehehehe…

Andy Collins:

The idea of this came to me suddenly. I adapted it from a friend. I hope she won't mind. Yes, she is a girl. I said I "adapted" the name. This does not mean that this is really her name. If you're reading this, you know who you are…

HEY! I want to slap a senator too! (and not get into trouble for it…hehehehe…)