A/n:

This is really going to be a mini-series…

Chapter 4: Yearbook 2 – Meet the Parents

She half-slowly, half-hurriedly walked to her parents' bedroom. She can't wait to tell him the news. Her mother is finally coming home!

When she finally reached the door, she placed her ear on the ivory-colored door. Her eyes widened at the sounds she's hearing.

They were moans. No, not only moans, but muffled moans.

"I'm probably just hearing things. Dad is just sleeping." She grabbed the door knob and opened the door slightly. She didn't want to wake her tired father from his peaceful slumber.

When she finally got to peek, she couldn't believe what she just saw.

A naked body, a man's naked body, was on top of a woman she could hardly recognize. They were kissing passionately. Then, she felt her body weaken. Something's not right here. She opened the door a little bit more to reveal the man's face. It was her father!

Cagalli sat up suddenly. Beads of sweat are slowly coming down her face. "That nightmare! It's still so clear in my head," she thought. She placed her hand on her chest to feel her heart beating loudly.

After a few minutes, she finally calmed down. "Wait a minute!" She looked around her. This wasn't her room! "Where am I?"

Then, reality struck her.

She is currently staying at Athrun's house. He told her that since his parents are working in a far place, they live somewhere near that area while he's stuck in this mansion because of school. "It was really kind of him," she thought with a smile.

Then, she heard several knocks coming from the door.

"Cagalli, are you awake? I've come here to bring you breakfast," Athrun's familiar voice rang from outside.

"You may come in, Athrun."

"Good morning, Cagalli," he said with a kiss on her cheek.

Cagalli's eyes widened with the sight. On the hard, wooden tray were pancakes and waffles covered with sweet-smelling syrup. As Athrun was pouring tea into her teacup, she couldn't resist smelling the delicate smell of various herbs.

"Breakfast for my princess," Athrun said with a smile that made Cagalli blush deeply.

She took a bite of the pancakes first then the waffles. "Wow! These are good. Who cooked these?"

"The person in front of you," he said mischievously.

"I thought rich people don't cook," she said as she ate the food.

"Well, in this house, everything's different."

As Cagalli continued to eat her meal, she somehow felt uncomfortable with Athrun's stares. Why does he keep on staring at me like that?

When she couldn't take it any longer, she got the table napkin beside her plate and gently wiped her lips.

"Don't you like what I cooked for you?" he asked her, seeing what she only ate.

"I like the meal, believe me. However, I lose my appetite whenever someone stares at me."

Realizing his mistake, Athrun bowed down his head. "I'm sorry. I just couldn't resist looking at you."

Cagalli held his face with her hands. She placed her face near his and looked at him deeply in his emerald eyes. "You may look at me as long as you want after I eat." Then, she kissed him briefly in the lips and resumed her eating.

When she had finished, Athrun placed the tray down and sat beside her on the bed. He wrapped his arms around her frame and stayed there. Cagalli suddenly felt uneasy but pushed the feeling aside and snuggled in his embrace.

That afternoon…

Cring! Cring!

"Hello?"

"Good afternoon, Vincent. I would like to have a word with my son," replied a man's voice.

"Oh, it's you, sir. I'll call him immediately."

"Vincent, is that my father?" Athrun asked as he entered the room to get something to drink.

"There you are, Master Athrun. Your father would like to speak to you." He handed the phone to him and left.

"Good afternoon, father. Vincent said you want to speak to me."

"Yes, Athrun. Your mother and I thought if you would like to come and have dinner with us. Is that fine with you?" His father asked.

"How about your work?"

"We need to take a break once in a while. Besides, your mother is very anxious to see you."

"Alright," Athrun paused. "Father, is it alright to bring someone along?"

Mr. Zala grew puzzled. "Why did you ask?"

"The people living in the house aren't only me, Vincent, and the maids." He paused again. "There is someone I would like you to meet."

His father relaxed in his chair and thought of it for a moment. "Alright, you may bring your friend along. I will see you tonight. Now, hand over the phone to Vincent. I'll just give him further instructions."

After saying goodbye to him, he handed the phone to Vincent, grabbed a couple of sodas, and left.

Somewhere outside the house…

Cagalli was sitting on one of the garden benches outside the Zala mansion. "This place is so beautiful. It feels as if I'm in a dream," she thought as her eyes marveled at the enchanting sight.

"I see you're enjoying the sight," said a familiar voice.

She only nodded. Athrun handed the soda and sat down beside her. They drank their sodas together and quietly let their souls be amazed at the colorful flowers and humungous trees. Although everything was peaceful, Athrun's mind was troubled on how he should break the news to her.

"Cagalli," he blurted.

"What is it, Athrun?"

Athrun gulped. "Well, here goes nothing," he thought. "Cagalli, my parents are inviting me for dinner tonight. I asked my father if it was alright to bring you along, he said it was OK. So, will it be fine with you if you would come with me to our family dinner?"

Cagalli was surprised. An ordinary girl like her having dinner with one of the most prestigious families in the country? It was enough for her to know Athrun, but meeting his parents is too much for her to handle.

"Athrun, I can't meet your parents."

This time, Athrun was the one surprised. "Why not?"

"It's because…I'm not like you."

He understands what she means. He is sure that his parents won't be pleased if they knew that Cagalli was only a girl their son saw from the streets. It would be a disgrace.

Athrun shook those thoughts away and held her hands. "It doesn't matter, Cagalli. You are created for who you are. Besides, I'm sure they would accept you somehow when they get to know your story."

Cagalli looked into his eyes and saw assurance. He has a strong faith. He believes everything will turn out just fine. If she won't come to the dinner with him, he might not enjoy their family dinner even though they only see each other rarely. She doesn't want to see him in an unhappy state.

"I don't have anything special to wear," she told him in a worried tone with her eyes as if they're saying 'yes'.

Athrun read the message. He suddenly pulled her in a tight embrace and kissed her on her forehead. "Thank you," he whispered to her ear.

Cagalli giggled. She knew Athrun would be happy. "Athrun, I might not be able to get ready for tonight's dinner if we're like this for the next ten minutes," she said teasingly.

He chuckled. "No need to worry. I told my one of the fashion consultants to get something for you to wear."

Cagalli's amber eyes grew puzzled. "When?"

"I talked to her a while ago before going here," he said frankly.

"You don't know my size. How can she find the perfect one?"

He smiled and kissed her lips briefly. "We'll find out when she comes."

That night…

Knock knock

"Cagalli, are you ready? Vincent said we should be there by 7:30," Athrun called out from the door.

"I'll be ready in a minute," Cagalli's voice rang from inside.

After a minute, Athrun heard the knob turn. His cheeks blushed at the sight. There, standing right before his eyes, was a blonde-haired girl wearing a beautiful black dress and high heels. Her hair was arranged in a way the glow of her face would be seen. He could clearly see those curves that were always hidden behind her shirts and pants. It's as if he saw a goddess.

"Athrun, your nose is bleeding!" her voice interrupted his thoughts as she quickly took out some tissue from her bag.

"What! Oh, I'm sorry, Cagalli."

"Hold the tissue until it stops bleeding. C'mon, we need to hurry. It's a bad impression to be late for dinner with your parents," she told him as they ran down the stairs, heading towards the car.

At the restaurant…

"Patrick, our son has arrived," the woman told the man sitting beside her.

"Mama! Papa!" Athrun called out at the sight of his parents. He rushed towards them and embraced them as if he was still a little boy. In the middle of the family's warm embrace, his mother's eyes caught sight of a certain blonde-haired girl with amber eyes.

"Athrun, is she the friend you told your father a while ago?" His mother whispered to her son's ear.

He knew she would ask. He broke the embrace and stood beside Cagalli. "Mama, Papa, I would like you to meet someone special." He held her hand that made Cagalli blush. "Her name is Cagalli."

Hiding the surprised look on her face, Lenore walked close to the said girl and extended a hand to her. "A pleasure to meet you, Cagalli."

"She looks exactly like Athrun. Now I know where he got his good looks," she thought with a smile. "It's my greatest pleasure to meet you, too, Mrs. Zala," she said as she shook her hand.

The lady was surprised again. Even though she has met many great families, none of their children was as polite as this one.

Cagalli then, approached Athrun's father. This time, she was the one who extended her hand for a handshake. "Good evening, Sir."

Mr. Zala doubted at this strange but polite young lady. "She is elegant and polite. I've never met this young lady before. I've met many rich families, but I wonder what family she came from," he thought to himself. "Good evening."

They ate together silently when dinner had arrived. While waiting for the final course, Mrs. Zala thought of getting to know their guest.

"Cagalli, how did you and Athrun meet?" she asked in a gentle tone.

"He saved me from a truck when I sprained my ankle. He then, brought me to the hospital and took care of me," she said with blushing cheeks.

"Oh, I see," the lady said before she took a sip of her drink. "Your dress looks elegant on you, did you buy that?"

"No, ma'am. Athrun bought this for me from a fashion consultant," she replied politely.

Satisfied with what she already knew, she asked her no more.

"Cagalli," Athrun's father said suddenly, "Tell us all about your family background."

His son gulped. He knew his father is too smart to notice. He looked at Cagalli and saw her hands were fidgeting under the table. "If father and mother would hear her story, they would be discourage and wouldn't be allowed in the family," he thought.

"What will I do? I don't want to lie just to impress them, but if I tell them the truth, my relationship with Athrun would end right here. He also be affected, and I don't want that to happen," Cagalli thought.

"Cagalli," she heard Mrs. Zala say, "It's alright to tell us. It wouldn't matter to our family what ever family background you have."

That lifted the burden on Cagalli's shoulders. She took a deep breath and started to tell everything she knew of her family as well as the reason why Athrun found her in the streets. Everybody listened intently especially Mrs. Zala. After spilling out the truth, the three of them found tears in the corners of Cagalli's eyes.

"Don't cry, dear," Mrs. Zala said as she gave her handkerchief for Cagalli to wipe her tears, "You were brave enough to tell us the truth, and I'm happy to let you know that I wanted a girl just like you."

"Mama, does this mean you accept her already in the family?" Athrun asked surprisingly.

"I do, but you must also ask your father's opinion," she said as she turned her head to her husband.

"Papa, would you accept her in the family?" Athrun asked.

"I will tell you right after dessert," he said sternly.

Finally, their dinner ended. They all stood outside as they await their rides.

"Athrun, may I talk to you for a moment?" The said boy's father suddenly asked.

He nodded and together they walked quite far from where the ladies are standing.

"Athrun," his father began, "I have thought about this for a moment and I have decided that she may stay with us, but I am not accepting her yet with open arms."

"But, father," Athrun insisted, "You have heard what she has gone through--˝

"End of discussion," he then turned away and walked towards his wife. Unexpectedly, he stopped his tracks.

"Athrun, do you want her to go to school with you?" He asked.

His son was speechless. "What do you mean, father?"

"She seems to be smart. It would be such a waste of her intelligence if she studies at an average school. I'll give her the proper education that she deserves," he said without looking back at his son. He then, continued his pace.

He didn't know what to say. He understood every word his father said, and that made him put a smile on his face.

A/n:

Sorry for the very long update…