Author's notes: Hello again! After nearly two months, I am back!!! Whee!
Ok, first of all, I want to apologize for the late update. Well my sis came
back and you know, family outings, school assignments..so I kinda like
actually forgotten about this fiction until I received the 100th review. I
was so delighted and somehow remembered hey! I wrote a fiction and it is
hanging out there! :p So anyway, here I am writing the 12th chapter. Hope
you guys enjoy it! Last but not least, thank you for reading!
Chapter 12
The ball invitation.
Squall woke up groggily from the bed muttering curses when the sunlight shone brightly from the outside illuminating his face. Reluctantly, he left the bed and walked to the windowpane. Letting down the curtains, he looked up at the clock on the wall; 7.30 a.m. Sniffling a soft yawn, he popped back down to the bed and jumped up almost immediately when he felt a hand touching his bare back. Looking down, he sighed in relief when his gaze was met with a pair of beautiful brown eyes.
"Hey," Rinoa muttered. "It's still early. Come back to bed." Squall couldn't help but smiled at her comments. Never once he would imagine that Rinoa would love him but there she was, staring at him with her puppy eyes.
"I think I got to go now. It's nearly eight now. Your father will be back by twelve," Squall replied as he sat down on the bedside.
"He's coming back today? Damn! I totally forgot bout it! Thanks for reminding me, I got preparations to be made. But...."
"But what?" Squall asked curiously.
"It's not even eight yet so you're coming back to bed!" Rinoa shot up and pinned Squall down to the bed. It was not until 10 in the morning they finally came out of that room. :P
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Upon the afternoon, an old but good-looking man arrived in an exquisite limousine at the presidential palace. 'Thank god I came back alive!' he sighed in relief. Walking down from the car, he walked forward to the main entrance for his heart was anticipating in meeting a certain someone. Ignoring all the salutes and greetings, he opened the main door and walked into the presidential palace for the first time in the week. He looked around silently, scanning each and every corner for that certain someone. However, he did not found her. Finally he gave up his search and made his way up to his office when a figure approached him slowly from behind.
All of a sudden, Caraway found himself being hugged tightly from behind. Before he had the time to react he heard his daughter's sweet voice ringing through his ears.
"Welcome back dad! I miss you so much!" Rinoa squealed with delight as she tightened her hug around her father. Caraway smiled at the remarks and hugged her back pouring all his love on her indicating that he missed her too. Deep inside, Caraway was also very much relieved that his daughter was hugging him at the moment and not being kidnapped from the resistance group members.
"So, care to join me for lunch now?" Caraway asked Rinoa.
"Of course dad! I got so many things to tell you. A lot had happened during this week!" Caraway chuckled as his daughter practically dragged him to the dining room.
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An hour later, Caraway found himself still sitting at the dining room munching up his lunch slowly as he listened carefully to Rinoa's talking. Somehow, deep inside his heart, he knew that he wouldn't have much chance to do what he was doing right at that moment. No matter how calm and peaceful the surroundings seemed to be, he knew that there was a dark shadow approaching and there would be a moment where his life would be taken away by the shadow. If all those threats were to happen twenty years ago, he wouldn't care at all for he was alone and he was always prepared for it. That was the consequences of being a powerful country's leader. But twenty years later, he had been through many changes and at this moment, he was scared. It was a shame but yes, the famous president Caraway was scared of death for he did not want to leave his beloved daughter so soon. After all, she was his only precious love after his wife left him years ago.
"Dad! Are you listening?! Rinoa asked removing Caraway from his deep thoughts.
"Um....of course I am! What do you think I am doing? Dreaming?" Caraway chuckled nervously gaining some curious glances from Rinoa. Clearing his throat, Caraway changed the topic.
"So, by the way, while I am away...what happened between you and him?" Caraway asked while giving Rinoa a smirk.
"Who?" Rinoa asked innocently.
"Your bodyguard or better known as your boyfriend, Squall," Caraway laughed softly before drinking up his orange juice.
"Dad! He's not my boyfriend!" Rinoa exclaimed feeling a rush of blood up her face. "Well, at least he didn't say so even though we..." Rinoa added under her breath.
"Excuse me? I didn't hear you," Caraway teased back.
"Aw, stop it dad! It's lucky Squall's not here!" Rinoa tried to argue back.
"Talk about it. Where is he anyway?"
"He's outside at the garden,"
"Why didn't you ask him to join us for lunch?"
"He's having a headache. Lack of sleep," Rinoa answered simply while finishing up her food.
"Lack of sleep? What did he do yesterday?" Caraway asked but he didn't get any answer. Instead he was met with a blushing Rinoa who was trying her best to keep her head down and finishing her food. Shaking his head, he kept his silence and continued eating.
************************************************************************
A knock at his office's door startled him from his intense work.
"Come in," Caraway stated. A soldier came in and saluted before presenting him a letter of invitation. "What is this, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, this is the letter of invitation from the city hall inviting you and Miss Heartilly to the annual ball. The letter came a month ago, and you accepted the invitation and asked me to keep the invitation letter before giving it back to you when the time comes," the soldier explained.
"Oh dear, I totally forgot about it. Did Rinoa know about it?" Caraway asked.
"Er...yes sir. I told her before and I had reminded her yesterday so there shouldn't be a problem," he replied.
"All right then. When is it?"
"Tonight at 8 sir! They are holding it at the Galbadia Hotel and according to the schedule, you are suppose to arrive at 8.30 pm sharp," the soldier continued.
"All right. Please prepare a car for me at 8 pm. Thank you for reminding me," Caraway took the letter from the lieutenant. "Anything else?"
"No sir!"
"All right then. You may go now,"
"Yes, sir!" The soldier turned and walked away leaving Caraway in his room alone again gaining his thoughts.
************************************************************************
Rinoa walked out to the garden silently trying to spot for any sign of Squall. He had been at the garden for nearly two hours.
"I hope he didn't vaporized away," Rinoa chuckled under her breath. Walking around the garden, she couldn't find him anywhere. Groaning in annoyance, she sat down at a wooden bench and closed her eyes enjoying the greenery.
"Hey," a voice muttered behind Rinoa making her jumped up. Turning around, she shot the figure a death glare.
"Must you scare me like that?" Rinoa asked while folding her arms. Squall shrugged and sat down at the bench.
"I was just greeting you," Squall answered toneless. Rinoa sighed and sat beside him. Minutes passed, and poor Rinoa was getting impatient. Squall did not mutter a word ever since they sat down. Occasionally, Rinoa would steal some glances at Squall but quickly averted her gaze once Squall looked back at her.
"What is it? Squall asked breaking the silence.
"What?" Rinoa asked back nervously.
"You were....(looking at me) Never mind. Anyway, is there anything you want me to do?" Squall enquired.
"Um..actually," Rinoa began to stare down at her own legs nervously. (Here goes nothing.) "There's an annual ball held at the Galbadia Hotel tonight and my dad and I were invited."
"Yeah, I heard about it. So?"
"So.....can you go...with me?" Rinoa blurted out finally.
"Sure," Squall answered.
"Huh?"
"I said sure," Squall said. Rinoa looked at him blankly before smiling.
"Oh okay. We'll be going at 8pm," Rinoa stated.
"All right. It's that what you're going to ask me?" Squall asked.
"Huh..I mean yeah. What's wrong?" Rinoa asked.
"Nothing," Squall answered before standing up. "Aren't you going back in?"
"Yeah sure. Wait up," Rinoa stood up. Before long, both of them were walking back in. Hand in hand.
************************************************************************
Phew! Finally! Another chapter done! I am so busy studying these days. Test coming without me knowing it. Hehehehe. Anyway, please review. Last but not least, thank you for reading!
Chapter 12
The ball invitation.
Squall woke up groggily from the bed muttering curses when the sunlight shone brightly from the outside illuminating his face. Reluctantly, he left the bed and walked to the windowpane. Letting down the curtains, he looked up at the clock on the wall; 7.30 a.m. Sniffling a soft yawn, he popped back down to the bed and jumped up almost immediately when he felt a hand touching his bare back. Looking down, he sighed in relief when his gaze was met with a pair of beautiful brown eyes.
"Hey," Rinoa muttered. "It's still early. Come back to bed." Squall couldn't help but smiled at her comments. Never once he would imagine that Rinoa would love him but there she was, staring at him with her puppy eyes.
"I think I got to go now. It's nearly eight now. Your father will be back by twelve," Squall replied as he sat down on the bedside.
"He's coming back today? Damn! I totally forgot bout it! Thanks for reminding me, I got preparations to be made. But...."
"But what?" Squall asked curiously.
"It's not even eight yet so you're coming back to bed!" Rinoa shot up and pinned Squall down to the bed. It was not until 10 in the morning they finally came out of that room. :P
************************************************************************
Upon the afternoon, an old but good-looking man arrived in an exquisite limousine at the presidential palace. 'Thank god I came back alive!' he sighed in relief. Walking down from the car, he walked forward to the main entrance for his heart was anticipating in meeting a certain someone. Ignoring all the salutes and greetings, he opened the main door and walked into the presidential palace for the first time in the week. He looked around silently, scanning each and every corner for that certain someone. However, he did not found her. Finally he gave up his search and made his way up to his office when a figure approached him slowly from behind.
All of a sudden, Caraway found himself being hugged tightly from behind. Before he had the time to react he heard his daughter's sweet voice ringing through his ears.
"Welcome back dad! I miss you so much!" Rinoa squealed with delight as she tightened her hug around her father. Caraway smiled at the remarks and hugged her back pouring all his love on her indicating that he missed her too. Deep inside, Caraway was also very much relieved that his daughter was hugging him at the moment and not being kidnapped from the resistance group members.
"So, care to join me for lunch now?" Caraway asked Rinoa.
"Of course dad! I got so many things to tell you. A lot had happened during this week!" Caraway chuckled as his daughter practically dragged him to the dining room.
************************************************************************
An hour later, Caraway found himself still sitting at the dining room munching up his lunch slowly as he listened carefully to Rinoa's talking. Somehow, deep inside his heart, he knew that he wouldn't have much chance to do what he was doing right at that moment. No matter how calm and peaceful the surroundings seemed to be, he knew that there was a dark shadow approaching and there would be a moment where his life would be taken away by the shadow. If all those threats were to happen twenty years ago, he wouldn't care at all for he was alone and he was always prepared for it. That was the consequences of being a powerful country's leader. But twenty years later, he had been through many changes and at this moment, he was scared. It was a shame but yes, the famous president Caraway was scared of death for he did not want to leave his beloved daughter so soon. After all, she was his only precious love after his wife left him years ago.
"Dad! Are you listening?! Rinoa asked removing Caraway from his deep thoughts.
"Um....of course I am! What do you think I am doing? Dreaming?" Caraway chuckled nervously gaining some curious glances from Rinoa. Clearing his throat, Caraway changed the topic.
"So, by the way, while I am away...what happened between you and him?" Caraway asked while giving Rinoa a smirk.
"Who?" Rinoa asked innocently.
"Your bodyguard or better known as your boyfriend, Squall," Caraway laughed softly before drinking up his orange juice.
"Dad! He's not my boyfriend!" Rinoa exclaimed feeling a rush of blood up her face. "Well, at least he didn't say so even though we..." Rinoa added under her breath.
"Excuse me? I didn't hear you," Caraway teased back.
"Aw, stop it dad! It's lucky Squall's not here!" Rinoa tried to argue back.
"Talk about it. Where is he anyway?"
"He's outside at the garden,"
"Why didn't you ask him to join us for lunch?"
"He's having a headache. Lack of sleep," Rinoa answered simply while finishing up her food.
"Lack of sleep? What did he do yesterday?" Caraway asked but he didn't get any answer. Instead he was met with a blushing Rinoa who was trying her best to keep her head down and finishing her food. Shaking his head, he kept his silence and continued eating.
************************************************************************
A knock at his office's door startled him from his intense work.
"Come in," Caraway stated. A soldier came in and saluted before presenting him a letter of invitation. "What is this, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, this is the letter of invitation from the city hall inviting you and Miss Heartilly to the annual ball. The letter came a month ago, and you accepted the invitation and asked me to keep the invitation letter before giving it back to you when the time comes," the soldier explained.
"Oh dear, I totally forgot about it. Did Rinoa know about it?" Caraway asked.
"Er...yes sir. I told her before and I had reminded her yesterday so there shouldn't be a problem," he replied.
"All right then. When is it?"
"Tonight at 8 sir! They are holding it at the Galbadia Hotel and according to the schedule, you are suppose to arrive at 8.30 pm sharp," the soldier continued.
"All right. Please prepare a car for me at 8 pm. Thank you for reminding me," Caraway took the letter from the lieutenant. "Anything else?"
"No sir!"
"All right then. You may go now,"
"Yes, sir!" The soldier turned and walked away leaving Caraway in his room alone again gaining his thoughts.
************************************************************************
Rinoa walked out to the garden silently trying to spot for any sign of Squall. He had been at the garden for nearly two hours.
"I hope he didn't vaporized away," Rinoa chuckled under her breath. Walking around the garden, she couldn't find him anywhere. Groaning in annoyance, she sat down at a wooden bench and closed her eyes enjoying the greenery.
"Hey," a voice muttered behind Rinoa making her jumped up. Turning around, she shot the figure a death glare.
"Must you scare me like that?" Rinoa asked while folding her arms. Squall shrugged and sat down at the bench.
"I was just greeting you," Squall answered toneless. Rinoa sighed and sat beside him. Minutes passed, and poor Rinoa was getting impatient. Squall did not mutter a word ever since they sat down. Occasionally, Rinoa would steal some glances at Squall but quickly averted her gaze once Squall looked back at her.
"What is it? Squall asked breaking the silence.
"What?" Rinoa asked back nervously.
"You were....(looking at me) Never mind. Anyway, is there anything you want me to do?" Squall enquired.
"Um..actually," Rinoa began to stare down at her own legs nervously. (Here goes nothing.) "There's an annual ball held at the Galbadia Hotel tonight and my dad and I were invited."
"Yeah, I heard about it. So?"
"So.....can you go...with me?" Rinoa blurted out finally.
"Sure," Squall answered.
"Huh?"
"I said sure," Squall said. Rinoa looked at him blankly before smiling.
"Oh okay. We'll be going at 8pm," Rinoa stated.
"All right. It's that what you're going to ask me?" Squall asked.
"Huh..I mean yeah. What's wrong?" Rinoa asked.
"Nothing," Squall answered before standing up. "Aren't you going back in?"
"Yeah sure. Wait up," Rinoa stood up. Before long, both of them were walking back in. Hand in hand.
************************************************************************
Phew! Finally! Another chapter done! I am so busy studying these days. Test coming without me knowing it. Hehehehe. Anyway, please review. Last but not least, thank you for reading!