Author's notes: Finally, I came back! It's been over a year. I'm terribly sorry but a lot had happened and I had just completed my O level examinations and are currently preparing for university entrance. Besides I was working part time for fun but it kind of sucked so I decided to quit after three months and concentrate back on this fiction. I would really love to thank everyone out there for reading and giving me your undying support for this dying (not yet!) fiction. So for all the readers out there, I hope you guys still love this fiction and this chapter is especially for all of you.

Chapter 16 Of Speeches and Glitches (Part 1)

"I stand before everyone today to…to…argh! Come on, Rinoa! Get a grip of yourself! Alright I can do this. Let's see, I stand before everyone today to announce that…argh!" stomping her legs on the floor, Rinoa shouted in frustration. It has been two days since that harsh meeting between Rinoa and the ten generals and in half an hour time, she was scheduled for the first ever meeting with the people of Galbadia and the world medias. Sighing out loudly, Rinoa slumped on to the President's seat. Looking around, she realized how lost she was feeling then without her father guiding her life. A sudden knock on the door startled her from her thoughts.

"Come in," Rinoa said as she straightened herself up. She didn't want to take the risk of having reporters coming in and snapping photos of how clumsy looking a president could be.

"Rinoa, are you ready?" General Martin walked in and looked worriedly at her. "Are you alright?" He continued.

"Yeah. I'm alright," Rinoa replied avoiding his eyes. General Martin shook his head softly. 'Poor girl' he thought. "Anything of importance?" Rinoa asked.

"Oh right. I'm here to inform you that the reporters and the people are ready for you. There waiting outside now," answered General Martin.

"Please give me a few more minutes…," Rinoa's voice trailed off. Her voice clearly shown how much she had been through for the past few days.

"Affirmative. But please do make it fast," General Martin left the room leaving Rinoa alone with her thoughts once more.

"How could I ever thank you, Kiros?" Luxter shouted with joy while hugging the very annoyed looking Kiros.

"I told you I only did it for myself. All your plans of taking over Galbadia has nothing to do with me," Kiros replied while shoving Luxter off harshly. "Besides what's there to be happy about? His daughter is taking his place as a president not you!"

"Heh? That girl? Come on Kiros, did all the years in jail made your brain rusty? What can a girl who's barely 20 years old do? Rule the country? I don't think so!" Luxter claimed happily.

"Think whatever you want. I am going now," Kiros started to walk away.

"Where do you think you're going?" Luxter growled. "I still need your help to overthrow the president. It was I that helped you out of the stinking jail and you better make damn sure you give me everything I want!"

The statement made Kiros stopped in his track and looked back to Luxter. Slowly but steadily he walked towards him with flame burning within his eyes. Luxter gulped as Kiros walked nearer and nearer.

"What do you think you can do? I'm the boss here!" Luxter shouted nervously making Kiros smirked and rolled his eyes.

"Listen, you ain't any boss to me. And I'm damn sure I remembered that you are the one that brought me out of the jail cause if I didn't, your head would be rolling down the streets by now. I know I owe you one but mark my words, don't try to get over my head," Kiros hissed at the frightened Luxter and with that he left the room.

"Damn you Kiros! One day, when this is over, I'm gonna show you who the real boss is! I'll kill you!" Luxter roared in anger.

"Any minute now," Rinoa whispered softly as she inhaled deeply. Looking up, she glanced nervously at the door in front of her. Beyond it, stood thousands of people waiting impatiently for her to make an appearance. Rinoa felt a light tap on her right shoulder.

"I'll be with you," Squall whispered softly. Hearing that, Rinoa smiled softly. 'Well at least he's there for me'.

"It's time," General Martin said as he approached Rinoa. Nodding softly, Rinoa pushed open the door revealing a huge crowd. Blinding flashes were everywhere as reporters from the whole world snapped photos of Rinoa: the new president of Galbadia.

Rinoa trembled as she stood on the pedestal. Looking down she was greeted by thousands pairs of eyes staring back at her as if taunting her.

"Hyne, how did I ever get myself in this mess," she muttered softly under her breath. Rinoa turned her head back and saw General Martin nodding indicating that she should give her speech. Praying hard, Rinoa turned back towards the impatient crowd and began her speech. 'Here goes nothing'.

"You did great just now. That should keep the medias and the people quiet for the moment," General Martin said as he patted Rinoa's shoulder reassuringly. In return, she gave him a weak smile and sighed. Never in her whole life, she would forget that day. The day she almost screwed up the future of Galbadia.

Flashback

"So do you really think you could bear the responsibilities of a president?"

"President Caraway was shot during the ball. Why is that so?"

"What's your comment regarding the attack made to Mr. President? Are you taking any steps to fight back?"

"Why are you chosen as the next president?"

Rinoa found herself speechless when all those questions were bombarded towards her at the same time. She felt the lump in her throat grew bigger as each and every second passed.

"Actually, regarding your questions…," as Rinoa was speaking another reporter rudely interrupted.

"Is Galbadia dead?" The reporter asked insultingly.

That question really ticked Rinoa off. Swallowing down the lump in her throat, she decided to answer back. 'I'll show them what I'm made off'.

Author's notes: Cliffhanger mwhuahaha! Why am I so cruel? Cause I don't know what to write that's why. I got myself into trouble when I wrote the speech part. Yeah, got everything planned but that hahaha….oh dear. Anyway, there will be a second part for this chapter…give me a couple of days and I'll either force my way through or just skip the whole freaking part (laugh evilly). Please R+R and tell me if I'm really lacking now that I never touch this fiction for like over a year. I really welcome constructive criticisms but as for flames…save it cause I don't need it. Last but not least, thank you, whoever you are for still reading my fiction.