Author's notes: First of all, I deeply apologized for the super duper late update. Actually I wrote this chapter months ago but my laptop was infected by viruses and when I reformatted it, I found out that sadly, I forgot to make a backup copy of this chapter! Hehe, I didn't really get through this shocking incident till lately. A lot of things happened recently. Mostly unfortunate things so I was quite caught up and wasn't free to rewrite it. I was really touched will all those reviews, asking me to continue on. Thank you to all my readers and this chapter is for all of you out there!

Chapter 17

Of Speeches and Glitches Part 2

"A job well done Rinoa!" General Martin said proudly. Rinoa gave him a small smile before sighing in relieve. Rinoa still could not believe what she had done moments ago. Well, how could one forget? The moment when you almost ruin your whole country…

Flashback

"So, is Galbadia doomed to destruction? Are the leaders of the country THAT desperate that they have to appoint a girl as the president?" the reporter smirked as he kept on taunting Rinoa to answers all his questions.

Gritting her through, Rinoa decided that she had enough of all these nonsense. 'That's it! I can't take no more!'

"To all the citizens of Galbadia, can I have your attention please?" Rinoa stated through the microphone slowly gaining the attention of the citizens and in the same time silencing the noises. Taking this as the sign to go on, Rinoa took a deep breath.

"A lot had happened recently. My father, President Caraway was shot in the recently held annual ball at the Galbadia Hotel. Fortunately, he was promptly rushed to the hospital and he is now in a stable condition. During the period of his recovery, I, Rinoa Caraway will be the acting president for this country."

"And no, this country is not doomed to destruction nor are we desperate," Rinoa continued on shutting off the annoying reporter before he had the chance to open his mouth again. "Galbadia has always been a prosperous and free country. Therefore, I believe that each and every one of you will give your full support and cooperation to me until my father is well enough to resume to his position."

"But, a girl?" the annoying reporter asked rudely. Rinoa held back the urge to just pummel that guy there and then.

"Yes, I am a girl, is there any problem to you Mr. Reporter?" Rinoa asked with a forced smile. She could feel the anger within her building up in a very alarming rate. "As long as I perform my duty as the acting president well, I don't see why my gender is questionable in this matter. Are you trying to say that this country is a sexist country and we don't practice liberalism? What are you trying to imply dear sir? Are you trying to insult the citizens of this country?" Rinoa asked on with a fake smile plastered on her face.

The reporter realized that he had screwed up as he began to feel that thousands pairs of eyes were looking at him. Everyone was waiting for his answer. Gulping slowly, he started to tremble. "No…that's not what I meant."

"Then what exactly do you mean when you asked the previous question?" Rinoa retorted.

"…Nothing," the reporter managed to answer meekly. Rinoa could not resist the urge and grinned. She had won the verbal fight. Feeling braver and gaining more confident, she decided to continue her speech.

"Dear citizens of Galbadia, though it is really unfortunate that such incident had happened to our president, but I believe that it will not make us falter. Instead, we shall prove to the world that we are strong and we shall strive for this country, together as one. We shall also prove to this cowardly terrorist that we would not succumb to their demands. We shall fight them and show them what this country and the people are made of. Though I admit that I am inexperience in politics but I pledge that I shall do my best for this country and I hope that all of you will support me through this period of time," said Rinoa as she wrapped up her speech. Smiling, Rinoa waved to the crowd as they cheered on. Evidently, she had gain their trust and support for the time being. Most importantly, she had gained their acceptance.

End Of Flashback

"Just exactly where are we going Mr. Almasy?" asked Quistis. She was starting to feel frustrated with Seifer leading her around the city for more than an hour. They had been walking since late afternoon and now that the sky was all dark, they were still walking. What's worse, he seemed to have no idea whatsoever where he was going.

"Come on, Quistis just a little further. We are reaching," Seifer answered as he led her on.

"Reaching where?" Quistis snapped annoyingly as she let herself to be led on.

"Here we are!" Seifer stated proudly. Quistis bumped onto his shoulders when he stopped abruptly.

"The city square! Seifer Almasy, you actually asked me out on my precious day off and walked for a full hour just to come to the city square! What is wrong with your brain!" shouted Quistis. She could not understand just what exactly was Seifer thinking. Sure, she loves him more than anything yet somehow, on occasion like these, she wanted nothing more but to choke him to death. Personally.

"Geez calm down! Look up!" Seifer pointed up excitedly.

"Oh, I swear, one more nonsense, you are so so…," Quistis did not manage to finish her sentence though. The sound of fireworks cut her off. One by one, colorful fireworks shot up to the sky. Slowly, Quistis began to smile. She had always love the sight of fireworks.

"See, I knew you will like it," Seifer grinned cockily. Quistis wanted to snap back at him back he was faster to act. "Look up, you wouldn't want to miss the finale." Quistis rolled her eyes at the sight of a very cocky Seifer before looking up. More and more fireworks began to shot up and the once cloudless sky was filled with colorful fireworks. The fireworks show was ended with a huge firework being shot up to the sky. It was really loud when it exploded in the sky and nonetheless, very pretty.

Feeling very satisfied and happy, Quistis looked down. Seifer however was no where to be found. A large crowd had started to gather around the city square. Clearly, Quistis was not the only one to be attracted by the fireworks.

"Seifer? Where are you?" Quistis shouted as she tried to look around.

"I am here," answered Seifer. Turning around, Quistis found Seifer standing behind her. He was holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Where did you go?" Quistis asked quizzically. Grinning, Seifer approached her.

"Oh, I was just preparing for the finale," he answered casually.

"Didn't the finale just happen awhile ago?" Quistis asked curiously.

"Oh, you bet it didn't. That wasn't the real finale,"

"Then what is?"

"This is,"

Grinning, Seifer slowly lowered himself on his knees. By then, a crowd had already gathered around them and waiting eagerly for the plot to unfold itself.

"What are you doing, Seifer? Get up now. It's really embarrassing. People are watching us," Quistis whispered as she looked around.

"Marry me, Quistis Trepe,"

"Come on, Seifer. This ain't funny. Get…what?" Quistis turned her head to Seifer. "What…did…you…just…say?"

Slowly, Seifer reached for his pant's left pocket and took out a diamond ring. " I said, marry me…will you?" Seifer asked once more as he held the ring out for her. Feeling tears welling up her eyes, Quistis searced desperately for the right words.

"I…I …I mean…Yes!" Unable to withhold anymore, Quistis jumped onto Seifer and hugged tightly. Feeling very relieved and happy, Seifer pulled her up and gave her a sweet kiss on her lips. When they broke the kiss, Seifer laughed and waved to the crowd as Quistis held onto him, hiding her face in embarassment. Apparently, they did not notice the crowd was watching them all the while. They only realized it when they heard hooting from the crowd when they kissed.

In the midst of their joy, Seifer suddenly spotted two suspicious figures lurking behind the crowd surrounding them. He instantly recognized them; Abs and Luke. 'What the hell are they doing here?' Seifer wandered silently. They were released a day ago due to insufficient evident to link them to the case of assassinating the president.

"What's wrong?" Quistis asked worriedly as she noticed how Seifer was fixing his glance towards the two men behind the crowd.

"Quistis honey, why don't you go back by yourself first? I got something to attend to. I won't be long I promise," whispered Seifer softly. Quistis wanted to protest but she noticed how serious he looked and knew too well that whenever he looked that serious, it meant business. Silently, she nodded.

"Promise me to be careful," pleaded Quistis softly.

"I will. I promise," answered Seifer. Quistis gave him a quick kiss before watching him running through the crowd, towards the two men. Somehow, she had a bad premonition that something was going to happen to her beloved.

"Please come back quickly," Quistis mouthed silently, before heading back to her house with a heavy heart.

Author's notes: Yeah, I completed chapter 17! Alright! Hehe, Seifer proposed! Quite surprising isn't it? I know, because I find it hard to believe myself. However, I felt that I had not been giving both of them a lot of attention so somehow I wanted to put them in this chapter. Well, things happen and somehow, they are both engaged haha! Don't worry; they will be around through this whole story. Squall and Rinoa won't be far behind either! Last but not least, thank you for reading. Please drop me a review to keep me going on! Love you all!