Chapter seven – Threats

"Relena… Trowa is dead."

Relena clutched the pen she was holding in her right hand. She stared at the file lying on her desk. She tried to read the letters on the paper and form words with them. Cold sweat was breaking out on her already tensed up face. She tried to swallow against the lump in her throat.

"Who killed him, Hilde?"

"Why do you think someone killed him?" Hilde asked astonished.

"I know it," the blonde answered simply.

Hilde cast her eyes down; avoiding her best friend's gaze.

"Do you suspect someone?"

Slowly Relena nodded staring at the girl opposite her.

"Treize," she said then quietly.

"I'm sorry, Relena. No one has killed him."

"Then… how? …Accident, right?"

"I'm afraid not."

The look on Hilde's face was frightening her.

"Then… how could he –"

Relena knew what Hilde wanted to tell her. Hesitating to tell Hilde opened her mouth a little. Relena wished deeply in her heart Hilde would just shut her mouth and she'd wake up realising it was only a dream.

No.

A nightmare.

Her heart beat was beating madly like it never had done before. Sweat was breaking inside of her, though she didn't flinch, there were no signs of sweat on her face or body. Almost calmly she was staring at Hilde.

The dark haired woman shut her mouth only to open it a second later again and utter the words out Relena would never be able to forget her whole life.

"Hello…? I'm talking to you, princess. Wake up. Daydreaming in your office is a very very bad habit. HEY!"

Relena snapped up from her thoughts to see a grinning face being still in a daze.

"Duo! What are you doing here?" she said as she tried to close those dreadful thoughts in a far corner of her mind. The man with the long, brown braid pulled a face at her question. He started to play with his braid while was talking.

"Actually I wanted to take Hil – your secretary out for lunch. But she isn't here anymore."

The look on his face was disappointed and his lips pouted. Relena fought against the urge to laugh at the look on his face. She glanced at her watch.

"It's a half past twelve. She has already gone out for lunch."

'Though it's strange… She would just lunch in the office or out with me…' Relena thought but was distracted from her thought again by Duo.

"What! Oh shit man! But why are you then still here?"

A little panicking she tried to find a good excuse. But there was already no need for that.

"Still working at lunch time, huh? Bad girl. Don't overstress yourself, princess."

Relena felt her throat tighten.

"But we can go out for lunch too, can't we?" He winked at her cheerfully. "I won't bore you, I promise."

She forced to smile a little.

"Yeah sure, Duo, why not."

Duo helped her with piling the papers and files up wordlessly. After that Relena picked her white bag up and headed towards the exit of her cabin. Duo was already holding the door open for her. Reminding her of someone.

'Trowa…'

"So, what do ya say, beautiful. I know a nice place, only a few miles away from here. Very luxurious. And nice waitresses…" he grinned. "I'll threat. Is that fine with you, princess?"

He was now grinning broadly while he walked next to her exiting her office though his grin faded when he saw her face.

"Relena…?"

She'd stopped suddenly. He turned around wondering what the hell he'd done wrong now.

'Oo, I always screw it up,' he thought.

"Would you mind something, Duo?" she uttered in a small voice staring blankly up at him. "Please… don't call me… princess again."

"But –"

"Please, Duo, it has nothing to do with you."

He stared for a while after her, and then smiled; he knew what she was going through.

"Ok, Relena, but then I'll have to call you something else. Let me think…"

While he was loudly thinking names for her they walked out her office. Relena was feeling but happier now she distracted from her thought by him. She was glad he was there to accompany her. And indeed, he was a good company. Not letting her think of those frightening and awful thoughts anymore.

"Um, sexy… babe… beautiful… I know what! I'll call you the seducing blonde! What do you think?"

Relena blushed furiously. People were turning their heads towards them to look why they were being so noisy.

"Whatever Duo you feel like call me, please… I'm wondering where Hilde went without telling me… Where could she have gone?

o0o

"I don't want to… let it start again – listen, I can't do this. I'm sorry Quatre."

Her face was set determined though her voice was weak; it left her as always in his presence. The 24-year-old man looked up. Hilde avoided his gaze and shove her chair back.

'Why did I come here?'

She grabbed to her handbag but the blond man seized her hand. With that always so soft look in his eyes he stared her; pleading her to stay. That look that at a time once had made her melt and fall for him. She wanted to tear her eyes away from his, but she didn't get any luck in succeeding. A few people glanced at them in the expensive restaurant they were sitting in, but paid further no attention to them.

"I don't want to start anything again, dear Hilde," he said slowly while staring at her penetratingly. "I only want you to… believe in me."

"Do you want me to believe that your parents forced you to marry someone you didn't want to? I'm sorry, but I can't believe that. You're their youngest son; they would never force you even if they went bankrupt!"

The dark haired woman was as always not caring what people around her would think. She was almost yelling at the man that was looking so innocent. But it was all a mask, wasn't it?

She pulled her hand back from under his, but couldn't break the eye contact. She knew she'd to go. Get out of her. Away from him, because she knew that else she'd lose this battle with herself and would in the end give in to him.

"Yes, it's true," he said now in an even softer voice.

Not that she was weak. No. But because she still loved him. This blond deceiver.

'I should've never come to lunch with you, Quatre. Now, it'll only cause me more pain.'

"Quatre, if you still love – care about me, please, don't stop me, but if you intend to hurt me."

His eyes widened a little in shock of her words. He opened his mouth to object but finally he cast his eyes away from her.

"Never meet me again but if you want to see me suffer," her voice was cold now.

'Am I really doing the right thing? Had Relena been telling no lies? Was he really honest? Then why…?'

With a jolt she whirled around to the exit, before she would change her mind. When she slammed the door shut of her small car she finally noticed it; her hands were trembling.

o0o

Hilde's voice reached Relena's ears: "He committed suicide, Relena. He was too weak to cope with his problems anymore.

"Was it because of… me?" her voice shook like her body did. With her eyes closed Hilde shook her head.

"He'd hidden his problems from almost everyone, include me and you," Hilde opened her eyes again and looked Relena straight in the eye. "He tried to keep it a secret, Relena, but when he thought it would be exposed to everyone, he just… gave up" her voice trailed off. "Would you've ever expected of Trowa that he –"

Something was disturbing her. The blonde frowned still half in sleep. What was it? Tensed she rubbed her eyes to get her sleep away. It was so suffocating, so hot. With half open eyes Relena pulled – what had to be the blanket – away. The sound was still disturbing her. She sighed when it finally got through her that her cell phone was ringing. Feeling less sleepy she turned the light on her side table on and grabbed her phone. She blinked before she got her vision clear. Recognizing the number on the small screen made her remember her dream again.

Why was she… why couldn't she forget all those things? Why won't they just let her rest and leave her alone. Why was this happening to her? Why wouldn't she –

Relena pushed the button to receive the call and brought the mobile next to her ear. Only a moment ago she was feeling like she would choke of the warmth and now she was shivering.

"Relena," Hilde sighed.

"So, darky, how long did I make you wait?" Relena tried to be cheerfully. Though all awful thoughts were running in her mind. When she closed her eyes she could only see one thing: blood. She was sounding maybe cheerfully, but her face wasn't. Her lips were dipped down and her hair a mess.

"Were you sleeping?"

"Hmm, yeah," she replied.

"O, sorry."

"It's okay." Relena was silent for a moment before she continued. "Hilde, is everything all right with you?"

"Hmm, yeah."

She wasn't sounding quite persuading.

"Sure?"

"Yeah, really."

"Couldn't you get sleep?"

"Yeah, I couldn't."

Relena hesitated. "Was it… well… Quatre?"

There fell an uncomfortable silence on the other side of the line. Relena gritted her teeth. Why did she say that? Why –

"That jerk can fuck up!"

Surprised Relena heard Hilde yell in the phone. "Uhm, Hilde…"

"I – I hate him Relena. Never talk about him again. Unless it's about your business with his company."

"Where were you, Hilde? You didn't show up after lunch. I can handle the work, Hilde for a few hours more – it's not about that. I was worried about you. You wasn't picking your mobile even up, nor were you at home when I called at eight in the evening.

"I needed some time, Relena," Hilde uttered softly. "I guess I'm not over him yet."

"And Duo?"

Hilde let a silence fall.

"We're just good friends. I feel sorry for him if he likes me but –"

"Just friends?" Relena asked suspiciously and teasing her friend.

"He told me that he did like me, but –"

"Do you find him attractive?" When Hilde kept silent, Relena said: "Honestly, Hilde."

"Quite."

Relena smiled thinking Hilde and Duo as a couple. The only thing that could make her forget Quatre was another love.

"You two are made for each other!"

"You and Quatre are mad for each other! I tell ya Hilde!"

Relena suddenly remembered that she'd said that once too then, but Hilde didn't note it, or was she was doing that on purpose?

"But we're just good friends."

"Yeah, yeah, I believe you, Mrs Maxwell."

"…"

"So… when will the kids come?"

"O, no, first you'll mar-"

Relena closed her eyes holding her tears back. Why had she to be the one who'd to lose everyone in her life she loved? First her mum, then dad and just one week ago Trowa. For what was she being punished? What had she done wrong? Had it been her fault that –

"… I – I'm sorry," Hilde whispered almost inaudible.

"It's not your fault, Hilde," Relena whispered back blankly. She stood up to walk over to her window. The moon was shining through the clouds and a few stars lightened the dark sky. The moonlight beamed in her bedroom as her form was moonlit in the dark room.

"Relena-"

"It has been always mine fault, hasn't it?"

"No, Relena-"

"Hilde."

The stern tone in her voice kept Hilde silence. Relena closed her eyes leaning her forehead against the glass of the square window. It was cold; soothing her hot body and her pain.

'Why do I've to pay for this, dad? Why?'

Relena felt hot tears burning behind her eyes. She clutched the mobile unconsciously in her hand pressing it to her ear as she heard another voice saying in her head.

'Because you're not my child… and will never be.'

o0o

A lean and tall figure was standing just outside the large steeled fence surrounding the garden and terrace behind the large building. His firm gaze was settled on the window where he could make out the form of her body. She was standing against – no more leaning against the square window. The moonlight lit her body in the dark room. She appeared to be sad and lonely in the big house.

'Well deserved…' he thought dryly.

His body and face were out the reach of light; he was standing in the dark with this both hands shoved deeply in his pockets, his head raised up. There appeared a soft look in his eyes as he was something glister in the moonbeams those shone on her small face. A feeling of loss and regret flowed through him before it suddenly left again. Just as abruptly it had shown up it disappeared. And so did the soft look in his eye. It made place again for hatred and of avenge.

Avenge…

A sly smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He was sure he was going to have some fun. With her. He turned after another peek at the window, the form of the girl was still there. Was she waiting for him to come in? A warm blew through his thick hair. He felt like he was standing here to observe his prey before going over in attack at her. Well, he was doing that too, right?

A quick glance at his watch told him that he'd been here long enough. He should make his way back now. Taking a few steps he kept his eyes settled on the figure behind the window, not losing her. The small figure was looking much smaller in the large building.

Abruptly the man stopped as their eyes met. He couldn't read them. He'd stopped in shock but on impulse he started walking again. Away from her sight and her window. Passing the front side of the building he came up to the front door. He saw the name plate. In large letters stood on it: 'Darlian's mansion'. He looked at it in disgust before he eventually spit on it. How many times had he already done this? But never could he get enough of it. It had become one of his habits now. And how long had he been waiting for this? One quick glance at the peaceful looking house there made his decision only stronger.

"I promise I'll avenge you, Antara."

o0o

For a moment she'd thought she'd seen someone. No, she was feeling like she'd been staring the whole time at a certain person. Relena lifted her head back from the window. There had been standing someone near the tree that was growing just outside the fence. But she saw no one there as she looked again. Relena closed her eyes in frustration. Had she been dreaming? Perhaps she'd.

'Trowa…'

Relena opened her eyes and looked at the cell phone in her hand that was now covered in sweat again. She'd hung up a long time ago, making it again clear to Hilde she was all right. And she was, right? At least she'd to be.

'I'm still young, I can find whoever boyfriend I want.'

'But not Trowa,' another voice in her head squeaked.

Relena returned to her comforter. She knew she wouldn't be able to get sleep again. 2.49 AM read her clock now. Had she been standing for almost an hour there? Relena sighed. Bangs of her hair were hanging loosely around her face as she had placed her head to rest on her crossed arms; they were settled on her knees. She'd pulled them up.

A shiver ran down her spine as she suddenly realized who could've been standing there in the shadows of the large tree. Hell, she should've known it would be him. He had threatened her last time she'd met; she was sure he wouldn't let it only be a threat. He was for sure up to something…

Four days ago

Her eyes were still shot red from the lack of not sleep. Not from crying. Relena stared at her self in the mirror. Was she really this? A girl was staring back at her. To Relena's surprise she smiled. But her eyes were still deceiving her. They were red and the smile couldn't reach her eyes as they remained looking sad, lost. At a time those eyes would've sparkled, then why not now? The girl's face was one and all make-up. She'd tried desperately to hide her sunken cheeks by applying some red blush, but she only succeeded to make her look worse.

How had she to get out of house? But definitely not like this.

Relena felt a lump in her throat as she thought about the world outside this house. What would they be thinking of her? After losing her parents she'd lost her fiancé now. They would pity on her. Something she wasn't wanting at the moment. Seeing worried and sorrowful faces wouldn't help her exactly.

Three had passed and she'd not been able to go to office or out of her house. But she hadn't cried. No. But maybe because she hadn't she was feeling even worse now. Everything was looking so…useless. Including her life.

"Never give up, Relena, you're my daughter and you're strong. Yes even stronger than be, my child."

Relena heard her father saying it again. He'd told it her a year ago.

Relena opened her eyes again. She was determined now to live on. No matter what. Her dad…he had said it to her. She wouldn't – couldn't give up.

Relena peeked once back at the girl who was her own reflection before she grabbed her black handbag and walked on her stiletto heels her room out.

After a quick lunch Relena was about to rush the house out, with thoughts locked up in a corner of her mind, when she heard Pagan calling her.

"Yeah," she replied and cursed.

'Damn these high heels,' she thought as nearly slipped over the green carpet.

Pagan came out of the dining room with a frown between his grey brows and a plate holding in his hands.

"There's someone waiting for you in the garden."

"How long?"

"Almost half an hour."

"Why didn't you call me then?" Relena sighed starting to walk towards the exit.

"He said he didn't want to disturb you."

"Is it someone from office?"

"No, it's –"

Relena stepped in the garden seeing the person sitting on a stool on the terrace. While Relena stared in shock at him, he rose up, and Relena heard Pagan saying his name though there was no need any more for it.

"He was saying his name is Treize and said you know him."

Treize was smirking back at her as she kept looking in horror and anger at him. His eyes still held that mischievous look he'd last when he'd tried to…

Relena tore her eyes away from him. She knew she was shaking slightly, but she wasn't caring as she had it not in her hand.

"What are you doing here?" she said through clenched teeth.

His smile disappeared as he walked over to her. Relena felt her legs quiver knowing he could take advantage of her.

Now.

Pagan was no match for him. But he did have a pistol. Would he…?

He grabbed her hand as she felt her body quivering now too. She closed unwillingly her eyes as she heard his voice.

"I'm sorry about Trowa," she heard him say.

Her eyes fluttered open in surprise and she stared up at him. Had he come here to…? Was he regretting all what he'd done?

"And I'm really, really sorry for what I did last time."

Treize averted his eyes from her still holding her hand that had stopped trembling now. Relena looked at the ground to the green grass now knowing what to say. Should she forgive him now? Relena opened her mouth, but Treize started again.

"And…" he looked back at her then suddenly bent over.

Startled she felt how his right hand brushed a few locks out of her face and his head went near her left ear...

"Sorry for not taking better advantage of you that night. I promise I'll make it up with you soon. Very soon."

He bent back again to stay just inches away from her pale face. He saw that her eyes had widened in shock.

"I'll please you soon, sweetheart," he whispered.

He pecked her lips before she could even resist and he slipped the engagement ring off of her finger.

"Now you won't be needing this anymore," he grinned, turning her palm up and lying the diamond ring there. He closed her hand then.

With one last peck he was gone.

o0o

He'd threaten her again. She was still surprised he hadn't done anything much worse to her, but still… He'd threaten Trowa before; he was dead now. Now her; so she'll be…

Nah, only if she would watch out, he wouldn't be able to do any harm to her. He'd a name here and honour. He would want to keep it high. In public he wouldn't do anything, but here at home…

She could ask Hilde to stay for a time. There were so many rooms for guests; rooms those have never been used. But she hadn't told her about Treize's unpleasant visit. Then she'd have to. Relena didn't know why, but she found it better to hide this fact from her friend.

'I'm sorry Hilde; I've hidden so many other facts from you too. You don't even know who I really am.'

Relena felt tears burning behind her eyes.

'I even don't know who I really am.'

o0o

"Hey, there's here someone for you."

"For me? Now?"

Relena frowned her brows looking at her day schedule on the screen of her laptop. Quickly she scanned the times and the names of the people she'd to meet today.

"Hilde, there's now one scheduled at this time. Not for another two hours, at least. Or is it Mr. Sims? Has he –"

"No, Relena, it's someone else. And very hot."

Hilde whispered the last sentence over the phone as she looked up at the man that was standing in front of her. He was leaning with one shoulder against the wall of her cabin that border on Relena's one. His hand went through his thick hair before he glanced up at her again.

Relena wasn't like Hilde's tone and words a bit.

"Who is it?" Relena said nonchalantly while leaning her head back in her wheelchair.

"Well, I don't know, he's saying his name was – sorry, what was your name again," Relena heard Hilde asking the man. She heard a vague mumble following.

"Oh, Heero Yuy, he's saying he has some important business with you…"

"Well, I guess sent him in than."

Relena was placing the phone back when she heard a knock.

"Come in."

Relena shuffled through her papers, while she heard someone entering the room and approaching her. The door closed with a 'click'.

"What do you want?"

'What am I asking?' Relena felt surprised by her own question. But the other didn't.

His voice was strong, firm, determined and yet hypnotizing when he answered her with only one word:

"You."

I'm not sure when I'll be able to update again, because exams are on the way, but I hope it will not take more than six weeks...

I want to thank everyone who's been supporting me for writing this by reading it and leaving reviews.

Love you all,

Sery