Wow, I can't believe it :) this is actually the first fic that I would be finishing :) also, this is one of my most successful fics :) before everything finally comes to an end, allow me to give my thanks to all those who read this fanfic since I started it 4 years ago! XD thank you for your reviews, comments, reactions and tolerance of my writing (especially when I lack time to edit it well) :)
I'm sorry to those who were disappointed with the former chapter (which was the BAD alternate ending). Some reviews were really scary, actually! most consisted of "What the hell ?" and "I hated it!". I thought people would actually send me hate mails after posting that chap :)) but as I said, that was just an alternate ending, and this is the fluffy ending that all the ASUCAGA fans are waiting for :)
I hope that this ending would leave a light feeling in your hearts; as this fic had left with mine :) I enjoyed writing and sharing this story with all of you, and I hope you all did too :) before I bid this fic goodbye, I would like to thank the following readers, who have placed my story to their favorites list :)
cUrIeMaNgAkAs-, 27cags, 28, An Instant King, Angel of Light and Hope,,angeliquer911turbo, annstar5647, AsuCaga01 ,AsuCagafan,babyhana,BakaKitsuneee7,Brok3n ,Promises,Cagalli Haruka Zala,cagallifangurl,cagallirockz,CagalliRules,cagalliyulathha,CardCaptorlai,Centurious The Azure,CherryBlossemPrincess,cherryred07,Claire Estheim,cottongreentea,Craze Izumi,cutie66,Effie-kun,Ehmi,eternalasucaga,euremi,Falloutaddict22,FEisty CaTz,flameyamikage FrozenMoonBlossoms,gallimaufr,hayella,Heather Caldwell,hira-nera,Hokage Infiniyy,imuzuok,Innocent's Sorrow,InweTinuviel,JC-zala,Just Lovely. ,kaede11x ,Kagally,kawaii kurai tenshi,kimborliee,kiralulu,Konallei,kouhaixsempai,Lac73,Lacus Yamato,Little Sweet Ruby,Llyssa-maiden,LovEInsanity,Mage666,Mel Melly Melt,MikoSashia,Miyu Nanami,mkaila,mrs. zala,mysticalFairth,nareiya,Night-Escence,numbdumblady,O.o naruto,orb90,Paradoxial-Existence,petaldandelion,Prince-in-Disguise,Ray-Tiger-Cat ,red1kyo,rizacaga sakura-himeno,Serenity Castlecloud,shiloah18,ShiZak09,SunandStars09,Swords and Roses,,The Blue Mask-cara,The Only Love For Soujiro Seta,Tokio Hotel Cutie,trulyanimelover06,Xx-Erin-xX-,AthrunxCagallifan,Yoyo Gausche Rouvie,yuki-eiji,Yume,Yamamura,ZhenjiInoCagalli
I did not post these names to brag, but to show my appreciation. These are the people who inspired me to continue writing this fic :) Some names may not be there because they were not on the favorites list, but I hope you feel my appreciation ! ^^ I would like to mention specifically cagalliyulathha, who was the first reviewer of this fic :)
there is no greater reward for an author, than to see that there are people who actually enjoy reading their works :)! So to all of my readers, I thank you, and I love you! 3 :)
Without further ado, I present the last chapter of Perfect Boyfriend :')
-zala123attha
CHAPTER 10
Athrun Zala opened his eyes, feeling the warmth of his bed surrounding him. But after a few seconds, he immediately closed it once more, The alcohol's effect, finally settling in. The blue haired boy cursed at himself for allowing himself to get so drunk.
While his head felt like it was ripping apart in two, he looked around and was glad that he was in his room. It seems as if he magically found himself back home. The last he remembered was sitting on his chair back at the office.
With his head still throbbing, he was about to step off the bed when he felt something move beside him.
"WHAT THE HELL?"
The Zala Mansion's living room was silent as two men sat staring at each other.
"What're you doing in my house?" Athrun Zala grumbled at the blonde man sitting on the other couch accross him.
"I brought you home when you were drunk off your and this is what I get?" Dearka Elsman replied while as he took a cup of coffee that a maid had just brought.
The young chairman felt guilty for pushing Dearka off the bed. But what man wouldn't be in shock when you find another man sleeping beside you on your own bed? "Thanks..."
"Seriously Athrun, why'd you have to push me so hard." Dearka whined while touching the lump on his head-it hit the bedpost during his not-so-graceful fall.
"Homophobia..." Athrun said to himself, reclining his head to rest on the backrest of his large couch. "Didn't you have a laugh last night?"
"Why should I?"
"That was the first time I got drunk." He chuckled, amused by his own behavior.
"Not really." He looked at his friend curiously, surprised that Athrun found his whole behavior funny. "You were a wreck last night."
"I was, wasn't I?" He smiled at Dearka, the other not returning the same, though.
"What happened?"
The room fell silent once again as Dearka's question remained unanswered, Athrun finding the roof of his living room more amusing to look at. Dearka waited patiently for his answer. After all, it isn't everyday that Athrun Zala acted so rashly.
"It's...Cagalli."
The surprise was obvious in the blonde boy's face. For the first time in five months, he finally heard her name come out from his mouth. "...About time."
"About time?"
"It's about time you finally realized what you really wanted." Dearka smirked, making his way towards Athrun, who was clearly confused.
"I made that decision 5 months ago."
"Yzack basically pressured you into that." Dearka chuckled, remembering all the months Yzack went on about how idiotic Athrun was for even thinking of declining his position as Chairman just for a girl. "Quit giving yourself a hard time Zala. Just do what you really want."
He looked at Dearka. He had never been 'pep talked' by his friend all his life. "...Did I tell you something stupid last night?"
The other boy flashed him a grin. "Well, you DID do something stupid last night."
"How...stupid?"
Dearka smirked at his friend.
"You were so drunk that you were almost getting at it with Meyrin...then you cried out Cagalli's name."
"Cagalli?" Kira Yamato made his way into Cagalli's room, Lacus gently trailing behind him. It seemed that Kisaka had requested them to see how Cagalli was doing after she instructed everyone to 'leave her alone for the whole day'. She had said such a thing after arriving from the PLANTs two days ago. Everyone grew worried-she did not leave her room, not even once.
"I thought I told Kisaka to tell everyone to leave me alone." She groaned, turning down the volume of the huge TV on her wall.
Kira looked at her sister in disbelief.
Cagalli was lying comfortbly in bed, her pillows burying half her body. She had her hair in a ponytail, wearing very, short shorts and a blue tank top. In her arms was a tub of cookies and cream ice cream, and several more tubs of ice cream were lying on the floor-each of which were empty.
"...I'm guessing you saw Athrun back at the PLANTs?" Kira rolled his eyes as he said this. He knew that even if Cagalli flinched at hearing her 'ex' 's name, She herself knew of the obviousness of her behavior.
"Maybe."
Lacus giggled at Cagalli's childish actions. She didn't know that Cagalli got through heartbreaks like this. "We were all worried about you Cagalli." She made her way towards the blonde girl, moving a few pillows away to lie right beside her. "Are you alright now?"
"I guess so..." She looked at her tub of ice cream sadly-she felt really pathetic. Never in her life had she locked herself up to get over someone. Of course...with Yuna Seiran at her list of exes, this was the first time she had to feel sad about losing a boyfriend.
"Your nation needs you sis." Kira made his way towards the two girls, sitting on the bed as he took the ice cream from Cagalli's grasp. "It's time to get out of here and move on with your life."
She knew what her brother meant. And she appreciated the fact that some people actually cared enough to address things that were needed to be said.
"I...this heartbreak thing really sucks huh?" She let out a chuckle as Lacus gave her a hug. "Now I understand why girls act stupid and stuff.."
The pink haired songtress smiled at the girl in her arms-she was coping with her first heartbreak pretty well.
"Care to dress up now you skunk?" Kira laughed hard as Cagalli threw a pillow at him.
"I don't smell THAT bad!" She laughed along with her brother as she continued throwing pillows at him.
Lacus watched as the two siblings playfully hit each other with pillows, glad that the old Cagalli was slowly coming back.
"I'm really sorry."
"It's alright Chairman Zala." Meyrin Hawke tried forcing a smile. But he knew how hurt she must've felt.
But he himself also grew surprised.
Because for the last months, he knew that he was over Cagalli. Or that's what he thought. When Dearka told him that he had said Cagalli's name while he was with Meyrin, he knew that his heart was overpowering his head.
Because a drunk man is more honest than a sober one.
"I...I didn't mean to lead you on. I really didn't." He looked at her directly in the eyes. She, on the other hand, was looking at the floor, probably embarrassed to even look at him.
"I forced myself on you Chairman...I'm sorry for that too." Her confession startled him. He had thought that Meyrin cared for him as a friend. During those times when he first came back to the PLANTs as the Chairman, he had thought that he slowly liked his secretary because she cared for him as a friend-and no intention whatsoever. But it appeared he was wrong.
"You...You wanted me to fall in love with you?"
"Commander Juole said that it was possible." She smiled bitterly. He could feel the antagonism in her words, but her innocent face said otherwise. "I guess...It really is impossible huh?"
"Meyrin-"
He didn't finish. Before he knew it, Meyrin was crying her eyes out as she hugged his waist.
"Meyrin...what are you-"
"Can't you try loving me?"
"..." He allowed her to hug him as loud cries came from her mouth. He felt guiltier by the moment, but he knew that giving Meyrin a chance was like making a fool out of themselves-it wouldn't work out.
"I'm sorry." He detached himself from her hold and walked out of the office. Although his heart felt the pain of Meyrin's tears, he knew that he would regret it all his life if he didn't walk away now.
On the 29th of October, Almost every newspaper in both ORB and the PLANTs read the same headline:
"Songstress weds ORB Commander: The Wedding of the Year"
"Wedding of the year?" Cagalli giggled as she playfully slapped her nervous brother's arm. They were inside a room in the Clyne Mansion, waiting for the ceremony to start.
Kira, although very nervous, laughed along with his sister; glad that she was finally going back to her old self. Because a month before since Athrun became chairman, she came home and was quiet for a week. But afterwards, she turned back to her old self again. And for this, he's glad. "Of course, with Lacus keeping their relationship private from the media, this is just the scoop all the paparazzi were waiting to get." He sighed afterwards, realizing that the tabloids would have a field day today.
"Anyways, I'm really happy for you two." She smiled at him, giving her brother a hug-surprising the brown haired groom. "Don't do anything stupid to hurt Lacus or I'll kill you." she said with her gentlest voice, making her brother shudder.
"It's my wedding day and you're threatening me?" He chuckled as they both withdrew from the hug. "You're actually less scary when you're making your threats wearing that." He pointed to the pink cocktail dress that Cagalli wore-the dress Lacus forced her to wear as her maid of honor.
She blushed as she gave him a punch on the shoulder. She couldn't help it-she wasn't used to wearing such a dress! It reached a few inches below her knee-much too short for her taste. And not only that, she had to endure wearing the strapless pink dress for the whole ceremony! She was glad Lacus allowed her to put her (now) long hair down to cover her bare shoulders.
"I hate this dress..." She sighed, glad that Lacus was not around to hear it.
"It suits you." Kira simply smiled at her before giving her a smile. "You'll get someone swooning over you through the whole reception." He appeared to mean something else. But she couldn't quite tell why.
"I hope not." She merely replied whilst looking at the busy preparation happening at the huge garden outside.
A silence surrounded them before Cagalli brought up the topic that Kira had dreaded.
"So...Is Athrun going? It's his birthday, isn't it?" Cagalli was trying to sound casual. But kira could feel the curiosity and anxiousness in her voice.
Her brother didn't answer her question. Instead, he said something weird, which Cagalli thought mught have been the effect of his nervousness for the wedding. "I'm sorry Cagalli...I'm not sure if this is what you wanted but-"
"Mr. Yamato?" The Wedding Planner came from outside their door. Cagalli saw Kira gulp. But before he could stand up, she grabbed his arm and smiled at him once again, giving it a gentle squeeze. She wanted to ease her brother's nerves, even if it was just a little.
Kira smiled back as he pulled in Cagalli for a hug. "Thanks sis."
"CONGRATULATIONS!" Dearka Elsman shouted on the microphone whilst he opened a champagne bottle near the stage. He had just finished giving his best wishes to the couple who were seated at a table glamorously decorated right on top of the stage, in front of the many tables were guests sat. Lacus giggled as Kira affectionately kissed her cheek.
Cagalli smile at the scene. Seeing Kira happy made her happy too-she knew that deep inside, Kira wanted to run around and just shout in happiness.
She was sitting on one of the tables alone, since Mirialia joined Dearka in his greeting and Kisaka disappeared to get them some drinks. She didn't want to move around too much though-she didn't want to face her advisors during such a festive occasion.
Her attention then turned towards a crowd forming near the entrance of the Clyne Mansion. "Who's that..?" She mumbled, just enough for the waiter beside her to hear.
"I think it's the PLANTs Chairman Ms. Attha. Cause the guards were scurrying around awhile ago." The waiter explained as he placed a drink on her table.
After nodding thanks to the said waiter, she turned her attention back to the crowd once again. Her heart pounded at the thought of seeing Athrun after their last meeting in the PLANTs. Words were said and she knew that she had intentionally hurt Athrun.
But before she could think, she noticed that the crowd started nearing where she sat-it seemed that he would be passing her way as he walked to Lacus and Kira. She was bracing herself, knowing that they would exchange formalities. He wouldn't dare cause a scene by ignoring the Representative of ORB.
After a few seconds, he finally came to view-Athrun Zala was standing right in front of her.
And just as expected, he gave her a smile, extending a hand in courtesy. "Good Evening Representative Attha."
Cagalli took his hand and greeted him back. She felt warmth with his touch-as if nothing bad had ever happened between them. "It's nice seeing you Chairman Zala." She smiled back. Several people were watching them as the ceremony continued. They both turned their heads when they heard bawling coming from the stage-it seemed that Mu La Flaga was taking the entire spotlight away from them as he dramatically wished Kira and Lacus all the best.
The two leaders chuckled at this, glad that the atmosphere lightened a bit. "He was always dramatic, that guy." He grinned while looking back at Cagalli, fond memories of his time in ORB slowly coming back.
"Yeah." Cagalli giggled, looking back at Athrun comfortably. "So how are you-"
Before she could even finish, she felt a pair of arms hugging her.
Everyone in the ceremony turned all their attention to the two. The photographers who were busy with La Flaga's speech, all raced to the scene; their cameras flashing in frenzy at the sight of the Representative of ORB and the Chairman of the PLANTs, in a tight embrace. Most of the ORB emirs and advisors were in shock. They had never even heard the mention of Cagalli being connected to the Chairman in a romantic way. And yet, here they were, expressing such a Public Display of Affection for the whole world to see.
Even reporters who were allowed inside the wedding raced to the scene, broadcasting the said meeting LIVE all over the world.
"A-Athrun..." Cagalli's eyes were wide. This was all too much for her to handle. "What are you-"
Before she could even finish, Athrun had already silenced her with a kiss.
More gasps came from the whole place.
Kira and Lacus merely watched with a smile-because they were part of the whole scheme.
Apparently, Athrun had begged Kira for forgiveness and told him that he wanted to get Cagalli back. After much thought and much prodding from Lacus, he agreed-but he had one condition:
Show the whole world how much she really means to you.
And that's what he did.
They allowed Athrun to overshadow their own wedding just to make Cagalli happy.
"You're really too kind Lacus. Every girl would throw a fit if their wedding would get overshadowed by something else." She kissed his bride affectionately, earning a giggle from the pink haired girl.
"If it's to make the people I love happy, I don't mind." She returned the same gesture after which, they resumed watching the bewildering scene before them.
The kiss lasted a few good seconds. And while it happened, everyone in the room was holding their breaths.
As Athrun pulled away, Cagalli was staring at him. Confusion, anger, longing, warmth-every possible feeling was in her eyes.
"I'm sorry." He whispered while giving her another hug.
Cagalli couldn't function right. She didn't know what to do-she hated how Athrun loved to put her in such predicaments.
"I won't forgive you that fast Zala." she finally managed to whisper back. "But since it's your birthday and I don't want the people here to see me pummel you to death…" The smile on his face widened as he felt Cagalli return his hug.
"I know you well enough to know that." He chuckled before gazing back at her with a smile on his face. "That's why I prepared this."
Just as she was getting used to his body against hers, he again, made a surprising move-this time, it was something totally unexpected.
For a moment, everyone watched as Athrun Zala fell on one knee, for every political figure, citizen of ORB and the PLANTs to see.
"Cagalli Yula Athha, Will you marry me…again?"
As she felt her heart beating wildly as each second passed, she realized.
Even if she forced herself to hate him, to forget about him and to tell herself that she didn't want him back...
Deep inside,
SHE STILL WANTED HIM TO BE HERS
On the 30th of October, Every newspaper in the whole of PLANTs and ORB read the same headline:
"Representative Attha and Chairman Zala: The Proposal that Shook the World"