LOVE ME IF YOU DARE
by Strawberry On Cheesecake

Disclaimer: Still don't own Square-soft/Square-Enix!
CHAPTER TWO

Rinoa smiled, pulling a gaze from the baron to his lady. Her own excitement clouded her instincts, failing to detect the sudden paleness that dawned over the couple. She clasped her hands behind her back, intentionally keeping her ring from showing as she neared the carriage.

She paused, now greeting them appropriately, "Quisty—" She bowed gracefully to the Lady of Fire Cross before paying respects to the Baron.

Seifer was fast to recover. Wearing an impenetrable mask, his cynical attitude once again won the attention of its unwilling target.

"Hey Shortie! Deling seemed to have not done any progress on you at all!" He laughed, raising a palm to fluff Rinoa's hat; recklessly dislodging it over during the process. Rinoa stared daggers at him, and he was pleased. "My, my…aren't we cranky today?"

"Why do you always hurt me, Seifer?" Rinoa scoffed back, pushing her cap on its rightful place. She was urged inside the carriage, a demurely smiling Quistis wisely staying in between to prevent physical harm from ever happening.

"You're the sister that he never had, Rinny." Quistis reminded gently, taking the seat directly facing Rinoa. Dismissing the topic with a wave, she waited for Seifer to be at ease beside her. "Tell us about Deling. It's been two years…Prince Charming ever stopped by?"

Rinoa grinned to herself. After her last failed relationship with an Archadian nobleman, she had sworn to herself that there would no longer be spoiled, rich brats under her list of 'significant others'. They were pain in the asses—haughty, all high and mighty, and what they prized the most was either their ridiculously expensive hoverspeed or a good bolstering of their ego. Rinoa had enough of them…and that was when she met Squall.

All grimy and sweaty when she first met him, Rinoa wouldn't deny the fact that it was his unruly appearance that attracted her firsthand. It was last summer, and she was on her way aboard Deling Express 12 when this diabolically handsome technician sprang out of nowhere, wearing soiled shirt and baggy pants as if he just took all the dirt inside the train out with him. He was also crude and thick-skinned; so full of himself that he'd rightfully guessed Rinoa's careful stares as admiring glances, which he never failed to remind her until now. He was far from those meek and courteous gentlemen that Quistis and Seifer have been pushing her to marry. So now it bring us down to that decision she made after going out with Squall for the first time—nobody was to know him, of course, until she finds out more interesting things about him that she could be duly proud of.

And now she was overflowing with them; during the course of their developing relationship, Rinoa found out that her 'grimy technician' was a very loving man. He was loyal, honest, and most of all, a man of his word. He was also witty, well-traveled, and if you'd look really close, you'd realize that he was actually charming, not that he really is, but he can be, when he tries. Squall was a hard-worker too. You'd see it in him; from the seventy-hour shifts he does weekly up to the out of town trips he does to honor contracts coming from Winhill, Guadosalam and even Lindblum. Rinoa was more than ready to divulge his identity. He was her perfect man. He was everything she'd hoped for, materialized, and not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually.

Quistis and Seifer would absolutely think the same.

Rinoa could almost hear the snort that Seifer grudgingly hid under his sneer. Of course, a child of nobility wouldn't be caught snorting in public, especially this one!

"Oh c'mon, my love, do you still sincerely hope that our Rinny would one day wake up and realize that a Perfect Man—other than me, most certainly—exists at all?" Seifer flashed a patronizing look at his wife, receiving a playful jab on his nose in return. He ignored Rinoa and her, once again, daggery eyes, "It is just but appropriate that we give up false hopes when it's still early. We do not want to be frustrated enough to sire a carbon-copy of me just to have her off and married properly."

Rinoa gaped, "You didn't just say that."

Seifer moved his emerald green eyes to her, nefariously innocent, "I am just concerned about your welfare, child."

Quistis let her free hand hide her face.

"Of all the gall…" Rinoa trailed off, her eyes widening in disbelief. She just couldn't understand why Seifer loved making her miserable—as if…as if she was doomed to be a spinster forever!

Biting her lower lip, Rinoa took hold of herself. Whatever. He doesn't know about the wonderful man that she's seeing. That terrible excuse for a baron wouldn't understand one bit of Squall's entire system because he was never a gentleman to begin with! There is no point of conceding in this argument for Seifer and that little pea-brain of his wasn't worth a time of her day. This is terrible. She can't be mad at him. Seifer wants her mad, angry and seething; he always has, and that she wouldn't give him!

She damned wouldn't give him the satisfaction!

"Apparently, the course of our conversation has gotten off-hand…" Rinoa gave a sharp breath, resting on her back in a way that made Seifer quirk up a brow suspiciously. There you go. Just as planned…

The couple silently watched. They knew that at this point, Rinoa could have exploded at Seifer's jibes, so obviously, this sudden calmness of hers was new. Rinoa prolonged the suspense by taking off her hat—a little revenge in her part—and delicately setting it down on the empty space beside her. She smiled, expectant stares meeting hers once she's done. Knowingly, she glanced to the forgotten coach driver who was standing by the opened door, awaiting his lord's orders.

"Mister Raijin," Rinoa greeted him sweetly, "HELLO."

The Baron and the Lady were confused for a moment, distracted by Rinoa's prevarication. Seifer frowned at the coach driver.

"To Fire Cross, Raijin. What are you waiting for?" he almost found himself barking, annoyed by him and Rinoa's wily antics. Raijin quickly closed the door with a bow; Seifer turned back to Rinoa, "You were about to say….?"

Rinoa pursed her lips together, humming. The carriage was beginning to move, but even after it was trolling on its regular pace, she still kept her mouth shut. Soon after, Quistis began to find light in her actions.

"You don't say…" the Lady paused, starting to grin when it finally dawned to her that 'Prince Charming' had actually given his time to 'stop by'. She gushed, "So there is somebody afterall!"

Rinoa wasn't given the chance to affirm her notions; Seifer was once again at what he does best, "Let's give that a rest, Milady." He gently ordered, and when Quistis threatened to disobey him, he sighed, "Chocobos fly, my love, not pigs…"

"Oh Shush!" Quistis waved another dismissive hand, her full attention on Rinoa, "Rinny. So it is true? You're currently dating someone?"

Rinoa straightened her back, nodding. Finally exposing her left hand, even Seifer was left aghast, "Not just dating someone, Quisty…" She sheepishly corrected, "I'm getting married!"

And that revelation somehow pulled back the ashen look on their faces. Quistis' glow died down, squirming back as if the movement helped her conjure enough courage for the next thing. Seifer on the other hand, was immediately serious, like it never came to him to be funny, or even condescending, as he always was. As unfortunate as it was, Rinoa noticed it this time, more surprised than disheartened about their unexpected attitude towards her supposedly 'great news'.

"WHAT?" Rinoa giggled, finding the situation so ironic it made her laugh, "Now that I finally get a man to marry, you two suddenly think of opposing? That's just unfair, you know! I really had a long, hard time waiting for this guy!"

She saw Quistis nod, like she understood something that's quite hard to comprehend, before looking at Seifer uncertainly. Rinoa shifted her eyes to the Baron, who now gave her a look that reminded her why she feared him sometimes, or why she hadn't thought of crossing him gravely. She ended up bending her head sideways, as if to think.

"What's going on?" Rinoa asked quietly, instinctively flashing Seifer her own rendition of that stare.

Seifer's eyes softened. Well, they had been soft for sometime, Rinoa just misinterpreted his look of concern as otherwise.

"I think its best that we talk under more comfortable quarters, Rinoa. We shall continue discussing this matter in the manor." Seifer answered just as silently, appearing to choose his words carefully. "It has something to do with your Mother."

"My Mom?" and it hit Rinoa, that it was all too strange for Julia Heartilly not to be present with the rest of her little 'welcoming committee' at the train station, considering that she'd never seen Rinoa personally for two long years and that it is her one and only daughter we're talking about. "What happened? Did she get hurt? Where is she?!" panic was suddenly inevitable.

"Rinoa…dear…it's alright. Nothing has happened to Aunt Julia."

"But why are you guys suddenly acting this way?" Rinoa swiped them a scrutinizing look, in futile hope to get something out of staring them down, "You're scaring me!"

"Master Almasy, we are to take the Downtown Route because of the horde of media people in Regalia Avenue!" Raijin shouted from his post up front. Rinoa looked up from her seat inside, observing as Seifer permitted the request without taking his eyes off her. "As you wish, Milord!"

"What is going on in here?" Rinoa was in the verge of gritting her teeth in frustration. Quistis was looking at her sadly, and it worried her even more! Quistis was rarely out of words; why now, after implying that her mother was in some sort of trouble plus Raijin evading the media frenzy down Regalia Avenue? Raijin never backs away from the media! He loves driving under their scrutiny!

"Rinoa, please." Quistis pleaded, feeling the carriage swerve left and towards a well-lit tunnel that is the 'Downtown Route'. The curtains of her window rustled with the wind, allowing yellow orange light to spill inside. "The Manor is just but twenty minutes away…I agree with my husband that it is better for you to get settled before we inform you about Aunt Julia's whereabouts. Trust that she is in safe, capable hands…Do not worry about that."

Rinoa should have been satisfied with that, but she wasn't. The splurge of relief inside her was short-lived, her thoughts being dominated by a million sordid possibilities that only a worried daughter's mind could fabricate. Why? She gradually asked herself. She couldn't think of anything good whereas Seifer and Quistis choose to pull this kind of act. She couldn't fathom what was behind those troubled expressions they carry on their faces…What has her Mother gotten herself into? Julia Heartilly was never the troublemaker; in fact, trouble finds itself running after her…

The Fire Cross Manor stood several acres away from the Downtown Route that constituted the more modernized portion of Winhill. It was surrounded by lush trees and greenery; a wide range of trees from maple to cypress encircling the two-story stone mansion that had been passed down to the Almasy lordship for almost half a millennia. The high, steel gates of the manor opened simultaneously with their arrival, squeaking tremendously after two liveried squires pushed them out and locked the panels to the ground. Rinoa was devoid of all of these. She never imagined her homecoming would turn out to be sour.

"Prepare the Westward Quarters for Miss Heartilly, Peddlestow." Seifer ordered briskly the moment he stepped out of the carriage, escorting the ladies inside the foyer in where their coats and other outerwear were made to be removed. He nodded to his wife who led Rinoa further inside the house, taking their coats with him before depositing them all on the butler's outstretched arms.

Nida Peddlestow was on top of his task. Still huddled up with all the heavy-clothing on his arms, he watchfully reported about his Master's request earlier this morning, "A message from Guadosalam, Milord. Mrs. Heartilly has safely arrived."

"Good." The Baron muttered low enough for only Nida to hear. Quistis and Rinoa were now down the hall, but still he could see Rinoa's sulking shoulders, and he couldn't help but sigh.

"Has Mrs. Heartilly found suitable lodging for herself?"

"Yes, Lord. In the Sandsea."

Economical yet low-profiled, Seifer thought with approval; he turned back to Nida, "Have all the messages brought to your Mistress' sitting room. We have pressing matters to discuss with Miss Heartilly."

"Of course, Milord. Right away."

Seifer gave him permission to move on, going to the direction where the ladies went with his hands inside his trousers pockets. Why the situation suddenly become dead-serious, he doesn't know. All he knows right now is that if they didn't maneuver this right, everything is going to be out of hand.

Seifer stepped in the Gold Room, where he found his wife consoling the younger woman in her arms.

Guadosalam is located in the Southeastern Peninsula, perched conveniently at the more exposed portion of the Spira Continent, that it gradually turned out to be the perfect spot for wayfarers traveling towards any corner of the world. Being so, the once 'City of the Dead' was industrially turned into the largest transportation center, may it be by land, water and even air. Tourism-wise, she had championed the hospitality venture with her wide array of hotels, taverns and other lodging facilities. It was mainly a town of hustle and bustle—the El Dorado for business minded people who thrive under the grandeur of success in exchange of sacrifices and all-nighters.

Squall Leonhart has been in this place too many times than he could remember. To tell you the truth, he'd actually lived in this place a couple of years way back, while earning enough money to continue his journey up north. Now back on its dust covered streets and cigarette infused air, he couldn't exactly remember how he managed to survive this place with all those neon-lighted signs contemptuously blaring at him. There was just something wicked about this place…something spiritually emasculating that it harmed the soul. You can say that staying in Deling had something to do with that…or maybe because he'd been living with Rinoa all too much lately that her ideals were beginning to rub themselves on him. Either way, he now decided on not liking this place; chiefly influenced by why exactly was he in this hell-hole.

Quickly checking himself in a nice, quaint motel closest to the road, Squall immersed himself with thoughts that drove him crazy while still aboard the train. Apparently, he made a mistake by not taking Rinoa with him to Esthar—if only you could see that face she carried…she was trying not to look disappointed, and Squall exactly knew why! He was fully aware that being his fiancée, it was only right that she was made to be involved with family matters…but Squall didn't want any of that; you would understand if you had the whole Looney Toons gang as your family! For Hyne's sake, they've only been engaged for roughly a week, and Squall didn't like the thought of Rinoa running away from him because of the hodgepodge of pure craziness that was his family! He also knew that if she did, he wouldn't have the strength to stop her. Laguna was a psycho, and even Squall was having a hard time dealing with him after years and years of constant restraint…what more of Rinoa? Squall would be lucky enough if she didn't faint at first sight!

Tossing his duffel back above the bed, Squall unpacked his toiletries with nothing else but his problems in mind. Of course, he should given Rinoa enough credit. She loved him; he knew that, it was just his insecurities that clouded his decisions. No matter. Rinoa would surely understand. She wasn't that kind of girl who readily jumps into conclusions just because Squall appeared a couple of minutes late for a date or something like that. His angel was a very smart girl. She would forgive him.

But Squall wasn't ready to forgive himself for being an outright ass. Grabbing his key from the prim desk beside the bed, he trotted out of the room in search for a telephone. The receptionist in the lobby directed him to the small cubicle just beside the front desk, where a black, standard telephone was nestled for public usage. Squall was immediately on it, impatiently waiting as the other end of the line rang for like ages.

"Pick up, Sweetie. It's me." Squall mumbled hopefully, when nobody was seemingly home. He took a quick peek at the Grandfather Clock across the room, swiftly calculating the time intervals in between Deling City and Guadosalam. One o' clock in the afternoon; he ended up with. Maybe Rinoa went out for groceries.

"Do you have a telegrapher around the area?" Squall came out of the cubicle to ask the receptionist again. The redhead didn't even think twice, pointing across the hall into the direction of the motel's little pub.

"It's right after the pub in there. You wouldn't miss it. Just go straight and when you hit the wall, turn left."

Squall thanked her with a casual nod, already fabricating his message for Rinoa.

"Zip Code 10567, 1242 Fenton Drive, Deling City." The telegrapher was astounded by the thick wad of Gil being tossed to his direction by an intolerant looking man. With his rapid fire dictation, Reks Avalos took it that he was in a hurry, which was not bizarre when it comes to both locals and foreigners in Guadosalam. With expert grace, the silver haired boy tapped the mailing address through, courteously giving the man a piece of paper on where he could jot down his message.

Squall finished quickly, giving the paper back not even a second after. Reks, with a professional eye, didn't mind how this impatient man sounded soft and caring with this girl named 'Rinoa'. Probably she was his girlfriend, or maybe more; but the change in attitude was just amazing that one would be rendered into wonder…

"Would you like to put a return address, Sir?" Reks inquired, halfway done with the message.

Squall gave his Esthar address, since the airship for Azore leaves tonight.

"Great, Very well, Sir." Reks bobbed his head, still focused on the telegraph. He wouldn't mess up this message for the world.

"Also, have a messenger fetch the telegram." Squall added another wad of Gil on the heap. Transmitting a message to Deling wasn't necessarily costly, but he wanted to make sure that Rinoa got his message, and fast. "My fiancée appears to be away at the moment, so if the messenger finds the house empty, instruct him not to leave until she arrives."

"Not a problem, Sir." Reks added the codes for such specific service. Facing him to collect the fee, he was just as surprised as when he first saw the accumulation of money in front of the counter. "Ugh, Sir…I think I only have to charge you two hundred and thirty seven Gil."

Squall paid him no mind, taking his receipt before thanking him in his own way. "Buy yourself something nice, Kid. You've earned it after bearing with me." And he left without another word; Reks, gaping.

"A thousand and seventy-four…" Reks whispered, re-counting the bills that were still crisp and new. They were neatly tied with a rubber band, the glossy seal of an Estharian banker emblazoned as a proof circulation. Reks found himself whistling, and that was when he realized that another customer walked over to seek for his service. He smiled at her in welcome, adoring the pretty lady in sight, "Good morning, M'am! How may I be of service?"

"I need to have this sent to Rosaville, Winhill, Son." The raven-haired lady smiled back, taking off her humbly embroidered veil before producing a piece of paper out of her pocket. Reks was handed the message. "It seems that my children have stepped out, so I decided to send them a telegram instead."

Reks opened the folded paper to read what's in it, "24th Outskirt?" He scanned down for more, and was surprised to know that this lady was also trying to send a message to a girl named 'Rinoa'. How many Rinoas lived in the world nowadays?

"Yes, that's right. 24th Outskirt…" Julia Heartilly beamed at the young boy's confusion, although not precisely certain why her note puzzled him. Pulling her drawstring pouch open, she took out a fifty Gil bill, "That's the Fire Cross Manor." She added informatively.

Rinoa patiently waited for Nida to step out. The butler was busying himself in making his Master, his Mistress and their guest comfortable, setting up tea services and making a servant wheel in a cart of pastries inside Quistis' sitting room. After these luxuries were set, he brought a leather bound book from Seifer's smoking room, leaving it beside Seifer's winged back chair before disappearing through the door. Everything turned deadly silent once the twin mahogany doors were closed, and Rinoa couldn't handle it anymore.

"I have waited enough, more than enough. I can't take this any longer." Rinoa sat beside Quistis, who had a comforting hand patting her back. Brown-eyes reluctantly pulled her glance away from the mysterious book that Nida left with Seifer, pushing them towards the Baron instead, "What is happening around here, Seifer? What should I know that the both of you fear so much?"

Seifer shook his head, bending over to clasp his hands before his face, "We do not fear anything, Rinoa. It's just that the news came by so sudden, Quistis and I didn't want to approach it carelessly." Looking sideways to the book, he picked it up, opening it wide. "This is my message log." He paused to give Rinoa a non-committal look, "This morning, when Peddlestow handed this to me in accordance to my morning routine, I have found out that Mrs. Heartilly have left Fire Cross without my knowledge, which was most odd, because your Mother never leaves without an escort or, much more, a notice beforehand."

Seifer took a card from one of the book's folds. It was colored green, the color designated for personal messages. He gave it to his wife who handed it down to Rinoa. The raven-haired girl gasped, as expected.

"It seems that Mrs. Heartilly has…ran away." Seifer concluded, closing his book with finality before crossing his legs to a more comfortable position. He saw Rinoa read and re-read the contents of the card, time and again couldn't believe what absurdity it was trying to register in her mind. "Anyhow, be rest assured. I have located her whereabouts this morning through some detectives' help, and I am also told that she's safely housed in one of Guadosalam's local hotels."

"Guadosalam?" Rinoa almost shrieked, "What on Earth is she doing in there? For the love of Hyne…Is she trying to get herself lost? My Mother doesn't even know the difference between the right lane and the left lane!"

Seifer tried grinning at her quip, but opted not to. Scratching his chin, he realized that Rinoa definitely didn't know anything about her mother's current intentions. "As you may know, Rinoa, Guadosalam is a city of great convenience to travelers for its geographical location puts it directly in the center of big, economically-affluent countries like Midgar, Alexandria, Zanarkand, Dalmasca, and of course, Xenophobic Esthar. Even if without telling you, I think you'd have an idea why Mrs. Heartilly would pick Guadosalam as her sudden…let's say…vacationing spot."

"She wants to go somewhere." Rinoa answered him, crossing her arms together, "But why would she want to go somewhere? And why would she want to do it alone, and secretively?"

Quistis saw the strain that slowly appeared on her husband's face, making her decide to take over as for now. Sighing in defeat, Quistis did what she did in rarity—accepting vulnerability, "That's what we're worried of too, Rinoa. We also don't know." She took the message card from Rinoa's fingers, cross-examining it for clues that they might have overlooked, "Seifer and I have arrived from a courtesy call yesterday evening, and we were not informed that Aunt Julia has left the premises beforehand. Our servants would not let her go that easily, but apparently, she showed no sign of migrating. The last that Nida had taken in account of her was that she's going for a walk in the Southern Gardens, which she always does, everytime she visits Fire Cross."

"A carefully planned scheme or a sudden emergency came up? Which is which?" Seifer thought loudly. He tapped his fingers above the armrest, placing his message blog back beside the lamp. "I have hired detectives to follow her around in Guadosalam…we should be receiving calls from them soon."

And as if sensing its cue, a brief knock pounded on the door. Seifer straightened himself out on his chair, permitting the butler his entry.

"Milord. A telegram from Guadosalam has been sent through the local courier." Nida bowed down, respectfully angled. He looked up in time for Seifer to tip his head permissively, "Should I collect the message from the boy, myself, Sir?"

"You may do that." Seifer shook his head quickly, changing his mind, "No. On the contrary, send the boy down here. I want to see the message myself."

It took a couple of minutes before a young, blonde boy with hard eyes came in, dressed in a government courier's uniform. He was a little sheepish though, apparently because he was being ushered in a nobleman's house and was naturally intimidated. Seeing him, Seifer gestured him to come closer; the boy reached out to give him the message.

"It is addressed for a Miss Rinoa Heartilly, Lord Baron." The courier stated as Seifer scanned the contents of the message. It wasn't long when he stepped back, belatedly realizing that such an offhand remark wasn't necessary, and was close to hyperventilating when the Baron's eyes went so icy it sent chills back his spine. "Sir—I—"

"This…" Seifer waved the large piece of paper angrily, "is ridiculous!"

Rinoa and Quistis gaped at him, their minds beeping frantically as they tried guessing the cause of his outburst. Quistis obviously couldn't wait until she actually processed the reasons, yanking the stationary away from his quaking grasps.

And it wasn't long when she caught the gist, paling herself, "Ludicrous…"

Turning to Rinoa, she couldn't bear the thought of relaying the news herself, but judging by her expectant eyes and held breath, she knew she had to…Rinoa would just most likely misinterpret the message with all the mumbo-jumbo going around.

"Rinoa…" Quistis sighed, but she didn't break her eye contact. She saw the younger girl swallow, which was a good sign, and meant that her internal organs were still functioning, "The reason why your mother went to Guadosalam was because she has to meet up with somebody. You have probably heard about the great entry of journalists and other media people in town…She says that she fled because it was only but imperative to avoid them."

Rinoa still didn't understand, and it was etched all across her features. Of course, there was no evident link in between that information that Quistis just gave her, for the real deal was still hidden behind the covers. Quistis succumb into the inevitable; handing over the piece of paper that offered nothing but grief for the young lady.

And in the last minute, Quistis wanted to make things easier for her. As Rinoa straightened out the stationary, she blurted out with dismay.

"She's getting married, My dear. Your Mom went to Guadosalam to meet with her betrothed. "

Author's Notes

Finally! After weeks of constant installments, I've finally finished up this Hyne-damned chapter!!! Hooray for me and my laziness!! Yey!!!

Please tell me what you guys think, especially about my timeframe. I'm a bit getting slow to the point, am I not? Well, as for Chapter Three, expect a LOT of twists. I wanted to show a little bit more of detail for some reason…especially about the so-called 'Great Estharian Upperclass' which I've conjured firsthand before I actually thought of this entire 'forbidden relationship' concept. Bear with me though…I'm a foresight winner but, I'm very poor in patching up the road to get there. Really sorry about that.

All suggestions, violent reactions and flamers are very much welcomed! Thank you for your time, folks!

Mwahuuuuuuugzzzz!!!
Strawberry On Cheesecake