Rinoa couldn't recall a time that her eyes had stung this much. Throughout the whole night she had been sobbing all over the tear-stained bed till she had lost her voice. She was too afraid to even glance at the mirror in dread of having to see the red, sticky mess her face must be. The distressed woman just lied in bed, feeling the minutes go by. There was no reason to get up today. The guy she loved probably hated her now that he'd been informed of her treachery. He was the one to show her life outside the cage, but without him, maybe life outside wasn't as great as it was cracked up to be. There was a light knock at her door.

"Miss Caraway!" One of the maids called. Rinoa flinched at the use of that discarded last name.

"…Yes?" Rinoa shouted back the best she could with the hoarse voice her throat choked out.

"It's time for me to wash your linens, may I come in?"

"Not now…" she grumbled in response.

"Excuse me, Miss Caraway?" the maid tried again.

Rinoa turned her face back to the pillow and muttered too softly to hear "Can't you see I'm busy wallowing in self-pity?"

She sat silent and listened to the defeated maid's footstep fade away as she walked down the hall to clean another room instead. The young woman remained motionless in bed for what felt like years, yet her alarm clock conveyed it to be only a matter of hours. Jet-black strands of her hair matted her face, sticking to her skin by her own tears. Now she decided, it was time to decent herself by taking a much needed shower. Soon she was standing in the comfort of the warm spray of water. After some time a loud knock could be heard from her bedroom door. Rinoa got out from the shower and quickly wrapped her body in a towel.

"Yes?" she called, opening the bathroom door and sticking her head out.

"Rinoa, dear?" Caraway called in return.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Mr. Gillespie is coming over for lunch in an hour. I know your last encounter with him and his son wasn't as pleasant as it could've been, but would you please be present and help mend their impression of your character? I know personally that you normally are delightful and charming around guest."

Rinoa's first instinct was to give Caraway a piece of her mind. That night she was trying to be perfectly pleasant, but Mr. Gillespie's leech of a son had to start being a complete idiot.

"Alright father, I'll do my best." She told him.

"Great." He responded. He obviously he was quite pleased. "Remember, you only have about an hour to get ready now."

With that said Caraway walked away, most likely to his study. She held her breath till she heard his last footstep fade away.

"He can be so ridiculous!" Rinoa muttered to herself as she rummaged through her closet.

The weather looked particularly nice outside to Rinoa, so she took out a pale yellow sundress to wear. She put the dress on along with a pair of matching yellow high-heels. Looking into the mirror, she pulled up her slightly dampened raven locks with a large clip and secured it to the back of her head. Quickly she put on a few finishing touches with makeup. Some peach lipstick, eyeliner, and a bit of cover up for her bruise even though she probably didn't need it. What used to be a purple and blue monster of a bruise was now faded and hardly noticeable. There was another knock at her door. It was one of the maids.

"Miss Caraway, you're father told me to inform you that the Gillespie's are going to arrive in under 20 minutes. He wants you to be ready early."

"Okay, thank you!" she called back.

Not much time left. Underneath the bed, Rinoa pulled out a long make-shift rope put together by tying together multiple sheets.

"Haven't used you in a while." Rinoa whispered with a smile.

Rinoa slid open the window and tossed the rope out after tying the end of it securely to the bedpost. The young woman looked out the window and gasped. The room seemed to be so far from the ground.

"You can do this Rinoa! You've done it before!"

Keeping that thought in her mind, she got onto the windowsill and began the crawl down.

"Tell me again why I put on high heels? At least they're shorter heels than most of my shoes."

Almost down. It was taking a bit longer than usual because of her exerted efforts not to slip. She heard the sound of an engine and saw that a car was pulling into the mansion's parking lot. It didn't take long for her to realize it was the Gillespies'. They had come early. The car wasn't facing her way, so now was her chance. She dropped herself a few inches from the ground before making a sprint to outside the gate.

"Yeah! I did it!" Rinoa squealed while giving a big happy jump. A few passerbies gave her a strange look, but she didn't care.

"Now to decide where to go…I don't really know. I didn't think about it, I just knew I needed to get out…"

She started walking aimlessly, wishing she had brought some money with her. At least the weather was nice. There was a light breeze that felt good against her skin and helped to dry her hair. The sweet sound of children's laughter reached her ears. She had reached a park. Rinoa sat on an empty bench and watched the many children playing with each other. She watched the happy fathers and mothers and couldn't help but feel a slight tinge of jealously. A father pushed his daughter on the swing, making silly airplane noises. A smile stretched on Rinoa's face. "Daddy, higher! Higher!" The girl shouted. She was giggling so much that her chubby little cheeks were growing more rose colored by the minute.

Rinoa was so into the scene that the sound of the rev of a motorcycle on the street behind her startled her.

"And I was doing so good…I hadn't been thinking of him. Great. Now I won't be able to stop."

She folded her arms and frowned.

"I'd do anything to make him not hate me. Well I ruined my chance… I didn't tell him the truth when I could've"

"Rinoa?" a voice impossible to forget said from behind her.

She jumped up from the bench. Simultaneously her heart forgot how to beat.

"Squall…" she said lightly.

He smiled his adorable small crooked smile.

"You know, I've been hoping to run into you. I have no way to contact you, I'm lucky to have seen you just now."

Rinoa blushed. "Well I hadn't been able to give you my number because it'd be easy to trace it to the presidential mansion…"

"Hehe…Sorry about that." She said nervously. Then added reluctantly, "Is there something you needed to tell me?"

It was a surprise he'd been hoping to see her, especially since what he now must know about her. Perhaps he'd come to see her just to tell her off, but he seemed way too serene.

"Well actually yeah," he said. "It's something kind of big. I just found out yesterday." He looked at her then to the ground.

The color in Rinoa's face must've drained to deathly white.

So he did find out…is he going to confront me about it? Ask me if it's true? Well I've got to be brave this time. No running. I'll tell him the complete truth.

She took a deep breath.

"What is it Squall?"

"It's that…my band got signed to a record label. We have a producer and everything."

"Oh my goodness! Squall that's amazing! I'm so happy for you." Rinoa ran to him and pulled him into a big hug.

Squall eagerly returned the embrace. He chuckled a bit at her enthusiasm.

"Aren't you excited Squall?" she asked.

"Yeah, the whole band is. We have all our songs ready for CD and in two days we're going to be on Good Morning Deling and VH1 to promote our album."

Rinoa was so happy and relieved at the same time. It was hard not to cry. His dreams were coming true, and obviously he didn't hate her. He must not know she was the General's daughter. She still had time to set things right.

Her hug tightened around him before she pulled back and looked up into his eyes.

"I am so going to be the first one to buy your CD."

He smirked.

"Don't worry, the first copy's reserved for you."

She was surprised when he leaned down and gave a short, sweet kiss that landed right on the corner of her mouth. On their own, her fingers went up to trace the spot as a ridiculous grin found its way to her face.

"Tonight," he said almost nervously, "I was wondering if you'd like to come and celebrate with me. Would you like going to La Café Deling?"

La Café Deling was not known for being a cheap place. It was perhaps the fanciest dining in Deling. He wanted to take her there?

"I'd love to celebrate with you." She replied.

"So, I'll pick you up at 6:30?" he asked.

"That's fine. Does that mean I have to not see you again till 6:30? I was kind of hoping for you to kidnap me till then."

He smiled.

"I was hoping you'd say something like that."

Rinoa had dragged Squall into maybe six designer stores. She had told him that if he was going to be a huge rock star he needed some awesome rock star clothes. He didn't particularly like shopping, but he loved seeing how happy she got after picking out something he liked. Seeing that amazing smile ceased every one of his complaints. Funny thing was that he was catching on to something. She just loved getting him into tight shirts. She had picked out the fifth tight shirt and finally he said,

"Rinoa, if you wanted to see, then all you had to do was ask."

Rinoa laughed nervously. "Umm what are you talking about…I just like a nice fit is all…"

When no one was looking he lifted up his shirt enough so that she could get a good view of his abs. She blushed more ruby colored than a ruby dragon.

"Wow- I mean umm…I…I need to go and look at shoes!"

She stumbled; knocking into a clothes rack, then went to a part of the store where he couldn't see her. Squall felt a fit of uncontrollable laughter come on. He laughed so much he had to lean over.

"You suck, Leonhart!" an embarrassed voice yelled to him from some isle.

Later in another store, Squall was looking through some sunglasses of his favorite brand: Elnoyle.

"Whoa, those look really cool on you Squall!" Rinoa praised.

"Thanks." He said.

He picked out a pair that looked a lot like the violet sunglasses he had which she really liked.

"Stay still."

He put them on her and laughed.

"Now you look like me, except you're the female, sexy version."

She giggled.

"I have to get these!"

She went to the register and was about to pay with a credit card she had found in her dress pocket, but quickly he slapped down some of his own money on the counter.

"It's alright Squall, I can get it."

"It's on me."

"Thanks.".

He felt her slip her hand into his as they left the store.

It was nearing 6:30 and they had dinner reservations at 7:00. Squall had dropped her off at the usual place on Revista Street. He was going to change, and she was going to do the same. Sneaking back into the house was going to be a challenge. It looked like the Gillespies were still here. The window where she had hung her rope was closed. Caraway was probably furious. Located at the back of the mansion was a separate entrance for the maids. Carefully she snuck inside. To her chagrin, the entrance had one maid in it.

"Miss Heartilly!" she exclaimed, startled.

Rinoa smiled. Finally one of them used her right name.

"Shh! Please don't tell my father, I'm just trying to get back to my room. He's kind of upset right now."

The maid nodded like she didn't need anyone to tell her to know that fact. Rinoa felt sorry for what the maid staff had to deal with. She knew better than anyone that her father was a sight to behold when angry.

"The hall is empty, Miss Heartilly, go quickly!"

Rinoa nodded and thanked her. Heeding the maid's advice, she crept to her room and made it there undetected. She had the perfect dress to wear tonight. She put it on and admired it in the mirror. The dress was long and cream colored. There wasn't much design on the dress, but the way it was tailored to perfectly fit the curves of her body, and the unique sheen of the fabric made it look very expensive and sophisticated. Rinoa curled her hair and pulled it into an elegant wispy bun, letting some strands of hair hang out to frame her face. Skillfully her hands applied some shimmering makeup to her eyes. Squall would be waiting for her soon. Now she put on some matching heels, and quickly grabbed a sheer white shawl to cover her arms because the dress was sleeveless. Without wasting another second, she raced back to the maid entrance and walked as fast as she could back to Revista Street. Squall was patiently waiting for her, but this time he had a sleek black car. Rinoa had no idea what kind it was, she was never one to learn those things, but it sure did look expensive.

"When'd you get this?" she asked. He looked kind of uncomfortable leaning against it, fiddling with the keys. It was obvious he preferred his motorcycle. The look on his face made Rinoa giggle.

He saw her and his eyes widened.

Rinoa thought she had looked pretty nice in her room. Was she actually funny looking?

"My…my producer gave it to me. You look…"

"Yes?"

"Absolutely beautiful."

Rinoa blushed.

"Thanks, Squall."

He was wearing dark jeans, one of the tight shirts she had chose for him and an expensive looking blazer.

She smiled. "I see you're wearing one of those tight shirts."

He smirked and opened the passenger door for her.

"Just for you Rinoa Heartilly." She laughed and got inside.

They had arrived at La Café Deling. The place was packed with clientele. Most likely they were all strapped for cash. They went to the front desk and Rinoa half expected to be greeted by some French waiter with a curly mustache. Actually the waiter was a perfectly normal guy. His nametag said: Jared.

"How may I help you?" he asked.

"I have a reservation here under the name of Leonhart." Squall told him.

"Oh yes, here's the paper right here…Do you happen to be Squall Leonhart?" he asked.

Squall nodded.

"Man, I saw your show the other day at the Marquee! You guys were amazing."

"Thanks." Squall said.

"Yeah…well here, let me lead you to your table!" He led them through the crowded room to the outside tables.

Rinoa grabbed Squall's hand.

"You're fame is already starting!" she told him.

Squall smiled. "Whatever."

They were seated at their table and Rinoa was in awe of how beautiful the outside set up was. Many exotic looking flowers were everywhere and even wrapped around the post of the fancy dimmed lamps. On all the tables were tall candles that gave the place an intimate and romantic feeling. The night sky full of shimmering stars was the perfect accompaniment.

"It's so beautiful." She said to Squall.

"I'm glad you like it."

The server came and took their order. They were eating their food and Rinoa couldn't help but to feel nervous. She couldn't shake the feeling that this was actually their first…date. Her eyes kept on locking onto Squall's then she'd quickly bring them to something else.

"Is there anything I can do to make you stop being nervous?" he asked.

Rinoa blushed. Darn he had noticed.

"There's one thing." She said.

She scooted her chair so that she was beside him.

"Can I see you hand?"

He put it on her lap, using her finger she began tracing along it.

"That always works." She said with a smile.

His hand was actually pretty soft except for the tips of his fingers where he played the guitar strings. They had slight calluses that tickled against her fingers.

"The way you look tonight reminds me of something." He said quietly.

"What would that be?"

"The first time I saw you."

She laughed. "I must have looked like such a dork that night."

"You've got to be kidding." He said. Then almost under his breath he said, "I thought you looked like an angel."

Rinoa looked at his face, into his storm-colored eyes.

"Has that changed to you?" she asked.

He gave her his most genuine smile. "Not at all."

Without another word Rinoa lifted her head up and kissed him passionately, not caring if anyone was watching. Squall mustn't have cared either, because he brought his hand to the back of her head and pulled her forward to deepen the kiss. Finally they pulled back.

"Rinoa?" Squall whispered.

"Yes?"

"…I love you."

Her eyes watered with happy tears.

" Squall, I love you too."

He kissed her again and Rinoa couldn't help but think that life couldn't possibly get any better than this exact moment.

"Rinoa?" An angry masculine voice asked.

The lovers broke apart from their kiss.

"What in Hyne do you think you're doing?" Nicholas Gillespie demanded.

Rinoa was furious. What right did he have to come and invade her life?

"I'm on a date with Squall. What are you doing?" Venom was evident in her voice.

"I saw you through the window, leaving the mansion dressed up like that. You're father said you weren't there. Obviously you've been sneaking around seeing him. I followed you to make sure you didn't do anything stupid, and here I find you tonguing this bastard!"

"You have no right to call him that!" Rinoa shouted at him.

People were gathering around the little scene they were making.

"We're leaving here Rinoa." Nicholas said. He tugged Rinoa up from her seat by her arm. Rinoa cried out in pain. His grip was so tight it left red marks where he touched her. Suddenly Gillespie was the one crying out in pain. He released her. Apparently one well-aimed punch from Squall decked him right in the nose. Nicholas clutched at it; blood was visible on his hands.

"Don't ever touch her like that again." Squall said in a deceptively calm voice, which held a subtle dangerous edge. "Who the hell are you?"

"Who the hell am I? I'm her fiancé."

Squall had been livid before, now all color drained from him.

"What?"

"Don't listen to him, Squall!" Rinoa shouted. "He's lying!"

Gillespie snickered. "You're father General Caraway, and my father, have already settled everything for our marriage, Rinoa. It's just a matter of time really."

"We're NOT getting married Gillespie!" Rinoa went to hit him, but he easily deflected the poor punch.

"You're the general's daughter?" Squall asked.

Rinoa remained silent.

"Is that why you never let me even get a glimpse of where you lived, why you never gave me a phone number?"

"Squall, I-I can explain." she stammered.

"No, just tell me. Is it true or not?"

Rinoa looked down to the ground. She wasn't going to lie to him anymore.

"Yes it is."

Nicholas laughed. "Now this is too good She's been lying to you this whole time? I wonder what else she hasn't told you. Obviously she hasn't told you about me."

"Shut up, Nicholas!" Rinoa yelled.

Squall's eyes held the look of a man whose whole world had crashed around him. When he looked at Rinoa, he had to fight to look into her eyes.

"You…lied to me. You did it this whole time."

"Squall." She tried to reason. "It truly isn't as awful as it sounds. If you'd just let me explain everything-"

Squall didn't seem to be listening.

"I trusted you. I even told you that I lov-. Forget it. I'm leaving."

True to his word, he walked to the exit.

"Squall! Please don't leave!" Rinoa cried out.

The man never looked back.

Nicholas smiled an impish grin.

"Well now that that's settled, Rinoa please allow me to return you to the mansion. I'll take care of you tonight."

The emerald-eyed man reached for her hand, but Rinoa reflexively stepped back. Using all the force she could muster, she slapped him hard. There was a cut on his face where she drew blood. She delivered the man a glare fiercer than that of an angry Shiva.

"Don't you dare ever speak with me again Gillespie. I will never marry you. I don't want to ever see you, hear you, or even think about you."

With that said, she stormed out of the restaurant. A crestfallen Gillespie watched her go, his mouth uselessly hanging open.

"Ahem." The server said to him, "Someone has to pay their bill."

Nicholas glared with vexation at the bill that was placed in his hands.