She was…

Aerith Gainsborough.

Long flowing chestnut brown hair tied in a braid; bright and lively emerald green eyes; milky white complexion; rosy lips and a heart-warming smile. She was beautiful…the envy of every woman that passed her by. Everyone might think she has everything; but, she only uses her smiles to hide the bitterness she felt inside.

She was the only daughter of the President of the Gainsborough Electric Corporation, a company that supplies power to the City of Midgar and other towns nearby. They were on top of the chain, the most wealthy and sociable family in the city. Because people think so highly of them, she was trained to do everything right. As a child she learned proper etiquette at home, all the things a lady should or should not do. She had what she always wanted but there was something she didn't possess…freedom. She was always locked up in the mansion, never to have fun or laugh like most children do. Everything she does was on schedule. Her Mother told her when to smile or when not to. She was gifted and intelligent. She played musical instruments not because she loved to play them but only for the entertainment for her Mother's guests. She was a prisoner in a place she couldn't call her home.

When she found this place. She knew this was her home… It was an old, run-down church situated in the Sector 5 slums, the very place her Mother told her not to go. She had many bodyguards; but her kind butler, Reeve Tuesti, would help her escape her nightmare. Mr. Tuesti was an unmarried handsome man, 20 years her senior, whom she trusted with her life. If ever she wanted to go back to the mansion she would call Reeve to pick her up and return her to the mansion unnoticed. She had been escaping from the time when Reeve told her about the old church. Since then she would go to the church, contemplate her frustrations and return lively again. The church was old yet still standing strong. Here it was quiet. She could relax and stay with the flowers that bloomed from underneath the broken wooden floor. Sometimes she tended to them. They were her friends…

.-+-.

"Ms. Gainsborough, we have to hurry back. Your Mother will be home for a few minutes and its best that you greet her when she arrives."

Aerith looked up to the man at her side. She brushed the dirt from her dress and stood up, smiling.

"You're right, Reeve." She gently touched him on the shoulder. "…and call me Aerith, not Ms. Gainborough, okay?"

Reeve bowed to her. "Yes, Ms. Gainsborough."

Aerith giggled at him and entered the black car that was waiting outside the church. Reeve followed her and started the engine. Aerith gazed longingly at the closed doors of her sanctuary.

"When can I go back?"

Reeve looked at her disdained reflection in the mirror.

"That depends on your schedule, Ms. Gainsborough…" Aerith shot him a look. "I mean… Ms. Aerith."

Aerith smiled at him and sighed. After a few minutes, the black car speedily left the church leaving dust clouds in the air. Aerith leaned on the car window and stared at the busy people walking along the streets. She would smile every now and then when she saw children playing with each other and couples strolling down the streets hand-in-hand. Reeve saw her sigh at the people outside and his brows furrowed. He knew too well what she wanted. He had always been her at her side when she was still a little girl. Mr. Tuesti had been working in her family for 15 years. He was his Father's close friend and personal assistant; but when her Father died, Reeve was entrusted to Aerith as a favor from her Father's last will and testament. The first time he met Aerith was rather unusual. The moment Aerith laid her saucer-like emerald eyes at him she grabbed on to his leg and beamed widely. From that moment on, he vowed to make Aerith happy even if it will cost him his job. He looked upon her like a daughter. He showed her love, which her Mother is usually too busy to do.

"Reeve?"

He blinked and glanced at Aerith. Her face showed signs of concern.

"Yes, Ms. Aerith?"

Aerith smiled at him, cautiously.

"You were thinking of something…deeply. I have never seen you like that."

He sighed in relief. He thought it would be something worse.

"My apologies, Ms. Aerith. It would never happen again."

Aerith giggled. "There is nothing wrong with it, Reeve. I don't mind. You can think deeply anytime you would like but be sure I could go back to the mansion safely."

Reeve smiled at her and nodded. He always liked to hear her laughter. It somehow lightens his heart. Her happy disposition turned sour when a mansion came into view. It was a big, three-story building with intricate designs much like that of a castle. Reeve pressed the horn three times and the wide gold-colored gates opened. The mansion… She never called it her home. Aerith sighed as the car entered the gates. Reeve stopped the black automobile beside the guardhouse and lowered its window. She dropped down to the car floor as the guard inspected the vehicle's interior.

"Alright, it's clear. Go right in, Mr. Tuesti." The guard mumbled.

Reeve nodded at the guard and drove forward. Aerith sat up and brushed the dirt from her dress. Reeve parked the car in the big garage of the mansion and came out first. He went to the right side of the car and opened Aerith's door.

"Thank you, Reeve."

"T'was my pleasure. Ms. Aerith."

Aerith smiled warmly at him and stealthily entered the door that led to the kitchen. Reeve's eyes followed her and let out a heavy breath as she disappeared from the door. He grinned to himself as he faced the light that crept in the garage.

T'was my pleasure…

. -+-.

Aerith slowly strides across the empty halls of the mansion. Everywhere she looked was gray and dull. It was the same old hall filled with different assorted things her Mother would shop in other countries. These things didn't matter to her. What good is a house if there is no family to return to? Her Mother was all she had. Her Father died in a car accident when she was a little girl. She loved her Father. He would tuck her in whenever she goes to sleep and read her bedtime stories. Even though he is the President he would always find time to be with his daughter. They would chat at the veranda or play in the gardens. But now there was no one to talk to except for the people working at the mansion. Her Mother would always come in late at night and were always away for business trips to neighboring towns and countries. Still, Aerith would constantly find ways to be happy without her.

"Good evening, Ms. Aerith."

Aerith looked back to the person who greeted her. When her green eyes fell upon a pair of two chocolate brown ones, she smiled. Before her was a girl two years younger than she; Tifa Lockheart, a lively young girl with black straight hair, a lean body and a very developed chest. She is one of the Gainsborough family housekeepers. Tifa was the daughter of a gardener that worked in the Gainsborough family before. When her mother died, Aerith's father took her in and they've been best friends ever since.

"Good evening, Tifa. Has Mother arrived?"

The brunette shook her head and smiled.

"No, she has not arrived yet. Are you hungry? Can I fetch you something to eat?"

Aerith beamed at her and shook her head. "No, I'm fine. I'll be in my room if anyone needs me."

Tifa curtsied to Aerith and disappeared in the corner. Aerith heavily sighed as she entered her room. She slowly closed the door behind her and proceeded to the white canopy bed. Upon arriving at her bed, she fell down and gazed at the room's ceiling through the white silk curtains. After a few minutes, she sat up and glanced at the table beside her bed. There she saw the picture of her happy family taken at Kalm, three months before her father's death. They were on vacation, a well deserved rest from the hectic responsibility that the company weighs down on her Father's shoulders. It was also the time when her Father gave her a platinum ring. It was her grandmother's. Aerith loved that ring. It was the only thing that reminds her of her Father. She has been wearing it ever since her Father died. Aerith glanced down at her middle finger.

"Oh no!" She exclaimed when she saw there was no ring on either one of her fingers. She slapped her forehead once she realized she had left it in the church. "Oh… I hope no one has taken it. Father would hate me for being so irresponsible. I will go there first thing in the morning and look for it. Yes… that's what I should do."

Hopeful, Aerith fell down on her pillow and closed her eyes.

"Yes… I will look for it tomorrow."

. -+-.

Her bright emerald eyes grew dark as she gazed upon the body of the unconscious man before her. Her eyebrows furrowed in concern as her fingers touched his pale skin. Bruises and cuts filled the man's chest and abdomen. As her fingers felt the wounds, she noticed the man's face cringing.

"He's in pain…" Tears welled up in her eyes. "What can I do to relieve you of your suffering?"

Then her heart skipped a beat when she remembered the phone she had in the pocket of her mini-jacket. She quickly took out her pink flip-flop phone and dialed Reeve's number.

Hello?

Hello, Reeve? This is Aerith.

Yes, Ms. Aerith? Do you wish to return to the mansion?

No, not yet; but can you bring here a basin, hot water, towels, linens and some clothes?

I am confused. What are you planning to do with these items?

There is an unconscious man in the church and he is sick. Can you please hurry?

Sure. I'll be there in a heartbeat.

Aerith closed her phone and glanced at the man. She sighed as she placed her phone on the floor beside her. Her green eyes wandered around and realized the rain hadn't stopped. Aerith averted her gaze to the man when she heard him moan.

Hold on…

Then a car's engine was heard purring from outside. Aerith smiled as she saw Reeve holding the material's she asked for. When the butler saw his mistress kneeling in front of a man, he quickened his pace. Reeve knelt beside Aerith and placed down the items that she had requested.

"He fainted when he came here." She explained while preparing the things he brought.

Reeve placed a hand over the man's forehead.

"He has a cold."

Aerith nodded at Reeve and stared at the clothes he's holding. Reeve noticed a big sweat that trickled down her face and smiled.

"Don't worry. I will change his clothes."

Aerith beamed widely at him and turned back. After a few minutes, Reeve placed a hand over her shoulder. Aerith looked back and smiled when she saw the man with fresh clothes and lying in a clean linen. Reeve poured hot water in a basin. Aerith dipped a towel in it and placed it over the man's forehead.

"Reeve, can you leave us for a moment?"

The butler blinked and pursed his lips in protest. He was her guardian and he must obey whatever she may command of him. But by the looks of the man, Reeve began to think otherwise. It was unsafe to leave her with a stranger.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes… You can go back to the mansion now." Aerith wiped the man's forehead with a fresh towel. "I am sure."

"But."

"Don't worry. I will be fine." She grinned at him and continued to wipe the dirt of the man's face. "I wasn't taught self-defense for nothing."

Reeve bowed and turned towards the door. Aerith followed him with her eyes. When she heard the car's engine slowly going farther, she turned to the unconscious man before her. Aerith smiled at him and she took the first towel from his forehead. Aerith dipped another towel in the hot water and placed it on the man's forehead. She gazed at him in awe as she slowly brushed the hair that was covering the man's eyes.

"Tell me… What's it like to be normal? No responsibilities, no rules to follow, only your heart to guide you." She sighed. "It must be fun. To be free."

Her eyes widened when she saw him fluttering his eyelids. She smiled as her heart skipped a beat.

He is waking up…

Sneak Peek: Okay, so we already know who this well-off lady is…but what about this mysterious fighter?

Next Chapter!

Chapter 3: The Lone Warrior

See you then!