"I still can't believe it."

The song which had been rejected by numerous labels had become a runaway hit.

Her first single, Eyes on Me, shot the unknown neophyte singer-songwriter to stardom. The shy and simple Julia Heartilly was now a staple to several radio and television interviews and concerts.

"'Eyes on Me' is a love ballad. Can you share with us what inspired you to compose it?"

Still uncomfortable to being interviewed, Julia shifted her position on her seat. "My first love inspired me to compose this song, and as the lyrics goes, I did meet him in a bar-The Galbadia Hotel's bar lounge to be exact, and his eyes were the first thing I noticed about him."

"First love! Ah, the throes of young love. But I can't help but notice you used the adjective 'first'. I assume it didn't work out?"

"Yes, you see he was a Galbadian Soldier. On the day we had gotten to know each other, he was immediately deployed to inspect a ruins near Esthar. He never returned."

The interviewer gasped. "Oh my! I was never expecting that. I'm sorry to hear that, Ms. Julia! I assumed he left you for another woman or something similar to that. Was he killed in action?"

"I was writing the first two stanzas when I heard he was missing in action. I waited for him… and when it became clear he wasn't coming back, I shut myself. I stopped writing and locked myself in my room at The Galbadia. I cannot help but express my gratitude for the people who helped me recover, and to the one who encouraged me to finish the song."

"Who is this 'one' who encouraged you to finish the song?"

"General Fury Caraway." She replied smoothly.

"You're friends with the Galbadian General? How did you two meet?"

Julia nodded. "I met him while playing the piano at The Galbadia. He is a very good friend of mine. A dear friend."

Fury pressed the TV remote's off button and arched a brow at the woman who sat opposite him. "Dear friend?"

Julia's face flushed. "Please don't embarrass me more than I am right now."

"How about a card game to distract you from your…. embarrassment?"

To her immense relief, she nodded her head and patiently waited as he set the Triple Triad Board and chose his cards from his deck. He poured two glasses of red wine and offered one to her. Julia sipped the wine as she chose her own set of cards.

Caraway was a good player, no, he was an excellent player who challenged her strategic thinking. Julia had won the first round, while Caraway won the second one. Their third game would determine the victor.

Julia reminisced the first day they had started this…ritual of playing Triple Triad together. It had taken her several weeks to finally approach the General and apologize. Caraway had sardonically told her the only apology he would accept was a Triple Triad Card match with her. She relented and since then, they had played the card game to beat each other.

But there was one thing that never changed in each match they had. It was Julia's gratitude to the man who helped her realize to live despite the heartache life gave.

Caraway shuffled from his seat, unflinching that his score was less than hers. "That's the 60th time you've apologized to me."

"You actually tally my apologies?"

Caraway placed a Marlboro card beside the cockatriel and reclaimed it. "I notice a lot of things about you."

Aware that the score was 6-4 in favor of her, she confidently laid her last card on the board. It was a Chocobo card, with a strong bottom side of 9. There was no way Fury would win this game.

"That's a strong card, but I'm afraid I'm going to win this game." He placed a card beneath her Chocobo Card. "The Same rule says so."

Adjacent to left side of his card was a 6, while Julia's Chocobo card sat on the upper portion. Julia gasped. Caraway's left and upper sides were equivalent to 6 & 9. "I was not expecting that!"

Fury arranged and returned her own cards. "I wouldn't have won if your Chocobo card wasn't there."

"Ah, so it's my fault then? Very well, I'll use a different set of cards for or next game." Julia stood up and stretched her arms. "Since I'm today's loser, what shall be your prize?"

It had been a practice born from accident. Once, Caraway asked her what she wanted after he lost to her. She laughed and jokingly asked for a dog. The next day, a white-brown puppy had been sent to her at The Galbadia with a note. I always keep my promise.

She had named the adorable female pup Angela.

"A kiss." he answered. "From your lips."

Her heart lurched. Wait. What? "Stop being silly."

"No, I'm serious".

"I've never kissed someone I didn't love."

His gaze unwavering, he stood from his chair and knelt beside her,lovingly placed his hands on her hands "Then love me a little, please." Suddenly, Julia's heart was overwhelmed with pity for him. She had known his interest in her for quite some time and had done her best to discourage him. Why couldn't he understand that she only saw him as a friend?"

"I can't give you anything more than friendship." She averted her gaze, not wanting to see the impending rage that would soon cloud his visage.

Upon her reply, Caraway was unable to control the jealousy that consumed his being and challenged her. "You still love him don't you? I can never replace him in your heart, can't I?"

It's time to be honest with him. He deserves it. ."I will always love him." She said as a matter of fact. "Laguna will always have a special part in my heart. I don't know if you can be that special to me too."

The room was deadly silent. Julia sensed something in him snapped for the gentle grip on her shoulders tightened until she couldn't suppress her discomfort. "Then I should just do something to make myself special for you." Her eyes widened as she felt his lips capture hers. Hot and demanding, he angled his head, deepening his kisses that stole her breath away.

"Stop it!" she managed to break away from his embrace and slapped his face.

It had no effect on him.

"You've had your kiss. Please leave my room."

Fury stood up and angled his head. "I'm afraid I changed my mind." He started to unbutton his long sleeved polo and made his way to her. "I decided to want more."

She began to sweat profusely. The cool beads of sweat trailing down her thoughts scrambled. He had become a totally different man. Where did the kind, patient and gentle Fury gone to? I need to go to Hugo! As she motioned for the door, she was thrown off-balance and landed on the carpeted floor. The softness had cushioned her from the fall. Her head felt light. She felt dizzy as opened her eyes and saw the room swirl. What now, Julia? Get up!

Caraway bent on his knees and enfolded her in his arms again. He planted kisses across her face as he laid her down on the soft carpeted floor, removing her garments.

"Even for this night, Julia… Just give me this night."

Julia closed her eyes and moaned as she felt the sensations Fury wreaked on her body. Whatever Fury had done to her, she could not resist his kisses and embrace.

Even for this night… Julia His words rang in her head. Could it be the wine? No, I'm used to drinking. So why am I behaving like this? I know I don't love him, yet.. why does it feel so good? When he kisses me… why am I responding?

She shuddered, and with bittersweet defeat surrendered to him, knowing the fact that it was an act she would regret for the rest of her life.

The room was cold, but not as cold as what she felt inside her heart. He had bothered to cover her with a blanket. She didn't bother to look at him at all. Caraway had carried Julia to her bed after she had fallen asleep. When she woke up, the horror of what they had done dawned on her.

"Get out." She didn't want to face him, especially not after what happened between them last night. She couldn't forgive herself. How could she let Caraway touch her, after repeatedly rejecting his advances?

"Julia" he pleaded. She heard the remorse in his voice. But it was too late.

"Get out." She repeated.

"I don't regret what happened between us."

"I do. Now please, get out."

The door shut.

Julia curled into a ball and wept as loud as she could. Laguna, how can I ever forgive myself? I've been unfaithful to you, Laguna!

Caraway had never visited The Galbadia since that night. For Julia, it took all her strength to pretend as if nothing had happened. She had donned her best smile as her tours, concerts and interviewed continued. Hugo had noticed Caraway's absence in their lives and had been grateful. Yet he knew something was deeply wrong. He couldn't point out what it was.

Julia was discussing her next tour with Duke and Hugo in his office. Everything went fine that night, except when Duke cautiously scrutinized her appearance. "I say, you've gained a little weight, haven't you, Julia?"

Julia set aside the fan letters she was reading. "What are you talking about?"

"I mean, I know you're wearing favorite dress. Hugo told me that's what you wore when you met your Soldier boy. It has always looked good on you, but there's something I can't put my finger… like, you've gained a weight around your abdomen."

She shrugged her shoulders. "Oh, I've been eating a lot."

"That's strange." Hugo commented. "You're not a voracious eater."

"I've been craving for sweets for the last four weeks.I can't understand it."

Duke threw a loud laugh. "You're not pregnant, are you Julia?"

He wanted to take back his joke when he saw he color drained from her face. Hugo saw her body tremble. "I was just kidding Julia!" Duke told her, but it was too late. His joke had struck a chord.

"No, it can't be….It had only been once….." she stammered as she unconsciously crumpled the fan letter she had been reading. "No, no…."

"Once is enough to get you knocked up, especially when you're fertile."

Hugo frowned and reprimanded him."I don't think this is the right time to joke, Duke. Could you please leave us?"

"If you say so." Duke took his items and left Hugo's office.

Once they were alone, Julia buried her face in her hands. "What should I do now, Hugo? I don't want this. I wanted to be with Laguna, not him! I don't love him. No, why… why…"

"Calm down. Here, have a glass of tea." Julia thanked him and drank it. When she had calmed down, Hugo finally asked her the dreaded question. "Who is the father of your baby?"

After a long period of silence, she confirmed his suspicions. "It's General Caraway."

"When did you sleep with him?" he bluntly asked.

She shook her head. "Do I really have to answer your question?"

He sat beside her and took her hands. Her hands were so dainty compared to his. "I'm your manager, and your parents have left you to me. Of course I care." He reminded her. "Tell me, why did you sleep with him?

"I don't know." She answered and averted her eyes from him "He visited me in my room last month. We were playing Triple Triad and I lost. He asked me for a kiss. I refused him, but when he did, I… I felt weak inside. I tried to escape, but I felt dizzy and fell on the floor. He… continued to kiss me and….. it happened."

"Tell me what else that happened."

And so, she narrated to him in detail the events of that fateful night. It didn't escape him that he had offered her wine. It had got to be the wine. But no, Julia knew how to hold her liquor. He felt something fishy but refrained from speaking out.

"What do you want to do now?"

"I want the baby to go away."

"You can't mean to abort it. It's innocent."

"But this baby is proof that I slept with him. When I look at this child, I will always remember that it could have been Laguna's baby, not Caraway's."

Hugo tipped her chin so she could see his direct gaze. "Julia, listen to me. Your child is an innocent human being. It didn't ask to be born, but somehow it did. It's now growing in your womb. What would you feel if your own mother rejected you?"

"Hurt." She replied.

"Do you want an innocent being to feel that?"

She slowly shook her head. "No, of course not. Oh Duke, I know I'm being irrational."

"That's good."

Julia embraced her friend.

"Will you marry him?"

"Pregnancy isn't a good reason to get married," she reasoned out.

"But your child will be illegitimate."

"I don't know. I really don't know. I'm concerned about my career as well. I wasn't planning to become a mother so soon."

"I wasn't planning on becoming a godfather soon too." He joked.

She pouted and lightly punched him on the chest. "That's not funny, Hugo."

"I'm sorry dear."

"Can we talk about this tomorrow? I feel… very tired."

He smiled at her. "Of course, good night Julia." She bade him good night and left the office. Hugo loosened his necktie when he heard the door open. "You eavesdropped." He told his visitor.

"I couldn't help it." Duke shamely admitted. "That Galbadian General has the hots for her."

"Yes." His eyes glinted with anger. "So hot for her that he was the one responsible for her lover's deployment that got him killed."

"Don't tell me it was deliberate. Oh no, no way. Wow,that General must be really calculating. Imagine, he sends the competition away, then closes in and gets her knocked up."

Hugo stroked his chin. "Something doesn't feel right. I know Julia. She loves Laguna. She wouldn't have slept with him that easily."

Duke made a clicking sound with his mouth and shook his head. "Unless she was drugged, you know… Drugs can change you."

That was it. It was the wine. Her narration finally made sense. That sick bastard had drugged her! "That monster! He wasn't contented to have Laguna killed… he even drugged her to sleep with Julia!"

Duke tried to tame his rage. "Try to control you temper. You never know…. The walls have ears."

"What, will you serve as that bastard's ears?"

Duke denied his accusation. "Of course not, Hug! Have I ever betrayed you after all these years?"

It took him a while to calm down. Yes, he was irrational after the night's events. Julia's unexpected pregnancy. The fact that Caraway had drugged her. It was just stress.

He apologized to his friend. "It must have been the stress. I'm sorry, Duke. We've been friends even before I was employed here at The Galbadia. You were the one who helped me land a job here. I'm eternally grateful to you."

Duke patted his friend at the back. "No problem man. I'm always here to help."

He smile at Hugo. It was a dazzling smile- the same smile that he would give to his visitor later that night.

"What news do you bring?" Duke's visitor had asked.

He had long been friends with his visitor… even way before he met Hugo. This was the man who helped his career when no one believed in him. If Hugo was indebted to Duke, then Duke was eternally indebted to the man who took him from the streets and changed his life. He had never betrayed Hugo, yet he could not betray the man who saved his life.

"Congratulations." He told his visitor as he poured a glass of brandy. "You are going to be a father."

Author's note:

This chapter was difficult to write. Difficult that I haven't updated this fic for... 4 weeks? The scenes… well, I'm not used to writing them. It felt awkward. Truth is, I didn't know how to describe the scenes. It didn't help that my perfectionism reared its ugly horns as I wrote the initial draft. Too ugly. Yuck. What, can you really write?

It also didn't help that I got busy with work. Yes, that excuse again. I stopped writing 2 chapters per week. Yep, it became a chore. It was difficult. I mean, there's not a lot of people who read...Oh wait, there are! Maybe 2 or 3 of them? I don't even check the stats now. Statistics give me this obsession that's difficult to escape!

The conversation to motivate me and finish this fic went like this:

Tell me, why did you write this fic in the first place?

Because I wanted to prove myself that I can.

Then sit on your table and type that draft. Ignore the voice that tells you your work is awful.

And that's what I did... no matter how painful and difficult it was. I had to revise the draft numerous times to something that felt right for me.

This chapter is imperfect. Wrong grammar. Wrong tense. English isn't my first language. Yeah.

But what's important is that… I'm showing myself that I can write!

To the readers who give their valuable time in reading this fic, thank you so much!

My vision is to provide the details to undeveloped parts a story Squaresoft created almost 17-18 years ago.

I know you know what the ending will be (yeah, it's sad), but thanks for sticking with this one til the end!