Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Counting the Seconds ❯ Prologue ( Prologue )

From The Desk Of Scilja

Well, well, well, what have we here, you ask? Could it be? Damn right it can! It's a new author! Allow me introduce myself. Name's Scilja. I am a full supporter of the infamous Gundam Wing couple, Heero and Relena. It will be most likely that future fics will revolve around these two for a while. Why? Isn't it obvious that I ADORE them together and love the anime series itself? I have been around the block for a fair amount of time now. Particularly, reading up on numerous Gundam Wing fics and exploring the fiction world. (Non-yaoi, mind you!) I have also discovered about the links between readers and the authors. Overall, reviews, suggestions and comments are awfully helpful and motivating, but it's not always pretty. It gets messy like when the author forgets to update their stories for a long period of time, or when stories are flamed. Yosh! Talk about load. If it is not too much to ask, a little patience and feedback would be certainly appreciated and be most helpful. I look forward to being one of your favorites in the art of fanfics. Now without further ado, I present this story to you.

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DISCLAIMER: Must I do this?! I must? Awww…. <mumbles under her breath> I do not own Gundam Wing or its characters. <pipes up> But I do own this story! YAY!

Counting the Seconds

By Scilja

Prologue

"You did…what?"

"I…uh…got you a free ticket to the Rijoné?"

The lady sent her dark-haired companion yet another fierce look that made her shift uncomfortably on the park bench they both sat on. She had been doing that quite often for the past few minutes they had been here. One minute conversing over ice cream to what seemed to be an innocent talk, and the next minute turning into a full blown confession.

"I knew it! I knew there was something going on ever since you dragged me out here!" With an exasperated sigh, Relena leaned back unto the bench and looked up at the very blue sky, searching for a way to escape the grasps of her friend's devotion to 'match-making'.

"Come on, Rel! It's going to be amazing!" Hilde convinced. "There's going to be a live band, and heaps of food, people waiting to be met, and did I mention that it's at the Rijoné? Might I add the classiest and best-rated restaurant in town?"

The blonde turned to her comrade and furrowed her brow. "You know very well how I feel about blind dates, Hil. With the number of men you try to set me up with, sometimes I think you see my love life as a desperate cry for help." Using one hand, she straightened her posture from her slouched position and quickly licked off any chance of dripping ice cream to land on her clothes. "Besides, as you can see, I am currently content with how my life is going."

A scoff was the remark. "Sure Rel, you're always working, and I bet with the hours you spend at the office comes no where close to the hours you use to live life."

"I do so have a life!"

"It died seven years ago!"

Hilde smiled mutely and shook her head at the infamous stubbornness Relena had. They had been the best of friends ever since high school, from knowing each other's deepest secrets to future goals.

Relena was a refined lady, where all that studying paid off to great achievement and intelligence, and her inner and outer beauty was an extra bonus to top it all off. When most girls were into the art of looking good and interested in the other sex, her golden-haired friend buried her nose in books, making connections, extra credit courses, walking the road less taken and what-not.

Hilde was there to make sure Relena did not forget to dance, shop, have fun, and laugh. They were very different in many ways; Hilde was much more into being out there, as with Relena, it was striving for the top. That was probably why they were so close; they were a contrast to each other.

Now in the golden age of 22 and still side-by-side, they found their place of work at Dreask Incorporated, a company where they produced advertisements for several organizations to give them a little push and boost their business. Equally, they performed well in their work areas that in no less than two years, they were given a more than generous promotion.

Hilde was exceptionally lucky that she was offered a position in one of the top ranking, successful businesses in the area. It was her job to explain about the important details of the contract and research in meetings with clients, to discuss about what the other party is looking for and the outcome of it, and as well as assembling designs suitable for a patron's commerce. In other words, she had to make sure everything went smoothly.

The one who had to deal with all the paper work and of what may seem to be more than 60% of the whole task fell into the hands of Relena Darlian. Only through her were contracts had the pleasure of being validated, what was fitting for an advertisement for that firm and the making of it, the coming to terms for both parties to creating the ad, and a great deal more. The mere thought of it all made Hilde incredibly thankful she could only handle so much.

Taking a quick glance around her, she noticed numerous male eyes sneaking a peek at the person next to her, who ― at the moment ― was in deep thought of something. Hilde silently smirked at the scene as a cyclist swerved lightly from his focus due to a certain distraction. She wondered if her dear friend knew just how many secret admirers she had if she weren't so buried into her work.

Relena needed to be rescued before those office wolves took away her sanity, and just like years before, Hilde was more than determined to persuade her to attend this gala, and she was going to have fun, no questions asked.

She urged once again. "You don't need to worry about anything, Rel! I heard from a very reliable source that there are no mice there, guaranteed!" Relena rolled her eyes. "I know you're extremely busy, and probably don't find any importance to a small event like this. I really want you to be there with Duo and me. It wouldn't hurt to spend some time with your friends now, would it? Besides, you never know what you might gain from this. Several representatives from different franchises could be there as well! It could attract more clients to Dreask when they see just how beautiful the Vice-president of an advertising company can be!"

Relena shook her head wittily at the pointed comment, "Remind me again why I got the absurd idea to let you become Executive Coordinator?"

"Because there's nobody else like me, and you know it!"

"Alas, I'm sorry to say that I do," Relena placed a hand over her heart dramatically, and then looked at Hilde accusingly. "I also know that you will do anything in your almighty power to set me up with the male population."

"You should be grateful that I am opening doors for you to keep you from being a lonely soul before wrinkles take over your face. Two simple words Rel: R and R. Remember those two? Or did you forget them due to endless hours of labor?"

"I take it you mean 'Rest and Relaxation'? Oh, how soon I forget. And I am not lonely!" Relena stressed with such emphasis which made the two share a heartfelt laugh that echoed out genuine friendship.

Moments later, a shout of triumph resounded throughout the park when Relena had finally agreed with Hilde's offer.

"Details about my date?"

"Well, you'll just have to see for yourself. Duo wouldn't tell me anything, no matter how much I tried to force it out of him. I guess I should have gone with the thought to threaten him with scissors."

"So once again, I'm back to being the helpless damsel who is in dire need of a prince to sweep me off my feet and carry me away to his magnificent castle." After the highly sarcastic dramatization in which Hilde tried to suppress her boisterous laughter, Relena looked at her friend uneasily as anxiety clutched at her throat, "What if Prince Charming's fat? Or ugly? Or balding? Or full of wrinkles and age spots and…"

"I doubt Duo will let you suffer that much. Besides, he may be Mr. Right." Hilde assured, and then jumped at Relena's sudden outcry. It seemed she had forgotten that she was holding a rapidly melting cold treat that just so happened to spill over her hands and trickle unto her periwinkle dress suit.

"Dammit! Ice cream and the slow act of eating definitely don't come together well." She immediately tossed the unfinished cone into the nearby trash and hastily tried to wipe off the offending brown stains with the napkin Hilde offered. "Alright Hil," Pausing from her act, Relena exchanged an embrace with her comrade and prepared to leave. "I'll see you in a few hours while I go prep myself up for tonight and knock 'em dead."

"You do that. See you soon!"

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The sounds of a city at night played at a lively pace and street lamps cast their light on paths as if a show was on. People's voices chatted amicably over the humming of cars that drove by at a lenient speed. The Rijoné stood out in the midst of it all, grand and magnificent as it was and always had been. One would usually take such insight on a scene like this, but if that person were uneasy about a friend's whereabouts, it's a problem.

Hilde tapped her black heeled shoes against the pavement and checked her silver timepiece for the fourth time in the past five minutes. "Geez Relena, in business you are hardly a millisecond late, but it's a completely different story for social functions. Oh, the irony."

Both she and Relena were supposed to meet at the park, which was located right across the restaurant, so that they could both make an entrance. Now chances that they were going to actually get in together were growing slim. Hilde lifted the violet shawl higher on her shoulders. Her necklace gleamed against the lamppost's light. The deep purple dress she wore was strapless, with a criss-cross design at the back, and it emphasized her indigo eyes. She let out a breath to calm her nerves, which at the moment, were jittery with worry.

"Oh shit," she cussed upon seeing the sight of Duo and Relena's date at the restaurant's opening. "Rel," Hilde clenched her hands by her side and said through gritted teeth, "I'm going to…"

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"-kill me! Hilde's gonna kill me!" Relena desperately tried to put together the clasp of one diamond earring and at the same time tie the string of her dress shoe. "God, it's a miracle my hair is still in a good state from all this running." She stood in front of the mirror, twirling her fingers around a few curls to give them a slight bounce.

"Alright," she bent to straighten her peach-colored, knee-length dress with beaded embroideries of roses decorated the skirt. It was ideal for such an occasion. The fit bodice hung from her shoulders on thin straps and it gave out glittering shimmer whenever she moved. The dress was modest, but it dared to show the curves she had.

Earrings, check. Necklace, check. Bracelet, check. Shoes that match, check. Perfume, and natural make-up, checkity-check check.

"Now," she expelled a sigh, "to try to save my butt from Hilde's wrath."

With that, Relena bolted out of the door and ran in a speed that put sport cars to shame.

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The Rijoné was elegant inside as it was outside, if possible, even more. The whole floor was carpeted a luscious deep red and expensive, crystal chandeliers hung about from the ceiling. A small, live orchestra played continuous melodies, enchanting the people to a serene atmosphere. There was a marble, square dance floor across the ensemble if the mood caught couples to sway to the music. Gold rose vines decorated the walls; pillars and sculptures of Greek mythology posed in various places to give out ethnicity. The skylight displayed an awe-inspiring view of the city surrounding the restaurant, as well as gave an atmosphere of relaxation. Well dressed waiters attended to their customers in all directions, carrying plates of delectable foods and tasteful drinks. It was most definitely a sight to behold.

Two men sat at a table near a large bay window, where the starry night sky was revealed through. A light chuckle resounded from the man with a lengthy dark brown braid. His eyes expressed mirth and a hint of laughter. He seemed to be attempting to get a reaction out of the figure across from him. From an observer's point of view, the other man looked to be ignoring his companion. At one point however, he would send a glare to the other end of the table.

"Duo, it's been eight minutes. I would be lying if I said I have patience left for this stunt of yours." He sent him yet another irritated leer. "Do you have a good explanation prepared?"

"Have a little faith in me, will 'ya Heero? Hilde was never one to break her word. Besides, would it kill you to party once in a while? Or in your case, once in a blue moon?"

"You are becoming very close to crossing the line, Maxwell. The kill would be directed to you pretty soon if your mouth doesn't find some glue to shut it," Heero's voice dripped with venom though his posture was seated in a casual manner.

"Okay, okay!" Duo answered back nervously. "Sheesh, talk about giddy…She's here!" He announced at the approaching lady before Heero got a chance to retort back. They both rose from their seats to give their greetings.

Duo wrapped his arms around Hilde and gave her a small peck on the lips, emitting a small smile from her as she mouthed an apology for being tardy. In a gentlemanly manner, Heero bowed to grasp hold of Hilde's hand to kiss it. He then looked to Duo and saw him perform a friendly embrace to another woman, whom he understood as his 'date' for the evening. He was unable to see the face of the lady, since all he could see was a view of Duo's back covered the person.

It was then that when Duo turned aside to introduce her, time stopped.

TBC…