AN: I know I'm supposed to be focused on Fiery Mischief, but I couldn't stop myself from writing a Lorax fanfiction. This won't be my main focus and I'm really just writing this for fun, so bear with me here.
Footsteps echo along the darkened hallway, lips spreading to show off perfectly straight, pearly white teeth as the man makes his way to his office. All of the employees had left hours ago, leaving the greed-filled man alone to his own affairs for once. Gloved hands push open the door leading into his unnecessarily large office. To his surprise, it seems that he is not as alone as he thought.
In front of his desk stands his favorite secretary. Once-ler gives a devious smirk in her direction, clearing his throat to gain her attention. The female whips around, her unusually wild black hair looking out of place from her normally tight updo. The smirk on the CEO's lips fade when he sees the tears glistening wetly in the woman's normally warm and cheerful brown eyes.
"Mr. Once-ler.." The female murmurs, causing the man to nearly wince in disgust. Didn't she know? He isn't the same person he used to be, replaced with a better version entirely. But of course, Once-ler won't say that thought aloud.
"Yes, Ms. Brown?" He coos, closing the door behind him with a soft thud as he steps further into the red themed room. He ignores the pile of gold and green decorating his desk as he sits in his chair, no, his throne. He raises an eyebrow when she stares at him, cool blue eyes piercing through her soul.
The woman can't meet his eyes, disgust sinking into her bones by her boss's actions. He was her friend once, so many years ago. When he came to the valley with nothing but his mule and camping gear, and of course, his irrational sense of optimism. But now? She barely even recognizes him behind those sunglasses and green suit.
Once-ler senses the tension in the room and leans forward, resting his chin on his loosely laced fingers. "If you've got something to say-" he murmurs, voice dangerously cool as he watches his employee carefully, "Then I suggest you spit it out, Ms. Brown."
She flinches, her skin already flushing as she fights to contain her anger. "You're a monster, Once-ler. Chopping down these trees, ruining the animals' habitat, and all for what? Money?" Rebecca snaps, a throaty chuckle leaving her lips. "I thought you were different. I thought you were good. But no. You're just like all the rest. Greedy, heartless, and cruel."
Once-ler stares at her for a few moments, sending a chill straight down Rebecca's spine. Finally, he pushes himself from his desk and strides around to her. Before she can back out of his reach, he tightly grips her chin between thumb and forefinger. His lips twist into a nasty sneer, eyes cold as ice as he glares at her.
"I got you back on your feet. I gave you a well paying job. And this is how you repay me? You come to me crying about the poor animals, when you should be thanking me for everything I've done!" He pushes her back, sending her nearly falling against the wall behind her. Her eyes widen when he traps her, arms outstretched on either side of her as his face nears her.
Rebecca's heart pounds beneath her chest. Normally, she was not the type of person to confront someone. But she could no longer handle Once-ler's irresponsible actions. He's the one poisoning the environment and he has the audacity to attempt to guilt-trip her? The woman scoffs, dark eyebrows furrowing in anger. "You took me from a place I was already happy in, you destroyed not just the animals' home, but mine as well. I didn't want you in my life! Because I knew you'd destroy it in more ways than one."
Once-ler pauses at this, letting his arms drop lazily to his sides. "What are you talking about, Ms. Brown?"
Rebecca looks up at him with angry tears, forcing herself to speak the words she had came here to tell him in the first place. "I'm saying that I'm pregnant with your child, Once-ler."
For once, Greed-ler is caught off guard. The tall walls around him fade if only for a moment into the man he used to be, before the Thneed factory had ever gotten in the way. Once-ler stares at her, unsure of what to say.
"I-You're . . . But we used protection, we were careful!" He shakes his head, disbelief in his eyes. "How could this have happened?"
"Yeah, well it didn't work," Rebecca states bitterly, arms crossing over her chest. "And because of our actions, I have to move into town, away from the pollution. I won't hurt our child because of you, and I won't let you hurt our child."
Once-ler flinches away, stung by Rebecca's cold words. There was a time when the two had been best friends, almost a couple, even. But then the company got in the way, and that had turned them into strangers. "Rebecca, you don't have to go, we can figure this out, I can help yo-"
But Rebecca cuts him off, shoving him away when he attempts to close their distance. "I will never let you near me or my child again. Not ever. You've hurt me countless of times, I won't let you do the same to someone who isn't even born yet. I won't let you corrupt the child's mind like you did with mine."
The Once-ler falls silent. For once, he can't bring himself to force her to stay. He's losing her, and he knows it. His eyes sting, but he lowers his head so that Rebecca won't see the tears that threaten to fall. He won't let her see him be weak. What would his mother say if she ever found out?
"I'm sorry, Once. But this is how it has to be. If things were different, then maybe..." Rebecca trails off, stopping herself before her voice cracks. She shakes her head and turns towards the door, "Good bye, Mr. Once-ler."
And then the door shuts softly, leaving the world's most powerful entrepreneur to fall to his knees, taking off his hat and throwing it against the ground.
It's all my fault, and now I'll lose Rebecca forever.