Two weeks passed after she reunited with Master Zangan and nothing exciting seemed to occur in between. That is, until she met him.

She worked as a bartender in a restaurant called Seventh Heaven which was next to the Midgar Train Station and two blocks away was the headquarters for the Shinra Electric Power Company which easily towered over every other building with its seventy floors. Every day was always busy and she knew several of her customers worked at Shinra Corporation and came to Seventh Heaven to unwind after a hard day at work. But he wasn't just anyone who worked at Shinra.

It was her night shift when he arrived. He wasn't hard to miss as he was literally the only one present. Tifa blinked several times at how barren and eerily quiet the bar was and vaguely recalled today's meeting of how someone had rented the place for the entire night and her co-workers had gossiped, wondering which celebrity was rich enough to pull off such a feat and now here he was. She wasn't sure if he was a celebrity since she didn't recognize him but there was no doubt that he was upper-class.

Tifa felt her insides churn as she stepped behind the counter and made her way to her patron.

"Good evening, sir," she greeted, trying hard to muster up her winning smile however she knew it came out forced. There was something gnawing in her stomach; that instinctive gut feeling that was warning her of something.

The man shifted his eyes to meet hers. He was sitting on the bar stool, palm on his cheek, and his jacket drapped on the counter next to him. He was lean with defined features and dressed in a stark white suit with a black vest. Under the few strands of his light blond hair that fell over his face, he studied her with intense icy blue eyes. Something about the glint in his eyes caused chills to run down her spine.

When she stood in front of him she fell into her normal routine, pulling up a menu and placing it in front of him, asking, "What can I get for you?"

Aside from his eyes, he hadn't moved. She gave him a patient smile, unnerved by his blatant staring. "You can order your drink and I'll ready it for you while you look over the menu."

He didn't seem to hear her. Instead he held out his hand.

"You must be Tifa Lockhart," he said, his voice deep and smooth.

Tifa was startled. How did he know her?

"I am, sir but how–"

She took his hand but instead of shaking it, he squeezed it and stood up from his seat. As he walked casually he dragged her to the end of the counter and when they reached the end she was pulled forward into his arms. She immediately jumped back but his hand fell on her waist and kept her from pulling away.

"Sir–"

"Please, Miss Lockhart," he interrupted. "Give me the pleasure of dancing with you on this fine evening."

What the hell?

She was still speechless when he coaxed her onto the stage floor and began swaying. Having next to no dancing skills, she felt awkward compared to him as he gracefully glided across the floor, trying hard to keep up with him. It was like something out of a fairytale book. Here she was dancing with some handsome stranger and, with no one around, it felt like they were the only two people in the world. The bar was bathed in low lights and soft music even began playing. She briefly spotted Jessie behind the transparent curtain next to the bar counter, giving her a huge smirk and a thumbs as romantic as Tifa found the situation her gut feeling only grew worse.

"I see you aren't accustomed to dancing," he observed.

She chuckled nervously. "I'm sorry. Apparently, I'm not as adept as you, sir."

"I wouldn't mind giving you a few pointers," he whispered. "Perhaps a few private lessons and you'll get better."

All right, this is getting weird.

Tifa felt her face grow warm. "Sir, I'm honored to be... entertaining you tonight but perhaps you would prefer to do something else?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Something else? Like what?"

Tifa wanted to smack herself. She didn't mean for that to come out as suggestive.

"Like something to drink?" She answered desperately.

He hummed and lowered his head closer to her before he said, "Why? So that you can poison it?"

Tifa stopped dancing. "E-excuse me?"

The corner of his lips twitched slightly. "Here's what going to happen," he whispered. "You're going to come with me and we're gonna have a nice, long chat."

They stood motionlessly on the stage floor for a few seconds. The frightened, deer-in-headlights expression she had must've satisfied him because he grabbed her wrist and began walking towards the exit. She yanked her arm from him and stepped back, her hands curling into fists.

"I don't think so," she hissed.

He flashed her an arrogant smile. "So the cat has claws," he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I advise you that it's in your best interest to cooperate."

"I don't have to go anywhere with you. Who the hell do you think you are?"

"I'm Rufus Shinra, son of one of the most powerful men in this city," he answered arrogantly. "Master Zangan told us that you were a spirited girl. I wonder if you get it from the old coot."

Tifa felt her blood run cold. "Master... Master Zangan...?"

He nodded. "Such a riveting man. A wandering soul who travels the Planet with the intent to pass his skills and knowledge so that it may live for millennia. I mean, I'd hate to see anything happen to him I couldn't help but offer our services to him."

"What?"

"And if you want to see him again in one piece, you'd come with me without resistance. I'd rather not damage your pretty face but I'll do what's necessary."

She lifted her eyes to glare at the repulsive man in front of her. Rufus Shinra was staring at her with a triumphant sneer. That was all it took. Master Zangan was a professional fist-fighter and she knew he could hold his own in a fight. In a fair fight. He was old, friendly but too trusting and offered his company to any who was willing to spare him their time. She couldn't even fathom what was happening to him right now.

Through gritted teeth, she muttered, "Fine."

"Good to hear. Now, be a darling and grab my jacket for me."

Her arms were shaking, aching to punch that damn smile off his face as she stomped over to the counter and snatched his jacket. If that wasn't enough, he then raised his arms to the side and looked at her expectantly. She huffed, her maroon eyes flaring with raw anger as she placed the sleeves of his jacket through his arms. He buttoned himself up thankfully, otherwise she might have clocked him and then she'd really get on his bad side.

"On and don't even think of doing any of your little magic tricks," he said. She snapped her head towards him, her breath stuck in her throat. "Can't have all the women in my life disappearing on me."

(Two weeks ago...)

"The park," Rufus growled. "I'm not too drunk that I wouldn't recognize where I am, Tseng."

"Which park?"

"The one with my name on it."

He thought he heard Tseng scoff on the other end. "I'm on my way."

"Take your time." He said and snapped his phone shut. He could almost imagine Tseng reprimanding him for going off on his own once he arrived. He had to admit that it was foolish of him to be in a public place with none of his bodyguards especially with an assassin at his heels. Tseng had uncovered a piece of information about his mystery hitman; whoever put a hit on him was someone in his company. There was no denying it. He had expected it but that didn't change the fact that it scared him and he was not someone who was easily frightened.

In his paranoia he even began to suspect the Turks; the cold-blooded bodyguards that he trusted to keep him safe. That was the reason why he was sitting on a bench in Shinra Park after all. The Turks were practically his shadow. He was fortunate to get ten minutes by himself without one of them breathing down his neck.

It didn't take long for Tseng to arrive. Thankfully, he didn't scold him for running off by himself so he quietly followed the older man as he led him to the car.

Shinra Park was deserted. It was dark with a few well placed streetlamps to illuminate the path they were walking on. To his left was an empty field. Movement caught his eye so he turned his head to see what it was.

"Sir?" Tseng glanced at him.

He stopped walking as he had watched the empty field. There was a lone figure right in the center, moving around wildly. He would have dismissed the figure as some drunk but anyone who was drunk didn't move quite like that. It was like watching a dancer performing onstage. The figure kicked and punched the air, twirled, sidestepped, cartwheeled, and even flipped backwards. The frenetic activity was astonishing as it was almost three in the morning. Who had the energy for that?

But that wasn't it. He could have sworn that he blinked but one second the figure was in one spot and then appeared in another spot. The routine continued like that and Rufus watched with fascination. Behind him, Tseng was also watching and he didn't need to know that the older man also witnessed the show.

"Interesting," Tseng said.

Rufus rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Very interesting."

Tifa traced the rim of the mug with her index finger. Her coffee had gone cold although she initially refused to drink it but she could feel fatigue start to creep in and she realized that she was gonna need to get some caffeine in her if she was going to think clearly.

Vice President Rufus Shinra was sitting across from her, lounging on the leather couch with a glass of whiskey in his hand. His bodyguard, a man with ivory skin, straight dark hair and equally dark eyes, was also present in the room. Rufus had called him Tseng and he rarely spoke except when he was called on or to offer some tidbit of information but the he kept a level gaze on her.

The ride here didn't take long but she rode in a sleek black car and she couldn't have felt more unnerved. Rufus Shinra had watched her the entire time, like she was under a microscope. She had never felt so uncomfortable. Though she squirmed under his gaze, her frantic mind kept going back to Master Zangan. He had been dragged into this mess because of her stupidity and carelessness. He trusted her to keep his secret and she betrayed him.

She refused to make eye contact with the man that was slowly starting to become the bane of her existence. She was never violent, never in her life did she want to remotely hurt someone, but every time she looked at him she felt like she was going to do something that she would regret. She cursed his name and wished for something terrible to happen to him lest she do it herself.

They were now sitting in his lounge room. She soon learned that his demeanor at the bar was just an act. The only polite thing he said to her was to ask what she wanted to drink. Although she was pretty sure he was just mocking her previous behavior so she was left wondering how someone as rich as him couldn't afford some manners. The fact that he was able to rent the bar was to ostentatiously display his money and influence. And, as if it that wasn't enough, when they entered the Shinra headquarters anyone they encountered stepped out of his way and nodded respectively at him. To top it off, once they arrived at his penthouse, waiting for them was a middle aged butler who took his coat and served them drinks. She would've been impressed if he wasn't such a prick.

"So," she finally said, her voice hoarse. She didn't say anything as he told her how he witnessed her "little magic display", as he put it. "What do you want from me?"

On the coffee table was a single manila folder. He slid it towards her. "Your service, of course."

"What for? I'm a bartender."

"With your abilities you'll find that it can be used in various ways."

She felt her shoulders tense. As if she didn't see that coming. She could only imagine what kind of ideas the wicked Vice President had in store for her. She glanced at the folder and inside was a three page contract. She flipped through it, her eyes skimming over it before she choked. "Unforeseeable future?"

Shinra stretched his hand with the empty glass and his butler walked over to refill his glass. "Oh yes. I'm still debating if you'll be needed once you finish the first task I have in mind."

So basically sell your soul. And the way he's speaking. It's like he knows I'll agree to work for him. He's definitely someone who's used to getting what he wants.

Tifa took a deep breath. "So, to put it simply, you threaten one of my friends, kidnap me, and then you-you want me to work for you until you decide I'm no longer useful?"

"I didn't say any of that, Miss Lockhart," Shinra answered, feigning innocence. "We do have Zangan in our custody but no harm has been done to him."

"Bullshit!" She stood up, fists clenched. "Your company has always been selfish and rotten, and it all started with your family! You're nothing but an arrogant asshole who thinks he's so high and mighty that he can't even be bothered to pour his own drink! AND it's your fault that–"

Tifa froze. The words were stuck in her throat but she forced them down. Shinra leaned forward in his seat. He didn't seem the least bit bothered by what she said which, in hindsight, didn't seem to matter since it was more so she could blow off some steam. Behind him, Tseng didn't react to her outburst but she did notice that he was a few feet closer to where they were sitting, probably sensing that she intended to hurt his employer.

"It's my fault that what?" Shinra prompted, eyebrows raised.

She plopped back into her seat and crossed her arms. "It's your fault that I'm here in the first place."

A tense silence filled the room. For a second, she almost opened up a can of worms and that never ends well especially with strangers.

Shinra rubbed his face and sighed. "Well, I'm sure you have some questions."

"More like complaints."

"You know, you should be grateful," he said coldly. "I don't normally offer such opportunities to anyone. You'll even be compensated handsomely."

"You're going to pay me?" she asked incredulously.

"Of course. I'm not unreasonable. But if you don't want that then that can be arranged."

She narrowed her eyes and didn't comment.

"I do have a question," she said. He waved his hand for her to continue. "Is it possible if I could get... information?"

Shinra stared at her thoughtfully before he turned to Tseng and raised a quizzical brow. "Depends on a multitude of things," Tseng answered, "such as the confidentiality of the information you want and your future performance. Perhaps, if you do exceedingly well, you might even be authorized to view top secret information."

Tifa fiddled with her fingers and nodded. "I'll hold you to that."

Shinra raised his eyebrows. "Does that mean you've made your decision?"

"No. I need time to think." She stood up from her seat and grabbed the folder. Gods, what a day. She needed to go home and process all of this.

"Take all the time you need," Shinra said. "I look forward to working with you, Miss Lockhart."

A/N: I'm a diehard Cloti fan but I do enjoy some RufusxTifa so here you go. This chapter was very rushed and unedited so I'm sorry if you see any mistakes.