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She was fresh off the train, coming from village deep in the mountain. It was very obvious from the way she gaped at everything around her. Probably had never been in a city nor a lavish room as where she was standing before her whole life.
Besides the innocence an 16 year old could muster, she radiated a certain beauty that caught the manager's eyes. Beneath those dark tresses, there was a pair of intense wine orbs along with dramatic eyelashes. Red lips stood in contrast to porcelain white skin. That was why he hired her right on the spot as their new waitress. This high-end bar could use fresh face as eye candy for their wealthy patrons. The tips would never hurt either.
The manager had seriously considered grooming her into a high escort, but it had to wait. Right now she was still reeking of countryside, not sophisticated enough to be a proper companion for their clients.
"All right, miss Lockhart. You can start tonight."
Tifa Lockhart might be only 16, penniless, and had no knowledge about Midgar. But she was determined to make it work given her current situation: burned hometown, no family; even the scar on her chest was still fresh. She was bitter and got nothing to lose.
Like her counterparts who hailed from other villages, with no qualification and connection, she could only cut for labor work, which paid very little. Job was scarce and she considered herself lucky to be able to land one… Even if it meant to work in a shady club, something her father would have objected as it was deemed inappropriate.
When the night came, she wore white long sleeve top with black pencil skirt, her working uniform. Her hair was tied into ponytail. She had to refrain from wearing jewelry, but putting on make up was to be expected of her.
The club was a formal, upscale establishment with exclusive membership to get into, which loosely translated: discreet high-class escort, overpriced alcohol, and distinguished patrons aged above 40s who prefer anonymity.
Tifa walked back and forth, delivering a tray of drinks, collecting glasses, and wiping table. Overall it was an easy job comparing to her last job as a tour guide on dangerous mountain path, which only earned measly gils. The downgrade and the only thing she would miss was her sleeping hours.
As the night matured, a group of clients appeared and occupied the corner table. They immediately attracted her attention as they stood up more than the rest. Her mind was reeling with questions. How come they afford this place? They looked very young, could be no more than twenty something. Who are these guys?
The slender guy with red hair gave her a lazy smirk, motioning her to come over. Tifa was quick on her feet to take order.
"You are new, aren't you?" The smirk didn't leave his lips. "Never seen you before."
She nodded. Acknowledging the fact that she was new made the red haired a regular. A rich regular, she emphasized.
"Stop harassing the girl, Reno. She is a minor for God's sake," warned the other one with long black hair.
"Then what about your girl from the church?" Reno implied. "Isn't it against our regulation to mix business with pleasure?"
The older man squinted his eyes in displeasure but said nothing. He had mentored the kid for almost two years but still hadn't managed to tame his fiery temper.
"Reno." A bald man with dark glasses cleared his throat. "Remember chain of command."
Reno waved his hand. "Sorry, boss. Didn't mean anything by it."
Tifa placed her eyes on fair-haired man in distinguished white suit that hadn't said a word yet. He might be older than her but not by that much. Was she obliged to call him sir?
She felt a jolt as his blue eyes caught her. He took the sight of her in appreciating gaze. Slowly an amusing smile made way into his lip. He still retained that schoolboy charm, the girl noted.
"Miss."
Unexpectedly his voice was deep like an adult.
"Y-yes, Sir?"
"Could you accompany me to go to the private room, please?"
The other three men stopped talking and directed their eyes to an offended looking Tifa. Private room was client's way to imply their interest on high escort service. Tifa was seriously offended since she was clearly on her waitress uniform whose job description didn't cover anything about a private room.
"If you are here for that…" She would give this man- no, boy, a piece of her mind…
The manager swept in no time without giving her a chance to continue. He bowed his head. "Mr. Shinra… Gentlemen… I couldn't help but hear your request."
Tifa's eyes widened hearing that name. Shinra… It rolled like bitter medicine on her tongue, forcing her to replay the event at Nibelheim reactor…
As if on trance, her ears could only catch words scattered here and there from the manager. Then the next thing, she was ushered to the back office, facing the manager. The man looked nervous, wiping his forehead every once in a while despite the cool air blared from the central AC.
"Miss Lockhart," finally he addressed her. "The young man from before is Rufus Shinra. I believe you recognize the name so I won't waste time to explain. Mr. Shinra…"
He fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable with what he about to say, "…requested your company for the night…"
He left the sentence hanging, waiting for her reaction. But Tifa just sat there with empty look.
Even with all heavy make up, she was no doubt only an underage. What's on President's son's mind? That brat himself was barely legal to shop in prostitute department. But then again, with Shinra name, he didn't come empty handed. Money is power that trumps everything, including the unattainable. The young man must be so used to get whatever he wanted. The young girl was no exception
"Giving your situation which is illegal to engage in those illicit activity… there will be…" He swallowed hard. "…decent compensation, of course."
Tifa's jaw hardened. Rufus Shinra willed to pay for her service to provide sexual experience. Oh joy, will not miss it for the world, her sarcastic side remarked.
The manager hated to break the unfortunate news to her. He knew how he sounded like. However, under her current situation, sooner or later, girl like her always ended in the same situation of today. The difference was only when.
"Miss Lockhart, you should know..," He smiled tiredly. "With that amount of financial compensation, you can easily start a small business, forget about working in these kind of place."
"Would you say the same had he asked your daughter this favor?" Tifa had to ask.
The man averted his eyes. Shame and regret mixed on his face.
"I don't have one… But I would tell her the same." He pursed his lip in sadness. "I know I'm sounding deceitful… But those men who accompany Mr. Shinra are Turks, professional killers. I don't mean to put pressure on you…"
She understood properly. Her action, if wrong, would inflict serious complication to the club. Her colleagues could be threatened… or worse.
In defeat, Tifa said nothing. It was inevitable.
"Where is the private room?" she murmured.
"Uh… somebody will escort you…" He was surprised that assuring her would be easy. In his last attempt to humor her, he stated quickly, "Just think of it as making love to your boyfriend. I believe young Mr. Shinra is pleasing on eyes and…"
The door already shut with soft click.