A/N: First FFVII and Cloti ff. I hope my English is not terrible.

Disclaimer: I do not own FFVII.


1. You don't know it's me.


"Promise me you'll never forget me!"

"Why would I forget you? I don't need to do that. You're my best friend!"

"No! I want you to promise me!"

"Don't you trust me?"

"Cloud, promise me!"

"Alright, geez. I promise."

Cloud's eyes slowly fluttered open; the sun rays were shining down exactly on his face through the cracks of the window curtains.

He sat up, looking at his pinky finger, what the hell was that all about?

The blonde looked at his bedside table, he reached for his phone to check the time, and for any notifications. It was 7:54 am, and he had a few text messages from his best friend – Zack, and some social media notifications.

He unlocked his phone and scrolled through the text messages:

"Don't forget the corporate meeting at 10 today. I can't make it since Aerith wants me to help her set up for the bridal expo at the convention."

"Also, you have an interview with Midgar Dispatch at 9, so don't let it run for too long!"

"Lastly check out my view last night. Attachment."

Cloud furrowed his eyebrows together, a little reluctant on clicking the link to the image attached in his text message. He clicked the link anyways, and a picture of Aerith's glistening backside, firmly flushed against Zack's lower abdomen had filled his screen. Someone forgot to turn off the flash, Cloud shook his head and swiped down to get rid of the image on his phone; clearly, Zack was trying to take a picture in secret while Aerith was riding him, reverse cowgirl. He wasn't jealous that his friend got laid last night. Cloud knew he was as good looking as Zack, and he could get as many girls as he wants but Cloud was a very reserved guy, he was quite picky on whom he chooses to sleep with. Granted, he never had a relationship lasting more than six months; he didn't have time for it anyway, he was too busy running their multibillionaire company that Zack and him co-own. It was initially Cloud's dad's business that he started back in Nibelheim.

"I'm gonna assume the image is why you're setting up her flower arrangement booth in the expo, correct?" Cloud texted back.

He tossed his phone back on top of his bedside table. He moved his covers to the side as he stepped off from his luxurious king size bed. He rubbed his face and stretched his arms out, trying to get rid of the sleepiness lingering on him.

His phone buzzed on the table. He bent over to look at the notification:

"You bet your ass."

Cloud rolled his eyes and didn't bother to reply. He went straight to his closet and grabbed a pair of running clothes to start his morning run before he got ready for today's agenda.


"Are you excited?"

Tifa looked up from the sink, staring at the person's reflection on the mirror in front of her "Of course I am, Yuf" she answered her roommate's question, after spitting out the foam from brushing her teeth. She grabbed a bottle of mouthwash from the medicine cabinet.

"Are you gonna bring up that you were his childhood friend?" Yuffie was leaning against the bathroom door's frame, waiting for Tifa to finish gargling mouthwash.

She spat out the mouthwash before she put the cap back on the bottle, "No, he should know that it's me; he promised he wouldn't forget about me."

Tifa walked out of their shared bathroom and headed towards her closet, looking for appropriate clothes to wear for the interview.

"How long has it been since your promise? Almost fifteen years! And you guys have not made contact since!" Yuffie trailed behind her, "No offense but it was a childish promise, you'd think he'd remember it?"

"I tried contacting him once… but obviously, he's pretty busy" Tifa countered, ignoring the last part she asked. She didn't even want to think about the possibility of Cloud forgetting their promise. It was a long time ago, but she knew Cloud, she knew that he wasn't the type of person to forget his roots and where he came from. She tossed her oversize pajama shirt at the laundry hamper and put on a white camisole and a black pencil skirt that reached just above her knee. "Pretty busy is an understatement, he's running a multibillionaire company for fuck's sake."

Yuffie rolled her eyes, "Okay, but what if he doesn't remember you?"

The brunette was holding out a couple of long sleeve blouses, comparing which one would look good. She paused for a minute, holding the clothes close to her chest, thinking about Yuffie's question, "I'd be pretty upset."


Midgar was a large city, with tall skyscrapers touching the clouds above, and the streets are always full of busy bees living in the fast lane. Cars were honking at each other and at pedestrians, the noise of the train tracks, and the constructions from companies who were making renovations on their building and creating new facilities around the cities. It was busy and transforming. Every day was different from the last, the only thing constant about the city is change.

Midgar was known to be a city full of successful businesses, one of them being Cloud and Zack's company: Strair Corporation, and the other: Shinra Company, owned by none other than Rufus Shinra.

Tifa took a cab to head to the interview instead of taking the train, she wanted to look decent, both professionally and personally, she had butterflies filling her stomach, she would smile to herself, replaying the memories of her and Cloud back in Nibelheim, she was thankful her supervisor let her do this interview instead of another journalist. It was her chance to see him again; she was even hoping for a grand reunion between them.

"Ma'am, we're here," the cab driver announced as he stopped in front of the Strair Corporation building.

Tifa snapped out of her nostalgia "Oh, okay!" she reached over to the cab driver, handing him 20 Gil for the fare, "Thank you! Have a good day!" she chirped as she stepped out.

The brunette looked up at the building; it was about twenty-five story high, made entirely of glass windows from top to bottom. Tifa stared at her reflection outside, she wore a sheer blue long sleeve blouse, tucked in her black pencil skirt, she wore a pair of sheer nude stockings and a black three-inch heel. Her hair was tied in a loose ponytail, resting on her left shoulder. She wanted to wear blue hoping it'll remind him of the dress she wore when they made their promise before she left Nibelheim. I can't contain my excitement, she smiled. She went inside the building and asked the front desk for directions.

After the long elevator ride to the twenty-third floor, she was greeted by another receptionist desk in front of two large wooden doors.

Tifa approached the desk as she put on her journalist lanyard so they can identify she was there for official business.

"Hi, my name is Tifa Lockhart, I'm from Midgar Dispatch, here to interview, Cloud" she smiled brightly at the receptionist.

The receptionist raised an eyebrow. "Cloud? You mean Mr. Strife. Please do not disrespect him by calling him by his first name when you barely know him" the receptionist argued as she picked up the phone.

Tifa gave her a bewildered face, what's her problem? I do know Cloud, she thought.

The brunette wanted to argue, but instead, she stepped back and mouthed 'sorry.' It wasn't worth starting a fight and getting kicked out before seeing Cloud. It's been fifteen years since they last spoke to each other, it's only a few seconds before she gets to see him again; although she has seen him in every news and entertainment channel, paper, and magazine. He was popular, almost like a celebrity, she couldn't compare to his fame and wealth, she was just a journalist who writes for the city's newspaper and most of the time she only covers boring non-relevant news that everyone skips. This feature story was her first big story that she was in charge of writing.

"Mr. Strife, someone from Midgar Dispatch is here for the interview" The receptionist spoke on the phone.

Tifa twiddled with her notebook and her pen as she anticipated the receptionist's response.

"Yes sir," she put down the phone, "Mr. Strife will see you now."

Tifa nodded at her as she walks past the desk, but the receptionist just gave her an icy glare in return.

Tifa's heart was beating fast. This is it, she breathed in and out to calm herself before she opened the double doors to his office.

Tifa stepped in, blinded by the overwhelming natural light coming from outside, darn these ceiling to floor windows that covered the building. She winced at the brightness, she peeked with one eye and saw his shadow figure standing in front of the windows. She waited a few seconds for her vision to adjust to the brightness before everything became much clearer in front of her. She stood there, waiting for him to turn around.

"Speak" the blonde spoke up, still facing the windows, his hands in his pockets.

It startled Tifa; his firm voice sent shivers up her spine. "Y-yes! I'm Tifa Lockhart from Midgar Dispatch. I wanted to ask you some questions regarding the success of your business for our featured stories."

"Tifa Lockhart" Cloud repeated her name. He stayed silent for a little bit before turning around to face her. He had an emotionless and a very unreadable face. He stared at her with piercing blue eyes.

Tifa's eyes widen, her cheeks turning red, Gaia, he's even more handsome in person. What happened to the dorky Cloud I knew? she couldn't help but stare back at him, maybe he'll realize my name any second now, did it sound familiar to him? Do I look familiar to him?

"Alright, please take a seat Ms. Lockhart" He gestured towards the two chairs in front of his table.

What? Tifa paused. Did he just call me Ms. Lockhart? Maybe he's just joking around… she nodded at him and proceeded towards the chair, while Cloud spun his executive chair and sat down.

"Go on with the questions," Cloud said as he checked his phone, not looking at her.

"Y-yes… First, I'd like to ask if it's okay if I can record the interview?" she pulled out her phone and found the application for recording.

Cloud nodded, "Yes, it's alright."

Tifa placed her phone on his desk and began recording.

Cloud looked at her phone, noticing that she had an older model of the same phone. He began studying the different features of her phone and comparing it to his phone.

"First question, what is your full name?"

Cloud answered still eyeing the recording phone, "Cloud Strife."

"How old are you Mr. Strife?" She asked. It gave her a bitter taste calling him 'Mr. Strife' instead of Cloud.

"27."

Tifa continued writing on her notebook, trying not to look at him as much, "Um…Where did you grow up?"

Cloud let out a chuckle, "Is this some personal autobiography you're writing about?"

Tifa felt embarrassed. I guess he really doesn't remember me… she bit her lower lip. "I-it's a feature story about you and your company" She looked up at him shyly, "they're part of the interview questions."

"Alright, if you say so, I grew up in Nibelheim with my dad." He answered.

"I see, I grew up in Nibelheim too," she spoke, hoping it would start a conversation between them and would spark some familiarity to him.

Cloud tilted his head to the side, "Really? What a small world," a small smile crept on his face.

Seriously? Nothing? She gave him an awkward smile "Y-yeah, it sure is. Um, next question, how did the business start?"

The blonde paused for a minute to think, "Hm… I don't remember how it started; my dad built the company back when still lived in Nibelheim and I took over when he passed away before I left for college."

"I-I'm sorry," she said, feeling terrible that she didn't even know that his dad passed away a long time ago now.

"It's fine; life moves on" Cloud shook his head, "Next question Ms. Lockhart."

Tifa slightly winced at being called 'Ms. Lockhart' by her childhood friend, it was honestly making her upset, irritated, and dejected all at the same time that she's staring at her childhood friend who clearly does not remember her, or at least will not try to remember her. She cleared her throat, "To who do you owe your success to?"

Cloud took a moment to think about it. "Aside from my dad, I would say my best friend."

A small light of hope ignited within her, she straightened her back, interested in the following answer "And who would that be?"

"Zack Fair" He smiled at her.

That crushed her whole being, "Oh…" was all she managed to say.

Cloud raised an eyebrow, "Is there something wrong with my answer?"

"N-no, not at all" She shook her head, "How did Mr. Fair become your best friend?" Tifa started lightly tapping her pen on her notebook, not really part of the interview questions, just for her own information.

"We've been friends since senior year of high school, and we went to Midgar University together. He's basically an extended family, we've been through a lot" he chuckled, recalling the memories he had with Zack.

They haven't known each other that long; we've known each other longer, Tifa pursed her lips together, "Why is it that you only mentioned your dad and not your mom?"

"Well, to be honest, I don't remember my mom that much. She passed away before my dad did. It's always just been my dad and I" He answered truthfully.

What? You are not making any sense, when did she pass away? How do you not remember your mom? She was there all those times we hung out! Tifa was starting to get confused "If I may ask, how come you don't remember anything about your mom?"

"That's a bit too much of a personal question, Ms. Lockhart." He raised an eyebrow, a little skeptical about the question.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to pry," She looked back down on her notebook, her cheeks turning a tint of red.

"It's alright," Cloud waved his hands, dismissing the awkward question.

"Are there any plans of expansion in the Strair Corporation?" She read the question from her notebook.

"Yes actually, as you can see, we've decided to own and buyout other types of businesses as well. We no longer just own Strair Hotels and Inns that are spread throughout the world" the blonde said with great confidence, "but we also started owning multiple businesses, for example, the local flower shop in Midgar, Cetra Flowers, owned by Ms. Gainsborough."

Of course, the prettiest girl in Midgar would partner up with a handsome guy like him, Tifa inwardly rolled her eyes as she continues writing in her notebook.

"Mr. Fair and I are planning on owning all types of businesses. We are entrepreneurs after all." Cloud gave her a smirk.

Tifa's cheeks reddened.

"However, I'm sure this is common knowledge to everyone who reads and watches entertainment news; we still plan on buying out Shinra's company," Cloud ran his fingers through his hair "That son of a bitch just will not give in to our buyout offers."

"I see," Tifa tapped her pen on her chin, thinking of a follow-up question, "How much are you willing to pay to buy his company?"

"Billions."

"Do you plan on giving up if he continues refusing your offer?"

"Never."

"Rumor has it that Mr. Shinra's company have a monopoly on the cure for geostigma. Do you feel threatened with that information? Will Shinra Company surpass Strair Corporation this fiscal year?"

Cloud raised an eyebrow at her "Let me ask you a question, would you lose your mind over a piece of information that isn't true?"

"If I know it's not true," Tifa shook her head, "then I wouldn't."

"You see, those are merely just rumors, Ms. Lockhart. I'll believe it once he makes the announcement himself," Cloud leaned back in his chair, with a smug smile on his face, "and no, they will not surpass us this fiscal year."

"Has the Shinra Company made any advances into buying your company?" Tifa asked.

"Yes, they have. Likewise, we're not backing down to their offers" Cloud answered, "Clearly we're doing something right to receive such high amount of offers from Shinra."

"Would you accept the idea of combining both strong companies together?"

"Only if Zack and I get the majority of the share. None of the fifty-fifty bullshit."

Tifa nodded "Sounds like a smart move."

"Who knows? Maybe we'll invest into owning part of the media as well" Cloud shrugged, "the Strair Corporation has big plans coming up."

Tifa stayed quiet as she jots down some notes.

"Are there any more questions?" He said as he looked at his watch.

"Um…" Tifa flipped the pages on her notebook, we're pretty much done, but I want to get more out of his personal life, maybe I can pretend once more that it's for the interview. She flipped to a blank page and acted surprised, "We still have some questions, but they are about your personal life, your past, and present… if that's okay with you?"

Cloud felt skeptical again, "I can only answer to an extent, if I deemed it to be too personal then I will refuse to answer."

"But this a feature story about you and your successful business; how it all came together. We would need to know the root of it all" She countered.

"My past life doesn't have anything to do with my business. It was merely just an Inn business at Nibelheim until I took over which is when everything else changed," Cloud stated, "my past life wasn't all that fascinating. It was boring and insignificant."

Tifa couldn't help but feel her heart shatter. "W-What do you mean your past life was insignificant?" She asked, trying her best not to show any emotion. Do you really not remember who I am?

"Without going into details, I don't remember anything from the past," Cloud stared at her "And I'd rather it stays that way. I'm sure there weren't any pleasant memories in my past, so why remember them?"

Tifa bit her lip "I ask you to reconsider about going into details about your past. Why don't you remember? Why don't you want to?" She pried.

Cloud shook his head "That's a private matter, Ms. Lockhart."

"You're basically a celebrity now, your life is an open book. What are you trying to hide from the public?" She argued, and by the public, she means for her own knowledge.

"Why are you getting so defensive about wanting to know my personal life?" Cloud retorted.

"Because Cloud!" She stood up abruptly from her chair, "I know who you are!"

Cloud stared at her with a puzzled face, what on earth is this girl saying?

Just then, his office phone rang. He held up a finger to Tifa, as he picked up the phone "Yes?"

Tifa just stared at Cloud, emotionally crushed written all over her face. She slowly sat back down in her chair.

"Get the conference room ready." He said on the phone, before hanging up.

There was a minute of awkward silence between them.

Cloud cleared his throat, "I do apologize, but we have to end this interview soon, I have a corporate meeting in twenty minutes."

Tifa nodded, "It's okay Mr. Strife, I believe I got everything that I needed… and wanted" she whispered the last part. She stood up and held out her hand to shake his hand.

"Oh no, let me walk you out of the floor" he offered.

The brunette clutched her notebook and pen against her chest as she stepped away from the chair.

They silently walked towards out of his office, Cloud nodded at his receptionist; she returned the acknowledgment. Tifa ignored her, and the receptionist noticed the change in her mood, she smirked at the sight of it.

Tifa and Cloud reached for the elevator button at the same time, accidentally touching each other's hand. Tifa quickly took her hand back and apologized.

"It's alright, no big deal," Cloud said casually putting his hands in his pockets. "So, will you write a good feature story about me?" He asked, breaking the awkward tension between them.

"I'll try," she spoke softly, trying not to show any emotion of distraught.

The elevator doors opened, Tifa stepped in and turned around, her head still hanging low, avoiding any eye contact with him.

"Well, I hope you do write a good story. You have a good day" he said, waiting for the elevator doors to close.

Tifa slowly lifted her head, facing him, her eyes glistening and tears forming. She glared at him, "Mr. Strife."

He raised an eyebrow, confused at her sudden death glare, "Ms. Lockhart?"

The elevator doors shut close.


A/N: Thank you for reading chapter one