Ask Amy

Blanket disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot

Chapter One: Sasuke

"People always talk about angels on earth…I guess mine has pink hair."

I knew not to mix business with pleasure. That was the number one rule of running your own company. And normally, I'm very focused when it comes to following the rules, but for some unknown reason, I just couldn't wrap my head around this one. Maybe it was the bubblegum pink hair, or the viridian green eyes that threw me off course, but whatever it was, I had to figure out a way to block it out. This just wasn't normal protocol. This wasn't how things were supposed to work in my firm. I wasn't supposed to be in a state of awe when I walked into my office one Thursday morning to find that attractive girl sitting across from my desk. I wasn't supposed to be intrigued while those full lips of hers droned on and on about her resume and impressive work ethic. And I damn sure in hell wasn't supposed to be glad that I'd hired her right on the spot without having given her an honest evaluation. But I was and there was nothing I could do about it but put our newest reporter to work as soon as possible. So that's what I did.

I sat up from my ebony chair and called Ino, my other employee, through the intercom box. She was my personal assistant, and most loyal worker, and even though I couldn't stand how her head was always in the clouds, I had to be somewhat civil towards her for she'd basically been here since the start of the company. No more than two minutes later did Ino appear beside me, her hair in that same messy bun, wearing that same shabby blazer. I didn't even have to look up to know that that had been her appearance…she was so predictable, that even bothering to look would have been irrelevant. Her cerulean eyes bore into my skull with an emotion I could exactly pinpoint as a combination of lust and fear—the only kind of amalgamation you could get with a hopelessly confused blonde. I had such a strong affect on her that it was almost annoying having to work with her all day. I could make this girl do whatever I wanted and more, and believe me, it wasn't just because I was her boss.

"You rang?" She asked as she stood in front of me, hands clasped together and head cocked to the side. Ino definitely wasn't ugly, but she just wasn't my kind of pretty. I don't know why I don't find her attractive while most guys basically throw themselves at her feet, but that's just the way it was. I didn't look up from the stack of papers I was currently engulfed in as I knew she hoped I would. I just told her to bring Ms Haruno to me at once, and that was all. She stalked off immediately, her stilettos clacking a bit louder than before. She was frustrated, I could tell, but I had a strict coworker dating policy and an even stricter employer dating policy. So wait, then what was I doing hiring pretty girls off of the street? Maybe I'm just tired of the same old routine everyday: walking around this hellhole, going to the same places, seeing the same people. I looked out of my window to see my staff working diligently and quietly like jaded ants. Yes, it was definitely time for a few adjustments.

I glanced up at the bulletin board beside me plastered with articles and announcements. I furrowed my eyebrows in thought. 'Hm, where to begin…'

"Um…you wanted to see me, sir?" A soft, almost inaudible voice sounded from the threshold. The door creaked open as the girl known as Ms. Haruno strolled in, looking around at the mahogany furniture as if she hadn't seen it just 15 minutes ago. But that was to be expected when your office looked like mine. Her pink hair was pulled up into a high ponytail that just barely brushed the tips of her shoulder blades. The ivory button-up shirt and black slacks revealed that she'd tried to the best of her ability to appear professional. The pencil resting atop her ear was tacky and a bit 1970's, but it showed that dash of creativity I always looked for in a good journalist. I nodded curtly still examining her figure; she was short and slender with a face so flawless I could've mistaken her for a porcelain doll. And those eyes…those eyes…

"Ms. Haruno-" I began, gesturing for her to take a seat before my thoughts could expand and further. It was not proper to think so in depth about my workers.

"Oh please, just call me Sakura!" The girl offered with a cheesy smile. She was bubbly and gave off a bubbly aura. Boy, was she going to have her work cut out for her. I cut my eyes at her coldly; I don't like being interrupted.

"As I was saying, Ms. Haruno," I continued stoically, this time emphasizing her name to show that I had no intentions of siplaying informality towards her. She must take a hint better than Ino because instantly her face dropped to a more realistic expression. I thanked God I wouldn't have to keep dropping clues. Why make my job any harder than it needs to be? "I have your first assignment." I announced pulling out three various newspapers and sprawling them out atop my desk. A cunning smirk I did not like at all creeped its way onto her face. I could practically see the gears in her head turning.

"What is it? Like a hard-hitting scandal revealed? Or like a celebrity love triable? Or, ooh ooh, maybe an escaped prisoner on the loose?" She began throwing out all sorts of ridiculous inquiries that made me wish I'd never hired her. I mean, did she honestly think that within 20 minutes of meeting her I'd give her a story that exclusive? I raised my eyebrow at all of her suggestions until she finally shut the hell up and let me talk.

"Ever heard of this column…'Ask Amy'?"

Judging from the confused look on Ms. Haruno's face, I inferred that she hadn't

"Ask who?"

"Amy."

"Who's Amy?"

"You are."

"I'm Amy?"

"Yes."

"No, I'm Sakura."

"Well as far as everyone else is concerned, you are Amy."

"…What!"

I heaved a sigh and tapped my fingers against my forehead. It was too early in the morning for this type of stress. Yet I took a deep breath and tried to come at it from another approach.

"Take a look here." I began, gesticulating at the periodicals. She complied and scanned the writing earnestly with those big green eyes. They bore into the paper as if she wanted to use heat vision to set it on fire. I'd never been so fascinated be someone's eyes before. Not even Ino's bright blue orbs could compare to those of Ms. Haruno's sultry and intense gaze. Because she had eyes that held a past full of secrets and mysteries, hopes and dreams, laughter and sorrow.

She had eyes like mine.

But no matter how interested I was with those emerald spheres, I had to keep things professional So I once again referred back to the newspapers and proceeded to explain. "Every successful newspaper has an advice column that draws readers in. People send in their questions to you, and you answer them using a fake name; simple as that. Some people just like reading about other people's problems. Other people actually need help with their and lives, and you, Ms. Haruno, are their go-to girl."

I tried to make the job sound interesting, but she still looked pretty pissed.

"So that's it?" She asked scanning the editorials. "Ask Amy?" She folded those thin arms and leaned on her right hip. Her bangs gell against her face almost completely covering her left eye.

"In a nutshell." I replied taking a sip of my coffee. I watched her intently, curious of what she might do next. Honestly, it looked like she could go both ways; either throwing a bitch fit and storming out or taking the job and calmly walking away.

"But I thought I'd be reporting edgy news, not telling some old lady what the best food for her cat is." The pinkette whined, which annoyed the shit out of me. I rolled my eyes and ran my fingers through my hair. Great, just what I needed—another pushy wannabe reporter looking for the easy way to the top. Well, she sure in hell wasn't going to find it here.

"Look, you gotta walk before you can run alright? These are just your first steps." I pointed at one of the advice columns. "You gotta start somewhere." She looked at me and gave me one of those disappointed smiles; the kind that's supposed to make you feel guilty, but had no affect on me whatsoever. She nodded anyway and let herself out of my office. I stared for a moment at the last spot she'd stood before sinking back into my chair. I tapped my pencil against my notebook annoyed.

This column was going to be a bitch.