A/n: Alright, back for chapter two. This chapter, our dear blonde is introduced to a certain redhead…wonder who that could be O.o
Thank you to all my previous reviewers. I apologize for the mistakes I found when proofreading. I'm still looking for a good beta if anyone is interested. PM me if you are. Enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: SquareSoft owns all.
Chapter 2: Of Blue Suits and Red Hair
"You have exceptional skills, like your sister, no doubt." Wait. What did my sister have to do with this, she was a…oh. My brown eyes narrowed as I gave his suit a double take.
This guy was a Turk.
A damned Turk! Of all people! I was expecting…oh I don't know, a man looking for some secretary to fetch his coffee, tea or whatever. No, I get a TURK! I never replied to his remark, maybe I nodded, I don't remember. Personally, I'm too busy trying not to piss myself at my either horrible or amazing luck.
My thoughts drew back to Gun, my sister. She was one of the best, her skills remained the talk of the corporation (according to Dad). What was I going to do if I wasn't good enough? This man would surely laugh his ass off and then send me packing with sore feet and a red face.
"Ms. Peirce, are you coming?" Oh damn, he's been standing outside the elevator and here I am standing like an idiot. I dart out into the identical marble hall and continue following him…or trying to anyway. His long strides make it a little difficult on my small legs.
We continued down that same hall, passing quiet office after quiet office. You could drop a pen and hear it clanking on the floor, it was so eerily quiet. The man in front of me looked back occasionally with an eyebrow raised. I probably looked like a little lost puppy in there.
I still couldn't believe it. Krystal would definitely get a kick out of this. I walked into the ShinRa building expecting to get turned down, yet here I was walking with a Turk to an office on whatever floor we were on!
Just then, he opened a door to a rather large office and I read the outside of the door. There was a golden bar that said "ShinRa's Department of Administrative Research Director, Tseng" in bold, shiny letter. Department of Administrative Research? I almost laughed. I knew damn well what the Turks did. Gun always told me stories.
The Turks were created by President ShinRa himself, to do the underlining "dirty work" for the company. Occasional assassinations, kidnappings, undercover work…basically the most well known clandestine group in the company. Pretty contradictory, but it worked for the Turks. You never messed with a Turk. Unless you wanted to find yourself six feet under. That much, I knew.
I followed him into the office as he rounded the desk and took a seat, pulling up a file in his hands. Wringing my own hands together, I took a deep breath.
"Sir, let me just say thanks for the opportunity, I know there aren't a lot of positions open and-"
"Sit." I immediately obeyed at the subtle yet, booming voice of Tseng…at least that's who I assumed it was. I lowered into a red plush chair opposite of him and placed my hands in my lap. I was hoping he would say something to go over the sound of my loud, fast beating heart.
The man said nothing, however. He just thumbed through whatever file was in front of him while I continued to take deep breaths and looked around the office. It was really plain. I made a mental note to myself that if I was hired and given an office, I would decorate my office much better than this. After all, they say your work place is a "home away from home".
", I am looking through your file, and it states that you graduated with a 4.0 at ShinRa Military Academy, is this information correct?" he stated, his eyes settling on me. Taking one more deep breath, I lifted my head, and nodded with confidence.
"Yes, Sir, that's correct."
"Well done. I am sure you know why I came to get you. The Turks are low on operatives as of late, due to the…resistance problem that has been brewing in Midgar, as well as other places that harvest Mako reactors. You are aware of this, yes?" he asked, pointing to the issue of Midgar Times that was still tucked under my arm. Shit, why haven't I thrown away that trouble making newspaper yet!? It's done nothing but get me in situations. Honestly, I have no idea what this man is talking about. I usually don't read the newspaper.
"Oh yes, of course, I know all about that." I lied as I crossed my arms. Hopefully this guy can't read through bullshit.
"Oh really? What's your opinion on it then? I'm quite curious." Damn it to hell.
"Well…" I began as I combed my brain for some fabrication to form. "It's a very unfortunate situation and…people should just leave Mako reactors alone. They're only serving as energy. They need to be stopped." I stammer. Please let this man leave the subject alone!
Thankfully, he did and nodded, looking through my file once more. Part of me wanted to lean in, like I had done during the snotty receptionist's conversation, but this was my possible employer. I'm sure he didn't want to see someone snooping around. So instead, I remained seated and bit my lip while he scrutinized the paper in front of him.
"Alright, well, I take it your interested in working with the Turks, Elena?" What? He just…asked…what? Me? Be a Turk? Really? I'm sure my eyes widened like they had this morning at his statement.
"Y-yes, Sir. I am." Was all I could muster as I still felt like pinching myself to make sure this was real; there had to be a catch.
"Good. That's what I like to hear. However, I'll need you to go through this paperwork tonight and have it at my desk in the morning where you will be shown the ropes and put to work immediately. Elena, realize that this is an opportunity you cannot just agree with and then decide to quit on any given day. We have a motto here that states "once a Turk, always a Turk". I'm sure your sister could've told you more about that, if she were alive. Surely you understand what I mean by this. I trust you to take this job seriously. Be here at nine in the morning, not a minute late. I'll have one of your new co-workers drop off a uniform later on in the evening after I've finished looking through your resume. Welcome to the Turks, Elena."
That was it? No interview, no…discussion? Just, 'Welcome to the Turks'? I remained seated for a silent moment before standing up and offering my hand to shake. Tseng stared at my hand and raised an eyebrow before I realized that he didn't want to shake my hand. Awkwardly, I nodded and clutched the paperwork he had given me as I walked back towards the door, still trying to figure out what just happened, when suddenly his voice caught my attention
"Oh, and Elena?" I turned around, glancing at him. "Actually read the Midgar Times from now on…it's got all you need to know about ShinRa. Keeps you up to date." And with that he waved me off. Well that was embarrassing. He knew I was bullshitting him, but at least I still got hired!
I had to contain myself while I walked to the elevator, hitting the button to go down. It opened and I found another man in a dark blue suit, leaning on the rail as he smirked at me. I smiled and stepped in. Was this another Turk? Would I be working with him, too? I stole a glance at him, from his lanky build to his red, red hair in an odd ponytail that crawled down his spine, and then his very bright, aqua colored eyes that were staring at me and…wait...was he staring at me? I coughed and returned my attention to the open side of the glass elevator.
"Like what you see?" the man asked, his tone snarky and arrogant. I looked back at him and cleared my throat.
"E-excuse me?" I asked. I knew what he was asking, he had obviously caught me staring, but…he had the audacity to ask me something like that? The thought made me blush intensely. He was cute…but…
"I'll take that as a yes, sugar. What are you, a secretary or something?" he asked again, this time getting a little closer to me. I wanted to whack him with my brief case for being such a creeper, but I refrained as I raised my head high.
"No, I'm a Turk." The man's jaw dropped and he gave me what I call, the Midgar once over. It's where people from the upper plate look you up and down. A basic sizing up maneuver that I'll admit, I do it too. I felt a confidence boost from that one. Serves this jerk right!
"You…a Turk? Are you now…" he said, his voice trailing off. I stared up at the numbers, counting down to when I could get off this elevator and away from this guy. Suddenly a hand was reached out in my direction.
"Reno, I'm a Turk too." What!? Oh, my damn luck…Why does he have to be a co-worker? I sighed and held out my own hand as I shook his curtly, expecting him to let go like normal people, however he didn't
Instead, he grasped my hand tighter and pulled me up against him with one little yelp coming from my lips. Or maybe it was more of a squeak…either way, I was clearly not comfortable with our proximity. My head leaned back as I tried to get away from him, but his arm snaked around me waist, preventing any escape as he lowered his lips by my ear.
"Next time you throw that little attitude in my direction…I'll give you something to be confident about, got it?" he whispered, but it sounded more like a hiss to me. He roughly let me go, leaving me stunned as he got off on the main floor. I glared ahead and a feeling of dread washed through me. I was going to have to work with this foul man. Fantastic…
"You got a new job…where?" Krystal asked later on that evening as I was painting my toe nails by the T.V. I grinned up at her and repeated myself.
"ShinRa…as a Turk! Can you believe my luck?" I said, still wondering if I should pinch myself.
"Wow, Elena, that's great! I bet you're excited. Just like your sister was…a Turk. They're quite a group." She mused, pulling out the ingredients for that night's dinner. That was the nice thing about having an apartment mate. You alternated cooking days. While she could cook amazing meals, mine were…a little off, but I tried, right?
"I am excited, excited beyond words. I have a job. Screw M-24 Corp. I'm a Turk, dammit!" I yelled, jumping up and down, careful not to mess up my wet toes. Krystal joined me in our little hopping fest when the door bell rang. We giggled at our childishness as Krystal got the door.
"You're looking for who? Oh yes, yes. Elena, someone's here for you." Krystal called back as I remembered what Tseng told me. Someone was here to drop off my uniform for work. It was really happening. That suit I had envied on my sister for so long…finally, I could wear it! I marched right over to the door, and opened it wider as Krystal left to attend to dinner.
Did I mention that I have bad luck with running into people I hate? There, standing just as cocky as he had earlier was that annoying redhead, Reno, holding a paper bag out for me, with my name on it. He smirked, giving me another once over before holding it out. I looked down, mentally cursing myself for changing into my lounging shorts (which were a bit short) and tank top.
"Hey there, 'Laney, good to see you again, yo." He said, his once over taking longer than it should. I jerked the bag from him, hoping to use it to cover myself a little. It worked for the most part.
"Er..Thanks, see you tomorrow!" I said, before closing the door in his face. Well…tried to. The bastard grabbed it and stopped me before I could get it fully shut.
"Why the hurry, rookie? Got a problem with a fellow co-worker?" he teased, getting closer. Oh hell no, please don't let this man get any closer.
"N-no, I'm just really busy, and frankly, I didn't appreciate your…gestures this morning." I said, putting the uniform bag down and letting my hands rest on my hips, firmly.
"Oh really now…I'm sorry, it's just, most woman can't resist me, I assumed you were the same way." Did I mention this man was cocky?
"Well, you assumed wrong…so I'll see you tomorrow!" I scoffed and slammed the door in his face, peeping through the little hole in my door to see if he was standing there, which he was. What did this man do, stalk people for a living?
"Just give it time, rookie, give it time." Reno called out as he finally left. He knew I could hear him. What was that supposed to mean? That I was would someday realize that he was my dream man and fall head over heels for him? Well he had another thing coming. Even if he was cute, and well built, and well…kind of charming…wait, no, he's disgusting!
"Uh, Elena? If you keep your facial expression like that, I'm going to have to take a picture." Krystal giggled, pulling me from my debating thoughts. I realized my face was scrunched up really hard and quickly mellowed out my features, brushing off the incident.
"Who was that? He was adorable!" Great, now she is falling for this idiot.
"Oh, just a new co-worker, dropping off my uniform…he's actually really repulsive. The man had the nerve to get in my face this morning in the elevator!" I complained as I took a seat at the dinner table. Krystal brought us our salads and sat down.
"Who knows, maybe he likes you!"
"Don't say that, please."
"Oh c'mon Elena, just flirt with him a little, you'll see!"
"No, I have to focus on my job. No time for guys. I need to prove that I'm good, no, better than my sister!" I had a point, I thought. I mean, I just snagged a job. Why waste it on some jerk headed, crimson haired man? Krystal only shrugged and began to eat, I followed suit, but couldn't help but look over at my uniform bag…tonight, I'de be going to bed as Elena, the graduate who struts around in pajamas all day…and tomorrow…tomorrow I would be…
Elena, the Turk. Nice ring to it, am I right? Who was I kidding. I was scared…shitless.
A/n: Hope you all enjoyed the second chapter. I don't know if I like it yet, or not...Don't be afraid to give me constructive criticism!
