hey all! sorry for the delay in this chapter. I have had a rough week of family problems and National Service commitments to write the chapter in my free time. I'll try to put out one new chapter every week from now on since everything has settled down now. sorry for the wait and enjoy!

Chapter 2: Secret Ties

Namine and Roxas stared at each other for a solid minute till Zexion broke the stares by speaking out.

"Erm, is there a problem guys?"

Both of them dismissed it and went into the house where the food is. Everyone sat on the dining table to discuss plans for the book. However, no one spoke a word as they continued to eat. There was an awkward silence, the atmosphere was tense and suffocating and Zexion was frustrated.

"Okay, what the fuck is going on with you two?"

Roxas explained their 'relationship' if you could call it that, like how they work on the same day job.

"That should make things easier, won't it?"

You have no idea, Zex

Roxas thought to himself but had to make it work somehow. Since she does know his identity now, and he knows hers. Roxas heaved a sigh before bombarding her the information they came to discuss, including terms and deadlines. The story was about a man who lost everything, his family, his love and his job, because of an accident which he deemed was his fault. The book is about how he could come to terms with what happened and gain back his happiness. The Road to Redemption was the title of the book. After explaining everything, he was expecting Namine to have some sort of verbal response as this was something she was not used to due to her track record. All she did while Roxas was explaining was nod her head and keeping quiet as usual. Roxas was being to question if she was mute but vaguely remembered her thanking him earlier today, so he dismissed that thought from his mind.

Maybe she was just shy.

Roxas contemplated in his head while waiting for Namine to respond. Nothing. Just silence and one more nod of confirmation that she got all the information that Roxas delivered.

"Alright. So meet Roxas here after work every subsequent day to discuss and write the book."

She didn't nod this time. She broke her silence.

"Won't people talk?"

"Yeah, we aren't exactly like bffs here."

Roxas added.

"I guess that's where we should start. Getting to know each other and talking more in the office."

Roxas scratches the back of his hair. He didn't want to socialise with anyone from work but I guess he has no choice at this point. He looks over at Namine to see if she objected to the plan. She just nodded. As expected. Everybody finished their food and said their goodbyes. Roxas went back into his kitchen to start cleaning up. He was watching the dishes and started out of the kitchen window facing his neighbour's house. He noticed that stalker girl looking over on occasion from her room and it creeped him out. He quickly finished up and went back to his room and sat down at his computer.

It's been a while.

He turned it out and watched it slowly start. He took out his cigarette and lighted it. He didn't mind the smell of smoke stinking up his room. As long the window next to him is open and the air condition is not turned on. He typed his password and the home screen appeared. The wallpaper of happier times with Xion in his face. It was an old photo of them at Destiny Island Beach taken by Axel. Xion and Roxas were smiling wide and Xion had her arms around his neck and her head on his chest. Right on top of his heart.

I should really change this. It still hurts too much to see.

He changed it to some generic wallpaper of a sunset and opened his files to start writing his book.

James awoke from the sound of a girl screaming, breaking the silence of the night. He turned on the lights and walked to his living room where he thought he heard the scream. The voice sounded so familiar. He took his phone with him in case he needed to call the police.

"Hello? Anyone there?"

He was always alone at home. There should not be anybody here. The silence had always been suffocating since that day, but that is one sound he did not want to hear in the middle of the night. He turned on the living room light and there was nobody around. However, he heard sounds of people talking. Familiar voices. He could not pinpoint the sound but it sounded like his late wife. Sharon.

It can't be her. She is dead!

He began to lose his mind as the voices became louder. More aggressive. More hatred. He continued to scream at the voices.

"Who are you! Where are you!"

Soon a figure appeared in front of him. It was Sharon…

Roxas slammed his table. He could not think of anything else to write or how to continue from here.

Fuck! Why can't I think of anything!

He became angrier as he continues to think of ways to continue the story. Till it reached a point where he found it hard to breathe. He was having a panic attack. His windpipe seemed to become narrower and his eyes kept darting around the room. He was looking for his inhaler. He did not have asthma but he found that it helped it whenever he was having a panic attack. It helped to calm him down, a way of tricking himself that he will help his breathing issue. He heart felt like it was going to come out of his chest. He went to lie down on his bed and tried his best to calm down as it doesn't seem like he can find it in his current state.

Breath. Fucking breath.

After one of the most gruelling five minutes of his life. He was able to breathe normally and his heart rate started to stabilise. He closed his eyes as he was exhausted and just immediately fell asleep.

Roxas woke up from the sound of his doorbell ringing. He turned to look at the sky, it was still dark. He turned to his phone to check the time.

Who the fuck rings doorbells at 6 am?

He walked down with just his shorts, not bothering to put on a shirt. He opened the door and realised it was Cid. His car mechanic. He was an old blonde dude. Not really old but an older guy to say the least.

"Hey son, your car is done and parked it on your driveway. Here are your keys."

He waved the keys in front of Roxas.

"Thanks, Cid, but why at 6 am?"

"Thought you needed it for work so I delivered it to you before you made your way."

What logic. I rather sleep.

He was too tired to care. If he went back to bed now he could have at least two hours of sleep.

He took the keys and waved goodbye to Cid. Thanking him once more for fixing his car and went back to sleep. As he walked up to his room. He heard the bell ring once more.

Why Cid. Why do you forsake my sleep?

He went back down and opened the door.

"Cid what is it?"

There stood Namine. Not Cid. Blushing as she saw Roxas. That was even more confusing to Roxas. She seemed to already be dressed for work. Wearing a white sweater and blue jeans with high heels, very light make up. Her usual style to work. She was definitely attractive but still.

"Why are you here Namine? It's 6 am."

She replied softly.

"Erm. I thought that you know, since we are like, trying to close to each other. We should grab breakfast together."

She was extremely shy and was stuttering when talking to Roxas. Roxas on the other hand, couldn't believe this woman. He sighed and invited her into the house while he goes to freshen up and change to go for breakfast.

"So it's a yes?"

Namine asked once more slightly louder than usual. Roxas just nodded his head and signalled her to sit on the couch. As he walked into his toilet, he noticed one thing. He was only with his short and no underwear. His dick was definitely on display to Namine. He facepalmed so hard that it echoed in the toilet. He brushed it off and went to shower and get changed. Since it was summer and it was going to be hot as hell in the afternoon, he just wore a normal white polo t-shirt and blue jeans with his dress shoes.

This should keep me from getting burned to death.

He went back down to the living room to get Namine and leave for breakfast. Since his car was back, he wanted to take it out for a spin. He turned to her and asked what she felt like eating. She just pointed at him. For some reason, he could just tell what she was saying without her ever saying it most of the time.

I choose. Great. I guess I haven't been to Squall's for breakfast in a long time. There should do.

They both got into his car and she sat in the front seat and Roxas got in the driver seat. He turned to her and noticed she was sweating like hell. Even though it is summer, the morning was not hot at all. It was surprisingly cooling today.

"Hey did you run a marathon or something? Why are you sweating so much?"

Namine blushed.

"Erm, I walked from home. My car broke down on the way back yesterday so. I was scared you might have left the house early so I ran a little."

This girl. Is unbelievable.

Roxas just sighed.

"You should have just grabbed my number from Zexion. Anyways, I'll drive you today. No big deal. Where do you live anyways?"

Roxas grabbed one cigarette out of his box and lighted it as he rolled down his window.

"At Gummi Lane."

Roxas choked on as he inhaled the smoke. Causing him to cough like crazy.

Gummi Lane?! That's an hour walk at the least!

"You. Are one crazy lady."

He actually chuckled at how ridiculous Namine was. She had no chill. After he finished his stick, he started the car and placed his hands on the steering wheel. As his hands touched the wheel, he was shot with memories of the accident and recoiled back. Causing Namine to freak out.

"Are you okay?!"

This had to be the loudest Namine had ever spoken.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

I don't think I can drive.

He turned to Namine and asked her to drive instead. He didn't trust himself behind the wheel. Namine did not question and took over. Driving them to Squall's place. Nannie parked his car at their workplace's carpark and walked over to Squall's to get some breakfast. Since they opened at 6 am, he walked right in and took his favourite spot. Aerith walked up to them and took their orders. Not before asking Roxas what made him come for breakfast all of a sudden. He just pointed to Namine.

"This crazy lady brought me out at 6 am in the morning."

He said that as he slammed his head on the table. Aerith chuckled.

"What a sight. Anyways, I got your order. Be right back with your food."

Roxas just raised his hand. He tilted his head up a little and noticed Namine looking down at her hands, somehow he could guess that she was grasping her hands together. She was upset about something.

"Hey, you alright? Something bothering you?"

She whispered.

"Did I do something wrong? You seemed to be mad about me bringing you out. You didn't have to if you didn't want to."

Yup, I said something wrong.

He picked his head off the table.

"No, you did not do anything wrong. It was a good idea to come out for breakfast."

She did not seem convinced by his words.

"You called me crazy."

She almost seemed like she was whining.

"I like crazy."

Roxas winked, causing her to laugh a little. The two chatted about random stuff from their hobbies to goals and other random things that popped into their heads. Roxas did most of the talking, while Namine was slowly opening up to him and talking more than usual. They talked like as if they knew each other for a long time and very fairly comfortable with just randomly spouting B.S on occasion. They finished up their food and made their way back to the office to continue on their gruelling day of work. At least they had something to look forward to. The weekend. It was already Friday and they couldn't help but get the day over with. Roxas was staring at the clock. Waiting for it to strike at 5:30 pm. Just thirty minutes left. That's when Namine walked over to Roxas's table.

"Hey, are we doing the thing later?"

So we are going to call it the thing now huh.

"Not today. Get some rest. We will start next Monday."

Before Namine could say anything else, Terra walked up behind her.

"Hey Nam. We still on for clubbing tonight? Larxene and the rest are waiting on you for an answer."

He then turned to Roxas and rolled his eyes. Nannie turned and shook her head saying that she wasn't going. When he asked why, she pointed at Roxas and said that they had something to do.

"Nam, can you follow me for a sec."

Both of them left the office. Roxas followed suit to head to the smoking room to relax a little. Only Sora and Roxas smoked in the company so they would usually get some peace in there. Roxas grabbed Sora on the way there and both of them sat down and chatted for a little as both of them inhaled the toxic gases which could definitely give them problems in the future.

"Hey Rox, heard you came in with Nam today. What's up with that?"

Roxas had to come up with some excuse.

"After that day you threw her on me, we found out that we had similar interest so we talked, got breakfast and got to know each other."

Sora smirked. He knew what Sora was thinking about.

"No, it's not like that. Just nice to have another friend besides you around here."

Sora nods in agreement.

"True. Having more friends here can clear up some of the rumours about you too."

I did not know shit about rumours.

He questioned the rumours as he had not heard anything about any rumours for the years he had been in this company.

"Basically saying you are an insensitive asshole that can lie and break a person with a straight face."

Technically they are not wrong but I highly doubt that's it.

"Also saying you are like a manwhore and you basically banged our boss to get your position and other stuff I rather not get into."

That escalated real quick.

"How the hell am I a manwhore?"

"Really Rox? I thought u would address the banging our boss situation first."

Because I actually did bang her way back in high school but I didn't get a promotion cause of it. I think.

"Just answer the damn question."

As Roxas took a big puff from his cigarette, he glared at Sora.

This asshole. He knew and he didn't tell me till today.

"It's pretty funny actually. Cause of the way you dress and how you present yourself with so much confidence without saying anything."

"So basically, they are jealous."

Sora just chuckled and nodded his head. What an unlikely turn of events. That must be what Terra and Namine are talking about right now. Roxas could just picture it in his head how the conversation would go. Roxas is a fuck boy. He is not good for you to be around. Blah blah blah.

He just finishes up his cigarette and left to find Namine. He still needed her to drive his car back and then get a cab for her to get home. He went back to the office and everyone had already left. Except for Namine who was sitting on his desk at the far back of the office waiting for him. She was spacing out and staring out the window that was positioned behind Roxas's chair. Roxas went up to tap her and scared her, causing her to jump and almost punched Roxas. She pulled back mid punch and just chuckled embarrassedly. They got their things and they left for the car which was parked opposite the office. As they exited the main entrance, Roxas bumped into Axel.

"Hey Rox! What you doing with-"

Axel stopped mid sentenced and stared at the person behind him. He looked serious. At the moment, you could not even recognise him. He was like fuming mad.

"Namine."

Namine hid behind Roxas. Roxas confused, just asked Axel if he knew her. No response. Axel just walked away. Not before whispering to Roxas.

"As your best friend. I advise you stay away from her."

Leaving without another word. Roxas turned to Namine shaken. She looked like she was about to cry. Roxas brought her across the road into his car and placed her in his car. Namine still visibly shaking. Roxas didn't want to ask what happened and what history they had together, he just sat at the passenger seat, waiting for Namine to calm down and maybe have a chat then. The next hour was dead silent, only broken by the sounds of the air condition of the car and the occasional sobs Namine lets out when she couldn't hold it in anymore.