Chapter 4 - Forgiveness
As Elena made her way to work the next morning, she could hear voices before she even got in through the door to the Turks lounge. What surprised her most though was who it was with raised voices. First was the unmistakable voice of Reno, and the other was Rude.
"…If you're not going to tell her, then I am. You can't cheat a date out of her, Reno…" Rude said.
"Fine then. Have fun."
"Tell me what?" Elena asked walking through the door.
"Reno's been cheating on your bet…" Rude said before Reno had the chance to open his mouth.
"What?"
"It's true. I went over there last night…" Rude told her. She didn't need to be told any more.
"Well, Reno… looks like you're going to be busy for the next month." Elena said smugly."
"Nuh-uh. You ain't got any proof." Reno pouted.
"Reno, we had a bet…"
"No."
"Reno…"
"No."
Elena had never been so ticked off before at Reno… well, maybe there was one time. When he had lost his Shinra ID card, he had to apply for a new one, and under name he had written: "Just ask 'Laney, she was screaming it all night." … but that was a different story. Reno had got his just desserts for that. Elena didn't go the sly prank route that Reno went for, she had walked up to him and kicked him straight where it hurt most. She had to admit, she felt a little guilty when Reno didn't turn up for work the next day.
"'Laney?" Reno's voice, slightly whiney, came from the doorway, "'Laney?"
"What, Reno?" she said coldly.
"I'm sorry…"
"No you're not, you wouldn't have done it otherwise."
"Yeah, that's why I want to try the bet again." Reno said, slightly awkwardly.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah…"
"How do I know you're not gonna cheat again?" She asked suspiciously.
"Well… I could stay at yours…" he suggested.
"So, I'd never let you out of my sight? Hmmm, is that the reason, or have you been playing catch with that EMR again?"
"No… I'm bein' serious… I feel bad now." He looked up at her and gave her the best puppy-dog eyes look he could.
"Ok…" Elena sighed. She didn't believe a word he said; there was no way Reno would feel bad for something like that. But she gave in anyway.
"Woohoo! 100 gil for me!" he shouted excitedly.
"Excuse me?" Elena asked. Reno ignored her and ran out of the room.
"Would you mind telling me what that was about?" Elena asked, stepping into the next room. Rude looked up at her.
"Reno bet me 100 gil that he could get you to forgive him."
