7
"You must be out of your brilliant mind."
Brilliant Mind by Furniture
Buddy Pine was close to falling asleep on the couch. He had the remote to the television in his hand, and his head on the pillow. His eyes were drooping, nearly closing. His mouth was partially hanging open as he watched the colorful images on the television. He wasn't really absorbing anything that was going on. He was just staring at blurring pictures going by.
Just as he was about to drift off to sleep, a knock on the door jolted him away. He reached underneath the couch cushion for his pistol, and held it shakily in his hand. His heart was pounding so loud he could nearly hear it in his ears. He got up and tentatively approached the door. He stared out the peep hole, trying to catch a glimpse of who was there.
"Who is it?" he rasped.
"Violet Parr, sir," came the reply.
He confirmed this, looking at her through the hole in the door. She was standing there, holding a cake box in her hands and smiling. He didn't remember it being his birthday. In fact, he was certain that it wasn't his birthday at all. That was in August. It was November.
Nonetheless, he was curious to see what was going on so he opened the door and let her inside.
"Miss Parr, to what do I owe the pleasure?" he said. His voice was dreary. He was still tired even though the knock on the door had been rather like a shot of caffeine to his system.
Violet walked inside, looking around briefly at her surroundings. She was acting like she was only seeing his apartment for the first time, even though she had been there before. She walked over to the counter, seeming to briefly ignore his question. When she had set the cake box down she turned back to him.
"I brought you this," she replied. "I made if for you because..." She paused, looking down at her feet sheepishly. "Because I thought you might need something to cheer you up."
"Cheer me up?" echoed Buddy. He couldn't think of a reason why he needed cheering up. Bewilderment was shining clear in his sky blue eyes.
"Yes, you know, because you're um... dying and all," Violet was speaking slowly, nearly stammering her words. She seemed almost embarrassed to even be speaking to him.
It took him a moment to process what was going on. He didn't remember anything about dying until it finally struck him. Violet was referring to the lie he had asked Mirage to tell. He chuckled to himself. His plan was working. Violet had believed every word of it, and was taking it so seriously as to come over to pay him a friendly visit because of it.
He gave a slow hand-wave. "Of course that. I was trying to forget about that. Thank you for bringing it up." Buddy was trying to play the 'doesn't want your sympathy' character. Callous businessman; too proud for a young girl's charity. "What exactly did you bring me?"
"It's a cake," Violet said. She opened the box. "Think of this also as sort of an apology gift. I just wanted to say I was sorry for the times that I may have misinterpreted your actions and got upset at you for it."
"Oh, Miss Parr you shouldn't have," he murmured. "I mean, you really shouldn't have. I don't need this from you. I also don't eat cakes that people bring me because there's always the possibility they might be..." Buddy trailed off, seeing sadness in Violet's indigo eyes. He couldn't risk alienating her by keeping up this hard shell of a personality. He had to be a jerk with a heart of gold. "Poisoned." He finished his sentence nonetheless.
He saw her going to the cake to pick it up and carry it back home with her. "Well, maybe Mimi will want a piece of it..."
"But in your case, I will make an exception," he added quickly. He rushed forward to stop her from leaving, putting one hand on the cake box. "I mean, I can't imagine my own secretary trying to poison me. Well sure, it's happened a couple times before, but I trust you."
This seemed to mean a lot to Violet. "You do?" she said happily.
"I do," he confirmed.
"Here, I'll get some plates and cut us some slices if that's alright with you," she said. She wandered over to the cabinets and took out some of the stark white dishes. She paused and looked around the kitchen for a moment. "Where is your utensil drawer?"
Buddy had been nearly drifting off to sleep again, standing up. Her voice snapped him back into reality. "Oh, here let me get it," he said. He walked over and pulled out a knife and two forks. "Do you want me to get you some milk to drink? I promise this time there's no Rohypnol in it." He seemed amused by his statement, but she seemed less so.
"I think I'll pass, unless you're having some too," Violet said. She was going to err on the side of caution this time, that was clear.
"I was going to," he said. He walked over to the refrigerator as he spoke, grabbing a couple of glasses from a dish rack along the way. "Really, it's not going to have anything in it. I would never... not after I promised."
Violet started to slice the cake, cutting a modest piece for her and for Buddy. "If that's the case, then fine I'll have some." She placed the pieces on the dishes and admired her work. "Is this going to be enough for you?"
He looked back over his shoulder. "Yeah, that's enough." His slice of cake was in fact more than enough. He didn't actually think he was going to be able to eat it all, after the dinner and the dessert he had already had when out to eat that night.
With a glass of milk in each hand, he went to sit at the counter bar where she had put the cake. He gave one to her and placed the other by his dish. "It's been a long time since I've had anything home-made," he said. "Assuming this is home-made, of course."
"It is!" she said proudly. "I didn't even use a box mix or anything. My roommate Mimi helped, though. She knows a lot more about cooking than I do."
He smiled at her as he took a bite. The cake wasn't all that bad. He'd had better, of course, because he could afford better. But it was a nice gesture and he pretended as though it was the best damn thing he had ever eaten in his entire life. "Oh, wow, Miss Parr this is really good," he said with his mouth full, purposefully forsaking manners for praise.
"You really think so?" she said. She seemed very pleased that she had been able to do something to cheer him from his depressive slump of dying slowly.
Though he was getting quite stuffed, he forced himself to shove down a couple more bites of the cake for her sake. "Absolutely. You could be a chef if you wanted to. I'd miss you working for me, though, so I hope you don't decide to be one."
"Work... that's something I wanted to talk to you about. When you die... who's going to get the company from you? Family? The vice president? Miss Del Sol?" Violet seemed genuinely curious, though Buddy knew that if he had actually been dying he would have found this slightly insensitive.
An idea was hatching in his mind, however. It could be one of the most brilliant, strategic things he'd done yet. That or it could end in complete and utter disaster. Either way, he knew he would have to try it out.
"Violet, you know I trust you a whole lot, right?" he said. "Even though we've not known each other so long, and blah blah blah all that nonsense about just having met earlier this month, but for some reason I feel like you've been my best friend my whole life."
Violet stopped eating temporarily, seeming barely able to process the words she was hearing. "Really?" she asked, with a little bit of cake falling out the side of her mouth. Her eyebrows were raised in questioning.
"Of course, really." Buddy reassured her and then leaned towards her, putting his arms on the counter in front of him. "Listen, I don't really have anyone to give my company to. No family, or at least no family that I associate with. My vice president is a nut, and would never be able to successfully run my company. As for Carmina, oh she's a doll, but I don't think she's got what it takes to run Syncorporated."
He noticed that Violet was listening intently, her eyes wide open as she took in every word he was saying.
He went on, "But you, Violet, you're different. You're a smart, strong independent girl. You've got a good head on your shoulders, you look like you know how to take charge and... well, frankly I don't know what you're doing as a simple secretary. You know what? The company, my money, my properties, all of it... when I die, it's yours."
There was a clatter as Violet's fork fell out of her hand and onto the floor. Her mouth was wide open, and she began to stammer. "W-well I don't know if I could... I mean, thank you, but no... I couldn't possibly ever run - I mean the responsibilities and all I... I don't have what it takes to run a..."
"Nonsense," Buddy said, cutting her off abruptly. "You have what it takes and more. It's easier than it looks. You'll have people to do things for you, you've just got to make sure they do what gets done and you make certain important decisions. I'm not going to let my company be run by some board, or shareholders or whatever nonsense. Syncorporated needs someone like you... I need someone like you." He knew the last bit was corny, but he couldn't help but throw it in.
She was staring at him through wide eyes. "You really think I could handle something like that?" she asked. She seemed doubtful, almost as though she were ready for him to psych her out. "You're not kidding?"
"No, I'm completely serious," he said. "You must think I'm out of my mind, but let me assure you while I am in poor physical condition, my brain still works just fine. I'm a genius, I know what I'm doing." He was disappointed in how much it was taking just to convince her that she was good enough to run the company. Anyone else would have probably jumped for joy. Besides, with what he was planning she wouldn't even need to run the company. He'd run it all by proxy. Too bad she didn't know that.
Violet put her hand against her head. "I barely know what to say. This is all too much."
"A simple thank you would suffice," muttered Buddy. "I am making you rich and famous, after all."
"Yes, thank you. Thank you so much," she exclaimed. "I'm sorry, I was just caught up in everything. This is all so... I don't even know. I thought I was going to make it big in New York, but not this big."
He smiled. "Surprise, surprise then. You're going to be bigger than you ever imagined."
She leaned over and gave him a tight hug. He blinked and hesitated for a moment, just a little bit surprised, but soon wrapped his arms around her and returned it. He wasn't exactly expecting her to kiss him, though, and when she did just that he could barely keep his thoughts in line.
He could only think of how sweet this was, but at the same time he was trying to convince himself not to fall for her. After all, if he loved her it would be difficult to manipulate her. Difficult, not impossible, but he just might feel - guilty - about it, and who would ever want that?
This went on for a good fifteen seconds before Violet pulled back. Awestruck by this gesture of affection, all Buddy could do was give a head tilt.
"What have I done?" he heard Violet murmur. She was looking away shyly, nervously semi-wringing her hands. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry? Why are you sorry? I mean, really, it's okay," Buddy said. He reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. "It's just a kiss." It didn't mean anything. "There's no need to be so upset." Just a kiss, nothing special. He kept repeating this in his mind.
Violet just sighed. "I shouldn't have been so forward, I mean... oh, you probably don't even like me that way. Even if you did, I mean - you're going to die soon, this just isn't good at all."
Buddy knew he had to think of something to make her calm down. Maybe manipulating her would be even easier if she were in love with him. As long as he could keep himself from developing feelings for her, this was a pretty sweet deal. Of course he had to kiss her. There was no point in letting her lose sleep from unrequited feelings.
So kiss her he did, and with far more passion than she had put into the first. He pulled her close to him and she reached up and draped her arms over his shoulders. Buddy ran his fingers through her silky black hair. He could practically feel her heart beating as he guided her closer to him.
A sharp knock on the door interrupted the moment.
Buddy grumbled. "Stay back over here, I have to make sure it's not someone who will hurt me, or you." He edged over to the door, pistol drawn again. It was far too late to be receiving too many visitors.
There was a familiar looking face when he looked through the peep hole, but it wasn't exactly anyone he wanted to see right now. He knew Violet had gone through his files in his office, and she would also recognize this assassin from the day he had unexpectedly stopped by the Syncorporated headquarters for an important discussion. He was still wearing the jumpsuit with the AC patch on it. Very conspicuous. This guy wasn't one for subtlety.
He groaned inwardly. He turned back to look at Violet, who seemed to still be in a daze from their kiss.
Buddy opened the door just a crack. "What are you doing here? You show up at the wrong places, at all the wrong times," he spat. "How did you even find me?
"I have an important report to give to you," the man said in his thick accent. "I had to track you down so that we could speak about it. Let me in."
"I'm... I'm busy," Buddy insisted. He looked back to Violet again, gritting his teeth. "I have someone over. Now is not a good time."
The assassin rolled his eyes. "Tell them to leave."
"No! You get out of here," Buddy growled.
"Fine. I will wait out here until you get rid of whoever you have over here. But I am not going to leave. I will give you as much time as you need," he said. He was not about to give up. His eyes were glowing with a dark determination.
Buddy glared at him, nearly trembling with stressful frustration. "Fine," he spat viciously. "Fine, I'll get her to leave. I'll have you know I was in the middle of something very important. I'm paying you, you know. You should do things on my terms. I could fire you."
The assassin just shrugged. "So?"
"I hate you."
Buddy slammed the door and walked back over to Violet. She was still acting like a lovestruck puppy. He gently took her by the shoulders and shook her back and forth just a little bit. "Speak to me, Vi."
"Hi," Violet said, seeming a little loopy.
This flattered Buddy. He didn't know he was such a romantic, or such a good kisser. Or maybe Violet just wasn't used to this sort of thing. She seemed like a pretty shy girl. Either way, before things could go any further, she was going to have to leave so that he could speak with an assassin. It was quite a let down.
He shook her again. "Listen, I've got to get some sleep so that I can function well tomorrow. You should probably go home and get some sleep as well."
When he looked into her eyes he could see disappointment. Her facial expression fell almost immediately. "What did I do wrong?" he heard her murmur quietly to herself.
Buddy gritted his teeth just a little. "Hey, listen Violet, sweetheart," he said, quietly and softly. "This isn't because of you. I have a work related problem that I have to take care of. You should know. I'm a busy man, I always am."
This didn't seem to reassure her much. With drooping posture, she began to walk towards the door. He walked behind her and placed a hand on the back of her shoulder. "You're a beautiful girl, Violet. In different circumstances, you and I could have been something amazing," he assured her. "Believe me. Someday you'll make some lucky guy very, very happy."
Violet turned around and smiled at him. There were glistening tears in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a tight hug. "Thanks for everything. You're an amazing, nice guy," she said.
"This isn't the end of it, Violet. No matter what happens, you can count on me. I'll be there for you, even when it seems like a lost cause," Buddy whispered. "Everyone needs someone to count on, and I will never let you down."
"I love you," she said.
"I love you too, Violet."
She didn't say another word, and he watched as she walked out the door, shutting it behind her.
Moments passed before the man from the Assassin Corporation came in. He shoved the cake Violet had made to the side and slammed down some files on the counter-top. In bright red stamped letters, the word 'terminated' was printed on the side of each one of them. Buddy picked it up and flicked through it, his smile growing progressively as he did.
"Brilliant," he said, a light shining in his eyes. "This phase of my project is complete. Excellent work. You'll be receiving payment from me soon."
The assassin seemed very pleased with this. "One question I have," he said. "Why did you request certain... supers... to be left off the list? Surely if you're planning some global domination you wouldn't want anyone to stand in your way."
"It's not about that," Buddy growled. He stared at the pictures of the fallen heroes, whose deaths he had paid for. "This is revenge. I have my own personal reason for not destroying..." He trailed off as he came to the next folder. "Why is Elastigirl's file not marked as terminated?"
"Oh yes, that," the assassin said. "We thought you did not want her to be killed, her being the wife of Mr. Incredible who you specifically requested not be killed."
His voice filled with disbelief, Buddy let out a very flat, "What?"
"You did not know? She's Elastigirl, she lives as Helen Parr now. I'm sorry, I thought you knew this. I will have her taken out in two shakes of a lamb's tail."
"No!" exclaimed Buddy harshly. "No, no leave her alive. I have different plans. Don't touch anyone related to him, none of his family members. I need them all to be alive." He clutched Elastigirl's file with intensity. "You're dismissed now. But just a tip for next time - you don't interrupt me, or I may have to have a certain assassin assassinated." He growled and practically threw the files down into his file shredder. "Now get out."
The assassin sneered and exited. Buddy locked the doors behind the man, and walked towards his bedroom. Very soon his plans would come to fruit. Just a few more things to take care of, and Syndrome would soon be the name on the mind of everyone in the country... or perhaps the entire world.
-xx-
Large amounts of money were all it took to convince several important people to go along with Buddy's plan. He sat back in his office chair, pleased as he ended his last phone call. Faking his death would be a breeze, as long as no one he'd bribed decided to be a loudmouth. Of course, he could easily take care of them if he caught wind that they were going to rat him out.
He reached up slowly and touched his bright orange hair, almost stiff with the hairspray he'd used to put it up in its flame-like style. He could see his reflection in the glass desk, and he smiled. He looked so powerful. Just like a superhero.
"You can't give the company to her," a voice echoed around the office.
He turned to see Mirage standing there, eyes narrowed in displeasure. She walked towards him and practically threw the files she was carrying down onto his desk. He stared up at her passively.
"Oh really?" he said, very nonchalant, trying to hide the smirk on his face. "Watch me."
"You should be passing your company to me. Why would you give it to her? I could do a better job taking care of it while you're doing... whatever the hell you're doing," Mirage's expression was one of cold fury as she spoke. "Have you lost what little sanity you had left?"
Buddy stretched his arms out and put his feet up on his desk. "Relax, I know what I'm doing. Believe me, my plan is perfect."
"What is your plan?" she asked. She continued to stare at him, her arms folded.
"Violet's an easy kid to manipulate. She trusts too much, too easily. I want to run my company by proxy through her due to the simplicity of it all. If I can convince her to work for me on one level, I can do it on any level. She'll be my little human super weapon." He grinned, spinning his chair back and forth just a tad as he explained his plan.
Mirage didn't seem convinced that this was a good idea. "Why can't you run your company by proxy through me?" she asked.
"Because, Mirage, you're smart. You're smart and I can't control you very well. You are not easy to manipulate, not like Violet is. She's young, she's naive, and she's in a big city practically on her own. You're an experienced, intelligent woman and you barely put up with me. Why would I put my company in the hands of someone like you?" he explained.
There was a silence between them.
"Fair enough," Mirage said after a while. "I can see how you would rather Violet Parr be in charge than me. Will you ever be returning to the company after you fake your death, someday?"
"No," Buddy responded, almost growling the word. "I will never go back to this. I have bigger and better things to do. I will leave a mark on this world, I will be a god among men - and powerful."
Mirage sighed, "As though you aren't already." She picked her files back off of his desk, and started to walk away. Buddy reached up and grabbed her arm, looking at her through piercing blue eyes.
"Don't think that I don't appreciate you. Without you, my life would be in shambles. You have done so many things to forward my plans, and so many things to make every day easier for me," Buddy said to her. He needed to make sure that she was on his side. He needed to reassure her that she was still his number one girl. He stood up and turned her around, and kissed her softly.
Her eyes widened and she pushed him away. "It's not going to be like this anymore. I'm finished with you, you know that. I only work for you. I'm your personal assistant, nothing more." She turned away from him. "I don't approve of what you're doing. The lies, the plans, and all of the killing. I fear you. That's what's keeping me here. Nothing else."
Buddy's eyes narrowed as she walked out of the room. "You're making a mistake," he said quietly. "The biggest mistake of your life."
Her last words as she walked away from him, "I beg to differ."
-xx-
Violet wandered across the apartment in her robe and slippers. She smelled coffee in the air, but she didn't stop for it. Her first task was to get the morning paper, like she usually did. She opened the door and picked it up, yawning as she brought it inside. She went back in and sat down on the paper, flipping it over to take a look at it.
When she saw the headlining article, her eyes went wide. It read: 'CEO of Syncorporated dead.' Her heart nearly skipped a beat. She went reading, but a specific part of the article caught her eye.
Buddy Pine was taken to the hospital in critical condition. After a few hours spent fighting a losing battle, he was pronounced dead. A spokesperson for the company issued a statement saying, "Last minute, Mr. Pine left his wealth and company to one of his trusted employees. Our legal team is looking into this to guarantee that there was no foul play involved."
Had he really been serious? Was such a large company now in her hands? All sorts of thoughts were running through her head, but they were trumped by a certain emotion... the overwhelming feeling of sadness.
Tears began to roll down her cheeks, and she slid the paper aside. She pressed her face against the table and started sobbing. He had loved her, trusted her - even with his beloved corporation. She didn't know where she was going to go from here. All she knew was that the world was going to suffer from losing such a brilliant mind, and that she was going to suffer right along with them.
A/N: I love how the site decided to remove all the scene breaks from the previous chapters. I will have to fix this. Also, I apologize for the inaccuracies regarding subways. Should have done the research before I wrote instead of finding out afterwards. Oopsie. XP