Kazuya had gone on some crazy adventures since he started going out with Anna. Although many of them had encroached upon the lines of absolutely shattering responsibility and morality... he had never felt like things went too far. Until last night.
Anna had gone to one of the lobbies to get a cool drink of water, since they were both hungover something awful. And somewhere inside Kazuya... he didn't want to let Anna back in his office right now. This was a therapeutic moment for both of them: a moment of recovery, both from their physical pain and the taxing trauma of how far they crossed the line last night. He didn't need to see her right now; he didn't need that influence... or that reminder. In fact, there was only one person he really wanted to see right now...
"Yo." the desired voice called out. Kazuya looked over upon hearing the doorknob, and it was exactly who he was hoping for.
"Irvin." Kazuya acknowledged with a nod.
"So! Craaaazy night last night, eh? You're in big trouble, mister!" Bruce teased.
Kazuya put a hand to his forehead. "Ugh, things went way too far last night. Anna is a crazy woman... but even I didn't know she was capable of what she did last night."
Bruce walked over and plopped down on Kazuya's comfy black couch. "Well hey, look on the bright side... if she's doing crazy shit like this, then she's definitely not tired of you yet."
Kazuya exhaled a breath from his nose. "You think so?"
"Yeah, I'd say she's... ahh... right at the peak of interest right now."
"...So you think it can only go downhill from here."
Bruce threw his hands up. "Well that all depends on you, buddy! How long can you keep her entertained? How long can you keep her coming back for more? And more importantly... how long can you survive her?"
Kazuya shook his head. "I don't know if I have another night like last night in me. God... I'll be lucky if I just have to pay a fine."
Bruce extended a forefinger. "Ahh, see that's not what she wants to hear. If you show weakness, she will drop you my friend."
Kazuya rolled his eyes. "You know, I'm still not sure I believe you."
Bruce sighed. "You're just saying that because you think you're in love with her. If you weren't biased, you know deep down that I know what I'm talking about."
Kazuya's face intensified. "Hmm... then maybe we should put that to the test."
Bruce's eyebrow raised. "Hm? What do you have in mind? A wager?"
"First, I want to know how long you lasted with her."
Bruce put a hand to his chin and pondered. "Ahhh... hmmmm... ehhh... nearly four months."
"Right... if I can go a whole year and our relationship still lasts, you have to work for half your pay for four whole months."
Bruce threw his leg over his knee and laughed. "Ahh ha ha! Dude, if you last that long, I will work for free for the ENTIRE year. Hell, I'll even paint all your helicopters purple."
Kazuya growled. "Are you mocking me? You seem very confident."
"Because I am." Bruce grinned. "Dude, I'M TELLING YOU. Anna is not that kind of woman. But hey, because I'm a good friend, I'll give you until the next time we talk to back out of it. Okay?"
"You're too kind. But I have no intention of backing out. And if you're right, then I'll give you a pay raise." Kazuya sneered.
"...And more vacation days?"
"...Sounds reasonable."
Bruce emerged from the couch and shook Kazuya's hand, then gave a nod of farewell as he walked out of the office and shut the door.
Kazuya scowled as he buried his cheek against his fist. "Hmph! Stupid Bruce... I wonder what makes him so cocky..."
Kazuya stared down at his desk, a gripping feeling of skepticism in him. Bruce WAS too cocky; he wouldn't have been so eager to take that bet if he didn't truly believe he knew what he was talking about. Maybe there was truth to his words after all... there was only one way to find out.
"...Anna."
Kazuya had tracked her down where she resided in the lobby, and called out her name. She turned and looked at him... her face looking worse for wear.
"Oh, hey. I was about to bring you back something."
"Not necessary. We need to talk." Kazuya firmly declared.
Anna groaned as Kazuya pulled up a chair and sat down next to her. "Look, I get it! I went too far last night. Alcohol does crazy shit to you, ya know!"
"I don't care if you get it. I'm going to make my point clear, and you're going to listen."
Kazuya leaned in close, eyes level with hers. "No more of that. As your boss and your boyfriend, I'm telling you to keep a lid on it. We can't have anymore incidents getting us in legal trouble."
Anna rolled her eyes. "So you're putting all the blame on me."
Kazuya shook his head. "No, I take responsibility as well for going along with you."
"That still feels like the blame is on me. Like I was the MASTERMIND behind it all."
"Well, if we're being honest with each other..."
"Oh fuck you! You are just as much to blame. Just as much! Don't think you're gonna weasel out of your sentencing by pinning the whole rap on me!"
"I didn't say I was going to do that!" Kazuya growled. "All I'm saying is, from now on, don't get out of control!"
"Same to you!"
"You don't have to tell me. As long as you're in control, I'm in control. You're the only one that can push me over the edge!"
"...You're still blaming me."
"Fine! I guess I am!"
"If you don't want to get shitfaced drunk and crash a helicopter, then next time... DON'T LOSE AT POOL!"
With a sassy flick of her hair, Anna turned around and stormed out of the lobby. Since he had no other business there, Kazuya let out a groan and decided to just make his way back to his office. That couch was looking very tempting right now...
On his way back, he could have sworn he heard the slamming of Anna's office door.
As he spread out on the couch, his only thoughts were of how things could have gotten to this point. They were so happy... just one night ago! Stupid alcohol... it had to be the booze. It had driven both of them to drunken stupidity. Maybe the only way to fix their relationship was to cut out that enabler altogether.
...Oh, who is he kidding. Kazuya knew that deep down, Anna was just that kind of lady. She was wild: a loose cannon, capable of ruining someone's day at a moment's notice. Maybe having her for a girlfriend would turn out to be more detrimental than beneficial... but he couldn't deny she still made him happy. She was still the highlight of his dull, bleak life. If he didn't have Anna around, he'd have to go back to doing what he did before: being a bland, emotionless stick in the mud, sitting in his chair all day and loathing existence.
Still... he couldn't change the fact that she was out of control. A hopeless sigh rang out, as Kazuya was plagued by a question with no answer. Bruce was already winning...
FIVE MINUTES LATER
"PIVOT WITH YOUR HIPS! You want the shin to crash into the temple. Don't try to connect with your foot. That's a good way to break it, or make it swell up like a softball." Bruce commanded to his fresh batch of recruits reporting in for Muay Thai training.
He stood to the side, hands behind his back as he carefully observed them practicing the basics, such as the Muay Thai clinch, and the ability to fire elbows and knees from that position.
"Very good! Good! Pull down on the back of the neck. Hands interlaced. Goooood."
As he provided helpful tips, he noticed Kazuya out of the corner of his eye approaching. He ignored his recruits and turned around; having the CEO come to him was far more important.
"Heeeey boss man! Come to watch me train recruits? I've got anxiety!" he teased.
"Oh shut up." Kazuya sneered.
"So what are you doing here? Ready to go back on your bet?"
Kazuya hated having to look into that smug face. He hated that he had to submit like this. But he had no choice... with a dejected sigh, his answer... and his mindset... was clear:
"...Yes."
