Chapter 9
Disclaimer: Sadly, the whereabouts of FFVII are not for me to deal with. I don't own any of the amazing fic characters and I just like making stories about them because I think it's fun. Nothing more!
There was a knock on Elena's door. Elena rose from bed, not caring how hideous she supposed she looked and answered it. Analuxia was standing there, looking slightly sheepish.
"Hey, Leeny! Sorry; did I wake you up?"
Elena made a face. "Yes Ana, you did. But then, I did tell you that I was going back to bed so you obviously wasn't listening to me. Again".
Analuxia gigged a little at Elena's harsh tone. "Sorry Leeny. But I was desperate and I had to get away from Reno".
Elena smiled a little and ushered her best friend in, shutting the door behind her. They made their way to the living room and Analuxia couldn't help noticing how neat it was compared to her own. But then, that was Elena all over; completely neat and tidy.
"So what happened? You actually slept with Reno?"
Analuxia grimaced slightly. "I'm not exactly sure. I just woke up, naked and hungover. And Reno was snoring loudly right next to me. It gave me such a fright!"
Elena made a face again. "God, girl, that's a lesson for you never to get that drunk with Reno again. You should just hope that he's not going to tell anyone about it. They would never look at you with the same respect again!"
Ana rolled her eyes in dismay. Sometimes, Elena could be so predictable. "Yes but, don't worry, I've told him not to say anything but if he does… I suppose I'll just have to deal with him. I know three different ways of seperating the ears from the head. I don't know if he'd like to feel it…"Elena laughed.
Although she was too shy to admit it, Elena admired Analuxia a lot. She had been through a tremendously hard life at an early age and yet she was still around to tell the story. Although Elena hadn't had the easiest life herself, at least she'd had parents. Ana wouldn't say much about her losing her father and mother but Elena knew enough. She just wished she could have just a little bit of Analuxia's surprisingly confident personality.
"So, where is Reno now? Still in your house? I've heard that he has a tendency to snoop when left alone. Just like a little child".
Analuxia paled a little. "Shit! I'll see you later Elena!"
If there was one thing Analuxia loved, it was Thursdays at work. A whole morning with Tseng was enough to make a girl's legs melt. Analuxia wasn't the soppy type but she knew she'd fallen hard for Tseng. He didn't seem to see her that way though and always talked to her like what she was; an employee. Analuxia could only dream that it could ever be more than that.
"...and that is basically what it is all about" Tseng finished, casting a glance across the room at everyone. He caught Analuxia's eye and smiled briefly at her, Analuxia couldn't help but beam back, even though she figured she looked like a loony.
"You look like a loony" Elena confirmed, frowning a little as she whispered into Analuxia's ear. Ana blushed and immediately went serious. That was all she needed; Tseng thinking she was mad as well as a complete klutz.
Her embarrasment was saved when the door opened and Rufus walked in. Now it was Elena's turn to smile like a weirdo.
"Hi Mr Shin-Ra!" she called, in a voice that was an octave higher than normal.
"Hello Elena" Rufus answered, before beckoning Tseng over. His eyes cast along the room before finally resting on Analuxia. "Analuxia, may I see you and Tseng outside please?"
"Of course sir" Analuxia nodded, quickly getting up and making her way across the room. Tseng followed, saying nothing. Once they had gotten outside, Rufus began to speak.
"Right, both of you. There is a matter I would like to discuss".
Analuxia's heart began to race. And it wasn't just due to the close proximity of Tseng. What was Rufus so desperate to talk to both of them about? Was he going to fire her for doing something wrong? Apparently not.
"I have a little something that needs completing. You could call it a "miniature mission" Rufus said, staring straight at Analuxia with his ice-blue eyes.
Analuxia's heart rate slowed down to normal again. Was that it? Thank goodness for that... "And you want me to complete it for you sir?" she asked.
Rufus nodded slowly. "Yes. You and Tseng. Both of you would be perfect for it. Also, Analuxia, this would be the perfect chance to gain some extra experience and show me what you can really do and how well you can act".
"Act, sir?" Tseng's drawl cut in.
"Yes, act. I want to find out the name of a man who apparently works during the daytime in a bar. By night, he is a fraud, an apparent gang member and a general criminal. No one knows his real name but he has come to be known as Fierce. Once we find out what his real name is, we will be able to find his files and hopefully some action can be taken. Analuxia, that's where you come in".
Analuxia had understood so far but there was one part that she was unsure about. She decided to voice it to Shin-Ra. "But sir, how am I supposed to find out his real name?"
Rufus gave her a slow smile. He had definitely planned this out well beforehand. "Ah, Analuxia, you shall pretend to be a world-class model. You'll enter the bar he works in with a trail of fans behind you. That is surely going to attract his attention. You shall act as seductive towards him as possible. I guarantee you, by the end of the week, you'll have his real name. Trust me on this".
Analuxia was still unsure. "Sir, how can I be a world-class model? I'm only five-foot four!"
"You shall wear high heels. They would bring you to roughly the correct height".
"And I'm supposed to look like a model, how? Models are supposed to be beautiful!"
"Analuxia, I have noticed that you are constantly hard on yourself. You are a very attractive young lady. I guarantee you, with a little work, you will turn every male's head in the city".
Analuxia wasn't convinced but she figured that the easiest thing to do was to agree with the boss. He was never thoughtless anyway and Analuxia could tell he'd put a lot of thought and effort into this particular mission.
"So, that's all you need to know for now. Are you up to this task?" Rufus asked.
Tseng and Ana nodded. Rufus chuckled. "Good" he told them. "Ana, come to my office at 2 o'clock this afternoon. There is someone I'd like you to meet".
Two Weeks Later...
Analuxia held out her hand for a taxi. When she saw one stop, she made her way over to it, limping slightly. As she entered, she could see the taxi driver looking a little worried.
"Are you okay darling?" he asked, casting a glance to her legs. Ana blushed.
"Yes, thank you, I'm fine. Just had a hard workout and feeling a little achey, you know?"
The taxi driver frowned a little before nodding quickly. Analuxia could see that he hadn't a clue what a workout was like. Looking at his pronounced beer belly, the answer was obvious.
Analuxia told him her address and settled back into the fabric seat with a sigh. She hadn't been lying to him. She had gone through an intense workout. But it wasn't at the gym. For the past two weeks, she had been absent from lectures because of the upcoming mission. She had gone through a variety of "modelly" things including learning to walk in high, high heels, a variety of different camera poses, how to apply make-up properly and how to straighten her hair. As well as that, she had learned how to put contact lenses in, a number of different smiles, how to sign an autograph and of course, how to walk like a model. While this was happening, Tseng was also absent but because he was at "bodyguard school" learning the basics of being a successful looking bodyguard. If all missions were going to be this hard, Analuxia was going to resign!
"This is your stop ma'am. That would be $2.50 please". Analuxia dug into her purse for the money. She gave it to him and carefully got out of the car, trying to ignore her protesting legs.
She was going to have a long, hot bath to ease her aching muscles. Scarlie, her model trainer said that the ache would be gone in a few days. And soon, all the workouts she was having to do would become effortless to her. Analuxia sighed. That would be the day.
i think this chapter might have been a little short but hopefully it gave you the vague idea. I'm very excited about the next chapter and will put it up ASAP. R&R for me darlings, persuade me to write heaps!!!
