Chapter 7.5 :: Francis Interference

I saw Mikki hanging out with that blonde prep boy again. What's-his-face…Lucien? I knew she liked him, but he'd probably reject her more than once. I kept trying to make her feel better, not because I wanted to, but more or less because it would let me inside her head. I wanted to figure out just what it would take to break her. A few weeks ago, she had dumped me and our engagement since she had fallen for him. I can't believe how naive she is…Does she really think a hot-shot like Lucien would want a child like her? In a way, it kind of angered me seeing her so happy all the time. I figured something had to be done. I wanted her to at least experience a small amount of happiness before her world came crashing down on her. I figured the best approach was to pick her friends off one by one. She actually had friends at this school which surprised me.

I guess I made her reputation bad enough at Tangyoon by telling everyone that the "incident" was her doing. I told them she did it to get attention from the press because I was going to marry her. The poor saps even believed that she willingly chose to get raped. Unfortunately, the news never spread this far in the world. I was also a bit curious to see who was lurking me. I knew someone had been doing routine checks of information on the internet about me. I wasn't blind to see every so often the count on the pages with the lowest amount of visits started rising. I was the son of a top moogle, why would they not believe what I had to say when my father owned them. It felt good to be in power. I figured that since I had moved here, one of my friends who had been involved would have been here as well, Tad Spencer. He was a good friend of mine until I kept moving due to promotions and family business negotiations. I was surprised that his dad was close with my parents as well. Even Mr. Kliesen was on the Spencer's good side, that was a feat on its own.

"Irvine, what are you doing here?" A snooty voice said coming up from behind me in front of Harrington House.

"Hey, Tad!" I said whipping around to give him a handshake. I was hoping I'd find him sooner or later.

"Don't 'hey' me! I was in a lot of trouble after that stunt you pulled at your engagement party. My father beat me senselessly when he found out!" Tad spat as he relinquished his hand from mine.

"Lighten up! We were just having a little fun. Besides, he couldn't have been that mad." I replied knowing that sometimes Tad overreacted.

"This isn't a matter to be taken lightly Oliver, I hope you know – ", I cut him off hearing him call me Oliver.

"It's Francis, or do you not know your place? If you dare raise your voice to me again, I will make sure your father deals with you ten times worse than before." I threatened him since in the past I had gotten him in a world of trouble. He and I were friends despite this because I had always given him a place to stay in case he was scared to return home.

"I, uh, sorry Francis…" He said apologetically. "It's just that I have to answer to Derby now and things have changed since you've departed." He bowed his head.

I scoff, "Changed? This place is still a dump since I picked up that tattered brochure years ago…If anything, it'll just be easier to get around the system since it still looks the exact same. Corrupted staff, delinquent students, poor architecture…" I look around and see Mikki talking to another student with black hair. "and a new way to torture her…"

Tad tried to pinpoint the person I was looking at, "Who's the young lady talking with Emerison. She's not from here…"

Turning away from the scene, I figured out Tad's dad must have beat him to the point he had forgotten what Mikki looked like. Poor fool, he doesn't remember the girl he had "helped" me out with at the party. "That's Mikki, she's someone I'd like to know a little better. What are your opinions of her Tad?"

"Of that pauper? She dresses like those greasers…minus the skirt, if anything she looks like those townie dropouts." He scrunched his face up since he seemed disgusted by the thought.

"She seems interesting. The boy's name is Emerison you say?" I ask trying to pry deeper into her new friend.

"Alex, Alexander Emerison. He's one of the new students who came a bit late not counting you and that pauper. He hangs around with the school sociopath and the brute called Hopkins." He explains as I devise my plan in my head. Why torture her, when I can turn her friends against her and each other. It'll be just like playing chess…Alexander, I'll see what it takes to get you to tick first…

"Hey! You can't just leave me while I'm talking to you Irvine!" Tad yelled at my back since I followed the Emerison boy into the boys' dorm. A boy with a scar brushed by me mumbling something about 'Hopkins'…I watched him slide into the room containing Emerison. The door had been shut, however, the building was old and I could faintly hear the voices beyond the door. I pressed my ear against it when I figured no one would be heading out soon. At least this way, I can kill two birds with one stone.

"Hurry up, Gary." I presumed that voice belonged to Alex since the scar-faced boy sounded different. I could assume that he was also the Gary he was referring to also known as the 'sociopath of the school'. Only he would talk to himself the way I heard him.

I hear him scoff to the other boy, "Shut up." Shortly after I started hearing moans and groans from both parties. I felt that this was just a little too much information since I could definitely tell what kind of relationship these two had now just from a few seconds of listening in. I backed away from the door slowly when I heard someone down the hall yell for 'Hopkins'. Since I had yet to figure out what the, brute according to Gord, looked like. I figured I may as well follow up and see him myself.

"Hopkins?" I said looking at the two people in front of me, one was the boy who I recognized from the pool area when I had gym with Mikki. The other was obviously the person I had yet to meet.

"Yeah, who's lookin' for me." He folded his arms across his chest and glared at me.

"No one, just wondering who the man in charge was around here." I had no way of knowing if anyone was, but Tad did say this gorilla was a brute. With his brutish ways came power, and with power came leadership…I deduced he had something up his sleeve to make it into Tad's bad books.

"Why? Do you need somethin'?" His voice insinuated that he had taken my bait and admitted he was the top dog. I figured I'd stroke his ego a little more for information. People like him usually go for that sort of thing.

"Heavens no, I just wanted to meet you in person, so if you could take it upon yourself to grace me with your presence, I'd be honored." I said smearing the lie a bit too thick. Looking at his face, he could tell that I was half-assing my praise, but he bit anyway.

"You talk funny. Are you with those trust-fund babies?" He retorted causing my eye to twitch very inconspicuously. Is he mocking my status?

"If you mean that I'm from a very high class society and tax-bracket, then yes. My life is very dull compared to yours, tell me about your endeavors poor person." Oddly enough, the idiot played right into my trap. All I had to do was give him smiles occasionally with a few nods here and there while I pretended to listen to his life's story. The small boy could tell I was in no shape or form, caring for his friends dribble and decided to speak up.

"You're Francis right? Mikki's fiancé?" He asked as if it was a touchy subject for me. In all reality I could care less if I was the one to do it, but since she had the gall to nullify it herself, I was only slightly more upset than I would have been. It was the last time she would ever disgrace me.

"Ex, my femininely-dressed fellow." I smiled exactly how a diplomat would when discussing matters that he didn't want to speak of. "Alas, Ant has decided to part ways with me for another." I tried to look distraught by placing my hand on my forehead turning away from them.

"Really now? You and that strange girl were engaged? I feel bad for the poor guy she left you for." The Hopkins boy affirmed his opinion.

"Ant?" The small boy thought about the nickname as I resumed my conversation with his fool of a friend.

"Yeah, she's a bit childish. She has no idea what she wants in her life. I fear she may end up alone or worse if she doesn't grow up soon." I started getting annoyed with my dramatic acting so I toned it down a bit. "I think she needs someone to tell her off. Someone like you. You seem to be of importance to this school, why not put her in her place?"

"Mikki is really nice the way she is. If you're her ex, shouldn't you know that?" Mr. Pink shirt spoke up to me. I grinned since I figured I was being a little too aggressive.

"Stick your nose where it belongs. Have you even warned your friend yet?" I whispered to him as Jimmy thought about what I said. The small boy walked away from me…Pete? I wonder if you're even an asset to me right now… I stormed out of the dorm since Jimmy was taking too long to praise himself. Good god… how could this school belong to him?

I climbed into the girls' dorm attic to sneak in on Mikki. She was packing some things in her bag when I slipped into her room. Does she ever lock her door? I shut it behind me as I sat on her bed.

"PRINCESS!" She screamed a bit startled.

"In the flesh, little Ant." I smiled as she picked up some items she dropped on the floor,

"Wha-what are you doing in here?" She asked as she folded up some clothes. Nothing, just stopping by as usual." I had come over everyday to make sure that I had a routine going on with her. If I showed up out of random, she'd be even more suspicious.

"I'm fine now. You've really helped me a lot!" She smiled. This was the first time I think I've seen her look so happy.

"Oh? Where were you earlier?" I asked since I saw her leave the school when I left to spy on her friend.

"Just had to run some errands. I'm helping someone throw a surprise party!" She happily started humming.

"I see. For who?" I asked. There's nothing wrong with wanting to know…"Oh, for Alex! He's my new friend. I like to call him Rex-chan!" She continued to pack and I remembered seeing her sit with Gary and Alex in the stands during gym. I was on the other side of the bleachers behind Ted and Damon when I started classes here. She started to drink some of her water that was bottled.

"Is Alex gay by any chance?" I asked causing her to spit her water out as she choked on it. She drank a little more to calm down.

"No-No! Rex-chan is dating someone. Um, he has a girlfriend!" I couldn't tell if she was lying or if this is how she was normally, but she did seem troubled by my accusation.

"Do you like this Rex-chan?" I asked her even though I knew she had eyes for Lucien.

"Rex-chan is my best friend. Of course I'd like Rex-chan just as a friend." She said setting the water bottle aside.

"Right…So, who's helping you set up this party?" I helped her pack some things while talking to her.

"Jimmy-kun is and so is Momoi-chan!~" She replied in a sing-song voice.

"Why not Gary? I see him hanging out with Alex quite a bit." I made that last part up, but since it was kind of true since gym, I figured I'd put it out there. It was a feasible argument.

"How do you know Scar-chan?" She asked moving a few clothes around. I have to admit she's pretty sharp to notice.

"From class of course…I had gym with you lot, remember?" I said placing the clothes she had moved into my lap to be folded. I'm not her maid, but I think that if things go smoothly I'll get the answers I need.

"Oh, right…" She looked despondent, "Well...Scar-chan and Jimmy-kun aren't talking right now…" She said moving her things aside. Is that so?

"Why not? By the way, why don't you have a nickname for Jimmy?"

"Jimmy-kun is scary that's why!"

"He looks like a monkey."

"Osaru-kun?" She laughed imagining it. "I think he'd get mad if I call him that. I don't like calling people mean names." She didn't answer my question and since she was done packing, there'd be no way she'd be able to tell me either.

"Hey Mikki, where are you going?" I said trying to stop her from leaving her room for a quick second to get the answers.

"I'm staying over at Jimmy's beach house in Old Bullworth Vale. Tomorrow, we'll set up for the party." She said upon her leave. I don't know why Gary and Jimmy aren't talking, but at least I know where Mikki will be. Maybe this isn't bad information after all.

I took an extra-credit class in the morning since Mikki would be gone to do party things. I really could not care less. I was in math class with Mr. Hattrick even though he'd be resigning in a few more weeks. In front of me was a girl named Christy. She and I met previously when I walked her to the girls' dorm a few days ago in the evening. I didn't need the extra credit, I was just here to kill time. To be blunt, I was here to find out what Christy knew about Mikki's small circle of friends that would hopefully grow smaller.

"Got any dirt on Mikki?" I tried to play the role of a friend to Christy since that seemed to be the way to make her tell you anything.

"I tried to get her to go out with you, I really did. I don't know what's wrong with her. Is she blind? You're, like, totally hot!" I smirked at her words since she enjoyed seeing this expression on my face.

"It's alright, I think I'd be more interested in someone like you." I stroked her cheek to lure her in.

Before she fell in too deep, she restrained herself and straightened up, "Oh, but I did figure out she was hanging out with Alex Emerison a few days ago and Lucien Wilkinsons as of yesterday. I saw them in town. He is way out of her league." She smiled hoping for a reward.

I rubbed her bottom lip gently with my thumb, "That's old news sweetie, tell me something else." I tried to coax her.

"I don't have anything else." She looked at me with puppy eyes since I knew she desired more from me, despite the fact she had nothing else to give.

"Well, if you do me a favor, I'll let you have whatever you want." I said giving her a peck on the cheek, then pulling back with a grin. I wonder why Scarface is looking over here. Nosy?

"Whatever you want." She pulled me by the collar leaning closer with her lips inviting me.

I chuckled in the back of my mind. She's so simple-minded, but I'd much prefer tall girls over short ones like Mikki. She at least looks the part of a model. She's brainless, but beautiful. I took her lips into mine and held myself there for a moment. When we parted, I asked her, "Go to the beach house in Old Bullworth Vale today, stay all day if you have to. Mikki is throwing a surprise party for Alexander. I want to know everything she does. Everything. Report back to me with the information. Make sure it's detailed." If I know every aspect of her friendship with Mikki, it'll be a lot easier to break her down. She nodded. I looked over to see that Gary was clenching his fists. Something I said?

Christy met up with me in the morning in front of Spencer Shipping Co. saying that she had left midway through the party because she had gotten bored and hungry. She must have seen Mikki's cooking. The girl is a chef if anything. I couldn't really blame her despite how stupid she was. She gave me the information so easily. It's laughable how simple things work around here. All you have to do is ask around and people will tell you exactly what you need to know. I saw Scarface talking to some foul looking boy about the same age wearing a red flannel-like shirt over a yellow t-shirt. I wonder what has brought him all the way out here. I give Christy a kiss before she walks away from me to the bus stop nearby. I have no time to stand idle right now. I step into the shipping building to report my findings to Mr. Kliesen. He's been wondering what his daughter was doing in his absence. He greeted me as I opened the door to his office. He's been a good friend of the company and my parents for some time now, I wonder what he's up to…

"Ah, yes, Francis, my boy. What has that little brat been up to since she decided to leave? She's a selfish, disrespectful, little ingrate!" He broke the empty cup in his hand.

"Sir, she was planning a party for a her friend, nothing really out of the usual here except that prep model boy was seen with her again. Should I do something about him?" I asked even though I would probably just hire someone to deal with his demands.

"That dummkopfe wants trash? If I ever see his face again, I'll make sure the next photo shoot he has is at his funeral." He made a fist and shook it in the air. No offense to my parents, but this guy is pretty one-track minded…

I took a seat in front of his desk, "What should we do about her?" I looked over at his family photo sitting on his desk. The face of his daughter was torn out leaving just him and his wife.

"I would have much rather had a son. Instead I was given a waste of space, needy runt, like her. That's why I'll give my partnership with Mr. Spencer to you once the wedding has been sealed. It was already entrusted by Mr. Spencer to my son-in-law since his boy doesn't have a spine!" He spat into his trash bin next to his desk. I saw a sort of red fluid. Blood? "I'm getting on in my years boy. It would be best if you could just marry her and kill her now so I wouldn't have to wait. This is just an after effect of the fiber glass bundle that crashed down on me when I was still a small-wage worker." He coughed into a tissue causing more blood to come out.

"Drinking probably doesn't help too much either, sir." I said looking at the empty bottles of whiskey and a crate nearby that read 'For Mr. Galloway'.

"I just mark it off as a refund. I got the money. It's the only thing that keeps me from experiencing pain that's too horrible to bare. When I'm intoxicated, I get knocked out without feeling a thing. I wake up a bit later to the same pain again. It becomes an endless cycle. Sooner or later, I'll be able to join my wife. I killed her you know." He says looking at me in the corner of his eye as he takes another gulp from an open bottle.

"You told me. She asked you to do it though, it wasn't like you did it for yourself." I said rolling my eyes. His wife was going to die anyway. She had severe brain damage and the degenerative atrophy was going to get her if he didn't pull the plug. She asked for it, she even begged him.

"She didn't want to live her life like a vegetable…She had little Antoinette. Our first and only child. Looked just like her mother. She was born healthy. No health problems and was even expected to never have any later on either. She doesn't even now… Why couldn't it have been her?" Her father started to get drowsy as he held the bottle lower. I took it away from him and cleared his desk. He's another pawn, but if he loses control of his anger, I'd be in big trouble… I can fight to a certain point, what I actually feared was that he'd not live long enough to give me his will and with it, the partnership. I am the son of a franchise already, but I wanted to secure my place just in case something were to happen. You can never be too careful these days.

Funny thing is, I didn't realize my little attempt at breaking Mikki's circle of friends was already taking place. I guess that was what happened with my interference.

A/N: I made this as another filler since Francis hasn't been in here for awhile. Christy didn't see Alex kiss Jimmy, but she did see her running after Gary. That's how Francis can tell that he did interfere a bit. I hate the fact that he's doing this to turn them against each other, but more so on Mikki. He's using them for entertainment since he's aiming for a larger target audience this time. To him, everyone is like toys that can be easily manipulated. No one is more cruel than Francis. He doesn't even care. At least Mikki's dad felt a little bad for someone...

Immortal37 - Glad you like them :D

PurebloodPrincess09 - I'm just gonna drag their relationship out a little more...

Project E.N.D - Everyone does :( I hope that things can't get much worse than this even though I know they will :P