Its Just Business

There's always one rule when you work in this industry. Never mix business with pleasure. So when your pleasure becomes your business, how do you handle it?

Chapter 12


Time has passed and seasons began to change. Yet it seemed too good to be true.

Rikku had been able to avoid Seymour since her slow but sure recovery. He came by Monty's a few more times after that day but when he did Gippal was there. She worked with the group around Seymour's schedule. Cid wanted her back in the studio but wouldn't rush her after her "accident". Seymour told him she fell down the steps at a club… irony. Rikku slept in the protection of Gippal's arms most nights. Like she did now. Once Rikku was good enough to move on her own, Gippal suggested maybe they try to go back to his apartment. An idea Monty didn't like but they had to do after a while. Luckily it was an only one time outing. She spent most of her time in his apartment now. Eventually she would have to come out of hiding completely but for now she was content lying in his arms.

They had yet to resume their bedroom behavior and Rikku missed it dearly. At times she would think the scars left, though barely visible, were the reason he wouldn't touch her. But she got perks here and there. Like when she woke before him and she could mess with him as he slept. She missed this intimacy. It was literally the only she got for a moment since the incident. She had begun to heal. Gained more mobility. A few more checkups and she pretty much had a clean bill of health… Yet Gippal still wouldn't touch her how she wished he would.

She remembered the nights they spent together in his old apartment. And got hot immediately. She just wanted the passion she so passionately fought for…. She fought for him. And doing so took one of the best things they had together away. It's not like it would ever come back but at this point she didn't know when he would touch her. He literally treated her like a little bird that broke her wing. Delicate touches. She was dying with pent up energy. So the devious side of her came out. And at the perfect moment too. Gippal had been on his back for a bit. He was fast asleep as she used him as a pillow.

So with as much stealth as she could. She moved to straddle him. She wore only his t-shirt to bed. So the only thing that separated her from him were his lounge pants. The covers were at the edge of the bed due to her sudden rise and fall of temperature. He didn't seem to mind. Yep, he slept soundly. Unsuspecting. She slowly ground herself against him. He didn't wake at first but as she slowly continued something else did.

She leaned down to kiss his neck, getting wetter as she did, but just before her lips could touch his neck she heard;

"What are you up to, Little Bird?"

"Nothing…" she lied meekly.

"Doesn't look like nothing." He kisses her forehead before lightly moving her off and raising from bed. "I told you how I feel about messing around in your condition."

"What condition?" Rikku pouts. 'I'm fine."

He doesn't say anything. He walks over and brush a strand of hair from her forehead. A small light scar showed just barely. A memory of what happened.

"Aren't you happy just being with me? We don't have to have sex to be intimate." Gippal tells her. With that he walks to the bathroom to shower. Had he lost interest in her? Or was the sight of her in that condition too much for him? With that, Rikku rises heavy hearted and gets ready for their day. The band had a listening session for their album which was releasing in about a week.

So Rikku accepted she couldn't coax him now but she knew how to make him look at least.

-0-0-0-

Gippal and Rikku arrived in the separate cars. It was at a nearby Uptown venue. A penthouse on the 12th floor. A beautiful view of the city skyline mixed with a sleek yet rustic look of the apartment created the perfect atmosphere. Rikku made her way up in an elevator, after passing the many paparazzi, and made it to the 3rd floor before she got a call. Without looking she thought it was Gippal and answered joyfully.

"I can't wait to get you home tonight and see what I have under this dress?" She cooed.

"And what might that be kitten?" The cold voice brought shivers down her spine as she knew who it was immediately.

"…." She didn't speak at first. But he didn't mind.

"Get off at the 11th floor. " He told her then hung up. And she saw she was on the 5th. Her heart sunk. What if he…..

So she called the first person that came to mind.

"Hello?"

"He wants me to meet him on the 11th floor." She blurted out. 6th floor.

"Don't. Come straight up to the 12th. To me."

"The 11th floor comes first. He'll stop it."

"Then get off. Get off now. Hit the next floor and get off." She looked and it was on the 8th floor. She immediately pressed the button for the 9th and prayed it opened.

"I did it." She said. Her heart was beating out her chest.

"Go out and meet me at the stairwell. I'm on the way. Don't move past 9. "

She was relieved when the door opened and she went straight for the stair well. She was in 6 in stilettos but she made a quick pace. The stairwell door closed behind her and it was too quiet. She felt the walls closing in on her. She wanted to run. She had a strange urge to pee. Something she got whenever she was scared. She thought about staying. She honestly did but every noise she heard she thought was Seymour. So she decided she could make it a few more levels. She climbed to the 10th but as soon as she rounded to the 11th. She saw the person who put her in the bloodiest state of her life.

"Now kitten, that's not what I told you to do is it?" He grinned. He was twirling something in his hand and she couldn't quite make it out.

"Seymour… I…"

"You've been gone a minute, kitten." Seymour steps down one step and she steps back down one as well.

She glances at what's in his hand and feels her stomach tighten. It was a lighter. Why did he have a lighter?

She steps back one. Where was Gippal? He said he would meet her. She couldn't do this again…. She couldn't fight again.

"I'm supposed to be at the listening. They're looking for me…." Her voice shrunk. Seymour didn't care.

"What's stopping you?" He smirks. He took a few steps to her and she froze. But heaven had a weird way of intervening.

"You are." A voice says. Gippal comes around the corner not a moment too soon.

"Is that any way to speak to management?" Seymour doesn't even turn to Gippal. Like he was expecting him.

Gippal holds out his hand to Rikku. He had her if he tried to grab her, but she still hesitated in moving. Slowly, she ascended the stairs. Eyes switching from Gippal to Seymour periodically. Seymour didn't move but he spoke. Quietly, only she heard she thought.

"I don't know why you're acting out. That'll be fixed."

As soon as her hand touched Gippal's he moved her up the stairs to the 12th floor. Not giving Seymour a second look. But it wasn't over.

-0-0-0-

The listening party went well. Gippal didn't let Rikku out his sight but tried to stay distant as to not let on to anything going on. There were many positive reviews and the band was expected to break records on their album release. Everything was happening as it should. Until Rikku went to the kitchen for what was sure to be another glass of champagne. Gippal was not far behind her when he got a break from the music journalists that were there to report on the records.

In the meantime, Rikku did run into Tidus and everyone else of the band in the kitchen. Probably hiding from the many people eager to speak to them. She was greeted with a few playful calls about her outfit and choice of drink which she immediately grabbed when she came in the room.

"How's it going boss lady?" TIdus asked.

"Enjoying the night?" Shuyin added.

"I'm well into enjoying the night. You all need to be celebrating! It's your official debut." She smiled.

"Seymour was looking for you earlier." Baralai says. This makes Rikku stop.

"Probably boring bullshit. " Tidus chuckles. Then he gets an idea. "Hey boss lady, want to toke one with us? We were just about to head to the terrace too. "

"Toke?" Rikku asks. As much as she visited LowTown, she wasn't that in tune with the lingo.

He pulled a small rolled paper from his pocket. Two to be exact.

"Here?" she asked wide eyed.

"Why not?" Tidus grinned.

Then she had an idea.

"Actually, Save those. We can head over to my apartment and knock a few back while we do it." She was down... and her response shocked the group. But they were down.

"You wanna grab Gippal?"

"He smokes too?" She asked.

They looked at each other and laughed. "Yea. He smokes. He just slowed down."

"Found another way to get his high." Nooj joked. Rikku didn't hear it and went out to continue what she was doing.

She proceeded into the room where everyone else was and went over to her father. She told him she was about to go and moved toward the door before she was stopped by Gippal who caught her getting her coat from the closet.

He didn't announce himself. When she opened the door he snuck an arm around her waist.

She jumped not realizing who it was but his voice calmed her.

"Hey, little bird, it's me." He came down to kiss her bare shoulder briefly.

"Hi…" She meekly said. She felt the alcohol now. Especially with him so close to her.

"Headed out? " He asked.

"Tidus and the other guys wanted to go token." She told him. Or she thought she did, clearly.

"You mean toke?" He chuckled.

"Yeah that." She pulled on her jacket, or he helped her to.

"Have you ever smoked before?"

She shook her head as she fumbled with her sleeves.

"Well, I'm gonna have to see this. Let me say bye to your dad real quick." He gave her a kiss on the cheek and went off really quick. She walked to the door and just when she made eye contact with Tidus, Seymour reared his head from the kitchen.

"Headed out without staying for our announcement?" He grinned.

"What announcement?" She stepped back. Not knowing what was going to happen.

He pulled his suit jacket closer.

"I'm sure it can wait. Till tomorrow. "She grew a pair. And proceeded to Tidus. Tidus didn't understand what went on between them. He just saw Seymour glare momentarily before going back to his monotone stare.

"Ready?" Gippal walked over to the group. He has his old leather jacket on.

"Yep. Let's go." Rikku said. She heard Tidus talking to Gippal on their way out though.

"What's up with Seymour? Rikku good?"

"Yea. I got her. She good." Gippal said so assured. He had her….

I got her….

To Be Continued ….


So I'm not going to do the long discussion. Lemme know your thoughts and I'll get to this next chapter! Juicy things to come… Maybe a reunion? Much love to my loyal readers!

Xoxo,

Ayata Ayumi