-14-
I know it's late
Now I know I ought to go
Ride in your car now
But please don't drop me home
My head so heavy
Could this be all a dream
Promise me maybes
And say things you don't mean
Rain falls from concrete-colored skies
No boy, don't speak
Now you just drive
Drive
Drive
Take me through
Make me feel alive
Alive
When I ride with you
The daylight was fading rapidly as two figures emerged from a quiet, outdoor cafe on the upper east side of Midgar. To any fleeting passerby, one might have mistook them as a couple instead of captor and captive. An amicable mood settled over them as they slowly walked through the streets. Dusk was readily approaching, the sun already retired behind the mountains, leaving a dusty pink imprint on everything. A long white sedan pulled up alongside them, the driver hopping out and opening the back door with a little bow.
"After you." Rufus let the girl primly slide into the seat, following suit after.
Aeris smiled to herself as the car made its way back to Shinra. The day had been spent wandering through the Sanctuary, admiring the scenery and quiet atmosphere. They had come upon a small trail that had led them through thick foliage and finally to a modest lake filled with bearded catfish. The afternoon light shone on the surface, tinting the water as if it were on fire. Aeris couldn't peel her eyes away from the animals swimming in the lake, never having much contact with pets of any kind while in the slums. Tentatively she skimmed her fingers across the warm surface, sending out smooth ripples, and smiled when she saw the fish darting away.
"What is your fascination with nature, may I ask?" Rufus had been observing her and found that she was always drawn to greenery and wildlife.
"Fascination? Well, I've always been drawn to it. Maybe it's my Cetra heritage that brings it out in me or perhaps because I've never had much direct contact with it, but it's always been something I found a lot of peace in." She tucked her hands into her jacket and gave Rufus a half-smile. "Sometimes it's better to be with nature than with people."
He seemed taken back by her comment. "Do you mean that?"
"Yes." A sad look crossed her face as she leaned her back against a tree. "Sometimes people can be so judgemental and harsh, thinking before they really know anything, acting upon their first instinct. Nature...it's always listening, never passing any judgements about the things you do or say. It's ultimate goal is to nurture the people that hurt it most; it's so selfless. I find solace in that when I think there's nothing to believe in anymore. I wish I could have that sort of unselfishness."
He didn't reply but nodded his head in agreement. They stood by the lake in silence, watching the fish dance around in the water as bugs lazily skimmed over the surface. The sun was at its highest, glaring brightly but casting little warmth through the dense canopy of leaves. Soft flutters of wings drifted through the sky, the only real sounds breaking through their thoughts.
Rufus broke the silence first by clearing his throat. "Would you like to get something to eat?"
Nodding, she straightened up, dusting off her jacket. She took the arm that he held out, feeling embarrassed at how eagerly she took it. Why was he having such an effect on her? Why was he being so kind to her? Wasn't this the same Rufus Shinra that everyone had stated was cold-hearted and selfish? What exactly was going through his head, or more importantly, what was going through hers? Sneaking a small peek at the heir of Shinra, she understood immediately his appeal. No one could deny that he was a very good-looking man--his sandy-blonde hair, pale blue eyes, tall physique, proper manners--he was a walking ad for the Planet's Most Desirable Man. Still, something dark lurked under the surface, Aeris could feel it. Perfection didn't come without issues, and from the feel of it, he had big ones. Could she really be developing feelings for this man? She knew she shouldn't...that it would lead to heavy complications, but how could she stop herself? You have to quell whatever you're feeling now, Aeris. He's the vice-president of the company that is trying to steal your life away. It'll only end with you getting hurt. She knew this, yet she felt powerless whenever she was near him.
They left the sanctuary, making their way east to the business district of Midgar. A few people walking on the street noticed Rufus and gave him a deep bow, sending their regards. He paid them little to no attention, waving them off with his hand. Aeris felt slightly embarrassed at the way some of the women were looking at him, most likely whispering unclean things about the skinny girl on his arm. She self-consciously smoothed out her tweed jacket, not liking the newfound attention Rufus was bringing upon them.
"Is it always like this?"
"What do you mean?"
"These people. How they all stare at you." She shifted her eyes anxiously at the others walking down the street.
"Pay them no mind, I suppose it's odd to see a Shinra walking about the sidewalks without a limo or bodyguard in sight." He shrugged. "Which I must say is quite a relief."
He led them to a cozy restaurant at the heart of the business district, catching a table near the back. Immediately the proprietor emerged from the kitchen, his brown eyes wide and jovial.
"Mr. Shinra!" He made a deep bow, a bald spot on his head gleaming in the light. "Such a pleasure to have you here again. Is your father to accompany you this afternoon?" He looked around the restaurant to catch a glimpse of the president.
"I'm afraid not, he's attending to some business in Junon."
"Ah, so it is just you and your...girlfriend." He gave Aeris a large smile. "Such a pretty one this time. My name is Jean, owner of this humble cafe."
She held out a hand at which he took up and kissed. "Aeris Gainsborough, a friend of Mr. Shinra. It's a pleasure to meet you, Jean."
He gave out a hearty laugh, making his beginnings of a belly jiggle. "Ah, you are such a cute one." He clapped his hands together loudly, startling Aeris. "Please, you must have some wine. It's on the house." With another bow, he tottered to the kitchen, leaving the two alone for the time being.
"He's quite a character." She gave a puzzled look towards the kitchen where he had just disappeared.
"He and my father both share the same passions: money, food and women. Which is also the reason why I think they've formed an acquaintance with each other. He may be brown-nosing now, but he's quite a cunning snake when it matters."
The proprietor emerged from the swinging door with a bottle of wine in a bucket of ice. Setting down two clean crystal glasses in front of them, he pulled the wine out of the ice and propped it against his arm.
"A Cabernet Sauvignon from my personal winery in Kalm. I hope you enjoy it." Popping the cork with a flourish, he poured them each a small tasting of the scarlet liquid in their glasses. Then, making yet another bow, he backed away into the kitchen.
Aeris took a whiff of the wine, unaccustomed to the tangy yet sweet odor. She hesitantly took a small sip and was surprised to find it full and smooth instead of bitter and dry as she thought it would. "Is wine suppose to taste this good?"
Rufus couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Ah, so this is your first time? I forget that the Lower Plates don't have such commodities. So I assume you enjoy it?"
"It's quite sweet compared to its smell. And no, this isn't my first time tasting wine."
He gave a surprised look. "Oh, and may I ask when you've had it before?"
"Ah, must have been a few years ago. My then-boyfriend bought a bottle of it for my birthday, although it wasn't as rich as this." She toyed with the stem of her glass, seemingly lost in the past. "Still, I thought it was wonderful because he went through all that trouble."
"Shall I assume this is the boyfriend who was in SOLDIER?"
"Yes. Zack. He was always such a playboy, but whenever I was with him he would make it seem as if I was the only girl he cared about." She sat up and ran her fingers through her hair. "Ah, but why bother bringing up old news, eh?"
"What happened to him?"
She gave him a puzzled look, not sure why he was so curious about her past. Looking into his eyes she could see some unknown sort of interest lingering there and felt a little disconcerted. "Well...he went on a mission and never returned. At first I thought it was because he found someone else, but I later was told that he'd gone MIA. I would have rather preferred it was that he found someone better, at least then I'd know that he was safe and alive."
A middle-aged waiter in a bowtie cleared his throat and gave an apologetic look. "Excuse me for interrupting, but the food is ready to be served." He motioned to another waiter that was standing behind him and presented them with their dinner. "Jean requested that we specially prepare something for you; our chef, Maurice, sends his regards." He bowed as he filled their glasses again with more wine and then left the table.
After a dish of pheasant and four more glasses of sauvignon later, they were quietly riding back to Shinra. Aeris couldn't help but feel as if she were dreaming everything up...how could any of this be real? She had started off as a kidnapped and helpless girl to one who had a lavish bed to sleep on and a man who seemed to enjoy her company.
"Rufus..." she trailed off, not knowing exactly how to ask him.
"Yes?" he stared at her expectedly which only made her more anxious.
"Why...why are you doing this?"
"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're directing that towards."
"Me. Why are you doing this for me? Being so...kind."
His fingers twitched at the word. Kind. He was anything but. "I'm not sure what you're--"
"All I've been hearing from anyone is that you're a cold-hearted, emotionless man with only thoughts of yourself and your company. So why am I the only one who is seeing this side of you? What is it you're really after?" Given the seriousness of her question, Rufus felt embarrassed that the whole time all he could think about was the wine-induced flush on her cheeks and the smooth curve of her lips as she spoke.
"Aeris..." He didn't know how to respond. What was he suppose to say? Should he lie, tell the truth or not say anything at all?
She shook her head. "It's ok...you don't have to answer. I shouldn't have asked that question anyways, it was rude of me. I guess I'm just paranoid."
"About?"
"You using me. I don't know." She turned to the window, abashed. "I just have bad luck with guys I guess." The city passed by in a blur of lights, the dark now settling over the streets. Why was it that she could never say what was really on her mind? Why couldn't she just say that she was enjoying her time with him and how she didn't want this car ride to end.
"Rufus..." she turned towards him, biting her lower lip in apprehension.
He raised his eyebrows and waited for her to continue.
"I...I don't..." she stuttered, trying to push out her words. She wanted to tell him how much she was enjoying their time together and how she didn't want to go back just yet, but couldn't manage to say it.
He leaned in towards her, scrutinizing her eyes with his piercing gaze. "What is it?"
"I...I don't know." She let out a nervous laugh. "I guess I just wanted to say thank you. I had a really great time today." She reached out and gave his hand a squeeze, the only thing she had enough courage to do.
The sedan pulled up in front of the Shinra building as the driver again opened the door for them. Rufus held out his arm for her as she exited the car, leading her back towards the front doors. Fluorescent lights spilled out onto the main lobby as a few late shift employees finished their paperwork. Rufus pushed the button for the elevator and was just about to step on when a voice rang through the foyer.
"Sir! Mr. Shinra!" a skinny man in glasses and a security suit ran up to them, his nightstick banging against his leg. "Sir, the President is on line three and he says it's urgent. You can take the call in the security office."
Rufus shot Aeris an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, but it seems I won't be able to walk you back to--"
"Oh, it's ok. I'm sure I can manage walking myself back to my room. Thank you for today." She gave his firm arm a final squeeze before she stepped into the elevator alone, watching Rufus and the guard make their way to the office. The car started to make its slow ascent to her room but stopped abruptly on the second floor where a tired-looking redhead got on. He gave her a surprised look, inspecting her new clothes.
"Well, I haven't seen you in a while." Smiling that lopsided grin of his he leaned an arm against the panel. "Haven't missed me at all?"
Rolling her eyes, Aeris pressed the button to close the doors. "Not really."
He glanced around the elevator. "I'm surprised they're letting you run around without someone to watch over you. I was under the impression you were our prisoner."
"You're watching me now, aren't you? Plus, it's not likely I'll be able to run anyways."
"Ah yes, that's right." He tapped a long finger against his chin. "You're the new love interest of Rufus Shinra, right? Of course that has its privileges."
Immediately her face flushed. "I'm not a love interest. He's just being nice to me by showing me around."
"Really? From what I saw, you guys were quite chummy. Was he just being 'nice' to you by letting you hold his arm? And may I add, you look like you guys knocked back a few." He gestured at her rosy cheeks.
"What does it matter to you anyways?" she pouted, giving him a cross look. "Why are you so concerned with what's going on with Rufus?"
He shrugged. "It's not my concern, but it's my job. I have a liability to watch out for the vice president and his affairs, which, at the moment, is you." His countenance turned serious. "You've only just met him and don't know him like I do. Something is going on, and I just want to make sure nothing bad happens, ok?"
"You deduce that from spying on me?"
"What?"
"You heard me. Spying. While Rufus and I were having a private conversation that I don't remember inviting you to. Is that what you're basing everything on?" she turned her body away from him huffily. Her head was starting to pound and she regretted having drunk that last glass of wine.
"As a prisoner I don't think you receive special privileges like privacy. Listen, Rufus' business is my business. He's heir of Shinra and anything that concerns this company is also my affair. The last thing I need is Rufus going all soft because of some girl."
Anger flared in her eyes as she took a shaky step towards Reno, ready to tell him off. "Listen you..." A wave of dizziness took over her as she stumbled forward, nearly tackling the redhead. He gave out a yell of surprise as he grabbed her arms and tried to keep them from falling.
Closing her eyes, she clutched onto the lapels of his suit, willing the pounding in her head to go away. She mumbled that she didn't fee well, although she wasn't sure that he heard her. Trying to straighten herself up, her forehead lightly brushed against his cheek and she was surprised at how smooth it was. She finally regained enough of her composure so that she could stand on her own. Apologizing profusely, another blush crept over her already reddened features.
Straightening out his suit he gave her a small frown. "Geez, if you wanted me that bad, you could have just said so."
She let out an indignant cry, but didn't make any eye contact for fear that her face would catch on fire. It was already embarrassing enough.
The elevator slid open to her floor and she took small measured steps for fear that she would topple over again. She seriously regretted having worn shoes that she could barely walk in and vowed to kill the person who invented high heels.
"Hey..."
Aeris slowly turned and gave Reno an annoyed look. "What is it?"
He seemed to hesitate for a moment, looking her up and down. "You look...nice...today." The doors closed then but not without her catching a rare glimpse of a slight blush that stole over his cheeks.
A/N: Wew...finally...a longer chapter. :D Thank you very much to all those who reviewed, I will love you forever...or just give you a cookie! I'm working on two other fics, an Aeris x Vincent and an Aeris x Reno (cuz there ain't enough of 'em out there!) Once again, please review so that I may have the motivation to continue (cuz I'm a lazy bum :P)