Days of Exile
Chapter 54 – Amber
27 January 0008
Sitting across the sofa, Meia could not help but notice how tanned the girl was. In such a grand-looking living room, the girl's golden skin, high ponytail and dirty khakis did not fit in. Yet, from her graceful posture, she looked right at home. It was the first time that Meia was meeting her, but it was not difficult to guess her name even if Jasper did not tell her.
"You have really beautiful brown eyes, Amber." Meia smiled at her.
"Thank you, Meia." She grinned. "It's wonderful to meet you, finally. Jasper has told me so much about you."
Meia grinned in response. "He told me a lot about you too. In fact, he wouldn't stop going on about how amazing a wife you are to him. It annoyed the hell out of all my single colleagues." She paused for a brief moment, looking at the woman properly. "Forgive me for being so frank," she said slowly and a little shyly. "But… I did not expect you to be like this."
"Oh?" Amber looked at her curiously. "I guess you thought that I was a spoilt rich heiress who knew nothing about my family's business?"
"Well…" Meia laughed at the accuracy of it. "Yes." Amber blinked, surprised how Meia answered readily. "But not the spoilt part. I think it's amazing that you took your life into your own hands and not wait for others to provide for you. It's rare to see such independence, I think. I can see why Jasper is so attracted to you."
Amber snorted. "Believe me, he wasn't. We have been childhood friends for twenty years and we never had that kind of connection before."
She then promptly told Meia her story between Jasper and herself. Both the only heirs to their family's jeweling business, they had been childhood friends as young as they could remember. However, they only saw each other as friends. After Jasper's encounter with the two Turks, Patricia and Marshall, he decided not to inherit his family business and wanted to be a Turk. Amber had supported his decision and they had kept in close contact while he was a Turk. It was not until Jasper returned from Midgar a few months ago, that they finally started falling for each other.
"But I'm glad," said Amber at the end of her story.
Meia smiled. "That the two of you worked out for the better in the end?"
"I'm glad that he liked a girl like you."
Meia almost choked on the tea that she was sipping. "That's!" She stuttered. "We were never-"
Amber laughed cheekily. "I know. Jasper has told me everything about you over the time that he was in Midgar. I was cheering him on and hoping that someday you would see the good in him."
"Well… aren't you glad that I didn't?" asked Meia with a grin.
Jasper's wife pondered at Meia's question. "I'm not that concerned about it. Like I said, I'm actually glad that he liked someone like you. You are very honest and straightforward in your beliefs and values. That stood out to Jasper enough for him to like you." She paused to smile at Meia. "Seeing you and how honest you are with me, I can see why he was attracted to you," she grinned. "Nevertheless, congratulations on finally being with the person you love."
Meia blushed. "Yes. Reno and I have a really unique relationship, but I'm happy." She gave Amber a warm smile. "I'm also happy that I could meet you. You are a really nice person to talk to."
Amber returned the smile. "Do stay in Bone Village for a few days, if you can afford it."
"I really want to!" Meia pouted. "But I can't. I got to rush to Icicle Inn tomorrow and try to reconcile with my friends."
"I understand. I can imagine how difficult it may be. The people in this region are not exactly big fans of Shinra. My family was against me marrying a man who used to do a stint in killing people."
Meia winced at her words. "We don't do that all the time. How did that work out for the two of you?"
Amber laughed. "Persistence and insistence. Jasper and his family also strove hard to prove that Jasper was still a worthy businessman for the family." She folded her hands on her lap. "Jasper's family may not be happy about his… little detour. Nevertheless, they are the most supportive family I've ever seen."
"I agree." Meia nodded vigorously. "I was surprised when I heard that Jasper was an heir of a family business. I thought he was disowned or something!"
They laughed. Amber gave Meia a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Meia. If your friends refuse to reconcile, you will always be a friend in this family."
"… Thank you." Meia tried to stop herself from thinking about Randy and Heidi. "That means a lot to me."
Amber grabbed Meia's hand. "Come, before Jasper returns, let me show you his baby pictures!" Meia's face lit up in delight and nodded enthusiastically.
"Hey ya!" Jasper announced, trotting into the room. "Sorry I took so long to get the tea and cakes done." He stared at the two women, standing hand-in-hand, suspiciously. "Where were the two of you going?"
Meia giggled as Amber quickly dropped her hand. "Nowhere," chorused the both of them, giggling.
28 January 0008
Reeve Tuesti walked through the rundown streets of the slums, ignoring the low-energy, emergency-only amber lights. People walked about him and Reeve struggled not to bump shoulders. He was not as high profile as the President of Shinra, but one could never be safe. He was not ready to be mobbed by a disgruntled throng of people expecting Shinra to save them.
There was no sign of the woman that he was looking for. In the end, Reeve resorted to looking for Kent. Since Meteorfall, he had not been able to contact his most trustworthy assistant. However, the executive was not in hurry to find him. As with all things associated with Kent, it was mostly Kent finding you, not the other way around.
"Sir?"
A hand was placed on Reeve's shoulder. Reeve turned to see his trusted employee. "Kent!" He said, smiling for the first since he came here. "I'm so glad to see that you are alive."
"Me too," said Kent, straightening the long sleeves of his shirt. "I know why you are here." He said quickly. "I've been looking around the refugee point, looking for Mrs Ruvie Tuesti."
Reeve smiled. Trust Kent to know his thoughts and concerns exactly. "Did you find her?" Reeve asked.
"No," replied Kent with a shake of his head. "I have not seen her. The people that I've asked did not see her either."
Reeve took a deep breath. His worst fears may have been realized. "I see."
"But I will continue to find her, and will update you with news soon. We will not assume anything until we see solid evidence." Reeve nodded at Kent's assurance. "Where can I find you now, sir?" When Reeve told Kent his temporary residence, his employee nodded and promised to bring him news as soon as he has them.
As Kent walked away, he slowly blended into the crowd. A real chameleon, this one. Reeve thought to himself. He could not have found a better person to work for him.
Hello everyone, thank you for your reviews, faves and follows. It's really a joy to see people supporting this story after so many chapters. Thank you, Occupational Haz, Zek88 and . Not forgetting Tavialover14 too. It's the small things that you people do that makes all the hours of researching and cross-referencing worth it.
It's a short chapter this time, I know. Maybe I'll upload the next one next week. No promises.
