Chapter 7: Reunion and Surprises
I do not own One Piece! That will always belong to Eiichiro Oda!
"I didn't think I was going to be needing this many books just to get myself educated," Arlong said as he and Nami left the bookstore.
"Look at it this way," Nami said. "You won't be getting into trouble with fakes now."
He couldn't argue with that and just knowing Nami was so willing to help get his education completed was still overwhelming him. They walked together through the mall and when they passed a little bridal shop Nami paused for a moment.
"Nami," Arlong came up behind her. "Are you okay?" She looked back at him with a sad small smile. Seeing that made him start to wonder if Nami had someone before him, someone who might have broken her heart and he felt a little jealous at the mere thought if she might have had love before him. "Did you have a boyfriend that said he would marry you?"
"The only boyfriend I've had has been you," she said. "You're my first one."
He looked at her in surprise. 'That's a surprise,' he thought. 'I thought she would have had a least one before she came to work for me.' "Then why are you sad? Don't you want to get married?"
"I do," she said. "I just feel I could never be good enough for a man."
"Nami, that is not true at all," Arlong said. "You are the perfect woman for me."
"I can't believe that," she said even though she knew he loved her.
Arlong placed the book filled bags on the floor before he took a hold of both of her hands. "Nami, I promise when we get married, I'll get you the most beautiful wedding dress that money can buy," he said.
"Arlong, you shouldn't," she said. "A dress like that is only worn just for one day."
"If there is ever a chance that you change your mind, I will buy you that dress in a heartbeat. Nami, I would do anything for you."
"Arlong, where did you get the idea that we would one day be getting married?"
He blushed and looking away in a mixture of shyness and slight embarrassment. "I don't know," he said. "We love each other, why not get married one day? Just a thought I had."
Nami didn't hide the surprise that was on her face. "Do you mean it?" she asked. "That you want me to be your wife?"
Arlong opened his mouth to speak but paused for a moment to think before he answered her. "Yes, I would love more than anything for you to be my wife."
She hugged him tightly as she was close to crying. He hugged her back happily as he calmed her before she broke done in public. Arlong knew people would stare at them and give them nasty judgments. Luckily, he was able to calm her before she did.
"I love you, Nami," he whispered to her.
She smiled up at him, "I love you too, Arlong."
It was then Nami's cell began buzzing and she pulled it from her purse. Her eyes widen when she saw it was a text but who it was from it was that caused her eyes to grow big in surprise. "Vivi," she said.
"Vivi?" Arlong asked and then recalled hearing the name from Nami last night. "Isn't she the one you said transferred schools?"
"Yes," Nami said. "She's here and she wants to meet up at the food court."
"Go ahead," Arlong said. "You two haven't seen each other for over two years and it's only fair that you should go and catch up with her."
"While I am doing that," she said. "Why don't you go and buy some clothes other than the tropical ones you like wearing."
"What is wrong with my taste in clothing?" Arlong muttered.
"Nothing really, but it's good to wear something other than tropical shirts," she said honestly.
"I like wearing them though," he said.
She smiled at him with such love as she caressed his face. "I know you do," she said. "But wearing a normal or even a dress shirt every once in a while, won't kill you."
"It might," he said halfheartedly.
Nami laughed before she gave him a puppy eye looked. "Please? For me?"
Arlong gave a sigh. "I'm so blaming Chew for this."
She grinned in delight, "I'm not hearing a no."
Arlong looked at her. "You win," he said. "But you owe me for this."
"Don't worry, I'll be sure to pay you back."
He leaned forward some to whisper huskily in her ear, "I plan on you doing so, love."
Nami felt a small shiver go up and down her spine knowing he had something planned. Their little love session last night had changed them both and she found herself already aching to be with him. "I better go and meet up with Vivi," she said.
Arlong was no fool and he knew in his heart that his sweet beautiful Nami was wanting him in the worst way. He kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Later love I promise," he said. "You go meet your friend and I'll go take these bags to the jeep then go clothes shopping. I love you do you know that?"
"I know," Nami said before she kissed him. "Remember what you are supposed to be getting?"
"I do," he wrapped an arm around her before giving her a deep passionate kiss. "I'll meet up with you, okay?"
"Okay."
~~.~~.~~
Arlong, once he had dropped the bags off in the jeep, sighed as he stood outside the entrance to one of the clothes stores that were in the mall. He took a breath before going inside. 'Normal and dress shirts,' he quietly reminded himself.
Though he was not eager to buy such shirts, Arlong was willing to do it because Nami had asked him to and it wouldn't hurt to occasionally dress up nice. He decided to get the dress shirts and was a little shocked at the colors that were available for men ranging from pink to purple. He shook his head wondering what man would be caught wearing a shirt that was purple let alone pink. Having picked ones he considered more normal in color, he also chose some dress pants which were thankfully normal in colors. From there he picked out normal shirts and as well a pair of comfortable shoes.
Having paid for his purchases, he was starting to leave the store when an idea came to him and knowing Nami promised to pay him he decided that he was going to decide on how she would be paying him back. Arlong went to the women's department half of the store right to the loungewear and quietly browsed keeping in mind that what he picked Nami would not see until their special night. Finally, he found the perfect one and it was very perfect for his girl.
It was a black satin chemise nightgown with a stunning rose print that had a matching Kimono robe. What really caught Arlong's eye was the deep V-back cutout that was designed to create the ultimate impact and it did. He had no problems just even imagining how sexy and desirable Nami would look in it especially since it would show off her beautiful curves. Of course, his little lustful desire almost made him lose it and he was very quick to dismiss the sexy and naughty images that played in his mind.
"Get control of yourself man," he muttered under his breath.
Once calm and focused again did he go to pay, and it didn't help that the older woman who rang up his sale was giving him a slight look of disgust when he politely asked her to place in a box. To her Along looked like was some type of sexual predator. He was very tempted to say something but wisely decided to keep his mouth shut and left the store. He returned to the jeep more to place the bags in the vehicle before he glanced at his cell on the time.
'Might as well meet up with Nami,' he thought. 'One more thing to do but that I want us to do together.'
~~.~~.~~
Nami couldn't wait to see Vivi again as she headed to the food court. It had been so long since she last saw the other girl since she had transferred schools and just to knowing she was now and here and wanting to see her made her happy.
"Nami!"
Hearing her name, she looked in the direction of the voice and saw Vivi. The young woman with long light blue hair with its two locks hanging down on either side of her head and her hair down binging held back in a clip waved excitedly to Nami and her brown eyes seemed to shine.
"Vivi," Nami could barely keep her joy in as she raced up to the other girl hugging her. "I can't believe you're back."
"NAMI-SWAN!"
Both girls looked up just as Sanji came running up to them looking about as lovesick as ever. Following him quietly was the rest of Nami's high school friends; Luffy, Robin, Zoro, Franky, Brook, and Chopper only Usopp was missing. Of course, Nami was happy to all of them and hugged each one of them being more careful with Sanji who still claimed his undying love for her.
"Nami-swan, will you go out with me?" Sanji asked again as he had done countless other times when they were in high school.
Nami smiled politely before telling him, "Sanji, I'm seeing someone."
"What?!" Sanji was shocked before he became depressed and moped.
Zoro seeing that laughed. "Shot down again, eh dartboard brow?"
"What did you say, shitty marimo," Sanji snapped at him.
Like always the two started fighting all the time Luffy just laughing at them. Nami sighed. Yep, some things never change. They all sat at the available tables talking and catching up before everyone shifted their attention to Vivi since it was, she who invited them here.
"So, I want to throw a return party," Vivi said. "And I was hoping for some catering ideas for the party.
"The Barratie would be the best one to go with and Zeff would be more than happy to cater to the party," Sanji said happily.
'If Arlong started doing catering,' Nami thought. 'Arlong Park would bring more business in and that would get the name really out there.'
"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation."
Nami looked up as did everyone else as Arlong calmly walked up to the table Nami was sitting at with Vivi and pulled a chair from another table before sitting down. Of course, Luffy and the others were not to keen with him sitting down with them as if he part of their friendship circle.
"Vivi, if you're willing," Nami said. "Arlong has just started catering for Arlong Park."
Arlong was surprised as well as the rest of Nami's friends but he managed not to show it. 'What are you up to Nami?' he thought.
"What?!" Sanji said in surprise. "When did this shitty bastard start doing that?"
Nami saw the annoyed look that flashed in Arlong's eyes as Sanji's remark. Making sure that no one was watching her she moved a hand, resting it on Arlong's knee giving it a little squeeze. "Vivi, the restaurant has great food," she said. "Besides Arlong would be more than happy to provide the food besides we've had the Baratie so many times in the past why not try something a little more special?"
Arlong caught on quick that Nami in her own unique way was drumming up business for him possibly landing him their very first catering gig and not only that she was sticking it to Zeff's famous Baratie. He smiled at the thought of finally getting one up against the one place he considered his only competition. No sense in not going along with Nami's plan. 'Time to lay on the charm.'
"Nami is right," he said. "I'm more than happy to provide for your party. I'll even get you extra of whatever you desire free of charge of course."
All the time Arlong was looking right at Sanji who was one of the many cooks at the Baratie. Sanji's expression was a mix of anger and pain. Anger at Arlong for doing this and pain for Nami for even bringing it up in the first place.
Vivi was quiet as she thought and considered what Arlong and Nami were offering. "Yes," she said. "I'm more than happy to have Arlong Park cater to the party."
"Good," Arlong said pleased as hell knowing he just nailed the Baratie out of a gig. "I will be in touch in a couple of days to go over the menu with you or if you want, you may talk with Nami and she will let me know. Please excuse me, I have some business matters that I need to attend to."
"Of course," Vivi said holding out a hand to him. "Thank you again for offering to cater to the party."
"The pleasure is mine," Arlong said giving Vivi's hand a shake. He gave a small nod to Nami's friends before he focused on his girl. "Nami, we will talk later over the menu."
The grin he gave her spoke volumes to her and she nodded, "Yes we will."
Sanji was mad as hell as he watched the interaction between Nami and Arlong. "Why is she taking his side?! She hates him! Did that shitty bastard threaten her job?!" he muttered under his breath.
~~.~~.~~
Arlong walked quietly off still pleased and surprised that Nami did that especially since Sanji was one of her friends. Still, the mere thought that she managed to take something away from the Baratie making sure he got the business was satisfying. He made sure that he was out the sight of Nami and her friends but making sure they were within his. He could see that Sanji was still fuming over what had just happened. "Little shit will no doubt go crying to ole' Zeff about this," he said to himself.
Soon Nami said her goodbyes and hugged her friends though it was clear to see that Sanji had stiffened some when Nami hugged him. She glanced at her cell just as Arlong sent her a message telling her where he was and to join him.
"That was a very sneaky move you did," Arlong said the moment Nami came up to him.
"Are you mad at me?" Nami asked worriedly.
"Love, I'm not mad," he said wrapping an arm around her waist bringing closer to him as they walked a little. "I just want to know what you were thinking."
"I wanted to bring you some more business and as the assistant manager, it is my job to do to always be looking for more business to bring to the restaurant."
He had to chuckle at that. "Every time I think I may have you figured out you end up surprising me," he said. "How about we get something to eat and discuss business then finish up shopping for you then perhaps go home?"
"Won't that make you late for work?"
"Meh," he said with a shrug. "I can always call Big Brother and he will handle things until I get there. He's done for me in the past if he knows I'm going to be late arriving."
They found a nice quiet family restaurant where they were given a nice back corner booth. Their waitress came took their orders and returned with their drinks. Arlong pulled his cell out opening it up the little note section on it. Nami smiled and told him about her ideas that she had been thinking up. He listened and offered up suggestions. They both realized they made a good team when it came to decision making about Arlong Park.
"We may have to hire a few people on the catering end," Nami said.
Arlong nodded. "We might unless I bring up to the others tonight and see who might be willing to work a little bit more for their paychecks," he said. "Then if we need more help then we hire the ones we need."
"Arlong, I know I shouldn't bring this up," Nami said quietly as she looked her folded hands. "What will you do about Genzo?"
He sat back his fingers lightly drumming the top of their table thinking some. He had not really thought what to do with the man especially after what he pulled on Nami. The issue needed to be addressed and Arlong dared not delay a course of action over it. "Do you have a suggestion for how I should handle it?"
"I know he's been there since you started and firing him now would wrong to do," she said. "Would demoting him be bad?"
Arlong thought on it and though he really wanted to fire Genzo, he saw more reasoning in Nami's suggestion. "No, it wouldn't hurt to do so, and I will need a new dishwasher since that is no longer your duty. So, demoting him to dishwasher would okay with you?"
"It would."
"Good, I will inform the man tonight that he will be the new dishwasher." He looked at the time before sighing. "I better call Big Brother and tell him to cover for me until I get there since I will be arriving very late." He speeds dialed Tiger's number as he walked up to the cashier's register to pay.
"Sup?" Tiger said the moment he answered.
"Bro, think you can cover for me some?" Arlong asked pausing to talk with Tiger. "Nami and I are still at the mall and I'm going to be running late."
"Don't tell me that she is still clothes shopping?"
"No, she got a text from one her friends and I told to go spend some time with them," he said. "Girl did surprise me though."
"Oh? What did she do?"
"Nami just got us into the catering business."
"You're not upset with her for doing that?" Tiger asked.
Arlong gave a small laugh, "Honestly I'm not. I'm looking forward to this and knowing I'm taking some business away from the Baratie, it will be worth every damn headache I may get."
"You always see the business end of things, you know that?"
"Yeah, but I'm successful at what I do. So, are we good about covering for me some?"
"Little Brother, you know I've always had your back. Just have some fun with her and get here when you can."
"Thanks, bro," Arlong said. "I owe you."
~~.~~.~~
"We have one more thing to do before you do your clothes shopping," Arlong said.
Nami gave him a puzzled look. "What would that be?" she asked.
"You plan on doing your classes on-line, right?"
"I had thought about it but that will be hard to do since I don't own a laptop or even desktop computer," she said.
Arlong shook his head. "That I'm planning to fix right now," he said as pointed to the computer store. Nami startled to protest some but he stopped her on it. "I need to replace the old one I have and might as get new ones besides we will need one for the catering part, correct?"
All Nami could do was hug him. "What would do without you?"
"I hope we never find out," he said as he held her.
Once they were done at the store having purchased three new laptops, one being especially picked out for the catering end, did the pair head for Nami's favorite clothing store. Unlike some husband or even boyfriends, Arlong did not complain whenever Nami asked for his opinion on an article of clothing. He would honestly say whether he liked or not and sometimes suggesting made trying this with that. Nami never once getting upset with him. She teased him once when she showed off a pair of low-rider jeans and a pink sleeveless shirt that revealed a nice bit of her cleavage with orange high-heeled sandals.
"Is this too sexy or not enough?" she asked.
To see this side of his girl almost made poor Arlong lose it. Oh damn, was she going be the sexiest thing ever once she matured some more and Arlong had to wipe a little bit of drool from the corner of his mouth. He wasn't going to lie he liked what he was seeing, and he liked it a lot.
"Oh, I think you can go sexier with that," he said with a slight growl.
"Not enough then," she said before stepping back into the changing room and after a few moments came back wearing a red halter top that had Arlong's attention right then and there. "Is this better?"
Now Nami's little show was only meant for Arlong, but it caught a few other men's attention. There were catcalls and whistles and that was enough for him to stand up, giving them all death glares as he showed off his teeth. The message was clear; want to go mess with a shark, go ahead and try, but get ready for a world of hurt and all Nami's admirers were quick to back off. Poor Nami had stepped back into the change room clearly ashamed at what her actions had caused.
"Nami," Arlong said gently outside the door. He heard the small sob that came from her and he grew worried. "Nami, are you alright?"
"I'm sorry," she said.
"Sorry? Sorry for what?"
"You probably think I'm a slut for doing what I just did."
"You're no slut," he said. "Why would I even think that? You're my girl. My extremely sexy girl and I really did like what I saw."
Nami unlocked the door opening it a crack. "So, you liked what I picked out?"
He gave her a small hungry look. "Nami, last night was tame compared to what is going through my mind right now," he said before lowering his voice. "Wear something like that when we are alone, and you won't be getting wild from me. Naha, try wild and untamed passion." He saw the sudden flush of her cheeks and gave her an encouraging smile. "Get changed and we'll get that along with the rest of the clothes you picked out. Okay?"
"Okay."
"That's my sexy beautiful girl," Arlong said before returning to the chair he was sitting in to wait for her.
Ten minutes later…
They had hardly left the store when they heard, "Nami!"
"Are you serious," Arlong muttered as both he and Nami looked to their right to see Belle-mere strolling up to them.
"Belle-mere," Nami said and a look of worry came upon her face. "What are doing here?"
"Buying an outfit for Nojiko," Belle-mere said. "Nami, you can come home if you want."
"I can?" Nami asked with some hope in her heart.
"Yes," she said. "You can come home the moment you end with him."
Nami couldn't believe she was hearing this. "I can only come home if I break up with Arlong?"
Arlong was angry by this. It was slightly being an insult to him but mostly because it was denying Nami of returning home. "So Nami can't return home unless she breaks up with me? Am I hearing this right?"
"This is between Nami and me," Belle-mere said. "You just stay out of this."
"I won't do it," Nami said. "We love each and I won't end our relationship just so I can come back home."
"Nami, you can't be serious?"
"Oh, she's serious," Arlong replied angrily. "Nami's home is with me and I can take better care of her than you can."
"How dare you say that," Belle-mere said her voice rising in volume. "You're nothing more than a vicious greedy money-loving thug."
Nami could see Arlong was quickly close to losing his temper and she didn't want him to lose it. Not here. She cupped his face with her hands, "Arlong, calm yourself. Take deeps breaths, nice and slow. That's it, baby."
"Nami, how can you be in love with someone with such a violent past like him?" Bell-mere asked. "Genzo told me how violent he is knowing you were in danger of being with him."
"Stop it," Nami snapped at her. "I know all about his past. Arlong told me just today and I forgave him for everything he had done. I can love him even after that."
Belle-mere was shocked. She thought for sure Nami would have left the man knowing what kind of monster he was.
"I love Nami," Arlong said. "And she loves me despite my damn past and all my flaws. Yes, I treated her badly all that time, but it was Nami who made me see the ugly truth about myself. Belle-mere, believe me. I am ashamed of treating Nami that way and I swear I will never do that to her again. Can't you see how much I love your daughter? Can't you for once be happy for her?"
Belle-mere looked at the pair for the longest time before she glared at Arlong. It was a dark and hateful look. "You are nothing but a damn liar and an abuser to my baby girl. Nami, you want to be with a monster like him? Fine! Don't you ever dare think about coming back for anything!"
"What about her things?" Arlong was quick to ask. "Surely she has a right to get her belongings?"
"You can get them since they will be sitting next to the trash!" Belle-mere said before the older woman turned and stormed off.
Nami felt her world starting to come apart and she almost fell to her knees if Arlong had not stopped her from doing so. He spoke quietly but urgently to her as he guided her out to the jeep. The moment she was inside, did Nami break down emotionally crying her heart out. She never thought Belle-mere would do something like that to her.
"Nami," Arlong said the moment he put the rest of the bags in the jeep and was in the drivers' side wrapping his arms around her. "Love, it's okay. You have a home with me, remember?"
All Nami could do was cry as she clung to him. She knew Arlong was right about that she had a home with him, but it still hurt emotionally to be rejected and thrown out by the woman who had loved and raised her as her daughter. The only one who wanted her now was the man she loved so much who was holding and comforting her. He was her family now as was Tiger and the guys. Slowly the tears slowed as the sobs became small hiccups and finally it all stopped together.
"You ready to go home?" Arlong asked her.
"Yes," she said.
~~.~~.~~
"What are you guys doing here?" Arlong said the moment he opened door to the apartment to find Kuroobi, Chew, Hachi and Tiger all on the couch.
"Water main break," Kuroobi said. "The whole block is without water and we were told to close until it's fixed. Hopefully by tomorrow."
"That sucks," Arlong said.
Nami came in so quietly that the guys took notice of her depression as she sat down in one of the recliners. They knew something had happened and they all looked at Arlong who said nothing but headed back out the door. "Why don't you guys go help while I keep Nami company," Tiger said. "Pretty sure Arlong won't mind some help with whatever they bought."
"Yeah no problem," Kuroobi said as he herded Chew and Hachi out.
Tiger crouched down by the recliner patting her hand. "Want something to drink?" he asked to which Nami shook her head.
"Hey Tiger," Chew said as he and Kuroobi came in with all the bags placing them on the floor. "Arlong needs us to go with him and Hachi. So, we'll be back soon."
"Tell the hot head, don't do anything stupid," Tiger said having a good guess that Arlong was up to something.
"Got you," Chew said before he stopped. "Oh, I almost forgot." He pulled his MP4 player and handed it to Nami. "I thought you might want to hear some music."
"Thanks," Nami said giving him a small smile. "Anything good?"
Chew grinned, "Yep all of Kana-Boon and Bump of Chicken's albums."
"Let's go," Kuroobi said dragging Chew out as usual.
"I take you and Arlong had a nice long talk?" Tiger asked once they were alone.
Nami sniffed as she nodded. "He told me everything about his past," she said.
"Even his drug addiction?"
"Yes."
Tiger was quiet for a moment before he stood and went to his room returning a few moments later. "Nami, did he tell you how bad it was? How really bad he got?" he asked sitting on the couch.
"He didn't go into detail if that's what you mean," Nami said. "Tiger, what didn't Arlong tell me?"
Tiger patted the spot next to him. "It was bad," he said, and he looked ready to cry. "I almost lost him twice because of him ODing."
Nami looked at him in shock. "Arlong…he OD twice?"
Tiger nodded as she moved to the couch. "The second one…it almost did him in," he said. "It happened after Shyarly left him and man, he went downhill fast. I keep watch over him and then one night it happened."
"What happened?" Nami asked growing more concerned and afraid.
"Arlong came home to his old apartment and I was busy with something, so I was a little late checking on him," Tiger said as he handed Nami a photo. "I found him on the floor of the kitchen with so many different drugs that I had no idea what he took. I called 911 so fast it wasn't funny and the paramedics…I still don't know how they did it, but they brought him back from the brink of death. Arlong was rushed to the hospital where he was in ICU for a while until he recovered enough to be moved." Tiger started tearing up at the memories. "I really thought I had lost him that night and I didn't give a shit if he hated me but I refused to give up on him. That photo was taken at the hospital."
Nami stared at the photo that she held eyes staring at the stranger in it. It was Arlong, but not her Arlong. In the photo, his eyes looked bloodshot with hair that was messy and greasy looked with poor skin tone. He did not smile but not really scowling either just a kind of the sleepy-looking face of confusion. Seeing that made her heart hurt so badly that she had to hand it back to Tiger.
"I can't believe that is Arlong," she said wanting to cry herself.
"I know," he said looking at the photo. "I showed him this and he didn't want to see himself, but I made him look at it. I told him the next time he may not be so lucky and that I would have to be going to his funeral next as would Shyarly. I think that is what brought him around. The thought of dying and Shyarly attending his funeral made him go into drug rehab. It was hell but he did it, he got himself cleaned up."
"Arlong is very lucky to have you as his big brother," she said patting Tiger on the arm.
Tiger gave her a warm smile. "Don't forget that I'm also your big brother now as well," he said.
Hearing that surprised Nami a little before she remembered that this was her home now and that Tiger was indeed now her older brother. She smiled at him, "I never had an older brother just an older sister."
Tiger chuckled as he gave Nami a brotherly hug. "Well, you have one now," he said.
So Nami has gotten Arlong into the catering business. Wonder how that will turn out? Remember to Read and Review as always.
