Chapter 13: Spoiled and Sour

"Orihime?"

She closed her eyes and counted to three in her head. It would have made better sense if her name was Cinderella. "Yes, Karen?"

"Would you mind getting some coffee for us?" she asked, her head sticking out of a conference room.

She took another deep breath, and grabbed a pad of Rotten note paper and a pen. She scuttled into the conference room and put on her usual smile. "I'll start with you, Mister Jaegerjaquez," she said.

"Go across the street. Eggnog latte add espresso. A banana nut muffin, please. I'm hungry today," Grimmjow said with a flash of his eyebrows at her.

"Right," Orihime said, scratching the order down and smiling a bit wider until she got to the boss. "For you, Mister Kuchiki?"

"Black coffee, two sugars."

She nodded and gave him a gentler smile before moving on. Susan was next. "Did I hear eggnog? Eggyes!" she squealed.

Orihime tried not to laugh and only marginally succeeded. "And you, Karen?"

"Mint hot chocolate."

"Nice choice, Karen," Orihime said, and got the coffee orders for the other people in the room. "I'll be back shortly," she said and excused herself, walking back to her desk for her jacket and the Rotten credit card.

Ulquiorra watched Orihime come out of the building across the street. He was straightening merchandise and looking through what he had to make Orihime's aunt a gift basket. He figured it was time to do that. His smile got bigger as she walked across the street. Seeing her, though, made his heart clench for some reason. Was it because he admitted that he had feelings for her?

She opened the door and took a deep breath. My sanctuary, she thought as she walked to the back of the line. She caught Ulquiorra's eyes and smiled.

He took the wire basket he held and walked around to where she stood. "What do you want? I can get it for you and then you can talk my ear off," he said.

"Oh, such fine service," she said, narrowing her eyes and feeling in high spirits. She hadn't seen him in a few days; after Grimmjow's gift and apology, and having been told to get coffee at a competitor's shop, she didn't find time to come into Coffee and Sadness until now. She missed these green eyes. "Hi, by the way. I missed you. Bet you wish I wasn't back though; I have another conference order," she said, raising her brows, looking self-impressed.

"Great. How is my angry bird logo coming along?" He scrapped all of her ideas and offered to buy her bird doodle from her. He wanted that angry looking little thing with his cup of coffee as his brand image. "Everything okay with Grimmjow?"

"I think it's okay. He apologized."

Ulquiorra sighed and touched her arm. Of course Grimmjow apologized. "Well that's good," he stated.

"The little bird is doing great, though. Also, I need to thank you," she said, putting a palm on his shoulder. Without your insight, I might have never known. I've heard what happened to the other interns he grew tired of. It's part of the reason I wanted to talk to you about him when I was starting to get worried about our relationship. I needed to at least try to be aware of what might come to pass. Now that it's all out in the open it can be dealt with."

"We can talk about your feelings and thoughts anytime, Orihime. You know that. We're friends," Ulquiorra smiled at her and pushed back some of her hair so he could see her face. "You're welcomed over here or at my place anytime. I'll feed you."

Her stomach erupted into butterflies. Yeah. She had some feelings she could talk about, alright. It just felt like it would be a betrayal to voice them. "I'd like to come over sometime to watch that DVD I got you. We can eat whatever; leftovers, I don't care. I-" It was no use beating around the bush. Her eyes darted around the cafe before she leaned in a bit closer to him and murmured, "I just want to see you sometimes. I've never had a friend like you before."

If he wasn't at work right now he would have dropped the basket and kissed her. "Same," he whispered back. He took a step back and smiled. A friend. He was an asshole. "I'll meet you at the register?"

She gave him a nod, her face as red as the scant Christmas decorations littered around the shop. "See you. Still not on the company coffee perks list though, can you believe it?" she joked like she had always done.

"Ah, but you're on the Coffee & Sadness coffee perks list, so it really doesn't matter," he said as he walked backwards. He turned around and walked behind the counter, stashing the wire basket in the workroom. Ulquiorra was pretty bitchy with all the customers before Orihime.

"Okay, so," Orihime began rattling off the orders, but passed the list as well. She had a bit of time in line, so she had drawn a tiny little angry bird in the corner together with an upside down bat, both with scarves and coffee cups. "Grimmjow will have the eggnog thing, Mr. Kuchiki is the black sugar with two lumps, Karen is minter hot chocolate, Susan is another eggnog thing. Oh and Grimmjow wants a banana nut muffin."

"And for my-madam?" Ulquiorra said as he tapped the orders in. As he swiped the card, he handed it back to Orihime and began putting stickers on cups. He wrote asshole on Grimmjow's cup.

She saw it and laughed. She began to answer Ulquiorra's question, but realized that she didn't know. "Um, surprise me," she said.

His eyes flashed with a brief look of desire before he nodded. A smirk crossed his face as the order sticker printed out and he stuck it on the cup. One hazelnut hot chocolate and a gingerbread cookie coming up. He didn't even go to the pickup counter to give it to her. He looked at Ethan and told him to keep an eye on things for a moment before he nodded his head to Orihime then began walking towards the office.

She narrowed her eyes and followed. "Another blind taste test?" she asked as they walked through the door.

"Depends," he murmured, setting the bag with the cookie in it on the desk followed by the cup. He was going to be bold. He wanted to know if this was just lust or he had genuine feelings for the woman standing in front of him. He had her against the door the next moment. He didn't do anything but slowly stroke the sides of her neck. He had to know, because if it was just lust, then he would probably take Rangiku up on her offer to fuck. If it was feelings, then Ulquiorra wanted to make sure Orihime knew how he felt.

He took a deep breath and asked, "Do you close your eyes when we've kissed?"

Her lips were slightly parted, and she breathed a couple of times before she licked her dry lips. What was happening? She found herself unable to find an answer to that question and whispered an honest answer to his. "Yes."

"Then it's a blind taste test," he murmured before lowering his mouth to hers.

This time, when he kissed her, a tiny whine escaped her throat, and she stepped into it for a brief moment before she realized what was happening, then took a very confused step backward.

Why had she stepped back? Did she realize what he felt for her? "Orihime," he breathed.

"Sir, RBM's order is done," came a voice from the other side of the closed door.

Sigh. Growl. Sigh again. He wanted to talk this over with her. "You should go," he stated as he picked up the coffee cup and the cookie he had gotten for her.

"I'm sorry… I-" she shook her head and her face fell. "I don't know what came over me. I-" she didn't know what to say. "You're right, I'll go."

He opened the office door for her and let her lead the way out to the shop floor. Ulquiorra was already exhausted from this week. There had been so many ups and downs for him. It felt like the weight of his worries were making him drown. He just wanted the rest of the day to go smoothly. It wouldn't.

She hung her head and walked out. Why did he do that? He had just said that they were friends. Maybe they needed to talk about what that meant, but now wasn't the time. She sighed. "I'll talk to you soon," she said. She also felt heavy. It seemed like all she was capable of doing was screwing up one nice thing after another.

"Text me," Ulquiorra said as he turned to go behind the counter. "Let me know."

"Let you know?" Oh, about the project. She raised her head and nodded, giving him a tight smile. "I'll get it done and let you know, soon."

Ulquiorra was going to correct her on what he meant but he didn't get a chance.

"There you are!" a sharp voice rang across the floor of the shop before a woman with thinnish, dry, strawberry blonde hair and a few missing teeth came stomping toward Orihime.

Everyone had eyes on this new person, including Orihime, hers round and full of dread. She took a large step backward and pressed against Ulquiorra's side, but not on purpose. It didn't matter, though, it didn't last long as he went behind the counter. "Louise? What are you doing here? How did you find me?"

"Oh, it's Louise, now? Not Mom or Mommy? You think you're too good for me out here, dontcha?" the older woman spat towards her daughter, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her towards the exit. "I need to talk to you. You have been ignoring me for too long, missy. I know you have a job now. I need your help and you are going to give it to me, now. I don't want to hear your excuses!" Louise Miller's grip on her daughter's arm was tight, but despite that and the hard set of her eyes, she was otherwise behaving on the upper limits of what might be considered normal. Her tone was sharp and scolding, but not too aggressive. Not yet, anyway.

"Let go of me!" Orihime hissed, trying to yank her arm away.

Louise was thin, but a lot taller than her daughter. She pulled, the skin between her brows wrinkling deeply in response to Orihime's protests. "You are coming with me. Get moving!" she snarled.

"No!" Orihime yelped loudly, disturbing the other customers, whose heads turned towards the commotion with concerned faces.

"Stop being such a drama queen and let's go, Hime! Come on!" Louise snapped, stopping her forward motion but still holding on. She turned and stood to face Orihime, grabbing her with her free hand by her soft, full cheeks, and squeezing. "If you're going to act like a little bitch, that's how I'm going to treat you. Kathy always spoiled you, Orihime. Now, let's go before you make more of a scene."

Orihime was starting to panic. This was her worst nightmare. She had a huge coffee order to bring back to her office. She had to do her job, but it looked like her mother was going to get in the way. "Mom, maybe we can just get a cup of coffee and catch up? I just have to run an errand first," she pleaded, looking over at the counter where eight cups sat in carriers. "I'll only be a minute."

"No, no, I can come with you," Louise said, letting go.

"No!" Orihime's shrill voice sounded horrified at the idea. It was not an indoor voice, either.

Ulquiorra watched the scene unfold in front of him. He saw how there were several customers who were in the shop. Some of them were getting up to leave with disgusted faces and pointing at his friend and whoever the woman was. If this was Orihime's mother, then he could understand why she didn't want him to meet her.

Right now that wasn't important. He came from around the counter and strode over to where Orihime stood. "You need to leave. I'll take the coffees over, but you need to go," he said to smaller woman.

Her eyes slid over to his slowly, and when they found them, she knew. He had seen and heard enough. She couldn't blame him. Nobody wanted to be friends with her after they knew about her mom. Hot tears fell down her squished cheeks and she sniffed once, then nodded as much as she could. "I'm sorry," was all she whispered before her mother released her face and Orihime left..

Louise still stood there, looking at the guy who dared to try to throw her out. "And who the hell are you to tell me to leave?" she demanded, narrowing her yellow eyes on Ulquiorra.

"I'm the owner; now leave before I call the police. I'm sure a jail cell would give you all the help you need."

"Ha! A punk piece of shit like you? Go fuck yourself. ORIHIME INOUE! WAIT UP!" she bellowed as she made her way to the door, extending her middle finger for all to see.

A heavy sigh left the man as he watched the nasty old woman leave. He felt like there was nothing good left in the world. Shaking his head, Ulquiorra turned back to the counter and gave Ethan a look. "Call Rangiku, tell her to come in early. I'm going upstairs," he said before disappearing through the door that would lead him to his home.


Orihime ended up bringing her mother back to her apartment. The woman criticized her artwork, calling her a hack who should focus on a more lucrative career. Orihime listened quietly, waiting for the abuse to stop and for the woman to finally get to her point.

"Anyway, Hime, I'm here because I'm sick. I need someone to take care of me."

She wished she was never born. "How are you sick?"

"It's my kidneys and liver. Apparently I need dialysis and special medical treatment. You have insurance, right? I can just use your card."

"No, I don't, mom… I'm just an intern."

"What the fuck? Why don't you go demand it? You could-"

"No, mom. They don't give benefits to interns. I'm only part time. I have exams next week."

"Whatever… I have medicare, you can just cover the rest. I need a lot of help. Do you have a dealer?"

"What?!" Orihime couldn't believe this.

"Do you expect me to just sit here in pain and deal with it? You wouldn't last a day living my life. You've always had it so cushy with perfect Kathleen."

Orihime knew that arguing with this bitch was useless. "I'll… I'll ask a guy later tonight. I have some Advil or something in the cupboard over the sink." She closed her eyes and shook her head. "I have to go back to work, but I'll see you tonight I guess," she said, leaving. She had left the iPad Grimmjow had given her at the office, and only things in her place worth anything to her was her art and laptop, and she hoped her mom was not interested in either.

As she reached the street, she called into the office and made some excuse about a family emergency, turning left instead of right when she left her building. She walked a block and a half until she got to Starrk's. She had never been there before during daylight hours. It looked different.

She opened the doors and saw the tall blonde who worked there. "Hey, Tier, is Nnoitra working today?"

The other woman looked up and nodded. "He'll be here in an hour or so, did you want to wait?"

Orihime pursed her lips and nodded. Did she want to? No. She would, though. She needed a drink right now, anyway. "Yeah, can I have a Death in the Afternoon?" she asked, passing the woman her card.

Tier nodded and got to work preparing the cocktail, then brought it over to where Orihime sat at the bar. "So what do you want with Nnoi?"

Orihime sighed. "Personal favor."

When the tall, lanky man walked into the bar almost forty-five minutes later, he was surprised to see Grimmjow and Ulquiorra's woman there. He got a questioning look from Tier, which he shrugged off. He clocked in. He did what he needed to do, and then he became a figure behind the bar while the blonde woman did her manager duties. "Want another one?" he asked Orihime.

"Uh, how about a Maker's Mark on the rocks?" she asked, not wanting to be completely drunk. She was already feeling pretty tipsy, but not in a good way. "And a glass of water."

Nnoitra gave a nod and went about making her drink, pouring in too much of the liquor before setting both of the glasses in front of Orihime. "Ain't it a bit early to be drinking? Or is having two boyfriends stressing you out?"

She raised tired-looking eyes to him. "I only have one boyfriend. I'm stressed, though. I have an unexpected house guest with, um, questionable hobbies?" She took a sip of the whiskey and set it back down. "I was wondering if you knew someone."

A somewhat sinister grin came over Nnoitra's face. He put his elbows on the bartop and leaned over to get a better look at this woman. "I know a lot of someones," he said.

Orihime straightened her spine to put more distance between them. "I don't want you to think the wrong thing… Grimmjow talks. I know some things about you. I want to know whether or not you have suppliers."

A chuckle, and Nnoitra pushed himself up and looked down at Orihime. "Hmmm, maybe. I didn't figure you'd be a partier."

"I'm not," Orihime said, pursing her lips and staring back into his eyes. She would normally feel intimidated, and she still did, but she was more desperate and had fewer fucks to give than usual. "I don't even think she cares much about type or quality, she just wants the pain to go away."

"Ah, if you want the good stuff, we're going to fuck. If you don't care, then I can have something for you by the time I leave work," Nnoitra said, laughing at the end.

Orihime looked angry. "You are friends with Grimmjow. Why would you even say that to me?"

"Because I'm friends with him. If he talks, then you know all about our song and dance, don'tcha Princess? I know a lot about you."

She looked to the side as he nonchalantly compared her to all Grimmjow's previous lovers, but her eyes snapped back at the end. "Like what? What do you know?"

A smirk. "I know everything Ulquiorra's told me about you. He comes in here and gets drunk and starts running his mouth how he has feelings for you and how Grimmjow jerks you around and how he loves you. Grimmjow says you're not much of a cook, and I believe he's said you were a bit dumb or something, but that was a while ago."

His words hurt her and she didn't bother to hide it. It didn't matter, the man was clearly lying. "Ulquiorra doesn't have feelings for me. I don't even think we're friends, anymore." She sighed and threw back the rest of the whiskey in her glass. That was a bad idea, she realized as she guzzled the water to reduce the sting. "I'll come back later. I don't care about how good the stuff is, I'm not going to fuck you, Nnoitra. Besides, I thought I wasn't your type," she said, her words slurring slightly.

"Eyy, you know Grimmjow has pics of you and Ulq, right? You know, that night y'all were cuddled up on the couch back there… When you invited Cifer up to your apartment?" Nnoitra scoffed then turned away from the woman. "You have a vagina; you're my type. Come back fifteen minutes before closing and I'll have your shit. It'll be fifty."

Orihime scowled. "You took pictures of us? What the fuck?" she whined, the alcohol making her fuzzy. "Yeah, we were talking here and he came over and we ate curry and looked at art. Why are you trying to stir the shit pot? There is nothing there."

Nnoitra didn't even turn back around to address her. "Maybe not on your end, but both of your boys know about the other one. Be gone."


Orihime didn't bother saying much when she got back to her apartment, other than to give Louise a timeframe. The woman complained as she watched television on Orihime's laptop and ate all her microwave popcorn. At the appointed hour, Orihime returned to Starrks and just stood at the end of the bar. She didn't remove her jacket. She just looked defeated and waiting. She had a fifty dollar bill folded in her hand.

Ulquiorra had decided to leave his apartment. He ordered an Uber. He needed a night out to be what people thought he was. He was not a lowly barista. He was not a ratty punk. He just lived below his means. He worked like everyone else did. Susan, Karen, and Orihime's mother could go fuck themselves. So could everyone else who crossed his path and looked down on him.

Nnoitra had set his drinks in front of him and left him alone, only replacing the empty glass with a new one, which was fine with Ulquiorra. He didn't want to be bothered. After three whiskeys, he waved Nnoitra over. "Give me a Death," he stated in a low voice.

"Just a minute. I got business to take care of," Nnoitra replied.

The hell? What business did he have to take care of? Ulquiorra watched the man as he went to the end of the bar and narrowed his eyes. He saw Nnoitra talking to the woman and that was all it took for him to realize it was Orihime.

Why did Orihime-

His stomach dropped into his feet as he watched Nnoitra hand a small baggie to Orihime. Money exchanged hands. Things made a lot more sense now. She accepted big gifts from Grimmjow, and if Nnoitra had business dealings with Orihime that meant… Those two were on their same bullshit. At least Orihime hadn't dragged him into it. He'd be pretty salty if he had been pulled into some love-whatever those three had going on.

As he swirled the last of the alcohol in his glass, Ulquiorra kind of felt relieved. At least Orihime respected him enough to make them be friends, instead of yanking him around. She was a good person probably, but mixed up into some bad shit.

Orihime never saw Ulquiorra there. She didn't ask any questions, except one: "This isn't going to kill her, is it?"

"Nah, but a little dab will give her what she wants. Don't be letting her take it all at once, or else you're gonna have a body on ya hands," Nnoitra said. "Money?"

She held her hand out as if to shake his. "I actually went to the bank for this."

"You can always pay in a different currency," Nnoitra said, grinning at her.

"Not a publically traded commodity, but thank you for your interest, such as it is," she said with little inflection and less humor. She was sober now.

Nnoitra gave a chuckle and shrugged. "Let me know if you change your mind, Princess. I've got to get back to work."

She nodded and left.

She never went to work the next morning.

"Mom? Mom? Mom, wake up!" her voice was increasingly frantic, and trembled on the telephone with emergency services.

She clenched her teeth and barely breathed in the ambulance, rocking back and forth slightly, hands fisted into the knees of her jeans.

She didn't call into work until two hours later, after RBM opened.

"Susan, I can't come in today, my mom is in the hospital and it's touch and go right now. Is Grimmjow there?" The anxiety she felt leaked through her voice.

She was transferred to her boyfriend's line.

"Hey Orihime, what's up? You sick or something?" Grimmjow asked in a distracted way. He was busy looking over a work order when his line beeped. There was silence from him as he listened to her talk. "Oh shit. Yeah. No, I'll be there, okay? I'm leaving now."


A/N Thanks for reading! Let us know what you think of these new developments!