"And over what? Sparkling water. Expensive ass sparkling water, Matilda!"
She vented, hugging a furry pink throw pillow to her chest. Pink and fluffy wasn't at all something Olivia wanted all over the apartment as it wasn't her style a bit, but she was thankful for the comfort it gave her roommate, and in instances like this, the comfort it gave her.
Across the room, the roommate in question piped up, her long curly strawberry blonde hair fell over the back of her desk chair.
"It sounds like such a rough day. He would never find an assistant like you again, so if he let you go it would have been such a loss." The woman sympathized, her soft voice drifted to her comfortingly. For the second time since she came in the door, her roommate took her soft green eyes from the bright screen.
"You're overqualified for this, dear." The blonde reminded, her light taupe lashes fluttered as she blinked with sincerity. Olivia sighed and placed the pillow to the side, ignoring the pink fuzz that clung to her black work blazer.
"I agree, but this job… so many people want it and this pay is great. I'd be crazy to let it go now, you know that. Besides, if I stay long enough, I'm sure my resume will be a sparkling beacon." She paused, sighing to herself realizing that she was admitted that her principles were being challenged. "Not many people have the experience of working with the vice president of Shinra."
"Mhm." The blonde agreed, her fingers clacking on her keyboard, her mind occupied for a moment before she returned to her point. "Well, you said you give this a shot for a few months and from what you've said it's been torture. It's been over six months, I thought you wanted to graduate from Shinra?"
"I do, I really do eventually. Not now, it's not the time to quit yet. I need the gil and…" Olivia trailed off and her roommate halted her typing.
"You like it working there don't you?" Matilda asked, filling in what Olivia couldn't say.
As much as she complained and as much as she was put through, her newest boss borderline insufferable, she really did like showing up every day. She knew that she enjoyed it, but it still felt odd to admit alongside her moaning and groaning. Almost as if she was lying either way. You can complain about and dread things that you still enjoy, right? Damn, maybe she had some twisted corporate stockholm syndrome. To accept the hype of working with a higher up in order to gain a good reputation, equity in her position. She was using the position in her favor, anyone would and no future opportunity could be stunted with having a high position. Being an executive assistant for the vice president of the most intuitive and widespread company on the planet was sure to bring Olivia nothing but opportunity, even if she hated the principle. She didn't want to be given an opportunity that she felt she hadn't earned, especially if her worth was based on who she worked for. Yes, her worth would be determined by merely the status of a position under President Shinra's silver spoon fed and materia warmed son. She hated it, but damn if it didn't give her a ton more hope that her future goals would be made so much easier.
Besides, she could complain about her break-neck paced, extremely and unfairly busy, overtime riddled job that would be lost to her over the tiniest break in details under the scrutiny of a privileged and demanding boss. She could complain and she would, but it felt unfair to herself to quit. She wanted to wait it out, to see what more intriguing and cool things she could witness and learn from her boss. That intrigue and her unfortunate fondness of him made her stay, not the money and status and it pissed her off.
Olivia hadn't said anything and the blonde giggled to herself, taking her silence as the answer.
"Well, we both know the pay isn't what is keeping you there, right Olivia?" Her roommate chided, her chair swiveled around. It was now that Olivia got a look at what she was wearing.
It wasn't the normal, more lovely and old soul type of clothing that she wore but a pink velvet cropped top that resembled a bra too much to be a casual choice, a white miniskirt that hugged her hips, and a sheer light pink peignoir over the top, it's sheer fabric cascaded down to her shins and ended in a pink fluffy faux fur. On her feet were her beloved, black bottom glitter pumps that Olivia had gifted to her the first week she had the job with Rufus. This was a clubbing outfit.
"I don't know what you could possibly be insinuating right now." Olivia responded, stubborn and not wanting to talk about that now. Her roommate adored a good love story, always pushing Olivia to meet people and hoping that someone would stick. In a moment of vulnerability, perhaps from the wine that she had brought home, Olivia said something to Matilda about Rufus. She didn't remember what, but the blonde always listened with an eager sparkle in her eye when Rufus was brought up.
Speaking of love story, Olivia looked over at the computer that the blonde was typing away on.
"Has your editor gotten back to you yet about the publication?" Olivia asked and the blonde's eyes lit up.
"Oh yes! She told me everything was ready to go but there's one thing…" She trailed off, looking down in thought. "A lot of writers, especially romance authors, use ethereal and romantic names. I was wondering if my name could be changed for this book. Something light like a whisper and warm like steam off hot rose tea." she thought aloud, her hands clasped together in her dreaming.
"Hm, right. What's wrong with Matilda Grendel?" Oliva posed and her roommate shook her head.
"It sounds sharp, and cold, and… not me at all." She admitted. Of course, with her first book it was only obvious that she would want everything perfect and serene. What kind of sappy name could fit her roommate anyway? A name popped up and Olivia has her suggestion.
"What about everyone you date, what's that they call you? Tilly?" No sooner than she uttered that, the other was clapping her hands together.
"Oh yes! My, that's perfect! I can't believe that never crossed my mind." She beamed and swiveled the chair around to write it down on her pink notepad. "Hmm now for the last name. Tilly Rose? Cliche. Tilly Song? No, no. Tilly Winters? Oh, that's worse." She strung words to herself aloud as she tapped her pen on the desk.
"Oh, I thought I would ask. How are things with that… SOLDIER you met? How long did he say he would be gone for?" Olivia asked, not particularly interested but wanting to support her friend anyway. If she could be honest, she would say that she hated that guy. He was loud, destructive, idiotic, spoke as if he was only exposed to classic literature, and that bike. Olivia hated that bike. Matilda looked up from her notepad and pressed her lips together.
"Oh… we broke up." she offered quietly. If not for Matilda's feelings, Olivia might have celebrated. Instead, she placed her hand on her shoulder.
"Oh no, what happened?" Olivia tried to sympathize, and the blonde shook her head. Breakups went one of two ways. They were either weeks long processes where Olivia couldn't get Matilda off the couch of despair, literally. Or, she would feel much better after breaking up and get over it super fast. Since her roommate wasn't currently face in chest sobbing right now, Olivia was relieved to see it was the latter.
"Nothing happened. It wasn't a bad break or anything. I just don't think he's for me and he's stationed so far away I won't be able to see him. He didn't even seem bothered by it." she gave, her voice soft, unaffected, even a little dismal.
Olivia searched for something to say but she didn't need to. Her roommate pushed the chair back and gave a small smile.
"I'm not letting it get me down, we, yes, we, are going to get some drinks and see a late night movie and look amazing!" She chided, stepping around the chair, her dismal demeanor only a memory as she hummed happily to herself.
"Matilda… I have to prepare a conference at seven in the morning." Olivia argued, not thrilled at the thought of having a crazy night followed by waking early to switch her boss's tea routine. Her roommate didn't listen and hurriedly made her way down the hallways calling out one thing.
"It's Tilly now!"
Olivia sighed and pressed her hands under her glasses to rub her eyes, hoping her mascara wasn't too affected by the action. When was the last time she went out for a night with Matil- Tilly? It had been a few months, if that recently. If there was any time to celebrate, it was now. Her roommate was done with her book, just broke up with that thumb-head SOLDIER, and even changed her name.
It wouldn't hurt to go out for the night? Olivia checked her watch and the time read 11:02. Sighing, she decided that after a few hours, she'd come back and just bear with the consequences the next day. There were plenty of twenty four hour shops that carried energy drinks so she'd grab some to get her through tomorrow. Yeah, why not?
Tilly reappeared with her arms full of Olivia's fun clothes, an outfit picked. From her fingers dangled the most cherished pair of heels that Olivia owned. She had bought them before this job and wore them every time she went out. They were expensive, marked by red bottoms, and had a satin shine to the black material, nearly reflective. The best part, they were very tall and very comfortable, a rarity in heels. Tilly set down the outfit she selected and pushed the heels towards Olivia.
"Your Manstompers. How long has it been since you wore these? Put them on, come on!" Tilly urged and, with the fondness for the heels returning, Olivia took them and plucked off her casual, flat heeled work flats. She hated the flats, but there was an unspoken rule, which was ridiculous. No assistant could be taller than the vice president.
Soon enough, they were on her feet, and not without having to take a big step to get them on. Oh yeah, she was tall. This is why she loved these heels. Normally she was taller than her roommate, even in flats, but now she looked down at her.
"I see that spark in your eyes, Olivia. You deserve a night. You didn't sell your soul to your job." Tilly reminded and Olivia scooped up the outfit, preparing to go put it on.
"I'm going, I do deserve it… but I'm still going to work tomorrow, hungover or not." Olivia conceded and Tilly gave a happy, short lived squeal.
Taking only a step towards her bedroom, the sound of her phone stopped her. Luckily, it was not the one ringtone she had saved for her boss, the sound of blaring alarms, but the standard tinkling electronic beat. Using her free hand she pulled the phone out and read the caller ID.
Tseng
She froze. He never called her. She was always instructed to call him and that was always traumatic enough. Swallowing as she flipped the phone open, she pressed the answer button.
"Hello?" She asked in a hushed voice.
"Miss Birch, are you still near the vice president? This is important." his voice asked, cold and emotionless, yet powerful. His voice called back to memory the violent interrogation she had heard a few hours ago and she shivered.
"No, I'm at home for the evening. Is he not answering his phone?" She inquired and the man wasted no time in responding.
"His phone is unreachable. Are you out of earshot? Yes or no?" Tseng asked, and Olivia glanced over at Tilly, who looked on curiously.
"No." she simply put.
"Very well, you must get in contact with the vice president. I need to speak with him as soon as possible." Tseng gave his demand. Get in contact how? If her boss didn't answer the phone for Tseng, there was no way he'd answer the phone for her.
"I understand, but I don't know his whereabouts. Can't it wait until morning?" Olivia offered, hoping that it would be dropped and the burden taken from her.
"It cannot. I will share with you the situation if it will help you make haste. I don't need to remind you that a breach of confidentiality has dire consequences, do I? I trust that you understand this, as you haven't had any mistakes as of yet." Tseng hinted, causing her to hold her breath. He was going to give her top secret information that if spilled would be her life, if she was lucky to lose only her life. There's far worse punishment for treason than death.
"I understand fully." She breathed out.
"Good. Then to whoever's ears are listening now, you cannot have any hint of surprise or shock when I tell you what I must tell the vice president." Tseng began. Olivia tried to sharpen her resolve and pull the best poker face she could, trying to prepare for the worst. If Tseng thought it was bad, then it was worse than Olivia could imagine.
"The president is planning to drop the Sector Seven plate from its support beam in an hour. The Turks cannot refuse to accept this order."
His words felt like a bolt of lightning, she could feel her heart drop and her blood drain from her face. She was so shocked, she couldn't make a sound or exclamation of her own confusion if she wanted to. Her eyes were fixed on the ground, and she struggled to breathe.
"U-understood. I will find the vice president right away." her voice was weak and quiet, yet she still held some composure. Tilly looked over to her with a look of disappointment and of concern.
"Call back when you find him." Tseng ordered and Olivia almost let him hang up before she spoke up, perhaps out of impulse.
"Wait. What if I can't find him?" she asked. The answer came back simple and cold.
"You will."
With that, the connection was interrupted and the dial tone sounded. He had hung up. Slowly she pulled the phone away from her face and held it by her side. After a moment, her panic surged out of her inaction. She tossed the outfit that promised a good evening to the side and headed for the door.
"Wait! Olivia, what are you doing!" Tilly called out as Olivia's hand met the doorknob. She paused and took a stabilizing breath.
"I have to find my boss. I have to give him some important information." She gave simply, knowing that there was no way that Tilly would believe her story or that she was anything but on the mental fritz.
"Come on, it can wait. I don't care how important it is." Tilly gave but Olivia gave her a desperate look.
"I wish I could tell you, I really do but I can't. I can't and I have to go right now." Olivia stated, not being shaken from her stance. Tilly stared after her, not daring to ask more. Her roommate knew that Olivia was bound by a contract and bound by confidentiality agreements.
With a reluctant but supportive nod from Tilly, Olivia ran out of the door from their apartment. She ran as fast as she could, not even realizing that she still wore her favorite expensive high heels.