Chapter 4: The Truth Comes out
I do not own One Piece! That will always belong to Eiichiro Oda!
A week or two had passed since Nami's birthday celebration, and after confessing their love to each other, Arlong and Nami were closer than ever. Tiger was happy that his little brother had someone who truly loved him. Hachi was also delighted for the couple, and Chew was just meh on it, but Kuroobi now was a far different story. He never cared for Nami and was meaner than Arlong ever was to her. Slamming his dirty dishes down, saying, "All yours." Something he continued to do to Nami, and honestly, Arlong had grown very tired of it.
He pulled Kuroobi into the office finally. "Lay off on Nami," Arlong said.
"If I don't?" Kuroobi challenged him.
Arlong gave him a glare that was enough to frighten anyone but Kuroobi. "If you don't, then I will fire your ass and personally see you out the door."
Kuroobi said nothing, but he gave a stiff nod. He understood and left the office. He didn't bully Nami as much, but it was clear that he still didn't care for her. That was until the incident.
Arlong had no love for drunks, and he would not put up or even allow a drunk person into the restaurant. However, if a drunk managed to get in, Arlong had them removed quickly.
One evening, a customer came in, and the man was very drunk, but somehow the servers failed to notice as he sat near the kitchen doors. Though he was drunk, the man didn't show it even when he ordered his food and a couple of beers. Instead, he ate and drank more as he kept watch of the front entrance, and soon, his reason for doing came in. The man had a passionate interest in Nami, and as a returning customer, he learned Nami's path to the kitchen doors. Tonight Nami was running a few minutes late, but Arlong knew after getting Nami's text. She hurried through that dining area and had just reached the man's table when he grabbed her by the arm, pulling her to him. Nami fought but screamed as the man grabbed a handful of her orange hair, and she could smell the liquor on his breath.
"Pretty little thing, aren't you," the man said. "How about a kiss me, beauty?"
Nami screamed her thoughts on getting Arlong's attention. But it wasn't Arlong who came to her rescue. Kuroobi had just served his customers and headed back towards the kitchen when Nami's scream rang out. Like everyone else in the dining area, he saw the man who grabbed Nami and touched her inappropriately. There was a tearing of material, and when Nami screamed again, the drunk slapped her in the face. Kuroobi reacted.
Kuroobi head learned a form of Karate called Shotokan when he was a child and was a 5th rank Dan black belt. The drunk raised his hand to strike Nami once more Kuroobi seized him by the wrist pulled the man up and out of the chair so fast that the chair crashed to the floor. The drunk was startled that he had released his grip on Nami's hair, giving her a chance to get away. Instead, the man tried to punch Kuroobi only to get a direct palm strike. The man landed on his back, and he sat up angry just as Arlong came out into the dining room. Nami had run to Arlong's office, and seeing the mark from the man's hand on his girl's left cheek, just angered him.
"Get your damn ass out of my restaurant," Arlong snarled as he hauled the man to his feet and got a good whiff of his breath. "Drunk?! Do you dare come in my place of business drunk?!" Arlong didn't give the drunk a chance to speak as he nearly dragged him right out the front entrance and threw him onto the ground. "You come back here, and you'll deal with me next time!"
Kuroobi had decided to check on Nami. He headed straight to Arlong's office and stayed with the crying girl as she sat in Arlong's chair while Chew went to get ice returning with some ice wrapped in a washcloth.
"Here," Chew said, giving Nami the homemade ice pack. He looked at his best friend. "Dude, you went all Bruce Lee on the guy."
"All I did was give him a palm strike," Kuroobi said, shrugging. "No big deal."
"Kuroobi?"
Hearing Nami, he looked at her. "Yeah?"
"Thank you for coming to my aid," Nami said.
Kuroobi gave her a nod as Arlong came, still worked up. Chew and Kuroobi gave their friend a nod before leaving. Arlong closed the door turned, only to have Nami rush to him, throwing her arms around him, burying her face into his chest.
"Hold me …" she said, sobbing. "Please just hold me, Arlong…."
Hold her? She didn't have to ask twice, and he held her in a very protective embrace, his chin resting on the top of her head. Anger turned into a protective instinct as he picked her in his arms, returning to his chair. She was scared, terrified.
"I'm here now, Kitten," he said, rubbing her back. "I'm here. You're safe." Arlong took notice of the tear on her blouse; the threads ripped free. "Damn the bastard. He tore your blouse some."
Nami sat up some, looking where the shoulder and sleeve sewed together. She realized it hurt because the drunk had dug his fingernails into her drawing some blood. Seeing that caused her to shiver something, Arlong took notice
"Did that drunken bastard hurt you?" Arlong asked, to which Nami nodded. "Let me see."
Arlong carefully inspected her shoulder. The scratch wasn't too bad, and he could treat it with the first aid kit. "Kitten, can you get the first aid kit for me? Please," he said.
Nami nodded, doing as asked. While she did that, Arlong went to where he kept the standard uniforms for his employees and also where he kept a few spare T-shirts for himself. Nami had waited for him to return, and once she knew Arlong had locked the office door, she removed her torn blouse.
"You can wear this," Arlong said, placing the T-shirt on the desk. "I won't object if you want to go home instead of here tonight." Nami started to protest, but Arlong stopped her. "Nami, you were damn attacked by a fucking drunk, and I'm sure that Belle-mere would agree about my decision to give a night off."
"I don't want some people getting the wrong idea," Nami said.
"Wrong idea?"
She looked him right in the eyes. "That you're favoring me just because we're dating."
"That's none of their damn business," Arlong said with a slight huff as he cleaned the scratches with peroxide. "I happen to be a protective, loving boyfriend, that's all."
Nami leaned forward to kiss his cheek. "That's what I love about you."
Once he finished cleaning the scratches, Arlong handed the T-shirt to Nami. "If you want to go home, you can," he said.
"Arlong, people will start thinking you're favoring me if I do that," she said. "The only people who will see me are the kitchen staff and servers since I'm the dishwasher."
Arlong suddenly looked away, feeling guilty that his girl was still the damn dishwasher. Of course, she shouldn't be doing that job anymore, but he hadn't given her any promotion, and she deserved that. Then he recalled what Tiger said about getting an assistant manager. Would it be wrong if he offered such a promotion to Nami? Hell, he knew she was more intelligent than most people thought, and she had a damn uncanny sense about the weather. Nami told him about the big typhoon she predicted in elementary school, which recognized her among her peers. Besides those two things, Nami had a strong sense of money, which Arlong always appreciated. She was good at saving it and not spending a lot.
"Nami, there's something I would like to discuss with you," he said.
"Can we talk about it another time?" she said. "I'm already behind the shift some."
"Sure," Arlong said. Nami smiled sweetly at him before she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Arlong sighed the moment she left the office. 'Why am I suddenly finding this so hard?'
~~.~~.~~
In the past, Arlong was always good at ensuring his office door was securely closed, But today, he was so concerned over Nami that he failed to check. As a result, the door was open ajar, enough for someone to see inside if they looked, and sadly someone did. Genzo, one of the food servers, had come to work to replace a server who was out sick and was suspicious about the sudden change between Arlong and Nami. He had just clocked in when he saw Nami hurry into Arlong's office escorted by Kuroobi, then Chew followed, and finally Arlong. Finally, he saw Kuroobi and Chew leave, but Chew didn't close the door, and witnessing the door cracked open, he couldn't help but look. Genzo's eyes widened at the sight of Arlong sitting in the chair with Nami on his lap, and they were holding onto one another.
'That bastard,' Genzo thought angrily. "Taking advantage of Nami like this!'
Genzo had been there since the day Arlong Park opened, and he knew the man better than the other employees (minus Kuroobi and Chew, of course). He also Nami for a long time, knowing her since Belle-mere brought her home as a baby.
Just watching Arlong with Nami was enough to anger him. How low could that man get? Tricking a sweet girl like Nami into thinking he was somebody she could genuinely trust? Then, taking a breath, he stepped away, headed into the dining area, and was surprised to see Bell-mere come in.
"Bell-mere, are you looking for Nami?" he asked, coming up to the woman. "I can go get her if you like."
"No, but could you give her the house key?" Belle-mere said, holding out the key. "She left in such a hurry that I didn't have time before Nojiko, and I left for the weekend."
"Oh?" Genzo said, taking the key. "Aren't you worried about leaving Nami alone?"
Belle-mere gave a small laugh. "My Nami is a big girl," she said. "She can take care of herself."
Genzo frowned. If Belle-mere knew the truth, she wouldn't think that.
"Hey, Genzo!" Kuroobi called out to him. "You have customers to see, not to stand around and gab away."
"Okay, okay," Genzo said, irritated.
"When I get back, how about you come to the house and have dinner with the girls and me?" Bell-mere said. "We'll have it on Nami's night off."
"I would be delighted and honored to," Genzo said.
"Good," Belle-mere said. "I'll make my Belle-mere Special."
"I look forward to it," Genzo said.
Belle-mere smiled before she leaned in and planted a tender kiss on the man's cheek, making him blush some. "I'll call you," she said.
Genzo started for the kitchen just as Arlong stepped out from the back. "Where do you think you're going, Genzo?" Arlong asked.
"Belle-mere dropped the house key off for Nami, and I would give it to her," Genzo said.
"I'll see that Nami gets to it," Arlong said, holding out his hand. "You have customers to tend to."
Genzo did not like giving Arlong the key, especially after seeing him with Nami. "Belle-mere asked me to do it," he said. "And that I will do, not you."
"What did you just say to me?" Arlong growled.
"You heard me," Genzo said. "If you want to make a scene over this, fine, but I will give the key to Nami." The man brushed past his boss and into the kitchen. "Nami, Belle-mere stopped in asking me to give you this. She said you forgot to grab it before you left."
Nami rinsed her hands before taking the housekey slipping it into her pants pocket. "Thank you," she said.
Genzo gave a polite nod before he left the kitchen. Arlong soon entered and headed straight for his office. Nami sighed. She saw the angry expression, and she hoped he would calm down.
'At least he went to the office,' Nami thought.
~~.~~.~~
Arlong rubbed his temples, trying to quiet his temper down. Genzo had just pissed him off and decided to return to his office, not wanting to cause another scene. Opening the laptop, then a music app he had installed, Arlong hit shuffle play as he closed his eyes as the music soon filled the air.
"Arlong?"
He opened his eyes as Nami poked her head inside. "Is everything alright?" he asked.
"It's my break, and I wanted to be sure you were okay," she said.
"Damn, I forgot to order food," Arlong said.
"It's okay," Nami said, stepping inside and closing the door. She listened to the song that was playing. "I never pictured you as a music lover."
Something crossed his mind, and it would be a side Nami had yet to see. "We should go out dancing if that's alright," Arlong said, and he saw a sudden look of worry cross her face. "Are you telling me that you do not know to dance?"
"I never really had time for many things between school and here," Nami said. "And if I did things, it was always with my friends, but dancing was something I didn't get into."
"Well, we'll take care of that," Arlong had a sly grin. "Tonight."
"Tonight?" Nami looked at him, clearly surprised. "Arlong, what are you-"
"Ah-ah," Arlong wagged a finger at her. "No ruining the fun now." He glanced at the clock rising from his chair. "You best get back to your duties and let me order us some food. You can have a half-hour break with me."
"If you insist," Nami said, turning to go.
Arlong reached out, taking a light hold of her wrist, and pulled her back to him. Nami gave a small squeak before Arlong leaned forward to kiss her deeply and passionately.
"You are so bad," Nami said as she managed to get her breath back.
Arlong gave her a grin. "I said you're like a bad drug, and I could never get enough of you."
~~.~~.~~
Nami had almost forgotten how quiet the restaurant was when it was closed for the night, adding in the eeriness after Arlong had dimmed the dining area lights. Before leaving for the night, Arlong had Kuroobi and Chew help move a couple of tables to the side, giving a nice bit of room for whatever Arlong had planned. Unfortunately, chew wanted to get involved with whatever Arlong was doing on the laptop, and Kuroobi nearly had to drag him out.
"Let's go," Kuroobi grumbled as he held the back of Chew's shirt. "We're already late."
"There's no game tonight," Chew said.
"I know that," Kuroobi said. "We're supposed to meet up Tiger and Hatchi at the bar, or did you forget?"
"Dude, I forgot!"
"How the hell did you forget?!" Kuroobi said as they left. "I swear you're a dumb ass at times!"
Nami couldn't but laugh some. Chew certainly had his moments, and it was tough not to like him. However, Arlong was very focused on the laptop, busy looking for something. He would stare a few seconds before shaking his head, muttering something, then continuing. Finally, he found whatever he was looking for, and soon music drifted from the Bluetooth speaker sitting in the middle of a table. Nami quickly recognized the singer and the song Casacada's Bad Boy.
Arlong held a hand out to her, "Come on."
"You're serious?" Nami asked, taking his hand.
"Yes," he said. Arlong led Nami to the middle of the floor, where he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Close your eyes and just listen to the music."
Though it sounded so strange, she did as ask. Hearing the sound and rhythm of the beat of the music seemed to be calling her, and they were dancing. Having never danced at all, Nami moved in absolute sync with Arlong. They moved as one, and she felt so alive. Nami wasn't going to lie; she never dreamed that Arlong was a guy who would know how even to dance.
Arlong was surprised that Nami caught on so fast, but he knew the girl was a quick learner, and it showed. It felt so right dancing with her as if she was a missing part of him, a part that he now felt so whole. Since they had started dating, Arlong had wanted to move to the next step, but he didn't want to rush her. So far, they had taken everything slow and enjoyed everything they did. Nami's dance lesson ended with a lovely slow dance, one Arlong just wanted because it was her.
~~.~~.~~
When Nami got ready to leave, she looked out the front and gave a small cry of surprise. "It's raining, and I didn't bring my umbrella."
"Let me drive you home," Arlong said as he packed up the laptop and Bluetooth speaker.
"Arlong, you don't have to do that."
He walked up to her looked out the front door staring at the downpour. "It's really coming down, and even if you ran to the train, you'd be soaked to the bone," Arlong said, turning his attention to her. "I'm sure that Belle-mere would have a hiss fit if you arrive home soaked but maybe a cold."
Arlong did have a point. "If you think it wouldn't be that much trouble."
"Trouble? Kitten, you know better than that," Arlong said, taking his yellow cabana shirt off and handing it to Nami. "Use this to cover your head when I bring the jeep around to the front."
Keeping the front door slightly ajar, Nami watched for the jeep's headlights. Then, seeing the jeep pull close to the door, she hurried out, holding the shirt above her head. Arlong had opened the door for her, and the moment she was in and buckled up, he handed her a towel he kept with the emergency kit in the back. Nami happily took it dried herself off.
"Let's get the heater turned on so you can get warm," Arlong said as he turned onto the street.
"Sorry that your shirt got soaked," Nami said.
Arlong shrugged. "I needed to wash it anyways."
The rain had stopped when Arlong pulled up near Nami's house. Nami remembered that Belle-mere and Nojiko were away for the weekend, and she saw this as a chance to invite Arlong inside her home.
"Would you like to stay for a little bit?" she asked.
Arlong looked surprised. "And have your adopted mother kill me."
"They're away for the weekend."
"What?"
Nami held up the house key. "Belle-mere had Genzo give the key to me because I forgot to grab it. So will you please stay for a little bit? I can make you some coffee if you like."
Arlong knew he couldn't say no to such a sweet invitation, and besides, he was a little curious about Nami's home. He recalled Nami's reaction when she first saw the apartment. "She was so overwhelmed by my lifestyle and how big the apartment was.' "I'll stay for a little bit," he said.
Nami's home was didn't have the luxuries that Arlong did, but it was still a lovely comfortable home. Arlong was staring at the pictures on the wall as Nami made coffee. He wasn't surprised to see so many Nami and Nojiko, but he stared at one. It was Belle-mere with a handsome young man, and then he realized who it was. 'Genzo? I have always seen the man with those scars.'
"Arlong, are you alright?"
"Yeah," he said, shaking his head some. "I got distracted by this picture. Genzo, right?"
Nami nodded. "Belle-mere and Genzo have known each other since they were kids."
"Do you know know how he got all those scars?"
"It was an accident," Nami said, handing Arlong the mug of coffee she made for him. "Belle-mere never said what kind of accident it was."
"A pretty bad one," Arlong said, taking a sip of the coffee. "The way I like it."
Nami smiled as she headed over to the couch to sit. Then, looking at Arlong, she patted the spot next to her, and he happily joined her, placing the coffee mug on a ceramic coaster on the coffee table.
"Did you enjoy my little lesson?" Arlong asked, looking at her.
"Yes," Nami intertwined her fingers with his.
Arlong couldn't help but lean forward to press his lips lightly against Nami's. The girl responded by wrapping her arms around his neck as Arlong pulled her closer to him, as their kiss became more passionate. It was hard to say how far they would have been gone, for their kiss was interrupted by a loud crash that came from outside. Nami pulled back. Her eyes widened with sudden fear.
"Stay here," Arlong instructed as he rose from the couch and headed for the kitchen door.
"Take the flashlight," Nami said as she hurried after him to hand it to him.
Arlong nodded, taking it and stepping outside. He moved carefully, listening and watching as he moved toward the source of the crash. Toppled over near the living room windows were two empty metal trash cans, and with the ground being muddy from the rainstorm earlier, there were footprints. Arlong narrowed his eyes as he aimed the flashlight's beam toward the street. Whoever was here had rushed off.
After taking his keys from his pocket, Arlong locked his jeep up and returned to the house. "Call the police," he said the moment he stepped inside.
"I already did," Nami said, shivering some.
Arlong hugged her. "It's okay, kitten. I'm here, and I won't let any harm come to you."
~~.~~.~~
A police car arrived twenty minutes later, and the officers took both Arlong and Nami's statements.
"There have been a few burglaries in the neighborhood recently," one officer said.
"It may not have been a burglar," Arlong said.
"Oh?" the officer's partner said. "What makes you say that?"
"There was an incident at my restaurant earlier tonight," Arlong said, arms folded across his chest. "There was an unsavory customer who came in drunk and dared to attack the girl."
"Is this true, miss?" the first officer asked.
"Yes," Nami said. "He was a returning customer, and tonight he decided to…."
"Did he rape you?" the officer asked.
"No!" Nami said, looking more alarmed than ever.
"One of my servers stopped the man before I threw him out," Arlong growled. "I do not tolerate drunkenness in my business, nor do I put up with a woman being attacked."
"Do you recall what this man looked like?" the second officer asked, turning the page of his notepad over.
Arlong quickly recalled the customer's appearance and what he wore. Once the officer finished writing everything down, he and his partner said their goodbyes and left. Nami was hugging herself; her back turned towards Arlong.
"If you want, I'll spend the night here," Arlong said.
Nami looked so relieved to hear him offer to do so. "You don't mind?"
"Kitten, we don't know if a burglar is running around, and if it were that drunken bastard, he'd find me here, and I'm more than eager to kiss his ass."
"Thank you," Nami turned to hug him tightly.
"It's okay," Arlong said, holding her tightly to him. "I'm right here."
~~.~~.~~
Genzo cursed himself mentally. How could he have been careless? Knocking over the trash cans?! What bothered him more was that Nami had even dared to bring Arlong into the house! How could the girl do that?! Belle-mere would have kittens if she knew that her daughter had brought a dangerous man like Arlong into the house.
He decided that when Belle-mere had that dinner date that he would have a friendly little chat with Nami.
~~.~~.~~
Nami brought Arlong a couple of pillows and blankets before asking him to help move the coffee table. He was curious about why she did it, and soon he saw why. The sofa was a queen size sleeper sofa.
"Could you please recheck the doors and make sure they are locked?" Nami asked.
"Of course," Arlong said.
He checked the front and back doors and the windows on the first floor then returned to the sleeper sofa, where he was surprised to find Nami under the blankets. Of course, Arlong was not expecting her to sleep with him since this was her home, and she did have her bed. He slipped under the blankets just as Nami rolled over to face him.
"Your reason for this?" he asked.
"I wanted to feel safe in your arms, and I'm still a little rattled from earlier."
Arlong couldn't argue with that reasoning and wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. "Get some sleep, kitten," he said.
Nami nodded as she snuggled against him as he reached up to turn off the table lamp.
~~the next morning~~
Nami woke up before Arlong and carefully slipped from underneath the blankets. After a quick shower, getting dressed for the day, she made breakfast for herself and Arlong. She had just finished plating the eggs, toast, and sausage when she felt arms wrap around her waist, pulling her back against the man's chest she loved dearly.
"That smells good," Arlong said, kissing her cheek.
"You deserve it," Nami said, glancing up at him.
"Do I?" Arlong had an amused look on his face. "What did I do to earn such a deserving reward?"
"For being here for me," Nami said, to which Arlong smiled proudly.
They ate breakfast and put the living room in order again when they heard, "Nami?! Are you awake?!"
They froze as Nojiko walked right into the room, froze at the sight of Arlong standing in the living room.
"What the hell is he doing here?!" Nojiko yelled.
"What are you doing here?" Nami said. "I thought you were away with Belle-mere for the weekend."
"Well, I was, but I received a call from work telling me I had to work this weekend to cover one of the waitresses' who decided to take off and not tell anyone," Nojiko said. "I still want to know why he is in our house? Are you sleeping with him behind Belle-mere's back?"
"Now see here," Arlong snapped. "If you're accusing me of having sex with your sister, I can tell you we haven't."
"Then why the hell are you damn here?" Nojiko demanded.
Nami worried Arlong might lose his temper. "I asked him to," she said. "There was an incident at work with a drunk customer." Nami proceeded to tell what had happened and then at the house before she fetched the torn blouse from her room. "You can see it where he tore it."
Nojiko looked at it. "This is the blouse I got for your birthday," she said. "It's nearly ruined."
"It can be repaired," Arlong pointed out. He looked at Nami. "I should go now, kitten. I'm sure you girls will want to talk."
Nami saw him to the door, where they kissed goodbye. Then, standing in the doorway, she watched Arlong drive off and, with a sigh, closed the door.
"So, how long have you been seeing him?" Nojiko asked as she got the sewing kit and took a seat at the kitchen table.
"Since last year," Nami said, placing the dirty dishes in the sink and turning on the water.
"Last year?!" Nojiko looked at her sister. "How have you managed to keep this relationship a secret?"
"It hasn't been easy," Nami said as she washed the dishes. "He's not the same man as before, changed."
Silence followed as the two sisters finished their tasks and then did the usual household chores; Nami laundry and Nojiko dusting and vacuuming.
~~.~~.~~
Arlong felt a little stressed as he unlocked the apartment door and went inside. He thought it was terrible when his friends learned about his relationship with Nami, but Nojiko seemed angry, even accusing him of having sex with Nami.
'Like I would force Nami into that,' he thought bitterly.
Sex had crossed Arlong's mind, but he wouldn't force Nami into something they had yet discussed. They had taken the relationship slow and steady, enjoying their shared moments. Arlong wasn't going to mess this up, and all his past relationships had been nothing but sexual. There was no true bond or intermittency of love with the women he had been with, and he certainly was no fool with them either. He refused to get any of them pregnant, and they certainly hated that he used the protection he brought with him.
Nami was different, and she deserved to be treated like the sweet angel she was. She was patient with him, been by him when things became stressful and made him look at things differently. As a result, Arlong felt more relaxed and calmer than before.
He spied yesterday's mail on the kitchen counter and saw a large yellow envelope. Curious, he opened it up and realized it contained the vital information he had been waiting to get. He sat on the couch, going over it carefully before getting his cell out, opening up the map feature.
"Two days," he muttered. "It will take nearly a week for me to find out what I need to know."
His mind made up; Arlong went to his room and began packing what he needed for the trip. He then focused on a list of things that would need to be tended to while he was gone, and the biggest was who would be in charge of the restaurant. Arlong sat thinking, wondering if he dared to ask Nami to perform such a task in his absence. It would be an actual test for her, yet he wanted to see if she could handle it. Finally, he decided they would talk that evening during their break together.
~~That evening at Arlong Park~~
Things were quieter than usual, especially after the incident with the drunk customer, and for the first time, Nami entered the restaurant via the rear entrance. The kitchen staff said nothing, and having seen that Arlong was concerned. Nami was affected by the incident.
"Nami," he called to her when she clocked in for her shift. "I wish to speak with you."
"Could it wait?" she said, starting to put her apron on.
"Now," he said quietly, yet firmly. "I'll have someone cover for you."
She gave a small sigh of defeat and walked into the office. Arlong, spotting one of the newer bussers, snapped his fingers, getting the young man's attention and then pointing to the dishes starting to come in. The poor busser swallowed but did as ordered.
"Kitten, are you okay?" Arlong asked the moment he had the door closed.
"Of course I am," she said.
He placed his hands on her shoulders, not expecting her to flinch at his touch. But, Nami was not okay, and he couldn't ask her to look after things in his absence. It wouldn't be fair. "Talk to me," he said, going to his chair.
"I'm fine," Nami said. "Really."
"You're not," he said, worriedly looking at her. "Did something happen between you and your sister?"
"No."
"Then what?"
There was a knock on the door, and Chew poked his head in, much to Arlong's annoyance. "Dude, that guy's back," he said.
"What?" Arlong was up and out of the chair. "I told that drunk if he came back that I would personally deal with him."
"He brought some friends," Chew said.
Out of the corner of his eye, Arlong saw Nami pale some. That drunk followed her, but she was smart enough to come through the back entrance. "Stay here," Arlong said to her. "This won't take long."
~~.~~.~~
The drunk was sitting with his friends at a table when Arlong came out to the dining area. Kuroobi was close by, watching them and ready to help take out the trash. But, instead, the man looked right at Arlong, and even at an arm's length, he could smell the liquor. Hell, they were drunk.
"I told you last night that that would deal with me if you returned," Arlong said.
The man got up, was in Arlong's personal space, and started jabbing a finger in his chest as he spoke, words slurred. "I ain't leaving till I see me, sweet beauty," he said. "So go get her before I send me boys to fetch her."
Arlong had been good about controlling his temper, but what the man said just angered him. "Big man, when you have your friends with you," he said, eyes narrowing. "I've dealt with scum like you, and you're nothing unless you got your buddies with you."
"Sounds like a challenge to me," the man said.
"It's more than a challenge," Arlong said. "I'll kick all your asses myself."
The man's friends oohed at Arlong's words, and the man looked at them. "Didja hears that?" he said. "He's gonna whip us all by his lonesome."
"Let's go outside," Arlong said.
The drunk and his friends got up, looking confident that this was an easy fight. Kuroobi didn't stop Arlong because he knew these fools had it coming. Hardly a minute passed before Chew came out with Nami.
"Just in time for the show," Kuroobi said as he stood by the door. "Call the police, though, so they can pick up the trash once the boss is done with them."
Nami feared for Arlong and almost went outside, but Kuroobi stopped her. "He's got this."
Still afraid, Nami watched as Arlong removed both shirts and his urshanka and placed them just inside the entranceway, facing down five drunk men. Though he was outnumbered five to one, Arlong did not lie when he said he would kick their asses. Then, seeing that he was alright, Nami hurried back to his office.
All five men lay on the ground when the first police car arrived. "They're all yours," Arlong said to the officers before going inside after gathering up his clothing.
He never expected the applause and whistles from his staff and customers. So instead, he merely nodded as he headed back to the men's restroom to collect his thoughts. He had finished splashing water on his face when Kuroobi entered.
"Nami saw you fight those guys," he said.
Arlong looked up, staring at Kuroobi's reflection in the mirror, his eyes reflecting the fear gripping his heart. "She saw me fight them….?" he said. "No. No, I didn't want her to see that part of me."
It was the one thing Arlong never wanted to see, but sadly she did. He was worried that this might ruin their relationship, especially after all this time. So he walked quickly back to the office only to notice that she was doing her job and not even looking at him.
"Nami," he said, coming up to her.
"Sorry, I don't have to talk," Nami said coldly, continuing her duties.
The message was clear to Arlong, and he quietly returned to the office, where he stayed until almost closing time.
~~.~~.~~
An hour before the restaurant was to close, Arlong informed his staff to head to the dining area after they had finished up their duties for the night. So naturally, they were all curious about what their boss wanted. Usually, Arlong had something to bitch over if there was a meeting. So now they sat around in silence, wondering. A few moments passed before Arlong came out of the kitchen, and he wasn't alone. Hatchi, who owned and ran a trendy takoyaki stand, was with him.
"So I will be gone for next week on some personal business," Arlong said. "Usually, you all know my big brother helps handle things if I'm gone. Unfortunately, he is away on a construction job, so I asked Hatchi to help out. Since he will be your boss for a week, two of you will get the honor of being his assistant managers. To make it this fair, Hatchi will pick one from the day shift and one from the evening shift to his assistant."
The staff didn't have to speak because Arlong automatically knew they saw this as a chance to move up the ladder. However, it was hard not to glance at Nami, sitting by herself. Seeing her sitting made him feel guilty, and he had to find a way to explain his actions and earn her forgiveness. So he waited until everyone had started to leave before he approached her.
"I can give you a ride home," he said.
"I can take the train home, thank you," she avoided all eye contact.
"Nami, please," Arlong begged. "Give me a chance to explain my actions."
She finally looked at him. "Fine."
"Are you hungry?" Arlong asked he left the parking lot.
"Maybe," Nami said quietly.
Arlong said nothing as he turned into a diner that he often stopped at, and they went inside. Arlong headed for a booth in the back where they could talk uninterrupted. They ordered sodas and a small meal.
"I never wanted you to see that part of me," Arlong said once their drinks were brought to them.
"You had no reason to hurt those men," Nami said, staring at her drink.
"I did," Arlong said. "To them, you were a trophy for them, and men like that are hazardous besides they dared to challenge me. I don't want to think what they might have done to you if I didn't take of them. I love you too much to see something terrible happen to you."
Nami said nothing and remained quiet when their food arrived. Arlong felt guilt eating away at his heart as they ate in silence, wishing Nami would say something. Once they were done, Arlong paid, and they went out to the jeep. The drive to Nami's home remained silent, and the moment she opened the door to get out, Arlong spoke.
"Open the glove compartment," he said, staring at the steering wheel.
"What?" Nami looked at him.
"The glove compartment," he said. "Open it."
Now more curious, Nami did as he asked and pulled out a small box that had a ribbon tied around it. "A present?" she said, undoing the ribbon and lifting the lid. "A key….?"
"To the apartment," Arlong said. "I figured you deserved to have a key if something happened and you needed a safe place to go."
Nami was, in truth, stunned. She never dreamed that he would ever do this. Nami looked at him as he sat there, his eyes closed as if he was afraid she would reject the most precious present he had given her. Then, finally, she leaned forward, planting a kiss on his cheek, making him look at her. She gave a warm smile, and he knew that he was forgiven.
"Nami….," Arlong said before kissing her thoroughly.
Nami's response was nothing he ever dreamed it would be as she kissed him hungrily and more passionately. Yet, he couldn't help himself as he kissed her neck, nipping lightly on her flesh. Her sudden whimper made him freeze, thinking he had might have hurt her, and he leaned back in his seat.
"I'm sorry," he said, unable to look at her. "I didn't mean…."
Nami nestled her head into his chest, her arms wrapping around his middle. "It's okay," she said. "You took me by surprise, that's all."
"Are you sure that I didn't hurt you?" he asked. "I wasn't thinking how I might accidentally hurt you."
"You didn't. It was a small turn-on."
Arlong was surprised, very surprised. He looked at her, "It was?"
"Yes."
"NAMI! IT'S GETTING LATE!"
Arlong grumbled under his breath as he and Nami looked toward the house, where Nojiko stood within the doorway. "She ever has kids—"
"Be nice," Nami said. "At least it's her and not Belle-mere."
Arlong did not want to even think about that at all. The woman had no love for him, and she certainly would disapprove of him seeing Nami though he had encouraged her to talk to the woman about their relationship. "While I'm gone—" he said, only to have Nami question him.
"Why are you going away?" she asked. "You said it's a personal business, and I can't help but feel it's something more."
Arlong looked at her, seeing trouble looked, clouded with some doubt. "Nami, it is," he said. "It's a matter that I need to resolve myself, and there is no other woman if you think I'm being unfaithful to you. There is you and only you. I have no reason to want anyone else. The key I gave you is proof of that. The women I dated before you, I never trusted them enough to give them a key to my home, and not only do I love you, but I trust you with all my heart."
"NAMI! I KNOW YOU HEARD ME!" Nojiko yelled louder this time, causing a few neighborhood dogs to bark. "GET IN THE HOUSE! NOW!"
"I better go before the neighbors call the police about Nojiko yelling," Nami said.
Arlong gave an irritated sigh. "I don't feel like dealing with that," he grumbled.
Nami gave a quick kiss on the cheek. "I love you," she said before she got out and hurried to the house.
Arlong smacked the steering wheel, then started his jeep and drove off.
~~.~~.~~
"Twenty minutes," Nojiko said the moment she closed the door. "You were sitting in that jeep for a good twenty minutes."
"You timed me?" Nami said, rolling her eyes. "Next, you'll say I was having sex or something with Arlong while in the jeep."
"You could have given him oral sex," Nojiko said.
Nami was going up the stairs when her sister said that. Then, angrily, she turned to face Nojiko. "I can't believe you even said that! I have not had sex with Arlong at all."
"You're joking, right?" Nojiko said.
"Why do you assume that because he is seven years older than me that he might demand sex," Nami said. "We have been taking this relationship nice and slow. Arlong has not once mentioned anything sexual to me."
"Not yet; he hasn't," Nojiko said. "Give him time, and he will. But, trust me, Nami, he will want to have sex, and then what are you going to do?"
"I'll deal with that when and if he asks me about it," Nami said. She turned, ran up the stairs to her room, and closed the door.
Nami started to wonder why Arlong hadn't hinted about sex. They had been dating for almost a year and not once had he made any sexual move at her. She wasn't about to complain about it, but she couldn't help and question it. Arlong had mentioned past relationships and how they never worked out, likely due to the arrogant attitude. Nami did remember one of Arlong's past girlfriends, who wasn't exactly friendly and certainly had a genuine attitude. She had stopped in the restaurant and demanded money so she could buy some expensive jewelry or something along with that. Arlong responded like he always did when it came to money; he got furious.
Even with the office door closed, Nami and everyone in the kitchen heard that screaming match. It sounded ugly too. It wasn't long before said girlfriend stormed out madder than hell, with Arlong standing in the doorway telling her that it would be a cold day in hell before he spent money on her. Of course, she responded with the words, "Not only are you damn money greedy bastard, but you're lousy in bed!" Arlong turned and slammed the office door closed.
Was that Arlong's reason for never hinting about sex? A rude and spiteful remark from an angry girlfriend because he refused to give money so she could buy something for herself that haunted him? Could that be the reason he never dared bring up sex to her? Nami wanted to let him know that it wouldn't upset her if he wanted to talk about the subject, yet she didn't know how to approach the matter herself.
Nami sat on the edge of her bed then opened the photo app on her cell, going through the small collection of photos she had of Arlong and of them together. Every time she looked at Arlong, it was hard to believe that he had been mean and mental and verbally abusive with her at one time. Now he was gentle and so loving with her, a changed man.
Her thoughts drifted to him being gone all next week and this personal business matter he needed to attend. Arlong said there was no other woman in his life except her, and giving her a key to his apartment was his way of saying he trusted and loved her. He had no reason to lie to her. So why did she feel so uneasy at him being away for a week? Was he being honest about her being his only one? Nami wanted all these anxious thoughts to go away! She needed to hear the truth from him! She was so worked up emotionally that she speed-dialed his cell without realizing it.
"Nami, are you okay?" Arlong said the moment he answered.
"I need to know the truth," she said, sounding emotional.
"Truth? Kitten, what's wrong? You sound upset. Did your sister upset you?"
"Arlong, I want the truth," Nami said. "I want the real truth about this trip you're going on."
"Nami, I can't give you an answer not until I have answers of my own," he said. "I know you think I'm hiding something from you, but kitten, I'm not. I swear I'm not hiding anything from you."
"Do you even love me?"
"Wha-what? Nami, you know I love you," Arlong said, sounding both hurt and upset. "You're the only woman I love with all my heart. So why would you even think that I don't? You have no reason to doubt me, let alone my loyalty to you. There is no other woman. I swear to you I am telling you the truth. So why are you suddenly doubting me?"
"We've seen each other for almost a year," Nami said. "Not once have you ever needed to go away for a week suddenly? So now you tell me and everyone at work that you are, and that's its business? How do I know that you will not see a girlfriend you've been seeing behind my back? Maybe you're married with a couple of kids, and I'm your little plaything?"
"Plaything?!" Arlong sounded angry, really angry. "I have never treated you like that since we started dating, and you know that! Maybe you're jerking me around?! You always have an excuse not to tell your family about us, only to have your sister come home this morning and find me there with you! How do you think I felt about that?! I felt uncomfortable, especially after I was accused of having sex with you!"
"What haven't you?" Nami said. "What, haven't you wanted to have sex with me?!"
There was a moment of brief silence.
"You know what?!" Arlong said. "If that is how you feel, then we're through! Not only that, you're damn fired! You can give that key back too! Goodbye!"
Arlong hung up, and Nami realized that she had just lost the man she loved with all her heart. She should have known better than to let her emotions get the better of her, and now it was too late. Throwing herself on her bed, Nami cried her heart out.
~~.~~.~~
Arlong nearly threw his cell across the living room in anger. How dare she accuse him of being unfaithful and a damn liar?! He had been faithful to her! Treating her like a princess, and this is how she treated him! Angrily he got off the couch and went to the kitchen to take a couple of beers from the refrigerator, then sat at the table. He wanted the pain he was feeling to go away.
"God damn orange-haired bitch," he muttered, downing the first beer in a single gulp. "I've been damn loyal to her, gave her my heart, and how does she repay me? By accusing me of cheating!"
He threw the empty bottle across the room, where it shattered upon impact on the wall. Arlong stared at the broken bottle fragments where they lay on the floor, then at the other bottle on the table in front of him. He rose, placed it back into the fridge, and went straight to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, placing his hands on either side of the reflective glass. Staring at his reflection until it changed, he saw a man that had caused him so much pain.
"Oh god…. I'm becoming like him," he said shakily. "I'm turning into that damn abusive drunken bastard."
Arlong left the bathroom, spying on his cellphone, still lying on the couch. He had to call her, had to apologize for what he said. He called Nami, but it went straight to voicemail. "Nami…. Kitten, I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to say the things I did to you. God, I love you so much. When I get back, I swear I will tell you everything. Please, kitten, I'm begging you. Please give me a chance. I love you, and I'm so sorry for those horrible things I said. I love you…. I love you so much…."
The recording beeped, and Arlong slumped down on the couch, where he cried himself to sleep.
~~.~~.~~
The week Arlong was gone was hell for Nami. She heard his recorded message but didn't call him back. She didn't want to.
Work was more miserable. Many of the staff were sure Nami would be picked as the assistant manager, she wasn't. Instead, it was a new hire who had some experience in the position named Fullbody. Standing at 6'0" tall, he had a scar under his right eye with pink hair that was long and unkempt. He was the most arrogant person anyone could ever meet. Right off the bat, he started hitting on Nami bragging about his career in the navy.
"So, we're on for tonight?" Fullbody asked.
Nami tried to stay focused on her job, but Fullbody wasn't making it easy. He had constantly been flirting with her and repeatedly asking her out. "No," she said. "The answer is still no!"
"Hey, you're supposed to be learning the job, not flirting," Hachi said when he realized the young man wasn't helping him.
"I know how to be an assistant manager," Fullbody said, waving Hachi off. "You go back to playing boss and let me handle things here."
In front of everyone, Fullbody wrapped an arm around Nami, his fingers lightly brushing her breasts. It was the final straw. Nami stomped down on his foot hard, and when he yelled, she turned to slap him across the face. It surprisingly knocked him off balance, and he hit the floor.
"Keep your filthy hands off of me, you arrogant asshole!" she screamed. "I'm not some woman you think you can throw yourself on or grope!"
"I'm your boss," Fullbody snapped.
"No, Arlong is the boss, and what you did is called sexual harassment!" Nami said as she removed her apron, throwing it at Fullbody and heading out the door. "I'm going home!"
~~Later in the week~~
"We have company tonight," Belle-mere said the morning after Nami stormed out of the restaurant.
Nami and Nojiko looked at her, both pausing to eat their breakfast. "Company?" Nojiko said. "Who is coming?"
"Genzo," Belle-mere said. "I asked him to come to dinner a week or so ago. The poor man could use a good meal after being sick for almost two weeks."
Nami blinked. That was right. Genzo had been out sick with the flu, and she looked at the calendar on the wall near her. Arlong would be coming back soon, and she still had to deal with that matter.
"Nami? Nami, did you hear me?"
"I'm sorry," Nami said, "What did you say?"
"I said I want to go to the store and buy the items on this list," Belle-mere said. "You've been distracted lately. Has something happened at work with that damn bastard?"
"No," Nami said. "Everything is fine."
She didn't dare talk about the fight she had with Arlong, followed by Fullbody's sexual harassment of her. Nami knew she had to face Arlong when he returned, and she still didn't know what she wanted to do.
"What time will Genzo be here?" Nojiko asked as she gathered up the breakfast dishes.
"Eight o'clock," Belle-mere said.
After eating, cleaning up, and getting ready for the day, Nami went shopping for dinner. She passed the flowers for sale as she left the store, and an orange rose caught her attention. Seeing it made her choke back the tears on the verge of falling. Arlong always gave her those when he was sorry, and seeing that beautiful flower made her feel awful. Nami hurried off to the bus stop, not wanting to make a scene.
Unknown to Nami, Arlong was in the store, and he saw her. Seeing her by the flowers and how she stared at the one flower he always gave her caused his own heart to ache. But, unfortunately, she didn't call him back, and he hadn't had the heart to go back to the restaurant yet. He finished his shopping with a heavy sigh then drove back to the apartment.
~~Eight O'Clock that night~~
The knock on the front door announced Genzo's arrival, and Belle-mere answered it.
"Good evening," Genzo said, handing Belle-mere a beautiful and colorful bouquet. "For you."
"Genzo, you're so sweet," Belle-mere said, taking the flowers from him. "They're so beautiful. Nami, can you put these in some water?"
"Sure," Nami said as she took the bouquet going to the kitchen, where she placed them in a vase then gave them water. She placed the vase on the counter and turned, nearly screaming, to find Genzo almost behind her. "Genzo. You scared me."
"Sorry," the scarred man said. "May I speak with you?"
Nami nodded, gesturing to the kitchen table. She took a seat, as did he, and she suddenly had an uneasy feeling. "What would you like to talk about?"
"I know about you and Arlong," Genzo said, eyes looking severe. "I know you're seeing each other."
"What are you talking about?" She was doing her best to remain calm while inside; she was screaming.
"I saw you together when the office door was ajar," Genzo said. "If you continue this game with him, I will tell Belle-mere."
"No!" Namie said, her voice was becoming emotional. "You wouldn't do that!"
"Nami, I know him, and if you believe your relationship with him is based on love, it isn't. Girl, open your eyes. He's just using you."
"That's not true! He would never use me!"
Genzo reached over, placing a firm hand over hers. "Nami, he's dangerous. He has a criminal record, beating a man to death at sixteen, and then raping…."
"STOP IT!" Nami screamed, jumping to her feet knocking her chair over with a crash.
Hearing the crashing of the chair, Belle-mere and Nojiko hurried in. "What's going on?!" Belle-mere said. Seeing Nami upset, she went to her, hugging the girl. "Nami, what's wrong? Why are you upset?" Belle-mere looked at Genzo. She might care for the man but had no problem hurting him if he upset her daughters. "What did you do? Why is Nami upset?"
"Nami, tell her, or I will," Genzo said.
"Tell me?" Belle-mere said. "Tell me what? Nami, what is going on here?" Nami couldn't speak; the words were caught in her throat. "You tell me this instant, young lady!"
"I've been seeing Arlong! We've been dating for nearly a year!"
Shock turned to anger. "You've been seeing that man?! What the hell is wrong with you?! He's older than you!"
"Stop it!" Nami said, tears flowing. "Stop talking bad about him! Arlong isn't everything you say he is! He's a changed man! He's loving, caring, and he makes me happy! I trust him like the last two times I've been with him!"
"The last two times…..?" Belle-mere's face darkened more as she realized that her youngest daughter had not only lied to her but had been keeping secrets from her. "You've been with him? When?"
"When I said I was with Robin and here as well."
"What?! You had him here? In this house?!"
"Yes, only because—"
Nami had a chance to finish as Belle-mere slapped her across the face, hard with enough force that nami fell to the floor. She looked up at her adopted mother, touching her stinging cheek. Belle-mere had never raised a hand to her or Nojiko.
"How could you be stupid?!" Belle-mere said, looking ready to murder someone. "You're willing to throw away your dreams for that man?! Are you so eager to ruin your life for a man like that?! You can do better than that! You can find a far better man than that MAN!"
"Better than Arlong," Nami said. "You mean like Sanji? Arlong is loyal, and never once had he looked at another woman, unlike Sanji." Tears streaming down her face, she knew the truth in her heart. I want to be with Arlong because I love him."
"Get out!" Belle-mere screamed. "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"
Nami got up and ran from the house. She ran, not thinking where she was going. She just ran. She was so emotionally upset that she started across a street, and the screeching of brakes brought her back to reality, causing her to lose her footing, stumbling onto the pavement.
"NAMI!"
She barely registered the voice as arms wrapped around her shaking body, holding her tight to the warm body. Her vision filled with yellow with parts of black. Yellow and black?
"Kitten, what were you thinking?! I almost hit you!"
Kitten? The only person who called her that was….Arlong. Nami looked up into Arlong's face, which was full of fear and concern. "Arlong….?"
She was getting on her feet, guided to the passenger's side, and seated. A horn honking made her look as the driver's door opened, followed by: "Honk at me again, and I'll shove that damn thing right up your ass!" No, this wasn't a dream nor a trick of the mind. It was real.
"I'll pull into the parking lot up around the corner," Arlong said as he drove farther up the street. "Now, what were you—"
"I'm sorry!" Nami sobbed, nearly throwing herself onto him. "I'm sorry! I love you! I don't want anyone but you!"
Arlong was caught off guard, but hearing her say that she loved him and wanted only him was enough for him. He held her tight, pressing a cheek onto her head, letting her cry. Once she cried out, he lifted her head, and it was then he saw her bruised and swollen cheek. "Who did this?!"
Yep, Arlong is not the guy to piss off, and yeah, I just had to do a cliffhanger. I want to keep the story close to the real world, especially when I mention specific things like music. Big thanks to BXE for helping me with the idea of Genzo learning about Nami and Arlong's little secret. So as always, Read and Review.
