~Rufas~

~By: Aeris Gainsborough~

~Chapter 2~

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Bethany walked in and put her coat and purse up on a hook. She sat down at her desk only to find some papers and a note from Reno. She picked up the note and read it over.

"Beth-

These papers are very important and Rufas must sign them A.S.A.P. Turk stuff you know. Thanks! You're a doll! And maybe you could reconsider the whole dinner with me thing. You know you want to Beth! -Reno"

"In your dreams Reno…" Bethany muttered. She was just waiting to see Reno again so he could hear where she thought he could shove the dinner and the nickname. She tapped on Rufas's door. When she received no reply, Bethany opened the door a little and stuck her head in.

Rufas had fallen asleep on the little couch in his office. He stirred slightly and mumbled something.

Bethany giggled, "Oh no Rufas, if I'm stuck here till nine and I can't nap neither can you!" she said as she walked up to the couch Rufas was asleep on.

Rufas turned over and smiled, "Then pull up a couch and take a nap. That's why I had them put here."

Bethany gasped, "I- I- I didn't know-" she sputtered.

"Well obviously," Rufas said with a laugh, "You'd never have said it otherwise."

"Yes well… I was just coming to give you these." She handed Rufas the papers, "Reno says you need to sign them A.S.A.P. because it's Turk stuff."

Rufas nodded, "Yeah real important I suppose," he said his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"And if he doesn't lay off I'll have to tell him what I'm really thinking," Bethany muttered under her breath.

"And what would that be?" Rufas asked his eyes showing the smile that was absent from his face.

"I- well- umm- nothing…" Bethany said blushing a bright red, "I really should get back to work."

Rufas laughed, "And if you get tired don't forget my offer!"

She flashed him a quick smile and closed the door after her.

"Maybe I do have a thing for Bethany but at least she's nice compared to some of the trash I've met around here. But no one, not even Bethany, will ever touch that place in my heart that belongs to her." Rufas thought touching the bracelet in his pocket. Then he sat down to sign the papers that now sat on his desk.

Bethany sank down into her chair and put her head on her desk, "Why can't I just act normal around him?" the asked herself,

"Oh, what's wrong dear?" asked a soft female voice.

Bethany looked up, "Oh Scarlet can I help you?"

"No," she said smiling, "But maybe I can help you Bethany."

"Help me?" Bethany asked, "What do I need help with? I think you've got it wrong Scarlet. I don't need any help."

Scarlet smile grew larger, "Oh but you do. If you want Rufas to notice you, you have become the kind of girl he likes."

Bethany looked at Scarlet, ""What are you talking about? I don't care if Rufas pays any attention to me."

"Okay," Scarlet said turning to leave, "But if you change your mind, you know where to find me."

Rufas picked up the last paper in his pile. It was Reeve's little note about the party. He looked it over again and thought for a minute. Then he pressed the button for Bethany's intercom.

"Yes Rufas," she said.

"Could you, um, come in here for a second?" Rufas asked.

Bethany hesitated for a second. She didn't like the tone of voice he was using, "S-sure be right there."

Rufas stood up and looked out the window again. He ran a hand through his blonde hair. Then the door opened and closed gently behind him.

"Can I help you with something?" Bethany asked. She didn't move from the doorway.

"Oh, well, I just finished signing those papers for Reno and was just wondering if you'd run them down for me."

Bethany made a face, "Sure, no problem."

Rufas chuckled, "Well now you can tell him what you were really thinking."

Bethany let out a nervous laugh, "Maybe I'll finally tell him what I'll do if he asks me out on another date. I'll be back in a second to see if there's anything else." Bethany said opening the door.

"Bethany," Rufas said stopping her.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"There's this party in a couple days and I was wondering, well, hoping actually that you'd accompany me." Rufas said looking at the back of her head.

"I- I don't know. There's really only one person for me. But he- well I haven't been able to find him since he left when I was six. He was my best friend…" she looked over her shoulder at him, "I'm sorry, I'll get back to work." She slipped out and closed the door.

"Koishii," he whispered.
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