~Rufas~

~By: Aeris Gainsborough~

~Chapter 3~

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Rufas walked out of his office and locked the door. When he turned around, he saw Bethany asleep on her desk. He smiled and shook her gently.

"Bethany dear, I told you napping was what I had the couches put in my office for." He said grinning as she looked up into his face.

Suddenly she sat bolt upright, "I-I'm so sorry!"

"For what?" he asked leaning on her desk.

"N-nevermind," she said standing, "I'll be on my way and I'll see you in the morning."

"How are you getting home?" Rufas asked.

"I'll take the train." She said grabbing her purse.

"Um.. it's too late to take the train," Rufas said, "I'll drive you home tonight."

"Oh no," she said as Rufas held out his hand for hers, "I couldn't be a bother…"

"No bother, I'd be happy to do it." Rufas said.

Bethany took his hand, "Okay then."

Rufas led Bethany to his car and the driver opened the door for them. They climbed in and the driver headed out of the garage.

Before long, the driver pulled up in front of Bethany's house. He got out and opened the door for Bethany and Rufas.

"Thank you again Rufas. I really owe you…" Bethany started.

"Think nothing of it. Really it wasn't anything." Rufas said.

"Well I really should get inside, goodnight Rufas," she held out her hand for his.

"Goodnight Koishii," he said shaking her hand.

She looked at him for a moment with a shocked expression on her face, "What did you just call me?"

"Koishii… I had a friend, when I was young." He sighed and looked into her green eyes, "I would swear you were her if you had red hair and blue eyes. You two act a lot alike."

"Oh…" Bethany said. Then she turned away so he wouldn't see the tears streaming down her face, "Goodnight again…" she said and ran into her house.

He watched as she unlocked the door. He noticed a flash of copper as a few strands of hair slipped out of her bun. Then she hurried inside and closed the door.

He sank back into the car and closed the door, "Driver, take me home."

Then he drove off for his house knowing he wouldn't get a wink of sleep that night.

Bethany's alarm clock rang the next morning and Bethany ignored it. Soon it was half an hour before she had to be at work. She jumped out of bed and grabbed her clothes. She quickly changed out of her nightgown and into the white blouse and black skirt with roses climbing around the bottom. She ran a brush through her long, coppery hair. Then pulled it up in a bun. After giving up searching for her colored contacts, she grabbed a bagel and ran for the train station.

After hanging up her coat and purse, Bethany walked into Rufas's office.

"Good morning sir," she said cheerfully.

He looked at her carefully for a moment then nodded, "Good morning Bethany."

She smiled and went back to her desk. Rufas went back to staring at the bracelet.

"Hey there miss," said a rough voice, "Is th' president in? I got a few words fer him."

Bethany looked up as two men and a woman stood before her. The girl looked at Bethany and smiled.

"Barret chill out you're going to scare her," she said.

"I don't wanna scare anyone Aeris! I jus' wanna pay my respects to the president." Barret said, "Is he in?"

"I- I- I'll check…" she walked toward Rufas's office and opened the door, "Sir, there are three people here to see you. One's named Barret and one's named Aeris. I don't know the third… Do you want to see them?"

"Send one of them in." Rufas said shoving the bracelet in his pocket.

"Yes sir." Bethany said. Then she walked back to the group awaiting her, "He says to send one of you in."

"I wanna go!" Barret yelled.

"Why so you can get us thrown in jail?" asked the third member of the group.

"Cloud is the levelheaded one here Barret let him go." Aeris said.

"Fine," he said as he threw himself in a chair.

Bethany took Cloud into Rufas's office then she returned to the others.

"So what's your name?" Aeris asked.

"Oh, my name is Bethany Hartford." She said.

"What a pretty name! Mine is Aeris Gainsborough." Aeris said.

Bethany smiled, Then Barret stood up, "Damn it I can't take waitin'!" He headed toward Rufas's office.

"You can't go in there!" she yelled running after Barret.

"I don't care what you say lady! I'm goin' in there to pay my respects to the president!" she yelled throwing the doors to Rufas's office open.

Just then Cloud came out of the office and nearly was run over by Barret.

"Damn it Barret! Let's go before we're thrown in jail! You really can be a headstrong idiot!" Cloud yelled as he shoved Barret toward the exit.

"Look who's talking spike! It was you're idea to come here in the first place! Now I wanna talk to the head of the company that took my Myrna away!" Barret yelled.

Just then the speaker buzzed and Bethany pushed the button, "Yes Rufas?"

"Please tell the people out there if they don't leave, I'll call security." Rufas's voice said over the speaker.

"I heard ya an' I don't care!" Barret roared.

"Barret please, just stop and let's leave. You know this place gives me the creeps…" Aeris pleaded.

"Aww Aeris you know I can't say no to you. But do know I'll be back!" Barret made sure to finish loud so Rufas would hear it.

Then they all left and Bethany ran into Rufas's office, "Who were they?"

"That would be a little rebel group called AVALANCHE. I wonder why they would be-" Rufas looked up at Bethany who stood right next to him.

"A-are you okay Rufas?" Bethany asked her blue eyes full of concern.

"I'll be fine." He said, "I'm going on a little trip to Junon for Shinra. Will you come with me and help me out?"

"I- well, sure, I guess. I really don't have anything to do." Bethany said uncertainly,

"It'll only be for a week. We'll take a helicopter to Junon then I'll tell you what's going on from there. Be ready bright and early tomorrow morning. I'll come pick you up since the trains won't be running yet." Rufas said, "Take the day off and get everything together."

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow Rufas." Bethany said. Then she walked out of his office.

"Blue eyes," he thought, "She's got blue eyes and red hair. Her name is Beth. It's my Koishii."

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