~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ -
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
It was Friday night, Aeris had gotten her week's pay. Combined with the last week's pay, she had almost 400 gil with her. In her neck was a silver necklace Rufus had given during lunch. It had a small silver heart that had a green gemstone in the middle. The necklace wasn't big, but it definitely had class.
She felt the smooth surface of the heart and recalled Rufus' shy expression when he gave it to her. She smiled and headed for the dress store. She had to look gorgeous for tomorrow.
The dress shop was near the Shinra Building and it was possibly the biggest one in Midgar. All around her clerks were everywhere and there were twinkling lights. She entered the store, and noticing her Shinra uniform, a clerk introduced herself.
"Hello, I take it you work for Shinra?" The clerk smiled. "If so, you must need a dress: the ball tomorrow is supposed to be very fancy."
"Yes," Aeris said, smiling. It was going to be fancy. It was going to be wonderful. Rufus was going to pick her up. He was her date.
The clerk brought Aeris where rows of racks, all consisting of glittering formal dresses, stood. Aeris felt dizzy. How could she narrow this down?
Noticing the expression on Aeris' face, the clerk took charge.
"How much money could you spare?"
"Um. . . what's the minimum price?"
The clerk frowned and said "50 gil."
Aeris' temper suddenly flared. The clerk obviously thought she couldn't afford anything, that she was poor. Well, that might be true but she wasn't about to let that smug look on the clerk stay.
"I think I can spare about 350." The clerk's expression changed and she smiled again.
Almost an hour passed, and about fifty dresses later, Aeris let out a small gasp.
It was a turquoise dress that brought out her eyes. It was slightly low-cut and the centimeter-thick straps crossed on her back. However, it had a sophisticated air. She looked very elegant. The material of the dress was shimmering and the tip of the dress swept the floor slightly. The dress clung to her figure, accenting her small waist and long legs very nicely.
The clerk stood behind her, clapping.
"That looks just absolutely perfect on you, Aeris." The clerk was smiling. It was true. Aeris looked very beautiful and refined.
Aeris could have jumped for joy. This was the perfect dress for the perfect night. The price was expensive - 370 gil - which meant she had to eat string beans for the rest of the week. "Oh well, I'll just stuff myself in the ball," Aeris thought, grinning.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
Rufus arrived exactly on seven o'clock. He was wearing a black tuxedo that made his eyes even more blue. He was sitting on a couch in the living room of Aeris' house. He suddenly got up and knocked on the door of Aeris' room.
"No, don't come in!!" Alarmed and desperate tone of Aeris' voice made him laugh. He was waiting there now for about ten minutes, while Aeris struggled with her appearance.
"Come out, I'm sure you look beautiful as usual." Rufus rolled his eyes, although he, too, had spent the last two hours in front of a mirror.
Another five minutes later, Rufus heard soft footsteps. "Now can I come in?"
"Yes."
Rufus got up and opened the door slowly. The room was a chaotic mess, with a huge drawer with shoes upside down. About twenty different colored ribbons were on her bed, and all the clothes from her closet was scattered everywhere. However, Rufus took no notice of anything. His eyes were glued on the angelic figure ahead of him.
"Aeris. . . " he whispered. "You are so. . . " he struggled for words. . . "Lovely. Angelic. Radiant. Heavenly. Gorgeous. You look so beautiful!"
Aeris was wearing the dress she picked out the night before. She had obviously tried to put her hair up - however she evidently failed as she had it down. It wasn't braided as usual but was freely cascading down her back. However some excess hair was tied back with a sky-blue ribbon. She had a pair of silver earings. He noticed it matched the necklace he gave her, which she was wearing.
However, there was something else about her that made her look like an angel from heaven. He couldn't put a finger on it, he just gaped at her. Smiling, Aeris walked up to him and linked her arm with his.
Rufus snapped out of it and smiled. "Shall we go?"
They rode a train. However, neither cared. Aeris was leaning against Rufus and he was running his hand through her hair.
They got off. They hastily took the elevator to the 80th floor. They were rather late. Aeris remembered the last time they were on this elevator and giggled. Rufus turned her to face him with a mischievous grin lifted her in the air and kissed her. Aeris just giggled and kissed his forehead.
As they got off the elevator, Rufus felt everyone's eyes on them. Luckily, the ball haven't officially begun. Aeris shifted uncomfortably under the stare of over a thousand people.
Rufus' heart dropped when he saw his father walking towards him.
"Well, hello Rufus. I'm surprised you made it to the ball." President Shinra looked at him suspisciously.
Rufus smiled tightly. "Well, yes, thank you sir." 'don't say son don't say son don't say son. . .'
"And who's your beautiful companion?" The president ran his hand on Aeris' arm. Aeris looked utterly shocked and flinched.
Rufus was disgusted and almost turned away, but stopped himself. "Sir, this is Aeris Gainsborough. Now if you'll excuse us. . . "
He led her into a quiet corner. Aeris whispered in a hushed voice.
"Wasn't that THE president Shinra? How do you know him???"
"It's probably that he noticed YOU, Aeris. You're so beautiful."
Aeris giggled and punched his chest. "Stop doing that before I start to believe it."
There was a sudden announcement.
"All members who work through floor one through thirty, assemble in the 78th floor. All workers from thirty-first to sixty-fifth, gather in the 79th floor. The president's speech is about to start. Please comply."
"Aeris, you go on alone. This will take like fifteen minutes. I have to stay here, but come up here when the speech's over, ok?" Rufus looked very uncomfortable.
"You have to stay here? What do you mean?" Aeris was surprised. He must be one of the top executives to be allowed on this floor! Nevertheless she joined a small crowd of people who gathered around the elevator.
President Shinra had a recorded speech about the Junon Office. However, the speech only reached the 78th and 79th floor. He actually spoke on the 80th floor about some private matter. He knew that he should be listening to it intently but his mind kept drifting away.
The speech ended rather shortly compared to the one downstairs. The music began to flow and Rufus leaned against a wall. He looked at the clock on the wall and saw that he had mere minutes left until Aeris returns.
He smiled as he recalled Aeris. He let out a small sigh and closed his eyes. Suddenly he heard a familiar voice. "Hey there Rufus." Rufus snapped his eyes open to see a blond figure mere inches away from him.
She started to run her fingers through his hair. Rufus grabbed her wrist and pulled it down.
"Get away from me Scarlet," he almost growled. But there was so many people that he couldn't actually shout or make any rash movement.
"I saw that girl," Scarlet said, undaunted. "What are you doing with her? She's just a girl."
Rufus just ignored her and started to walk away. He wanted to be as far from her as possible.
Scarlet didn't give up. This boy was someday the next President Shinra. Scarlet was wearing a bareback strapless dress that was so low-cut that it actually made people uncomfortable. The dress had a huge slit to her hips. She thought that was seductive. To Rufus that was repulsive.
Rufus stepped into the crowd. A lot of girls who wanted to look for rich men were on the 80th floor already. They all took notice of the Vice President. They surrounded him. Rufus was completely disgusted. Bad choice to make, he thought bitterly. They all started talking and making flirtatious remarks. Scarlet stepped into the circle, to Rufus' great dismay.
Everywhere he was surrounded by people. He could not just shove them off and leave, like he felt like. Taking advantage of the situation, Scarlet traced down his chest and his face. Rufus again grabbed her wrist and this time almost flung it forcefully.
Then he noticed the complete silence of the crowd, one thing he was getting used to. He quickly turned around. Not thirty feet away from him was Aeris.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
Aeris had just stepped out of the elevator. She looked eagerly for Rufus. There was just too many people. She stepped into the crowd, and was surprised that they actually parted their ways for her - to see Rufus surrounded by women wearing barely anything.
She gasped, unable to believe what she saw. Rufus' back was turned toward her, so she couldn't be sure. She stepped closer. Her heart dropped to see an attractive blond woman, with her breasts almost bare, running her finger down the man's chest.
'No, it can't be Rufus. Please, God, don't let that be Rufus!!' Aeris felt tears of something like fright choking her chest. The woman now started stroking his face, wearing that seductive smile. Some tears actually escaped her as she whispered his name.
The crowd turned silent as the man put the woman's and aside and turned around. It was indeed Rufus.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
Rufus' head was spinning. 'Oh God,' he thought. "Aeris." He pushed Scarlet's hand from his shoulder and roughly shoved two women who were in his way.
Aeris looked scared and hurt, with tears streaming down her beautiful face. Regret and hopelessness filled his heart.
"Aeris, this isn't what you think."
However, Scarlet was right behind him.
"What're you doing here girlie? Go back to your floor. The Vice President here has a business with me." Scarlet had a smirk of contempt on her face.
Aeris choked. "What? He's not the vice president!" Aeris stepped closer to Rufus. Rufus took her hand into his. "Aeris, this isn't. . ."
Aeris cut him off. She closed her eyes and opened them again. They were now clear.
"Rufus. . . are you really the vice president?"
Rufus would have given up his soul to say no to the answer.
"Aeris. . ." Rufus said desperately. "Please, this isn't what you think. Let me explain."
Aeris looked up in his eyes but she caught the blond woman putting her hand on his shoulder.
"Rufus. . . why?" Aeris' let out a fresh stream of tears. "Why are you doing this to me?" Aeris backed away from him slowly. Rufus ran forward and grabbed her hand.
"Aeris, wait. Please!"
"No."
With that, she started running.
"Aeris, wait!!!"
Rufus could have easily caught up to her but he felt arms of about ten women holding him back. He pushed them all off angrily. Most of them fell on the floor, and looked up at him with frightened eyes.
"Scarlet, you'll pay for this." He whispered to Scarlet and he turned around to see the door of the elevator closing.
Feeling everyone's eyes on him, he found the Turks watching the whole incident. He walked over to them.
"Is there any way we can get downstairs faster than her?"
"I'm afraid not, sir. The elevator is already going down to the first floor and the other one takes some time to come up." Tseng said.
Rufus groaned.
"This is her address," Rufus said, handing them a piece of paper from his pocket. "Find her by tomorrow and bring her back to me. Don't scare her."
Rufus walked out the door. His mind was a chaos.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
It was Friday night, Aeris had gotten her week's pay. Combined with the last week's pay, she had almost 400 gil with her. In her neck was a silver necklace Rufus had given during lunch. It had a small silver heart that had a green gemstone in the middle. The necklace wasn't big, but it definitely had class.
She felt the smooth surface of the heart and recalled Rufus' shy expression when he gave it to her. She smiled and headed for the dress store. She had to look gorgeous for tomorrow.
The dress shop was near the Shinra Building and it was possibly the biggest one in Midgar. All around her clerks were everywhere and there were twinkling lights. She entered the store, and noticing her Shinra uniform, a clerk introduced herself.
"Hello, I take it you work for Shinra?" The clerk smiled. "If so, you must need a dress: the ball tomorrow is supposed to be very fancy."
"Yes," Aeris said, smiling. It was going to be fancy. It was going to be wonderful. Rufus was going to pick her up. He was her date.
The clerk brought Aeris where rows of racks, all consisting of glittering formal dresses, stood. Aeris felt dizzy. How could she narrow this down?
Noticing the expression on Aeris' face, the clerk took charge.
"How much money could you spare?"
"Um. . . what's the minimum price?"
The clerk frowned and said "50 gil."
Aeris' temper suddenly flared. The clerk obviously thought she couldn't afford anything, that she was poor. Well, that might be true but she wasn't about to let that smug look on the clerk stay.
"I think I can spare about 350." The clerk's expression changed and she smiled again.
Almost an hour passed, and about fifty dresses later, Aeris let out a small gasp.
It was a turquoise dress that brought out her eyes. It was slightly low-cut and the centimeter-thick straps crossed on her back. However, it had a sophisticated air. She looked very elegant. The material of the dress was shimmering and the tip of the dress swept the floor slightly. The dress clung to her figure, accenting her small waist and long legs very nicely.
The clerk stood behind her, clapping.
"That looks just absolutely perfect on you, Aeris." The clerk was smiling. It was true. Aeris looked very beautiful and refined.
Aeris could have jumped for joy. This was the perfect dress for the perfect night. The price was expensive - 370 gil - which meant she had to eat string beans for the rest of the week. "Oh well, I'll just stuff myself in the ball," Aeris thought, grinning.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
Rufus arrived exactly on seven o'clock. He was wearing a black tuxedo that made his eyes even more blue. He was sitting on a couch in the living room of Aeris' house. He suddenly got up and knocked on the door of Aeris' room.
"No, don't come in!!" Alarmed and desperate tone of Aeris' voice made him laugh. He was waiting there now for about ten minutes, while Aeris struggled with her appearance.
"Come out, I'm sure you look beautiful as usual." Rufus rolled his eyes, although he, too, had spent the last two hours in front of a mirror.
Another five minutes later, Rufus heard soft footsteps. "Now can I come in?"
"Yes."
Rufus got up and opened the door slowly. The room was a chaotic mess, with a huge drawer with shoes upside down. About twenty different colored ribbons were on her bed, and all the clothes from her closet was scattered everywhere. However, Rufus took no notice of anything. His eyes were glued on the angelic figure ahead of him.
"Aeris. . . " he whispered. "You are so. . . " he struggled for words. . . "Lovely. Angelic. Radiant. Heavenly. Gorgeous. You look so beautiful!"
Aeris was wearing the dress she picked out the night before. She had obviously tried to put her hair up - however she evidently failed as she had it down. It wasn't braided as usual but was freely cascading down her back. However some excess hair was tied back with a sky-blue ribbon. She had a pair of silver earings. He noticed it matched the necklace he gave her, which she was wearing.
However, there was something else about her that made her look like an angel from heaven. He couldn't put a finger on it, he just gaped at her. Smiling, Aeris walked up to him and linked her arm with his.
Rufus snapped out of it and smiled. "Shall we go?"
They rode a train. However, neither cared. Aeris was leaning against Rufus and he was running his hand through her hair.
They got off. They hastily took the elevator to the 80th floor. They were rather late. Aeris remembered the last time they were on this elevator and giggled. Rufus turned her to face him with a mischievous grin lifted her in the air and kissed her. Aeris just giggled and kissed his forehead.
As they got off the elevator, Rufus felt everyone's eyes on them. Luckily, the ball haven't officially begun. Aeris shifted uncomfortably under the stare of over a thousand people.
Rufus' heart dropped when he saw his father walking towards him.
"Well, hello Rufus. I'm surprised you made it to the ball." President Shinra looked at him suspisciously.
Rufus smiled tightly. "Well, yes, thank you sir." 'don't say son don't say son don't say son. . .'
"And who's your beautiful companion?" The president ran his hand on Aeris' arm. Aeris looked utterly shocked and flinched.
Rufus was disgusted and almost turned away, but stopped himself. "Sir, this is Aeris Gainsborough. Now if you'll excuse us. . . "
He led her into a quiet corner. Aeris whispered in a hushed voice.
"Wasn't that THE president Shinra? How do you know him???"
"It's probably that he noticed YOU, Aeris. You're so beautiful."
Aeris giggled and punched his chest. "Stop doing that before I start to believe it."
There was a sudden announcement.
"All members who work through floor one through thirty, assemble in the 78th floor. All workers from thirty-first to sixty-fifth, gather in the 79th floor. The president's speech is about to start. Please comply."
"Aeris, you go on alone. This will take like fifteen minutes. I have to stay here, but come up here when the speech's over, ok?" Rufus looked very uncomfortable.
"You have to stay here? What do you mean?" Aeris was surprised. He must be one of the top executives to be allowed on this floor! Nevertheless she joined a small crowd of people who gathered around the elevator.
President Shinra had a recorded speech about the Junon Office. However, the speech only reached the 78th and 79th floor. He actually spoke on the 80th floor about some private matter. He knew that he should be listening to it intently but his mind kept drifting away.
The speech ended rather shortly compared to the one downstairs. The music began to flow and Rufus leaned against a wall. He looked at the clock on the wall and saw that he had mere minutes left until Aeris returns.
He smiled as he recalled Aeris. He let out a small sigh and closed his eyes. Suddenly he heard a familiar voice. "Hey there Rufus." Rufus snapped his eyes open to see a blond figure mere inches away from him.
She started to run her fingers through his hair. Rufus grabbed her wrist and pulled it down.
"Get away from me Scarlet," he almost growled. But there was so many people that he couldn't actually shout or make any rash movement.
"I saw that girl," Scarlet said, undaunted. "What are you doing with her? She's just a girl."
Rufus just ignored her and started to walk away. He wanted to be as far from her as possible.
Scarlet didn't give up. This boy was someday the next President Shinra. Scarlet was wearing a bareback strapless dress that was so low-cut that it actually made people uncomfortable. The dress had a huge slit to her hips. She thought that was seductive. To Rufus that was repulsive.
Rufus stepped into the crowd. A lot of girls who wanted to look for rich men were on the 80th floor already. They all took notice of the Vice President. They surrounded him. Rufus was completely disgusted. Bad choice to make, he thought bitterly. They all started talking and making flirtatious remarks. Scarlet stepped into the circle, to Rufus' great dismay.
Everywhere he was surrounded by people. He could not just shove them off and leave, like he felt like. Taking advantage of the situation, Scarlet traced down his chest and his face. Rufus again grabbed her wrist and this time almost flung it forcefully.
Then he noticed the complete silence of the crowd, one thing he was getting used to. He quickly turned around. Not thirty feet away from him was Aeris.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
Aeris had just stepped out of the elevator. She looked eagerly for Rufus. There was just too many people. She stepped into the crowd, and was surprised that they actually parted their ways for her - to see Rufus surrounded by women wearing barely anything.
She gasped, unable to believe what she saw. Rufus' back was turned toward her, so she couldn't be sure. She stepped closer. Her heart dropped to see an attractive blond woman, with her breasts almost bare, running her finger down the man's chest.
'No, it can't be Rufus. Please, God, don't let that be Rufus!!' Aeris felt tears of something like fright choking her chest. The woman now started stroking his face, wearing that seductive smile. Some tears actually escaped her as she whispered his name.
The crowd turned silent as the man put the woman's and aside and turned around. It was indeed Rufus.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
Rufus' head was spinning. 'Oh God,' he thought. "Aeris." He pushed Scarlet's hand from his shoulder and roughly shoved two women who were in his way.
Aeris looked scared and hurt, with tears streaming down her beautiful face. Regret and hopelessness filled his heart.
"Aeris, this isn't what you think."
However, Scarlet was right behind him.
"What're you doing here girlie? Go back to your floor. The Vice President here has a business with me." Scarlet had a smirk of contempt on her face.
Aeris choked. "What? He's not the vice president!" Aeris stepped closer to Rufus. Rufus took her hand into his. "Aeris, this isn't. . ."
Aeris cut him off. She closed her eyes and opened them again. They were now clear.
"Rufus. . . are you really the vice president?"
Rufus would have given up his soul to say no to the answer.
"Aeris. . ." Rufus said desperately. "Please, this isn't what you think. Let me explain."
Aeris looked up in his eyes but she caught the blond woman putting her hand on his shoulder.
"Rufus. . . why?" Aeris' let out a fresh stream of tears. "Why are you doing this to me?" Aeris backed away from him slowly. Rufus ran forward and grabbed her hand.
"Aeris, wait. Please!"
"No."
With that, she started running.
"Aeris, wait!!!"
Rufus could have easily caught up to her but he felt arms of about ten women holding him back. He pushed them all off angrily. Most of them fell on the floor, and looked up at him with frightened eyes.
"Scarlet, you'll pay for this." He whispered to Scarlet and he turned around to see the door of the elevator closing.
Feeling everyone's eyes on him, he found the Turks watching the whole incident. He walked over to them.
"Is there any way we can get downstairs faster than her?"
"I'm afraid not, sir. The elevator is already going down to the first floor and the other one takes some time to come up." Tseng said.
Rufus groaned.
"This is her address," Rufus said, handing them a piece of paper from his pocket. "Find her by tomorrow and bring her back to me. Don't scare her."
Rufus walked out the door. His mind was a chaos.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
