A/N: Hello, beautiful people! It's been a very long time! Hope you have all been well!
I just wanted to introduce myself, for those who aren't familiar with my work. I have been OBSESSED with MM lately, and I was inspired to write this story, but I wanted to explain a bit about what to expect. I basically took the story, Americanized it, sexed it up, and away I went! In other words, it is nowhere near canon, if that's the kind of thing you like. V doesn't even appear in it, and the overall plot of the game plays very little role. There're no bombs and no #MeToo moments. I was inspired by a conversation in the game during Zen's route where V tells MC that she was chosen to save the members of the RFA. The idea formed from there.
If you like it and want to read more, please like and comment. I'm going to try to update every two weeks, but there may be times when it takes longer. I also don't have a beta reader, so if you see errors, please let me know! I edit as much as possible, but I have only one set of eyes.
Enjoy! - Jacks
PS - I must include a trigger warning for descriptions of sexual violence, although I hope it is not too graphic or disturbing.
Mia
Mia looked up from her phone and out the bus window, which was streaked with rain. "Shit!"
She jumped up and started to make her way to the rear door. There was no need to pull the cord because the bus was traversing downtown Seattle during morning rush hour - it stopped at every stop. However, she'd been so engrossed in trying to retrieve the address where her interview was scheduled to take place that she'd lost track of time and gone past her stop.
The bus pulled to the curb and Mia fought her way against the flood of passengers trying to embark. It wasn't until she was standing on the sidewalk and the bus was pulling away that she realized she'd left her umbrella on her seat.
"Shit, shit!"
Mia was wearing a wool peacoat without a hood, but she flipped the collar up anyway, in a futile attempt to protect against the elements. As a long-time resident of the Northwest, she was indifferent to precipitation, but she didn't want to show up to her interview both late and looking like a drowned rat.
Mia slung her laptop bag over her shoulder and started to quickly make her way up Battery to Fifth Avenue, still scrolling for the meeting details on her phone. Her interview was in five minutes, and she was at least ten blocks away. Panic began to rise as she increased her pace. Mia had lost her job as media manager for a local tour group in November, and her roommate had decided to move back home to marry her high school sweetheart last month. Rent was due in a week, and her savings were dwindling. If she didn't find a job soon, she was going to be homeless in a matter of weeks.
As she passed one of the modern apartment buildings that had sprung up downtown in recent years, the screen on her phone flickered off briefly, came back on, and then went dark for good.
"What the hell?" she muttered, giving it a violent shake.
A chat box suddenly flashed onto the screen with her name in huge letters.
"MIA CONNELLY?"
Her step faltered as she looked around, wondering if she were being punked. The employed masses hustled along, noses buried in their own phones. No one seemed to be paying her any mind.
She touched the screen, and her name disappeared. A cursor blinked, so she typed, "Who is this?"
"I have a job for you."
Mia was fairly certain she was being phished. Hackers were ubiquitous in this city, and they loved to pull pranks just because they could. Two things held her in place, however. One - the unknown party knew her name, and that she was looking for a job. Two - as long as he, or she, had control of her phone, Mia didn't have the information she needed regarding her current interview, such as which suite she needed to go to and the name of the person she was supposed to meet. Not to mention, she was already late and time was still passing.
Plus, she had to admit that, despite her skepticism, she was curious.
"What kind of job?" She more than halfway expected some kind of perverted response, but no pornographic images or lewd suggestions appeared in response to her question.
"Enter the building in front of you. Go to apartment 1403."
Mia eyed the apartment complex. There didn't seem to be a doorman, or any security on the outer door. Tentatively, she entered the lobby. Past an area with mailboxes and some guest seating was a locked glass door with a code pad next to it.
"1283"
Mia punched in the code and, to her surprise, the door buzzed and the lock sprang free. She managed to react in time to pull it open before it latched again. She moved to the elevators and pushed the up button. An older woman with a small dog in her arms entered the vestibule, both of them eying Mia suspiciously. When the elevator arrived, Mia boarded and pushed the button for 14. The woman with the dog stood as far from Mia as she could manage in the enclosed space, and pushed the button for 8. When the doors opened on their floor, the dog bared his teeth at Mia as they exited. She bared hers right back, but the canine didn't seem terribly intimidated.
When Mia arrived on the 14th floor, she looked around. There was a sign that indicated apartments 1401-1411 were to the left, and 1402-1412 were to the right. 1403 was second from the end of the hall. There was another keypad outside the door.
"1403"
This time, Mia startled when the message appeared, then quickly looked up and down the hall. It was possible that her anonymous friend could have seen her approach the interior lobby door from the street, but there was no one around now. How did they know the exact moment when she arrived? And could the apartment code really be the same as the unit number? That didn't seem very secure.
However, when she punched in the digits, the lock once again released. All thoughts of her previously scheduled interview were gone now as she warily pushed open the door.
"Hello?"
Only silence greeted her, so Mia slowly made her way inside, her heart pounding with a combination of nerves and curiosity. Just inside the door was a small eating area that held a glass table with four metal chairs. Beyond that was a living space that ended in glass sliders that opened onto a balcony. To the left was a galley kitchen that ran the length of the room. There was an arched doorway on the right, but what lay beyond was shrouded in darkness and hidden from view. She walked toward the floor-length windows, marveling at the view. The apartment faced northwest toward Queen Anne, and even with the low-hanging clouds, Mia could see the Space Needle rising majestically into the sky.
She was so engrossed by the view that she physically jumped when her phone started vibrating. Data scrolled across the screen, too quickly for her to read it. Then suddenly, she was in a chat room, and there were other people there, as well. Mia watched the messages stream by for a while, trying to figure out what was happening. There appeared to be a college student named Liam who was lamenting the fact that he had failed his midterms. A man named Jonathan was consoling him, telling him that there was still an intern position available for him at his company after graduation. Mia wondered if Jonathan was the one who had a job for her?
Assuming there really was a job and this all wasn't some elaborate hoax.
Mia was watching the one named Zayn argue with Jonathan when another participant named 707 said:
707: Wait! I think someone entered the chat room.
Mia froze, even though they couldn't see her.
Jonathan: 'Mia?' Who is that?
Zayn: WTF? How did it get in here?
It? Not very polite.
Mia: Uh…hello?
There was a brief pause, and then the messages started flowing past so fast and furious that Mia could barely keep up.
707: The IP address is from Rita's apartment.
Liam: Someone broke into Rita's apartment?
Jonathan: Who are you? If you don't reveal yourself, you will pay.
That comment gave Mia pause. These people weren't very friendly. Was it possible that they would really come here and try to hurt her? The thought made her nervous, but if things deteriorated that far, she wagered she could be gone before anyone intent on doing her harm arrived.
Zayn: 'You will pay?' WTF is wrong with you, dude? What if it's a girl?
A little sexist, but if this Zayn guy was going to stick up for her, Mia wasn't gonna argue with him.
Jonathan: Do you ever think with anything besides your dick?
Liam: He's famous now! He can have any woman he wants!
Suddenly, the conversation digressed into how many hits Zayn's video had on YouTube, and his upcoming audition, and Mia was trying to remember if she knew any famous people named Zayn when Jonathan demanded:
Jonathan: Can we all just stay on topic for five seconds, please?!
Liam: Oh, right! Mia, who are you? What are you doing in Rita's apartment?
Zayn: Maybe she's one of my fans?
Sexist, and conceited. What was with this guy?
Mia: I got a message from an unknown person saying I should come to this apartment for a job interview. Did one of you send it?
Suddenly, someone new joined the chat.
Julie: I just got your text, Mr. Harris. What's going on?
Jonathan: It seems we have an uninvited visitor in the chat room. You didn't extend a job interview to someone named Mia, did you?
Julie: With permission to join this chat? Of course not!
707: Just…hang on a sec.
Liam: Are you going to hack her phone?
Zayn: Dude, that's not cool. Don't hack her phone.
707: Who said anything about hacking?
Mia: He might as well. Seems everyone else is hacking it today.
Zayn: Ha! It's funny!
Mia: Could you please stop calling me 'it'?!
Zayn: Oops! Sorry. What should I call you? Bae? Honey? Foxy lady?
Jonathan: For the love of god, will you stop fucking around?
707: Hmm. Well, Miss Mia is telling us the truth. I can see the messages from the hacker on her phone.
Zayn: See, Jon? You don't have to be such a prick all the time.
Jonathan: Don't call me Jon!
707: She's cute too! I especially like the pic of you in the bikini.
Mia: Oh dear god…
Zayn: I wanna see!
Liam: Me too!
Julie: You just followed the instructions of an anonymous person to go to an unknown location ? Isn't that…dangerous?
Mia flushed with embarrassment. Time to admit to a bunch of strangers the extent of her desperation.
Mia: I was on my way to a job interview this morning. A message popped up on my phone and said there was an opportunity here. So, I decided to check it out. But if this is just some stupid prank, I'll go and leave you all alone.
Zayn: Wait!
Jonathan: What kind of work do you do?
Mia: PR and social media. I have a degree in communications.
Jonathan: Hmm.
Zayn: I can always use someone for promotional work.
Jonathan: Would you please STOP TALKING?
Zayn: Geez. No need to yell.
707: Jonathan, you're thinking about the parties?
Jonathan: Yes. It seems like quite a coincidence.
Julie: You're not seriously considering letting a stranger…
Mia: What parties?
Liam: The person who used to live in that apartment was my cousin, Rita. She used to organize parties to raise money for charities.
Mia: Fundraising for a non-profit? I can do that.
Liam: The apartment has been empty since Rita…passed. Mia could live as well as work from there…
Mia's heart skipped a beat. This could seriously solve all of her problems. But how was this happening? She pinched herself, hard enough to leave a mark. Yep, awake.
Julie: It's not that simple…
Zayn: I still think you should come work for me, Mia.
Jonathan: What do you think, Seven?
707: On just a cursory glance, she seems okay. I can keep digging, but I'm okay with offering her the position on a probationary basis.
Zayn: Me too. We need some pretty girls around here to liven up the place!
707: How do you know she's pretty?
Zayn: Share the bikini photo, dammit!
707: Sorry, sucka!
Julie: I am against this idea.
Jonathan: Duly noted. How about you, Liam? It was Rita's apartment, after all.
Liam: The RFA hasn't done anything since Rita passed away. I feel like…if we don't take this opportunity, this might be the end of the RFA. And I have a good feeling about Mia. I say we give her a chance.
Jonathan: I agree. Well, then, since it is four to one - Mia, would you like to join the RFA as our Fundraising Coordinator?
Mia was jumping up and down as she typed:
Mia: I would be honored.
Zayn: Yes!
Jonathan: Welcome to the RFA.
707: I have another job I need to work on right now, but I'll get with you later today and explain where everything is that you need for the party planning, okay? Oh, and the security code was defaulted to the apartment number after Rita left. I'll help you reset it to something more secure when we talk.
Mia: Sure. Thanks, Seven.
707: No problemo. Laterz.
-707 left chat-
Jonathan: The apartment belongs to the foundation, but for now you may use it as you see fit. You can move in whenever you please.
Mia: Great. Thank you for taking a chance on me. I promise to do a good job.
Jonathan: Yes, well…we shall see. I need to get to a meeting. Please join me, Ms. King.
Julie: I'll be right there. Welcome to the RFA, Mia.
- Jonathan left chat-
-Julie left chat-
Liam: I'm late for class, but I'm really happy you're going to be continuing Rita's work! Let's talk later.
Mia: Thanks, Liam. I'll do my best! TTYL.
-Liam left chat-
And then, there was only Mia and Zayn left in the chat.
Zayn: I meant what I said before about you working for me, too, if you think you can do both?
Mia crossed to the sofa, removed her bag from her shoulder, and took a seat. This whole situation was happening so fast, she felt totally off balance. Did she really just get two possible employment opportunities and a new apartment in the last 15 minutes? How was this her life?
Mia: Well, I won't know until I see what's involved with this job, but…I saw your earlier posts. You're a performer?
Zayn: Yup! Singer/ dancer. You don't recognize me?
An image popped up in the chat. Mia touched the screen to enlarge it and nearly had an orgasm on the spot. It was a professional headshot. The subject - Zayn, presumably - was staring into the camera with a smoldering intensity. He had hair a shade of blonde not found in nature - so light it was nearly white - and cut into a sexy shag that fell into his eyes. It was styled to look like he'd just rolled out of bed. His eyes were an orange-brown color with flecks of burnt sienna, and reminded Mia of a predatory cat. Sculpted cheekbones and an aquiline nose tapered to a pointed, cleft chin and gave him an adrogynous beauty that was guaranteed to send both men and women into paroxysms of lust.
If he sounded half as good as he looked, this guy was destined for stardom.
Mia: I don't think so. Sorry. What kind of music do you perform?
Zayn: This is the link to my video. What kind of music do you like?
Mia: All kinds, really, but I don't follow pop music too much. I'm actually a classically trained pianist.
Zayn: !
Zayn: …
Zayn: Are you being serious right now?
Mia: Um, yes?
Zayn: Are you sure you're not an angel that's been sent to me from the heavens? A publicist and a musician? I can't…
Zayn: This is…
There was a pause, and then:
Zayn: I have to go meet my agent, but we need to talk. SOON! I'll message you later, k?
Mia: Sure.
Zayn: Miss Mia, I have a good feeling about you. Don't you disappear on me! xoxo
-Zayn left chat-
And then Mia was alone, both virtually and in reality. She leaned back on the couch with a sigh of relief. A job, an apartment downtown, and a picture of a sexy man on her phone. Maybe things were finally starting to look up.