Chapter 13 The Mud Gets Thicker
Author's Note: A new chapter for you all, have fun
"You're smiling more today," Xu observed as Seifer poured himself a cup of coffee from the maker. "Did you strike gold or something?"
"Actually your plan went perfectly well," Seifer grinned as he seated himself across the coffee table. "Finally I got to talk to her."
Xu smiled secretly. Her plan of putting Seifer as a manager in one of her boutiques was...nothing short of brilliant. Her boutique in Esthar Hill was frequented by the biggest names in the modeling and filming industry, so it wasn't difficult to figure out that Rinoa would make a pit stop there too. She was just surprised it came so fast.
Seifer picked up a newspaper lying on the table and Xu shook her head. "No, that's last week's paper. I was going to throw it out – "
"Quistis?!" Xu nearly jumped when Seifer yelled that loud. "Don't yell, you almost made me scream too," Xu frowned. "What's with Quistis, you know her?"
"Well, no, I just met her when I was chasing Rinoa during the fashion show," Seifer muttered. "And this is the guy who stopped me from talking to Rinoa."
Xu leaned across and looked at the blown-up photo. "Yes... that is Squall Leonheart, currently Esthar's Most Eligible Bachelor and Managing Director of Garden. Interesting isn't it? That woman there – " She pointed to a raven-haired woman in the photo; "Was his wife. She was a wonderful woman," Xu sighed dramatically. "She was so broken-hearted when Squall divorced her."
"Esthar's Most Eligible Bachelor was seen attending the annual Black Tie Auction with an unknown woman on his arm. Further investigation revealed that she, Quistis Trepe was a dropout from Esthar Arts Institution and a former waitress at a restaurant Mr. Leonhart used to frequent. Reliable sources say that the couple is set to be engaged and the seven million gil necklace he purchased at the auction was a proposal gift. The Official Squall Club denies the news however and claims that she is nothing more than a prostitute he found in the Red District after his divorce – "
"Shocking," Xu commented, secretly smiling behind her cup. "How can Squall degrade himself to that level? He could have had any woman – "
"Quistis is not a whore," Seifer struggled to clear his head. "The tabloids are wrong!"
"Of course they were, you're reading last week's news," Xu said in surprise. "Though, I'm sure she's still a good-for-nothing bitch." She giggled and examined her nail polish. Seifer said nothing as he roughly folded the newspaper and got to his feet. "I'm going to see Rinoa. Thanks for the coffee."
"Anytime, Seifer dear," Xu said gaily. As the door shut her face twisted into a sly smile. "Reliable source... who else can it be but me?" She laughed out loud. After the auction the press had cornered her and asked just how much she knew. Being the generous woman she is, she gave them every bit of untruthful slander she could make up... and enjoyed the show as Ellone struggled to straighten the matter. The only thing she didn't succeed was to make the Trepe girl leave the Agency. Looks like she needed to do something more, and Seifer was the key to her plans. "My genius surprises me," Xu giggled as she continued to laugh.
Why, why, why are Esthar's roads so freakin' choked with vehicles??? Quistis mentally banged her head on the dashboard, banged her fists on the window and breaking the windshield to escape –
"I think you're going to be a bit late for the shoot," Squall's voice broke through her thoughts and she looked at him. Squall was staring straight ahead, a thundercloud gathering behind his eyes. She returned her gaze to the outside. "Actually, I don't have anywhere to go." she admitted heavily. "I was just going to the Sky Gardens to think... but then you – "
"Enough."
She squeezed her eyes shut. He was angry at her, she had bluffed him and caused him to –
The car gave a violent swing and Quistis clutched her seat. "Squall?" Horror overtook her as the car sped into an underground parking lot which she was not familiar with. "Squall, where are you – "
"Quiet," He was looking intently at the rearview mirror as he drove. "They're after us."
Quistis glanced in the side mirror and sure enough, a dirty Ford Ranger was training them. "The media?"
"Dogs." Squall grit his teeth, but Quistis could see amusement in his eyes. "You were going to the Sky Gardens?"
"Yes, but there's no way – "
"There's always a way," he suddenly swung into a semi-hidden ramp and they entered a basement car park that was so dark that he had to switch on the lights. He found a space and quickly parked. "Let's go, before they see us."
"Go? Where?' Quistis felt rather stupid as she followed Squall into a dingy elevator. Just as the doors closed, the Ford Ranger came down the ramp.
The hillarity of the situation dawned on her and Quistis began to laugh. And laugh and laugh, until the doors slid open. It was then did she realize that they were in a small shopping arcade, the type frequented by punks and skinheads. Garage music blared out of the speakers and youths with spiky hair and purple lips walked about, occasionally spitting at the pillars.
"They'll find us soon," Quistis said doubtfully and Squall nodded. "We're going to change." He pointed to a shop behind them.
Quistis stared at the crazy get up in the shop window and her eyes returned to Squall. "You have to be joking."
She should have realized Squall hardly has a sense of humor. After a few minutes of searching through the racks for something resembling normal attire, she settled on a sleeveless peach halter neck and matching skirt. Since she couldn't wear heels, she grabbed a pair of knee-length boots along.
"Hurry up." Squall called as she struggled to zip the outfit. You're not seventeen anymore Quistis, she chided herself. The damn thing couldn't be zipped completely, so she gave up and simply left her navel exposed. She swung open the changing room door... and stopped in shock.
Squall stood at the counter, completely different. Gone was the shirt and slacks, this one wore a leather jacket over a white shirt and similar tight-fitting leather pants. The usually immaculate hair was mussed.
He looked like a rocker gone mad. Or gone a bit clean.
He looked up at her as she came out and nodded. "Put your stuff in the bag," he pointed to a backpack he must have purchased along with the clothes.
The shopkeeper looked stoned. He even swiped Squall's Visa the wrong way. "Nice girl you got there man," he said slowly and Squall ignored him as he pulled Quistis out of the shop. They were a few feet away from the shop when Quistis stopped in front of an accessory shop and dug her heels in the ground to keep him from walking. "I can't believe you just – "
What was she about to say? All thoughts flew out of the window as her mind registered the feel of his lips on hers, his hard length pressing against her curves, his hand pinning hers to the cold window behind them. It was in this semi-confusion did she hear voice passing them, their owners out of view.
"I swear I saw them come in man, their car is down there..."
"Yeah yeah, come on... a guy and a girl dressed like that isn't to hard to spot in this rubbish dump."
Only when the voices had faded away did he finally back off slightly. She stared up at him, too shocked to speak. Logic was beginning to function again, thought she still felt dazed. "Was there no other way?" She managed to whisper and he grinned slightly as he released her hands. "Let's get out of here."
