After Zoro spent the night on Luffy's couch for the millionth time. Both men took turns getting ready for work in the morning, suiting up in their respective work attire. They bid their farewell as Zoro headed for the police department and Luffy to the fire station. Luckily, Luffy had landed a position at the local fire department after dropping out of college years ago to take care of his sick grandfather, leaving his studies and fraternity behind. Luffy didn't exactly enjoy college for his studies, but more for the parties almost every week at his frat.

"Good morning chief!" Luffy walks into the station after clocking in, saying good morning to his colleagues.

"Hm…" his chief stood there with two cigars in his mouth, looking through the files some of his workers reported.

"Oi, Kidd!" Luffy waves over at the red haired man working on the engine of one of the fire trucks.

"Quiet Monkey! I'm working here." Kidd rolls his eyes and gets back to work.

Luffy smirks to himself and goes into the station to get himself some breakfast. In this fire station, they normally hang around the station, filing documents, working out or maintaining the engine of the fire trucks like they normally do. Some days they get calls for fires or rescues and anything of the sort. Sometimes, they don't. On the days they don't get any calls, Luffy eats and worksout to keep himself busy, he isn't good as a mechanic as his colleague Kidd was, nor was he serious all the time like his chief Smoker.

When it comes down to brute strength, those muscles are actually put to good use. Several hours and there were no calls, not even for Nami. Kidd comes into the lounge shirtless, grabbing a drink from the refrigerator.

"What did you do on your day off?" He asks Luffy.

"I got laid. What about you?" Luffy says casually, chilling on the couch picking his ear with his pinky finger.

Kidd nearly spits out his drink, "are you serious?"

"As chief smoker." Luffy jokes.

Kidd smirks, "I thought I was having an off day today."

"What do you mean?"

"Normally you have this lame aura emitting from you that says 'I get no hoes and I'm inferior to Kidd'" Kidd teases.

Luffy rolls his eyes at his little joke.

"Who'd you lose it to? Was she hot? Hourglass? Clean shaved?" Kidd proceeded to ask.

"Dude you're so shallow...and I'm not telling you, you'll only poke fun at me and call me a liar." Luffy sits up from the couch.

"Oh come on," Kidd walks over and sits next to Luffy, "You're my f-f-f-fri-"

"Dude, you're stuttering to say the word friend."

"Just tell me, I'm genuinely curious."

Luffy watches as Kidd takes a sip of his drink, he was nervous to tell him. It's not like he sees himself as inferior to him, but if he told him, he wouldn't stop teasing him for months. Luffy takes a deep breath and sighs, "The CEO of Grace By Belle. Nami Karlsson."

He waited for Kidd to react.

"...who? Is that some rich chick?"

"I guess she has some money."

"Some? If she has the title CEO her bank account must be at least six figures."

"Wait, so you believe me?"

Kidd looks at Luffy and smirks, "I believe anything in this day and age."

Luffy feels a bit offended and rolls his eyes at his colleague.

The day went on as Luffy conversed with his colleagues, worked on things around the station, cleaned the truck, ate some more food, and worked out in the gym. He checked his phone every now and then for any calls from an unsaved number, but there were none.

000

Days passed by since Luffy gave Nami his number and it was now Saturday night, the end of the week. Nami, who was getting dressed in her penthouse, stood in her full body mirror in her white blazer jumpsuit. Hair straightened, and dropped diamond earrings. She examines herself in the mirror, "looking good Nami." She comments on her appearance.

Her phone chimes on the nearby table. It was a message from Hiyori. They were having dinner instead of lunch today because of Hiyori's schedule. "I'm outside." the message read.

Nami smiles to herself and grabs her designer clutch purse, leaving her penthouse to meet Hiyori downstairs. Once she stepped out of the air-conditioned filled lobby, the cool night breeze blew through her hair. Spotting Hiyori's red Cadillac hatchback, Nami smiles to herself and walks over to the vehicle. A driver then comes out and opens the door for her, Hiyori smiles at Nami as she enters the car.

"Hey, you look fantastic." Hiyori compliments.

"Thank you, so do you." Nami returns the compliment.

The driver got back in the driver's seat, "where to? Madam Kozuki." he asks.

"I made reservations at Sabaody."

Nami puts her seatbelt on as the driver takes off in the expensive luxury car.

"I'm so sorry for your lost Nami, I know how you feel. I'm sorry I couldn't attend the funeral, but did you receive the flowers I sent?" Hiyori asks, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Yes, they were beautiful, thank you for your condolences. I know how busy you were abroad."

"Yes, I had a few things to look over in Japan."

"Ah, How's your collection coming along?" Nami asks, curious about her friend's own business.

"I should be done in the next two weeks, before the end of the month actually. I'm planning on going on vacation for the rest of the year once I'm done."

"Oh, I see."

"I'm so glad your assistant scheduled this lun-...well, dinner now," Hiyori giggles to herself, "we have so much to catch up on."

"Yes...we really do."

The driver pulls upfront to a lavish twenty-four-story building and opens the door for the two women. "I'll ring you when we're on dessert," Hiyori says as she gets out of the car.

"Wow, I don't think I've ever dined here before? Is this a new building?" Nami asks, looking up at the tall building. "It's extremely beautiful as well."

"Indeed it is, come on. The restaurant is at the very top." HIyori leads the way and Nami follows.

The two women took the elevator to the very top of the restaurant where Hiyori placed her reservations. Once out of the elevator, they stood in awe at the beautiful outdoorsy-themed restaurant. There was a bubble machine somewhere in the establishment that shot bubbles into the air every five minutes. The hostess immediately recognizes the two big shots in the fashion industry and makes her way over.

"Hi, welcome to Sabaody, Ms. Kozuki, I have your seven o'clock reservation ready for you, kindly follow me." The hostess says, leading the way to a table near the window that overlooks the city.

Nami and Hiyori both took their seats and were handed the menu, "Your waiter will be right with you." The hostess says before leaving the two and going back to her station.

"This is a really gorgeous place you reserved for us," Nami says, looking over the menu.

"My pleasure. I heard you're the new CEO of Grace By Bell, how are you liking it?"

"Actually-"

"Hi ladies, sorry to interrupt, but I'm your waitress for tonight. My name is Makino, can I get you two ladies started on beverages?" A young woman who looks to be in her thirties opens her notepad.

"I'll take your finest wine…" Hiyori orders.

"I'll take...sparkling water please." Nami orders.

"Alright, will there be any appetizers?" Makino asks with a warm smile on her face.

"Just some bread, will be fine." Hiyori orders.

"Okay, I'll be right back." Makino nods her head and leaves the two.

Hiyori looks over her menu again, "You're not drinking alcohol?"

"Actually, as I was saying before, as the new CEO, I'm putting out three new collections this year in the span of three months. They'll all have fashion shows at the end of each month." Hiyori's eyes light up at the sound of Nami's idea. "So, I'm gonna be working late tonight designing outfits. I need to keep a straight head."

"Wow! I'd love to see what you come up with, this is such a big deal, you're always second to your mother and now it's your turn to be in charge. We should celebrate. I'll plan a party for you."

Nami chuckles lightly, "I'd love to party, but maybe when I'm done working these three months. I...I was hoping you would...help me out, like a collaboration, but like you said after this month-"

"I see." Hiyori stares at Nami and Nami swallows nervously.

Makino comes back over with their drinks and bread. "Alright, do you guys still need time to look over the menu or are you ready to order?"

"I'll have the fresh tagliolini with butter and white truffles." Nami orders.

"And I'll take the twelve-ounce Japanese Kobe Steak."

"Sounds delicious, I'll be out with your orders."

"Well Nami, you've been through so much and I get that it can be a lot to handle because you're recently in a new position and-"

"You don't have to do it if you don't want to-" Nami cuts her off.

"No, no, I'll do it. I'll collaborate with your brand. I was just saying that it's not wise to have three projects back to back, you're going to burn yourself out. You're still young and this is all so new to you."

"No, I have to...I need to prove myself." Nami puts emphasis on her words.

"And you will, this is just some veteran advice to a rookie CEO."

"No, Hiyori, I literally have to. Before my mother passed she signed a contract with Arlong-"

"Oh, yes, you two were once New York's it couple."

"That was years ago, I'll never run back nor submit to him. He got my mother to sign a contract with him concerning Grace By Belle. If I don't bring our company back up from the dark midst it's submerging into in three months, he'll take over the company and make me his wife!"

"Oh no, you poor thing, why would your mother do that?"

"I asked myself the same thing, then I realized-" Nami crosses her legs and stands up abruptly. "I gotta use the restroom, I'll be back."

Nami takes her clutch and leaves to run to the bathroom. As she left the table in search of the bathroom, three women appeared at the hostess station. They were tall like models and looked expensive like Hiyori and Nami. The middle woman has black hair, pale skin, and golden earrings while the two taller women behind her one with green and the other with light brown hair. Hiyori immediately recognizes them and is stunned by their presence.

Before Hiyori could wave at them, the waitress Makino came over with their meals. "Let me know if there's anything I can do to make your experience better." She says before leaving the entrée on the table.

The three women made their way behind the waitress to a table near Hiyori's and were handed menus like the two ladies before. With the hostess gone, Nami comes back from the bathroom and sits back at her seat without knowing who just sat down.

"Oh, the food's here, good because I was getting hungry." Nami sets her clutch down ready to eat.

"If you look over there, the Boa sisters just sat down. I heard their lingerie is doing numbers in sales."

Nami glanced over her shoulder, the three sisters sat there discussing amongst themselves.

"Yeah...they're also my competition, their women empowerment collection is really...up there. I'm all for women empowerment, but I've got to prove myself in these next three months."

"Alright...what's the plan? How do you want this collaboration to go about?" Hiyori asks.

000

At the Mermaid Cafe for Sanji's bachelor bash, Luffy had already gotten himself a few drinks, he was already tipsy like the night he met Nami. There were practically naked girls everywhere in the strip club, some walking around giving out lap dances and others entertaining Sanji since it's his special night. The five guys, Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Sanji, and Jimbe were all having a grand time at the club.

"Oi, Sanji, come over here for a second!" Usopp calls out to his blonde-haired friend who was getting a lap dance from the green-haired woman named Camie.

Sanji tells Camie to take five then walks over to his friends to the booth they sat in. "Man JImbe, I'm so glad you hooked me up with this place."

"Yeah, you're welcome, just don't get too comfortable with these girls, you got a wedding tomorrow," Jimbe warns.

"Yeah, yeah, I won't do anything rash," Sanji reassures.

"Oi, can I get another round over here?" Zoro asks one of the waitresses passing by.

"Zoro, haven't you had enough already? Luffy is a lightweight, he's ready to pass out?" Usopp points his thumb to Luffy who was slouched over the table giggling.

"He'll be fine. I'll take him home. This week's been having him on his toes, he needs a few drinks."

"What's wrong with Luffy-Kun?" Jimbe asks.

Sanji lights a cigarette, "He was fine when he came here, what's wrong?"

"He's been stressing himself out since Monday about this Nami chick," Zoro informs

"Seriously?" Usopp asks in disbelief. Zoro nods.

"Nami Karlsson? The Swedish supermodel whose mother just passed and is now the CEO of Grace By Belle?" Sanji asks in disbelief.

"Plus she's a total bitch." Zoro adds.

Sanji glares at Zoro then looks at Luffy, "what does she have to do with you?"

"She took my *hick* virginity and I gave her my *hick* number to call me, but she never had."

"Luffy-Kun, If she's a CEO now she must be really busy these days. I heard her mother just passed and she's probably still mourning." JImbe consoles Luffy. "What are you looking to get out of her? A relationship?" JImbe asks.

"I mean...yeah, she's pretty cute and *hick* stuff."

"Dude, you're like a bum, no offense. Besides, I saw her with her ex-boyfriend eating brunch at the Baratie earlier this week. They're probably seeing each other again, that's why she hadn't called." Sanji also adds.

"...You guys are right." Luffy sighs to himself.

The waitress that was notified by Zoro earlier comes around with drinks for the table. "This night isn't about me, it's about *hick* Sanji." Luffy raises a glass.

"To Sanji!" Usopp joins.

"To Sanji-Kun!" Jimbe raises his glass. Zoro raises his glass without saying and Sanji raises his own glass.

The five guys all guzzle down their liquor, getting out of the booth to go back to the entertainment. Luffy puts his phone on silent before he slides out of the booth to join his friends and other customers over by the crowd with a woman dancing like a mermaid on the pole. What he didn't know that night was that he received a call from an unknown number.