Fall to Pieces
Summary: AU Eighteen-year old Kairi is an heir to her father's company. Will she still be given a chance to live life as a normal teenager or will she give it up for her family and the future? Sora and Kairi
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or the characters in this story, but I do own the storyline.
Chapter Four: Hired
A few weeks have passed by since Kairi and Sora's first meeting, yet the two business partners still need to adjust with one another. It was early in the morning on another hot summer day just after breakfast and the day at Izumi Co. have just started. Kairi is sitting at her desk fidgeting in frustration while completing a few papers that needed to be signed. Sora is sitting down at his desk by the corner, concentrated on his laptop. "Yahoo! High score!" Sora yelled out.
"Excuse me?" Kairi raised her head up. "You're playing online games when there are rough blueprints that need to be checked out?"
"Come on, Kairi. It's ten in the morning. It's too early to be doing work." Sora yawned and sat back on his chair.
"Ugh! I can't take it anymore!" Kairi yelled out and got out of her seat. "You're supposed to be my business partner and all you're doing is playing games?" Kairi walked up to his desk. "I mean look at your place! You got empty cans and paper wrapping everywhere!"
"Hey, I'm sorry if I'm not up to your standards!" Sora got up from his seat as well.
"You mister, you should be sitting down doing some work!"
"Like, I said it's early and it's too boring!"
"Then why did you take the job anyway?" Kairi spat out.
Sora and Kairi kept yelling out at each other for the remainder of the hour. Unfortunate for the employees outside, Kairi's office is not sound proof and some would shake their head due to their growing migraines.
"Those two are at it again?" Hayner sighed. "They really need to stop this or none of us will be able to finish our work." The people around him just agreed and sighed.
Suddenly Kairi's door opened and Sora yelled out, "Well you're too bossy!"
Kairi stepped back from the office, "bossy?" she questioned. "Hello, I am your boss!" and she stormed off slamming the door shut behind her. She rolled her eyes and started mumbling curses under her breath while ignoring the silence and stares around her. After she reached the nearby elevator, everyone just sighed once more.
On the elevator Kairi, continued mumbling to herself, "I can't believe that Sora! The nerve!" The elevator stopped and a man stepped in. As the man was about to choose his floor, Kairi glared at him, "Excuse buddy, but I don't appreciate you choosing a lower floor, when you can clearly see that I planning to go to a higher floor! You are wasting my time here!"
"Sheesh lady, calm down," the guy backed away and left the elevator to give her some space. Kairi was really not in the mood to interact with anyone except the person who resided in the 48th floor.
"FATHER!" Kairi screamed out while exiting the elevator. Everyone who crossed her path just stepped aside to give her room to walk. "Father!" she yelled out while knocking at the door.
Behind the door, President Izumi was startled and even spilled a bit of coffee while trying to take a drink. "What on earth! Shin will you please open the door." Shin nodded and did as he ordered.
"Kairi?" her father raised an eyebrow.
"I can't stand him anymore! He's driving me crazy! He's so rude, arrogant, messy, uncontrollable, -" Kairi is interrupted.
"Kairi, Kairi, calm down. Please take a seat and inhale some oxygen if you still can."
"Not funny, dad." she pouted as she sat down on one of the seats across his desk.
"So who are we talking about here?" her father asked.
"Who are we talking about? Sora! I'm talking about Sora! Why did you hire him?" Kairi whined and she stomped her feet like a child throwing tantrums.
Her father groaned at her immaturity as he placed his elbows on his desk and intertwined his fingers. "Sora? I don't see any problems about him. I mean, he does get his work finished in time."
"It's not his working habits… I. Really. Cannot. Stand HIM!" Kairi got off her seat.
"Kairi please sit back down as act in a professional manner!" Her father chastised her.
Kairi did as he says and sat back down. She sat for a while thinking and pondering. "Dad, what is this really about? Did you hire Sora because I am not capable doing the job on my own?" she frowned.
"You know I believe that you can do the job very well -"
"Or, is he just a replacement for Riku?" Kairi cut him off.
Her father paused for a while at her sudden words. "Kairi," he started. "He is not a replacement for Riku. I do not intend for you to get hurt like that. Sora is really a good guy, with good intentions and he's really fit for the job like you are."
"I understand," As Kairi was about to step out of the office until her father called out.
"Wait, please." Kairi turned around. "I have a deal with you and Sora. Hold on, I'll call him up."
--xx--
Sora was whistling a tune a while walking towards President Izumi's office. He greeted everyone he passed by and unlike Kairi; he looked like he was never involved in an argument that occurred earlier.
"Good morning sir!" Sora greeted Izumi as he entered the office and gave him a salute. Kairi turned around to face him and rolled her eyes while crossing her arms.
"Good morning to you too, Sora. Please sit down." Izumi replied. Sora took the empty seat beside Kairi and gave her a smirk. "Well, Kairi, Sora seems to be in a good mood."
"Yes, I am sir!" Sora replied.
"Suck up," Kairi barked at him.
"Okay, no more, please," Her father can now clearly see the tension between the two. "Hear me out," Sora and Kairi faced him and listened intently. "You were both recently informed that you will take a trip to West Side Destiny for the new buildings that will open up in two weeks. Since you two can't control yourself when the other is around, I want you both to hire your own personal assistants that will aide you."
"Personal assistants?" Kairi asked.
"Yes, assistants. Instead of depending on each other, you will still work together, but instead you will have people who will control, err… help you out."
Sora gave him a puzzled look and just kept staring, "So… when can we start hiring?"
"As soon as possible. I want you two to start advertising and you may hire anyone you wish." Izumi confirmed.
Sora and especially Kairi lightened up at the idea and already started imagining how their perfect assistant will be like.
"Well, you may leave now and continue with your work for the day. It was nice talking to you both." Izumi nodded and Sora and Kairi left.
"Isn't this cool?" Sora asked while walking back to their office. "I mean we get like our own little assistants."
"Yeah, cool…" Kairi replied.
Sora ignored her response and suddenly got an idea; "Hey Kairi, I'm going to hire one of the hottest girls out there!" he sneered and gave her two thumbs up.
"Ugh! You're such a pervert you know that! Unlike your little girly girls, I'll be hiring a smart and attractive guy, who is totally the opposite of you!" she flashed him smile.
Sora, sarcastically, crossed his arms pretending to be hurt. Kairi just rolled her eyes as she opened the door and went up to her desk. Sora stayed outside and started talking to one of the employees. He called out Hayner and asked him who can create flyers so he can advertise the job offer. Kairi on the other hand, didn't need to hire anyone to create the advertisements for her. She sat on her seat and already started writing down what she will include in the flyers.
After an hour, Kairi finished the flyer in the computer and saved it in a disk so she can print out copies in the printing floor downstairs. Walking to the elevator, Hayner informed her that Sora already left the building to start 'advertising.' Kairi gasped. She couldn't believe that Sora is already ahead of her. She knew that this isn't a competition, but just maybe, it should be, just to get back at him.
--xx--
"Fantastic work!" Kairi thanked the crew in the printing room. She took all her papers along with a stapler, a roll of tape and left the building. She went down to the parking lot and got in her car. Kairi decided that the best place to start look for potential employees is downtown Destiny.
Driving around, she decided to go down the business district and parked nearby. She got off her car and began handing out flyers to any guy she found that looked around her age.
Now Hiring!
Are you a male in the age of 18-20 years and looking for a career in the architectural field? Then choose Izumi Cooperation. Wanted position: Personal assistant
Interviews will start tomorrow and come with a résumé and a portfolio. Please contact Kairi Izumi for more information at (335) 563-5245 Ext. 8575.
See you there!
Kairi posted posters everywhere she could and smiled when others accepted her flyer. She even gave some a brief speech on what it's like to be working in her position.
Walking along the busy streets of Destiny, Kairi was satisfied with her day, regardless of what happened earlier. The papers in her hands were almost gone and she only had a few more to hand out and post up. While walking towards a beauty shop, Kairi noticed a familiar face on a poster. "Sora?" she loathed at his photo where he posed his well-known trademark grin with a peace sign and read the poster:
LADIES, LADIES, LADIES!
Izumi Cooperation is now hiring beautiful females around the ages of 18-20 years for the position of a personal assistant. You'll be working for the one and only, Sora Yuki! Remember, this is an architectural field and qualifications are required.
Hope to see you there tomorrow! For more details call (335) 563-SORA Ext. 4545 and ask for Sora.
P.S. Bring a résumé and a portfolio.
Kairi read in disgust, "Ugh, does he really think girls would pick this up and consider this position with that persuasion of his?" Suddenly a few girls came up to the poster shoving Kairi aside.
"Look! Sora Yuki is hiring a personal assistant! He's so dreamy!" a girl sighed and if Kairi hadn't mistaken, her eyes were sparkling.
"I know! He's so gorgeous!" another cried out as she tore the poster down and hugged it.
"Hey back off!" another girl yelled out.
"Oh my, Sora has… fan girls!" Kairi thought to herself as she backed away slowly from the crazy growing crowd of girls.
--xx--
The following day, Kairi arrived extra early to start the day with interviews. She received various phone calls last night telling her that they are interested for the position. As she entered the building she saw Sora who also came early.
"Hey, Kairi!" Sora waved as he saw Kairi enter the elevator.
"Hey," Kairi harshly greeted as she pressed the button for their floor.
Sora walked towards her, "Aww, still mad about yesterday?"
"Whatever," she replied.
Sora looked away from her. He thought that she wouldn't make a big deal out of this. He knew for sure she wasn't having fun like he was with all the teasing. "Hey do you want to hang out sometime?"
"Are you asking me out?" Kairi gave him a grin, which unfortunately turned into a cold face. "I'm already with you all day."
Sora tried to hide his frown, "Harsh aren't you? I'm just trying to make up for how I treated you."
"Just don't annoy me." she talked back.
"So I'll take that as a yes?" Sora smiled.
Kairi just looked at him with no expression and shrugged as got off the elevator. Sora walked behind her with a smirk. That smirk soon faded as they walked closer to their office. There was a long line of guys and girls waiting by their office.
"Hayner, what is the meaning of this?" Kairi asked him in shock.
"Uh, Kairi, don't you remember that you were hiring and the interview starts today?" Hayner questioned.
"Well there are so much of them!" Sora pointed. As soon as Sora spoke, the girls turned and started crowding around him.
"Sora pick me, pick me!" one called out.
"No, Sora, choose me!" one countered.
"Sora! Sora! Sora! Sora! Marry me!"
"Sora!" they kept yelling.
Kairi became irritated and formed fists in her hands, "Ladies! Calm yourselves!" she yelled.
Sora and Hayner just stepped back. "Ugh, who are you to tell us that?" one girl protested while clinging onto Sora's arm. "Who are you? His girlfriend?"
"GIRLFRIEND!!!" Kairi raised her voice, but decided to stop before she started a commotion. "Okay," she breathed out, "Sora, please lead these ladies to a different office. We cannot have the interviews in the same room."
Sora afraid, just nodded in agreement and Hayner showed Sora an empty office that he can use for the interviews. Kairi sighed as she went through the line of guys and entered her office. When she sat down she started calling out names and the interviews began.
Meanwhile on the other side of the floor, Sora started his interviews as well. He spoke out and asked, "So, what makes you qualified for this job?"
A girl sitting across from him answered while blinking her eyes teasingly, "Well…Sora, I am a beautiful woman and you said you were hiring beautiful females. Choose me and not those other girls back there." she smiled as she started stroking his hand.
"Ugh!" Sora gulped. "Is she seducing her way into a job? Yikes! I didn't think these girls were this desperate," he thought.
She smiled at him and was about to touch his cheek, until Sora stopped her hand. "Um…uhh…thank you." he forced a cracked smile. "NEXT!"
Another girl entered and Sora asked the same question. The girl replied. "Well I am a girl Sora." she smiled.
"Oh geez…" Sora put his head down. "NEXT!"
"You're so hot!" a girl squealed.
"NEXT!"
A girl just sat there and started at him. Sora gave her a nod for her to begin talking, "…Hi Sora." She waved with a dreamy expression.
"NEXT!"
"Marry me, Sora!" a girl begged in her knees.
"PLEASE…NEXT!"
Sora sighed in frustration. All these girls only cared about his looks and not the job. Well he knew he was to blame for putting up that information in his posters. He flipped over the pile of résumés on his desk and picked one up. "Naminé, huh?" He read the résumé and called out for the next female in line.
"Are you, Naminé?" he asked the girl that just entered. Naminé nodded. She had light blonde hair and she left it down, with a few bangs hanging in front of her face. She wore a simple white summer dress and walked towards the chair that that Sora pointed to, clinging onto her bag and portfolio.
"Wow, she's the first girl that actually brought a portfolio and didn't attack me. Plus, she's cute too." Sora thought and smiled at her.
"So, Naminé, please tell me a bit about yourself," Sora began.
"Well, I'm 18 and a high school student who just graduated recently. Also I've read in the previous Izumi Co. brochures that your company hires young students as apprentices." she replied back softly. "I'm planning to pursue a career in this area and I was hoping that this summer job will help me out with tuition for university."
"Hmm, good, good," Sora nodded. "So can you show me some of your work?"
Naminé nodded and placed her portfolio on his desk and showed him the first page. Sora kept flipping through the pages in awe. "This girl's got skills! Her drawings are too exceptional." Sora thought and smiled. Sora asked her a few more questions after viewing her portfolio.
"Naminé, you are hired! Be sure to come tomorrow at nine for your orientation." Sora smiled as he took out his hand.
"Really sir?" Naminé accepted his handshake.
"Yup!" Sora grinned. "See you tomorrow. Also before you leave, give this note to a guy named Hayner, confirming your employment. And just call me, Sora."
"Oh, thank you so much. Thank you, sir, I mean, Sora." Naminé gave him a smile and waved as she left the office.
"Hmm… I wonder who Kairi hired. He better not be handsome like me." Sora grinned.
--xx--
Naminé walked hastily to the front desk. It was the next day and she was so excited. She was starting her very first job today. She asked the woman in the front desk for a visitor card. Sora told her that the visitor card was only temporary until she got her own ID. She thanked the lady and left to the elevators.
While waiting, she noticed a tall guy who just came and also waited. Naminé couldn't help but steal glances from him. He has dirty blonde-spiky hair that just fell perfectly into place. He was wearing a casual suit that guys like Sora wear to work. The most captivating thing about him was his ocean blue eyes. (A/N: ahh yesh, the over-used 'blue' eyes.) The guy noticed that Naminé was staring and gave her a small smile. Naminé quickly faced the other way and blushed deeply. She finally got on the elevator, reached her floor and left the elevator in relief, but the guy was walking behind her.
Naminé reached an office that she would soon find out, an office that Sora shared with Kairi. She knocked a few times and Kairi opened the door with a confused face but soon saw the guy behind Naminé. "Hey, Roxas!" Roxas waved back.
"Hey, Naminé!" Sora walked up to the door. He playfully placed an arm around Naminé's shoulder. "Hey Kairi, this is Naminé, the girl I hired yesterday." he grinned and winked at her.
Kairi just rolled her eyes as she took Roxas' arm and held on tightly, "This is Roxas." she smiled back at Sora.
Roxas and Naminé just stood there dumbfounded. They didn't understand what was happening and just followed along. Sora and Kairi told them where their desks will be and they sat down quietly. In a corner, Kairi and Sora started debating that their assistant is way better than the other. Roxas and Naminé overheard and just sighed.
A/N: That was chapter four! I made it extra long than usual because there was just so much to talk about and I really wanted to introduce and include Roxas and Naminé in the story. Hope you enjoyed!