{You and the President?! LIV!}
Liv cringed at the man's shrill voice on the other side of her cell phone. After she had taken a shower and downed a couple of drinks she finally gathered enough courage to call Rod. She was sure that he would chew her out after the announcement of her and President Shinra.
{You're not getting out of this. What the hell happened?}
"By some freak stroke of luck, my nearly a year old application was perfect for him. His words," Liv replied.
{Holy Shit Liv}
Liv reclined in her bed as she heard the man sigh heavily on the other end of the line. Just like the man she was still stunned at the fact that she was paired with the man and even more stunned that she said yes and accepted the Shinra heir. She admitted to only herself that she was curious about the young man.
{I'm speechless. And you are trying to go through with this? Like…you're gonna give him a chance?}
"I don't have an explicit reason not to besides the fact that we have opposite views," Liv began.
{And the fact that he's your boss too?}
"About that…" Liv trailed off.
{It's just mind-blowing. I bet Chris, Kamala and Cissenei are losing their minds right now,}
"I'm still not really sure I've processed all of this but I'm dealing with it…" Liv sighed softly.
{I bet…but you looked stunning on your…date I assume? When are you two sealing the deal?}
"He's already given me an engagement ring. I'm not sure about—" Liv started
{I need pictures}
"What are you? One of the girls?" Liv laughed.
{He's the richest man in the world so of course, I need to see what ring he gave you.}
"Whatever," Liv laughed as she quickly snapped a photo of her ring and sent it to the man.
"The design and fit is almost too perfect…I'm sure he spoke to Tseng or something," Live began as she looked at the ring.
{It's possible. I still believe that Tseng is a magician or something….holy shit that's beautiful}
Liv silently stared at the ring on her finger, receiving it should have been one of her happiest moments but now the ring on her finger had two meanings – She was to be married to the world's wealthiest man and could have whatever she wanted. In hindsight, she was also marrying her boss, the CEO of the company that she too believed was killing the planet and would possibly end her career as a TURK. She was also aware that once you were a TURK you were always a TURK, but how would that apply to her.
The image that the man had set was one where she was indeed the nickname the people of Midgar had given her "The Green Princess", Cetra Historian, Planetologist and not Donovan the TURK.
Liv sighed heavily, she knew that if she had married anyone else, she wouldn't have to worry about her career that she had built for nearly eight years.
{You ok Liv?}
"Just a little tired," She lied, she didn't want to confide in the man just yet, maybe things would turn out differently.
{Get some rest. We can talk later if you want}
"Yeah…thanks, Rod…you're the best," Liv replied quietly.
{Yeah. I know}
The next morning, Liv managed to avoid the paparazzi that had found her apartment complex and made it into the Shinra Building unseen. She entered the building as Sumire Donovan and not as Donovan of the TURKS.
She wore a soft white lace patchwork that became a solid crème pencil skirt from the waist down, the skirt had a side slit from mid-thigh down and matching white heels. She paired simple diamond earrings with light makeup and red lips. Her hair was curled and pulled into a low ponytail.
Quietly and only to herself, she admitted that she felt vulnerable outside of her suit and It had been some time since she had felt that way. She was already aware there were some Shinra employees that were already informed of her and her status but seemed not to pay any mind, they avoided her.
After yesterday's show and the big reveal everyone's eyes were on her.
Calmly, but quickly she made her way through the lobby and towards the elevators just as she was about to call the elevator someone called out to her.
"Liv"
Liv quickly looked to the person who called her, it was Reeve. She immediately gave the man an apologetic look as he approached her, he looked at her from head to toe before he held out a Styrofoam coffee cup with a small smile.
"Good Morning," Reeve said and called the elevator for her.
"Oh—Good Morning," Liv replied as she took the coffee cup.
Ding!
"After you," Reeve nodded, Liv nodded as well and entered the elevator.
"To the Seventieth floor?" Reeve asked as he pressed the floor he was headed to as well as hers.
"Yes, thank you," Liv replied.
An awkward silence fell between the two as the doors closed and the elevator began its ascent. Liv was thankful that they were the only ones in the elevator, he stood in front of her, his back to her and she stood behind him wanting nothing more than to escape.
"Is it real?" Reeve asked, his back still to her.
"It's…top secret," Liv replied.
"Ah…that's what you meant…." Reeve trailed off. She couldn't see the man's face but she could hear the subtle hurt in his voice.
-Sixty-Fifth Floor-
"This is my stop," Reeve said as he stepped halfway off the elevator and turned to her, his eyes focused solely on her. "Be careful…I'm here for you whenever you need me, it doesn't matter what it is or when,"
"Thank you, Reeve," Liv replied as she watched the man step backward off the elevator. They held each other's gaze until the elevator doors closed. Liv sighed heavily as the elevator continued its ascent to the Seventieth floor.
The pain in her chest was enough to tell her she had gotten too close to the man and conveniently omitted the information about her marriage matchmaking application. She hoped that after nearly a year of waiting that it would be tossed and she would be free of its limitations. She cursed to herself but quickly pulled herself together before she reached the man's office, she had noticed that he hadn't messaged her at all today and was curious to what the man would throw her into.
The elevator doors opened and with a big sigh, Liv began towards the man's office. She entered the larger office and saw that there were photographers snapping photos of the perfectly poised man.
"This way sir, you look perfect,"
Liv quietly entered the office making sure not to draw attention to her.
"Liv,"
Liv immediately turned to Tseng who had been watching the President and the photographers, Liv quietly slinked over to the man.
"A whole photoshoot?" Liv questioned quietly.
"Yes, and you are to be included," Tseng replied.
"Already?" Liv questioned surprised at how quickly the man moved. They were seen together yesterday for the first time, and now photoshoots.
"President's Request," Tseng replied. Liv noticed Tseng's word choice as a request rather than an order.
"Liv," Rufus began a smirk on his lips as he extended a hand to her. Liv smiled as she turned her attention to the man. Tseng slipped the coffee cup from her hands as the man began to approach her.
The photographers, albeit annoyed that the man had ruined their shot, watched as the Shinra heir went over to the svelte woman. He gently embraced her and looked down at her as she looked up at him, a smile still on her lips.
"You look beautiful as usual," Rufus said as his hand hovered over her hip, his fingers barely brushing over the fabric of her skirt.
"Thank you, Rufus," Liv smiled as she leaned into him.
"Everyone, I'm sure you're all aware but my fiancée, Sumire Donovan," Rufus introduced her to the photographers. One of the photographers quickly went over to the couple excited but held back as they quickly caught the silent TURK watching them.
"It's nice to meet you Miss Dono—Mrs. Shinra," the photographer smiled.
"Miss Shinra, but Sumire is fine," Liv replied without missing a beat. "And the pleasure is all mine,"
"I want her to be included in the photoshoot," Rufus began.
"That we can do, sir,"
"Oh, Rufus you—" Liv began as a farce.
"Nonsense," Rufus replied. "I want the world to see you,"
Liv felt a chill shoot down her spine as the words left that man's lips. The way he said it reminded her of his statement about Shinra when he first arrived.
This is a new beginning for Shinra
"And I have a couple of perfect poses for the beautiful couple,"
"Don't tell me you're shy, Liv," Rufus teased.
"Of course not, I just didn't want to steal the light from you Rufus," Liv replied with a smirk. A smirk still on his face he narrowed his eyes at the woman.
"You can try,"
Exhausted from their trek in the perilous lifestream cavern, Reno, Rude and Elena casually sat in their parked helicopter in an attempt to recover from their ordeal.
This one looks like it's heading north as well…" Reno trailed off as he looked at the Mako device in his hands.
"I wonder if it's just a natural phenomenon," Elena commented.
"It's possible the North and South Poles are magnetized," Rude commented.
"So then this could all be for nothing then?" Reno sighed.
"I dunno maybe…but does that mean we need to head North to check it out?" Elena asked.
"I'm sure at some point we'll make our way there but," Reno trailed off.
"We have to head back to Junon and prepare for the President's arrival," Rude added.
"Oh yeah, do you think he's bringing his fiancée?" Elena asked.
"Fiancée?" Reno repeated confused as he looked at Rude, Rude silently adjusted his glasses and crossed his arms in his seat.
"You didn't hear?" Elena peeked from the back of the helicopter and knelt next to Reno as she offered him her cellphone. Reno took the blonde's phone and looked at the article that she had pulled up. It was the announcement of President Shinra's engagement to Sumire Donovan.
"Holy shit, what?" Reno sat up in his seat. "They're engaged?!"
"Two days ago, but they were seen together yesterday," Rude replied.
"The Sumire Donovan has been working with us and you didn't even bother to say anything?" Reno turned to his sunglasses-wearing partner and punched him in the arm. "Huh? Huh?" Reno punched him again.
"I thought you all knew that's why I didn't say anything," Elena replied.
Reno collapsed back into his seat as he gave the woman her phone, and suddenly had a revelation as to why the late President kept an eye on her and why he wouldn't need to observe her and longer.
"I'm a fucking idiot," Reno sighed.
"Veld and Tseng kept her identity hidden well," Rude commented.
"No fucking kidding," Reno scoffed.
There was a short pause between the three TURKS as they recovered and digested the information about their colleague now being engaged to their boss.
"They're cute together," Elena commented quietly. "Unexpected but cute,"
"Let's get back to Junon. I have some questions for our fearless leader," Reno huffed.
"I am finished with the project you've assigned to me sir," Reeve bowed slightly.
"And your expected timeline?" Rufus asked.
"The system has been completed; it's just a matter of design, deployment, and contact," Reeve replied.
"Based on the projection they are headed to Junon…" Rufus trailed off as he looked at the holographic screen in front of him.
"I am not certain it will be ready by then," Reeve replied.
"I'll be lenient with this as we are still learning their projection and of course focusing on other things," Rufus replied.
"Understood," Reeve nodded.
"Get it done and I will keep my part of what we discussed," Rufus replied.
"Of course sir," Reeve bowed and clenched his fists as he tried to control his emotions. Rufus quickly looked the man over before he continued focusing on the information on the screen in front of him.
"Alright, you can leave," Rufus said.
"Sir, if I may, congratulations on your engagement," Reeve began. Rufus' crystal blue eyes focused on the man momentarily before the flicked back to the screen.
"Thank you," he replied simply.
Without another word, Reeve turned and exited the man's office, smugly Rufus ran a hand through his hair and focused back on the work in front of him.
"All of the information that was sent back by Reno and the others is listed here," Tseng began as he pulled up the data they had gathered with others.
"All of these are from the lifestream veins they've located in the area…" Liv trailed off.
"Most notably it seems the direction the veins are flowing towards the north," Tseng pointed at the data on the screen.
"There's only one thing that's north and that's the Northern Crater," Liv replied.
"The Northern Crater…" Tseng trailed off in thought. "Why do you believe it is flowing there?"
"It's just a theory, a theory my mother and I were working on before Veld recruited me," Liv began. "We know that the lifestream heals and nurtures life. The crater is technically considered a wound to the planet,"
"The meteor impact from 200 years ago," Tseng began.
"Yes. It could still…the lifestream could still be trying to heal the wound caused by the impact," Liv added.
"This was the theory your mother was working on?" Tseng questioned.
"Yes, among other things," Liv sighed. "But we haven't been able to prove it,"
"I see…" Tseng trailed off. Liv swept a piece of her bang behind her ear as she looked up at the man.
"Is there something wrong?"
"No," Tseng replied. "Would you like to see the samples as well or the data is sufficient?"
"The data should be fine," Liv replied. Tseng nodded as he took out his cellphone from his breast pocket.
"It seems the other have finally made it to Junon,"
"Oh?" Liv began as another realization had dawned on her, she hadn't seen Reno or Rude for the past three to four days. Their absence reminded her of how quickly things had changed for her. She missed them and knew that it was only a matter of time before she would no longer be on the field.
"Yes. We will meet up with them once we arrive at Junon tomorrow," Tseng began.
"We're going to Junon?" Liv questioned, completely unaware of the planned trip.
"Yes. As a celebratory event and to further the interests of the President," Tseng replied.
"I was unaware," Liv replied as she leaned back in her chair. Tseng sighed softly as he looked down at the woman.
In normal circumstances, he would have already informed her of the upcoming travel but was asked by President Rufus not to mention it to her. He watched as the woman straightened herself, regaining her natural poised self as she pulled out her cellphone.
"I am sure you will find out soon," Tseng commented.
"I'm sure," Liv replied as she stood. "How do you put up with him?"
Tseng stood silently until the woman turned to face him. He knew what she was asking of him and knew she also had no interaction with the man until recently. They were all aware that the man was the sole purpose that the TURKS remained in Shinra but-
"Patience and trust. The President was taught and was I that you never easily trust a man or a woman without loyalty. Once they have proven their loyalty to you only then a sliver of trust is given, it must be earned," Tseng replied.
"I see…" Liv trailed off. "How…do I get him to trust me…I've worked for Shinra for eight years…"
"Patience…and time, Liv," Tseng replied.
Liv made her way to the upper floors of the Shinra building, she entered the larger office and saw that it was empty with no signs of the man. She then used the hidden elevator to reach the seventieth-first floor, the private offices, and the suite of the President. As the elevator doors opened she made her way to the private office of the President and saw Dark Nation perk its head up as she entered.
She knew that the creature followed the man everywhere, so the man was nearby. She slowly entered the office looking for any signs of the man, she spotted the man's signature white coat discarded on the black leather sofa as she entered further she saw Dark Nation's crimson red eyes had focused on her but made no move.
"Dark do you know where Rufus is?" Liv asked. The creature lowered its head and curled back into the loose ball it slept in. She had to admit she was surprised at how quickly the creature recognized her and made no attempts to attack her.
"Thanks for your help, Dark," Liv scoffed.
She continued further into the private offices and rounded a corner and saw the man with a hand buried in his hair while on the phone silently, he stood in front of the large floor to ceiling windows.
"I want everything new and there's no room for half-assing any of this, understood?" Rufus hissed.
Liv stood quietly when suddenly Dark Nation brushed past her, nearly knocking the woman down. Rufus looked over his shoulder at the scene before he turned his attention back to the sight outside of the window. A second later he ended the phone call, he sighed and shoved the phone into his pants pocket, he glanced at Liv.
"I didn't want to believe my father had hired an incompetent secretary," Rufus began.
"What's the problem?" Liv asked. Rufus ran a hand through his hair before he spoke.
"Tomorrow morning, we are leaving for Junon. Be ready to leave," Rufus replied.
"Thank you for the heads up, what's the issue?" Liv asked.
"It doesn't concern you," Rufus replied
"I may not be in uniform but I can still offer my assistance to my boss," Liv replied.
"Is that how you see me?" Rufus asked, catching Liv off guard.
"That's not what I meant, I just—" Liv tried to correct herself.
"Enough," Rufus cut her off as he walked over to her and silently stood in front of her, his crystal blue eyes staring down into her seafoam green ones.
"It's my job to help you succeed," Liv began.
"Outside of your uniform you are Liv Donovan, not Donovan of the TURKS," Rufus began. Liv's brows furrowed for a moment before regaining her coolness.
"It is my job to help you succeed as a TURK, your fiancée and your future wife," Liv replied. Rufus narrowed his eyes as he continued to stare down the woman, Liv held her ground. Rufus was the first to turn away and attempted to walk past her when she caught the cuff of his sleeve stopping him in his tracks.
Dark Nation's head immediately perked up and focused on the two.
"How can you trust me if you don't let me prove myself?" Liv questioned. Rufus suddenly grasped her hand, gripping it tightly but not enough to cause pain.
"Not yet," Rufus replied as he stared back at her, his gaze firm and unwavering.
"When?" Liv asked.
"You're eager…" Rufus scoffed.
"I told you I don't intend to be a trophy wife," Liv shot back.
"We'll see,"