Zhu Li brewed the tea with expert fingers her eyes downcast as she whirled around the living room. Varrick lounged on a sofa reading the newspaper and scoffing as he went along.
"Your tea sir." Zhu Li said as she set down the cup next to him. Varrick barely glanced up engrossed in the page in front of him. Zhu Li leaned forward curious to see whatever had caught his attention. He rarely ignored a fresh cup of tea. Varrick noticed her hovering over his shoulder and shifted his paper so that she could see it too.
"It's Javers. He's in the newspaper again." Varrick rolled his eyes as he spoke and Zhu Li nodded along. She had heard many stories about Varrick's rival Javers from the southern water tribe. Apparently, as boys, they had often gotten into fights and the tradition had continued even into adulthood. Zhu Li reached down and picked up the newspaper to see it clearly.
"It says he's a love expert." Zhu Li exclaimed. That didn't exactly seem like a conventional job, and not exactly the type of person who would be Varrick's nemesis.
"More like a moron," Varrick grumbled crossing his arms in front of his chest like a petulant child. Zhu Li hid her grin and turned away as she began setting the newspaper on the ground. Then with a neat swerve she turned back towards the office to organize some forms.
"Wait!" Varrick exclaimed as she began turning to leave. "Don't you want to hear why he sucks?" Zhu Li raised one an eyebrow, Varrick often enjoyed telling stories but she had always suspected that he wouldn't care if she was listening or not.
"Okay," Zhu Li agreed as she walked over to sit next to him. She felt goosebumps prickle along her arms as their legs brushed on the sofa. "What is so wrong with him?"
"Well, apparently he is some kind of relationship genius. People who want to get married all over Republic City will consult with him about if they are a good match. Apparently, he has never been wrong before, every couple that he says are good stay together and everyone that he votes against end up failing." Varrick talked with his hands as he spoke his facial expressions comical.
"And why is this so horrible?" Zhu Li asked laughter creeping into her voice. She was right, this was nothing but a silly feud.
"Because the guys a total jerk!" Varrick exploded throwing his hands into the air. "I just wish that one, just one single couple could prove him wrong. It would ruin his perfect streak. I would pay good money to see that smirk wiped off his smug face."
Varrick gestured down at the newspaper picture. Zhu Li had to agree the guy did look smug, but more so he was handsome. Probably another reason Varrick didn't like him. Zhu Li looked away from the picture and arranged her features in a neutral expression figuring her boss wouldn't appreciate her fawning over his enemies' appearance.
"Well, you could send in some decoys sir." Zhu Li offered the idea creeping in the back of her mind. It was low-handed but she figured after Varrick committed war crimes he wouldn't mind paying two actors to through Javers off.
Varrick sat bolt right at this idea his eyes becoming as large as saucers. Zhu Li watched as the gears in his brain turned. A maniacal light gleamed and a slow smile crept over his face. Leaping up from the sofa and jostling several cushions out of position he thrust his hands into the air.
"That's a great idea!" Varrick boomed clapping his hands together as he began pacing back and forth across the living room. Zhu Li smiled to herself glad that she had thought of it.
"I'm sure you could ask Ginger to be one of the actors." Zhu Li continued feeling that she was on a good idea roll. Varrick paused at this his face becoming exaggeratedly confused. Zhu Li froze as well wondering where she had gone wrong.
"Actors?" Varrick exclaimed whirling around on his heel to give Zhu Li an incredulous look. "Who said anything about actors?"
Zhu Li paused gauging Varrick's face to see if he was pulling her leg. But Varrick wasn't one to mess with her, he was often so straightforward it was rude. And this time wasn't any exception he was genuinely baffled by the thought.
Which meant he had something else in mind entirely. Zhu Li felt her toes tingle as her mind raced through the possibilities. Her favorite part of the job and the reason she had applied in the first place was that she was amazed by his genius. While Zhu Li was methodical and competent Varrick was creative and original together they had made an incredible team. Though she never voiced this opinion.
"Well if you aren't going to hire actors sir what is your plan?" Zhu Li asked trying to keep the anticipation and the hint of annoyance out of her voice. She wasn't usually so slow to the uptake. "I don't think we can just find a couple off the street who would willingly go through a fake marriage.
"Zhu Li, I am offended." Varrick sighed crossed his arms and resting his weight on one leg. "You've worked for me for almost four years now. And you still haven't learned anything?"
Zhu Li slowly rose one cool eyebrow as she kept the rest of her mouth in a thin-lipped line. She didn't appreciate being scolded by her maniacal boss. Instead of answering she faced him and waited for an answer.
"If you want something done, you have to do it yourself!" Varrick boomed throwing his body into motion once more as he paced about the room. Zhu Li felt her stomach drop from under her.
He couldn't possibly mean what she was thinking? No there were so many reasons that could go wrong. Mainly, Javers would see right through Varrick's facade. Varrick might be a genius but he wasn't a mover star. But despite these logical conclusions Zhu Li already knew that she would be spending the next few weeks helping Varrick prepare for this elaborate revenge.
"Get ready to pack your bags Zhu Li!" Varrick continued clapping his hands together commandingly. Zhu Li rose to her feet instantly with her hands folded neatly in front of her. Pack her bags? Where was she going?
"Don't you mean your bags, sir?" Zhu Li questioned wondering why she was so off her game. Usually, Varrick didn't even have to say what he wanted Zhu Li would just know. Luckily, Varrick didn't seem to take note of her funk he was unreasonably patient with her slowness that morning.
"Well yes, mine too." Varrick waved his hand conceding. "But you're coming to of course. I couldn't pull off this scheme without my trusted assistant!" He then gestured his hand out to her and Zhu Li paused awkwardly unsure if she should take it. After a moment's hesitation, Varrick let his arm fall to his side.
"Do you mean that…" Zhu Li began her mouth already turning dry at the thought. "Well, you mean that we're going to…"
"Exactly Zhu Li!" Varrick confirmed brushing past her to walk out of the room and onto some other business. "You and I are going to trick Javers as a couple!"
And with that, he marched out of the room his heavy blue coat swinging out behind him. Zhu Li watched his form fade away and felt her heartbeat speed up to a breakneck pace. Looking around at the walls of the room she felt strangely boxed in and began pacing feverishly.
No no no nonononono. This was very bad. This was very very bad. Zhu Li was a good assistant. She kept her emotions in check and presented a cool exterior while getting each job done efficiently. She couldn't do this. She couldn't pretend to be in love with Varrick for the sake of besting his childhood nemesis. Not to mention the fact that she might no be entirely pretending.
Zhu Li sat heavily down on the sofa letting out a disappointed sigh. She didn't want to think about that. The feeling that had been creeping up within her for the past two years. It made her cheeks pink just thinking about it and her heartbeat quicken to a ridiculous speed.
Instead, Zhu Li focused on what she could control. On the logistics something that made sense and that she could plan out and operate in an organized manner. With a small huff, Zhu Li rose to her feet once more and began packing their bags.