Summer Nights
Disclaimer: I own nothing! Everything belongs to their respective owner which is Square Enix.
It was Monday morning in the city of Midgar. The rush hour was grueling especially in the heat of summer. The trains were packed like a can of sardines and the AC wasn't working well in a particular car. Some people were sweating profusely while the others didn't mind the heat. A man at the age of 27 was checking his phone as he waited for the train to stop at his destination.
His brows were knitted together as he assessed the message he just received from his mechanic. Usually, he would use his car to go to work, however, it broke down during the past weekend. Now, he has no choice but to endure the summer heat in this train car.
His long silver and seemingly silky hair were tied up in a ponytail. He wore a black suit that was tailored to his measurements. A few onlookers stole glances at him and he chose to ignore it. A few young ladies were tittering as they glanced at him. The man couldn't help but glance over behind his sunglasses.
The train came to a stop and the silver-haired man took his leave and exited the station. He walked towards The Shinra Electric Company Headquarters. He took out his ID as he neared the entrance and tapped it on top of the turnstile so that he was granted access. He took a few strides to reach the elevator and waited for it to arrive. While waiting, a younger man approached him and gave him a friendly pat on the back.
"Mornin' Sephiroth, how was your weekend?" The younger man asked. His hair was black and gelled back in varying spikes which reminded Sephiroth of a porcupine.
"Could be better, I took the train here since my car broke down," He replied curtly. "And yours, Zack?"
"It was great! I received a letter from my girlfriend yesterday and she is visiting town tomorrow," Zack replied with a huge smile. The older man couldn't help but be happy for him, after all, Zack was kind of his younger foolish brother in the workplace.
The elevator doors opened and they both got in along with the other staff. The ride was in comfortable silence and the silver-haired man was happy for that. He wasn't one to make small talk. The doors opened and Zack got out first and gave a small wave towards Sephiroth which he returned. He was the last one in the elevator as he reached the highest floor.
The doors opened and he walked towards President Shinra's office. There were two bodyguards placed outside and they gave access to Sephiroth. He walked towards the desk, the chair was facing the window and after a few seconds turned towards Sephiroth. A man with greying blonde hair placed his hands on top of the desk.
"You're probably wondering why I called for you, Sephiroth Hojo," the stern man replied and Sephiroth made a small unnoticeable flinch at his last name.
"I'm retiring soon," The president stated and the younger man was surprised. The president was still healthy and the news of his retirement came unexpectedly. "My son... Rufus would be the one to inherit the company."
"He is young, foolish, but he has his head set right on his shoulders. He is ambitious and he has the company's best intentions in mind," The older stout man carried on.
"I would like for you to oversee what he does once I retire," He glanced up and stared right into Sephiroth's mako-green eyes. "Can you do that for me?"
"Of course, President Shinra," The younger man held his gaze. The president gave a small smile and a nod. He took a cigar from his drawer and lit it. Sephiroth took this as his cue to leave and the president started to smoke. As he was about to leave, the president spoke.
"I thank you for your service, Sephiroth," he said. Sephiroth gave a small nod before retreating from the room. Once he was out, he walked towards the elevator and waited until it arrived.
"So let me get this straight, Rufus Shinra is going to be the new president now?" A redhead asked as he played with a crystal ball. He was seated at one of the leather chairs in an office.
Sephiroth stood in front of the tempered windows with his hands in his pockets. He could see the city from where he was standing.
"That's what the president said," He replied cooly. He turned to look at his colleague and sighed as he strode towards his desk. He sat on his leather swivel chair and glanced towards the other party in the room.
"It would only be logical that passes it down to his son," A man with a growing beard replied.
"Yeah, but Rufus has only been working for what? 2-3 years?" The redhead replied and placed the crystal ball back on its holder. "Honestly, one of us should have gotten that position."
"There's nothing we can do Genesis, that's what the President wants," the other man replied. Genesis gave an exasperated sigh and looked at Sephiroth who seemed to be out of it. He gestured towards their other colleague whilst raising a brow. Well, say something.
"Genesis, Angeal is right, besides we're already in a high position," The silver-haired man replied. Angeal gave a smug smirk at Genesis as the redhead was flabbergasted.
"Well, I'm not for it," Genesis replied as he crossed his arms and Angeal gave him a noogie on the top of his head. They roughhoused, Genesis muttering curses as Angeal refused to let loose on his hold. Sephiroth turned to stare at the windows again and gave a small sigh.
Genesis and Angeal took their turn to leave but not before Genesis could tease him about his position like he always does.
"See ya later, Operations Manager,"
Sephiroth gave a small wave to his closest colleagues.
It was near 10 A.M. and a young woman took her keys from her bag and opened the door. The place was eerily silent and the smell of disinfectants still lingered. She walked towards the staff room and opened her locker. She took her work clothes from her bag and started to change. One she was dressed in her white button-up shirt and black trousers, she stuffed her bag in the locker and went outside.
The bar didn't open until 10:30 A.M. but it still surprises her why the other staffs were always late. She took an apron from one of the racks and wrapped it around her waist. Tying her brunette hair in a high ponytail, she walked towards the kitchen and took a rag and a bottle. After a good twenty minutes of cleaning the tables, bar, and floor. One of her coworkers arrived and rushed into the kitchen after changing into their work clothes.
"Morning Tifa," another one arrived and gave a pat on Tifa's shoulder. "Good work as always,"
"Morning!" She replied, "It would help if you guys arrived earlier though,"
"Good one!" Her coworker replied with a laugh and Tifa sighed. She didn't like to do the cleaning alone but someone has to. She has reported it before to the manager but the manager just told her that he would talk to them. He never did. The pay was okay and the tips were good especially when she starts serving behind the bar. There were a few of Tifa's regulars who would always give her a good tip while a few that didn't leave any. She understood, she's been there when used to be broke.
The cook arrived and helped one of the kitchen staff prepare the ingredients needed. She would help of course but there was little time left before the customers start coming in. The morning shift was pretty mellow, it wasn't as packed as the night shift and people usually came in for lunch or catching up with friends.
It was 11:30 AM and there were a few customers that trickled in. Tifa seated them, took their order and once it was cooked, served it. She always kept a positive vibe around her, especially when serving customers. It made life a little better that way.
The door opened and the bell rung, she turned to the door to greet them and stopped in her tracks. A group of businessmen strode inside and the youngest one was talking to them.
"I have a friend here! She's really cool and she serves the best cocktails!" He said to them and as he turned he saw Tifa staring at them. "There she is!"
Tifa could not believe her eyes. General Sephiroth was in her bar, Ex-General Sephiroth, she reminded herself. She heard about him from her childhood friend Cloud, who left to serve the military when they were teens because he got inspired. She was starstruck and wasn't able to move until the younger man approached him and waved his hand in front of her face.
"Helloooo, earth to Tifa," he teased. She broke out of her trance and looked at the man in front of her. She lightly pushed the man away from her and he gave a small laugh.
"Hey Zack," she replied. "You're not with Cloud today?"
"Nope, he's stuck with mailing duties."
"Hmmm, that's a pity." She said as she led them towards a table. One of them was staring at her and she chose to ignore it. "What can I get for you guys today?" She smiled.
"Are you on the menu?" The redhead gave a sly smirk and a wink. Ugh, one of these people. She thought.
"Actually can you come back later? Zack will call you when we're good to go," the older raven-haired man gave her a reassuring smile in which she returned.
"Gladly," She turned on her heels and walked towards the side of the bar and stood there, glancing at their tables ever so often.
"Zack, you never told us there was a beauty here, had I known I would have frequented this place," Genesis said in a hushed dreamy tone as he glanced at the barkeep. Zack raised a brow at him and glanced at his other colleagues.
"Don't mind him, Zack," Angeal replied as he browsed through the menu. "Anything you want to suggest?"
"Oh yeah! You should try their beef stew! It's delicious," the younger man beamed.
"Beef stew, in the summer? Nooo, thank you," Genesis replied. He browsed the menu as well. When they were satisfied with their choices, they called Tifa over and she quickly walked over. She took their orders and rang it up. After a while, she served it over.
"Would you guys like anything to drink?" She asked. She hasn't heard the ex-general talk yet, and it piqued her curiosity. Did something happen to him at war a few years back?
"I'll have a mojito!" Zack replied and he hungrily wolfed down his meal.
"Gin and tonic," Angeal chimed.
"Bloody Mary," Genesis replied seductively accompanied by a wink. She rolled her eyes at the last one, and she turned to look at the silver-haired man. Their eyes locked briefly and she had to avert her eyes as a small blush crept its way on her cheek.
"Just your finest scotch on the rocks, please," he said in a low voice as he looked at her. Tifa's hands were shaking as she took his order. Her palms were sweaty and her knees felt like jelly. There was nothing wrong with his voice, nope nothing at all. Except for the fact that it made her heart beat rapidly. She excused herself to the comfort room and took deep breaths as she recalled what he sounded like. Getting hot and bothered, she splashed water on face, thankful that she didn't wear wakeup today. His voice was dangerous. Very dangerous.
She left the comfort room after washing her hands and started working on their drinks. She served their drinks and her hand momentarily brushed with his as he tried to take it from her. She almost jumped out of her skin. Tifa was thankful that no one saw her reaction and left immediately to retreat to her regular spot.
"You're such a girl," Genesis teased Zack as he drank his bloody mary.
"Hey! Mojitos are very refreshing, and besides... between you and me, she always gives a little extra. She adds Redbull," He replied in a hushed tone.
"I thought you were with Aerith?" The older raven-haired man asked inquisitively. Zack blushed with a shade of red at his implication.
"You sly dog!" Genesis nudged him and the younger raven-haired man choked on his drink.
"It's nothing like that!" He exclaimed, "We're just really good friends, especially since she's Cloud's best friend. In fact, Aerith is staying with her this week."
"HMMMMM," the redhead mused and broke off into a grin. "My little Zack will have his first threesome,"
"Genesis! I'm telling you to please stop," Zack pleaded, almost dying of embarrassment and for the sake of Tifa as well. Sephiroth observed the scene in front of him and gave a small sigh before asking him to stop as well.
Angeal gave Genesis a stern glare before looking back at where Tifa was standing. He remembered her flinching a while ago when she was handing Sephiroth his drink and couldn't help but smirk. She turned her head to their direction and saw Angeal looking at her and gave a small smile. The older man returned the smile and a small wave.
When they left, Tifa cleaned the table and was surprised to see a huge amount of Gil lying on the table. Businessmen sure have a lot of money on their hands. She thought as she continued to clean the table while pocketing the tips left by the group.
Monday was definitely her favourite day of the week.
