Crimson
-Maya Salsa-
- III -
"Colleague"
- III -
'Fucking prick.' The phrase that she had been overusing lately. For the past week, Rivaille had made her entire life a complete hell. Ever since his unforeseen introduction last Monday, his scrutiny had considerably tailed her. His non-stop nagging at how visible her tiny imperfections were,did not, absolutely did not, help better the situation either; which no one dared to bat an eye before he came. It drove her mad at how he could detect such tiniest blemishes; a kill-joy person in her opinion. How the hell was he able to do that anyway? Does he have some kind of detector that exposes the littlest errors? Especially her own wrong doings?
Ackerman this, Ackerman that, he mentioned her surname too much that even herself got so sick of hearing it. That damned substitute was sure a pain in the ass. What bugged her the most was that no one complained or whatsoever. She was sure that she wasn't the only individual that disliked Rivaille, the 'Oh-so-corrective-CEO.' The usual weary expressions on her coworkers faces during the mornings had became much more sour ever since he came. Surely enough, she was certain that she was not the only one against Rivaille's involvement in the corporation.
It must have been karma's way of saying, 'Don't call someone a stranger an asshole... even if he was acting like one.'
Wow.
Surprise, surprise.
"Oi, Ackerman, come to my office, now," speaking of the devil. Rivaille proclaimed, having full notice of her razor sharp glare. He couldn't care less of the kind of looks Mikasa distributed to him. He really doesn't care at all. Besides... other people would also do the same thing after being bossed around.
'Ugh.' In her head, she had already killed him seven times. Hands pushed her weight off her seat as she stood over to Rivaille. 'Great. What the hell does he want now?'
"Quit being slow and head with me there, right now, Ackerman." Diligently, he pushed on. His heels swerved to check the following worker, who had an imprudent scowl upon her face.
'Nothing more exciting,' Rivaille had expected, rolling his eyes at the thought.
Though she knew the cause of his wheeling eyes, she replied with nothing. Tangled eyebrows displayed on her forehead.
The duo had passed into the third hallway, visible cubicles could be seen up ahead; Mikasa at complete awareness that the part was where Sasha and Connie were a part of. Although her friends didn't see her approaching figure behind Rivaille, she observed each one of them. Both had their attentions similarly to the screen, fingers playing vastly on their own keyboards as they concentrated with their work.
As predictable as she could be; Sasha's ears picked up to the tapping sound of the carpet. Her head turned of curiosity, meeting Mikasa's stoic eyes right away. Immediately, her tiresome expression was replaced with beaming. She mouthed something that looked like, 'Hi, Mikasa!'
The oriental lips lifted a bit and gave away a small wave, hoping the vice-CEO wouldn't notice at all. Rivaille saw everything alright, and as a kill-joy as himself, he opened his mouth to stop the nonsense.
His frown deepened as he spoke with clear sternness; his striding motion never stopping."Braus, get back to work. You're not here to slack off just to talk to Ackerman, are you?"
"No, sir! Not at all!" Sasha exclaimed, face turning horrified over Rivaille's soul-tearing stare. Her boyfriend by the side, witnessed all of it. Connie smirked and almost snorted, his reaction didn't go unnoticed to Rivaille as well.
"Springer, wipe that look off your face before I come over there and get rid of it myself."
The lad froze on his spot, turning nervously to look at his superior. "Y—yes, sir!"
Rivaille scoffed at the person behind him."You too, Ackerman. Focus your attention on the hallway. I don't think any of your friends have the looks of distracting you." He venomously snarled, his walking pace getting a bit faster.
'Go to hell,' Mikasa spat in her head, yet she replied with the same cold attitude. "Yes, sir."
8~8~8~8~8
This was getting absolutely ridiculous. Walking back and forth to her little cubicle and back again to Rivaille's office was plain pointless. She would arrive there, and get assigned by him to either stack up the mountains of papers in an orderly fashion, or just stir him up some coffee and she was good to go. He was overdoing his annoyance, though she gets why Rivaille was doing this. He was simply doing this out of revenge, her patience was slowly wearing thin by the pace he was keeping himself at.
She gets it. Sasha stained his suit and Mikasa repaid him with rudeness; which Mikasa rarely did. In this circumstance, her audacity suited the situation. The man had a coarse mouth, and Mikasa only did what she had truly intended because she disliked how Rivaille was acting. He was so blunt and was full of himself, speaking out whatever it was on his mind, whether it was positive or the negativity. He was pretty much straight to the point, which made him hard to be around with.
Sucks how she had the same capability, though she wouldn't say things so directly. She had a controllable mouth and a prime façade, which made an excellent frontage over her hidden emotions. Mikasa had to admit, she had fooled her companions numerous times over the looks that she had given them, because she was just that good. This worked with her friends that were involved half of her life, but yet, Rivaille, can just look over and tell what was really happening under her ever so stoic face. How the...hell?
"Tch, that damned, Zoë, always putting papers so carelessly on my table." Her ears picked up on a muttering Rivaille over at his desk. "Ackerman, get over here and fix them as usual."
She said nothing, only letting her feet sweep soundly on the carpet as she neared the vice-CEO's table.
Rivaille sighed, his back stretching against the spongy-like comfort office seat. "It's not good to use silence as a tool of coverage to hide over your real emotions, Ackerman."
"I don't know what you're talking about, sir." Mikasa shot a reply as she carefully segregated the pieces of documents.
He snorted at her fib. "You're a woman full of lies. Surely enough, that bubble you've got yourself into will explode."
Her head stirred to fire a glare at the man. "Sir, with all due respect, I don't think this topic is suitable with the situation."
"Oh really?" Lips transformed into an amused smirk.
"Yes, really."
"You forgot the sir at the end." He reminded with raised eyebrows.
Her jaw clenched over his intentions. This was literally driving her to the very edge of the cliff. With one more push, she wouldn't have the control anymore. As much as she would want to choke her boss to death, she just couldn't. That would result to loosing her job, which would be a major loss, since the company was paying at an excellent price.
She took a deep breath, hands slamming onto the glass to signify her limitation. Rivaille inwardly smirked at how angered she was. "Is this all, sir?" Mikasa made sure that the word was included in her sentence.
For some reason, his eyes diverted their gaze up above the ceiling, his finger was on his chin, posturing a pending thought, before talking, finally. "Fetch me some coffee, then you're out of here."
'Am I his fucking slave or some—'
"—Fetch? It sounds like you're taking Mikasa's abilities to an advantage."
A chuckling from Mikasa's behind startled the two persons. It didn't a whole while for Rivaille to recognize the sudden visitor. Knowing fully well of where the source of the voice exactly came from, Rivaille snorted. His enthusiasm was then followed up with a sour expression. "You should really learn how to knock, Hanji. That's becoming a horrible habit."
"Oh please, talk about yourself, you hypocrite." Zoe,shot back while shuffling towards the vacant sofa up ahead, alongside Rivaille's davenport.
"Tell me...when was the last time I barged into your room without a spare warning?" Rivaille smartly forewarned.
Howbeit his question, Rivaille's comment reasoned itself as a mere statement instead, leaving the woman deadlock. She thought for a second, attempting to find a reasonable explanation for the man's challenge, although she failed to do so. More ever, Hanji just shrugged when she realized her loss. "Actually, I... don't remember at all!"
He smirked. "My point exactly."
Hearing her superiors talk to each other, she took their distraction as an opportunity to take her leave, no given words were said as she jerked her way out of Rivaille's office. Hanji took full notice of Mikasa's disappearing figure, though she couldn't say the same for her friend. Rivaille's eyes were glued onto his laptop's screen, which she concluded to be loaded with tons of work. Since her partner left without any due plans, the work was basically left on Rivaille. Her friend didn't take any complaint at all, however, she could tell a different story behind his very eyes. They looked even duller than usual, which was simply out of the box. Yes, Rivaille looked uninterested at most cases, but never had she seen him look so worked out. Bags started to form under his eyes,which was so 'un-Rivaille' like. He was so self conscious. What happened now?
Zoe might have realized that she had been over thinking her friend's place, resulting a cut-off with her thinking. If Rivaille wasn't complaining, why would she even mind? Rivaille can handle himself, most definitely. After all, Rivaille was a man great with dealing obstacles by himself; which she had learned through correlating with him.
Her lips then suddenly turned into a wild smirk as her thoughts pivoted to another. Yes, she had noticed the unusual hatred Rivaille was putting out onto a certain individual. A certain oriental that was named as Mikasa Ackerman. His introduction was a big surprise after witnessing a straight on demand for his so called bargain with the girl. It was fondly odd into seeing his friend like this. At the usual times, Rivaille would never really cross the border of associating other individuals in his business life, in exemption of her and Erwin, since the trio had met up long ago before Erwin has established the Recon Megacorp. It made a huge difference to witness Rivaille somewhat get involved with one's self that was also working in the same company. The way he mistreats Mikasa intrigued her so much. It encouraged her curiosity to burst out of the roof. If there was something absolutely going on between the two, she must definitely find out.
"Say, Rivaille, is there some kind of thing going on between you and her?"
The man's eyes stared intently at his laptop screen, fingers typing as he seriously questioned. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Mikasa Ackerman? Oh please, as if you actually don't know what I'm talking about." Hanji wheeled her eyes in obviousness; even sometimes, Rivaille can have a much worse perception than her.
"What about her?" His face didn't move an inch from its position.
She chucked her head sideways, at disbelief of her friend's naïve sense. "You're always up on her business. What's up with that?"
"Tch, nothing."
"Very funny, Rivaille." Her sarcasm wasn't enough to snatch his attention as the lad only made himself concentrate more on his work. She pushed on. "Ever since you came here, you're always hot-headed whenever she's around...Did I miss something?"
At one point, he stopped typing, although his eyes never gazed at her. "I simply don't like her. She's just... rude."
"Like you're not." She scoffed.
This time, he shifted his eyes to look at the laying woman. Her questions, particularly today, had somewhat brought him more annoyance than he was used to. Coldly, he reported, only wishing at the back of his mind for Hanji to lay off. "She is."
"Eh? She's never fond to show any emotions. What makes you think so?"
"Well ,Mrs. Smith, for starters, the look in her eyes is a dead give away."
At his comment, her grin made its way up to her ears, widening at the thought behind her head. "Awe."
He looked even more disgusted with what she had said. "What?"
"Rivaille has a little crush, and her name is Mikas—"
"—Absolutely not. What the fuck is wrong with you?"
" Geez, you're such a potty mouth! Seriously, you `gotta learn how to censor your mouth!"
He laughed in mockery at her request. "After you take lessons of how to knock on the door."
"Fare enough. Although I still don't get the Mikasa part. I doubt that she has done anything that'll upset her superiors."
"Okay, fine." Hands shutting down the screen of his device as he compromised. "If I tell you, will you leave and get out of my office? You're not even here for any important purposes, are you?"
"How smart, you know me so well enough that you can predict my—"
He threw in before she could even cease her opinion. "—Her friend was the shithead who stained my shirt."
Immediately, she jerked herself out of the comforting bench. Wide-eyed at what she had heard. "Sasha Braus?! Are you serious?!"
"Why would I fuck aroun— "
Curious, she cut him off. "—Then why on earth do you hate, Mikasa?"
"After I bitched about my stained shirt, basically, she told me to fuck off. While telling me so, she called me a fucking asshole. Happy? Now lea— "
"—Oh my! BAHAHAHA! Did she actually?! HAHAHAHA! I can't believe it! Rivaille has met his long awaited opponent. And she's his secretary!"
...
"WHAT?!"
Zoe proceeded to laugh hysterically. "That's right. Starting today, she will be your new secretary."
He stiffened at her words. There was no absolute way he'd let her do that. Torturing her was quite enough, and he had actually planned to alter her place with Braus. Why did Hanji have to ruin things? She did more than enough in his previous years in life. "Oh you've `gotta be fucking me right now." His eyes shut intensely.
The woman snickered, "Well, let's just say that both your chemistry has caught my attention."
"No way in hell would I approve—"
"—Uh, actually... Erwin, has made this decision himself, and that's why I'm here to tell you this." She clarified her reason, inwardly laughing as she saw Rivaille's expression wind up into a hysteria.
"WHAT?! Why in the hell would he do that?!"
"Oh...because...some certain woman reported him about your interactions with the employees. Coincidentally, you just happened to bug Mikasa while I was investigating."She proudly announced.
"Tch, can you briefly explain why my fuckery with these shitheads of yours a business to you?"
"Well my friend," feet took herself upon Rivaille's side. "You said it yourself. These employees are indeed mine. I have every right to manipulate them, as long as they are here in the building. Since your presence is a mere substitute for my husband, you have to be all ears to my orders, as I am the president of the Recon company. So basically, you no listen, you no suitable for vice-CEO."
"God fucking dammit." He rolled his eyes in annoyance. " I still have no fucks as to why Ackerman is chosen to be—"
"—Oh come on, Rivaille, I'm doing you a favour here. You like bossing her around, right?"
"Yes, but—"
"—Then there's your answer." He scowled for her interruption.
Antecedently, Hanji's back faced Rivaille's churning stare. Though she felt his look burning through her soul, she did not apprehend looking back.
Rivaille stayed silent, rage burning within the depths of his eyes. Stilled at the uncertainty of what Hanji has delivered.
Mikasa as his secretary? Was she out of her mind? Hanji knew it from the beginning. He hated Mikasa and that's that. What good can it do if Mikasa and him were to work? Together?
He sighed. Riled, he flipped the held papers that were once clutched tightly onto his hand.
'I'm fucked.'
"Curse you, Erwin."
8~8~8~8~8
"Ugh," exasperatedly, she cursed through gritted teeth. This guy was just truly the biggest pain in the ass. Fucking work. Fucking boss. Fucking, Rivaille. Why did he even have to exist? Eren gave her enough hell, why the heck was God letting her take more? Surely enough, she was certain that she did nothing far more worse than what she had actually thought was bad. She was a good girl. Dammit, Rivaille.
Afterwards, as she finished disposing the mess that she had created during her coffee preparations, she strode her way back to the direction she came from. Her right hand slightly twitching as the torrid heat from the cup contacted her bare skin. Damn, how much was she going to endure for this jerk? Seriously?
She was about to take another good step before her senses picked up on something. The something up ahead was rather... someone . Someone whom he chose instead of her. Out of the vastness, her reflexes moved on its own. Mikasa hid her face on the wall corner sided-corridor. Duo-ed orbs scanned on the figure. Of her figure. Oh, that ever so familiar garb finery, and its representing verdant Kanpeidan logo. How the hell could she forget how Eren's replacement looked like?
"A—Annie? What are you doing here?" A shrill panicked voice questioned her. Mikasa could recognize that voice from anywhere. It was Eren's.
By the monotone he was going with, great certainty felt up onto her skin; encouraging Mikasa to stay put in the spot to watch all unravel before her.
Annie's answer was so full of arrogance. " `Just wanted to see you..."
"Why?" Sweat formed in his clenched fists.
"Because I simply missed you."
Shocked glances immediately darted at the scenery. Eren was left wide-eyed at Annie's confession, shooting a warning glare, in blame from all the ruckus she had caused. Although the boy signaled her to follow him for escape, Annie stayed put. The reason why she didn't follow, he did not know why... but Mikasa certainly did.
Their eyes met; a pair gazed with a qualifying fury as the other had a painted mockery behind the crystal teal orbs. It took everything in Annie's might in preventing herself from laughing, or even chuckling. Oh that poor girl. She had to see all of this. How interesting,the sight of ,Mikasa, eavesdropping astonished her. Wow, how obvious can she be? It was crystal clear to her. Mikasa and Eren had broken up.
She couldn't really say her mission was accomplished as Eren himself, barricaded her victory. She would call, and he wouldn't answer, a brief summary of her presence being there. A quite amount of changes altered in only a week, which she then concluded the end of their relationship. Although it did cease to a stop, Eren wasn't approaching as she had apprehended. Was he having second thoughts already? Well if he was, then she would make sure that it won't happen, EVER. Mikasa's eyes were infuriating, challenging her at the greatest. Well... if she wants a show, then she'll gladly give her one.
"Annie, let's go." Eren's rare flatness had made its debut.
"Wait." She called out, smirking as she felt Mikasa's glare trail on her face. "You've got something on your tie."
An eyebrow cocked upperhandedly. "I don't think that's necessary right n—"
His words did not finish as Annie's hand deliberately hauled the tie towards her, silencing him by the touch of another's lips. Before he realized what was going on, Annie's head pulled out, not missing the horrified changes on Mikasa's face. This time, she didn't held back chuckling, confusing ,Eren, to the edge about her ardor. The game has only begun, and fortunately, Annie was taking the lead.
Still shocked, Eren talked, a bewilderment tone overpowering his casual one. "Ann—"
Yet another interruption she had made. "—Why don't I accompany you while I'm still on my break?"
"I— ...You should get going. The lunch break is half an hour from now. I doubt that you have any more than fifteen minutes left on yours."
Annie was in the midst to make her retort, but Reiner covered over her incoming words.
"Hey, Eren!" The lad called out. "Let Annie be, you lucky son of a bitch!"
A whole squad in the cubicles snickered, having a laugh at the ever so humorous, Reiner. Annie,beamed at his friend, Eren ,on the other hand, was a different story. His posture slouched in a disapproving way, lips crooked beneath as he showed off nothing but a frown. Annie threw his patience to the very boundary, and she wasn't even near into trying to better the situation. In fact, she was doing the exact opposite. She was being stubborn as ever.
He sighed, walking over to his space booth, "Alright, fine. You stay here and watch me wor—"
"—Do you know where the bathroom is? I really need to go." She emphasized her need by clutching onto his sleeve.
"Ah. It's right over there," he indicated. "Take a left turn, just go straight until you see another opposite pathways, then take the right hallway."
"Thanks." She stood up, hiding the smug that crept on her face. Mikasa was placed at the direction where her destination was.
Walking past the wall she had witnessed Mikasa masking her presence, Annie's head sided. She wasn't there anymore. How str—
"Annie..."
Her head swerved, following the sound of her name. Just her luck. Instead of her finding the treasure, the prize came to her. "Oh, Mikasa, how are—"
The oriental's eyes burned, engrossing an inferno feeling towards Annie as they exchanged gazes. "—What the hell are you doing here?"
"Sharp-tongued as ever, eh, Mikasa?"
"I don't see what the big deal is."
"Well..." An eyebrow cocked. "Surely, you're making your hatred of my presented existence visible enough for the whole world to see."
"Glad you noticed." Mikasa frowned at the girl's remark.
"I'm guessing it has to do with your single life. " The blonde started off, never wiping the pompous look off her features.
"Excuse me?"
"I don't think I have to repeat that, because I know for sure, that you heard all of it."
Her sided lips twitched as she spoke. "Tell me, Annie... Did you simply come here just to tell me bullshit?"
"What's bullshit about dating your Eren?"
"My Eren? Are you kidding?" Mikasa mockingly laughed.
"Woops, correction. My Eren."
"I don't really give a fuck." Mikasa chuckled. "Can we end this quickly? I have a boss waiting." Hand rose, gesturing the direction of Rivaille's office.
"Right." Eyes rolled. "Mikasa, has to go because she's too scared to admit her defeat." Annie intended to taunt.
Striding feet past the champagne haired, never looking the way Annie's stare had been gawking at. She had to leave before anyone crosses the line. It didn't matter which individual did, but it did matter what the consequences are if something were to happen.
Finally, as a satisfying meter gaped in between, she lurched her eyes, launching her response. "I have no regrets to what happened lately. Actually, instead of insulting you like any other immature bitches would do, I'm here to congratulate you for the awesome challenge. Just watch your back. Because someday, another bitch might come right after your man, and trust me; you're not `gonna like it."
Her exit went smoothly as Annie was at loss of words.
8~8~8~8~8
'Where the heck is she going? The bathroom is at the opposite direction.'
His eyes trailed Annie's taken route, noticing the oddness out of the blue. Without doubt, she was going the wrong way. She asked him not a while ago, Eren didn't think she was that forgetful.
Carefully, he stood from his place, pushing aback his office chair. Damn, Annie. She wasn't supposed to show up...Especially kiss him! She was being stubborn again. He hated that from her. He always did.
At the corner edge of where she had curved her way, his ears perked to voices.
"What's bullshit about dating your Eren?"
What? Your Eren? What did Annie mean?
The other murmured, scoffing. "...My Eren? Are you kidding me?"
Was... was that Mikasa?
...
"I don't really give a fuck. Can we end this quickly? I've got a boss waiting."
Yes, that was definitely her!
...
"...Just watch your back. Maybe someday, another bitch might come after your man, and trust me, you're not `gonna like it."
Her warning froze him like an icicle. What did she mean by that— Oh shit, he had to do something... before they go overboard. Eren deliberately stomped his right foot to skid right at the corner—when an entity collided his strong built chest. Looking down, he gasped at what he saw.
"Mi—Mikasa!"
The said individual didn't move at all. Probably in shock as he was in right now.
Again, with her silence, he desperately called her, ranging his arm at her reach. "Mikasa."
"E—excuse me," she pardoned, achieving to dodge his hold.
"Please! At—at least talk to me!" Slightly, his volume rose a decibel as he pleaded.
At her ex lover's solicit, she spoke,though her stare fixed on the floor. "It'll take more than that to fix what you've broken."
With her last said words, she turned back, never giving Eren, the opportunity to talk to her again.
8~8~8~8~8
"Took you long enough."
A disappointed tone welcomed her entrance. Rivaille had his callous aspect on, his elbow pairing his draggy character on the spot. Her eventful eyes scanned him, cognizing the fact that his face turned out sourer than usual. It really didn't matter, since he ruined the mood even at his usual aura.
"Where the hell is my coffee?" He intervened her from crossing in her mind.
Deep down, she slapped her face. Why the fuck didn't she have his coff—
"Never mind that, Ackerman." He wheeled his orbs.
"If you want, I ca—"
"—Forget it. I have important matters to tell you anyway."
Huh? To tell her?
"What is it, sir?"
"Pack up your things at your current spot, and make sure all of them are neatly placed in a box or something."
Eye squinted suspiciously, "Sir, may I ask... why?"
"As of today, you will be by new secretary."
...
Wait.
WHAT?!
"I beg your pardon, sir?" Mikasa chocked, clearing her throat afterwards. Heart pounding as she anticipated for a response.
"Tch, you heard me." He sneered.
"Wh—"
"—Hanji happened—Actually, this is all his fault. Fuckin' Erwin." Rivaille criticized, eyebrows weaving with each other as his palms planted themselves on the desk. Mikasa's mouth hung open by the revelation. The man noted her astounded fashion with his customary make-up. "I didn't find out until Hanji,came in here awhile ago."
"Oh," was all she got by. Most certainly, this caught her off guard. A picture came into a view not too far ahead. It was her in Rivaille's office, together with himself. This was completely out of the idea. She wasn't fit for the place, why, out of all the people working here, had to be her?Why?
Fate was obviously not rooting for her, because if it did, then she would've been far off from the catastrophe that she was currently in place.
"Tch, seriously. If you make a mess in here, I will make you clean every inch of this filthy place."
She responded by nodding.
8~8~8~8~8
The afternoon passed in the blink of an eye. With her succeeding to transfer all of her things, she hadn't caught up with the passing time. It was until she had gone out from Rivaille's office, and took notice of the empty cubicles. She counted the present persons and it finally clicked. Work has finally ended. Oh thank God. That means she can go home and sleep. After all, she deserved the treat after ensuing the hardships today. Rivaille didn't even lend her a hand, what an asshole. Seriously, how was she going to survive under Rivaille's watch from now on? She couldn't just rely on the CEO's recovery, that would take an absolute amount of time, which was unreliable in her opinion.
She might as well celebrate by coming home right away from her last day of freedom.
Her eyes diverted to the nearby window. The night has just begun, with it's violet umbrage starting to blanket over the soulless sky. It was probably seven already. Knowing ahead of time, she had to hustle up before traffic gets worse, an experience she underwent whenever she would take over extensive pace to take her leave.
Normally, she would be the last one at the office, even meeting the cleaners for her lateness. But not this time. A handful of individuals had to stay for slacking during the morning. Serves them right. Of course, Rivaille, held the responsibility for them staying later than usual. For his ability to sense loosened work, it gave him great advantage to score. If this kept going, the employees would have a much better discipline, thus finishing work with ease. That was one thing she had liked about Rivaille's debut. Actually, it was the only positive thing she found in that asshole's entrance.
Mikasa shook her head. Rivaille didn't deserve to occupy her mind. She let go any of her minded thoughts, clutching on her shoulder bag as she gingerly shut the door. As it clicked, she jumped in place as she came face to face with the subject of her last thought.
"Ackerman."
"Good evening, sir."
"You're taking your leave, I see." He admired Mikasa with her precise scarlet jacket.
"Yes."
"Well then," he headed for the door, replacing Mikasa's standing presence as the girl fronted herself to give him a better access. "Just make sure you come to the right desk tomorrow. I dislike people who come late for work."
"Yes, sir." She responded, already striding away from her boss.
She wondered, how long can she bear with him if he keeps this up?
8~8~8~8~8
He sighed, stretching off his back; a guilty pleasure crawling up his spine as he debates whether he leaves for the night or stay. A part of him just wanted to forget about the files and rest, yet the other conscious just wanted him to stay put and sit. There were still mountains of paperwork to do and ignoring them would worsen the situation. If he leaves, then his body would recharge for tomorrow's stressful day. Mikasa just happened to add to the mix and making his day a lot more sour. Plus, she was going to accompany him until that damned, Erwin, heals. Damn.
"Troublesome," he shook his head at his final decision.
Screw it, he'd rather have work to face tomorrow instead of drowning himself all night. Work should never, ever, EVER, displace his rest. Besides, there wasn't any projects to discuss tomorrow. Not that he know of... Presumably, he scrambled for his bag and jacket. The chilly whirls were going to bite his skin, as winter season neared.
Rivaille drove to his condo, heart pounded slightly by the great relief of not being caught. He didn't bother to follow the road rules and its speed limits. All that mattered was that he could bust in his room and say his goodnight. Rapturing the door as if it was some kind of tough wall, Rivalle kicked off his formal footwear and strode to the neighbouring sofa.
As the cushioned sanity plunged around his laying body, he prepared himself to drift from slumber.
.
.
.
.
.
Eyes considerably expanded as realization sunk.
He knew he forgot something! He needed to scan through a pile of documents as they were going to be handed down to the Garison Enterprise at the earliest that following morning! Ugh. Great, this was such a hassle, being a vice- CEO and all. The sofa swallowed his body, and he pleasured his position.
'This was too good to be true,' his orbs squinched in disappointment.
Still though, he didn't move from his spot. He deserved himself a treat, can't he at least stay from here for an hour or at least half?
No. Of course he couldn't do that. Knowing himself, he would just oversleep. He had never done such absurd thing, neither does he plan on failing on the near future. Hanji would have created infinite jokes if he ever blundered by then. No way would he authorize her to do that. It was enough to let her control his substitution, assigning Mikasa to be his newly secretary.
Dear Lord, that means she has to be there wherever he went. Creepy, yet convenient. Since she's his secretary, he would get more assistance from her, saving himself up some time.
Wait.
Mikasa.
His secretary.
His lips curved up, rejoicing a wonderful solution. He doesn't need to come after those files, Mikasa can get them for himself.
8~8~8~8~8
62 Shinganshina Drive, #6A
5th Avenue , Walmaria southwest
"Get your ass here, now. Those files are important. I need them as soon as possible."
How the hell did he even know her number?!
"God dammit," her teeth crunched, angered at a certain individual.
She doesn't ever know if she was going the right way. Her experience in the south part of the city was too low. Sasha would occasionally drive her whenever she was invited at her place, not really giving her a much electable choice to learn the places. And now, she regretted her ignorance. This was definitely the next thing she should learn.
Her heart fluttered calmly as hope shined from afar. 62 Shinganshina Drive, it was right there. She drew closer to her destination, and it relieved her that she had actually followed the right directions from her GPS.
The only problem was where she was going to park her car. The place was practically packed, both paralleling sides, which lessened the road's wideness. Grunting, she halved her foot's pressure at the gas pedal.
8~8~8~8~8
Finally, with a satisfied look, she displaced herself from the driver's seat, and emerged, not forgetting to grab the files that made her endure all of this.
His condo appeared up ahead. The tallness of the condo emphasized its beautiful phase; with it's futuristic complex, the superstructure stood out from the neighbouring domiciles. She helped herself admire the small store-sized complexes as she walked on ahead. The aroma of a familiar substance however, distracted her sightseeing. A loud interacting crowd didn't help her focus either. At the obviousness, she could tell that she was nearing a bar. Not a good time to be at. Definitely not.
Though she thought she successfully crossed the filthy area, a grip by the sleeve reminded her at the fail. She swerved her head, full of awareness with what's happening. Mikasa apprehended to bump into some kind of drunky,but her hypothesis was proven wrong by the blonde beauty before her.
Awkwardly, the charming woman started, releasing her clutch at Mikasa's jacket. "Erm...W—would you like to try our new drink? It's... free?"
"Uhm, I'm kinda—"
"—Hey, quit slacking and get back to work, Historia—Oh, who's this?" The emerging figure asked, only revealing her freckly face as the light beamed at her features. She appeared to be wearing some kind of apron, and so did the blondie.
Historia, the said person replied, her hand rubbing the back of her head nervously. "I—uh, was just offering this lady here some of our new drink. Boss said he'll give us an extra hundred bucks to our next pay cheque if we emptied the fridge."
"Oh, right! —Miss, come and follow me for some free drinks."
"I'm in a—"
"—Yes, you're in a bar." The girl gave her a false answer.
"No, that's not wh—"
"—A few drinks won't hurt." Historia gave her a sheepish smile. "Please? I'd be the happiest girl in the world if you'd help us."
It was settled by the time she gulped down her first shot.
8~8~8~8~8
"Where the hell is she?!"
His screen was smudged with newly fingerprints as he repeatedly dialed for Mikasa's number. The girl was nowhere to be found. He told her to come here as soon as possible, didn't he?
Grunting, he fumbled to get his keys and jacket, shutting off the door aggressively as he made his exit way out in the cold.
Stomping down at the shoveled-free walkway, he felt the crispy snow dig in the depths of his shoes. Mikasa's presence was suppose to be at his condo to prevent him from stepping outside. With his shoes nearly soaked by the flurries, he cursed under his now visible breath. Mikasa held a missing purpose now that he endured to come out. Useless piece of shit. Weren't his instructions clear enough that even an idiot can understand it?! Fu—
"Raise your glass if you're a heartbroken bitch like me!"
An eerie scream at his left shot through his ears. He shook his head. Young people nowadays... they never learn. Though he knew what the sight is at the other side, his curiosity got him , getting himself to bother looking at the ruckus.
How odd. The bar seemed packed than usual; not that he cared or anything.
His disinterested eyes scanned the crowd, gaze fully stopping as he spotted a wanted individual. Was his eyes just tired that it played games on him? Or was it really Mikasa standing on the table with a paired glass clutched on her hand?
He was going to ignore that fact, but hearing her voice once again, it woken up his senses.
"This... is dedicated to my, Eren~! The bastard who broke my heart~" Mikasa carelessly preached, wobbling herself to steady her stance.
Hands were raised as commanded, accompanied by complicated cheers as the girl giggled with flushed cheeks.
Historia looked over terrified by the sight, her arms shot up in a matter of defense as she soothed Mikasa. "M—miss, please! Be carefu—"
"—Who wants another drink~?" Mikasa wasn't even close to paying attention.
The blonde attempted for the second time. "Miss! You're `gonna hurt yourself if you keep this up!"
Once more, the warned woman ignored her request. At this, Historia pouted, arms crossing over her bust as she huffed her way over to Mikasa. "Geez, why do I end up doing this ever—"
"—Move out of the way," being aggressively pushed, an angered look plastered on her face, swerving to see who did it. Her brows intertwined in utter indignation at the passing man, who closed himself to the one who took the club's attention.
His mouth opened,the frown never leaving its cape at the corners of his mouth. " What . the . hell ... are you doing up there? Get the fuck down. I waited for a fucked up long-ass time for you, Ackerman."
She didn't look back, nor did it seem like she was listening. All she bothered to do was proceed with her act and tilt the fine glass rimmed onto her half-opened mouth. Mikasa even chuckled out a hiccup afterwards.
Rivaille didn't humor her response at all. It only made him grimace even further. Sighing, he flew his arms around her torso, tugging the flare of her ampled waist. As if on cue, Mikasa went with the flow, not minding what he was doing. She swayed her head in enjoyment whilst her abdomen docked on Rivaille's jostle. Rivaille could only sneer his way through out, with an exhausted Mikasa on his shoulders.
Eventually, after scrambling his course back to his place, he managed to ferry Mikasa in the condo, and even installing a cushion for her to rest. Damn, he had underestimated her mass. She looked so much thinner than what she had actually weighed. Definitely fooled him.
His arms then displaced away from Mikasa's head, though stopping mid-way as she mumbled something, slurring her words as she talked sleepily. "Mmm... Oh it's... you..."
Rivaille started, already, his insides raged."Fuck yeah, it's me. You know how—"
"—Why... do you always...nag at...me?"
"Because I c—"
"—You're rude~"
He was about to reply, but then he knew it was useless. It was pointless arguing with a drunk. `Just never works...
"You..." she commenced, nudging his chest playfully. "You're an...asshole, you know that~?"
Rivaille nodded, helping himself to answer. "You don't have to remind me."
"You—you should... really treat your ...employees much nicer, `ya know~"
"And why would I do that?"
"Heh, `cause~ they have feelings too!"
He snorted, humoring her reason. "As if I didn't know that."
She paused, then angled her head slightly to the right. "Rivaille..."
His name sounded odd on her tongue, yet he ignored it. Mikasa was drunk for goodness sake. Who the hell cares if she called him by his first name? The girl wasn't at her right mind.
"Yeah?" He answered, though his gaze appeared on the wall, breathing in the minimum, trying not to inhale the aroma of the liquor.
"It's a nice name~ Rivaille..."
He wasn't looking, but in his head, an image of a smiling Mikasa painted his thoughts. True to his word, she was indeed beaming under his watch.
Mikasa didn't say another word, only choosing to stay silent.
This was an uncomfortable position, Rivaille knew he couldn't endure much longer to that... the disgusting odor the girl was giving off was getting him by the minute. She smelled like plain shit, and he didn't want to be anywhere near that disturbing scent.
"You better not god damn fall asleep, Ackerman. " He said, rising his voice to emphasize his opinion. "Not like this."
After a minute or two, with no spoken words or anything at all, he decided to do something. Slowly, he discarded his supporting arm beneath her head, displacing its spot, putting it back in place at his side; only to be stopped as Mikasa clutched his arm tightly. His other pair gingerly nudged her folded arms, checking if she was awake or not, and to warn her of her hold. With a moving back, and a groan, he frowned some more; the horrible smell getting into his lungs.
"Nnn," she murmured sleepily. "Stop moving."
"I don't give a shit. I'm not going to be your pillow."
Mikasa only smiled, not caring a single thing of his supposedly threat.
"Ugh," Shamelessly, he pulled back his trapped arm a bit harder for the girl to withstand.
"Guys are all the same, eh, Rivaille~?"
Huh? What'd she say?
He blurted, questioning at the randomness. "What the fuck are you talking about?"
She didn't reply, which irritated him. He hated it when people do that. Starting sentences and not bothering to finish them and shit.
"Oi, what did you say?"
"Go away~"
"Ackerman, stop this. Let go."
"..."
His index poked the bridge of her nose. "Don't fucking sleep yet, idiot. You're on m—"
"—`Lemme sleep~" She pouted.
"Tch," orbs narrowing with anger. "I won't shut up until your shithead is off me."
Mikasa could only hiccup in response before shutting her eyes.
"Tch, that's it!"
Without any warning, he pulled back his trapped arm. Not giving a single damn if it disturbed her or not. He scanned the laying girl, her breathing steady even after his movement. Oh thank god. Slowly, bent knees angled and feet planted fairly on the carpet, he actioned a standing position. Before his kneecaps could further the separated the folded skin, strong holds grasped on his right calve. He sensed the touch, his body turning to see what exactly the girl was planning.
Mikasa was grinning as his eyes met her raven pairs. She chuckled, "You thought you got away, didn't you~?"
"Don't play games while you're drunk, Ackerman. `Never a good idea." He sneered, attempting to stand up since Mikasa only held onto a single calve.
"Pfft, well I'm not letting go, boss~" She laughed. Rivaille did not notice the clenching muscles on her arms, as if they were preparing something big.
"God," he muttered, continuing to stand up.
It all happened at the blink of an eye. Him falling was a total unexpected. Rivaille's instincts told him to slam his hands on the floor, so he did... well, not really. Instead of feeling a hard sound of a muffled thump, an earful crying screech was let out. Mikasa shot her head by the impact of Rivaille's hands on her chest, and with him falling by her underestimated vigorous pull, his whole body fell on Mikasa. In the process, the lifted and the collapsed smashed into each other, until total darkness swallowed both of their visions.
Rivaille opened his eyes first, curiosity getting into him as a weird sensation crept up his chin area— No. His mouth area. His focus slowly assembled, and revealed closed eyelids at a very close proximity. Then, he scanned thoroughly, cruising his sight way down to his mouth area. Pressed skin contacted each other— They weren't even his alone. Her lips were nowhere to be found—and so were his. The beating of his usual calm heart rapidly raced as realization sunk.
With contact being felt right on his lips, he knew what was happening.
He...was kissing her.
- Fin -
Crimson
Maya Salsa
- III -
進撃の巨人 © 諫山 創
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for these individuals who took their time & reviewed! They gave me motivation to update, especially on days when I felt bummed w/ certain parts in the chapter. See you guy later (:
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This is the updated version. Revised on April 2015
Word Count: 7, 934