CHAPTER 14

After the night of Shinra's anniversary, reporters and the media had been on high alert about the mysterious singer that collaborated with AVALANCHE. Rufus who had been interviewed only said that he allowed that to happen because he wanted something fresh for his company.

"Heh, I knew it. It was a good idea to invite Tifa to sing along with us. That song just doesn't sound nice when a man sings it," Cid said as he lit up his cigarette. Cloud just smiled a little.

"We all have to thank Vincent about it. Why don't we go and celebrate it tonight?" Zack suggested. The rest of the guys looked at each other before nodding in agreement.

"What! There's a bad news!" Yuffie suddenly barged into their room without knocking. "How many times do I have to tell you to knock before entering? What if I was changing my pants just now?" Zack pretended to be irritated.

Yuffie just ignored him and turned to Cloud and Vincent. She was silent and worry was clearly written on her face. Cloud's eyes narrowed as he rose from his seat. Vincent put down his bass and followed Cloud towards Yuffie.

"What is it?" Vincent asked without delay. Yuffie didn't respond, instead she just held out her hand and gave the newspaper she was holding. Cloud took it and read the front page. It was a tabloid.

His face turned white as sheet. Vincent looked at him in curiosity. What caused him to act like that?

Cloud quickly closed the newspaper and caught his breath. "Shit," he murmured and held his head. The rest of AVALANCHE got the hint that it IS bad. Zack snatched the paper from Cloud and read the headline out loud, "The secret is out."

"The ever eloquent and cold Cloud from AVALANCHE who was known for not making his private life public was seen with a mysterious lady…" Zack stopped reading and his eyes focused on the rest of the news.

Zack looked at the pictures that were printed out on the page. He could tell the lady was Tifa. Although all of the pictures didn't show her face but he knew it was her. Zack raised his eyes to look at the shaken blonde.

Zack passed the paper to Cid who lost his words when he read the news. "This is bad. And I mean damn bad," he said.

"Rufus had already aware of the matter. He wants to see all of you at once," Yuffie sounded scared, for the first time. She knew that Shinra never tolerate romance relationship for the artists that had joined the group less in one year.

"He's waiting in his office right now," Yuffie added. Cloud pulled himself together and tried to act normal. He made his way out of the room into the elevator and headed to Rufus' office.

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"So you've heard?" Rufus stood facing his glass window while backing the AVALANCHE members. Cloud just shifted uncomfortably. "What do you plan to do then? We've already make it clear when we sign the contract 10 months ago," Rufus asked in a serious tone.

Cloud just remained quiet. The rest of AVALANCHE didn't want to interrupt, so they also remained quiet. "I know," Cloud said in a low voice.

Rufus turned and met him in the eyes. "Do you understand what does it mean being in this business?" Rufus asked again. Cloud just looked back at him.

"You know why that "stupid" and "ridiculous" rule was made in our company?" He shot again. Seeing Cloud chose to remain quiet he continued, "You said you have people you want to protect. But your actions said otherwise."

Cloud's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean?" Rufus crossed his arms on his chest and looked at him sharply. "They have already gone to your place."

Upon hearing that, Cloud body moved on automation. "And where do you think you're going?" Rufus asked as if he was expecting Cloud to act that way. "I'm going back. After I make sure everything's okay, I'll come back here," Cloud said.

He was stopped at the door when he almost bumped into Rude and Shion. "Move," he demanded but they didn't move an inch.

"That's exactly what they wanted you to do. They're waiting for you to come and once you set your feet there, your career is over," Rufus said in a threatening manner. Cloud turned to face him.

"I asked you once again. Why do you think we made that rule? Have you ever given it any thought?" Rufus asked. Cloud looked down on Rufus table.

"That stupid rule is what going to protect the people you want to protect. You already know that once you decided to enter this business, you'll have to go through a lot of tough things but you are mentally prepared for it. Unlike you, that girl doesn't know how cruel and brutal this business is. She only knows the things on the surface."

Rufus took the newspaper from his table and made his way to Cloud. "The media won't stop harassing her and her private life whether she likes it or not. It's not her that they want to expose but you. They will not stop at anything to get into your private life."

Cloud raised his eyes and looked at Rufus. "That's why the rule exists. It isn't about controlling your new artist only but to ensure your own future career. You're new in this glamorous world and trust me there are more dirty things than just what you can imagine." Rufus continued.

Cloud thought for a long time and took the newspaper from Shinra. He looked at each of the pictures. There were only 3 pictures; the first one was when they were on the plane to Gold Saucer. The next was the one after he helped her when she met Don Corneo. And the last one was the night when they went to the convenient store. It had to be the picture where he kissed her.

Cloud blew out his breath, giving up. He didn't know what to do. "Fine, have it your way. I'm lost already," he said and went to sit on the couch.

Rufus didn't show any sign of victory but he just acted like it was all business. "First off, is there a way where we can contact her? I need to see her face to face. I'll make someone to get her from your place," Rufus started as he went back to his desk and searched for something.

Cloud thought for a moment, "Reno lives next door." Cloud pulled out his cell phone and dialed Reno's number. Was there really nothing he could do?

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Tifa was on the balcony hanging the clothes when she saw a few vans parked just outside the apartment compound. "That's weird. Those had been there since this morning," she said to herself but she continued her work anyway.

She had finished doing the laundry when the door bell rang. "Yes! I'm coming!" She placed the laundry basket and headed towards the door.

To her surprise, it was Reno. "Cloud's not home," she said. "I know. He asked me to pick you up. Lock the house. We're heading to Shinra's mansion," Reno sounded serious which was very unlikely.

"Look, I'll just make a call to confirm it first okay," Tifa looked at him weirdly. Reno pulled out his cell phone and gave it to Tifa. "He's on the line," he simply said.

Tifa placed the cell phone on her ear and heard Cloud's voice, "Just follow him. I'll explain everything when you reached here." And then he hung up. Why were there a lot of strange things happening today?

"I'll take the house key for a while," Tifa said and went inside to grab the house keys. Once she locked the door, Reno led her to his car which was parked at the alley behind the apartment area. She got in without any question and the car sped off.

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Tifa couldn't believe her eyes or her ears. 'What in the world is going on?' She looked at the newspaper that was handed to her by Rufus. She gulped and calmed herself. She looked at Rufus in a questioning manner.

"I know you're his chaperon when they went to Gold Saucer and you're the singer on our anniversary night," Rufus stated. Tifa just waited for him to continue. "Do you know that it is strictly forbidden in our company to have romantic relationships for the new artist?" He asked.

Tifa nodded weakly. She turned slightly to Cloud who just remained quiet since the beginning. "And this is the reason why," he said as he pointed to the newspaper in her hand. Tifa held the papers tightly in her hand that it made them crumpled.

"I'm not going to make it sound like its okay since it is not. So, you help him choose whether it's his career or you," Rufus said and looked at the two.

Tifa creased her brows, "But we were never in that kind of relationship." Rufus crossed his arms. "But the media thinks so. And we at Shinra Entertainment don't want our investment on these new artists to go down the drain just like that."

Tifa bit her lower lip while thinking, 'Why isn't he talking? Why doesn't he say something?' Tifa looked at Vincent, Cid and then to Zack. They all were so excited when they got the offer from Shinra. And Yuffie finally found what she could do and enjoying her work.

Tifa closed her eyes and rose from her seat. "I'll move out from the apartment."

All eyes were set on her. "That I'm afraid won't change anything. They will still continue to expose your identity," Rufus said back.

"Then, I leave the covering up part for you. I don't care what will you do or how you're gonna do it. You people are good at it don't you?" Tifa asked unable to hide the sarcasm behind her voice. Rufus just laugh half-heartedly.

"It won't do any good if the damage will be done again and again," Rufus replied raising his brow slightly.

Tifa looked at Rufus directly, "I won't contact any of them again. I'll disappear from all of you." Yuffie was about to object but Zack stopped her. It wasn't the right thing to do at the moment.

It was Rufus turn to think for a moment. "Okay then. You really don't care about how we handle things like this?" he asked once again.

"No, and I hope all of you get the best out of everything," she said and headed to the door. Tifa opened it and exited, unsure about her own feelings at the moment.

"Wait! Tifa!" She heard Cloud called her name. She stopped but she didn't turn. "I disagree with your plan," he stated as he stopped behind her. Tifa took long and deep breath to calm herself. It was easy when it was with Rufus but when it came to Cloud, it was damn hard.

"I will move out from that apartment. You just stay there. I can live at the company's apartment," he started. "No, that's your house in the first place. I'm gonna find my own place," Tifa stood by her decision.

"Tifa, this isn't the time to be stubborn. Listen to me," he took a step forward. Tifa turned to face him quickly with a warning glare. Cloud got the hint and stopped his feet from moving.

"Please listen just this once. I know I made a mistake that night. I wasn't clearly thinking and I'm sorry," he said looking apologetic. Tifa suddenly feel her heart broke when she heard that coming out from his mouth. He thought it was a mistake.

"And at the apartment…" he was cut off. "Stop it already. It's just a mistake for you huh?" her voice was low but clear. Cloud looked at the brunette. She didn't raise her head. "Let's make it easy shall we?" she said.

"I'll move out from your apartment as soon as tonight. You can do whatever you want with it. I'm gonna find a place far from here and this thing…" she paused as she took out her cell phone and shoved it to Cloud. "That way we'll really never cross path again."

Without waiting for his response, Tifa turned her heels and walked out of the place as fast as she could. She realized not a single tear fell and she knew that she was going to grow up strong.

A/N – I know I made Tifa sounded bitter at the end..i just can't help it…