Final Fantasy VII is owned by Squareenix

When Tifa agreed to meet the heir of Shinra Electric Company, she had expected it to be somewhere private given their encounter nature. University library clearly didn't suggest anything on that line. Reno had left her on her own to find his employer. Apparently Rufus was studying under another name as to explain the absence of the Turk. The young Shinra didn't want to deal with unwanted attention, thus Turk's presence would have the opposite effect.

Her heels made a distinct clicking sound, echoing pleasantly throughout the wall. She hated high heels but what choice did she have? Part of mandatory working uniform, she sighed.

Students were curiously looking her way, wondering why a girl who looked younger than them playing dress up like an adult. Tifa was donning a cute white apron, but the mini skirt, heels, and make up gave an instant mature feel, which didn't really go with her age. Her image was fitting of an adolescent who tried to grow up before her time.

The sixteen years old ignored them, keeping her pace steady and holding her head high. Let them gawk she didn't care... But seriously, it was hard for her to miss the snickering that came with a hiss of "slut" from the table ahead. As a result, her pride couldn't help but to give the guy a finger as she passed his table.

While struggling to remain composed, blond hair caught her eyes from afar. At first she had thought he was Cloud. From distance they looked similar with blond hair and blue eyes, before it struck her. Cloud would never be in a suit and his hair would never fell down in neat fashion like that.

The figure moved gracefully, approaching her. And then it became clear that she only indulged herself to obscure Rufus Shinra with Cloud. Both of them were interchangeable, she argued weakly.

He greeted her, "Miss Lockhart, what a nice surprise. I assume Reno has convinced you to come."

"What do you want?" Her voice came louder than she had intended. Tifa quickly covered her mouth.

"You attract quite a lot of attention." His voice was smooth and composed, making him to sound older than he look. "I'm in the middle of something, but I'll be done soon." He mentioned for her to follow him to his table.

Surprise, surprise… Rufus Shinra, a serious student. Tifa eyeing the thick book he was engrossing in. Smiling bitterly, her hand reached for one of the books that stacked neatly on the table. The thick cover was made from leather, looking grand and all.

Tifa had never considered to be a scholar or had anything remotely close to interest on pursuing higher education. However, after seeing how clean and beautiful everything, and the honor that came from being an elite student, she began to feel envy to Rufus and the rest of the students here. They all could enjoy the privilege she had been denied.

Even a clueless girl like her knew that to afford a degree from prestigious university like this cost more than arm and leg. No matter how hard she labor herself, she still wouldn't get anywhere near them. Instinctively she recalled what Reno had told her.

"Money will not solve everything, but it will make your life easier for sure. This is a cruel world after all."

How true. After Nibelheim, everything just wasn't the same. In order to survive, she had to forget her principle, strip away her innocence, and grab every opportunity her way. Even if that opportunity came in the form of Rufus Shinra...

Inside, Tifa was churning. What had she become, a girl without conscience for trading herself with money? As wrong as that sound, she was just another girl who wished to get on with better life. When she no longer feeling lost, she would find her way all right...

"So, make up your mind. Do you want to buy your way out?"

At that moment she had made her decision.

Tifa felt so surreal. Here she was, walking at the campus in the middle of the day with Rufus Shinra. The corridor outside the library was quiet and bright, with high arch and white statues, which reminded her of mausoleum. There was hardly anyone and she started to hate the long-stretched silence she grew conscious of.

"Do you happen to come from Nibelheim?"

Rufus' voice almost made her jump, breaking the quiet air around them.

"Y-yes, how come you know?" Her eyes were wide in surprise.

"Shinra Mansion, Nibelheim. I grew up there before moving here." His smile was cold, as it didn't reach his eyes. "Of course I am familiar with that accent anywhere."

It had been a known fact that the neglected mansion in the outskirt of town used to house Shinra personnel, but to think that Rufus Shinra had had his own share there was another story…

She was caught off guard when she found him looking at her. Suddenly Tifa was aware of the stain on her apron, how dry her lip, and how outrageous her whole appearance must be, feeling cheap compared to his posh existence.

Tifa jerked a bit when his fingers traced her collarbone lightly. There was nothing sexual about it, kind of similar in the manner of a doctor examining his patient. She was contemplating to snap his fingers but Rufus removed them on time.

"That scar on your chest," his clipped voice said promptly, not giving her a chance to protest. "Did you get it recently?"

Unconsciously she ran her fingers on them. Rufus must have seen the scar that time.

Turning away, Tifa brushed fresh tears that began to swell. The memory was still raw. Even the mere mention of it was able to send her into nervous breakdown.

Whose fault do you think that was?! She suddenly wanted to lash out to him so badly.

The two of them fell silent until Tifa felt something soft touching her cheeks, Rufus' handkerchief. She scrunched her nose and took the fabric to dab her damp cheeks.

What a classy guy, Tifa frowned. Even his handkerchief was fancier than anything she owned.

"So where do you want to take me?" she hastily asked, hating to appear wimpy in front of him. "I expect no less than the amount you've given me before."

I'm really cut to be a professional whore! Tifa mentally palmed her face.

"You never cease to amaze me, Miss Lockhart." He stared at her with indifferent expression. "Your father would roll in his grave to witness such uncouth behavior belong to his daughter."

Tifa's face felt hot. She needed to change the topic before she burst again in tears. Her wavering voice betrayed her as she tried to speak confidently.

"So are we going to do this or not?"

In one swift move, he took her chin on his grasp, automatically making her to look up into his eyes. His other hand dug painfully on her shoulder, drawing a whimper from her. He didn't lessen his grip and proceeded to scold her.

"Where does that crude manner from? You're supposed to be a demure girl, ideal to be seen but not to be touched. Isn't that how you've been taught?"

She stopped trying to wriggle free. Memory of his father, blue dress, and starry night floated briefly onto her mind...

The girl averted her eyes in shame. Satisfied to make his point, Rufus released her.

"I want to make a deal," he said briefly.