This chapter is dedicated to my best friend's mom, who has been battling ovarian cancer for the past year.
She just received news today that the cancer cells have been contained and is not found in other parts of her body.
If you too, are struggling with something, big or small, in your life; please tell yourself that everything will be fine and bad days come and go.
Good morning and I hope this chapter makes your day better!
{Chapter Two: An Unwelcome Guest}
The curse of morning light meant that the short rest for Cloud has come to an end. There is quite literally no such thing as 'rest' for a young successor of a huge corporation. Meetings after meetings, Cloud is chasing time like a hamster on a wheel again.
He really wished Genesis stopped making his life a living hell.
"What now?"
The monthly meeting with the finance department has just ended. The EBIT this quarter has been the highest for FMG in the past 5 years; the board of directors are thrilled, the investors are confident, but he know that a large part of the additional revenue was from the crazy sales of Genesis' LOVELESS album. If he could choose, he would rather not depend on the nut job for his success.
Waiting for him outside the meeting room, was the trio that looked like death.
"Boss," Tseng took the lead. "We followed your orders to bring the pianist here. But there was some issues back at Costa Del Sol and the staffs at the bar wouldn't let us take her. We thought it was a small issue, so we got the approval from Reeve to change the plans slightly, and brought her colleagues along. We then tried to make her sign the contract but the group has caused some ruckus at the meeting room on level fifteen."
Reeve was the general manager for the commercial department, which handles the acquiring of new artistes, and the maintenance of existing ones. He was basically the second in command to Cloud in the operations of FMG.
"How many additional people are we talking about here?" Cloud rubbed his temples, an action he has been doing excessively since the Genesis ordeal started.
"Three." Tseng replied, Reno and Rude nodding behind him.
"How is that an issue?" Cloud was slowly losing patience. Why can't he get two days without more problems from this Genesis saga? "Can we not even host four people in this huge building?"
"They insist to speak with the CEO before agreeing to anything."
"What?" The veins on Cloud's forehead throbbed visibly. "Tell them – I do not have the time. Either they sign willingly, or forced. Let them choose."
It is absolutely unheard of to have a CEO to be present for a big corporation to sign a low ranking employee. Cloud took a mental note to visit the HR manager sometime soon.
"And tell Reeve to keep things in control." Cloud sighed. "The concert must go as planned."
"Yes boss." Tseng bowed.
Cloud continues about his day, meeting the composers and the music video editors to check on the progress and motivate them. No one respects a high and mighty management. He then goes back to his office and sign of the piles of files that has accumulated, mainly boring paper works seeking approval of funds for activities or concert locations and dates.
It was almost the end of the day when he finished going through the quarterly reports from all the different departments. Elena, his secretary, knocked on the door to his office.
"Mr. Strife?"
"Come in."
"There is a visitor." She looked up at him; he could tell she was worried about him getting upset. "She has been waiting since morning. Do you wish to meet her?"
"Who is she?"
"She mentioned she is the pianist we brought from Costa Del Sol."
Cloud immediately slumped into his chair. "What does she want?"
"She mentioned she would like to speak with you."
"About what?" Cloud pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I'm sorry sir, she wouldn't say."
Cloud took a deep breath and sat up in his chair. "Bring her to the resting room, I'll be there shortly."
"Yes, Sir."
Cloud shut down his computer, unplugged the adjoined laptop and slid it into his briefcase. He then wore the coat he had hung on the chair previously and prepared his wallet and keys. He planned to leave after speaking with her.
He had no idea what she wanted, a pianist from a small bar in Costa Del Sol. Her life must be miles and miles away from his.
Nevertheless, to the public, he had an image to keep, and so he shall meet her proper.
Elena printed out a copy of the agreement letter prepared by the HR department for the pianist in question and handed the file to Cloud. He sighed and took over the file. Although Cloud is still new as a CEO, he is pretty darn sure that sitting down and talking to a 'freelance pianist' engaged to assist one of their singers is way beneath what he is supposed to do here in FMG. Then again, why has he been doing nothing but babysitting Genesis this entire week?
Cloud thought about looking for a new singer that can overtake Genesis. Though difficult, it's the easiest way out of this hell.
With all these thoughts floating in his head, Cloud slowly opened the door to the resting room. This is a small attached room to his office where he would sometimes meet business partners, or department heads of FMG, usually at a one-on-one setting.
Unlike the usual meeting rooms, the chairs were replaced by leather couches, and the table is but a wooden coffee table with a glass top completed with a 70 inch plasma TV built into the wall, often used for quick reviews of music videos, or just plain recreation. The meeting rooms are usually built with projectors instead.
He flipped the file to look at the agreement briefly;
'Tifa Lockhart'
'23 Years Old'
'Birth City: Nibelheim'
'Last Education: High School'
With that, thinking he had understood most there is to her; he opened the door and greeted her. "Good Evening," He closed the door behind and walked towards her with his hand out for a handshake, "I'm Cloud Strife."
Tifa Lockhart is an attractive woman, even Cloud had to agree. Her dark auburn hair rested lazily on her back and stretched down her waist, and her eyes, a lighter and fiercer shade of red were fixed under a perfectly soft arched brow. She didn't have make up on, yet her skin was flawless and smooth.
She looked at him in the eyes and took a long pause before replying.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Strife," She took his hand shake. "I'm Tifa Lockhart. Sorry to bother you after working hours."
He smiled at her good manners, "No problem at all. Here's my name card and I'm delighted to meet you too."
Her voice was earthy, like a voice you would expect from someone you can trust. Feminine yet strong, Cloud put her under the list of vocalists who are suitable for songs that are emotional and motivational. Always a hit, but unsustainable success; they get boring quickly.
She took his name card and slots it into a side pocket of the brown messenger bag she was carrying. Cloud took note of her action and could tell that she has never been to a formal meeting before. He watched her adjust the small leather jacket she was wearing over a white low-cut cotton shirt to accommodate the strap of the bag. She wore a pair of matching black high-waist jeans and a pair of black ankle boots.
Although nothing expensive, she was dressed well. In the two seconds of studying her actions and demeanor, Cloud understood that she was extremely nervous. Her hands were cold and slightly moist; and even though her grip was good, he could tell she was trembling.
"Please, take a seat." He invited. "I heard from Elena – my secretary, that you have been waiting since morning today?" Must be right after he rejected to meet them.
"Y-yes," She replied, unsure if he was being sarcastic. "I just have a few questions I would like to ask." She sets her bag on the couch beside her.
Cloud sat at the single couch to the right of her and crossed his legs. "Is it about your contract?" He asked, flipping the file Elena prepared for him. He slides the file across the glass surface of the coffee table to set it in front of her, opened at the page of 'terms and conditions'. "I will do my best to answer them, even though I am not entirely sure how HR works." He jokes, trying to lighten the mood.
"No, not about the contract." She closed the file. "I've previously thought of joining FMG myself but was rejected at the auditions."
Then why make a fuss now? Cloud thought silently.
"Not exactly for the same reasons you are thinking," She continued. "But… anyways, I just wanted to ask…"
There was a pregnant pause again, and she looked like she had a gulp of air choked in her throat. "I will be glad to assist Miss Lockhart." He shrugged.
"I-I've read a few articles about you, is it true you were born in Midgar?"
Well, that's a question he didn't see coming. Of course he cannot affirm with his own childhood memories, but he has plenty proof to suggest he was born in Midgar. "Yes, I am."
She looked at him and he could tell she was disappointed by the answer. "What about your eyes? Were they always blue?"
He frowned. What kind of question is this? "Yes, as far as I know, they have always been blue." He laughed.
Her face turned red from possible embarrassment. "What about the army? I heard you joined the army before taking over FMG. Have you always wanted to be part of the army?"
"Well, that's a question many reporters have asked before." He paused to take a sip from the cup of black coffee Elena prepared for him. "Yes, I felt a great sense of pride and loyalty to the safety of the people in Midgar, that's why I joined the army." He paused, "but my true passion has always been to support FMG and develop it to greater heights."
She looked down and there was a silence again. After a moment he watched her gulp down the glass of iced water Elena has brought for her. A whole glass of iced water in mid autumn, when it's already getting cold out? Cloud affirmed that this woman definitely has some issues.
She sets the glass down on the table with a loud thud and almost shouted the final question at him. "Has your name always been Cloud Strife?"
He nearly choked on the coffee himself. "Of course." He furrowed his brows. "Is that all the questions you have, Miss Lockhart?"
There was a brief moment of silence before she stood up abruptly and snatched her bag from the couch. "Why Cloud Strife? Why don't you change your name to Sun Strife, Moon Strife, Rain Strife, Thunder Strife, Wind Strife, whatever Strife? This name doesn't suit you!"
Cloud was so shocked at her sudden outburst that he couldn't even react when she closed the file and shoved it into his arms. She used so much force it moved the couch back with a loud screech. "And no, I am not signing any bloody contracts!"
She stormed to the door and stopped when her hand reached the door handle, "and tell your Genesis to stop coming to my bar or I will seriously punch his face in!"
And the next thing Cloud heard was deafening slam of the door being forced from its hinges and her voice booming from outside. "What a complete waste of time!"
Cloud just sat with the file in his arms and his eyes wide when Elena peered through the open door. "Mr. Strife? Are you okay?"
Despite being young and slim, Cloud has a strong and muscular physique beneath his scholar-like appearance. If he wanted, he could have simply grabbed her wrist and pinned her to the ground. He did take three years of private martial arts classes, and as she brought up, did spend two years in the army.
"Get Reno and Rude." Cloud slammed the file on the table and stood up to adjust his crumpled top. "And dispose this contract."
Meaning he didn't want to see it ever again. "Yes sir." Elena hugged the file and left the room.
Cloud took a deep breath and walked towards his office, where his briefcase, keys and wallet was set previously. He leaned into the chair and took out his phone to check his texts. As usual, he skipped to Aerith's texts first.
'There is a new dress that Elmyra finished last week' 12:07
2 Attachments Received
'Shall we go try it on?' 12:07
'Pleeeeaaaaasssseeeeeeee~~' 12:07
'I want to be the MOST BEAUTIFUL woman on my wedding day' 12:08
'I want to go tomorrow afternoon, if possible!' 12:08
'I'm going for the celebration party with Director Cid & the cast for the new movie tonight' 17:23
'Movie is finally doneeeeeeee!' 17:23
'Love you!' 17:24
Being the successors of two huge corporations, they rarely have the time to meet. Even texts are sent like emails with long pauses in between and hours of waiting for a reply. He closed the chat box and looked at his calendar before replying.
'The dress looks perfect for you.' 19:55
'I can't tomorrow. I will get Reno to accompany you. Please take pictures. I am sure you will look stunning.'19:58
'Love you.' 19:59
Cloud scrolled through the other messages; mostly work related updates which he had seen in his emails. It was another minute before Reno and Rude arrived. The look of dread on their faces shows that Elena has already updated them on the incident just now.
"Evening, boss."
"Do you two have anything to say?"
Reno scratched his head and replied first. "Aye boss, the woman said she needed time to decide so we let her off."
Rude stepped in next, "we thought she went home with the rest. We even got the security guard to escort them out."
Cloud rubbed his nose and folded his arms. "Forget it. The reason I called for you two, is for you to let Genesis know – with or without her, he has to continue with the concert."
"Aye, boss!"
"Tell Tseng and Reeve to make sure everything is done right. I do not want to hear another word about Genesis and such."
"Yes boss!"
"If you have to lock Genesis up to convince him, then do it!"
"Yes boss!"
"Loan some guys from Rufus if you need to!"
"Yes boss!"
There was a short pause and Cloud took the moment to cool off. "And Reno, I need you to meet Aerith at Elmyra's boutique tomorrow. Can you call her PA and arrange please?"
"Yes boss!"
Cloud turned his back to them, he wondered if he had been pushing his mood on them too much. He rubs his temples for what must be the thousandth time this week.
He didn't think he would see her again so soon. But there she was, curled up in a ball on the side of the highway. It should be almost impossible to recognize someone sitting on the ground like this while driving, but he did. And somehow, he was confident it was her.
Cloud thought about leaving her alone as a silent revenge against her unruly attitude to him earlier. But he was a human with conscience, so he only let the thought circle around his head to enjoy a quick imaginative revenge.
He quickly parked his Porsche beside her and opened the door.
"Miss Lockhart?"
She did not respond, but he could see her shoulders flinch slightly when he called. With a sigh, he stepped out of the car and walked towards her. "Miss Lockhart?" He tapped on her shoulder.
"Y… yes?" She looked up at him, her eyes were a little red, perhaps from crying.
"Can I help you?" He asked. "Perhaps send you home?"
"Well, you would have to send me to Costa Del Sol." She sniffed.
"Or a hotel." He grabbed her arms and pulled her up. "Where are your three friends?"
"They went back today." She sighed.
A small droplet of rain fell between them and Cloud pulled her towards the car. "Well it's about to rain and you can't just sit out like that."
She nodded and he opened the door for her, almost shoving her in. The rain was starting to pour when Cloud drove away.
"So maybe you can fill me in while I look for a hotel for you?" He asked, searching for hotels on his GPS.
"I was walking to the train station when I realized I left my phone and wallet in the FMG building." She sighed. "I tried walking back but got kinda lost."
Kinda. He raised his eyebrows; not lost at all, thinking how far the train station is away from the highway, not to mention FMG is in the complete opposite direction. He was almost impressed at how she ended up here.
"I'm really sorry about just now." She whispered.
Cloud just nodded in reply.
"If you don't mind, can you bring me back to FMG first?" She sat up and looked over to him, clasping her hands to her heart. "I really need to get my stuff."
Cloud sighed and look at the time, 21:19. He didn't have anything this evening. "Sure."
The drive back to FMG was quick. He parked his car in the designated spot and tapped his wallet on the security card reader.
"Where did you leave it?" He asked.
She thought for a moment, "Outside your office probably."
He pressed the lift to the highest floor and they stood in silence. Cloud thought about Genesis and how his life would be hell again if he didn't appease to Genesis' needs for the time being until he finds a replacement for him.
"Why don't you take up the offer?" He asked; the building is tall enough for a long conversation. "I believe our HR should have drafted a good proposal."
"I like my freedom" She replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Why don't you tell me," He turned to look at her. "What would be an attractive enough contract?"
Tifa replied without thinking. "It would be expensive."
Not more expensive than Genesis. He cocked his head at her, "I'm pretty rich."
"I don't know…" She sighed after a brief thought. "I just want to stay where I am now, with my friends."
"That's easy." Cloud smiled. "Genesis will just compose music with you at the Costa Del Sol studio."
She fell silent.
Somehow, Cloud knew what would push her over the edge. "I helped you tonight; won't you take this as a favor from me?" He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I can't have Genesis creating more issues now. I promise," he looks over at her, "it'll be 3 months at most." The soft approach; extremely effective to the vagina-bearing community.
"I don't need you to pay me." She took a step forward towards him, "The owner of my bar, he has a daughter, but we barely make enough to send her to a good middle school there in Costa Del Sol…"
"I can send her to the best school here in Midgar; she will graduate high school with no cost to her parents." He offered.
Tifa nodded, deep in thought. "I still have to speak with her father before I can respond."
"Sure," Cloud raised his brows. "I'm sure he will agree. I will send someone down to get his consent."
Tifa found her belongings in the pantry outside the meeting room where she sat and waited all day. Cloud then drove her to a nearby hotel and charged her stay on his card.
He watched as she took the lift to her hotel room, barely anything on her. He doubts the messenger bag would have more than a set of clothes for her to change.
He calls Tseng to make arrangements for her. Tseng would know better than Reno and Rude of what a lady needs.
Friday.
For many, this is a day of anticipation and celebration. For Cloud, this is just another day of work, packed full of meetings.
Around noon, during the lunch appointment with one of the shareholders, Reno called. Cloud excused himself and answered the call.
"Boss?"
"Yes?"
"I've tried looking for Ms. Aerith since mornin' and no one seems to know where she is."
"Have you checked her office?" Cloud tapped his foot against the ground.
"Aye, boss." Reno paused to catch his breath. "I've checked every floor, no one saw Ms. Aerith today, and her PA knows nuthin'."
"How about her apartment?"
"I pressed the doorbell and waited until now but no one is coming out of the apartment at all."
"I'll try calling her."
Cloud hung up and tried calling Aerith, but her phone was off.
'Where are you? Reno's here to pick you up. I'm in a meeting so give him a call when you're off to Elmyra's.' 13:26
He then dropped a text to Reno telling him to go back to work until Aerith calls.
Cloud and Aerith have been dating for the past three years. They first met at an alumni gathering, but they were never truly strangers before then; since everyone knows everyone in the circle of elites. It is just a matter of time they met.
Aerith was the idol of Midgar University, where they both graduated. Despite graduating two years before Cloud, and from totally different majors, the only woman Cloud heard day and night, was Aerith the Angel. She was so beautiful it was rumored that half of the male population confessed to her, yet none was successful.
It was a simple courtship, he asked for her number casually, and expressed his interest right from the start. Cloud did not like to beat around the bush. Frequent texts turned into long late night calls, which turned into numerous dates, which turned into kisses and a budding love.
Tonight, Cloud arrived at his apartment slightly drunk from all the social drinking he had with the stakeholders.
This place; his cold icy castle, located in the center of the most expensive neighborhood, was a gift from the Don in commemoration of his new role as CEO.
His phone has been ringing but he didn't like to talk when he cannot be confident of his pronunciations. He left for it to ring.
A cup of cold water helped him come to his senses a bit more and he looked to his phone to see three miss calls from Aerith.
It was almost four in the morning. He calls back and she answers immediately.
"Sorry I missed your calls."
"…It's okay" She sounds beaten, like she too, had a long day today.
"Where did you go today? Reno said he couldn't find you."
"Were you worried? She asked.
"Of course."
"Then meet me now." She continued.
Cloud frowned. Aerith would never want to meet after midnight. She sleeps early. "Isn't it way past your bed time?"
"Meet me now." She insisted.
"I can't. I'm tired tonight." Cloud replied.
"I want you to meet me now." Her voice was really soft. "I have something to tell you."
"I can meet you tomorrow." He paused, thinking about his plans tomorrow. He was sure he could make time in the afternoon.
"I said now." Her voice was barely there this time.
"You're not like yourself tonight, Aerith." He sighed. "You need to catch up on your sleep."
There was no reply from her, so Cloud continued. "I will come over to your place tomorrow noon, okay? I promise."
There was a long pause before she said anything. "Okay."
"Alright, good night beautiful."
"… Good night."
Cloud hung up the call and wondered if he should have agreed to meet Aerith tonight.
"Please take pictures." - Cloud 2K17
For this chapter, I kept going back and forth on whether I should add their second meeting. Went for it, did my best to make it as good as I can. Tried to cut it down so it wasn't too lengthy, please let me know if it is fine!
I want to add word count at the bottom of each chapter as a control measure to ensure there is enough content and I'm not slacking.
Also, I uploaded this chapter ahead of time because I am almost done writing chapter 3, so you will be getting one more chapter this weekend.
I love all your reviews! It makes me see this story from a different angle. Sometimes I think I am progressing okay, but it may seem too slow. Please let me know your thoughts so I can improve!
My virgin reviews are to: Youngsavage, Sylvia & Lina
Reply to Lina: I hope this chapter shines light on the ship!
Notification gang: youngsavage, hapiflower & Nexxus176
Thank you! You are my motivation!
xoxo, Lacie
Words this chapter without Author's crap: 3973
Worlds total thus far without Author's crap: 6711