A Day in the Life
Collection of drabbles.
l l l Part 15 l l l
Reno exited the elevator and walked down the hallway toward the imposing double doors at the end, completely ignoring the woman poised behind the ornate desk nearby. She didn't look up. Without knocking, he entered the room, making sure to close the door behind him.
"Boss," he acknowledged.
Rufus Shinra, seemingly uncaring of the redhead's sudden appearance, spoke firmly into his phone while studying the file on his desk.
"Yes," he replied, "I want that report up here as soon as you get the results."
The blond ended the call and then closed the file. His face was carefully blank.
Finally, he looked up. He took in the sight of the Turk standing in front of his desk, hands swinging back and forth, gaze roving around the dimly lit office—he was almost bouncing.
Shaking his head, Rufus sat back in his chair. "Reno," he pressed.
The Turk's attention quickly corrected itself and he reminded himself that this was an unexpected visit.
"Yo, boss, Tseng said that I had to ask you about the new bird. He won't let me go near her."
"And for good reason, I'm sure," the young president made a show of pulling out Reno's personnel file from the top desk drawer—he kept it close considering not a day went by when he didn't have to consult it.
"Now," he began, "why should I allow you this time?"
Reno was going to argue his case but he could clearly see there was more in his file to counter anything he might suggest. So, instead he rolled his eyes and clenched his fists.
Rufus noted his petulance and ignored it.
"You have broken more equipment," he pointed out as Reno threw up his hands, "more so than any other member of my company," Rufus finished.
Smirking, the redhead pointed at the blond, "But I've never damaged a bird."
Rufus wanted to smack him. Instead, he sighed. Dealing with Reno was as difficult as dealing with a small child, an ungrateful, spoiled little boy who liked to play with expensive toys. Except, Rufus thought wryly, helicopters aren't toys.
"I don't even know why I'm paying you—do you know how much you have cost this company?"
"No, but I'm sure it's worth it," Reno grinned, "Sir."
Rufus had to admit that Reno was invaluable to the future of the company. But he still wasn't going to let him fly.
He looked at Reno's smiling face and idly wondered how the Turk could be so… happy.
Shaking his head as he tucked the file away, Rufus consented, "I'm heading to Junon tomorrow. Tell Tseng you'll be escorting me."
Not one to put a cap on excitement, Reno beamed, "Thanks, boss!" He turned around and left the room, but Rufus could hear him all the way down the hallway, commenting excitedly about "scoring" one over Tseng and that Rude would owe him "big time."
And Rufus was reminded of why he kept the skinny Turk around.
l l l
to be continued.