I'm backk!
Just came back from an exhausting vacation in London with family and friends. While others were chilling in the backyard, I was on a lawn chair typing up this chapter while playing with my cousin's Bichon Frise (which, fyi, are cute but really lazy!)
So here you go sweeties! One scandalous chapter of Envious, Fop? coming right up. And this time, you get to see two familiar faces that you wouldn't expect to be together. :D By the way, get out a translator that translates Russian and French (don't ask; just do it!)
By the way, if you forgot who one of my OCs is (that is mentioned in this chapter), please proceed to reread the Epilogue of Envious, Fräulein?.
~Geneth :P
PS The user whose name I'm using as the OC's name, please, if you don't like what I've done to you, tell me and we'll work something out :D
As Klavier pulled his motorcycle into the parking lot of the Law Office and Crime Lab of Rumiko Rose and Co., he thought he saw a familiar face. Of course, he wasn't absolutely certain if it until he noticed that the hat that the man wore was hovering slightly, as if it had a mind of its own. Klavier peered at the small man with curious eyes. The man, who had boyish features hidden under his hovering hat and dark tinted glasses, was of medium height and was doing his best to avoiding making contact of any kind with any pedestrian on the street. He adjusted his hat, which was hovering higher and higher, until the man's rich brown hair was exposed. He quickly jerked it down before hurrying into the building.
Klavier stifled a gasp. It wouldn't be…It couldn't! What was he doing here in a prosecutor law office area? But…that would mean…But why? Why would she be with him? That defied all the rules and…could they be fired? Was there some kind of rule that prevented them? He pondered this, and found nothing. So why were they hiding then?
After parking and locking up his hog, Klavier walked towards the main building, absently pulling on his sunglasses as he walked. He had rearranged his hair in the parking lot, so now it was back to normal, and he had made sure to dust off his pants and jacket about a million times. Klavier was the type of person who resented lint or dust on his clothing. Every cease in his shirt and pants had to be picture perfect, every thread in place. He could never trust the dry-cleaners anymore, not ever since they ruined his favorite shirt by moving the button over a half inch, so he now had an Electrolux Aqua Samsung Dyson 9000 Twin Magic Washing Machine 403 in his loft. (this is a fake washing machine, for those of you who are sloww! :D i combined all of the famous brands to make one magical one! :P)
Klavier hadn't bothered to disguise himself again as he entered the Law Office. It was perfectly normal for him to visit his cousin's friend and band mate, a top-notch prosecutor who had probably twenty Law Offices and Crime Labs across the country. Rumiko was a lovely girl and, although Ema didn't know this, they had gone on one (or was it two?) date (or was it dates?) to a movie and dinner. Kianna had often paired them off together, but Klavier didn't mind Rumiko. They had agreed to be friends several times, no matter what Kianna had tried to do in the past.
The receptionist looked up from her Sudoku as Klavier approached the desk, and smiled warmly at him. "Good afternoon, Prosecutor Gavin. Are you here to see Prosecutor Rose, too?"
Klavier raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Too? What do you mean too?"
The woman was confused. "Another man went to see her a few minutes ago. He said he was here about Prosecutor Rose's case, and Prosecutor Rose insisted that he be allowed in. When I asked him of his business, he said he was one of the men on the prosecuting team." She looked at her computer screen. "A mister Pollux? Does that ring a bell?"
Pollux? What kind of alias is Pollux?
Klavier decided to play along. "Oh, right! Prosecutor Pollux was assigned to our team from…Greece! Yes, he came from Greece to help us with this case…We need his expertise to really blow this case wide open…" Klavier's voice trailed off, and he flashed a quick smile.
The receptionist smiled back. "Of course. Please, you don't need to go into any detail. Prosecutor Rose insists that this case be kept secret."
Of course, it has to be. This very secret could destroy their careers…I think.
"Shall I announce to Prosecutor Rose of your arrival?" Her fingers lingered on the call button on the desk's call pad, and her other hand held her headset piece, ready for the answer.
"No!" Klavier said, too quickly. When she glared at him, he replied more calmly. "The…prosecutor team is in a phone conference with a witness right now," he explained, "Prosecutor Pollux texted me before telling me to come right up."
"Oh, well of course." The receptionist waved towards the elevators behind her. "Go right on ahead."
Thanking the woman, and suggesting places on her Sudoku for the number five and three, Klavier walked towards the elevators and waited for one to arrive. As he stood, waiting silently, he suddenly remembered that Rumiko and "Pollux" would be notified of any elevator arrivals. Rumiko had downloaded these types of systems for safety precautions, especially since she had received many death threats over the past ten years as a prosecutor who stopped at nothing to send the opposed to jail. Her official office was at the twentieth floor, the top floor of her large complex.
Klavier let out a loud sigh, turned to the receptionist, and asked if she knew where the staircase was.
Fifteen minutes later, with perspiration all over his head and just a small bit of sweat under his arms, Klavier Gavin felt out-of-shape and dead tired. He had stopped at Floor 10 for a break, but the marble steps were uncomfortable and warm, so he had trekked on. Was it going to be worth it? If it wasn't, Klavier promised himself that he would try and at least have the dignity to take the elevator back to the main floor. He'd also have to start installing at least a treadmill in his loft as well…
After wiping himself down with a tissue from the men's room, Klavier slowly crept towards two double doors at the end of a hallway. A golden engraved plate rested on the right door, with Rumiko Rose, Prosecutor of the People, written in fine calligraphy across it. Klavier reached for the doorknob, but heard a faint thump coming from inside. Eyes widening, Klavier grabbed the knobs on both doors, and pushed the doors open. And what he saw nearly made him back out of the room.
Herr Forehead, or Apollo Justice, the defense attorney from the Wright & Co. Talent Agency or whatever it was called, was sprawled on the floor in front of Rumiko's desk, eyes closed as he concentrated on the woman on top of him. Rumiko hadn't changed much since the five months since the party after the Dane Jerus's case. Her hair was longer, and her faint copper highlights were much brighter. Her lips were firmly planted on Apollo's, and they didn't even hear the door open until Apollo opened his eyes and noticed Klavier gaping at them. He gracelessly pushed Rumiko off him, jumping to his feet while stumbling over excuses.
"Prosecutor Gavin its not what it looks like you see I fell and Rumiko I mean Prosecutor Rose was trying to help me up when she noticed I had this spider on my lip and she tried to kill it but her hands were tied up by this piece of duct tape that the mail man put on her and she had to kill it with um her lips because she didn't want to hurt me with her heels and and and…"
"Apollo, honey?" Rumiko said quietly, brushing herself off as she got up. "Shut up please." Apollo muted himself, biting his lip to prevent himself from continuing his blathering. "Thank you. Besides, you knew we couldn't keep it a secret forever." She turned back to Klavier, the corners of her lips twitching into a half smile. "It's finally good to know that at least somebody knows. Even my receptionist downstairs still thinks Apollo is Pollux."
"H-how long has this been going on?" Klavier asked, still trying to erase the mental images of Rumiko and Herr Forehead on the floor. It was a good thing they still had clothing on…
"Since the party," Rumiko admitted sheepishly, "That was like four, five months ago, right?" Apollo nodded in agreement.
"The…the party?" Klavier closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried to think back to that night. Suddenly, he remembered Rumiko and Apollo talking after the whole karaoke drama with Ema. He had been walking with Ema, and he saw her tuck a piece of paper into his vest pocket, and then drive away. "So, you guys met up the next day?"
Herr Forehead chuckled to himself. "We have some self-control, Prosecutor Gavin. I think it was maybe a week or so before we even saw each other again."
"We went to an amusement park, but we bumped into my superior and I had to struggle to explain why I was holding hands with a defense attorney, when I was in the middle of an important case against the very same man." Rumiko shook her head sadly, sitting on the edge of her cherry wood desk.
Apollo put his arm around her awkwardly, and she leaned it silently. "I bumped into Mr. Wright later with Trucy. I had two large cotton candies and a stuffed bear for Rum –I mean Prosecutor Rose– in my hands and a lot of explaining to do to Trucy…I had canceled going with her, and there I was…standing there with cotton candy and a bear at the very place I said no to."
"He had to give her the bear and food and say, 'Surprise!' at the top of his lungs before she let him run off. His excuse was the cutest!" Rumiko grinned while Apollo turned three different shades of red. "He told Trucy that he only came to give her the stuff as a 'Sorry I couldn't come but now I have to go' type of gift."
"Is there even such a thing?" Klavier teased, now relaxed as he realized how he could use this to his complete and utter advantage.
Herr Forehead shrugged. "Who cares? Trucy bought it, Mr. Wright kind of bought it, and we were both safe for then on." His face went grave. "Until now."
"Please, Klavier, you must promise that you will not tell anyone," Rumiko said suddenly, her eyes pleading, "Just think; our bosses would have a field day. Besides, the big Mavery VS State case is next week and we're against each other. Do you think anybody's going to take us seriously?"
"I wasn't going to tell anybody," Klavier replied slowly. The secretive couple sighed with relief, but Klavier wasn't finished yet. "But there is one thing I need some help with, and I was wondering if you could help…?"
Oh mein Gott, did I just blackmail them? Gott, I'm a damn criminal! People have been put in jail for this, and yet those words just slipped out of my mouth! Klavier smiled, but his insides were filled with panic, but then realization. But wait…this is for Ema. Ema's at fault here because she provoked me to do this to Rumiko and Herr Forehead. Yes…that's why…It's not my fault…
Apollo and Rumiko, however, didn't seem to care at this point. "Of course, Klavier," Rumiko said, leaning forward to squeeze his hand. Her naturally tan hand rested on his much darker one, and she gave him a light hug. "What would you like me to help you with?"
"I need some background information on this…man I met. He's very important to…another case that I'm involved in. His name is Natal Ingrid."
Rumiko's brow furrowed. "I'm going to need more than a name, maybe a DNA sample or a fingerprint…"
"Done," Klavier replied, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the receipt and fingerprints he had taken from the restaurant. The paper was a bit crumbled, but in good condition nonetheless.
Herr Forehead took the paper, handed it to Rumiko, and they both examined it carefully. "I'm impressed, Klavier. Usually you don't do the legwork for an investigation." Rumiko and Apollo exchanged knowing smirks.
Klavier rolled his blue eyes. "So, when can you give me some background information on Natal?"
"I'll try and give it to you by…" Rumiko calculated for a moment. "Give me at least until tomorrow afternoon. Apollo and I…Apollo and I have a dinner date." Her cheeks turned pink slightly and, as if in unison, both bowed their heads and looked at their shoes.
"That's fine," Klavier replied, turning to leave. "Thanks, Rumiko." As he left, he heard Apollo and Rumiko talking.
"Well, I've got to head back now, Rumiko. I'll…I'll see you tonight?"
"Absolutely; I wouldn't miss it for the world."
The faint sound of their lips touching caused Klavier to feel nauseated. Why was it that they had a perfect, but secret, relationship while he was having a fake one with Ema? He closed the doors behind him, and then stood by the elevator, urging it on in random languages that came into his mind.
"лифт, почему Вы не будете двигаться быстрее?" Klavier muttered as he hit the button with a bit more force.
"Нетерпеливый, являются нами теперь?" Apollo asked as he approached Klavier in his "disguise" of a coat, hat and sunglasses.
"Herr Forehead, you know Russian?" Klavier looked at the younger man in surprise.
Apollo smiled. "Oui, oui. J'ai pris des leçons françaises avec Kristoph et nous sommes entrés dans la France une fois pour un cas de cour de justice."
Klavier laughed, and the doors to the elevator opened. They both entered the small yet elegant elevator, and Apollo pushed the lobby button. The quiet classical music played in the background and, out of the corner of his eye, Klavier noticed Apollo still struggling with his hat. Sighing, Klavier reached into his pocket and pulled out three hairpins. He used them when his hair was an absolute wreck, but Herr Forehead needed them much more than he did.
After mumbling thanks, Apollo stood in front of the reflective surface of the elevator wall, pinning his hair down on the left, right, and back. Although it was still higher than normal hair should've been, it at least looked like he hadn't just thrown a hat on and had left his hair up like Frankenstein.
"You must really love her," mused Klavier, mostly to himself.
Apollo flushed red, but he nodded seriously. "She's the first serious girl I've met," he confessed shyly. "I'm not very good at relationships…But Rumiko is different. She likes me for me, flaws and all. And…I like her that way as well. She's so much more than a pretty girl."
"What about that other little Fräulein? The one that's always following you around?"
"Trucy?!" Apollo nearly choked on his own saliva, but he recovered by glaring at Klavier. "I…We're…We've never been together. Ever. We're just friends…Acquaintances actually."
"Suit yourself then," Klavier shrugged. "You both make a cute couple…But if you break Rumiko's heart, you're going to have to watch out for Kianna." Apollo gulped loudly.
The elevator stopped at the lobby, and Apollo struck up a fake conversation about the "case" in a hushed, low tone. Klavier reluctantly replied and nodded, when the time was appropriate. He waved to the receptionist, who cheekily waved back. Once they reached outside, Apollo bid Klavier good-bye before briskly walking away, waving his arms frantically for a taxi. Klavier watched him, his words echoing in his head.
"Flaws and all," he said aloud. Why couldn't he accept that maybe Ema didn't accept all of him as well? Hands in his pockets, he walked towards the parking lot. Suddenly, he remembered that he had to invite her to dinner with his family tomorrow. He doubted he could pull it together by then. Maybe the background check on Natal Ingrid would soothe him more. He smiled at the thought, and then went to go make sure no one hurt his hog.
Meanwhile, Rumiko Rose sat in her office, typing away at her computer. Her fingers tapped impatiently on her desk, waiting and waiting. Finally, an Instant Message box popped up.
NIngrid32: how did it go?
thelawoftheroses: ok. i feel bad lying to him though.
NIngrid32: its fine. its all part of the plan, remember?
thelawoftheroses: yes, I remember. he's pretty determined though.
NIngrid32: i just sent you the document. make sure its good.
Rumiko opened her email, clicking on the attachment quickly. The attachment title read out Natal Ingrid Profile (F!). She scanned it, and then typed back.
thelawoftheroses: its really good.
NIngrid32: its what i do best sweetie. eat lunch w/ me and E 2morrow?
thelawoftheroses: sure thing. see you then.
Alas, alas, the plot thickens!
Is Rumiko on the side of good or evil? Why is Natal Ingrid contacting her? What does (F!) mean in the title?! (If you can figure out the third one, you get major kudo points! :D)
Stick around...Because it's about to get real good...
By the way, please don't complain about me pairing off Apollo with an OC instead of Trucy. Trust me; this is going to help in another Envious? story :P
~Geneth
Read, review, repeat...read, review, repeat....