Even as Kazuya woke up the next morning, he could still feel the burn of Anna's drunken kiss tingling on his lips. He could have sworn he even saw her in his dreams last night... what was she doing to him?! Once again she had gotten one over on him, and he was powerless to resist. Kazuya Mishima, the most powerful man in the world... defeated by a piece of eye candy.
LATER AT WORK...
"I'm not letting her into my office...I'm not letting her into my office...I'm not letting her into my office..."
Kazuya muttered it over and over like a record on loop, wondering if it would do any good. Perhaps he could will himself into keeping Anna at bay if he kept repeating the words.
Suddenly he heard it... the click clack of high heels.
"Damn, she's coming. Oh well, the door's locked."
Kazuya closed his eyes and took a deep breath, dreading the impending footsteps growing nearer and nearer. When they finally stopped, he knew she was at his door.
The doorknob jiggled a few times, unable to turn properly. After a few attempts, a knock rang out.
"Yoohoo! You in there, boss?"
Kazuya shut his mouth, not even drawing a breath.
"Hello? Kazuya? You in there?"
A few more knocks.
"I know you're there, Kazuya. You locked it from the inside, didn't you?"
"GO AWAY!" Kazuya finally bellowed. Like it or not, now she knew he was there.
"Now is that any way to treat a girl who showed you a good time last night?"
"I don't know what you mean by that, but I do know that last night you were an annoying, drunken bimbo!" Kazuya replied loudly.
"But you had FUN, didn't you?"
Kazuya sighed and put his hand to his forehead. "Yes... I guess..."
"Heh heh... exactly. You may act all cold and hard, but deep down you know I'm the most fun thing in your life right now."
Kazuya was silent after those words. Honestly, and as much as he hated to admit it... she was right. Going out with her last night was the first diversion from his typical, monotonous routine that he had unfortunately grown so accustomed to. No matter how much he tried to fight it, Anna was starting to claw her way into his cold, black heart.
"Ah, forget this. If you're gonna act this way, I'll just take one of my sick days. Bye!"
"N-no wait...!" Kazuya blurted. But it was too late; Anna had left. And now... he was starting to regret it.
"Dammit...what's...happening to me...?"
Kazuya could feel it: the exact same emotion he felt when he yelled at Anna yesterday and kicked her out of his office. He was feeling "Anna Withdrawal", latent though it was. It only seemed to activate after he convinced himself he didn't want Anna bothering him. It's like his mind was at war with itself; he couldn't decide whether Anna was just a nuisance, or if he actually NEEDED her in his life to take him away from his dark, boring world.
"Ugh, this is ridiculous. I'm Kazuya Mishima, dammit. I don't need anyone in my life. I have all the power in the world... what need do I have for some annoying, flirtatious pair of tits?"
But the more Kazuya tried to convince himself of it... the more ridiculous it sounded. Every human being needed a social life, no matter who they were or what terrifying demon was inside them. Anna served a necessary purpose beyond just being an assistant/bodyguard/assassin; she also served to be the one source of heat in his cold, frigid lifestyle.
Aside from that... it was obvious Anna turned him on. Another thing that he wanted to deny, but failed epically at. Even that one kiss last night sent his trousers ablaze. But was she into HIM...?
"Hmm... I need to talk. I need..."
Kazuya reached over and put his hand on the recording button of his speaker. The whole building could hear him now.
"Bruce Irvin, come to my office. Bruce Irvin, report to the CEO's office on the double."
Kazuya tapped his foot as he anxiously awaited the arrival of his friend and commander of his private unit. Bruce Irvin... a man who had stood with Kazuya through thick and thin. He's been a faithful companion from the time Kazuya rose to power 20 years ago, to the time he returned from the grave. But aside from that... he was just a good friend. He was a great guy just to have a man to man conversation with. Kazuya may take him for granted, but he honestly would be lost without Bruce Irvin at his side.
The doorknob jiggled a few times, followed by a knock.
"Shit, forgot to unlock it..."
Kazuya got up from his desk and approached the door, turned the deadbolt sideways to unlock the door. He grabbed the door and opened it, coming face to face with Bruce himself.
"Wassup?" Bruce asked. He was dressed in his combat uniform, indicating that he was either returning back or he would be heading into the field soon.
"Come in. Sit down."
Bruce scratched his arm nervously. "Uh, this isn't about that screw up in Hamburg is it? Because I did TECHNICALLY complete the mission..."
"No, I don't care about that! Just sit down! I need... to talk. Man to man."
Bruce rubbed his head a little as he sat down. "Umm... okay. Shoot."
Kazuya sat down and put his hand to his chin, leaning against his arm on the desk. He looked at Bruce, eyes focused on his.
"It's about... a certain someone who was recently hired back."
"O...kay? Ummm... who is it?"
"Someone we are both acquainted with. We have a bit of history together..."
"Why you making me play a guessing game, man? Just fuckin say it."
"Anna."
Bruce snapped his finger. "Ahhhh yes! She did come back recently, didn't she? Ah man, the gang's back together. Now we just need Ganryu's fat ass, ha ha!"
"Yes, Anna is back. And...well... she's been spending a LOT of time with me... in my office."
Bruce's eyes widened as a little grin crept on his lips. "Ooooooooh... you hittin that?"
"NO I AM NOT!" Kazuya cried, banging his fist. "But... something weird is happening between us. I... find myself being... drawn to her..."
"Ah I see. You gettin a little crush, eh?"
"She's just... constantly near me! She's always trying to talk to me, invade my personal space, and... well... last night we went out together and she... kissed me."
Bruce gave a little thumbs up. "Hey, that's good man! If you ask me, a little ass on the side would be good for you. You're so uptight lately."
"I'm not talking about having sex with her! I just... well I... do you think she's into me?"
Bruce leaned over a little and propped against the desk, getting close to Kazuya.
"Look, buddy... if there's one thing I know about Anna, it's that she does a really good job of making people fall in love with her. Look, I've been down that road too. We had a little thing back then, and yes I had sex with her. For a little while, I thought she was an angel in a red dress sent just for me. But one day, Anna lost interest in me and moved on. That's when I realized something important... it's not real with her."
Kazuya rubbed his chin a few times. "Not...real?"
"Not. Real. Trust me man, that bitch is not looking for love. She was put on this Earth to have a good time and make people happy, but wake up in the morning a free woman. If she's acting like she's into you right now, it's because you've just caught her attention. She'll have fun with you for a little while, then get bored and move on to the next catch."
Kazuya folded his arms and looked down as he took in everything that Bruce told him. It was a lot to process. But this still didn't answer his question... what should HE do about it?
"So tell me, what do I do? I don't care about how Anna chooses to live her life, I just care about MINE. For better or worse, Anna really... well... I like having her around. Go ahead and call me a sucker if you want, but I can't help it. She's...entertaining."
Bruce snickered a few times before regaining his straight face. "Dude... just dive in then."
Kazuya's eyebrow raised. "What?"
"I mean it, amigo. Just have fun! Just because I told you the truth about Anna doesn't mean you have to stop enjoying her company. While she's into you, go ahead and embrace it. Have the time of your life! Believe me man, and I do speak from experience... she is GOOD."
Kazuya felt a very unfamiliar rush of heat in his face. "B-but... I can't just go and ask her for... I mean... what if I misinterpreted her?"
"Ha ha ha! My man... if she's already talked you into taking her out, then you're already in there. I mean it."
"Hmph... well... I dunno..."
"Just stop trying to fight it, man. If you spend your whole life pushing people away, you're gonna die a miserable, lonely, unfulfilled sack of shit. You gotta get back on the scene, get your confidence back! See if your bits and pieces are still working."
Kazuya facepalmed after hearing that last part. "Okay, I've heard enough. Thank you Bruce."
Bruce stood up from his chair and raised his fist, awaiting a fist bump. Surprisingly, Kazuya returned the favor. With a tiny wave, Bruce walked out of the office and shut the door.
Kazuya was left alone with his thoughts as he put his hands together and pressed his chin against them, his eyes closed and his mind wandering.
"If I do this... what will people think?"
Kazuya had a choice to make: one move would be more fun, but people might talk. The other move would leave him back where he started... waking up in the morning miserable, going to work miserable, and then going to bed at night miserable. There was no denying it... he NEEDED Anna. He needed a beautiful woman in his life to pick him back up, even if it didn't mean anything serious.
"Hmph... fuck what others think. I'm Kazuya Mishima and I do what I WANT!"
With his mind made up, Kazuya decided to spend the rest of his work day planning his approach. He thought of what words to say, what moves to make... and he pondered whether he should stop by a drugstore and pick up a little blue pill.
Next... Kazuya confronts Anna! Who knows what will happen... wink wink.