Chapter Five:

Mystery Man

She took her seat in front of the dresser, and she stared at her bare face. This is her, the real her… without the layers of make-up caked up in her face to "enhance" her beauty. She crossed her arms on the surface of the mahogany table and laid her head on them, not taking her eyes off her reflection. The morning was moving on so slow, and she was fine by it. She liked it. The sunlight streamed in from her open windows. Dressed in a loose shirt and cotton flannel shorts, Tifa smiled at herself as she stood up to make herself a cup of coffee.

Rufus had called her an hour ago to remind her that she was free for the day, but would be attending a gala in the evening. Lazard would come later in the afternoon to style her and Tifa was fine with the arrangement.

She stretched her arms and sighed happily, "Good morning Tifa!" she told herself as she poured the coffee in her favorite mug. She settled herself in her patio, with her cup of coffee and a paperback novel in hand.

She opened the novel, and started to read. Tifa must have been too immersed in the novel's story that she had not heard her cell phone ring, but the phone's insistent ringing got its way and she answered.

"Good morning Genesis!" she said with a smile, she wished that he could see it, and wondered if he was smiling too…

"Hello my love." He murmured, his voice was husky and soft. "How are you?"

Her heart started to beat faster, "I miss you, but I'm okay, I have the whole morning all to myself today! And you? How are you? Do you miss me?"

Genesis chuckled, "That's why I'm calling you, my love. My heart's aching because it misses you! What are you doing?"

"Aww," she cooed then laughed at herself, "I was just reading a book and having coffee in my sunny patio… clearly enjoying my morning off." She giggled.

"I'm glad you're enjoying your morning off," he said, his tone soothing, "Listen, I'm about to go to sleep here, my show in Paris is done and the crowd was amazing, they were looking for you when I was singing our song, even!"

That made her smile. "I wish I was there to witness that. You should sleep."

"But I don't want to yet. I miss you… and your voice… everything about you."

She bit her lip, "I miss everything about you too, Gene."

"Then fly over here and stay with me!" he teased. "I'll wait."

Loud laughter escaped her lips and said, "I can't…. but I'd very much love to Gene, you know that."

He was quiet for a minute and it worried Tifa. His silence bewildered her all the time, she wanted to know what was going on inside his mind… what was he thinking now?

"I love you too much," he finally said, "I'm sorry…I'm asking too much of you Tifa."

"What are you saying?" Tifa asked.

"I'm asking too much of you. I'm being selfish again." He told her slowly. "Forgive me."

Tifa laughed at her boyfriend and said, "You should get some sleep, Genesis. You're probably tired that's why you're suddenly like this."

He chuckled softly and said, "If you say so, my love. Have a good day, 'kay? I love you."

"I love you. Sleep well."

He ended the call, and she stared at her phone. She'd be stupid to think that her boyfriend was going to sleep right away, since he was a hardcore party animal, and she was sure that he and his whole crew would be celebrating after a successful show somewhere… but her faith was with him, because she loves him.

The wind kissed her softly as she carried on reading the book she had intended to read that morning. Everything was quiet, too quiet; she thought as she stood up and turned on her iPod. Music took over and she bobbed her head back and forth to the music.

She turned off her iPod and dialed her best friend's number.

"Hey Aerith," she said, a small smile played in her lips, "are you busy this morning?"

Aerith Gainsborough is Tifa's childhood best friend. They had met when they were six at school, but then Tifa had to move away from their neighborhood since her Mother's death. She was currently working as a florist.

"Oh, hey Tifa! How are you?" Aerith said, "I'm quite busy today… why are you asking?"

"I've got the morning off today," she said cheerfully, "mind if I come over?"

"I don't mind!" Aerith smiled.

"Great! I'll see you in twenty."

Aerith was arranging the roses when Tifa arrived, wearing a white shirt, black vest and jeans. "Hey!" Tifa breathed. They embraced each other and Aerith laughed, "Oh look. Tifa Lockheart's bare faced!" Tifa rolled her eyes.

"It's been a long time."

"Yeah, it's been a long time." Aerith agreed, she placed the roses in the display area.

"Do you mind if I help? I mean, I'm no florist or anything but I know—"

Aerith laughed at Tifa, "You are no florist, dummy, but I've already taught you the basics before, so you can help around… well, until what time can I keep you here?"

"Until lunch." Tifa beamed.

"That's great!"

The two ladies were enjoying their bonding very much. The flowers calmed Tifa's being more and the she smelled like roses. They were sitting behind the counter now, on the floor, waiting for a customer. Tifa was telling Aerith everything about Genesis and their plans after his tour, of course her best friend was thrilled.

"Ooh Tifa, you're so lucky to have finally found the One!" Aerith gushed.

Tifa blushed. "But there's something bothering me Aerith."

"What is it?"

"I want to leave show business. For good and Genesis seems to strongly disagree with me. I mean, shouldn't he be supporting me?"

Aerith shrugged and smiled, "Oh, Tifa, maybe he was taken by surprise by your sudden announcement. You know very well that Genesis comes from a family of artists… his dad was an actor and his mom was a dancer. Maybe you should give him time to process what you're planning?"

Tifa shook her head. "I'm not even sure if I want to leave anymore because of him. What if he leaves me once I…?"

The brunette rolled her eyes, "Then he's not worthy of you, Teef."

"I hope he is the One… really."

Aerith patted Tifa's shoulder and said, "Don't worry your pretty little head about it, you'll get wrinkles!" She pretended to shudder.

"Oh! What time is it?"

"11:30… oh my, time flies real fast when we're together… um… well, I haven't prepared anything for lunch… would you like a sandwich or something? There's a café right across the street…"

"Don't be silly, Aerith! I'll treat you!"

"Oh, really?" Aerith grinned, "Thanks!"

"Dominik's Pizza, hello?" a familiar voice said.

"I would like to order a double cheese pizza?"

"Ah! Tifa?"

She giggled. "Yup. I'd like a double cheese pizza please."

"Where will I deliver your order then?"

"Gainsborough Flowers… you know that, don't you?"

"Yeah… it's pretty close from here. Why are you there?"

"It's kind of a long story. Anyway, can you bring it over in fifteen minutes? We're starving here."

"Sure. See 'ya!"

Cloud arrived in exactly fifteen minutes and Tifa smiled. "Hi Cloud."

The delivery boy removed his helmet and grinned at Tifa, "Hello."

Tifa turned to Aerith and said, "Aerith, this is Cloud, Cloud this is my bestfriend, Aerith." Cloud extended his gloved hand to shake Aerith's hand and she took it. "Nice to meet you." They said at the same time. The three laughed. "Come, join us for a while, Cloud!" Aerith invited.

"Ah… are you sure?" Cloud mumbled.

"Of course! The more the merrier!"

Then Tifa's phone rang. "Hello, Lazard?"

"Where are you?"

"I'm at a friend's… are you there already?"

"Yes. I'm waiting right outside of your home, actually. Um… "

"I'm sorry! I'll be right over. Um?"

"Do you have a date for the gala already?"

"What date?"

"You have to have an escort for this gala, Tifa. Didn't Rufus tell you that?"

"…No."

"Dear Gaia. So you don't have a date?"

"Uh no… unless…" she turned to look at Cloud, "hold on. I'll call you back, Lazard."

"Oh… okay."

"Um, Cloud… are you busy this afternoon?"

Cloud looked at her, "Doesn't seem so, why?"

"Can I borrow you tonight… I apparently need a date for the gala tonight and my manager forgot to tell me about it, until my stylist reminded me…just now." She blushed. It was kind of awkward… to ask him.

Aerith squealed. "Oh Cloud you're so lucky!"

"I don't know… uh… I don't clothes your crowd wears."

"Don't worry about that, my stylist will take care of that. Please?"

Cloud looked reluctant… freaked out. Maybe she'd gone too far? "It's okay if you don't want to accompany me to the gala… you know." She mumbled as she looked away. The silence that had fallen was thick… uncomfortable, between Cloud and Tifa.

"Okay, I'll go…" Cloud mumbled.

"Really?" Tifa asked as she smiled at him. "Thank you!"

"Well… Zack can take my shift for this afternoon, I guess."

"Great! Let's go!"

She grabbed his wrist and made their way out. "I'll come back Aerith! Bye!"

"…Yeah, bye! Have fun Cloud!" Aerith laughed at Cloud's funny face. "Get on! You can come back for your bike here…" Tifa smiled.

When she arrived, her maid had already let Lazard in and he was waiting for her impatiently in the living room. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting Lazard. I've found my escort… but, um, he's not dressed appropriately."

Lazard looked at Cloud and studied him from head to toe. The blonde stylist smiled at Cloud and said,"You'll be fine. I'll have my assistant get you a suit from Armani. Now, Tifa come, come, we have a lot to do!"

The night had fallen when Lazard finished fixing Tifa's and Cloud's outfits. She was wearing a white gown with thousands of crystals and glitters embedded on the whole gown, sky high white platforms and her hair was fixed into a simple bun. She was wearing a diamond necklace worth 1.5 million gil and her bracelet. Cloud was wearing a crisp black Armani suit and Italian leather shoes—all were borrowed.

"I really don't like the spiky hair. Why won't you let me flatten it?" Lazard moaned.

Cloud smiled apologetically, "Because it takes hours to make it this spiky, sir."

Lazard scoffed, "Why do you kids do things like that anyway?"

"Individuality." Tifa mumbled as she walked in the room.

Cloud chuckled nervously.

"Well, you two better go, or you'll be late."

"Oh, thanks Lazard." Tifa bowed a little before she walked out of her home. Cloud behind her, "Hey Tifa…where are we going anyway?"

"The Howard Gala… are you familiar with…?"

"Obviously not." Cloud mumbled.

Tifa smiled at him, "That's okay, just stay close me when we get there okay?"

The limousine drove up to a luxurious and extremely crowded driveway. "You ready?" Tifa asked him, Cloud opened his blue eyes and nodded. "Yeah."

She smiled at him, "Then let's go." And they emerged from the limousine, and camera flashes blinded Cloud and Tifa instantly.

"Has Tifa Lockheart and Genesis Rhapsodos BROKEN UP? Who is this man accompanying Tifa in tonight's gala tonight?" a reporter said. The brunette and blonde were whisked inside the gala's venue, reporters were not allowed to have a word with neither of the two and it intrigued the media more.

The doors of the gala closed, separating them from the blinding flashes of the cameras.

"Well… that certainly felt new," Tifa said to Cloud, "I should have made you wear a mask to save you from the savage papz tomorrow…"

"I think I can manage them," Cloud grinned.

"You should." Tifa laughed. "Now, shall we enjoy ourselves tonight?"

Hi! It's been ages since I updated this story… and I apologize to those who have been asking for me to update quickly. Did you enjoy this chapter, dear Reader? If you did, or did not, please tell me your thoughts about this update—it will be very welcome! ^^

Victoria Chrystallis-07131922