Chapter Eighteen: Employment
"Are you all right on your own, Aralyn?"
Most of the walk had been spent in silence, but Vincent stopped now and again in consideration of her condition. Though she tried to hide it, the walk was very taxing on her. Vincent did not seem to mind a brief respite now and again. This, however, was the first time he'd spoken to her. She blushed as she realized how hard her breathing was.
"I'm fine," she said, gasping to catch her breath.
"You don't look fine."
"I'll be all right," she assured him. "Really."
He shook his head. "If you insist."
"Hey, Vincent," she interjected into the silence that had followed.
He didn't vocally acknowledge that he'd heard her, but she knew he was listening.
"Why did you really come?"
He began walking faster, outpacing her so coldly that she feared she might have offended him in some way. She worked hard to keep up with him so that she could pick up any sign on how he had taken it. He gave none.
"You're not going to answer me, are you?"
"No."
Another long, awkward silence. Vincent seemed unaffected by the haunting calls of the creatures of the night and the dead stillness when they paused their cries. Aralyn's spine prickled, and she desperately tried to get him to talk.
"Thank you. For finding me a job, I mean."
"Save your thanks for after your first day. As things turn out, this may be a curse." His tone clearly implied that the subject was closed, and she inwardly sighed. It was hard to get any answers from him.
It was dark now, the stars were bright and the moon absent from the sky. She could barely make out her apartment complex's old sign. Many letters had burned out, and while most still shone neon green, the sign was far from reading "Shire Gardens".
"That's where I live," she pointed out.
Vincent's frown deepened significantly. "This deep in the slums? By yourself?"
"It's…not that bad. I mean, I'm away from the worst of it, at least."
They walked onward in silence, Aralyn instinctively drawing closer to her guard as the lighting got poorer. He looked at her strangely.
"You don't like the dark." It was a statement.
"No."
"Hmm."
No more conversation was carried on until she reached the front door. She reached into her pocket, fished out two keys and used one to open the door.
"Can I get you something to drink? You did come all this way."
"No," he said. Then, in an effort to soften the edge of his tone he added, "Thank you."
They stood on her doorstep for a moment, until Aralyn mustered up the courage to ask the question that had been on her mind for some time now. "Vincent, how much do you know…about me?"
He knew what she was referring to. "Enough, but no details."
"What exactly do you know?"
"That you are Sephiroth's wife."
"And that doesn't…bother you at all?"
"I see no reason why it should."
"How did you find out?"
"I put the pieces together. It was a guess, but Rufus confirmed it for me."
"How much do Cloud and the others know?"
"Nothing. They don't even suspect. Your secret is safe, for now." He turned, speaking to her without moving his head to look at her. "For your new job, be at Strife's as soon as you can tomorrow. Do you need an escort?"
"Oh no…no. Vincent, you didn't…!"
"I have already told you: Cloud and the others are unaware of your affiliation with Sephiroth. I will work to keep it that way."
"No, I can't take it…"
"You will." He whirred around to face her, cloak billowing, and used the full force of his crimson eyes to stare her down. "Or you will accept Rufus's offer."
Aralyn slumped against the doorframe. "I can't do it."
"Is it because Cloud is the one that killed Sephiroth?"
She paused. "No…my Sephiroth was dead long before…"
"Is there any other valid argument you wish to present, then?"
Aralyn was quiet.
Vincent nodded. "I'll be here tomorrow morning." He took a few steps, then slowed and stopped.
She didn't wait for him to leave. She closed the door slowly, turning on the single light in the bathroom to serve as her nightlight. She found her way to her bed, then slid under the covers, buried her head in her pillow, and wept.