Chpt 5: The Maiden Toys The Beast
It's been a month since Petra accepted Levi's confession. Their routine in office didn't change much; same old paperwork, same old meetings with shitty clients, same interns tagging around trying to pick up whatever they can learn aka Jaeger.
No one noticed the changes except dear old Roy. Picking up on how Levi stares at Petra 3 seconds longer compared to last time; how Petra hums a cheerful tune while brewing Levi's coffee and stirring it with a smile plastered on her face; and that air that surrounds the two of them while they are in the same room.
"They are definitely dating."
"What do you think you are doing, sir? Your break has ended 20 seconds ago."
"That's not important, Riza! Just look at them!" Roy insisted, eyes never leaving the subject of his curiousity.
Riza was not impressed by Roy's ninja skills. Just how hidden does he think he is when his entire head can be seen through the glass walls?
While Riza was trying to find a way to drag Roy's ass back to his office, Roy continued to be a hawk. Cold and focused eyes strained on his prey, monitoring their every motion until he swipes in for the kill. Just when Riza was about to do it the old fashioned way of dragging him by the collar, Levi shot a menacing glare to that dumb ass who had his nose pressed up against his sparkling glass wall.
Before Levi managed to flip him the finger, Riza smacked Roy's head hard and good. If Levi was horrified at that nose stain before, he is absolutely disgusted by that face print now.
"Ow! What was that for? I was busy jotting notes for blackmail material against that shorty and now you have hit it all out." Roy muffled while he was massaging the pain out of his face.
"Instead of noting useless information, you could be finishing up on that non-disclosure agreement due in four hours." Riza deadpans, her patience running out fast when his client has been rushing for the document since three days ago. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Riza can guarantee that if she breathed any harder, her lungs would burst; and she would make sure all the blood spurts onto Roy's gaping face.
"Oh fu –! I forgot all about Darius Zackly and his nonsense!" Roy ran back to his office once he realised how deep of a shit trouble he was in. He couldn't blame Riza for not helping him this time as only he was allowed to have access to this file; not that he could ever blame her because really, she saves his ass every single time. If he had a lesser assistant, he would probably forget all his appointments, submit documents a week too late, the usual office work which usually involves paperwork and not surprisingly, forgetting male clients names.
"Why do you remember their names anyway? I don't see you bothering with the female ones." She recalls him saying that to her once.
"It's not that I want to remember their names. It's just you who remembers ONLY the female ones." She retorted, preventing him from accusing her of remembering other guys' name.
Shaking her head at the memory, she could only repress a sigh. Knowing Roy since she was a teenager, the consolation she had was he never flirted with the married ones. Thank god for that.
Taking her own sweet time walking back, Riza took note of the changes in their department, especially the new interns that arrived two months ago. Armin sitting near his supervisor, studying the files Hanji dumped onto his desk; Sasha eating chips when lunch was over only ten minutes ago, crumbs all over her worksheets; Connie blindly snagging a chip or two with his left hand while typing with his right; and a few others currently not at their desk.
To her credit, she remembered their names even though it wasn't necessary. The capable blond had never interacted with any of them other than the usual 'good mornings' as she had her hands full with her work and supervising Roy. To be honest, Riza wouldn't mind having an intern or two if she had the time. She likes to impart whatever knowledge she has learned so far and she likes to learn new things too. There is always something new to learn. And if you are Roy, new females to meet.
Upon reaching Roy's office, she could sense something awry. For starters, the man isn't present. Second, all documents were untouched as last seen.
Puzzled, she asked Hanji who was standing nearby. "Zoe, did you see Mustang? He was supposed to be back ten minutes ago."
"Hmmm? I think he got a call from Zackly. That or he went to take a dump." Hanji laughs, remembering how Roy made a face when Levi made a shitty joke after lunch one day.
After walking around the building looking for her prey, Riza's temper was rising to a dangerous level. I told you forty minutes ago that report is due in four hours and you pull this disappearing trick?! Of all documents to toy with, you toy with the one that has our bonus riding on it.
Riza was entertaining the thought of castrating poor Roy when she saw him entering into his office. Restraining herself from breaking into a sprint, she brisk walked towards her superior, mouth poised to launch into a tirade when she spotted a small bouquet of dark pink roses sitting daintily on her neat desk when she walked passed. Stopping to pick it up, she glance at Roy who appears to be focusing on the task at hand. Bouquet in hand, she walked into his office, ready to get his attention by waving the flora around.
"Before you reprimand me, today is June 11." He said.
"That still doesn't give you the right to disappear when you ought to be completing your work." She placed her hands on her hips, careful not to crush the lovely bouquet.
"Riza, you know I always give you flowers on this day. How could I break tradition? And consider that bunch an appetizer; a small bunch like that is not enough for a wonderful person like you."
Riza doesn't know if she should be blushing like a schoolgirl or fuming because he has yet to finish up his work with the approaching deadline. Deciding both are bad sides of a coin, she went back to her desk and continued from where she left off before lunch break, mentally reminding herself that knocking Roy out is a bad idea. At least until he finishes that confidential agreement.
Riza knew Roy is very talented and efficient if motivated but she is kind of shocked that he managed to finish a 12 page agreement under 3 hours; managing to avoid a showdown with Zackly and securing their bonus by another thirty percent.
"Not that I'm impressed with your speed but I've never seen you move so fast since Madam Christmas chased you after you toppled her wine cabinet. Just what spurred you on this time?" Riza asked, really curious although she is terribly relieved he met the deadline.
"Well, I wouldn't want to be late for our date tonight. Not when I've made reservations three months ago." Roy said while stretching his stiff muscles, rolling his shoulders to ease the ache.
"Since when did I agree to tonight's date?" She raised one perfectly drawn eyebrow.
"But Riiiiiiiiiiiiza..."
"I really am curious. Who agreed on my behalf? Hmm?" Riza grilled him, not allowing him the satisfaction of seeing her agree to his date so easily.
Roy began to slip into depression. His perfect plan for the evening was a romantic candlelight dinner, followed by a leisure walk in the park since he knows she likes to take walks; especially on weekday nights because it's quieter. And he will insist on sending her back and hopefully, a good night kiss to end it all. Not that Riza will give him a kiss in the first place but a man can always hope.
Riza will never admit it but she likes to see Roy putting in effort to win her heart because it proves that he isn't wooing her just to get into her pants or that she is just a target for a one night stand. If he did that, I will make sure his little Roy will never stand ever again.
After seeing him wallow in despair for another five seconds, Riza decided to put him out of his misery.
"Finish up the other confidential agreement before five. It's due tomorrow." Riza turned to get back to work. But before she walked out the door, she threw a glance at Roy over her shoulder, "And seven leaves me enough time to prepare for dinner."
Riza didn't need to see Roy to know that he currently has his hands high up in the air with a toothy smile on his handsome face. If he smiles any wider, his molars are going to drop out is what she thinks, but she couldn't hold back a small smile from appearing.
A/N 1: Roy boy! Such a sweet little flirt.