Three months had passed. Genesis had deliberately avoided her until he'd been dispatched to Wutai and carried away Two and Third SOLDIERs along. It was October. And the last time he'd also seen General was when she punched him in the face (served him right). So it was only the third of them that Zack, Angeal, and her had lunch together at the food court. The two just had a brief of Genesis' MIA from Lazard, and Angeal decided to inform Lucka about it.

Shit. Her face fell. Angeal just emphasized how she failed to convince Genesis. "It was because of Hollander," Lucka said grimly.

"Hollander?" Angeal asked.

Lucka nodded. She whispered, "And your director too."

"What do you mean Lazard involved?" Zack said with widened eyes.

Lucka looked around the surrounding. "Listen. It's classified information. Lazard secretly aided Hollander and Genesis. They're against Shinra."

Angeal, baffled, cast her an uncertain look. She was used to that kind of look now. She said before the other could utter words, "It's up to you to believe me or not. General will also deploy to Fort Tamblin. You can prove my words with that."

Angel placed his palms on his face. He looked beyond depleted with everything that happened so suddenly. A deep sigh cut the tension. "Alright. Let's go, Zack. We need to pack."


When she said, the General would go to Wutai, the possibility of her tagging along was excluded. But for Zeus's sake, Tseng was thinking otherwise. She wasn't opposed to going there because she would take a chance to stop Angeal from pursuing Genesis. But the situation with General made it gauche.

She averted her gaze when General noticed she was looking in his direction. Ah, no luck. Lucka took a wider strode. She could feel a chilling, scrutiny gaze from him.

He wasn't heedful and said, "It took me two days to fully recover."

Lucka cursed inwardly. "Yeah? I should strike harder then." With his enhanced metabolism, he should be able to heal faster, right?

The General stepped aside, grasped her hand, and diverted from the forest passage where they came.

"I know I should do this sooner, but I don't have the time to see you. I want to apologize," the General said.

Lucka slapped his hand away. After all the atrocious things he'd done, now, he wanted to apologize to her. Here in the middle of a mission out of these past few months?!

"Fuck off."

Just before Lucka wanted to push him out of her way, she heard a loud fighting noise. She ran to the source and the General right behind her. A sea of flaming fire circled a figure she knew. Before him lay a monster—Ifrit—on the ground.

"Zack!" she shouted before the monster rose, and in a blink of an eye, Lucka saw a flash of a long sword split it into two. Lucka gasped in amazement as it was the first time she saw the General in action with her own eyes. The Silver Demon, they said. His grace, precisely lethal maneuver, astonished her. He got the name for a reason.

"Holy..." Zack murmured.

Lucka ran toward him and checked on Zack briefly. "You good?" she asked.

Zack gave her a nod. Great, still in one piece.

The General strolled past them and crooked down on one knee to remove one SOLDIER's helmet on the ground. "Genesis," he said.

Zack looked taken aback. He took a step backward. "The same face?!"

"Genesis copy," Lucka said.

Zack gasped. "Copy?! Human Copy?"

The General asked," Where is Angeal?"

"He was supposed to be fighting here, but... "

"Hmm. He went with him as well," the General said.

Zack rasied an eybrows. "Huh? Just now, what did you mean?"

"Angeal has also betrayed us. That's what it means."

"That's impossible! I know Angeal very well! He's not the type of person who would do something like that! Angeal would never betray me!" Zack burst out.

Lucka let out a deep sigh. "True. General, Angeal is not a traitor. I can confirm it."

Zack and the General turned to her. He strode towards her and grabbed her hand. "Right?! Angeal would never do that!"

Lucka glanced over at the General and patted Zack's shoulder. She nodded. But he mourned inwardly because she again failed to prevent the predestine from happening.


Now what?

Lucka paced relentlessly in her bedroom. Genesis and Angeal were MIA. She was late to prevent them from doing whatever they had planned in the original timeline. Lucka needed to talk to Genesis again. And the only chance she had in the nearest future was when Zack and Tseng proceeded to Banora. That means she needed to meet Tseng ASAP to explain the circumstance.

Lucka looked at the calendar. In two days, she should report her progress in learning sexpionage to him. She would request to assist Zack then.

Lucka sighed. The particular subject—learning honey trap—left her spirit dormant. The first month was downright terror. The job of a secret agent requires high dedication and professionalism. And to acquire it, she should follow the impervious training. A fucking exercise to seduce a man, to be exact. She could still remember she had a nightmare for a week after the talent touched her hand. The therapies and medicine help a bit, but she usually should deal with the upheaval with the distress tolerance technique.

Cissnei thought she was more stable in the second month and introduced Reno as her coaching partner. As she was more comfortable with the opposite sex touching her, Reno must taper down the repercussions. But no, not really. On the first day, she hit Reno more than five times in reflex.

Only after a month, she used to Reno attendance, Cisnnei assigned another talent that looked like Orion Lannighan to practice. And within three months, she concluded Lucka was finally qualified to tame and kill him without any aperture.

The train of her thought broke when she heard the doorbell ring. Lucka peeked at the intercom screen and gave an addled look. What the hell? On the door stand a courier with a massive white roses bouquet and two giant boxes.

"Yes?" she said as she was curious about what was happening, opening the door for the courier.

"Is this with Miss Lucka Circe?" he asked.

"Yes, it's me," she said while her hand played with her necklace.

"I was ordered to send them for you," he said, handing her the bouquet and boxes. "Your signature here, please." He extended a recipient card with a pen.

"A second," she said, placing the things on the foyer floor and signing the paper.

"Thank you. Good evening," he said and turned away to the lift.

Still wearing a frown, Lucka brought them to the living area. She stared at the things from her seat. A bouquet of white roses three times bigger than her head must be very expensive here in Midgar. Her eyes lingered for a moment longer at it. A painting idea of white roses inside a vase by the window with morning sunrays popped into her mind.

Then she diverted her eyes to the boxes. Her hand touched the white linen cover with a silver lining over the smaller rectangular box. She opened it, and her eyebrows shot up high. Gourmet chocolate? By the look of it, Lucka knew the chocolate had high quality. There was a lining of squared, mouth-watering, handmade dark chocolate with various toppings on top. She brought the gold-topping one to her mouth. While she chewed slowly and felt the rich flavor of chocolate melt in her mouth, she stared at another box.

Lucka bit her lips while her hand opened the box. She found a piece of ivory paper with pretty handwriting on it.

Lucka,

I sincerely apologize for my indecent behaviors toward you and take full responsibility for them. Here is my token of apology, although I know it won't redeem my acts.

With great pleasure, I request your presence for dinner at The Carousel. I look forward to sharing the evening with you and hope you find it most pleasant.

S.

P.S. I hope you like the dress.

S? Sephiroth?

On the bottom of the card were written the place and date. It was this Saturday night.

Lucka slapped her cheek hard. Holy Zeus. The General really apologized?! She hurriedly opened the white paper wrapper inside the box. She pinched the dress with both hands, looking at it closely. A body con, a fluorescent ivory midi dress made of embroidery pearly sequins, flashed her eyes. It had a long sleeve and a low-neck cut. The back was open to show the shoulder blade part. The design would come from Dolce & Gabbana, similar to one of her dresses. She didn't know the General would have outstanding taste in woman's fashion. It was an exquisite piece of art.

Something warm rose from her stomach to her cheeks. Receiving a gift was her love language. Thus it was a big deal for her. She didn't want to forgive him forthrightly, but she appreciated the gesture. The General was a scum who reached the bare minimum, at least. And she loved the dress.


Scarlet's Theme

It felt like a date.

Lucka peeked at him behind her fluttered eyelashes. She never saw him so finely dressed up like this. He wore a black cotton cashmere turtleneck and a dark brown houndstooth long blazer. The fitted trouser complements his long leg. His black, polished derbies scream of thousand hundred Gill worth. And Zeus, his hair. It was elegantly tied back into a fishtail plait. Damn. How he even knew how to do it? Or did he come to a hairdresser? And we better not talk about his scent. Fucking Aphrodite. He smelled like a masterpiece. It was different from his usual fragrance. It had a mixture of fresh yet warm spicy notes. A mix of dried fruit, cacao, vanilla, and tobacco. Something similar to Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille. So edible.

He noticed she was openly staring at him. He smirked at her. Lucka cleared her throat and averted her eyes, ignoring the flush on her cheeks.

"You look gorgeous," He said.

Lucka pressed her lips into a thin line. Suppressing another flush if she could. "I know." She said, "Thanks for inviting me."

"It's my pleasure," he said and offered his elbow.

Lucka placed her hand on his arm and followed his step. They strode along the lobby, went to the lift, and arrived at the restaurant. The waiter led them into a private room. And as Lucka grasped the sight, she let out a tiny gasp.

The wall was a tall window that spread Midgar's night horizon panorama. The sparkling light from the city below made the sensually romantic atmosphere thick in the room. Lucka swept her gaze and discovered the ceiling was made of glasses, constructing the view of pouring stars above them. The surroundings offer an outdoor experience without the night wind disturbing them.

Then her eyes caught the fine dining setup table in front of her. There was a candle in the center.

It was a date.

A romantic one.

Shit.

The General pulled the chair for her. She settled down and nervously stared at him across her seat.

They didn't talk until they had their main course. The General sipped the wine from his glass, eyes on her.

Lucka glanced back and nearly coughed. The intensity of his stare made her stomach churn.

He said, "I want to apologize properly to you."

Lucka blinked.

He continued, "I know I have far crossed the line. I didn't ask for your forgiveness, but I sincerely apologize for everything."

Her eyebrows knitted together. "I'm not forgiving you."

The General's jaw clenched after hearing her words.

"But I appreciate the effort," she said, sweeping their surrounding with her right hand.

He exhaled softly. "Thank you. I promise it won't happen again."

"Make a proper warrant with me," she said. "The last time you stated, our terms had changed."

The General nod. "Sure." He said, "You'll receive it on Monday."


Lucka seemed satisfied. She nodded, then sipped her wine. Sephiroth took the chance to bring out a white suede box in front of her. He opened it to reveal an elegant rose gold necklace. It has a small chain, and the pendant was a sun-shaped delicacy of a carved diamond. He waited for a reaction. He noticed his hand twitching slightly, and something was choking his throat.

Sephiroth blinked as the time passed so painfully slow. He studied her face intently; Lucka's pupil grew bigger. Her lips gaped into a small 'o'. She stared at the thing and then at his face. He was never this skittish to give someone a present.

But whatever concern he had a moment ago washed away by the spark in her eyes.

"Is this for me?" she asked, a bit too excited.

He hummed in reply. "Do you like it?"

"I love it!" she beamed and stroked the pendant.

"What is this for?" she asked, a bit wary.

"Just a present. It reminded me of you. I thought it'd suit you," Sephiroth said.

Lucka narrowed her eyes. She seemed skeptical. "It's too lavish for just a present, General. Do you bribe me or propose to be my sugar daddy?"

Sephiroth tried to stifle a chuckle. Of course, she would think that. No man would give a girl a diamond necklace unless he had an ulterior motive. But Sephiroth did not. He seriously considered it a mere gift.

"Trust me. It's not." He said and rose, "Let me put it for you."

It took Lucka several seconds to rise to her feet and turn her back. She gathered her hair up to show her neck. The swiftness of her hair brought him a familiar scent. Coumarin and patchouli with a hint of rose and jasmine notes. The powdery, musky fragrance lured him every time it hit his nostril. Sephiroth conjured all of his willpower not to brush his lips against her velvety skin. He put the necklace around her neck while the subtle contact of their skin sent a shiver down his spine.

Lucka turned around and twirled the pendant in her fingers. She put on the most breathtaking smile he had ever witnessed from her.

"Thank you," she said. A bright red flush colored her cheeks.

Sephiroth hummed back. They exchanged a glance, and he just realized how close they stood. Lucka licked her lips, and the simple gesture made his eyes constrict in elation. The remembrance of her silky lips against him vividly flashed in his mind. How sweet her taste was and how it drove him wild. He caught her eyes was in his lips. It seemed not only him that was enthralled. Sephiroth would kill to taste her again in his mouth. So he did. He cupped her cheeks gently and pressed his lips against hers. It was another prudent kiss. Like it was their first time kissing. Three months. For three months, he deferred from her. Gaia. He missed her lips.

Her lips followed slowly the way his lips moved against hers. He drew closer as he deepened the kiss. As she parted her lips, he didn't wait for a second to ravage her mouth. A soft moan rolled out behind her throat. Sephiroth sucked a sharp breath. Her divine scent, the taste of wine in her tender lips, and the warmth from her body wake something feral within him. He pulled away after he felt his lower body part twitch. Their forehead against each other, their breath ragged in every intake. He could feel it, not only him that excited.

"I have a suite room in the hotel," he murmured, "do you want to stop by?"

A playful smile blossomed on her lips. "For a desert? Sure."


Lucka focused on the unzipped sound from her dress, distracting the feeling of his fingers that left a burning print on her spine. The garment slid down her body and pooled at her feet. She stepped away from it and turned to face him. He eyed her from the toe up to her eyes. His eyes dilated in delight; the eyes reminded her of a cat, like a predator.

"Beautiful," he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Lucka stared at him, wishing her cheeks won't fume too bright. The General was the first man to say the word while she was half-naked in front of him. He was also the first man who violated her and got in her pants, with her willingly allowing that. Maybe she was the one who went crazy. Seriously though, shouldn't she haven't been attracted to him? But he was like a magnificent magnet she couldn't resist.

Sure, they had had sex before, but tonight was different. He truly took the time to consume her presence. How can a mere glimpse of him make her body ablaze?

The General extended his hand and pulled her into a loose embrace. He bent down to plant a kiss on her lips. His hands stroke up and down her body and rest on her arse. He squeezed them firmly and made her knee weak.

He trailed his lips to her jaw and down to her throat. His hot tongue traced the column between her shoulder. She craned her neck to give him full access, and he sucked it hard to mark her. Lucka moaned and grasped at his neck. She pressed her thighs as she felt the dampness between them.

The General hands went lower, wrapping her thighs around his waist as he lifted her. Lucka yelped, tightening her grasp on him. He kept kissing and sucking her neck as he brought her to the bed. She lay bare as he kissed down her belly and removed her panties. She gasped when the General spread her legs and planted another kiss on the inner side of her thighs. His lips trailed higher until it was mere inches from her entrance.

"W-what are you doing?" She asked as she tried to cover her sex.

"Relax. I'll make you feel good, okay?" He said, flattening his arm on her stomach and placing her hands aside.

Lucka gasped as he swept his tongue across the fold and flicked her clit with the tip. He gave a lick and suckled her entrance. A low growl left his throat as he ravenously ate her. Lucka moaned, hands pulling his hair as he thrust a finger inside. His teeth brushed her fold. He kissed and sucked her clit while he inserted another finger. Lucka bucked up her hips and rolled them to match his fast and steady cadence.

"G-General! W-wait! Oh, Gen—sir!" She said between her stuttered breath. She was so close.

The General halted a second before murmuring against her sex. His fingers pinched her clit hard. "What did you call me?"

Her body jerked. Lucka stared at the ceiling, then gaped at him innocently, disoriented. "Um... S-sir?"

"Call me that again," he said, twirling her clit between his index finger and thumb.

"Sir," She breathed out. Hand pulling his hair.

The General growled. "Now tell me, pet. What do you want?"

Pet? But Lucka left it aside when he curled his knuckles inside her, making her whimper in crushed bliss.

"I wanna come," she whined.

"You want to come? Beg for it."

"P-please, General, I wanna come." She said and rolled her hips against his hand.

"You should address me properly, Lucka," He said, curling his fingers again, stroking the G-spot.

Lucka moaned loudly, and she stammered. "S-sir? I wanna come, sir. P-please."

"Good girl," he said, fastening the pace until her body spasmed and she screamed in ecstasy.

Lucka rolled to her side while watching him licking his finger clean. Her chest raised up and down, constructing an uneven breath. She pressed her thighs together, feeling the muscle spasming.

The General stared down at her. His eyes roamed her naked body, scanning his work on her.

"How do you feel?" he asked, bending down to trace her lips with his thumb.

Lucka blushed.

"Good," she said, and he inserted two fingers inside her mouth. Lucka can taste her juice mixed with his skin. Salty and musky. She sucked them slowly. Her eyes never left his. The General looked back at her with a famished gaze. The lust in his eyes awakened something heated within her, making her bolder. Before she regretted whatever action she would do, she trailed up his inner thigh with her toe, stroking the big bulge behind his trouser.

"What is this, Lucka?" His heavy-lidded eyes darkened, and his lips curled into a tantalizing smirk.

Lucka removed his fingers from her mouth. She said, "Please."

"Please, what?"

"P-please fuck me, sir," She meekly said. Her gaze burned into him.

The General cursed under his breath. "Spread your leg for me, pet."

Lucka obediently spread her leg open while her eyes followed his hand that unbuckled his belt. She bit her lower lip when the General pulled out his cock.

"It won't fit," she whispered. Eyes wide open.

"What do you mean? It was, and it will," he said while stroking the tip. "Stay still."

Lucka did as he ordered. She locked her gaze on the ceiling. Her breath intake grew tighter when the General grabbed her thighs to outstretch her sex. She swallowed when he rubbed the tip against her entrance. Warm and slick. And without warning, he slid the head inside her. Lucka yelped at the sudden movement.

"Does it hurt?"

Lucka shook her head. "N-no." She breathed tensely. "Just do it slowly."

The General hummed and inserted more of his length. She took another breath and another and another along his move until he was entirely inside her.

"You're such a good girl, pet. See? You can take me in," he murmured beside her ear.

Lucka sucked a deep breath. She could feel her inner muscle clenched tightly around his shaft as he started moving.

"Good girl. Just like that," he purred.

Lucka laced her hands around his neck. She buried her nose in his turtle neck, inhaling the smell of vanilla and tobacco blended with his musk. He set his pace, slow at first, then grew faster and more intense. She could feel his hot, uneven breath wafted her shoulder while he thrust harder and rougher. Although she would never have the right phrase to express how their body brazed into perfection, every move was bliss. A passion that stripped all sane reasons from the loins of foreseeable pleasure, claiming the worldly desire without stint.

As the pace changed, she knew he was so close. Her toes curled, and her body arched for him. Her moans became louder and thicker every second as she almost reached the climax. It was then. She finally saw dot after dot of white in the back of her eyes. She muffled her scream by sinking her teeth into his shoulder. The General growled in return. He pulled out, hot stream sprayed across her stomach and chest to her chin. Lucka panted hard, eyeing his salacious, messy features. His plait came undone, his blazer crumpled, and sweat scattered on his forehead, down to his temple and throat.

After some time, the General slowly rose to his feet. His eyes traveled his semen on her body. He took off his clothes one by one while his gaze glued to her eyes.

"Again," he said, turning her body to face the bedsheet.