He hung up on me. Mid-conversation, he hung up on me.

If I didn't have anything better to do, I'd have called him back to express just how rude that was, but I don't know his other phone's number, and this phone is still unlocked. It's for the best, though. I still have to finish the draft of the apology email I have to send. Unlike Mr. Asshole on the phone, I have to hope that Mr. Uchiha is willing to let that embarrassing indiscretion of mine go. If not, then, I just hope wherever I work next won't ever catch wind of said indiscretion.

I know Mr. Uchiha has the reputation of being a stickler for perfection, and I'm well aware my drunken insults definitely struck a nerve, but I have to hope that after a good night's rest, he might give me a pass. After all, he did mention having worked late when he read it. Maybe that affected his mood.

Like how Mr. Asshole's attitude is affecting mine.

I really shouldn't dwell on it, but goddamn it, the universe has been against me these past few days, and I just want one win, one thing that doesn't just bury me in all the stress and anxiety a single weekend happened to cause.

Mr. Asshole's phone stares back at me, the hawk lock screen just about to fade into black until an idea pops into my mind. There are two things I could do with a locked phone: turn on the flashlight and take a photo.

I'm aware it's a bad idea. A single photo is what got me into this predicament in the first place, but I didn't take that photo, nor did I post it myself. How the hell Jiji got his hands on it, I don't know, but if a photo was to get me into trouble, it should be by my own hands, right? Besides, I doubt I'll ever see Mr. Asshole in person anyway. Konoha City is huge, and if, by some miracle, I get my old job back, so is Uchiha Enterprises. And he works in the main building. I didn't.

Fed up with hesitating, I pick the phone up, swipe to the camera app, and switch to selfie mode. With my middle finger up, I snap a picture.

Fuck you, asshole.

Hinata

Hey, Sakura!
Naruto was wondering if you wanted to have
dinner with us and Neji tonight?
Hinata

What, so I can be the fifth wheel?
Me

Fifth?
Hinata

If Neji's going, he'll bring TenTen
Me

That's the thing. TenTen can't make it.
Hinata

Ahhh
I get it
You don't wanna be alone with those
two getting on each other's nerves.
Me

Please.
Hinata

Fine, but only bc I care about you and your sanity
Me

Thank you!
Hinata

Maybe now I can finally get wedding details
Idk why you let him be in charge of everything
Me

I'd marry him in a courthouse if it was up to me
But he's the one who wants the big wedding, so I let
him take the reins.
Hinata

Thus waking his inner groomzilla
Me

It's not that bad!
Hinata

Oh, love is so blind
Do you help in planning at all?
Me

For a few things, yeah.
The bridal party for one.
Hinata

Do you even know who his groomsmen are?
Me

I know Kiba, Gaara, and Lee are in it.
Hinata

Gaara's the best man? Knew it.
Me

Actually, he isn't.
He said it's his childhood friend Tenma.
Hinata

You don't know him?
Me

He just said they don't see each other often because he's busy.
Hinata

I'd say that's sus if I didn't already know Naruto,
And the people he befriends, so ig thats fine
Me

After a quick stop at Uchiha Enterprises' main building, I finally make it to Naruto and Hinata's apartment. Once the door opens, I'm immediately taken into Naruto's arms for a big bear hug. "Sakura!"

I pinch his bicep, and he winces as he lets me go.

"Man, you never change." He can't help but grin, rubbing the spot I just pinched.

"And you still need to work on your arm strength," I tease.

"Hey! Not all of us have freakishly strong arms."

"Or maybe you just need to stop skipping arm day."

"What's this about farms?" Hinata asks, walking into the entryway.

By habit, Naruto lifts an arm up as she walks to his side, squeezing her shoulder as she leans into his touch. Naruto's been a friend of mine since we went to high school. Why he transferred to a public high school when he's only been going to private schools before then was his father's wish. Minato Namikaze is a Konoha High School alumni. While I didn't get along with him initially, the loudmouth wormed his way into becoming my friend and has been somewhat of a brotherly figure when I need him to be.

I've known Hinata since our university days. She used to be a lot more timid. Though, some of her shyness still remains, she's become a lot more confident as years passed. I can't help but give maybe a quarter of the credit to Naruto. She'd been crushing on him ever since the two met, courtesy of me, and while it took the dunce quite a while to notice, when they finally got together, she just seemed to grow into her own.

Now, I don't want to give him all the credit. Of course, most of it goes to Hinata herself, but he did contribute by helping us encourage her. After all, it does take time to unlearn some of the things you get taught from childhood.

"She was making fun of my arms." Naruto pouts, acting like a kicked puppy.

I roll my eyes. "She wouldn't have misheard you if you didn't talk so fast. You chew your words a lot, you know that?"

"I'm completely articulate!" He looks to his fiancée for confirmation. "Right, babe?"

Hinata simply smiles. "We should get the table ready before Neji gets here."

I laugh at Naruto's open mouth, jaw dropped in mock betrayal.

We walk into the dining room, and my eyes wander to the space they call home. I've been here before. Quite a few times actually. However, every single time I do visit, I can't help but look around at the reminder that while these two may be my friends, our paychecks couldn't be more different.

Both Hinata and Naruto come from old money. Very old money. As old as the history of this city. Naruto comes from a long line of political leaders from both sides of his family, and Hinata's family is a powerful force in the trade industry. While Hinata decided not to take over the family business and let her sister take the job, Naruto is on his way to climbing the political ladder, having connections with people all over the continent. Though, I think it helps that Naruto is probably the easiest person to be friends with. Talking with the guy is just so easy, and he's genuinely kind, which is a rarity in politics.

That's not to say I'm dirt poor. I grew up in a middle class family, parents working normal nine-to-fives while I studied my ass off in school in order to get a full ride scholarship to Konoha University just so I didn't have to worry my parents with student loans. It was fine. It was normal. Though, I suppose, my version of normal. Everyone has different perceptions of what normal is.

To Naruto and Hinata, this was their normal. A large apartment in the middle of downtown Konoha City, high paying jobs, a family they can count on if ever they need it. They have the luxury of security.

Speaking of security, the brief moments of relaxation quickly vanishes as my mind wanders to the apology email I sent an hour ago. Maybe it's stupid of me to expect a reply. After the first email, I'm sure he has to have blocked my email address at this point, I would, too, to be honest.

"Hey, what happened?"

I look up to see Naruto place a plate on the table, his brows scrunched up. "What?"

"You haven't looked this stressed since I asked you to help me pick out a ring for Hina."

I muster a small smile. "That's because you were making the ring shopping experience way too stressful."

"It's an important decision! And don't change the subject."

I look to Hinata for help, but she's still in the kitchen. Sighing, I relent. "It's just not been my week."

"Why not?"

"I got fired."

"You?" His jaw drops, genuine shock etches his features. "Why? You're the hardest working person I know."

"Dumb decisions."

Hinata appears from the kitchen, a bowl of something hot in her hands. Her smile is small. She must have heard where the conversation went, so she answers for me. "None made by her."

"Not entirely true."

"None made by her whilst sober," she rectifies.

Naruto's confusion only grows. "You two are going to have to give me more details on this."

Shaking my head, I shrug. "What's done is done. I sent an apology email and now I'm hoping for the best."

He continues to stare at me with his arms folded, like an older brother waiting for an explanation, which is weird considering I'm the older one. By a few months, that is.

"Look, long story short, some photos we took during the weekend got to one of my coworkers. They sent it to HR, and I came home to a termination letter waiting for me in the mailbox."

"That quick?"

"Yeah."

"And you're letting them let you go like that? The Sakura I know would've marched in there and beat someone's ass." He pauses, thinking about what he just said. "Well, verbally."

"I would have if I didn't get drunk and send an embarrassing email to my boss."

"How embarrassing could it be?"

My incredulous stare is enough for him to shut his mouth. "So, yeah. Not only have I ruined any chances of being rehired, I'm probably not going to get a letter of recommendation, either."

"That's bullshit! You busted your ass for that company! I can't believe Shisui just let them let you go like that!"

I blink at him. Shisui? Shisui Uchiha, head of Sharingan News Outlet?

"You know him?"

"Yeah! His cousin's my best man. I used to have dinner at their family's place as a kid."

It takes a few seconds for his words to settle into my brain.

Hinata looks just as confused as I am, which confuses me even more. How doesn't she know?

"I thought you said your best man is Tenma?"

"Tenma? Who's that?"

"You said his name was Tenma."

"Ten-" Realization hits Naruto. "I've been calling him Teme all my life, that I never call him by his actual name. How'd you get Tenma?"

She smiles sheepishly. "Sakura was right when she said you chew on your words when you talk fast."

I zone out from their conversation, my mind reeling. Naruto said Shisui Uchiha's cousin is his best man. Shisui Uchiha has four cousins. One of which has been lying low for a year. The other two are considerably older than him. Which leaves only one person our age that he could possibly be that close with.

Oh, this cannot be my life right now.

"Naruto," I interrupt. "Who exactly is your best man?"

He looks at me. So does Hinata, a worried look on her face. "It's Te-" He catches himself. "Sasuke."

Sasuke.

Sasuke Uchiha.

Sasuke Uchiha, CEO of Uchiha Enterprises.

I bury my hands into my face, groaning at the confirmation. "Naruto, why the fuck did you never tell us Sasuke Uchiha is your best friend?"

"Because I kinda lost communication with him until, like, two years ago. Plus, he's a private guy, so I keep my mouth shut."

"Then, why is he your best man?"

"Because he's been my best friend since we were kids. I don't know, it feels wrong not to make him my best man." I can sense his puzzlement. "What am I missing here?"

"The embarrassing email I was talking about?"

It finally dawns on him. "Oh. Well, how bad could that email have been?"

"Shit, Sakura. This is really bad."

"I know, Naruto."

"This email… Yeesh."

"I know, Naruto."

"Like, you typed coochie and titty in it and everything."

" I know, Naruto. "

"I mean, I could try talking to him, and-"

"No, I don't want your help."

"Look, Sak, I know you're independent and that you hate asking for help, but you can ask for help every now and then."

My determination wavers for a second before I nail it back to the ground. "I dug this hole. I need to get out of it myself."

"Sak, I do remember you mentioning something about one dude that's been waiting to get you down for a while. Maybe if I could tell him about that part, he can look into it more."

The doorbell rings, and the conversation ends there.

From: Sasuke Uchiha { sasuke_uchiha }

To: Sakura Haruno { sakuraharuno }

Subject: Re: regarding My toermination

Ms. Haruno,

After reviewing the reason for your termination, as well as your recent, more legible response, I've determined that the decision to terminate your employment was warranted. However, I will reach out to your immediate supervisor and suggest he provide you with a neutral letter of recommendation based on your performance.

Sincerely,

Sasuke Uchiha

CEO of Uchiha Enterprises

Notes:

double update bby!

head onto chap 4 now!