Chapter 3: Playing hard to get

A/N: I am so, so sorry for the long update. Had a lot going on personally and just didn't have the urge to write. But I didn't want you guys to think I abandoned this story, so I managed to put one together!

Thank you all who favored and reviewed this story. It means the world to me. Hopefully as the story progresses you won't be disappointed.

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 7; I just own my oc's.

Enjoy!

/

"We were able to find your ex and have her arrested. Luckily there was no one nearby when she stabbed you, so the news hasn't said anything. As far as anyone knows, nothing happened that night"

Rufus gently touched the bandages that were wrapped around his torso. It had been a week since that little incident. He was able to get his injuries healed but he had to take it easy while his body recovered. He was grateful he didn't have to pay the news to keep quiet, but he was also surprised.

That woman who helped him hadn't said a word. Surely anyone would have boasted that they saved the Vice-Presidents life. She could have gotten so much attention if she said something. But she didn't and that bothered him greatly.

"That woman who helped me…did you find any info about her?"

Tseng nodded as he pulled her filed up on his tablet.

"Lana Denbrough. Born and raised in Sector 4 Slums. Currently works as a chief at the Golden Rose in Sector 2. Has no other family, no criminal record. Not much to say about her"

Rufus drummed his fingers across his desk. He didn't know what to make of this. She was a nobody from the Slums. She could have bragged that she saved his life in the hopes that it would make her famous.

Why would she keep quiet? Unless….

"I think it's time we paid her a visit" he suddenly said.

"I think I know why she isn't saying anything"

Tseng caught on what Rufus was trying to say and nodded.

"Understood, Sir"

Rufus leaned back in his seat with a smug look on his face.

"I know what you're trying to do my dear. I'm not an idiot"

Yeah, dad was an idiot. But then again mom likes to claim he's still an idiot.

/

Lana kept to herself as she continued working on one of her dishes. It had been a week since she saved Rufus Shinra's life and she hadn't said a word. It never crossed her mind to tell anyone. She didn't want to cause a scene and to be honest she knew no one would believe her. A girl from the Slums saved the Vice-President's life- as if anyone would fall for that.

Another reason why she kept quiet is because she wanted to stay clear of the drama. She had a lot on her plate right now and she didn't need any more added to it.

"You're never gonna see him again so there's no point in thinking about what happened that night" she thought.

"Besides it was hard enough trying to explain to Millie that it wasn't blood on my apron, but it was tomato sauce. If I told her what really happened, she'd scold me for getting too close to Midgar's man-whore"

One of the waitresses hurried back to the kitchen's, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Lana, one of our guests wanted to talk to you. They really enjoyed the pasta dish you created and wanted to compliment the chief!"

Lana smiled when she heard that. It was a real treat whenever a customer enjoyed her creations so much. It made her feel special and that maybe someone like her had a chance of making it big. She started heading towards the front, but Vivian shoved her hard and stormed past her.

"I'll talk to the customer! We can't let them know a Slum rat made their meal. We'll lose business if they find out we have rats in the kitchen"

She gave Lana a cruel smirk.

"Besides, you wouldn't know how to act around the rich and elite like I do"

With that, she left the kitchen to take credit that didn't belong to her. Lana curled her hand into a fist as she felt tears well up in the corner of her eyes. Telling the others, she was taking a break, she stormed out the back and went into the alley. Kicking a cardboard box, she yelled in frustration.

Why was Vivian such a beast to her? She never did anything to her or insulted her. Why did she have a problem with her just because she was from the Slums?

Pressing her back to the side of the building, she slid down and sat on the dirty ground. This was why she wouldn't say anything about helping Rufus Shinra. No one would care or believe that a Slum girl saved the second richest man in all of Gaia.

"Miss. Denbrough"

Hearing a voice at the end of the alley, Lana looked up to see Tseng standing near the end of the alleyway. Raising an eyebrow, she slowly got up and placed her hand on the knife she kept in her apron.

"Yes?"

Tseng slowly walked towards her.

"I'm sure you remember who I am?"

Lana nodded.

"Yeah, you're that guy from the other night. Tseng, right?"

"I'm flattered you remember me" the Turk said.

Lana narrowed her eyes. Something seemed off with this sudden visit.

"Why are you here? You don't seem like the kind of guy who eats at cafes"

Tseng smirked a little.

"I'm here regarding about what happened the other night" he said.

"I'd like to go over some things with you if you don't mind"

That caught Lana's attention. Did something happen to Rufus? She didn't hear anything on the news but maybe Shinra wanted to keep things quiet.

"Is the Vice- I mean…is your 'friend' alright?" she asked.

Tseng was mildly impressed that she was trying to keep things quiet even now. What a rather interesting woman. But then again, she probably wanted something which was why she was acting this way.

"He's fine, nothing to worry about. The reason I'm here is because he wishes to thank you for what you did"

That caught Lana off guard. She figured much like herself, Rufus would want to pretend nothing happened. Why would he want to thank her?

"Oh, it's nothing really. I was just doing what any other person would do in that situation. There's no reason to thank me" she insisted.

"Regardless, my boss wanted to thank you for what you did. Not everyone would have done the same thing"

He pulled something out of his jacket and held it out to her.

"Which is why he wanted you to have this"

He presented her a check with an insane amount written on it. Lana's eyes grew wide when she saw how much was on it. That amount could pay rent for all the apartments in the Slums for two years.

"There's more where that came from if you promise to continue to keep quiet about what happened" Tseng promised.

"I'm you're alright with this little arrangement"

Lana looked away from the check to look at Tseng. The Turk raised an eyebrow when he saw the look on her face.

/

Rufus casually stroked Dark Nation's head as he lounge on the couch. He was sure that by now Lana was cashing in that check that Tseng gave her. It was obvious why she didn't say anything. She wanted to blackmail him. If he didn't reward her, then she would have gone to the news and made a big mess of everything.

'Why didn't I think of this earlier? Nobody does anything for free around here. Especially people from the Slums'

He heard his office door open as Tseng returned from visiting Lana.

'That was fast. Guess I was right after all'

He sighed as he stood up from his seat.

"I take it she accepted our deal?" he asked.

"How much did you have to pay- "

He cut himself short when he saw Tseng. The stoic Turk had an angry red handprint across his pale face. Despite looking calm and collected as he usually did, Rufus could tell Tseng was seething with rage.

"As I'm sure you can guess, it did not go well" the Turk said flatly.

Rufus was at a loss for words. He didn't expect this sort of reaction.

"What…happened?"

Tseng's eye twitched as he recalled what had happened moments ago.

/

Tseng raised his eyebrow when he saw the look Lana was giving him. He thought she would have been thrilled to be paid this much. Usually anyone would have taken this amount and be happy.

He was about to ask if this wasn't enough when next thing he knew, Lana slapped him hard across the face. The Turk stumbled and held his stinging face. He looked at the petite woman in shock. This was not the sort of reaction he was expecting.

Lana was seething as she glared at him.

"You arrogant, pompous, pigheaded swine" she spat.

"How dare you think I'll accept this! I didn't save the Vice-President with the hope of getting a reward! I did it because that's what anyone would do!"

Tseng composed himself and lowered his hand. He was surprised by her reaction but also impressed.

"I'm sure this is a little overwhelming, but I assure you that- "

"Oh, shut up! I know what this really is" Lana snapped.

"You're trying to make sure that I won't tell anyone about what happened. News flash, genius: I haven't! Why would I ever brag about how the Vice-President was almost killed? That's cruel and disgusting. I didn't know who he was when I helped him, and it wouldn't have mattered. He needed help and I just so happened to be there at the right time"

She suddenly got up in his face, making him jump a little.

"And you wanna know why I haven't said anything? Not only would nobody believe me, but when I was helping him, I had one of my kitchen knives on me and my apron was covered in his blood. If I said anything, they would have thought I tried to kill him and then I would end up in jail or worse"

She stepped away and put her hands on her hips.

"I swear you upper plate folks have no common sense. Just because I'm from the Slums doesn't mean I'll do anything for money"

Tseng was taken aback. No one had ever turned down such a reward. Usually people would do anything to get this kind of money. And yet this woman was repulsed by it. She reminded him of a certain flower girl in the Sector 5 Slums.

"I didn't mean to offend you, Miss. Denbrough. But please accept this gift. Contrary to what you might think, not everyone would have done what you did. Please take this check"

Lana glared at him and swatted the check away.

"Tell your boss since he has this kind of money to invest in a bullet proof vest. He should have one if people are starting to stab him"

Turning on her heel, she went back to the kitchens.

"Don't you ever bother me again" she snapped.

She slammed the door, leaving the Turk alone in the alleyway.

/

To this day, mom is the only person who was able to hit Uncle Tseng. Despite being head of the Turks, he was no match for one of mom's slaps. I guess that's one of the reason's why the Turks respected her.

Rufus did not expect that reaction. He was so sure Lana would have taken the money and that would be the end of it. He could have just ignored it and went on with his day, but he couldn't. He should have considered himself lucky that no one was going to blackmail him. He should have moved past this, but he couldn't. What kind of person refused money?

A smug grin spread across his face as he thought of Lana. For some odd reason, he wanted to see this woman again.

If only Lana accepted that check.

If mom had taken the check, that would be the end of it. But it's a good thing she didn't because she got an even better prize. A prize many have fought for but were never able to get it:

Dad's heart

/

A/N: And with that, the games have begun! You should have taken the check Lana! I hope I didn't make Tseng too out of character. He's tricky to write I'm realizing lol.

I wanna thank you all again for still sticking around with this story even though it's been a while. I'll try to have a better writing schedule!

Please review and tell me what you think!

Take care!