Monday, April 1st.
Levi seethed with frustration as he sat in the sleek, modern meeting room in Austria, cursing his boss under his breath. Shitty Brows, as he fondly referred to him, had once again disrupted his plans, summoning him across the entire damn state with no regard for Levi's personal life or priorities.
Taking a deep breath, Levi forced himself to calm down, steeling his resolve to navigate the meeting with professionalism and tact. But behind his composed exterior, a simmering fury burned, fueled by the injustice of being yanked away from his personal pursuits once again. If Shitty Brows thought he could push Levi around like a pawn in his corporate game, he had another thing coming.
"So, Mr. Ackerman, why should we accept this deal? Fifteen kilograms hardly seems substantial." Mr. Williams said, his sweat-drenched hair clinging uncomfortably to his bulbous scalp.
Levi fixed Mr. Williams with a steely gaze, his jaw clenched in barely contained frustration as he listened to the man's hesitations. Sweat dripped down Williams' forehead, his discomfort palpable in the stifling atmosphere of the meeting room. Levi resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the man's obvious unease, inwardly labeling him a fat fucking pig.
"Mr. Williams," Levi began, his voice smooth and controlled despite the seething anger bubbling beneath the surface. "I included fifteen kilograms as a gesture of goodwill. Think of it as a preview of what we can offer. Once we've built some trust, my boss will ensure you get the bigger orders. And guess what? The next shipment is already on its way, just for you and your clients." His words dripped with confidence and persuasion, each syllable carefully crafted to sway the man's wavering resolve.
Levi watched as Mr. Williams mulled over his proposition, his beady eyes darting back and forth as he weighed the potential risks and rewards. Levi leaned back in his chair, exuding an air of effortless authority as he awaited the man's response.
"Consider this, Mr. Williams," Levi continued, his tone smooth and calculated. "We're offering a range of products here—heroin in all its forms: injections, powder, even the highly sought-after Black Tar Heroin. If you're still unsure about accepting, that's fine. But remember, my next client is waiting for the same shipment. Delaying your decision could mean waiting another two weeks for a chance like this to come around again."
Levi's words hung in the air, the weight of his implication settling over the room like a heavy fog. He watched with satisfaction as Mr. Williams's resolve wavered, the man visibly swayed by Levi's strategic manipulation. It was a delicate dance of power and persuasion, and Levi was determined to come out on top.
Levi gritted his teeth as he shook Mr. Williams's sweaty hand, a facade of professionalism masking his inner revulsion. Suppressing a grimace, he maintained eye contact with the man, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips as they sealed their agreement with a firm shake. As they parted ways, Levi fought back the overwhelming urge to drag the repulsive man to a damn slaughterhouse, his mind seething with disgust.
Once outside the meeting room, Petra joined Levi, handing him a bottle of alcohol to cleanse his hands. "How did it go?" she asked. Levi accepted it gratefully, squirting a generous amount onto his palms to rid himself of the lingering sensation of Mr. Williams's germs.
"Good, we've got a deal. Get the shipment ready. It's heroin of all types, even the Black Tar." Levi replied briskly, his tone betraying none of the disgust simmering beneath the surface. Petra nodded in understanding and opened her iPad to get started, her efficiency a welcome distraction from the repulsive encounter they'd just endured.
"For when and where?" Petra asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. Levi smirked in response. "As soon as possible, and make sure it's near a slaughterhouse." he replied cryptically. She paused, clearly puzzled by his response, but Levi didn't stick around to explain.
He had plans to show that pig what happened in a slaughterhouse for a swine like him.
༺༻
Eren hurried down the crowded sidewalk, lost in his thoughts, when he accidentally bumped into a woman, making them both stop suddenly. "Oh! Sorry!" she said, looking flustered as she straightened herself. Eren looked at her, noticing her messy bun and office clothes. "It's fine. Are you okay?" he asked, genuinely concerned.
The woman smiled at him, reassured. "I'm fine! You're cute!" she said, catching Eren off guard. He felt his cheeks flush from the unexpected compliment. "Uh... um, thanks?" he replied, feeling a bit confused by her comment. She chuckled softly. "Don't worry! I have a boyfriend. I can see why 'grumpy pants' likes you," she added before waving goodbye and skipping away gracefully in her heels, leaving Eren even more puzzled.
As he watched her blend into the crowd, Eren couldn't shake off the strange encounter. What did she mean by "grumpy pants"? And how did she know about his situation? The whole thing just added to his growing confusion and unease. He decided he needed to talk to Armin and Mikasa about it as soon as possible, hoping they could help him figure it out.
Later, Eren was sitting in a café, sipping on a warm hot chocolate milk with honey and whipped cream. It had just been served and was burning hot, so he was letting it cool down. Armin and Mikasa were sitting across from him on the couch, and most importantly, there were cats everywhere!
One of the best parts? A super cute white cat was curled up on Eren's lap, purring contentedly. The little massage it gave him was just amazing. There was also a black cat by Mikasa, which oddly resembled her, but with a cute white heart-shaped nose. It was so adorable, Eren was seriously considering just taking them all home. Honestly, he should adopt one, especially those gorgeous Siamese cats. He loved them so much—well, they're cute. He didn't really know much about their behavior, though.
But who the fuck cares? They're cats. That's enough of an explanation. Eren was definitely not getting an orange cat, though. He'd met one before, and that little devil scratched up his face and arms. He still has some scars, but they're not super noticeable unless you're really up close and looking for them.
Armin turned his attention to Eren, who was sipping his hot chocolate milk with honey. "Hey, Eren," Armin said, "I could try to ask Erwin if he'll hire you. I bet he's got a spot for you. Right now, no one's gonna hire you, and Erwin needs new people since the older ones are retiring."
Eren considered the idea, weighing the opportunity. But Mikasa wasn't so sure. "I don't know, Armin. His company seems kinda sketchy," she chimed in. Armin flicked her forehead playfully. "They sell luxury brands. What's sketchy about that? Maybe you should stop watching those weird movies." he teased, making Mikasa grumble as she rubbed her forehead.
Eren couldn't help but smile at their playful back-and-forth. It was nice seeing his friends in action.
Armin's offer seemed pretty promising, especially given Eren's long job hunt and the lack of decent options. Despite his initial doubts, the idea of working for Erwin was starting to look good. "Alright, how do I apply?" Eren asked, ready to give it a shot. Armin gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'm going to see him soon. You can tag along then."
Mikasa was still a bit skeptical, but Eren tried to ease her worries. "It's fine, Mika. If Erwin tries anything funny, you have my permission to kick his ass. I'll play dumb if the cops show up." he joked, trying to lighten the mood. Mikasa snorted, and Armin just rolled his eyes at their banter.
Eren seized the chance to poke fun at Mikasa a bit more. "Hey, Mika, doesn't your nephew work for Erwin too?" he asked, making her nod. "Yeah, they've been best friends since childhood, along with Hange." she confirmed.
Eren leaned in with a mischievous grin. "So why the suspicion about the company if your nephew's working there?" Mikasa narrowed her eyes at him. "Tsk. Because I can." she huffed, crossing her arms defensively. Eren burst out laughing, and Armin joined in with an amused snicker.
They walked into the luxury building, and Eren couldn't help but be blown away by the sheer opulence. The first floor was decked out with all sorts of extravagant stuff—shimmering jewels, sleek accessories, you name it. Eren's eyes nearly popped out when he saw a display case with a gorgeous silver necklace priced at an eye-watering 56,000 (about $59,733).
"Holly fuck, that's expensive." Eren muttered, his amazement clear. Meanwhile, Armin went off to check if Erwin was around, leaving Eren and Mikasa to wander through the swanky displays. They strolled through the exhibits, taking in all the high-end merchandise.
Mikasa caught sight of a stunning golden bracelet and pointed it out. "Check this out, Eren." The bracelet had a simple but classy design, made from 21.6 carats of 90.0% pure gold.
"Holly shit!" Eren whispered, totally impressed. Mikasa nodded in agreement. "Good place to look for a sugar daddy or mommy," she said, making Eren snort with laughter. With these crazy prices, it wasn't a bad idea.
"I'll find an old man who's loaded, marry him, make him sign a will leaving all his money to me, and then kill him." Mikasa declared deadpan, causing Eren to burst into laughter. "I'm serious." she added with a smirk that didn't quite match her words.
Their laughter caught Armin's attention as he came back, looking puzzled. "What are you two laughing about?" he asked, and Eren and Mikasa exchanged amused glances before cracking up again. "Nothing!" Eren managed to say between giggles. Armin looked suspicious but couldn't help but smile at their infectious laughter.
As they followed Armin to the elevator, he hit the button for the thirteenth floor. Right then, Eren and Mikasa burst into laughter, their giggles bouncing off the hallway walls. Even Armin couldn't help but join in, their contagious laughter making the whole moment more fun.
"What are you guys laughing about?" Armin asked between chuckles, looking puzzled by their sudden burst of joy. Eren and Mikasa exchanged amused glances, then shrugged as they stepped into the elevator. It was one of those random, happy moments that just happened out of nowhere, but it definitely lifted their spirits.
Their laughter gradually died down as they rode up in the elevator. Then Mikasa broke the silence with a question. "Hey Armin, is Erwin like, super rich?"
Armin put on a mock pout, pretending to be offended. "Yeah, but don't call me a gold digger." he shot back, getting a snort from Eren. "Nothing wrong with loving money, bro. Money's great." Eren chimed in, teasingly. Armin rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Yeah, you love money so much you can't stop spending it." he retorted. Eren just shrugged casually. "Hey, I deserve treats for my hard work." he defended himself.
Mikasa, ever the realist, chimed in dryly, "What work? You're workless."
Eren grinned mischievously, not missing a beat. "Being hot, obviously. I should become a stripper, you know. I've got a bigger ass than both of you." he quipped, getting a laugh from Mikasa and a playful eye-roll from Armin.
"I'm pretty sure that's not a career path you want to pursue." Armin teased.
"Hey, if he wants to shake what his mama gave him, who are we to stop him?" Mikasa smirked.
"Exactly!" Eren exclaimed, nodding eagerly. "Besides, I could use the extra cash."
Armin rolled his eyes playfully. "Well, I hope you've got some impressive dance moves to go with that big ass of yours."
"I've got moves you wouldn't believe." Eren boasted, striking a pose for emphasis.
Mikasa laughed and shook her head. "I don't doubt it."
As the elevator doors slid open, they stepped out onto the thirteenth floor, their playful banter keeping the mood light as they headed toward Erwin's office.
Following Armin down the hallway, they entered an area of sleek modern elegance. The corridor seemed to stretch on forever, with fancy décor and soft lighting giving it a classy vibe. At the end was a grand door that looked like it could go on forever, its polished surface catching the light.
Armin knocked confidently on the door, looking pretty smooth. Eren noticed he was still in his work clothes and asked, "Didn't you go home and change?" Armin shrugged casually. "I can change here. I've got spare clothes." he said simply.
A faint "come in" floated through the door, so they stepped inside. Eren was struck by the presence of the guy behind the desk. Erwin was sitting there with this authoritative air, framed by a big window that let in soft natural light.
"Hello, sunny." Erwin greeted warmly, making Eren exchange a puzzled look with Armin, who seemed to blush a little. Erwin stood up and walked over, extending his hand to Eren. "Eren, right? I remember you. Still on the job hunt?" he asked, sounding friendly but businesslike. Eren nodded seriously, his determination clear.
"And you must be Mikasa. You look just like your cousin." Erwin said, shaking Mikasa's hand before turning back to Eren. Mikasa shook his hand too, though she seemed a bit skeptical. "I get that a lot, though I'm taller." she replied, which made Erwin smile knowingly. Eren couldn't help but wonder about Mikasa's cousin and just how tall they were.
"Make sure not to mention that to Levi this week. He's in a really bad mood after I sent him to Austria for a meeting," Erwin added, moving back to his desk. Armin gasped loudly. "Austria? For what?" he asked, clearly shocked, just like Eren.
Erwin chuckled. "The guy we had a deal with insisted on sealing it in person. I didn't realise it meant flying all the way to Austria. With my schedule packed today, Levi was my only hope. He gets the job done, and I just got a call saying it went well." Armin nodded, understanding now.
"So, for the job, I've got two options for you." Erwin started, and Eren leaned in, curious. Erwin got up from his desk and motioned for them to sit on the couch in front of it, and they followed. "First, you'd handle all the new shipments, make sure they're displayed properly here and in our other shops, and update our website. You'll have colleagues doing similar stuff, so you'll just need to coordinate schedules." It sounded like a good opportunity, and Eren took a moment to think it over.
Erwin continued, his tone now laced with amusement. "Option two: stay jobless." Eren snorted at the bluntness, and Erwin laughed along. "But seriously," Erwin said, "let's focus on the first option. It seems like a good fit for you." Eren agreed. Given his background in retail and bakery jobs, handling shipments and updating displays seemed like a solid match.
"It actually sounds pretty perfect. I've done similar work, including updating websites for bakeries. But is it okay if I try it for a day first?" Eren asked, hoping for a chance to test it out. Erwin shook his head.
"No need for a trial run," he said with a grin. "We need someone who can jump right in. You're hired." He gave Eren a nod of approval.
"That works for me. When can I start?" Eren asked, excited.
"Hange's schedule opens up in two days, so I'll see you then at 8 am." Erwin replied, his tone firm. Eren nodded, feeling a buzz of anticipation.
Finally, a fresh start. Eren couldn't wait to see where this new opportunity would take him.