Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ New Love ❯ Chapter 13

New Love

 

I had lots of fun with Sephiroth's dialogue here, but, oh ho ho ho…I doubt you readers will care by the time you're done reading…

 

Chapter 13

 

“Um, here, I hope is suitable,” Cloud said, opening the door to the small conference room. Sephiroth followed him inside and sat down, setting down a small briefcase on the table. He folded his arms and watched silently as Cloud fumbled with the two file folders he had hastily grabbed from his office, searching through them for a sheet of paper. Cloud found what he wanted and pulled it out, sliding it across the table from Sephiroth.

 

“This, I believe, in the contract we faxed you,” Cloud said.

 

“Hmph,” Sephiroth grunted, picking up the paper and reading it over. As Cloud tried to compose himself, Aeris tapped his on the shoulder.

 

“You said you wanted a coffee?” she whispered. Cloud nodded.

 

“The usual,” he replied.

 

“I would also appreciate a drink,” Sephiroth said, not looking up from the contract. Cloud turned to watch him as Aeris nodded.

 

“Of course, Mr. Hojo. How do you take it?” she asked.

 

“Whatever Mr. Strife finds suitable, I am sure is good enough for me,” Sephiroth said, lifting an eye to look at Aeris. Aeris nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her. Sephiroth looked back down at the contract Cloud had given him. The two sat in silence as Sephiroth read. Finally, he set the contract down on the table and clasped his hands together, locking his feline gaze on Cloud.

 

“I have looked over this contract several times. As I understand it, this deal will allow Shinra franchises to sell Hojo-brand alcohols in their stores as third-party suppliers, and a percentage of the profits will be passed along to me,” Sephiroth said.

 

“Exactly,” Cloud nodded. “This will give the Hojo brand a much larger and more varied customer base that will increase your profits exponentially.”

 

“So it would appear, at first glance. However, it seems math is not your strong suit. This contract also shifts costs for shipping to the Shinra stores, to my company. In tandem with the fee Shinra will be charging for usage of their franchises…the profit margins of my company would increase by less than two percent, at best.”

 

“Two percent?” Cloud muttered. “That can't be right, I was sure the deal would result in a seven percent increase for you. I calculated it myself.”

 

“And as I said, it seems math is not your strong suit,” Sephiroth said coldly. “So unless you wish to backtrack and explain yourself, I would like to know how large a fool you think I am, that you can cheat me so.”

 

“Sorry, let me see this,” Cloud said, taking the contract and reading it over. He could have sworn he had done the calculations right, but looking over the contract, it seemed Sephiroth was right. Had he signed the contract, his company would be getting the short end of the deal.

 

“I…don't know what to say,” Cloud admitted. “This is the contract I sent to my boss, and he authorized…” Cloud trailed off. Rufus. He must have changed the contract. Cloud scowled as he realized his boss, the very person who wanted the Hojo contract, may have cost him the deal.

 

“It seems I've wasted my time here,” Sephiroth said. Cloud looked up as Sephiroth stood from his chair.

 

“Wait!” Cloud protested, standing himself. Sephiroth stopped closing his briefcase and lifted his eyes. “Mr. Hojo, I apologize for this mistake, but if you'll hear me out I'm sure we can come to a new agreement that will satisfy you,” Cloud said. Sephiroth waited for a moment, then slid back his sleeve to look at his watch.

 

“Hmph. Well, I did schedule an hour here,” he said. “Very well. I will hear what you have to say. Best make it interesting.” Sephiroth sat back down, and Cloud let out a breath and followed suit.

 

“Ah, well Mr. Hojo, as I'm sure you are aware, Shina Inc. operates over five hundred stores in forty-four states nationwide, and takes in over seven billion dollars a year,” Cloud began. “It's a statistically proven fact that products sold in Shinra stores can experience profits as large as seven times that of what they would make operating independently. And, when you take into consideration the reputation your company already has, I'm sure you'll see that-”

 

“You're an amusing little puppet, did you know that?”

 

Cloud stopped and blinked to see Sephiroth cross his arms, his eyes cold but the corner of his mouth twitching into a smirk.

 

“E-excuse me?” Cloud muttered.

 

“You sit there spitting out statistics and claims as if they were rehearsed,” Sephiroth sneered. “Have you no mind of your own, or is Shinra's medical plan truly so good, that they've removed your spine so easily? I told you to make what you had to say interesting. You're failing miserably.”

 

“I…ah…don't know what to say to that,” Cloud admitted.

 

“Of course you don't,” Sephiroth said. “Tell me, have you ever done anything of your own motivations, or do you need me to tell what to say to get me to sign that contract? Do you always act like you need others to tell you what to do?”

 

“I do indeed have the capacity to make my own decisions, Mr. Hojo,” Cloud said, growing irritated.

 

“Then stop spouting such drivel and actually try speaking,” Sephiroth ordered. Cloud opened his mouth to respond, when the door to the room opened. Aeris came in with a small tray, two coffee mugs on it.

 

“Here you are, Mr. Hojo,” she said, setting the tray on the table. “I hope my own mug is acceptable, it's the only one beside Mr. Strife's we have.” Sephiroth picked up the coffee mug and peered at the flower field of white and yellow flowers. Cloud took a drink from his own mug and waited for Sephiroth to follow suit.

 

“I care for function, not aesthetics,” Sephiroth replied, taking a drink from the mug. He set it down and nodded. “It's quite good, Ms…”

 

“Gainsborough, Mr. Hojo, sir. Aeris Gainsborough.”

 

“Hmph. Then Ms. Gainsborough, thank you for the coffee.”

 

“Of course, sir.” Aeris gave a small bow, and Sephiroth watched with a small smirk. Cloud cleared his throat, and Sephiroth turned his gaze to him, any hint of amusement vanishing.

 

“Ah yes, the puppet was speaking, how rude of me,” he said, turning his head. Cloud stifled the rising urge to strangle the man and focused on what he had to do. Rufus would have his job is he lost the Hojo contract. He couldn't let that happen.

 

“Let's just cut to the chase,” Cloud growled. “What would it take to get your name on that contract?”

 

“Try exhibiting independent thought,” Sephiroth said. “But something tells me that your ability to do that lies right above your math skills.”

 

“Did I…miss something?” Aeris asked, giving Sephiroth a confused look. Sephiroth turned his attention back on her.

 

“Not at all, Ms. Gainsborough. Before you arrived, however, Mr. Strife was demonstrating what a good tool he was, reciting Shinra's qualifications like he were reading from a script. You work with him, tell me, has he always taken orders so easily?”

 

“Actually in my experience, Mr. Strife is very intelligent, and considering-”

 

“Don't call him that,” Sephiroth cut off. “You called him `Cloud', when you greeted him earlier.”

 

“Ah…yes, I did,” Aeris nodded. “Well, as I was saying, Cloud is quite intelligent. Truth be told, Mr. Shinra is quite overbearing and demanding. It's amazing Cloud is able to handle the workload he has, and with the level of professionalism he does, too. He seems a bit odd at times, but I assure you, Mr. Hojo, Cloud is a hard and competent worker. He does take orders often, but with the way Rufus treats him, he sorta has to if he'd like to remain employed here.”

 

“It's also amazing you can talk about Cloud like that when I'm sitting right here,” Cloud grated. Sephiroth sipped his coffee and ignored him. Aeris, however, tossed him a gaze and a small shrug.

 

“Thank you for your analysis, Ms. Gainsborough,” Sephiroth said. “It's good to know that someone in here has more than half a brain besides me.”

 

“Um…thank you,” Aeris mumbled. Cloud's hand on the edge of the table tightened on the wood as Sephiroth took another drink.

 

“If Mr. Hojo is quite finished…” he muttered.

 

“I believe I am, yes,” Sephiroth nodded. “And I have reached a decision regarding this…'contract', Cloud.”

 

“Oh?” Cloud asked, lifting an eyebrow at the usage of his name.

 

“Yes,” Sephiroth nodded. “I find these terms acceptable, though not necessarily flattering. So, I will sign this contract, on one condition. You want me to sign this, but if I sign, you must oblige something I want.”

 

“And what would that be?” Cloud asked. Sephiroth locked eyes with him.

 

“Her.”

 

“Huh?” Aeris gasped.

 

“Excuse me?” Cloud echoed.

 

“If. Ms. Gainsborough agrees to come work for me as my secretary, then I shall gladly sign this contract,” Sephiroth explained, turning his attentions back to Aeris. Aeris blinked.

 

“Ah, Mr. Hojo, I-”

 

“Absolutely not!”

 

Sephiroth and Aeris turned to see Cloud on his feet, his hands slammed down on the table as he glared at Sephiroth. The silver-haired man rose to his full height from his chair, towering over Cloud by a good six-inches. Cloud still glared at him. Sephiroth's shoulders shook as he turned his head away.

 

“Well,” Sephiroth chuckled, “you have a backbone after all.”

 

“No kidding,” Cloud muttered. “I hate to break this to you, Sephiroth, but unlike your company and workers, you don't just get to barge in here and demand whatever you like from us and expect to get it. Aeris is my friend and co-worker, and if the terms of that contract aren't sufficient to pad your wallet until it's as fat as your head, then we have nothing more here to discuss except how to get you out of here as quickly as possible.”

 

Aeris stared at Cloud wide-eyed, her mouth hanging open. She didn't even think Cloud was capable of speaking to clients like that. Sephiroth had his arms crossed over his broad chest, glaring down at Cloud. Cloud leaned back slightly and sucked in a breath, maintaining the silent staring contest.

 

Finally, Sephiroth unfolded his arms, and slowly clapped his hands together. Twice, three times.

 

“Well done, Cloud,” he said, closing his eyes. “It appears I've underestimated you. My apologies.”

 

“If you're going to try and subdue me with flattery, it won't work,” Cloud replied. “All you've done since you got here is insult me. If you want to be able to do that without retaliation then go back to your own company. Here, either start discussing solutions to our little contract problem, or leave.”

 

Sephiroth fell silent again, then reached down to lift the contract and re-read it. Cloud and Aeris waited as he did so, and Sephiroth finally set it back on the table and lifted his eyes to Cloud.

 

“Half,” he muttered.

 

“What?”

 

“If Shinra agrees to split the costs of shipping with my company and pay half of the fees, then the terms of this contract are otherwise acceptable,” Sephiroth said.

 

“You're serious?” Cloud asked cautiously. Sephiroth gave a sharp nod. “Done,” Cloud said simply, returning the nod. “We'll draw up the new contract and have it faxed to you by Friday.”

 

“Excellent,” Sephiroth said, standing up. “I look forward to doing business with Shinra, Cloud.” He held out his hand, and after a moment Cloud took and shook it.

 

“Good to have you on board, Mr. Hojo,” he said as Sephiroth headed towards him. Sephiroth stopped as he opened the door and turned his head to Cloud.

 

“I will admit, you're quite audacious to speak to me as you have, Cloud,” he said. “But I respect men who stand tall against their betters. When the time comes, that we should meet again…do not disappoint me.”

 

A small smile graced Sephiroth's features as he left the room, letting the door swing closed behind him. Cloud stared at the door blankly.

 

“He left,” Aeris said. Cloud nodded, then let out a cry and spun, wrapping Aeris in a hug.

 

“Oh my god, I can't believe I did that!” he cried over her shoulder.

 

“I know,” Aeris laughed. “He looked ready to maim you!” Cloud pulled his head back and grinned down at her.

 

“But it worked, goddamn, it worked!” he said. “He's gonna sign with us! Rufus is gonna be happy!”

 

“Rufus can be happy?”

 

“He will now!” Cloud hugged Aeris again, letting out a chuckle. Aeris patted Cloud on the back with a smile.

 

“How come you got so angry when he asked me to work for him?” she asked. Cloud's eyes widened slightly, and he pulled back.

 

“Oh…well, I, ah…just like having you here,” he replied. “You mean too much to me to lose to someone else, Aeris.”

 

“Cloud…” Aeris blushed slightly and lowered her head. Cloud blinked as he watched her, and she lifted her head again. “Anyway, we have to…Cloud?” she asked. “You okay?” Cloud didn't hear her - Sephiroth's words replayed in his mind.

 

“Tell me, have you ever done anything of your own motivations?”

 

“Watch me,” Cloud whispered.

 

“Huh?” Aeris replied. Cloud's response was to close his eyes and duck his head down to press his lips against her.

 

His hands gently held her shoulders, light enough to let her pull away if she tried. But to his surprise, Aeris did no such thing, but she didn't return the kiss eagerly either. She more or less held still as Cloud kissed her, savoring the sweetness he had dreamt about a tad too many times over the past weeks. After a moment, he pulled back, and Aeris stared up at him blankly. Cloud met her gaze, unwilling and unable not to face her after what he was done.

 

In fact, he was so busy watching her face twist into a mask of fury, he didn't see her hand coming out.

 

SMACK

 

Cloud's head snapped to the side as Aeris slapped him across the face. He held there for a moment, registering what happened. When it hit him, he calmly let out a breath.

 

“ I deserve that,” he said.

 

“You damn right you do!” Aeris hissed. Cloud turned back to her in surprise. He'd never heard Aeris swear before. Aeris' hands clenched and unclenched at her sides as her mouth moved, trying to speak.

 

“Yes?” Cloud prompted. Aeris slowly shook her head.

 

“Do you have…anything, to say?” she asked.

 

“I'd be lying if I said I was sorry,” Cloud said. Aeris' hand came back up, and Cloud braced himself for another hit. Instead, Aeris pointed her finger at him.

 

“You…have a girlfriend,” she said slowly. “And I…will not do this.” Aeris marched past Cloud and opened the door. She stepped out, but stopped in the doorframe. “If you have any decency left, you'll tell Tifa,” she ordered, not looking back. “And if you don't, I will.”

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

Cloud took the walk down the hall slowly, his eyes cast down. Aeris had stepped out by the time he had composed himself and returned to his desk, and he has spent the rest of the day alone in the office. He was telling the truth, he knew it had been wrong to kiss her, but looking back, he didn't regret doing it. And Aeris was right - Tifa had to be told. Cloud took out his key as he reached the door to their apartment, and noticed the door ajar.

 

“Yeah, just called it,” Tifa said as Cloud walked inside. She had on her shoes and coat, and a closed suitcase stood against the wall. “Yup, be there as soon as I can,” Tifa said into the phone. She hung up and noticed Cloud. “Oh, you're home just in time!” she exclaimed, standing up.

 

“What's going on?” Cloud asked. Tifa gave him an odd look as she grabbed her purse from the table.

 

“Cloud, Zangan and I are headed out of state for an exhibition, I've told you I-don't-know-how-many-times,” she said.

 

“Oh…when will you be back?”

 

“Monday,” Tifa said, grabbing a plane ticket from on top of the television.

 

“Um…look, I have to talk to you about something?”

 

“Is it quick?”

 

“Not really?”

 

“Well, can we do this over the phone when I get to the hotel tomorrow?” Tifa asked, picking up her suitcase.

 

“Tifa, really,” Cloud protested.

 

“I'm sorry Cloud, the taxi is coming, don't worry, we'll talk when I get back,” she said, kissing his cheek. “Love ya!” she called, running down the hall. Cloud watched her jog as the door slowly closed behind her. It slammed shut, the thud echoing in the apartment. Cloud's shoulders slumped as he walked into the apartment and fell back onto the sofa.

 

He'd never felt more alone.