Brushing his fingers over his lips, Koi played off the quick check for Devyn's lipstick as his mother spoke to them. Her voice was light and friendly,
but he wasn't stupid. He knew what brought her to the table quicker than niggas flocking to a Foot Locker on a "Jordan Release" day. She'd seen the
kiss that Devyn hadn't even gotten the chance to start. And he could blame her, his "overly concerned about her family's public image" mother for
that. He didn't care about the image that she constantly sold to the media. The "good boy" Koi that was an admirable student and would, one day,
proudly follow in his father's footsteps. Right. All of that was so sellable. The image of the son that couldn't look anywhere but up to his father.
What a fucking joke. What a fucking lie, actually. A lie that his mother was comfortable telling and he should've been comfortable
living...at least for one night, like he and his sister had promised her. That was all she asked. And he could understand why. But this year was
different for a lot of reasons. One being the girl sitting next to him...well, standing. She knew the truth. Dhonny did too as he'd caught
Shemar's fucked up behavior on more than one occasion. The more people that knew, the less important it seemed to keep up something that was clear as
damn day. Koi's family was the only ones living this charade...and Koi bad been done with it.
His thick brows furrowed as he caught the "warning eye" from his mother, watching her smile at Devyn. He had to admit, even though he hated the lies,
he kind of respected his mother in some strange, crazy ass way. She put on a face with the best of them. The same way she played like her family
wasn't as dysfunctional as it was was the same way she smiled and talked to Devyn like she hadn't seen her assed out in their kitchen. No one would've
known what had gone down between the two women as Devyn thanked his mother for an invitation to the gala and his mother promised her a conversation
later. Pleasantries. Completely opposite the "whore" that his mother had called her during the Valentine's Night debacle...after she'd mistaken Devyn
for his father's underaged lover. There wasn't anyway that he could pull of what his mother played off every fucking day. She took his father's shit
and she didn't bat an eyelash in the process. She and his dad fought like dogs on rabies, then she stood next to him and smiled at the camera like
lovers. Koi didn't know whether to admire his mother, pity her...or fear the explosion that he felt, without a doubt, was building up under the
surface.
His thoughts stopped as he felt her hand rub across his hair again, his eyes going to Devyn.
"Feel bett'ah now that you're done greetin' the 'Queen Motha'?" He whispered in a horribly mocked, British accent. He chuckled as he leaned away from
her, watching her look at his mother walk away. He hoped she was done with the nerves. His mother had waved the white flag and there was peace in the
ballroom. No hair was going to fly tonight. With that knowledge, Devyn should've been in relaxed mode. And if she wasn't...Koi didn't mind helping her
get there.
Quote:
all that stressing for nothin'. bathroom. you and me. i just wanna eat it...
Evita…Evita. The more she repeated it to herself, the more familiar it sounded. Evita...ugh! This shouldn’t have been important
to her. This was Amiri’s problem, not hers! She had her own issues to tackle with this off schedule gala and finding the host of said gala a new
vehicle to get home in as her husband had…soiled the limo he and his family had arrived in. Despite Ruka’s best efforts, Shemar Kidd had
found a couple of girls to aid in the destruction of his marriage. It was none of her business, and she would never say anything, but Fumie could do
much better than the man she married. But as she said, it was none of her business and it was neither here nor there. All that mattered concerning
Shemar tonight was that he was in place for his ‘Thank You’ speech. She didn’t expect much from him, but that was a pivotal point of the night
and he WOULD be present for it.
But even as she thought of all the hurdles she would face trying to make it through this event, she couldn’t help but repeat that name to
herself…Evita. She needed more to go on. Closing the short distance between herself and the bar, she stepped behind it, pulling her
personal phone from her bag. Ruka didn’t believe in cutting any ties that didn’t need to be cut and she was many thing, but disloyal was not one of them. She was
still close to some of her “minions” from high school and there was one in particular that might have been able to help her with her current
situation. Junior year in Oregon, Logan Huntley had been her go to for information on their fellow classmates. When Ruka was bored and wanted to ruin
someone’s day, Logan was usually the one with hauntingly accurate gossip. She would know what Amiri was talking about, even years later. Ruka shot
her a simple text: Amiri Ben Hassi. Evita? It was how the two of them spoke to one another.
She held her phone as she made her way to the stage to check on sound, yet again. Fumie had asked for ten minutes after the kitchen fiasco and
afterward, she was going to get things started. Everything was in place but with the microphone issues they’d had earlier, she just wanted to be
sure. That and it would take her mind off of whatever was going on with Amiri...At least until Logan got back to her with something useful, which
wouldn’t be long she was sure...and she was right. Not ten minutes later, just as Ruka descended the stairs she got a text back that said exactly
what she needed to spark a memory…
She had to find Amiri.
And they shall know I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance on them.
"Another..." Amiri's fingertips pushed the recently emptied scotch glass across the top of the bar to the waiting bartender. What would this be? His
fifth? Sixth, perhaps? A smirk appeared and disappeared so quickly on his lips that only a shadow of it remained as he thought about the
expression on Nema's face if she could look at her little brother now...an echo of his former self. Pouting. Seething...drinking away the sorrows of
his "horribly unfair life". He did not have to imagine the talking to he would surely be receiving as his asinine assistant, who lived and breathed
Nema (as if the idiot had a chance with his prude of an elder sister), looked as if he could not wait to return to the office and inform her
of her brother's horrible behavior...if horrible meant accusing someone of something they had NO recollection of and drinking the entire bar out of
embarrassment. Amiri gave a heavy sigh, glancing at the empty glass that still sat in front of him. Blinking slowly, he looked away from the counter
and to the shifty eyes of the bartender.
"...are you expecting a "please"? Because that would be a waste of your time..." Amiri was not daft. He knew why there was a hesitation where they
should have been none at all. He had asked for another scotch, dry. He expected a scotch... dry. But the little issue of a drunken, emotional
contributor, no matter how important or wealthy, was something that the skittish bartender did not wanted to see. Or cause, as she had begun watering
down his drinks after the third one. And Amiri did not blame her. But the fact remained. He wanted his drink.
His glare grew stoic as he watched her, her eyes jumping to the places where he was sure people with rank and position much higher than hers, stood.
Amiri could have cared less. He could not concern himself with the plight of the "this job is paying for my college courses" bartender when his
troubles were so very present. He still could not believe himself. His actions had been impetuous that night. Talking to Ruka the way he had, blaming
her for something that was so long forgotten that he had looked insane to even mention it. Brooding the night away by the bar and having way more than
the three drink limit his sister had imposed on him. All because of her. All because of the past. And he was tired of thinking about the
past. He had seen enough embarrassment and pity for the night.
The sound of a refreshed scotch glass being placed on the bar top removed him from his thoughts. Finally. Now that he was not being policed
on the drinks that he could and could not have...he would enjoyed this one. Watered down or not. And he would drink...until he forgot.
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero needs his theme music...
He was in one of two places; gone or at the bar. Given that his company had contributed tonight’s top donation to the cause, she was sure his
sister, Nema, would not allow the former. So she looked out over the crowd from the stage, hoping to spot him sipping either scotch or bourbon...and
right she was. She watched as he pushed away an empty glass and waved down the bartender for another. Now that she knew what this was about, she could
guess why he’d been so upset. Evita was the other woman...or perhaps Amiri’s real girlfriend...whatever her title then, it was clear now that she
had been important; so when Ruka laid waste to a former minion that was sleeping with Amiri at the time and Amiri himself in one crushing blow, this
Evita had been collateral damage. Oops.
She honestly couldn’t bring herself to feel too bad about it. Amiri was the one “cheating”, Ruka simply brought it to the girl’s
attention...in a very public forum. Perhaps she was partly responsible but she would not take full responsibility for someone else’s mistakes...What
she would do was talk to him about whatever would get the two of them back on cordial speaking conditions. They didn’t have to be friends but if he
kept disrespecting her over this nonsense, she was eventually going to snap. She had self-control, but everyone had their limits. She drew close to
him just as the bartender gave him what would be his last drink of the night. He looked awful.
“Thank you-,” Ruka looked to the girl’s name tag, “Evelyn. That’ll be his last drink of the evening.” The girl nodded before scurrying to
the other end of the bar and looking to Amiri, Ruka could see why she had moved so fast. She rolled her eyes a bit before taking the seat next to him.
She wasn’t going to give him the chance to tell her to go away so she spoke first.
“Evita was on the other side of what happened with the blonde girl…”
And they shall know I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance on them.
This was what Amiri needed. The scotch being handed to him and the momentary silence and relief of everything and everyone
leaving...him...alone. He was sure that his antisocial behavior whist on "Chaâbi Group business" had made its way back to his elder and more refined
sister. He did not care. He did not care about anything but the amber colored forgetfulness in the small glass being pushed towards him. He gladly
accepted it, ready to settle into the next dose of "forget it all"...when he heard her. And just like that, forgetting was over. Everything
he had hoped to avoid for the rest of the evening had just arrived at the bar. And apparently, it was moderating his ability to drink, which he
did not need it to do.
That'll be his last drink of the evening. This was his punishment, he assumed. His bad behavior now caused the halt of the very thing that
was keeping him occupied enough to stay out of MORE trouble. Yet, he was denied this too? He guessed he could understand. Another glass of the watered
down scotch and he did not care how much water he had consumed, he would have been nice and drunk. He could feel first throws of intoxication as he
turned towards the voice that had separated him from becoming further "forgetful". Ruka's face slid into view, am irritated grimace settling on his
lips as he realized that there would be no more scotch for him now that she had arrived. And he wondered...would she take joy in depriving him of the
only thing that he had left that night...as she had already walked away with his dignity.
"Fantastic." He muttered, feeling Ruka's presence next to him as she took a seat next to him at the bar.
"I was not aware that you had been invited..." Amiri's words, spoken softly between clenched teeth were interrupted...by Ruka's first one. She had
said...a name. That name. The only name that would have given him pause. The only name that meant anything to him since the second that the woman it
belonged to had collided with his life again. Her name.
Evita...
Collecting himself, he lifted the glass to his lips, smirking as the velvety scotch touched his tongue, relaxing him. He had lost himself earlier with
Ruka. The emotions he let her see, the anger...embarrassment. He would not be clumsy enough to do it again. He would not be foolish enough to let her
know that she controlled the situation. That she controlled him.
"So. You remember." Scoffing, he placed the glass on the bar, his hands folding as he refused to look at Ruka. Not yet.
"And it was never about the blonde. Never."
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero needs his theme music...
Fantastic indeed. Because yes, when she’d arrived at this fundraiser she had nothing more in mind than holding Amiri’s hand while he had a
breakdown over a girl that she could not remember, but she had apparently taken from him. Ugh. He was still the self-centered, arrogant bastard from
high school and to be quite honest, Ruka’s patience was growing thin. She had been trying to be nice for weeks now and it was absolutely
draining. Especially not now while she was trying to keep this event from falling apart. Shemar, after assaulting his wife, had found two
very willing, barely legal young ladies to disappear with leaving Ruka to wonder whether he would come back on his own or have to be dragged...The
point was, she did not have time to cater to Amiri’s inner turmoil. Why then did she find herself doing just that?
She had spent most of her time since first seeing him wondering what his little outburst was about and for some reason that she couldn’t
explain...she cared. An event she couldn’t even remember had become important to her because it seemed so important to him. Of course, now that he
was drunk nothing was as important to him as her cutting him off. She sighed, watching his grimace somehow grow deeper as he spoke. Wow. He had moved
way past drunk…
“Invited? Since when have I ever needed to be invited anywhere?” Ruka smiled a little, a short chuckle leaving her lips. She didn’t
have time for this. And holding her tongue was proving to be a task. She would move forward. She spoke. Relaying a bit of the memory Logan had
refreshed for her. Evita. So you remember...Yeah. She did. With a little help. She didn’t completely remember, of course; Evita’s face
was a complete mystery as Ruka had been more focused on the cracking face of the blonde that had betrayed her. But she remembered what happened...and
she kind of understood his anger toward her. But she would be damned if she would be blamed for his inability to bed possibly the only woman in
America that wouldn’t sleep with him.
“Yes, I remember, but if you remember, this Evita wasn’t exactly my focus. It was about you.” That was the start of a hard truth that
Ruka knew she would have to tread lightly around. “You cheated on one of my minions. It was a weakness to exploit and I used it. I didn’t take
Evita from you. You pushed her away.” She was being honest. Treading lightly wasn’t exactly what she’d done but she did get her
thoughts out. It was how things had played out and there was no one to blame but Amiri. She hadn’t cheated on this girl that she allegedly took from
him. He’d done his own dirt.
And they shall know I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance on them.
That was the problem with Ruka Sōuen as of late. She was never invited. It was almost laughable that she had become a welcomed faction
in Amiri's life. Contracting with his company, thanks to his dear, sweet elder sister. Planning and orchestrating the events that brought them more
success. And in that time, Amiri had begun to, lest he admit, enjoy her company...that was until Evita reappeared, making real what
had only been memory for so long. And with those memories came the guilt...and the anger. And in Ruka's case, the blame. Because all that
looking into that alabaster skin and those dark eyes meant to him was "remembering". Remembering everything. That made her presence painful and
undesirable...and tiring. And what was more? It made his gradually increasing drunken stupor less effective.
"I assume never..." Amiri muttered, leaning his face into his palm, his glare unceasing as Ruka found amusement in his unwelcoming welcome.
"...considering the way you continually impose on...everything?" Grunting sourly, he prepared a quick exit before another draining conversation
ensued...until she spoke her name. Until she said the only thing that he had wanted to hear from the moment that he had shown his anger and
displeasure with Ruka at the gala. He had wanted to know that...that he was not alone in remembering every single thing that had happened when he lost
Evita. That it had not been something consequential that did not mattered. That even though it had not effected Ruka's life, she still remembered
ruining his. Because...when Evita departed from his life, what had been a tremor to Ruka had been an earthquake to him. No, it had never been about
her minion... It had been about Evita...and her being ripped from his grasp...or so he wanted to believe.
But Ruka, being the harbinger of unpleasantness that she had always been, reminded Amiri of the truth. Her focus had always been Amiri. The
destruction and devastation of Amiri Ben Hassi. And Amiri had done nothing but given her the material she needed to make the ultimate weapon. Evita's
hate and the death of his father. The twin blow the nearly ended him. And...it was his fault. All of it. Perhaps not his father's passing, but
definitely Evita's leaving...and now her marriage and motherhood. It did not have to be this way. It had been Amiri's doing. And Ruka was not
hesitating to remind him of that fact.
"Stop." He said simply, quieting Ruka's truth. His eyes left her as he stared blankly, looking at nothing...sipping the thing that would make her more
and more silent.
"I do not want nor need to hear anymore..." Placing the glass back on the bar, he could have walked away at that very moment. He could have just
gotten up and left the very thing that he believed would have made him feel less...alone. Her truth did not. It only made the loneliness burn worse.
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero needs his theme music...
He was being a child, his snide comment about her current imposition not going unnoticed, simply being ignored. He was hurting. She wasn’t trying to
make it any worse but she wasn’t going to let him keep blaming her for something that wasn’t her fault. Not only was it bad for the business they
were doing together, it was bad for what she thought was a new friendship. Ugh. She hated how Disney that sounded. God forbid she ever have to say so
out loud, but she had grown quite fond of Amiri’s company. She thought they were doing well and now she knew what had changed things, she was trying
to change them back. She cared. She felt…off about it, but she cared about her old friend…
So she told him the truth. It wasn’t her fault if things had gone south with an old girlfriend of his. He was responsible for his actions and she
had no control over the collateral damage she’d caused years ago when she was a bored, immature teenager. And why was he bringing it up now? She
couldn’t remember exactly what Amiri had said during his little rant, but he’d said something about her being back right? That’s what brought
this on? He wanted to rekindle an unavailable old flame? She could keep asking herself or…He may not have wanted to hear anymore, but she had more
to say. She had questions. He’d started this whole mess.
“Why are you bringing this up now, Amiri?” she sighed a bit, looking away, trying another approach to getting him over this hump. “It was
the past. You’ve moved on…”
And they shall know I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance on them.
Moved on? He had? Well...that was news to him. And what was more, it was absolutely amazing that Ruka knew more about HIS past and his ability to
"move on from it" than he did. She was more amazing than Amiri had originally assumed, yes? Along with being abrasively intruding, she was also
clairvoyant? Amazing. Really... But he supposed her assumptions were understandable. As he was not a constant, opened mouth, share all,
assumptions were all that people like Ruka had. Understood, yes. Appreciated? Not likely. Because the reality of the matter was this: she did not
know him and he had not moved on. Their childhood seemed eons away. Growing up so quickly and assuming responsibility of so much had mad it feel
that way, casting an aged shadow on wounds that were fresher than Amiri liked to admit. And the wound of Evita still stung, refusing the healing that
his denial and avoidance attempted at providing. He knew better now. Seeing Evita after all of this time and feeling that same slow burn of guilt and
the pangs of regret ended that belief. It had never left him. It had never gone. Ruka's comment was laughable because now Amiri knew...there was no
moving on from his past.
"Move...on?" Amiri chuckled, playing with the emptying glass in his hand. "There is no moving on when your past follows you, Ruka." His voice faded to
silence as he lifted the glass to his lips again, draining the remainder of the amber liquid. The drink was gone and there would be no more following
it. But the feeling was still there. The feeling that everything was crumbling around him and the last person he wanted to watch it crumble was the
person that had aided in it doing so. But she was right. It was not her fault. It had never been her fault. It had been his. In his stupid youth, he
believed he was doing the right thing. He believed he was doing what it would take to love Evita and keep her from the ugly world that his father's
money purchased him. But he did not protect her. He did not save her. In what seemed like the end, he had hurt her. He had hurt her when he should
have been protecting her from himself. And in the very end, the end that he was living right now...he was the one that truly felt the pain.
"Why." He questioned simply, letting his head, which was getting increasingly heavier, fall to his hands. He cradled it there as he paused, his one
worded inquisition lingering in the air. Even if the short question did not mean anything to Ruka, it meant worlds to Amiri. Why did Ruka even
care? Why, besides avoiding the possibility of the embarrassment of a drunken, emotional outburst from Amiri, was she even wasting her time with
him? She had a gala to host and very prestigious clients to please. Why? Why was any of this important to her? It had not been in the past. She had
shown Amiri that when she had taken out the fatal strike against him and ended the facade between he, the blonde and Evita. It was all a means to an
end. So why, now, was there even the slightest concern to why the past had reared its ugly head back into his life?
"Why do you care...now?" His eyes were questioning even if his inquiry seemed less than invitingly warm. He had not meant it that way. "It was...none
of this was truly your fault. I know that. I think I have always known that. She was my weakness. You, like the opportunist you are, took that
weakness and exploited it. I understand. I would have done the same..."
"So, why are you...wasting your time...here. With me?"
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero needs his theme music...
Move...on? What? Was it something she’d said? Had he not moved on? This was the first she had heard of this Evita since her apparent
disappearance in high school. He was living a life! Even after his father, he pushed forward and moved on. This girl had no part in that. He
was a different person; it was a different time. The past was over and things had changed. Ruka wasn’t the same person and neither was Amiri. She
knew that for a fact and even if he thought differently, he had moved on. Of course, he did think differently. His past was “following him” he
thought. But it wasn’t. He was trailing it along with him, opening old wounds that didn’t need to be open just to rub them in salt. Amiri was
hurting and he was doing it to himself.
“Amiri, please-,” Ruka rolled her eyes a bit, a small sigh leaving her as she prepared to explain to him, like the child he was behaving like,
that this woman’s reappearance was inconsequential to his life. Sure, he may have cared for her at one point, but just as he had changed over time,
this woman probably had too. He may not even know her anymore and yet he was here, wallowing in his misery and alienating those who were trying to
help him. Ruka was about to make this very valid point until Amiri spoke again, a simple word leaving his lips that she knew was more loaded than it
sounded. Why? It was a perfectly reasonable question she guessed. Why was she doing this? Why did she care? Beyond getting him to stop acting
like a complete child in her presence, what was her motivation for getting him out of this funk? The answer was simple and she thought, obvious.
“Well, Amiri, until a few weeks ago I was under the impression our relationship extended beyond the professional…” To be honest, she thought
they were friends. It’s not really something she was willing to say out loud, as it sounded very...outside of her character, but it was true. She
had grown fond of Amiri and she was trying to help him, simply because they were friends.
“I only see it as a waste of time if you keep up this melodrama and refuse to listen to reason-,” Ruka took a chance, lightly placing her hand
atop his as she tried to soften the blow of her previous words and make way for the next ones, “Just...I’m trying to be nice. What can I do to
make things okay between us again?”
And they shall know I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance on them.
Their relationship? Extending beyond the "professional"? Even in the annoyed state that he found himself, Amiri could not help the smirk that hit his
lips and the momentary glint of boyish mischief in his eyes at the suggestion that he and Ruka were beyond..."professional". He blamed the scotch for
the lapse of his annoyed scowl, a glimmer of his former self flashing in him at the most inopportune of times as he looked into Ruka's face. All
joking aside, she could not have been more correct. The two had formed something just short of an alliance...almost like a friendship in their months
working along side each other. Until this. Until Evita's presence found its way back into Amiri's life again. Evita was the altering charge.
The electricity in the air. She was shifting everything now. Unknowingly, she was the storm that had been brewing for weeks between he and Ruka. The
storm that left him more and more progressively plastered at a bar during a business charity event and left Ruka cleaning up the mess. Evita came in
like a quiet hurricane, shifting and upturning all the things and Amiri's life with the slightest whisper of her presence. He had seen her one time
and everything was different now. Because of her.
A hushed groan slipped from him, head returning to his hands as Ruka spoke, the feeling of her heavy gaze on him even though he could not see her
looking at him. He knew she was. He could feel the judgement of her stare as she saw the things that barely anyone outside of his family saw. The hurt
and anguish of a past that had not yet been forgiven, nor forgotten. The annoyance with the emotions he displayed so openly and the
embarrassment...the embarrassment of knowing that everything...all of it was visible and he could not hide behind his arrogance and pride any longer.
Because Ruka saw him...she saw it all.
And yet, she stayed beside him, sitting at that bar with him when she had a gala to orchestrate and probably a million other issues that were much
more important than a drunken, emotional playboy to handle. Yes, drunken. Perhaps the drinks had not been as "watered down" as Amiri had initially
presumed. The feeling of lightheaded disorientation was close, he knew it. There was just the tingle in his fingertips now, the warming of his cheeks
and palms. The pleasant easiness of slight intoxication. A sneaking drunk was good new for Amiri...and for the underestimated bartender with what
Amiri believed was a stingy pouring hand. There was hope for that silly little bartender, yet. Either way, Ruka's devotion was admirable. Especially
to him during a situation such as this. All the blame Amiri had thrown at her, pelting her with angry accusations and she was still there...talking to
him. Well...admonishing him, actually.
"Melodrama?" Snorting his annoyance at the conversation Ruka was still having with him about the unforgotten past that she could not understand, Amiri
shifted on the barstool at her words, knowing that they were almost, if not completely true. But he could not see the entire truth. All he could see
was...Evita and her presence missing from his life, bestowed to someone less deserving...less...
What can I do to make things okay between us again? OH. What was this? Possible repentance? Perhaps not. But the possibility of reparations?
From Ruka Souen? Well...this was something Amiri would have never imagined in his youth. Honestly, the idea of it in his adulthood shocked him. And he
did not try to hide his shock as his head lifted from his hands, a blurry look of amusement on his face. He could not believe his ears...yet, he
already knew the answer to her offer of atonement.
"You owe me nothing." He said simply, his head shaking softly as he lowered it back into his hands. What was there for her to do? What revenge could
he exact that would right a relationship that was not wronged. He did not truly blame Ruka for a past that was the fault of his own. So there was
nothing. Unless she knew a way to take everything back and right the past. There was no rewind button on their lives. What was done was done
and...and...
"Wait..." He muttered, sitting up quicker than his intoxication allowed which caused him to waiver on the spot. Thankfully he had been sitting or he
might have toppled over from the slight liquor-induced vertigo.
"Perhaps...there is something." His eyes found a blurred, fuzzy Ruka as a lopsided grin settled on his face.
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero needs his theme music...
Oh God. Ruka couldn’t help herself as a small smirk matching his hit her lips. She should have worded her explanation more carefully, but Amiri knew
what she meant. It was a friendship. Nothing more. And certainly nothing any less. Their relationship was more than professional because they had a
history; a bittersweet past, that was more sweet than bitter, that the two of them often looked back upon fondly...obviously not often enough as Amiri
had found the one memory that was able to ruin what they had now. She didn’t want it to though. Despite her best efforts, she cared that he was
upset with her and it was a care that existed on a more than professional level. Because as she’d said, they existed on a more than
professional level. It was a fact she was coming to terms with and he would have to too. After he was finished with this hissyfit.
Or as she had worded it, the “melodrama”. She smiled a bit as he expressed his annoyance with her accusing him of being melodramatic. He knew it
was true though. Here he was, behaving as if his world was ending because he’d run into an old flame once. For that he had been
treating her like “the help” for weeks now. She was over it and he should have been too! To be quite honest, she didn’t understand it. Amiri
wasn’t one to...keep women. He had asked her before, but the question of why was on her tongue too. Why was this Evita so important? What made her
so special to him that he would end a personal relationship and risk a business relationship? Ruka couldn’t imagine Amiri ever being in a serious
relationship...with anyone. So what was this about an old flame from high school? They were all questions she could have asked, but she wasn’t going
to. All she really needed to know was how to fix things.
The way he looked at her as she asked elicited a genuine giggle from her. Drunken amusement covered his features as he gave her a look mingled with
disbelief. It wasn’t impossible for her to want to make amends with someone. Their younger selves probably never would have believed this was
happening, but she was being genuine. She was being a friend. Their moment was short lived however as his head returned to his hands and he told her
that she did not owe him anything. That she knew. She hadn’t done anything wrong, it was the game they played with one another, she’d simply won
that night. She didn’t owe him anything, but she did want to make things right with him…And as he thought about it, it seemed there was a way.
Her hands reached out for him, hoping to keep him upright as he sat up far too fast for his own good. Ruka rolled her eyes as he told her that there
was perhaps a way she could help. From the sounds of things and given his drunken stupor, she could guess how.
“I’m still not sleeping with you, Amiri. So outside of that, how can I help you?”
And they shall know I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance on them.
What? No! That was not what- he had not meant that when he had...was he that predictable? Perhaps in another time and another place
his thoughts would not have been far from Ruka's pretty and presumably lacy underthings, but tonight was not that time and the ballroom was
unfortunately not that place. He was a man on a mission now, it seemed. And that mission was further in the past than even dear Ruka Souen went. He
was focused. Well, he was as focused as the forgotten number of glasses of scotch allowed him to be at the particular moment. Ruka's words had
inspired him in ways she did not know, her invitation to help causing Amiri's smirk to widen. There was something that she could do for him and he
knew that when he asked, there would be no limit to how far Ruka would go to make the impossible possible. He would never hesitate to admit her
amazing feats the way he would have in his youth. He respected Ruka for the limitlessness of her reach and the swiftness of her hand. She had been an
admirable adversary and now, apparently she was a useful friend. And Amiri would accept both. Her friendship...and her powerful hand...as both would
bring him to the thing that had become his mission now. Evita.
He knew it was foolish of him to want her after all this time...after all he had done to her. Of course he knew this. He had no right to return to her
life after all this time, wanting her again. Hoping for something that was seemingly beyond him and his reach. She was married now. And she had a son.
She had a family that did not include Amiri or his childish dreams of having her back and making amends with her. But he could not think of anything
else except for that as he leaned over the bar, his muddled existence making him more and more sure of his decision.
"Not to worry, zweena." He chuckled, smiling at her as his eyes floated down the length of her gown and back to her face. "I have other
things in mind tonight. Rain check?" Another laugh escaped his smiling lips. They may have been friends and his sights may have been set on Evita, but
something inside of him could not resist seeing Ruka's feathers ruffled...even with the deliciously aged scotch racing through his blood.
"I want you to do something for me, but you have to promise me one thing first." Leaning closer to where Ruka sat, their shoulders touched as he
smiled, blearily at her, her features muddying as he drew nearer.
"Do not judge me, yes?" Lowering his voice, he spoke softly.
"I want her, Ruka. I care not the cost. I want her."
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero needs his theme music...
She guessed she should have guessed that they would make it to this point eventually. He wouldn’t be himself if he didn’t ask her to drinks or to
bed at least once while they were together. Of course that was how this conversation had begun in the first place. He wasn’t himself lately. He
barely spoke to her unless he was barking an order...but all of that was behind them now it seemed. The had confirmed a friendship and were working on
yet another “business proposition”. There was indeed something she could do for him and as he asked her for a raincheck on sex, she found that he
had something else in mind. Leaning into him, Rukas eyebrow raised as he asked her not to judge him after hearing exactly what he wanted from
her…
I want her, Ruka.
She didn’t understand and she allowed that confusion to show on her face as she leaned back into her own space and waited for more of an
explanation. An explanation that did not come. “So go get her Amiri. I don’t see the issue-,” she didn’t. What woman turned Amiri Ben Hassi
down? He had the money, power, and respect to have the woman of his choosing. Surely this Evita wasn’t out of his reach, so what was he asking of
her? An address? A phone number? Where did she come in to all of this? Ruka waved her hand, signaling the long since forgotten bartender and hoping
that she understood her gesture to mean “two more”. He attention never turned from Amiri though, waiting for him to clarify his request.
“What exactly are you asking me to do?”
And they shall know I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance on them.
Now, honestly. Amiri could not help but to assume that he request was clear. He had said it in the plainest English, the simplest way he had known
how. He wanted her. He wanted Evita. And he wanted nothing to stand in the way. Not the cost of acquiring her personal files and information. Not the
difficulty of finding a way to get her to meet up with him...in private. And certainly not the steps taken towards finding a way...anyway to get her
to leave the life she had built with a man that was not him. He...needed her. Amiri was sure of it now as he sat next to Ruka, asking her to
do what was improbable to him, but easy for her. He had not been sure of it when he had seen her inside of the store, but he was sure of it now. He
needed Evita and he needed a second chance to show her how much of a mistake it had been to move on...to live without Amiri. Without the love of her
life. That was what he had been. Her everything. Now with a child and a faceless husband, Amiri could not help wondering if that sentiment was the
same. Had it changed?
Damn...of course. The husband. The child. Ruka did not know. She had no idea of the altering of Evita's life as she had not even known of her
importance or cared of her existence. Hm. Amiri's eyes shifted as Ruka asked him the questions that would be so difficult to answer. Why could he NOT
get her all his own?
"Number one, she probably hates me now. Our past has seen to that." Amiri muttered, reminding Ruka of the fact that there was still his infidelity and
Evita's refusal to ever forgive him or see him again. That part of their departure had been more than uncomfortably public. And he was sure that even
in their pleasantries, her position had not changed.
"Number two? There are...things that will foreseeably be in our way." He dressed "son and husband" up as well as he could with the half truth that he
told, a gracious nod to Ruka as the bartender flashed a quick look of confusion in Ruka's direction, but took the drink order and began pouring their
drinks. Ruka was very correct...they would need a drink.
"But you have always been amazing when it comes to obstacles. Have you not?"
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero needs his theme music...
Yes, Ruka had cut him off when she arrived, but it didn’t seem polite to have a drink in front of him while he could not...and she was sure she
would need one soon. This conversation had gone very strange, very fast. Why was Amiri asking her to do something he could easily do himself? Sure,
maybe the cheating scandal was a bit much for her, but surely Amiri was more than charming enough for her to forgive and forget. Ruka knew that there
was very little women, all women, would not forgive to be aligned with power. Amiri was well within his power to convince this woman to talk to
him...So what was he asking her? Why couldn’t he do things himself?
She listened as he counted down his reasons, their drinks appearing before them as he reached the end of his first point. She probably hated him? Ruka
had hated him once. As she’d said before, he could persuade her to do otherwise. He was actually quite pleasant now that he had grown up a bit.
Surely he could show this Evita that and be done with this nonsense. Ruka sipped her drink, the amber liquid warming her throat as it went down. His
second point did not go down as smooth. “What kind of things?” There was something he was not telling her. She could see that now, his
words becoming more cryptic and growing closer to becoming lies. What exactly were these…oh? Did Amiri really think she would stop asking
questions if he stated enough facts about her competence and resourcefulness?
“I have-,” Ruka replied, her lips pulling at the corners as an all knowing smirk overtook her features. He thought he could charm her into doing
his bidding? She was interested in seeing where this was going...but she was more interested in seeing what exactly made him think manipulation was
the only way to get her to do what he wanted her to. “But you still haven’t told me what kind of obstacles I might face in a task as simple as
getting a woman to speak with you.” She wanted details. Details that he was not giving.
And they shall know I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance on them.
An avoiding explanation. A doting...manipulative compliment there. The shadow of the boyish grin that had caused so much trouble in his youth settling
on his defined, older features. Amiri had to admit that he was not hesitating to put his best, yet incredibly scheming foot forward. He was sure it
was unnecessary as there was nothing that Ruka did not see...or know. Her omniscience was god-like as there was nothing that she missed in Amiri's
flattering words and flirtatious closeness. Charm had worked so well on Ruka's...minions did she call them? Yes, her minions...a childhood
name for those that she used for her strategic movements...and her more devastating take downs. But the same charming act that Amiri used as a weapon
only deflected off of Ruka's steely intelligence and know all. The corners of her lips curled into a smile that told Amiri that he was not CLOSE to
keeping her from asking questions about the task that was soon to be her victory.
"Things, Ruka." Amiri repeated himself, exasperatedly, pulling the scotch that had been handed to him closer as he hesitated to put the glass to his
lips. He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering himself as the effects of the liquor he had already consumed slowed down the quickness that he so
dearly needed when volleying with someone like Ruka Souen. Now was not the time for inebriation.
"Things that are not important." Correction. Things that were not important to Amiri. Of course Evita's family would be her life. Amiri knew that. He
knew that her son would be the very breath in her lungs. She would live for the boy and nothing would part her from him. Amiri knew this because it
was her devotion that made him fall in love with her. She was so committed to those she cared about. Taking a job in his childhood home to care for an
ailing mother. Allowing herself to be a servant for the love of her family. Endangering all of that...just to be loved so foolishly by him. She was
selfless. Amiri knew that...and he hoped, stupidly, that that same selflessness would not extend to her husband. That there was a weakness, a chink in
her loving armor that would allow her to fall for Amiri again...
"I do not...by Allah...fine. As you will NOT yield...there is a man. I am sure of it." There. He had admitted it. Well, he had admitted part
of it. Was that not enough? A simple man who had given her a beautiful boy child. And that would be the end of his purpose in her life. Because Amiri
could be everything to her...and yes, even her child. If Ruka could help him win her back. If Evita would let him in...
"But that is not enough to deter you, Ruka." He continued, finally raising the glass to his lips. "I know this..." He took a sip as his eyes met
Ruka's again. He leaned in again, his lips touching her ear.
"You are infinite. I know you..."
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero needs his theme music...
Ruka sighed as Amiri repeated himself, knowing full well that was not what she wanted to hear. She was after information. Not more of the nothing he
was giving her about this situation. Surely he didn’t want her to ask outright what exactly he was keeping from her. She knew he wasn’t stupid. He
had to know flattery was getting him nowhere. Ruka did not make agreements under uncertain terms and she was certain that was exactly what Amiri was
trying to get her to do. She would know why soon enough because he wasn’t leaving her presence without telling her the one hundred percent truth.
Things that are not important. So “things” was indeed something she needed to know before she got herself into this mess with him. At
this rate she could probably just assume the opposite of everything he said was true and she would have no need to ask him anything else. She hated
this. Akatsuki and her uncle used to do this to her all the time. When she was “too young” to understand so they told her half truths or no truths
at all. She did not enjoy being coddled like a child then and she certainly didn’t like being lied to now. Her patience was growing thin and she was
sure it showed in her face. She had other things to do. In case Amiri had forgotten she was in the middle of an event. An event that was already a bit
of a mess without her catering to Amiri. Ruka wanted him to come to the point.
She did not speak, lifting her drink to her lips and keeping eye contact over the brim of the glass.Her eyes narrowed at him. She would simply
wait...and not for long obviously as she finally got a confession out of him. There was a man. Andddddd there it was. The obstacle...or was it?
Something as simple as another man surely wasn’t what was keeping him from this girl...She still didn’t like this…
“Another man?” she questioned.He continued as if she hadn’t spoken, stroking her ego a bit more and probably hoping that would quell her
curiosity. It did not. She had plenty to ask, all of which she could probably get him to eventually answer with the truth, but she did not have the
time. During their time together, the gala had moved on without them. Awards were being presented and she was sure her phone had been vibrating
without pause since it had been forgotten since the beginning of this conversation. She didn’t have time for it.
“I will look into it, Amiri,” she downed the rest of her drink quickly, standing and taking her phone from the bar top. It vibrated in her hand
indicating someone was indeed in need of her presence and she knew that was simply the most recent of a long list of messages she had not responded
to. She sighed softly at the thought. “We’ll talk more about it in office tomorrow?”
And they shall know I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance on them.
I will look into it, Amiri. And there they were. The words that he had wanted to hear from the moment that Ruka had allowed him to give her
bottle the metaphorical "rub". To be honest, he had expected more. Ruka had given in to Amiri's wishes with a less that sufficient, pitiful
explanation of the task to be completed. And...that was not like her. Ruka was a woman of details. A woman that planned the plans for her plans. She
was thorough. She was concise. And she did not stop asking questions and prying details until every "i" was dotted and every "t" was crossed. Truly,
"thorough" was not the word. But she had taken Amiri's words and agreed to at least look into the situation with Evita without another word. But just
as Ruka was intelligent, Amiri was smart...evem with more alcohol than necessary in his system. This was just the ground work. The first phase. Ruka
would do her homework and then she would decide if she truly would take on Amiri's challenge. And Amiri knew she would. Because no matter
what...Ruka Souen liked a challenge. And a challenge, this would be. Amiri was sure of it...
"Duty calls?" Amiri questioned as Ruka downed the rest of her drink and grabbed her phone. Without an answer, Amiri already knew that the gala became
important again now that Ruka had cleared one obstacle out of the way. With a promise, she had deflected the emotional storm that he had been. And
with one promise, Amiri was so much closer to the source of the storm.
"Yes. We shall." A promise of another meeting in the office the next day would be another question session if she had not found out everything he was
hiding from her. But the truth remained. He would say and do whatever it took to get Evita back where she belonged. He would do anything.
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero needs his theme music...
Fumie sighed, descending the last couple of stair to exit the stage area and beginning to cross the ballroom. They’d made it through introductions,
awards, scholarships, and special recognitions and they were nearing the end of the night. Shemar was up and giving his little thank you speech. All
of it was bullshit. How much he cared about the kids, how important he knew the work Kidd’s Kids did, how he would forever be dedicated to the
cause. Ugh. It made her sick to think that the man she married could be anyone’s role model and yet here she was trying to sell the dream that
Shemar Kidd was a man to aspire to...She wondered how many women in the room were currently “aspiring” to have her husband for the night. She
needed a drink. Walking away from the stage Fumie approached the bar hoping to get something that might start to numb the sting she still felt in her
lip from earlier. No one could tell of course, but Shemar had split it with his little kitchen temper tantrum. The most important night of her year
and he choses tonight of all nights to...who was she kidding, this could have been any day of the week. Running a hand through her hair, she kept pace
to the bar. A drink would do her some good, or so she thought, before she saw someone that would be much better for lifting her spirits.
She smiled a little as her eyes caught Zori for the hundredth time that night. Was it wrong that most of her time spent on stage had been spent
talking to him? She wasn’t sure if he noticed or not, she knew this gala wasn’t really his style. Maybe he’d been zoned out for the lot of it.
It would probably be better that way so she wouldn’t have to explain why she’d spent her night addressing him rather than the room as a
whole...she had something else to say to him anyway.
“Zori-,” she called to him giving a small wave as she changed her path and directed it to run into his. “I’m so glad you didn’t leave. I owe
you an apology.”
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
...and if there's anyone that I do it for, it's the kids. I mean, I'm just honored to serve as role model to kids who only have a handful to
choose from. Kids who came up like me...
As Zori watched Shemar check his Rolex for the fifth time during his speech and adjust his suit that he'd probably dropped a couple of hundreds just
to get altered, he wasn't really sure if Shemar even remembered what it was like to "come up". Yeah, Zori knew the man's story. He came up in D-town.
Poorer than poor. But then again, looking at this cat...he may have started from the bottom, but he couldn't have found the "bottom" if you gave him a
map of his own damn neighborhood. Or maybe...Zori was just being salty. Which was perfectly understandable considering that Shemar had just played his
life...and his gym. In front of Fumie. Stung like a mother fucker. Could Zori blame him, though? Nah. He could be salty about it, but he
couldn't hate the dude. Shemar was defending what was his to defend. His wifey, or in other words, the woman that Zori asked out and hugged right dead
ass in front of her husband. Nice.
Shifting in his seat, he let himself tune out Shemar's voice as he sat and stared at...shit, basically nothing. The night had been nice enough, even
after the rough start. He enjoyed watching some of the kids that the foundation helped receive scholarships and awards for their achievements. He even
enjoyed the food...which was heavy enough to make him understand why the plates were a guap. That kind of heavy change for some food? Damn. He'd
enjoyed other things too...like Fumie's speeches. And not because of that plunging neckline and high split that his eyes weren't supposed to be
catching because she was somebody else's wife. No...it was more than that. She had a lot to say and everything she said had heart attached to it. He
could tell she believed the purpose of the foundation...that she wasn't just spouting off lines...like her husband. But that was just what Zori picked
up on. Not like her husband was on his mind as she spoke, her words connecting with Zori as she spoke them. He felt her, with every word. And it
almost felt like...he knew it sounded stupid but...it felt like she was speaking right to him.
Very doubtful. Zori chuckled sourly as he sat. Yeah, he needed a moment. Excusing himself at a table full of people he didn't know, he
prepared to make his exit from the ballroom...until someone else caught his eye. Fumie. And from the looks of it, she was headed his way.
"Hey..." He greeter her, a quick smile as he made to walk around her...until she stopped him and told him how good it was that he didn't leave
because...
"For what?" His baritone voice spoke again, politely interrupting her words. "Your husband? Nah, you don't owe me an apology at all."
"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."
Shemar’s speech became background noise as soon as Fumie caught sight of the man she really wanted to focus on. She hadn’t had the time to find
Zori after her talk with Shemar. She’d had to get herself back together and put on a show for her guests. She did owe him an apology though...well
Shemar did. That of course would happen when all the pigs in a frozen hell started flying so Fumie was left to clean up his mess, as per usual. She
didn’t mind it so much this time though. It was an excuse to speak to the man she’d been talking to for a majority of the night, only this time he
would be talking back to her...although
he hadn’t really planned on it. Fumie’s hand rested against his arm as she stopped his progression to an unknown destination. She was just glad
he was here to catch at all.
“No, I do. Shemar was an ass to you, Zori and I’m sorry. He gets…-,” she took a short pause trying to come up with something true and
something that didn’t give away too much about her marriage. “...a little insecure.” Yeah, that was okay and, shit, it was true. Shemar was
feeling insecure. That was why he couldn’t stomach a small hug between friends. That was why he couldn’t handle her even hinting that she didn’t
need him. Shemar was an insecure, immature little boy. As proven by allowing his wife to clean up his messes.
“I hope you didn’t pay him any mind,” drawing in her bottom lip, Fumie silently hoped he would accept that apology. Secretly because she liked
him more than she should, but more importantly because she still needed his gym for the summer for the kids. “I would hate for something Shemar did
to ruin a good thing.”
That was the story of her life though wasn’t it?
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Really, there wasn't a reason for her to be apologizing to him. Not that he was saying that he'd deserved Shemar's backwards comments about his gym
and the way he ran it, but Zori knew what was up and it wasn't just that her husband was "insecure". Getting chumped was what happened when you
stepped over your boundaries and started venturing into places that weren't yours to travel into. Like "other people's property-ville". A place that
Zori was trying to stay far the hell away from when it came to Fumie. She was a brilliant woman. Hard working and professional. But she was also
Shemar Kidd's wife, the face of the foundation that had just partnered with Zori's gym and donated a generous amount of money and equipment. Zori
couldn't mess up what they had going because he didn't get Shemar's not-so subtle message to "stay the fuck away from his wife". He couldn't do that
to the kids that the gym helped and he couldn't do that to the foundation. Staying away would be easier...
"Fumie, come on." He chuckled uncomfortably as she kept talking, continuing to apologize for a husband that had meant what he said and wouldn't be
doing any apologizing himself. If Zori hadn't thought it enough, he would think it again. She didn't have to do this. Zori held no offense
against Fumie or her husband. HE was the outsider when it came to Shemar and his family. Zori was the thing that didn't matter in the equation that
made up the Kidds. And when it came to Fumie, that sentiment was still the same...no matter how much he wished it didn't have to be. In a different
time without a husband and a family that she was committed to, maybe he and Fumie could've hit it off. Maybe they could've had something...but there
wasn't another time or place. There was now. Zori mentally kicked himself, disbelieving that he was even having thoughts about that shit...like there
was a possibility. Like there was a chance.
"Your husband didn't ruin anything. We're good." He smiled genuinely at her as she continued to try to clean up the mess.
"I'm starting to think that apologizing is going to be the regular with us..." He joked, chuckling for a moment...before he realized he'd used the
word "us".
"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."
He was so fucking perfect. He was taking Shemar’s…attitude like a champ; not that she thought he wouldn’t , but he was so zen
about everything. Fumie wasn’t pretending like the things Shemar had said hadn’t been fighting words, but he seemed unphased. Even going as far as
telling her her apology wasn’t necessary. She still wanted to give it though. He was owed it. Of course, it wasn’t supposed to come from Fumie,
but she honestly couldn’t remember the last time Shemar even offered a sarcastic apology for anything. As sorry as his ass was, he never said so.
But that was neither here nor there. She wasn’t going to make their time together about Shemar; she got enough of him as it was. She wanted more of
Zori. As bad as she knew it was, she wanted to know more about him. His interests, his hopes, his fears; all of it. She hadn’t felt that way about
anyone since falling for Shemar...What was the point? She knew nothing between them would ever be possible but she was still curious, still...thirsty.
Damn it. She was thirsty for more than just information…Fumie smiled a little as he told her Shemar hadn’t ruined anything. That was good
to hear and enough to take her mind off of…other things.
“Thanks, Zori. That’s very big of you-,” True. And the end of the two of them even thinking about Shemar. Sometimes Fumie wished she hadn’t
told him about her marriage. She wished she could have come to this thing as her plus one as a single, unattached woman waiting for
the right man. Waiting for Zori. God, she wished things were different! In another time, with a different past, they could have been great
together...now what could they have? A friendship? More?
More became a possibility as Zori mentioned the words “regular” and “us” in the same sentence. He probably hadn’t meant it that way. He
probably meant the “us” that were business partners. The “us” that maintained a professional yet friendly relationship. That “us”. But she
wanted it to mean more. She was sure it showed in her cheeks as she felt her face go hot and she fidgeted a bit, pulling at her hair a little.
“I’ll have to get better at minimizing the awkward moments-,” she giggled a little, her hand touching his arm again before she drew back into
her own space. Why couldn’t she keep her hand to herself? She wouldn’t dwell on it. More talking.
“Did you enjoy yourself tonight? I know it wasn’t really your thing…”
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Fumie's laugh was a welcomed distraction, breaking up the tense thickness of the air around them. "Minimizing the awkward moments", huh. That sounded
like a hell of a good idea considering that those awkward moments were all that Zori had shared with her from the very beginning of
their...their nothing. There really wasn't a "their". Yeah, maybe something professional lingered between them. A sort of acquaintanceship
that didn't extend beyond his gym and her visits there. But that was it. And considering what looked like a very jealous husband and the fact that
that husband didn't really have a filter on keeping what he thought from being what he said, there probably wouldn't be anything else. Not even a
friendship. Not for them. And Zori couldn't ignore the fact that against everything that he knew...that made him feel some kind of way. Probably
because against his better judgement, against everything he knew he should and shouldn't do...he wanted more. Even admitting that in his
thoughts was fucked up. But it was true. He wanted to get to know Fumie. He wanted to know what made her laugh...other than jokes about how awkward
the time they spent together was. What did she do in her downtime? That was if she had any seeing as she seemed like she was always on the clock. He
just wanted to know her instead of the riding on the made up things he assumed about her. But as he'd said before, that wasn't possible and
even entertaining the thought was a waste of time as the conversation he was having with her now would probably stop at friendly chit chat until her
husband came looking for her.
Did he enjoy himself? Zori smiled for a moment at Fumie's question. Her event, her foundation, her money and she was still worried about if HE enjoyed
it. Her generosity was the only reason why he was there as there was no way he could've paid the expensive fee for a ticket and a plate. The only
thing he'd offered to the foundation was his gym and that wasn't nearly enough. And still, she wanted to know how Zori had liked the event. Her
humility didn't stop amazing him...
"Just being invited was enough." He replied, giving a quick, sincere smile. He'd meant what he said. He appreciated it. He'd gotten to rub elbows with
athletes he would have never had the chance to meet. Not like he was star struck, but he couldn't deny an honor when he was presented it. The greats
in the room that night made it worth it. Being able to be involved in a cause that was so much bigger than him was worth it.
"But yeah, I had a good time." He nodded as a shortlived silence fell between them. Zori used it to scan the room for a moment, set his eyes on
Shemar. He found him quickly, still giving his acknowledgements to the gala guests and foundation supporters. Good. A little talking and Zori would
take his leave in enough time to avoid another run in with the "greatest of all time".
"And you did an amazing job with all of this. You really make it look easy." Even though Zori gave a quiet chuckle, his comment was serious. She did
make putting together something this huge look...simple. It was almost as if she did it all with just a wave of her hand. The effort behind something
this big had to have taken a lot of sleepless nights and endless days. But Fumie looked like she hadn't lifted a damn finger. Not a hair out of place,
not a wrinkle in her dress. Flawless.
"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."
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