Chapter 05 || His Offer

3:00.

 

My favourite time of the average weekday.

 

This was when work was over. The abuse was done for the day, the numbers could fade away, and I could go home back to the people who appreciate my existance. The time never seems to come fast enough.

 

Finally, the hour came, and as Lucy went her rounds telling everyone to go home and be here early tomorrow, I took in a deep breath and neatened out my paper stacks.

 

Now's the time...I have to ask Lucy now...

 

"Lu--" I begin, but suddenly the phone on my desk rings. I roll my eyes.

 

Of course...this can't just be easy...

 

I pick it up in haste. "Memories Untold, how can I help you?"

 

"Eyo, Alphonse!"

I blink. "B-Brother?"

 

His voice, sure and bold, rings on the other line. "Heya, how's life over at your job, hmm?" he asks. I scoff, keeping my head low incase Lucy came back over early.

 

"Not very good. Lucy wont give me Tuesday off."

"Tuesday? Whats Tuesday?"

"You're kidding, right? It's my anniversary!"

"Oooh~"

 

My shoulders slump. How typical. I was required to know everything about his marriage--from anniversary to his kid's birthday--and yet he didn't do the same for me.

 

"Anyhow, Al, I need to talk to you. It's about something super important. Can we go to  and talk about it?"

 

"When?" I asked, "Tonight?"

"Yeah. For drinks. I'm buying."

I bite my lip. "Im not sure. Ayumi may not want me to go..."

 

Brother laughs heartily. "It's only for a night, dude! Let your hair down and come hang with your big bro for drinks."

 

I sigh. I wasn't big on drinks, but when I did, it usually ended up the same--Brother promises to stay sober enough to drive, but ends up getting buzzed enough so that I end up driving him home. Koda ends up waiting at the door, and when we show she makes me stay and watch as she scolds Brother. "You have a family!" she says "You can't be going out and getting like this!" Then he kisses her in that way she likes so much, and he'll usher me out of the house so he can...er, "apologize" to her.

 

In short: going drinking with Brother was never fun.

 

I lean back in my chair. "It all sounds fun, but Ayumi--"

 

He gives a frustrated sigh. "The wife's gotcha by the throat, doesn't she? When you can't even go out drinking with your brother..."

 

I sigh. "Hey, you said you had to tell me something important. Why not at my place over dinner? Why does it have to be at the bar?" Brother wasn't one to get drunk either, so for him to be pushing the location like this...

 

"I need to get you alone. Aren't you listening?"

 

I sigh. I look around of Lucy one more time.

 

"Look, alright. I'll go. When exactly tonight are you wanting to go?" I cough. "I should probably tell Ayumi I'm going out."

 

A laugh. "Well, I'm actually outside right now."

"W-What?!"

"Yeah I kinda figured you were gonna say no, so I waited out here so you'd have to say yes."

 

I blinked, then pinched the bridge of my nose. My Brother...

"Alright. I'll be out in a minute."
"Kay!~ Bye!"

 

I can't hang up the phone fast enough.

 

Lucy walks by, her eyes slit and angry. "Why are you still here? Don't you have a family to get home to?"

 

I swallow back every retort I wish to spit in her general direction."Ma'am, I wanted to ask you something. I know you rejected my request for Tuesday--"

 

Lucy crossed her arms over her chest. "Forget it, Elric. You're not getting Tuesday off. I need you that day." She flips some of her hair off her shoulder. "Are we done here?"

 

"But ma'am...it's my anniversary."

"Your what?"

"My anniversary. With my wife?"

 

She's silent for a moment. I look down and see a pack of cigarettes popping out from her jacket pocket. Judging from the way she shifted her stance and bit her lips, I could tell her lungs craved the tar wrapped within them.

 

A cold glare. "No."

"B-But ma'am--"

"I said no, Elric! Don't make me repeat myself!"

 

With that, she zipped up her jacket in puffed fury, then stormed out of the office and outside to her car.

 

Suddenly, a drink sounded pretty good.

 

 

Reviews

[Keevan]

Ah, Lucy.

[Emunah June.]

Dont worry, I have big plans for her. Big plans.

[Keevan]

Good

[Emunah June.]

She's going to be a vital part of the story later on.~

[Keevan]

I CAN'T WAIT

[Rae]

Yay! A new chapter finally up! ^^ And wow, what a bee-yotch Lucy is. I almost forgot how mean she really was until I re-read the whole book. I hope Al takes the job Ed has for him. Can't wait for the next chapter!

[Emunah June.]

Sorry Ive been so sparce with the chapters, school and daily life has made it so hard to just sit down and write@_@. I promise to try and update this book more often~

Thank you for the review! :)

[Rae]

I totally get it. I haven't been updating Dorm Life either. ^^" I've been getting a few ideas together, so I might be able to finish the next chapter soon. I just have a lot to work on all at the same time. ^^