[Story] Evelyn's "Business Partner"~!

Evelyn walked up the hallway and opened the door to her office.

To her surprise, she had a guest, but not a guest she really wanted to see.

Evelyn: It’s you… what do you want?

Thelareen: Is that any way for you to treat your business partner?

She was sitting in the chair in front of her desk, legs crossed, sporting a cheeky grin.

Evelyn: Business partner?! Is that what they’re calling blackmail now?

Thelareen: He he fu.

Thelareen: That’s water under the bridge. Don't worry about it.

Evelyn furrowed her brow as she walked over to her private liquor cabinet, grabbing one of the bourbon-filled decanters and pouring herself a drink.

Thelareen: Don’t mind if I do.

Evelyn gritted her teeth, growing increasingly impatient with her nonchalant attitude.

She begrudgingly prepared another glass, grabbing a completely different decanter of bourbon.

Thelareen: I’ve always liked the smell of bourbon.

Evelyn: Then you’ll probably enjoy this one.

She grinned sinisterly, as she poured out Thelareen’s drink.

Evelyn: Here…

She held the glass out to Thelareen.

Thelareen put the glass up to her nose and gave it a good sniff.

Thelareen: Mhmm… bourbon and strawberries.

Evelyn: Yes… it’s my own private concoction.

Evelyn sat down behind her desk, unbuttoning her blazer as she did.

Thelareen placed the cup down on the table in front of her.

Evelyn sighed, disappointed that she didn’t take a sip.

Evelyn: What are you doing here?

Thelareen reached into her bag pulling out a folder.

Thelareen: I want you to read over this.

Evelyn: What is it?

She tossed the folder onto her desk.

Thelareen: It's a mutually beneficial business proposition.

Evelyn: Mutually beneficial!?

Evelyn: After all the crap I had to go through to sign over that building…

Evelyn: The University is still reeling from the expense of covering it up…

She bit her tongue.

Evelyn: What makes you think I'll accept it? Are you going to blackmail the University again?

Evelyn: If you do that I don't even think the students will be able to stay here, not with how stupid the education board is.

Thelareen: Like I said, he he fu. That's water under the bridge.

Thelareen: Besides, Sapphire wanted me to destroy the footage.

Evelyn: Sapphire?

Thelareen: From Black Magic Sirens. She's the lead singer. You know, the one that got caught blowing one of your teachers.

Evelyn: That was all that bastard's fault.

Evelyn: He said it would be good publicity for the University but all he was really trying to do was get close to the girls for a piece of ass.

Evelyn: That asshole’s whole fiasco is the reason why this University barely has a budget right now.

Evelyn scruffed her hair, drinking a mouthful of bourbon hoping it would help.

Thelareen: He he fu!

Thelareen sniffed the glass of bourbon again, smiling from the pleasant smell.

Thelareen: I might have something that could help…

Thelareen: I was wondering if you could send that little folder to the board of education, and convince them to add my business’ courses to the University's curriculum.

Evelyn: Why the hell would I do that?

Thelareen: Come on, think about it!

Thelareen: Not everyone at this University is going to make it, a lot of the students know that.

Thelareen: Giving them access to a business course would encourage them to do it their own way.

Evelyn: …

Evelyn: … …

Evelyn: That… makes sense.

Evelyn: But why do you care?

Thelareen: Don't be dense. You know why.

Thelareen: This town's reputation isn't exactly "pure".

Thelareen: Ever tried leaving and finding a job?

Thelareen: The moment you mention Oat Pi, people laugh and expect you to put out on the spot.

Thelareen: My lover found out the hard way…

Evelyn knew exactly what she was talking about, she was born here.

Every job she applied for outside of town was often met with seedy advances or after-hours expectations.

Usually along the lines of, “If you want to get ahead, you better give some. Mwahaha-a…”

Evelyn: Bastards…

The only reason she landed the job as the Dean of the University was that no respectable person outside of town would take it.

And being so young at the time, she thought she had an opportunity to change all that and make a difference at the University.

But the education board wouldn't allow it. They kept it all the same.

Her job was to maintain a respectable image and cover up any abnormalities and controversies.

Thelareen: Having a business course could help the students to at least have some kind of future.

Evelyn: The board is not going to like it.

Thelareen: Who cares what the board thinks, it’s better than a dead future.

Evelyn: *sigh*…

Evelyn: I have to talk to them soon, so I’ll read over your proposition and see what I can do to make it more “convincing”.

She still didn’t like her, but she couldn't deny that what she had planned was a good idea.

Thelareen: I’m not such a bad person now am I.

Evelyn: Urg, don’t confuse my acceptance as friendliness.

She stood up, refusing to look Thelareen in the eye as she buttoned up her coat and adjusted her collar.

Evelyn: You’re still a bitch.

Thelareen: That’s fine. He he fu.

Thelareen picked up the glass giving it a sniff one last time and tipped the whole thing into her mouth.

With one eye open, Evelyn grinned cunningly, doing up the top button.

Thelareen: Mhhm… it tastes just like it smells.

Thelareen: Well, I’d love to stay but I have some important errands to do.

Evelyn: Good… I'll contact you if anything happens with the board.

Thelareen: Thanks partner.

Evelyn: *hmpf*

Thelareen stood up and walked to the office door, with Evelyn following closely behind.

She held the door open as Thelareen walked out.

Thelareen: … *urp*

Thelareen: Oh my, it’s… is it just me… or has it gotten really hot outside all of a sudden.

Evelyn cheekily smiled.

Evelyn: Have fun!

She slammed the door in Thelareen’s face.

Evelyn: She won’t even make it to the parking lot.

Evelyn: OH HO HO ho!

The story turned out a little more serious than I was expecting, but I’ve always wanted to add more to the events in Paizuri University surrounding Thelareen blackmailing the University, and the effect it had on Evelyn. I hope you found it interesting!

If you did, or have any thoughts, let me know in the comments. I'd love to hear them.

And thank you to everyone who voted. It was a doozy!

~ Zuri Sama ~