𝑩𝑨𝑫 𝑨𝑷𝑷𝑳𝑬 | ˢ.ᵗᵒᵈᵒʳᵒᵏⁱ ˣ ᵒᵖ!ʳᵉᵃᵈᵉʳ ˣ ᵏ.ᵇᵃᵏᵘᵍᵒ

𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐏 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑 𝐅 𝐎 𝐔 𝐑

Chapter four: the beginning of it all

AFTER YOUR DATE FROM HELL YESTERDAY, this was the thing you were last expecting to see. A fancy envelope at your doorstep, sealed with an expensive looking golden emblem? There was no doubt who this was from — the man who was trying so desperately to win your favour, even after making a complete fool of himself. Your fury doubled once you saw its contents; an invitation which now sat heavy in your hands as you ascended the 70 floors of Mirko's agency. The invitation was nice to look at. Fancy ivory parchment, and cursive lettering — perhaps even handwritten — but knowing you'd only laid eyes on it because of that man forced you to use every ounce of restraint in your body not to crumble it into a ball and throw it out of a window.

A permanent grimace was plastered across your face as you stepped out of the elevator, through that once daunting but now familiar hallway, and past the tall white doors which slid open automatically. Just before you, Mirko was sat behind her desk, furiously typing away at her keyboard as her jewellery jangled against her wrists. Golden watches, bracelets and bangles covered her arms — from her elbows to her wrists, and a single diamanté earring hung loosely from one of her looming ears.

"Miss Rumi." You called, with a hint of displeasure, as you marched over to where the rabbit hero was sat.

"Hm..?" She cast a glance in your direction, eyes immediately creasing with joy as she saw your figure. "My fav student! Just gimme a sec, I'm almost done now."

You stood in silence as Mirko's hands glided over the keyboard, watching in fascination as her watch sparkled under the office lights.

"You like it?" You jumped, slightly embarrassed that she'd noticed you gawking. The annoyance you once felt immediately flushed out of your system, now being replaced with a bit of envy — or rather longing as you laid eyes on the plethora of jewels which decorated Mirko's body. "You should get one!" She continued, extending her arm so that she could see the watch more clearly. "Gold would defo suit you."

You bit your lip, yet again glancing over her armoury of bijouterie. "I wish. I could never afford something like that."

Mirko merely shrugged in response. "You'll get one soon enough bunny. Don't you worry." Your brows furrowed at the cryptic message but your attention was quickly drawn elsewhere as she finally slammed the lid of her laptop shut, sliding it into a draw below her desk. "Anyways." Her eyes flickered to the invitation in your hands. "I'm guessing you wanted to talk to me about...That...?"

She pursed her lips, watching as your expression immediately darkened at the mention of the piece of paper.

"Yeah. What is this?" You queried, slamming it down on the desk for the rabbit hero to see.

"Huh." She breathed "I would have told you sooner, but I honestly wasn't expecting him to invite you as his plus one. But, to answer your question, it's an invitation to the yearly hero gala next month."

"Next month...?!" You gaped. Did he want you in an early grave? "Well I suppose it doesn't really matter when it is, since I won't be going."

"That's one hell of an opportunity your missing out on here." Mirko stated. "Are you sure? Is he not your type?"

"No- that's not it." You quickly denied.

"Oh good, I think you might have been a bit insane to call him ugly."

"Yeah." You scoffed. "He's definitely not ugly..."