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The sound of a motorcycle revving echoed throughout the night streets, as a yellow and red blur whizzed through the crowd, squeezing narrowly through cars and vans.
Amy Rose fellow delivery driver for Lord Chickita a Mexican restaurant located in a cozy little corner at station square was in a particular rush to get to Chaos Enterprises a pharmaceutical company that had created a cure for NIDS a disease that supposedly had no cure, the CEO Shadow the hedgehog and a team of scientists, using doctor Gerald's research from the ARK, they had created a vaccine called Nisperdome.
The product itself was so potent that the disease itself would go away after just 2 doses a week, shooting the company to fame in just a few days.
Now the company was worth over 42 billion in finances and one of the most successful at that. Amy gritted her teeth, her pink quills whipping in the air. If she were late, she could get demoted or worse, fired. This was one of the restaurant's biggest clients, and if she was late..... Amy shook off her worries; she would not be late, she would make sure of it. She passed on to the intersection and took a left turn, a shortcut. She checked her watch
4:35 Amy's glaze was enough for anyone to tell that she was going to be late.
"Shit" the curse slipping from her lips involuntarily her hands gripped the handlebars tight she would have to make a time crunch.
She made a sharp turn to the right, the city lights reflecting off the motorcycle's sleek body.
The tires skidded across the road, and the headlights of the other cars contrasted brightly with Amy's helmet. She looked down at her watch.
4:47 Amy's chest constricted tightly as she gunned the engine and sped off at an alarming speed, and not long did she spot the jarring red and blue lights of a police car pursuing her. Amy bit her lip. Now or never.
"PULL OVER!" an officer shouted. Amy ignored him, focusing on the road. "Not happening," she whispered, turning so violently that a cloud of dust surfaced, the sound of tires crunching on gravel filled her ears.
Amy squeezed her eyes shut to drown out the sickening screech of the tires burning rubber.
The cries from the officers behind her, drowned out in a symphony of screeching tires, the pungent smell of burning rubber, and Amy's sheer determination her quills flying in the air the moonlight shone across the streets, the red and blue lights reflected off Amy's motorcycle and Amy made a left narrow turn just a mile until she arrived at Chaos Enterprises.
Amy leaned forward a second cop car rode up next to her a gray and white spotted rabbit cocked his taser and aimed it at the wheels of the motorcycle Amy's pupils dilated and she ducked and swerved to the side, only for the jarring honk of a driver to jolt her out of her panic. he waved his fist.
"WATCH OUT!" Amy shrieked and pulled to the side and turned for a millisecond to check the time, 5:27. she was done for tears prickled at the corners of her eyes, not only would she be fired, but on top of that, she'll be arrested. Her chest shook with incoming sobs, her breathing became shallow and then........ "HALT!"
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"Where is that incompetent delivery driver? People are waiting," Shadow growled checking his watch for the 7th time this evening his secretary Rouge, was dressed in a stunning dark green dress with an elegant daring slit running up across her right leg her her hands fitted with elbow high black gloves her neck was adorned with a pendant and her elegant hair was styled into short waves complete with matching heels and a sparkling champagne colored brooch with diamond accents sat proudly atop of her head.
"Shadow hun, calm down, people are staring, I'm sure she'll be here any moment now," Rouge reassures him, smiling softly and proceeds to fix one of his quills, her touch gentle, firm and her diamond brooch caught the light perfectly, stunning guests all around Rouges lips quirk upwards into a knowing smile her eyes sparkling.
"What you need to be worrying about is finding a fiancée and producing an heir to take over your company someday," Rouge murmurs, though her tone held a lilt of charm; there was an undertone of fury. "We all know that the rival company is on its way to surpassing yours."
Shadow wasn't quick enough to hide the blush that crept up at the edge of his cheeks as his ears tinged bright red.
Rouge pressed her hand to her lips in a polite, sultry laugh, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Oh, hun, don't tell me you haven't picked out a bride? You know I gave you plenty of suggestions," Rouge chided pinching his ear Shadow brushes it away with an air of nonchalance, straightens his suit and gazes out the window into the vast city of Station Square the view was stunning even more so at dusk the comforting sound of the cars passing by gave shadow a sense of security.
He turned to Rouge, his expression guarded.
"No," he admits, "no, I haven't picked a bride, and it's not my fault they were all too incompetent for my tastes."
Rouge gasped in mock outrage, "Excuse you! I'm sorry, we mere mortals can't meet your high standards, Mr. Ultimate Lifeform." Rouge waved her hands around, grumbling, she sighed, put her hands on her hips, and gave her best side eye
"Alright, you've got two weeks to find a bride, otherwise I'm setting you up, no excuses." She wags her finger in front of Shadow, firm and resolute in her decision. The sound of clinking glasses and the faint chatter of guests mingling with one another made Shadow think twice before lashing out.
"I TOO AGREE WITH ROUGE FOR THE NEED OF AN HEIR," Omega chirps from his post at the door, attracting a few stares from the guests.
"Pffft w-what!? O-Omega lets uh keep our thoughts to ourselves, shall we?" Shadow coughs awkwardly, his eyes darting around for paparazzi. He knew they were there waiting, hiding, waiting for his cool demeanor to fall off and make a spectacle for everyone to see.
Shadow was just about to walk over for another glass of wine when the front doors burst open. Amy rose tumbled in frazzled and very much late.
"UH DELIVERY FOR SHADOW," she shouts as two officers tackle her to the ground, the ground in a pile of pink, black, and silver. The room went dead silent. Shadow smiles awkwardly, coughing.
"Oh, uh, it's getting a little hot in here, isn't it?" he asks nervously, leaning down to Amy's level. "What are you doing?" he hissed.
Amy blinked.
"Uh, delivering your order?" Amy replies sheepishly, her face red 'Oh my gosh, my boss is gonna kill me.' She covered her eyes as she was hoisted up from her position on the ground, her face as red as tomatoes.
Shadow snarled and gripped Amy's chin roughly, forcing her to look at him.
"Look at me, girl, what in chaos earth made you think ramming into here was a good idea? and in front of all of these people?"
Shadow narrowed his eyes at the pink hedgehog staring her down when his eyes drifted down to her shaking legs, her small pink tail wedged tight between her legs, shadows crimson orbs stare into Amy's emerald gaze she was, undeniably beautiful, cherry blossom colored quills framing her face emerald eyes that shone on the darkest nights further accentuated her face and her flesh was the perfect shade of peach.
He wondered how a girl with such beauty could still be single. The thoughts of getting a fiancée once again surfaced in his mind, and he formed a plan. he raised a hand, halting the officers hauling Amy away.
"Don't take her," he said, his voice cold. "I'll deal with her." If Amy had felt embarrassed, now she felt utterly exposed in this setting, her face bright red, she looked down in shame, and Shadow gave a sharp nod to Rouge.
"Take her upstairs, I'll be there in a moment."
Rouge nods.
"Of course, boss," she purred, her voice impossibly composed. She took Amy's hand in an iron-fisted grip and led her to the elevator, clicking her tongue condescendingly.
"Oh dear, looks like the boss is going to give you quite the talking to," Rogue's voice was sultry and saccharine sweet. Amy narrowed her eyes but said nothing as Rouge led her through the dark corridors of Chaos Enterprises, their footsteps echoing around the building.
Amy's breath hitched, and once Rouge's back was turned, she raised her fist and punched her straight across the face. The bat's face snapped sideways, her nose bleeding as she snarled with pure malice.
"HOW. DARE. YOU!" she hissed and chased after a frantic Amy. The pink hedgehog ducked under her grip and ran towards the elevator, her hair whipping in her face, her breathing rapid, her skin cold, tears streaming down her face like rainfall, and the undeniable shouts of Rouge as she pursued her throughout the hallway.
Amy slid around a corner when she hit something hard, and gentle but firm hands caught her wrists.
"Well, well, little girl, we meet again," Shadow's voice is smooth and eerily calm as Amy looks up into his harsh crimson gaze. Shadow's lips curl back slightly, revealing sharp fangs.
"Now that wasn't nice what you did to Rouge, now was it?" he says. Amy jerks her wrists away and tries throwing a punch.
Shadow catches it with one hand effortlessly and lands a cruel kick to her abdomen, not enough to cause damage, but enough for her to understand the limits.
"What do you want from me?" Amy cries, her tears slowing, but the genuine fear in her voice stays. Shadow stared her down, and they stayed in complete silence for a moment, then he spoke.
"I need you to pretend to be my fiancée for a month," he says, not elaborating further. Amy paused for a moment, she expected a much harsher punishment from the CEO.
"Why?" Amy clutched her abdomen. "Why me?" Shadow makes his signature 'tsk' sound.
"Because your beauty is perfect, your pure, you know nothing about me, and that makes it all the better to pretend," Shadow explains, folding his arms. Amy cocked her head to the side in curiosity.
"But.... why can't you get a real one? and you don't even know if I'm single or not," Amy points a finger at him accusingly. Shadow sighs.
"Single or not, I don't care, and if you don't accept, I'll make sure to press charges for inappropriate conduct in a public setting and assault."
Amy wanted to lash out at him for blackmailing her, but even she knew she was done for.
"Shadow what are you doing!" Rouge shouts indignantly her heels clicking aggressively on the polished floors, she glowered at the dark hedgehog pointing a finger at him.
"That woman just assaulted me, and you still want her?" Shadow laughs placing a hand on Rouges shoulder his laugh felt like a melody to Amy's ears.
"You told me I had to find someone and I did if you have a problem, then I'll gladly accept your resignation letter," he growled Rouge opened her mouth and wisely closed it glaring at Amy.
"this Isn't over Pinky," she spat stalking back into the shadows of the corridor, Amy whips around to face Shadow.
"That wasn't nice" she says, Shadow snarled.
"Shut. Up. Your the one who punched her and I wont hesitate to do the same." She didn't know what but something snapped snapped inside Amy.
"Excuse you! but I'm not the one who threatened her job she's loyal to you just because you have more authority than her doesn't mean you can treat others that way!" Amy yells her voice echoing throughout the hallways, Shadow paused Amy felt her face heat up.
'Holy moly shit Amy! what are you doing?' she thought, Shadow steps forward chuckling Amy growls.
"What are you laughing at!" she shouts, Shadow's hand cups her cheek in his palm stroking it gently Amy felt an inexplicable warmth go through her and she leans into his touch involuntarily before the warmth suddenly disappears, as Shadow withdraws his hand.
"Alright here's the deal woman your going to be my fake fiancée, whether you like it or not.." Amy pouts.
"And what if I need convincing?" Amy implores, meeting his gaze head-on, and Shadow steps closer with a laugh. Amy felt her knees go weak.
"This should be enough," he then fishes a wad of bills and tosses it to Amy. "Twenty hundred dollars all yours if you accept the gig."
Amy stared at the money. Part of her told herself she shouldn't take the money, that this wasn't right, but then again, she could go to jail, and this money could help her.
"Her head snaps up to find Shadow has outstretched his hand for a shake. Amy looked at it, exhaled, and took it.
"deal."