Business Casual

Changed

The very next day, Pear had worked up a plan to go knock some sense into Mew. After lunch with Mild, Pear drove to the office, marching straight up to Mew's desk and crossing her arms.

"Pear?" Mew looked up from his computer.

Nodding, Pear sighed, "How stupid can you be?"

Mew scoffed as he was still in shock, "What?"

Pear walked over to the couch and sat down, "Come sit."

Unadmittedly a tiny bit scared of the woman, Mew got up, walked over to the couch and sat down next to Pear, "Look, I know you're here for Gulf, but I just don't love him anymore."

Shaking her head, Pear asked, "Why'd you break up with him? Tell me the truth this time."

Not giving in, Mew shrugged, "It's true. I don't have feelings for him."

Unwilling to back down, Pear cocked her head to the side, "Try again."

Mew sighed and rubbed his eyes with the balls of her palm, "I just," he sighed, "It's complicated."

"Well, I have time," Pear crossed her legs and leaned back against the couch.

Consider Pear wasn't threatened, Mew assumed he could tell her the truth, "Fine." He gulped, "Remember Champ?"

Pear scoffed, "Of course I do."

With a sigh, Mew carried on, "Well, he wasn't too happy about me getting him kicked out of school. He thinks I ruined his life, and now he wants to ruin mine."

"So you're letting him?" Pear knitted her eyebrows, "He wanted you to break up with Gulf, so you did?"

Mew shook his head as tears threatened to fall, "No, you don't understand! He," his voice broke, a lump stuck in his throat, "He threatened my family. My parents, my sister," he paused, "Gulf."

Pear scooted over, putting an arm around Mew and letting him lay his head on her shoulder. "And you didn't want anything to happen to them. The further away Gulf is, the safer he is," she concluded.

"I just couldn't let him get hurt," Mew cried.

Trying to think of a way out of this, Pear asked, "What about Air? I mean, she can't be crazy enough to just let her brother do this, and she does kind of owe you after the hell she put you through. Ask her."

Mew sniffled as he sat up straight to look at Pear, "You really think she'll help?"

Pear shrugged, "If it means you and your loved ones don't have to live in fear, then it's worth a shot."

Taking a calming breath, Mew nodded and grabbed his phone, "Will you stay with me?"

"Of course," Pear held Mew's free hand, "I'm not going anywhere."

With a small smile, Mew nodded and dialed Air's number. A few rings later, Air picked up with a, "Hello?"

Pear gave Mew a reassuring look, giving him the courage to respond, "Hey, um, Air?"

"Mew, I," Air sighed, "If you're calling to complain about how I was such a bad girlfriend, I'm sorry, okay?"

Confused, Mew's brows furrowed, "What? I'm not complaining about y-"

"I'm sorry for always treating you like shit," Air interrupted, "I just... I really, really like Earth and the thought of him cheating on me or hurting me," she paused. "I'm just really sorry and I don't want you to hate me forever, so please-"

Mew shook his head, "No, no, Air?"

Air was confused this time, "Yeah?"

"I need you to do something for me," Mew sighed.

Without missing a beat, Air replied, "Yeah, sure. Anything."

Mew relayed his story to Air before asking her to talk to her brother, which she full heartedly agreed to. When he hung up the phone, Mew looked to Pear with a hopeful nod.

"She even apologized for being such an awful girlfriend. It was weird," Mew chuckled, "She's like a completely different person."

Pear smiled brightly, "Well that's good! See? It was worth it! Now, Air can knock some sense into her brother, and you'll be back with Gupi in no time."

Mew smiled as he hugged Pear, "You're the best."

"I know," Pear laughed.

Letting Pear go, Mew hummed, "Speaking of Gulf, does he know you're here?"

Pear chuckled, scratching the back of her neck, "No, not exactly."

Mew laughed, "Well, your secret's safe with me."

Nodding, Pear stood up to make her exit, giving Mew one last hug.

"Thank you," Mew smiled appreciatively.

With a sigh, Pear admitted, "I'm going to tell Gulf. I know we're friends, but Gulf and I are family. I have to tell him."

Mew shook his head frantically, "No, please don't. I'll tell him as soon as I hear back from Air. I'm just afraid that if he hears it from someone else, he'll never forgive me."

Pear nodded, "Fine. But as soon as Air gets back to you, I'm expecting a phone call."

With a nod and a small smile, Mew saw Pear out of his building, "Thanks again."

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Sorry this chapter is so short but the next few are really long

I hope you enjoyed:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)