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Resting his chin in his hand, Ivan quickly shuffled through the various folders on his desk, sighing at the noise outside of his tidy cubicle. He was eager to finish his work, but the rowdy genies were once again causing him to lose focus on the task at hand. He was going through various files on Gaian tax records, more specifically, the records of the store owners. There were a few who still owed the taxes on their shops, something he'd have to take care of later, the time was late, and it was close to his shift's end.

He had been spending the last moments of his work shift idly staring at a particular file. The Bank of Gambino, a particular establishment that, despite the fact of being owned by the notorious Johnny K., always seemed to be running on schedule. The taxes were always paid, and it was run in top condition. He had the file open to a particular section, a list of the employees. The top and only profile belonged to a woman he had met in passing several times. A woman who went by the name of Meredith. By association, he knew she handled all the details about the Bank that Gambino had placed in her charge. She kept the Bank in perfect working order, handled all trades, and more importantly, kept the paper work for the establishment's taxes up to date, organized, and all fees paid on time.

He sighed deeply. That wasn't the only thing he noticed. She was also a very tidy woman herself. She kept a very professional demeanor, and when they spoke business, she stayed on the topic at hand, without all the distracting, time abiding small talk the other shop owners used.

"Why do you not just go speak with her?" A voice from behind made Ivan wheel around in his office chair. The copper skinned genie Zaina stood there, wearing her signature emerald dancer garments, a hand placed on her hip. Ivan turned back to his desk and went to work tidying up the files, placing them in their respective place in his file cabinet.
"I'm afraid I don't understand what you are implying. I speak with Ms. Meredith all the time." Ivan glanced quickly at the clock. Only a few minutes remained until he was free to leave the office.
"I'm sure you know what I mean. Why not ask her to dinner tonight? You are soon off the clock, and it will be nice for the both of you to relax over a nice meal." The genie made a curt smirk at Ivan, and crossed her arms over her chest. Ivan glanced over at Zaina, turning slowly in his chair to face her.
"I'm sure Ms. Meredith has other things to attend to. I'm quite busy myself."
Zaina shook her head. Ivan loosened his tie a bit, and unfastened the top button on his shirt. He slowly stood up and looked at the clock. "If you don't mind, I have to leave now."
"Take this. It gives directions to a nice little restaurant, it's not expensive at all, the food is great, and there are really nice people working there. Also, before you start shuffling through your cabinet, they are up to date on all store costs." She shoved a piece of paper into Ivan's hands. He stared at the small shred of paper, that contained the address of a restaurant, then sighed and folded it neatly, placing it into his shirt pocket. "I've already made you a reservation. Oh, and Ivan? I didn't say anything about the person you should talk to being Meredith." Zaina winked and walked off, leaving a now crimson Ivan standing dumb-founded in his cubicle.


Ivan breathed out nervously. He was standing in front of the Bank of Gambino, staring at the door. He could see Meredith through the glass doors, busily shuffling about behind the counter. He took one last deep breath and walked inside.

Meredith was busy shoving bags of gold into the safe behind her, pausing when she heard the distinct twinkle of the door opening, grazing against the little bells placed above it. She quickly shoved the last bag in, locking the safe, then slowly turned to see who had entered. Meredith blushed at the sight of Ivan, a bit ragged looking from a long days work, his tie slightly undone, and the top button of his shirt undone. As he walked closer, the evening sunlight glittered off of his silver Prince Nez. Ivan stopped at the counter and leaned in, taking his manly large hand gently under Meredith's chin, tilting it ever so slightly upwards, her eyes gazing into his.

"I finished filing taxes, let us go to dinner."
Meredith swoons, but manages a quick nod. She walks around the counter, locking things up as she goes. Ivan offers his arm, to which Meredith gladly locks her own arm around. Both are blushing deeply as they walk out of the bank, pausing only to allow Meredith to lock the doors as they leave.