Chapter Text
Vergo discovered him sitting in his plush chair, hands on his head, miserably staring at his phone. Internally, the secretary groans and braces himself for the impending outburst, which he knows is just a few seconds away.
It appears that the rumors from the accounting department were correct.
The engagement had been called off by Viola.
He doesn’t know how the foxes from the accounting department had caught wind of this situation long before he—the secretary caught on. If he didn't know better, he'd think Law and his underlings planted spy cameras in Doffy's home, recording his never-ending antics—from his severe alcohol addiction to psychotic breakdowns whenever he watches one of those sappy soap operas he'd taken a liking to after seeing one episode with Viola.
However, it appears that Viola will no longer be watching soap operas with Doffy.
“She called it off, Vergo. “
"I'm aware of it; Law's department has been talking about it."
Doffy moans and sinks even lower in his chair. When the accounting department learns of anything, it spreads like wildfire across the entire building. There's no stopping it now.
"Sometimes, I catch myself wondering how the fuck in seven hells those runts still functions well when all they do is gossip,” the taller man said, making Vergo laugh.
The brunette cocks his head at the blond man, concerned. “How are you holding up? “He asks.
Doffy gave him a stern look, then he looked up and stared at the high ceiling of his office before responding, "What do you expect?" It's been difficult, but I kind of expected that when I proposed to her. But still...it's awful," he says, removing his infamous sunglasses, fixing his gaze to Vergo. His brilliant blue eyes are tired and has a touch of crimson around the edges.
Not good, vergo thought.
Doffy`s breakdowns were terrible, his last one ended up with him spending a couple of days in jail for running down a couple of highway barriers in his fit of rage and depression.
He was drinking for a week straight, Vergo had to step in and do all the meetings and presentations himself, he was meeting one of their partners when he saw the news. The look of horror and embarrassment on his face was enough to make the said investor burst out laughing.
“GYAHAHAHHAAH, such a lively fella eh?” Whitebeard exclaimed as he leans back to his seat, watching the news with a pair of amused eyes. Vergo sees Marco makes a face besides Whitebeard, while the rest of his men watch in exasperation.
"So this is what it feels like before getting stoned to death," the secretary sullenly mused. At least they haven’t seen Doffy at his lowest. Believe it or not, this is not his lowest yet, He has seen it. Not a pretty sight to see, he contemplated for a while whether he should resign after that but he chose not to.
Can you blame him though? The pay was superb.
“Yes, “Vergo mutters quietly as they all watch the police officers drag the tall blond out of his car before pinning him against the hood of the police patrol car, they all collectively winced at that and cringed as one of the officers read Doffy`s rights to him.
Long story short, every media outlet had capitalized his boss` breakdown for a whole month.
“What are you snorting about, jackass?”
Ah, there he is, he`s not that far gone yet. There`s still hope.
Doflamingo picked one of his fountain pens and threw it to Vergo—who smoothly dodges it. Doflamingo was about to pick one of his pens once more when Vergo spoke.
“Well, we can still go to your ‘bachelors party’, We can use that to lighten you up, boss.”
Now it`s Doffy’s turn to snort,” ‘lighten’ me up you say, C`mon, Do I really look that bad?”
“Yes.”
--
When Katakuri hears Bellemere's boisterous laughter echoing around the currently empty station, his eyelids starts to quiver. The other cops had already gone home, and some of them had gone out on patrol.
Unlike hime who`s still stuck in here doing paperworks.
It was not easy becoming a lieutenant; the paperwork was significantly more tiring than patrols. He misses patrolling.
Writing down reports is already hard as it is, He really doesn’t need Bellemere to be obnoxious right now, in the middle of the night. It`s fucking three in the morning for crying out loud. What is she even laughing about right now? And where the hell is Smoker?
Katakuri sighs and gently pushes the stack of documents to the side before rising from his chair. He opens the glass door that divides his office from the lounge, which is now occupied by Bellemere, Tashigi, and Nico Robin. He moves stealthily towards the three women, taking advantage of his height to get a glimpse of what they're raving over.
Seriously?
He notices that they're now watching a Youtuber talk about a specific blond troublemaker? Is this the source of the commotion? Donquixote Doflamingo?
The fucking flamingo?
An annoyed grunt came from Katakuri's throat before he could stop himself. The women flinch and gave him wide-eyed stares.
"Hey, Kuri, how are you? " Bellemere offers lamely as she tries to pause the video, but her efforts are futile because he still hear what is being said.
“Celestial Corporation`s Chief Executive Officer; Donquixote Doflamingo and Latina Popstar Viola, cancels engagement after the CEO`s alleged affair.”
That made Katakuri snort. Who'd have guessed that the man who is known for replacing his partners like they`re just a bunch of tissue papers, for his substance usage, and for getting jailed a few months ago for driving over a couple of highway barriers was a cheater?
"Aren't you three supposed to be working on a case with Enel?"He asks quietly as he feels the three pairs of eyes peering at him. “So, what exactly are you doing here, gawking at a TMZ bootleg video? " He added, a little pleased with himself for not stuttering and for sounding legitimate.
"Detective Enel is currently on an operation with police officer Swiper," Robin explained, "and we were told to wait for additional information before engaging."
Katakuri shakes his head, “Well, if you don’t have anything to do at the moment, then maybe—”
The lieutenant`s conversation with the three women comes to a halt when his private cellphone chimes inside of his breast pocket, he fishes out his phone and muttered a quiet ‘excuse me’ at the women before walking back to his office.
Once the door was closed, he immediately answers the call, “Lieutenant Charlotte speaking,”
“I need you to go to the HellGate ASAP,” Smoker ordered from the other line without any greetings.
“And why is that, sir?”
“I need someone to find a very important man, and I believe you`re the best choice for this job,”
In contemplation, Katakuri bit his lower lip and checked the clock, which reads 3:30 a.m. He should be packing his belongings and preparing to return home by now; he's weary and hungry. But his captain's stern tone left no space for dissent.
The tall lieutenant sighs for the umpteenth time and silent accepts his fate, “Who`s the man?’
--
It's Friday night, and everyone is having a good time. The club is packed with people of all kinds dancing like there's no tomorrow. The air is thick with enticing scents, the type that would drive a human insane like a cat in heat. Everyone is resolved to go wild tonight, if only for one night, and to act as if nothing else matters.
And one of those people is Doflamingo; who is currently situated on a plush chair located on the upper section of the bar, where people like him usually sit, away from the sweaty bodies of the common folk. Besides him is none other than Vergo. The secretary looks like he had seen better days, his usually stoic face is now flushed red—a very good indicator that the man has had enough.
Next to him sits Law, the accounting department's chief, who is nursing his fifth drink of the evening. He typically goes all out, but the younger man chose to save it for tonight. Behind his glass of whiskey, he casts a glance towards his blond uncle. The man appears to be in good spirits; his shit-eating grin is visible on his face, and his body language gives no sign that he will lose his shite tonight.
Good.
This way his uncle rosy will finally shut his mouth.
Little did law knows, he just jinxed himself.
--
“I need you to go look for Donquixote Doflamingo. His nephew Trafalgar Law reported him missing an hour ago, and since the media is already feasting upon his uncle`s current entanglement, he decided to call in privately,”
Great, just great.
Katakuri cursed silently as he pulls over to the side of the bar, where a young man and a taller man leaning to him is waiting. This is must be that nephew that his captain mentioned earlier.
“Are you Lieutenant Charlotte?” The man dark-haired man asked, shifting the drunk man in his hold.
“Yes, and I presume that you are the nephew,” He replied gruffly, running a hand over his red-violet curls.
“Yeah, pleasure meeting you. As much as I like to continue the pleasantries I`m afraid that we don’t have time for that right now,”
“Yes, so where did you last see Mr. Donquixote?”
“He said he`s just going to use the bathroom, a couple of minutes later he`s still not back so I decide to check on him, turns out he`s not in the bathroom” Law briefly explained.
Katakuri gives him a nod,” You can leave it to me, you should go home and take a rest. I assure you that I will find your uncle before sunrise,”