Hey guys! Happy Holidays to all of ya! So...college man. It's a blessing and a curse at times, which explains why I haven't updated in like forever. But I'm back now! And I will try to update as much as I can. I lost the groove, then got it back like Stella. So here's the second chapter of 'The Most Unusual Way'. And who knows? Maybe they'll be an epilogue after this. Anyways, read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter Two: The Unusual Aftermath
Needless to say, Alfred wasn't happy. In fact, he was absolutely furious once he found out that his 'hero' had left suddenly and shortly before he woke up from his younger brother.
"Al, I told you. I couldn't stop her from leaving!" Matthew explained to his brother for the umpteenth time. "She really had to go. What did you want me to do? Barricade the door so she couldn't leave?!"
"Well duh! I can't believe you just let her go like that! I never even got the chance to thank her!" Alfred screamed back, causing Matthew to roll his eyes. Alfred had finally woken up from surgery. Fortunately the knife didn't hit anywhere serious in his abdominal area. The knife had penetrated his skin, and muscles, and missed his organs like his stomach, long, and small intestines because of the width of the knife. Had it been a bigger width, his stomach would have been penetrated. His injuries were stitched up, and bandaged. However the bandage didn't stop him from moving around like a crazed lunatic when he heard the news from his brother.
"Alfred, stop moving, or you'll open up your stitches!" Matthew said worriedly before calming down. "Anyways, I'm not going to force a woman her to stay in the hospital if she had somewhere else to be." Matthew told his brother sternly. "Look, we'll see her again when you get out of here." He said gently, trying to get his brother to calm down. Alfred sighed, laying back in his bed.
"Fine. Did you at least get her last name?" Alfred asked, now calm. Matthew's face paled at the question. Shit. He forgot to ask for her last name. Alfred may be at times clueless, but he wasn't stupid. His brother's expression was enough of a confirmation for him.
"Great! I finally meet a girl who is actually really nice, and cool, and you let her slip through your fingers!" Alfred screamed, furious once more. Matthew sighed. His older brother had no problem with getting women. A man as handsome, talented, and super athletic as him would never have a problem meeting women. Alfred would also confirm that. It was the fact of finding the woman that was right for him. He wanted someone who was funny, kind, compassionate, and shared things in common with. He thought he might have found that with Angelique, but now he would never know.
"Oh come on Al. You'll see her again." Matthew assured his older brother. "If it's meant to be, you'll see her again. Trust me. Where did you meet her anyway?" He asked curiously, sitting on the chair next to him.
"It was outside some bakery. I think she worked there because it was closed and abandoned. I remember she locked it." Alfred scrunched up his face, trying to remember the name that was, but with no avail. He groaned angrily. "Dammit! I can't remember the name of the place! Ugh!" He covered his face with his pillow in anger.
"Alfred." Matthew told him, moving the pillow from his face. "You'll find her again. I promise you. I'll help you look for her if you really want to see her again." He smiled softly at his older brother. "I'll do whatever I can to help you find your dream girl." With that being said, Alfred hugged his brother as tight as possible.
"Thanks Mattie! You're the best brother ever!" He squealed, embracing his brother hard, causing Matthew to have some difficulty breathing. "Wait a minute." He said shortly afterwards. "How are we going to find her? There's gotta be tons of bakeries in the city! Not to mention beautiful young women working there!" Matthew shrugged, surfing through his phone when he found something interesting.
"Leave that to me Alfred." Matthew told his older brother, looking up at him. "Before you get out this hospital, I promise you'll see her again one way or another. Get some rest." He told him before leaving the hospital room to get help from an unusual source.
"Delivery for an Angelique!"
"Angie! You got another delivery!" Francis, her guardian and uncle said happily as he took the bouquet from the deliveryman. It was the fifth delivery she received this week following the incident with Alfred. He had received a call from his dear Angelique from New Presbyterian Hospital, explaining that events she went through. Francis was extremely relieved and proud at the way she handled herself during the situation. Of course, he wasn't the only one. All five boroughs* knew of her bravery, generosity, and selflessness. By the time she made it back to the apartment she shared with Francis, the entire apartment complex was there, cheering her on as her story was broadcasted on the eleven o clock news.
Francis set the bouquet down on the counter, and tipped the deliveryman. In his opinion, the bouquet was probably the most stunning she had ever received. It was a bouquet filled with lavender, light pink, pink, and dark pink roses. Being a master of romance such as himself, he knew that the pink roses meant gratitude, appreciation, joy, and grace. But the lavender roses, which meant love at first sight, surprised him even more.
From what his niece had told him, it sounded like the young man she saved had become quite fond of her. He smiled at the thought. Maybe she would be finally happy with a man who would protect her instead of harm her. Out of curiosity, he opened the card, and saw that it was indeed from Alfred, the boy she saved with a somber note in it. He jumped back from the bouquet when he heard Angelique coming back.
"Thank you, and sorry about all the deliveries Papa." Angelique told him as she ran into the front of the store. She looked at the bouquet for a quick second, and took it without looking at the card. Francis frowned. At this rate, she would never know who gave that amazing bouquet.
"No! Put those in the front! These is the nicest bouquet you received yet." Francis remarked to her, smiling coyly. Angelique complied, then sitting down with a huff once she was done. "Do you know what the flowers mean cher?" He asked his young ward softly. Angelique shook her head.
"I didn't know flowers meant anything." She admitted, blushing lightly. Her uncle chuckled as he sat next to her at the table, gently stroking her hair.
"The flowers that are in this bouquet do. See, the pink flowers mean admiration, gratitude, joy, and gentleness. Whoever got you those must really appreciate what you done." Francis replied nonchalantly, fixing his hair.
"Well what do the light purple flowers mean?" His niece asked curiously, earning a smirk from him.
"It means love at first sight." Francis answered, causing Angelique to blush a deep crimson. Before she could ask another question, he kissed her forehead and handed her a box. "Now go deliver these cupcakes hero." He told her. Angelique raised an eyebrow at his latest demand.
"Deliver? Since when do we deliver?"
"Since everyone wanted to see the 'Angel' of New York." He replied, handing her the box, and pushing her out of the bakery. "Now go on! The address is on the box, and I'm very sure you know how to get there without any problem! Call me when you get there!" He slammed the door behind her with a huge smirk on his face. Michelle looked at the door like her uncle had finally went insane. She sighed and complied, taking the subway to get to the place. Francis smiled as he watched her go. His little niece was growing up, and that made him extremely proud.
The subway ride was more or less pleasant since she was only on the train for about five stops. Whoever said you always see something interesting on the subway was true. It was getting closer to Christmas, so it was no surprise to see Salvation Army workers with their Santa hats and the famous red bucket asking for donations. People were hauling a large amounts of bags with Christmas presents for relatives, friends, and co-workers. It reminded her of the holidays she spent with her mother before her untimely passing. Shaking those thoughts away, the Seychellois woman zipped up her jacket, and carried the box with the utmost care to the very upscale apartment complex.
The apartment complex was extremely lavish and high class, Angelique noted. The doorman was nice enough to let her in after he recognized her, and the bakery she came from. She gently set her hood down from her face, and carefully wiped the snow off her shoes. After taking the highly elegant elevator to the 22nd floor, one floor away from the penthouse.
Whoever lives here must be extremely wealthy. Angelique thought to herself as she continued walking down the hallway to apartment 2206. She took a deep breath, and knocked on the door, hoping that whoever was behind the door was nice enough to tip. As she waited for the door, she tried to make herself look somewhat presentable. She didn't look her best at the moment as she wore a blue jacket with a pair of jeans, and her hair was in a ponytail.
"Artie! There's someone at the door!"
"I heard it you fool!" A loud, angry voice screamed that was nearby the door, catching her off guard. The door opened to reveal a slender young man wearing a Union Jack T-shirt with a red checkered bandana and dark pants. He had messy, short blond hair and lime-green eyes with thick, dark eyebrows. "Oh hello. How may I help you today?" He asked in a such a well mannered tone.
"Oh well I'm here to deliver these cupcakes for an...Alfred F. Jones." Angelique explained once she read the name. She raised an eyebrow at the name on the receipt. It couldn't be the same Alfred she had rescued before...right? Of course not. It was just a coincidence.
"Oh yes! He's in his bedroom. Third door to the right." Arthur told her sweetly, opening the door wider for her. He had received the phone call from her flirty, but handsome guardian from the bakery, who had been contracted by Matthew earlier in the week once he had found out the name of the bakery. Angelique nodded, and slowly walked inside the amazing condominium. It was so spacy and elegant. She was so afraid that she would break something that she could never afford if she came inside.
Arthur smiled in reassurance as she walked in. He had to admit, Alfred did have, for a lack of a better word, interesting taste in women. He always assumed his American cousin would go for a girl who was more flirty and more provocative. He expected him to date the typical kind of girl that usually went after athletes. But here was a fairly pretty young lady who seemed like the total opposite to the girls he usually dated. And by god was he glad of that.
Angelique slowly walked down the lengthy hallway looking at the photos. There were tons of photos with Arthur and two adults. She was about to put her hand on the doorknob to the door when she saw a particular picture that caught her eye. There was Arthur as a child (the eyebrows were a dead giveaway) with two boys that were younger by a few years. The boys definitely seemed to be twins, and reminded her of someone she met, especially the young boy on the left. He had blue eyes, a pair of glasses, and wheat blonde hair with a piece that stuck up like
"It's you." A masculine voice said happily, causing the young woman to basically jump out of her concentration. Once she safely made sure the delivery was in tact, she slowly looked up to see who called her name. Though she already had a feeling that she knew the voice all too well. And to her surprise, she was right. It was Alfred, standing a few feet in front of her, looking the same as when they first met (without the stab wound and blood). And since she was too focus on his injury, she hadn't noticed how handsome the young man was. A blush started to creep on her face the more she thought of it.
"I can't believe you're here...in person!" Alfred said, slowly walking towards her, looking at every single hair on her head and every blemish on her skin to capture the moment in his head forever. "I was afraid that you were a figment of my imagination, but I could never make up something so beautiful in my mind." He said softly before hitting his forehead. "Wow that was cheesy. I'm sorry." He told her, clearly embarrassed. Angelique chuckled softly at his attempt to flirt with her.
"It's alright. I can't believe you wanted to see me again." She replied, looking down at her attire. She definitely didn't look her best for a reunion like this, and the fact that she was standing in front of the same handsome she saved earlier didn't help either. Alfred gently put his hand underneath her chin, and lifted up her head so she they were eye to eye. She blushed once more.
"Of course I did. Why wouldn't I?" Alfred asked in shock and disbelief. He couldn't believe those words came out of her mouth. How would anyone not want to see the beautiful kindhearted angel again? "I never got the chance to say thank you for saving my life in person. You're the reason I'm still breathing. I don't know how I could repay you for the kindness and selflessness you showed me." He paused to gently take the cupcakes out of her arms, and gently set them on the ground. He took her hands in his hands, stroking her knuckles with his fingers. "May I kiss you?" He asked softly.
"Yes." Angelique said softly, still shocked from the entire ordeal she went through. Alfred smiled brightly, and slowly leaned her toward her. Michelle didn't know exactly what to do. She never expected him to do something like this (and she didn't expect him to ask her to kiss either). Though, she wanted this more than she even realized. She closed her eyes, and went on her toes to feel the full effect of the kiss.
Alfred couldn't help but chuckle at her going on her toes. He was ungodly tall, and she was average height for a girl her age. He slowly bent down so she wouldn't have to go on her toes, gently kissed her lips as if they were porcelain, not wanting to seem forceful on her. He slowly pulled away, and looked down at her beautiful brown eyes, sparkling with love and excitement.
"Thank you so much Angelique." Alfred said to her, taking her hands in his, and stroking her knuckles. He noticed the look she gave him, and spoke again. "Matt, my little brother, figured out where the bakery was, and then I asked your uncle." He explained, not wanting her to think he was some creep or a stalker. "I really wanted to see you again to thank you." He told her. "May I ask you a question?" He asked nervously. "You said you knew how to get blood off clothes. How do you know that?"
Angelique bit her bottom lip. She was hoping he wouldn't remember what she told him, especially the part where she knew how to get blood off. She sighed heavily, and looked back at him. "I was in a relationship with this guy around a year ago. He said he loved me, and I believed it. It was alright until a few months later when he started to become more controlling. He began ordering me around like I was a servant, telling who I can't be with, what I can't wear, or all that jazz. It wasn't bad then. I didn't mind not seeing a few people, or wear a few things. I loved him, and I thought he loved me." She sighed heavily before continuing.
"And then he became abusive. It went from grabbing my arm, and pushing me to punches and kicks when I was down. I tried so hard to hide the bruises and blood from my uncle. I began to believe that it was my fault. If I said something I wasn't supposed to, or did something wrong, then he had every right to hit me. One day Francis was doing my laundry without my knowledge, and he found my clothes. I had to tell him everything, and he was angry. And after he found out, well he and his Uncle Antonio and Uncle Gilbert paid him a 'visit'. Pretty pathetic huh?" She asked, looking down in utter shame.
Alfred was furious. Furious was an understatement. How dare anyone put their hands on this sweet, generous beauty. It made his blood boil at the sight of some boy putting his hands on a woman to show superiority over her. Alfred didn't believe that one was not a man if he hurt a woman, or anyone to feel superior. To him, anyone who abused anyone else was nothing but a child to be put in his place. If he could, he would have beat him senseless twice. It hurt him to see someone as amazing as Angelique being a punching bag to some boy. He had to calm down, and focus on the present, and not the past.
"Of course not. You are not pathetic." He told her sternly, holding her hands tightly, but not too tight where he would hurt her. He would rather die than her cause her unhappiness. "My opinion on you will never change. In fact, I see you even stronger and amazing than before." He smiled softly, and kissed her hands. "Angelique, would you mind if I took you out on a date? Maybe to a movie or ice skating or something? I don't want to rush you, or anything because..." He trailed off nervously. Now that he knew about her recently getting out of an abusive relationship, he definitely didn't want to rush her into anything. He wanted this to be as natural as possible to her. He didn't want her to feel uncomfortable at all. He wanted her to go at her own pace, and he would follow her.
Angelique blushed a deep crimson as she looked straight into his cerulean eyes, seeing not but love and admiration for her. She never thought she would receive someone as amazing like Alfred. Even when he was near death, he still managed to put a smile on her face through his kind words and gestures. And even when he found out about her abusive relationship, he still didn't let that stop him. He was still respectful and courteous to her as much as he could. His opinion on her did not change one bit. In fact, he thought even more highly of her.
"You bet." She said before going on her toes to kiss him again, wrapping her arms around his neck. Alfred wasted no time in pulling her close to him by gently wrapping his arms around her waist. Alfred had finally found the girl of his dreams, and it was through stumbling at a bakery with a stab wound on his stomach. He didn't care how he found her, he was just glad she found her, and he was never going to let her go again.
Angelique was equally as happy. She didn't necessarily believe in love at first sight, and the sappy things she was used to seeing in the movies. Then again, she didn't meet Alfred in a bookstore, or some weird setup to a romantic comedy. She met him while trying to save his life from an unfortunate stab wound.
It was the most unusual way of how they met, but both of them would take that meeting over the usual cliched romantic comedy subplot any day.
And there is the long awaited Chapter 2. Yes it most likely sucks, and rushed, but I'm glad I got it out the way. Now I before I finish this off, I have to address something that I wrote in this fanfic.
*The five boroughs of New York are as follows: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and The Bronx (and yes we call it the bronx). The story mostly takes place in Manhattan, where basically everything is. Times Square, Central Park, MOMA (Museum of Modern Art), and etc. It's the most popular borough, with Brooklyn and Queens trailing behind. I can't really explain in detail, but you can look it up for yourselves.
And I think that's the only thing I have to address. Oh! And keep an eye out for The Reader. It's coming. No seriously. It's coming. I promise. So Review my pretties! Review! Muhahahaha! Okay I'm done. See ya guys, and Happy (belated) New Year!