Chapter 7:

"Typical Sunday Afternoon"

September 14, 2014, 9:25am

My eyes fluttered opened to the little sunlight coming from the window.

"Ugh" I turned back around on the other side to avoid it.

I was pretty tired from the past couple days, we were out all day and night Friday and Saturday, which was yesterday, we decided to go to the beach, for the afternoon since it was a nice day but also pretty hot. We were all dying of heat and tired by the time we left. We just toke it easy last night an ordered room service for dinner and did our own thing afterwards.

I still am very tired, though I did have to use the bathroom but I didn't want to get out of bed so I just stayed there. I decided to check my phone quickly if there was anything there. My Mom sent me a message on WhatsApp:

"Hi booboo, just wanted to see how it's going? I came home early from work, have a huge migraine and feeling nauseous, I'm gonna go rest for a little bit, text me when you can. Nonna says hi too.

Love u ?¬ンᄂ️"

I sent her quick message:

"Its good, went to the beach yesterday, went to this festival on Friday Night so yeah, we've been busy these past couple of days. Take some advil or tylonel, make a chamomile after if you could, feel better, get some rest. Tell her I said hi.

Love u ?¬ンᄂ️"

My Mom usually has this problem all the time, not having migraines but she's been having this bad cough for months now and just won't go away and usually every morning she throws up because of that. I honestly feel bad, wish I could something to help, but know that I can't. I don't want anything bad happening to her, worst case, she might cough so bad that she'll barely breath and pass out. Even at night I hear her, she can barely sleep cause of that.

I sighed. I try my best to make sure that doesn't happen in any way. She has an appointment tomorrow so we'll what happens. I can't worry about that right now, I'm on vacation with my friends and should enjoy it while I can.

I saw that there was also a reminder that we were gonna ball gown shopping today with Vanessa's Aunt Aurora. She told us late Friday night when we got back from the festival that Aurora messaged her asking if were going to be available Sunday afternoon. We didn't make any plans for today so Vanessa said yes. Were meeting up with Aurora around 12 for lunch at a restaurant somewhere, then we'll be heading down to this fancy dress shop not far from there.

I was actually really excited for this, even Alice and Adeline were squealing with excitement yesterday. I didn't feel tired anymore so I decided to get up and get dressed for today.

~~~
9:45am

I was sitting on the balcony outside, reading my book. I was just finishing up on Chapter 6, it was getting really interesting. I tried not to read so much as we are going Wednesday and don't want to spoil much info. I was about to put my bookmark in the page when the next chapter caught my eye:

'Sonic Maurice the Hedgehog'

If I'm going to find out who this guy really is, if he's really out there for sure and what he wants then this chapter has the answers. But I already told Vanessa I wouldn't read that far, so I stopped, put the bookmark in and closed the book for now.

"Morning"

Vanessa next to me, still in her pjs, sipping her morning coffee.

"Hey"

She then gave me a look, with an eyebrow raise.

"What?" Then I looked at the book in my hands.

"Relax, I haven't read that far, it's not like this guy's alive anymore, which he isn't."

"You do know that were visiting his old home right?"

"Yeah, and by the way his old home has been taken over by his grandson, who happens to be a rumoured undead person, who's lurking around the streets at night looking for who knows what"

She slightly laughed. I then heard a knock at the door.

"Ah, that must be my breakfast" I said getting up from my seat.

"Hope you got the chocolate chip pancakes, I just had them and they were awesome! I can still taste some of the chocolate chips"

"You bet I did, why wouldn't I?"

"See you in a little while"

"See ya"

She then headed inside and so did I.

Few minutes later…9:48am

"Oh my god, these are so good!"

I was back on the balcony eating the pancakes. The taste was very sweet and fluffy, I could feel the chocolate chips running in my mouth. I figured since were going to lunch after that I just get something light so I'm not too full afterwards. I was just finishing up when I heard a voice next to me.

"Woah, take it easy there girl"

I turned my head, Vanessa was next to me wearing a black tank top with white jeans.

"You know I can't help myself"

She rolled her eyes playfully.

"Anyway, I was thinking, why don't we just go walking for a bit to digest these pancakes just until its almost noon"

"Sure"

"I already texted the girls, they'll be ready in a few minutes so you better hurry"

"I'm almost done my coffee here so I'll be out in a couple minutes"

"Alright, see you in a bit" She then walked back inside her room.

7 minutes later…9:55am

We were in the main lobby, deciding where to go until it was time to go to lunch. We looked at our brochure. There were some famous parks in the city, some of them sounded interesting but we didn't know which one to go to.

"Wait, I know the best one we can go too, Jardin des Plantes. It's really nice, the architect is great, the flower bed is believable and there's a maze we can wander around in. Also few museums but thats about it"

"Maze, huh? Count me in" Adeline said

"I'm down for it" I said

"Sounds interesting" Alice said

"Alright then thats where we'll go then. It's too far too walk so we'll hitch a ride"

There were a few taxis sitting outside, we went to go grab the one in front of us. The taxi driver leaning against his car when he saw us come up.

"Ah, bonjour mademoiselles, where off to today?"

"Jardin des Plantes" Vanessa said.

"Hop on in"

Vanessa got in the front, while the rest of us got in the back. Alice was in the middle this time, I was on the right side while Adeline was on the left hand side.

The driver started up the car, then started to slowly edge out onto the road, we were on the road within seconds.

50 minutes later…10:45am

We just finished at one of the museums, it was actually pretty interesting, lots of art and sculptures. We were now walking down along the pathway of the famous garden, passing by lots of beautiful flowers and topiaries. There was one where it was in the shape of a cat.

I'm definitely taking a picture of that one. I got my phone out and went to my camera to take a picture.

"Hey guys, look over there!" Alice shouted.

In the near distance, there were people going into a huge head of grass, it must be the maze.

"Well, who wants to get lost in the big tall grass?" Vanessa said

"I do! Let's go!" We sprinted downwards on the path towards the big hedges.

40 minutes later…11:25am

We've been lost in this maze for the past who knows how long. We decided to have a little friendly competition, who ever found the exit first has to pay next time we go out for lunch or dinner, we split up into teams, Adeline and I on one, Vanessa and Alice on the other. So far, we've found nothing close to an exit, just keep bumping into dead ends.

"Man, we've should've gotten a map on this place" Adeline said getting frustrated.

"I know, but that would technically count as cheating"

She sighed "I know"

"Well we better find a way out fast, we have to meet Vanessa's aunt soon" I said

"And how exactly are we going to do that? Every time we've found something that looks like an exit, another dead end pops up?"

"Maybe I can help"

We turned to see a blue female adult cat come up to us.

"Hello girls, long time no see"

"Hey, nice to see you again!" Adeline said

"Hey, Aurora, it's been awhile, how's everything with you?" I asked.

Aurora was wearing a white blouse, paired with a black maxi skirt.

"Good, good, very busy planning for your party, we just need your opinions on some things."

"And the ball gowns?" Adeline mentioned

"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about that. Where's Vanessa and Alice?"

"Uh, we decided to split up to see who can find the way out first" I said.

"Yeah, so we don't know exactly where they are" Adeline said.

"Don't worry, I have something that can help us"

"Please tell me that it has a map inside?" Adeline said.

She went into her purse and pulled out what appeared to be a brochure/map.

"Ah, thank god! Your a life saver!"

"Well, we don't want to get lost now do we?"

"Nope" I said.

Just then I heard my phone buzzing, I pulled it form my back pocket, Vanessa was calling.

I answered and put it on speaker.

"Yes?"

"Did you find the exit yet?" Vanessa on the other line said.

"Not even close"

"Well, one of us better find it soon or else I'm gonna fucking lose it. Seriously, this is getting too stressing, I just wanna get the hell outta here and go eat, I'm starting to get cranky"

"Same here!" Alice shouted in the background

We both sweated drop "Uh yeah, well there's someone else here with us and she just heard everything you said"

"Uh she, who's 'she'?"

I held up the phone towards Aurora so she could talk, she then spoke up

"Hello to you too Vanessa"

Vanessa sweat dropped on the other line. "…Heh, h..hey Auntie, how long have you been there? How's it going?"

"Oh, things are great and I've been here long enough to hear what you just said"

"Heh..heh"

Adeline and I were snickering quietly in the background.

"We'll talk about this later, where are you girls anyway?"

"We're in the exact middle here."

"Alright, you two stay put, we'll come get you then head on out of here for lunch"

Both of them shouted "Ok!"

I took the phone away from her. I then heard my stomach growling.

I put a hand to my stomach "Huh, guess those pancakes weren't enough"

"Don't worry, the faster we find the other girls, the faster we can go eat, I had very little breakfast today so I'm hungry as well" Aurora said.

We nodded.

Aurora unfolded the map which revealed the map of this place, she started to walk out.

"Come now girls, let's get a move on"

We started to follow her out towards the path again.

"You got the chocolate chip pancakes right?"

"Yeah"

"Weren't they awesome?!"

"I know right, I just devoured them. Let me guess? You got them too?"

"They looked and tasted delicious, I couldn't help my self"

We continued talking while walking following Aurora towards the middle of the maze.

8 minutes later…11:33am

We were out of the maze within under 10 minutes, we decided that since none of us found an exit, we called 'little' our competition off.
We were now walking towards the car to head off to lunch.

"So Auntie, what were you doing here anyway?" Vanessa asked

"I was in the area and thought I'd come by and take a little stroll, plus the restaurant is near by so it'd be a lot quicker"

"Oh I see"

"Which restaurant are we going to exactly?" I asked.

"It's one of my favourite places to go to, I go there majority of the time, it's not that far from home, it's really nice, you girls will enjoy it"

"Good, cause I'm pretty much starving right now, I didn't have a lot for breakfast this morning" Alice said, her stomach growling.

"Just hang in there girl, we'll get there soon" I said, putting a hand on her shoulder.

2 hours later… 1:33pm

We were just pulling up to the dress store. We got out of the car and gathered around the front.

"Well ladies, here's the place" Aurora said, addressing the place.

We all looked up to the sign above.

"Belle's Boutique"

"I've always come here to look for nice evening dresses, gowns, etc. She has a very nice selection for you girls to choose from."

"Well, you two must know each other well then, huh?" Adeline asked.

"Of course! She's a very long time friend of mine, she's always known what my style is and I'm sure she'll be happy to help you girls as well with what you're looking for"

We headed inside the shop, a little bell rang when the door opened.

"Be right out!" A voice from the back called out.

"Oh, my god!" Adeline said

"Woah" I said.

So many varieties of dresses were displayed. From evening to formal, party to wedding, so much to choose from.

Just then an orange and white female cat came out from the back, approaching us while dusting herself off.

"So sorry about that, now what can I help you with…" She looked up.

"Belle!"

"Well, if it isn't one of my favourite customers! What brings you here on this fine day my friend?"

"Well, as you know, Theo and I are hosting a masquerade party Thursday night for my niece's best friend's birthday and I have brought these nice young ladies to find the proper attire" Aurora addressing us behind her.

"Well ladies, you've come to the right place, we have lots for you to choose from, now before you go start scattering around, might I ask who the birthday girl is?"

"Uh, that would be me" I said coming towards her.

"Uh Belle, you remember Kristina, Vanessa's best friend?" Aurora asked.

"Ah, yes I do, it has been quite awhile since the last time we met, you haven't aged age a bit have you?"

"No I do not" It's true what people say about me, they look at me thinking I'm 15/16 years old but I'm not and they're just standing like "No, you're not!" and I'm like "Yes!"

"Well, Kristina, there's lots of dresses here for you to choose from, pick whatever you feel comfortable in"

"I will"

We turned to the other girls, already starting to browse through the racks.

"Alright then, girls listen up!" Aurora spoke up. They stopped and turned to look at her.

"We have couple hours here, so take your time picking out which one you like, but remember were going back to the house later on for a couple things so I'd say choose your dresses today"

"Ok!" They all said.

Aurora nudged me to go join them while her and Belle went to go chit chat.

1:53pm

Around 20 minutes had passed and I've found nothing so far. The other girls have already found something they like, they were already at the changing rooms, starting to try on the dresses they found. Which means that I have to hurry and pick something out fast. I scurried through quite a bit of dresses, they all looked really nice and beautiful but not one caught my attention so far. I was about to leave when my eyes caught something white at the end. I pulled it out slightly to look at it.

"Wow"

"Can't find anything?"

I saw Aurora coming up to me.

I sighed. "Uh, well, before hand no, but I think I finally found something."

I showed the dress to her, Aurora took it off the rack. "Are you sure about this one?"

I nodded.

She gave a small smile. "As long as it makes you comfortable, then its fine with me."

I smiled back at her.

"Let's get you to the change room, shall we?"

I followed her to the back where the other girls were. I stepped up on the podium, when I heard a voice across from me.

"Finally, took you long enough!" Vanessa poked her head through the curtain.

"I couldn't find anything I liked alright! Geez!"

She playfully rolled her eyes. "Hey, whatever you picked, you'll look great in it, you always do"

I smiled. "Same with you"

She smiled back and went behind the curtain again while I went to go try on the dress I picked out.

14 minutes later…2:07pm

"That just about does it. Does it feel too tight?" Belle was just finishing up adjusting the straps on my dress.

"Uh, no its good"

She stepped back to double check, then walked around in front of me to view at me.

"It is a beautiful dress, are you sure about this one?"

I nodded.

She gave a small smile. "As long as you feel comfortable in it, then it's yours"

I gave a smile back to her.

"Alright then, its settled, Let me go check on how the girls are doing."

She stepped out the room to go check on the others.

"So, how's everyone so far?"

"This is so pretty!"

"I'm never taking this off!"

"I could wear this all night!"

"Oh yeah, everyone's great all right" Aurora said, already knowing that the girls have picked out what they want to wear.

*ahem*

They turned to look at her.

"Girls, I'm glad you all found something that you all like and admiring your selves but aren't you forgetting about someone?" Belle asked, turning back around to me, opening up the curtain.

"Oh, right!"

"Whoops!"

"My bad!"

They all sweat dropped, then looked towards me. All eyes were widened.

"Heh, too much?" I asked almost hesitating.

They looked at each other for a minute, then back at me.

"Well, yeah, it does look too much, in our opinions but again you do look really great in it" Vanessa said.

"You'll be the centre of attention" Adeline said.

"And you definitely look like a princess" Alice said.

A warm smile came to my face.

"I have to agree with them on that" I turned to look at Aurora.

"Too fancy but again, it really does look beautiful on you." Aurora said.
"Are you sure you want that one?"

I looked at myself in the mirror, looking at the dress I was wearing. I mean, I kinda agree with them, it looks too much and fancy but again I do feel really pretty in it and I do look like an actual princess now that I'm looking at it. I'm definitely going to be the centre of attention that night.

"Yeah, I do"

Aurora and Belle exchanged looks for a moment. Then they both nodded.

"If that's what you feel comfortable in, then it's yours."

That smile came across my face again.

"Well, I guess it's settled then, everyone's made their choice." Belle said.

Everyone nodded.

She clasped her hands."Perfect, I'm just going to make small alterations to these dresses once my assistant/seamstress is back tomorrow. I'll have these delivered to your place sometime on Wednesday Aurora."

"Sounds like a plan. Alright girls, ready to.." She looked at us "..get going?"

All of us were still admiring ourselves in our dresses in the mirrors.

*ahem*

We all looked at her.

"Girls, you'll have all night Thursday to wear those, right now we have to go"

"Fine!"

We closed the curtains while Belle came around one by one to get us out of our dresses.

20 minutes later…2:27pm

We said goodbye to Belle before we left the shop, we were now just pulling up the driveway to Aurora's place. We got out of the car and headed inside the mansion.

"Alright, shoes off girls" Aurora said, taking off her shoes and putting it on the shoe mat.

*whistle* Adeline next to me did.

"You said it girl" I said.

We were in the main hallway, and it was massive. I could even hear our voices booming in the background.

"This way girls" We followed Aurora straight down the hall to the living room.

The living room was huge as well, high ceiling with crystal chandeliers, beige fireplace with a painting attached to the wall above it. Along with three beige soft sofas, one on the left, right and centre and sitting on it were Pierre, Cassandra and Theo, each having tea and some scones while having a nice conversation until we walked in.

Theo got up from his seat and came to greet us.

"Ah darling, good to see you again, how did the afternoon go?" Theo went to kiss Aurora on the cheek.

"Really good, thank you. I took them to that nice seafood restaurant you love so much and we went to Belle's place to shop for dresses which they each found one"

"That's excellent to hear and girls…" He turned to see us behind her.

"Long time no see, really good to see you again, please come sit down, we have a few things to discuss."

The last little while Theo was just going over on what's happening for Thursday night.

'The Big 18' is what the main event is called and will be held at Balls n' Blitz, a ballroom company which both Theo and Aurora own. The theme will be purple & white, which I'm good with since purple is my favourite colour. For the food, it'll be all buffet which I'm looking forward too, so are the others. Reception will be held at 6:00pm, dinner will start at 7:00pm, with an entertainment live show as well. A little bit later will be followed by a dessert table and some dancing as well.

"Alright, I've basically covered pretty much everything you girls need to know."

"Oh, actually so sorry to interrupt you dear, but I almost forgot, did I forget to mention that were getting our hair and make-up done as well?"
Aurora mentioned.

"Seriously?!"

"For real?!"

"Yes!"

"Being pampered twice this week? Best day ever!"

"Maybe now I got them too excited now?" Aurora sweat dropped.

"Ah, don't worry dear, you know how girls are like when being treated like royalty almost"

"Oh, yes I do"

*clears throat*

We turned to look at Theo.

"Anyway, now that we've got that covered, do you girls have any questions?" He asked.

"Actually I do." Adeline said. "When you say dessert, does that include a chocolate fountain as well?"

"No, it doesn't unfortunately…"

Adeline sighed.

"It involves a fountain mixed with both chocolate and vanilla"

Her eyes widened. "Yes! This seriously couldn't get any better!"

"Oh, did I forget to mention there's creme brûlée as well?"

I'm pretty sure he was referring to me when he said that, and as if I was right, mostly everyone in the room was looking at me.

"What? I can't help myself, do you know how good that is?"

"And that's exactly why I added them to the dessert table"

*dong, dong*

The sound came from across the room, we turned to look to see the grandfather clock striking 3:00pm.

"Huh, didn't realize it was that early still, that went a lot quicker than I thought." Theo said.

"Well dear, you did describe everything pretty quickly, but I'm sure everyone gets it"

"Yes, yes I did. Anyway…"

We were sipping on some tea and having scones when we looked up.

"If you girls don't mind, we'd love for you to stay for dinner tonight, that is if you don't have plans later on?"

"We looked at each other for moment then back at him.

"Uh not really but yeah, for sure" Vanessa said.

"That's wonderful to hear. We'll be eating around 6pm, we'll give you a call when its time to eat. In the meantime, why don't you girls go explore around the house or go to the entertainment room at the front to watch some tv or movies"

We nodded. "Sounds good to us"

~~~
5 hours later…8:00pm

It was a great evening. We watched some Pretty Little Liars which just added new episodes on Netflix, had an awesome dinner, Maple Glazed Salmon with roasted potatoes and some mixed greens which included caesar salad and green beans spread in garlic sauce. For dessert it was a mixed berry crumble which was so delicious, that I had at least 3 pieces, so did the girls. We also got to explore around the mansion for a little bit, Vanessa even showed us her room while she stayed here a couple years back. I was somewhat in a moment that I actually wanted to stay here and not go back home. Vanessa's one lucky kid, she must get spoiled a lot since she comes from a wealthy family which I'm sure she does.

I do get jealous of her sometimes that she has a lot of money than we do, but I do get the fact that most rich people don't know how to act like how a normal family would. It's really mostly all business for them and stuff, not even to sit down for a meal together but for Vanessa, it's not. They may be wealthy and own businesses from both sides but at least for them they know how to act and be a family altogether.

Anyway, we're just getting ready to go back to the hotel. Pierre was just outside getting the car started while Cassandra went to go get her things.

"Well, hope you girls had a good time tonight? You must be full after that nice big meal." Theo asked.

"Oh yeah"

"For sure"

"Yep"

"I'll definitely sleep good tonight"

"Don't worry girls" Pierre came back inside, standing behind the door.

"Car's all warmed up and ready to go. Now were just waiting on one other person-"

"I'm coming, I'm coming, just grabbing my purse, if I could just find it first…" Cassandra shouted from the kitchen.

"Oh, found it!"

She then dashed across the hallway in her light grey coat and her grey purse.

"Alright, now I'm good to go" She said.

"Great! Girls, why don't you go wait in the car while I go get my things."

We nodded and headed out.

"Oh girls! I almost forgot, our appointments are at 4pm on Thursday, I'll be at the hotel around 3:30pm to come get you."

"Ok!"

~~~

Pierre was already at the door within seconds.

"Well it seems everything is going according to schedule so far, Kristina's definitely going to have the best birthday." Theo said to everyone.

"I'm not so sure about that Theo" Pierre concerned and worried.

"I know, but you know that we don't have a choice, we made a deal with him"

"Look, it's not him I'm just worried about. I just don't want her freaking out that we invited a former royal who's..you know. I don't want to ruin her special day, that's all."

Theo put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, he said he's not like that as, he'll bring his 'meal' with him so we got nothing to worry about"

"I agree with him, also I think what he's doing is actually kind of sweet"
Aurora said.

"All this trouble to go through just for the sake of a young girl's heart and love, it is very sweet. Remember all that nonsense you went through with me Pierre?" Cassandra said.

"Just to get your parents permission, yeah, it took a lot awhile to get them to like me enough."

"Look Pierre, he said he promised to try to keep it safe and mysterious, act like everyone else and we agreed that we'd keep an eye out on him just in case if anything comes to worse."

Pierre nodded. "You're right, a deal's a deal."

"We have a few days still so both of you go home and get some rest."

"We will" Cassandra said, heading out the door with Pierre in front of her, waving goodbye.

Both of them got in the car, everyone was quietly talking to each other.

"Alright girls, buckle up" Pierre said.

We buckled our seat belts, the car was starting up, within seconds we were back on the road.

~~~
8:33pm

We arrived at the hotel, we got out of the car and said our goodbyes while walking into the hotel.

"Have a goodnight girls, remember 3:30pm on Thursday!" Cassandra said.

"Yeah, yeah we know!"

There were inside within seconds.

Pierre and Cassandra both looked at each with concern and guilt.

"Let's hope this works out" Cassandra said

Pierre grabbed her hand then squeezed it. "I hope so too"

Both looking back at the hotel as their minds drifted back to that night.

September 11th, 2014…

"Alright, "I'm going to ask you some questions, answer them as best as you can, be honest and take your time"

"Yes sir"

"But before we get to that, just one thing, why are you here exactly?"