***Author's Note***
What to say except, hope you enjoy this chapter! ^_^
Disclaimer: The usual.
Misty the Matchmaker
Chapter 10: Dinner Date Dilemmas
Okay, now!
The woman across from him commented on the rich taste of the chocolate mousse.
Now!
She laughed at the odd expression her date had and reached over to dab away a bit of whipped cream from the corner of his mouth.
NOW!
Ash gently grabbed Melody's wrist as she lowered her arm and sighed heavily. She shot him a look of confusion.
"What's wrong Alvin?"
He sighed again. She twisted her wrist free of his hold and drew it close to her.
"Alvin?"
Finally, Ash looked up and he could tell she knew. Her hazel eyes were already brimming with tears that had yet to make their descent down her cheeks. Her lips trembled slightly.
"I'm sorry Melody," was all he could say. He had never done this before. What was he supposed to say? As embarrassing as it was, the few girlfriends he'd ever had always broke up with him. He'd never been on this end and always thought how heartless the other person must be to initiate a break up. But now, he knew. It wasn't all that easy being on either side of an ending relationship.
"I just want you to know the truth," Ash stated and took a deep breath, ready to reveal his true identity. After the talk with Brock earlier that morning and his own contemplations throughout the afternoon, Ash had decided that the sweet young woman before him at least deserved to know who he really was.
Especially after how all throughout dinner, Melody kept throwing him little hints that indicated she had, indeed, fallen for him. Which only made this process that much more difficult.
Melody shook her head, still refusing to let the tears fall. Instead, she carefully placed her cloth napkin on the table and stood. "It's okay," she said in a tight voice. "I get it. It's only been one week anyway so what was I expecting? That's why I signed up for a service. To help me find my soul mate which I guess isn't you."
"Melody I –"
"Thank you for a lovely evening Alvin. I wish you the best in life," Melody continued before snatching up her sleek black purse from the table and practically fleeing, leaving Ash alone at the table and very glad that looks could not kill from the way the patrons of the restaurant glared at him.
~*~
"I can't believe we get to come here!" Serena squealed into Misty's ear as they carefully climbed out of the cab.
Misty paid the driver and grinned at the expression of excitement filling Serena's features as she gazed up towards the top of the skyscraper.
"Have you been here?"
"Nope. This will be my first time. I've only been in Viridian for a year and this is a pretty ritzy restaurant," Misty explained.
Serena squealed again as they made their way towards the building.
Since the restaurant was located on the 120th floor of the Oak-owned office building, there was a special side entrance that had its own red carpet that stretched from the curb to the door. A velvet awning covered the entire path and as they walked inside to the little lobby and towards one of the many glass elevators that allowed you to look out into the city, their heels clinked against the marble flooring.
They chose the nearest elevator and the pressed the 'up' button. Within seconds, the sleek glass doors slid open but to Misty and Serena's shock, a sobbing woman dashed out, her hair coming out in wisps from its twisted bun.
She bumped into Misty and briefly looked up to mutter an apology.
"Melody?" Misty exclaimed in shock. Why on earth had happened? Why was the young woman before her practically hyperventilating with sorrow?
Serena came around the side and put an arm around Melody without hesitation. "There there. Come, lets sit down here," she said, leading her towards a couch.
After making a quick call to Rudy and informing him they'd be slightly delayed, Misty joined the others on the couch, sitting on the other side of Melody so that she and Serena created a protective shield around the still crying woman.
Misty fished a tissue out of her purse and handed it to Melody who took it gratefully. As her tears finally subsided, she dabbed her face. With a shuddering breath she whispered, "He dumped me!"
"Oh you poor thing!" Serena cried out and hugged her. Misty softly rubbed her back. So Alvin had dumped Melody. This was an interesting development indeed. Misty couldn't help but feel angered, however. This bypassed the normal matchmaking procedure! The papers she gave out to her clients clearly stated that if one party wished to cease connection with the other, given that the meetings were still in the initial phases, then they were to go through her. Not go out on a date to the fanciest restaurant on this side of the country and then dump your partner right then and there!
Misty wondered if Alvin were still upstairs as she wrapped her arms around Melody whose breathing was normalizing. If he was, she'd like to go up there and toss him off the 120th floor for breaking this poor girl's heart like this. There were rules and protocol for a reason, even in the world of matchmaking! And it was to prevent problems exactly like this.
"Thank you," Melody finally said, lifting her head. Misty and Serena withdrew their arms as she stood with a shaky smile. "It's just that, with my career and always going places, I've never actually had a relationship and I've never really liked a guy in such a short amount of time. That's why I thought maybe he was the one but I guess he's not."
Misty's heart went out to her client. Love was not an easy thing to deal with.
"Misty you've been so great with helping me out! I really appreciate it," Melody continued.
Misty stood and gave Melody one more hug. "It was my pleasure to be able to meet you. And listen, you are more than welcome to come back and we can certainly try again. There are so many better fish in the sea!"
With a small smile, Melody nodded. "Perhaps. Anyways," she finally shook her head and cleared her throat, changing her expression to something a bit more normal. "It seems like I'm keeping you two ladies from your dates. Thank you as well," she said turning to Serena. "We don't know each other but you've been too kind."
Serena smiled as she stood. "Hey we girls have to stick together in times like this!"
"Thank you," Melody said. "Well, you kids have fun now!"
Misty watched as Melody strode out of the lobby, a certain strength radiating from her. She turned to Serena and swept a hand towards the direction of the elevators. "Well then. Shall we?"
Serena nodded. They once again pressed the button and this time when the doors slid open, no one rushed out and the two women stepped in. Though Misty knew Serena was probably burning with curiosity about Melody, especially since she had comforted her without knowing her, the matchmaker was glad for her friend's respect of her client's privacy.
"It's so gorgeous!" Serena commented as they stared out through the clear glass walls. Nighttime hadn't quite set in but the sky was already changing colors, a mixture of blue fading away into hues of lavender and pale pink with a tinge of orange.
"I bet by the time we're seated upstairs, we'll get to watch the sunset!" Misty predicted.
The stood in silence for a few moments as the elevator took them higher and higher, simply taking in the picturesque view and enjoying the ride.
Finally, Serena asked, "So, did Rudy tell you who my blind date is going to be?"
Misty shook her head. "Nope."
"Hm."
"Stop worrying!" Misty said putting a hand on Serena's shoulder. "I'm sure things will be fine."
"It's just that – "
"Damian. I know."
"No. Well. A little bit of that. But uh…I kind of haven't been on a date in a while. Last time when the guy found out I was a fortune teller, he sort of stood me up."
"Ah. Well, this guy doesn't know you're a fortune teller yet so he can't stand you up since he's already here with Rudy!"
Serena rolled her eyes. "Thank you for that logic."
"Anytime."
After that, they didn't say anything else as the elevator came to a halt. They stepped out onto the thick, royal blue carpet, exchanging excited grins at one another. They had come out into yet another lobby which led to a set of glass doors which Misty assumed to be the restaurant itself. But before they could enter, they would have to find their dates.
There were several people mingling in the lobby, drinks in hand, no doubt waiting for a table and Misty signaled to Serena to follow her into the crowd when she thought she spotted a man flipping his hair.
"Rudy!" Misty called out when she was confirmed it was her date.
The man turned and waved back, walking up to Misty. He took her hand, kissed it as he had earlier, and twirled her around, much to Misty's delight. "You look absolutely stunning. Like a model yourself."
Misty blushed and was glad Serena had convinced her to dish out the extra money to buy the pale blue evening gown, especially after Rudy had texted Misty to tell her they'd be dining at this particular restaurant.
"I'm glad I asked you what color you'd be wearing," Rudy continued, pointing to his own tie which matched Misty's dress.
"I'm glad you asked too," Misty said with a soft smile. "So, where's your friend?" she asked finally as Serena sidled up to make her presence be known.
Rudy looked around in confusion. "Hm. He was here just before you two ladies got here." Upon seeing Serena's frown he quickly said, "Oh don't worry. He hasn't left. I think he went – oh here he comes now!"
Misty looked around, trying to figure out which of the many men in the room might be Serena's blind date and hoping beyond hope it would be someone decent both in personality and looks.
"I guess I should thank you Rudy, for inviting me along. I've been dying to come here!" Serena gushed with a smile just as a man walked over. Before Rudy could make the introductions, Misty had beaten him to it, stepping up to the man.
"Gary Oak?"
~*~
"Well well well," the Junior President of Oak Tech said, casually draping arm around his date.
Serena glared menacingly at him and shoved his arm. "Do. Not. Touch. Me."
"Who would've thought my blind date would turn out to be Little Maria?"
"If I had known it was you, I would've stayed home drilling holes into my skull," Serena replied frostily. "And keep your nasty hands off of me!" she added slapping away the hand that was slowly creeping up her thigh.
As Gary leaned back in towards the table for his drink, Serena turned her body away to face the middle of the restaurant where there was an open dance floor. She smiled at the sight of Rudy twirling Misty around in time with the music being played by the live band in the corner. She wanted to dance too but unfortunately her option for a dance partner wasn't really an option or even sane consideration.
Why did she always get stuck with these losers?
When Gary had been revealed as her blind date, Serena had been unable to stop her jaw from dropping and was tempted to find the exit to the roof so she could fling herself off the side of the building.
Misty had mistaken Serena's look as one of pleasant surprise instead of utter mortification when Gary had snaked an arm around Serena's waist and told Misty he and "Little Maria" were already "well acquainted."
Before Serena could get a word in edgewise, Misty and Rudy thought it was positively adorable how Gary already had a nickname for Serena and that they looked great together with her red dress and his matching red tie, a coincidence that, Serena was horrified but Gary delighted, to discover. As Rudy offered his arm to Misty and escorted her through the double doors into the restaurant, Serena had been left to soundlessly gape like a fish out of water. After pinching Gary's hand away from her body, she had stalked after them leaving her date behind.
But now, she realized there was a dilemma. She had no way of knowing exactly who Misty's mystery man and both Gary and Rudy fit the description.
Though she had thought she was successful in chasing Gary away the other day, fate apparently had other plans by flinging him back into the limelight. Well, Serena thought casting a dark eye towards her "date" who was trying to get their waitress's phone number, she would no doubt try everything in her power to keep Gary away from Misty and keep Misty and Rudy together tonight. Rudy was by far, much more qualified to be with Misty than Gary. As far as Serena concerned, Gary wasn't even qualified to date a worm.
"You're really shameless, aren't you?" Serena commented taking a small bite of bread as the waitress walked off.
Gary shot her a grin and flashed a slip of paper he held between two forefingers. "I got her number didn't I?"
"While you're on a date with another woman."
"Jealous?"
"Hardly," Serena scoffed then sipped some water. "It just gives me more to hate, that's all."
"Hate all you want but remember, I'm the one paying for your dinner tonight. And I own this building," Gary said taking a piece of bread and buttering it.
"Your grandfather is the one who really owns it. Not you. And if you think I'm going to fall head over heels for you because you're paying for my dinner, then forget it. I'd rather pay for myself than owe a pervert like you," Serena said looking over at him coolly.
He didn't reply as he took a bite of the bread. She watched as he pulled out his cell phone, typed something on the screen, then turned it so she could see. It was a number. A very large number.
"What? Is that how many girls you've been with since last week?"
"That my Little Maria," Gary said leaning forward with a smirk, "is the average total cost for dinner for four not including drinks and dessert. I'm sure you can calculate how much you would owe if you still choose to pay your way out."
Serena balked. "For one meal!? Do they raise their own animals in the back and grow their own vegetables?"
"I take it you can't afford this. Figures. You are, after all, just a cleaning woman. Which is good because you'll have to wash dishes for the next month to pay for it."
"I didn't say I couldn't afford it," Serena clarified through her gritted teeth. Of course she could afford it. If she went without food for the next week, she could afford it. But she would never let the pervert know. It was a sacrifice she was willing to make.
Before she could continue, Misty and Rudy came back to the table, both red in the face from excitement. They took sips of their water and Misty said, "You two should come join us!"
Well at least someone is having fun. And though she thought it sarcastically, Serena really was happy that her friend seemed to be having such a good time. Misty needed this. Especially to help her get her mind off that client of hers.
Rudy put an arm around Misty. "This woman is a fantastic dancer! Almost at my level!"
"Well, she did take ballet," Serena said with a grin.
"Really?"
"When I was in middle school," Misty said with a laugh. "I quit sometime in high school because I couldn't stand to wear tights anymore!"
"Ah yes. That would do it," Rudy said in mock seriousness. He turned back to the other two, looking more towards Gary than Serena. "So, aren't you going to ask this lovely lady to dance?"
"Ah that's okay," Serena protested. "I'm not a dancer."
"I beg to differ," Gary said with a smirk. "I seem to remember a broom and – ouch!"
As Serena kept her thin heel planted firmly atop Gary's shoe underneath the table, she smiled sweetly at her friend and Rudy who were looking on curiously. "It's okay. You go on. Really. We're fine sitting here and uh, talking."
Misty stared at Serena, giving her a look that said, 'Are you sure?' to which Serena grinned even wider with a nod. She would not let this date be ruined for Misty because of some pervert. Misty shrugged and said, "Okay then," and let Rudy lead her back onto the dance floor.
Serena lifted her shoe off Gary who cringed and stamped his foot to ease the pain muttering, "Crazy cleaning woman. I'll get you back for that."
~*~
"Oh look! They're finally dancing!" Rudy said excitedly, pointing over Misty's shoulder. She craned her neck to look and indeed, her best friend had her arms gingerly on Gary's shoulders whose hands were at her waist. Although, they appeared to be trying to standing as far away from each other as humanely possible, both sets of arms straight as poker sticks and if Misty wasn't mistaken, was Serena frowning instead of smiling?
Rudy laughed and Misty turned her gaze back toward him as he said, "Wow. I didn't think Gary was that bad of a formal dancer."
"What do you mean?"
"He keeps stepping on your poor friend's feet. Almost like he's stomping on them actually."
"Oh." That would explain the frowns.
"Looks like our food is here!" Rudy said as he stopped dancing, his gaze towards their table.
Misty watched as two waiters carefully placed silver-covered plates at each setting and stood back, waiting for them to return to their seats. "Wow."
"Like it so far?"
"So far," Misty said with a smile and accepted Rudy's arm once more as they headed back to the table. He was a perfect gentleman, holding her seat out and helping her settle down before taking his own seat beside her.
Liking the evening thus far was an understatement. Misty hadn't had such a lovely time in quite a while. And it wasn't just the fact that they got to watch a beautiful sunset while eating their appetizers nor was it the live band and dancing or even the fact that the entire floor rotated slowly to give them a full panoramic view of Viridian. Sure, those were definite bonuses but Rudy himself had been nothing but one-hundred percent attentive, genuinely wanting to know about her and she felt comfortable in their continued conversation.
Just as the waiters were lifting the covers off of Misty and Rudy's plates, Gary and Serena came back as well, both red-faced, though she hadn't the slightest clue that it was from anger and embarrassment and not from too much dancing.
"Perfect timing," Rudy said as their trays were also uncovered. Gary plopped down at his seat across from Rudy and didn't wait for Serena to sit which made Misty frown. Though she had known Gary's reputation around campus to be a bit of a playboy, she had always heard that he treated women courteously when he took them out.
For the next few minutes, the conversation was centered on their dishes and would they like to try each other's and how fresh the fish tasted. Misty sighed in pleasure as she took the first bite of her grilled salmon drizzled in a delicate honey sauce.
Gary told them how the restaurant was not only known for being the only revolving restaurant in the tri-city area but also for serving fresh fish caught that day.
"Wow. Yeah this is amazing," Misty said. Then steering the conversation away from the food, she said, "So Gary, what have you been up to since graduation?"
"Helping out my grandfather and working on small projects with my business partner back in Pallet Town," he replied then took a bite of his steak.
"How is Ash doing?" Rudy chimed in and Misty quite nearly dropped her fork. Ash? Could he be talking about the same Ash she used to know?
Serena sat straighter in her seat at the mention of Ash. "Oh Ash Ketchum, right? I got to meet him yesterday!"
Ohmygosh.
Wow. They were talking about the same Ash! Misty leaned forward in excitement. "Rena you know him?"
"He's friends with Ritchie and I met him at The Indigo before you came," Serena explained.
"Oh man. I would've loved to see him and catch up! It's been ages!"
Rudy turned to look at her. "You know him too?"
Misty nodded. "We went to elementary school together for a few years."
"He's the Junior VP of Oak Tech," Serena said. "There was a whole article on him in the Viridian Vanity. He sounds really sweet."
"Not just about him," Gary added.
"Were you featured in it as well?" Misty asked, sensing the indignation coming from him.
He nodded. "But apparently I wasn't as memorable."
"Ash had the loveliest quote about true love," Serena continued gushing and completely ignoring Gary, her hands clasped together. "And when I read it, I thought, now that is a real man."
"Sounds like someone's got a little crush," Misty teased as Serena stuck her tongue out.
"I don't like him or anything. But," she said. "I did think what he said was wonderful."
"What did he say?" Rudy asked.
Serena scrunched up her nose. "Let's see, he said something along the lines of only ever wanting one woman and when he finds her, he's going to treat her like a princess and do everything right."
Misty sighed. "That's so romantic. Hard to believe it came out of the mouth of a boy who once threw me in the pool."
"He threw you in a pool?" Rudy exclaimed incredulously.
Gary laughed. "Oh my god you're the pool girl? I remember Ash telling me about some girl who he 'accidentally' pushed into the pool because that was the only way to get her to stop talking. On class picture day right?"
"How do you know?"
"We grew up together. Even though he moved to Cerulean for a few years, he always came back to Pallet for the summers."
"Wow. Small world," Serena commented. "Playboy Prince and Ash are childhood friends who work together. Misty and Ash went to school together. Ritchie and Ash played soccer in college together. And –" she looked at Rudy. "How do you know him?"
Rudy dabbed his mouth with a cloth napkin. "Through Gary. We were introduced when Gary and I did some modeling together."
"You? Model?"
"Oh yeah." Gary flexed an arm and though he wore a suit, Misty could still see the muscle bulging against the material. "And I did it shirtless. Does that make you excited?"
Serena replied dryly, "Yes. Excited to puke."
Uh oh. Misty decided to ask, "So Ash is Junior VP huh? What does that make you Gary?"
"Junior President."
Misty raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. I heard around campus that you'd be taking over the company but to reach the top so soon? And Ash too? I think I'm even more shocked to learn that he's made it that high!"
Gary chuckled. "That's what I always tell him. But surprisingly underneath all that denseness and immaturity hides a brain. You just have to look real deep."
The two old college acquaintances shared a laugh as the conversation now turned to Serena when Rudy asked, "What do you do Serena?"
"Right now I'm a fortune teller," she said and stopped to glare as Gary snorted into his drink. "Yes, a fortune teller. I'm planning to go back to school after earning some money though."
"For what? A Masters degree in magic ball reading?" Gary said laughing to himself only stopping when Misty shot him a murderous glare.
She was extremely pleased to notice that her date, however, was completely chivalrous and even said, "That's definitely unique and admirable. I've never really met a fortune teller before."
Serena smiled at Rudy. "There's always a first time for everything!"
"Come to think of it, this is my first time dating one," Gary admitted.
"We are not dating," Serena immediately corrected.
"But this is a date," Gary pointed out.
"But we are not dating."
They stared at one another while Misty and Rudy exchanged nonplussed looks. What was going on with those two and how did they know each other? When Misty had tried to find out, Serena had hastily changed the conversation while Gary just smiled secretively, humming what sounded like a song from The Sound of Music. It made no sense.
"So um, what are you planning to get a Masters in?" Rudy asked quickly, obviously sensing the tension.
Serena turned to him with a smile. "Psychology. I majored in it in undergrad and I think I want to continue to a higher degree."
"That sounds promising."
They started discussing the field and Misty was quite impressed with Rudy's handling of the conversation flow and for the rest of the night, every time Gary made a comment towards Serena, he managed to steer things away from her.
Well, if her best friend wouldn't tell her what connection she had with Gary, Misty couldn't pry. The only thing she could do was sit back and enjoy the rest of the night with the amazing model whose good points only continued to increase.
~*~
Women. He had had it with them. All of them!
Ritchie was fuming as he stomped along the sidewalk. He wasn't normally one to become so infuriated. After all, hadn't he survived the many schemes the girls had made him participate in before? But really, sometimes girls just did not know when to draw the line, especially when it came to the ones he knew. He had already been having a bad day when Duplica just had to go and make things worse.
To start with, his entire day had been ruined when he had heard from his dream girl herself that she was in love with Ash. Not that she knew what repercussions her confession would have on him. She didn't even know who he was. Except now she did know his name, he figured, since he had pulled such a stalkerish move by pretending the bill he took from his own pocket was hers.
He hadn't been able to help himself. When he had spotted her across the street, it had required all his mental strength to resist the urge to jump through the traffic right then and there. But he had waited for the 'WALK' sign. And crossed the street like a normal person before approaching her.
After their brief conversation, he had dismally realized that he hadn't even asked for her name.
He let out a sigh and slowed his steps, simply letting his feet carry him wherever they chose. It was like he was in some fairy tale only this one wouldn't end happily like the Disney ones. It would be more like the real version of Hans Christen Anderson's stories like when the Little Mermaid dissolved into sea foam.
In his version of his personal tale, he was the lonesome villager who had fallen in love at first sight with the lovely singing princess but didn't even know her name. She would go off and marry her prince and when he was invited to the palace wedding as the groom's guest, he would go crazy and try to stab the groom because he was so madly in love with his bride. The guards would have to throw him in the dungeons where he would remain to rot away while the singing princess and her prince lived happily ever after. And maybe, just once, she might wonder who that strange man was who tried to do away with her husband at their wedding.
Ritchie sighed again and then shook his head. Really, what was the matter with him? Since when did he concoct ridiculous stories out of thin air? He had been around the girls way too long.
This nameless beauty really was affecting him more than he could have ever imagined. Every time he thought about her, he felt a stabbing pain in his chest and his mind cried out, wanting to at least know her name.
But, she was in love with his friend. And while he could find out her name through him, it felt like a thousand knives being thrust into his body when he thought about them together.
On top of all the depression, Duplica had to go and get angry yet again for not picking her up from work. Since it was Saturday, he had forgotten she was at work but apparently this was a big mistake. Two days in a row that he hadn't taken her home would not indicate to Todd their wonderful relationship and therefore would not cause him to realize his love for Duplica.
Ritchie had told Duplica that logically speaking, if Todd realized that Ritchie wasn't that great of a boyfriend, maybe he would step in and nominate himself.
But no, Duplica said that wasn't the way it was supposed to be and that Ritchie had to do better for the next two weeks.
But Ritchie Kirk was done. One week of being Duplica's boyfriend would drive anyone mad. Already heartbroken, he certainly did not need added pressure from a friend for whom he was already doing a favor for.
Since he had decided to walk aimlessly and was caught up in his thoughts, he failed to notice a figure walking briskly towards him until they clashed together.
"Ouch!" a female voice cried out.
Ritchie grabbed the woman's elbows to steady her before letting go and looking down to apologize just as she gazed up.
"Oh!" she exclaimed and Ritchie felt his heart stop as the beautiful hazel eyes blinked up at him. He noticed they were slightly red and puffy. Had she been crying?
"You're the one from this morning," she said taking a step back. "Ritchie, was it?"
Ritchie could only nod dumbly. She remembered him! But he couldn't say a word. That morning he had been prepared to talk to her but now, seeing his dream woman materialize in front of him right when he had been thinking about her was too much of a shock for his vocal cords.
"Thank you again," she said with a small smile and Ritchie noticed that it lacked the spark it had before. "Well, um," she said when Ritchie still didn't reply. "I'll be going now."
His eyes followed her as she walked past him. What was he doing? Why couldn't he talk? He was just letting her get away!
"Have you been crying?" he blurted out.
The young woman turned around and frowned. "You can tell, huh? I bet my face is a terrible mess."
Ritchie shook his head. "Never. You look beautiful."
Wait, did that just come out of his mouth?
The young woman blushed. "Ah, thank you. You needn't lie on my account."
Ritchie took a step closer not knowing what had possessed him as the next words spilling from his mouth were, "I wasn't lying. If your boyfriend dumped you, then he's a fool."
Ah what am I doing? Why am I hitting on my friend's girl?
At the word boyfriend, Ritchie noticed that her eyes began to fill with tears and he thought his heart would burst from his chest at the painful sight. He couldn't help it. His mind shut down as his heart swelled uncontrollably. Without another thought, he bent down until he could see her eyelashes spiked from wet tears, the streetlamp partially illuminating them.
The pair was completely unaware of the young man who had just turned the corner in time to see Ritchie lean forward, his lips touching the young woman's gently. The man who watched in wide-eyed shock dropped the camera he held in his hands.
***Author's Note***
This time Tohsaka-Rin91 gets cookies for guessing the blind date to be Gary! ^^ Also, I don't know why but Ritchie is just so much fun to bully and make go crazy. Hehe. Saturday night is not over for our lovely characters. Oh no sirree. The night is only just beginning for them. Please review!
Angelicfairy aka *Maura*
Preview of Chapter 11:
"Ritchie?" Duplica exclaimed, not having recognized his silhouette from the back.
He shot her a glance and Duplica gasped as she saw blood trickling down the corner of his mouth. He swiped it away with the back of his hand and said to her sarcastically, "Hey honey."
Review Responses – Much love to you all as always!
PokeshippersShadow1: I'll take 'WOW.' ^^ It's still a good word! How'd you like this chapter?
AzureKite4: Yup that's Damian the jerk!...As you can see in this chapter, Rudy's friend did not turn out to be Danny as Serena had hoped. And well, Ash tried to be honest. He started to but it sort of didn't go as planned but when does anything Ash do go off well? Haha.
Death's Serenade: I'd help you beat up the paparazzi…Aww Trovita's not such a bad guy. Haha. As for whether he gets his butt kicked by Ash or not…we'll see. I know what you mean about seeing fav characters lose a girl. Right now, Ash has just lost Melody and his little brain will work on getting Misty…Hmm. Ash sing? Hadn't thought about it but I'll see if that idea can be worked in anywhere. ^^
Syed Talal Ahsan: Thank you! I'm glad you're liking it so far! Aw I'm sorry you don't like Ritchie. He's not so bad! Heh…What is kisshipping?
Ronmione x3: Yay! Glad you recognized the guys! Haha I don't know how I came to make Rudy a model but he sort of fits that image don't you think? With the whole hair flipping and his clothes and dancing…As you can see, Ash isn't the friend, though I was tempted to make him be the blind date.
ShadowMario45: Haha I know what you mean. I can't wait to get to the end just to have the satisfaction of having the fic finished but I'll be sad to not be writing it anymore…So did the revelation of Serena's blind date surprise you more than if it were Ash? ^^
Tohsaka-Rin91: Hehe no I don't think you mentioned it but I'm glad the frequent updates are well received. ^^ As you can see, the beginning of this chapter was very soap-operaish with Melody's dramatic exit, poor girl….Rudy's a pretty forward guy so you know he wants the date immediately! And what girl would say no to a spontaneous date with a model? Heh…Yup Damian was the jerk who abandoned Charmandar. Man that was back when I was in middle school!...Whoo good job guessing Gary! ^_~
GreenGoblin15: Aww thanks! Ah I was wondering where your Gary/Melody predication came from but even tho it was a typo, it would be quite interesting. You'll just have to wait and see if your predictions come true. As of now Serena hates Gary and Melody doesn't even know Ritchie like that.
Brenman: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying this even though it's an AU. I try my best to make sure to re-read each chapter several times before posting to make sure there aren't mistakes. ^_^ Hope you enjoyed this chapter!