A/N: This chapter is more of a filler but still important. I really appreciate the feedback and there's some of you who are confused about Naveen's actual name being in the story. I'm aware that his name is written in, but they aren't mentioned by the characters in the quote. They are mentioned by me, the writer for the readers. (Notice how 'Antonio' is sometimes semi quoted whenever his name is mentioned by me but Naveen isn't? Another example is: Naveen deepened the kiss by opening Tiana's mouth, circling his tongue around hers. Panting, Tiana says, "No Antonio...mm...we have to stop this before I-I...mmm," she gave up trying to find an excuse. She wanted his lips on hers. She needed his lips on hers.) Does that make any sense? lol. I apologize for the confusion and if you do spot Tiana or anyone else mentioning his name (Naveen) then put it in the review or pm it to me so that I can correct it. I will thank you on my next author note.
I will try to give you weekly all updates as I'm almost finished with the next chapter. Also, the story will be coming to an end soon (ten to twelve more chapters) and the sequel to The Thrill Of It All(based on the alternate ending of the first one) will be posted soon. I'll give you all a sneak peek from that story on a future chapter.
But enough about that! Here's chapter 10! Will have chapter 11 posted sometime this week.
I also do not own Princess And The Frog or the characters Evelynn, Camila and Franklin Laveaux (Those wonderful characters belongs to Teekar.) Enjoy!
A Lost Star
It's A Slow Night
3 weeks later...
Its been almost a month since Naveen got his memory back and he had to admit that he missed the luxurious side of his royal life. Not the women, booze and hard party, but the money to buy whatever he wanted. And If he had the money he would certainly have more than enough of it for the restaurant's down payment and whatever that was leftover for their perfect home and wedding...not necessarily in that order. Eudora wouldn't have any of that. Hell, Tiana wouldn't have any of it.
He would imagine what life would be like if Tiana was his for the rest of his life. His wife. Life-long partner. The mother of their children.
He sighed while looking at the golden ring he held in his hand. Though it was a fake, he still felt that Tiana deserved better than wearing some kiddie candy toy as an engagement ring.
"I know that look from a mile away," Ray said.
"Which look?" questioned Naveen. "The sad and pathetic one or the you have no chance in hell look."
Ray frowned, puzzled by the response. "All I see is the love look Cap. What's this other nonsense you talkin' bout?"
"How Tiana deserves much better than what I'm offering her," Naveen began pacing back and forth. "She is the kind of girl who should have the best."
"I know how ya feelin' Cap," agreed Ray who understood how his friend felt more than anything. "Evangeline has the world. She lives in a big nice home and wear expensive clothes. All due to dat doctor she wedded."
"Money really take you places," Naveen said.
"Not too far." Ray said. "Home is most important,"
"Until you have to feed your family," Naveen added, bitterly. Sitting beside his friend on the couch.
Ray ignored the comment and tried to remain optimistic. "At least you get to see Cher everyday. I see Evangeline once or twice a week. And recently I ain't seen her no thanks to her husband coming home more often, And she did mention gettin' a few more rooms attached to her house."
Naveen shook his head at his friend. "You really need to not go near her my friend. She is married."
"We care for each other."
"Married women are trouble. Trust me, I know!" Naveen had his fair share of married women. And even though he was a playboy at the time the affairs would somehow come to light which ended Badly for the wives as he would break it off with them.
"Evangeline is different," Ray said with a huff. Not even aware of Naveen's slip-up due to his own misery. "She's not in love with him."
"But she's still married." he pointed out. "Look Ray. As your friend I worry about you. You're playing with fire and I don't want to see you getting hurt."
Ray smiled at his friend. "I'll be fine Cap."
"I will take your word my friend," Naveen stood back up. "It's about time I head out to work."
"Alright Cap. Try not to get too lovestruck on the job. Mr. Cals don't like romance."
"Eh. He isn't there tonight," Naveen picked up his jacket and headed towards the door. "See you later."
()()()()
"Here's your order," Tiana placed the final dish down for the older couple before going back to collect more orders. Tonight hasn't been very busy but the tips were decent. The couple she just served were usually good tippers. She hoped that tonight made no different.
"Good evening," she heard Naveen say to her as he walked in.
"Late again Antonio?" she asked, with a small smile.
"Ten minutes," he winked at her. "Are we still on for later?"
"Mm hmm." Tiana said as a group of men walked in. She then rolled her eyes, already knowing they were there for trouble.
"Excuse me gal..." called out a blonde hair man.
"Coming," Tiana said with clenched teeth. She went over to the four man and his friends asked asked, "How may I help you gentlemen this evening?"
Another young man, a brunette, smirked up at her. "You can help by giving us your sweetest...assets."
Tiana heard snorting and snickers from the men who were obviously young and drunk. "And what do you mean by that, sir?"
His brows rose, "Well, I was hoping you could give me and my boys here some of your prize winning beignets." He then tugged at her apron. "And perhaps a little something on the side...that is if ya want big tip."
"Anything else? Like coffee?" She stepped back, ignoring his last request, growing offensive.
Naveen stepped out to see Tiana at the table of men who were laughing. "So beignets and coffee completes your order?"
The blonde man smirked up at her. "What do you think?"
Tiana rolled her eyes before walking away. She heard the man whistling while sitting the order on the counter. And was relived to see that there weren't many customers tonight. Usually the grave yard shifts brought in more of the night owls, drunks and stalkers. The last customers were all of that including perverts.
"How is everything holding up?" she heard Naveen ask.
She sighed, looking up at the beautiful man. "Oh, Antonio the night was going so well."
"The fellows out there didn't say anything to offend you did they?" Naveen asked.
"This isn't the first time the brothers and their two friends have been here making comments," Tiana admitted.
"What sort of comments?" he pressed.
"It doesn't matter. I've dealt with men like them all the time," she picked up some napkins.
"It doesn't matter?" Naveen grew protective. "If those men do anything to hurt you—
"I'll see you later." She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.
Naveen watched her walk out to serve a woman who looked a lot like Evangeline, but didn't get the chance to really see due to getting interrupted.
"Are the tomatoes ready Antonio?"
"Yes!" he turned to see the larger set man waiting for his assistance. "Follow me Carl..."
Tiana was surprised to see Evangeline at the diner and without her husband. "Good evening Evangeline."
She wiped away a tear without looking up. "Hello Tiana."
"You need anything?" she asked, concerned for the woman.
"I only needed to take a walk," she answered. "The night air relaxes me."
When Evangeline looked up, Tiana gasped at the black eye on the woman's right eye. It might have not looked so big but on Evangeline's olive coloured skin it was quite obvious.
"Evangeline...," she stopped. Not knowing what to say.
"I-I am waiting for someone...," Evangeline finally admitted. "...but thank you anyway."
Tiana knew that Dr. Facilier was behind the black eye and also figured that Evangeline wouldn't tell her. She knew the woman before she was Mrs. Facilier. As a child she remembered her mother taking the beautiful teenager in while finding her homeless on the streets. She wasn't sure if she was black like her because of her European features and she wasn't all white because she could also she see hints of black due to the tan cafe au latte skin. She also remembered Evangeline telling her mother one night that she was 'one hundred percent coloured' even after being questioned about living with a Cajun family. Whatever she was, Tiana was thrilled to have a big sister. It all seemed complete when Evangeline married her then hero Dr. Facilier.
The same hero who turned out to be a cheating, philandering wife beater. This wasn't the first time she's seen her old friend with bruises. The other times she believed her when she told her all the fibs on tripping and falling.
"Order up!" could be heard and she excused herself from Evangeline to pick up the previous costumers meal.
"Here you go." she sat the dish filled with the delicious pastries onto the table along with four cups. "And your coffee.." she lifted the pot and poured the coffee.
She returned to Evangeline once she was done and served her coffee and beignets.
Evangeline looked around as if she was searching for someone. Tiana noticed, "Are you looking for someone?"
"Did Ray already come in today?"
"He's off today. But I'm sure he comes in tomorrow morning." Tiana noticed the woman's face changing at the mention of Ray's name. "I'll let him know I saw you."
"Will you do that? Thank you so much!" Evangeline opened her purse and pulled out an ink pen. "Can you give him this note from me?" she began writing.
"Sure..." Tiana put the napkin filled note in the pocket of her apron and offered, "If you need a place to stay. You know that my door is always open."
Evangeline put her hand over Tiana's. "Thank you Tiana," she looked her up and down. "I can see why my husband is so attracted to you. You've grown into a very beautiful woman."
Tiana could see the envy in her eyes and had to respond. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." she slowly pulled her hand away. "You don't have to worry about old me."
"Old you?" Tiana then rolled her eyes. "We're only about seven years apart. Dr. Facilier is the old one here."
Evangeline's lips cracked a tiny smile. "He might be older than us, but it sure doesn't seem like it." She then went to fetch some money from her pocketbook. "How much will this cost?"
"No charge." she said.
But Evangeline shook her head and took out some money. "Here's my tip to you."
Tiana was surprised to see a twenty dollar bill. "I can't take that."
"I know that you have got to be really close on that down payment by now." Evangeline put the money in her friend's hand.
Tiana took the money. "Thank you."
She left the woman be and within minutes noticed Evangeline was gone. She wondered what she and Ray had to do with one another? Could there be a secret romance? Or perhaps he was helping her cope with Facilier's abuse. Whatever it was, she was going to find out through 'Antonio'.
"Hey gal!" Tiana turned to the group of men she was serving minutes ago. "Coffee?" the blonde one said with sarcasm.
Tiana went over to pour the coffee and felt a hand on her thigh. She pulled away from the gesture, hearing the men laugh.
"What?" asked the brunette man with a smug look.
Tiana glared at him and before she took any action...
"Is there a problem?" Naveen asked.
She sighed in relief when she heard 'Antonio's' voice.
"Are you alright here?" he asked, standing beside her
"I'm fine," she glared at the men who were silent all of a sudden. "Carl!"
The large frame man stepped out. "Is there a problem." he looked at the four men. "Comin' here to start more trouble?"
"No sir," said the blonde. "The boys were having a little fun" nervousness hinting in his voice.
"That's what I thought," he then looked at Naveen. "You got this Antonio?"
"She's safe with me." Naveen wrapped a protective arm around Tiana's shoulder and walked her back to the counter where another cook was waiting for them.
"I saw what that man did—
"Tonight has been slow," Tiana interrupted him. "Do you need any help with the dishes?"
Naveen knew that she was purposely avoiding his question. He would be sure to bring it up later. "No, but I—
"Tia!" a cute blonde woman exclaimed loudly followed by her date. "Tia!"
Tiana spotted her childhood friend Charlotte La Bouff waving at her. The two hugged, ignoring the disgusted look from the blonde's date, Naveen noticed.
"Hey Lottie. What are you doing here?" Tiana was surprised to see her.
"I had to see how my best friend is doing," Charlotte smiled at Naveen. "Is this the same guy Eudora talks about to me? Antonio, right?"
"Yes," Tiana answered. "Lottie, this is Antonio. Antonio this is Lottie."
"Hello," Naveen extended his hand.
Charlotte giggled. "We don't shake hands down here." And she gave him a hug. "Eudora described you down to the point."
"Charlotte! What are you doing? Hugging and associating yourself with these people?" asked her disgusted and uptight date.
"Oh Edward these are my friends." Charlotte said.
He grabbed her by the wrist. "Not if you want this engagement to last."
Charlotte slapped his hand away. "How dare you threaten me? And don't you ever touch me that way again! Do you hear me?"
Edward groaned before leaving Charlotte who seem to not care.
"Isn't he your ride back home?" asked Naveen, who thought that it was odd for the woman who seemed carefree about Edward leaving.
"Honey, I've got my ride home," Charlotte said. "He's the one who's gonna need a ride back and he ain't gettin' it from me!"
"Lottie always uses her own cars for dates, Antonio," Tiana said proudly.
"My daddy taught me that!" Charlotte added, just as proud. "And I have at least twenty more men in line."
"Not including Travis?" Tiana teased.
"Ugh! No!" Charlotte shuddered. "Well, I should be headin' on back home." She and Tiana hugged. "You've got to come by the big house, Tia! The new patio now has a beautiful rose garden just like the one on Beauty And the Beast!" she then squeaked.
"Still into those fairy tales," Tiana said.
Charlotte nodded and went to hug Naveen. "It was nice meetin' you, Antonio. Tia you've got to bring Antonio along on your next visit."
"I'll make sure to so, Lottie. Bye now!" she waved at her departing friend.
"Bye yall!" Charlotte waved once more before leaving.
Naveen looked around the diner and noticed the group of men had already left. "Looks like they left their payment,"
Tiana went to collect the amount and cashed it into the register. "This is gonna be a long night."
Naveen smirked. "Not if we make it one."
Tiana knew that look all too well. "Now you know that we can't do anything while at work."
He looked around and saw no one. "Just one kiss, please?" he flashed his white pearls.
Tiana playfully rolled her eyes. "Like that's gonna work..." she stopped when she felt his lips on hers. "Mmm..."
"Alright, alright love birds back to work!" joked a passing employer.
Tiana quickly pulled away. "We best stop."
"No..." Naveen protested. "Just one more kiss?"
She smiled and gave him a peck.
"That's it?" he teased.
"I'll make it up to you later," she said just as a couple walked in. "Later."
()()()()
Evangeline returned home to her husband glaring angrily at her. "Jean-Vincent!" she exclaimed. "I-I thought you—
"Left? Yeah well when I realized I left my change of clothes here I was expecting to return home to a devastated wife, but you done walk out again to find who ever will hear you sob story.""
"No! It wasn't that!" she backed onto a wall. "I needed fresh air."
Facilier slapped her without any warning. "You best believe I will learn who ya sleeping with you dirty whore."
"No one! And I never ask who lay under you!" she challenged.
"And you better not, darlin'." He warned with a raised hand. "Now get up and clean yourself up. I've got work to get to."
She slowly stood up and watched her husband slammed the door after leaving the house for work.
Evangeline headed straight toward the liquor cabinet but paused when she felt a cramp in her lower abdomen. She bit the bottom of her lip until the pain subsided, knowing what just happened.
The past miscarriages were really taking a toll on her body along with the stress. But Ray made that pain go away. "Oh how I wish you were here with me, Raymond," Evangeline touched the bronze handles, opening the doors to the liquor cabinet and taking out a bottle of vodka before gulping half of it down. She was out of breath by the time she made it upstairs to her bedroom and collapsed onto the lounge chair as the cramping returned.
The pain subsided as quick as it came. As she slowly opened her eyes she looked out the window at the brightest star in the sky. It was different from the other stars, or she assumed. Just as she closed her eyes for another alcoholic slumber she heard a beautiful voice say:
'Remember who you are, Angel.'
She quickly drop the vodka bottle and crawled straight to her vanity table to retrieve her jewelrybox where it held her mother's locket. She clasped the golden locket in her hands as tears ran down her cheeks. It held photo of a beautiful sixteen year old Evelynn Laveaux, her mother, on the right side and the her grandparents, Camila and Franklin Laveaux on the left. She always loved staring at her beautiful mother's delicate features from her lips which were described to be the color of a red rose to her innocent brown eyes. She's heard her adopted grandmother Mary tell her how much she mirrored her mother and realized how much this very moment.
"Grandmere," she said and wondered if she was still alive or not. What was of the man she called her 'pa'? The same man who saved her mother while she was pregnant with her.
"Probably drank himself to death," she looked down at the half empty bottle of zodka and picked it up. "The last time I'll use you to tune out my sorrows." She then looked out the window at the bright star while holding on t her locket.
"Thank you for looking after me, mama."
()()()()
Naveen pulled up in front of Tiana's house after a long night at Cal's diner. He hated having to separate from the love of his life, but like her he was exhausted.
"Are you sure that you don't want breakfast?" Tiana asked.
Naveen looked down at her lips before inching closer.
"Antonio," she put her hands on his chest to stop him. "My mother and neighbor are outside."
He smirked, not caring . "So we have an audience..."
Tiana sighed. Knowing that kissing him would lead to questions from her mother and not kissing him would leave questions from her mother. It was a lose, lose situation for her either way.
So without a second thought she kissed him. Their tongues in a dance-fest that lasted several minutes leaving both feeling heated and tired.
"Damn my mama and Mrs. Henderson," she said onto 'Antonio's' lips.
He exhaled, not wanting this moment to end as well. "Will I be seeing you this afternoon?"
"Mm hmm." she gave him another kiss and pulled away. "One thirty should be fine."
"It's six forty-five now in the morning so that leaves us about six and a half hours of sleep?" Naveen asked.
"You can come by later," she suggested.
"No," he shook his head. "You are worth the lack of sleep."
"You'll be needin' that sleep after what I have planned for us," she gave him a sensual grin.
Naveen raised his eyebrows in curiosity. "Yes?" He licked his lips. "What do you have plan for us later?"
She looked him up and down with her hand on the handle. "When it happens you'll know." she hopped out of the car, switching her hips effortlessly.
"Achidonza..." It took all of Naveen to not get out of the car, but he knew that he wouldn't hear the end of it from Eudora who was unusually rude to him all of a sudden. Her side eye glares wasn't helping his case.
"Good morning to you too, Eudora," he said as he started the old truck and drove off.
()()()()