The restaurant was very quant and unassuming. There were about eight or nine tables with blue and white checker pattern. There was a small bar that sat on one side of the room, and laid adjacent to the door that led into the kitchen. I could hear the cluttering of the dishes from behind it.
Plumette waved me over from the table nearest to the window. She looked a bit more active than she did before. Next to her were Lumiѐre and Cogsworth. I wasn't surprised that Adam wasn't there, but I could not help feeling a bit disappointed.
I walked over and sat in probably the most comfortable seat ever. I greeted everyone with a smile and picked up a menu. From behind it I felt everyone's curious gaze. Lumiѐre had his lopsided grin and Cogsworth raised his eyebrow in disbelief.
"You are dressed nicely." Lumiѐre commented.
I looked down at my new red hoodie. "Thanks. Got it yesterday. Anyway, I think I am going to treat myself to a hot chocolate."
"Are you trying to impress someone?" I felt my cheeks heat up. I gave a sideways glare at Plumette, who was thoroughly enjoying this. I just ignored him and continued.
"I think maybe a scone with it, with creamed cheese. Or I could have a croissant with bacon. They both sound so nice."
"So you are. Now the question is whom you are impressing?" He started to tap his chin.
"Um I think maybe the croissant. I really could do with some bacon." I could feel my voice waver a bit. Plumette, you have a hell of a lot of things to answer for!
Lumiѐre continued, "I know I am charming and everything, but you are not the type to steal another's boyfriend and we all love Cogsworth, but you have standards..."
"Very funny, Lumiѐre." Cogsworth sulked, tearing apart the serviette on the table. "You are absolutely hilarious."
"So who does that leave? Oh that's right! Adam." He said the name with much relish.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Yes you do…"
The waiter interrupted us with a tray in his hands, "Who ordered the porridge?" A lovey aroma wafted from the tray.
"Oh it's for our friend back at room 37." Lumiѐre leaned in and whispered, "He doesn't like ordering room service, you see. One of us usually takes it up for him." Lumiѐre turned to us. "Who wants to take it up?"
"I'll take it to him!" I said too enthusiastically before I could stop myself.
SHIT, SHIT, SHIT! I screamed in my head.
Lumiѐre leaned back in his chair triumphantly. Oh, yer sly bastard. That was very clever. Very clever indeed.
I muttered a whole bunch of words under my breath when I snatched the bowl. Lumiѐre opened his mouth, but I cut him off.
"Shut up, don't you even dare!" And with that I stormed out of the room.
XXX
I knocked on door 37 and waited. I wasn't going to repeat the events of the night before. At least I didn't have to wait long. He poked his head out of the door and gave me a surprised look.
"Belle, wha…" He glanced down at the bowl in my hands, "Oh, finally breakfast! It took them long enough." He flung the door wide open, and for the first time I saw him without his hoodie over his head. He was bald, as you could imagine, but it wasn't displeasing to the eye. He gave me a small smile, "Please, come in."
I entered the room and placed the food on the small kussie by the door. "There we go!" I said as I twisted around and gave him a huge nervous smile. "I should go back before I am missed…" I made a beeline to the door before I made a fool of myself.
"Wait, Belle…" He called out to me. I halted in my steps and turned around to face him.
"Yeah?"
"I just…" He rubs his neck, "I just wanted to apologise for leaving so abruptly yesterday. It was rude of me."
I waved him off. "Don't worry about that. You don't need to explain yourself."
"It's not just that." He clasped my arm desperately. I froze, staring at his hand. He realised what he did and awkwardly let go. He cleared his throat. "I want to speak to you about something."
I glanced at the exit, knowing that the others were anticipating for my arrival. And they were all going to ask uncomfortable questions that I would have to answer. I could stay there, avoiding all of that, plus I got to spend time with Adam.
On the other hand, if I stayed there for much longer they would get antsy and come searching for me, then there will be more explaining.
Either way I have to have the 'talk' with them. I might as well enjoy myself before I get bombarded with questions that will ruin my day.
"Sure." I went to sit on the couch. He closed the door and sat by me. Clasping my hands, I leaned forward, "what do you want to say?"
"I want to ask you something?" Adam locked his eyes with mine.
Such beautiful eyes…
"Sure, what?"
He took a deep breath before he rushed his words all at once, "If I asked you to the dance tomorrow, would you be my date?"
I blinked in surprise. "Sorry, what?" Did he just say 'date'?
"Would you be my date for the dance tomorrow?"
"But why would you want to go there? I thought the whole point of this trip was about avoiding it altogether."
"Well yes, but I have my reasons. Just hear me out…please."
"Ok?" I said a bit sceptically. Like why would he, out of all people, want to go to that ghastly place on purpose?
"Well it was something that you said last night that got the wheels in my head turning. Remember when I told you about my brother…you know."
"Yeah," How could I forget? "What about it?"
"Ok, well," He rubbed the back of his neck, "there was one part that I didn't tell you about. He did not explicitly say it but I know he is worried. Beside the fact he is starting to lose his reputation because of your stubbiness he believes that there is another threat, believe it or not…me."
"Well he is right for once…" I muttered under my breath.
"Sorry, did you say something?"
"Nope nothing, continue." I said quickly
"What you said last night, about how you finally felt accepted, made me think about my past. I realised my whole life has been about me running away." He got up and paced the room. "Belle, I am tired of running away. I want to finally do something to show Gaston up. So that is why I thought maybe the dance would be that chance to ruin his reputation once and for all!" He waited for my reaction. Seeing that there wasn't he hesitated, "but maybe it is a stupid idea…"
"I accept." I cut him off before he changed his mind. I am going to go on a date with him! I am going to go on a date with him! I am going on a flippen date with him!
"Really?!" He looked shocked. "I actually didn't think you would actually accept."
"What can I say? It was an offer I couldn't refuse." I laughed, "But I do need a dress. I didn't exactly come to France with that in mind."
"I think I know just the place." He grinned and gave me a wink.
Hi my bokkies!
I am not going to lie, this is kinda a filler chapter... It was difficult for me to add this scene as it wasn't really explained in both the 2017 and the 1991 films so I had to go rogue. I apologise.
I promise that the upcoming chapters will become more entertaining.