Chapter 10: The Coldness
Ville Dynasty
Pearl's POV
"She's awake!" Someone exclaims happily.
I squint my eyes to focus on the owner of the voice, to see Amethyst looking very excited.
"Not so loud, you're going to give her a headache." Someone shushes Amethyst.
I slowly got up to look at a redhead and pink eye girl. I tilt my head wondering who is the person in front of me.
"My name is Ruby, and I heard your name is Pearl. Nice to meet you." Ruby said and gave me a comforting smile. I just nod my head in response.
"I'm Emerald."
I was startled by a sudden voice, which I turn around to meet with a boy with black-hair and lime green eyes who is known as Emerald. I also only nod in response.
"So where did you come from? I have never seen you around here before. Also, how did you end up in an auction?" Emerald starts asking questions which I couldn't help but feel threatened.
"Emerald stop, you're making her scared." Ruby said which cause Emerald to be quiet.
"Are you all right?" Ruby said in a gentle voice.
"Are you mute?" Emerald suddenly cut in, which earns a glare from Ruby.
'I am not mute.' I want to say that but I could only stare at Emerald dumbfound, not sure how to answer.
"But then you can't be mute because the host said that they found you through your singing voice. Furthermore, I just remember heard you singing." Emerald eyed me suspiciously.
"You can sing!" Amethyst said excitedly.
I continue to look at them as they start to exchange conversation. I remain quiet the whole time, hoping to fade into the background.
"Girls! Stop! We need to hear an answer from Pearl." Ruby stops the two…wait…girls?
'So, Emerald is a girl?' I look wide eyes at Emerald, for some reason Emerald seems to know what I am thinking.
"Thanks for keeping my gender a secret Ruby. Now Pearl knows that I am a girl too." Emerald rolled her eyes.
"Pearl doesn't seem to talk much so you don't have to worry about her exposing your secret to other guys." Ruby said trying to cover her mistake.
"We will give you some time to adjust. So, when you are comfortable with us, then please don't hesitate to talk to us." Amethyst said with a sympathize look towards me.
'I am not mute. I just don't want to bring any more trouble with my voice.' I mentally think to myself, 'But I really want to communicate with them.'
I glance around the room looking for something when a piece of scroll and a brush caught my eyes. I quickly jump out of bed and take the two items. Then I start to scribble down all the thoughts that I have previously.
"My name is Pearl and it is nice to meet you all as well. I am not mute. I can't talk due to personal issue. Thank you for having me." Amethyst read it out loud for everyone to hear.
"So, you are going to communicate with us through paper?" Emerald questions and I smile in response.
"We will get used to it eventually, so you should carry around a scroll and a brush around at all time." Ruby ordered me.
"Group hug!" Amethyst suddenly spoke out and we all got into a hug which is very awkward.
"Why do you suddenly want to hug?" Emerald looks at Amethyst with a disgust look. It seems she isn't the cuddlier person.
"Well, I doubt that there would be any girl coming here anytime soon, so we all should get along. We four are the only girls here so when we run into any problem, we only have each other." Amethyst said and we all nod in understanding, "This is to the start of friendship, or maybe even sisterhood!"
"Yay!" Everyone cheers except for me, I just wrote down a 'Yay' on the paper.
…
HIM's POV
"To what I owe the pleasure for your presence here Queen Wang." I said in a bittersweet voice.
"I heard that you have send the Bloodflower to an auction and actually bought something…peculiar." Queen Wang said with a distaste voice.
"The boys only did it out of kindness. Since the poor girl would be in danger if they didn't buy her and brought her here in the safety of Bloodflower house." I said with a smile that does not reach my eyes.
Queen Wang glared at me, which I am already used to it.
"You have no idea what you just bought didn't you." Queen Wang said as her face start to turn red.
"Could she be? The girl that witness your crime?" I pretend to look surprised, I purposely brought the boys to that auction that day, since rumor has it that a girl is going to be sold. The girl was described to have white hair and pale grey eyes. I knew she is one of Queen Wang's weakness.
"You knew didn't you." Queen Wang gave me threatening look.
"Hmm…maybe I do. Maybe I don't." I gave her devilishly smile, "And do you remember Mojo's nephew?"
"What about him?" Queen Wang looks angrily at me.
"I actually was quite curious about him for a while. Why did he had such a huge debt? How did he get tied up with the gangster? So, I dig a little on his past and found out that she is the victim of your crime." I look at her to see her complexion became pale.
"He…No… She can't be!" Queen Wang looks at me with terror.
"So, I have both the witness and the victim that could overthrow you anytime. I am planning to keep them here safe with me. So, there is nothing you can do about it." I look at Queen Wang with a triumph look.
"You have only run the Bloodflower for a month and already dig up a lot of information. Have you forgotten your family's reputation? I could just crush it in a moment, since it was me who brought you here. Then I can also bring you down along with your family as well." Queen Wang said with a very pleasing smile.
My face is no longer in a bright smile but instead a frown.
"Why don't we call it even? I won't hurt your family, in exchange for keeping my secret." Queen Wang said with a broad smile on her face.
"I agree." I gave her a nod of agreement, making her to leave the room with her nose head high, "That woman is going to be the death of me."
…
Normal POV
As Queen Wang walks out the door, she saw a white hair girl out of the corner of her eyes. The girl, which is Pearl also notice Queen Wang. They both stare at each other intensively, between hatred and fear.
Pearl remain paralyze on her spot, while Queen Wang continue to walk toward her. When they both are merely one foot away Pearl couldn't help but to start shivering due to Queen Wang's cold aura.
"I see, you still remember, but I am not here to hurt you. But remember to keep your mouth quiet." Queen Wang hissed at Pearl and then turns away. Pearl just stared at the ground wide eyes as her fear starts to overtake her.
'She is a devil in disguise.' Pearl turn around to see Queen Wang is already gone, which is to her relief, 'Please don't come back.'
"Did you get the item that I need?" A calm voice has entered Pearl's hearing and she quickly turns around to meet with a pair of pink eyes.
Pearl nod and show Ruby the said item. Ruby smile and both starts to walk back together toward the pharmacy, as Pearl start to take a closer look at Ruby.
'Ruby and Queen Wang seem to have a similar appearance.' Pearl thought but decide to shake that thought away knowing that Ruby was actually an orphan, she even said that her parents are killed. In addition, Ruby is way kinder than Queen Wang.
'But…is Ruby telling the truth?' Pearl looks at Ruby with skeptical eyes to which caught her attention.
"Is there something wrong?" Ruby asked.
Pearl quickly shake my head as a no and they both walk back to the pharmacy without any hindrance.
21st Century
Bunny's POV
'Arg…it has only been four days since I last saw him and he already called me to meet up with someone important. Why do I have to meet him again so fast!' I sigh as I brush an invisible dusk on my jean skirt that reaches to my knee.
"Why are you sighing when it is supposed to be me?" Bell said looking at me, her white casual summer dress, that flaps lightly whenever the wind blows, "You dragged me into this."
"I need someone to control me and you are the best option." I decide to tuck in my light purple T-shirt since I am feeling nervous.
"Seriously, he is just another guy. How am I the best option anyway?" Bell said not caring at all.
"He is not just another guy, he is somehow my 'boyfriend' who will be my 'fiancée' if the plan doesn't work! And I don't want to get marry! You know that! You are also the best option because Buttercup would just beat up the guy. Bubble would just find the situation cute. Blossom isn't available right now!" I start to whine while Bell sighs.
"I should be the one complaining here." Bell said while giving me an angry look.
"But Bell~" I whine and Bell just rolled her eyes.
"I still can't believe you are older than me by just one minute." Bell looks at my childishness.
"And I feel very proud of being older by one minute, little sis." I grin and hug Bell tightly.
"We are here at the guy's home now." Bell said while pushing me off her.
"Already! Noooooo!" I complained again.
"Get your butt out of the car already." Bell said as she is already out of the car.
"Fine." I stubbornly got out of the car and look at the building in front of me.
'How rich is this guy? Seriously, everything just has to be so fancy. He sure is humble.' I think to myself and walks into his home.
Bell and I were greeted by a butler who proceed to guide us to the living room. I start to feel like I am underdressed as the interior looks very expensive.
"I think we are underdressed." I whisper to Bell.
"No, we are not." Bell answers back, "We are here to have a casual meeting just like what your 'boyfriend' told you. So, don't think too much."
I plop down at the edge of the sofa, as Bell sits next to me. I was about to say something when someone decide to interrupt me.
"Hey Bunny!" Bandit greets me and I instantly want to punch his face.
Bell's POV
You know what is worse than being a third wheel…it is the person who is stuck being the in-between. Currently I am sitting in between Bunny and her 'boyfriend' Bandit. I can see Bandit smirking at how he is effectively annoyed Bunny as she tried or more like me holding her down to not murder Bandit. But when Bandit came in I noticed his eyes looks startled when looking at Bunny. Weird.
'When the important guest come, I have to switch seats with Bunny or…I could just ditch her. I can't, the angel side of me wouldn't let me. At least Bandit is giving a good respective space.' I tried to see thing in a positive light.
"You do know right that you two would have to switch seats in the end." Bandit said as if confirming something.
"We know." We both said at the same time.
"Why not switch now?" Bandit questions.
"Yeah why don't we switch Bunny." I look at Bunny as if challenging her.
"No!" Bunny answers quickly and hold me down back to my seat, "Let's just sit like this until the important guess arrived."
"Who is the important guest anyway?" I asked out of curiosity.
Before Bandit could answers a man and a woman looking happily at each other enters. I immediately jump up from my seat and then pushes Bunny to sit next to Bandit. Then I took Bunny's previous place and sit down looking as if I have been sitting here for a while now.
"You must be my son's girlfriend." The woman looks at Bunny beamingly.
I can see Bandit leaning toward Bunny and whispering something to her.
"Hello, Ms. Jojo, it is nice to meet you. My name is Bunny. This is my sister Bell." Bunny got up to shake hand and I did as well.
"Call me Pandora." Pandora said with a warm tone.
For some reason when I shake her hand, all I can feel is the coldness. Completely opposite to her tone.
'So, this is Bandit's parent then.' I think while greeting Bandit's father who is very kind.
"I am so happy that the blind date went well. Seeing how you two looks so happy together." Pandora clasp her hand happily.
"If it wasn't for your suggestion I think I wouldn't have met Bandit and come to love him." Bunny said with a too sweet smile.
I want to burst out laughing see how Bunny attempt to look at Bandit with loving eyes. Bandit on the other hand looks surprised but not from Bunny's words but rather her foot. I wasn't sure if Pandora is blind or not if she looks closely at their foot. Bunny is currently stepping on Bandit's toe.
'Bandit should be glad Bunny isn't wearing heels and wears sneakers instead. Since heel would be five times more painful.' I continue to try not to laugh at the 'couple' beside me.
Bandit's revenge is to tickle Bunny on her weak spot which works as Bunny is having hard time listening to Pandora's word, since she was too busy trying to not laugh or jump. Being the good sister here I decide to help her.
"What school do you attend?" Pandora asked Bunny, who obviously didn't hear the question.
"We learn at Central Townsville High School." I answer.
"That is such a shame, Bandit learns at Townsville Private High School." Pandora looks sad for a moment, "Wait! Then wouldn't it be better to move Bandit to the same school as Bunny!"
The couple stop doing whatever they were trying to hide and looks at Pandora like she just said something crazy.
"No!" They both answer at the same time, too fast.
"We mean…" Bandit quickly recover, "We mean no because we both are in our last year of high school. It would be hard to move midway. And I obviously want to be with my brothers."
"Yeah! I don't think it is a wise choice to suddenly move midway during senior year." Bunny butt in helping Bandit instead of trying to kill him.
"I see…that's too bad." Pandora sighs.
"Don't worry we will see each other again." Bunny said clasping her hand, "I would constantly come here afterschool and do homework with Bandit."
Pandora looks very happy while Bunny, who said it, just realize what she just said.
'She just screwed up big time.' I think to myself, and then tries not to laugh.
"Then Bandit will pick you up afterschool." Pandora said looking at Bandit who just gulp nervously.
"Yep." Bandit gave a short answer unsure what else to say.
"You are welcome here as well Bell." Pandora smiles at me instead of feeling the warmth all I can feel is the coldness.
'Why is being near Pandora makes me feel so cold? I am just imagining things. Maybe this house is cold.' I just nod at Pandora's response since I don't want to accidentally say something that I would regret later on like Bunny.
We continue talking for another two hours when Mr. Jojo said that it is getting late and we should go home. I can see both Bunny's and Bandit's facial expression couldn't be more happier and I also felt happy at Mr. Jojo's kind words.
The journey back home wasn't long but the moment we both step into the house, we both collapse on to the floor.
"Why are you two lying down on the floor?" Blossom asked since she was passing by.
"My muscle can finally relax." Bunny didn't directly answer Blossom as half of her face is laying down on her floor.
"Agreed." I just realize how tense I was at the house that muscle must have felt fatigue and decide to just lay down here.
"Was meeting with Bunny's 'boyfriend' that stressful?" Blossom question.
"Are mom and dad home?" Bunny asked Blossom and just ignores the question.
"Bunny! I am so happy for you!" Suddenly mom appears out of nowhere and comes hugging Bunny.
"What?" Blossom looks between Bunny and mom confused.
"Pandora told me everything! I am so happy that you were able to find the one you loved." Mom looks at Bunny with adoration.
I was trying my best not to laugh, while just standing there hiding my facial expression while Bunny just looks daze at mom's word.
"Eh?" That is the only word that Bunny could muster.
"It is so cute to have study date every afterschool." Mom squeal which Blossom immediately understand and starts to be in the same position as I am now.
'Hold it in.' I think to myself while looking at Blossom who looks back at me.
"And I expect you to be back at 7 for dinner, got it." Mom looks at Bunny, who only nod, "Good, now have fun!"
When mom walks away, immediately Blossom and I start to laugh our butt off.
"You are in deep trouble!" Blossom said while laughing.
"Arg…My life!" Bunny groans.
"What's so funny?" Buttercup just got back from her work, who is carrying a pile of papers, to see us laughing with a frustrated Bunny.
"Bunny just got her into a deep mess." I answer since I have already calm down.
"What mess?" Buttercup questions.
"She has to meet with her 'boyfriend' every afterschool." I said while stressing the boyfriend part.
"I thought you don't want to marry him, and you said he is annoying" Buttercup looks at Bunny confused.
"I don't and he is." Bunny answers back.
"Good luck then, since I don't have time to deal with another boy right now. Four is already a handful." Buttercup said as she walks away leaving a depress Bunny.
"Buttercup I think you should rest for a bit." Bubble suddenly pop up and said with a concern voice since Buttercup didn't sleep well at all after the last heist and she looks really warn out.
"I can't, I need to study every detail about their behaviors since it was not recorded before that they can change their vocal cord." Buttercup answers in frustration with as some paper fall from the pile.
"You took very goods notes, if only you also do this in class." Blossom comments as she helps Buttercup carry some paper to see an organize writing. Buttercup just snorts in return.
"But don't you have like a football(soccer) match this week?" Bunny question, "And the coach expects you to be there."
"ARG!" Buttercup starts to pull her hair in frustration.
"Buttercup, you shouldn't put all the pressure by yourself. Let the other officers help you. Go to sleep and you will come up with a better plan." Bell said as she places her arm on Buttercup's shoulder, who seems more relax.
"Fine…" Buttercup sighs starts walking toward her room.
Everyone follows Buttercup and watch her climbs to bed to make sure she doesn't sneakily go back to working. To their luck, Buttercup was knock out the moment her head reaches her pillow.
"Maybe we can help her." Bubble suggest seeing Buttercup's notes in front of her.
"You know that she doesn't like us touching her things." Bell said.
"If we help her then she won't mind." Bunny said and start flipping through Buttercup's notes, "Interesting…"
"What's so interesting?" Even Blossom seems curious, as she has a reputation to respect everyone's privacy.
"I see Miss Perfect is curious as well." Bunny giggles, while Blossom just rolled her eyes, "Bell you can join us if you want to."
Bell remain quiets for a moment as she is tempted as well, in the end, Bell sighs and join the rest of her sister.
"Wow! They have stolen the hand of Townsville Clock once!" Bubble said in surprised when she read the information in front of her.
"You didn't know? It was all over the news." Bunny questions, "And the hand of Townsville Clock is not small too.
"But they returned it back after two hours later, so I guess Bubble would have missed it." Blossom said and flips to the next page.
"We should look for a pattern." Bell suggests.
"But what kind of pattern?" Bunny asked, "They just seems to attack when they are ready. The timing is also random. Look!"
Bunny points toward the time of each pictures which just shows different digits.
"Try looking at something different." Blossom said as the four girls continue to try and find some clues.
"Why is there so many polices just to catch four thieves?" Bunny questions.
"Because those guys are top class thieves, having few police would be a disadvantage." Bell answers.
"But think of it carefully, most of their way of escaping is through the crowd. So, wouldn't it better to not have a police at all." Bunny said which made everyone to look at her in surprise.
"You're right! Now all we have to do is subtlety tell Buttercup this idea." Blossom said excitedly.
"Why can't we just tell her straight on?" Bubble questions.
"Because Buttercup would be angry at us for looking at her police information that is not allowed for the public eyes like us to read." Bell answers in a matter of fact tone.
"I got a plan." Blossom said and we all huddle on how to tell Buttercup discretely, without her getting angry.