AN: My exams are finally over! So I'll be updating even more, hopefully a chapter a day, sound good?, as always thank you for your continued support and reviews and comments are always welcome!
Chapter 11: Just for today
Eponine sat nervously twiddling her thumbs, as the head of marketing sales and administration sat across from her, talking quietly amongst themselves, the women sitting in the middle looked up at her offering her a reassuring smile, she was head of marketing Hannah Joyce .
"We were very impressed with your idea about turning the café into a chain with a theme, calling the chain fairy after fairytales and then naming each café after various characters is a great idea… also the idea of calling the first café snow after snow-white is very quaint …what inspired that idea", asked Hannah readjusting her glasses.
"A strange man", Eponine's said slowly with a small smile as Enjolras' blue eyes drifted into her head.
"Well you should thank him…now if you're serious about getting this idea off the ground there's a lot of work to be done, but we'll take it step by step" said Hannah as she pushed a folder towards Eponine.
"I understand, I'm prepared", grasping the folder tightly, Eponine smiled brightly, brimming with excitement as she flicked through it.
"But first and foremost we need to get the legal documents, the lease, the contracts and such" Eponine nodded.
"I see .. erm where do I get those from" leaning forward she looked at Hannah expectantly, determination etched into every crevice of her face.
"It will be at our partner company… the law firm Pontmercy and Son, they have copies of all legal documents, you need to get them, so we can begin rejuvenation without constraints", Eponine didn't hear anything after Pontmercy, her mind blanked as a black hole opened up in her chest, why did the world keep dragging her back to that waste of a human being.
"I just need to pick them up right", Eponine said slowly.
"Yes.. once we have all the documents, we'll set up another meeting, sound good" asked Hannah, Eponine took a second to make sure her voice wouldn't come out shaky.
"It sounds great", Eponine managed to say, standing slowly and shaking each of their hands, she barely noticed as they exited, finding herself alone, she slowly slumped back into the chair, why is it so hard to cut ties with him, why? She wondered closing her eyes.
A few short hours later, map grasped tightly Eponine sat on the bus as it traversed across the city heading towards Pontmercy and son, unfortunately for her the journey was over far too quickly. As she stared up at the shiny letters set against the marble, she felt cold inside, his presence suddenly felt far too permanent, she had to take a deep breath to calm down. As she approached the lobby the receptionist's strained smile mirrored Eponine's, carefully she explained her reasons for being, the woman nodded and made a call.
"His secretary has informed me that Mr Pontmercy should be in his office, you can go up", the women said as she put the phone down. Eponine dragged her feet through the maze that was the firm, his office lay somewhere on the middle floor, after asking for directions, she finally found herself in front of his office. Gently she turned the handle and stepped in, a young woman was leaning into Marius, who was propped up against the desk, they seemed to be having a heated discussion, Marius holding her wrist like he wanted to yank it off. As her presence became known, Marius face dropped, and the woman was roughly pushed from his side, the women turned and followed his gaze.
"E..Ep..Eponine", her name fell out of his mouth in a whispered stutter.
"Marius", she called her voice void of emotion, the young woman feeling like a third wheel huffed not liking the heavy intensity that hung between the two.
"Who the hell is she…don't tell me you have another woman", the young woman's face contorted with anger and hurt as she gazed at Marius.
"Shut up and leave... right now Isabel", Marius didn't even look at her as he spoke.
"I'm here for some documents", interrupted Eponine evenly.
"Who the hell are you!", shouted Isabel, making her way towards Eponine, Marius grabbed Isabel's shoulders before she could reach Eponine.
"Who she is, is none of your business, compared to her, you're nothing, if you dare raise your voice or approach her ever again, I promise you... you'll die by my hands", Isabel's whole body tensed she had never seen such venom in those hazel eyes, never heard such a calculated coldness in his voice, and before she could respond, she was being shoved out of the door, her mouth agape as it shut on her face. There was a moment of silence before, they heard a frustrated scream and then the clacking of boots as they stomped away.
"Eponine..it's not.. I can", began Marius.
"The café", said Eponine interrupting.
"What?", asked Marius a little confused.
"I'm here for the café documents, the lease, the permit, all contracts I've been told you have them filed in your office", said Eponine.
"look about Isabel..it's not", Marius tried again.
"The documents", Eponine insisted as she took out a pen from her bag, to sign the release form.
"Eponine let me.." he took a step towards her, but stopped seeing the vacant look in her eyes.
"The documents that's why I am here", Eponine interrupted evenly, Marius sighed turning he walked over to the filling cabinet and stood riffling, it took him a couple of minutes, before he pulled out a folder, he walked over to her handing her the folder, before giving her a slip, she leaned against his desk as she signed. Then picking up all the paper work, she turned to leave but was stopped as he placed his flat palm against the door stopping her from leaving she could feel his breath on the back of her neck.
"Eponine..say something", he pleaded, she didn't turn around.
"Move your hand…I have get back to work", Eponine said finally turning around, once again Marius was struck with how unfamiliar the far off look in her brown eyes were, he hesitated and then the sharp end of a fountain pen was at the base of his neck, he could feel the sharp tip "Are you deaf, I told you to move", the pen dug further into his skin, slowly he staggered back, Eponine lowered her hand putting the lid back on the pen, she placed it the back in her bag before looking back up at him.
"Your assistance is appreciated Mr Pontmercy", with those words she opened the door and left. Leaving behind a stunned Marius, his hand traced his neck, he was sure if had she pushed any more she would've pierced his skin, my dear pitiful Eponine, I guess you finally grew a spine.
Grasping the files tightly Eponine tried to read them, her eyes drifted over the same lines over and over again, she felt a slight tremor in her hands, closing the files she set it aside. Giving up she lay her head down on desk, closing her weary eyes, just for a second she thought, I just need a second. Sighing as he closed his laptop, Enjolras glanced at the time it was getting late, putting on his jacket he exited his office, and was startled by the sight of Eponine's sleeping figure in the now dimly lit front office.
Treading lightly he made his way over to her desk, quietly he knelt down gazing at her sleeping figure, his eyes widened as he noticed tiny droplets hanging off her dark lashes, he watched as they trickled down over her nose, taking out his handkerchief he dabbed at the droplets. What's making you so sad, that you can't find peace even in your dreams Eponine, slowly he stood up, truthfully it was none of his business. Tugging his jacket tighter around his body he continued towards the door, but hesitated just as he reached it. Swiveling around he headed back to her, picking up her jacket, he draped it over her sleeping figure before finally leaving.
Half an hour later Eponine sat up her jacket falling off her shoulders and bunching around her waist, she looked at it in confusion, who she wondered, probably Jenny her brain offered. Picking up her things and the contracts Eponine headed home.
As she tiredly stumbled across the lobby early the following morning, the last thing Eponine needed to see was Marius smiling at her as he leaned against the receptionists station, as their eyes met he sauntered over leisurely.
"I just want to talk, I'm not here to make a scene, but I can", Eponine recognized that manipulative glint in his eyes as he spoke.
"Follow me", Eponine muttered tiredly and before long they were standing in the same conference where they'd had their awkward meeting.
"About what happened in my office..", began Marius.
"It doesn't matter" cut in Eponine, borrowing Enjolras' crisp and cold delivery.
"Eponine... this act won't work on me, I know you, you've always been a sweet girl, who could never stand these types of things, a sweet girl who loves me...no matter what happens we always find our way back to each other" Marius spoke nonchalantly ,Eponine simply gazed at him a blank expression on her face. After a short pause Eponine's face broke out into a disingenuous smile, and then she was laughing, a dry coarse disbelieving laugh.
"You're joking aren't you... you have to be, otherwise this is just too ridiculous, what?, a sweet girl, act? Who loves you...who the hell do you think you are", as the smiled vanished from her face, Marius edged closer.
"No matter how hard you try, I don't believe in this bad girl act, so just drop it" Eponine looked up at him another smile breaking out across her face.
"I was wondering how long it would take...for your mask to fall away, it fell quicker than I thought...don't you find it strange that everyone thinks I'm the lowlife... but what the hell does that make you" Eponine's hand were on her hips as she gazed up at him a mocking smile on her lips.
"Eponine", there was warning in his voice.
"What?... did I say something wrong...If you've come here to make excuses, to ask me to keep my mouth shut, you don't have try so hard, you're nothing to me, less then the dirt, less then dust, whatever and whoever you do, it's your problem", with those words Eponine opened the door, she managed to take one step into the corridor before her arm was grasped and her body was swivelled, ending with her face pressed up against Marius' chest.
"I missed you a lot...the story of you and me it's not over, it's not" he whispered into her hair, a hard shove to his stomach and Marius stumbled back before he could recover he felt the hard impact of her hand as it collided with his face. Looking back up he ran his hands across his jaw, as he glanced over at Eponine, who stared at him with an eerie calm.
"I'm not that naive sweet girl you knew, your words have no hold on me anymore", Eponine turned and walked away.
That evening Eponine somehow found herself in Enjolras' favourite bar, she sat down wearily, drinking slowly trying to fill the hollow emptiness in her chest, she was so disengaged from reality that she didn't even notice when Enjolras plopped down next her. As she reached for her eighth glass, Enjolras pulled it out of the way, she turned to see what kind of crazy bastard was interrupting her drinking, as her eyes focused they widened in recognition.
"Enjolras... what are you doing here", she asked hazily, blindly reaching for her drink.
"This my favourite bar I'm here a lot…why are you here",he asked, Eponine looked away sighing sadly and half laughing at the same time.
"I heard this was good place for a drink", said Eponine, his words from that night coming to mind, she turned and took the drink out of his hand, downing it in one swig, she gestured to the barman for another, she didn't see Enjolras gesture for him to hold the drink.
"Are you going to cry", again he asked Eponine turned and looked at him curiously.
"Cry... why would I cry, I'm happy... why would a happy person cry", Eponine slurred laughing bitterly.
"Don't cry", because I hate the sight he was looking away, Eponine tilted her head.
"You're being strange again...just like that night" Enjolras turned meeting her lost brown eyes.
"I'm returning the favour…just for today...a truce", he spoke evenly as he offered his hand.
"...just for today", she said gently as her warm fingers entwined with his, feeling a soft tingle at the contact he held on for a little longer than necessary, choosing to gaze into her luminous brown eyes which were seemingly on the verge of spilling, her long dark lashes blinked slowly as they regarded him, catching himself he quickly pulled away.
"What happened?", he asked after a short pause.
"I was reminded, of how pathetic and useless I used to be ", Enjolras didn't miss the bitterness in her voice.
"Who reminded you", he asked.
"Someone who s-should..mean nothing", Eponine stuttered hazily.
"...and does that person mean nothing", he asked.
"When I'm around that person I still get angry, I still lose my cool…what do you think that means", her eyes were wide a hint of fear in her brown irises as she stared at him.
"It means that you still care" replied Enjolras simply.
"Exactly..", she said softly, as she tried to get off the stall instead she stumbled forward, Enjolras reached out his arm snaking around her waist steadying her, Eponine looked up into his mesmerizing blue eyes.
"Your eyes... are really pretty", the air grew heavy as soon as those simple words left her lips. Enjolras held her in place, gazing at the sad smile adorning her rosy lips, before abruptly clearing his throat and looking out into the almost empty bar.
"I thinks it's time for you to go home…I'll drive you", offered Enjolras but Eponine was already a little out of it her head lolling, her eyes drifting to a close, most of her weight leaning against Enjolras' side.
"It's strange... that you're helping me" Eponine murmured trying to focus on his face, finally giving up her head fell against his chest sluggishly.
"it's Just for today", he said tightening his grip around her waist.