Chapter 10
From the Tales of Flynnagan Rider
The Things We Do For Love
Father's funeral or not, I jumped on Max and ran like the wind. I was actually surprised that Danielle had not shown up at either the funeral nor at the get together afterwards. Her family had indeed showed up and was told that she had gone out and was unable to make it.
Truly, I wanted to see for myself.
So it was no surprise to find that I was knocking on her door. Clarence, her beloved butler, answered the door and let me know that Danielle was nowhere to be found; that she had gone riding with her new fiancée. As he closed the door, I slumped to the ground. This was not good news.
Max, as if he understood, wandered over, let out a soft whinny and nuzzled my neck. I smiled and turned to face him. I placed my hand on his neck and stroked his mane.
"Don't worry, Max. Things will all work out the way we they're supposed to. There's a reason for everything,"
I patted his head and stood up. I mounted him and spurred him onward. I decided not to go straight home, but ride around the grounds for a bit. It was so beautiful here and I was sure I wouldn't run into anyone.
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Eugene stared out the window. This was becoming boring. All the women could talk about was how he was going to marry well and get started with his father's business. And that was tomorrow. If he listened to his mother, the wedding would be next week.
He was starting to feel the walls closing in, the pressure building up in his brain. He just wanted to be free and to enjoy that freedom, to be Flynn Rider again, not a care in the world.
And unannounced to everyone, he stood up and walked out. There was only one person who paid attention to him and that was Donna who followed him out to the garage.
His only salvation it seemed was to see Rapunzel and so he knocked on the guest house door. Greta opened up and smiled.
"I know I'm late, tell your mother. I'll be there as soon as I can. I have some things I have to take of."
Eugene shook his head. "I just wanted to know if your daughter is around," he asked her.
Greta frowned and shook her head. "I'm afraid not, Eugene." She looked down for a second. "I drove her out to the airport. Her fiancée is arriving today, that's why I'm late. If you're not doing anything, I would appreciate if you…"
She picked her head up and noticed that Eugene wasn't standing at the door anymore. She heard a car start and ran out to see Eugene driving away at top speed. It looked as if he was headed toward the Corona City, toward the airport. She closed the door behind her.
Donna stared over at the guest house and watched the mint green convertible drive away. She shook her head and walked back toward the get together.
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Rapunzel couldn't believe it. She checked the Arrivals board. Flight delayed, it told her. She must have checked it more times than she could count. He had texted her and told that Charon was experiencing the worst thunderstorm in years and wasn't sure when the plane was getting off the ground. It had been almost 3 hours now and that sign was telling her the same thing. Flight delayed.
She was about to call a cab when she spotted someone walking toward her.
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Eugene smiled. She had on that silly wide hat again with those sunglasses. I guess with those on she wouldn't be recognized.
"Hey, miss. Are you Rapunzel Gothel, the hit singer and recording star? You know, the one who covered John Gregory's song, "The Ride of Your Life?"
Rapunzel smiled and shook her head. "I don't think so. I just look a lot like her."
"Don't seem to be having much luck," Eugene said. "I just checked on his flight and talked to the attendants. They're very sure it will be arriving a lot later than this afternoon unless the rain lets up."
Rapunzel looked at him. "Well, I guess that's that."
Eugene smiled. "Cheer up, it's not your fault. We can come back here later on to see if his flight got off the ground. Come on, take a ride with me?"
Rapunzel frowned. "What about your father and the get together?" she asked, a little puzzled.
Eugene shook his head. "I had to get out of there. I'll tell you about it on the drive."
"Eugene, I can't, I should be getting back."
"Just a short drive is all. Come on, Rapunzel. We've had very little time together and I want to get to know you a little better. Please say yes. I promise we won't be a long time."
Rapunzel smiled and when she smiled her face lit up. Eugene found it hard to look away. He imagined her large green eyes sparkling under those dark glasses.
"Okay," she said, nodding her head. "But it's only going to be until I hear from Eric."
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Greta Gothel walked back through the door to the guest house with fresh tears in her eyes. Olivia let her go. She couldn't believe it. After all those years she spent faithfully serving in their employ, this is how they paid her back.
Olivia had taken her into her husband's study and closed the door. She mentioned that their family had a soft spot for her; that it wasn't easy for a single woman in this day and age to be raising a child alone, so they hired her. There was nothing wrong with her work, Olivia said, the Fitzherbert's adored Rapunzel, but there was this investigation and they've been asked a lot of questions. The detectives were watching the house night and day waiting for something to happen and Olivia couldn't take it much longer.
Maybe now that Rapunzel was a famous singer and recording star, maybe she wouldn't mind moving out of the guest house and living with her daughter until this whole thing blew over? Olivia assured her it was only temporary, maybe after the investigation was over and she was innocent, they'd hire her back. She had made them money and she was an excellent worker, but they just had to let her go for now.
Greta ran from the mansion before Olivia could finish. It hurt that Eugene Linus Fitzherbert Sr. and his wife only took pity on her because she had a little girl to raise.
She touched the necklace and played with it again. She had to call Rapunzel to let her know what happened. That maybe she wouldn't be here when she got back.
She'd have to think about it.
