A/N: Whoo hoo! Here's another chapter for all of my lovelies! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing everyone!
Chapter 11
"No… No no no no no no! Gingersnaps!"
Sugar Plum slammed her head on the desk, not caring about the rattling beakers or the surprised squeaks of her mousey companions. Her shoulders quivered as she lifted her head and watched as another deflated curl fell over her eyes. Dejected, she pushed back the hair and looked down at her notes.
Once again… it was another failure.
Worse of all? The Goblin wanted her to have it ready for a demonstration at the end of the week. Of course being imprisoned underground really messed up her natural rhythm and she had no idea what time it was let alone the day of the week. All she got as a point of reference was when one of his goons would drop off her meals and tell her what the countdown was. It wasn't exactly helpful to have someone constantly reminding you that if this doesn't work then you were likely dead.
But the real crime was that her clothes were smelly and her hair was having the nightmare of all bad hair days. She wasn't allowed a mirror so she would try to get a glimpse of her reflection from the distorted glass bottles and beakers in the makeshift lab designed for her. She was such a fright that Plum stopped looking at herself for it only made her depression worsen.
Did any of these fiends care? No! She was the hostage and that was that. No special treatment or even the proper tools to make herself appear somewhat civilize. At this point Plum was ready for The Goblin to come and put her out of her misery.
Taking a heavy and deep breath, Plum continued to read through her notes. The only blessing, she supposed, was that The Goblin didn't thoroughly read all of her work. If he ever found out that she had nothing but a string of failure after failure, then she was certainly doomed. Yet, she didn't know how long she could maintain the charade that her research was even plausible.
Then again, she wouldn't exactly say it wasn't plausible. It was because she was a genius and she came up with the idea in the first place. And she was a hundred percent positive that a human test subject would yield better results than an animal. But she didn't have a subject available and she doubted The Goblin would sacrifice any of his minions for the sake of science.
Or… maybe he might.
Nevertheless, Plum had a deadline she must fulfill. She had to come up with something for the demonstration. Something that would put on a good show for the time being and would convince His Royal Goblinness she was an asset worth keeping around.
"Well Billy, Willy, Milly, Nelly, and Kelly… we are up the creek without a paddle. None of these pheromones are working and you don't seem to react to any of them. I can't figure out what I'm missing. Clearly something is! All past tests on pheromones, even the synthetic ones managed to get a response from babies! You are all relatively healthy, at the prime of your lives mice! You're mature and wise! So please… please give me a sign that my work is working."
Despite her hands clasped together in a prayer, Plum realized her begging wasn't going to help either. But what could she have missed?
"I probably would be able to think better if I felt more like myself than looking like last week's trash," she mumbled to herself. "A nice, hot shower would be heavenly for starters. And a decent brush with soft bristles and a massage would be all the medicine I need. But no one seems to care what I want!"
The last part she yelled out to no one in particular, but it felt good to vent her frustrations, even if she was the only one that could hear her woes.
"What am I gonna do?" she whispered brokenly, elbows on her desk and her hands in her hair. "What am I gonna do?"
"Chin up, doctor! It can't be that bad."
"Huh?" Plum lifted her face once more to find Griselda standing in front of the barred door. The matriarch waved at the scientist but her expression instantly changed when she saw the hot mess sitting at her desk.
"You look like something the cat dragged out," Griselda told her.
Plum sniffed. She knew she looked bad but to have another person confirm it… Seriously, why wasn't this a crime of humanity? "What do you want?"
"For starters, I wanted to see how you were doing. I know my son has a lot on his plate right now, and I wanted to make sure things were on schedule. Although, you do look like you have seen better days."
"I'm getting close," Plum assured her. A little too quickly but her neck was on the line, all right?
Griselda snorted. "I don't care about that. My son can go on and on about his evil plan for Midsummer City, but what he really needs is a nice girl to keep him occupied. And I wouldn't mind some grandbabies too but I'm very patient-ish."
"So… you're not here to check on my progress?" Plum asked hesitantly.
"Not really. I trust you will have something ready for my boy when the time comes. Anything to make him happy, right? But I wouldn't sweat it. Even if it happens to blow up in his face it will serve him right for rushing things in the first place. I try to warn him that you can't rush perfection in anything, but does he listen? No!"
"But he said…"
"Forget what he said," Griselda told her, brushing her concerns away. "He only says those things as part of the act. He is a villain, you know. I can't begin to tell you how many times he has threatened me! And has he acted on any of them? No! Trust me, honey; he won't act out on this one. You're worth something and he won't hurt you right away."
"WHAT!?"
"Probably never. I raised him to be gentle and nice to girls. He won't harm a precious hair on your head."
"Oh yeah?" Plum replied sarcastically. She pointed to her tangled mess. "What do you call this?"
"I won't sugarcoat it… you do look like a wreck. Nothing but a spa day will fix it!"
"Spa—did you say spa day?" Plum's voice went up an octave.
"Do you have wax in your ears or something? Yes that's exactly what I said." Griselda shook her head as she reached over to take Plum's arm. "Now, before we go, I do want to establish some ground rules, capisce?"
Right now Plum would agree to sell her soul to Satan himself to get that spa day. "Anything."
The older woman smiled. "Good. Rule number uno: you are not going to run away. I'm doing you this favor so you can help my son. Two, no screaming for help or saying you were kidnapped. Three, you are not going to use or allude to your real name to get help in any shape or form. For this trip your name is Kristin Day. Four, not a bad word about The Goblin or any reference to him that would give you help. Five, no phone use for any reason. Six, no fancy and smart science lingo. I think that should cover it. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know. Ready?"
"Yes!" Plum's enthusiastic exclamation was anything but quiet.
Griselda winced. "One more rule. Keep the volume down. I don't want you making me deaf."
"Oops. Sorry," Plum said sheepishly. "You have no idea how excited I am now that you're doing this. Really. My hair thanks you."
"You can thank me later. I know this great spot. Once you're all dolled up and looking fresh then you can go back to work. Maybe inspiration will come to you."
"Absolutely." Then a thought hit Plum as she worriedly looked at the other woman. "The Goblin is going to know I left. What do I do?"
"Leave him to me pumpkin," Griselda said, patting her arm. "Now let's get ourselves beautified!"
xxXXxx
Why does this have to be so complicated?!
Marianne mentally groaned as she paid moderate attention to the meeting before her. The truth was she couldn't decide what her next course of action should be with the new connection to Dark Forest. Last time felt like a no brainer when she had found that device with their logo on it. This time the company is linked to Dr. Sugar Plum and there was a probable chance that The Goblin heard about her through his accomplice working undercover. Bog needed to know his company wasn't done with The Goblin. Not to mention this could get quickly out of hand if the public found out about another unintentional helping hand with the city's vilest of all fiends.
Bog deserves to know. This is his company and there could be a lot of trouble for him if this isn't cleared up soon. However, she couldn't help the niggling feeling that there seemed to be too much series of coincidences occurring. What were the odds of Dark Forest popping up alongside with The Goblin? Her rational side argued how Bog would be the perfect target considering his line of operations. Any villain would want to get his hands on the advanced technology being developed. But at the same time she couldn't ignore the possibility that there could be a deeper infiltration in the company. If The Goblin could get one of his people in there in the first place… who's to say he doesn't have more?
A treacherous thought whispered in her head, what if Bog is working with The Goblin? He was the CEO, the big cheese! How could he not know about his company's culpability?
Marianne squashed, stamped, crushed, and spat the idea out of her head. There was no way Bog was personally connected to this. He was very surprised she had told him about his tech found at a spot where The Goblin was located. And Dark Forest was as large as Light Fields… try as she might, Marianne couldn't keep tabs on everything going on. Something could slip through the cracks without her knowledge and it wasn't fair to assume the worse with Bog too. She could have easily be in the same predicament and not even be aware of it.
But there was another reason too… Dawn might have joked and teased her about it, but she definitely hit the target about Bog. After Sunny left for the night, Marianne wanted to continue digging around Dr. Plum's notes, but Dawn had other plans. Apparently that conversation about Bog was right now and Marianne wasn't in the mood to dissect her "feelings" on the subject.
"It's high time you stop hiding and start admitting the truth to yourself. You like him Marianne," the younger Fairwood stated.
"I love you Dawn. I do but I swear I will kill you if you don't drop it."
"There goes the wall again! Honestly Marianne! I never knew you to be this stubborn. After your break-up with Roland, you have been acting so weird and strange and I don't know what to say or do around you. Everything seems to upset you in some way that it's getting to be insane about what is acceptable around you. And since this whole partnership with Dark Forest started, you have been acting even weirder than usual. You've been weird since Dr. Plum was kidnapped! What is going on that you can't even tell your own sister?"
"Dawn… It's complicated, right? I don't want to talk about it."
"You never do!" she accused. "There's always some excuse. I'm tired of it Marianne. I want my sister back. The one who shared everything with me about being a superhero and being in love. I miss that Marianne."
Marianne's eyes widened at the admission. Despite her best intentions and the need to protect Dawn, she unintentionally was the one hurting her. How did she miss this? How could she not see her hurt before?
Oh… She had an idea. Too wrapped up in her own misery and business she had failed to notice how her actions were affecting Dawn. Because she wanted to believe that what she was doing was right and for the greater good that she was blind to the obvious. But how could she even begin to tell Dawn the truth? To tell her that Roland was nothing more than a misogynist who thinks a woman needs a man to guide her, including Violet Wings? That Roland wanted her to step down as CEO so he could control Light Fields? Or better yet… to tell her that she kissed The Goblin when Dr. Plum was kidnapped and she feels it's her fault for letting that happen? Or she sometimes thinks about that kiss as being one of the best kisses in her life, even though he happens to be her nemesis?
Finally, or tell her that she might have feelings for Bog but she's too scared to do something about it since Roland royally screwed her faith in men?
Did Marianne tell Dawn any of this?
No.
She kept her mouth sealed tightly shut and looked away so she could not see the tears swimming in Dawn's blue eyes. She might be a superhero but she was human. A fatally flawed human who couldn't confide in her sister, who stupidly believed that silence was her best option to protect her regardless it was doing the complete opposite.
And above all, a human who was so insecure about her heart that she couldn't trust herself to act on it.
Indeed, Marianne knew she missed her opportunity to come clean. While she could lament about it, she just didn't feel comfortable or ready. It was pretty hysterical when one thought about it. As Violet Wings, she could be decisive and punch her way in stopping crime. But as Marianne Fairwood… she was a newly born fawn struggling to stand on its legs.
Real life was too complicated.
One day, she thought to herself. One day I will work up the nerve to tell Dawn everything. But not now. I can't. Hopefully she'll forgive me, but I have to… no. I need to be Violet Wings on this. I need to make a decision that is not clouded with subjectivity.
And that also lay the problem.
Marianne knew something existed between her and Bog. She didn't know when it started but in the short time they've been working together… she was finding she could trust on him for his support. He made it perfectly clear how he felt about her as a leader, and even when she had gone to him as her alter ego… She saw him for who he was behind the corporate façade. Even the other night when she "saved" him from his date. He had been as awkward around her like she was around him. Yet, they managed to have a conversation that became quickly personal and intimate.
Friends, she had said. She had to be the first to put a label on whatever it was between them. Friend carried weight whether one wanted to believe it does or not.
What did that really mean?
She hadn't the foggiest. It sounded good at the time and now it's out there.
Friends.
And friends help each other when they believe the other is in trouble. It sounded so simple and duh but with everything else that involves Marianne… it was never that simple or duh.
Because Marianne might actually like Bog beyond a platonic feeling. She wouldn't call it love but there was a good chance that like could develop into something more over time. They were alike; as much as she wanted to deny or ignore it, she couldn't.
Inevitable someone might say.
And then entered: insecurity and fear.
For Marianne once fell in love and she put her trust in a man she believed she could look to as an equal partner in life, work, and super activities. The disillusionment that followed after had her doubting if such a partner could ever exist. And on top of it? Marianne still wanted to share her life as Violet Wings with someone. She shouldn't want to feel that way. She should feel that the door on that idea was closed and locked forever. But… Marianne wanted to have that special person in on her secret. She wanted to be able to come home and tell that person how many bad guys she had help arrested, how many people she saved, how many times she kept Midsummer City safe from total annihilation and destruction. She also wanted to tell that person the bad things too… like the bad guys she was unable to stop, the people she couldn't save. And that person would hold her, comfort her, and tell her how she did her best and that was all anyone could ask her to do.
Other heroes had found their perfect counterparts, their true partners. No matter what medium their stories were told… superheroes had someone at their sides to lean on. Superman had Lois Lane, Spiderman had Mary Jane, Green Lantern had Carol Ferris, and Ironman had Pepper Potts. Even the lone Batman had Catwoman!
Of course, no one wants to see a superhero depicting the reality that life was lonely. What kind of story would that sell?
It was partly another reason she didn't want Dawn to be a hero. The bubbly, outgoing girl would not be able to handle or endure the harsh realities of secrecy. Even though she could count on Sunny to be there, Dawn would still be alone in where it really counted. She wouldn't be able to survive that kind of life.
Not like Marianne.
But even that reality could change. Marianne knew the dangers of hope and it was dangerous to think, let alone imagine she could have that comic book/movie romance with Bog.
Especially when there was a chance he could be involved in the likes of The Goblin.
But if he's innocent…
If he's guilty…
What then? Could she bear it?
A friend would speak to him, to help him. But a friend could also put him on notice if he was involved in unsavory business. If Bog was compromised, then would she be helping him by sharing her concerns? Would he cover his tracks better to avoid justice? Or if she had it all wrong and Bog felt betrayed she doubted him in the first place?
What would Violet Wings do?
"Miss Fairwood?"
"Right." She looked down at the report detailing all the number projections and actual results for the last quarter. She barely paid attention to the presentation, but she had prepared beforehand knowing what was going to be said. "If this quarter proves to be like the last one, I say we're on the right track. Keep up the good work."
xxXXxx
"Ah! Now isn't this living or what?" Griselda asked her companion, eyes closed as she enjoyed the soothing scalp massage from the hair stylist.
"S-sure." Plum had both eyes opened, too terrified to even enjoy her favorite pastime of someone washing her hair. Not in a place like this.
In hindsight, Plum should have known Griselda wouldn't take her to a well-reputed salon for this spa day. But she had been so desperate to leave her lab prison that she hadn't taken into account what the consequences would be. Now, she wished she was in that lab prison and not keeping an eye on these hooligans. Griselda kept mum on where they were going, but Plum grew uneasy when she saw they were heading deeper into the seedier side of Midsummer City known as Winter Dark. Only the brave and foolish enter that part of town and only the toughest and the worst live there. Even if Plum wanted to escape, she wasn't going to find any good Samaritans willing to extend their services. It was in her best interest to keep silent about who she was. She would be liable to get kidnap again!
So here she was as Kristin Day (and she made sure it was known too) receiving the most tense and stressful salon experience in the aptly named Puck's Sha-Dos.
First, there was that burly and twitchy-eyed masseuse with the thirteen piercings and this gigantic flaming skull with red eyes tattoo covering her chest and alongside her neck. Her name was Jade and Griselda whispered to her that she learned the trade while she was in prison and was the best massager she ever had. When Plum asked what her crime was, Griselda nonchalantly revealed, "Assault and battery. She crushed some person's hand in a bar."
That didn't put Plum at ease when she was on the table. Although, she did try to tell Griselda she didn't need a massage that badly, but the other woman wouldn't hear of it. "You'll love Jade. She performs miracles."
The ominous cracking of the knuckles had Plum biting the face rest as she spent the next forty-five minutes having every inch of her prodded, pinched, kneaded, thumped, and pounded upon. It didn't help that her entire body was all knotted and tight and Jade was determined to get every kink out of her. After the excruciating torture, Plum's muscles did feel relax beneath the twinge of pain. From there was the face and once again she was subjected to her cheeks having the daylights squeezed out of them. The face cream applied did smell distinctly of sulfur and something earthy, but Plum dared not ask what the dark brown concoction was made out of. Jade was extremely proud of her homemade cream and Plum thought the mystery was best left unsolved.
Then came next the Mani's and Pedi's, which was Plum's favorite indulgence, but another wary experience as the girls (who happened to be twins) each had an eyepatch opposite from the other. Griselda gleefully volunteered that Moss lost her eye in a terrible brawl with an abusive ex and Ivy lost hers to show support for her sister. However, Moss chuckled and shared that the women should have seen her ex.
"I gauged both his eyes out! Now he's blind as a bat."
Everyone in that salon—employees and clients—had that look about them… a dangerous element that you would be stupid to mess with them. And anyone who greeted Griselda was followed with a story from the latter about how this one done time for this or how this one got away and be careful you don't look at Ash for too long because she will punch the living daylights out of you. Despite the friendly exchanges, Plum saw these women as someone she didn't want to cross. And already she was receiving looks as to why someone like her would be in a joint like this. Plum wouldn't be surprised if she was run out of there for her outsiderness. Yet, Griselda seemed oblivious about the attention and continued her conversations as if she was discussing the weather.
When it came to the hair, Plum saw the scissors coming her way and she turned to Griselda. "I don't need a cut. Please don't let them cut my hair."
Arching her brow, Griselda merely shrugged at Plum's uncalled for frantic gaze. "Honey, I saw that bun unraveling and those split ends you have been trying to hide. A little trim won't hurt."
"But—"
And before Plum could object, the stylist did a few minor snips. Thankfully she didn't take off that much. The hairdryer and brush followed and the stylist finished with styling Plum's hair. The scientist was surprisingly pleased with the hairdo. Her blonde tresses were done in a braided up do that was firm and not a single stray in sight. It was quite functional considering she was a hostage and Plum couldn't believe she hadn't thought about it before. At least she won't have to go through another hair trauma since everything was all nice and snug.
"That looks far better than before," Griselda commented, nodding in satisfaction.
"I absolutely love it!" Plum couldn't help herself turning her head side to side to look at it in different angles. Her smile was authentic, not the petrified forced one she had when she entered the salon. It wasn't so bad after all. Looking over at Griselda, Plum's smile wavered as her hair looked the same as they entered: the long, scraggly curls hanging loose over her shoulder but with a few added fake flowers. But Griselda was happy and Plum wasn't going to question her odd choice in hairstyles. She did take her out of her cell to have some respite.
Griselda paid the receptionist and with one last wave and "Toodaloo!" they were on their back to The Goblin's lair.
"Now, dontcha feel you can accomplish more?"
Plum nodded. "I feel more like myself before the kidnapping. My brain doesn't feel like it's in overdrive and I can't begin to tell you how rejuvenating this has been. Thank you so much! I don't know how I can ever repay you… Well, once I'm released I will treat you. It's only fair for the kindness you've given me."
"You don't have to do that! The only repayment I ask is to make my son happy. Now, off you go! Back to work!"
Plum was back in her lab and she looked at the white mice and grinned.
Rubbing her hands together, she exclaimed: "Okay troops! Let's do this!"
xxXXxx
"I still can't believe Marianne didn't kill me. I know she disapproves us breaking the law and everything… The last time I hacked? Remember how mad she was? I was stuck on desk duty for a month!" Sunny laughed.
Dawn hummed "uh-huh" while picking up a crinkle fry. She looked as if she was a million miles away. Sunny frowned not sure how to cheer her up. Something clearly happened but he didn't know what. Did some boy do something? He started going to the gym and after a few more visits he should be ready to show those guys a thing or two. If only he could get her attention…
"I thought I should get a tattoo. A real big one all over my face."
"That's nice Sunny," she replied automatically without any indication she heard what he said.
"Okay, Dawn, what's going on? Something is clearly eating at you." The direct approach was all he had left.
She picked up another fry and chewed. "What do you mean?"
He gave her an are you kidding me? look. "Dawn, I know you. You've been acting strangely quiet and I want to know if you're okay or if it's something I can do to make it better…"
She took a deep breath. "That's awfully sweet of you, really. But there's nothing you can do unless you can reprogram Marianne."
"I see." Sister troubles. Lately it's been happening a lot. "What happened?"
"Marianne's stupid," came the petulant retort. "She won't admit her feelings to me or to herself and I'm sick of it. I wish she will tell me what's going on in that head of hers. I wish she will me about Roland. I wish I can prove myself to Marianne that I can handle the tough stuff and that I'm not a child. How can I when everything I do backfires?"
Sunny was unsure how to answer but he had words of sympathy on his lips before Dawn sighed loudly, preventing him from speaking out.
"Doesn't matter. Marianne won't change. At least not anytime soon." Looking at her best friend, she gave him a tiny smile. "Thank you Sunny. I honestly don't know what I'd do without you."
Neither do I, he thought longingly. "You know your sister will come around. She might have her reasons now, but give her time."
"Yeah I know," Dawn grumbled. "But I can still be mad at her."
Sunny didn't argue with her on that. The Fairwood girls can be quite notorious when it comes to holding grudges. He has experienced it firsthand from Marianne after all. Yet, he wanted to do something to put a smile on Dawn's face. He hated seeing her distraught and while he knew that Marianne's infamous stubbornness wasn't easily reconciled… He could try the next best thing.
"Look. I was saving this for later but I guess now is as good as any."
Curious, Dawn lifted her head so she was looking straight at him. Sunny had started putting bits and pieces together ever since the "incident" with The Goblin, but with everything else going on as well, he hadn't had much time to put a lot of attention on it. He just hoped that Dawn wouldn't mind.
"I know you're never going to change your mind when it comes to this superhero business," he began. "And believe me; Marianne will kill me if she knew I was working on this. Now, remember, this is only a rough draft."
Pulling out his cell phone, Sunny hit a couple of buttons before he unlocked the image file he had. Turning it over so Dawn could have a better look, he was immediately gratified when her eyes lit up like fireworks, her smile all encompassing.
"Oh Sunny! I don't know what to say!"
It was a 3D picture of a prototype suit for Dawn. Like its predecessor, Sunny kept the original colors of the powdery blue for the outfit and the wings were a rosy pink and lavender. The dress was not practical for fighting (even though he knew how much Dawn loved her dresses) and it did make her look too girly and not a force to be reckoned with. If Dawn wanted to be a badass and to strike fear in the hearts of criminals, then she had to look the part. So he opted for a form-fitting skirt that would come about mid-thigh with leggings in dark blue with golden swirls. The sleeves were detached from the top, but to protect her shoulders, he had designed these metal plates that curved upwards like a spike, which the ends could be activated to create lightning. Or if anyone tries to lay a hand on her… they will get zapped.
"As you can see, it's somewhat similar to Violet Wings but with a few modifications," he explained. "I know you're not crazy about a sword, so I figured a nice alternative could be a bow and arrow. I can build a bow that will fold into itself so you can have it on your belt. The arrows will be located in the same compartment as the wings, which make for easy access to grab. Or if you want… I can make a crossbow instead. Either way, your weapon will be at your side and I was also thinking about brass knuckles too but with a twist. Not sure on the twist yet but I'll think of something. Maybe little spikes that comes out with a flex of your fist. I haven't started the actual process in building the suit but I can change anything if you don't like it."
The last part he said somewhat sheepishly. The last suit had been made with Dawn's input and this was all Sunny. He wanted to compromise what she knew she would like and what he felt would be practical for a patrol. As for the shoes… He hadn't found a middle ground since Dawn loved heels and wasn't a flats fan. He knew heels could look awesome but what if it breaks during a fight? He didn't want Dawn's feet to get hurt. So with abated breath, he waited to hear what she had to say.
"Oh my God… it's beautiful! Breath-taking! I don't know what to say but thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" With a squeal, Dawn threw her arms around his neck. The instant his cheek pressed against hers, Sunny's brain registered only the softness and warmth of her skin with her heavenly scent of vanilla and roses. He sank into the embrace, squeezing her lightly, but breathing deeply in her perfume.
He did it.
He made her happy.
And she was in his arms.
This is the moment. Ask her. Ask her! His brain was shouting to make a move. Roland wouldn't hesitate with Marianne, even though the guy probably wasn't the best role model for relationships. Despite Roland's flaws, he knew what he wanted and he wouldn't waste a second if he could make Marianne his again.
I can't believe I'm thinking this… I need to be like Roland. Just go for it.
"Dawn?" Sunny was still holding her and it appeared she wasn't going to let him go anytime soon. "I-I was thinking—no—wondering if you would like to go out with me. On a date."
"What?" She drew back. "Sunny…"
"I know we're best friends and it might be crazy to change things, but I like you Dawn. I always have. Let's see where this takes us."
She smiled. "I would love to."
But that's not what happened.
"Dawn?" Sunny began to say but she was already pulling away, babbling how he was the best friend she could ever ask for and how was she this lucky to have him in her life. On and on she went about it that he started to lose his nerve until he was tightly-lipped and smiling for her benefit.
Friends.
Perhaps another trip to the gym and soon will give him the confidence he needed. Maybe once he physically transformed himself then "friendship" will be the last thing on her mind.
xxXXxx
He was fighting her.
What a glorious fight it was! There was no holding back. She punched him, he punched her, she kicked at him, and he kicked back… There was no denying their equal strength or the delivery of their attacks. It was a dance, a delicious and titillating tango, with the same heat igniting within his core that was both sensual and consuming.
Then he had her pinned down, completely at his mercy. He could finally claim his victory and defeat her once and for all. His long claws wrapped around her neck. A single squeeze was all he needed.
"Bog!"
He whipped his head sharply to the side and Violet Wings disappeared from beneath him. Now, Marianne Fairwood stood in front of him, her expression filled with horror, disgust, and loathing. It was the latter that had his heart ceased beating. Such hate in those lovely hazel eyes…
"I thought I could trust you. I was wrong."
Her voice—razor-sharp and frigid—cut through the many layers he had built and it took every ounce in him to keep standing and not collapse before her. Then she spoke the same fatal words that had haunted him for years:
"You're a joke. How could I like, let alone love, someone like you? You're completely beneath me."
He closed his eyes, fists clenched tightly, as he breathed sharply through his nostrils. No matter how much he wanted to avoid that awful memory, there was no escaping the pain and hurt he felt when a very young Bog was mocked and cruelly rejected from Laurel Snapdragon.
She had been the most beautiful girl on campus. She had hair as dark as midnight, eyes as blue as the ocean, and lips as ruby. Her voice was miniature bells, so lovely and melodious, that even when she laughed… it was infectious.
She had been a dance major and he was besotted the moment he saw her on stage. His roommate had dragged him to a performance for extra credit and the moment he laid eyes on her… Bog was a goner. He had to find out everything there was about her and it wasn't long before he figured out her favorite hangout spots.
In the beginning, he admired her from afar. She was so perfect, so beautiful… And what was he? A nobody regardless of his father's criminal connections. Of course, no one knew that. He was simply Bog King, a gawky and lanky kid, who never had a girlfriend. He wasn't rich or super good-looking (he thought he was semi-attractive), but he was smart. So he settled on impressing her with his intelligence.
There had been a trivia competition at one of Laurel's favorite bars. She always attended with her friends. They never won but they had fun. But Bog wanted to show off, to get her attention. And he did. That night he not only won the game, but Laurel actually spoke to him. Him! She invited him to be on her team next week, and sure enough, he was there the following week and they won together.
Afterwards, Bog and Laurel would spend time together. Hanging out and studying was the purpose of their "dates" but they would sometimes get off track (especially during the studying) and spend countless hours talking about everything and nothing. He loved that he was able to make her laugh. He loved that he became the center of her attention whenever she looked at him. It honestly felt like the world stopped spinning. Then they shared a kiss… his first… and it was magical.
Little did he know how she really felt.
As time went on, Bog noticed how she often didn't have time for him unless it was a trivia night or a final or a paper. That had been his first clue but he was too blind, too stupid to notice. When Laurel called him… he came to her no matter what. He loved her and that was all that truly mattered.
Eventually, Bog bought a ring. It sounded like a good idea despite the fact they haven't been together for a full year. Some people get married after weeks of meeting so his romantic side justified. He knew he wanted to spend his life with her, and that also meant he would also have to come clean about his family. He had told others his father had been a soldier who died overseas. It was a far cry from the truth, but Bog wanted to feel like he could admire him and lying was the only way. At least no one would have suspected the truth.
Griselda didn't know about her and he knew if he ever introduced them… his mother wouldn't be able to keep her mouth shut. He needed a plan and it wasn't long before he came up with one.
He met Laurel at their favorite burger joint. What a nervous wreck he had been! He couldn't stop fidgeting but at the same time he felt his happiness would implode if he didn't ask her soon. He felt confident in her answer. How could he not? Only fools would propose if they didn't know what their significant others answers would be.
As soon as she arrived, Bog couldn't contain himself. He dropped to one knee and began telling her how he hadn't lived until he met her, that she was the first thought on his mind when he wakes and the last when he sleeps, and every other romantic thing that came to mind. There was no stopping his spewing of love and sap. Even when her astonishment changed to disbelief to embarrassment it didn't stop him; not even her attempts to quiet him or try to get him to stand up would deter him from exposing his heart so she could see the depths of his devotion and love for her.
Then he began telling her how he had a secret. That he had lied about his father and that he wasn't dead but alive. He was about to tell her that his father was in prison when she finally shut him up by covering his mouth with both her hands.
That silenced him.
Then those life-changing words spilled from her lips.
"You're a joke. How could I like, let alone love, someone like you? You're completely beneath me."
With a flick of her hair, Laurel left him there still kneeling on the ground. Several onlookers snickered and laughed at him.
It wasn't until he felt the pelting of rain that Bog got to his feet and went home. Staring at his reflection in the mirror of his room, he made a decision.
He was never going to fall in love again, and he was going to make them pay.
Bog went to his father's lair and found his outfit. It had fit him like a glove and he realized this was his destiny. He had to stop running and admit that he was born to live a life of crime. Griselda found him as The Goblin and couldn't help herself as she shed a tear for joy that he was following his father's footsteps.
She never knew what changed her son's mind, but over the years, little hints were dropped when Bog was in his rip-roaring drunken states. Of course that would explain her sudden obsession about finding the right woman for him. Yet Bog had been true to his declaration until now.
Until Marianne.
She was too kind to toy with him. She wasn't like Laurel in that regard. She knew heartache and the harsh realities of love. But that made her all the more dangerous to him.
He could pen his feelings for Violet Wings as lust, but there was no use in denying that Marianne stirred something more in him. He thought ignoring it would make it go away, but it only grew stronger. However, what was the point in these feelings when she leaves him? Once she knew the truth about who he was, there was no question or doubt that Marianne would get far away from him. He couldn't expect her to associate with him once the truth was known. And frankly, he wouldn't want her to because it would ruin her.
He couldn't have that on his conscience.
Bog snorted with the irony in that statement. A villain with a conscience… But he was only human.
He looked down at his garbage bin, cringing when he saw Violet Wings' autograph gazing up at him. She had been nice to him. She gave him something that she thought a fan would like to have.
Without thinking, Bog picked it up and smoothed out the crinkles so he could stare at her signature. There was something about the scrawl that looked familiar…
"This is insane! I have to stop thinking about both of them. I have to…"
Get away.
Rising, Bog slipped the autograph into his pocket. He could think of only one thing that would distract him.
xxXXxx
Sweat poured from his forehead but Bog flashed his teeth, grunting as he amped the tension and speed to the treadmill. His leg muscles were groaning but it felt so good to run and release his tension. He could forget about Plum, his plans, his conflicting emotions… All that mattered was the machine.
"Take that! And this! And that!"
Hearing that voice had him nearly stopping in his tracks. Remembering where he was and what he was on, Bog stopped his workout and looked over to the other side of the gym where the punching bags were located. There was no way he could not recognize the petite woman with her short dark hair.
So much for not thinking about Marianne.
He should have ignored her. She couldn't see him for she was too focused on her task, which was beating the Hell out of the bag. He could have resumed his run or go home since he was there for almost an hour.
But that's not what his body did.
He was standing behind her before he knew it. He couldn't bring himself to look away at how she looked in those tight black pants and purple midriff top. The perspiration streaming down her back had her skin glowing and he could only imagine how her eyes would have looked… bright, energized. She had good form and he was a little surprised to see the visible marks of old scars. They didn't appear to be nasty as time had healed such wounds, but she didn't really strike him as someone who would actually put herself in a situation.
Maybe verbally.
And her arms were quite toned. There was power in those limbs and Bog was impressed at how she made the 150-lb bag swing with a single hit.
Obviously, she has been doing this for years.
He didn't know how long he stood there, but Marianne finished and turned around, catching him off-guard.
For a second, they stared at the person that has been plaguing their thoughts, uncertain what to do next.
Then Bog drew closer.
"Would you have dinner with me this Saturday?"
"Sure."
"Great." He nodded to himself. "I'll… call you with the specifics."
He walked away leaving Marianne bewildered. He had to admit he was pretty flabbergasted with himself for being so direct with her.
A date. He was going on a date with Marianne Fairwood.
A date. She was going on a date with Bog King.
What did I get myself into? Their thoughts echoed.
TBC…