THE RED STRING OF FATE...
Chapter 25
Arthur wondered when this fight will blow over. His mother tried to inquire what happened to make Yao leave but Mr. Wong stated that Yao is a lot like Grandfather Wong, so it's best to leave him alone till he calms down and didn't say anything further.
Gloomily wondering about his situation, Arthur failed to notice Xiang entering his bedroom who sat next to him on the bed. Only when he touched Arthur's knee did it register to him that someone was there. Arthur looked at him, "Xiang, I messed up big time, didn't I?"
Xiang nodded in response, "Dai-Ge looked more pissed than he was when you betrayed him at last year's school-festival."
Arthur flinched, "Do you have to put it like that. Besides, last year's school-festival wasn't my fault". Xiang stared at him but didn't say anything. Then Arthur asked, "Do you think he'll ever forgive me?"
Xiang knew his brother was in a vulnerable state, so he carefully chose his words, "I think that question can truly be answered if you're going through the same thing Dai-Ge is going through." Arthur stared at little boy who continued, "If you've someone who has really hurt you, try listening to him state his reasons why he did. If you're able to forgive him, then maybe there is hope for Dai-Ge to forgive you."
Watching the little toddler, he couldn't believe how wise Xiang sounded, 'Forgive someone who has hurt me? There is only one person and I don't know if I'll be able to do it.' Arthur, beginning to feel dejected, looked infront and didn't realize that now he was voicing his thoughts out loud, "It's just as well that Yao left... Aurora, Odette, Leyla- they all left me in the end."
Wondering where Arthur was looking, Xiang replied in a casual tone, "Actually they didn't."
The moment Xiang said, Arthur turned to him, "What did you just say?" Xiang looked straight into Arthur's eyes and said the girls & the others never left him. Completely startled by his reply, Arthur cautiously asked, "What exactly are you talking about?"
Xiang sighed, "I'm not going to play the game 'Maybe-You-are-Seeing-Things', since I've been informed by them that you've seen them too before. Arthur-Ge, I can see the fairies and unicorns now". Arthur's eyes looked as if they were the size of saucers. Xiang slightly frowned which also surprised him since Xiang was always void of emotions "I thought you would have been pleased".
Arthur put his hand on his mouth and said "I am confused but I'm even more confused when you said that they never left- what did you mean by that?"
Xiang explained "Well, Odette and the other fairies explained that when you reached a certain age, your ability to see the mystical beings disappeared all-of-a-sudden. So, one day, you were able to see them, next day, you couldn't." Arthur still couldn't believe what was coming out of Xiang's mouth, who continued talking, "That day when you tried calling them with tears in your eyes was the hardest thing that they ever had to bear. They tried everything to contact you but failed. That's why they were so relieved when I could see them. They wanted me to pass this message to you- We miss talking to you and we love you dearly."
Arthur remembered that day when he couldn't find any of them. He always wondered if their pushing him to make more friends was because they wanted to leave. But now knowing the real reason, he felt glad that he wasn't abandoned. With his voice choking alittle, he said, "Please them that I miss them & love them too."
Xiang nodded and not wanting his brother to cry, decided to change the topic, "So, how's your ability now?"
This threw Arthur off, "Did they tell you that I can see the Red-String-of-Fate?". Xiang said yes. Arthur, recalling what all he did eversince he got the ability, stated, "It's been a rollercoaster ride- that's what I can say right now."
Xiang thought about it for awhile before inquiring, "Do you think that I'll gain this ability, judging from the fact you first saw the mystical beings and later got the ability."
Arthur wondered whether this was hereditary and whether anyone else in his mother's family was able to see these beings. Since Xiang could see them, he was certain nobody from his late-dad's side could. He finally replied, "I don't know but if you do, you can always talk to me about it". Xiang nodded with a slight smile. Arthur later asked, "Did you tell anyone-else about the secret?"
Xiang shook his head, "I doubt they would believe me so easily."
Arthur ruffled his black hair, "Kiddo, you're much smarter than me when I was your age." Later they heard their mother calling them for dinner so they went towards the kitchen hand-in-hand.
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The following days weren't easy for Arthur- he was avoiding Francis and Yao was avoiding him. Infact, Yao went to the extent of not coming to school for quite sometime, 'It's a good thing Yao was a diligent student at beginning of the semester and didn't miss any classes earlier on. Otherwise he would be in trouble because of attendance.' He realized now how Ivan must have felt when Yao started to avoid him.
On a Saturday morning, Arthur had informed his mother that he was going to the nearby park. Upon reaching his destination, he immediately went to his safe haven- a place which was almost inside a forest. There was a huge lake and lone bench near it. Taking a seat there, Arthur recollected all the times he came here. He liked this place because it was secluded, so he could be alone for hours. Unfortunately, this time it wasn't the case.
Not turning his face, Arthur spoke in dreary tone, "What part of 'Don't ever come near me again' did you not understand?" He could see from the corner of his eye that the Blue-eyed boy was holding a huge shopping bag 'The bastard is so carefree.'
Francis, not backing away, replied in a solemn tone, "I just can't leave things the way they are. I feel I owe it to you to explain everything... I promise after I've said what I needed to, I'll leave."
Arthur, remembering what Xiang told him before, just looked at the lake. Seeing that Arthur didn't chase him away, Francis sat on the bench- each boy on opposite ends. Then Francis said that if Arthur was wondering how he knew where he was- the Parisian visited his home but his mother told that him that he was here.
After being silent for awhile, Francis finally stated, "Before I start, I feel this should be given to you first." When Arthur turned to see what Francis placed next to him, he gasped, snatching it immediately and started stuttering, "H...how did.. y.. you get t..this photograph? H...how did.. you know.. about this?"
Francis proceeded to clarify everything -
Francis was slightly taken aback when Elizabeta had sent a 'Get-together' invitation since he didn't know her that well but he figured a party once-in-awhile would be good for the soul, so he graciously accepted the invitation. Reaching her residence, he was saw that the party resembled most of the After-parties he attended when he was in Paris. He wasn't surprised since the hostess was related to someone who he had the honour of being introduced to when he was doing theater-work, so she must have picked up on how to throw parties judging from all the parties that were thrown for her famous father.
While the party was going on, Francis was summoned into a private room. Entering it, he saw it was a huge bedroom and noted that both Elizabeta & her boyfriend Roderich were present. Francis licked his lips, "Am I being called for a threesome?"
Roderich huffed, "Elizabeta is too classy to subject herself to such debauchery."
Francis moved closer, purring "I wasn't saying that she should be the focus of the attention" and he openly leered at Roderich.
The Austrian immediately got up from his seat and looked at Elizabeta, "I'll get the drinks. I'm sure you'll be able to handle this animal by yourself." Elizabeta nodded and kissed her boyfriend on the cheek. After he left, she turned to Francis and stated, "You didn't have to tease him that far."
Francis raised his eyebrows playfully, "You know you enjoyed it."
Elizabeta smiled, "That's a different story" while the Parisian chuckled, "Pas-de-soucis, I was just joking. Roderich belongs only to you... So, if I'm not being called for plaisir, then it must mean business."
Elizabeta motioned Francis to take a seat. As soon as he sat, she started talking, "It''s unfortunate what happened to Bella. I only could keep asking her forgiveness... While we were talking, she mentioned that she was rehearsing the lines with you since you were an expert in this play, That statement intrigued me but she didn't say anything further except you were her cousin and that's why you helped out. Knowing that blood is thicker than water, she probably wouldn't say anything even if I prodded her, so I didn't pursue the matter."
While Elizabeta was talking, Francis had a feeling where this conversation was going,"But remembering Bella saying you're an expert, I recalled my father saying that there was this famous Bonnefoy that he wanted to cast in his movies. Unfortunately this performer decided to take a break to complete his last year of school. I thought it was a coincidence but I decided to watch some of the tapes my dad had, and what do I see- you acting your heart out and I must say, you're brilliant in your performance. It's no wonder why my father wanted to cast you."
Francis said, "Merci but I'm sure you didn't call me to give praises." Elizabeta realizing that Francis understood what she was trying to say, decided to get straight to the point, "I need a Petruchio and you're the best candidate. All the other girls just failed to make the cut. I'm at my wits' end... I know you don't have to but I would greatly appreciate if you would consider helping us out."
Listening to her plea, Francis asked, "If I'm cast, you think the other girls and boys will accept it?" Elizabeta stated, "Well, I've seen in some of your plays where you made yourself sound like a girl and I've to admit your voice almost resembled Bella's. So, I'm sure no-one will have a problem. Besides, I know you'll be able to gently convince the boys atleast with your charming personality."
Later Francis inquired, "What about Arthur? He isn't like the other boys." Elizabeta replied, "Oh, don't worry about him. He'll eventually agree."
Francis stared at her for awhile before saying, "Alright, I'll join the play but only on one condition- the photograph that you using to blackmail Arthur, I want it."
The minute Francis said that, Elizabeta became very confused. Finally she spoke, "I see, Arthur wasn't acting paranoid- there was someone listening in on our conversation. And to think it was you," She looked at Francis and asked, "Suppose you do join the play and later I refuse to give it to you. What will you do?"
Francis grinned, "If that happens, I'll tell your Papa that his precieux fille made mistakes that the most rooky directors always avoid. Knowing this, your father might become disappointed in you."
Getting up from her seat, she came towards Francis and leaned on the table, with her chin on her palm, "Arthur calls me a innocent lamb who is actually a cunning fox but Francis Bonnefoy, you're definitely the Wolf in sheep's clothing."
Francis came close to her, "Judging from that response, I say we've a deal, oui?" Elizabeta thought about it for awhile and later nodded.
Then they both heard a bang on the door and turned to see Roderich holding a tray of drinks with a disapproving look on his face, "I can't believe you both call yourselves Arthur's friends."
Listening to Francis, Arthur wondered how he should handle Elizabeta- wringing her neck sounded right at that moment.
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A/N- The reason why Arthur didn't want to talk about fairies wasn't only because of the bullying but he thought they abandoned him... Since, Arthur has another brother apart from Yao and HongKong was ignored for so long- hence I decided that Xiang too will have Arthur's special powers, making them feel like they are in the same boat (2 peas in a little pod)
The infamous deal between Francis & Elizabeta in ch16 is now unfolded (this was what Roderich meant in Omake 3).