Chapter 27

Tonight was the night!

It had been a week and Rani was pacing across her room, still underdressed for the gala. It's been a long time since she had ever been to an event. The closest thing to an event was a rock concert that was held years ago before she graduated from her university.

Lately, she hasn't been on social media due to a number of reasons. Not just the news but she hated how her old friends were living the good life without any problems. She could just lay low but somehow thing's changed with the appearance of the Bad Guys.

Rani smiled to herself. They have made her life interesting and she would never forget that.

"Okay, do it for them," she told her reflection. "It's Mr. Snake's night after all and he deserves that award. And I'm going to be there to support him!"

Her reflection showed her wearing a mixture of a dark green sleeveless top to compliment the light green skirt. Her patterns were that of gold to compliment the shades of green. Her ears wore long beaded earrings and a flower tiara that made her look so regal-like.

"I haven't worn anything fancy since my cousin's wedding," she giggled to herself as she applied a bit of makeup. Checking herself in the reflection, Rani was satisfied by the outcome. If this outfit was enough to make Chief Misty Luggins all tongue-tied, imagined how Mr. Snake would react?

Before this night, the previous weeks involved her picking herself back through workouts, writing the finally completed drafts she wished to submit to a publisher. If there's one way to change people's views on the Bad Guys, the best way is through fiction, right?

Of course, she had a pen name for that. In terms of the rescued snakes' conditions, some were recovering just fine while a portion could not make it due to the neglect and trauma. Out of the ordeal, there was one piece of news she was DYING to tell Mr. Snake about at the gala.

Speaking of which, the said serpent had been visiting her during the afternoons and evenings. The both of them would watch some videos, go to the zoo to check on the snakes and at some point, play music together.

Who knew he could play the piano so well with his tail!

Just then, the sound of her phone buzzed. It was a message from the police chief, letting her know that she was waiting outside. The plan was for the both of them to head to the gala together since Diane is going to be there to make her speech while the former Bad Guys need to get ready.

Rani greeted her friend with a grin, knowing that going there in a police cruiser's going to be interesting. The chief wore a white suit but still related to her uniform since her squad will be on duty.

"Looking good, Misty!" Rani complimented her as they drove away for the gala. The chief grinned, puffed out her chest with pride. "I ALWAYS look good. So, this is your first gala, right? I might have to run a few things before you step out of the car."

Rani does a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am! And I won't get in your way of duty."

"Of course not! You're gonna canoodle with your dangerous noodle." This made Rani stiffed, clearly not expecting the police chief to say that. Misty Luggins belted out a laugh, causing Rani to push back her long hair that covered her flustered face.

"Oho, don't think I wouldn't catch you off guard? I'm just warming up, Rani!"

Rani shook her head, laughing along with her. Not only it would pass the time before they reached the gala; it also provided Rani a little distraction to the fact that she was now unemployed, disowned and...

'Stop it!' she scolded herself from letting out any oncoming tears. Thankfully, Misty Luggins had not glanced at her direction while Rani was staring out at the window as the scenes rolled by. She just couldn't believed the situation she was in.

Rani wouldn't want to be a crybaby at an event such as a gala. Not when it's a celebration for her newfound friends and lover.

When they arrived at the gala, Rani had to blink to affirmed herself that she was really at the gala and not watching from Red Carpet premier with crazy celebrities. Well, if you can count the whole event with Dr Marmalade as crazy...

"Mommy, is that a princess?"

"Woah, don't tell me it's that chick at the ice cream shop!"

"Heh, think she's sooooo mighty walking along the red carpet. Has she seen those muffin tops squeezing out of that top?"

Rani only held her head high as she strides her way to the gala. Mr. Snake should be here somewhere so for the mean time, she will explore the whole floor. From different people gathering to wait for the Good Guys' arrival to the wafting scent of food that was served.

It was an international buffet that could put Las Vegas and any five-star restaurant to shame with the variety. From steaks, seafood, pasta, Mexican platters, sushi, noodle stations, Beijing roast duck, Middle Eastern, Indian, Thai and even Malay-Indo cuisines.

This made Rani's stomach rumbled since she wanted to try almost everything. Not to mentioned, the ice cream bar!

She was helping herself to a plate of freshly made naan with some butter chicken when she heard a familiar voice behind her. "Look who's all dolled up."

Whirling around, she was greeted with a cheeky grin from Mr. Wolf. The said canine was looking dapper in his white suit and hat. He reminded her of Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal, no pun intended. She placed a hand on her hip. "You ain't so bad yourself. So where are the others and where's Snake?"

"He had something to take care of," he winked, making Rani realised that the serpent was onto something. She hoped that he would arrive in one piece. After all, this whole gala was for him to begin with. Mr. Wolf gestured her to a table where the rest of the former Bad Guys were.

All of them except-

"Well aren't you the cutest girl I ever did see."

...

Mr. Snake's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets when the woman turned around to revealed a family figure. From her top and skirt, it reminded him of some story in a fairytale of a princess that was the guardian of the forest. With shades of green that complimented the gold jewellery, Rani might as well be the most beautiful woman in this gala.

His beautiful woman.

He was so caught up, he didn't realised that Rani had walked over to tap him on the snout. Like him, her face was also flushed. Glancing quickly to see if anyone spotted their actions, he took her hand into his tail and kissed it in greeting. "Hi, Snake..."

"Hey..." Mr. Snake managed to cough out. It was bad enough that the rest of the gang were watching with glee. Tugging the collar of his shirt, he straightened himself up. "I mean- Wow, I didn't expect you to look- I mean, you're beautiful! It's all I'm saying..."

Rani smirked before cupping his face to give him a peck on the lips. 'Oh, what the hell! Let them look all they want.'

Just then, the music started to swell with the band playing some sort of classic jazz while a few people were socialising about the whole event that led up to this. Some were pointing at his direction, making him wrap his tail around Rani's hand.

"Come on, Snake," she tugged him gently. "Let's grab something to eat. I think you'll like the dessert section~"

"Night is still young, sugar dumpling," he chuckled, aware of the fact that the both of them were getting hot under the collar. "Let's eat while waiting for the ceremony to start. I'm telling you, these guests can gawk at anything so we might as well make the best of it."

Rani shot back a grin that mirrored his. She tore up a piece of her bread, dipping it into the butter chicken before popping it into her mouth. He wanted nothing more than to coil himself around her, to feel her warm body close to his. The idea of hearing Rani making those sweet sounds and her lips onto his scales...

"Any ideas of what you're eating?"

'You,' he had wanted to say but answered, "I think a bit on the wild side. You know, something spicy, aromatic and hearty."

With the rest of the Bad Guys joining them, Mr. Snake had never seen Rani so full of life when she was talking to Mr. Shark and Mr. Piranha about karaoke, Ms. Tarantula with games and even more ideas with Mr. Wolf on how they should be good. All his life, he never felt so nervous about something.

Ever since the gala with Dr Marmalade, the Eastern brown snake was wary about the people's sudden change of tune when they saw him. They're just as fickle as those people cancelling others online before welcoming them back with open arms from a mediocre apology video.

He had to take care of two things before joining his gang to the event. Ever since he heard about Rani's unemployment and everything else, he paid a social call. Let's just say that those calls weren't going to bother her or him for a while.

"Mr Snake!" a voice snapped him back to reality. Flickering his tongue out, he looked down to find a young girl gazing up at him with wide eyes. Fear? Loathing?

"Yes?" he hissed while dabbing a napkin across his chin. He blinked in surprised when the little girl suddenly tackled him into the hug. "H-hey what gives?!"

"Aww, he really is a sweetheart," Mr. Wolf chuckled before snapping a photo of him. Feeling miffed, Mr. Snake tried to pry the little girl gently off of him since he knew her parents might be looking for her.

"Does anyone have a crowbar for this?"

...

Meanwhile on the other side of the city, he watched the gala live on his laptop. He never knew how much the Bad Guys have changed since their arrest. What surprised him was that he saw his little girl was now a beautiful young woman.

And with one of the Bad Guys nonetheless!

Since he had been cooped up in this home and confined to the lack of limbs, he does his work online. News was easy to reach when he had internet and his children. His wife however...

"I don't understand why she would disowned our daughter," he sighed to himself. It would be easy to call her IF his phone wasn't confiscated by his own wife. Ever since she stormed back after the visit to the hospital, she forbade everyone from ever contacting Rani in any way. She was always the boss before they got married but to do this to their daughter...

Taking a deep breath, he dragged his body to the wheelchair so that he could wheel into the living room. His sons were bonding with their returned sister, Mira. Unlike Rani, she had short hair and a slim figure that was suitable for her swimming competitions.

"Hi kids," he greeted them with a smile. He began to embrace his two sons while his second daughter giggled. "Are you watching something?"

"Rani's on TV! She's with the Bad Guys!"

He chuckled with amusement. Lately, his wife had been petrified as if something had spooked her. As if she were attacked by something that slithered up her spine or hid under her bed with teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red.

Unsure of what it was, he decided to leave her be in the bedroom while he spent some time with his children.

At least he won't hear her nagging for a while.

"Mira," he turned towards his second daughter. "I need your help. Do you know what time is suitable to visit your sister? But we got to plan it behind your mother's back!"

Sorry for the late update. I had to work during the weekends with my colleagues and it was tiring as hell! I can't believe that we're almost done with the story

Don't worry, we'll get more fluff and love scenes in the next chapter!