Chapter 3
Old Friends…
Ah, it's been so long since I last updated this story. Apologies for that, lots of things happened. I didn't mean to ignore this story for the whole of February but I had to prioritize on writing Last Scion's chapter as well as my birthday fic for Lysithea: Broken Hourglass.
Nonetheless, to make up for the delay. This chapter is longer than its supposed to be. Enjoy!
Also, I had a cover for this fic made a while ago! You can see it on this story but if you want to see the full art, check out mocheekanon in pixiv! She's the talented individual who made it for me!
7th day of the Harpstring Moon
In Fodlan, nightlife is quite an important aspect of life among those in the age group of college students and those in the legal working age. Status and quality of life doesn't matter as long as they can afford the establishments they frequent, to unwind and hang out with friends and co-workers.
For the central city of Fodlan, Garreg Mach. Nightlife varies in many ways, many of the rich can afford to go to high-rise buildings and enter a club. Those somewhere in the middle can go to bars and clubs while the lower class can just pop a bottle or can they buy from a convenience store and drink somewhere secluded.
In all of Garreg Mach, there is one bar that is often called by its patrons as a hidden gem. Affordable prices, great drinks and a generally charming and entertaining bartender-owner unless he teases the hell out of you.
That bartender's name is Claude von Riegan, bartender, owner and proprietor of the bar known as the Golden Deer. A man of Almyran descent, Claude prides himself as the owner of the so-called hidden gem of Garreg Mach. Never full but still bringing in the money, less effort but still profitable. Just the kind of carefree life he wants.
As the antique jukebox played soothing jazz music around the bar, the only patron within the bar at this time wasn't showing any signs of being at ease with the selection of music.
"Get me another round of that Golden Beer." Felix growled as he pushed the empty glass beer mug on the marble counter.
Claude wondered what had gotten to Felix drinking ahead of his friends and why he was the first one to arrive when he usually arrives last. Not to mention the sullen expression he wore, it was more unpleasant than his usual frown and air of constant irritation.
"Felix, I don't mind the extra business but aren't you drinking way too fast?" Claude asked, taking the beer mug and placing it under the nozzle of his beer tap and pulling the small handle down to fill the mug with his signature beer.
The Fraldarius man just groaned, scratching the back of his head irritably before covering his face with his closed fist, digging the temples of his head into his knuckles.
"Lemme guess, did your father say something to piss you off again?" Claude guessed before faking a gesture that of realization. "Oh wait, you're always pissed."
Claude's tease was ignored, Felix didn't even glare at him, the latter thinking it wasn't worth it as he has more problems to worry about. Claude heaved a sigh, shaking his head and served Felix another mug of beer that the latter immediately took a sip from, feeling the cold alcohol washed down his throat.
"Seriously, what's wrong?" Claude asked, his morbid curiosity turning to that of genuine concern towards one of his regulars.
Felix ignored the bartender again, his thoughts delving deeper into what happened days ago.
He remembered cornering Annette into a wall, trapping her in between his arms. She looked so terrified at him at that moment and Felix wondered why the advice given to him by a certain someone didn't work, when he saw tears threatening to fall from her blue eyes, that was when Felix knew… he took advice from a fool and he was a bigger fool for following his advice.
The succeeding days after that disaster of a day only got worse as Annette didn't even bother to go to work prompting Glenn to call her. A call that ended unsatisfactorily as Annette gave a lame excuse that sounded like a complete lie in Glenn's words. While Felix could care less about his brother's frustration at getting a straight answer from Annette, Felix was more angry at himself for being the cause of Annette's sudden absence that day for he knew it was all his fault.
The day after that was even worse, Annette did show up for work but she didn't do what her job mandated and that is to be Felix' assistant and to also build up the presentation needed for the expo. Instead, Annette insisted towards Glenn that she could work better in her old office cubicle, making up an excuse that she could concentrate there better. Another lie that Glenn picked up but didn't confront her about as he could finally see the pattern.
If there was something Felix both admired and cursed Glenn at, it was Glenn's keen observation of human behavior. He could easily tell Annette was lying and making up excuses, he had become suspicious of Annette's change of demeanor ever since she was delegated to become his younger brother's assistant.
That and coupled with the fact on how she looks at Felix, averts her eyes away from him and always tries to find an excuse to leave his presence, Glenn finally hypothesized that his younger brother has something to do with the low morale of the bubbliest girl in the office.
Glenn confronted him at their home that day, demanding answers from Felix. Felix told him to leave him alone and not to meddle but Glenn wasn't having any of it, he was tired of Felix dismissive way when confronted with a problem and he made it clear by punching Felix across the face.
Felix immediately retaliated which led to a loud altercation. Fists were thrown, shouting and cursing were directed towards each other until Rodrigue came in between them. Scolding both of them for acting so immaturely instead of settling things as proper men. Felix simply scoffed and told both Glenn and Rodrigue to go to hell before he locked himself in his room.
Claude watched one of his regulars in deep thought, looking on with interest in seeing the plethora of anger and self-loathing Felix has been displaying from the very subtle facial expressions and his body language. Claude knew something was up with him.
The door opened, ringing the bell that was attached to the door to reveal two blondes: a man and a woman.
The man had loose unkempt hair, blue eyes that had the color of the blue sky and he wore an expensive looking black business suit and a blue shirt underneath.
The woman had short hair, green eyes like those of emerald and wore a checkered sky blue and green shirt, white pants and long brown leather boots, there was a hat behind her, held together by a string around her neck.
"Oh, Felix. You're here early." Dimitri said out in mild surprise at how early the Fraldarius man is at the bar.
"And he didn't wait for us to drink." Ingrid frowned in disapproval, seeing Felix take a sip of his beer, ignoring her.
Claude gave them a look, earning questioning brows up from the newly arrivals, Claude gestured his eyes towards Felix as the two sat down beside Felix on the next two stools to his right. They both knew from Claude's gesture that something is bothering their friend who didn't acknowledge them, still wallowing in his own pit of the plethora of negative emotions he was feeling.
"So, what can I help you with?" Claude asked, approaching the two from behind the counter, placing both hands on the marble top after handing out his usual drinking menu and a small food menu.
Dimitri and Ingrid both knew what to order, having no need for the menu, they have been drinking in this bar for quite some time now ever since they were legally allowed to touch alcohol.
"The usual Claude." Dimitri said, taking off his suit's coat and hung it on the backrest of the stool.
Ingrid nodded in affirmation to Dimitri's order as well, indicating the desire of the same drink.
"Two Golden Beers coming up!" Claude took two glass mugs and went to his beer tap to fill them.
Ingrid, who sat beside Felix, gave her fiance's younger brother a look of concern.
"Felix?" Ingrid called out with a warm worried voice, her green eyes looking on to Felix' dull copper eyes staring at his half-filled mug. Felix hasn't looked so despondent ever since… since…
Dimitri also looked at Felix, worried about the more gloomy look Felix was wearing. He knew that despite his phone call to him days ago, Felix was looking forward to their weekend drinking get together. Dimitri initially believed Felix was early due to his concealed excitement to see them after returning from his vacation to Hoshido but to see him like this… it was unexpected.
"I have been worried about him myself but he hasn't said anything other than order another mug." Claude said, looking on to Felix as he passed by the sullen man and laid down the filled mugs of beer for Ingrid and Dimitri to drink.
Dimitri gave him a doubtful look. "You? Worried over someone else?"
Claude faked an offended expression. "That hurts!" He said, touching his chest as if struck by an arrow.
"I must say that you have gravely misunderstood my entire being, good sir!" Claude said with his smirk, Dimitri merely shook his head before taking a sip of his beer, letting the cold alcohol wash down his parched throat.
Ingrid was still worried and kept prodding Felix to no avail, normally Felix would immediately snap at her out of irritation but this time it felt like everyone around Felix didn't exist and she can't put her finger on it. He wasn't even drinking anymore, he just took a deep sigh.
The door opened once again, ringing the bell to give cause for the people inside the bar to look at the new arrival. Slicked back red hair, brown eyes, wore a pair of steel grey pants and a blue green long sleeve shirt with both sleeves rolled up above his elbows and the top two buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned.
It was the final member of their group, a quartet formerly a trio of friends in childhood until high school came to graced them the presence of their fourth and only female member. This man who just arrived is the oldest among them but certainly not the kind of person one looks up to as a role model and his name was...
"Sylvain." And just like that, Claude's jukebox located near the door abruptly stopped playing just as Felix called out his name.
Claude groaned, making one of his rare expressions that wasn't a smirk or a smug look. "I really need to get that jukebox fixed." The bartender shook his head as he polished one of his beer mugs clean.
"Woah, Felix is here before me? Talk about being punctual for a chan- Felix?"
Felix stood up from his stool, earning looks from the others as he slowly walked towards Sylvain, his bangs shadowing his copper brown eyes. Sylvain's casual smile faded little by little as Felix inched closer, his head tilting up to reveal the expression in his eyes.
Ingrid and Dimitri could feel the intent radiating from Felix, Claude could feel it as well but stood still from behind the counter. It was until Felix revealed his murderous gaze towards Sylvain that Ingrid and Dimitri both stood up from their stool and held back Felix. Both struggling to do so despite their superior number as Felix tried to push through.
"Felix! What are you doing?!" Dimitri called out, holding Felix at bay by his shoulders while Ingrid wrapped her arms around Felix from behind to pull him away from reaching any closer to Sylvain who looked shocked.
"Woah there, Felix. What's the matter?" Sylvain asked while maintaining his calm, still wondering what he did to warrant such a reaction from one of his longtime friends.
The moment Sylvain asked what was wrong, something truly snapped within Felix.
"What's the matter?" Felix said as he stopped trying to plow through Dimitri to get to Sylvain. Felix then took a deep sigh to prepare for something.
"WHAT'S THE MATTER?!" Felix repeated with a thunderous yell that threatened to shake the very core of his friends and Claude who was watching the commotion with morbid curiosity, taking a sip of his own experimental cocktail.
"Just don't break anything alright?" Claude called out, Dimitri and Ingrid both shot him a glare for the inappropriate comment as they held back Felix from smashing his fists on Sylvain's face.
The commotion paused when the door opened again to reveal a woman with bright pink hair, her fashioned into a long ponytail with matching pink eyes. She wore black corset that showed her cleavage, and a pink mini skirt that matches her hair color. A shoulder bag was slung on her left shoulder as circular earrings pierced both her ears.
"Oh my, I didn't think my visit to my private haven for relaxing from the stress of life would be like this."
Everyone looked at her with Claude smirking at the newly arrived pink haired woman, no doubt one of his regulars.
"Oh Hilda, you're just in time."
Hilda Valentine Goneril, the heiress of Goneril Jewelry as well as one of its best crafters, her family's business is perhaps the most widespread and well-known jewelry shop around Fodlan with Hilda's own personal creations being sought after by rich people in and out of Fodlan
"In time seeing Felix laying the smackdown on Sylvain's ass for the nth time?" Hilda scoffed before going in and letting the door to the bar close down behind her as she went to her favored seat, the farthest stool on the left. "The usual Pink Lady, Claude."
Claude set down his experimental cocktail with a golden color on the counter before moving to make Hilda's drink. The tension between the four friends ended as Felix relaxed his muscles with a groan as Ingrid and Dimitri loosened their hold on him. Felix shoved their hands away from him as he went back to his seat to drink his beer, a gesture that the other three mirrored with Sylvain being two seats away from Felix, next to Dimitri.
Felix stayed silent once more, glaring down at his drink while the other three warily watched him while drinking their beer, Sylvain being served with his own while Claude is en route to Hilda for her order.
"And one Pink Lady for the Pink Lady." Claude winked at Hilda who snickered and eyed him with a strange look.
"Oh Claude, what will my life be if your bar and yourself aren't around for me to relax?" Hilda asked while taking a sip of her cocktail drink.
Claude chuckled, placing a hand on his chin as if thinking.
"Hmm… spending more money and enduring those unnecessarily loud music in clubs and VIP lounges? Enduring the smoky atmosphere around?" Claude listed out everything that his bar wasn't, something he was proud of.
Hilda led out a tired sigh.
"That's quite a sigh. Something wrong?"
"It's a troublesome customer asking for the…" Hilda cleared her throat for a bit, the fingers on her hand touching her neck.
"I want an exquisite ring made for my beloved who I intend to court! Nothing less for she deserves only the best!" Hilda spoke in a falsetto tone mimicking a tone of what sounded like a pompous rich man with grand delusions.
Claude laughed at how Hilda mockingly mimicked the customer she was talking about.
"Then why not just you know? Reject him of your services?" Claude asked with a shrug.
Hilda led out another tired sigh. "I would have if my brother didn't say yes before directing him to me!" She exclaimed out with a frown. "When I told him that I don't want to deal with him, Holst told me that he already paid in advance and that urgh… I need another sip."
The Goneril woman took another sip of her drink as Claude went on to clean the utensils he used to make Hilda's drink.
"Why not be like me? Don't advertise this bar too much, situated at the edge of the city but I still remain afloat due to my regulars. Sometimes, you don't have to work hard to survive. Just chill and survive." Claude casually said with a carefree shrug.
Hilda managed to smile at the bartender's carefree attitude.
"Tell me, why haven't I married you yet?" She playfully asked.
"Because I like to remain carefree for a bit. I enjoy the word… freedom." Claude responded with his smirk.
"You sure know how to turn down a woman." Hilda led out another scoff of amusement.
"Must be my charming self doing all the work." Claude bantered.
"Hah! Don't flatter yourself Claudy boy, now be a dear bartender and get me some mozzarella sticks."
Claude grinned as he went to his mini-kitchen area behind his bar counter to ready her order.
"One order of mozzarella sticks with tomato salsa coming right up!"
As the two interacted, Ingrid, Dimitri and Sylvain watched the scene with Ingrid still wondering something as Felix didn't care. Such interaction between the Goneril woman and the bartender were always commonplace whenever they drink, at first glance it's like something truly is going on between them yet at the same time, it isn't.
"I still don't know if those are just fooling around or are seriously flirting." The blonde woman wondered before getting to the matter at hand. "Alright, just what is going on between you two?" She asked, glancing at both Felix and Sylvain.
"Ask him." Felix growled, looking menacingly at Sylvain. His eyes were brimming with rage and hatred to the man, he had a mind to just stand up and charge him but with Ingrid and Dimitri seated next to him, it would be a fruitless endeavor.
"Me? Even I have no idea what the heck's pissing you off!" Sylvain said with an incredulous look, still having no idea why Felix looked like he wanted to murder him.
"For the record, you always piss him off in every possible way, Sylvain." Dimitri remarked which earned him a look from Sylvain and Ingrid.
"Not helping, Dimitri." Ingrid said.
"I'm sorry." Was the only reply Dimitri had to give with an apologetic look.
Ingrid then turned her gaze towards Sylvain. "Any guess? I don't think I'll ever get any straight answer from Felix considering how unreasonably mad he is at you today."
"I have a justified reason." Felix growled but was ignored by his brother's fiancee.
Sylvain thought long and hard, thinking of every possible reason that could have ticked Felix off.
"I don't recall doing anything that pissed him off."
Ingrid sighed followed by Dimitri's own, the latter thinking Sylvain is the type to really offend someone without even meaning to with his words and antics.
"Okay, change of approach, when did you last speak to him?" Ingrid asked after removing her hand on her face.
"When did I last speak to him…" Sylvain wondered and immediately found the answer within the recesses of his mind. "Ah! When he asked for advice!"
"Advice? What advice?" Dimitri asked, getting more and more curious especially after he saw Felix flinched at the mention.
Sylvain nodded. "He was asking for advice on something and I believe it was…"
"It was?"
"It was?" Even Claude couldn't help but be curious after overhearing.
"For the Goddess' sake, will you just say it?" Ingrid sighed again.
"Advice for trying to take a girl out for… dinner." Sylvain trailed off and finally was hit by realization at the most plausible reason Felix was mad at him. "Oh Goddess…" Sylvain breathed out, looking at Felix who was beginning to shake.
All eyes went on to Felix, even Hilda who was enjoying her drink and her order of mozzarella sticks couldn't help but stare at Felix.
"Felix, did you seriously take that advice… to heart?" Sylvain asked, the way Felix shook and gripped his beer mug tightly was his answer.
By now, Ingrid, Dimitri, Claude and Hilda looked at Felix and Sylvain back and forth.
"You actually did that? I was just kidding when I told you that-"
"You asked Sylvain…" Dimitri began with a shocked look upon his face, he couldn't even finish his sentence.
"For relationship-" Claude continued as the unbelievable fact registered within his mind.
"ADVICE?! OF ALL PEOPLE?!" Ingrid exclaimed out loud with an appalled shout.
Felix cursed under his breath, he was expecting this. He was expecting such reactions from his friends the moment he went inside the bar to meet up with them but the moment the sounds and expressions of shock came out from them, Felix felt an overwhelming wave of embarrassment.
His silence spoke volumes, Ingrid couldn't help but place the palm of her right hand over her face, Dimitri was still stunned while Claude (and by extension, Hilda) were barely containing their laughter.
Felix' face was red, they didn't know if it was the alcohol or if he was blushing from the humiliating feeling of being judged by his actions of taking Sylvain's advice.
"What did you tell him, Sylvain?" Dimitri asked, finally registering what he just heard, looking at Sylvain.
It only took a minute or two for Sylvain to tell them what he jokingly advised Felix and it was more than enough to multiply the magnitude of what they were all feeling. Ingrid couldn't look anymore disappointed, Dimitri just sat on his stool and drinking beer silently as his mind tried to process everything, Claude and Hilda were already laughing and Felix was near to shattering his beer mug with his hand.
"Was it all true?" Ingrid had to ask, she had to specifically ask about that certain part.
Felix nodded before drinking all the beer in his mug and yelling at a laughing Claude to serve him another mug. An order that Claude laughingly took.
Ingrid could only groan loudly in disappointment and fear for Felix.
"Felix, how… how did she react?"
The Fraldarius man could vividly remember Annette's terrified and tearful expression when cornered her and followed Sylvain's advice on 'gently threatening' Annette to have dinner with him which ended horribly for both of them.
"She slapped me and ever since then, kept avoiding me."
"The poor girl…"
Felix flinched, Ingrid was right, he couldn't help but feel bad for Annette afterwards, her disposition further soured and only got worse when he was around, he knew that and he wanted to fix it. It was just, he is completely lost on what to do.
"Felix, you could get sued for sexual harassment for what you did to her!" Dimitri said, recovering from his shock once more and looked concerned for Felix.
"I can only imagine what the poor girl is going through." Ingrid lamented before glaring at Felix. "What in the name of the Goddess were you thinking listening to Sylvain on advice regarding that?!"
Ingrid continued. "You traumatized the poor girl-"
Felix has had enough, he didn't need the scolding at this moment, he badly needed real advice and solutions yet none of his friends were helping, they were only bringing him down and this prompted Felix to throw the glass mug that freshly served to him to the wall behind the counter, smashing it into many pieces as everyone became silent except for Claude who looked shocked.
"You're paying for that!" Claude said but Felix didn't care.
"I KNOW WHAT I DID ALRIGHT?!" Felix stood up, glaring angrily at Ingrid, Dimitri and most specifically Sylvain, who he focused his anger on. "I'm paying for what I've done and the least you idiots could do is to at least help me find a goddamn way to fix this!"
Felix sat back down on his seat. "And now, she's in the process of resigning because of what I did. She has been employed for months in our company, my father and brother like her and she did good by them and what did I do? I ruined it!" Felix ranted on, angrily clenching his fists together in a vain effort to quell the rage he felt.
Ingrid's eyes softened at her friend's dilemma, she could only bear an apologetic look.
"Felix… I'm sorry… you're right… we should be helping you."
The Fraldarius man merely growled before looking at Claude cleaning the mess he made, mopping the floor and wiping the wall clean of the beer that spilled all over when he threw his mug.
"Give me another one." Felix ordered but Claude was having none of it.
"I'll give you one when you settle this drama of yours first." Claude responded with an annoyed look, clearly not amused by Felix' actions.
Felix glared at Claude but made no further effort to respond, instead he just looked down on the counter.
"I know this is maybe a bit cliche but why not send her flowers?" Dimitri asked, looking over at Felix.
"Simple but effective, I like it." Sylvain remarked.
"Quiet Sylvain, you have no say in this." Ingrid said, shutting Sylvain down who just shrugged. "Why not just approach her and apologize? That can work."
"Too simple." Sylvain remarked again which earned him a glare from Ingrid.
"I told you, you have no say in this after this mess you help caused!" Ingrid admonished him in annoyance.
Felix merely groaned in frustration, putting his face on his hands, obviously stressed the hell out of his life over the past few days. He truly looked like a person who lost all sense of peace and purpose.
"Felix… I must ask." Dimitri noticed the deeply troubled expression of his childhood friend, Felix gave him a glance, his troubled eyes searching for an answer.
"Apologies in advance but why are you so keen on this girl? To even go out and ask advice from Sylvain and now to think of such a way to do right by her…" Felix knew what Dimitri was trying to imply and he was poised to answer when Hilda suddenly yawned loudly which took everyone's attention.
"You guys are so boooooriiiinggg in your suggestions!" Hilda commented while shaking her cocktail's glass.
Ingrid frowned at the Goneril jewelcrafter. "Excuse me but I don't think you have any business joining in this topic." She politely said but didn't bother hiding her annoyance at the pink haired woman, Ingrid even considered Hilda was already drunk.
Hilda didn't mind Ingrid's as she left her seat, bringing her drink along with her and sat herself on the empty stool to Felix' left.
"Do you want to make a huge impact? It could be risky but if this works… it could lead to a lot of possibilities." Hilda smirked at Felix, who looked desperate already.
Seeing the desperation and forlorn look in his eyes were indication that he was listening, Hilda continued as even the others became silent.
"But first, I want to ask you something because this information can boost your chances."
"What is it?"
"Well… I need to know this girl's-"
"Say Hilda, that might probably be the best idea you laid out since we've known you." Claude remarked, Hilda beamed with pride.
Felix looked determined, whatever Hilda had proposed to him as a strategy, he seemed to have put a great deal of faith in but Ingrid was worried. She couldn't help but feel worried for Felix' sake because of how desperate Felix was and she learned many times that feeling too emotional on something no matter how well planned it is could lead to some mistakes.
As a friend and her future brother-in-law, she worried over him. Felix wasn't known to them as someone who thinks things through clearly. He was the type to charge head on and devise things along the way, not the best approach as seen with his experience on this… girl that he had wronged.
As a future member of the Fraldarius family and genuinely caring for the family that she would be sharing with Glenn, if this backfired and if this girl filed legal action against him as Dimitri feared, it would be a blow to their image.
"Now that is out of the way…" Dimitri said, all eyes went on him as he stood up and grabbed Sylvain by the shoulders and gently pushed him to Felix. "You two know what to do."
"H-Hey, Dimitri? I don't think…"
Felix' hopeful expression fell and changed back to his usual scowl, the true usual scowl that he wore, not the one that was full of hate and anger he displayed earlier, something that relieved his friends at least.
Ingrid nodded in agreement, forgetting her thoughts and doubts on Hilda's proposed plan for Felix. "I agree. As we agreed during high school, whatever dispute and disagreement we four have… we must always settle it amicably. No fist fighting and no long-term grudges."
Felix stubbornly growled and tried to get back to his drink that Claude has now given to him only for Ingrid to pull him up from his seat and despite his resistance, he was pushed towards Sylvain, coming face to face with the red head.
There was silence between the two, Felix glared at Sylvain who started sweating nervously after coming face to face with his friend who badly wanted to beat him to an inch of his life earlier.
"Uh… hey Felix... " Sylvain said, scratching the back of his head.
Felix didn't say anything and kept his cold glare at him as their friends watched them, Claude and Hilda snickered.
"It's like I'm seeing two children forced to make up by their parents." Claude snickered in a hushed tone, something Hilda agreed with.
"It's kinda cute in a weird way." Hilda added. Dimitri and Ingrid shot both of them a glare before resuming in their watch for Sylvain and Felix' reconciliation.
Sylvain extended his right hand for the handshake that would bury any enmity they have for each other as per their agreement as friends, a pact between the four formed from their days in high school.
"Since we've managed to get it out of the way, let's call it quits eh, Felix?" Sylvain gave him one of his winks that tends to always annoy not just Felix but Ingrid as well.
"I'll do what I can as well to help you." Sylvain added as assurance.
'We'd rather you don't.' Ingrid, Dimitri and Felix thought.
"So… Can you forgive me?"
Felix looked down on Sylvain's right hand, he wasn't sure if he could forgive Sylvain for the damage he caused if Hilda's plan ever failed, he hesitated while raising his hand to accept the handshake. They all watched Felix' hesitance as the latter looked on to his right hand.
After a moment of contemplation, Felix sighed and leveled his hand to Sylvain's to take it, a sight which brought relief upon the faces of his friends only for Felix to clenched his left hand into a fist and punched Sylvain across the face with so much force that Sylvain toppled over to Dimitri who caught him in his fall.
"FELIX!" Ingrid exclaimed out in disapproval and anger at Felix for punching Sylvain to the face. Felix scoffed and went back to his seat and took a sip of his beer as Claude and Hilda's snicker turned to laughter at what just happened.
"Now, you're forgiven."
Felix scoffed amusingly as he drank while Sylvain is being helped up by both Ingrid and Dimitri.
9th day of the Harpstring Moon
Annette's recent days haven't been her best… they have been her worst ones in recent memory. Her performance at Fraldarius Corporation has hit rock bottom, she was one of the top performers at the team she is working in. She mostly finishes first without mistake and she would often help others in her free time if her workmates are having difficulty.
She was the model employee.
Now… what has she become? She's currently the worst performer in the team, often losing herself in the gloomy recesses of her thoughts. She finishes last with multiple unacceptable mistakes and it's the people who she helped at first who are helping her now with her job.
She was depressed.
A complete 180 of her situation. Annette felt bad not just for herself and self-esteem but also for Glenn and Rodrigue who both have expressed their disappointment over her performance followed by queries of worry from them, asking if she was alright to which she answers with a lie and fake smile.
A fake smile devoid of the emotions she usually feels when forming it with her lips. It felt degrading for her, she felt like… it wasn't her anymore that inhabits her body. It's someone else.
No matter, she will file her resignation letter to Rodrigue by tomorrow. She had considered the options and despite Fraldarius Corporation paying her well to support herself and her mother back in Fhirdiad, she couldn't endure the stress and her fear in working under Felix anymore. She held hope she can make do in other places, one of which is working in Gautier Tech. She felt bad leaving Rodrigue and Glenn after all they have done for her but this was a necessary step lest she drags them down with her as well.
But that's enough about her workplace for now, Annette needed to be happy today. She should at least grant herself such luxury for it was her birthday today. She left work early, having prior permission from Glenn to do so, Mercedes has prepared a small party for her to celebrate her birthday in her apartment.
She wanted to help her friend who also took a leave at work to prepare as well as pick up her mother from the station. Annette had longed to see her mother again after months of not seeing her due to her work, such a reunion would be enough as a birthday present for the Dominic girl.
Annette psyched herself up, she wouldn't let the thought of Felix and what he did to her bring her entire day down. Today was HER day! Her birthday! She should be happy! Ecstatic even!
But first things first, she was on her way to the nearby cafe she frequents in a mall near her workplace. She needed her dose of coffee, a frappe to be exact as she didn't have one earlier due to waking up late, another side effect of her depression.
She entered the cafe, Lunabucks, the world famous cafe brand with many branches spread across the world including Fodlan. Annette adored their selection of drinks and snacks there though her small excitement dwindled a bit when she saw the line of customers lining up for their orders.
Annette deeply sighed and lined up behind the last in line, near the glass display shelf where the various sweets and snacks are shown for the customers to indicate what was available. Annette already had her pick, croissants, she always felt such a connection with those particular types of bread.
For now, Annette had to wait patiently. She could opt to just go straight home but she needed her dose of caffeine with sweetness as well as some snacks to energize herself after another unproductive day and disappointment to herself.
Annette picked up her phone from her leather shoulder bag after feeling it vibrate. Unlocking the smartphone with her own code, she looked at the message she received and smiled.
"Picked up your mother from the station. We'll be on the way to your apartment, see you there Annie!"
Annette smiled at the message she got from her best friend before placing the phone back in her bag.
"Ugh… of all the days the chocolate truffle cake is not available!" The girl before Annette complained, tapping her right foot impatiently. "Looks like I'll have to settle with cheesecake for now."
It wasn't the complaint of the girl that took Annette by surprise, she could care less about the cake since she wanted the croissants but the voice… that familiar and distinguishable voice… and the impatient demeanor.
She looked at the girl before her, she wore a black and gray off shoulder top with violet color on the top part of the sleeves, she wore the same shade of violet as a long skirt but what caught her attention was her long and silky white hair with a beret adorning the top of it.
Annette swallowed, she knew this person. There was no mistake. Her mind and her heart kept repeating the name, the name of someone she would consider one of the most significant people in her life.
"Lysithea…?"
Upon uttering the name of her former college roommate, the girl jerked up as if recognizing the voice that called her out. Slowly, the girl turned around, her pinkish red eyes contrasting Annette's blue ones.
In unison, their eyes widened and their mouths agape at the sight of each other.
"Annette?"
That was the confirmation Annette needed and it didn't take long for the two to shriek out in joy which caught the attention of the customer and staff inside Lunabucks.
Annette took the initiative and wrapped her arms around Lysithea which the latter reciprocated, both tightly hugging each other before pulling away to regard one another.
"Oh my Goddess, Lysithea! It's been so long!"
"I know! Last we saw each other was during our graduation!" Lysithea responded with equal joy and excitement as Annette.
The people within the cafe went about their business soon as the two reunited friends began to catch up while waiting in line for their orders to be taken.
"I heard from Mercedes that you work at the nearby company in the city." Lysithea remarked, recalling a bit of her conversation with Mercedes days earlier when she visited the Garreg Mach branch of Ordelia Pastries. "Fraldarius Corporation, right?"
Annette tried her hardest to keep her smile intact at the mention of the workplace that she used to love working in and now have come to a decision to leave. She didn't want her reunion with her best friend and roommate in college to be spoiled from such a thing right now.
"Yes, I'm on my way home to celebrate-" Annette couldn't finish as Lysithea remembered what today was supposed to be for Annette.
Her pinkish red eyes widened. "I nearly forgot it's your birthday!" Lysithea exclaimed, nearly letting go of her white leather shoulder bag at the realization.
Annette smiled, scratching her cheek. "Y-Yes."
"Happy Birthday then!" Lysithea told her jovially but soon her mood fell for a bit. "I'm sorry I couldn't celebrate it with you, with our reunion and all…"
The Dominic girl shook her head, assuring the heiress of Ordelian Pastries that it's nothing to be sorry for.
"It's alright, Lysithea. Meeting you again after all these months is a gift upon itself." She grinned at her former roommate, grateful at fate for granting them an opportunity to meet again after they parted ways during graduation.
Lysithea gave her a thankful smile. "I feel the same but… why haven't you contacted me after graduation?" Lysithea formed a pout, crossing her arms and tapping her right foot.
"It's like I didn't exist in your life after we parted ways! I felt like I outlived my significance in your life!" Lysithea continued as Annette nervously laughed at her.
"Umm… well… I have a reason for that." A sweat dropped from Annette's brow as she could feel the long-bottled annoyance Lysithea had towards her. Lysithea cocked an eyebrow up in question, expecting a valid reason from her friend's sudden blackout of social contact.
Annette took out her phone, a phone Lysithea couldn't recognize as she knew what model Annette's phone was during their time together.
"I lost my phone shortly after we graduated while I was on the way back to Fhirdiad to stay with my mother for the time being." Annette explained. "I couldn't remember everyone's number so I kinda did lose contact."
"And social media accounts? Fehbook? Nagagram?" Lysithea inquired, still not convinced.
"You know I don't use social media often." Annette replied with a nervous chuckle.
Lysithea managed to chuckle beneath her pout. "Right, your eyes were always glued at the books back then while listening to music."
With a sigh, Lysithea let it slide and proceeded to whip out her phone from her bag and flashed it in front of Annette to show a set of numbers.
"Here's my number." She smiled, letting go of her half-serious pout.
After the two shared their numbers once again to stay in contact, the two began to chat on things that have happened recently. Annette obviously hid the problem that was plaguing her, vowing not to mention anything pertaining to it during her birthday.
"So Mercie was right! You were in Enbarr days ago!"
Lysithea nodded. "I was there to mostly check up on the branch and how it was doing, kind of a supervising role on every major branch we have around Fodlan but I also went there to visit my cousin, Edelgard."
"Wait, you wander every branch your family has around Fodlan?!" Annette exclaimed out in shock, covering her mouth. "That must be so tiring!"
Lysithea however, beamed in pride. "Hah! Quite the contrary, I enjoy it! Besides, transportation around Fodlan has become easy after the bullet trains were implemented so travel time wasn't time consuming." She then frowned. "What's exhausting are the incompetence of other branch managers that I have to personally come and whip them to shape!"
"That must be stressful…"
"You have no idea." Lysithea replied, Annette wanted to counter her statement with her own ordeal but decided against it. She didn't want Lysithea to worry about her.
Annette wanted to ask more on what Lysithea has been up to recently besides her job but it was cut short when the cashier called for her attention, it was Lysithea's turn to order and Annette held off any question until she too was finished ordering.
"I'm sorry miss, but we really don't have the chocolate truffle cake available now." The female cashier said with a sad look as Lysithea sighed. "A customer a while ago bought the only remaining whole cake we have available."
Lysithea sighed again, Annette observed she badly craved for the cake and she could at least understand why, despite Ordelia Pastries being one of the best providers of sweets in Fodlan, Lunabucks' chocolate truffle cake was still something they couldn't beat among all of the cafe's other sweets. Lysithea was still trying to decipher what made the cake so much better than what her family's shop can ever make in terms of chocolate cakes.
"I'll just get two slices of your cheesecake and two orders of your large Brigid Mocha Frappe." Lysithea decided and pulled out her wallet, giving the amount needed to pay for her order as Annette was left wondering.
"Two orders of each? I can understand the cake but the drinks? Coffee on top of that? You were more of a tea person as far as I could remember." Annette remarked, Lysithea flinched at the mention of her order, something that didn't get past Annette.
As her order is being processed, Lysithea looks down with a blush, looking at the ordering counter and unable to look at Annette.
"I am meeting with a… friend." Lysithea shyly said, her whole demeanor and body language changing and Annette could tell why.
She knew her friend was a terrible liar to begin with, Lysithea may have been the smartest student in Garreg Mach University but she was one of the worst liars that ever set foot in it. Annette could remember the last time Lysithea made a lie, it was during that time when a certain professor…
"Friend… huh? Do I know this friend?" Annette found herself having the urge to tease her former roommate, her habit of occasionally teasing Lysithea of something that would fluster her, returning.
She was met only by a hesitant and blushing face from Lysithea, indicating that her meeting with a friend is not just a hanging out… it seemed like a date. In all their time together, Annette could only think of one boy who Lysithea had spent time with during their days in the university, she remembered Lysithea tutoring him.
"Lysithea, could you be seeing-"
Then right on cue to save Lysithea, Annette's phone rang, interrupting their conversation just as it was Annette's turn to order as the cashier and Lysithea looked on as Annette answered the call, sighing as she saw the caller.
"Hello? Mr. Fraldarius? Yes… I'm still around the area… No, not really… Yes, I can make time if only for an hour… I see… I see… Oh no! Please don't apologise! I know how important this matter is for the company… I'll be on my way there soon."
Annette turned off the call, letting out a tired sigh as Lysithea looked to her with worry.
"Everything alright?" Lysithea asked her friend with a concerned frown.
"Urgent meeting in The Azure Moon with my bosses, they had some major concerns on something." Annette said with a tired voice as if her energy was sucked out by the prospect of having to think of work again just when she was about to enjoy her remaining time for the day.
Lysithea's concerned frown turned to one of disapproval.
"Honestly, you shouldn't even go! You were cleared to leave as you told me!" Lysithea expressed her disapproval with her reunion with Annette being cut short.
Annette merely gave Lysithea a sad smile. "Well, you know me." she joked.
Lysithea scoffed, she indeed knew her very well. Annette was too much of a hard-worker. A workaholic by definition. Not like she could talk as she knew she was like Annette in that regard.
"Yes, I know you. We have each other's numbers anyway so we can schedule a get together soon." Lysithea said with hope, looking forward to meeting Annette once more as the latter waved her farewells to Annette, apologizing for the time wasted on the cashier and to the next customer behind her as she ran to leave the cafe.
On her way out, she bumped into someone, a man wearing a black jacket, dark grey shirt and pants, Annette didn't take a look at the man's face and just uttered a quick apology as she ran to meet with Glenn at the restaurant he was in. The man she bumped into simply watched her leave, shifting his black framed glasses back to shape on his azure blue eyes, scratching the back of his head that was covered with teal green hair.
The man looked on as if recognizing Annette from somewhere before he shook his head and went inside the Lunabucks cafe.
Annette soon arrived at The Azure Moon restaurant, a high end fine dining restaurant part of a bistro group that consists of other high end restaurants of varying types. Annette didn't have any opportunity to dine with one of those restaurants yet, not like she could because of how pricey they are for her budget.
Nonetheless upon going to the front desk after entering the building, she was welcomed by the staff behind the table.
"H-Hello…" Annette said, catching her breath after she ran her way towards the restaurant in order to avoid wasting time. "I…. I… I'm looking for Mr. Fraldarius… he's expecting me?"
The staff blinked before checking on the list.
"Are you perhaps, Ms. Annette Fantine Dominic?" She asked her politely and with such professionalism.
Annette nodded, expecting the question and promptly handed her ID to the staff.
The staff briefly verified the ID before nodding in affirmation, giving Annette's ID back and gesturing to Annette to follow her.
"Right this way please."
As Annette followed the staff who led her to where Glenn and presumably Rodrigue is, she looked around at the high class restaurant that she had set foot in. Everything from the chandeliers, to the furniture, to the tableware, to the food that was being served and eaten by the establishment's diners. Annette couldn't imagine splurging her money in such a place, she exaggeratingly thought that her salary for the month would be gone if she ate her once. Annette couldn't waste her money over a luxury, she had important matters to spend her salary on.
After Annette followed front desk staff towards the second floor of The Azure Moon, she was led to the farthest area of the second floor which overlooked the central plaza of Garreg Mach. There was no one in sight on the table the staff led her to, who said her farewells to return to the front desk.
But what puzzled Annette the most is the table setting, there were only two chairs and there were no signs of Glenn or Rodrigue nor their briefcase or a bag that would probably contain a laptop or documents about something they urgently needed her assistance for.
Annette was so fixated on her thoughts that she didn't notice that person she was about to meet had arrived.
Though, it wasn't exactly the Mr. Fraldarius she was expecting.
"You're finally here."
Annette froze, her eyes glued on the empty plate and silverware on the table as a man with a familiar voice spoke to her. She knew she was meeting with one of the people she calls Mr. Fraldarius but she didn't expect THIS particular one to show up.
Her anxiety getting over her again, she mustered her courage to look up to see Felix looking at her but instead of the cold look ever present on his copper eyes, there was only… remorse in his eyes and shaking lips.
Fear began to take a hold of her entire being once more, she began to shake which wasn't unnoticed by Felix.
"W-W-Wha- W-Where's M-Mr. F-Fraldarius?" Annette stuttered uncontrollably.
Felix sighed, closing his eyes as if preparing himself for something he hasn't done in his life.
"He's not here nor will my father." Felix responded, trying to keep calm despite being alarmed by the distressed look on Annette.
Annette didn't say anything and just sat on her chair, unable to look Felix in the eye and just stared at the table once again, a table that was meant for the two of them. There were so many thoughts running across her mind but one that stood out was that Glenn lied to her and it seemed like he set this up between her and Felix, she couldn't help but feel something against Glenn.
"Ms. Dominic… I want to thank you first for coming here-"
"Please." Annette interrupted him, composing herself as she looked up to Felix with a mix of a frightened and angered look.
"Please don't pretend something didn't happen days ago." She told him as gently as she could but there was no mistaking she held something against him in her voice.
Felix sighed 'So much for being polite.' He thought as he was beginning to regret ever considering Hilda's advice which is what he is currently doing now. But he knew he had to try, Hilda's advice seemed better than anything Sylvain would ever give out anyway.
Steeling himself once again, Felix nodded.
"Ms. Dominic, I know why you have been feeling that way recently." Felix began, Annette didn't respond nor move, she just kept tugging on the hem of her skirt, wrinkling it as Felix went on.
"And I am responsible for why your performance has taken a turn for the worse."
Annette remained quiet but there was no mistake the inner turmoil she was feeling as the memories of how Felix harassed her came rushing down, memories she doesn't want to remember yet on her birthday of all days. She held back the tears, she didn't want to let the tears flow, she didn't want to show her tear-stained face to her mother and Mercedes later on, she had to keep herself together.
"You kept getting scolded by Glenn and my father for it yet I couldn't even tell them that I was the reason-"
"Is this why you tricked me into coming here? Because you were more concerned about my performance?" Annette suddenly spat, glaring at his eyes. Feeling incensed at the thought that Felix was merely concerned of her job, not what she was feeling.
"You even asked Mr. Fraldarius to lie to me."
Felix was taken aback by her words, he couldn't deny what Annette had just said. He had employed Glenn's help despite their previous altercation about her, he was forced to tell Glenn everything that had transpired and much to his surprise, Glenn was quite supportive of his plan but not before he scolded him for his rashness and stupidity, something Felix permitted because he knew he deserved such words.
"No, this is not what it's all about." Felix shook his head and looked at Annette's eyes who was still glaring at him but barely maintaining it, she was beginning to feel more sad than angry.
"Then why? Why lie just to get me here? What do you even want from me?" Annette questioned, she just wanted to leave Felix behind and try to salvage her birthday yet she found herself glued on her chair, she wanted to hear what her supervisor had to say before she leaves.
Felix clenched his fists beneath the table, it was now or never for him, this was his only chance to make it right.
"Ms. Dominic, I want to apologize to you for what I've done."
Annette simply huffed a puff of air from her nostrils, crossing her arms on her chest and looked away from him and towards the large window she could see the setting sun and the central plaza of the city, Felix could see the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes.
"I cannot go back and undo what I have done to you. Truth to be told, I didn't know how to properly ask someone outside of my friends and family, out with me. I wanted to know more about you but I didn't know how to approach you or anyone for that matter because all my life, people approached me and not the other way around." Felix began but Annette still refused to look at him.
"So I asked a friend of mine, a stupid mistake in my part. He had experience inviting people out and that's why I saw fit to ask him how to approach you." Felix added, he felt a shred of hope when Annette glanced at him with her eye.
"But I'm not putting the blame on him for this!" Felix quickly said, not wanting to give Annette a chance to point out that he was merely shifting the blame for his own misdeeds due to someone because in the end, he still decided to do it.
"I will not deny that I am still the fool who listened to his stupid and absurb advice. That much I will admit. I won't wash my hands on this, I have to take this responsibility and clean it up myself."
By now, Annette was looking at him, her eyes softening but still retaining a wary gaze at him, she didn't want to come off as easy and so allowed Felix to continue.
"I won't ask you to forgive me right away." Felix continued, placing his hands on the edges of the table and prostrated himself in front of Annette while sitting down on his chair, he bowed his head and body down, almost hitting his plate when he did so.
Annette was surprised by this action, she always thought that the Fraldarius men: Rodrigue, Glenn and Felix were all proud men, how they carried their pride varied but they never were the type to actually do such things that Felix is doing now. She felt almost touched on Felix' gesture.
"All I ask is a chance again. You don't have to forgive me now but a chance to prove myself is more than enough. It would mean a lot to me."
Annette covered her mouth with her hands after witnessing the sincerity of Felix' words and actions, she just regarded him for a moment as he prostrated himself before her.
"M-Mr. Fraldarius… I… you shouldn't do that t-to m-me… It's…"
"I want to hear what you would say, Annette." Felix called her by her first name for this first time. "Not what Ms. Dominic, the employee would say." He said, still not looking at her.
Annette regarded him again, her doubts of the sincerity of his apology dwindling every passing second. She was still apprehensive of what may come yet…
"Please, raise your head."
Felix looked up to see Annette flustered by his actions, he didn't know if she felt touched by his actions or was embarrassed by him, nonetheless he was relieved her glare was all but gone though her wary gaze remained.
"I-If you want to truly make up for what happened then at least give me the respect I deserve next time..." Annette laid out her 'terms', she wanted to make it clear to Felix that if she'll ever give him a chance, he should at least honor the basic terms she would give him.
"I may be working under your family's company but I'm still a human being, I can't just be treated like t-that…" Annette didn't want to say it out directly but Felix understood her point.
Felix closed his eyes, reminding himself of what he did to her again. He nodded with guilt on his face.
"I know, and it was not my intention to make you feel lesser than that. I'm sorry." Felix apologized once more. "I'll do anything in my power to make it right-"
Annette interrupted him by flailing her hands forward. "No, please. I don't need such grand gestures Mr. Fraldarius... I just need reassurance and time..." She said, feeling embarrassed for Felix' sake on what he's doing.
Felix blinked before he found himself chuckling, something that Annette took offense with, thinking he was chuckling at himself for being victorious in getting her to accept his apology until Felix explained himself upon seeing the indignant look on Annette's face.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself…" Felix said, composing himself. "I guess ordering dinner for us is considered a grand gesture...?"
Before Annette could say anything, they were approached by three waiters, each carrying platters covered with a cloche except for the third one. The first two waiters served Felix and Annette their own platters, placing it above their respective empty plates.
They then removed the metallic cloche away to flood Annette's nose with the mouth watering and delectable aroma of perfectly grilled steak with an all so attractive grilled lines adorning the salt and pepper crusted top, it was served with a side of mashed potatoes with hints of cheese on it as well as green string beans that smelled of butter as well as sticks of carrots.
Annette's mouth watered at the food she was served with but what took her attention was what the third waiter placed in between their platter of steak.
It was a slice of strawberry shortcake that looked like it was made with extreme precision, looking so well in place and looking so flawlessly appetizing, on top of the shortcake near the strawberry was a single lighted candle.
"You've been craving for these when we first met so I thought it was appropriate." Felix smiled as Annette looked on in shock at the cake and the steak.
Before Annette could say anything on the matter, Felix spoke once more.
"Happy Birthday, Ms. Dominic."
Annette gasped and looked at Felix, shocked.
"H-How did y-you know?"
Felix scoffed softly. "I had to view your file in the HR department and…"
"And?"
"I had to ask your friend, Mercedes for help."
Annette's eyes widened. "M-Mercie? You roped her into this?"
Felix nodded, not sure if Annette appreciated him involving Mercedes on this matter but nonetheless, what's done is done.
"She was angry at me, believe me and I took an earful from her. It took a while to convince her… but in the end she agreed. She gave me some advice and how you want your steak cooked and made…"
Annette couldn't help but feel more flustered on how far Felix thought of this and how he was willing to truly make up for what he did, she was still feeling reserved towards him but any form of fear she once held was gone. For the first time since their meeting, she felt… warm towards Felix and she couldn't pinpoint why.
"Don't worry, she's aware you might be delayed for a short moment." Felix reassured her, having been aware of how Annette planned to spend her birthday thanks to Mercedes, who despite all odds, accepted his request for aid.
"Now, let's not waste time anymore and eat." Felix invited as he took his fork and steak knife.
Annette was still in shock at what she was being treated, she slowly took her own fork and steak knife. She then cut a small slice of the steak, cutting it easily due to how tender the meat is and the sharpness of the knife, it felt like she was cutting through butter with a hot knife, the pinkish meat within didn't help as her mouth watered.
Unable to resist the delectable meal before her, she took a bite of the meat.
Suffice to say, she nearly screamed from what she just tasted. As for Felix, the face Annette made as she ate her food was a reward upon itself.
After the two ate in relative silence with Annette mostly commenting on how good the meal was, she kept repeating how it was the best piece of meat she has ever eaten and the cake… she couldn't help but squeal at how good it was. In her excitement and joy in eating the slice of cake, she asked Felix if he wanted to share much to Felix' surprise and quick rejection, citing his dislike for sweets.
Upon finishing their meal, Annette wanted to excuse herself to go home only for Felix to offer her a ride home with his car. Annette hesitated for a bit, thinking it would be too much for one of her bosses to drive her home but Felix insisted, he told her to consider it as part of his apology for making an abrupt change in her plans for her birthday.
"We're here." Felix announced as he stopped his light blue painted SUV on a big apartment building protected by stone walls and a steel gate on the urban area of Garreg Mach.
Felix and Annette exited the car. The former just stood, placing his hands on his pocket as Annette checked if she hadn't forgotten anything in Felix' car.
"It's almost 7pm, I do hope I didn't keep you away from your friend." Felix said, his eyes scanning the modest apartment building, trying to pinpoint where Annette resides.
Annette shook her head. "If Mercie agreed to it, she'll understand. I can't say the same for my mother though…"
Felix raised an eyebrow. "Your mother?"
"Yes, she came from Fhirdiad. Mercie picked her up earlier." Annette affirmed, looking up at the second floor, it was obvious in Felix' eyes that she was ecstatic to see her mother again. Something that filled him with the feeling of envy.
"Mr. Fraldarius? Is something wrong?" Annette asked when she saw the look on Felix' face.
Felix snapped out of whatever he was thinking or feeling. "Nothing… I just remembered something." He reasoned but Annette felt there was something off.
"So…"
"Umm…"
"I think I took a lot of your time already. I'll go then." Felix said, giving Annette a nod. "Happy Birthday once more, Ms. Dominic. Enjoy your time."
With those words, Felix went on to open the door to the driver's seat of his car as Annette watched on. Annette felt like she had to say something, that at least she had to say…
"Umm… Mr. Fraldarius!" She called out.
Felix was already getting in when she called him, he looked at her with questioning eyes.
"Yes?"
"Umm… Thank you again for the meal and…" Annette looked at the ground, collecting herself. "And please have a safe trip home… F-Felix!" Annette then opened the steel gate leading into the apartment building and went to the stairwell, running up as she rushed inside her apartment space.
As for Felix, he was frozen on his spot, watching Annette get inside her apartment space. It took a while for things to properly register in his mind.
What did she just call him? He didn't want to think much about it, she might have called him by his first name to prevent any confusion on addressing him, Glenn and Rodrigue yet… she did so in her OWN VOLITION instead of being ordered by him to do so, something Glenn would always tell Annette when he and Rodrigue are in one space.
As everything registered, Felix couldn't help but chuckle at the development that has happened between them since they were at The Azure Moon. For the first time in days, Felix felt… light… happy even… and all could be attributed to-
"Happy Birthday, Annette." Felix breathed out as his right hand laid on top of his chest, he wished Annette was still in front of him when he said that, wanting to pay her back for calling him by his name.
With a soft scoff, Felix entered his car and drove off in high spirits just as Annette also felt as she celebrated the rest of the night with Mercedes and being reunited with her mother.
I must admit, it took me a while to finish this due to the recent events in my life. Work has been busy ever since I returned from my trip in Japan then this coronavirus made things worse and I hope everyone who is reading this is okay! Keep safe and always be cautious going out!
I hoped the reconciliation part wasn't rushed or anything. I didn't want to prolong the drama any further as this story is meant to be more lighthearted than any I have written, dragging it out seems like a wrong move if I did so. Also, if you're reading this... I made a nod/reference to you, Kroissant!
Now, I must return to updating Last Scion regularly.
Reviews are very much appreciated! Thank you!