Yeah, I like to built suspense. After the lame little chapter, it should start getting good. I've gotten more readers, and I am so excited! Thank you so much for reviewing. They are what keep me going!
It had been almost a week since Esmeralda gave the royal guard the slip again. Ever since it seemed the whole city was to be stripped until she was found. It seemed no other criminal or disaster mattered until the gypsy was in custody. The idea of obsessing of one girl some what annoyed Celeste. She was still some what upset with her father for his cruelty recently. Fir her revenge, all she could do was hope that Esmeralda was never found.
The days were not getting any warmer. It anything, Paris seemed colder as the winter progressed. Astor was gone most of the time, so Celeste got to stay at home and play with her cherished sister. With the absence of her father and the lack of events after having so much happen so fast, things seemed somewhat normal. Celeste felt content, and she liked that. But the fact that for the first time in her life she found herself prickly toward her father, the only man she ever respected, was eating her up. It seemed life was not getting much better.
On a some what clearer day, Celeste chose to go into the town square with her two friends, Gabriella and Marquel. It had been a while since all three got to spend time together since Marquel had been at the docks learning his family trade, but they finally decided to cease an opportunity when he wasn't working.
As usual, Marquel and Celeste waited for a late Gabriella. "That girl's sense of timing is the worst. She'll be late to her own funeral." Celeste said fifteen minutes after they're decided rendezvous time.
"Yes, the suspense is quite torturous."
"Suspense isn't the word I was looking for. However I am confident her high pitched scream will come before she makes a physical appearance."
"She has been like that since we were children. It's rather adorable." Celeste wanted to stop talking about Gabriella if Marquel was going to react that way. Seeing him look hopefully in the direction of her home made Celeste just look down to avoid that blissful face of his.
"Marquel! Celeste!" As predicted, before the shinning blonde squeezed her way threw the crowd, her high excited voice called to her friends. She embraced Marquel in a huge jumping hug. "Sorry I'm late."
"You always are." Celeste said.
"It's okay, as long as you are here now." She smiled and hugged him tighter.
"Alright, now that we are all here, let us go, before the crowd steps on us."
They all enjoyed walking around the harbor for the day. Most of the time they kept themselves amused by reliving childhood memories and throwing stones in the river. The walk around the square was just as fun. Celeste loved spending this time with her friends, even if the two could get annoying.
A cart of gypsy jewelry was open, and Gabriella insisted on taking a look. While she gawked at the shinning stones with Marquel the respond to her Celeste noticed fresh new apples out for sale. She only had one franc with her and figured she could buy an apple for her sister. "Friends, I'll be over here for a moment purchasing some goods. I'll return in a bit."
"Certainly." Marquel seemed to be the only one that heard her.
Celeste gave the seller her coin and thanked her. She placed the apple in the pocket of her apron and turned around to head back to the front of the square.
"Bonjour mademoiselle." A familiar voice greeted her. Next to her had appeared the gypsy king, Clopin. Celeste was amazed she even remembered his name, but even more amazed he would approach her like this in public. He was dressed in rags and held a cane, no doubt for earning sympathy and earning money. But even underneath was awful garments, his strong frame and handsome face could no be denied. "It has been so long. Have you missed me?"
"You...that gypsy..." Her shock enabled her to speak.
"Come now, I told you my name, use it. Unless you have forgotten. It has been awhile. Maybe I need to reintroduce myself."
"It would be better if you remained forgotten you royal beggar. Why must you keep fallowing me?"
"Fallow dear? Not at all. I like to think its fate."
"I like to think it's a curse. Now leave me be gypsy"
"Clopin madam, Clopin. That is my name. Even though I still do not know what to address you as."
"Never would I let you call me by name..."
"Celeste!" She felt her heart sink at the sound of that high excited voice. From behind her Gabriella was racing for her dragging Marquel behind her. "Celeste Orvelle! We have been looking for you!" Her cheery smile blinded her from the fact Celeste was glaring intensely at her.
"Celeste is it? What a nice name. To bad I must take my leave now, and after we were so getting to know each other. Pity isn't it? Well, at least I can say my farewells properly. Good day my dear Celeste, and until next time." Before she could snap back at him, the gypsy Clopin had danced off, most likely back to his begging.
"A friend of yours Celeste?" Marquel asked suspiciously. Celeste had no idea what the best answer would be.
"An acquaintance, yes. I was just so shocked; it had been such a long time since I'd seen him. No matter. I fear I must be getting home now."
"Us too. I had a wonderful time with you both today."
"Me too! We should do this more often." Gabriella said.
"Agreed. Well, farewell friends!" Celeste waved to them, and headed back towards home, with only that fool, Clopin, on her angry mind.
That evening was the first her father was able to dine with them in a long time. The three women had made all his favorites to celebrate. The majority of the meal was him ranting on about the search of the gypsy girl. Celeste had now become fascinated with the clever girl. She was like a town legend, an idol figure not to take examples from, but still she could not get rid of the image.
"Anyhow, enough about the witch." Astor wiped his mouth with his cloth. "In two day time, Antoine and his wife will be having a dinner party that we are to attend. So do prepare your best dresses. I would especially like you to meet his son Celeste. He is only two year older than you, and I hear quite an educated gentlemen. He has a fine future in the banking business. And handsome too."
"How nice." Rosabell commented.
"He sound wonderful father. I'd be delighted to meet him."
"Yes, it would to you well to see sophisticated men child. With you fast maturity, it is high time you take serious thought to marriage."
Her fork clattered onto the plate. Marriage? Is that what this was about? Giving his daughter away? Celeste had no idea. And now, she was opposed to meeting this said gentleman.
"Sis, you alright?" Ninette asked looking up at her.
"Oh, fine Ninette dear. Just slipped through my fingers." She attempted a chuckle. "Not my best elegance." Ninette beamed up at her to cheer her up. But this still did not cast out the grim thought of settling down with some man only her father liked. Celeste wished not to think about it now. It seemed like too much at once.
After cleaning up everyone went to bed. Celeste was still pensive about the matter brought up at dinner. She only lay on her bed staring at the ceiling, not even bothering to change into her nightgown. How could her father be doing this to her? None of it seemed fair. Even more strange, Celeste managed to be angry at her father, and still be thinking about the reoccurring gypsy at the same time. Neither thought was pleasant. For some reason she kept thinking of the so called gentlemen of Antoine's as an annoying fool like Clopin. The two thoughts mixing together where not helping her cope.
The urge to leave her house had filled her again like the night her father threw out her men's clothes. Without a second thought, she jumped from her coat without even grabbing her cloak and walked down the stairs to the familiar dark streets. She just wanted to return to her safe haven, between this harsh reality and the unreal towers of Notre Dame.
Sorry its so short. I just really wanted to get another chapter out, and fast so I can write the good stuff. Hope you arent too upset.