A/N: Here's chapter 6 - at last. Sorry for the long wait. I was kind of busy with school and all... Any way, thank you sooooooooooo much for all the reviews. I really, truly appreciate them. I hope you enjoy this. Please reviewafter you read it. I wanna know what you think. :-)
Chapter 6:
The teahouse was a pretty simple one. I felt glad that Vivian did not take us to one of those fancy dining places. I felt truly out of place already with myplain clothes. At least I was wearing something pretty decent that day. I stared at the utensils in front of me. Fortunately, I still remembered my table manners.It's been such a long time since I've applied these things. I could barely remember the times when mytutor used to painstakinglyplant to my brain the differencesbetween this spoon and that, this bowl and that. A maître d' came to take our orders soon. I ordered the thing, which seemed most appealing to me – chocolate cake. Moments later, we were served. Trudy and Vivian had salads; they were on diet. The prince had a huge slice of cheesecake. A couldn't help but tilt the corners of my mouth upwards as the waiter served me my chocolate cake. It looked so good. I noticed Trudy staring. I felt thankful for the company, if not for James, I was so sure that Trudy would have grabbed my cake. I cut a slice and placed it into my mouth. It tasted even better than I imagined it to be.
As soon as we finished our meal, we exited the teahouse and Vivian asked for the carriage. However, moments later, I was ordered to return inside to retrieve Trudy's purse which she left on her chair.
"I'll go with you," said the prince as he broke away from Trudy's clasp, "I er, have to… go to the washroom to… er wash my hands."
We all looked at him quizzically.
"Erm…" he said uncomfortably as he began followed me, "I forgot to wash my hands. I have to wach my hand. And I... ah...ah... always wash my hands."
"Why don't we all go back in?" suggested Vivian as she made a move to follow us.
"That," interjected the prince, "won't be necessary. Besides, the carriage might arrive any time."
"All right then," said Vivian, finally agreeing.
We both made our way inside while Vivian and Trudy watched us suspiciously. As soon as we were out of earshot, James spoke.
"So, have you received the invitation yet?" he asked me.
"Yes," I replied. "Vivian and Trudy were shopping for clothes."
"So does that mean you're all going?" he asked, with a hint of something, which I perceive as hope.
"Well, yes," I answered slowly, "Vivian and Trudy shall go."
"And you will also go with them?" he persisted.
"I can't," I replied reaching for Trudy's purse, which lay on the chair she occupied a few moments ago.
"Why?" he persisted further.
"I just can't," I said again.
"There must be a reason," he insisted.
"All right," I said finally assenting. "I can't go because I have nothing to wear," I said in a small voice.
"Well, does that mean that if you can acquire something to wear, you would go?" he asked.
"Maybe," I replied, "but I don't think Vivian would give me permission anyway."
"Well then, I could," he said but came to a stop as we both turned sharply at the sound of Vivian's voice.
"There you are," Vivian said, "You were so long that we began to worry. I hope everything is all right."
"Of course," said James. "We were actually on our way back."
"Here's you purse," I said meekly as I handed Trudy her purse. Trudy took it glaring subtly at me.
"Shall we go now?" said the prince as Vivian and Trudy nodded and followed his lead to the door.
The carriage was already waiting when we exitted. We hopped in and watched the shrinking appearance of the waving James as the carriage pulled away.
As soon as we arrived at Dwight Manor, Vivian and Trudy ordered me to unpack their purchases and proceeded to their rooms saying they were tired.
I first went to my own room to change and then went to the room of Trudy to unpack her things. Trudy was not in her room when I arrived. I unpacked as briskly as I can; I had a lot to do. Trudy and Vivian are very fussy. They want their things arranged in a particular way.
Trudy wants hers arranged according to color. Vivian wants hers arranged according to material.
I took a gown and gingerly removed it from its box. I sighed. I so wanted to go to the ball... but I have nothing to wear.
I shrugged. Maybe I just won't go.
Moments later, I finally unpacked the last of Trudy's purchases and proceeded to Vivian's room. I entered Vivian's room to find Vivian and Trudy sitting by the coffee table.
"Speaking of the devil, here she is," I heard Trudy utter.
"You forgot to knock," Vivian said.
"Oh, sorry," I said, sighing discreetly. "I didn't know anyone was inside. I came here to unpack the things you bought."
"Excuses, excuses," Vivian said, rolling her eyes, "That's why you never learn."
I nodded my head and said nothing. I was not in the mood for a fight… or worse, a punishment.
"What's up with you and the prince?" snapped Trudy.
"Nothing," I said, a little surprised as I hanged the gowns I had already removed from the boxes moments ago. Where could she have gotten that idea?
"Stop that," ordered Vivian as she watched me with eagle eyes, "You will pay attention while we are talking to you. Stand properly."
I stood properly. Uh-oh… I see punishments coming…
"What did the prince want to tell you awhile ago?" questioned Trudy. I wanted to snap at her and tell her that it's none of her business but I kept my mouth shut.
"Nothing," I said feigning innocence. I hoped I was doing a good job. If Vivian or Trudy finds out that the prince is interested whether I'm coming to the ball to not they surely will be breathing fire. Smoke would come out of their ears and they'd turn into fire breathing, flesh eating dragon...
"It better be nothing," said Vivian as she glared at me threateningly. "Well, hurry up with that. And by the way, no supper for you tonight."
I hurriedly unpacked her clothes and left.
I unloaded the basket of groceries on the table and wiped the sweat off my face. The market was warmer than average today. I got myself a glass and poured some water into it. Courage hopefully looked at me. I laughed and filled feeding bowl with water.
"So you do feel the heat," I teased him as he contentedly lapped the water.
Just then, Greda entered the kitchen. "There you are," she said then paused to look around. Satisfied, she continued, this time a little softly, "A package arrived for you awhile ago. I hid it in your room. I don't think you should let Vivian or Trudy see it."
Suddenly Faride entered the kitchen and Greda stopped short.
"Finally," Faride said as she pointed to the vegetables waiting to be cooked, "hurry up with those." With that she briskly walked away.
"From whom was it?" I asked her eagerly after making sure that not a soul could hear us.
"I'm not sure, my Dear," she said mysteriously, "But it was pretty big. Why don't you go see for yourself later? Remember to lock the door when you do."
I smiled as I handed her a knife. What could be inside that package? And who was it from?
To avoid suspicion, I didn't dare look at my package till it was time to go to bed. When the day finally crawled away and my chores were finally finished, I took a quick bath and hurried to my room and locked the door. True enough, I big box lay on my bed. I wonder how Greda got it in here. I approached and lifted the box, expecting it to weigh a ton. Why, it's light as feather!
I gingerly opened it and inside was the most beautiful gown I've ever seen. I carefully lifted and tried it on. Its fabric fitted me perfectly. The blue and green cloth shimmered and glittered under the dim light of the lamp. Imagine how it must look like in bright light.
I noticed a note with it. It read:
Now that you have a gown, can I expect you at the ball?
-James
P.S.- Save me a dance
I smiled. Now I have a gown all right,a reallygood gown.
I really wanted to go to this ball. If I plan carefully, I knew that there must be a way. I walked a few steps, stooping a little to prevent myself from bumping the ceiling of the room. I could only walk a few steps but the gown was no doubt beautiful. However, the effect was ruined by my bare foot sticking out from the hem of the gown.
Oh, crap. I forgot about the shoes. What do I do with the shoes? I wondered. I can't keep my feet out of sight throughout the ball. There must be a pair of shoes with this.
I stooped a little to search the box. Empty, the box was empty. He also forgot the shoes.
I scratched my head. Trudy? No, her foot is bigger than mine. I'd end up holding the shoes instead of wearing it.
I stared hard on the wall for a while, drawing inspiration from its peeling paint. My eyes spied something sticking out from under my bed.
I bent over and scooped it. It was the shoes, which the lady gave me. Coincidence? I didn't really care. I was just glad that I now have a gown and a pair of shoes. Too bad for Trudy and Vivian, I guesstheywon't be able topreventme from going this time…
I placed it back into the bag and hid it into the crack.
The Ball, which Trudy, had been awaiting for so much finally arrived. All through out the day, she asked me to "help" her prepare. However, I did mostly everything, from putting on her socks to feeding her with the occasional spoonfuls of food that she asks me to prepare. Vivian told her not to eat to avoid messing up her gown. But she asked me to feed her anyway.
Greda was assisting Vivian. I couldn't decide on whom between the two of us is more unfortunate. I kept on hearing Vivian shout orders to Greda between Trudy's commands of either putting more food into her mouth or complaining that something was either too tight or loose. In fact I kept on readjusting that I had to re-stitch the back of Trudy's gown twice because it got torn. But then again, it's probably because she ate too much and gained a couple of pounds, maybe more…
After hours of laborious preparations, I finally got Trudy ready. Greda was not yet through with Vivian. As I passed by her room, I heard Greda call for me.
"Claire," she called, "come here, we need a little help."
I entered Vivian's room. It was in such a disarray. There were clothesof every form every where. And I mean everywhere. I actually saw a bright neon pink material sticking out of her purse. Is she like planning to change in the ball or something?
On the center of the room, Vivian and Greda was wrestling with a gown. Vivian appeared to be stuck.
"What are you waiting for?" Vivian barked, "Make yourself useful and help us?"
I approached them. "Pull as hard as you can," Greda instructed, "On the count of three. One, two, three." I yanked the gown as hard as I could. And believe me, with all the hauling and working I have to do for Vivian, I was strong. But the gown moved not an inch. We tried pulling downword. It still did not work. No matter what direction we try,our effortsended up in vain. Vivian was truly stuck.
I made a mental note never to by clothes which are not really my appropriate size, less I end up like Vivian.
We ended up cutting her gown off her. I took the remains of her no doubt very expensive gown while Greda helped her into another gown. I left her room with the destroyed gown.
As I passed by my room, Iheard movement inside. Oh no, my gown.
I dropped my load and found Trudy inside holding up the gown James gave me.
"Give that back to me," I cried, trying to grab it. But Trudy was too quick for me. She took the oil lamp beside my bed. I watched in horror as the flames licked at my gown. I tried to put it out but by the time the flames finally died, the was an ugly hole in front.
"No," I whimpered as Trudy turned her high heeled shoes.
I can't believe Vivian won again... And then... I cried. I haven't cried in such a long, long time and it felt pretty weird. But the tears continued to fall silently. At least no one can see me.
A knock startled me a few moments later.
"Claire," I heard Greda's voice say, "Vivian wants to see you."
"Coming," I replied as I hastily wiped away the tears. I wouldn't let Vivian or Trudy see me crying. I would figure out a way. I would sneak into the ball tonight, I would come up with something.
I opened to small door of my room and went to the gate. Vivian and Trudy were already in the carraige.
"Now that we have taken care of your gown, I hope that you have finally given up," Vivian said smugly through her window. I kept my expression blank and just stared at her. I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of seeing me miserable. She appeared frustrated upon receiving such a reaction. "I want the entire ballroom and kitchen scrubbed by the time we arrive so don't even think about leaving the house."
She turned to the horseman, "Let's go."
I stared at the departing carraige and then turned away. As I walked into the kitchen, Greda approached me, "I saw your what Trudy did to your gown, I'm sorry." She hugged me.
"Yeah," I said gloomily, "Thanks, I guess."
Suddenly I had an idea. The hole was not very big. I mean, yes, it was really prominent and ugly but it was not really very big. I wonder if the dressmakers can do something about it...
A plan begun to form in my head. It was still pretty early. If I hurry, I might still make it to the dressmaker's shop, have my gown repaired or something and then head straight to the ball. If I get back by midnight, I might even be able to finish the chores Vivian gave me. And she would never even know about it...
I excitedly told Greda about my plan. She smiled, saying, "Well, hurry up. A ball awaits you."
I beamed and got my gown. I hurriedly went for the door. Courage, thinking he was going out with me, excitedly trotted behind me.
"Sorry boy," I said as I turned to close the door, "You can't come with me today. Maybe next time."
With that, I departed Dwight Manor and headed to the dressmaker's.
Why am I doing this? The question popped into my head. I had no idea where it came from. I thought for a while as I half walked, half jogged. And I soon realized that I had no answer to that particular question...