Chapter 10

"I don't want to go! Call Émelie to call his whole dumb party off," cried Scarlet from upstairs. Her best friends had left hours ago and promised to meet at the event.

Ze've had already been ready some hours ago. He dressed in a white button up shirt, a black blazer, nice trousers that matched and fitted leather shoes. Émelie had gotten his measurements a week ago and although it was tailored, Ze've would've preferred a looser fit. His chest and shoulders appeared too broad. He looked in the mirror practicing hunching inwards to look smaller, but he somehow looked more menacing. "Just come down already." He looked at the clock, they'd be late.

She appeared in a simple black dress that reached her knees and short strappy gold heels. Her curls were combed out to appear wavy and she applied thin eyeliner and neutral makeup. She resembled an old Hollywood film star. His jaw fell when he saw her, he couldn't take his eyes away from her as she walked down the stairs. "My brightest star…" He said in a low voice.

She smiled, the way he looked at her made her blush. "Well, you don't look too bad yourself." She put a hand behind his head playing with his hair and the other hand on his face, her thumb caressing his cheek.

"Scarlet, I want to give you something," He gently pushed her off, taking out a baby blue box wrapped around black ribbons.

Confused and surprised, she took it. Its size fit half her hand. She unwrapped it and opened the delicate box to reveal a gold dainty necklace. In the middle was a bright green emerald stone, the same green that first attracted her to him the night they met.

She looked at him with a surprised look on her face, "Why? How?"

He smiled and darted his eyes downwards while opening and closing his fists, "Émelie helped me pick it out…"

She hugged him, "You know you don't have to get me any gifts, despite what Émelie says!" Scarlet couldn't even remember the last time she coveted jewelry.

He sat on the couch, putting himself at eye level with her. "Scarlet…it was my idea." He took the necklace from her and opened the chain to put it around her neck. "I've been so happy here. You've made me feel like I belong. The farm, the animals, the kids, your friends…" She could feel his fast pulse beating on his wrist while it touched her neck. "I wanted to offer you something in return. It's nothing comparable, I know- but I just want you to know that I am thankful. My heart, my body, my soul continues to belong to you."

Now it was her who was trembling. "Ze've…"

"Do you like it?" She turned around, both facing the mirror. The gold clashed so well on her skin and the emerald shined brilliantly highlighting her red hair. She now knew why women and men slaved tirelessly to own these. She felt beautiful. She looked at the stone before looking into his eyes, the green matching. She draped the necklace with her fingertips. "I love it."

He swooped her up and carried her as they kissed.

The celebration took place at the town square next to a large church. The city's architects made sure to keep the city quaint by not modernizing the city's design, sticking to brick, cobblestone, and wood. It was completely different since Scarlet saw it last. It wasn't the grimy, provincial town in the middle of nowhere this night- there were lamp-posts everywhere, new plants and trees that clashed well against the orange and stones, new cafés, and renovated homes. She wondered if all these changes happened because of her and the attention the media was giving her worldwide.

There were hundreds of people sipping out of flutes and wine glasses gathered around bar tables covered in white linen while androids walked around offering finger foods and more drinks.

Scarlet parked the hover behind some buildings where they promised to meet their neighbors and friends who offered morale support. Scarlet's girl gang were there, dressed classy and formal. Nadine and her husband were there too behind their children jumping up and down in excitement waiting for Scarlet and Ze've to get down. There was also a man there two hadn't met.

They all exchanged kisses and greeting before the man and Nadine approached them. "Scarlet, Ze've…" she said, "This is the Mayor, my brother Don Thomas."

Don extended his hand, "I can't thank you enough for saving my family." The mayor looked at Ze've with so much gratitude there were tears welling up in his eyes.

Ze've shook it, following by Scarlet. "I wanted to throw this celebration for our star," Don looked at Scarlet, "but now I honor you two as truly our heroes."

The mayor gave a touching speech and awarded them sashes. Émelie gave them bouquets of flowers. Afterwards some people (if they had reserved in time with Émelie) had a chance to speak to them.

A group of around 10 tween and teen girls and boys came up first giggling and smiling. They ignored Scarlet and surrounded Ze've. Both Scarlet and Ze've were surprised. "H-hello, we are your biggest fans..." The first girl had a hard time containing herself, so the second one spoke in her place, "We loved watching you on the netscreens." A third girl stepped in, "Your devotion to protect the one you love is just so...mesmerizing." The girl giggled. "I hope I can find someone who looks at me that way!"

Ze've Kesley looked at Scarlet, his eyes pleaded for answers and help from Scarlet's part. Never in his life was he ever prepared for this. She shrugged and smiled, feeling a sense of pride in the fact he was all hers. 'belongs to you...'

"Would you please sign our comics?" 3 little boys walked up to Scarlet, holding up their tablets that had a comic cover titled "Adventures board the Rampion". She had never seen these before- how did they get the permission to use her for a story? She took the tablet to take a closer look. In the middle, Carswell Thorne was looking valiant holding the flag of the Commonwealth on what appeared to be Luna. A blonde girl who she assumed was Cress was dressed in rags held him as if he was her savior. "Thought so" Scarlet muttered scrolling to see the contents of the comics. Ze've was drawn to look menacing and more like a Wolf- in fact, the comics gave him a tail. Scarlet rolled her eyes. In the same page, she saw herself drawn. She looked like a Marvel superheroine with a black leather suit and a red cape holding a riffle. 'Well, I don't look too bad,' she approved thinking she'd have to remember to download the series when she got home.

"Here kid," She returned the tablet. "To the rest of you, fall in line over there." She pointed to Ze've who now had a group of over 20 admirers of different ages. All curious about his valiance, romance, and his history. Usually he was very shy, but she thought at that moment he was handling it alright.

Needing a break, Scarlet squirmed her way out of the crowd and hopped her way behind large shrubs and watched the scene from behind them.

"Guess handguns are no longer a trendy accessory," The sound of a familiar voice crept up her spine. She clenched her fists and shut her eyes, hoping she was just imagining things. "Or maybe having a personal attack dog is a securer way to get what you want…" Scarlet could hear a group of men snickering.

This time Scarlet turned around to face him. To someone who didn't know him at all, they'd say he was just as handsome- if not more dressed in a somewhat formal fashion and a boxed military style jacket. To Scarlet- Célestin Leroux was just as disgusting as he was when she first picked him up on their first date.

"I heard the police thought he was the monster when they came to the Lang's home last week," Another man behind Célestin said. This was followed by laughter.

"Do you take him to the doctor or the vet when he gets sick?" Another man added. Scarlet recognized him to be the police officer who laughed in her face when she demanded investigation for her grandmother's disappearance.

Her blood was boiling, but she tried to keep composure. Not reacting, not reacting.

Célestin nodded to the men behind him, shooing them off so he could be alone with her. He looked at Ze've again, "Wow my darling, you are so much kinkier than I thought."

She could feel her own fingernails dig into her palms. "More kinkier than the bullshit story you told everyone before you left for Germany?"

He didn't break stare, his blue eyes were twinkling. "You made an impression on me Scarlet. I was crazy about you and I wanted to claim you before any silly boys could even think about pursuing you."

Her stomach curdled, she could've thrown up.

"Look- I was 18, young, and stupid," He threw his hands up as if he surrendering, "I've changed now and I apologize if I caused you any dismay."

She eyed him suspiciously, not believing a word of it. "And how exactly have you changed?"

"I am a working professional now," He smiled.

"Let me guess. Illegal weapons dealer? Drug smuggler?" Everything inside of her wanted to end the conversation, but there was no escape.

"Bounty hunter." He straightened his posture, dusting his shoulders with the tops of his fingers "A most reputable one I may add."

"What do you catch then? Missing cats for wealthy, lonely, old women?" She laughed.

He didn't seem offended. "Sure. It's a mixed bag." He said nonchalantly. "I don't ask too many questions. Just bag 'em and take the units. You'd sure be surprised how much someone is willing to pay for rare animals." His eyes darted at Ze've again before returning to her.

She was grinding her teeth now.

Ze've finally noticed her in the corner. He stood up straight to get a better view of who she was talking to.

Célestin noticed and took another step towards Scarlet. He was so close his lips touched the top of her ear. She was backed up against the plants. "I still have yet to catch my greatest treasure." He walked off coolly, disappearing into the crowds.

She felt as if she was back at the abandoned fields, embarrassed and defeated. She took a deep breathe. Not wanting to alarm Ze've, she put on a smile and walked back to him and his fans.