The seamstresses arrived at the D'Avrignys' 15 minutes later. After stepping down and paid the driver, they walked up the steps leading to the D'Avrignys' front door. Éponine knocked several times, and Madame D'Avrigny came into view.

"Oh, Éponine, dear! You look marvelous!"

The woman gives her a hug and turned towards her mother,

"You certainly done a great job in dressing her up!"

"What can I say? I'm a manager of a dress parlor!"

The women laughed, then the hostess invited them in.

"Jeanette, long time no see!"

Her mother grinned at the man. They hadn't seen Monsieur D'Avrigny in a quite long time. The man was busy, there's no denying that. He rushed over, gives her mom a small hug, then her.

"Ah, so my dear little 'Ponine is a beautiful lady now, eh?"

She could hear footsteps. Fast footsteps approaching the main room. Then a flash of light red hair and forest green dress came into view and she was tackled in an enthusiastic embrace

"'Ponine!"

The girl squeals excitedly as she wrapped her arms around Éponine as tightly as she could. Éponine just chuckled at the younger girl's enthusiasm, before wrapping her arms around the other girl affectionately.

"Hello to you too, Aubérgine"

The other girl looked up at her. She had basically considered Éponine her older sister. But well, since the ball season is approaching, she rarely seen her lately, and she missed her terribly.

"Oh, I hadn't seen you in a long time! Well, I believe you must be so busy with the dresses and all...but I am very grateful that you'd agreed to join us for dinner this evening, I have plenty a thing to share and..."

Éponine chuckled then laid her hand on the girl's shoulder gently,

"You can share stories after dinner, or how about tomorrow? I'd done all the dresses, maybe we can have lunch together and you can share all your stories, how's that sound?"

The other girl nodded vigorously, then another voice came in.

"Mother, do you know where Liliana kept all my books..."

The boy came in. Madame D'Avrigny smiled brightly, this is not how things are supposed to go, she'd planned for them to went to the back garden after dinner, alone, which means they'll talk and all, and probably they'll fall in love. But oh well.

"Oh, Aimé, dear, this is Madame Durant and her daughter, Éponine"

Aimé smiled at the girl. He was pretty sure this is the lady that his mother and sister spoke of so fondly. 'She IS beautiful, like mother said' he thought.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mademoiselle Éponine"

Éponine didn't expect that he will kissed her hand. She is not a lady, anyways. And Aimé didn't know what had gotten into him to be so bold. His heart is thumping wildly in his chest, as if it was going to burst out, and there is this tingling sensation that spreads like a wildfire throughout his body. He gave her one of his most charming smile.

"Pleasure to meet you too, Monsieur"

Dinner was more pleasant than Éponine thought it would be. Éponine sat next to Aubérgine, and her mother sat next to Madame D'Avrigny. The two was involved in quite a jolly conversation, and so is Monsieur D'Avrigny. She could feel a pair of eyes staring her way, and she was met with the blue eyes of the D'Avrigny boy.

"So, a little birdy told me that you have a secret admirer"

Aubérgine grinned as Éponine turned crimson.

"What? Who told you that?"

Éponine was clearly flustered right now. Aubérgine, of course, had heard from her cousin Phillipe, who have a friend who is a very good friend of Éponine. But of course, she was only messing around. Her cousin rarely care about those kind of things, she actually meant her brother, who'd been staring at Éponine since he entered the room.

"My cousin Enjolras"

Éponine perked up at the name. Marius had mentioned that name a few times in their conversation already. But she couldn't recall who is he.

"Marius' friend from The Musain?"

"AHA! So you do admit having a relation with a boy!"

"What? No! Marius is only a friend of mine!"

Aubérgine grinned widely. So there are two gentlemen fighting over Éponine, this is going to be splendid.

"Are you sure, 'Ponine? Are you really sure that's all he wants to be?"

Éponine sat still, gaping at the red-haired girl in front of her.

"You're welcome"

Aubérgine smiled smugly. Dinner was served, and they ate. Seeing that it was quite well into the night, the two seamstresses went home.

Aimé still has his mind wrapped around the girl, Éponine. There is no doubt that she is a very special person, so different from all those burgeoisies out there that are ready to throw themselves his way if they have so much of a whisper of him looking for his future wife.

He smiled. He still can't forget the look on her face when he kissed her hand. Her brown eyes went wide, and her cheeks turned into a deep shade of red. 'My little Apple,' he thought in his mind, a fond smile already plastered on his face.

Madame D'Avrigny, however, didn't passed his silly grin. It seemed that her plan has worked. Her dearest son is falling in love.

"I'm going to retire for the night,"

He never smiled this much before. He looked so happy, his face is practically glowing. Madame D'Avrigny smiled at her son's retreating figure,

"Sleep tight, dear"

A/N: Reviews are very much appreciated. Thank you also for the follow!