Chapter 9
Éponine's Point of View
Before Éponine had realized it, it was already 4:30 in the afternoon. Her shift would be finished in a half an hour, and then she would be able to see Enjolras at the meeting.
Éponine was starting to worry about the meeting, but she knew that there was nothing to worry about. She wanted to meet his friends; she did already know a few of them. She was sure the rest of them would be nice to. She also wanted to see Cossette. She hoped that her old friend would not be mad for not writing to her, but she was sure that Cossette would understand.
Finally a few minutes before five, Musichetta walked into the café to start her shift.
"Hey Éponine" said Musichetta.
Musichetta was a thin average height, with red hair, and green eyes. Éponine and Musichetta had been friends since the first day of high school. Musichetta was Éponine's only real friend, besides Cossette and Azelma. Éponine had only opened up to her about her parent's abuse, and crimes after Musichetta nagging her for weeks. Musichetta wanted her to call the police for years, after she found out, but Éponine knew she had not where to go, until Musichetta came up with a plan. Musichetta's parents were good friends with Inspector Javert. Musichetta called Inspector Javert and asked him to help Éponine. Once Javert told Éponine what she had to do in order to get her parents arrested, and away from the slums, Musichetta had a long conversation with her parents.
Musichetta's parents owned the Café Musian. After Musichetta explained Éponine's situation to them, Musichetta 's parents agreed to let Éponine and her siblings live there once their parents were arrested. They even allowed Éponine to work at the café, and gave her a discount on the rent, since no one had ever rented the apartment anyway.
"Hey Chetta!" said Éponine.
"So when were you planning on telling me about you and Enjolras." Said the redhead excitedly. "I was worried sick about you when you didn't call me with the juicy details. I mean he is really hot! Plus he is tall with broad shoulders, which are always a good combination. Plus he is hot!"
"Chetta! Relax. I wanted to text you but it was late, and I figured you were already asleep." Said Éponine.
"still you should have texted me, and I want the details." Said Musichetta. "he is really passionate about what he does, I have never even seen him look at a women."
"Now you're exaggerating. Listen we can talk more after the meeting tonight, that's if you're not making out with Joly by then." Said Éponine with a wink. "I need to go make dinner for the boys see you soon."
Éponine quickly walked up the stairs to the apartment to find her three little brothers on the couch watching TV.
"Hey Boys. How is everything?" said Éponine.
"Were good Éponine." Said Gavorche. "Jacques is feeling much better. He started eating more today." The little boy in question was sitting next to his older brother, with a banana in his hand.
"Well that's good! Now you boys want to help make dinner, Azelma should be home any minute?" asked Éponine.
Suddenly there were cheers all around the room. All three of the boys got up to ran to the kitchen. Cooking dinner together is something that all five of them did together. They were all able to spend time together.
"Gavorche! Take the pizza dough out of the fridge, and then the flour in the cabinet. Peter you can get the cheese, and Jacques you can get the sauce I made yesterday."
Everyone started doing his or her tasks as Azelma walked in. Then Éponine, and Azelma rolled out the dough with the help of the boys. The boys then put on the sauce, cheese, and even some vegetables.
The family ate their dinner as laughed and talked about things. Suddenly the clock stuck six, and Éponine realized that she had to go the meeting. She got up to leave with Gavorche. Azelma stayed with the smaller boys, saying that they might come down soon.
Enjolras Point Of View
Enjolras had been deep in thought all day. Why would Javert want to talk to him about his father?
He knew his father was known for his backroom dealings, and they were legal, barely legal. Enjolras knew many people did not think that his mother Marie died because of a heart attack, but that his father killed her, and Enjolras believed that to.
His parent's marriage was an arranged marriage, even though his mother's heart always belonged to another man. That man was District Attorney Lamarque, and he often wished that his mother had been able to marry Lamarque. Lamarque family did not come from money which is why the marriage never occurred, but Lamarque made sure in the marriage contract that when Marie was to die all her assets prior to marriage and acquired during her marriage would go her children.
Enjolras also did not understand why Javert wanted to talk to Éponine? Enjolras was so deep in thought that he did not realize that he was already at the Café.
He parked his car and walked inside. In the back corner where all the Les Amis.
"Its the marble man himself!" yelled an already tipsy Grantaire. Enjolras just rolled his eyes.
"She isn't here yet Enjolras." Said Combeferre.
"I am sure she will be here soon" said Jehan.
"and if she decides not to show up, we can ask Gavorche why she didn't come." said Courfeyrac.
"Don't worry Enjolras, I doubt that the night was terrible" said Bossuet.
"What was terrible?" asked Gavorche with Éponine right behind him.
"Oh nothing" said Enjolras as his faced started to get red from blushing.
"Hey Enjolras!" said Éponine with a smile.
"Hey Éponine!" said Enjolras, his face was getting redder by the minute.
"I didn't know marble could change colors." Said Courfeyrac to the boys causing them to snicker.
"So much for never wanting a women." Said Joly.
"Did you all really believe that crap?' Asked Bahroel.
"Bahroel right. Even Enjolras needs to get laid every once in a while" said Grantaire.
"Guys! Be nice! We should support him. He likes her. Well at least the parts about her he knows about." said Feuilly.
"Gentlemen" said Enjolras in a stern voice. They then all started to introduce themselves to Éponine, and vice versa.
"Where is Marius?" then asked Enjolras.
"He is coming later," said Combeferre. "He had to deal with his Grandfather, and he needed to get Cossette, he said he would explain everything later on."
"Okay then. Lets get started." Said Enjolras.
Éponine's Point of View
Enjolras then started the meeting by giving a passionate speech about the conditions of the poor, and the unjust laws that were designed to keep them poor. It was so strange to see him like this. He was full of passion and fire. He spoke each word with as much passion as the last. His voiced was strong and powerful. She could see why people followed him. He was going to make a damn good lawyer one day.
At the end of speech everyone clapped. Other people who were in the café who were listening also clapped. Then the group went over their respective projects. Afterwards they all started to talk amongst themselves.
Éponine started to converse with Grantaire, Jean, and Courfeyrac for a while, and then the rest of the guys.
They were all really easy to get along with. She could see why they were all friends. They were all passionate about their fields, except for Grantaire whose only passion seemed to be drinking.
Enjolras soon sat down next to Éponine.
"You have away with words" said Éponine.
"Thank you" he said with a blush. "Do you agree with all of my points? I am just curious."
"I agree with your points about the laws, but not how the poor can escape poverty. From first hand experience it is not easy," said Éponine.
"I definitely need to talk to you about that." Said Enjolras.
"I have to ask you something. Why were you so uncomfortable after you asked me what I was reading?" asked Éponine.
"Well. I was just surprised. I was caught off guard with you response," said Enjolras as he pulled at his collar.
"Oh! Anything else?" she asked him.
"No not really. I just realized that you different from other people when you said that." Said Enjolras.
Éponine could tell that he was holding something back, but she didn't want to push him.
The two continued to chat until; Éponine felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw that it was Inspector Javert.
"Inspector Javert. I was not excepting you! Please sit down." Said Éponine.
"Thank you Éponine" said Javert. "Enjolras" as he shook Enjolras hand.
"You to know each other?" asked Éponine.
"Yes. I knew Enjolras mother Marie since I was six." Said Javert. "Now I need to speak to both of you."
"Both of us" said Éponine and Enjolras in unison.
"Yes! It's about both of your parents. Just let me get though all of this without interruption. It will make more sense when I explain everything." Said Javert.
"Enjolras, originally your father was going to defend the Thenardier in court, but he is now on trial with them. They were all running a scam. Enjolras gave the Thenardier information about his clients soon to be divorced spouses. Thenardier would then rob the person in question, falsify documents, empty their back accounts, so that they would not be able to pay their lawyers, and support their families. The two have been running this scam for years, and would split their profits. The black book you gave us Éponine is how we were able to link the two cases. Thenardier would pose as a client and stop in the law firm and would look at the paperwork that Enjolras father 'accidently left out' on his desk. Thenardier would then copy the information in his black book. Now that the book is custody, Enjolras father is claiming that he was robbed. He is also using all of his legal connections to keep Thenardier behind bars until he rots in prison; as a result Thenardier is using his gang connections to take out Enjolras father, and his team of lawyers. Éponine your father ran the biggest and most dangerous gang in Paris, and Enjolras your father has contacts to many wealthy families. You two are from rival houses."
"You can't even make this up" said Éponine. She was ready to scream. Enjolras probably thought she was complete trash now.
"what do you need me to?" asked Enjolras.
"I need you both to testify. About character, and Éponine needs to tell the court how she found the book. The trial will begin in a few months. Lamarque will be in contact soon. You both need to watch. Each of your parents will not only try to take out their rival, but their children as well."
"Do you know if there is anything in that book about my mom" asked Enjolras.
"I am looking into that. We just made the connection to your father the other day." Said Javert. "Now be careful. If you need anything call me. Good night." And with that he left the Café.
TBC