Chapter 2

Broken

Warning: Basically everyone in this chapter is a damn cheater. Sexual/suggestive content.

Big big big thanks to Guest who commented :) Cheers to you! Here's a hug —( ^ω^ )— and another chap!

Madeline was very concerned about Briar — the spunky brunette hadn't replied to her messages and calls ever since she had returned from the hospital. Maddie really hoped that Briar was mad at her. As far as Maddie could recall, she hadn't done anything offensive.

"I think she's giving me the silent treatment," she had explained to her father over dinner. "But I don't think I did anything."

"What's the silent treatment?" asked her father cheerily as she took a sip of his green tea.

"It's when married couples get into an argument, so they keep silent," Maddie answered.

"That's no fun," said Mr Hatter, "I think yelling at each other is a lot more fun." He paused to spoon a mouthful of mashed potatoes into his mouth. "So, are you and Briar married?"

"No."

"And have you had an argument?"

"No."

"So therefore, she is not giving you the silent treatment," Mr Hatter concluded wisely; despite the fact that he was not the brightest man.

"I wonder what they call it the Silent Treatment," Maddie pondered. "Shouldn't it be called the Silent Punishment?"

"Indeed," her father agreed, "because treatments are supposed to be a treat, while punishment are for punishing people." He chuckled. "It's right there in the name!" Maddie nodded in agreement.

"So, how's Raven?" Mr Hatter asked.

Madeline shrugged. "We haven't talked in a very long time."

"Well, that's sad." Her father frowned, then smiled again, because the happy Hatter family couldn't frown for more than two seconds.

"Oh, maybe I can take her to the new bar that opened!" Madeline shouted suddenly, and with the sudden leap, jumped onto the table.

"That's a good idea," replied Mr Hatter happily. "But don't get drunk," he added, although he knew Maddie would take care of herself.

"Okay!" Maddie replied, who was dancing, giddy with joy. Mr Hatter frowned for half a second before leaping up and dancing with his daughter.

—

Raven was washing the dishes, her hair in a messy bun. As the door opened, she ripped off her apron and hurriedly dried her hands before running into the living room to see her husband Dexter, who looked extremely tired.

"Babe," she breathed, taking his briefcase from him and dumping it on the couch. "How are you, sweetheart?"

Dexter collasped in the armchair, rubbing his eyes. His formal business suit was crumpled and his hair was in a mess.

"Tired," he replied. "My gosh, one of the protestors was such a pain."

"Do you want to go see a movie or something?"

Dexter shook his head. "I'm exhausted."

Raven sat down next to him and squeezed his hand. He nonachantly kissed her on the cheek, but it didn't feel loving.

Suddenly, the door burst open and in rushed Cupid, Dexter's secretary, wearing a chiffon pink dress that was oddly short, nearly showing her underwear. Her stilettos only added to the aesthetic longness of her legs.

"Dexter!" she shouted randomly, and Raven mentally shook her fist as the pink-haired beauty seated herself half-perched on Dexter's lap. Dexter laughed and turned his attention to Cupid. Raven suddenly felt very drab and lonely in her plain dark grey pantsuit.

Cupid grabbed Dexter's arm almost lustfully. "Come on, let's head to the cinema, I heard there's a new romantic comedy showing. Bowling and dinner after?" She giggled in a way that sounded both sweet and sickening, like an overly sugared tub of candy.

"Sure thing," Dexter smiled. "Just let me change." Raven stared in half-envy, half-contempt. Seconds later, Dexter returned with his hair perfectly brushed, in a blue polo shirt and white shorts.

"You look great," Cupid smiled sweetly, and grabbed his hand. The door slammed behind them. Raven went back to the kitchen, but she didn't feel like washing the dishes anymore.

Raven went into the room that she and Dexter shared. Stripping off, she had a hot shower and changed into her pyjamas.

Crawling into their queen-sized bed, Raven pulled the covers right up to her chin and cried herself to sleep. Little did she know, a certain Beauty in the next suburb had a very similar problem and was doing the same.

—

Cerise watched on the back of the audience, sipping a cup of apple cider. She checked her messages, but nothing was there. She was dressed in a sleeveless, collared red and black plaid dress, with brown ankle boots.

Gazing around the Strip Club, she sighed in embarrassment and exasperation. All the girls were busty and beautiful, with perfect glossamar curls and mini dresses. It smelt slightly of alcohol and cologne, along with perfume.

Cerise watched as the girls swooned at Daring, on the stage — HER Daring. Sweat dripped down his glistening bulged muscles, wearing a red slingshot thong as he waved a whip around. A weird top hat was perched on his perfect blonde hair as he danced sexily with a brown-haired stripper in a golden corset, thong, and garter belt with black fishnet stockings. Brown stilettos were on her feet. She was acting as a lion. The ringmaster's lion. Daring's lion.

The two danced erotically, Daring's hands planted firmly on his partner's shapely ass. Cerise tried not to gag as Lioness ran her hands all over Daring's perfectly toned chest and dreamy face. Strangely sexual circus music played in the background as they continued this. Sounds of masculine and feminine cheers erupted from the crowd as they finished their dance. Then the real excitement (to the audience)/disgusting display (to Cerise) started.

Lioness got down on all fours on stop of a circular podium and gave a mock growl to the crowd. Then came a highly M-rated scene in which there was a lot of dry-humping, screaming, and whip cracking. The audience cheered as loud as they could, while Cerise did her best to cover her ears and eyes at the same time. Lioness erupted into moans again, as the crowd whopped as loud as they could. The curtain closed with Daring still dry humping her.

"And that's the end of the Sexy Circus Act, with Ringmaster Daring and our very own Lioness!" the announcer, Reece, said, trying to sound perky, although he looked visibly disturbed. "Next up is Erotic India, starring Princess Yasmin and Sultan Vinegar!"

As Bollywood music played from the usually large speakers, Cerise noticed Reece making his way towards her. Reece was very good-looking in a ruggedly handsome way - black hair and light stubble, dark skin, tall and toned.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hey," Cerise replied.

He sat down in the vacant seat. "You look thoroughly disturbed," he chuckled.

Cerise smiled slyly. "Well, when you've just watched your fiancé dry hump a lion in front of thirty people, you have a knack of looking disturbed."

Reece chuckled. "Same. I'm glad I'm the announcer, not the actual stripper…"

The two shivered in disgust.

"So," Reece said. "When did Daring propose?"

"Last week," Cerise quipped.

"Romantic? Sexy? Both?"

"None of the above."

"That's sad."

Cerise shrugged. She wasn't exactly a thoughtful romantic.

"Details?"

"So we were just at his house in his room, and he just asked it casually," Cerise explained, taking another sip of cider.

"Oh, so like this?" Reece said. He leaned back. "So, uh, Cerise," he began in Daring's macho voice. "Just wondering if you wanna get married this weekend? Nothing personal, just a question. There's gonna be food and stuff."

Cerise laughed. "Actually, Daring," she said, playing along. "I have a doctor's appointment on Saturday and church on Sunday."

"Oh, that's fine," Reece-Daring replied lazily. "I'll just ask Lioness instead."

The two laughed.

"I'll try that again," Cerise said. She cleared her throat. "Oh, sorry Daring," she smiled. "Actually, I've got my eye on someone else."

"Oh, that's fine," Reece answered, again in Daring's voice. "Actually, Lioness rejected me as well, so I think I'll go ask that cute shop assistant."

They laughed again before Reece leaned in.

"So, who is this 'someone' that you have an eye on?" he grinned.

"You don't know them," Cerise replied quickly.

"Ah," Reece replied, leaning back.

"I've got to go see Daring," she added swiftly. Snatching up her phone, she quickly left for Daring's private dressing room. She silently opened the curtain, hoping to surprise Daring.

What she saw definetely was a surprise.

Daring was furiously making out with Lioness. This was definetely not an act. They didn't seem to notice her.

Cerise turned and sprinted. She heard Reece calling her name, but she didn't turn back. She ran far, far away.

—

Dexter was having a really good time with Cupid. The pink-haired secretary was bubbly and sweet. For the movie, they got front seats and watched one of the best movies Dexter had ever seen. He never really liked Raven's taste for dark movies with a lot of jump scares and unrealistic violence. Cupid liked movies that were just like her - romantic, funny, often a little cheesy, and very enjoyable.

For bowling, they went into a sort of competitiveness that was lighthearted and fun. Unlike Raven, who made sure that she HAD to win. In fact, Dexter often had to lose on purpose just to make Raven happy. In the end, Dexter won but Cupid didn't mind, she even offered to pay for dinner.

Dinner was at a new Greek restaraunt that opened up. Dexter loved Greek and so did Cupid, who was Greek herself. He frowned when he thought of Raven and her usual preference of fast-food places or donut shops. The Greek restaraunt, Eros, was elegant yet casual, with strawberry-scented candles on circular rosewood tables, and matching cushioned chairs. Strings of fairylights were strewn across the the glittering nightsky-like ceiling, the only source of lighting apart from the candles.

Dexter watched as Cupid savoured her frozen Greek yoghurt-covered fruit. Pineapple pieces, strawberries and apple chunks were lying on her plate.

As Dexter glanced at his own chocolate cake, he suddenly remembered how when he was tired or upset, Raven would bake him chocolate cake with vanilla icing, but he never ate it, instead going up to sleep early. Raven, not liking chocolate, would have to put it in the fridge, but Dexter never took it out to savour, the delicious dessert going to waste. And still, Raven kept baking him cakes whenever he felt under the weather, just a little hopeful.

Dexter looked up at Cupid again. Cupid, with her perfect looks, perfect personality, perfect mannerisms and perfect habits. And then thought about Raven. Raven, with her average looks and average personality, slightly rude mannerisms and sometimes annoying habits.

And yet, he couldn't decide who he liked more.

—

In the Charming-Queen household, the black-haired beauty lay in bed wondering what made her feel so sad.

In the Croakington-Beauty household, the brunette lay in bed wondering what made her feel so bad.

And in the Hood household, the plaid-dressed fianceé lay in bed wondering what made her feel so mad.