Chapter 4 – The Meeting with Lucas.
Caramel was already early standing in front of Rex's house the next morning. She couldn't wait to discuss the wedding, and also tell her best friend Sapphire the good news! Not much later after she had rang the bell, the front door opened. It was Rex who opened the door. He had probably just got out of bed, as he was still standing in his greyish blue coloured bathrobe. ''Hey, Caramel… here already?'' he asked, his voice still sounding quite sleepy. ''Yeah, I woke up early and couldn't wait any longer'' she said. ''Do you mind?'' She had noticed his sleepy sounding voice. ''I can let you sleep a little longer, if that's what you want?'' She sounded slightly worried. Rex shook his head. He was completely awake now anyway. ''It's fine. Come in''. He went back inside the house again, Caramel following him. She sat down on the couch, waiting until Rex came back out of the kitchen with a glass of orange juice for her to drink. She waited to talk until he had finally put the glass down in front of her. ''So…'' she began. ''I thought it was a good idea to discuss our wedding''. Rex started laughing. ''Already? We've been engaged for just one day''. Caramel's face was slowly turning bright red. ''B-but…! It's good to start planning early..!'' Rex was still laughing. ''If you want to start planning already, then let's just do it''. He gave her a sweet smile and then sat down next to her. ''But… I want a kiss first'' he demanded. ''I haven't had even one since you've arrived''. Caramel smiled shyly but gave him a kiss afterwards anyway. At that exact moment, Floxy came walking into the living room. ''Gross..'' he said, while watching them. ''Can't you two kiss somewhere else?'' Rex and Caramel both looked up at the same time. ''You're just jealous because Sapph isn't here to kiss you'' Rex grinned. Floxy's facial expression changed from irritated to angry. ''I'm not! Don't you know what day it is today?'' Rex took a moment to think about it, then faced Caramel, who also shook her head because she didn't know either. He shrugged. ''I dunno… Sunday?'' ''No! Today's the day Lenny died! How could you forget?'' Floxy sounded really angry about him forgetting the date. He didn't even give Rex a chance to talk back to him. ''And here I thought you we're his best friend!'' Caramel saw Rex's face beginning to turn reddish from anger, and quickly grabbed onto his hand to calm him down. She shook her head when he looked at her. She knew it was best for them not to argue. ''Apparently I'm the only one who's still thinking of him''. Floxy walked up to the front door. ''I'm gone from here''. With a loud bang, he threw the front door shut. Both Caramel and Rex went silent. Finally, Caramel spoke. ''I'm sorry… I shouldn't have been here…'' Rex shook his head. ''It's not your fault. He would've been angry if you weren't here too. He's probably mad because I forgot about the date''. He turned towards Caramel and softly caressed her hair. ''Don't forget, we have a wedding to plan'' he smiled. Caramel nodded. ''I still have some time left before I have to go back to the Molly Moo''. She had almost completely forgotten already about what just happened.
Floxy was standing in front of Lenny's grave. He was the only one there. Narcissa was probably too busy to come visit, and he hadn't heard anything from Maxine either. A bunch of flowers was laying in front of the grave. He knew it had to be from Yucca. Lenny had always been his and Rex's best friend. Floxy had always liked Lenny more than Rex, as Rex was always complaining to him when their evil plans had failed once again. Lenny always treated him differently. Lenny, aside from Sapphire then, was the only one who had always been there for him. The whole group had grown apart from eachother since his death. It was a motorcycle accident. Floxy still couldn't believe it. Death, by the thing he loved the most (Aside from Yucca, of course). All of a sudden he felt a hand resting on his shoulder. He was staring right in the face of Sapphire when he turned around. He wanted to say something, but remembered he was still mad at her, and thus stayed silent. He turned to face Lenny's grave again. ''Did you think I'd forget…?'' Sapphire asked while standing next to him. ''I know how important it is to you…'' Floxy didn't say anything. ''…And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up yesterday. I should've been there for you instead''. She sighed. ''You miss him, do you…?'' Floxy nodded. ''A lot''. Sapphire pulled him towards her and embraced him. She didn't say anything, as she knew it was better not to for now. They were standing like that for a long time, until Floxy let go. He stared down at his feet. ''I'm sorry…'' he murmured. Sapphire smiled. ''I'm sorry, too. Is everything all right between us again?'' Floxy nodded, which made Sapphire hug him happily. From far away, she heard the church bell chime. ''Shit! Is it this late already?! I have to go!'' She looked at Floxy. ''I promised to eat lunch with someone at the Molly Moo''. She hesitated. She knew she couldn't leave Floxy here all on his own. Not today at least. ''Come with me. It might distract you a little'' she tried. Floxy shook his head in response. ''I don't know… I—'' But it was in vain. Sapphire pulled him with his arm out of the cemetery already.
Lucas was waiting for her at the Molly Moo. Caramel had already returned by now. Lucas waved once he saw Sapphire. ''You're finally here!'' He only saw Floxy by then. ''And… you've brought someone else''. It was difficult not to hear the disappointment in his voice. He wasn't very fond of elves. To him, they we're inferior, and also very annoying. Sapphire nodded. ''Yes, this is my boyfriend, Floxy''. She gave Floxy a soft push forward. Floxy was looking at Lucas with the same disapproval that Lucas had, but when Sapphire stared at him expectedly, he slowly extended his hand. Lucas didn't actually want to shake his hand, but did it eventually out of courtesy for Sapphire. ''I'm Lucas. Nice to meet you'' he answered, not meaning it at all. ''I'll escort you to our table. May I take your bag?'' He already held out his hand to take Sapphire's bag from her, but Floxy slapped his hand away. ''I'll do that'' he answered coldly. ''Oh? Are you jealous?'' A grin formed on Lucas' face. Floxy growled, but didn't answer. He knew it was best not to, as it would start a fight, and then it would probably be his fault again. ''May I take your bag, please?'' Lucas asked, once again. Sapphire nodded. ''Yeah…'' she stared at Floxy. ''If you don't mind though?'' Floxy shook his head. ''No, it's fine'' he replied bitterly. Of course he did mind. Lucas took Sapphire's bag and walked up to their table. Just when Sapphire wanted to sit down, Caramel noticed her and came flying towards her. ''Sapph! Sapph!'' she yelled enthusiastically. ''Come with me to the kitchen, I need to tell you something important!'' She had waited all this time to tell her best friend about her wedding. Sapphire shrugged. ''Okay, I'll be right back'' she told the two boys, then went to the kitchen with Caramel.
Floxy and Lucas we're left behind together. ''So you're Sapphire's boyfriend…'' Lucas grinned. ''I would've expected a bit more from you''. ''Why?'' Floxy asked, not understanding what he meant. ''Oh, it's just…'' Lucas retrieved a small bottle from his pocket while talking, and sprayed the contents all over his hands. ''…Your appearance, I would've thought you were more handsome, that's all''. Floxy ignored the insult, as he was far too concentrated on what Lucas was doing. ''What are you doing?'' he asked while looking at him dumbfounded. ''Oh, this?'' Lucas held the bottle into the air. ''It's bactericide. I don't want any germs from elves on my hands''. Floxy grinned. ''Oh, really? I'd be happy to give you some more…'' He held his hands out towards Lucas. Lucas stood up from his chair. ''Go away—'' he began, but a loud voice interrupted him. ''This place isn't exclusive! I don't want to eat here!'' Both Floxy and Lucas dropped what they were doing and stared at the entrance. It was Prince Arsenio standing at the entrance, yelling at one of his bodyguards. ''But sir, this is the only place that's open at Sunday'' his bodyguard answered. ''I don't care!'' Arsenio grunted but went inside anyway as he had no choice. He then sat down at a table near Floxy and Lucas. ''And there isn't entertainment here!'' Arsenio complained to himself. ''What a conceited guy…'' Lucas said whilst looking at Arsenio. ''For once, I agree with you'' Floxy said approvingly.
Sapphire was with Caramel inside the kitchen. ''What's wrong?'' Sapphire asked. ''If it's about me and Floxy, that has been solved alrea—'' ''I'm getting married!'' Caramel blurted out. ''Wha..?'' Sapphire didn't realize what Caramel was telling her. ''Rex asked me to marry him'' Caramel explained. ''During our date yesterday''. She tried not to let her enthusiasm show too much, even though she could scream from excitement while only thinking about it. ''Seriously?!'' Sapphire almost couldn't believe it. Caramel nodded proudly. ''Congrats! I'm so happy for you!'' Sapphire hugged her best friend firmly. ''You'll let me be your bridesmaid, right? Otherwise I won't come to your wedding!'' Sapphire joked. Caramel nodded once again. ''Of course! There's no one I'd rather have!'' Sapphire smiled happily. ''Rex said he wanted Floxy to be our witness at the wedding, as he is his best friend''. ''I think he would love that'' Sapphire looked at the kitchen's door. ''Who was that guy that was with you though?'' Caramel asked suddenly. ''Oh, that's Lucas. I met him yesterday. He gave me something to drink and he talked with me, so I wanted to thank him by taking him here. Food's free anyway''. Sapphire grinned. ''Hey! I never said it was free!'' Caramel then started laughing. Of course she would never let her best friend pay. ''But…'' she began. ''He's handsome, though''. Sapphire agreed. ''But not as handsome as Rex!'' Caramel quickly said afterwards. Sapphire laughed. ''Or Floxy!'' she added. Both of them were laughing now. ''I'll have to go back, they're probably waiting for me''. Caramel nodded. ''Then I'll come with you to take your orders''. They left the kitchen together.
After not even taking a single step out of the kitchen, Caramel's face darkened. Arsenio was sitting at a table in front of her. ''Service!'' he demanded. ''I demand food!'' Caramel sighed, irritated. She really wanted to tell him how she felt about him being like that, but changed her mind. He was a customer after all. ''Martino, go help him''. Martino was standing after the bar. Martino looked up from what he was doing, then saw Arsenio. ''Er… Sorry, sis. I'm busy!'' He then fled into the kitchen. ''Martino!'' Caramel yelled, frustrated. She knew it was in vain, she had to help him after all. Sapphire put her hand down on Caramel's shoulder to comfort her. ''You can do it!'' she encouraged her. She returned to her own table after saying those words. Caramel sighed deeply. ''Come on, Mel. You can do this''. With a forced smile she walked up to Arsenio's table. ''Finally, service'' Arsenio complained. ''Can I help you?'' Caramel asked, as fake-friendly as possible. ''Yes… I would like to order a steak'' was what Arsenio replied. ''And make it quick, I haven't got all day''. Caramel sighed. It kept getting harder for her to keep on smiling. ''But sir, we don't have any steaks here… this is a bakery'' she said. ''Ridiculous! If I want a steak then I demand one!'' Arsenio sounded offended. ''If you don't have any steaks, then I want a hamburger!'' he demanded. Aside from them, Lucas, Sapphire and Floxy tried their best not to laugh. Sapphire felt sorry for Caramel but this was too hilarious to watch. ''We don't have that here either'' Caramel answered, slightly irritated. ''What a horrible place to be'' Arsenio complained loudly. He didn't care about who would hear him, and about who could be offended. Caramel took the menu from an empty table near them, and placed it in front of Arsenio. ''This is what we DO have''. Arsenio took the menu card and opened it. ''Who eats cakes nowadays? You'll get fat from that'' Arsenio said while flipping the card. Caramel didn't answer him. Arsenio pretended to –while sighing- reluctantly accept the fact that he had to order some cake, and shove the card towards Caramel. ''I'll take this one''. Displayed was a huge cake. ''Excuse me? That one is for 8 people—'' ''I DON'T CARE!'' Arsenio screamed. ''I want that cake so I'll get it! And make it quick!'' Caramel sighed. ''Alright, sir. As you wish, sir''. She then proceeded to walk back to the kitchen. ''I hope he'll get fat from that'' she murmured on her way.
Sapphire stared at Caramel with empathy. ''…Then I want a hamburger!'' Lucas imitated Arsenio's nagging voice. Sapphire started to laugh. ''Such a bad imitation. I can do it better!'' Floxy gazed jealously at Lucas. Normally Sapphire was always laughing at him instead. ''Oh really? I think you're just jealous. Prove it, if you can'' Lucas showed a malicious grin. Floxy stood up to prove him wrong, but Sapphire grabbed hold of his hand. ''Don't!'' she hissed. ''Who cares about who can do it better?'' ''I do!'' Floxy replied irritated. He just wanted to prove it, and most of all, make Sapphire laugh. Sapphire sighed. Lucas was still looking at Floxy. ''He can't do it!'' he sounded mean. ''Oh yeah? Then just wait—'' Floxy suddenly felt a hand resting on his shoulder. He turned around to see Caramel. ''I wanted to take your orders'' she said. ''And, Floxy… I need your help in the kitchen for a bit''. She smiled. She knew how to solve this problem. And aside from that, she did need help, as she couldn't find Martino anywhere. He had probably fled upstairs. ''Oh… We'll just order some drinks. We don't want to give you any more work to do'' Sapphire quickly said. ''But I wanted—'' Lucas quickly shut his mouth once he saw Sapphire staring at him, warning him not to say what he wanted. Caramel nodded thankful. ''Thanks. I'll bring some drinks over in a bit'' she said, then went back to the kitchen, pulling Floxy along with her.
''Caramel, I was about to show off my imitation of Arsenio'' Floxy complained once in the kitchen. ''I'm way better than him!'' Caramel sighed. ''Of course you're better at it'' she agreed. ''And Sapph knows that just as well as I do, she just doesn't want to start fights''. She walked towards a gigantic bowl of cake baking mix and scooped a bit up with a spoon. ''Taste this. I needed you for this''. She was already almost shoving the spoon up his face. ''Caramel, I don't want to—'' he protested but Caramel already shoved the spoon in his mouth. With reluctance he ate the baking mix. ''Wow! This tastes amazing!'' he said once finally tasting it. Caramel sighed again. ''Too bad. I had hoped this one would taste bad, as it's for Arsenio. I just can't ruin cakes, and if you say it's good…'' She went back to the bowl. Floxy agreed. He was planning to go back, as he wasn't needed anymore, but Caramel haulted him. ''Wait!'' Floxy turned around, only to see Caramel coming back to him. ''What is it?'' he asked. ''Don't fight with Lucas. Do it for Sapph'' she tried. ''It's hard not to. He's unbearable'' Floxy was annoyed. Caramel smiled sweetly. ''That's why you'll have to be better than him''. Floxy sighed. ''Well, he might be a bad person on the inside, but he looks much better than me. Did you see how Sapph looked at him? And not just her! He at her!'' ''Uhm…'' Caramel didn't know what to say. Sapphire hadn't even been looking at Lucas, and she even said Floxy looked much better than him. Floxy was obviously exaggerating. ''Well, he's more handsome…'' she began. She knew she couldn't deny that, Lucas did look very nice. ''…But you're funnier!'' she quickly added. ''What does that matter?'' Floxy felt desperate. ''My jokes won't matter much as long as I don't look as good as he does. The outside is more important than the inside''. ''Of course not!'' Caramel immediately protested back. ''Sapph fell for you because of your sense of humor! If there's someone who can make her laugh, it'll be you! And not just her, even Rex!'' Caramel almost started to laugh while thinking about it. Rex, who almost never was cheerful, unless he was with her. ''Do you really think so…?'' Floxy started to get his hopes up again. Caramel nodded. ''I do''. Floxy smiled weakly. ''Thanks Caramel. I feel a lot better already''. Caramel smiled aswell. He then walked out of the kitchen.
Caramel followed him outside and stood still in the opening of the kitchen door. She wanted to see how this would end. Floxy walked towards the table where Lucas and Sapphire were sitting, then suddenly stopped in his tracks. Sapphire was laughing loudly because of something Lucas had said, and the two of them looked as if they we're having way more fun without him. Floxy turned around to face Caramel. ''You said I had a good sense of humor, instead of a good appearance, right?'' he began. ''Well… he has both''. Feeling defeated, he stared at the two. Caramel wasn't sure about what to answer, he was right after all. ''I'm sorry Caramel, I'm leaving''. Floxy left the Molly Moo while sighing.
A/N: It took me quite long to translate this. At the moment life's really busy for me, and I don't have the motivation/inspiration to work on the sixth chapter of the story in Dutch, so it all goes a bit slower. Updates might take a bit longer, but I WILL finish this story! (And write a sequel, haha). Please bear with me~ Thanks everyone for reading my story ^^. I really appreciate all the good reviews and comments I get on it!:)