Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Disney characters of that magical world but I enjoy writing about the, and lets me do so!
BONUS CHAPTER!- Bet you didn't see that one coming! Two in one day just to say thanks for your patience as I know I haven't updated in a while. Enjoy!
Chapter 20: Wonderment
BELLE'S POV
"What's taking them so long?" Ariel huffed and blew a shot of air upwards, causing her bangs to fly up and down.
I couldn't help but giggle. She must have longed to be with Eric. According to her it had been a difficult relationship to keep secret yet consistent, given the animosity between their two cultures and families.
"I can't help thinking of you and Eric as our modern-day Romeo and Juliet," I teased.
She managed to push a smile through her pout. She was decked out to the nines. She had on a beautiful long flared pink dress that complemented her big blue eyes while emphasizing her fiery auburn hair. She placed a pearl clip to the side which brought just the right amount of hair to the front to frame her face beautifully.
"Well, in the words of Shakespeare, 'Romeo, Romeo, where art thou already!" she joked, and we both laughed.
"So, Adam is the friend that Eric was referring to knowing when her first showed up here, huh?" I asked.
Ariel nodded and then went on to explain that Eric and Adam were long time, child hood friends. In fact, Eric had stayed at Adam's home for months at a time. Apparently Eric's father and Adam's father were good friends growing up as well.
I was brushing my hair near the mirror on my dresser.
"Do you think my hair looks nice like this? Halfway up? Like at the welcome dance?" I asked, unsure of whether I looked decent enough to go uptown.
"Oh, yes! I love it when you put your hair up. It's so shiny and lustrous," Ariel complimented me as she came over beside me at the dresser. We both smiled at each other through the mirror.
"You should wear that necklace! The one your cloaked customer gave you," Ariel suggested, and dove into my armoire to look for it.
"I don't know...You don't think it's too much?" I asked as Ariel triumphantly held it up. I couldn't help but smile as I remembered my mysterious tavern savior.
"No! Not at all. But Belle...you are not wearing that are you?" she asked, looking at me sideways from the door of the armoire.
"Why? Don't I look nice?" I asked worriedly. I wore a light blue blouse with a long navy blue skirt and boots.
"You look lovely, but we're going out, Belle! You have to look ready to have a great time! You look like you're heading to class!" she replied as she fervently searched and searched in my armoire as if she was hunting for buried treasure.
I sat down on my bed, feeling defeated yet again about not having the right attire. Ugh! It's like the welcome dance all over again!
After a few minutes, I finally heard Ariel call out. "Oh, my goodness, Belle! This is beautiful!"
Out of the closet came the fanciest dress I owned. I had somehow managed to fit it into my trunk when I was packing for university. It was my mother's gown, and it was beautiful. It was black, with sequined embroidery scattered neatly all over the skirt. It had butterfly sleeves of black lace, with a sweetheart neckline. Depending on the direction of the light and the way it reflected on the dress, a tinge of evergreen sparkled from the sequins. It wasn't as regal or poufy as the dress I had borrowed from Ariel to wear at the welcome dress, but it was sophisticated and elegant. Just like my mother.
"This is perfect for going out, Belle!" Ariel exclaimed as she took the dress and held it up against me.
I smiled. "It was my mother's. I'm glad you think it's beautiful. But it's a bit chilly out, and the sleeves are just way too short. It just won't do. Besides, it wouldn't be...proper," I explained as I rubbed my fingers together, a nervous habit whenever I felt uncomfortable. Wearing a dress like that would call attention to me and make me self-conscious. I preferred to always be invisible.
"Come on, Belle," Ariel gently nudged me. "You wouldn't have brought it if you didn't want to wear it. Besides, it's perfect for a night on the town! Dark black with sequins that adds just the right amount of pop for a night on the town!"
"All right," I finally agreed as I took the dress from Ariel, shaking my head nervously. I raced to the bathroom, quickly got undressed and changed into the gown. I nervously patted down the skirt with my hands. I turned to look at myself in the mirror and was surprised to see myself smiling back. I was satisfied with my appearance, and I internally scolded myself for having a bit of vanity in the moment. But I couldn't help it. I looked like my mother, and anything that reminded me of her was something that always brought a smile to my face.
"How do I look?" I asked apprehensively, as I came out.
"Belle, you look absolutely breathtaking! Adam is going to be speechless!" Ariel cried.
I giggled. "Come now, Ariel! You know Adam and I are just friends!"
"Maybe you think so, but I see it Adam's face. Whether you realize or not, he's taken a liking to you," she stated softly as she came over to help me fasten the buttons on the back of my gown.
I blushed. "Well, even if he does, it's not him my heart pines for," I said so low it was almost a whisper.
"Ah, yes! Will you tell me who this mysterious Casanova is already?" Ariel insisted. She took my hands and we sat on her bed.
"I don't know where to begin," I said, shaking my head in disbelief. I felt like a little schoolgirl. I knew I was still blushing. I couldn't help it! The thought of my tavern hero always brought a smile to my face and butterflies to my stomach. The butterflies were fluttering way too fast now in this moment though!
"When I started at the tavern, I spoke to Gaston first, and he agreed that I could work in the kitchen. But then He entered, and my job at the tavern turned into a whole different direction."
"So who is this He? What is his name?" Ariel asked.
"I have no idea! He wears this cloak that's hooded so it keeps his face completely hidden in its shadow. I'm not allowed to know who he is, I can't even ask, it's all part of the deal," I explained. Ariel looked confused and I could tell that everything I was saying seemed vague.
"Gaston and this mysterious cloaked customer of mine have a business understanding of sorts. He's a regular customer and requires absolute anonymity. He enters by showing the guards of the tavern his tattoo – it's his ticket in. Gaston allows this anonymity to be kept because He spends a lot of money on the drinks and entertainment in the tavern."
"Entertainment?" Ariel asked innocently.
"There are barmaids," I said frankly.
Ariel frowned. "So you're his personal barmaid?" she asked, looking skeptical.
"No! Not at all! Well...I do serve him drinks, but honestly, he's been nothing but a gentleman around me," I assured her. "It's surprising actually – he came with a scary reputation. He's known to be a bit of a wild character in the tavern. There are rumors of him sleeping with almost every barmaid there, and he's apparently gotten in so many fights and brawls because he gets drunk so often."
Ariel gasped. "And you're not scared to serve him?" she asked worriedly.
"At first I was, but when Gaston told me that I could make more money serving him as opposed to working in the kitchen, I took my chances. But I interviewed him first, to make certain it was safe. Or was it him that interviewed me?" I pondered out loud as I began to quickly think back.
"Well, surely you laid down some ground rules, did you not? "Ariel asked hopefully, interrupting my train of thought.
"Of course! And it may surprise you to know that it was in fact him who laid down the ground rules, and all of them were appropriate," I said. Ariel looked relieved. I went on, "He said that I was to be his personal barmaid and that I would serve no one but him. He also stated that there would be NO touching or inappropriateness of any kind between us, which was a relief considering the West Wing, and-"
"The West Wing?" Ariel asked.
I sighed, "Yeah, the West Wing. It's where customers can take the barmaids if they want …um…extra fun," I explained apprehensively.
Ariel's eyes widened. "Wait! Do the men force themselves on the barmaids?" she asked in a horrified tone.
"Unfortunately it's kind of part of the job description, so I guess there's kind of…automatic consent technically …if you think about it," I cautiously explained.
"That's horrible!" Ariel gasped. "But your customer...he never laid a finger on you, right, Belle? He never hurt you or forced you into-"
"No, no!" I reassured Ariel cutting her off. "He's always been gentle and kind. In fact there was a day that he was late to the tavern. Being that we were short some barmaids and my personal customer wasn't there yet, Gaston forced me to work the floor. It was awful - I was completely humiliated by a group of customers who manhandled me."
Ariel's' eyes widened as I went on to explain that the cloaked customer had come in just in time and rescued me from the horrible group of men. As I explained that he even knocked one of them out cold for mistreating me, I could see Ariel's uneasiness slowly disappear.
"I had a panic attack like no other, and he helped me get through it. I've told him things I haven't been able to tell many people. He knows that I am poor and working to make ends meet at this prestigious university. So he pays me extra under the table so that Gaston doesn't see," I said. Lost in thought, I unknowingly stood up and started to pace around the room, daydreaming of the cloaked customer as I went on and on about him.
"He wants to see me make my dreams come true by helping my father. He's so kind, Ariel. I feel like he's more than a friend. I can't explain it," I said dreamily. I looked away, knowing very well that I was blushing. I was shy for Ariel to see me like this, for anyone to see me like this! But I couldn't help it. The thought of that man made me feel completely and utterly vulnerable, and while it was so scary, in more ways it than one it was completely pleasurable as well.
"It sounds like you're in love, Belle," Ariel stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh I don't know about love, but I definitely feel something towards him. Listen to me! How Can I say that I have feelings for him when I don't even know his name?" I said, baffled at myself. "You must think I'm crazy," I added with a nervous smile.
She patted my shoulder dismissively, "Not at all Belle. Love isn't as complicated as we make it out to be. It just is. Plain and simple." I smiled at Ariel. Of course she would understand and know what love is. "Knowing you, I bet you've already daydreamed about how he looks like and what his life might be," Ariel teased.
I giggled. "Of course I have! I mean, I've had a few guesses here and there. I'll tell you one thing that's for certain! I definitely think he's rich beyond his means!"
"Yes! Perhaps a secret prince who's ran away from home and all responsibility?" Ariel guessed.
"A renegade royal? Could be!" I chimed. "It's just I haven't seen that material of his cloak around here. It's not delicate or not of luxurious fabric a royal would own. It's almost …leather-like. It definitely stays in place. Sometimes I wish there'd just be a strong gust wind come into the tavern from nowhere that would blow his hood off so I could see his face."
I knew I could trust my feelings with Ariel. If anyone knew the trials and tribulations of love it would be her. And while I didn't know what I felt was "love," being so new to the emotion and all, I knew I was falling into something with my cloaked customer. The feeling left me feeling scared and excited all at once.
Suddenly there was a knock on our door. Ariel raced to open it.
"Finally!" Ariel squealed as she hooked her arm around Eric's.
"You ladies ready?" Eric asked.
"We've been ready forever! "Ariel replied with laughter.
I couldn't help but beam ear to ear seeing Ariel and Eric together. As I looked over, I saw Adam staring at me with his mouth open. I thought it flattering but a bit rude at the same time, so I gave him a joking glare which prompted him to immediately stand up straight, avoiding my gaze. I pressed my fingers on my lips to stifle a giggle.
"You look…stunning." Adam stumblingly said.
"Thank you," I replied, suddenly feeling shy. I noted Adam's striking suit. It was chestnut brown, with a nice coattail, brimming with silver buttons and trim. The brown complemented his auburn hair impeccably. His hair was neatly combed into a pony tail with the signature wild bang that always hid the scar on his forehead just enough. It suddenly hit me, more than ever before, just how attractive Adam was.
"You look very handsome as well," I complimented him shyly.
Eric and Ariel went to the concierge to request a carriage, leaving me with Adam. I smiled at him as I went to the armoire. I knew the sleeves of the dress would be too short to keep me warm. I squatted down to find a shawl. I kept them in the deepest part of my armoire, and made a mental note to rearrange it sooner than later. It was time to keep warmer clothes in the front for easier access, now that the weather was changing.
"Do you think it will rain?" I asked.
"No, I don't think so. It may be a little chilly though," Adam replied as he came around to me. He knelt down next to me.
"Would you like me to help you? I know it's not the easiest thing for a young lady to bend down in an elegant dress," he offered with a smile.
"That would be nice," I replied gratefully.
Adam began fishing through my shawls. "You have so many," he observed. I stood beside him, a little embarrassed that a young man was going through my clothes.
"Sorry," I apologized under my breath. With each passing second that Adam searched, I wished more fervently that I had put the shawls more in the front.
"Ahh! This one!" he said eagerly as he stood, putting a dark green shawl around my shoulders. I felt the warm velvety fabric encapsulate my bare skin.
"The color complements your eyes," he explained, pleased with his find.
I bashfully smiled. I don't think I had been this bashful since the time my cloaked customer had asked me if I was okay, after he rescued me from that ungodly group of men that manhandled me so inappropriately.
I saw Adam's gaze travel to my neckline. "That's a beautiful necklace," he commented.
"Oh..." I was embarrassed, remembering I was wearing the necklace my cloaked customer had given me. "Thank you. Come, let's go see if Eric and Ariel have gotten that carriage," I said quickly to prevent Adam from further inquiring about the necklace
As we walked down to the lobby, Adam touched my arm, making a gesture of offering to take it in his. The sensation of his arm brushing against my bare skin made me tingle inside.
"I know, I know -you can walk by yourself!" Adam said, forestalling any possible complaint. "Just thought you wouldn't mind an escort for tonight." He smiled at me, and I smiled back. It was nice that Adam was acknowledging my feelings, showing that he was knowing and understanding me more and more. I could feel our friendship blossoming as I saw him accepting my quirks and values. I knew I wasn't always the easiest to understand or get along with.
I giggled. "A handsome escort at that! Thanks Adam," I replied taking up his offer and slipping my arm through his.
As we got into the carriage, it occurred to me that Adam and I would be sitting and spending a lot of time together that evening, considering that Eric and Ariel were basically joined at the hip. I couldn't help but remember the comments that were made today from the other sorority girls about Adam and me – how the rumors of a supposedly budding romance between us were spreading across campus like wildfire.
Could it be true that Adam liked me? Even Ariel had just said that when Adam saw me in my present attire he would be speechless, and he definitely was when he saw me. Were these the quintessential hints of a man being drawn to a woman? I had never had a crush or liked anyone enough to be romantically fantasizing about them - until recently with the cloaked customer. The whole thing confused me. I guess that's when having a mother could really be useful, I thought sadly. My father was great and loved me more than enough for two parents, but the disadvantages of not having a mother around to ask for advice became more and more apparent as I grew up into a young lady.
Maybe I didn't know much about romance and love except for what I had gathered from romance novels and such, but I did know a lot about honesty. And if Adam was crushing on me, didn't I owe it to our friendship to be honest with him? True, I did find him handsome, but who their right mind would not find him so? It wasn't a person's looks that I took such high account into anyway - it was their character and heart that lured me. That evening I decided I would be honest about my feelings. If Adam made any moves or hints about liking me, I would tell him that my feelings lay elsewhere. It was what our friendship deserved. It was what Adam deserved.
Many Thanks to TrudiRose for beta reading this chapter.