For a Saturday night, Pridelands was fairly quiet, compared to last week when Dimitri was buying everyone shots. For Charles Charming, it was perfect. He didn't want a crowd. He wanted a quiet place to sip a drink in peace. Charming Palace had become suffocating. He knew going out in public would be risky but he figured he wasn't that favorable at the moment anyway, so what did it matter.
He sat at the farthest bar stool from the door and ordered a scotch neat.
It had been a week since the scandal with Frollo had done serious damage to his campaign. Several donors had backed out. Some still stayed, hoping for Charles to redeem himself. He had yet to concede his race. And he really didn't want to concede to someone like Rolfe who was sure to let Sparrow and his crew run amok.
He took a sip of his drink and sighed, thinking of a solution.
"Adam would know what to do," he thought. He quickly shook his head and took another albeit larger sip of his drink.
"Running back to Adam was not an option," he told himself, just as someone else entered the bar.
It was a long haired brunette with the most enticing dark eyes he'd ever seen. She wore a gold seashell necklace. She was clearly a visitor or new to Fantasia. He was sure of it. He knew of all the ladies in Fantasia and she was not one of them. Her appearance intrigued her.
She walked to a bar stool in the middle of the bar to sit down.
"Vodka tonic, please," she ordered with Nikoma.
Her voice was slightly lower than most girls he'd known but nonetheless, smooth and feminine. He was intrigued by her.
"So what brings you to Fantasia?" Charming boldly asked as he took has drink and walked toward her.
She was slightly caught off guard. Charming could tell she wasn't expecting him.
"How do you know I'm not from here?" she asked as he took the seat next to her.
"Just a hunch. Am I correct in my assumption?"
She nodded taking a sip of her drink.
"Just moved here a few months ago with my parents. You?"
Charming smiled, unsure of how to answer her.
"I'm from Fantasia. Born and raised."
She nodded.
"So then you are a fan of their football team, then?"
He nodded.
"My family has a box for every game."
Her eyes grew wide, seemingly impressed.
"Very nice. Well then you will see my father coaching this season."
"Ah. So you're Bill Sykes daughter. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Charles Charming."
"Please. Call me Vanessa. And you're the Charles Charming? The Charles Charming who ran for mayor?"
He blushed.
"Yes that's me. And I haven't made an announcement on my candidacy yet. So I'm still in the running."
She nodded.
"Ah I see. So what brings you here tonight? No fancy campaign dinners to attend?"
Charles sighed.
"Unfortunately no. I'm not sure you've heard but my campaign has hit a bit of a snag so I am doing some rebranding, so to speak."
"Ah. I see. I was only curious because I've been in here every night this week and haven't seen you here before."
"I haven't been to Pridelands in a long time."
"And what made you choose tonight?"
Charles shrugged.
"Not sure. I needed a change of scenery."
"I understand."
"And what about you? What brings you here every night?"
Vanessa sighed.
"To get away from my parents for a while. I recently found out some things about my father. And I am having trouble processing while being around him. So I find places to hide, I guess."
"What did you find out? If you don't mind me asking?"
She smiled wickedly and looked at Charles.
"For that, you'll have to buy me another drink, Mr. Charming."
He smiled back and motioned for Nikoma.
"Another round, please."
Charles was glad he went out tonight.
Across town, Charles' rival for mayor was attending the celebratory dinner at Royal Hall for Anya. Anya had been living at Royal Hall for a week. Anya would've preferred to wait until Will had returned so he could be a part of it, but Uberta was just too excited to have her daughter back after all these years. She couldn't deny her mother that.
And her mother and brother went all out. A five course meal was prepared. Only the finest dishes were used. Uberta spared no expense now that her family was whole again. In addition to John Rolfe, Adelaide Norrington attended as well as the Jungles and Eric Shipman. Anya felt embarrassed that all of the attention was for her, but she was happy to see her mother so happy since they had reconnected.
"Attention, everyone! Attention!" Uberta announced, clinking her glass with her fork.
"I'd like to thank you all for attending this lovely dinner to welcome my long lost daughter, Anya back into the family fold where she belongs. It means so much to me that you all could be here for this occasion. Please dig in!"
Anya cheers with her mother and brother, wishing Will could be here with her.
"Thanks, mother. You didn't have to go to all of this trouble, you know."
Uberta smiled with glee.
"Nonsense, dear. This is a day I have been waiting for since you were a baby."
"You might as well know, Anya," Derek interjected, "one way or another she will get her way eventually."
Derek and Uberta shared a laugh.
The entire room was bright and boisterous. It was in stark contrast to her life at Beastman Manor. For the first time in her life, Anya felt that a house was truly a home
Down the street, Flynn was returning home after an afternoon with Jasmine. He decided to be nice and get his new roommate, Esmeralda a slice of pie from Tiana's. She had gotten the news from Phillip that since she was pregnant, another dancer named Chel was going to be replacing her in all future shows until after the baby was born. Flynn thought a slice of pie would be the least he could do to cheer her up. When he opened the door, Esmeralda was pretty much right where he left her. On the couch bingeing Vanderpump Rules.
"Hey, Es. I see you've had a productive Saturday."
She rolled her eyes.
"Shut up. Pregnancy tired is no joke. I just want to sit here."
"Well how about a nice slice of Tiana's special lemon meringue pie to go with the sitting?"
Esmeralda's eyes grew wide.
"That sounds amazing!"
Quickly he put the slice of pie on a plate, grabbed a fork and brought it to her.
"Here ya go, Es. My treat."
Esmeralda was practically salivating at the sight of it.
"Wow, being back with Jasmine sure has you on a generosity kick. Remind me to thank her."
Esmeralda took a bite of pie.
"I'm not back with Jasmine. We're just..."
"Having sex?"
Flynn was speechless.
"Well, so far. Yeah. I mean we cook together and stuff but we haven't been out together. And her grand opening is happening soon. I would like to know if we are more than just 'having sex' before then."
"Do what I did. Ask and don't put out until you have an answer."
Flynn rolled his eyes.
"Oh that's what you did? You didn't put out until you had an answer? Give me a break, Es."
"Okay well maybe it wasn't that simple."
She took another bite.
"No it's not that simple. And I'm sure telling Jack won't be simple either."
Esmeralda swallowed and sighed.
"Mhmm."
She grew silent.
"No. No it won't."
"Have you thought about how you're going to tell him?"
She put the fork on the plate and put the plate down on the coffee table.
"No. I haven't. We barely just became a couple. And now I have to tell him, I'm having his baby too?"
Flynn nodded, unsure of what to say.
"Not to mention my sister still refuses to talk to me."
"She hasn't responded at all?"
Esmeralda shook her head.
"No. She hasn't. She actually blocked my number."
Flynn was floored. Since Esmeralda had come to stay with him a week ago, he hadn't pressed her on what exactly happened. All she would say is that Angelica sad some things and she needed a safe place to be for the baby. And with the mood Aladdin had been in lately, he had a feeling Angelica said some pretty upsetting things for the both of them.
"Has Meg tried to talk to her?"
Esmeralda shrugged her shoulders.
"She said she would try. But at this point, what's the use? Angelica can't take back what she said and I'm done trying. I have to think of my baby now. And Jack."
In fact, Meg was planning on broaching the subject of The Teach Sister Stand Off Part 2, while Esmeralda scarfed down that pie.
It had been a busy day at the photo studio for the two of them. All week they both had been out in the field on separate photo shoots. Hera had Meg take photos of the renovations to Mount Olympus House for the paper and Angelica had taken photos of the Swann's Dalmatian Plantation. Neither had had a chance to speak to each other let alone discuss Esmeralda until this moment. They had both spent the day at their separate computers editing and cataloging all the photos from their shoots.
Meg had just finished hers. She was waiting for the prints to be ready so she could drop them off with Hera on her way home to Hercules. With knots in her stomach, she decided she might as well bite the bullet and talk to Angelica. It had been incredibly awkward all day being in the same place as one of her close friends and not speaking. Angelica hadn't even said hello when she arrived. Esmeralda hadn't told her what was said. But knowing Esmeralda was pregnant with Jack's baby, Meg could deduce that Angelica wasn't as okay with their relationship was she had let on.
Casually she walked over to Angelica's desk, taking a deep breath.
"Well, I'm off. Gonna drop these off with Hera and head home. Hercules is making some big fancy dish he saw online."
Angelica didn't even acknowledge Meg's statement. She just kept her eyes on her computer screen.
"You got any fun plans tonight, Ang?"
Angelica rolled her eyes.
"That's my business," Angelica responded, coldly.
Meg was a little shocked.
She had never known Angelica to be this cold to her. Sure, she was closer to Esmeralda and always had been, but she was still Angelica's friend too.
"Sure. Of course. I didn't mean to pry. Just showing interest in my friend's life."
"Well. Don't. Besides. Anything I tell you, is going right back to my sister."
"Not if you don't want me too, Ang."
"Oh. Is that so? Is that why you're asking me questions? Because you're genuinely curious about my life? Cut the crap, Meg. I know you better than that."
"Come on, Ang. What happened? You can tell me. If you don't want me to tell Esmeralda, I won't. I promise."
Angelica grunted as if she didn't believe a word out of Meg's mouth.
"Angelica, this can't go on forever. She's your sister. And she needs you right now."
"Some families are just broken. You should know that better than anyone. It's not like you would know the difference."
Meg's shock turned to hurt.
Angelica knew how to cut deep and clearly she didn't care.
"Well, I'm not going to push anymore. If you want to be petty with your sister, go ahead. Have a good night, Angelica."
Meg took the prints from the printer and stormed out of the studio, fighting back tears.
The Homecoming Dinner for Anya continued in full merriment. Anya and Derek were learning more about each other after eating such a grand meal. She learned he didn't like peas. He learned she was allergic to parsley. And all the while, her mother watched them with a proud smile on her face. Since Anya's return to Fantasia this was the first time she was truly enjoying herself. This was the family she had always wanted.
"Now that I'm safe and sound at Royal Hall, can I ask you something, Mother?"
Uberta nodded, drinking a glass of wine.
"Of course! Anything, darling."
"When can I finally meet my father?"
Before Uberta could answer, Rogers burst in the dining room with panic and fear on his face. He held a brick.
Derek stood up, alarmed.
"What is it, Rogers?"
"Sir, there's been a disturbance on the premises. A brick was thrown through the window of the guest house."
John Rolfe stood up.
"Where I've been residing? Did anyone see who it was?"
Rogers shook his head.
"I'm afraid not. The housemen went to investigate when they heard glass breaking."
Derek and Rolfe shared a look.
"Rogers, call Cassim Abu. Tell him we need to schedule a meeting immediately."
Any sighed.
Just when she was enjoying herself, something always came up.
A/N: Hiiiii. Trying to go for longer chapters with this season. Don't worry. I'll get into what happened with Meg and her parents. And you'll find out what Angelica said. Please follow and review! I appreciate my followers :) xoxo JTD