Not only had she slept past her alarm, but her brother had forgotten to leave the coffee pot on for her. So Angelica was having a rough morning. As she sped out the door, running late to take the Royal Family Portrait, she didn't see an equally rushed Pocahontas running out the door across the hall.
"Good morning, Angelica," Pocahontas greeted, bright and beaming.
Angelica was not in the mood for such cheerfulness.
"Hi, Pocahontas," she dryly greeted back, hoping to avoid further conversation.
The two descended the stairs next to each other.
Pocahontas did not seem to notice Angelica's less than social mood.
"Have you heard about the new job Cassim has taken on? I can't help but worry for him. Is Aladdin worried at all?" Pocahontas asked.
Angelica sighed.
"Aladdin and I are no longer seeing each other," Angelica coldly responded as the reached the entrance of their building.
Pocahontas gasped and put her hand on Angelica's shoulder.
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that."
Unemotionally, Angelica shrugged her off.
"It's alright. I've moved on. Sorry to run. I'm late for a job."
Pocahontas watched Angelica run off toward Outland Boulevard, absolutely puzzled.
It was so unlike Angelica to be so dismissive. She didn't have time to ponder Angelica's attitude. She was running late for work herself.
A few blocks away, another duo was also starting their morning.
"So after I chatted him up for a bit and verified that he was indeed Jack Sparrow's father, I called Anya for the key to their apartment and let him in there," Flynn said, finishing telling Jasmine how he had met Teague Sparrow as he poured her another glass of juice.
She set her fork down dramatically, taking his story in.
"Wow. You just left him there?"
Flynn chuckled and took a bite of his eggs.
"Jas, the man had drank an entire bottle of rum. He passed out cold. I told him that I'd drop by today to check on him and show him around Fantasia."
"Huh. So dad likes rum too."
Flynn nodded taking a big swig of his juice.
"And if he's anything like Jack, he will sleep until he is rudely awakened."
"Have you told Esmeralda yet?"
"Jas, when would I have had the time?"
She blushed, remembering why he had left Teague at Jack's apartment.
"You didn't have to rush over here. I would've understood."
He reached across the table and placed his hand over hers.
"I wouldn't dare stand you up, Jasmine," he said with a suave smile and a wink.
Jasmine felt butterflies in her stomach.
She felt a twinge of guilt for poor Teague being left all alone, but deep down inside she felt so good that Flynn valued her time and attention. It was so unlike the past version of him. She was enjoying this version very much. She had to admit that waking up with Flynn was much more preferable than waking up alone. After their encounter in her boutique, she almost expected it.
"That reminds me, do you have dinner plans? I think it's time I cooked for you," Flynn said, squeezing her hand.
Jasmine was suddenly speechless.
Even with everything going so well, fear bit her tongue from answering yes. She suddenly felt an immense pressure she wasn't used to. Sure she was enjoying their nightly trysts and morning togetherness but anything more than that was a terrifying thought. She and Flynn had had such a rocky past. She didn't want to jinx it. Their last time had been an utter disaster and she feared losing him completely if they got too serious too soon.
"Flynn, I don't know if that's such a good idea."
She could see in his eyes that it confused him. She hated that.
"Why not? I know I've never cooked for you before, but I bet I could pull something delicious together. And besides, I want to do this."
Jasmine's heart beat more rapidly. He was saying all the things she wanted to hear years ago when he was a less attentive boyfriend.
"No. It's not that," she laughed nervously.
"Then what is it? If you're worried about Teague. I'm sure he'll be fine on his own."
She shook her head, struggling to find the right words to say.
"Flynn, I just think it's too soon."
He furrowed his brow.
"Too soon for what? I don't understand."
"Flynn, we have barely started seeing each other again."
"Jasmine we've seen each other every day since the Cruella debacle."
"No. No. I mean romantically. I just don't want to move too fast and ruin what we have."
Flynn sighed, disappointed.
"I thought we both wanted this."
She got up and walked to his side of the table. She put her hands on his shoulders, leaning into him.
"We do. I do want this. But I want it to be right. The last time was so bad."
"I guess," he said, looking down, seemingly defeated.
She put her finger to his chin, urging him to look into her eyes.
"Hey. You're still important to me, Flynn. You know that right?"
He smiled. His eyes beaming with delight at what he was looking at.
"Yeah. I do."
She smiled, satisfied that she had made her point clear.
"Besides, we're having a lot of fun mornings, aren't we?" she said, almost whispering as she sat herself down in Flynn's lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Oh. Loads," he responded, kissing her fully on the mouth.
"How soon do you have to meet with the architect?" Flynn asked in a breathy whisper.
A tingle shot through Jasmine's body as she sensed his tone.
"Not for another two hours."
After laughing joyously at the amount of time he would have with Jasmine, he picked her up and carried her off to her bedroom. Squealing in surprise, she laughed amorously, kissing his neck while he walked.
In downtown Fantasia, the day was already off to a surprising start for Charles Charming. Weeks ago he had felt like his dreams were never to be achieved. But after his date with Vanessa last night, he had discussed it over with his uncle and his father and he was going to reactivate his campaign. And Briarrose Advertising was how he was going to do it. His uncle, Duke had learned that Clopin Teach was hired for the Rolfe ticket. And he knew that Clopin was as good a storyteller and promoter as any. If he wanted to beat Rolfe, he needed a strong adman to do it. Stephan Rose had run Radcliffe's campaign when he was in school. It was a strong one. He needed that type of attitude if he wanted to win.
"Your relationship with the coach's daughter is certainly good optics after the Frollo fiasco," Stephan said from behind his desk as he read over Charming's proposal.
Charles and Duke sat in the chairs across from him anxious to hear Stephan's decision. Charles' toes were curling to keep him from annoyingly tapping his feet.
"I'm glad you came to me. I believe that I can help you."
Charles heart skipped a beat. He felt so relieved.
"Sir, am I to understand you agree to help in my campaign?"
Stephan nodded his head eagerly.
"Absolutely. I believe that City Hall needs someone like you. After Aurora told me of her experience, we need stronger leadership. You have my full support."
Charles got up and extended his hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Rose. You will not regret this. I intend to crack down on crime and put more order in City Hall. I just need this Frollo mess behind me."
"Not to worry, Charles. I will take care of it. I will contact my media sources right now. We will get the ball rolling immediately.
And immediately they did. Not an hour later as Sinbad was going over a report from Eric did Phoebus storm into his office with news from City Hall.
"We are screwed," Phoebus announced, exasperated.
Sinbad looked up from his paperwork and sighed.
"What happened?" Sinbad inquired.
"Charming has reactivated his campaign."
Sinbad furrowed his brow, concerned.
"What do you mean? How can that be? He's caused such a scandal, there's no way the town can trust him now!" Sinbad responded standing up, tossing the papers on his desk.
"We need to have an immediate meeting with Rolfe and Royal to strategize. If he's this confident in reactivating his campaign, we have to be prepared for anything."
Sinbad thought on their options. No one was safe with Charming in charge. He recalled their last meeting before Jack and Will set sail...
"If Charles Charming should choose not to concede, there is something that we will tell you that will definitely increase those chances," Will said, looking to Jack.
"Gentlemen, we are about to give you the proper leverage you need to kill two birds with one stone," Jack uttered.
Intrigued, Derek leaned in.
"Before Will and I set sail last, it came to our attention that Charles Charming was seen in the middle of the night hurriedly sneaking about the darkened corridors of a certain cavernous manor, half dressed, perspiring with the look of...amorous gratification."
The entire group cocked their heads toward Jack.
"That's why Anya would crash at your place or Flynn's," Aladdin replied with a light bulb going off in his head, putting all the pieces of the puzzle together.
"Why? Because Charming is having a clandestine affair with a member of Adam's staff? How is that front page news?" Rolfe replied, not quite grasping the concept.
Jack rolled his eyes.
Will sighed and put his hand over his eyes.
Aladdin looked at Rolfe like he had just said the sky was orange.
Eric's and Phoebus' eyes grew wide as they both came to the same conclusion at the same time.
Derek tapped his fingers on his desk, nonplussed.
"I believe, John, the picture Sparrow so eloquently painted for us shows that my stepbrother and your political opponent are lovers."
"Bingo," Jack said pointing his finger at Derek.
"Not only that, but apparently, Charming now blames Adam for absolutely everything that transpired last night. He ended their relationship last night and Adam's anger is at an all time high right now. If their affair is to be revealed now - " Will explained
"Both Adam and Charming will have lost all credibility in the eyes of their conservative public," Phoebus finished.
"He hired Stephan Rose of all people. And you know Rose did that just to get his daughter's reputation intact – like it would help," Phoebus continued to ramble bringing Sinbad out of his thoughts.
"Phoebus, you have to get a hold of yourself. You can't break down now. Not after all we have at stake," Sinbad replied.
Phoebus took a deep breath and sat down in one of the chairs in front of Sinbad's desk.
"We still have our own little Hail Mary, you know," Sinbad reminded him.
Phoebus' eyes lit up.
"Charming's relationship with Beastman."
Sinbad nodded.
"We need to schedule an emergency meeting with Rolfe, Royal and Shipman. Jack is still a few weeks out. We need to come up with a plan before then."
"Right. We need to be prepared."
"I will call Eric tonight and have him call Royal. We have to confront this head on," Sinbad said, pulling out his phone.
"Relax, Phoebus. Charles Charming will be bested."
Phoebus sighed.
"I sure as hell hope you're right, Seas."
Angelica's photoshoot was finally underway.
After hours of setting up the proper lighting and meeting Uberta's staging expectations, Angelica was ready to take the photo.
Anya and Uberta sat in stately winged back chairs against a mahogany fireplace as Derek stood regally in between them. Angelica looked through the lens of her camera and noted how happy the trio looked to be together. Her heart sank knowing her parents – wherever they were – would never see a picture perfect image of their children ever again. She shook all thoughts of her own family drama from her mind and focused on the task at hand.
"Alright. Everything looks perfect. I'll start now," Angelica announced as she began snapping photos.
Anya smiled brightly, used to posing for a camera.
Part of her was happy she had a family that she could commemorate with such a photo. The other part of her was feeling that this was an incomplete. There was one person missing. It wasn't truly a family portrait. But still she smiled, reveling in the fact that her lonely dreams as a little girl of finding a family to belong to had finally come true.
"Okay. I think I got a good chunk in this setting. Are there any other locations or poses you would like to try, Mrs. Royal," Angelica asked as she clicked through the photos she had just taken.
Uberta shook her head.
"No, thank you, dear. A portrait with my family is all I've ever wanted," she responded putting her hand on the armrest of the chair that Anya sat in.
Anya looked to her mother and returned the smile.
With every ounce of courage she had in her heart, she found the words to ask her mother what she'd been longing to ask since she came to live at Royal Hall.
"But it isn't a full family portrait is it? Not without my father, right?" Anya asked slightly nervous.
Uberta blushed.
"Why that just means we will have to invite Angelica back here again when Father is here," Derek interjected, knowing that his father's absence was always a hard subject on his stepmother.
"When can I see my father?" Anya asked point blank, ignoring Derek's comment.
Before Uberta had the chance to answer, Derek decided to change the subject. He stepped forward toward Angelica.
"Angelica, would you like to stay for dinner? I believe we are having an Italian feast tonight."
Angelica stood speechless for what felt like eternity. She was flattered at Derek's invitation and could see in his eyes that he was growing an interest in her. But she had just recently become single. And the pain was still very raw from the altercation with her sister and jilting Aladdin. She wasn't sure she was ready to accept such an invitation. Derek seemed so kind. She didn't want to lead him on if she wasn't ready to reciprocate.
"Oh yes, dear. You are more than welcome to join us," Uberta added, getting up from her chair, completely bypassing Anya's earlier question now that attention had shifted to Angelica.
But before Angelica could respond, Rogers appeared with a distressed Rolfe at his tail.
"Sir, we've had another incident!" Rogers announced.
"What happened?" Derek asked.
"A decapitated rat was in my bedroom!" Rolfe shouted, angrily.
Gasps erupted throughout the room.
"That's terrible! But aren't Cassim's men supposed to be on watch? Did they see anything?" Uberta asked, horrified that someone dangerous was on their property.
"They aren't supposed to start until tomorrow. But I've already called Cassim and told him we need them to start immediately. He's on his way with his men and his top investigators to see if the perpetrator left any evidence," Rogers announced.
"Even though we already know it has to be your beastly stepbrother, Derek," Rolfe added, seemingly hysterical.
"I have my suspicions too but I will wait for Cassim's report. Adam has not been seen in town as of late nor his underlings," Derek retorted, knowing how Uberta felt about Adam's terrible temper. He didn't want to cast undo accusations until he had all the evidence.
"Cassim and his men will find what we need."
Knowing that Aladdin was probably en route, Angelica thought it was the perfect time for her to make her exit.
"I really should get these loaded and edited to the system for you all," Angelica interjected, having discretely packed her bags while they were talking.
Derek turned to her as if disappointed by her words.
"Well, maybe you can stay for dinner another time?" Derek asked.
Anya took note of her brother's newfound interest in the younger Teach.
Angelica smiled.
"Of course. If the offer is still good?"
Derek smiled and winked.
"Of course. You are welcome here any time."
Angelica smiled nervously and walked down the hall and out the front door, speedily making her way toward the studio hoping she was going to avoid seeing Aladdin at all costs.
As the work day winded down in Fantasia, in the darkest corner of Pridelands, Mozenrath sat sipping a Scotch neat and waiting. He took a sip of his drink and tapped his fingers on the table.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
He picked up his phone. With a sinister smile he had a cackle to himself as he read the text he had just received.
After a lifetime of exile, his plan was finally put into motion to destroy the reputation of Cassim Abu.