The sun is streaking heat at twelve and the Vikans went flocking in the cafes and the cafeterias again. The line is piling up and every famished Vikans are racing for the remaining available seats and tables. The meat and the veggies comes both in a plate. And everyone never leaves without a season of magical sweets and beverages. The sales and orders grow rapidly high and the costumers still keep on arriving.
"Good morning! May I take your order, sir?"
"Umm...a... one order of a happy couple meal, please."
WHAT? HAPPY, HUH? (Quiante thought)
"You mean one combo couple meal sir, yes?" Quiante corrected.
"Yes." The man bashfully replied.
"One combo couple meal comes with two steaks and two salads, anything else sir?"
"O! And umm... a pair of large fries and strawberry sundae, please. My betrothed wife is coming here today, and she's gonna fall for it." The man happily bragged.
UMM... SERIOUSLY? DO I EVEN NEED TO KNOW THAT? WELL, GOOD LUCK! I HOPE SHE WON'T BE RUNNING AWAY AFTER YOU DO. (Quiante thought)
"One combo couple meal, two large fries and two strawberry sundae coming up and that's ten silver sequels sir. May I take your bills, please."
"O yeah, here." the man hand out ten solid silver sequels to Quiante.
"I have received ten solid silver sequels sir and your happy couple meal will be coming right after five minutes. Have a nice day!"
"Thanks a lot!"
"Next, please."
"Umm... do you have a meal for engagement surprises?"
UMM... WEREN'T YOU CHECKING OUR FOOD MENU RECENTLY? WELL, NEVERMIND. (Quiante thought)
"Yes, we have it sir. And we have a list of those in our flat screen menu just right above you. Kindly please see the details for yourself."
"Why thank you. Umm...a... I should like to take the umm... special combo couple meal? Yeah, that's it! One order of special combo couple meal, please."
"Sure, anything else sir?" Quiante asked.
"No, that's it. It'll be magical alone."
MAGICAL!? (Quiante thought)
"(coughs) Excuse me." Quiante coughed by the thought of MAGICAL.
"Dry cough?" the man guessed.
"(coughs even louder) No, just a cough sir." she covered up.
"Well, I have a magical cough reliever here and I can give it to you if you'd like." the man offered.
O, SHUT UP WITH THE MAGICAL THING! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!? (Quiante thought)
"No, thanks. I'm really, truly fine, sir. One order of special combo couple meal is eight silver sequels. May I have the bills, please?"
"Are you sure your ok?" the man insisted.
"I'm completely strong and healthy more than you could ever know, sir. So, can I have the bills, please?"
"Sure."
"I've received your bills sir and your magical special combo couple meal will be right there after five minutes. Have a nice day!"
"Thanks! And O, don't forget to make it magical, ok?"
"Absolutely! Have a magical day, sir!"
Quiante smiled back at the last persistent customer as he leaves the counter. However behind those faces are a serious annoyance and personal disgust against the thought of MAGICAL. This is because, the abrupt announcement of Mrs. Ashburn took a blunt lethal blow at her that she was caught off guard mentally. And being magical isn't just the right word for inconsented marriage. So as for Quiante this was a shocking experience.
--FLASHBACK--
"Quiante, we're getting married!" William happily announced.
"It's an engagement, William." Quiante corrected.
"My, aren't you happy that you're getting married to my son, Quiante?" Mrs. Ashburn added.
"I'm sorry, but the word is an engagement, Mrs. Ashburn." Quiante reiterated.
"But you'll still be marrying after that, right?"
"I-i don't know, Mrs. Ashburn. But can we take this slowly?"
"Oh yeah! I have just the right thing for you, Quiante. And I'm sure you'll gonna love this." William interjected.
"Umm... if I may be excused, I think I really don't feel good right now..."
They ignored Quiante's indirect objection and William then just took something from behind him. Suddenly, he knelt down before her and on his hands he held a crimson puny chest adorned with exaggerated ribbons. And without a second to waste, William opened the box immediately. And there within, lies an expensive diamond ring shining before Quiante's eyes. While Quiante on the contrary, wasn't ready to any of this and getting engaged to William is just so shocking.
"Quiante, I have been preparing this for so long and now's the time to tell you this. This may not be much, but will you be my fiancee?" William confessed.
NOT MUCH!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? (Quiante thought)
"Uh... I think I'm gonna cry my son (sniffs). Go on, Quiante."
"I uh... I uh..."
--The clock struck twelve and gave off a loud chime--
"I gotta go. I-I'm so sorry Mrs. Ashburn but I really need to go. Bye!"
Quiante quickly grab her hoodie on the rack and immediately walked as fast as she can away from the mother and son conspiracy. And presently, she was serving as a counter-girl in a fast food chain. All the customers have now their meals served and the cafeteria finally settled down. As time passes by, the number of Vikans coming to and fro became lesser and lesser. And at the struck of two, finally Quiante had the opportunity to have a short break and lunch.
While on her free time, Quiante usually went slacking off on the cafeteria's rooftop. There she eats alone and fleetingly experience a moment of peace and liberty. As the hustle and bustle of town slowly became fuzzy downstairs, Quiante silently opened her lunch box and savor the luscious aroma of chicken curry that was adoringly topped on the sparkling white rice. And before she digs in, Quiante would never forget to clasp her hands and say a short prayer to the Divine Creator. Despite living in the trend of capitalist Vikans, Quiante's family continues to practice a strong bond with the beliefs and doctrines of the Holy Sanctuary. In fact, their family is the last remaining members that adapted both religion and capitalism. While eating, Quiante was still greatly bothered by the sudden engagement of Ashburn Family.
--Reminiscing—
"Will you be my fiancée?" (Echoing)
FIANCEE!? (CHOCKED) MY, HOW RIDICULOUS! AND SERIOUSLY, WHY ME!? WHY WOULD WILLIAM MARRY SOMEONE LIKE ME WHEN IN FACT HE IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CONGLOMERATE IN THE EMPIRE!? HE CAN HAVE ALL THE B*TCHES HE WANTED AND HE CAN CHOOSE A BUNCH OF DECENT GIRLS WHENEVER HE WANTED. HOWEVER, ME WHO AM MISS BROEKER GETTING USED TO FIVE YEARS OF BROKEN LIVINGJUST SUDDENLY GOT ENGAGED TO MR HIGH ALMIGHTY WHO ISN'T EVEN MY LEVEL? THAT IS SO OUTRAGEOUS! AND I'LL PROBABLY BE THE WORST CLOWN IF THAT HAPPENS. ARE THEY PULLING A JOKE ON ME!? WAIT, WHAT IF IT IS? THAT'S IT! MAYBE I SHOULD ASK PA ABOUT IT. O, I HOPE I WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING. (Quiante thought)
--Phone Dials—
"Oi, Quiante! You called? What's the matter, cupcake?" her dad answered.
"Pa is it true that… I don't know, perhaps… you engaged me to… to that Ashburn brat?" she hesitantly asked.
"Well, that's faster than I thought."
"So you did it, didn't you?"
"Look honey, it was for the best."
"What? And you didn't even asked for my consent!?" Quiante raised her voice.
"Listen, It was for your own good Quiante."
"No, it's not! We already talked about this Pa. And you know I've been trying so hard for five years. Now, why can't you still trust me!? I don't need a man to feed me. I just need a family to support me and that's all I ever ask!"
"I know, I know, and I understand, but this time I need you to listen to me on this."
"No, pa you know you shouldn't have done it!"
"I know that I never should have done it but you don't have a choice."
"O, come on pa! Where's the spirit that have always been with you all these years? Has it failed you? Ha-have you grown afraid of them?"
"That's enough, Quiante! I did it so to protect you!"
"To protect me from what, Pa?! From debt, slavery, humiliation?"
"From that ex-fiancée of yours that have suffered you for the whole five years, Quiante!"
"And what does that have to do with, William pa? Did he even know what trouble we are dealing with?!"
"They know and the royal commander general his father himself knows too well."
"Then, why me?"
"I didn't even know, Quiante. But the good thing is they are willing to risk everything for you."
"How unreasonable, I think I'm done talking with you here Pa. I'm sorry, but I am not going to this outrageous engagement."
"Quiante, listen to me! If only you have married that archduke's son five years ago, things wouldn't have been this way. It is your fault that you are suffering for the rest of your life and I am not letting that happen! I am your father and you only have to obey me! You have already made a big mistake once Quiante, so don't let this happen again. And you're wrong about suffering alone! Remember, we also suffered a lot because of you! You made our world upside down and it is your duty to fix this! Quiante, our life wouldn't have been like this if it weren't for you. So please this time why not admit it and take the responsibility! I am not asking you Quiante, this is a demand!" Her dad angrily blamed her.
"You know what Pa; I guess I never should've been your daughter."
"Quiante…"
--End Call—
"Help! Help! Somebody! He stole my wallet!" the woman cried across the street.
"(Police whistle) Hey, come back here!" the police responded as he shot a bubble magic aimed at the thief.
To Quiante's unmanageable anger, she suddenly throws a hot ball of water across the street. And the moment it impacted on the ground, the hot water ball exploded at the thief's pace blasting him off back to the bubble officer. The thief was caught on the scene while the trace of the hot water ball leaves a destructive mark on the pave walk. This did startle the officer and so he began interrogating for witnesses. Whilst Quiante quietly goes back to her shift and didn't even know what just happened that she just shot a powerful blow across the road.
An hour later, Quiante logged out and proceeded to her last job. And the job's description requires her to be an emcee for an evening wedding celebration in that particular evening. Quiante usually don't look at the mirror or put some make-up on before she leaves home for work, but the moment she do on stage, that is the only time which she can have the moment to revitalize her exhausted face. Quiante stands as five and three feet high, has a normal complexion, a well-fit body structure, a heart-shaped face with attractive almond emerald eyes, natural red lips, symmetrically proportioned nose and dark brown silky long hair. So, technically even without a make-up she's a natural beauty.
As soon as she got in the venue, Quiante immediately rushed to change outfit and fixed herself. She wore a sparkling lavender mermaid dress and a matching red stiletto underneath of about three inches high. Then afterwards, she went directly to the women's comfort room to brush and pretty up fast. She put on the foundation followed by the eyeliners, put on the blush ons and lastly the lip shiner. When she got out, suddenly, a couple of men in black blocked her path purposely.
"Who are you people?" she sharply demanded.
"This way ma'am, please."
The well-guarded men peacefully convinced her to walk outside the venue and halt next to the main entrance. By and by, the white dazzling limo Mercaedese unloaded before her. The door opened wide and the handsome guy in purple tux and velvet tie exits and stand next to her. This caught everyone's attention and many came flocking in the range. The girls flirted and the Vikans are eager to see him personally. The venue became louder and louder until the couple later noticed the commotion.
"My Quiante, you look even lovelier today my darling." The handsome guy started.
"William? Umm… why are you here?" she whispered.
"Well, isn't it obvious? It's our first date, honey."
"Ugh! Stop calling me that." Quiante tries to lessen her voice.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of, Quiante. I'm all yours now."
"Shh! Just please… go, ok?"
O, SH*T! SH*T! SH*T! SH*T!!! JUST DIE ALREADY WILLIAM! (Quiante thought)
"I'm sorry, what did you say? Of course, we're going on a date darling!" William purposely announced.
SH*T!!! NOW YOU'VE DOWN IT, WILLIAM. O, I SWEAR I'LL KILL YOU IF I HAD THE CHANCE! (Quiante's thoughts)
"You know William I can be very nice with you if you have just go, but on the other hand, you just deliberately ignored me. You know just the right punishment for naughty kids, right?" she discreetly tried to threaten him.
"My, that was threatening (sweat drops). You know, you shouldn't be that rude to your husband-to-be, darling." William teased her even more.
"Why you..."
"Ah, our very most important guest! Sir Ashburn, Welcome!" The groom welcomed him. "And wait, aren't you our emcee for tonight?" He asked Quiante beside William.
"Actually..."
"Actually she's my wife-to-be, Adams." William butted in.
(Quiante frosted in shock)
"O, I-i'm so sorry Sir Ashburn. But with all due respect I greatly ask for your benevolent pardon. I-i really didn't know she was your fiancee." The groom was cluelessly sorry.
"Nah, don't worry about it. But next time be more careful with your words Adams, ok?" He pressed him.
"It'll never happen again sir."
"Good." his aura suddenly changed.
"Please, come in." The groom invited.
"Absolutely! May we?" He turned to Quiante.
Quiante had no choice but to take William's hands and parade through the crowd. The emcee was substituted by another person and the wedding successfully commenced. Quiante and William sat at the best table and his guards sitting behind him. The ceremony convened and finally the wedding banquet. On this point of juncture, the meals were served comprising of steaks and corn soups that were equally distributed to every guest followed by the sweets and salads for an appetizer.
Lastly, the champagne was served to commemorate the highlight of the wedding, the dance ceremony. On this point, the bride and groom take the floor to perform the first dance. And the rest of the guest then follows. Quiante knowing this beforehand thought of a reasonable alibi to run away from William and his guards. Without hesitation she excused for a comfort room. William permitted her thoughtlessly and having the chance, Quiante has successfully escaped through the backdoor.
"Phew! Screw you William! (Laughs)" Quiante celebrated.
Quiante took her belongings from the staff room. And quickly changed her clothes, put on her leather boots, and run as fast as she could away from the venue without bumping into William. When she got out, she called for a commuters cab but it seems everyone is occupied. Getting anxious as time passes by, eventually he saw William's guards come running down the venue.
So, to her fear of getting caught she immediately crossed the pedestrian lane calmly as the cars stopped so as not to get suspicious. However, the guards spotted her and catch up with her across the street. Having no choice, Quiante grab the nearest bus and William's men are very close. But suddenly the go sign lighted up and so the cars come running again. Quiante, successfully escaped the chase and as she checks at the window she saw William panting beside the road with a dismayed look. Quiante almost burst to laughter seeing how disappointed William is.
"(Laughs silently) Good for you, dork head."
Sometime later, the bus stopped over and Quiante decided to get down. It was already late at night, and she is now fifty kilometer away from home. She climbed over the overpass to cross the opposite road to hitch the bus going back to city and all of a sudden she remembered once again what her father said.
--Reminiscing—
"If only you have married that archduke's son five years ago, things wouldn't have been this way. It is your fault that you are suffering for the rest of your life… I am your father and you only have to obey me! You have already made a big mistake once Quiante… And you're wrong about suffering alone! Remember, we also suffered a lot because of you! You made our world upside down… our life wouldn't have been like this if it weren't for you!" (Echoing)
O, I FORGOT I HAVE NOTHING TO RETURN TO NOW. (SOBS AND STARTED CRYING) WHY ME? WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME? WHY CAN'T THEY JUST LEAVE ME ALONE? IS FIVE YEARS ISN'T STILL ENOUGH? (Quiante's thoughts)
Quiante was greatly saddened by the fact that her father has for the first time blamed her for everything that have happened to them. She became depressed and all that she could ever think right now is falling apart.
MAYBE… MAYBE ALL OF THIS WOULD GO AWAY IF I WAS GONE. MAYBE…
She ominously looks at the bottom of the bridge as the cars went rushing to and fro. Quiante without thinking, carelessly ascended the dangerous narrow banisters of the bridge when a gust of wind almost blew her down. It was not for long, that the people then noticed her intent and everyone shouted for help. However one more step and she'll completely fall into a horrible accident. By and by, the policeman arrived and slowly gained towards her. The policeman patiently negotiated with her but in the blink of an eye…
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!
SCREECHED!!! THUD!
--Phone rings--
"Hello?"
"Is this Sir Broeker, speaking?
"Yes, who is this?"
"This is the Vikans district police and you're daughter bumped into a terrible accident. Recently she's at the Clerics Sanatorium and we need your pressence here, immediately!"
--Phone Line Hanging--