Chapter 99
1619words
As the end of my project for youths came, I met it with a bittersweet sense of emotions. On one hand, I was grateful for as many lives I had been able to touch, but on the other hand, I constantly found myself dealing with memories of the time Paris attended meetings with us. I found myself dealing with the broken hope of our failed relationship. Again.
But this time around, I promised myself I would be strong and I didn't even need the moonstone for that. I wrapped my hand around the pendant as I stared at myself in the mirror. I wore a green satin dress with thin straps and thought I looked fetching.
Jean was going to be around soon to take me to the banquet I had organized for members of the project board. And yes, including Paris. He had not been a member for too long, but while he was there, he played a vital role. I promise you I was not being sentimental though. It just seemed fair. Although, I refrained from telling Axel my plan.
"you're quite a sight for sore eyes. "Jean commented when he picked me up that evening and I smiled broadly,
"Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself."He wore a gray suit that made him look like a French colonel and I wondered if that was the vibe he had been going for.
"Alright, you kids have fun," Axel said, and started shooting us out the door and I chuckled,
"Are you not coming?" jean asked,
"Of course I am. But I'm the special guest, you know. I have to make an entrance."
I turned to Jean and made a face, "he'll make an entrance and put all of his focus on me. That's why everyone thinks he is in love with me."
Axel put his arm around my neck, "I do love you."
I rose on my toes and kissed his cheek, "And I love you. " I said, meaning it with all of my heart.
"What is he doing here?" Jean asked sometime after we had arrived at the banquet, and I thought I knew who he was talking about before I saw him,
"I know things aren't so good between him and me at the moment. But he was still a part of this project. It didn't sit well with me to not invite him." I explained.
Jean frowned, but he said nothing, although I know she hated the sight of Paris. I, myself, wasn't so sure how I felt at the sight of the man.
When it was time for my speech on the project, Jean made a point of walking me to the stage, and I knew it turned a lot of heads. I was fine with that.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. It is with gratitude that I welcome you all to this banquet. Honestly, I approach this project's end with a bittersweet sense, because as much as we've achieved so much and it brings me so much joy, it means that I can no longer have meetings with my wonderful team. It means, for the time being, the outreaches will stop. " I said and smiled at everyone. I even noticed Paris paying attention to me with rapt attention, but I was untethered,
"Nevertheless, my doors are still open to you and whoever you deem fit for help. This isn't a project that no longer sees the face of the youths. It is one that is established and is ready to make its mark. This is why, acknowledging some events that took place a couple of days ago, the Alpha Prince has put in my mind a new project, one linked with this one. It will be focused on reforms of the vandals of our society. "
There were murmurs and I waited for them to die down before I continued to speak,
"Yes, I'm well aware of the fact that there are some who have no desire to change, and given the chance they would be a menace to society again and again. But there are some, who are in need of a project like this, to enlighten them to the fact that there is more to life than truancy. Don't get me wrong, wrongdoers will be punished for their wrongs. But those who seek to change, those who seek a better life will have this door opened to them to enable them to do just that. And so, seeing as this whole thing was the idea of your prince, I will now welcome Prince Axel to the stage to give you more information."
The people cheered loudly as Axel walked up the stage. He put his arm around my waist and kissed my temple. And I was sure that was going to get enough talk and attention. I'm sure Axel knew that too, because he winked at me with a cheeky grin.
I simply smiled and shook my head.
"Good evening everyone. Thank you for gracing us today with your presence. There isn't anything I'll say, that Ms. Ember hasn't said. However, I must press on the fact that this reform project isn't one that will excuse bad behavior or conduct. Punishable acts will be punished. The only difference is the fact that, after leaving out your sentence there will be a chance for change. I am well aware of the stigma that follows doing wrong and being punished for it. I know that it is sometimes hard for people who have taken time to be integrated into society. This project is our way of saying that you can start all over again. That we believe in you." At that, everyone cheered, and Axel smiled, before handing me the microphone.
"Alright everyone, please have a great evening," I said, and with that, he and I got off the stage.
While he went to greet some people he knew, I went to the bar to get a drink and heard the murmurs some group of women thought I couldn't,
"It's really hard to understand the dynamics of that relationship. She came with a man, but even while the alpha prince was hugging her, I could see him smiling and cheering for her. Make that make sense."
"It's obvious that she isn't important to him. What can the man do? Try to tear the girl away from the alpha prince?"
"From the looks of it, I think the man even appreciates the relationship the girl has with the prince." the third woman said and added with a lower tone, "he might be a social climber."
"That man doesn’t look like a social climber if you ask me. I mean he looked all welcoming while he smiled at her. But now he is alone and looks like he's brooding. He doesn't look like the one to care about statuses."
There was silence, and I'm sure that was when they all turned to look at Jean. I wanted to go over to them and tell them to shut the hell up and give them a piece of my mind. But I was unsure of the wisdom of that action.
"Well, just because he doesn't look like he wants a good status does not mean he doesn't want it. And then, there's the ex-husband." another commented, and I rolled my eyes.
"What about him?"
"He on the other hand looked like he was ready to break something when the alpha prince was hugging Ms. Ember. I watched him."
"It's crazy if you ask me. I hear they were married for more than three years, and in all that time, he never made appearances with her. If he did, there were only a few. But now I rarely see her without seeing him, even if they aren't at the same table. It's like he suddenly can't do without her."
"Perhaps, he suddenly cannot. After all, people only value something when it's no longer theirs." that was the moment I decided I could not take their words any longer.
I got up and I left them to their gossip. Alas, I saw why The Bible advised us not to always pay attention to the things said in secret about ourselves.
Jean looked at me with relief when I approached our table and I wondered why I ever wandered from him that night,
"I was beginning to worry when I didn't see you."
"I was at the bar," I said and sat. he tilted his head at me,
"no drink?"
"what? Oh. I was at the bar. But I got distracted. Did you want a drink?" I asked and suddenly tried to get up, but he reached for my hand,
"no. I don’t need a drink." he said, as I slowly sat back down, "I need you to stay here. With me." he said, and he suddenly didn't look like a top dog or alpha of any pack. Rather, he looked like a golden retriever and the sight pleased me.
"I'm here," I said softly.
We stayed together through the night, and I clung to his side through every dance or greeting of guests. He was the best companion because he might have been a gold retriever to me, but he swiftly switched up to a rottweiler when he wasn't dealing with me.
In other words, he made me feel safe.
And when Paris, approached our table, and I began to fidget without knowing, he reached for my hand and quieted my anxiety,
"Good evening, Ember. May I have a word?"
"I don’t think so, Paris."
"understandable. But then perhaps I could have with you." he said, turning to Jean, "this matter is grave."
