PAULENE
"I'm really sorry, Pau," Franz said.
He really put me in an embarrassing situation back there.
Furious-- that's what I am now.
I walked faster, but, he had no difficulty keeping up.
And then we reached his car.
Damn it.
I can't get mad at him. Not when I need his ride.
I turned to face him.
Especially not when he looks like a poor cutiepatootie puppy. And does he really have to pout like that?
I heave out a sigh.
"Just bring me home already," I said.
"Only after you let me make up for what I did."
I rolled my eyes at him.
"Come on. How about a movie? We can still catch one," He suggested.
"My pick?" I asked.
"Sure. What would you like to watch?"
"World War Z!" I exclaimed.
"No. Anything but that," He quickly replied.
"And why?"
I continued, "You're not afraid of zombies, are you?"
I couldn't help but let out a laugh.
He looked away and mumbled something.
I laughed even harder.
"Stop it," He demanded.
He really is afraid of zombies! Zombies in movies! This is just so hilarious.
"I said stop it!" He bellowed as he pinned me on his car.
I instantly stopped laughing without intending to do so.
My heart is now racing.
He was too near.
I could feel his fast and warm exhales on my face as his fiery emerald pupils were burning my brown ones, piercing me through my soul.
I watch as his beautiful red lips open and say the words, "That fear does not make me less of a man."
But you are not a man.
You are a sex god.
My heart is now palpitating madly that it could burst.
Sweat broke out on my forehead. I could feel it dripping down my face.
We've been this near before.
It was in his room, on his bed.
This feeling--
It's frightening...
And exciting.
I am tensed both in a good and a bad way.
This tension is so overwhelming.
I close my eyes.
Just do it already.
"Let's just get some cold milk tea then," I hear him say.
I opened my eyes and he pulled himself away from me.
I heave out a sigh.
I am not sure if I am relieved or--
Disappointed.
He should have kissed me.
What the fuck, Paulene?! Get a hold of yourself! You are better than this. What were you thinking?!
Friends.
Just friends.
No more bullshit emotions to anyone until I graduate.
"Get in the car already," He said as he ran to the driver's side of the car while I open the door of the front seat.
Milk tea.
I think I need that.
FRANZ
I watch the liquid in Paulene's straw travel up to her puckering lips as she took a sip of her Jasmine milk tea.
That's it.
I like her.
I really, really like her.
I like her more than my Tiramisu milk tea. Mind you, Tiramisu milk tea is one of the best joys of the world.
"How's Lucy doing?"
"Great. She asked about you actually," I answered.
"I really like her. She's very nice," She said.
I smile. I feel warm and happy inside.
She likes my mother. Mom likes her as well. I like the both of them. Like is an understatement. How perfect can it get?
She took another sip of her milk tea before asking, "Why didn't they give you a sibling?"
I swallowed the tea collected in my mouth hard.
After making her wait a few moments for an answer, I finally said, "I am not a fan of miracles, but, my parents think I am one."
"Mom has Endometriosis. The chances of her getting pregnant is almost impossible. They only found out about it a year after they got married. When my grandparents knew, they even urged Dad to get a divorce. They want a grandchild. Besides that, they originally want Dad to marry an elite instead."
I continued, "But, Dad loved Mom. He'd rather live a fruitless marriage with her than marry someone else. That time, an In Vitro Fertilization was not yet as popular as it is now. However, Dad already found out about it and thought that it was their only hope. When they were about to undergo the process, Mom miraculously conceived me. As natural as it gets."
"Wow." It was all that Paulene said.
I went on, "Lucy was a Grade School teacher before she met Frederick, my Dad. She didn't need to work when she married him because my father side is extremely wealthy. But, she kept working even after the marriage. The woman is a busy body and she loves kids."
"It must be really depressing for her not to have a kid of her own when she takes care and educates children of other people, right?"
Paulene nodded.
"When I was miraculously born, miraculously being always the adverb, Mom quit her job so she can be a full-time mother."
"And she did a great job," Paulene said.
I am glad that she thinks that.
I give her a smile.
"Why didn't they ever consider an adoption? Why not adopt a kid to be your little bro or little sis?" She asked.
"Dad is not a fan of adoption. He wants his kids to be his own. It explains why he preferred an In Vitro Fertilization over adoption," I answered.
I then decided to tell her more.
"February 2007, Mom got miraculously pregnant again. It was a baby girl, Frances Lucia. I was very excited. We all were. I was already imagining myself as my baby sister's knight in shining armor."
"We celebrated every day of my mother's pregnancy. Dad was especially inspired."
"And July 23, 2007, that was a Monday, I was in school when I got a phone call that Mom had a miscarriage."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Paulene softly said.
We were silent for quite a while.
I then reminisce the time when I was so happy I was going to have a sister.
Mom, Dad, and I would all go together to shop for her things. We even already had her pink bed room prepared.
Frances Lucia would have been a princess.
And I would be her knight in shining armor.
Paulene broke the silence, "You should get a girlfriend, Franz. You could be someone's knight and I bet you would do a fine job."
I suddenly felt uneasy at what she suggested.
I couldn't look at her directly.
For so long, I wanted to be Tiffany's knight, but she rejected me.
Frances Lucia also rejected me.
Princesses always reject me.
Will you reject me as well, Paulene?
Not only as your knight, but also as your prince.
Will you reject me?
Paulene then said, "I bet if Frances Lucia got the chance to live and see that you will be her brother, she would feel very lucky. You will make a fine knight, Franz-- even a fine prince."
"So tell me darling do you wish we fall in love? ♪♫" A female singer sang the lyrics of the song playing in the Tea Shop.
"All the time, all the time ♫"
--
The lyrics at the end of the chapter are from Owl City's song entitled, "Saltwater Room". Sweet song! Give it a listen! ;) Watch the video I attached on the Multimedia! It's a very cute stick figure music video with lyrics. The last part is at 2:19!
Liked this chapter? I really hope you enjoyed. :')
It's a Franz-Paulene chapter! Check the photo at the multimedia! :D So, who are you rooting for now? Prince Franz? Or still a solid Rockstar Ashton fan? Don't worry Team Ashton, he'll be back on the next chapter! I'm sure you missed him. ;)
Show love and support for the story as it inspires me!
This chapter is dedicated to may1998! I hope you already read Chapter 61! ;) Enjoy this chapter!
P.S. Medical terms used:
Endometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the membrane which lines the abdominal cavity. Endometriosis is a common finding in women with infertility.
There is no cure for endometriosis, but it can be treated in a variety of ways, including pain medication, hormonal treatments, and surgery
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the joining of a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm in a laboratory dish. In vitro means “outside the body.” IVF is a major treatment for infertility.The process involves monitoring a woman's ovulatory process, removing ovum or ova (egg or eggs) from the woman's ovaries and letting sperm fertilise them in a fluid medium in a laboratory.
Thanks MedlinePlus and Wikipedia!