The hotel was one of the super fancy ones that felt like it was breaking my bank just by standing in the lobby. "Okie dokie," Trudy gave a nervous giggle as she shuffled over to me, "Miss Fae, I have a very important question for you." She seemed a bit flustered. "How can I help?" I assumed it was something about the cake. "Well I have a teeny problem." She stated, clearly trying to figure out how to bring it up. "Yes..?" I awaited her to gather her courage. "I have a open spot as a bridesmaid because my sister's friend can't make it on time and I was hoping that I could just substitute you??" She gave me a hopeful look and I swallowed the thick lump in my throat, "You want me to step in?" I was puzzled as to why she asked me. "You seem about the size of the dress and I really need that spot filled, plus you seem super nice!" She answered quickly, adding on the last compliment. I bit my lip, "Well I don't exactly have any problem with it..." And tugged lightly at my ear. A habit I developed as a young girl for when I was really nervous or uncomfortable. "Perfect!" She clapped her hands, "Let's go make sure the dress and heels fit!" She hurried down the hallway towards the elevators and I rushed to keep up.

We get into her room and I can't help but admire the beauty. It was some kind of suite clearly for the super elite. "Wow, this is nice." "I know right?" She squeaks out as she shuts the door behind us and hurrying over to her closet. "So have you ever been in a wedding before?" She asks. I set my stuff down on the edge of her bed, "No." I answer her honestly. "I only had guy friends growing up and eventually drifted from them when I moved here." "That must be difficult." She turned around, pulling out what must've been the ugliest peach color I had ever seen on a spaghetti strap dress. I blinked a few times as it felt like it was burning my eyes, "It was but then I met my boyfriend and slowly mingled my way into his friend group." I watch as she set the dress across the bed and went to dig for the heels. "You have a boyfriend? Cute." She replied, "How long?" I think she was trying to keep the conversation going to avoid an awkward silence between us. "Oh, three years." I answer quite proudly and she turns back to look at me, "That's a long time to be dating." She didn't try very hard to hide the snooty look on her face. "I wanted to take things slow so I think it's appropriate." I tug at my ear, her judgemental look making me uncomfortable. "How long did you date before he popped the question?" I tried switching the conversation back to her. She grinned widely, showing off her engagement ring proudly, "We had only been dating for a couple of months!" "Oh, congratulations." I smile at her as I glance at the shiny ring, "Wow, that must've cost a fortune." It was your typical white gold ring with a big diamond on it. "It did, I really love it!" She sets the heels down in front of the dress. "So you are engaged but it's your twin sister Ren that's getting married tomorrow?" I asked her to make sure I understood the situation. "Yup." She nodded before picking up the dress and handing it to me. "Alright, let's see how you look." I stand and take the dress, heading towards the bathroom. "Just give me a minute." I close the door behind me before making a face. This dress is so ugly, also she didn't have to be so snobby. Three years is certainly a better time to date someone than a few months. Who agrees to get married that soon? I give it a month tops before divorce.
I drop my shirt and pants to the floor before pulling up the peach dress. Ugh, it makes me look like a weird ghost with how pale my skin is. But it does make my red hair and blue eyes pop a bit...maybe that's just the lighting. I open the door, "I will need help zipping the back up." I turn around so she can reach the zipper. I heard her footsteps before a cold finger poked at my back, "That's a nasty looking scar, what happened??" I nearly freeze at her words. I had forgotten about the scars upon my back. "Oh, those." I swallowed thickly, "I was in a car accident as a kid." The lie rushed from my lips. "Damn." She zipped up the dress before turning me around, "It fits!" My scars seemingly forgotten about as she hurried over to grab the bling heels. "Try these on!" I slip them on and she squeals out "Perfect!" She grabbed her phone and quickly dialed out a number and put the speaker on.
"Sis, I found a replacement! It fits her perfectly!" I pulled at my earlobe as she moved across the room to talk with her sister about the wedding, waving at me to leave the room.
Thank God, I definitely don't want to stay here any longer.
I swiftly change back into my clothes, gather my things, and swiftly exit her room.

"Marco!" I called out, waving the the tall blonde. "Fae where have you been?" He hurried over to me, looking very concerned. "Oh, Trudy took me to her room to show me the bridesmaid dress that she wants me to wear." I explain and he gives me a look, "Why?" "Well she told me that she needed a substitute bridesmaid." I tilt my head slightly. He shrugs a bit, tabling his questions for later, "We need your help prepping for tomorrow because the hotel staff can't seem to do anything right, according to Mr. Walters." He grabs my arm to steer me to the kitchen and I try not to shudder at the name. "Is Thatch and Sanji doing okay?" "Mr. Walters doesn't want a man in control of anything saying they don't have the finesse." Marco rolled his eyes and I snort, "Thatch and Sanji not having the finesse?" I nearly burst out laughing. I knew for a fact that both of those men could decorate circles around me. Marco nods a bit at my reaction, "Yeah and everyone is supposed to be in their rooms by midnight, so we have a lot of work to do, in a very short about of time." I glance at my phone to see that it was only a little bit after 1 in the afternoon. "But we have over 10 hours." "I mean there is literally nothing done." He explained as we entered the kitchen to see everyone standing around as if waiting for orders. "Why is everyone standing around?" I asked and Mr. Walters walked over.
I stared at him. A lump grew in my throat as he let out a sigh, "Finally a woman." He didn't seem to recognize me. "I need you help these bozos," He jerked his thumb back at the staff, "Get everything set up." I just nod as I had trouble finding my voice. He looked no different than the last time I saw him. He was wearing a plain t shirt and blue jeans. His eyes didn't hold the same malice look that had been etched into my brain.
Except he aged a little bit and he wasn't holding a gun to my head. "Good." He smiled and his body relaxed, "I will be back in a few hours to check up on you." And he strutted out of the kitchen. I nearly yelp as Marco tapped my shoulder, "Okay, let's get started." I cleared my throat "Why don't you guys just do what you were doing to begin with, just pretend that I am giving you instructions." I shrugged at the staff before pointing to Sanji and Thatch, "Trust me, these men are better at this than me." I honestly couldn't decorate my way out of a paper bag. Thatch clapped his hands and immediately took control of the whole situation, "Alright, we need to start prepping food, make sure we have everything for tomorrow; if not begin to order it. Anyone else, who is not kitchen staff, we need you to check the decorations and make sure we have the seating and flowers for tomorrow." Sanji swiftly took control of the kitchen as he began to direct the staff around.
It all seemed to work like a giant machine. I stepped back out of the way, "Thatch, what can I do to help?" The brunet turned to look at me "If you can locate the coffee." I pretended to salute him, "Aye, aye Captain." And started off towards the lobby, where I had last seen a coffee machine.

"Let's see, one, two, three..." I counted the full cups and nodded to myself. "Good." I set the pot back before pulling out my cell phone to check the time. I noticed that I had a few messages, but I didn't have time to look at them. I pocketed my cell phone and started back, "Ooh, I bet they would like some donuts." I turned down the hall to make my way towards the little cafe that was sitting in the lobby. I set the coffee down on a nearby table and walked up to the counter, "Hi, can I get six random?" The guy behind the counter gave me a smile and nod before he turned around and grabbed six random donuts before he set it out on the counter, "That'll be $6.06." "Okay, just a minute." I pulled out my wallet and began to dig for the money, when a hand reached over my shoulder and handed the man something. I jerk around to see Mr. Walters. "Put everyone to work and then run to get coffee and donuts?" I swallowed softly and then nodded, carefully reaching for the bag of donuts, "Yes." I scooted by him, keeping him in front of me at all times, and picked up a coffee cup. "Here, let me help you." He leaned over and grabbed the remaining two cups. "Do you miss her?" His voice was low and it grated my ears, "Do you miss little Nala?" I stared at him with wide eyes. "You remember her don't you?" He asked me, "The little brown girl you fought to protect from me."

~flashback~
"What can I do to keep her out of trouble?" I muttered as I glanced at the man. Mr. Walters. "Fight in my underground ring, as long as you win me money, I will spare little Nala." He walked around slowly, the knife in his hand gleamed in the lighting as he shifted the blade around. "But lose, and she dies." He gripped the little girl's hair and she cried out loud, trying to remove his grip from her hair. "Yes! I'll do it, just don't hurt her!" I yelp out and he shoves her to the ground. "Deal." He growled out and marched out of the room. I shuffled over to Nala and pulled her up onto my lap, checking her for any injuries. "You didn't have to do that Miss." She mumbled. I just pulled her into a hug, "I'll do anything to help you."
~end~

"Too bad she died." He stood back up and started down the hallway as if he didn't just say anything to me. My gaze drops to the table and I take in a very shaky breath as I pull out my phone, hastily trying to find Robin's contact. I shook my head as my vision started to dance and I took another deep breath, "Focus..." I tapped around on my phone, finally managing to hit call next to her contact information.

"Just keep it elevated and get lots of rest." Law grumbled out as he pushed Usopp over to Robin, who was waiting in the lobby of the clinic. "Thank you Tra-guy." She smiled at Law, who frowned at Usopp, who was trying to defend himself "It's not my fault...Luffy is the one who pushed me." Robin glanced down at her phone, seeing Fae's contact pop up on her phone and her smile faltered a bit as she excused herself from the other two. She took a couple steps away and answered, "Hello?" "R-r-robin..." Fae's shaky voice came through the phone. "What's wrong?" She asked and Fae whimpered out, "I can't...b-breathe."

The call didn't last too long.
"Who was that Robin?" Usopp rolled his wheelchair a bit forward and turned to face her as she hung up her phone. She was silent for a few minutes before she turned to look at both of them, a grim look on her face as if she was decided to do something that she didn't want to do, "Law," She started, catching the grump doctor off guard as she never called him by his name. "May I speak with you about Fae?" Law tilted his head as he gave Robin a very concerned look, "What about her?" She glanced at Usopp, "Privately." Law gestured her over to his more private office and they sat down.
"She probably won't tell you herself as she's very frightened..."