Juliette

As I quickly made my way back towards the door, I could hear Charlie calling for me, but I didn't pay any attention to her.

I need to get out of here, I need to get away, why the fuck is he here?! I thought he was—

I gasped when suddenly he was directly in front of us, blocking the door.

He leaned down and cocked his eyebrow.

"Leaving so soon?"

"Get the Fuck out of my way."

I snapped at him, my shoulders squaring as I bared my fangs and grit my teeth.

When his eyes glanced down at Ava, I shielded her from him with my hair, the ends lengthening and curling around her to form a protective cage.

"Don't look at her. You made your choice, and I'm not staying anywhere near you. Get out of my way. I won't ask again."

There was something about the way he was looking at me that I just knew.

He recognized me.

Charlie finally caught up to us and put her hand on my shoulder. I looked at her, seeing that she was confused and a bit hurt.

"Hey, what's the matter? Do you not want to stay here anymore?"

The tone in her voice made me relax slightly, my pinched expression calming into one of pity as I looked into her saddened eyes.

"I..."

I glanced at Alastor and then huffed and shoved past them both.

"I can't. Goodbye."

With that I opened the door, leaving the way we came.

Alastor

Everything in me burned.

A deep ache resided in my heart, telling me that I need to go after her, but all I did was watch as she left, doing my best to keep my expression neutral.

Despite assuming this would be the case, her reaction to seeing me after so long was painful.

She looked just as hurt as she did the day I...

Well... that's in the past now.

It's not like I can change it, and it's probably for the best she leave anyway.

I was very curious about the little imp she was holding... who was that? Where did she acquire this child?

"Alastor."

My head snapped towards the sound of the moth calling to me.

"Yes?"

She glared and had her hands on her hips, narrowing her eye at me.

"Don't "what" me, Alastor. Who was that? How do you know her?"

My eye twitched and I turned away from them so they wouldn't see my festering irritation.

Once I got that under control I spun back around with a wide smile and leaned against the bar.

"Simply an old friend of mine, nothing to be bent out of shape about!"

Vaggie growled and she was about to go off on me before Charlie stepped forward and I focused my attention on her.

"What she means to say is... that was really odd, Alastor. I don't want to be rude, but it didn't really seem like she was a friend of yours...she looked terrified."

That word struck me straight through the chest, but they'd never know it. I simply held my head up high and shrugged, examining my microphone.

Charlie sighed and continued.

"It's just... we really could've used that patron and... well, I guess it doesn't matter now anyway."

I looked up and could see the defeat on the princesse's face. I didn't like seeing her look so sullen, but it's not like it can be helped.

Juliette is not a dog, and she will not roll over, or sit and stay when told to.

It seems she's decided how she feels about me and I can't change that.

Walking over, I put my hand on her shoulder and she looked up at me.

"There will be more, dear. Now, how about you and I go plan some exposure for the hotel hm?"

After a moment she managed a small smile and then nodded.

"Sure..."

I gave her a pat on the head and began to lead her towards the steps so we could head to her office.

Though, I gave a lingering glance over my shoulder at the door.

The image of her face was burned into my brain... her skin was blue, as if she were frozen, and shimmered against the light.

Watching her from a distance didn't do justice to how beautiful she was up close.

My gaze shifted in front of me once more, and I sighed quietly.

Wondering if I'm making the right decision...

Juliette

On our walk home, it was much smoother than before.

The energy around me was dark and dangerous, and the moment people felt me coming they looked up as if they expected an overlord to be heading their way.

Despite me not being an overlord, they made way for me regardless.

My hair was writhing and twisting around me, changing shape to become much more sharp and dangerous looking.

There was a deep scowl on my face as well, frostbite slowly creeping across my shoulders and face, as well as infecting everything I passed.

I continued like this, not even realizing all the eyes that were on me until I felt a gentle tug against my sweater.

I looked down at Ava, and one look into her big yellow eyes had me calming down, the frost around me disappearing and letting my hair relax down my back once more.

She didn't say a word, and I nuzzled her gently.

"I know... I know, my dear, I'm sorry..."

There's a dangerous part of me that I have to keep under control, not only for my sake now, but for hers as well.

The rest of our walk home was continued in silence, and when we did arrive home I immediately went to lay Ava down for her nap.

She laid down with no protest, but after I kissed her forehead she spoke up for the first time since the hotel.

"Who was that man, mommy...?"

This caused me to pause, and I sighed through my nose softly.

"No one, sweetheart... you don't need to worry about him, okay?"

I gave her a warm smile, hiding my fear from her. She's too young to understand, and I don't want her worrying about such things.

Maybe in another life she could have known him... not this one. Not now.

Thankfully she didn't ask anymore questions. Today had been a lot for her, and she was tired.

I gave her one more kiss to her forehead and then headed out to the living room, beginning to tidy up to clear my head.

I managed to avoid that bastard for 91 years, and some strange woman approaches me on the street and takes me directly to him.

I should've known he wasn't dead, but if not dead, then where was he? What was he doing?

My mind was racing and the longer I thought about it, the more nervous I became.

What if he follows me? What if he shows up here, then what will I do?

Isn't that... what I wanted all along...?

My worry subsided and that sadness crept in once more, leaving me to stand in the middle of my practically bare living room to sulk.

My head fell into my hand, and I tried to swallow the lump in my throat.

Asshole... he's such an asshole.

We could've done this together... we could've been...

My hand fell down my face and smacked against my thigh, my age creeping up on me as I suddenly felt so tired.

"Get it together, Juliette..."

I whispered to myself through a sigh and then went over to the sofa, collapsing onto it with a huff.

It wasn't before long that I was dozing off, the events of the day getting the better of me and causing my aching body to fall into a deep rest.