In their silhouette

Chapter four

Gibbie Caddel leaned towards her as soon as the car rolled forward. “You really want to taste cakes, lollipops?”

“You’re still as flirtatious as ever?” Annie said.

Gibbie Caddel winked.

“For the sake of Sarah, let’s act like jerks towards each other once inside. Last thing I heard was Sarah was proud that you had stood up to me.”

“Oh yeah, that.”

Gibbie Caddel rubbed his hair.

“I missed you, Annie Goldberg.”

“Is that why you’re here?”

Gibbie Caddel leaned back in his seat. “In part, yes. Your sister wrote to me. She said you didn’t want to help her. Called you a savage.”

He frowned.

“Anyway, this is my apology in a way for not being there when your mother and father passed away. I am washed up, aren’t I?”

Don’t f*****g make excuses for him, Annie.

“I appreciate it. Wanna go in there and make their little cake tasting session a burden, I don’t mind. I heard a few gossips I wanna clear up with Peter.”

“Of?”

Annie huffed.

“Apparently, she wants Sarah to cut me off after the wedding. The f**k?”

“Sounds like those old ladies’ gossips. Ah, hey, don’t hate me when you hear I told Sugar you belonged to the streets.”

“What?” Annie gasped.

Gibbie Caddel groaned. “Half drunk and still suffering from heartbreak. Ready?”

Annie nodded.

“That Miller boy still chasing you?”

Annie nodded.

“You into him?”

“Should I be?” Annie sighed.

Gibbie Caddel murmured something.

“I heard he was there when your father passed away.”

Annie nodded. “He found his body.”

“You really like Mister Miller?”

“No. I hope he finds someone who isn’t a mistake like me.”

Mister Caddel stared at her, sighed and stared out the window at the men and women, rich men and women, browsing glassy shops and colourful factories.

They meandered in and out of stores. The woman pointed out whatever caught their eye.

But one particular couple did not seem to care much about the beautiful things that surrounded them. Rather, they walked, holding each other’s hands, swinging their held hands, and they gazed occasionally deeply into each other’s eyes. They looked at least twelve.

Annie looked at the girl and quivered. Why the heck would anyone want to be with someone like her? She had a bob, enormous eyes, wide nostrils and an enormous tooth gap. She was too big around the waist.

Not beautiful at all.

Annie hoped that someone would tell the girl that, to save her from embarrassment, because the boy was worth more than her.

The couple walked by as the car braked, and Annie was moved to get out of the car and clap the woman, tell her that the man didn’t want her.

Annie remained behind for a while, to control her breathing.

She had this massive desire to see herself burn to death. She wanted herself hurt, screamed at and beaten.

“You okay, lollipops?”

“Don’t call me that. Just need time to breathe. Go first.”

“You should have warned me. I didn't know when you had become a lady. You know, with breast and all."

“I know, I wasn’t a lady when I was with you, blah blah blah.”

Mister Caddel frowned. “Where is this coming from? Annie, I really–”

“Don’t mind me. You can go out first.”

“See you inside then.”

Gibbie Caddel stepped out first and entered Federica’s delicious cake, a small glass antique store in the corner of Preis.

Everyone came to Federica’s delicious cake for cake and she meant everyone. The money they spent on Federica’s delicious cake did not go to waste.

Pink cakes glittered on the shelves at the window, making her droop. A big bow stuck to the top of the window and the two women standing right of her flapped their hands and giggled over Mister Caddel, Gibbie.

They looked high maintenance, and Annie shook her head at them. Gibbie would disapprove of them. Heavy foundation traced their cheeks and their hands glowed with diamond rings. These diamond rings glowed brighter than stars. No, Gibbie would not want them.

Annie entered the store.

Sarah frowned and nodded at whatever Gibbie said, then Gibbie sat beside Peter Hamilton, the governor’s brother. He had a bald spot at the centre of his head, a black beard, and a burnt scar across his left cheek. They did not consider it ugly. Annie had unconsciously touched her scar; they definitely did not consider him ugly.

Peter Hamilton insisted he got his scar when he tried to save the governor, his brother, from robbers. They had knifes, and he had used his karate skills on them. A kick there, a bite here and when he grabbed his brother, one robber swung his knife in the air and, unfortunately, wounded him; hence, his scar.

Maybe if Annie also had a story to go with hers, maybe they would look at her differently. But again, a woman with such a gruesome tale, no one would take it lightly. Maybe a more sympathetic story?

Peter Hamilton stood up and smiled at her.

Sugar’s disturbing words froze Annie in place.

Sarah and Peter Hamilton exchanged glances.

“Annie?” Sarah patted Peter’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”

Annie blinked a handful of times. “So I am still family?”

Sarah sighed. “What is this now?”

She grabbed Annie’s hands and pulled her forward.

Peter then hugged her. “Annie Goldberg. We meet again. I am happy that you could join us.”

“Oh, you are?”

Peter furrowed his brows at Sarah. “Excuse me.”

Sarah stared at Annie. “What has gotten into you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe I don’t want to play family family anymore. You guys can enjoy the cake tasting business. I have places to be. Let me not disturb you. This place is very beautiful.”

Sarah launched at her. “Annie, please. What are you doing?”

Annie flung her hands away. “I don’t know. Isn’t this what you wanted?”

From the corner of her eyes, she saw Gibbie Caddel frowning.

“Oh my, oh my. What did you do this time?” Gibbie Caddel scowled.

Peter Hamilton frowned at Gibbie.

“Can we just quickly go to the bathroom?” Sarah looked behind her at Annie and smiled. “Please?”

The bathroom had white glass tiles and mirrors everywhere. Annie tried not to look up in case she ended up staring at herself.

Sarah locked the door, and trembling, faced her.

“Annie? We are just trying to have a real good time here. You are trying to ruin my wedding. I don’t know. You are jealous. Yes, you’re very jealous. It must be jealousy.”

“Sarah, I heard–”

“I don’t care what you've heard. You’re just acting stupid. First it’s the money, and then it’s Peter? Gosh, Annie. I am so sorry your relationships never works out, but don’t dare take it out on mine.”

“I know.” Annie muttered. “Worthless.”

Sarah shook her head. “You’re being selfish. Like Mother said, ugly girls will always be ungrateful people.”

“So it’s true then?” Annie gazed at her toes. They were so spaced out, her toes. She looked away, disgusted.

“What?” Sarah cried.

“You want to cut connections with me after the wedding?”

“I was planning on doing it. I might reconsider.”

“Gold digger.” Annie murmured.

Sarah slapped Annie, and Annie stumbled back. Her scar sent tingles of pain.

Sarah stepped back, uncertain, with pain reflecting off her iris.

In a small voice she said, “what are you saying?”

Annie stared at her while rubbing her cheeks.

She said in an even smaller voice. “You will apologise to Peter this instant. I saw you had coins.” She jingled the bag of money before her eyes.

Annie did not move her hands from her cheeks.

“You will pay for the cake tasting. That way, you’ve compensated Peter. Ah, we should be returning.”

Sarah hurried to the room, unlocked it and stepped out, without a backward glance.

Sarah just clapped her. Sarah just clapped her.

A rippling sensation of satisfaction warmed her skin as she continued to touch her cheek. Her eyes connected with themselves in the mirror. She stepped back, gasping for breath.

Why could she just not runaway from this hideous creature? She kicked the mirror, and it cracked.

Darkness dampened the bathroom, and no matter what she thought, she no longer saw the good attributes her father had taught her to look for in herself.

Was there ever a time when she was just happy with herself? Was that even possible?

Maybe for pretty people.

Annie sunk to the floor and cried.

“Who is going to comfort you?”

Her mother’s voice laughed from her old room in Annie’s mind. “Come on here, Annie. Don’t cry now. Your Mom’s big little girl. Don’t cry.”

Annie crumbled. “Mom… why did you make me so ugly?”

The door jerked open and Gibbie poked his head in.

Annie leapt up and turned away from the door to wipe her face.

“We all heard that, you know?”

“You’re making it a habit of entering the female’s bathroom.” Annie turned around. “Face is fine?”

Gibbie pulled his glasses up. “That will do.” He eyed the mirror, then grinned lightly at her. “Come on out, lollipops.”

Annie grumbled as she hurried after him. “I hate that name.”

Peter Hamilton pulled himself onto his feet the minute he saw her. “Annie, if I did anything wrong–”

“Peter. Long time no see.” Annie said and smiled. “It’s me who should be apologising. I heard a pathetic rumor, and I followed it.”

Sarah nodded. “She was just being stupid. I mean... irrational. You’ll see, Annie, Peter isn’t as bad as you think he is. I know you haven’t had time to get to know him.”

Pete rubbed his chin. “I see. I will come around tomorrow night, then.” Peter rubbed his bald head. “Am I suddenly a sad sight to look at?” He laughed nervously.

Gibbie Caddel scoffed. “Don’t take that ugly woman seriously.”

“Who? That’s my sister, Mister Caddel.” Sarah growled.

“Ugly?” Peter crossed his arms. “Ain’t that a bit too harsh?”

Annie sighed.

Peter frowned at Gibbie. “Sorry about him. He can be a little disagreeable.”

Gibbie rolled his eyes.

“I have been disagreeable? She doesn’t deserve to be treated with respect when she goes around spreading rumours that could break up families. I guess that’s why her child got taken from her.”

Gibbie Caddel looked outside.

Sarah excused herself for the bathroom, her eyes avoiding Annie’s.

Peter sighed. “Okay, out with it. What is really going on here?”

“Wait, you weren’t referring to me?” Annie gawked at Gibbie and he smirked at her.

Peter Hamilton frowned. “Who?”

“Sugar Greece.” Gibbie Caddel sighed. “Who else?”

Peter Hamilton grabbed Annie’s hands. “I would never think of tearing apart a family. I value family, promise. Sarah also wouldn’t have allowed me. I think she would have left a while ago had I mentioned such an idea to her.”

Annie apologized once more and forced her ass down beside Sarah’s seat.

How stupid she felt. Maybe she had only stupidity as her character trait and ugliness. Indeed, they went hand in hand.

Sarah returned with wet, red eyes. “Are we ready to taste the cakes now? This has gone on for a while.”

She turned to Annie, her eyes not quite meeting hers.

“Yes,” Annie mumbled.

Gibbie Caddel showed a thumbs up.

She avoided Sarah’s occasional glances and instead paid attention to Gibbie’s laughter and his soothing voice as he chatted with Peter Hamilton. It made her almost forget about the war and about needing to hear someone curse at her or hit her.

Sarah cleared her throat. “I like what you did with your makeup.” And avoiding her eyes, Sarah added, “I like the dress.”

Annie forced her lips to smile. “Thank you.”

Sarah pouted her lips. “You owe me, though.”

Annie stopped staring at the ice frosting and shifted her attention to her feet. “Why?”

“For complimenting you.”

Peter Hamilton and Gibbie Caddel burst out laughing.

Annie tensed up when Sarah reached for her hands. Sarah only stopped when the baker came out with the cakes.