The Destined Queen

Chapter 29

" You want to what? " Ashten shouted, after reading the letter that I wrote. Today was my last day in the company. I bid my farewell to everyone, and I happily came home. Now, Here we are. Ashten's face has become red. He looks so cute, by the way. "I want to quit. " I said. " Why? Anything is bothering you? " He asked. " No. I just want to end this war and deliver Peace to everyone." I shrugged. Ashten frowned at me. " You are acting like it's not a big deal. " He said. " Because it is not. " I said. " Making perfumes and scented candles was your dream, Winter. " He emphasized the word, "dream". " It was. Past tense. " I said. " Okay. Then, what do you want to do? " He asked. " I want peace. I want humans to live. I told you. Why are you arguing with me?" I snapped. " I am not arguing with you, Winter. But I cannot understand why are you doing this. You studied only because of this. " " Dreams and goals can change, Ash. I have changed. My visions have changed. Tell me, if there is no human left on earth, who will sell the perfumes and candles? And who will buy it? " I said. Ashten exhaled. " It's just waste of my time, Ash. " I said. He dragged his black glowing eyes to mine. " I am not going to let you resign. We will save humanity. But you will not throw your dreams away. " Ashten said, calmly. That's it. He won't understand. I glared at him and gnashed my teeth. My hands fisted and my lips are pressed together to form a thin tight line. " You ready to go? " Emerson popped during the fight. I broke the glare and tried to act normal. But he surely, felt the tension and the anger still lingering in the living room of my apartment. " It's already evening? " I looked at the clock. It's almost five. I came early today. " You said you would go around this time. So, I came. I am sorry if I disturbed you two. " He said, raising his hands. " No. It's fine. We weren't talking anything important. Let's go. I'll just take my bag and we'll go to my car. " I smiled at my friend. " You haven't even eaten yet. " Ashten said but I ignored him and walked upstairs to bring my bag. It's true. I am hungry. But I don't want to eat now. I don't want to be near him. He won't understand. I took my bag from my bed and ran to catch up with Emerson. I motioned him to be at my car and I went straight for the door. " But Albert is waiting for you. " Ashten said. " No. Thank you. " I said over my shoulder, opening the door and went out. I apologized to Albert and then went to my car. Opening the door, I saw Emerson sitting on the passenger seat and grinning at me. " Ready for our trip? " He asked as I sat on the driver's seat. " It's not a trip, Em. " I said, wearing my seatbelt. " It is to me. I have never gone to someone else's house with a human. And that too, who is my friend. " He said. " Good for you. " I muttered and started the car. Emerson stopped talking after that. But I felt his eyes on me so, I snapped. " What? " " You look angry. I fear for my life. " He said. " I am not angry. And you wouldn't die because you are already dead. " I emphasized on all the words one by one. " Oh. " He smiled. I shook my head. But I did feel relaxed. My shoulders were still aching from the training, my thighs and calves were aching, too. " We will save humanity, Winter. " Emerson said. " Yes. We will. " I said with determination. Because I won't let us fail. We cannot fail.

I drove past my old driveway and house and stopped my car in Rose's driveway. It was an effort not to shiver when I got out of the car. And it was more the effort to not go to my old house and cry, remembering all the things that Maw, Rose and I did. I don't know how Rose can still be so cheerful. I have got to be more like her. Maybe. Maybe that's why she is upset. I rang the bell, Emerson by my side. That cold, tingly feeling rushed up my left arm. I looked down and saw Emerson was holding my left hand. Well, not holding it, it just went right through my hand. " I am here. " He said. I nodded, smiling. The door opened and Aunt Annie greeted me. " Hi, Honey. " She hugged me. Hugging her back I said, " I am sorry I am late. I got caught up with work. " " No problem. Come. Come in. " She said. I smiled and entered. Emerson just disappeared from my side and appeared, sitting on the sofa. " Didn't Ashten come? " Aunt Annie asked. " No. He has work. " I said, smiling. " But I am here. " Emerson sang and did a little dance of his. I tried not to smile. " Where is Rose? " I asked. " She is in her room. " Aunt Annie answered. " I think I should talk to her first. " I said. " Okay. You go and talk to her. I think she needs you. " Aunt Annie patted my back. I nodded and went straight to Rose's room.

After knocking on the door twice, Rose opened it. I saw her face and knew it was a big thing that is making her upset. She did not seem like Our Rose. " May I step in? " I asked. A corner of Rose's lips slightly lifted, and she nodded. I entered the room. It has been so long, since I have walked into her room. It's painted in greenish blue and is clean. Her wooden wardrobe was shining in the corner. She cleans her room every day. She is a very organized person. I sat on her soft bed, and smiled at her. " Nothing happened, Winter. " She said and sat beside me. " I know. I just came to see how is my best friend doing. " I said. She laid her head on my shoulder. " She is doing great. " Rose said. But her voice didn't had that same excitement. " Yeah? Then may I ask her that what is she so upset about? Maybe I could do something about it. " I said, softly, brushing her hair. I felt her shaking her head. " Why can't I ask her? Aren't I her friend anymore? Did the distance between our houses distanced us too? " " No. She... She is fine. " Rose said, softly. I sighed. " Okay. " I said, and put my head on hers. We were like that for few minutes and then she asked, " Winter? " " Hm? " " Aren't I pretty? " She murmured. My eyes snapped open. I jerked up and shouted, " Who said that? Was it one of your customer? Tell me. I am going to smash his/head with a rolling pin. " I tucked my sleeves up. Rose chuckled slightly. I sat down again, beside her. " You are beautiful, Rose. Anyone who doesn't see that is blind. " I said, softly, holding her face in my hands. " Isaac doesn't think so. " Rose murmurred, her eyes welling up. " Did he say that to you? " I asked, my anger flaring up again. " No. But why will he go on a date with another girl, if he liked me? " She asked, and her tears started pouring. In seconds, she was hugging me tightly and crying. I just held her and didn't say anything. I can not believe Isaac took another girl on a date. I thought he was a gentleman. I thought he was good for Rose. I didn't know he would do this to Rose. He is the reason she is so upset. I am going to kill him. I brushed my best friend's hair, and drew circles on her back as she cried.

After she calmed down, and was able to talk, she broke the hug. I looked at her. Her eyes were swollen and her face was red, which contrasted with her hair colour. Her hair colour is fiery red but her face has become light red, so light, that it will look rosy pink to another person at first. " I saw him with another girl. In the news. " She said, hiccupping. " Did you ask him about it? Maybe it's wrong. " I said, and offered her napkins. " No. How can I? I am grounded. I can't call him. " She said, rubbing her eyes with a napkin. " Right. You can take my cell and call him if you want to. " I said, offering her my water bottle. " Should I? " She asked, and opened the cap of the bottle. " Yes. You deserve to ask him about this. He took you to dates.You shoulder clear everything with him. " I said. She gulped down the water and was lost in her thoughts. So, I was silent. Putting the bottle she said, " You are right. I should ask him. Maybe this is all a misunderstanding. " Rose said. I handed her my phone and nodded. " All the best. I'll be outside. " I said and went outside.

Going downstairs, I saw Emerson saying to Aunt Annie that she knits quite well. I huffed a laugh because He is talking with her but she obviously can't hear him. Aunt Annie turned to me and smiled. " Did you talk to her? " She asked. " Yes. " I said, sitting down beside her, ok the sofa. Beside me sat Emerson. " What did she say? " " She is upset because... Nah. It's her thing to say. I can't tell you. " I apologized. " Ah. It's okay. I shouldn't have asked you. It's not fair to ask your daughter's friend about your daughter. It seems to disrupt your child's privacy. " Aunt Annie said. I nodded and smiled. "What are you knitting? " I asked. " Just a sweater. Winter is coming. " I nodded. Aunt Annie makes wonderful sweaters. It's her another talent. And she loves to knit. It's her second favorite thing to do. " Halloween is near. Then, Thanksgiving. You are coming here to celebrate with us, right? " She asked. " I don't know. Maybe. " I said, shrugging. I don't know if I can come. I don't know if I will be alive for that long. " Ooh. I love Halloween and thanksgiving. " Emerson said, from beside me. " You have to come. Rose was telling me many days ago that she wants to arrange a reunion. A Halloween party is the best excuse to do so. " Aunt Annie said. " Yeah. It is. I will try to come. " " Rose will obviously make you come. Your Uncle, too. " Aunt Annie chuckled. Yes. Uncle Gerald is more excited about Halloween than any of us. He will surely make me come. " What do you want to eat, Winter? Apple pie ice cream pie or Cheesecake? " My eyes twinkled on hearing about Apple Pie ice cream pie. " Ah. Apple pie ice cream pie. Got it. " Aunt Annie said, and got up from the sofa, chuckling. I chuckled with her. " I will wait with Rose, then. " I said. " Yes. Okay. " She said, and went to the kitchen. I turned to Emerson and asked, " Are you alright? " I asked. " Yes. I am watching TV. I am more than fine. That girl is going to die soon. " He pointed at the tv. I shook my head, chuckling. " Good. Have fun. I'll be back. " I said, and was starting to walk but Emerson stopped me. " Wait. " He shouted. I turned to him. Thank Lord, Their kitchen is far away from here. Else Aunt Annie would think I have gone mad. " What? " I whispered. " Is Rose okay? " He asked. My heart melted. This soul knows Rose for few days and he is asking about her. Genuinely. I can see him worrying about it. " She will be fine. " I said. He nodded. " If you need any help, just whisper my name and I will be there. " He said. I nodded and went to my friend's room to check on her. I opened the door and saw her sitting on the bed, silently. " What happened? Did you talk with him? I was right, Wasn't I? " I asked, and sat down beside her. Rose slowly looked at me and said, " He is going to marry her. "