Love Torn Chapter 6: Audrey's Letter
Today is the first and last time Ben will ever enter Gaston's Pin Bar with two of his guards on both of his sides.
Ben wasn't sure why the cottage-core-like home with animal skins and the heads of several dead wildlife animals was popular.
The King now knows this practice is a coping mechanism for all men in his kingdom.
According to Jane, this twenty-by-thirty dark bar is where Prince Chad Charming Jr would be.
Since my wedding ceremony to Mal, Charming Jr. has become friends with every bottle he comes across.
According to Ben's mother, Queen Ella is worried about his health!
The last time Queen Ella talked to his mother, Ella and Chad's younger sister Choely stopped by to explain that he hadn't been the same since he received a mysterious letter.
It is a light pink parchment letter given to him by one of the three fairies, Maryweather.
"I should have realized that Audrey's disappearance would be Chad's undoing... Oh, Aud, where did you go?" Ben thought as he entered the gloomy bar with his guards.
Several scattered two-seated high tables surround a stage, and five more are outside on the indoor patio.
It doesn't take long for the young King to stumble onto one of the table settings, but Ben keeps walking farther into the stinky bar.
"Your Highness, I found him!" The guard on his right side announces.
Ben turns towards the brunette man's direction before seeing the guard's middle and index fingers point toward the back bar.
Behind the bar is a chubby man named LeFou, whose hands are cleaning the counter with a white towel.
Right next to him on the opposite side of the counter is a blond man with his head covered by his arms.
'What happened to you, Chad?" Ben thought as he took in the prince's appearance.
The once clean-shaven man was disheveled, his neat bob hairstyle was nowhere to be found, and he smelled strongly like hard-core whiskey.
Prince Charming Jr was leaning all his weight onto the black counter as he slept off his hangover.
Within seconds, Ben walks toward Charming's direction.
"Aw, Your Highness!" LeFou exclaims, "Are you here to finally get this man out of Gaston's bar?"
The guards behind Ben snicker over LaFou's question while they hear Ben respond, "Perhaps!"
Ben stands beside Chad and comments, amused, "Before I do, I need to sober him up so he can answer some of my questions."
A raspberry escapes Chat's lips before seeing the prince move from his position.
"Oh, now you want to know what about your Ex?" Charming replies, "Are you done with playing happy family with that dragon?"
Anger rushes through Ben's veins before replying in a firm tone, "Do not disrespect your Queen."
Charming laughs at Ben's comment as he brushes a tear that escapes from his right eye.
Ben starts to feel his chest rise and fall as he tries not to find it within himself to punch his so-called best mate.
"What is so funny?" Ben asks while he clenches his teeth.
Charming stops laughing and casually states, "Let me guess, the V kiddos think Audrey took revenge on your dragon wife. Jane told you about the letter that could answer all your questions." a hic-up comes out of his thin lips before hearing him add on with amusement behind each of his words, "It is ironic- that you are hoping to get answers- from the one woman- you left heartbroken- because you couldn't be faithful- both of us know- she didn't get any answers from you- when you embarrassed her in front of all our peers at the prep-rally!" He takes a deep breath in before ending his speech by stating in an uncaring tone, "Never mind!- there is no point talking to a guy who can't see- that his decisions- affect those around him!
Guilt comes across Ben's heart from Chad's declaration before turning away from the drunk prince.
The once-confused boy wanted to say Audrey was a horrible person and she deserved it, which is true!
Until Ben remembers his mother's last comment after meeting little Audrey for the first, "Not everyone comes from a loving home."
Ben witnessed Audrey's family's dynamic, and the eight-year-old prince couldn't take her away from that horrible place.
Audrey's grandmother was very abusive towards her granddaughter. Queen Leah said many hurtful words about Audrey's posture and how she presented herself.
Besides those jabs, Queen Leah would sometimes leave physical bruises on Audrey.
Sometimes Chad, or himself would find nail prints on her shoulder or bruising under her ribs.
He remembers the many times she would escape her home and sob into his mother's arms.
Tears were always running down her brown doe-eyes as his younger self would console her after a meeting with her grandmother.
Queen Leah controlled every aspect of Audrey's life. He- ruined that one piece of happiness in her life: their relationship by allowing Mal to believe she manipulated him into falling in love with her.
For the sake of his kingdom, Ben had to act inhumanly.
So he stares at his two guards with no reaction as they look at him with anticipation.
He takes a small breath in and out before ordering, "Go and guard the front doors of this bar!"
" We might be here a while," he whispers.
Both guards nod to his request and leave the room.
He then turns towards LaFu and asks, "Please leave the room." The Englishman nods before leaving the room quickly.
Well, kind of. Ben notices LaFu hiding behind the stage, but he lets the bartender listen to their conversation. After all, they know everything that happens at this bar.
Once the area is clear, Ben tries a different tactic and returns his direction towards Charming.
"Please tell me what Aud-Audrey wrote, Chad!" Ben begs, "I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't important! Mal was murdered in her sleep last night, and I think Audrey may know why."
Chad's honey cone eyes glare at the King with nothing.
Ben grows angrier from his lack of response and hits the bar's counter with his right fist.
"Dam it, Chad!" Ben starts, "You need to realize that this secret you have will get you killed!"
"Yeah, so what!" Chad spit back, I have no other reason to live".
Ben takes a deep breath in and out before stating in distress, "I get it- I messed up!"
Ben looks down at the dust counter and states, "Chad, you need to understand!" My son just lost his mother, and now you want him to be without a father! - Why?- I don't know the answer to that question! All I know is that I will be in danger! So please tell me; what happened to Audrey."
Chad takes a moment to think about his response.
"Don't say I didn't do anything for you," he replies before reaching into the inner pocket behind his heart.
Within minutes, Ben sees the wittering light pink parchments of paper.
He takes it from Chad's dirty fingers before seeing Audrey's cursive words in blue ink.
"You can keep it." Charming states in defeat, "I have memorized it since I received it."
Ben nods to his comment before reading the letter. Dear Chad,
My grandmother has exiled me from Auradon. Can you believe it! She is exiling me from this universe.
Gosh, I don't know where I am going, but I can't step foot in Aurdon.
Chad, I am so scared!
There is nothing I can do to make her change her mind! My mother isn't going to survive with this rash decision of her.
Yet, I can't do this more!
If I say anything else on this paper, it could get back to her, and I must protect my unborn child.
Yes, I am expecting! :) I don't know when they will be delivered.
However, I promise you! I will love them with every piece of my heart.
They will never spend a night in bed crying at the thought of never being enough.
People always say a bundle of joy can change you as a better person. Well- I will certainly make sure their life is better than mine.
But that isn't why I am writing this letter to you. There is so much I want to say to you.
Yet, I need you to do a favor.
Well, two.
First, tell Ben that I am so sorry for whatever happens next.
I don't know what my grandmother's plan is.
But it must be something drastic.
Let him know I cannot forgive someone who I love.
If that last statement breaks your heart, I am so sorry.
Still, you must know that I tried to give you everything.
We both know Ben owes my heart.
Second, please take care of yourself.
I can not be the reason why you can't breathe. It will break me to pieces if I find out that you died because I left. Chat, I am not worth your heartache. Believe me!
Plus, you must think of Choley! She needs her big brother to teach her everything.
Oh my goodness, I am so sensitive! Dam, this must be the hormones I read about in the library! lol.
I hope you can do those favors for me, and I will miss you! Always your friend, Audrey Rose! -Crown, Heart Emjoi-
"She is expecting, and I am not the father," Chad says in a bitter tone while he looks ahead in anguish.
Ben puts his right hand above Chad's torn shirt and replies, "I wish I knew what I did to make her fall in love with me. Nevertheless, she is right! You are love-torn. You need to put the broken pieces of your heart together, and I will help you. That is a promise I can make for you."
Chad doesn't do anything for a moment before nodding in agreement, "For Choley and my mother, I will try."
Ben disagrees, "No, you will do it. And by the sound of this letter, Audrey will need you in the future."
Chad nods in agreement.
The rest of the night, Ben and Chad spent it rekindling their friendship.
It will amaze their friends to see them being able to put the past behind them.
However, it won't be the same as before Queen Mal came into the picture. Summary Ch 1 2 3 4 5