Chapter 4

Margaret had just finished tucking the Baron to in his royal bed when she noticed the sun hugging the edge off of the horizon. Before leaving, she looked around one more time to recall if she’s forgotten something. He has one of those bed princesses used to have during the medieval era. Only, it’s colored red rather than white. 

The tucker just had one last remark for the tucked. "Just remember to tell Ed to put the medicines back in the correct order. Seriously, it's like talking to a wall." She was fixing the doohickeys in the cabinet. The Baron nodded.

Margaret usually had her weekdays off and that's when the other nurse, Edward, comes in. He's a fine nurse but Margaret always busts him for not putting the medicines in the correct order and position. Maybe it's her OCD kicking her or just her perk to be organized which basically is the same thing.

"See you Monday!" She hugged the half-asleep man as he walked out of the room and tapped VV's shoulders.

VV signaled his leave with the other two butlers with him and followed her to the car. Neither one of them dared to utter something. 

Since Margaret applied for the job 4 years ago, VV was already a prominent butler. And being a direct butler of the Baron, they see each other more often than others but for some reason, friendship, or even just some form of acquaintanceship never really introduced itself between the two. Maybe some people are just humor-incongruent from the start. So, during the 10-min ride towards the pool area, the car was filled with a cacophony of silence of car noises breaking the static quietude. Neither still one of them dared to utter something...

...until they got to the place. "I can't drive you home tonight. I have to go somewhere," he said while fixing the rear-view mirror.

"I'll just ask Abe to take me home."

VV acknowledged this by nodding and he drove off towards his appointment.

Margaret took one good look at the crowd and realized how overdressed she is. She never took to the account that the half of "pool party" is, in fact, "pool". She's not really that insecure about her body but she doesn't do well with crowds she's not familiar with. Moreover, she really does not fit with that demographic of nurses that sprung from the stereotype that they are party animals.

The smell of liquor entranced her like it never had before so she tries looking for the source of scent like an alcohol-deficient lady. She gandered from a distance looking like a goose to scan for some familiar faces to ask for help in getting her teetotaler spirit switched off. 

She slowly walks forward to one of the people she recognizes. A person she knows wouldn't judge her. "GD!" she called.

GD turned around from his table and the people he's talking to and greeted her. "Peggy! How have you been? Is Charles not with you?"

Ana scoffed, "When has he ever been?" She sat down beside GD.

GD patted her back gently. "That's okay. Here, meet my new friends. Apparently, the IT department did come." They shook smiles and exchanged hands as they introduce themselves.

Across the table from GD’s meet-and-greet scheme, was an Ana on a never-ending talking spree; and Albert who has never really been a talker. Nevertheless, the air had that muted jazz feel to it and despite the company, he’d rather be here than stuck betwixt the toasted breed at the noisier parts. Moreover, he was enjoying the conversation. Only, he’s trying his hardest to force himself to connect with Ana.

..."so then, I told my mom no one in their right minds would have their lifetime goal to be a secretary!" Ana exclaimed.

Albert lets out his one ounce of flirt he was holding back. "Well, it worked out for you. If I was someone important, I'd be ecstatic for someone like you to be under me," he declared slyly. She blushed.

"Anyway,"—he looked at his wrist watch and noted the time 11:49—"want to grab another drink?"

They both stood up and went to the bar. At the way, Ana wrapped her arm around Albert's. She wanted the lot to see her do this and more. Albert felt bunch of jealous eyes shoot towards him and a bunch more shed a few tears.

"What are you doing?" he asked the lady in her arm.

"Getting a little help. I think I'm a little bit tipsy."

"What are you talking about? You haven't had a single drink yet."

"How could you possible know that?" she inquired.

Albert stopped, removed her arm, put his hands in her head and leaned in closer.

Ana's pupils dilated as she gulped a big one.

He finally opened his mouth. "Your breath." He continued to amble alongside the pool, weary of the intoxicated crazies frolicking around. He reached the bar and ordered the "same drink", Ana shortly after him ordered a "Tequila, on the rocks. Someone here apparently wants to get me drunk."

Albert looked at her. "Not in the slightest did I ever suggest that." He kept his unblinking stare. 

Ana shot back. "Why're you drinking alcoholic drinks with alcoholic percentage lower than your age? Drink something like pure rum or brandy or vodka."

"No thanks, I don't drink vodka. And I like cocktails." Albert emphasized, “And you, aren't you driving home?"

She looks past her shoulder and shoots a daze towards his eyes accompanied by a side-smile that would drive anyone insane. "Not if you drive me."

Albert's face remained calm. But on the inside though, he found that hauntingly beautiful. This made the air seep a different tone which made gave him zero chances of replying. He just took strides in his seat while sipping his fancy drink. Ana smiles in hers in pride of his accomplishment.

Seconds later, another voice joined in to break the tension. "Oh no he can't." They both looked and saw GD looking a little bit more into the party than before. He's still not looking directly at Ana.

She queried, "And why is that?"

"He's taking Peggy home." GD looks at Albert.

Albert's eyes left the wall he’s been staring at for the last 30 seconds to let off a bit of a twinkle. Then, he stood up, still maintaining composure. "She's already here?"

"Yeah, she just arrived. She actually asked me to get her this drink. She was very conscious of the fact that her scrubs are not party-ish so she will not go to these vicinities"

"I'll take her her drink." Albert said.

"What about me?" Ana sulkily uttered with her lips pouted.

Albert paused for a while contemplating. A short "uhh" was released from his mouth. Then, an epiphany. "Oh, don't worry, GD will accompany you." Albert looked straight at GD's eyes. "Won't he?"

GD sighed one deeper than the Marianas trench. "Yes, he will."

Albert grabbed his drink and the drink on GD's hand and proceeded to give off a last, "See ya!"

Ana was visibly upset. But it’s usually what happens with her and Albert. She just remains positive and attributes it to her not actually being straightforward with him. Maybe she wants the thrill of the game; or maybe it’s just shyness. Either way, she has to be direct with it especially with guys like Albert.

"How many times is it now, ma'am?" GD interrupts her thoughts.

Ana sighed akin to the one of GD and mumbled weakly, "Call me Ana."

Ana looked defeated as she stares at Albert handing Margaret her drink as they happily stabbed each other with laughter.

GD finally broke the silence, "So Ana, do you like computers?" 

At the side of the city where the gunshots had just startled the lives of gamblers and passers-by, the teeter-totter of the ambulance was the latest addition to their misery.

The mayor had just finished talking to the bystanders in inquiry of what just transpired when he got back inside the car. 

“So, what happened?” VV asks. 

“Apparently, an officer just started acting crazy and killed Leopold.”

“Crazy...” They both got quiet in hearing about that particular death.

A little later, VV finally speaks, “I guess the meeting just got cancelled then. Should we go to the next appointment?” 

Charles put his hand up. "That's alright, he’s already here." Just as he said this, the gentleman in a fine white tux came inside. Initially, his face was shrouded by a cliché darkness hanging over his flat top Panama hat.

"So, where do you suppose we should plan this, Mr. Meyer?" Charles asks the gentleman that was revealed to be Caine.

He finally shew his face as he releases a very warm Joker-esque crossed with Mother Theresa type of grin.