Fantine took a carriage to Blanchevelle's house, where she would meet Felix for their reading lesson. Her hair had been brushed till it shone, and she was wearing a nice dress which Zephine had lent her. Fantine could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She hoped she wouldn't make a fool of herself in front of Felix. What if she still couldn't understand how to read even after he'd taught her? What if he thought her stupid? She shook her head and straightened up. She had to have confidence in herself. She resisted the urge to nervously play with her hair as the carriage rolled its way to the house. Finally, the carriage slowed down to a stop, and Fantine hopped out, paid the driver, and walked up to the door. After taking a few deep breaths to calm her nerves, she knocked on the door.
The door swung open almost immediately, revealing Felix, who was wearing a nice suit. He looked very handsome, with his hair combed back and his eyes twinkling. Fantine had to make a conscious effort not to stare at him with her mouth hanging wide open.
"Good evening, Fantine," Felix said, stepping aside to allow her in the house.
"Um... hi," Fantine said, immediately wanting to kick herself. Um... hi? Is that the best you can do? she thought, silently chiding herself. "Is Blanchevelle here, or is it just the two of us?" she asked.
"Blanchevelle is out with Favourite, Dahlia, and Listolier," Felix explained.
"Oh," Fantine said, rather awkwardly. Her palms were beginning to sweat, and she frantically racked her brains for something to say. "So... are we going to eat first or read first?" she asked.
"Whichever you prefer," Felix replied.
"Why don't we eat then?" she suggested. "I'm hungry."
"All right, then. This way, Mademoiselle."
Felix led her into the dining room. Fantine gasped in surprise. "Monsieur Tholomyes..." she said in a hushed voice, gazing around the room. "I don't know what to say."
Felix had prepared a lovely candlelit dinner, complete with a bouquet of flowers on the table and two glasses of fine wine. Fantine was overwhelmed. Does this mean he likes me? she wondered silently.
"Please, Mademoiselle Fantine, just call me Felix," he said, pulling out her chair and gesturing for her to sit down.
"Thank you, Felix," she said, taking a seat. "In that case, you may simply call me Fantine. I am no Mademoiselle. I can't even read!"
"Well that's about to change," Felix said with a chuckle, taking his seat. He lifted up his fork, and Fantine followed his suit, taking a bite of delicious chicken. The juices of the meat flowed into her mouth, and she couldn't resist sighing in delight. Felix smiled. "I take it you like my cooking?" he asked.
"You cooked this?" Fantine asked in surprise.
"Of course," Felix replied. "You didn't think Blanchevelle cooked it, did you?"
"Well, no. I guess I didn't really see you as the type to cook amazing food like this."
"I have many talents," Felix replied with a wink, causing Fantine to giggle.
"What kinds of talents?" she inquired.
"Besides cooking and doing business? Well, I enjoy painting and sketching, and I'm not a bad singer if I do say so myself."
"But you said all you have time for is business!" Fantine exclaimed.
"I said I have many talents. I didn't say I utilize them."
YOU ARE READING
There Was a Time
Fanfiction"He took my childhood in his stride, but he was gone when autumn came," she said. But who is "he"? And why did he leave? There was a time when Fantine was just a plain, ordinary girl who dreamed of romance and love. There was a time when Felix Tholo...
