Swapped Fate

14: The Deal is Struck!

MAVIS FLARE

While I watched Jennifer and Tristan Devereux interact at a table in the upper area of the cafe like two reunited old friends, my frustrations grew by the minute.

For heaven’s sake, what had occurred between them for them to chat, smile and laugh so easily before my very eyes?

To see her act so friendly with my enemy incited feelings of betrayal within me. Jennifer didn’t smile or laugh easily with anyone, so the fact that she was just a beaming ray of sunshine with the Devereux lad meant she genuinely liked him.

I squirmed with discomfort in my seat at one of the tables in the lower area of the cafe, which table I shared with Madam Felicity and Lea. Jennifer and Tristan Devereux had been talking for over an hour now, and during that time, I could not find the focus to join in Madam Felicity and Lea’s chatter, or accept the tea I had been offered by the courteous waiter. My everything was on the two people in whose hands my fate lay.

What if Jennifer agreed to the deal since she was apparently fond of Tristan? No. She wouldn’t willingly agree. This was Tristan Devereux we were talking about. Surely he must have cast some sort of enchantment spell on her! But for what purpose? He loathed me, that was for sure. He would gain nothing from being chummy with my parent.

But why had he been acting suspiciously agreeable today? Could it be that he knew immediately who Jennifer was when his mother informed us that we would be meeting her?

A horrid thought struck me just then.

Was he being agreeable because of Jennifer? Because the two of them were friends and so he re-thought ending up on my bad side?

The epiphany was too great to handle. My mind was a mess thanks to him, yet part of it refused to accept that specific reasoning.

“What do you suppose they are talking about?” I directed the question to my two table companions whilst still watching the upper area.

“Mavis, you have to calm down. This is the fifth time you’ve asked us that,” was Lea’s reply.

“Mae, honey, when we get back home, which bedroom would you be more comfortable in? If you don’t like the West Wing, we could bring you closer to Trissy’s bedroom,” chirped Madam Felicity.

I turned my head and gave her a look of utter disbelief. Was she being serious? From the expectant smile on her face, I supposed she was.

“Mother, perhaps we can discuss that after Miss Jennifer has finished her talk with brother-in-law, yes?” Lea suggested.

Madam Felicity frowned, but conceded. “Oh, alright. But I don’t see why we cannot start on future plans now when it is clear that the outcome is inevitable. That is how fate works, you know.”

Lea sighed. “Mother--”

“Oh, look!” Madam Felicity gasped. “They’re done talking!”

My head snapped in that direction quickly.

As Jennifer and Tristan descended the steps, I rose to meet them, but ignored the lad and went to hold Jennifer’s hands.

“Well?” I inquired. “Will you tell me how it is you met this man? What did you talk about that took forever? Please tell me you’re not considering giving me away.”

“Mavis, relax,” she cooed. “First things first.” She looked directly at Madam Felicity. “After meeting your son, Madam Devereux, I have decided to accept your deal.”

“Splendid!” Madam Felicity cheered at the same time I cried, “No!”

I looked at my foster mother in horror. “Jennifer, why? Why, why, why, why!”