Conform or Suffer: The Darkness of Beauty

Chapter 32 Gratitude Day

Inside Quig's Station Wagon at 8:30 a.m.

*

Quig and Grew-Ella drove past seven restaurants and a beauty parlor. Unacceptable women and reject men are not allowed.

"Maybe we should go home," he said.

She pointed at a blinking sign, Kindness Rebel Aquarium and Pool. Open Twenty-Four hours. We Welcome Everyone Regardless of Status.

"You haven't been here since my birthday, and they've done renovations."

He parked his station wagon and winked at her. "You only go to the pool to gawk at cute guys, and I didn't bring my swim trunks."

"Ha, hardy, ha, scoping out guys is the last thing I want. The new aquarium gift shop sells swimsuits. But they added a dozen mini pools that include a personal lifeguard. I'll pay extra for a private swim."

"No one will see us," Quig said.

"Couples use them for kissing sessions, and purchasing a ticket is extremely romantic."

"Could we, um? I mean, we could kiss in private. Maybe your dad is right."

"Do you desire to kiss me?" She breathed deeply, and her heart beat rapidly.

"But I understand if it's a no." Quig opened the handle to the vehicle door.

"You should hate to be around me with how badly I've treated you, and I hope you believe that nothing is wrong with you."

"Grew-Ella, why would I hate you? You saved my life and helped me get a job when I lost everything."

They climbed out of his station wagon.

Dozens of paparazzi jumped in front of them. Grew-Ella and Quig kissed until the media left.

He gasped for air and his wings twitched. "We should go to the beach and hike in the summer."

"I'd love that." She looked at him.

Grew-Ella thought, 'Quig asked to kiss me. But Chase and Zill will find out it's not merely a paper marriage. They always find out. Stay strong and don't kiss Quig when we get home.'

"You didn't answer my beach question. You and I haven't been to the beach in ages. I'll buy you brand-new beach slippers. We'll be swim buddies again." His wings twitched.

She thought, 'Quig's heart has been battered by me.'

"Come on, slowpoke, you wanted to come here." He led her toward the door.

She paid for their tickets, and they entered the aquarium hand in hand.

They walked by an indoor merry-go-round with children and adults riding painted fish, mermaids, and sea monsters.

Attendees waited for their rides on ocean-blue benches with food purchased from the Salt-Breeze Automat Restaurant, which was filled with vending machines promising full meals.

Grew-Ella guided Quig past a squid-themed roller coaster to the live animals.

Non-anthropomorphic fish, snakes, lizards, and mini-tree frogs didn't notice the visitors and ate their food in their manufactured habitats.

Quig walked toward a display of tanks. "Axolotls are adorable. They resemble drawings of Sea Monkeys. Nan-Gran claimed puppies could destroy her bracelet-making supplies, so she bought me tanks."

"I wish I knew you then."

They entered the gift shop, and Grew-Ella bought herself a muted green swimsuit, but only the male trunks came in color. She almost purchased Quig blue shorts, but she found swim trunks decorated with drawings of axolotls.

Quig and Grew-Ella walked into their changing rooms, and they emerged seven minutes later.

He fumbled for Grew-Ella's hand. "If Vex handed out unacceptable badges for men, I'd deserve four, but my brokenness instead allowed me to marry an amazing woman because you didn't reject me publicly." His chest appeared normal, but dozens of scars covered his shoulders.

"No, you're fine. Our laws are wrong."

They plodded down the steps into the heated water.

"Grew-Ella, this is nice." His hand brushed against hers, and his wings fluttered and ached, flinging droplets on her.

She stared at him, longing to feel the sensation of their wet lips touching, with no one gawking at them, but she felt someone was there, watching.

"I need to get dressed." Depressing fears filled her head as she entered the individual changing room to shower and remove her swimsuit.

'Chase can't be here,' she thought.

He sprayed her neck with a caustic perfume and dropped the bottle, shattering it, as he placed his hand over her mouth. "Gorgeous, you're not telling Quig you love him. I have been spying on you and know you haven't. Annul your marriage to him and come with me. I know who Quig's father is, and I'll tell everyone."

She kicked him in the shin but didn't draw blood. She ran through the hall.

He ran after her. "If you tell Quig, Vex leaves you in a workhouse. Rodrick added that. He isn't your friend."

Reporters came out of nowhere and started running after Chase.

"Did you try to kidnap your ex?" one asked.

"No, she loves me," Chase said.

Grew-Ella's voice became still. She ran into the nearest empty changing room, locking the door behind her.