Bad Girl

And Just Like That

Months have passed since you have seen the Baroness and left all the crazy drama behind you but you certainly didn't think you'd end up here. You stand at the school gates with other parents waiting to collect her. The little girl runs towards you her hair is formed in tight ringlets which bounce as she runs towards you, you lean down catching her and lifting her up. 'Did you have a good day chicken?' you set her back down. 'We learned about insects today. Most of the other girls were afraid but I wasn't.' she beams proudly. You take your hand and you both start walking. 'Your fearless kiddo. Any thoughts on tea?' you look down at her. The girl gives you a mischievous grin. 'Maybe...nuggets?' she asks coyly. You laugh. 'Emma you told me if we had them last night you definitely wouldn't want them today, you're going to turn into a chicken nugget!' The child pouts and you roll your eyes. 'Fine, I've some other shopping to get we can pick some up at the store.' The girl jumps with happiness.

At the supermarket you are bagging up your items at the end of the till you see Emma is off looking at the magazines. When you've paid up you go over to her. 'You ready chicken?' The girl brandishes a magazine at you with a picture of the Baroness on the front page. 'Auntie (y/n) look! She's so pretty she looks like one of my dolls.' You feel a shard of ice spike right into the centre of your heart. Victoria. 'Yeah, she is, but take my advice kid. Never meet your heroes. Let's go if you want we can visit the park after dinner.'

Cameras are flashing wildly, Victoria gives a nod and a weak smile since prison her love of photographers is nonexistent unless she can completely control the setting. John ever loyal remains a few steps behind her just in case she takes another panic attack. Paris fashion week, all the big designers are here, models strutting around in ludicrous and amazing designs. Press call to her the fashion Queen, but she doesn't do interviews anymore. Inside John fetches the Baroness a glass of champagne he sees her anxiety is playing up. 'Thank you John.' she speaks quietly. Their relationship has healed slightly and she tries to keep a cooler head around him and not lose her temper. Since you vanished, John has been running the operation of trying to locate you whilst remaining discreet. The story of how she regained her status is shrouded in mystery and she'd rather keep it that way.

Cruella also withheld the information, out of respect for you, not her rival. There is a stir outside and the crowd starts to get excitable. Victoria frowns raising an eyebrow, soon enough Cruella walks in from the sounds of things she's made another elaborate entrance. 'Great.' the Baroness rolls her eyes. 'Would you prefer to leave your ladyship?' John leans over her shoulder whispering against her ear. The Baroness's lips twitch. 'Certainly not.' she turns her back on her dual-haired rival. 'How nice to see you, stepmother.' The Baroness cringes hearing Cruella speak. 'Dear I am not nor will I ever be your stepmother.' she turns so she is eye to eye with her nemesis. Cruella wears a dress made up of silver beading, red silk, and black feathers. 'You've not been at many events lately, I hope it isn't because you are afraid of bumping into little old me?' Cruella teases. The Baroness scoffs. 'Don't flatter yourself, my dear. I've simply been....busy....working on a new line actually. If you will excuse me.' she shimmies past her.

'I know where she is.' The Baroness stops in her tracks, she doesn't trust Cruella. 'Whom might that be?' she juts out her chin. 'My sister, word on the street is you are looking for her. I know where she is.'Cruella takes a glass of champagne sipping it. 'Oh, you know do you?' Victoria doesn't trust this is another wicked trick. Cruella opens her clutch and takes out a folded piece of paper with an address. The baroness regards it suspiciously. 'John.' she nods. The valet takes the paper opening it, it really is just an address. 'And how am I to know this isn't some trick? If your plan is to trap me and act out a further assault on me?' She challenges. Cruella shrugs. 'I guess you don't.' The Baroness remains highly suspicious. 'Why would you give me this? What do you have to gain?' she demands. Cruella starts walking backward into the crowd. 'It's not for you. My sister looks miserable without you darling, and I want to get into her good books. Perhaps this will get her attention.' and just like that Cruella is gone.

At the park, you sit on the bench occasionally letting your mind drift as Emma runs around playing with the neighbourhood kids. 'Auntie yn, are you watching?' she squeals and you laugh nodding as she slides down the shoot. It's getting cold now, you zip up your red leather jacket. 'Time to go!' you call. 'Five more minutes!' she begs and you laugh shaking your head. You don't pay attention to the gentleman who sits down beside you. 'Katherine's daughter?' you snap around and are eye to eye with your former valet. 'Y-yes, John what are you doing here?' Your heartbeat increases. 'Victoria...is she okay?' you ask urgently. 'She suffers, with a broken heart, she misses you.' he admits. You relax a little. 'She will get over it eventually, like you said my leaving was for the best.' you focus on Emma. 'That was a mistake on my part, I should never have said what I did. I apologise Ms yn.' You shrug and wave it off. 'Victoria wishes to see you. She's spent a long time trying to find you.'

At this you are surprised you assumed after she got her world back she would never think of you again. 'Victoria wants to see me?' John nods. 'The car is waiting I can drive us back to London now, if you are agreeable.' you sigh. 'It's not a good idea John, I have Emma to think of now, I have responsibilities.' you explain. John looks saddened and takes a card out of his wallet. 'If you change your mind, I'm just a phone call away.' At that, Emma runs over to you. 'Why don't you have any hair?' she asks John bluntly. You blush. 'Emma! That isn't polite.' you scold her. John laughs. 'I lost it through work stress, I have a very high-maintenance employer.'