Chocolate Heart (Wonka And Noodle) #1

Chapter 19

The morning had been devastating for Noodle, who hoped that everything had been just a bad dream when she woke up, but she realized that it was not like that, Willy had left town, leaving her alone and hurt

Things don't last forever, perhaps, and at other times Noodle might have just carried on indifferently, but in a way, she had already begun to get used to the chocolatier's protection

The day was going to be difficult for her, that was for sure, as she nonchalantly addressed the group after being called by Bleacher, seeing that Mrs. Scrubbit was on the other side of her desk

"You're all fools for the stunt you tried to pull!" Mrs. Scrubbit yelled

Noodle did not even flinch at the woman's scream, with her head down

"But luckily for you all, the dear father of the nit rose left one last gift before leaving" Mrs. Scrubbit said, as she pulled up a bunch of cash and a stack of papers

The girl didn't dare to look up, feeling a small tear fall from her eye, which she hurriedly wiped away before anyone noticed

"Abacus Crunch!" Mrs. Scrubbit announced and stamped his file "You're debts are paid, you are free to go"

Abacus was in shock, taking his paper and went to collect his belongings

Little by little, the woman called each one of the group, giving them the paper that certified that their debt was paid, then they went to collect their things, leaving the place

Noodle let out a tired sigh when she heard Mrs. Scrubbit say her name

"What a fortune, but what a shame too... it's not to pay your debt, it's to keep you there" Mrs. Scrubbit smiled

"What?" she tilted her head, seeing that Bleacher was closing the door

"Mr. Slugworth doesn't think spoiled girls like you should be roaming the streets, that's why he gave me this money" the woman laughed "You know? I would like to see your father's voice now!" she scoffed

Noodle narrowed her eyes "I hate you!" she yelled "I want to see your face now that you found out that the whole thing Duke was a lie and you feel right for it!"

The revelation had Mrs. Scrubbit shocked "...I've had enough of you, spoiled girl!" she exclaimed, roughly grabbing her arm "Now you go straight to the closet!"

•  •  •

And so, now Noodle found herself in that dark and small room, with only a couple of small windows through which she could see the outside of the building, but she didn't approach that part of the room, remaining in the dark area

That dream of freedom now seemed to be nothing more than nonsense, because now she had lost everything, her friends, her father and her hopes. Noodle shrugged, covering her face as she began to cry

A small dove landed on the window, catching the girl's attention. What a lucky creature, with the ability to have freedom from birth, flying around the city without having barriers to trap it

The dove titled its head, looking inside the room, and then took flight when it felt something hit the window frame. That took Noodle by surprise, she stepped back while listening as if something was climbing outside

Noodle couldn't believe it, from one moment to the next she enchanged glances with Willy, who smiled when he saw her

"Hello, sweetie" Wonka said softly "Wait, are you crying?" he asked

"That doesn't matter... hadn't you left?" Noodle questioned, still confused

"Yes, I did... but Slugworth didn't comply with what was agreed, so I came back, and I didn't come alone"

The girl heard the multiple greetings from her friends "Hi!" she said "She says Slugworth wanted me to be held here..."

"Yeah, I'm not surprised" he muttered

"Why? What does he have against me?" Noodle asked

"I don't know, sweetie, the only thing I know is that I'll be able to keep my promise to you when Slugworth is in prison"

"And how do you plan for that to happen?" Abacus questioned, from another window

"Abacus! You said that they have kept all their misdeeds in a book!" Wonka said "If we get that book we can hand it over to the police!"

"Yes, but I must remind you that they pay bribes, they always do!" Abacus lamented

"That's how the world works, dad..." Noodle muttered

"That's true, Noodle..., then we only have one thing to do-" the chocolatier spoke

"What?"

"Change the world!" and with that, the wall fell to the ground, because Wonka had removed the screws that held it "C'mon, starshine, you don't belong in this laundry"

After everyone returned to the ground down the long staircase, they snuck away silently to avoid being seen by Scrubbit and Bleacher, stopping in an alley

"Wow, we were lucky" Larry said, surprised

Noodle looked at Wonka "Dad... where have you gone?" she asked

"Well, the Chocolate Cartel wanted to send me away from the town, but they couldn't do it" the chocolatier explained

"Dad, don't leave me like this again"

"I'll never do it, it's a pinky promise" Wonka said "C'mon friends, it's time to take our final blow"