Addeline: The Darkness at the Heart of My Love [Papa Emeritus IV]

I Know You Need It Now To Make You Feel Alive

The following morning, the band had planned to gather for breakfast in the hotel lobby before preparing for that day's show. Addy and Papa arrived last at the table, drawing curious glances as they took their seats, looking worse for wear with marks on their faces and scratches on their arms. The table was engulfed in a heavy silence. Swiss watched Addy as she avoided his gaze, focusing instead on her empty plate.

As Papa perused the menu, the waitress arrived to take orders. "I'll have bacon with sausage and scrambled eggs," he declared. The waitress noted his order and turned to the quiet woman. Before she could inquire, Copia interjected, "She'll have the same." Swiss observed the exchange, his head subtly shaking at the notion of Addy not ordering for herself, wondering if she preferred it that way.

"What is everyone staring at?" Copia snapped. "Start throwing ideas out! This is our first show of the tour; is everyone ready?" As if on cue, everyone began to talk all at once, sharing their ideas and preparations. Under the table, Swiss nudged Addy's foot to catch her attention. Startled, she glanced up at him. He mouthed, "Are you okay?" She nodded and returned her gaze downward. The ghoul felt conflicted, unsure of how to assist her. He felt a closeness to her, yet at the same time, a vast distance. He regretted defending her husband when Addy confessed the man had impregnated someone else. He questioned whether he should have kept his thoughts to himself. Maybe it would have been wiser to let her vent. Now, he felt entangled in her problem and compelled to speak with her immediately.

Once everyone finished their breakfast, the group dispersed, heading back to their rooms to freshen up before the big show. Swiss, feeling a sense of urgency, spotted Copia grabbing Addy's arm, seemingly in a rush. Determined, Swiss hurriedly made his way over to them, his heart pounding in his chest. "Can I talk to you really quickly?" he asked Addy, his voice filled with concern.

However, before Swiss could get a response, the Cardinal pulled Addy even closer, his grip firm. Apologetically, she answered, "Maybe later," and continued walking in the arms of Papa Emeritus. Swiss's eyes widened in frustration, his mind racing with unanswered questions. He watched as they disappeared down the hallway, leaving him standing there, feeling a mix of helplessness and confusion.

Out of the band's sight, the Cardinal ushered Addy back to the room. He closed the door behind them, ensuring their privacy. Pacing back and forth in front of her, he commanded her to sit down, his voice filled with authority. Addy, feeling conquered, obediently took a seat. He paced before her for a while, back and forth in short strides, before he stopped and approached her. He groped her chin lightly before demanding to know, "When were you going to tell me you were pregnant again?"

Addy's mind raced, remembering how Swiss had blurted it out the day before. Before she could utter a word, Copia interrupted, "How long have you known?"

Addeline's empty eyes met his as she uttered the words, "About 9 weeks."

Copia shook his head in disbelief, "You've known for 9 weeks that you were carrying a child and yet, you told HIM before me?" he gestured toward the door.

She remained silent as he reprimanded her, but her gaze deepened, as if trapped in a dark forest, unable to lie or reveal the truth. The Cardinal nodded, his words dripping with bitterness, "And whose is it, Addeline?" Their eyes locked, the silence between them louder than any words. In that moment, words seemed inadequate, unable to bridge the gap between their conflicting emotions. She remembered Swiss telling her not to say anything about the baby's possible paternity but the silence gave her away.

Copia, seething with anger, clutched Addy's face, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and hurt, "You do not get to judge me, my darling. You do not get to be angry with me for my indiscretion for it seems as though you've not learned your lesson since your last incaution." The hold he had on her grew tighter and tighter and Addeline began to wince under the pressure of his fingers. She gritted her teeth in pain and braced herself for a possible fight. A fight did not come, however. Papa released the girl's face from his strong grip and stormed off towards the bathroom to shower before the show.