UNWRITTEN

Prologue

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Before The Storm

A G N È S

As I pushed open the door to The Diner, allowing myself inside, the smell of coffee and newly baked buns immediately hit me. A familiar scent that I seemingly never grew weary of, hence my frequent visits there. I'm not alone in that notion, the entire island takes at least one day of the week to come visit. Kimbi Island... My Island... My home.

The second I entered the bell on the top of the door rang, signalling my arrival. I started scanning the seats, looking for Rose. I had, against my family's firm disapproval, agreed to meet her since she wanted to talk.

"If it isn't Belle herself! Bienvenue back! That's correct right?" I heard a loud yet low voice call out to me. It was as if his voice roared around the whole island, announcing to everyone that I was home.

As if hypnotised by the voice, I turned my attention to him and completely forgot my previous endeavour. His words immediately prompted my lips to curl up into a sheepish smile as my feet carried me towards him. I couldn't help but to giggle at his struggles with my native tongue. I studied him carefully, noticing that there were a few more grey hair strands on him than when I had seen him last.

"Hello Papa. Your French is getting better and better. I can't say the same for my Japanese, unfortunately." I responded, deciding against my desire to correct his French.

Papa Yuichi was the owner of the diner. He isn't my father, matter fact we aren't even related by blood. But there's not a single soul on this island that doesn't call him that.

"Oh you flatter me! You'll have to tell me all about your time with your father in Venice, seeing as you acquired quite the tan." Papa said with his usual warm smile. The same smile that had charmed the entire island to love and respect him. I couldn't help but to nod, knowing he was going to drag it out of me regardless of my response.

"Dad, leave her alone! Agnès just got back and you're already talking her ear off. Besides, Rose has been here for an hour waiting for her." A young man said, slowly creeping up behind Papa. Mitsu Aoi, Papa's son, was almost always present and working at the diner with his father.

Upon Mitsu's reminder, I quickly turned around and scanned for Rose. My search ended quickly as she frantically waved me over. With a deep breath, I put on a gentle smile and made my way over. I slipped into the booth, placing my small green purse next to me as I crossed one leg over the other. I had barely sat down before she immediately started her chattering.

"Gosh Agnès! You look amazing! Venice must've been amazing! You'll have to tell me all about it! I ordered us both strawberry milkshakes." Rose started off. I could not retell what she said next, for my mind had started wandering off completely. Her words were but senseless noise, so I often shut it off.

"Rose... Dear... Can we just get to the point? Mama wants me to run a few errands for her, so I'm a bit pressed for time you see." I said, trying my best to be as cordial as possible.

"Right! Of course! It's just that... Noe's not returning my calls!" I sighed at her response. I had figured she had called me here to discuss Noe. A topic I had absolutely no interest in diving into, especially with her.

Lucky for me, I didn't even have to. Rose was so busy listening to her own voice that she didn't factor in the fact that I hadn't responded to her. Somewhere in between her babbling and whining about Noe, Mitsu served us our milkshakes. She, however, remained oblivious to his presence as she kept babbling while I thanked him.