pursuing her [gaston legume] [on pause]

V I I I

Gaston slowly walked towards his tavern. The thing that he was just called destroyed his chances with Marie. How could he be just a friend after everything he did for her?

He quickly shook his head, trying to erase that thought as he opened the door and strolled over towards his favorite seat in the tavern. He was then greeted by LeFou.

"So," LeFou started, "What happened when I left? Did you guys start a relationship?" Gaston got furious due to the questions that his comrade was asking him and answered back, "No LeFou! Did you know what she called me after our little adventure back at the forest? A friend... a stupid friend!

This caused everyone in the tavern to glance at the two of them. Gaston gave them a deathly glare before they went and minded their own business.

"Oh," LeFou was shocked at his friend's reaction, this only happened back when he was "in love" with Belle. He started to feel afraid. What if Gaston turned into his old self?

"Gaston, I think you should just go to sleep and tomorrow you can... maybe... think a new technique to make Marie fall in love with you?" LeFou suggested his friend, who just simply nodded and stormed off towards his room.

The next day, Marie woke up with a loud and fast paced knock in her room. She quickly got dressed up and opened her door. To her surprise, Gaston stood there with a forced smile and a large bouquet of bright flowers in his hands. She started to feel that something was wrong with him.

"Gaston, are you okay?" She asked with a worried tone on her soft voice. "What? Obviously I'm okay!" He exclaimed while handing the flowers to Marie.

She gave him a suspicious glare before placing them on top of her bed. He saw that she was packing things on her bag and asked, "Going somewhere?"

She cleared her throat before facing him, "Actually, yes I am, I am planning to leave the town, also I am going to look for the men that are trying to catch my father." And with that, she excused herself and left the room.

Gaston quickly jogged besides her and told her, "You are kidding, right? You aren't even sure if your father told you the truth." She responded, "I trust my father, he wouldn't make that up. I am also going to meet up with someone who is going to help me with my mission."

Gaston furrowed his eyebrows together. He was curious about this person so he asked her, "And may I know who is this certain person who will be helping you?"

Marie looked at him and said, "He is a friend of mine since we were kids and I have heard that he will be coming today in any minute."

Gaston started to boil with jealousy. Who was this man? Could he really trust him with the love of his life?

"May I ask his name?" He asked, hopefully expecting to know this man. "His name is Lorenzo Rousseau." She  stopped walking and face the jealous man.

Before Gaston could say a word, a tall and well-dressed man called out Marie's name, "Hey! Marie!" The girl turned around and grinned and the sight of her childhood friend. "Lorenzo! It is so good to see you again." She then pulled him into a hug, which was quickly ended by Gaston clearing his throat uncomfortably.

"Oh, Lorenzo this is Gaston, Gaston this is Lorenzo," said Marie. The newcomer stretched his hand out and Gaston hesitantly shook it. Gaston pulled his hand out and Lorenzo looked at him with pure confusion.

Gaston chuckled and hung his arm around Marie's shoulder and said, "Didn't she told you that I would be joining you?" Marie stiffened and turned around with a confused expression in her face.

"Oh, well we are going to have a lovely trip," spoke up Lorenzo after a long and uncomfortable silence. Marie then said, "Lorenzo, if you wouldn't mind, can I talk to Gaston alone?" Lorenzo replied, "I don't mind, go ahead."

She grasped Gaston's forearm and pulled him next to the fountain. "What do you think you're doing?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest. "I wanted to live the adventure with you guys, I don't wanted to miss all the fun," he answered sarcastically.

She narrowed her eyes and took a good look at Gaston before she said, "What has been bothering you Gaston? You have been acting very weird this morning." Gaston chuckled and responded, "I could say the same thing to you, since I have met you, you have never acted this distant, you always have something to say."

She gave him a death glare and avoided his question by saying, "You can come with us, but if you start vexing me, you are free to come back to the village, understood?" Gaston excitedly nodded and the two of them walked over to Lorenzo.

"So, are we leaving or what?" Gaston said eagerly. The other two simply nodded before the trio walked over towards the stable. There they saw that a familiar short and chubby man was leaving a horse.

"Hello LeFou," greeted Marie. He got startled and snapped his head to face Marie. He gave a large sigh of relief before speaking up, "Hello you two, who is the other guy?" He asked curiously.

"I am Lorenzo Rousseau," he said stretching his arm out to shake LeFou's hand. "I'm LeFou," the short man replied but didn't shook Lorenzo's hand.

He awkwardly pulled it back. Marie then said, "Well, let's just get our horses and start the mission." "Oh, what mission? Can I come?" LeFou asked with an excited tone. Marie smiled and nodded. He then rapidly reached out for his horse and mounted it.

The other three mimicked his actions and started to walk towards the entrance of the village.

Marie was walking besides Lorenzo while Gastón and LeFou followed them on the back. "Who is the guy?" LeFou asked in a hushed tone. "Marie's old childhood friend," Gaston replied.

"Well, you better be careful because he may steal your girl's heart," said LeFou. Gaston furiously started at his comrade and then at the man in front of him.

"He won't be able to, I will make this adventure impossible for him, you'll see LeFou, you'll see."