Tu es à Moi

Heartless Princess vs. Heartless Monster

"Mom! Have you been in the garage?" I yell from my room, trying to keep my voice as calm as possible but failing. Today, I've decided to wear my favorite black tank top underneath a sleek leather jacket. My black skinny jeans and 3-inch high-heeled boots complete the look. Feeling bold and a little edgy, I head towards the kitchen where my mom is.

I find her sitting at the table, calmly sipping coffee and eating a sandwich. She looks up, and before I can say anything else, she hits me with that familiar look of disapproval.

"George," she scolds, her voice stern. "How many times have I told you not to yell from another room? Have you forgotten your manners?"

I roll my eyes dramatically, even though she can't see me from the kitchen. Typical Mom. Always keep up with manners.

"Mom!" I say, trying my best to sound sweet and innocent now, knowing she's going to be irritated anyway. "Could you please kindly check if Dad's kept his promise yet?"

The moment I say it, I smirk, knowing full well that if she could see my expression, I'd be grounded on the spot. But I'm lucky today. She's too distracted.

"Yes, sweetie," she replies in a casual, almost bored tone, taking another bite of her sandwich. "A brand-new Lamborghini for his princess." She doesn't even look up from her plate, and her words seem like they're barely registering with her.

My heart skips a beat at the confirmation. I can't wait to test out my new ride. I have big plans for today, but the biggest one is meeting her. The queen—or more accurately—the Heartless Monster.

("Char!" I whisper excitedly to myself. The moment I've been waiting for. - author haha)

After saying goodbye to Mom, I open the portal, my fingers tingling with excitement. My sleek black Lamborghini waits for me, its glossy finish glistening under the dim, enchanted light of the garage. Without wasting a second, I climb inside, the engine roaring to life like a wild beast.

I drive through the portal and head toward the mansion. No, castle is more accurate for where the monster lives. The winding road feels shorter than I remember, and soon enough, I'm turning the last corner. The grand, ivy-covered gates loom in front of me. Two guards stand stiffly by the entrance, their eyes locking onto my car the moment I approach.

"Hey, miss!" one of the guards calls out, his tone instantly irritating. He steps forward with a swagger that makes me roll my eyes before he even opens his mouth. "Strangers aren't allowed in here. You better know where you're going, because you clearly have no idea where you are."

His words spill out in a rushed, flirtatious jumble, and I can't help but feel a wave of annoyance wash over me. These two don't even know who I am.

I roll my eyes for what feels like the millionth time today and pull out my phone. "Just wait," I mutter under my breath as I dial the number of the so-called Monster, who's probably sitting in her office sipping wine or doing something equally dramatic. The phone rings twice before she picks up.

"Hey," I say nonchalantly. "Yeah, I'm here at the gate, but it seems like your guards don't recognize me. Care to fix that?"

I put the phone on speaker, smirking at the two guards who are now looking at me with a mix of confusion and disbelief. "So, do you two love your jobs?" I ask sarcastically. "Because from this moment forward, you're both fired."

Before the guards can even react, the monster's cold, venomous voice cuts through the speaker. "You're fired," she confirms, her words dripping with menace.

The two guards go pale as they hear their fate, stepping aside quickly and letting me pass. I smile smugly at them as I drive through the gates and into the long, winding entrance leading to the mansion. Bushes of green line the path, tall and thick, with not a single flower in sight. It's a clear indication that the monster doesn't care for beauty—only control.

The moment I park the car, I head inside the mansion. The halls are as grand and intimidating as I remember, the walls lined with dark, foreboding paintings and heavy drapery. Everything about this place feels suffocating, as if it were designed to remind you of the power its owner holds.

I approach the main desk, where her secretary is sitting, looking frazzled and typing away at her computer.

"Where is Princess Ember?" I ask, my voice sharp and commanding.

The secretary jumps a little, startled. "Uh, Miss, I think she's not around today..." she stammers, clearly terrified of giving the wrong answer.

"Don't be foolish," I snap. "I know she's in her office. Stop wasting my time."

The secretary pales, fumbling for words, but I don't wait for a response. I know my way to Ember's office, and I know exactly what she's doing—busy with whatever evil plans she's brewing up next.