The Penguin And His Dove

If The Shoe Fits

I woke up, stretching and rolling over to my side. I blinked as my vision was blurry. It suddenly dawned on me that Oswald was not lying next to me anymore. I sat up quickly looking around the room for him. I rubbed my eyes and they finally adjusted to the light. The curtains were slightly open letting the warm sun beam in. But I swear I didn't imagine Oswald staying next to me last night. I got up and sat at the end of the bed and stretched, as I did this I noticed a white letter propped up against the bed side table on the side that Oswald had laid. I leaned over and picked it up. It had my name written in lovely writing. I read aloud.

"(Y/N). Sorry I had to leave so abruptly in the middle of the night. You had full protection through the evening when I left so suddenly.I can assure you I considered your safety and took the means necessary to arrange that. Please If you could meet me at the lounge this afternoon. I have a surprise for you. If you could pick a package up from the Boutique closest to your apartment first before arriving. Butch will escort you to the Boutique and bring you here safely to the Lounge. Oswald X" Butterflies filled my stomach and I read the letter. A surprise? I quickly began to get ready. Changing from the clothes Oswald had let me borrow that night and hopped in to the shower. I managed to find a half decent dress in the wardrobe and quickly got ready. I was excited. I wasn't one for surprises but one off Oswald wasn't one to go amiss. I left the apartment and stood in the warm sunlight. A black Hudson Hornet was parked on the curb. I walked closer to it and noticed Butch sat in the driver seat. He stepped out of the car and opened the passenger side door for me.

"Ah your awake. I was wondering how long you were going to be " He said cockily. I just smirked as I sat in the seat. He sped down the road. We didn't speak as he had the radio on.

"A young gentleman is now classified as missing. He was last seen at The Ice-burg Lounge. Family are now coming forward to ask if anyone has any information on his last appearance and -_" Butch turned the radio off. My heart was pounding. He was missing alright. He was dead ! And his family were searching for him!

"So much doom and gloom these days " Butch said as Fleetwood Mac blasted the car. He began to sing along to the song "Seven Wonders".We pulled up to the Boutique. It looked very fancy. I looked at Butch as we pulled up confused. 

"Go on then kid. " He said . I didnt answer and stepped out the car and straight in to the Boutique. I t was beautiful.  All beautiful dresses hung from their hangers and trailed on to the floor, there was men's suits complete with top hats. This place was mind blowing. The outfits and dresses were magnificent. Why would he ask me to come here? Must be one of his suits I am picking up.

"Can I help?" Asked a voice. The tone was very harsh. I turned to see a young lady, around my age . She was wearing a blue suit jacket and blue skirt with shiny black shoes. Her auburn hair flowing passed her shoulders.

"Hi " I said timidly. I didnt look like I would be buying anything from a fancy shop like this .

"Im here to collect a package?" I said. She raised an eyebrow as she looked me up and down.

"Ok and what name is it under?" She asked rudely.I paused for a moment. Would It be mine or Oswalds name?

"Um , Mr Oswald Cobblepot" I muttered. Her eyes widened as she stood up straight. She stuttered. 

"Ah yes! Miss (Y/S) We have been expecting you! Come with me " She said, her tone now sweet and innocent. She lead me over to a vacant changing room.

"Here ma'am, please try this one"She said. I stood in the changing room. She closed the curtain quickly behind me . There was a dress hung up next to the mirror. It was a pale pink colour. It had small straps. It was gorgeous. Why have I been asked to try this on? New uniform? Nah cant be. Wouldn't be this nice to be pouring a few cocktails behind the bar. I noticed a small letter on a tag hanging from one of the shoulders. 

"Please put this on (Y/N). Oswald". I blushed He hasn't!  I slipped out of my clothes and placed the dress on. I cupped my hands over my mouth. It was beautiful and fitted so well. It was just above the knee. I was gobsmacked. The curtain opened slowly. 

"Oh ma'am that is beautiful on you . Here these are the shoes to match" The lady handed me a pair of pale pink shoes. I placed them on my feet and the outfit was complete. Everything fitted so well and fell so elegantly.

"Thank you " I said as I twirled in the mirror. Taking in every detail of the dress. It had a small bow on the back and around the breast area was small diamonds.

"You must be a very lucky lassie. The gentleman who paid for that dress paid in cash" Said the lady again.I gulped.

"How much did it cost?" I stuttered. She laughed.

"Lets just say a lot. I have been told to not answer that question" She answered. She helped me pick my clothes up that I wore in to the Boutique and placed them in to a bag. I left the shop and clambered back in to the car with Butch.

"Waw!. You scrub up well Miss. Boss is treating you well" He said. I felt my cheeks flush. What was Oswald up to. Butch drove me to the lounge. Helped me out the car as he always did and opened the door to the lounge. I walked in to the main room and I could hear beautiful music playing. I looked up on the stage and a small band was playing music. Guitars, piano, drums and violins. "Moondance , by Van Morrison" was playing as a young boy was singing. The lounge was empty apart from the band. I walked further in and noticed an empty table at the foot of the stage. A single rose was placed in the vase in the middle of the table. What is going on here. Business again? I am lost. 

"Whats going on" I said turning around to ask Butch. But when I turned around Butch was out of sight. I felt a sick feeling of being on my own in this club again. I slowly walked further in towards the table again. With that Oswald appeared from behind the wooden pillar.

"Ah my dear. Your looking  gorgeous as ever. I see the dress fitted your figure perfectly." He stood tall in a  beautiful Tux that I had never seen him wear before. He had a cane in his right hand which coincidentally had a penguin as the handle. He raised his hand to me.

"Please , come and sit yourself with me." He said. He smiled a smile that I couldnt read. It was a beautiful smile. But I don't know what he had planned.