A One Shot Book of Unfortunate Events

The Beatrice Letters Part 4

*Bea's POV*

'Wait... What does he mean by "best friend"? I'm so confused...'

" Duncan, come inside. " Uncle Klaus insisted.
"I really shouldn't. I don't want to intrude."

"I want every last detail about why this one thinks it's okay to get a ride from someone she doesn't know." Klaus told Duncan, gesturing to me.
"My boss-..." Duncan began, but then looked at me. I was silently pleading him not to tell Uncle Klaus. He could tell.

"Actually," I said, "Duncan was helping me out at the library... I couldn't reach some books and his... Boss... Bossy sis-..." I noticed his eyes widen as I began to say sister. "No his brother! His bossy brother said he should give me a ride home... To make sure.. I got home okay... Yeah!"

Klaus looked at Duncan suspiciously. "I'm sorry you got involved in this fib, Duncan."
"Are you calling me a liar, Uncle Klaus??"
" Well I'm not calling you a Truther! " Klaus sighed. "Dunc, do you need to be anywhere?"
"I was given the rest of the day off work... I take it I'm staying a while...?"
"Bingo. I need to know what's going on here."

~*~

I ended up telling him the truth. Klaus seemed very disappointed, although it wasn't directed at any specific person.
"God, I'm sorry, Bea... I knew you wanted to meet Lemony. We should have approached this topic more seriously. That's Violet's and my fault... But that doesn't excuse you hunting around town to find him. You could have been hurt or taken or something. You're lucky your aunt's apprentice is someone we've trusted for a long time..."
I looked at Duncan and he smiled softly. "Violet's gonna kill us for not immediately telling her I'm here, you know." He chuckled.
"That reminds me!" I pulled the note out out my pocket. "Do you still want me to get this to her or no?" I held it out for him.
"I can take that, thank you." Duncan grinned, taking it back.

"Bea, can I see the card with Mrs. Mallahan's number on it? I promise I'll give her a call and we can arrange something with you and your uncle."
I pulled out the card and handed it to Uncle Klaus. "Good girl. Now go make sure your mother knows to expect company and order some more takeout..."

I saluted playfully and ran off.

*Duncan's POV*

After a little bit of silence, Klaus began conversation.
"So how are you guys?"

" We've been doing well... I'm the Junior Editor down at the Daily Punctilio... Remember when I was saying that's the LAST place I wanted to work? Pfft. Izzie's been teaching poetry, and Quigley's been making maps for the submarine his fiancee owns. He's finally settled the and it baffles me to this day! "
"What about you and Isadora? Have you two settled with anyone?"

I grinned. "No, Klaus, Isadora is still single, and I know you don't really care about my relationship status; that was just your 'oh-so-subtle' way of asking if there's hope."

'Besides, how in the world could I settle when I know Violet Baudelaire exists?'

"I'm not that obvious!" Klaus laughed.
" Um. Pretty sure you are. "

I heard a voice shout from behind me. "DUNCAN!!"

I turned around and was greeted by Klaus' little sister, Sunny practically launching herself at me and hugging me tightly.
"Wow! Sunny! You've gotten so big! I missed you, kiddo!" I grinned.
"Are Izzie and Quigley with you?"
" Nope. I just came from work to drop your troublemaker niece off. " I joked.

"You're staying for dinner, right?"
"I wasn't given a choice. Klaus, I better make sure you get my contact information before I get dragg-"

"Yeah! He's right in here, Mom!" Bea said, dragging in the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen.

'Oh! That's my gorgeous woman!'

"Hi, Duncan..." Violet smiled softly.
"Violet... Hey... I'm sorry I didn't come find you a bit sooner."
She rolled her eyes playfully. "I was just inventing; It can get a little loud in there so I didn't hear you come in." Sure enough, her hair was tied back by a velvet ribbon. I saw the girls rush past us in giggles and heard one of the doors shut. The library door shut too so I imagine Klaus had left the room...

Violet gave me a big hug. "Oh... Here let me just..." Her heavenly voice drifted off as she took out her ribbon.
"I always thought you looked so beautiful with it in though..." I whispered, remembering the first time I watched her invent something.
"Well I'm never able to think straight when you're near me anyways..." She said, a smile gracing her face.

I smiled. 'How can someone be so absolutely, unimaginably perfect??'

"I do have question though... How did you get here?"
"It's a bit of a long story..." I said hesitantly.
Violet smirked. "I have all night."

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821 words

The next chapter is gonna be even shorter, probably! See you in the next one!