Dan fcked up: Time Skip Unknown - May 20th, 1998
Okay so maybe…
“Addie…”
Just maybe…
“… are you absolutely…”
Adelaide Belle Parker…
“…bloody kidding me? This is…”
… wasn’t meant to be in the kitchen…
“…I don’t even know what this is. I can’t even call this a mess because a “mess” doesn’t even start to describe how disgusting this kitchen is”
So yeah… long story short, Addie tried to make that chocolate cake she bought… and yeah… it didn’t… exactly go well. And by didn’t go well - Addie meant she was currently on the floor, with egg somehow in her hair, cake mix all over the ground, annnnd chocolate drip and frosting splattered on places chocolate should never be. No really - like her entire outfit had some sort of brown coloring on it and…
Plop
“Did that just… Addie did chocolate just drip from the ceiling. HOW IN THE HELL DID YOU GET CHOCOLATE ON THE CEILING.”
“You know, this wouldn’t have happened if you helped me”
“OH don’t you blame this on me. I told you I’d help after dinner and you didn’t want to wait…”
“WELL I didn’t, JJ. We ran out of chocolate and I wanted more.”
“See that’s another thing I don’t understand. HOW DID WE RUN out of chocolate when we literally went to the store a day ago”
“Two days.”
“ADDIE”
“OHH don’t you start JJ, I wanted chocolate, we were out of what I wanted, so I decided to make some… and YOU didn’t help so HERE we are.”
“ADDIE”
“JUSTIN.”
“sigh… how about this. You… go take a shower and meet me down here in 20. If you promise to NEVER EVER make anything ever again in this kitchen, I’ll buy you a slice of chocolate cake tonight at the dinner.”
“Just one?”
“God damn it woman, how many do you want?”
Addie laughed putting her hand out so that JJ could finally help her up off the floor.
“A chocolate cake anddddd a chocolate martini?”
“Ads, We’re not in London, you can’t drink here.”
“Figure it out, and I promiseeeeee I’ll never step in the kitchen while i’m here again.”
“You know what - fine. Just… go get clean while I call the maid and tip her because… god she’s going to hate us. No… No she’s going to hate you…”
“Oh shut up, Esmeralda loves me, we both know that.”
“Not for long.”
Okay - look… In Addie’s defense… she was clean now, in a pretty dress - sitting beside her brother and across from her future sister in law at, honestly, an extremely boogie restaurant. And yes - perhaps the cake incident would go down in history (specifically this world’s history) but she was trying okay… maybe she should have gotten help but… she really did think she could do it herself. Not that she’d actually ever attempted cooking or baking anything in her life… but there were instructions. They were just… confusing instructions.
Like… for one, how do you “fold” in butter? How does one fold any food in general, let alone fold it in. Or whisk - how long does one whisk something? Maybe Adelaide had been spoiled in her life (both lives) - but she never really had a need to step inside a kitchen for anything more than grabbing a quick coffee, or cereal, or maybe, MAYBE, making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (which was pretty much all of her culinary skills).
AND maybe in this world - that’s what she could do. After all - she needed something to distract herself from all the excess time she’d have without Leo so maybe she should get some cooking lessons.
On the topic of Leo - Addie had done well to get him off her mind. Totally. Yep. For sure. OKAY FINE - maybe part of why she was baking when she had NO idea how to do so was to distract herself and it was WORKING okay. Totally.
Yep.
AND you know what else was working - spending time with her little brother whom she adored - specifically at places that she knew Leo would never be caught dead at. And in today’s saga - it as the new “Daisy’s” restaurant that had opened up this month. Yes - if she remembered correctly - while they were dating, Addie was telling Leo how her brother loved this new restaurant (because yes, JJ had told her allllll about it) and he visibly gagged at the name. Why? That was something she didn’t figure out until the two were engaged when Leo finally revealed to her that he had the worst food poisoning the first and last time he went there. Sooo suffice to say, Addie got two things out of the memory of that interaction:
- Whenever her brother came here, the food was amazing - hence SAFE for her to go.
- Leo would never be coming here - again, SAFE for her to go.
- Addie had company to distract her from other… things… you know… things that were specifically 6 foot… blue eyed… blonde haired… annoyingly handsome… and… you know what… she was going off on a tangent about things SHE SHOULDN’T be thinking about anyways so… yeah… yeah a distraction was needed.
“Here is that chocolate martini, your scotch, and vodka lime and soda.”
Thank goooood the drinks had arrived. You know what - screw the company, this is what Addie really needed. Addie hadn’t even waited a second before taking a looong sip of her drink after thanking the waiter.
“Come on Addie, slow down there. We have an entire dinner for you to drown your drink.”
“Come on babe, don’t tell her how fast to drink. Clearly your sister can handle her liquor… unlike you.”
“HEY.”
“I’m kiddingggg, loosen up.”
Adelaide watched as Natalia placed her hand lovingly on JJ’s, though that was soon followed by Natalia placing her other hand to cup her lips so that only Addie could see it - mouthing “I’m not kidding”
A soft laugh left Addie’s lips as she looked at her brother with a smile. “If I haven’t said this already, I like her. Don’t fck this one up JJ.”
“I agree.”
“You know, I’m not loving the fact that I’m being tag teamed at this table.”
“Get used to it babe - now that your sister’s in town, I don’t think you’ll be winning any argument anytime soon. Anyways, I’m going to freshen up a bit.”
“Actually, hold up Natalia, I’ll come with.”
It was strange - knowing the future of not only herself… but also the people around her. At this point, Adelaide knew Natalia extremely well. Honestly, they were pretty friendly - after all, she did marry her favorite brother. Okay fine maybe she shouldn’t name favorites but… well… Addie did have a closer relationship to Justin then she did with her younger siblings - Christopher and Katherine - who always seemed closer to each other. Though, she couldn’t exactly blame them: they were 12 and twins after all… and away at boarding school so she only wrote to them. She adored them too… it was just… a different relationship.
Anyhow - Addie knew Natalia. She was a brides-mate at her wedding, she consoled her when Justin and her had fights. They were truly friends - especially after Miranda… well… never mind that. It was hard - Addie was changing her life up… but did that mean she had any right to change up Natalia’s… especially knowing the heartbreak JJ was going to cause with the Dana situation? Maybe she should… knock some sense into her brother. But then Jezebel would never be born… see… it was a sticky situation…
“So how messy of a kitchen are we talking exactly?.”
“It’s… it wasn’t that messy.”
“Terrible then?.”
“Yeah… okay fine it was pretty fcking awful. I don’t think anyone should ever let me into a kitchen ever again.”
So what happened in the bathroom? NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. That’s girl stuff okay? No but honestly - both Addie and Nat laughed about stupid things. Fixed their make up. Talked about how dumb JJ can be sometimes: and then they were off- back to their seats.
Well…
They were… headed back to their seats…
The issue was as Addie left the bathroom with Nat, laughing about… god she didn’t even know what she was laughing about anymore… because the instant she looked towards her table, there was another table that caught her eye. Specifically - the table right beside where JJ was seated. The funny thing was… she couldn’t even see the front of his face. No; she simply saw the back of his head… and she knew exactly who it was.
It couldn’t be, could it? It was just her mind playing tricks. He couldn’t be there.
There was no possible way.
“Addie?”
No because it didn’t make sense. He wasn’t supposed to be here. There was no way in the world that he was here. It wasn’t him right? She was just imagining it. She had to be.
No she wasn’t. Addie saw him turning as he faced a waiter and it was him… in the flesh. Leonardo Azure… for the third time in… what? 6 days?
“Addie hey…”
No she wasn’t. Addie saw him turning his head as he faced a waiter and it was him… in the flesh. Leonardo Azure was in front of her… for the third time in… what? 6 days?
And was he… he couldn’t be… was he on a date? Sitting across from Leo was this gorgeous… girl. She had long raven colored hair that fell to her back and pale skin - contrasted by the deep red shade of lipstick she wore. It had to be a date… no girl would dress that nice… and be at a restaurant like this if it wasn’t a date. Not to mention, said east asian girl had her hand on top of Leo’s now.
Yep.
This girl was holding Leo’s hand.
“HELLO ADDIE??”
“Huh? Wha…? Sorry.”
Adelaide brought her attention back to Natalia.
“Where did you just go?”
“Nowhere… no… I’m fine… I just… I can’t go back to that table…”
“You have something with that guy don’t you?”
“No it’s not like that…”
“I’ll go scream at him for you. No because has he seen you? Let me at hi…”
Addie grabbed Natalia’s hand before she could march over there.
"No no it’s seriously not like that…It’s… I just can’t go back to our table. I’m so sorry Nat, but could we just… finish this at home. I don’t think I can be here.
“Hey… hey are you sure? I honestly don’t care - I’ll fck him up for screwing with you.”
“No I’m oka…”
“Do you need anything? I can come home with you?”
“No…no you two have a good date. Bring me home my takeout…”
“Addie…”
"Natalia I’m okay…It’s nothing… actually "
“What can I do? Honestly?”
She wasn’t going to stop. Addie knew Natalia - and she knew that if she wanted to do something, she would. So unless Addie gave her a task - this… it wasn’t going to end.
"Fine. Fine… could you just go over there and tell me the vibes of what’s going on? Just to be clear Nat - we’re not dating. He’s not in the wrong, Okay? "
Nat didn’t need anything else - there was a smile on her face as she held Addie’s hand for a second before walking back towards JJ’s table with a mission - leaving Adelaide to contemplate what the hell was going on.
It wasn’t possible for him to be here. He hated this place… and it’s not like Addie being here for all of six days would have change the fact that in a week, past… Addie talked to him about this and he said he hated this place.
Unless.
No it wasn’t possible - Leo made it seem like he was here when it first opened up and… well… okay technically it was the first month this restaurant was open. But… wait… did that mean this was Leo’s first time being here?
And… if it was his first time being here… then he… he was going to get the worst food poisoning of his life today. Okay Addie… there you go. A distraction… it wasn’t a date. And even if it was… it wasn’t her problem to worry about. No…
Nope… she could think about other stuff. Like… like did Leo actually go on a date 2 days after she went on a date with Leo in the original timeline? Okay fine look - Addie knew they weren’t exclusive at the time like… it was their first date. But… well… Adelaide at least thought that first date was special and to know he was here with someone else TWO days after kind of… well… it hurt her. It made that moment less special in her heart… was that bad? Was it bad to be reducing a moment in her timeline only because she saw it happen in this one? And clearly… they were on a date. She was TOUCHING his hand, and batting her eyelashes… and she was gorgeous so why wouldn’t Leo go out with her.
…
Adelaide had to physically pull her eyes away from the scene and stop looking. What was she even doing? She had to get out of here - what was the point of her even being here anymore. She should go. And honestly; she was ready to do so. Addie was about to move towards the exit in a hurry when she found a waiter dropping off a menu to a new group and her head jumped back to the topic of… food poisoning. Right… worst meal of his life…
Addie didn’t want that for him…
The whole point of what she had been doing was to protect Leo… and… well… maybe this was just another way of protecting someone she loved.
“Excuse me.”
Addie stated, stopping a waiter who was about to head back to the kitchen - something she was near being in the back. “You see that guy over there - blonde hair, blue shirt? Did you take his order?”
“The one by the door? Yeah… I… why?”
“Um… this is going to sound… you know what it doesn’t matter how it sounds. Could you make sure he doesn’t get anything he ordered? I don’t know what you have to tell him… tell him the kitchen ran out and you just realized… but don’t let him have anything he ordered…”
“I can’t do…”
Addie didn’t let him get any words out - her purse was already open and she had already pulled out multiple hundreds out of her purse.
“$100?”
“Ma’am I can’t just…”
“$200?”
“Oh…”
“300 - no questions asked. Just make sure that he can’t get anything he ordered. Give him alternative options. Anything else…”
“… Okay…”
“Here’s 400$ Get him two glasses of 1988 Pino Noir on “the house” for the inconvenience”
And with that; the waiter left - walking to the kitchen probably to get that wine. And just like that; Natalia was back.
“I’ll be honest with you… I hate when people beat around the bush. If they aren’t fcking already, they will be tonight.”
“…”
“Honestly Addie, you can do better. I recognized that girl from highscool. She just graduated and honestly, she was a btch to everyone. Anyone who likes a girl who’s ready to stab anyone in the back - not worth it. But yea… she had her hand on his pants and her leg all up in his space. Not worth it.”
“Mind… bringing me home that chocolate cake that Justin promised me?”
“Obviously… and ice cream. I’ll bring ice cream.”
“Thank… thanks Nat… I really appreciate it.”
“I can also scream at that dude?”
A laugh left Addie’s lips… even though she didn’t really feel like laughing… “No… like you said. It’s not worth it. Have a good date okay?”
And for the second time - Addie was left alone - standing on the side near the bathroom - hidden from most people. She needed to go. Honestly a quick walk out would probably have her out unnoticed - even by Leo. Okay… that’s all she had to do. Walk and get a taxi - and yes, Leo… here a taxi would be easy to get.
And she was about to… she was… until a certain girl walked past her and into the bathroom… and at the same time, the waiter had approached Leo with the news that his “food” wouldn’t be coming.
Maybe it would have been the perfect time to leave… Leo was distraced, after all. But… well… something pulled her into doing possibly one of the most stupid things she had ever done. Adelaide walked back in the bathroom - and… towards the mirror where Leo’s date was standing.
The girl was slightly taller than Addie - and looking at her self in the mirror while fixing her lipstick. She was pretty… very… so much so that it honestly made Addie a little insecure. Addie followed suit - looking at herself in the mirror, pretending to fix her makeup… until she finally got the courage to say something.
“Hey… I just have to say, your outfit is gorgeous…”
It took a second for the girl to turn her direction; but when she did, there was a smile on her face as she acknowledged the complement. Addie knew girls like this - and she knew exactly how to approach them and with what energy to do so with. She wanted the girl to be comfortable - and that meant… flatter her ego. “Aww thank you. I just got this dress. I love your shoes. Are those Louboutins?”
“Yeah! They are - I got bored out of my mind this week and had to go on a shopping spree so I’m glad someone noticed. My brother’s an idiot and besides saying “You look great” he can’t tell a Lou’ from a Jimmy”
“Urgh boys are idiots.”
Addie smiled and turned back to her mirror to fix her hair for a second. She had to take this slow… she knew… and yes… YES she knew what she was doing was… shtty… okay? She couldn’t help it… “Hey… I know it’s none of my business but are you dating that Leonardo Azure guy? I saw you walk in together.” Addie wasn’t looking at the girl - paying all her attention in the mirror pretending to once again fix her lipstick.
“Oh, yeah kind of. Do you know him?”
Addie didn’t answer her question - she just made a concerned look before continuing.
“Kind of? Have you kissed him?”
“Not yet… why?”
The feigned concern on Addie stayed on her features as she spoke “Oh… ew… I mean… it’s nothing… but I would just try to postpone it for as long as possible.” Addie cleared her throat, pretending to look around the bathroom before continuing “I went on a few dates with him before and… great guy… he just… has this… uh… salivary gland condition… yeah he doesn’t really like to talk about it but…” Addie put her hands to her mouth and opened it slightly - trying to give a girl an illustration about… well… this fictional Leo Azure she was painting.
“it felt like I was drowning” Addie made a slight gagging noise.
“Oh my god, ew…”
A soft laugh left Addie’s lips "I know, it was repulsive… but Hey " Addie smiled "every happiness to you both. "
To say the girl looked repulsed was an understatement. No truly - she stayed there silent for a moment as Addie went back and fixed her hair one last time. “It was really nice to meet you… good luck with your date.” Addie added - leaving the girl there and hearing but a faint thank you as she left.
Look… she knew what she did was bad.
Okay?
But also… she just… she couldn’t help it… the thought of Leo being with someone else… this fast hurt her… okay?
Fck… maybe what she did was wrong. But right now, her larger concern was leaving: which didn’t seem that big a concern as she found Leo STILL talking to the waiter. Clearly… he wasn’t happy… but at least this gave her the chance to leave unnoticed… and that she did… because before she knew it, Adelaide Parker had left the restaurant.
Pt 3