Monique's POV
After Haechan ate the rest of the food that was supposed to be Hansel's, we went up to our room and he washed up first. When he was finished, I came in next and wore my pink-white night gown.
I was already getting ready for bed when Haechan suddenly blurted, "I'm sorry, Monique." I looked at him and raised a brow. He was staring at the ceiling, an arm below his head. "Why are you sorry? You did not do anything wrong."
He sighed. "I failed to find your parents or any of your relatives today, and I feel like I let you down." He said and turned to me. I got up with a smile and patted his hand. "Hey, you didn't fail me. There are just instances they won't show up yet. It is not your fault. You do not have to be sorry."
"But—" I put a finger against his mouth. "No buts. You have no fault. We can search them tomorrow, I will join you. Deal?" He smiled and nodded. "Fine." I placed a quick peck on his forehead and returned to my bed.
"Now go to sleep, you baby. We got a big day tomorrow." He chuckled at the nickname. "You, too. Sweet dreams."
•••
I woke up early to get ready for the search. Since I was the first soul to be awake, I am supposed to make our breakfast, but I don't know how to make a proper dish for us to eat. Thankfully, Gretel followed after a few minutes and I volunteered to help her make our food.
We cooked sausages and garlic rice. I tasted the rice after it was put in its platter and I never ate something like that before. It smells good, too.
Later on, the boys woke up; Haechan was first. He was tired-looking at first but when he got a good look on the food on the table, he immediately sat down and gobbled up the food. "Hey, slow down. Leave some for us."
He slowed down and Gretel and I were getting ready to eat with Haechan when we saw Hansel entering the room. He has eyebags under his eyes, like he didn't sleep properly last night.
"Hans, you look tired. You should go back to bed and get more rest." Gretel said while handing him a glass of water as he approached the table. He smiled and waved his hand. "No need to. I just slept late last night, nothing to worry about,"
We nodded although we were still concerned and started eating. "Good morning, Monique." I nearly fell off my chair when I heard Hansel greet me. It seemed strange but I nodded once. "Good morning, Hansel." He then greeted his sister and Haechan.
The younger male didn't greet him back. He placed his spoon and fork on his plate and stared at him like Hansel was possessed. "Who are you? What have you done to Hansel?" He asked. Hans just chuckled and patted Haechan's arm. "Let's talk after breakfast."
Gretel and I threw each other confused looks. Boy talk, I guess? We shrugged it off and finished eating our food. When all of us are done, I took our plates and utensils and washed them. Gretel would be outside watering the plants while the boys will have their mysterious chat.
It didn't take me long to finish drying them and I went out to join Gretel in her work. Haechan and Hansel are still busy so I figured out it would not hurt to help her out with the flowers and plants. I got out of the house, grabbed a watering can and filled it with water.
I poured the liquid on the plants near the huge tree beside the gingerbread house. The flowers smell lovely in the morning and I saw Laury flying around with his normal butterfly friends. I caught Gretel glancing at me so I gave her a smile and she gave one back.
I was going to refill the can but I felt someone tug my arm. I turned my head and saw Haechan. He has his signature smirk on his face, but it was quite humble. "What?" I asked. He shook his head and hugged me. "I am just.. happy for you."
Raising a curious brow, I lightly chuckled. "Okay..? You are weird right after you talked with Hansel." I remarked and pulled away from his embrace. He leaned his face closer while mine got much hotter.
"I have something to tell you, but you are not allowed to tell Gretel," I squinted my eyes at how suspicious he is but nodded anyway. "Also, this is big news for the both of you." I rolled my eyes and tapped my fingers on my arm impatiently. "Are you going to tell me or not?"
"So, Hans and I found your parents. Rather, parent." He finally stated. I froze on my place, staring at him in total shock. "What did you say?" His grin got wider. "I said we found your parent." When he repeated it, I covered my mouth, starting to gasp for air.
I grabbed his hands and shook it fastly. "Who is he? Or she? Oh my God, who??" The curiosity was slowly killing me. I need to know, now. My hands started to quiver and my eyes felt wet, tears already welling up. "Haechan, tell me, please."
He chuckled, cupping my cheeks and wiping the tears that dared to fall down. "I am going to tell you, but you don't need to cry. You will be delighted." I glared at him and gently punched his chest. "Just spit it out!"
"Gretel! Gretel is your mother."
The information rang violently in my ears. I felt like I was going to faint. My knees became weak and tended to fall on the ground, but Haechan caught me. My tears did not stop and it continued on flowing. It was tears of joy. I sobbed and hugged Haechan tightly.
He caressed my back to comfort me from the happiness and excitement I am feeling right now. I pulled away and wiped the tears on my cheeks. I was going to say something when he spoke first, "Do not tell Gretel about it. Let us surprise her, okay?" I folded my arms. "Why didn't you surprise me? I was the one who was searching for her."
Haechan patted my head and let me get back on my feet. "Today is the day Gretel gave you away to your foster parents. She was really devastated when she did. We want her to realize this is the day she lost you, but also the day you were found."
I smiled gratefully. "Then I am up for it. Thank you." He shook his head. "No. Thank Hansel. He knew first, ever since last night."
"Wait, really?" He nodded. "He decided to try his sample with yours and the skull glowed orange, indicating that he is a relative and basically, Hansel is your uncle, so he tried with Gretel's and it showed green, positive that you two are mother and daughter."
"Thanks to Hansel's curiosity, we found about who my real parent is. So that also means.. Jack Branstone is my father." Haechan suddenly coughed. I grabbed his arm and stroked it. "Woah, you okay?"
"Did you just say Jack Branstone of 'Jack and the Beanstalk' is your father?" I nodded. "Gretel told me about her daughter, also known as me yesterday when we were making foods and said Jack got her pregnant back then. I was the accident." I said and chuckled.
"I think Gretel did not consider you as one. She talked about you a lot when I was young, saying she loves you so much even though you were not... planned." We laughed at the word he used to describe on how I was born. "My God, Haechan."
"No offense." He grinned awkwardly. "It's okay. Do you want to help me and my mother water the plants?" He swiftly snatched my can and smiled. "I would love to, but it seems like I have taken your can."
I folded my arms and raised my chin. "Give me back my can, Tootles." I noticed that he dislike being called that (except his Lost Boys brothers) so he pouted and handed it back to me. "Nah, I think I won't join though. I need to help Hansel with the foods and everything."
"Celebration?" He winked and nodded. God, that wink almost made my heart stop beating. "Yep. Now help your momma around while we get busy. Congrats!" He kissed my forehead and ran back inside the house, grabbing candies from below the candy canes.
I smiled at his silliness and I did what he told me. I continued to help Gretel throughout the day. I kept on smiling, finally knowing that she is my mother. I don't feel bad about her giving me away because she has her reasons. I just wished she believed in herself that she can provide enough for me.
I also remembered Hansel's sudden kindness earlier in breakfast. Maybe after knowing I am his niece. I think I know where my crackhead self came from.
My mind drifted to my father, Jack. He already left Gretel when he knew about her pregnancy of me, what more if I would introduce myself to him? Anyway, he is a coward from running away from a responsibility he was the cause of.
Gretel and I spent time together outside and on baking after realizing that the boys were busy about something. She thought it was an inner research of searching my parents, rather than outdoors.
Just then and there, I noticed that her eyes looked like mine, but the sides of it has small wrinkles because she is getting old. She also had me when she was twenty-one. It is amazing how fate brought us together again. What would I do if I had not ran away from that castle? What would I be doing now if Mark didn't encourage me to leave that place?
I shook my head. The rest is history. I found a new life, fell in love and found my true family. For the first time, I was thankful for the pain that my foster parents gave me. If it hadn't been for them, I would have lived a lie and would not be able to find love and my real mother.
It was already evening and Gretel and I were outside picking vegetables and fruits from the garden in the back of the house. We were already getting inside and I opened the door for us. Haechan and Hansel were busy setting the food on the dining table.
"What is the occasion? You guys remember that today is the day I gave away my daughter, right?" Gretel asked and placed the basket of fruits near the sink. She took the one I was carrying and went beside her brother.
Haechan smiled cheekily. "Of course we still remember, but we found Monique's parents, specifically her mother. Her father can't be found." He said.
Gretel looked surprised and she grinned. "Woah, really? Then she should be celebrating with her and not with us." I smiled and turned to her. "Gretel," She looked at me while I took her hands. I stared into her eyes as I said,
"I am celebrating with my mother."
She looked confused at first but then her eyes slowly widened, the realization hitting. She pulled back her hands and covered her mouth, just like my reaction earlier when Haechan told me she is my mother.
She placed her palms on my cheeks and her orbs which looked like mine started to drop tears. "My daughter," She pulled me into her embrace and I started to cry, too. Her hug.. it felt safe and comforting. I am home.
"You just made this day the saddest and happiest day of my life." She kissed the side of my head and pulled away, a joyful smile on her face. "I celebrated this day in sorrow and after eighteen years, I am celebrating this in rejoice."
"Do you want to know the name she named you, Monique?" Hansel asked. I nodded, smiling. "Alexa, short for Alexandrite, because for her, you are as precious as the most rarest gem." He explained.
I turned to my mother. "I think I am still an Alexa, considering I was named Diamonique Alexandrite." Gretel chuckled. "I'm glad those hags kept that name. Did they hurt you?" I shrugged and grinned nervously. "Quite."
"Quite a lot." Haechan added. Gretel's eyebrows furrowed. I sighed. "They punished me, let someone whip me and I.. got raped," She was going to burst in anger but I immediately stopped her. "But it is all in the past, Mother." When she heard what I called her, she calmed down.
"Let us just say the pain they caused me lead me back to you," I said and hugged her again. "Even though you did not really mean to give me away, I still love you." She caressed my hair and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Oh, I love you, too, my precious diamond."
I felt something on my cheek and it was Haechan who put icing on it. I pulled away and glared at him. "Now let's celebrate!" He exclaimed. I wiped icing from the cake using my finger and chased him around the room. "I think after I put this thing on you."
•••
A/N:
four more chapters left, including outro 👀
i hope everyone enjoyed reading this book! ♡
-DONGHYUQUE