Man of Fiction

Gareth did not have any clothes appropriate for the East. Emily examined the man from head to toe, wishing that she bought more clothes or borrowed some blazers from Alaric. His white shirt and old jean combination was bound to offend a traffic enforcer. She wanted him to stop interacting with police and law enforcers, for the time being. They had enough of dealing with crimes.

"Perhaps my black jacket will suffice." he suggested.

"You might get arrested for being homeless," Emily said. The monk frowned at her reasoning. She shrugged at this reaction. "That's how things are, around here." she explained, going through his suitcase. She rummaged through the plain shirts and dark jeans, and then she spotted a familiar piece buried underneath--Gareth's Protector uniform.

Emily never thought that she would see the iconic uniform, again. She ran through her fingers on the rough military green jacket. The smell of the rain and mud stains were long gone, and it smelled strongly of her fabric conditioner. "I don't think my uniform is appropriate for the event." Gareth said. "I only brought it with me, just in case."

"Don't Protectors wear suits and ties, too?" she asked. She recalled various episodes where he wore a suit--and looked very dashing in it, by the way--for guarding duties.

"Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to bring a suitcase with me before I got transported here," Gareth countered, smirking. Emily folded the uniform back in his suitcase, sighing. "I will ask the front desk if they have any blazers that you may borrow." she decided, thinking of getting one of the captain's uniforms from the laundry. Then someone knocked on their door.

Gareth opened it, to find Madame Helga holding up a gray blazer. Emily gleamed at the sight of her boss. She stood, but the Assistant Manager raised a hand at her. "Emily Rose informed me about your family gathering, last night." she said, handing him the piece of clothing. "I feared that you did not bring the right clothes that would help you impress her folks."

The monk accepted it, with a raised brow. "Do I look like the type who comes unprepared?" he asked Emily's boss.

Helga chuckled. "Not at all," she said. "More like the type who's not that concerned with physical appearances, young man. This region, however, makes a big deal out of that, and you've just dealt with the police yesterday."

"I see your point." he said, bowing his head. "Thank you for your generosity. I will return it as soon as our event is over."

"Oh, there is no need for that." Helga dismissed. "The owner of that coat won't be needing it, anymore."

"Who was the previous owner?"

"The General Manager's."

*****

The company bus took Emily and Gareth back to Helios, and the place still remained quiet and palatial. They were brought to what looked like another shopping district, where there were a lot of individual shops, green leisure areas, and cafes. Donnie and Deborah's Baby Shower was located at a restaurant called My Garden, which was an open eatery known for its picnic-like setup and for throwing outdoor events. The driver dropped them off at a white gate, which was the entrance for the venue.

Gareth was ready to take a step inside the garden but Emily placed herself in front of him, fussing over his borrowed blazer. "My outfit is fine, Emily." he told her, as she tugged on the collars.

"I'm just making sure." she said, brushing off any sign of lint from his shoulders. Emily was not ready to go inside, yet. Everything would have been fine if she was just seeing Donnie and Leon, and their respective families. Having to see Mr. Pemble for the second time, made her fingers tremble. Only the heavens knew what he was going to do next. The monk took notice of her nervousness, and he gently held her moving hands. He gave her one of his warm, reassuring smiles, hoping it would help her relax. "It's going to be okay," he said. "I'm right here."

She dropped her shoulders, but her hands remained in his. Emily smiled back at him, grateful for his company. "Thank you," she said. Everything will be alright, she thought. Wilhelm Pemble was just one person. She had her family, on her side.

"You also look very beautiful, so you don't have to worry." he complimented. Emily wore a red peter pan collared dress that went past her knees, some nude stockings, and her usual medium heeled shoes. Her brown hair was neatly tied into a half ponytail, with a red ribbon clipped at the back. The only make-up that she wore was some mascara and a pink lip stain (she finally got her hands on Magda's lip tint). The next thing that was added was some blush, thanks to Gareth's compliment. He took her hand and guided her into the venue.

They walked along the stony path that led to the party area. The garden was filled with flowers of pink and orange, with their petals all over the grass and narrow wooden tables. The center was a stage that had the cursive sign, "IT'S A GIRL!" covered in more floral details. Emily found Donnie and Deborah by the catering area, waving at them. The two pairs walked towards each other, and the Rose siblings welcomed each other with an embrace. "I'm glad you came!" Donnie said, cheerfully.

"Of course, I did." Emily grinned. She turned to Deborah, an eastern woman with long black hair and a tan complexion. She wore a flowy, pink, chiffon dress, which showed off her baby bump beautifully. "Congratulations, Debbie." Emily said, hugging her sister-in-law.

"Thank you for coming." Donnie's wife said, her dark eyes turning to the monk. "And you must be the boyfriend."

"Greetings, my name is Gareth." he said, shaking the couple's hands. "Congratulations and thank you for inviting me."

"Of course, you're more than welcome here." Donnie said, putting an arm around his wife. "Thank you for actually dating her."

Emily's friendly disposition fell at that remark. "Hey!" she yelled, earning a laugh from her brother.

"GARETH!" a man yelled. The two saw Leon approaching, with an older man holding his hand. They both wore matching navy blue suits, with glasses of Kaze in their hands. "Isn't it a little too early to drink, Leon?" Emily remarked, crossing her arms.

"If you're married to the Vice Chairman of the Kaze Corporation, then it is always happy hour!" Leon grinned. "Emily, this is my husband Hiram Mattoh. Love, this is our little sister, Emily." She shook hands with the debonaire gentleman, who had refined gray hair, and sharp intimidating features. Hiram had the looks and built of a mythological conqueror, but his bright smile told her that he was just as cheeky and happy-go-lucky as her brother. "It's nice to finally meet you, Emily." Hiram greeted, with his husky voice.

"It looks like my brother finally raised his standards." Emily smirked, making Leon scoff.

"I honestly don't know where the sassiness came from." he told his husband. "Gareth, did you have something to do with this???"

The monk chuckled, putting his hands behind his back. "Not at all," he answered. Hiram reached his hand out to him, grinning. "You must be her boyfriend." he said. "I'm very pleased to meet you."

"Likewise," Gareth said, taking his hand in a firm grip. "What sort of sacred art do you practice?" Leon's Vice Chairman husband blinked his icy blue eyes in confusion. "I'm sorry?" he asked.

"You have the fine built of a fighter or a Protector," the monk remarked. "I simply want to know what sacred art you train yourself in." Hiram laughed, finally understanding the question. "I just go to the gym, five times a week." he answered.

"The gym?"

"Yeah, my trainer makes me follow this workout for three hours." Leon's husband explained. "If you have the time, perhaps we can go and work out together."

"I'd like that," Gareth smiled.

Mr. Pemble entered the scene with Helena. Their arrival made the entire garden silent. Leon's joyful mood was gone, which made Hiram hold onto his clenched hand. The hosting couple exchanged nervous looks before they greeted their new guests. "Hey, mom." Donnie said, neutrally. "This is Deborah." Helena eagerly shook his wife's hand, but her husband cut off the brief happiness that was forming. "What do you do, Deborah?" he asked, immediately.

"I have a rice wine business." the eastern woman answered. Helena nodded in approval, but Wilhelm Pemble maintained his frown. "That's impressive. It's my first time to hear an eastern woman delve into that kind of venture."

"It's doing quite well, in Pampa and Dalos." Donnie intruded, putting a protective arm around Deborah. "Shall we start the festivities?"

Throughout the program, Mr. Pemble moved on with his interrogation with the other party guests. Emily kept on steering the monk away from him, but she found satisfaction in his disbelieving face upon finding out that Leon's husband was a multi-millionaire. Wilhelm probably had his own qualms of Leon's choice of partner, but it was Hiram's money that made him back off. However, he constantly frowned at the sight of Deborah, who could only smile nervously at him. Emily fumed at his treatment towards her. As far as she was concerned, Deborah was a self-made woman with a decent business. Unfortunately, Wilhelm Pemble did not see it that way. All he could say was that her business was simply not good enough, because rice wine was just not popular enough. It is always ever enough, for him and she could not see what issue her stepfather had with her.

Lunch was where the nightmare happened. Everyone settled down at their seats and Mr. Pemble sat in front of Gareth and Emily. Her stepfather fixated his cold eyes at the monk, who regarded him with crossed arms and a blank expression. "We haven't been introduced." Mr. Pemble said, his glowering expression demanding Gareth to initiate. The nerve.

Gareth reached out his hand, keeping a straight face. "I'm Gareth Tosh, Emily's boyfriend." he said. Wilhelm shook his hand and started asking his favorite question. "What do you do for a living, Gareth?"

"I'm a bagger at Mavon Mart." the monk answered, proudly. Mr. Pemble grimaced at this, and Emily braced herself by drinking some Kaze. "Really? Weren't there any other options at the Centre?"

"I had the option of a cargo driver, but I needed a professional driving license." Gareth explained. "I don't meet the requirements for that, unfortunately. My driving skills are more than satisfactory, but I have yet to pass the Driver's Education Exam. A bodyguard also came out as a suggestion, but the agency is located at Southern Hembrandt. I can't afford to be far away from Emily, so I chose this bagger position."

"How's your earnings?" the stepfather probed, his frowning going deeper.

"Mr. Manny is a trustful colleague. He diligently follows the conditions we have set, which is receiving my pay of 600 coppers at the end of each 10-hour shift."

"I suppose 600 coppers a day is a decent wage." Helena said. "How long have you been dating Emily?"

"We've been companions for a month."

"Where do you live?" Mr. Pemble asked again. "In Mavon City?"

"I live with her, at Opal City."

"What???"

Oh no.

Wilhelm glared at his stepdaughter, who looked at him defiantly. She was not scared of him, anymore. "I send 10,000 coppers to you every month, just so you can pamper this low-class man?"

Gareth did not like how he was called. "I fail to see how my job and lifestyle is considered low-class to you."

"For someone with no educational background, I'm sure it's confusing." Mr. Pemble snapped. "Every man your age is at least working a middle-class job, so they can earn enough money to be in relationships and have families. Do you think you can upgrade your life with you earning less than 20,000 coppers?"

"I don't see how I cannot, Mr. Pemble."

"That's because you have a roof under your head, thanks to Emily." the stepfather said, with Helena trying to calm him down. But Wilhelm forcefully swatted off his wife's hands, his glare becoming more intense each second. "Do you know that I'm paying for her rent? And yet you're still staying with her. Have you no shame???"

"No," Emily blurted out. "Gareth has never taken advantage of my money, if that's what you're worried about."

"I can see why Helena wants you come back with us." Mr. Pemble said, facing her. "You still lack discipline and proper etiquette. A mature woman your age should know better than to let a random man live in your house."

"He's not a random man," she defended. "He's someone important to me."

Helena continued to tug on his sleeve, telling him to stop. Wilhelm's tolerance reached his limit and slapped Emily's mother across the face. "Would you stop doing that?! I'm trying to talk sense into your daughter!" he yelled. The music suddenly stopped and all eyes were on their table. Gareth's eyes widened in horror and Emily has had enough. She stood and went to her mother's side, helping her recover from the slap. She saw a red mark appear on her mother's cheek, which fueled the anger in her. Soon, her twin brothers came along with their significant others, and Leon looked ready to pounce on Wilhelm. Hiram held onto his husband's shoulder, hoping it would calm him down. "What's going on here?" Donnie asked in a demanding tone.

"How could you hit your pregnant wife like that?" Gareth asked. His question shocked the entire family. "It seems like I'm nowhere near your standards of what a real man is, which is fine with me." he continued, glaring at Wilhelm this time. "But you're nowhere near my standards, either. I may have a low-class job, but at least I don't have a low-class attitude." Hearing this made Leon round his mouth in awe. But Wilhelm was not having it; if there was anything he hated more, it was being talked down by someone younger than him.

"It seems like you have a low-class attitude, too! Talking back to people older than you." he spat.

"From where I'm from, it does not matter how old you are." Gareth countered. "If you are an indecent person, then you do not deserve my respect."

"Just leave," Donnie said, glaring at Wilhelm. "Gareth is right; you've been making everyone uncomfortable since you have arrived here. This is a family gathering, not a job assessment meeting."

Wilhelm breathed in and shook his head at Emily's children. "Why can't anybody understand my intentions?" he complained. "I may not be your father, but you're still my wife's children. I'm just looking out for all of you! That includes me checking in on your chosen partners!"

"You're just judging them." Leon said.

"Because I think you should marry people with stable jobs, that's all!" Wilhelm tried to reason. "Depending your life on a bagger and a petty business owner are not practical decisions!"

Hurt shone through Deborah's face. She was about to leave the premises, but her husband stopped her. Donnie took another look at Wilhelm, and then he landed a punch on his face. Gareth nodded with gratification, studying how good the hit was. Leon's mouth rounded in shock again, for his brother was not the kind of person who resorted to violence. "If you have nothing good to say about the lives we chose, then leave." he warned.

Wilhelm massaged his jaw, giving all of the Rose children dirty looks before he left. When he marched out of the garden, Helena pushed Emily away and ran after her husband. "Mom, where are you going?!" she called out.

"Wilhelm! Wait!" She whimpered, going after him. Emily was about to go after her, but Donnie placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let her be," he said, sadly. "She has made it clear that she chose him over us." With that, Emily helplessly watched her pitiful mother go after a man, who was clearly low-class.

*****

Gareth waited for Emily to say a word, but she remained frozen at their room's patio.

The party had to end early because of what happened. Gareth apologized to Donnie and Deborah, for overstepping his boundaries with the criticisms he threw at Wilhelm. Leon thanked him for it, begging him to really push through with Hiram's gym plans. Emily silently ordered a cab, while they interacted. When it was time to go, Gareth finally noticed her grim expression.

Throughout the ride, Emily was quiet. He waited for her to shout or cry, but she did nothing. She almost acted like he didn't exist. However, he knew better than to push her. He allowed her to wallow in silence until they got back to the resort. But even when they got there, she still remained silent. Like a zombie, she walked straight to their room and she laid on her bed in her party clothes. Gareth gave her more space till nightfall, but she only moved herself to the patio. He did not want her to keep her that way forever.

He ordered room service, but Emily did not perk up at the sound of "steak". The food arrived, but she did not move from her spot at the patio. The monk sighed and went to her side, to watch the stars again. Her sad gaze lingered at the glistening blue lake of Bendita. "Emily, please eat something." he finally said. But she still did not utter a word.

Gareth did not like seeing her, like this. He moved forward and his arms went around her, pulling her close. He pressed her face against him, patting her brown hair. This gesture made Emily's shoulders shake. She buried her tearful face into his chest and began to sob. Gareth made his hug even tighter, letting the poor girl cry. "Why mom?" she muffled. "She chose him over us. Why?"

The monk kept the weeping Emily in his arms. This was the only sign of affection that she yearned from her own mother, and yet she was deprived of it. The thought depressed Gareth, making him rest his lips on the crown of her head. Emily did not deserve this kind of pain, especially from people who were supposed to take care of her.

They stayed in each other's arms until the steak grew cold.