Chapter One-hundred Sixty-Four: A True Prince

Chapter 164

A True Prince

Jordi walked Ashley to the Donati residence. He wore a black button-up shirt with a floral pattern, jeans, and black zip-up boots. Ashley was dressed in an ivory white paisley button-up shirt with crimson velvet bellbottoms with sun faces on them and a golden sun belt around their waist. Jordi walked, gazing at people as they set up their autumn decorations. He turned to Ashley and smiled.

Jordi: “How is Lazaros holding up after his and Deimos’ mother passed away?”

Ashley sighed and draped their fingertips along the autumn leaves hanging off the trees, taking in the crisp smell of the leaves.

Ashley: “I don’t know… he’s been really quiet and hasn’t talked about it, it’s like he’s gone off into another planet, in his head.”

They bowed their head with concern in their tone. Jordi nodded and noticed Ashley clutched onto their cookbook. It featured a picture of Lazaros and was titled, “True Italian Cooking with Lazaros.”

Jordi: “Are he and Deimos getting along any better?”

He smiled. Ashley bowed their head and shook it.

Ashley: “They’re still not talking.”

They sighed.

Jordi: “How do you feel about that?”

Ashley: “I wish they would get along… especially at a time like this.”

They pursed their lips. Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “Deimos destroyed that nursery. That might be the first step to healing.”

He offered. Ashley nodded.

Ashley: “I hope so.”

They smiled hopefully.

Jordi gazed up at the sky.

Jordi: “So what do you think of Tristan?”

He asked them. Ashley smiled.

Ashley: “Oh! Tristan is really nice! He’s so smart! I think he makes Deimos really happy, too!”

They chirped. Jordi smiled widely.

Jordi: “Yeah, he is all of those things, but what do you think of Deimos?”

He asked them. Ashley’s expression dampened.

Ashley: “Deimos has always been cool to me, but I think he’s really hurting a lot, and that’s why he gets angry about things and destroyed that room.”

They sighed sympathetically.

Ashley: “I know Lazaros hurt him and Jaxon healed him, but… what he did to him was really mean.”

They bowed their head and clutched Lazaros’ cookbook.

They stood before the Donati manor.

Jordi: “Here we are!”

Ashley froze in their tracks, feeling their heart sink. They felt as though they were stuck in quicksand, unable to move. Jordi placed his hand on their shoulder.

Jordi: “Think of this as you’re cooking a delicious meal for Mr. Donati’s sister! She didn’t do anything to hurt you, and Demetrio is a very nice man.”

He said genially. Ashley smiled slightly, feeling a small sense of reassurance.

Ashley: “You’re right. I’m here to do a job for Demetrio and his sister! Hopefully, Blair is off on a date with Ivy today.”

They smiled hopefully. Jordi forced a smile. I doubt it, he thought.

They went up to the door and rang the doorbell. Sylvia opened and smiled at them.

Sylvia: “Hello, Ashley and Jordi! Please do make yourself at home, Jordi, and you can start prepping the meal in the kitchen, Ashley!”

She stated.

Ashley: “Hello, Sylvia.”

They smiled politely and awkwardly.

Jordi: “Actually, I am going to help them in the kitchen!”

He offered. Ashley smiled and felt relieved to have his company in the kitchen with them.

Ashley: “Thanks, Jordi!”

Blair stomped through the corridor. He wore a brown plaid shirt, a brown bowtie, an orange cardigan, and brown pants hitched high up on his waist to expose his beige socks and brown Oxfords. Ashley gaped at Blair’s outfit. Is he trying to dress like me now? I don’t wear bow ties. They pondered.

Blair: “Oh, you brought that fat thief, did you, FATLEY?!”

He snapped. Ashley looked around in confusion.

Ashley: “Huh? Makayla isn’t here?”

They tilted their head. Jordi snickered.

Jordi: “Blair, it’s your aunt’s birthday. If you don’t behave, you will get no cake.”

He said wryly. Blair’s face flamed red as his anger soared.

Blair: “YOU RUINED THAT FUNERAL! YOU CALLED ME A COW!”

He bellowed. Ashley tilted their head, looking confused, and gazed up at Jordi.

Ashley: “Huh?”

Sylvia: “Blair, that is quite enough. I assure you, when the day ends, you will be happy.”

She assured him.

Demetrio entered. He wore a black Italian-cut suit, a white pressed shirt, a red tie, and black wingtip Oxfords.

Ashley: “Greetings, Demetrio!”

They smiled politely.

Demetrio: “Ashley, I am thrilled you’re here, and Jordi! What a pleasant surprise! How have you been lately? Before Concetta passed, she always thought of you.”

He said genially. Blair’s anger flew through the roof. His eyes burned with hot fury, and his nostrils flared. Jordi cleared his throat.

Jordi: “I’ve been well, Mr. Donati. I will never forget yours and Mrs. Donati’s kindness.”

He replied. Demetrio smiled. Ashley smiled at them all.

Ashley: “That’s so sweet!”

They beamed.

Blair: “YOU STOLE FROM THEM!”

He barked. Demetrio turned to Blair. Ashley frowned at Blair and drew a long breath.

Demetrio: “Blair, that is enough from you! Jordi never stole from us! He was hungry and we fed him! Stop spinning lies!”

He chided him.

Blair: “He could have gone to a food bank for homeless people!”

He whined and stamped his feet. Ashley bowed their head and shook it.

Demetrio: “Well, don’t let me keep you two!”

Jordi smiled tightly and led Ashley to the kitchen. Ashley smiled at Jordi, feeling their tension melt away.

~

Jordi was passing Ashley ingredients as they prepared the dinner. Ashley had their hair tied back with their bangs framing their face.

Ashley: “I can’t thank you enough for supporting me today, Jordi! It means a lot to me!”

They smiled. Jordi smiled at them.

Jordi: “My pleasure! I didn’t want you to be alone, and I did watch to catch up with Mr. Donati.”

He said genially as he passed them the basil. Ashley chopped the basil on the chopping board.

Ashley: “Thank you! Yes, Mr. Donati is a good man! I’m glad he and his wife helped you when you were a kid!”

They said earnestly, chopping up garlic. Jordi smiled at them.

Vanessa came in. She wore a backless pink floral chiffon dress, strappy pink heel sandals, and dangling pink earrings.

Vanessa: “Smells good, Ashley! When Hiroto comes, I hope he doesn’t ruin Auntie Maria’s birthday when he tells everyone he’s divorcing Mayumi and marrying me!”

She said loftily. Ashley tilted their head in confusion.

Ashley: “Oh? I thought he turned into a ghost?”

They scratched their head.

Vanessa: “Oh no!”

She waved her hand.

Vanessa: “Jaxon’s girlfriend knocked his teeth out, and he needs teeth surgery, but he’s not dead.”

She laughed. Jordi gaped at her. Ashley’s jaw dropped.

Ashley: “Celeste? Why did she do that?”

They asked her.

Vanessa: “I don’t know! When I ask him, he gets mean with me!”

She laughed sadly. Jordi twisted his mouth.

Ashley: “Oh! Then I’ll just ask Celeste then!”

They waved their hand. Vanessa smiled a bit.

Vanessa: “If you want! I’m telling you this will happen, and I hope Auntie Maria will understand!”

She nodded. Jordi winced and shifted awkwardly. Ashley laughed awkwardly, unsure of what to say, so they focused on cutting the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces.

Sylvia entered.

Sylvia: “Jordi, Vanessa, would you two give us a moment? I need to speak with Ashley privately.”

She said coolly. Ashley tilted their head at Sylvia, wondering what she wanted to discuss.

Vanessa: “Okay, Sylvia!”

She skipped out of the kitchen. Jordi had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Jordi: “I’ll be in the living room if you need me.”

He said to Ashley. Ashley flashed Jordi a smile.

Ashley: “Thanks, Jordi.”

Ashley felt a nervousness wash over them as they left the room.

Sylvia: “Ashley, I’m sure you noticed Blair is… becoming worse. He can’t stop crying, he’s always angry, and he’s lashing out more. Nothing brings him joy anymore.”

She sighed. Ashley frowned.

Ashley: “I know!”

They said with hurt in their tone, bowing their head.

Sylvia: “Blair is being made a spectacle of on Bungle servers, and he lashed out at Borko’s funeral.”

She said evenly. Ashley drew a long breath.

Ashley: “What did he do this time?”

They sighed, chopping up onions.

Sylvia: “Oh, he and Jordi had a slight disagreement, and he upset Blair a lot.”

She replied. Ashley arched an eyebrow. Jordi being mean? They mused.

Ashley: “Why? What did he do or say?”

They pressed her.

Sylvia: “Oh, Jordi called Blair a cow and hurt him.”

She replied.

Ashley: “Really? But Jordi is so nice? That’s not like him?”

They scratched their head in confusion.

Ashley: “Blair always calls me a whale, though…”

Their voice trailed off.

Sylvia cleared her throat.

Sylvia: “That is up to them to resolve. My point is, Blair is suffering a broken heart, and I am hoping you will help mend that.”

She locked her gaze on them. Ashley’s head spun with confusion, and they stopped chopping.

Ashley: “...Oh? Did Ivy break up with him? Uhh, what do you want me to do about that?”

They scratched their head. Sylvia cleared her throat.

Sylvia: “No, she hasn’t, but Blair is unhappy with her… Ashley, he wants you. He bought you a car, has money saved for a cat café for you, and always thinks of you. I think you need to give Blair a chance.”

She stated. Ashley gaped at her and put down the knife, turning to her.

Ashley: “But… I’m in love with Lazaros and I’m with him! Blair doesn’t want me; he’s mean to me all the time! I already gave him a chance, and he was a jerk to me because I didn’t want to date him. I don’t want to be around him!”

They cried, growing increasingly upset.

Sylvia: “Ashley, if you gave Blair a chance, he would be kind to you, and he would stop lashing out!”

She replied, raising her hands.

Ashley’s bottom lip trembled, and they shook their head.

Ashley: “I-I don’t want to give him a chance! He’s a mean jerk! He tormented me! I want to be with Lazaros! I don’t want to be with Blair!”

They cried.

Sylvia: “Why not, Ashley? Lazaros always throws tantrums and has a history of being difficult to work with and deal with! Tristan doesn’t think too highly of him!”

She replied with an edge. Ashley embraced themself and shook their head.

Ashley: “Because I love Lazaros, not him! Blair is a mean jerk, and I don’t like him! Lazaros isn’t difficult for me! He’s just going through a lot of hard things! Blair always throws tantrums over everything, and he wanted to hurt me for not liking tomatoes! Lazaros has never hurt me!”

They cried.

Sylvia: “Blair said that out of frustration, Ashley! He would never hurt you! Why would he have money saved to pay for your dream cat café?”

She asked and sighed. Ashley shook their head.

Ashley: “He already DID hurt me! He ALWAYS hurts me! He’s not doing it to help the cats; he’s doing it to try to take me from Lazaros to have for himself, like I’m one of his anime figurines! I’m not an anime figurine! I’m a person!”

They cried and trembled with hurt.

Sylvia: “Ashley, Demetrio, and I just want Blair to be happy, and you would make him a happy man!”

She stated doggedly.

Ashley: “B-But I wouldn’t be happy!”

They cried through hot tears, pointing to themself.

Ashley: “I’m happy with Lazaros and I want to be with him!”

They exclaimed.

Sylvia: “Lazaros is using you, and he also throws tantrums, Ashley. Can we not overlook that?”

She said firmly. Ashley shook their head and rocked back and forth as the tension rose.

Ashley: “NO, he’s NOT! Lazaros is good to me, and he’s hurting over real problems, not silly things like Blair does all the time! I DON’T WANT TO BE WITH BLAIR!”

They cried and shook.

Sylvia: “Well, Blair wants to be with you, and you never gave him a chance!”

She countered.

Ashley rubbed their temples and shook their head.

Ashley: “Are you even listening to me, Sylvia?! I don’t want to be with him, and I said NO! He bullies me, and he doesn’t deserve a chance!”

They cried through hot tears.

Sylvia: “This would make him stop, Ashley! Why don’t you think of Blair?”

She challenged.

Ashley: “NO IT WON’T! WHY DON’T YOU THINK OF ME?!”

They fired back, overcome with hurt, betrayal, and rage.

Sylvia: “I am, Ashley! Notice how Deimos acts and treats Tristan. Do you think you can find happiness in Lazaros, who is like him?!”

She snapped.

Ashley: “N-No, you’re not! You’re not thinking about me at all! Why don’t YOU date Blair then?! What’s wrong with being like Lazaros and Deimos?! Deimos treats Tristan like a prince, and Lazaros treats me like a royal kitty cat!”

They cried and shook their head.

Sylvia: “And Blair never did? Where is your cat café then?!”

She challenged.

Ashley: “No! He torments me all the time! If I have to get it from Blair, then I don’t want it!”

They cried.

Sylvia: “So you would not help cats just to punish Blair?”

Ashley’s jaw dropped at her.

Ashley: “W-What? No? I’m not punishing him! Dating him would be punishing me! I’m already helping cats in my own way without the Café!”

They cried.

Tristan entered the kitchen. He wore a light blue pressed shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a black waistcoat, black pants, a blue tie, and black wingtip Oxfords.

Tristan: “That’s quite enough from you, Sylvia!”

He snapped at her. She turned to Tristan, shocked. Ashley felt a wave of relief wash over them when they saw Tristan, and they rushed over to him. Tristan smiled down at them briefly.

Tristan: “When you told me this harebrained idea to me, I told you NOT to go through with it.”

He said firmly.

Sylvia: “But you don’t think highly of Lazaros at all!”

She said in a high-pitched squawk.

Tristan: “And I think LESS of Blair! Sylvia, do you realize why Blair is so despised by many? This goes beyond a broken heart. I had a broken heart before. No, this is a spoiled manchild acting out because he didn’t get what he wanted, and you’re trying to coerce Ashley into dating him to placate him. It’s a temporary solution.”

He said firmly, boring his cold glare. Ashley wiped their eyes and stood close to Tristan for comfort. Tristan stood close to them.

Sylvia: “Why would Blair save money to invest in a cat café for Ashley?!”

Tristan: “To get something from them. Well, since that ship has sailed, Blair can invest in trading cards so scalpers don’t get them, or a business for Ivy, or blow it on toys. I don’t care. I am onto his schemes.”

He hissed.

Tristan: “And don’t you dare tell me I am only siding with Lazaros because he’s Deimos’ brother. I am NOT siding with Lazaros. I am siding with ASHLEY. Blair is the way he is because you kowtow to his demands, and now he’s not getting his way!”

He snapped. Ashley glanced up at Tristan and smiled a bit.

Ashley: “Thank you, Tristan. You’re a true gentleman and a nice man, unlike Blair!”

They said earnestly. Tristan smiled genially.

Tristan: “Thank you, Ashley.”

He smiled at them.

Jordi entered.

Jordi: “I heard most everything. Sylvia, don’t tell me you planned this event just to corner Ashley.”

He challenged her. Tristan smirked. Ashley felt their tension melt away more when Jordi entered. They felt protected between the two gentlemen.

Tristan: “She did. She told me in her office. I then told her it was a deplorable idea and not to go through with it.”

He said loftily. Sylvia hung her head.

Sylvia: “Demetrio and I just want peace!”

Tristan: “Then send Blair to military school or send him to rehabilitation! You don’t use duress to get someone to date him!”

He hissed.

Ashley: “This won’t bring peace. I’m not one of his anime figurines, and I don’t have magic powers to make him happy.”

They said, wiping their eyes. Jordi approached Ashley and put his arms around them.

Jordi: “It’s okay, Ashley.”

Ashley smiled a bit and hugged him back.

Blair entered, angry as a hornet to see Jordi holding Ashley.

Blair: “WHAT?! TRISTAN IS NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU, YOU FAT PIG!”

He screamed at Jordi. Jordi rolled his eyes. Ashley recoiled and tensed up to Blair’s shrill screaming.

Blair: “I heard everything! It’s your fault, you fat loser! I did everything for you! I treated you like royalty, and my thanks is this! You’re not a kind person, you fat BITCH!”

He screamed at Ashley. Ashley recoiled at Blair’s screaming and embraced themself.

Ashley: “Look at how he treats me! You want me to date HIM?! YOU’RE not a kind person, you’re a JERK!”

They cried to Sylvia, hurt with betrayal, and turned to Blair. Sylvia hung her head.

Sylvia: “Blair, please calm down.”

She said gently.

Blair: “I am SO sick of FATLEY! I gave them everything, and they rejected me for a loser who throws tantrums! All because he cooks! They are like Makayla!”

He bawled. Ashley trembled with hurt and anger.

Ashley: “NO, I’m SO sick of YOU! I’m sick of you being a mean jerk to EVERYONE! My kitty claws are out now! Lazaros is NOT a loser! He loves me and treats me well, and I’m not like Makayla! Jordi isn’t fat, and he never stole from you! Tristan and Jordi are REAL gentlemen and real nice men, unlike you! I DON’T WANT TO DATE YOU! LEAVE ME ALONE!”

They fired back at him with hot tears. Blair gasped.

Blair: “THEY THREATENED ME! They said their claws are out! THEY THREATENED ME!”

He cried and stomped his feet. Ashley recoiled and gaped at him.

Ashley: “WH-WHAT?!”

They gasped. Is he serious? What is he on about? They thought.

Demetrio, Maria, and Vanessa came out. Demetrio sighed. Here we go again, he thought.

Blair: “YOU THREATENED ME, LAMB CHOPS!”

He bawled.

Ashley: “When did I threaten you? Lamb Chops?”

They gaped at him and couldn’t help but laugh in their state of shock at being called lamb chops.

Blair: “When you said your claws were out, STUPID!”

He screamed and knocked all their food off the counter, dumping the pot of spaghetti onto the floor. Ashley winced and recoiled at Blair’s aggression, feeling threatened and huddling up to Jordi and Tristan. Jordi wrapped his arms around them.

Ashley: “I-I wasn’t threatening you, but I feel threatened by you right now…”

They cried. Blair dumped the lasagna they had made into the garbage and knocked the salad onto the floor. Ashley hugged Jordi back and huddled with him and Tristan.

Ashley: “I-I want to get out of here! I-I want to get away from HIM! I never want to see him again!”

They cried.

Blair saw Lazaros’ cookbook and raged.

Blair: “THAT NO-GOOD BEATNIK!!”

He bellowed as he tried to rip the book in half, struggling to do so. Maria took the book from Blair’s hands and handed it back to Ashley.

Maria: “That’s enough! You ruined my birthday party!”

She snapped.

Blair: “YEAH, FATLEY! YOU RUINED HER PARTY!”

He cried.

She smacked him over the head. Blair gaped at her owlishly.

Maria: “No, you did, and that idea of Sylvia’s was stupid! No woman would want to date you!”

She snapped. Tristan smiled and nodded in approval. Jordi cupped his mouth to stifle a chuckle. Ashley’s eyebrows rose surprisingly, and they smiled with relief.

Ashley: “Th-Thank you… Actually, he’s already dating a woman named Ivy.”

They explained.

Maria: “Please. She has no interest in him.”

She waved her hand. Tristan raised his eyebrows. Blair bawled loudly, feeling his heart rip in half.

Demetrio: “Blair, why don’t you go to your room to cool down?”

He huffed.

Blair: “FINE! I NEVER WANTED A PARTY WITH LAMB CHOPS ANYWAY!”

He screamed and shoved Ashley over. Ashley gasped and tumbled over, knocking their arm on the table. They glared at Blair with hurt. Tristan helped Ashley up.

Jordi glared at Blair.

Jordi: “I’m not the only one tired of you!”

He snapped, and his fist flew in Blair’s face, knocking him over. Blair cried in pain as he crashed onto the floor. He glared at Jordi with tears burning in his eyes. Ashley embraced themself as they watched Blair, feeling like he was getting his come-muffins.

Blair rushed upstairs, and they heard the door slam. Demetrio sighed.

Demetrio: “I am so sorry, Ashley… and I’m sorry to you two boys.”

He said to Ashley, Tristan, and Jordi.

Maria: “I was looking forward to Ashley’s cooking…”

She said, her voice trailing off. Ashley sighed.

Ashley: “I'm sorry… You guys didn't do anything wrong and didn't deserve that either.”

They sighed, feeling betrayed by Sylvia and Blair.

Vanessa: “I know! If I call Hiroto, he will take Auntie Maria, Demetrio, Ashley, and me out to the best Italian restaurant in Pink Top City! It’s not Ashley’s cooking, but you can see him propose to me after he divorces Mayumi!”

She said with that sparkle in her eyes. Demetrio hung his head. Tristan laughed. Right, he thought.

Jordi: “Well, how about Maria, Demetrio, and Vanessa come to Ashley’s house for a delicious Italian meal?”

He suggested. Ashley’s eyes lit up.

Ashley: “That's a wonderful idea, Jordi! You and Tristan are invited to come too!”

They beamed and clasped their hands. Jordi beamed and nodded.

Tristan: “I’d love to, Ashley, but due to a conflict of interest with Lazaros, I am going to have to decline out of respect for Deimos. I hope you understand.”

He said politely. Ashley paused.

Ashley: “Oh, yeah…”

They bowed their head. As much as they wished they could get along, they understood.

Ashley: “I understand.”

They said earnestly, thinking of how they didn't want to be with Blair and didn't like being forced to be with him.

~

Later that evening, Demetrio, Maria, Vanessa, Jordi, Ashley, and Lazaros sat in Lazaros’ dining room as they dined on a homemade lasagna with layers of beef, mushrooms, and cheese melting all over it, and crisp, fried at the top. For dessert, they had prepared a homemade Tiramisu dish with layers of buttercream, coffee, and cocoa. Lazaros marveled at the delectable dessert Ashley prepared and the lasagna they made using his recipe. He also had a basket of fresh rolls and a tossed salad with homemade salad dressing.

Lazaros: “And this was all made with your truly cookbook!”

He held up his Italian cookbook proudly. Ashley smiled at him and nodded.

Ashley: “That’s right! I learn from the best.”

They chirped and kissed his cheek. Lazaros beamed and put his arm around Ashley.

Lazaros: “So Deimos isn’t here?”

He knit his eyebrows. Jordi sipped on a glass of chardonnay and didn’t reply. Ashley bowed their head and shook it.

Ashley: “Sorry, Laz.”

They sighed.

Lazaros: “Did you at least ask?”

He knit his eyebrows. Ashley wordlessly nodded. Lazaros’ eyelids dipped.

Lazaros: “What can I do to make Deimos talk to me again?”

He sniffled. Ashley sighed and replayed the events of what happened with Blair in their head.

Ashley: “You can’t make him, Laz… he has to on his own if he wants to.”

Their voice trailed off, thinking of how Sylvia tried to make them date Blair when they didn’t want to. Lazaros broke down crying in his hands. Ashley wrapped their arm around him and comforted him as he sobbed.

Maria: “Well, if it’s any consolation, your food is amazing! My brother raved about it! Don’t let my foolish nephew get you down! No woman would ever want him!”

She smiled. Jordi looked away and grinned. Ashley smiled a bit.

Ashley: “Thank you.”

Their mind wandered off to the events of today, replaying them in their mind.

Vanessa: “Yeah, Ivy wants to be with Tristan! I saw her art of her and Tristan!”

She gasped. Jordi twisted his mouth. Demetrio drew a long breath.

Demetrio: “I am sorry about Blair and Sylvia, Ashley. Sylvia is at wits’ end with Blair. She means well and wants him to stop, but I don’t think anything will deter him.”

He heaved a deep sigh. Ashley bowed their head and sighed.

Ashley: “Everyone is… and he’s not going to stop.”

They teared up.

Lazaros: “Aww, did Blair make another mean post on that Nice Guys forum?”

His bottom lip trembled. Ashley shook their head.

Ashley: “No, worse… Sylvia tried to coerce me into dating him, and then when I said no… Blair said really mean things, and he had a huge tantrum, breaking everything and ruining my food…”

They leaned into him and cried. Lazaros cried with them.

Lazaros: “Why did he do that?! Why can’t he stop?!”

He cried. Ashley wiped their eyes, taken by surprise by his reaction.

Ashley: “I-I don’t know… because he wants to date me, but he also hates me… It’s so confusing! But I don’t want him! I want you!”

They shook their head and held his hand.

Demetrio drew a long breath.

Demetrio: “I am sorry about Sylvia. I will be speaking to her about this.”

He assured Ashley.

Ashley: “Thank you, Demetrio… I can’t believe she did that…”

They frowned, their tone conveying hurt and betrayal.

Jordi: “If I may? I believe Blair forced her to do that… I believe Blair told her that he would stop behaving this way if you dated him, so she did this.”

He said coolly. Demetrio grimaced and twisted his mouth, not disagreeing. Ashley embraced themself.

Ashley: “...Wow, that’s really… bad.”

They were too stunned to speak.

Jordi: “It’s a hunch I have. Why would she do this suddenly?”

Lazaros: “Well, if people didn’t want to be Blair’s friend, he would send people who took pity on him to act on his behalf.”

He added. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “Wow… so he was always like this?”

Lazaros nodded and raked his fingers through his hair. Ashley pursed their lips.

They heard heavy stomping coming down the corridor. Deimos stormed into the dining room. He wore an Iron Maiden tank top, torn jeans, and cowboy boots. Lazaros brightened when he saw Deimos. Deimos’ fist slammed down on the table.

Deimos: “YOU GODDAMN CRYBABY SON-OF-A-BITCH!”

He screamed at Lazaros.

Deimos: “You fucking KNEW Ashley was going to Blair’s house! Didn’t go with them! Jordi had to come, and when Blair’s little white knight came to his rescue, TRISTAN and JORDI had to intervene! YOU DID NOTHING!”

He bellowed at Lazaros. Lazaros huddled by himself and bawled. Ashley knit their eyebrows and bowed their head, not disagreeing with him. They wished Lazaros were there to stand by them and comfort them afterwards.

Deimos: “You fucking useless crybaby! You’re a joke, Lazaros! When you should be defending Ashley, you sit here and cry about NOTHING! You fucking joke of a MAN!”

He barked at them. Lazaros broke down crying. Ashley pursed their lips and embraced themself.

Deimos: “Blair is not the fucking boogeyman, Lazaros! Stop being a bitch! Stop relying on others to do your fucking job for you!”

He snapped at him. Lazaros wailed and sobbed loudly. Deimos glared at him with disgust.

Deimos: “You’re a joke. You’re no better than Blair in my books.”

He spat.

Lazaros: “NO, I’M NOT! I’M NOT LIKE BLAIR! I AM NOT!”

He bawled. Deimos glared at him.

Deimos: “Yes, you are.”

He said coldly and stormed out. Ashley drew a long breath and bowed their head.

Lazaros collapsed to the floor and bawled loudly.

Lazaros: “I’M NOT LIKE BLAIR! I AM NOT LIKE HIM!”

He wailed loudly. Ashley pursed their lips.

Ashley: “...Why couldn’t you just come with me today, Lazaros?”

They asked in a small voice with hurt in their tone.

Lazaros: “Because Deimos HATES MEEEEEEEEE!!”

He sobbed. Demetrio shifted in his seat. Maria sighed. Jordi cupped his mouth. Ashley pursed their lips.

Ashley: “He’s hurt… and… maybe he’s not the only one…”

Their words slipped out of their mouth before they could think. Lazaros’ crying grew louder.

Ashley: “I wish you could have been there for me and with me… I needed you.”

They cried with hurt in their tone.

Lazaros: “So you hate me, too?! YOU HATE ME TOO?!”

He cried and rose to his feet. Ashley knit their eyebrows and waved their hands around.

Ashley: “N-No! I’m just… a little bit hurt is all...”

They pursed their lips in a small voice.

Lazaros: “EVERYONE BLAMES ME AND HATES ME!”

He bawled and stormed upstairs, shutting the door and locking it. Ashley recoiled and heaved a defeated sigh.

Ashley: “I-I knew I shouldn’t have said anything…”

They cried into their hands. Jordi patted their back. Demetrio sighed. I just wanted a nice, peaceful dinner, he thought.

Ashley: “I’m sorry about all this.”

They said to the guests.

~

Later that evening, Tristan went up the steps to join Ashley on the patio. He sat with them.

Tristan: “Deimos told me what happened with Lazaros and how he exploded at him.”

He began. Ashley sighed and bowed their head.

Ashley: “Yeah…”

Their voice trailed off, caught up in a miasma of confusing emotions and thoughts.

Tristan: “I don’t think Lazaros decided not to accompany you out of malice. I think he’s dealing with a lot of foreign emotions after his mother died, and he’s finding it difficult to process. I think he didn’t want to hinder your performance at the Donatis and wants you to be successful. Deimos thinks Lazaros should be like him, but he’s not. Lazaros is his own person, as are Jordi, Deimos, and I. I think Lazaros is grateful to Jordi for standing up to you.”

He smiled a bit. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “Now I feel horrible for upsetting him! I know he’s going through a lot of stuff right now, but I just wanted his support, too… I don’t know.”

They sighed.

Tristan: “Ashley, it sounds to me like you want him to be back to his usual self after something traumatic just happened to him.”

He said evenly. Ashley bowed their head and nodded.

Tristan: “And that’s not how it works. Everyone responds to trauma differently. Everyone grieves differently. You have to realize that Lazaros endured trauma, too.”

He said gently.

Ashley: “You’re right, and I’m sorry… I wish he would talk to me about it so we can work through it together. I want to help him, but I don’t know how…”

They knit their eyebrows.

Tristan: “Lazaros does support you, and he buries what’s troubling him more so than Deimos does, so you have to be patient with him and love him. If you don’t feel this is worth it, you can always walk away.”

He stated. Ashley sighed.

Ashley: “I don’t want to walk away from him just because it’s really hard right now. I love him and I want to be there for him.”

They declared.

Ashley: “What do you do when Deimos has his… tantrums?”

They asked him.

Tristan: “If you’re asking out of curiosity, I can tell you, but if you’re asking thinking it will work on Lazaros, I can’t help you.”

He laughed.

He leaned back.

Tristan: “But I put Deimos in his place. He does calm down and starts feeling sorry for himself. But Deimos reacts with anger, not sadness, as Lazaros does.”

He stated. Ashley’s eyes widened. Wow, he must be really brave to do that, as Deimos’ temper is scary, they thought.

Ashley: “Yeah… they’re really different. I… don’t know how to deal with sadness… maybe if I tickle him, he will feel happy? That always worked for me.”

They pondered and tilted their head.

Tristan: “Is Lazaros even ticklish?”

He laughed a bit. Ashley chuckled.

Ashley: “Nowhere near as ticklish as me!”

Celeste was in the garden, picking out the crystals that Ashley had planted. She wore a Saraya off-shoulder shirt, a leather skirt, nylons, and ankle strap boots. Ashley brightened when they saw her.

Celeste: “You know what? You could say, ‘I spy with my little eye… a sexy chef’ and it’s about Lazaros!”

She grinned and put the crystals in the jar. Ashley gasped.

Ashley: “Oh, my stars! That’s brilliant! I love it!”

They beamed, clasping their hands.

Celeste: “And hold up bananas and say, ‘I go bananas for you’ and an apple, ‘you’re the apple of my eye’!”

She grinned. Ashley chuckled.

Ashley: “Wow, that’s amazing advice! Thank you! That’s so funny! OH! I can also say he’s appealing to me and eat an apple pie!”

They beamed. Tristan winced and laughed awkwardly.

Celeste: “Yeah, I got it from you!”

Ashley’s eyes widened with surprise.

Ashley: “...R-Really?! You got inspired by me?”

They gasped. She nodded.

Tristan: “You know… that would work, Ashley! Lazaros does worship you.”

He smiled.

Ashley: “R-Really?!”

They reddened.

Ashley: “I worship him, too!”

Celeste: “People overcomplicate things. Sometimes the most simple things work.”

She beamed. Ashley’s eyes sparkled.

Ashley: “Wow… you’re so wise!”

They beamed with awe at her words. Celeste grinned.

Celeste: “I know.”

~

Fabien was in his bedroom wearing his green plaid pajama pants and beamed when he saw a message on his Bungle Server from Blair. He clicked on the “Cooking channel” and laughed that Blair posted a rant on his cooking channel.

BlairDonati: Worst day ever. This day was horrible. Ashley makes everything worse. They were supposed to come over to cook for my aunt, but didn’t when Sylvia asked them to consider a relationship with me. Rather than date me, they destroyed the kitchen and food. Then Maria says, “You will never get a woman in your life.” In a second, my aunt shredded my heart into two, stomped on it, and put the rest in a blender. I can’t cry. I can’t shed a tear. I could explode right now. Ashley ruined everything. To make matters worse, Jordi the ugly cow suggests dinner at my arch nemesis, Lazaros. I was so angry I could cry, but he punched me. And you say Jordi doesn’t bully me? He does.

BlairDonati: Vanessa also thinks Jiro’s father will propose to her. No man wants her. She’s used goods now.

BlairDonati: God, I want to implode. My family picked Ashley over me, and Ashley never dated me. I have money saved up for their cat café.

A picture of Blair holding a bundle of cash as he sobbed appeared on the screen.

A picture of Jaxon at the counter, frying something in a frying pan, showed up. He wore a black semue and had his hair tied up in a hachimaki. The following picture was of Jaxon and Celeste eating okonomiyaki.

RedPepper69: Okonomiyaki with my Green Queen!

PurpleLightning: YUM!

SmokeShow: You need to make that for Deimos and me sometime, Jaxon.

SeigneurMonstre: OOOOOOOOH! ;)

BlairDonati: Ashley threatened me with their claws. I did nothing to deserve that. I was nice to them. I want to cry, but I can’t. I can’t shed a single tear.

A photo of Tristan and Deimos showed the two men eating chicken fettuccine Alfredo, followed by a picture of Oliver eating from his plate, which showed up on the screen.

SmokeShow: Papa prepared my favorite meal for Deimos and me this evening. It was delectable. He permitted me to share his recipe.

A link for a document titled “Papa’s Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe” showed up on the screen.

RedPepper69: Looks great, man!

PurpleLightning: You look terrific, Tristan! The dish looks delicious, too! I should share this recipe with Henrietta to cook for us sometime! Thank you!

BlairDonati: I invested so much in Ashley, and I want every penny I spent on them back. I don’t see why they won’t date me. They missed out on a true prince.

An hour later, Fabien received a ding on his computer and rushed to see if Blair had posted. He saw a new message in his music channel and clicked on it.

A post by DeimosK popped up in the channel. It showed a photo of a black electric guitar in its case.

DeimosK: This is my new guitar. It's a Dean ML 79 Flat Top with a black mat finish on a mahogany body, black DMT humbucker pickups, a Floyd Rose tremolo, and a black Mahogany neck with an ebony fretboard. I like these pearl inlays better than the usual dot inlays you see on standard, cheaper guitars, along with the Grover tuners.

SmokeShow: Deimos, this is splendid! I am eager to see what music you create with this!

DeimosK: Thanks, my prince. ;)

SeigneurMonstre: Sweet guitar!

RedPepper69: Nice, man. I wish they had a broader range in their bass.

DeimosK: I would suggest Jackson, which is a brand with a bigger range of bass.

BlairDonati: I’m too stressed even to sleep now. I’m tired of beating myself up with guilt, but I just feel stressed, defeated, and hateful. I’m so defeated and done.

DeimosK: Hey, dickhead, stop diverting the conversation to your fucking whining. Your rich suburban boy problems don’t belong in this channel, moron.

BlairDonati: I don’t need this now. I don’t need you bullying me, Deimos. Ashley rejected me because I am nice.

DeimosK: Fuck you. Ashley rejected you because you’re a loser. This channel is about music. Your whining isn’t music to my ears.

BlairDonati: I just want to smile. I need someone to make me smile.

DeimosK: We’re not your clapping seals. Have your grandfather hire a clown to entertain your sorry ass, or even better, look in the mirror.

Fabien roared with laughter.

Fabien: “YES! YES!”

He shot his fist up in the air.

DeimosK: You did this bullshit the entire night in channels unrelated to the topic at hand or the topic of the channel. Knock it off. No one fucking cares. Take your whining to the Lonely Nice Guys Forum, where you and your fellow losers can whine in unison.

BlairDonati: Do you know what I feel, Deimos? Do you care? Ashley rejected me! They ruined my life! I bought them a car and have money stashed away for their cat café. All that kindness I wasted.

DeimosK: They didn’t reject you because you’re “nice.” Don’t ever think that. They rejected you because you’re a whiny, self-centered asshole.

SmokeShow: Blair, if you’re doing acts of kindness for something in return, that doesn’t make you a kind person; that makes you manipulative.

BlairDonati: Why would I do nice things if I didn’t get anything in return?! That’s why I did them!

DeimosK: I love it. I love that you finally spilled the truth, you goddamn idiot. Anyway, there’s a venting channel and a forum where your fellow losers can whine. Stick to those channels and stop whining in unrelated channels.

BlairDonati: Nice guys finish last.

DeimosK: Fuck you.

~

Ichiro sat in his office watching the fight on Fabien’s Bungle Server and gaped.

Ichiro: “THIS is what brings Fabien joy?! This idiot who pines for a corpulent pig of a woman?!”

He shot his hand out, staring at the screen in disbelief. He then grinned and rubbed his hands together.

Ichiro: “Very soon, Fabien, your little clown will be turned into a richonoid… And you will have nothing to laugh at.”

He chuckled evilly.