5. Rainy Night

It was raining hard when December first met her father, King Augustus Castor Pierre.

December have just finished her shift in her part time work and was pissed when she realized she have forgotten her umbrella in her dormitory.

"I don't think the rains going to stop any minute." December glanced at her coworker who also finished his shift. "Come on. I'll take you home. I know you have forgotten your umbrella again."

December flinch and sighed, "Whatever. I'll take your offer, Eugene."

Eugene laugh and opened his umbrella. He is December's senior in her school and was the one who helped her find a job to fund her living.

As an orphan, December is struggling to make a living for herself since she is also studying. Nevertheless, she have learned how to adjust herself in her current circumstances.

"How are you this past few days?" Eugene ask as they walk.

"Just same old life. I am planning to get another job when vacation comes," December answered and catch some raindrop in her hands.

"Why? Do you need any help? I thought you've been doing good," Eugene stopped walking and looked at December.

She smiled and answered, "I am just saving up money for my future. You know that I don't have anyone who will provide for me."

Eugene stared at the girl who is look ahead with a sad smile. He could not imagine how hard It is for her to fend for herself at an early age. December have matured so fast that he did not think she have enough time to enjoy herself as a youth.

"It's getting late. I need to be back at the dorm before the curfew."

The rest of the walk was filled with silence as both of them have things on their mind.

***

The dorm where December stays is located outside her school. The building is quite old and needs some renovation, but she have been staying there since was just a child and decided to start paying rent though it is not needed.

The area is where most common people live in the Country P and many people are wasting their life away by drinking alcohol every night. One can even hear fighting between couple every now and then as December and Eugene approach her dorm.

The dorm caretaker was outside and when she saw December she waved at her. "December! You're back! Come, come… I've prepared dinner. Come eat with me!"

December smiled at the middle aged woman and thanked Eugene.

"Thank you for taking me back here," December bowed a little at him and Eugene patted her head.

"No worries. I'll be going then."

Eugene waved at her as he walked away.

"He's been taking you home lately huh?" Maria said and patted December's back.

"He's my senior. I forgot my umbrella and the rain doesn't look like it's going to stop any minute," December explained as they walked inside the caretaker's room where a simple meal was prepared at the table.

Maria nodded and they ate peacefully.

They talked for a while about their day when a knock came at Maria's door.

"You have a visitor this late at night?" December asked Maria who stood up with a frown.

"No. I don't think anyone will visit at this hour of the night. You go back to your room and rest. You still have school tomorrow."

"Hmm.. good night, Maria." December yawned and kissed Maria good night.

She grew fond of Maria who was kind enough to take her in when she was a child. Although Maria helped her, she does not wish to abuse her kindness and decided to make a living for herself.

She was the one who opened the door and a man greeted her. The man wore a tailor-made suit that hugged his physique well.

The man looked at her with shock as she stared at him. The man look familiar to her but does not seem to recall who he is as she does not have time to look into the news lately.

"Good evening," she greeted and bowed before making her way to her room.

Maria was astounded when she saw who was at her door. She have cold sweat when she witnessed December's attitude to the man who looked at the girl.

"Your…. your majesty…this humble servant greets your Majesty!" Maria bowed as she realized how rude she had been staring at the man, the king of the country she is living.

"Please stand. I do not want others to know I am here," the man said to Maria.

Maria let the man inside the room and did not dare to sit in the presence of the man.

"I wonder what brought your majesty in this place?" Maria inquired cautiously without looking at the King.

The man scanned the surrounding and realized how bad the place is. His heart ached when he thought of how his child grew up and stayed at this place all these years she have been away form them,

His eyes stopped at a picture frame where a girl wore a sky blue dress holding an ice cream with a smile.

"I am here to get my daughter back," he declared.

After a moment of confusion, Maria came to realize that the daughter the king is talking about is the little girl in the picture the king is holding. The girl whose smile brings out the light in the darkness is very familiar to her. The girl who she took in one rainy night like tonight. The girl who have just gone to bed a while ago.

That girl…. is December who have been rude in greeting her father without her knowing.