The Crows Eyes Abides
No one will understand what she went through, alone as she read through the articles about what the press had to say about her. Testimonies from everyday people who didn't seem like they'd have nasty things to say about Coraline.
At that time, Coraline followed her pointing fingers following the detest people had for her, "Are they serious?" She never understood how she could warrant such a great amount of hate from crowds of people.
Lines filled with hatred proved the thoughts that had lived in Coraline's mind for years. It's like dandelions that seem pretty until it grows as the weed it is. With one corrupting the tall sunflower awaiting it to falter.
For it to lose its beauty.
Plastering a picture of her when she had on a bright smile in front of her tavern to go with it.
Coraline slipped on a simple black dress, tying a red ribbon around her match, the colors represented the envelopes.
She was sending a message.
Eyes never left her regardless, 'What's it to them for one more statement?'
Taking a comb from the floor out of the mess she left after her frantic state, she brought the bejeweled item to her hair, steading her nerves as she weaved through the tangles in her hand.
Afterward, Coraline slipped on metal shoe-framed boots before tucking the envelopes inside her dress. All that was left was to regain the confidence she was able to portray in the past.
She steadied herself on top of her chaotic room, preparing herself for what she could be meeting the moment she stepped outside.
Even if guards were waiting for her in the footsteps of the building, she wasn't going to give them satisfaction. To let all see the criminal they thought of her as in a bewildered state.
Her fingers tapped at her corset that kept the letters safe.
Personally, she and Bijou had never met, but as Mama did with her, she knew a great deal about him. As he was from a noble family and shut-in since he was a teenager—it was a given they'd never had a normal chat like strangers do when they run into each other.
What she did know for sure is that his family, the Osborn, are partygoers, the entire family line is filled with individuals that cannot be taken from the party scene or hosting their own as well.
Their DNA ran off from the euphoric feeling of being displayed, paid attention to, and showing off their riches.
It soothed them to have people greedy for what they had; it didn't matter that some of the family members came off the rails. Not with money.
With money you buy power, then secrets, and lastly, you buy more.
The Osborns could make one disappear from the face of Sangriles, and nobody would have a thing to say. When Coraline reached this news, it made her realize how far up the ladder was. If they could do that, then what did the royals have the power to do?
What have they already done because of that capability?
It was the Saphire Greens, the same business, people spat on that allowed her to hear about Bijou. His recent obsession was to be a part of an organization that was a sponsoring company for underprivileged women on the front.
Coraline could see through it since there was no kindness left inside of Bijou. It wouldn't make sense for him to hop on board with a company that did something out of his character.
It could only mean something more mirthless was happening behind the scenes.
For this, when she catered to an event the Osborns hosted, she changed up her appearance to seem like she was the barmaid of Saphire Greens.
She'd bring disguises out when it came to meeting higher-ups, they wouldn't be able to put a name to her many faces and vice versa.
Rich drunks have pricey details to say since they are filled with loneliness, and even the hostess serving them drinks seems like the right person to pour their vents to.
From a distance, Coraline caught the eye of Bijou.
He was a tall, suited-decoyed man, with short black hair to frame at his forehead and trail longer at the back of his head.
Usually, when someone is in a conscious state, they have small habits they do. Tapping their fingers, blinking repeatedly, jerking the front of their shoe, etc.
Yet the man across the room had none of these things.
Coraline placed this newfound attribute of Bijou's with him being rich. One more thing it can buy is a character or face you show to others. A visual perception of perfection.
She shook the mixer more viciously wagering to catch his attention.
Bijou remained in place. He wore a stern face, and deep green eyes that looked ready to close for an eternity at any moment from now.
She held her stare waiting for it to be reciprocated, slamming the mixer back down, and pouring the laid-out cups to the rest of the drunks.
Someone had beat her at being a person of interest for Bijou.
Coraline pressed her memory to recall the events. She knew she only had a quick sight of who was standing aside from Bijou.
'That must've been...'
Standing beside him was a dark-skinned man, almost as tall as him with a slim figure and alluring attire.
Mama.
At the party, Mama stood next to Bijou blowing out blue air until it left a faint appearance in the air around them. Laughing bubbly and ignoring any sense of personal space.
Bijou seemed fascinated by the smoke, wavering it with his hand, but being mindful of how much he intake.
Mama's crew consists of two women and one other man. They all held different colored sticks and blew in and out with synchrony.
Coraline became drawn to the scene that unfolded that night.
She watched as her target inspected Mama's items, tucked a few in his pockets, and exchanged short words in the meantime.
This was him being a businessman, looking back on it Coraline knew that it wasn't just him in the sponsorship. Mama's acts to engage with Bijou meant he was trying to include his agenda as well.
The night ended with Bijou leaving with a sly smile at the end, nodding to Mama, and the crew. As Bijou stepped away, he finally shot the glance Coraline was hankering for.
As if time held the two for mere seconds.
She felt as if she was standing inside the lion's den. Speaking to Bijou on a firsthand account was beyond her. The man that held eye contact with her, knows nothing about Coraline, or the life she has lived.
Her life was a mere blur of color to someone like Bijou. As if she was residing at the bottom of the ocean, and he, took a seat on a wooden boat at the surface.
Unlike Bijou, Coraline knew personal information about Bijou as well. His name was inspired by, "Bjorn," its meaning defined for bear.
As a child he was quiet, but anyone in his presence described the weirdness he had subtly. He scraped the metal forks at the glass plates, smeared red ink by the walls that hung painted portraits of family members, and he'd never scream—his stare was louder than any word he spoke.
Coraline took one more breath, she wasn't going to let all her work go to waste. It wasn't fair that someone like Bijou could continue his days despite his heinous crimes.
She opened her door, ready to acquaint any guard—but there was no one outside in the hallway awaiting her.
Her destination wasn't Mama's place, she'd be a fool to walk herself into yet another trap. Mama would be expecting her, she made her presence clear to her as the ships sailed.
It was no coincidence.
Her heart quickly paced in anticipation, all that was left was to head down the staircase and run to the sponsor that helped her fabricate her plan.
She locked her door, and running quickly to the staircase, she felt like flying through the steps.
As she went down each step, the thoughts of her short-lived marriage came back to mind. Coraline was supposed to be Armaan's other half, a foreigner to Sangriles, and a foreigner to her birthplace filled with warranted hate against her.
Coraline had never belonged.
Her business was her way of assimilating to the kingdom that wanted her banished.
Each time she stepped outside there was a part of her that wanted to wave and smile at the passersby. Have nice chats, play with the little kids, and be someone loved.
She envisioned being wanted, someone people expected to see during their day and worrying when she was nowhere to be seen.
Coraline bit at her tongue, 'But I'm the bad guy, the villain, the bad influence.'
Why was she trying so hard in the first place to get the praise of the people who didn't give a damn about her? She could drop all she was doing and let their kingdom go under as did Saphire Greens.
She reached the end and quickly got to her stride to make a getaway.
A shout came from behind her, one that took lungs to reach her, "You there!"