//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 - Not-so Sweet part 1 // Story: Story of Diane Pie: Role in Life // by Middle Ground //------------------------------// A few days have went by since the Sugar Rush and Sweet Hearts has been rather calm since then. The streets of Manehatten became mostly clear and work at the bakery/café went back to normal again. As for Bitter Sweet and myself, I have been making slight progress in revealing my secret to everypony at home. Sadly, 'slight progress' all I have made and that is not much.... Right now, I'm just working at the bakery/café like always, serving the customers like always. But then, some adult colts in black suits came walking into the bakery/café and all of the customers that were already there all ran out in fear. When that happened, I knew something bad was going on.... "Hey you, pink mare, we're customers. We demand service!" The tallest Earth Pony colt with a yellow coat, black mane and tail was very rude and I didn't like that. I saw his Cutie Mark and it was a bit with hole in it and a string was tied to it. This pony is very, very greedy. But I had to endure it because of my job. "May I take your order, sir?" I had to hide my annoyance in both my tone of voice and my expression. "Get us some sweets and coffee. And while you're at it, get Tough Love in here. We got business to discuss." I just shared one conversation with this jerk and I REALLY don't like him. I pushed my anger aside to fill out their orders. Afterwards, I left the room to go and get Tough Love who was in the break room counting her bits. And there were a lot of bits in a big bag. "Tough Love, there are some colts who need to speak with you. And they look like they mean business." I felt very uneasy with what was going on. Tough Love stopped counting her bits and put them all in her bag. "I heard. Stay here, Diane. I will take it from here." She gathered her large bag of bits and made her way to the front room where the colts in suits were waiting. I know I was told to wait inside the break room, but I had to look through the crack of the door. I could just barely make out what they were saying. "It's been a long while, Love. I'm surprised to see your little cookie-cooking gig still standing. Guess it took a pop-star's visit to get your cramped business going." I really hate this pony. I've been working in this bakery/café long enough to know that Tough Love works really, really hard to make her customers happy. And her baked foods are really good! How and why can Tough Love put up with this pony's insults?! "Cut to the chase, High Demand. I have the money the contract stated and I am willing to pay it in full. I hope you're willing to keep your end of the deal." Tough Love sounded serious. What is this contract she mentioned? Who are these ponies? And what is the story? "Don't worry, I intend to keep my word. I always do. And you've been working for years now. I think you've earned it. That is...if there are a total of one billion bits in that bag." ONE BILLION?!?! WHAT KIND OF DEAL DID THEY MAKE?! AND JUST HOW LONG HAS TOUGH LOVE BEEN WORKING?! "Yes, there is one billion bits in this bag right now. I have counted many times and I am ready to pay in full." Tough Love presented the bag of bits to the colt. One of them looked into the bag and then began to pat against it. "Yep, one billion bits exactly. And all of them are the real deal." He had a green coat, gray mane and tail, and his Cutie Mark was scale with a few bits on one side. He must be good at counting bits. "Good job, Penny Pincher. And well done, Love. I gotta say, you impressed me. And I am happy to accept the payment. However, there is one thing you should be aware of before doing that." That does not sound good.... "What...do you mean? I have the money, I followed the contract exactly, and everything should be fine now. What is going on?" Tough Love's voice became shaky with where this conversation was going. "Oh yes, you have followed the contract exactly as it was written. But you see, there is a thing called the 'Fine Print'. Now I'm sure you've read the fine print before signing it, right?" He pulled out a few sheets of paper and a magnifying glass and placed them on the table. That must be the contract they were talking about. Tough Love then began reading this fine print with the magnifying glass and they she slammed her hooves on the table. "YOU CAN'T DO THIS!!! THIS IS UNFAIR!!!" Tough Love was very angry. I was scared.... The colts only chuckled at Tough Love's anger. "You signed the contract, Love. You should have read the fine print before signing it. And it's binding until you pay up. So which is it? Option A or Option B? Take your pick." This colt had an arrogant smile, making me angry every second I look at it. I then looked at Tough Love and she was trembling in such furious anger. "DIANE!!!" She called for me and I then rushed out of the break room. "Yes?!" I was really scared from Tough Love's outburst. "We're leaving! High Demand, I am choosing Option A and I NEVER want to see you or your co-workers again! Good bye and good riddance!" Tough Love then stomped her way out of the bakery/café and I then followed, leaving my apron behind. "Pleasure doing business with you, Love~! Have a good life~!" That colt just laughed and laughed with his co-workers as we left. Just...what is going on here? I followed Tough Love to the park and we sat in the same on a solitary bench. We sat there quietly for nearly an hour and I watched Tough Love glare at the ground, still trembling in anger. "Tough Love...? Are you-" I was then interrupted when Tough Love gave me a frightening glare. I froze like a statue. Thankfully, her glare did not last too long when she then hugged me. I could feel her trembling on her embrace and she began to give a sorrowful groaning. "I can't....I can't believe this....! I worked....so hard...for nothing!" She sounded like she was about to cry her eyes out. I then gave her my embrace, hoping to comfort her. I knew something bad was going on, and I must do something to help her....somehow.