№1|We Met In The Rain
༻❁༺

“You want to know how father and I met?” Cruella questioned. Her son, Carlos, and his wife, CJ, nodded. 

“Please Grandma! I know all of my mom and dad’s adventures and I wanna know yours too!” Natalia, the daughter of CJ and Carlos pleaded, making the cutest puppy dog eyes up at Cruella and Hex.

“Must… resist… cuteness!” Hex, Cruella’s husband, faked groaning, swooping up his granddaughter in a big hug. “Grandpa!” Natalia hugged Hex tightly, her little tan arms wrapping around Hex’s big frame.

“I think they’re old enough to know.” Cruella shrugged, the family walking into the den. Cruella and Hex sat on the couch while CJ, Carlos, and Natalia sat on the soft run.

“This story begins a long time before you or Reene were born,” Cruella recalled the fateful day that changed her life forever.

°•. ✿ .•°

A beautiful sunrise coated the New York skyline in a pink and purple color, the sun shining down on Cruella. Black irises slowly rose open, adjusting to the new light.

She yawned, dark-skinned arms stretching up and out so her whole body could adjust to the morning time.

“Morning already?” she groaned, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. A loud alarm proved her theory that it was indeed morning.

Cruella sighed and got up, putting on her slippers as she walked into the hallway of her apartment. Entering the kitchen, she heard the delightful sound of dalmatians barking. “Pongo, Anita!” Cruella called out;the dalmatians rushed in.

“Who wants breakfast?” she walked over to the food bag, pouring the food into the two dog bowls that sat by the kitchen island.

“Lay down,” the dogs obeyed her order to lay down, “roll over,” they rolled over “high-five!” Cruella chuckled softly as the two dogs gave her a high-five.

“Eat up.” The dogs gladly ate their kibble as Cruella walked into the bathroom.

Cruella looked into the mirror, running her fingers through her white hair. “Let’s get to work, Cruella.”

≫ ──── ≪•◦❈◦•≫ ──── ≪

After a relaxing shower, Cruella got ready for work. She looked at the time to see it was already 9 AM.

“Shit! I’m gonna be late!” Cruella grabbed the small stack of papers on her desk and her jacket, and dashed into the foggy streets of New York.

“Catania-sama is gonna kill me!” she mumbled, running in the rain, fighting off the wind as she tried to keep the papers dry.

“I told you, Gabriella, I don't want a girlfriend,” a man a few feet in front of her spoke into the phone, trying to maneuver through the packed streets

“It’s been 5 years since Roxy… ya know…” Gabriella began, “you need someone new! Remember what the therapist said? You need a new start, Hex.”

“I doubt that’s what she meant by a new start,” Hex mumbled, maneuvering through the sidewalk as he tried to get to work.

“Hex, It’s healthy, and you need a healthy relationship, it’s what Roxy would want,” Gabriella said. 

Hex nodded and sighed. “It’s not as easy as you think, I’m not just gonna bump into someone and automatically fall in love-”

Just as Hex uttered those words, he bumped into someone, knocking their papers out of their hands, letting them flow into the wind.

“I’m so sorry-” Cruella looked up to meet beautiful brown eyes. “Hey…”

“Gabriella, sis.” Hex didn't look away from her eyes. “I’ll call you back.”

It took a moment, but Hex realized some of her papers were on the ground. “Oh my gods and goddesses, I’m so sorry!”

Hex and Cruella both crouched down to pick up the soggy papers at the same time, their foreheads hitting each other.

“Ow…” she whimpered. Hex couldn't help but chuckle, the noise she made was so adorable.

“I’m Hexiciah Perez, Hex for short.” Hex extended his hand for Cruella to shake. “I’m Cruella DeVille.” She shook his hand, smiling as their fingers touched, a certain spark flowing through both of them.

Their hands separated and Cruella sighed as she grabbed a hold of one of the papers to see it was completely unreadable.

“Great, Catania-sama gonna murder me.” Cruella groaned. 

“I can help.” A small flame appeared in Hex’s hand. “May I?” Cruella nodded as she handed Hex the papers, he balanced them over the flame, ridding them of water and making them readable.

“Thank you so much, Hexy.” Cruella smiled brightly.

Hexy, huh? Yeah, I could get used to that. Hex chuckled, looking at the woman’s smile.

“You’re a lifesaver! Catania-sama would have my head if I didn't give her these fashion reports.” Cruella chuckled nervously.

“I’m guessing this Catania-sama is your boss?” Hex guessed, helping Cruella off the ground, the two continuing their stroll through the streets of New York City.

“Yeah, she’s kinda a jerk,” Cruella shook her head in shame, “but her checks pay my bills, so I gotta keep doing her errands.”

“I say punch her.” Hex shrugged, folding his arms behind his head in a relaxed position. “It’ll teach her not to be a jerk.”

“You just can't punch your boss!” Cruella laughed. Hex smiled, his eyes locked on her face, examining its beautiful features.

“Yes you can, come here.” Hex placed the papers on a nearby bench putting his hands in front of his face with his palms out. “Punch my hands.”

“Hex, we just met, I don't feel comfortable-”

Hex snatched her purse, a smirk on his face. Cruella, being quick on her feet, punched Hex in the throat, knocking him to the ground and grabbing her purse back.

“Gea-Geat...jo-job!” Hex coughed, trying to get his breathing under control.

 “I’m so sorry!” Cruella apologized, helping Hex up from the ground.

“It’s alright,” Hex said. 

Cruella looked at her watch to see it at 9:45 AM. “Shoot! I’m going to be late.” She grabbed her papers and was about to run, but Hex grabbed her wrist.

“Will I see you again?” he asked softly, looking into her eyes.

“Something tells me you will.” Cruella smiled, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, slipping a sheet of paper in his leather coat pocket. “Call me.”

≫ ──── ≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫ ──── ≪

Cruella smiled as she slipped into her workplace: 8 Ball Fashion. She grabbed the tea kettle from the office kitchen, fixing her boss’s favorite bamboo tea before delivering it to her office. She knocked on the door 

“Come in,” Catania replied. Cruella opened the door and walked inside to see Catania was talking to someone on the computer. “We’ll talk later, just get it done.”

Catania had beautifully tan skin, red flowing hair down to her shoulders, and black eyes. She wore a red pantsuit and black heels 

“Yes, Miss Catania,” the person on the other side of the computer responded, ending the call.

“Were you busy, Catania-sama?” Cruella questioned. 

Catania shook her head. “Where were you? You’re 15 minutes late,” Catania now questioned her.

“I woke up late,” Cruella lied, “it won't happen again, Catania-sama.”

“Good, today I want you to get my car’s tires checked and changed, pick up my dry cleaning, and take Precious to the groomers.” Catania passed Cruella the white fluffy cat.

“Yes miss.” Cruella nodded and went to the elevator, pressing the basement button. “Pick up my dry cleaning, get my coffee, get my tea,” Cruella mimicked, noticing the cat looking up at her suspiciously. “Don’t look at me like that, she’s your owner.”

Cruella got into the Lamborghini Veneno, starting up the car. “Where’s the closest mechanic?” she asked herself, looking on Google Maps. “Perez Mechanics, huh? Alright.”

Once arriving at the mechanics, one of the workers opened the gate and let Cruella in. She drove through slowly, putting the car in neutral after.

“Ey! Ector, fancy car just rolled in? Ya want?” Gabriella asked, peeking her head into the break room to see Hex and Ector playing cards.

“How fancy?” Ector asked, eating a handful of pretzels.

 “Lambo Veneno.” She smirked.

“MOVE! MY LOVE IS IN THE PREMISES!” Ector leapt over the table, rushing outside, shouldering some of the mechanics out of the way to hug the beautiful car.

“Oh my gods and goddesses, you’re beautiful…” Ector cooed. 

“Uh, what is he doing?” Cruella chuckled nervously.

 “He really likes cars.” Hex rolled his eyes. 

“Hexy? Is that you?” Cruella looked over the car to see Hex.

“Hexy? Chica, who are you calling Hexy?” The girl standing next to Hex chuckled. She had olive type skin color and dark blue, almost raven, eyes. Her jet black hair was wrapped up into a messy bun with a bandana tied around her head.

She wore a jean jumpsuit with the Perez Mechanics symbol stitched onto it and white sneakers.

Cruella noticed the bottom of a symbol on Gabriella’s wrist. Gabriella quickly pulled down her sleeve, hiding the symbol. 

“Gabriella, this is Cruella, the girl I told you about. Cruella, this is my sister, Gabriella Perez,” Hex introduced Gabriella and Cruella shook hands.

“You look familiar…” Gabriella and Cruella said both simultaneously.

“Do you happen to know a girl named, Diane?” Cruella asked, Gabriella, blushed and started chuckling nervously. “Di-Dian-Diane? I don't know any Diane!” Gabriella pushed her into the break room and closed the door.

Hex and Ector watched as the two girls talked, not being able to hear what they’re saying.

“Who’s your sister talking to?” A man walking up to Hex asked. “Hex’s new girlfriend~” Ector cooed, still holding onto the car.

“Attaboy Hex! Tu Tienes un Novia! (You have a girlfriend)” their uncle, Edgar, cheered, slapping Hex’s back. “Ella no es mi Novia! (She’s not my girlfriend!” Hex scolded, blushing a little bit.

“It’s about time you found someone Hex~” Ector rubbed his cheek against the car “you were starting to get weird.”

“Says the man showing affection towards this car more than he does any human being,” Hex muttered. 

“I thought you were gay.” Edgar chuckled softly.

“I”m not gay Tio!” Hex scolded. 

“No es? (You’re not?)” Ector tilted his head. “No! I’m not!” Hex flung his arms in the air.

Cruella and Gabriella finally walked out of the breakroom “you two are cute together though, might wanna think about telling your parents soon.” Cruella whispered.

“Shut up,” Gabriella whispered back. “Anyways!” Gabriella quickly changed the subject “did you finish that car, Ector?”

“Finish? This baby is perfect the way it is!” Ector sighed in delight, latching onto the car. 

“Weirdo…” Edgar, Cruella, Hex, and Gabriella sighed.

“So Hexy,” Cruella got the mechanic's attention “is this like a family business?”

“Yep,” Hex crouched down, beginning to work on the tires of the car “my great-grandpa built this company from the ground up.”

“Sounds fancy.” Cruela smiled, watching Hex work his magic on the car. Hex looked into the window to see Precious hissing at him.

The sound of a dog barking made Cruella jump slightly, she turned around to see a rottweiler come running towards the car, barking at Precious.

“Who’s the pretty puppy?” Cruella gushed as the dog licked her face. 

“This is Blitz, he’s the family dog, and sadly the reason my roommate kicked me out.” Gabriella sighed, Blitz, whimpered “don't worry baby, it wasn’t your fault, no it wasn’t.”

“Hey! Why don't you stay with me? My temporary roommate left a while ago and I’ve been kinda lonely.” Cruella suggested, looking up at Gabriella

“You serious? I don't want to intrude…” Gabriella trailed off.

“Intrude? Please, you’re a close person to Diane’s heart, you’re stuff is my stuff, I’d love it if you move it.” Cruella smiled. 

“Thank you so much!” Gabriella gave her a huge hug “I promise, I’ll be good, I swear!”

Gabriella rushed upstairs to start packing. Hex rested his hand on Cruella’s shoulder, “thanks, Gabriella’s been looking for a roommate ever since her last one dropped her when they broke up.”

“You’re welcome Hexy,” Cruella smiled up at him “you’ve been so nice to me, it’s the least I can do.”

Hex chuckled and ruffled her hair, “I think you were right about seeing you again,” he whispered before walking off to help Ector with the car.

Every couple of moments, Hex would stare back at Cruella, who would smile at her, which got Hex distracted.

And almost every single time, Ector would slap him upside the head with a wrench.

“Ow!” Hex groaned, rubbing the back of his head. 

“This is why we don't date at work,” Ector muttered. 

“Shut up for once will ya, Ector?” Hex commented.

“Cruella! The car’s done!” Ector called out, waving Cruella over. 

“Thanks, Ector,” Cruella thanked. 

“Thank you too, Hexy.” Cruella kissed his cheek before getting into the car and driving off.

Hex brushed his fingers lightly over his cheek before fainting. Gabriella and Ector stood over him and sighed “what are we gonna do with you Hex.”