( Flashback. )
The next second, a heavy gasp escaped her as she palmed her lips with both hands.
Ahead of them laid a perfect view of a camp-like seaside dinner. Arian had bought the whole beach for the night and had paid designers to steam it up with shades of romance.
A fancy white tent with stripes of silver and passion red was the color theme. Dozens of fluffy pillows and silky duvets darted around beautifully.
At the other side of the beach, a five-star beach hotel owned by the Argents amplified the view with its blazing twinkling lights. The ocean dazzled under the dull lights of the fading moon. A dozen mix of romantic flowers alongside the aroma of seafood and barbecue merged with the thrilling ocean breeze.
But the most enchanting sight?
White and red scented candles laid side by side with romantic rose petals spelling out the words….
~~ BE MY GIRLFRIEND, MY LOVE. ~~
Quite satisfiable. The young heir noted. He didn’t have the time to come around for an inspection, so he’d left it for the head organiser to handle. Arian made a mental note to give them another bonus.
He turned to stare at Natalia, watching as her honey brown eyes slowly glisten with unshed tears. He hastily framed her cheeks.
“Sugar, I don’t know how perfectly to say it. But I hope you feel the love I have for you. I won’t go classic by saying you lit up my world with your smile, heart and beauty when we first met. I know what we have is still tender but I hope you’ld give us a chance to make it grow…. together.
“It’s much to ask. It feels too much to ask…. but please, give me the honor to be that special person…” He stopped and chuckled.
“…. who’ll always be at the forefront of your heart.” He whispered solemnly.
Natalia stood still the whole time, staring blankly at him and releasing the tears which fell in slow motion. Arian reached over and gently wiped them away with love in his eyes. They stood for minutes, letting their emotions tell how much they revered and loved each other.
“Natalia, you don’t have to g…” He was cut off by the most unexpected kiss from her soft, pinkish lips…
***
The princess squealed again and kicked around in her bed till she almost fell off the bed!
She jumped down and ran out of her room into Elva’s bedroom. Elva was still in bed when she jumped on her.
“Elva!” She squeaked excitedly.
Elva groaned and tried to push her off but Natalia back hugged her tightly and placed a leg around her.
“Ya! I’m not gay!” She yanked and Natalia smiled widely.
“Mhm. Everyone knows you’re into young, rich and cute Asians.” She taunted.
“Hey! His dad is American while his mom is Korean. Plus, he has a name!” She slurred out in a sleepy voice.
“Didn’t I brush your hair last night? Why is it so tangled?” Natalia touched her intertwined hair.
“You did, but the douche ruined it.” She mummered, snuggling more into her pillow.
Natalia was confused.
‘Douche’ was Elva’s favourite sweetheart name for Ricky. He wasn’t here last night, right? Or did he when she…. The princess gasped and tapped her head painfully!
“Rotten little Elva!!” She scolded. Elva groaned.
“Like Arian won’t do it someday.” It was her turn to taunt. Natalia bit her lips and blushed terribly, remembering what he texted.
“It’s not happening! The moment they have your body, they’ll make up a silly excuse to dump you. That’s what you always tell me!” She pushed her away.
“You’ll see i’m right.” Elva chuckled.
“El, I’m sad.” Natalia pouted after a while and wrapped herself around her again.
“Why?” She drawled.
“He asked me out last night and I said yes.” Elva flipped over sharply to look at her.
“Really? Aww, my baby’s all grown up. Your first boyfriend… and last! But why are you sad?” She whined as they cuddled.
“Because grandma might call us home anytime soon and I don’t wanna leave him. He made me promise not to ever leave him last night. Elva, he literally begged and I felt sad because we’re eventually gonna break up. I’m a bad person.” She sniffed as tears threatened to fall. Her heart was really hurting.
“Sheesh, okay? You’re not a bad person. You’re the most kindest and sweetest person i’ve ever known. You don’t have to break up with him. Long distance relationships do work out too. And I’m sure the Queen will support you.
“Besides, you guys are in love! Your first love, make it count. Don’t spend time with him like it’s gonna be the last. Don’t even think about when you’ll leave when you’re together. Just be happy for the moment you both have, okay hun?”
Natalia nodded with a smile. “I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”
“But you went ahead and said yes to being his girlfriend!” She yanked and knocked her head. Natalia giggled.
“I couldn’t refuse! He was so sweet and cute and…”
(Five minutes later.)
“….. And I even took pictures and videos. It was so romantic.” She grinned and touched his silver pendant around her neck.
She and Arian switched pendants last night to always remember each other. She loved the shiny, silver wolf emblem on it.
“Elva did you know…. ELVA!” She screamed because she’d slept off on her.
“What?! I’m tired and need rest! Soon the trashy alarm will…” The alarm started ringing.
“I hate you!” The drowsy girl screamed at no one in particular. Natalia grinned and poked her with a finger.
“Hate who?”
Elva turned and murderously glared at her. And she didn’t think twice before running away!
***
“Hey girls!” Nicky Winterfield beamed at them as they got to their lockers.
“Morning. Someone looks happy.” Elva noted after they all hugged. She looked at them dreamily.
“Yup! Jeffrey asked me out!” She squealed excitedly, drawing attention from all angles in the hallway.
“Congratulations to you! Now you two are taken.”
“Who?” She looked confused. She turned to Natalia and winked. Nicky’s next squeal reached the white house!
Her excitement was contagious, even more than hers! Natalia giggled and adjusted her uniform well. She planned on placing an order for a new set because the ones she had was already too short and went higher than mid thigh.
Conservative from birth, the Royal had to wear a pair of knee length socks and boots to show less skin.
“If you’re this dramatic, how’ld you have acted if he’d asked you to marry him!” She teased, ignorant of the excited whispers going round the hall.
Nicky looked at her like she was crazy. “I’ll die and resurrect on the same spot!”
Natalia and Elva chuckled just as a pair of foreign arms twirled her around and stole a deep, passionate kiss.
The familiar shampoo and cologne fragrance hit Natalia, telling who her kisser was as she smiled into the kiss.
“Told you I’ll steal a kiss.” Arian whispered and smiled after he pulled away. Natalia smiled back and turned to the rest of her friends who’d just finished smooching themselves.
“Hey guys!” Becky O’Neil beamed as she joined them with Leonardo De Luca. They said hi but Arian placed a possessive arm around Natalia’s waist to keep her from hugging Leo.
She tried not to roll her eyes and chuckled.
“Since I’m the only one freaked out about the math test, how are y’all prepared to fail?” She panicked which made them chuckle.
“Aren’t you the smart one?” Nicky teased.
“Guys, I need help!…. No, no. Natalia I need YOUR help.” Damon appeared out of nowhere, looking breathless. He was disheveled and had dark circles under his eyes.
“I cannot fail! Yo, I must not fail!” He gently shoved her.
Was he sweating?? Natalia chuckled at his desperation.
“I thought you were cool with failure?” Jeffrey snorted.
“That was before father threatened to home school me the rest of the school year! I can’t go back to France!” He hysterically snapped.
The group laughed at his anxiety. No one knew anything could get the international Casanova so nervous! The pressure was tougher in final year. Not to brag, but the princess was already done schooling… least of all, high school.
“Don’t worry, I’ll seat next to you.” She smiled. But before he could smile in gratitude;
“I didn’t read either. So I need her.” Arian bluntly stated.
“Why?!” He yanked.
“I’d have tried to read a page if your sister wasn’t so much of a distraction.” He frowned.
Wait. What??
Natalia inched her head his way in righteous anger.
“Elva?” Damon purred sweetly but Ricky marked his territory.
“I wasn’t able to read either.” He turned to Leo and pouted. Leonardo gesticulated that he was stuck to Becky forcefully.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t read too!” He glared at Jeffrey who grinned. Then he groaned and turned to Nicky.
“Fine! Gosh.” She blurted and walked away. Damon Lorenzo happily jogged after her.
“Thanks! I promise to treat you to a meal for each subject I pass! In fact, we’ll fly to a different country for each meal!”
“Hey!!” Jeffrey yelled and trotted after the playboy who was wooing his foodie girlfriend with her favorite!…
Chapter 79