ROME
It wasn’t the dinner that made me anxious. It was after the dinner-the possibility of not seeing Carly again. It was what I wanted for her-to live out there, doing the job she loved. I couldn’t hold that against her.
I knew she missed her family and seeing them might change her perspective. Her feelings for me might change, too. There was no guarantee what we had would pan out, considering what kind of people they were and my family business was here.
I would never blame Carly if she decided to be with her family and picked up what she had left off. It was who she was, and I would always support her all the way from a thousand miles away.
“What’s on your mind?” She squeezed my hand as we rode toward the address of the house her brother had rented.
“That I might punch your ex again,” I cracked a joke.
She smiled. “You don’t have to waste your strength for him.”
“Oh, that was for you,” I proudly said as I arched a brow.
“I think I can defend my honor, Langston.”
“I have no doubt.” I kissed the side of her head. Then I noticed Zee was stealing glances at us. Cade was in the passenger’s seat. “Wanna say something, Zee?”
“No, sir.”
“I think he hates me,” Carly whispered.
Confused, I asked, “What made you say that?”
“He doesn’t talk to me anymore and doesn’t treat me the way it was.”
“He’s still adjusting. Give him time.”
“Are you mad at me, Zee?”
Zee glanced at her in the rearview. “No, Your Highness.”
“Oh, for God’s sake.” She rolled her eyes before she narrowed at him. “It’s just me, Carly.”
“I beg to differ, Princess Carlott. A royal in my country is a pretty big deal. And forgive me for being a little distant and shy. And I just want to focus on protecting you both, ma’am. And not every day, I come to face and shake hands with a princess. So, I’m still wrapping it around my head.”
“Then wrap it fast.”
Zee chuckled. “Ma’am, I forgot to ask. Does Heera know?”
She squeezed my hand again before she nodded.
“Wow.” I shook my head.
“She has to.”
“I understand. Did she sign an NDA or something?”
“Yes.”
“Of course.” Those signs had been there all along. I was just too blind with my attraction to see them. “Let me guess, the Seth guy-”
“How did you know Seth?”
“It made sense now. He talked to me about his country and was too willing to help me out to your apartment.”
“My brother owned the building. He bought it when he started dating Kennedy. Seth was a package deal when I agreed with my brother’s arrangement.”
“I see. I should have followed my gut, Googling you. I knew you came from a powerful family, but not expecting a huge bomb to blow off my face like that.”
“You’re mad.” Her voice was too sweet and soft, like a pillow cloud, if that even made sense.
How could I get mad at her? We had our own way of dealing with our problems. At least her rebellion did not end up with drugs, running away with the mafia, getting hurt, or turning against her family.
What she did was actually pretty brave and remarkable.
“I’m not, I promise.”
“Is this the address?” she asked.
“This is the address, ma’am.”
The iron-wrought gate to the villa slid open.
“We’re in the right place, sir,” Cade concluded.
A guy in a suit came to our vehicle. “May I see some ID, please?”
Carly rolled the window down. “Is that necessary?”
“Princess Carlott, my apology.” He stepped back and gestured his hand. “Please, ma’am.”
“And just like that,” I muttered, and I got a slap on my thigh.
“You’re getting it through your head.”
“Shouldn’t I?”
“You won’t drop this, will you?”
I drew a deep breath before I climbed out of the car. I thought of it as just another day in the office. But who I was fooling than myself.
“Princess.” I offered my arm as I rounded to her side. She was wearing a designer wool casual dress, making me realize even more who she was.
“Stop it.” She gave me that smile that I only saw after we kissed.
I also realized something. She was the same person I met weeks back, only now that I knew something more about her.
We were welcomed by the Prince’s detail, Ash.
“Mr. Langston, Your highness. Prince Thayer is waiting in the lounge.”
“Ash, thank you.”
The house seemed quiet until Ash opened the door. I found pair of eyes pinned at us.
Everyone acknowledged the presence of the woman beside me. Then the Prince introduced me to the guests. At least five of them. I instantly recognized the two, my fucking friends, Cenric and Mykel.
“Mr. Tan.” I went to shake his hand, following Carly. “Mr. Homms.”
“Mr. Langston, it’s a pleasure to meet the son of the late Sterling Langston. He was a good man.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ford. My pleasure.”
“So, this is a surprise that you two and I are in the same place together?”
“And look who’s here,” Cenric muttered, grinning.
“And you never told me, Wollf,” I said through gritted teeth, gripped his hand tightly, and never let go.
“I wish I knew. Just figure out before you arrive.”
“How?”
“We’ll talk later.”
I released his hand and went to Mykel. “How about you?”
“I’m good, man. And you’re dating a princess.”
I clenched my teeth. “I’m not asking if you’re okay, Creed.”
“I know, and I can’t tell if I don’t know.”
We settled into the sofa. The Prince was on a European chair.
“The Royal Family remains politically neutral, but we aim to promote economic growth. I’d like to take this opportunity for you to give my country a chance and expand your business. I can assure you your investment will not go to waste. Our economy is thriving. Tourism is growing fast, increasing up to seventy percent over the past few years. We have resources and human resources, and we are moving forward with advancing our technology.” He glanced at Cenric, “We’ve started accepting crypto as payments in some establishments. Noel Asdur and our telecommunication ministry have just sealed the deal with his satellite link for another faster internet in the country. The Ministry of Transport just made a ten-year contract with our friends in Japan for an advanced, sophisticated, and fastest train. We are about to inaugurate our new international airport in Winterbourn.”
“That’s fantastic, Thay,” Carly praised her brother.
“We are building infrastructures while preserving our history. That’s the way it is.” The Prince looked at me. “As much as I love modernization, I value our great history and our forefathers.
“My dream in the next fifty years is for Triberis Capria to be the next first-world country. Mr. Creed, I admired your project and your wife’s company’s plan for the future.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Mykel said.
“Mr. Langston, it would be great to see a subsidiary of Langston Realty in our country or Sevyn Hunter Global.”
He did his homework. “It would be my honor, Your Royal Highness.”
“I’ve discussed this with Mr. Homms and Mr. Tan earlier. I couldn’t wait to see the benefits for your companies in my country.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Prince Thayer,” said Mr. Tan and Homms.
A soft clear of throat interrupted us. “Dinner is served, Your Royal Highness.”
“Thank you.”
I was unfamiliar with royal table etiquette, but when Prince Thayer and Carly rose from his seat, we followed.
I sat next to Carly on the table while the Prince was to our left on the host chair. To my right is Mykel. Cenric was with Mr. Tan and Mr. Homms across us.
The chef announced the courses, and I ignored them mostly. My attention was mainly focused on Prince Thayer, while Carly behaved like a princess.
“So, sister. How was your day?” the Prince started.
“It was great, Thayer. Thank you for asking.”
“May I ask if the prince doesn’t mind?” It was coming from Mr. Tan.
“Of course,” Prince Thayer answered.
“How long you’ve been in the U. S, Princess Carlott?”
“For three years, I’m-”
“A part of her training. She will do my duties if I have engagements in the U. S on my behalf when I am not present due to my working schedule. Princess Royal doesn’t only do her office duties and engagement. She is also focused on charities and working with the community. One of her charities is feeding abandoned children, providing educational support to the less fortunate students, and environmental awareness. Very relevant to the alarming global warming. Her office also offers scholarships for gifted students with a passion for art and music.”