CARLY
It was warm in the cabin, and I could see the snow falling outside. It felt like the holiday season right here. It was pretty romantic.
We just had amazing sex. Then we cuddled on the sofa with our hot chocolate and watched a football match.
“So, this is like a big deal here, huh?” He sipped his hot choco.
“Yup, just like coffee and milk teas. Here you can find hot choco in a lot of varieties.”
“Hmm.”
“What does hmm even mean?”
“I could live with it.”
“You’re a guy who drinks black and isn’t fond of dessert but likes chocolates?”
“Who doesn’t like chocolates, Storm?”
“Come on. You can’t just be that guy.”
He looked down at me, meeting my gaze. “Tell me what’s bothering you?” Rome felt it- he felt that I was hiding something from him, and one thing I loved about him- he cared and asked, but he didn’t push. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head as I curled into him.
“My father paid you a visit?”
“Well, when we arrived at the airport, we were welcomed by your father’s security members, then took us to the manor.”
“The manor? You were staying at the manor?” I asked in shock.
“Yeah. Why?” His question was calm.
“I should have known. My father arranged all that because he was planning on something. I am in the cottage.”
“You mean estate. And yes, I talked to your father before the reception.”
“Did he say something about us?” I asked hesitantly.
Rome caught it. “You mean if he threatened me to stay away from you, or what’s my intention toward you? Then no. He said he knew I was in the country. I told him the truth that I came to see you because you were upset and you were crying, so I have to come and be with you.”
“What else?”
“He put my name on the list of dignitaries and invited me. I asked if I could decline politely.”
I hit him lightly on his chest. “You did not just say that.”
He smiled. “Kidding. I need a good impression if I’m to date his only daughter. But he knew that you warned me.”
“Of course he did.” I pursed my lips.
“Is there something I should know about?”
“You attended. It means you are committed to dating me. He may ask you something you can’t say no to. It’s your life, and your freedom is on the line, Langston.”
“Is he planning on assassinating me if I hurt you?”
“No. Nothing like that.”
“That’s a relief. And I’m already committed and invested in our relationship, Storm. That’s not even a debate. You know that. If you are worried about my bachelor life, I’ve been single for ten years, and I finally found someone I started to care about and fell in love with. If I have to sacrifice something for you, I will do it in a heartbeat.”
“Don’t say something like that.” As much as I loved hearing it, he didn’t know what he had just walked into. “My life, the life I live in, is a hugely complex world. You don’t know the half of it.”
“Are you scaring me so I will run away?”
“Of course not.” I shook my head in his arms.
“Then make me understand. Or you are scared of committing to this relationship, Carly. Or you didn’t plan on feeling so deeply for me. It was just a page from a thousand of your adventures. I was just that man right now from your past.”
“You don’t understand my father!” I rose to my feet and walked away. I went to the window, watching the snow outside.
I felt him following me. “You’re scared. I get that. You’re scared you will fail this relationship. You’re scared you will fail your people.” He held my arms and forced me to face him. “I’m not those guys who let you down. As long as you feel something for me, I won’t give us up. I didn’t care who you were back then, but I felt something for you that I lost control over. I tried fighting off those feelings, but I failed miserably because maybe I meant to feel them. Yes, sweetheart, I am scared too. I am scared to make mistakes to disappoint you and ruin the life and image you barely start to rebuild. I feel so small and irrelevant right now. I feel insecure and useless. You are a royal princess, and I am just a businessman from Westchester. If I don’t deserve you, just say it.”
I wiped the tears away from my face. “I would rather give up what I have right now to be with you if you are sure what you feel about me.”
“As much as I love to have you in my arms, make love to you, cook for you, and come home for you. That’s not living, Storm. I want you to live, enjoy what you love doing, help people, be a good example and support your community. They need you too. I don’t want you to give up what you started because of me. I know how much you love to make a difference. I will support your cause. We can still have this relationship while you are Princess Royal.”
I nodded, grateful. “If that’s what you want.”
“Yes. That’s what I want. I’ve already made that decision before I even found out who you are. That’s why I flew across the world to be with you.”
I threw myself to him, and he caught me and hugged me so tight. “How can I be so lucky to have you? I don’t even know if I deserve you.”
He chuckled. His soft laugh rumbled against his chest. “I think that was my line, Storm. Now can we go back to the couch? My chocolate is getting cold.”
I chuckled and kissed him on his lips. “Your heart is still safe with me.”
He let me sit on his lap. “You better take care of it.”
“I am.” I kissed his forehead. “You always see the best in people. You are always selfless.”
“Again, that’s my line. Remember when I fired you?”
“How can I forget?” I smiled, pressing my nose against him.
“Why didn’t you leave?”
“Okay, I’m gonna be honest. First, I thought you were hot.”
He groaned.
“Well, there’s a lot of CEOs but not as hot as you.”
He groaned again.
“Fine. I needed that job, but at the same time, even if you were mad at me, I felt like I could get through to you. I knew that we could be a team. Your look was just a plus, and I liked how you looked at me that day.” I kissed him on the lips.
“I thought you looked hot that day.” He kissed me back. The breaking news on the TV pulled us apart.
My face flashed first, and then Rome. It was taken outside the reception. Although the place was banned from cameras, our picture leaving together was still leaked to the public, confirming my relationship with Rome Langston.
“What the fuck?”
“Now they know who you are.”
“Yesterday, the lobby was full of paps and reporters, and my poor new assistant was bustling answering calls from the news channels asking for interviews and comments.
“Is she pretty?” I asked and regretted it right away.
His lips spread to a smirk. “Is the Princess jealous?”
“Do I have reasons to?”
“My heart, my body, and everything I can offer are yours, Storm.”
“Good that we have an understanding.”
His phone just buzzed on the table. When he picked it up, it was his mother.
I nodded. “Go ahead.”
He answered it and put on the loudspeaker. “Mom?”
“You are not home, honey.”
“Yes. Sorry. It was an urgent trip. It slipped my mind to inform you.”
“Rome, I did not call for that. You are my son, and I trust you whenever you go. But I’m calling for-”
“So you’ve seen it on TV, huh?”
“Not only on TV, on Twitter, newspapers, tabloids.”
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
“I can’t go anywhere without being bombarded by the reporters and even your brother.”
“God, Mom. Are you okay?” His back stiffened. The worry on his face was palpable, and I felt guilty that his family was dragged into this mess.
“Is she okay?” I asked him.
“I’m good. Darius is incapable of doing his job.”
“You need another protection.”
“No, honey. You are.”
“My friends are with me.”
“That’s what I was about to tell you.”
I sighed. “This will be over soon, Mom. I promise.”
“May I speak with her?” I whispered.
He smiled and nodded. “Of course, that’s why I put on the loudspeaker.
“Um, Mrs. Langston? I’m Carly.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Am I interrupting something?” She chuckled.
“Oh, no, Mrs. Langston.”
“I’m not used to calling my son with a woman around.”
I laughed.
“Well, that’s good to know, Mom.” Rome also laughed with me.
“I just wanna say I’m sorry for putting you and your family in between this mess.”
“So you are a princess, my dear. I mean, Your Highness.”
“Please, it’s just Carly.”
“When just the three of us, I guess, I can call you that. And I’m so sorry for your loss, dear. I know how difficult it is to lose someone dear to you.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Please take care of my son. He and Rune are the only ones I have left.”
“Mom, I’m good. Don’t worry about me.”
When the call ended, I hugged him tight. “What’s the plan?”
“After dinner, I have to go back home. Give me at least two weeks or so. And I’m sure you’d be busy with your duty while I’m sorting things out.”
“Then?”
“Leave it to me. Just Trust me, okay?”
“I trust you, babe.”