CARLY
It’s happening.
I couldn’t believe my father would do something like this to me. He always put everything under his control. Well, considering he was the King, everything was under his control right now, but not to the point. Even my heart, his own daughter’s heart, he had to control its beating.
“Sweetheart, what is going on?” Rome followed me inside the house as I packed my things into my bag,
“I can’t believe my father did this to you. He always steps ahead of everything. Why can’t he just leave me alone?” I yelled, throwing my hands in the air as I looked at Rome. I could barely see him through my blurry sight, but he looked so hurt.
God, I wished I could take those pain away. I just hurt the man I loved. It broke my heart, but what he did was not right. I didn’t want him to regret forcing himself into marriage because my father told him to do so. And I was doing him a favor.
“I don’t understand. Help me and make me understand, Storm.”
“I love you so much. Do you know what I love about you? It is your ability to stand for what you believe in. You always fight for that. You know when did I fall in love with you? When you saved that damn trees. I thought, yeah, this man has balls, and he’s gonna be mine someday.”
“I love you too. And I wanna be with you. I’m tired of waiting for a day to come until we see each other. It’s like waiting for the rain in the desert.”
“You made a deal with my father. And I’m making this right.” I grabbed my bag.
“What the hell are you talking about?” He grabbed me in the arm, shocked. “What deal?”
“I know what he did.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You owe me that, Carly.”
“He did this before to Kennedy. I can’t let it happen again. If you wanna marry me, at least without his influence.”
“Sweetheart, your father did not influence me.” He held my hands and looked directly into my eyes. “I love you, Carly and nothing I want more than to be your husband. I want us to be together, so I don’t have to come home to an empty bed.”
“That’s what you thought. And you don’t know my father more than I do.”
He squeezed his eyes tight, his jaw clenching hard, and I wiped the tears from my face. “Let’s sit down and talk about this. Not like this. You’re leaving me again, Carly.”
“You should have told me everything you two talked about in the study.”
His nose flared. He was now glaring at me. “I already told you, sweetheart. Why would I even keep something from you?”
“No.” I cried again. “I have to go.” I turned to walk away from him.
“If you do that, then you just break my heart, Storm.”
“I’m so sorry.”
***
“Your Highness, you should at least eat something. You’ve been in bed for twelve hours. I’m starting to get worried.”
I ignored my assistant, talking and whining like an angry pig. Every time I woke up, I saw Rome, and the pain in my chest just got worse.
Sometimes when I felt so much pain and sorrow, I wanted to hurt myself. If I cut myself and bled, at least someone could patch me up, and there was something to relieve that kind of pain, but from the pain within.
“Just get lost. Come back if it’s morning.”
“I will call the doctor to make sure you’re okay.”
I jolted to sit down, ignoring the sharp pain in my head. And the room just started spinning. “You don’t dare call a doctor! I told you I’m fine. And now get out before I fire you.”
I thought my life was nearly perfect when I was in Rome.
He became my anchor, my best friend, and my lover. He was a great teacher, my calm from the tide- he was everything to me. And just like that, because of my father, my life crumbled.
The following day, I woke up, took a pain reliever, and pretended nothing had happened. I went to work. But I couldn’t pretend that my life was not falling apart.
I arranged a meeting with my father, but he was always swamped with work. I went to his office and stayed in the lounge until he had at least two minutes free.
His private assistant came to me. “Your Royal Highness, what a surprise. Are you here to see your father?”
“Just two minutes of his time. Can you insert me in?”
“You should have just come to me right away. Go ahead, and he has five minutes before his next meeting.”
“Appreciate it. Thank you.”
When I entered his office, he looked surprised to see me. “Carlott, your back at work.”
“Yes.” I drew a deep breath.
His brows furrowed as he looked at me. “What’s wrong?”
“May I speak to you as your daughter?”
“Of course. Take a seat.”
“I’d rather stand. I want you to tell me honestly.” My eyes began to sting even if I had not started what I had come for.
“I can’t and won’t ever lie, child. What’s going on?”
“What did you and Rome talk about in the study?”
“I asked his true intention about your relationship.” He took a seat on his chair.
“And?”
“I mention our practice if he ever may not be aware. What is this all about?”
“Did you force him to propose to me?” My question did not even surprise him.
“Why are you even asking me about this, Carlott? And I don’t have to answer your stupid questions.”
“I’m asking you as your daughter, father.” I wiped the tears from my face.
My father nodded. “He proposed, and you did not accept it.”
“Yes. It’s because you threatened him. You should not have done that, father. I know he loves me, and I want him to marry me because he loves me, not because of your influence.”
“Don’t accuse a king of such absurdity, child.”
“I’m not talking to you as my King. I’m talking to you right now as my father. Did you-”
He was quickly on his feet. “I did not threaten your boyfriend!” He slammed his palm on the table, startling me. “Don’t you dare come again and accuse me of threatening anyone! You are just my daughter. You did not accept to be his fiancée because you are the problem here. Your lack of trust in your relationship and in your partner is the problem.” He walked away from the desk.
“He’s not the kind of man who’s just going to throw away his life and live here-”
“You underestimated him. You underestimated his love for you. I merely nudged him what’s his intention toward you, and he was happy to ask my blessings. You ask your mother. You know she never lies. Your judgment, recklessness, and lack of thinking always cause you much trouble. Now fix it!”
I was startled by his voice. “Yes, father.”
“Or I will find a husband for you, and you’re not going to like it. And you don’t come and see me until I see Rome in your arms. Do you understand me?”
I nodded. Another tear rolled down my cheek. “Yes, father.”
“You won’t take a leave. Do your duty, or I will strip your title and rank and throw you away. You wish you were never born.”
“I’m sorry, Daddy, for being such a huge disappointment.”
“You barely start fixing your mess, and you are started to be in a good place, and here you go again. When are you going to learn, Carlott? You are not a child anymore. Learn from your mistakes. What on God’s green earth is wrong with you?” He went back to his chair. “I feel like I have failed you, daughter.”
“Forgive me.”
“Clean up before you walk out of that door.”
“Father?” My brother entered before I could even wipe my tears.
“Thayer,” My father called him. “Why do I feel suddenly worried that you two are in my office at the same time?”
“I just received a call from Corraine. And I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to see my sister here. Crying.” He emphasized the last word.
“Your sister is just stupid.” His anger hadn’t dissipated.
My brother came to me and looked down at my finger. “I agree with father. You’re not wearing his ring.”
I swallowed hard as I looked at my brother. “You know?”
“I’ve known for two weeks now that he was gonna propose. Why do you think I covered up your last two engagements?”
“Why didn’t you say so?” I cried again.
My brother shook his head in disappointment. “Surprise. They love surprises. They surprise you on your birthday, anniversary, proposal, anything about celebration, pregnancy, baby showers.” He shook his head. “For a smart woman, you are so dumb. I don’t even know what a man like Rome saw in you. I’m sorry, Carlott. But this time, you’re on your own.”
“Thay.” I hold his wrist.
“I won’t help you. Next time, before you come to our father and accuse him of something, ask yourself first. Am I wrong? Keep asking yourself that. And by the way, He resigned as the CEO of Langston Realty Group. Do you think it’s just a simple decision made overnight? That was a big move for someone like Rome, then for what? You’re losing it, sis. You need to see a therapist. You have huge trust issues.” Before he walked out, he paused. “And I have a meeting with Rome Langston next month. And I’m making this deal for the sake of this country.”