ROME
“What the fuck, man?” Linden came, narrowing at me. “Did you just kick her out?”
“That’s exactly what I did,” I proudly said, even if my heart disagreed. “And stop helping her with her stupid ideas because she and I are not going to happen.”
Fuck.
What happened to us? Not so long ago, we were at our happiest, and it seemed nothing could tear us apart. Until she walked away from me.
I told her I loved her because that was how I felt. Even now, I still love her. I never stopped. I gave up my job for her.
But I wouldn’t go through that pain again until she was sure what she wanted in her life, and if I meant for her, I was sure she could wait until I was ready. I wouldn’t let her play with my heart. That was not how love worked.
But seeing her in my house today was the best feeling since she walked out of my life. At least she looked fine and still looked beautiful despite losing weight.
And watching her cry as she apologized, I thought I stubbed my chest over and over again. I could still feel the pain-it was still raw and agonizing.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“And I didn’t know you’ve been in touch with her. Since when did you two become BFFs? Did you also exchange and share beauty tips?”
He sat down and pretended he didn’t hear me. “Poor Princess. She looked so broken and distressed.”
“What about me, Gabe?” I glared at him. “I should change the codes and locks.”
“You’re fine. You’re still good at throwing sarcasm. Are you also gonna kick me out?”
“I’m planning to. Don’t you have work? Why are you even here?”
He shook in amusement. “Wow. Now you don’t need me, and I don’t have use to you anymore, huh.”
“Don’t be so melodramatic. It doesn’t suit you. Truly, why are you here?”
“I sent the Princess to Heera. They must stay at the King Hotel overnight. Then they’re gonna charter a jet and fly back to Winterbourn in the morning.”
“Good for her.” I pretended I didn’t care, even if it felt like I was ripping my heart out.
“Pretend all you can. Pretend as if you are not hurting, as if you don’t love Carly anymore. But based on my experience, love doesn’t just disappear overnight, and from what I saw? You still love her very much, and that’s why it’s not easy for you to take her back because you are still dealing with pain. It’s not easy to forget the only person you love who hurts you. It takes years, decades to get through that heartache when she’s not with you anymore.”
“Thank you, Dr. Phil, but one therapist is enough for me.” Yes, I was seeing a therapist on the date I said earlier. I felt like I was going down that road. I was scared at that time. I realized I had started thinking of hurting myself.
“Good for you. I’m sure she said something about sharing and pouring out your emotions. And you don’t need to pay me to share your grief. I hope that’s not what you did earlier.”
“That’s exactly what I did.”
He sighed deeply as if telling me I was hopeless.
The guys entered, joining us in the living room.
“I really should change the fucking security system and double the lock from the inside.”
“Ignore him. He’s just being an ass and in his period. What do you have?”
“She didn’t get out of the apartment,” Sax replied.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I glared at them.
“We are hired as her additional security now that the world knows about your relationship.”
“There’s no more relationship to start with.”
Zee looked at me, studying me, but he had not said a word.
“You’re full of shit. I can read you thoroughly. You can’t even look me in the eye. You may have fooled Princess Carlott earlier, but not me, brother, but yeah, go ahead, do what you gonna do if it makes you feel better.”
Sax and Kye stared at Linden.
“Easy there, cowboy,” Zee talked to Linden.
“You two don’t have work?” I asked them.
“We swapped duty for a while. And Sadie is working from home. Baby Amelie has a fever,” Sax answered.
“Don’t you have all reasons to be here? That’s fucking fantastic.”
“You can stop the sarcasm, brother. Your wish of kicking Carly out of your life might just come true,” Kye said.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you can ask Linden,” he replied.
“I’m not saying shits,” Linden said.
“Linden, what is he talking about?”
“Just be you. You seemed really have moved on.”
“Zee, what is he talking about?”
He was focused on the phone screen. “No idea, man.”
“Is that?” Kye asked, joining Zee and watching a video on the phone.
“What’s that?” I asked.
Kye increased the volume on the phone.
“I’m worried, Princess. Just try a little to fill your stomach. Your family will be worried about you if you keep skipping meals.”
“I’m fine, Heera. I’m not hungry.”
“Since you arrived, you haven’t eaten anything. At least drink some juice. Hypoglycemia can put a person in a coma.”
“I wanna be alone.” She sounded crying.
“Poor princess.”
“Turned that fucking thing off,” I ordered Zee.
“I’m talking to my girlfriend. Man.”
“Talking to your girlfriend while everyone is watching? You could have fooled me. I know you muted your audio. You’re doing this to taunt me.”
I rose from my seat and grabbed the phone from Zee. They groaned in annoyance.
I was about to hang the video call when I saw Carly curling in her bed. She wasn’t looking at Heera, and she might not be aware Heera was on Facetime with Zee.
“Just give him a little more space. If I’m being honest, you also have faults. You should have trusted him. God, Rome loves you so much, Princess. He sacrificed the job that meant everything to him.”
“I know that, but it’s too late now. He hates me, and he doesn’t love me anymore.” She began to shake. “I felt so stupid for coming here, thinking he still feels something for me.”
“Do you really love him?”
My breath was held in my chest.
“Yes. With all my life.”
I let go of the breath I was holding and felt my lips spread to a smile.
“Then we just have to be a little bit patient.” Heera walked out of the room and shut the door close. “Habibi. Oh, my God.” Heera clamped a hand into her mouth. “Rome?”
“I’m sorry.” I felt ashamed. “I will give the phone to Zee now.”
Zee took the phone from me and talked to Heera.
My brain seemed to freeze as I tried to process what I had heard. I was torn between being happy and terrified at the same time.
I went back to Kye. “About earlier, what do you mean? I’m only going to ask you this once.”
“Linden is in touch with Prince Thayer. Her father is looking for a suitable husband for her, and the candidate that matches the Princess is Lord Domeon Bernardh Powellhaus.”
“Who the fuck is that?”
Linden joined us, folding his arms over his chest. “He’s the country’s hero-a twenty-eight-year-old football superstar who looks like Messi. He received his Knighthood last year for bringing pride to the country. He’s the son of an aristocrat from Guardion. He has a great taste with women-”
“You mean he is a manwhore.”
“That would change if he is going to marry the Princess.”
“No fucking way.”
“Well, we have the last resort, and it’s bringing you back to the country with your ring on her finger.”
“Don’t push your luck.” I scoffed and crossed my arms over my chest.
“Well, it’s all up to you. Otherwise, Messi’s look-alike is gonna put the finger on her instead. Make the best choice of your life, brother. Or you might just lose the only source of your happiness.”
I couldn’t answer.
I love her. There’s no doubt about my feelings, but I couldn’t be with her until she’d proven she was not going to hurt me again, that she would trust me, and that she would only listen to me, not the people around us. But either Carly was going to be my wife, or she would not marry another man for good.
“Fine. I’ll marry her.”
I dialed Prince Thayer, hoping he could enlighten me about what was happening back at her home.
“Rome, how’s has been?”
“Thank you for taking my call. I know you’re busy. And it’s been…strange days. Do you know your sister is in town?”
“I always have time for you, Rome. And if I guess it right, you’re calling me about my sister, and why is she there.”
“Yeah. And about something else.” My friends were looking at me, and they didn’t look impressed.
“Of course. What is it about?”
“It may sound intrusive, but I hope you can enlighten me if The King, your father, is giving Storm-Princess Carlott an ultimatum.”
“It’s not an ultimatum, but it’s part of a family sort of tradition that a lady should marry before she reaches twenty-eight. And my father is upset about what my sister did during your proposal.”
“So it’s true then that your family is searching for her groom.”
“If she is not successful in her quest.”
“Quest? What quest?”
“She came to you to apologize and win you back, wasn’t she?”
“Yes.”
“The palace is patiently waiting for the next step. Since our people already know about your relationship with my sister, the palace is expecting- ”
“Our official engagement.”
“Yes. The Princess or prince cannot stay dating for too long. It’s bad publicity. And she’s at the right age to marry someone if not her choosing, then someone chosen by her father, and that happens to be, now, the King.”
“So the King has found the best candidate.”
“Yes. So you’ve heard about it. Linden filled you in?”
“Yes. I just want to confirm if it’s true.”
“Unfortunately, it is. When Carlott comes back, she has to have news to my father.”
Fuck. “I see.”
“So, what is your plan? Do you still have feelings for my sister, or you’re giving her up, and she’s marrying that bastard?”
“No. She’s not marrying that asshole.”
Prince Thayer chuckled. “Then it’s settled. I’m relaying this news to the King. The King and the Queen would be thrilled to hear this wonderful news.”
When the call ended, I was stunned by my decision. I’d never been reckless, but maybe this was my last resort.
There was no going back. I had my word, and I would look like a coward in the eyes of the royal family. But more importantly, I would be with the love of my life.
“Fuck.”