ROME
My eyes were tired, but my mind was running a mile and constantly visiting the viridian-eyed woman, my fiancée.
She looked striking in a dark purple dress, wearing my ring, while I chose a dark blue suit that perfectly matched hers.
Our photoshoot for the official engagement photo and announcement came out quickly. The pictures were well-shot. And I was beyond satisfied with the outcome. It was myself the whole time- the in-love Rome Langston, and everything went well.
“You did a great job.”
“Was that a compliment, Your Royal Highness?”
“I saw the picture, Rome. You both really look in love. Your eyes and hers while you were staring at each other. Who knows you were faking it?”
You haven’t the slightest clue. “You’re telling me that I could be a great actor?”
“My wife just rolled her eyes at me. I’m gonna spank her pretty ass later.” He laughed out loud.
“TMI, dude.”
“Did you just call me dude?”
I laughed with him. “I was not faking it, Prince Thayer.”
“You know, you can drop the prince or Your highness, Rome. And I know you’re not faking it. And Kennedy said the ring is beautiful.”
“It was my mother’s, and before, it was my grandmother’s. And it meant to be for Storm.”
“Well, it’s beautiful, and she couldn’t take her eyes off it.”
“Really? She didn’t even say a word.” Well, other than she’d be honored. “I thought of buying her another.”
“Sometimes, Carlott is not good at expressing her emotions, showing how much she appreciates things. But she prefers acting upon it.”
“I’m not surprised, considering how she left me hanging while I was proposing to her.”
“You can’t continue doing that, Rome. If you love her, start learning to forgive her. Otherwise, your relationship and marriage will fall apart before it starts. Trust me. And you will encounter a lot of challenges along the way. Watch out tomorrow when the news comes out. And I want you to be by her side. She’s the kind of woman who overthinks over the slightest idea about her.”
“Thank you for the heads up.”
“Anytime.”
I put the phone down. I didn’t know I wasn’t alone anymore.
Carly joined me at the tea area. “You’re still up.”
“I was reading these documents when your brother called.”
“So you two like BFFs now?”
“I’m new to the country. I’m still processing the culture shock. Considering I don’t know anybody than your family and still trying to accustom myself to your culture and laws, I could use a little talk with your brother.”
“You’re doing good so far.”
“So, I would see my face all over the news tomorrow?”
“Pretty much. My father wants it to be announced before the coronation.”
“I know what I signed up for. As long as we work together, everything’s gonna be fine.”
“I’m glad you’re not running back to your jet and flying away home.”
“Not happening. When I’m committed, I commit.”
“I think I know who you are by now.” That’s what you think, sweetheart. “You’re a tough nut to crack.”
I rose from the chair. “You have no idea. You need to rest. Big day tomorrow. Night, Princess.”
As expected, my face and Carly were all over the news early in the morning, trending on social media, and my phone exploded with notifications.
So this was my life now, constantly seeing my face on the internet and my name attached to the royals.
I grabbed the newspapers on the table and saw my face again on the first page. “It’s the first time I feel like I’m gonna throw up seeing myself everywhere.”
“Ignore it. Morning,” Carly greeted me. She’s wearing a pretty light pink midi dress.
“Morning.”
We had a quiet breakfast together. I noticed Carly’s mood was different today. She seemed timid and talked less than usual.
Once we were done with breakfast, she went to take her bag.
Her assistant walked in. “Sir Langston, the Princess will have a visit at the local public school with a meet and greet with the teachers and parents. After that, she’ll be free the whole day. I can arrange a dinner-”
“That won’t be necessary, Cossima,” my fiancée returned.
“I’ll take care of the dinner. Thank you,” I told Cossima. “Shall we?”
She looked surprised. “I have work today.”
“I know. And I’d like to join you. I am sure I won’t be a hindrance to your duty.” I put a hand on her lower back. “I told you I would support your cause, and this is just a start.”
We walked to the door.
The crease between her brows deepened. “I’m confused. I thought you would be canvassing a house.”
“I will do it tomorrow. Today, I’m coming with you. And I have a meeting with your brother and the construction company to finalize the deal. That’s final.”
“I just don’t want to be between you and your business.”
“You want this to work out? Just do as I say.”
“Fine.” She got in the car.
“Tell me about the school.” I joined her in the backseat.
“Public elementary school. Less fortunate children from a very low-income family.”
“Okay. So what does your office provide?”
“Basic school supplies, computers, clean water supplies, allowance for good students.”
We arrived. There was a welcoming party for us. The buildings were single-story with a lot of flower pots. The name of the Princess was pasted on the DIY banners carried by the students, and they all looked excited to see her.
One student marched forward carrying a garland and put it around the Princess’ neck. Carly hugged a girl. Then another male student carried a bouquet and gave it to the Princess.
Then a teacher put a garland around my neck, which surprised me. “Welcome to our school, Mr. Langston.”
“Thank you. I’m honored.” I shook her hand.
I joined Carly on the stage, and there were short performances from the students, from singing to dancing. Then they called the Princess to give a speech.
“Good morning.”
The students chorused to greet back the Princess.
“Do you know how happy I am to be back here today? Seeing all your smiling faces? You beautiful kids are the reason why I am doing what I am doing. My work and my duty will continue, and I will not stop as long as I have, like you kids, to help and give you a good future in my own little way. Today is one of my happiest days as I am with the man who will help me fulfill my obligation to all of you.”
The students, their parents, and teachers applauded the Princess. And I saw now how it felt to serve the community personally.
“Thank you for the wonderful performance.”
I offered my hand when Carly was about to sit down. She smiled at me and squeezed my hand.
“We would like to thank our special guest today, Mr. Rome Langston.”
“Thank you, Mr. Rome Langston,” the kids said in unison.
“Sir, would you like to say something?” the head teacher asked me.
I looked at Carly. She smiled and nodded.
I took the mic from the head teacher. “Good morning, kids.”
They all replied.
“I was a kid once like you all years ago. And seeing you guys reminds me of how I was as a pupil. I promise to help you in my own way through the office of our Princess Carlott. And I want you all to study well and dream big, as every dream is possible if you work hard for it. You are our future. Thank you.”
After the program, we posted for photoshoots, and we were invited to the teachers’ conference room. They had a small buffet.
I stood up and went to the window while Carly was in conversation with the head and PTA president.
I noticed a girl sitting on the bench alone. She seemed engrossed with her scribble. I was curious and went outside to the girl.
“Mind if I sit beside you?”
She nodded shyly. She was around seven or eight years old but thin for her age. Her uniform was pretty old, with her worn-out black shoes.
“What are you writing about?”
“My homework?”
“Doesn’t homework should be done at home?”
She shrugged.
“What’s your name?”
“Taytum.”
“Pretty name.”
“Where you from?”
“Wallreigh.” I had no idea where it was.
“You know I’m pretty new here. And I don’t know where is that, but I can ask Princess.”
She smiled at me. “I wanna be like her someday.”
“She’s awesome, isn’t she?”
“Yes. She helps kids like me.”
“Yeah. She does that. Why are you not inside the room?”
“We’re on break.”
“Shouldn’t you been having your lunch or something?”
“I’m done.”
“What did you have?”
“What they gave me?” I knew what they gave to the kids was not enough. Maybe the lunch or snacks were not free around here.
“You want more?”
She looked at me and didn’t say a word.
“Stay here. I’ll be right back.” I went quickly to the conference room. I caught Carly’s attention.
“Where’d you go?”
“Just outside, sweetheart.”
She smiled.
I grabbed a plate and asked the teacher. “Do you mine?
“Please.”
I took two slices of chocolate cake, a few different finger food, an apple, and a water bottle. “Thank you.”
They were probably confused about what I was doing. I went back to the kid, and she was still there waiting for me.
“Here.”
She just looked at me.
“That’s for you. Have lunch.”
“Can I keep the chocolate cake?” she asked shyly.
“Of course, it’s all yours.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“You’re welcome.”
She then put the apple inside her bag. Then she began eating.
I grabbed the notebook on her side and checked out what she had been studying. “You’re good. Do you like numbers?”
“Yes, sir. I like math.”
“You have a good future, kid.”
“I don’t think so, sir.”
“Why’d you say that?”
“My mom is sick. She can’t work anymore. My dad works two jobs for my brother and me to go to school, and the money is not enough for her medicine.”
“Don’t your father have insurance or something?”
“What’s that?” She lifted her gaze with a frown on her forehead.
“It’s like a saving that covers the hospital bills.”
“I don’t know, sir.”
“I see.”
I noticed footsteps, and it was my beautiful fiancé.
“Princess!” The girl literally yelped.
“Eat, darling.”
The girl Taytum was still beaming at the Princess.
I stood beside Carly. “She wants to be like you when she grows up. I think she’s your number one fan.”
“Her mother is not feeling well. Her father works two jobs,” she told me, which I already knew.
“I’d like to talk to her father.”
She beamed at me. “Thank you.”
***
“Princess, Mr. Langston, Taytum’s father, is here.”
“Let him in.”
The father was in his late thirties and still wearing his work uniform. And he looked terrified. “Your Highness, Sir.”
“Mr. Murphius.”
“Whatever my daughter has done, I am sure she didn’t mean. Please forgive her- ”
“Mr. Murphius, relax. She’s done nothing. By the way, she’s good with numbers,” I told him, and that was when he relaxed a little. “Have a seat, please?”
He sat across me, and my Princess was on her desk.
“What is the reason why I am here, may I ask?” There was still a worry on his face.
“What are your jobs?”
“Construction, sir, and I do landscaping for extra income.”
“Good.” I nodded.
“Your wife is sick. What does she have?” Carly asked.
“She has LAM, ma’am.”
“Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, Your Highness. It’s a rare lung disease,” Cossima explained.
“I’d like to give you a job in a few months now. I’ll cover the treatment of your wife for the entire year. I am giving you some cash, and please buy your children uniforms and bags and school supplies. Taytum is a good kid. She will have a bright future, Mr. Murphius.”
“Sir?” He was about to cry.
“I will let someone contact you when the construction starts. Give me your contact number and the name of the construction company you work for.”
“Thank you, sir. Thank you, Your Highness.”
When Mr. Murphius left, I was alone with Carly. She was frowning the whole time while scrolling something on her phone.
“What are you frowning about?”
“Check your Twitter.”
“I told you not to check any news and social media.”
“This isn’t about me, hunk, the sexiest, smoky billionaire, fuckable? Seriously?”
“If I didn’t know you very well, I thought you were jealous.”