"Alfred? What are you doing here?" Walking toward her office katiandra saw her son exiting the elevator she was about to pass.
"Mom!? I, huh, I came to see a friend."
Arching one brow intimidently in a silent question she stopped at his level waiting for him to try a plausible answer that was not the obvious one. By the way her green eyes started losing all warmness, her eyes locked in his making him scratched the back of his neck suddenly feeling like a toddler caught red handed.
"You have no answer. How weird. I supposed it is Miss Kamali you came to see. Follow me in my office."
Not waiting for an answer, she walked pass him with a blank face. Soon enough they arrived in her office. After taking a lift from the library private elevator, which she had opened not acknowledging her secretary who had her eyes expectantly on her in hope maybe she would see her this time, but had lowered her head feeling low, the Queen oblivious of it kept walking like on autopilot.
Her office was in the fifth and last level near her auditoriums which was in the other building linked to the administration one's by the big library taking all the space in the middle.
She preferred it like that, so it was built as such. Her office was close enough of her usual amphitheatres but far away from the front of the building everyone used to come in. That entrance she used only when she wanted because she had her private parking with her elevator giving directly inside of her office like a large door.
The said office was the biggest of the building almost taking the entire floor the rest was a conference room and her secretary office. It was made of wall with four normal size Windows in ball proof glasses. She would have preferred it entirely made of glass but the security thought otherwise so she had to comply but they made it in a way she did not feel trapped in. The light of the day entered enough for her to not be bothered.
The decorations as in her house was immaculate, not a thing out of place she like it like that. Everything was pricey too, covered with gold and marbles, Arthur request, at least their designer could worked it to fit her taste in decorations. Arthur wanted to remind everyone who she was, the Queen, HIS wife as he always put it, which means she only got to have the best.
Whatever, the room decorations was, she preferred out of all this extravagance, the private room in the far end of the office. It looked at first sight to be a bathroom but inside it was compartmentalized to fit all the need of a small open flat. Really useful in a time where she worked a lot on an international project.
All her office had one, the museum had the most homie one. Smiling wickedly she thought of Lorelei laying on one of those bed, the sheets out of them on the floor a little bit messy.
Where the thought came she had no idea, but the vivid imagination was so real she felt hot all of a sudden. Sighing as she was reminded of her son presence she had to push those thoughts aside to focus on Alfred wondering how she will succeed to have him out of her way but still be the mother he needed.
She was not naive though, there was no alternates realities were she will wants the same woman as her son did. It had to stop now.
Knowing the only way was to be straight forward, she stared at him sternly having his face contorted with uneasiness, which was the aim.
"Seat will you. I am trying to understand. Really how you failed to hear the part where I told you to leave her alone. You know I could get in trouble if people know you are involved with her like that. Now if things turned bad what will be the cost? You are the son of the king, which make you a prince... Which side do you expect me to choose? I do not care whatever is going on in your head, whatever fixation you have on her. It stopped before it even started in this head of yours. Forget it! She is under my protection I took full act of it in front of people who wanted her to work with them! How am I explaining when it will be spread all over the news that my son knocked her then let her down?"
Hurt in his eyes he looked at her now seated on the edge of his seat then lowered his gaze at his mother pointed one.
"Mother it is not like that! You know I'm not like that! I will never do that to her. Plus I want my marriage to be like yours. I want my wife to be like you. I know Lorelei could be that woman, I just, can't I..."
Taken aback the older woman arched her eyebrows not understanding a moment then shook her her sitting back in her seat. She tried to speak but nothing left her lips a bit worry at where the conversation was going all she knew was that her heart was hammering in a bad way. This was what she always fear, the disillusion of her children when they will try to do as theirs parents. Thinking fast she shook her head deciding to address that matter another time.
"What do you mean by that? I just heard 'I want' nothing else. We are not speaking about love but you wanting a human like an object." Studying him as he took a sharp breath before looking at her determination and something she could not catch in his eyes.
"Mom... I, she's special." Swallowing hard at the term he used to call her Katiandra sighed internally she was not about to give it to him this time it was not only about her and she knew the face he was doing.
"Yes dear son, that is the understatement of the year. Tell me something new. I mean you and her have been friends for almost ten years."
Sighing he lifted his hands up almost pleading at the low blow she just made, implying he was really taking his time
"I really want to make it right. I mean I know her for that long an never saw her with anyone else she always has her head in a book or in her phone or computer when she doesn't she's looking at the nature. Mom my point is I, I know she never had a relationship with someone else. Do you believe it! Dad always said you were a virgin when you guys married, you are still married and in love. You learned to love Dad, I want that too."
Pressing her lips together at all the informations she just got, only one had her attention. The way her inside churned butterflies spreading all around was unbelievable. She did her best to not make a happy dance. Clearing her throat she cautiously stood up walking to her small fridge taking a bottle of cold water drinking directly on it. 'Unusual 'Alfred thought blinking at the sight.
"How did you get those informations about her?" Sitting back she voiced in the most stern way frightening him.
"I, I may have asked a friend some help. BUT it was only so you and Dad will not point something out on her. She is the perfect one."
Crossing her hands on the desk made in marble she had picked herself, she leaned forward no emotions on her face. Her mind racing, she met her son hopefull face.
"So, if I listened clearly... She is a twenty seven years old woman never was in a relationship, you are sure of that? We are okay. Huh huh. You want to married her without her consent. You waited for that long Mostly because she will be the perfect fit."
"Mother, I..." Stammering at the way she was placing it Alfred tried to say something but was stopped by her lifted index.
"Don't cut me please? You know it is disrespectful. I raised you better than how I am seeing you acting lately. Back to our discution, I heard nowhere in all the things you poured out that you love her. That you will give her your all. Yesterday, I surely heard correctly when she told me that she was never involved with you and was not interested. It's been nine years son. Do you think this is all she has to expect in life. To learn how to love you? Why? Who do you think you are? This is insulting for her and for all women."
"Dad did not love you when you guys married. He, I do love her but..."
Leaning back in her leather chair she just looked at him, the deception he could read on her face making him feel ashamed.
"No but. We are not in that case, which is not to be compared to this situation. You can not begin to imagine how it felt to find yourself in a marriage that void of love, even if you do teach yourself how to do so. Love is not supposed to be learn. It is an instant feeling. You do or not. Miss Kamali is a bright woman who has a bright future. I will certainly not let you fuck off her life with your ideas. The time is over when the woman's had no said in her relationship with a man. Me and your father are of a different time. We worked it out good it is an exception. I tell you that now. I DO NOT WANT TO REPEAT MYSELF! Miss Kamali is off limits for you."
Shaking his head as the brat he was after hearing he is mother's firm words, he tried to stand up but she motioned him to stay still with her cold eyes nothing in her demeanor showing they were related, right there he knew she was the Queen not his mother anymore. She was always the stern parent with her children, him being a daddy boy did not help that.
"Mother Dad will..."
Defiantly he tried his luck but she dangerous pierced him with her almost closed eyes a smile he had never see before on her lips. Clearly a wicked on.
"Try... and test me Alfred, I. Dare. You! This is my school. My rules. And Lorelei is my responsibility! I gave my word and I have only one. You will have to find yourself another... FIT. It does not work like that dear, you never said you love her! Is that fair to her? I raised you better than whatever you are becoming right under my nose. Now I hope you listen and listen clearly this time. Miss Kamali is OFF LIMITS FOR YOU. Got it?"
The sternly way she spoke had him huffed, in his mind, as he sat back in his chair blinking his eyes repeatedly stunned at his mother behavior. His hands in the air he swallowed whatever he was trying to said not knowing if it was wise to defy her, in the past it never end well she could be so cold sometimes it was surreal. Breathing out as he backed away katiandra sighed internally.
"I g.."
A knock diverted their attention as the door opened without much waiting on Alicia.
"Ah my princess it is just you two. Come in!" Suprised but happy to see her daughter angelic face Katiandra leaned back on her seat smiling bigger as she saw Lorelei beautiful face behind her.
"Mom, sorry to disturb you but I remembered you saying yesterday that Lorelei has to meet you in your office today. She did not know were it was I had to guide her. Here we are."
Standing up still smiling Katiandra motioned them to walk further in the room getting to the other side. Her eyes never leaving Lorelei womanly body, she finally met her particular orbs, which weirdly filled her with pride for no reason.
The shy young woman whose eyes immediately left hers looked all around her office more interested about it. Pursing her lips the Queen stopped a moment on the other side of the desk wondering how to go from there.
"We finished long ago, don't worry now. Lorelei my dear do forgive me hmmm? I am sorry, I meant to tell one of my guys q to show you the way but forgot."
Finally catching her attention green eyes studied grey orbs, happy to see how surprised she was by her excuses. Even her children were for they looked at each others with big eyes so quickly one could have dream it.
"It's okay professor. Alicia gracefully accepted to help me. She is you daughter I suppose it count as you."
Smiling at her sweetness Katiandra finally walked to her. Then all so naturally put her hand on her lower back bitting her lower lip from the inside as she felt her shivered under her touch she led her toward the couch.
"You are too sweet. You two want something to drink?" Alicia shook her head yes looking at her new friend who also nodded.
"Okay then." Still standing after she made sure they each took their seats, the Queen headed to the fridge where she removed two bottles of juice she poured in expensives glasses.
Before taking a seat back near the young woman in front of Alicia.
Flabbergasted at the way his mother demeanor changed as soon as his younger sister came in her office, Alfred blinked understanding his big sister, Kayley, point.
How she could go to coldly stern at motherly warm like switching lamp was terrific. She even treated his very own friend more than her own daughter. She was doing something she never usually do with others. She was smiling! Too much, he remarked. He then remembered the weird background they had together.
'Does this count as family links? How did it even work??'
He asked himself looking at them silently conscious he was being ignored. It was his mother way to dismiss him. She used it many times on Kayley to not know.
Tightening his jaws he stood up without a word walked out with none of them looking at him. His older sister words replaying in his head when she said Lorelei was their new sister. In the elevator he stamped his food doing his impossible to not scream.
The first woman he ever brought home had to be adopted straight away by his mother. Speaking about luck! Taking his phone out of his pocket furiously he dialed his father number.
"How is my son?" Arthur stopped what he was doing shushing the person be was with to answer his phone knowing his son never called him at all.
"Dad! mother doesn't want me to have a relationship with Lorelei."
Sighing deeply sorry for his son the king knew he could do nothing to help him this time.
"And you called me to throw your tantrum? I'm sorry son in this case she is right. Women are full out there. You do remember I am the king son. Ask me to find you one I'll do it. But I'm not going against your mothe. This time it's not a car she refused you, for me to buy the same model."
"But Dad I"
Sighing heavily the king face hardened
at his son stubbornness, even him knew when to fight Queen Katiandra.
"ALFRED ANTHONY ZUROW ALISTER! You are my son... Go out there and find yourself someone else if you can't I will do! Stop whining. At least for once in your life and grow! She said no. Then it is no. Have a good day son." Hanging up Arthur threw his phone somewhere on his desk taking the head of his assistant who was kneeled down in between his legs with one of his hand directing it where it was before the call, closing his eyes he went somewhere else.
At the same time Alfred could not believed what was happening to him his father never said no to him in his entire life. Leaving the place irritated he slammed his car door driving away.
"Mom am I wrong or Fred was mad?" Looking at her mother questionningly with a frown Alicia eyes went from the door to her mother.
"Don't mind him my princess. He will get over it soon. So Lorelei I heard good things about you." Meeting gazes for a moment she turned to her daughter bitting the inside of her lips.
"Okay Mom! That's my cue to leave. Bye bye you two!" After kissing the two women on theirs cheeks Alicia left her angelic smile never disappearing from her face one thing her mother loved.
Silence filled the room in an uncomfortable way for a moment after the princess departure. When their eyes met for a long time after finding in each other's soul something they searched all theirs lives. It was like flying with nothing to stop you. Better that the rawness alcohol the Queen ever drank.
Lorelei finally looked away as a small smile was playing on the older woman lips taking a sip of her juice she was grateful she remembered she liked from the night before.
"You have a boyfriend?" Almost spiting her drink out at the confident woman bluntness Lorelei started coughing holding her chest, all thoughts vanished from her brain. The burning in her chest being the only thing keeping her in the present.
Katiandra immediately sat right near her making soothing movements on her back, calming her with sweet words.
"It's okay love. It's okay." Taking away her glass she placed it on the lower table worry for the red young woman face. Her shyness confirmation of what her son told her.
"I, I, did you ever, huh... Did you ever. My God! Are you a virgin?" There again. Raw bluntness. Not preoccupied by it , the Queen felt at lost of words. For once it was her, THE Queen who was stammering for once in her life. But after voicing her question she felt better but anxious.
The blush got so deeper on Lorelei that even her neck was a dark shade of red. Looking around her like she was lost. She finally stood up taking her bag with her trying her best to not meet the Queen tender stare. It was so weird to have the impressive woman she had admired for so long looking that way precisely at her
Lorelei felt out of place suddenly, it was too much. Running being the only solution she nodded not knowing why. Then pointing at the door to the woman whose face turned from embarrassed to horrify, she felt her body speedwalking toward it automatically.