XXIII

XXIII

I did not see him for the past twenty-four hours. Or, let's say, I avoided him again (for the nth time since I stepped here in England) as hard as I could. I did not want to face him again after what he had told me yesterday. Possibly, I would count my remaining days in this place.

Once I arranged all the stack of papers on my desk in the office, I suddenly noticed a tabloid mixed with all the important documents for the transactions this month. Curiosity went first, without a reluctance, I looked at the front page of the morning paper, and it knocked out all my sanities.

I was in the mid-size picture of the newspaper, together with Prince Alexander. The picture was taken during the time we jogged yesterday. It was only my back that was visible on the image while the prince's arm was around my head. At least, no one would recognize me. There was no doubt that the boy who had a camera was the one who reported it.

However, it was not really my picture that gave the tabloid a life. Who was I, anyway? It was the big picture of Princess Emily and Prince Nicholas, who were kissing, and their child sitting between them. They were in the garden of the palace while sitting on the grass. They looked so sweet and happy, and I would believe them if I did not see the real thing behind this shot.

Above the pictures, there was the title, which composed of large letters, for today's hottest news, 'Royal Couples: Secret and Sacred'.

I felt all blood went up on my face when the word 'couple' captivated my brain. Hence, all the women who came closer to the prince was called as his lover. They had no idea who were they talking about. Even the real picture of Prince Nicholas and Princess Emily, who would doubt their relationship if they only saw their smiles in the public?

I had only a little evidence to say that, but I was not blind to recognize how they acted in front of those paparazzi outside the fence. I did not know why they needed to do it, but I was curious enough to know it.

Putting aside the tabloid, I started encoding the data in the Excel for proper presentation. It was less than two weeks for the next monthly Financial Reporting so I needed to prepare the report before that prince threatened me again.

A knot showed up again in my chest when I remembered his words. I did not cry because I wanted to convince myself that he was nothing for me but a boss. A freaking arrogant boss. If I cried, I was the most foolish girl in the world for giving up my tears because of that bastard.

I was confused now. Who should I believe? The man who told me that he liked me, or the man who told me that he could put me behind the bar. Nevertheless, only one thing was sure, he was a sort of bipolar. Damned him.

The concentration already left me, when Clarissa went into my cubicle and handed me a brown envelope.

"What's this?" I asked her once I held the thing. I looked at it as if it had a bomb inside. See, how bipolar he was? It was like nothing happened yesterday and we came back to being an employee and boss level.

"He gave it to you and threatened me not to open, or else, he will fire me," I heard her sharp breath, as a result, I stared at her, "So I didn't dare to open it, I think it is only an additional transaction for the month."

"Tell him that he is crazy," I told her, and at the same time, I opened the envelope.

"No need, I always tell him that," she laughed a little, "By the way, he also ordered me to tell you that you have a meeting with him later after lunch."

"Tell him that I'm busy," I responded, checking the files in the paper case.

"Okay, I get that, see you later," she smiled and left.

Finally, I took all the papers out of the envelope, and the file on top of it shocked me. Who would have a normal feeling when your boss sent you a paper about how healthy he was for having a sex with someone?

It was a piece of paper signed by a doctor. This told everyone that Prince Alexander Jared Paul Leonard was negative to any disease, including HIV. The date on the upper right side was the date yesterday. He was surely impossible.

"Hey, Shirley! What are you reading?"

I immediately crumpled it and stood, "Princess Victoria, it is nothing." Oh gosh, it was the most embarrassing part when your sister's boss learned about this file.

"Really?" she raised her eyebrow and I nodded, "Okay."

"Uh, what brought you here?" I put again the papers inside the envelope, but the crumpled paper had been already in the pocket of my coat.

"Actually, I need someone to cover me," she pulped her lips like a child who wanted a doll.

"For what?" I put the case in my drawer and stared at her.

"I have a lunch date with Ben, but the reporters have hot eyes right now to know the royal's love life," she shrugged, "I'm scared to let them know about Ben, I don't want them to enter his life."

"They don't know your relationship with him," she just shook her head, "Hmm what's my part?"

"You will be our company," she answered immediately, "It should be looked like a group date."

"What? It's not necessary, I mean, how about Ben? He will get annoyed when he knows that."

"I've already asked him before I go here, it's fine with him," she assured me, "The question now, do you agree?"

I took a deep breath. I did not know how to reject a Princess who asked a favor. "No de javu?" I needed to guarantee that there was no double date again that resulted to an island vacation.

"Oh, no de javu because my beloved brother can't move a little from his table because he needs to finish all his things before he go to represent UK," she said.

"Represent?" I questioned, "What do you mean?"

"He doesn't tell you yet," she stated, "My brother will be gone for the next two weeks to visit some countries, and do some events there, he will represent my parents as well as the country."

"Next two weeks?" out of nowhere, I felt my knees weakened that urged me to sit down before I hit the ground. You will not see for only two weeks, Shirley, stop acting as if you are associated with him!

"Yes, it's supposed to be a week only, but he wanted to attend Mr. Warden's wedding that will be held this week," she narrowed her green eyes, which were exactly like his brother, "Why? You already miss him?"

"Of course not," I looked away and denied.

"Oh come on, I won't tell him," she continued to tease me.

"Princess Victoria, there is no reason for me to miss him, it's only two weeks," I defended.

Her Highness giggled, "Just call me Victoria."

"I can't do that," I disagreed, she was a princess for sun's sake! I had no right to be on first name basis with her.

"You'll be soon my sister-in-law so why not be a little informal," she smiled and entangled her arm on mine. I was speechless, especially when she added, "Let's go, Shirley, the future wife of my brother Alexander."

"Lower your voice, Prin–I mean Victoria, people might hear us and believe all the things you're saying," I whispered once we started walking out the office.

She stopped and faced me, standing at least two inches shorter than me. "What if they heard us?" she crossed her arms on her chest, "It will happen anyway."

"Goodness," all I could say.

-----

We had our lunch in a classic restaurant near the palace. It was located on the top floor of a high building hotel, which gave the best view of the Palace and structures surrounding it.

Ben was carelessly handsome on his button-up shirt and slacks. He was still a sweet man I met a week ago, and funny, especially, when he spoke some jokes. I had no second thought why Victoria fell in love with this man. He was not only a gentleman and handsome, but he also treated the princess as if she were the most precious stone in the world, which was almost true.

I adored their relationship because they were natural. You could see it through their eyes, how they looked at each other and how they felt for each other. During our lunch, they occasionally touched the hand of one another on the table, and smiled as if they were the only creatures living.

We said goodbye to Ben after an hour or so, Princess Victoria and I went back to the palace. She thanked me for accompanying her, and I told her how I enjoyed our lunch. It was really fun to be with them. I did not feel out-of-place, unlike before. They made me now joined the conversation, which allowed me to know them more.

As I returned to my cubicle, a cup of coffee was on my desk. I got a feeling who placed it here. I first sat on my swivel chair before holding the cup. There were letters written in the middle of the cup, saying:

'Sorry, please talk to me.'

(A/N: hey, guys, it's my BIRTHDAY tomorrow [December 6, 2014]. That's why I'm treating you another update tomorrow.  It's a three day update birthday treat for all my beloved readers because we already reached 5K reads! That's an awesome gift. I hope we gained more reads, votes and comments. GOD bless you guys!)