XXXIII

XXXIII

"Shirley, we need to talk," Prince Alexander muttered when he saw Katherine and I exited the conference hall. He was talking with someone on the phone when we went out, and I did not notice he was already in front of me until he spoke.

I did not know if he returned in England this morning or last night, he just said earlier during his report that he had a delayed flight and needed to finish a work that was why he was late on the reporting day. With that, he earned deadly gazes from his parents.

"Alex, come here!" someone shouted behind him.

His Highness looked over his shoulder and responded, "Coming." He returned to us, and spoke to Katherine, "May I have a word with my accountant?"

"Sure," Katherine answered instantly, "Your Highness," she added.

He interlaced our fingers that sent shivers to my spine. He pulled me toward the direction of men talking just outside the hall. I did not bother to look back at Katherine, for the reason, she would only give me different interrogative expressions.

I watched our hands, how his big palm covered mine. It looked too small for him.

The plan suddenly erupted on my brain. Lola told me the most appropriate way to confess to a man. She suggested me the best plan to make a prince fall in love with me even more. It did not involve seduction or any sexual motivation. It was still conservative yet sweet and heartwarming.

Gladly, yesterday, I was able to fix all the things I needed to do, although the suspicious transactions were really bothering me even in my sleeps. Monthly financial reports were easy ones compared to the year-end report. Thank goodness that I still had one month and three weeks to finish it.

"What took you so long?" the man, with light blond hair and attractive gray eyes, asked with a hint of irritation. I recognized him as Prince Oliver, first generation cousin of Prince Alexander. He was the same age with His Highness and also known as a hard-core in bed.

"Then, he brought a gal," a man beside us said, Prince Matthew. He was, on the other hand, the second generation cousin of the royal siblings. He was tall and had a tan skin because of his half African half British mother. His stunning brown eyes bore on me, as if observing every fats I had.

"Back off, Matt," Prince Alexander warned his cousin, and pulled me behind him. Still holding my hand. "Look at her again and I'll put bruises on your eyes."

Prince Matthew snapped his head on his cousin and smirked, "Oh bro, easy," he raised his hands defensively, "Don't worry, won't take her away from you."

"So, are you in, Alex?" I peeked on Prince Alexander's broad shoulder blade to see the one who spoke. He was William Cox, the son of King Gregory's only sister, Princess Mary and her husband, John Cox. He was the youngest of the group, I thought. Standing at his side was Prince Nicholas, who was only listening to the conversation. There were other two standing on the opposite side of William.

"I'm going to think about it," Prince Alexander responded flatly.

"It's only once in a year, you should come," Prince Nicholas implored.

I got nervous when he said that because of what happened last month between them in front of me. What would their cousins do when that same scene happened again? I squeezed Prince Alexander's hand, and his grasp became tighter.

"There is a work I need to finish," Prince Alexander said in a normal tone.

The future King of England chuckled, "Come on, Alex, you can do it later. I'll help you if you want."

"No thanks," the prince who was holding my hand childishly laughed, "I remember the time you help me and it turn out to be a joke time."

I was a bit stunned and glad because of the tensionless atmosphere between the brothers. This was the big opposite of the scene I witnessed when I saw them face-to-face for the very first time. They were like normal brothers now, and I liked it when I saw Prince Alexander as a young brother of Prince Nicholas.

"Are you going, or not?" Prince Nicholas raised his eyebrow just like the way Prince Alexander did it.

"Of course, you may bring her," Prince Matthew gestured his hand on me, but his eyes were fixed to his cousin.

"I'm not asking it," Prince Alexander retorted.

"I know your next line, Your Highness," Prince Matthew mocked and grinned, viewing his perfect white pearls.

"I'm in if Matt will shut up," he glared at his cousin, who only covered its mouth with its long fingers. He faced me all of a sudden that I almost lost my balance. "Come with us?" he asked for my permission. Whoa, he did not drag me to join them.

"Uh, Alex, we will leave in 5 minutes," Prince Oliver reminded.

Prince Alexander just nodded without looking at them. They continued to talk and went in the direction of the backdoor. Leaving us alone in the hallway.

"What's that with your cousins?" I stepped closer to him to feel his warmness. How I missed this.

His thumb drew circles on the back of my hand. "Basketball game with our businessmen pals."

"Oh," I blinked, "What's my role?"

"Cheerleader," he grinned then he raised our hands. He kissed the back of my palm. "I told you that we need to talk."

"I can wait you here," I whispered, smacking myself mentally for saying that. I wanted to be with him for the whole day!

"No," relief flooded into me when he disagreed, "I won't let you leave my sight."

I tilted my head on the side, "Is that possible? You'll go to the bathroom, don't tell me that I must be there so I won't leave your eyes." Blood crept through my cheeks when I realized what I had said.

He laughed, "I like your idea, babe." He moved his face closer to me until I felt his breathing in my ear, "Which is better? You are watching me while I'm in the shower, or we are both inside the shower while washing each other."

Excitement bubbled in my stomach, and different fantasies entered my mind. However, I tried to put them aside. Oh it was hard to try, especially when Prince Alexander was the one who seduced you.

I gave him a dirty stare, "Seriously? That's all you could think?"

He held my hips that filled me the same sensation I felt every time he was touching me. "Why? Is there anything better?"

Okay, it was supposed to be not this way. No seduction at all in my plans. But, Prince Alexander would turn everything into seducing, so my plan would start here.

"Meet me in my room after dinner later. There, I'll tell you what is in my mind," I winked, "We might do it, either."

He grinned but covered his mouth immediately. Was he agitated? Oh my gosh, he might be expecting a real better option of doing the shower thing! Was it a mistake to begin your confession by giving a flirty motive to a man?

"Sure," he breathed in my ear.

-----

The basketball gym we entered seconds ago was the most sophisticated sports area I had ever seen in the history. It was more like a mall than a basketball court. The floor twinkled in cleanliness, same with the almost invisible glass windows on the wall. There were bleachers in either length of the court, and balconies in both widths.

"Hey, wazzup?" a playful voice reminded me that there were people around me. Isaac Warden was already standing near us, while having a big smile. He recognized me immediately when he transferred his gaze from Prince Alexander to me. "Hello, young lady, glad you're here."

"Hi, Mr. Warden," I shyly smiled, had no idea how to speak with one of the richest among the richest in the society.

"Just call me Isaac, that's fine with me," he had a flirty beam. If I did not know he was already married, I was going to assume that he was dallying me.

Prince Alexander cleared his throat beside me. "Warden, it's nice to see you, too. Stop showing your charm to Shirley, or I'm going to rip your eyes."

"Oh, I'm scared," the billionaire of the largest security company in the world sardonically said and laughed, "Why? Afraid that Shirley will find me more handsome than you."

"Shut up, Warden," Prince Alexander's voice was a warning, if expression would kill someone, maybe Isaac was a dead body now. "Otherwise, you won't really see Ella forever."

Isaac held his stomach while laughing so hard, "If you can only see that face, Alexander, right now, I'm sure you'll also laugh. That was priceless."

His Highness gave a dirty finger to his friend and walked away. He looked pissed and, even eruption of a volcano had no matched to him. I stared at Isaac, who continued what he was doing.

"Oh my gosh, he's furious," I did not know if I stated it to Isaac or I just whispered it to myself.

"He's not like that before," his jasper eyes glittered as if he discovered a very interesting object, "I think, you changed him. I never imagined in my entire life that the mighty Prince Alexander will fall in love like this." Then, he muttered, "Be patient. He is unimaginable possessive arse, but trust me, he loves you more than you could think."

Blood left my face and my body trembled. I felt dizzy for a moment. Happiness and expectations jumped in and out of my nerves. He was Prince Alexander's best friend. If he was telling me right, was it okay to believe that I was enough for Prince Alexander and he would not find another woman?

"Shirley," Prince Alexander's command with full of authority exploded in the place, "Come here."

All the eyes of the people near us turned on Prince Alexander then to me. I bowed my head in embarrassment. He did not really know how to act properly when he was annoyed.

"I told you," Isaac sang, "Follow him before he'll kill me. Ella is here, she's sitting there," he pointed the bleacher on the west side, "Have some chitchat."

"Okay," I responded. I stalked the bossy Prince of England. He stopped once I was beside him. I spoke first, "Being unethical is not an image of a prince. I hope you know that."

"Unethical?" he questioned my word.

"Yes, unethical. Acting like a jealous boyfriend – wait, are you my boyfriend? – Shouting at your employee in front of these princes and billionaires. Do you know how humiliating that is? You're even controlling me!" I rolled my eyes, realizing I was also mad at him.

His jaw clenched, "I'm not controlling you, Shirley."

"Oh, so you're not a control freak huh? What should I call you?" I tapped my finger on my mouth, "Oh," I raised it, "Still control freak. No other words can describe you. But, I think, it's better if I call you Prince Control Freak version Crazy Demanding."

He was preparing to answer, but Prince Oliver ran at us and said, "Hey, Alex, change your clothes. We'll start in a few."

Prince Alexander just gestured dismissal on his cousin, without breaking his daggers on me. "We'll talk later. I can't wait to finish this damn game."

"Of course, we need to talk," I said innocently, acknowledging a different goal.

He watched me again for a full minute, then went in the dug-out. I stood bewildered, thinking what kind of situation I was going into. Okay, I was certain with my feelings, but was I really aware that I would spend the rest of my years with that moody prince? He was more moody than a woman having her menstruation. He would be more possessive if we officially start our relationship, and I did not want possessive man. I did not want people to control who I was. I was an independent person.

I mentally checked if I could still remember what I must say. Yeah, I could still recall it, but how to execute it was becoming impossible every minute got closer to that time. How I wish a cat would not get my tongue later.

"Shirley!" I looked at Ella, who called me on the bleachers. She waved her hand and I went to her place. "Hey, how are you?" she softly said once I was sitting beside her.

"I'm okay, I'm the one supposed to ask you that. How's the honeymoon?"

Even though we had a short time knowing each other during her wedding, Ella was very friendly and easy-going, that you could feel you knew one another for a long time.

She told me about her honeymoon in the Caribbean. Her smile could not take away from her face while speaking about her experience there and how magnificent it was. I also learned about some things in her life. Like how she met Isaac and how they fell in love with each other.

She could still not believe that she married the owner of the Warden Security Company. Judging her face, it was confirmed that she was unconditionally in love with her husband.

"Are they doing this every year?" I asked her while watching the game started. Prince Alexander was on the blue team, together with Isaac, while Prince Nicholas was on the opposing.

"Yes, it was one of their recreational activities. I've been here for three consecutive years now," she retorted. After a while, she added, "This is the first year of Eleazar to join this basketball game."

I followed her gaze, and saw the young Warden listening to their–I presumed–team captain, Prince Oliver of the white team. I remembered that night when I saw him confessing to a young girl. Had the girl already accepted his love?

The game started with a jump ball. I doubted if Prince Alexander knew to play this sport, but my jaw dropped when I saw him shot a long two points. He looked in my direction and shrugged, as if hearing my thoughts. He did that again. Jump shot. Lay-up. Even three points. He could also do rebound. What else this prince could not do? Uh, yes, he could not stop himself from controlling.

They continued to play, paused for time outs and quarter break. The blue team led for the entire four quarters. The result, obviously, they won.

"Whoa," Ella grinned in my direction, "This year is the best game of Prince Alexander. He could shoot, though. But, not like that. Inspired?"

I shook my shoulder, "Maybe." We giggled as if grade school girls who saw their crushes.

"What are you chortling at?" out of nowhere, Isaac Warden popped out.

Ella stood and put her arms around her husband's. "None, honey, girl's talk."

"You sure?" Isaac whispered, but it was still audible in my vantage.

While they were busy in romancing, I searched for Prince Alexander but I found him nowhere. Possibly, he was still in the shower room, or he was talking with his cousin or brother in the dug-out.

"He went outside," Isaac took me out of my reverie, "He's talking  with someone on his phone. He seems like he is in a hurry."

"Really?" I turned my eyes on the door. Was he going somewhere? How about our after dinner talk inside my room? How about my plans? He should not destroy it, or else, I could not say it to him anymore because, for sure, my cowardice would eat me after this night. I returned my gaze on the newly wed, "See you around. I should go now."

"Let's have tea some other time," Ella said.

"Okay, excuse me," I strode toward the exit of the gym.

Cold breeze greeted me once I pushed the door and put myself outside. Thankfully, I had a coat on. I automatically sought for the prince, but he was already walking toward a car on the street.

I called him, "Your Highness!"

He stopped for a moment, there I saw him having his phone on his ear. He brought it down when I was standing half meters away from him.

"Where are you going?" I asked, not because I was curious, but because I was suspicious. He said that we had to talk after the game, but why the sudden change? Why he was going somewhere?

"I have an important meeting," he responded flatly, like he did not want me to know it.

"Important meeting? I thought we're going..." I trailed off in a few seconds, taking a deep breath to stop myself from blurting it out. However, I could not, "How about our talk, I mean, you'll see me after dinner, right? How will you do that if you're going to that meeting?"

He avoided eye contacts, "Sorry, I need to go now." At that moment, I knew he was hiding a secret from me. It was not an ordinary meeting with officials or charities. It was more than that with a more important person than me. He turned my back in my direction, "My driver will bring you to the palace."

If I was not able to tell him everything I felt for him tonight, maybe, we were not fated for each other. It only meant that what he felt for me was only infatuation that could disappear immediately. Who was I, anyway? People expected him to have a woman with a good status, like his ex who was a daughter of a big company somewhere in Africa. I was literally no matched.

"Fine," I blinked, not allowing my tears to escape my eyes again because of him, "Be happy, Your Highness."