The Foreign Affair

1- The Announcement

Keeping in touch with my roots wasn't my favorite thing. I always understood that one day I would have to know about my heritage and some how keep my roots grounded, but I hated it. I hated being who I was. I never understood why so many people loved having a foreign heritage, because for me, it was a heavy burden that I would never get rid of.

As a German woman in this century, people hated that they couldn't have the "gorgeous gene's" that my ancestors gave me. Being me wasn't as glorious as it seems. My great grandpa was a heavy Nazi and raised my grandparents to be Nazi's as well, but you know who ended that disastrous train, it was my mother. When she was of age, she met my Father overseas when she was out for a work assignment. She had bumped into him one morning when she was walking around the city and they both ended up talking and getting to know each other. The only downside to their romance, he was Jewish.

My grandparents never approved of them and still don't to this day, but have given up on pestering her to divorce after my mother gave birth. I was the first born daughter and everyone said that once I grew older, I would be one of the most beautiful women ever. Specifically the most beautiful German women. I hated being German. Next out of the womb was my sister, Elizabeth. If anything, she was the one who would outshine me with her good looks and amazing personality. I admit, I was jealous of her when I was younger. These days though, not so much. Jeremiah was the youngest sibling out of the three of us and he was the most chaotic, typical of a boy. 

When I realized that my sister was in love, it was when she was 18. She had made some prince take notice of her through social media and apparently he wanted to have an arranged marriage with her. Could you believe that bullshit of a scam. When she told me what had happened I was in shock. How could a barely legal teen be forced into a marriage with some stranger? My mother on the other had was ecstatic for the news. She always hoped that one of her girls would find love no matter how it happened.

Now here I am, sitting at the dinning table, listening to my little sister talk about her marriage. "So I found out that his name is Prince Nicolo Turnick and the best news is..." She pauses and pulls her phone out to show us all a picture of him, "...He is the Prince of Germany!" Elizabeth squeals and my eyes widen. Just when I had thought I wouldn't have to deal with my roots anymore, they just grow back up again.

My sister carries on with the conversation and I start to tune her out. I cannot believe that she would be carrying on our dumb bloodline. As soon as I started to scowl at her, one thing she said had made me tune back in. "He all invited us to Germany! Nicolo- I mean Prince Nicolo said we could come up in the next couple of weeks and stay at his castle!" Elizabeth had gotten out of her seat and started jumping up and down with excitement.

The rest of the night was my family planning the trip and forcing all of us to pack. "Can't I just stay here? It's not like they're getting married right then and there." I scoff. My mom shoots me a glare and my sister steps through my bedroom door where I had been. "Please Sabine, just for a few weeks and I promise never to force you to be German again." Ellie had given me puppy dog eyes and I sighed. "Fine." 

Packing was anything but delightful for me. I hated packing. I place a few dresses in my suitcase followed by jeans, sweaters, t-shirts, socks, shoes, lingerie and a few items of clothing that were made for clubbing. I mean, just because I hated my genes doesn't mean that would stop me from having a good time while I was there. I chuckle to myself and close my suitcase. Looking down at my phone I see a few missed calls from my brother. 

"Jeremiah?" The line goes silent for a few seconds and he coughs. "Oh hey Sabine...I kind of need your help." His breathing had gotten heavy and his voice was quiet. "What's wrong?" Jeremiah never called me unless he needed something from me. "It's- I- nothing's wrong I just- can you come to my room please." His breathing got jagged and it sounded as if he was crying. "Yeah, just gimme a sec, okay?" I sigh and the phone goes dead.

I make my way down the hall to Jeremiah's room and knock softly on the door. A few seconds of silence and then the door opens. I look down at my brother and he has indeed been crying. "Hey bud, what's wrong?" I pull him in for a hug and he squeezes me tightly. "I don't want to leave our home." He sobs into my shirt. "Jerem...We will only be gone for a few weeks and then before you know it, we will be back at home." A small smile goes across my face and I wipe away his tears. "Really?" I chuckle. "Yes really. I promise." I stick out my pinky and give him a tight pinky promise. After realizing he had cried, Jeremiah kicked me out of his room and I went back into mine. 

Curiosity got the best of me and I pulled out my phone and went to Safari. Nicolo Turnick I search. Multiple articles come up about this man and I scroll through, looking at the article titles. Prince Nicolo single and ready to mingle. Prince Nicolo is having an affair?! The prince of Germany is getting married! My eyes almost popped out of my head, how had news already gotten out about this damn marriage? It was only one day since I had heard the news, so how long had others known? I immediately turn my phone off and lean back into my pillow. I let out a deep groan and turn to my side. I already hate this trip and it hasn't even started yet.

----------

"Wake up Sabine!" My mother shouts from downstairs. I shoot up from my bed and realize that I had accidentally fallen asleep and didn't charge my phone. Silently cussing to myself, I put my phone on the charger and make my down towards the kitchen and stop abruptly. "What is this?" I point to all of the suitcases that were definitely packed and looked as if they were ready to leave. "Sabine honey, we decided that we would leave now and get the meeting over with sooner rather than later." My mother beams a smile at me and I turn my head to see Ellie giggling at her phone. "Fucking sick." I grumble and turn my head down to look at my feet. "Watch your language!" Mom shouts and throws a piece of bacon at my head. "My bad." I scoff and grab some toast and head back up to my room. 

People never understood me. They never understood why I hated my looks, or why I hated who my family was. No matter what I tried, people never wanted to understand. Until one day. I was on this anonymous chat site and ended up talking for hours about my family struggles with some random girl. Trisha was her name. A sweet lady she was and she was honest. Honesty had a huge factor with her. She had told me that sometimes the truth would hurt and she always tried to make sure to understand me before telling her feelings. I missed her.

An anonymous chat has started.

Sabine is typing...

Hi!

Trisha has entered the chat.

Hello Sabine :)

Sabine is typing...

Guess what.

Trisha is typing...

Hmm?

Sabine is typing...

Apparently my family is going to Germany and I have to go too.

Trisha is typing...

How do you feel?

Sabine is typing...

Awful. I mean they know how I feel and now I have to go and watch my 18 year old sister be married off.

Trisha is typing...

Married? That seems suspicious.

Sabine is typing...

That's what I said too!! But noooo my family doesn't listen to me. 

Trisha is typing...

At least I listen to you haha.

Sabine is typing...

Thanks Trisha, it means a lot. Oh gosh I better get going! Bye!

Trisha is typing...

Goodbye Sabine.

Trisha has left the chat.

Sabine has left the chat.

"Sabine lets go now!" Ellie shouts and I grab my suitcase and all of my other things I needed. "Coming!" I shout and we all head out for the door. It's now or never.