The Grasshopper

Chapter 17

“I’ll go up to my suite to rest,” Mr. Kaella told Prince and Miss Babe, already leaning with both shaky hands on the armrests.

Prince nodded to the two bodyguards who rushed up to Mr. Kaella, held him under his arms, pulled back his chair and helped him up.

“See my father to his suite and stay in front of his door,” Prince ordered them.

“Both of us?” one of the bodyguards asked.

“Yes. I won’t be needing you, and in any case – there’s a lobby full of inspectors.”

“As you wish, Mr. Kaella.”

Prince and Babe remained alone, sitting across from each other at a large oval table set up in the middle of the completely empty hotel dining room. They had barely touched the variety of food served in silver dishes. Prince summoned the waiter without taking his eyes off of Babe.

“Yes, Mr. Kaella?”

“Please, take this away…” Prince made a circular motion above the table, “and bring us… Are you for coffee?... or perhaps some juice, Miss Babe?”

“No, thank you, nothing. I’ve had too much of everything. It’s time for me to go.”

“Go? Already?” Prince looked at the waiter, who was waiting for his order. “Bring us two coffees.”

“Immediately, Mr. Kaella.”

“But, Mr. Kaella…” Babe protested.

“Miss Babe, I really don’t see any reason for you to rush… unless you feel uncomfortable in my company.”

“I’m not uncomfortable in your company,” Babe answered seriously, without any coquetry. “However…”

Babe was silent, while four waiters, under the watchful eye of the maître ‘d, took away the dishes, plates, cups, glasses, silverware and napkins from their table.

“Please, continue,” said Prince, once the waiters had gone.

“You know, this breakfast of ours has gotten pretty long. I didn’t expect that.”

“I know. But you saw yourself.. my father wanted to go through all the questions with you once more. Please understand him.”

“I understand, I understand… certainly. But I have obligations.”

Prince waited for them to be served the coffee and then asked:

“But what obligations? Now everything is being done by the members of your team: technicians, cameramen, the director… Miss Babe, I listened very carefully when you explained to me how your show is produced. All you need to do is get to the studio fifteen minutes before the show time. What are you hiding from me?”

“I obviously don’t have a choice. I have to tell you, otherwise you won’t allow me to leave, right?”

“I won’t allow you. You can be certain of that. Now just admit everything.”

Babe sighed and said:

“Mr. Kaella, an entire team of people of various profiles have been waiting for me in the adjacent hotel for an hour already.”

“Why?”

“Well… to touch me up for the interview.”

“Really? I thought that you will… that you’re already touched up. Although it seemed a little too, how would I say it… conservative. But I thought that you chose such a style for my elderly father. Although, on the other hand… your viewers are not used to seeing you like this.”

“Mr. Kaella, I’m leaving this instant,” Babe said, already getting up from the table. “Some procedures, treatments take some time. Forgive me, please, I’m getting nervous…”

Prince also got up, and looked at her with a smile.

“With all due respect to your father… and today I don’t really care what my viewers are used to. I’m getting touched up for you, if you really want to know! Now I’ve lost the element of surprise and I’m very angry because of that!”

Babe abruptly turned spun around and started walking briskly towards the dining room exit. Prince ran after her, got around her and stood in front of her.

“Miss Babe,” said Prince, eating her up with his eyes.

“Yes?” Babe asked angrily.

“I have reserved a superb restaurant, I mean the entire restaurant, just for the two of us, tonight… with candles. Will you…”

“If you wish so after the interview.”

“If I wish so?!”

“Mr. Kaella, you know how to rule the world but you have no idea how much time it takes a woman to prepare for… please, let me pass.”

Prince watched as her curves strained the fabric of the slim conservative skirt, as she walked away, at almost a running pace.