It's a long chapter just for you guys!
***
"My turn!" Hazel piped. "Um sir, no, prince, can you read this time?" Hazel asked Hoshang. His large hands close around the colorful book.
Hoshang smiled happily and agreed. "Absolutely." He opened the book and began. His voice was calm but excited as he leaned closer to the children.
Looking at the children, I couldn't help but see Don sneak glances at Alice. Every couple of pages or when she giggled, he would peek at her quickly.
The children sat in a cluster around Hoshang's chair. The boys and I sat in a semi circle behind them. Xavier sat on my left and Cepos sat on my right. "Do you like the children?" I whispered to Cepos.
Before he could reply, Alice eyed Cepos and grabbed his hand. She pulled his hand until it was a couple of inches from her chest. His eyes became wide in surprise, yet he didn't pull away. Her cheeks were flushed and she giggled. She pulled her fist from her pocket and dropped something in his palm.
Cepos's open palm held a crumpled piece of paper. He flattened it. Then he smiled. Not his excited and bright smile. Just a soft curl of the lips, as though this smile contained more happiness.
I couldn't see what it said and I didn't pry. He stuffed it in his shirt pocket and looked back at me. "Not like. Love," he said still smiling.
I smiled and turned back to the storyteller. When it came to Alice's turn, she picked Cepos. I noticed that Don was glaring at him. Cepos read about a lady warrior who wanted one thing that only one person could give her.
"Princess?" Ian questioned over my shoulder.
"Yes Ian?" I replied as quietly as possible.
"It's almost time to go."
"Ah, I see. Thank you Ian." I dismissed him with a wave. As if on cue, Cepos closed the book. "Alright children, unfortunately we have to get going," I announced.
They whined and frowned. "See you, Alice," Cepos says. He then leaned down to Don. He whispered something in Don's ear. Don went stiff and blushed furiously. Cepos chuckled and stood upright.
Jae-Hwa ruffled Tommy's hair. "And remember, try not to hide behind a lady's skirt," Jae-Hwa says. Tommy nodded seriously.
"You need to slay dragon. Don't be scared. You can always ask me to help you," Tommy smiles.
"Yes sir!" Jae-Hwa says with chuckle.
When I took a step to the door, the children swarmed me. Their small arms embraced me into a hug. "Sneaky Princess," Grace said.
"Yeah, you can't leave without a hug," Hazel scolds.
"Alright alright," I say. I squeezed all of them until they were squealing to be released. We all said our goodbyes and drove off in the limo, Cepos sat next to me.
"Funny Alice," Cepos says. Then he digs into his shirt pocket and pulls out a piece of paper the size of my palm. Smiling, he hands it to me. On it, was a short sentence.
i liKe yOur hair. :)
I laughed and handed it back to him. "Funny indeed," I said. He grinned and nodded. "What did you say to Don?" I ask.
He shook his head and chuckled before answering. "No no, Man to man."
I eyed him but he only shrugged, giving me his cheeky smile.
***
Princess Nayla's special outing with the Princes!
The announcer said. There was a picture of us playing with the children.
But where is that first date? Is she not interested in the boys? Perhaps she has someone else!
I gasped. No no no!
A secret lover?
Ugh!
Maybe the boys are just the toys and Nayla is a playa.
When the announcer winked, I stood from my bed and stormed out of my room. This isn't how it was meant to go! Now I'm a player?!
Needing someone to talk to, I went to Dad's office. I burst through the door and plopped myself on a chair. He was watching The Crown. I sighed.
"Dad!"
"Yes," he says.
"How could they! I thought they wanted something. But now I have a secret lover and I'm a player?!" I shouted. I needed to calm down.
"I know Sweetheart." He sounded defeated.
I sighed. "No Dad, sorry. I'll try to fix this." He only nodded and ran a hand through his short cut beard.
"I also didn't think this would happen. They wanted to see what was up, so I thought this would be a good peek. But I guess they're tired of peeks. They want a possibility. A possible man that you might be interested in. But right now, they can't narrow anyone down," his voice was calm.
"Yes, but it's only been a week and a half," I sighed.
"Yes indeed."
"But I'll give the public what they want. A date."
"I wish you wouldn't have to rush through this," he said solemnly.
"I do too," I said.
"Nayla!" Mom slammed through the doors. "I'm so stupid! How could I!" She yelled.
"You know, you and your mother are quite similar," Dad commented. I laughed.
"Nayla! Oh honey, I was the one who told you to do that!"
"Mom, you couldn't have known that this was going to happen." She wore her hair in a tight bun. Her hair was the same color as mine.
She shook her head and sighed. "Oh Nayla."
"I know."
It's time to go one on one.
***
Once again, I found myself alone in the hallways. I sighed and sat down by a wall. Which mom would say is 'unladylike'. My back was leaned against the wall and my legs were sprawled in front of me. I closed my eyes and just breathed.
"Uh, hey there?" A husky voice said.
I flinched and opened my eyes. Xavier stood with a confused expression. An, are-my-eyes-decieving look.
"Hi," I say weakly. Then he walks closer and didn't hesitate to slide down next to me. Today, he wears a black dress shirt with a red tie. His shoes are polished and his pants are pressed nicely.
"I," he pauses. "I saw the news."
"Yeah? It was a great help huh." Sarcasm drips through my lips.
"I bet." He sits a hand away from me. "How are you?" He asks.
"I need something to take my mind off of everything," I say.
"Alright," he says.
"Think you can help?"
"Of course."
"Go for it," I say.
"You wanna know what my favorite letters are?" He asks with a sly grin.
"Sure."
"U,R,A,Q,T." Xavier says. It takes me a second to realize what he did.
Then I groan. "Oh my, really. Was that supposed to help?"
"Oh I'm not finished. If you weren't here, I'd be the hottest person."
I laugh. "Cocky much?"
He shrugs and grins. "If I could arrange the alphabet, I would put U and I together."
Classic.
"That's okay because N and O are together." I wink.
He groans and laughs. "I thought you needed some help?"
"Looks like you do too." I giggle. He feigns hurt and I laugh. But his recovery is fast. "Thanks."
"A privilege."
Ian comes running down the hall. "Princess!" He gasps. Look out the window!" Ian points.
Xavier looks at me confused and I mirror his expression. Standing up, I look out of the large glass. Reporters are crowded around the front entrance. The guards are trying their best to hold them back.
"Ian?" I ask. He shrugs his shoulders. I take off down the hall. Ian and Xavier follow. "Why are they here?" I ask Ian.
"I have no clue Princess. Maybe because of the news," he says.
I climb the stairs and finally reach the front entrance. "Open the doors please," I tell the guards. They give each other nervous looks before obeying me.
"Princess!"
"Is it true Princess?"
The reporters shout and the camera lights blind me. What?
A tall handsome man pulls me close to him. Who? A hand on my shoulder and one on my waist. He whispers, "You forgot someone."
Xavier and Ian just stand in shock behind me.
Then the man shouts the most outrageous thing ever.
"I am her secret lover!"
Aaahhh!!
Secret lover?
Who is this handsome man?
Find out next time on The Crown.
Jk it's just me! ;)
Thanks!
Bye~