"Life's not about expecting, hoping and wishing, it's about doing, being and becoming"
-Mike Dooley
I'm bought out my thoughts by Jack one of the borders here.
"Do you need me to take anything else to the table for you?" He ask.
"Just the potatoes please".
I carry the turkey to the table then I look at some of the newbies. I know what a good program this place has and how lucky they were to get to come here. I knew what I want to do when I leave here I want to create a place as good as this but in the charity sector. I am going to fundraise and do whatever I need to, to make it possible. Being here as allowed me to see that sometimes when life is throwing you curveballs and hitting you repeatedly till you can barely stand. It takes just one person to care about you. To care enough to not give up on you even when you have given up on yourself.
My secretary picks me up from rehab and I ask to be taken to my siblings place before going to my new home. After seeing them I go to see the king and my grandfather and I tell them the truth about my mother. They were furious at my mother and I pleaded with them to let me tell my father the truth. They kept apologising to me for not seeing what was really going on. I apologise to Debora after seeing them and we had a really good talk. I told her about my mother calling me in rehab to say she planted the bugs. I explained how it was me that planted the first bug in her apartment and ask for her forgiveness. Some weeks later I then told her the truth about my mother and I mean everything. She cried for the pain I had to endure and not speaking up more at her wedding. We healed our relationship or started one finally I can't decide which it is.
My cousin and uncle insisted I move to a bigger apartment than what I currently had. They told me my mother won't be doing engagements anymore and she had lost her HRH title. I sigh in relief there was no chance of meeting her at large public royal family occasion.
I slept so well that night. The next day I asked my siblings to visit me and I told them everything. Everyone kept apologising to me for not seeing the abuse I was enduring. I really should have open my mouth and tell someone what was going on. Looking back I can't believe I GAVE her that power over me.
Then I thought about it for a moment how do you say to someone I'm being abused when the person doing it makes sure to display love for you in public. Tell false stories about you so you're the bad guy. Literally lie to people in front of you by saying you did something. Or tell them you did something you didn't do and you can't prove the abuser wrong.
Three weeks after I was out of rehab I had meetings with my staff to start a charity for people with substance abuse problems.
By my six week out of rehab I had a business plan and backers. Debbie donated fifty grand of her own money to my charity.
Two months post rehab I was tidying up my bedroom when I see the phone number Lelia gave me. I bite the bullet and call her and after three rings she picks up.
"Hello."
"Hi Lelia I don't know if you remember me it's Victoria from the bathroom".
"Victoria it's lovely to hear from you at last. How was rehab?"
"Exactly what I needed".
"I take it you told someone about your mother and that's why she was "retired" and lost her HRH?"
"I did, I told the king and CP and my siblings but not my dad yet".
"Why not he needs to be told what a monster she is".
"What if he doesn't believe me".
"Of course he will everybody else did didn't they?"
"What if he hates me for breaking up his marriage".
"From what I saw at the wedding including how she behaved after she hit you. Your dad maybe happy to have a reason to let her go".
"What do you mean they love each other".
"Your mother is clearly ambitious and your father seems embarrassed by her at times".
"Did something happened that I missed?"
"Yes but we will talk about that another time. I heard about your charity I'm going to donate one hundred thousand euros to it".
"OMG really, wait I know there's been rumours about it in the newspapers but nothing official as been announced to the public yet. How do you know about it?"
"I have my ways of finding out information about the Danish royals Vic. When do you start doing engagements full-time again?"
"Monday I'm really looking forward to getting back in the swing of things. I was asked to dance at the royal wedding by the cutest guy ever. Its sad I didn't get to really have a proper conversation with him".
"Yes it's ashamed. So you like him then?"
"Yeah, I found myself thinking about him a lot in rehab".
"I need to tell you something it was my brother that asked you to dance." I'm shocked at that piece of information.
"I don't even know your last name", I say to her.
"That's easy to find out Victoria in fact Debora and I have been talking and we have a surprise for you. I was going to call you later today".
"Wait you know my cousin?"
"Yes, Antonio is best friends with my brother. Debora is really nice she really thinks a lot of you Victoria".
"She didn't always".
"Even you can admit that before rehab you were not in a good place and your behaviour reflected this".
I realised she was right, "I'm not the same person now I was back then. You know I've learnt to cook in rehab which I really love doing now. Your brother won't want to be seen with a junkie will he?"
"You mean a former addict who turned her life around".
"I wish you were physically here".
"We can always FaceTime each other and Vic call me if you need to talk to someone or if you feel like going back to coke".
"You heard the words and the slap in that bathroom that was the reason for the drugs thankfully she's not in my life anymore. I'm in control of my own life now and she's completely out of it".
"I'm glad".
"Me too, I'll speak to you soon".
"Ok and Vic you'll be fine don't forget you've a lot of support".
"Your brother knows about my drug use. Did you tell him about the slap?"
"No that's not my place, I did tell him not to jump to conclusions though and to talk to you first before deciding to have nothing to do with you. He really does like you Vic".
"I don't even know your brother's name".
"It's Diego Balzarini, our mother was Spanish".
"Diego I repeat".
"Tell me something about him".
"He's kind, loving, very considerate and if he cares about you he will fight for you always". I listen as she tells me more about Diego.
He's three years older than me so he's 27. Laila and I end the call and I make Shepard's pie for dinner.
"I've been invited to dine with the Crown Princess and the pie is my contribution. Everyone going to the dinner was suppose to bring a dish kinda like a pot luck.
I arrive and put my meal in Debbie's kitchen. I apologise again to her friends for my previous behaviour.
I know Debbie hasn't told them the truth about my rehab. As we sit at the table and pass the plates around I know I'm lucky to come out the other side of addiction.
"So Vic I know we're having dinner together now but next Wednesday I'm going with the kids and Antonio to the country house I would love it if you tag along".
"How long are we staying for?"
"Till the following Monday".
"Okay if you think I won't be a gooseberry".
"You won't be", she smiles at me. The dinner was great, Debbie's friends are amazing and funny it's a shame it took me this long to see it.
My first engagement back after rehab there were a lot of press but I expected it. I went to a charity dealing with homeless teens. I was actually interested in the engagement and focused on getting as much positive publicity and donations as I could for the place. I did research before the visit and as I talk to the clients there and the workers at the charity. I knew my job as a Princess and making a difference in the world was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
I was driven to our country house, Debbie and Antonio were already there. I walked in the building, "Hello".
A footman comes and takes my luggage.
"Your royal highness let me show you to your room".
I follow him and leave my luggage by the bed and go to find my cousin or the butler. I walk in the kitchen and see Debbie making bread.
"What can I help you with?"
"A dessert would be nice".
I look in the cupboards to see ingredients to make a pie, I decide to make a apple pie, couple Danishes for breakfast tomorrow and chocolate ice cream.
It was nice to be there enjoying the time with my cousin before she was queen or she starts taking over more of her father's role.
We finish cooking and make our way into the living room.
"There's one more guest".
"Who?" I ask Debbie.
"It's a surprise ," she tells me.
"You have to give me a clue, is it one of your friend if it is why the mystery?"
I found out what the surprise was not long after. I was playing with my little cousins when the butler walked in the room.
"Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince Diego Of Sardinia is here". I look up from the floor to see my dark hair green eye crush staring at me.