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39.
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2023-05-12 10:30:16"I am about to leave the hospital. The doctor discharged me, and I feel a hundred times better now."
"How will you get back?"
"Dimitri offered to take me home. He should be here any minute."
"Okay. We are settling into a hotel for the night. We will get some rest and be home early tomorrow morning."
"That's good. It's not always safe to drive at night. Is Carol asleep already?"
"No, she is in the shower."
"How was your trip?"
"Fine. Great, actually. I'll tell you all about it when I get back. Right now, I am crashing for the night."
"I'll let you sleep. Take care of yourself."
"And you. Don't rush into anything. Eat something filling and take any drugs you have been asked to take. Try to get some sleep as well."
"I will. I will. I love you."
"And I love you too. See you tomorrow."
Ayesha sunk down to the sofa, leaning over to knot the lace of her sneakers. She pulled the tilt chords on the blinds and
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An Unroyal Alliance 40.
Dimitri walked up to the front door of his house, staring down at the wrapped package sitting at the foot of the door. The box was covered with brown paper. A rose made from a gold ribbon was plastered on top. Confused, he looked around the compound, wondering how long it had been there and who put it there. When he left for the hospital earlier, there had been nothing.He picked the card, tucked into the ribbon, first and read the message."Dimitri. Thanks for inviting me to the party last weekend. I had a lot of fun." He sighed, looking down at the box. "Sofia."Dimitri took the box inside and placed it on the coffee table. Diligently, he ripped away the ribbon before tearing the wrapping away. Inside was a wooden docking station made of dark, burnished wood. His initials were carved into the bottom and traced with golden paint. He turned the package around, looking it over.Sofia was one to show her gratitude with gifts. When they were kids, she'd buy them icecreams or tickets to t
Last Updated : 2023-05-13An Unroyal Alliance 41.
Dimitri turned in bed, half asleep. He listened for the sound of the doorbell. It came again, and he groaned, muttering in frustration as he snuggled his head deeper into the pillow and tried to block out the rest of the awakening day. It had been a long night at the office, signing documents, revising contracts and scheduling meetings. He intended to sleep into the morning until he was sufficiently rested, but whoever was at the door had other plans. The ringing stopped. Two rings and everything fell silent. Ordinarily, he would have continued sleeping, but he groggily sat up, looking at the clock and searching for his phone. If anyone of his family was at the door, they would have called when he didn’t answer after the third ring. When nothing happened, he sluggishly dragged himself out of bed and into the living room. Still hazy from his interrupted sleep, Dimitri padded to the door. He looked at the security monitor but only saw a woven basket filled with clear p
Last Updated : 2023-06-08An Unroyal Alliance 42.
Ayesha smiled as she walked up to the sliding door that led to the swimming pool. The entire setup was inviting. The rippling water reflecting the sun's rays across the surface gave it the appearance of a sparkling gem.“Did you design this too?”“No. No. I am not that talented yet.” He joked, leaning his weight on the frame of the door. “I just chose what design I thought would best fit my backyard and allowed the men to do theirwork.”“Did you also design your apartment when you lived there?” She asked with interest, turning away from the pole and resting on the door frame too.“I did, but unlike with this place, I didn’t have much experience and made many mistakes.”“With?”“Colour. Furniture. You name it. I painted the walls one colour and later on it didn’t match some of my furniture. I learnt from my mistakes and grew my own taste fr
Last Updated : 2023-06-09An Unroyal Alliance 43.
Sofia watched the young woman walk away, the skin of her palm biting into the leather of the steering wheel as she squeezed it hard. She had driven over to surprise Dimitri. She planned to run into him as he left for work, so she parked her car and waited, prepared to bite the bullet and invite him out for coffee. He insisted they could be friends, and she was ready to use her cards and sort things out. Little by little, like before, they would become closer again.Her plans and excuses went out the window when she looked through the gate to see him saying goodbye to her. She didn’t simply kiss him on the cheek, she hugged him, and he smiled at her with warmth. The same warmth she noted in his tone months ago when he spoke about helping her at the hospital.&n
Last Updated : 2023-06-10An Unroyal Alliance 44.
Ayesha strutted out of the store with the bags of clothes she’d purchased swinging at her side. It had been a while since she bought something for herself, and since she didn’t have classes or work in the morning, she decided to use the car for a drive around. She dropped the bags in the back of the car and got in, ready to return to the apartment.As she crossed the street to get to her car, her eyes fell on a familiar face sitting across the street from where she parked. He sat under one of the large, bright blue patio umbrellas stalking out of the centre of the elegant, polished deck tables. It always seemed easy to pick him out in a crowded space. Once her eyes caught a glimpse of him, he became all she saw.Maybe it was a rouge crush, and she was allowing it to blossom even when she convinced herself she was cutting it down. She didn't want to start anything with someone who still loved someone else. But the uncertainty of that fact kept feeding her wi
Last Updated : 2023-06-15An Unroyal Alliance 45.
Early in the morning, Dimitri was finishing his hike for the day when he walked out of the forest and noticed Ayesha sitting by the waterfront. Unlike the last time he had seen her in that exact spot, she had come prepared with a blanket and a lunch box. Casually dressed in dark leggings and a large navy blue t-shirt with a wide enough neck that one side hung off her shoulders.She appeared to be enjoying the day. Her hair was down, her hands stretched behind her, and her neck craned towards the sky as she relished the little sunlight that warmed her skin. Her legs were crossed at the ankles. She had taken her shoes off, so he noticed when she wiggled her toes through the socks.“Hey.”“Hey, right back. How are you?”“Fine, thanks. You?”“Spectacular. Are you finishing up on your hike?” He nodded, and she tapped an empty space on the blanket. “Want to join me?”“Sure.” H
Last Updated : 2023-06-16An Unroyal Alliance 46.
"Any better?" Dimitri asked as he turned the car on and allowed the heaters to blast through the vents."Yeah. Either that or I am past the point of feeling anything different."Ayesha shivered violently. She had taken her shoes and socks off, unable to bear them on her feet for a second longer. Dimitri allowed the car to run for some time, using the heat from the air conditioner to make their situation more bearable, but it didn’t change much. They had been sitting there for so long, and nothing had changed.The storm raged around them. The streams of raindrops were so thick Ayesha could clearly see the insides of the car when she looked out the window. She saw Dimitri from the window. He was digging into the back seat, leaning over the console and grunting from discomfort.“Ayesha.”“Yeah.”“Take this.” He handed her a towel and then reached for a jacket and shorts. “Change into that.”
Last Updated : 2023-06-17An Unroyal Alliance 47.
“Come on up.”“No, I can’t. I might be all smiles, but I need to get warm.”“I bet. Which is what I am inviting you in for.” She looked out the windshield to the street. “It’s still raining quite heavily. I’ll wash and dry your clothes. You can change into them and enjoy a hot cup of tea. Don’t be so hard-headed. You’ve been shivering so hard your teeth are about to chatter out of your head.”He had no blanket in the car, and aside from the heater, there was nothing else he could use to get warm. The offering was tempting. He wouldn't deny that he dreaded having to sit through the traffic of cars in his still-drying clothes."I don't want to inconvenience your roommate."“Then you have nothing to worry about. He is spending the week at his girlfriend's place. Come in.” She pleaded, and this time he relented."Fine, but I have to find a better place to p
Last Updated : 2023-08-24
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An Unroyal Alliance 94.
Dimitri excused himself from the party when he received a call. He kissed Ayesha's knuckles and winked at her as he left her in the care of his mother. He walked deep into the garden to answer the call. He didn't notice the person seated on the bench.When he finished the call, he noticed movement in the bushes. Dimitri cocked his head, trying to see who it was when he heard shaky breathing and noticed the dress as he drew closer."Sofia?" He called.The figure gasped, and he saw her turn to wipe her face. As he drew closer, the dress she wore became more noticeable. It was Sofia."Hey. Hey. Hey. Are you okay?""Yeah." She laughed breathily, turning to face him when her face was dry. "What are you doing out here? Why aren't you inside?""I got a call.""Oh. Work?""No. Not really. It was Bolin.""Oh! How is he?""Fine, and you? What brought you out here?"She shook her head and pressed a finger in the crook
An Unroyal Alliance 93
True to her word, Ayesha had surprised him with her dress for his mother's party. He knew next to nothing about gowns like that. Still, the soft peach colour and layers underneath that shimmered when she moved with the flowers sewn into the fabric made her look angelic. The arms of the dress hung low on her arms, exposing to show off the necklace he had gifted her. The satin gloves she had on reached past her elbow, and she worried the bands every now and then when she spoke.Her outfit had captured his mother's heart when she set her eyes on it. She hadn't stopped gushing over it since. He had worried about her spending so much for the party, but she had proudly assured him that the dress cost her nothing. Her friend's mother was a seamstress, and Ayesha had offered to buy one of her dresses for the night when she lucked out and got it free as long as she advertised the store. And with how many people flocked to ask questions about the gown, Dimitri was sure things were work
An Unroyal Alliance 92.
"So... you are a... you are a... princ... princess?""Yes."Joseph covered his mouth with his hand and nodded. Ayesha sat on the floor, watching him as he tried to understand her story. It wasn't an easy decision, but she wanted to start some reconciliation with her past. Joseph had been with her since she ran away years ago, and she never got around to telling him the truth about where she escaped from. She allowed him to think whatever he wanted, but since Dimitri knew the truth, she wanted to share it with him, too.He was family to her. He had become a brother to her, and she wanted their relationship to be complete."How old are you?"She chortled. "I am twenty-six.""You escaped around ten years ago. How did you get your new name and everything.""My sister-in-law took care of that. She has been like a mother to me since my brother died, and she couldn't watch what my parents were doing to me. They locked me up, and she decided
An Unroyal Alliance 91.
The rains were more forgiving in the morning. It didn't fall with a vengeance like it had all night. Now, there was only a slight drumming on the rooves and floor. Ayesha slipped out of bed quietly to avoid waking Dimitri. She left the room and went around the house, opening the curtains to let in what little sunlight was present. As she waited for some water to boil, she stood in front of the window and watched the rain flirt with the plants in the garden. She intended to start making breakfast but wanted to enjoy the peaceful morning first."Good morning."She turned with a smile to greet Sofia. "Morning. How did you sleep?""Fine.""Tea?""Ach. Sorry, I am a coffee girl through and through. And I am guessing Dimitri still has none of those lying around.""Unfortunately, no.""Don't worry about me. I have caused enough trouble." Sofia laughed and seated herself on one of the stools. Before Ayesha could assure her there was no troubl
An Unroyal Alliance 90.
“Do you intend on buying the store?” Dimitri muttered, not looking up from his phone as he looked through his assistant’s messages.“No,” Ayesha replied.“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the cart will soon overflow.”“Your fridge and practically your house is empty.”“And?” He chuckled.“We’ll stock you up, and you won’t have to worry about grocery runs for the rest of the month. Maybe even two months.”“But you’ve gotten everything you wanted to use to cook today?”“Yes. Indeed.”He dropped his phone into his jacket and leaned on the hand of the cart to watch her. She intently read the ingredients on the back of a large can. She was crouched at the bottom of the shelf; her dress blanketed her legs, and her purse hung to her side.She had come over to spend the day with him and enjoy the
An Unroyal Alliance 89.
Dimitri noticed Ayesha’s car pulling into his parent’s lot before he got in the house. He smiled as he watched her quickly check herself in the mirror and run her hands through her hair. She waved at him when she was done, then grabbed her purse to get out of the car.He walked to her and took her hand, and she kissed him. “Good evening.”“Evening, sweetheart.” He looked her over, taking in her dress and heels. “You look stunning.”“Thank you.” She patted her hair and adjusted the band. “Did you just get in?”“Yeah. We are early.”“Your mom said six.”“Yes, and dinner is usually six thirty. You’d be hanging around in the parlour with us till then.”“Oh.”“Come on. It's tradition. You'll love it.”His sisters were waiting when he got into the house. Vienna was the first to step forward
An Unroyal Alliance 88.
Ayesha rushed out of the forest, scrambling to a stop by a gleaming Dimitri to catch her breath. “Fair and square, huh?”“Your legs are much longer than mine.”“All I hear are excuses.”He handed her
An Unroyal Alliance 87.
Dimitri opened the door but used his body to block his mother’s view of the house. He was going to let her in, but he wanted to give Ayesha time to prepare herself. It was the first time she would meet his mother. With how they broke up, he knew she could feel nervous. But, as surprising as the coincidence was, it was also a good opportunity for his mother to finally meet her without throwing a dinner.Ayesha may not know it, but this was saving her the awkwardness.“Morning, Mom.”“Hello, sweetie.”“What brings you by?”“I went to the store today to oversee the newcomers. Some good things are going on the shelf today. I just stopped by to say hello since I was going through your area.”He nodded and stepped back. He knew when her eyes fell on Ayesha, but he casually said, “Come on in.”His mother looked at him, but she didn’t stare for long. She slipped past him
An Unroyal Alliance 86.
Ayesha wiped her cheeks as she reached the end of her story. She tried her best not to make it sound like an excuse because she still bore the responsibility for her actions. She wanted him to understand, not excuse her. So she chose her words wisely but did her best to speak on every truth he needed. “I can still feel their hand on mine sometimes when I sleep. They dragged me across the palace while I screamed and stuck my foot on the rug. Once my dad was tired, he had the guards carry me the rest of the way. I was spoiled, they said. I would learn, they said.”“You will not leave this room until your wedding day.”She shivered at the memory of the words. “I stayed in that room for two weeks, maybe three, but it felt like months. There was just a single window. They gave me a bed to sleep on, so they weren’t total savages. The guards kept me company, and the maids brought me…more like snuck me some good food here and there. They couldn’t disobey my parents but could do what they cou
