JULIEN“Ahh Julien, what a wonderful surprise. I’ve been aching to see a familiar face. It's been quite lonely here.” Landon rasps, regarding me with an uncharacteristically bright smile for someone who was in jail awaiting trial.What game could he possibly be playing at? I mused as his smile grew wicked.“You seem chirpy,” I drawled.Landon shrugged. “What can I say, jail food is not particularly disgusting.”“Oh?” I murmured, taking his bait as my brows quirked higher.“So, did you bring good news?”I snort at his blatant display of obliviousness. Did this idiot think I came to salvage him? What a fool.“Well, if you consider facing trial next week Tuesday to be good news, Good riddance to you Landon.”Landon’s smile deems a fraction and I take it as my sign to leave him to his foolish nuances.I’m about to rise to my feet when he decides to grace me with his chirpy as-ever voice.“You know Julien, you’re a strong man,” he murmurs. His eyes rake over me with stark sympathy dancing
ELSIDAElsida lets out a ragged sigh. “I'm going to Spain next week with Prince Adrian for the European Royal Action.”Her Father manages to surprise her when his eyes light up and a smile stretches across his lips.“Wow Elsida, this is great news, you’re auctioning your art in Europe!”“Err yes…” I stutter and my gaze moves to the tablecloth.”That's not all. Dad, Natasha, I have something I need to tell you both.”Natasha scoffs and rolls her eyes, “Oh my gosh Elsida, skip the freaking dramatics.”Oh, when I tell her this she’d soon realize there is nothing dramatic about my behavior.“Okay Nat, I’ll save the dramatics. I got offered a job in Spain by Pere… to collaborate with them on their next collection. After a lot of thinking, I’ve decided to accept the job offer. I think a move is exactly what I need now.”Natasha flinches by my side and her hand on the fork stills. She looks up at me with a smile that barely reaches her eyes. “I’m happy for you Elsida, really,” she murmurs. Th
ELSIDA“Prince Adrian, I'm sorry to interrupt but your little sister is standing in front of the plane, requesting you come out soon or she will..” the hostess flinches before she completes her sentence.” tear it down?”I turn to Adrian and give him an amused look as he fights the urge to stifle a laugh at the sight of the hostess who genuinely looks frightened.Poor Melinda.“Ahh, thank you so much, Melinda, I will be out soon.”I burst into a fit of laughter when the hostess leaves. “Well your sister is cute, I can’t wait to meet her.”Adrian sighs and stretches an arm towards me.”Trust me Elsida, if you spend more than an hour with her, you’d think otherwise.”The way his lips involuntary tug upwards from just talking about her makes me think otherwise and I give him a knowing smirk.“Lead the way Prince Adrian,” I bow.He scoffs as we make our way out of the plane hand in hand, “Just Adrian Princessa.”“I’ll call you Adrian the day you stop calling me Princesa.” “Ahh, if that’s
ELSIDAAfter the maids force me into a bath and lather my skin with luxurious oils, they dress me from head to toe in the most exquisite silk that has touched my skin.They depart immediately, they're done and now I'm left staring at a reflection that is supposed to be me.I hardly recognize her.The silk navy blue dress I adorn has a vice bodice that glitters like nightfall.And my heels?They're freaking glass slippers.Natasha would kill for this but me not so much…A knock resounds on the door and I stalk toward it, I lift the ends of my freaking ball dress to enable me to move faster and let out an exasperated sigh as I pull the door open.My breath is whisked away by the sight in front of me. Adrian stands in front of me with a large grin spread across his lips that has his stark white teeth peeking.“You look ethereal Princessa,” he rasps. His eyes don’t leave mine as my cheeks flush crimson. He takes my hand in his and places a tender kiss on the back of my palm.An involuntar
ELSIDAThe European Royal Auction and Gala was the most coveted historical event of the fall season. Young millionaires and heirs aspired to be invited to the exclusive event but only a select few were invited to come spend millions of euros on over-priced artworks.This year, I just so happened to be part of the artists and I could hardly believe it.No, seriously, pinch me.What were the odds that I’d have a charming Prince in my arms and travel to Spain for such an exclusive event?Even at the time when my Father had money, never in a million years would he have secured the connections to participate in something as prestigious.“Are you ready Princesa?” Adrian rasped, interlocking our hands together as security hovered in front of the limo.“I’m ready!” Fernanda screeched from her position on Adrian’s lap and I stifled a laugh as I regarded her flushed cheeks and wide eyes.“I’m ready Adrian,” I murmured.Adrian smiled down at me and gave Fernanda a disapproving look. “It's rude t
JULIENMy lips spread into a slow smile and I watch the rise and fall of Elsida’s chest with precarious care when her beautiful work of art is handed over to me.Her cheeks flush red and she pulls her gaze away from mine. Her fist that isn’t entwined in Adrian’s hands clenches and she doesn't spare me another glance.A muscle in my jaw jumps when her eyes slide over to Adrian’s and she lets him have a look at her pretty face.I’m full-on glaring at him when his hand slides to her cheek and he whispers his sad excuses of reassurances to her.I look away. Adrian should know better than to go for Elsida but alas, he managed to prove me wrong.Too bad I wasn't one to give up on Elsida.My thoughts disperse as Elsida’s second art is put on display for bidding and I waste no time in laying my claim.“Okay, we’re starting strong. Five hundred thousand euros.” the announcer bellows.Adrian stays put but passes me a curious glance as though he is waiting for my next move which is exactly what
ELSIDAI let out an exasperated sigh as my heart thuds rapidly against my ribcage, Julien’s words reverberate like a symphony in my head and it’s all I can do to keep breathing.“Don’t say that Julien, you don’t mean it,” I croak.“El look at me please,” he rasps, his voice echoes in the elevator and comes out gravelly.It takes every ounce of willpower within me to keep the tears that threaten to cascade down my face at bay. I meet his azure eyes.“I’m sorry Elsida, Fuck I’m so sorry, I wasn’t trying to push you away, I just. I just didn’t want you in on the shit going on with my Father, you’d been through enough.”We shouldn’t be in this elevator alone, it was a precarious thing.Not when every inch of my body threatens to cling to him and not let go. To promise him that everything will be okay.Fuck, this shouldn’t be happening, I’m supposed to forget about him.“El?” he rasps, drawing me out of my train of thought.I don’t think even if I tried, I could forget him so, I sigh and
ELSIDATEN YEARS AGOJUNIOR TRIP TO MURCIA SPAINI begged her.I begged my mom for over a week to let me opt out of this school trip. I didn’t have any friends save for Landon who had other friends he’d probably like to memories with.Alas, Mum believed it was a right of passage and unfortunately, I wasn’t into that type of thing.Not when all of Luton prep hated me and Julien was; aggravatingly Julien.“Elsida, I promise it’s going to be fun. You’ve got me, you don’t need to bother about any of them.” Landon rasped in my ear and gave my hand a light squeeze as our plane ascended into Murcia.I gave Landon a half-hearted smile. He was sweet and brave, I’ll give him that but, let’s face it. There was no way Landon could muster up the strength to defend me from bullies.I prayed fervently to God that, it wouldn’t come to that.“Thanks, Landon, it’s fine, I’ll be fine.” His green eyes sparkle with concern but he doesn’t call my bullshit. Instead, he says;” it’s going to be a good trip.