4

THAYER

I felt drained after we visited my grandfather. He’d been in the private hospital for months. My country was praying for his recovery, but after I spoke to his doctors, I wasn’t sure if our prayers were heard. He’d been in a coma for almost three months, and they had not seen any improvements.

My family wanted to keep this bad news, but the people in the country needed to know. Despite that, they still had to keep a few details from the press.

I could see the struggle from Aunt Alessia as she joined me inside her father’s room. No one knew, except my family and the advisors, on which country my grandfather was admitted. It was for his security and privacy.

We had the best hospitals and doctors, but it was best to keep him away from media exposure. It had tight security. The staff was under indisputable NDA so that they wouldn’t leak crucial information to anyone outside this floor.

I’d known my grandfather to suffer from such illness just like everyone, but this time, he had a hard time recovering. I’d known a few people surpassed ninety or even reached a hundred years old. I wished I could still witness him celebrated his ninety years birthday, but judging by his situation right now in machines, I couldn’t let my hopes up.

“Grandfather, it’s Camren.” He was the only family who called me Camren.

 I missed his voice. I held his wrinkled hand. It even felt a little warmer—a good sign. “I came all the way to visit you. I know you can hear me. Your people are praying for your fast recovery, Grandfather. So don’t let them down, okay?” I knelt and bowed my head in front of him. “Your son, Isodore, and your daughter-in-law Aimrose have sent their love.” I kissed his hand before I rose to my feet.

Aunt Alessia had not said a word since we entered. I could see she was crying, but as a strong-willed woman, she kept herself composed.

“I’ll give you some time with him. I’ll be right outside.” I gripped her shoulder before I walked out.

Ash and Lud met me in the hallway. They knew the prognosis, but I knew they wanted to hear it from me.

I shook my head before I entered the room that served as the personal details room assigned to my grandfather.

“Just stay strong,” Ash said.

The entire room went silent. I wasn’t aware they weren’t briefed with my arrival. At least twelve people nodded at me.

“When I’m in this country. You won’t do that. You can call me sir or Thayer, but do not address me by my title unless you are ready to pack your bag and hand me your resignation.”

They apologized in unison.

“Take care of my grandfather, The King.” I left the room. Ash and Lud followed me out.

“Are you okay?” Ash asked.

“Not even the least.”

“We all are, T.”

“I need you to do something for me.”

“You don’t have to ask,” Lud replied.

“We have an agreement that you both can enjoy during your stay.”

“I would feel terrible if you won’t ask anything from us, Thayer. You’re still—”

“Don’t.” I cut Ash off.

“I’m sorry.”

“I know you both bugged my room.”

They looked down. Guilt plastered all over their faces. “Following orders. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. But you still have access to security details, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good. With audio?”

“No, sir,” Lud answered.

“Fair enough. I want you to check on someone.”

Their gazes flew to me. Hopes were brewing in their eyes.

I shut my eyes, sighing deeply. “She—”

“She?” they cried in unison.

“For God’s sake. Behave yourself.”

“The sooner you find her, the sooner we can get home,” Lud said excitedly.

“Are you serious? Do you plan on kidnapping her?” I shot them a murderous glare.

“You can invite her like normal people.” Ash shrugged.

“To my country? Like right now? Who stupid woman would agree to that?”

“Well, use your charm,” Lud suggested, smirking.

“Do you how hard for me to lie? To pretend as if I was just an ordinary guy walking around the city, thinking that it’s easy to bring someone home? That fact that I’m not just an ordinary man, how do you think she would react as soon as we landed in the airport?”

“Thayer, should I remind you that this is your idea?” Ash said.

“That you wanted to know if someone would accept you if you’re a nobody?” Lud added.

Fair point, but I would not admit to that. “I haven’t forgotten anything.” A painful silence followed. “Her name is Kennedy.”

God, nothing in that woman was not sexy. The first time I laid an eye on her, something inside me warmth. I’d spent my life with women who always wanted to win my heart—or rather, wanted the privilege. This time, it was different.

She had the most beautiful eyes, despite being laced with sadness. I wanted to strangle Aunt Alessia for giving her a hard time. She even looked amazing in her outfit.

I knew my aunt had a strict dress protocol. I couldn’t agree more. Besides, they worked in a leading fashion magazine.

Those lips, though. I wondered how they look without lipstick. Were they cherry red? Anyhow, I still wanted to feel them against my fingertip, my lips, and my tongue. Those pert breasts, enough the size around my palm and in my mouth as I suckled them.

I let her image invade my mind until my groin tightened.

Fuck.

The first time she saw me, I quickly noticed the admiration. And thank God, the recognition was the least I should be worrying about. She didn’t have any idea who I was.

“Thayer,” Ash called me out of my little fantasy.

I blinked away from the beautiful image of Kennedy. “Yes?”

“Do you know her surname?”

“I can give you better than that.”

“Great. What should we do?” Lud asked.

“Background check. Follow her around, but not in a creepy way.”

“We know exactly what to do,” Ash replied proudly.

“And manwhore, don’t you dare touch her.” I pointed at Lud.

He raised his hands. “I love my head intact and attach to my body.”

“And your dick too,” Ash seconded.

I joined Aunt Alessia in her car. She looked heartbroken.

I completely understood. Her mother died five years ago. That was how she found out who she was. My family quickly learned to love her, but she never forgot who she was—an independent American woman who was wed to her job.

“Not her, Thayer,” she said softly.

“Not who?”

She rolled her eyes, which was inappropriate to do to me. “I was there, watching you, admiring her, and how your eyes sparkled? I remember when your mother told me how you reacted the first time you saw your horse.”

“And why not? You can’t say no to me.”

“She’s irreplaceable.” There was sadness in her tone.

“And she’s also irreplaceable.” My corner lips tugged into a smile.

“How about that woman—? What’s her name?”

“See?” I pointed my finger at her. “You can’t even remember her name. Meaning, she’s not important.”

She sighed. “In all honesty, you deserve better than her. I couldn’t see any sincerity in her bones.”

“Let me get this straight, Auntie. You don’t like Kadynce for me?” I met her sad gaze.

She smiled. Her eyes sparkled for a split second. “How would you convince her to give up her career, Thayer? She loves her job. How are you going to drop the bomb that you’re the future ruler?”

“I don’t know. I have ideas, but after meeting her, I finally realized how difficult the task I have at hand.” I rubbed my clean chin. I used to have a day or two of stubble, which made me looked older. I kept it like that.

“She just broke up with her boyfriend.”

My eyes widened as if I just found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

“You know what it means, Thayer?”

My heart sank. “She needs to move on, heal her heart before she enters into another relationship. But I don’t have that time.” I rubbed my temples.

“I already have a plan for you.”

My head snapped to her. “What is it?”

“She’s gonna interview you. And you will be exclusive on page thirteen.”

I shook my head. “No way. No way in hell.”

“You cannot lie to her. You’re gonna break her heart. Do you want that? Women like us would easily fall in love with the right man. But we also easily fall out of love by you guys lying to us, betray us, and cheating on us. And it would be difficult for us to try trusting you again. Trust me, honey, if you like her this much. Start by telling her the truth. Of who you are.”