Chapter 4 - Royal on the House

“Selene has a boyfriend! Selene has a boyfriend.” Billy kept on chanting it over dinner. I scowled at him, but I did not say anything. I wish I could smack him in the head, but I just looked at him lovingly. My cute three-year-old brother, already independent at his age, ate his dinner on his own.

My mom came with a big bowl in her hand. Before my dad could stand up, Albert went and got the bowl from her and placed it on the center of the table.

“Thank you,” she said sweetly, then winked at my father.

My dad cleared his throat. Oh no! I always hated it when he did that. It usually meant the beginning of an interrogation.

“So, are you really my daughter’s boyfriend?” He started.

“Dad,” I grumbled as I eyed him scornfully, but I knew he won’t let go of this topic.

“Not yet, sir.” He answered politely. “Hopefully soon.”

My parents made an exchange look, and I know my mom was thrilled about it. I did not need to ask because the excitement was written all over her face. Not that she minded, but she thought I was a tomboy. 

If looks could kill, Albert would be dead right now. But instead of dying, he turned his gorgeous face to me and smiled, showing those perfect white pearl teeth. I always hated it when he did that. His smile was always one of my weaknesses.

“I’m interested in your daughter, sir,” he continued.

“Who’s interested in who?” Sienna asked as she darted to the dining room.

She placed her bag on the counter before walking towards us. Sienna, two years younger than me, looked like our mom. She was like a replica of herself. She has that long, brown, curly hair that matches her eyes and an adorable smile. We were opposite in personality. I was quiet and an achiever in school, but my sister... let’s say, she’s a happy-go-lucky type of person.

Still, in her school uniform, she kissed mom and dad quickly on the cheek and sat down beside me. “Sorry for being late for dinner, we had-” She stopped talking and her eyes widened as if she had a apparition. “No way!”

She stared at Albert as if she was studying a painting. Scratching the tip of her nose means  something is wrong. She narrowed her eyes, then tilted her head to the left, then to her right.

When he smiled at my sister, a gasp escaped her lips. She shrieked as her eyes widened in surprise. 

“What the...! What is he doing here?” She was exhilarated as she asked our mom.

“I told you he’s a celebrity.” My mom exclaimed, looking at my father excitedly.

We didn’t exactly have a celebrity on the house. Both Albert and I continued our dinner. As I ignored my parents, he did the same. He seemed to copy what I was doing. We were just enjoying dinner. 

“How could you not know, mom,” She was still in her high exciting tone.

My mom shrugged her shoulder. “You know I hardly watch TV, darling,”

Sienna took her pink Hello Kitty wallet in her oversize sweater pocket and showed a picture of a gorgeous teenage guy in her wallet. He was all smiling in the picture, making you either wet your panty or have a good and satisfying dream at night. I didn’t know she had that in her wallet. I raised my eyebrows and glanced at him.

I felt the heat rising on my cheeks. There was something in his stare that made me want to melt.

“Why do you have a picture of him?” My dad in his scrutinizing look. We’re all surprised that Sienna kept a memento of a man in her wallet.

“Because he’s the man of every girl’s dream, dad,” she said charmingly as she glanced at Albert, who was now busy eating mashed potato. He glanced at her and grinned.

“Not mine.” I refuted.

“Hey, that hurts.” His smile vanished and he scowled at me.

I gave him a sullen look but did not say anything.

“Wow,” Estella said amused to her daughters. “So, who is he again?” She asked Sienna, ignoring my stares.

“Huh?” Sienna was surprised that her parents didn’t know. She pointed at Albert. “Albert Philip George, the fifth son of Lord George and Lady Margarette of Cameron.” She said, trying to dig our parents’ memory in history and politics.

Albert courtesied and made an awkward smile. “You seem to know me well.” He winked at Sienna. I almost growled at them.

“And why is a royal member here at our house?” My dad asked absentmindedly. He was dumbfounded by the information.

“Because you invited him over dinner, remember?” My teeth gritted and I could not help sneering at my dad.

Albert has his way to charm everyone around.

“By the way, I love the potato, sir, and ma’am, the chicken was superb. Thank you for inviting me over dinner.” He said in a gentlemanly manner. His plate was almost empty.

My mother blushed and pressed her lips, suppressing a giggling smile, then gasped “Oh my, I fed you with a simple dish. I should have known. Why didn’t you tell us, Selene?” She turned to scowl at me.

“Because he’s trying to blend in,” I responded, which surprised him. My past in this present was messing with me. I wanted to growl at everyone.

“Are you really interested in my daughter?” Again, my dad, dumbfounded by what he was hearing.

 “I am sir.” His tone was serious.

“Stop it.” I retorted. His gaze was making me mad. “You know we’re not of the same kind.” I spat at him angrily. He wasn’t ready to let it go. He glared at me, making us like in a staring match again.

“No arguing over dinner,” Dad finally cut us. “Finish your food, Selene,”

I scowled at Albert for the last time and concentrated on my food. I was just glad SNS isn’t real in this era, or else my family will be judged and his face will be over the Internet by tomorrow. Sienna was trying to get his attention the entire dinner. As gentleman as he was, he entertained her questions.

It was supposed to be my turn to do the dishes, but mom insisted I should be with my guest. Sienna protested, but mom made her choose, either to wash the dishes or take care of Billy. She did not choose the latter. I went to our shabby but chic living room and found dad and Albert talking about politics. I furrowed my forehead because dad was never interested in this kind of thing, but now he seemed to be absorbed with the current issues.

I cleared my throat that got their attention. I looked at the time, I need to hold him for another twenty minutes, and a stroll in a park would be the best way to kill time. I was anxious now because this situation did not happened in my past. My family did not meet him until fall.

“Can I steal my guest, dad?”

“Yeah, of course.” He kissed my forehead before he excused himself and went to my mom. Surely, there will be a long conversation after tonight.

It was not a good idea for a royal member to be mingling with a commoner.