The royal jeep bounced and lurched as it navigated the rugged paths within the forest. The queen's brows knitted together in irritation as she clasped onto the front seat to steady herself. "It's no wonder he kept this place hidden from me. A rather challenging location to reach," she muttered under her breath, her voice dripping with exasperation. Her gaze shifted towards Stacy, draped in regal attire, her hair elegantly fashioned in an updo adorned with delicate gold accents. Layers of makeup highlighted Stacy's features, presenting her as the epitome of a flawless queen. A subtle smile tugged at the corners of the queen's lips.Stacy's form trembled with each jolt of the car, but she maintained her poise, not budging an inch as she continued to scroll through her phone. The voice of authority reached her ears, causing her eyes to lift and lock onto the queen's unwavering gaze. "Stacy," the queen's tone was firm yet compassionate, capturing Stacy's full attention. "Yes, my queen."A
Marco's brows furrowed, his gaze locking onto the overly familiar jeep parked in front of the cottage. "Do we have guests?" His eyes shifted to Patricia, who sported his shirt in a way that hung loosely on her, her hair's disheveled strands casting a veil over her forehead. "Or is your brother paying a visit?"As Marco navigated closer to the cottage, his lips remained sealed. Parking behind the jeep, he stepped out, retrieving his jogger from the back and handing it to Patricia without a word. With an eye roll, she accepted the joggers and slipped into it, then joined Marco in his descent from the vehicle. Side by side, they strolled towards the cottage.At the entrance, two guards patrolling the area offered slight bows upon sighting the prince. "Welcome, Your Majesty," they uttered in unison. Marco acknowledged their greetings with a simple nod, leading Patricia into the residence with her arm linked in his. "Mom!" Marco called out, his grip on Patricia relinquishing as he headed f
"I was speaking to Prince Elliot, not you," Stacy snapped, her words strained, her frustration palpable. The microwave beeped, and she retrieved the plate, cradling it with a napkin as tendrils of steam gracefully rose into the air. Approaching him with the warm food, Stacy was taken aback by his reaction.Marco furrowed his brows, his mouth betraying his interest with a subtle salivation, Stacy's anticipation shining in her eyes as she observed his gaze fixed on her meal. However, instead of reaching for the food, he gently disentangled his arms from Patricia's and walked past Stacy, his footsteps carrying him toward his room.Stacy's lips quivered, a mixture of surprise and hurt rippling through her. Patricia stared after Marco as he retreated, her gaze shifting to Stacy, whose emotions were nearly spilling over in unshed tears. “Here, bring it,” Patricia said softly, her voice laced with concern. She took the food from Stacy's hands and set the plate down on the table before headin
"Patricia, open up." Marco's knuckles rapped urgently on the bathroom door, his ears perking at the sound of her tearful cries. A heavy sigh escaped him, regret mingling with the lingering guilt of the lie he had woven. "Come out, Patricia. We need to talk.""Leave me alone, Marco—or Prince Elliot, or whatever you call yourself. I don't want to talk to you. Go meet the woman your mother has chosen for you." Marco huffed, frustration simmering beneath his determination, as he continued knocking."Open this door, or I swear I'll break it down." His voice carried a weight of both anger and concern as he applied more force to the door."I don't care!" Patricia's voice cracked, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably. She stared at her teary reflection in the mirror, her hands trembling. "Why am I crying? What's wrong with me? This is the consequence of loving a man," she murmured, cupping her hands under the running tap and splashing water on her face. "Stop crying, don't let their—"
Stacy glided into the room, her mouth watering at the sight of a partially disrobed Marco. A white towel was loosely draped over his sculpted torso, the damp contours of his broad chest and chiseled abs stirring a potent surge in her hormones. The soft creak of the opening door caught Marco's attention; his movements paused as he met her gaze, his features knitting in confusion."Why have you entered my room?" His words tore her from her reverie. Stacy's sheepish smile tugged at her lips, eyes momentarily dropping to the floor, concealing the packet she held behind her.Marco shook his head, an incredulous scoff escaping his lips. "Speak your mind and depart." His tone was as frigid as the chill in the air, eyes avoiding her completely.Lifting her gaze to meet his, Stacy's voice was gentle, almost hesitant. "I brought you a tres leches cake I whipped up yesterday."A chuckle rumbled from Marco's throat. "Just set it down on the bed."Her steps felt weighted as she navigated towards t
Marco strolled out of the room, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. Dressed in shorts and a polo shirt, his hair appeared ruffled but it only added to his irresistible charm. Stacy gulped, her mouth parched as she fixated on his toned legs, finally comprehending why guys were attracted to girls' legs."Prince Elliot," she murmured his name in admiration, her eyes taking on a dreamy glint as Marco smoothly pulled out a chair beside her and took a seat. He maintained silence, laying his eyes on a dessert on the table, and promptly indulged in the tres leche cake. "Delicious," he hummed between bites, taking another forkful.Stacy bit her lip, her cheeks warming into a rosy blush. Her gaze fixated on the wooden table. "Thank you.""Can I vent without worrying you'll exploit it?" Marco inquired.Stacy raised her gaze, turning towards him. "Trust me, I'm a safe haven for conversations." A kind smile accompanied her words. "Can I share something?"Marco replied with a casual shrug, p
Stacy let out a startled scream as her footing slipped, and she tumbled onto the muddy grass, receiving an unwelcome splash of water. Marco quickly spun around, his umbrella held high like a makeshift shield against the rain. He let out an exasperated sigh, his free hand finding its way to his hip in frustration. "Head back to the cottage, Stacy," he ordered, his glare fierce and unwavering.Amidst the muck on her face, Stacy lifted her mud-smeared face, and Marco approached, offering her a hand. With a grateful nod, she accepted his hand, and he effortlessly pulled her to her feet. Raising the edge of her raincoat, she managed to wipe off most of the grime, leaving only a faint trace. "Shall we proceed together, Prince Elliot?""And leave Patricia to fend for herself?!" Marco's voice was tinged with concern."She'll rejoin us once she's cooled down. No need to fret; she's fine," Stacy retorted, rolling her eyes in mock annoyance.Marco grumbled, his head tilting back slightly. "I shou
Marco released an exasperated sigh, spotting the cozy cottage up ahead. His gaze shifted to the girl beside him, her hand tightly clasped in his. Ugh, these frustrations and confusing situations were driving him nuts. He mentally kicked himself for the impulsive kiss and the web of lies he'd spun for Patricia. Now he was stuck in the web, facing the dreaded task of explaining himself. As they walked away from the forest, Patricia's whereabouts remained a mystery, adding to his growing anxiety.The swirl of emotions within him intensified—the affection for Patricia and the mess he'd created weighed heavily on him. He knew he had to fix this, to find her and sort things out."I'll whip up a comforting cup of hot cocoa for you," Stacy's voice chimed as she dashed into the cottage. Her gesture brought a slight smile to Marco's lips, a small relief in a sea of troubles. The cottage door swayed back and forth before settling, a metaphor for the uncertainty that gripped Marco's thoughts.Faci
Patricia's confession hung in the air like an uninvited guest at a party. Marco stared at her, disbelief etched across his face."Did you just say you're nineteen?" Marco's voice wavered with a mix of shock and amusement.Patricia bit her lower lip, regretting her slip-up. "I, uh, well... yeah," she stammered, trying to backtrack. "I mean, isn't that what I've been telling you all along?"Marco's eyebrows shot up, and he chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You really had me fooled, Patricia. You've been playing the part of a seasoned spy with such finesse, I never suspected you were just a teenager."She gave him a sheepish grin, her earlier worries momentarily forgotten. "I guess I'm a good actress."Marco's laughter filled the room, and he pulled Patricia into a warm embrace. "You're more than that. You're incredible," he whispered into her ear.As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world outside seemed to fade away. Patricia's worries about Chloe and her fami
Marco burst into the room, finding Patricia in a frenzy, pacing back and forth while chewing on her thumbnails. He quirked an eyebrow and quipped, "Are you okay?"She halted, her gaze locking onto his. "Why were you with... No, that's not why I called you. We need to get back pronto." Patricia rushed to the wardrobe, stuffing clothes into an empty bag as if trying to hide from unseen terrors."Calm down," Marco urged, reaching out to hold her trembling hand. He pulled her gently toward his chest. "We're going home." Her voice quivered as tears cascaded from her eyes. "I don't know what's going on, Marco, and it's driving me bonkers." She hiccupped. "I can't bear losing the only family I have. I'll go mad, I'll—"Marco swiftly covered her mouth, shooting her a stern glance. "Don't even think about it. Nothing's going to happen to them."Patricia pushed his hand away, desperation etched on her face. "But something is happening. Chloe called." She paced away from his comforting embrace,
"God, I need my memories back," she muttered, tapping in another four-digit number, and the laptop emitted a buzz sound. Patricia exited the application and returned to the files Chief John had sent her, but the code had vanished. Why? Maybe it was a slip-up or perhaps it was intentional. She squinted at the screen, oblivious to the laptop's blinding brightness.Bzz! Bzzz!! Bzzzz!!!Patricia's eyes widened as her phone erupted in vibrations on the bed, its screen displaying an unknown private number. She wished she could identify the caller, but her phone was locked."Should I take the risk?" It could be anyone, John, the agency, or the culprits behind her predicament. Whoever it was could potentially trace her location. So, was it worth the gamble? She deliberated, her eyes fixed on the ringing number. Oh, to heck with it!Just as she was about to swipe to answer, the caller hung up. Patricia huffed in annoyance. Moments later, the phone began ringing again, and she quickly slid to a
Stacy's eyelids fluttered open, her groggy consciousness returning as she slowly sat up. The room was bathed in a soft, golden light, casting a warm glow over the surroundings. The events of the morning came rushing back, and she glanced around to find Patricia and Marco in quiet conversation by the window.Rubbing her temples, Stacy pushed herself up and swung her legs over the edge of the couch. The events of the morning had left her head spinning, and her emotions were a jumble of embarrassment, anxiety, and curiosity. She had never anticipated that her innocent mistake would lead to such a dramatic turn of events.As she watched Patricia and Marco, their hushed voices conveying a sense of urgency, Stacy's thoughts began to settle. There was an undeniable tension in the air, a feeling that they were on the cusp of something significant. She couldn't help but feel that there were layers of secrets she had yet to uncover.Marco glanced over and noticed Stacy's awake state. He offered
Marco found himself in a comical conundrum, staring at the ceiling fan twirling above him. Never in his wildest dreams had he been this perplexed by a woman. He'd never been the type to get serious, just one-night stands and empty promises. And now, when he'd decided to have a fling, fate served him a teenager who managed to steal his heart and body, all while sleeping soundly on his chest, her bare back inviting his gentle touch.Regret? He might have for employing her through deceit or for getting involved with her, but did he really regret it? These unfamiliar emotions were a whirlwind, and perhaps he didn't regret having her in his life after all. The uncertainty of what would happen when she regained her memory or when they crossed paths with her father loomed over him, but he was ready to embrace it all, consequences and all. His gaze shifted to his phone lying nearby, and excitement coursed through him when he saw a message that read, “My man, you in town and didn't tell me. Yea
Marco burst into the room, finding Patricia in a frenzy, pacing back and forth while gnawing on her thumbnails. He quirked an eyebrow and quipped, "Are you alright?"She abruptly halted, her gaze locking onto his. "Why were you with... No, that's not why I called you. We need to get back pronto." Patricia rushed to the wardrobe, stuffing clothes into an empty bag as if trying to hide from unseen terrors."Calm down," Marco urged, reaching out to hold her trembling hand. He gently pulled her toward his chest. "We're going home." Her voice quivered as tears streamed from her eyes. "I don't know what's going on, Marco, and it's driving me bonkers." She hiccupped. "I can't bear losing the only family I have. I'll go mad, I'll—"Marco swiftly covered her mouth, shooting her a stern glance. "Don't even think about it. Nothing's going to happen to them."Patricia pushed his hand away, desperation etched on her face. "But something is happening. Chloe called." She paced away from his comfortin
"God, I need my memories back," she muttered, tapping in another four-digit number, and the laptop emitted a buzz sound. Patricia exited the application and returned to the files Chief John had sent her, but the code had vanished. Why? Maybe it was a slip-up or perhaps it was intentional. She squinted at the screen, oblivious to the laptop's blinding brightness.Bzz! Bzzz!! Bzzzz!!!Patricia's eyes widened as her phone erupted in vibrations on the bed, its screen displaying an unknown private number. She wished she could identify the caller, but her phone was locked."Should I take the risk?" It could be anyone, John, the agency, or the culprits behind her predicament. Whoever it was could potentially trace her location. So, was it worth the gamble? She deliberated, her eyes fixed on the ringing number. Oh, to heck with it!Just as she was about to swipe to answer, the caller hung up. Patricia huffed in annoyance. Moments later, the phone began ringing again, and she quickly slid to an
Patricia's laughter dwindled as Marco sprang into action, hoisting Stacy up from the floor. Her eyes laser-beamed with irritation, lips pressed into a grumbling pout. "And he claimed he didn't like the girl," she muttered, rolling her eyes before diverting her attention to a nearby box. Relief washed over her as a grin curled her lips. Finally, something that resonated with her was here. She eagerly unloaded the contents and began arranging them with care.With gentle precision, Marco placed Stacy on the sofa, adjusting her flimsy nightgown and crossing her legs. A soft moan escaped Stacy's lips as Marco's fingers brushed her delicate thigh. His nose caught a whiff of the mouthwatering aroma wafting from the kitchen, prompting him to saunter over. There, he found an uncooked omelette in the pan, and a smile played on his lips as he deftly flipped it with a spatula. "She's truly making an effort to please me. Maybe, after I sort out everything in my life, I'll settle down with her, buil
The gentle morning light streamed through the curtains, painting the room with a soft, delicate glow. Patricia greeted the day with a grumpy groan, her body staging a revolt against any form of movement. As her eyes gradually adapted to her surroundings, she was met with the sight of Marco, sprawled out comfortably on the bed beside her. His hand had sneaked beneath her shirt, and his touch sent delightful tingles dancing across her waist.Her emotions were in a comedic tug of war. On one hand, there was an undeniable desire to lean over and kiss his handsome face. On the other, a compelling urge to strangle him for the emotional rollercoaster he'd unwittingly taken her on. Opting to address the latter issue first, Patricia pushed his hand away and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.The cool floor met her feet as she rose, her movements deliberate and careful. She silently made her way to the bathroom, the dull aches in her foot announcing themselves with each step. Splashing col