2019, March 9th-18th The Beaumont mansion had become something of a haunted house. After the press conference, CC and Bart were weathering the storm. Both of them were under house arrest, their every movement being watched, so phone calls from them were far and few in between. Natalie and Zoey's relationship was in need of great repair. In order to give Zoey some space, Cassandra and Natalie had decided that it was best, at least for the present, that Natalie stayed with Cassandra. While the mother and son were neighbours, it was still a good half hour drive to get from Cassandra's to the Beaumont mansion, effectively making them virtual strangers throughout the week. With all her other connections for the moment severed all Zoey, for the present, had was James. This fact made his persisting and intentional absence all the more noticeable. When she entered the breakfast room in the mornings, she was no longer surprised to find that no matter how much or how little he had consumed, h
2019, March 9th-18th The room cleared out remarkably quickly. Zoey smiled bravely. "I thought we could have a beach day," she said, trying hard not to sound as nervous as she was. He took her in from head to toe. Her hair fell lazily onto her naked shoulders. She wore an over-the-top golden bikini, a thin white scarf around her waist, and a pair of flip-flops. He stepped forward, his eyes boring into hers, until he could get no closer. "Is that so?" He pulled his jacket over her shoulders. "Go home, Zoey," he sighed, turning away as he pinched his nose bridge and his eyes fell shut. "Why won't you look at me? Did I do something wrong?" she asked innocently, laying her hand on his shoulder. He spun around and closed in on her again. This time, Zoey stepped back. He groaned. There they were again. Those eyes that kept him utterly transfixed. "What are you doing, Zoey? Showing up here dressed like this? Do you even know what you're doing?" he laughed darkly. "You don't, do you?
2019, March 20th Zoey pondered the significance of James' demeanour as he put her in a car and told her to enjoy her time with her family. She had promised to be back tomorrow, in time for the Duchess' Welcome, but he only smiled and said not to worry about it, said to take her time. Those words were just too sad somehow. He looked troubled. She couldn't get the words and the look on his face out of her head. "Zoey!" Natalie yelled across their kitchen table. "What?!" Zoey snapped. "As I've been trying to tell you for the last five minutes, your grandfather had some important business come up. He won't be able to see us until tomorrow," Natalie informed her. "But tomorrow's the Duchess' Welcome. I promised James I'd be there." Natalie stared at her daughter worriedly. "You got it bad, don't you hon?" "It's not like that. He's done a lot for me. I wouldn't want to disappoint him, that's all," Zoey said defensively. It felt like saying the words was crushing her heart. Of course
2019, March 20th Natalie continued the story. Cassie loved Henry very much, but, having met Duke Byron, she agreed to the divorce immediately. Henry sought Cassie and James out in secret every few years. They knew the risks, but Henry was incredibly fond of James and still very much in love with Cassie, despite marrying again. Three years after the secret meetings had begun, Henry brought with him a blue eyed, sandy brown haired, two-year-old little boy named Aaron. It was difficult for Cassie to accept Henry's new life and child but, in the end, her motherly affection for her own son won out. Seeing James' affection for Aaron made her unwilling to separate them. Maybe they should have known better, but Cassie and Henry decided that for the sake of the boys, she and James would move back to Caines and live under the name Beaumont. In another seven years, Cassie and James met Caroline. Cassie and Henry had gotten comfortable with this arrangement of letting the children see each oth
2019, February 12th Lady Emily Maine was born the first child of Duke Johnathan Maine. Being the heiress to half of Maine Industries, one of the most influential empires in the world, and the daughter of Terres Somnia's wealthiest man meant that people threw themselves at her feet all the time. Make no mistake, Emily didn't have friends, she had minions. This fact didn't bother her though, as she considered most women beneath her in some form or another, be it beauty or riches or rank. Emily Maine was a goddess in her own right, who could make or break your social, financial and academic life with one phone call. That she was not a princess was a mere formality. Anyone worth knowing either wanted to be with her or be with her. No exceptions. Even the Condor brothers were not immune to this special charm. Aaron and James had gone the entire year that James spent studying abroad, not talking because of her. To this day, Emily had never heard the word no come out of a man's mouth. I
2019, February 12th When they arrived at the mansion, they were informed that the master of the house was out, but that they might wait inside as by now the staff were aware of Emily’s relationship with their master. Emily headed straight for James’ office. “Jimmy agreed to let JJ do this?” Aaron asked sceptically, as he looked around. “Yeah, they actually get on really well. This was the first room. There’s about five other-” Emily stopped talking as she heard the door close. “No!” she screamed, running to the door as it closed. She let her hand form a fist and hit the door miserably. “What?” Aaron asked, seeing her reaction to the door closing. “JJ went all out with this stupid game of his. The door won’t open until you find the clue, solve the riddle, and then enter the code.” “Okay, so what was the code?” “I don’t know.” “Okay, what was the riddle?” “Don’t know.” “Then where’s the clue?” he asked, starting to get agitated. He was starting to get a bad feeling
2019, March 21st (Location: Unknown) The scent of deception and betrayal blew in with the wind as the traitors took their seats at a long table in a rickety, old, unkempt cabin. Among the party were the Maine siblings and their father, Duke Maine, Duke Arden and his son Bart and CC. The boiling heat of the day seemed to visit particularly on the little cabin in the middle of nowhere, lending to the air in the place an ominous quality as they began their treasonous meeting. "Is there news of my cousin's whereabouts?" Duke Arden asked. "None," CC answered simply. "What news from your side Johnathan?" Duke Arden asked, continuing to lead the meeting. "Nothing good. The King's Guard has already concluded recruiting half of Caines' armies. The regent is moving fast. At this rate, his army will be assembled in a week, maybe less. No noble will turn away or go against a regent that is also the future king, especially with the current king's whereabouts unknown," Duke Johnathan answered.
2019, March 22ndAs James sent Zoey off for what would only be two days, he was in two minds. On the one hand, he was glad that she would not be here when Bart and CC arrived. He could only imagine the state they must be in, always somehow ending up in the middle of things. On the other hand, his heart could not help but yearn for her, yearn to touch her and dance with her again.Not long after James had sent Zoey away, Bart's black SUV showed up at the gates of the Beaumont mansion. CC got out of the car hurriedly when she saw James come into view. She jogged up to him and flung herself into his arms."You're okay, right?" she asked, more to reassure herself than anything."No assassination attempts yet, if that's what you mean," James laughed.She elbowed him in the ribs."It's not funny! I'm so worried about him, Jimmy. Dad's missing and Aaron-""I know Carr, it's okay. We'll get them both back for you, I promise," James said, stroking her hair reassuringly."I wouldn't be so quick