by Calista King
The other thing that caused him some concern was that he knew that once he broke the news to his family, it would become official. He'd have to put out a press release to all the papers about his upcoming nuptials, and then the media frenzy would begin.
Could Laila handle it all? Would she want to? She had told him she loved him and his past wasn't going to be an obstacle for their future, but what about all the duties that came with being royal? Laila had no idea how her life would change once she married him. There'd no longer be the anonymity and freedom to do anything she wished. Every move would be under a microscope. Every dirty little secret from her past would be dug up and put out in the open for anyone and everyone to gossip about.
It was a difficult life for someone already born into it, but for a complete novice, it was just about unbearable. Still, Andreas knew he was selfish enough to still want Laila to marry him despite all that. He couldn't imagine his life without her in it now that he had gotten the opportunity to know her and be with her. He would do everything in his power to make sure her transition went as smoothly as possible, and the first step was to make sure his family accepted her with open arms.
"Soon," he said. "I'll call them today. I have a feeling they'll be wanting to meet you."
"Really?" she asked.
"Yes, really," Andreas said turning to look at her with a puzzled frown on his face. "Why do you sound so surprised?"
"It's nothing," Laila lied.
"Tell me."
"Well, it's just that once you tell them, then it'll no longer be just you and me. I assume that once it's official, there's going to be things that are expected of me."
Andreas frowned. "You're not regretting your decision are you?"
"No, of course not," she said. "I just really enjoyed having you all to myself and now that we're putting our relationship out in the open, I figured that's going to change."
"I was just thinking about that," he said taking her hands. "Don't worry, Laila. Even though some things will change, the fact remains that I love you with all my heart and no one and nothing will ever change that. I promise you."
"Thank you." She leaned over and gave him a tender kiss, wanting him to feel all the love and emotion behind it.
Andreas held her tightly in his arms, afraid to let her go. She had been right that things would change very soon and he hoped with all his heart that their love would be enough to see them through the tough times ahead. It felt like his dreams were so close within his grasp, he was afraid somehow it would all disappear.
"Hey now," she said breaking apart their kiss. "You squeeze me any tighter, you're gonna break a rib."
"Oh I'm so sorry," Andreas said releasing his hold on her.
"No worries. I've got to get ready for work now anyways," she said, kissing the tip of his nose before hopping out of bed.
"You're going to work? Today?" he asked.
"Yeah, I promised Corinne I'd cover for her today.."
"But we're engaged. We should be celebrating...in bed." Andreas winked at her and patted the spot on the bed she had just left.
Laila laughed as she threw a towel over her shoulder. "Much as I'd love to spend all day in bed with you, I've got commitments. Besides, you should be glad. Don't you royals put duty and all that stuff first anyways? I'm just getting adjusted to my new role," she joked.
"Humph, your duty should be to me in my bed," he said.
"Oh I don't consider that a duty at all," she threw saucily over her shoulder as she made her way to the bathroom. "Besides, don't you need to call you family and let them know about our engagement?"
Andreas threw his head back on the pillow in frustration. "Damn my family," he muttered to himself.
Laila laughed as she stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She emerged 30 minutes later, showered and dressed in her drab work uniform of a button up white cotton shirt and gray dress slacks. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail and she wore hardly any makeup besides some mascara and lip gloss. She sat on the bed and was slipping on her black ballet flats when Andreas leaned over and wrapped his arms around her waist. Laila leaned back against his embrace and closed her eyes, loving the feel of his strong warm arms wrapped around her.
"You're making it very hard for me to leave, Andreas," she said.
"Then don't leave," he said, nibbling on her neck.
Laila left for work an hour late, and Andreas smiled to himself as she ran out of the apartment, with her hair mussed and her shirt barely buttoned as she swore her way out the door. His smile was quickly replaced with a frown as he thought of the task before him. Staring at his phone he mentally ran over the conversation in his mind: "Hello, Mother. I've got great news, I'm engaged!" "I'm going to be married!" "I'm in love!"
None of it would go over well. His mother wasn't a sentimental type and he knew her first question would be "Who is she? Who are her family? Is she a commoner?" His mother would not be happy with his answers. Not that her opinion would change his mind about marrying Laila, but he needed his mother to accept his future bride. Even though he dreaded conflict and arguing with his mother, he would not tolerate any disrespect towards Laila. Andreas was so lost in his thoughts that when the phone rang, he nearly jumped up out of his skin in surprise.
"Hello," he answered on the fifth ring.
"Andreas, it's me Frederick."
"Freddy! I was just about to call you," he said. "I've got some great news!"
"Oh yeah? What is it?" Frederick asked.
"I'm engaged."
"Hello?" Andreas asked, after the line had been silent for a while. "Are you still there."
"Yes, I'm still here," Frederick said tightly. "This is very sudden Andreas. Who is she?"
"Her name's Laila Greer. She's perfect Freddy, I know you'll just love her once you meet her."
"Andreas, you cannot be serious."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you just got out of a disastrous relationship with one woman you wanted to marry, and now you go jumping in again with another woman. How do you know she's not using you or going to sell you out like Caroline?"
Andreas felt a surge of anger shoot through his body at Freddy's words. It was one thing to doubt him, but to suggest that Laila was anything like Caroline was the outside of enough. He hadn't even given Laila a chance. He'd never even met her before judging her.
"I'm going to forget you said that, Freddy, but for future reference, do not speak about my future wife like that ever again. Laila is nothing like Caroline."
"There is no need to get angry, Andreas," Frederick said. "I'm just trying to look out for you."
Andreas released a heavy sigh, letting go of his anger at the same time. He knew Freddy was telling the truth. He'd always looked out for him even as a young child, shielding him from the wrath of his parents and the punishments dished out by their nannies anytime he did something bad. And deep down, Andreas even had to admit he didn't have the best track record with women. If Freddy were going to judge Laila by the type of women Andreas normally dated, then he had a right to be worried.
"I appreciate it Freddy, I really do," Andreas said, "but you don't have to worry about me. I know this is the one and I know if you gave her a chance, you'd see how great she is. Uncle Albert and Aunt Lorena already love her."
"They do?" Freddy sounded surprised, and Andreas felt a tiny pang of guilt for not being completely truthful to Freddy. His aunt and uncle hadn't officially said they loved Laila, but he could tell they liked her and thought she was a good person, so he wasn't exactly lying about what he said.
"If Aunt and Uncle give her their approval, then I will withhold any judgment until I meet her."
"Thank you, Freddy," Andreas said gratefully. "I appreciate it."
"No need to thank me. I should have said it sooner, but I overreacted," Freddy said. "By the way, when do you plan on telling Mother and Father of your engagement?"
"I was just about to call them before you called me, a
ctually," he said.
"Let me break the news to them Andreas. You know how they'll react and I have a feeling you would not sit back and allow your fiancé to be called names. So to spare us the hassle of another blowup, let me deal with them."
A small part of Andreas still felt like it should be him to break the news of his own engagement, but his rational side agreed with his brother.
"You're right of course, Freddy. I can't say I'm not relieved not to have to break the news to them. You know me well enough to guess how I would react if they disparaged Laila to me. It wouldn't be pretty at all, and right now I need all of your help to make this transition easier for Laila."
"Don't worry about it, Andreas. Leave it to me," Frederick said.
"Thanks Freddy," Andreas said. "By the way, what were you calling me for today?" he asked.
"I almost hate to tell you now," Freddy began, "but it's about Caroline."
Andreas felt the blood drain from his face at Frederick's words. There was never any good that came when Caroline was involved. He took a deep breath and braced himself for bad news.
"Go on," he said.
"She's up to something, Andreas," Freddy said. "I don't know exactly what it is, but it can't be good. She's been in contact with Henriks."
"What? How did you know that?" Andreas asked.
"You know about this already?"
"Yes, Uncle Albert informed me of Henriks being in contact with Caroline."
"What are they planning?" Frederick asked.
"I don't know yet," Andreas said. "I'm having Ulrich look into it."
"Hmm, I've been keeping an eye on Caroline too. After getting her book deal shelved, I have a feeling she's not feeling too generous with us right now."
"What are you talking about? What book deal?" Andreas asked.
"Damn," Frederick swore. "I didn't want to worry you about it but Caroline signed a deal to write a tell-all book about her time with you. I had that taken care of, but now I think she's out for revenge."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"There was no reason to. I had it taken care of. Besides, we agreed that we didn't want you to worry about it."
"Don't you think I had the right to know about something that would affect my life!"
Andreas was angry his family was trying to keep things from him and make decisions for him. He was an adult, not some child who needed to be protected from the hard truth. It was his problem and he should be the one to clean it up, not Frederick.
"Listen Andreas, I'm sorry if you're upset, but I thought it was for the best at the time."
"Well maybe you don't get to say what's in my best interest. I don't want you interfering in my business with Caroline any more. I will take care of it myself. It's my mess, I'll clean it up!" Andreas yelled before slamming the phone down.
His heart was pounding in his chest and he had to take deep breaths to try to calm himself down. He'd never gotten so angry with Frederick before, but hearing about how they kept such important information from him made his blood boil. The book concerned him the most--it'd be his secrets and his reputation that would take a hit, not Frederick's. Yet, he didn't have the courtesy to let him know. It was as if they didn't trust him to take care of the situation himself.
Andreas was determined to fix the mess he created. This was the second time now he had heard of Caroline and Henriks conspiring together. He didn't know what they were up to, but he knew it wasn't anything good. Andreas needed to find out what they were planning and end it. There was a heightened sense of urgency, especially since his engagement to Laila. He'd be damned if he'd let anything ruin or jeopardize that.
CHAPTER 20
"What are you so happy about?"
Andreas looked at his uncle from across his desk and smiled.
"Haven't you heard the news?" he asked.
"What news?"
"I'm engaged."
Andreas leaned back and watched as a slight frown flashed across his uncle's face at the news. He held his breath waiting for his uncle to tell him he was a fool and was rushing into things again, but the words never came. Instead, his uncle exhaled deeply and gave him a reluctant smile.
"Congratulations," Albert said. "I hope you are very happy."
"Thank you, Uncle," Andreas said.
He was puzzled by his uncle's reaction. He didn't seem too happy, but neither did he seem unhappy. He was just resigned. Andreas felt a sting of disappointment that his uncle wasn't happier for him. He was the only one of his family who had met Laila, and he hoped his uncle would realize what a special woman she was and how good she had been for him.
"I can see you have something to say to me," his uncle said, looking at him patiently.
"No...well yes. It's nothing really, but I had just hoped you'd be a little more enthusiastic. God knows my parents won't be, but as they've never met Laila, I don't take much stock in their opinions."
"And you value mine?"
"Of course. You're one of the few who's opinion I do respect," Andreas said.
His uncle's expression softened as he looked at Andreas.
"That means a lot to me Andreas. I want you to know that I truly am happy for you. Your aunt and I think Laila is a good girl, but of course we have some reservations. How could we not?"
"Which are?" Andreas asked.
"Well, you've only known each other a short time. I am not sure it is the wisest decision to be jumping into an engagement so soon. And as you said, your parents will be difficult, to say the least. Not only will it be a surprise for them, but she is not exactly..." Albert paused trying to find the right word.
Andreas pinned his uncle with a searing glare, daring him to say something disparaging about Laila.
"Oh don't look at me like that, Andreas. You know exactly what I'm trying to say. You two come from two different worlds. Not only will she have to contend with that, but on top of it all, she will need to deal with all the responsibilities and duties that come with being a royal. Have you even discussed this?"
"In fact we have," Andreas bit out. "Laila might not have been born into an aristocratic family, but she is every bit as regal and elegant as any one of these so called suitable women who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths. I certainly know she is a better person than I'll ever be."
"There's no need to jump down my neck Andreas. Really, you're like a hormonal teenager with your misplaced rage against anyone who would say one critical thing about your relationship. I'm trying to be practical here. Laila is a wonderful girl, I don't deny that, but if you think it will be a walk in the park from here on out, you are either stupider than I thought or naïve beyond reason."
"Don't you think I know that? What would you have me do? I know I am putting a lot on her, but I am just too selfish to give her up. I love her."
His uncle smiled at him sadly. "I'm sorry Andreas if my words have hurt you. You know I only have your best interests at heart."
Andreas released a ragged breath and ran his hands through his hair. He hadn't exactly expected this conversation to turn out the way it did. He had come into it with the belief and hope that his uncle would be genuinely happy for him. Instead, he got some more unsolicited advice.
What was up with his family thinking that they knew what was best for him? Was he not a grown and educated man, capable of making his own decision? So he had made some mistakes, but would he never be able to live it down and move on with his life? He felt a pounding starting in his head and closed his eyes in frustration.
"I understand, Uncle. I appreciate you looking out for me, but I am not a child that needs constant supervision and coddling. I know exactly what I'm doing."
"Very well," his uncle said. He held his hand out in front of him and Andreas clasped it in a firm shake. "If your mind is set, then you know your aunt and I will be behind you 100%. In fact, I'll even help smooth things over with your mother before you tell her. Or have you already told her?"
"No I've only told Fred
erick. Actually, he offered to break the news to Mother and Father for me which I accepted. I think after my conversations with you and him, I'm in no mood to deal with Mother's hysterics of Father's temperamental whims."
"A wise decision," his uncle nodded. "By the way, have you gotten any more information about Henriks and his plans?"
"I have actually," Andreas said. "I've had a call from Ulrich earlier this afternoon. He'd been looking into matters for me and he told me that Henriks has been involved in some shady business dealings. Ulrich also told me that Henriks has been receiving kickbacks from our contractors for securing business from us."
Albert sat up straight in his chair and pierced Andreas with his gaze. "You're certain of this? How do you know?" he asked.
"That's what Ulrich told me, and the less I know about his methods for extracting information, the better," Andreas answered.
"And you have the proof?"
"No, not yet. We're still working on gathering it, but we're close, Uncle."
"Make sure you're very careful. Do not give the son of a bitch the chance to cover his tracks."
"We're taking every precaution. Henriks' days as a thorn in our sides are numbered."
"Speaking of, have you found out what he and Caroline have been up to?"
Andreas' face fell at the mention of Caroline. "Unfortunately we have not. Not yet anyways. Ulrich seems to think they may be romantically involved," Andreas said. He gave an involuntary shudder at the thought, but said, "They'd actually suit each other very well. Both self serving snakes."
"Let us just hope it is something as harmless as romance," his uncle said. "I must be off now, Andreas. I've got a flight to catch. Will you be bringing Laila to your father's Silver Jubilee?"
"I haven't discussed it with her yet, but I had hoped to introduce her then," Andreas replied.
"Good good. It will give her the chance to see what awaits her after you two get married. Try not to leave it at the last minute like you tend to do. She will probably need time to prepare."
