by Calista King
He gave Laila one last leering look and she felt Andreas coil up, ready to strike. She placed a hand on his arm, restraining him from attacking this Bradley Henriks guy and causing a scene.
"He's not worth it," she mouthed.
Andreas relaxed under her touch and stared down his nose at Henriks with his most haughty glare.
"She's right, you know. You're not worth it. And soon you'll get what's coming to you," he said.
"Oh, are you threatening me?" Henriks asked.
"Not at all," Andreas replied. "I'm merely making a promise."
Henriks was undeterred. He dropped the thin veil of civility and leaned in, piercing Andreas with a menacing glare.
"Don't think for a second you're the only one sitting on information. I hope you enjoy what time you have left with this beauty. I have a feeling this is one relationship that won't be lasting much longer. Oh and by the way, Caroline says 'Hello'."
Henriks straightened and resumed his fake smile, nodding curtly towards Laila before turning on his heel and striding away.
Laila felt a growing unease settling in her gut and she looked up to see Andreas looking like he wanted to murder that man. She tugged on his arm to get his attention, but he seemed to be in another world, lost to everything around him but his rage. She poked him in his ribs, hard, and finally got a reaction out of him. He looked down at her and frowned.
"What was that all about?" she asked.
"I don't know but don't worry about it. He's just making empty threats."
"Are you sure about that? Cause he looked pretty damn convincing to me."
"Don't worry about it Laila. Henriks has that effect on people. I've been gathering evidence against him to kick him off the board, and now that he knows he's cornered, he's just striking out in fear."
"I hope you're right," Laila said.
She let the subject drop but it didn't stray far from her mind. She wondered what Henriks could possibly do that would break her and Andreas apart. She wracked her brain for anything, but came up empty. Andreas had already confessed his deepest darkest secrets to her, so anything anyone had to say wouldn't be a surprise. She'd already forgiven and accepted his past and his faults.
Could Henriks possibly have damaging information on me? Laila wondered. She mentally ran through all the things she'd ever done in her life that could be deemed questionable. Nothing was so bad that it would cause a scandal. She'd never been arrested, though she did threaten to beat the snot out of the girl she caught in her bed with Marc. That was understandable though, even justified given the situation. She owed a lot of money to various creditors, but again, it wasn't very scandal worthy. Lots of people had debt, and at least she hadn't filed for bankruptcy. Laila had to admit that there weren't many skeletons in her closet.
She was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when the memory of her seedy audition hit her like a ton of bricks. She had tried so hard to wipe it from her mind that she nearly succeeded, but just the thought of it sent her reeling. Could Henriks have somehow known of it and gotten the video? she wondered. Laila chewed her bottom lip nervously, trying to reassure herself that it was impossible.
"What's the matter?" Andreas asked, noticing her distress.
"No-nothing," she mumbled. "I'm just not in a partying mood anymore. Can we go home?"
Andreas nodded at her and led her out of the ballroom. Laila didn't remember how they got their coats and left, but the next thing she knew, they were seated in the Town car headed back to their apartment.
"Are you all right?" Andreas asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Laila lied. "It was just getting to be a bit too much, you know?"
"Laila don't lie to me. I know what Henriks said upset you, but I promise you I won't let anyone hurt you or us. There's nothing he could do that will change the fact that I love you and want to marry you. I hope you feel the same."
"Of course I do," Laila said.
Her voice sounded more confident than she felt. Inside she was torn. Should she tell Andreas about that video or keep quiet? The last thing she wanted was for anyone to know about what she had been about to do for money. It made her feel dirty and cheap, and she was afraid that once Andreas knew, he'd look at her differently.
She reminded herself that there was a good chance that Henriks had no idea about the existence of the video. She doubted he and Lars Andersson ran in the same circles, so there was no reason to confess. Laila was just starting to feel good about her decision when more doubts assailed her. Didn't Andreas still have the right to know about the video? What if it somehow surfaced anyways? It would not only be mortifying for her, but hurt him too.
"Hey Andreas, there's something I need to talk to you about," Laila spoke so softly, she was surprised Andreas was even able to hear her. He turned to face her and reached for her hands and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Laila, love, I want you to forget about Henriks. I promise you I won't let him do anything that would hurt you or me. Just focus on all the good things in our lives--you, me, getting married, your meeting with Peter Travis," he added with a wink. "Things are going so well, don't let what one sick bastard said ruin that for us."
Laila nodded her head and swallowed her doubts. She wanted so badly to believe Andreas, and dreaded telling him about the video, that she kept the secret to herself. Deep down she knew she'd have to get that video and destroy it, because even if Henriks didn't have it, there was the possibility that it would one day rear its ugly head, especially once she and Andreas were married and she became a princess. She could already see the headlines--"Princess and the Porno." Laila shuddered at the thought and was determined to use whatever means necessary to get the video.
CHAPTER 22
Laila awoke the next morning overtired and cranky. She hadn't slept well, tossing and turning all night as worries kept her awake. She found Andreas sitting at the breakfast bar drinking his coffee and reading the morning paper.
"Morning." He smiled at her as she plopped down on the bar stool next to him.
"Easy for you to say. You look awfully cheery this morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Not quite, but it's a wonder what a cold shower and some coffee will do for a person," he said, eyeing her over the rim of his coffee mug.
"Yeah well give me some of that," she said. She grabbed the mug from his hands and took a big gulp.
"Better?" he asked in amusement.
"Not really. What's all this?" she asked looking at the pages of the newspaper laid out before her.
"It's the society pages. I saved it for you."
"Why would you do that?"
"Because you're in them."
"What!? Let me see," she said grabbing the one closest to her.
She turned the pages frantically scanning over the pictures and headlines for her name. When she spotted a large black and white photo of her and Andreas arriving to the gala, she froze. It felt like her heart stopped beating as she read the caption and little blurb that went along with the photo.
"Prince Andreas of Castonia arrives at the annual Winter Gala with his date. Sources tell us he and the lucky lady are recently engaged."
Laila scanned the rest of the paper for any other mention of her before setting it back down on the bar in front of her and then released her pent up breath.
"Well that's not so bad," she said.
"What were you expecting? A five page exposé detailing all your most scandalous exploits?" Andreas laughed.
Laila tried to find the humor in his words but couldn't bring herself to share in it. His words had hit a little too close to home and now that her face was in the papers, it underscored the urgency for her to get the video. If Lars Andersson knew she was engaged to a prince, he'd probably run to the press with that video, and there was no way Laila was going to let that happen.
"Oh by the way, I got a call from my mother this morning." Andreas said it offhandedly, but Laila could tell it stressed him out.
"How did that go?"
"About as well as I expected. She actually called to offer her congratulations...in her own way," he added.
There was a slight pause before Andreas spoke again and Laila braced herself for what was next.
"I get the feeling she had more to say than that," Laila said, breaking the silence.
"She wants to meet you. Soon," he said. "I told her you'd be there for my father's jubilee celebration."
"But, I have to ask for the time off first."
Laila was upset he had gone ahead and confirmed her attendance at the event before she even agreed herself. She still had to clear it with her boss at the hotel, and didn't appreciate having her decisions made for her.
"Well, it was either that or she said she'd come here this week to meet you. I figured the jubilee would be easiest for you. That way you can meet my whole family in one shot instead of having it spread out."
Laila had to agree with his logic and nodded her head reluctantly.
"You're probably right. I don't think I'm ready to face the queen just yet," she said. "I guess I'll have to go and demand the time off come hell or high water. Well, I better get ready for work then. It'd probably make it easier for myself if I showed up on time."
She gave Andreas a quick kiss on the cheek before getting up and heading to the bathroom to shower and get ready. By the time she got out, Andreas had already gone into work himself. She got dressed and headed out the apartment to the hotel for work. Once she arrived, she was surprised to find a small group of paparazzi stationed out the front door. Gary looked like he was having a difficult time of keeping them at bay.
As she walked up to the entrance, all the photographers turned to her and began snapping furiously. Laila was so surprised, she stood there stock still, like a deer caught in the headlights. The photographers were shouting questions at her, but Laila was finding it difficult to move or even think. She felt a pair of gentle hands grab her by her upper arm and lead her into the hotel away from the flashing lights of the cameras. When she finally got her bearings, she looked up to see Gary looking at her with concern.
"You all right Laila?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm just a little shaken. What was that all about?"
"They've been here since early this morning. Kept asking me questions about you, but I kept my mouth shut," he said.
"Really? Why would they...? Oh damn!" Laila said.
She just remembered her picture was plastered all over the society pages arriving to the gala with Andreas, or rather Prince Andreas. Laila was fodder for the gossip mills now and she had a feeling her life was never going to be the same.
"I'd better get back out there," Gary said pointing out the front doors. "They seem like they're getting a little out of hand."
Laila waved at him before numbly walking to the front desk. Thankfully Corinne was working that day with her, she could tell by the look on her face that she wouldn't be able to escape her inquisition. Laila put her purse and jacket away under the counter and pulled down the hem of her white button down shirt, flicking off nonexistent lint before finally looking up.
"All right, just spit it out," she said.
"There are no words," Corinne said. "I mean a prince? When did you find out or did you always know?"
"I found out after he asked me to marry him."
"Wow! It's like a real life fairy tale. The prince wanted to find someone who'd love him for himself and not his title, so he hid who he was." Corinne threw her head back and sighed dreamily. "So romantic."
Laila rolled her eyes at her. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Come on now, even you have to admit it's romantic. I always knew there was something about Andreas," she said. "So what are your plans now? When are you gonna quit and move to Castonia?"
"What are you talking about? I don't have any plans to quit or move to Castonia for that matter," Laila said.
Corinne looked at her pitifully and shook her head. "You're going to have to eventually," she said. "I mean what princess do you know works at the front desk of a hotel? The answer is none. Besides, won't you have new duties to take on as a princess?"
Laila knew Corinne was right, but the words still came as a shock to her. She'd never really considered how different her life would be after she married Andreas. Sure, she had fleeting thoughts about superficial changes, but moving to Castonia? Quitting her job to devote her time to her new duties? These were not things she considered seriously. Laila wasn't stupid. She knew she couldn't continue working at the hotel once she was married, but that didn't mean she never wanted to work again. She wondered if she'd have to give up her acting career too, especially now when it seemed like it was finally taking off.
"I don't know. Andreas and I haven't really talked about it too much," she said.
"Well you've still got some time. When's the wedding, by the way? Have you set a date?"
"No, not yet. We just got engaged not long ago. I've still got to meet his family first," Laila said.
"Ooh, you're going to meet the king and queen? That's so exciting!"
"And scary as hell. What do I know about meeting royalty? What if I screw up and make a mess of things? It'd just be perfect for me to offend Andreas' whole family and they'd all hate me."
"Don't say that. You'll do fine and they'll love you," Corinne said.
She tried to reassure Laila, but the doubts and fears wouldn't be so easily banished.
"That's what Andreas said, but somehow I doubt his parents are too happy he's going to marry me. I'm sure they had plans to match him off with some other woman of noble blood."
"Noble blood?" Corinne laughed. "It sounds like you've been reading too many romance novels. This is the 21st century, I doubt they really care all that much about blood lines. Besides, they'll love you because you make Andreas happy and isn't that what any parent wants for their child?"
"I hope you're right," Laila said even though she doubted it very much.
She had the impression from Andreas that his parents were more concerned about appearances than they were of his happiness, but she let the subject drop, not really wanting to get into a debate with Corinne about her future in-laws.
"When are you going to meet them?" Corinne asked.
"Andreas invited me to go to his father's Silver Jubilee celebrations. Actually, you just reminded me I have to ask Mr. Arnold for the time off," Laila said. "Is he in his office now?"
"Yeah, I just saw him arrive not too long before you did. He'd probably agree to anything right now if you asked."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because you're going to be a princess very soon, and he doesn't want to piss you off or get on your bad side. Figures he could use you somehow to promote the hotel."
"I never considered that," Laila said. "Hmm interesting, maybe I should ask for a raise while I'm at it?"
"Don't forget to ask for one for me too," Corinne said.
Laila laughed as she walked towards Mr. Arnold's office which was just off the main lobby. She was only in there for a few minutes and emerged with a new spring in her step. Corinne watched her approach the front desk with curiosity.
"Well how did it go?" she asked.
"Pretty good," Laila said. She tried to keep the smug smile from her face but in the end she couldn't help herself.
"What happened? Tell me?"
"I got the time off...and a raise!"
"Get out! Really? I was just joking about that."
"I know! I wasn't going to bring that up but he was acting so friendly and accommodating. I'd never seen him act like that before, so I thought what the hell, and I threw it out there. Imagine my surprise when he agreed!"
"That's so awesome!" Corinne said sincerely.
" And I even mentioned you getting raise and he said he'd certainly look into the matter at your next review."
"You did that? I was just joking but thank you anyways! I could really use the extra money."
"This princess stuff comes in handy some
times," Laila joked.
The rest of the afternoon sped by quickly for Laila. She and Corinne talked about her future and joked about some of the changes headed her way. Occasionally, they'd have to check guests in and out, and on rare occasions, there were even a few who recognized Laila and asked for a picture with her. Laila was unused to the attention but she was flattered and readily agreed. By the time her shift was over, Laila was in a jubilant mood. She couldn't wait to rush home to tell Andreas her good news. Before she could leave, Gary strode over to her and caught her attention.
"Hey Gary. What's up?" she asked.
"Not much. You heading home for the evening?"
"Yup. Just finished my shift," she said.
"Listen, you need a ride home? I can give you a lift. It might be easier to avoid all the attention," he said pointing at the front doors and the waiting horde of photographers out there.
"They're still there?" she asked.
She was surprised she hadn't noticed they were still camped out the front of the hotel.
"Been there all day and they're getting feisty."
"Damn. Thanks for the offer Gary. I think I'll take you up on it," Laila said.
"Be my pleasure," Gary smiled at her and held his arm out for her to take.
He led her to the back of the hotel where there was a private exit, and away from the crowd out front. They walked out the hotel unmolested and up the block to the parking garage where Gary kept his car. Gary paid a monthly fee for the spot, but he said it was worth it not having to catch the subway and be at the mercy of public transportation. They got in and he drove her back to the apartment she shared with Andreas.
"Thanks again for the ride," Laila said once they pulled up the curb.
"No problem. Maybe you should consider having a car waiting out back to pick you up? You don't want these guys following you home."
"You're probably right. I never thought of that." Laila said.
She got out of the car and walked into her building. The doorman gave her a wide smile and she stared at him puzzled. In all the time she'd lived there, he never so much as smirked at her. The most she got was a tip of the hat and a brisk, "Good day, miss." Now it seemed everyone around her knew who she was. This must be what it feels like to be famous, she thought to herself.
