by Calista King
Since her failed attempt to retrieve the video, Laila had tried to block its existence from her mind, but it kept cropping up from time to time, usually when she was happy and having a good time with Andreas. The threat of exposure loomed over her like a dark ominous cloud, and sometimes she felt trapped. Laila knew she couldn't go on living like this. She feared that all her happiness would be snatched away from her because of one stupid little mistake she made when she was desperate and not thinking straight.
"Listen Andreas, there's something I need to tell you," Laila said.
She wasn't planning on telling him, but her emotions overtook her and she knew she had to get this terrible weight off her chest before it crushed her. Before she could continue, the phone in their room rang and Andreas got up from the bed to go answer it. He was only on the phone for less than a minute but when he came back to sit on the bed, he had an apologetic smile on his face.
"That was Phillip. We've got to leave in 45 minutes," he said.
"What? I'm not even ready yet! I've got to shower," Laila said.
She was torn. One part of her wanted to confess it all before she lost her nerve, but the other part of her clung onto the momentary reprieve she'd been given. Laila hopped off the bed and almost ran to the shower.
"I'll be ready in half an hour," she said. "Maybe 40 minutes," she amended.
Andreas laughed before settling himself back down on the chair by the bed. "I'll time you."
"Don't you dare," Laila said.
She emerged from the bathroom 30 minutes later with her hair and makeup done and looking very smug. Andreas laughed out loud at the look on her face, and got up from the chair and walked towards her.
"I'm impressed. You did it and you look amazing by the way," he said, kissing her forehead.
"Told you I would," she said.
"We should head downstairs now. I'm sure Phillip would appreciate our punctuality."
Laila grabbed her purse and followed Andreas out of the room and down the stairs to the main entrance where their security and handlers were waiting for them.
"Good morning, Your Highness and Miss Greer," Phillip said in greeting.
"Morning Phillip. Is everything set?" Andreas asked.
"Yes sir. The car is waiting outside."
Laila and Andreas hopped into the same black limo and were out of the palace gates within minutes. They were headed to a music school this morning. Laila had actually looked forward to this event the most. She was an ardent music lover and loved children. It pleased her to know that Andreas also appreciated the arts and used his influence to support music education in his country.
They arrived at the school a short while later. It was located in the outskirts Castonia's capital. They were greeted by a line of children--students of the school. Laila felt much more comfortable interacting with the children, and was able to be herself and not have to worry about the proper way to act. She enjoyed touring the school and the impromptu little concert the children performed for her and Andreas. She even sang a few songs for them, which instantly won the students and teachers over. All too soon, they had to leave the school to make it to their next engagement.
Laila was sorry to go, but she promised the students she'd be back soon. Once they were in the car again heading towards their next destination, Andreas looked at Laila proudly.
"You were amazing," he said.
Laila blushed at his compliment and shook her head. "It was nothing," she said.
Andreas looked like he wanted to say more, but held his tongue. They arrived at the brunch next, which was held at the Adler Hotel, a historic building in the city center. It was hosted by the Princess Charlotte Foundation, who were raising money for medical research. Laila was grateful that it was a brunch. She was starving since she hadn't had breakfast yet. She had to remember to eat slowly and not scarf down the food in front of her.
There were several speeches and presentations, which she tried to pay attention to, but failed miserably. It had bored her to tears; the only highlight was hearing Andreas' speech. He had been his usual charming self and Laila could see from the reaction of the mostly female crowd that they were all ogling him. She felt a lot of pride and possessiveness over him, proud that he was her man.
After the speeches, there was a short meet and greet where the guests lined up to shake Andreas' hand. There were several curious onlookers who openly stared at Laila and pointed at her, whispering to each other. Laila had to grit her teeth and bear it, even though she had the urge to tell those people off. She had an idea how a zoo animal on display felt.
The brunch was blessedly short, and within an hour and a half, Laila and Andreas were back in the car on their way to the next location. Laila was already exhausted and it wasn't even noon yet. She couldn't imagine how Andreas had done this all his life--smiling for the cameras, giving speeches, and chatting with people. He seemed to thrive in that environment and Laila saw a side that she had only caught glimpses of before. Here in Castonia, the full power of his charm was unleashed, and Laila was impressed.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Laila felt like she was caught up in a whirlwind and just went along with everything. She found herself getting more comfortable being in the spotlight next to Andreas. It helped to imagine that she was playing the role of an elegant princess. Each time they left the event felt like the director yelling cut!
In the back of her mind, she knew that this was what her life would be like from now on. She'd have to adopt the princess persona more and more, and hoped that Laila Greer wouldn't be slowly chipped away until she wouldn't be able to recognize herself any longer.
***
Andreas and Laila were sitting on a plane heading back to New York. It seemed like a lifetime ago that they had first arrived for his father's Silver Jubilee celebrations. The trip had been a great triumph for him and Laila. She had impressed everyone she met, like he knew she would. Even more miraculous was that she had won the grudging respect of his mother. So much so that she had even deigned to go over wedding details with Laila on their last night there.
The palace had released an official announcement of their engagement, and the press had a field day with the news. They speculated on everything from the date of the wedding, to the designer of Laila's dress, to when they'd have their first child. Normally Andreas found the intrusion annoying, but for some reason their speculation didn't bother him at all.
He'd expected that they'd want to know who Laila was and what she did, and so far all the stories coming out about them had been positive. Laila had managed to charm everyone she met, and the people of Castonia were already starting to love her. Everything in that quarter was going just as he had hoped, and Andreas couldn't be more pleased.
The only downside of his trip home had been the disappointing news that Ulrich still couldn't find enough solid evidence about Henriks' shady dealings. He had hoped to have that little problem all wrapped up by now, and had even planned to call a board meeting that Monday to confront Henriks. Andreas clenched his fist in frustration. Things were taking longer than he wanted, and the more time that was wasted, the more opportunity for Henriks to cover his tracks.
Ulrich had asked for one more week and guaranteed he'd have all the information he needed to nail Henriks. Andreas really had no choice but to agree to the plan. He knew Ulrich wouldn't let him down. He was nothing if not loyal and extremely thorough. When he said he'd get the proof, he meant it, and Andreas could rely on his word. He just needed to be patient for one more week.
CHAPTER 27
It was turning out to be a shit day. Andreas spilled coffee on himself, was late for work, and to top it all off had just gotten into an argument with Laila that morning. He noticed that since they'd come back from Castonia, she had been acting strange. Whenever he brought up their future, she'd try to change the subject or put off talking about. He was tired of her stall tactics, and wanted to find out what was wrong, but she was making it difficult for him.
He'd spent the past few weeks walking on eggshells around her, afraid to even bring up their wedding plans or future, and it was taking its toll on him. He'd kept his disappointment and hurt bottled up until it finally bubbled over.
"What do you want to do tonight?" Laila had asked.
It seemed like such an innocuous question now, but at the time it had pushed him over the edge.
"I don't know. How about we finally talk about our future?" he demanded.
"Why are you giving me attitude?" Laila asked.
"Perhaps it's because you're giving me the run around? It's been three weeks since we've been back and you've not once wanted to discuss our wedding plans or anything. I'm starting to wonder if you want to marry me at all!"
"Of course I want to marry you. I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't. You don't need to get all bitchy about it. Marrying you is not like marrying Joe Smith from down the street. I just need some time to get used to everything, that's all. Why are you trying to rush me?" she snapped.
"I'm not rushing you. It's you who refuses to discuss anything to do with our future. I think I have a right to know what's going on. It's my life too."
"What do you want me to do? My life has been turned upside down. I've had to quit my job, there are paparazzi stalking me every time I step out of the apartment, and now you want to talk about moving to Castonia--away from the only home I've ever known, and away from all my friends and family. I'm sorry if it's all a bit much for me to handle right now, but deal with it!"
"What are you saying then? You want to call off our engagement?"
Andreas could sympathize with her but only so much. He was hurt by her words.
"Why do you always jump to that conclusion? Can't I just take some time to get used to all the changes in my life without you thinking I'm trying to back out of our engagement? Why do we even need to move to Castonia right away? We could live here in New York for a few years. It's what you were planning on doing when you first came here. Why does it have to change just because we're getting married?"
"Because I have a duty to my family and to my country!"
"Since when have you ever been dutiful?"
"I will forget that you said that," Andreas said, lowering his voice. He was trying very hard to remain patient. "You will need to be taught the proper etiquette and decorum of a royal and we have plenty of staff at Castonia who can tutor you in the ways of royalty."
"You're saying I'm not good enough, now?"
"Damn it Laila! Stop twisting my words!" Andreas was frustrated and knew this conversation was going nowhere. If he stayed and argued any longer, he'd say something he would regret. "I'm going to work now."
He picked his briefcase off the floor and strode towards the door. He was so upset he didn't even kiss her goodbye, not that she looked like she wanted him to. If Laila were a cartoon, she'd have steam shooting out of her ears. A little time away to calm down and think was what they both needed.
By the time he'd gotten to the office, he was no closer to settling his nerves. He slammed his office door shut and headed over to the bar where he kept a nice bottle of brandy. Andreas hadn't drank in over a year. It was more for show--sometimes he'd offer it to his uncle or clients, but never for himself. He was momentarily tempted to pour himself a glass.
"Are we falling off the wagon?" a voice at his back mocked.
Andreas spun around and saw Henriks sitting in his chair behind his desk smirking at him.
"What the hell are you doing in my office?" Andreas demanded.
"I'm just here to have a friendly chat and offer some advice. You look like you need it."
"Thanks but no thanks. Now please get off my chair and get out," Andreas said.
His voice was strained and he wanted nothing better than to unleash all the pent up anger inside him and beat Henriks with his fists, but he restrained himself. As satisfying as it would be, beating Henriks would cause more headaches for him.
"Oh, but I think you'll want to hear what I have to say," Henriks replied. "You see, I've recently come into possession a very interesting video. It features none other than your lovely fiance in a very compromising situation. Here see for yourself."
Henriks lifted the remote on the desk and pressed a button. The flat screen television hanging opposite the desk flipped on and showed Laila on screen getting undressed. There was no sound, but the picture was enough to make Andreas sick to his stomach. She had just taken off her bra and panties and hopped on the bed.
"All right, turn it off!" Andreas demanded.
"But the best part is coming up," Henriks taunted.
"Turn that damned thing off or I swear I'll kill you," Andreas said.
His voice was low and threatening and Henriks was smart enough not to push him any further.
"Suit yourself," he said, shutting off the video.
Andreas was finding it hard to breath. He almost couldn't believe what he just saw. Some part of him was hoping it was a mistake--that it wasn't Laila on the screen, but deep down he knew the truth. He felt a jolt of fear thinking of what Henriks intended to do with the video.
"What do you want?" Andreas asked.
A slow sneer spread across Henriks' face as he looked at Andreas. "Now we're talking. You're not as dumb as I thought."
"Cut the bullshit and tell me what you want for the video."
"Fine," Henriks said. The mask of malicious glee had been replaced by shrewd and unscrupulous mien. "First I want you to stop any and all investigations into my uh...background. Don't think I don't know you've been digging around where you shouldn't. Tell Ulrich I'm on to him and if you so much as Google my name, I will release the video to all the major news outlets."
Andreas' face remained outwardly calm but inside he was a giant ball of smothered fury. How could Henriks have known about the investigation? He thought they had covered all their tracks, but it seemed like Henriks had been too clever by half. He wanted to punch the smug bastard in the face and snatch the video out from the DVD player, but Andreas knew Henriks would have made copies.
"Okay," Andreas agreed. "I'll call off the investigation."
"Good boy. In addition, I want you to leave this company and resign your position as COO."
"Is that all?" Andreas asked. He had planned on resigning anyways, so it wasn't difficult for him to agree to that term.
"One more thing. I want you to sell your family's shares in this company to me."
"That's impossible. I'm not authorized to do that."
"Well you'll just have to find a way or this video goes public. Just think what the King and Queen would say, not to mention the people of Castonia. Will they want a porn star for their next princess?"
"You'd better watch what you say, Henriks," Andreas threatened. "In return for your demands, I want all videos destroyed. If any of it leaks out, I swear to God I will kill you."
"You have my word," Henriks said silkily. "So pleased to do business with you."
He got up from the chair and walked towards Andreas holding out his hand. Andreas ignored it and ground his teeth. He hated that Henriks had all the power and vowed to pay him back some way, somehow. Henriks smirked at him as he pulled his hand back and put it in his pocket.
"I can see you're still a little upset about the video. Tell you what. I'll let you keep that copy in your DVD player. Consider it my wedding gift to you." Henriks laughed as he strolled to the door and walked out.
Andreas stood rooted to the spot in his office, fuming. He seriously considered chasing after Henriks and pounding the life out of him. It would feel so satisfying, but ultimately it wasn't worth it.
He'd had to swallow down the bitter pill that was Henriks' demands. Andreas knew he'd do anything to keep that video from the public. He couldn't even imagine the scandal if it were to ever come out. His parents would demand he end his engagement to Laila. The press would have another field day with this latest scandal. Not to mention Laila's life would probably be ruined. Thinking of th
at made him sober up. How could she keep something like this from me? he fumed. After everything he had confessed to her about his painful and ugly past, she hadn't trusted him enough to confide in him. He grew angrier just thinking about her duplicity.
Doubts began to form in his mind about Laila. Perhaps he'd been duped again by a beautiful woman and Laila was not who she pretended to be. What if she were just using him, trying to get at his money and name? Andreas felt sick to his stomach. His eye wandered to the bar where he kept the brandy. If ever he needed a drink it was now, and he didn't try to stop himself from having one...or two or half the bottle.
By the time he left work that day, he was drunk and in a towering rage. His mind had conjured up the worst picture of Laila, and he was like a ticking time bomb ready to blow. He thought about all the faith he put in her and how he had assured his uncle, brother, and parents that Laila was different. She was honest and loyal. How stupid and naive he felt! She was nothing more than a manipulative, lying gold digger.
Laila was sitting on the sofa reading a magazine when he walked into the apartment. She looked up when she heard him enter and he saw the smile freeze on her face when she looked at him. He felt a perverse sense of satisfaction that he had caused that reaction.
"Andreas? What's wrong? You look like shit," she said.
He laughed, it was a bitter sound. "Is that all you have to say to me?" he asked.
"What are you talking about? Are you drunk?"
"That's beside the point. I want to know if you have anything to say to me." Andreas spoke slowly, enunciating each word, as if he were talking to an idiot.
"Yeah I've got something to say to you. You're being an ass. What the hell is wrong with you?"
"I'll tell you what's wrong with me. I've been an idiot again and fallen in love with a lying, manipulative little whore! Oh, but you were so good! So believable I almost fell for it."
