Royal Pains

by CN Thornton

  Before I could cross the threshold, Sebastian had me freeze for a shot by the door.

  "Move your arm up a little bit and tilt your head towards the light." I obeyed and heard a few clicks. "Okay, now walk towards me." Click.

  About twenty minutes later, he had me change into white lingerie and then red. When I was dressing out of the lingerie afterward, I sighed. For a moment I thought the worst was over, and then I stepped into the bikini.

  "Okay, I want some shots of you running towards the water," he said, so I ran off, making sure to exaggerate my movement.

  Then he had me posing in the sand like I was sunbathing. My favorite part of the swimsuit shoot—despite how cold it was—was posing against the base of the cliff at the water’s edge. Bash got some of the shots off just as waves had begun crashing against the rocks, making for beautiful splashes.

  For the sports shoot, we did volleyball, baseball, tennis and stand-up paddle boarding. For fun, I threw in a few yoga poses—at least one thing I didn't have to fake. It was around five in the evening when we finally got back to our hotel room. Sebastian instantly went to work picking and editing photos for our brochures and flip-books, while I took a hot shower to warm up and then ran out to get us some dinner.

  . . .

  "I like this one. That splash just adds so much to the picture. I think we should mark this down as a shooting site," I said as I sat beside him eating Chinese food.

  "Definitely. I think this should be the first shot in the series. It's gorgeous. Em, you are stunning."

  It took a day and a half of editing pictures to put together our advertisements, and then we just had to get them printed.

  "This is good work," the woman at the counter said as she handed us our finished product. "I was in charge of your entire order because my assistant manager was out, and I couldn't help but admire all of your shots."

  "Thank you. We just moved out here about a week ago and are trying to start our photography business back up. These are just promotional pieces."

  "Well, if you’re looking for work I think I could show my sister a few of these shots. She’s about to get married and needs a wedding photographer. She's been so busy with work that she hasn't had the time to plan."

  "We'd absolutely love that," I rushed out, excited. "Thank you so much."

  "No, thank you!"

  . . .

  By the end of the second week, I had managed to relax a little bit more. The constant checking over my shoulder for Theodore stopped and the thoughts of him finding me no longer resided in the fear-inducing part of my mind. I was free from him, finally.

  Our business had even taken off. We were now averaging seven customers a week. With our competitive prices and amazing shots, a lot of business had come our way, and we had managed to rent a two-room flat near the outskirts of Sunshine Coast. We were minutes from the beach and within close proximity of stores, so we could bike everywhere and didn't have to worry about buying a car.

  Just like I always had in the mornings at our home back in Washington, I sat out on our balcony sipping tea as I watched the waves roll in. Since we were close to the ocean and a few stories up, I had on gloves and a thick-knit sweater to shield against the strong breeze.

  "Day three in our house and I still can't get over how weird it is that we are in Australia," Bash said as he popped outside and took a seat beside me. "I never imagined we would leave America like this."

  "I always imagined visiting other countries, but not living in one."

  "Right, it's weird. Like, I know kangaroos exist, but it's weird actually seeing them. Speaking of the 'roos, want to hear something cool?" he asked a moment later.

  "Sure."

  "Yesterday, while I was at the university putting out pamphlets and flip-books, I got kicked in the ass by a kangaroo."

  "Are you serious?" I laughed.

  "Dead serious. I thought the majestic bastard was going to pummel me to death, but then he hopped off."

  I smirked. "What did you do to it?"

  He made a face. "What makes you think I did anything to it?"

  I raised my eyebrow and inclined my head to him. "Bash..."

  "I might have taunted him with my food."

  I burst into laughter. "Then you deserved it. I would've given you a kick in the ass myself."

  Bash pulled me into a headlock, causing me to spill my tea everywhere. "Those are fighting words, little missy," he said as he gave me a noogie, before releasing me.

  I quickly patted down the hair he had sent into disarray and shot him a glare. "Next time you do that to me I'm gonna punch you in the kidney," I jokingly threatened.

  After I cleaned up the tea mess we went back inside and began to get ready for the day. We were doing a honeymoon photo shoot for the founder of Pierce World Wide. We had only landed the job because his wife was best friends with Bash's sister. The two worked together as marine biologists in Hawaii.

  "Is your sister going to be there?" I asked him as we began packing the equipment we would need.

  "I can't imagine why. It's a honeymoon, not a business trip."

  But to our surprise, she was there. Instead of flying out like an average couple, they had sailed in their yacht, so they’d brought a couple people with them to help make sure things went smoothly.

  "Bash!" his sister greeted as she crossed the sand to throw her arms around him. "You look dashing! I haven't seen you in years."

  "It's been barely a year, Karmen—not to mention I haven't changed a single bit," he replied bitterly.

  She then glanced at me and pulled me into her arms. "You must be his girlfriend." She held me at arm’s length and looked at me. "He is treating you well, right? Because if he isn’t, let me know and I'll set him straight."

  I looked at Sebastian and grinned. "Yeah, he treats me just fine. We are very happy with our domestic partnership." I smirked.

  She looked back and forth between us and then smiled. "Well then, how about we get to business. When you address Mr. Pierce, you will call him Zane. He is on vacation, so anything that reminds him of business is a no-no.

  "Do not talk about or mention his job or anything about it. Do not talk about your family unless he begins the conversation. His wife's name is Tealen, so when you talk to her make sure you pronounce it properly. Also, don't talk about siblings or family—it’s a very touchy subject."

  "Why?" I asked, curiously. "Do they not get along?"

  Karmen shook her head. "No. When she was a child, her family was in a tornado and she was the only survivor. Her brother, Daxen, was away at college when it happened. He’s raised her since then, but just this past year he died in a plane crash on the way back from a business trip in Germany."

  I brought my hand to my mouth. "Oh my God, that is awful. Poor girl."

  "Yeah. So remember: Tealen, Zane. No family or business conversations."

  "Gotcha."

  We headed down to the pier, where their yacht was docked, and climbed aboard. I was at a loss for words as I looked around. Seeing all the luxurious decor reminded me of him.

  When we began shooting, I could hardly concentrate. My mind trailed off into dark thoughts about what would happen if he found me, and if he might be actively searching—something I hadn't thought of in weeks.

  I didn't even notice when another photographer entered the room and began snapping pictures of us doing our work. When we had finished a couple hours later, that same photographer came over to us.

  "Hi, I'm Parvarti with World Weekly and I am doing an exclusive interview with the couple. Do you mind answering a few questions?"

  I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't see why not."

  "Okay, how did you land this opportunity?"

  "My best friend and business partner is the brother of Tealen's best friend."

  She scribbled that down. "And how long have you been a photographer? You look very young, so I can't imagine it’s been very long."

  Bash answered, "Mmmhmm."

  S
he wrote that down. "Okay, and what is the name of your business?"

  I glanced at Bash. We hadn't really come up with an official name, but we had discussed it here and there.

  "Bash Photography," I said, throwing out one of few names we had originally come up with.

  "Now, I would just like to a get a quick—" She raised her camera up and motioned for us to move in closer together and smile. "There we go. Thank you for your time. You will be able to find the article online in six hours on our website, or in the next magazine issue in forty-eight hours," she spoke quickly, then walked away to talk to the couple.

  "Really." Bash snickered. "Out of all the ideas we came up with, you threw out Bash Photography?"

  I grinned. "It sounds cool, yet professional. Not to mention it’s better sounding than Bash Em, Bash Emma, Emma Bash and Em Bash."

  That night, Karmen called to invite us to have dinner with Tealen and Zane on their yacht. It was a peaceful evening. We ate a bountiful seafood dinner on the main deck while watching the sunset. Bash even brought out his camera to get a few candid shots of the couple with the ocean and water-colored sky as a back drop.

  There was no questioning it—despite how reserved this couple was, they loved each other, and for a moment I felt a surge of jealously as I wished I could have that kind of love.

  Even when we had returned home for the night and began editing the pictures, I felt jealous. They were a beautiful couple. Zane with his perfectly chiseled face, dark-black hair and gray eyes, and Tealen with her dark-black hair, blue eyes and soft face. They were perfect.

  CHAPTER TEN

  "Oh my God, Karmen, have I told you lately how much I love you?" Bash doted as he handed her the prints.

  "What’s put you in a good mood this morning?" she asked as she glanced inside the thin photo album.

  "It's been three days since the photo shoot and we have the next four months booked solid," he replied.

  I entered the room with a bottle of Voss water and handed it to her. "There was an influx in business after that news lady posted up her interview about the photo shoot with the Pierces. Any more business and I’m positive we’ll need to start searching for some interns."

  "No. Absolutely not, Em. You and I had this discussion before."

  "Think about it, Bash. I don't like the idea either, but if we bring in a few interns, train them to set up and tear down the equipment and assist you, we can split up and tackle twice the business. I'm sure we can find at least two people you can trust as much as you do me."

  "That's not likely," he muttered bitterly.

  Karmen glanced between Bash and myself and started laughing. "I'm just going to let myself out. Tootles."

  "See you in another year!" Bash called after her.

  When the door closed, he let out a breath of relief.

  "Your sister is quite something." I giggled. "I like her."

  "My sister is so full of herself. Did you hear her when she first greeted us?" He screwed up his face and in a mock voice he continued, "Oh Sebastian, it's been ages, I haven't seen you in years!" I broke into a fit of laughter as he continued, "How in the hell do you forget your twin brother? I mean, we shared a frickin womb together. We were womb mates!" Seeing the genuine frustration on his face made the whole thing twice as funny.

  "I'm sorry, I just can't," I laughed as I walked from the room. "I refuse to hear about your mother’s womb. Are you hungry?"

  "Yes, but I was thinking about going out to celebrate. We've been here for almost a month and we have yet to celebrate anything."

  "Bash, tonight isn't the best night. We have that photo session tomorrow morning and I would like to get a decent amount of sleep tonight."

  "Okay, what if it's just for an hour? Just one hour. We’ll be back before nine, I promise," he begged from the other room.

  "Just one hour?"

  "Yes! Thank you so much, you rock."

  . . .

  The bar scene was definitely different than in America, which I thought had more to do with the accents filling the air than anything else. They sounded almost British to me.

  I had a couple shots and played a round of pool with a random stranger while Bash chatted up some guy in the corner booth.

  "What’s your name, love?" a blond man with strong features asked as he took a seat beside me at the bar.

  Smiling, I replied. "Emmaline."

  "Ahh, Emmaline. Lovely name and accent. You’re not from here, are you?" he asked, flashing me a smile.

  I shook my head. "I moved here from America with my best friend, Sebastian. He's the guy in the navy blazer over there." I pointed to the corner, where Bash and his guy friend were laughing.

  "So, no boyfriend? I don't want to tread on someone else's lady."

  I frowned. No boyfriend, but in the USA I’m considered married by law.

  "It's complicated," I responded, and it was true. It was very complicated.

  He nodded his head. "I see. Well, if the complicated status changes, you can find me here five days a week, from six to seven."

  "I will keep that in mind."

  "The name’s Liam, and I hope to see you again."

  As the clock neared closer to nine, I decided it was time to round up Bash. If it were up to him, we would be out all night.

  "Bash, we should be heading home." I placed a hand on his shoulder.

  Glancing up at me, he grinned. "Emma, meet Marcus. Marcus, my wonderful best friend and roommate. Marcus here was just asking me to come over to his flat and watch a movie."

  Rolling my eyes, I sighed. "Bash, we have a photo shoot tomorrow. It is going to be impossible to make it to both shoots on time if I have to set up and take down the equipment by myself."

  He rose to his feet and pulled me into his arms. "And I will be there. He only lives a block away from us. It's no problem."

  "Fine. Just don't be late."

  The walk home felt different. It was the first time I had walked home by myself in the dark here, so I was on edge. Every shadow made me jump. Though I knew I was imagining things, I somehow felt like I was being watched.

  I jumped back as two people scuttled out of a bar, startling me. They glanced at me and laughed as they walked off into the night. Pulling my jacket tighter around myself, I walked faster. I didn't feel safe until I was inside our flat with the door locked.

  After a shower, I climbed into bed and went to sleep. The next morning, I had started packing the equipment for the shoot when my phone rang.

  Sighing, I went into my room to grab it off the charger. I could already guess it was Bash calling to let me know he wouldn't be able to make it.

  "Hello?"

  "Hi, this is Vincent from Roobar."

  "Oh, yes. Hello."

  "I'm calling to reschedule the two appointments we had today."

  "Unfortunately, we are booked solid for the next three months, so we can't promise you another appointment unless someone else cancels. May I ask what reason you need to cancel for?" I took a seat on my bed and put my head in my hands.

  "Our model is flying back from Melbourne and her flight is delayed. Our other model is sick, so we have no choice but to reschedule."

  "Okay. Well, this is what I can do for you. I can put you at the top of our reserves list and if we get another cancellation, we will notify you."

  "Thank you so much," Vincent replied.

  I sent Bash a text about the cancellation and told him there was no need to rush home because I was going to go down to the beach. I had bought a stand-up paddle board the day before that I was eager to put to use.

  Being on the water felt amazing. I found myself wanting to spend the entire day there, but the winter weather had the water a little colder than I would have liked. It was around sixty degrees out, so the water had to be at least five to ten degrees cooler, if not more.

  . . .

  "Yes, I'm on my way back, Bash. I'm literally three yards from the front door." I laughed into my cell phone.

 
; "I'll leave now," he replied in a breathy voice.

  "No, you’re fine. No need to rush back. I'm just going to take a nice bath, throw on my pajamas and sit in my bedroom watching Supernatural on Netflix for the rest of the night."

  "Are you sure? Cause I can leave right now and be home in twenty minutes."

  "Bash, I'm fine. You just have fun. God knows you need to get laid."

  "Bite me."

  "Have fun," I teased, then took out my keys to unlock the front door.

  I made myself a meatloaf for dinner, and took a bath while it was baking to wash away the smell of the sea. Putting on my favorite pajamas and wrapping my hair in a towel, I grabbed my dinner and took it into my room.

  "Don't do it, Sammy! Don't you dare drink that demon blood." Just like every other time I’d watched this episode, he drank it. "NO! SAMMY, YOU DUMBASS! WHY!!!" I shouted at my laptop screen.

  I went to take a drink of my wine, only to have my lips meet an empty glass. Sighing, I rose to my feet and went to the kitchen for a refill.

  "Red wine or white wine?" I mumbled to myself.

  Getting drunk wasn't exactly my end goal for the night, so I decided on a nice white wine before returning to my room to finish the rest of the episode. When it was over, I turned out my lights and went to sleep.

  . . .

  "Em!" Bash shouted as he bounced on my bed.

  I opened one eye and glared at him. "What do you want?"

  "Just to make sure you aren't possessed. What, were you in a bad mood last night, or what?" he asked as he took a seat on the edge of my bed.

  "What are you talking about?" I groaned, turning my back to him.

  "The entire house... it's trashed."

  I bolted upright in my bed, my eyes wide. As quickly as I could, I rose to my feet and moved to the living room. Everything was trashed—furniture overturned and trash from the garbage can strewn across the floor.

  "It's him. It's got to be him," I said, then ran back into my room and began packing.