She acts like it’s the end of the world, but it was bound to happen sooner or later. By the way she’s acting, she never expected it to. And that pisses me off.
“I’m going to change,” I mutter gruffly, and dig in my bag.
As if she notices my change in mood, she doesn’t say another word, perching herself at the end of the bed.
When we’re done, we both walk out and knock on our friends' doors, and get no answer.
“They must all be at the table already.”
A short while later, we walk into the central part of the castle where the dining room is. The chatter coming from inside can be heard all the way to the stairs. Several maids and butlers are stationed at the entrance who immediately curtsy and bow at Wil.
Wil goes to walk through the arched doorway, squaring her shoulders. I follow right behind. There’s two empty seats. On one side, all of the guys sit, and the girls on the other. Situated at the ends are a regal looking man and woman who immediately eye Wil and I.
All chatter immediately slows to a stop and Wil exclaims, “Mom, Dad!” Her father extends his arms and she runs right into them. Wil hugs her Mom, too, just not with the same energy. Though I can guess why after overhearing her phone call with her mother outside the police station.
What the fuck do I say? Hello your majestys, I’d love to get permission from you to keep fucking your daughter, and by the way can she stay in California forever?
“Saved a seat for you buddy,” Noel calls out and waves.
Trust Noel to always chime in at the right moment.
Wil takes the remaining seat in the middle of the girls and I take the other one, between Noel and Tall Boy.
The Queen rings a bell, and immediately trays come out with food, coffee, and orange juice. It takes a while for them to serve all of us, but once we’ve all gotten our food and drink, the Queen sighs happily.
“It’s so nice to see you home, Wilhelmera.”
A wave of annoyance passes over Wil’s face.
She glances between her mom and dad. “Where’s Cate though? I thought she’d be joining us for breakfast.”
An uncomfortable look appears on her dad’s face. He doesn’t look like he wants to answer her question. Her mom looks at her plate for a while and then sighs.
“Well?” Wil yells. “What are those looks about? Where’s Cate? I haven’t heard from her in months.”
Her mom crosses her fingers together. “Unfortunately, Cate won’t be joining us for Christmas this year.”
“Why?” Wil asks, eyebrows furrowing as she looks between her parents. “We’ve never spent Christmas apart.”
“Your sister met someone,” her dad finally responds. “She wanted to spend the holidays with him instead.”
“And she knows that I’m here?” Wil asks, hurt evident on her face.
I don’t feel like I should be listening in on this conversation.
They nod and she scoffs. “No. That doesn’t sound like Cate at all. Who is this boyfriend of hers?”
“We don’t know,” they both say at once.
“Bullshit!” Wil yells.
“Young lady!” her mother screams back.
Wil’s mouth flattens. “The only boyfriend Cate has ever had was Duke Floyen’s son and they broke up after high school. Even when she claimed to care for him they never did anything together besides go to public events.” Anger flares in her eyes. “I haven’t been able to call her, she hasn’t posted on social media. I haven’t even seen her in the news.”
Her father sighs. “This last year at University is taking a toll on her. I believe she wanted to get away from it all with this new guy.”
“With bodyguards then? Keeping watch in the shadows?”
“No,” her father responds.
And now even my bullshit monitor is going off. What the fuck is going on with this?
Her parents share a look. There’s something they aren’t saying.
Wil’s stubbornness isn’t letting it go. “How did they meet?”
“She saved his life and they started seeing each other right after that. I hope we get to meet the young man soon,” her mom says, reaching for her fork.
Wil’s eyes narrow. “Call her then. Call her right now.”
But her mom does no such thing, instead slicing the pancakes on her plate.
“Mother?”
Her mother looks up in my direction. “Callan, isn’t it? It’s so good to see you again. It’s hard to believe it’s been thirteen years.”
Wil looks furious at being ignored. I want her to get the answers she’s looking for, but I also can’t ignore the Queen.
Wait. I go over those words in my head and turn to look at her. “Your majesty, did you say again?”
I can feel my friends staring at me. Fuck off guys, this is not the time.
She blinks quickly. “Why yes, we’ve met once before years ago. Do you not remember?”
Across the table, I meet Wil’s puzzled eyes.
“Honey, don’t you remember he fell?” the King asks, taking a bite of toast.
Wil’s eyes widen and her mouth turns into an O. “Oh my God.”
“Mera, dear. You didn’t tell him? You two were the best of friends that day. You didn’t want him to leave.”
“You’re Rain Boy,” she says, covering her mouth after those words slip out.
“Rain Boy?” I ask.
Her dad nods. “Yes, that’s right. She kept asking for you when you left and she could never remember your name. That name stuck even after we corrected her. I’m sure you know how stubborn she can be. She kept remembering how hard it rained that day and came up with that. Rain Boy. You also had a cute name for our little girl, too.”
And then it hits me all at once, a flash of a girl with bright pink hair. The same flash of pink I’ve been seeing every time I look at Wil. “Pinkie.”
She jumps in her seat, a look of shock in her eyes as she looks at me as if she’s seeing me for the first time.
“Pinkie! That’s it!” her father yells. “You couldn’t pronounce her whole name and it was the first time we let her dye her hair pink.”
That drawing and those flashes. I remember now. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I lost my memories of that day. It’s only starting to come back to me now. I fell from the treehouse trying to get the bird’s nest off the top of it. It was hailing and Wil cried because she was afraid the birds would get hurt. I climbed up on the railing and got the bird’s nest off. When I tried to get down, I slipped and fell off. Hit my head on a rock.”
“Our meeting ended when Mera came running, tears running down her cheeks. They rushed you to the hospital and only told us you were okay. It’s a shame you two didn’t remember until now. Though that doesn’t matter does it?” her dad gives us a knowing expression as he chews his eggs.
“I tried to tell you before you left, Mera. You weren’t going to be completely alone at school. The Dean’s son–” her mother starts and stops, looking at me anxiously.
“The Dean’s son…” Mera murmurs.
“You just happened to meet my brother, first,” I mutter. My parents knew, yet how could they not have sent me instead of Heath?
Would anything have been different if I had been sent to show her around instead? No. I probably would have ditched her the moment I took her to her dorm and gave her her schedule.
“Cate and Heath, weren’t they friends too?” Wil asks.
Her parents shake their heads.
“Catherine and Heath didn’t get along from the moment they met. While you and Callan ran off to play, they refused to.”
Heath, who was friends with everyone? That doesn’t sound like him.
“I bet you feel pretty stupid now, man,” Vincent says with a laugh.
“Well, wait a minute, where was I?” Collette asks.
“Who knows? And who cares?” Wil says, turning to look at her toward the end of the table.
“Wilhelmera,” her mother chides.
“Sorry Mother, what I meant to say was,” she turns to look at Collette, “five year old you was doing something so much better than us. We’re so sad you couldn’t come. It would’ve been so much more fun had you been there.”
Collette glares, staring at her like she’s roasting her alive in her head.
Those two will never fucking get along. But I don’t care about that right now.
I remember something from that day. Something that her parents don’t know.
The innocent kiss between two kids who had crushes on each other. Heath was never her first kiss. I was.
She notices me staring and her cheeks turn pink. I know she remembers and more than ever, it’s clear.
Wil has always been mine.
And I intend on showing her just how true that is on this trip.
Chapter Seventeen
Mera
Ever since that breakfast ended, Callan’s done nothing but stare at me. Like he wants to eat me up. It’s been hours since then. After hearing about the famous treehouse, everyone made me take them there.
It was weird being there again after not going there for so long. Of course we didn’t go up, but being there with Callan again was weird and I think he felt it too. He kept looking at the rock he hit his head against, still partially stained brown with a spot of his blood.
Since the ball is tomorrow and I’m the only one with something to wear, we have to go shopping for everyone else. The moment I knew I was coming home, I had Mother order a custom made gown and today we’re picking it up.
Kara’s Dress Shop can’t be beat with their styles and quality so I know they’ll have plenty of gorgeous dresses on the rack for the girls.
Callan wanted to ride with me to the marketplace, but I jumped into the car with Scarlett and Peyton at the last minute.
“I can’t believe I’m going to a fancy ball for Christmas Eve,” Scar says with a huge smile.
“Not only that, this place is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. No wonder you didn’t want to leave. Look! No traffic!” Peyton yells as we move right along down the highway.
“When we graduate, I hope you guys will come and visit me.”
Scar exclaims, “Why the hell would I turn down an invitation to come back? I’ll visit so much you’ll get sick of me.”
“Same here,” Peyton agrees.
We exit the highway and head for Main Street, where all of the nice restaurants and shops are. I already know what to expect, but I don’t think they will. “Okay guys, when we get out, look straight and walk forward. Do not stop. Follow me into the dress shop no matter what they say. The paps know I’m back and they want comments.”
“I got this,” Scar says with a nod.
Peyton grunts in agreement.
As we turn onto Main, I immediately notice the paps standing around with their cameras in hand. They’re clustered on both sides of the street. One of them points directly at our car and the flashes start.
The car stops right outside the dress shop and hordes of paps come rushing to get to me before I’m in the shop.
But I’m already at the doors with Scar and Peyton on my heels.
“Mera, Mera, how does it feel to be home?”
“Are these your friends?”
“Do you have a comment about the disappearance of Heath Goldsworthy?”
They always seem to have one question that grates on my nerves more than any other.
I smoothly turn back, giving them a broad smile and wave. They shout and cheer and I yank open the doors, holding it open for Scar and Peyton.
A short woman with black hair and gray streaks comes out from the back. “Mera, dear! It’s so good to see you.” She moves around the counter, rushing over and immediately grabs my cheeks. “I was so excited to get that order. Finally, I got to make a dress for my favorite customer once again.”
I give her a tight hug. “You’re so sweet Ms. Kara.”
Suddenly, I hear the sound of the door opening again. Since the shop is closed to everyone else today for my appointment, that has to be everyone else.
She looks behind me. “It’s so nice to see your friends.” In a louder voice, she says, “Hi, I’m Kara. My assistants and I will be dressing you all for the ball tomorrow.”
A devious smile comes over her face and she leans in to my ear, whispering, “Which one of these handsome men is your escort? Or are you going alone again?”
I can already feel his presence at my back with his gaze on me.
She straightens and her eyes widen. “I think my question has already been answered. I can’t wait to get his tux for him.” She whirls around and claps her hands quickly. Her assistants come running and she gathers them into a circle.
“You’re coming with me on the way back, princess.” My cheeks heat up and I turn around. “Actually I think I’ll ride with Peyton and Scarlett again.”
He opens his mouth to respond when Kara pulls him away, much to his displeasure and gathers him with the other guys.
Her other assistants approach the girls, so I leave them all to talk and decide while I focus on finding a new pair of shoes to match the dress.
Four hours later, the cars come to pick us up with our attire for the ball. I narrowly slip into the car with Peyton and Scarlett.
The paps were waiting right outside for us and got a ton more pictures.
“To The Crown, please,” I tell the driver.
“Yes, princess.”
It’ll be a late lunch and if we’re going anywhere, I’d love to take them to my favorite, and of course, the most expensive restaurant downtown, The Crown.
Scar sighs happily. “I’ve never had a dress this gorgeous before and it fits me like a glove.”
It’s a beautiful, deep red to match her red hair and it suits her figure perfectly.
“Thanks again for paying Mera, I promise I’ll pay you back,” Peyton remarks sheepishly.
I never mind paying for friends. It’s only when it’s demanded of me that I mind. Peyton and Scar are nothing like that. “I invited you guys so it’s the least I can do. I’m just happy you were able to come.”
Twenty minutes later, we’re stopped right outside the doors. Tall dark doors with tinted glass and gold around the edges. The restaurant towers high above, having five floors to it.
The top of the building has gold rods that jut out, almost making it look like a crown.
A few people walking by stop and stare as I stop outside the doors, waiting for everyone to gather. They whisper to themselves, making it super obvious that they want to be nosy and see what we’re doing.
Kane whistles. “Fancy. Mera, you’re really treating us today.”
Peyton clears his throat. “Um, are you sure they have enough room for all of us, Mera?”
An excitement builds in me. “Let’s go inside and find out, shall we?”
I pull the door open, and walk up to the hostess table only a few feet past the barren seating area.
The hostess is busy on her tablet when I stop in front of it. Without looking up, she says, “If you don’t have a reservation, you’ll have to leave.”
“No reservation,” I respond.
She glances up with an annoyed look that quickly changes to one of glee. “Princess! You’re back.”
“It’s good to see you Emily, can we go up?”
She glances at my friends behind me and smiles widely. “Of course, go on up. I’ll have Pierre grab sixteen menus and arrange the table.”
“Great, thanks,” I say, moving around her table and going for the elevator. I press the up button and it immediately comes.
As I step in, and turn around, I tell everyone, “Fifth floor.” It’ll take a few trips since this elevator is tiny.
Callan, Collette, and Kane join me inside. When it dings, we step out to the top floor full of empty tables. “Welcome to my family’s own floor.”
“Showoff,” Collette murmurs.
I shrug. “Well, I mean, my paren
ts do own it so…yeah! Fun to switch things around, you know, since I’m going to a college that your parents own.”
The door to the stairs opens and a panting Pierre rushes over. He bows quickly and slams the menus on the table in the middle of the room. “So good to see you again, princess.”
Pierre is always the one to serve my family because he has a great attention for detail. He’s never once messed up an order, even with the giant parties we’ve had on this floor. Dragging two tables to each end of the one in the middle, makes one big long one.
“Don’t worry about the chairs, Pierre, we’ll grab those ourselves.”
He grins and wipes the sweat from his brow. “Thank you.”
I sit in one of the chairs already at the table and Callan sits next to me. Kane and Collette sit across from us.
“I didn’t know you wanted to sit with me so much, Collette.”
She glares. “I didn’t feel like getting my own chair.”
Of course she didn’t.
A few minutes later, everyone is seated and Pierre’s waiting at the end of the table with his notepad open and ready.
I already know what I want, but everyone else is looking over the extensive menus.
Suddenly, under the table, I feel Callan’s hand on my thigh, squeezing it, once, twice, three times. Heat starts to pool beneath my stomach and I bite my lip. I can feel his intense gaze studying my every reaction. I’m about to whisper for him to stop when I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket.
Emily?
I answer the phone and she says, “I’m so sorry to bother you, princess. Your other friends are here. Should I send them up?”
Other friends?
That could only mean three people.
I clench my jaw together and think about what to do, when Callan squeezes my thigh again. “What’s wrong?”
I put my hand over the phone. “Some leeches are here to feed.”
Kane leans in. “Who’s here?” he booms.
Collette raises a questioning eyebrow.
All other conversation stops as everyone turns to stare at me.
The Princess and the Bully (Goldsworthy University Book 1) Page 21
