One In A Million You
"Good morning, Daddy," Jen greeted as she walked into the study. Walking over to where her father sat, she leaned down and kissed his cheek. "You wanted to talk to me?"
"Sit down, Jennifer."
Casting a glance toward the solemn man behind the desk, she hesitated, then did what she was told. Nervously, she wrung her hands. Her dad only called her Jennifer if she had done something wrong or he was ready to break bad news to her. Since she had been keeping her nose clean recently, she surmised it could only be the latter. And from the grim look on his face, it was not good news.
"I got the call from Parliament," Dave stated evenly. "They took the vote early this morning."
"And?" Jen prompted.
"They approved the request that you marry who you want…"
"Really?" Jen breathed. Her heart raced.
"On one condition," he continued. "Actually, two conditions."
Jen's blue eyes darted around as she tried to grasp the meaning of the statements. "What do you mean?"
Dave got up and walked around to the front of the desk. For a long moment he studied her facial expressions and body language. She was nervous, but she wasn't scared. He could see that she was apprehensive, but her carriage was still strong. She could handle what he was about to tell her.
"He doesn't have to be royalty - per se - but he does have to have a lineage that includes at least one member of his family having blue blood."
Jen held her breath. "What else?" she whispered.
"You have until the end of the week to marry him."
Jen sprung up from the chair. "The end of the week? That's less than five days away!"
"I know, Jennifer, but that's the rule. You petitioned to marry who you wanted, and this is the consequence." Dave sighed. "There is one more thing."
"Do I want to know?"
"No matter who he is, he has to present the other cufflink in order to marry you. If he doesn't, no matter how much you and he may love each other, you cannot marry."
"Which means….?" She hesitated to finish the rest of the question.
"That you have to marry Prince Will," Dave finished.
Jen paused. Everything she wanted was right within her reach - all she had to do was reach out and grab it. She could have the man of her dreams and live happily ever after, and side by side they would rule the Rossi kingdom together with their family.
On the other hand, she could agree to the decision and lose everything. The man of her dreams could be just that, and maybe they wouldn't live happily ever after. Maybe he wouldn't be of blue blood and he could have lost the other cufflink. Then she would be forced to marry Will and her father's kingdom would merge with the La Montange kingdom and everything from the first Rossi would be lost forever. Or worse, she could say no to the marriage and be relegated to the Princess Royale - like the Queen Mum - and upon her father's death, the kingdom would be seized by Will's family. Either way, she had a choice to make.
Dave watched her wrestle with a decision. "How much do you love this young man?" he asked carefully.
"I…I love him, a lot." Jen bit her lower lip.
"But….?
"I love you, too, Daddy," she confessed. "And I don't want to do anything that would hurt or disgrace you."
Dave nodded. "I understand." He sat on the corner of the desk and rubbed his goatee thoughtfully. "I see that you understand the seriousness of what was decided." Jen nodded. "And that unless this young man comes forward, it cannot end favorably for you…or me."
"I know."
"So, the question remains: what are you going to do?"
"I want him," Jen stated.
"Even if…?" he asked.
"Even if," she agreed.
Dave smiled. "Alright. I will get hold of my press secretary and see how we can word this so he knows that it's imperative to step forward…or forever hold his peace." He picked up the phone and started to dial.
"I could lose your kingdom, Daddy," Jen suddenly spoke up.
Dave paused and hung up the phone. "What do you mean?"
"For over three hundred years there has been a Rossi on the throne. I could destroy that." Her blue eyes filled with tears. "I don't want to disappoint you."
"Jennifer, if you follow your heart and listen to your gut, and you will never disappoint me." He leaned forward and brushed a tear away with his thumb. "Everything happens for a reason. Remember that." He turned back toward the phone. "Now, I have to make a few calls."
That was her cue. Standing up, she went over and hugged her dad.
"I love you, Daddy."
"I love you too, Principessa."
"Thank you." Jen brushed a stray tear away.
Dave grasped her hand and squeezed it lovingly.
******
Erin Strauss-Gideon spun her high back, leather office chair around to stare out the large bay windows at the lush gardens.
"Well, considering the way the deal fell thru the last time we tried to merge with the company, it's no wonder the stock brokers would be wary." She listened to the voice on the other end. "Of course there is going to be some who are going to drag their feet…then convince them. I don't know…"
The door to her office opened. Erin slowly turned to look at her visitor.
"Well, figure out what you can do to convince them." She only half paid attention to the loud voice coming thru the ear piece. "Edgar, this is why I pay you the big bucks; do it now or look for another job." She hit the end button and replaced the receiver.
"Hello, Aaron," she greeted with a smile.
"Derek said you wanted to see me?" Aaron replied evenly.
Erin gestured toward the wing backed chair. "Have a seat. How have you been doing?" she asked.
Aaron looked uncomfortable. "I'm alright." He leaned forward. "I don't mean to insult you and your kind act, but I really have to get back to the kitchen." He started to get up.
"Sit down, Aaron." Erin's commanding tone stopped him. "I need to talk to you." Standing up, she stepped back from the desk and paced. "It's no secret that you and I don't get along. It was evident from the moment that I met you that you were going to be a thorn in my side. We don't see eye to eye, and we probably never will."
"Not to sound rude, Erin, but I think that's been a well established fact," Aaron replied evenly.
"You've been trying to get away from me since you were eighteen…."
"Not successfully."
Crossing her arms over her chest, Erin sat on the corner of the desk. "Here's your chance."
Aaron blinked in shock as the words sunk in. "What?"
"Here's your chance to leave…at least for a little while." Erin picked up a folder and flipped thru it. "Remember that cup of coffee you made me from your own 'special blend'?" Aaron nodded. "Well, I have decided to keep my word and back you to help market it."
Aaron blinked in surprise. "Did I hear you right? You want to help me?"
"Yes."
"Forgive me if I sound surprised, but why would you want to do that?" Aaron asked.
"I have my reasons." She handed the folder over. "Your itinerary. You leave for San Francisco in an hour."
Aaron opened the folder and scanned the papers. Briefly he touched the ticket with this name printed on it in bold letters.
"This is…" He shook his head. "This is so unlike you."
"People change."
"What about my loan? How does that figure in?" Aaron closed the folder with a snap. "I still owe you tens of thousands of dollars."
"That is true. And it hasn't been forgiven because you're going to be an entrepreneur. If you look at page four, you'll see how I've broken down the cost of getting everything set up." She opened her own folder and turned to the page with the graphs and statistics. "Here is the cost of the marketing, the setting up… Of course, I've had to factor your loan in." Erin closed the folder. "But it's your dream come true."
Aaron was speechless. For the first time in a long time, he had something to look forward to. What he held in his hands wasn't exactly his ticket to freedom, but it was a step in the right direction.
"It's not like you're going to marry a princess and live happily ever after," Erin stated with light laugh and wave of her hand.
Aaron froze. How did she know? He wondered for a moment as fear gripped him. Studying Erin's face, he looked for any sign that she knew the truth, but he couldn't come up with anything.
"Unless you know something I don't," she lightly challenged.
Aaron shook his head. "No, I don't." He looked at the folder once again. Closing his eyes, he said a quick prayer. A weird kind of peace came over him. What did he have to lose by leaving? He was never going to marry Princess Jennifer.
"Okay," he said. "I'll do it."
"I knew you'd come to your senses." She walked around the desk to her chair and sat down. "I expect a full report first thing tomorrow after you meet with top guy." She extended her hand. "Good luck, Aaron."
Aaron stood up and quickly shook her hand. "Thank you." Clutching the folder, he hurried out of the office. He had to pack.
With a false smile on her lips, Erin watched her step-son leave. The first part of the plan was in motion. Picking up the receiver, she dialed quickly. No introduction was needed when the other line was picked up.
"One down, one to go."