#2
-.-.-.-.-.-.-
The sun shining woke me up on Sunday and I smiled instantly while stretching. I didn't have a lot of mornings like this one in Washington.
I went to clean up and went through everything I needed to do in order to be prepared for work but as I combed my hair standing by the window, I saw the lake and I knew I wanted to start my day with the right foot. So I dressed quickly, putting on wash-out jeans and a pale pink blouse with my beloved leather boots and grabbed my messenger bag, my iPad and a blanket, leaving the documents Zafrina gave me. Maybe I could still make some advances with work.
Saying hello to Michael on the way out, I walked making sure to memorize my surroundings and went into a little coffee shop on the way to the lake.
When I got there, I saw some kids running around yelling at each other in Spanish while playing Frisbee. I smiled and put my earphones on so I could listen to music while doing my research. I didn't want to be in the way of any Frisbee or running kid because, knowing me, that would probably mean a concussion or something worse so I went a little farther away at the edge of the woods and spread my blanket there on the floor.
Scanning my surroundings, I took my iPad and started with the public knowledge of the Royal Family, while finishing my coffee.
A little into my research, I noted that while King Carlisle and Queen Esme were really public since they were dating, as soon as their kids went into kindergarten, they started to keep their lives as private as possible. There was a picture here and there but nothing else. Then, Prince Emmett turned 18 and went to London to do his degree in Languages and suddenly, he's everywhere! He was photographed with a beautiful blonde that I later knew was his current girlfriend Rosalie Hale. According to the press, they met on a party and Rosalie didn't fall for Emmett's tricks that fast.
By the time Emmett was a school, his little brother was here in Andorra being protected by his parents and attending high school like most teenagers. But when Emmett finished his studies, Edward was 18 and there was a huge party to celebrate both facts.
I was about to open the webpage to see the pictures when a brown blur went above my head and I dropped my iPad screaming while covering my head with my arms. I heard a chuckle and raised my eyes to see a young guy crouching down to pet a small puppy – a golden retriever – and put its leash on. I scowled at them.
"That wasn't very nice" I said while picking up my iPad – and my dignity – from the floor.
The guy chuckled again "I'm terribly sorry. I didn't know he was going to do that" his voice was melodic and with a bit of an accent.
"Yeah, right. Why did you let it loose then?"
"He wanted to run. As I said, I never expected that he was going to do that" I looked at him and saw he was telling the truth.
"Keep it leashed from now on, okay?" I said as I stood up.
"Him. His name is Pickles" he said while stroking the puppy's fur again.
"Pickles? Really?" I teased him with a smile
"My brother wanted to name him 'Bear' but that was just confusing and I'm not very creative" I laughed out loud and he smiled. He had a really nice smile, warm and soft.
"Well, at least I know one of your names" there was a look of surprise on his eyes but it vanished so fast that I thought I imagined it.
"My mother would kill me for my manners" he said and I smiled. I didn't realize we walked to each other until Pickles barked and the guy grabbed him "Pickles, don't be rude! I'm Anthony" he said while extending his right hand.
"I'm Bella" I answered and took his hand in mine. I made a gesture toward my blanket and he let Pickles loose to sit next to me on the blanket.
"So, you're new here?" he asked while playing with the grass.
"What gave me away?" I asked watching the puppy chase some butterflies.
"The accent, pretty much" he answered while laughing "And the fact that you haven't said a word in Spanish so far"
I blushed "I know. I'm from Washington and I don't get a single thing in Spanish" Anthony laughed again "I take it you know Spanish?"
"Claro que si. No hay manera que no lo supiera" he answered with such a fluid accent that I gaped at him.
"I have no idea what you just said, except for yes" he smiled and shrugged "I need to study so bad"
"Okay, so what's a pretty American girl like yourself doing in Andorra?"
"I came here for work. I'm a journalist, you see" he looked at me with a guarded look.
"A journalist working in Andorra doing what exactly?"
"Well, I'm gonna start working with the Princes, apparently"
He chuckled "You know a lot about the Royal Family, then" he said that as a statement, not a question and it was my turn to laugh.
"Not at all. I worked with wedding announcements and obituaries back in Washington. In fact, when your ball of fur" he mock-scowled at me "Okay… when Pickles scared at me, I was doing some research" he was looking toward the lake and I suddenly had an idea "Hey!" he looked at me "You are from here. Maybe you can help me a little bit…"
"With what?" he asked with reservation in his voice.
"Well, I was reading and I found something about how Prince Edward doesn't attend a lot of public events. In fact, Prince Emmett gets most of the media attention even if he's not the heir to the throne anymore" Anthony didn't say anything so I continued "And they have the weirdest nickname for Prince Edward…"
"Prince of Hearts" he added with a rueful smile. The sun was making his hair look almost copper and his face more angular. "The press doesn't know when to stop sometimes. They can be vicious and cruel when they don't get what they want" Pickles chose that moment to come to Anthony and bark loudly, making him smile and shake his head "No offense"
"Non taken. Working as a journalist, I got to see the best of both worlds and you're absolutely right: the press can be ruthless"
We both remained silent for a little while. Anthony followed Pickles' movements and I just watched him. Suddenly, a sharp noise broke through our peace and quiet. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I'm sorry. I must leave now" Anthony said and whistled. Pickles came running to him "It was really a pleasure to meet you, Bella"
"Same, Anthony" I reached over and patted Pickles' fur "Same to you, weird ball of fur" Anthony laughed and started to get away. I got the feeling I wasn't going to see him again anytime soon so… "See you guys around?"
He turned around and gave me an enigmatic smile "I'm sure we're gonna see each other again… very soon"
He left and I sighed. The lake wasn't that appealing to me any longer. I was about to resume my research when my phone rang, Alice's name on the screen.
"Bella! You're already settled in Andorra, right?"
"Hi, Alice! Yeah, I'm already settled and got some homework for my job on Monday"
"Tell me EVERYTHING! Oh, by the way, I think I will be able to get everything in order and move there with you sooner than I thought"
"That's great, Alice" I picked everything up and went to get to my house again. After all, it was lunchtime already…
… And that's how I totally forgot to look at the pictures from Prince Edward's birthday.
-.-.-.-.-.-
He got home and his bodyguard jumped to get to him as soon as he heard the bark.
"Your Highness! I was so worried. Why did you leave without notifying anyone?"
"Relax, Seth. I was just walking around" he said while leaving his pet on the floor.
"Around? You weren't anywhere near palace grounds I searched for you all morning"
"I'm here now, am I not? And in one piece. Nothing happened, my dear friend, so just take it easy"
"Your Highness…"
"Edward, Seth. We went to school together. I consider you my friend…"
"But…"
"You didn't call me 'Your Highness' when I was just the spare"
"You were never just a spare, Edward. And if you were my friend, you wouldn't do this kind of thing. Your father is going to kill me one of these days"
"Why? You didn't tell him I left without you, right?"
"No, you think I'm crazy? You left palace grounds without me or Peter, he would sent me to jail straight away for losing sight of the heir of the throne"
"You're so dramatic, my friend" Edward said while petting his pet. Seth tried to but it barked at him "Don't be rude to Seth"
"He never liked me… just don't disappear like that again, Edward"
"I just needed some time to myself. After what happened yesterday… it's just…"
"I get it. I really do. But you need to rest and notify me or Peter where you're going. I don't wanna lose my job, your Highnass!"
"Duly noted, Bodytart. Where's Emmett?"
"He and Rosalie left to attend some meeting about the wedding. At least they said where they were going"
"Okay, Seth. I'm leaving now or I'm seriously at risk of beheading you…" Edward said while leading his pet outside.
"That's so eighteen century"
"Be glad about it"
Edward went to his room and suddenly realized what Seth was actually telling him. His body felt weak and he was really tired all of the sudden, so he went to rest a little bit…
…the next thing he knew, someone was gently shaking him awake. He lazily opened his eyes to see Emmett there - with his puppy in his arms - looking down at him with a smile.
"Hey there, Skyscraper…" he ruffled his hair and Edward smiled "You caused quite the mayhem today… Seth almost had a heart attack"
"Seth needs to chill the hell out. He's like a momma hen" Emmett laughed out loud and the puppy barked happily "I was just having some time alone to think"
"I almost didn't wake you up. But dad…"
"Dad would annoy you because I was missing yet another meeting…"
"Where were you, anyway? Seth thought you were with us…"
"Like I would willingly summit myself to wedding torture…" Emmett shoved him back to the bed and Edward smiled "I was walking by the lake" Emmett looked at him "I met someone there"
"I bet that was interesting"
"It was because she didn't know who I was" Emmett gaped at him with eyes opened wide "I know. It was so awesome to be just… me" Edward opened his arms and the puppy went to him "Being whoever I wanted without a stupid crown in my head"
"You can be just you, Edward"
"Right… tell that to dad"
Emmett looked at him with a sad expression on his face but then shook his head and smiled "Was she cute?" Edward didn't answer but blushed a little bit so Emmett laughed "She was!"
"You wanna know what the weirdest part is?"
"What? You wanna see her again?"
"Well, yeah… but I know I will…"
"What do you mean? You are not planning on running away from palace grounds like today again, right?"
"No, turtle. She's gonna work with our press office on Monday"
"Damn! You met the new girl from Washington?" Edward nodded "And she didn't recognize you?" Edward nodded again "That girl needs to do some homework, man" Edward laughed this time and Pickles barked happily "Especially since she's supposed to meet with us on Monday afternoon"
"There goes that, then…" Edward plopped back to the bed and Emmett sighed.
"Hey, baby brother. Come on, now. We have to be in the parlor in less than 10 minutes" Pickles barked again and Emmett chuckled "No, Pickles. You can't come" Edward got up and fixed himself and then made a gesture for Emmett to lead the way. The older one said before exiting the room "What kind of stupid name is Pickles anyway?"
"Better than naming a dog 'Bear'" and the door closed…
-.-.-.-.-.-.-
AN: I come today to leave this here because I know I had to update something. It's been a rough couple of weeks. My grandmother's health turned to worse in these past weeks and... it's tough... my mom and I don't know how much time we have with her... So, sorry for mistakes and stuff but, I just wanted to bring you guys something. My other story will update according to my grandmother's health (and my mental health)