#3
The weekend flew by and I received instructions from Zafrina to try and improve my Spanish because I was set to have a meeting with some people from the Royal House on Monday so I focused the rest of my time into studying as much Spanish as I could.
Monday morning, I woke up really early so I could prepare myself - both mentally and physically - for this day. I chose a really nice pale pink suit, a skirt, who would have thought? and a pale cream shirt with magenta pumps. I debated over the shoes but I wanted to look professional. I looked in the mirror and liked what I saw. I applied a little makeup and styled my hair so the curls wouldn't disappear in the middle of the day.
When I was as ready as I thought I would be, I grabbed my purse and my iPad and went to leave the house. I collided with something - a something that grunted - that made me panic until I saw who it was.
"You?"
"Surprise!"
"You!" I hugged the hell out of my best friend while she let go of her bags and hugged me back "I didn't know you were coming here yet!"
"I wanted to surprise you. I wanted to be here to wish you luck on your first day of work" Alice said while getting inside and thanking the cab driver for helping her with her luggage "I was supposed to be here earlier today but my flight was delayed and..."
"It doesn't matter. You're here now!" I hugged her again. I just realized how much I missed someone with me. Someone who could share this adventure with me "I'm so glad you're finally here, Alice"
"Me too. Let me see you" she held me at arms' length and squealed "You look amazing, Bella!"
"Amazing enough to meet a Prince?" I joked while straightening my skirt.
"Amazing enough to charm a Prince" I laughed and she swatted my butt "Now go! I don't want you to be late on your first day because of me"
I hugged her again and left to catch my ride. Michael was waiting for me by the car with a smile "Good morning, Bella" I smiled and went inside the car. Michael immediately started the way to the office but not before he said "Allow me to say that you look beautiful today, Bella"
I blushed and didn't add anything else. I got uncomfortable when people - especially men - gave me compliments. He just smiled at me from the review mirror. We got to the press office quickly enough and I went inside after thanking Michael and hearing his good luck wishes.
I already knew that I had to go straight to the conference room. Zafrina made sure to mention that at least a hundred times and also that I needed my pass to access the room. I was rummaging through my purse looking for the stupid card when I collided with something - or someone - hard. I knew I was going straight to the floor but firm hands went to my waist and held me upright. A tingling feeling was starting where those hands were touching me. I looked up and had to smile.
"Are you stalking me or something?" I teased and he laughed.
"I could say the same to you, you know? Besides, I just saved you from an ugly bruise so... I think the phrase you're looking for is Thank you"
"Maybe I wanted to give a hug to the floor... I think he's a little lonely" he smiled "Thank you, Anthony"
"It was my pleasure, Bella" the way he said my name made me blush.
"Now, seriously... what are you doing here?" he was going to say something when Zafrina's voice interrupted him.
"Bella? You're here. Good. Get in here so you can meet everybody and get this show on the road"
I wanted to ask Anthony what had brought him here today looking absolutely gorgeous in a navy blue suit with thin white stripes, a white shirt and navy tie. He had a red piece of fabric on his hand and I now realized there was someone else with him.
"Bella?! We're waiting for you!" Zafrina's voice held a tent of annoyance in it so I turned to Anthony to apologize but he waved me off.
"Go ahead, Bella. They're waiting for you" he said with a smile
I put my card on the slot and the door opened. I smiled and waved at Anthony before moving forward into the conference room where I could see Zafrina seated there in front of the electronic board. There was a guy there: a bear of a guy. He was huge and as soon as he turned around I recognized him. That was Prince Emmett of Andorra. The pictures didn't do him justice. He was dressed in a pristine light grey suit with a white shirt and a cobalt blue tie. He had a red ribbon across his middle. A sign of his royal status, of course: the royal crest.
"Prince Emmett, this is Isabella Swan. She will be taking charge of the Press Releases and Notices of the Royal Family starting today. Bella, this is Prince Emmett of Andorra and I wanted you here to discuss..."
"Wait!" Prince Emmett stopped Zafrina and looked around "My little brother should be here for this. After all, she will be working closely with him and his assistant"
"Where is he?" Zafrina asked while I sat opposite where I imagined Prince Edward should sit when he arrived and facing away from the door.
"He should be here already..." answered the Prince while frowning. I was about to add that I didn't mind waiting when he exclaimed "There he is! I was about to go get the Royal Guard to search for you"
"Well, there's no need for that. I'm here already and I'm really sorry that I left you guys waiting for me"
WHAT?! WAIT. A. FREAKING. MINUTE!
I turned around and Anthony... Well, more like Prince – FREAKING - Edward, heir to the throne of Andorra was standing there. He looked my way and smiled when Zafrina started.
"No need to apologize, Your Highness. We haven't even started" she said at the same time she was standing up to do a curtsey. I suddenly realized that I should do one too when he stopped Zafrina before she could do it.
"There's no need for any of that... please"
"As you wish, Your Highness" Prince Edward flinched and Emmett chuckled.
"No need to be so formal. After all, you're all helping me. I'm just Edward"
"I thought you were Anthony..." I mumbled under my breath and I thought no one could be able to hear it... but he did.
"Actually, my name is Edward Anthony Masen Cullen. So I can be Edward, Anthony or Masen" he smiled my way but I didn't feel ready to reciprocate just yet. I knew he was just too good to be true... or possible.
"Well, Prince Edward. We are here not only to introduce Bella to you guys but also to establish a plan for the media to stop harassing you every step of the way"
Zafrina kept on going but I couldn't listen to a word she said. I was too absorbed watching Anthony... Prince Edward. The red fabric he had on his hand before was placed across his chest making him look regal... Of course... He's a bloody Prince! Zafrina snapping her fingers in front of my face made me realize I was lost in my thoughts and both Princes were watching me with amusement.
"I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention"
"I realized that..." Zafrina said exasperated. I blushed. "Angela here is Prince Edward's assistant and she's going though his schedule with us to get a plan of action" I nodded and she motioned to Angela to start...
"Well, just on the next two weeks, Prince Edward is expected to attend several meeting and fundraisers, besides the reunions with the Queen and King, the opening of two new schools and a preschool as he wanted and there's also the Bachelor Party for Prince Emmett, the wedding and the rehearsal dinner. He also has to attend to a press conference about his designation as Crown Prince of Andorra and about his disappearance from public eye. Then in 3 weeks from now he has a conference at the University and the Queen's Ball. There is also the fact that the people and Queen Esme want to see him settle down with a nice princess or one of the ladies associated with the Royal Family. You will have to pick a lady to accompany you to that ball, Your Highness"
While Angela spoke, I saw Anthony... I mean, Prince Edward. He was getting paler with each word and along the way you could see sweat forming on his forehead. I caught a glimpse at his brother looking at him with concern written across his face. Suddenly, Angela placed her iPad on the table making me jump and snapping Prince Edward's attention back to the conversation.
"Nothing else, Angela?" I could hear a tint of desperation on his voice but Angela was oblivious.
"Well, there are always the emergency meetings here and there. Also the conferences with the touristic sides and the Congress about changing the law. Not to mention that..."
Prince Edward turned to his brother and whispered "I think I'm gonna be sick"
Prince Emmett and I were both in motion after hearing that. He grabbed his brother bridal-style and took him to the couch by the window. I went to find the first aid kit and grabbed a trash can and went to his side. He was breathing too quickly to be normal. Prince Emmett was frantic and suddenly realized he had an audience.
"Everybody out! I want everybody out of the room right Now!"
Everybody started to leave the room, even Zafrina. I gave the alcohol to Prince Emmett and left the trash can on one side of the couch. I was about to leave when I heard Anthony's voice.
"Bella should stay... I want her to stay"
Prince Emmett glanced my way and nodded. I was the only one inside the room besides him and the guy I saw earlier. I wasn't sure what was I supposed to do. Anthony spoke before I could think about it.
"I'm sorry... I keep doing this to you, bro"
"Shut up. I was almost sure doing this today was a mistake but you wanted to"
"I was fine... until I wasn't" he smiled and then saw me "Come closer, Bella. I won't bite you..."
"Or puke on her nice shoes... promise that too, Edward" said the guy beside him.
"It was ONE time, Seth. Let it go!" Edward groaned from the couch.
"They were my favorite!" the guy, Seth, said and then looked at me "Seth Clearwater, bodyguard of Prince Edward, the puke volcano" he extended his hand towards me and I shook it.
"Bella Swan, the new journalist hired by the Royal Palace" I then watched as Prince Emmett brushed his brother's hair away from his face with such tenderness that I felt like an intruder "Your Highness, I'm really not sure if I'm supposed to be here"
"Edward asked for you to stay. And none of that 'Your Highness' stuff. I'm Emmett and this is Edward. We're not overly formal"
"And there's no point in leaving if you're gonna work with me and this is part of your job. Sort of" I didn't say anything to Edward's statement but I moved closer to him "Sorry I lied to you yesterday..."
"You didn't lie you just omitted the truth" I replied and grabbed a chair to be close to him without suffocating him "How's Pickles?"
"At home probably enjoying my bed right now" he chuckled and immediately coughed. He was still breathing too quickly "You remember our conversation by the lake?" I frowned but nodded "You did your research?" I shook my head and he sighed "It would be easier if you had"
Angela returned then with a glass of water and a pill bottle "Here you go, Your Highness"
"Thank you, Angela. Please inform Zafrina that Bella will remain in here with us and then I will show here the palace and her office there" Emmett announced and Angela left. He then passed a pill to Edward and handled him the water before helping him push forward to take it.
"Are you talking about the weird nickname the press got for you?" I asked because he got weird when we were talking about it "Why do they call you Prince of Hearts?"
"Because they assume I'm used to break hearts wherever I go. They couldn't be more wrong" Edward told me with his eyes closed. His breathing is slowing down...
"The press writes whatever they think it's true without actually finding out which one is fake" I cringed because Emmett was right "I'm sorry if I sound rude to your profession but it's true" he looked at his brother and sighed "Have you heard about a disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy?" he asked in almost a whisper.
"Sorry but no" I answered while looking at Edward. He seemed to be asleep and his face was recovering his natural color. "What is it about?"
"It's, ironically, a heart disease. According to the doctor, the heart enlarges quite a lot and it cannot pump blood efficiently" Emmett said with a frown. I didn't quite catch why he was telling me all that...
"Why are you telling me this? Don't tell me that..."
"A doctor diagnosed Edward with Dilated Cardiomyopathy a few years ago" he confirmed and I gasped "Someone from the Congress said that something was positively wrong with the prince's heart and the press heard it..."
"And the nickname was born" this was worst that I thought "But they twisted it into making everyone believe that Edward is a playboy or something"
"Exactly. The worst part is that they make stories up when Edward is too sick to attend some public event that he's probably breaking someone's heart... when the only heart that's broken and not functioning properly is his"
I didn't know what to say, because that was so cruel. I now understood Edward's words at the lake about the press "What's gonna be my job exactly?"
"Try to clean up Edward's name without revealing the real reason why this is happening. Edward doesn't want anyone looking at him different"
"I don't want anyone's pity" whispered Edward, opening his eyes slowly "I just want to be normal... like Anthony playing with his dog on a lake"
I smiled sadly at him. In that moment I made a promise to myself, to him, to Emmett "I'm gonna help you do that. Count on me"
His smile warmed my heart and soul...
AN: Well, here you go. Sorry for any misspelling because I'm typing on my phone. For those that wrote me after my last chapter explaining about my grandma, well she's home and stable... she has Alzheimer so... we gotta be strong and support her. Thank you guys so much for your concern and your words, really.
I'm gonna try and update my other story soon... but you guys can contact me at my Instagram account (yasibitfreites) or my Twitter (yasizacrob)
Let me know what you think.
Love...
AYEN.