Part 4

It has been several days since then. I fantasized our next meeting.

"Prince Edward!" I would shout.

"Marika! My sweet rose!" he shouts back. Then we go for a strong embrace, then a kiss, then-

"Marika! What are you doing!?" my boss, Gordo of the critically acclaimed restaurant, La Blanc, yelled at me. "I don't pay you to stand there and daydream! GO BACK TO WORK!" he screams.

"Okay, okay, don't need to shout." I muttered under my breath.

"Hurry up! Important guests are coming for a big party! We need everything to be perfect!" he claps his hands. "They will be here any minute!"

I sighed as I quickly swept the marble floor. Apparently, there is a large party coming in. There are rumors that some princes are going to be here. I don't believe that. Why would a bunch a princes come here? It is a famous place, but why in public? Why not at their fancy castles?"

After the setup was done, all the workers, including me, got into two lines and stood at the door to greet the guests.

"Are we all ready!?" the manager asked. We all said 'yes sir' and we let the doors open. Many people in elegant dresses and tuxes walked down the red carpet we set gracefully.

"Welcome." we all said to them, bowing. We did to each person that came in.

"It's the princes!" some one shouted. There were screams from the women as the princes stepped into the restaurant. It was all the princes from the party I went to. Prince Wilfred, Roberto, Keith, Glenn, Joshua, and even that prince from Sanct Sybil. Then my eyes caught sight of Edward coming in.

Oh no, how humiliating.

He already knows that I am a janitor at a bakery. Now, he is going to know that I am also a waitress. As I think, we bowed to the princes as they walked by. Thank goodness none of them recognized me. However, I have to serve them. Maybe they don't remember me. I can deal with that, but how can I avoid Edward?

As all the people sat around the table, I noticed Mrs. Hanazella sitting next to Keith, laughing. Crap, she knows me. She's a regular here for parties and such. I am so screwed.

"Marika, what are you doing? Go out there and serve our guests!" Gordo yelled at me again. I no choice now.

I served our famous, fresh baked bread and put it on the table until Mrs. Hanazella shouts my name in surprise.

"Marika! You're here today! Oh, I am so happy you're working tonight!" she says, motioning me over. I gave an awkward smile as some of the guest became quiet. I can feel their gazes on me as I walked over to her.

"Welcome back, Mrs. Hanazella," I said, burying that awkwardness away and trying to be more professional, "Are you enjoying the party so far?" I asked with a smile.

"Absolutely darling. The parties here are always spectacular. Even more so when you're working! You're always so kind to me even when I blabber on and on." she laughs and a few others laugh as well.

"I don't mind. Your stories are always intriguing." I smile earnestly. I do enjoy our conversations. She does tend to blabber, but I don't mind. She's funny and a kind old lady. "I love that story that involved the milk."

"Oh, don't remind me! That story is too embarrassing." She slaps my arm playfully.

"But it's such a good one. It makes me smile when I am down."

"Has Monsieur Gordo been treating you well?"

"Well…" I start to say until I felt his angry gaze on me. "He has."

"He's not making you over-work is he? If he is, I will talk to him."

"He isn't. He's just him been his usual picky self is all. He made this party perfect for you and your lovely guests."

"Oh, he is always sweet. Can you thank him for me?"

"Of course." I bowed. She claps with joy and we go our separate ways. I looked in the corner of my eye and see the princes staring at me, especially Edward. He looks surprised and sad at the same time. I don't know why, but his look makes me feel sad as well.

As we served the food, a child dropped there stuffed bear, making me trip. I was able to save myself and the dishes.

"Oh, sorry!" the kid apologized. I motioned a co-worker and made him take my tray. I picked up the bear and dusted him off thoroughly.

"This is yours, right?" I said, handing the bear back. "What's his name?"

"...Button." He says, taking the bear back, blushing.

"That's a nice name. Make sure you hold him tightly, okay? He'll get dirty." I said, giving a kind smile. The kid smiled back while hiding behind his bear and nodded. I smiled again and went back to the kitchen.

After the party ended and all the guest left, we cleaned the place until eleven. When I was leaving through the exit door that led to the alleyway, I noticed someone leaning against the wall.

"Edward?" I called out. Edward turns his head with a sad, soft smile.

"Good evening. Do you have any time to spare to take a walk with me?" he asked.

Crap.

We walked in silence through the glowing city streets. It was so painfully awkward between us, I wanted to just disappear into the shadows.

"So, you have two jobs then?" he finally said something, but it wasn't what I was hoping to hear. He sounded confused and sad by his discovery of my second job. I wonder how he will react if he found out that I have one more?

"Well…" I start to say, hesitating to tell him. "Actually, I have one more." Screw it, I am taking the leap. Is he going to judge me now like the rest?

"Three? Three jobs?" he repeated. "Are you that desperate for money? I thought you were happy with what you had? Why three more?" he sounded a little angry. "Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped you." he said. Help me...help me?

"What is that suppose to mean?" I hissed. He jumped by my words, but he stood his ground.

"I could have given you the money to help you with whatever problem you have." he said, looking down at the ground, tightening his fist.

"I don't need help!" I yelled at him. "Why are you so angry about?! It is normal to have multiple jobs to make ends meet. Are you… trying to look good to the people?" Was...this is ploy all along?

"What!? No! I am worried about you! Three jobs will damage your health!"

"What bullcrap! You are a prince! Why should you worry about some commoner girl like me?! You barely know me!" I yelled at him.

"But, I want to!" he blurted out. "Ever since that day under the awning of the flower shop I wanted to know you more! My heart flutters like a butterfly every time I saw you, my heart beats faster every time you said a single word, my heart thumps at your smiles! Of course I want to help you as the girl I care about most!" It was silent again. I stared at his violet eyes as he stares into mine. He was huffing because of all the shouting and I couldn't look away.

This is like a dream. A prince saying all these nice things to a poor, commoner girl like me. But...why do I feel so sad? I should bouncing off the walls like in my daydreams, but yet… I can't return say anything. Maybe it's because… I have three kids to take care of. What if he finds out that I am single guardian of three children that are being treated poorly because they think I am a single mom who does anything to get money even though I work honest jobs. I am almost never home to be with them, they are home alone without adult supervision because I cannot afford a babysitter, one acts out because both parents are gone, one doesn't talk, and the other keeps everything inside so that she does not feel like a bother. If he finds out, then what? Will he think the same way as everyone else? He doesn't seem like the kind of guy to do that, but I don't want to that that risk. My heart hurts, but this is for the best. He will be a prince like he is and I'll be back to being judged without having to bring him down with me.

"I am sorry, but I don't accept these fake feelings. You're using me to look good and to show that you care about the people. I am no poster child. I have to go home." I said, turning my heels. Edward calls my name, but it sounds he is in the distance i walked away. My tears threatened to fall as i dragged myself through the streets. 'This is for the best...I have to bury everything...for me, the kids...and him.'

As I got home, the kids were all sleeping on the couch. I smiled as I lifted them one by one into their own beds. After I tucked them in, I found a stack of letters on the kitchen table. I sorted through them from bills to unnecessary. One letter caught my eye. It was from the government. It was an RSVP to the Fort Charles Bombing Attack Memorable. It took a while because the government wanted to get everybody that passed or lived through this tragedy. I quickly RSVP to it putting down all the kids and myself and put it back into the letter and went straight to the mailbox.