Oliver
Josephine doesn't get out of my head. It's like she's stuck in there. My mind is on her 24/7 despite the awful way she treated me when we saw each other last. She sparked my interest with her generosity first and then with her obvious beauty. Josephine is arrogant, narcissistic, vain, self absorbed, confident, brave, committed to help others... and she's also the most beautiful woman I've ever met. She's tall but not taller than me, has beautiful long chestnut waves that nearly reach her hips, bright blue eyes that remind me of a cloudless sunny sky and the perfectly symmetrical face. She could work as a model easily with her figure and confidence. I'm sure she can act like a lady although she sounds like a man most of the time. She's an enigma.
And I can't wait to solve it.
I put on my jeans and close the button. I have to be at work in less than an hour and the walk alone to a souvenir shop near Buckingham Palace take me 45 minutes. I don't use the tube and I've never used one of the red double decker busses that London is so famous for. I might have been living here for a year now but I still feel like a tourist most of the time. Maybe because all I do is work. I work in the souvenir shop five days a week from eight until seven and on the weekends I usually work in a café in Rotherhite and on my days off I decided to help out in the soup kitchen where I met Josephine again. I'm definitely spending my free days there now.
I have saved every penny to send it to my family in Brazil but London is bloody expensive. I spend more than half of my salary for this tiny flat in Nottingham that I share with my roommate Finn. So, my family doesn't get as much money as I would like to give them. It only covers the school fines for my two brothers but it doesn't provide them three meals a day or give them and our Mom a proper roof over their heads.
No one knows that I escaped from the Slums of Brazil.
My Mom sent me away a year ago with the money that she won in the lottery. She found the lottery ticket in one of the many side streets of Rio, picked it up and went into the closest shop that sold these lottery tickets. She couldn't believe that she won 5,000 dollars. She could have moved to a flat in the outer regions of Rio, away from the Slums, but instead she decided to send her oldest son away. Illegally and without any papers.
If the Feds catch me than they will send me back and I can kiss the dream of giving my family a better life goodbye.
But so far, nothing happened. I've been here for already a year. That means I can easily make it to another year. And another one...
And maybe one day I have saved enough money to get my family to London. They would love it here.
But of course they would have to learn the language first.
I get into my grey T-shirt before I slip into my sneakers. I don't own a lot of clothes as I'd rather send my earned money to my family. Sometimes, that means I don't have enough money for food but that's alright. I'd rather starve than have my brothers skip school because they cannot afford to pay for the books or the school uniforms. If something's going to get them out of the Slums of Rio than it's education. It may be the only way.
I walk out of my tiny 16 square meter room and into the living room that's also the kitchen and dining room. Finn, my roommate is already eating cereal out of a bowl.
"You're heading to work?" He asks me as his deep brown eyes scan me. He has blonde hair and is from Sweden. Just like me, he's here not exactly legally as his student visa expired a year ago.
"Yeah. " I explain. "I'm working at the pub after the souvenir shop today."
"Great. The more the merrier." He knows the struggle with money as much as me.
"Yes." I agree with him. That way I can send more money to my family. Maybe it is going to be enough for three meals a day for them.
More work is always good.
Josephine
Stocks aren't definitely as easy as I thought. I don't know why I couldn't keep my mouth shut when Liam got the social project. I should have. Stocks aren't fun at all. I'd rather do the social media again. I should focus on becoming the head of social media at Bolton's Enterprises before aiming for a seat at the table.
Maybe that's the way to take over Bolton's Enterprises.
Suddenly, a knock on the door of my office appears. One strong knock. That's not my Mom, it's my Dad. "Come in!" I cry out and look up from the papers in front of me.
My father walks into my office, knowing this space without saying a word. He's dressed in a light grey Hermes suit that's been tailored to his body like all of his suits. It has a black tie that he paired with black polished leather shoes. Rory has been trying to get him to wear non-leather shoes, but she hasn't succeeded yet.
I lean back in my white office chair, "Didn't I meet your expectations at the last meeting?" I ask him bluntly. We just had a meeting with the head of a software company an hour ago.
"No, that's not why I'm here." He says before sitting down in one of the two blue velvet chairs.
"What have I done wrong now?"
"You didn't do anything wrong." He says back, looking at me with the same sky blue eyes. Out of all his children, Della and Nate look most like Daddy. But sometimes we look pretty alike as well. Especially when his eyes turn into the same shade as mine. "I'm here to talk to you."
That's Mommy's work, no doubt. "Did Mom talk to you?"
He sighs and rests his right ankle on his left knee, "I don't think stocks is your future, Jo."
"I've been doing this for only three weeks. I've been in this firm for just six weeks in total and you've already decided that my future isn't here?!" I hiss at him.
"I didn't say that. I just said that it's not in stocks. Instead, I would like to transfer your focus back to what you studied: social media and communications. I'd like you to work on our social media team. Actually, I want you to lead that team while working next to the head of our head of communications. Laura has been doing this job ever since we opened the company and I think you could learn a lot from her and vice versa. Also, I want you to join me on any meetings outside the office now. You'd be replacing your mother, who wants to focus more on herself."
"Mom wants to take a step back?" I ask him shocked. "Is she okay? Is she sick? What are you not telling me?!"
"Your Mom is not sick. She's in very good spirit."
"She's in very good spirit?! That's something the palace would say about Rory, but not you. Dad, what's going on here? Mom has eight children, she never has a break!"
"And that's exactly why she would like to have some time for herself."
I don't buy that. I lean back in the chair, "Did you guys fight?"
He chuckles, "No. We are doing fine."
"I'm not buying this. Tell me the truth."
He smiles at me, "I forgot how good you are at this."
"Wlad trained us and other than Nate, I don't use my skills to pick up my one-night-stands."
"From what I know, he doesn't need to anymore."
"You know he's dating Char?"
"I'm your father, I know everything you guys are doing all the time."
Then he surely knows about my active sex life. "Back to Mom. Spill it out. Tell me what changed your mind about my position."
"Jo, I just want to integrate you more into this firm."
"Bullshit! Mom punished you with sexual abstinence or something."
He chuckles, "I'm not talking about how we created you and your siblings."
"Stop avoiding my questions and start answering me!" I push him.
"Liam is not kissing my ass." He says back instead.
"Mom, really did talk to you."
"Yes and I'm sorry I made you feel like I favourite Liam. I don't favourite him. If anything he's your uncle's favourite because he's his only child. But I am - and always will be - on your side and have your back."
"You didn't have my back six weeks ago when it mattered the most."
"I was having a bad day. I was unfocused, tired and not in the position to make decisions on the social project. But it had to be done and I won't apologise for my decision. It was still the right decision because you're not ready for it. You need experience."
"But it's just a social project."
"It's not just a social project. It's the only social project we make per year. It's our flagship. It's not something we give away easily. This is Liam's first social project as well. It took him two years to convince me. He didn't just kiss my ass. He worked his ass off. He was here every day and he hasn't been sick once in two years. He was only absent during his holidays and even then I'm sure he was checking his emails. He worked very hard to get where he is now and you... you will have to work even harder."
"But I'm your daughter!"
"That's exactly why. I don't want you to walk through these walls and hear the whispers going on behind your back. I don't want people to say you're here because you're my daughter. I want people to say you're here purely because you deserve it."
"But I do deserve it!"
"Not right now but you will." He promises me. "Laura is really excited to work with you."
"I'm not giving up my office." I hiss at him. I know where the social media team is located - two floors below me!
"And you don't have to. Your office will stay but you will work under Laura's supervision for now. She will report to me and when the time comes, you will get that social project."
"I'm not giving up my seat at the table."
"I won't take that away from you. I will keep it warm and make sure no one sits on it. But your visions don't match reality. At least, not right now."
I can't believe he's pulling me off!
"So, what do you think?"
"I don't have the right to think anything, boss!" It bursts out of me. "If I had known that my masters form Harvard Business School brought me nowhere here, I wouldn't have replaced London for Boston!" I hiss at him. "I did this all for you! I am worthy of this firm! You owe me this seat at the table! I am the only child of yours that has chosen to follow your footsteps!"
"Josephine, you're not listening to me."
"Yes, I am! You want me to start at the bottom of the food chain, because you're worried that your employees will leave this firm once they found out that cousinage still exists! I don't care what the people think of me, this is what cousinage is here for after all!"
"Josephine Ophelia Elise Bolton," my father's voice is suddenly so dark that it makes me shut up. "This is not about cousinage. If you can't see what it takes to lead a team, than maybe you really should start at the bottom of the chain. Maybe an internship would be better until you've figured out how to behave yourself!"
"Daddy, I-"
"Don't try to lull me in by calling me Daddy. I am your father but I am also your boss. I am at the head of this food chain, as you called it. I make the decisions, not you. I don't ask for you opinion, I make demands. From Monday onwards, you will work with the social media team. You will get a desk downstairs and your office will be locked."
"But-"
"You will get the key when I think you've earned it." He interrupts me. "So, I suggest you pack up whatever you need because you won't see these walls for a very long time, young lady." He rises from the chair and looks down at me with the same sky blue eyes that I have. "I love you."
And with that he turns around, walks out of my office and shuts the door.
All before I can even think about what he just said to me.
Oliver
"Do you have a cup with the Duke and Duchess of Oxford?" An Indian tourist asks me five minutes before I close the souvenir shop.
"Yes. Right over there. Follow me." I walk through the tiny and stuffed souvenir shop until I reach the section with the dishes. The Royals have never been more popular after Prince George married his childhood lover Lorelai. They are now known as the Duke and Duchess of Oxford, who are currently expecting their first child. The Royal baby gave the British economy another boost. Experts say the couple is worth over 15 billion pounds and their unborn already half a billion. There are crazy rumours going around the pregnancy. Some people actually believe the Duchess is not really pregnant, but she's been stepping out into the public almost daily just to present her growing bump. People call the bump fake, because apparently a real bump looks different... a real bump grows slower and has another shape.
I try to not listen too much to these rumours but I'm selling tourist stuff, so it's kind of unavoidable.
"We have three different cups." All made in China but I don't say that. The dishes are not as posh as the ones they sell at Buckingham Palace, but the tourists don't mind. They just want a cheap souvenir.
The Indian lady picks up a white cup that has a photo of the Duke and Duchess of Oxford kissing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day. "I like this one."
And millions like that as well. It's our bestseller. "Great. I'll wrap it up for you." She hands me the cup. "Have a look around. Maybe you find something you like. A keychain or a snow globe." I suggest. Those are pretty popular as well. I walk back to the shop counter and wrap the cup into tissue paper, knowing it will have a long flight home.
After a few minutes the Indian tourist walks back to me. "I'll just take the cup."
"Okay. That makes 25."
She nods before handing me the money. Up until today I still can't believe how much people are able to spend on stupid mugs with the faces of Royalty.
But whatever makes you happy.
I put the money into the cashier and print out the receipt that I put into a paper bag along with the mug. "Enjoy." I say with a smile.
She returns my smile before leaving the tiny souvenir shop. I flip over the sign that's hanging on the door to closed and lock the front door.
Now it's time to count the cash and put it into the safe.
Then I can finally go to my second job.
Josephine
I take another sip out of my crystal glass that I've filled with the scotch bottle that I keep in my office. It's not even afternoon yet but I don't care.
Social media.
Internship.
Bottom of the food chain.
I have no idea what came over me. The words just bursted out of me without my control. I thought I had digested that Liam got the social project... but I guess I didn't. Instead of working through the problem, I turned my focus on stocks, trying to find another way to impress my father. But he of course saw right through me. No one fools my father.
Well, maybe Wlad. He's the only one who was ever able to fool my father. He was in a relationship with my sister for five years before they told him.
It still sounds insane. I have no idea how he did this. Maybe I should take more lessons from him.
I sigh and brush through my hair. I should probably apologise to my father.
But I won't. I said the truth. Perhaps I should have chosen better words for it but I don't sugarcoat my opinion. I never did.
Oliver
"Another Guiness." The blonde man at the bar points to his empty Guiness glass. It's already four in the morning and the pub is still quite busy. I am tired but after my third cup of coffee, I got another boost that should keep me awake until the pub closes at half past five. Then I can get a few hours of sleep before heading to my weekend job at the café which starts at nine in the morning. I'm constantly sleep deprived but my body has gotten used to it. I would work even more jobs if I could. Anything to bring my family to London.
At least the work is distracting me from my heartache. I miss them really badly and the monthly Skype calls that we have are not enough. I know how expensive it is to go into an Internet cafe in Rio just to talk to me for five minutes. Still, I love talking to them. I hang on to every word that leaves my brothers and mother's lips.
I fill up another glass with Guiness as the crowds in the pub start cheering as the English football team makes a goal. It's the world championships in South Africa right now, so that means the pub is open the whole night so the guests can watch the games live. "There you go." I hand him the Guiness and watch him walking away from the wooden bar. Paul's pub is located in Covent Garden, which is a very trendy neighbourhood in London. That means the pub is always full of people.
It also means it's an hour and a half long walk until my home in Notting Hill.
And if we keep the pub open longer like we did on the past weekends I might not be able to get any sleep.
Josephine
I walk down the marbled hallway of Bolton's Enterprises, being as always one of the last to leave the building. I work my ass off here but as of Monday I'll have to work two floors beneath this floor. I might as well check this out when no one is here. I've never been to the other two lower floors, I don't even know how many people work there.
My goal was always this floor.
I stop at the elevator that's being used between these three floors only and push the button. The doors glide open immediately and I step in. I press the 2nd button and the doors close again. I stare at my reflection in the mirrored doors. I look tired. My red dress is creased and my feet are actually hurting in these shoes. These ten inch Louboutin heels with a sole that matches my dress. But I won't take them off.
Or maybe I will. It's not like there's anyone here anyway.
I slip out of my shoes and grab them by the heel as the elevator doors open again. To my surprise this floors looks exactly like the upper floor. The same grey marbled floor, the same baby blue wall paint, the same massive dark wooden doors with golden plates that have the name of the office holder engraved on them... just different artwork and flowers on the empty reception desk. Instead of pink peonies, there are white peonies. But really, that's all the difference.
That and the amount of office doors. There are definitely more offices here. I count 35 as I walk down the hallway in bare feet. The shift of my weight feel good on my feet. At the end of the hallway is an open office area with about six walnut desks and light grey office chairs. Five of the six desks have closed MacBooks laying on them. There are no pens, no paper but a few have framed photos on the desks. In the corners are big parlor palm trees and fiddle leaf figs. English icy is crawling up the walls and on the deck construction over the desks. Near the big windows that are on the right and left side, there are eight huge medical Aloe Vera plants. Some of the one meter leaves have been cut off completely while others have been trimmed and some are even untouched. I've heard these Aloe Vera plants that can be used by anyone from this floor. Some have even brought the offsets, that the Aloe Vera created, home to grow their own.
There's no bamboo.
I look at the empty walnut desk. I think that's going to be mine on Monday.
Oliver
I walk down the Bayswater Road as the sun slowly wakes up the city. Dawn lights up the street as I walk past the Marble Arch and Hyde Park. I love the Marylebone and Paddington areas with their beautiful white Victorian houses. Luxury cars are parked next to me. Cars and houses I will never be able to afford.
Expensive Range Rovers, Lamborghinis and Ferarris rush by me as the rich and famous get home from their wild nights out.
At least by walking, I get to explore the city I've been living in for a year now. I don't really have the time to workout so these seven kilometres walks from Covent Garden to Notting Hill act as my workout. I have barely gained any weight since I moved to this multicultural place that's London. I'm still in awe when I see the many different cultures that live in peace next to each other. There's no hatred, no war, here in England. The posh and the poor live next to each other without any criminality.
It's so different than from my home.
Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.
Some baking shops are already open or are still baking their pastries as I slowly enter into the colourful world that's Notting Hill. This place is like no other in London and I'm glad that I live here. It's bloody expensive and sometimes I don't have enough money for food at the end of the month, but the buildings, the friendly neighbours and the many tiny shops are worth it.
Somehow, I actually feel at home here.
Luigi's Café is bursting with people on this early Sunday morning. I only got two hours of sleep but that has to be enough until my shift ends at seven pm. The Italian café is famous for its espresso and Cannoli. Cannoli are Sicilian pastry desserts, consisting of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet, creamy filling usually containing ricotta. People go nuts over those and Occhi di Bue. Even the Royals are getting their Italian fix from here as Luigi has been delivering the pastries to Kensington Palace quite regularly since 25 years. He even told me that sometimes they like to come by in person but I've never met a Royal in that year that I've been working here. Or maybe it just didn't happen in my shift.
A tall dark blonde man walks over to the shop counter. He's wearing a navy baseball cap with LA written on it although it's a perfect sunny day. His broad shoulders are hidden underneath an olive coloured jacket that he paired with dark washed jeans and white sneakers. He isn't wearing sunglasses but I still get the vibe that he rather stays hidden.
He must be some kind of celebrity. No doubt.
"One double espresso and one tall cappuccino for takeaway." He says to me and I notice his navy eyes and prominent features. I think I've seen him before but I can't pin point his face to a name. He's definitely a celebrity.
I nod. "Anything else?"
He looks over his right shoulder and I follow his gaze. Suddenly, I notice a woman with the same baseball cap but she has pulled her long blonde ponytail through the loop. She's dressed the same way as her famous boyfriend. Her bright blue eyes are scanning the counter that has all the pastries on display. We have sixteen different Cannoli and two big jars filled with Occhi di Bue. "What do you want, Char?" He asks in a deep, rough voice.
His girlfriend Char scans the pastries, taking her time as the couple is the only one at the shop counter right now. "Let's take six of each. For my siblings and your sisters."
"Are we having brunch with them today?"
"We are now." She decides. "We haven't shown them our new place yet."
"Alright." He says before looking at me. "Six of each."
I nod before typing it into the iPad. "That would be 43."
The man reaches into the pocket of his olive jacket and hands me his black Amex card. That's when I notice his name. Nathanial Alexander Louis Bolton.
I frown as this name rings a bell. Nathanial Bolton. I slide the card through the payment system before handing it back. That man called his girlfriend Char, didn't he? I look up and suddenly see the connection that I missed before. He looks just like his father Troy Bolton, whose youngest daughter married Prince George half a year ago. Fuck, this is Nate Bolton!
And Princess Charlotte of Wales! Princess Charlotte!
Royalty!
My hands are shaking a bit as I pick up the pastries with the silicone cooking tong. I place the Cannoli and Occhi Di Bue in a white box with an Italian flag and a curly black font that says Luigi's Café. I can't believe I'm serving Princess Charlotte of Wales and her boyfriend! Her boyfriend! I don't think they are public yet. I had no idea Nate Bolton and Princess Charlotte were dating.
I close the box before I make the double espresso and the tall cappuccino. After a few minutes, they are done. "Your espresso, cappuccino and the pastries. Enjoy."
Charlotte grabs the box while Nate picks up the two paper cups. "Thank you. Have a great day!" She says with the same smile that I've seen printed on dishes and T-shirts a million times in the souvenir shop.
It's definitely Princess Charlotte.
I watch the couple walking out of the café. Nate's arm is wrapped around his girlfriend's waist. I can't believe no one noticed them but me! But all the guests here are focused on work or their family or their dates.
No one cared about the couple at the shop counter.
I can't believe it!
Josephine
I growl as my ringing iPhone rips me out of my sleep. It's a shrilling, nerve wrecking sound that belongs to only one person. My brother.
I reach out and tap on my nightstand blindly until my fingertips find the vibrating thing. "What?!" I growl into the phone.
"Good Morning, Sunshine!" My brother's annoying voice fills my ears.
It's not a good morning. Not for me. My head is killing me. "What do you want?"
"Apparently, we're hosting a brunch for you today." Nate tells me over the phone.
Brunch. That means it's around ten or eleven right now... Damn, I overslept my PT session this morning. Wlad is going to kill me! "Just me?"
"No, you're not that special after all. Rory and George will come, too since they don't have any royal engagements planned until this evening."
"Crazy! They actually have some hours to themselves?"
"I know! It's like Christmas and our birthdays on one day! I couldn't believe my luck either." Nate chuckles.
"When shall I be at the Kensington House?"
"Yeah, about that... I sort of moved in with Della."
No way! My mouth falls open. "You're living with our big sister and her husband?"
"No, I'm not really living with them. At least not under one roof. But I am living on their property."
"You moved into their guesthouse?" I ask shocked. How could I have missed this? I was at Harvard just for a year and a half and yet it seems like the whole world changed!
"Yeah, it sort of happened. Ever since Rory's wedding, Char and me-"
"Say no more. I don't want to hear how you guys are shagging like rabbits all the time."
My brother chuckles, "So, you're coming?"
"I might be not that special, but since I'm special enough to get an invite for brunch I'll come."
"Good. See you at twelve."
"Wait," I stop him from hanging up. "Are Della and Wlad invited as well?"
"Are you kidding me?! Those two are the ones shagging like rabbits! I swear, I can hear them fucking all night, working on baby number three, four or five because apparently triplets run in our family, although this house is almost two kilometres away from the main house! They are fucking around the clock! It's-"
I hang up before he can complain any further. He should be grateful for the home that Della provides him and Char. She's giving them a sanctuary when the whole world is just waiting to find out about who the Princess of Wales is dating.
I hope they're ready for what's ahead of them.
I know Rory wasn't.
I get up from my bed and strip out of my clothes on my way to my en-suite white marbled bathroom. As with the rest of my flat, there are floor to ceiling windows, offering a breathtaking view of this sunny day. Thankfully the windows are mirrored on the outside, so no one can see my naked figure. I walk over the heated thin tiles of marble that are laid out in a chevron pattern. There's a white quilted ottoman in the middle of the room but I walk around it with closed eyes. My head is still killing me. I definitely had too much scotch last night. I ditch my white freestanding bathtub that's not only extra large but also extra deep. It fits two people that are over 2 meters tall, not that I've ever shared my bathtub with anyone but a glass of wine. Across the bathtub, on the other side of the room, is a double vanity with built in shelves on the sides and drawers underneath the sinks. I'm only using the left side. My loo is in a separate room.
Finally, after an odyssey, I reach my shower with frame-less glass partitions and doors. Large slabs of marble were used all-over the floor and walls, even the built-in bench. There are 2 wall shower spouts and two rain-shower spouts from the ceiling. There are even body sprays installed in the walls for a more luxurious feel.
My bathroom doesn't just look like it's from a spa, it actually is a spa.
I turn on the water and feel the water pouring down from the ceiling before I get hit by the body sprays that are installed in the walls. The water is quite hot as I like to shower hot.
But not today.
I turn the water icy cold and jump up at all the cold water that comes from the ceiling and the sides.
Only when those icy kisses stop feeling so cold, I turn the water to hot again before repeating the process until I'm fully awake.
Oliver
I take the moment of peace in Luigi's cafe to sit down for a moment. Two hours of sleep were not enough for me. I know I should sleep more but I really need the money so I work myself until exhaustion almost every single day. On Sundays, when I help out at the soup kitchen, after working at Luigi's until noon, I usually feel better. Because I know I can sleep from ten until eight on Monday morning. But that's also when my body starts craving the woman I've only met twice in my life most.
Josephine.
Whenever I close my eyes and sleep, whether that's for two or ten hours, I always dream of her. I dreamt of her after I met her in the cafe in Battersea. I dreamt of her sky blue eyes and the way she brushed my attempt off to pay her back, telling me it's a gift. She has no idea what gift she has really given me with that cappuccino.
And now, ever since we met again in the soup kitchen three weeks ago, I dream of her arrogant side. The way she nearly tore me apart when I scared off the men who tried to hurt her... and the way she told me she didn't need a knight on a white horse with a shining armour. She's her own woman. She can take care of herself.
But when I looked at her... when she allowed me to get lost in her breathtaking eyes...something inside of me exploded. This was more than just passion and lust. It was more than sexual attraction... it was so much more.
This woman has taken over my life.
"Hello?!"
I shake my head as the voice of a customer slices through my thoughts that have been full of Josephine since two months now. "Coming!" I yell back, get up from the comfortable chair and turn my focus back on the reality again.
Josephine
Freshly showered and dressed in a pair of jeans, a cosy grey cashmere sweater and moccasins filled with lamb fur by Ugg, I walk down the stone path in the backyard of my sister that eventually leads to the guesthouse that's hidden behind all of these wonderful oak trees, dogwood trees, tulip trees, lots of saucer magnolias, sugar maples and red oak trees, weeping cherry and eastern redbud trees at the lake, lavender and rose bushes. People praise Highgrove House and Buckingham Palace for their stunning gardens, but really that's nothing compared to Adaline and Wladimir's oasis. They built it over the last seven years and it's so stunning that not even Regents Park outside these gates can compare.
I mean, there are even apple, pear, cherry, peaches, orange, lime and lemon trees! They have been inspired by our childhood home in Richmond, but unlike Mom and Dad - who went crazy and built a water park in the backyard and a sailing boat dream for Cal and Gideon's bedroom - they made it look more modern. Sure, they hired a landscape designer but that designer has done an incredible job! It looks like a botanical and flower garden combined with the charming old trees and the smell of growing citrus fruits.
No wonder Della and Wlad don't leave their home.
Maybe I should move in here when they move to Geneva. It would be a shame to leave this all untouched.
I stop at the white stucco two story guesthouse. Most people would call this an actual house as it's big enough for a five headed family, but for people like me it is considered a guesthouse - or a home for the staff. There's a wrap around terrace and white transom windows. The front door, is just like he main house, black and wooden. This house is like a miniature version of the main house, without the two wings and the three floors but other than that it looks just like the main house.
Char loves it already. I know her, she'd do anything to get some privacy since Kensington Palace doesn't really offer it. It doesn't even have a proper backyard - not one that's so beautiful anyway. But here she can stroll through the backyard naked, knowing the ten meter fence will keep away any prying eyes. Here, she can be Char, not Princess Charlotte of Wales.
It's a freedom she doesn't want to give up.
I walk over to the wooden door and knock quickly three times before opening the door. It's unlocked, probably because they know no one will come in here. Della and Wlad are both at work and Bella and Caroline are at Le Rosey with my three little brothers, their cousins. My bigger brother and Char have over three hectares for themselves.
As soon as I walk into the house, I get greeted by modern furniture with a few decorative items. Unlike Charlotte's childhood home, Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace's grounds, it's not full of rare, antique items. Instead it's similar to Nottingham Cottage, the place where Rory and George are currently still living in until Frogmore House has been renovated and updated for them. The inside of the house is chic in a country style but with a kind of luxury most people can't afford - after all, we're at the top end of the upper class. Only the finest materials have been used to make this guesthouse a sanctuary for my brother and his Royal girlfriend.
I stripe off my shoes just as Nate walks over to me.
"What do you think?" he asks me in the same voice that my father his. These two are like mirrors. Nate looks exactly like my father. He has the same body shape, the same height, the same eyes... even the same voice and hair structure. But his hair colour is slightly lighter... Still, sometimes it feels like I'm talking to our father when I'm really talking to my older brother.
And then he drops some words our Daddy would never use and I am reminded that this is my brother.
"Char definitely furnished this place since you have no taste at all."
"Ah, I knew you'd like it!" He says before hugging me. He's dressed in dark washed jeans and a white shirt. "Thanks for coming on such short notice."
I'm always there for my brother. Night and Day. Rain and sunshine. He's family and family is the most important. "What brings me the honour to be the first to see this place?"
"Char and I were at Luigi's this morning." Nate stats explaining and I follow him through the open living area. There are two beige couches facing each other in front of the open fireplace. On the mantelpiece are framed photos and a large mirror with a golden rim hangs above them. The photos of Nate and Charlotte or the five of us during the years. There are photos from their time at Le Rosey and Oxford University, Rory's Golden Slam party after she won the us open, but also photos from her engagement party with George - the official and the non-official one - as well as photos from her wedding day after the BBC camera team left us alone. That's when we all let loose - even the blue blooded. It was a brilliant day and night.
It's the night when Nate finally told Char the truth about his feelings.
"Your first public outing?"
"With baseball caps and sunglasses but yeah, pretty much."
"After five months it's about time, isn't it?"
Nate shrugs. "Char convinced me."
"With sex? Do you enjoy having the Princess of England go on her knees for you?" I ask with a smirk on my lips. I know my brother - he's just like me. We both thrive after power- me at work and him in the bedroom. There's nothing wrong with that. Especially now that he has Charlotte, the ultimate power source.
I don't need a man on his knees in front of me to feel powerful. I get my high sitting in my office.
My brother looks over his shoulder and narrows his navy eyes at me. I swear, he looks just like our Daddy when he does that. "I don't spill my tea with you!"
"You sure as hell do!" I argue back. Despite him being two months older than Rory and me, we somehow still feel like triplets. After all, we grew up together in our mother's belly. Nate was just being his usual, inpatient self and came earlier than Rory and me.
"Whatever." He rolls his eyes at me as we reach the white kitchen that looks just like the one in the main house. Black and white checked floor, white marble countertops on the white country styled cupboards. There's even another Norwalk Juicer that my big sister Della loves so much.
Charlotte is currently placing the delicious pastries from Luigi on a serving dish.
"Oh, they look so good!"
"I know! When I looked at them in Luigi's I couldn't decide which one to take so I chose two of each. I thought we could share. Just like old times." Charlotte says with a smile on her lips. Her bright blue eyes are sparkling at Nate. Maybe she's even hearing singing angels and seeing unicorns dancing around his head. It sure looks like it.
I guess now I have to get used to those two lovebirds as well. First Rory and George and now Nate and Charlotte.
But I definitely won't start dating Louis. He is a fine man but my sisters know I'm not looking for a fine man with good manners. I like the ones with a dirty mouth and an even dirtier mind - that's when I start considering gifting them one of my precious nights.
It's also why I need these NDAs that I have them all signed. Otherwise the tabloids would be full of my night activities and no longer report about Rory and George or Charlotte and Louis.
"Coffee?" Nate asks me.
"Always." I answer as Charlotte still stares at her boyfriend. My brother knows how I like my coffee. Strong and black - just like all of us.
He gets out a mug from one of the hanging cupboards and pours me a cup of coffee under Charlotte's prying eyes. "Stop staring at me." Nate tells her as he faces her with his back.
"I'm not!" she argues, not being able to tear her eyes off of him. Her long blonde hair is up in a ponytail and she's dressed similar to Nate: dark washed jeans and a white blouse. With her 180cm she's just half a head smaller than Nate.
"So, how was your first public outing?" I ask Char as I sit down on one of the royal blue velvet bar stools that stand in front of the white marbled kitchen island.
"Pretty good. I don't think anyone noticed us. We wore baseball hats and sunglasses."
"And you chose Luigi's, so that's far away from Central London."
She nods, "Imagine if we went to a place in Mayfair - someone would notice us before we even stepped into the cafe."
"But you guys are doing okay?"
"Of course we're doing okay." Nate tells me and hands me the mug filled with steaming coffee.
"Yeah. We're doing it reverse. Cosy nights in instead of dates at the cinema. We cook dinner ourselves or order something together and Nate picks it up."
"You won't want them to deliver it to your doorstep?" I ask.
"Are you insane?! Imagine what one delivery guy sees if he takes a step on to this property! Besides, Wlad would rip my head off! He knows how crazy he is about security."
"He's just like Daddy."
"Exactly!"
"Does they know about the two of you?"
"Of course. There's nothing I can hide from Daddy's prying eyes or Mom's smiles!"
Yeah, they're pretty good at that. "So, we'll see you guys at dinner this evening?" I ask them. We have dinner together on the last Sunday of the month. The whole family comes together - with no excuses. Even George and Rory come to these dinners. And now I guess Nate will come with Char.
"Yes." Char answers with a smile. It'll be her first dinner as Nate's girlfriend. Not that our family really cares. George, Char and Louis have become family over the years. That George is married to Rory and Char is Nate's girlfriend is a nice bonus.
"So, how is Frogmore House coming along?" I ask my pregnant little sister. The bump is growing so rapidly that I fear she might burst towards the end of the pregnancy.
"Good. The construction should be ready eight weeks before I'm due. We're adding a wing on each side. That's going to take some time but we really need the extra space. Frogmore House was in an awful shape as no one has been living there for decades, it would have been renovated anyway. Whether or not we would have decided to move there."
"It does have a helicopter landing space, right? Nate asks before a sip of his black coffee. Luigi's pastries were equally divided between us but I only ate half of mine, knowing Rory would want the rest. We might not look like twins, but most of the time I can sense when my sister wants something - and she definitely wanted those pastries. Just like the rest of us, she loves our mother's pastries but Italian pastries, especially the ones from Luigi, come straight after that. I'm more into Brazilian pastries and my Mom knows it. Whenever she wants something from me she bakes me Sohnos, a Brazilian pastry that looks like a doughnut filled with cream. Sohno means dream in Portuguese and they definitely taste dreamy!
"Of course. I don't want to drive an hour every time I want to get on your nerves in person." Rory jokes before sticking her tongue out.
"Will there be a tennis court?" I ask.
"Of course! And there will be a yoga studio, a spa and a mausoleum for the Queen's corgis." My little sister answers.
I narrow my eyes at her, "Rory,"
"Yes to the tennis court, yoga studio and spa but no to the mausoleum."
George giggles before looking at Char and Nate. "So, when's the wedding?"
I think he's joking but then again, it could be very true that Nate and Char get married quickly. I know how tough the struggle was that Nate faced daily when Char dated one prick after another. I warned her about not hopping from one man to another, because unlike me, she doesn't have the freedom to do so. But she didn't listen to me. And when I started mentioning Nate's feelings towards her she brushed it off. She didn't even want to think of him in that kind of way.
Yet, nine years later here we are... with another Royal wedding imminent.
"Not anytime soon." Nate answers before looking at Rory. "I want you to be your best looking when you attend it. I mean you'll be compared to Char!"
"Not anytime soon?!" Char echoes the words of her boyfriend. Her eyes darken noticeably.
Uh-oh. I know what that means. Char's pissed.
Suddenly, she rises from the chair and walks away from us.
"Go!" Rory and I say out of one mouth to Nate.
Nate growls and rises from the chair before disappearing in the living room. I can hear them yelling, but I ignore it. I shouldn't interfere. It's their relationship.
"Why did you had to do that?" Rory asks her husband.
"I didn't think I'd hit a nerve." George says with a shrug. "It was suppose to be a joke."
"You won't teach our children any jokes." Rory says as I giggle. "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"You're still fucking your way through London?"
"No, I've moved on to Edinburgh. Thought I'd see what the Scottish men have under their skirts." I joke and George giggles.
"Jo,"
"You can stop worrying about my love life. I can assure you, there is none. And you can tell that Mom the next time you see her." I hiss at her. "You know I'm not one for marriage. I don't believe in a monogamous relationship. Not in the sense that you guys do."
"You just haven't found the one yet." George tell me.
"I'm not looking for the one. I am fine with the way my life is right now. I love my life. I don't need anyone else in my life."
"Well, you know what they say. Just when you're not looking, it's going to hit you."
I roll my eyes at my sister's words. She's always been the romantic one in our family. "Whatever, Rory."
My blonde brother-in-law suddenly leans forward. "So, is Nate going to propose to my sister?"
I shrug, "I wouldn't know."
"I don't know either."
"Come on, what kind of triplets are you guys! Don't you have some super power?"
"Like telekinesis?" Rory asks with a giggle.
"Yeah. Something like that."
I shake my head, "We may have grown up in the same belly but trust me, we couldn't be more different."
"That's not true. You and Nate are very alike. You guys both fucked your way through college or colleges for you."
"Nate only did that because of Char. My reasons are purely egoistic." I grin at my sister.
"So, you haven't met anyone you actually like?" George asks me.
I let out another sigh, "You guys are worse than Mom and Dad."
"We're just worried."
"Well you can stop worrying. I'm not looking to settle down. I want a career. I want to take over Mom and Daddy's firm one day. I mean, one of us has to!"
"You still have three brothers who could do that." George points out.
"But I like the job that I'm doing."
"Daddy, told me you're doing stocks now." Rory narrows her icy blue eyes at me.
"Alright fine that wasn't the best choice. I was pissed at Liam for getting the social project but then Mom washed my head. I can't expect to get major projects when I've only been there for three weeks. In a way I'm still only a Harvard graduate."
"Wow, Mom really did wash your head." Rory breathes out.
"Yes so I guess I have to work my way up to... to a seat at the table."
"But you're still doing social media for them? George asks me.
I nod, "Yes, Daddy actually moved me down two floors. I'll be working with Laura now, the head of social media." I shrug. I guess I deserved it.
"You pissed him off?" Rory asks me.
I nod and shrug again, "Maybe it's for the better."
"If you ever get tired of them, you can work for us." Rory says with a grin.
"Why?"
"We're launching our own website. It'll be announced tomorrow."
"A royal website?" I ask shocked.
Rory nods, "OxfordRoyals . uk. We're the second Royals to get a website. You know after the King."
"Well that's groundbreaking news. What will you do with it?"
"Bending and breaking Royal protocol." Rory says with a grin on her lips.
"You know, the usual." George grins at me as well.
I shake my head in disbelief, "How can I picture this? A blogpost by the Duchess of Oxford about her birth plan?"
Rory giggles, "No, our work will not be that groundbreaking. But we will post articles about topics that are close to our hearts. Environmental protection, animal welfare, healthy eating, stress reduction..." then she looks at George. "Should we tell her?"
"Tell me what?"
George nods.
"We're planning to film a multipart documentary about health and lifestyle. There will be cooking videos and exercise tips... and tips on lowering your plastic consumption, on stress reduction... everything that's close to our hearts. I am teaming up with famous cooks and doctors on this. Ella who made our wedding menu will be there to teach yoga with me and cook. Jamie Oliver, Madeleine Shaw and leading doctors in the stress research will make an appearance."
"Wow... that's great!"
"We want to film the footage in Frogmore House."
"At your home?" I ask shocked.
Rory nods, "Hence the yoga studio. We'll also have two kitchens. One will be private and the other one will be used for filming."
"That's what I call reinventing the royal rules..." I breathe out.
Rory and George smile at me. "That's what we're known for." They say out of one mouth.
And my Mom was worried the Royals would break Rory. Nothing breaks my sister. She's a force nothing can stop.
Not even the walls of a Palace.
Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass fills the room. We all wince from the sounds. "Oh, Char is mad..." I breathe out before two dull sounds follow from upstairs.
"Is she throwing her shoes at him?" Rory asks us.
"It sounds like it."
"Just give her another minute and she'll calm down." George says. "We all know how she can be."
"Passionate?" Rory asks him.
"Hysterical?" I ask him.
"Crazy." George says as another pair of shoes above us hit the wall.
"You shouldn't have joked about the engagement." Rory says to him.
"I had no idea I'd hit a nerve!"
"You should have known! She's your sister!" She hisses back.
"She's your best friend!" George argues.
"Sister tops best friend." I tell them with a nod.
"See?" Rory says to him.
"That's not fair, Jo's your sister. She's always on your side!"
"Not true. I'm for the mausoleum for the Corgis." I joke, causing Rory to giggle. "But Nate and Char obviously didn't talk about their future yet because they were busy enjoying the moment so maybe it's good that you brought it to the table."
"Says the woman who doesn't want to commit." Rory narrows her icy blue eyes at me.
I growl and roll my eyes at my little sister. "Not this again. I am not like you or Della or Ana or Mom, Rory. I am not made for marriage and - What's the word? - diapers and vomit and shit."
"I think you mean motherhood." George says to me with a wink.
"Yes. Motherhood. I am not made for the two Ms."
Rory's icy blue eyes widen, "Two Ms? You seriously compare the joy of motherhood to-"
"I am made out of completely different wood. I am not looking for the same kind of happy end like the rest of the world. I don't want children - period. I don't want marriage - period. This won't change when I meet the one because he doesn't exist. I don't want him to exist. No man could match my character and this crazy family where shoes get thrown at one another. It's a miracle that Ana found Sasha, who somehow fits right into this family. And Wlad... man, he went through more things than we could even imagine but even he made it through. He married our big sister, Rory. They have two wonderful girls that are like angels. And then there's you... you basically met the love of your life at the age of 15, who turned out to be a prince. A future King even and now look at you, breeding the next kings or queens. Really, how could there be another person on this earth that could keep up with this family?!" I ask them.
"You forgot Nate." George says.
I wave with my hand, "Same story as you and Rory, just the other way around." I tell him before looking at Rory. "Even you, living in your fairytale life with crowns and palaces, can't possibly think that this person exist, Rory."
She's silent because she knows I am right. But then she opens her mouth anyway.
"Rory,"
"I just want you to have a happy ending."
"My happy ending is very different from your happy ending." I point out. "It doesn't involve the two Ms."
Finally, my little sister nods, "Okay, but if you do happen to meet someone special don't be afraid. I'm not saying you have to marry him or give him beautiful babies but I am asking you to be open towards love."
I nod, although I'm sure love is not on the table for me.
Oliver
It's late in the afternoon as I open the door of the soup kitchen in Parsons Green. After a long day at Luigi's yesterday, I actually got some sleep. I feel better and look better already. I walk into the soup kitchen that's empty except for the kitchen. I can't wait to see Josephine again but to my surprise the last two times she wasn't here.
And this time it's the same. Only Jillian, Harold and Arthur are here today. No Josephine.
They look busy in the kitchen, chopping vegetables while frying onions in pans and cooking rice in pots.
"Oliver!" Jillian says to me, "Thank God! You were send from heaven!"
"Where can I help?"
Harold holds up his hand and I walk over to the stove. "Have a look at the pans and pots so nothing burns."
I nod, "Where's Laura?"
"She caught the flu."
"And Josephine?"
Jillian smiles at me, "You like her, don't you?"
I shouldn't but I do. "I just thought she would be here regularly."
"She is. But only twice a month. Every first and last Sunday."
"That means she should be here today."
"Yeah, but she called in and told us she was not feeling well. So it's just us today."
Josephine is sick? I hope she has someone who helps her in the household or cooks her chicken soup. "How is Josephine like?"
Arthur grins at me, "She's lovely. She has a huge heart and she's really kind. She really listens to the people who come here. Sometimes she helps us with the cleaning afterwards. You can really tell that she's been doing this for a long time. She has experience when it comes to dealing with angry homeless people."
Harold nods in agreement, "A few times she brought her mother's pastries here and let me tell you we didn't believe they were self baked. They looked so perfect. They looked like she bought them in one of those pâtisseries! They tasted heavenly and apparently her mother likes to make a big batch for their Sunday evening dinners. And sometimes she makes too much, so Jo brings them here."
"Oh the pastries! Best cakes I ever had. What was the last one called?" Arthur asks.
"Curly Whirly." Jillian answers with a smile on his face.
"Oh yes! Right! It had a Belgian chocolate centre, was lavishly coated in cream cheese and had a vanilla bean frosting." Arthur tells me. "It was heaven on earth and the pastries were all sugar free."
"Sugar free?" I ask confused.
"Yeah apparently Jo's family doesn't eat sugar so everything they make is sugar free. They use other sweeteners instead like honey, maple syrup, stevia..."
"And that tasted good?"
Jillian nods, "Better than everything else I've ever bought in a cake shop."
"I asked for the recipe but Jo couldn't give it to me. Family secret and stuff." Harold shrugs.
Family secret... I have a feeling this woman is full of secrets.
Josephine
I park my silver Aston Martin next to my mother's silver Tesla. A black Bugatti is already there so that means Della and Wlad have already arrived. And the same goes for Nate and Char as his bright blue Ferrari is parked here as well. Ana's white Tesla is here, too. Sergej's grey Lexus has two kid seats on the rear bench for Isabella and Caroline. But I know those two are at Le Rosey with their cousins. Even Rory and George's black Range Rover is here already.
That means I am the last to arrive.
I get out of my car and walk through the pebbles until I reach the big black double doors of the U shaped Spanish mansion that I call home. It feels like going back in time every time I step into my childhood home. I step into the wide foyer that has a large marbled staircase on each side and a round table with a vase of pink peonies. Some things never change.
As I slip out of my heels, the smell of cooking asparagus fills my nostrils. I place the shoes into the wardrobe underneath the left staircase and decide to follow the smell. I know that my whole family likes to collect in the huge kitchen that got larger when my parents renovated this place a few years ago. My parents added a second wing to the house. I walk down the long hallway that is no longer decorated with expensive art but instead of framed photographs of our family. They were all taken by my Dad, so of course they all look lovely. There are a few that are black and white, while the rest is colourful. The newest additions are a few photos of the winter play at Le Rosey in which Elias, Gideon and Cal participated. There are even photos of Rory's wedding day in her stunning Alexander McQueen dress that she wore for the evening reception. I stop in the arch and stare into the full kitchen for a moment. Mom's pastries are already lined up on the kitchen island. As always she made way too much. There are five different cakes and about forty blueberry cupcakes. I shouldn't have called in sick at the soup kitchen today. My Mom has defining made this much for me to take to the soup kitchen after dinner.
Della and Wlad are giggling as always. Just like Rory and George and Ana with Sasha. Nate and Char are not here. Daddy's the only one who's paying attention to the pans on the stove. Mom and the rest of the family is probably in the living room along with Zeus.
"Need help?" I ask after a few minutes of silence.
My Dad looks up from the pot that's cooking green asparagus, "Yes." He says with a smile on his lips.
I walk over to him and take over the cooking process with ease. "Is the table already set up?"
"Yes, we're all here as well." Della answers. "We actually did some work, too."
I look over my shoulder, "Oh really, are you? Because from what I've seen you were busy goofing around with your husband like the newlyweds here." I look at George and Rory. His hands are on her bump that's covered by her pale blue cashmere wrap dress and my older sister's green eyes are watching her closely. I can't believe Ana hasn't given Mom and Dad grandchildren yet. She's clearly obsessed with children.
"I think we should call the others." Wlad says before his wife can argue back. I watch my siblings and their husbands walking out of the kitchen and through the round arch that leads into the massive living room.
And suddenly, we're left in silence. Just Daddy and I.
"Jo," he starts after a moment of silence.
I look up at him, "Daddy, it's fine. You've made the right decision. I'll do better with social media."
"How did you know what I was about to say?" He asks me surprised.
I shrug, "I know you. You can be strict and direct as a boss but you have the softest heart when it comes to fatherhood. You're afraid that your decision destroyed our connection so I'm telling you it didn't. I am okay. I can differentiate between work and family. Your decision was made as my boss, not my father. The father in you would have never done that. You never even yelled at us. Well, minus Della when she was a teenager but she deserved it. She really fucked up a lot of times."
He chuckles before giving me a look full of love. "Jo... you are an incredible woman."
"I know and I'm an incredible employee, too. Just wait when I start on Monday."
He chuckles again before kissing my left cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too, Daddy."
"Jo!"
I turn around at the sound of my mother's voice. As always with filled with love and joy. She holds out her arms as she walks over to me before pulling me into a tight hug. We see each other almost daily, yet for my Mom it's not enough. She would probably love it if I lived here.
"I've missed you so much!" she cries out and I inhale her scent. She always smells of pink peonies. She's dressed casually in her light washed jeans and white T-shirt, but somehow she makes that look elegant. Ana has the same gift. Whatever they put on - it looks elegant.
"We just saw each other on Friday." I remind her as she lets go of me.
"Doesn't matter. You know I love having you here. Your Dad and I-"
"Built this home for us, I know Mom." I finish her sentence. It must be weird for her to have it empty now most of time as the little ones are at Le Rosey.
"This is still your home, too. Just because you live in that shiny penthouse of Landmark place, doesn't mean you can't come home to browse through our library or just pay your old folks a visit." They're hardly old. The mid fifties look like late thirties on my parents. Really, sometimes I wonder if they age at all. But then they show me old wedding photos and I start seeing a difference. Not a huge difference but a little one. They just show me how gracefully people can age and that age is really just a number. It doesn't define you at all.
"I haven't been home a lot lately, I know. But Rory and Nate haven't either." I argue back. I don't mention Della because she has a free card since she's a) with Wlad and b) a surgeon - that's basically the best excuse for my parents. And the same goes for my other big sister, Ana. Since she's a paediatrician and married to Sasha, she has that golden ticket as well. Perhaps Rory has it now, too, I don't know that. But Nate definitely doesn't even if he's now dating Char.
"Rory's busy enough. She has other worries than her old folks."
In other words she's pregnant with triplets which is like the biggest thing in Royal history. "But not Nate."
"No and he already got his lecture from me as well."
Yeah, some things really don't change at all.
Dinner is as always delicious. We're having pasta with asparagus and a salmon sauce. There's salad for anyone who craves it and delicious white wine that goes perfectly with the dish. Sergej is as always talking about his military past and his granddaughters. Seriously, that man is even happier about them than my Mom and Dad. He wanted grandchildren his whole life but I guess it took Wlad 42 years to fulfil the dream of his father. But since Della and Wlad gifted him twins, they're all good. To be honest, I think Sergej misses the two even more than their parents. Ever since Bella and Carol moved to Le Rosey he's been a little quieter.
But Rory's gifting him triplets so his next bundles of joys are on their way already. Rory even promised that he could visit them anytime. A dangerous promise because I think Sergej will take her words literally.
She made her own bed.
To my surprise Char is not getting treated any different than on the other dinners we've had. Maybe Mom and Dad always felt that Nate was secretly crushing on her but kept their mouths shut and let him do his thing. I'm happy he's with Char now. Even if that means that I won't paint the town red anymore with her.
But it's worth it. They've been grinning nonstop over dinner and dessert.
That weirdly leaves me as the only single woman at the table. But I don't mind my single life. I actually prefer being single over a relationship.
"Can you take the rest of the pastries with you to the soup kitchen?" My Mom asks me as we all enjoy a slice of her carrot cake that's vegan.
"I actually wasn't planning on showing up there today." I answer honestly.
A sad look washes over my mother's face.
"But I'm sure they'll be thrilled when I bring them the delicious pastries." I answer without thinking. Seriously, my Mom knows which buttons to push to get what she wants.
She shows me a smile, "Good and to reward you I even baked you your favourite pastries."
"You made Sohnos for me?" I ask her shocked. The Brazilian dessert is my favourite in the world. Mom always bakes them for my sister and mine birthday as well as Christmas. Sonho means "dream" in Portuguese and as soon as you bite into one of these you'll understand why. They are a type of doughnut filled with lots of custard and covered in sugar. Of course my mother has her own secret way to make them taste delicious without using any cane sugar.
"Yes."
"Next time I'll bring your pastries to a homeless shelter." Della announces.
"You just want your lemon cake with raspberry filling." Nate rolls her eyes at his oldest sister, causing us all to chuckle.
"What? Nothing's wrong with that. I'll do good and I'll have my cake. It's a win-win."
Oliver
I close the door of the soup kitchen after the last homeless person has left with a full stomach and a bag filled with a breakfast for tomorrow morning. Arthur, Jillian and Harold have already started doing the cleaning. I pick up a cloth from the counter before I start wiping the twelve round tables that are in the front. It was quite a busy evening but I enjoyed it. Even without Josephine being here, I had a good time. I talked to lots of people, giving them an ear to whatever problem they had. I wish I could give them more than an open ear but I can't. I'm barely holding up myself.
Suddenly, Arthur starts putting on Brazilian salsa music that's coming from his iPhone. The music fills the whole soup kitchen and the beat bounces off the walls. My hips start moving automatically as I continue cleaning the tables.
"Oh, look at Oliver. Someone's got some moves!" I can hear Harold saying and look at him.
"It's in his blood." Jillian says with a grin on her lips. "People from Brazil are dancing all the time, right?"
"Not all the time but we do like to celebrate every moment." I answer as I continue with my salsa. "Come on, join me!" The music reminds me of home. My heart almost starts bleeding.
Jillian giggles before walking around the counter and over to me. She starts dancing the salsa, allowing me to lead her. "I have to warn you, I'm not a good dancer." She says, trying hard to keep up with me.
"Don't worry if you step on my feet. I can take it." I answer with a grin on my lips. I twirl her around and soon Harold as well as Arthur join us.
For a moment it feels like I'm back in Brazil.
Suddenly, the door of the soup kitchen opens and a woman walks in with her hands full of boxes. There are so many that I can't even see her face but given those long slim fingers and nude nail polish it has to be a woman. Also she's wearing black ten inch heels with a skinny medium washed jeans in the middle of the winter.
Only a woman would do that.
"Jo!" Arthur cries out.
That's Josephine? The woman places the eight boxes on the first round table and reveals her face. It is Josephine. But she looks different today. She's actually wearing mascara and blush. Her chestnut hair is up in a bun that's pinned in the nape of her neck. Some loose strands are framing her symmetrical face perfectly. She paired her heels and jeans with a grey cashmere sweater.
I know this is Josephine but this woman looks nothing like the one I saw last time.
Her sky blue eyes meet mine... and for a moment the world stops turning.
"Oh you brought your mother's pastries?" Jillian asks shocked. "Must be our lucky day!"
She tears her eyes off of mine and looks at Jil. "Yes. I was at my parents house and my Mom gave me these to bring to you guys."
"I thought you were sick." I don't hide the anger in my voice. She looks perfectly healthy to me and I worried about her not getting chicken soup.
"I was unwell." She says to me as Arthur, Jil and Harold open the boxes that smell delicious. "But then I took a few pills and now I feel better."
I don't believe that lie. "I'm glad."
She just nods.
"Oh, what are those?" Harold asks before getting out a sohno.
"That's-"
"Sohno." I interrupt her. "It's a Brazilian pastry. Usually filled with cream. It's good. It's my favourite."
"They're my favourite as well." She admits with a smirk on her lips.
That smirk makes my heart skip a beat.
Harold bites into one before letting out a moan, "They are a dream!"
Josephine tears her gaze off of me again and looks at Harold whose mouth is rimmed with what looks like powdered sugar. "That's actually the translation of sohno."
"Are these all for us?" Jil asks her.
Josephine nods, "I can't possibly eat all of them. Enjoy as many as you want. See it as a reward for your hard labour."
"You speak Portuguese?" I ask her.
Her head swings back to me. "Yes. I speak a lot of languages."
"Oliver's from Brazil, did you know that?" Arthur asks her.
"No, I had no idea." She answers while looking at me. I swear those eyes burn holes into my skin.
"Because you were an asshole the last time we saw each other."
She steps forward and away from the others. "I wasn't an asshole. I just proved my point."
"You could have chosen nicer words to do so."
"I don't fuss around with words. I like to give it to someone straight. Either you can handle my honesty or you can't."
My cock awakes in record time. What the hell is this woman doing to me?!
"You should dance with Oliver. He's really good." Jil suggests. "I stepped on his feet because I couldn't keep up with him but I'm sure he's no competition for you."
"No, actually I just wanted to drop this. I parked my car outside-"
"Are you afraid you can't keep up with me?" I interrupt her.
"Of course I can keep up with you but as I've said I can't stay." She says before turning on her heel.
I grab her wrist and pull her back until her tits meet my chest and our hips bump against one another. "Pussy." I whisper as our forehead touch. A strong tingling sensation starts spreading in my body from my forehead. Her smell starts filling my nostrils. She smells of laelias, a type of orchids that's the national flower of Brazil, roses and her very own smell. It's intoxicating. Absolutely intoxicating.
She lifts her forehead, "Pussy? Just a second ago I was an asshole." She counters with a smile on her lips that make my dick twitch. "I felt that."
"Of course you did." I answer confidently. I know I have an enormous cock and I can't wait to fuck her. Especially in her dirty - I mean honest - mouth.
"Fine. Show me what you've got." She gives in.
I grab her left hand and place my right hand on her hip before I start dancing to the beat hat magically starts filling my ears again.
She swings her hips with me, easily being able to keep up with me.
"Looking good guys!" Jil cries but it's only a whisper in my ears. I only feel Josephine's body moving with mine and hear her breathing. It's better than any music.
But she doesn't let me lead. "Allow me to lead you."
"No."
"Josephine, let go. Give up and let me take control." I tell her as she's still fighting me.
"No."
I lean forward until our foreheads touch again. We move to the beat but we're so synchronical that our foreheads don't lose the body contact. I let go of her hand and she places her hands on my shoulders. The tingling sensation at my forehead turns into a fire. The way she touches me sets my soul on fire. I place my other hand on her hips and feel... really feel, how magical it is when we move together. Her eyes are so blue... so clear... it's my favourite colour in the whole world.
"Let go." I whisper again.
She looks into my eyes for a moment, not responding to my words. Then she closes her eyes and inhales deeply. When she opens her eyes again, I know I've succeeded. She moves more freely because she allows me to lead her.
She gave me the control.
"There we go!"
She chuckles and the sound goes straight to my heart. It's the most beautiful sound.
"Hey, can we give you orders for pastries in the future?" Harold asks.
Josephine stops dancing abruptly. The magnetic pull is gone.
The moment has ended.
She lets go of my shoulders and turns around. "No, I'm afraid not. My mother says she bakes from the heart and you can't give the heart any orders. Anyways, I... I have to go. Enjoy the rest of your evening." She says to Jil, Harold and Arthur before rushing out of the soup kitchen.
Before I can blink and run after her, the squeaking tires of her car fill my ears.
Thank you for taking the time to read the chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!
Also thank you for all the lovely reviews. I'm glad you really like this story so far. I hope this chapter showed you another side of Jo.
What do you think will happen now?
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In gratitude,
Nicole