Josephine
"Our plane takes off Friday morning." I tell my best friend over the phone as I stare out of the transom windows in the kitchen of the kindergarten. This room can't be even called a kitchen because there's nothing in it yet. But in two days it will be one. It has to and I will make sure of it. The sun has set an hour ago, so the backyard is dark. But when it's light out, you can see the big round stone plates that path the way to the potting shed and greenhouse. The stone plates look like fly agarics. And so do the many sitting areas with round fly-agaric-like tables. There's even a path for the senses filled with different materials such as soil, pebbles, grass, pine cones, pine breaches, sand, moss and rose water at the end. There are even a few trampolines here. The backyard will be much used in the summer.
"Friday morning? Why not Thursday evening like we planned?"
"Because I couldn't get us an earlier flight." I lie to her.
"Bullshit! What's really going on?"
I bite on my lower lip. I'm a very bad liar. Always have been. At least towards my family. "Oliver's birthday is on Thursday."
She's silent for a moment. "I don't care! You promised me French Cay and then turned it into Mexico! You can't take Mexico away from me now as well! I'm bloody suffering here! I need to breathe! Hen party tops birthday party! Best friend tops boyfriend!"
"Charlotte!"
She sighs, "Are you at least throwing him some cool birthday party?"
"Who would I invite? He doesn't have any friends here."
"That's not true! He has me and Finn!"
"You don't count. You're my friend not his."
"I can be his as well! If you're not sticking to your original plan than at least get him a nice gift!" She says before hanging up.
I sigh and put my iPhone back into my purse before picking up the paintbrush again. The kindergarten is opening on Oliver's birthday as well. I've been so busy that I didn't have time to plan anything. The kindergarten is still not ready, although it opens in two days. As he promised my parents, Liam did help out at the kindergarten - just for the promo photos that I took of him. After that he quickly told me some lie before taking off faster than I could react. So, that leaves me to paint the whole kindergarten, hoover the floors and fill the shelves with toys. I might as well be here all night but I don't care. It's for a good cause. I'm doing this for others, not to save Liam's ass. I knew this would end up like this but I won't snitch on Liam for him showing his true colours. Next year, this will be my project.
Suddenly my iPhone rings again. I put the paint brush back into the glass jar that I filled with water before getting out my iPhone. I look at the display and see that Oliver's calling me. It's already eight in the evening. He's probably worried. I should have called him but I guess I'm not used to justify myself towards anyone. "Hi!"
"Hey. Where are you? It's already eight! Are you with Charlotte?"
"No. I'm actually in Greenwich. In the kindergarten. Painting the walls."
He's silent for a moment. "Isn't that Liam's job?"
Even he understands that Liam's an ass. "He took off after I took the promo photos for our social media accounts and as this is a social project, the painters are only volunteers. So that means I have to paint the whole kindergarten by myself now since we're opening in two days."
"Do you want me to come over?"
"I don't want to drag you into this. You've got nothing to do with this. It's Liam's bullshit that I have to clean up."
"If you're going to stay there all night and paint, then I might as well come over, help you out and bring some food."
I really am hungry. I haven't eaten since lunchtime. "Okay. But only if you bring pizzas."
He chuckles on the other end of the line. "Pizza tuna?"
I grin as my stomach starts growling. "Yes please."
"I'll be there in half an hour." He says before hanging up.
Oliver
I open the door of the kindergarten with two boxes of pizzas from Luigi in my other hand. The smell of paint starts filling my nose right away. It's already dark outside but the lights in here are still on. There are ladders, loose cords and rolls of wallpaper everywhere. I have no idea how this should be open in less than two days. "Josephine?" I ask out loud as I don't hear her anywhere.
"First floor, turn left and last door!" She cries back. "Be careful, don't touch anything. The paint is still fresh!"
I walk up the wooden staircase that cracks underneath my weight. I really doubt it's going to be open in two days. Or maybe if Josephine and I work all night, we might get at least the painting and papering of the rooms done. Then all they have to do is put the furniture together and fill this space with toys. I turn left on the first floor and walk down the hallway that has a wallpaper of colourful parrots. Some parrots have bright green feathers, others have red, yellow, blue and orange feathers. Clearly, they represent different species. A few have their wings spread open while others are sitting on branches or in the nests. They're so beautiful! It reminds me of the parrots in Brazil.
I stop in the doorway of the last room and watch Josephine standing across a dark blue wall with golden stars and half moon. She's wearing light washed jeans with a grey shirt that's full of paint spots. There are dark blue spots, bright green, orange, yellow and red spots as well as golden spots. That's when it hits me. The parrots in the hallway are not a wallpaper. They're hand painted by Josephine!
And so is this golden moon and those golden stars. As I look at the walls I suddenly notice the subtle change of colour into a rainbow like swirl. It's dancing through the starry night sky. Northern Lights.
She painted Northern Lights!
I had no idea Josephine could paint something like that! "Wow, quite impressive." I breathe out.
She winces at my voice and turns around. There's even spots of the golden paint on her face. "This will be the room for midday sleep." She explains. Her chestnut hair is up in a ponytail. Her eyes are sparkling as much as the golden paint spots on her face.
"Did you paint that?" I ask her as I place the pizza boxes on the hardwood floor that's protected by foil.
She nods, "And the parrots in the hallway."
"This is pretty amazing. I had no idea you were so gifted."
She only shrugs, "That's nothing compared to Ana's work. She's the real artist in the family."
"Well, looking at this I'd say you're quite the artist yourself."
She shows me a small smile. "I just finished this room. It only needs to dry now."
"Then I came just in time. You need to eat something and I brought a tuna pizza and a classic margarita."
She puts the paintbrush with a golden tip into a jar with water before walking over to me. "Sounds like the perfect dinner to me."
I show her a smile, "Where's the kitchen going to be?"
She grins, "Follow me. But it's not furnished yet so we have to sit on the floor."
I pick up he pizza boxes and follow her through the hallway. "The parrots look pretty amazing as well."
"I took inspiration from the Amazon rainforest. These are Dusky Headed Parakeets." She points at a couple of green feathered parrots with a black bill. "Blue headed parrots." She explains another two. "Dusky billed parrotlets and Short tailed parrots." Two other green feathered parrots. "And the most famous scarlet macaw in lots of different colour combination. Liam didn't really care about the theme of the kindergarten so I chose the Amazon rainforest as it's protection is very dear to my heart and the foundation. We donate a few millions every year and I think you have to start awareness for animals protection and environmental protection early in life without making it seem too political."
Josephine just amazes me every single day. Just when I think I'm starting to think I know her, she shows me a completely new side of her. We walk down a different staircase and stop in a huge wide room that has lots of transom windows as well as a door to the backyard that's open. There's light coloured hardwood floors, which are again protection by transparent foil.
"This will be the kitchen, in which the kids will learn how to cook in a playful way as well as the dinning room." Joshing explains as I look around. It doesn't look like a kitchen as it's completely empty. I mean, there are not even cupboards let alone countertops here. No stove, no oven, no fridge... really, Liam did a bad job with this project! My eyes stop at a wall full of colourful fruits that can be found in the amazon rainforest. Red camu camu, yellow maracuyas, purple acai berries, green guanábana, red bacaba, brown cupuazu, deep red aguaje, oranges, mangoes, lemons, pineapples and yellow cocona. Black arrows are next to the fruits and the name of them. This feels like going home!
I would again assume it's a wallpaper, but now I know better. "I like the walls with the fruits."
Josephine shows me another smile, "The kitchen will be back there. Deep green cupboards with white granite countertops. There will be two kitchen islands so the kids have enough space to roll the dough and stuff. The dinning tables will be on the other side of the room. Big square walnut tables, about six meters long and two meters wide."
"Are you sure the kids are going to cook here? I mean, we're talking about kindergarten kids here not school kids."
"I was able to cut apples with a special knife at that age or stir some oatmeals, standing on a stool. They will not be here without supervision. Plus, it's never too early to know where your food comes from and what to do with it." Josephine says before sitting down on the floor.
I sit down next to her and open the boxes, "But there's not even a kitchen in here yet. How is this place going to open in less than two days?!"
"With an all-nighter." She picks up a slice of tuna pizza, "I just need to finish a few of the playrooms upstairs. The bathrooms are finished. The mechanics are coming tomorrow to install the kitchen with all the appliances. The couches, toys, chairs, tables will all get delivered tomorrow. There are a few boxes in the basement with our donations."
"How can I help?"
"You could start building the bookshelves while I finish painting the rooms upstairs. Then we can remove the foil from all of the floors, so I can hoover and wipe the floors clean before everyone arrives tomorrow. The lamps also needs to be hung up, but don't worry if you can't do that, I can do that myself. We can also start filling up the bookshelves with the toys that are in the basement. The only finished rooms are the two offices here."
"Sounds like we'll be here all night. I should have brought coffee."
Josephine chuckles at my words, "I'm sure we can find a delivery service which brings us the much needed coffee."
Josephine
I screw in the last climbing rock-like piece on to the wall in the gym as I hear Oliver's footsteps behind me. I've build a climbing wall that looks like you're climbing through the trees of the amazon rainforest. There are even green ceiling nets for climbing. The floor is completely cushioned with soft brown mats that look like the earth. I've painted different monkeys into the jungle canopy, so the kids can really feel like monkeys here and let loose.
"This turned out great!" Oliver says with a bright smile on his lips and two hot cups of coffee. "Coffee?"
"Yes, please." I walk over to him and take the left cup from him before taking a sip. It's five in the morning and we're almost done. "I think this is the best room."
"Oh, I don't know. I like the creative room as well." Oliver says as his green eyes scan the room. If he's tired, he doesn't look like it. The room next to the gym, is the creative room. Two out of the three walls there are painted with blackboard paint, so the kids can draw with chalk on it. I've written the alphabet on one of the walls. In the middle of the room there will be lots of round tables with chairs, so the kids can draw on paper as well. Another wall has the world map on it. It's still black and white as I want the kids to fill it with colour. Wooden easels are placed in front of the window front, so the kids can paint with watercolour as well. There will also be a natural modelling clay in different colours as well as lego and wooden toys here. In one of the shelves that Oliver built, there will be square shaped boxes with the names of the children. Every child will get its own box with its own utensils to use. "Or the library. That turned out really great as well." The library has a floating reading nook net for the older children as well as a wall with the Tower Bridge and a miniature household with a fake full kitchen and a fake grocery shop.
"I like the gym or the kitchen." I say with a smile on my lips.
"I can't believe you hand painted all these walls yourself. They look so good!" He says as he runs his hand over one of the monkeys and the green leaves of the jungle canopy. "This feels like going home to me."
I smile at him, "I'm glad you like it."
"I love it. What you've made out of this building is amazing. I know it's officially Liam's social project, but really you've been doing all the work. I think you should tell that your parents."
I shake my head, "No. I'll have the social project next year and I'm okay with that. I only helped Liam out because he seemed to be doing nothing but fuck the interior architect... and well, he's family after all." I shrug. "Plus, the kids shouldn't have to suffer from Liam's incompetence."
His pine green eyes transition into the sea foam colour that I like so much. "You are incredible, do you know that?"
"Of course I am! I'm a Bolton, we've got incredibility in our blood."
Oliver laughs and the sound fills my heart with warmth. I want to hear his laughter many, many times more.
"Are you done with the bookshelves downstairs?"
He nods, "Yes. We can start filling it up with books and toys from the basement."
"Okay, sounds good." I say before leaving the gym with Oliver by my side.
"You know, most kids would dream of going to a kindergarten like this." He starts as we walk down the staircase that leads to the basement.
"I assume you haven't been in a kindergarten, then?"
He shakes his head, "No. I was raised at home."
"Well, I wasn't either so we're even on that one."
"No kindergarten?" He asks me shocked as we reach the door of the basement.
I shake my head, "My parents were quite egoistic when we were all little. They wanted us all to themselves, so they worked from home most of the times. We also spent lots of time outdoors. At the beaches or in the forests, looking for mushrooms or going riding. None of my siblings went to kindergarten. We only went to basic primary school before attending Le Rosey." I explain and open the door. It's full of boxes filled with toys and books from my childhood home. Stuff we don't have use for anymore.
"So we have something in common."
"Oh, we have more in common than that." I disagree with him before I pick up the first box. It's quite heavy. "How about you start filling the shelves with books while I start ripping the foil off of the floor everywhere?"
He nods as he grabs the box out of my hands. "Sounds like a good plan."
Oliver
As I put in the last book, I can suddenly feel Josephine's presence in the room with me. I turn around and see her standing behind me.
"Now, doesn't that look good?" She asks with a grin on her lips. "Was that everything?"
I nod, "We accomplished quite a lot tonight, I think."
"We did." She agrees with me before wrapping her left arm around my torso. She hoovered and wiped all the floors in the building. And I thought she'd be too proud to do that as she has a maid coming every Saturday to clean her penthouse. "Thank you for helping me out. I wouldn't have been able to do that all on my own."
"Oh, you know... I did it for the kids." I tease her with a grin on my lips.
She chuckles before sealing her lips over mine. She fills the kiss with so much passion that I forget we're in a kindergarten as I wish for us to be home in her bedroom. "Lets go home so I can thank you properly. Because you saved my ass with this."
"You mean, I saved Liam's ass."
"No, actually you saved the firm's ass." She corrects me. "Because we would have made a fool out of ourselves if we had opened up in two days with no furniture, no paint on the walls, no bookshelves and no proper floors." She explains as she intertwines her right fingers with mine. I can feel the red golden ring, that she wears on her right middle finger, against my fingers. I have a feeling her parents will figure out whose hard work it was all on their own.
Josephine
Oliver's birthday is tomorrow and I still haven't gotten him anything. Because I was busy planning Charlotte's hen party in Mexico and the kindergarten project. It totally slipped my mind until this yesterday noon. So, I decide to do the only logical thing: Call his best friend Finn. But first, I have to get his number and the only way to get to it, is to call my uncle. Oliver hasn't mentioned Finn, so I'm not even sure if he got hired, but I'm desperate so I have to call my uncle during my lunch break.
"Hey Jo! What's up?"
It's a beautiful sunny day in May. The Thames is glittering in front of me as I stand on the promenade in Greenwich. The mechanics are currently installing the kitchen in the kindergarten. "The guy I referred to you, did he get the job?"
"You mean Nicolas Bernadotte?"
Bernadotte? That's the last name of the Swedish Royal Family! I frown, "No, his name's Finn."
My uncle laughs on the other end of the phone, "Yeah, I was quite shocked as well. His name may be Finn, but that's not the first name. After our interview I asked Wlad to do some digging and he found out that his full name is His Royal Highness Prince Nicolas Rupert Finn of Hohenzollern, which means his last name is Bernadotte."
It's the same system as the Mountbatten-Windsors. While this is the last name of the British Royals, they don't use it. And the same goes for the Swedish Royal Family and their last name Bernadotte. I gulp. "He's a Swedish Royal?"
"You bet he is. He told me he had a fight with his parents, Princess Brigitta and Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern. After that he took off to England, determined to make it on his own. He used his this third name and last name Bernadotte when he applied to King's College here in London. He doesn't have access to his bank account because his parents froze his account shortly after he took off to England." "So, that's why he's wiping floors and pouring out beer?"
"Yep. But he does have a bachelor in Social Science, so that wasn't a lie."
"I see..." Wow and Oliver has no idea! His flatmate's a Swedish Royal! And I'm a connection to the British Royals. Oliver's surrounded by Royals. How crazy is that! "Can you give me his mobile number?"
"You're not going to read him the riot act, are you?"
"Just give me his number." I demand and write down the number my uncle gives me. "Thanks. But he's doing good work?"
"Yeah, a great addition to the foundation. He's really dedicated and hard working. Quite humbled as well."
"He should call his parents. He's been living here for three years undercover. They must be worried as hell!"
"Maybe you can talk some sense into him." My uncle says before hanging up.
I dial the number and inhale deeply before pressing the call button.
"Hello?"
"Hi, am I talking to Finn?"
"Yes. Who is this?"
"I'm Jo. A mate of Oliver's."
"Ah, you're the one that got me the job! I've been wondering how to reach you. I am eternally indebted to you."
I am eternally indebted to you. He's definitely a Royal. "I'm sure you're aware, but Oliver's birthday is coming up."
"No, I had no idea I'm afraid."
"I see. Well, his birthday's on May 15th."
"That's tomorrow!"
"I'm aware. I'm actually calling you to get an idea what to get him."
"Sorry, no idea."
"How about you gift him some honesty?" I snap at him.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I just called my uncle to get your mobile number and he explained to me who you really are, Your Royal Highness. So unless you don't want Oliver to find out from me, I suggest you tell him yourself, Prince Nicolas Rupert Finn of Hohenzollern."
"Wait, you're a Bolton? Snap, you're Josephine Bolton! Oliver's bedding the last Bolton bachelorette?" Nicolas laughs on the other end of the line. "No wonder Oliver's been so tight lipped ever since he started dating you!"
Shit. I didn't mean to unveil my secret in front of him. "You're missing the point, Nicolas."
"I'll tell him, alright?" he sounds annoyed. "Are you throwing him a party?"
With only two guests attending? What kind of party would that be?! "No."
"Good, because he's not a fan of those."
"I thought your relationship with him wasn't that close."
"We're not best friends or anything but we loaned each other money when needed."
"I highly suggest you call your parents and apologise for whatever shit you guys fought about."
"I am not your business!" he hisses at me.
"You're the only friend Oliver has in London!" I start arguing.
"Just get him a bloody Rolex." Nicolas hisses at me again.
My mouth drops open at his suggestion. He obviously doesn't know Oliver at all. He doesn't care about status symbols. "Oliver's working at Luigi's tomorrow. He has the morning shift. I suggest you pay him a visit during his lunch break to congratulate him and confess your real identity or else I will tell him later that day." I say before hanging up.
Nicolas was really no help at all! I growl and bury my hands in my scalp. His birthday is bloody tomorrow!
I turn around and my eyes spot a real estate agent's office across me. A grin stretches my lips. Suddenly, his birthday present seems obvious.
Oliver
I wake up first on my birthday. As always, the sun has just started to rise. The colour play coats the whole bedroom in stunning lightning. I love watching the colour play unveil itself during the early morning hours and late evening hours. I look to my left and see the woman who owns my heart. I love watching her sleep even more. She's a stomach sleeper and has her right arm hooked over my chest. Her chestnut waves are braided into a plait, that's shimmering in golden tones. She's too beautiful to be real.
She's the biggest gift life has ever given me.
Suddenly, her breathing changes just before her eyelids flutter open, revealing a cobalt blue. My heart starts beating faster in my chest as a grin stretches on my lips. This woman is my everything.
She mirrors my grin before lifting herself to kiss me. "Happy birthday, Oliver."
I'm surprised she remembers it. I don't like to make a big fuss over my birthday, but everyone's different about that. I can't celebrate my birthday with my family, so I figured I wouldn't celebrate it at all. But then I met Josephine and everything changed. "Thank you."
"I know you have to work today, but I thought we could celebrate a little this evening. Just the two of us. We could even go out if you want."
"Go out in public?" I ask her shocked. She's really coming out of her shell for me today.
To my surprise she nods, "But maybe not in Central London... Stratford-upon-Avon is not too far away, it's Shakespeare's birthplace. Or we could go hiking in the Surrey Hills or Chiltern Hills. Or stroll down the beach at Bexhill-On-Sea. We could have a bite at Bistro45 with a splendid view of the beach and sea."
Beach? That sounds good. "Bexhill-On-Sea sounds nice."
She smiles happily. "Perfect. It's just a two hour drive there. And you'll get your birthday gift this evening."
"I don't want anything."
"I know, which is why it was so hard to find something for you. But I think I managed to find something that will mean something to you while also being of very good use."
I frown. "I hope it's not a watch."
She chuckles, "No. I know you're not a fan of jewellery. It's something better."
"Good." I think I've never been this excited about a birthday gift.
"And then when we're back home you can lick wine or scotch or bourbon or sparkling champagne off of my naked body. You can even tie me up if you wish."
I frown. She has never voiced something like this before, "I'm not into BDSM. I don't get off by the idea you hurting you."
"It's not about pain but pleasure. It's about giving away control and trusting the other party completely."
Hurting her is the last thing I want to do. "Are you into that?"
She shrugs, "I never met someone I trust enough to think of it. But I trust you enough to give up my need of control. I trust you with my life, Oliver."
Damn it, I wasn't ready for a confession this early on my birthday. "I'm not into whips and ties. I told you, I will never hurt you. But I will lick chocolate off your body tonight. Perhaps with bourbon."
Josephine
I go through my dresses in my wardrobe after a long day at work while the birthday boy is still showering. As promised, I booked us the best table in Bistro45 with a view over the sea as the bistro is right at the beach. I stop at black Valentino dress with an off-shoulder neckline. I can pair that with my black Ralph Russo stilettos, diamond earrings and a diamond necklace. Simple. Classy.
Suddenly, goosebumps start covering my arms and legs. My fingertips and toes start tingling. I know exactly what that means. Oliver has entered the room. I might not see or smell him, but I can feel him. "What do you think?" I ask him as I hold up the dress.
"I get to choose?"
I turn around, "It's your birthday."
Oliver has a white towel wrapped around his hips. For a second, I wish I was the towel. It's crazy how obsessed I am with Oliver. His beach blonde hair is a bit darker because it's wet. He shows me a smirk. "How do you know I'm here?"
"I get goosebumps whenever you're in the same room as me." I say with a shrug before wiggling the hanger in my hand. "So, yes or no?"
"Do you like the dress?"
"I own it. Of course I like it."
"And do you want to wear it?"
I sigh, "Oliver,"
"I'm the one whose birthday it is today. So answer my question." He challenges me.
"Yes. I want to wear it."
"Good. Then the decision has been made."
"You didn't make a decision at all."
"I told you, I won't turn you into Gatsby."
True, he did promise me he would never turn me into my worst nightmare. "What will you wear?"
Oliver chuckles before turning to his side of my wall-in wardrobe. "Oh, I won't ask you for advice."
I grin, "Definitely not Gatsby."
He looks over his right shoulder, right at me. "Definitely not Gatsby."
Maybe this birthday boy should know how it feels like to have some real power in his hands. "Do you own a driver's license?"
"No." Oliver picks up a white Oxford shirt by Armani and matching black slacks.
Well, that's too bad. "We'll have to drive to Silverstone. You can drive my car there then."
Oliver walks to the white marbled island and places the clothing items on it. "You're allowing me to drive your car?"
I nod, "Yes. I think driving a few rounds does no harm."
He grins, "Which one?"
"The Aston. There's no fun in driving the Tesla or the Range Rover at Silverstone."
"And will we drive with the Aston to Bexhill today?"
"Why else do you think I chose to wear this dress?" I ask back with a raised eyebrow.
He smiles as he walks over to me. Before I can react, he has sealed his lips over mine. Quickly, I get lost in his smell and his taste as I start melting into him. Like always when we kiss.
After minutes, he pulls away first. "I can't wait to take that dress off of you again."
My hands move to the bow of my morning gown and I quickly open it, revealing my naked figure. "Good thing, I'm not wearing it right now then."
Oliver
I look over my leathered menu, right at Josephine. She looks incredible in that little black dress. She paired it with diamond stud earrings and a simple necklace. Her chestnut hair is wrapped into a messy bun, so a few pieces of hair are framing her face. She's wearing very little makeup, just how I like it. But what's most arousing is the fact that she's not wearing panties.
And I have no idea how her pussy can hold so much of my seed without it all dropping out.
Best. Fucking. Birthday. Ever.
"Stop looking at me and choose what you want to eat." Josephine demands while her sky blue eyes read the menu. She looked bloody hot behind the wheel of her Aston Martin. Especially with those stilettos that she chose to wear today. They are black but have some kind of silver floral ivy climbing up the heel. They're beautiful.
"I'll have what you have."
She closes the menu with a smirk on her lips. "But it's not my birthday."
Before I can respond the waiter walks over to us. "Did I hear birthday? Congratulations, Miss."
"Oh, no. It's not mine. It's his." Josephine says before pointing at me.
"Very well, Sir. Congratulations from the whole staff. The champagne is on the house today."
I never celebrated my birthday at a restaurant. It was always at the Brazilian beach with two scoops of ice cream - a luxury for my family. But here, there's a three-course menu with insanely expensive wines and other bubble waters.
But I must say, it is a very pretty restaurant. It's right at the beach, that has pebbles. I've never seen a beach with pebbles. For me a beach always has to have sand. Pebbles - my Mum won't believe me when I tell her what I saw today! The thought of my mother makes me sad for a moment. But then her sky blue eyes pull me back into the now. They're full of warmth and appreciation. "Thank you."
"What have you decided on?"
"We'll have two salads as a starter, Argentine Steak with a side of roasted veggies as the main course and Mousse au Chocolat as dessert." Josephine orders for us. The way she pronounced the dessert is bloody sexy.
The waiter nods. "What would you like to drink?"
"We'll have the Château Lafite-Rothschild from 1990 with the steak and the Château Mouton Rothschild - Aile d'Argent with the starter." Josephine smiles at the waiter before handing him her menu.
He takes my menu as well and walks away. I have no idea how much this will all cost as the menu doesn't have any prizes. I saved up almost 3000 pounds to pay Josephine back for loaning me the first 3000 pounds that I sent to my family to Brazil. But I have a feeling this might cost just as much. Of course Josephine doesn't look at prizes. She doesn't have to. I mean, we're surrounded by retirees. The couples around us look as posh as Josephine does.
"What's wrong?" Josephine asks me concerned.
Money has always been a topic in my life. I gulp and lick my lips. "Josephine, I don't think I can afford-"
"Don't worry, it's on me." She interrupts me.
"But-"
"It's your birthday which means I'll wine and dine you tonight." She shows me a small smile.
I know she means well, but... "I was raised to wear the pants in the relationship." The words have left my mouth before my brain can catch up.
"Well, I was raised to not sit around and wait for Prince Charming to come find me on his white horse. But I'm willing to give you one leg of the pants and share the burden." She compromises. "Okay?"
"Okay." I breathe out, totally stunned.
She reaches over the table and grabs my right hand with hers. She has left her red golden ring at home. "This date's on me. The next one can be on you." She says with a soft squeeze.
A relationship. I think we've agreed that we're in a relationship.
As I said, best birthday ever.
Josephine
"So, how was the opening of the kindergarten today?" Oliver asks me as he takes a spoonful of mousse au chocolat into his mouth. "Oh, this is good!"
I smile at him. Sometimes I forget that he has never tasted something as normal as a mousse au chocolat, a Rothschild wine or champagne. "It was good. Everything got done on time. I was only there to take the photos."
"Then I assume Liam got all the credit for your work?"
"Officially yes. Unofficially no. My parents called me after the opening. Told me they know about the all-nighter we pulled two days ago. They said they were very proud of me and that I have grown as a person..."
"So that means, next year the social project's yours?"
"Hopefully. They didn't say it but it definitely sounded like that."
"How're Rory and the babies doing?"
"There are definitely lots of sleepless nights but my parents are a big help for George and her. And apparently they have changed already."
He nods. "But you didn't see them again since Rory have birth?"
"No. Just photos. They still look like babies to me."
He chuckles, "They're your nieces. Future Queens."
"Yeah, but they look like all babies." I say and finish my mousse au chocolat. "How was your day at Luigi's?" I ask carefully. He would have mentioned Nicolas if he had seen him today. But he didn't. Which makes me think Nicolas thinks I'm bluffing. I'm never bluffing. Especially not when it comes to those close to me.
He shrugs, "It was alright. Busy as always."
So, Nicolas is a coward. "Luigi didn't do anything special? I'm surprised the man didn't let you take the day off."
"Oh he doesn't know. I don't like to brag around with my birthday."
But it's his birthday! It's the day he was born 27 years ago! It's a day to celebrate! "So, I'm the only one who knows today's your birthday?"
"Yes."
Suddenly, the waiter appears with the black leathered folder that has the bill. "Did you enjoy your meal?"
"Yes. It was very delicious." Oliver says with a smile on his lips. The waiter hands him the bill.
"Oh, no the bill's on me." I say to the waiter.
"Ah, I see. A treat for the birthday man." He winks at me.
I chuckle before I my black Amex out of my purse. I place it inside the folder and hand it back to the waiter, who nods before disappearing again.
Oliver's sea foam coloured eyes turn dark. He's upset with something.
"What's wrong?" I ask him confused.
"Did you even have a look at the bill?" He asks me in a sour tone.
"No. Why would I?" I think out loud. "It doesn't matter what it says.l
"Of course, it doesn't." He snaps at me.
"I told it, it's on me." I say in a soft voice. Finances is always a hot topic between us but I wish he could finally see that I'm not doing this on purpose. It's just who I am. How I've been raised. "Today's your birthday. Let's reschedule the quarrel, okay?"
He sighs before nodding. "Okay."
The doors of the lift open, revealing a long hallway with hardwood floors and a grey satin wallpaper. There are many mahogany doors, whom belong to the other residents here in the Landmark Place.
"Take a step forward." I demand as I still have my hands covering Oliver's eyes. Thank God, I'm wearing ten inch stilettos. Otherwise, I'd have to walk on the tip of my toes.
He takes a big step forward and I almost let go of him.
"Smaller steps please! I'm not as tall as you." I warn him.
He chuckles, "Sorry. Which way?"
"Left. I'll let you know when to stop."
He starts walking with smaller steps and we pass the first three mahogany wooden doors. There are golden bells next to the doors and numbers above it. There are no names, because everything's a secret here at Landmark Place.
"Okay stop." I order as we reach the last door of the hallway. "I'm going to take my hands off now, but don't open your eyes."
"Okay." Oliver agrees with a nod. "I have no idea where we are."
I've had him blindfolded ever since we got into the car in Bexhill-On-Sea. "That's the plan, birthday boy." I get out my key and unlock the mahogany door. I push the door open, revealing a very spacious four bedroom luxury flat with a private balcony and river view, that shows the famous Tower Bridge. It's one of the more expensive flats as it has a 180 degree waterfront view. The location is iconic as it's on the dockside, just a short walk from Tower Hill and Monument Stations. Just like my penthouse, this flat benefits from the high standard specification such as a build in kitchen, full bathrooms, build in wardrobes, system control Smart and an air cooling system and floor heating throughout the flat. In addition, all residents can use the gym, swimming pool, sauna, steam, jacuzzi, spa, virtual golf, business centre, cinema, 24 hour concierge and CCTV downstairs.
My eyes scan hallway with beige walls and wooden floor. There's a guest bathroom to my right and when you turn right, there are the master bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe and an ensuite bathroom, as well as the other three bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. If you turn left and walk down the narrow hallway, you eventually end up in a huge half round living area with an open kitchen, dining room and living room. There's a pantry and a laundry room. Through the living area you get access to the huge curved balcony that wraps around the the whole flat, starting at the corner and moving all the way until the neighbour's balcony starts. It's full glass, so nothing disturbs the view of the River Thames and Tower Bridge.
We have over 250 square meters here. It's enough space for Oliver and his family.
I turn around and grab Oliver's hand before dragging him through the hallway. "Don't open your eyes!"
"No, they're closed. I promise!"
"Good." I stop in the half round living area. The beige sofas face the stunning view showing from the floor to ceiling window front that wraps around the whole flat. It's almost the same with my penthouse, only that my view is a 360 degree one and not a 180 degree view. The kitchen is held in dark wood with white marbled countertops. There's even a big island with navy barstools. The dinning area has a big square wooden table with navy velvet chairs surrounding it. There's even a chimney and a reading corner with a grey armchair. I purchased the flat fully furnished. It lacks personal items, but that's not a big problem.
"Can I finally look now?"
I turn around, "Yes. Open your eyes." I tell him with a grin on my lips. He'll be over the moon!
He blinks for a few seconds before his vision adjusts to the view. He looks around with confusion written all over his face. "Where are we?"
"Still at Landmark Place. Just a few levels lower."
"This is not your penthouse."
"No, it's not." I confirm as he turns around and scans the dining room and open kitchen.
"Whose flat is this?"
"Yours." I answer while holding up the key.
He turns around, "What?!" He doesn't look happy about it at all. Actually, he looks furious.
Oliver
She's got to be kidding me! She bought me a fucking flat?! I don't want a bloody flat from her! I want her heart. All I ever wanted was her loving me as much as I love her. I want her to return my feelings but instead she gifted me a bloody flat!
"Josephine, please tell me you didn't buy me this flat."
"It's not just for you, silly. It's for your family as well. It's a four bedroom flat. Enough space for your Mum, Caio and Johnathan to live with you. It's fully furnished but if you want to change some things, you can certainly do."
This is a joke! She can't be serious! "Josephine-"
"Look, I don't know what your current flat looks like but given the fact that you're sharing it with Nicolas, it has to be small."
I frown, "Who the hell is Nicolas?"
"Finn didn't visit you during your lunch break?"
I shake my head, "No. I didn't see Finn today."
She sighs before brushing through her hair. "Finn got the job at the foundation."
"That's great!"
"Yes, but during the hiring process my uncle called my brother-in-law to make the usual background check. Turns out Finn lied to you. His real name is His Royal Highness Prince Nicolas Rupert Finn of Hohenzollern, which means his last name is Bernadotte. My uncle told me he had a fight with his parents, Princess Brigitta and Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern. After that he took off to England, determined to make it on his own. Nicolas used his this third name and last name Bernadotte when he applied to King's College in London. He doesn't have access to his bank account because his parents froze his account shortly after he took off to England. That's why he has been wiping floors and pouring out beer at pubs. He may be bankrupt right now, but he's not poor. He's a Swedish Royal."
I shake my head in shock, "No! Finn would have told me-"
"I called him and gave him an ultimatum. Either he'd tell you during your lunch break or I would this evening."
"Y-You called him?"
"Yes. He knows about us." she confirms.
I don't know why, but I can't feel happy about that. I'm too shocked. By Finn's - I mean, Nicolas' - secret. By Josephine's birthday gift to me. By everything around me. "Did you buy the flat in my name?" I ask her as fear starts crawling up my spine. If she did than the FEDs might be just around the corner.
"Why?"
"Did you, Josephine?!" I hiss at her.
"No! I bought it in my name."
"Good."
She places her hand on her hips, "What's going on, Oliver?"
I look out at the stunning view of the glittering River Thames in front of me. There's a huge balcony which even has an outdoor dining area. She bought me an amazing flat! A home for my family and me. She... she gifted me a home with a kitchen... a bathroom... bedrooms. My family don't even know what bedrooms look like, let alone a bed or a fridge. This right here is Nirvana to them. They'd be over the moon.
"Oliver,"
I wince as I feel her hand on my left shoulder.
"Oliver, what's going on? What's been eating you up? Let me help you. I can help you."
Josephine Bolton is powerful but not even she can help me. "You shouldn't have bought this for me." I tell her before storming out of the flat.
"Wait!" She cries after me but I don't listen.
I have to get away.
I can't breathe in that million pounds worth home.
Josephine
It's six thirty in the morning and Oliver still hasn't come home. I have to fly to Mexico for Charlotte's hen party and I really don't want to leave without talking to Oliver. I called him the whole night and sent him texts but he ignored all of it. He didn't pick up nor did he respond to my messages. I hope he's safe, wherever he is. His birthday turned into a catastrophe.
Next year, I'll throw him a bloody party with balloons, colourful confetti and a self made birthday cake.
I sigh as I get out of my bed. I didn't sleep at all last night. The bed has never felt colder and lonelier. I totter into my bathroom, desperately in need of a hot shower. I hope he comes home as long as I'm still here. Otherwise we hopefully will see each other again after the trip to Mexico. I strip naked and place my clothes on the white ottoman before I walk over to my glass shower. I open the glass door of my white marbled shower and get inside. I close the door and turn on the hot water. Then I step under the rain shower water jet.
I don't know what I did wrong but he clearly didn't like his birthday gift.
Oliver
I've been walking through London for the whole night. I started walking down the promenade until I ended up at the LCY. That's when I turned around and walked back the 16 kilometres back to Landmark Place. On my way Josephine called me numerous times and sent me countless texts but I couldn't respond. And after six and a half hours, I made it back into the lift that brings me up to the penthouse. I brush through my beach blonde hair as my feet show me that perhaps 16 kilometres in one night were a bit much.
After thirty seconds, the doors of the lift open with a silent ping - and I stand across Josephine. She looks tired, her sky blue eyes are bloodshot. Her skin looks pale and she has her chestnut hair pulled up into a tight ponytail. She's dressed in an all black outfit with black sneakers. Her hand is wrapped around the handle of her silver aluminium suitcase that she already pulled out. Oh, right she's flying to Mexico today.
"Hi." She greets me.
My lips can't form any words. I can't even greet her. I can only stare at her. Last night was not what I expected. I thought she would finally confess her love to me. But instead she bought me a flat. A home for my life after we ended this.
Except I don't want this to end. Not in 10 weeks. Not ever. I want her to give us a real chance but she doesn't even think of that option. She still sees us as nothing but a contract. "You're going to the airport?"
"Yes." She takes a step to the side to let me inside. "I was hoping to see you before I would have to leave."
Timing is a funny thing.
"Where were you? You didn't come home. You got me worried."
Home. I don't know if I can call this place really home. Not when she clearly thinks about the end of us already. "Everywhere and nowhere."
"I don't understand."
"I walked down the promenade the whole night. To clear my head." I explain.
Suddenly her iPhone starts ringing. She pulls it out and frowns as she looks at the display. "I'm sorry, but I have to take this. Will you be here when I come home from Mexico?" She asks me as she drags the suitcase into the lift.
"Yes." I promise her.
"Good. Then we can talk. I'm landing at 3:30 on Sunday morning. Maybe a few days apart are going to be good for us."
Maybe.
Josephine
I walk down the hallway of Scorpions, my brother-in-law's security firm. Wlad called me an hour ago and ordered me in. Whatever he wants to talk about, it's probably really bad. Maybe one of my contracts has decided to try to blackmail me again or perhaps Wlad just wants to give me a new driver. I kind of like Ralph, so I hope he won't do that. My plane to Mexico takes off in less than an hour and a half, so whatever Wladimir wants, I hope he does it quickly.
I stop at the glass door and knock three times before opening.
"Jo, hi!" Wlad shows me a smile before getting off his cognac coloured chair and embracing me tightly. Unlike my father, Wlad doesn't enjoy dressing up in a suit every day of work. Instead he chooses a simple combination of slacks and an Oxford shirt. Less formal, but it still screams boss. Today, he's wearing black slacks with a grey Oxford shirt and black leather shoes. For a moment, I remember Della's confession that Wlad's a fashionista. The thought makes me smirk.
"I have a plane to catch, so we better make it quick." I tell him without saying hello. I sit down in one of the cognac leathered club chairs that are across his glass desk.
"Yeah, I know. You will be getting a second security man for that. His name is Leo." Wlad says before closing the glass door.
I roll my eyes, "I'm with royal security men. I don't need Leo and Ralph. Ralph is just fine."
He sits next to me. "But the royal security men look out for Charlotte, not you. Leo will come with you."
I sigh. "Fine. Is that all?"
"No. Who is the man you came with on May the 9th? The security cameras showed you visited Char with a man by your side."
I gulp. Shit! "I-"
Suddenly Wladimir leans forward. "Because I asked Ralph but he didn't know him. So, I tried to look into him, using my resources. You want to know what I found?"
I don't think I want to know what he found. Because I think he found Oliver's secret and I don't want to hear it from Wlad. I want to hear it from Oliver. I lick my lips.
"Nothing. That's what I found. I bloody found nothing! And I don't know about you but the last time I couldn't find something on a guy, it turned out he was a Russian assassin hired by a Mexican mafia boss to kill your father!" Wlad hisses at me.
Oh, this isn't good. Oliver's not an assassin! He's not with me to get to my father! "He's not an assassin."
"Oh, how do you know?"
"He's one of the men I'm bedding."
"He's your fucking buddy." Wlad says stunned.
"Well, yes. His name is Oliver Rodriguez." I say with a shrug.
"And why can't I find him in any legal system of the whole world?"
"I don't know. He's Brazilian. Perhaps you should try your luck there." I say before rising from the chair. "I've got a plane to catch."
Wlad grabs my wrist. "Josephine, I suggest you rather stay away from him."
"And I suggest you mind your own business. He's not a threat to my father, me or our family. He has a decent job at a decent café. He makes honest money. No blood is sticking to his hands unlike Sasha's or even your's."
Wladimir's grey eyes widen.
"I know what you did when Della gave the Parkinson's cure to that Arabic man. I know you killed men, Wlad. But Oliver's not part of this blood work! He's a normal man with a normal income and a normal history. His father died seven years ago. But he still has a mother and two younger brothers named Maria, Caio and Johnathan. Do you want more?!" I hiss at him.
My brother-in-law shakes his head. "I'm just asking you to be careful."
"I'm always careful, Wlad. I've been raised to sleep with my eyes open and a knife in my hands. I can protect myself better than all of my siblings combined because I am the only one who really needs it. I got the hardest training so don't you dare preach me about being careful!" With that I storm out of his office. He's going nuts! He's just like my father! He sees a man around me and thinks all he wants to do is hurt me or the family! This is absolutely ridiculous! Oliver's not part of some secret agency or a mafia. He's no assassin. He's just a normal guy with a normal job!
How dare Wlad stick his nose into my life! I definitely need some Mexican sun and a good Mojito right now.
My black Jaguar stop at the tarmac. It's just started to rain, as it's typical for my hometown. Ralph gets out of the car first before opening my favourite umbrella, a Brellini. It has a double fabric, black on the outside and a stunning big pink peony on the inside. My Mum gifted us all that umbrella and I'm obsessed ever since I got it. It has lasted me over 10 years now.
Ralph opens the door and I step onto the wet tarmac. Charlotte's black Rolls Royce with a flag with her coat of arms is already standing there. Six other silver Mercedes are standing there. It seems like I am the last one to arrive.
Ralph hands me the Brellini, "I'm going to get your luggage into the airplane."
I nod and suddenly see a blonde man already opening the trunk of my black Jaguar. I don't like strangers touching my car. Ralph and he exchange a few words before the blonde man walks over to me.
"I'm Leo Williams." The man introduces himself. He has warm brown eyes and is wearing a black suit.
I shake his hand, "Only Ralph touches my car."
"I apologise. I didn't know."
"It better not happen another time."
"Does the same apply to your luggage?"
"No. Just the car." I tell him before turning on my heel. By now the rain has become significantly heavier I hope we can take off on time. I walk up the staircase that lead to the Airbus 380, a massive machine my family bought before I got born. But it's still in tip top shape, otherwise my father wouldn't allow me to fly with it. Three stewardesses and the pilot team greet me inside the plane. Two blondes and a brunette, the pilot team consists of a senior black haired pilot and a younger blonde pilot.
"Welcome on board. We're ready to take off in five minutes." The blonde says with a smile on her lips.
"Perfect. Am I the last one to arrive?" I ask her.
"Yes, but you're not too late. We're serving champagne and orange juice as soon as we can."
I nod before turning on my heel. Everything inside this Airbus 380 is custom made to my parents' wish. On commercial flights, the jet can hold up to 800 people. But they wanted it to be a lot more luxurious and therefore sacrificed a few seats: there's a spiral staircase that connects the plane's three floors, four family and VIP suits with full baths consisting of a double-size shower and heated marble floors, offices to work in, a conference room and a dining room. Just like with our smaller jet, we held the interior in beige leather and mahogany wood. The Airbus 380 can hold up to 200 people, which is very convenient when you're travelling with nine women and 25 security men. Most of them are here for all the Royals, but two are here for me. Charlotte might be the only one with a title but her great-cousins Louise, Savannah and Isla Philips as well as Mia and Lena Tindall are always travelling with security as well. It comes with being a member of the firm, no matter if you're working for it or not.
As I walk through the plane, I decide to have a good time in Mexico and not worry about Oliver.
Oliver
I unlock the door of the flat that I share with Finn - I mean, Nicolas - in Notting Hill. I haven't been here for a month. The flat seems so tiny in comparison to Josephine's penthouse. There's a kitchen nook with a tiny fridge and a sink. The living room with a couch and a tiny old telly is right next to the little nook. On the left side is my bedroom and down the hallway is Nicolas'. I walk over to my bedroom and open the door. There's a mattress laying on the floor with a blanket. A few of my old clothes are hanging on a clothing rack. That's all I have in there.
Suddenly, I hear the front door shutting close again.
I turn around and see Nicolas walking into the flat. He's wearing jeans and a white crisp Oxford shit.
"Hey, mate!" Nicolas greets me.
"Don't mate me." I hiss at him.
He gulps, "She told you."
"Yes, she told me about the lie you've been telling me ever since we met! I gave you a roof over your head when you claimed to be as poor as me. But in fact, you are a freaking Swedish Prince!"
"Well, did she also told you about the bank account that my parents froze? I'm bloody broke!"
"I gave you a fucking job! I asked her for a favour. I turned down the offer but handed it over to you instead!"
"And I thank you for that. Really, it's a great job. Pays well."
I shake my head in disgust. "I thought we were friends!"
"I haven't seen much of you in the last month. Actually, ever since you start fucking Josephine Bolton-"
My fist has hit his face before I even know what's going on. "Leave her out of this."
"She's bloody wrapped up into this mess! Can't you see? All of this started because of her!" Nicolas hisses and touches his nose. It's bleeding.
"She's a good person."
"She dragged you out of Notting Hill the second she could. She called me to threaten me!"
"She would never do that." I know Josephine. She would never threat anyone without a good reason.
"Look, I'm sorry for lying to you but I really am broke. I won't move back to Sweden."
"What did you fight about with your parents?"
"They arranged a marriage for me."
"What? Don't the Swedish Royals have pioneering roles when it comes to being modern?"
"Victoria, Madeleine and Carl Philip may have married out of love but that's just the most popular royals. Arranged marriages are still very much common within Royal circles."
"And you didn't want to marry a stranger?"
"No. So I took off to England. I haven't spoken to my parents in three years. They haven't contacted me and I haven't contacted them either."
"They casted you out." I mumble.
He nods, "Yes. Anyways, I'm really grateful for the job. It's going to give me a stable income. I can move out if you want."
I shake my head. "No, I'm not here nowadays anyway... Stay here."
"I hope we still can be friends and hangout some time. Perhaps with Jo?"
He calls her Jo?! "Yes, maybe you can come over for pizza and movies one night." I mumble. Josephine's still in Mexico until tomorrow but I'm not in the mood for company. "Do I have to bow or curtsy or something now?"
Nicolas shakes his head. "No. I still have my title but my parents have three other kids that can make them proud."
"So, you're definitely staying in London?" I ask him again.
"Yes."
Josephine
I roll over on my sun lounge and allow my backside to get sun kissed as well. We're in a tiny town called Akumal, the very same I was in with Rory and George before they got engaged, straight after the state funeral disaster. But today, I'm here with my best friend and five of her best friends as well as my big sister Ana. We booked the whole resort, so we have all the rooms of the six star hotel to ourselves. It has a private beach, so we could lay in the sun naked but we don't do it because of the security around us. We went snorkelling yesterday noon and somehow the paparazzi found our yacht. It took just ten minutes before we were surrounded by five boats and 25 paparazzi. Needless to say, it killed the mood. Today is our last full day here in Mexico before we fly home. I haven't called Oliver since the last time I saw him. Whatever I did wrong, he clearly still needs to cool down. But I have to say, I've never slept worse in my entire life.
"I want to go out tonight." Charlotte's voice fills my ears.
I open my eyes and turn my head to the side. She's 13 weeks along today. She'll be in her 17th week on her wedding day. Time has run by so fast. "Like a bar?"
She nods and I can hear Charlotte's great-cousins Louise, Savannah and Isla Philips as well as Mia and Lena Tindall having fun in the water. Pippa Winfields is laying next to Charlotte. The brunette woman is working as a model now after graduating from Oxford with us. Ana is getting us some alcohol free cocktails from the bar. We are in a six starred hotel and Ana still prefers to get up and get the drinks herself. "But you can't have any drinks. Where's the fun in going to a bar if you can't get drunk?"
"Yeah... But isn't it like a hen party must?"
"But we can't even play drinking games! Besides, we've done yoga this morning and had a brilliant breakfast afterwards. Hen parties don't just have to be about drinking and dancing the night away." I tell her.
"Hm... But I want to do something fun tonight. It's our last night in Mexico as we're flying home tomorrow morning."
I can't wait to get home again! Akumal was lots of fun, but London's even more fun. "I have a panting class booked for us in an hour. And this evening we will all get massages."
"I'm not a good painter, you know that."
"It's about the process, not the end result." Ana says as she comes back with our drinks. We're having virgin Mojitos.
"Exactly." I agree with my sister.
"But can't we do something crazy?! Like a stripper or... a tarot reading! Ana, you have a connection to that world."
"No. Charlotte, you do not want to mess with these kind of powers. You can't just call them with a telephone."
"Yeah but can't you give us some inside information? Tell us about our future a little bit? Read the palms of our hands?"
Ana chuckles, "It doesn't work like that. I can't read cards or palms. I see."
"Well, tell me what you see then!" Charlotte demands.
Ana shakes her head. "No, I'm sorry. I can't."
"You still got the issue?" I ask Ana.
My blonde sister nods, "I don't know what's causing it. It's weird."
"Is it worrying you?" Charlotte asks her.
"Yes. It's part of who I am. It feels like I'm missing something from myself." Ana says before laying down on the sun lounge next to me.
"What about your period?"
"Still hasn't come but I'm not worried. The tests were negative, so it's stress related."
"Pregnancy tests can be wrong sometimes." Charlotte narrows her navy eyes at my sister.
Ana's bright green eyes widen, "But not three."
"If they were taken at the same time, yes they could. Perhaps you should do one again when you're back home."
"Or better see Dr. Ross." I advice Ana.
"I don't have time for an appointment with Dr. Ross. I'm too involved with work."
"You better start making time, because to me it looks like you're pretty knocked up!" Char whispers to her.
Ana shakes her head. "No. I'll do another test when we're home but I won't book in an appointment with Dr. Ross."
"Ana, not getting your period is a serious issue. I shouldn't have to tell you this. I mean, you're the doctor. I suggest you call Dr. Ross and book in appointment as early as possible. We're set to land at 3:30 in the morning and I'm sure Dr. Ross would see you at half past six or seven. You can spend the hours with me or with Char at Kensington Palace. This is serious, Ana."
"Alright, fine! I'll book that bloody appointment but can we all shut up about it now and enjoy the last hours here?!"
Charlotte gives me a look before mouthing me "She's definitely pregnant."
"And we're definitely going out tonight. If this is my last day as a not-Mum than we better make it count."
Oliver
I take the zillionth look at my display. It's 5:30 a.m.. Her plane should have landed by now. She should have been already home. Where the hell is she? I tried calling her, but her mobile seems to be on airplane mode. I don't like this. I don't like this at all.
My thoughts have been running crazy in the last two hours. Ever since the clock hit 3:30 a.m. I am expecting her. But ten minutes passed by, 45 minutes... an hour... two hours and she's still not here. She's making me worried. Really worried.
And I can't even call anyone to get some information.
Before 3:30 all I could think of was my fear of her betraying me again as our last interaction wasn't really good. The last time she was gone with her sister, she fucked that Edward guy. The baby shower doesn't really count since there were no men there. There were no temptations.
But this time they flew to bloody Mexico! They enjoyed the hot sun with hundreds of horny men watching them! I've seen the paparazzi photos online! I've seen the way the women basked in the sun and went snorkelling in the turquoise coloured water. I saw them going out for a swim or chatting with men at the bar. I saw them-
Suddenly, the quiet ping of the lift fills the dead silence in her penthouse. My head shoots up and I stare at the hallway. I heard that ping to many times over the last hours. My mind is playing tricks on me. But then the automatic light switch switches on the lights and I can hear the rolls of a suitcase. I am not imagining it this time.
I get up from the couch in the living room and wait for her to walk down the hallway. I can hear how she slips out of her shoes before she finally appears out of the hallway.
She stops in her tracks as soon as she sees me. Her long chestnut waves are wrapped into a bun that's sitting in the nape of her neck. She's in a pair of wide jeans and a light grey cashmere sweater. Her icy blue eyes slowly transition into a vibrant cobalt blue as she feels what I feel. This strong magnetic pull that's been there from the moment we met. It made me sign the NDA and her prolong it from one night to 16 weeks. "Hi." I greet her with a smile on my lips.
She runs down the hallway with a longing gaze in her cobalt blue eyes. A second later she has jumped up and locked her ankles around my waist. Before I can react, her lips have sealed over mine.
I wrap my arms around her and hold her close as I return her kiss.
This is so different than from her trip to Paris. My fear was unreasonable. She didn't betray me. She didn't fuck another man after I exploded before the trip. She stayed faithful.
"I missed you." She whispers into my ear. Her breath is hot against my skin. Goosebumps start peppering my body. She missed me - and she admitted it towards me. I didn't have to push her to say that, she did it all on her own.
She's opening up towards me.
"I've missed you, too." I whisper back as I inhale her scent.
"Those three and a half days were torture." She mumbles before burying her nose in the nape of my neck. Her arms around my chest squeeze me softly.
Those words and this touch give me goosebumps and make my heart go haywire in my chest. It took her 6 weeks to be able to admit it and it feels bloody good to hear that from her. "I feel the same way."
She lifts her head and looks at me. Her eyes are sparkling in a cobalt blue shimmer. "I didn't mean to hurt you by buying that flat. I didn't mean to insult you or your pride."
She didn't hurt my pride. She hurt my heart. "I didn't mean to snap at you. I didn't mean to be gone for the whole night. I'm sorry if I worried you."
"You really did worry me." She admits before running her fingers through my hair. I missed her doing that. I missed her so fucking much. "Let's go upstairs. I'd like to watch the sunrise with you."
I nod, "What took you so long?"
"Our take-off got delayed a few minutes and then the wind wasn't really in our favour." She starts before intertwining her left fingers with mine.
"You had me really worried." I mumble as we walk up the staircase that leads to the rooftop garden.
"You don't have to worry about me when I'm around a Royal or up in the air with 25 security men."
I shouldn't but I still do. "Did you enjoy Mexico?"
She shrugs as we reach the door of the rooftop garden. "Charlotte enjoyed it and that's all that matters."
"You caught some sun." I notice as I take a closer look at her. She developed a tan over the last days.
"Before I took off to Mexico, my brother-in-law called me into his firm." Josephine starts as we sit down on the edge of her rooftop oasis. It's just as beautiful as the backyard of her older sister and her husband. There are bees flying around and butterflies coming and going constantly.
"The Prince of Romanov?" I ask her confused.
"No, Wlad. His security camera caught you and me when we visited Char."
Shit, her security-obsessed brother-in-law probably ran a background check on me! "And he wanted to know who I am."
"Yes. Apparently, his system couldn't find you anywhere. Not in Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa or America. That's why he asked me about you. He was worried you'd be putting me in danger."
Of course he was. "What did you say?"
"I gave him your name, your birth country and told him about your decent job without mentioning Luigi. I don't know what your big secret is, but you have to tell me sooner or later. The fact that Wlad couldn't find a birth certificate worries me as well, Oliver. You're no criminal, I know that."
"Thank you." My left fingers are intertwined with Josephine's, the woman who owns my heart. Her head is resting on my shoulder as we sit here in silence. There's no angry honk, no traffic sound... just peaceful silence.
Josephine looks at me for a moment before resting her head on my left shoulder. "This here is better than Akumal."
My pulse is humming in my ears. My time is running out. Her crazy brother-in-law is going to find out about my illegal status. Especially now, since Josephine gave him my name. I have to tell her. But at the same time I don't want to ruin this perfect moment. She admitted she missed me. She missed me! It would mean nothing with every other woman, but with Josephine it means everything! She's finally opening up to me and allowing herself to see it. She even confirmed we're in a relationship before I freaked out in the flat that she bought for me. We've come so far and I can't ruin it. I can't risk to loose her.
I sigh as our legs dangle down her castle that overlooks London, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The view is just too stunning! The sun starts to rise and we watch it dancing through the sky, slowly awakening the city in vibrant colours of red, orange, pink and lilac. The clouds turn into fluffy lilac pillows. It's so beautiful.
I can't believe she'd rather be here with me than sleeping in her bed. She just flew for ten hours, yet she chooses to be with me instead of being anywhere else.
It gives me the confidence boost that I needed.
"I love you, Josephine." I whisper out the words that have been sitting on my tongue ever since we met. "And I'm an illegal immigrant."
But to my surprise she stays quiet. She's not even lifting her head off of my shoulder. She didn't even wince at my love confession or got angry at my secret. Nothing.
I look down and see how the sunrise is getting reflected on her flawless skin. Her eyelids are closed and her chest is rising in regular intervals.
She fell asleep.
On my shoulder.
Before my love confession.
Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!
What do you think of Jo's birthday gift? How will she react to Oliver's confession?
Is Ana pregnant after all?
The next chapter will be about the wedding of Charlotte and Nate. How do you think Jo is going to react when she sees Edward Rothschild again?
Please review!
In gratitude,
Nicole