by Rye Hart
I hadn’t prepared for that. I had spent my life knowing that my father’s death would make me the King of Aramis, but I had no idea that he’d be around to see me take the crown. “When?”
“He’d like to do so within the next month.” My mother let out a long sigh. “I’ve tried to talk him out of it, but he says he’s much too tired. He’s sent for you, Enzo. He wants to tell you himself, and I don’t want you to try to talk him out of it. His mind is made up, and this is what will be. You will thank him and then begin the steps to prepare yourself for the throne. I’d start by giving some consideration to settling down.”
“You’re referring to me finding a wife? I’d think gaining a throne would be a big enough achievement for one year. I don’t see a reason to rush. Besides, I’ve got Esme to consider.” My mother tried her damnedest to keep a straight face when I mentioned my daughter, but the disdain was readable in her expression.
She hadn’t approved of my having a child out of wedlock and had wanted me to give her up to Sofie’s family after she passed away from a prescription drug overdose. Some still say it looked suspiciously like suicide, but I made sure that it wasn’t in her final report.
I’d only known Esme’s mother for a short time. She had been the daughter of a wealthy real estate owner, but all of her daddy’s money hadn’t brought her happiness. She’d turned to drugs a few different times in her life, and I’d met her during one of her last recoveries.
Things had looked promising, and the public didn’t mind her coming from common lineage until they found out she was a recovering drug addict, and then things started to turn for the worst fasting than ever. As much as I tried to help her, she’d always backtrack. The family did damage control, but I was adamant about seeing my daughter when I learned of Sofie’s pregnancy. I swore that I would be in her life no matter what.
Three years later, when we received news of her mother’s passing, I took Esme in and raised her as my own. She had me wrapped around her precious fingers, with her plump pale skin, big blue eyes and chestnut golden curls that went down to her back. She was just an innocent toddler when I took custody, and over the years her memories of her mother grew more and more hazy. I did my best to make up for it by telling her stories of the good things I remembered. The rest I had to make up. I wanted my Esme to have a good impression of her biological mother so that she wouldn’t be scarred by the pitiful truth.
“You should settle down with a nice young woman. Someone favorable in the eyes of the public. I’d suggest Bella Lora Rosa. She’s already won Aramis’ heart, and I know if you give her a chance, she could win yours,” my mother offered.
“I’m not convinced. She’s nothing more than another spoiled socialite. I’m not interested in her mother. I don’t need help finding women who are obsessed with my money or the throne. They are a dime a dozen”
“We can talk about this after you’ve seen your father. It might be a good idea if you keep Esme away for a while. I’m sure the stress of losing the King will only affect her studies.”
“She’s on her way now, and besides, I think she might like to see her grandfather before he passes away.” I made sure to remind her that my daughter was the King’s own flesh and blood. I did what I had to in efforts to have mother finally accept that she was Esme’s grandmother, like it or not.
“Isn’t that splendid?” Her eyes rolled back in her head as the sarcasm dripped from her tongue. “Your father needs your attention now, and you really won’t have time for her.”
“Well, perhaps you can spend some time—”
“I’m far too busy. My biggest priority is your father. What kind of wife would I be to focus on anything else? Perhaps you should find a caretaker for Esme to relieve yourself of the duties” She turned her nose up and looked down it at Lucas. “Maybe Lucas could help?”
“It will be fine mother. If I’m not ready for fatherhood after nine years, I can promise you I’m not ready to be King a month from now.”
My mother’s eyes narrowed, and she pulled her lips into a tight line. “You’ll do your duty to Aramis and its people. Now when you see your father, I do hope you have a better attitude.” She turned and walked out, and Lucas let out a long-held breath.
Waiting a thirty seconds after my mother left, “Well, there’s proof that you don’t’ need me to break your royal balls. On a serious note, if you need any help with Esme I’ve got you covered. I can take her out to ice-cream or something casual like fly her out to Disney World.”
“Thanks, Lucas. You’ve always been a good friend. A dick perhaps, a good friend indeed. I’ll keep your offer in mind. I’d better get ready. I don’t want to keep my father waiting.”
I headed to the bathroom to shower and twenty minutes later I was on my way out of the room to see the girl I’d been eagerly waiting for. Then Esme rounded the corner.
“Daddy!” She ran to hug me, and as her arms came around me, I lifted her up and gave her a bear hug. She had grown at least half a foot.
“What a greeting! You’re getting too grown up. I’m going to have to tie a brick to your head or hire a wizard to cast a spell to keep you little forever.” Where had the time gone? I stared into my daughter’s bright blue eyes and was met with a frown.
“I don’t want to be a little girl forever. I’m almost to my double-digits and then I want to be a fashion designer.”
Her matter-of-fact expressions had me biting my lips to keep from laughing. I knew better. She was in such a hurry to grow up and had already shown more interest in clothes than a sixteen-year-old fashionista.
“You’ll do it too, angel. You can be anything you wish for.”
Unless of course you’re the heir to the throne. Then you get to be King, and throw all other hopes and ambitions away.
Since becoming a father being an ungrateful prick was a part of my past, though even so, it was hard not to be bitter about my royal duties at times. It wasn’t as if I’d ever had a choice in life.
Believe it or not, I’ve often wished I could trade my status for that of a person living an ordinary life. Ordinary was what I desired most. Ordinary was what I wanted for Esme.
“I’ve got a big day planned for us angel, but first I need to do something if it’s alright with you. I’m going to go meet with your grandfather. He’s not feeling well and I’ll take you over to visit him in a few days. For now, if you want, Uncle Luke here can take you over to the kitchen for a little snack. I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
Her expression dimmed. It was the sweet puppy dog look that always got to me in the worst way.
“Come on, Esme. Let’s get you that snack and you can tell me all about private school.” He took her hand, and as she led him away, he looked over his shoulder mouthing you owe me one.
I headed into my father’s office, sure that the conversation was going to be one I’d remember for the rest of my life.
CHAPTER TWO - CINDY
“Girl, where are you?” My best friend, Patrick, who was always a bit dramatic hadn’t called my phone just to ask me that.
“On the moon; away from everyone where I can try to gather what’s left of my sanity.”
“Well, I have the perfect job for you if you want it, so you better come back down to earth.” Through the phone, I could hear the sounds of his kitchen as he banged around at work.
“What is it?” I had a feeling it was going to be waiting tables or strapping on a pair of dish gloves.
“Event coordinator. As in money, bitch! I’d tell you more, but you really need to get your sweet ass over here right now. I told Selena White that I had a friend and she wants to meet you today. I told her you’re eager, so don’t make me a liar.”
“I’m getting ready as we speak, keep talking and tell me more.” I put him on speaker phone and then got up and went to the bathroom mirror where I brushed my hair back into a sleek ponytail and then went to my closet for a crisp white shirt.
“Well, the head coordinator bail
ed on the sisters today, and they have three huge events coming up. I told them that you used to work for the Gold Standard as their coordinator, and the rest is me telling you to hurry up.” I could have sworn I heard him clap his hands to rush me along.
“Well, it’s been a while since I was in party planning, but I’m sure it’s like riding a bike, right?” He made a sound that had me regretting saying a word.
“No self-doubt. You’re one of the most confident and capable people I know, and you’ve got this.”
“Didn’t you say they are a couple of tyrants?” I’d heard so much about the two-sisters-turned-business-partners and I wracked my brain trying to figure out if any of it was a reason not to go for this job. He made another sound of frustration. “I think I used the word ‘eccentrics’, so there’s a slight difference.”
Twenty minutes later, I was dressed and ready to go. Patrick talked to me the whole way to my car, which was in a garage about half a block from where I lived.
“You’re going to want to impress Selena the most. Her sister, Emily, she’s a softie. She’s going to be a piece of cake, but Selena; she’ll be nice at first, professional, but she’s got a mean streak. If I thought you couldn’t handle them, I wouldn’t have recommended you.”
“Well, I’m glad you did. Living expenses are a bitch right now.” I’d needed a job badly. After the mess with Megan, my old roommate, I was in desperate times. Megan had left me in hot water when she moved out to be with her boyfriend and stuck me with the rent that I couldn’t afford.
“You could always stay with me if you needed, and I’m sure Edward wouldn’t mind. He loves to have company over and spent all of the last summer redoing the guest room.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, but I do prefer to have my own place.” I’d tried living with Patrick in college, and the two of us were so different that it didn’t work out. I was the quiet introvert, while he was the loud and crazy extrovert who was constantly bringing home strangers who sometimes stayed weeks at a time.
I got in my car and put the key in the ignition. “How do I get to White Linen from my side of town?” “I’ll text you the address, and you can use your GPS. Good luck, honey. Selena’s office is in the front, so you’ll have no problems finding them when you go in.”
“Thank you gorgeous! You’re the best!” I hung up, typed in the address, and then I was on my way.
Arriving at White Linen, I was relieved to find a nice parking lot close to the building’s main entrance. I’d had enough exercise and didn’t want to go in sweaty and out of breath.
“Don’t tell me how to run my fucking business, Lenny. You get my glassware back, or I’m coming down there to make a scene.” Selena’s voice filled the entire room as I walked in the door. Despite her boss’ shouting, the secretary glanced up over the tall counter with a wide smile.
“May I help you?” She kept the smile plastered on as Selena shouted a few more obscenities.
“I’m here to see Selena White. I don’t have an appointment, but—”
“Are you Patrick’s friend?” The woman asked, her brows raising even further to the top of her forehead.
“Yes, that’s me. I’m Cindy Peterson. I can come back if this is a bad time or day, or—”
“No, it’s fine. Have a seat, and I’ll go tell her that you’re here.” She didn’t wait for Selena to finish cracking skulls before she got up and went to the back where Selena’s door was open, and she stuck her head in.
After a moment, she came back and motioned me to follow her.
Luckily, the tirade had ended by the time I got to the back, and the secretary held the door open for me as I stepped into Selena’s office. I hadn’t expected her, but Emily White was there too. Everyone knew the White sisters. They’d been doing parties in the New York area for decades and had been part of high society since their childhood.
“Hello,” the two said in unison, as I walked in and took a seat. Emily, who sat next to me, extended her hand.
“You’re Patrick’s friend, Cindy?” She gave her sister an encouraging smile.
“Yes, I heard you need a new coordinator. I’d love the opportunity.”
“We have three weeks of galas coming,” said Selena with a much deeper voice than I’d expected. “We’re not usually in the habit of hiring someone without first putting them through the test and proper training, but since you’re so eager and you used to be employed at Gold Standard, I think we can give you a shot. You know, my sister and I started out at Gold Standard back in the day.”
“I wasn’t aware of that, how interesting. You have done very well for yourselves.” I didn’t know what to say and hoped I wouldn’t slip up and say something that might offend, so I decided it was best to say as little as possible.
“Were you there when they downsized?” Gold Standard had taken a big hit when White Linen became the first competitors to break their monopoly over the events industry, and I had been a casualty.
“Yes, I was in the last round of layoffs.” I had been one of the last cut because I was not making as much as the older coordinators.
Emily gave me a sideward glance. “You lasted a long time. Most were cut right away. You must have been a very good worker.”
“I did my best, and I’ll do my best for you.” I kept a smile on my face and breathed a sigh of relief once Selena passed me my employment papers.
“Sign these, and we’ll get you in the system. You’ll be coming in over a few heads, so I hope you know how to handle that kind of situation. Since you’re new, you’ll also be on a probation period. You screw up or piss me off in any way, and you’re out.”
Emily leaned forward and put a reassuring hand on my arm. “She means it, but you’ll do fine.”
I breathed a sigh of relief and was grateful for the job, but something told me Selena would not make things easy.
CHAPTER THREE - ENZO
My father was going to renounce his throne in a month, and until then I had some charity commitments to take care of in his absence. Luckily the largest charity gala series was taking place in New York where I kept one of my private estates. I could stay there, attend the events, and Esme would be out of the dull castle scene and away from mother’s scrutiny.
I’d had to get away from my mother, who after my father’s talk had made a point of inviting Bella Lora Rosa over for a visit. She wasn’t going to stop pushing her on me unless I found another woman that she approved of.
I hated leaving my daughter with the nanny to go out, but after a week of father daughter activities back home I gave myself permission to break away for an evening.
Lucas was in New York with me, and I’d promised him a guy’s night out. Besides, I knew the guy had an itch, and he’d do better getting it scratched at the club than cooped up in the house with me and Esme and the nanny.
“Are you ready?” Lucas strolled in as I was straightening my cuffs and sat in the chair beside my dressing mirror. “I want to get there before all the hot ladies are taken.”
I fought back the twitches at the corner of my mouth that were sure to turn into a smile. “Almost. I want to say goodbye to Esme before we go. She and Margarite are going to watch movies.”
“They’re already in the theater. I passed by on the way up. Looks like a chick flick fest is lined up and they even had out the nail polish.”
“At least Margarite will entertain her.”
“I would love to entertain Margarite.” Lucas took a deep breath that puffed up his chest like a strutting peacock.
I shook my head and grabbed my wallet. “I’ve told you, no banging the help, especially the nanny.”
“Yeah, but we wouldn’t have to go out. I’d bang Margarite, and you could spend quality time with you daughter in New York. It would be a win/win.”
I headed for the door with him behind me, and we went down to the theater room where I found Esme behind the snack counter, and the smell of the popcorn popping filled the air making my mouth water.
“Don’t eat a lot of junk, sweetheart.” I walked around the counter where Margarite was getting their drinks.
“I won’t. We need a restock of Junior Mints.” Those were her favorites and Lucas’ too.
“Sorry about that kiddo,” he said from behind me. “I got bored the last time I was here and watched a few movies; ate a few boxes.” She giggled and shook the last box in his face.
“Thanks for saving me some.” She took her drink from Margarite who went down to the middle of the small theater.
“Have a good time, sweetheart. I promise we’ll hangout again tomorrow; just the two of us.” I leaned down and hugged her, and she gave me a kiss and ran down to sit with Margarite.
“Have fun, Daddy. Please don’t make much noise on the way out.” She flashed me a big smile and a wink from her seat as Lucas cleared his throat.
I turned and gave him a narrowed glance as we headed to the car. “It seems the farther we get from Aramis, the more you forget that I’m in charge.” I’d never liked him to treat me like I was Prince of Aramis when it was just the two of us, and a teasing grin played around my mouth. The driver opened the door for us, giving me a graceful bow.
“I’m aware, Your Royal Pain in the Ass.” He belted a laugh as he slid into the seat.
I noticed the driver’s eyes widened at the seemingly disrespectful remark. “You should be drawn and quartered for that, you know.” I let out a long breath. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this. Especially with my mother breathing down my neck. She’s already been on the hunt for a wife, and I’m not sure I want to get married.”
“It might not be so bad, man. It could be good for Esme.” I couldn’t believe he was on my mother’s side and I gave him a withering look of disappointment. “Hear me out, I’m not saying you have to do what your mother wants and marry someone like Bella Lora, but you know how the public would prefer a king that’s settled down and not on the club scene every other night.”