Boys of King Academy

by Rose, Louise

  “Not at all.” Ivy came over and adjusted my dress, pulling it down a little at the front to show more cleavage. I pulled it back up again to where it was and Ivy tutted at me. “Don’t be bashful, Mills. You’ve got a beautiful figure. You should show it off more.”

  “I’m showing more than enough in this, thank you.” I was wearing a dark green wraparound dress which emphasised my figure. There was a slit up the front which revealed my thigh when I walked and it hugged my breasts to show them off without needing to expose too much of my cleavage. It was sexy but subtle and now that I could see myself in the full-length mirror on the door of my wardrobe, I was happy with the way I looked. I’d debated going to the hairdresser and getting a new haircut, but I’d decided against it in the end. I didn’t want Lucas to think I was making too much of an effort for him. Just because I’d agreed to go on a date didn’t mean I wanted him to think I was going to be an easy conquest. Not this time, anyway.

  “Lucas is going to love you in this,” said Ivy, as we went downstairs to wait for him to come pick me up. “He’s going to kick himself for disappearing on you all those years ago. Has he said why he did that?”

  “No.” I shook my head. “I’m planning on asking him about it tonight. If he’s serious about us building a relationship, he’s got to stop being the man of mystery he seems to love being.”

  “Yeah, Lucas always did have things he kept to himself.” Ivy went over to the fridge and pulled out the bottle of champagne she’d brought over. “But people can change and maybe he’s ready to be a grown up now.”

  “We can hope!”

  Ivy poured a glass of champagne for both us and passed one to me. “I figured we should celebrate your first date in forever. Even if it doesn’t work out, I’m proud of you for finally getting yourself out there. I know you’ve been focused on Amber for the past few years, but it’s about time you put yourself first. If it doesn’t work out with Lucas, don’t let this be the last date you go on, okay? There are plenty of eligible bachelors out there who’d love to get to know you better.”

  “I don’t know.” I sipped at my champagne, the alcohol giving me a little buzz and taking the edge off my nerves. “If it was anyone else, I wouldn’t be going out tonight. I mean, Nigel’s asked me out so many times I’ve lost count and I’ve always said no, even though he seems like a perfectly nice guy. I don’t really want the complication of a man in my life. Amber and I are fine just the two of us.”

  “Poor Nigel.” Ivy sighed. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He really likes you. How do you think he’s going to react when he finds out you’re dating the head?”

  “I hadn’t thought about it.” My stomach clenched with nerves when I realised that some people might think I had an ulterior motive for dating Lucas. Nobody knew he was the father of my daughter. What if they thought I was seeing him because I was trying to further my career? “Do you think he’s going to be upset? I don’t want to hurt him. He’s been such a good friend to me over the years.”

  “If he’s really your friend, he’ll be happy for you.” Ivy shrugged. “You’re entitled to a love life and you can see whoever you want.”

  “Mummy, you look beautiful!” Amber came running into the room, practically throwing herself into my arms. I had to jerk my arm up to stop myself from spilling champagne all over my dress.

  “What are you doing down here?” I scolded. “You’re meant to be in bed. I already read your story.”

  “I’m not sleepy,” Amber protested. “I wanted to see Daddy when he got here. I wanted to give him the picture I made for him at nursery.”

  “You can give it to him on Saturday,” I told her. “Go back to bed.”

  Amber looked like she was going to argue, but Ivy scooped her up.

  “Come on, Amber. You’re going to be a good girl for Auntie Ivy, aren’t you?” she said, starting to carry her out of the room. However, the doorbell rang and Amber wriggled out of Ivy’s arms and ran over to open the door.

  “Amber!” I raced after her, but she’d already pulled open the door to reveal a delivery driver with a package. I grabbed Amber’s arm to stop her running outside to look for Lucas, took the package and shut the door. “How many times do I have to tell you not to open the door?” I hadn’t telling Amber off, but as the daughter of the Knight heir, she was a prime target for being kidnapped and I’d drummed it into her that there were things she couldn’t do so I could keep her safe. “What if there had been a bad man waiting there?”

  “I thought it was Daddy.” Amber started crying. Normally that would have been enough to soften me, but I was nervous about the date, stressed about Amber’s behaviour and not in the mood to deal with a fractious four-year-old who should have been in bed.

  “Okay, Amber. Why don’t you let Auntie Ivy read you another bedtime story?” Ivy came to my rescue, picking up Amber and taking her off to her room.

  I went back to the kitchen where I’d left my champagne and finished off the glass in one go. My hands were shaking as I set the flute back down on the side. Until now, I hadn’t realised just how nervous I was about the date. I knew I wouldn’t have shouted at Amber like that normally. Sure, I would have told her off for answering the door when she knew better, but I would have taken the time to explain to her why she needed to be more careful instead of trying to scare her into behaving.

  Lucas was changing my world already and not for the better it would seem.

  I debated pouring myself more champagne but decided against it. I needed to keep a clear head for this date if I was going to figure out what was really going on with Lucas, because I couldn’t believe that this was just a normal date. Lucas always had an ulterior motive for what he did and I was going to figure it out. If Lucas thought he could play me, he was going to discover that there were two of us in this game and I was going to win.

  “She’s back in bed, although she’s not happy about it.” Ivy came in to join me. Seeing my empty glass, she picked up the champagne bottle to refill it.

  “No.” I shook my head and put my hand over the glass. “I’d better not. Lucas is going to wine and dine me, remember? It’s probably best if I don’t start the night out tipsy already.”

  “Fair enough.” Ivy topped up her own glass and we went back to sit in the lounge. “You know it’s okay to let your hair down once in a while, Mills? It is okay to enjoy yourself every now and then.”

  “I know,” I said. “And I’m going on this date, aren’t I?”

  “You are, but I want you to be sure you actually have fun while you’re out, even if you decide you don’t want to have a relationship with Lucas.”

  “I’ll do my best,” I promised. “But it’s all going to depend on Lucas, isn’t it? Until I know what he’s planning, I can’t let down my guard.”

  “Maybe he’s just planning on spending some time with a beautiful woman,” Ivy pointed out. “Maybe he wants to get to know the mother of his child a little better. Heck, Mills, maybe he just likes you. Have you thought about that?”

  “Nobody ‘just likes me.’”

  “That’s not true,” Ivy said. “Nigel does or he wouldn’t be okay about the fact you keep knocking him back. I know there were plenty of guys who would love to date you, but they don’t even register on your radar. You’re beautiful, Milly. If you could see yourself the way others see you, you’d realise that you have plenty of choices if you wanted to get out into the world of dating.”

  “If you say so.”

  It was a discussion we’d had plenty of times, but I was saved from having to repeat myself by a knock at the door.

  I went to answer. This time, it actually was Lucas. His grey eyes lit up as he looked me up and down before handing me a large bouquet of red roses.

  “Thank you, Lucas. They’re lovely. Do you want to come in for a moment while I put them in water?”

  I turned and walked off to the kitchen without waiting for his reply.

  “Hi Lucas.” Ivy wiggled her f
ingers at her ex-husband in a little wave as he followed me into the kitchen.

  “Hey, Ivy. Long time, no see. How are you doing?”

  “Good, good, thanks.”

  “I hear that you’ve really revolutionised this town, dragged it kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century.”

  “Someone had to.” Ivy shrugged modestly. “I might not be the leader of House Archaic my father wanted me to be, but I’m the leader the House needs if it’s going to evolve and grow.”

  “Well, I’ve heard nothing but praise for you,” Lucas told her. “And I’m glad. You deserve some happiness in your life. And what about Declan, Archer, and Romy? How are they doing?”

  Was it my imagination, or was there a slight catch in his voice when he mentioned my brother?

  “They’re good,” Ivy replied. “We have a little boy now. Louis.”

  “So I heard.” If Lucas had any issue with Ivy’s unconventional relationship, he didn’t let on, as she pulled out her phone to show off some photos of her son. I know that Lucas had hoped their arranged marriage would work out, but he had underestimated the power of her feelings for the three men she lived with. Ivy had a lot of love to give, but no room in her heart for Lucas and when he realised there was no hope for the two of them, he’d been happy to sign the documents annulling their marriage. Even so, there was a part of me that wondered whether Lucas had really been looking for me that night in the club which had resulted in Amber. I knew my best friend was prettier than me, a better House leader than me, a better catch than me. Of course Lucas would rather have been with her than me.

  “You seem lost in thought,” said Lucas, bringing me back down to earth. “Everything okay?”

  I shook my head to shake away the negativity. “Yes, fine. Shall we get going?”

  “Absolutely. Lovely to see you again, Ivy.”

  “Likewise.” Lucas waved goodbye to Ivy before offering me his arm to escort me out to where his driver was waiting for us. The driver opened the door to the back of a stretch limo and I climbed in to find strawberries and champagne laid out.

  “I thought we should start the evening with a celebration,” Lucas said, as he followed me into the limo and sat next to me. “I’ve thought about you a lot over the years. You have no idea how happy I am that you’ve agreed to come out with me. This is a new beginning, for both of us.”

  He popped open a bottle of champagne, expertly keeping hold of the cork so it didn’t go shooting off in a random direction. He poured out my second glass of champagne of the night and popped a strawberry into it before passing it to me. He did the same for himself then raised his glass.

  “To new beginnings.”

  “New beginnings,” I echoed, as we knocked our glasses together and took a large sip of champagne.

  “I have to say, you look amazing, Milly,” Lucas said, once again looking me up and down. “You’re like a fine wine, only getting better with age. Clearly, motherhood suits you.”

  “Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

  It was true. Lucas had always been attractive, but now he was approaching thirty, he was really coming into his own. He seemed larger, but the line of his suit showed off a body that was well defined as if he’d been working out a lot, filling out the wiry frame he’d had when we were at school together. He’d cut off his pony tail and the shorter cut really suited him, showing off his rugged jawline and fine features. His grey eyes were as intense as ever, and as our eyes met over the champagne glasses, I sensed a promise in them. Whether it was of a single night of passion or something more remained to be seen.

  We made small talk until the limo pulled up outside the Taj Mahal, a high-end Indian restaurant on the other side of town. Although the place was usually packed out, thanks to the amazing food they served, we walked in to a completely empty room.

  “I figured we could use some privacy,” Lucas explained, “so, I booked every table.”

  Typical Lucas, I thought. Always has to make some kind of grand gesture when just being himself would be more than enough.

  The head waiter, Dave, stepped forward to welcome us. I’d eaten here enough times that I knew all the staff and Dave was a sweetheart.

  “Lovely to see you, Ivy,” he beamed. “I had no idea you would be accompanying Mr Donatello this evening. Would you like your favourite table tonight? As you can tell, you can choose to sit wherever you like.”

  “Could we sit somewhere at the back, please, Dave?” I requested. Usually, I liked to sit by the window and people watch the passers-by, but although I knew I couldn’t keep news of my date quiet for long, I wanted to keep things discrete for as long as possible.

  “Of course, Ivy. Follow me.” Dave made a little bow with his head and led us through the restaurant and out to a raised section in the back. He gestured to a small table tucked away behind a pillar and I gratefully took a seat where no one would be able to see me from outside. Dave lit the candle in the middle of the table and gave us both a menu.

  “Would you like something to drink?” he asked.

  Lucas nodded to me to choose.

  “Could we get a bottle of red?” I said.

  “Of course.” Dave did his little bow again and went off to fetch the wine, as Lucas started to examine the menu. I didn’t bother – I’d eaten here enough that I knew what I wanted.

  “I can’t decide between the lababdar chicken or the prawn pachranga,” he said.

  “Go with the chicken,” I advised. “I’m having the chicken razzala. Their chicken is always divine – it just melts in your mouth.”

  “Chicken it is, then.”

  Dave came back with our wine. He poured it out for us, took our orders and left us on our own again.

  “So, how are you finding it as head of the Academy?” I asked.

  “Interesting,” Lucas replied. “You think you know what to expect, but the Academy’s unlike any other place I’ve ever worked.”

  “If you don’t mind me asking, how did you end up in teaching? You never spoke about wanting to go into teaching and I had no idea this was what you wanted to do. I thought you were going to go into the Donatello family business and continue making more millions.”

  Lucas laughed, a little embarrassed. “It’s a bit of a long story.”

  “That’s okay. We’ve got all night.” Intrigued, I picked up my wine glass and settled back in my chair, making it clear that I wanted to hear the story of how he ended up as head.

  “After everything fell to pieces with Ivy, I did take up the position of CEO of Donatello Holdings,” Lucas told me. “I mean, there was no reason for me to stay round here if I wasn’t with Ivy and given what happened to Solomon, I figured it was better if I made myself scarce for a while. It turned out that I have a really good head for business and under my leadership, the company went from strength to strength until it was practically running on autopilot.

  “But something was missing. Sure, making lots of money is great, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted something more fulfilling. With all my money, I could have done anything, so in the end, I decided to set up my own Academy in Italy. We award scholarships to gifted children from deprived backgrounds who would benefit from a private education and it wasn’t long before the Academy was inundated with applications. Not only did we give a first-class education to all our students, those which showed promise were given positions within Donatello Holdings, helping to grow the business with dedicated young talent.”

  “But didn’t you need to go to university to qualify as a teacher to do that?”

  “Not when it’s my own school.” Lucas shook his head. “Private institutions can set their own rules.”

  “So that’s how you got the head position at King Academy?” I asked. “Despite your lack of experience?”

  “That’s right,” Lucas confirmed. “Although they advertised for someone with more experience than me, when they saw the results I’d achieved at the Donatello Academy, as well as the fact that I was a
former pupil myself, the Board decided to take a chance on me.”

  “And you didn’t have to bribe your way into the role?”

  Lucas had the good grace to look embarrassed. “I may have made a generous donation when I applied for the position.”

  “Jenny must absolutely hate you,” I said. “I bet if you hadn’t done that, she’d have been given the job, so I suppose I should be grateful.”

  Lucas leaned forward. “Between you and me, Jenny didn’t stand a chance. Even if she was the only applicant, the Board would have found someone, anyone, to take her place. They thought she would step up if they gave her a chance, but Jenny managed to alienate just about every single member of staff.”

  “You got that right.” I snorted.

  “Two valuable teachers had already resigned because they didn’t want to work with her and they wouldn’t wait for her replacement to arrive,” Lucas said. “The Board didn’t want to risk losing anyone else and face having to find an entire staff at short notice. So, when I showed up, they were practically falling over themselves in relief. Jenny wasn’t happy, but I pulled a few strings and got her a headship down south. Who knows? Maybe the change of scenery will inspire her to do better.”

  “It would be nice to think so, but something tells me she’ll continue to be her annoying self,” I said.

  Lucas shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter if she does. She’s someone else’s problem now.”

  Dave came up to us with our starters.

  “One hot butter devilled shrimps for the lady.” Dave put my plate in front of me. “And a spicy squid for the gentleman. Enjoy!”

  He bowed and backed away, leaving us to enjoy our meal. One bite, and Lucas closed his eyes, moaning with pleasure.

  “Jeez, that’s good,” he said. “If this place had been open when I was living here, maybe I would have stuck around for the food.”

  “Yeah, Dinesh, the chef, is amazing,” I said. “Apparently she used to cook for her family and never considered cooking professionally. But when Ivy was holding an event, her caterers let her down at the last minute. She couldn’t find anyone at such short notice, but one of her secretaries suggested she contact her aunt and ask if she could come in. Dinesh was that aunt and she managed to work miracles with what Ivy had in her kitchen. When the night was over, Ivy insisted that Dinesh should go pro so that more people could experience her food. Dinesh’s children were all grown up by that point and she’d been feeling at a loose end, so when Ivy offered to invest in a restaurant for her, Dinesh agreed. Ivy’s still a silent partner in the business, but she lets Dinesh handle everything. Although most restaurants go bust within the first couple of years, this place has gone from strength to strength. People travel for miles to eat here and they’re usually booked solid for weeks. They always set aside a table for Ivy, and she lets me use it when I want to come here. Not that I go out all that much. I usually get a takeaway and eat at home with Amber.”