by Marian Tee
Stavros stiffened.
Willow gasped.
But that only made Ingrid press her breasts harder against Stavros’ chest.
“Stop it!”
Only when Willow actually made a move to disengage them from each other did Stavros recover from his shock, and he immediately swung Ingrid back into the room.
While Ingrid was not the first woman to pull this kind of stunt on him, nudity in public was a criminal offense in Contini, and he didn’t want the royal family involved in such a scandal because of his choice of bedmate.
Willow’s hands fell against her sides at Stavros’ sudden movement. Did he just stop her from separating them? Did he actually want Ingrid that much?
When Stavros managed to get Ingrid’s mouth off him, he told Willow curtly, “For Willem’s sake, I hope you don’t tell anyone about this.”
And then he slammed the door in her face.
A moment later, and she started to hear it.
Again.
That sound.
Fumbling for her earbuds, she quickly jammed them into place, hoping to protect herself in time, but she was too late.
The moanaholic was back.
Shiiiiiiiiit.
She hurried away, but the sound haunted her. She spied a waste bin in the corner of the second floor landing and threw the empty cups inside.
Shiiiiiiiiit.
She could still hear the Dutch shit moaning in her ears.
Shiiiiiiiiit.
Before she knew it, she was throwing up all the coffee she had forced herself to drink. When it was over, she wiped her mouth and, closing her eyes, she leaned weakly against the wall, feeling completely spent.
Stavros, you Greek shit. I’m going to make you pay for this. But even as she continued talking to Stavros in her mind, the part of her that still believed in them having a future together kept getting smaller and smaller.
Chapter Five
“Good morning, Serenity.”
A suspicious look entered Serenity’s eyes as she spied Willow Somerset waving at her from one of the benches parked around the fountain in the palace’s courtyard. Since it was only four thirty in the morning, Serenity was grudgingly impressed by the other woman’s punctuality.
“Good morning, Ms. Somerset.”
Willow said pleasantly, “Please call me Willow.”
Serenity said equally pleasantly, “Please call me Ms. Raleigh.” Upon reaching Willow, she frowned, murmuring, “You look…unwell, Ms. Somerset.”
Of course she did. Stavros had virtually kicked her out of his room so he could keep fucking his Dutch shit. But out loud, Willow only said brightly, “You, on the other hand, look perfect.”
Serenity simply nodded. “Sarcasm becomes you, Ms. Somerset. Shall we go?” She turned around and started walking, obviously not planning to wait for her answer.
As she got up from the bench, Willow mentally threw her hands up in surrender. There was just no thawing the snow princess. While she did her best to keep up with Serenity’s long-legged stride, she tried her best not to grit her teeth at the girl’s slender perfection. Normally, seeing skinny people didn’t make her feel shitty, but she was still smarting at being called a fat cow.
Fat cow, ha. If she was a cow, then could she munch on Ingrid? Willow just had to paint her green and the other woman could pass as a stick of grass. No, make that weed. Munching on Ingrid would be a horrendously unhealthy and dry habit—
“Are you listening, Ms. Somerset?” Pausing, the intern glanced back at Willow over her shoulder.
Shiiiiiiiit. Taking her notepad and pen out from her bag, Willow asked the first question that popped into her mind just to avoid a freezing lecture. “Why do we have to start so early today?”
Serenity blinked.
This time, Willow’s teeth did grind against each other. Goddammit, even those blonde lashes were long and perfect! Life was unfair.
“Has Mr. de Konigh not informed you?” Serenity asked.
“Would I ask if he did?” She regretted her snippy tone the moment the words came out, knowing that she was unfairly taking her resentment out on Serenity. “I’m sorry.”
“No offense taken, Ms. Somerset.” Hesitation flickered in her eyes, making her temporarily appear more human than blonde robot. “About last night…” Hesitation turned into disconcertment. “May I apologize on Mr. de Konigh’s behalf? There were no other rooms available for Mr. Manolis except the one in your floor.”
Ah. Serenity knew about it, too, then. Willow summoned a stiff smile. “It was bound to happen. You guys have nothing to apologize for. It’s not your fault, anyway, that I fell in love with a…” With what? A man who had been cursed with the world’s most evil parents? A man who had been hurt too many times? A man who was made to believe he had been betrayed?
She just couldn’t think of anything bad to say about the man she loved.
The same man who could still be fucking another woman right this moment.
The thought crippled her, and Willow desperately glanced about her, hoping for something else to talk about. “Do all those belong to the royal family?” She pointed towards the sea, where white sails billowed gently in the wind.
After a slight pause, Serenity answered, “No. Those are actually the sailboats for today’s race.” The lack of inflection in the intern’s voice made Willow relax. Thank God robots weren’t programmed to be curious.
“It’s actually why we needed to schedule the second part of your tour early,” Serenity explained. “Mr. de Konigh thought you’d like to view the race and see how the rest of the royal family interact with the wealthier set of their constituents.”
The offer was a pleasant surprise, and she said sincerely, “I’d love that. Will you and Mr. de Konigh be attending, too?”
Serenity nodded. “One of the princes – Mr. de Konigh’s cousin – will be racing, but Mr. de Konigh himself never takes part as a competitor. His role is purely organizational and we’ll be on his yacht, where the VIPs will be viewing the race.” A pause. “Mr. Manolis has also been invited to the race as well as Ms. Mendel.”
“I see.” Her two favorite words as of today.
Serenity said briskly, “Shall we continue with the tour?” This time, the intern walked even faster than usual, and it was almost as if the intern was helping Willow outrun her misery. It mostly worked, since Willow was too busy huffing and puffing between jotting down notes to think about Stavros and what he was doing.
Today’s tour focused on the palace’s north wing, which was where all the communal areas were located. They finished at a quarter past seven, with Serenity giving her half an hour to change and prepare whatever she needed for the race.
“I’ll only need ten,” she promised.
“How impressive,” the blonde robot said politely.
Still no thaw in sight, Willow thought as she raced back to the west wing. The moment she reached her floor, her heart started beating hard, and a bubble of hysterical laughter threatened to escape her lips.
God, the way she was acting, it was almost like she was about to enter a haunted house.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
She pressed a hand to her heart as she passed Stavros’ room. A large part of her expected to hear it any second, some undesirable sound that indicated they weren’t…finished.
No sound emerged, but even so, her heart kept beating madly, and Willow was only able to stop holding her breath when she got to her room and practically collapsed against the door.
Her eyes squeezed shut.
Stavros, you goddamn owe me for this.
This time she couldn’t stop it, a bubble of hysterical laughter slipping past her lips.
****
A prompt ten minutes later, Willow hurried down the palace’s private boardwalk. She caught sight of Willem de Konigh first, dressed with his usual impeccable elegance in a white shirt and chinos. He stood next to a plank walk that led to what Willow assumed was his yacht, a magnificent white
beauty with his family name shining brilliantly in gold letters on the side. He was talking to someone on the phone while Serenity waited behind him. A light breeze made the intern’s pretty blonde locks dance behind her back. The younger woman had changed into a navy blue dress with a cute white collar and a striped skirt.
Sailor Barbie in life, Willow thought grumpily. She was about to call out to the intern when Serenity turned towards her employer, and what Willow saw on the girl’s face made her lips form an ‘O’ of surprise.
She knew that look.
She knew because Willow saw it on her own face whenever she looked in the mirror and thought about Stavros.
That look was of a girl hopelessly in love.
“Shit.” The expletive slipped out of her, and both Willem and Serenity turned towards her. Something on Willow’s face might have given her thoughts away because Serenity suddenly appeared horrified.
Meeting her halfway, Serenity said tightly, “Please don’t tell him.”
Before Willow could answer, Willem asked from behind, “Don’t tell whom what, Serenity?” Sliding his phone back into his pocket, the Dutch prince gave them a curious glance.
A frozen look of horror appeared on Serenity’s face.
Willow hurriedly pitched in, “It’s about yesterday’s run in, sir.”
“Ah.” Willem’s lips compressed. “That was unfortunate. I’m sure my intern has already apologized on my behalf, but I’d like to say sorry all the same.”
“You have nothing to apologize for, sir.” Willow wasn’t surprised that her new boss knew about it at well. Based on her research, Willem de Konigh was the most security-conscious among his family and was rather infamous for the way he strictly monitored every member of his clan. It was also rumored to extend to his employees, something she was beginning to experience for herself.
“I had thought about warning you and Stavros,” Willem continued, “but in the end, it was your private business. Interference of any kind would have set an unwanted precedent and may make other individuals in my employ harbor erroneous assumptions.”
Willow was blinking in awe by the time Willem finished. All that just to say that her personal shit was not to interfere with work? She said sincerely, “You really are the smoothest-talking bastard in the world.” A lot of newspapers had referred to him that way when quoting analysts, and now she had seen it for herself.
“Thank you, I think,” Willem answered dryly. Raising a brow at Serenity, he asked, “Now, what was it that you didn’t want Ms. Somerset to say to whom?”
Shiiiiit.
This man was definitely not to be underestimated. Thinking hastily, Willow said, “It’s nothing serious, Mr. de Konigh. Your PA was just afraid you’re going to fire me if you learn the truth.”
Gesturing for them to precede him in boarding the yacht, Willem questioned, “And the truth is?”
Beside her, Willow heard Serenity hold her breath. She said baldly, “I want to kill Ingrid Mendel.”
Serenity tripped at her answer, but fortunately their employer was there to catch her. Willow watched the two intently and was beyond impressed at the way Serenity was able to keep her composure even after the guy she was in love with had touched her all of a sudden. If she had been in the other girl’s shoes, she would have completely given herself away in the first five seconds alone.
Willem was frowning. “It’s those shoes.” His tone was coldly disapproving. “You shouldn’t be wearing such high heels.”
“They are new,” Serenity acknowledged, “but I hope to master them in a week’s time.”
“It’s a safety hazard, that’s what it is,” Willem muttered. “I don’t even know why you’re wearing them. You used to hate heels.”
Serenity tactfully changed the subject, glancing at Willow as she asked, “Ms. Somerset, will I need to pose additional security around Ms. Mendel?”
Her jaw dropped. Was that a joke? She tested the waters, saying, “How about you pose additional security around Stavros to keep Ingrid Mendel away from him, and I can guarantee everyone’s safety on board?”
Serenity deadpanned, “It’s a deal, Ms. Somerset.”
Oh my God, blonde robots knew how to joke!
The words again escaped Willow before she could stop them.
Shiiiiiit.
But instead of firing her, Willem only released a rare bark of laughter. “I’m glad you two get along well. Most others tend to hate Serenity for being perfect.”
“Yeah, well, she kinda grows on you after some time,” Willow said.
Willem laughed again, but Serenity only cocked her head to the side. “How generous, Ms. Somerset.”
Willem checked his watch. “The guests should be arriving anytime now. Show her the ropes, will you, Sere?”
“Ms. Raleigh, please, and of course, Mr. de Konigh.”
When Willem had left them alone, Serenity said immediately, “Don’t.”
“I haven’t even said anything.” But Willow couldn’t stop herself from grinning.
“Just please don’t.”
“Serenity looooooves her boss,” Willow sang. “There. I got it out of my system now.” But it was too late, the younger girl leaving her, and Willow laughingly went after her. “Sorry, I won’t say it again, I promise.”
Serenity didn’t answer, only quickening her steps as she made her way below deck.
Following behind her, Willow asked eagerly, “Can I include you in the biography? I won’t even mention your name. It will be like a blind item, and the readers are going to love it.” She was virtually rubbing her hands in glee at the idea and mentally counting book sales. New York Times, here I come again.
As they entered the yacht’s state-of-the-art kitchen, Serenity looked at Willow over her shoulder. She said with a smile, “No.”
Willow groaned. “But the readers are really going to love it.”
“You are so money-oriented, Ms. Somerset.”
The words were probably meant to be an insult, but they only served to heighten Willow’s admiration. “How do you do that?”
In the act of taking out wine glasses from the overhead cabinet, Serenity paused and looked at her in bemusement. “Do what, Ms. Somerset? Take out glasses from the cabinet?”
Willow smirked. “That. Sound so musical and feminine even when you’re insulting me?”
Serenity blinked again. “I did not insult you, Ms. Somerset.”
“Oh my. You lie so prettily, too.”
Serenity stared at her. Willow stared back. A moment later, and the ice cracked on Serenity’s beautiful face.
Willow’s eyes widened. “Blonde robots can smile, too?” And it was a smile, albeit small and overly cautious.
The smile disappeared, and Serenity asked, “Shall I start with the overview of today’s tasks?”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
“It’s Ms. Raleigh,” Serenity reminded.
“Captain Ms. Raleigh,” Willow returned.
The ice cracked even more, and as they worked side by side, Serenity patiently giving her as much instruction as she needed, the ice gradually disappeared, leaving behind an extraordinarily beautiful girl with an even more extraordinarily beautiful smile.
As they prepared another tray of cocktails to offer to the growing number of guests above deck, Serenity suddenly blurted out, “I wish I could be more like you.”
Willow gaped. “Are you serious?”
The younger woman nodded, seriously.
“Then you’re crazy,” Willow said flatly. Waiters had come into the kitchen and as she handed one of them her tray of cocktails, she told Serenity, “I should be more like you.”
Serenity shook her head. “Trust me, Ms. Somerset. You don’t want to be me. If you were me, then the man you love will be as indifferent to you as…” Serenity’s words stumbled to a stop.
Willow said gently, “You don’t know if he really is—”
Serenity’s lip curled in self-loathing. “I’ve known him my whole
life, Ms. Somerset.” As they moved to arranging a new batch of amuse bouche on the tray, she said quietly, “Trust me when I say he’s indifferent to me.” A pause. “I try not to take it too personally, though. Mr. de Konigh tends to be indifferent with just about everyone except his siblings.”
The younger girl spoke with such casual disregard that if Willow didn’t know how good Serenity was at bluffing, she would have been fooled into thinking Willem de Konigh’s indifference didn’t hurt.
“I’m sorry.” It was the only thing Willow could think of saying.
“Like you said earlier, there’s nothing to apologize for. His indifference isn’t your fault. It’s…mine. My fault he’s feeling the opposite of—” A flush overcame her cheeks as Serenity forced the word out. “Love.”
Willow flinched at the unspoken hurt underlining Serenity’s words. “Hey, don’t give up yet. There’s always a chance—”
“I don’t have a chance, but you do, Ms. Somerset.”
Willow laughed. “Of course I do.” She tried her damnedest not to sound bitter but failed.
Serenity nodded emphatically. “I saw you yesterday with Mr. Manolis, and…” Her voice turned flat. “You were too nice. You were too proper. You were too much like me, in a nutshell, and if you keep being like that, you’re just making it easier and easier for Mr. Manolis to keep you at a distance.”
Waiters came back inside again, preventing Willow from answering. For a few minutes, they quietly attended to their tasks, making sure that all cocktails and drinks were served according to Willem de Konigh’s exacting standards.
When they were left alone again, Willow heard herself ask, “What exactly are you suggesting?”
Serenity said simply, “If you can’t make him love you, make him hate you instead. At least that way, you’d still be in his mind.”
For a moment, all Willow could do was stare. The advice sounded so crazy it might just work.