by Holt, Layla
Jaime answered without missing a beat. As if it was something he’d been thinking about. “Half and half.”
“Makes sense,” Ariana said, her voice coming out breathlessly. She inhaled deeply and exhaled.
The thought that her and Jaime could be permanent was as intoxicating as it was frightening. But she would not think about that. She would flow with it as Jaime had suggested. No pressure.
“Tell me something I don’t know about you,” Jaime said.
Ariana laughed. “Easy. I used to paint.”
Jaime stared at her incredulously. “You did? That’s great. I attended an Art class for a short time and it was loads of fun but one thing was clear. That wasn’t the area in which I was gifted.”
Ariana laughed. She tried to imagine Jaime in an art class and failed. “What made you sign up?”
“My brother Lance made us all sign up because his wife’s aunt had classes and no students. He made all us brothers as well as my sisters-in-law join the class.” Jaime shook his head. “The things we do for love.”
Ariana laughed. “It sounds so much fun to come from a large family. I plan on having many kids.”
Jaime cocked his head. “How many?”
“Don’t laugh. Five.”
Jaime’s eyes widened. “One more than my parents. I have to say, having a large family has its appeal. The support is awesome.”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Ariana said, thinking about her dad. They were the Royal family and had quite a large extended family, but when it came to her father’s coma, sometimes she felt as if they were all alone.
As if the rest if the country had moved on and forgotten about him. If she had more siblings, maybe she wouldn’t feel so alone sometimes. Sure, they were surrounded by medical staff and the Royal staff but as nice as they were, they were doing their jobs.
“We were talking about your painting,” Jaime said. “Tell me about that.”
She wished she hadn’t mentioned her painting, but Jaime loosened her tongue. She was not capable of keeping secrets where he was concerned. “I used to paint landscapes.”
That wasn’t strictly true as the last painting she had been working on had been a portrait of Kyan.
“Not people. And here I was hoping that you’d paint me,” Jaime said adopting a pout.
“That doesn’t suit you,” Ariana said with a laugh.
“So why did you stop?” he said and her insides turned to water.
She had given up so much for them. She made as if to talk but she couldn’t get her mouth to form the words.
“Hey, you don’t have to tell me,” Jaime said.
She was giving them power over her life again. “I’ll tell you. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that I was engaged to be married.” She tried to keep her voice emotionless but dang, it still hurt.
“My fiancé, Kyan, left me for my best friend. I was in the midst of this massive project as his wedding gift. A portrait of him. After that, I just stopped,” Ariana said.
“Moron!” Jaime said
His anger on her behalf cheered her up and made her feel good. “I’m over it. Over them. They’re welcome to each other.”
“Good girl,” Jaime said. “And to really give them the middle finger, get back to your painting. It’s a beautiful gift to have. The ability to create something beautiful from an empty canvas should not be wasted.”
Even though her chest was filled with emotion, Ariana giggled. She would have loved to show them the middle finger. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Ariana realized how much time had passed by the emptiness of the restaurant. Ana had long cleared their plates and served them coffee. She picked up her cup and brought it to her mouth, all the while looking at Jaime. She tilted her cup and sipped air.
She giggled and placed the cup back in its saucer. “I think we’ve overstayed our welcome.”
“You talk too much Princess Ariana,” Jaime teased.
Ariana put on a shocked expression, placing her hand on her chest. “Me? Why Mr. Cohan, you’ve been talking non-stop since we sat down.”
It felt good to laugh and have some fun. Something she hadn’t had in Asencia for what felt like a long time.
“I’m buying lunch,” Jaime said when Ana brought the check.
“I hope you enjoyed the meal?” she said.
Ariana moaned and rubbed her stomach. “You know what happens whenever I eat here? I don’t eat for the next three days.”
“You realize that you can’t get away with such statements anymore,” Ana said. “I’ll just ask Jaime to keep an eye on you and your movements in the palace.”
“It was the tastiest meal I’ve ever had,” Jaime said. “Thank you.”
They used the same route they had come but when they walked out, it looked like a different country. A winter wonderland.
Ariana let out a cry of delight. She ran to the snow and picked up an armful. It felt like forever since she had held snow in her hands. She rubbed the snow between her hands until it formed a ball.
Then she turned around and aimed it at Jaime’s face. He ducked but it caught him on the shoulder.
“So that’s how you want to play it?” Jaime said as he bent to pick up an armful of snow.
Laughing, Ariana took off and for the next few minutes, the restaurant’s rear parking lot became their playground. Jaime threw snow at her until it seemed as if it was raining snow. Ariana laughed hard as she tried to retaliate but the shower of snow blinded her.
“Okay, I surrender,” she laughingly cried.
Jaime appeared from behind her and wrapped her in his arms. Ariana turned around and slipped her hands around his neck. She laughed. “Your hair is white.”
“That’s because my fiancée loves old men,” Jaime said.
“No, she doesn’t,” Ariana said as the laughter died in her throat.
Jaime tucked her hair behind her ears and cupped her face. His warm breath fanned her as he brought his mouth to hers. His lips were cold at first and so were hers but as soon as they touched, a slow sensual heat rose from the point of contact.
It was different this time. And it wasn’t just the tenderness with which Jaime was kissing her. It was the knowledge that it was not for show. It was for them. She was flowing with it.
Then a memory came to her. Of Kyan kissing her just as Jaime was and then telling her afterwards that it was over between them. Tender kisses meant nothing. She was fooling herself into believing that Jaime was different. He was a man. They were all made from the same DNA.
She was special until something else came along. Jaime was different, a voice in her head screamed. Maybe but the moment was already spoiled. She pulled away.
“It’s started snowing again,” Ariana said. “Let’s go home.”
In the car, Ariana kept her glance focused outside the window. How could she have gotten so caught up with the fantasy of Jaime that she had forgotten what she had gone through.
One thing that was for sure. Her and Jaime were a fantasy. People did not build lasting relationships from fake engagements. Love, trust and commitment was built, and grew, from years together.
What did she know about Jaime? For all she knew, he was another Kyan. Staying with her until something better came along.
As the car started moving, Jaime took her hand and simply held her without saying anything, not even to ask what the matter was. That caused another war to wage in her heart.
Surely, a man so in sync with her would not betray her, could he? Jaime had values. He had a giving helping heart. That in itself, already meant that he was loyal and could be trusted, right?
Chapter Thirteen
He must have been in the middle of a dream because his bed was shaking. He tried to shake off the dream but it grew stronger, rousing him from sleep. When he opened his eyes, Jaime realized that the bed really was shaking. It wasn’t a dream.
“What the—?” he said, staring wildly around him.
A loud rumble followed. A memory came to him. The same sequence of events. He and his family had been visiting Japan and a small earthquake had hit the city.
Ariana and the royal family. He had to make sure that they were okay.
Jaime quickly pulled on his jeans and a t-shirt and sprinted out of his room. He went to Ariana’s suite first. The door was flung open but she wasn’t there. Now somewhat familiar with the layout of the palace, he ran down the hallways to the family room. Again nobody.
Panic rising in his throat, Jaime searched a multitude of rooms before he found the family in King Ramona’s suite. The queen, Ariana, the crown prince, three nurses and a few guards, stood around the bed protectively. Jaime joined them, gripping the side of the bed as they were.
The ground shook again, this time with more force than before. Things crashed to the ground and, for a few minutes, the bed shifted and Jaime held on to it more firmly. For the next several minutes, he felt as if he was in the midst of a whirlwind as papers flew around him and more and more things crashed to the floor.
Then finally, it was over. The only noise that could be heard in the room, was the sounds of their ragged breathing.
“Are you okay?” Jaime asked Ariana who was next to him.
Her eyes were wide with fear. She nodded. “I’m okay. It’s father I was worried about.”
Admiration for her flowed through him. She’d just gone through a terrifying experience and all she cared about was her father’s safety.
King Ramona looked as peaceful as usual, as if he was sleeping.
“It’s over,” the queen said, her face as white as a sheet. “We need to turn on the TV.”
After ensuring that the King was comfortable, Jaime took Ariana’s hand as they left the King’s suites. What seemed like an army of staff filled the family apartments, cleaning and ensuring that everyone was okay.
They all separated to go to their rooms to dress decently and then converged minutes later in the family room. When Jaime got there, he found the crown prince intently watching the news on TV.
“Is the damage bad?” Jaime asked him as he sat down.
The prince nodded grimly. “The neighborhood of Nanua was hit pretty bad but, fortunately, apart from the distruction of property, no one has lost their lives.”
“Nanua is one of the poorest neighborhoods,” Ariana said. Jaime hadn’t heard her come in.
The scenes unfolding on the TV were horrible. Cracked houses and families standing outside in their nightclothes looking baffled and lost. Debris and huge stones covered the road. The camera moved on to a group of firefighters and the police working hard to clear the rubble.
Jaime noticed another group of volunteers who wore no uniform. “Who are those?”
“Those are the guys from the Veterans organization. They’ve formed a team and they help out whenever there’s a disaster in the country.”
The feeling of helplessness growing inside him dissipated. Jaime knew what he had to do. “I want to help.” He jumped to his feet.
“I’ll drive you,” the crown prince said.
“You can’t go,” Queen Christia said. “You’ll be a hindrance rather than a help with that leg.”
“I know, but I can drive down with Jaime and see for myself what’s happening. Those are my people, mother, and sitting here watching it on TV is driving me crazy.” Without waiting for a response, the crown prince grabbed his crutches and hobbled out.
“Please take care of him,” the queen said to him.
“He won’t leave the car,” Jaime said.
Ariana escorted him to his room, where he slipped on a heavy jacket. Together, they made their way out of the palace to the front where a car waited. The crown prince was already inside.
Jaime took Ariana into his arms and brushed his lips against her soft ones. At that moment, the ground underneath their feet trembled and Ariana let out a sharp cry.
“It’s aftershocks,” Jaime explained. “There’ll be several of them.” He held her until the ground grew still again. “I have to go.”
“Take care of yourself, okay?” she said.
“I will, don’t worry.” Jaime let go and entered the car. Seconds later the car left the palace compound.
The roads were chaotic and some parts were completely unusable with huge cracks in the middle. The car stopped a little way away from the makeshift headquarters of the volunteer teams, police and firefighters. It was a beehive of activity.
“They’re expecting you,” Crown Prince Daxton said.
“Thank you,” Jaime said and exited the car. He made for the main volunteer table where he was instructed and then given a shovel and a reflector jacket.
ARIANA REALIZED THAT she was gripping her father’s hand too tightly as she spoke about Jaime. She loosened her hold. “I’m worried about him, Papa, even though I know he’s a grown man who can take care of himself. But falling rubble doesn’t care how strong you are.”
Ever since she returned home, she had fallen into her habit of telling her father almost everything that went on in her life. Because the conversation was one-sided, Ariana never felt judged and, afterwards, it always felt as though she had unburdened herself.
“I wish you could meet him Papa,” she said and sighed. “I know you will, because I know you’ll wake up from this coma.”
She arranged the beddings around him even though they were already perfect. She touched his warm cheek and cupped it. Then she saw it. His eyes opened rapidly and then shut again.
“Papa!” Ariana cried, jumping to her feet to get a better view. Her heart banged inside her chest.
His eye movement grew still and his face returned to the peaceful unmoving figure it usually was. It happened so fast, but Ariana was sure of what she had seen.
“You can do it Papa,” she said, her voice shaky. “I know you can.” She stood, waiting, hoping, but nothing else happened. She had to tell everyone. She planted a kiss on his forehead. “Take a rest Papa. You’ll try again tomorrow.”
Ariana felt as though she was walking on air as she made her way to the family room. Daxton was pacing the room, agitation bouncing off him.
“What’s wrong?” Ariana said, her thoughts going to Jaime.
“Frustration, anger, caged...pick one,” Daxton said.
She could understand his feelings brought on by being stuck in the house when he would have wanted to be out there, helping. She felt it too, but she had to wait until the rubble was cleared to be of any help. “I have some news that might cheer you up.”
She went and sat with her mother and Princess Sala. “Father blinked. Several times, in fact.” Her voice rose in excitement. “I think he’s slowly waking up.”
Ariana waited for excitement to follow her news but none came. Her mother, Sala and Daxton exchanged a look.
“Ariana,” her mother said. “Sometimes, we want something so badly that we start to think that we’re seeing it.”
Ariana was stunned by her mother’s reaction. She’d never been an unstable person. Ever. Well, except for the time when Kyan told her he was leaving her for her best friend. Admittedly, she’d gone a bit crazy, crying endlessly and locking herself up in her room for days.
But that was expected, wasn’t it? Who wanted public humiliation? But she was past that and the four months in America had healed her. Though a large part of it also had to do with Jaime, Ariana admitted to herself.
“He really did,” she said.
“I spend most of my day at your father’s side and so do his nurses. No one has seen anything,” her mother said. “Look love, I know how badly you want your father to get well; we all do, and it will come.”
Her mother was speaking to her like she was a ten-year-old. Ariana seethed inside but decided not to say any more.
“We’re proud of Jaime and how quickly he offered to go out there to help,” her mother continued.
“I hope he’s okay,” Ariana said, glancing at the time. It was almost ten.
&nbs
p; “Jaime can take care of himself,” Daxton said. “I have to say that, this time, you’ve really chosen well.”
Ariana turned to her brother in surprise. “I thought you liked Kyan. You and he were friends, weren’t you?”
Her brother cleared his throat. “Calling us friends is stretching it a bit. And yes, he’s all right, just not good enough for my only sister.”
Sala laughed softly. “No offence, Ariana, but I agree with Dax. He is sort of full of himself.”
“I have no opinion to offer on the matter,” her mother said.
Ariana didn’t know what to say. All that time that she and Kyan had been courting and her family had merely tolerated him. She was glad all over again that she had not married him.
Her family meant the world to her and she would have hated to marry someone they did not like or get along with. Before Ariana could respond, heavy footsteps sounded and then Jaime entered the family room.
She let out a cry, jumped to her feet and ran to him. She hugged him, unconcerned that he was full of grime.
Laughingly he held her tightly. “I should go away more often.”
Ariana forgot they had an audience. She drew back and cupped his face. “I’m so happy to see you.” She kissed him passionately. She lost track of time and place as she lost herself in the heat of his lips and his scent that could not be overpowered by smoke and dirt.
A cough penetrated her brain and she broke the kiss. Embarrassed, Ariana stepped back.
“Jaime, we’re so glad you’re home safe,” her mother said, and took Jaime’s hands into hers.
“My hands are filthy,” Jaime said. “I was eager to see Ariana and came straight here.”
She believed him. He’d missed her just as she’d missed him. Her breath hitched. An avalanche of emotion flooded her, and she wished that they were alone.
“It doesn’t matter. Dirt can be washed off. You’re a good young man, Jaime Cohan, and we’re blessed to have you in our family,” Ariana’s mother said.
“Thank you,” Jaime said, touched by her mother’s words.