One Night with the Prince (11 page)

I sighed when my stomach started grumbling. I made my way outside my room only to be scooped up by someone.

“Hey!” I cried out in shock. I felt whoever was caring me was running and I looked around trying to see who it was. Once I saw the short blondish hair, I knew.

“Dem! Put me down you jerk-face!” I demanded. He laughed but kept running.

“Such foul language for a young lady!” He playfully scolded. I rolled my eyes as my head bobbed up and down from his running and I was hitting his back as hard as I could.

“Dem! If you don’t put me the heck down I will make your life a living nightmare! There! How’s that for better language?!” I growled. He was laughing hard, and I noticed we were now outside. I saw water in my peripheral vision and I shrieked, fighting harder now knowing what he was doing.

“Demetrius! Don’t you dare!” I yelled. We were getting closer to the pool and he laughed again.

“We had a deal!” He sang lightly and then suddenly I was air-born, and then in the next second freezing cold water surrounded me. When I resurfaced I was gasping for breath and my teeth were chattering.

Dem was clutching his sides from laughing so hard as I sputtered out water in my mouth. I jumped out and grinned evilly at him. He stopped laughing and I ran up to him and hugged him tight getting him all wet.

“Arg!” He cried, shocked. He tried to pull me away but he was weak from laughing so hard.

“But Demmy! I want to share this moment with you!” I whined, laughing. He struggled but I eventually let him go. He playfully glared at me now his shirt now all wet. I jumped up to kiss his cheek and he grinned at me. I couldn’t be mad at him! He was like an older brother to me that I loved!

We were quite a sight when we walked into the breakfast hall. Chatter stopped and people stared. I rolled my eyes and pointed at Dem.

“This jerk pushed me into a pool!” I explained loudly. Sydney, Rachel, and Carol were squealing. Crap I forgot that they knew the deal between Dem and I! Which reminded me of something. I slapped him hard on the chest.

“Ow! What was that for?!” He whined. I glared at him.

“Just because I made amends with Zach does not mean that I’m falling for him!” I whispered harshly. He rolled his eyes.

“Yes you are! Admit it!” He demanded under his breath. I sighed, and looked away from him.

“Maybe.” I gave him that much. He chuckled and mumbled ‘stubborn’ and I just pretended I didn’t hear it. Dang right I was stubborn! Elise was glaring daggers at me and I chuckled.

“What’s wrong Elise? Mad that Zach didn’t run away from me on my night?” I taunted. Her face turned red with anger. Man! I love to rile her up! It was too easy! Almost as easy as she is. Ha! That was a good one, I might want to file that one away.

She stood up and stormed off without another word. Dem chuckled next to me.

“You really are horrible!” He playfully scolded. I shrugged, hopping up on a bar stool as some water dripped from my legs. I popped a grape in my mouth and nearly choked on it when I saw Zach walk in.

Why did he have to look so freakin hot?! It’s not fair and really won’t be helping our ‘taking it slow’ thing! He spotted me and smiled slowly walking over to me. I composed myself as he sat next to me. Some girls were looking at me with envy but I just shrugged it off.

“Do I want to know why?” He asked gesturing to my wet clothes. I smirked.

“Dem threw me in the pool” Once I said it I fell off the barstool thanks to my wet skin being slick on the wood. My face turned red as Dem was laughing his head off. Zach looked amused but also guarded. I don’t think he liked the thought of Dem getting close to me like that. I took a hold of his hand.

“Green does not suit you.” I said. He looked away but did not take his hand from mine. I looked over to see everyone starring at our hands. Great! I forgot that anything physical would be scrutinized. Zach leaned over to whisper in my ear.

“I’m going to pick you to spend the weekend with me.” I looked at him and blushed again. I swear my face will stay like this around him. I quirked an eyebrow.

“Who says I want to do that?” I asked stubbornly. He chuckled still close to me and his warm breath fanned over my face making me want to lean in more,

“Don’t worry. No unwanted kisses, I promise you.” He promised. Who said it was unwanted? I nodded, now feeling very excited for the weekend.

Chapter sixteen

Zachias

It was almost torture not being able to kiss Anna, or hold her to the extent I wanted. But if she wanted slow, then I would respect that.
Why’d I have to fall for the complicated girl?
I thought, but then I wouldn’t feel this strongly if she wasn’t. I heard normal was overrated anyways.

Right now I was in my study trying to go over protocols so when I take over I know what I’m doing. It was fairly boring stuff and I’d give anything for a break right now. A knock came at the wooden door.

“Come in.” I answered. Demetrius came in with a sly smile, and I rolled my eyes knowing he had something up his sleeve.

“Hey Kia!” He grinned widely before sitting down in a chair across from me.

“Demetrius. I know you’re up to something.” I stated, wanting to get to the point so I can finish my work already. He leaned over so he was closer to me.

“I have a surprise for the lovely Anna.” He started. That got my attention, and I gestured for him to go on.

“I think it would make her feel so much better here since she misses her family and friends if we flew them over here for the weekend!” He finished. This weekend? I was looking forward to spending all my time with her. I scrubbed out that selfish thought and nodded. She needed this right now.

“Great idea! I’ll call in the things needed, and since I have their numbers in my phone from when she calls them, I’ll take care of everything.” I explained. He pouted.

“That’s no fair! You’ll get all the credit!” He whined. I rolled my eyes.

“I’ll be sure to say it was your idea!” I defended. He looked okay with that and left without another word.
I swear it’s like dealing with a toddler!
I chuckled at that very true thought. However if it came to war or a battle he’d be right there beside me, no questions asked. I grabbed my cell and called the first number, not knowing who it was.

“Hello?” A female voice answered. I cleared my throat.

“Hello, my name is Zachias, and are you by any chance Anna’s mother?” I asked. She gasped.

“Yes! Is something wrong?!” She asked in alarm.

“No! She’s perfectly fine. But I’m calling to set up for this weekend to have you and her friends fly over here to surprise her.” I explained. It was silent for a moment.

“You like her don’t you?” She asked. I choked on nothing but air, completely bewildered as to how she came to that conclusion so fast!

“How did you know?” I asked completely curious.

She chuckled. “Why else would a man want to fly out a girl’s family so she would feel happy?” She said rhetorically.

I sighed.

“Yes ma’am. I like your daughter a lot, and I wish to see her happy.” More like falling for her hard, but why scare the nice woman? She suddenly squealed and it made me jump in my seat.

“Oh this is great! Yes! I will go! I’ll need to take off work, but I miss my little Nala!” She laughed happily. I chuckled too as her laugh was almost as infectious as Anna’s. She gave me her email address and I was to send her the itinerary in just an hour. I called the next number.

“Hello? This is cray-cray hotel where you can talk to yourself and no one will judge!” I hung up from that. Why on earth would Anna call that?! But I see she called this number more than once and sighed and try this again.

“Yellow? You’ve reached the fan girl shop. We got everything from binoculars to loop holes for restraining orders!” I shook my head with a grimace, and decided to answer hoping Anna isn’t some closet fan girl maniac, and into weird stuff.

“Um, hello? Do you know an Anna?” I asked hesitantly. The guy laughed.

“Oh man! I’m so sorry! I thought you were Anna! I always answer her calls with something along those lines! Sorry, this is one of her best friends Danny!” He apologized. I blew out a sigh of relief.

“Hello, this is Zachias-” I was cut off by gasp.

“You’re Zach?! As in Prince Zachias?! Oh my gosh! Oops sorry! Go on…” He quieted down. I swear I could hear him bouncing! I cleared my throat.

“Uh, yes, well I was putting together a surprise for her, and my surprise is to fly you, her mother, and her other best friend over here for the weekend?” I suggested. He screamed and I had to pull away from the phone.

“Oh my goodness yes! Of course!” He agreed immediately, and he gave me his email address as well. When I said goodbye I shook my head in wonderment. I wonder what her other best friend is like. I was scared to find out. But I called her anyways. Danny told me her name was Missy.

“Hello?” She answered. Oh thank goodness a normal greeting!

“Yes, hello this is Zachias and I was calling for Missy?” I answered. She gasped,

“Is Anna okay?” She asked quietly but her voice was filled with worry. She was sensible!

“Yes everything is alright,-” And I began to explain the plan. She agreed and also gave me her email. She sounded sweet and very nice. Anna had a wide choice of friends but I could tell they all loved her to pieces just by the way they talked about her.

I have to say I was quite pleased that she talks about me with her mother and friends. They didn’t act mean towards me, which meant that she has said good things. I sighed and sat back into my chair and made the plans with our airline and our private jet.

It was to pick them up this Friday in early morning so it would be late evening to them, so by the time they got here it would be mid-evening for them. I sent them all the emails and there was no need for tickets since it was our own plane. There was a knock on my door again.

“Come in.” I answered. Crayseese, the butler came in.

“Prince Caidius is here.” He announced. I nodded and stood up to go greet my brother.

Anna

I felt a little blue today since homesickness was settling in harder today. I really miss Danny, Missy and especially Mom. I felt like dressing according to my mood so I was in navy blue t-shirt that hugged my curves along with black skinny jeans and my black converse.

My thoughts then fell on Zach and without consent a smile graced my face. I chuckled how the very thought of him made my mood lift enough to make me smile. I began walking around the castle but I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going and so I bumped into someone.

“Ow!” I mumbled as my butt hit the hard floor. That’s going to bruise, and I think I end up this way, way too much. I heard a deep chuckle and looked up.
Wow he was cute
was my first thought. He had dark short brown hair and had the same eyes as Zach. He reached a hand down to me and helped me up.

“Sorry about that. I was distracted.” I explained. He chuckled again.

“That’s quite alright. My name is Caidius, yours?” He introduced. I immediately held my guard up at Zach’s subtle warning of his younger brother’s player ways. I shook his hand.

“Anna or call me Red.” I introduced myself. He smirked and I saw how he eyed me up and down. I snapped my finger in front of his face.

“Excuse me! My eyes are up here!” I said with authority. He snapped out of it but smirked at me. Seriously what is up with guys and smirking?! Especially this dude!

“Feisty. I like it.” He answered, licking his lips slowly. I scoffed and pushed past him, but he grabbed my wrist. Oh heck no! I spun around and kicked the back of his knees so he’s go to the floor. It worked, and he landed with a loud ‘oomph!’ I heard a chuckle but this time it sent shivers down my spine subtly.

I turned to see Zach standing there with arms crossed with an amused smile but I could also see anger and annoyance towards his brother. Caidius stood up angrily and looked at me.

“Do you not know who I am?” He asked briskly. Again I scoffed.

“Yes I know! You’re a stuck up prince who should know how to treat women with respect instead of just playthings. Because the next time I see you disrespect any other girl here, I will make sure you can’t reproduce! Got it?” I questioned hotly, silently fuming at his attitude.

He looked at Zach who wasn’t going to defend him and Caidius sighed.

“Yeah alright. Sorry.” He mumbled. I knew he wasn’t used to apologizing so I accepted. I waved him off.

“It’s fine and you’re forgiven, just don’t do it again. Now, Cade I’ll leave you and Zach to each other.” With that I walked away. I heard a smack and looked back to see Cade rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

“Start acting like you’re a prince not a playboy!” He scolded him. I giggled to myself and continued to walk away.

I found Sydney and the other two sitting in a lounge area. I joined them with a sad smile.

“What’s wrong Red?” Rachel asked, concerned. I shrugged, feeling myself tear up.

“I miss my friends and mom!” I started to cry. Homesickness was hitting me hard, and I felt arms wrap around me. I looked to see the girls hugging me. That made me cry a little harder and they rubbed my back to try and soothe me.

“It’s okay sweetie.” Sydney cooed. I shook my head.

“I’m sorry, it’s just I miss them so much! I love it here, really I do, it’s just not the same without them.” I explained. They nodded.

“Anna?!” I heard a worried voice say. I turned to see Zach there. He rushed to my side and he growled under his breath.

“I’m going to kill Caidius.” I giggled slightly at his voice and sniffed.

“No, it wasn’t him. I just miss my mom and friends terribly. It’s just hitting me harder today than normal.” I explained, sniffling. He sighed, relieved that my tears were not due to his younger brother. He took me by the hand.

“Excuse us ladies.” He dismissed us to my friends. They nodded and winked at me. I rolled my eyes. When they were gone he looked at my face and groaned.

“It was supposed to be a surprise!” He grumbled. I looked at him questioningly and wiped my eyes some more. He pulled me to a couch and say next to me.

“Anna…I’m flying out Danny, Missy and your mother this weekend.” He explained. I gasped.

“Seriously?!” I asked feeling my mood lift extremely. He nodded and smiled. I shrieked and threw myself at him, hugging him tightly. He chuckled at my enthusiasm and hugged me back.

Gosh it felt so good to be held by him! I held him tighter like he was my lifeline.

“Thank you so much!” I mumbled into his shirt. He rubbed my back.

“It was supposed to be a surprise but when I saw how sad you were I couldn’t wait. It was Demetrius’ idea, but I called them and set everything up. By the way, Danny answered with some questionable greetings.” He said with a bewildered chuckle. I giggled, knowing how Danny was.

“Sorry, that’s just who he is.” I pulled back and looked at his face feeling so happy right now. I kissed his cheek and felt that warm flutter in my tummy. When I pulled back again it was silent moment before I started to lean in and held him to me.

I know it probably wasn’t a good idea but I was so overwhelmed by different feelings! I could lightly smell his signature fragrance being this close to him. I had always loved getting and giving hugs. They always gave me a warm feeling, but hugging Zach gave me a sense of safety.

He held me close to him as we were sitting and my head was against his chest. When we regained our thoughts, he spoke, “I’m holding you so you can’t run away again.” He said.

I laughed and pulled away.

“I’m not going to run away again.” I told him with a soft smile. He grinned.