《Royally Kidnapped by the Prince》


 1

    1


    KENNEDY


    My life just takes a detour.


    My ylist sted on my Airpods. I didn¡¯t give a crap taking off my sunsses as I entered the lobby


    of the 45th story building, ignoring the incredulous looks from the receptionist in a dark blue uniform


    throwing at me. At the back of my mind¡ªwhat, bitch?


    I punched my floor number as I entered the elevator. A fewdies and men in suits joined me.


    I hoped Siena came to work early. I was not in a mood to answer her twenty questions right now.


    Thankfully, I arrived on the 20th floor. I excused myself from where I stood at the back. As soon as the


    elevator shut closed behind me, I took off my Airpods and checked my watch¡ªI was two minuteste,


    which never happened since I started my intern at Style four years ago.


    My heels clomped heavily along the tile floor. Pairs of eyes pinned at me as I followed the aisle toward


    my cubicle, ignoring my bleeding heart. I threw my bag on my desk, took off my eyesses, and


    shoved it into my bag.


    Taking a seat, I hit the power button on the desktop. I had been good atpartmentalizing. What was


    so hard of ignoring a bad breakup? It was not that he was the only one has a dick in town.


    My hand froze around the mouse by the clearing of the throat. Not much of trying not to get someone¡¯s


    attention when you arrivedte, eh?


    ¡°What?¡± I focused my gaze on the screen.


    ¡°You¡¯rete. It never happened. Ever.¡± It was Serenity. We started our intern the same day.


    ¡°I woke upte,¡± I lied. In truth, I barely sleptst night. I had not gotten a blink on an empty stomach. I


    couldn¡¯t swallow the food when upset¡ªno, raging mad like a bull seeing red.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you set your rm like three hours ahead? Your rm is on the nightstand, and you have a


    phone, Kenny.¡±


    I clicked the folder on the screen, even if I could feel her searing stare at me. ¡°I¡¯m working. I should


    She snorted. At the corner of my eye, she crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°Your eyes told me that


    you¡¯re right. You didn¡¯t get enough sleep, but that¡¯s not the Kennedy Gilby I knew, babe. What¡¯s


    wrong?¡±


    I shut my eyes closed and inhaled deeply before I looked at her. Serenity was kind and loving. She was


    the kind of friend that you wanted on your side. The kind of friend who agreed to your terrible decisions


    because she didn¡¯t want to hurt your feelings. She was also adorable with her big bright blue eyes and


    curly long bronze hair. Of course, all of us working in Style was fashionable with free wardrobes weekly.


    ¡°He broke up with me.¡± I sighed.


    ¡°What the freak¡ª¡± She looked around when she figured her voice came out louder. ¡°That freaking


    Gori Raoul?¡± Her eyes grew even bigger. ¡°What happened? Didn¡¯t you just move in with him two


    months ago?¡±


    That son of a bitch. He was persistent in asking me to move in with him. Then he just broke up with me


    with the clichest speech of the clichiest¡ªit¡¯s not you, it¡¯s my crap. To be honest, something just shifted


    the moment I moved in. We¡¯d been dating for almost a year now, and it was good. Then he just went


    cold feet on me.


    ¡°He told me it was not working.¡± Well, he was right. We hadn¡¯t had sex in two weeks¡ªeither he said he


    was tired, or he had a deadline to meet. Apparently, working in one of the best architectural firms


    needed a lot of his time.


    ¡°He¡¯s an a-hole, Kenny. You deserve someone better.¡± That was what I thought. Serenity was the kind


    of friend I wanted right now. She squeezed my shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll help you move out. I know just the right


    movers.¡±


    I pasted a small smile on my lips. ¡°Thanks. Now can I get back to work?¡±


    ¡°I understand. You¡¯re still in the denial stage. If you need a drinking buddy, I¡¯m here.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°You could barely take a single shot. Siena and Faith are better drinking buddies, but


    you¡¯re wee to tag along and be our DD. I could use a drink or two.¡±


    ¡°Count me in then.¡± She smiled.


    My chest constricted again. I understood that sometimes, men freaked out when they used to be living


    alone. They needed some space, but I couldn¡¯t think of any reasons why he broke up with me. He was


    kind and considerate. Sex was great. So what had gone wrong? I didn¡¯t think there was a third party


    involved because Raoul had been thoughtful and faithful. He would never cheat on me.


    ¡°Asshole.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    I jerked in my seat. ¡°Hey, Sien.¡±


    ¡°Is he the one who put eye bags under your eyes?¡±


    I didn¡¯t have much time to put on eye patches. ¡°I don¡¯t know what are you talking about, Sien. I just got


    insomniast night.¡±


    ¡°Wow! You looked lively without sleep. How much did you consume caffeine?¡±


    I stared at Siena¡ªthe man-hater, but she had a strong personality. She could deal with difficult people.


    I always envied her strawberry blonde.


    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine tonight. I promise to take two cups of Camomile tea.¡± I wanted to roll my eyes, but it was cut


    short when our big boss emerged from her ss office door.


    I rose from my seat. Today, she would have a big announcement that I¡¯d been waiting for for almost


    three years now. My skin tingled in anticipation.


    If there was the Devil wears Prada, Madam Alessia Hearst, our Executive Editor wore Hermes from


    bags, scarves, and belts. Louboutin for her shoes, and I didn¡¯t have to mention the choice of her


    jewelry and watches. She had her own stylist, but she barely agreed to interviews. She took her private


    life seriously. If she did, it only focused on her job, not her personal life.


    Alessia Hearst remained a mystery to me. But man, she was sophisticated, ssy, and stood tall at


    least five feet, nine inches tall. She always kept her chestnut hair short. What I loved the most was her


    medium skin to my Porcin.


    ¡°What the hell is wrong with your eyes, Miss Gilby?¡±


    I gulped. I could feel everyone¡¯s gaze on me. My face heated when Alessia kept her gaze on me,


    waiting for my reply.


    ¡°I had a hard time looking for a new apartmentst night. I was nning to move out of my asshole ex¡¯s


    apartment¡ª¡± My hand mped my mouth.


    My colleagues chuckled around me, but I was also known to have confidence. So, I stood straight and


    rolled my eyes.


    ¡°What¡¯s funny with moving out? We women should never depend on men. When a rtionship can¡¯t


    make you happy anymore, then get the hell out of it before it strangles you, depresses you. It¡¯s ugly.


    Your mental health is important, and the pain will heal than staying in a toxic rtionship.¡±


    The entire floor went silent¡ªa deafening silence.


    Wow! She must be single.


    ¡°Now, my announcement. I¡¯ll be taking a week¡¯s leave starting on Monday. When Ie back, I¡¯ll be


    announcing my chosen candidates for our new senior editors. Now back to work.¡± She turned around.


    Disappointment cut through me like a knife. I¡¯d been working hard for the past years. I knew if I was


    good at it and not. What the hell was wrong with announcing it today? Was she nning to change her


    mind when she came back?


    After a few seconds of excruciating silence, she called my name. Yay!


    ¡°Kennedy?¡± Alessia just called me by my name. She was still holding the door for me. Oh, my


    God. This is it!


    Heat rose to my cheek.


    ¡°Yes?¡± I strode in her direction. ¡°Alessia.¡±


    She did not reply but closed the door behind us. It was not the first time I was in her office. The creative


    lighting and geometric designs had her personal touch. Incorporated with bold colors, it added sparks


    of creativity, excitement, and at the same time, a calming effect.


    I took a seat on the sofa a few steps away from her desk.


    ¡°I¡¯ve checked your portfolio carefully. I admit that I was hard to be pleased and impressed.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I smiled.


    ¡°You¡¯re good at what you do¡ª¡± But I felt there was a but at the end of her sentence.


    Crushed by disappointment, I dropped my gaze.


    ¡°Oh, for God¡¯s sake, Alessia. Just get to the point.¡±

 2

    2


    THAYER


    I¡¯m doomed.


    The moment I stepped out of the family jet, I only had one goal¡ªto prove to my father that he was


    wrong. I knew my birthright, and I had a huge shoe to fill in, but I¡¯d been molded since birth to take his


    ce one day.


    At the ck-tinted limousine, I nced at Lud and Ash. They¡¯d been briefing me since we took off. I


    raised my hand to stop them from repeating what had been stuck in my head since I learned how to


    talk. I knew the protocol, but they were just doing their jobs. Aside from working for my family, they


    were also my closest friends, and they would surely take the bullet for me even if they were not in my


    family payroll, and so did I to them.


    ¡°Are you sure this is a good idea?¡± Lud asked warily. He was tall, stuffed with pure muscles with a


    strong jaw, and dark seated eyes.


    ¡°If you¡¯ll ask me one more time, you¡¯re going home.¡± I looked out of the window. This was not my first


    time to be in New York¡ªthe city never really sleeps. Unlike from where I came from¡ªless polluted, not


    overpopted, and less crime. Thanks to our men in uniform.


    ¡°If he said it¡¯s a good idea, meaning, he got through with it a hundred times. You know him.¡± Ash was


    more mature than Lud, the one-nighter.


    ¡°I just don¡¯t want him to home empty-handed and end up¡ª¡±


    ¡°Man, you can¡¯t just shut up, can you? As soon as he settles in the hotel, you can go gallivanting in the


    nightclub. I got you covered.¡±


    ¡°No way. He¡¯s my job. And I don¡¯t wanna be jobless because I shagged a pretty woman¡¯s brain¡¯s out.¡±


    ¡°Jeez.¡± Ash winced, shaking his head.


    ¡°We already talked about this. I don¡¯t care what you do with your life for the whole two weeks. Do


    whatever you like. Just leave me alone.¡±


    The car halted in front of the hotel. As we¡¯d discuss, no grand entrance or convoy. We were just tourists


    like other tourists. And that was what we were doing. Of course, Lud and Ash were on their duties while


    I was with them. Their eyes were like hawks as they scanned for risk and potential that someone might


    recognize me.


    My security details took two weeks to canvas this hotel for previous and possible guests. And I just lost


    two weeks of my time instead of looking for her.


    I changed to white crisp shirts and pants after a quick shower. I was used to having someone prepare


    what I wore, but I was also taught how to be flexible and efficient.


    I looked at myself in the mirror. I loved my long dark copper hair, but I had to cut it short to get into my


    disguised look. I hated wearing contacts, so it didn¡¯t matter if my eyes were forest green. Not that it was


    umon in millions of people in this city.


    A soft knock before the door opened.


    ¡°She¡¯s here,¡± Ash informed.


    I took a deep breath before I faced my aunt Alessia. She always looked radiant andposed. New


    York did well on her.


    ¡°No, no, no.¡± She shook her head violently. ¡°What did you do to your hair, your high¡ªThayer?¡±


    ¡°You should practice a little more.¡± My smile broke. I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her


    into a hug. ¡°I missed you, Aunt Alessia.¡± She was emailed ahead, including some details before my


    arrival.


    ¡°I missed you too, honey. How did you manage toe here unnoticed? Your disguise is poor.¡± She


    chuckled.


    ¡°I beg to disagree, Ma¡¯am. Maybe, it¡¯s because you know, you¡ª¡±


    ¡°One more mistake, you¡¯re both fired!¡± I raised my voice. They looked down and shut their mouth.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to¡ªwhat American used to say? Screw this up for me. I only have two weeks left,


    Ash, Ludovic.¡±


    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I apologize, Thayer.¡± Lud eased.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Thay,¡± Ash followed.


    ¡°Anyway, what¡¯s this is all about? You did not run away from your father or your duty, did you, honey?¡±


    She held my arms, tilting her neck. Aunt Alessia was taller for a woman, but I was also taller than the


    two wankers.


    I slightly shook my head. ¡°No. I would never do that and put you in trouble. And United States should


    be thest ce I choose. Timbuktu or Maldives. I love beaches.¡± I grinned.


    ¡°You¡¯re installing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡±


    ¡°Then why did you cut your hair? I know you loved it. That was why you kept it long.¡± She knew me


    well.


    ¡°You should stay and be with your family, Auntie. We need you there.¡±


    She chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re lying. I don¡¯t have a ce there, Thayer.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡±


    She sighed. ¡°I love my job here. And bastard daughter will forever be a bastard in the eye of your


    people. My life here is great, and this is where I belong.¡±


    My chest ached for here. Even if she was my grandfather¡¯s illegitimate daughter, my father and I had


    never treated her as amoner.


    ¡°We should go.¡± She walked past me.


    ¡°You two would not follow me,¡± I warned them. They may be here because of me, but my family was


    still their employer.


    ¡°We¡¯ll check the coffee shop I saw on our way.¡± Lud¡¯s excuse was poor, but I let it go when Aunt Alessia


    was out of the room.


    I found her waiting in the lobby.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Thayer?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you haven¡¯t had any idea until now.¡± I walked beside her towards the ck Mercedes


    waiting for us in front of the hotel.


    ¡°I have a few ideas, but you¡¯re miles away from home.¡±


    ¡°I love it when you called it home.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t deny half of my DNA is running through yours. But I won¡¯t pry. Sure, I¡¯ll figure it out myself.¡± We


    stuffed at the backseat of the car.


    ¡°When was thest time you pay him a visit?¡±


    ¡°Sunday. And he¡¯s deteriorating ¡ª¡±


    I squeezed her hand. ¡°So, I¡¯ve heard.¡±


    ¡°Now I understand why you¡¯re here.¡±


    She had no idea.


    ***


    Thest thing I wanted to be in was a publishing house or any media in any form. I just hoped my


    disguise would work before the end of the day.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, if anyone recognizes you, I have mywyer for NDA,¡± she said as we entered her private


    elevator. She must have noticed my sudden difort.


    I knew she was also aware that my father had someone to keep a tab on her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t belong to a British Royalty, Auntie.¡±


    She raised her eyebrow. ¡°Don¡¯t be too confident, Thayer. We have vast coverage in social media.¡±


    As she did a brief announcement with her staff, I checked out the stuff in her office. She built her


    empire without her blood influence. That was why I admired her so much. I stared out of the floor-to-


    ceiling ss walls that showcased the skyscrapers surrounding us. Magnificent.


    We just had like this in my country, but mostly, modern ssic architectural buildings.


    I was still standing at the corner of her office when she entered, my gaze focusing on the building at the


    center.


    My skin crawled up with goosebumps as soon as the door shut closed. The room was not even close to


    the coldness I was used to, but it felt like an icy wind was blowing my skin. Then my heart beat a little


    bit faster as if I dawn more caffeine.


    I wasn¡¯t aware we were not alone until Aunt Alessia started talking.


    I kept my stance, hoping her guest would not see me. But then, it was hard to ignore when she kept on


    taunting the poor woman.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Her voice was soft, melodic like a symphony at the Opera. Two words. Just two words,


    yet she caught my attention. It was clear in her voice the anticipation of good news.


    I wanted her to talk more¡ªto hear her voice. She suddenly intrigued me.


    I turned my head to look at the woman with such an alluring and melodic voice. I could only see the


    side of her face with her honey blonde hair cascading down her shoulder. Her porcin skin looked so


    creamy and soft.


    From my vantage point, I swore she had sky blue eyes. She had high cheekbones with a small and


    straight nose. Her lips were full, painted in red lipstick. Right now, she was biting the bottom.


    Damn.


    I wanted to trace the rest of my lips with my tongue until she opened them for me to plunge it inside her


    mouth and taste her sweetness.


    Jesus Christ.


    My gaze traveled down her fitted blouse, which unbuttoned down her chest, revealing her well-rounded


    breasts. The hem of her deep red miniskirt ran up an inch higher half of her thighs, showing her well-


    toned legs.


    I blinked my eyes to make sure my sight was not ying a trick on me.


    So striking. Gorgeous.


    This couldn¡¯t be her.


    My American Girl.


    No fucking way.


    ¡°Oh, for God¡¯s sake, Alessia. Just get to the point.¡±

 3

    3


    KENNEDY


    Oh, my God!


    Startling in my seat, I was on my feet as fast as lightning. My hand was on my chest. I thought I was


    alone with Alessia. Then a deep rich masculine voice just boomed in the office. The tone of authority


    was strong in his words.


    I nearly lost my footing. The tall man¡ªtaller like the skyscraper outside the window in a curly dark


    copper hair touching the cor of his crisp white shirt fitted perfectly on his muscr but not too stuffy


    figure. His clean-shaven masculine jawline could cut the silence deafening in the room.


    But his eyes¡ªdamn, the color of a forest.


    I cleared my throat. ¡°Hi. I didn¡¯t notice Alessia was not alone.¡± Thank God. I got back my footing.


    He met me in the middle. His lips were full, gorgeous, and red, spreading into a smile. God, his smile.


    His whole face lit up like brilliant lights.


    ¡°Thayer.¡± He held his hand out¡ªhuge with long fingers. Veins protruded like a hand used to do hard


    work.


    Nice name.


    We stared at each other. My heart just stopped dead in my chest. I felt an unfamiliar feeling as this man


    broke the gaze and flicked down to my lips.


    ¡°Kennedy.¡± I shook hisrge hand. God the sensation, and there was a distinct possessiveness in his


    grip.


    I thanked God Raoul broke up with me because I felt like I cheated on him for admiring this Thayer guy


    with green forest eyes. So damn green now he was closer.


    My skin warmed. I pulled my hand back when a throat cleared, indicating that we were alone. And for


    God¡¯s sake, I was here with my boss, whom my promotion depend on her.


    I opened my mouth to speak, but before my words came out.


    ¡°I have a task for you. Think of it as your final test. If you pass it, then the position is yours.¡±


    I went back to my seat. Thayer took the seat across mine, crossing his legs like a ssy gentleman.


    ¡°What is it? Thayer asked.


    Alessia¡¯s warning look didn¡¯t go unnoticed, but I also noticed huge respect filled in her eyes.


    ¡°I apologize. I forgot I¡¯m a guest.¡±


    ¡°No apology needed.¡± Alessia looked at Thayer before she averted it on me. ¡°You¡¯re going to write an


    article on page thirteen¡ª¡±


    ¡°Page thirteen?¡± My eyes widened. Page thirteen was for an exclusive interview with award-winning


    actors, famous yers, billionaires, celebrities, royals, and high-ranking officials, but that was not what


    I applied for.


    ¡°In four days, you¡¯ll have what you need in your email,¡± she said briefly.


    ¡°But I applied for a Senior Editor.¡±


    ¡°Yes. You¡¯ll take it, or you will be a contributing editor for another two years.¡±


    I swallowed down my disappointment.


    My face med. I could feel Thayer staring at me. I looked at him, and I didn¡¯t know why. Maybe I was


    asking for his opinion. He was staring back at me with an intensity that I¡¯d never seen before. And he


    was already setting my body on fire.


    ¡°Take it.¡± Just two words and I felt like I was ready to give in. Now I¡¯d noticed an ent in his voice. Not


    Australian or South African, maybe British. ¡°She wouldn¡¯t test you if she¡¯s not expecting you to pass it,


    Kennedy.¡±


    My name¡ªthe way he said it¡ªI felt pretty. And the way he talked¡ªeverything about this man was


    sexy.


    I turned my attention to Alessia. ¡°Couldn¡¯t wait for it. Thank you.¡±


    ***


    ¡°God, those damn green eyes!¡± I dawn another shot of tequ¡ªit burned down my throat.


    Siena, Serenity, and Faith looked at me in disbelief.


    ¡°Green eyes? Your stupid ex has dark brown eyes,¡± Serenity was yelling at me at the bar.


    ¡°Damn.¡± The sourness of lime burned my tongue.


    ¡°Hey, you¡¯ve already moved on? That¡¯s great! But you still have to get to know him before he bangs


    you, Ken.¡± Of course, I wouldn¡¯t expect anything less from Faith¡ªmy fiery redhead friend.


    ¡°Nah. He¡¯s just hot! He makes me all tingly.¡± Iughed out loud. I was an open-minded woman. I had


    one-night stands with men. I enjoyed sex. But I just felt different every time I thought of that stranger.


    I sighed again. I almost forgot my recent heartbreak. I guessed I didn¡¯t love Raoul after all. ¡°I need to


    look for an apartment.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. There¡¯s a vacant in my building,¡± Siena offered.


    ¡°Can¡¯t afford your apartment, woman.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll help you find an affordable one. But let¡¯s talk about our boss¡¯ offer?¡± I haven¡¯t given them


    any details yet. Because honestly, I didn¡¯t have any idea who should I be interviewing next week.


    ¡°Damn it. Why can¡¯t she just hand me in a silver tter? Besides, I deserve it. I know it.¡± My heart was


    crushed. ¡°Don¡¯t I?¡± I looked at their sympathetic eyes, staring back at me.


    ¡°You can still find more deserving of your talent and hard work if you won¡¯t get your promotion. And


    you¡¯re a wonderful, hard-working, self-reliant, and confident woman. I¡¯m sure you will nail your interview


    with her rmendation.¡±


    Serenity agreed with Siena. ¡°You don¡¯t need good luck, Ken.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. I need to pee.¡± I knew my way around Night Stalker. I left them on the bar. I was slightly


    drunk, but I could still find my way to thedies¡¯ room.


    Crap. The line was long, and I could hardly hold my dder. I sighed deeply before I left.


    ¡°Miss?¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not interested. I just broke up with my ex less than forty-eight hours ago. So no.¡± I


    walked past him. He smelled expensive cologne and was so tall and huge, towering over me. Wow!


    This man was an elephant. No, a giraffe.


    ¡°I was just offering you a loo. Avatory. I mean, adies¡¯ room. ¡° Loo? Lavatory?


    I stopped and turned around. He¡¯s huge as I craned my neck to meet his¡ªdark eyes. ¡°You brought


    your loo all the way from Ennd?¡± I didn¡¯t know why I giggled, but he smiled as well. He was


    handsome, but Thayer outshone him by far.


    Jeez, why does everything has to do with Thayer now?


    Damn it. I¡¯d seen handsome men, but Thayer couldn¡¯t get out of my head drunk or not.


    ¡°You¡¯re funny, mydy. But I¡¯m not from Ennd.¡± He chuckled.


    ¡°Do you offer all women to use your loo?¡±


    ¡°No. Just you.¡±


    ¡°Why me?¡± I could barely hold my smile.


    ¡°You poor thing, do you want to use the loo or not? My friend Ash and I have a VIP room.¡±


    I flinched. Did he really think of me that I would join them that easy? I just met him, and he did not even


    tell me his name. How convenient? He just happened to be here while I was waiting to empty my


    dder.


    ¡°Oh, woman. I was merely offering.¡± He raised his hands to surrender. ¡°You can use the loo while we


    wait outside the VIP. If I scare you, madam.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Call me Lud.¡±


    My brow raised. ¡°Lud?¡±


    ¡°Sten Ludovic. At your service.¡± He vowed.


    Iughed. ¡°You¡¯re funny. Ken.¡±


    ¡°Just Ken?¡±


    ¡°Not Ken and Barbie. Kennedy. My name is Kennedy.¡± I held my hand out. ¡°Like John F. Kennedy.¡±


    He squeezed my hand with his huge one. Good thing not so strong that he might break my bones.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Kennedy. The same as John F. Kennedy.¡±


    He was true to his words. He and his friend Ash that I was introduced to, stayed outside even if I told


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    them that wouldn¡¯t be necessary.


    ¡°Thank you, Lud. Ash.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee, ma¡¯am.¡± Ash was a little bit formal and old-fashioned, but they were both huge and


    good-looking. No, I was not going topare them to Thayer. But they both had a thick ent that I


    couldn¡¯t point my finger on where they came from.


    Serenity drove me home. Before I could enter my key to the keyhole, I changed my mind. I hailed a taxi


    and gave him the address where I would be staying for the rest of my weekend.


    ***


    I woke up to the unfamiliar surrounding with a hammering headache. It was alling to me bits by


    bits until I remembered checking in at the Lily Hotel.


    I stripped off my clothes and enjoyed the warm water in the shower. Then it hit me. I didn¡¯t even have


    clothes to change to, other than what I was wearing right now.


    Crap.


    It was already two in the afternoon.


    After I dried myself with the free hotel towel, I put on the robe and checked the nearestundry on the


    app. But I still have nothing to wear. And my phone battery just drained.


    What¡¯s wrong with me?


    I wasn¡¯t this so disorganized, clumsy, and impulsive.


    My stomach grumbled.


    Great.


    I knocked on the door next to mine. No answered. I knocked again and waited for a few seconds. I


    thought of using the phone to call Serenity, but I couldn¡¯t memorize her number.


    Before I could turn away, the door swung open.

 4

    4


    THAYER


    I felt drained after we visited my grandfather. He¡¯d been in the private hospital for months. My country


    was praying for his recovery, but after I spoke to his doctors, I wasn¡¯t sure if our prayers were heard.


    He¡¯d been in aa for almost three months, and they had not seen any improvements.


    My family wanted to keep this bad news, but the people in the country needed to know. Despite that,


    they still had to keep a few details from the press.


    I could see the struggle from Aunt Alessia as she joined me inside her father¡¯s room. No one knew,


    except my family and the advisors, on which country my grandfather was admitted. It was for his


    security and privacy.


    We had the best hospitals and doctors, but it was best to keep him away from media exposure. It had


    tight security. The staff was under indisputable NDA so that they wouldn¡¯t leak crucial information to


    anyone outside this floor.


    I¡¯d known my grandfather to suffer from such illness just like everyone, but this time, he had a hard time


    recovering. I¡¯d known a few people surpassed ny or even reached a hundred years old. I wished I


    could still witness him celebrated his ny years birthday, but judging by his situation right now in


    machines, I couldn¡¯t let my hopes up.


    ¡°Grandfather, it¡¯s Camren.¡± He was the only family who called me Camren.


    I missed his voice. I held his wrinkled hand. It even felt a little warmer¡ªa good sign. ¡°I came all the


    way to visit you. I know you can hear me. Your people are praying for your fast recovery, Grandfather.


    So don¡¯t let them down, okay?¡± I knelt and bowed my head in front of him. ¡°Your son, Isodore, and your


    daughter-inw Aimrose have sent their love.¡± I kissed his hand before I rose to my feet.


    Aunt Alessia had not said a word since we entered. I could see she was crying, but as a strong-willed


    woman, she kept herselfposed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you some time with him. I¡¯ll be right outside.¡± I gripped her shoulder before I walked out.


    Ash and Lud met me in the hallway. They knew the prognosis, but I knew they wanted to hear it from


    me.


    I shook my head before I entered the room that served as the personal details room assigned to my


    grandfather.


    ¡°Just stay strong,¡± Ash said.


    The entire room went silent. I wasn¡¯t aware they weren¡¯t briefed with my arrival. At least twelve people


    nodded at me.


    ¡°When I¡¯m in this country. You won¡¯t do that. You can call me sir or Thayer, but do not address me by


    my title unless you are ready to pack your bag and hand me your resignation.¡±


    They apologized in unison.


    ¡°Take care of my grandfather, The King.¡± I left the room. Ash and Lud followed me out.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Ash asked.


    ¡°Not even the least.¡±


    ¡°We all are, T.¡±


    ¡°I need you to do something for me.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to ask,¡± Lud replied.


    ¡°We have an agreement that you both can enjoy during your stay.¡±


    ¡°I would feel terrible if you won¡¯t ask anything from us, Thayer. You¡¯re still¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± I cut Ash off.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°I know you both bugged my room.¡±


    They looked down. Guilt stered all over their faces. ¡°Following orders. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. But you still have ess to security details, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Good. With audio?¡±


    ¡°No, sir,¡± Lud answered.


    ¡°Fair enough. I want you to check on someone.¡±


    Their gazes flew to me. Hopes were brewing in their eyes.


    I shut my eyes, sighing deeply. ¡°She¡ª¡±


    ¡°She?¡± they cried in unison.


    ¡°For God¡¯s sake. Behave yourself.¡±


    ¡°The sooner you find her, the sooner we can get home,¡± Lud said excitedly.


    ¡°Are you serious? Do you n on kidnapping her?¡± I shot them a murderous re.


    ¡°You can invite her like normal people.¡± Ash shrugged.


    ¡°To my country? Like right now? Who stupid woman would agree to that?¡±


    ¡°Well, use your charm,¡± Lud suggested, smirking.


    ¡°Do you how hard for me to lie? To pretend as if I was just an ordinary guy walking around the city,


    thinking that it¡¯s easy to bring someone home? That fact that I¡¯m not just an ordinary man, how do you


    think she would react as soon as wended in the airport?¡±


    ¡°Thayer, should I remind you that this is your idea?¡± Ash said.


    ¡°That you wanted to know if someone would ept you if you¡¯re a nobody?¡± Lud added.


    Fair point, but I would not admit to that. ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten anything.¡± A painful silence followed. ¡°Her


    name is Kennedy.¡±


    God, nothing in that woman was not sexy. The first time Iid an eye on her, something inside me


    warmth. I¡¯d spent my life with women who always wanted to win my heart¡ªor rather, wanted the


    privilege. This time, it was different.


    She had the most beautiful eyes, despite beingced with sadness. I wanted to strangle Aunt Alessia


    for giving her a hard time. She even looked amazing in her outfit.


    I knew my aunt had a strict dress protocol. I couldn¡¯t agree more. Besides, they worked in a leading


    fashion magazine.


    Those lips, though. I wondered how they look without lipstick. Were they cherry red? Anyhow, I still


    wanted to feel them against my fingertip, my lips, and my tongue. Those pert breasts, enough the size


    around my palm and in my mouth as I suckled them.


    I let her image invade my mind until my groin tightened.


    Fuck.


    The first time she saw me, I quickly noticed the admiration. And thank God, the recognition was the


    least I should be worrying about. She didn¡¯t have any idea who I was.


    ¡°Thayer,¡± Ash called me out of my little fantasy.


    I blinked away from the beautiful image of Kennedy. ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Do you know her surname?¡±


    ¡°I can give you better than that.¡±


    ¡°Great. What should we do?¡± Lud asked.


    ¡°Background check. Follow her around, but not in a creepy way.¡±


    ¡°We know exactly what to do,¡± Ash replied proudly.


    ¡°And manwhore, don¡¯t you dare touch her.¡± I pointed at Lud.


    He raised his hands. ¡°I love my head intact and attach to my body.¡±


    ¡°And your dick too,¡± Ash seconded.


    I joined Aunt Alessia in her car. She looked heartbroken.


    Ipletely understood. Her mother died five years ago. That was how she found out who she was.


    My family quickly learned to love her, but she never forgot who she was¡ªan independent American


    woman who was wed to her job.


    ¡°Not her, Thayer,¡± she said softly.


    ¡°Not who?¡±


    She rolled her eyes, which was inappropriate to do to me. ¡°I was there, watching you, admiring her, and


    how your eyes sparkled? I remember when your mother told me how you reacted the first time you saw


    your horse.¡±


    ¡°And why not? You can¡¯t say no to me.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s irreceable.¡± There was sadness in her tone.


    ¡°And she¡¯s also irreceable.¡± My corner lips tugged into a smile.


    ¡°How about that woman¡ª? What¡¯s her name?¡±


    ¡°See?¡± I pointed my finger at her. ¡°You can¡¯t even remember her name. Meaning, she¡¯s not important.¡±


    She sighed. ¡°In all honesty, you deserve better than her. I couldn¡¯t see any sincerity in her bones.¡±


    ¡°Let me get this straight, Auntie. You don¡¯t like Kadynce for me?¡± I met her sad gaze.


    She smiled. Her eyes sparkled for a split second. ¡°How would you convince her to give up her career,


    Thayer? She loves her job. How are you going to drop the bomb that you¡¯re the future ruler?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I have ideas, but after meeting her, I finally realized how difficult the task I have at hand.¡±


    I rubbed my clean chin. I used to have a day or two of stubble, which made me looked older. I kept it


    like that.


    ¡°She just broke up with her boyfriend.¡±


    My eyes widened as if I just found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.


    ¡°You know what it means, Thayer?¡±


    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    My heart sank. ¡°She needs to move on, heal her heart before she enters into another rtionship. But I


    don¡¯t have that time.¡± I rubbed my temples.


    ¡°I already have a n for you.¡±


    My head snapped to her. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s gonna interview you. And you will be exclusive on page thirteen.¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°No way. No way in hell.¡±


    ¡°You cannot lie to her. You¡¯re gonna break her heart. Do you want that? Women like us would easily fall


    in love with the right man. But we also easily fall out of love by you guys lying to us, betray us, and


    cheating on us. And it would be difficult for us to try trusting you again. Trust me, honey, if you like her


    this much. Start by telling her the truth. Of who you are.¡±

 5

    5


    KENNEDY


    I stopped dead in my tracks. My breathing held as we stared at each other for the second time. I was


    gripping my robe against my chest as if it would fall willingly as his gaze burned on me.


    My pulse quickened. I didn¡¯t know how long I was there standing in front of him, and I couldn¡¯t utter a


    word of my purpose.


    His lips were so full, slightly parted. I wanted to feel the softness against my finger, against my lips.


    I squirmed. I was tingling all over and between my thighs.


    I was so attractive to this man, even if I didn¡¯t even know his full name. I couldn¡¯t deny his physical


    beauty and my attraction to him.


    I just broke up with my ex, yet I was drawn to Thayer like I was never with any men¡ªI was like a moth


    to his me.


    His throat bobbed up and down. ¡°Kennedy, what a surprise?¡±


    I gulped. My throat dried. My cheeks were burning as he waited for me to talk.


    ¡°Would you like toe in?¡± There was a hesitation in his voice as he figured what I was wearing, I


    thought.


    ¡°Um, I really have no idea you¡¯re the one checking in across my room,¡± I told him truthfully. At the back


    of my head, what a coincidence? I was just thinking about youst night, and then here we were, and I


    was still acting like an idiot in front of a Greek god Thayer.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t also expect you to check-in across my room.¡± He smiled. God, he smiled. He looked like he


    woke up early. He was already on her shirts and jeans. And he looked even attracted in casual wear.


    ¡°It was kinda unnned.¡± I suddenly felt shy. When was thest time I felt shy? Never.


    ¡°Unnned is good.¡± He let out a chuckle. There was something in his smile that lit up the day. His


    forest green eyes glittered.


    ¡°I usually nned everything ahead of time, and now I¡¯m freaking out what to do.¡±


    ¡°Can I help?¡±


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    I bit my bottom lip, thinking if it was a good idea.


    ¡°Kennedy, if you don¡¯t wannae in. At least let me help you. That¡¯s what a good neighbor is for?¡±


    ¡°I think what you mean to say is that¡¯s what friends are for. But yeah, I get it we¡¯re not friends.¡±


    ¡°We can be.¡±


    I hope so. But I was certain that your stay was not permanent. You were not from around here. I could


    guarantee that.


    ¡°Now, please, let me help a friend.¡±


    ¡°I want to borrow your charger.¡±


    ¡°My phone charger?¡± he asked.


    ¡°You¡¯re not an android, are you?¡±


    Heughed. My cheeks heated. ¡°Thest time I checked, I¡¯m 100% human.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God. What I mean, an android user.¡±


    ¡°I know, Kennedy. Please,e in.¡± He widened the door, stepped aside, and gestured me toe in.


    ¡°I promise, I¡¯m a decent man.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    His room had a simr floor n as mine, but his well-made bed was different. There was an additional


    table inside and a veryfortable chair.


    ¡°Here¡¯s the charger.¡±


    ¡°The phone charger.¡±


    ¡°I was trying to adapt your lingo.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a fast learner.¡± I took my phone from the pocket of my robe. ¡°You don¡¯t mind me sitting here for


    a while. I mean, if I¡¯m not holding you to do your ns.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind, Kennedy. Have you eaten your lunch?¡±


    I leaned against the side table after I connected my phone to the charger. I opened my mouth to say


    something but failed to do so. Every time our gazes met, I lost my thoughts. There was something in


    the way we looked at each other, and it was freaking me out.


    ¡°I get that as a no.¡±


    ¡°Um. I went to get drunk with my friendsst night¡ª¡± A knock interrupted us. His attention went to the


    door. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t know you were expecting someone.¡± I stood straight and pulled my phone from


    the charger.


    ¡°I can assure you, they¡¯re not someone,¡± he said as he walked towards the door. Even his walk was


    sexy.


    God, I was losing my mind. I needed to get away from him as far as I could.


    He opened the door slightly, and I couldn¡¯t see who was behind the door, but he definitely knew who he


    was talking with. The murmurs followed.


    ¡°Thayer, let me just borrow your¡ª¡± The door swung open.


    My jaw dropped. I knew them.


    I covered my mouth in shock.


    ¡°You¡¯re not¡ªyou know them?¡± I stared at Thayer in shock.


    ¡°Hi, Kennedy as in John F. Kennedy.¡± He waved his hand at me, and then his gaze dropped to what I


    was wearing.


    Oh, my God! I must be beet red right now. I finally realized why Thayer was staring at me that way¡ªI


    just came out from the shower. I wasn¡¯t wearing any underwear, no make-up¡ªnothing. My hair was all


    over the ce.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go in there,¡± Thayer warned him.


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t mind at all,¡± Lud replied.


    Ash shook his head. ¡°How¡¯s your hangover?¡±


    ¡°I still have a little, but I¡¯ll live.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly.¡± He walked past us to the bathroom. Then I heard a door close. He came back with a


    bottle of pills. He then grabbed a cold bottle of water from the mini-fridge and offered it to me. ¡°There


    you go. It¡¯s safe to take in an empty stomach.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. You¡¯re a lifesaver. How do you know it¡¯s safe to take these pills on an empty stomach?¡± My


    curiosity kicked in.


    ¡°I was a corpsman.¡±


    ¡°Oh? That¡¯s impressive. So, they¡¯re also in the military?¡±


    ¡°You can ask T directly.¡±


    I turned to face Thayer, who was shooting Ash a re. There was something in a stare¡ªso powerful


    that made Ash almost cower and apologetic. What the hell was that all about?


    ¡°Thanks for the pill.¡±


    His gaze finally went to me, still burning. ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡±


    I looked at Ash. His gaze dropped before he lifted at me. ¡°I¡¯m gonna leave you two alone.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t wanna stay?¡±


    ¡°Lud and I have ns.¡±


    ¡°Thanks again.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re very much wee.¡± His smile was forced.


    Once they were gone, I connected my phone back to the charger.


    ¡°I apologize for the interruption.¡±


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t be. I was the one who asked for help. How do you know them? I mean, it looked like


    you¡¯ve known each other for long.¡±


    ¡°We both were in a military. After our discharge, instead of going separate ways, they work for my


    father. How did you meet them? Have a seat, please?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I met them in the club. At Night Stalkerst night.¡± I took a seat. Thayer chose the bed. ¡°Are you


    all these kind and helpful?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a swore oath to help and protect.¡±


    My brow arched. I wasn¡¯t entirely convinced. ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Are you going to tell me what happenedst night?¡±


    ¡°I just broke up with my ex.¡± I stopped and watched him. His jaw clenched. ¡°He dumped me. My things


    are still in his apartment. My friend Serenity sent me therest night, but I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of


    staying there or sleeping in the same bed or on the couch. That¡¯s why I am here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to say this, but he¡¯s an asshole and a loser.¡±


    ¡°I was about to call my friend to bring me something to change when my phone died.¡±


    ¡°Do you wanna change from that robe? I have shirts that might fit you.¡± His offer was tempting, but I


    had enough humiliation and had bothered him a lot. I couldn¡¯t abuse his kindness than I already did.


    I shook my head. My face heated again. Just thinking that I was wearing his shirts made my skin tingle.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°You can call me Ken.¡±


    ¡°I like Kennedy better.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine in robe.¡±


    ¡°You can use anything you want. Stay here. I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    I nodded. When the door shut behind him, I crossed my legs, chin on my knuckles.


    Oh, God. My life just drastically changed. I hadn¡¯t found an apartment. Now I was with the hottest man


    in the world, half-naked in his hotel bedroom.


    The door swung open again. My hand was quickly on my chest.


    ¡°I apologized. I forgot to knock.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. This is your room.¡±


    He might have noticed my reaction. ¡°I¡¯m not gonna do anything stupid, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°I know. And I should be grateful for your help. It¡¯s just the robe size is a little bit bigger, and I¡¯m not


    wearing anything underneath.¡±


    I swore I heard him curse.


    He cleared his throat. ¡°I¡¯d like you to join me over lunch, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d love to, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°I hope I¡¯m not too forward, but since it¡¯s necessary for you to dress properly, I asked Lud to buy you


    clothes before you have a wardrobe malfunction.¡±


    I pressed my thighs together in response. His eyes darkened as he dropped his gaze from my eyes to


    my chest.


    ¡°A gift?¡±

 6

    6


    THAYER


    Everything about Kennedy was sexy. The way she drank the water was sexy. The way she talked and


    when she blushed. And damn if it wasn¡¯t sexy on how she bit her bottom lip, and it seemed that she


    didn¡¯t have any idea what she was doing to me.


    An irrational surge of jealousy coursed through me. It was new to me, and I didn¡¯t know how to handle


    it. I almost broke out of my disguise. And who would have thought that the first person I would see in


    the morning was the woman who kept me awakest night? Then she came to me only wearing a


    fucking robe, and she wasn¡¯t wearing underwear beneath.


    Kennedy was driving me insane, and she wasn¡¯t even aware of it.


    I left her in the room to take some breaths. I was jealous of Ash earlier¡ªthe way he easily handled the


    awkward silence in the room. I should be thanking him. Instead, I almostmanded him in front of


    Kennedy.


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± It was Ash.


    ¡°Nothing is ever gonna be okay. I¡¯m freaking out.¡±


    ¡°I thought you wanna know her.¡± He was amused. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    I red at him. ¡°I almost punched you in the face earlier. What¡¯s wrong with me? I¡¯ve never lost control


    nor lost my bnce, but when I saw the two of you smiling at each other, I felt something that I


    shouldn¡¯t have.¡±


    ¡°You have feelings for her. I get it. You¡¯re jealous.¡±


    ¡°To a friend?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re territorial. That¡¯s understandable for someone like you.¡±


    ¡°Is this even healthy?¡± I asked, confused.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t hurt anyone. You haven¡¯t ordered her not to talk to me. There¡¯s nothing wrong with you, T.


    Just take it easy, okay? We still have a lot of things to work out. It¡¯s gonna be okay. Just keep and


    maintain your cover for a while.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I joined them in their room. ¡°Lud, I want you to buy clothes for Kennedy.¡±


    Lud¡¯s eyebrow raised in surprise, wearing an amused look on his face.


    ¡°Not a fucking word, Ludovic.¡± It was from Ash.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t sleep together. She was only asking for a phone charger.¡±


    ¡°And how convenient it is? You, across her room, and she¡¯s knocking on your door. I would say it¡¯s fate.


    Call it fucking destiny.¡±


    Pissed off, I shook my head. ¡°Just do what I said, asshole.¡±


    ¡°Fine. What else?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the manwhore. You should know what women should wear, you idiot,¡± Ash chided him.


    ¡°You two are not virgins. You enjoyed fucking as well.¡±


    ¡°Language.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. That was way out of line.¡±


    ¡°Just get it done. And be quick.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°What about me?¡± Ash asked.


    ¡°You talked to the chef to prepare us lunch. Do you know if she has any allergies?¡± I watched her


    through theptop screen.


    ¡°Soy.¡±


    ¡°And before you go, cut the feeds.¡± I left the room. It had been years since I felt this excitement.


    Kennedy was still in the same position earlier as I entered the room, and she looked more beautiful


    without makeup. And damn it, her lips, so full and seemed soft.


    She felt wary about my lunch invitation, and I couldn¡¯t me her. She barely knew me¡ªshe just met


    me yesterday.


    ¡°A gift?¡±


    She held her ne.


    I swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the thought of running my tongue in the valley of her breast. And it


    was harder than I thought, thinking that only an oversize robe was keeping my sanity.


    ¡°My dad gave it to me.¡±


    ¡°What does he do?¡±


    ¡°He was a journalist.¡±


    ¡°Was?¡±


    ¡°He retired after he got captured in the Middle East. Now he was a frence writer and a full-time


    editor in a publishing house.¡±


    ¡°Your mother?¡±


    ¡°My mom is a photographer.¡±


    ¡°I guess it runs in a family.¡± When I smiled, she smiled back.


    ¡°I guess you could say that. How do you know Alessia?¡± The way she asked, I could feel that she had


    been waiting to know the rtionship between us.


    ¡°She¡¯s my rtive.¡±


    ¡°Wow! How?¡±


    ¡°From my father¡¯s side.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡± That was twice now.


    ¡°Have you found an apartment?¡± Truthfully, Ash and Lud were done with that task, but I couldn¡¯t just


    suggest it to her. It would only look dubious.


    ¡°Not yet.¡±


    ¡°We can help you take your things once you found an apartment.¡±


    ¡°That would be too much. You already bought me something to wear. Besides, I¡¯m sure you have more


    important things to do than helping me with my things. Thank you, though. I appreciate your help.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m sure you will hire movers or call your friends for help. And we are more capable of


    carrying heavy loads.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    A silent tension followed. Our gazes met again. Those damn sky blue eyes.


    ¡°What do you do for a living?¡±


    ¡°I was a pilot.¡±


    ¡°Air force?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± A Royal pilot, to be precise.


    ¡°So, what do you do now?¡± I could see in her eyes the curiosity was so deep, and her mind was


    spinning.


    ¡°I work in my family business.¡±


    ¡°With Lud and Ash.¡±


    ¡°Yes. We¡¯re my father¡¯s employees, to be exact. Do you like working in Style?¡±


    ¡°I love my job. I enjoy what I do.¡± Damn. Alessia was right. Her job was her passion.


    ¡°Have you traveled?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Not a lot, though. I always dreamed of traveling to far remote, like countries that are less explored


    by tourists. I wanted to surprise myself, to explore the cultures, and meet different people.¡±


    ¡°Alessia mentioned about Page 13. What was that all about?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re not familiar with Style Magazine, Page 13 is an exclusive interview with famous people. But


    I¡¯d rather interview a little less famous but makes significant to themunity. Like a war hero, a priest


    or a nun who gives her life helping children how to read and write, or a doctor who just discovered a


    cure. Celebrities, football yers, actors, billionaires are too overrated, but that¡¯s what most readers


    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    wanted to read.¡±


    ¡°You can suggest to Alessia. I¡¯m sure she would consider your ideas. She already said it. She admired


    your work.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s business. Besides, Style is about fashion.¡±


    ¡°And not all billionaires are into fashion, football yers, as well. Yes, they have huge fanbases, but


    this is your only chance to write what truly inspires you, Kennedy.¡±


    Her eyes shone with hope, and if what I saw it right, admiration. Before we could talk further, a knock


    on the door interrupted us.


    ¡°T?¡± It was Lud.


    As soon as I opened the door, he entered, carrying at least a dozen of a paper bag, that mostly, I


    recognized the brands.


    ¡°Oh, my God!¡± Kennedy caught my attention. ¡°Are those¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yours,¡± Lud answered. ¡°I hope I guessed your size right?¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°I can¡¯t wear these.¡± She pointed at the bags already in my bed.


    ¡°Why not try and fit them first?¡± Lud suggested.


    ¡°It¡¯s not it, or it won¡¯t fit me, but¡ª¡± She stared at me. ¡°Do you know much those cost you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡± I shrugged.


    Kennedy froze stiff as a corpse. Her eyes widened in shock. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    ¡°Thayer Camren. Why does it matter?¡±


    ¡°What I mean is who are you? These worth thousands of dors, and you didn¡¯t even care?¡±


    ¡°I have money, and I work my ass off to earn what I use to buy these for you so that you can get out of


    that hideous robe. And these are a necessity, aren¡¯t they?¡±


    She barked outughing. She justughed out loud.


    ¡°Did I say something funny?¡±


    ¡°I gotta go. Try these on, Ken. Don¡¯t let my effort go to waste.¡± Lud walked out of the room, leaving us


    alone.


    Kennedy was still shaking as she wiped her tears.


    ¡°Kennedy?¡±


    ¡°You just said that my robe is hideous. You should have said that earlier.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to embarrass you more.¡± I smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯ll return these to you as soon as I get my things back.¡±


    ¡°Then we should have lunch so that we can search for your apartment.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t have other ns?¡±


    You are my n, Kennedy Gilby.

 7

    7


    KENNEDY


    One thing I was sure of, Thayer was freaking rich. If Alessia was his rtive from his father¡¯s side, then


    they were filthy rich.


    I was in his bathroom as I stared at, at least twelve paper bags from a known brand¡ªfrom underwear,


    shoes, dress, belt, coat, and even makeup. I didn¡¯t know which one I should try first. But of course, I


    should start wearing my underwear. Then I put on the peach long-sleeve mini dress, which made me


    surprised with the size that it was perfectly fit for me, and also the size of Follies pumps by Louboutin.


    I put a little make on my face. I was not ashamed to show off the freckles on the top of my nose. Then I


    brushed my hair and applied the nude lipstick on my lips. Once I was done, I looked at myself in the


    mirror. I was far from how I looked yesterday. The fluffs under my eyes were gone. The glow on my


    face was back.


    It was time to move on and look for a new apartment while I had new friends to help me move my


    things out. I stepped outside the bathroom and carried back the bags. I ced them at the corner of the


    room, but Thayer was nowhere to find them.


    My stomach twisted.


    I grabbed my phone. Thankfully, it was now fully charged. Then I found a note with very masculine


    handwriting.


    Meet me on the rooftop.


    T


    I entered the elevator. Once I reached thest floor, I followed the arrow that would probably lead me to


    the rooftop.


    I stopped in front of the man around my age wearing a waitstaff uniform.


    ¡°Miss Gilby?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Please, follow me.¡± He turned around.


    I followed suit. ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Ash asked me to take you them.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    I tried not to look surprised, but I miserably failed as I ogled in awe at the three men in well-tailored


    suits. But my attention was quickly caught by the man in the middle. His hair waved in the blows of the


    wind with his hands in his pockets. The way he posed, he exuded confidence, mour, power, and


    authority. Who was this man? He was still a huge puzzle to me that I had no idea of solving.


    I cleared my throat. They unanimously turned around. I felt suddenly self-conscious when three pairs of


    eyes were pinned at me.


    ¡°Hi. Did I interrupt your sightseeing?¡± The view from the top was magnificent. The weather was just


    perfect. No wonder Thayer chose this rooftop.


    ¡°Can I have the honor of sending you to the table?¡± It was Ash, and he looked handsome as ever with


    ssic slicked-back dark hair.


    ¡°The honor is mine.¡± I smiled as I hooked my hand around his arm.


    ¡°You look beautiful, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Ash. You''re not bad yourself.¡±


    ¡°Madam.¡± Lud suddenly bowed slightly, making me chuckle.


    ¡°What¡¯s that for?¡± I joked. ¡°Thank you for choosing this dress. It¡¯s beautiful.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d you like it, ma¡¯am.¡±


    I unhooked my hand around Ash¡¯s arm and faced the man who never ceased to amaze me. If I was in


    a fairy talend, I would have thought he was my prince charming. His dark blue suit and Faconnee


    blue tie made his eyes stand out, and his aura a power as a god.


    ¡°You cleaned up pretty well.¡± It was an honestpliment. I couldn''t even find the right word to


    describe how he looked before me.


    He smiled. ¡°You look stunning, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, and to your personal shopper.¡± I looked around, and two were gone. ¡°Wait. Where are


    they?¡±


    ¡°They have important matters to do.¡± Of course. I did feel like Ash and Lud were ordered to be gone in


    an instant.


    ¡°Did they even have their lunch?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s almost dinner, Kennedy.¡±


    I sat down as he assisted me. ¡°Thank you. Why here?¡±


    ¡°Skyscrapers, towers, mountains, and anything tall fascinates me. I was barely able to watch the


    sunrise and sunset in New York.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful. Don¡¯t you watch the sunset in your country?¡± Where he came from still intrigued me. He


    was not definitely British nor Australian, but for sure, he came from a very prominent family. Thayer


    may not ring a bell, but maybe it was his middle name or his fake name.


    ¡°Have you experienced almost half a year of winter?¡± he started as he sat across the table.


    ¡°Find?¡±


    ¡°In Land. It wintered at least two hundred days a year.¡±


    I drank my water. ¡°Wow.¡±


    ¡°Levi was gorgeous at this time.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess, Levi would be your next destination.¡± The appetizer arrived¡ªSpinach artichoke bites.


    ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind me choosing the wine.¡±


    I raised my ss, swirled the dark red liquid, and it smelled divine. I took a sip and let it settle in my


    tongue before I swallowed it down. ¡°Good choice. I love Shiraz.¡±


    ¡°d you like it.¡±


    ¡°It feels like you know me well, Mr. Camren.¡±


    He dropped his gaze down, and he looked mncholy.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Did I say something that upset you?¡±


    He dubbed his lips. ¡°No, Kennedy. I came here to visit my sick grandfather.¡±


    I almost choked with my food. I quickly grabbed the water and gulped down. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. How¡¯s he?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s been in aa for almost three months.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean to pry, but is he Alessia¡¯s father?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    I tried not to start with a touchy subject. I was still wondering if Thayer had someone special he left in


    his country or wherever he came from because I felt right now that we were on a date. The setting, the


    ambiance, and it was just the two of us in wine and dine.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I have enough space for dessert.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Themb was delicious.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have it sent your room.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡± I stared at him. I had no guarantee I would see him again. At least, I


    remembered this gorgeous man across the table.


    ¡°Please? If it makes you feel better. The dessert has been paid for. You don¡¯t wanna go it to waste, do


    you?¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Good excuse.¡±


    ¡°What do you have in mind after this?¡±


    ¡°Can we stay here for a while?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°I wanna soak my feet in the pool.¡± I looked at the inviting pool to our right.


    After our early dinnerte lunch, I took off my shoes. I sauntered towards the pool. The yellowmp lit


    up, giving a gorgeous glow to his medium skin.


    I dipped my feet into the water. It was warmth, soothing my feet perfectly. ¡°You should try this.¡±


    He was sitting beside me, facing opposite mine. He turned his head to look at me. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re


    enjoying it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you will catch an athlete¡¯s foot or skin diseases, Thayer. Try it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, love, but I pass.¡±


    ¡°Do you have Polydactyly?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Extra toe.¡±


    He barked outughing and shook his head in amusement. His voice echoed. ¡°I swear I have ten toes


    and ten fingers.¡± He showed me his long fingers. He was wearing tinum or white gold ring on his


    finger.


    ¡°Heirloom?¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°Sure. Doesn¡¯t this look like a wedding band to you?¡±


    ¡°It was a valid question, and you asked me about this ne.¡± I showed at him.


    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    He took it from my fingers. My skin warmed, tingles spreading all over. Electric jolts shot right below my


    tummy, spreading billions of butterflies. This was just an innocent touch. I wondered how it felt if he


    would just yank the back of my hair, devour me, and crush his mouth to mine.


    My breathing increased. My pulse quickened. My lips went dry as I stared at his hand, toying the simple


    pendant of my ne.


    I still couldn¡¯t understand. Even in my clear mind, this lust and attraction we had with each other. Yet,


    this man had the strongest self-control I¡¯d ever met.


    I licked my dry lips. When I couldn¡¯t take it anymore, I lifted my gaze, meeting his¡ªgreener than the


    virgin forest. I swallowed hard. He was burning two holes back at me with such intensity of desires


    burning in his eyes.


    ¡°Fuck.¡±

 8

    8


    THAYER


    Damn it!


    What was I thinking? I was better than that.


    I twisted and turned in bed. The urge to knock on Kennedy¡¯s door and pick up what we left off at the


    rooftop made me vibrate in anticipation. The fact that my raging hard-on in my pants jerked at the


    thought of those perk breasts and those plumped red lips, I was already fully awake.


    Fuck.


    I let out a frustrated sigh as I forced myself to erect to sit in my empty bed. A few secondster, my


    phone vibrated.


    It was a message from Ash.


    Ash: Tea?


    T: Turn off the fucking feeds.


    I hit the send button.


    His reply popped up.


    Ash: Sparring?


    T: Not interested.


    Ash: Just knock on her door. What¡¯s so hard about it? She¡¯s American.


    T: Not gonna happen. Sleep.


    I threw my phone away, shutting my eyes closed, and forcing myself to sleep.


    I jolted to sit on the bed to a loud knock on the door.


    Damn door.


    I cursed under my breath as I swung the door open. ¡°What the fuck is it?¡±


    ¡°I¡­I¡¯m sorry.¡± That voice.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± I blinked my eyes when I realized I just yelled at Kennedy. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I thought you¡¯re¡ª¡± When I


    turned my head to the right, the two idiots wereughing silently with their hands on their abdomen.


    ¡°Very mature!¡±


    ¡°I cane back,¡± Kennedy said.


    ¡°Please,e in. I¡¯m sorry. My mind was still sleeping when you knocked.¡± I stepped aside as I


    widened the door for her.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t me who knocked.¡±


    I paused and turned around. ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Lud. We met at the cafe. He told me that you¡¯re probably still sleeping.¡±


    ¡°And he found it funny.¡± I groaned.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s almost noon. Ash told me you used to wake up early that¡¯s why I came here to check up on


    you.¡± She was wearing a sleeveless ruffled blouse and denim shorts that could barely covered her


    goods and her round, perfect ass.


    Damn it, woman. Was she trying to kill me with a hard-on?


    ¡°Coffee?¡± She offered me a cup.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I took a seat beside her.


    She was sipping her coffee as well. I found out that she liked cream in her caffeine.


    I sipped mine, and I almost spat it out. ¡°Who ordered this?¡±


    She faced me. Her eyes were brighter than the clear blue sky. ¡°Why? Lud told me that¡¯s what you like.


    Dark. Two sugar.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m sure he has nned to make me diabetic.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Mine has sugar too. Sorry, I should have asked you first. I¡¯ll call for a dark coffee for you.¡± She


    picked her phone.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Kennedy. I can drink any kind of coffee.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± She looked at me, reading my mind.


    ¡°Yeah. Lud likes to y pranks.¡± I chuckled. I was forced to take a sip just to wake up.


    Her phone rang thatpletely waken me up. When she looked at the caller ID, her face turned hard.


    ¡°I have to answer it.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± My nose red. That fucking moron was still calling her. What did he want from her? He


    wouldn¡¯t dare apologize and take her back if he still wanted to use his nose.


    My knuckles turned white as I watched Kennedy enter the bathroom.


    I texted Ash.


    Her ex is calling.


    I sounded like a moron.


    Ash: What are they talking about?


    T: No way I would eavesdrop. Tell Lud, nice try.


    Ash: Sorry, man. But not sorry _Lud


    T: You¡¯re such an immature, asshole


    Ash: Talking about immature, who turned cold feetst night


    T: It¡¯s called respect


    I shut my phone closed when Kennedy came back. ¡°Is everything okay?¡±


    She barely met my gaze. ¡°I have to take my things and rent a storage unit while I¡¯m searching for an


    apartment.¡±


    ¡°Why would you have to rent? Let¡¯s go and find an apartment.¡± I stood from my seat.


    ¡°Thayer, I¡¯m sure you have more productive things to do than helping me search for an apartment. I¡¯m


    gonna take my things¡ª¡±


    ¡°Can you carry them alone?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna call my friends.¡±


    ¡°Bull. We¡¯reing with you. Actually, Lud is searching for an affordable apartment. He may find a


    building with a nice neighborhood. Go ahead prepare your things. I¡¯ll call Ash to check out for you.¡±


    ¡°What made you so sure that I can find an apartment and transfer today?¡±


    ¡°Money talks, Kennedy. Whether you like how I handle things or not, you need an apartment. Let me


    help you.¡±


    ¡°May I remind you that you¡¯d been helping me since yesterday.¡±


    I sighed deeply.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how I can repay you.¡±


    ¡°I might gonna collect your debt one of these days,¡± I smirked. ¡°Let me just change.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    After she left, I quickly called Lud and Ash before I went to the bathroom to take a quick shower while


    they made a n.


    Thirty minutester, Kennedy and I were stuffed at the backseat of the rental car while the two idiots


    were in front as we rode towards the apartment building Lud already negotiated with thendlord.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can afford this?¡± Kennedy looked at the tallest building before us.


    ¡°This only looks expensive from the outside. Wait until you see the apartment. Two bedrooms, one


    small living, three baths, one kitchte. What do you think?¡± Ash asked her, elbowing me for support.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s perfect.¡±


    Kennedy raised an eyebrow at me. ¡°Did you see what¡¯s inside?¡±


    ¡°Not yet, but I can only imagine an apartment with two bedrooms. Don¡¯t ask for a roommate.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I mighte to visit. So I don¡¯t have to rent a hotel room. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll pay the half.¡±


    Her bright blue eyes sparkled. ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Kennedy. Now, let¡¯s go.¡± I wrapped my arm around her shoulder before she changed her mind.


    The apartment was cute and neat. All Kennedy needed was her things and furniture. I nodded at Ash,


    still busy checking furniture online. He knew what Kennedy just needed to fully-furnish this apartment.


    Truthfully, she didn¡¯t need anything from her ex. I could provide anything she wanted. But I needed to


    take things slow even if I was running out of time. She already had ideas that my family was wealthy.


    She sped her hands together in delight. ¡°I like it.¡±


    ¡°Good. Now, let¡¯s go.¡± I held her hand, squeezing it softly.


    She bit her lip as she squeezed my hand back.


    ¡°It¡¯s all good,¡± Ash announced.


    ¡°What¡¯s all good?¡±


    ¡°The papers. All you have to do is sign the documents emailed to you.¡±


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± she asked me.


    ¡°To take your things from your ex. You still have a key, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± She looked away, feeling uneasy. What was she hiding from me?


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need any furniture from there except my clothes and some personal belongings like my books.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great because you don¡¯t have anything that reminds you of your asshole ex.¡± My voice firmed.


    ¡°What¡¯s your deal with my ex?¡± Her brow arched.


    ¡°Because he¡¯s an asshole.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s lost,¡± Lud butted in.


    Kennedy went silent throughout the ride. I could feel that she was holding something back. She folded


    her hands on herp, but she constantly sighed as she looked outside the window.


    I met Ash¡¯s gaze through the rearview mirror. My jaw clenched in frustration. But then, Aunt Alessia¡¯s


    words echoed in my head.


    I wished she would open up to me, but I wasn¡¯t doing the same as well. We didn¡¯t havebels aside


    from our sexual tension and attraction that defied logic. Right now, my n was uncertain.


    We parked in front of the building.


    ¡°Is this your apartment?¡± Lud asked as if he hadn¡¯t known already.


    ¡°Yeah. Thanks.¡±


    Ash was already on full alert as he scanned the area.


    Before Kennedy could grab the door handle, I held her hand. Her gaze met mine. Then there was the


    pain again.


    I tucked her hair behind her ear. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? If you¡¯re not ready to meet your ex, let Lud and Ash


    grab your things. We can stay here and wait for them till you have your things back.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not.¡± Fuck it. Fuck self-control. Fuck the social graces I¡¯d learned since I started to walk. Fuck


    it all.


    I cupped the back of her head and crushed my mouth to hers. I took the gasp that had escaped from


    her and devoured her. The kiss was raw as if I was throwing away the frustration of wanting to kiss her,


    this toxic lust that was impossible to resist, and this scorching chemistry that made my head spin.


    I¡¯d kissed girls and women before, but it had never been like this.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    She melted into me, her hands gripping the front of the shirt, returning the same raw kiss at me. God,


    no woman had kissed like this, who never hid her desire to kiss me.


    Jolts of electricity shot right to my groin. My cock jerked. I ripped my mouth from her. I left her tiny


    kisses on her lips, her cheeks, her nose, her eyes, and on her forehead.


    I leaned my forehead against hers as we were both breathing hard. ¡°We¡¯ll continue thister.¡±


    A knock on the window pulled us apart. I fixed my pants as I shifted in my seat. I let go a few breaths to


    calm my raging hard-on. Kennedy, on the other hand, was fixing her hair and reapplying her lipstick.

 9

    9


    KENNEDY


    He kissed me. Thayer kissed me.


    The word fuck escaped his mouth shocked me. He¡¯d been trying hard to control whatever this lust and


    attraction we both felt. Then he finally gave in.


    Last night, I didn¡¯t sleep a blink¡ªthat was why I drowned myself in caffeine.


    I¡¯d kissed a lot of men, but damn, his kiss made me squirm and me wet. That kiss wasn¡¯t gentle, and


    that was exactly what I wanted to overwhelm myself. And god, if his scent didn¡¯t turn me on¡ªthe smell


    of rich and masculine that I could sniff him all day. Even his breathing fanning me right now made my


    toe curl. He was driving me insane, driving me mad with lust and unsatisfied hunger.


    And I definitely looked forward to his promise.


    I stepped out of the car with weak knees, hisrge hand on the small of my back. Despite the red


    minidress I was wearing, a tingle of heat radiated the spot where he touched me.


    I knew this was a rush. Everything happened so fast. I was just brokenhearted three days ago. Right


    now, I just kissed a man¡ªa hot piece of man. Did I have regrets? Fuck no. I barely remembered my ex


    if he didn¡¯t call me that I had to take my things because he¡¯d be leaving the apartment soon. Who the


    hell would do that, rushing his ex?


    As we entered the elevator, the two big, bad wolves followed. They were always in full eyes sharp as


    hawks.


    ¡°Nice,¡± Ludmented.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Ash stated.


    I bit my bottom lip.


    Did he see us kissing? Of course, he did.


    Heat rose in my cheeks.


    Thayer might have noticed the rigidness of my spine. He ran his fingertips through the skin of my wrist.


    My toes curl.


    My lips dried.


    He then slipped his fingers into my hand, intecing with mine. My inside tightened. Just at the thought


    of his words earlier made my pulse pick up farther.


    I bit my lip stronger.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± He nced down at me.


    I realized my face was burning. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    He matched my stare, dropping his gaze down my lips before a small smile curved up his lips.


    ¡°Is your asshole ex home?¡± Ash asked, breaking me from my filthy thoughts.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see his car down.¡±


    ¡°Break the damn door if you must.¡±


    My eyes grew big as I snapped my head back at Thayer. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. I still have my key.


    Um, my things might not fit in the car, though.¡±


    ¡°No worries, love. I got it handled,¡± Lud replied.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I mean.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re talking in cryptic.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s handling the movers,¡± Ash replied.


    I picked up my keys from my purse as we reached the apartment door. Before I could slip the key, I


    heard augh from inside the apartment. It was from my ex, and there was another voice¡ªa voice of a


    woman.


    My chest constricted.


    My anger boiled in my blood.


    My breathing quickened.


    ¡°Fucking motherfucker!¡± I was startled by the growling from Lud.


    While my face burned with anger, my hands turned cold. What I wasn¡¯t expecting was Thayer


    squeezing my hand and nting it on his lips. His gesture was sweet andforting like he was telling


    me that everything was going to be okay.


    I hoped he was right, though. Deep in my heart, I wasn¡¯t angry that he already had a woman recing


    me. What hurt me most was I let him fool me. I allowed him to cheat on me. I knew that now¡ªthe


    reason why he made excuses every time I initiated sex.


    Damn him.


    Lud took the key from my shaking hand. ¡°Let me do it, love.¡±


    The door swung opened. The shock was an understatement. Colors drained from Raoul¡¯s face. His


    dark eyes widened in shock, and so as the woman sitting on the kitchen ind¡ªhis officemate. Lydia.


    ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve seen a ghost, mate?¡± It was Lud who entered first.


    I swallowed at hisment. I could sense that this was not going to end well.


    If Lud loved to make an entrance, Ash had not said a word but scan the area in silence, but I could feel


    the tension in his muscles, his jaw clenching.


    ¡°Who the fuck are you?¡± Finally, Raoul said something.


    ¡°Oh, the mover service. And you must be?¡±


    ¡°Raoul¡ª¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Lud swatted his hand and moved to the center of the living room. ¡°Where should I


    start?¡± He picked up a book on the coffee table. I knew exactly what he was doing¡ªto piss my ex off.


    And he was taking it to the next level.


    ¡°Hey, you? Are you also from the movers?¡± What a jerk. I realized now what a waste of my one year


    with him. I couldn¡¯t even find anything how I liked in him.


    He hadn¡¯t seen me yet, though. The woman had not moved a muscle, but she seemedfortable on


    that freaking counter.


    ¡°No.¡± Ash¡¯s answer was short but firm. He didn¡¯t even look at my ex.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Then get the fucking out!¡± Raoul roared.


    It felt like in a freaking Japanese anime movie as Ash turned his head slowly at my ex, his face


    darkening, eyes narrowing. His lips pressed into a t line.


    ¡°Did you hear me?¡± He then turned to Lud, who was already making himselffortable on the worn-


    out couch. ¡°And you, I thought you¡¯re from movers. Did my ex hire you? She isn¡¯t supposed to be here


    right now. She doesn¡¯t have many things around anyway.¡±


    I let go a shuddering sigh. Thayer held my hand tightly, silently telling me to stay put. When I looked up,


    his face was red in anger, nose ring, and jaw clenching as if he was ready to charge towards my ex.


    I rxed beside him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll call the security.¡± He rushed to the counter with the woman who seemed to have turned to stone as


    she finally saw me. Her face was ashen as she recognized me.


    ¡°Put your phone down, Mr. Foster,¡± Ash ordered.


    ¡°You¡¯re trespassing. I¡¯m calling Kennedy. You can''t be the one she hired. You¡¯re not even wearing a


    uniform.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re special kinds of movers. We also moved people¡ªto disappear in the face of fucking earth.¡± Lud


    chuckled.


    ¡°She¡¯s here,¡± Lydia told Raoul silently.


    When he saw me, he swallowed hard. ¡°K-ken.¡±


    ¡°My movers,¡± I introduced my two new favorite big bad wolves. ¡°Lud and Ash.¡±


    ¡°Like Jekyll and Hyde,¡± Lud added.


    Thayer let go of my hand with a groan.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Ken¡ª¡±


    ¡°Which one you¡¯re sorry for, Raoul?¡± I moved closer to the living room. ¡°For kicking me out? Breaking


    up with me? For cheating on me? For lying to me this entire time? Or for bringing your officemate


    before I even take my things out?¡± I red at him. I was grappling with anger.


    He swallowed again. ¡°I¡¯ve been¡ª¡±


    ¡°Meaning to tell me? Fuck you! You asked me to move in with you. And when I asked you what¡¯s going


    on? You told me it¡¯s work. You¡¯re working under pressure with the workload. Then it¡¯s not even a week,


    and you¡¯re already fucking her in the kitchen while you couldn¡¯t even do that to me because you


    wanted to keep it in the bedroom!¡±


    ¡°Lower your voice down, Ken. We have an audience.¡±


    ¡°Oh, do we have now? You don¡¯t even feel guilty about cheating on me. I get it now who pressured you.


    It¡¯s her.¡± I pointed at the woman, now standing beside him. ¡°You could have just been honest with me if


    I couldn¡¯t make you happy, or someone was already scratching your itch.¡±


    ¡°Ken, please? Show some respect!¡± When his voice raises. His face reddened. Lud and Ash were


    ready tounch and tackle Raoul if he said another word.


    ¡°You should also show some respect to me, asshole. I¡¯m still paying half this rent. How do you feel if


    fuck someone in that very same bed?¡± I stopped and chuckled. Then it hit me hard. I shook my head in


    disbelief. ¡°You fucked her in that bed, weren¡¯t you?¡±


    He dropped his gaze. Guilt stered all over his face.


    I threw my hands in the air andughed like a lunatic. My voice echoed throughout the apartment. I


    swore, maybe someone could even hear it from across the road. ¡°Wow! You¡¯re such a jerk.¡± I chuckled.


    ¡°Screw you both.¡±


    ¡°Well, isn¡¯t it awkward?¡± Lud chuckled, crossing his feet over the coffee table.


    ¡°Hey, put your feet down!¡±


    ¡°My client doesn¡¯t seem to care.¡± Lud shrugged.


    ¡°What kind of movers you hired, Ken?¡±


    ¡°None of your business.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be here in a minute,¡± Ash informed me.


    ¡°And who¡¯s that other man?¡± Raoul asked again.


    When I turned my head to Thayer, he was in the same position. This time, he stood tall with pure


    masculine that screamed wealth and power. His hands were in his pockets as he remained silent. He


    clenched his steely jaw while narrowing his eyes at my ex. Though he hadn¡¯t spoken a word, judging by


    his pinstriped well tailored made suit that hugged perfectly over his broad shoulders, and his designer


    checkered tie, crisply starched shirt, surely, Raoul had already a few ideas about who that man was.


    ¡°Again, none of your fucking business.¡±

 10

    10


    THAYER


    My self-discipline is legendary.


    I was born with privilege¡ªwith a golden spoon. Since birth, I was molded to be a man with dignity, with


    ss. I was taught how to act, how to smile, how to behave, and how to speak. Everything.


    But here I was ring at the asshole who broke my Kennedy¡¯s heart while I was fighting the urge to


    yank her head and devour her mouth for a raw kiss.


    Pride swelled in my chest as she remained calm, throwing curses at her ex.


    A woman cursing in front of people was not quite impressive. With an exemption of my woman. And


    watching her stand against that son of a bitch was even a turn-on.


    For the next couple of minutes, I leisurely observed her even though I may have fucked up in the head.


    I dutifully inspect the apartment she shared with that scuzzball. My chest constricted in jealousy. Then I


    realized what a ss A asshole he was. He didn¡¯t deserve Kennedy, and I was sure that Kennedy


    deserved better, who respected her and gave her what she needed and wanted, not someone who


    denied her even over sex.


    And that new woman of his. I didn¡¯t see anything special about her. I turned my attention to my woman,


    and I didn¡¯t like even a bit of how Raoul fucking Foster raising his voice at Kennedy, but I left it to Lud


    and Ash. They could handle this situation easily.


    Dominance was in my nature. It ran in my blood. I noticed how Raoul reacted upon seeing me. I used


    to it because most people showed the same reaction when I was in my royal mode.


    ¡°Again, it¡¯s none of your fucking business.¡± Lud was enjoying a little bit too much, tormenting Raoul,


    and he kept calling Kennedy love. If I had not known him, I would be striking him with punches, but


    Kennedy grew to like him. And I could trust her with Lud, even with all my being¡ªhe would never


    betray me.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be leaving once Kennedy¡¯s belongs out of here,¡± I said formally, even if my blood was boiling and


    my fists were itching to punch this asshole directly in his ugly face.


    ¡°Good, because that man over there is being disrespectful.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s quite over-protective over Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°And who the hell is he?¡± He was even more confused.


    I started to have fun myself.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been telling you for quite some time now that I work in movers.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe a word he said.¡± He looked at me.


    ¡°I heard that,¡± Lud replied from the sofa.


    ¡°Ken, who are these people? How did you get entangled with them?¡±


    My stomach clenched tightly. ¡°Watch your tone, Mr. Foster.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯m gonna leave,¡± said the woman. ¡°Call me, Raoul. We have a lot to talk about.¡±


    ¡°Oh, trouble in paradise already.¡±


    ¡°Lud, enough,¡± I said calmly.


    ¡°Why would I?¡±


    The door mmed shut behind that woman.


    ¡°This fucking asshole cheated on Ken, raised his voice on a woman, and he thinks I should give a fuck


    of giving him my respect? I¡¯m a womanizer, but I never cheated on women. I never disrespected them.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re a perfect guy just like to swing his dick around?¡± bantered Raoul.


    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s my point.¡± Lud was still calm, not giving any interest in Raoul¡¯s outburst.


    ¡°And you call that respect?¡±


    ¡°Yes, dude, because I gave them what they wanted from me. If they wanted sex, I gave them. I¡¯m not


    trying to be so righteous or a saint because I am not that person. But they said one¡¯s man loss is


    another man¡¯s gain.¡± He smirked.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Oh? That¡¯s deliberately obtuse.¡± Lud snickered.


    The movers had finally arrived.


    ¡°Ken, I¡¯ll leave you to pack your things. I have something to do.¡±


    ¡°Great. Just run away, man!¡± Lud yelled before Raoul shut the door behind him.


    I moved towards Kennedy. She helped to assist these men, cing her things in the box. ¡°You okay?¡±


    She quickly turned to me, wearing a bright smile on her face. ¡°Yeah. Why?¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°I just wanna make sure you¡¯re okay.¡±


    She sighed. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it. I even attended their office Christmas party, and he introduced me to that


    woman.¡±


    ¡°No one could have known that.¡± I tucked the loss strand behind her ear.


    ¡°Just make out already.¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve been difficult, Lud.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s an asshole.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t agree more.¡± She looked at Ash, still watching like a hawk on the window.


    ¡°I was referring to your ex.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Then that¡¯s a good thing that he¡¯s already my ex. I love my new apartment, though.¡± She giggled.


    I couldn''t help but smile. I thought it was cute and sexy. ¡°d it meets your standard.¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me? As long as you pay the half.¡± It was fully paid, but she would still receive a


    different revised contract as if she had to pay the original payment.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°So, are we like roommates now?¡±


    ¡°I still have to travel a lot, but yeah. Your roommate. Anything you wanna change?¡±


    ¡°No. That¡¯s already perfect. How about you?¡±


    ¡°If you like the way it is, then we have to keep it that way.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    We went back to the hotel after the movers transferred her things to our new apartment. Apparently,


    there was a service to fix and organize an apartment that Ash had already arranged.


    I sent her to her hotel room with a huge hollow in my chest. Her words struck like lightning. Talking


    about honesty when what I¡¯d been doing the entire time was lying to her.


    ¡°You okay?¡± she asked me. Her eyes filled with concern. ¡°Sorry about earlier. I don¡¯t usually talk trash,


    but he let out the beast in me.¡±


    ¡°The sexy beast, I hope.¡±


    Her smile was bold, yet it held gracefulness and genuine. ¡°Thank you for the help, roommate. Wanna


    My stomach twisted in knots. ¡°I have something to do. I¡¯ll send you a messageter.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, wanderlust.¡± She winked at me.


    ***


    ¡°What the exact fuck, T? Why did you turn it down?¡± Lud asked. Confusion settled on his face.


    ¡°I¡¯m losing my shit every time I¡¯m around her.¡±


    ¡°And it¡¯s that supposed to be a good thing?¡± Ash was sitting in front of the monitor.


    ¡°I¡¯m still lying to her, Ash.¡± Ash would definitely understand me. Lud as well, but without his illogical


    advice.


    ¡°Then start by telling her bits and pieces. Like, ask her if she¡¯s willing to give up her job for love.¡±


    ¡°She won¡¯t,¡± I answered quickly.


    ¡°Are you sure she¡¯s the one?¡±


    I red at Lud.


    ¡°I take that as a yes. 100%?¡±


    ¡°One million percent.¡±


    ¡°Then the truth will always prevail, T. Start by telling the truth before it¡¯s toote, or she will find it out


    from someone else. I heard her saying about honesty earlier. She knows the feeling of betrayal and


    lies. You don¡¯t wanna put her in that position again.¡±


    ¡°What should I do?¡±


    ¡°Tell her the truth. Show her your pictures, or Wikipedia, whatever.¡±


    I stared at Lud with my brows knitted together. ¡°What if she won¡¯t like who I am? What if she let me


    choose between my responsibility for her?¡±


    They looked at each other.


    ¡°Then you should have thought a million times over before we traveled for this stupid quest of yours.¡±


    Lud rolled his eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re not helping.¡± Ash threw a re at Lud.


    An excruciating silence stretched on.


    ¡°Invite her to visit your country,¡± Ash suggested.


    ¡°It would shock her. His pictures are everywhere.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the point, moron,¡± Ash answered Lud while I watched them banter.


    ¡°Where in the hell of taking it too slowly you didn¡¯t understand?¡±


    ¡°Just stop it, you two. Let me think.¡± My mind didn¡¯t seem to work the way I wanted. My chest, though,


    squeezed painfully as I thought of continuing lying to Kennedy.


    ¡°Can I say something?¡± Ash asked.


    ¡°As a friend? Of course.¡± I gestured to him to talk.


    I waited.


    ¡°Kennedy is a smart and independent woman. If I may be honest, she would be a great wife. She


    would make you a happy husband. And she would love and understand you because she knows how


    important and huge is your responsibility to your country. She would never ask you to choose between


    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    your family, your title, your country over her. Trust me. It won¡¯te to that.¡±


    ¡°She loves her job.¡±


    ¡°But there would be the only one you, Thayer, in her life.¡±


    I threw myself to the bed. ¡°I¡¯m scared.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve faced harder trials than this. I know this is where your future lies, but if Kennedy is the right one


    for you, she will find her way back to you.¡± Ash had a point.


    Lud scoffed. ¡°The question is, are you willing to sacrifice something to her?¡±

 11

    11


    KENNEDY


    I thought I let my hopes up.


    What was I thinking inviting Thayer over into my room? But what about that, we¡¯ll continue thister


    speech? Oh, god! I buried my face into the pillow in frustration, hoping my embarrassment would


    decimate.


    I¡¯d known to be straightforward, but with Thayer around, I tended to make terrible mistakes. He had just


    consumed me¡ªmy thought, my energy¡ªmy world in general, and the fact that I enjoyed it a lot, it


    should terrify me, but it was quite the opposite. I found it more liberating.


    In truth, if it wasn¡¯t for the three big bad wolves, I couldn¡¯t have faced my ex and that woman alone, but


    those guys boosted my confidence and backed me up, and it felt good.


    At my work, I shared my perspective. With my sexual partner, I voiced out my needs, but with Thayer,


    though, it was another story¡ªI was a patient person. It was not that he was my sexual partner, but I


    never initiated anything.


    After I emailed the signed contract, I searched for an affordable bed. I checked out on Ikea, but nothing


    had satisfied me so far. I found myself lying alone in bed, thinking about my promotion.


    Alessia gave me a day off to decide on my assignment. I was supposed to receive her email tomorrow.


    If I wouldn¡¯t get this one, I might as well quit and went after my bucket list, which I always wanted to


    travel the world.


    I woke up early in the morning. After I hit the shower, I put on some ripped jeans, shirts, and sneakers.


    An hourter, I was in my apartment¡ªour apartment. My shock had my head spinning? I looked down


    at my key if I entered the right apartment, but it wouldn¡¯t open if I was in the wrong door, right?


    I began to realize what kind of people I was dealing with. Judging by the elegant and perfectly crafted


    furniture, no doubt Thayer could be a billionaire, yet he was down-to-earth and never bragged about


    how wealthy he was.


    The custom moldings had dumbfounded me. When I looked down, from ordinary tiles reced with


    rare imported wood flooring, then also added, throw fluffy rugs under the ss coffee table, the pillows,


    and the small opulent firece added a European vibe. An Italian painting on the wall and a modern


    Murano ss chandelier hanging on the ceiling must have cost a fortune.


    The blood-red granite countertop and kitchen appliances were also new, and the freshly cut pink tulips


    were on top. How did they make this happen overnight?


    I slid to the stool, thinking of how could I pay for all of these. Of course, I still have to pay half because


    we shared this apartment. I left my bag on the counter and pulled a bud of tulip before I marched to my


    room at the right corner of the apartment.


    The door was unlocked, but then the knob was new. I shook my head in disbelief.


    ¡°Wow!¡± The queen size bed screamed elegance with its upholstered head, footboard, and button chair


    in cream white. Two bedside tables matched perfectly the closet. Three simple ck framed above the


    headboard. With designer duvet folded half on the well-made bed.


    Iughed alone like crazy, throwing myself into the bed. I stared at the crystal firework chandelier


    hanging at the ceiling, wondering why Thayer was doing this? I knew our chemistry was maddening


    than the pull of the ck hole, yet he never made a move. Maybe he was not married, but maybe, he


    had someone special.


    Did he have a social media ount? How old was he? He did not look a year or two older than me, but


    he looked well-aplished in life.


    ***


    I jolted up. My hand was on my chest.


    ¡°Sorry if I scare you? I swear I wasn¡¯t watching while you sleep.¡± His gaze was still on the Style


    magazine.


    ¡°How long have you been here?¡± My heart was still in my throat.


    ¡°Do you like the bed?¡±


    ¡°Thayer?¡±


    He lifted his gaze and met mine. Something was wrong. The sparkles in his eyes were gone.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I asked urgently. His grandfather instantly came to my puzzled mind.


    ¡°My father needs my assistance,¡± he said casually.


    ¡°So you¡¯re leaving.¡± I leaned against the headboard.


    ¡°No, darling.¡± Darling? Wow!


    I blinked rapidly, making sure I wasn¡¯t dreaming. Did he just call me darling while he¡¯d been switching


    from hot to cold?


    ¡°Would youe with me?¡± he followed up when I seemed to find myself speechless before him.


    My jaw dropped. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like you toe with me.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°What¡¯s going on? What is it all about? I know it¡¯s none of my business, but you¡¯re starting


    to scare me.¡± I folded my hands on myp.


    ¡°Nothing to scare about me, Kennedy.¡± He met my gaze. But I was finding it hard to believe.


    ¡°I know nothing about you, Thayer. For all, I know you¡¯re a drug lord, does human traffic for a living, or


    maybe you¡¯re a member of Italian Mafias.¡± I rolled my eyes. ¡°I heard contract killing pays well.¡± I knew I


    was exaggerating things, but he was a kind of puzzle that took years for me to solve.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m inviting you toe home with me. And I¡¯m no such of those things.¡± His words just


    rolled out on his tongue. He was even elegant when he talked.


    I shook my head. ¡°I can¡¯t. I have a job here.¡± I raised my hand. ¡°And please, don¡¯t tell me that you can


    offer me another job because that¡¯s ridiculous.¡±


    He nodded slowly, but I felt he didn¡¯t use to get turned down, and he was taking it hard. His smile was


    faint. He sighed deeply as if fighting exhaustion.


    When my eyes started to burn, I looked up.


    ¡°Kennedy.¡± His voice was low, deep, and velvety.


    ¡°Just go.¡± Damn it! Why did I feel so suddenly emotional? ¡°Why did you furnish the entire apartment if


    you won¡¯t even stay a night?¡±


    ¡°Kennedy, darling.¡± He reached out for my leg. ¡°Look at me, please?¡±


    My gaze snapped to his face. ¡°Is your grandfather okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I mean no changes as of an hour ago.¡±


    I red at him. ¡°Do I get to see you again?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I wish every day. If I could only change your mind.¡± Oh, God. Why does he have to say these


    kinds of words?


    I dropped my gaze down to my hands. ¡°I can¡¯t. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t say you can¡¯t. I can¡¯t take it.¡±


    I was struggling to control my stupid emotion. I should see a therapist because there was definitely


    something wrong with me¡ªan emotional disentanglement. Or whatever. But I was sure I was not okay.


    He was also finding it hard to find the right words.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I want to see you. I want to be with you.¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°Thayer?¡± Someone called his name behind the door, followed by a knock. ¡°We have a flight to catch.¡±


    It was Ash.


    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Damn it.¡± He growled. ¡°Just give me a minute!¡±


    I rose from the bed. ¡°You¡¯re leaving right now? Why didn¡¯t you wake me up?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna disturb you. You look peaceful.¡±


    ¡°You told me you didn¡¯t watch me.¡±


    ¡°Kind of hard to,¡± he admitted.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t answered my question.¡±


    He rose from his seat, and now he was towering over me. ¡°I can¡¯t travel all the time. It would be difficult


    for us to meet, to visit you. I have a huge shoe to fill if my grandfather passes away. For us to be


    together is for you toe with me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right?¡± I chuckled. My brow arched, but he had the same looming expression.


    ¡°I wish I am.¡±


    ¡°Well, for starter, you¡¯re an asshole and a royal pain in the ass, but I like you. Like, a lot. I don¡¯t know


    about this feeling I have for you, and I¡¯ve never felt like this with my ex. And it¡¯s stupid that I¡¯m hurting


    right now that I don¡¯t even know your full name because fuck you. I know Thayer Camren is not even


    your real name. And you are a real deal here.¡± I swallowed hard. Tears filled my eyes. Jeez, I¡¯m such a


    mess. ¡±And then I have to sacrifice my work, my friends, toe with you? Who the hell are you? I


    don¡¯t even love you! I only met you three days ago, asshole!¡±


    Before my tears fell, I rushed out of my room, only to find myself in the middle of four men. I knew Ash


    and Lud, but the other two bulky men with strong jaws in suits, I had not met them before.


    I threw them a re. ¡°What?¡±


    They didn¡¯t even flinch.


    ¡°Kennedy?¡± It was Thayer calling behind me.


    I went straight to the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of Champagne. I uncorked it myself.


    ¡°Let me help you with that,¡± Ash offered.


    ¡°Fuck off!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re gonna hurt yourself,¡± Thayer said.


    ¡°I said, fuck off! Just go and fly away to your magicalnd. I don¡¯t give a shit.¡± I sessfully uncorked


    the Champagne. The smoke came out. I drunk from the bottle, and it felt good. ¡°Bye, I guess.¡± I put the


    bottle down the countertop a bit stronger. ¡°Have a safe flight back to your Lnd.¡±


    ¡°Wait for me in the car. All of you.¡±


    ¡°Do you always bark orders around?¡± I red at Thayer. He looked so down that I¡¯d never seen him


    like this before. And it was not that I spent a lot of time with him, but all I saw was passion, lust, and


    hopes.


    ¡°I can¡¯t go when you¡¯re like this?¡±


    ¡°Like what? And why do you care?¡± I was done pouring out my feelings, and I still got nothing.


    ¡°Wait for me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, God.¡± I rolled my eyes before I pulled him on his suit jacket and crushed my lips into his. My


    feelings soared to life.


    He spun me around, my back hitting the counter. He kissed me back with the same intensity as our


    emotions. He then cupped my face and thrust his tongue in my mouth.


    My moan rippled through me, intensifying an ache between my thighs. I kissed him like this would be


    ourst day together. At least, I have something to give¡ªsomething he could take home¡ªthis memory.


    I pulled back. We were breathing hard. He kissed me again, brief, yet it felt like our emotions were


    ready to explode in our chest. He then kissed me on my forehead.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you soonest. I promise.¡± He kissed my hands.


    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡±


    He met my gaze. ¡°I never break a promise. And I don¡¯t have a n on breaking it. My words are my


    power, Kennedy.¡±

 12

    12


    THAYER


    ¡°So?¡± Lud asked. His eyes sparkled with anticipation.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stick your nose in my business.¡±


    He shook in the front seat. I wanted to hit him in the head. He thought it was funny. In my entire life, I


    had never encountered being turned down by a woman. I was the one who was used to turning offers


    down.


    Even if Kennedy knew who I really was, I might still be getting the same answer. She wasn¡¯t ready to


    give up her job. I shouldn¡¯t be surprised.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t so bad. She¡¯s in love with you, but you left with so many unanswered questions.¡± Ash looked


    over his shoulder.


    ¡°I hope you¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°I know when a woman has feelings or not. She wouldn¡¯t have acted the way she did if she didn¡¯t have


    feelings for you. She was confused and undecided. You have to give her time. She¡¯lle around.¡±


    ¡°And that precious time you didn¡¯t have,¡± Lud sang.


    ¡°Shut the fuck up, Ludovic.¡± Ash red at him.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t fully trust you, man,¡± Lud was still talking. "I can''t me her, though."


    ¡°Damn it. Do you have a n to stay in the US?¡± Ash warned him again.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°I need peace of mind before I meet my father.¡±


    My phone rang. It was Aunt Alessia.


    ¡°Let me guess. You¡¯re on your way.¡± Those are her first words.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°And you don¡¯t sound so happy.¡± Nothing made me happy at this moment.


    I rubbed my temples. I could still feel her kiss, the taste of her lips. Her scent was everywhere. I


    squeezed my eyes shut. ¡°I need a favor.¡±


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d never ask.¡± There was excitement in her voice.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know what favor I am asking from you, Aunt Alessia.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯m listening.¡±


    ¡°I want you to fire Kennedy.¡±


    My words caught Ash¡¯s attention. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Why in the hell would you do that?¡± Lud gave me a look as if I was losing my mind. Right now, I was.


    ¡°I can¡¯t do that, Thayer,¡± she answered with hesitation because she shouldn¡¯t have said no to me. But


    she was also a family.


    ¡°Would you rather let me live in vain? If I couldn¡¯t have her, then I would be breaking my words. That¡¯s


    the only way I can think of right now.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s kidnap her instead.¡±


    ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± Ash spat out at Lud.


    ¡°I have a better idea. And it works in progress,¡± Aunt Alessia replied from another line.


    My chest expanded with hope. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°My assignment to her.¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Ash faced Lud in disbelief. ¡°She would surely seed. I¡¯ve only known her for a


    few days, and she¡¯s the kind of woman who never gives up until she gets what she wants.¡±


    ¡°I hope you¡¯re right, man,¡± Lud sang. ¡°Because I can feel that you¡¯re her next conquest.¡±


    ¡°She would, but by that time, she would learn who you are. Secrets are always the reason for


    unsessful rtionships, Thayer. All you have to do is show her the real you.¡±


    ¡°Easier said than done.¡±


    ¡°I never said about anything easy. You really have feelings for Kennedy, haven¡¯t you?¡± Aunt Alessia


    asked.


    ¡°Are you doubting my feelings?¡±


    ¡°Then I would be thest one toe in between the two of you. But firing Kennedy without any


    reason, I couldn¡¯t do that. Her works contributed a lot to thepany, and she would be my great loss


    if I fire her. But for the sake of my family, I¡¯m willing to give her up as long as you will take care of her,


    Thayer.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Auntie.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me yet because you are about to face the most difficult quest.¡±


    ***


    I couldn¡¯t think of anything other than the image of Kennedy while I watched her sleep. She consumed


    me. She was all I could think about.


    ¡°You need to get your head straight, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯m okay.¡± I looked at Ash through the wall-sized mirror. We justnded an hour ago, and I


    was about to meet my father.


    ¡°Your father, the Prince, would be hard to convince at this time.¡± I knew exactly his point since The


    King¡¯s chances of recovery were getting low every day.


    ¡°If I will be the Prince one day, I would pass the bill to void that the next prince apparent in line should


    be married before his inauguration.¡± My jaw ticked. I couldn¡¯t let my future heir would go through as I


    did.


    ¡°That¡¯s the essence.¡±


    An hourter, my pulse quickened. After announcing my presence, the double door to the conference


    hall swung open.


    I marched toward and stopped a few feet away to the Prince, Duke of Burkhese, my father, and his


    Princess, Duchess of Burkhese, my mother.


    I acknowledged them. ¡°Your Royal Highnesses.¡±


    My father gestured me to take a seat. ¡°How was your trip? I expect good news.¡± His chin up and always


    ring at everyone. He was in his early sixties, but he was still strong, and none could break his words,


    and he was very old-fashioned.


    ¡°Leave us.¡± My mother looked at the people around us and was the opposite of my father. The Princess


    was always kind-hearted, graceful, and poise in herte fifties.


    They left.


    ¡°The King is very sick. Despite him being in the machine¡ª¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking about your grandfather, Thayer.¡±


    God, help me. My heart hammered. ¡°I still have nine days, father.¡± I met him in the eye.


    ¡°And what can you do in nine days, son? Call your fairy godmother.¡± His sense of humor was always


    dry. And it was him being sarcastic.


    ¡°My love, Isodore.¡± She held her husband¡¯s hand.


    ¡°You¡¯re son is only dying things. We found a perfect candidate for him, yet he¡¯s refusing our tradition.


    Instead, he wanted to search for his own bride. Look what happened.¡± He gestured at me. ¡°He came to


    me empty-handed.¡±


    ¡°With all due respect, Father. That¡¯s not entirely true.¡± I swallowed hard.


    ¡°Do you think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯ve been doing in the United States? I Have eyes everywhere,


    Thayer. When ites to my son¡¯s well-being, my only heir, I wouldn¡¯t just let you travel wherever you


    want without my own eyes and ears.¡± Of course. I resisted rolling my eyes.


    ¡°So, dear. What happened? Tell me about this woman?¡±


    My lips parted.


    ¡°Oh,e on.¡± She smiled in excitement, gripping my father¡¯s hand.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear about this, Thayer. You¡¯ll get engaged to the daughter of Lord Laudeau. End of


    discussion.¡±


    ¡°Father!¡± My voice raised. I was already standing on my feet.


    ¡°You won¡¯t dare disrespect whether you are my heir or not. I¡¯m still the future King!¡±


    I bowed. ¡°Please, ept my apology. I don¡¯t mean to disrespect you. Please, give me a week. That¡¯s


    all I¡¯m asking.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been asking for expansion, Prince Thayer. I won¡¯t give you another.¡±


    ¡°Honey, hear him out even for thest time. Even if he failed, at least you won¡¯t regret it, or he wouldn¡¯t


    have regrets.¡±


    ¡°I never regret my decisions.¡±


    I clenched my jaw enough to crack.


    ¡°I know, but we only have one son, haven¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°Sit down,¡± he ordered.


    ¡°Thank you, Father.¡± I took a seat again. My knees were shaking. My palms were sweating.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be visiting, but not to see me. She¡¯ll have an assignment given by Aunt Alessia.¡±


    ¡°Why not just invite her over? I would love to meet her.¡± The delight in my mother¡¯s voice gave me a


    little hope to hang on.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t know, yet.¡± I mped my mouth shut.


    ¡°Jesus, son.¡± Two wordsing from my father almost made me cower down.


    ¡°Oh? And you haven¡¯t told her?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Mother,¡± I hesitated. ¡°I¡¯m not ready to tell her.¡±


    ¡°What happened to my son, for God¡¯s sake? I raised you to be the future king¡ªto rule this kingdom.


    Not to be weak in front of a woman!¡±


    ¡°Isodore, you¡¯re being irrational.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m not in favor of him marrying amoner in the first ce. Look what happened? He


    failed and wasted his time instead of attending to his own affairs. Don¡¯t you dare miss your next public


    appearance.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t, Father.¡± My tongue thickened in my mouth. Fuck. ¡°Father, can I speak freely?¡±


    ¡°Go ahead, dear,¡± my mother replied instead.


    I released a shuddering sigh before I started, ¡°I saw how your rtionship with my mother grew into


    something more than just a marriage for the sake of this kingdom. Because your rtionship is built


    with love, honesty, passion,passion, understanding, and trust. If I were to marry someone that I


    don¡¯t love, maybe, one day, I would learn to love her. But not the same feelings I have for the woman of


    my own choice. I may learn to trust her, but I couldn¡¯t promise to be honest with her with my feelings. I


    don¡¯t want to break someone¡¯s heart because I¡¯m in love with someone else. I don¡¯t want to taint your


    name, Father, or this family, and bebeled as a dishonest and disloyal Prince, Duke of Guardion.


    Please, all I¡¯m asking is a nine-day for me to enjoy my single life. On the tenth day, you can decide if I


    should marry Lady Kadynce, or you may choose another candidate suitable for me. But don¡¯t expect


    me to fall in love with her when my heart already belongs to someone else.¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

 13

    13


    KENNEDY


    ¡°Wow! Nice apartment.¡± Serenity wandered around. ¡°I mean, wow!¡±


    ¡°You mean how could I afford it? I told you my roommate is far richer than Donald Trump.¡±


    ¡°I can see that.¡± She slid to the stool. ¡°Why did he choose a small apartment if he could afford the


    whole building or a penthouse?¡±


    ¡°Good question. And who is he, by the way?¡± Siena grabbed her champagne that we used to toast


    earlier for my uing assignment.


    Until now, Thayer was still a mystery to me, but I would lie if I didn¡¯t miss him since he left twenty-two


    hours ago. Out of sexual frustration and how we ended, I put my vibrator to good usest night. I came


    after I thought of filthy stuff we did together. After that, I felt guilty for imagining him between my thighs.


    Gosh! I was so screwed up.


    ¡°Ken?¡± Siena nudged me. ¡°You¡¯re flushed. Oh, my God!¡±


    I was startled in my seat. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Is he your new guy?¡±


    My face burned further. ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°Liar. Remember, you deserve better than your ex, Ken. He¡¯s an asshole. Now tell me this mystery


    guy.¡± Siena waited patiently. ¡°You¡¯re gonna bete for your flight if you won¡¯t start telling us.¡±


    ¡°I promise, I¡¯m gonna tell you everything when Ie back. You don¡¯t know I might meet a hot guy


    during my trip,¡± I said excitedly.


    Serenity didn¡¯t find me funny. They both knew that I was only stalling.


    ¡°Just his name, Ken. What¡¯s so hard about it? It¡¯s not that I would be interested in your new man.¡± She


    rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Can I ask you guys, something?¡±


    ¡°About what? For sex advice? Go ahead sleep with any attractive men. Have fun. You deserve it.¡±


    ¡°You just came out from a nasty breakup. You deserve to have a little fun,¡± Serenity surprised me to


    agree with Siena.


    ¡°Thanks, guys. But I have work to do. Later, I¡¯ll enjoy sex if I get my promotion.¡±


    ¡°Come on. You¡¯re almost there. What¡¯s so bad about exploring something new? Just be careful,¡±


    Serenity said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see if I have time. I still don¡¯t know where to go, though. Alessia only told me to bring winter


    clothes.¡±


    ¡°Oh? You might be traveling to the North Pole to interview Santa.¡±


    I gasped. I remembered Thayer mentioned Levi. Would I be interviewing someone from Levi? I shook


    that thought out of my head.


    ¡°Is it so bad of giving little details? Like whatnguage they speak, do their men wear kaftans?¡± Siena


    said.


    ¡°What do you know anything about Alessia?¡±


    Siena shrugged. ¡°Nothing much. She came from a rich family, I guess. She was featured in a business


    magazine and Icon, but mostly about her jobs, achievements, but her background? Nada. Why?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. I feel like this task is full of mystery.¡±


    ***


    I met up with Alessia at the airport for my other travel documents and my assignments. After handing


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    me therge man envelope, she told me that my flight would leave in two hours. Then she left.


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± I slumped my ass down the sofa in the waiting area. I just figured that my destination


    was Winterbourn, Triberis Capria.


    ¡°Sir, can I ask you something?¡± I asked the old man upying the seat beside me.


    ¡°Of course, dear.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s thenguage they speak in Winterbourn?¡±


    The old man looked at me in shock and confusion. ¡°You¡¯ve never visited Winterbourn?¡±


    ¡°As a matter of fact, this is my first time.¡±


    ¡°And you have no idea where to go or what to do there?¡± There was this look again.


    ¡°I was on assignment.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh. You¡¯re a reporter?¡± He looked at me from head to toe.


    I shook my head. ¡°I work in a magazine. And I¡¯m counting on my promotion, so I have to interview


    probably a government official or someone popr in the country.¡±


    ¡°If what I heard is correct, the Prince, Duke of Guardion is getting engaged. That¡¯s the best feature you


    can print in your magazine.¡±


    ¡°What? They have a monarchy?¡±


    ¡°For a magazine reporter, shouldn¡¯t you be researching before you jump into that ne?¡±


    I chuckled. He had a point. ¡°I¡¯d like to surprise myself.¡±


    ¡°Well, good luck to you, dear.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. I badly need one now.¡± I smiled.


    The old man smiled back. ¡°I believe we just started boarding.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re on the same flight?¡±


    ¡°I think so, dear.¡±


    ***


    I woke up to the announcement overboard, and I got a few minutes to freshen up. A few minutester,


    the nended.


    I slept throughout the flight. I was grateful to Alessia for booking a first-ss ticket for me, or I wouldn¡¯t


    be able to rest in a crowded economy ss.


    I kept a few notes in my head. Triberis Capria was ruled by a monarchy under constitutionalws,


    meaning they also had a prime minister.


    Interesting.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated until the ne is parked at the gate. Thank you for flying


    with us today, and we wee you to Angales, Winterbourn.¡±


    I reached out for my phone. I found a message from Alessia.


    Alessia: I hope you would find the answer you¡¯ve been looking for.


    My brows knitted. Cryptic much?


    Then one text from Siena. The other two were from Serenity and Faith, wishing me luck and enjoying


    men.


    I rolled my eyes.


    Then from an unknown number.


    Darling, I hope you have a safe flight. I miss you.


    T


    ¡°Holy crap.¡± My heart hammered in my chest.


    I found the old man I talked to earlier. I followed him until we reached the baggage im section.


    ¡°Hi, it¡¯s me again. I¡¯m Kennedy, by the way.¡±


    ¡°A very American woman, traveling alone. I¡¯m Anthony.¡±


    I shook his hand. ¡°Do you happen to know the country code, right?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    A soon as the numbers slipped my mouth, my life just turned 360.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Thanks.¡± I pulled out my luggage from the carousel.


    ¡°Do you have someone to pick you up?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I think so.¡±


    Outside the airport, I quickly found my name on the cardboard.


    I raised my hand. ¡°Hey!¡±


    ¡°You?¡± He was around his early thirties, wearing a huge grin on his face.


    ¡°Madam.¡± He slightly bowed and took my things from me.


    ¡°I can carry them.¡±


    ¡°I have a clear instruction, madam. Please, follow me?¡±


    I followed him behind. It was a relief that I only have to carry my travel bag. I stopped to a halt to see a


    fancy ck car before me. My brow arched. Wasn¡¯t this a bit too much, Alessia?


    The driver guy was already done stuffing my things in thepartment of the car.


    ¡°Please, madam.¡± He opened the back door for me and gestured.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I climbed into the backseat. It smelled leather and rich.


    ¡°Would you like me to y some music to you, madam?¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯m good. It¡¯s my first time to be here. Can you enlighten me about the government, industries,


    monarchy?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, madam. I¡¯m just a driver. But maybe you should visit and see some ces that y huge


    significant value to the history of Capria.¡±


    ¡°See? You¡¯re not just a driver. Tell me about the King?¡±


    ¡°Ahh. America has no monarch, yeah? The first king was King Kamrun¡ª¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°King Kamrun of Braynburg?¡±


    ¡°Oh, and the current King?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s critically ill.¡± His people must love the King if he didn''t rule like in that 15th-century monarchies.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear about that.¡± My chest felt hollow.


    ¡°The Prince apparent is Prince Isodore, Duke of Burkhese. You should visit Burkhese. It¡¯s a great


    ce, surrounded by the ocean. If you want to visit a little bit colder than Winterbourn, try Guardion.


    Guardion snows one hundred days a year.¡±


    ¡°Wow. Isn¡¯t it where the Prince is getting engaged?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The son of Prince Isodore. If the King passes away, Prince Isodore would be crowned as King.


    His son would be the Prince apparent. And the first requirement is he should get married.¡±


    ¡°So, he¡¯s arranged to a princess?¡±


    ¡°No. To Lady Kadynce Laudeau. Well, if the rumors are true.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s the only heir?¡±


    ¡°Prince¡ª¡±


    My phone vibrated. ¡°Excuse me.¡±


    It¡¯s a message from Thayer.


    T: How¡¯s your flight?


    How did he know exactly the time of my arrival?


    I saved and dialed his number. He picked up in one ring.


    ¡°Hey.¡±


    ¡°Kennedy, good to hear your voice.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    The driver sang something about love. I gave him a sign to keep silent.


    ¡°How did you know that I already arrived, Thayer?¡±


    The driver had a sudden reaction on his face.


    ¡°Thayer, do you know the driver who picked me up from the airport?¡±


    ¡°Darling?¡± Every time he called me darling, it made me giggle and feel something warm inside.


    ¡°You¡¯re a Caprian, aren¡¯t you? Or Triberian Caprian? Whatever.¡±


    Heughed from the end of the line. ¡°Triberean or Caprean, but Triberean will do.¡±

 14

    14


    THAYER


    I was pacing back and forth, and every now and then, I watched through the window for the car to


    arrive.


    I rechecked the time.


    ¡°For God¡¯s sake. Just sit the fu¡ª down.¡± Lud growled, ring at me. ¡°I swear I¡¯m gonna drug you to


    sleep if you ask me one more time what took them so long. Just sit down, Your Highness. You¡¯re giving


    me a severe headache. I can¡¯t focus on keeping you safe if I have more dizziness than you.¡±


    ¡°Really? This is how you show your support?¡± I red back.


    They looked at each other before they barked outughing. Ash shook his head in amusement.


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s funny? I don¡¯t know the driver you hired to pick up Kennedy. For all I know, he already


    kidnapped her.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re irrational, Your Highness. Please, rx a little.¡± He checked the time on his watch. ¡°They should


    be here in a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been saying the same thing for thirty minutes now. Yet, I haven¡¯t seen a car pulling over the


    driveway.¡±


    ¡°Then let me use an earpiece. Let me know from Duncan,¡± Ash suggested.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡± I was the one who suggested to act like how we did back in the US. Now I


    regretted it. I was still ying with fire. I was still hiding my identity from Kennedy.


    ¡°Why are you so nervous? You¡¯re not gonna get engaged with Lady¡ª?¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Watch your words, Ludovic. You might slip while Kennedy is with us.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been briefed, Your Highness. You really have to tell her everything, one way or another. This,


    whatever you¡¯re doing, I can feel it, you¡¯re gonna royally screw this up.¡± Lud and Ash stood


    simultaneously.


    From a distance, I could hear the tire against the gravel in the driveway. My heartbeat sped up. My


    pulse quickened as I marched outside the cottage. This was one of the manors we used when we were


    not in the pce. I usually this one, aside from being secluded, I had pretty quite wonderful memories


    here.


    My woman just climbed out of the car. The butler helped out the driver taking her luggage out of the


    trunk. While she was busy wandering her eyes around, I walked closer to her.


    ¡°Wow! This was not what I expected before I signed up for this.¡±


    ¡°Is that a good thing?¡± I grinned like a fool.


    Kennedy gasped and froze in her tracks. Her sky blue eyes widened. Her mouth hung open before she


    covered it with her hands. ¡°Oh, my God! I was just guessing earlier. I never thought I would see you


    here of all the ces.¡± Sheughed out loud before sheunched herself to me.


    ¡°Wee to Triberis Capria, Kennedy.¡± I chuckled at her excitement. My heart hammered in my chest


    as I wrapped my arms around her and inhaled her scent¡ªsweet and seductive.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Did you mean it?¡±


    I stared at her. The excitement in my eyes was pouring. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You said to me earlier that¡ª¡±


    ¡°That I missed you? I do, darling. Very much so.¡±


    She threw herself again into me. ¡°I thought I wouldn¡¯t see you again.¡±


    ¡°I meant every word I said before I left, and I¡¯m still keeping it, Kennedy.¡± I kissed the top of her head.


    ¡°Come inside and tell me about your flight.¡±


    She giggled. ¡°I¡¯m gonna strangle Alessia.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± I yed cool.


    She raised a brow. ¡°You sure you don¡¯t have any idea that she might intentionally send here of all the


    countries?¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°Maybe.¡±


    ¡°Silly.¡± She hit me yfully.


    ¡°I just wanna prove to you that I¡¯m not a member of Italian Mafias, or I traffic humans or sell drugs for a


    living.¡±


    Ash came out to the living room.


    ¡°Ash!¡± Kennedy gushed. ¡°Oh, my God! Good to see you again.¡± She hugged Ash. Awkwardly, Ash


    patted her back.


    ¡°Well, look who finally found her way home.¡±


    I rolled my eyes at Lud. Kennedy did the same, hugging the fucking womanizer.


    ¡°So, how¡¯s your flight?¡± I ced a hand on the small of her back as I guided her to sit on the sofa.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have any idea this country exists. I might have heard about it one time or two, but not until I


    talked to the old man in the airport.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Lud asked incredulously.


    ¡°When I checked my ticket, I asked the old man sitting next to me in the waiting area. My first question


    was, whatnguage do they speak. Heughed at me.¡±


    I ced my knuckles as I tried not tough.


    Then she turned to me. ¡°Thest text I received from Alessia is I hope you¡¯d find the answer you¡¯ve


    been looking for. What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the answer you¡¯ve been looking for?¡± I asked casually.


    ¡°Answers. I have a few unanswered questions. But it can wait. I still haven¡¯t checked the man


    envelope she gave me. She said I should open it after the party. I was wondering what party it is. I


    didn¡¯t get any memo.¡±


    ¡°Oh? You will get it. It¡¯s in two days.¡±


    ¡°Guys, I have to leave you both. Lud and I have to catch something up now that you¡¯ve settled in. Enjoy


    your stay, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°Will I see you both again?¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t get rid of us easily,¡± Lud answered.


    ¡°Good.¡±


    Once they were gone, I offered my hand. ¡°Would you like a tour?¡±


    ¡°Please.¡± She gripped my hand.


    ¡°This is Hawkhelm Manor built-in 17th Century. Most of these foundations are still original. Renovated


    twenty-five years ago after a strong magnitude earthquake that cracked off the walls.¡± I ced my hand


    on the lower of her back as we climbed upstairs. ¡°It has eighteen bedrooms. I used toe here more


    often when I was in the city. Even until now. I¡¯m not a fan of the penthouse of the hotel.¡±


    ¡°Why did you check-in in that 3-star hotel with the hideous robe?¡±


    Iughed. ¡°It was intentional.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. Interesting. Who¡¯s this?¡± She pointed at a portrait of my great-great-great-grandfather in oil


    painting.


    ¡°King Kamrun Braynburg.¡±


    ¡°The first King and ruler of Triberis.¡±


    ¡°Yes. You did your assignment.¡±


    ¡°Thanks to that talkative driver.¡±


    ¡°This is the study.¡± I pulled the two-door opened, revealing the big library full of old books collection


    from constitutionalw, to fine arts, to modern fiction.¡±


    ¡°That crest?¡± She pointed at the coat of arms covering the wall.


    ¡°My family¡¯s.¡± My lips dried. I swallowed down my nervousness. I didn¡¯t know where to start if she ever


    pried.


    ¡°Nice knight armor. Very medieval.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°I guess you saw like this in a museum.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but nothing like this so real and polished.¡± She ran her finger on the sword¡¯s hole in the chest. ¡°I


    thought a sword wouldn¡¯t prate a steel.¡±


    ¡°It does in close range with pressure.¡±


    She flinched. ¡°Ouch.¡± She found my old photo on the table. ¡°You?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. About ten.¡±


    ¡°The girl?¡±


    ¡°My sister. She¡¯s in Guardion.¡±


    ¡°Guardion? I heard that frequently.¡±


    ¡°I nned on taking you there in the morning.¡±

 15

    15


    THAYER


    I couldn¡¯t believe I was standing beside my Kennedy with all her gorgeous self. I knew she could feel


    that I was holding something back, but I was hoping she would not push. In due time, I would tell her


    everything¡ªthat was the n.


    ¡°This would be your room,¡± I said as I pushed the door wide¡ª European style in white and gold motif


    would meet her taste.


    ¡°Thank you. This way better than the hotel room,¡± she said with a smile.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t need a hotel if you¡¯re here, Kennedy,¡± I said truthfully.


    She walked in and checked her luggage.


    ¡°I apologize. My housekeeper must have organized your things already.¡±


    ¡°Oh? That won¡¯t be necessary, but thanks.¡± Her eyes glittered. I noticed the anticipation in there, and I


    couldn¡¯t wait to explore it.


    ¡°How long can you stay?¡± I sat on a chair.


    ¡°I have to go home by the end of this week. Why? Do you n to invite me skating?¡±


    ¡°Skiing.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Whatever.¡± She rolled her eyes at me.


    ¡°I have a better n, but it¡¯s a surprise.¡±


    ¡°Ugh. I hate surprises.¡±


    ¡°Who hates surprises?¡± I held her hand and pulled her to sit on myp. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re here. You don¡¯t


    know how happy you make me.¡± I stared at her.


    Her eyes bored into mine. The rest in the background faded away.


    ¡°What¡¯s stopping you?¡± she said in a husky voice.


    My breathing caught. Most women yed demure to catch my attention. Kennedy, on the other hand,


    knew exactly what I wanted. Her bluntness and boldness made my cock jerk and harden in pants.


    ¡°I want you more than anything in this world, but I tend to make it right. For you, for me, for us.¡±


    ¡°Right is overrated, Thayer. I¡¯d been dying to feel you underneath, on top, against the wall, on the floor,


    in the shower, and even in the hallway. I want you more than anything I¡¯ve ever wanted anyone.


    However mysterious you are, I don¡¯t give a damn. I am here right now, and if you kept me aching and


    wet for the rest of the night, I swear, I¡¯ll leave this manor and walk back to the city. Because damn you!


    You¡¯re driving me insane.¡±


    ¡°Are you done?¡± I said quietly.


    She stared at me in shock. I was sure she already saw what I wanted her to see¡ªpure longing,


    frustration, desperation, lust, and in addition to that, even if I hadn¡¯t tasted and touched what was under


    the thinyer of her dress, I could already taste her in her smell alone.


    I clumped her breast with my mouth against the thin andcy fabric of her bra. She gasped and bit her


    bottom lip as I tugged her hardening nipple into my mouth before I let go.


    ¡°I would never deny your desires, Kennedy. But I won¡¯t pressure you to do anything you don¡¯t want to.¡±


    I cupped the other breast with my hand, kneading it, rolling the tiny hard bud between my fingers.


    She moaned.


    ¡°How do you want your first night with me?¡± I asked as I kept squeezing her breast.


    ¡°I want you to fuck me however you want.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t just fuck you, darling. I will also make love to you, and if you beg, I would also make you


    anymore.¡± I held her hand and guided her to feel my raging hard-on. ¡°Feel me?¡± You did this to me.


    Since I met you in that office, all I could think is your mouth wrapped around my cock, in your grip,


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    inside you as I thrust into you mercilessly.¡±


    She fluttered her lids open. ¡°Then why are we still talking?¡±


    ¡°If you promise to be with me no matter how far we could be, you wouldn¡¯t leave me. No matter what


    you hear about me, you still believe and trust in us.¡±


    Her brows met together. ¡°Are you married?¡±


    ¡°No, darling.¡± I shook my head. ¡°I can assure you that I¡¯m single and certainly not dating anyone. I only


    want one woman who could satisfy my desire. I only want you, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°Deal.¡± Her tiny hands cupped my face before she crushed her lips against mine in a scorching raw


    kiss.


    A moan escaped my mouth as I kissed her back. The swirl of her tongue alone burned through me,


    spiking my pulse, sending electricity through my balls. Whatever happened between tonight and before


    she decided to leave, it didn¡¯t matter to me anymore. I knew I was bound to get hurt. She loved her


    work, her friends, and family, and we were two different individuals from two different worlds, but I didn¡¯t


    care about risking everything for her¡ªfor us.


    I deepened the kiss and cupped her round pert ass. As if on cue, she wrapped her legs around my


    waist as I carried her off the chair. Her lips were warm, kissing my face down to my neck, nibbling the


    lobe of my ear, causing a growl to slip my throat.


    Iid her down on the well-made bed carefully and pressed my body against her. She arched her back,


    her breasts molding against my chest. I moved my lips down her chest, exposing more of her tits.


    I was frustrated, and I wanted to see what was mine.


    I ripped her dress apart. The sound of the ripping garment and her grasp resounded in the room. I


    moved away from her, standing at the end of the bed. ¡°Darling, help me make you naked. I have to


    send a text not to disturb you.¡±


    ¡°dly.¡± She grinned, getting off the bed. She quickly stripped her ripped dress, then her bra followed


    down the floor. Then hercy ck panties came down next, stepping away from the garment on the


    floor. She waspletely naked. The glow of the light in the room created a golden glow in her


    porcin skin. I strolled my heated gaze to her breasts in round-shaped that I¡¯d been itching to suck.


    Then to her t abdomen to her hips, to her well-waxed pussy. Her well-toned thighs and legs. She was


    perfect than I¡¯d imagined.


    I swallowed hard.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have all night.¡± She took a step closer, unbuttoning my shirts. I took off my cufflinks threw


    them down to the rest of her clothes. She yanked off my shirt.


    ¡°You¡¯re perfect.¡± Her fingers skittered around my chest down to my abdomen. ¡°God, you¡¯re a work of


    art.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m yours, darling. You¡¯re beautiful. You always take my breath away.¡±


    She unbuckled my belt, kneeling before me to unbutton and unzip my pants. Then she freed my aching


    cock, springing free. My scalp tingled in her touch.


    A groan slipped my throat as she pumped and took my cock into her mouth without warning, taking all


    of me.


    My chest heaved, throwing my head back. ¡°Fuck.¡±


    I could imagine her wild and free. I grabbed a handful of her untamed hair, wrapped it around my


    fingers as I guided her to my thrust. She looked up to me, eyes watering with lust.


    ¡°Enough, darling.¡± Without thinking another thought, I pulled my cock, coated with her saliva. I cupped


    her face, lowered my head, and took her lips, fiercely jamming my tongue inside her mouth. I could


    taste the saltiness of me in her mouth.


    She returned my kiss, our mouths sliding, tongue dangling as I carried her to the center of the bed. I


    kissed and kissed her until we were one, nothing separating us. Our body heat burned me with the


    desire of iming her, but I had all the patients in the world. Tonight, it was all about Kennedy, to give


    her what she wanted and what she desired most.


    I cupped her breast in my mouth, sucking, tugging, and nipping her sweet cherry nipple while I toyed


    the other. She was already squirming, moaning, and I barely started.


    She was so responsive against my touch. I nted kisses on her abdomen, running my tongue around


    her navel.


    I spread her legs wide, showing my glistening prize. She gasped, arched back at my first lick. Her clit


    was swollen, pulsing, asking for me to be sucked.


    ¡°Thayer.¡± It only takes one plea of my name, my Kennedy cried out in shock and extreme pleasure as I


    licked from down to the center of her sex. More slickness coated my tongue.


    She cried as I prated her with my two fingers, twisting and pressed against her G-spot before I


    captured her pulsing nub into my mouth, devouring her, eating her as if she was myst meal.


    Her legs quivered. Her inner walls clenched around my finger. In one tug of her clit, a violent tremor


    shocked through her. She convulsed and came into my mouth.


    After I licked her clean, I crawled on top of her. ¡°How do you want your first with me, darling.¡±


    ¡°Fuck me hard. I want you to fuck me. Hard.¡±

 16

    16


    KENNEDY


    A long growl escaped his throat. ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Please? I want you to mark me, fuck me, bite me, im me. Whatever it pleases you.¡±


    His eyes darkened even more to my plea. His nose red. His jaw ticked before he mped his mouth


    into me, kissing me with lust, passion, and raw. Our tongues dueled.


    I wrapped my legs around his waist as I guided his huge hard cock into my wet entrance. He was so


    tense, his veins protruding on his neck. His muscles were taut.


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    My breathing held. God, he was so huge, stretching me. I was so wet, but it still hurt. It burned. But it


    felt it belonged to be there inside me.


    ¡°God.¡± He groaned against my ear, his breaths tickling me. Then he granted my wish¡ªhe fucked me.


    Hard.


    He thrust and thrust and thrust without mercy.


    My breasts jiggled up and down.


    My back scraped against the soft sheet.


    My head hit the headboard.


    I didn¡¯t care if I got bruises after this as long as he fucked me. He filled me with his raging hard, huge


    cock.


    I felt every protruding vein inside me, his shaft, and then he was gone. I felt empty and cold all of a


    sudden.


    ¡°I¡¯m not done, Kennedy. On four.¡± He was shaking, but he managed to order. I was on four, bracing my


    hand against the headboard. My body tensed as I sensed him, his shaft gliding against my ass.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t tried anal.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna fuck you without your permission, darling. Rx. But this would be mine. Mine alone.¡±


    He rubbed my back down to my spine before he squeezed my ass. ¡°Gorgeous.¡±


    Slowly, he entered my slit. Then he was back to ruthlessly fucking me hard. My breasts danced to his


    thrust. Then he wrapped his arms around me, cupping my breasts before he lifted me. He was still full


    inside me.


    I felt full and stretched. I felt like that I would split in half. Every time Thayer thrust into me, he hit


    something I never knew existed, making my head spin.


    ¡°Oh, god!¡± I threw my head back as I felt I was so close. ¡°Yes!¡±


    He pushed all the way in until he fully embedded me.


    I¡¯d been with plenty of men, but no one had ever fucked me this hard.


    ¡°Thayer, I¡¯m close.¡± I moaned. My throat dried.


    ¡°I know. I can feel you, darling. I¡¯m close too.¡±


    He thrust harder, harder, faster, faster, letting go of my breasts. Instead, he pinched my clit, sending


    sparks through my body.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Thayer! God!¡± My climax caught me by surprise¡ªexploded in my pussy, radiating and igniting


    throughout my entire body, every celling to life.


    ¡°Kennedy. Darling.¡± He groaned against my ear. ¡°Fuck!¡± He jerked, held me tight against him, breathing


    rapidly. His sweat dripped down his face as he released inside me, thrust slowly, and emptied till itsst


    drop.


    We remained in that position for I didn¡¯t how long. Even if I felt I didn¡¯t have bones in my body, Thayer


    never let me go. He was still inside me. He then turned his face to kiss me on my cheek, the corner of


    my lips. I turned to kiss him back. It was soft, gentle as if he was taking his time.


    Meeting his tongue with my own, I moaned. He gave a gentle squeeze on my breast, still aching for his


    previous suck, but every pinch he did, sent pleasure and ache between my thighs.


    I turned around, setting free his cock, but he was hard again. I straddle to hisp, and he weed


    me, wrapping his arms around me. I continued to kiss him again, moving my hips slowly. I was aching


    again and wet. And he knew exactly what I wanted.


    ¡°Take me as you want, darling.¡±


    I guided his hard cock into me, sliding slowly until I felt I met my clit on his base.


    He felt so good.


    I bit my bottom lip.


    He met me in the middle, thrusting into me. I moved my hips in rhythm.


    He pressed his thumb against my clit, moving circles. ¡°Come for me, Kennedy. I¡¯m close.¡±


    I could feel it.


    I pushed him, and he fell to the bed.


    I rode him, hard and fast.


    I threw my head back.


    I was so closed.


    I could feel it.


    When he pinched my nipples, my whole body clenched, every cell in my body burning. I flew high,


    soaring up the stars. My orgasm kepting, rippling through me in rapturous bliss.


    ¡°God!¡±


    ***


    I might have fallen asleep. Thest thing I remembered was Thayer pulling me into his arms, running


    his fingers on my arm.


    My body was sore everywhere¡ªwell-fucked, well-taken care of.


    ¡°Madam, are you awake now?¡±


    My heart was in my throat. I quickly covered myself with the nket, even if I was already covered with


    a sheet. ¡°How did you get in here?


    ¡°I am your humble aid. Anything you need, you can ask from me.¡± Humble aid? We were just the same


    age. She was wearing a decent ck blouse and pants. She tied her hair in a neat bun. ¡°My name is


    Arina.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s Thayer?¡±


    ¡°Your¡ªI mean, Sir Thayer is down in the library. He assigned me to be with you.¡±


    ¡°I think I can take care of myself. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°I prepared the tub for your bath.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need someone to bath me.¡±


    ¡°But, madam. I was given perfect instructions. And Sir Thayer gave me heads up that you might resist.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± I rose my brow.


    ¡°Yes, madam.¡±


    ¡°Well then. Let us see.¡± I dragged myself out of bed. I let go of a long groan.


    ¡°You could use a warm bath with fresh picks rose petals. It soothed your sore muscles. And rose petals


    are perfect for your porcin skin. Long travel is very exhausting, madam.¡± She offered me a pink satin


    robe.


    ¡°Fine. Because you¡¯re kind to me, and it¡¯s rude to decline.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for making my job easy. Would you like wine or Champagne?¡±


    My eyes nearly popped out. Okay, this isn¡¯t so bad. ¡°Red, please?¡±


    ¡°Let me take off your robe and get in the bathtub, please?¡±


    I stared at the elegant ornate bathtub. ¡°Wow.¡±


    Arina left. I soaked myself in warm water. The smell of rose petals was so rxing. I shut my eyes


    closed. My breathing became even until footsteps interrupted me.


    I strolled my gaze from the fluffy sleeper to the rugged jeans up to the gray shirt and to the man who


    left me alone in bed.


    ¡°Did you rest okay?¡±


    ¡°You left.¡± I rxed back into the water and closed my eyes.


    ¡°I did not leave you. I went down to study.¡± I could sense and smell how close he was now. He then


    nted a kiss on my lips. ¡°You slept soundly. I have no n on interrupting you. You need it after your


    flight and three orgasms.¡±


    ¡°Bragging much?¡± I rolled my eyes.


    ¡°I n on giving you more. A lot.¡±


    ¡°Promises. Promises.¡±


    ¡°S-sir Thayer.¡± My gaze diverted to Arina, almost shaking. ¡°My apology. I didn¡¯t notice you¡¯re here.¡±


    Arina dropped her gaze, carrying a tray.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. Is that for your madam?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°Give it to me. Bring some light meals for her. No soya and peanuts.¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir. Anything else?¡±


    ¡°That would be all. Leave it on the table.¡±


    Arina left quickly. Thayer sat on the edge of the tub.


    ¡°Why is she so scared of you?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not scared. They are carefully selected and trained for their job. They¡¯re well paid.¡±


    ¡°And she calls me madam.¡± I chuckled. ¡°It sounds ridiculous.¡±


    ¡°Would you rather they address you as Lady?¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Wanna join me in?¡±


    ¡°Tempting, darling, but I have to feed you.¡±


    ¡°I can take care of myself.¡± I shut my eyes closed again, inhaling the scent of roses.


    ¡°If we are together, I will take care of you. Please, don¡¯t deny me.¡±


    I opened an eye. ¡°Why are you so kind and thoughtful?¡±


    ¡°I care for you. You¡¯re special to me, Kennedy. You deserve to be treated just as how beautiful you are.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re gorgeous, magnificent. There¡¯s nothing ugly about you. Even if I tried to search for a single w.


    I couldn¡¯t find anything.¡±


    He chuckled. A smile curved up his lips. ¡°You¡¯re exaggerating it, darling.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m scared, Thayer.¡± There you go again¡ªthese stupid emotions.


    His brows met with worry. ¡°Of what?¡±


    ¡°That one day I wake up, this is just a dream.¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± He slid down, held my chin, tracing my bottom lip with his thumb. ¡°Does this feel like a dream to


    you?¡±


    I held his hand and ced it against my cheek. ¡°You know what I mean.¡±


    ¡°We just made a promise. And you made a deal with me. You¡¯re not going to break it, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°Like a deal with the devil? You¡¯re just too good to be true.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just an ordinary guy¡ª¡±


    ¡°No way you will quote The Pretty Woman on me.¡± I hit his arm.


    ¡°What¡¯s The Pretty Woman?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know The Pretty Woman? How about Julia Roberts?¡±


    ¡°I know Julia Roberts.¡±


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s this rich guy who hired a prostitute to be his girlfriend. And then he falls in love with her.¡±


    ¡°So what?¡±


    ¡°Ugh. You¡¯re impossible.¡± I sipped my wine. ¡°You¡¯re not tempted to join me?¡± I arched a brow.


    ¡°I am, darling. With those tits calling me? I¡¯m having a raging hard-on right now.¡±

 17

    17


    THAYER


    Damn.


    I wanted her again. These needs would never stop¡ªwould not diminish. Who could resist a beautiful


    Kennedy naked in a bathtub?


    I stripped my clothes and joined her.


    We came together and cuddled as I gave her a massage, and that massage turned her on. She came


    in my fingers. God, when she came, she was the most beautiful thing I¡¯d ever seen¡ªflushed skin,


    dreamy eyes, purring like a kitten in my arms.


    After we showered together, I fed her. Now she slept soundly in bed. I was tempted to join her, but I


    had a lot of work that I left before I went to the US, and I had to prepare for the uing g event.


    I tried to focus on the words of my mother over the phone. My mind went somewhere else¡ª


    somewhere in between Kennedy¡¯s legs. Jesus. It was mortifying.


    ¡°Honey, are you listening to me?¡± Her sweet voice pulled me out of my filthy images of Kennedy.


    ¡°I¡¯m listening, Mother.¡± I rubbed my eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about your father. Leave him to me.¡± When it came to my father, my mother was his


    weakness. I still couldn¡¯t help to not worry. Once his words were out of his mouth, nothing was going to


    change it.


    ¡°Thank you for doing this for me, Mother.¡±


    ¡°I know we live in two different messy worlds. For people like us, we have rules to follow, titles to take


    care of, an image to maintain, a kingdom to lead, but I have only one son, honey. I would only feel


    fulfilled if I see my children so happy despite the huge responsibility handed to them, not by their


    choices. And I couldn¡¯t just watch you as that poor choice ruined my son¡¯s life. And this is not just a


    two-day or a one-week affair, honey. Once you signed up for this, there¡¯s no going back.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d we¡¯re on the same page about this, Mother.¡±


    ¡°Of course, and I saw how this affair affects you. I¡¯m still fond of this, and there are no rules you can¡¯t


    choose a woman on your own. Your father¡¯s choices are still reasonable, though. It doesn¡¯t have to be


    his first choice, but if you can¡¯t convince Kennedy, you have at least to present someone to your father.¡±


    ¡°Mom, please?¡±


    ¡°I understand. Now how is it going?¡±


    ¡°Great.¡±


    ¡°I heard you have an invitation for her.¡±


    ¡°Yes. But I don¡¯t think she¡¯s ready for this.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no exact time for someone to be ready, Thayer. One way or another, she should be prepared


    to join your world.¡±


    I sighed deeply. ¡°I hope she won¡¯t be frightened.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll think about itter. But right now, do your best to win her heart.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°I think my charm is not an issue.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. It seems that you¡¯re making some progress. I have to go, honey. Enjoy your time


    with Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°Bye, Mom.¡± I hang up the phone.


    I stood up and stretched my limbs. I already missed her. I left the library, hoping I could cuddle for a few


    minutes before I left for the g.


    To my surprise, Kennedy was climbing downstairs. She was wearing a floral maxi dress¡ªshe already


    looked like a princess.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Her face lit up the moment she saw me. I wished it stayed like this every time we met.


    I met her in the middle. ¡°I was just thinking of you.¡± I held her hands and kissed her.


    She smiled against my lips. ¡°What were you thinking about me specifically? Naughty or nice?¡±


    ¡°Both,¡± I said against her lips. She pressed her palms against my chest. My heart hammered.


    Her lips began to move, opening her mouth for me. I slid my tongue in, tasting my sweet Kennedy. This


    time, I kissed her slow, sweetly, and gently. My hands traveled down her back as I pressed my hips


    against hers. My cock started to strain in my pants.


    I normally just took what I wanted. With Kennedy, though, it was different. She was not just any woman


    that I could take what I wanted and left after.


    The urge to grind to her, pull her dress up, and fuck her against the wall made me spin. But I held back.


    Pushing her against the wall, she felt my growing and greedy cock, rewarding me with a gasp, andter


    on, a moan.


    I squeezed my eyes shut and pulled back. My breathing caught. When I opened my eyes, I nted a


    kiss on her forehead.


    ¡°I think I believe you now.¡±


    I held her hand as I helped her sit on the stairs. ¡°Don¡¯t ever doubt me, darling.¡±


    Pulling her closer to me, I draped my arm around her, her arm on my thigh. ¡°I¡¯m gonna leave for the


    g.¡±


    Her gaze snapped at me. ¡°When?¡±


    ¡°Right now.¡±


    Her blue eyes gleamed with sadness. I just brought this emotion to her.


    ¡°Hey.¡± I traced her cheek with my thumb. ¡°You¡¯ll see meter.¡± I didn¡¯t like the idea of leaving her here


    either, but I had a protocol to follow.


    ¡°Oh.¡± She looked down, then chuckled. ¡°I feel like stupid, a clingy girlfriend. I don¡¯t even know what we


    are. I mean, we slept together, and I¡¯m a guest in your house. I came here for a job. I should have been


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    putting my attention on that matter and not ying a homey and a housewife.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re anything, but stupid and clingy are not one of those. You¡¯re not just a guest,


    Kennedy. The moment I wee you into my house, I invited you into my life, and I wanted you to be


    there. The moment I kissed you, I offered you myself and my heart. The moment I touched your body,


    ate you, and filled you, I gave you myself, my heart, and my soul. So I¡¯d only expect you to ept me,


    whoever I am and whatever I am you¡¯re about to know.¡± I kissed her again. I just couldn¡¯t help it. I just


    poured my whole heart into her, and she seemed to get it. She kissed me back the same way as I was


    kissing her.


    When we pulled apart, she looked straight into my eyes. ¡°You always have beautiful things to say that


    made a girl swoon, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°A beautiful¡ªI mean, a beautiful woman deserves to hear beautiful and honest words.¡± Before I could


    kiss her again, Kennedy froze.


    One of my personal details just showed up.


    ¡°My apology.¡± He dropped his gaze.


    ¡°Give us a minute.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Again, I apologize.¡± He stepped back before he turned around and left.


    ¡°Do all of your employees have to do that every time they see you?¡±


    ¡°Do what?¡± I looked at Kennedy though I knew exactly what she meant. ¡°Apologize?¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Anyway, you were saying?¡±


    ¡°I have to go. You¡¯ll receive your invitationter. I have arranged someone to ready you for the party.¡±


    ¡°Can I pass?¡± She bit her bottom lip.


    I shook my head. ¡°As my gorgeous woman, no. It¡¯s about time I show you my world. To the world.¡±


    She rolled her eyes again, then sighed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the dress. I got it covered.¡± I stood up. Before I stepped down, I remembered my


    mother¡¯s words. I held her hands. ¡°Darling, I want you to listen to me carefully.¡±


    ¡°Now you¡¯re making me nervous.¡± She really looked nervous, which she never did before.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. Just be yourself. What I wanted to say is.¡± I paused. ¡°Whatever rumors you hear, or about to


    hear and see, always remember what I said¡ªall of it, that I meant every word. My world is different


    than yours. Messy, but this is how I brought into the world, and I have no way in getting out of it without


    a certain repercussion.¡± I ced her hand on my chest, where my heartid. ¡°You¡¯re the only one that


    matters to me, that¡¯s why I brought you here. Always remember that I would never break my words. If I


    said I gave you my heart, I meant it. However you see me now andter, I¡¯m still the same man when


    you first met me. Nothing¡¯s changed. My feelings and my heart are the same.¡±


    ¡°W-why? Why are saying these to me?¡± Her eyes were swimming with worry.


    ¡°I never lied to you. I also haven¡¯t been straightforward when ites to my life.¡±


    ¡°You told me you¡¯re not married. You¡¯re not dating anyone¡ª¡±


    ¡°Let me correct it. I¡¯m already dating someone.¡±


    She smiled. ¡°You don¡¯t have a fuck buddy¡ª¡±


    ¡°About that¡ª¡±


    She pressed a finger against my lips. ¡°Shush. Stop interrupting me. Do you have a kid?¡±


    I shook my head.


    ¡°Oh, my God. We didn¡¯t use protectionst night!¡± Her eyes widened in shock.


    ¡°You¡¯re clean, and I¡¯m clean.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still being reckless and irresponsible.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re on a pill, right?¡± God, I hoped not.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Of course, she is. Did I n it? Yes, guilty as charged.


    ¡°Just a sec!¡± I knew Ludwig came back.


    ¡°Okay. You can¡¯t bete for the party.¡±


    ¡°I promise I was single untilst night.¡± I beamed.


    ¡°We¡¯re good. Now, go. Take care.¡± She kissed me before she let me go.

 18

    18


    KENNEDY


    The invitation had arrived earlier.


    My shock was an understatement.


    I stared at the white with the golden intricate square paper as if my sight was ying tricks with me. My


    name was written on it, though. I just got my first invitation to the Royal Charity Ball in Burkhese.


    Thayer must have connections with the royal family, or he was an active phnthropist.


    When Thayer said earlier he had someone to prepare me for a party, he was right, but not on that


    someone, because I had a masseuse, a manicurist, someone for my hair, another for my makeup.


    Arina was also with me.


    And my dark blue floor-length vintage-inspired gown with beaded bodice, floral details along the hem


    just arrived. By a single nce at this creation, it was from a known designer. In my opinion, it felt like I


    was attending a MET G¡ªit was gorgeous, but I didn¡¯t know if I was the right person to wear it.


    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Do I have another gown to choose from?¡± I asked Arina. She became my assistant since these guys


    came over to make me look worthy for the g.


    The guy who was fixing my hair stared at me in the mirror in surprise. ¡°You don¡¯t wanna wear it?¡±


    ¡°If he chose that for me, then I¡¯m gonna wear it.¡±


    He sighed. ¡°Great! Trust me, ma¡¯am, you¡¯d look stunning. The color of the gown would make your eyes


    more¡ª¡± He gestured his hands as if he was thinking of the right word.


    ¡°Dazzling.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± He pointed at Arina. ¡°Regal.¡± He looked at the mirror with pride after he was done with my hair.


    ¡°Nothing can beat a ssic hairdo. Do you agree?¡± He was right, side braid, low deconstructed


    chignon, loosely pinned back with a little twist¡ªit looked great.


    ¡°It¡¯s perfect. Thank you.¡± Even myself, I found it hard to believe that I was in that reflection, staring back


    at me.


    ¡°My pleasure.¡± He did a curtsy. ¡°Madam.¡±


    I did my best not to roll my eyes. What was with these people with their bow and bob?


    They left me with Arina. ¡°Let¡¯s put your gown on.¡±


    The wall-sized mirror did a great help. After I wore my gown, I found it hard to believe it fit perfectly for


    me¡ªas if it made for me. Arina was sping her hands together, giggling.


    ¡°How do I look?¡±


    ¡°A princess. A real princess.¡±


    ¡°Silly. Thank you, Arina, for helping me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m here, madam. Now, let¡¯s put your shoes on.¡±


    I¡¯d stared at these shoes inst month¡¯s magazine. Now, they were in my feet¡ªankle strapped sandals


    with pears clustered.


    I sighed in front of the mirror¡ªI was now a different person, but deep inside, I was still the same


    without these grandiose and luxuries.


    ¡°Please,e in,¡± Arina said.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±


    A slim man around fifties walked in, carrying a blue velvet square jewelry box. ¡°Madam, I¡¯m Daniel


    Areon, a representative from Gattewarde Braynburd Assets. I am here to present you this fine jewelry.¡±


    He flipped the box open.


    I squinted my eyes as sparkles erupted in the room.


    ¡°Wow!¡± It was a set of vintages like blue and white diamond nes and earrings. ¡°I can¡¯t wear that.


    That¡¯s too shy.¡±


    ¡°I was advised to insist, madam.¡±


    ¡°Of course, he did.¡± I turned around and faced the mirror once again. ¡°Please.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my honor.¡± He came behind me with his white gloves, carefully taking the ne from the box.


    ¡°There¡¯s a history behind this piece of ne, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°I think, I don¡¯t wanna know, and the price as well. I¡¯ll die, reborn, die again, and relive over again, I


    won¡¯t be able to rey its cost.¡±


    ¡°Good thing there are ensured. You don¡¯t have to worry about your safety. You won¡¯t go to the ball


    alone. You will be escorted, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Are you serious?¡±


    ¡°Not about the value of the ne, but for your safety.¡±


    My eyes widened. ¡°Am I in danger?¡±


    ¡°No, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s a relief. You made me worry for a second there.¡±


    Mr. Areon was right. I was escorted by two men in suits, wearing an earpiece. I walked out of the


    manor, and they assisted me to the shiny ck limousine.


    My heart never stopped beating so fast as I rode in the backseat alone. I didn¡¯t know what to expect


    when I got there. What I¡¯d seen in the party I¡¯d attended would be a different scene with this one. It was


    a royal charity ball in the first ce. So I would see members of royal families.


    Then it hit me¡ªthis might be my assignment. The party.


    I picked up the phone in my tiny purse and dialed Alessia.


    ¡°My assignment is to meet royal families? Can you be a little more specific about which one I would be


    interviewing? How did you make this possible?¡±


    ¡°Where are you right now?¡± She sounded like she just woke up. I forgot the timezone here was different


    from the US.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to wake you up. I¡¯m on my way. And I look like Cindere right now in Jimmy Choo¡¯s pearls


    shoes. When midnight strikes, I turn into an ugly bitch.¡± I rolled my eyes.


    ¡°Forget about the assignment, Kennedy. Just focus on the g.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you and Thayer are active in charities. I meant, no offense.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know him very well then.¡±


    ¡°Well. He¡¯s cryptic as the ciphers.¡±


    ¡°Have fun, dear.¡±


    As soon as I put my phone back, the car halted. The door swung opened.


    My heart hammered. I kept all in mind what basic rules and etiquette Arina had taught me.


    I took a deep breath before I climbed out of the car. Blinding shes, echoes, questions, cameras


    everywhere. With my sweaty palms, shaky legs, I straightened my back, raised my chin as I walked on


    the red carpet. The men in suits were still by my side all the time.


    My anxiety twisted in the pit of my stomach. I kept in mind that I was doing this for Thayer.


    I presented my invitation. Then a man in a ck tuxedo offered his arm. I hooked my hand around as


    he guided me toward the main event.


    ¡°Miss Kennedy Emersyn Gilby of New York.¡± Before I could enter, I halted the announcement.


    What the hell?


    As it was expected, the g was ssy, smell fancy and royal if there was even a smell.


    Regal.


    Everyone around here was chatting in a low murmur. I recognized a royal family member from Spain,


    another one from Sweden.


    Now I felt like I was lost in the middle of the sea of rich and famous people. For the first time, I felt small


    and irrelevant.


    I wished my friends were here, though, or even just Ash and Lud to chat with or where I could grip an


    arm around. I wanted to pinch myself if I was really in the event. I suddenly felt a huge ball rolling in the


    pit of my stomach. I¡¯d never been this nervous in my entire life¡ªever. But I couldn¡¯t shake this feeling


    off.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, please, wee, the arrival of His Royal Highness, Prince of Burkese, Duke of


    Winterbourn, Prince Isodore. Her Royal Highness, Duchess of Burkese, Princess Aimrose.¡±


    With respect, the guests stepped aside for the arrival of the Prince and Princess. They looked regal.


    The Prince was in a sharp dress in a royal uniform with his medals of honor pinned on his chest with


    Royal Family Order sash over his shoulder. The Princess was drop-dead gorgeous, making me


    starstruck in her ck floor-length gown.


    I followed when everyone apuded as the Prince and Princess were about to pass by the isle. I was


    so drawn that I couldn¡¯t keep my eyes off of her. Something about her aura and features seemed


    remarkable.


    Just her smile alone, it was so pure, contagious, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile back.


    She smiled. I thought she smiled at me. Then my hunch was right.


    ¡°Kennedy.¡±


    My jaw dropped. Oh, my God! Did she just call my name? How did she know my name? Or I just


    misheard her.


    I blinked rapidly, trying to make my brain work. No way I heard it right. It couldn¡¯t be. It was impossible.


    ¡°His Royal Highness, Prince of Guardion, Duke of Reddyforde, Prince Thayer.¡±


    That name.


    My heart stopped. Shock cut through me like a knife into my chest.


    I shook it off.


    No. It¡¯s not him.


    It was impossible.


    But when Prince of Guardion walked in with all his shocking grace, everything around us disappeared.


    He walked as if he belonged there with his tall, magnificent figure,manding, and powerful self.


    I froze in my tracks.


    My lips dried.


    I shivered.


    Painful reality hit me so hard. What he said earlier came crashing down on me. I forgot that I was


    holding my breath until I couldn¡¯t take it anymore. My head started to spin.


    He¡¯s a fucking prince.


    ¡°Holy crap.¡±


    I wrapped my arms around me when goosebumps erupted all over my skin.


    ¡°No. This is not real,¡± I talked to myself.


    God, help me.


    I closed my eyes, wishing this was just some kind of a sick joke¡ªa prank. I shook my head violently,


    denying what I just heard.


    ¡°Darling?¡±


    I startled. No way.


    When I cracked my eyes open, he was there, standing with all his glory, beaming down at me. I took


    my liberty to check him out. His hair was styled in a naturally diffused brushback. Just like his father, he


    was wearing an ancient royal regiment uniform with his medals.


    He called my name again.


    ¡°What?¡±


    He was offering his hand. ¡°May I have the pleasure to dance with you?¡±


    Then I realized the people were already dancing through the live orchestra.


    I swallowed hard. ¡°No.¡±


    I just turned him down, yet, he was still smiling. ¡°The guests are watching.¡±


    I looked around and swallowed hard when everyone¡¯s attention was, in fact, on us¡ªscrutinizing,


    judging eyes pinned at me.


    ¡°Fine.¡± I ced my hand over his gloved-rapped hand. ¡°Let me remind you, I might step the heels of


    these shoes on your feet.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re upset.¡± He ced his hand on his back when we reached the center.


    ¡°You lied to me.¡± I looked away when my eyes started to sting.


    ¡°I never did. I told you.¡±


    I snapped my gaze at him. ¡°Really? How about you tell me straight that you¡¯re a prince. A freaking royal


    prince. God, I want to curse the hell out of you right now.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯d run away.¡±


    ¡°Do you think you can stop me right now?¡± My chest heaved.


    He clenched his jaw.


    ¡°How can I trust you when we started this rtionship with a lie?¡± I shot him a murderous re.


    He twirled me around and caught me right into his arms. My breasts pressed against his.


    ¡°I told you I never lied to you,¡± he said in a gravelly voice, staring back at me. His eyes filled with raw


    and mixed emotions.


    A painful silence followed.


    I pulled my hand away. ¡°I need to go to the restroom.¡±


    ¡°Let me take you there.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m sure your guests are ecstatic to meet you.¡±


    I didn¡¯t know where to go. At this moment, I didn¡¯t give a shit.


    I walked out and found a secluded ce. Somewhat, I was in a garden. An overpowering rage gripped


    me to scream, but a voice of a woman stopped me.


    ¡°You lied to me. You told me not to worry, and everything¡¯s under control.¡±


    Seconds ticked by, the woman talked again. ¡°You ced me in an unthinkable shame. Who is that


    woman? That ugly, social-climber woman?¡±


    She must be talking over the phone. She sounded so upset and angry. ¡°For God¡¯s sake, do something.


    I want that woman gone! We¡¯re supposed to be getting engaged in two days. I couldn¡¯t believe he


    would dance with amoner. With American whore!¡±

 19

    19


    THAYER


    I scanned every corner of this event, but I couldn¡¯t find her. I started to worry. I took a few deep


    breathes to calm down.


    After I weed some guests, I paid my regards to my parents. I texted Lud and Ash. They were in


    one of the rooms, monitoring the situation in and out of the g.


    Ash replied.


    Ash: Garden alone.


    T: Watch over her. Make sure that no reporters would get to her.


    Ash: Got it


    I slipped my phone back into my pocket. It was inappropriate, but I tended to break etiquette every now


    and then.


    ¡°Thayer.¡± A voice purred beside me. Even if she stood naked in front of me right now, it wouldn¡¯t even


    pique my interest. I had my woman to worry about, and she was the very least.


    ¡°Lady Kadynce,¡± I addressed respectfully. I was well-groomed to do it, but I barely looked at her. As


    always, she sought my attention, smiling sweetly.


    She was the perfect epitome of a trophy-wife to be on the outside¡ª superficial but poised. Beautiful,


    but mean. And she was one of the chosen to be my wife.


    She came from a prominent family from the west. But she didn¡¯t give me the effect the way Kennedy


    did. She may be beautiful and raised in an influential environment, but she was not my type. She could


    satisfy me in bed, but not in so many things I found in Kennedy.


    ¡°Can we talk in private?¡± What the fuck?


    ¡°You know it¡¯s not appropriate, Kady.¡±


    ¡°Not in a few days.¡±


    I threw curses in my head. I knew exactly what she meant. Of course, I was a catch. Let¡¯s face it. Even


    if I was a beast, she would agree to marry me. Her family was power-hungry. Loyal? Maybe, but if I


    happened to be a nobody? She would even give me a second look.


    ¡°Look, if you want to say something to me, say it now. I have guests to entertain. Or you can leave your


    message to Marko.¡± I was a dick, but she had to understand that this arrangement was the least of my


    problems right now. I had a more pressing matter that needed my attention.


    ¡°As your future wife, you should take me with you and introduce me to your guests.¡±


    I inwardly groaned. ¡°Kady, we¡¯re not engaged yet, and let me be honest with you, this engagement may


    not happen. So don¡¯t let your hopes up.¡±


    Her gaze was steady on my face, ring at me. ¡°You can¡¯t postpone the engagement. It¡¯s been


    arranged for years. And we¡¯re getting married whether you like it or not.¡±


    ¡°Lower your voice down,¡± I said calmly, even if I was raging inside. I was a prince, and she wouldn¡¯t


    dare raise my voice at me or ordered. ¡°I¡¯m a prince if you¡¯ve forgotten that. There, maybe an


    arrangement, but you were just among those candidates. And if I say I won¡¯t choose you, and I don¡¯t


    wanna marry you, my father would respect that. Keep that in mind. You may start searching from your


    book club.¡±


    ¡°Is this because of thatmoner?¡± Great! I didn¡¯t have to exin why.


    ¡°Don¡¯t use that word.¡±


    ¡°American.¡±


    ¡°You know the answer to it by now.¡±


    ¡°But my father told me¡ª¡±


    ¡°When?¡± I stared at her.


    ¡°Brother?¡± Oh, thank fuck! Saved by my sister. ¡°May I excuse my brother, Kadynce?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Even if she wouldn¡¯t excuse us, Carlott already was dragging me away from her.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d been watching you for a few minutes, and I couldn¡¯t ignore your re and difort. It¡¯s bad for


    the media, brother. And I know you¡¯ve been screaming for my help.¡± We stopped at the corner side of


    my parents.


    Carlott was an epitome of a rebel princess with a huge heart when it came to children. There would


    always be someone who would stand on her beliefs despite the negative judgment of society. And that


    was what I admired about my baby sister.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your American princess?¡± She was staring at me¡ªreally staring at me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call her that.¡±


    ¡°She would be, in the future.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s upset.¡±


    ¡°You mean pissed off.¡± She pursed her lips, clearly unimpressed.


    ¡°You¡¯re still dating that guy.¡± Her American boyfriend was her big influenced, but she seemed happy,


    and he respected her.


    ¡°He has a name, Thayer Camren.¡±


    I wished I could roll my eyes. ¡°Fine. Waren.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re an ass, you know.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not nice to say to your big brother, Carlott.¡±


    ¡°Give me a break. You¡¯ve been a royal pain in the ass. How could you invite her and leave her


    unattended for¡ªhow long now? Oh, twenty-five minutes?¡±


    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Panic streaked through me. ¡°Can you cover for me?¡±


    ¡°On one condition?¡±


    ¡°Name it.¡±


    ¡°Go.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    I looked at my parents and nodded slightly as a gesture that I would be leaving. Thankfully, my father


    seemed to be in a mood tonight.


    I dialed Ash once I was outside the hall as I strode to the private exit.


    ¡°She¡¯s with Lud.¡±


    ¡°Is she okay?¡±


    ¡°She seemed fine, but you know how she reacted after you dropped the Fukushima on her.¡±


    ¡°I told her before the g, but not¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not who you are.¡±


    ¡°She cares about me. She would understand. She supposed to understand.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯ve been just honest with her from the start, this won¡¯te down to this.¡±


    I stopped to a halt. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I mean.¡±


    ¡°No. You said this won¡¯te down to this. What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    ¡°Lud drove her back to the manor.¡±


    ¡°Without informing me?¡± I yelled at Ash over the phone. My blood boiled. ¡°Fucking Ludovic.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s something more.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± I growled. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s so upset. And she wouldn¡¯t tell Lud. You should fix this, T. Before it¡¯s toote.¡±


    ¡°I will. Drive me home.¡±


    I kept rubbing my temples as I rested my head at the backseat of the car. I tried calling her phone, but


    she wouldn¡¯t pick up. She might turn the silent mode on.


    When I walked in earlier. I thought she was the most beautiful thing I¡¯d ever seen. She looked like an


    angel justnded from the sky, as cliche as it may sound. She was the only thing that existed to me in


    the entire ballroom.


    Then the air in my lungs thickened until it felt like I was drowning. Seeing those reactions in her face¡ª


    the pain, the shock¡ªshe felt that I betrayed her trust. Ash and Lud had been right all along. I just


    couldn¡¯t ept my mistake¡ªmy bruised ego.


    Now she was mad at me.


    She was right. I held back the truth. I should have been honest from the very beginning when I was


    sure she was the right one for me.


    ¡°Your Highness, are you okay?¡± Ash asked from the passenger seat.


    ¡°Just get there. Fast.¡± My jaw flexed.


    Honestly, I was shaking. I didn¡¯t know how to exin when she saw everything¡ªshe figured out


    everything about me. She gave her trust to me, and it was heartwarming. And now I ruined it.


    I stared outside the window, watching cars passed by. Guilt, pain, and a string of unfamiliar feelings


    constricted in my chest. What if she was going to leave me? The pressure in my chest intensified.


    God, I¡¯m so madly in love with Kennedy.


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± the driver announced.


    ¡°Talk to Lud.¡±


    A few seconds by, Ash responded. ¡°They¡¯re on the way to the airport.¡±


    ¡°Come again?¡± I blurted, horrified.


    ¡°He¡¯s driving Miss Gilby to the airport,¡± he rephrased.


    ¡°No fucking way. Call the aviation and ask which flight is living to the US tonight.¡±


    I¡¯d waited. As soon as Ash ended the call, I asked, ¡°When?¡±


    He turned to look at me. His face was inscrutable.


    ¡°Fucking when, Zakkary?¡±


    ¡°The boarding starts in an hour.¡±


    ¡°Fuck!¡±

 20

    20


    KENNEDY


    I didn¡¯t what to expect when Thayer¡ªor should I call him Prince Thayer, the Duke of Asnd when he


    told me that I was the only one that matters to him, that he was still the same person I met days ago. I


    just trusted him. I felt something stronger than how he made me feel in bed. Or maybe I was too


    delirious with the surge of my own libido that I wouldn¡¯t care so much if, in the end, if this thing, or


    whatever we shared woulde to an end.


    I was hurt¡ªmostly my ego. I sighed in defeat. Fine. My feelings. I trusted him. We slept together


    without protection, and the sex was mind-blowing. But he lied to me and kept the most crucial part of


    his life.


    He was a freaking Prince. And that bitch. God, I wanted to pull my hair off my head. How could I be


    stupid? So damn stupid. There was a so-called Google and social media. Or maybe, I was scared of


    something I would find out, and I wasn¡¯t ready to know because I had my suspicions.


    The flight back to New York was the longest and the most ufortable in history. I was sandwiched


    between the mother and her son. The three-year-old boy wouldn¡¯t stay put, and the mother snored like


    a pig.


    With my heart crushed in my chest, Iid back in bed. I knew my phone was off, but I was not ready to


    talk to anyone right now.


    ***


    I woke up with great reluctance of getting up from bed. My heart was still bleeding from his lies. I shook


    off that thought. In every story, there was an ending. Sadly my own version of Cindere, I didn¡¯t have a


    happily ever after.


    I reluctantly opened the man envelope given to me by Alessia before my flight.


    It had only a piece of paper¡ªthe photograph of Prince of Triberis Capria.


    Son of a bitch!


    I poured coffee into my tumbler and took my key from the counter. I gave one quick nce at the room


    in the opposite corner.


    Honestly, I missed him. After my break up with Raoul, I never thought I would grow feelings so fast with


    Thayer. I saw the sincerity, lust, and so many mixed emotions in those green eyes. But right now, I just


    couldn¡¯t deal with lies anymore.


    An hourter, I knocked on Alessia¡¯s office. I heard her saying toe in.


    Her eyes grew big.


    ¡°Good morning.¡±


    ¡°Morning.¡± She gestured me to sit before she rose from her seat. ¡°You¡¯re here early.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t know that I came back, considering your nephew, The Prince¡¯s party is over.¡± I


    knew I was disrespectful and sarcastic to my boss, and she was also a princess. But as far as I knew,


    she did this on purpose, throwing me into the country.


    ¡°I knew you arrived yesterday. But I¡¯m not expecting you to report today.¡±


    ¡°Well, here I am.¡± I stood up and took a step closer to her to give back the Man envelope. ¡°I won¡¯t do


    it.¡± I swallowed down the pain and disappointment that my promotion was officially thrown out of the


    window.


    ¡°Why?¡± She looked disappointed, though, and neither surprised.


    ¡°You know why. Say my congrats in advance to whomever you promote.¡± I turned and walked towards


    the door.


    ¡°Kennedy?¡±


    I halted.


    ¡°You know you can¡¯t just run away from him.¡±


    I turned around. ¡°Why? Because he¡¯s a royalty? He knows where to find me so that I can break his


    nose.¡±


    She shook his head. ¡°I know you have feelings for Prince Thayer. He called me yesterday to check on


    you since your not answering his call. His emotions are everywhere. He¡¯s not thinking straight. And you


    just left without even letting him exin why he has to keep his royal title from you.¡±


    I blinked when my eyes started to blur. It was stupid, running away like that. But I couldn¡¯t face him, and


    all I could see was the opposite of what I was to say to him¡ªthat if I said goodbye, it was the opposite


    because I was in love with him.


    My smile was faint. ¡°He¡¯s getting engaged.¡±


    I bolted out of the office and never looked back.


    ***


    I met Siena and Serenity at the cafe down from the office building during their break.


    I wasn¡¯t in a mood to have coffee and chat, but I need to speak to someone, or I would just be going


    crazy and go to sleep the whole day.


    ¡°You¡¯re back so fast. I was surprised to see you entered Alessia¡¯s office. But that¡¯s not what shocked


    me.¡± Siena took a huge bite of her blueberry muffin.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Looks like your cat just died in a freaking hit and run.¡±


    Serenity flinched. ¡°You¡¯re gross. Poor thing. Not a cat, please.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? I was expecting you toe back with rosy cheeks, limping. You didn¡¯t taste a


    Caprean? I thought they¡¯re all tall with broad chest, wide shoulders, and beefy.¡±


    Oh, I just tasted a big cock alright and not just an ordinary cock, but a freaking prince cock.


    ¡°Did your ne evennd?¡± Serenity asked.


    ¡°Yeah. I stayed in a manor. I also attended a charity ball.¡±


    ¡°Wow!¡±


    ¡°Who invited you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all arranged by Alessia.¡±


    ¡°So who¡¯s your subject?¡± Siena asked.


    They paused and waited for my answer.


    I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. ¡°Prince of Guardion.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God!¡± Serenity gushed. ¡°Is it true he¡¯s getting married?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Ken? You¡¯re not usually this quiet and brooding?¡± Siena pressed.


    Because I¡¯m in love and the same time, brokenhearted.


    ¡°Did someone harass you in Triberis?¡±


    ¡°No. It was quite an experience.¡± If you only knew how many times I¡¯d orgasmed that night, I¡¯d lost


    count. That man had quite an appetite and was insatiable, taking me over and over again.


    ¡°So tell me about the Prince.¡± Siena was more interested in the gossip, but I just signed a tight-lock


    NDAs.


    ¡°What did Alessia tell you?¡± Serenity asked.


    ¡°I won¡¯t write the article.¡±


    ¡°So you won¡¯t get the promotion?¡± Her fiery red eyebrow arched.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°But why? You traveled all the way there, and you still won¡¯t be promoted? Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s


    unfair?¡± Siena looked at Serenity, and they had the same reaction.


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    ¡°Maybe I just resign and look for another job or travel around the world. I don¡¯t know.¡± I looked away.


    My life and my career were in trouble because I took the risk and yed with fire.


    ¡°You never just decided like that, Ken. We know you. If it¡¯s because of Raoul, that dick doesn¡¯t deserve


    a frown on your forehead.¡±


    ¡°This has nothing to do with him, Siena. Maybe I just need a long sleep. When I wake up the next day,


    my head is clear as the sky.¡± I rose from the chair. ¡°I have to go, guys. Your break is over. Tell Faith I


    said hi.¡±


    ¡°Call us if you need drink buddies.¡±


    I smiled even if my chest was heavier than the loaded truck. Serenity would be my drink buddy? No


    way. She was more likely to just watch me as I got wasted. ¡°I will.¡±


    ¡°When is your roommateing to visit?¡± God, why did Siena have to ask about him when I was trying


    to ignore the fact of not seeing him again?


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ***


    I stared at the bottle of red wine I took from the ref an hour ago. That was how long I was just sitting


    there, obsessing and fighting the urge of researching Prince Thayer online.


    It was ridiculous, but I couldn¡¯t fuck him while he was engaged to someone else. I wouldn¡¯t stoop that


    down. There were a lot of dicks in America that could satisfy me just fine.


    At the corner of my head, but that¡¯s a prince¡¯s dick. I was obsessing over him again, and I knew it was


    not healthy.


    ¡°Damn you.¡± I unscrewed the wine and poured a half-full to the ss.


    I missed him terribly. I sipped the wine, and the sip turned to a chug until I emptied the ss till itsst


    drop.


    I never got drunk with a little amount of wine, but I felt suddenly dizzy. I stared at the wine. Something


    was not right.


    My lids were so heavy I could barely open my eyes. Even if I tried to stay awake, my body was dormant


    until I lost bnce.


    ¡°There you go, love.¡±

 21

    21


    THAYER


    In a furious rage, I paced back and forth and threw out curses known to man.


    One of my bodyguards came down from Kennedy¡¯s room. Judging by the look on his face, I already


    figured out what he was about to say.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the woman assisting Kennedy?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s in the room.¡± He dropped his gaze, colors draining from his face.


    ¡°What the fuck is she doing there?¡± My blood boiled, knowing nobody could talk to Kennedy to change


    her mind or stop her until I arrived.


    I forced myself to think straight, but nothing I could think of other than my selfishness and guilt screwing


    my head.


    ¡°Miss Arina has the jewelry, and she¡¯s¡ª she¡¯s crying, worried of losing her job, Your Highness.¡± Of


    course, she was.


    If Lud couldn¡¯t stop her from leaving, what Arina could have done? Kennedy was no weakling¡ªshe


    was strong-willed, smart, and motivated, but she was also fiery and impatient.


    With eyes were aze with anger, I turned to Ash. He was typing something on his phone.


    ¡°How long that asshole would be here?¡± My voice was quiet but deadly.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be here in less than thirty minutes.¡±


    ¡°Good. Tell him to see me in the study.¡± I strode towards the hallway. My chest tightened. I had to lean


    against the wall as I felt like my movements were uncoordinated.


    ¡°Your Highness, are you okay?¡± It was Ash. He must have followed me. "T?"


    I shook my head. ¡°Nothing is okay. Stop asking me that stupid question anymore. Everything! My life is


    falling apart. I¡¯m one of the most powerful men in this country, but I couldn¡¯t do anything to stop my


    woman from leaving! I am helpless, Zakkary!¡±


    He held the door open for me. I quickly went to the liquor rack and poured myself the strongest I had. I


    emptied in one gulping, ignoring the burning sensation in my throat.


    My mind went back to Kennedy as she knelt before me, taking my cock all the way to the back of her


    throat. She didn¡¯t have an ounce of shyness to do what she wanted in giving me pleasure. She was the


    most beautiful thing with her teary, lust-filled eyes, dozing with needs.


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    I sat down at my desk, feeling my knees give in. For the first time in my life, I felt helpless. I could have


    everything in a snap of my fingers. When it came to love and rtionship, I was weak and useless.


    Jesus.


    I love her. I could feel it in my heart, in my bones, deep down in me. How could that even be possible


    when I knew little about her? I guessed you didn''t have to know the person to fall in love with. When


    she was the right one for you, everything seemed just right.


    Again, I checked my phone for her message. Nothing¡ªnothing from Kennedy as if she blocked me out


    of her lifepletely.


    ¡°Everything is gonna be fine, T.¡± I felt the sincerity in his voice, but I also knew that he was trying to


    make me feel better.


    I met his gaze. ¡°Not this time.¡± I pinched the bridge of my nose.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see you a quitter, either as a prince or my friend. We¡¯vee this far. This is not the right time


    to give up on something you¡¯ve invested your time and your feelings for. I would do everything in my


    power to help you. All you have to do is ask.¡±


    Before I could say something, someone knocked on the door.


    ¡°That¡¯s probably Ludovic,¡± he announced.


    As soon as Lud¡¯s face emerged from the door, my rage boiled. I spat out, ¡°You¡¯re fired! Get out, and I


    don¡¯t wanna see your face anywhere near me ever again!¡±


    Lud might have been expecting that I would be raging mad, but clearly, he wasn¡¯t thinking that I would


    fire him. The color drained from his face. His eyes widened in shock.


    He still entered and bowed. ¡°I apologize for my behavior, Your Highness, but if you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Did I tell you that you could talk?¡±


    He dropped his gaze.


    ¡°I trusted you with my life. I considered you as one of my few friends. But what you did was


    unforgivable. You broke my trust, Sten. I don¡¯t need an employee who can¡¯t follow protocols. Get out


    of this fucking room before I do something I mightter regret.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness,¡± Ash called me in low voice.


    ¡°What?¡± I snapped my gaze at him. ¡°You¡¯re gonna save his ass?¡±


    ¡°No, Your Royal Highness. But I have a proposition.¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°I¡¯m not interested. I want you to take this man out of my house.¡± Shaking in anger, I


    poured another shot into my ss. I ced the bottle down when my hand. It didn¡¯t stop me from


    shaking no matter how strong I gripped the bottle. A sudden chill of dread swept over me.


    ¡°Your Highness.¡± Ash rushed towards me as he caught the sight of my struggle. ¡°You¡¯re upset. Let me


    help you with that. Please, try to take a deep breath.¡± He poured me a shot, dutifully watching me.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± My hand was still shaking.


    ¡°Lud, call the doctor.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need a fucking doctor. What I need is Kennedy! If you can¡¯t bring her back, then there¡¯s nothing


    you and that doctor could help.¡± My mind was reeling, but nothing seemed to make any sense. My


    chest was whirring with so mixed emotions, and I was losing control. Clearly, I underestimate my


    feelings towards Kennedy, and I took for granted the fact of telling her the truth.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m about to propose to you,¡± he said hesitantly.


    I stared bleakly at him.


    ¡°But I can¡¯t do it alone,¡± he added.


    I snorted mockingly. ¡°Let me guess. You need his help.¡± I swift a nce at still unmoving Lud.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness. It¡¯s a two-person mission.¡±


    I gave a miserable shrug. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, may I speak?¡±


    ¡°What do you think you¡¯d say that would pique my interest?¡±


    He swallowed. ¡°Remember the n B?¡±


    A picture of that moment sprung in my mind. For a brief moment, a tiny thrill of excitement tingled my


    skin. My chest filled with hopes as I let go of a long shuddering sigh.


    ¡°How would you two supposed to do that?¡± I calmed a little. I gestured for Lud to join Ash in the lounge


    chair.


    ¡°We need a jet,¡± Ash said.


    ¡°It can be arranged. What¡¯s the crucial part?¡±


    They looked at each other, fighting which one of them to answer.


    ¡°Just fucking say it.¡±


    Thirty minutester, I was sitting on the edge of my desk as they arranged whatever they needed.


    I tapped my finger against the ss in my grasp. ¡°Do you think this would work?¡±


    ¡°Have a little patient and give us some credit.¡± Lud chuckled.


    ¡°If you failed me again, you¡¯re out. Completely.¡± I would haveughed at my words, but I watched how


    they did their jobs. I understood why he helped Kennedy out of this country. I just couldn¡¯t ept my


    failure and my mistake.


    ¡°It seems that everything is ready.¡± Ash closed theptop on hisp.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t make any scenes. I can¡¯t afford to have my security details tangled in any mess and create


    an international incident.¡±


    ¡°We know what to do. And I have n B. Well, it would be n C.¡±


    ¡°Good. Good luck. Keep me posted.¡±


    ***


    Eight hourster¡­


    I was summoned by my father. I figured what was this all about. When I came face to face with him, I


    showed him my defeat, but in my heart, I was not ready to give up now that our n was in progress.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your girlfriend?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, what?¡± Did he just say, my girlfriend? I also noticed something different in his mood today. He


    seemed to rx than thest time I was in this room.


    ¡°You heard me, Thayer.¡± He offered a ss of Dalmore 62.


    ¡°What are we drinking for?¡±


    ¡°She went back?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± My stomach clenched tightly.


    ¡°Tell me you have ns.¡±


    I met his gaze. ¡°I think, you win.¡±


    ¡°I raised you, my son. I taught you how to face difficulties, to be resilient. So that one day, you could


    apply it. I didn¡¯t teach you to give up because you failed. I taught you how to crawl back when you fall,


    rise to your feet, and fight again.¡±


    I blinked in surprise. I wasn¡¯t expecting to hear something like this from him. Not today. ¡°What


    changed?¡±


    ¡°Family. Building a strong kingdom starts within the family. When we showed how tight this family is, we


    built an example for our people. You could only do that when you start constituting your own, with the


    person you love and trust. She would be by your side, guiding you when things wouldn¡¯t go as nned.


    She would support you in all your endeavors. A wife, royal or not, is still your life partner, Thayer. You


    fight side by side. I don¡¯t see that in Lady Laudeau. When I saw you were dancing with Kennedy, she lit


    you up. I saw the love and connection that I didn¡¯t see when Lady Laudeau was with you.¡±


    About time. ¡°To Kennedy, then.¡± I raised my ss.


    ¡°To you and Kennedy. And don¡¯t ever let me down.¡±

 22

    22


    KENNEDY


    A hum¡ªbuzz. Pressure.


    A little shaky.


    What happened?


    I was drinking wine. Secondster, I saw a glimpse of those familiar dark eyes before my world went


    dark.


    I licked my lips. My throat was dry as a desert.


    The humming continued. Typically, I stretched in bed before I got up, but this bed seemed small and


    ufortable for my back.


    Blinking my eyes open, I finally realized that I wasn¡¯t in my bed. I quickly rose to my feet only to get


    tugged my ass back, slumping to the chair.


    All my senses woke up¡ªthe humming and pressure. Oh, my God.


    I was secured in a seat belt.


    My heart was in my throat. It suddenly registered to me. I held and tried to unbuckle when a clearing of


    a throat stopped me.


    ¡°You won¡¯t do that if I were you.¡±


    My head snapped to the voice at the far-end corner, grinning at me.


    Filled with anger, I utched my seat belt and aimed a lethal re at Lud. ¡°What did you do to me? Did


    you drug my wine?¡± Oh, my god! Did¡ª?


    ¡°Technically, it was not your wine. And you should be careful next time, love.¡± He shrugged even if I


    was about to strangle his trunk-sized neck.


    ¡°Where am I, Lud?¡± I stopped in front of him.


    Rxed, he knocked on the wall. ¡°Where are we?¡± He blinked as if he just realized something. ¡°Oh,


    we¡¯re currently twenty-thousand feet above the ground.¡±


    I kicked him in his shin. ¡°Turn this freaking ne around, Lud! I wanna go home.¡±


    He faked his flinch, and he still found everything funny. ¡°We can¡¯t change course, or we crash in the


    middle.¡±


    ¡°And why is that? We were not in Bermuda Triangle, are we?¡±


    ¡°Fuel insufficiency?¡± He seemed not sure. His eyebrows up to his hairline.


    ¡°You are lying.¡± I propped my hands on my hips, ignoring my hammering headache. ¡°Why in the hell did


    you kidnap me after you sent me to the airport?¡±


    ¡°That was thest mistake I did, love. If I turned this ne back to America, I would not just lose my


    job. I wouldn¡¯t be able to find any work again. Your boyfriend made sure of that.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not my boyfriend, asshole!¡± I moved to the cockpit door and knocked loudly. ¡°Turn this freaking


    ne now, or I will jump. Your choice.¡±


    ¡°Kennedy?¡±


    I froze. My hand hung in the air.


    ¡°Please, have a seat, or you¡¯ll get hurt. There¡¯ll be a little turbulence ahead,¡± Ash said calmly.


    I turned around. My face was ming in anger. ¡°I thought you¡¯re nice. Why did you help this jerk


    kidnapped me?¡±


    ¡°Desperate times call for desperate measures,¡± Lud answered instead.


    ¡°I''m not talking to you, asshole. I will sue you both,¡± I threatened the two big bad wolves, but it didn¡¯t


    even stir them even a little.


    ¡°Better than heads detached to our bodies, don¡¯t you think?¡± Lud spoke again.


    I mped my lips together, confirming what I¡¯d suspected. When the jet started to shake, I settled to


    the empty seat beside Ash. ¡°Just send me to the US Embassy as soon as wend. I promise I will not


    file aint. I will call Thayer and tell him that it was my fault that I managed to escape and that I hit


    you both in the head.


    ¡°Do you really think he would believe you? I just got fired before I flew to the US, and that was myst


    warning. Sorry, love, but I can¡¯t help you again. My life and career depend on this mission.¡±


    ¡°Mission? I am your mission?¡± My eyes stung. My chin trembled. ¡°So you would just hand me over to


    him?¡± I turned to Ash, so stoic beside me. ¡°You can¡¯t do this to me. I have a family, friends, and a


    career back home. I already failed and won¡¯t ever get my promotion, and now, do I also have to lose


    my job? Don¡¯t you have a heart?¡± I held his strong arm. His muscles clenched around my grip.


    ¡°Hands off, Kennedy. Please?¡± His voice was the opposite of his face right now.


    I swallowed in defeat. I was scared of height, and never in my life, I tried parachuting. I was not an


    adrenaline-junky to try those life-threatening sports. Right now, even if I wanted to get back home,


    there was no way I would jump off this jet.


    ¡°I thought we¡¯re friends. I guess I was wrong. It was all but freaking jobs. I get it you both are just doing


    this is to pay the bills, but I never thought you¡¯de this far. But abducting a poor woman? This is so


    low, dude. You swore an oath to serve and protect, and this is a serious criminal offense.¡± I sniffed and


    wiped the tears on my cheeks. I turned to face the window and watched the scattered clouds against


    the wing. ¡°I hate you both.¡±


    I was far from home, and I couldn¡¯t do anything to help myself escape.


    Ash and Lud went eerily silent, and there was no way I would talk to them again.


    ¡°Would you like something to drink?¡± A pretty stewardess interrupted the awkward silence surrounding


    the jet.


    ¡°No, thank you. Thest thing I drunk, it led me here.¡± I fixed my seat.


    ¡°I can assure you, ma¡¯am. Thest thing we would do is harm our passengers.¡±


    ¡°Just give her Champagne,¡± Ash said.


    ¡°Water will do. Bottled. Sealed,¡± I said firmly.


    The stewardess ced a cold bottle of water on the table. ¡°Here you go, ma¡¯am. If you need anything,


    just press the button, and I¡¯ll be here in an instant.¡±


    Whatever. I tried hard not to roll my eyes. It was unfair for her, but I was not in a mood to y nice. The


    ¡°I brought clothes if you wanna change and freshen up,¡± Lud offered.


    ¡°Let me guess. Things go just ording to n.¡± I rolled my eyes. ¡°No. I won¡¯t change. I won¡¯t eat as


    well as long as I won¡¯t get my demand.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re being stubborn. You know if you do something stupid, that will fall on us.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s exactly the point, Sherlock. I¡¯m here in this freaking jet, away from home against my will.


    So, why would I care if he cut your head off?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re upset.¡±


    I huffed. ¡°Upset? Do you call this freaking upset? No, Lud. I¡¯m freaking furious!¡± I turned to Ash when


    he hadn¡¯t said anything. I poked his arm. ¡°And you, do you have nothing to say?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Kennedy. I was just following orders.¡±


    ¡°Your sorry won¡¯t suffice!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all my fault.¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s mine, love,¡± Lud affirmed.


    ¡°I have a freaking impression that this is your idea.¡± I looked straight in his direction.


    ¡°And I am the one who nned this,¡± Ash admitted.


    ¡°You never even thought how would I feel about this, have you? Did you even think about my feelings?¡±


    I cried again. Jeez, I was a mess.


    I was never been kidnapped or roofied even it was just a prank. The thought alone scared the living


    crap out of me, even if I already knew where I would be taken to.


    ¡°Of course, you never care. I get it, working with someone like Thayer isn¡¯t easy. You deal with a high


    amount of pressure every day, protecting your client. And you seem to genuinely care about him. But


    what I see in you right now, you only both wanted to save your asses. So, I¡¯m sorry but not sorry for


    being callous.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t. You never will.¡± I stood up and went directly towards the bathroom. I washed my face


    and looked at myself in the mirror. I should be happy right now that I would see Thayer again in a few


    hours, but I didn¡¯t feel that way. I couldn¡¯t feel the thrill and excitement the way I felt before.


    Ash informed meter that the weather was slightly chilly. Looking down at my clothes, I would


    probably freeze to death, so I had no way but to change into something thick andfortable.


    ***


    After long hours of torture sitting next to the two bad wolves, we finally arrived.


    I was at the back of the shiny ck sedan. Ash was driving while Lud was in the passenger seat. A


    ck SUV was following us. In my theory, it was their team.


    My gazended on the door handle. Maybe it was just a part of a human instinct. Not a second passed


    by, it locked by itself.


    ¡°I¡¯m not suicidal.¡±


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°It¡¯s part of my duty. To ensure the safety of my protectee.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you, and don''t ever call me that.¡±


    It was almost sundown when we arrived at the same manor.


    My nerves wracked as the tires halted against the gravelly driveway. Themp illuminated in a yellow


    around the entryway.


    I climbed out as soon as the door opened for me. I tightly wrapped the coat around myself as the chilly


    wind blew my face, making me shudder, but that didn¡¯t stop me from passing through two guards


    holding a door for me.


    ¡°Thayer!¡± I called his name out, my chest heaving. My hands already formed into fists, ready to punch


    him in the face. I called his name again until I reached the massive living room. ¡°Where the hell are


    you, Prince of Asnd? I¡¯m gonna cut your¡ª¡± I gasped and froze in my tracks in shock.


    My eyes were surely about to pop out. ¡°Oh, my God.¡±


    I just came face to face with Princess Aimrose while I was threatening her son. It would be treason


    while she looked so regal in every way.


    Everything cked out. My mind froze. This was the second time I saw her, but she always gave me


    the same impression.


    I bowed like a stupid. Then I remember, men would only do that to the King, and women only curtsy to


    their Royal husband, or at least, that was what I had learned. ¡°I-I¡¯m so sorry.¡± I almost lost my bnce.


    ¡°Your Royal Highness.¡± I dropped my gaze.


    Thank goodness I managed to say those words correctly. Despite that, my face was burning with


    embarrassment.


    ¡°Poor thing. Drop the formality. We didn¡¯t get a chance to meet at the party.¡± She sauntered in my


    direction, and now I was regretting why I didn¡¯t even make myself look satisfactory, and not every day


    you got a chance to meet a member of the royal family¡ªand the future Queen.

 23

    23


    THAYER


    After my security team informed me that Blue Jay justnded, I left right away. Yeah, that was


    Kennedy¡¯s code name¡ªit fit perfectly for her.


    Usually, I¡¯d stay for a while during my official engagements, but not today. It took every ounce in my


    power to remain calm as I marched towards the waiting car.


    ¡°She¡¯s pissed.¡± Those were the first words I heard from the other line. It was understandable,


    considering what Ash and Lud just did to her.


    ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t be? But I¡¯ll make up to her,¡± I said to Ash.


    ¡°She¡¯s pissed at me. She kicked Lud¡¯s shin and shouted at us the entire flight.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll apologize for her on your behalf.¡± I didn¡¯t usually apologize, but I wanted her to trust them again,


    and I intended to gain it back as well.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Even if you give her the moon, Your Highness. She¡¯s different today. And it bleeds my


    heart that she cried because of what we did.¡±


    I froze. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. She did what?¡±


    ¡°I told you, she might not be able to forgive me. I can¡¯t¡ªI don¡¯t know if I will be able to see or work with


    her again. I¡¯m sorry, T. I¡¯m just talking shit. My apology.¡±


    ¡°Let me handle this. It¡¯s all my fault. None of this is yours. In just a short time I¡¯ve known Kennedy, she


    has a soft spot on both of you. Just give her some time because I need her to trust both of you again.


    I¡¯m on my way.¡±


    ¡°Have a safe ride home, Your Highness.¡±


    I hung up the call and dialed her number. The same thing as yesterday or a day before¡ªit went directly


    to her voicemail. Now that I had her with me, I would show her how much I cared¡ªnot the prince she


    despised, but the man she would learn to love.


    It did not take long, I arrived at the manor. Sighing, I climbed out of the car. My mother was supposed


    to wee her back since I had an engagement to attend.


    She beamed the moment she saw me approaching. I kissed her on the cheek. ¡°She¡¯s here?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Give Kennedy some time to adjust.¡±


    I raked my fingers through my hair. ¡°She¡¯s upset.¡±


    My mother nodded glumly. ¡°You could say that, considering the choice you made of fixing things.¡±


    ¡°Desperate times.¡±


    ¡°You kidnapped your girlfriend, honey. An independent American woman. What if she escapes and


    goes to her Embassy? You would be creating an international incident.¡± It was an understatement.


    ¡°You¡¯re exaggerating it, Mother.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t when she arrived.¡± She looked amused.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make things right. I promise.¡±


    ¡°You need a lot of groveling to do.¡± She chuckled.


    ¡°You know, we don¡¯t grovel, mother.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you need to with this one, honey. She was only very polite earlier. When she arrived, and I wasn¡¯t


    around, you might find this manor nothing but ashes. She¡¯s a spitfire, and I like her already. You finally


    find your match, Thayer.¡± She patted my arm.


    ¡°I¡¯m pleased you like her, mum.¡±


    ¡°I see myself in her when I was her age, but I know you¡¯re not interested in listening to my story. Go


    ahead. She just climbed upstairs.¡± She kissed me on my cheek. ¡°I¡¯m happy, honey.¡±


    My heart continued to race as I took a step at a time, rehearsing my speech. I held my breath and


    knocked on the door. When I heard nothing, I did it again.


    ¡°Kennedy, it¡¯s me. May I enter?¡± Again, I heard nothing. I opened the door. The first thing that came to


    my sight was her lying on her side in bed. She must have been exhausted during her flight. She literally


    traveled back in less than a day.


    My pulse quickened. The same warmth and tingles reignited as she was an arm¡¯s length. Yet, she was


    unreachable.


    ¡°Get out.¡±


    I froze. ¡°Darling.¡±


    ¡°I said get out,¡± she said firmly.


    ¡°Please?¡±


    ¡°You vited my trust. I¡¯m here because I have no chance of escaping. I have only once demand,


    though, since I¡¯m here without my consent.¡±


    ¡°Name it.¡± I bit my tongue as those words came out of my mouth because I could feel that I was not


    going to like it.


    ¡°You won¡¯te to see me again.¡±


    Fuck. ¡±I can¡¯t do that. You demand other things, but not that.¡±


    She still didn¡¯t turn nor look at me, and it broke my heart. ¡°I¡¯ll stay here as long as you want, but that¡¯s


    all. I can¡¯t trust you anymore. Not again.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not doing this shit. You¡¯re here because I wanna make things right with you.¡±


    She snorted. ¡°Makes things right? How would you do that if you started with mistakes and lies in the


    first ce?¡±


    ¡°Then give me another chance.¡±


    ¡°No. You give me my demand, or I won¡¯t forgive you for lying to me and dragging me all the way here.¡±


    I narrowed my eyes. ¡°You know I will get what I want, Kennedy. I¡¯m a royal. I don¡¯t beg to get what I


    want.¡±


    ¡°Not with me!¡± She jolted to sit up, ring at me. Anger, pain, and distrust brewed in those beautiful


    eyes.


    I wanted to see those fierce, gorgeous, and wild again, but not these.


    ¡°Darling.¡± I just told her that I wouldn¡¯t beg, but my voice just betrayed me.


    ¡°Not while I¡¯m still breathing. You won¡¯t get it! Do you understand me? This is a vition of my human


    rights. And don¡¯ty your royal-ass-bullshit-card on me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if you feel this way.¡± My heart was crushing. I wished I could pull her in my arms and tell her


    that everything was going to be okay, but that would be a lie again. And one lie was more than enough.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know how I feel. You never did, and never will.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not entirely true.¡±


    Sheid back to the same position as I came in. ¡°This conversation is over.¡±


    If she was fierce, then I was resilient. I sat on the end of the bed. I raised my hand to touch her on her


    arm as it itched since I found out from Ash that they had her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever touch me.¡±


    My hand hung in the air.


    ¡°Or I would hate you for the rest of my life if you ever try.¡±


    ***


    I¡¯d gone mad. I moved around the room, unable to sleep. I got myself drunk, hoping I could get some


    rest, but I didn¡¯t get a blink until the sun rose from the horizon. I was still wide awake.


    I put on my running shoes and ran around the parameters. Two hourster, I was fetched by one of the


    guards. The temptation of checking her was strong. I couldn¡¯t think straight, but my mother, maybe was


    right, that I had to give Kennedy some time.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I took a shower and prepare for another appearance today.


    I stopped dead in my tracks. My heart hammered hearing that familiar richugh.


    ¡°Oh my, God.¡± It was Kennedy. Jealousy twisted in the pit of my belly. How could sheugh like that


    with someone while she was avoiding me like I had leprosy?


    ¡°I told him to put me down.¡± Oh shit. She was with my mother. ¡°My rear could be seen by people who


    might recognize us. He carried like I was a sack of potato.¡±


    ¡°Did he put you down?¡± she asked. Her curiosity put a smile on my lips.


    Lud tsked. ¡°That must be hard.¡±


    I groaned. ¡°Go away.¡±


    ¡°Let me know when you¡¯re done eavesdropping.¡± He grinned before he left.


    ¡°Asshole.¡±


    ¡°I was hitting his bottom. Once we got to the car. Weughed out loud like lunatics.¡±


    ¡°Wait? What?¡± The image of her twinkling eyes sprung in my mind.


    ¡°We¡¯re in love, but my father had another royal chosen for me.¡±


    ¡°Your date?¡±


    ¡°Yes. But I love Thayer¡¯s father. So we nned that he should kidnap me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God. What happened then?¡±


    My mother cleared her throat. ¡°Honey? What did I tell about listening to other¡¯s conversations?¡±


    Shit.


    ¡°Busted.¡± I had no excuse but to show up. I was expecting Kennedy¡¯s reaction would be dismayed


    upon seeing me, and I was right. Her face turned sour the moment our gazes met. ¡°Actually, I was just


    leaving.¡± I looked at Mother while stealing a nce at Kennedy. ¡°My car is waiting.¡±


    ¡°And?¡± Mom¡¯s perfect brow arched.


    ¡°Sorry?¡±


    ¡°Be polite, honey.¡±


    I chuckled inwardly. What was she doing? I looked like a ten-year-old kid in front of Kennedy. ¡°That¡¯s


    why I¡¯m here. I want to say that I¡¯m leaving for work.¡±


    ¡°Just talk to Kennedy and pretend that I¡¯m not around.¡± She picked her teacup and sipped it.


    I faced her. ¡°I won¡¯te until tonight.¡±


    ¡°I know. Your mom already told me.¡± I knew she was just being polite in front of my mother. I could bet


    my life she would not talk to me if it was just the two of us. She made it clearst night.


    Damn it. I just couldn¡¯t do something right. I sighed in frustration. ¡°Alright then.¡±


    The look on my mother was not impressed.


    ¡°You¡¯re free tomorrow. You can take Kennedy to the castle in Burkhese. Your secretary will arrange


    everything.¡±


    ¡°Um, Your Royal Highness. I apologize, but I don¡¯t feel like going out.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? It¡¯s really nice there if you like scenery.¡±


    ¡°I thought you like to travel and explore¡ª¡±


    ¡°That was weeks ago. Since I failed with my assignment, I won¡¯t be able to get my promotion. And now


    I lost everything.¡± She rose from her seat. ¡°Your Royal Highness, if you¡¯ll excuse me.¡± She left.


    She just left.

 24

    24


    KENNEDY


    I thought I went a little bit too far.


    Watching his reaction and the way how I treated himst night came back taunting me. What was I


    thinking? Of course, I wasn¡¯t thinking at all. I was mad, and I let that emotion dominate me.


    The Princess didn¡¯t seem to care, though. If I was right with her reaction, she was having fun seeing


    the difort on her son¡¯s face.


    Was I still mad? Damn right, I was. After what he did to me, even if he would give me a thousand


    orgasms, it would not suffice.


    Satisfaction swelled in my chest as I walked away. I was not close to done. I just even barely started.


    If he thought his sorry would mean anything to me? He was mistaken. I just left my life¡ªhe took my life


    away from me, my friends, my family, and I didn¡¯t even manage to say goodbye.


    ¡°Madam?¡± The door creaked. It was Arina. Thank God, after I left that night, she still had her job.


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry.¡±


    ¡°You have a visitor.¡±


    I forced myself to sit on the edge of the bed before I stood up. Honestly, this was the first time I felt


    getting tired of lying in bed. ¡°Who is it?¡±


    ¡°Me!¡±


    Hmp! Air escaped my lungs as someone justunched into me, squeezing me into a tight hug. I


    remembered Arina say she would leave us alone.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been dying to meet you.¡± She was beaming. Crinkles formed at the corner of her eyes¡ªthose


    eyes¡ªseemed familiar.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± My brows knitted together.


    ¡°Ouch.¡± She pursed her lips. Those eyes¡ªthese one were hazel with flecks of gold. Oh, crap.


    ¡°Oh, my God. Your Highness.¡± I curtsied.


    Sheughed out loud. ¡°Silly. You don¡¯t do that, and no need to address me. After all, you¡¯re gonna be


    my sister.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± My eyes nearly popped out of its socket.


    She hit me yfully. ¡°Oh,e on. I felt those raging sexual tensions and chemistry while you two


    were dancing.¡± She held my hands as we sat back on my bed. ¡°So, ready?¡±


    ¡°For what?¡± I was starstruck every time I met royals. I still found it hard to wrap around my head that I


    met and shared a meal with royalties.


    The door swung opened again, then two men in suits put down a couple of paper bags. ¡°What are


    those?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going out,¡± she announced gleefully.


    ¡°Princess Carlott, I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Just Carlott, and I don¡¯t ept no for an answer. My brother dragged you miles away from home. It¡¯s


    only fair if you will go out and have fun.¡± She pulled out what was in the bags one by one and threw


    them to the bed. ¡°My brother sometimes is difficult, but he does have a huge heart. Right now, he¡¯s


    busy with children with special needs.¡±


    ¡°I just don¡¯t feel going out tonight,¡± I made another excuse.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Kennedy. My brother won¡¯t know.¡± I was not entirely convinced. Thayer had men in every


    corner, guarding of this manor. ¡°I know the feeling of being a little rebellious. Now pick up something to


    wear.¡± Now, she shocked me. A rebellious princess? Well, that''s new.


    ¡°You looked surprised.¡±


    I blinked. ¡°Yeah. Kinda.¡±


    ¡°Well, I still have my own official engagements and charities, but unlike my brother, the ever hard-


    working royal member, I do my it way. My boyfriend is also American.¡±


    ¡°Oh? What do your parents say about you dating amoner?¡±


    Sheughed out loud. ¡°Now, you sounded just like Kadynce, but with a little sarcasm, not a disgust.¡±


    I swallowed hard.


    ¡°Uh-huh. Now I get it.¡± She sat back beside me. ¡°What happened at the party?¡±


    I looked up. It hurt a lot, and I expected to hear and read hurtful words, judgments, and criticisms if I


    continued doing this with Thayer.


    ¡°Kennedy? Oh, boy. I noticed this when I mentioned her name. Did she confront you?¡±


    My gaze snapped to hers. ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Kadynce? She¡¯s arranged to be engaged with Thay.¡± Oh, God. I didn¡¯t think I would be ready to hear


    about this.


    ¡°Then why am I still doing here?¡± My eyes blurred with tears. I felt stupid.


    ¡°Because it¡¯s not gonna happen.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± My chest filled with hope. There you go again¡ªthe oh word.


    ¡°That¡¯s the only reaction I want to see.¡± She smiled from ear to ear. ¡°Now, get dressed. Arina?¡±


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Arina barged in.


    ¡°Tell them toe in.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°The guys to make us look pretty.¡±


    I decided to change my hair color. A little lighter this time. I also told the hairdresser to trim my hair.


    ¡°What¡¯s the n? How do I get out?¡±


    She chuckled. ¡°Through the door. Duh. I''ve tried sneaking through the window, though. But leave it to


    me. Did he talk to you?¡±


    ¡°Your brother? No. I mean, if you count that I told him to get out, then we talked.¡±


    ¡°Great! Give him a hard time. He¡¯d been an ass. So, you don¡¯t have any idea who he was when you


    two met?¡±


    I remembered how we met. I thought Thayer was the most striking man I¡¯d ever met.


    ¡°You¡¯re in love with my brother.¡± Carlott giggled. ¡°d to know that you both feel the same. Crazy for


    each other, but what¡¯s stopping you?¡± We both felt the same? That was impossible? Then exin how


    he lied to me.


    The makeup artist came next, brushing my eyebrows.


    ¡°Just a little touch on her face. She already has amazing skin,¡± the woman with a brush said.


    I eyed Carlott. ¡°You know why.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re scared that your life is changing drastically? Well, it already happened. Anita, can you bring


    today¡¯s newspaper?¡±


    ¡°I have a life back in States. I love my job. I love what I do. I have family and friends. And this life? Me


    and Thayer? This won¡¯t work.¡± I shook my head. ¡°How many royals fell in love withmoners? None


    of them hadsted long.¡±


    ¡°Will you please stop using the worldmoner? And stopparing yourself with them. My brother


    will do everything in his power to protect and make you happy.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve barely started. Look what happened? And he lied to me.¡±


    She rolled her eyes and looked like an ordinary woman when she did that. ¡°In my brother¡¯s defense, he


    did not lie. He just concealed his true identity. And I was actually on his side with this one. How many


    women wanted to catch his attention? Not because he¡¯s good-looking, but because he¡¯s loaded and a


    royal member. He¡¯d been in rtionships, but it¡¯s because gossips and rumors spread saying my


    brother is gay.¡±


    I burst outughing. I quickly covered my mouth. ¡°Sorry.¡±


    Carlott looked amused than ever. ¡°Keep that to yourself. I don¡¯t wanna¡ªoh, my God. Don¡¯t ever give


    me an idea.¡± She gave me the newspaper.


    ¡°Oh, God.¡± I covered my mouth with the newspaper.


    ¡°See?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this. This is ridiculous.¡± I looked at the photo that seemed taken through the CCTV


    camera¡ªme and Thayer dancing. Only half of my face was exposed, but if people close to me could


    see this, they would recognize me right away. Then my picture as I climbed out of the car. Good thing


    one of the security details managed to cover my face.


    ¡°Watch the news.¡± Anita turned on the TV. Then Thayer¡¯s face shed on the screen.


    My jaw dropped. Damn it. When was ever the time he did not look this ravishing? He was smiling and


    waving at the camera as he walked effortlessly magnificent.


    Carlott had been watching my reaction with a smile on her face. She then sighed in satisfaction.


    Thayer was already in front of many reporters, asking him questions. Anita raised the volume so that


    we could hear his answers.


    ¡°Who¡¯s the mystery girl?¡± the reporter in a red jacket asked.


    ¡°I believe she¡¯s a fine woman.¡± He did a little emphasis on the word woman.


    ¡°Is it true that the engagement is fast approaching?¡±


    I felt a twist of the knife in my chest.


    ¡°I can¡¯t confirm nor deny. Why won¡¯t you all ask about the uing events with our heroes in the


    military? Guys, ask some relevant questions.¡±


    ¡°People love juicy gossips,¡± Anitamented. I understood if she was protective over her employer.


    ¡°Prince Thayer, can you tell us now if she¡¯s the future Princess of Guardion?¡± the woman in dark hair


    asked.


    I suddenly stopped breathing, but my heart was hammering. I could even feel it against my dress.


    ¡°Time will tell.¡±


    ¡°Is that a yes?¡± the dark-haired woman followed up.


    He smiled¡ªreally smiled. I didn¡¯t know I was also grinning back until they gushed at me. Jeez, I¡¯m


    screwed in the head.


    ***


    ¡°Are you sure we won¡¯t get into trouble?¡± I asked Carlott one more time as we stepped downstairs. She


    was wearing a glittery ck mini dress with high knee boots, while I chose a red chest splice mini


    dress.


    ¡°We won¡¯t as long as we don¡¯t n on escaping the guys in suits.¡±


    ¡°Where do you think you two are going?¡±


    I almost dropped my purse. My legs suddenly weighed tons.


    ¡°Stay out of our way, Ludovic. Shoo.¡± The Princess swatted her well-manicured hand.


    ¡°Did you tell your brother that Miss Gilby ising with you, Princess?¡±


    ¡°Why? Is she a prisoner?¡± She raised a brow at Lud. I started to feel that this night would not end well,


    but I wouldn¡¯t let Thayer stop me from having fun either.


    ¡°Kennedy?¡±


    I shivered at that voice¡ªthe same shiver when he was close to me.

 25

    25


    THAYER


    Another sessful engagement for today. Those little angels were breathtaking as I watched huge


    grins on their faces before I waved goodbye.


    As I climbed up the car, I felt empty again. I was supposed to be going home to the woman I loved


    weing me with a tight hug and passionate kiss after a tiring day. Then we shared a delicious meal,


    The way she left me, she was giving me a hard time. And I knew she was doing it on purpose, but


    damn, well, I deserved it. I still fucking hated the thought of heading out while things between us were


    left unfixed.


    Still, she was driving me insane every time my mind lingered on her sweet plump lips, her pert luscious


    breasts, and those tiny buds begging to be suckled, and her moans as I tasted her sweet wet heat.


    I closed my eyes when my cock started to strain in my pants.


    ¡°Any ce you have in mind before we head home, Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°Home.¡±


    ¡°Home then.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t long we arrived at the manor. I instantly recognized my sister¡¯s details. I wanted to squeeze


    her into a hug right now to thank her foring over to visit Kennedy. But that hug turned sour as she


    was about to walk out of the door.


    Then my woman just knew how to make an entrance, or rather, an exit. I was supposed to know what


    she was doing or where she was nning to go, but I was surprised that none of the staff informed my


    PA or Lud and Ash.


    But damn it, if she wasn¡¯t drop-dead gorgeous in her mini red dress. The cut was slow, her breasts


    almost popped out, and still, it had a slit in the center. I would love to rip it off and watch her naked if it


    was just the two of us, and there was no way she was going out with this skimpy dress.


    I managed to call her name and made it not too evident that my voice just turned raspy. I was a little bit


    enjoying checking out my woman and the surprised look on her face as our gazes locked, and that


    anticipation and excitement didn¡¯t go unnoticed as well. Then it just vanished into thin air.


    ¡°Where you two headed? Why wasn¡¯t I aware of any of this?¡±


    ¡°Well, brother, now that you¡¯re here and she¡¯s not your prisoner, we¡¯re leaving.¡± I could see the


    disapproving reing from my sister.


    ¡°No,¡± Just a low rumble in my throat escaped, I replied tightly.


    ¡°And why not? It¡¯s not that I need your permission to go out.¡± Kennedy crossed her arms below her


    breasts, giving a glimpse of what was belong to me.


    ¡°Not in that dress.¡± My jaw ticked.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with my dress?¡± She checked herself out.


    ¡°Darling, can we talk in private?¡± My eyes were pleading, even my voice.


    ¡°We talked.¡±


    ¡°Then stay stubborn, and you¡¯re not going anywhere.¡± She couldn¡¯t defy me. Not if she was in my


    house. In my mind. In my heart. And the staff was listening. I would also look weak¡ªnot going to


    happen¡ªin my fucking lifetime. I walked past her. ¡°Don¡¯t let her go or start looking for a job.


    ¡°Thayer!¡± She called my name.


    I was already grinning like an idiot. She was stomping behind me. The shoes she was wearing clumped


    heavily against the floor.


    As soon as we had a little privacy, I caged her against the wall. Her eyes widened.


    ¡°You won¡¯t test me, Kennedy, and never defy me again.¡± I stared directly into her eyes¡ªthey darkened,


    her pupils dting¡ªnot because she was scared, but she felt me¡ªI affected her.


    ¡°Or what?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t. You won¡¯t like it.¡± Our noses were merely an inch apart. I felt the instant tingles prickling my


    skin, tripping down my spine. I could feel her breathing against my face. And she looked hot when she


    was tense, aware of what I was doing to her. As her chest heaved, I could see more of her globes in


    my height.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re gonna force yourself into me?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I would never do that. You know for a fact that that is not necessary, is it, darling? But what can I


    do for you, you should be worried, or might enjoy a lot.¡± I leaned over, whispering, ¡°I will make sure you


    ache for me, every inch of you, you will beg me to touch you.¡± Her breathing turned into tiny rasps. Her


    jugr quickened. ¡°Your clit throb, your pussy drips wet, yet, you won''te because I won''t let you.¡±


    She breathed deeply and chuckled. ¡°For a prince, you¡¯re such a lewd.¡± She pushed me in the chest.


    ¡°Nice try, by the way.¡± She then flipped her hair and swayed her round ass as she walked away from


    me as if nothing happened. My mouth hung open.


    What just happened?


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle and shook my head in amusement. ¡°Oh, you will, darling.¡±


    ¡°Dream on, Your Royal Assness.¡± She raised her hand, giving me her middle finger.


    Iughed out loud as I followed her to the living room.


    ¡°Your Highness?¡± it was Ash, asking for my order.


    I shook my head. ¡°Let her go. She deserves to have fun.¡± I was still smiling when Ash gave me a weird


    look. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°I can go with them,¡± Lud suggested.


    ¡°Go ahead. You know what to do. You can have you off tomorrow, but make sure that she won¡¯t be out


    of your sight. Don¡¯t ever blink, Ludovic.¡±


    ¡°Got it, boss.¡±


    I walked towards their car, knocking on the window. ¡°Sis?¡±


    The window rolled down. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll protect her with my life.¡± She rolled her eyes. ¡°We¡¯ll gonna be


    missing the fun.¡±


    ¡°Darling?¡±


    She looked at me with her eyes standing out with those glittery shadow thingy she put on. ¡°Enjoy. Have


    fun, but no boys.¡±


    ¡°Jeez. Go away, brother.¡±


    ***


    ¡°What took them so long?¡± I asked Ash, resting on the couch. His eyes closed, but I knew he was


    awake.


    ¡°You asked the same thing less than twenty minutes ago. Lud hadn¡¯t given any updates. Meaning


    they¡¯re fine."


    ¡°Go ahead and rest.¡±


    He sat straight. ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I can take care of myself. I¡¯m going to my room, as well.¡±


    He stood up and cracked his neck. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to be nosy. Why aren¡¯t you sleeping in her bedroom?¡±


    ¡°Thest thing she demanded before I left her room was not to see me again.¡±


    ¡°Ouch.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°She loves you. I know when I see one. She¡¯s mad, yes, but I don¡¯t believe even a little that she hates


    you. Night, Your Highness.¡±


    I went to my room and showered. I grabbed my phone and sent a text to Lud to report.


    He replied.


    Lud: Safe. Blue Jay is having fun. No boys.


    T: Good.


    I went to my bed. I suddenly felt alone and sad, but I was beyond exhausted. My lids felt heavy.


    Kennedy¡¯s body arched against mine, begged, and pled for more as I sucked an amount of her delicate


    wet flesh into my mouth, her nipples in my fingers, rolling them.


    She drew a long unsteady breath before a moan slipped her throat as I dragged my tongue from the


    lower of her slit up to her clit.


    ¡°God, babe. More, please?¡± Her breathing caught. Her back arched again. This time, I withdrew my


    hand and pressed my thumb against her pulsing clit as I glided my tongue in her hot and warm heat.


    She tasted good, sweet, and addicting.


    She moaned loudly in pleasure. Her hand was gripping my hair as she pushed my head down to her


    pussy. I moved my thumb in circles. She was closed. Her inner muscles were clenching against my


    tongue, her wetness dripping down my chin.


    As soon as I sucked her, she came all over me.


    I jolted awake. My boxers were wet.


    Fuck. I couldn¡¯t even remember thest time I had wet dreams until tonight. I checked the time on my


    nightstand¡ªit was five in the morning. I cleaned myself and changed my pajama pants.


    I went out and crossed the room towards Kennedy¡¯s. When I twisted the knob¡ªit was locked. I pulled


    out the key card and swiped it on the reader. Who cared if I broke my promise than not seeing her.


    I entered her room and froze dead in my tracks. My heart nearly stopped. My cock instantly strained in


    my pants. Was she trying to kill me with a hard-on?


    Sheid naked¡ªnot a thing covering her body. Her skin looked so supple, glowing against themp on


    the nightstand. Her hair syed all over the pillow as if I just fucked her¡ªshe changed her hair color,


    though. I didn¡¯t notice it earlier tonight. Still, it was perfect on her.


    Her breasts. Damn it. My skin tingled everywhere. Those nipples pushed taut and hard. And then her


    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    pussy, her dark pink folds. I found my hand gripping my cock as it grew hard in my pants.


    I couldn¡¯t look away.


    It took every ounce of self-control not to spread her thighs wide and thrust my hard cock into her slick


    heat, demanding until she writhed underneath, begging to make here.


    ¡°What should I do to you now, Kennedy?¡± I released my hand and drew a deep breath. I walked


    towards her bed and took the nket to cover her. Then someone dropped on her bed¡ªa vibrator.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± My anger boiled and rushed up to my head. ¡°Damn it, Kennedy. All you have to do is tell me. I


    can do better than this fucking thing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m cold.¡± She blindly grabbed the nket, covering her naked body.


    Did she hear what I said?

 26

    26


    KENNEDY


    I miss New York.


    I missed my parents, my friends, and even my job. My throat started to clog. Maybe, this would be my


    life for a few days or weeks.


    Patience is a virtue.


    Who knew? One day, I would be back to my ordinary life, away from this fuss and luxuries.


    For the next couple of hours, I tried my best to enjoy what I had and where I was right now¡ªin the


    nightclub as I danced with Princess Carlott.


    She never ceased to surprise me. Carlott was not the typical princess. She may have everything but


    also knew how to have some fun. Press maybel as a party princess, but she also did her duties


    thoughtfully.


    For the first time since my abduction, I felt carefree. Every time a guy came to dance with me, within a


    second, he was gone. It frustrated me because I wanted to dance with someone other than Carlott. But


    no chance.


    Everywhere I looked, though¡ªthose sneaky eyes were watching us like hawks, and so was Lud. Wew!


    These guys in suits took their job seriously¡ªthey did not know how to loosen up even in a ce like


    this.


    I red at Lud on the second floor and showed him my middle finger. If I couldn¡¯t curse him, at least my


    re should do the tricks. To my dismay, he didn¡¯t give any reactions to satisfy my disappointment.


    ¡°I think I need to rehydrate,¡± I told Carlott.


    ¡°I need to freshen up as well.¡±


    I ordered as soon as I got into the VIP room. Carlott went to thedies¡¯ room. Not a minuteter, Lud


    walked in.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you a killjoy much?¡±


    ¡°And be killed by your boyfriend. No, thanks.¡± He sat across mine.


    ¡°He¡¯s not my boyfriend.¡± I red further.


    ¡°Keep telling yourself that.¡± He looked at me with amusement in his eyes.


    ¡°You, you keep telling yourself that this stupidity might work for us. Dream on, Lud, because you know


    exactly how this ends and how long thissts.¡±


    My drinks arrived. I picked up my Aviation and took a sip. Lud kept staring at me with his brows knitted


    in concentration.


    ¡°What?¡± I put my drinks down.


    ¡°You¡¯re still in huge denial or enjoy torturing Prince Thayer.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think he deserves a little torture? But no, I¡¯m not doing this to torture him. This is called fun.


    Though he hurts me, and I still haven¡¯t forgotten the fact that you orchestrated my kidnapping. So give


    me a break if I can¡¯t stand you and your prince.¡±


    ¡°For how long are you gonna keep your charade, Kennedy? You know that he needs his undivided


    attention to his duties. Right now, the King is very ill. One of these days, he may die, and Thayer will


    have more responsibilities to the crown, to this country. Aren¡¯t you a little bit bratty and selfish?¡±


    ¡°Selfish? Bratty? How about you also add American whore to your adjectives?¡±


    His eyes widened in shock. Pain crossed his face. ¡°You are everything but not a whore.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know me, Lud. I understand your loyalty to Thayer, and I admire you for that. But he can just


    let me go so that I can go back to my boring life. He is arranged to someone anyway. It¡¯s only a matter


    of time before he realizes what a huge mistake he did, wasting his time for someone like me.¡±


    He shook his head and rose from his seat, staring at me for a few seconds before he talked, ¡°You¡¯re


    important to him more than the anger you keep inside you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s where you¡¯re terribly wrong.¡±


    ¡°Whatever anger or hatred brewing inside you, remember this, Kennedy. My boss wouldn¡¯t just do


    something desperate that could risk his family. Taking you without your consent is one of those risks.


    You¡¯re a foreigner, and he¡¯s a prince. Think of the consequences. You also have to consider why he did


    that. I¡¯m sure, and deep inside you, you know exactly the reason why. And he still deserves a little


    respect from you, at least when someone is around.¡±


    I opened my mouth to reply. I had to shut it close when no words seemed toe out. Instead, I dawn


    my drinks in one gulp.


    Carlott rode home with her detail while I joined Lud and another guy who was silent in the driver¡¯s seat.


    Sighing, I rested my head back and thought of Lud¡¯s words. I chose not to reply when he asked me if I


    needed anything. What else I wanted other than going back home?


    ¡°Try answering his texts at least once a day. That would make our jobs a lot easier.¡±


    I ignored him and pretended he didn¡¯t exist, but it was hard when he kept on talking. ¡°Ignore me all you


    want, but you just realized that what I said earlier was true.¡±


    I pierced him with my re. ¡°You¡¯re full of shit. That¡¯s I¡¯m sure. You could also apply as my advisor.


    How about that?¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°You may as well behave and refrain from using your middle finger in the public and use


    fine words as well, love.¡±


    ¡°How about you shut up?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a piece of work.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re a kidnapper and an asshole.¡±


    This time he turned to face me. ¡°You¡¯re in love my boss. You¡¯re still adjusting and fitting into his world.


    That¡¯s understandable, love. But please, stop giving him a hard time. He can¡¯t mess up for a couple of


    months. And clearly, your fight with him affected his duties a lot. You have to believe me. In a few


    weeks, it will be crucial that he needs hisplete attention on this work. That''s when youe in.¡±


    ¡°Well, let me tell you these once and for all. You may as well record or tell your boss word by word.


    One, I never said I¡¯m in love with him. Second, if he is even so concerned about his duties, he should


    have forgotten me and focus on making his kingdom stronger. Third, If he messes up, that¡¯s not on me


    and stop ming me. Andstly, you can both and fuck yourself. I¡¯m done talking.¡±


    ¡°Such a beautiful woman with a filthy mouth.¡±


    ¡°You might as well consider telling your prince that I¡¯m filthy and won¡¯t be fit to be his trophy girlfriend.¡± I


    was shaking in anger, but I wouldn¡¯t let him get into my skin. He didn¡¯t know me well if he thought I


    cared about his opinion.


    ¡°Whatever you say, love.¡±


    I went directly into my room as soon as we were back to the manor. Deep inside me, I still wished I


    would see Thayer waiting for me in the living room, on the stairs, or even in my room. The image of him


    and his smile still stuck in my mind. He was such a beautiful thing to give up. I really didn¡¯t give a fuck


    about his royal title. All I wanted was him¡ªall of him¡ªhim alone.


    ¡°Madam Kennedy, here¡¯s a present for you from Princess Carlott.¡± Arina gave me a box with a pink bow


    tie.


    ¡°When did this arrive?¡± I inspected the box.


    ¡°Thirty minutes ago.¡±


    ¡°You can go and rest.¡± I smiled at her. At least, someone like Arina needed my respect, not those


    assholes like the three big bad wolves.


    ¡°Good night, madam.¡± As she reached the door, I just couldn¡¯t help myself.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the Prince?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s in his room, madam.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all. Thanks.¡±


    I took a quick shower before I opened the box. Holy crap. My face med. Was she losing her mind? I


    embarrassed.


    There was also a note inside. It was female handwriting. I couldn¡¯t believe Carlott made an effort to


    write a message. I was touched.


    Kennedy,


    Make sure to have fun tonight. Enjoy torturing my brother.


    See you soon.


    Carlott


    I inspected the vibrator as if I wasn¡¯t familiar with it before. I stuffed the box in the drawer and kept the


    toy.


    Usually, I didn¡¯t need it. I had a man just sleeping next door. I could just knock on his door and tell him


    to fuck me. One thing for sure, he would not deny me. Or like every night since he kidnapped me, he


    came to check on me. Maybe if I wanted an orgasm, I could use my prince. So whatever Carlott had in


    mind, I knew it was atrocious.


    Iid in bed with a vibrator in my hand. I turned the power on, and it started humming. I closed my eyes


    and spread my legs apart. I imagined the green-eyed prince between my legs as I pressed its head on


    my mound close enough to feel the vibration to my clit. The first touch, I gasped, but I didn¡¯t feel the


    same excitement as Thayer was touching me.


    I sighed. Maybe I was exhausted. I ced the toy under my nket and slept.


    ***


    I was a little out of breath, unprepared to meet Thayer at the breakfast table, looking so magnificent as


    always. This time, he was wearing a blue perfectly tailored three-piece suit with a gray checkered


    necktie.


    ¡°How¡¯s your night?¡± His features softened as he saw me. He sipped his coffee. I didn¡¯t even know a


    prince would drink coffee. Even the way he sipped and held the cup, I found it sexy.


    ¡°Fine.¡± I took a seat on his left side. One of the staff poured me coffee. The breakfast looked mouth-


    watering, but nothing couldpare to the man sitting next to me.


    ¡°How¡¯s your toy?¡±


    I froze in my seat. My gaze flew to him.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    His eyes filled with humor before his lips spread into a wide grin.


    Crap.

 27

    27


    THAYER


    Seeing her reaction was priceless. She may have forgotten to check that toy before she woke up. Her


    cheeks burned furiously.


    Still grinning, I rose to my feet and buttoned my suit jacket. I moved to her side and kissed the top of


    her head.


    ¡°Anyway, if you need bigger than that. All you have to do is send me a text. I¡¯ll see you in the


    afternoon.¡± I walked out and left Kennedy still speechless in her seat.


    In the study, my PA Marko was giving me briefings regarding some changes in my schedules when a


    knock interrupted us.


    ¡°I have something I want you to check out. I¡¯ll send the details to youter.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Your Highness. Your dinner in Burkhese tonight. Miss Gilby is expected to be there with


    your family.¡± He opened the door. To my surprise, it was my woman, smiling at Marko.


    ¡°Be there in a minute,¡± I dismissed Marko.


    ¡°To what do I owe this pleasure, darling?¡±


    She locked the door behind her. ¡°You went inside my roomst night?¡± There was an usation in her


    voice and a hint of shyness as well.


    ¡°Thest time I checked, every room in this manor belongs to me.¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°You know what I mean.¡±


    ¡°Did you like it?¡±


    Pink blossomed on her cheeks. Still, she was the type of woman who never backed down. That was


    why I loved her. She narrowed her eyes at me. ¡°It¡¯s none of your business.¡±


    ¡°When ites to your pleasure and well-being, it¡¯s my business, darling. Now, why are you here? If


    not to kiss me and say take care, my love. I have to go, or I¡¯m gonna bete for my work.¡±


    ¡°That was not mine.¡± She dropped her gaze, biting her lip. My lips tingled in an urge to capturing those


    luscious lips.


    ¡°The toy?¡± I was such an asshole, grinning like an idiot.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°But you didn¡¯t answer me. Did youe? How many times?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re insane.¡± Her eyes burned with anger.


    ¡°I told you when ites to your pleasure and happiness, it¡¯s my duty to fulfill them. Call me insane


    because I am. Do you know how I felt seeing you fucking naked in bed? If not because of my huge


    respect for you, I already took you in your sleep and made youe around my cock.¡± I swallowed. My


    skin warmth at the thought of her clenching around me as she convulsed and milked till her shudders


    subsided.


    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you wake me up?¡± There was an eagerness in her voice. Her eyes showed the same


    interest. But I also knew this was another part of her ludicrous game.


    I walked towards her while she took a few stepped back until she hit the door. Her eyes widened,


    seeing my features darken in her invitation. ¡°Pull your dress up your waist,¡± I ordered. My voice rasped.


    ¡°What?¡± She panted.


    ¡°If you won¡¯te in less than thirty seconds, I will send you back to the US myself.¡±


    She swallowed hard. Those lust-filled eyes turned into worry and pain.


    ¡°All you have to do is let me fuck you with my fingers. That is if you want me. If not, then you¡¯ll stay


    here with me until I decide what to do to you.¡± I leaned over. My arms were keeping her caged against


    the door.


    ¡°Thayer.¡± She bit her bottom lip, turning her head to another side.


    ¡°Answer me. Did your toy give you more pleasure than I was between your legs?¡±


    ¡°Stop. Stop it.¡± Her voice shook.


    ¡°Are you wet right now?¡± I whispered. My leg settled between her legs. I slowly dragged my knee up,


    the fabric of my pants grazing against the bare soft skin of her legs. ¡°If I touch you, would you hate me?


    Look at me, Kennedy.¡±


    She obeyed, meeting my gaze. ¡°Do you hate me that much that you kept on torturing me every night,


    wearing but a skimpy dress that barely covered what¡¯s mine? Or that stunt you put upst night was a


    part of your charade as well?¡±


    She shook her head, still biting her bottom lip. My gaze dragged to those lips, and I was burning with


    the urge to bite them. My desires shot through right to my groin, making me achingly hard.


    ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°Let me go.¡± She ced the palm of her hands on my chest.


    ¡°Not until you tell me if you¡¯re wet.¡±


    From being turned on, she became feral. ¡°What¡¯s it in you? What if I came hardst night? What if I


    thought of you while touching myself? What if I¡¯m wet right now? Does it inte your freaking ego?¡±


    I froze and stared at her in delight. Did she mean it? ¡°Damn it. You¡¯re hotter when you¡¯re angry and turn


    on. And I wanna kiss you so hard and raw until your anger is gone.¡± I stepped back. ¡°Don¡¯t ever think


    for a second that I don¡¯t ache for you. God knows I¡¯m hard right now.¡±


    She nced at my groin while I fixed my pants before she looked at me. ¡°You¡¯re such a vulgar for a


    fine prince.¡±


    ¡°But I would never vite you unless I¡¯m not me anymore. I respect every person I care about. I know I


    hadn¡¯t been good to you and haven¡¯t been spending time with you because you kept pushing me away,


    but that doesn¡¯t mean I care less about you and don¡¯t think about you every second of every day. I want


    one day when you choose to leave me, at least you know and remember how much you mean to me.¡±


    ¡°Um. I¡¯d like to walk down thewn. If it¡¯s okay.¡±


    I fished out my card from my suit pocket. ¡°Take this. Take Arina with you. Go out, have fun, buy


    anything you want. That¡¯s unlimited.¡± I was sure she knew already. ¡°I know you¡¯re bored at home.¡±


    She pushed the card back to me, narrowing those gorgeous eyes at me. ¡°I don¡¯t need your money or


    card. You don¡¯t have to shower me with gifts or anything. Those won¡¯t make me submit to you. Not


    ever.¡±


    ¡°Submit to me? What¡¯s that supposed to mean? Do you really think I¡¯m trying to control your life or


    mold you to be the perfect epitome of my woman? As far as I know, you¡¯re already beyond perfect for


    me. Your honesty, your boldness, your bravery, that stubbornness, your wit, and your beliefs? Those


    are what made me fall for you. And I won¡¯t change a thing about you.¡± There you go. I said what I said.


    I hope this would clear things up¡ªmy real intention towards her.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay with you to date amoner?¡±


    ¡°You should know the answer to that by now. And to me, you¡¯re not amoner.¡± I sighed. I wanted to


    say more, but I was fashionablyte. ¡°I really have to go.¡±


    ***


    In the afternoon, I had texted Marko to inquire about the item I wanted to purchase. I had not told


    anyone about my n. I¡¯d never been scared like this, but I was not confident that I would seed


    either.


    I arrived at the chateau in Burkhese.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯re not gonna show up, brother. How¡¯s your day?¡± Carlott kissed me on the cheek.


    ¡°Productive. How about you?¡±


    ¡°Fun. Kennedy is already here with Mother. They get along quickly. d you have good tastes in a


    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    woman. Otherwise, I would turn into an evil sister-inw.¡±


    I arched my eyebrow. ¡°Sister-inw? Aren¡¯t you a little too optimistic?¡±


    ¡°Oh, trust me. She would marry you.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see about that, considering how she kicked me out every night.¡±


    She held herugh. I quickly saw the glint in her eyes before she was gone.


    ¡°So it¡¯s yours then? Your idea, I mean.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± She yed innocent.


    ¡°Come on, Carlott. Admit it.¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Fine. But I know how you can rey her back.¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°I won¡¯t do something stupid like you.¡±


    ¡°Trust me, brother. Since when did I let you down? Tell me.¡±


    I pursed my lips and thought profoundly. ¡°What do you have in mind, my dear, evil little sister?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re gonna love it.¡±

 28

    28


    KENNEDY


    It was a family dinner. Again, I didn¡¯t know what I was doing here. I pinched myself under the table for


    the second time. The fact that I was sitting across the future king, I felt like I was in another universe.


    They looked regal.


    The apparent Prince was in his formal suit. The graying hair was scattered across his head.


    Thayer got his eyes from his father¡ªfierce, deep, and expressive. And also his height¡ªPrince Isodore


    was so tall and medium built. The rest of his son¡¯s features came from Princess Aimrose.


    Carlott sat beside her carbon copy¡ªher mother. From the color of her hair to the shape of her face.


    ¡°Is my son treating you well, Kennedy? I hope you don¡¯t mind if I call you Kennedy.¡±


    My gaze flew back to him. I smile timidly, even if I wanted to blurt out how his son kidnapped, teased


    me, and then treated me like his precious gemstone when he was in his Thayer-not-the-prince-mode.


    ¡°To be honest, your son is nothing but humble and kind. And yes, I have the best amodation and


    treatment I more than deserve.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be polite, dear. My husband knew what his son has been doingtely.¡± Princess


    Aimrose stole a nce at her son, who just put his cutlery down.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure Kennedy doesn¡¯t have to cover up if I¡¯d been treating her bad. Besides, having her with us is


    proof that I¡¯m a gentleman.¡± There was something in his words that I grasped what the message was


    trying to send to me.


    My heart hammered in my chest to recall what he did to me in his study. That was the first time we¡¯d


    been that closed since he kidnapped me. My skin tingled everywhere. My hand slightly trembled. I


    grabbed the ss of water.


    ¡°Gentleman, my ass. I apologize for my choice of words, Father, Mother. How long has it been since


    Kennedy back? Did he take her on a date? Or tour around? Or even brought her a cheap flower?


    None.¡±


    I swallowed hard. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡±


    ¡°Oh, please, Kennedy. He¡¯s been an ass. I know he has a pretty tight scheduletely, but spending a


    little time with you won¡¯t kill him.¡±


    ¡°Carlott,nguage, please? I¡¯ve raised you better than to use such words in front of dinner,¡± Prince


    Isodore scolded his daughter. Then he turned his attention to his heir. ¡°Sure, you have better reasons


    for yourself, Thayer Camren. If you want to be the future apparent, you should treat your woman right.


    You may be my son, but I won¡¯t tolerate that kind of attitude.¡±


    ¡°May I speak?¡± I raised my hand. I felt like I should start talking since they weren¡¯t exactly aware of


    what was happening between us, and it seemed unfair to Thayer. Or I just wanted to defend my man


    since his father just called me his woman. Yay! It sounds good, though.


    ¡°Of course. Please?¡± He gestured his hand.


    ¡°Um, Prince Isodore, I¡¯m not defending your son, but it¡¯s unfair on his side. I¡¯ve been... arduous¡ª¡±


    ¡°Kennedy.¡± I could see the sadness brewing in his eyes and feel the shame seeping through him.


    I looked at him.


    ¡°Let her finish.¡±


    ¡°It is true, I¡¯m not here on my own ord, but before that I¡ªI, um. I liked Thayer before I even knew he


    was a prince. I mean, I have feelings for him. But you may as well know my background by now, where


    I came from, about my family. We¡¯re not a perfect match. We are from different worlds. He deserves


    someone better than me.¡±


    ¡°Kennedy.¡± Thayer groaned in annoyance. ¡°Just, please?¡± His jaw ticked, sighing constantly.


    ¡°But his sincerity, his kindness, hispassion, and if there¡¯s one thing we have inmon is our


    passion for our jobs. He¡¯s true to his words, and aside from being charming and most cocky, he¡¯s also


    down-to-earth when he¡¯s with me. He never used his power to belittle someone. That¡¯s what I admired


    most in him. So, even if I didn¡¯te here willingly, I still would love to give this rtionship a try


    whether you, Your Highness, or Princess Aimrose are against it. If he did his best to bring me back


    after I ran away like my butt was on fire, I think he deserves a second chance.¡±


    ¡°Yay! Great!¡± Carlott grabbed her wine. ¡°To Thayer and Kennedy.¡±


    Oh, God. What had I done? I raised my ss, so as the dumbfounded Thayer and his parents. I sipped


    my wine.


    I would surely regret this. I could feel it.


    I smiled genuinely at him. Now I just saved your ass. One day, I was going to ask that favor back.


    ¡°I¡¯m happy for both of you, honey.¡± I suddenly felt guilty seeing how happy his mother was.


    Damn it.


    After the dinner, Thayer was on the phone, and it seemed crucial. Carlott toured me around,


    introducing her descendants¡¯ portraits on the wall.


    ¡°That¡¯s King Camren. Thayer¡¯s middle name came from. My grandfather¡¯s father.¡±


    ¡°I can see the resemnce.¡±


    ¡°Father said the same,¡± she agreed.


    ¡°Excuse me for interrupting your tour, Princess Carlott. Lady Kennedy¡¯s been summoned by your father


    in his study.¡±


    My pulse quickened. My throat clogged. I had an idea what was this all about¡ªmy horrible saving


    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Thayer¡¯s ass speech.


    ¡°Rx. My father won¡¯t bite.¡±


    ¡°How did you know?¡±


    ¡°You look like about to copse right now. Just chill. You can be yourself in front of my father. Trust me.


    He likes it better than you trying to impress him.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s gonna throw me back to the States.¡± I drew a deep breath. ¡°I should go. I can¡¯t let the Prince keep


    waiting. Wish me luck.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need it.¡±


    On my way to the study we passed by earlier, I kept on wiping my sweaty palm against my dress.


    ¡°Kennedy?¡±


    Crap.


    ¡°Not now, Thayer.¡± I knocked on the door. I didn¡¯t bother looking back at him because I would only lose


    focus.


    ¡°We need to talk.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but not now.¡± The door finally swung open.


    I addressed him before I walked closer.


    ¡°Please sit.¡± He looked behind me. ¡°Get out, son.¡±


    ¡°But, Father.¡±


    ¡°Take him out,¡± he ordered to the tall man in a suit in the door. ¡°If he won¡¯t get out in five seconds.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Once the door shut behind me, I felt like I wanted to gag. My teeth might break anytime soon of how


    strong I clumped my jaw to stop them from tattering.


    ¡°I¡¯m aware of my son¡¯s intentions towards you, Kennedy. You can rx now.¡±


    ¡°I mean what I said earlier, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°But there are things you intent not to tell.¡±


    I met his gaze. ¡°Sir? I mean, pardon me, Your Highness?¡± I learned a few things from Arina. Thank


    goodness.


    ¡°You don¡¯t share the bed with my son.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± My eyes widened. ¡°I mean no disrespect, Your Highness, but I think it¡¯s none of your


    business.¡±


    He¡¯d never been look amused when I thought he would order his bodyguards to drag me out of his


    chateau and throw me somewhere far and let me freeze to death there.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s true then? Forgive my son¡¯s behavior. He¡¯d never pursue a woman before.¡±


    ¡°I find it hard to believe.¡±


    ¡°Well, he¡¯s been with women, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware of that, but he never brought anyone to meet us.


    He¡¯d dated to prove to the press that he¡¯s not gay.¡±


    I tried hard to contain my smile because the Prince was still staring at me. I almost squirmed in self-


    consciousness.


    ¡°Now, my question is not how you fit in into his world. That¡¯s not the problem, but how far would you go


    to be with my son? How far would you go to protect him? Our lives are messy, Kennedy. Wherever you


    go, media and scrutinizing eyes are everywhere. You wouldn¡¯t have privacy like you used to anymore.


    You wouldn¡¯t be able to kiss him in public and disy public affection. Your friends, your old life, even


    your ex-lovers, especially the people you cared about back in the US, would be dragged out once the


    public knows you are with my son. To be honest, at first, I¡¯m against his ideas of looking for someone


    out of his circles, but I can¡¯t also watch him suffer in a loveless marriage. You know you have to marry


    son, haven¡¯t you, Kennedy?¡±


    ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t thought about that, but maybeter if we¡¯re both ready.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my son certainly is.¡±


    I stared at her. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°My son went to the US to find his bride.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I rose to my feet. My voice might raise a little. My eyes widened in shock. ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡±


    ¡°Besides, meeting his aunt and visiting my ill father, yes. He went to search for his future bride.¡±


    I watched him through my blurry eyes. ¡°So, I was like, what? His conquest?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not all about looking for his bride.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what is all bout, sir. He went there to search for that woman to marry. You said it


    yourself.¡± I wanted to open my mouth to say more, but nothing seemed toe out.


    That made sense now. Maybe Thayer first saw me at Alessia¡¯s office, but at the Night Stalker where I


    met Lud and Ash, and the coincident of our hotel rooms. The apartment maybe was a setup as well.


    I wiped my tears. ¡°Your son is not in love with me. He¡¯s only in love with the idea that I¡¯m the perfect


    candidate to be his so naive wife. The fact that I didn¡¯t know him before we met made me his perfect


    choice.¡± I knew my hands in the air. ¡°This is screwed up.¡±


    ¡°You can still decide your own path. We haven¡¯t announced the engagement. I can assure you, if you


    choose to leave, you¡¯re gonna break his heart. And I can assure you, Thayer wille, find you, and


    bring you back because believe me, you two belong together.¡±


    ¡°But why does he have to find a bride so urgent? It¡¯s not that he¡¯s so old.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s part of the royalws. In order to be the heir apparent, the Prince has to be married before his


    coronation within three months, or the title will be passed on to the next in line.¡±


    ¡°What? That¡¯s so cruel.¡± If the King passes away, Prince Isodore would be crown as King. His son


    would be the Prince apparent. And the first requirement is he should get married.


    I shivered.


    ¡°That¡¯s how it works. It¡¯s been adhered to for generations. Since my father is in aa, and any day


    from now, he may pass away, we have to prepare and arrange for Thayer¡¯s marriage, or he loses his


    birthright.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll marry him.¡±

 29

    29


    THAYER


    ¡°She¡¯s been with Father for thirty minutes now.¡± I checked the time.


    ¡°You¡¯re over-reacting. It''s only fifteen. And it¡¯s not that Daddy would harm Kennedy. But that speech,


    huh? If you could only see your reaction, brother.¡± Carlott sighed. ¡°You two are wasting time. Why not


    make it up, make out, and make babies? I¡¯d love to take care of my nieces and nephews.¡± She ced


    down her drinks on the table. ¡°You two would be a great and powerful couple together.¡±


    ¡°Stop teasing your brother, Carlott. Leave it to them to settle their differences. I do not doubt Kennedy.


    Your brother would be in good hands.¡±


    ¡°Oh, please, when you two are talking as if I¡¯m not here.¡± I walked away. ¡°I have to check her.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re no fun!¡± Carlott yelled behind me.


    I wondered why my father summoned Kennedy and even forced me out, just to talk to her alone. She


    had me worried there, but that little speech, though. I was torn between jumping towards her, crushed


    my lips to hers, and kissed her so hard until she squirmed, covered her mouth, worried that she might


    blurt out something my parents were not ready to hear.


    Thank fuck, it was all good. I didn¡¯t know that Kennedy would do that to me regardless of what I put her


    through. Whatever was behind her speech, I didn¡¯t want to know. What I wanted right now was to make


    up to her.


    My sister was right on one thing¡ªI¡¯d focused too much on work when my priority should be my woman


    ¡ªto make her happy.


    Kennedy just came out of the study, wiping her face. Had she been crying?


    ¡°Kennedy, what¡¯s wrong?¡± I rushed towards her.


    She sniffed and wiped her face again. ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°Nothing? From what I can see, that¡¯s not nothing. What did my father do to you?¡± I held her face. Her


    eyes were red, so was her nose. My chest crashed. I wanted to pull her into my arms, but I still


    remembered her deal, and I was not going to break it until she would be the one toe to me.


    ¡°I said, it¡¯s nothing.¡± She tried to hide her face, wanting to flee.


    ¡°You don¡¯t think I would believe that for a second, Kennedy.¡± I hooked her arm around my grip. ¡°You¡¯re


    not going anywhere until you tell me what¡¯s wrong.¡±


    Finally, she turned to face me and met my gaze. ¡°There¡¯s something your father told me that made me


    cry.¡±


    ¡°About what?¡± I asked firmly.


    I was expecting her rebellious side, but her eyes softened. ¡°Aren¡¯t you a little nosy right now?¡±


    I sighed. ¡°Are you sure he didn¡¯t say something that upset you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still not running away, am I? And your father couldn¡¯t break me, trust me. And he¡¯s nothing but kind


    to me.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± I swallowed down the bile rising in my throat. ¡°We¡¯re going home.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not ready.¡± She looked down.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll take you somewhere.¡± I offered my hand.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do what your sister said earlier. I really don¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°But I do.¡±


    ¡°I just want some time alone to myself, if you don¡¯t mind.¡± She threw my words back.


    Something was so wrong. I could feel it. I just wished she would open up. I might be able to enlighten


    her.


    ¡°Now you¡¯re scaring me, Kennedy. One way or another, I¡¯m gonna ask my father about what you two


    have talked about,¡± I said through gritted teeth.


    ¡°Do you really wanna know?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I answered quickly.


    ¡°Your father told me how you worked hard to keep the title within your family and that you¡¯re ready to


    give up your freedom for the sake of your birthright, your beliefs, and what you fight for¡ªfor your


    kingdom.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that more than enough? I think that¡¯s courageous and admirable. But you¡¯re still an asshole and a


    royal pain, and I¡¯m still mad at you. Nothing¡¯s changed.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too hard on me and to yourself, darling.¡±


    ¡°You know what? I start to hate the name.¡± I still didn¡¯t like the distance she¡¯d nted between us, but


    now that we had my father¡¯s blessings, nothing was going to stop me now.


    ¡°We¡¯re going home.¡±


    ¡°I deserve some fresh air, Thayer.¡±


    ¡°I can give you more than that.¡±


    We left the chateau as soon as we bid goodbye to my family. Thank God she didn¡¯t mind riding the


    same car with me. She even rxed beside me as she watched the countryside through the window.


    We were close to the ce where she could get some fresh air. I realized I¡¯d been the one who was too


    hard on her.


    ¡°Darren, stop the car on the seaside,¡± I told the driver.


    My bodyguard informed the other security details in the SUV through hism.


    ¡°Why are we stopping?¡± She scanned around behind the window before she looked at me. ¡°Are you


    gonna leave me beside the road alone? Fed up with me already?¡±


    ¡°Not even close.¡± Once the car stop to a halt, I climbed out. ¡°Take your coat with you. It¡¯s gonna be


    chilly outside.¡± I offered my hand as she climbed out.


    Surprisingly, she didn¡¯t resist. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    I squeezed her hand for a moment before I let it go. ¡°The heels of your shoes might get stuck to where


    we¡¯re going.¡±


    ¡°Wow,¡± she said as soon as the seaside came to view.


    ¡°When wee in the morning, you might find flocks of birds or even storks, but at this time, they¡¯re


    gone.¡± We strolled towards the footpaths.


    The weather was lovely, and I knew that she badly needed this.


    She stopped just right in the sand. ¡°This is so beautiful and peaceful here.¡±


    ¡°At this time, yes.¡± I took the coat from her and hung it on her shoulders. ¡°People usuallye during


    day time. Come with me.¡± I ced a hand on her small back. ¡°Careful. I told you your heels might stick


    in the sand.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. I can take them off and be barefooted. It¡¯s not appropriate to do when I¡¯m with you, is it?¡±


    I smiled and tucked a stray of the lock behind her ear. ¡°Who gives a fuck about etiquette or protocol if


    this makes you happy?¡±


    She averted her gaze away from me. A sad smile appeared on her lips. ¡°For tonight, and this is a lovely


    evening.¡±


    This was one of my favorite times I spent with her¡ªwhen we were like just an ordinary couple without


    her bantering at me. Our closeness, the silence, nothing but the sounds of the waves and wind blows. I


    was contented, and my chest filled with peacefulness and hopes.


    Now that we were not arguing, just enjoying the gifts of this beautiful country, I didn¡¯t want this night to


    be over without telling her how I felt about her.


    My parents enjoyed their strong marriage filled with love and devotion to their causes, and I wanted to


    have a marriage like theirs. I wanted to be with the woman I loved while I was fulfilling my duty.


    ¡°Kennedy?¡±


    ¡°Damn it.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± She took her shoes off. ¡°I think I might enjoy this too much.¡± She giggled. ¡°Nothing could


    beat a couple walking on the sand, right?¡±


    With an amused twist of my lips, I said, ¡°I¡¯d love to watch you more enjoying barefooted with a smile on


    your face than struggling with your shoes on. Give me your shoes.¡±


    ¡°No way, Your Highness.¡± She curtsied and turned around to walk away.


    I looked around to make sure no one was watching us while our details were doing their job as well.


    ¡°Hey, Your Highness.¡± She waved her hand. ¡°Do you have cash? I¡¯m thirsty.¡±


    Shit. I didn¡¯t have.


    ¡°Here, Your Highness.¡± Thank God, Darren had.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I walked to follow Kennedy. She was still carrying her heels and walked so sexy


    barefooted. I wished the announcement was over. I¡¯d love to pick her up, throw her over my shoulder,


    stuff her in the car, and kiss her senselessly.


    As I watched her ass sway towards the vendor, my cock started to strain in my pants.


    ¡°Can I have a bottle of water, please?¡± she asked nicely. That was what I loved about her. She didn¡¯t


    discriminate and tried to be fussy. If this was another woman, she would choose a yacht or some


    tropical ind than here at the seaside.


    ¡°How much?¡± I asked the vendor.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    He recognized me right away with respect. ¡°Your Highness. Take whatever you want. My way of


    thanking you for how you helped us.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pay. And it¡¯s my duty to make sure you have your source of ie.¡±


    ¡°Then the least I can do, Your Highness is to offer your wonderfuldy a drink.¡±


    ¡°Fine by me then.¡±


    ¡°And Your Highness, if it¡¯s not too much to ask, can I take a picture of you.¡± Selfie was not allowed,


    especially in public, but I could give an exception since he was kind.


    I chuckled. ¡°Fine.¡±


    The old man ready his old phone model to capture.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± Kennedy interrupted. ¡°Why not you stand beside Your Highness and let me take the picture


    for you.¡± She smiled at the old man. ¡°Give me your phone.¡±


    ¡°Is it okay?¡± he asked warily.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. Come here beside me.¡± I ced my hand on his shoulder as I smiled directly at


    the most beautiful photographer.


    ¡°Thank you so much, Your Highness. You¡¯re so kind.¡±


    ¡°My pleasure.¡±

 30

    30


    KENNEDY


    Thayer was so good with people. He was natural, kind, and sensible. He never ceased to amaze me.


    When I agreed to marry him, I wasn¡¯t exactly thinking straight about the consequences. All I wanted


    was to help him secure his birthright.


    Again, I was selfish. Maybe because I would do anything for the people I cared about even if, in the


    end, I¡¯d be giving something¡ªmy life, my freedom, and my heart.


    I put on something sexy. I didn¡¯t know what Carlott was thinking, sending me lingeries when her brother


    filled the closets withplete wardrobes.


    I sighed deeply one more time before I walked out of the door. I¡¯d been nning since this morning


    after how he allowed me to walk in the seaside yesterday. The least I could do was to give him


    something in return.


    I also did this for myself because since he teased me in the study, I¡¯d been aching for him. I wanted to


    I let go of a shaky breath as I stood in front of his door. ¡°Here goes nothing.¡± I knocked.


    ¡°Thayer?¡± I bit my lip and waited. My heart pounded so hard as if this would be my first time. It was


    insane how he made me feel so nervous in anticipation and crazy with needs.


    The door swung open. Now I could barely hear him calling my name. The pulse was pounding in my


    ear, so resounding. He was half-naked, only a towel securing around his narrow hips covering his


    delicious goodness.


    My lips dried as I noticed his cock. His hard. Why is he hard?


    ¡°Your Highness, what¡¯s taking you so long?¡± What the actual fuck? That was a voice of a woman


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    My gaze snapped to his face. His hair tousled. He didn¡¯t seem to look guilty that I caught him with


    another woman. My heart continued to race¡ªthis time with so much rage. I pushed the door wide.


    Gasping, I froze stiff as a corpse. There were naked women in his bed and didn¡¯t even care covering


    their tits.


    ¡°Really? I thought¡ª¡± I shrugged miserably and shook my head. ¡°You¡¯re an asshole. No. I¡¯m stupid! I¡¯m


    stupid that I believed we had something.¡± I turned around and marched away.


    ¡°Kennedy, wait!¡±


    ¡°Go enjoy your threesome!¡±


    ¡°This is not what you think it is!¡± I heard fast footsteps following me.


    Before I could reach my room, I had my arm gripped by his strong hand.


    ¡°Hear me out, please?¡± There was a pain in his voice, but if he really cared about me, he shouldn¡¯t


    have brought women into his room.


    I faced him, pulling my arm from his grip. I looked directly into his eyes. ¡°We haven¡¯t even back


    together, yet you already reced me by not only a woman but two. I started to think that you are worth


    giving a second chance. I had even told your family how kind and wonderful you are and that it was not


    hard to like you. But you did not take my words seriously. How do you think I could trust you if you keep


    on breaking it?¡± I looked away, afraid that he would see how he made me feel vulnerable around him.


    ¡°Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°Enough of this.¡± I shook my head. My eyes filled tears no matter how I tried to hold them back. ¡°I can¡¯t


    do this anymore.¡± I rushed to my room, mming the door in his face.


    He was still knocking, calling my name, and saying how he was sorry.


    Fuck him, and his sorry.


    ***


    I fell asleep upset. My chest squeezed tightly, knowing Thayer was still sleeping with someone else,


    even if I alreadymitted to helping him save his title. How could he do this to me?


    The faces of my parents appeared on the screen of theptop. Thayer brought me one together with


    the wardrobes.


    ¡°Hey, honey. How are you?¡± My father waved his hand. They tried to fit together on the screen, making


    meugh.


    ¡°Mom, Dad. You don¡¯t have to kiss the camera, you know.¡±


    ¡°I know, but I want to see you up closed.¡±


    Iughed even my heart was still bleeding. I triedpartmentalizing my emotions for the sake of my


    parents.


    ¡°Mom, Dad, I have something to tell you. I know it sounds rush, but I¡¯m certain that this is what I wanna


    do.¡±


    ¡°What is it, honey?¡± Mom got her attention back from her phone to theptop.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting married.¡±


    When I thought they would be shocked and asked me if I was pregnant, I was wrong. Or they would


    start by asking who was the guy and threw me another twenty thousand questions, but it never


    happened. They did not look sad either.


    ¡°Mom, Dad, did you hear me?¡±


    ¡°Congrattions! Yay!¡± Mom sped her hands together, but I couldn¡¯t see the shock and excitement


    either.


    ¡°I¡¯m happy for you, honey.¡± His smile was genuine, though, but something was still off about this.


    ¡°You¡¯re not happy that I¡¯m getting married? Or you think this is insane?¡± I paused. Then it hit me hard.


    ¡°Crap.¡± I covered my face with my hands. ¡°You two don¡¯t look so surprised. You didn¡¯t even ask if I¡¯m


    sure about my decisions. Last Christmas, when I told you that I¡¯m dating someone, you both asked me


    twenty questions each. This time, I just dropped the shocking news, yet I heard nada! Just a


    ¡®congrattions and yay,¡¯¡± I mimicked my mother¡¯s voice. "I should have known better."


    ¡°Honey, we¡¯ve been waiting for your call since yesterday¡ª¡±


    I butted in. ¡°Because you already knew.¡±


    Dad nodded, and Mom shrugged. Then she giggled in front of the camera. ¡°Tell me about him, honey.


    Is he really a prince?¡±


    ¡°Oh, boy.¡± I slumped to the chair, defeated.


    ¡°Alessia Hearst, your boss came to visit us with two ck SUVs parked on the street. She came and


    zoomed with The Prince.¡±


    I gasped. ¡°Who? Prince who?¡±


    ¡°The father,¡± she seemed wasn¡¯t sure.


    ¡°The Prince?¡± My eyes widened in shock. I shut my mouth close.


    This was not what I expected. When I thought I was dropping the bomb on Prince Isodore, that I


    agreed to marry Thayer, I was the one get yed. As always, they were two steps ahead of me.


    ¡°On behalf of The Prince and Prince Thayer, Alessia came her personally to ask for your hand in


    marriage. Why didn¡¯t you tell us that you¡¯re dating a prince? You also quit your job and are not in New


    York anymore.¡±


    Sighing, I hugged my knee. ¡°It¡¯s a long story.¡±


    ¡°Well, we have all day, honey.¡±


    ¡°Hey, she¡¯s getting married. She needs a beauty rest.¡± Dad looked at my mom. They seemed okay with


    this.


    I wondered how Prince Isodore managed to convince them, considering my parents were protective of


    me even if I was a grown-up adult.


    ¡°What else did they say?¡±


    ¡°Wait, you have no idea they asked for our blessings?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I felt guilty and relieved at the same time. ¡°I thought I would just tell you myself.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯reing home to spend Christmas, right? And bring your prince with you.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll be there, but I¡¯m not sure if he¡¯s gonnae with me. He might be busy during holidays,


    Dad.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, but I¡¯d love to see you, honey. How about wee and visit you?¡± Dad asked. I knew I


    couldn¡¯t make excuses every time I would talk to them. One day, I had to video call with them with


    Thayer by my side.


    ¡°That¡¯s actually a terrific idea.¡± My chest lightened up. Thank goodness, I didn¡¯t have to convince them,


    and they took it lightly.


    ¡°And honey, there¡¯s something we need to tell you.¡± Oh, boy. Why did I feel that I was not going to like


    this?


    ¡°Sure. What it is?¡±


    They looked at each other before Dad cleared his throat. ¡°They have a tradition of giving dowry to the


    bride, which included the family.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I was too shocked to realize it was my own voice shouting. ¡°What is it they gave you? You


    can¡¯t take it, Mom, Dad. You have to return it to them. We¡¯re not epting a penny from him¡ªfrom


    them. This is not how it works for us.¡±


    ¡°Honey, it¡¯s toote.¡± Mom looked guilty.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not. We¡¯re not yet married.¡±


    ¡°Honey, listen to me. This is their tradition. You can¡¯t change it since you epted his proposal¡ª¡±


    ¡°Then why I am not wearing any ring?¡± I raised my hand to show them my ringless finger just to prove


    to them that they could return whatever Thayer¡¯s father gave them.


    ¡°But you just said that you¡¯re getting married.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯splicated.¡± My heart sunk.


    ¡°You¡¯re not pregnant, are you?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± But we did sleep together unprotected.


    ¡°Well. He gave us a house.¡±


    ¡°A what? A house? No way.¡± I stared at the screen in disbelief. ¡°I¡¯m gonna talk to him. We¡¯ll continue


    thister. Bye.¡± I shut theptop close. My heart was pounding so hard as I swung the door opened


    only to be hit by it felt like a trunk¡ªa hard, warm, and smelling good kind of trunk.


    His strong arms securely wrapped around me in a possessive way, his hands on my back, and his


    breathing on my forehead.


    ¡°Darling.¡±

 31

    31


    THAYER


    ¡°Darling?¡± She just bumped into me and seemed in such urgency. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Am I okay? Do you really care?¡± She red at me, those blue eyes darkening.


    ¡°Of course, I do.¡± My brows met in confusion. Why would she think that I didn¡¯t care? Then a warning


    siren rmed my head.


    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Shit! I told my sister that was a bad idea, but it seemed to work. Only Kennedy hated me beyond


    measurable.


    ¡°Get off of me.¡± She jerked out of my arms. ¡°Asshole.¡±


    ¡°You should not get used to cursing on me, Kennedy. Especially in public.¡±


    She shook her head, blinking. ¡°Do you know that your¡ª¡± She abruptly stopped.


    ¡°Do I know what?¡±


    ¡°Never mind. Why are you here?¡± She crossed her arms over her chest.


    I didn¡¯t usually hold back what I wanted. I went after it, but with her, I learned to practice my patients,


    even celibacy. When I looked at her chest, those swells that I missed, all I could think of was throwing


    her to bed and make love with her.


    ¡°I want to take you somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Not interested.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but tell me what you¡¯re about to say.¡±


    ¡°Not a shit.¡± She went to the door, sending me a signal to get out.


    ¡°Darling,¡± I warned her.


    ¡°I hated it when you call me that.¡± She was lying. I knew she liked it. There was always a glint of pull in


    her eyes every time I called her darling. Besides, she was the only one I¡¯d ever call that endearment.


    ¡°Then suck it up because I would never call you babe or baby.¡±


    I red back. My lips tightened. I¡¯d been ying cat and mouse with her for days while she was


    ying hard to get. This had to stop.


    ¡°Get out, darling.¡± She rolled her eyes, mimicking me.


    ¡°Not until I¡¯m done talking with you. I¡¯m tired of you pushing me away and treating me like shit. I¡¯m a


    prince, for fuck¡¯s sake, and no one¡ªno one has ever treated me the way you do, but that¡¯s not the


    point. It¡¯s my fault why you¡¯re mad at me. I¡¯m here to apologize for taking you involuntarily. I¡¯m sorry. If


    you only answered my call and replied to my messages, that abduction wouldn¡¯t have happened. I


    have every reason for your questions, Kennedy. But because I respect you so much, I¡¯m apologizing. If


    you happen to be another woman, I won¡¯t do shits.¡±


    ¡°You always do shits on your own. If I ept your apology, will you leave me alone now?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± I looked away as I swallowed hard. Words from my sister popped into my head. One more test,


    brother. ¡°For good.¡±


    ¡°Good. Apology epted.¡± She seemed to struggle to finish her own words.¡±


    ¡°Have a nice day.¡± I turned around. She called my name when I was out of the door. I held back the


    smile threatening to curve up my lips. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Did your father tell you something?¡± She didn¡¯t meet my gaze anymore.


    ¡°I think whatever you and my father have talked about, it was between you two alone.¡±


    She barely nodded. Come on, say that you miss me, that you want me and I¡¯ll press you against your


    bed and kiss you senseless.


    For a short time, I¡¯d learned something about Kennedy that was fascinating and very challenging. I left


    her alone, hoping she would realize how strong her feelings were for me.


    ***


    Three days. Three fucking horrible long days of not seeing her. I made that terrible decision of avoiding


    her even if we were living under the same roof.


    I was even tempted to bug her room just to hear and watch what she had been up to for three whole


    damn days. I held myself because I loved her, and I¡¯d been viting her trust, and how did it work for


    me? Terrible. I was still paying for my own repercussion until now.


    I talked to my father, hoping he would tell me what he¡¯d talked about with Kennedy. Nada. My father


    had been tight-lipped about it.


    Yesterday, she spent time with my sister, and it terrified me that she seemed to do fine. I mean, yeah, I


    should be d to hear that, but she was only the tip of the iceberg. I had pressing matters I had to deal


    with, and I couldn¡¯t do shit if she was not on board.


    ¡°Damn it.¡± I checked her location, where it pinged on my phone. She was at home.


    Great. Now what? I sat back in my chair in defeat. My gaze averted from my phone screen to a knock


    on the door. Before I could answer, the door swung open.


    ¡°Oh?¡± She halted with her big blue eyes staring at me. So did I. She could be covered in mud, yet she


    was still the most beautiful woman I¡¯d ever seen. And she never ceased to make my heart pound so


    hard it was hard to breathe.


    I was just thinking about her, and there she was, standing just a few feet from me, and I just stared at


    her like an idiot.


    ¡°Can I help you?¡± Stupid question. I could have said something better, but that was the first thing that


    came to my mind.


    ¡°I should go back.¡± She pointed her thumb out.


    ¡°Pretend that I¡¯m not here.¡±


    ¡°They let me in. I thought you¡¯re¡ª¡± She stopped and chuckled. ¡°Of course, they wouldn¡¯t be here


    guarding the damn door if you¡¯re not here. My bad.¡± She pressed her lips together.


    I maintain my expression neutral. ¡°I have tons of gold bars in my safe. They¡¯re not here for me.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Word of the day?


    ¡°Kidding. Do whatever you want. I¡¯ll be right in my room.¡± I rose from my seat, ready to flee. Only, it was


    a bluff.


    ¡°Stay. I¡¯m only looking for books.¡± And I will, my darling. ¡±Oh, I¡¯m so sorry. Do you mind if I borrow your


    books?¡±


    My lungs expanded in relief. ¡°Not at all. Take anything you want. You don¡¯t need my permission, and


    the staff is well-briefed.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± She smiled. For three days I¡¯d been in hell, it was worth it to see her smiling. She scanned


    the vast collections of books in the floor-to-ceiling shelves and half of these walls.


    ¡°Looking for specific books?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± She turned to me. ¡°Your sister told me that you have books here about your lineage and


    genealogy.¡±


    ¡°Baynburd Royal Descendants?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    What¡¯s her interest in my family lineage? It was stupid to ask. Of course, she was curious. Instead, I


    walked to the shelf and pulled one drawer. The book was pretty heavy, hardbound, with our family crest


    printed on the cover.


    ¡°Here.¡± I took the book with me in the size of an Encyclopedia. I put it down on the coffee table.


    ¡°How about Biographies of the government officials? And World Famous Personality, if you have the


    ¡°Sure.¡± I couldn¡¯t take it anymore. I smiled. ¡°You¡¯re studying, Kennedy?¡±


    ¡°Curiosity kills the cat.¡± Her answer was always concise. It hurt, but at least she was talking to me.


    The book she was looking for was just on top of the table. ¡°It¡¯s right there.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the help.¡± She carried three books into her arms.


    ¡°Let me help. Those are heavy.¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°Million times lighter than what you carry on your shoulder every day.¡±


    What¡¯s that supposed to mean?


    She just walked out, and I was still damn speechless.


    So I decided to finally break my way of hunger strike and showed up.


    ¡°Kennedy, can Ie in?¡± I followed with a knock.


    ¡°Please.¡±


    I entered. She was lying on her stomach in bed, reading about the World Famous Personality. I took a


    seat just right beside her. ¡°Sometimes, I forgot their names. Marko did his job well, reminding me.¡±


    ¡°Do the Kardashians are in here too?¡± She lifted her gaze to look at me. It wasforting the warmth


    and sparkles were back in those eyes.


    ¡°The woman with a sex tape?¡±


    She barked outughing. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you know about that.¡±


    ¡°I know many things since I have to catch up with trends, about those Twitter hashtags, and current


    events.¡± Iid down in bed. My head was just a few inches from her sweet round ass.


    ¡°Do you have personal ounts?¡±


    ¡°Social media?¡± I turned to her side. My fingers were itching to grab and squeeze her globes. ¡°You¡¯re


    stalking me?¡±


    Her body shook in herugh. ¡°So you do have, huh?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have, darling. Someone is handling my official ount for the sake of my foundation and


    engagements. People still have to know that I¡¯m doing my duties. I still need privacy, and I don¡¯t have


    another personal ount.¡±


    ¡°Did you ever wonder what your life might be if you¡¯re not born into a royal family?¡± She looked at me.


    Her question was sincere enough.


    I turned myself in bed so that I could lie my head on her back. ¡°Yeah. Many times when I struggled to


    be the perfect son. When I wanted to experience an ordinary teenager who could make mistakes


    without judgment, could throw eggs to the house of a mean alcoholic old man. I wanted to go out on a


    date without my bodyguards tailing me.¡±


    ¡°That must be hard.¡±


    I sighed in contentment when she didn¡¯t seem to care that I was breaking our agreement of touching


    her. I raised my hand, tracing my fingers on the soft skin of her arm. ¡°When I met you, I wished for that


    one more time.¡±

 32

    32


    KENNEDY


    I missed him.


    Thayer had been avoiding me for three days. I thought I deserved that. God, I loved this man, but


    because of his poor choice, I was punishing him, when in the end, I was suffering.


    This guy had been working hard since he was young, doing his duties to his people while I was acting


    like aplete bitch. Yeah, he made mistakes. People made mistakes, so did I. I wasn¡¯t perfect. So


    why not be civil and treat him with the respect that he deserved.


    I¡¯d alsoe to realize that I could do my job everywhere in the world. I¡¯d be a chance¡ªan opportunity


    most people wouldn¡¯t get to¡ª to help people, and I was taking it for granted. My service may not be


    direct to my people, but knowing that I could help the less fortunate, would be a fulfillment.


    When Princess Carlott asked me if I could join her in visiting the feeding program for less fortunate kids


    in the rural area, without a second thought, I agreed right away.


    Now, I was thinking if I should tell Thayer or not. When I thought of borrowing books from his study, I


    didn¡¯t think he would be there. Yet, I was beyond relieved that he talked to me again.


    Now he was here in bed with me. We didn¡¯t do anything other than having conversations, but I was


    aware of his presence. And then heid his head on my back. The delicious pressure he gave on my


    lower spine was hard to ignore.


    It felt like it had been a long time since I¡¯d been longing for the subtle warmth of his touch on my skin.


    How was I supposed to not react to this? I couldn¡¯t remember I¡¯d been affected quite this way before.


    Never. Never with another man.


    I love him. Yet, it didn¡¯t scare me. Not anymore.


    When I thought the reason I agreed to marry him was that I wanted to help him with his birthright. I was


    wrong. It was more than that¡ªI wanted to make him happy, even if it made me selfless. What was only


    frightening once he knew.


    ¡°Do you wanna talk about it?¡± He pulled me out of my deep thoughts.


    ¡°What?¡± I turned my head to look at him.


    He barely touched his finger on my chin. I felt the desire jolting my skin. ¡°Penny for the thoughts.¡± He


    tried to hide his smile.


    ¡°I wanna go with your sister to a feeding program. That¡¯s if you let me.¡±


    He raised his head, finally came to face to face with me. ¡°On one condition.¡±


    ¡°Why do I feel like I¡¯m not gonna like it?¡± I squinted my eyes at him.


    ¡°It¡¯s not difficult.¡±


    A smile edges onto my lips. ¡°Fine. What is it?¡±


    ¡°We should end ignoring each other. Stop pushing me away. I promise I won¡¯t force you to do anything


    you don¡¯t like.¡±


    I remembered that scene again. It hurt a lot knowing he¡¯d been sleeping with women while I was just in


    another room. ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°What is it that¡¯s bothering you so much, Kennedy? I won¡¯t keep any secrets from you unless I thought


    it would be best for you not to know about it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± I looked down at the pages, but it looked like words just magically turned to Mandarin.


    ¡°Please?¡± He held my arm. ¡°I wanna know.¡±


    It was the most difficult to ignore when he looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed, closed the book,


    and I turned my body so that we were facing each other. I looked at his face, the most handsome man


    I¡¯d ever met.


    ¡°How many?¡±


    His brow arched. ¡°How many?¡±


    ¡°How many times? How many are they?¡±


    He looked confused. His brows knitted. ¡°What exactly are you asking me about?¡±


    ¡°You had a threesome in your room. Do you usually practice that? How often?¡±


    A slow smile built on his lips, and I wanted to smack it off. He knew I was jealous, even if I wasn¡¯t the


    type. He then burst outughing. His rich voice echoed in the entire room.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    He was stillughing. Crinkles formed at the corner of his eyes. ¡°Jesus Christ!¡±


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll have a threesome too. I might as well enjoy it.¡±


    Hisugh died. His smile was gone, reced with a murderous re at me. ¡°The fuck you will.¡±


    ¡°Wow! Freaking misogyny you are.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true. In fact, I support women¡¯s rights.¡± That was true. That was why women in this country


    loved him. ¡°Admit that you¡¯re jealous.¡±


    Of course, I was, but I was not going to admit it to him to inte his already huge ego. ¡°Why would I be


    jealous? You like fucking woman, go ahead. But you won¡¯t dare touch me or sleep with me until you


    stop gallivanting.¡±


    I expected him to be pissed at me with my use of words, but he was grinning back at me. ¡°You¡¯re the


    only woman I want to fuck, like to fuck, and n on fucking.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I witnessed days ago.¡±


    ¡°Just admit it, darling, so that we can put an end to this discussion. I¡¯d nothing to loving doing than pull


    you into my arms right now and feel your body against mine.¡±


    ¡°Go to hell.¡± Iid back on my stomach and opened the pages I left.


    ¡°It fucking hurts, isn¡¯t it? That¡¯s what I felt every day when you kept pushing me away. It hurts like my


    chest is always burning. My heart is always bleeding, and to add to that, the constant twists of guilt in


    my stomach.¡±


    I swallowed hard. I didn¡¯t even know that he felt that way. ¡°Well, if that makes you feel better, I hated


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    doing that to you, but you did something unforgivable.¡±


    He ced his hand on my wrist. ¡°Then allow me to make it up to you until I¡¯m forgiven. I don¡¯t give a


    fuck how long it would take. As long as you give me another chance. Please, Kennedy?¡±


    I felt the sincerity in his touch, in his words. ¡°You¡¯re the most infuriating and relentless man I¡¯ve ever


    met, Prince Thayer.¡±


    ¡°And the most handsome prince on earth.¡± He held my arm as he moved closer to me.


    Sighing, I rolled into his strong arms, my head on his shoulder as he wrapped me with a satisfying


    embrace.


    Finally, I¡¯d be able to shut my eyes close and never thought of losing him again. I felt his body again,


    smelled his masculine scents, the strong muscles of his thighs against mine, and heard the beating of


    his heart.


    We stayed like that for a while, in each other¡¯s embrace, enjoying the peaceful silence and feeling of


    satisfaction.


    ¡°Damn, I missed this. I missed you so fucking much I lost my shit all the time.¡±


    I kept silent. I loved to hear the grumbling of his words in his chest.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do that again.¡± He pressed his lips to my head. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna go to work. I just wanna stay like


    this forever. This is the mostfortable position I have had in a while. Do you know the feeling of


    sleeping in afortable bed, yet something¡¯s missing? You kept turning. You couldn¡¯t fall to sleep.¡±


    I knew exactly what he meant.


    ¡°Of course, you don¡¯t. Every time I came to check on you, you slept soundly in this fucking bed. I


    wanted to burn this down.¡±


    He tightened his arms around and sighed shakily and slowly. ¡°Forgive me, Kennedy. I have no intention


    of hurting you. I swear. I just wanted to prove to myself that you still have feelings for me, that if you


    see me with another woman, you¡¯d be pissed off. I swear to you, and my cock won¡¯t ever get hard


    again if I slept with another woman since I met you.¡±


    I pressed my lips together to hide the grin, but my lips still quivered. Deep down, I was jumping with joy.


    As soon as I let go of my sigh, I said, ¡°How¡¯s it working out for you?¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re still mad because you saw me with those women, and you thought I had threesomes. It


    may sound appealing, but one woman is enough. Do you believe me, darling?¡±


    ¡°It depends.¡±


    ¡°On what?¡±


    I pushed my ass in his groin, grinding slowly, teasing his cock. A long groan rumbled in his chest. ¡°To


    feel is to believe, don¡¯t you agree?¡± In truth, I wanted to touch it, grip it, pump it until it hardened, and


    his pre-cum would leak from its shaft.


    He let go a shuddering breath, his nose dove into my hair. ¡°You keep doing that, I¡¯m gonnae in my


    pants.¡±


    I kept on torturing even if I felt him bulging out, pressed against my ass, our skin burning.


    ¡°God, keep doing that.¡± He was enjoying it, and I was getting wet. His voice rasped, shaking. ¡°Can I


    touch you? Please, let me touch you.¡±


    ¡°I think you¡¯ve proven yourself that you were telling the truth.¡± I stopped.


    ¡°Fuck. That¡¯s what is it all about?¡±

 33

    33


    THAYER


    Fuck.


    My cock was harder than a rock. I felt it might break as it strained in my pants.


    I wanted to thrust into her ass while her inner walls mped around my fingers, her juice dripping down


    my hand. Then my mouth sucked that nipple poking against the thin fabric of her dress. Her soft


    whimper echoed as she danced into the rhythm of the thrust of my cock on her ass, fingers in her slick


    pussy as she came around me. Then her body invigorated in satiety.


    I wanted her¡ªalways had been like I never wanted anyone in my life. She was my addiction and my


    salvation.


    I hadn¡¯t kissed her yet, but my hard-on was going to break, and I was going toe in seconds if she


    wouldn¡¯t stop grinding her sweet ass into me.


    She¡¯s a seductress and a fucking tease.


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Then the torture she¡¯d been doing had been to test me if I fucked those stage actresses Carlott hired


    because I swore to her.


    We might have fallen asleep in the same position. Her head rested on my arm. I slowly slipped off of


    her and positioned her so that she could sleepfortably. As much as I¡¯d like to cuddle her all day, I


    knew she would not run away from me again.


    I called Marko from the study.


    ¡°They found the rare color in South Africa just like you asked. It has wless rity. They will


    personality deliver it to you once it¡¯s ready within three days, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Great. Thanks for the update.¡±


    ¡°My pleasure, Your Highness. Is there anything I can do?¡±


    ¡°Can you free my schedule tomorrow? And call Ash to check the chopper. I¡¯d like to take Kennedy to


    Guardion.¡±


    ¡°Consider it done, Your Highness. Enjoy your trip.¡±


    I left the study and bumped into my sister, climbing upstairs. ¡°She¡¯s sleeping.¡±


    She paused and turned to me. ¡°I just talked to her less than a minute ago. She¡¯s not. Don¡¯t keep her


    away from me. And she¡¯s gonnae with me for the feeding program.¡±


    ¡°You are just telling me now? You¡¯re supposed to inform me first before you ask her.¡±


    She smiled. Mischief glinted in her eyes. ¡°So you and Kennedy are back together, huh? Happy for you,


    brother.¡±


    ¡°We are and been together, silly.¡± I ruffled her hair as I walked past her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do that. I just had my cogen treatment today.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to put everything because they told you it¡¯s good for your hair.¡±


    ¡°I know that, but that¡¯s purely organic.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, sis. Don¡¯t stay here long. She needs to rest. I have ns for us tomorrow.¡± I knocked on


    Kennedy¡¯s door. She said toe inter on.


    ¡°Wow! Good boy, puppy.¡± She tiptoed to pat my head like I was a dog. ¡°I¡¯ll give your treat, I promise.¡±


    ¡°Could you behave like a princess for just a sec?¡± Kennedy was indeed awake. She was able to


    change her clothes to cute pants and a sleeveless shirt outfit. She looked very American.


    ¡°You¡¯re no fun. Hey,¡± my sister greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. They both settled on the lounge


    chairs at the corner. ¡°So, you two are okay now?¡±


    ¡°Just say why are you here, sister.¡±


    ¡°Ignore him.¡± Kennedy waved off her hand. ¡°And I told him that I¡¯ming with you on Wednesday.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need his permission.¡±


    I settled on the armchair, joining Kennedy. ¡°It¡¯s not permission. It¡¯smunication. And I¡¯m gonna tell


    her about my schedules, but I don¡¯t wanna bore her. Now, why are you here, Carlott?¡±


    ¡°Come on, Thayer. I drove all the way here. Can I have a few minutes with Kennedy? I promise I¡¯m not


    gonna make out with her?¡±


    Wrinkling my nose, I stared at her incredulously. Her and Kennedy, making out? I shook that image out


    of my head. Fuck no.


    I kissed the top of Kennedy¡¯s head, shooting my sister a warning before I stood up. Kennedy held my


    hand, squeezing it. When I looked down at her, she was smiling at me. Damn, if it didn''t feel good.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be in the study.¡±


    ***


    It had been an hour. My sister was still with Kennedy. I didn¡¯t know what else they¡¯d been talking about.


    I tried to focus on something else. So I made a call to Aunt Alessia, asking about my grandfather. She


    said that ording to the EEG, there were some changes in his brain activity. Atst, some good


    news. Thank God.


    My stomach suddenly grumbled. I was sure Kennedy might be hungry as well. I called the kitchen to


    prepare us an American meal.


    After the call, the door swung opened. My beautiful woman just walked in, wearing a smile on her face.


    ¡°You left.¡±


    ¡°Come here.¡± I gestured my hand, tapping my desk. ¡°Hungry?¡±


    She willingly sat on top of my desk. ¡°Starving.¡±


    ¡°Good. I let the staff make us sandwiches.¡±


    Her eyes slightly widened. ¡°Sandwiches?¡±


    ¡°And pancakes.¡±


    ¡°Pancakes?¡± she repeated.


    ¡°Yes, darling. Sandwich loaf with tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, ham.¡±


    ¡°Okay, stop it. I know what sandwich is. And why pancakes?¡±


    ¡°You might miss home.¡±


    She pressed her lips together. Sadness crossed her face. When my schedule would not be so hectic, I


    nned on taking her with me to the US. Her happiness would always be on my priority list.


    I ignored the knot in my stomach. ¡°Here are our meal.¡±


    She turned her head. ¡°Oh, wow. Milkshake, fries, burger? I thought you only asked for sandwiches and


    pancakes.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯d like to surprise you.¡±


    The staff took the meal from the cart and ced down our meal one. Kennedy was already smiling in


    delight. Simple things already made her happy. Just watching her reaction made me even the


    happiest.


    Once the server left, she gushed. When I thought she would behave like a princess, she sat down on


    the carpet and took a piece of fries, and started munching.


    She looked up at me, eyes sparkling. ¡°Are you just gonna watch me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m already full just watching you so carefree.¡± I joined him on the floor beside her and sipped the


    strawberry milkshake.


    ¡°You sure it¡¯s okay for you to join me and sit on the floor while eating?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. What¡¯s wrong with sitting and eating on the floor?¡± I bit my burger. She chose the sandwich.


    ¡°It¡¯s delicious. I missed this.¡± Poor thing.


    My chest squeezed. I would make sure to do this often. ¡°You okay? You don¡¯t like your burger?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I didn¡¯t know I missed this much.¡± She leaned over to kiss me on my shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s so good.


    This is sweet. Thanks.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t drag my gaze away as she ate and didn¡¯t give a damn even if she was in front of a prince.


    One thing I loved about her¡ªshe didn¡¯t care how the world was going to judge her. All she wanted was


    to live her life the way she wanted to.


    ¡°Stop¡ª¡± She swallowed the food in her mouth, sipped her milkshake, and licked her lips. ¡°Stop


    watching me. That¡¯s rude.¡± It was way better than watching porn.


    ¡°I love watching you eat.¡±


    Her brow arched. ¡°Well, you know what I love? Watching you eat something else.¡±


    Jesus. My groin tightened. ¡°You better finish your meal, then, so that we can eat something else.¡±


    With a wicked look on her face, she took another sip of her milkshake. My mind went crazy filthy,


    thinking it was a drop of mye on her lips as she licked it clean. I blinked off and took a huge bite of


    my burger instead.


    ¡°What were you thinking?¡± There was a tease in her voice.


    ¡°You don¡¯t wanna know, darling.¡± My jawline tensed.


    ¡°Are you hard right now?¡±


    I groaned. ¡°Darling, why do you keep on torturing me like this?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know that watching me eat gives you a hard-on.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re doing that on purpose.¡±


    She stared at me. Then she dropped her gaze to my parted lips. My heart pounded if what I thought


    was right. ¡°What if I did?¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡±

 34

    34


    KENNEDY


    He¡¯s hard.


    I didn¡¯t have to touch to know. Thayer¡¯s actions, his voice, and those green eyes spoke for himself. And


    I was wet¡ªdripping. I had been aching for him since I ground my ass to his huge cock. His


    indestructible patience and self-control started to annoy me.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± He chugged down half empty of water before he cupped my face, stared at me for a few


    seconds. I thought he might want to say something. He then dropped his zing gaze down to my lips.


    Voluntarily, my lips parted, my skin already tingling. My nipples were no strangers to man¡¯s lip, yet, they


    ached to his touch and his mouth. My body thrummed in anticipation.


    ¡°Kiss me.¡± I gasped. My voice rasped. My chest heaved.


    He crashed his mouth into mine.


    Yes! I could hear the orchestra ying in the background. My inner self celebrated in delight. God. I


    met his tongue with my own, our lips sliding together.


    His mouth and tongue still tinged with the meal we shared, but I still loved his vor. He released my


    face, wrapped his arms around me as he pulled me into him,id himself on the floor, and rolled us


    over.


    I was now on the floor, moaning into our kiss and the delicious frictions we created. He was on top of


    me, fully dressed. At this moment, I didn¡¯t care. All I wanted was Thayer. My Prince.


    He swirled his tongue inside my mouth before he bit my bottom lip, nipped, and tugged it before he


    sucked my chin,pping down my neck. He moved to my lips again, deepening the kiss. Our lips


    locked together.


    I squirmed under him. I wrapped my legs around his waist, hoping to feel more frictions. I was aching


    with needs.


    I pulled my lips away. ¡°Please?¡±


    His heavy-lid eyes cracked open. ¡°What do you want, darling?¡±


    ¡°Get naked. I want you naked right now.¡± I expected him to turn his revenge mode for teasing him, but


    he didn¡¯t. He rose to his feet and started stripping off from his shirt to his jeans until he pulled down his


    boxers, freeing his massive cock. He looked majestic, regal, and a fucking god. He took my breath


    away.


    Salivating, I helped myself to kneel in front of him.


    ¡°No, darling. I won¡¯tst. I need to be inside you.¡± With trembling hands, he helped me out of my dress.


    Within five seconds, I was fully naked, vulnerable, and at his mercy.


    His eyes inmed me. My body lit up like fire¡ªI burned with needs. Crawling back at me, I quickly


    cupped his face and kissed him again. His strong arms caged me in, and I wrapped my legs around his


    waist.


    ¡°Please,¡± I said to our mouths.


    Slowly, he glided his length into my soaking, wet slit, tracing up and down, coating with my wetness


    before he entered me.


    I was so turned on. Thayer was huge, yet he was all inside me. I felt full and well-stretched.


    I gasped.


    He groaned, his jawline rigid. He held his breath for a while. Then he squeezed his eyes shut before he


    let go of the shuddering breath.


    ¡°Fuck, Kennedy.¡± He gritted his teeth.


    I tightened my legs around him, arching my back to press my breast against his bare broad chest. He


    got my clue¡ªhe captured my nipple with his mouth, sucking hard. Tingles spread all over my body, my


    wetness pooling. He tugged and nipped it between his teeth, swirling his tongue around the aching


    bud.


    I threw my head back. My hand gripped a handful of his hair, pushing down, begging for more.


    ¡°God. Thayer, don¡¯t stop.¡± With each bite of his teeth on my nipple, my clit throbbed. With each pinch of


    his fingers, I thrust my hips forward, searching for what I craved.


    ¡°Please, fuck me.¡±


    ¡°Kennedy.¡± His voice strained with control. He let out a long groan before he withdrewpletely.


    I felt empty and cold. Before I couldin, he did what I asked. He was all in one thrust.


    I cried out.


    He pounded into me mercilessly¡ªin and out. My boobs bounced. He thrust into me faster and quicker.


    God, he knew how to fuck me hard. Then he slowed down, encircling inside me. I was so wet, and he


    was giving me the hard fuck I wanted.


    Before I met Thayer, If someone had said to me that she was fucked like a king, I wouldugh. Now I


    could guarantee that there was a thing like that¡ªThayer just fucked me like a prince¡ªthe future King.


    I held into his arms. My nails dug into his flesh as my walls started mping around him. I thrust


    forward, seeking my release.


    He knew I was close. He thrust and thrust. My back scraped against the carpet, but I didn¡¯t care. I loved


    and enjoyed as he pounded into me so hard.


    ¡°I¡¯m going toe,¡± I said between pants.


    ¡°Just waiting for you, darling.¡± He pushed all the way inside me.


    I captured his lips, kissing him. My raw emotions coursed through me with aching needs.


    ¡°Thayer.¡±


    One thrust and a press against my clit, jolts of electricity sent through me. He took me to nirvana. My


    climax exploded. My skin, my toes, my whole body tingled. I shuddered.


    Time seemed suspended.


    ¡°Kennedy.¡± He captured my lips, held me tight as he shuddered, jerked, and released hise inside


    me to itsst drop. Again, we did not use protection. But then again, I trusted him.


    Still catching his breath, he wrapped me securely, rolled me over so that I would be on top.


    He was still inside me. I felt hise dripping.


    He must have sensed me. He raised his head, kissing my sweaty forehead¡ªa kiss of reassurance.


    Iid my head back on his chest, listening to his thumping wild heartbeat.


    ***


    I woke up to something that felt like a dream. A warm tongue, circling my abdomen while my thighs


    held in strong grips, keeping me still. Then the tongue ran down from my tiny hole,pping up to my


    ¡°Thayer?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re awake.¡±


    ¡°How could I not?¡¯


    ¡°Good. Now behave and let me eat you.¡± He pulled the nket away from my body. I almost shuddered


    when the cool air hugged my skin, but looking down at him between my legs as he ate me like his


    favorite meal, I felt hot all over.


    As if he read my mind, he slid two fingers inside me, encircling, sliding, gliding while his mouth and


    tongue were on my clit. It didn¡¯t take long, I squirmed. My muscles clenched against his torturous suck


    and thrust.


    ¡°God. Oh, God.¡± My inner walls mped around his fingers as he finger-fucked me without remorse.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop. I¡¯m close. So close. Thayer!¡±


    After my orgasm, I fell back to slumber with his soft kisses on my back.


    In the morning, I woke up with him watching me with a smile on his lips.


    ¡°Morning. How long you¡¯ve been up?¡±


    ¡°Thirty minutes or so.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯ve been watching me since then?¡±


    ¡°Guilty. You¡¯re cute when you smile like a baby in your sleep. Then you also frowned and sighed. Were


    you dreaming, darling?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re making that up.¡± Izy smile spread across my face.


    ¡°I swear I didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t dreaming.¡± I looked around. The time on the clock is eight. ¡°Why are you still here, not at


    work?¡±


    ¡°I love it when you do that?¡±


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Do what?¡±


    ¡°You worry about me.¡±


    I smiled. ¡°I care about you. You should know that by now.¡±


    He kissed me softly on my lips. ¡°I do.¡±


    ¡°Now, why are you still in bed, Duke?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m taking you somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Really? Yes!¡± I sat up on the bed. The nket fell down to myp, exposing my sore breasts.


    ¡°Darling, let me see your back. I think I might have bruised youst night.¡± He checked my back,


    running his fingers on probably the affected part.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel anything.¡±


    ¡°Your skin is sensitive, but the redness is almost gone. I was worried when I saw itst night.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. A little bruise won¡¯t stop me from asking you to fuck me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll fuck you, love you, and do you however you want, but I also have to take care of you, your well-


    being, your health, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Take that as my vow.¡±


    I looked at him. Even if he just woke up, his hair tousled, his jawlineced with five o¡¯clock shadow, he


    still managed to look hot and perfect in my eyes.


    ¡°Now, where your n on taking me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s time for you to see Guardion.¡±

 35

    35


    THAYER


    ¡°I don¡¯t know you can fly a chopper.¡± Kennedyughed at her words, sitting beside me.


    The two idiots settled at the back.


    The weather was sunny. The sky was clear. At this time of year, Guardion was an ideal ce for


    sailing.


    ¡°Why did youugh?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a royal pilot, to be precise.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Royal Air Force.¡±


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be surprised.¡±


    I turned on mym. ¡°Kingsbyrie Tower, this is Guardion 583 Alpha ready for departure, inbound


    West.¡±


    Tower replied immediately, ¡°Guardion 583, this is Kingbyrie Tower, your good to go.¡±


    ¡°Over and out.¡± I closed mym. The take-off took smoothly. ¡°You don¡¯t have fly anxiety.¡±


    ¡°Not really, but I never tried a chopper.¡± She seemed unsure, biting her bottom lip.


    ¡°We¡¯ll try skydiving next time.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± She looked at me as if I just lost my mind. ¡°No thanks. Hard pass.¡±


    ¡°Said a woman who nned to jump off the jet,¡± said Lud.


    She turned herself, probably ring right now. ¡°I was not serious, idiot. I¡¯ll choose to die in a heart


    attack than nning to suicide by jumping off the ne. I would rather die pretty with my body intact.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s skydiving then. You¡¯re going to love it. We¡¯ll do tandem. I promise you¡¯ll be safe.¡±


    She shook her violently. ¡°I¡¯ll stay on the ground. It¡¯s safe and sound. Thanks.¡±


    Ash and Ludughed at the back.


    ¡°I told you that was the best idea.¡± He high-fived with Ash.


    ¡°You¡¯re an asshole, Ludovic.¡±


    ¡°Can you swim, love?¡±


    ¡°Why? Do you have a n to throw me off the boat as well?¡±


    Iughed, held her hand, and pressed it against my lips. ¡°Rx, darling. I¡¯ll kick them out of this


    chopper before they can even think of harming you.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s time for you to stroll around Guardion. Have you been to Maine?¡± Ash asked.


    ¡°Pornd, Maine? No. Why?¡±


    ¡°Guardion is closer to Maine. And you¡¯ll go sailing.¡±


    ¡°You, too, asshole. I¡¯m trying to surprise her, and you¡¯re ruining my ns.¡± I threw a re at Ash.


    ¡°Sorry, boss. My bad.¡± I knew he wasn¡¯t sorry. He was grinning as he looked outside the window.


    ¡°Asshole.¡±


    We were almost twenty minutes flying. ¡°Look down, darling.¡± In this area, she would see ake


    surrounded by green forest.


    ¡°Wow.¡± I could see the amazement in her eyes. ¡°That¡¯s gorgeous from up here.


    ¡°Wait until you see the other side of Guardion. If you have San Valley Idaho, we also have Thorne


    Fulke. The best Skiing destination,¡± Ash said proudly.


    ¡°How is it possible you have like summer weather here, and the other is cold?¡±


    ¡°Remember when I told you about Levi?¡±


    Her eyes lit up. ¡°In Find? Yeah, and I didn¡¯t have a clue that you were already talking about your


    country. Why didn¡¯t you just tell me where you came from?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe I didn¡¯t want you to know me just yet. Usually, I didn¡¯t like the reaction when


    people found out who I was.¡±


    ¡°And you definitely got the oddest reaction ever, Your Highness,¡± Ash seconded.


    Kennedy smiled. Maybe she remembered how she ran away.


    ¡°Yeah, I usually expect an awe reaction followed by one thousand questions. But what I got from


    Kennedy was running away¡ªwhat did you say to my father? Your ass is on fire?¡±


    She burst outughing, so did Ash and Lud.


    ¡°Wait a minute, T. Did you just say she told your father like her ass on fire?¡± Ludughed out loud.


    ¡°Jesus, I wish I was there to see the reaction on Prince Isodore¡¯s face.¡±


    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t know what else to say. I was starstruck by his mother even if I already met her twice.


    Then the Prince was asking questions, and his sister was sting at Thayer. So here I was trying to


    save him from awkward moments.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s our girl. I still wanted to see the Prince¡¯s reaction, though.¡± Lud was stillughing.


    We touched down in the Pad at the Guardion Manor that was belonged to me, seated in a fifteen-acre


    The vehicles were already waiting for us. Kennedy and I shared the same car with Lud and Ash. The


    SUV they rented was only to avoid exposure to the public.


    I still had to take care of the little privacy Kennedy and I had before the announcement.


    Less than an hourter, we arrived at the private port. The yacht was waiting for us.


    Capt. Galen weed us aboard. I led Kennedy to our private room. She hadn¡¯t said a word since we


    boarded. Now she made me worry.


    ¡°Do you feel seasick?¡±


    She sat on the queen size bed with a velvet duvet. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve never been to the sea?¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Mom is from LA. I never went to a boat or a yacht like this. It¡¯s too luxurious for


    me, but I can swim.¡±


    ¡°Great. The deck up has a pool. We can swim there. Your luggage is pack with a swimsuit.¡±


    She suddenly went silent.


    ¡°What is it, darling?¡± I knelt in front of her.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± She looked down at me. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have experienced this if I didn¡¯t meet you.¡±


    ¡°We will have a lot more things to experience. I still consider skydiving with you.¡± I smiled wickedly.


    ¡°No way in hell I will jump off the ne. What if there¡¯s faulty in the parachute?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to pack another one.¡±


    ¡°It still doesn¡¯t make me feel better.¡±


    Before the sunset, we settled on the deck. Our drinks arrived. The two goons were in their floral blouse,


    pretending as if they were on the tropical Ind in Hawaii. My woman, however, was wearing red two-


    piece suits underneath her Kimono Bohemian covers.


    ¡°Beautiful,¡± she muttered as we watched the sunset.


    The ocean was so serene. It was refreshing. I, myself, didn¡¯t get a lot to have a vacation on my own


    due to tight schedules since my grandfather got ill. Even before, I only had holidays, the rest of the


    days, I was working.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you like it.¡±


    ¡°Even if we just spend at the back of the manor, I¡¯d enjoy it.¡± She sipped her Margarita. ¡°As long as you


    are with me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d love to take you out a lot if my schedule allows.¡±


    ¡°I understand. Don¡¯t worry. But thank you for taking me here.¡±


    ¡°Anything for you, darling.¡±


    ¡°Why do you keep calling me darling?¡± Her brows shot up, but there was an amusement brewing in her


    eyes.


    I grinned. ¡°It¡¯s how I want to call you.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s something behind it. Do you have someone you already called babe, baby, or maybe


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    sweetie?¡±


    Iughed out loud. ¡°I call you darling because it suits you. You can look up the meaning online.¡±


    ¡°I know what darling means.¡± She rolled her eyes.


    The water sshed from our left. Kennedy gasped beside me, her hand gripping around my arm.


    ¡°Yo!¡± it was Lud, yelling down the water.


    ¡°Oh, God! He¡¯s gonna freeze down there.¡±


    I leaned against the stainless rail. ¡°I doubt that. He¡¯s a diver and trained in hot and cold weather. One


    thing I¡¯m sure is his balls will freeze.¡±


    She shook tough beside me. ¡°I¡¯d love to hear him say that.¡±


    Ash followed, jumping down.


    ¡°Holy! Are they insane? How deep is that?¡± We watched the two idiots swim.


    ¡°Deep enough that the yacht doesn¡¯t dock.¡±


    ¡°Come on, Your Highness! I know you miss this!¡± It was tempting, but not a chance.


    ¡°I need my balls in good conditions. Sorry!¡±


    Kennedy hit me yfully as sheughed at my joke. ¡°You are so not the Duke I expected.¡±


    ¡°I know how to have some fun, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°You certainly does.¡± She pressed her lips against mine. I quickly respond to her kiss while the idiots


    were cheering at us.


    ¡°Pop the question already!¡± Lud yelled.


    I gave him my middle finger while I was kissing Kennedy, causing them tough even more. ¡°This is the


    most romantic date I had in my life.¡±


    ¡°So did I, my prince.¡±

 36

    36


    KENNEDY


    He¡¯s awesome.


    He could be asmitted as Prince Thayer in front of his people and could be as the free-spirited


    ordinary man beside me right now. He was flexible¡ªfrom a man who had a huge responsibility to a


    thoughtful friend to Lud and Ash.


    I¡¯d been watching him in awe. Everything he did made me admire him even more, and without a doubt,


    it had nothing to do with how I was madly in love with him that I couldn¡¯t see and think straight. Right


    now, he was the most adorable and my favorite person on earth.


    He was shaking in amusement as he watched his friends, yeah, his friends¡ªthose guys down the


    water who would take a bullet for him, not because they got paid hefty of money to protect him, but the


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    genuine care for him as his friends.


    ¡°Are your balls freezing already?¡± he yelled from the top of the deck.


    ¡°The water isn¡¯t cold, candy ass! Come on and jump already!¡± Lud had been convincing him to jump


    and join them. Thayer justughed and talked about frozen balls.


    ¡°You can go and join them. They seem to be having fun down there.¡±


    He shook his head again. ¡°Nah. I¡¯d love to be here beside you. I¡¯m having more fun watching those


    idiots like kids.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re getting softie and pussy-whipped, Your Highness!¡±


    ¡°Should I push him down?¡± I told Lud.


    ¡°Or you could jump together!¡± Ash suggested.


    ¡°I think I stay.¡± Iughed.


    ¡°Do you wanna go down and swim? I¡¯s stay on the deck and watch over you.¡±


    I looked at him. His eyes twinkled like those stars above us¡ªhe was ecstatic. So was I. ¡°No. I¡¯m kind of


    a pool girl.¡±


    ¡°You can go ahead. The water¡¯s temperature is warm.¡± He looked at the enticing pool.


    I drew a deep breath. ¡°Would you like to join me?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I will follow you.¡±


    I framed his face with my hands and kissed him loudly. ¡°Thank you. Seeing you this happy makes me


    happy.¡±


    ¡°You make me happy, darling.¡± He kissed me.


    ¡°Got to go. The pool is calling. I untied my kimono and showed him what he would be missing. I chose


    the two-piece red swimsuit. It was skimpy that barely covered my butt crack, but I loved it.


    Watching his eyes darken, hearing him groan, and knowing that he liked what he saw made my skin


    tingle. My inner thigh clenched the moment his gaze dropped down to his prize.


    I swayed my hips and walked with a huge grin on my face.


    I tested the temperature of the water. Thayer was right¡ªit was just perfect not to freeze me. I dipped


    into the water and swam¡ªit felt so good. My muscles rxed in the water. It had been a while since I


    had my vacation. I was so focused on my promotion. The thought of the work I left still made me sad. I


    thought of the brighter side¡ªmaybe something better nned for me. And I still believed it.


    After threeps, Iid back, allowing myself to float. I closed my eyes and blocked all those issues I left


    behind. I focused on the good things I had right now. I focused my attention on the man I loved.


    I pulled the string of my suits and swam to the edge. I wasn¡¯t an adventurous type of person, and I


    never put anything at risk, especially my work. Lately, I had questioned myself about the decisions I


    made. But as they said, you¡¯ve got to live the life how you wanted, not how people dictated you. And


    this was what I wanted right now.


    ¡°What the fuck are you doing?¡±


    I jolted up and followed my gaze towards the voice of Thayer. He was already getting in the pool with


    my swimsuits.


    ¡°Skinny-dipping?¡±


    ¡°Damn it, darling.¡± He looked up and searched for something.


    ¡°What are you looking up?¡± I looked up as well. I didn¡¯t see anything other than the most dazzling stars


    and clear night.


    ¡°You can¡¯t just take off your clothes and get naked. Put these back on,¡± he ordered and gave me my


    swimsuits.


    ¡°Why not? It''s not that the Captain and his crew are interested in me?¡± I reluctantly took my suits.


    ¡°I¡¯m not worried of them, Kennedy. They have signed NDAs and would never leak your naked photos


    and sell our story to the press. Now, please, put those on. As much as I love watching you naked, I


    won¡¯t share those gorgeous tits with anyone. Never.¡±


    I red at him. ¡°I¡¯m in the pool, for God¡¯s sake. Look out there? Who woulde and be a peeping


    tom?¡±


    His jaw ticked. He looked pissed. ¡°Look, my family has spent a lot of money to keep our image clean.


    Not only that, we hired people to protect us not only from possible assassinations, they are hired to


    make sure that nothing such indecent photos or videos would get to the press and social media as


    well.¡±


    ¡°So, you mean to say, I can ruin your clean te reputations, right?¡±


    His nose red as he walked away from me. ¡°Put that thing on. When Ie back, make sure you¡¯re


    fully dressed. I don¡¯t want more than anything but to let you enjoy, but you have to follow me.¡±


    ¡°Follow your bark, you mean. You¡¯re being an ass.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been called worse.¡±


    Frowning, I put my swimsuits back on. I was just enjoying it a while ago, and now, it was ruined


    because he was so paranoid.


    ¡°Ludovic! Ash! Get up in here and scan the area!¡± His order was like thunder in the storm.


    Why was he so pissed at me? Had something happened like this before?


    I sat on the lounge and sipped my drinks. When Ash and Lud climbed up, I decided to just call it a


    night. I went to our room, took a shower, and put my nightie on.


    I was brushing my hair when the door creaked open.


    ¡°Kennedy?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here.¡±


    Judging by the look on his face, he¡¯d noticed theck of energy in my voice. He sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t want to


    ruin your reputation. My life is¡ª¡± He sighed again. ¡°Difficult. It looks extravagant in the public eye, but


    trust me, I once wished to be just an ordinary man who could walk and drive a car freely, but this is me.


    Once we started dating¡ª¡± He paused. ¡°Look, Kennedy. I don¡¯t wanna tell you this because I don¡¯t want


    you to run away again. I can¡¯t take it and lose you, darling. But you have to understand certain things.


    Once the people officially know that we¡¯re dating, your life ispletely linked to mine. If I make


    mistake, it¡¯s yours too, especially when it has something to do with our rtionship.¡±


    ¡°I get it. I should protect your image and behave like a good woman¡ªa trophy girlfriend.¡±


    ¡°Jesus.¡± He squeezed his eyes shut. ¡°These past few days, our PR team had been gathering files


    online that the press might find a connection to you and me. Good thing you have been inactive in your


    social media ounts because there had been suspicions that you¡¯re the American girl who was on


    the picture during the g.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know it was such a big deal.¡± I put the brush down and linked my fingers on myp.


    ¡°Everything is a big deal, Kennedy. That¡¯s why I want you to be extra careful because, with just one bad


    press about you, your reputation would change forever. They¡¯ve already started their spections.


    Some thought positively. Some trolls say you¡¯re just a¡ª¡±


    ¡°A what?¡± I stared at him when he suddenly stopped.


    ¡°Nevermind.¡±


    ¡°No. I want to know.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, darling. What is important is you contemte what I said to you. All I care about is


    you. You¡¯re so important to me, and I can¡¯t just watch and listen to those people as they ruin your life.


    Do you understand me?¡±


    I watched him through blurry eyes.


    ¡°Damn it, Kennedy.¡± He shut his eyes closed when he struggled to express. I could feel him falling


    apart. When he opened them, his emotions were too much, they knifed straight to my heart. ¡°I love you.


    So fucking much I couldn¡¯t see straight. I couldn¡¯t think straight about everything if I made you


    unhappy.¡±


    For a fraction of moments, I thought I flew high. I blinked as I tried to process what he just said¡ª


    Thayer just confessed he loved me.


    Oh, my God.


    I stood up and cupped his face. His eyes filled so many pent-up emotions. I smashed my lips into his,


    kissed him hard, and poured everything I had. He kissed me back. We kissed like we were starved for


    each other.


    One moment I was angry at him for snapping at me, the next minute, I was kissing him. God, this was


    crazy¡ªbeautiful and fascinating kind of crazy.


    I ripped off his shirt, buttons flew and ttered on the floor. ¡°I want you,¡± I said into our lips as they


    glided and molded in a hungry kiss.


    ¡°I¡¯d been wanting to take you in that pool,¡± he replied, pushing down my nightie.


    ¡°What¡¯s stopping you?¡±


    ¡°Drone?¡±


    I pulled away, panting as I stared at him with wide eyes. ¡°What?¡±


    His lips were swollen red, and he was also catching my breath. ¡°Let me make love to you first. Once


    we¡¯re sated, then we¡¯ll continue talking about this.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That can wait,¡± I agreed.


    ¡°Get in bed, and spread those gorgeous legs for me. My prize. Those tits and that pussy are mine


    alone. For me to enjoy, to see, to touch, to eat, and to fuck. Do you understand me?¡±


    It was erotic to watch him as he pumped his hard-on while watching me as I spread my legs apart.


    ¡°So beautiful. Are you wet, darling? Does watching me turn you on?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s so hot, my prince.¡± I dragged my hand down to my mound, traced my throbbing clit, and moved


    my finger in circles. I dipped my finger into my heat and showed him how wet I was for him.


    ¡°Fuck me.¡± He was there standing while pumping his cock, in an instant, he was hovering over me,


    thrusting his length inside me.

 37

    37


    THAYER


    There is it.


    The big three words. The letter L word. Finally, out of my chest.


    I just confessed that I loved Kennedy. My woman, the only person who embedded my heart, my body,


    and soul.


    Not exactly the reaction I was expecting. Most women would say the letter L-word back, but I knew


    Kennedy was not those most women. I wasn¡¯t worried. Not at all because what we shared was more


    than just logic-defying chemistry. It was more than sex. What we shared was everything.


    She just came, screaming my name. Her cheeks were red, her body flushed with orgasm. Yet here she


    was, on top of me as she showered me with kisses, licking my nipples, grinding her heat into my


    growing cock.


    ¡°I want you again,¡± she said without a shame in her body. I loved her even more.


    ¡°Take me however you want, my love.¡±


    She smiled, biting her lip before she lifted her ass, position my cock into her entrance. Then she took


    me all in.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I said, gritting my teeth.


    ¡°Oh, God!¡± She threw her head back, eyes-rolling. She looked magnificent. How could I be so lucky to


    have Kennedy? I didn¡¯t even deserve her generosity, but I would take whatever she offered to me.


    She raised, releasing me. Then slowly, she sat on me again. The process was maddening. It made me


    throb in ecstasy. I watched as she sunk into my cock inch by inch until she reached the root. It was so


    hot. My spine started to tingle.


    A sudden relief enveloped me.


    I felt I belonged.


    I felt that I belonged to someone¡ªto Kennedy.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    I felt her like my home.


    She moved on top of me, plunging me in so deep. My muscles began to tighten. I met her in the


    middle, pushing my cock forward. An ecstatic cry filled in the room.


    I held her hips as my thrust sped up. ¡°Touch yourself, darling. I¡¯m so close.¡±


    She started mping around me, writhing and moaning.


    My cock began to thicken. ¡°Open your eyes and look at me. Touch your nipples for me. Pinch them,


    darling.¡±


    She brought her hands to her breasts, and I nearly came. She looked so hot, pleasuring herself while


    her zing eyes were staring back at me.


    As soon as I pressed my thumb into her clit, she cried in ecstatic bliss. Her inner walls spasmed around


    my cock as she came around me.


    My skin tingled, my balls tightening. My cock throbbed, hardened than rock. Then I came¡ª the most


    explosive climax I could remember.


    I cuddled her in my arms with the most calming¡ªserenity surrounded us. Her head in the crook of my


    neck, her breathing was even.


    ¡°Hungry?¡±


    ¡°I could use some food.¡±


    She held me when I was about to get up. ¡°Later. Let¡¯s talk about what we left before your¡ªum.¡±


    I looked down. She was biting her bottom lip again. ¡°Look at me.¡±


    She tilted her head, meeting my gaze.


    ¡°That was not an emotion-induced confession. I always meant everything¡ªevery word I said to you.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± She dropped her gaze down to my chest.


    ¡°Well, that doesn¡¯t sound good.¡± My heart pounded. I got this feeling that she was going to see


    something I might not going to like.


    She then took my hand. With her eyes closed, she pressed it against her lips and let go a shuddering


    breath. ¡°You meant everything to me, too.¡±


    ¡°God, I love you, Kennedy.¡± I kissed the top of her head. My emotions were all over the ce. I¡¯d never


    confessed my love to anyone, and it was kind of frightening and fascinating at the same time. Watching


    how she reacted, I felt like I was the luckiest man on earth. She may haven¡¯t said it back, but deep in


    my heart, I knew she had deep feelings for me too.


    ¡°About the drone?¡±


    ¡°Some people used drones to video and take pictures of us. That¡¯s why I was worried. All I care about


    is for your own good. I don¡¯t wanna have regrets for not doing my best to protect you. Even if we¡¯re


    here in the middle of the ocean, nothing¡¯s impossible with technology nowadays.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was bitching with you.¡±


    ¡°No worries. Ash and Lud had scanned the area, and it¡¯s clear. It¡¯s better to be a little paranoid than


    sorry.¡±


    ¡°Luck is on my side tonight, I guess. I¡¯ll be cautious next time.¡±


    ¡°Now we talked about the elephant in the room. Let me feed you.¡±


    She wore the robe back before she went to the bathroom.


    I watched her look at herself in the mirror. ¡°You don¡¯t have to look at yourself. You¡¯re beautiful. Your


    mole on your back is pretty.¡± I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her neck while she was


    watching me. ¡°Do you know what voyeur means?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a French for the watcher. Some people enjoy watching someone having sex. It turns them on.¡±


    ¡°Wow. Do you?¡±


    ¡°I enjoyed watching you, even while you were touching yourself.¡±


    Her cheeks flushed as she rolled her eyes. ¡°You know what I mean.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not into a voyeur. I once tried visiting a VIP sex club.¡± The word sex club or me visiting made her


    body rigid. ¡°Rx. It was just for the experience. I just turned twenty-one. I had enough sexual


    experience at that time, but I was more curious about kink and those kinds of stuff.¡±


    ¡°How was your experience?¡±


    Smirking, I watched her reaction closely. ¡°It was wild, refreshing, and overwhelming.¡±


    ¡°Wow. Have you tried?¡±


    ¡°I think you don¡¯t wanna know.¡±


    ¡°Actually, I do,¡± she replied excitedly, but deep inside, I knew she was jealous and felt insecure as if she


    ¡°It was just sex, darling. With toys and kink. Too wild for you to watch. Have you watched porn?¡±


    Her cheek burned.


    ¡°I take that as a yes. It¡¯s something like that. But no camera, no scripts, and definitely no cuts. They


    study and practice it to make sure they won¡¯t hurt their partners. They enjoy it. I think there¡¯s nothing


    wrong with that. It¡¯s how they enjoy sex.¡±


    ¡°You did not answer my question.¡±


    ¡°Yes. That was years ago.¡±


    ¡°Do you wanna try it again?¡±


    I looked at her closely. What was she up to? ¡°With you, of course. But I won¡¯t allow any men touching


    you. Ever. Unless you request it, and if that¡¯s what you want.¡±


    ¡°So you never tried with a man?¡± She swallowed hard. Her eyes were bewildered. It turned her on


    when talking about wild sex. I could see it now.


    Iughed out loud. ¡°No. And I haven¡¯t, and I have no n fucking a man.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Whatever.¡±


    ¡°What interests you, Kennedy? Are you curious?¡±


    ¡°Curious, yes.¡± I liked it when she was honest with herself.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll take you there.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± She turned to face me. Her eyes said no, but her body said differently.¡±


    ¡°Nothing to embarrass about. I want to satisfy your curiosity.¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t want you to get in trouble because of my stupid curiosity. I¡¯d rather watch porn.¡± She walked


    towards the bed and sat there.


    ¡°I want to give you everything. And that includes¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just drop it. No sex club and no porn talks anymore.¡±


    My smile widened. ¡°My offer still stands and has no expiration date.¡±


    ¡°Just feed me for now.¡± She came to me and kissed my lips. ¡°I¡¯m beyond satisfied with your mouth,


    your tongue, your hands and fingers, and of course, your big cock. Okay?¡±


    ¡°d to know you¡¯re fond of my body,¡± I smirked.


    She rolled her eyes to shut my smirk off. ¡°Don¡¯t be humble. It¡¯s fine to eptpliments. And I forgot


    to mention your perfect ass.¡±


    I startled. She just pped my ass. ¡°So you like spanking, huh?¡±


    ¡°I watched Fifty Shades of Grey. That¡¯s how I got curious, but it¡¯s nothing but curiosity. I guess I don¡¯t


    have a partner I trust enough to let him tie me while he does something to me.¡±


    My heart swelled for her confession. And the fact that she was curious enough, yet none of her


    boyfriends she trusted that much, I felt relieved and lucky that she opened up to me.


    ¡°One of these days, I will tie you and make you beg for me to make youe. Unless you don¡¯t trust


    me enough.¡±


    Seeing her smile was enough. My love Kennedy trusted me. I had earned it back.


    I pulled her into my arms, closed my eyes to relish this moment, and hugged her tight. ¡°Marry me.¡±

 38

    38


    THAYER


    Marry me.


    Those two words. Two powerful words echoed in my head. Yes, I¡¯d nned on proposing to her over


    our dinner.


    Was I overwhelmed? Yes, because I loved her so much it hurt. But I was in my most vulnerable


    moment, and my n just crumbled over my head. Maybe we were both in a euphoric state after all.


    ¡°What?¡± Sucking in a sharp gasp, she pulled away from my arms, hit me on his chest, and frowned.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you full of surprises? What else do you keep up your sleeve? You can¡¯t tell me you love me and


    ask me to marry you at the same time. That¡¯s ridiculous¡ª¡±


    ¡°Kennedy.¡± My tone was almost a beg.


    ¡°Wait. Are you serious? You can¡¯t be. Oh, my God!¡± she started babbling.


    ¡°Darling, I love you, and there¡¯s nothing more I wanted in my life than to be with you. To be your


    husband.¡± I was about to be on my knee when she put that to an end.


    ¡°Stop! You¡¯re not thinking straight. We just had our moments and¡ª¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t believe in marriage?¡±


    Her eyes widened. ¡°Of course, I do, but this is wrong. This is all fucked up, Thayer.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t believe that I love you enough that I want to marry you.¡±


    She squeezed her eyes shut, pinching the bridge of her nose. ¡°It¡¯s not that.¡±


    ¡°Then what is it, Kennedy?¡± I tried to get closer to her, but she stepped back.


    With haunted eyes, she shook her head. Sorrow and worry line on her face.


    My heart ached. Deep inside, I was dying.


    My stomach twisted.


    I swallowed down the clog in my throat. The room felt eerily quiet as we stared at each other.


    ¡°I see.¡± My voice cracked. Tears in my eyes nearly rolled down. I nodded not in understanding but


    misery.


    I found myself on the deck, recalling what had just happened. I gripped the handlebar, hoping it helped


    keep me on my feet. My chest squeezed tightly. It was my fault that I rushed everything.


    My stomach knotted further. How would I exin it to her? How would I make her understand?


    ¡°T?¡±


    I sighed deeply, raking my fingers through my hair before I turned to face Ash.


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± He saw something on my features that made him sigh.


    ¡°I proposed to Kennedy.¡±


    He blinked before his face split into a smile. ¡°Congrattions!¡±


    ¡°She turned me down,¡± I added.


    ¡°What? Why? What happened?¡± He looked distraught.


    I shook my head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I think she doesn¡¯t love me. That¡¯s all I could think about. Or it¡¯s too


    early. I just said I love her, and she didn¡¯t say it back.¡± I blew out a breath. ¡°But there¡¯s something more


    to it that I couldn¡¯t put my finger on. I swear the way she reacted. She seemed not too surprised that I


    would propose to her.¡±


    ¡°Talk to her. Make things right.¡±


    ¡°You two are fighting again?¡±


    I looked at Lud about to join us. ¡°No. I think it¡¯s the end of everything.¡±


    ¡°Hey. Don¡¯t ever say something like that.¡± Ash gripped my shoulder.


    ¡°I need a drink,¡± Lud announced, pouring us whiskey into sses and offered us the liquid amber.


    I chugged down, ignoring the burning sensation running down my throat. I badly needed that. ¡°More.¡±


    ¡°Tell me what happened.¡±


    I joined them in the lounge, and now I had to tell the worst part of the story. ¡°After we had an amazing


    sex¡ª¡±


    ¡°Man, TMI. Past forward.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so I told her I love her, and sheunched into me and kissed me¡ª¡±


    ¡°Without the kissing and sex part,¡± Ash interrupted me again. ¡°Drink this. Your emotions are all over the


    air, making us hard to breathe.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for listening and for being here, or I might end up jumping off this yacht and drowned myself.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re your friends, T. Your brothers in crime.¡±


    ¡°I realized that she trusts me back. It all happened so fast.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you like nning all this proposal?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I was supposed to propose over dinner, but then it got dyed. So I just asked her to marry me.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, man, if it didn¡¯t go as you nned.¡±


    ¡°Something is off. I can feel it in my bones.¡± I wanted to pull my hair out. Nothing seemed to make any


    sense.


    ¡°I could only think of one reason. It¡¯s too early for Kennedy. Her life is changing drastically, and she isn¡¯t


    done adjusting to her new life,¡± Ash said.


    ¡°But time is crucial on T¡¯s side,¡± Lud agreed.


    ¡°Yeah, about that. Does she have any idea?¡±


    I stared at Ash until reality hit me hard in my chest. ¡°Fuck!¡± I rose to my feet and scream. ¡°Fuck!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± they asked in unison.


    ¡°My father.¡± I raked my fingers through my hair, pulling it. I turned around to face them. ¡°Remember


    when she met my father over dinner?¡±


    They nodded.


    ¡°Yeah. And?¡± Ash listened attentively.


    ¡°My father had one on one with her, and she came out of the study, crying. What if¡ª?¡±


    ¡°Your father told her about thew and the title,¡± Ash added.


    ¡°That makes sense. Maybe your father told her that you could lose your birthright to your cousin if you


    wouldn¡¯t get married after the passing of the King.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡± I rubbed the back of my neck when the pieces of the puzzle had finally ced back together.


    ¡°That¡¯s why she¡¯d been acting weird, reading those books¡ªfuck!¡± I threw my hands in the air.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯re smart, you dumb, idiot.¡± Ludughed out loud. ¡°Your woman just outsmarted you. For


    the first time in the history of Thayer Camren of Guardion.¡±


    ¡°But if she knew that you were gonna lose your birthright if she didn¡¯t ept your marriage proposal?


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    You¡¯re missing the big picture here, T.¡±


    I looked at Ash in confusion. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Again, you¡¯re not being honest with her.¡±


    ¡°I am.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you love her, you opened up to her, but you haven¡¯t told her why you went to the States.¡±


    ¡°Fuck. You¡¯re right. Jesus.¡± I sat back down, rubbing my face. ¡°I was too caught up making up to her. I


    missed the most crucial ground.


    ¡°It¡¯s not toote. She¡¯s just right there, in the room.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re chickening out now that you know the reason why she turned you down.¡± Lud


    sped my shoulder.


    ¡°Fuck no. I would never back down.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s our friend. Go ahead, win your woman back. Don¡¯te out until you settle it out,¡± Ash urged.


    Their words of encouragement were all I needed. I rose to my feet, determined to fix all my mess up.


    I entered the room. Kennedy was in bed, lying on her side, half of her body covered with a duvet.


    Joined in bed with her, she stirred. ¡°My father told you. That¡¯s why you were crying when you walked


    out of the study. When I asked you, you said nothing. You knew also why I went to the States. Yet, you


    didn¡¯t run away. Why?¡± I held her arm.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stand the thought of you losing your birthright that you have been working hard to earn it. You


    deserve it. Everything you have right now, people¡¯s respect, your family, and your friend¡¯s respect and


    admiration, it¡¯s not because you are your father¡¯s son. You earned them. I can¡¯t also let them arrange a


    woman for you when you can choose on your own. I just don¡¯t understand why you chose me of all


    those women.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡±


    She rose and sat on the bed. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°I want you to know when I said I love you it came from my heart. Thews, birthright, and marriage


    have nothing to do with my feelings for you. It has nothing to do with my quest of finding a woman to be


    my wife. I was drawn to you the moment you were in Aunt Alessia¡¯s office. She warned me not to


    pursue it because you are her best employee, but I didn¡¯t listen. In my heart, I know how it ends. You


    would be my life partner, or I wouldn¡¯t have and die alone.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±


    ¡°Because you know how ridiculous it would sound.¡±


    She shook her head, lying back down. ¡°You promised not to keep things from me anymore, but you


    missed, or you purposely hid this crucial information from me. I¡¯ve waited, Thayer. I¡¯ve waited.¡±

 39

    39


    KENNEDY


    Princess Carlott Better Food for Better Learning Foundation. Its mission was to ensure to have


    nutritious food for these beautiful abandoned and special children.


    This foundation was too personal and close to her heart. I got it why. Just by watching how these


    children with special needs rushed towards her to wrap their little arms around the Princess¡¯ legs, it


    melted my heart.


    She was born with privilege, yet she chose to help these angels over other charities.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You care for them. You¡¯re not only here to fulfill your duty. They have a ce in your heart, Princess.


    Again, you surprise me.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Her smile reached her eyes. ¡°Most people don¡¯t look at me the way you just did.¡±


    ¡°You deserve better recognition, but it doesn¡¯t matter to you. You help these kids from your heart.¡±


    ¡°Correct. Kids are innocent little angels. They don¡¯t deserve to be deserted or carry the hardship in life.


    They are too young to feel the burden of this world. The rest I could do is help. Since I¡¯ve been given


    this chance, I grabbed it. So here we are. My brother helped and supported me in founding this. Until


    now, this is close to his heart, too. Since you¡¯re with me, he told me he¡¯d left this to his girls.¡±


    A smile broke out from my lips. At the same time, a pang twisted in my chest.


    Yesterday, we went back home in silence. We didn¡¯t talk about that topic again.


    He respected my silence, and I gave him the peace he needed. He left the manor with nothing but a


    kiss on my cheek, and the words have fun.


    I felt guilty for not epting his proposal when I already made a promise to his father that I would help


    his son secure his birthright.


    In all honestly, I was overwhelmed. Thayer didn¡¯t have to propose to me for the sake of formality. If he


    wanted to marry me for one purpose, I would willingly say I do. He didn¡¯t have to hassle saying he


    loved me and proposed to me at the same time.


    I knew he loved me, I had no doubt, but marriage? I didn¡¯t think so.


    ¡°You okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°You zoned out for a while.¡±


    ¡°Your brother proposed to me?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Her eyes widened. She looked surprised, like genuinely stunned. Then she looked down at


    fingers on both hands. ¡°Where¡¯s the ring¡± She even took and checked my hands.


    ¡°I turned him down.¡± I shrugged wryly.


    ¡°What? Why?¡± Her brows knitted together. The room fell quiet. We settled back to the table they


    prepared for us with wildflowers arrangement, so beautiful.


    ¡°I know about thew and his birthright.¡±


    ¡°And you think he proposed for the reason of securing his birthright?¡± She shook her head. ¡°You


    misunderstood everything, Kennedy. My brother must be so devastated. I will call him after this. Oh,


    brother.¡± She sighed with deep sadness pooling in her eyes.


    ¡°What else is there?¡±


    ¡°Seriously? My brother loves you. He may have done some desperate measures, but if he wants to


    marry you, it¡¯s because he loves you.¡± She groaned in dismay.


    ¡°Howe he doesn¡¯t have an idea about what we talked about with your father?¡± Oh, no. I suddenly


    remembered the video call of their father with my parents and the dowry.


    ¡°Daddy will tell him when everything¡¯s arranged and ready.¡±


    ¡°What if the King will wake up?¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯s great. Everything will be back to normal. But trust me, Thayer will still propose again, with or


    without the terms, or even if the King would run a mile.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have to propose to me. I made a promise to your father that I will help Thayer.¡±


    ¡°Then why torture my brother?¡±


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t want him to expect something more.¡±


    She shook her head in annoyance. ¡°Jeez. You¡¯re aplicated woman. You love my brother. Deny all


    you want, but you love him as much as he loves you. Why not get married, enjoy each other and have


    fun making babies? Nothing isplicated about that if you love the man who proposed to you.¡±


    I nodded, seeming her words had sunk in. When she started bidding goodbye to the staff and


    organizers, I went out ahead of her to clear my head.


    The details were ready outside the car. I drew a deep breath. Still, my chest was heavy even after my


    conversation with Carlott.


    ¡°Hi, can I ask you a question?¡± thedy reporter approached suddenly. I didn¡¯t know where she came


    from. In a second, she was right in front of me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I gave her a small smile.


    ¡°Miss, just one quick question. What¡¯s your rtionship with the Royal family?¡± a reporter in ck-


    rimmed sses asked.


    Then rushes andmotion caught me off guard as the reporters started shoving mics, recorders, and


    phones into my face. I felt like I was a deer caught in the headlights. What Thayer told me in the yacht


    came shing into my head.


    With my heart in my throat, I tried to get away from them. One of the details whispered to me to rx


    while he blocked the reporters from throwing questions at me.


    ¡°Come on, give us something. The people are dying to know more about you. You¡¯re an American in


    the picture, right? The Cindere in a blue dress?¡±


    Wait. What are they talking about?


    ¡°How did you meet Princess Carlott? Are you two close?¡±


    ¡°Are you and Prince Thayer dating?¡±


    Damn it. No matter how the bodyguard tried to push them away, they kept on asking questions. Once I


    reached the car, I stopped and took a deep breath.


    ¡°Guys, why don¡¯t you ask something relevant to the foundations of Princess Carlott. Her future projects,


    her ns for the holidays. Ask something appropriate. Come on.¡± I stared at their faces. ¡°None? Then


    I¡¯m not answering any more questions. You can ask them during their press conference.¡± I held the


    door ready for me when a man in a thick ent called me by miss made me pause.


    ¡°Are you banging the Prince?¡±


    I froze dead in my tracks. I shivered. At the same time, I felt the rush of adrenaline in my head, my face


    burning. I turned around and searched for that man. The redhead guy was grinning.


    ¡°What was your question? And your name is?¡± I tipped my head. My brow arched. I was shaking with


    anger, but I kept my poise.


    ¡°Are you banging Prince Thayer? It¡¯s Conor.¡±


    ¡°Conor, you have the guts to put the words you, banging, and Prince Thayer together in one sentence.


    You just disrespected the Prince to get my attention. Now listen to me while you still have a job. You


    won¡¯t disrespect Prince Thayer. You can write or post anything about me because I have nothing to


    hide. Prince Thayer is one of the hard-working members of the royal family. He works hard day and


    night to prove to these people that he¡¯s not just a pretty face prince. He has privileges, yes, but for


    years, he¡¯d proven that he deserves a little recognition that he never asks. He deserves a little respect


    from all of you. What does he do during his free time? It¡¯s none of your business. He deserves a little


    privacy in his personal time. He¡¯s single, and there¡¯s nothing wrong to have the fun while he¡¯s off duty.


    He¡¯s human like you. He¡¯s just a man. At his age? He¡¯d fulfill so many things, solved conflicts, built


    something for these young generations. He¡¯d aplished something bigger, and it¡¯s not because


    he¡¯s born with a golden spoon, but he worked hard. Now, if you have nothing to say something right,


    you won¡¯t use bang in Prince Thayer¡¯s name.¡±


    Once I was in the car, I held my breath. I just realized what I did. ¡°I screwed up. God, I just screwed up


    big time.¡±


    The driver who would send me back to the manor just smiled at me through the rearview mirror. What I


    just did was damaging. I lost control, and I just ruined everything Thayer had worked hard for, including


    his image.


    As soon as the car parked, I ran inside towards my room. I was still shaking.


    I didn¡¯t know what to do. My tears kept streaming. I wiped away, but they kept rolling down.


    I would be paying the consequences of my actions, but Thayer didn¡¯t deserve these. I sniffed back the


    tears. I sobbed impatiently, opening the closet. I grabbed the old clothes I wore when they kidnapped


    me. Then I threw them to the bed. Then I cried again.


    ¡°Kennedy?¡±


    I jumped, yelped, hand on my chest. Then there he was, the most beautiful man I¡¯d ever seen, staring


    at me with brows knitted in confusion.¡ªthe man I just ruined his reputation.


    ¡°Darling, are you okay?¡± He took calcted steps closer to me.


    ¡°Don¡¯te closer.¡± I raised my hand to stop him. ¡°I messed up,¡± I said between sobs.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why are you crying?¡± His voice was thick with sorrow.


    I sniffed. ¡°I now realized what you said to me.¡± My voice grew weaker.


    ¡°Jesus, what¡¯s going on? Why in the hell do you keep crying? And you don¡¯t make any sense.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going home. You don¡¯t have to kick me out. I¡¯m going home, Thayer. I¡¯m so sorry. I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not leaving me again, Kennedy.¡± He took the leap, closed the gap between us, and wrapped his


    arms around me. ¡°I¡¯d rather end my life than living alone without you.¡±


    ¡°You should be mad at me for what I did earlier. I¡¯m so sorry. I messed it up.¡± I curled my arms around


    him as I sobbed in his chest. I needed to feel him even for thest time.


    God, I love him.


    ¡°Earlier? What are you talking about?¡± He pulled away, cupped my face, wiped the hair off, and


    pressed his lips on my forehead. ¡°You mean when you stood up for me from that son of a bitch? You


    called that messed up? No woman had ever stood up for me like that. You even made me prouder,


    darling. And I didn¡¯t know you¡¯ve been checking out my obligation. I¡¯m touched. And I want to make


    love to you right now, my love.¡±


    I blinked away the blurry off my sight. ¡°You¡¯re not mad?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± He popped the word nope and shook his head. ¡°Why would I when my woman just defended


    me from those gossip-greedy assholes.¡±


    I let go of a shuddering breath and looked down. ¡°But I just crossed the line. You¡¯ve just reminded me


    yesterday that I should be careful. One mistake could ruin everything. And people are watching every


    move you make.¡±


    ¡°I remembered saying those.¡± He kissed me on my lips. ¡°Stop crying. It breaks my heart seeing you like


    this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. It won¡¯t happen again.¡±


    ¡°Oh, it will. We will make mistakes along the way. As long as we have each other¡¯s back, it won¡¯t


    matter. We¡¯re strong together, Kennedy. And we would be stronger once we get married.¡±


    ¡°I remember turning you down.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll take it back because I won¡¯t stop proposing until it stuck in your head, and you¡¯ll get fed up


    rejecting me.

 40

    40


    THAYER


    Jesus.


    I couldn¡¯t watch her crying like that. It broke my heart. I wished she knew how I felt while I watched how


    she proudly answered that asshole.


    I was grinning the whole time. The people behind me wereughing their ass out when the camera


    focused on the tabloid reporter. I felt terrible for him, but he got his first warning.


    I drew her into my arms and pressed a warm kiss to her lips. ¡°We¡¯re gonna have ups and downs. Our


    lives wouldn¡¯t just be rainbows and unicorns, darling. But as long as we have each other¡¯s, no storms


    we can¡¯t ovee.¡±


    Sighing contentedly, she draped her arm around my waist, her leg over mine. ¡°I¡¯m scared.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to. I will always be right by your side. I promise. We may fight over something or


    disagree, but we just have to trust each other.¡±


    ¡°I mean, I was scared that¡¯s why I turned you down.¡±


    I lifted her chin. ¡°Look at me, Kennedy.¡±


    She obeyed. Her eyes were still red.


    ¡°I know, my love. So do I. I¡¯m scared. I¡¯m terrified to fail you, to fail the people who believe in me, those


    people to trust their future, this country, the responsibility they rely on me. I¡¯m always scared, but


    knowing they have my back, that¡¯s how I work and do what I do every day. I can¡¯t let them down. But


    you can¡¯t let that fear hold back your dreams, your ns. You have to fight it, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°Now, let me make it up to you.¡±


    I slipped my hand through the opening of her dress and kneaded her breast. Her nipple reacted quickly


    against my touch as if it recognized me.


    She gasped as I pinched her nipple, her lids fluttering closed.


    ¡°Get naked and spread your legs wide for me. I want to see these tits and my ripe pussy.¡±


    A dreamy smile spread across her face. ¡°You¡¯re so lewd for a prince.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m everything you want me to be, my love.¡±


    In just a few seconds, I was standing naked at the bottom of the bed, and she just dramatically dropped


    thest piece of garments down the floor.


    My cock jerked.


    Kennedy shuddered as I drew her peak nipple into my mouth, sucking, nibbling, and tugging it between


    my teeth while I pinched the other. She hissed in pleasure.


    More desires jetted through me, my balls tightening, my cock throbbing.


    Slowly, I ran my fingers down her abdomen and stopped just above her pulsing clit. Her little breaths


    caught. The way she whimpered as I feathery touch her protruding nub between her wet folds was


    killing me.


    ¡°Why do I feel this is revenge?¡± She sank her teeth on her bottom lip.


    ¡°Do you feel like it, darling?¡± I dipped my finger into her lips. The smell of her arousal made my mouth


    water. My cock hardened like granite. She thrust her hips forward impatiently.


    ¡°Just give me back my toy, and I can help myself,¡± she said between pants.


    Iughed out loud. ¡°Not a chance, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°Enjoying this much, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Nah. I just love watching how you react to my touch.¡± I kissed her thigh, down to her silky leg. When I


    reached the inner thigh of her other leg, I sunk my teeth and sucked the skin until it almost drew blood.


    A long moan filled the room.


    ¡°I¡¯d love to hear you moan once I settle my head between your thighs, my mouth on your pussy.¡±


    Instantly, I dropped my nose, nuzzling in her drenched heat, inhaling her musky sweet scent.


    She rewarded me with another long moan, whimpering against my grip.


    ¡°Should I lick you dry first, or use my cock to make youe? I could do both, but you have to choose


    which one do you want me to do to you first.¡± I parted her wet folds. She was slicked with her wetness.


    Her engorged clit was begging to be sucked.


    ¡°Eat me first,¡± she replied restlessly.


    ¡°Good choice, darling.¡± With a hungry grin, I held her thighs tight, ttened my tongue, andpped her


    sweetness from down to her clit. She gasped and bucked forward. Her vor exploded in my tastebud.


    I captured her pussy into my mouth like I sucked a ripe fruit, not wasting a drop.


    In a matter of seconds, she squirmed, thrusting her hips into my face. She jerked as she came into my


    mouth.


    ***


    ¡°I think I¡¯m changing my mind.¡± Her breathing quickened as she squeezed my hand, scanning the


    reception area of the sex club I brought her to satisfy her fantasy.


    She was wearing a deep low cut backless gown. I told her earlier to never removed her mask to protect


    our identities. This was an exclusive sex club, but I had to keep my reputation clean.


    ¡°We¡¯re here already. Once we¡¯re done visiting exhibitions, we¡¯re out of here.¡± Just in the reception, it


    already smelled sex, kink, and wild. ¡°And remember what I said. We keep our anonymity.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    I held her hand, squeezing it, drawing circles around her thumb to make her rx because her body


    was so tense. As we climbed upstairs, there was no going back.


    There were several rooms with different kinks¡ªa room with ss walls for everyone who enjoyed


    voyeur. The moans, ps, groans started to get louder.


    Kennedy¡¯s hand tightened around me. We stopped in one of the rooms. We were free to watch. Some


    VIP rooms were intended for those very private patrons.


    She gasped beside me as she watched two men watching the woman¡¯s spread out without mercy, tied


    both arms to the side, her legs spread wide apart while the machine was pounding into her at the rated


    speed. The two men were pumping their dicks in front of the woman, moaning in pleasure.


    We moved to another room. This one was like one of the scenes in the porn film. The man pounded the


    woman from behind while another man was stuffing his dick into her mouth.


    The room from my right had the loudest moan. I ced my hand on Kennedy¡¯s small back¡ªher skin


    was warm. Her neck flushed even in the dim-lit room. Her chest in constant heaved. Watching kinky


    kinds of stuff turned her on.


    The scene was a threesome¡ªtwo men and a woman. They must be lovers. Judging by the way the big


    man cuddled the woman, they trusted each other. The man beneath was wrapping his arms securely


    around his woman. His hands were around her tits while his dick was in her ass. Then the second man


    was pounding into her pussy.


    ¡°I think we¡¯re done here. I¡¯ve seen enough.¡± She pulled me out of the room.


    Once we were out, I held her and caged her against the wall. ¡°It¡¯s okay to feel turn-on. It¡¯s normal to get


    the reaction because you¡¯re sexually active.¡± I pressed my cock against her. ¡°Feel this? I thought of you


    while watching those guys.¡±


    ¡°I wanna go home,¡± she whispered to me. She was slightly shaking, but I could smell her arousal even


    from afar.


    ¡°Okay, darling. If that¡¯s what you want.¡±


    ¡°I wanna get out of here.¡±


    Our ride home was silent. She kept her gaze outside the window, but I knew those images she saw


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    earlier kept repeating in her head. I had the same experience when I first visited that ce.


    Once we arrived back at the manor, she went directly to the bathroom. I followed her. She was staring


    at her reflection in the mirror.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I made you ufortable.¡± I kissed the side of my head.


    ¡°That was¡­insane.¡± She breathed out.


    ¡°I know. I just wanted to satisfy your curiosity.¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s not my scene, maybe because I¡¯d like to keep my sexual activity in private.¡±


    ¡°So do I, my love.¡± I wrapped my arms around her waist. "I¡¯ve seen sexual activity, but nothing more


    satisfying than with you. What did you think of what you saw?¡±


    She met my gaze in the mirror.


    ¡°Honest answer, please?¡±


    ¡°The first one. Why¡¯d she prefer that thing?¡± Her brows furrowed.


    ¡°She enjoys dicks, but she also enjoys toys and watching those guys turns her on more.¡±


    She wrinkled her nose. ¡°That was wild. The second. I don¡¯t like it.¡±


    ¡°How about the third one?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t imagine myself stuffed with two guys.¡± After those words came out of her mouth, sheughed


    out freely, hitting me on my arm. ¡°You¡¯re so weird.¡±


    ¡°Did they turn you on?¡± I let my hand travel to the slit of her gown. ¡°Should I check it to believe if what I


    see is true?¡±


    ¡°I felt embarrassed because something has crossed my mind. What if I was in those positions.¡±


    ¡°And it turned you on?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Good answer. Now let me give relief to that ache.¡±

 41

    41


    KENNEDY


    Learning his sexual experience frightened me. My insecurities fluctuated. Watching those exhibitionists


    exploring their desires,fortable in their own skin, and their way of life had me question my own


    sexuality.


    Was I enough for Thayer? Knowing how far he would go to satisfy my needs, my curiosity, as he said,


    my fantasy, I loved him even more. What if one day, he would ask for something more? What if I


    couldn¡¯t give what he wanted?


    I woke up to an empty bed. Since we were back together, he shared my bed. We didn¡¯t have any


    arrangements, but having him every night made me feel content.


    Judging by the time on my nightstand, I expected he left work already. Once I was done to look myself


    satisfactory, I went down and met Ash with his cup of coffee in his grasp.


    ¡°Morning.¡± He was always kind, even if he looked like he could snap me in half effortlessly.


    ¡°Morning. You¡¯re still here?¡±


    ¡°Big boss is still in the study.¡±


    My brow arched. ¡°Why?¡±


    He smiled. ¡°You should ask him that.¡±


    ¡°And your partner in crime?¡± I asked about Lud.


    ¡°In a phone conversation.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll check him in the study.¡±


    I left when he nodded with a smile. Considering I was an ounder, they were overprotective over


    Thayer. Ash and Lud always treated me right, though, despite my bad girl behavior, and it made me


    Before I could knock, one of the security details named Darren greeted me and opened the door for


    me.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I walked towards my man. He was busy scouring stacks of documents on his desk. Marko


    was standing beside him with a tablet in his hand, pointing his pen on the lines of papers.


    ¡°Good morning. Wrong timing?¡±


    My man already looked splendid in his ivory single-button jacket as he snapped his gaze at me. He


    smiled¡ªhis smile alone could make me wet. ¡°Right on time.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re working home today?¡± I walked closer until I reached his desk.


    He rose from his seat and kissed me on my lips. ¡°I¡¯m leaving in thirty. I¡¯m only waiting for you to get


    down.¡±


    ¡°Then why nobody went up to get me up early?¡±


    ¡°I told them not to. Arina will be here shortly. She¡¯s running an errand for me.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have enough men to run an errand for you?¡±


    He smiled mischievously.


    ¡°Am I missing something?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re protective over Arina?¡±


    ¡°Like you are to your guys. I actually don¡¯t have the right to question how you order anyone in your


    payroll. I¡¯m just curious what¡¯s that all about. I apologize.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize, darling. Marko, can I have a moment with Kennedy? Tell them to ready the car.¡±


    Marko nodded. ¡°Of course, Your Highness, Miss Gilby.¡±


    Once the door shut behind Marko, Thayer rounded to cup my face and kiss me with such urgency. He


    took in the gasp of surprise that slipped out of my lips. The kiss was abrupt. Still, it made me all tingly.


    He pressed a quick kiss before he let me go.


    As I got back my bearing, I licked my lips. ¡°What was that for?¡±


    ¡°You came to check on me, and I just wanted to kiss you.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I should check you more often.¡±


    His smile widened, tracing his thumb on my cheek. ¡°Beautiful.¡±


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t take much of your time than I already did. See youter?¡±


    ¡°If Ie homete, eat your dinner. Have you eaten your breakfast?¡±


    ¡°About to.¡±


    ¡°Darling, you have something to do today. Take your breakfast, and please, don¡¯t miss any meal?¡±


    I wrinkled my nose. ¡°I¡¯m a big girl.¡±


    ¡°I can see that.¡± His gaze dropped to my boobs. ¡°But you¡¯re gonna hate for me for minding your free


    time.¡± He fixed his suits.


    ¡°You look great.¡±


    ¡°I know why you agreed to date me because I¡¯m handsome.¡±


    I snorted. ¡°Don¡¯t be too cocky. I¡¯ve seen attractive and asked me out but turned them down.¡±


    His jaw clenched. ¡°Choose your words wisely, darling. And those motherfuckers.¡±


    ¡°Language.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna spank your ass till you can¡¯t sitter.¡±


    The word spank made meugh. ¡°I¡¯d love to do the same.¡± I closed our gap and squeezed his ass.¡±


    His eyes widened in surprise, filled with humor.


    ¡°What can I say? I love that ass.¡±


    ¡°Just my ass?¡±


    ¡°Well, I have a long list, but you should know by now which onees on top.¡±


    ¡°Hm. Don¡¯t talk dirty before I go to work. I¡¯m gonna bete, or I leave you aching.¡±


    ¡°Just go. Take care.¡± I tiptoed to kiss him on his lips. ¡°See youter.¡±


    ¡°I have something for you on top of my side nightstand. I also wrote a note.¡±


    Excitedly, I went back to my room after they left. With my heart in my throat, I picked up the ck velvet


    box with his written note.


    Darling,


    I told you I would propose to you until you say yes. Wear this ring if you have decided and kept it on


    your finger. If you¡¯re still doubting my intention, put it right back to the box once the visitors are gone.


    I love you with all my heart.


    T


    I flipped the box open. My jaw dropped. I thought I was blinded by the sparklers of the biggest diamond


    cut I¡¯d ever seen. It was a rare solitaire blue diamond in emerald cut with find step-cut two trapezoid


    white diamonds set in a tinum band. In my estimation, it was around five to six carats.


    My fingers trembled. I wasn¡¯t sure if I should put it on or not, but my curiosity got the best of me. So I


    pulled it off from the box and inspected it carefully. I¡¯ve heard of Oppenheimer¡¯s blue diamond, but this


    one was so elegant, and it fits perfectly on my finger as if he knew my ring size.


    ***


    Arina came back with wardrobe guys and celebrity and etiquette experts. Thayer was right. I was going


    to hate him for putting me up with these people unprepared.


    Etiquette expert Tegan taught me from basic table etiquette, excuses, modern manners to royal


    etiquette. My head started to spin when he started with protocols.


    ¡°I need a break. I think I just have hypoglycemia.¡±


    ¡°Okay. We¡¯ll have a break, but Tania will show you something on the screen. The easiest part for


    today.¡±


    I ced my hand on my forehead. He¡¯d been teaching on this table, and my ass was burning. My legs


    were numb, my back stiffed. Earlier, he showed me how to walk and let me wear different kinds of


    shoes.


    ¡°Arina, do you know what are we gonna do tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°You mean, your schedule tomorrow? You¡¯ll be having a training on your wardrobe.¡±


    I grimaced.


    ¡°Let¡¯s start with simple and Inte sensations. Those celebrities you¡¯ve found online,¡± Tania started.


    She wiped the screen of her iPad, and the first picture that appeared on the tv screen was the wife of


    the former US President. Easy peasy. Next was an Oscar Award-winning actress, then a ck British


    actor. Then next was Morgan Freeman.


    ¡°Why Morgan Freeman?¡±


    ¡°Most people might not know about his phnthropy, but Mr. Freeman converted his 124-acre ranch


    into a giant bee sanctuary to save bees. If the bee colonies continue to decline, it can lead to ecological


    and agricultural problems. As you know, bees y a huge role in pollinating the nts that provide us


    the food we eat.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡±


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s move on to the UN council. Tonight I want you to do your research and familiarize


    Monarchies around the world.


    After two hours, I couldn¡¯t keep it up anymore. I had a terrible headache. Working in magazines and


    publications, I didn¡¯t need to broaden my familiarization outside the industries. Politics, governments,


    monarchs were not in our top lists unless our features had backgrounds.


    In the evening, Thayer hadn¡¯t arrived home yet. I grabbed my phone and sent him a message.


    Kennedy: Still busy?


    The message box bubbled. I smiled.


    Thayer: Tell me this isn¡¯t wrong sent.


    Kennedy: I think I sent it to someone I used to know. Sorry.


    Thayer: He¡¯ll have my fist on his ugly faceter


    Kennedy: No need to get too violent. He¡¯s important to me.


    Thayer: Who the f¡ª is he?


    I raised my hand with the engagement ring on, took a picture, and sent it to him. A secondter, my


    phone vibrated in my hand.


    ¡°Kennedy?¡± He seemed to catch his breath.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°You did not take it off.¡±


    ¡°Why would I keep something gorgeous like this off my finger?¡± I was still looking at my ring when the


    door flew open.


    He then strode to lift off the floor. I yelped in surprise.


    ¡°Thayer! Put me down!¡±


    He put me down on my feet, cupped my face. He was grinning down at me like an idiot. ¡°I was


    supposed to propose to you at dinner on the yacht. Let me do it now.¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. Let¡¯s have our own way of proposal. No bending on one


    knee. And yes, I will marry you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank God.¡± He crushed his mouth into mine, kissing me like he meant to be. ¡°For real?¡±


    ¡°For real. Not for your birthright, the terms, or your kingdom. This is for you and me.¡±


    ¡°For you and me. For us.¡±

 42

    42


    THAYER


    We enjoyed dinner with a little chat. Kennedy seemed to have an appetite and smiled andughed at


    my terrible jokes.


    ¡°Can I make a request?¡±


    I nodded. ¡°Of course.¡±


    She raised her hand with my engagement ring. ¡°I think this is too shy. Do you have a smaller stone


    than this?¡±


    Instead of getting offended, Iughed. ¡°I¡¯m not a jeweler, darling. But I picked that stone myself. I mean,


    I requested the carat and the color. So, it¡¯s too special for me, and I would be sad if you take that off.¡±


    She checked it out again. ¡°I¡¯ve never dreamed wearing an engagement like this. Don¡¯t get me wrong.


    This is so gorgeous, and it¡¯s the color¡ª¡±


    ¡°Of your eyes.¡±


    She looked at me, seemingly surprised. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°See? That¡¯s why it¡¯s important to me. And I only intended to be engaged and married once. Even if I


    get married again, I¡¯m sure to be with the same person who¡¯s wearing my ring right now.¡±


    Her cheeks reddened. I knew she just ran out of words. It took a few seconds before she replied. ¡°Me


    too.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re still thinking of a husband number two?¡±


    Sheughed, just a lightugh, but her eyes twinkled. ¡°Not funny.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just kidding.¡±


    Once we were done with dinner, she retreated to her room. She said she had to do some research. I


    told her I would be in the study and to text me once she was done.


    A few hourster, she hadn¡¯t knocked on the door or texted me. So I went to my room and called her


    phone. Thankfully, she picked up.


    ¡°Oh, my God. I lost track. What time is it?¡±


    ¡°Midnight.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. Come to my room.¡± I felt like we were not engaged, and we were doing booty calls.


    ¡°Okay. Be there in a minute.¡±


    I hung up the phone, went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. When I came back, Kennedy was


    already inside, standing, wandering her gaze around.


    ¡°See something you like?¡± I put my shirt on.


    ¡°I remember when I knocked on your door.¡±


    ¡°It was Carlott¡¯s idea to make you jealous. And they¡¯re an actress. Nothing happened. I promise, and


    everything here is clean. I don¡¯t bring any woman to my house if I¡¯m not interested in her bing a


    part of my life.¡±


    She smiled timidly. ¡°Why¡¯d you ask me toe?¡±


    Iughed out loud. Shaking my head, I walked towards her. ¡°Starting tonight, we will sleep in the same


    bed together. I asked someone to fill half of the walk-in closet with your things. I promise I¡¯m not


    messy.¡± I held her hand. ¡°I want you to feelfortable in this room. If you think you can¡¯t sleep


    because of what you saw, I¡¯ll let someone arrange another room for us.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve done too much. This is great. I also wanted you to sleep beside me, but I thought maybe you


    guys have different sleeping arrangements like what I¡¯ve seen on tv.¡±


    ¡°What did you see on tv?¡±


    ¡°The King or a ruler has his own bed-chamber¡ª¡±


    ¡°And if he wishes to fuck another woman, he uses his bedroom. But with his wife, he pays a visit to her


    and sleeps with her?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Her brows knitted.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s a total fucked up world. I like you. I want you and need you in my arms before I sleep and


    wake up in the morning. I don¡¯t care which bed we choose to sleep in as long as I can feel you, smell


    you, and have you whenever I want.¡±


    ¡°I just don¡¯t want to impose.¡±


    ¡°Well, we just thought the same.¡± I led her to bed. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get to bed. Lights on or lights off?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s what you want.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll turn the light off when you¡¯re sleeping.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Which side do you prefer?¡±


    I smiled mischievously. ¡°I prefer on top.¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡± She got in the center and pulled the nket over the top of her


    chest.


    ¡°So do I. I¡¯ll be right here.¡± Iid on her right. ¡°You¡¯re overdressed.¡±


    ¡°So do you.¡± Her tone was flirtatious.


    I leaned in and gave her chase kisses on her face, her nose before I crushed my mouth on her lips.


    Shocked coursed through me as she kissed me with the same intensity, sending electric waves into my


    cock.


    Our lips slid together, her tongue probing over mine. A groan rumbled in my chest as she took charge


    of the kiss. I let her. I glided one hand down her chest, cupping her breast, then to the other. Once I


    was done pinching those tiny peaks, I slid my hands down, trailed my fingers over her t abdomen.


    We¡¯d been sleeping together without condoms. I knew she was on pills. It crossed my mind many times


    if I had my baby inside her. I finally found what I was looking for¡ªshe was ready¡ªalways ready for me.


    She moaned louder. She was always responsive to my touch. I let her know that I felt the same. I


    pressed my cock against her belly.


    ¡°My turn,¡± I said into our mouths.


    ¡°On your back.¡± Before she finished hermand, Iid t on the bed, took my shirt off, pushed my


    pants down. My cock stood like a pole. Her eyes glinted with desires and anticipation. She licked her


    lips first before she positions her mouth, taking my crown in.


    I hissed by the first touch of her wet mouth with my shaft. Then she licked me from the base to the


    ridge of my cock before shepletely took me all in into her soft and velvety mouth. Her gaze never


    left mine, darkened with desires.


    She bobbed her head up and down. I watched my length in and out of my hot mouth. I could feel the


    intensity of the climax growing rapidly.


    My balls tightened.


    My cock swelled in her mouth.


    A growl escaped my throat as she sucked me harder. I jerked inside.


    ¡°Enough. I¡¯m gonnae, Kennedy.¡±


    She moaned into my cock. I thought I saw stars as I threw my head back against the pillow. She slid


    my cock then caressed it with her tongue. It was the hottest blow job someone ever did to me. Her


    sucking became more intense, fast.


    ¡°I want you, darling.¡±


    She shook her head and devoured me instead. Fireworks red up my spine, shot right to my balls,


    rushed through my cock. I bucked my hips up, my hands on her head as I pushed my length all the


    down her throat.


    Grunting, I threw my head back, my body stiffened, my muscles spasmed as I spilled mye down


    her throat.


    ¡°Holy shit, Kennedy! Now get naked, and let¡¯s make love all night.¡±


    ***


    It felt different waking up in the morning to a warm and soft skin of a woman who smelled incredible.


    Kennedy was a messy sleeper¡ªher hair was everywhere. She took and rolled the nket around her


    leg. She was still naked, though. Her gorgeous tits were on full disy, and her round ass as well. The


    thought of fucking her from behind had crossed my mind, but she had a lot of things to do on her


    schedule today.


    ¡°Thayer?¡± she called my name. I always loved to hear her sleepy, groggy voice.


    ¡°Did I wake you up?¡± I pulled her back into my arms and kissed the exposed skin of her back.


    ¡°No. I felt you move out of bed.¡± She sighed against the pillow.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    ¡°Tired?¡± I started rubbing my palm against her back.


    She sighed again. ¡°Do I really have to learn everything?¡±


    ¡°You will need that knowledge in the near future, darling.¡± I softly massage her back down her spine. ¡°I


    really love this ass.¡± I squeezed both cheeks.


    ¡°I love your ass, too.¡±


    ¡°Not as much as I love this one.¡± I leaned down, bit the globe, and licked the area where my teeth were


    embedded.


    ¡°Ouch.¡±


    ¡°Do you want me to spank this instead?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a masochist.¡±


    ¡°I would have tied you and never gave you orgasms if I am. You can take a day off if you want.¡±


    ¡°Nah. I want to get it done. My legs, babe, please?¡±


    ¡°What will you give me in return?¡±


    She raised her head and turned to me. ¡°Really? I just gave you a blow jobst night. I think that¡¯d


    suffice.¡±


    I shook tough. ¡°How about a butt plug?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯ll get your ass plugged first.¡±


    I threw my head as Iughed out loud.


    She hit me on my knee. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t see you¡¯re hiding a dick between your legs, darling.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve such a dirty mouth, prince.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re like a gue in my head. A fascinating, beautiful, and dirty kind of gue.¡± I gave her a foot


    massage. She had small feet. Her toenails were painted in nude color.


    ¡°So, even if you¡¯re meeting a head of state, you¡¯re still thinking of yourself between my legs?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly how I pictured myself when I was with them because I could sleep in the meeting if I


    wouldn¡¯t think about you.¡±


    ¡°You need your head to get checked up.¡±


    ¡°What can I say? I¡¯m mentally, physically, emotionally healthy, and I have a quite sexual appetite over


    my fiance.¡±


    ¡°Thayer?¡±


    ¡°Yes, darling.¡±


    ¡°After these lectures and training, can I see my parents?¡±


    My body went rigid¡ªit was involuntary.


    A shiver rolled down my spine. I knew it wasing, but I wasn¡¯t expecting she would ask me so early.


    ¡°After the announcement. We still have photoshoots, and it¡¯s been arranged. I have busy schedules


    before the holidays, darling.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great. Because I want to spend holidays with them.¡±

 43

    43


    KENNEDY


    I knew how he felt.


    Instead of the rigidity of his body and the raw emotions brewing in his eyes, I knew he wasn¡¯t


    He twisted and turned in bed. He woke up earlier. I watched him run around the property. He came


    sweaty catching his breath, but he still looked delicious. Usually, he cracked a joke or gave remarks.


    Not this morning, though¡ªjust a wry smile and a quick kiss, then he took a shower.


    I fought the urge to join him. I thought of giving him time to himself. But he made me worry as soon as I


    heard thudsing from the shower room.


    ¡°Thayer?¡±


    It took a few seconds before he responded. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°I thought I might join you.¡± I was only in my robe.


    Then he peeked her head out. ¡°I¡¯m almost finished. Why didn¡¯t you join me immediately?¡±


    I didn¡¯t buy it. He wasn¡¯t like this¡ªThayer would never give me this reason. That was the Thayer I


    knew, who would never deny me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just take a shower in my bathroom.¡± I was surprised to learn that his master bedroom had two


    baths. ¡°I can¡¯t keep my appointment waiting.¡±


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    He didn¡¯t even stop me. It started to bother me. Deep inside, he was struggling. His features felt like he


    was carrying the world over his shoulder.


    We barely talked over the phone. His schedule was full. I was also busy learning for myself.


    When he came back, he was drunk. When I asked Ash and Lud, the only answer I got was a shrug. He


    did the same thing, waking up early in the morning, went out to run, then came back to take his


    shower.


    Today, we had a photoshoot before the announcement, and it would happen here in the manor.


    It hurt. He barely talked to me.


    It hurt even more. I felt him building his wall so sturdy, distancing from me. This was supposed to be


    our day. We should be ecstatic. In a few hours, the world was about to know our rtionship¡ªour love


    for each other.


    I was almost done with my makeup¡ªthe same makeup artist who did for the g. This time, the


    makeup he did was light, fresh, and natural. The hairdresser added an extension to my hair, mixed with


    byage and bronde. It was perfect. I still looked the same, but with a high-maintenance woman.


    ¡°Damn, woman. You¡¯re stunning.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. You made me look stunning,¡± told them.


    The room was filled with wardrobes on racks I could pick from, but of course, a stylist was hired to do


    the job¡ªa woman called Prisci that I felt a chill crawl in my skin every time our gazes locked. She


    had the highest cheekbones I¡¯d ever seen in a double ruffle trench coat and tinum blonde hair. I


    wondered how many surgeries she did for her face alone, and I felt terrible for her poor lips.


    ¡°So, here¡¯s what I want you to wear first. This one.¡± She snapped her fingers to must be her dark-haired


    assistant, who looked terrified. Poor girl.


    Her assistance pushed the rack from the third on the right. Prisci picked one hot pink dress then the


    poor dark-haired girl brought pairs of shoes and sets of pearl jewelry.


    ¡°Then you will change to more formal. This one.¡± She pointed her long white nails to the long formal


    dress. ¡°Always perfect for any asion.¡±


    ¡°How many times should I change? I thought the photoshoot is for engagement announcement only.¡±


    ¡°Oh, poor dear. Of course, it is. But you¡¯re engaged to the Prince. You must look satisfactory enough to


    match the elegance of the man beside you.¡±


    My brow arched up. I ignored those words. I chose not to be a hypocrite and showed her who she was


    talking to¡ªthe fiancee.


    If I¡¯d learned something from the two experts who taught me about etiquette was to be patients, ignore


    the unpleasantments, and maintain your facial expressions even if you wanted to wring someone¡¯s


    neck or your shoes were killing you.


    ¡°I see. What else should I wear?¡±


    ¡°Cocktail dress. Not too revealing. Of course. When you go out with the Prince, there is a certain dress


    code you have to follow.¡± I learned that already¡ª hand gestures, dress codes, fashion rules, and


    strictly no PDA.


    ¡°I¡¯ll put on the cocktail dress.¡±


    ¡°No, dear. You put on the evening dress first.¡±


    ¡°Why? My hair and makeup are for the cocktail.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t argue with me, dear. I know what I¡¯m doing. My reputation precedes me. I hope you are aware of


    why high-profile people handpicked me to dress them."


    I tried hard to hold unto my kindness and good behavior and swallowed down the displeasure. I stood


    up and went into the dressing room. Arina followed me inside. The dress came next brought by the


    poor dark-haired girl.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say another word,¡± I told Arina. I knew she was about to say something.


    ¡°But, madam¡ª¡±


    ¡°I got this, okay?¡±


    She sighed. Her face contorted in distaste.


    I put on the long shoulder off ck dress. It was not too revealing, but I didn¡¯t like it all. It fit for my


    body, but there was nothing worth looking at it. I walked out and showed it to Prisci. ¡°What do you


    think?¡±


    ¡°Perfect.¡± She sped her hands in delight. Eyes lit up with pride. I noticed something else I couldn¡¯t


    point my finger on.


    ¡°Try the hot pink on. The photoshoot was about to start in thirty.¡± She was enjoying this. I started to


    think this woman dislike me or even despised me.


    I put on the hot pink gown and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like going to a costume party, not


    doing a photoshoot with the Prince.


    Damn this woman. I can¡¯t do this.


    ¡°Prisci, I can¡¯t wear this one.¡±


    Her brows arched up to her hairline. ¡°Why not? That¡¯s perfect for your body. Can I give you a little


    advice, dear? You should lose a few pounds before your wedding. People always look for something to


    criticize. Trust me.¡±


    My chest constricted. I looked at myself¡ªI wasn¡¯t skinny nor fat. I always loved my body. I wasn¡¯t the


    type of person who watched her calories because I was one of those lucky people who burned calories


    fast at a quicker rate. I had a t tummy, and it was one of my assets aside from my legs and ass. If I


    had enough height, I could have auditioned for a beauty contest or a runway model.


    ¡°I love myself. I wouldn¡¯t change a thing. And I can¡¯t wear these dresses you chose for me. I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯d


    been working in a fashion magazine. My boss has great taste in fashion, trust me. And I may not be an


    expert like you, but I can see if which is perfect for my skin, fit for my figure, and which dress to wear


    for themes in photoshoots. I¡¯d seen plenty, but I¡¯m not wearing this for my photoshoot with my fiance.¡±


    ¡°Very well then. We¡¯ll take a five minutes break.¡± She then walked out. Her assistant gave me an


    apologetic smile.


    I sighed once the bitch expert was gone.


    I needed to see Thayer. I walked out of the room. Arina, the makeup artist, and the hairdresser noticed


    what I wore.


    ¡°Not a word.¡± I rolled my eyes.


    They all grinned sheepishly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± I knew where to find Thayer.


    A voice of a woman caught my attention¡ªit was Prisci.


    ¡°Oh, God. Poor Prince. She must have bewitched him. What did he see in that cheap woman? And she


    questioned my expertise? How could I choose a dress for her if there¡¯s nothing that would look good on


    her? She would still look like amoner even if she¡¯s wearing Elie Saab¡¯s gown. I¡¯ll call you back,


    Kady. You¡¯re still perfect for Prince Thayer. Trust me.¡±


    Kady?


    I quickly walked away. Hurt and frustration rose in the back of my throat. My heart ached. Tears blurred


    my sight as I got back to the dressing room.


    ¡°Arina, can you please call Thayer. I need to talk to him right now.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± the makeup artist asked.


    ¡°Nothing. Can you retouch my makeupter?¡± I asked without looking at him.


    ¡°Of course. You don¡¯t need to ask.¡±


    I took a few deep breaths until the door swung opened. ¡°Kennedy?¡±


    I shut my eyes closed, another deep breath before I opened my eyes and turned around.


    ¡°Wow!¡± That was the first word that came out of his mouth as he studied me from head to toe.


    ¡°I know,¡± I replied tly. ¡°Look, I wish nothing more than to get this photoshoot done and announced to


    the whole universe that we are together, but look at me, Thayer.¡± I gestured to my dress. ¡°This isn¡¯t


    me!¡± I said frustratingly. ¡°I may be a little dramatic or whatever. Okay, I¡¯m over-dramatic and ungrateful,


    but I can let anyone see me in this horrible dress. I look like going to a costume party or Lady Gaga¡¯s


    backup dancer. I don¡¯t want to change anything in myself. I want something people see in me as


    nothing but the truth and a real woman before you met me. I can¡¯t be someone else that I am not.¡±


    ¡°Darling, then change to something you¡¯refortable at. I would never ask you to change yourself. I


    love just the way you are. And you¡¯re not being over-dramatic because that dress is horrible and I don¡¯t


    like the color. It looks good on your skin but not the right pick for our photoshoot.¡± He stepped close to


    me. ¡°Be yourself. Be the woman I first met, the woman I¡¯ve learned to love, and be the woman I¡¯m


    engaged to. I don¡¯t want you to change. I love just the way you are.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I kissed him. I sighed before I spoke. ¡°We need to talk about the elephant in the room.¡±


    He swallowed hard and nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯d been meaning to talk to you about this, but I felt that you were avoiding me.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Babe, I know when something¡¯s bothering you. You barely slept at night. If we¡¯re gonna do this


    photoshoot and let the world know our rtionship, then we should start talking about it, or no


    photoshoot nor announcement is gonna happen.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°Good. First, I¡¯m not gonna leave you.¡±


    He nodded.


    ¡°Secondly, it¡¯s only for just a few days. Thirdly, I¡¯m gonnae back, or you can always n out and


    kidnap me again. You always know where to find me.¡±


    He grinned. ¡°Oh, there would definitely be a third time if you won¡¯t bring your pretty ass back to


    me.¡±

 44

    44


    THAYER


    The announcement was out. It was all over the front page of leading newspapers, magazines, tabloids,


    and gossip sites. It was the headlines of any news channels, trending on social media with our own


    hashtags #PowerRoyalCouple, #Kenyer, #Thayedy.


    But if there were more excited and ecstatic about our engagement, some people called it propaganda,


    a publicity stunt, and an act of shame towards the King.


    I wanted to throw my phone across the room. How dare did they call this a publicity stunt?


    ¡°You can¡¯t please anyone. What¡¯s important is your feelings and intentions? From what I¡¯ve seen, this is


    not about the terms anymore. You both are in love, so prove them all wrong,¡± Ash said.


    ¡°And show them your middle finger,¡± Lud added.


    I nced at the woman I loved. She was scrolling on her phone. I couldn¡¯t really read her expression or


    what was in her head. Then she burst outughing.


    ¡°What¡¯s funny, love?¡± Lud joined her on the lounge chair.


    She arched her brow. ¡°Why so nosy, eh?¡±


    ¡°Just curious. Thayer over there is pissed off about the reactions over your engagement announcement


    while you¡¯re hereughing your ass off on something on your phone. So what is all about?¡±


    She showed Lud her phone screen.


    ¡°Oh?¡± His eyes widened. ¡°Well, that¡¯s something.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± It also piqued my attention.


    ¡°It¡¯s a message from my friend Siena.¡±


    ¡°The tall blonde?¡± Ash asked.


    ¡°How did you know her?¡± Kennedy asked and waved off. ¡°Nevermind. Forget that I asked.¡±


    I grabbed the phone from Kennedy and took a seat beside her. I read and scrolled down her


    conversation. Apparently, she sent some pictures of us to her friends, including the stolen shots she


    took for Ash and Lud.


    I chuckled. ¡°Is it your normal conversation? I thought only girls like us who talk about this thing most of


    the time.¡±


    ¡°What is it about?¡± Ash asked.


    ¡°None of your business, bro,¡± Lud answered.


    ¡°You seemed so interested earlier. Nevermind.¡± He pressed the earpiece of hism. ¡°Go ahead.¡± He


    listened. ¡°Copy that.¡± He clicked off. ¡°ETA three minutes.¡±


    Kennedy stood up and offered her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    I took and squeezed it. ¡°You okay?¡±


    ¡°Do you think I care about those negativements when I got eighty-six on my side?¡±


    I leaned down to kiss her on her nose. ¡°That¡¯s what I love about you. Your positivity and your ability to


    think the brighter side.¡±


    ¡°If there was something I learned from you is to be relentless and never give up on something you


    value most.¡±


    ¡°God, I love you.¡± I was about to kiss her again when Lud interrupted us.


    ¡°Love birds, continue that when Prince Isodore is not in the hall.¡±


    ¡°Crap.¡± Kennedy breathed out before we walked towards the door.


    My father looked happy and proud. ¡°Congrattions to both of you.¡±


    My mother and my sister came to greet us next.


    After our pleasantries and greetings, our guests who were closed to our family had started to arrive.


    Earlier this afternoon, Kennedy¡¯s parents and friends had sent their video greetings. Aunt Alessia


    wished us as well.


    My chest ached. I wished my grandfather could send his greetings as well. There may be an


    improvement in his condition, but that was all.


    Kennedy and I weed our guests. She did a bang-up job. She was a fast learner, a versatile, and I


    couldn¡¯t be any prouder.


    When the music started, we started dancing. I suddenly remember our first dance together.


    ¡°I know what¡¯s your thinking,¡± she said with a knowing smile.


    ¡°That I want to drag you out of this hall, bend you over the table in one of these rooms?¡±


    She slightly rolled her eyes. She looked stunning in her red floor-length gown with her diamond tennis


    ne, still, she had no idea it was my gift. All she knew was just a chosen jewelry for her to wear at


    tonight¡¯s party.


    ¡°You¡¯re beautiful, darling.¡±All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You¡¯re not bad yourself, Prince Thayer.¡±


    ¡°Soon, you¡¯ll be my princess.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need a title to be yours, babe.¡±


    ¡°You will still be my princess whether you like it or not. Princess Kennedy. It has a ring to it, hasn¡¯t it? Or


    how about Duchess Kennedy?¡±


    She giggled. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter it has a ring or hasn¡¯t as long as I¡¯m with you and you¡¯re with me. That¡¯s


    makes me us whole.¡±


    I sighed in relief. ¡°God, woman. I love you. I want to kiss you right now, but these people are watching


    us.¡± I licked my lips. My heart was pounding so hard I could hardly breathe, and when she looked at me


    like this, filled with devotion, I had to fight the urge of crushing my mouth against hers.


    ¡°You can make it up to meter.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the n.¡± Then I remembered something, and it felt like someone just twisted a knife in my


    chest.


    ¡°Hey,¡± she said. There was a pain in those blue eyes, and I was sure she saw the same reflection. ¡°We


    talked about this. I still wish I don¡¯t have to fly away from you, but it¡¯s only for a few days.¡±


    I nodded, even if it was hard. The thought of her away from me felt like I split my heart apart. ¡°I know.


    I¡¯m sorry. I just couldn¡¯t get used to it. I would never be.¡±


    ¡°Do you trust me?¡±


    Her question caught me off guard. Why did she have to ask? But the truth still gutted me. I tried hard to


    hide my frown. ¡°Always.¡±


    ¡°Then keep holding onto that. You would be busy that you wouldn¡¯t even realize that I¡¯m already back


    here with you.¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m sorry for being selfish.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not selfish, babe. I wouldn¡¯t want to be away from you either, but I have to do this.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡± I held her hand as we got out of the dance floor. I grabbed two champagne sses. My


    father was about to speak. I gave her a ss and ced my hand on her waist.


    ¡°Thank you all foring tonight. Mark another important year for my family. The King would be d to


    be here for this wonderful celebration of my son, Prince Thayer¡¯s engagement to his fiance, Kennedy


    Gilby. Kennedy, I officially wee you to my humble family.¡±


    I slightly squeezed her waist as she raised her Champagne ss to my father with a smile.


    ¡°To my son, you made me proud again, son. On behalf of your mother, your sister, Carlott, I wish you


    both the best and have a prosperous life together. Congrattions. For Prince Thayer and Kennedy.¡±


    I raised my ss and nced at my beautiful fiancee. ¡°For us.¡± I sipped my champagne.


    The party continued for another few hours. I joined Ash and Lud also in their tux. Kennedy joined my


    sister when my parents left early.


    ¡°How¡¯s the feeling of being engaged?¡±


    ¡°What kind of stupid question is that?¡± Ash answered Lud. ¡°For a guy like you who has no n of


    settling down, you would never understand.¡±


    ¡°Never underestimate womanizers, dude. When they fall in love, they fall hard and bad,¡± he said. His


    gaze was pinned to my fiancee and my sister.


    I chuckled. ¡°Can¡¯t wait to see thating.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re drunk,¡± Ash told him.


    ¡°I¡¯m not. How about you, Zakkary? When are you gonna move on?¡±


    ¡°Fuck off.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re so drunk. You never call him Zakkary unless you¡¯re pissed at something.¡±


    ¡°I should go ahead.¡± He took a deep breath and blinked to get sobered, but I knew him, and he would


    never get drunk like this unless something was bothering him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help into your room.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your party, man. I¡¯m good.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit. You can barely help yourself to stand up.¡± I draped his arm over my shoulder. ¡°What¡¯s going


    on, Stell?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. I thought I finally have a reason to get drunk. Take care of her, T. A woman like her should


    never be taken for granted. You won¡¯t ever find another one like her. I¡¯m happy for you. Love loves you


    so much. You two are perfectly made in heaven.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re words make sense when you¡¯re drunk.¡± I managed to send him to one of the rooms without him


    tripping off. ¡°Get some rest. We¡¯ll talk about your broken heart when you wake up in the morning,


    okay?¡± I walked out when he fell asleep.


    Ash and Lud were the closest brothers I ever had. Of course, they were important to me. I loved them


    like my real family. When something was bothering them, it concerned me.


    I should ask Ash if he knew what was going on with Lud.


    ¡°Thayer?¡±


    I stopped when I recognized that voice. ¡°Lady Kadynce, what can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you chose her over me.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± I met her gaze. There was no pain but hatred, anger, and disgust.


    ¡°I¡¯m supposed to be your fiance, and not that American whore¡ª¡±


    ¡°Careful now, Lady Kadynce. I won¡¯t ever allow you to demean Kennedy. She has nothing to do with


    the list of candidates my father made for me. I apologize that you hoped and wished for it. But I found


    the right woman for me, who can make me happy.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not the right one for you. I am perfect for you, Thayer. I¡¯m born to this and not her.¡±


    Ash showed up. Thank fuck. I didn¡¯t want to deal with her anymore. She should ept it or leave me


    alone and be happy for me.


    ¡°Lady Kadynce, may I escort you out?¡±

 45

    45


    KENNEDY


    Thayer¡¯s fingertips brushed the outeryer of my breasts. He cupped them, squeezed a little before he


    flicked his tongue one each at a time.


    I watched him as he enjoyed and captured the other into his hot mouth, sucking it.


    All I could think about was reminding him that I woulde to him that I wouldn¡¯t ever feelplete


    without him in my life.


    His thumb flicked my free nipple, pinched it with his fingers. The pain sent right through my pulsing clit.


    I could feel my folds slick with my wetness¡ªI was ready and needy¡ªlike always for him.


    ¡°Babe?¡± I called out when he was seemingly silent. He was usually talkative during sex.


    He raised his head. My nipple was still in his mouth.


    ¡°Please?¡±


    He released my nipple. ¡°What do you want, darling? Tell me?¡± To be honest, the word darling had


    grown on me, especially when he called me with his thick ent. It was sexy like music to my ear.


    ¡°I want you to make love to me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, darling, I want to make love to you, too.¡± He leaned down. His lips barely touched mine before he


    said, ¡°I love you. I want you to remember me even if I¡¯m not with you.¡±


    ¡°Why did I feel like that I would forget you?¡±


    ¡°Just reminding you.¡± He positions the head of his cock into my entrance, bumping to my clit a few


    times before he slid down into me, filling me. Then he pulled outpletely, and very slowly, he


    entered into me again. It was nearly enough to bring me to the edge. The process made me mad with


    greed.


    I thrust my hips up to meet him, but he denied me.


    ¡°Slowly, my love.¡±


    I writhed underneath. ¡°I want you. Damn it.¡±


    ¡°I want you, too.¡± His jaw clenched. His muscles strained, his veins protruding.


    I knew he was holding back his orgasm.


    ¡°Make mee, please?¡± My clit was pulsing in time with my heartbeat. I was drowning with needs.


    His thrust stopped, eyes locking into mine, darkening with desire and something else¡ªfear. ¡°Promise


    me you wille back.¡±


    ¡°I already said a thousand times, and I¡¯m gonna say it again. It¡¯s a promise. I wille back to you. I


    wanna marry you, have babies with you if you want. I wanna grow old with you. Now please, I want


    your smile.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I want kids.¡±


    ¡°Great. But we can¡¯t make it right now.¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡± He pressed his forehead against mine, breathing hard. ¡°I¡¯m fucked up in the head. I don¡¯t


    wanna let you go, but I have given you my word.¡± He then surged into me as if he just gathered his


    strength. Filling me in with one hard thrust. With the sudden pration, he hit the right spot.


    I cried out in pleasure.


    I had not caught my breath yet. Thayer adjusted his angle, lifted my leg over his shoulder, thrust into


    me again, and pressed his thumb against my clit. I arched my back, groaning through gritted teeth. The


    sudden orgasm shot through me in a shock. My walls were clenching around his cock.


    He sped up his thrust. My orgasm went on and on. He then followed, chanting my name.


    ***


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving.¡± Carlott sat beside me, pursing her lips.


    ¡°Why does everyone think that I¡¯m noting back?¡± I was intent to let them hear me. Ash was sitting


    on a chair with his fingers scratching his growing stubble. Lud was leaning against the doorjamb.


    Thayer was scrolling on his phone, his legs crossed, lips pressed in a t line.


    ¡°If you¡¯re not back within a week, I¡¯m gonnae and bring you back myself.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Please, don¡¯t kidnap me. It¡¯s unpleasant.¡±


    ¡°The thought had crossed my mind. But as long as you won¡¯t ditch my brother on your wedding day, I


    won¡¯t n on doing so.¡± She held my hand, squeezing it. ¡°We¡¯re gonna n the wedding once you¡¯re


    back. Can¡¯t wait for you to be together.¡±


    ¡°Then you should get married too.¡±


    ¡°We broke up,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°What? When? Why? Oh, my Mod. I¡¯m so sorry. Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°He said, I¡¯m in love with someone else.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°Well, I hope that¡¯s not true, right?¡± I nced over to Thayer if he heard our conversation or


    knew about the breakup. He just smiled sadly.


    ¡°That scumbag doesn¡¯t deserve you, Princess.¡± Lud snorted.


    ¡°You¡¯re just like my father. Who then deserves me? Or maybe, I don¡¯t deserve to be happy as my


    brother. That¡¯s all.¡± She huffed. ¡°I should join the convent, then.¡±


    ¡°Hey, everyone deserves to be happy. Besides, I didn¡¯t expect I would meet your brother. I just broke


    up with another scumbag. Correction, he dumped me. I couldn¡¯t think of any reasons why he did that,


    but that¡¯s maybe the reason when I met your brother because my scumbag ex is not the right person


    for me.¡±


    ¡°Just stop looking. When you met the person who deserves you, you know it the moment you look into


    his eyes,¡± Ash said.


    ¡°Said a guy who can¡¯t move on.¡± Lud snorted. My gaze bounced between them.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the hype, Sten?¡± Thayer butted in.


    ¡°Said a guy who¡¯s in love with a wrong girl,¡± Ash bickered.


    ¡°That¡¯s bullshit! Who said about fucking in love? I don¡¯t even believe in the shit anymore if I didn¡¯t see it


    myself in T and Kennedy.¡± He red at Ash, who was ring back before he nced at us. Or at


    Carlott.


    Holy crap!


    My eyes rounded in shock. ¡°Princess, can we go to my room? I have something to show you. Please?¡±


    I widened my eyes in the hope that she would get my clue.


    ¡°Of course.¡± She rose to her feet.


    ¡°Where¡¯re you two going?¡± Thayer asked.


    ¡°Personal space, brother.¡±


    Once we got far from them and made sure they couldn¡¯t hear us, I cornered Carlott. ¡°So it¡¯s true then


    that you¡¯re in love with another man, huh?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true,¡± she denied, but the color just drained from her face.


    ¡°I think it is. You¡¯re in love with Lud.¡±


    Her eyes grew big. ¡°I¡¯m not. What made you say that?¡± She crossed her arms over her chest¡ªa very


    defensive gesture for a guilty woman.


    ¡°I swear I won¡¯t tell your brother if you will tell me the truth.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯splicated.¡±


    ¡°Nothing''splicated about it. I¡¯m sure your brother would understand about your situation with you


    and Lud. Your parents might be hard to convince, considering he¡¯s working for your family.¡±


    ¡°I know that. And considering his reputation over women and rtionship, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s more to it


    ¡ª¡±


    ¡°How long have you two been seeing together?¡±


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    ¡°We¡¯re not.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± My voice raised.


    ¡°Your voice.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. So you two just¡ªsleeping together?¡±


    ¡°I said it¡¯splicated.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s notplicated if you two will sort this out. Did you not hear what Ash said earlier? Lud is in love


    with you, but he also loves his job and your brother, but he crosses the line for you, which means he¡¯s


    willing to risk his job and his rtionship with your brother if you are. Don¡¯t you get it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want him to do that?¡±


    ¡°So you two already talked about it?¡±


    ¡°No. I told him that this is just a one-time thing. Then one thing led to another, then, you know.¡± She


    shrugged.


    ¡°Clearly, it¡¯s more than just sex, Carlott. How far would you go for love?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not even sure what¡¯s this. I thought I cared for my ex, but no. I¡¯m not even hurt when he ended our


    rtionship.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s great news. But looking at the two of you, there¡¯s something special in there. Don¡¯t give up.


    Talk to Lud. He may have a reputation, but people can change. Trust me. I know a few.¡±


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± Thayer found us. Thankfully, he didn¡¯t notice anything suspicious.


    ¡°Yup. See you in the car?¡± Carlott left us. And it was my time to leave as well.


    I cupped Thayer¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re the best thing that ever happened to me. I just want you to know that


    the reason why I have to do this. I have to close an old chapter of my life. The only way to do that is to


    go back. Then we¡¯re gonna start our new chapter together.¡±


    ¡°I understand, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°I know you do. Don¡¯t worry I¡¯ll leave half of my heart with you.¡± I pressed my lips against his. Before I


    could pull back, he framed my face and kissed me hard, full of passion and emotions. It took my breath


    away.


    ¡°I will marry you as soon as you¡¯re back. I don¡¯t care about anything anymore. I just want you to be my


    wife. I couldn¡¯t wait any longer.¡±

 46

    46


    KENNEDY


    My arrival at the JFK Airport was overwhelming. With my disguise, keeping my head down, my


    blending in didn¡¯t work. I didn¡¯t know how did people know about the time of my arrival.


    I received flowers, people took pictures of me and gave me a warm wee, which I wouldn¡¯t ever get


    used to it. Thankfully, I spotted my dad instantly.


    ¡°I missed you both.¡± I hugged Dad first, then Mom. I didn¡¯t know how much I missed them until I was


    already in their arms.


    ¡°Follow me. You¡¯re now officially a celebrity, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°How did they know my arrival?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I think the princess just posted her picture and you together. Her followers must have


    figured it out,¡± Mom exined, taking bouquets from me. ¡°Get in the back of the car.¡±


    ¡°What about that SUV?¡± I noticed the ck SUV parked just right beside their car,


    ¡°That¡¯s a diversion. Hurry up.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I climbed in our old family car.


    ¡°Thanks for choosing to spend your holidays with us, honey.¡± Dad looked at me through the rearview


    mirror.


    ¡°Are you kidding me? I¡¯ve only been spending holidays with you since I worked at Style. Nothing¡¯s


    gonna change that.¡±


    ¡°I hope so.¡±


    ¡°Thayer would love you toe with me for a visit. Guardion is cold but pretty in January.¡±


    ¡°I just talked to him earlier, asking about you and if you already arrived. Then thirty minutes ago. I think


    you got him under your spell pretty bad.¡±


    Iughed, rolling my eyes. ¡°That¡¯s pretty much his character. I¡¯ll call himter.¡±


    Suddenly, my mom¡¯s phone just rang.


    ¡°Speaking of the devil.¡± Mom gave her phone to me from the passenger¡¯s seat.


    ¡°Really? Prince of Capria?¡± I saw his name blinking on the screen.


    ¡°Do you prefer Prince of Persia or Prince of Narnia?¡±


    I smiled at Mom and mouthed, ¡°I gotta take this.¡±


    I answered the call button and pressed the phone to my ear.


    ¡°Laura.¡± God, I already missed his voice.


    I breathed in and closed my eyes. ¡°It¡¯s me, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°Darling? Thank God. I¡¯ve been trying to reach you.¡±


    I smiled. ¡°I¡¯ve justnded. I was nning to call you as soon as I arrived at my parent¡¯s house.¡±


    ¡°And you did not ride with the details.¡±


    ¡°I know. I ride with my parents.¡± I looked at the side mirror. ¡°They¡¯re tailing us.¡±


    ¡°Because that¡¯s their job.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re upset.¡±


    ¡°No, darling. I¡¯m happy to hear your voice. I miss you.¡± He sighed over the phone.


    ¡°I¡¯ve justnded less than an hour ago, babe. It¡¯ll be fine. You¡¯re gonna get used to it.¡± It was full of crap


    because I didn¡¯t think I could ever get used to being far from him. I already missed everything about


    him. Before my fight, just to prove his point, he made love with me all night.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can. I¡¯ll be discussing with my parents about my schedule, but I don¡¯t think I could even


    spend Christmas Eve with them. I had to agree since this would be myst Christmas before I get


    married. I really wanted toe with you. I¡¯m sorry you have to travel alone.¡±


    ¡°We can always visit here together when your schedule is not pretty hectic. How about visiting your


    grandfather?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I told them, but since, you know, his official engagements are done by my father. I have to


    take some of Dad¡¯s duties. That¡¯s why my schedules are full until the first week of January.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear that.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. This will be over soon. You and I are gonna have more time alone together. In fact, before


    we get married, I¡¯m nning to take you somewhere special to my heart.¡±


    I chuckled. I still couldn¡¯t get used to the words get married. It had not sunk in yet. I felt like I was still


    dreaming.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we do that on the honeymoon?¡± I lowered my voice when I said thest word. Mom must


    have heard it anyway. She smiled at Dad, squeezing his arm.


    ¡°Tell the prince. He¡¯s wee to visit here anytime. I¡¯m gonna teach him how to plow a horse¡¯s poop. I


    bet he hadn¡¯t seen a horse¡¯s poop.


    Clearly, Thayer was listening. ¡°Put on speaker, darling.¡±


    I pressed the speaker button. ¡°You are on speaker.¡±


    ¡°Laura, I¡¯ve seen horse¡¯s dung. In fact, I took care of my own horse when I was growing up. I cleaned


    them myself.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you full of surprises, Prince of Capria?¡±


    ¡°You keep calling me that. I told you Thayer is fine.¡± Heughed. God, I even missed hisugh. This


    was insane. My life seemed to revolve around him.


    ¡°My wife told me Prince of Capria sounds sexier,¡± Dad said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure Kennedy would agree to that.¡± Heughed again.


    I felt my face burn.


    ¡°Darling, I have to call you back. Marko is calling me. I have a press conference. I love you, darling.


    Take care. Keep your promises.¡±


    The line went off.


    My chest suddenly constricted. I hadn¡¯t said it back. The words were just at the tip of my tongue. Every


    time I wanted to tell him, something was holding me back. I didn¡¯t know what. The only thing that was


    clear to me was that I loved him more than I¡¯d ever loved anyone.


    ***


    The house Prince Isodore gave to my parents was bigger than how my parents exined to me over


    Zoom. A modern farmhouse with four beds, four baths, and a half bath.


    I had dinner with my parents. Siena, Serenity, and Faith were very persistent, and they came overter


    on. They were willing to keep me up all night if I wouldn¡¯t tell them how did I meet Thayer from the start


    till our engagement.


    There were certain moments where my heart ached, then filled with happiness as I relived those


    memories.


    ¡°Time¡¯s up. You need your beauty rest, princess.¡± Siena rose from her seat, grabbing her bag. ¡°Let¡¯s go,


    girls.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be having coffee together once you get enough rest, okay?¡± Serenity said. ¡°I¡¯m happy for you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I looked at them. ¡°Thanks foring over. I really need my friends right now.¡±


    ¡°Spend time with your parents. We¡¯re just a chat away. Anyway, I bumped into your crazy ex the other


    day. He asked about you. I told her to leave you alone.¡± I saw the pride in Faith¡¯s eyes.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°He¡¯s a pain in my ass. An asshole.¡± I still remembered how he cheated on me. It didn¡¯t hurt anymore,


    but I still felt stupid for not realizing and ending it soon.


    In the morning, I received a call from Alessia wanting to meet me. She came over to pick up. She and


    my parents seemed to get in touch when she said that she had tried the recipe my mother gave to her.


    I wasn¡¯t even aware she loved to cook, considering how rich she was.


    Once we were in the back of the slicked ck Mercedes, I faced her. ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    ¡°To meet my father. So, how¡¯s Thayer?¡± She looked over the side mirror. ¡°Over-protective, I see.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re gonna meet the King?¡± My heart started to pound.


    ¡°Rx. He still can¡¯t talk back to you.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s he?¡±


    ¡°You did not answer me.¡±


    I tried to limit a topic about Thayer. I just woke up this morning. He didn¡¯t call me back. ¡°He¡¯s busy.¡±


    ¡°There has been a development. I may not grow up under his care, but I care about the old man. My


    mother kept me away from him to protect him and me. When my mother died, she left a letter to me


    with the DNA result. To my surprise, I was an illegitimate daughter of one of the most powerful rulers in


    the world. Thayer¡¯s father, Isodore, surprisingly, weed me like his real sister. I grow to love them,


    especially his children. His wife insisted that I should be with my brother, but I also love my job and the


    ce where I grew up.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for telling me. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve sworn to secrecy since I found out about who Thayer was.¡±


    ¡°Your rtionship with him isn¡¯t a secret anymore. Just don¡¯t break his heart. I¡¯m close to everyone,


    even to Carlott, but Thayer¡¯s like my own child.¡±


    I smiled at her. I didn¡¯t have to say anything anymore. She knew what would I say and how I felt about


    her nephew.


    I entered the private room where the King had was treated for several months. With Alessia by my side,


    I curtsied in respect even if he couldn¡¯t see me. Alessia told me that the doctor started winning him


    from the machines. He responded to painful stimuli. He¡¯d even breathing on his own with the support of


    a low amount of oxygen.


    ¡°Father, I know you can hear me. I¡¯d like to introduce to you Kennedy Gilby. She¡¯s betrothed to Thayer.¡±


    She then looked at me. ¡°You can say whatever you want to say. I¡¯ll leave you two alone.¡± She smiled


    and left the room.


    I swallowed hard before I took a step and sat on the chair beside the King¡¯s bed. Slowly, tentatively, I


    ced my hand over his. It was surprisingly warm and smooth despite the wrinkling of his skin.


    ¡°It¡¯s an honor to finally met you, Your Excellency. I wish I meet you in a different circumstance. Still, it¡¯s


    truly an honor.¡± I took a deep breath, lightly squeezing his hand. ¡°I¡¯m here before you, asking your


    blessings. Even if you can¡¯t speak to me, being here means a lot to me and your grandchild, Thayer.


    I¡¯m going to marry him. It¡¯s not because of his title or the terms bestowed upon him. I am going to marry


    him because I love him¡ªmore than anything¡ªmore than I¡¯ve loved anyone. Call me selfless, but I love


    him more than life itself.¡±

 47

    47


    THAYER


    God, I miss her. But I couldn¡¯t get out. I was stuck with work, and my family was expecting me for a


    public appearance. It wasn¡¯t new to me. I had no issue with that until I found love who lived on the other


    side of the world.


    I checked my phone and scanned through her friend¡¯s Instagram. Apparently, she got her own fan club.


    But her friends had no recent post with her on it.


    I shoved my phone back into my suit pocket when my mother approached.


    ¡°How are you holding up, honey?¡±


    I smiled. ¡°We didn¡¯t break up, Mom. She¡¯s just spending holidays with her family.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± She squeezed my hand. ¡°Next holiday, you and Kennedy will be spending together at this very


    same room. Just have little patients.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Really.¡± But my voice didn¡¯t go with my words.


    ¡°You will be.¡± She patted my hand before she smiled and walked over to join my father.


    ¡°Family pictures!¡± the royal family photographer announced.


    I wished Kennedy was here. My holiday would feel like a real celebration of family and love. We hadn¡¯t


    tied a knot yet, but I already considered her as my family and my wife.


    My parents were sitting on a gold double throne chair while Carlott and I were standing at the back.


    This year, my grandfather should be sitting on the throne chair. Unfortunately, it was impossible. So I


    still felt this holiday was iplete.


    ¡°Smile! Say cheese!¡± ssic. The sh red. ¡°Another one. All of you are standing, please?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get this done with, shall we?¡± My sister stood neck to my mother. I nced over at her¡ª


    something had changed in her since she broke up with her boyfriend. And here I thought, they were


    going tost. I still believed in forever, though. I believe in Kennedy and me.


    I rechecked my phone, hoping to receive a text from Kennedy. I shouldn¡¯t be worried, but I didn¡¯t know


    why it bothered me. I trusted her, and I knew she would be safe. I had arranged capable men to keep


    tabs on her and protect her. Still, something I felt unsettling. I didn¡¯t trust myself.


    ¡°Jeez. She¡¯s been away from like less than a day, and you¡¯re obsessing already? Where¡¯s the trust,


    brother?¡±


    ¡°For someone who just broke up from her six-month rtionship, I would say you moved on pretty


    quick.¡±


    She sat beside me. ¡°You¡¯re saying?¡±


    ¡°Your ex might be right after all.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re full of shit.¡±


    ¡°And you learned to say that from him?¡±


    ¡°Just say what you wanna say, Thayer.¡± She pursed her lips.


    I undo a button on my cor. ¡°He¡¯s right then?¡± I watched her shift on her seat. ¡°Who¡¯s he, Carlott?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± Her expression suddenly changed when Lud entered


    the living room.


    You¡¯ve got to be fucking kidding me? I prayed I was wrong about this. Lud would never betray me, and


    it couldn¡¯t be. Never. Carlott had a certain type in men, and Lud was not one of them. Besides, he was


    way older than her.


    Cursing, I huffed. ¡°I¡¯m gonna find out anyway.¡±


    ¡°Good luck then.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, Princess,¡± he addressed with a wine ss in his hand before he sat across us. Carlott


    was ring at him. ¡°Something wrong, Princess?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on with the two of you?¡± I asked, particrly to Lud.


    ¡°I just saved her ass¡ªfrom possible humiliation. I don¡¯t want her to wake up sleeping next to a


    scumbag in the morning.¡±


    I snapped my gaze at my sister. ¡°Is it true? You should control and limit your drinking and partying,


    Carlott. You¡¯re not a kid anymore.¡±


    ¡°Then if I¡¯m still a kid, why can¡¯t I go to a party and get drunk?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re out of control,¡± Lud said.


    ¡°Can you stay out of my business¡ªmy family business?¡± she bellowed at Lud.


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    ¡°Show a little respect, Carlott. This isn¡¯t you. I wish you can just tell me like we used to do. What


    happened to you?¡±


    She got up. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m feeling great. Just mind your own rtionship. That¡¯s all. Lucky you, someone like


    Kennedy doesn¡¯t give a shit about your title. Unlike someone I know, he¡¯s scared and gave a damn


    about my status than his feelings.¡±


    I waspletely lost. I blinked it off.


    ¡°Well, he should be. You¡¯re a princess, after all. You should choose someone in your circle, princess.¡±


    Lud put a little emphasis on the word princess. And I was afraid I might be right.


    ¡°Then he should stop protecting me if he doesn¡¯t give a shit!¡± She stormed out of the room.


    ¡°Carlott,e back here!¡± I called urgently.


    She ignored me. What had just happened?


    I looked at Lud. I caught the anger zing in his eyes. His expression suddenly turned into a stone. His


    lips pressed in a t line to my sister¡¯s emotional outburst.


    ¡°Care to exin what¡¯s going on? Is there something I should know?¡±


    ¡°Your sister¡¯s a brat. I just wanna get her out of trouble. That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Maybe she didn¡¯t take the break up well.¡±


    ¡°I hope that¡¯s the case.¡±


    ¡°Then what it is, Sten? I was so focused on my responsibility and my rtionship that I forgot to


    check on my sister.¡± I ignored the twist in my stomach and recalled while Lud was drunk, at the same


    time, Carlott was acting weird on the same week.


    ¡°Look, man. You can¡¯t carry all the responsibilities and the burden of your family as well. You have to


    live your life the way you deserve. Your sister won¡¯t grow up if you won¡¯t let her make her own mistakes


    and learn from them. As long as you have her back when she needs you, you¡¯re a good brother to her.¡±


    ¡°I think you should give her some credits. She¡¯s been passionate about her job. You can''t guarantee a


    longsting rtionship when she¡¯s not the right one for you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not talking about her job. I know how she dedicates her life to it, but I¡¯m talking about her personal


    life. She¡¯s your sister. I feel like she¡¯s also a part of my responsibilities even if she¡¯s not. You¡¯re my


    good friend. I just don¡¯t want her to make decisions without thinking through over again.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the concern, Lud. Can you look out for her? If it¡¯s not too much to ask?¡± I knew I shouldn¡¯t


    trust my sister to someone like Lud, but I couldn¡¯t think of anyone else other than him and Ash. But Ash


    had a lot on his te right now.


    ¡°I should be thest person you trust with your sister¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know you won¡¯t betray me, asshole.¡± I got up, fished out my phone, and dialed Kennedy¡¯s number.


    ¡°Who¡¯s an asshole?¡±


    ¡°Darling?¡±


    ¡°Did you just wrong dial my number?¡± There was excitement in her tone.


    I was also grinning like an idiot. ¡°I apologize. I was talking to Lud.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh, the only asshole you care about. How¡¯s he, and Ash, by the way?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re good.¡±


    ¡°And Carlott? How¡¯s she holding up? Your family?¡±


    ¡°You asked everyone but not your fiance?¡± I faked my hurt tone.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re doing great. I can hear it in your voice, Thayer. Don¡¯t be a crybaby.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I buy your reason. I¡¯m d to hear your voice, too, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°Me too. I missed you, babe.¡±


    ¡°I missed you more, darling.¡± I sighed deeply. ¡°I wish I¡¯m with you right now.¡±


    ¡°Well, I start counting down. Eight days more to go,¡± she sang. ¡°Yay!¡±


    ¡°Yet, it feels like eight years to me.¡± I was still smiling.


    ¡°You¡¯d be very busy in eight days, babe. And guess what?¡±


    ¡°Let me guess, you¡¯re in your bed, wearing a redcy negligee, and you¡¯re about to hit a video call


    button. Have you tried phone sex, darling?¡±


    She barked outughing. God, how I missed that rich voice of hers. ¡°Seriously? It¡¯s twelve midday,


    Thayer, and I¡¯m with friends in a coffee shop.¡±


    ¡°Oh? My bad. Different time zones, it is.¡±


    ¡°I was about to tell you about your grandfather.¡±


    ¡°What about him?¡± I asked quickly. My heart pounded.


    ¡°I visited him. Your Aunt Alessia came to my parents¡¯ house to pick me up. So, I finally met your


    grandfather, The King. It was such an honor.¡±


    ¡°I wish I was there with you. I¡¯m sure he was d to meet you, Kennedy. Thanks for doing that. I


    appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°Alessia told me that there''s some progress. He¡¯s breathing on his own, did you know that?¡± That was


    thetest update.


    ¡°I hope he will wake up sooner, darling.¡±


    ¡°I wish for that too.¡±


    My phone beeped. Someone was calling me. ¡°Darling, I have a waiting call. Can I call you back?¡±


    ¡°Sure. Take care. Talk to you soon.¡±


    ¡°I love you, Kennedy. Bye.¡±


    I checked the caller ID, and I remembered the country code¡ªit was from the US. I answered it. ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Prince Thayer, I have good news. The King has regained consciousness.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me, what?¡± I blinked, trying to process what I just heard.


    ¡°The King wakes up.¡±

 48

    48


    KENNEDY


    Grinning, I put my phone down. I just talked to Thayer. I hadn¡¯t realized how much I loved him until he


    was miles away from me. God, I missed him already, but I also missed being with my friends.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re leaving?¡± Siena asked, pouring a liberal amount of milk into her coffee.


    ¡°Since when do you prefer a cow over almond?¡± I looked down at her creamy cup.


    ¡°Since today. What¡¯s your deal, Siena?¡± Serenity asked, curling her bronze hair around her finger.


    ¡°Nothing. Just our friend is gonna be in the other part of the world with her prince charming,¡± she said


    incredulously.


    ¡°We can just be supportive and be happy with her decision.¡± Her brow arched.


    ¡°She loves her job, Serenity. Then prince charming came along. I mean they barely know each other


    and now look at her. She just broke up with her asshole ex, yet she¡¯s like under the prince''s spell. How


    convenient? Now, she¡¯s in love. isn¡¯t it crazy?¡± She snorted into her coffee.


    ¡°Love moves in a mysterious way. I think a prince like him can have a woman he wants, or his family


    can arrange someone for him, but he finds love in our friend.¡±


    ¡°And look at those two scary men in suits.¡± Siena red over my shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s weird that they follow


    you wherever you go.¡±


    ¡°Just ignore them and let them do their job,¡± I told them, bringing the cup into my lips.


    ¡°And damn, that¡¯s a huge stone.¡± Serenity nced at my engagement ring.


    ¡°Do they have a diamond mining in Capria?¡±


    I chuckled. I remembered how I told Thauer to give me a small stone instead of what I was wearing.


    ¡°Not that I know of. But he told me that he request the rare blue to resemble the color of my eyes.¡±


    ¡°God, he¡¯s so head over heel¡¯s in love with you.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s wealthy and powerful. Of course, he can have anything he wants. Besides, he¡¯s the second in


    line. He has to show off.¡± Siena rolled her eyes.


    I felt hurt. I couldn¡¯t believe she had this opinion of Thayer and me.


    ¡°In his defends, Thayer isn¡¯t just the second in line. He¡¯s a hard-working person.¡±


    She pursed her lips. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, Ken. I¡¯m happy for both of you. Truly. I just hope he won¡¯t


    hurt you like Prince Charles to Princess Diana and Prince William to Kate. I know you¡¯re a risk-taker.


    Just take care, and whatever you do, love yourself for doing it. You don¡¯t have to prove anything to


    anyone, okay?¡± She put her hand over mine.


    ¡°How¡¯s it to live there?¡± Serenity asked to break the tension around.


    ¡°It¡¯s just the same as here. I haven¡¯t been everywhere. Thayer took me to his father¡¯s county and


    Guardion. We sailed where he proposed.¡±


    Serenity giggled. ¡°Oh, my God! That¡¯s so romantic. Did he down on one knee?¡±


    ¡°No. At first, I turned him down.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Her eyes grew big as she leaned back. ¡°Why did you do that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story.¡± I smiled, remembering how I wore the ring. Our story was nothing alike like most


    couples. I thought that made ours special.


    ¡°Miss, are you Kennedy Gilby?¡±


    I turned my head to the young woman behind me in big ck-rimmed sses. ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God! Can we have a selfie?¡±


    ¡°Miss?¡± One of the bodyguards was already behind me.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I told him before I looked back at the girl in sses. ¡°Sure.¡±


    I smiled at her camera phone. Once we were done, she giggled. ¡°Thanks. You¡¯re so beautiful and kind.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s so sweet of you. You¡¯re wee.¡± When I got back to Siena and Serenity, they were just


    staring at me. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Wow. You¡¯repletely a different person. I mean in a good way. What just happened?¡±


    ¡°Well, I learned a few things. It¡¯s not easy, but I think I can do something and make a little difference.¡±


    ¡°As long as you¡¯re happy and he¡¯s not forcing you to do anything you don¡¯t like, Serenity and I will


    always be here with you.¡± Finally, her tensed expression eased as a smile genuinely spread on her lips.


    I would have said the same thing if she was in my shoe because it may be enthralling, it could also be


    terrifying knowing you would be in public scrutiny most of the time.


    ¡°So, here we thought since there¡¯s no guarantee when we could give you your bridal shower, we n a


    small surprise for you.¡± Serenity sped her hands together.


    ¡°And you can¡¯t give us excuses. Think of this as ourst party together before you¡¯re gonna be Mrs.


    Prince Thayer.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God. Why do I suddenly feel nervous?¡± I looked at both of them. In the next few seconds, we


    were bothughing uncontrobly.


    ***


    ¡°Are you sure this would work?¡± I asked both of them as I dressed into a baggy hoodie. I wanted to get


    away from the men in suits so that we could have fun without them reporting our little n back to


    Thayer.


    ¡°This would. Remember, we have every two tickets, but instead of going to Hollywood, we¡¯ll be leaving


    in an hour to Vegas, okay?¡±


    I nodded at Siena. ¡°Got it.¡± I sent a text to Thayer earlier that I wouldn¡¯t be able to answer if he called


    me. I knew he would be pissed at those guys, but I was sure nothing harm would be done during our


    trips.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Five hourster, wended in Las Vegas. An hourter, I was staring at myself in the mirror in a red


    mini dress with a bride-to-be sash.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡± Siena was ecstatic and looked stunning. She was wearing a blue mini dress.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, girls! Our VIP is ready!¡± Serenity barely stepped out of herfort zone, but tonight she was


    like a newly transform in a ck dress and just showed off a lot of cleavages.


    Once we entered the VIP they rented, a mix of excitement and anticipation made me a little jittery. I


    was still blindfolded, but I smelled the drinks and an intense male perfume. I also felt the coldness of


    the room. Then the pop music started ying so loud, I jumped.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Just rx,¡± it was Serenity whispering into my ear.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t hire a stripper, did you?¡± Iughed.


    ¡°It''s a surprise. Okay, take a seat.¡± She guided me to sit down. Once I was seated, she asked,


    ¡°Ready?¡±


    When I nodded, she pulled off the tie at the back of my head. The blindfold fell. I blinked and allowed


    my pupils to adjust to the blinding light around me. For a moment, I thought I was brought to a fairy tale


    costume with cheap crowns.


    Iughed out loud. Serenity and Siena raised their sses at me from the counter.


    Seina mouthed. ¡°Enjoy.¡±


    The waiter ced a pink cocktail on the side table. I picked it up and mouthed thank you at them. I took


    a sip, ced it down, and readied myself.


    The production started.


    I couldn¡¯t help butughed as these guys yed Magic Mike princes. They reminded me of Thayer.


    I averted my gaze at Siena flirting with the bartender while Serenity focused her gaze on the three


    princes.


    ¡°I thought of something more naughty!¡±


    ¡°Just wait and see!¡± Siena yelled back.


    I was barely able to fix my seat, the blond prince at the center started stripping off. He threw his crown


    first, and then the royal military uniform came next.


    I covered my mouth with my hand to hold myugh.


    The other two princes followed. It seemed that the blond was the heir prince.


    In one rough swift pulled from the two guys, the blond prince was only in his faux leather pouch T-back


    thong underwear.


    ¡°Oh, my God!¡± I was startled in my seat.


    Siena and Serenityughed at my reaction. The magic mike princes started strip dancing.


    ¡°Holy cow!¡± Iughed out loud. I wanted to cover my eyes, scared that they might have wardrobe


    malfunctions.


    The image of the sex club sprung in my head¡ªthose moans, groans, the smell of sex thickening in the


    air. Goosebumps erupted all over my skin.


    I grabbed my drinks. My hand trembled slightly. I downed the cocktail empty, allowing it to burn in my


    throat.


    Magic mike number one walked down. He had a good physique. I got it, that was how he got paid, but


    damn he had ripped muscles, washboard abs, and nice pecs. Wait a minute. Why was I thinking about


    this man¡¯s body? I blinked rapidly. My gaze dropped at the cocktail I just drained.


    Crap.

 49

    49


    THAYER


    The entire country was celebrating. My family was beyond relieved. We just did a video call with the


    King. My grandfather was still weak but managed to wave to the camera. His speech pattern was still


    slurry, but he could remember us.


    Thank God. I sighed in relief again.


    I felt a million tons lifted off my shoulders. My heart filled with contentment and happiness. I wiped my


    face, not knowing I just cried. This time, it was tears of joy.


    Grandfather and I were very close. We shared this special bonding since I was named after his father.


    That was why he called me Camren instead of Thayer.


    ¡°I¡¯ll address the people,¡± my father said.


    ¡°Good idea,¡± I agreed.


    ¡°This is great news, son. A wonderful gift. The best gift we¡¯ve received so far.¡± I saw the excitement and


    happiness flowing in my father¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t agree more, Daddy.¡±


    Our PR had already called out an urgent press conference. In less than an hour, my father would


    address the nation and tell them the good news.


    I went to my mother with my sister. ¡°Still a good way to end this year, yeah? It¡¯s been a roller coaster


    ride, but this is a good year.¡±


    ¡°You can finally take some rest, honey.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m still notining. Besides, Grandfather can¡¯t be on his feet and do his duties. He


    needs his full recovery. We still take full precautions, and he will be under his doctor¡¯s watch twenty-


    four seven even if he¡¯s back on his feet. I wouldn¡¯t take that for granted.¡±


    ¡°Brother, chill a little bit. You¡¯re still tense. Let¡¯s celebrate this win. Loosen up. This is still our victory.¡±


    I inhaled audibly. ¡°It is a victory, indeed.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t go ming yourself again. Your grandfather is stronger than you think. And this is great. He can


    have your blessings in your marriage to Kennedy.¡± Mom¡¯s eyes lit up.


    Fuck.


    I forgot to call her back.


    ¡°Give me a minute.¡± I fished out my phone. She sent me a text that she couldn¡¯t answer if I called. I


    dialed her number anyway. The rings went on, and she didn¡¯t pick up.


    I typed a message.


    Darling, call me as soon as you read this. I have good news. Love you.


    I pressed send. I stuffed my phone back into my pocket.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t answer?¡± Carlott asked. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. What time is it there?¡±


    I checked my watch. ¡°Almost two in the morning.¡±


    ¡°See? Nothing to worry about. She¡¯s probably sleeping alone in bed.¡±


    I arched my brows. ¡°You¡¯re saying?¡±


    She hit me yfully. ¡°I want you to smile. Thank me for it. You¡¯re gonna get married to the woman you


    love with Grandfather¡¯s presence. So what¡¯s with the frown?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not frowning.¡±


    ¡°Keep telling yourself that. Ahh, I need a drink.¡±


    Mom came in. ¡°Children, get ready. Your father is about to give his announcement.¡±


    Outside the Chateau, hundreds of people gathered. I stood beside my mother and my sister while my


    father went on the tform.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a rough month for this country, economically, financially, and the health of the King. We gave


    you brief updates on his health. But as of hours ago, we¡¯ve confirmed through video conference. From


    where His Excellency has been treated for a couple of months, Your Majesty, The King has improved.


    In fact, he¡¯d be happy to give his first appearance in a few days.¡± My father paused when the audience


    sighed in relief. ¡°I¡¯m asking you to continue praying for his fast recovery. My family and I will be forever


    in your debt. Thank you so much foring tonight.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, when is the royal wedding?¡± the man in his forties asked.


    ¡°Prince Thayer will answer you, himself.¡± I¡¯d love to protest since this wasn¡¯t about me, but I¡¯d like to


    give them a reason to celebrate.


    Before I walked forward to answer a question, the head of the PR whispered, ¡°Make it brief. Let¡¯s not


    be overwhelmed by the purpose of this conference.¡±


    I cleared my throat to show him that I had not forgotten anything. ¡°Good evening. Let¡¯s celebrate


    tonight¡¯s victory. We¡¯d been looking forward to giving this good news to the People of Triberis Capria.


    We thank you all for sending your prayers to His Majesty. As for my marriage, we¡¯ll give an update


    another time. Long Live the King.¡±


    ***


    My phone kept on ringing. The loud banging on the door continued. What was the emergency all


    about? Then Ash¡¯s voice echoed. The door swung opened simultaneously.


    ¡°Damn it, Ash. You can juste in and wake up as normal people do. You have the key.¡± I groaned.


    My body was still sleeping, but when he turned the light on, I rubbed my eyes.


    ¡°Get up, Your Highness. We have pressing matters that need your attention.¡±


    My sleepiness dissolved without a trace. I was already sitting in the bed. ¡°Is The King okay?¡±


    ¡°He is, Your Highness.¡± He swallowed hard. His expression was stoic, but I knew he was keeping the


    huge bomb to blow on my face.


    ¡°Thank God. Then what is it all about?¡± I stood up and grabbed the robe he offered. I went to the


    bathroom to empty my dder.


    When I came back, he gave me water. I took it from him and drunk half of it. ¡°Are you gonna tell me


    about it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better you see it yourself.¡±


    I red at him. ¡°This is better be worthy of my time.¡± We climbed downstairs. He led me to the study.


    Marko, Lud, my PR, my social media ount manager were also here.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Nobody answered. Instead, Marko pressed the remote of the tv. My engagement picture with Kennedy


    shed on the tv screen. He changed channels five times or more. I lost count. The same image of us


    together shed in every television and news channel.


    ¡°What are these all about?¡± I asked Marko. I couldn¡¯t keep up the headlines.


    ¡°It¡¯s trending on Twitter, every social media, gossip sites, morning talk shows. Everywhere.¡± He showed


    me on the iPad, swiping every page. They were all the same. "They call her A Royal Wrecker. Hashtag


    #RoyalWreckerBitch. My apology for the word, Your Highness.¡±


    I grabbed the remote from Marko, turning the volume loud.


    My heart sunk.


    My skin went cold as ice.


    ¡°We¡¯ve just received a confirmation from the Royalst night that The King of Triberis Capria is


    recovering well in a secured location. Then this image of the future wife of Prince Thayer just came


    over an hour ago and has been spread all over the inte and trending on every social media. She¡¯s


    seen in Hollywood, where these images were taken. We¡¯re still waiting for the confirmation from the


    Royal family and theirments about this.¡±


    The remote flew to the wall, shattering into pieces. My chest heaved. My gaze was still glued on the tv


    screen as Kennedy¡¯s pictures, almost wearing nothing but a skimpy outfit, kept shing.


    I raked my fingers through my hair, pulling it out, praying I was dreaming that what I saw was just a part


    of my nightmare.


    A surge of rage crowded out of all other emotions as I gaped at the tv screen. The voice of the


    newscaster muffled around. All I could hear was the pounding of blood in my ears. I wanted to scream,


    but my jaw clenched. I couldn¡¯t open my mouth to speak because what would I say? That it wasn¡¯t her?


    When it was Kennedy. Her drunken self, hovered by two men.


    Jesus Christ!


    I wanted to kill those men who dared to touch her. My hands formed into fists. My knuckles cracked,


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    itching to punch something or someone who dared to talk trash about her.


    ¡°Give me a fucking phone,¡± I growled. My anger intensified.


    Ash gave me his phone. ¡°Think before you say something you might not be able to take back.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s crystal clear. I saw what I saw, and I know my fiancee. Now, it¡¯s clear to me why she¡¯s so adamant


    to get out of here. What the fuck else isn¡¯t obvious to you?¡± I tried to keep the anger out of my voice,


    but I was shaking that if I couldn¡¯t get out, I might explode.


    ¡°I¡¯m asking someone to investigate before we will give a statement to the press.¡±


    ¡°But the press is waiting, Your Highness.¡±


    I snapped my head to the head of PR. ¡°You, shut the fuck up. If you release one word out there, I will


    make sure you lose everything, including your own life.¡± I pointed at him. ¡°Did you fucking understand


    me?¡±


    He bowed his head. ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    With my hand was trembling, I dialed her number on Ash¡¯s phone. When it started ringing, I pressed it


    to my ear. I tried to take deep breaths to calm my anger down. At this moment, nothing really helped.


    All I wanted was to smash things that came to my sight.


    ¡°Hello?¡± My heart pounded as soon as I heard that sweet sleepy voice. This time, my heart didn¡¯t beat


    fast out of excitement¡ªit hammered with pure rage.


    ¡°What the fuck did you do, Kennedy? Did you quickly forget what I told you? You just couldn¡¯t take my


    words seriously and never have ever listened to me, have you? You have to fucking do something


    against my will!¡±


    ¡°Thayer, is that you?¡±


    ¡°Are you out of your fucking mind? I can¡¯t believe you just pulled that card out on me!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? I just wake up, and why are you yelling at me?¡±


    I squeezed my eyes shut. ¡°You just crossed the line, Kennedy. I¡¯d been trying to let everything stuck


    into your head to be very careful that people would judge you no matter, but still, you have to do it your


    way. Now, look what the fuck you just did, the damages you did to my family, to my grandfather? And


    for fuck¡¯s sake, Kennedy, you have to drag the honor of my family down with you¡ªthe repute we built,


    the name we cared for so many years. And the worse thing is, you didn¡¯t just ruin me. You ruined


    everything! My life, my works, my career, my family, my country, my kingdom, and my title. Every-


    fucking-thing!¡± I threw my hand in the air. ¡°Jesus Christ, Kennedy! I love you. I love you so much. Is this


    how you repay me? They might be right after all. You¡¯re nothing but a wrecker.¡±


    ¡°Thayer, please? I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± She seemed shaken from the other line of the


    phone call.


    ¡°Just fucking shut up because nothing can repair the damages you¡¯ve done.¡±


    ¡°Thayer!¡±


    I snapped at Ash beside me. ¡°It¡¯s Prince Thayer to you. Your Highness. Do you fucking understand


    me? Get the fuck out! I will call you if I need your service.¡± I turned to my right. ¡°You, all of you! Get the


    fuck out!¡±


    ¡°You just destroyed me.¡± My anger didn¡¯t dissipate. It was growing and growing big in my chest, and I


    might explode. ¡°Bitch.¡±

 50

    50


    KENNEDY


    ¡°You destroyed me. Bitch.¡±


    I had not been able to process what just happened. Why Thayer had gone insane, cursing the living


    shit out of me?


    Serenity and Siena barged into my room. I looked at them through my blurry vision¡ªthey were wearing


    the same expression on their faces¡ªpain and sorrow.


    In silence, Siena picked the remote control and turned the tv on. My picture shed on the screen.


    ***


    It hurt when people judged you something you didn¡¯t even do, but no one could ever imagine what I¡¯d


    been going through for thest couple of hours, knowing the man I loved had hated me for ruining his


    life¡ªtheir lives.


    I cried into my pillow.


    My life was ruined. My career was over because of something I had nothing to do with. My name,


    family, and even my friends were all tangled with the mess I didn¡¯t even do. That was now people could


    easily judge me.


    I didn¡¯t know how did I get back home safe and alive. I didn¡¯t know how did I fall asleep in bed, knowing


    I had nothing to live for¡ªI had no purpose, no Thayer to get back to Capria. It was all gone for false


    allegations.


    ¡°Honey, you need to eat something.¡± I felt a soft squeeze on my shoulder. Thank God I wasn¡¯t so


    numb.


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry.¡±


    ¡°This is just a storm, honey. It will pass. You have to be strong. And honey, Alessia called up, asking


    about you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna talk to anyone. Please, tell everyone, even Serenity and Siena. Tell them that I went


    somewhere.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t just shut your friends out. At this time, you need them.¡±


    I rose from my bed. ¡°Not this time, Mom. I need to be alone.¡± I looked at her. My eyes stung again. ¡°I


    ruined everyone I got close to. You and Dad, too. You, my friends, and the kingdom just got their King


    back. I did this to them.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true. Alessia mentioned some investigations. She told me to tell you that you should hang


    on. They¡¯re doing everything they can to clean your name, and whoever did this wouldn¡¯t go


    unpunished. Her words, not mine.¡±


    ¡°Then what? Still, you couldn¡¯t convince anyone to believe in me anymore.¡±


    ¡°Honey, if I learned something in life, people will always judge you no matter what good or bad you do.


    You just have to be grateful if there are people who believe you. Those you should treasure. The real


    friends, the rare people who stayed. Then you have to learn how to live the life you want to. Give them


    your middle finger and say fuck you.¡±


    I smiled sadly, wiping off the tears rolling down my face. ¡°Thanks, Mom. You¡¯re the best.¡± Before I


    walked into the bathroom, I paused. ¡°Maybe you should pack your things and go back to your old


    home. There are no more reasons for you and Dad to stay here.¡±


    I looked at myself in the mirror. I was a mess. Swollen face, eyes, my nose red, my hair tangled. I


    grabbed my brush, brushing through tangled, ignoring the pain of tearing off knots. I sat down when I


    couldn¡¯t bear the pain in my chest. I sobbed again.


    It hurt so much. It might be less if I did it¡ªif I was guilty¡ªif I was in those pictures. ording to the


    news, I was in Hollywood when I was in Vegas at that time. How did that happen? Who did those


    horrible things to destroy me?


    I went to the shower. The hot water should have given me somefort, but I felt like I was drowning.


    When I finished my shower, I put somefy clothes on. Just the right timing, my stomach grumbled.


    I walked down, and I found my father in the kitchen watching the news. As I expected, it was about


    Prince Thayer of Capria, but this time, it wasn¡¯t my picture on the screen.


    ¡°Honey.¡± Dad was surprised by me or the fact that I caught him watching the news. ¡°I¡¯ll turn it off.¡±


    ¡°Keep it.¡± I bit back the tears about to roll down.


    ¡°Despite the recent reports of Prince Thayer¡¯s fiancee¡¯s involvement of the viral images all over the


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    inte, the prince continues his appearance and social engagements. The Royal Prince of Capria is


    currently in Sweden. If we remember,st year, he was well involved in saving the protected animal


    sanctuary. The prince is known to have a huge heart with animals. Since the recent incident of his


    fiancee, both parties haven¡¯t released anyments about the issue, but rumors broke out, the


    engagement is called off. Is the prince looking for his new princess? It also has been rumored since


    ¡°I think I¡¯m not hungry anymore.¡± I went back to my room. I cried into my pillow until my nose clogged,


    my energy drained.


    I fell asleep.


    I woke up in the middle of the night, feeling empty.


    I rose from the bed. The image of Thayer and that princess crept into my mind. And the words of his


    father about the terms stabbed me in the chest. I realized that he didn¡¯t need me anymore. He didn¡¯t


    need a bride to save his birthright. The King woke up from hisa. And that was how easily he gave


    up on me¡ªon us.


    He used me.


    When he didn¡¯t need me anymore, he moved on¡ªhe moved on to the princess. Maybe this issue was


    his way to get rid of me.


    I couldn¡¯t hide from the truth. It was nowing all together like pieces of the puzzle. I was nothing but


    a tool. While my truth was, I loved him.


    I loved Thayer.


    I let out a sigh before I picked up my luggage. I pulled out my clothes from the drawer and picked up


    something I could wear that nobody would recognize me anymore. I put them all in one suitcase.


    I went to the bathroom, inspecting my hair. The brte would be a good disguise.


    Two hourster, I ced a note and the velvet box on top of my nightstand.


    ***


    Three dayster¡­


    I inhaled.


    I looked at Tl one more time, my skydiving instructor. Dark, deep-seated eyes, staring at me. ¡°Are


    you sure I¡¯m not gonna die if I jump with you?¡±


    ¡°Kenny.¡± He called me Kenny because he loved Kenny Rogers. ¡°If we won¡¯t jump now, we will miss our


    ¡°Fine! Fine! We still die no matter what.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re in fourteen-thousand feet now, Kenny.¡± He rechecked my gear. ¡°Anyway, we¡¯re tandem¡ªthe


    safest for a first-timer. Well, it¡¯s our second. You should get used to this already.¡± The first time we did, I


    thought I passed out.


    Carell finally gave us his signal that we were ready to go.


    ¡°It¡¯s now or never.¡±


    ¡°One, two, jump!¡±


    My heart pounded.


    Air held in my lungs.


    Tl held my arms to extend.


    I felt like flying. I finally had the guts to open my eyes and let go of the breathing I held. This was the


    best feeling, definitely better than thest one.


    ¡°Whoooo!¡± Iughed like crazy.


    Freefall. It was scary, terrifying, but at the same time, it was blissful, exciting¡ªno, it was thrilling.


    The most incredible feeling was when you were up there floating¡ªthe most incredible sixty seconds of


    my life.


    Tl deployed the parachute. We pulled up before the canopy had expandedpletely. Clouds


    scattered, but that was not the breathtaking part. It was the beautiful sight of Palm Jumeirah. It was


    magnificent¡ªDubai¡¯s symbols of creativity and ambition and the mind-blowing view of the Persian Gulf.


    It was all I needed. To clear my mind and block Thayer out of my head. For the first time, I thought of


    myself¡ªmy happiness was my priority. Conquering my fear was my first way of moving on.


    Ournding was smooth. Despite that my whole body was shaking, I felt I had no bones in my body. It


    was fulfilling, though, and even if it was a life-threatening experience, I only lived once, and it was worth


    the risk.


    At the restaurant, Tl met me. ¡°When¡¯s your next¡ªwhat was that you said before, fear-conquering


    quest?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet. I might stay here for a couple of days.¡± I shoved a spoonful of Ghuzi into my mouth.


    Allspice and the juicymb exploded in my taste bud.


    ¡°When you¡¯re done with your adventure, feel free to contact me. I¡¯d love to do it again. Next time, no


    more tandem.¡±


    I smiled. ¡°Thanks for being patient.¡±


    ¡°Trust me, Kenny. You are not the worse student I have encountered.¡± He raised his Pomegranate


    cocktail. ¡°And if you decide to marry the prince, don¡¯t forget to send me an invitation. I¡¯ll bring the whole


    camel roast.¡±


    My mouth hung opened. Crap. ¡°How did you know?¡±


    ¡°At first, you looked so familiar. Then I remembered when I saw your picture on Instagram. So mind for


    a selfie?¡± He waggled his dark, thick brows.


    ¡°I¡¯m supposed to be lying low.¡± I rolled my eyes, but I gave in anyway. I raised my Sultan cocktail or


    Turkish Cosmo and smiled.

 51

    51


    THAYER


    ¡°Where¡¯s my son?¡±


    I was startled by my father¡¯s words. Then I froze like a corpse when I sensed him behind me. He was


    probably with my mother.


    I ruined everything. Now, I realized what I had done. I probably lost the woman I loved as well.


    ¡°Son?¡±


    I was fucked-up mess. Shaking, I turned around to face my parents and the consequences I would


    face. But it wasn¡¯t what I saw before my blurry eyes.


    ¡°How are you holding up?¡± my father asked.


    I shook my head. My emotions were everywhere. What had just happened was like a freight train


    running over me. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to erase those images out of my mind. Jealousy


    stabbed me in my chest, and I lost control. I just couldn¡¯t bear someone or those men touching


    Kennedy.


    A hot warm liquid rolled down my face. I bit the trembled on my lip, wiping off the tear on my face.


    ¡°Honey, we¡¯re gonna fix this. Ash is already asking the men he hired to watch Kennedy. We still haven¡¯t


    heard from her, though,¡± Mom said, rubbing my arms.


    ¡°After what I said, I doubt if she ever talks to me.¡± Guilt and regret shouldn¡¯t mix because it made a man


    insane.


    ¡°Everything is gonna be okay. I don¡¯t believe even for a second that Kennedy could do such things in


    those images.¡±


    ¡°So did I,¡± my father agreed.


    ¡°Yeah, but I already fucked up.¡± Tears threatened to fall again.


    My body shook. I dragged myself down to the floor. I realized the damages I¡¯d done to my family and


    Kennedy. If there was one person to me for this was nothing but me.


    ¡°Your Highness.¡± It was Ash¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Any news?¡± my father asked him.


    ¡°I think I got something, but we have to confirm the flight.¡±


    ¡°What flight?¡± I snapped my gaze to Ash.


    He didn¡¯t even bother to look at me. ¡°If what the men I hired said was true, Miss Gilby and her friends


    booked two flights. One to Hollywood and the other to Las Vegas. They lost them before the flight to


    Vegas took off. The flight to LA was three hours after Nevada.¡±


    ¡°Those pictures were taken in LA. Am I right?¡± my mother asked.


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Well, finally, there¡¯s some good news.


    ***


    I woke up with a terrible headache. Those images shed in my head again. They said the show must


    go on. The PR advised me not to cancel any public appearances.


    My poprity just dropped fifteen percent. Most of thosements were saying that they couldn¡¯t rely


    on me anymore. That was how people could quickly judge someone like they knew every fucking bone


    in my body. I couldn¡¯t me them, though. I, myself, couldn¡¯t trust my decision anymore. I let my


    emotions clouded my judgment.


    The next day, I arrived to meet Princess Eina. She and I shared interests. We became good friends


    since she fought to save the animal sanctuaryst year.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear about you and your fiancee.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I smiled despite the excruciating pain in my chest. The beautiful forest should grant me


    peace of mind. Right now, I couldn¡¯t even appreciate anything.


    ¡°Thanks also foring over. You could have just sent a representative.¡±


    ¡°This is the best way to clear my head.¡±


    ¡°Well, if it¡¯s any constion, we have another Arctic fox.¡±


    My chest lightened up a little bit. ¡°That¡¯s great. How did acquire it?¡±


    ¡°One of the hunters found it the Scandinavian forest.¡± She stopped. ¡°If I can help you with anything,


    please, Thayer, don¡¯t hesitate. I¡¯m your friend.¡± She held my arm.


    Heart-wrenching sorrow rolled down inside me. ¡°I know. This is what I just needed for now.¡±


    I boarded the private jetter on. As soon as I locked my seat belt, Ash put a piece of folded paper on


    the table. He then settled at the back. I didn¡¯t have to unfold to know what was that. I just destroyed our


    friendship as well. I let my anger, my rage, and my anguish consume me. Now, I started to hate


    myself.


    epting my defeat and mistakes wasn¡¯t easy for me, but for the sake of my friendship with the most


    important people in my life who would never hesitate to catch a bullet for me or even donated their vital


    organs, I should do the right thing.


    After the takeoff, the seat belt light turned off. I unhitched my buckle and joined Ash and Lud.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk the elephant in the room, shall we?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got nothing to say. I made peace with my future, and this is myst day,¡± Ash said, audibly let go


    of a sigh of relief.


    ¡°I guess I¡¯m done with this as well,¡± Lud agreed.


    ¡°You both are leaving me?¡± My stomach just did a nosedive.


    ¡°Look, Your Highness.¡± Ash did an emphasis. I knew why. ¡°We¡¯ve been through hell and shits together,


    but we better parted in good terms. You know I always do my best with my job. And I thought there¡¯s


    more to this job than protecting a prince. I thought we were friends, but after what you didst night, I


    apologize, but I can¡¯t work with you anymore.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I am here. I need to talk to you about that.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± Lud asked. ¡°I was busy sorting out the situation outside the room. Care to fill me


    in?¡± He bounced his gaze between Ash and me.


    While ring at me, Ash said, ¡°It¡¯s Prince Thayer to you.¡± I winced, so ashamed of what I just did. ¡°Your


    Highness. I will call you if I need your service that kind of shits.¡±


    I looked down. I¡¯d never been more ashamed in my life than facing the consequences of my action.


    My cheeks burned. They were my friends, yet I let them down. I acted like a brat. An imbecile.


    ¡°Fuck me. That¡¯s just so fucked up, dude.¡± I could feel the re Lud was throwing at me.


    ¡°Not only that. You just destroyed me. Bitch.¡±


    My jaw clenched. Before I could endure the pain upon hearing those words, my head snapped against


    the back of the chair. The sound of the crackle echoed in the jet. I winched in pain, but nothing I


    couldn¡¯t handle. What I couldn¡¯t was losing my best friends and the woman I loved. Warm liquid oozed


    from my nose.


    I deserved it.


    ¡°You fucking asshole. If for a second, that you think I will let you demean Kennedy because she doesn¡¯t


    have the same privilege you''ve got? You are fucking wrong. You can cut my head off, I don¡¯t give a


    fuck, but as long as I am alive, I won¡¯t let that happen. Do you fucking get me? That¡¯s too harsh, dude,


    for someone who keeps chanting how much he loves his woman. You are fucking disgusting. And I


    wouldn¡¯t apologize for what I did. Prince or not, I don¡¯t give a fuck! I¡¯m done. I quit.¡±


    I touched the blood dripping from my nose. The stewardess came, carrying a box of tissue. I pulled


    some flies, wiping off the blood. ¡°I deserved that.¡±


    ¡°Of course, you do. You¡¯re far worse than her ex. Do you know that?¡± That was what I loved about Lud,


    even if he gallivanted too much. He extremely cared about the people close to him.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m asking for forgiveness from the both of you.¡± I nced at them. Ash didn¡¯t seem to give


    a fuck, while Lud was still ring at me. His anger boiled in his eyes. ¡°I know I can¡¯t take back the trust


    and respect you had for me, but I want us to part on good terms. You will be both very well


    ¡°I could care less about your fucking money.¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re still pissed at me, Ash¡ª¡±


    ¡°Pissed?¡± His eyes narrowed. ¡°Pissed? Try looking for any words you could find. It doesn¡¯t even


    describe how I feel about you right now. You disappoint me, Your Royal fucking Highness. We¡¯ve been


    through hell and back. Then it hits me hard. You don¡¯t love Kennedy. What you only care about is


    saving your fucking ass.¡± There went the dagger into my heart again.


    ¡°That¡¯s not true!¡± I barked. ¡°I care about that woman. I love her still, even after what happened. I would


    still choose her over my title. I don¡¯t give a damn about my birthright anymore. Fuck it! All I¡¯ve done. All


    I did for the entire twenty-six years of my life was, pleasing the people and giving them exactly what


    they wanted to see. When I met Kennedy, I wanted to be myself. I wanted to show my people the real


    me. Look how quickly they judged me? So, I¡¯m done as well.¡± I threw my hands in the air. I rose from


    my seat. ¡°This is also myst engagement. After this, I¡¯d be off to find my woman and grovel if I have


    to. I would ask for her forgiveness even if it takes the rest of my life.¡± I went back to my seat and looked


    at the clouds outside. It was so serene, unlike what I felt in my chest.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Any regrets? None. If there was one huge regret I had left was how I treated the woman I loved that


    she didn¡¯t deserve.


    ¡°How about another mission?¡± Lud surprised me. Ash also joined across mine.


    I stared at them suspiciously. ¡°What mission?¡±


    They shrugged without a word.


    ¡°Again?¡± My brows arched.


    ¡°Do you have any other ns you¡¯d like to share with the ss?¡± Pissed off Ash growled.


    ¡°It is then. But what¡¯s the catch?¡±


    Ash scratched his beard. Lud elbowed him.


    ¡°What¡¯s the catch?¡± I waited.


    ¡°You won¡¯t give up your birthright.¡± Ash yed his card well.


    ¡°Then I also have one condition.¡±


    Lud snorted. ¡°We¡¯re helping you. You won¡¯t demand, prince of ass.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll do it alone.¡±


    Ash grunted. ¡°You¡¯re really a fucking asshole.¡± He stared at me. ¡°Let¡¯s hear your demand. Make it


    short.¡±


    ¡°I want both of you back.¡±


    They looked at each other andughed. Like,ugh out loud. The jet vibrated.


    ¡°Go ahead. Say your demand, Ludovic,¡± Ash asked him.


    ¡°Fine.¡± I rolled my eyes. ¡°What do you want, asshole?¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you wanna hear it?¡± He was smirking.


    ¡°Just say it before I change my mind.¡± My eyes narrowed. I got the feeling that I was going to regret


    this.


    ¡°Since you¡¯ve asked nicely. Fine. I¡¯m gonna date your sister.¡±


    ¡°Son of a bitch!¡±

 52

    52


    KENNEDY


    My pulse raced as my Gmail popped on my phone. I had a new email from Mom.


    I opened it to read the message. I hadn¡¯t contacted my parents other than an email, telling them that I


    needed some space.


    My heart sank.


    I drew a deep breath, let out, and dialed Mom¡¯s number. She picked right away as if she was expecting


    my call.


    ¡°Hey, Mom.¡±


    ¡°Honey. Oh, thank God. Where are you? You made us worry.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Mom. Tell Dad not to worry. I¡¯m having fun, actually.¡±


    ¡°Having fun? What kind of fun, honey?¡± It was Dad. Maybe she put the speaker on.


    ¡°If I tell you both, could you not tell anyone where I am? I need some time for myself before Ie


    back. But don¡¯t worry, I am doing great.


    ¡°Can you tell us now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in Dubai.¡±


    ¡°Dubai? In the Middle East? What the hell are you doing there?¡± Now I regretted letting them know. Of


    course, I couldn¡¯t tell them to stop worrying about me, but I made my decisions.


    ¡°We have clients before. She told me if I have ns to visit UAE, I should call her. So that¡¯s why I am


    here.¡±


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°How are you holding up? When are you gonnae back?¡±


    I sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m nning to travel to another country.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d to hear your voice, honey. Since you are doing okay, we¡¯re good here,¡± Dad said.


    ¡°Have you transferred yet?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what we wanna talk about you.¡±


    ¡°Wait. Did someone visit you?¡±


    ¡°No. Nothing like that. Alessia called here yesterday, asking about you. I can¡¯t tell her anything because


    you just left without telling us about your ns or wherever you were nning to go. And you wanted


    us to mail this¡ªyou know.¡±


    I swallowed hard. ¡°Yeah, Mom. Or you can just give it to Alessia. She will give it to him.¡±


    ¡°Honey, you can mention his name if you¡¯re really doing fine.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going there, Mom.¡±


    ¡°Good. Anyway, have you watched the news?¡±


    I shook my head. From the ss window, I watched the fastest growing and well-developed city as far


    as my sight would go. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna hear or know about it.¡±


    ¡°Well, just saw you know. They made a statement this morning.¡±


    ¡°Mom, please?¡± I bit back my tears.


    ¡°Honey, listen to me, Kennedy.¡± It was Dad. ¡°You need to know that they¡¯ve already found that woman


    in those pictures. Someone knew about your booking. They made a huge mistake because you can¡¯t


    be in two different ces at the same time.¡±


    ¡°Unless I have a double.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. The Royals have a copy of the flight manifest. And that your flight to LA was canceled before


    you and your friends flew to Vegas. So, your name has been cleared, and those trolls finally apologized


    and believed that it wasn¡¯t you.¡±


    ¡°So, who¡¯s the perpetrator that made that woman looked like me?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter now, Kennedy. Have you talked to Prince Thayer?¡± There you go again, the


    constriction in my chest.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t checked my number. I just purchased a visitor¡¯s sim card. I hope you two can still keep a


    secret. I¡¯m not ready toe back. It means I¡¯m not ready to talk to anyone.¡±


    ¡°Wepletely understand, Kennedy. Just don¡¯t do something stupid, okay?¡±


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m only here to enjoy, unwind, and skydive.¡± I rolled my eyes. They were overprotective, and


    they exactly reminded me of someone.


    ¡°You what?¡± I could feel the panic in my mom¡¯s voice.


    Oh, God! Kill me now. ¡°That¡¯s why I didn¡¯t wanna tell you about it because I can literally see your


    reaction right now.¡±


    ¡°Is it safe?¡± Dad asked.


    ¡°Well, I just want to conquer my fear. And I¡¯m not gonna jump alone. I have an instructor, and he¡¯s


    patient and kind.¡±


    ¡°He?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± I let out augh. ¡°Mom, he, and don¡¯t go there yet. I know what you both are thinking. He¡¯s kind,


    but that¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Just take care and don¡¯t push yourself too hard.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Mom. Love you both. Got to go. And please, start packing. Bye.¡±


    ***


    ¡°Good to see you, Kenny. d that you have finally made your decision.¡±


    ¡°I wanna earn a certificate,¡± I said proudly. I met Tl in the Base after I called him that I was ready to


    do it on my own, but still, with a professional. I did my first jump course. Now I was ready for my four-


    day training course for AFF¡ªit was called elerated Freefall.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯d been telling you. You¡¯re a fast learner.¡±


    ¡°And let¡¯s not forget that I don¡¯t chicken out anymore.¡±


    ¡°Exactly! Because you have one of the best instructors.¡± He raised his hand for a high five.¡±


    ¡°And who might that be because I have two instructors with me,¡± I smirked.


    ¡°You have to admit, Kenny. I¡¯m the best. When you get back to America, you can rmend and tag


    me on your social media.¡±


    Iughed out loud. It felt good tough¡ªlike really really good. I couldn¡¯t believe that it had been days


    since I heard myselfugh. It was during that night in Vegas.


    ¡°Fine. You¡¯re the best.¡± I rolled my eyes.


    ¡°Let me familiarize you with the course manual. We start as early as eight in the morning. sses take


    seven to eight hours a day. It starts with motivation, risk management, gear inspections, etc. You will


    join the other students. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m one of your instructors.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°But today, I¡¯ll give you a free tandem. Just for today.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± My eyes widened.


    ¡°Yes. Now, let¡¯s go gear up. The weather is great today. I want you to be fully confident before you start


    your AFF Camp tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Yay! Can¡¯t wait.¡±


    We entered the building. There were wind tunnels indoors for athletes or who wanted to find out what it


    felt like to be in the sky during freefall.


    ¡°See you when you are ready. Meet me at the waiting area.¡±


    I went to the hallway, passed by rooms toward the women¡¯s locker to put my suit on.


    A woman carrying a bottle that looked like vored yogurt asked, ¡°You¡¯re Kenny?¡±


    ¡°Yup?"


    ¡°Tl said you may need this before your flight.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I took it from her.


    After she left, I sat down, shook the strawberry-vored yogurt, and downed it. It was fresh and


    delicious.


    ***


    Hum. Noise. A lot of noises. Shake. Pressures.


    I felt like I was in an unfamiliar and ufortable ce, probably in an aircraft seat.


    The noise and the humming continued. It got louder this time.


    I was in the middle between reality and a dream.


    Wait.


    What happened?


    I was supposed to have a tandem with Tl. I was in the locker, drinking vored yogurt. The vored


    yogurt. Did I fall asleep? Then how did I get in this horrible ce?


    Oh, my God.


    My heart pounded so hard¡ªit was ufortable.


    I jolted to sit. My eyes were bugging out from each socket.


    Indeed, I was on the ne. How did I get in here? I didn¡¯t know, but I was in my gearplete gear.


    In fact, I was securely connected to my tandem in four points¡ªtwo from my shoulders and two near my


    hips¡ªjust like how Tl attached me to him during our jump.


    ¡°Tl, what happened? Did I fall asleep? Where are we?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, darling.¡± Darling? My heart pounded double. That voice sounded familiar, like my own. ¡°Tl is


    preupied at this moment.¡± Am I dreaming again? I lightly hit my face with my glove-covered hand.


    God, it¡¯s him.


    How I missed him? How I missed the sexiness in his voice when he called me darling? I wanted to tell


    him how I felt, but it was not the right time.


    He let out a chuckle. ¡°Ready to jump?¡±


    I turned my head to face him and reached out his face. I wished I wasn¡¯t wearing gloves. He leaned


    over against my touch. ¡°God, I miss you.¡±


    ¡°Asshole!¡± God. ¡°Not again!¡±

 53

    53


    THAYER


    ¡°Son, where are you? You¡¯re supposed tond two hours ago?¡± Right on time. We just touched down.


    The reverse thrust break roared against the airstrip.


    ¡°I apologize, Dad, but we justnded.¡± I unbuckled my seatbelt. Ash and Lud were already on alert,


    gathering the luggage from the bin.


    ¡°You never call me dad if you won¡¯t apologize or ask a favor, Thayer.¡± He inhaled audibly to the


    mouthpiece.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, Dad. I¡¯m not asking for a favor, though, but an understanding from you. And you know


    exactly where I am right now even before wend.¡± I climbed down the airstairs. The memories of how I


    met Kennedy sprung in my mind.


    ¡°Very well, then. Are you going to see your grandfather?¡±


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s a part of my n. Any message you¡¯d like me to ry to Grandfather?¡±


    ¡°Just tell him that we can¡¯t wait to see him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll ry your message, Dad.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t get in the middle of whatever you¡¯re nning. Good luck. And Thayer?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Dad?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m proud of you,¡± he said before the line went off.


    My heart melted. I barely heard those words, anding from my father, it was a fulfillment.


    ¡°Is everything okay with the call?¡± Ash asked, opening a car door for me.


    ¡°It¡¯s even better than okay. That was my father on the phone.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess. He¡¯s not impressed.¡±


    I looked at Lud in the passenger seat. ¡°Quite the opposite, actually.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°Wow. The stars are aligned, and the universe is in favor of you, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything yet. Don¡¯t be too cocky. Let¡¯s head to the hospital first.¡±


    The King was indeed improving. He was still in the hospital bed but alive and talking.


    ¡°My boy.¡± He was still slightly slurred. That part of his brain was affected by the stroke that affected his


    speech.


    ¡°Your Majesty.¡± I bowed my head. ¡°I¡¯m so happy to see you, Grandfather.¡±


    He gestured his weak hand for me toe closer.


    I kissed his hand and his head. ¡°I missed you. I¡¯m so d that you are well.¡±


    ¡°So that you can¡¯t marry?¡±


    ¡°What are you saying, Grandfather?¡± I took a seat on the chair beside his bed and held his hand.


    ¡°How¡¯s your appetite? I will bring some soft food for you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t change the subject, Camren. Don¡¯t wait until I die.¡±


    I chuckled and smiled. ¡°Of course not. I want to get married to the woman I love while you¡¯re watching


    me reading my vow. That¡¯s a promise.¡±


    ¡°Then what are you still doing here?¡± He hit my hand, narrowing his eyes at me. Well, he was strong


    now. I could see that.


    Iughed softly. ¡°Asking for your blessings.¡±


    ¡°Silly boy. I know about Kennedy, the American girl. She came to visit me.¡± He paused.


    My brows shot up. ¡°She came to visit you?¡±


    ¡°She asked my blessings. I yed the video. Good woman.¡± There was pride in his eyes.


    ¡°What did she say?¡±


    ¡°Stop talking and get married. That¡¯s myst wish.¡±


    ¡°Grandpa, don¡¯t say something like that.¡± I squeezed his hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to die now. Now go. Make me proud.¡±


    ¡°Father said he can¡¯t wait to see you.¡±


    He slightly nodded.


    ¡°I love you, Grandpa. I promise I¡¯ll make you proud. And I will grant your wish.¡±


    I left the hospital with a smile on my face. I still had a lot of things to do. If there was one thing I was


    quite sure of, was Kennedy wouldn¡¯t ask the King¡¯s blessings if she never loved me.


    I knew I let her down. I hurt her again. If my n would work, I had all my life to make up for her.


    ¡°Is this the house?¡±


    Ash parked the car in front of the two-story modern ranch house. ¡°That¡¯s the address.¡± He climbed out


    and scouted the area before he opened the door to me. ¡°Good luck.¡±


    ¡°You both areing with me.¡± I walked towards the main door.


    Ash and Lud followed me, carrying a ruggedizedptop in his sling bag.


    ¡°Just knock already. You¡¯re killing me with the suspense,¡± Lud said. His hands in his pockets.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be at the back. At least if Kennedy throws something to T, I won¡¯t take the hit.¡± Ash stayed behind


    me.


    ¡°Very mature. You¡¯ll take a bullet for me, but you won¡¯t take a what? A shoe?¡± I looked behind my


    shoulder.


    So was Lud. ¡°It¡¯s Kennedy¡¯s scorn, man. Can''t wait to see the look on her face.¡±


    ¡°Whatever.¡± I pressed the doorbell. We waited.


    My heart jumped to my throat when the door swung open. My heart stopped and sunk at the same time


    when it wasn¡¯t Kennedy, but her older version instead.


    ¡°Laura.¡± I kissed her on her cheek. Her eyes were enormous, swallowing hard.


    ¡°Good afternoon, ma¡¯am,¡± the two bad wolves greeted Kennedy¡¯s mother.


    ¡°Hon, who¡¯s at the door?¡± My guess it was Kennedy¡¯s father, Lucas.


    ¡°Um¡ª¡± She sped her hands over her mouth after touching where I just kissed her.


    ¡°Prince Thayer?¡± said her husband. ¡°Oh, wow! We never have a prince standing at our front door


    before. I apologize on behalf of my wife. She¡¯s starstruck.¡± He bowed. I saw quite a resemnce with


    Kennedy.


    ¡°Please, you only do that to the King.¡±


    ¡°How are you doing, Mr. Gilby?¡± Ash shook the old man¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Please,e in before my neighbors recognize you.¡± He looked around before he stepped aside.


    I looked around the living room. It was pretty decent and big enough for the two of them.


    ¡°Going somewhere?¡± I noticed boxes and stacks of newspapers, but I couldn¡¯t find the woman I¡¯d been


    dying to see.


    ¡°Oh, my God. I still can¡¯t believe you¡¯re here.¡± Finally, Laura managed to say something, but she was


    still smiling as if she just met her idol.


    ¡°I¡¯m here, Laura.¡±


    ¡°Have a seat. Can I get you something? Does Prince allow to drink if we offer?¡± Lucas looked at Ash


    and Lud. ¡°Do you taste his water first?¡±


    Ludughed. ¡°No, sir. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re not nning on poisoning the fiance of your daughter, are you?¡±


    Lucas swallowed. ¡°About that. I know why you¡¯re here, Prince Thayer.¡±


    ¡°Thayer. Just Thayer, please. Where¡¯s Kennedy?¡±


    Lucas turned to look at his wife, giving her a signal. They were still both standing.


    ¡°No. You tell him,¡± Laura told her husband.


    ¡°Is Kennedy here?¡±


    ¡°She left.¡±


    I was on my feet. I felt my throat choke up as I stared at them in shock. ¡°Where to?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know.¡± They shrugged together.


    ¡°What do you mean you don¡¯t know?¡± I asked urgently.


    ¡°She just left in the middle of the night without a word,¡± Lucas answered, but I felt there was something


    more they were not telling me.


    ¡°Is there any way how we can contact her?¡± Ash asked calmly, while I felt nauseous with anxiety and


    dread.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean no? She never called?¡± Lud inquired. ¡°When did she leave?¡±


    I turned on my heel, away, pacing, raking my fingers through my hair. ¡°How about her friends? The one


    who took her to Vegas. They must have been getting in touch with her.¡±


    ¡°She left five days ago. Her friends were also asking about her.¡±


    ¡°Five days? And you¡¯re not worried that she might be in danger somewhere?¡± The house went deadly


    quiet while Lucas ced his hand around his wife¡¯s shoulder. Laura wrapped her arms around herself.


    Ash cleared his throat. When I looked at him, he gave me a sign. I knew I just raised my voice to my


    future inws, and I was being impolite in their own house.


    ¡°I apologize. These past few days had been very difficult. It¡¯s all my fault. I hurt your daughter. I don¡¯t


    even deserve your kindness, but I want to see Kennedy. I want to talk to her and make amends for all


    my mistakes.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. You have too much on your te. I may not be a Royal, but I can understand the


    pressure, the threats you may have, the image, and the reputations you have to maintain. I¡¯m not angry


    with you, Thayer. I just wish you listened to my daughter. She had boyfriends, someone broke her


    heart, but she¡¯d never ran away in the middle of the night, leaving only a note on her nightstand.¡±


    I looked down, hurt, terrified, while guilt was twisting in my stomach. For the past five days, I could


    barely get some sleep. I was lucky if I got an hour. Then I still woke up and dwelt with the same agony


    over and over again.


    ¡°What note?¡± Lud asked.


    Laura went to take the note. When she came back, she gave it to Lud.


    ¡°Mom, Dad, I¡¯m sorry if I have to leave while you¡¯re asleep. I have a fear to conquer. I love you both.


    P.S. Send this to him. What¡¯s she referring to?¡±


    I strode towards them, taking the note from Lud. I let go of a shuddering breath once I was done


    reading her beautiful cursive. I stared at the piece of paper in sorrow. She just twisted a knife in my


    heart. No, I did it to myself.


    My eyes started to sting. ¡°She took it off,¡± I repeated in whispers.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Lud asked.


    I shook my head repeatedly. ¡°I¡¯m not. How can I be okay? She promised to never take that off even if


    she¡ª¡± I paused when my chin trembled. I forced my tears back. Who would think that a tough prince


    was a crybaby? I took a seat on the sofa and looked at the note again. ¡°She didn¡¯t like the ring because


    she thinks the stone is huge, but she wore it anyway when I said that I chose the color myself. When I


    told her it¡¯s rare, and I only found it in South Africa, she promised never to take that off.¡± I rubbed my


    face with my hand to hide the tears.


    When Laura gave me the box, I took it from her and flipped it open. I sighed deeply, fighting back the


    pain. A small faint smile curved up my lips.


    ¡°It¡¯s the color of her eyes.¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

 54

    54


    THAYER


    ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± Lud asked.


    My gaze flew up to Lucas when he cleared his throat.


    ¡°We¡¯re not entirely honest with you. You can¡¯t me us for protecting our daughter, you know. And we


    made a promise to Kennedy that we won¡¯t tell anyone when someone¡¯s asks where she is.¡±


    My chest expanded with hope. ¡°Where is she?¡±


    ¡°You can tell her that Lud is very resourceful. Even if she hides in Mexico¡¯s Naica Mine, I will still find


    her.¡± Lud managed to lighten up the situation.


    ¡°How can we find her?¡± Ash came and joined us in the lounge.


    ¡°I emailed her two days ago, and she called me using a local number there. She said she¡¯s with a guy


    named Tl.¡±


    ¡°Who the ¡ª¡± I cleared my throat. ¡°Who is Tl?¡±


    ¡°Name¡¯s sounds like Arabic. Middle Eastern,¡± Ash surmised.


    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s correct. Tl guy is an instructor.¡±


    I chuckled. A small smile spread on my lips. ¡°I know where to find Kennedy. I told her once that we


    should go skydiving. She said she¡¯s not an adrenaline junkie like me. That exins what she wrote in


    the note about conquering her fear.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s easy to find Tl. There¡¯s only one famous skydiving destination in the Middle East," Ash


    summed.


    "Dubai,¡± Ash and Lud even chorused.


    ¡°Can you call the number, please?¡± I asked Laura.


    ¡°You won¡¯t talk,¡± Ash said to me. ¡°Or you¡¯re gonna ruin the n.¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°Fine by me.¡±


    ¡°Good. Now let me find Tl on social media.¡± Lud opened an app on his phone.


    Ash turned theptop on and connected Laura¡¯s phone to it.


    Laura dialed the number on her phone. It rang.


    My heart pounded.


    ¡°Mom?¡±


    I gasped.


    Lud groaned beside me.


    ¡°Hey, honey,¡± Lucas started. ¡°When are you gonnae home?¡±


    ¡°Dad, I told you two days ago. I¡¯m still working on something.¡±


    ¡°Like doing that thing. It¡¯s dangerous, Ken. Your mom and I could barely get some sleep.¡±


    ¡°Jeez, it¡¯spletely safe. I promise. And it¡¯s actually thrilling.¡± Her voice was lively. She seemed


    excited. ¡°And I¡¯m not doing it alone. I already told you. Tl is good at what he does.¡±


    I groaned. Blood rushed to my head.


    Lud shot me a murderous re.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re noting home anytime soon?¡±


    ¡°Mom.¡±


    I shut my eyes closed. God, I missed her voice.


    ¡°I know, honey.¡±


    Ash signal his hand to talk some more so that he could trace the call if she was still in Dubai.¡±


    ¡°About the ring, honey. I still¡ª¡±


    ¡°Mom, you have to send it to him or give it to Alessia.¡±


    I rose to my feet, blowing a frustrated breath.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s better if you two should talk and give it to him, Kennedy. You need closure.¡±


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m not ready to face him.¡± I felt the sudden change in her tone. She was still hurt. It was


    painfully obvious, but on the brighter side, she still had feelings for me. I locked my jaw hard and fought


    the urge not to speak and call her by her name.


    Ash gave us thumbs up.


    ¡°I just want you to be happy, and you won¡¯t be able to do that until you get closure. And the only way to


    do that is to talk to him.¡±


    ¡°That asshole¡ª sorry for mynguage. But that asshole hurt me, and he clearly doesn¡¯t care about me.


    So let him go to hell. I swear if I see him, I¡¯m gonna knee him is his balls¡ª¡±


    ¡°Ken¡ª¡± I fought with Lud. He was able to cover my mouth with his hand before I could speak and


    snatch the phone. Kennedy¡¯s parents yelped in surprise. Ash managed to lock my arms behind my


    back. I huffed in frustration.


    ¡°You¡¯re gonna see her, and that¡¯s a promise,¡± Ash whispered. But you have to act like a grown-up, for


    God¡¯s sake. Did you understand me? Nod so that I can let go of your arms.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± I twisted my arms to get loose. ¡°Damn you.¡±


    ¡°Mom? Dad, are you still there? Is everything okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Yes, honey. I¡¯m here.¡± She grinned sheepishly. ¡°Your dad. This silly. You know. I¡¯m¡ªI¡¯m ticklish.¡±


    Ash and Lud held theirughs even Lucas had joined them.


    ¡°Ew. Gross. I have to go now. I¡¯ll call you soon. Love you both.¡±


    When the line cut off, Ash closed theptop. ¡°She¡¯s still in Dubai.¡±


    ¡°How do you like a three-day trip in a Cruise?¡±


    ¡°Are you serious? We¡¯d been nning it for two years now,¡± Lucas answered.


    ¡°Great. Get ready. Call her friends as well.¡± I took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯ll make up to your daughter. I


    promise to make her happy for the rest of my life. I¡¯ll see you in the jet.¡±


    ***


    We arrived in Dubai. The weather was humid than in New York.


    I barely got a nap out of excitement. Ash managed to connive with Tl to change course and bribe


    him with a free cruise trip. Apparently, he and Kennedy became good friends.


    I still had an argument with Ash and Lud regarding the ns. Since Kennedy cursed the hell out of


    them when they first took her, they came up with another n. Ignoring my ideas, they said that mine


    was too dangerous. Yet, here I was, just roofied my woman and waited for her to wake up.


    She was a lightweight. It quickly kicked in, and I was expecting her to get up soon.


    ¡°Boss, we¡¯re ten thousand feet high,¡± Tl informed me. ¡°So far, so good.¡±


    ¡°Like we agreed. You will jump and follow us.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± He gave me thumbs up.


    It was about time. Kennedy stirred, froze for a while. She must have been trying to remember what


    happened before she passed out. She rubbed her eyes and looked around.


    She just called her friend and thought Tl was still her partner. Again, she was going to hate me for


    doing this. But this could be a whole lot of fucking fun.


    ¡°Sorry, darling.¡± She froze again. She must have recognized my voice right away. ¡°Tl is preupied


    at this moment.¡±


    Her reaction was humorous.


    I chuckled. ¡°Ready to jump?¡±


    She turned to face me. She was wearing gloves, but I still felt her touch on my face. I leaned in, closing


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    my eyes. ¡°God, I miss you.¡± My voice deepened.


    ¡°Asshole! Not again! Not again.¡± She tried to get up, but she wouldn¡¯t be sessful if we wouldn¡¯t do it


    together.


    ¡°Easy. Easy. We¡¯re up, darling.¡±


    ¡°What the hell are you doing there?¡± She searched for the locks that were connected to my gear.


    ¡°I won¡¯t try that if I were you, darling.¡±


    ¡°Stop! Stop calling me that name. I despise it!¡± she barked.


    ¡°Get ready in thirty seconds!¡± Tl called out again.


    ¡°Tl! Get me out of this asshole in an instant!¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t dare do that,¡± I said calmly.


    ¡°Tl, please?¡±


    ¡°No can do, Kenny. We just sealed the deal.¡± He grinned before he put his helmet on. ¡°Get ready in


    fifteen seconds.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re ready.¡± I securely wrapped my arms around Kennedy.


    ¡°Wait. Wait. I¡¯m not ready!¡± Kennedy started to panic.


    ¡°Just put your goggles on, darling. I¡¯ve got you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna jump with you. I trust Tl than you, bitch.¡± She reminded me with my word. My chest


    squeezed a little. Fuck it. A lot.


    ¡°You¡¯re safe with me, Kennedy. I promise I won¡¯t let anything happen to you.¡±


    ¡°Your promise means nothing to me anymore.¡±


    ¡°For now. Let¡¯s go. You havems. Just pressed it if you wanna talk. Okay?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have!¡± she yelled back as we ready ourselves. The back of the ne ajar.


    I pressed it for her. ¡°Can you hear me?¡±


    She turned around. Her eyes were wide with fright and excitement mixed together.


    She looked fantastic. God, she looked gorgeous.


    My lips spread wide as we jumped together, and she didn¡¯t even notice until she looked around and the


    air rushed around us.


    She turned her head to me. Her mouth formed an O-shaped, her eyes widened even more.


    ¡°Oh, my God!¡±


    ¡°You still trust me, darling,¡± I said calmly to herm.


    ¡°I can hear you.¡± Sheughed out loud. Of course, she could. While she passed out, I attached am


    for her. It wasn¡¯t usually used because they¡¯d been taught signals while in the air.


    We were freefalling a little slower first for a few seconds until it would be one-hundred twenty mph.


    We were still ten thousand feet up, ording to my altimeter.


    ¡°Spread your arms, darling. Then we will dive down.¡± I held her arms. ¡°Can you still hear me?¡±


    She gave me an okay sign. Good.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°Not a good time, Thayer! Not when we are up here in the sky!¡±


    ¡°Give me another chance.¡±


    ¡°No freaking way!¡±


    ¡°You took off my ring, and I wouldn¡¯t ept it.¡±¡®


    ¡°Not my problem.¡±


    ¡°I sincerely apologize. I would ask for your forgiveness, even if it would take all my life as long as we


    are together. I love you, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°Just shut up! Shut the fuck up, ass prince! You hurt me.¡± I could feel the emotional turmoil in her voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care anymore!¡±


    ¡°Let me prove it to you. Let me make it up to you.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I just tell you to shut the fuck up? Wait. We¡¯re less than ten thousand feet. Thayer, shouldn¡¯t you


    deploy our parachute now?¡± At least she was still paying attention.


    ¡°Marry me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be freaking kidding me! This is not a joke, Thayer!¡±


    ¡°Nine thousand, darling!¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    I waited. ¡°Check your altimeter, darling. Marry me.¡±


    ¡°Asshole! I know you won¡¯t allow yourself to get killed by a faulty parachute.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather die than not being with you.¡±


    ¡°Are you fucking serious right now?¡±


    ¡°Dead fucking serious!¡± I said firmly. ¡°Seven.¡±


    ¡°Wait, why are we in the ocean? Where are you exactly taking us?¡± She pointed at the cruise. ¡°Are you


    trying to let us drown?¡±


    ¡°I can swim. 6.5.¡±


    ¡°Thayer, deploy it, please?¡± Her voice started to shake. On the other hand, maybe we should justnd


    on the water, but she would hate me more.


    ¡°6.¡±


    ¡°Thayer! Thayer, Oh, my God! Are you this suicidal just to get what you want?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯d rather die than living a life without you. Do you understand me?¡±


    ¡°Thayer, please? I¡¯m begging you, please?¡±


    ¡°Marry me. All you have to say is yes. Kennedy Emmersyn, will you marry me?¡±


    ¡°I hate you! I hate you. I can¡¯t die like this.¡±


    ¡°5.¡± The cruise name came to view. It would be critical if I would not deploy the parachute in ten


    seconds.


    ¡°Oh, my God! You¡¯re an asshole. Yes! Yes! Yes!¡±

 55

    55


    KENNEDY


    I¡¯d never been afraid in my entire life that knowing exactly how you¡¯d going to die. At first, I thought he


    was bluffing, messing with me so that I could say yes, but when I realized we were above the ocean,


    that was when I started to worry.


    He was not going to let us drown in the ocean even if I knew he could swim. What if there were


    sharks? Oh, my God.


    I could only manage to breathe and feel relieved when he deployed the canopy, but I wouldn¡¯t let this


    go. That was a promise. He would get what he deserved. He nearly killed me with a heart attack. I


    might not be going to die by drowning or swallowed whole by sharks, but my heart gave up with so


    much pounding.


    ¡°Are you trying tond on the cruise? Are you insane?¡±


    ¡°Better than into the ocean, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°I thought you¡¯re an expert, asshole!¡± I would never filter after what he did to me.


    I nearly died.


    ¡°Just trust me, darling.¡± God, how did this darling thing affect me? It was insane, but I still did not forget


    how he forced me to marry him. Ass move.


    ¡°I don¡¯t trust you even a little. Just so, you know, you¡¯re gonna pay for this. Trust me.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    The cruise was bigger than I thought, and there was a Helipad on top. If what I thought was right, we


    were going tond on that. As we got closer, my heart kept pounding so hard I could barely breathe.


    Fear, anger¡ªthose were the only dominant emotion I felt.


    As we started descending, I squeezed my eyes shut, but my tandem seemed rxed and confident


    while I felt like I might pee in my suit.


    My emotions got the best of me. I shook to cry, really cried. I sobbed hard. I didn¡¯t know for what.


    Maybe because I could still feel my heart beating, and I wasn¡¯t dead.


    He took my open-face helmet off. ¡°You okay, darling?¡±


    I pulled my hands away from my face. The first thing I saw was his face. He had no more helmet on but


    a huge smile on his face¡ªlike a grin from ear to ear. Then I diverted my gaze, and I saw a clear blue


    sky.


    ¡°Nicending!¡± That voice¡ªI knew that voice¡ªLud. Then it was followed by apuse¡ªa lot of


    apuding that startled me.


    With my heart in my throat, my anger brewed in my blood. I was shaking while Thayer utched the


    locks that connected us.


    ¡°Let me free.¡±


    ¡°Kenny!¡±


    ¡°Asshole, you tricked me!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Kenny, but I love cruising.¡± Tlughed.


    ¡°That¡¯s one hell of ride, love,¡± Again, Ludmented.


    ¡°You! I pointed at Lud. ¡°This is your idea, isn¡¯t it? I nearly die, you, asshole!¡± Once I got free from


    Thayer, I took off my shoes, gathered all my strength, and threw it to Lud as long as I could. ¡°You¡¯re


    gonna pay for this!¡±


    Then I realized Thayer wasughing behind me. I turned to him and threw another shoe. It didn¡¯t even


    hit him¡ªhe caught it effortlessly. Out of frustration and with so many emotions building in my chest, I


    shook to cry on the floor. ¡°You¡¯re an asshole. I hate you.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I would never put you in danger if I didn¡¯t know what I was doing.¡± I felt him closer, so closed.


    ¡°You almost killed me.¡± I shook when he wrapped his arms around me, kissing the top of my head.


    ¡°I would never do that. Lud altered your altimeter. You¡¯re too destructed with your anger to realize that


    your altimeter is not working.¡± He was rubbing my back.


    ¡°What you put me through? What did you do to me? I would never forgive you, Thayer. If you ever force


    me to marry, I will, but trust me on this.¡± I pulled away from his arms and looked at him in his eyes¡ªhis


    expression took my breath away. He was pleading with mncholy. ¡°I don¡¯t even know how to look at


    you without being disgusted.¡± Even if I was still shaking, I pulled my strength together and rose to my


    feet.


    I walked away from him. I didn¡¯t know where I was going considering we were on a cruise. I just wanted


    to get away from him to clear my head, because honestly, I also went too far. I just wanted to hurt him


    back, but what I said was nothing but lies.


    ¡°Honey? Kennedy?¡±


    I froze dead in my tracks. My eyes rounded in shock. ¡°Oh, my God. Your Highness.?¡±


    ¡°Oh, honey. Good to see you again.¡± She pulled me into an embrace.


    ¡°What are you doing¡ª¡± I paused, pulled away, shook my head, and chuckled in amusement. ¡°This is a


    Royal Cruise, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°No, honey.¡±


    ¡°Your Royal Highness,¡± I addressed Prince Isodore.


    His smileced with sadness before he sighed. ¡°You¡¯ve been through a tough time. I understand. Just


    don¡¯t give up just yet.¡±


    I left them. I just followed where the way led me.


    ¡°Need a room?¡±


    I paused. A smile slowly spread across my face. ¡°I guess.¡±


    ¡°Come here.¡± Carlott opened the door wide.


    ¡°Wow!¡± I wandered my eyes around. ¡°This is bigger than the hotel room I checked-in in Dubai.¡±


    ¡°You can take off your clothes. Go, get showered. I have clothes in the closet that might fit you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. I badly need one.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead. I¡¯ll be right here once you¡¯re done.¡±


    I got in the luxurious European-inspired bathroom and stripped my clothes off. Then I entered the ss


    shower room. I turned into the hot shower and went under the spray. I nearly moaned¡ªit felt good,


    rxed my straining muscles.


    I didn¡¯t realize I had sore muscles until I was under the shower. I closed my eyes, leaning my arms


    against the wall.


    A gasp escaped my lips. I froze to sense that I wasn¡¯t alone anymore. I didn¡¯t have to turn around to


    know who just joined me, judging by the pounding of my heart and the tingling of my skin.


    Damn it. Damn him.


    I released a shuddering breath, squeezed my eyes shut, ignored the sudden urge to turn around, and


    looked at those hurt eyes again. I bit my lip instead.


    I gasped again with his huge hands traced on my hips. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I want to take a shower.¡± His hands stayed, burning my skin, imprinting his scorching touch.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have like hundreds of rooms to choose from?¡±


    ¡°Thest time I checked, I checked in here.¡±


    I groaned, squeezing my eyes. ¡°Carlott. Great. I¡¯m done anyway.¡± I turned around, but he held me


    captive. Surely, his fingers had imprinted into my skin as how he held me tight.


    ¡°What the fuck do you want, Thayer?¡± My chest heaved. My lips dried even if I was still under the


    shower.


    His features darkened. His jaw ticked.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d never ask.¡± Before my brain could process, he mmed his mouth against mine. My


    stupid body reacted. My mouth instantly opened for him. Honestly, how could I resist a naked Thayer in


    the shower? I didn¡¯t have to look down at his package.


    Wait a minute. I was mad at him for nearly killing me. Exaggerated or not, he could just ask to meet as


    normal people usually did. But he wasn''t just a normal person. He was a freaking prince.


    I broke the kiss and pushed him away, ring at him. Instead, I hit the wall. ¡°What the fuck?¡±


    He didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he just stared at me, and I swore I felt like he was carrying the world over his


    shoulder, eyes pleading, full of pain and misery.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± I cupped his head, smashed my mouth against him, and kissed him, showing him how


    miserable I was for the past days without him. He kissed me back the same way I did. His lips glided


    against mine, our tongues dueled. I melded into him.


    Hands traveled up back, pulling me into his arms, my breasts pressed against his washboard chest. My


    nipple hardened, deliciously grazing against his skin.


    Perhaps I was done with conquering my fear through height, and I was ready to face another journey. I


    kissed him more, giving all the way in¡ªmy heart and soul. And he gave me something in return. His


    kiss was pure and passionate¡ªhe was giving me something back¡ªall of him.


    I moaned.


    He slid his hand down, cupping my ass, the other cupping my mound. I raised my leg as I felt his bulge


    deliciously poking against my lower belly.


    Before I could push father, he broke the kiss, stepping back. My face warmed as I stared at him in


    shock.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t join you to take you in the shower?¡±


    I red further. ¡°Then what the fuck are you doing here? And your dick doesn¡¯t agree to you otherwise


    ¡ª¡± Despite the hot water, my skin just ran cold.


    He cupped my face, pressing his lips against mine to stop me. Then he gave me the same look. ¡°I still


    want to take you, fuck you, make love with you, every night and every fucking day of my life. Don¡¯t get


    me wrong.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I already changed my mind at that time.¡±


    He drew a deep breath before he took the bottle of shampoo. He¡¯s got to be kidding me. He poured a


    good amount into his palm, then put the bottle back. He then rubbed the shampoo into my hair, still


    wearing that deep sorrow expression.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m tired of hearing that. I heard you the first time before you threw me off the airne.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d never stop apologizing until you learn to forgive me.¡±


    ¡°Well then, maybe I just have to suck it up for maybe sixty years of my life. By that time, I lost my


    hearing.¡±

 56

    56


    THAYER


    Those furious, disgust, and hurt brewed in her beautiful blue eyes.


    Even if how many times I tried to blink it off or push it out of my head, they wouldn¡¯t dissolve.


    There was no denying her feelings for me were still there, our connections were still powerful, but she


    was mad. What have I done? How could I let that happen?


    ¡°So, no Cruise wedding then?¡± Ash asked.


    ¡°Impossible.¡± I sipped the most potent liquor this bar could offer. Nothing couldpare to the burning


    sensation as I swallowed down the words Kennedy had thrown at me.


    My parents and sister had flown to Dubai. They would be staying there for a while.


    ¡°Are we spending New Year here?¡± Lud asked.


    ¡°What¡¯s bad about it?¡±


    ¡°I wanna spend with Carlott,¡± he said bluntly.


    ¡°Then go.¡±


    ¡°She would understand. You still have two days to grovel.¡± He patted my shoulder. ¡°Good luck. You


    need a lot of it.¡±


    "Thanks."


    ¡°For what it¡¯s worth, you did everything you could. And her parents are enjoying their stay. So consider


    this a win.¡± He slid from the stool, taking his drinks with him.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Kennedy?¡± Ash asked.


    ¡°Sleeping.¡±


    ¡°She still doesn¡¯t know her friends are here?¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°No.¡± I grabbed my drinks. ¡°I¡¯ll just be on the deck. I need some air.¡±


    Ash nodded.


    I was crushed in disappointment added to my broken heart. I gulped the remaining amber liquid, letting


    it burn in my throat. The night was peaceful, so us the ocean. It was calming, quite the opposite of the


    turmoil feelings inside my chest.


    I lost options. Maybe I just have to wait. I could be patient as I could be. Anyway, The King was


    recovering very well, and I wasn¡¯t going to marry for my birthright anymore. It wasn¡¯t a part of my ns


    since I realized I fell so hard in love with Kennedy.


    The ocean and the wind did a calming effect on me. I sat down on the lounge. The view was stunning


    ¡ªit was so silent and peaceful.


    ¡°You left.¡±


    I stiffened.


    ¡°Kennedy?¡± I turned my head to her.


    ¡°God.¡± She strengthened her limbs. ¡°I¡¯m sore like ran by a freight train.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you to the spa. I think it is on the third floor.¡± I looked at her. She was wearing an ankle-length


    bohemian dress.


    ¡°No, thank you.¡± To my surprise, she took a seat beside me. She seemed calm like the ocean. ¡°It¡¯s so


    beautiful here. Where are we headed?¡±


    ¡°Moro.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Her eyes grew big.


    I swallowed and looked away. ¡°Yeah.¡± That was the n. Get married on the cruise. Then our


    honeymoon would start from Moro, then Greece, and then the Caribbean. ¡°What¡¯s not to like in


    Moro? Casanca.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s great.¡±


    ¡°But the movie has a terrible ending.¡±


    ¡°Well, not everyone has a happy ending.¡± Great. Maybe I was one of that everyone.


    ¡°Would you like to drink something?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡± Great. I was beginning to realize how awful a person I was.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was caught up on something. I forgot you haven¡¯t eaten anything.¡± I rose from my seat.


    "Let¡¯s go to the restaurant.¡±


    She looked at me. ¡°Can we stay here for a while? This so serene in here.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Let me ask someone to prepare food for you.¡±


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    When I was far enough, she couldn¡¯t sense me anymore, I turned to look at her and sucked the air into


    my lungs. After I asked the chef to cook dinner for us, I returned to her, and she was in the same


    position.


    ¡°Dinner will be ready shortly.¡± I sat beside her, the same ce as earlier.


    ¡°I never thought I would see you again.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m like a skin disease, am I?¡±


    She turned her head to look at me. ¡°I don¡¯t mind this kind of skin disease.¡± For the first time, I saw her


    smile. Fuck, it felt so good.


    I even sighed in delight. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    She nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t wanna ask how did you find me, but I never expected you to travel all the way to


    Dubai to see me unless you have an official engagement there.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t. The Ameer is a friend of mine, but I went there to see you.¡±


    ¡°Why do you still want to get married even if your grandfather is recovering?¡± Fair question.


    ¡°I fell in love deeply. Even if I¡¯ve messed up a couple of times, I still intend to marry her with or without


    birthright or terms. Fuck those things. I want a life with the person I love. I informed Lud and Ash that


    I¡¯m leaving my royal title, but they made sure I couldn¡¯t run away from it.¡±


    ¡°Why would do that?¡± she asked in disbelief. Her eyes widened.


    ¡°Because I¡¯d rather be with you. I have no regret with my decision.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to do that.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what exactly they said to me.¡± I bit my bottom lip. My eyes zed with unshed tears. ¡°I¡¯m so


    sorry. Ash and Lud quit their jobs because of what I did and said to you. Lud punched me.¡±


    She flinched. ¡°Oh, God. I¡¯m sorry.¡± She raised her hand, touching my cheek.


    ¡°I deserve it.¡± I gathered everything in power to hold her hand, press it against my lips. ¡°I love you. God,


    I don¡¯t deserve you. I¡¯m a selfish bastard. I was so selfish that I forgot to think about your feelings. I¡¯m


    asking your forgiveness¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re like a broken record, Thayer. Just shut up. Can we at least have this peaceful moment in a very


    romantic and serene ce to ourselves?¡± She moved closer to lean against my body.


    I wrapped my arms around her, kissing the top of my head.


    She sighed. Her head rested on my chest.


    ¡°nket, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Find yourself a woman, Zakkary,¡± Kennedy said, taking the nket from him. ¡°This is a lovely


    evening.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± Ash said before he left.


    I wrapped the nket around us. ¡°Jesus Christ.¡± Weughed at each other when the love song started


    ying in the speaker.


    ¡°I have a surprise for youter. After or dinner.¡±


    She raised her head to look at me. ¡°I want it now.¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°After dinner.¡±


    She narrowed her eyes at me before she rested her head back. ¡°Then I won¡¯t marry you.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I asked urgently. My body stiffened.


    ¡°You heard me.¡±


    ¡°Okay then. Your parents and your friends are here.¡± I rushed the words out of my mouth.


    She was quick to a sitting position. ¡°What? When? How?¡±


    ¡°You seriously have to ask the Prince of Capria, Duke of Guardion?¡±


    Sheughed out loud before she threw herself into me. I caught her in middle, pulling her into my arms.


    ¡°I will do everything to see a smile on your face that lights up like a Christmas tree. I will do everything


    to make you happy, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°Even if you¡¯re an asshole to me.¡±


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s a part of me, being an asshole, the skin disease you can¡¯t get rid of.¡±


    ¡°I still love your assholeness, your skin disease. I will always love you.¡± Her words made me freeze, but


    my heart started pounding wildly.


    ¡°You love me?¡± My voice came out shaky and low. ¡°Do you mean it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know when did I fall in love with you, but who cares?¡± She lifted her head. ¡°All I want right now


    is to love you and erase those sorrow and pain in your eyes. Because it¡¯s killing me knowing I¡¯m the


    one hurting you. I love you, Thayer. So much it hurts. I don¡¯t care you¡¯re a prince or a homeless man,


    but I don¡¯t want you to¡ª¡±


    I pressed my lips against hers to stop her from talking. She kissed me back. ¡°I¡¯m still¡ª¡± I kissed her


    again. This time, she giggled, pressing her finger on my lips. ¡°Where was I? Uh¡ªI don¡¯t want you to


    give your title. I will support your endeavors. We¡¯ll do it together and help each other for your people.


    For us.¡±


    ¡°God, I love you.¡± I got up, hold her hands, looked at her in the eye before I got on one knee.


    ¡°Again?¡± Sheughed out loud, throwing her head back.


    ¡°Shush now. I need to concentrate. I didn¡¯t exactly practice this.¡± I cleared my throat. ¡°Fuck! The ring.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness.¡±


    Kennedy turned her head to Lud, stillughing. ¡°You¡¯re terrible without your friends.¡±


    I reached for the ring. ¡°Thank you.¡± I cleared my throat again. ¡°Kennedy, I was in a quest for my bride.


    But in an unexpected time, you walked in, carrying the beautiful aura with you. At that moment, I didn¡¯t


    have to look for that woman because I just found her. And I couldn¡¯t imagine living a life without her. I


    may do desperate measures at desperate times because I couldn¡¯t let you walk away from me again. I


    can¡¯t guarantee that we won¡¯t argue or I won¡¯t make mistakes, but I promise you with my life that I


    would love you, take care of you, provide for your needs, cherish you, and make you smile every day.


    Kennedy Emmersyn Ann Gilby, will you do me the honor of being my wife?¡±


    ¡°Can I think about it first?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± My mouth hung open. My heart just stopped beating.


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Kidding.¡± She then smiled and drew a deep breath as tears welled in her eyes.


    ¡°Yes. For thest time, yes. I will marry you.¡±

 57

    57


    KENNEDY


    I love you.


    Those words I felt in my heart, embedded to my soul that I¡¯d been wanted to say to him. Finally, now he


    knew how I felt for him. My heart was filled with everything.


    ¡°I love you, Kennedy.¡± His voice was breathy. His words were like my salvation.


    Heid me down on the bed. I opened and slid my lips against his. He pushed his tongue into my


    mouth. We were still fully clothed, but I felt as though we were both naked.


    Emotions coiled through me as we deepened the kiss. This was it. I was in love with the man who


    cared for his family, for his friends, and his people. And because of my love for him, I took a huge risk


    to be a part of his world.


    I broke the kiss, gasping sharply. ¡°Babe, take off your clothes.¡±


    In just a few seconds, we were both naked, and standing at the foot of the bed was the most beautiful


    man I¡¯d everid eyes on¡ªhe never ceased to amaze me¡ªand damn, his thick cock. It felt like its


    throbbing as he crawled up in bed.


    I was already soaking.


    My clit was pulsing and aching. My nipples pebbled hard for his attention.


    I groaned in frustration as he thrust and slid his cock into my clit, teasing me. He captured my nipple


    with his mouth, sucking and nipping it, and the other ached against his fingers as he rolled it with his


    fingers. And then he trailed down my belly with his sucks. Just a feather-like touch on my cit, my hips


    arched.


    ¡°Shh. We should keep quiet.¡± His words were more like a growl. ¡°We¡¯re on a cruise, darling. Don¡¯t


    wanna let them hear us, do you?¡± He devoured my pussy. He licked, sucked, andved his tongue


    upward from my forbidden hole up to my clit. It was so wrong but mortifying hot at the same time. The


    waves of arousal and embarrassment were so intense I felt like I burst into mes. My clit swelled.


    He might have felt me. He spread my cheeks apart and pushed his tongue deep, and tightened his grip


    on my hips.


    I writhed underneath. I bit my lip as I might scream. It just felt so good. My arousal was leaking down.


    Hepped my wetness dry, then prated me again. It felt so dark and wild, and I might explode as


    the pleasure course through me so strong my world started spinning.


    I was burning with needs. My inner walls clenched.


    He withdrew his tongue and went to my slit. He pushed his finger instead. I felt a sting, but I felt more of


    pleasure growing unbearable from within me. With a single suck of my clit, and a thrust of his finger


    simultaneously, I exploded.


    My entire body spasmed with so much pleasure. My vision blurred for a hazy moment.


    He made love with me after that.


    ***


    ¡°Darling?¡± He was feathery kissing my back. I still felt the burning sensation in my ass and the heat of


    embarrassment of the feeling of wrongness and eroticism.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I remained in my position, lying in my abdomen, still ass naked.


    ¡°I wanna get married here.¡±


    I froze, but I was sure I heard him right. I turned to face him. He looked even good with his hair tousled.


    ¡°You wanna get married here?¡±


    He dropped his gaze down to my exposed breasts. His hand trailed from my abdomen to my breast,


    giving a squeeze.


    ¡°Babe?¡± I snapped my fingers at him.


    ¡°I heard you, darling. But you answered me with a question.¡± He gave another squeeze before he


    looked at me. ¡°Lovely tits.¡±


    ¡°You have them. Now, what are you saying?¡±


    He leaned down to kiss my lips. ¡°Let¡¯s get married tonight.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I swallowed down the surprise clogging in my throat.


    ¡°You have everything you need. I¡¯ll call my parents toe over here.¡±


    I sat on the bed. ¡°You want us to get married here? Are you not supposed to like send invitations, ask


    blessings from the King, and announce that you¡¯re getting married.¡±


    A smile tugged on his lips. ¡°You have his blessings.¡±


    My brows knitted. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve forgotten that his room had cameras in each corner and bugged with audios. He yed that


    part. So he told me when I went to see your parents. He said to marry you.¡±


    My face even heated further. ¡°Oh, my God.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get married, darling. Then we¡¯ll get married again in my country¡¯s traditional way for the sake of


    the public. That¡¯s a promise. Name everything you need and want. I¡¯ll have them for you this morning.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you wanna do this?¡±


    ¡°I am. Never been sure than anything in my life. That¡¯s if you want because this is what I wanna do.¡±


    I drew a deep breath. ¡°Oh, my God. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m gonna do this tonight.¡±


    ***


    My parents, my friends, Alessia, Thayer¡¯s parents, and his sister Carlott whom I asked her to be my


    maid of honor. With his friends Lud and Ash. Everyone we cared about. Of course, the King was


    around with his air medics.


    Apparently, Thayer had been nning all this before he went to see me in Dubai, and now I was


    wearing a V neckline bridal gown by Vera Wang since this ceremony was private.


    It was a lovely night up in the deck. The weather was perfect as if the universe was in our favor. The


    live string orchestra started ying. My heart started pounding.


    ¡°Ready?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    ¡°I think so.¡± I chuckled.


    I blew a deep breath when the wedding coordinator gave me a signal. I walked into the aisle with my


    father beside me.


    My eyes started to get teary¡ªtears of joy and among other emotions.


    My groom. My groom came to view with Ash beside him. I didn¡¯t think I would ever get used to seeing


    him so gorgeous. Now he was wearing just a light beige three-piece tux.


    I inhaled a deep breath again.


    ¡°Honey, don¡¯t cry.¡±


    ¡°I know, Dad. I¡¯m sorry,¡± I whispered.


    Dad gave me to Thayer.


    We stood before the minister and started his short sermon. My hand was always in Thayer¡¯s grip the


    whole time, giving me a little squeeze.


    ¡°Prince Thayer Camren, do you take Kennedy¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do.¡±


    I held myugh, but everyone was already giggling.


    ¡°With all due respect, Your Royal Highness. Prince Thayer, you have to let me finish first because you


    answer.¡±


    I looked at him. He was smiling at me, and those eyes were the most beautiful thing I¡¯d seen tonight¡ª


    they sparkled brightly than the stars above us.


    ¡°My apology. Please, continue.¡±


    ¡°Prince Thayer Camren, do you take Kennedy Emmersyn Ann to be yourwful wedded wife, to live in


    holy matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for


    as long as you both shall live?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡±


    ¡°Kennedy Emmersyn Ann, do you take Prince Thayer Camren to be yourwful wedded husband, to


    live in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all


    others, for as long as you both shall live?¡±


    I smiled. ¡°I do.¡±


    ¡°Do you have the rings?¡±


    Siena came forward with our rings.


    ¡°All my life, I¡¯m groomed to be the best version of me, to be the future wise leader, but nothing would


    matter without love, without a partner by my side. Khalil Jibran once said, and think not that you can


    direct the course of love. For love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. Trust me, my love, I didn¡¯t


    write or practice this because there are no words to express how much I love you. But tonight, I only


    have one promise to make, to love you forever.¡± He slipped the ring into my finger.


    I pressed my lips together in a hope that my tears would not fall, but it was toote. I told myself not to


    cry tonight, but maybe, this was different. I just heard the most beautiful wordsing from the man I


    loved. I thought it was an excuse.


    ¡°All I wanted was a simple life surrounded by the people I cared about. But things have changed when I


    met you. You gave more meaning to my life¡ªyou gave me purpose. You gave me reasons to take


    risks. At this moment, we stand before our family and friends. I would not wish anyone to be my lifetime


    partner in this world than you. And I pledge tonight to love you for the rest of my life.¡± I slipped the ring


    into his finger.


    ¡°In the presence of your family and friends, you have joined yourselves in marriage. I dered your


    marriage is valid and blinding and rejoice to be recognized as husband and wife. Prince Thayer, you


    may now kiss your bride.¡±

 Epilogue

    Epilogue


    THAYER


    Three yearster¡­


    It was my wife¡¯s birthday today. After ourst public engagement this week, I nned to take her to our


    private property in the Caribbean.


    The sun shone overhead. Her skin glistened as she basked the beach in warmth.


    I still couldn¡¯t get enough of her after all these years of happy marriage. I still got the same reaction as


    if the first time I saw her every time I came home from work.


    She was busy with her work as the people¡¯s Duchess, Princess Kennedy, but she never neglected to


    take care of me, even during our hectic days. She still made me feel loved.


    ¡°Stop staring at me.¡± She was lying on the small nket syed on the sand only in a two-piece bikini.


    A wicked grin touched my lips. ¡°Why not? When I got the most precious prize.¡±


    I could feel her rolling her eyes beneath the sunsses. ¡°Oh, my God, babe. Can¡¯t you think of another


    pickup line?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you feeling hot? You might get sunburn. Let¡¯s get inside, darling.¡±


    She took off her sunsses. Her brow shot up. ¡°No. Not again. Not until tonight.¡±


    I chucked. ¡°But we¡¯ll fuck tonight until morning.¡±


    Sheughed out loud. ¡°Considering the works waiting for us in Triberis, I might consider that.


    A light gust of wind whipped her hair around her face. I drew deep the salty smell of the ocean. Iid


    next to her, held her hand, and nted it to my lips. ¡°I love you, Kennedy.¡±


    ¡°I love you.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re still considering another baby, right?¡± Since our baby prince just turned two years oldst


    month, I thought of a baby princess.


    ¡°I know now why you take me on vacation. You want something from me.¡±


    I turned to look at her. Her eyes filled with humor. ¡°A man could dream that you might say yes.¡±


    She just stared at me¡ªreally stared at me for a whole damn minute without a word.


    ¡°I love you, darling. I didn¡¯t take you here to knock you up. It¡¯s your birthday, and we were buried with


    work since January. I thought you need a break. That¡¯s all. No hidden agenda. I promise.¡±


    ¡°I know. And if I remember it correctly. We¡¯ve talked about another baby once. Three months ago, I


    think.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re not ready. It¡¯s all right. We¡¯re still young. And we have our young prince already.¡± I leaned over


    to kiss her on the lips. ¡°Maybe we can make love here tonight.¡±


    ¡°Not a bad idea, but remember when we went out on a yacht? Who knows there might be a drone we


    can¡¯t see.¡±


    ¡°This is private property, darling.¡±


    ¡°But you can¡¯t take the risk. And so do I. I¡¯d love to keep your good ass to myself, not to the public.¡±


    I barked outughing. ¡°You really have an ass fetish, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°That ass? Is to die for, babe.¡± She winked at me. Damn it, if she did that, it sent throb to my cock.


    ¡°Damn it, My Duchess.¡± I pulled her into my arms. ¡°Feel this?¡± My cock was already straining against


    my shorts.


    ¡°Tonight, Thayer. We¡¯ll wait until our little prince is sleeping.¡± Despite our constant traveling schedules


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    for our engagements, Kennedy was hands-on when it came to our child. That was what I loved most


    about her.


    ¡°Fine.¡± I raised my hand in a surrendering gesture. ¡°Tonight it is.¡±


    ¡°Mama!¡± That sweet melodic voice interrupted us. We sat and watched our bundle of joy as he ran


    towards us. His nanny was following behind him.


    ¡°My sweet boy.¡± I lifted him and pulled him into my arms. I kissed him in the head. He was a gift of our


    love. He made us whole and made our dreamse true. ¡°You miss us already.¡±


    ¡°Dada.¡± He grinned, showing us his tiny teeth. His Green eyes shone in delight. He also got his dark


    hair from me. The rest, from his mother.


    ¡°See? He also calls you.¡± Kennedy kissed him on his round pinkish cheek.


    I taught him many times to call me daddy. Sometimes I got jealous, especially when I and Kennedy our


    together. He was stuck up with mama.


    I got all the attention when I was a kid, still, I felt envious, but then, this was our child¡ªour world.


    He went to his mother to wrap his arms around Kennedy¡¯s neck before he ran back to his nanny.


    ¡°Bye, my love!¡±


    He waved his tiny hand as he walked away. I nced back to my wife with a huge smile on her face.


    Our child made her happiest.


    I still remembered when she told me she was pregnant. We didn¡¯t talk about growing a family at that


    time. She cried so hard, scared that her pregnancy would change our lives and my feelings for her. She


    didn¡¯t have any idea that I¡¯d been nning to impregnate her all those months. Even before we got


    married.


    ¡°Penny for the thoughts?¡±


    ¡°I remember when you told me you were pregnant.¡±


    She snorted. ¡°You sabotage my pills, asshole.¡±


    ¡°I know it was an ass move, but I¡¯d apologized to you and took you to visit your parents. I also invited


    your favorite singer on your birthday.¡±


    ¡°I was so scared.¡± She rounded her eyes at me.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. What I did to you was wrong. Actually, if I¡¯m being honest, I¡¯m not sorry for knocking you


    up. I am only sorry for not telling you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. You gave me the priceless gift, babe.¡± She wrapped her arms around my waist. ¡°I love you


    so much for that.¡±


    ¡°I love you, too, darling.¡±


    ¡°So, here¡¯s what I think. Since we already have Prince Caeden, named after the King¡¯s second name. I


    was thinking of Princess Aaliyah, your mother¡¯s second name. Do you think she will give us her


    blessings? Princess Aaliyah Aleksiea.¡±


    ¡°Aleksiea, came from my third name?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. What do you think, You Highness?¡±


    ¡°Wait.¡± My heart just stopped. I turned to face her. We stared at each other for a few seconds. A slow


    smile started to build on her lips. Holy shit! ¡°Darling?¡±


    ¡°Babe?¡± She then shed a print of the ultrasound to my face.


    ¡°Fuck me.¡± Iughed. ¡°How far are we? Wait a sec. Allow me to process and rejoice.¡± Iughed out


    loud and pulled her to me. She straddled into me, her legs snaked around my waist. I wrapped my


    arms around her and hugged her tightly.


    ¡°I love you, babe. This is the best birthday gift you¡¯ve ever given me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s another best gift you gave me, My Duchess. I love you.¡± I pulled away and looked at her before


    I kissed her so hard. She responded right away, kissing me with the same intensity.


    When we broke apart, we were still smiling. ¡°Princess Aaliyah Aleksiea is perfect.¡±


    ***


    ***The End***


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