Searching For the Real Prince Charming

Change of Plans

He wanted to smash something. In fact, he almost broke his phone. Fortunately, it landed on the couch rather than the tile floor when he threw it. The demands to come home were becoming incessant and intolerable. Apparently, his palm to become nobody in a big city was being thwarted at every turn.

First, it had been to make the deal. Now, there was some really big announcement from his brother and new sister-in-law that they just had to make with him present.

It was if they had no idea of the pain they caused him. He hadn’t gotten over it yet. Now, they were demanding his presence to rub more salt in the wound. They were likely going to announce that she was expecting.

Kids were something he had looked forward too with the proposal. His imagination had been running rampant then. A birth announcement would just make him sick. They had already plunged a knife into his heart Now, they were going to destroy him with a knife to the back.

If it were just them, he could continue to ignore the pleas and eventually hardened his heart against them. But they had gotten family involved, specifically his father who was threatening to derail the deal. He needed the proceeds to finally become the Mr. Nobody he wanted to be.

They wanted him out on a flight tonight. Which would mean breaking his date with Sophia. This was the one thing he had been looking forward to since it had been arranged. He hated to disappoint her. But with no other option, he picked up the phone to break things off when he had a Brillo but slightly manically idea which was born of desperation. Instead, of calling Sophia, he dialed another number.

Sophia was called into the office first thing. They was a collective agreement with her co-workers that Sophia was going to get fired. Most had looks of pity while the jealous few wore giddy smiles.

A sense of dread filled Sophia as she was completely sure that she was getting the pink slip. Her mind racing with thought about how to cover rent and where she should apply.

The manager indicated for her to sit. She plopped down on the chair completely surprised by his words.

“I need you to go on a business trip,” he stated.

Sophia struggled to keep her business face on. While, the question she wanted to ask was why, she settled for, “When?”

“In a few hours, pack for at least a week. Bring some dress-up clothes for fancy dinners and such. But most importantly,” he said as he leaned forward,”don’t screw this deal up. Otherwise, your job is on the line. I suggest you go and pack. A car will pick you up at 2 and take you the airport. All the arrangements have been made. Make sure you have everything you need including your passport. Remember, you are representing the company. So, be on your best behavior,” he said waving her off.

Just when Sophia opened her mouth to respond. He interjected. “ You don’t have much time.”

Sophia turned and hurriedly gathered her things. With how she was rushing, all of her co-workers were sure she was fired and just hurrying to avoid any further embarrassment. Rumors were flying as soon as she left. The biggest one being she got caught with Mr. Handsome as the office called him and he threatened to take the deal away from them. That rumor was further reinforced when Mr. Handsome seem to disappear.

With barely enough time to pack, a frazzled Sophia made it to the airport. It was quite the surprise when she saw Jasper. He waved her over showing her the tickets. It was only then she actually learned their destination.

“We are going to Rome?”

“Ever been there,” half-smiling as he said it.

“No. My first time out of the country,” she said.

“Then you are going to love it,” Jasper replied.

“What? Why me?”

“I didn’t want to reschedule our date. Plus, I need back-up.”

“Back-up for what?”

“I will tell you when we are in the air,” he said . “It’s a really long story.”

After getting settled and watching the plane reaching the proper altitude, he leaned back into the seat with his eyes closed mentally preparing himself for the upcoming conversation. He was pleased that she was giving him the time he needed to get all his thoughts in order. For the first time, he was going to tell someone about his own heartache and betrayal. He knew she would understand since she had already been through something similar. However, telling the story was harder than he thought.

“My brother wants to make some big announcement and my father practically ordered me home so he could make it. The thing is my brother is married.”

“That’s nice,” said Sophia wondering why he was telling her that. They hadn’t really talked about each other’s families. So, it was a little surprising.

He’s married to my ex-fiancée and I think they are going to announce that she is having a baby,” rushing through his words.

Sophia’s eye got really big. “Oh. I am so sorry,”

He ignored her sentiments in a rush to drop the biggest question yet