MESSING WITH THE CROWN

CHAPTER FIVE- MY LOVE OR SWEETHEART

"Ms Cooley," one of the attendants outside my door kept calling me to open up the door which I have locked inside.

They have been there for the last fifteen minutes despite telling them to go back to wherever I do not need their help getting dressed for this godforsaken date with Prince Damien Armstrong V.

"Ms Anika, let us in please," another voice said. "You are unbearably late for your dinner with the Prince."

I rolled my eyes and laid still on my bed, playing with my tangled locks with one hand and the other holding up my phone just above my face.

I kept staring at the device for the umpteenth time this evening. I have watched the seconds subsequently turn to minutes after seven for the last fifteen minutes, straight.

I wasn't even dressed, talk less of walking out of this room to a date that I am late already for contrary to his arrogant instruction earlier today after I met him in his office.

"Don't be late," I tried to mimic his tone but failed. I huffed and assured myself that I will get it with practice.

I then groaned into my pillow as his features from earlier in his office popped into my mind.

I groaned because he was a fine thing to look upon and you would have guessed how I felt upon setting foot in his office I saw him standing in his manly glory, just watching me take each of my steps towards him.

Ahrrr! It killed me, honestly.

He always had that stupid effect on me and I hate that ever since our encounter in Chief Instructor, Mrs Lima's office two weeks ago, I have had to deal with his egoistic self ever since.

We had a lot of arguments in the past fourteen days, I was hoping to have yet another with him this morning but it seems his head wasn't in one place.

I wonder how he managed to look so beautiful despite all the exhaustion written all over his face. I couldn't help but notice it more today.

When he pulled me onto his lap, my heart jumped and the moment his head rested in the crook of my neck, my breath got caught in my throat as I allow him to breathe me in.

I did like the sensation, but the moment he unburied his head, I jumped to my feet and yelled at him. It took every ounce in me to put up an angry front at him.

Then, he arrogantly brought up that kiss we shared days back. We never spoke about it because I was always on his neck, arguing why he made me his choice when the exercise had not even commenced.

It was my way of avoiding the discussion because I was embarrassed to have been kissed for the first time like that in my life.

It was my first kiss for god's sake and I wanted the experience to be special. Way back when I was much younger, I used to fantasize about marrying a Prince Charming but as time went by, I started to hate the concept of marriage and I wouldn't know why I turned out like that myself or maybe I only fooling myself.

I used to be in a relationship with someone before until he broke my heart just because I wouldn't submit to his standards.

Even as a teenager who just transit into adulthood, he was very obsessive, arrogant and self-centred that he had a disdainful perspective of what marriage should be and I hated him for it.

He wanted a submissive wife, one that would do as he says, hearken at each of his calls, and do all his bidding the way he wants without having opinions of her own.

I guess my teenage stupidity didn't let me reason beyond our young minds when we first got together in high school until we graduated and finished the University two years back

I never knew he was that much of a jerk but I kept harbouring his nonsense until I found out he has been going around sleeping with different girls right from the start but I do not blame him much.

Stupid as it may sound, Jameel and I never kissed for once because I had this silly phobia for doing it back then and it sort of became natural for us to just hold hands, hug and give a peck to the forehead or cheek and not the mouth.

We never had s*x too because I wanted my wedding night to be perfect and we both even agreed upon taking our time to do everything, if peradventure I change my mind.

It was stupid of us to even come to such a conclusion, yes, but he promised to wait for me until I am ready and I thought he was being true to me until I started noticing some horrible changes as early as two months into our relationship back in high school.

But I went along with it and turned a blind eye, I guess I was selfish too to have wanted to date the hottest boy in school. He was a star player, and I was the straight-A student who was top of her class, smart and beautiful too.

We made the perfect couple. I thought Jameel would change, but he became worse as time went by. He became the hotshot boyfriend of the smartest girl in school. I became his trophy.

In the years of us dating, I started hating marriage, we had promised each other an eternity together and all it went to waste after four whole years of dating and then when he finally found love, it was with my best friend.

The effrontery of the two of them to have done that to me.

I lost my only best friend, Alexis and my boyfriend Jameel when I caught them together on the eve of my wedding.

It was the last breaking point for me and I made a vow to never marry or fall in love again. I've been able to hold up that end of my bargain until this whole Royal Companion thing came and messed things up for me.

After I broke up with Jameel, I realized we were never in love in the first place and that we only got into that relationship because every teenager our age was. Or maybe that was what it was to me.

But wait, enough of thinking. I checked the time and I was ish- more than late.

I jumped out of bed and threw some clothes on including my sweater considering that it was going to be pretty cold out this evening. I then put my hair up in a messy bun, pinning it with a random hairpiece I found. Afterwards, I rubbed on lip gloss and applied a few ointments on my face to make it simmer.

I was never a sucker for makeup so I didn't bother with it, nor did I bother to check myself. I carried one of my handbags, it was a little old and tattered but it used to be my favourite back when it was still very new.

I had used it for years because my brother got it for me. It is one of the gifts he bought me when he was still nice. These days, he is always in my case and I know that it's because he loves me.

I heard a knock then a thick, feminine voice followed.

"Ms Anika, if you're in there, we are undoing the locks and coming in without your-," I did not let the old Butler finish as I sprinted to the door and swung it open to reveal her and some attendants.

My room was a mess and they will be shocked if they came in here.

Some of them held onto my dressing items while two had instruments for the door and Ms Lancet stood in their midst with a stoic look.

"There is no need," I smiled at her. "I'm all set to go."

I looked between all the attendants and saw that they were holding their breaths and not talking. Even the Butler Lancet looked like she was processing her words.

"You can't meet His Royal Highness like that," she said. "And you're late, if anything, he hates it when people are late so I will let you go this once and we can address the dressing later."

I raised my shoulders, not caring and then whispered, "whatever." I pulled my bag over one shoulder, shut my door and bounded out of their midst towards the apartment's entrance.

There, another attendant stood beside a very sleek car and bowed to me. I let out a puff of air at all the unnecessary formalities as he again opened the door of the passenger seat.

"Tsk," I tutted with my tongue and rounded the car to sit in the front. "I'm going there shotgun," he was appalled and just stood there like a statue. "Let's go."

"But-," he started and I butt in.

"There are no buts, Mister," I went back out to read his nameplate. "Be glad I didn't ask for the key, Tom." I winked a smile at him and went back inside. "Now let's go," I snicker. "We are reasonably late and I love it."

Tom sat in the driver's seat and looked at me, worry still etched on his face.

"Quit looking at me with those scared eyes and just drive," he apologized and looked away instantly. I pulled on my seatbelt. "Wake me when we are there, I will nap a while."

He swallowed and started the car's ignition. its engine roared to life and we were off.

I rest my head against the seat's headrest and closed my eyes.

It's going to be a long uneventful night.

A few minutes later...

I heard someone calling my name a few times before I felt the person tap my arm lightly. I stirred and slowly opened my eyes to see that we were parked in an unfamiliar underground parking lot.

"We are here," I heard Tom say as he unbuckled his belt and got out to open my door. I was still busy taking in the vicinity and getting familiar with the unusual brightness of the place that I forgot to get the door myself.

Woah!

The place looked nice and I was taken aback by how dimly beautiful the parking lot was, occupied by beautiful cars of all colours and sizes.

Some staff had joined us there, they were dressed in uniform. Once they were at my side, they bowed in greeting, and one of them spoke.

"Good evening Ms Anika," the lanky, middle-aged guy said. "I'm Kore and with me are Leila and Gina," he pointed at each of the ladies behind him. "We will escort you to the Prince and will be of service to you through the night. Shall we?"

I looked at Tom who bowed to me again before going back to the car in no time, leaving no chance to talk.

"Please, Christine here will take your bag," Kore gestured to Letty, a redhead who has readily taken my bag from me.

I did not like it a bit and I wanted to protest but I am being chaperoned away, so I went along with it. As we went, I heard the car's engine rev to life and out of the lot.

In the building now, we rode the elevator to the topmost floor. I wasn't comfortable being flanked by the staff on a date but I had no choice but to go with the flow.

Once we were out, we walked into a beautifully arranged, restaurant setting. The place looked extremely elegant and expensive judging by the furniture designs in it.

A beautiful flower vase donned every table in there, the air inside was alluring as well as relaxing.

My three companies abruptly stopped to bow to someone before bowing at me, and then they left.

I looked at the person they just courtesy and it is the person I already know it will be.

He sat in his chair, with his relaxed back facing me, his legs were crossed and long. I rolled my eyes and moved closer. Once I was in front of him, he didn't even bother to greet me or offer me a seat.

"What did you aim to achieve by coming late for a date with your future husband?"

"I do not see you as my husband and please, we are here to eat. Can we do just that and leave, I don't want any drama with you."

"Right," he looked unamused when I settled in the chair. "And yet here you are, looking dramatic and-," his eyes scanned me from head to toe, he closed them and probably inhaled a few calming breaths, "ordinary."

"Deal with it Your Royal Highness," I said. "This is the best I can offer you in terms of appearance, and I will take my seat since you don't deem it fit to offer me one."

"Suit yourself," he said.

I did and planted my butt on the chair so that we were opposite each other.

"God! Your hair is a mess!" he exclaimed and I almost chuckled at his face. "Why didn't you let. the attendants see to your appearance if you knew you were going to do a terrible job dressing up?"

"Ah! I see you got your daily report of me," I tsk, an attendant rolled a cart towards us. "That's nice, but for your peruse Your Royal Highness, I can take perfect care of myself."

I kept buttressing his title. I noticed each time I do that, he would inhale sharply and then try to talk but won't go through with it.

It's not like I do not know his name, but I am afraid if I say his name, it will burn me.

So I am playing it safe and sticking to my lessons, at least.

Leila, the third of the attendants strolled in with an expensive tray containing a jar and glasses. Once she was at our side, she set the glasses before us and served us sparkling water, all the while, the Prince kept looking around.

Once she was done and on her way out, I started again by passing a snide comment.

"Lucky you, there are no people around to mock your choice of a Queen, so you can relax," I tutted my tongue between my lips to make an irritable, and his eyes flipped on me. "I'm saying you don't have to be embarrassed by me, sure enough, they don't have customers buzzing around as other restaurants do."

I continued making the sound, his expression changed to disgust so I knew he finds it gross, I didn't bat an eye away from him until he spoke.

"If I was bothered about that, I wouldn't have chosen this place for dinner," he smirked. "Besides, everyone knows who you are to me so it doesn't matter," he said unfazed. "Mind you, I bought the whole place for the day."

"Is this how royals show off their wealth?" I asked, unimpressed.

"Maybe," he took a sip of his water. "But this is all me."

"I don't like show-offs."

"I'm not showing off to you," he retorted confidently. "You can say that I like my privacy a little more than other royals do."

I exclaimed with an 'ah' and rolled my eyeballs.

"Says the one who is pictured with different women in every other publication," I scoffed and sipped from my glass.

"You can believe whatever you like Nika," he glanced at his watch and crossed his leg. "I decided to have this dinner with you in a more private environment because I believe it's what you would like," his brow raised in slight irritation.

"Caring about my image now aren't you," I hissed. "Well, I don't like being in a private space with you, and it's Anika Cooley for you." I'm sure I've corrected him a million times.

"Why?" his voice was deep as he gazes at me and crossed his legs. "Scared I might kiss you again?" I looked away and played my thumb on the rim base of the glass. "I just might again."

My eyes instantly swept to his face, my thumb stopped moving and I swallowed hard, breathing became difficult too because of his mirrored gaze on my lips.

The memories of that day flashed in my eyes, I closed them and heard my heart already picking up its rhythm. I abruptly opened them only to see him already smiling like he was satisfied by my reaction.

That made me angry. What a douche?

I blew out an air of frustration from between my lips, my thought running off into anger just looking at him. I shifted forward in my seat and just as I was about to speak, Kore came in, holding what looks like the menu in hand.

I sat back and smiled once he started with the usual courtesy to us before laying the item in his hand on the table.

"Thanks, Kore," the Prince smiled at him. "We will let you know once we are ready."

"Very well then Your Royal Highness," he bowed to him before exiting.

Once he was out of earshot, I started talking.

"You know, if I were to complicate things for you, I could call you out for molestation and thank goodness, Wamona's law system is quite fair and true," I scorned. "Even your royal ass can't get out of that."

"What if I don't have to get out?" he questioned smugly. "Half of the court already knows that I kissed you," my eyeballs widen as he took the menu and opened it. What?! "Just cause no one is talking about it doesn't mean they do not know, I fully took responsibility when they asked for my reasons for choosing you," he peered at me briefly and went back to reading the menu. "They were only threatened not to babble, even then, I do not mind."

My mouth hung open in surprise. I wasn't aware of that. "How could you?"

"How could I what?" He closed off the menu and crossed his arms across his chest. "They wanted genuine reasons and I gave them one they can't deny. As we both know, the kingdom's law states that if by intention or not, the Crowned Prince and any of the Companion candidates are found out to be involved intimately before the exercise is completed, they will be compelled to marry."

"What?" I blinked. "You conniving little fox, did you kiss me on purpose then?" My head reeled back, once everything dawned on me.

"It wasn't what I planned but I did it anyway, besides, something about you caught me off guard and I needed to confirm, so-," he trailed off, "you can say that I killed two birds with a stone."

By now, I was already heaving heavy pants. I pulled my brows in a frown and glared at him.

"You speak as if you know me but you don't," I hissed angrily. "So, you used me to put an end to the exercise and what? Something about me?" I slammed my palm on the table but he did not flinch. "Who are you to do that to me? All this while I am sure those instructors have been mocking me along with every ear that has heard, yet here you are making light of it."

"It is just a kiss," he dismissed with a wave of his palm. My blood boiled. "It's even better that it is with me."

"What? Of course, to you it is just a kiss," I took in deep breaths and fisted my palms tightly beside me. "You wouldn't have an idea of how much I have preserved that so-called 'kiss' for the perfect one," I air quote.

For god's sake, it was my first and right from a very tender age, I used to imagine my first kiss will be with my Prince Charming.

Hell Anika, you don't believe in fairy tales again.

I used to love fairy tales, scratch that, if I remember correctly, my life used to be a fairy tale as a child and I used to dream of this boy I met at that time.

He was a Prince and I made him promise me something too. But, it is all in my dream and I have even stopped having them since I became wise enough to know life isn't fairy tales.

"And who is the perfect one?"

"It's none of your business," I croaked and stood up. "But if I am being honest with you, no one. All men are the same lying cheats. You all promise and fail."

I turned to leave but his deep baritone stopped me again.

"How are you so sure I am like those other men?"

I sighed and looked out the glass wall that shield the outside directly from where we stood. I'm pretty sure if I moved closer, I will get a better look at the world below.

"Need I say more, it's all in the news." I faced him. "I won't let myself be a part of your stupid escapades so count me out," I scorned. "Enjoy your expensive dinner all by yourself, Your Royal Highness."

I started leaving for the door but it was locked once I got there, I tried to open it a few more times to no avail so I addressed him from where I stood.

"What the hell is going on here?"

He simply raised his shoulders and gave me that I have no idea look, it made my blood boil.

"Can you get them to open this goddamn door," I seethe? "I no longer wish to be anywhere around you so open this door."

He stood up and took his sweet time walking towards me as he speaks.

"You know, now that we are in this secluded space I realize I have never heard you say my name."

"Why does it matter?" I turned and face the door to give it another try.

"It does cause you are my..."

"Please do not say the word or I might puke," I scoffed and looked up.

"It's only right if you do," Each time he speaks, his voice resonated closer. "You won't be addressing me by that when we finally get married."

A mocking laughter already tore out of my throat before I could stop it. I turned to face him briefly.

"You sure don't expect me to address you as My Love or Sweetheart, whatever that mushiness is?" I laughed cynically. "Sure those would be nice to say but I am afraid there will even be an ounce of love between us," I smirked as he edged closer still. "But My King would surely fit and that can only happen if I end up being the Queen."

"Pray to tell me," he said only a few steps away from me. "Why do you think we can't be in love, I'm pretty sure I can pull the strings of your heart."

I scoffed and shook my head, I let my hand fly to my chest as I pretended to be moved by his words.

"Oh! I can hear my heart beating," I laughed, "beating so fast I swear it could burst since you've just spoken like the true playboy that you are," I raised my head and looked at him dead in the eyes. "Please find a better prey to use those royally outdated lines on, they don't work around here," I made a circle around my heart, his eyes avert to my chest, then I squeezed my palm as if taking an invisible key which I then released to the floor beneath my feet and crushed it. "Oops! Crushed."

I smirked as he watched all my motions and then burst into a hysterical laughing fit.

I was taken aback when he suddenly had me pressed to the door, my back suddenly making contact with the hard, polished wood, his hands resting on either side of the door frame with my body in between. I tried to get out but it happened so fast I couldn't.

"Gosh! So many of my relatives both alive and dead would have loved to meet you but hey, we will take our time meeting the living ones though."

My chest rose and fell fast and my breath heaved at the nonsense he was spewing

"Let me go," I crooked in between his lock.

"Nika-,"

"Ms Anika Cooley," I cut in but he continued anyway.

"I suggest if you are going to puke, try eating something," he smiled at me and it was killing, "you know to make it worthwhile."

I bit my lips and frowned. "Just let me go Your Roya-," my eyebrows rose at how he suddenly cut me off.

"Damien," he said into the kiss that happened too quickly I didn't see it coming. I recoiled into the door wall, my insides instantly knotting with a tingling sensation. "I think we're beginning to have a thing with the walls, Nika." I stood rigidly with my mind unable to process a thing.

I felt his arms wrap around my waist to pull me closer to him as he deepened the kiss.

I couldn't even move a finger to stop him because all parts of me had turned jelly upon his contact with my lips. Even now, I am supporting my frail body with his body as we kissed.

I heard my heart race against the wall of my chest and I knew he would hear it too if I don't stop the kiss.

I should stop right but my mind and body are weak at the moment and lost in his sweet touch, his alluring scent and the strong arms that held my body in place against his own.

He deepened the kiss and I allowed him, then moments later his lips stopped moving on mine. I opened my eyes.

"Damien is my name Nika," he said in a low, husky voice as his lustful eyes stayed on my lips. "It can't be that hard."

I shrugged and suddenly remembered I shouldn't have allowed him to come any closer to me.

So I pushed him away with all my might and he staggered back, then I cleaned my lips severally with the back of my palm, anger building inside me.

"The next time you come close to me or do anything I do not consent to," I seethe, moving away from the door frame to stand in front of him. "I won't respect the crown or you."

He said nothing but stared back at me with his hands in his pocket, I saw anger flash in his eyes.

"I came here to dine with you and you have successfully made me lose appetite," I hissed. "Do not expect much from me going forward you selfish jerk.".

"You always want to toughen it out right?" he retorted, matching my gaze with a cold hard one. "Well, let's see how long you will last trying to escape this marriage."

How dare he dare me? God, I have had enough of this guy, now, I am not even going to hold back anymore.

"I'm going to get out of this stupid mess of an arrangement, I will make sure of it," I spat angrily. "I hope you can handle it. Now let me out of here."

We both glared at each other for the longest seconds I could remember before he moved away and the door swung open, revealing Kore who instantly bowed.

I looked away too, my anger subsidized.

"We are done for the night Kore," he said to the hopeful attendant who had no idea what has happened but wore a shocked expression as he looked between us. "It's no big deal, we both aren't into the dinner so we had like to stop."

"But, Your Royal-,"

"I'm so sorry you all had to go through so much because of me," I cut in, apologizing instead. "I hope you can understand," but Kore still looked taken aback.

"You can do whatever with the meals," the Prince more like commanded as he smiled at the lanky guy before turning to me.

Our eyes met but I did not let him address me before walking out of there.

I went straight to the elevator and entered, few seconds later he joined me with my bag in his hand.

I was so pissed that I snatched it away and created a good distance between us.

By the time we got to the parking lot, bodyguards were already standing by three, black cars that were parked, all decked in their royal uniforms.

They saluted us, after which Tom opened the door for me. I got in, at the same time he did on the other side.

I looked at him wondering why he would get in this car.

"Tom is our designated driver, but he will mostly cater to your mobility needs."

I rolled my eyes and looked ahead, folding my hands across my chest. Tom got in and ignite the car, announcing our departure.

All through the ride, I felt his strong stare on my face as we rode back in silence.

It was a sweet sensation that kept taking me back to when we kissed.

And how he looked at me? Huh!

I cleared my mind severally, fighting the urge to not think about him because I shouldn't if I wanted to win this battle.

Once we were at my apartment in the palace, I did not wait for him or anyone to open my door.

I left with no single word, still pissed.