The Modern Princess

CHAPTER ELEVEN

"I wasn't peeking; you did not close the door." Ugh. I don't used to close the door at home. I should learn now that I'm living with a monster.

"Now please help yourself and close the damn door. I'm going to sleep." I get inside the comforter and closed my eyes.

He walk in and asked "Can we talk?" he plainly asked. Really? He's serious now?

"Talk? Or scream at each other?" I rolled my eyes.

"Look, I'm sorry if I crossed the line and sorry about what I said." He's standing beside me and I can smell alcohol on him.

Not giving up on my anger I said. "You're drunk aren't you? I'm sleepy Jeanne. Good night. I'm tired."

"I'm going to sit" and before I can restrain him he did. He sat on the edge of my bed and facing my bathroom, losing his tie then laced hands together.

"Picture perfect. That's everybody's perception towards the royal family. We only do what's good. We have it all. We don't commit mistakes. . We love each other. We can be awarded as the most perfect family" he said clenching his fist. "But we weren't"

"Granny's the only person I have when I have no one. When I was a growing, the palace is at stake-shaky economy-making all the people around me busy and having no time for me. Granny's worried about it too, but she always finds time for me, she's with me in every school activity when mom can't and when dad can't and won't, making me not so close with my father who always ignores me. I always excel in school when I was little because granny used to tell me, your father will be proud, but I don't think he ever did."

"I'll be honest, I think we didn't had this one big fight, but actually small fights accumulated. My father is always concerned with the nation rather than his family. Being a responsible leader doesn't make you a responsible father at all."

I sighed in defeat and opened my eyes. This is news. I belong to those people who believe that they are picture perfect. I move a little encouraging him to sit further on the bed. "But you've been fine. Because of Pauline" I blurted, no arguing voice came out from me, just a straight speech that didn't mean to harm, argue, or even care.

"Yes, we've been."

"Then when you broke up, there it was again, you and your father-fighting against each other.."

He tilted his head, surprised with what I said. "Who did you asked about it?'

"I found it on the internet." I lied.

"That wasn't in the internet."

I rolled my eyes and truthfully answered. "I asked Lila about it" he shakes his head and continued "It was coincidence" he started. "I broke up with her a week before I had known that my parents wasn't really about the nation that they've been arguing about when I was a kid, well partly it was, but it wasn't really everything."

He looked at his entwined his fingers and started to reflex his hands then looked a far, like he's focusing on the bathroom door then frown a little, showing some anger at what he's thinking. "It was about my father's affair with another woman. Mom never told us about it but she was suffering for it for a long time." He sound stiff, his eyes begins to blare.

"None of us in the family knew, not until I have known it." Shocked. I didn't know how to respond. Meaning his siblings had no idea of it too. Twenty six years?! My eyes grew wider and I mentally dropped my jaw.

"There were also rumors that he had a kid." Oh.my.God.

"Is it true?" I didn't show some care about it: Reverse Psychology.

"No, it wasn't." I sighed in relief. Thank God it wasn't. It was not really the image of the family that I was concerned about, but him...I mean them. I mean him and his siblings. I mean, if I were at his place I wouldn't want that to happen to me. Why can't I organize my thoughts? I mentally tapped my head. I didn't move an inch, I looked at him and waited patiently.

"The affair was the reason why we clashed again. It was a long time affair, about a decade, a decade of sin to my mom. Maybe you didn't see it, because we rarely talk, but our relationship? It's damaged." It wasn't just damaged. It was torn in to pieces I guess.

"And Lance knew before me...and he never utter a word about it. He knew a year before I knew and that's why we're not in good terms. We had the right to know and worst? My best friend and cousin didn't even utter anything about it." He clenched his fist again and I can feel tears in my eyes. He felt betrayed; he felt he's on his own.

"What did mom said about this?"

He gave me a fake smile. "There were things that she didn't know. I told them about it, they have the right to know. She cried and move out of the house" he sighed. "Honestly, I think he deserves that. Mom did nothing but love him"

"None of the media knows about her moving out, they taught she choose to go back to her dying nanny back then but in a snap, when my dad fetch her and promised he wouldn't do it again, she forgave him...even if he said that a million times

Finally he looked back at me over his shoulder. "Sorry if I was also grumpy at you. I just had too much to handle and I'll admit the blame is on me. I intentionally did not go to that convention for him to get mad. I'm sorry if you got caught in the situation..." I hugged him and tears were running down my face. What he said was from the real Jeanne, like the Jeanne I used to know. The Jeanne I have seen late this morning was his dark side, the side that maybe people who knew him well knows and of course, needless to say, that does not include me.

I opened my mouth, about to say something but he spoke again "Shh...Don't cry. I'm sorry Kathy because I shouted on you, been grumpy on you and for what I did earlier..." he shakes his head. Yeah. I really am mad at that, which was so pervert, well I guess I'm overreacting.

He wiped the tears on my face. "I'm no God not to accept your apology plus I owe you one...for inventing a law." I chuckled.

He smirked "You've figured it out"

"Do you know all the laws?" I asked.

"Almost" he boasts.

"And you've recited it without missing any. Cool" I smiled. "Was that your favorite? I mean that was somehow in the middle of your laws"

"I have none actually" he said then stands and walked towards me "I'm sorry" he offered a hand to shake. I shook it. "Apology accepted." And he hugged me tight.

Three months of marriage. Can we survive this? Jeanne comes home more often now, he said he got things under control, he never failed to give me a long stemmed rose every time he comes home I even tease him that he might get all the flowers in the garden if he does not stop picking it but all he answered was "I don't mind spending all my penny on it, as long as I can give you a flower every time I come home, beautiful"

I get my phone and called him I really can't afford to spend another day without doing an action on it.

"Hello beautiful, to whom do I owe this call?" He asked playfully. It's my first time to call him.

"Jeanne are you busy? Can I disturb you for awhile?"

"Of course Kathy"

"The woman who replaced my position in Richard's company called me, asking for my help. The company's in trouble and I want to see myself what's happening."

"What happened?"

"The expansion is all set even before I leave. I took care for all the land titles. They started it the way it was planned but now they're experiencing different trials. The second biggest warehouse was burnt and consumers started looking for another supplier and they said titles aren't clean, showing an authenticated-like titles"

"But you were working with this before, why do you have to go back?"

I frowned, shocked with his statement "How did you know?"

"You're always in front of your laptop" he said.

"I am always in front of my laptop" I reiterated.

"Wait...are you tracking my computer?" he paused.

"Are.you.tracking.my.computer?"

He exhaled. "Yes"

I rolled my eyes. "You are mischievous" He chuckled.

"Back to what we are talking, you think it was planned? Arson?"

"Yes, the only option left for us is to discontinue the expansion plus we need to let go of the lands which still will lead to expenses unhealthy for the business. The business might collapse"

"Well if that's the case maybe I could help and I can condone the debt"

"You will not condone that Jeanne. And how will you help? Through tracking other's computer?" I rolled my eyes.

"I told you before that the security tracks all of the computers here in the house"

"And you looking at them was not necessary"

"It's necessary, you are my wife. My beautiful wife" I felt the shiver all over my body. Don't be silly Kathy, it's just an ordinary term.

"And how do you see that if I do track your computer too?"

"I don't mind, I have a clean record"

I rolled my eyes. "Why do we always shift the talking elsewhere?"

"Because you're distracting me" he snorted

"So, will you accept my offer or not? He asked.

"I want to check on the situation first Jeanne and this is confidential. We do not who's behind this"

"Wait, why are you on the marketing and clearance of title side at the same time?"

"The owner's trust with me is really huge and besides I will not face the litigations, someone will do it"

"How long are you staying there?"

"Just for two days. Mr. Richard, the owner of the company bought a ticket for me and I promise I will surely come back on the Independence Day"

"When will you fly?"

"Tomorrow"

He didn't answer. "I want to go Jeanne please?"

"You've turned over your position rightly isn't?" he countered clearly saying he doesn't want me to go back and see.

"Yes but I want to see the situation myself. I'm hundred and one percent sure that everything's fine but it doesn't fit that way and I know there's someone behind it"

"Promise me that you will not put yourself at risk"

"I wouldn't"

"I know you would" I know he rolled his eyes. His statement made me giggle.

"Why ask if you know?"

"Just take care Kathy okay?" he said softly.

--------

Having not seen Sophia from afar I already heard her voice. I hold none of my bags because I was not allowed to and what I hate about this me going home is that I am with twenty people! God! I can travel alone without being ambush! Possessive husband!

"Kiel don't mess up with your shirt okay? Mom's going to be pissed if you do so be careful in eating your ice cream okay?"

"If mommy got pissed then maybe mom can give you to me" I said. "Hello girls."

"Kathy!" Sophia and Teresa giving me a warm hug then lastly I gave Kiel a kiss on the cheek. Cute little kid!

"Hello Kiel"

"I miss you so much" I said, his mouth covered with chocolate ice cream.

"Me too Auntie, you look so beautiful during your wedding"

"This kid will make many girls cry like his father. He knows how to give compliment with girls"

I turn back to him. "Who taught you that? It's your mom isn't she?" I accussed.

"Hey, I didn't taught him"

"Because you gave me a compliment I have something for you" I said. "but later I will give it to you later okay?"

"Yehey! Thank you auntie"

"It's good you're back" Sophia said.

"It's good to be back"

"Where's Jeanne?" she asked.

"I'm alone. He's busy"

"How's everything here?"

"Everything's great" Teresa said.

"By the way this is Ava and Lawrence and the rest of the gang" Sophia smiled and looked at them. She raised a finger and counted them.

"Ten? Are you kidding me?" I rolled my eyes. "Jeanne asked them to come with me. I was expecting a two or three"

"Great responsibility over your head Kathy" Teresa said.

"I know"

"You are surrounded by them always?"

I rolled my eyes. "Every time" Even when I'm at home. If there was no such thing as privacy maybe they will still be with me inside the bathroom.

We travelled going to Sophia's place to do a little chit-chat. Eight in the morning and I have a little time to freshen up before I go to the office at ten. Sophia and I sit side by side while Teresa's taking care of little Kiel.

Five, black and brand new jaguars were provided to us, all sponsored by my one and only living Mamita. She loves me very much doesn't she? Plus she made sure the President will know I am coming back in the country. Their standard operating procedure? Add another three vehicles to escort us and an ambulance. Remind me not to come back home again please?

"No plate numbers eh? When did you bought these cars?" Sophia gossiped.

I shrug. "Mom said granny bought me a service when she knew I'll come home"

Sophia raised a brow and chuckled. "Loves her one and only granddaughter a lot doesn't she? Her stubborn granddaughter that refused to..."

"Zip up your lips Sophia." I rolled my eyes. She laughed. "I love teasing you Katherine."

"Where are you staying by the way? You can't all fit in your condominium can you?"

"Actually that's my biggest problem"

"You can stay here if you want to"

"No Sophia, I will stay at mamita's house. I'll be here for just two days anyway"

"You sure? Staying in our home is more convenient" That which is true.

"Besides we're just three and the three maids" Five vacant rooms all of which are planned to be filled with kids as Josh said plus their masters bedroom and two rooms for the nannies and housekeepers.

"No, that's a final answer" I said

"What are your plans here? Are you even planning to go out with us? On a vacation?" and when Sophia speaks of vacation that means two-piece suit for all of us or else...

"We can have dinner" I said dryly

"We can go out on vacation?" she tried again.

"We can...'t"

"You're so boring"

"Of course I want to go out but everything has been planned all we can do is to have dinner every night. Besides we have a pool at mamita's house, we can swim there"

"I thought you are here for vacation"

"No, I'm here to help on Richard's company, we are having some problems on the expansion of it"

"So why come here for that? I mean, you've turnover the position rightly, you should have not cared"

"I know but I've studied this well. I know there's nothing wrong with it unless there is sabotage"

"You think there is?" Teresa asked, running her hand on the back of sleeping Kiel.

I shrugged. "I don't know, I don't want to accuse anyone"

"You think it's the new vice president?" Sophia asked.

"No, actually it was her who called me and she wouldn't dare...I mean...she's Richard's daughter" and Finally Richard had convinced her daughter to manage it.

"Does Jeanne know?" Teresa questioned. Okay, do you really have to throw questions alternately?

"Yes he does"

"He affirmed?" another question from Sophia.

"No but I insisted, I told him this will be the last and I told him not to interfere. I can resolve this"

"What do you plan to do?"

"I talked to a friend and the new vice president and I talked about confidential matters which my friend will solve"

"You don't think it's dangerous?"

"No. How come that is dangerous?"

"How come it's not dangerous? You do not know who you are fighting with; you do not know where to start"

"Guys please calm down"

"You only have two days left, no, actually you only have less than forty-eight hours to solve this"

"I know I can, but please do not tell anyone about this, this is confidential, the media thought I am here for my cousin's birthday and I've started my research even before I arrive here."

"You have an idea who's doing this?"

"I have but I don't want to tell you guys. It's really confidential. They've been researching this for about a week before they finally sought for my help."

Walking through the grand lobby of Prestige Industries everybody was looking at me and greeting me still as "Miss Kathy" that which, I missed the most, but now I'm surrounded by bodyguards. Come on, can't I not share the spot light on my own? Kidding!

Lisa was waiting for me at the elevator door like before. I asked her to stay on my side for she knows how things really work. The new vice president let me barge in my old office, she's not staying there by the way. Richard let her make her own office, one of the Vice President's perks. Yes. One of.

Lisa discussed about the status of the arson and the lands titles. Later that day, I will personally talk to the head of the Bureau of Investigation to have an update on the text messages and e-mails I asked them to hack.

"Do I give you the reports now Miss Kathy?"

"Yes. I need the report immediately. Lisa do not tell anyone about this. Okay?"

"Yes miss"

"Thank you. I'll call you when I need anything"

Five hours has passed and I have a very little lead about it. I stand up from my seat and looked at the glass window behind me. God, what am I going to do? I sighed. Evidence. All I need is evidence.

Someone knocked on the door and peeked. "I brought you coffee your duchess" he said, bringing in a coffee from Starbucks" and he put it on the table.

I smiled at him. "Thank you Lawrence"

"I also bought you lunch. You haven't eaten since the morning" he placed a paper bag on my table too something from Army Navy it says.

"Thank you. I'm just too busy to even mind what time is it" I didn't even felt the urge of eating. I always don't when I'm thinking too much.

"Don't lose hope duchess; your problem will be resolved soon"

"Thank you. Seriously I'm so stressed out by all these things"

"Lawrence, can I ask for a favor?" I asked.

"Yes Madame"

I pull out my phone from my pocket and hand it to him. "Here's my phone. Answer all the calls and tell them I don't want to talk to them but ask what they want and tell them I'll call them back later. Just give me the phone when it is really an important call, member of a family or Jeanne, you understand?"

"I do madame"

"Another thing, Please follow my schedule strictly. No room for unwanted visitors except for Mr. Richard"

"I understand madame."

"Thank you"

I opened the files to see if I missed a detail. I sighed hard. I know it's arson, but I cannot prove it is. Why did it happen and What was the motive behind it was something we cannot figure out yet. Please. I can't let this company fall.

I read and re-read it. No progress at all.

"She will not get mad if she sees me" a female voice from the outside said.

"Sorry ma'am we are just obeying instructions" one of my guards replied.

"Just let me in..." and the door was opened.

"Ms. Sophia wants to talk to you duchess. I told her that you don't want to be disturbed" Lawrence face cannot be painted.

"Let her in Lawrence, she'll bomb out this building if you don't let her in" I didn't even bother glance at them.

"I'm sorry Ms.Sophia"

"I'm sorry too I know you're just following the rules but...I am always an exemption to the rule!" she said proudly.

I look at them. "You may leave now Lawrence"

"Hey Kathy" Sophia walked like a model. Pink polo shirt and short skirt, she dresses like a mother don't she?

"Sophia" and she sat in front of me.

"You know what, Lawrence looks good however he's too stiff, he follows all the instructions given to him"

I rolled my eyes. "It's his work Sophia"

"But he really looks good. His body built is great, he's above six foot I guess, he could be a basketball player, he looks really neat and I bet underneath his clean long-sleeved top he has firmly formed abs" she said waving her hands through the air like she's holding it.

My jaw dropped. "Sophia stop"

"What? I'm just observing" she smiled mischievously.

"Inappropriately" I rolled my eyes.

"What brought you here? You must have something important with you"

She replied enthusiastically. "I brought food." Placing a homemade salad for me.

"Sophia" I rolled my eyes "You know I am busy"

"I know and I know you haven't eaten, you're workaholic. I called thrice and Lawrence answers your phone"

"Fine" and I open the food.

"Why does he answer your calls?" she gabbed.

"I asked him not to give me any call unless it is important"

"How is it going?"

"The information is not yet enough and it stresses me"

"What happened with the bureau?"

"He's not yet here. I'll be seeing them later around six, if the information coincides with our presumption then this is done"

"What if it doesn't?"

"I'll go back to Lexumbia for the event and maybe that time I need Jeanne's help"

"You promised me that we will eat dinner" she pouted.

"Yes we will"

She smiled cheerfully. "We will play tennis too"

"Sophia I'm busy"

"Please Kathy?"

"As if I have a choice" I rolled my eyes.

Lawrence knocked on the door and said. "Excuse me Duchess. Prince Jeanne is over the phone"

Sophia smiled and mouthed "Duchess"

"Excuse me." I said.

"Hey" I greeted carefully.

"Hello beautiful. How's everything there?"

"No improvements yet but we hope that we will have updates"

"Lawrence told me that you haven't went out from your office since the morning, have you eaten?" Oh no. Why does he always have to ask that?

"Actually I'm eating now. Sophia brought me some packed lunch"

"Lunch at four in the afternoon?"

"I was too busy"

"Why you didn't ask them to buy you a food?" his tone shifting demandingly.

"Actually Lawrence volunteered and bought food for me"

He paused for a while. "If you did not like the food then you should have asked him to buy another" He sound a little irritated.

"I like it Jeanne, it's just that I was just...really busy"

"Kathy, eat on time"

"I will. I'm sorry."

"This is not something we must fight about please" and this is something that Sophia shall not hear.

"Yes. Sorry Jeanne. This will be the last time"

"Tell me when you need help"

No way. "We had a deal. If I can't resolve this until tomorrow then I will seek for help"

"Okay. Take care Katherine" and I hung up the phone and gave it to Lawrence.

He hasn't left yet when I babbled "Save it Sophia. I know what you're thinking"

She leaned closer, "I bet when he slept last night he felt how big your bed was" she teased.

"Whatever Sophia"

"Have you consummated your marriage?" She asked. If I had a heart attack I'll be dead now.

"Sophia that's a private thing that even best of friends should not talk about"

"Hey. We can talk about that"

I shake my head. "Just think of it the other way. Me asking you"

Her eyes glow and she smirked. "I will tell you frankly of course. Not that I haven't done that. You want to know? Which part do you want to know?"

"That's gross!" Gosh! I can't believe what she's saying!

"I'm just guileless and what's wrong if you know? We're married anyway and that's what married couples do."

Please. I don't want to remember that! "No! Stop please" she laughed at me.

"When you're together at night, what do you wear?"

"Clothes, what kind of question is that?" I rolled my eyes.

"Just wondering, if you're wearing nothing" she teased.

My eyes grew wider. "Sophia" I warned.

"You started it Kathy, with your ridiculous law school style of answering questions. I'm referring to the kind of clothes, of course"

"The usual clothes. Pajamas and shirt"

She tapped the table. "What?! You don't wear lingerie?!"

"I don't. I'm not alone"

"And you wear them when you're alone? Are you seducing yourself?"

"Sophia, don't be ridiculous"

"We'll that's a rational question" she stopped looked at me seriously... "You must wear lingerie so he will be tempted"

"Sophia" I warned again.

"Look, if you wouldn't then maybe other women will. Remember, he's popular, playboy, heartthrob and especially a prince. Just in case you forget"

"I don't care" I said firmly. So what if he is?

"And that's not what I see in your eyes."

"And what can you see in my eyes?"

"Love" she prolonged.

"Whatever"

She chuckled. "I'll buy you a dozen of lingerie later."

"I have more than a dozen of lingerie and I have money to buy my own lingerie" I just don't want to wear them. I mean...that's too trying hard for me.

"You have to seduce him before it becomes too late" now she's really being serious about this and for me it sounds so desperate!

"We are off limits to s*x life, you know that."

"You're unfair"

"I don't ask about yours, you tell about yours" The first time they did it? She told us about it-well detailed-if I may add.

"That's why you have to tell yours too and what's wrong with that? You're married anyway"

"And not in love. That's why it is called making love" I said, irritated.

"Why are you always pissed whenever I tease you with him? You already like him don't you?"

I stopped. "You...are...teasing me with the bed...and not with him" I stammered.

"So you will not get pissed if I tease you with Jeanne?" she raised a brow.

"No" I said firmly.

"In bed?"

I rolled my eyes. "Sophia, I'm in the middle of a problem"

"See, you got pissed"

"It's because it's pissing. There's no truth about it" No truth Katherine. There is no truth about it I chanted on my own, I'm too old for these crush s***h love games. I should know better.

"Is that it? The Kathy I know gets pissed off when it's true" she narrowed herself to me... "and not when it's not true"

"You know me well Sophia and you know I don't want that to happen"

"You're making things hard for you! You deserve to be happy. Don't restrain yourself from falling in love."

"I'm busy Sophia. Let's just finish eating"

"I cross my heart I know you will fall in love with him and I can say you are starting to fall in love with him it's just that you are restraining yourself"