The Modern Princess

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“Jeanne” I smiled at him.

“Prince Jeanne” and he didn’t respond to his greeting and went straight to me, he grabbed my waist and descended his lips to mine, weakening my knees. His kiss was possessive, like he’s telling the whole world where I belong to, not that I’m complaining about it. Well…err…He’s a good kisser.

I saw him looking at Lawrence, no I think he’s glaring but I’m not so sure since I haven’t recovered yet and somehow I felt the electricity between them, like a current that will explode anytime. He hugged me and secured me with his body and kissed my temple. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I thought you have no one to play with”

“Well, yeah, not until Ava told me that Lawrence can play, actually he’s really great at it” I said excitedly.

“Yeah, I’m planning to play with you my wife” Is it just me or does it really sound possessive?

“Well sure, let’s play” I said and I get out of his touch, but before I can pulled me again and kissed me on my lips.

When he finished kissing me I heard a voice from the side “I will get your racket Prince Jeanne” Lawrence said. Uh-oh. I didn’t know we had an audience. i***t Katherine!

Jeanne asked for the limousine to get us after we played. He did win in the game though half of the time he was frowning. Maybe he got business problems? That we do not really talk about. We had two games and I lose in both of them he’s great at it, even better than Lawrence I think and his stamina’s full. I think mine was just half as his.

Both of us ride in while Lawrence and Ava got in the convoy. Once I hopped in the limo I started to feel great. It wasn’t everyday that I get kissed. Fine. I do not want to deny it anymore. I like him and his kisses are my cravings.

“You know what? Lawrence draws really great and I think he would be a great architect” I started a conversation. Maybe Jeanne can give him a scholarship? He’ll be able to help Lexumbia!

“And did you know that his father is John and the brother of his grandfather worked with your family. That’s so cool.” I added but he didn’t answer, instead he clenched his fist and looked away from me and curled up his lip not intending to really speak.

My body faced him “Do we have a problem?” I asked.

“I’ll fire Lawrence first thing in the morning” he said. What the…

“Jeanne, what is your problem?” I asked nicely. Is this about him calling me by my name? s**t. I’m dead. He can’t be fired!

“He called you by your name, he should know that it is against the rules, that is disrespect” he sounds calm but s**t I’m really dead.

“But I asked him to” I reasoned.

“And he shall know how to turn that down” he raised his voice. This is no good. I sighed “Jeanne, it’s me who asked that” I said softly. Please do not fire him.

“Kathy you’re a duchess there must be a barrier between you and them.”

“Jeanne I know that but you’re being unfair, for such simple reason you are going to fire him?”

“That is not a simple reason; he shall know how to respect you”

“He does respect me. As I said, I asked him to, if you are mad at him, you have to be madder at me. This is my idea.” Please don’t fire him Jeanne.

“I will not simply forgo this instance; he should set as an example.” He said firmly and now it’s irritating me. I tried to breathe deeply thrice trying to cease my anger, but I didn’t win. “You know what, you are trying to manipulate these people around you. At this instance you are just a taking advantage of your position.”

“I am not” he emphasized each word.

“Really? Then what did he do to make you that mad at him? He’s doing his job to guard me what he called me was something I asked him to. Tell me, what did he do to you?”

“Because I’m jealous!” he shouted

My jaw dropped and it took awhile to recover. “You are…What?”

He rolled his eyes. “You heard it right”

“I don’t understand Jeanne, you are jealous because I played tennis with Lawrence and he called me by name? Are you at your sound mind?!”

“This is not just about the game. This is about you being close to him. He was with you when you went to the Philippines…and now” Damn he’s angry.

“What’s with the Philippines’ trip? How did that affect this game?” I try to be calm again, he’ll fire him and it’s my fault.

“Who’s answering your phone when I call? Who are you with most of the time when you were in the Philippines? It was him.”

“It’s because Ava was sick” I explained.

“And what about when you were at the garden?!”

“It was just a coincidence. He just happened to be there when I decide to roam around” he looked away, obvious that he didn’t accept that.

“Jeanne, for God’s sake! You have nothing to be jealous about, this is the first time that we’ve played tennis, and if this will bring trouble then this will be the last, if I just know that you will be this irritated then I should have not played in the first place and it is not his fault if you have time for other woman rather than spending time with your wife!” and I went out of the car and slam the door. If he’s angry then I am now too!

I proceeded to our room. This time I will not go out of this room, if he doesn’t want to see me then go look for his own room! I rapidly changed my sports clothes to sleepwear; I’ve showered already there which was a good thing especially now that I do not want to see his face. I know that was a low blow but isn’t that true?! He’s always flirting with woman in tabloids rather than spending time with me! If he’s jealous then I am too! Let’s call this quits!

Just in time to get in the comforter he held me on the waist and turn me to him “Kathy…Kathy please. Let’s not sleep this way. I’m sorry if I talked that way please Kathy.” He said softly. You fought with me and now you’re apologizing? Apologize your face!

I move away from his touch “I’m damn tired and I am not willing to compromise.” And I went on my side of the bed and covered myself up.

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Jeanne wasn’t lying on my side when I woke up. Good thing he wasn’t, so we will not kill each other’s good moods. Maybe he went back to France to get in between his mistress legs. The hell I care anyway! I walk down the dinning after I cleaned up myself. Just right after I took the last step of the stair I saw Ava coming.

“Where is Lawrence?” I asked.

She bowed before me and answered. “He’s not here Madame”

Oh no. Where is he? “Gone out? When will he be back?”

“Never Madame” she said and she looked at her left trying to tell me something. I frowned in reply and mouthed “What?”

“Prince Jeanne is listening” she mouthed.

“Thank you Ava” and I walked straight to the dining room passing through Jeanne’s study room where he was listening to our conversation. The minute I seated Jeanne got in the dining room and I didn’t give a damn glance at him. Don’t you miss your mistress your highness? I rolled my eyes.

Right after I had my appetizer I said my excuse to go to the comfort room first. He didn’t answer, he just glanced and nodded on me. I closed the door to make sure to hear it when it opens.

“Ava, for a second” I whispered. We got under the stairs just enough not to heard by anyone. “What happened? Did he fire him?” I murmur.

“No. Yesterday, the head of the security team told him that Duke Jeanne asked him to go back to the Palace” and I sighed in relief.

“Gosh! I thought he will really do that, tell all of them to call me duchess from now on, he got really angry when he heard Lawrence called me by my name.”

I looked away to see if anyone is there “And tell him I’m sorry if I caused him trouble” and I walked away from Ava.

Our Mansion’s too big to for two people to see each other. I made sure I didn’t go to the garden, or the living room or the bedroom or anywhere Jeanne might thought I’ll be. I don’t want to talk to him period. Jeanne’s decision was childish. He was jealous over Lawrence? As if he likes me! He’s being seen in tabloids with different woman with captions “When the Duchess is away, the Duke is ready to play!” Now tell me he likes me!

Before I get out from the library I looked to my left and right to make sure Jeanne’s nowhere to be seen and I did that to the first, second, third. Oh no. “Looking for someone?” Mister monster asked. You might say he’s a beautiful monster but whatever you say he’s that is still a monster.

I rolled my eyes and continue walking; now I’m walking fast. “No”

He held on my elbow and looked at me eye to eye. “Looking for him?”

“Jeanne could you not start please”

“I heard you looking for him this morning” he said softly and somehow I felt like his heart was stabbed.

“Jeanne please” I said. His eyes are soft and pleading and with that look in his eyes I’ll just end up forgiving him.

“Look, I’m sorry Kathy” he said softly.

“Okay” I said and jerked off my hand.

“Please Kathy talk to me”

“I’m waiting for Sophia’s call. Let’s talk later” and that was a lie. I’m not really waiting for Sophia’s call. I walked away without glancing at him. I felt shiver all over my body. I don’t want to forgive him yet. Just not yet.

I didn’t go out from the recreation room not until Ava said Tasha was on her way here and she wants to talk to me. I changed my clothes into a nicer one, not that I‘m trying to impress her but I think she’s actually into something. Never did it come to my mind that Jeanne will be in the room when I went out from the bathroom, that’s ridiculous of course, we share a room right?

He held me on the waist and asked “Aren’t you going out today?”

“I’d rather stay home than to get someone fired” I rolled my eyes

He placed a kiss on my shoulder. “Kathy please, let’s talk. I mean it. I was jealous”

“Jeanne you have to learn how to trust me.” And stop kissing me; I can lose my focus anytime now. I actually did when he kissed my shoulder.

“I’m sorry Kathy” and I nodded “Okay” and that was the most unconvincing thing I said

“Please Kathy”

“Tasha maybe downstairs now” I said.

“How long are you going to be like this?” As long as you don’t get the lesson Jeanne, if you just know how hard this is for me.

Ava was on her way fetching me when she saw me coming, she said Tasha was downstairs waiting for me. Curvy elegant woman welcomed me with a warm smile when I entered the living room.

“Hey Kathy” Tasha said, kissing my cheeks and beamed at me. “You look wonderful” I complimented.

“You look great yourself too” she said.

“Let’s go out! I have a charity event to attend into” As expected, she will not come here without a reason.

“Tasha…”

“Go out with her, that’s better than staying here inside our home for the whole day” The monster said. I want to roll my eyes but I have to pretend we’re fine.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to…”

“This is my first time to ask you Kathy” she pouted. “Please?” I sighed. Just as stubborn as his brother. “Okay”

“Yes!” and she held hand and drag me out but Jeanne was fast enough to stop her. “Can I have a word with my wife first?” she pouted but he glared at her. “Fine” she rolled her eyes.

He kissed me on the lips, yeah enjoy the moment, he’s sure I wouldn’t flinch because Tasha’s here. “Let’s talk later baby. Please forgive me” and he kissed me again. How can I not forgive him?

“Okay you can get a room later you know” Tasha side commented and to my surprise she pulled me out from the room. “Goodbye Jeanne!” she grinned mischievously.

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Tasha said it’ll be an hour drive from the mansion, it was a foundation for infants and I’m excited about it. Cute little kids and their smiles but somehow I’m not happy about it, they’re abandoned, without a mother to feed them, without a father to protect them.

“How’s everything between you and Jeanne?” I want to roll my eyes. Can we not talk about him?

“Fine” I snorted.

“Not great?” she’s great at interrogating isn’t she? I sighed in defeat. I need to talk about this because if not I will explode. “Seriously, he’s like a little kid, you know what, we fought few days ago just because he saw me playing tennis with Lawrence”

“Is that all?”

“and Lawrence calls me by my name”

“He’s jealous”

“He said that but why? I mean there’s nothing wrong with that” Is there?

“There’s a deeper reason I guess.” That’s not a big deal at all.

“We were laughing and talking, that’s not something to be jealous about. I just want to know them just like how I know Ava.”

“Kathy, Jeanne is overprotective type of guy, he protects his property, moreover his wife of course.”

“He doesn’t want to see you flirting with another guy, or even talking with them, of course a family member is an exception” I am not flirting with him. I was trying to make some friends.

“Because he loves you” I was shocked by what she said. Love? I almost want to laugh, he didn’t even said that he liked me.

“That’s not true”

“He is, I can see that Kathy”

I rolled my eyes. “Please”

“What’s wrong with that? You don’t love him?”

“Tasha please.” I don’t want this topic. I never talked with anyone about this topic.

“I want to know Kathy”

“I don’t know” God. I’m freaking out now.

“So you don’t love him?”

“Tasha please…”

“What?” she frowned.

I sighed. Yes I do but I don’t want to admit it. I don’t want to be a sore loser for admitting it. “Tasha I think you know the answer to that”

“But I want to hear it” I looked away from her.

She held me on the shoulder, “Kathy”

I closed my eyes “I do love him”

“Then what is bothering you? Why did you didn’t you want to answer?”

I bit my thumbed and sighed. “He deserves someone better Tasha”

“You are the best for him”

“Joanna. I think she’s the best for him” Joanna, his last ex-girlfriend. She’s a celebrity, beautiful, European, an heir of a seven star hoteliers and it’s like she’s born to marry a prince.

“What? That b***h? She’s nothing” she sounds annoyed. I know Tasha’s a spoiled princess but really? She also talks that way

“Hey don’t speak that way, mom will surely get mad at you” I murmur.

“I know, but she’s a gold digger, attention-seeker and social climber”

“Hey Tasha, lower your voice”

“Kathy it’s just the three of us here, and besides Philip knows that I do not really like her from the very start. Yes she’s rich but she wants Jeanne for her to be called a duchess.” She rolled her eyes. Philip is Tasha’s twenty four seven driver.

“Tasha, you will never like everybody just like not everybody like you”

“I know but I am telling the truth Kathy, I never felt that way when I saw you”

“It’s because you know me before you have seen me”

“Trust me Kathy, she will not like Jeanne if he’s not a prince”

“And you think I will like him if he’s not a prince?” I asked, maybe this family thought of me as an angel. What if I just want them for money? For fame? Or for the name?

“You’ve decided to marry because you want to not because of his title”

“Tell me something about her” I asked trying to change the topic.

“b***h. That describes her personality”

I glared at her, passing the message that I do not want what she said. “Fine. I get it Kathy”

“Tasha, that will be the last time you call her that way” I lectured.

She grimaces. “Gosh! I can’t believe you are restraining me to call her bitch.”

“Come on, tell me”

“They’ve been together for long a year I guess but Jeanne was on his bachelor mode still and because she’s determined to tie him up they’re always fighting and in the end Jeanne left her. She’s nothing like Pauline.”

“What do you mean that she’s nothing like Pauline?”

“She’s not someone that you should marry but you know, one night thingy, past time. Unlike Pauline, everybody loves her, he loves her, but he’s a prince.”

I frowned. So what if he’s a prince? “He has responsibilities while she needed to stay in America to study, four years is too long for them to wait for each other, he wanted to go with her and live there, but it will not be easy for him to manage his business, do his duties and stay in another continent.”

I felt like somebody stabbed my heart. God! I just confessed that I love him now I’m thinking that I shouldn’t. My eyes are turning teary and I had to take a deep breath to stop it. “Did she…did she asked him to choose?”

She shakes her head. “No she didn’t. She let him go, she knew it would be a very hard decision for him. She wants to chase her dreams; she wants to be a doctor, a doctor of doctors. She’s kindhearted, beautiful, sweet and understanding, everybody loves her and when they broke up I know Jeanne was affected by it but he never did showed any emotions, instead it’s like he just removed the dust on his shirt and walked. He never showed how hurt he was.”

I swallowed, not wanting to hear the answer. “But he loves her?”

“More than his life” I clench my other hand, the hand away from Tasha. Too much information. “More than his life” It ringed crazily in my head. “More than his life” I swallowed my tears and I can feel my heart constricting and heavy. You’re an i***t Katherine. You’re an i***t.

I smiled. I’m a rock. I will not be affected by this. “Where is Pauline now?”

“She’s still in America, she comes home whenever she has time and I think she’s on her last year now then she will take the exams and that’s it. She’ll be done by that” I’m thankful that Tasha doesn’t seem to see me affected by it but it kills me inside. Why does it kill me inside? I thought I learned already.

“Actually recently she asked him to be with her again, this time she’s willing to give up her career for him but he turned her down” Please. Another word and I’ll breakdown.

“You know why?”

“He doesn’t want to tell us, he just did maybe he realized that he can have a more gorgeous, kinder and a sweet sister. You” She smiled and I gave her a fake smile. I think Tasha loves Pauline but why tell it in front of me right?

“So are you two talking?” I asked.

“No, she’s been really busy and I am too.”