The Modern Princess

CHAPTER NINE

It’s been two weeks since we’ve talked that night, now we’ve been together for about five months and I see a little progress in our relationship…err…well…he calls me a lot now and he shows too much care about me. Whenever he comes back from France, he stays at our bedroom. He slips silently and brings my head to his shoulder, kiss my temple and whisper “Good night Kathy” I feel safe and comfortable in his arms.

Nine o’clock-Wednesday. What does that mean? It’s my chess day. One great thing with staying inside this Chateau is that I had enhanced my skills once again. It’s been so long since I played chess and now I’m working on it…though I play all by myself.

I started playing arrange the chess pieces. “Kathy” a voice from behind called. It’s Jeanne. He come to me and kissed my forehead. “Hi, why are you home? You have a business meeting right?” He tells me his schedule every day we talk.

“The client said he can’t make it” he said and lookedat what I’m doing. “Have you eaten?”

“Err…Not yet”

He rolled his eyes. “Kathy we talked about this, didn’t we?”

“Yes…but actually I don’t really eat this early”

He shot an eye on me. “Actually, I really ate at ten when you’re not around” I confessed. Whenever he’s around we eat at eight.

He shakes his head “Kathy…”

“I know, but I just don’t really feel hungry yet.” Actually I just hate eating all by my own on a huge table.

“Okay…” he said softly. “Are you about to play or are you done?”

“About to”

“Let’s play then” he smiled and sit in front of me. “Are you good at this?”

“Not really” I’m an expert actually.

“Let’s have a deal”

I raised a brow. “What deal?”

“Every chess piece I eat equivalents to a question” Are you sure about that?

“And it goes the other way” he continued.

“Deal” I agreed.

We started playing Chess, at first, no one was talking, we were taking our time to think over our turns and then suddenly he was the first one to eat a Chess piece.

“How many exes do you have?” he asked.

“Three” I answered truthfully.

I ate a pawn. “How many exes do you have? Inclusive of those not introduced to the public”

He thinks a little and answered “Twelve”

“You’re lying” I accused. “You lose count didn’t you?” I raised a brow.

He chuckled. “Plus the five that was known and seen with me public”

“Are you a valedictorian?” Another Chess piece of mine was eaten.

“No” I answered. I’ve never been a Valedictorian but always in the honor’s list.

“Then what?”

“You just have one question per chess piece Prince Jeanne” I reminded.

“That’s unfair” he rolled his eyes.

“Your question was wrong”

“What was your rank in school?” He’s questions are too general.

“Fourth when I had masters”

“How about in college?”

“Just a question remember?” I smirk and he shakes his head.

“Tell me something interesting that I do not know about you. Something I can’t get on a research” I asked. See? That’s how you should ask a question.

“I always wanted to be a doctor since I was a kid” I was surprised by his answer.

“Then why you didn’t?”

“I am second in throne and I need to go to military training so I choose not to”

“How about you? Tell me something I can’t research” he asked.

“I do not know how to make my own coffee. I am not good at making one” Yeah. I know that sounds ridiculous but it’s true.

“Seriously? But you are a coffee lover”

“Yeah. Somebody really does coffee for me. Always. Well, if someone wouldn’t then I buy coffee”

“So your secretary does?”

“Yes” I answered frankly.

“That’s why you get her too?” he’s referring to Lisa. When I resigned I pirated her to work for our family business and of course I shouldn’t be surprise that he knows that.

“That’s another question. Actually that was the third question. Check” I said, trapping his King by my Bishop.

“This game has pros and cons really.” He said and from I do not know my bishop was eaten. “Check” he said, yeah. An eaten bishop plus a check, are you thinking Katherine?

“Yeah, that’s why” I answered.

“Hey, that wasn’t my question yet” he said.

“You’re cheating!” I accused.

He chuckled and ate another piece. “I am not. Check again. Now you owe me two questions”

“Fine, cheater” I rolled my eyes.

“What sports do you know aside from this and tennis?”

“Is that your first question or a trick?”

He laughed. “It is my first question Mrs. Eisenhower. You always want assurance don’t you?”

“I know how to play bowling” I move the horse.

“That’s a good sport. We can play that sometime.”

“And restrain the others to play at that day? No way” I know that will happen.

“Then I can ask them to build one in our home” My jaw dropped. I think that’s a joke, right?

“That’s funny. Don’t you dare Jeanne” he laughed.

“Check again Kathy. It seems like your losing. I have a really interesting last question for you”

“I don’t think so.” I smiled, you still can’t see it Jeanne.

“See? I ate a chess piece again.” He boast then questioned “Who taught you how to play chess?”

“My grandfather. He’s great at it actually. I never beat him.”

“Too bad I wasn’t able to play with him.” He taught me well Jeanne.

“Yeah. He really is.” I smiled, now look at this Prince Jeanne.

“It seems like you will have no chance to ask your question. Checkmate” He stilled. Looking thoroughly at the chess pieces left and see if he can do anything about it.

“Where exactly did that came from? I didn’t see that” His eyes grow wide and still looking over to see if he can do something.

“You should observe more then. So the final question is mine?” I raised a brow a smile pasted on my face.

He shake his head and smirk “Ask your question then” he encouraged.

“If you won, what would be your final question?”

His face become serious, his eyes grew darker and the mood wasn’t light now. He looked straight on my eyes and asked. “Why did you say that love can be learned?”

I stilled.

“What?” he smirk and I stood up and left him behind. He sprints to catch me up.

I smiled at him and said. “You lose so I wouldn’t answer. Let’s go and eat”

“I have an idea where” I stopped and narrowed my eyes on him. Does he know?

“How?” I asked.

“Tell me and I will confirm if I’m right” he said and I walked again.

“Nice try Jeanne” I rolled my eyes.

“What?” he laughed. “Try again” I said. He’s playing a trick on me. If I say it then he will know why.

“You’re great at chess. You cheated on me” Jeanne said

“You play great too so let’s call it quits”

---------------

Sitting on the couch inside our home theater I decided to watch What Happens in Vegas, a romantic comedy film, something I love when watching. Lila knocked and brought me the popcorn I asked for and she left after I told her I can manage.

After sometime the door opened again “Jeanne”

“Hey” he said and seated beside me “I thought you were sleeping already”

“I wasn’t just sleepy yet.”

“Let’s watch together then” he smiled. “Don’t..you have a meeting to attend into?” Like what you always do? And leave me here alone? I’m not jealous at his work of course!

“I can manage, an hour or two won’t hurt” he smiled.

“Is this your first time to watch the movie?” he asked.

“No, about third now I think” one in the movie house, one in the television and now. Right. Three.

“How about you?” I asked

“First time” he said. “Not fan of romantic movies aren’t you?” I raised a brow.

“Well…honestly yes” he smiled. “I love sci-fi…and robots…and cars”

“Need for speed?” I asked. “Lamborghini, McLaren, Bugatti, Mustang…”

He frowned and smile “You like cars?”

“I love them!” I replied. “I was amazed by Julia Maddon…”

“That was when the rebuilt Mustang was shown right?” he said and we continued talking about it and somehow ignored the movie. When we had no more to say about cars we turned again our attention to the movie.

We shared the popcorn Lila made. At first it was sitting between us and we were both silently watching but after sometime I started to have goose bumps because of the coldness. Jeanne stood up and pulled the near blanket. He put away the food and throws a blanket in us, he pulled me to his side, I, lying on his chest and put an arm on my side. “It’s better this way okay?” he said.

As the movie goes I realized it was somehow similar our story, they weren’t in love, trying to work things out for the sake of charade but the dissimilar thing is that we’re not just after the money, but I think that’s not how people see it, maybe they see me as a gold digging w***e who hypnotized a prince and in the end he did will marry me.

I do not know what’s happening, is there an earthquake? I feel my body moving involuntarily but something’s supporting on it. I move my head a little. “Shh. Sleep now my Katherine, I’ll take care of you” and I felt a kiss on my lips. “Hmmm” what a nice dream.

My alarm ringed at seven, I stretched my arms and tapped it. I still feel sleepy. What time did I go to bed last night? That I do not remember. Wait. Where am I? I abruptly sit and looked around. s**t. How did I go to bed?

I lay down again and slapped my head “You slept while watching Katherine!” I tried to remember what happened. I was alone, he arrived, the blanket on us and…the…kiss. “i***t! That did not happen!” I said to myself. “Shh. Sleep now my Katherine, I’ll take care of you” The line popped in my head again. “It was a dream Katherine. It was a dream!” I screamed to myself.

I stood up and bathe trying to forget it. Dreams are meant to be forgotten few minutes after you wake Kathy, you’ll forget that eventually. I showered long and somehow I remembered my dream marriage. A small church in an isolated place, with nothing but my husband and I, the priest and our best friends. Ironic with the wedding I had isn’t it? Maybe somehow my mom has influenced me maybe because I dreamt of an uncomplicated life but ironically I went the other way around.

When I finished my bath I checked on my phone and I notice a small white paper tied in a single long stemmed rose. Why didn’t I notice that when I hit the clock? Because you were too busy thinking about your dream.

I smelled the rose and opened the card. Didn’t want to wake you up. I have a meeting in France at nine. Just wanna say good morning to you beautiful wife. –Jeanne

I shake my head and smiled til my lips reach my ears. He’s impossible. I smelled the rose again and put it on the vase in our room. It’s Thursday, two days Kathy and you’ll see him again. Jeanne is actually ruining my plan of shooing him away but I have to stand firm…he deserves a better woman.

I somehow felt sad about it. You wanted this Katherine and you have to pay the price…even if that means breaking your heart. Before I affirm with this agreement I told myself not to be carried away but this charade. I didn’t know it’ll be hard but at least I’ve been happy for a while.