The Royal Love Triangle

17: Getting To Know You

Gabe's POV

I was sitting in my office, trying to avoid all of my work. The only thing I could do was think about Callie. I picked up my phone again, even though it didn’t go off, just to check if she texted me back. Things didn’t get left in the best spot after Marcus caught us. She was devastated. I couldn’t get the image of her chasing Tessa down the hall out of my head. I propped my head in my hands, resting on my desk.

My phone binged, and it scared the living crap out of me. I never keep the sound on. I jumped and grabbed my phone seeing a text from Callie! I was completely over joyed.

Text from Callie at 11:09: Hey. I’m really sorry I’ve been ignoring you. I just have so many people expecting so many things from me. I don’t want to let anyone down, but I also need to follow my heart and do what’s best for me. I wasn’t going to text you for a few more days. I needed to let some time pass for me to think straight. Maybe we could talk over for dinner? Just let me know or inform Clara. You can thank Tessa. She and I talked, and it helped a little. Thanks for checking on me.

I was completely stunned. Tessa convinced Callie to text me? Where what that coming from? I didn’t want to over think anything. I just needed to go with the flow and seize this opportunity to see Callie. I shot Callie a text as fast as I could.

Text to Callie sent 11:10: I will be there. I’ll have Andrew contact Clara and get the details ironed out. I’ve been thinking about you like crazy. I miss you like crazy.

Once the text sent, I set my phone down for a minute. I can’t believe that Tessa was the one that talked Callie into texting me back. It seemed really out of character for her. I didn’t want to say anything to turn her completely against me. I grabbed my phone again and shot Tessa a text.

Text to Tessa sent 11:12: Tessa, Callie just texted me. Thank you for taking care of her and checking on her.

I didn’t expect a reply. She saw me as competition. Don’t get me wrong, I saw her as competition too, but I was getting so much pressure to marry Callie. Sometimes I questioned my feelings for her. There was another woman I had my eye on, but Mother would never allow it. I shook my head at the thought. I needed to keep my focus on Callie until I was told by her otherwise.

I threw my phone in my pocket and headed out of my office. I needed to talk to Andrew and have him iron out the details for dinner with Callie tonight. I needed to get some alone time with her. There were so many things that we needed to talk about. This time, I would make sure there were no interruptions.

I quickly made my way down the steps that led to the main sitting area. Once I was in there, Andrew stood immediately. He was at my side in a flash asking if there was anything that he could help with. He knew that something was going on because I never lock myself in my office. He looked at me wide eyed and smiled. “How can I help you today your highness?” He bowed slightly and waited eagerly for my words.

“I need you to contact Princess Callie’s assistant, Clara. I want you to arrange for the two of us to have dinner. We didn’t get much time to talk at the ball, and when we did, we were interrupted. I need you both to make sure that doesn’t happen this time.” I looked over at Andrew and he just nodded. He bowed before me before making his way out of the room. He was fishing for his phone in his pocket to get his task done.

I stood in the sitting area with my hands on my hips. I felt accomplished. Maybe it wasn’t fair to Tessa that I had Callie’s family behind me, but I planned on using this to my advantage. While I was lost in thought, I didn’t hear my father enter the room. He stood a few feet away from me and cleared his throat. I jumped and turned around. He was watching me with his arms crossed over his chest.

“What are you thinking so hard about? You look rather accomplished and smug.” He was watching me intently. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of making me squirm.

“I’m arranging to have dinner with Princess Callie tonight.” I said with as much confidence as I could muster up.

“Why is that such a big accomplishment?” He looked perplexed.

“Well father, I am arranged to be married to her. I would like some time with her, by myself. I’d like to get to know her before I even consider making a proposal.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Not everyone has the luxury to marry someone that they chose. Some of us have expectations of us, so we don’t get to make that choice.” I huffed.

“Gabriel… You need to follow your heart. You’ve always done what is expected of you. Sometimes you need to do what is best for you. If you think that is marrying Callie, then by all means, do what you need to accomplish that. If you’re doing it out of fear of disappointing someone else, you’re only going to let yourself down. I know that your mother and Queen Melissa are really pushing for this marriage. I just want you, my only son, to be happy.” His strict face was soft and sincere. I could tell that he was speaking from the heart.

I softened my expression. “I’m sorry Father. I didn’t mean to snap like that.” My head hung low from my shoulders. Before I knew it, my Father had gathered me in a hug.

“Despite what you may think, I am very proud of you son.” With that, he patted my cheeks before heading out of the room. I was left with my thoughts for a few moments. I soon came to the realization that my birthday gala was tomorrow. Maybe I would take this opportunity at dinner to ask Callie to go with me. I have no doubt that she would agree.

Andrew came rushing in the room. “Your highness. I’ve spoken with Miss Clara. Princess Callie will be arriving here in a few hours for dinner. I will need to know what to have the chef make as soon as possible. We will be serving dinner around 5 as the Princess needs to get fitted for her dress for your birthday gala tomorrow.” I nodded.

It was just the two of us sitting in the dining room and we had just finished eating. I had arranged for Mother and Father to go out for the evening. I convinced Andrew and Clara to take some time for themselves. It was just Callie and me. She was in a pale pink dress. It came to just above her knees and had long lace sleeves. She had on black flats and her simple tiara.

We moved to the sitting room shortly after dinner so we could talk. I gazed at her as she was talking about her life before she found out she was a princess. We were exchanging stories about when we were kids. Things seemed so much easier back then.

“So, when I was about 14 years old, I dyed my hair blue. Like my entire head. It was this really obnoxious royal blue. I thought I rocked it.” She shrugged and paused to laugh at the memory. “My mom was so mad, that she grounded me for a month. My pillow case was stained blue for a while.” She was laughing. I couldn’t help but notice the dimples in her cheeks when she smiled.

“That’s insane! Why would you dye your hair blue?”

“I wanted to. Why else would I do it?” She shrugged.

I smiled and gazed into her eyes. She was gorgeous. The fact that she just knew what she wanted and did it. She was really inspiring. She didn’t let anything stop her. She was truly remarkable. We talked for what seemed like hours. There were no awkward silences or pauses. Things just flowed naturally with us.

“So, your birthday gala is tomorrow. How are you feeling? That means you, I mean… we… have a year to get married.” She cast her eyes to the floor. I could tell she was still struggling with this.

“I’m feeling fine actually. I have time to figure things out.” I shrugged. It’s true. I didn’t have to answer to anyone right away about this. Talking with my father earlier really helped.

I scooted to closer to Callie as we sat on the couch. Her eyes met mine and she bit her lower lip. I couldn’t quite tell what she was thinking. I took my hand and gently placed it on her cheek. My thumb grazed over her bottom lip and she released it, taking in a deep breath. I leaned in closer and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. She kissed me back, but it was brief.

“Callie, I was really hoping that you would give me the honor to escort you to my birthday gala tomorrow?”

Our faces were still close, and I could feel her warm, sweet breath on my lips. She smiled and bit her bottom lip. I still had my hand on her cheek, so I grazed my thumb over her lip again. She released it. She leaned in and our lips met. She was more aggressive this time, but she wasn’t too overwhelming. She suddenly stopped and pulled away from me a little.

“I take that as a yes?” I honestly wasn’t quite sure at this point.

“Yes. It would be an honor to go with you.” She smiled sweetly up at me.

I leaned in and kissed her soft and sweet on the lips. Just then, Andrew had appeared in the door way of the sitting room. Callie’s back was to him, so she didn’t see him. He pointed at his watch, warning me that it was time for Callie to head back for her dress fitting.

“Alright my princess. It seems our clock is striking midnight. Until tomorrow.”

I stood up and offered her my hand to help her up, which she took without hesitation. I smiled as I escorted her to the door where she met Clara. Clara hadn’t really made eye contacts with me since we danced at the ball that night. I tried not to think too much of it. I leaned in and gave Callie a kiss on the cheek. Just like that, they were on the way home and out of sight.