Royal Prince's Fated Love

Chapter Six

Prince Dan ignored Princess Diana's expletives and proceeded to open the door for Suzie. He then turned slowly to face her, his face expressionless.

"What! Are you ignoring me now? May I know who this woman is?" Diana insisted.

"Oh, apart from being a new employee of the company, apparently she is also someone who is in control of her tongue. It is quite unfortunate that you are lacking even the simplest courtesy."

"I'm sorry, but I hope you understand my frustrations, especially when you failed to show up at home. My apologies," she added, stretching her hand towards Suzie. "I'm Princess Diana, and Dan is my fiance."

"I'm Suzie Brown. It is my pleasure to meet you. I can understand your concern." Suzie responded courteously.

At that moment, Max came out and Dan asked him to show Suzie in.

"I'm starving, what about us grabbing a bite?" He asked Diana, leading the way towards a nearby cafeteria.

"Your mum told us that you didn't even take your breakfast. I wonder what is it with this woman that you had to leave home that early?" Diana posed.

"She has absolutely nothing to do with it as much as I am," he responded as they took their table in the cafeteria. "I almost ran over her the other day after I left you. It turned out that she is a brilliant girl who could prove to be an asset in the company. That's why she is here today to take her position as an employee."

"I'm sorry, but that doesn't explain why you were not only giving her money, but also driving around with her."

"So, I can see that your friend here didn't waste time to tell you," he said, gesturing towards Candie. "I'm sure you know that it doesn't cost much to be good to people. It is my pleasure to be of help to the deserving."

"Don't you realize that it is inappropriate to sacrifice your responsibility to others in order to please someone?"

"If you may excuse me, I don't understand what you are saying."

"It is apparent that you have been fusing over this girl while assuming my existence. You haven't even bothered to call."

"Lest you have forgotten, I would like to remind you that you were not enthusiastic about hearing anything from me. That's what I gathered from our last meeting."

"Aren't you the one who left us? I'm surprised that you still find it easier to blame me. That is not the way we have been solving our issues. Something must have changed in you these past few days."

"Well, I hope that you know that the only thing that is permanent is change. Do I get it that this meeting is all about reliving the past and apportionment of blame?"

"You are getting it all wrong. I'm wondering if it is bothering you that two people who are engaged to marry are not meant to meet and discuss issues?"

"In that case, I must say that you are doing your best to stay away from the course. Besides, I'm of the opinion that we are rushing things. There's more time for such discussions."

"I'm not sure that you are calling two weeks more time! Or perhaps, you parents haven't yet informed you, which is probable because you have been preoccupied with other extraneous matters."

"Anyone suggesting two weeks must be missing the point grossly. The whole point of courtship is to enable us understand each other better before making a lifetime commitment. I'm sorry to say that I haven't had enough time to know you better. I therefore need more time."

"I really seem not to understand what has caused this doubt about your feelings towards me. You know very well that I love you and you have never cast any doubt on that."

"Sorry to say, but you must be having a funny way of showing it. Nevertheless, as I said, I need a little more time to know whether I can echo the same sentiments towards you."

"What! Can you look me in the eyes and say that you don't love me as much as I do?" She asked, quite infuriated.

"I'm sorry my feelings for you right now aren't enough to warrant a lifetime commitment. May be they will change with time."

"I don't think you understand the import of what you are saying! We have already made arrangements with the judge, not to mention the invitations that have been sent out. What will people think of us if we were to make changes suddenly?" She asked, at the brink of bursting into tears.

"What do people have to do with our feelings with each other? It is us two who will be entwined. No one cares whether we will make a lovely and happy couple, or a disfranchised, incompatible one. If I'm not meant for you, there's nothing I will do to stop you from living a life full of regrets, and the reverse is also true for me."

"I can't believe that you are the same person that I fell in love with more than ten years ago! Why is it that you are having second thoughts after so many years?" She asked as she saw Suzie and Max getting into the restaurant.

The two approached the table and Max was about to say something when he suddenly changed on perceiving some tension that was evident from the way Diana looked at Suzie.

" We are sorry if we are interrupting," he started. "I have given her the orientation and I'm pleased to say that she is more than up to the task. I just wanted you to know."

"I don't doubt her ability and credibility," reiterated Dan. " Congratulations on your new appointment. Hope you find it worthy your time and dedication."

"Thank you Sir for your generosity," Suzie responded. "I hope to do my best not to disappoint you."

"That's fine. I hope you won't mind joining us for some earlier lunch?" Dan invited and Diana turned to glare at him.

" Thank you, Sir. However, I will prefer taking my lunch at home so that I will have time to prepare for tomorrow. I just came to register my gratitude before taking my leave."

"If you insist. Let me have the pleasure of dropping you then," he added standing up.

"Dropping her where?" Diana asked, indignantly.

"Where she is staying, of course!"

"Must you be the one taking her? I mean, my driver can drive her while you and me finish up what we were discussing?"

"I'm sorry I have to. While I think that we have finished what we were discussing, I will be back in case you have anything more."

"Don't you play dumb with me! What I'm saying in so many words is that I don't want you driving this girl around. She is just an employee! It makes me wonder where your preferences are!" She was almost shouting.

"It would be better if you spared me the crap. I never knew that you were in a position to tell me what I should, or shouldn't do. You cannot possibly budge into my day and start interfering with my chores. If you had anything worthy discussing, you should have had the courtesy of calling me in advance. The world doesn't revolve around you and neither do I dance to your whims, Diana."

"I'm really sorry if I'm the cause of any friction," Suzie interjected. "If you may excuse me, Sir, I can find my way home. Please, do enjoy more time with your fiancee." She turned to go, wondering why Diana could feel jealous of her when there was absolutely nothing going on between Dan and her. Gosh! She barely knew him!

"Nope! You hardly know the way around here. Thinking about what could have happened the other day, I can't let you. The least I can do is to drop you near your place," Dan insisted, following her. "See you in a few minutes," he added turning to Diana.

" No! In that case, we are also coming with you," Diana said, getting to her feet.

Due to her high heels, by the time she got into her car and ordered her driver to drive, Dan had already pulled off. He saw them following behind and decided to take a circuitous route to the flats as he stepped on the gas.

"I'm sorry to cause you such inconvenience," he told her after a long time of silence.

"I just can't help wondering why she is mad at me. Did I do anything wrong?" Suzie wondered.

"No, you haven't done anything to warrant such treatment from her. It is her nature to be pissed about anything she doesn't like. It started long before you came along."

"But you are comfortable with it? I mean, why do you have to put up with it? Is it because she is a princess? Or, is there more than meets the eye?"

Dan took time to answer, wondering whether it was appropriate to open up to her.

"It is a long story. How do you feel about your new job?" He asked, changing the subject.

"It is absolutely fantastic! I can't wait to start tomorrow despite the bad beginning. Well, about your relationship, it's okay if you don't want to talk about it. However, I urge you to talk about it to someone you trust, lest it starts to stress you."

"Thanks. A doctor's prescription?" He enthused.

"I may not be knowing much about love affairs, but I have seen what strained relationships can do to one."

"Oops! Thought I had lost them!" He said on seeing them following from behind via the side mirror. "I will drop you here. It is a couple of metres to your place. There is something I would like to discuss with you. Would it be okay if I dropped by your place later?"

"There won't be any problem, though I would have liked you to find time to settle things with your fiancee."

"Let it not bother you. I definitely will." He said as he pulled up by the roadside.

A few minutes later, Diana's car pulled up beside Dan's as Suzie walked off.

"Since you insist on discussing further, I think there's no better place to do that than at home," Dan said without bothering to get out of his car. "Shall we?" He asked, reversing his car.