Royal Prince's Fated Love

Chapter Five

Events in Prince Dan's life had taught him the essence of treating each and every person as a fellow human being , regardless of their social status . He considered life to be a play , staged on mother Earth and whose characters were people . Each person had a role to play in contributing to happy and harmonious living . That was why he could not stomach the waitress being humiliated by Diana . What was worthy living for if not respecting each other?

He wondered about what had become of her. He recalled that she had been a nice girl while in high school so much that he had always craved for her companionship. After highschool, they had parted company as each proceeded to further studies in different countries. It was after she came back that he started noticing some disturbing changes in her. It was like she had acquired some foreign culture that was not portending well with his idea of a perfect match. While he took pleasure in being humane , it was apparent that she found hers in deriding others. Her arrogance and disrespect was evident in the way she treated everyone, including him. His mind was still searching for a proper explanation for the rapid metamorphosis of her behaviour as he drove into the Exotic Stones Company.

The Exotic Stones Company was his, co-founded with a guy named Max that he had been in college with. Max came from a less privileged background, but it was his idea that had materialized into the establishment of the company that was now bringing in millions of money per a year. His father was a small scale miner of precious stones . One day, Max had approached Dan and proposed to sell him a small stone to raise money for his upkeep. After purchasing the stone, Dan's curiosity had led him into asking about its source. It was a matter of time before he borrowed some money from his father to register the company to deal with the cutting and marketing of diverse stones . Their majoring in Mining Engineering and Management in College did a lot to boost the business .

Unlike many young people of his generation and status, he did not want to bask in his father's wealth. He used the proceeds from the stone business to venture into real estate. He had seen the rising demand in housing and he sought to satisfy it. The result was the development of the breathtaking flats in which he had accommodated Suzie. He flinched on recalling that he had lied to her not only about their ownership, but also about his true identity . The truth was that the very flat he had given to her had been set aside for his own use wherever he felt like . There was no friend of his who had travelled abroad . He consoled himself by saying that she was only a stranger who had touched his heart into helping. Why should he bother about explaining himself to her?

He entered his office and looked over the pristinely arranged papers. It dawned on him that most of the papers had stayed there undisturbed for long. His office was the most unused because he rarely came in. Most of the work was handled by Max from his adjacent office.

"Well, it's now time that you were put into work," he thought as he picked Suzie's papers. He walked out into Max's office.

He found him busy shuffling some papers.

"What a surprise! I have not seen you for almost two weeks now!" Welcomed Max. "How are the wedding preparations going on?"

"I'm sorry, you know how demanding these things are. I think the preparations are just fine. How is work? I'm sure you must be drowning in it!" He enthused.

"It is quite demanding! What with the traveling to diverse auctions and dealing with toll orders? Plus, your acute absence isn't exactly helping."

"I thought as much. I'm sure you could use additional hands. It is in consideration of that, and to compensate for my chronic unavailability that I have found a perfect assistant for you." He responded as he extended Suzie's papers over the table.

"This performance is quite exceptional!" He remarked as he perused through the papers. "But wait! This name rings some bells in my mind."

" May be she has been here. I'm informed she has been up and down searching for a job."

" No, I'm sure she hasn't. It sounds like that of a girl I heard about back in the village. A bright girl who beat all odds to excel in her exams despite her parents being killed in a grisly accident at the same time she was sitting for the exams. I never met her physically."

"I don't know much about her. Perhaps, she could be the one ,or just a coincidence of the names. Anyway, you will know when you meet her. For now, I want her to substitute for my absence."

"I'm grateful. She will be taking quite a load of my shoulders. When is she going to start working?"

"Immediately. In fact, she is coming in today for appraisal. I have decided to let her make use of my office."

"I don't think that would be a good idea. I fear Diana might not take it lightly when she realizes that there's a lady occupying your space."

"I think you are right, but I don't care a damn about what she will make of it. Besides, I barely know the girl and there's nothing going on between us."

"Are you sure there's nothing?" Max teased, slightly laughing.

"Well, I would appreciate it if everyone minded their own business. I'm just trying to help someone get on her feet. You will understand when you know the circumstances under which I met her."

"I was just joking. However, I would suggest that she takes the room next to the reception. It is big enough to make a good office."

"Okay, I will take your advice. Will you do me a favour by asking someone to prepare it? I'm going to pick her. One more thing,under no circumstances should she know that I have anything to do with this company. You are just a friend I contacted for help."

"No problem. I will ask the cleaners to do the necessary."

"Thanks. I must get going. See you very soon."

Once outside, he located an electronic shop and entered. The attendant approached him as he roved his eyes over the various models of cellphones displayed.

" May I assist you, Sir?" Asked the attendant.

" Certainly. Suppose you messed someone up and you wanted to offer your apology, which one of these would you think would be apt in mending her broken..." His ringing phone interrupted him. "Excuse me, let me answer this first."

The call was from his mother. He moved aside as he clicked on the receiver icon.

"Hello, mum. What is up?"

" Where are you? Diana is here waiting to see you."

"Really? She could have had the good sense to let me know that she was coming. As it's right now, I'm busy with other chores."

" But it's your mistake for not calling her as I advised. I don't think that there's something more urgent than getting yourself here now."

"I'm sorry, not untill I'm done here. If she isn't in a hurry, she can wait."

"Where exactly are you?"

"I'm in the town office. Look here, give me a couple of minutes." He disconnected and turned to the attendant.

"So, you were saying something about mending her broken heart?"

" Nope! This one's heart is intact, though it needs some boosting. I meant making amends with her for her phone that I accidentally smashed."

"Well, I'm sure this fabulous and latest model will do," she responded, picking on one.

He paid for it, got into his car and drove to Suzie's place. It was ten in the morning and he found her resting on a couch.

"Please, have a seat, Sir," she invited, beaming with happiness, but courteously. " It is kind of you to come by." She turned only to find him still standing, staring at her.

She looked into his eyes, trying to find the reason why he was dumbfounded. Seconds ticked by as their eyes locked. She was unable to discern the emotional feelings, whether it was disdain, pity or irritation. She abruptly lowered her eyes.

" If I offended you and you have come to throw me out," she started, "it's fine with me. I'm really grateful for all that you have already done for me." She added in a sad, resigned tone.

" On the contrary ," he started as he stepped forward, his heart yearning for a hug, but his will saying otherwise. He ended up on a seat opposite her. " I must confess that I was taken back by the physical transformation in you. I mean, today you look quite stunning!"

"Thank you, Sir. You look good in your suit, too."

"Well, even the room looks cosier than it has been for a long time. Seems like you have a magical touch on everything."

"I'm really flattered, Sir."

"Will you do me a favour?"

"Of course, I will do anything for you. I mean, if I can."

"Let's drop the formalities. It makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. Just call me Dan."

"Well, but it will make me feel disrespectful, Sir."

" Nope. I have a feeling that you are incapable of disrespecting anyone. Well, I have something for you," he added, handing her a gift-wrapped box.

With shaking hands, she took the box and opened it to reveal an expensive cellphone. For a moment, she was speechless. Finally, she returned the phone inside the box and extended it to him.

"With all due respect, if you thought of repaying me for the one that got broken, I can't take it. It was no mistake of yours that it got destroyed. Besides, you have assisted me more than enough."

"Please, take it as a gift from me. Perhaps, one day you will realize how much special my meeting you is. Nothing can compensate for your destroyed phone, no matter how old it might have been. We all attach sentimental value to some things so much that nothing can replace them. Your accepting this gift is of such sentimental pleasure to me." He gave it back to her.

"Thanks, but I'm not used to accepting such gifts from . . ." She stammered.

"Strangers?" He asked. "I'm sorry to say that I no longer see you as a stranger. I know it's awkward to say so, but I feel like I have always known you."

She looked at him shyly, a broad smile on her face, but said nothing. On his part, the bewitching smile destabilized his train of thought.

"Regarding the job I told you about, I have a friend of mine waiting to have a discussion with you," he said after regaining his thoughts.

"As of right now?" She asked, surprised. "You really work very fast. It is like you had everything planned!"

"Actually, I'm also surprised at how fast things are moving. Shall we?" He asked, standing up.

" If you may excuse me, I would like to tidy up a little," she responded as she went to dress up.

A few minutes later, they arrived at Exotic Stones compound. He killed the engine and got out to open the door for her. Just then, Diana appeared out of the blues with her friend, Candy.

"So, running around with this God-foresaken slut is what you call office duties?" Diana asked, breathing fire.