The Princess???

Katrinah's frustration, Henry's breakthrough

Finding my sister will be the crowning event of my kingship. There is no other goal was more important. 

"Sire, I think we have something and we just need you to let us know if she is the correct person." Roger came in with a folder.

Henry took the proffered folder and open up to a beautiful smiling face. " What makes you think she is the one?"

"She is an orphan, has no family known, there is no record of her birth, she was left in a trash can and she only have school records. She would be a candidate based on her history. If there is some feature that you can see that is reminiscent of your family. It would greatly help us." Just as his parents walked in. 

"What is that son?" His mother asked.

"My crowing achievement. Does she look familiar at all." He looked at his dad and he looked like he had seen a ghost. He looked at his mom and she looked piqued and intrigued by the picture.

"She looks vaguely familiar. Where do you know her from?" Dad asked.

"I don't, but Roger you have your answer dig into her and find out if she is the one. Interview her and see if you can find any kind of marks on her that can identify her positively." Henry said.

Roger bowed and left. "Son what is that about?" Both parents looked at him expectantly.

"That is a surprise. You just have to wait and see what I come up with." Henry said. 

"Son I need to talk to you later. Let me know when you are free and let's talk privately." Michael said. Vivian looked at her husband and understood he was going to find out what that was about.

Henry looked at his parents analyzing him, trying to figure out what he was doing. He would only give so much away. He remembered growing up and every year they have cake and ice cream for no reason and when he asked when he was fifteen. His parents told him about how his little sister was kidn*pped as a baby and every year on her birthday they had cake and ice cream. When his father decided to step down from the throne and give it to him, he decided he wanted to know what his sister was like and his first order as king was to find his sister. His father only searched Europe and China, but he expanded the search to the world. He wanted his sister now and a few years ago. This kingdom would be so much more if she were there to add some light to it.  Hopefully that is her and she will be willing to come meet them.

Meanwhile in the U.S.

Katrinah was missing those dinners with Jarrod, but she couldn't, seeing his mom magnified that she was a nobody and not one person loved her. The overwhelming emotions was what made her make sure she left work with others being there so she is not able to have dinner with him. As she had thought things through while she was wondering around her apartment she realized she was starting to like him more than she should. She was starting to enjoy his smile and she once thought he was going to caress her face. That's when she knew she needed to step back. History says that something is going to happen, every time she thought things were going well something comes along and take away what little thing she had. Hopefully now I can enjoy life with no other surprises. Now I have had some communication with him since Jack is constantly on me and now he is threatening my job. I will have to go see Jarrod again because things are getting more frequent and my staff is starting to act different. Back to the office tomorrow to  hide away and try to talk to Jarrod.

She got to her office with a note on the door.,

    "Come to my office NOW'

                 CEO

She turned and headed to the CEO office taking the note with her. She stepped off the elevator to silence. She went to the CEO door and knocked. Entering when she heard the soft come in, opening the door to a room full of intimidating men. 

"Come in and join us. Gentlemen This is Katrinah. She is our target. I have her here so that you know who is the fall guy. This whole thing is supposed to fall on her shoulders. Max I need you watching her at all times. I feel like this thing is about to escalate some more. Katrinah, I need you to follow my instructions to the letter. This is Max the head of the security company. I need you to let him and his men in your life totally. If you are not comfortable let me know and I will put you up somewhere that you feel safe and I have my eyes on you constantly. The last thing that I will have happen is for you to be hurt for someone else's greed or bet against me. Eureka, that's is with Jack, he has some kind of a deal against the company or he wants to take over it. Anyway Katrinah I will protect you and whatever you need you let me or your guards know. Oh sorry you will have two guards with you at all times starting today. You are one of the best managers I have ever had and I'm not going to lose you to foolishness. For the next two days you will work in the office with me. That is your space over there. That computer is linked to your computer and you can access every single thing  on your PC. You are on vacation today and tomorrow as far as anyone knows. I will take you home today and pick you up in the morning and take you home tomorrow. Tomorrow you let me know if you need another place to stay. I know this will kind of mess with your head a little bit, but I need you to trust me to take care of you. Will you trust me Katrinah?" Jarrod said

"Yes" Katrinah answered.

" Max you will introduce her to her team. Katrinah, you can go to your temporary space and get started. If we get to loud, let us know. Sincerely thank you for trusting me to take care of you." 

She went to her seat, installed her head phones and got to work on her numbers.

She was so focused on her work she jumped when Jarrod tapped her on the shoulder. "Sorry, I just wanted to ask if you wanted anything while I'm going out for lunch, or did you want to join me?" Katrinah looked at the clock on the wall not realizing she had worked for four hours uninterrupted and had totally tuned out whatever he was doing.

"If you don't mind just pick me up a salad with nuts, preferably spinach, make the dressing ranch. A Sprite to drink will be nice. Let me just grab my bag and I'll give you some money." She said

"No I got it. Are you going to stay here in the office or will you go out? Do  you want me to bring you back a bottle of water or something.  You haven't seem to be eating or drinking anything today."

"A bottle of water is fine, whatever you bring will be fine. Thank you. No I won't leave, but if it's okay do you mind if I sit or lay on a couch if necessary'" She said knowing a pounding headache was coming from trying to find why she is being targeted and what she could do.

" I should be back in about an hour, I will lock the door so no one bothers you." He said then left 

Once he left she went and laid on the couch. Lately she was having weird dreams and she would wake up and can't get back to sleep. She was just going to lay for her half hour lunch. She awoke to Jarrod talking. She sat up and looked at the clock and gasped quietly, blanket falling to to the floor, where did that come from, running to her work station. She had been sleep for three hours.  Hearing him on the phone, she quietly starts working thinking she will apologize to him for sleeping on the job. She heard him end a call and she looked up and the door opened and some people walked in so she went back to work. 

"How much longer are you staying?" She jumped at the sound of his voice.

"Sorry, Umm just until 5. Then I'll leave." she said.

"well you should have left about three hours ago then. It's almost nine pm. I want to talk to you about something, do you have a minute now?" He asked.

"Yes" 

"I need to know how you do feel about body guards?" He searched her face as she spoke. She has an open face that really tells what she is thinking.

"I don't mind body guards, do I need them? Am I in danger? Should I be worried?"

"Hey, look at me. You are perfectly safe. It's my responsibility since it's my company that puts you in danger, then it's my job to protect you. I just always need to know that you are okay. You are most valuable. This company can fall, I can build another but I can't replace your life. I'm not sure how big this is or how far this will go but I'm going to protect you. Will you stay the night at my house and allow my security  team to go in and modify your home tonight, let me know what you need and they will bring the items to you and you can go home after work tomorrow. I know it sounds like a lot but I'm not taking anything for granted, I am just trying to cover all the basis. I don't want you used as a pawn. Please trust me?" He said

"Okay. I will trust you." 

Just then Marylyn walked in the office, looking down. "Jarrod have you seen Katrinah, we're....." She looked up to see Jarrod and Katrinah together.

"Yes I know where Katrinah is." Jarrod looked at Marylyn.

"Where is your phone Katrinah?"

"In my purse, Ohh Marylyn I'm so sorry I totally forgot about dinner tonight." Katrinah said

" Well I''m fine if you will give me the deets on this little hot scene." Marylyn said

"It's not like that, He is my boss. There is no story here." Katrinah said

"Marylyn, I'll explain everything to you later, but just know Katrinah need to stick with me for a minute so how about you can do dinner tomorrow. Let me take care of her tonight and plan some things." Jarrod smiled at Katrinah hoping she caught the Morse code in his words.

"Okay. Well good night and Katrinah let me know tomorrow. She  will be back in her office tomorrow right?" She blinked one time to let him  know she got his signal to wait and say nothing.

"Yes she will be in her office tomorrow." Jarrod said.

Katrinah listened to the two friends talking and wished she had just one person she could be so candid with. So lost in thought she didn't realize Marylyn had left.  She looked at Jarrod "Come on let's go, I'll have the chef prepare something before we arrive. Then we can talk some more over a meal." He stood up and offered her his hands.

She said "One second, let me power down my station and I will be ready. I'm so sorry to hold you up. I didn't mean to." She said "I'm ready now" taking his outstretched hand.

He escorted her out and in the elevator called to have the chef cook a meal. The ride to his house relatively silent as he did something on his phone all the way home.  Once they arrived at his house he escorted her to the table and seated her then sat opposite of her and finished what he was doing on his phone. Conversation started once their plates arrived.

"Okay. I was just getting a report on your security. So right now we have wired your house and office. If you will hand me your phone, I will install the app so you can see your apartment and office anytime. To be transparent, I have the app also. There is cameras in the bathroom but I won't be looking at that. I'm sorry you have to go through this but right now I need you to know nothing and just continue what you are doing. I will be with you every step of the way." he said

She handed him her phone. "Will I always be able to get someone if I get scared? Is it like a security system thing that if i  feel funny then someone will come and check for me?" She said.

"It can be, If you would rather stay here with me or with Marylyn then I can make the arrangements." He offered. 

" I can stay alone but I'm just a little nervous now. Maybe tomorrow night I can stay with you again, then I will ask Marylyn to stay over my house with me to help me relax.  I haven't been sleeping really well lately. By the way, I'm sorry for falling asleep at work, I know it was unprofessional but I was, am just so tired, and I really couldn't sleep in my apartment last night. I thought I heard things and was too scared to check." She said

"It doesn't matter about you sleeping, I figured with all I am  putting you through the least I could do was let you get a little rest. Do you want to stay in your apartment or do you want me to put you up somewhere of your choosing. All I want is for you to feel safe. Anything that I can do to make you feel safe, Please let me know so that I can get you put up. Okay." He said earnestly.

"I will let you know." she said. They ate the rest of dinner in silence, lost in their own thoughts.

"Let me show you to your room. I'm going to put you three doors down from my bedroom, so that you have your privacy but if you need anything just come to me." He said showing her a door and walking backwards to his room so she can see which one was his room. "I'll be in here if you need anything. Ohh and if you pick up the bedside phone  then my bedroom number is 34, the kitchen is 1 and housekeeping is 6. There is a bathroom in your room. I don't think i forgot anything but if you have any questions just call me." He said, turning to his office.

"Are you not going to be in your room? She said shakily

"No, I have a few more things to do so I'm going to my office. The nunber is still 34. You can relax. I promise. I'm not far from you" He said wanting to reassure her that is fine with him. 

He watched as she went into the room and going into his office. He sat behind his desk and pulled up her office and apartment. Just wanting to check everything. Why is she so important, he wasn't fooled with thinking it was about work, it wasn't, I just need to figure out why I feel so connected to her. Why do I feel the need to protect her. He picked up the phone. 

"Hello, I need advice. Dad" He greeted his dad.

"Son, is everything ok? You don't usually call this late." Stephen said.

"I'm sorry dad, No I'm not ok, I'm not in danger physically. I can't get this girl out of my head, I'm not sure if it's because I like her as a person or if I'm just protecting for work reasons. How do  I figure that out?" He said rambling. Kind of shocked that his dad is laughing.

" Son, the fact that you are thinking about it like that lets me know that you genuinely care for her. I will keep this away from your mom until you tell her. I will give you space to figure this out on your own. Let me ask you some questions that will solidify this for me ok?" Stephen said, happy for his son.

"Shoot dad."

"Does she make you smile for no reason other then you remember her or something she said?" 

"No"

"Do you find yourself randomly thinking about her and when you look around realize your mind naturally wondered to her?

"Yes"

"When you think of her do you unconsciously smile, and find yourself smiling for no reason and realize you were thinking about or seeing her?"

"Yes"

"When alone with her, do you find yourself just staring at her and thinking permanently about her in life? In your case, Would you be ok if she left company and you didn't know it?"

"Dad I was alone with her in my office today, when I came in from lunch with her food, she was asleep on the couch in my office and I just stared at her for 30 minutes wishing I could just get on there and pull her in my arms and shelter from the world and always protect her and make her smile. Is that creepy?"

"No, son it's not. It means you care for her and want to protect her. Watching a woman sleep is when your heart yearns for her. If you could know her every move would you?"

"Yes"

"What wouldn't you do for her? To keep her safe and happy? Is there a limit on what you would do for her?

"I wouldn't do anything illegal. I would do any and everything to keep her safe and happy."

"Son, If I don't miss my guess, she will be my daughter in law."

"Dad right now she is the target of my company, how am I supposed to do this."

"Take it easy. Let it grow naturally. Don't force it or her. It will be better if you let your relationship progress naturally, If she feels the same way then it will work out. Take care of her as your employee until she invites you to be more."

"Thanks Dad, I knew you would come in handy someday." He said laughing.

"Yeah I think I had a reason for being in your life, You are welcome. Can I meet her without your mother, just so I can see for myself?"

"Yes, come by the office and I will call her up or you can come to the manager's meeting tomorrow if you're not busy."

"I will be there, 10 right?"

"Yes sir"

Down the hall

She went into the bathroom to take a shower and realized she didn't have anything to wear. 

"Hello"

"Hey, you need something, everything ok?" he asked.

"I just remembered I don't have any bed clothes or anything to wear to work tomorrow."

"I will bring you some clothes and leave them on the bed, the towels should be in the cabinet in the bathroom. I warned my housekeeper I was having guest over night so just make sure she haven't left any clothes in any of the drawers or in the bathroom somewhere, I think my mom  brought some brand new gowns and left them here."

"Thank you, I will check." She said hanging up.

She went into the restroom and there was a towel on the counter and a gown with the tag hanging on the the back of the door. She ran the water and got in the tub with Lavender and Eucalyptus bath salts and bubbles. Once she was settled into the tub, she closed her eyes as the water was really relaxing her. Her mind wandered to why  he was being so nice to her. He could have told her to go home or put her up in a hotel but he brought her to his house. Does that means something, is it subconscious that he wants me here or is it just that on short notice he couldn't think of anything else. Her mind conjured up pictures of him hugging and kissing her, sitting and watching the sunset, seeing plays and movies together. Holding his hand, his hands on her waist as they talk under the moonlight. Walking on the beach in an exotic location. She woke up. Why did I dream that?  She realized the water was cold. She got out and unstopped the tub getting into the shower. A girl can get used to a waterfall showerhead, add that to the list of things for my house. I wonder if he would like to shower together. Would he help me wash my hair, I'll wash his. After a long day at the office we'll have dinner and have a bubble bath together to let him relax and cuddle up in bed. Whoa where did those thoughts come from? She stepped out the shower, slid into the nightgown and got into the bed. It was very comfy, next thing she know she is sleep