Princess in waiting

Starbucks Coffee. “Were the opinions of people true?” Veteran royal reporter Willie Forsyth wondered as he waited for his order to be placed on the table. He had recently wanted to check out Starbucks coffee, as the comment sections screamed about Starbucks not offering good quality coffee for the price that was paid. His phone rang, and he involuntarily picked it up while he frowned, looking towards the direction from where the waiter was supposed to come. Then he got up and hurried towards the exit, once again glancing towards the café. He was disappointed, yet adrenaline started to rush into his system. Now was the time. If this worked, he could make a million dollar deal. Willie kept his eyes on the road ahead and his mind was as focused as an eagle was on his prey. He replayed the conversation which he had had with his partner, seconds ago when he was rushing out of the exit of Starbucks, towards the parking lot. “If it is 100%, you take the turn to Castle Douglas Road and I know a way to get in.” Everything was moving fast. “Dear Lord, Thank you for Russo!” Willie thought as he took a sharp left turn into Ayshire. Willie Forsyth did not feel anything as he was thrown away from the seat of his motorbike , when a car which skidded and went out of control collided with his motorbike, throwing him over. Willie’s head hit hard on the pavement and a numbing pain registered in him, as he saw the SUV which was driven straight at him. Danny Kay’s brown eyes were on fire when he locked eyes on his target. The Accelerator was stamped on. The rest of it was a euphoria passing through him. Giselle Goldsmith’s captivating looks were photogenic, and the photographers loved her. She shivered when she thought of all the tabloids speaking of her. She recoiled at the thought of it. That was the hardest part of being in love with Julian Stuart. “ Modern Prince looking for a virgin?” “ Is she the one or another one-night stand? " “Did HRH dump Olivia for Giselle?” “ Giselle the gold-digger” Giselle squeezed her eyes shut as she fought to erase away the images of what the tabloids would say about her. When the first few snaps appeared in US Weekly magazine, she shrank back, daunted. It was a snap of them together, with a group of friends in the background. Though the friends were within the frame of the snap, what got her heart racing faster was the red circle which had been drawn around the two of them. “People will be looking at the circle,” she had told Julian. “That is why they circle things,” Julian giggled as she watched on. “Forget it sweetheart. Even if there are pictures in the tabloids, they wouldn’t be following us everywhere we go. Let’s just change the vacation plans a bit.” Julian grinned once again and pulled her to him. Giselle beamed at her reflection, looking back at herself through the mirror and glanced at the bottles and cases of skincare and cosmetics on her table. She loved all these skincare products! Nothing could beat them! Not as a product! Not as a family! Dynasty in the making. Today was an important day. Giselle was to be present at Julian’s cousin’s wedding, representing Julian who was away on military training. Today was going to be the first event where she would appear among the royals, as one of their own. Almost. She inhaled a deep breath and glanced from head to toe. “You’ve got this girl! You look immaculate!” Giselle had opted for a hot pink long-sleeved, knit and form-fitting pencil skirt paired with black high-healed pumps by Christian Louboutin. She had wanted to wear a hat too, and she knew that Julian would not be seeing her, but she had a playful thought as she picked up the diamond ear-studs the prince had gifted her for her birthday. She gazed at herself, adorned with the diamond studs and felt a thrill rush through her as she thought of his reaction when she saw her wearing those, among the family photographs. She wanted to know whether Julian would notice the earrings. She was ready for the event. She had told Julian that she would be driving her own Range Rover for the event. She had been adamant about appearing in her own vehicle, protesting Jullian’s thinking of sending a vehicle for her entrance into the venue. Giselle still remained very much a working professional, employed as a full-time marketing manager for the skin care brand founded and established by her family. “Why would you bother working 8 hours? For a fixed salary? Even if it's for the family business, you will be working hard as if you need that money for the meals!” Julian had argued. “A person needs to work! Yes, they do need the money and life is about that! We need to be doing something we love!” “Yes, I have my duties too.” “Yes, and those duties or appearances are a job too. The only difference is you do not receive a salary at the end of the month.” “See? That’s freedom!” Giselle could remember Julian raising his fist in triumph, grinning. “Doing what you love is freedom too. I hate having nothing to do for all those hours of the day.” Giselle saw Julian’s expression changing, and he had eyed her carefully, concerned. “I never thought of asking you this, but would you feel bored having to get into many costumes between the passing hours, visits to the hairstylists, beauticians, designers, fit-ons, and having a schedule where you would be appearing at many places in a day?” “Obviously, you cannot wear the same thing for every appearance,” Julian winked. “The tabloids will keep saying ‘The Future Queen recycles the same dress for 24 hours!” Julian had moved his hands dramatically while looking at her. She could remember herself grinning. But Giselle suddenly paused, realizing something. "I heard what you just said.” She could still recall how she looked at Julian. “Yes. Your Royal Highness Giselle Stuart, the wife of His Royal Highness Julian Stuart. “I guess I need to welcome you to my world. You need to see the real picture of what your life would be if we got married.” “If?” “When. ” Julian grinned again. “What do I have to do?” “I’ll make plans for it.” Giselle looked into his eyes as she let the look in his eyes sink in. Julian meant what he had said. **** Julian took his first opportunity to let Giselle get a glimpse into his world, when his cousin, Lady Ava-Arthur Curzondoe, decided to tie the knot. It was Julian’s idea. “Ava, you need to meet somebody.” “Hmm… Who is it?” “It’s the woman I’m thinking of getting married to.” Ava shrieked and jumped up almost like a schoolgirl. “Bring her to the wedding then! Julian, I’m so happy for you. Introduce her to all of us.” Ava was excited, as she hugged Julian. “Have you introduced her to the family?” “They already know about her. “ “ Thank you Ava. I’ll take her to the wedding.” They hugged each other again and Giselle was to decide how she should make an appearance. She was adamant on presenting herself as a taxpayer who happened to be in love with a man who was the crown prince by chance. Today was that day, to make an impression. Giselle was confident. Julian had been reassuring her the paparazzi would not get in, and she would not have to worry about the flashes or the tabloids running stories. Giselle was glad. “I want a private life for myself and Julian.” She had told Frieda when she had called Frieda to tell her the news that she was to appear at a family wedding of the Curzons. “That’s great, but a private life?” Giselle had heard Frieda scoff and then laugh harder. “Okay, okay tiger, what I meant was a life apart from being what his family is, apart from being in the public eye and popularity…” “Shut it.” Came Frieda’s response, and then Giselle had heard her laugh aloud. Both of them had shared a laugh over the idea of a private life. Frieda had been with Giselle throughout the hours of shopping, getting the costume ready and deciding on the looks. Frieda had a good eye for fashion, as much as Giselle did. Julian had always been a fan of her fashion choices and outfits. Frieda was a god-send when it came to these occasions, where she had to make an impression. Frieda understood what it took to date a member of the monarchy. “Where would it be? In some castle?” Frieda chuckled. “Nope. A golf course.” Frieda’s jaw dropped. Frieda was undoubtedly excited about her friend, but this was new. And jaw-dropping! “I wanna see this Lady Ava, whoever-whoever!” Frieda exclaimed. “Frieda, it’s family-owned.” Frieda pouted, making a sour face on purpose. ****