A Tale of Two Hearts

Chapter 4

Alice ran out of James room with her face flushed. She had seen a lot of guys work out but this was just too different, she had literally seen Jeremy half naked as well, but it did not make her feel this odd.

Her heart was beating so fast, at the moment she saw him, a feeling she had never felt, his sweat soaked upper body, his well toned muscles, they were just too eye catching and vivid not to remember.

“Jeremy could not even remind me to knock on the door. I will so kill him when he comes out, I swear.” Alice mumbled to herself.

*A few moments later*

James was headed out of his room with a pair of beige cargo pants and a big black top. Walking out he heard Jeremy’s voice and a female’s voice in a heated argument, “Seriously they are arguing already?” James thought to himself. He hurried down to catch up to the two people in a heated argument.

“Alice, why the hell, would I need to remind you to not barge in?” Jeremy was perplexed with this accusation.

So it became Alice who was angry at Jeremy for not remembering to warn her not to barge into James room, the most iconic thing is that she was angry he did not remind her.

“Are you not supposed to say something, how was I supposed to know he was working out in his room.” Alice retorted.

“What in the actual hell!, how am I supposed to know that he was working out as well, he just came back yesterday, I am supposed to know his routine already?” Jeremy was really being bullied unjustly and he had no idea how to get himself out.

“Hey, I apologize on his behalf, you must be Alice, he was so happy about our reunion he forgot to ask about my activities, please do not take your anger on him anymore.” a smooth soft voice trailed and lingered in Alice ears.

Jeremy was stunned and turned to look at the speaker, it was James, he looked again to confirm because, he never saw James as someone with a very nice voice, not too hoarse and not lady like just soft and gentle.

Looking at him, he saw James wink at him, only then did he come back to his senses and say.

“True, Alice please do not banter me anymore, I am sorry.” Jeremy replied.

“So I have been bantering? I have been bantering you?!” Alice roared with an unnecesary rage.

“What how can you be so unreasonable.” Jeremy was shocked to find her angry about that at this moment.

“I am unreasonable, so what, I want to be unreasonable what can you do about it?” She said.

James was just looking at the scenario, Jeremy would have been at a better length than giving her more reasons to vent her frustration and embarrassment.

“Ms Alice, I am James, I know that you have heard of me, but I would like to get to know you a bit more, can we head to the table, meal should be ready, why don’t we talk while we eat?” James decided to help his brother

“Alright, let us do that.” Alice agreed rather too easily, even Jeremy was somewhat surprised, aside their father, no one had managed to sway Alice into acting without complaining.

‘Did this girl drink the wrong medicine this morning? How can she be so docile when he speaks’ Jeremy thought.

“Hey Jer, are you going to stand or follow us to have breakfast?” James asked.

“Coming.” Jeremy replied as he chased after the pair.

They all got to the dining room and met Mr. Alex on the table sitting, from the way it was he was waiting for them.

“Good morning Dad, have you been waiting for us?” James asked.

“Not at all, I just arrived about two minutes ago, I see you have met Alice, child come and sit closer to me, you as well James.” Alex said.

James walked and sat beside his father at the right hand while Alice sat by his left the were facing each other but they were beside, James father as well.

Jeremy walked in the dining room and went to seat by James, obviously he did not want to test Alice’s temper yet.

“Alright, let us eat.” Alex said as he took a metal rod and tapped it on another triangle shaped metal.

Cain walked in and opened the door as a row of maids came in the dining room with different dishes covered. Cain walked and stood behind Alex as the maids set the table.

In the midst of all this James was looking at the entire scenario in a trance, he knew his father was wealthy but he never heard his father was part of royalty, ‘this setting was for the 18th century wasn’t it?’ James thought to himself.

“Uh, Dad, why all this ceremony, if I remember it is only when you’re having big official guests we go through this hassle.” Jeremy said while looking at his father.

“Uhm, uncle, is this not way too, classic, I heard from Jeremy but experiencing it is different.” Alice said while her face looked surprised and another kind of emotion.

“Haha, I am welcoming my son back what is there for a little ceremony, besides, I once lived in a royal palace so I love this kind of feeling, Jeremy remember your grandfather was once a Duke, even if I don’t act like it, as a part royal some cultures need to be kept.” Alex said with a chuckle.

“James and Jeremy, today you will be given personal assistants, you can choose for them to follow you around or once in a while, but they are solely dedicated to serving you.” He continued.

“Pfffffft. James spat the water he had just drank into the cup.

“Dad, this is now becoming really weird, let us just eat. I will talk about this once we are back from shopping, I feel like a pauper becoming a prince, it is too cliche.” James said hurriedly.

Jeremy burst out in laughter when he heard that, James had always carried a mature aura since he came, especially since he changed his dressing he had a regal aura added, now he looked like someone who is going to see the doctor.

Alice on the other hand chuckled and bowed her head, but the vibration of her shoulder gave her away, obviously she found it extremely funny.

“Alright then, we would talk about this tomorrow, anyways, let us say the Grace and dig in.” Alex said.

They said the Grace and started opening the dishes, James saw different types of meal and his father, brother and even Alice made him try almost every type. After the meal They all remained seated and started talking while the maids cleared up the table, all this time Cain, the butler and personal assistant to Alex stood behind him without uttering a word.

“So James, you have any hobbies?” Alice said.

At this point Jeremy and Alex’s interest were piqued. They all stared at James a he replied.

“Well, I love drawing, writing poems and stuffs, I dance as well, different types, love music the soft ones not rock tho.” James counted his hobbies as he spoke.

“So, you’re basically someone that loves art.” Alice looked at him.

“So you’d be joining the art class hmm?” She asked.

“Well yes, I am terrible at calculations. So I am going to join the art class.” James said.

“Alright kids, you all should head out, James you have a lot of things to catch up on, tomorrow, I’d take you to register on driving lessons, also you’re going to be joining Jeremy and Alice in their school for their final year in senior high.” Alex said.

James and the other two went off to the mall for shopping, James basically needed a lot of clothes and shoes, his luggage was just filled with worn out clothes.

They got to the mall and got different types of stuffs, clothes, accessories and the likes. Alice was doing all the picking as James was not as good at selecting while Jeremy assisted, James just carried the bags, he was basically wearing and carrying.

After a few hours they returned, close to nightfall, Alice headed home after they got to the house while Jeremy and James went to their rooms, the day was epic for James, he had never had the luxury to shop like this ever so it was thrilling for him.

On the other hand Jeremy was excited, even when he want shopping with Alice he had never felt this happy, but the person who had the greatest impact was Alice.

Alice felt the day to be surreal, her memory etched James reaction during the shopping, his smile, his voice, his actions, be it carrying the dress of coming out of the changing room. Alice was struck in a love mine even without her knowing, she was thoroughly smitten by him.