Christine in trouble

Few blocks away from Jess’ apartment stood a silhouette of a woman, dressed in black perfectly blending in with the dark night.

Her fist was clenched and her eyes red with rage as she watched behind the scene the two love birds that were giggling while her heart was torn apart in shreds.

I have longed to be held in your arms while you gaze at me with that spark in your eyes. Holding me closely to your chest as you whisper words that makes me laugh.

I’ve yearned for this day but why is that peasant girl whose value is not worth a spec of my diamonds the one in your hands instead of me? She said to herself.

What do you see in her Brock? I’ve loved you more than my life itself. Can’t you see the pains you’re causing me… the sleepless nights just thinking and worrying about our future? Rose said but to no one in particular.

“Why don’t you give up on your teenage fantasies huh? You’ve sacrificed your youth dreaming to be his wife and yet his heart yearns for another. This is a sign that you were never meant to be! A voice said probably trying to get her to see reason.

“Just shut up” She yelled as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Simon didn’t understand why Rose failed to see that Brock could never see her as a lover. He watched painfully as Rose yearned and cried over a man that saw her nothing more than a sister. Rose had a crush on Brock ever since she was thirteen and had longed for the day she could become his wife.

All this made Simon’s heart hurt because he loved her and not just as a friend. He wondered when she will be able to see that Brock was not worth her tears. He had stood by her side ever since her twelfth birthday. Although, there was a nine year gap between them, he had hoped that their friendship will blossom as they spent time together, especially since he was appointed as her chief adviser and body guard.

“Stop your nonsense talk Simon!! I will not lose the one I love to a lowly girl like Jess.” She hiccupped as she calmed her nerves and used her hands to wipe away her tears.

“You forget that we are already betrothed to each other” she continued.

“Jess is a mere commoner with no royal ties or strong political background. After the Anglo-Zaza war, they need a strong ally like Bethmot to be able to maintain their military power and suppress king Obud.” She said as a sly smile crept its way up her lips.
“I wonder what his parents will say once they find out that their son is dating a commoner” she said as she laughed dryly.

Rose wanted to use Melissa’s naivety against her family. She would plant the idea of Brock dating a commoner and watch Melissa do the rest of her bidding, she giggled to herself.

“That will make Brock hate you the more” Simon chimed in. As much as he hated the fact that she refused to give up on her yearning for Brock, he knew that the only way to stay by her side was to help her get her wish, even if it pained him to his bones.

“I’m not going to tell them…” she paused as she looked at Simon meaningfully.

“Wait, aren’t you going too far?” Asked Simon with a frown on his face as he realized her intentions. “I mean isn’t she supposed to be your friend? Asked Simon.

Rose laughed “Melissa is my friend and future sister-in-law… but I must admit that she is quite stupid at times? She said mockingly.

“I think it’s time to pay a visit to my best friend Melissa and inform her of what her brother is up to. She will do the work for me without me having to say anything in front of his family” she said, thinking of strategies to remove Jess from Brock’s life.

“Simon, I’ve a task for you” said Rose….

“What’s the situation on ground” Brock asked coldly as his heart rate sped up beating rather loudly than usual per seconds.

“Your mother has arranged a meeting with the elders of Zaza to discuss about your marriage to Rose. She plans on fixing the marriage date between the both of you as soon as possible in order to seal the bond between the two countries. Fred said over the phone

This made Brock visibly angry, his eyes were cold and his fist clenched as he tried to calm his nerves after what he heard. It seems like his mother was hell bent on ruining his life and this made him frustrated.

Aren’t mothers supposed to be their children’s biggest supporter? Then why is my own mother against my happiness. He wondered to himself.

“You know what to do, don’t you Fred?” Brock asked or rather said with certainty.

He knew that he could rely on Fred in times like this to have a formidable plan in place. He was always two steps ahead and that was one quality Brock liked about him apart from being a scoundrel most of the time.
“I certainly do have a temporary solution but I’m afraid that it won’t hold for long” Fred said with a lighter tone not wanting his friend to fall back into his depressive phase and also not making light of the issue at hand.

Fred was envious of Brock at first when he was still a teenage boy with great ambitions. He had seen the pomp and splendor of royal life but that was until he moved in with Brock at his house for a month to accompany him for study, only then did he realize the gilded cage he was in.

Fred did not know if he could survive a month there and had fallen sick just two weeks into his stay with the royal household and had to be sent home. He had grown up as a free bird who flew everywhere without restriction. But ever since he entered the royal household, it felt like his wings was clipped and the freedom which he had taken for granted at his house was a prized jewel to him now.

Having experienced a glimpse of the life Brock lived and the responsibilities that rest on his shoulders gave Fred a new kind of love and respect for his friend. He certainly understood the saying that not all that glitters are gold.

“I understand” was Brock’s reply as he disconnected the call.