Chapter 49

….GIANNA….
I really let my ego get in the way this time around and how could he have me pay back that huge amount of money in a week. He just wanted me in the corner where he could destroy me. No matter the amount of money I earned from all the part time jobs, they couldn't even reach one percent of the money.
I had no other option but to go with option two, you should've seen the smirk ok his face. He thought he's win huh? He has no idea what he's asking for.
' I hope I fail all the tests so I don't end up being your personal maid." I said as I slammed the car
door.
' Then you'll have to pay for the damages then." He said happily and I wanted to tear that smile off of his face.
How could he do this to me? I mean besides it's not like I did it intentionally, how can a whole rich Prince ask for payment. I bet the money isn't even up to that amount!!
I stormed into my room and roared really loud.
'Girl you gonna burst my ear drum…" Sandra said as she walked out of the bathroom. I think she went to ease herself.
' Hurgggh…he'll pay for this!" I roared and she came pushing me to my bed.
' Will you calm down, besides the person you're mad at isn't any one of us." Zoe added as she fetched a spoonful of oatmeal and consumed it.
' Does it have some milk?" I asked and stretched my neck to look into her bowl.
' Yeah but I ain't giving you some, you've already had yours." She replied pulling the bowl away and I sighed.
' So, what happened?" They both asked and I heaved a sigh.
' The contract starts today…we went to the castle and I had the chance to meet the Queen…one on one. She's so beautiful and I could see Waylon's eyes, I think Waylon took after her…they look so much alike. No wonder he has this feminine touch and all. She has such soft and tender voice just like Waylon…" I explained with dreamy eyes.
' Hey! Did we ask you to adore Waylon or asked about how it went.?" That was Sandra.
'Oh sorry, well so I've got to leave for the Castle early tomorrow morning so I can go through some series of test in order to know if I'm qualified enough or not."
'Zoe-ah…do have any idea what the tests are like?" I asked her and she nodded.
' I heard it's not that hard though, it's more like they will be testing your intellectual and see if you are not having any health issues or handicapped…and one most important thing…" She paused dramatically and we got closer.
' They will check to see if you're pure, and I mean absolutely sure." She added.
'Huh?"
'Oh yeah, they check that and all."
' Then will he get to know about the results as well?"
'That I can't tell but then I hope you haven't had a taste yet because that's the most important part."
'Oh of course not but I can do it now."
'Why?"
'I don't plan on becoming his personal maid and assistant. What do you think about me doing it tonight?"
' Hey!! Are you an idiot!?" They both barked at me. 'What?"
' Are you planning of losing it tonight just because you don't want to end up by his side for life. Do you have any idea what people will give just to be his maid? Do have any idea what I would give for that?" Sandra snapped at me.
'But I thought you said you hated him?" I asked her and she sighed.
' This isn't a matter of hating him, the Castle will become like a second home. You'll get to travel with him across the world, who wouldn't want that?" She asked and I chuckled.
' You sure like free stuffs."
'Who wouldn't?" Zoe interjected.
'You two are just crazy… I'm going to shower." I said as I walked to the bathroom with my towel wrapped around my hair.
'Gianna-ah your phone keeps on ringing!!" Sandra said from outside the bathroom door.
'Can you check the caller ID?" I asked trying to wash the soap off of my face.
'It's 'cheesy Grinch"…he keeps calling!" She replied and I smiled.
I have no idea what he wants at this time of the day, it's 2pm for crying out loud and the sun is too scorching. I hurried out of the bathroom and answered the next call which I came to meet.
'Hello..."
'Why weren't you answering my calls….are you ignoring me?"
'What do you want this time around?"
' I want a cup of pink lemonade with two yellow melon."
' Where on Earth I'm I going to get a pink lemonade ? And you know very well that yellow melons are rare within this season."
'I don't care about what you say, it's an order so go get it for me or get punished. You have less than thirty minutes to bring them."
' Ah!! I HATE YOU!!" I yelled and hanged up.
'ian-ah?" Zoe asked in between her giggle.
'Yeah, who else would get me so mad at this time of the day?"
'What does he want this time around?" She asked crawling to my side.
' He wants a pink lemonade and two yellow melons."
'Pink lemonade? Is there anything like that?" Zoe asked with shock and Sandra hopped off of the dancing poll.
' Yeah there is." She replied and we all turned to her.
' Well I learnt it from my mom when I was just six." She replied with a little sadness behind her smile.
Sandra actually lost her mother when she was ten, she lost her in a car accident and since then, her father was the one who has taking care of her till now. She and my mom are like mother and daughter, she always says my mom was like the mother she didn't get to have for a long time.
' Really, then that's a relieve." Zoe stated.
' It isn't a relieve yet, I have to go find two yellow melon." I asked desperately.
'Oh, I've got an idea." I said more to myself as I took my phone and searched for my mom's
number and called her, she picked up right away. 'Mom…"
' Gianna, how are you doing?"
' I'm doing great Mom, how are you too?"
' I'm fine dear, Is something wrong?" she asked and I knew why she asked because I called her last night and we talked for a very long time on phone.
'Just a little slight problem I'm having. I've been asked to get yellow melon for a class project but then it's out of stock on campus so I called to ask you if you knew anyone whom we might get some from?"
' Okay…but then it's really hard to get yellow melon during this time of the year but then I know a friend…let me call and confirm from her if she still has some. I'll get back to you immediately I get the news okay."
'Okay mom, bye for now."
She hanged up and I kept staring at my phone, waiting for her phone call while Zoe helped Sandra prepare the pink lemonade.
Few minutes later my mom called me and broke the good news to me, some of the yellow melon was available, I took a cab from campus to her friend's house in the square and got five yellow melons, two for the Grinch and three for me and the girls. But I made sure I saw more before I left back for campus.
I checked the time and I was only left with ten minutes. Sandra poured the pink lemonade into a flask and helped me wrap the yellow melon on these plain plastic wrappers used to wrap food. Zoe and Sandra decided to come along with me to the lounge as she also wanted to see her Elder brother for some reasons unknown to me.
The door automatically opened up and we walked inside. I was marveled by the interior décor, it
looked astonishing and breath taking. I looked around as I gulped it all in.
' You are two minutes late." I heard his voice as he descended the stairs and I faked a smile.
'ian-ah…don't you think you're being too harsh on her?" Zoe asked and he chuckled.
' Me…being harsh…of course not, she just needs to be punctual." He replied and I scuffed.
' Here's your pink lemonade and two yellow melons!" I said setting them down on the kitchen table and walked away.
' You aren't done yet…come pour me a drink." His voice was like a thumbing drum.
I walked back, took a mug, rinsed it and then poured him some lemonade as I looked around to see if Waylon would appear from nowhere.
'If you looking for your dear friend in sorry to disappoint you but he's out and wouldn't be
returning anytime soon." He said as if he was reading my mind.
' Here's your lemonade." I said setting it down before him.
'Peel and slice the yellow melons into square shape and make sure every slice is two centimeters long. I hope I'm clear." He said with a grin as he took his lemonade from the table and walked away. I felt like throwing the melon at his head but I held back.
He sat in one of the couches, crossed his legs and turned on the television. I angrily turned to the two melons and took one of the kitchen knives from the knife holder, when he turned to me I hit the knife's edge at the table and cut a slice violently that he jerked out of fear then pretended he wasn't scared.
I noticed Sandra, Zoe andaxel descend the stairs on the balcony as the three of them walked
into the leaving room. It's like the whole lounge is made up of glass, it's more of a glass house. Zoe and Sandra saw me and were headed towards the kitchen when I shook my head at them.
' Don't worry, I'll be fine." I said to them and they turned toian who sipped his lemonade.
I was done slicing the yellow melons, I carefully arranged them in a black square shaped plate and walked majestically towards him, stood in front of him blocking his view and preventing him from seeing anything on the television.
'Your melons Sir." I said as I placed it before him on the center table.
He nodded as he tried to stretch his neck to have a glimpse of what was going on the television but then as he stretched, I moved in the same direction.
'Is anything the problems sir?" I asked bending over, getting his face so close to mine.
His eyes grew wider and he gulped so loudly that I could hear it. He cleared his throat and tried to move away but then I leaned forward towards him and I could feel him tense up as his face began to turn red. He tried to stand up when he spilled the lemonade in his hands on his shorts.
'Ah dang it!" he groaned and stood up.
'Oh…I'm so sorry." I said picking up his napkin and began rubbing the juice off his shorts but then he jumped back before I could reach him.
' What are you thinking?" He asked as he stepped back.
' I'm just trying to wipe off the spilled juice on your shorts." I replied innocently.
' Do you have any idea what you'll be brushing against?" he asked with a confused look.
' Yeah I do."
' and you still want to wipe it? I mean it's so close to my…never mind." He said and walked rushed upstairs.
I turned around and finally let out the laughter I had been holding back and the others joined me.
' You're so bad…"axel said amidst laughter.
' His expression was priceless!" Zoe added still laughing.
' oh…my side hurts…" Sandra was laughing so hard.
I heard footsteps and I quickly signaled them and the whole place went mute as we turned towards the stairs and I walked to meet him.
'You've got some stains on your shirt." I said as I tried to touch the stained spot but he looked down and moved away.
'What's gotten into you?" He asked.
' I'm just trying to do my job here mister, you've got stains in your shirt as well…should I help you take it off?" I asked pulling him closer by his shirt and he grabbed my hands.
' Yeah, go ahead…take it off." He ordered and my heart skipped a beat as I turned to the others who looked as surprised as I was.
' You heard me, didn't you? help me take it off since it's your job too." He said coming closer.
'What are you waiting for?" ' Urm are you sure?"
' It's an order." His voice was tense and authoritative that I nearly jumped out of my skin.
I slowly got closer and began to unbutton his shirt as I looked away.
'Look here and watch what you doing." He ordered and I shivered as I unbuttoned it on after the other, I immediately closed my eyes when I saw his bare chest, I had a glimpse of it and it was
hairy, smooth and manly.
'Open your eyes and focus!" He ordered and I stepped away.
' Enough! I've had enough! I'm not your fiancé to be unbuttoning your shirt and besides you're a grown-up man for crying out loud. Don't you think it's too much to ask me to unbutton your shirt?" I cried out and I heard him chuckle. He walked on back to his room and came back wearing a white round neck shirt.
I glared at him as he walked past me to join the others.
' You've done enough for today. Go and get prepared for tomorrow, it's going to be a long day." He said to me in a cold tone with his eyes glued to the television.
I felt running up to him and hitting him with a big heavy pillow till he pleads for forgiveness but never
mind, I can't do any of what I imagine most of the time.
I noticed howaxel kept stealing glances of Sandra as I washed the dishes in the kitchen. I washed my hands and leaned against the kitchen table as I observed how he stared at her with so much warmth but then immediately looked away when Sandra turns towards his direction and pretends to be busy with his phone. Is he crushing on Sandra? I'm sure he is…but then why doesn't he want her to notice? I will make sure those two ends up spending some alone time together. I think I already have a plan.
'Gianna are you done?" Zoe's voice got me out of my thinking zone.
'Huh? oh yeah I'm done." I replied.
'Let's get going then, it's getting late and I don't think Waylon will be coming home anytime soon either." She stated and I nodded sadly as I took of the apron around my waist and hanged it on the hanger.
' I'll come pick you up at seven in the morning." His cold voice made me pause for a second and I nodded before going ahead with the others.
I can't believe I couldn't get the chance to spend some time with Waylon…where could he possibly be?
I'm really nervous about tomorrow and I can't believe my trick didn't work on him!
Dear God, what have I gotten myself into
…….
…….PRINCE IAN….
I got up immediately at the sound of my alarm clock. Headed straight for the bathroom as I gazed upon my image in the mirror. I recalled the event from yesterday when she unbuttoned my shirt…it felt kinda good you know, it's the first time I've had a lady do that. You should've seen the look on her face, that nervous look alone is full of satisfaction. I can't wait to make her feel that way.
I wore my white Octavio Oliver's branded men shirts with a matching pair of black trousers and a black sneaker.
I descended the stairs and fetched for my keys, Waylon didn't return home yesterday and only God knows where he spent the night.
'Where are you going to this early morning?"
'Geez you scared me!" I jumped back, it wasaxel and I mean what's he doing in the living room with the lights off?
' Did you sleep here?"
'Oh no….I came down here to complete an assignment of mine that I left on the table last night." He said with a sluggish tone and I nodded.
' Okay…"
' Where are you headed to?"
' To the castle…I've got an appointment with the Queen."
'Oh…I see…say hello to the Queen for me." 'Sure."
I opened walked out the door and could hear him yawn from where I was. I swiped my card on the door sensor and the lock clicked into place.
I dialed her number a couple of times but them no answer and when I received an answer it was another person…I mean Sandra.
'Wake up…he's on the phone." I heard Sandra tell Gianna.
' Won't this Grinch just leave me alone… tell him I'm on my way." I heard her voice. She sounded like someone who was already awake and why wasn't she picking up? And she called me a Grinch?... she'll come to meet me here!
'Good morning." She greeted with a bow and I hesitated before replying.
' Get in and let's go." I ordered and she did as she was told.
The atmosphere was awkward…she called me a Grinch…my goodness how dare she. I mean how do I look like a Grinch?
' I guess you love the movie Grinch, don't you?" I said breaking the silence and she nodded.
' Yeah a lot, it's one of my favorites and I even find myself around a lot of them too." Her reply was plain.
'Oh, I see."
' Okay."
Then the silence was back as we drove on to the Castle where I pulled over at the parking lot and she followed me to the entrance of the castle.
' Welcome back your Highness… The Queen informed me about your visit the last time. Did you bring her along?" Ma'am . asked and I smiled.
'Yes please (Gianna steps forward with courtesy) she's the one. Gianna meet Ma'am . and Ma'am please meet Gianna." I introduced them to each other.
'Such a beautiful young lady. I hope my Prince isn't giving you a hard time." Ma'am .
said to her.
' Not that much. He is sometimes a headache." That was so uncalled for. I thought she was going to go like 'No please…he isn't a bother at all" but then she just blurted that out and Ma'am . chuckled with delight.
' I think I'm starting to like her already." Ma'am . said with delight and I just stood there dumb folded as she led the way with Gianna following behind and they were already getting along.
She is so unbelievable, telling me to my face about how she is surrounded by so many Grinch's and she… I just hope she doesn't kill me before my time.
I couldn't go to mother's chambers because she had left for some important business meeting outside the country juts this dawn leaving Mr. Kim in charge of everything.
I paces back and forth in the garden waiting for her to go through all her series of tests. I wonder how long it's going to take but then I was told earlier that is want going to be that long. It wouldn't even be up to five hours.
'Chocolate?" I turned and it was Athenag, she was holding in her hand a bar of chocolate.
' Sure…thanks." I said taking the bar of chocolate and unwrapped it.
'I heard you brought in someone for the recommendation test." She asked and I nodded.
' She is one honest young lady." She added and I turned to her totally surprised.
'Why are you saying that."
' I overheard her conversation with Ma'am, you sure are a headache sometimes. Not just sometimes…most of the time." She replied with a thoughtful look as she bit a piece of chocolate and
chewed on it. 'Hey!"
'What… I just hope she passes all the tests so I get to know her more. I think we will both get along well."
'Why is everyone siding with her?"
' Well take it from me…you have to be cool too. Just behave sometimes and you wouldn't get busted after sneaking out at night."
'Yeah about that... Why didn't you call me to inform me that my dad was waiting for me?" I asked and she gulped.
' I called to inform Waylon so he could inform you too. I can't be on the lookout for both of you." She blurted out and stepped a foot back.
'You know very well that that's unfair…now I'm stuck with Aurora for life." I cried and she winced.
' About Aurora…please pardon me for not adding her title but then…why did you agree to get engaged to her of all people. There a lot of Princesses across the country and even outside who are willing to be by your side and not just any Princesses but then humbly, kind and caring ones. But then boom you go for Aurora…the news hit me like thunder when my father informed me about it."
' I do have my reasons. I'm not engaged because I'm in love, I just did as a responsibility of the crowned Prince." I replied as I sat next to her on the swing.
'I see… Well I just pray you fall in love with another person in the process so you will have a feel of what true love is like."