❥ SARAH ❥

If there’s one word to describe this man, it would be guts.

He had the audacity, and it stirred something deep within me. A primal heat rose through my body, and a part of me wanted to leap onto him like a dog in heat, but that would make me feel cheap.

I don't even remember how I managed to leave the meeting room after that intense, lustful stare he gave me. Now, I regret it deeply.

With a sigh, I turned my face to the side, letting my makeup smudge against the pillow.

He wants to get to know me. I scoffed at the thought.

I wonder what he thinks of me. It might sound foolish, but ever since that night, I can’t stop thinking about how big he felt when my thighs brushed against him.

"I need a distraction," I blurted out as I rose from the bed, fumbling for my phone. I had almost forgotten I had brought one. Digging through my handbag, I found it buried beneath my hastily packed belongings. I switched it on, realizing I had turned it off, thinking I was boarding a plane, not a jet.

As the screen lit up, I saw the messages and my heart sank.

Thirty-two missed calls. Ten from James, and twenty-two from Sam. Oh boy.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to call Sam first. The phone rang only once before she answered.

"Bitch!"

"Hey, love," I tried to soothe her.

But Sam was having none of it. "Nuh-uh. You literally didn’t call. I thought something happened to you!" Her voice was a mix of relief, worry, and anger.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and lay back on the bed. "I don’t know what to tell you right now, but I’m really sorry. This place is just crazy, and my so-called fiancé—"

"Oh," she interjected with a smirk I could almost see.

I sat up quickly. "Don’t 'oh' the situation. He’s driving me insane. I thought he would be the typical arrogant, self-centered prince, but—"

"But he’s not?"

I shook my head, "No, he definitely is, but he’s confusing me."

"Okay, now I’m confused," she admitted. "Let’s forget about him for a second. Tell me about the castle. You literally forgot to send me pics."

"Honestly, I wish I could. But with the guards here looking like soldiers at war with their guns, I don’t think sticking a phone in their faces and telling them to pose would go over well."

"Guns?" she whispered, as if someone might overhear. "What the fuck are the guards using guns for? I thought it was like knives or swords they used."

"I have no clue, Sam. And I know it’s not my place to be curious since I’m hired, but..." I stood and walked slowly to the door. Gently opening it, I paused when I saw two guards standing a few steps apart, right outside my door.

I bit my lip and headed to the bathroom, ignoring Sam calling my name through the phone.

Click. I locked the door behind me, emptied the bathtub, and put the call on video chat.

"So, where were we?" I smirked, lowering myself into the tub.

"Holy shit!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening at the sight of the opulent bathroom behind me. "You're definitely living the dream."

"It feels more like a nightmare," I sighed. "I made a mistake."

Her confusion quickly gave way to a devilish smirk.

"You already slept with him, huh? Never thought I’d see the day you’d sleep with your client," she chuckled, making me scoff.

"This is serious. And first of all, I didn’t sleep with him, but..." I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. "We kissed and did other stuff," I mumbled the last part in shame.

"Other stuff like?"

"I just can’t say it. It’s too embarrassing."

She rolled her eyes. "What could be so embarrassing? Unless you dry humped him."

I said nothing.

"You did, didn’t you?" she teased. "You must have really wanted him, huh?"

"Truthfully, yes. I’m attracted to him. I mean, he looks like he stepped out of one of those fictional books I usually read."

"You mean porn," she stated matter-of-factly.

I rolled my eyes, feeling a rush of heat on my cheeks. "Whatever, Sam. Honestly," I breathed out. "I just feel something is off." I shouldn’t be telling Sam this, but what choice do I have?

"What is it? I feel you want to tell me something."

I nodded. "Of course I do. The truth is that the first prince has been missing longer than we thought."

She frowned, adjusting her sitting position. "What do you mean?"

Should I continue? I felt conflicted. Despite not being on the best terms with Christopher, I felt a connection with him that night. It sounds stupid, but I sensed his emotion, his sadness.

"Sarah?" Sam called out, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Her eyes eagerly awaited my response. "I can't," I said.

"Can't what?"

I sighed, stepping out of the bathtub. "Tell you. I just feel like I'm saying something I shouldn’t... I mean, he didn’t even plan on telling me."

"You don’t feel confident telling me, right?" Her tone was sad.

"No, it’s not that. It’s just that Christopher never wanted me to know how long his brother has been gone, and he couldn’t tell me everything since we were distracted."

Great, I had to bring it up.

She shrugged. "It’s cool. And no, I’m not offended. And no, I’m not trying to avoid the talk." I almost laughed because she knew exactly how frustrated I’d get when she said it was cool.

"Thank you."

"Anytime, girl. Plus, it just makes me curious," she said as I began leaving the bathroom.

"About?"

"You said he’s been gone for a while. I just wonder why they didn’t announce it sooner. I know their kingdom isn’t well-known, but if anyone heard there was a missing prince, people would be invested."

Her point made sense.

"You do have a point. I also thought the same thing, but then again, they have already announced his disappearance."

"That’s why it’s weird. Why now and not then?"

I grinned, finding it funny how involved she was. She’s always been obsessed with mysteries. I still remember how she made my life miserable when she read the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series.

“Hey babe,” I heard Adam call out, his voice filtering through the phone. It seemed he had just arrived, as Sam shouted from the kitchen.

The slow curve on her face showed how in love and happy she was when he entered the room. He kissed her forehead and ruffled her hair before stepping back.

These two were so adorable.

“Is that Sarah?” he asked, and she nodded. He suddenly popped onto the screen. “Hey Sarah, how’s everything?”

I shrugged. “Been good. Hope Sam hasn’t been much trouble for you,” I smirked. He was about to respond when the phone was snatched from him.

“Sarah, you know I’m an angel, right?”

That made me laugh hard.

“Who told you—” A knock on the door interrupted me. I paused and headed to answer it. I was about to ask who it was, but the door swung open without my help.

I knew who could have such guts.

“What are you doing here?” I suppressed my shock, staring at him as he shut the door behind him.

“We didn’t finish our talk,” he said coldly.

“Of course we did.”

He chuckled. “I believe walking out on me isn’t a response, Sarah.” He began pacing around the room, inspecting it as though it was his first time here.

I folded my arms. “Well, to me it is. So, if you don’t have anything to say, you could please leave…”

“Go on a date with me,” he interrupted, rushing the words out.

“What?” My voice came out in shock.

“You heard me,” he said, chuckling. For a moment, I was distracted by his dimples.

I coughed, trying to regain my composure. “Well, I heard a command from a prince, not a guy trying to ask a girl out.”

"Just say yes, Sarah," groaned Sam’s voice through the phone. I realized I hadn’t ended the call—oh shit!

Christopher's smirk turned into confusion. "Who's that?"

"None of your business," I snapped, glaring at him. Focusing back on my phone, I saw Sam and Adam smirking at me, making me groan.

"No," I told Sam.

"Yes."

"Adam?" I pleaded, hoping for an ally, but Sam shot him a look. He rose instantly, mumbling a dumb excuse, and left.

"You can’t be serious, Sam—" I began to lash out, but my phone was suddenly snatched from my hand. "Hey!"

"Oh well, hello Sam," Christopher greeted, grinning at the screen. I lunged for the phone, but he deftly moved it out of my reach. I hit nothing but air.

I will kill him.

"You’re acting like a child right now," I blurted out, trying to snatch the phone again, but he held it high above his head.

Ignoring my comment, he plopped down on my bed. "Come and get it," he teased, winking at me. His playful demeanor only fueled my annoyance.

"Sam, could you cut the call?" I asked, exasperated.

"Why? I'm certainly enjoying—"

"Sam..." I warned.

I could practically feel her eyes rolling. "Fine, it was lovely meeting Prince Christopher," she said before hanging up.

I turned my attention back to Christopher, who looked entirely too pleased with himself. "What's wrong with you?"

"Just trying to help you make up your mind." He said, his tone mockingly sweet.

I crossed my hands. "You're impossible."

He just laughed, finally handing my phone back. "So how about that date?"

"Why?" Now I'm just curious.

"Didn't you say we need to understand each other?" He slipped his hand into his pocket, walking towards the door.

"I didn’t mean a date. Just write down a few things about yourself and we’re good. You don’t need to force yourself to get to know me."

Saying that made my chest ache a little. I really didn’t want to get close to him right now.

He stopped and turned, his expression suddenly blank. It was like a switch flipped.

"I..." he paused. "I’m not forcing myself, Sarah." His voice was deep and serious, surprising me. He looked at me as if staring into my soul, urging me to just give in.

"So, will you go on a date with me?" His tone softened, as though he desperately wanted to know my answer.

My heart raced. It had been a while since I felt this way, and when my heart takes charge in situations like this, I tend to say dumb things like...

"Yes."

His smile widened, and it was the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. It wasn’t one of those fake smiles he usually gave. It felt real.

"Okay," he bit his lip, maybe holding back a smirk, but I didn’t care. I was already staring at his lips. "See you in an hour," he said, opening the door.

"Wait," I blinked. "An hour?"

"Definitely. Who knows when you'll change your mind if I set the time for seven," he grinned, winking at me before closing the door.

That shouldn’t have made me blush, but it did.

....

She's starting to have feelings!💫

Hope you enjoyed this chapter ❤️