҉ A PrinceSSly CoNNectioN ҉

Chapter's song: See you again cover by Hobbie Stuart.

ChaPtEr TWENTY-FOUR _________________________

Missing him

A row of identical houses appeared in sight. They were all three-stories, had the same number of windows on each floor and the matching white front door. The only differences were the small pots on the front hall or the lack of them.

My hands trembled as I re-read the crumpled paper I'd been carrying around for the last week. A shaky breath left my mouth as Tom, my bodyguard glanced at me somewhat concerned from the front view mirror. "Is this the correct address, Miss?" he asked patiently.

My eyes turned to the house with flower pots aligned on the entrance, "I think so." Taking another deep breath, I managed to give an apologetic grin at Tom. "Sorry...I'm just a tad nervous." Tom's eyes crinkled as he shook his head smiling.

A tad nervous had been a total understatement.

I was a freaking wreck.

I hadn't been able to sleep properly since the moment Dad gave me address. Three days ago.

He hadn't asked why I wanted to get Jason's address confirming the fact that Mom had spilled out everything I'd told her. He did give it to me discreetly. I doubted Mom knew about it. But I couldn't tell. My parents talked about everything.

Uncle Hugh did know. He was still staying for a week more. Today, he had practically forced me to get on the car and get it over with. I'd thought about calling him but I honestly didn't know what to say. I had a feeling that a phone call would be extremely awkward. Valerie had joined forces with him.

I rolled my eyes thinking about her. She never visited Peter and was now forcing me to knock on Jason's door. Still, we were going to Cambridge's campus tomorrow to meet with Peter for a sort of truce or something. She was in for a treat, since I'd already planned to ditch her (so she could be alone with Peter) and visit one of the Economic faculty. I was determined to help out my aunt and I figured I needed to take a course on marketing or business. I had no idea, thus I'd arranged the meeting with one of the lecturer's.

My phone started to shake. A message popped in the screen.

Get out of the damn car! -V.

I rolled my eyes and silenced the phone. Taking one last calming breath, I grabbed the door's handle muttering to myself, "here we go..." Tom beat me to it and finished opening the door for me. I swallowed hard after thanking him and made my way to the door. My heart was beating really loud.

What am I doing here?

What if he's not here?

Worse...What if the girlfriend opens up the door?

This was such an awful idea! I should have called first!

With panicked eyes, I turned around to go back to the car. Tom was watching me and started to get out of the car when I heard a girl's voice. "Hello?"

My stomach plummeted to the ground. You're so stupid Marianne!

Swallowing hard, I closed my eyes for a moment before turning around. "Hi," I waved feebly at the blonde girl in front of me.

She was wearing ripped jeans and a loose t-shirt with paint stains on it. Her hair was cropped in an irregular bob style. Her grey eyes studied me for a moment before cracking up a smile, "How can I help you?"

"Uhmm..." I frowned and asked shyly, "is Jason home?"

Her eyes travelled behind me. I mimicked her. Tom was leaned against the black Audi watching us and obviously waiting for me. Somewhat embarrassed, I bit my lip while spinning back to the front door.

"You're the real thing, aren't you?" she asked boldly. I blinked at her. "Like, you are Princess Marianne, right?"

I nodded warily.

"Awesome!" she gestured for me to come in. "My brother is not home but he won't take long. Come on, you're not staying outside, are you?"

Danielle. Of course. She had his eyes and a slight resemblance.

Finally, my heart steadied a bit. I turned to glance at Tom to let him now that I was coming in. He bobbed his head in understanding.

"Thank you." I stepped inside absorbing every little detail of Jason's home. The world stalker came to mind as my eyes travelled from the small hall I was standing to the living room. There was a small chimney on the farthest wall. Family pictures hung around the room. There was one of a fiftyish man with a strong jawline, like Jason's, in a navy uniform. It was the biggest one and the only one that I could actually see from afar.

"I was about to watch a movie," Danielle grabbed an empty bowl set on the small table where the phone stood as a microwave beeped on the kitchen. Her eyes sparkled, "the popcorn is ready!" she exclaimed excitedly making me crack a smile.

I followed her to the kitchen but I didn't feel like actually coming in. I stood awkwardly at the threshold as she opened up the popcorn bag. "So, I was thinking of watching Princess Bride," her movements faltered as she frowned, "I always see it when I feel like I need a break but it feels weird to watch a Princess movie with an actual Princess..." she rubbed her neck, "do you mind?"

"Not at all," I answered sincerely. "Do you know if your brother is taking long? I really don't want to impose."

Smiling, she shook her head, "who cares? It's not any day that I can hang out with someone like you!" I blushed embarrassed, "besides, the guy has been moody as hell ever since he came back. Maybe your visit can change his crappy attitude."

He's been moody? Because of me?

My heart warmed with a small ray of hope.

Danielle was watching me closely gauging my reaction. "How did you two meet?" she asked busying herself when I noticed her looking at me.

Fidgeting with my hands, I averted my eyes. "He was...we sort of...uhmm...he accompanied me for the last month..."

"Huh," she was thoughtful for a moment. She looked at me with narrowed eyes and twitching lips. "Do you want a coke? How am I supposed to call you? Do I need to bow or something?"

I chuckled, "you can call me Marianne. And no, thank you, I'm fine."

She shrugged. We walked to the small olive green sofa. She placed the bowl on the coffee table as I glanced at the smallest pictures. Jason was younger and had that boyish smile on his face. He looked leaner and carefree. I bit my lip as butterflies fluttered in my stomach.

She sat next to me and passed me the bowl. I grabbed a handful of popcorn as the movie started to play on the TV. I remembered that Jason had told me that Danielle had made him watch this movie several times. I cracked up imagining him sitting on this same spot with an annoyed face.

Danielle turned to me with a raised eyebrow.

My cheeks flushed. I cleared my throat. "So, you paint?"

Her eyes widened, "how do you know?" I tilted my head and signaled the paint stains on her t-shirt with a grin on my face. She looked down embarrassed, "Oh. Sorry. I forgot I was wearing my painting shirt." She gave me a sheepish smile. "I do," she shook her head, "but I've been painting rubbish today. That's why I wanted to see this movie."

I glanced at the TV, "yeah, sorry. I won't interrupt you anymore."

"You know what?" she turned the TV off. "I'm not that interested in it anymore." She gave me a sly smile, "do tell me what exactly happened between my brother and you?"

My stomach churned uneasily and I blushed. And at that exact moment the door opened.

(A/N: And this would have been such an awesome cliffhanger. Too bad that it would have been the smallest chapter ever. Ugh. *Sulks away*)

My heart thumped loudly against my ribcage as I looked up.

"Danielle, we're having guests so please take a shower and-"A wide-eyed older woman stood there watching us with a shocked expression on her face. She looked over fifty. She was dressed with a light blue dress and a dark sweater. Her curly short hair was a bit disheveled from the air outside.

"Mom," Danielle stood up, "this is Marianne and she's waiting for Jason."

"Princess Marianne?" she asked incredulously as her blue eyes were wide.

Danielle glanced at me with a smirk.

I got up, "nice to meet you." I reached out my hand as the woman blatantly gaped at me.

"Mom," Danielle exclaimed embarrassed.

"Nice to meet you." She bowed her head making me more nervous and shook her hand with mine.

What the fuck am I doing here?

How is Jason going to react finding me here? After meeting his family?

Oh God, oh God...

"Oh dear!" she exclaimed embarrassed, "I'm so sorry, your Highness! I must look like a wreck to you," she straightened her dress, "has Danielle offered something to drink?" her blue eyes turned to her daughter, "Have you been on your best behavior Danielle?"

I glanced at Danielle. She was rolling her eyes and crossing her arms completely annoyed. I grinned at that. "Please call me Marianne. She's been great."

She breathed out relieved, "Thank God."

"Mom, you're making me look like a fool!" Danielle whined.

Ignoring her daughter, the woman smiled at me, "I'm Angela, dear. Jason won't take long, I sent him to run some errands. Would you like to stay for dinner?"

I was opening my mouth to decline the offer when Danielle answered for me, "She is!"

Frowning and somewhat panicked, I turned to her. She smiled triumphantly at me.

"That's great!" Angela smiled at me before burrowing her brows. "I'm just going to go and start the cooking, alright?"

Swallowing hard, I spoke up, "Thank you for the offer but I have a prior engagement, so I'm going to have to-"

"Nonsense," Angela dismissed me, "you've been waiting for my son and it would be an honor to have you for dinner tonight." She smiled gently at me before blinking, "even if it's not a fancy dinner..."

What was I supposed to say to that? There was like no way I could leave now...

I could totally see why Jason said that Danielle was a pain in the ass...

"I'm sure you're a great cook. Thank you."

Angela beamed as Danielle added, "I can show you my paintings...they're hidden on Jason's room."

"Great! You go ahead girls and I'll start on with dinner," Angela turned away as I stared at Danielle.

"Why would you have them hidden in Jason's room?"

She smirked again. "Because that's the last place he'll look for them." She started to climb the stairs, "I rarely show them to anyone. Especially Jason." She shook her head as I went on after her, "he can be such an ass sometimes..."

I stopped at the top of the stairs. "I don't think he's going to appreciate the fact that you're showing me his room."

Danielle's eyes glinted mischievously. "That's what he gets for being such a moron to me this week. Besides, he's room has been my study for the last year."

"Danielle, really. I'm not comfortable with this. I don't-"I stopped talking as Danielle opened up a door. A familiar scent reached me. A turmoil of feelings rose within me as I was enveloped in Jason's scent.

I missed waking up enveloped in his arms.

I missed his kisses, his jokes, the way he looked at me...

Crap.

I missed him so much...

And what are you going to do when you see him, Marianne?

Suddenly, being in his house invading his space didn't seem like such a good idea...

I mean, if he wanted to see me, he would have tried to, right?

Biting my lip and fighting the tightening on my chest, I swallowed hard.

What the fuck am I doing here?

"I should go," I shook my head.

Danielle sighed and walked up to me. "Come on, they're right here..." she grabbed my hand and dragged me inside Jason's room.

I pulled my hand away, "I don't think I should be here." My voice broke as I apologized, "I'm sorry..." I walked out of the room fighting tears and the sudden urge to grab a sweatshirt or something. As I was about to step down the stairs, the front door opened...

Grey eyes widened in surprise as I felt my heart tighten.

____________________________________________________________

I'm sooooooooo smiling right now :)

I know. I'm evil.