Chapter 18 The News

Prince Chaz-Vice and Ella entered his ten-story marble estate. They entered the living room. He stuffed lunchboxes with his likeness into a box and threw them on the floor.

Photos of his father filled a silver trash can.

He tossed an article on the table.

My brother Josh can't stand it when I write about Prince Chaz-Vice.

He inherited his business shrewdness from his grandmother and stepfather.

I know a woman who took their advice and built a vast fortune by the time she was nineteen.

Chaz is kind, and against Human trafficking.

Human trafficking is a popular term among alien races because Humans brought trafficking to the galaxy, but also because Tigers, Elves, Pixies, and Unicorns, are technically Humans despite their different features.

Chaz examined another article. Woman with Two Marks Rejects Prince for Professor and Writer. He grasped dozens of different underground articles about Zeda and Quincy's love story.

Ella straightened a wrinkle in her beige dress that clung to her body, except for her fluffy tail that peeped out in the back.

"The media didn't report that someone is trying to kill me because they love romance stories." Chaz waved the newspaper in front of Ella. "I discovered dozens of pen names Quincy uses. He doesn't love Zeda, but he is using her to save his sister. I would have helped him, but I don't know if she is alive."

Ella stuck her hand in the air. "He isn't using her!"

"No, he writes articles calling himself out, so no one suspects he is Josh and Lisa."

"I'm Lisa and I wrote her articles, and yes, you're stupid. It's not Quincy's fault you chickened out when you were sixteen. Chaz, your pathetic dating life is your problem. I need to talk about the real reason we are here, not your childish crush on a woman who doesn't want you."

"I know Zeda doesn't love me, just like I know my dad hired jerks to kill me. Why does he hate her and me?"

"You are adorable, but you're a knucklehead. You endangered her life." Ella's face collapsed into a frown, and she stormed outside.

Prince Chaz ran after her. "Did you say that I am adorable?"

The dark sky broke and rain poured over their skin.

"You might be a handsome man, but it is painful to see you become a dolt." Ella walked back to him.

"Ella, do you have feelings for me?" Chaz asked.

"Yes, but that is not the issue. I have to move their engagement party to September," she said.

"I know because marrying early is an interesting article."

"Her life is not press to me. Yolanda and the other board members are planning to give Zeda a third and fourth Mark before October. They might end up married, not that Quincy will complain. You accused him of taking money. She can receive another Mark for that. The board is planning to kill her if you don't back down. They are okay with him, but not you. He is a great guy. You'll become friends once you help move his stuff in a couple of days."

"Why did I agree to that?"

"You'll feel fine once we dry off and my friend arrives for our meeting in a couple of hours..." Grew Ella paused. "Please, don't cause a scene when you help move Quincy's stuff. I invited Alana-Hope, and she is writing a romance article."

Chaz Pouted. "Alana-Hope needs to be writing about my love story, not Quincy's."

"She mentioned you." Ella handed Chaz an article.

Quincy Course is my coworker and one of my closest friends. The way he and Zeda Kind hold hands, prove there is hope for love.

I think I should arrange a double date with Prince Chaz-Vice. The prince and his future girlfriend can join them. Chaz has women throwing themselves at him. Zeda was his close friend before she was Marked, and he was merely being overprotective. In the past, she has had men who lied to her. They said they loved her to get close to Chaz, but he discovered Quincy is real, and Chaz supports their relationship. Reports that say Chaz is fawning over Zeda are exaggerated. He has always been protective of Marked women and has offered them help in the legal removal of Mark Badges.

Chaz tossed the article. "I promise I'll behave."