~Louis~
He hated the plan. No, he absolutely despised the plan in all of its entirety, but what choice did he have?
After Daniel spilled his guts and gave them the exact location where the King's Horses gang was meeting, they let him go but kept his partner Matt for a while longer to drive the point home that Daniel hadn't betrayed the gang when in fact he'd squealed like a pig and would most likely be killed in the worst way possible if he were found out to be a traitor.
Daniel was going to then wear a wire to every meeting that he was called to and had already allowed Gordon's company to clone his cellphone so that they could see every call and text that he made.
Louis was okay with this part of the plan, but what came next had him almost seething with fury.
Malia had suggested that she try to get closer to Daniel and make it seem like he had actually succeeded in breaking the two of them up, and while it seemed like a good plan on the outside, it really just gave Daniel more of an excuse to spend more time with Malia, something that Louis was adamantly against.
It was bad enough that Louis had to act as if he didn't want anything to do with Malia at school, but the only time they could actually see each other would be if she were to sneak out at night and stay with Louis which was improbable more due to the fact that her step father was a raging psychopath and could be lurking about anywhere, at anytime.
Malia had assured him that the only thing she felt for Daniel anymore was pity, but it did nothing to quell his jealous tendencies. Yes he felt terrible about beating him the way that he had, but he knew that he would do it again in a heartbeat if Daniel ever dared to hurt her again.
He was lucky that the weekend gave a reprieve for him and he would be able to see Malia a few times since his parents gave him weekends away from royal duties as often as they could.
He had planned on spending every conceivable second with her, and that started with Gordon picking her up and allowing him to take her to one of his favorite places in the world- his family's winter cabin.
Nestled in the foothills of Leith Hill, a small castle that attracted a few tourists was the main attraction, but the cabin was very intricately hidden amongst the trees and hills and was basically invisible to the unsuspecting eye, which made it the perfect hideaway from the press-not to mention the fact that it was only a few miles from London.
Louis had just finished asking Gordon to find someone appropriate to pick up Malia from her home when his father came bursting through his bedroom door, making him realize that he should've just stayed at his own private estate instead of treading the halls of Buckingham.
"What is this about you and Lady Spencer no longer being an item?"
"An item? You make it sound so...arranged," Louis started, realizing that his father must have seen the tabloids newest fascination: Louis and Malia's breakup, or rather the fabrication of their breakup that Louis' people had leaked to the press the night before to kickstart their 'plan'.
"Well, son, it technically was arranged. Now, I want you to go and find her and fix whatever it is that happened between the two of you. The public were just starting to warm up to the idea of you together."
"Trust me, father, I'd love nothing more."
That seemed to stop him in his tracks. It wasn't often that Henry, the all powerful and insurmountable, was at a loss for words.
"W-well, then, get on with it, and bring us back our rightful princess."
"I didn't even think you liked the girl, father, given the way you treated her when you first met."
His eyes crinkled around the edges as a smile that he thought had long been extinct arrived on his worn features.
"Now, she may be an American, but that doesn't mean I loathe her. I'm not one hundred percent sold on her personally yet, but you know the kind of good press she can bring to your almost tarnished name. And if you're this invested in trying to win her back on your own accord instead of because of my own demand, then there must be something redeemable about her personality that I'd love to see for myself."
Was his father actually being...decent? Instead of the usual overbearing and insufferable almost tyrant that he had to deal with on a daily basis.
"You don't know her yet, father, but you will. She will be around for a long time, I can assure you of that."
"Well, then, what are you waiting for?"
*******
~Malia~
Louis had sent a town car to pick me up and take me to some touristy location with a cool looking tiny castle and stairs that took you all the way to the top of a large hill with those eyeglasses that allowed you to see the entirety of the land in close up.
The weather was fair and warm enough to go outside without a sweater so I dressed as best as I could without Mar's help as she was out with my grandparents shopping for God knows what ball or gala that they were going to attend later that night.
Saturdays were always my favorite days when my mom was still alive because we would always catch a matinee showing of the newest movie that had just come out and then get lunch at the local pizzeria in the center of town.
Hoping Louis could take my mind off of my broken family traditions, I stepped out of the car after my driver, one of Gordon's employees, opened it for me and there in front of me was Louis, dressed impeccably gorgeous even in everyday clothes.
Wearing a black leather jacket that accentuated his body and a plain white shirt underneath with light denim jeans, he looked almost normal, but his stark black hair and piercing blue eyes would notify anyone to the fact that he was anything but normal.
I felt almost underdressed in my skinny jeans and tight blue long sleeved shirt but when he swept me up into his arms the rest of the world and my clothing worries all melted away, and we were the only two people in the world.
***
The fire was not a necessity, given the mild fifty degree weather outside, but Louis had insisted on it since it created the 'romantic atmosphere' or whatever. I honestly would have went along with anything he told me as long as he said it in his accent that drove me insane.
We were literally in the middle of a romantic movie, draped in front of the fire cuddling on the floor with a wool blanket that I was sure cost a fortune.
"What is your favorite song?"
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
"Wow, a girl who enjoys classic music. Alright, well what is your favorite film?"
I laughed, realizing that he didn't know when to stop asking the questions and when to start answering them.
"Gone With the Wind."
"I don't believe I have seen that one yet..." he trailed off and I mock gasped, horrified that he hadn't seen my favorite movie.
"How dare you! We have to watch it immediately! Although I think we might need someone to go out and get it...and a DVD player since I don't think it's on any streaming websites."
"What a pity," he stated sarcastically and I playfully smacked him on his arm.
"Your turn. Favorite novel?"
"Don't mock me. Do I have to be honest?"
I turned around and gaped at him with all the seriousness I could muster.
"Absolutely."
"Pride and Prejudice..."
I had to smother my laugh for that one.
He rolled his body so that he was on top of me and was able to capture my stare directly in his gaze.
"You're mocking me, how utterly rude of you!"
And then he started tickling me, which ended up being hilarious because I wasn't that ticklish at all...except for my ribs which was where he soon realized was the only place I laughed uncontrollably when attacking me.
Unfortunately for me, my ribs were still sore from the damage I had endured and he abruptly stopped, immediately asking me if I was alright.
"I'm fine, I'm just a little sore still..." I trailed off, not knowing how to recapture the jovial atmosphere from moments before. Yet another thing that Robert stole from me.
"How do you cope with everything that happened? You're always so strong about it all."
I choked out a short bark of laughter as I laid back down on my back and stared up at him through thick lashes.
"I practice a lot of denial and suppression. It's not a very healthy habit but if I didn't then I would be a mess constantly. I know sooner or later I might break and this might come back to bite me but I don't care as long as I get through the next moment."
His eyes softened and he was so gorgeous it almost hurt to look at him directly.
"You're going to have to deal with those feelings sooner or later," he said, and although I hadn't allowed myself to realize that before that moment, the reality of his words hit me like a truck.
"I think distraction works better."
I reached up and pulled his face down to mine and we met in a symphony of kisses and laughter as we rolled around on the floor softened by the plush of multiple blankets, our kisses not rushed but languished, hands not frenzied but savory.
We spent the rest of the evening curled up in each other's arms, talking about our childhoods and relishing every aspect that would be the least bit similar considering how different our lives were growing up.
He would constantly pepper kisses to the tip of my nose, my forehead, the little spot where my ear connected to my neck, which he soon realized was my favorite place to be kissed.
It was a night of reprieve where we got to know each other in a deeper sense without the threat of gangs or paparazzi looming over us.
But the facade was all too soon broken as the sun began to set and I had to return back to the land of reality and face the demons that were hellbent on destroying us.
*******
Author's Note:
So what did you guys think??
What's going on in your country/state/area right now?! I live in Arkansas in the U.S. and all restaurants are closed inside and are only allowed to have take out, schools are closed until April 17th which is affecting my little brother's senior year :/HunterThompson17
We're being told to stay indoors as much as we can and only go inside the grocery store for emergent needs!
I hope you're all staying safe and healthy!! I hope this book can take your minds off of it for a little while!!
What do you think will happen next in the story??
What do you WANT to happen next?
As always until next time my lovely readers,
Kristen :)