LIV

(A/N: Dedicated this chapter to @DhaYoung who was the first one who suggested a chapter for Prince Alexander's POV! Thank you for the support! People, if anyone of you has a requested chapter to be written in Prince Alexander's point of view, please comment it now. Free to chose what chapter. And, to give you an inspiration to think, Prince Alexander's picture at the top. *drooling* Don't forget to vote, comment and share! Love lots!)

LIV

3 years later...

The alarm went off in the midst of my peaceful dream that I already failed to recall once my eyes opened. New day for all of us, I smiled at the thought. As a habit, I extended my arms on my both sides to hold them, but I sat up immediately when I touched no one. I was alone on my bed. I got nervous and scared. It could not be...

I stood and went out of my room to look for them. This was always my feeling every time I woke up alone. I could not breathe properly and my heart began to palpitate. I was afraid that they would be gone, as I had done to him. I was afraid of the consequence.

I saw my mom in the kitchen, cooking our breakfast for the day. Since we transferred in Lola's and Cricket's house years ago, we did not hire people to do the house chores for us. My mom, Lola, my two sisters and I would do the cooking, laundry and cleaning of the house. It was by schedule. Father, Cricket and Chance were always there to help us.

"Mom," she looked at me when I called her. I leaned forward on the dining table because I suddenly became dizzy.

"What's wrong, Shirley?" She asked fearfully, knowing my anxiety attacks I had since my last night in the palace.

"Where are they?" My question was more air than words.

Before mom could answer, I heard a little voice from not so far, "Mommy!"

My eyes darted on the entrance of the dining area, where they stood. I run to them. I kneeled and hugged both of them.

"Where have you been?" I lamented.

"Hey, Shirley, we just played on the garden while you acted as sleeping beauty on your bed," Lola answered for my children.

I stood and glared at her, "What? Why didn't you wake me up?"

She chuckled, "We woke you up, but your real best friend is sleep so we didn't take you away from her."

I rolled my eyes at her and looked again at my two cute little babies, who were innocently smiling. They were my trophies of happiness, despite of what happened to me.

Yeah, I gave birth to fraternal twins. Meaning my children with Prince Alexander were a boy and a girl. They took me out of my nightmare when I confirmed that I was pregnant three years ago. And I was so thankful that I had them.

I named my boy Jared. He was a replica of the prince so I got one of his names (Prince Alexander Jared Paul Leonard). His dark blonde hair slightly curled on his head. Green eyes mesmerized everyone who could see him. Every part of his face was from that prince. He did not get any from me.

My girl was Cassandra. Lola insisted this name, but it sounded beautiful so I accepted. Unlike Jared who got everything from his father, Cassandra inherited nothing from my genes except her blue eyes. Her curly hair was light blonde, while her nose was pointed but smaller than I had. The shape of her face was round. She was more beautiful than I was. I knew that I had already seen that face before, but I did not know where and when.

They were exactly two years and five months, but acted like five years old or so, because they were hardheaded, especially, Cassandra. I was sure she inherited that trait from their father. But, I was strict to them in terms of attitude. I did not want them to grow up involving in different scandals.

My mom prepared eggs scrambled because that was the favorite of her grandchildren. We ate casually, talking like we never saw each other yesterday.

Unlike before, Cricket could talk with us without awkwardness. He owned this mansion for tree's sake, but he had been uncomfortable. However, that was years ago. He was like a brother to me. We were in the same age as well as Lola. They got married last year and my little kids joined their royal-inspired wedding entourage.

Nevertheless, they were not expecting a child soon because they were both busy in their respective jobs.

"Hey, Shirley, let's go shopping later," Lola said while feeding Cassandra.

I put a spoonful of egg in Jared's mouth then answered her, "Can we do it next weekend? I have no salary yet."

I was fortunate to have a decent job after of what happened in England. I had tried to apply in different companies who needed an accountant, but only rejected in the end. After the news about the unethical accountant of the prince broke out, it was hard for me to find a job. I could not put in my curriculum vitae the experience I had in the palace because they would only think that I was that accountant in the news. It was partly true though. Moreover, being a lack of experience accountant was a big no to them.

Lola referred me to the hotel she was working. When she moved here in Atlanta, the president of our former company had a hotel in this place so he recommended Lola to fill the position of Human Resources Supervisor. Seriously, my best friend was really blessed. And she shared it to me.

I was currently the manager of the accounting division, billing department. We were in-charge of billings our customers. Well, I started as an accounting staff but after years of hard working, promoted to be a manager. I had told the newly wed if my family and I could move out because I was earning enough to rent a good house, but they still contended that we should live with them until the world ended. The mansion was too big for them without us.

I was thankful of my life now. It was almost complete but one was still missing...

"You must be kidding me," Lola interrupted my thoughts. "I know you have savings."

"Lola," I gave her dagger stares. I was saving that money for the third birthday of my twins. I wanted to give them the best birthday they deserved.

"Shirley," Mom entered to our conversation, "You should join Lola. You work for six days a week and you need a rest day. After shopping, go to a spa."

I was preparing to protest when Dad joined, "I agree. Lola will be bored in this house because Cricket and I will play golf today, unless you want to come with us."

"No way," Lola and I answered simultaneously. We laughed afterwards. Watching men playing golf were horribly boring for us.

"Don't worry, Ley," Hana cheerfully said, "Elena and I will accompany you so we could help in taking care the twins. But, you must treat us lunch in a classy restaurant."

I wanted to scold my thirteen year old sister, but she had an ally here. "That's noted, our beautiful Hana," Lola grinned and continued to spoil my sister. She was also starting to recruit my little Cassandra. Ugh.

"Sweetheart, you should also buy her a dress for her speech competition," Cricket reminded his wife while tapping her shoulder.

"Oh yeah, it didn't slip my mind, baby girl," she responded, talking to Hana.

"Cricket, Lola, I'll buy her the dress she needs, no need to spend your money," finally, I spoke without disturbance.

My best friend waved her pointing finger, "No, no, Mr. Cricket Zachary here wants to sponsor my little sister's contest."

"You're not her sister," I jokingly uttered.

She looked at my parents, acting as if a child rejected in joining a game, "Mom, Dad, I'm your adopted child, right? Shirley don't believe you!"

We laughed at her stunt. That was my best friend who did not give up on me even in the hardest part of my life. I was truly grateful that she was there for me always.

Once everyone finished eating the delicious food, Lola and I started to clean up, with mom's help. The rest went to living room and watched the morning news. I could hear them in the kitchen.

In the end, I accepted Lola's offer to go shopping despite of my lazy body today. Mom was right I need a rest day. Spa was good to my ears.

When we were done in the kitchen, we joined the others. Mom and Dad were already gone. They went to the market to check their business before Dad would play golf today. Lola and Cricket went somewhere, too. They might be in their room, who knew what they were doing.

I sat beside Elena who focused watching the news. I was glad that she was healthy after her heart transplant a few months ago. Her skin was not pale anymore compare when she still had heart disease. There was blood blooming on her cheeks. She was active in high school and I was happy about her.

"Shirs, what do you think if I take up accountancy in college?" She asked while her eyes still glued on the flat screen TV.

"You're smarter than me," I answered honestly, "You can cope up with that course with lesser difficulty than I had."

"Hmm, Shirs, umm," Elena could not find the words she wanted. What was wrong to my sister?

To reply on my question, Hana spoke, "Elena has a crush named Jiro. That guy is taking up accountancy in the university and Elena wants to follow him."

"Shut up, Hana!" Elena yelled, blushing wildly.

I giggled, but before I could tease my sister, my twins shouted in unison, "Daddy!"

My heart almost leaped out of my mouth when I watched them running toward the TV. There, Prince Alexander's face flashed. The news was about his visit to the USA for his charity programs. He was still handsome, regardless of beard he had. It was becoming thicker as time passed by. I did not know if he was busy on his work that he could not find a time to shave, or he was too busy to his mistresses, or he did it on purpose. Whatever it was, I was glad that my-his-children saw him on nice news.

He had returned to his old habit since we departed ways. He became the Prince of Scandal again. Every week, new woman involved with his name. I was sure that nothing happened to his relationship with Princess Emily because she was still with Prince Nicholas. And deep inside my heart, I was glad. However, it was not all right seeing him with different bimbo every week. It made my stomach churned and I wanted to bald him.

I did not have any right to have this feeling now because, undoubtedly, he had already filed a divorce that time I left him. But, it was okay. At least, he was having a life now.

How did my children know their father? It happened last winter when I accidentally opened his picture in a website. Both Jared and Cassandra saw that because they were sitting on my sides and my ever-talkative sister (Hana) was also there. She told my twins that the man on the computer was their daddy. My children deserved to learn who their father was, so I did not deny. I told them that their father was a prince and he needed to work in the palace that was the reason he was not with us. Jared had a blank face, while his twin sister was thrilled. Just hearing prince and palace made her bounced.

"Cass princess?" She had squealed with excitement that night. She was a fan of Cinderella and Snow White because Hana read it to her. Therefore, being a princess to her was like them.

As long as my children and Prince Alexander were not crossing the paths, it was fine with me if they called him daddy.

"Shirley, let's go," Lola shouted on my ear that made me jumped.

"Oh my gosh, Lola," I held my chest.

"Your mind is going to all dimensions but here," she said, "Let's go, Miss Spacing out?"