LVII

LVII

The week after my conversation with Isaac Warden had been the hardest days in three years. My conscience was playing its role to remind me that it was all my fault and I could not sleep at night properly because, again, it was all my fault.

My brain was not yet able to absorb what Prince Alexander did for my father about the accident and me. However, my heart was the complete opposite. It had already accepted those things even before Isaac explained it to me.

I did not know what I should do now. I wanted to clarify everything, but I did not want to see him because of guilt and brokenness. Probably, Isaac was saying the truth, but images of how upset the prince was when he learned about my betrayal by giving his father the contract and, how he had kissed Emily were still roaming in my mind.

Moreover, I was scared that they were only playing to trap me so that Prince Alexander would do his revenge, especially now that he started his country visit in the USA and charity programs in different cities. It was more terrifying if he already knew about my children, and he did this to get our children away from me.

I shivered at the thought. Lola noticed my silence. We were both in the kitchen, drinking coffee while feeding Jared and Cassandra their baby food. We woke up very early because this was the first day of our very big client: Isaac Warden. There were buildings of papers waiting in the office. It also included our anniversary this coming week.

"Shirley," based on her expression, Lola could not contain the questions in her head, "You have something to tell me, right?"

My gaze stayed on Jared and never looked up. I had not yet told Lola about my interaction with Prince Alexander's best friend because I could not find the right timing. Maybe, I should tell her this time.

A pair of green eyes captured mine before I could speak. My baby boy was a complete resemblance of his father. The chances were so high that the prince would recognize immediately Jared as his son once they meet.

Brushing Jared's hair, I asked Lola, "What if I cross fate with His Highness again?"

She almost spilled the coffee out of her mouth and gave me disbelieving looks. This was my first time I spoke about him again after three years. Her eyebrows met, "Is this have something to do with your meeting with that Warden man?"

I nodded and without a second thought, I told her all the details of my talk with Isaac. I knew Lola wanted to say her thoughts, but she kept her coolness at bay and listened to me. My voice cracked when I spoke about the accidents and related – I could still not believe that the queen would do that.

"Talk to Prince Alexander when you meet him," Lola said directly after I asked her if I was going to believe Isaac Warden.

I finally looked at her and whispered, "Is that alright?"

"Of course," she said in the matter-of-fact, "If you love him and he really loves you, no need to avoid each other forever. Three years are enough, Shirley, to hide your true feelings. Both of you need to sit down and talk about all your foolishness." She walked to me, leaving Cassandra behind, and then grasped my shoulders, "The only way you can free yourself from this nightmare is to claim that prince again."

The thorns on my heart that lived there for a long time instantly vanished as well as the hollow in my chest. Maybe, Lola was right. Even though I had a new life with my twins, I was still living with misery for the reason I missed him so much. For the reason I loved him so much. For the reason the harder I tried to forget, the deeper I fell in love with him.

We needed to talk no matter what happened. Three years were enough to fool myself that I was not searching for his presence. However, I would not consider what Isaac had said unless it would personally come out from Prince Alexander's mouth.

Lola winked and returned to Cassandra when the doorbell rang. Someone opened it, maybe Chance, who was playing on his IPad in the living room, and I did not bother to know who the morning visitor was. It might be the deliveryman of the milk.

I continued to feed Jared that I did not notice we already had a new company.

"Good morning everyone," his husky voice would make every teenage girls blushed.

I looked over my shoulder. I frowned "What are you doing here?"

He raised his both hands in defense, "Have you forgotten, Shirley? We have an arrangement that we will meet every third Monday of the month." He grinned and brought down the paper bags, I assumed breakfast, on the dining table.

Paulo, my ex-boyfriend long time ago, had been a good friend to me and my children since we met accidentally two years ago or it was a set up by my best friend. Well, I asked her, but she kept on denying.

Anyway, our hangout was not really an arrangement, but only a friendly agreement that every third Monday of the month we would have breakfast, lunch or dinner with my kids. We were fine with our friendship at the present. No more. No less. Paulo told me when we had dinner last month that he was courting a pretty girl in Chicago. I was excited to know if they were already officially dating.

"How do you do, superman and wonder woman?" Paulo asked, crouching between the high chairs of the twins.

"Beating monsters," Jared answered with his hands in the air.

"Paupau, fly," Cassandra requested and pulled Paulo's hair. I wanted to scold Cassandra but this man just smiled and put my baby girl on his neck.

Ironically, my children had spent more time with my ex than their true father.

-----

The traffic was too heavy as we arrived at the hotel. We ate in a popular eatery downtown before going here. I almost forgot the 'day one' of our major client for the month or for the year.

I removed my seatbelt and glanced at Paulo before eying my children at the backseat on their baby chair with X-seatbelt crossing them.

Paulo went out of his Ford and walked around to open my door. I also got out and opened Cassandra's door to get her. He did the same to Jared on the other side.

I was waiting for Paulo who opened the trunk to get the stroller when I suddenly felt someone watching me. I tried to find who it was, but only traffic congestion and people walking quickly became my answers. My paranoid side was only playing.

Paulo pushed the stroller, which was good for two babies, in front of me and I put Cassandra beside Jared.

"You need to bring them to mom before lunchtime, okay?" I reminded him for the nth time since he asked me if he could bring the children at the new toy store near the hotel.

"Yes, madam, I'm going to call you immediately," he gestured a call and smiled warmly.

I kissed my children's forehead and hugged Paulo in a friendly way. "Thanks, Pau," I said and entered the building.

The staff in the reception area looked nervous and horrified as if there were terrorists waiting outside. The guards inspected all that entering the premises, even the employees. The safety of the hotel always maintained but the security was tight like this when we had guests like president or leader of a country. But, why did we have this kind of security right now?

Isaac Warden was a freaking owner of the biggest security agency in the world. He could defend himself. The hotel's guards were only wasting their energy.

When I stepped in the office, my co-workers turned their heads at my direction. Violet greeted me as soon as I arrived at my table. She handed me a folder that gained her a confused response from me.

"Shirley, I envy you," she pouted and continued her explanation without waiting for me to ask, "Mr. Warden ask you to create an additional budget for their upcoming charity event in Atlanta. Seriously, you hit the jackpot. We are all curious what really happened in the conference hall last week."

I glared at her and put the folder on my table, "What are you talking about? They have their own accountants, why am I going to do a budget for them." I sat on my chair before rebooting my computer.

Violet leaned her back to the edge of my table and put her arms across her chest, "Yes, they have accountants, but the person assigned for their budget has an emergency and needs to return to U.K. as soon as possible. Mr. Legend recommends you, and we're all jealous about it."

I sighed exasperatedly and said, "What?" I almost cursed in the process.

Violet stood straight and put her hand on her lips, "I almost forgot," she panicked and pulled my arm, "Mr. Legend also reminded me to tell you that you have a meeting at nine o'clock in the penthouse."

I looked at my wristwatch that told me it was already nine-fifteen. I stood immediately and held the folder Violet gave to me.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier? I'm late," instead of protesting about my assignment being an accountant of Isaac Warden's group, I worried to be late on our meeting.

Violet was kept on saying her apologies when I left, bringing the folder and my laptop. Isaac Warden must hide his face from me because I would punch him hard if I saw him. He was playing this game as a representative of the prince, I was sure of that. I would be a good opponent by creating a high value budget and spending his billions. I hoped he was ready, too.

I was gritting my teeth when I rode the elevator. I pushed the button of the highest floor where the penthouse was located. I was imagining what accounts should be overstated to teach that man a lesson when the elevator halted and the doors opened.

I quickly entered the suite. I panicked when I discovered the door was not lock. Maybe, everybody was already inside and started the meeting.

The luxury hotel room was approximately four times bigger than an ordinary room. The environment was the mixture of modernization and historical. I walked in the living room to check if the meeting was happening there. The room had sixty-inch LED TV and comforting L-shape couch for those who decided to watch on the TV or wanted to view the city or both. The wall behind the television was made of glass that enabled the visitors to watch Atlanta any time. An antique coffee table placed near the couch.

There was also a white grand piano in the same room. It was facing the glass wall and although I did not know how to play the instrument, I knew the view outside would give someone an inspiration to play.

The door of the study room or workroom or whatever it was, stood in the same area. I played with my chance that the meeting was happening in that room. But, once I opened it, only silence welcomed me.

And, a man watching the city through the window.

The next thing I felt, my heart dropped to the ground floor.

His back was facing me. His dark blonde hair tousled in different direction. He wore a white shirt and its sleeves rolled until his elbows, which molded by his biceps and back muscles. His black pants suited him well as always. The black leather shoes only designed for the royals.

Even though we were together shorter than we were apart, I could recognize him in every angle. My body, my heart, my brain and even my soul, knew this man standing five meters from me. In three years, I always dreamed that we were not thousands miles away, but I was afraid that I might hurt him again or he would hurt me instead. Now that we were a few steps away, I would claim the prince who once had been mine.

With trembling body and stunned emotions, I manage to say, "Why are you here?"

-----

Thirty minutes ago...

The morning traffic gave Clarissa Williams a headache. The schedule for the day was hectic because of their delayed flight from Washing D.C. to Georgia. They supposed to be in this state last night, but because of bad weather, they travelled only this morning.

She browsed the notes on her mobile phone to see the missed activities. Thankfully, Isaac Warden found a hotel that was near to the event of their charity program in Atlanta. She did not have to struggle every day in the traffic.

Clarissa heard a window pulling down from the backseat and removed her sight on the screen. She turned her head over her shoulder but she was not able to speak because her eyes caught the sign of Opulento Hotel. They were one U-turn away.

She smiled and viewed the building across the street. She was about to tell something to the prince sitting at the back when she saw him gawking at the outside as if there was a prey.

Clarissa followed his eyes and saw a woman, with short brown hair, standing in front of the hotel while holding a toddler. She rubbed her eyes to make sure her vision was not tricking her. However, it turned out that she was really watching Shirley Woodman talking with a tall American man whose hair was jet black and had good looks. The guy was pushing a stroller and the accountant-who had brought agony to the prince-put the baby on the stroller.

She stared at Prince Alexander who gained the longest face in the history after watching his beloved woman having a family now. He pushed a button to closed the window again, Clarissa knew that the prince was nothing but heartbroken. More than heartbroken.

"Your Highness," Clarissa uttered, trying to divert the attention of the prince.

Prince Alexander closed his eyes and covered it by his one arm. He whispered, "I think, I'm three years late."

Clarissa could not form a word to say. She returned her gaze on Shirley Woodman, who bloomed with happiness. She had already found a new life without the prince. Supposedly, Clarissa would be happy for her old colleague, but she could not if Prince Alexander would live his remaining years like how he lived in those years without that accountant.

However, maybe Prince Alexander was right, he was already three years late.

(A/N: Sorry for late update! I was not able to give you this chapter earlier because I also have a life outside Wattpad. You know, I need to go to review center three weeks from now, so I'm enjoying the remaining days of my vacation. I'm also a fangirl so please forgive me, Bangtan Sonyeondan and Running Man for the delay of this chapter :D I hope you love this! Til next update! Thank you very much for more than a hundred thousand reads. You guys are all awesome. GOD bless!)