Caught

Chapter 16: Warning Her

I check my watch and it was close to midnight. The time I told Haley to meet me. After an eventful dinner I told Haley where to meet.

Okay don't make fun, but we have this like maze. I call it a garden maze. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. I was gonna go to the roof, but we have snipers up there to watch the property. I mean I can't ask them to leave their post. It would leave the mansion/palace whatever you call it vulnerable.

Anyway, in the cut there's this little shed, that I kind of turned into my little home away. A place to get away from my parents when they argued over my future. We all thought my dad was gonna be king for a long time.

That's gonna be another story for another day. Right now I need to tell Haley what my mother intends to do in a couple of weeks. I stand up from me chair getting a little impatient. But she did tell me it was hard for her to follow directions.

Just as I was about to leave I saw the door knob start to turn. I backed up and waited. Of course I'm on my guard just in case it wasn't Haley.

Then, I hear her voice and let out a breath of relief. I smile seeing her walk through the door. She was wearing a white shaw around her shoulders, plaid black and blue pajama pants, her fluffy slippers and a long sleeve red shirt.

Gone was her make up and I love her natural look. Her hair was down and pulled back into a light ponytail. She smiled closing the door and turned to look at me.

I smile back and offer for her to take a seat. We both take the few steps to the small round table and sit at the same time. She looks around and smiles.

"This is so cute. When did you build this?" She asked looking at me.

I shrugged, "About ten years after I turned. My parents kept arguing over who was going to take over the Kingdom, me or my brother. My dad wanted me, while my mom wanted Michael. Dad took me under his wing, he just knew I was best fit."

"Why does you mom like your brother more?"

I sigh and leaned back in my chair, "He's the first born. Then, I came along about four years later, my sisters two year after that. He's the golden boy. He could do no wrong in her eyes. But when my father announced that I was the heir she was disappointed. My brother left and she went to find him. She was gone for three years. When she came back she was tougher than before."

I stood up gettting restless. I slowly start to pace, "I guess you could say I was the runt of the family. Mom adored my sisters. She basically ignored me when I turned ten. But my dad picked up the slack. He made sure I was included..." I stopped and looked at her.

"I'll tell you more another day, but I asked you here for another reason." I returned to me seat. I collected my thoughts for a moment and looked at her.

"I know we agreed to take it slow, get to know each other, date, then go from there. Halloween is in a couple of weeks and we throw a ball." I start to explain.

I watched as her eyes lit up, "Oh wow! Like an actual ball?!"

I smile at her excitement and nodded, "The last 295 years we have. Anyway, my mom is going to announce an engagement between you and I."

I tell her not taking my eyes away from her. She sits back in her chair and she does seem confused.

"It's one of those things. Once we find our soulmate we through a ball and make an announcement. Most of the time the person is caught off guard, but I'm warning you now. Normally when it's announced their person either runs away or just grins and bears it. I'm being honest with you. I know I'm late with the truth. But I am hoping you can trust me." I finished saying.

I just wait for her to talk. I know she's letting it all sink in. I try to look everywhere but her. The silence is so unbearable that I stood up and went to the small bookcase just to get some space.

"Do we have to get married right away?" She asks me breaking the silence.

I look at her and shake my head, "No, we don't have. We just have to put on a show. I don't want to rush you into a marriage you aren't ready for."

She nods, "I appreciate that. Ever since my first marriage I told myself I would never get married again, but you happened." She said with a small smile.

I go over to her and get on my knees, and take her hands in mine, "I want to get us to know each other, and I will properly propose one day. But on Halloween we just have to put on a show. I do have a small ring you can use. I do plan on getting a better one. I don't want to keep anymore secrets from you."

"Well I mean you kept to yourself hidden from me for four years. Until I caught you on the fire escape." She squeezed my hand and we both chuckled.

"So what's our story? How did you ask me?" She asks still smiling. I kiss her hand and I get up to sit back in my chair.

We both sat there and talked about our fake engagement story. We decided that I proposed to her under the stars in Michigan right before Jacob interrupted us. It was solid. We just had to make sure our stories lined up.

I go on to tell her during the beginning of the ball we have to meet everyone that walks through the door. She shook her head and laughed and mentioned Pride and Predjudice, the movie not the book. Not the 2005 verison, my favorite the 1990s verison. I mean that's the best one.

Anyway, there was something else we had to talk about.

"So my mom loves to mess with me emotionally. She's going to invite pretty much every single girl I have been with."

"You're mom is just evil. I wouldn't be surprised if she goes to see your brother from time to time." She shook her head and I looked at her and shrugged.

"Wait! She goes to see him?! She shouldn't do that?!" She almost yells.

"Oh don't worry, I have my best people on her. I don't trust my mom, never have. She won't be part of battle plans at all." I start to tell.

"No, not even that, she's picked her side. I know you're able to get into minds, I've felt you. I don't trust your mother. You shouldn't either. Fuck, I don't even trust my own mother." She finished shaking her head. She crossed her arms in front of her and leaned back in her chair.

"Don't worry, once I'm crowned, I'll make sure my mother isn't part of our lives."