The Vet Assistant

Chapter 17

"Your Highness," Most of them said smiling softly.

"Congratulations," Sean spoke gently. "How are you feeling?"

"I am very well, Dr. Green, thank you for your concern," She barely nodded. "I appreciate it."

"Will you be moving back into your house now that you are better?" Kota asked curiously. "Or will you be returning to your kingdom now?"

"That is to be decided," She answered politely.

"Sister," A voice said behind her. The men noticed it held concern and warning in it.

"Yes, thank you Jaxon," She smiled looking over her shoulder at her brother.

She noticed that North continued to stare at her in awe. "Thank you for coming tonight, I would like to speak on behalf of the charity and appreciate your support in this cause. I would also like to thank you Mr. Morgan for playing such beautiful music."

"You are very welcome," He nodded while continuing to play.

"Calista," North cleared his throat, "I mean Princess, or Your Highness, um..."

"Yes, Mr. Taylor?" She asked.

Silence fell between the two of them while she waited patiently. Another gentleman came over and gently tapped her shoulder, making her turn to face him, "May I please have this dance, Your Highness?"

"Yes, you may," She smiled softly placing her hand in his open hand. "Good night, Gentlemen," She said smiling at the group before being led away.

"You are a fucking idiot," Gabe whispered shaking his head.

"I froze, alright?" North grumbled as he watched her dance with the stranger.

Another gentleman came over once the song was over and she began dancing with him. Her brother stepped in and she began slowly dancing with him. The little girl she brought came up to her while she was dancing with the king and he nodded to her then stepped to the side so she could dance with Calista. It brought smiles to them as they watched her dance with the little girl with such peace and happiness on both of their faces.

"I need some air," North mumbled breaking away from the group and started walking outside.

"Give him some time," Silas shook his head when Luke started to follow. Luke nodded and they grew silent as they watched her dance.

North leaned against the wall and sighed. Hearing footsteps he pressed into the wall even more, not wanting to be bothered. He inhaled when he saw Calista walk up to the balcony and grip it while taking a slow deep breath then slowly let it out. He pushed off the wall, exiting the dark shadows and slowly walked to her.

"Not right now Jaxon, I just need a moment that is all," She said not turning around as she heard the footsteps approaching her. "Please, I'm okay, I promise."

"Calista," North spoke softly making her turn to face him in shock.

"Mr. Taylor," She straightened her back and cleared her throat. "Is there something I can help you with? They will be serving food in just a moment."

"Can you please tell me what you took that night at the club?" He blurted out the first thing that came to his mind then internally berated himself for asking that. It wasn't supposed to be the first thing he said to her. He was such a freaking idiot right now and he couldn't figure out why this girl got him so messed up. What the fuck was wrong with him?

She turned to face him better, "It was just a pain pill, Mr. Taylor. The friend accompanying me knew I was pushing my limit to experience everything I could just in case and gave me a pain reliever so I could keep dancing, that was all it was."

"Thank you for telling me," He nodded. Silence fell between them once more. He gripped the tie around his neck and started pulling on it nervously. He took a deep breath and sighed. He could do this. "I'm sorry," He blurted out making her blink in surprise.

"Ex...excuse me?" She asked in shock.

"I'm sorry for my attitude," He rushed out. "For the way I've been treating you, I'm sorry."

"Oh," She whispered. She cleared her throat then spoke with enough conviction and strength that her voice held truth in her words. "I appreciate your concern for my feelings but rest assured Mr. Taylor that they did not affect me. Excuse me."

She walked past him into the charity, and he sighed while closing his eyes. He gripped the balcony railing and barely groaned out his anger at himself. He was such an idiot and now he was certain that he lost every chance of ever trying to explain himself or redeem himself for being a foolish punk to her. "Fucking idiot," He whispered to himself as he straightened himself up and sighed.

He turned to go back into the charity and find his family and froze. Jaxon stared at him for a minute then turned and entered the mass of people. North blinked in confusion then went searching for his family.