The Runaway Princess

Chapter Twelve

Classes went on normally and Reina enjoyed every class. She knew the answers to most questions but decided not to answer any just observing.

It was time for lunch but before Reina could finish packing her books, Jeremy had disappeared.

Reina looked around and noticed that the twins were still in the classroom.

She picked her bag and walked over to their seat.

"What do you want?" David asked rudely.

"I'm sorry for the way I reacted in the morning. It felt sudden that two people wanted to be my friends when yesterday everyone ignored me. I'm sorry" Reina said and walked away.

She walked into the cafeteria, bought her food and sat alone at a table.

Reina was slowly eating her food when a girl sat opposite her. She was smiling nervously.

Reina smiled at her and that seemed to calm her down. Reina realized she wasn't going to say anything and continued with her food.

"Hi" the girl said nervously.

"Hi" Reina replied with a smile

"I'm Anne. My friends dared me to sit with you. They think you'll embarrass me or something" Anne said.

Reina frowned. Who were they to judge her without getting to know her first. It's all Leo's fault.

Anne checked her watch. "Time up. I have to go back. Bye" she said and left.

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"Who do you think would send the flowers?" Mirabelle asked.

"I don't have a suspect but why didn't the person just put a name" Mira said.

Over time, Mira, Chris and the twins started to hang out as friends.

They hung out in the cafeteria during lunch most times and sometimes on weekends.

"The person is probably shy or scared" Anabelle said.

"Hey Chris. You're far. What's up?" Miranda said.

"Nothing. I have to go. Bye." She said and left hurriedly.

Reina waved without a smile.

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"Mr. Beverly. You have a call from a Liam Beverly. " Miranda said.

"Transfer the call immediately." Leo ordered.

Miranda wondered who the person might be. She had never heard of a family member. She shrugged it off and continued with her work.

Leo wondered why Liam called his office line and not his personal line.

"Hello"

"Leo. Please, come and pick me up. I'll be arriving tomorrow afternoon. Please" Liam said.

Leo noticed the difference in Liam's voice. His voice was low and urgent. He heard the fear in his voice.

"Liam, what's going on?" Leo asked but Liam hung up.

'He could have just told me to send the jet to pick him up.' Leo thought.

Liam's call was a relief to Leo but it equally made him stressed. He knew something was very wrong with his brother.

He tried calling back but it didn't go through.

On getting home, Leo made preparations for Liam's return. Mia cleaned his room. New sheets and curtains and toiletries.

Mia asked for Liam's favorite foods so that she could prepare them.

The following day, Leo was excited. "My brother is retuning today" he told Miranda.

Miranda didn't ask questions but smiled.

After school, Reina decided to go to Secrets. She was a regular visitor at the company so everyone knew to let her in.

The staff loved having Reina around because she usually helped.

Thirty minutes to Liam's arrival time, Miranda rushed into Leo's office.

"Sir, the investors are here. They want to meet with you urgently" Miranda said.

"What? Why so suddenly? Tell them I'm not available." Liam said.

He groaned. "I need to pick my brother up"

Miranda left the office and came back in less than five minutes.

She shook her head. "They insisted on meeting now" Miranda said.

Leo ran his hands through his hair.

"Calm down. Reina can go with the driver to pick him up. I'm sure he won't mind if you explain to him" Miranda said.

Leo agreed after giving it a thought. "That works fine" he said.

Miranda informed Reina then she left with Leo to the meeting.

The flight arrival was announced. Liam walked out and looked around for his brother.  Reina approached him. The resemblance between the brothers was very obvious.

"Hi" she said.

"Who are you?" He asked rudely.

"Reina Jones. Leo sent me. He couldn't pick you up because something urgent came up" Reina said.

Reina wanted to collect his bag but Liam wouldn't let her. She shrugged and led the way to the car.

The drive back to the company was silent. Reina didn't know what to say to him and Liam wouldn't bother.

They pulled into the parking lot of the company. No one moved.

Reina who was sitting at the front looked back to look at Liam.

"Aren't you getting down?" She asked.

"I don't know my way around" Liam said.

Liam hadn't been to New York in a long time worse still, he didn't know his way around the company.

Reina sighed and got out of the car Liam doing the same.

Reina led the way to Leo's office. She opened the door and walked in.

"He's probably still in the meeting. You can sit and wait for him. Bye" Reina said.

But before she could leave, Leo walked in.

"Thank you so much Reina. You're a life saver" Leo said with a smile.

"No problem." She said and walked out.

Leo and Liam stood staring at each other.

It was Liam who broke first. When hugged his brother tightly.
"I missed you. No contact for a year and it felt like I was loosing my mind" Leo said.

Liam smiled nervously. "I'm here now" he said and hugged his brother again.

"We'll leave now. I'll take the rest of the day off" Leo said and called for Miranda.

Liam gasped silently as Mira entered the office. Leo introduced them and they shook hands.

"I'm leaving now and I'm not coming back today. Please, reschedule all my appointments for today. You're free to leave when you want to" Leo said.

Liam wouldn't stop staring at Miranda. Liam's eyes trailed after her as she left Leo's office.

Leo hit Liam's back playfully. "Don't even think about it" Leo said seriously.

"Why?"

Leo didn't reply. He picked Liam's luggage and walked out of the office.

Liam hurried after his brother not able to get rid of Mira from his mind.

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