and we hated

Fact no.35: Maybe some days spent with my besties is just what I need

APRIL

Soph held her word. When she said they'll come pick us up, she literally meant it. Hopping off the private plane that arrived for us are Soph and Nini, Darrel in their shadows. As they see the two of us crying, they run to us and take us in a hug.

"Oh my Gosh, what happened?", Soph asks, leading us inside her plane. Yes. HER plane.

Dia and I only begin talking as we arrive inside the aircraft and are sitting down on the couch.

~

The black SUV waits for us at the Nice airport. Meanwhile the girls have been informed about everything that happened. They ended up with two more names on their kill-list. Coin's and Leo's.

The black SUV leads us through Monte Carlo, but doesn't stop in front of a hotel. But at the sea. The car parks at a special parking lot and the four of us go outside, Darrel and a new bodyguard in our shadow. Soph already provided us all with sunglasses, not to be recognized. She herself wears a huge hat and some huge sunglasses. It doesn't work as planned since paparazzi start taking pictures of her the moment she steps out of the car. Some tourists already start shouting: "Princess Sofia!" or "Your Royal Highness!". She makes Darrel a sign to follow her and the other bodyguard to stay with us. She removes her sunglasses and goes greet the people, offering some smiles and autographs. I look surprised and Nini must have noticed, since she adds: "It has been like this in every city we've been in. And although she enjoys greeting everybody, it sometimes annoys her to pieces."

I nod, and wait for Soph to return. She waves at the fans and comes back to us, Darrel in her shadow, and Dia and I follow the girls to a huge yacht.

"The hotel was too crowded", Soph explains. "And there are too many photographers there", she adds after a while.

"What were those?", I ask reminding her of what just happened. She shrugs, polite smile still on. She knows that we are still being watched.

"Those were few compared to other times", she whispers.

We get on board and the two lead us to a deck upstairs, with a cozy sitting area. There are three decks. The bottom one with a dining area and an outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven and a grill. The second floor with a swimming pool, a jacuzzi. And the third one, the one we are on now, with a lounging area.

"Where are Alec and Caden?", I ask them. They smile.

"They are out in town. Showing off Alec's car", Nini explains with a chuckle.

"They really love driving that car", Soph adds. "And called it a guys' day the moment we decided to come pick you up. They'll be back for dinner."

We nod, and Soph disappears inside, coming back carrying a tray of water, some empty glasses and some snacks. I can hear a woman, probably one of the staff call for her in French. Soph replies in the same language that she doesn't need help and she got this. I can hear the woman call again, and Soph chuckles.

"As we bought this boat", she says, on her way to us. So the yacht actually belongs to them. "My parents found out where we are", Soph continues. I didn't think the Royal House of Cordelia didn't know where their princess was. Especially as her social media was filled with photos of her in the different cities and many photoshoots with some of the most important fashion houses in the world. My Pinterest also became full of Soph. And one search for her name on any social media is followed by many fanpage accounts.

Kinda hard not to know where the girl is.

"So they sent some staff from Cordelia to work on this boat", Soph continues, letting the tray on the table. "That's why this place has some people in it, apart from us. The second bodyguard came also with the staff. He stays here just for the holiday, goes back in Cordelia when we're back at Wrencore. Daniel is part of the royal guard."

She waves at the new man sitting next to Darrel and introduces us to him. He only nods in return.

"Compared to Daniel, Darrel is the sunshine in person", Soph adds. Nini lets out a chuckle. Darrel frowns and wants to tell her something, probably a joke, but stops himself. I knew that if it were just us, he would have said that joke. I can see sadness flicker in my bestie's eyes.

"So, what is the plan for the rest of the holiday?", I ask the girls, if only to keep the conversation going.

"Well, this place at the dock here is reserved for us until the end of the holiday. We can stay here or leave, if you want to go elsewhere. Just say where and we'll sail there", Soph says. Nini nods and backs her up.

"Nice was nice. Or we can go to Italy. Wherever you want. We can also just chill here and sip margaritas in the pool if that's what you want."

A day filled with sun, pools and alcohol to forget my sadness? Sounds like a plan.

I nod at her last thought and Nini smiles. Soph rolls her eyes amused.

"Fine. Let's do that", she answers though. She wants to stand up, but stops midway. "I'm sorry to ask, but won't the two look for you?"

I swallow hard. Dia flinches. She starts shivering just at the thought of Leo. I see red at the thought of Noah.

"We don't want to see them. Or talk to them", I reply for the both of us. Dia nods in agreement.

"As you wish", Soph replies.

"You know they might call you", Nini adds. I swear, this girl might be a genius. We didn't think of that. And indeed, as I open my phone, I find many notifications. Twenty missed calls and fifty-four messages. All from Noah. Three missed calls from Kai and one from Cami.

Fuck.

"Can we burn the phones?", I ask. I swear I can see both bodyguards flinch at that. Especially Daniel.

"I don't think the two like the idea", Nini comments, pointing at the men. I have to chuckle.

"I'll ask Alec to get you two new phone cards on the way here", Soph offers and already takes out her phone to dial her boyfriend, before we can tell her not to, since it it too much.

She laughs at something he says and goes inside to continue their conversation.

She seems happy.

I used to be that way too a few hours ago.

I miss that.

A new tear rolls down my cheek and Nini must have seen it or noticed that Dia is already crying again. "Let's go find you some bathing suits", she suggests. We nod and follow her. I didn't think of taking bathing suits with me. Truth is, I didn't think of anything. I just needed to go out of there. Out.

I got out. But I feel trapped inside. Still with his phone in my hands, staring at that picture.

Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe it wasn't meant for him. Maybe I overreacted.

Or maybe I didn't...

I honestly don't know. Fuck Noah Coin.